DaBlogTech

Xiaomi Mi A3 vs Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:30:00 +0000

Xiaomi has just unveiled its latest Android One smartphone, the Mi A3. Apart from the stock Android UI, the Mi A3 also has 4GB of RAM, Snapdragon 665, and triple rear cameras. We put it up against another of Xiaomi’s smartphones recently launched this year, the Mi 9 SE. Check it out!

Xiaomi Mi A3	Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
6.088-inch HD+ (1560 x 720) Super AMOLED Dot Drop display, 286ppi	5.97-inch FHD+ (2340 x 1080) Super AMOLED Dot Drop display, 432ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665	Qualcomm Snapdragon 712
Adreno 610 GPU	Adreno 616 GPU
4GB RAM	6GB RAM
64GB/128GB storage	64GB/128GB storage
Expandable up to 256GB via microSD	Non-expandable
48MP F1.79 main + 8MP F2.2 ultrawide + 2MP F.24 depth triple rear cameras	48MP F1.8 + 13MP F2.4 ultrawide +8MP F2.4 telephoto triple rear cameras
32MP F2.0 front camera	20MP F2.0 front camera
Dual SIM	Dual SIM
4G LTE	4G LTE
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
IR Blaster	IR Blaster
No NFC support	NFC
3.5mm audio jack	No 3.5mm audio jack
Under display fingerprint scanner, face unlock	In-display fingerprint scanner, face unlock
USB 2.0 Type C	USB 2.0 Type-C
Android One (Android 9 Pie)	MIUI 10 (Android 9 Pie)
4,030mAh battery with 18W Quick Charge 3.0	3,070mAh battery with 18W Fast Charge
153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm	147.5 x 70.5 x 7.5 mm
173.8 g	155 g

Xiaomi Mi A3

Larger screen
Expandable storage up to 256GB via micro SD
32MP front camera
3.5mm audio jack
Larger battery capacity
Stock Android

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

Faster CPU performance
Larger RAM capacity
NFC support

Beginning with the display, the Mi A3 comes with a larger screen size at 6.088-inches, while the Mi 9 SE comes in a smaller size of 5.97-inches. While the 9 SE does have a smaller display, it has an FHD+ resolution, compared to the A3’s HD+ resolution. Both smartphones are Super AMOLED though, and both of them have Xiaomi’s Dot Drop display — which is pretty much just a fancy term to say that they have drop notches upfront. Both smartphones are also protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

When it comes to processors, the Mi A3’s powered by Snapdragon 665, one of the latest mid-range chipsets launched by Qualcomm. An upgrade over the Snapdragon 660, the SD 665 has an 11nm architecture and comes equipped with Kryo 260 Cortex A-73 and Cortex-A-53 processors. We’ve yet to see the actual performance of the SD 665 on a device, however.

On the other hand, the Mi 9 SE is powered by Snapdragon 712, the successor to the Snapdragon 710. We’ve seen the SD 712 perform, and with its 10nm architecture and multiple cores, the SD 712 would be more powerful than the SD 665. The SD 712 is, after all, built mainly for gaming and AI.

The Mi A3 has 4GB RAM, while the Mi 9 SE easily trumps that with its 6GB RAM. Both smartphones have two storage variants, 64GB and 128GB. While some people may be satisfied with those storage options, the Mi A3 goes an extra mile with its expandable storage of up to 256GB via microSD. The Mi 9 SE doesn’t have any storage expansion options, which might be a disappointment for some.

As for cameras, the A3 possesses a 48MP + 8MP + 2MP triple rear camera setup. Meanwhile, the 9 SE has 48MP + 13MP + 8MP cameras, also located on the rear. On paper, the Mi 9 SE’s triple cameras trump what the A3 has. Still, both of them do have a 48MP main shooter and ultrawide lenses. Front camera-wise, the A3 has a 32MP shooter, while the 9 SE has a 20MP one. The specs do look good on paper but of course, we’ve yet to see how the A3’s cameras actually perform.

