Talkin' Tech

My New Advocacy: eBooks for Pinoy

2009-09-21T18:02:00.000+08:00

I just started a new eBook-centric blog: eBookster.

I am moving!

2009-01-18T17:45:00.001+08:00

After a long hiatus, I lost the momentum in posting to this blog. So effective immediately, the new home of Talkin’ Tech will be Talkin’ Tech [re-plugged].

Hope to see you all there (yes, all three of you) :D

Posting Through Windows Live Writer

2009-01-18T13:20:00.001+08:00

…and shuddering at the thought of using a Microsoft product full time should this turn out to be a good way to update my blog.

Keep It Coming! [SMS SPAM]

2008-08-11T17:38:00.002+08:00

...and I'll keep posting your "helpful" messages here!

Well, since no one can Google the content of the message, here it is:

From: +639162307682
Gud news! NO COLLATERAL CASH LOAN, LOW nterest RATE!! NO HIDDEN CHARGES!! Borrow 30K-1M, 4 more nfo U kud also tx me at 09286112530, GODBLESS U-KRIS2PHER

Oh, and did I mention that I received this fricking message while I was DRIVING HOME?

Globe's "myServices" Portal for the iPhone is Up!

2008-08-07T19:05:00.003+08:00

And it looks GREAT!

Tapping on the "myAccount" link will bring a subscriber to a page that shows the amount due, total roaming charges and the total unbilled charges! A real convenient way to check if a cellphone user is already going beyond his cellphone budget. Tapping on the "myGlobe" link will bring a subscriber to Globe's eCommerce site where a subscriber can buy ringback tones.

A real promising start for those who will be getting the iPhone come August 22, 2008 and a good way to maximize the use of current Globe subscribers who already own a 1st-generation iPhone.

iPhone 3G Plans -- The Official Philippine Rates

2008-08-06T19:14:00.005+08:00

Well, it took long enough but it came anyway... the eagerly awaited iPhone 3G will be available in a few week's time and the verdict is out: Local Apple enthusiasts have mixed reaction to the news. Some breathed a sigh of relief because they can no get their grubby little hands on a legitimate iPhone 3G, some are ranting to high heavens, dismayed at the cost of owning one. As for me, I think I'll hold on to my 1st-get iPhone for at least one year more simply because it still works and I feel that despite its lack of GPS and 3G, it is still quite a capable piece if technology.

Globe's iPhone plans, the lowest is Php 1,599/mo + 16,800 for the Gb unit and the highest plan is Php 4,999 with a free 8Gb unit, may seem a bit expensive considering that the iPhone can also be had for 41,889(8Gb) or 48,899 (16Gb). A quick calculation will show that it might be cheaper to get the unit outright than be locked in to the telco for 2-years and paying more over the period of the lock-in.

I'm sure that a lot of people will "bite" into this despite the price because, let's face it, the iPhone is one cool gadget.

Disclaimer: I am not selling the iPhone 3g not any of the gadgets I write about in this blog. An ignorant f@cktard (you know who you are) has been spamming this blog claiming that I am making money selling stuff here. FYI, the adsense check I received from ads in my blogs is not nearly enough to pay for a week's worth of gasoline -- which means I can definitely live without it and not receiving any checks from adsense will not make me a pauper nor will it drive me to send out SPAM to make "extra money". So there!
In the vernacular: hindi ako itinitinda ang mga bagay na isinusulat ko dito, BOBO!

More SPAM!

2008-07-04T10:48:00.002+08:00

ARGH! After a few day's worth of peace and quiet, here comes another SPAM!

switchAbit Test

2008-07-04T06:58:00.003+08:00

I just discovered a new web service called switchAbit. If I was able to set up the service correctly, this post should appear both my wordpress blog and my jaiku page.

