2011 v12n1 - 11TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE by Gadgets Magazine

REVIEWED

Angel Locsin with the Suzuki Skydrive 125

Asus K43SJ | Asus N53SV Blackberry Bold 9780 Canon Pixma iX6560 HTC Sensation | LG Optimus 2x Panasonic Lumix G3 Samsung Galaxy Pro B7510 Sony Vaio C | Sony Vaio S Western Digital TV Live Hub

THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRST

TECH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER SA950 MONITOR 3D Beauty

ASUS N53SV

Powerful & all-purpose

LOUIS VUITTON PONT-NEUF BAG The perfect day bag

THE DREAM DIGITAL HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Luxe

THE ULTIMATE GUIDES:

Tech Travelers & Tech-Savvy Parents

IT TAKES TWO

Dual-SIM phones take centerstage

editor’snote

a few words from our editor

NNIVERSARIES are times to take stock of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. That’s why we’re particularly proud of our very special anniversary issue this month, celebrating our 11th year in the technology-lifestyle publishing business. Lots of folks have come and gone, but we’re still here after all these years—and the magazine is as strong as ever.

To commemorate the event, we have lined up feature articles and reports on the newest tech and trends in town. This issue, focused on everything luxurious, is also packed with loads of great material for your reading pleasure, so don’t go kicking it to the curb in anticipation of the next Gadgets magazine just yet. We’ve got the most desirable gadgets on Parade, tested the trendiest devices in town at Gadgetslab, the plushest and most opulent accessories, the grandest marques plying the city streets, well-appointed home entertainment devices—and possibly one of the chic-est showbiz personality this side of the planet, Isabel Oli— gracing our pages. It’s going to be a celebration. Bid us a “Happy Anniversary” when you see us, will you? Armin A. Amio EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

August2011

Angel Locsin with the Suzuki Skydrive 125

GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Incorporated. Address all correspondence to 9-B Evening News Street, West Triangle, Quezon City. Our telephone numbers are 332-4004, 376-7356 and 514-8321. Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph Our email addresses are: editors@gadgetsmagazine.com.ph gadgetsmagazine@gmail.com All unsolicited manuscripts, illustrations and photos submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Gadgets is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Gadgets Magazine is a registered trademark of Great Minds Media Incorporated.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PUBLISHER Maribelle Alba EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Armin A. Amio ASSOCIATE EDITOR Michelle Callanta-Toledo EDITOR-AT-LARGE Presy Alba MOBILITY EDITOR Mike Antigua WRITERS M.R. Gavin Steven Vea Benjamin Arnold JC Ansis Roni Callanta Paolo Toledo Danee Torres SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Benjamin Arnold GRAPHIC ARTIST Patrick Jude Ilagan INTERNS Mary Dominique Castro Ana Umacob

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Maribelle Alba

SALES & ADVERTISING MANAGER SENIOR ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE DIGITAL ONLINE EDITOR ADVERTISING AGENTS CIRCULATION OFFICER CIRCULATION ASSISTANT ACCOUNTING MANAGER HR OFFICER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Marisa Consuelo MJ Gonzales-Esteban Carol Agabin John Nieves Bess Zamora Val Villamar Lorie Bernardo Salvador Da, Jr. Tess Pascua Amy Christine Giray

LEGAL COUNSEL Alba Law Office

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

February2011

editorsnote

contents

Volume 12 Number 01 • August 2011

94 photofeature

THE LOOK OF LUXE Isabel Oli: the perfect embodiment of magnificence

August2011

coverstory

60 covergirl

ANGEL IN THE SKY(DRIVE) Angel Locsin is the perfect partner when sky’s the limit. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

THE DIGITAL HOME: ENTERTAINMENT Live a little and spend a lot. Let luxury invade your home and fill it with these products that will surely make your home the ultimate entertainment hub.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

February2011

contents

content Volume 11 Number 11 • July 2011

Tech

10 techparade

Find out what’s new, as we showcase the newest gadgets, from the HTC Sensation to the Asus ROG G74SX.

Features 74

35 gadgetslab

Tested and reviewed. Here are our expert opinions.

51 snapshots

An exclusive perspective from Paul Ticzon.

56 tablets

11 Reasons to Buy a Tablet Still wondering if you should spend money on a tablet? Here’s a list that will change your mind.

58 apps

87 82

Looking for new apps? You’ll find a few to choose from here.

50 gaming

Alice: Madness Returns • A unique gaming experience fit for kids. Point Blank • The first-person shooter releases its commercial version

76 86

websites

Living large on the world wide web

Lifestyle

104 lifestyleparade

Live and look magnificient in these luxurious clothes and accessories.

114 Lifestylefeature

Tech-Savvy Parent Guide High tech wizardry to help you with the hardest job in the world.

118 beautylab

Chi Spa - Emerald Sparkle Lather your body and re-balance your spirit in this elegant spa.

129 yin&yang

Achieve harmony and balance with these feng shui tips.

73 59

Ultimate Guide to Tech Travelers Survival is key and technology is there to help you out. Read on to find out what tools can help your travels. The Power of Online Banking Here’s a guide to help you transition into the digital realm of finance. Two in one: Dual SIM phones Make it easier to manage your life and contacts.

August2011

68 70 69 72

Lush Rides Feast your eyes on these coveted and expensive automobiles. Suzuki holds its 2nd AutoMoto Convention Nissan Navara The truck that takes no prisoners. Honda CR-V Compact, powerful and ready for a trip down the road. Ford Philippines begins its Driving Skills for Life campaign

Trend Micro The lightweight solution for a fortified PC. Smart TVs Feast your eyes on these hi-tech televisions. Digital Frames Brighten up your room with these displays. Samsung Galaxy SII Smarter than the ordinary smartphone

Music 122 listen

Luxurious Sound Extravagant audio gear for the DJ and sound enthusiast.

124 featuredartist

DJ Arbie Won • The infamous Beatraveler becomes an Asus Ambassador. David Choi • An exclusive chat with the YouTube sensation

Lica shows her potential in “All I Want To Be” The Wanted’s self-titled album is well-arranged and catchy Get mellow and smooth with Workshy’s “Bittersweet” Trembling Blue Stars get organic and melancholic in “Fast Trains And Telegraph Wires”

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Panasonic Lumix Introducing the latest G series cameras and a brand new lens.

128 cdreview

Mobility

Bits&Bytes 130 events

Globe Tattoo and Swatch showcase creativity at its best. Rusty Lopez unveils shoes for the modern family Getting down and dirty with motherboards at the Asus Tech Seminar. LG features its latest product lineup for 2011 at the Optimus Invasion. Kobe Bryant lands on our shores and inspires our youth.

135 newsbits&bytes

Check out what’s hot off the tech presses.

140 buyersguide

Overwhelmed with the so many gadgets to choose from? We’re here to help you out.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

February2011

contents

techparade

August2011

be up-to-date on the freshest gadgets to hit the market

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

June2011

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be up-to-date on the freshest gadgets to hit the market

Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 SPEAKER SYSTEM

The dual-dock [Octiv M202] for iPhone and iPod does everything a docking speaker does multiplied by two. With the free Music Mix app, you can now shuffle songs from both players and seamlessly share each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music without skipping a beat. Plus, its wedge design fits neatly on your desk, kitchen counter and other tight spaces. Best of all, the Altec Lansing name means a crisp, clear sound to put your groove.

Altec Lansing Octiv 650 SPEAKER SYSTEM

August2011

The Octiv 650 speaker system for iPhone and iPod from Altec Lansing is a fusion of elegant simplicity and the artistry of acoustic engineering. Its discreet lines and unique wedge shape blend in with your dĂŠcor while it fills your space with full, well-balanced sound. The Octiv 650 brings a whole new level of sophistication to your listening experience. Nested subwoofer on the bottom delivers deep bass, while a full-featured remote lets you control audio and select iPhone and iPod features. It is TV-ready so you can watch videos from your iPhone or iPod touch (e.g. iTunes, Netflix, YouTube) on your TV and enjoy better audio through the Octiv 650. And if you need to speak to somebody from your iPhone, the Octiv 650 automatically pauses for calls.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

June2011

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HTC Sensation SMARTPHONE

The HTC Sensation features the latest HTC Sense experience that puts people at the center by making their smartphones work in a more simple and natural way. The phone’s premium look and feel is enhanced by its rounded edges, aluminum unibody construction and the touchscreen surface protected by a contoured screen.The 4.3-inch qHD display delivers high-resolution widescreen viewing and gives the HTC Sensation slender proportions that feel natural in a person’s hand. At the heart of the HTC Sensation beats a powerful, 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The 8-megapixel camera lets people capture the moments they want without worrying about missing or keeping up with the action. It even shoots full HD video in 1080p resolution, with full stereo sound, at up to 30 frames a second.

Php 31,990

HTC Wildfire S SMARTPHONE

Power meets affordability with HTC’s Wildfire S. One of HTC’s smallest phones ever, the Wildfire S measures only 10.13cm long and 5.94cm wide and boasts a distinctive 3.2 inch, HVGA display. It features a 5-megapixel color camera with auto focus, expandable microSD memory and support for a variety of audio and video formats make for a great all-around multimedia device that slips easily into any pocket.

Php 15,500

HTC ChaCha SMARTPHONE

August2011

Say hello to the HTC ChaCha, a phone that has been designed specifically for the Facebook Fanatic. It features a button dedicated to the social networking site, which pulses with a glow whenever there are notifications or updates. Equipped with Android Gingerbread 2.3.3, the ChaCha utilizes the most of HTC Sense to deliver an unparalleled Facebook experience. With a unique tilt design, QWERTY keyboard and dual cameras, your multimedia and social networking experience will be elevated to new heights on its 2.6-inch, 480x320 resolution touch screen. Offered exclusively through Smart Communications, the HTC ChaCha is available in modern white, phantom black and amethyst purple.

Php 15,500 12

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June2011

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 & 8.9 TABLET

These two new tablets from Samsung combine the evolving face of creative design with a truly intuitive interface. Running on Android Honeycomb 3.1 coupled with TouchWiz, those who interact with these new tablets are guaranteed unparalleled customization and features. Both feature WXGA TFT LCD displays with a brilliant resolution of 1280x800 and full HD playback. What sets it apart from other tablets is its support for Flash-based content, providing its users a PC-like web browsing experience. For those who like to multi-task, the Galaxy Tabs are equipped with a 1GHz dual core processor, providing smooth transitions from one application to another. Both tablets are also equipped with two cameras— 3-megapixel (rear) and 2-megapixel (front). All of these amazing capabilities are packed in a sleek and slim body, at only 8.6mm thin—just perfect for the mobile multimedia user.

