Blackberry DTEK 50, Android 6.0 and SD617 smartphone inside

Blackberry continues to occupy the Android ecosystem with the recent announcement in the US of Blackberry DTEK 50

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note and Vibe K5 Plus launched, now with official prices

Lenovo Mobile Philippines just recently unveiled their two new additions in their midrange space as well as their official prices as one retailer just teased on it a few days ago.

Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus has 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 octa-core SoC, Vibe UI based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, 5 inch IPS FHD display, 13 MP AF rear cam with flash, 5 MP front cam, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM, micro SD slot,dual SIM, LTE, Bluetooth, WiFi, OTG capable GPS, Dolby audio and 2,750 mAh battery for Php 8,999

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note has Mediatek Helio P10 octa-core processor, Vibe UI based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, 5.5 inch LTPS FHD display with Gorilla Glass 3, 13 MP PDAF rear cam with flash, 8 MP front cam, 3 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM, micro SD slot, dual SIM, LTE, Bluetooth, WiFi, OTG, fingerprint sensor, GPS, Dolby Atmos and 3,500 mAh battery for Php 11,999



Both devices are now available and comes with VR headset and TheatreMax remote controller

*image credits to GSMArena

Remix OS for PC now on Android Marshmallow

As the Android OS is progressing so as Remix OS as they recently announced their big move.



Thru their Facebook page, they revealed that Remix OS for PC on Android Marshmallow is now available to download thru their website at jide.com



There were a number of improvements compared to the previous version like better support for bigger screens on gaming, keyboard and mouse support, both available in 32-bit and 64-bit and the option to choose the space that you want/need for the OS (8, 16 and 32 GB options but they recommend bigger allocation so that you can put in more Android apps)

Tutorials are also available at their Jide Technology Youtube page.

Oppo F1S to be revealed this August 3

Looks like the Oppo F1 and F1 Plus are having a successfuul run right now as the said smartphone brand will come out with another addition next month.

A. Refinery Cebu 1st Anniversary Promo

As part of their on-going celebration for 1st year anniversary of A. Refinery Cebu, they are having and Instagram and Twitter contest

Samsung Galaxy J2 2016 now available via a retailer

Samsung Galaxy J2 2016 is now selling in the Philippines via a physical store. The phone is unique for it's smart glow that has a light that surrounds the rear camera for notification purposes.

Samsung Galaxy J2 2016 specs include 1.5 GHz Speadtrum SC8830 quad-core processor, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, dual micro SIM, LTE capable, 5 inch HD Super AMOLED display, 8 MP rear cam with flash, 5 MP front cam, 1.5 GB RAM, 8 GB ROM, micro SD slot up to 128 GB, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, FM Radio and 2,600 mAh removable battery



It was posted recently thru Intogadgets FB page and priced at Php 6,990

Cherry Mobile M1 first look, benchmarks, camera samples

We are not in the launch of this first deca-core powered local smartphone but I had a date of it in a few minutes, here's my post on Cherry Mobile M1

First, lets go to the specs:

Mediatek Helio X20 deca-core processor with Mali T880 GPU, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, dual micro SIM, 21 MP main cam with Sony IMX 230 sensor, 8 MP secondary cam, 5.5 inch IPS Full HD display, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB ROM, no micro SD slot quick charging, USB Type C, NFC, finger print reader and 3,600 mAh battery

The front and back portions of Cherry Mobile M1 which reminds me a bit of Cosmos One Plus. At first, you might think that it has dual front speakers but the bottom part that is working. Of course, the upper part is the one for accepting calls. Display is a-ok for the IPS display. I was not able to check out the finger print reader



Yup the phone has curves. The top has the 3.5 mm. audio jack and pin hole mic and USB Type C at the bottom.



Dual micro SIM in one tray at the left, volume rocker and power/unlock button at the right.



The normal navigation and switching apps are a-ok at the phone. I saw the camera and it was quite basic (as the same as the one at Cherry Mobile Infinix Pure) but the important thing is the output which you will gonna see later.

The benchmarks are expected at over 90,000 on Antutu and good amount of sensors plus 5 point multi touch.

I took the camera samples inside McDo Forbes Town Center. It is quite good on artificial with a mix of daylight. What concerned me, both cams have f/2.8 aperture which might struggle if you will bring this on low light. Both are also in 4:3 aspect ratio. The 21 MP rear camera and 8 MP front camera samples in that order





Cherry Mobile M1 will be out in stores in the next few days for Php 11,999. Credits to Peter of gizguide.com as he allowed me to play the Cherry Mobile M1 review unit.