Users may virtually pay using the Mi 9 SE’s NFC support; unfortunately, the Mi A3 doesn’t have this feature. Something that can be found on the Mi A3 though is a 3.5mm audio jack, which the Mi 9 SE in turn, doesn’t have. Both smartphones have face unlock features and have in-display fingerprint scanning. The two devices also have USB Type-C as their charging ports.

Here are the prices of each smartphone and their variants:

Mi A3:

4GB + 64GB – EUR 249 (~PHP 14,270)
4GB + 128GB – EUR 279 (~PHP 15,989)

Mi 9 SE:

6GB + 64GB: PHP 15,990
6GB + 128GB: PHP 17,990

We’ve yet to know about the Xiaomi Mi A3’s local pricing and availability so, between the two devices, the Mi 9 SE is currently the more accessible one as it’s been available for purchase in the country since May. If you’d like a device with expandable storage and a stock Android experience, do go for the Mi A3. If you’d rather have a device with FHD+ resolution and a better CPU performance, go for the Mi 9 SE.

Source: Yugatech

Huawei Mate X our foldable future

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:27:00 +0000

Huawei’s version of a foldable phone is now official.

The Mate X, similar to the Galaxy Fold, turns into a more prominent 8-inch display once unfolded from its 6.6-inch and 6.32-inch estates. Unlike the latter, though, it’s capable of having expandable storage through its proprietary nano-memory (NM) cards. It also sports 5G capability with its Kirin 980 chip embedded with the company’s Balong 5000 5G modem. Similar to the Mate series, the phone also sports triple Leica cameras.

The company also touts to have a thinner folding hinge, thanks to its ‘falcon wing’ mechanism that is said to bring a better back-to-back fold without any gaps. This enables the company to tout the device thickness of 11 millimeters, even when folded. Its battery is also not to be shadowed, as the company promotes faster charging that delivers from 0% to 85% in just 30 minutes.

Huawei Mate X key specs:

8-inch 8:7.1 AMOLED screen @ 2480 x 2200 px (unfolded)
6.6-inch 19.5:9 display @ 2480 x 1148 px (front, when folded)
6.4-inch 25:9 display @ 2480 x 892 px (back, when folded)
Octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 5G chip
2x Cortex A76 2.6GHz + 2x Cortex A76 1.92GHz + 4x Cortex A55 1.8GHz
Balong 5000 5G modem
8GB RAM
512GB storage
expandable via Huawei NM up to 256GB (uses SIM2)
40MP (Wide Angle Lens, f/1.8) + 20MP (Ultra Wide Angle Lens, f/2.2) + 8MP (Telephoto, f/2.4) Leica Triple cameras, AI Stabilization
Dual SIM (hybrid, nano), Dual Standby
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.0
Dual-band GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Fingerprint sensor
USB 3.1 Type-C
EMUI 10 (Android 9 Pie)
4,500mAh Li-Po battery
55W Fast Charge
Huawei Supercharge

Huawei will launch the Mate X this mid-year in key countries with a EUR 2,299 price tag, or roughly Php135,700 when directly converted.

Twitter introduces changes to block functionality, reverses them immediately

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:55:00 +0000

Only hours after Twitter introduced changes to the functionality of its block feature, it was forced to reverse them amid widespread outrage from users who claimed the social networking was exposing victims of abuse to perpetrators.

According to Reuters, executives held a late-night meeting in Twitter's San Francisco office to discuss the reaction to the changes, before publishing a blog post in the early hours of Friday morning to announce that the block feature had reverted to its previous functionality.

"Earlier today, we made a change to the way the 'block' function of Twitter works. We have decided to revert the change after receiving feedback from many users -- we never want to introduce features at the cost of users feeling less safe. Any blocks you had previously instituted are still in effect," wrote Michael Sippey, vice president of product at the social network.

The changes to the block feature meant that accounts blocked by a user would still be able to follow the user and favourite and retweet their tweets. Now they have been reversed, blocked users will once again have no way to view a user's feed or interact with them when they are logged in. Logged-out users have always been to see the Twitter feeds of people who have blocked them, but being unable to follow their tweets in their feed and respond to them does offer victims of abuse some level of protection.

The reason Twitter implemented the changes in the first place was to prevent people being able to see when they had been blocked and then retaliating. Reversing the changes obviously means the problem of retaliation still exists, but Twitter has promised not to give up on finding a solution to prevent this kind of abuse.

