Sony Mobile recently announced two new Xperia™ smartphones for people looking for premium specifications and beautiful design with extra durability and water resistance. Xperia Acro S and Xperia Go have scratch resistant mineral glass displays and meet industry standard IP ratings* (International Protection) for protection against dust and water immersion.

The Xperia Acro S and Xperia Go, which enable easy connectivity to share and enjoy content on TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet, will be available globally from the third quarter of 2012.

SONY XPERIA ARCO S

The stylish water resistant HD smartphone

The Xperia Acro S boasts a 4.3” HD Reality Display for razor sharp clarity, full HD video recording, HD video chat, easy HDMI TV connectivity to enjoy content on the big screen. NFC enabled, Xperia acro S can easily open applications with one touch against an Xperia SmartTag.

Key features for Xperia acro S

• 4.3” 720p HD Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor sharp clarity
• 12MP fast capture camera goes from sleep to snap in just over a second with a single key press
• PlayStation™ Certified
• Full 1080p HD video recording and 720p HD front camera
• Scratch resistant mineral glass display with wet finger tracking
• IP55 and IP57 Ratings for dust and water resistance
• 1.5GHz dual core processor gives consumers super fast performance
• Launching on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Available in black and white colors

 
SONY XPERIA GO

The stylish Sony smartphone made for extra durability

With the Xperia Go, you can watch the latest movies and TV shows in razor sharp quality and with super fast performance. Its sleek and stylish design means durable and water resistant smartphones no longer have to look bulky and ruggedized.

Key features for Xperia Go

• 3.5” Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor sharp clarity
• 5MP fast capture camera goes from sleep to snap in just over a second
• Scratch resistant mineral glass display with wet finger tracking
• Highest level of dust and water resistance in a smartphone – IP67 Rating
• 1GHz dual core processor gives consumers super fast performance
• Launching on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Available in black, white and yellow colors

Alcatel One Touch recently expanded its portfolio of android smartphones as it unveils the latest addition to its Blaze series — the Blaze 985N. This phone particularly fits mobile users who look for android phones with quality features from design to software. Available in two colors, black and white, this phone gives you a good grip of a handy device that you could bring along anywhere you go.

The BLAZE 985N runs on a 2.3 gingerbread OS that lets you do more things with your phone and provides a perfect mobile phone experience to its users. It also provides you with a captivating experience through it’s up to 5-megapixel back camera and VGA front camera for video calls. You can also instantly share your photos to your friends on facebook.

Aside from the phone being wifi ready, there’s also more fun in using this phone for gaming. With a screen size of 3.5-inch display and its built-in G-sensor, your phone instantly becomes a game controller. Games are pre-embedded on the phone, along with other apps such as Facebook and Twitter, music and audio, etc. Thus, you can get much more free apps through the android market or Google Play.

The new Alcatel One Touch Blaze 985N, which also happens to be a dual-SIM dual-Standby Android smartphone, is now available in all ALCATEL kiosks and shops nationwide with a price tag of just Php7,999.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS

After almost 4 weeks of waiting, the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S3 has been officially launched in the Philippines and will finally hit the stores this coming June 9 at a whopping price of Php32,990.

If you can’t wait any longer, then you have no choice but to go for a postpaid plan from either Smart and Globe, who are already starting to accept pre-orders since May 23 (see story here. Both networks are expected to release this quad-core smartphone on June 1. To learn more about the S3′s full specs and features, go over here.

Give us your thoughts about this. Is the Galaxy S3 really worth the mentioned price?

Before it gets officially launched later tonight here in the Philippines, I’ll first give you a head up as I was given the chance to have a quick review on the much-anticipated (and number one tablet worldwide today) — the New iPad 3, which promises us a RESOLUTIONARY experience. Check out my thoughts about this device after the break.

HARDWARE & DESIGN

If you’ve tried any other newly released Android tablets, or an iPad 2 perhaps, you’ll notice that the new iPad 3 feels a bit chunky the instant you pick it up. While most devices become slimmer and thinner as they get upgraded, the third-generation iPad has put on weight.

