Flashback:

The brand Alcatel was one of the manufacturers who first introduced to us the mobile phone.  A few years back, they sold the famous soap-shaped mobile phone, that had a small screen with orange backlighting.  Back then, they weren’t the coolest designs you could find, but their phones were as sturdy as the phones from the brands that lead the market during that time.

That “safeguard” shaped phone was this writer’s first mobile phone.  It was handed down, and I was happy and content because it did what it had to do, and that was to text and call my friends and family. Then, as more phones and brands eventually entered the country, the manufacturer Alcatel suddenly went silent.

Surprise comeback:

I call it a surprise comeback because, well, I think they just came out of nowhere and attacked the Philippine mobile industry again.  The last time I saw an Alcatel phone was, I think during 2010.  It was one of my friend’s phones and I was surprised at how chic and sleek their designs were becoming.

Then, enter this year, particularly yesterday, at the BQ Mall Atrium, where the Alcatel One Touch Nation proudly presented their five new mobile phones.   Save N’ Earn has gathered the market’s mobile phone manufacturers and put them together for an Expo in time with the TBTK celebrations.

The Phones:

The onetouch 810D Glam:  The phone especially made for the ladies.

 Specs: Dual Sim; Expandable Memory up to 16GB; MP3 Player and FM Radio

The onetouch 918N Glory:  Alcatel describes it just as it is, Easy, practical and fun.

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Capacitive Touch; 3G+ HSDPA; Facebook; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim

The onetouch 918N GloryX:  Dreaming of an affordable yet stylish Android phone? This is it!

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Capacitive Touch; 3G+ HSDPA; Facebook; 3.0mp Camera; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim

The onetouch 985N Blaze:  The more sophisticated, yet still budget friendly Android phone

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Sub Camera; Mutli-Touch; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim; G-Sensor; AGPS; 3G+ HSDPA; 5.0 MP Camera

The onetouch 995 Sapphire HD:   Alcatel’s most sophisticated Smartphone yet. This unit boasts of specs  fit for the seasoned smartphone user, but comes in a lower price.

 Specs:  Android 2.3.5; 4.3” display; HD video; 1.4 GHZ processor; 5MP Camera; 3G+ HSDPA

Alcatel’s phones have come a long way from their previous designs.  They have already been successful globally, and have come back to the Philippines to provide phones that can compete with both high end and feature units.  This has made the market a better place for the consumers to choose the phones that can best suit their needs and their budget, and a better assurance that we can have products that are more competitive and worth every peso that we pay.

For more Alcatel mobile phone choices, visit: www.alcatelonetouch.com.

Just when you thought Facebook has showed you all they have to offer, think again.  This time, the new app they are offering may actually be of real significance than most of the entertainment apps that they offer now.  Facebook perks up  its kind of “becoming sleepy” users — most of them due to the Timeline innovation by offering the app called “Napkin Labs”.  We don’t know for sure why its called napkin labs, but we’re thinking that’s because most brilliant ideas have all been put in a napkin first in some restaurant when future business partners suddenly have that lightbulb moment.

Napkin Labs  makes interactive marketing tools for Facebook. The idea is that it makes a suite of customized apps that make brand pages interactive.  You see, most brands that have Facebook pages have already made the first step in marketing through Facebook, and that is, making their presence known through the Like button.  However, aside from comments here and there, and some promotions, brand pages still have a lot of potential business usage that hasn’t been applied yet.

Now, enter the Napkin Labs, what does it really have to offer?  The company offers four different apps. “Brainstorm” is a basic crowdsourcing platform that lets brands ask their community a question. “Photoboard” collects and displays community-sourced images. “Pipeline” turns Facebook pages into open forums. And “Superfans” shows who participates the most in campaigns, then rewards them. Most of the tools come with analytics and moderation features.

It is basically an online “lab space” where the brands get to collaborate with their users on products, designs and anything else.  However, the app will cost companies and brands some $1,000 to be able to customize their Facebook page.  For big companies, this start-up price may seem easy, but for those who are still in the early stages of their business, and planning to use this app for crowdsourcing, the cost may be overwhelming.  Although tests performed using the app are said to have generated 29% more Likes, it is up to the brand or company whether the traditional research and development would suffice, or whether they would ride with another upcoming e-commerce wave.

Source:  http://mashable.com/2012/03/16/napkin-labs/

]]> http://www.auza.net/2012/03/19/techtalk-facebook-app-suite-turns-brand-pages-into-crowdsourcing-hubs.html/feed 0 http://www.auza.net/2012/03/19/techtalk-facebook-app-suite-turns-brand-pages-into-crowdsourcing-hubs.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auzanet/~3/73IXjZqFUCM/techtalk-another-ipad-is-unveiled.html http://www.auza.net/2012/03/19/techtalk-another-ipad-is-unveiled.html#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:16:40 +0000 magnolia_eic http://www.auza.net/?p=160

Apple has yet again produced another jaw dropping tablet computer in its release of the third-generation iPad, and no, its not called the iPad 3, just plain iPad. Weird right?   Anyway, the iPad’s new features include a more powerful processor, attention-catching resolution at par with the iPhone 4S, and the  ability to connect to the latest 4G LTE of telco networks that move data faster than its predecessors.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has described the release as the poster child of the post-PC world, by reason that for the last three months of the last year, iPad sales topped those of any personal computer sales.

