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Quad-core Face-off: Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 vs Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0

2013-06-12T14:52:00.004+08:00

Local phone maker Cherry Mobile is always on its toes in dishing out new phone models. More phone models mean more options for us to choose the best that will suit our needs and budget. Let's take a look at these two quad-core phones: Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 and Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0

Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0

The Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 packs a lot of firepower inside its sleek frame. This phone is very thin and light thanks to its form factor making look and feel smaller than what it actually is. It has a white glossy plastic chassis with chrome banding around the sides. The front has clean interface with the absence of any physical button, the 5-inch display takes up most of it. Located at the back is the 12-megapixel shooter with LED flash and has BSI technology capable of 1080p full HD video recording.

Powered by a 1,2GHz quad-core ARMv7 processor by MediaTek, the MT6589, the Omega HD 2.0 runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. It has 1GB or RAM and 4GB of internal storage with microSD support for up to 32GB.

Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 Specs:

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
1.2GHz quad-core processor, MediaTek MT6589 chipset
PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
1GB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
5.0-inch IPS HD display, 720×1280 resolution, 294 ppi
12.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash, and BSI
2.0-megapixels front-facing camera with BSI
3G, WiFi, WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/aGPS, FM Radio
Dual SIM, Dual Standby
2,100mAh Battery
SRP: Php8,999

Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0

Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 was officially released yesterday and boy it rocks in terms of features at only Php9,499 (Php1,500 higher than Omega HD 2.0). It has a beautifully big 5.7-inch IPS HD display that takes up almost the entire front of the phone (or phablet?). There is a physical Home button making this device look like the Galaxy S4 at first glance.

The Blaze 2.0 comes in black with a dark blue banding around the sides while the back comes in smooth matte finish. The 12MP BSI rear camera with LED flash that is capable also of 1080p full HD video recording.

Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 Specs:

Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean
1.2GHz quad-core processor, MediaTek MT6589 chipset
PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
1GB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD Card
5.7-inch HD-IPS Display, 720×1280 resolution
12.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash, and BSI
3.0-megapixels front-facing camera with BSI
3G, WiFi, WiFi Hotspot, GPS/aGPS, Bluetooth, FM Radio
Dual SIM, Dual Standby
2,500mAh Battery
SRP: Php9,499

Much of the specs of these two great quad-core phones from Cherry Mobile are the same with the Blaze 2.0 edging the Omega HD 2.0 in terms of screen size, front camera and battery size. Both of these handsets are great so deciding which one to purchase will boil down to your preference.

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8 Great New Free Android Games You Can Enjoy

2013-06-11T23:27:00.001+08:00

Let's have some fun! Try out these 8 great new Android games that you can enjoy on your favorite Android devices. Beat boredom and stress by playing one or all of these games that you'll surely love.

Enemy Lines

The world has become a cutthroat battlefield and you have been thrown into the fray. Rise from the ashes, consolidate your military might, and take your revenge! Train and upgrade your troops, play through a riveting campaign of conquest, and battle other players in this exciting real-time strategy game.

In Enemy Lines, you will:

Train infantry, vehicle, and air units with special combat skills
Face off against the Blackscar enemy in an immersive campaign
Engage in intense player vs. player battles for resources and medals
Form Alliances and compete in weekly tournaments with ladders and leagues

Average rating

4.4

8,800

Download

Zombie Frontier 2:Survive

There are those that think the tide is turning in the war with the undead. Since we first entered the Zombie Frontier, many survivors have been rescued. Many more are still out there, banded together and taking on the zombie hordes anyway they can. From around the world, scattered reports come in of groups fighting back.

Doctors are working around the clock in underground labs to develop new antibodies to fight the T virus.
But, until they can find a cure, we are in a daily life-and-death struggle with the zombies. Everywhere we go, we are heavily outnumbered. The undead, however, are heavily outgunned.

This war still has a long way to go, despite what anyone says. Can you accept the challenge and fight for the survival of the human race?

Average rating

4.4

Download

Fast & Furious 6: The Game

Step into the world of Fast & Furious 6. Earn cash and the respect of the “Fastest” drivers as you drift and drag through the London street scene. Join the Fast & Furious crew as they prepare to take on a series of jobs in an all new heist mode. Fast & Furious 6: The Game takes the mobile racing genre to greater heights with stunning graphics, new game modes, addictive challenges and intense full-throttle missions that dare you to exceed all limits.

JOIN THE FAST & FURIOUS 6 CREW
Take down an organization of lethally skilled mercenary drivers to earn respect as you drift and drag through the streets of London.

YOUR RIDES
Collect, customize and upgrade a slew of high end licensed vehicles that range from the classic 1970 Dodge Charger to the super cars of today - all featuring stunning graphics.

Average rating

3.9

Download

Can Knockdown 3

Be accurate! Be smart! Be quick!

Challenge your aim, hone your precision, and push your puzzle-solving skills to the next level in this insanely addictive game. This installment takes the critically acclaimed Can Knockdown series to all new heights- the physics-based carnival gameplay you know and love- and adds unique puzzles, adrenaline-charged challenges, and even more explosive action!

Average rating

4.5

Download

Finger Shepherd

Finger Shepherd: The game where You are the Sheepdog!

Use your finger to herd your sheep to the safety of their pen. Guide your flock across dangerous lands and avoid the farmyard obstacles in your path. Your sheepdog will need to steer the sheep past combine harvesters, ponds, gates and rivers whilst avoiding the distraction of the yummy grass. Beat the clock to win gold medals and make it onto the World Leaderboard where you can compare your times with others across the globe.

Average rating

4.7

Download

Pocket Rally LITE

Pocket Rally is an attempt to combine the best of both old school rally racing games and smart device experiences. Stunning visual graphics, realistic yet fun to drive car physics, all in the palm of your hand. Take the rally racing anytime, anywhere with you!

Highly detailed and precisely made car models, beautiful and visually convincing racing tracks located in various spectacular sceneries including mountains, coastline and ancient city ruins.

Carefully tuned car physics to be both realistic and fun. Multiple ground surface properties including tarmac, gravel and grass. Each car has unique driving characteristics, and will evolve through the winning of races.