Although we’ve used the original iPad to compare on the new one as shown in the photo above, we’ll focus more on the difference of the iPad 2 and its successor. The new iPad flaunts a 9.4mm thick profile (versus the iPad 2′s 8.8mm) and weighs 662 grams (55-g heavier than its predecessor). This means, holding the new iPad for a long period is a bit more tiring than some competitors.

The build quality of the tablet is precise and exceptional. Some Android tablets on the market aren’t hard on the eyes, but the iPad is still (undoubtedly) the king of quality.

DISPLAY

At a distance, you would have a hard time figuring out which one is the iPad 2 or the new iPad 3. But once you get a little nearer with both devices turned on, you’ll recognize immediately the difference between the two. Yes, Apple kept their word about their latest iPad; it’s resolutionary.

The new iPad’s 9.7-inch IPS LCD display (2048 x 1536 screen resolution; 264ppi pixel density) is eye-opening and mind-blowing! We may have seen a couple of tablets sporting 1080p displays, but Apple simply blindsided everyone with the new iPad’s triumphant Retina display.

PERFORMANCE

The new iPad flaunts powerful technical specs — a 1GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 A5X processor, a PowerVR GPU (Quad-core graphics) and 1GB of RAM, which basically mean that you get to enjoy multi-tasking powerful or heavy apps in the best viewing experience at one time.

What makes the new iPad really beautiful in the inside are Apple’s simple UI, smooth transitions, really fast app switching, quick app load time, and close-to-zero lags or delays. You’ll definitely have the best experience running graphics-intensive apps/games.

The new iPad 3 can last up to 10 hours of straight usage, as promised. That includes continuous game plays, video playbacks, web browsing, etc.

CAMERA SAMPLES

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SCREEN CAPS

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VERDICT

Just like the case of the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, many people (that include us) were disappointed about the successor of the highly successful iPad 2 since, perhaps, there were no major design changes made. However, despite all of these, the new iPad 3 still managed to be a very strong contender (and a king) among other tablets (especially the Android ones).

Nevertheless, the iPad 3 is a great buy. It’s very much worth the price. However, if you already have the iPad 2, you need not to upgrade since you aren’t missing so much here. The hardware revamps don’t really merit the new one. But if you’re still using the original iPad, then this could be the time you get the latest one.

RATING: 9/10

Globe Tatto is set to launch the new iPad 3 tonight (May 29, 6PM) at the Exchange Plaza in Ayala Triangle, Makati. Apple iPad 3 Pricing and plans will be revealed in the said event. Stay tuned for updates!

PRICING & PLANS (Postpaid & Prepaid)

SPECIFICATIONS

• 9.7″ IPS LCD Retina Display, 2048×1536 pixels @ 264ppi
• Apple A5X chip dual-core
• Quad-core graphics
• 5MP autofocus rear iSight camera
• 1080p full HD video recording
• VGA front-facing FaceTime camera
• Built-in microphone
• 4G LTE 73Mbps
• HSPA+ 21Mbps, DC-HSDPA 42Mbps
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Assisted GPS
• Personal WiFi Hotspot
• iOS 5.1

Thanks to the New Media Group for sending us this review unit!

Another Bmorn device that arrived at my doorstep was the entry-level 7-inch Bmorn V16 tablet with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Selling for just Php6,150, this tablet has already a lot to offer. It features a 1GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of built-in storage. In terms of actual performance, however, how does the Bmorn V16 fare? Read on to find out if this tablet is worth spending your money on.

UNBOXING

What comes in the box are the: tablet, wall charger, USB adaptor, Bmorn-branded earphones, and English-Chinese user manual.

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HARDWARE & DESIGN

The Bmorn V16 may get the label as a low-cost Android tablet, but in terms of hardware and design, the V16 can certainly hold its own. At the price of Php6,150, I was expecting poor quality and construction on it but when I opened the package, I was surprised to see a rather premium-looking device.

Although it’s only covered with plastic on the front, it still looks and feels solid. What really made this tablet look premium is its anodized aluminum back cover, where you can find the nicely positioned speakers. The V16 only measures 8.8mm thin (almost as thin as the iPad 2) and it weighs just 670g (very light to carry).

For the peripherals, on the bottom part, you can find (from the left) the 3.55 audio jack, (the mic built-in feature,) the USB and TF-Card ports. Meanwhile, on the left-bottom part are the power, volume (plus and minus), and return buttons. The 1.3-megapixel camera, which can be used for video calls, can be found in front (positioned at the center).