"Some users worry just as much about post-blocking retaliation as they do about pre-blocking abuse. Moving forward, we will continue to explore features designed to protect users from abuse and prevent retaliation," writes Sippey.

Twitter has been implementing a series of small tweaks and adjustments recently in order to fine-tune the platform, but hopefully it's learnt a valuable lesson here -- that suddenly changing the level of control users have over their online safety with little warning leaves them feeling powerless and vulnerable.

Time and again, Twitter users have exhibited self-policing behaviour, but the social network still needs to be careful about how it handles the responsibility it has to protect victims from targeted abuse with its basic privacy infrastructure. It clearly does take this seriously, but Twitter's huge and diverse community ultimately has different needs and requirements, as well as differing views about how functionality should be implemented. However, shifting the emphasis of a safety feature from tackling one type of abuse to another -- which is one way the changes could be interpreted -- affects the trust of all users. It's something that Facebook had to figure out the hard way: there's no one size fits all solution to privacy, but adjusting exposure levels of users without warning is never going to be well received.

Kudos to Twitter, though, for reacting so swiftly to users' complaints. The task of tackling retaliation is unenviably tricksy, but at least the social network is acknowledging the nuanced and multifaceted nature of the abuse that does take place on the platform. Perhaps it's a conundrum that could be put to the mysterious #birdsignals community that the company recently launched.

Smart Nexus 5 Priced at P22,990 on Prepaid, Free on Plan 1500

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:51:00 +0000

Smart Communications previously announced that the Google Nexus 5, the pure Android handset made by LG, will be offered exclusively by the network. Today, Smart officially launched the phone and also revealed the pricing details.

In the US, the Nexus 5 retails for $349. Buyers are of course interested to know the prepaid price of the Nexus 5 in the Philippines. Smart is offering the Nexus 5 for Php22,995 without contract. Other retailers in the Philippines (online retailers mostly) are however selling the most basic variant of the Nexus 5 for only Php20,980. That’s a difference of about P2,000. If you want to get the Nexus 5 with a Smart plan, the network is offering the device for free on Unlidata Plan 1500. This plan comes with 60 minutes of calls and 120 text messages free, but you will be locked in for 30 months.

The Nexus 5 runs Android 4.4 KitKat and packs a 4.95-inch full HD 1080p display, 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, LTE connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac WiFi, NFC, 8MP rear camera and 2,300 mAh battery.

Sony Launches 2-in-1 Flash Drives for Android Phones and Tablets

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:42:00 +0000

Sony recently launched new flash drives with 2-in-1 functionality. The new Sony flash drives combine a full USB 2.0 port and a micro-USB connector, complete with OTG (on-the-go) connectivity for devices that run Android 4.0.3 and higher.

The new Sony flash drives are small and compact, with the micro-USB port hidden under a cap located on the other side of the device. These flash drives are ideal for Android users who need that extra memory, or those who need to access and transfer files from laptops or desktops to their mobile devices.

Sony also offers a complimentary app to help users manage files. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store.

The new Sony flash drives aren’t that expensive. There are three different memory capacities, namely, 8, 16, and 32GB, priced at $19.99, $29.99, and $62.99, respectively. In Philippine peso, that translates to about Php860, Php1,290 and Php2,700, respectively.

These new Sony flash drives will be available starting in January, 2014.

{Source}

Exclusive: LG To Announce 10 Inch FHD Snapdragon 800 Tablet in 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:47:00 +0000

The South Korean tech major LG Electronics has set its foot strong into the tablet market this year with the launch of LG G Pad range. This morning the company launched the new Google Play Edition of the LG G Pad 8.3 flavoured by Android 4.4 KitKat.

Relatively, today at the LG G Flex launch event in India, Steve Koh, Head - Mobile Communication at LG India informed GizBot that LG is planning to announce a new tablet early next year.

Apparently, the high-profile senior executive revealed that LG has plans to announce a 10-inch Full HD tablet at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014 to be held in Barcelona in February.