8.9

10.1

Samsung SyncMaster SA950 LED MONITOR

Samsung SyncMaster SA950 features the 3D HyperReal Engine, which allows fast reaction time, enabling monitors to produce vivid 3D images without dizziness. Utilizing Samsung built-in emitter and 3D Active Glasses (which supports images of resolution 1920 x 1080), images will appear more vibrant and noticeably brighter than using traditional passive (polarized) glasses. Its wide range of inputs, from AV content to 3D connectivity such as DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI, will facilitate the monitor to be more compatible in enhancing users’ experience. At the push of a button, Samsung 3D Converter transforms users’ favorite 3D photos, movies or games from 2D to 3D images. And with the 3D visual adjustment feature, users can even customize the 3D experience to match their particular needs.

Php 31,990

Samsung SyncMaster LT23A350 August2011

LED MONITOR

Heaven-sent must be the Samsung SyncMaster LT23A350’s battlecry. This monitor has an internal HDTV receiver, providing digital TV functions such as TV shows guide, auto-channel search and etc. Users can truly enjoy seamless details and realistic images as this monitor offers 250cd/m2 brightness and comes with Mega DCR technology. It also supports Dolby Digital and SRS TheaterSound providing users extraordinary audio experience. High quality monitor merges with digital TV functionality. Who says you can’t have everything?

Php 14,990 14

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June2011

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DDJS1

Pioneer DDJT1 & DDJS1 MIDI CONTROLLER

With more DJs integrating laptops into their rigs, it comes as no surprise that Pioneer would create a product to cater to their needs. These two controllers have a space underneath for a laptop’s keyboard, allowing the display to be closer to the DJ. It also showcases P-LOCK Fader cap, the first lock mechanism designed to prevent fader caps from slipping during gigs and transport. The controllers also feature a 115mm diameter jog wheel, needle search function, four-channel mixing and a master/sync button for improved beatmatching. The DDJS1 has been engineered just for Serato Itch, and includes balanced XLR ins/outs for easier integration into PA systems. Alphabetic search functions and the “playing address” feature provides an easier method of finding tracks and ensures that cue positions are locked on. The DDJT1, on the other hand, comes bundled with a unique version of Traktor which has been specifically crafted for the controller. Four-channel deck control, six effects and more are laid out in Pioneer’s tried and tested user friendly interface, guaranteeing DJ’s a smooth and creative workflow.

August2011

Php 75,990

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DDJT1

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Panasonic SC-HC25 MINI HI-FI AUDIO COMPONENT August2011

For those looking for great sound and features in a nice compact audio system, then you might want to take a look at Panasonic’s SC-HC25. Utilizing bamboo cone materials to amplify its sound, its 10-watt speakers are guaranteed to reproduce a clear and dynamic sonic range no matter where it’s placed. It supports multi-format playback of CDs, CD-R/ RWs, MP3 playlists and showcases an integrated iPod dock that will simultaneously charge your device. It also has the ability to save presets of 30 FM and 15 AM stations, and has preset equalizer settings to ensure that you get the sound quality you seek. Its elegant and unique design also features a blue LCD display where song information can be viewed, along with a built-in timer/alarm clock that can be set to turn on to the song of your choice.

Php 5,999

Kingmax SATA III SOLID STATE DISK DRIVE Kingmax now offers the latest 2.5-inch SATA III SSD with the standard SATA III 6Gb/s interface and expanded storage capacity of 512GB. It also supports Native Command Queuing (NCQ) which increases the performance and efficiency of SSD by internally optimizes the execution order of commands; thus taking users on a high speed ride. This SSD has a maximum read speed that reaches up to 415MB/s and write speed at 260MB/s that significantly shortens the boot up time and also reduces file transfer time for users. It can be installed either in PC as a system drive or in a laptop. All KINGMAX SSD Series products adhere to the RoHS compliance, CE standard and are FCC-certified.

SURVEILLANCE/NETWORK CAMERA

If you want to have the comfort of knowing what goes on at home or at the office when you’re away, D-Link’s newest surveillance system provides consumers a no-frills monitoring setup to ease their woes. This mydlink-enabled device grants users the ability to check the live feed remotely via the internet, whether it is viewed through a computer or a smartphone. The DSC1130L is also capable of capturing images in low-light with its 1.0 Lux sensor, and can also provide live streaming audio via a built-in microphone.

techparade

D-Link Wireless-N network camera (DCS1130L)

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Nokia C2-00 MOBILE PHONE

Hate having to turn off your phone while changing SIMs? The Nokia C2-00 is the first dual-SIM phone to have an Easy Swap feature. This offers you the convenience of changing SIM cards without the need to turn off the phone or remove the battery. Just open the SIM door at the side of the phone and swap your SIMs. With the Nokia C2-00 you can also browse the internet, read emails and enjoy instant messaging with either SIM card. With its 32GB memory support, the Nokia C2-00 lets you keep thousands of photos, videos and music files with you all the time. Available in dynamic gray, jet black, magenta, and snow white.

Php 2,990

Nokia X1-01 MOBILE PHONE

Personalization is the buzzword for the Nokia X1-01. You can give each of your two SIM cards its own logo, music signature or ringtone. The phone also offers what could be the best dual-SIM music experience on the market. You can store and shuffle your favorite songs with up to 16GB memory, create your own playlists, and play your music back over a loudspeaker that is the loudest and clearest ever produced by Nokia. The phone also features dedicated music side keys and a battery that will last even for up to 36 hours of continued music playback. Available in dark gray, red, ocean blue, and orange.

August2011

Php 1,990

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June2011

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Cisco Linksys Wireless-N Routers

E4200

Cisco recently released its latest line of Linksys E-series wireless-N routers which aims to set new standards in networking performance and simplicity. With four unique models to choose from, consumers can find the right solution to match their needs. Those who avail of these new products will also enjoy the benefits of the new Cisco Connect software, which has been revamped to provide users with increased ease in customizing settings according to their preferences.

E3000

E4200 MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE WIRELESS-N ROUTER • Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) and 450 Mbps (5.0GHz) • Simultaneous dual-band (2.4/5.0 GHz) with four 10/100/1000 Mbps ports • Internal and external amplifiers for maximum speed at greater distances • Six antennas for maximum range • Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing bandwidth • UPnP media server to add storage to smart TVs, etc. • USB port • Advanced Security: WPA, WPA2 an Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall

Php 9,288 E3000 HIGH-PERFORMANCE WIRELESS-N ROUTER • Transfer speeds up to 300Mbps • Simultaneous dual-band (2.4/5.0 GHz) with four 10/100/1000 Mbps ports • Built-in UPnP AV Media server enables streaming compatible devices (i.e. Xbox 360, PS3, etc.) • Optimized for entertainment, gaming consoles, Internet ready TVs, and other wireless devices

E2000

Php 8,288 E2000 ADVANCED WIRELESS-N ROUTER • 300Mbps transfer speeds • Four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing • Selectable dual-band (2.4 ghz or 5 ghz) technology to help avoid interference • Perfect for gaming consoles, Internet-enabled hdtvs, Blu-Ray players and other wireless devices

Php 5,288

August2011

E1000 WIRELESS-N ROUTER

E1000

• Wirelessly connects computers and other devices with speeds up to 300Mbps. • four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports directly connect wired devices. • Ideal for general wireless internet usage

Php 3,288 20

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June2011

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Canon Pixma PRINTERS

At home or at the office, Canonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Pixma printers allow users to produce professional looking results for all kinds of imaging needs. The printers are known for their affordability, ease of use and advanced features.

PIXMA MG5270

PIXMA MP497

The Pixma MG5270 offers cost-efficient features such as individual color tanks, 2.4-inch TFT LCD display with scroll wheel interface. Print quality is ultra-sharp and virtually grain free with minimum 1-piloliter ink droplet sizes and up to 9600 x 2400 dpi.

Compact and stylish, this MP497 all-in-one printer offers excellent performance and value for money. Capable of sharp printsof up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, with minimum 2 picoliter ink droplet sizes, the MP497 takes only 41 seconds and 43 seconds, respectively, to print a borderless 4 x 6-inch photo. Document printer takes much shorter with 8.8ipm for monochrome and 5.0ipm for color ones. The MP497 is also WiFiâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;capable for cable-less sharing and can even print directly from the iPhone or iPod touch.

Php 8,495

August2011

Php 4,495

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August2011

PIXMA MX886 This printer is capable of producing sharp printouts at up to 9600 x 2400 dpi, deploying microscopic ink droplets as small as 1 picoliter and high resolution scans at 2400 x 4800 dpi. Its dual-function panel simplifies use by switching key functions based on the task. Other features are auto-duplex printing, photo printing, a high-capacity 35-sheet duplex automatic document feeder, super G3 faxing, 2-way paper feeding, capability to scan and password-protect PDF documents via MP Navigator EX software and a large 3-inch LCD screen for easy viewing.

Php 12,995

PIXMA 8170 This all-in-one photo printer offers unrivalled luxury and ease of use for its owners. With the Intelligent Touch System, there are no operation panel and buttons to mar the smooth, sleek profile of the printer. Keys and controls light up on the top cover during printer operation against the printerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black piano finish. You can even print any frame from HD video footage captured with a Canon digital camera; it can also scan 35mm film and slides, allowing users to reproduce and preserve memorable moments. The inclusion of gray ink tanks help produce vibrant color and vivid black and white photos.

Php 19,295

Compact yet full-featured, this office printer can print even on A3 paper at top-rate print quality and impressive value. Its hybrid (pigment and dye) five individual ink cartridge system allows production of excellent documents and photos. Print speeds are rated at 11.3ipm for monochrome and 8.8ipm for color documents. Customizable business templates and posters can be downloaded from a website exclusive to IX6560 owners.

Php 11,650

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PIXMA IX6560

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Genius LuxePad

IPAD KEYBOARD Genius introduces the new LuxePad, an ultra thin, leather-bound keyboard that connects to your iPad via Bluetooth. Use the LuxePad on your lap, desktop or anywhere within 30 feet from your iPad. Lithium-ion batteries are mounted on this LuxePad that can be recharged using a USB mini cable included in the package. Designed with on and off switch, helps extend the life of your battery.

Php 2,995

Sony Ericsson W8 Walkman SMARTPHONE

August2011

Say hello to the first Walkman Android phone, which is sure to make heads turn with its vibrant design and dazzling 3-inch full touch screen. Not only is it stylish, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well equipped as well, featuring a 3.2megapixel camera, 3.5mm jack, Wi-Fi, 3G, and ships with a 4GB microSD card. Users will enjoy using Sony Ericssonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s W8 Walkman, as they navigate using the unique Timescape interface, which features 4 customizable corner widgets for quick access to apps. Running on Gingerbread 2.1, the W8 Walkman grants access to thousands of apps on the Android Market, making it one of the most desirable, full-featured and affordable smartphones to date.