MSI-ECS Offers ICT Training Courses

MSI-ECS, one of the country’s leading ICT distributors announces the availability of ICT training courses designed to enhance literacy and competency of participants on different IT-related topics such as virtualization, database, network and security, servers and storage, anti-virus and threat management. 

Smart Padala revitalized with new logo and endorser Angel Locsin (plus more info)

In the recent media event, Smart Padala has come alive again mainly with two things.



First off, their new logo with some distinction from Paymaya. The "padala" service that I personally saw grew in a number of remittance centers thru sdari-sari stores for sure will go further with their newest endorser Angel Locsin. Months ago, I dreamed on having a tech event with the most known Darna so far in one roof and it happened.



In fact, the multimedia campaign is now up thru TVCs, print, radio and other forms. So far, they already have around 15,000 remittance centers and as promo right now until July 31, 2016, you can get a discount once you send money from Php 3001 and up.



I also got an exclusive Q&A with some Smart Padala officials which you will never saw anywhere else. Here it goes:

1. On the Smart Padala AVP, it mentioned that there are around 15,000 sari-sari store partners, what is your target number at the end of the year? 

The target by end of year is 16,500 partners.

2. What are the factors that the majority of your current sari sari store partners are saying "Yes" to be a Smart Padala partner?

There is a high demand on the service among customers.  The micro-business owners see this an opportunity for the community to have access to remittances/basic financial services.  The high product adaptability also comes in as a major factor for the micro-business owners, as the process is very simple and easy to use.

3. Remittance business is tough these days versus your current competitors so aside from the convenience, kindly give me picture of remittance rate differences versus the others.

Since Smart Padala provides convenience and accessibility as there are 15,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide, Smart Padala service remains to be cost-efficient as consumers do not need to travel and spend money for the fare just to send or receive money.

Based on data from the first National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas mid-2015, it is estimated that on average, Filipinos take around 22 minutes to reach the nearest financial services touch point. It also costs an average of P43 for a roundtrip fare.

With 15,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide, there is a Smart Padala center in almost every municipality so users do not need to travel, spend for the fare, and consume time just to send or receive money remittances. Smart Padala makes feel home closer by sending the remittances of family breadwinners to their loved ones in the most accessible, convenient, and secure manner. These centers include the recently launched Smart Padala International flagship stores that enable Filipinos to receive the remittances of their loved ones abroad.

4. Any plans that Smart Padala will be partnering with known institutions which people can send donations to them in case of need (especially that the rainy season is here)?

Yes, definitely we have exciting plans for the consumers and partners. We will announce exciting news about game-changing partnerships and innovations soon. 

Win ISDB-T DTV Box Unboxing and Review

I am happy and priviledged to review so far the most affordable yet dependable DTV Box that you can find either offline or online, this is the Win ISDB-T DTV Box.

The one that I got was the white which is the latest model from Royal Antennacraft Industries. Last November 2015, they introduced a different design yet at a bit higher price at Php 1,799

You can see the top and bottom parts of Win ISDB-T DTV Box

At the front, you can see the LCD display, channel up and down buttons, power button and regular USB port which you can use for playing media files as well as to record your fave TV shows. The back part has much packed ports like Antenna In, Antenna Out (which is the one that you will need to insert together with the provided antenna), regular HDMI out, the 3 audio and video ports, coaxial port (you can use your present over-the-air antenna here) and DC port.

The top and bottom parts of the device which is made from glossy plastic yet still looks presentable. In return, the device is light which is quite comparable to some of the phablets that I previously reviewed. I love the size of the ventilation holes to lessen the heat inside. They are confident that you can use it 24/7.



The box also includes the stock antenna with 8 meter cable (that is 3 meters longer than this known competitior) with magnetic base, A/V cable and antenna



Of course the remote is important.













Booting in the first time is quick as you will be greeted by the simple WIN logo. Better to place your antenna outside at the highest point possible. Don't worry as the antenna can sustain the heavy rains and will not disrupt the signal. Auto scan the device to get the available DTV channels in your area. In my test area in Muntinlupa, I got ABS-CBN, Sports & Action, TV5, Aksyon TV, Catsup, UNTV, ADDTV and all of 8 channels under BEAM. I noticed that it can get both the full and 1 seg channels. Of course, the DTV channel availability will be dependent in your area. Safe to say that the entire NCR was a-ok and I also tested one spot in Sto.Tomas Batangas (only the first 2 channels mentioned were visible).