The purported 10-inch FHD tablet would be the legitimate successor to the original G Pad 8.3. The official told, "while the LG G Pad 8.3 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, the upcoming 10-inch tablet would incorporate a quad-core processor powered by Snapdragon 800 SoC."

Most likely, the tablet would feature 2GB of RAM, latest version of Android, cellular connection and it would later hit the shelves in India in 2014 itself.

Other details around the tablet have been kept under wraps. Aside from the upcoming 10-inch FHD tablet when asked about the LG G Pad 8.3 release in India, the company's official confirmed that since the G Pad 8.3 does not feature built-in cellular connection, it would be tough to launch the device for the Indian consumers without 3G connectivity.

So basically, the India launch of LG G Pad 8.3 is still not decided yet.

LG is reasonably a new player in the tablet business and the company's attempt at making a tablet device has been well received by the mainstream media.

LG G Pad 8.3 is also being made available with the stock Android experience.
Unfortunately,
the G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is limited to US consumers for right now.

{Source}

Nokia is Working on an Android Phone Codenamed Normandy

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:35:00 +0000

A leaked Nokia phone without a capacitive button is confirmed to be an Android-based device if we are to believe writers from The Verge who claim that they have confirmed this fact with sources. The image of the phone was leaked by @evleaks which is known to be a reliable source based on track record.

The Nokia device is codenamed Normandy and actually runs a forked version of Android. This is a similar idea with how Amazon used Android to make its own OS and not rely on Android’s app ecosystem. The Nokia Normandy will be an Asha-level device, which means that it will have low-end specs and will also have a low price.

Android-based Nokia “Normandy”

If an Android-based Nokia phone is really in the works, this means that Nokia’s version will not look like Android as we know it and will use Nokia’s own apps. But then again, considering that it is Android-based, the tech geniuses of the Android world will surely come up with a way to bring Android apps to the Nokia device. Android fans have been clamored for an Android-based Nokia device and this could make still make a lot of people happy even if it is indeed a low-end device. Nokia has a reputation of creating well-designed and well-built devices and users want their favorite OS to run on its devices which, for now, only run Windows Phone or Symbian.

Now we all know that Nokia has been acquired by Microsoft, so an Android-based Nokia phone does not make sense. This means that if the Nokia Normandy is real, it might have been conceptualized before the Microsoft acquisition and it ever it will see the light of day, it will get released before Microsoft formally takes over the reins at Nokia. According to The Verge, the Nokia Normandy will have a 2014 release.

Source | Via

Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 Launched, With 7-Inch Tablet Dock

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:32:00 +0000

The Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 was recently launched in Taiwan. It comes with a 7-inch tablet dock, converging two devices into one. The PadFone Mini is a smaller version of the PadFone Infinity and features a 4.3-inch phone as the main device.

Asus PadFone Mini 4.3

The main specs of the Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 include a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon MSM8226 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera and 16GB internal storage with microSD slot for expansion. The phone has a 960 x 540 screen resolution and 1,500mAh battery while the 7-inch tablet has a 1,280 x 800 resolution panel and 2,200mAh battery. The battery on the phone seems limited but it can be charged using the tablet so it should not be an issue, that is, if you will carry the tablet all the time.

Connectivity options include 3G HSPA+ , WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, aGPS and GLONASS.

The Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 is priced at $405 and that already includes both devices. That’s reasonable considering the fact that you will effectively be getting two devices.

Here is a video featuring the Asus PadFone Mini 4.3.

Globe Telecom reverses charges on the P3 million phone bill

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Globe didn’t waste any time fixing the anomalous phone bill charged to Mr. Elmer de Guzman who went home from a trip abroad to find his bill from Globe amounting to over P3 million.

On an official statement from Globe, it was a system glitch on their part that caused the insane charges on the billing. Although, the roaming data breakdown and its charges (P2.51 per 10kb of data) are correct, the system did not apply the zero rate from the Bridge DataRoam Unlimited promo that Mr. de Guzman subscribed to.

Globe has already reversed the charges to reflect the correct amount in the billing statement and will investigate if there are similar instances with other BDU or BDUP promo subscribers.

Here’s Globe Telecom’s official statement.