Php 7,990

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June2011

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http://ph.asus.com facebook.com/asusph

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GATEWAY

ID57H

LAPTOP

Known for its sleek and stylish notebooks, Gateway presents its latest mobile products that offer a great balance between price and performance. With 15.6-inch HD LED-backlit displays and unplugged usage of up to 8.5 hours, these new notebooks guarantee its users ultimate productivity. Powered by Intel processors and Intel graphics cards, prepare to be ushered in through Gatewayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lustful laptops.

GATEWAY ID57H 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution LED-backlit TFT LCD 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-2620M processor with Turbo Boost Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 128MB of dedicated system memory 4GB DDR3/750GB SATA HDD Multi-gesture touchpad Up to 8.5 hours battery life 8x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

NV47H

GATEWAY NV47H 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution LED-backlit TFT LCD 2nd-generation Intel Core i5-2410M processor with Turbo Boost Intel HD Graphics 200 with 128MB of dedicated system memory 2GB DDR3/750GB SATA HDD Multi-gesture touchpad Up to 8.5 hours battery life 8x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

GATEWAY LT28 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution LED-backlit TFT LCD Intel Atom Processor N570 Intel GMA 3150 with 64MB of dedicated system memory 2GB DDR3/500GB SATA HDD Gateway EZ Pad multi-gesture touchpad Up to 8 hours battery life 8x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

August2011

LT28

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August2011

HS244HQ

S201HL

HS244HQ

S201HL

Display size: 23.6-inch wide Max resolution 1920x1080 Brightness: 300cd/m2 Response time: 2ms Max Pixel Pitch: 0.2715mm Glare: No Input: Analog + 2HDMI (w/HDCP)

Display size: 20-inch wide Max Resolution 1600x900 Brightness: 250cd/m2 Response time: 5ms Max Pixel Pitch: 0.276mm Glare: No Input: Analog/Dual input

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ACER MONITORS

If you’re looking for a new monitor, then let your eyes have a feast on Acer’s newest line. Each display boasts 16.7 million colors, quick response times, and resolutions that will guarantee a brilliant viewing experience.

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ASUS ROG G74Sx GAMING NOTEBOOK

For all you avid gamers out there, say hello to the newest gaming notebook from the esteemed Asus G-series. The ROG G74Sx is the fourth generation of this line, equipped with hardware that will surely make your jaw drop. This hardcore laptop is packed with a secondgeneration Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GTX 560M GPU with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and an impressive 16GB DDR3 RAM. Slated as the fastest gaming notebook, not only does it guarantee amazing visuals, but it also offers a mobile 3D experience via the Nvidia 3D Vision and 3DTV Play. The G74Sx improves on its design by offering an ergonomic angled keyboard and Dual Intelligent Fans to keep it extra cool. Furthermore, it is also features an Easy Upgrade Cover, and as the name implies, it allows a quick and effortless way to install more memory. So, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a hardcore gamer, then you will definitely want to pick up the Asus ROG G74Sx.

Asus WAVI Xtion PC MOTION CONTROLLER

August2011

Asus has worked closely with PrimeSense, the leader in motion-sensing technology, in crafting the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first and only open-source, controller-free gesture-based device for PC. The result is the WAVI Xtion which offers limitless enjoyment for consumers, upscaling PC fun onto big-screen TV. The technology represents total integration of multimedia, social networking and gaming. The Xtion Browser affords internet usage with hand and body movements for an interactive experience, expanding web content with larger fonts, icons and graphics for livelier navigation. The Xtion Portal acts as an app store where users can purchase new games and utilities designed for WAVI Xtion, while social networking becomes more intuitive with a controller-free interface and exciting gesture input, also using an attractive visual style. WAVI Xtion ships with a game bundle that includes MayaFit, Beat Booster and DanceWall, all perfect for exercise and fun for the entire family. The Xtion Engine incorporates gesture-based controls into many existing PC games, so consumers can experience them in a completely new way.

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A PASSION

www.ediﬁer-international.com

June2011

FOR SOUND

Esiena

A complete home audio solution, Esiena is a feature rich product that provides uncompromised quality for an array of audio applications. House within a classic, elegant presentation the Esiena is deal for your home or ofﬁce, gracefully complimenting all surroundings, ideal for all who love music. Complete with SD/CD reader, iPod and iPhone docking station, as well as an FM radio feature, Esiena ensure that all your audio needs are fulﬁlled

On the Go Encore

Compatible with all iPod generations, with built in iPod/iPhone dock that acts as charger. 2¾ inch, class D ampliﬁer with full range driver and neodymium magnet. Long bass reﬂex port to enhance bass expression. Additional auxiliary 3.5mm stereo input for additional audio source. Battery compartment accomodates 6 AA batteries. (batteries not included)Pop-out power and master volume control knob.White LED power indicator located on top of product. Foldable stand beneath speakers for desired listening direction. Wireless remote control with full ipod/iPhone menu navigation Retractable iPod docking drawer, with iPod/iPhone dock adapters included.

Edifier specializes in the design and manufacturing of high-end consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets, providing a wide selection to suit each individuals taste. Edifier is renowned for its development and use of acoustic technology, superior manufacturing standards and uncompromised quality in design and production of audio electronics. Edifier is committed to excellence in all audio markets in which it operates, which include PC audio, multimedia audio, docking audio, IT lifestyle audio and home lifestyle audio. Edifier is committed to excel and extend the audio experience into further evolving both the global brand and product recognition, with a passion for sound. For Product Inquiries: Manila: (02) 727-30-09 • Cebu: (032) 422-75-10

Available at major IT and appliance reseller outlets

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Feature rich and fully portable, On The GO encore is the ideal music companion for all occasions. Music can be played through the iPhone and iPod compatible docking station, FM radio or via the auxiliary input for all other MP3 players. On The Go encore delivers smooth, clean audio through its two 3-inch speaker drivers.The versatile system also incorporates a foldaway dock, wireless remote, protective pouch and a built-in battery boasting 15 hours of battery life that can be carried with ease for music On The Go.

Ediﬁer Bric

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Acer Hitachi AS2040 STORAGE SYSTEM

Any small business will eventually need a dedicated storage solution, and the Acer Hitachi AS2040 would be a great choice. Offering 99.999-percent data availability and the ability to scale capacity to 120TB, performance to 400K IOPS and connectivity to 512 virtual server ports, business owners can work towards expanding their financial growth without worrying about technical upgrades. Furthermore, RAID-6 standards ensure that data will be safe and secure, because even if two hard disks fail, it guarantees that all the stored information will remain intact. In short, the Acer Hitachi AS2040 is a perfect storage solution for any small business.

Acer AT110 F2 SERVER

With a 25% performance improvement over its predecessor, the AT110 F2 comes in a sleek 1P Tower Server 100 series form factor. It is packed with a powerhouse Intel Xeon DP Quad Core E3-1220, but it features an affordable desktop PC price and is environmentally friendly with an 80 PLUS power efficient level power supply. For small businesses that require a dedicated and reliable server, the Acer AT110 F2 is a great choice.

Acer beTouch E140 SMARTPHONE

August2011

Size matters. But in the case of the latest addition to Acer's innovative line of beTouch smartphones, size deceives. Always pushing the boundaries in technology and mobility, Acerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beTouch E140 is poised to make "small" the new "smart." Measuring only 12.8 millimeters thin, merely 4.11 inches long, and weighing a 115 grams, the beTouch E140 boasts of modern, elegant, and pocket-friendly design, its chrome trimmings and bold curves drawing attention to a resistive 2.8-inch QVGA borderless touchscreen.Running on the powerful Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform and equipped with the speedy Qualcomm 7227 processor, the beTouch E140 is designed to deliver a one-of-a-kind mobile experience. Features include a 3.2-megapixel camera, built-in entertainment apps, and long battery life and talk time of up to 6 hours.

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eMachines August2011

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a computer that will cater to your performance needs and meet your budget at the same time, eMachines provides a multitude of options for the cost-conscious consumer. Its new 14-inch laptops and unique desktop models are powered by either AMD or Intel processors. When it comes to a balance of power and price, eMachines definitely provides the budget-friendly alternative.

EL1352

eMD732Z

eMD644 EL1850

eMachines EL1850

eMachines eMD732Z

eMachines eMD644

AMD AthlonII 170u processor NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE LAN: Gigabit Ethernet 1GB DDR3/320GB SATA HDD Free DOS operating system 16x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

Intel Pentium Processor E5800 Intel G41 express chipset LAN: Gigabit Ethernet Intel GMA X4500 graphics 1GB DDR3/320GB SATA HDD Free DOS operating system 16x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

14-inch HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution LED-backlit TFT LCD with glare panel Intel Pentium Processor P6300 Intel HD Graphics 2GB DDR3/500GB SATA HDD Multi-gesture touchpad Linux operating system Up to 3.5 hours battery life 8x DVD-super multi double-layer drive

14-inch HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution LED-backlit TFT LCD with glare panel AMD dual-core E-350 AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics 2GB DDR3/500GB SATA HDD Multi-gesture touchpad Linux operating system Up to 4.5 hours battery life

DESKTOP COMPUTER

LAPTOP

techparade

eMachines EL1352

techparad

Olive Telecom MOBILE PHONES

Why drain your budget on expensive mobile phones that have functions you won’t even use? With Olive’s products, you get exactly what you need in a device, packaged in a sleek and chic design. These affordable dual SIM products have all the necessary features such as SMS, MMS, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM radio, long battery life, and more. So, if you’re looking for an affordable, no-frills mobile that has all the essential features, then look no further, for Olive is sure to have an option for you. Here are their capabilities at a glance:

COMPACTA V-G1000 LUMEN V-G3200

ARK V-G700

MESSENGER V-G8000

August2011

OLIVE ARK V-G700

Large touchscreen display 2MP Camera Bluetooth, Java 32+8MB Memory, supports microSD Digital audio player, FM Radio WAP 2.0 Webcam Functionality G-Sensor Standby 300hrs & Talktime 5hrs

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OLIVE COMPACTA V-G1000

OLIVE MESSENGER V-G8000

Light and compact Perfect for travelling 1.2-inch display Dimensions: 80x50x8.5mm Standby time up to 100 hours

2.2-inch TFT LCD display QWERTY keyboard Standby time up to 400hrs FM Radio Calendar, Alarm, Calculator

OLIVE LUMEN V-G3200 Dual SIM/Dual Standby Crisp 1.8-inch display Bluetooth Digital Audio Player, Stereo FM Radio Expandable memory up to 4GB Torch

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August2011

Neo Basic B3363N NOTEBOOK

For those that are searching for a balance of mobility and functionality, the B3363N notebook could for you. It has a 10.1-inch WSVGA display with an Intel GMA 3150 graphics card, providing excellent visuals in an affordable package. Surfing the web and performing work-related tasks are aided by an Intel Atom N455 processor and 2GB DDR3 RAM, which you can then save onto its spacious 320GB hard drive. It’s also equipped with a webcam, WiFi, LAN, multi-card reader and two USB ports. All of these features are packed into a lightweight chassis and a budget-friendly price tag.

