Here is a look on the Android app named: PressReader. You can search it on the PlayStore (Android) or your respective application market. It is an app that allows you to read newspapers, ranging from local magazines to international press publications. A goodie on this app for us is, it has the English and Tagalog newspapers which are being published here in our country.

You’ll just have to sign-up for an account, its free and the app is free as well to be able to access press materials based on the region you’ll select. Upon selecting Philippines, you’ll be seeing this.

Just select anything and let the app download the latest issue of that magazine or newspaper. It will be then added to your library which is an easy access to your favorites, and it has a pretty nice looking shelve styling.

You can even set to receive new issue as they are published and is still able to download past issues at a 7-day lapsed period.

Here’s how you read with the PressReader app:

There are quite a handful of options and menus on the app which is easy to understand. You can easily share a news scoop on your social networks.

The app can even read the news contents for you so you can listen to it if you don’t feel like reading it yourself. It isn’t able to read Tagalog news, and it sounds like a normal text-to-speech engine.

Lay-out can be reflowed in a manner that it is easier to read and lessens your panning actions. So you’ll just flip on your screen with this option enabled.

Yes, you can read tagalog newspapers as well. The application performs smooth on every navigation. Once the news issue have been downloaded on your device, you can now start reading it even offline.

So if reading newspapers is still part of your daily life and morning coffee, then having the PressReader app is a wise thing to do. It allows you to get access on these local news, you just need an internet connection to download the latest issue and a reader of your hardware choice. Tablets are best.

The PressReader app is available for iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows.

The SKK Mobile Radiance went on a sale this early June, and for the price of Php4,999 by then; I could say that its definitely a really great deal. Well, know more about this SKK Radiance by reading our unboxing and initial review article, a video is included at the bottom of the post.

Unboxing the SKK Mobile Radiance, you’ll get the basic stuff with some additional freebies. Inside the box is the SKK Mobile Radiance unit sitting on top, and the rest of the accessories on the bottom space. Here’s what you’ll get in the box:

• SKK Mobile Radiance unit
• flip cover
• battery
• wall charger
• usb data and charging cable
• earphones
• manuals and warranty cards
• screen protector – which is already placed on the SKK Radiance
• 4GB SD card – which is already inserted on the SKK Radiance

The screen protector is already there you just have to peel off that sticker on the screen and you got it set on its place. The flip cover is a leather feel, and flaps with a foldable back which might serve as a landscape stand for the radiance. This flip cover though is not an alternative back cover case, you’ll have to stick it on the back of the Radiance and its permanent adhesive.

Im pretty much amazed how cool it feels like on the hand. Its light, not too heavy and being on a 4.7 inches slate, it doesnt feels really big. It gives an impression of the S3 inspiration, but with the 3 soft-touch capacitive Android buttons.

Its not too thick after all. Yet it doesnt feels like its made with cheap materials, the overall feel on the body is solid. I got the black variant which is pretty much my preference, and still there is a white variant of the SKK Radiance as well.

Popping it up open, the SD card is already there. The view here is common, you’ll see the dual-SIM slot that either of the slots can support 3G/WCDMA signal at once.

The display quality on the SKK Radiance is commendable. Having a qHD display on a 4.7-inch screen results in a crisp, vivid display. The 960×540 pixels did well on its IPS capacitive screen.

On the back, present is the 8-megapixels camera with LED flash. I haven’t tried shooting with it but we’ll cover samples on our full review. SKK Mobile logo is placed on a style which will remind you of Samsung for sure.

If you have not noticed it yet, the SKK Mobile Radiance uses some sort of different UI. It runs on Android 4.1 JellyBean as per se, with a customized interface. Its not your casual Android 4.x interface here, and it looks pretty good. By default, text display was set to large upon my first boot

The SKK Mobile Radiance sports a dual-core MT6577 processor and 512MB of RAM. The processor is strong enough to handle JB and give a smooth user experience. People might say that the 512MB RAM on board might be short but realistically it isn’t. The Radiance have a couple of pre-installed games such as Temple Run and Angry Birds; tried them both and both did played flawlessly smooth.

Temple Run played well as expected, and the tilting control does work on the Radiance. We’ll test more games on the SKK Radiance for our upcoming posts about this device, and benchmark tests as well.

I think, that’s it for now by then. You can watch this video of the SKK Mobile Radiance unboxing and hands-on for the mean time.

If you have questions about the SKK Mobile Radiance, then let us know so we can detail on it on the full review.