Average rating

4.0

Download

Bubble Totem

Bubble Totem is a very fun and addictive bubble shooting game. You need to eliminate all bubbles by using as less bubbles as possible.The game will make you a great sense of accomplishment by challenging three star and breaking your own record!

Features:

Play it in fragment time or long time
Easy to play but have a lot of fun
Bubbles with totem inside
Match three or more bubbles of same color to destroy
Fresh and beautiful graphics
Six different scenes, e.g. Canyon, Forest, Snow Mountain, etc.
Up to 200 levels
New levels will be coming soon

Average rating

4.3

Download

Race Illegal: High Speed 3D

The smell of freshly burnt rubber on tarmac, the feel of the soft leather in your hands, the sound of engines roaring and crowds cheering, open your eyes and experience racing in its purest form, get ready to take to the streets in Race Illegal. Finally the true street racing experience has arrived on your phone. Starting your career as a rookie; you need to earn respect out there before you can challenge the best, work your way through an intense and engaging story-line to prove yourself top dog.

With 20 tracks to race, 9 cars to choose from and a whole host of customization there’s plenty here for the petrol-head to tinker with. Real driving physics, insane drifts and nitro boosts and some of the most visually stunning locations to drive around, Race Illegal has it all. Check out your own driving stats and compare your times and honors with other players worldwide. Have you got what it takes to Race Illegal?

Average rating

4.0

Download

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Biostar Hi-Fi Z87X 3D Motherboard: a mobo for audiophiles

2013-06-09T11:24:00.000+08:00

Biostar released the Hi-Fi Z87X 3D Haswell-based motherboard that audiophiles will be very happy about. It comes with proprietary audio technology called the Hi-Fi 3D that enables high definition multi-dimensional sound where it matters the most with height, width, and depth in front of the listener.

Hi-Fi 3D is based on the physics of reproduced sound and the basic human perception of sound. The high resolution sound reproduction goes beyond existing sound enhancements or virtualization technologies.

Another exclusive technologies are: Smart Ear 3D, 3D Sound Fields, 3D Amplifier, and Smart Ω.

Smart Ear 3D provides true reproduction of a virtual 3D space using any typical set of headphones. It delivers true 3D sound for music, movies, and games.

You can choose from the six types of 3D Sound Fields that includes Hi-Fi Theater, Hi-Fi Hall, Hi-Fi Game spots, Hi-Fi Studio, Hi-Fi Conference and Hi-Fi Bistro for your different applications.

With the built-in new generation 3D amplifier, Biostar Hi-Fi 3D motherboard can drive major high-end headphones with over 100dB loads and up to 600ohm impedance. It allows you enjoy a fuller range of dynamic sound with crisper details and less distortion when you are using any headphones.

Smart Ω will auto detect the appropriate gain and assign a suitable impedance range no matter what kind of gain your headphones are capable of.

Biostar Hi-Fi Z87X 3D detailed specs:

Chipset	Intel Z87
CPU SUPPORT	Intel® Core™ i7 LGA 1150 Processor Intel® Core™ i5 LGA 1150 Processor Intel® Core™ i3 LGA 1150 Processor Intel® Pentium® LGA 1150 Processor Maximum CPU TDP (Thermal Design Power) : 95Watt
MEMORY	Support Dual Channel DDR3 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400(OC)/ 2200(OC)/ 2133(OC)/ 1866(OC)/ 1800(OC)/ 1600/ 1333/ 1066 MHz 4 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot Max. Supports up to 32GB Memory
EXPANSION SLOT	2 x PCI-E x16 3.0 Slot (x8 + x8) 1 x PCI-E x16 2.0 Slot (x4) 3 x PCI-E x1 2.0 Slot
STORAGE	6 x SATA3 Connector Support SATA RAID: 0,1,5,10 Support Intel Smart Response Technology
USB	2 x USB 3.0 Port 1 x USB 3.0 Header 4 x USB 2.0 Port 2 x USB 2.0 Header
LAN	Realtek RTL8111F - 10/100/1000 Controller
MULTI GRAPHICS	AMD CrossFireX
INTEGRATED VIDEO	By CPU model Supports DX11.1 Supports HDCP
CODEC	Realtek ALC898 8 Channel Blu-ray Audio
REAR I/O	1 x PS/2 Keyboard 2 x USB 3.0 Port 4 x USB 2.0 Port 1 x HDMI Connector 1 x DVI Connector 1 x VGA Port 1 x RJ-45 Port 6 x Audio Connector
INTERNAL I/O	1 x USB 3.0 Header 2 x USB 2.0 Header 6 x SATA3 6Gb/s Connector 1 x Front Audio Header 1 x Front Panel Header 1 x S/PDIF-OUT Header 1 x CPU FAN Header 4 x System FAN Header 1 x Serial Header 1 x CIR Header
DIMENSION	ATX Form Factor Dimension: 30.5cm x 24.4cm ( W x L )
OS SUPPORT	Support Windows 7 / 8
ACCESSORIES	4 x SATA Cable 1 x CrossFire Connector 1 x I/O Shield 1 x DVD Driver 1 x User Manual
FEATURES	Windows 8 Ready Supports PURO Hi-Fi 3D Supports Smart Speed LAN Supports BIO-Remote2 Supports BIO-Remote Supports 100% Solid capacitor Supports Rapid Switch2 Supports Rapid Debug3 Supports Charger Booster Supports BIOS Online Update

Also checkout the MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard.

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Acer Iconia W3 is the world's first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet

2013-06-09T10:42:00.005+08:00

Acer unveiled at Computex 2013 the Iconia W3 dubbed as the world's first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet. It will be priced higher than similarly sized tablets running on Android or iOS because it will bring the power of a desktop PC to a mobile device. It will be able to run legacy Windows software and the Home and Student edition of MS Office 2013.