Here are some more of its specs:

1.  The processor is an Apple A5X ARM-based unit – it has quad-core graphics but is still a dual-core based unit.

2.  Resolution is a stunning 2048 x 1536 pixels

3. You can now record 1080p video on the iPad 3 with an iSight camera.   The rear camera is set at 5 megapixels and has  a 5-element lens plus auto face-detection, auto focus lock and image stabilisation for video.

4. Dictation is now included within iOS 5.1 on the new iPad. Instead of typing, tap the  microphone icon on the keyboard,   then say what you want to say. Tap done, and iPad converts your words into text.

5. Apple has announced iPhoto for the iPad. It looks terrific and seems like a semi-pro tool there are some really     professional photo editing tools in there.

6. The new iPad delivers the same battery life as the iPad – that’s 10 hours – with a 9 hours if you’re using LTE.

Impressive right?  To think that the buzz from the release of the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4s has seemingly just died down, here we are again with another Apple product.  Time flies at hyper speed in the techno world.  Nowadays, it seems like our attention span for a certain gadget or device is like a whirlwind romance:  one minute you’re with a Galaxy S II and the next you’re with the latest iPad and vice-versa.

We appreciate very much the speedy development of technology, which undeniably makes communicating way easier today, but, however attractive the gadget is, the buying public also need to be reminded that you don’t necessarily have to buy everything new on the shelf.  One has to bear in mind how he will be able to fully make use of the gadget he has bought to the extent that he gets the return of the money he spent. And we’re not just talking about bragging rights here.

Source:http://ph.news.yahoo.com/apple-expected-reveal-ipad-003803056.html http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/new-ipad-everything-you-need-to-know-1069381

Auza.Net is once again opening its doors to Summer On-the-Job Trainees for 2012.
If you are in your third, fourth or fifth year of a course related to IT, and want to gain more skills in WordPress, PHP, networking, Linux, and a lot more, then we are the right training place for you!

Want to join?
Send us your application letter and resume, addressed to:

The OJT Program Coordinator
Auza.Net Training Center
K of C Recreation Center Bldg.,
Gallares St., Tagbilaran City

In the ever-growing and fast paced world of social networking on the internet, it takes some amount of uniqueness and creativity to get you noticed.  This site definitely gives you both.

If on Facebook and Twitter, you get loads of conversations and status updates, but on Pinterest, you get to have your own digital “corkboard or pinboard”, where you can “pin” your interests (therefore the name Pinterest).

This site focuses on pictures depicting whatever its user likes, such as clothing, DIY crafts, furniture, artworks, architecture, places around the world and basically almost anything under the sun.  What’s even better is that you can use Pinterest to showcase your masterpieces, crafts or any other projects for the world to see. You can have as many “pinboards” as you like so that you can organize your Pins, and you can also  follow others whose pins you like most.

Even better? Whenever there are upcoming occasions like weddings, birthdays, Christenings, Christmas and all other in between celebrations, you can go to Pinterest and find the most artistic ideas for themes, invitations and gifts.

The site has been talked about for a time by sites such as mashable.com and the tech segment on cnn.com.  It has also been included in Time Magazine’s “50 Best Websites of 2011” and in December 2011, entered the Top 10 Social Networks according to Hitwise data with 11 million total visits per week.

To join the site, go to www.pinterest.com and click “request an invite”.  Wait for about a couple of hours to one day, so that the guys at Pinterests will send you an invite.  Follow the rest of the instructions and voila, you can now pin all you can!

Apple will soon be launching its latest big cat-themed Mac OS X, version 10.8: Mountain Lion.   At 8:30 a.m. EST Thursday, the developer preview version of the new OS was live and available to Apple’s  huge number of app makers.

The new OS is a few more vital steps closer to fully connecting your world on the Mac with that on your iPhone and iPad.  This OS dumped iChat in favor of iMessage and of course, Twitter, almost making your Mac moonlight  an iPad.

However, it is not really the one OS that rules it all.  OS 10.7, or Lion, launched in July 2011 has  captured the hearts 30% of Mac users who have it already installed, while another 50% still favor the Snow Leopard. The iPad also clearly influenced the success of the device.  It introduced such iOS-like features as multi-touch gestures on the trackpad and a “launchpad” of apps that looked just like iPad’ home screen.

With these developments, are the Mac OS X and the iOS heading for a merger?

Right now, the iOS has practically moved in to Mac’s crib. According to Mashable.com, if Lion was a toothbrush  in the bathroom, Mountain Lion is a chest of drawers in the bedroom.  Reminders, iMessage, Game Center, Notifications,  iCloud and Twitter integration — all iOS’s most intimate stuff is here, and it all pretty much looks the same as  it does on the iPad. Most of it is designed to sync up so it is exactly the same.