I was like; mehhh, too pricey for a tiny cable. I remember reading from the internet that CDR King sells such cables for just a price of Php30. So I decided to check out the famous electronics store for one. Then I got this:

CDR King USB OTG Cable

USB OTG cable for just Php50.

I didnt bothered to ask for the Php30 variant, I might have the one with product code: ADT-056-V(KL-0050L). Just look at this listing from CDR King’s website:

CDR King OTG Cables

But the code on the receipt isn’t the same. I do not know the difference between the 30php and 50php cables, they seem to be just the same.

The saleslady told me to try first the cable, and I just did. It worked on my tablet and read the files on my flash drive. Gave them my Php50 and ran away after getting the cable and the receipt.

The cable feels generic. I am not sure how long it will last on me but I think in proper handling and care, this cable might last more than the value of its price. Its just a cable by the way. Here are some photos of this USB OTG cable from CDR King:

I tried it again at home and get my usb flash drive hooked up with my tablet, and the USB storage was detected instantly.

Then I tried to play a video which is stored on the flash drive; its a 700MB mkv 720p video file, and guess what: it played smoothly with no problems.

Tried to hook up my mouse, and it did worked too.

As well as my keyboard, worked flawlessly.

The gamepad I only have in the house is another CDR King product (not a fanboy though, please dont call me one). Its the USB Twin Joystick. It gets detected by the tablet but I do not know how to map it. I had enabled and set it on the Language & Input settings of my Android tablet but still it doesnt works out.

I even tried to use a third-party mapping app but still to no avail. Upon letting the app search for a connected USB controller device, it just cannot find anything. Maybe, there is some issues with the Twin USB game controller. I will try it with another gamepad once I have access on another to test. Will just update this post when I am done.

To sum it up, the cheap USB OTG cable from CDR King works. This will save you more, as you might getting just the same OTG cable which is quite pricey (some goes up to Php400-500). I might as well update this post to note when the cable starts to die off its cheap price tag so everyone will know.

I had tried sending back a couple of codes I thought which will work just to unsubscribe me from the service, but guess what: none actually worked. I had then asked GLOBE’s CS via twitter (@talk2GLOBE) and was instructed to send some codes as well which didnt worked out either.

Finally, they had asked me my number and had it checked with the system. I just waited for a couple of days, and thanks to their magic I am now out of this nasty TIPID TIPS which ironically wastes my peso daily.

If you want to unsubscribe to TIPID TIPS from 2864, just tell GLOBE’s CS via twitter about it.

Sorry if I had to post this, but it is really annoying to the fact that I cant really take it anymore. It has been like this for almost 3 weeks already, I thought it was just a sudden downtime but it isnt.

It became a waste of money (prepaid load) and time (productivity for doing the works I do online). Honestly, I can spare the Php50 every registrations I made, but my time? As a blogger, I simply can’t. WTF is happening?

As a GLOBE prepaid subscriber, I subscribe for SUPERSURF50 (1-day unlimited[?] internet promo) every time I need to get connected on the web. But just recently, I noticed a couple of problems with my internet connection:

1. It allows me to connect on facebook successfully but not on other sites.
2. Tried redialing my connection (connect-disconnect-reconnect) and was able to connect with other sites after a couple of redials.
3. After 15 minutes (sometimes it is less but not past beyond that), gets no response and loses internet access.
4. Repeating number 2 allows me to get internet access again.
5. There is some point that even I do have ping response from pinging google.com via CMD, I cant even load any webpage.

Take note that, I am very much sure that the problem is not on my PC nor my end. My internet settings are correct, as I have been on this thing for a couple of years now. I am very sure that this has something to do with the telco’s system.

When I tried connecting with a proxy, I was able to connect without a problem and never get disconnected. But using that proxy limits my access to non-https sites only so I could never have it as a remedy for this.

I do not know where is the problem, what is the problem and how can I fix it for myself just to be able to fully enjoy the internet service I paid for. I asked people on facebook and they share the same observation and experiences too, this thing is also being discussed on a couple of local forums with people experiencing the same. This isnt an isolated case as confirmed.

I do not know what is happening with you GLOBE, but I really do hope that this get resolved asap. Tried contacting online CS via twitter but I got the feeling that they really can’t do something about it.

Globe Advisory: On June 10, 12AM-5AM, MMS and WAP services will be unavailable due to a system activity. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you.

I do hope that after that “system activity”, everything will be fine by then. I just posted this to reach out for other users who are experiencing the same. They might have a solution to this, by any chance.

Disclaimer: I just need to rant.