Php 10,999

NEO Basic B5106 NOTEBOOK

Php 19,999

techparade

NEO notebooks offer its loyal customers a new product that guarantees performance for a pocket-friendly price. The B5106 boasts an Intel Pentium B940, which is a Sandy Bridge-based processor that features a 2MB L3 caché. Additionally, this new notebook will come with 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 640GB of storage, which is more than enough to keep users both productive and entertained. It’s brilliant 14-inch HD display is great for multimedia, and with a DVDRW supermulti-drive, users can bring along their favorite movies or even burn copies of their work for clients. Equipped with Windows 7 Starter kit and all the necessary connectivity options, the NEO Basic B5106 not only looks great, it performs just as well.

techparad

Edifier Breathe HOME AUDIO SYSTEM

August2011

Combining art with functionality, Edifierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breathe is a suave solution for your iPod and iPhone. Housed within its luxurious aluminum finish is a downward-angled subwoofer, dedicated mid-range speakers and tweeters, which provides its polished sound. It also features on-deck control pads and an ergonomic wireless orb remote, offering various modes of control. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a home audio docking system that also functions as a work of art, then the Edifier Breathe is for you.

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gadgetslab

tried and tested to find out what’s hot and what’s not

41 Asus N53SV LAPTOP

Get a little bit of “oomph”

LAPTOP Quirky and cool

Panasonic Lumix G3

MIRRORLESS CAMERA Great things come in small packages

HTC Sensation

SMARTPHONE It just works

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

Sony VAIO C Series (VPCCA1S1E)

gadgetsla

Asus K43SJ

NOTEBOOK

By John Nieves

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN SIZE: 14-inch, 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED backlit MEMORY: DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM,2 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8 G SDRAM CPU & CHIPSET: Intel Core i3 2310M, running at 2.1GHz PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 34.8 x 24.2 x 2.95 ~3.48cm Warranty: 1 year warranty on parts and labor WHAT’S HOT: • Design is solid and elegant • Very affordable WHAT’S NOT: • Trackpad buttons are annoying • Slightly underpowered GPU

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: If you’re looking for a notebook that won’t break the bank, then the Asus K43SJ is it.

8.210

August2011

Asus is a prolific notebook manufacturer that has a wide array of product lines that include everything from high profile gaming lappies, entry level notebooks and everything in between. Today we’ll be talking about their K43SJ, a 14-inch notebook that offers a good mix between affordability and power. The K43SJ is a 14-inch deal that sports aluminum texture on some parts of the chassis. It comes in several distinct colors (our review unit was blood red), and for the most part the lid design is simple yet elegant and not overly tacky. It has overall dimensions of 34.8 x 24.2 x 2.95 ~3.48cm, which is pretty much the norm for notebooks of its class. It has all the usual ports you might need (3 USB, HDMI, Ethernet, D-sub and SD card), and has audio powered by Altec Lansing. The keyboard is of an island variety, and has enough travel and was very comfortable to type with. Hardware is your run-of-the-mill Intel Core i3 -2310M running at 2.1GHz with

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about 2GB of DDR3 memory. Graphics is done by way of an Nvidia GeForce GT 520M, and you get 500GB of space to put your data in. While the device is capable of a bit of gaming, it’s not the platform for gamers. The NVIDIA GT 520M doesn’t have enough graphics power to run newer games in the resolutions and graphics detail that I’m comfortable with. With that being said, it can run newer games, but be prepared to lower the resolution and detail levels down. It all comes down to how much of a graphical hit you’re willing to take – your mileage may vary. It handles lower spec games fine though, and if you’re only after casual gaming it’ll

hit the right spot. With an overall weight of 2.44 kilos, it’s pretty hefty. Lugging it around isn’t a backbreaking deal compared to bigger desktop replacements, but it’s not light either. If you’re not looking to develop new muscle groups, it would be best if the K43Sj stays on your desk. Battery life is good, with the K43SJ lasting for about 4 hours on a single charge. Web browsing and light use was pretty pleasant, as well as some Photoshop on the side. The K43SJ had no issues with full HD decoding and playback. It’s not perfect though, and the major

sense of my irritation has got to be the trackpad buttons. I’m pretty sure the buttons need to be level with one another, but the demo unit that we had for the test had buttons that were a bit sunk in the middle, forming a wide V-shape. The buttons emit a loud click every time you press on it, and it may not be a big deal to some, but it annoyed me to no end. But all those considerations suddenly disappear when you find out that the K43SJ retails for a mere Php 29,995 without an OS, and Php 32,995 with Windows Home Basic. Value for money is the keyword here, and at those prices, it’s hard to deny its appeal.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

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gadgetsla

BlackBerry Bold 9780

SMARTPHONE By Roni Callanta

SPECIFICATIONS FORM FACTOR: QWERTY Candybar DISPLAY: 480x360 pixels PHYSICAL DEMENSION: 109 x 60 x 14 mm WEIGHT (with battery): 122kg INTERNAL MEMORY: 0.256GB; MicroSD Memory card slot up to 8GB OPERATING SYSTEM: BlackBerry OS 6.0 WHAT’S HOT: • Sleeker and sexier design • Sharper resolution • 5-megapixel camera with built-in flash • Bluetooth, 3G and Wi-Fi capable • Push Email • BlackBerry Messenger and GPS • One-click access to features and apps • Excellent call quality and battery life • Class leading messaging interface • Enhanced web browsing WHAT’S NOT: • Small screen • Would be further enhanced with a touchscreen • Temperamental trackpad • Small keys • No front-facing camera • App store is limited

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: It’s a great smartphone from one of the leading smartphone makers that covers almost everything one needs when one is on-the-go.

8.510

Gone are the days when the cellphone was just some gadget you use to call or text somebody. Now it can be considered as an accessory—a wedding band of sorts that you can never part with.

August2011

One of the newest additions to the BlackBerry family is the Bold 9780. If you thought the Curve was sleek, wait till you get your hands on this sexy handheld. The 9780’s external design is essentially identical to the phone’s predecessor, the Bold 9700, with a landscape-oriented screen just above the navigation controls and track pad, as well as its QWERTY keyboard. The 2.44-inch screen does, however, pale in comparison to the large displays most touchscreen smartphones have nowadays. Browsing the web or watching a video does feel a bit cramped but it is still efficient enough to get by. The keys are a wee bit bigger than the Curve while the design is definitely much

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sleeker and professional-looking with a small patch of faux leather adorning the back providing a nice, soft, tactile feel. General typing on the keyboard is made much more comfortably and convenient. The keys are individually mounted making typing secure and responsive. Although, unlike the much more advanced BlackBerry model such as the Torch, having the option to also type on an onscreen keyboard produces much faster results. The 9780 does provide a backlight as a bonus. For someone who takes massive amounts of photos anywhere at any given time, the best news is that the 9780’s camera has been bumped to 5 megapixels from 3.2MP found in the 9700, and now with its own

built-in flash. With autofocus and an LED on board, one can generally take photos that are nice enough. That also goes for its non-HD (640x480) video, though the limit of only 24fps does make the movement a little jerky and inconvenient. When it comes to viewing videos and browsing the web, the 480x360 pixels is superbly sharp enough to enhance strong colors and produce deep blacks. No matter how enjoyable most of the features of the 9780 are, there were times when it would get a little frustrating. It is no surprise to the BlackBerry user that the trackpad can get temperamental when overwhelmed with navigation—stalling one minute then

jumping to a completely different spot the next. That is something RIM should look into because this is a problem that frustrates most BlackBerry users, especially for Facebook and Twitter junkies like myself. Despite its glitches, the BlackBerry 9780 is an ideal smartphone for those who like to remain anti-social among groups. I must admit, already having a habit of using BlackBerry Messenger, “Tweeting” and “Facebook-ing” a little too much, this smartphone made my habit even worse—it really did feel like I’ve upgraded to a much better one, with its built-in flash. Not only was I glued to the social networking sites 24/7, but I was compelled to take photos and videos.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

PLAY IT. CHARGE IT. SHARE IT.

Octiv Mini

This small footprint speaker delivers great sound while charging your iPhone and iPod. Download the free Alarm Rock app for added functionality.

High End Digital Speaker for iPhone™ and iPod®

Discovering new music is part of the fun—and the [Octiv™ Duo/202] gives you new possibilities. Dock, charge and play two players at once, while shuffling all their tunes with the free Music Mix app.

Sound clarity never heard before from a speaker of this size, the inMotion Compact is the ultimate in portable, affordable sound for iPhone and iPod.

Portable speaker system for iPhone™ and iPod®

inMotion Classic

moondance™ HOME

moondance™ GLOW

Octiv Stage

Stereo /Alarm Clock for iPod® with wireless snooze remote

Speaker and Charging Dock for iPad®

Lightweight and compact, the new inMotion Classic for iPhone and iPod delivers amazing clarity at serious volumes, letting you share your sound the world over.

The Moondance Home speaker system entertains or helps you relax, all at the touch of a button. It also charges your iPod and doubles as an alarm clock.

The Moondance Glow speaker system lets you set the mood with a soothing, diffused lighting effect.

Why hide your iPad in a dull black folder? Let it take a starring role with the Octiv Stage.

Portable Stereo for iPhone™ and iPod® with rechargeable battery

Music/Alarm Clock for iPod®

(iPhone and iPod not included)

gadgetslab

iPhone’s worthy companion, the Altec Lansing T612 pairs 60 Watts RMS (120 Watts Peak) of sound with intuitive features. Never miss a tune – or a call.

inMotion® Compact

Dual Docking/Charging Speaker System for iPhone® & iPod®

Speaker System for iPhone® and iPod®

T612

Octiv Duo

Altec Lansing's early technological developments in acoustical and electronic components have earned a place of prominence in sound reproduction few companies can match. The predominance of Altec's name over the years in sports stadiums, arenas, theatres, airports, auditoriums, churches, amusement parks and more recently on desktops within homes and at the workplace attest to this fact.