We wish to clarify the issue concerning the mobile phone charges of Mr. Elmer de Guzman, a postpaid subscriber of Globe Telecom.

We acknowledge that Mr. De Guzman did enroll in the Bridge DataRoam Unlimited promo last November 10, 2013. By enrolling in the promo, the subscriber would not have to pay the regular rate of P2.51 per 10 kilobyte of data. Based on our record, the subscriber data usage was at 11,139,210KB which would amount to more than P3million inclusive of surcharges and VAT.

Unfortunately, based on our initial findings, the system did not apply the correct zero rate for promos on the data usage which inadvertently caused the bill shock. While this is an isolated case, we are taking a proactive step to investigate if there are similar instances in areas other than the UAE where the BDU Roaming promo is being offered.

Globe has reversed the charges to reflect the correct amount in the subscriber’s billing statement. We assure our subscribers that queries on their billing statements are welcome and clarifications will continue to be given priority by our customer service personnel.

We deeply value the trust of our customers and we look forward to strengthening relations with our customers further.

Google Play Edition LG G Pad 8.3 ANNOUNCED

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Together with the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition, Google has released another GPE device but this time it’s a tablet. Meet the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition.

As usual, specs and hardware remain the same: 8.3-inch Full HD IPS LCD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB RAM, and 16GB of internal storage with microSD card support. The non-GPE variant comes with Android 4.2.2 but this one will be running the stock Android 4.4 KitKat. This will sit comfortably between the 7-inch Nexus 7 and the 10-inch Nexus 10.

The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition has a price tag of $349.99 or almost Php16,000 converted and is exclusive to the U.S. Google Play Store.

Meanwhile, Google has also released a white variant of the ASUS-made Google Nexus 7 (2013). Price is the same – $269 for the 32GB WiFi-only variant. A 32GB LTE model will be available soon for $349.

{via} {image source}

New i-FlashDrive HD Gen2

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:23:00 +0000

New i-FlashDrive HD Gen2 now supports Android. PhotoFast called i-FlashDrive HD which allows users to transfer their files from supported iDevice to their computer.

Sadly, at that time, the i-FlashDrive HD was only limited to select Apple devices. But all is not lost, as PhotoFast has now included a Micro-USB connector in the bundle, allowing Android users to join in on the act.

That makes it a 4-in-1 storage/backup solution for iOS and all Android devices that has USB OTG functionality.

The PhotoFast i-FlashDrive HD Gen2 comes in various storage capacities ranging from 16GB up to 64GB. Local pricing and availability is still uncertain, but we’re guessing that it’ll cost roughly the same as the previous model.

16GB – Php5,500
32GB – Php8,500
64GB – Php12,500

{Source, Via}

Samsung announces 10 million Galaxy Note 3s shipped

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:20:00 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is leaving its predecessors in the dust – it sold 5 million units in the first month of availability and now a month later the number of units shipped has reached 10 million.

Note that the number of sales is probably lower than the number of shipments as those are supplies sent to retailers and carriers. Still, the numbers are impressive – the original Galaxy Note took 9 months to reach 10 million units shipped and the Note II took 4 months. The Galaxy S4 took less than a monthto reach that milestone , but that one was a far more mainstream product.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was launched simultaneously in 58 countries on September 25. According to Samsung, it drew in customers with its large-screen multitasking and fast LTE in the west and the convenience of text input with the S Pen in Asia.

Funny Samsung should mention LTE, the Exynos-powered Galaxy Note 3 does not have it. This raises the question of how many of those 10 million units does the N9000 (the Exynos 5 version) account for versus the N9005 (the Snapdragon 800 version).

Source (in Korean) | Via

Nokia BH-121 is an NFC Bluetooth stereo headset

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:10:00 +0000

Nokia recently released the BH-121, a Lumia-themed Bluetooth headset accessory that acts as a gateway of sorts to the music on your smartphone. The Nokia BH-121 isn’t actually a Bluetooth headset in itself, but an audio receiver that you can plug any headset into. It comes with its own 3.5mm headset, but you can choose to your own cans if you have a pair of better-sounding ones lying around at home.