The tablet uses an Intel Atom Z2760 chip, code-named Clover Trail, that features a dual-core processor with a 1.8 GHz clock speed and sports a 8.1-inch LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Other specs include:

2GB RAM
11.35mm thin chassis
540g weight
2-megapixel front-facing and rear cameras
32/64GB internal storage
microSD card slot that supports up to 32GB
micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports

The Acer Iconia W3 can connect to a specially designed keyboard that connects to the tablet via Bluetooth. The keyboard is actually larger than the tablet itself, and has a long groove at the top where the tablet can site. Under the keyboard is a large hollow space where the tablet can be snapped in and tucked under for easy carrying.

The Acer Iconia W3's battery life is claimed to last up to 8 hours.

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ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity: The World's First NVIDIA Tegra 4 Tablet

2013-06-05T10:14:00.001+08:00

ASUS announced at Computex 2013 the new Transfomer Pad Infinity - the world's first NVIDIA Tegra 4 tablet sporting a 10.1-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution. It is powered by a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, a 72-core GeForce GPU and 2GB RAM. It comes with an internal storage capacity of 32GB.

Except for an Asus logo and a front 1.2-megapixel camera, the Transformer Pad Infinity sports a minimalistic design. Located at the rear-metallic chassis is a higher-resolution 5-megapixel camera with LED light on the. If the display is still not good enough, the on-board micro-HDMI terminal also supports 4K video output to a larger monitor.

The Transfomer Pad Infinity comes with a new innovative mobile dock that has a built-in battery for all-day mobile use. The dock houses a USB 3.0 port for fast data transfers and a SD card slot. There’s also a battery in the dockable keyboard, which extends the battery life of the pad when attached

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Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra: An Ultra Thin Smartphone

2013-06-05T01:52:00.003+08:00

The Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra despite being one of the thinnest smartphone in the world packs a lot of features in its ultra slim body. The beautiful 4.7-inch AMOLED screen takes up almost the entire facade of the Idol Ultra with full Corning Gorilla Glass protection on front while the back has a smooth black matte finish.

Although the phone itself is pretty impressive and deserve much attention, the Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra gained fame when it appeared on the blockbuster movie hit - Iron Man 3. At Php14,990 it is not really for those on a tight budget, but the features, form and style are definitely the things to like about this smartphone.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra Key Features:

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
1.2GHz Dual-core Processor (Mediatek 6577)
1GB RAM
16GB Internal Storage
4.7-inch AMOLED screen, Corning Gorilla Glass with Oleophobic coating
HD 720p display, 1280 x 720 pixels
8.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with autofocus and LED flash
1.3-megapixels front-facing camera
Can record HD video 720p (front and back)
WiFi b/g/n, WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with AGPS support
1,800mAh Battery
SRP: Php14,990

Phablets Face-off: Huawei Ascend Mate VS Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6 VS Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3

2013-06-05T01:10:00.000+08:00

In this phablets face-off, we'll gonna pit against each other three devices from leading manufacturers. They are the Huawei Ascend Mate, Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 all of which will be available this year so let's check them out.

The Huawei Ascend Mate, Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 are completely different from each other in terms of specs and features, and the only reason that we're making this roundup is because they're all phablets. So I will leave it up to you to decide which one suites your needs, taste and budget.

Huawei Ascend Mate

The Ascend Mate is without a doubt a huge phone. This is mainly attributed to the 6.1-inch display and massive 4,050mAh non-removable battery. You will need to hands to operate the phone as it's almost impossible to cover the whole display area with just your thumb. Thanks to the use of matte plastic for the back and sides, it makes it easier to grip.

Key Features:

Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
6.1-inch IPS+ display / 1280 x 720 pixels
Corning Gorilla Glass
Hi-Silicon K3V2 quad-core 1.5GHz processor
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage (microSD support up to 32GB)
8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with HDR
1-megapixel HD front-facing camera
micro-SIM
4,050mAh battery (non-removable)
Dimensions: 163.5 x 85.74 x 9.9mm
Weight: 198g

Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6

The Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6 is powered by no less than a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core processor plus 2GB of RAM. Now that's awesome hardware under the hood of this 6-inch phablet! These specs are sure to fluidly operate this full HD device with Super IPS display.

Key Features:

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
6.0-inch Super IPS+ Display
Full HD, 1920×1080 resolution, 450 nits brightness, 367 ppi
1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core processor
PowerVR SGX544 MP2 GPU clocked at 400MHz
2GB RAM
8.0-megapixel rear-facing camera
1.2-megapixel front-facing camera
WiFi, WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth, GPS/aGPS, 3G, HSPA+

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 I9200

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 I9200 comes with a massive 6.3 inches TFT display at 720p resolution. It boasts a dual-core 1.7 GHz processor based on Cortex A15 cores. Also, the device has 1.5 GB of RAM and comes with 8 or 16 GB of internal storage (can be expanded with a microSD card up to 64GB). What sets apart this phablet device from Huawei Ascend Mate and Asus Fonepad Note FHD 6 is its use of LTE for high speed data connection.

Key Features:

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
LTE - GT-I9205
6.3-inch TFT Capacitive display @ 1280 x 720 pixels
1.7GHz Krait dual-core processor
1.5GB RAM
8.0-megapixel rear-facing camera
1.9-megapixel front-facing camera
Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery

Comparison Table: (click image to enlarge)

Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H: Small In Size But Big In Performance (Price and Specs)

2013-06-04T13:58:00.002+08:00

For AMD fans out there, here's a motherboard that might fit your needs - Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H. This micro-ATX board is based on the AMD A85X chipset which is a high-end platform for the Trinity APUs and retails for Php4,150.

The Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H sports 4 DDR3 memory slots capable of supporting up to 64GB of RAM. It can handle 8 SATA devices with its 6Gbps connectors thanks to AMD A85X. There are 3 different back panel ports that you can connect your monitor to: D-Sub, HDMI, and DVI-D ports. Its DualBIOS feature is a safeguard against any possible corruption of the board's BIOS.

The Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H mATX board layout
(click to enlarge)

The Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H I/O Ports

Product Specification

Processor Support and Chipset Type	AMD Socket FM2 Accelerated Processing Units AMD A85X FCH (Hudson D4) System Bus: UMI 2.0, up to 2GB/s
Memory	Up to 4 x DDR3-2400+(O.C) 64GB Maximum
Storage	8 x SATA 6Gbps connectors by AMD A85X
Audio	Realtek ALC887 HD audio CODEC 1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port 3 x analog audio jacks
Video	APU integrated graphics engine 1 x D-Sub port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DVI-D port
Networking	Realtek Gigabit LAN
Rear I/O	1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DVI-D port 1 x D-Sub port 2 x USB 3.0 ports 4 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x RJ45 (LAN) port 1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port 3 x audio jacks
Internal Connectors	1 x USB 3.0 header (2 ports) 2 x USB 2.0 header (4 ports) 1 x CPU fan header 2 x system fan headers 1 x front panel header 1 x front panel audio header 1 x S/PDIF Out header 1 x Serial port header 1 x Parallel port header 1 x TPM header
Expansion Slots	2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (x16/x4) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slot 1 x PCI slot
Other Features	Gigabyte Ultra Durable 4 Classic THX TruStudio Pro Gigabyte 3D BIOS @BIOS Q-Flash Xpress Install EasyTune Smart Recovery 2 Auto Green ON/OFF Charge 3x USB power boost 3TB+ Unlock Q-Share
Form Factor	mATX (24.4 x 24.4cm)

MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING Motherboard: COMPUTEX Taipei 2013 Best Choice Golden Awardee

2013-06-04T11:16:00.003+08:00

I've been using MSI motherboards for the longest time now whether for my own rig or when building for clients. I find MSI boards has the best price to performance ratio and so far have never disappointed me. I've used other brands as well but so far, MSI boards proved to be the most dependable when it comes to functionality and durability.

Today, let's take a closer look at Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard. It is an Intel board that can support the 4th generation of Intel Core processors.

The Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard is the latest joint effort of MSI and FNATIC, the world-renowned gaming champion team. Consolidating the cutting-edge Intel 8 series chipset and Killer E2205 Game Networking, the Z87-GD65 GAMING effectively eliminates latency-induced errors and automatically prioritizes game traffic. Gamers will experience smooth gameplay even in heavily loaded networks. As for sound, the innovative Audio Boost technology significantly enhances sound clarity. To give gamers the edge in speed, the OC Genie 4 one-second overclocking technology boosts the system performance in no time.

CPU

• 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 / Pentium® / Celeron® processors for LGA 1150 socket
Please refer to CPU Support for compatible CPU; the above description is for reference only.

Chipset

• Intel® Z87 Express Chipset

Main Memory

• Support four DDR3 1066/1333/1600/1866*/2000*/2133*/2200*/2400*/2600*/2666*/2800*/3000*(*OC) MHz DRAM, 64GB Max
- Dual channel memory architecture
- Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
- Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory

Slots

• 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 modes)
• 4 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots

On-Board SATA

• SATAIII controller integrated in Intel® Z87 chipset
- 1 x mSATA 6Gb/s port*
- Supports six SATAIII ports (SATA1~6) by Z87
- Up to 6Gb/s transfer speed.
• SATAIII controller integrated in ASMedia® ASM1061 chipset
- Up to 6Gb/s transfer speed.
- Supports two SATA ports (SATA7~8) by ASM1061
* The SATA6 port will be unavailable when a SSD installed in the mSATA port.
** Supports Intel Core processors on Windows 7 and Windows 8.

• RAID
- SATA1~6 ports support Intel Rapid Storage Technology enterprise (AHCI / RAID 0/1/5/10) by Intel Z87

USB

• 6 x USB 3.0 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB connectors)
• 8 x USB 2.0 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 6 ports available through the internal USB connectors*)
*internal JUSB1 connector supports MSI Super Charger

Audio

• Realtek® ALC1150 Codec
- 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
- Supports S/PDIF output

LAN

• 1x Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN controller*
* The Killer Network Manager is only available for Windows 7 and Windows 8 currently. The supported drivers for other operating systems would be available on the website if provided by vendor.

Multi-GPU

• Supports ATI® CrossFire™ Technology
• Supports NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology
• Supports Lucid® Virtu Universal MVP 2.0
* Supports Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Internal I/O Connectors

- ATX 24-Pin power connector
- 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
- 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
- 1 x mSATA port
- 3 x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports)
- 1 x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports)
- 2 x 4-pin CPU fan connectors
- 3 x 4-pin system fan connectors
- 1 x Multi BIOS Switch
- 1 x TPM Module connector
- 1 x Serial port connector
- 1 x Front Panel Audio connector
- 2 x System panel connectors
- 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
- 1 x V-Check Points Set (7x V-Check connectors)
- 1 x GO2BIOS button
- 1 x Power button
- 1 x OC Genie button
- 1 x Reset button
- 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
- 1 x 2-Digit Debug Code LED

Back Panel I/O Ports

- 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
- 1 x Clear CMOS button
- 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF-out port
- 1 x Optical S/PDIF-out port
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 4 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x RJ45 LAN jack
- 6 OFC audio jacks
- 1 x VGA port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 @60Hz, 24bpp
- 1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 @60Hz, 24bpp
- 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@24Hz, 24bpp/ 2560x1600@60Hz, 24bpp/ 1920x1080@60Hz, 36bpp

This plarform supports dual-display and triple-display function

BIOS

• The motherboard BIOS provides "Plug & Play" BIOS which detects the peripheral devices and expansion cards of the board automatically.
• The motherboard provides a Desktop Management Interface(DMI) function which records your motherboard specifications.

Dimension

• 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.4 cm x 24.4 cm) ATX Form Factor

Mounting
• 9 mounting holes.

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Starmobile's Latest Offerings: Icon, Jump and Knight (Specs, Price and Availability)

2013-06-04T01:37:00.001+08:00

Starmobile strengthens its presence in the local mobile market by launching another wave of new Android powered devices most of which will be available by second week of June. With the introduction of new players like SKK Mobile and Arc Mobile; and the continued recognition of Cherry Mobile, MyPhone and Torque; Startmobile is doing the right thing by being always on its toes.