Altec Lansing speaker systems have formed the backbone of the sound systems in such world renowned places as The United Nations Building, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Disneyland and Disneyworld, New York's Lincoln Philharmonic Center and the Schubert Theatre, MGM's Grand Hotel, The Singapore National Stadium, and The Sydney Opera House, to name a few. Today Altec Lansing speakers appear in myriad environments, addressing the wide array of needs for quality audio among diverse professional business people, musicians, families, students, music connoisseurs and gaming aficionados within their respective milieus. For product inquiries: Manila: (02) 727-3009/727-2957 email: bci_sales@banbros.ph Cebu: (032) 422-7760 to 65 email: sales.banbroscebu@gmail.com

Available at select reseller outlets: SM Appliance Center, SM Hypermarket, Automatic Center, Digital Walker, Ambassador Appliances, Power Mac Center

gadgetsla

Samsung Galaxy Pro B7510

SMARTPHONE By M.R. Gavin

SPECIFICATIONS DISPLAY: 320 x 240 pixels, 2.8 inches DIMENSIONS: 108.6 x 66.7 x 10.7 mm WEIGHT: 103.4 g PROCESSOR: 800 MHz processor MEMORY: MicroSD, up to 32GB CAMERA: 3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus BATTERY: Standard battery, Li-Ion 1350 mA SOFTWARE: Android Froyo 2.2 WHAT’S HOT: • Android Froyo 2.2 • Samsung Special Hub premium • Think Free Office Document Editor WHAT’S NOT: • Poor outdoor visibility

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: It is the best phone for those who want everything on the go. The Samsung Galaxy Pro is a cool Android smartphone suitable for all needs and wants.

8.610

August2011

It’s always difficult to make a shift when it comes to phones. I’ve always been a texter and am very much adept to using the normal numerical keypads. I’ve always dreaded QWERTY phones as I keep on messing up my messages. So when I pulled out the Samsung Galaxy Pro test unit out of its box, I was a bit apprehensive. Imagine my relief when I found out that it was not just a QWERTY phone, it had a touchscreen too, making it easier to navigate through the pages and go to other features. Just below the screen are four physical keys; options, home, back and search.

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The QWERTY keypads are faceted, making it easier for the user to text. The textured finish of the back cover makes the unit easier to hold. The screen is 2.8 inches—much bigger than other QWERTYs out there—with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. Just like any Samsung phone, you can adjust screen brightness but outdoor visibility,

especially on direct sunlight, leaves much to be desired. This phone sports an Android Froyo 2.2 operating system and an 800MHz processor. Better performance in a speed that won’t fail you. What’s nice about the Samsung Galaxy Pro is that it comes with the Samsung Special Hub premium that is suitable for

people like me who likes to have their social media, messages and even IM’s while on-the-go. Everything goes in one inbox; you don’t need to run multiple applications. Thus, the premium hub saves battery life. It also has the “Think Free” Office Document Editor, which is great for viewing and editing MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint files.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

LAPTOP

By John Nieves

August2011

Asus N53SV

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN SIZE: 15.6” 16:9 HD (1366x768)/ Full HD (1920x1080) LED backlit Asus Splendid; Video Intelligent Technology MEMORY: 4GB DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM CPU & CHIPSET: Intel Core i7 2630QM WIRELESS USED: Integrated802.11 b/g/n PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 39.1 x 26.6 x 3.05 cm (WxDxH)

WHAT’S HOT: • Excellent audio • Powerful processor • Can handle mainstream and a bit of hardcore games WHAT’S NOT: • Short battery life

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The N53SV is a great buy for people looking for a powerful notebook, that is if you can find it.

8.510

The N53V is an example of Asus’ typical approach to making notebooks. The overall color scheme is a tasteful dark gray, with a bit of surface gradations that look similar to brushed aluminum across the lid. Unfortunately, the lid isn’t made of metal, but it’s a nice effect nonetheless. There’s a large speaker grille near the top of the keyboard near the hinge. Right below the speaker grille are shortcut buttons for a number of different things, including the power management key (which is also boots the Express Gate Cloud OS) and volume controls.

Hardware-wise, the N53SV is powered

by an Intel Core i7-2630QM running at 2GHz, 4GB worth of DDR3 memory and an Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics card. It is also armed with a built-in GPU courtesy of the Intel HD 3000 graphics that the machine switches to when you’re in power saver. With such massive hardware, it wasn’t a big surprise that the N53SV managed to run games without any problems. The combination of the Core i7 processor with the burly GT 540M GPU meant that the notebook is able to handle most

mainstream and a few hardcore games at decent resolutions. Another nice feature is the Bang and Olufsen audio that’s integrated into the device, and with good reason—sound was definitely better than some of the other notebooks I’ve heard, and loud too. Of course all that processing power comes at a price, namely decreased battery life. It’s pretty much the same for this notebook. On high performance the battery only lasted for about an hour and

a half off the plug. It was only slightly better with the power-saving feature on, at about 2 ½ hours. The Asus N53SV is a great buy for anyone looking for a notebook with a little bit of extra oomph in it. Unfortunately, the N53SV won’t be officially carried by Asus locally, so finding it is going to be a bit of a challenge. Thankfully there’s an alternative—a more compact and affordable version, the N43SL that will retail for Php 39,995.

gadgetslab

The keyboard is nice and big, and comes with a keypad on the right. The keys have enough travel and are extremely easy to use. The wrist rest has this nice, faux wood-grain effect. The touchpad is of the right size, although the mouse buttons is a single bar config without separators. The left side housed the HDMI and Ethernet ports, along with two USB ports and an SD card slot. The right side has the optical drive, headphone and mic jacks and 2 more USB ports.

gadgetsla

HTC Sensation

SMARTPHONE By John Nieves

SPECIFICATIONS OPERATING SYSTEM: Android 2.3 with HTC Sense 3.0 CPU: 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, Adreno 220 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon LCD SIZE: 4.3 inch S-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 540 x 960 pixels PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 126.1×65.4×11.3mm WEIGHT: 148 g BAND: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 WHAT’S HOT: • Doesn’t feel as bulky • Fast processor, extremely responsive • Elegant design WHAT’S NOT: • Mediocre battery life • Pricey

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: While a bit more expensive than other Android superphones, the HTC Sensation brings its fair share of features that warrant a closer look, if not a flat out purchase.

8.610

HTC has long been one of the most desirable smartphone brands in the market, and their flagship mobile devices have had a reputation of combining the latest tech in form factors that are prime examples of understated elegance. The Sensation continues this proud tradition, while it’s a bit late to the dual-core smartphone party, it still manages to impress with its solid features and innovations.

August2011

I’m a dude with big hands and usually, I don’t complain when a 4.3-inch smartphone rolls my way, but I’ve gotten feedback from other people that devices that big feel awkward to hold. It came as a surprise then that people found the Sensation just right for their hands, especially since it has the same 4.3-inch screen they’ve complained about in the past. HTC has managed to shrink the phone’s dimensions without sacrificing the size of the screen by shrinking the bezel around the display, which contributes to the Sensation’s 126.1×65.4×11.3mm frame.

The Sensation still retains much of the design cues of HTC’s previous efforts, which include unibody construction and shyness from physical keys (save for the volume rocker and power button). The overall design of the Sensation will be familiar to anyone who has ever used an HTC device, yet doesn’t alienate anyone from jumping from other brands. There’s

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a dual LED flash, 8-megapixel camera on the back with another, smaller front facing camera on the front. Imagingwise, the Sensation is able to take full HD videos (1080p) without issues. The device feels comfortable to hold and the rounded corners give you a positive grip without making you uncomfortable.

your fingers across the screen, you now have to pull a ring towards the center to unlock it. You can also pull down a widget to go to an app directly. For example, if someone messages you via SMS, you can drag the SMS widget to the ring directly so you can jump directly to it.

Of course, the Sensation has the hardware front covered well—it sports a 1.2 GHz dual-core, Adreno 220 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon processor for number crunching and graphics work. Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the OS of choice here (naturally) topped off with HTC’s Sense overlay. The device is easy to navigate for the most part, and like the HTC Desire S, the Sense overlay gives users a couple of extra features that’s not available on regular Android devices.

To accurately gauge the performance of the Sensation, we downloaded two benchmarking tools—AnTuTu and Quadrant Standard—to get two different performance viewpoints on the Sensation. For AnTuTu, the Sensation managed to bag 4501 points which is pretty good, but was about 1,000 points short of its Tegra equipped dual-core contemporaries like the Optimus 2X and the Galaxy S II. It scored high marks with Quadrant Standard, scoring 2212 points.

One slightly new addition is the way you unlock the screen—instead of swiping

One issue I had with the Sensation was the mediocre battery life, although I wasn’t expecting much given the amount

of power and features on tap. I was still expecting to at least be able to finish a day without being charged. Alas, I was barely able to get through a single day of moderate use before it died on me. Clearly, the Sensation won’t survive long without a trip to the charger. Probably the biggest deal breaker for most is the price. HTC pegged the price for the Sensation at Php 31,990, which is a bit more than its primary competitor, the Galaxy S II which retails for Php 29,990. Ultimately, it all boils down to brand preference. While a bit pricier, the Sensation has a couple of unique features that in my opinion make the slightly higher price worth it. It may seem formulaic, especially when compared to other devices in the market, but there’s a reason why HTC is sticking to their established formula: it works.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

gadgetslab

gadgetsla

Panasonic Lumix G3

MIRRORLESS CAMERA By Steven Vea

SPECIFICATIONS 16.7MP CMOS sensor (standard Micro Four Thirds size) ISO 160-6400 4 fps continuous shooting (20fps at 4MP) GF2-style touch screen interface 1080i60 AVCHD shooting (from 30p sensor output) All-area AF point selection 60-1/4000 sec shutter speed Pinpoint AF mode (magnifies focus point to allow confirmation and fine-tune of AF position) Tracking AF in video mode Picture-in-picture manual focus magnification 460k dot articulated LCD 1.44M dot-equivalent electronic viewfinder (phase sequential type) WHAT’S HOT: • Compact • Excellent viewfinder • Can shoot stills while filming WHAT’S NOT: • Small rubber grip • GUI could use improvement • High ISO’s still noisy

Panasonic was the first to introduce the mirrorless camera to the world, and as the years passed, the company has continually set the standard for the revolutionary micro four-thirds (MFT) system. This year, the third generation of the Lumix G series rolls out, with the DMC-G3 as its touted product. Out of the box, the G3 looks amazing with a black and glossy finish that makes it look debonair and professional. One of the first things users will notice is that it’s amazingly compact, measuring at a mere 115.2 x 83.6 x 46.7mm and clocking in at approximately 336 grams without a lens attached.

August2011

This amazing feat in a reduced size is due to the smaller sensors that Panasonic has created, which is 17% smaller than its predecessor. However, the G3 still boasts 16 megapixels, which is an amazing set of effective pixels for a MFT system of its size.