**fingers crossed**

The Aiptek DV Z200 PRO: A Bullet-point Review

2008-07-02T14:59:00.005+08:00

I got this Aiptek DV Z200 PRO as a birthday gift. It also replaces my trusty point-and-shoot Kodak digital camera which got sort of broken when it fell during our summer outing :(

Here are my thoughts so far:

It is quite handy.
The 1000 mAh battery looks like something you see on cellphones.
Videos taken are quite decent but I have yet to those videos on TV.
Its 5 megapixel camera takes good pictures but the shutter lag is a bit annoying.
Connecting the DV Z200 to a computer is a breeze, no drivers required.
Charges if connected to a computer via USB.
The size makes it easy to lug around and capture still images and videos at a moment's notice.
If I'm to use this "seriously", I'll probably need a full-sized tripod (or at least a monopod).

I may still need to get a decent point-and-shoot camera so I can get better pictures. But for taking short video clips and home movies, this little gadget should work really well with me.

Drowning in SMS SPAM!

2008-07-02T14:14:00.003+08:00

It looks like SMS Spammers are working overtime!

In the past few days, I have been receiving these unwanted messages and I wonder if there is anything a cellphone subscriber can do to stop it...

Here are some of the SMS SPAMs I have received so far:

From: +639162643641
CASHLOAN from BDO with an interest rate of as low as .98% per month (we also offer other loans.)
CARLOAN financing BRANDNEW or 2ND HAND UNIT, "CAR MORTGAGE" OR/CR only PAYOFF BANK BALANCE
with an interest rate of 1% per month, lower interest for brandnew.. INTERESTED, u may kol our ofc nos.2122405,2973741,2973432,2971670,2980646,2980645 luk for MS. JINKY.. Thank you!

From: +639202890488
greetings! chinatrust loan offer prequalified client 2 loan 100K-1M @ lower interest 1.39%-1.49%, 4more dtails pls call Ela Relano 02-7503998, thank you po

From +639158874208
1/2 LAST RUN for 2008 of d seminar ALL ABOUT VAT July 15-17 Crowne Plaza 1-5pm. Everything u need t know abt VAT n how it affects ur business. Discover how to

From +639158874212
2/2 legally reduce ur VAT due. Pls call Leni of POWERMAX 687-9014/ 986-3630 / 710-7604 or visit www.powermaxconsultinggroup.com

All the above messages were received by my cellphone within a span of one week! Some even came at the most inopportuned time (while driving, on a meeting, etc.). I have to consult some of my lawyer friends and ask them if there are any legal recourse to stop this recent avalance of unwanted TXT messages.

Oh, and it just struck me that these SMS SPAMMERS are getting crafty... the last two messages are part of a single marketing blurb but they came from two different numbers... a way to circumvent any blacklisting application that some cellphone/smartphone have... crafty in an evil kind of way..,

Free Wi-Fi for New Nokia Cellphones!

2008-06-29T18:55:00.002+08:00

Good news to newly bought Nokia Phones, Nokia Philippines has tied up with Airborne Access to provide free wi-fi access to select wifi-enabled cellphones. See more details here.

A Case for (or against) a MobileME Subscription

2008-06-10T15:09:00.002+08:00

What I have *not* bought since I converted was a .Mac account. Back when I switched, high-speed internet connectivity was quite expensive and having a .Mac account with a dial-up connection to the ‘net seems preposterous to me. As years went on, I sort of forgotten about .Mac and went on with my life… until today. MobileMe was officially announced by his royal Jobness and it made me take a second look at the service formerly known as .Mac.

At $99 a year, a .Mac (or MobileMe subscriber) will get:
My own personal email address
Push email
Mail, Contacts and Calendar synchronization
Online picture gallery
A personal/family web host
Secure online file backup

I already have most of what I enumerated above:

My own personal email address is provided for free by GMail
Push emal? Well, not actually “push” but I have an IMAP connection with GMail for free.
Calendar synchronization is now possible using a free iPhone app called Nemusync.
Do I really need an online picture gallery? But if I do, I can use my free picasaweb account for it.
I also have a blogger account (and a few other free accounts on other providers) for hosting stuff I want published online.
My file backups are being taken cared of by my trusty flashdrives, DVD-R’s and external hard drive.

Hmmm… When I started to write this post, I almost convinced myself to get a MobileMe account but now that I thought about it, maybe I’ll pass… FOR NOW.