In addition to basic functions like controlling the volume and taking calls, the Nokia BH-121 comes with NFC, adding another wireless means of connecting the device to your phone. And if you pair it with a Nokia Lumia smartphone, you’ll be able to check how much battery life the BH-121 has remaining.

Looking to buy the Nokia BH-121? It will start to become available in the US for $53 and Nokia Conversations even has a little contest running if you want to check that out. No news on local availability and pricing though, but check back from time in case it does eventually get released here in the Philippines.

{Source}

Kata Venus 3 Launched

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:55:00 +0000

Kata Venus 3 launched Price Php3,999. Kata is a brand that’s based in Hong Kong and the Philippines, is relatively new in the local scene. Kata products are geared toward the budget-conscious crowd but the company is able to strike a good balance between low price and good quality. I have tried Kata phones and tablets before and I was quite impressed with how good they are for the price they are being offered.

The new budget Android handset from Kaya is the Venus 3, a follow-up to the Venus S. The Kata Venus 3 features a 4-inch LCD display and packs a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, a 5MP rear camera, and a 1.2MP front-facing camera. The rest of the main specs include 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (expandable), dual-SIM functionality and 1,600mAh battery.

Kata Venus 3

Here are the full specs of the Kata Venus 3.

Kata Venus 3 Specs

4-inch touchscreen display
1.2GHz dual-core processor
512MB RAM
Expandable 4GB internal memory
5MP camera w/LED flash
1.2MP front-facing camera
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0 with A2Dp support
GPS w/ A-GPS
Dual-SIM, Dual Standby
1,600mAh battery
Android 4.2 Jellybean
Dimensions: 124.4 x 63.2 x 11mm
Weight: 114g

What’s good about the Venus 3 is the price. If you get it now, you can purchase one for only Php3,999. This is an introductory price as the actual price of the Venus 3 is Php4,999. Of course there are also other options in the market as the budget-phone market has several players like Cherry Mobile and MyPhone but it wouldn’t hurt if you check other brands out.

TYPO Keyboard Case for iPhone.

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:50:00 +0000

iPhone users, specifically iPhone 5 and 5s, now have the option of getting a physical keyboard for typing courtesy of the TYPO Keyboard Case. This accessory is a case that has a physical keyboard at the bottom. Design-wise, the keyboard looks like that of the BlackBerry Q10 so when it is attached to the iPhone, the device suddenly resembles an ultra long BlackBerry.

Typo Keyboard Case for iPhone

What I don’t like about the TYPO Keyboard Case is that it connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth. This means that the battery life will be shortened. The TYPO Keyboard Case does not have a battery pack which could have at least extended the iPhone’s power. Furthermore, the TYPO Keyboard Case covers the home button of the iPhone. That takes away a lot of features. The only practical use I see for the TYPO Keyboard Case is when you type long emails or long documents, which should be done on a desktop anyway.

Good thing is, the TYPO Keyboard Case is not that expensive. It is priced at $99 and it can now be pre-ordered online at typokeyboards.com.

Samsung Galaxy J

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:28:00 +0000

Samsung Galaxy J officially announced, featuring a 5-inch Full HD display, a Snapdragon 800 CPU, and 4K Ultra HD video recording capabilities.

Similar to the specs reported yesterday, the Samsung Galaxy J sports a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 441ppi, 32GB of internal storage with microSD card support, LTE connectivity, Galaxy Gear support, and notably a 13.2 megapixel rear camera that is capable of recording videos at 4K Ultra HD resolution.

Powering the device is a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB RAM, 2,600mAh removable battery, and Android 4.3 Jellybean.

The Samsung Galaxy J will be available in Taiwan starting mid-December in red and white colors (blue will be exclusive to Japan) with a price tag of 21,900 TWD or almost Php33,000.

{via} {source}

iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina Display

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:24:00 +0000

Smart has recently announced that they will be adding the new Apple iPads, namely the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina Display.

In line with this, the MVP-led telco has put up a pre-order page (which seems to be not working as of the time of writing) wherein customers can sign up for their mailing list to get first dibs on the upcoming iOS tablets.

Smart has not yet provided any details about the pricing scheme and postpaid offers for these two iPads. However, we think we can safely assume that the telco will implement the same tariff they had in place for the iPad 4 and the first-gen iPad Mini.