Starmobile Icon

The Starmobile Icon has pretty impressive features powered by MSM8225Q 1.2GHz Quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. It also has an 8MP rear camera with BSI technology and a 4.5-inch Dragointrail screen at qHD resolution. The Icon could also be the i-Mobile IQ 1.1 as they have the same specs and features.

Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8225Q chipset
1.2GHz Quad-core CPU
Adreno 203 GPU
1GB RAM
4GB internal storage (microSD up to 32GB)
4.5-inch Dragontrail screen with 540 x 960 pixel resolution and 245ppi pixel density
8-megapixel rear camera with BSI and auto-focus with LED flash
5-megapixel front camera with auto-focus
Dual-SIM, dual-standby
2,100mAh battery
Android Jelly Bean
Price: Php9,890

Starmobile Jump

The Starmobile Jump is geared for the budget-conscious consumers who don't require much computing power on their smartphone but can still run important apps. It comes pre-installed with the JobsDB application.

MediaTek MT6577 chipset
1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor
PowerVR SGX531 GPU
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
microSD up to 32GB
4-inch screen with 480 x 800 pixel resolution and 207ppi
5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
VGA front camera
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
1,400mAh Battery
Price: Php4,990

Starmobile Knight

The specs and features of the Starmobile Knight is very impressive - from the display to the cameras. It resembles the i-Mobile IQ X of Thailand. The low down though is the battery which maybe not sufficient enough to power the unit for the whole day, probably to give way to the slim design, which is simple and elegant that resembles the iPhone.

1.2GHz Quad-core Processor MediaTek
PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
1GB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD Card
4.7-inch IPS Display, Corning Gorilla Glass
HD Resolution, 315 pixels per inch
18.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with LED flash, autofocus, and BSI
8.0-megapixels front-facing camera with autofocus and BSI
Dual SIM, Dual 3G, Dual Standby
WiFi, WiFI Hotspot, Bluetooth, HSPA+, 3G, GPS/aGPS
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
2,000mAH Battery
Price: TBA

Arc Mobile Enters Pinoy Mobile Phone Market

2013-06-03T21:35:00.001+08:00

Arc Mobile is a new entry in the Pinoy mobile phone market that offers basic phones, smartphones and tablet devices that promises competitive quality and performance at affordable prices.

We'll look closely on Arc Mobile's Android offerings and basing on the specs and prices, these devices will most likely win the Pinoys' hearts. The Nitro 400D priced at Php3,990 is a very good alternative to the famous Cherry Mobile Flare while the Nitro 450QD is a quad-core phone with 4.5" qHD display priced only at Php6,200. If you a tablet and phone in one device is what you needed, then the Tab 700M is the one for you - it has dual-SIM capability with analog TV to boot.

Arc Mobile Prime 350 (Php2,600)

Arc Mobile Nitro 400D (Php3,990)

Arc Mobile Nitro 450QD (Php6,200)

Arc Mobile Nitro 500D (Php4,795)

Arc Mobile Tab 700M (Php3,990)

Arc Mobile Tab 701D (Php4,599)

Arc Mobile phones and tablets should be available on the following distributors and retailers: Memo Xpress, Technomobile, BSD International, Sandztel, SDL, CyberWidget, Mobilizer, IntoGadgets, MMR Dynamic, MediaBox, M2 Mobile, Eazy Text, 5th Avenue, Inbox Mobile, GSN Wireless, Telefonetics, and at Lazada Philippines.

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Cherry Mobile Postpones Jelly Bean Update for Flare

2013-06-01T02:45:00.000+08:00

The much awaited Jelly Bean update for Cherry Mobile Flare scheduled for June 1, 2013 has been postponed. Announced on their Facebook page, Cherry Mobile said that they "are carefully planning the process of the said update" and Flare users have to wait until further announcement.

Cherry Mobile Advisory:

To all FLARE users, Cherry Mobile will postpone the release of the Jelly Bean update scheduled tomorrow June 1, 2013.

Due to the HIGH NUMBER of Flare users that will go to our Service Centers, we are carefully planning the process of the said Update. It is also a consideration that we want to serve all of our valued customers in a swift and orderly manner.

We will announce the new date of the update as soon as possible. Our sincerest apologies. We are doing our best to serve you better.

Starmobile Astra, Crystal, Flirt, and Engage 9 Trade Up Promo!

2013-05-28T23:25:00.002+08:00

Starmobile will run a discount promo for their top selling Android phones and tablet in lieu of the opening of their concept store at the 4th Level SM City North EDSA Annex. Dubbed as Starmobile's Reach for the Star Trade Up Promo, trade in any working, non working, or used phone of any brand and they will give you big discounts on the following units:

ASTRA - P4,990 (Save 2000!)
CRYSTAL - P5,990 (Save P2000!)
FLIRT - P6,290 (Save P3000)
ENGAGE 9 - P4,990 (P2300!)

Promo runs from May 29 (starting 6PM) to June 2, 2013 only at the Starmobile Concept Store, 4th Level SM City North EDSA Annex!

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SKK Mobile - A new entry to the Pinoy phone and tablet market

2013-05-18T20:29:00.000+08:00

SKK Mobile came to my attention last year when I saw people crowding a new kiosk at the SM Fairview Cyberzone. It drew my curiosity so I checked it out and found a brand name that is really new to me. They have nice looking phones that are very affordable but no Android ones.

Recently, I've been seeing new SKK Mobile kiosks in different malls and it got my attention again since now they're giving out a large glossy flyer showcasing their products ranging from simple bar phones to quad-core Android smartphones and tablets.

SKK Mobile will be an addition to the ever growing Pinoy phone and tablet market. I'll be featuring products of SKK Mobile on my future posts.

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Communication Accessories to Keep You at the Top of Your Game

2013-04-21T20:17:00.000+08:00

We all are aware that despite the constant and never-ending “smartification” of smartphones,
they still aren’t perfect. Some things can be awesome, magnificent and whatnot, but nothing
can be perfect in the utter sense of the word. Like it or not, there will always be some sort of a
communication need your smartphone won’t be able to address on its own, hence the need for
accessories, add-ons, apps or plug-ins.