Its Officially Official! part deux

2008-06-10T12:53:00.002+08:00

Got these screencaps from the officially official iPhone/Philippines webpage from the officially official Apple website.

It's Officially Official: Globe Telecoms gets the 3G iPhone!

2008-06-10T06:53:00.003+08:00

It can't be more official than this: Globe Telecoms **will** bring the much coveted 3G iPhone to the Philippine shores! With a tagline "Twice as fast. Half the price", who would not wet his pants and start sweating bullets in anticipation?

AirborneAccess + Smart Gold Bundle Promo

2008-06-05T13:31:00.004+08:00

If you are in the Philippines and is a subscriber of Smart Gold, then here's some good news:

Get unlimited monthly Wi-Fi access at Airborne Access hotspots with your Smart Gold and Addict post-paid subscription!

Starting June 3, 2008; all SMART Gold and Addict subscribers who still wish to avail of the Unlimited WiFi Connections through Airborne Access may register for the promo with the following offerings:

1. P99.00 Monthly Service Fee (VAT inclusive)
2. Unlimited WiFi access in all Airborne Access Hotspots
3. Monthly Service Fee discount from P199.00 to P99.00 monthly for existing pre-registered subscribers.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

1. Subscribers should text REG to 9434 using the Smart Gold/Addict account to be registered in the WiFi promo

2. The password shall be sent to the SMART Gold /Addict MIN/mobile phone of the subscriber within 2 hours upon successful registration.

3. Subscribers will receive an error message for unsuccessful registrations.

4. Within a Hotspot area, the subscriber should access the SMART Gold Airborne Access log-in page where the username and password should be entered. The mobile number is the default username.

5. The log-in page shall display the Terms and Conditions for the service for his/her acceptance. If accepted, the subscriber is allowed to access the internet.

More details at the AirborneAccess website

Cross-posted from NoypEee.

CD-r King iPhone?

2008-06-03T07:15:00.003+08:00

Nah! It's just an "MP4" player from CD-r King that happened to share a form factor with the iPod Touch (if you are drunk and near sighted). At Php 2,380 (a little over $50) you'll get these "exciting" features:

•	Supports MPEG 1, 2, 2.5, layer 1, 2, 3 and WMA format
•	Windows compatible file system as removable drives (FAT 12, 16 and 32)
•	Full 2.8-inch 262K colors Touch TFT screen
•	ID3 tag display showing artist and song title
•	With digital voice recorder
•	Sound equalizer (normal, 3-D, rock, pop, classic, bass, jazz and user EQ)
•	Selected content repeat function (A to B mode)
•	Fast data transfer through USB interface
•	With FM tuner including auto and manual searching channels
•	Supports JPG file format
•	With MIni SD card slot

uMobile Free Service Extended till June 2, 2008

2008-06-02T07:03:00.003+08:00

Well, its June 2, 2008 and it looks like uMobile is not yet ready for primetime because they have extended the original free access for two days now. I wonder where I can buy additional "load" for it?

Although its sad to see the free calls/text/internet go, I'm also excited to see how the other services will go when they go "live".

Great Apple Promo: Free Peripherals!

2008-05-25T12:39:00.002+08:00

From May 27, 2008 to June 7, 2008, Digital Hub will give a free Apple peripheral for each Apple laptop purchased!

They will also give a Php 650 store credit for each iPod purchase.

See details in this post at PhilMUG.

Bullet-point Review: LG KU380 + uMobile

2008-05-22T15:22:00.006+08:00

When Globe subscribers receive uMobile calls, they can't see who is calling... unless the calling party is already in the Globe subscriber's phonebook.
Globe subscribers who receive text messages (SMS) from a uMobile subscriber has a hard time replying.
Free calls from uMobile includes calls to PLDT landlines (until May 31, 2008).
uMobile SIM cards are apparently not compatible with the Apple iPhone (bummer!).
The LG KU 380 is a solid basic 3G handset with just enough features for the casual user -- making it ideal as a "second phone".
Users may synchronize MS Outlook data to the LG KU 380 using the bundled "LG PC Suite".
Using the internet connection facility of the LG PC Suite, one can access the internet at a relatively high speed -- I personally hit at least 400+ kbps download speed when I tested it.