{Source}

ASUS Padfone mini 4.3 leaks ahead of launch

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 16:04:00 +0000

ASUS is set to unveil the Padfone mini 4.3 in Taipei next week but images of the Android smartphone-tablet combo has already been made available to the public courtesy of @evleaks.

As the name suggests, the upcoming Padfone has a 4.3-inch display which is reported to have a qHD resolution (960 x 540) or equal to 256ppi, and powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU. Like its bigger cousin, the Padfone mini will be able to dock into its tablet half which is more likely to have a 7-inch display.

Details remain scarce but we’ll surely learn more about the device as we approach its launch on December 11, so stay tuned.

PadFone mini 4.3, 2013 pic.twitter.com/HSv1ILdY4G

— @evleaks (@evleaks) December 7, 2013

{via}

Sony Xperia Z1 free on Smart Plan 1500

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 16:01:00 +0000

First it was the upcoming Google Nexus 5, now the MVP-led telco has added another high-end smartphone under its belt. This time around it’s the Sony Xperia Z1.

Sony’s current flagship handset will come free of charge when you sign up for UnliSurf Plan 1500, All-In Plan 1200 with 30-month lock-in period or All-In Plan 2500 with a two-year tie up with the telco.

The Xperia Z1 is also offered on other All Plans such as Plan 500, 800 and 1800 with an additional cash-out of Php19,000, Php14,500 and Php3,500 respectively.

To know more about Smart’s postpaid offer, just click on the source link below. And while you’re at it, you can also check out our full review of the Sony Xperia Z1 to help you decide whether this smartphone fits your needs.

{Source}

Now available here in PH Adidas miCoach Smart Run

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:58:00 +0000

A couple of months after its announcement, Adidas’ fitness-centric smartwatch, themiCoach Smart Run, can now be purchased here in the Philippines.

The miCoach Smart Run is an Android-powered smartwatch that doubles as a fitness device. It features a built-in optical heart rate sensor so it can track your heart rate directly from your wrist, an integrated GPS, WiFi sync capabilities, Bluetooth 4.0, 3GB of internal storage for MP3s, and a 1.45-inch color touch display with Dragontrail glass.

Adidas miCoach Smart Run specs:
Materials: glass, stainless steel & magnesium
Power Supply: Lithium ion rechargeable battery
Display: 1,45″ full color transflective TFT
Resolution: 184 x 184 pixels, with capacitive touch
Software Platform: Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1
Battery Life: Coaching with music: up to 4?hr
Marathon Mode, without music: up to 8 hr (Coming soon in a free software update)
Casual mode (watch display on demand): up to 14 days
Charging Time: max. 3 hours
Sensors: Optical heart rate, GPS, accelerometer, SPEED_CELL (external/optional)
Data Memory: 4GB (3GB dedicated to music)
Weight: 80.5 grams
RF Protocol: Bluetooth 4.0, WLAN
Size: Width 48.4mm
Height: 15.6mm
Length: 263.1mm

The miCoach Smart Run has a price tag of Php19,995 and is available for purchase at the Adidas online shop.

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Smart Bro LG G Pad 8.3

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:47:00 +0000

Smart recently announced that LG’s latest Android tablet, the LG G Pad 8.3, is now available through their Smart Broadband.

The LG G Pad 8.3 is considered a premium tablet having an 8.3-inch Full HD IPS display, a decent Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 1.7GHz processor, with 2GB RAM, a 16GB storage plus additional storage via microSD. Although you won’t use it much to take photos, it has a 5-megapixel camera at the back, and a 1.3 megapixel up front. Battery capacity is at a whopping 4,600 mAh.

The LG G Pad also features LG’s Knock On feature which lets you wake the phone up by simply double tapping on the screen. It can also accept up to 8 Guest Accounts so the whole family can use it the way they want it to. With the QRemote app and its IR, it’s the perfect couch companion that can control a wide range of entertainment appliances.

You can get the LG G Pad 8.3 through Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plan 999 which comes with a Smart Bro Pocket WiFi and free 50 surfing hours per month. If you want it on prepaid, it’s at Php17,395 but already includes a Smart Bro Pocket WiFi.