Take for instance the following communication accessories:

Mobile repeater

Strange as it may seem, not all signal transmitters can reach your location at all times,
especially when you live far from the city, when your house or flat is located too far from a cell
phone base station or worse, when you’re always hanging out in a certain part of town where
there is constant signal shortage.

This signal shortage may also happen even when you’re in commercial areas due to saturation
of signal, shielding or shadow effect from other buildings. So when your business is located
in a particularly populous part of the city, crowded with other huge buildings that may cause
obstruction to wireless signal transmission, having a mobile repeater is a reliable way to make
up for the shortage.

Another way to extend your connectivity is to install a repeater in your own car, making sure
you are reachable at all times even while driving. You don’t have to worry about encountering
barred or choppy signal even when going to remote places.

GSM earpiece

With a flawless wireless connection made possible by your mobile repeater, the second gadget
you may want to add to your list to help make those awkward or top-secret conversations
possible is one that comes in a tiny package, in the form of a barely noticeable GSM earpiece.
This gadget can become very useful in cases when you may need to communicate with outside
help, especially in times of emergencies, and mobile phones are not necessarily allowed inside
the premises.

One situation where the GSM earpiece can come in handy is when you’re about to make a
public speech or enter into a debate competition. With the GSM earpiece, you can have your
coach on-hand, ready to give you instructions and needed information, making it easy for you
to instantly give snappy answers and reactions to your audience or opponent without having
to look at or sift through your notes, especially when having to go through them while already
on the spot is frowned upon.

You can even make use of this gadget while trading or negotiating a business deal, since it
makes it possible for you to receive information real-time from a trusted colleague.

Conclusion

To make sure your phone's signal doesn't malfunction on you in your time of need, equip
yourself and/or your partner with a mobile repeater while you keep your spy earpiece on
hand. Whether it be for practical, riskier and more complicated situations that you will use
these gadgets for, these are certainly ones that you can add to your checklist when it comes to
investments worth making.

About the Author:
Maricel is a blogger, freelance writer and online marketing professional specializing in web
content writing and business promotion through guest posting. You may follow her on
Twitter: @careermomonline.

MyPhone A919i: a Quad-core HD smartphone [Price & Specs]

2013-04-18T21:32:00.001+08:00

It's been a while since MyPhone released a new phone model and now after months of anticipation, they have a new smartphone for the Pinoy Android market - the MyPhone A919i Duo.

The new MyPhone A919i Duo is a quad-core phone that will run Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. It is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core MT6589 processor with 1GB of RAM. Other impressive features of this phone are the 5-inch HD IPS capacitive display and the 8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash capable of 720p@30fps HD video recording.

The A919i Duo is the local version of India's Micromax A116 Canvas HD with an SRP of Php9,590.

MyPhone A919i Detailed Specs:

Dual SIM / Dual Standby
5-inch HD (720x1280) IPS capacitive display 294 pixel density
1.2GHz quad-core MT6589 processor Cortex A7
PowerVR SGX544 GPU
Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
1GB of RAM / 4GB of internal storage (microSD support up to 32GB)
8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash with 720p@30fps HD video recording
2MP front camera
GPS with A-GPS support
Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP
microUSB v2.0 / 3.5mm audio jack
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot
Multimedia player / FM radio
Dual-band GSM 900/1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
HSDPA 42Mbps / HSUPA 5.76Mbps
3G/HSPA (UMTS 2100)
Motion / Light / Proximity Sensor
Li-Ion 2,100mAh battery with talk time up to 5 hours
144 x 74 x 10.7mm (dimensions) / 156g (weight)

Starmobile Goal: "Smart, Swift, Seamless" [Price & Specs]

2013-04-18T20:33:00.001+08:00

Starmobile Goal is the new addition to the Android lineup of Starmobile. This phone is also known as the i-Style Q5 of i-Mobile Thailand and is exclusively available at Lazada.

The Starmobile Goal promises a "smart, swift and seamless" user experience with its rich features at a very affordable price of only Php5,990. Check out the detailed specs below to find out why. One caveat though is the lack of camera flash that may come in handy when taking pictures/videos in low light conditions.

Starmobile Goal Specifications:

Dual SIM / Dual Standby
1GHz MediaTek MT6577 dual-core processor
PowerVR SGX531 GPU
4.5-inch FWVGA (854x480) capacitive display with 5-point multitouch
Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
512MB RAM / 4GB of internal storage (microSD support up to 32GB)
8MP autofocus camera (No flash) with 720p HD video recording
VGA (0.3MP) front camera
WiFi / Bluetooth / GPS with A-GPS
microUSB v2.0 / 3.5mm audio jack
HSDPA 7.2Mbps / HSUPA 5.76Mbps
GSM 900/1800/1900 (Tri-band)
3G/HSPA (UMTS 850/2100)
Proximity / Gravity Sensor
Li-Ion 1,800mAh battery
131 x 66 x 10.5mm (dimension) / 72g (weight)

How to fix SMS auto-rotate of Cherry Mobile Flare for landscape texting

2013-03-30T13:05:00.001+08:00

In my Cherry Mobile Flare review, I mentioned that there's no landscape option for texting, but that was months ago. I was not able to update you guys that I was able to fix the SMS auto-rotate of Flare for landscape texting even without updating the firmware and it's actually very easy. This may seem a bit late but I hope this will be useful to those who have been longing for this feature.

Composing message in landscape mode using NumberPad Keyboard app

Your Cherry Mobile Flare should already be rooted in order to perform this update, if not then follow the steps in rooting your Flare. Titanium Backup should be installed on your phone, you may wanna backup existing messages first before doing this method. Make sure also that RotaLock is disabled on your Flare.

Steps to fix SMS auto-rotate of Cherry Mobile Flare

Download this MMS.APK file and copy it to your phone
Using Titanium Backup, uninstall the existing messaging app on your phone
Install the MMS.APK you downloaded

Use Titanium Backup to uninstall existing messaging app

Message viewing in landscape mode

Composing message in landscape mode using Android keyboard

That's all it takes to fix SMS auto-rotate of Cherry Mobile Flare and enjoy landscape texting!

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Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 or Cherry Mobile Omega HD: Which one to choose?