Once cradled in your palms, the G3 feels like it was specifically made for the average-sized hand—it is ergonomic and comfortable. This reviewer would have preferred a more pronounced rubber grip on the exterior to provide the opportunity for tactile one-handed operations, but perhaps lessening the grip’s surface area also helps maintain the camera’s small size. The familiar PASM selector (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual) is present on the top of the unit, which most people should be familiar with by now. Additional beginner friendly

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modes are also available via the SCN mode, and Panasonic has conveniently provided two custom modes (C1 and C2) for user presets as well. One of this reviewer’s favorite shooting options is the Creative Control mode which is represented by a symbol of an artist’s palette on the PASM selector. Selecting this reveals the option to shoot in different styles: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia and High Dynamic Range. The Expressive mode is perhaps the best performer of all, adding vivid saturation to colors, thus giving photos a vibrant touch. The only downside to using this mode is that certain settings are overridden, such as exposure, and this reviewer finds it odd that Panasonic would disable these when using Creative Control. The G3 also features Panasonic’s touted Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode, which automatically adjusts the camera’s settings for the best output. Generally, it functioned quite well, but this reviewer would advise users to use it sparingly— not when capturing the shot is more important than composition and framing. It’s a great option for those that are used to point-and-shoots, but buying an MFT-ILS system somehow implies

the desire to learn shooting in different priority modes as well as full manual. Nevertheless, iA offers easy access to useful settings such as the DeFocus mode, which helps users achieve great portraits with sharp subjects in the foreground and background bokeh, via a slider in the camera’s display. Speaking of the G3’s remarkable LCD TFT Touch panel, it’s refreshing for manufacturers to reintroduce a tilting screen so that shots taken at difficult and obscure angles can still be previewed. Moreover, one of the G3’s greatest strengths is its bright and accurate Live Viewfinder. Having tested other MFT cameras, this reviewer believes that it’s the most brilliant thus far, and can easily rival TTL viewfinders found on DSLRs. Furthermore, the eyecup on the G3 also protrudes beyond the body ever so slightly, providing ample distance between the user’s face and the camera’s amazing 3-inch LCD touch display. The G3 also shoots video at Full 1080i HD 1920x1080 at 60/50 frames per second, which is once again quite noteworthy for a small system. Additionally, (if you’re not impressed just yet), users also have the capability to shoot stills while shooting video, which a lot of shutterbugs will find

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The Panasonic Lumix G3 is simply amazing—it’s compact, hosts a wealth of useful features and boasts impressive image quality. It is by far, the most impressive mirrorless camera to date.

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extremely useful. Finally, Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD offers it users’ better performance, faster shooting speed and a 60% noise reduction at high ISO’s. The continued shooting speed was very impressive, which is officially clocked at 4 frames per second, producing high quality stills of action shots. The resulting images from high ISO’s however, could benefit from a little improvement, but since Panasonic has already introduced their fabulous Leica Summilux DG 25mm f1.4 lens, shooting in low light should no longer be a problem. All in all, the Panasonic Lumix G3 is an outstanding mirrorless system, and is an excellent upgrade to its G series line. It’s a great transition for beginners used to point-and-shoots, and it will also impress seasoned photographers who want a portable and powerful camera.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

SMARTPHONE By Steven Vea

August2011

LG Optimus 2x (LG P990)

SPECIFICATIONS FORM FACTOR: Slate/Full Touchscreen DIMENSIONS: 123.9 x 63.2 x 10.9 mm WEIGHT: 139 g DISPLAY SIZE: 4.0 inches DISPLAY TYPE: IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 480 x 800 pixels CPU: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, ULP GeForce GPU, Tegra 2 chipset MEMORY/STORAGE: 8GB internal, 512MB RAM, microSD 32GB max OS: Android v2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to v2.3 DATA: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, 10.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth2.1 with A2DP, microUSB v2.0 CAMERA: 8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash; 1.3 MP VIDEO: 1080p@24fps, 720p@30fps FEATURES: Geo-tagging, face and smile detection, touch focus, image stabilization Adobe Flash 10.1 support BATTERY (MAX.): Stand-by 40 h, talk time 7 h 50 min

WHAT’S HOT: • Dual core processor • Excellent IPS display • Perfect for multimedia WHAT’S NOT: • Touchscreen sometimes unresponsive • Auto-rotate sometimes struggles

Once it’s in the palm of your hands, the LG Optimus 2X’s design is classically suave and looks very similar to other products in its class. This reviewer had hoped a smartphone with a place in the Guinness Book of World Records would have an equally creative design, but perhaps we shouldn’t judge a phone by its casing. Although it’s cosmetically neat and technologically chic overall, the metal strip embedded into the unit’s rear (etched with the word “Google”) might not find favor with some consumers.

At the bottom of the display, users will see the familiar backlit touch controls (menu, home, back and search)

Speaking of HD resolution, the Optimus 2X cameras (8MP rear and 1.5mp front) record 1080p videos at 24fps. Image quality is satisfactory although not special, but effortless playback of HD videos was where this smartphone prevailed, whether it was native or streaming HD from the web. The ability to manually focus via touch is also a great feature.

What is noteworthy about the LG Optimus 2X is that it comes with Nvidia’s dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 AP20H CPU. If you’re wondering what that mouthful of tech speak can offer, it basically improves a smartphone’s performance primarily in terms of multitasking, gaming and multimedia, especially videos with resolutions of 1080p.

Web browsing on the Optimus 2X was highly addicting as well, especially with its support for Adobe Flash. At times, the unit did struggle auto-rotating the screen from portrait to landscape mode, but it didn’t happen enough to warrant bloodcurdling frustration. Furthermore, the touchscreen would sometimes require a little bit more pressure than what some users are accustomed to, especially when unlocking the phone from Idle mode.

The Optimus 2X performed well with graphics, as expected. Visuals in HD were fluid and free of stutters, for both videos and games. Being an Android smartphone, it seemed logical to test Angry Birds, which was elevated to an entirely new level of gameplay with the Optimus 2X’s quick load times and great response.

The Optimus 2X battery life is similar to other touchscreen smartphones in its class, often needing to be recharged by the end of day with normal to heavy use, and especially with WiFi constantly on. This reviewer did experience a quirk with the Optimus 2X, which might be restricted to the test unit itself. When

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it was plugged in for charging with an app in current use, other apps would suddenly open and close uncontrollably. When all apps were shut down prior to charging, this fray did not occur, so again, this issue might be limited to the actual test unit itself. Regardless of this tiny mishap, the LG Optimus 2X is a remarkable smartphone. It offers an amazing Nvidia dual-core processor, which creates a multimedia experience that could bring a new breath of life to Android devices. For those who want to own the world’s first dual-core smartphone, a device that has been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records, the LG Optimus 2X is for you.

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With the pleasantries of physical aesthetics aside, the Optimus 2X’s overall size and weight is just right, despite being slightly larger when compared to other smartphones in its class. It has a brilliant 4-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching) display with a resolution of 800x480. Colors are vivid with rich blacks and accurate whites, making it an absolute pleasure to use. Moreover, the display is well illuminated, so there should be no problem using the Optimus 2X under direct sunlight.

that is usually installed on Android smartphones. The only physical controls are the volume buttons, which are seamlessly integrated on the unit’s side. Rounding up the features on its body are the micro HDMI and 3.5mm jack which can be found on top; and the micro-USB and speakers on the bottom. So overall, the Optimus 2x layout is quite simple and neat.

BUY METER

What does it feel like to have dual-core processing in the palm of your hands? It is an amazing experience unparalleled by any other smartphone thus far.

BOTTOMLINE: Overall, the LG Optimus 2X is an excellent device for users who prefer an Android smartphone. Its dual-core processor is something to marvel at, which elevates the multimedia experience to even greater heights.

gadgetsla

Sony VAIO C Series (VPCCA1S1E)

LAPTOP

By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN SIZE: 14-inch, 1366 x 768 glossy screen, Radeon HD 6470M Graphics MEMORY: 4GB RAM, 320GB 5200rpm HDD CPU & CHIPSET: Intel Core i5-241M WIRELESS USED: Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n, BlueTooth WEIGHT: 2.45 kg OS: Windows 7 Home Premium WARRANTY: 2 years PRICE: Php 69,999 WHAT’S HOT: • Both Fun and neutral colors to choose from • Rubber keyboard cover and backlit keyboard WHAT’S NOT: • Short battery life • Not that portable

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: Want something that will brighten your day (and night)? Give the Sony VAIO C series a go and make a shining statement.

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Fruity bubbalicious. That’s the first thing that crossed my mind when I first beheld the pink Sony VAIO C. It looked like something Katy Perry and the rest of the California Girls would use and bring along (though it’s not exactly portable) as they set forth to Candyland. It’s definitely one ultra-feminine color for a notebook. But don’t worry guys, the Sony VAIO C also comes in a very neutral and masculine black and white (15.5-inch versions and comes with the option for a screen that can handle 1080p high-definition entertainment) as well as green and orange for the more effeminate.

The VAIO C Series also sports a rubber, machine-washable keyboard cover as well as a transparent overlay that scatter light all over the edges of the notebook and round the touchpad to create a rather subtle glow, which does prove somewhat useful for those who enjoy working in the dark. Of course, that’s a pretty cool feature to have for an entrylevel machine. The form/fashion factor is definitely there despite its plastic-ky feel. For connectivity, you’ve got a Gigabit Ethernet port, VGA and HDMI for video, and both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports for data on the left. A memory card reader and physical wireless switch is in the front,

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while headphone and microphone jacks, twin USB 2.0 ports and a DVD writer are on the right. Now despite its “hey look at me, look at me” design, the C series has an impressive “inside” as well thanks to a dual-core i5, which runs at 2.3GHz but can manage up to 2.9HGz with Intel’s Turbo Boost. It also has 320GB of storage and 4GB RAM alongside the bundled Windows 7 Home Premium. This laptop is easy to use, especially if you’re the type who doesn’t ask way too much from it, save for a bit of speed when loading and logging

onto the “cloud.” And you can’t really use it for too long without being near a power socket. On standby, the VAIO C only lasts about 4 hours. But it does have some other cool features such as the integrated HD webcam with a Sony Exmor sensor for good low-light performance. The systems also include Sony’s VAIO, Assist, and Web buttons that launch Sony’s Media Gallery and VAIO Care software and enable users to access the Web without waiting for a full Windows boot. It also has its own Imagination Studio Suite 2 VAIO Edition for editing, managing, and enhancing photos, videos, music, and more. And the systems can be used with Sony’s Remove

keyboard technology so the notebooks can be used to drive other Sony devices like PlayStation 3 consoles or Bravia Internet-connected TVs. All in all, I found the Sony VAIO C rather befitting of my more lively character. Even the rubber keyboard (which some may find uncomfortable to use) was something I found to be quirky and comfy. It may not be for everyone (design-wise) but hey, if you want to add a little more color into your technology, the Sony VAIO C series will do the job.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

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gadgetsla

Sony VAIO S Series (VPCSB16FG)

LAPTOP

By Steven Vea

SPECIFICATIONS DIMENSIONS (WXHXD): 331 x 23.9 x 224.5mm WEIGHT: 1.72kg PROCESSOR: Intel Core i5-2410M Processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.90 GHz DISPLAY: 13.3-inch wide (WXGA: 1366x768) TFT color display (VAIO Display Plus, LED backlight) OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit MEMORY/STORAGE: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (8GB max)320GB HD OPTICAL DRIVE: DVD SuperMulti Drive GRAPHICS: AMD Radeon HD 6470M/Intel HD Graphics 3000, 512MB DDR3 VRAM KEYBOARD: Backlit CONNECTIVITY/PORTS: two USB 2.0, SuperSpeed USB 3.0, HDMI, SD Memory Card Slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi WEBCAM: 0.3 megapixels BATTERY: LIFE up to 6 hours, 12 hours with optional battery WHAT’S HOT: • Dynamic graphic switching • Excellent backlit keyboard • Thin and light WHAT’S NOT: • Awkward touchpad placement • Physical buttons feel flimsy

The Sony VAIO S Series has been largely overlooked in a market where the same brand names are repeatedly receiving all the attention. This, however, might all change with the release of this new Sony VAIO, which will definitely command consumers’ attention.