The menu consists of programs (which contains EPG), picture (which you can set the aspect ratio and resolution from 480p to 1080i, based on my test do not attempt to select 1080p 60hz), channel search, time, option, system and USB which will be your haven for recording the TV shows and accessing your media files. Overall, I got no problems in terms of video quality and signal using HDMI to HDMI cable.



On recording, the device can recognize so far the FAT32 file system (not sure on other formats). Do not worry on your USB as it will auto create a folder for your recording which has an .mts video format on 60fps either I recorded a channel on HD or FHD.



On this screenshot via MX Player on Android, it recorded at 873 x 480 on a Full HD channel wile it's 640 x 480 on HD. On average, it will accumulate 1 to 1.1 GB for an hour of recording.



I did a test on recording as you can record a channel while watching another channel by scheduling the recording process by putting in the corresponding channel, time and date. Pretty cool.



The Win ISDB-T DTV Box is now available thru Lazada Philippines for Php 1,399 (just look at the corresponding picture) and Royalantennacraft Industries FB page. If you are not caring about those exclusive DTV channels and want a clearer TV viewing plus to record your fave programs, this device is a good-to-go. I will gonna rate it at 4.5 out of 5.

Better if you will gonna buy this device thru this link

Lamudi and MyPropery offer virtual tours of properties

As the Philippines’ Internet landscape continues to advance, the manner in which local real estate is marketed, bought, and sold continues to evolve with it. Convenience remains the name of the game, with buyers wanting to explore as many real estate options as they can, and sellers and brokers wanting to reach as many customers as they can.

Samsung and Eduardo Castrillo colabs for upcoming Instagram contest

Samsung has come up with another collaboration once again this time with known artist Eduardo Castrillo.

As to celebrate Castrillo @ 50 in the smartphone, they are coming up with an Instagram contest which is from August 1 to 31, 2016







Just take a picture of one of Castrillo's works with your own perspective and upload it on Instagram and put the hashtags #Castrillo50 and #SamsungCultureConnect and tag @castrillocultureconnect.

There will be pro and amateur categories which first place winners will win a Samsung Galaxy S7 and Gear VR. Other winning entries wil be featured at Culture Explorer application.

Winning entries will be revealed online this September 13 and will be awarded on October 13. You can check out more info at www.eduardocastrillo.com

Apacer AC531 Portable Hard Drive unveiled

Apacer introduces AC531, a portable hard drive offering duo protections. Especially encased in a rubber shell for excellent shock absorption, the 2.5-inch lightweight unit has 1-meter drop resistance and superb IP5X certified dustproof function. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 ensures a blazing read/write speed at 125MB/s; any large files can be managed in a breezy manner. The exterior is even structured to keep your cable neatly stowed. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacity, AC531 is the portable solution that both safeguards the files and addresses individual space demands.

A portable hard drive is an indispensable gear in the modern living that should always be guarded against falls and dusts. Understanding a military grade product may be too far beyond individual needs in terms of price and utility, Apacer decided to introduce a practical solution that is both sturdy and protective, at the same time addressing general consumer needs.



Sturdy Cover Built Against Shock and Dust

Constructed to shield the data stored, AC531 is encased in an exclusively designed rubber material for superior shock absorption. All corners of this 2.5-inch double protection hard drive are rounded for increased safety, while a 1-meter fall will not affect the normal use of AC531. The entire unit is constructed to be dustproof at IP5X grade, with thorough rubber coverage at the exterior and a seal at the USB socket, which effectively blocks dust intrusion that might cause damage.

A Blazing Read/Write Speed at 125MB/s with SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1

A vibrant color combination with blue and green embellishes AC531 with a lighthearted, sporty mood. The front face bears a shield-shaped emblem to symbolize technology and security, while numerous engraved triangles adorning this design characterizes the unit with its forte: a marvelous speed at 125MB/s, enabled with USB 3.1 Gen 1. The meticulous design even made room for the cable; the users can rest assured that a cable can be tucked into the given space, always available to use as needed.