2013-03-23T13:03:00.000+08:00

This summer, two great smartphones will be released in the Philippine market thanks to Cherry Mobile. The quad-core Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 at Php6,999 price tag and the Cherry Mobile Omega HD at Php7,999. Both models are expected to be in full roll out in April. With very affordable price tags and great specs, it will be hard to decide which one to choose as soon as they come out.

Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0

Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 is a big leap from Cherry Mobile Flame and enters the Pinoy Android scene with guns ablaze sporting a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 processor and 1GB of RAM. Being the first locally branded quad-core phone, it promises snappy response running your favorite apps and games. You'll definitely enjoy the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS at its full capacity because it doesn't skimp on RAM, 512MB is not enough as with previous releases. These are the main selling points of Flame 2.0 plus the price tag that could persuade one in getting this unit.

At first glance, the Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 could be mistaken as an iPhone, although it looks more like the Cherry Mobile Flare. It's not surprising as both Cherry Mobile phones came from the same OEM family: the Flame 2.0 aka Karbonn S1 Titanium and the Flare aka Karbonn A9+.

Completing the notable features of Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 are the 5MP autofocus main camera with LED flash, 4.5-inch QHD IPS display at 540 x 960 pixels and dual SIM capability. The downside of the Flame 2.0 is its low capacity battery of only 1,600mAh but don't fret out as it will come with a free Cherry Mobile power bank until May 31.

Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 Specs:

Dual-SIM
1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 CPU
Adreno 203 GPU
Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1)
1GB RAM | 4GB internal storage
microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
4.5-inch IPS Capacitive Touchscreen qHD display (540 x 960 resolution)
5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
VGA front camera
WiFi b/g/n, WiFi Hotspot, GPS, 3G, Bluetooth
1600mAh battery (free Cherry Mobile power bank until May 31)
Comes in Black or White

Cherry Mobile Omega HD

Now comes the Cherry Mobile Omega HD, which is basically way above the Cherry Mobile Omega when it comes to features, boasts a 5-inch IPS HD display that is scratch resistant thanks to its Dragontrail Glass protection. So even if you purposely scratch its screen with a knife or a key it will not leave any marks on the screen!

Another key feature of the Omega HD is its 12MP BSI autofocus camera with LED flash that can shoot 1080p HD video. Backside illumination (BSI) technology greatly improves image capture even at low-light conditions.

Also known as i-Mobile IQ6, the Cherry Mobile Omega HD is powered by 1GHz MT6577H dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM that smoothly runs the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. Battery life should be good, thanks to its 2,100mAh battery.

Cherry Mobile Omega HD Specs:

Dual SIM
1GHz dual-core MT6577H CPU
PowerVR SGX531 GPU
Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean
1GB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD
5-inch IPS Capacitive Touchscreen, 1280×720 resolution (HD)
Scratch-resistant Dragon Trail Glass Technology
12.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with BSI and LED Flash
2.0-megapixels front-facing camera with BSI
2,100 mAh battery
Comes in Black or White

The Cherry Mobile Omega HD is the direct competition of Starmobile Diamond but at a cheaper price tag.

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Starmobile Diamond: 5-inch Dual-core Android Jelly Bean (Price and Features)

2013-03-23T09:56:00.000+08:00

The Starmobile Diamond is the latest offering from the Happy Man. Just released a few days ago, it is officially priced at Php9,990 and will be Starmobile's latest flagship model in their growing Android smartphone lineup.

Starmobile Diamond runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box that will surely run smoothly because the unit is powered by a 1GHz MTK6577H dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. What's impressive about the Diamond is its scratch resistant 5-inch IPS display protected by Dragontail Glass that can deliver HD graphics with its 1280 x 720 pixel resolution.

Of course, not to be left out is its 12MP main camera with LED flash and BSI that can capture beautiful photos plus its 3MP front camera with BSI as well. Oh, and let me add that it comes with a free 8GB microSD to store your precious apps and files.

BSI (Backside Illumination) is a type of digital image sensor that uses a novel arrangement of the imaging elements to increase the amount of light captured and thereby improve low-light performance.

Starmobile Diamond Specifications:

1GHz Dual-core MTK6577H Processor
Enhanced SGXS31 GPU
1GB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD Card
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
5.0-inches IPS Capacitive Touchscreen with HD Resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
Dragontrail Glass (Scratch Resistant)
12.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with LED Flash and BSI
3.0-megapixels front-facing camera with BSI
WiFi, WiFi Hotspot, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS with A-GPS Support
2,000mAh Battery

Get Cherry Mobile's Burst or Flare with Sun's Plan 350

2013-03-22T15:18:00.001+08:00

Twin brothers, Cherry Mobile Flare and Cherry Mobile Burst, are now available for just Php350 monthly plan with Sun Cellular's postpaid. One can now enjoy these awesome phones at very affordable package with options to suit your needs.

You may choose from the following Profiles:

Call & Text Unlimited
Get the following:
-Unlimited Calls & Texts*
-250 FREE SMS to other networks

Text Unlimited
Get the following:
-Unlimited Texts*
-P200 Consumable** (except International/Domestic Operator-assisted calls)
-250 FREE SMS to other networks

Fully Consumable
Get the following:
-P350 Consumable** (except International/Domestic Operator-assisted calls)
-250 FREE SMS to other networks

* Local Sun-to-Sun Calls and/or Texts only.
** Consumable may be used for the following:
Sun Cellular calls to other networks – including NDD & IDD
Sun - to - Sun MMS
SMS2Email

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Lenovo K900 - the first Intel Clover Trail+ powered phone

2013-03-10T10:09:00.000+08:00

The Lenovo K900 is the first phone to sport the new Intel Clover Trail+ (Atom Z2580) processor and boasts a 5.5-inch 1080HD panel. It is a great looking phone that packs a lot of power on its 6.9 mm thin stainless steel body making it durable. It is capable of Antutu scores of up to 25,000!