The new Mac OS also has given up most of its usual features such as bouncing icons on the dock, replaced by classy notification banners down the side of the screen.  And, as said, the “vintage” iChat has also been  replaced by iMessage which lets you IM your contacts.

Sounds inviting right? But as TV shopping channels would say, “But wait, there’s more!”.  Airplay will also be available on the new OS, which can seamlessly mirror your desktop on an HDTV.  There is also a separate Notes App,where you can attach notes to the desktop like stickies.

Things are definitely going to be a lot more fun with the Mountain Lion.This of course,
this new younger partner is about to give the Mac a new lease on life.  The cost however, has not been released yet.
Source: http://mashable.com/2012/02/16/apple-mountain-lion-mac-osx/#48877A-gift-to-China

Its just the beginning of the year and the social networks are already amass with different discussions and opinions, and mind you, its not about new year resolutions or some melodramatic life experience — its about pertinent social issues that may actually affect each one of us.

Public opinion back then, was strong. But public opinion now, in this digital age is stronger.  During the times when social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Youtube were non-existent, the people took to the streets to make themselves heard. Print media was the measure of public opinion, along with posters. But now, the media for public opinion has evidently increased, adding on the list, the giants of social networking — and it seems to be working very very well.

Take for example what happened to the SOPA and PIPA bill, both were protested by a lot of people who did not necessarily rally on the streets to be noticed, but instead, they “tweeted”, “retweeted”, “commented”, and “liked”.  Not to mention “blogged” and “reblogged” and “shared” just to get their sentiments known.  The results, as you probably have already heard of, were remarkable.  The voting for the bills did not go through.

Back in our own country, the Impeachment Trial of the Chief Justice is the one being feasted on.  If you have twitter, search for the hashtag #cjontrial and you’ll find literally hundreds of conversations regarding the day to day happenings inside and outside the impeachment court.  You might be also surprised how smart the comments are.  In facebook, there are shared videos, notes and pictures that stand for a certain individual’s opinion on the case.  Although the verdict is far from being determined, public opinion has been swaying back and forth, and that is because the people have been constantly informed, not necessarily by the news anchors of our big networks, but by fellow Filipinos through the different social networks.

If you think social networking is just for fun, maybe you should re-think that opinion.  They may have been developed with the intention of fun and recreation at first, but the people who use it have transformed it into something more useful.  It has been used as a tool to gather help during calamities, as a cheaper advertising option, as a tool to consolidate the citizen’s comments in order to usher in change, and as means to finding out the truth without possible biases.  The games and acquaintances might well be just a bonus for using it.

So the next time you open your account, don’t just browse photos from other people’s lives, read a topic that is socially relevant.  You need not comment at all, but at least you can be aware of both sides of the story.  

Facebook Inc. has filed an initial public offering that could value the social network between $75 billion and $100 billion.  This puts the company on track for one of the biggest U.S. Stock-market debuts of all time.

According to some sources, the young company aims to raise as much as $10 billion when it begins selling shares.  The company produced a $1 billion profit last year from $3.71 billion in revenues.  Facebook pretty much gets majority of those revenues from advertising, with additional revenues from social gaming and other fees.

In a matter of 8 years, Facebook has proven to be a force to reckon with – with millions of users interacting and exchanging updates everyday.  Its most important contribution probably lies in it being a potential political or social tool.  But the question remains though, will Facebook be able to grow into a mature global business keeping both advertisers and subscribers happy while balancing the demands of privacy and profit? This matter remains to be seen.

The company has not decided whether to trade on the New York Stock exchange or on the Nasdaq Stock Market.  CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns around 28% of the company and holds 57% of voting share power has long been reluctant to join the stock market.  According to people who know him, he is fearful of the damage that an IPO could do, and that the employees would lose focus in creating great products.

His thinking however slowly changed when he realized that by the end of 2011, its shareholders will grow to more than 500, which will late prompt a regulatory requirement of publicly reporting company financials.  Zuckerberg thought it would make more sense for Facebook to go public so it can also reap its financial benefits. The young CEO says the money that will be raised will be used to pay taxes.

In a letter to potential shareholders, Mr. Zuckerberg said he plans to continue focusing on building products, rather than sales growth. “We don’t build services to make money; we make money to build better services,” Mr. Zuckerberg wrote. “These days I think more and more people want to use services from companies that believe in something beyond simply maximizing.  The company has also highlighted privacy issues making it clear that they are there to protect the user’s privacy all the way.

Auza.Net is hiring software developers for its expansion of operations in 2011. Graduates of Computer Engineering or Computer Science and related courses may apply. Applicants should submit their resume and application letters to jobs@auza.net and address it to the Human Resource Manager. If available, submit your transcript of records (TOR). TOR is required for fresh graduates.

Applicants must be proficient in PHP, MySQL and Javascript with relevant experience as OJT or full time developer.

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