To apply for the LG G Pad 8.3 under Smart Bro’s Gadget Plus Plan 999, interested individuals simply need to proceed to selected Smart Stores nationwide or order from the Smart Online Store.

YotaPhone, the E-Ink Android Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:46:00 +0000

YotaPhone

The YotaPhone is an LTE Android smartphone with two displays. The main display is a normal 4.3-inch colored LCD display with 720p resolution while the back has an E-ink display for when you want to read stuff instead. The E-ink display offers always-on notifications and is capable of up to over 60 hours of e-book reading.

The YotaPhone is not cheap. The first edition is priced at $675. However, future versions are expected to be cheaper.

Here are the main specs of the YotaPhone.

{Source}

VSCO Cam on Google Play Store

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 17:15:00 +0000

The long wait is finally over as Visual Supply Company has officially ported the VSCO Cam app on Google Play Store.

Previously available on iTunes App Store only, the VSCO Cam became a huge hit primarily because of the amount of tweaks and customizations that it offers to iOS users.

The app itself is free and comes with tons of features right out of the gate. But what’s good about it is that users can also add additional features to the app through in-app purchase.
You can download the VSCO Cam by heading over to the source link below. Bear in mind though that the app may or may not work on your device and is only compatible with Android device running on Android ICS and up.
{Source}

LG rollout of the G Flex

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 17:11:00 +0000

LG Electronics has announced that it has started rolling out their curved Android smartphone, the G Flex, to the global market with Singapore and Hong Kong getting it as early as next week.

According to LG, customers in Singapore will be able to place their pre-orders for the LG G Flex starting December 8, while those in Hong Kong can get the said smartphone starting December 13 through major carriers and leading electronics retailers.

LG G Flex specs:
6.0-inch P-OLED display @ 720 x 1280 pixels, 245ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.26GHz quad-core processor
Adreno 330 graphics
2GB RAM
32GB internal storage
HSPA+/LTE-A 150Mbps
WiFi 802.11b/g/n, ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio tuner with RDS
13MP rear camera with LED flash
1080p @ 60fps video recording
2.1MP front-facing camera, 1080p @ 30fps
Android 4.2.2 Jellybean
Li-Ion 3,500mAh battery
177 grams
160.5 x 81.6 x 8.7 mm

LG didn’t provide the exact availability for other Asian countries but mentioned that key markets will announce it before the end of the year.

As we wrote last week, the LG G Flex will not make it to the Philippines this month to make way for the Google Nexus 5. In the meantime,

{Source via}

HP Slate7 Plus, Slate7 Extreme, Slate8 Pro and Slate10 HD

noreply@blogger.com (Dhen) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 07:47:00 +0000

HP Slate7 Plus

The HP Slate7 Plus is the cheapest tablet in the bunch. It is priced at $149.99 and for this, you’ll get a 7-inch 1280×800 display, a 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, a 5-megapixel rear, a 0.3-megapixel front camera, 4000mAh battery andAndroid 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

HP Slate7 Extreme

The HP Slate7 Extreme is also a 7-inch device but has a faster processor and bigger storage. The Slate7 Extreme is priced at $199.99. The specs set includes a 1280×800 screen, 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 chip, 1GB of RAM, 16GB storage, 5-megapixel rear camera, 0.3-megapixel front camera, and 4100mAh battery. The HP Slate7 Extreme runs Android 4.2.2.

HP Slate8 Pro

At $329.99, the HP Slate8 Pro is the most expensive but is still cheaper compared to the retina iPad mini 2 against which it obviously competes against. The main specs of the HP Slate8 Pro include an 8-inch 1600×1200 display, 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB storage, 8-megapixel rear camera, 720p HD front camera and a huge 5680mAh battery. The HP Slate8 Pro also runs Android 4.2.

HP Slate10 HD

The HP Slate10 HD is the biggest, although not the most expensive one. Priced at $299.99, the HP Slate10 HD packs a 10-inch 1280×800 display, 1.2GHz dual-core Marvell PXA968 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera, and a huge 7000mAh battery. It also runs Android 4.2.2 out of the box.