DISPLAY

Unlike its big brother (Bmorn V99), there’s nothing to look forward on the V16′s display. Not very good but not that bad neither; just enough. With its 800 x 480-pixel resolution, watching movies and/or playing games would never be an issue, viewing-wise.

PERFORMANCE

Considering its price, Bmorn V16‘s is quite exceptional already. With the fast (1GHz) processor and 512MB of RAM, you’ll enjoy surfing, e-book reading, watching movies, e-mailing, etc. pretty well.

The V16 also comes with a 3D graphics accelerator, which means you get to enjoy playing with power and versatility. I played Fruit Ninja and Angry Birds, and the experience was extremely good (beyond my expectations, actually). I have never encountered any issue on the screen’s resistivity so far. But one major disappointment bumped into me was the G Sensor didn’t work. I’ve tried playing Temple Run but the tilting didn’t seem to work. Nevertheless, this tablet is still good for other games that are available for free at the Google Play.

VERDICT

For the price of Php6,150, the Bmorn V16 offers a lot of features and gives a decent performance. It’s also something that you won’t be ashamed to be brought elsewhere. It just looks fantastic on the exterior. And with a 3500mAh battery, this tablet can last up to 3-5 hours of straight usage.

I have two last words for this: GREAT DEAL.

RATING: 8/10

Widget City sent us this unit for review. They’re already offering this tablet with 1 year service warranty. Order directly on their website or you can go over to their official Facebook page for your other concerns.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 7-inch WVGA (800×480) capacitive display
• Allwinner A13 1GHz processor
• Android 4.0 ICS
• 512MB RAM
• 8GB of internal storage
• Mali 400 GPU
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• 3G external Support
• mini USB, G Sensor
• 3500mAH Battery
• 190×121×10mm
• 370g

We’ve seen a lot of Android tablets being sold here and there these days and we got to admit, there are only very few ones that are built in high quality despite their affordability. Fortunately, we’ve learned one which produces such — the Chinese company Bmorn, a famous and highly valued brand in China. (You can learn more about the company here.)

Bmorn just started selling their products here in the Philippines via the top online gadget seller WidgetCity and luckily, they sent us two Bmorn tablets to review. One of which is the 9.7-inch ICS-powered Bmorn V99 tablet that is currently sold for Php11,450 only. Read on for my full review.

UNBOXING

What you get from the box are the tablet (of course), user manual (English and Chinese versions), wall charger, Bmorn-branded earphones, adaptor for USB connection, and another USB cable.

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HARDWARE & DESIGN

Never estimate the Bmorn V99 in terms of hardware and design. I didn’t expect that this tablet would exceed my expectations. I was surprised how thin and light (but not that much) it was. It is 11.8-mm thick (2.4-mm thicker than the new iPad 3) and weighs just 640 grams (12-g lighter than the new iPad).

Another thing that surprised me was its premium-looking build. Although it’s covered with just (glossy) plastic, it still does feel very strong and solid. Also, you won’t hear any loose cable or parts (unlike other cheap tablets) when you shake it.

In terms of peripherals, the Bmorn V99 has a lot to offer. At the bottom part, from the left, you’ll see the Home button, the TF-Card slot, (mic built-in feature,) HDMI, OTG, USB, and DC ports, then the speakers. At the top are the power button (left) and the headphone jack while on the left side are Menu and plus-minus volume buttons.

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DISPLAY

The display of the Bmorn V99 amazed me! I wasn’t expecting it would be this extremely good, vivid and intense. Looking at the HD pictures or movies, the colors are incredibly beautiful and crisp. Superb.

The screen display has 1024 x 768-pixel resolution with a 180° viewing angle and up to 10-point multi-touch. Its default movie player supports up to 2160P(3840×2160 px) videos, which obviously make your viewing experience extraordinary.

PERFORMANCE

The Bmorn V99 is equipped with not-so-bad specs such as a 1.2GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (expandable to another 16GB via TF card slot), and a Mali 400 GPU.