Lenovo K900 Specifications:

IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
5.5 inch 1080 x 1920 pixels, (~401 ppi pixel density)
Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Dual-core 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580
PowerVR SGX544 GPU
2 GB RAM
13 MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
2MP secondary camera
Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, Wi-Fi hotspot
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 + 3G HSDPA

The K900 will be available by April in China and in select regional markets soon thereafter. Going by Lenovo's growth, countries like Indonesia, India, Philippines, and Vietnam and any country where Lenovo has strong brand presence will probably be the first markets to enjoy the phone.

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Top quad-core Android phones: When will they arrive in the Philippines?

2013-03-10T09:20:00.001+08:00

Each year, technology is getting better and a lot cheaper; and 2013 is the year for quad-core Android devices. Many of these devices were released (and soon to be released) on the first quarter of this year in the world's biggest phone market - China. Let's take a look at these top quad-core Android phones that I hope will be released locally.

Alcatel One Touch Idol X

Alcatel is TCL’s international brand under which it sells its phones. We know that TCL is the world's biggest television manufacturer and Alcatel is a high quality brand that offers great quality and affordability. The One Touch Idol X is a quad-core phone powered by 1.5GHz MT6589 processor and 2GB of RAM. It has a 5-inch 1080 HD display with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution that. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and sports a 13MP autofocus rear camera with LED flash.

ZTE Grand S

ZTE Grand S packs a lot of features despite its very thin body at only 6.9 mm. Under its hood is a quad-core1.7 GHz Snapdrgon CPU, 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It sports a 13MP autofocus camera with LED flash and 5-inch 1080 display at a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. At $480,it's a great hardware with thin design at a low price that comes with LTE. One sacrifice to make though is the battery as it is powered by non-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh battery.

Huawei Ascend D2

Ascend D2 is Huawei's flagship model to date. It combines great features from different models and packed it into its 140 x 71 x 9.4 mm body. Huawei developed its own quad-core processor and slapped it in inside the Ascend D2 - the Huawei K3V2 that runs at 1.5Ghz. It has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage rather than just 16GB. At the back is a 13MP, 4032 x 3224 pixels, autofocus camera with LED flash. The impressive 5-inch Corning Gorilla Glass display has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. It is also dust and water resistant!

Oppo Find 5

The Oppo Find 5 is a handsome phone that has the right features. There is a Snapdragon S4 Pro (Qualcomm APQ8064) 1.5Ghz CPU, 2GB RAM and 13 mega-pixel Sony Exmor Pro rear autofocus camera with LED flash. The 5-inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The sound will not disappoint as it has Dolby Mobile sound enhancement for your listening pleasure.

Umi X2

The UMi X2 was one of the first MTK quad-core phones to be announced. The design may not be striking but it still packs the features of the other more expensive phones in this line up. Costing only $240 or Php9,800, it is run by 1.2 GHz MTK6589 quad-core processor from MediaTek, PowerVR SGX544 GPU and has 2GB of RAM. It has a 5-inch 1080 HD display and comes with 13MP shooter with LED flash.
One more feature to love on this phone is it offers dual-sim support.

iOcean X7

iOcean have been making affordable Android phones in China for years, but the brand only started making waves with the announcement of the iOcean X7. It is a fusion Oppo Find 5 and Umi X2. The X7 looks similar to the Oppo Find 5 with its angular design, while the hardware and features are exactly the same as the Umi X2. Quad-core MT6589, dual-sim, 5-inch 1080 HD display, 2GB RAM, 13 mega-pixel rear camera, and so on. What's good about it? The $160 price tag which is merely Php6,500!

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How To Change Boot Logo/Splash Image Of Your Android Phone

2013-03-03T13:04:00.000+08:00

In my previous article "How to change boot animation of Cherry Mobile Flare", I've shown you how to change the boot animation of your phone, and now I will show you how to customize the boot logo or splash image of your Android phone by following simple steps.

Preliminary steps:

Rooted phone. If your phone is not yet rooted, follow the steps here.
Download this TOOL and extract it to your computer.
Prepare your desired image to be used as the splash image using your favorite image editing program. I used Photoshop to create my image and set the size to 480 x 800 pixels since I am using Cherry Mobile Flare.
*The image size depends on the display resolution of your phone.
Boot your phone into Fastboot mode and connect it to your computer using its USB cable.
*To boot Cherry Mobile Flare into Fastboot: turn it off > hold down Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time until you see the green screen then release the buttons

Steps in changing boot logo of your Android phone:

Run the Android AIO Flasher
Click the Splash Image Maker tab
Set the following fields:
Conversion Method: ffmpeg
Resolution: (depends on your phone)
Click "Browse" and select the image you want to set as the splash image
Click "Convert"
Check "In Fastboot Mode?"
Click on "Flash the Spla$h" button
Click Ok, then Ok again
Go to the AIO Flasher Tab
Select "From Fastboot" under Reboot Menu
Click "Reboot" button
Wait for your phone to reboot and you should be able to see the boot logo / splash image you set

You may also want to check out How to change boot animation of Cherry Mobile Flare.

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Samsung Galaxy Grand I9080 - A 5" dual SIM Jelly Bean Smartphone

2013-02-24T11:45:00.000+08:00

Samsung Galaxy Grand I9080 is an attempt by Korean electronics giant Samsung to cater to every possible segment of the smartphone market priced at Php16,999. It is a 5 incher that measures 143.5 x 76.9 x 9.6mm that can hold decently well in your hand.

The Galaxy Grand features 8GB on-board storage and a 1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor. The RAM is at 1 GB and runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Samsung Galaxy Grand I9080 Specifications:

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz (SIM 1 only), HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
5" 16M-color WVGA (480 x 800 pixels) capacitive touchscreen
Dual-core ARM Cortex A9 1.2 GHz processor
Broadcomm VideoCore IV
1GB RAM | 8GB internal storage, microSD card slot
Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
8MP auto-focus camera with face detection, touch focus and image stabilization; Full HD (1080p) video recording at 30fps, LED flash, front facing camera, video-calls
Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0+HS, MHL-enabled standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS and GLONASS, 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, USB-on-the-go
143.5 x 76.9 x 9.6 mm | 162 g
Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery
TouchWiz 5.0 Nature UX, DivX/XviD codec support, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor, gyroscope sensor