Mega Size Storage up to 2TB at Lightweight Portability

Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, AC531 supports the Plug & Play function and can easily handle large files like 4K videos, multimedia files, and various documents; it is also a perfect booster for ultra-thin laptop computers, which usually have limited memory storage. A reassuring 3-year warranty is in place guarantee the best of storage experience for all users.

Transcend Debuts SSD220S Solid-State Drive

The best-entry level solid-state drive with uncompromising performance at an economic price point

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend ), a leading manufacturer of storage and multimedia products, is proud to announce the availability of its high-performance solid-state drive for system builders looking to speed-up their system boot-up times and application start-up. The Transcend SSD220S offers uncompromising performance by leveraging multiple layers of technology to deliver faster transfer speeds, higher durability, lower power consumption, all at an attractive price point.

EXCELLENT TRANSFER SPEED & PERFORMANCE

The Transcend SSD220S is rated for 550MB/s transfer speed guaranteeing snappy boot-up times and applications load in a flash so you don’t need to wait to get things done. Featuring a DDR3 DRAM cache which provides incredible 4K random read and write performance up to 330MB/s, it’s the perfect boot and application drive replacement. Experience a more responsive system that reacts quickly to your actions so you don’t need to wait to perform another action. Peak speeds of 550MB/s read and 450MB/s write are achieved via advanced firmware algorithms, high-quality flash chips and SLC caching technology.



DESIGNED FOR RELIABILITY AND ENDURANCE

The Transcend SSD220S guarantees long operating life and ability to optimize itself for long-term usage via built-in technologies to improve the drive as wear sets in. Transcend engineers the SSD220S with a RAID engine and low-density parity check coding to keep data secure. While internal wear-levelling technology ensures data integrity during transmission, improving and prolonging lifespan.

PROTECTIVE TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE

The Transcend SSD220S features multiple built-in technologies for maximum reliability including Error Correction Code (ECC) to help detect and correct potential transfer errors, Device Sleep (DevSleep) mode to reduce power consumption and shorten the response time upon wake-up from Sleep or Hibernate, and the S.M.A.R.T. function to efficiently monitor SSD health conditions. More standard mechanisms include Intelligent Block Management and Wear-levelling algorithm to protect data integrity and prolong SSD lifespan.

TAKE CONTROL WITH SSD SCOPE

Monitor and maintain your Transcend SSD and keep it running in top condition with the advanced SSD Scope software application available for free download so you can check on your SSD220S’ status anytime. SSD Scope allows you to check and get informed how your SSD220S solid-state drive is doing by providing health status information via S.M.A.R.T. technology, enable TRIM command to maintain optimal write speeds and update the SSD firmware via a single click. All of these are presented in a user-friendly tool for ease of use.

EASY UPGRADE

The Transcend SSD220S is a quick and easy way to improve productivity in both your desktop and notebook. At only 6.8mm and weighing at 58g, it fits most modern notebook and replaces the heavier traditional hard drive providing faster application loading times and start-up speeds as well as dropping power consumption to help improve battery life. A 3.5mm bracket is included for desktop upgraders with the easy cloning tool making migration easy via SSD Scope.

Motorola Philippines is back in PH

Even before the acquisition of Lenovo to Motrola thing, we are happy that we saw some Motorola handsets in the smartphone era thru the likes of 2014 editions of Moto E, Moto G and Moto X. Just days after their media event for the 2nd Gen Moto 360, this particular status gave me some smile

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 PH launch this August 3

We already knew on the global launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 this August 2 in 3 key locations. No surprise that Samsung Mobile Philippines will also have a Philippine launch of the Note 7.

Benchmarks and more info on the upcoming Asus Zenfone 3

You might already saw the key specs and as well the first introduction of the Asus Zenfone 3 (I am not talking about the entire line but the "regular" Zenfone 3) in Computex but there are some missing info and our curiosity on it's processor.

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, Ultra USB Type C Flash Drive & Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II card now official in PH

Sandisk Corporation recently announced three new products in the country that is quite perfect to the changing landscape of today's smartphones and other new gadgets

TNT UTP 15 announced, 2 days of unli tri-net calls and texts plus more for Php 15

With their new logo, TNT is putting in more prepaid promo options for the masses with the recent announcement of TNT UTP 15.

Moto 360 2nd Gen now in the country

Motorola Philippines is still pushing on the wearables as they officially announced the Moto 360 2nd Gen line-up