My gaming experience with the Bmorn V99 was excellent. I had seamless fun playing with Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and of course, Temple Run. However, one thing I noticed, when I was running all those apps in one time while playing Temple Run, the resistivity of the screen didn’t work well. You can only play seamlessly if you close the other applications. This is what probably we get from the 512MB RAM. Nevertheless, the gravity sensor worked very well.

I’ve also found out that when you’ve been playing (or anything you do with the tablet like web browsing) for about an hour and a half, it starts to produce a little painful kind of heat, to the point that you have to put something underneath (a pillow, perhaps). Also, the battery drains after playing for 3-4 straight hours.

Surfing on the default web browser was smooth and enjoyable for me as the pages loaded quickly and seamlessly but the recommended browser to use is Opera Mini. Also, reading through any of the web browser (or e-book readers) is very pleasant. I had no issues so far with this even when zooming in and out on any areas of the web page.

Speaker sound is pretty good and extremely loud through the stereo speakers with no distortions. Of course you will use earphones to not disturb anyone, but you can easily watch a movie or listen to music with the tablet on a stand with the volume set at 75%.

CAMERA SAMPLES

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VERDICT

Indeed, the Bmorn V99 is an exceptional Android tablet considering its price tag of just Php11,450. The experience was pretty amazing and exceptional. So now, I will summarize what I liked and disliked most about this tablet.

The good…

• Amazing screen display
• Resistivity of the screen
• Solid build
• Number of ports (esp. for including the HDMI port)
• Dual Camera inclusion
• Battery life
• The User Interface and Ice Cream Sandwich (Very smooth. Excellent.)

The bad…

• Battery Charge Time (Takes you 6-8 hours to fully charge when empty.)
• Nearly Unbearable Heat on the back
• Camera quality (I’m very disappointed. It really sucks.)

Overall, this tablet is very worth it for its price. This is a great alternative to the very expensive Apple iPad 3, which will probably sell 2 times of its price. Will even recommend this to my friends.

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RATING: 8.5/10

As previously mentioned, WidgetCity provided us this unit to review. This tablet is currently being sold exclusively at their online store or just simple go over here. You can also visit their official Facebook page so you can learn more about the store and ask questions conveniently.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Display: 9.7” HD ,4:3 IPS hard screen (1024*768),10-point touch
• Play Method: button + touch screen
• Casing material: plastic shell
• Resolution: 1024×768 pixels
• Chipset: Boxchip A10
• Operating System: Android 4.0
• RAM: DDR3 512MB/1GB
• Camera: front 2 Mega, back2 Mega
• WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n
• 3G: support 3G dongle (EVDO/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA)
• TV-OUT function: 1080p HDMI output
• Video: support H.264, H. 263, VC- 1, MPEG- 1, 2, 4, DIVX- 3,4, 5, 6,XVID,H263,WMV7/ 8,VP6,AVS etc.
• Audio: support MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, AC3, ATRA, DTS etc.
• Photo format: support JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG,JFIF
• E-book format: support EPUB, PDF, FB2, PDB, CHM,HTML, TXT,UMD,WORD,EXCEL
• Games: Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, 3D games, etc
• Other functions: Dictionary, calculator, calendar and other Android apks.
• Language: support multi-languages
• USB connection: USB2.0 high speed transmission
• Battery: 3.7V 6000MA
• Flash memory: 4GB/8GB/16GB
• TF card memory: up to 32GB

Facebook beings rolling out its first camera app for iOS, which is simply called as the Facebook Camera, highlighting the company’s commitment to its mobile business. Facebook Camera is an app dedicated to iPhone/iTouch/iPad users (for now) that allows you to pick one or more photos, apply filters (there are 14), tag friends and locations, add a description, and post directly on Facebook.

At first, we would probably think that this is something Facebook and Instagram have been working on; but no, since the acquisition hasn’t been closed yet, Facebook decided to create its own. However, according to the spokesman, “As Mark [Zuckerberg] asserted, we’re committed to building and growing Instagram independently, so I anticipate some healthy competition.”

The Facebook team declined to comment whether they’ll also be releasing more versions for other platforms like Android and Windows, but mentioned they’re “carefully looking at what might make for a good Facebook photos experience across other platforms.”

As of now, Facebook Camera is not yet available in the local (Philippines) App Store but expected to come in the coming weeks. (For the US residents, you can download the app here.)