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Once set down on a tabletop, users will have to spend a few minutes admiring the sleek and minimalist design of this new addition to the S Series. Its polished magnesium body sports aluminum palm rests that denote a sense of class, combined with a touch of style. Not only is its exterior expertly designed, but it’s wonderfully lightweight, weighing in at mere 1.72 kg. This notebook is an ideal choice for those who are constantly on the move and want something portable and suave.

Opening the lid of its remarkably thin and flat chassis reveals the 13.3-inch wide TFT color display and its ergonomic backlit keyboard. The chiclet-type workspace is great for long hours of typing—they are evenly spaced and respond accurately. However, what makes the workspace truly amazing is its ambient light sensor, which lights up the keys automatically in places with low light, making it perfect for those that like to burn the midnight oil.

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Below the beloved keyboard is the gesture supported touchpad, and while the texture is smooth and inviting, the buttons are quite awkward to use. Sony positioned the clickers at the very edge of the laptop’s body, embedding it into the casing itself, which makes it quite difficult to press. On the left hand side, a button to turn the WiFi on/off can be found, along with the DVD SuperMulti Drive and headphone jack, which was blended in so well with the rest of the exterior that they were actually quite tricky to see. On the right side of the notebook, users will find all of the connectivity options and ports: two USB 2.0, one SuperSpeed USB 3.0, SD Memory card reader, memory stick slot, Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI and VGA. This laptop’s unique feature is its Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System, which provides a physical control located above the keyboard to allow users to switch between SPEED and STAMINA modes

without having to restart the laptop. As the name implies, SPEED promotes greater performance, utilizing its AMD Radeon HD 6470M to process graphics. Toggling to STAMINA signals the laptop to use its Intel HD Graphics card and tells the software’s power manager to use its “balanced” settings, which is useful when users need to conserve battery life when they’re not performing graphic heavy tasks. When on SPEED mode, the Sony S Series might awaken the slumbering gamer within. This laptop was able to handle recent titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Dragon Age 2 on recommended settings without any hiccups. Furthermore, HD streaming was also smooth and fluid on the notebook’s TFT LED backlit display with a resolution of 1366x768, producing vibrant images and causing no frustrations even when in a brightly lit room. What’s under the hood? Running on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit,

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: In a nutshell, the Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG) is one of the best notebooks out in the market. It’s solidly built, lightweight and packs a lot of processing power. Its stellar performance can appeal to just about anybody, making it a fabulous choice for those that are looking to purchase a new notebook.

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the Sony VPCSB16FG is equipped with a second generation Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM expandable up to 8GB, and 320GB of storage. With that kind of power, this laptop handled both mundane operations and multi-tasking effectively and efficiently. With a touted battery life of up to 6 hours that can be extended up to 12 hours with an optional battery accessory, the Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG) will be getting its share of the limelight in a market that is saturated with a multitude of models to choose from. The ability to switch graphics dynamically without having to restart is a great option to have. This lightweight laptop comes equipped with impressive hardware and will definitely make heads turn.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

MEDIA PLAYER By M.R. Gavin

August2011

Western Digital TV Live Hub

SPECIFICATIONS VIDEO SUPPORT: AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, VOB, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), TS/TP/M2T (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1), MP4/MOV (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9, FLV (h.264) IMAGE SUPPORT: JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP, PNG AUDIO SUPPORT: MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, AIF/AIFF, OGG, Dolby Digital, DTS PLAYLIST SUPPORT: PLS, M3U, WPL SUBTITLE SUPPORT: SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB, SMI INTERFACE: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, HDMI, Composite A/V, Component video, Optical audio MEMORY: 1TB DIMENSIONS: 32mm x 198mm x 154mm

WHAT’S HOT: • 1TB memory • Supports almost all audio and video formats • Internet enabled WHAT’S NOT: • Slow transfer of files • No built in WiFi

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The WD Live hub is the ultimate media player for movie buffs. You won’t miss another show ever again.

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Transferring files from the computer to the media center was a tedious process with the first-generation media players sold in the market a few years ago. We barely touched the media player my dad brought home because it was such a hassle to transfer files. We were all too contented with watching directly from the internet. But all that has changed with my encounter with the Western Digital TV Live hub.

Setting it up is as easy as 1-2-3. It’s just a matter of connecting it to the television and the Ethernet. Immediately after connecting it, I got access to the hub’s applications such as NetFlix, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, Live35, Mediafly, Blockbuster on demand and

Accuweather. You really don’t need a manual to set this up. It is definitely user friendly that you can work your way through the whole entire setup process with nary a sweat. Memory space won’t be a problem here as the WD TV Live hub can support 1TB of files. That is worth 200,000 photos or 76 hours of videos or even 250,000 songs! You can transfer files from a USB, hard drive or directly through your home network. I downloaded an application from Western Digital to be able to connect my home network with the media center. I linked this via Ethernet because WiFi here remains slow and lagging, especially when transferring

huge and multiple files. After having the application ready, it’s as easy as dragging and dropping the files from the home network to the Live hub. The media player helps you categorize your files—whether it’s a movie, music or photo. When you connect a storage device to the Live Hub, it will ven automatically prompt you to sync the files. No worries about file format because the Live Hub supports almost all kinds of formats possible. You can also connect your video or digital camera to transfer the files directly to the media center without having to install any driver. Connectivity is not a problem—you can connect the

Live Hub to other devices such as your smartphone or tablet by downloading an app that can enable you to transfer files. What I love most about this media player is that it has access to my favorite social networking sites. For those who just can’t get away from their Facebook friends, it’s nice to be able to access your account right in the comfort of your living room. Facebook lurking just got bigger, literally. The WD TV Live hub should be your go-to media player. It can answer all your needs when it comes to media demands and the once crazy dream of having internet-enabled television just became a reality.

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I love the minimal design of the Western Digital TV Live Hub. Its rounded edges made it distinctly classy and masculine at the same time. Situated in the device’s front fascia are the on/off button and one USB port. The back is packed with all kinds of ports to answer your media connection needs. There are 3 ports for component and another 3 for composite A/V, an HDMI 1.4 port and a backup USB port.

gaming

where playing around is a good thing

Alice: Madness Returns Point Blank goes on

commercial release IP e-Game Ventures Inc.— together with X-Play Online Games Inc.—has unveiled the commercial version of Point Blank Philippines, its latest free-to-play massively multiplayer online firstperson shooting game.

By John Nieves Developer: Spicy Horse Publisher: EA

It would seem that Alice: Madness Returns is a game fit for children. But American McGee’s version of Alice is very different. The one who gets lost here is a destitute wreck, plagued by the machinations of her mind that’s tearing up her psyche and, in turn, Wonderland. The game follows her struggle to reclaim the glory of Wonderland and her quest to find out the truth about the events that managed to land her in a padded cell in the Rutledge asylum. The game is set in a twisted version of Wonderland, where towering spires of tea kettles and cups loom over desolate factories where dodos are put to work in grotesque hamster wheels. Each level in Wonderland takes you to different locales that have matching enemies, themes and costumes for Alice. Everything is a twisted, caricatured version of the environs depicted in Lewis Carroll’s book and the art direction pulls off the feel beautifully. After each level, Alice is transported back into Victorian London, where the damp, depressing grey of the city provides a stark contrast to the colorful and twisted world of Wonderland.

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Alice has access to four weapons: the Vorpal blade, which in this case is a wicked large kitchen knife, the Gatling-gun like Pepper Grinder, the clockwork bomb and the hobby horse. Each weapon is useful against a certain type of enemy (the Vorpal blade makes quick work of weak enemies while the hobby horse is used against heavy hitters) and has their use outside of combat. There are also mini-games thrown in to break up the monotony of pure platforming, including one where you stomp around as a giant in the castle squishing everything in your way. Some of the mini-games are a bit annoying though, like the one where you’re required to complete a certain puzzle in a limited amount of moves but thankfully, you have the option of skipping it if you choose. The visuals are pretty good, especially with a top of the line gaming rig – Alice’s hair floats and gets caught up in the wind convincingly; especially dark and gloomy levels like when you go inside a tomb underwater are exquisitely rendered complete with floating debris. Overall, Alice: Madness Returns is a great game for someone who is looking for a different gaming experience, especially when you’ve grown tired from the flood of FPS games. It has its faults, but it doesn’t fail to deliver.

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Developed by South Korea-based game developer Zepetto, Point Blank is currently among the top online game titles worldwide. At present, the game is the top online game in Indonesia and Thailand, with 100,000 and 35,000 CCUs (concurrent users) respectively, as well as being the top title of its genre in Russia. This online FPS also has a significant foothold in major gaming markets in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Point Blank Philippines started its closed beta testing in May. It quickly became the hottest online FPS game today and garnered more than 1 million local unique users since it started. The game currently has eight playable characters, more than 200 weapons and items, eight game modes, and more than 40 stages in different sceneries. It has destructible and interactive environments as well as level progression with role-playing game (RPG) elements. The commercial phase offers new game modes, maps and weapons for players to try out. Aside from Demolition, AI Mode, Death Match, and Annihilation game modes, several new ones have been added: Search and Destroy—requires players to annihilate the opposing team to win. The round ends once the entire enemy team is dead. This game mode can be played on nearly all maps available. Defense—requires teams to destroy or defend the target. If the objective is not destroyed before the time limit is up, the defending team wins. Destroy—This game mode now includes helicopter missions and players must take down the opposing flying vehicles to win. On top of these new features, the Point Blank Commercial Item Shop has also been opened allowing players to use e-Games ePoints to purchase weapons, items and avatars so they can further enhance their gameplay. There will also be new updates and content released regularly to keep the game fresh and new.