UPDATE

Its been another week, and guess what; the problem is still there. Is GLOBE playing blind on this issue wherein million of subscribers are suffering? I decided to pay a visit on GLOBE Telecom’s facebook page and guess what I had found:

And there’s a lot even more, on forums, groups, everywhere on the internet. Why is GLOBE ignoring this serious issue?

The Innos D10 has 6000mAh battery, its quite impossible to believe yet its really coming. Will Cloudfone rebrand this as well to present their latest quad-core flagship under this OEM? Let us hope so.

Innos D10, looks thinner

The Innos D10 full specifications is still unknown yet. Though here are some key-features of the Innos D10 as posted from Chinese sources:

• uses IPS+LTPS screen. IPS screen makes viewing angles really good while the LTPS (Low Temperature Poly Silicon) technology on the screen helps on efficient energy consumption. Imagine that, you have a lot of juice already from the packed 6000mAh battery, and still the hardware is optimized with power-saving capabilities.
• Snapdragon MSM8625Q. It sports this quad-core processor from Qualcomm, Innos is known for using such line of processor chipset for its devices.
• 5-inch, 1280×720 pixels HD, OGS screen. To make up with the current bandwagon of quad core Android phones nowadays, this Innos D10 will be slated with a 5-inch HD screen. The OGS technology makes a better looking screen as well.

There is a 3000mAh version of the Innos D10 upcoming as well, which is an optional choice for buyers.

Other information on the Innos D10 is not yet announced. June 13 is the scheduled date for the full revelation of the Innos D10.

Will this be the Cloudfone Thrill 500x? It might be and for sure will be a hit as per a lot of Android users are demanding on battery performance of smartphones nowadays. We’ll see.

KINGMAX Exhibits Full Range Industrial Solution in Computex 2013

“Starting early last year, the company decided to focus its effort on making embedded storage products for the industrial market, which encompasses a wide range of applications, including IPC, digital signage, POS, and kiosk,” –Kingmax CEO Joe Liu

Kingmax’s lineup includes:

• 2.5-inch solid state drives
• mSATA SSDs
• Half-slim SSDs
• JEDEC-compliant eMMC and eMCP solutions
• SD cards
• industrial CF cards
• DRAM modules

It could be better if they had shared us technical details on such products, as we cannot actually visit their booth in Computex for us to check it out. You can check out the full press release via this link.

Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 Flip Cover

Such flip cover looks like it was made with a leather feel material and features stand functionality. These flip covers for the Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 comes in four colors: Black, Blue, Pink and Violet.

On Cherry Mobile’s post, they didint mentioned the pricing of this accessory.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Processors with LTE

The newest addition to the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 400 tier of processors, the Snapdragon 400 (8926), features quad-core CPUs with integrated multimode 3G/4G LTE. The offering, along with its Qualcomm Reference Design counterpart, ensures that emerging regions are equipped and prepared for the imminent transition to 3G/4G LTE.

Full press release: link

With this, we can expect more LTE-capable devices coming soon in the market that is equipped with this Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 processor.

Expansion on Reference Design for High-Performance Tablets

Qualcomm has expanded its Qualcomm Reference Design portfolio to include a reference design specifically made for tablets running on Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM™ 8230 and MSM 8030 processors. The QRD will enable customers to meet the growing demand for high-performance tablets, particularly in emerging regions.

Full press release: link

Expect more high performing tablets coming soon in the market that is powered with Snapdragon 400 MSM™ 8230 and MSM 8030 processors.

Snapdragon 800 for Windows 8.1 RT

via: TheVerge

Qualcomm continues to build on its relationship with Microsoft by helping to launch and optimize the newest build of Windows for Snapdragon, Windows 8.1 RT. The next processor to be featured in upcoming Windows 8.1 RT computers will be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800.

Full press release: link

Yup, Qualcomm and Microsoft teams up on pushing the Windows 8.1 RT which is powered with Snapdragon 800 processor.

We had reviewed the Cherry Mobile W7 before, this one looks cooler, imho.

Cherry Mobile W12, cute lang. period.

Here’s a short round up of its specs:

• Dual SIM
• Wi-Fi
• 3.5″ Full Touch LCD
• Mobile TV
• 1.3 MP Camera
• Multimedia Player
• FM Radio
• Facebook Mobile
• Viber
• Bluetooth
• microSD up to 16GB
• SRP: Php1,599

It was said that it will come out with variety of colors. If you’ll be looking forward on installing games and apps on the Cherry Mobile W12, I strongly suggest that you should go buy a real Android smartphone instead.

If you already got one, and looking for games and apps, just search for vxp games or vxp apps. Not sure though if its the right file type for the W12, still you can try.