Update:

Bluetooth connectivity between Windows XP and the LG KU 380 works flawlessly.
Internet connectivity using bluetooth works very well using the internet connection program of LG PC Suite.

Update 2:

A comment on my previous post points out the obvious: each ad that a uMobile user receives will earn that subscriber Php 0.50. My take on this? Php 0.50 per ad received is better than Php 0.00 earned each time an SMS SPAM is received in the unholy hours of the night.

Even more later...

Introducing: u Mobile!

2008-05-20T19:08:00.002+08:00

I was lucky enough to snag an invite to last nights launch of the newest telco in the country: uMobile!

The event was pretty exciting and was "designed" for uMobile's target market (young people between 15 and 35). I was also lucky enough to get a free LG KU 380 -- a 3G cellphone! So, what does uMobile have that the other telco doesn't? They reward subscribers who agrees to read ads and take survey with "points" which can then be used as cellphone "load". Early adopters will also be treated to a Php100 load/month from June 2008 to December 2008! Unlike traditional telcos, uMobile does not sell their SIM cards, they instead screen potential users through their websites, making sure that they are within their target market.

To see some pics of the event, head on over to the berniej korni-kels :)

Palm Centro is now Locally Available!

2008-04-17T11:14:00.001+08:00

Palm Philippines - Palm Centro and Treo Smartphones, Handhelds and Accessorie s

Palm Centro is now available locally for Php 17,450 (a little less than $450).

It is available in all colors (as long as its white).

And the world collectively yawn...

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Department of Trade & Industry's Online Consumer Complaints

2008-04-17T08:04:00.001+08:00

Got scammed/cheated by a store? Here's a quick way to file a complaint, just surf on over to the DTI Consumer Complaint page and you can complain your heart away against stores that does not honor warraties, does not exchange defective products or simply is cheating you.

I sure hope that this is not another "ningas kugon" project...

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BIR Computer Bogs Down on Last Day of ITR Filing [D'oh]

2008-04-15T15:28:00.001+08:00

The computer system of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) bogged down shortly before noon Tuesday due to the big number of last-minute taxpayers who are trying to beat the deadline for the filing of income tax returns (ITR).

ABS-CBN News Online (Beta)

Haven't BIR heard of the term "Business Continuity Plan"? This is a buzzword worth getting the attention of all agencies of the government. BIR is a big government agency and having a BCP (or at least a viable Disaster Recovery Plan) is a must. Imagine the exasperation of *both* the people filing their ITR and the BIR personnel in this scenario... long lines + hot/humid weather... I won't be surprised to see a commotion at any BIR District Office on the news tonight.

Oh well...

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Smart Bro Prepaid: Internet for the Masses?

2008-04-02T08:33:00.002+08:00

Smart Bro

Here's another small step to help bridge the digital divide: an inexpensive way to access the internet via 3G/EDGE/GPRS through Smart Bro Prepaid. Under this scheme, a user gets a wireless modem (actually a "phoneless cellphone") for Php 4,500 (a little over US$100) and "load" it up with prepaid credits. Actual connection charge is at Php10 per 30 minutes of contiuous access -- translating to a little over a dollar for one hour's worth of internet connectivity.

Since this device is dependent on cellular phone signals, users' mileage may vary but for those who does not have a wired dsl connection at home, this may be a viable option considering that there is no monthly dues to pay. The added bonus is that users can use this anywhere there is a SMART signal.

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Google TiSP: The Final Frontier in Broadband Technology

2008-04-01T18:02:00.001+08:00

Welcome to Google TiSP

Free and easy Internet connection courtesy of Google!

Sick of paying for broadband that you have to, well, pay for?

Introducing Google TiSP (BETA), our new FREE in-home wireless broadband service. Sign up today and we'll send you your TiSP self-installation kit, which includes setup guide, fiber-optic cable, spindle, wireless router and installation CD.

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