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THE DSLR IN

By Benjamin Arnold

Ever wondered how new DSLRs with HD recording capabilities fair against professional video cameras? With countless awards and loads of experience using both HD video capable DSLRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and professional broadcast cameras, GMA Network AVP for operations post production and director Paul Ticzon knows the good and bad side of the story. Gadgets Magazine caught up with him to get his perspective on using DSLRs for HD recording. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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digital photography in a snap

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HOW DOES THE VIDEO QUALITY OF A DSLR CAMERA COMPARE WITH THAT OF A PROFESSIONAL VIDEO CAMERA? WHICH ONE HAS BETTER QUALITY IN TERMS OF COLOR? Both cameras can record full HD formats as well as SD (standard definition). Using DSLRs gives better-looking image/ texture than that of a pro videocam. The DSLR produces that shallow depth of field or that filmic look, whereas the pro videocams produce a crisper, flat video look. With the exception of the ultra high-end HD cameras, most professional video cameras cannot achieve the filmic look or the narrow depth of field seen in film produced features unless fitted with fast cinema or SLR lenses capable of shooting with wide open aperture setting. [In terms of video codec,] the DSLR record with an inferior codec. Currently, DSLR codecs vary from motion jpeg to H.264, which are not of high a quality [compared with professional video cameras] and are inefficient in terms of data compression. Color-wise though, I like the DSLR better than most of the pro videocams. Personally, I prefer shooting with video-capable DSLRs than the professional video cameras. Except for a very few ultra high-end cameras, I would use DSLRs any day. DOES THE FRAME RATE OF THE DSLR MEET THE SAME STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSIONAL VIDEO CAMERA? DOES THE FRAME RATE AFFECT THE QUALITY? High-end HD cameras can shoot anywhere from 24, 30, 60 or 120 frames per second. There are even some

specialized cameras which can shoot faster than 120 frames per second. Frame rate usually affects the image when you shoot at higher speeds. Some DSLR can shoot 60p and subsequently limits acquisition to 720p. HAVE YOU EVER ENCOUNTERED THE ROLLING SHUTTER OR “JELLO” EFFECT WHEN USING A DSLR? HOW DO YOU RESOLVE IT? Yes, it is a common issue when shooting video with DSLRs. Rolling shutter effects are commonly found with video cameras employing CMOS image sensors, which record every frame line-by-line from top to bottom of the image, rather than as a single snapshot of a point in time, thus there is a temporal difference between the time that the top of the frame is recorded as compared with the bottom of each frame. Consequently, if the subject moves horizontally during a shot, or the camera will mimic it, the subject will appear to bend. We try to avoid this by using fluid heads when injecting pans and tilts to the motion. In addition, when tracking shots are needed, speeds are limited to lessen the “jello” effect aggravated by fast motions. In some cases, these can be corrected during post. HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE VIEW FINDER OF A DSLR WITH THAT OF A PROFESSIONAL VIDEO CAMERA? The view finder of the DSLR is not as good as that of a professional video camera. Its main function is for review. It also presents difficulty when shooting in awkward positions as well as when

“EXCEPT FOR A VERY FEW ULTRA HIGH-END CAMERAS, I WOULD USE DSLRs ANY DAY.”

shooting under direct light sources. This however can be corrected by attaching view finders and monitors to make shooting with DSLRs better. WHICH LENSES DO YOU USE TO CAPTURE YOUR VIDEOS? WHICH WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR OUR READERS? I use fast primes and a mix of lenses ranging from 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm and 200mm for video and stills. Both the 135mm and 200mm are f/2 while the rest are f/1.4. I love shooting [using] wide open [lenses]. The creamier the bokeh, the better it is for me so I want my lenses fast.

Aside from getting extreme shallow depth of field, fast primes are very sharp and are very good when shooting with very low light. They, however, present problems because of the fixed focal lengths. You literally need to walk away or toward your subject to get the desired frame or crop or when space is limited, you will need to change your lens to a wider or longer focal length. And they are generally more expensive. I would suggest readers to start out with the 50mm f/1.8. It’s a fast prime [that isn’t] that expensive. WHEN IT COMES TO AUDIO, IS THE BUILTIN MICROPHONE OF THE DSLR SUFFICIENT FOR MAKING HIGH-QUALITY VIDEOS? While it does record sound, you need to attach an external mic to be able to record usable audio with a DSLR. Even then, the audio recorded from a DSLR are mostly mono and audio connectors are limited to mini jacks. IN TERMS OF LIGHTING, ARE DSLRS EASIER TO USE TO ACHIEVE THE RIGHT LIGHT? In a way they are, because they are highly capable of shooting in low light conditions especially when used with fast prime lenses.

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WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TERMS OF GETTING THE RIGHT LIGHT? DO YOU ADJUST THE SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE, LIGHT SOURCE OR ISO OR A WELL BALANCE OF ALL OF THESE? HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Depending on what you want to achieve in your shot, you adjust all of them. Getting the right light or exposure for your shot involves understanding

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August2011

the exposure triangle—[which means balancing out the ISO (the measure of the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light), the aperture (the size of the opening in the lens when a picture is taken) and the shutter speed (the amount of time that the shutter is open). [You should also take into account] how light affects the scene [and] surroundings. WHICH OF THE TWO PROVIDE BETTER STABILITY? Because of the size and weight difference, professional cameras provide better shot stability. The CMOS systems that DSLR’s use also contribute to camera shake.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAINTAIN A STABLE SHOT?

cameras are way more expensive to risk damage to.

rest/cool for a few minutes before you can actually record again.

We use the glide cam to steady hand held shots. [For other shots,] we use heavy duty fluid heads with heavy duty tripods [for stability]. The first thing you should have as an accessory to your camera when shooting video with DSLRs is a stable tripod with a good head, they are quite pricey though. For starters, any tripod will do as long as it can carry the weight of your rig. A good head will keep your camera securely on the tripod. Weighing your tripod down is also advisable—especially when using [a tripod that doesn’t have] heavy duty legs—as they tend to tip over. I strongly advise on investing on tripods, as

WHEN COMPARED TO THE PROFESSIONAL VIDEO CAMERAS, HOW DOES THE MEMORY CAPACITY OF A DSLR FAIR?

HOW DO YOU COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF MEMORY?

Both cameras are dependent on the recording medium used. Some cards can go up to 64GB, while tapes can run for up to 60 minutes—so it really depends. DSLRs though can only record up to 20 minutes at a time as they require cooling periods in between long recordings. Currently, among all the other cameras with video capability, this is the longest recording time available. When recording this long, you need to let the sensor

We [generally] use 8GB cards for safety [though at time we use a] 16GB card. [We prefer an 8GB card] because the larger the memory capacity of a card, [the more you lose] when you card fails. We always bring a laptop and external drives for storage to back up our data as soon as we fill out our cards. This way we have the capacity to capture a lot and at the same time secure our data.

PAUL HENDRIK P. TICZON

FREELANCE FASHION/PORTRAIT/WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER WHERE HE WORKS: GMA Network Inc. as the AVP for Operations-Post Production and director for major corporate, imaging TVCs and promotions

THE ACCESSORIES AND LIGHTS HE OWNS: The main lenses I have for my DSLR cameras are ultra fast prime lenses [varying from 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm and 200mm with a range of f/2 to f/1.4]. I also have standard camera mounts such as tripods with fluid heads, and specialized camera mounts such as glide cams and glide tracks (which are the DSLR or portable camera equivalent of the SteadiCam and dolly tracks). I also have a assortment of camera accessories such as view finder extensions, follow focuses and matte boxes. [For lights and audio I] have continuous/hot lights, led lights, boom stands and mics—[the basics] to shoot video and stills.

snapshots

THE CAMERAS HE USES: [The HD video capable DSLR that] I use is the Nikon D7000. I also use a wide selection of HD cameras from high-end to entry-level professional cameras. The Arri Alexa and Arri D21 are my primary HD cameras of choice.

websites

Living Large

enter the internet

August2011

By Presy Alba

The World Wide Web is a true gift to humankind by some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest minds. In less than 50 years of its existence, it has totally changed how we see the world and the possibilities it offers. Where before the only chances we had of seeing the luxurious life of the well-heeled was through big budget movies and TV shows. Only the super rich had the chance to see these things first handâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the rest of us just read about it in books, see glimpses of it on TV or movies and the rest, we imagine. Now because of the Internet, we get a closer view of these things and places.

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August2011

http://en.chateauversailles.fr

When we talk about luxury—we usually mean that something is above the ordinary. But having a luxurious life does not have to mean being opulent all the time. For me, a luxurious lifestyle involves just one thing, the enjoyment of beauty and the finer things in life. Great food, good wine, fine jewelry, travel and high-end shopping are activities that one must do in person, the experience will never be matched by a visit to a website no matter how well it is designed. But there is one thing that we can do on the ‘Net that can help and inspire us live a bit larger, these websites show us examples of great design and learn what the great design elements are from the masters. Learning how past generations defined luxury can only be seen in museums in the remnants of the art pieces they left behind. I love visiting museums because I think it is the repository of man’s greatest ideas. I am always awed at how men with little or no technological assistance could conceive of such great ideas and accomplish great artistic and engineering feats.

I believe that artwork can make any ordinary space special—in some cases, adding just one item can make the room more interesting. So when I travel, I always want to visit museums because I

want to see artwork display of the local masters but it is always not possible to spend a lot of time exploring them. If you’re one who is interested in looking at artwork whether because you want to pick up great design and color ideas or if you just want to appreciate great work, I suggest that you first find out if the museum you want to visit has a website and have a look first so that you can prioritize which collections you want to see. For great artwork, nothing beats the collections of the Vatican Museum (http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/ MV_Home.html) and the Louvre (www. louvre.fr) but it really depends on what you want to see. Since these museum complexes are so large, it is literally impossible to see everything in just a few hours, so prioritizing which ones you want to see first can help make your visit a happy experience. Luxury does not been just the old – new designs can be just as impressive with the added benefit that your comfort has been considered by the designer. A visit to the Museum of Modern Art is a must if we are to complete the picture. The MoMA’s collection is a cornucopia of artwork including modern furniture— http:// www.moma.org/explore/collection/ index. It is a good place to search for avant-garde furniture and fixtures made out of unusual materials or doing unusual things to ordinary materials. We all want to make our personal spaces out of the ordinary. One or two special items can be all you need to make it happen, and it does not even have to be expensive. If you study how the masters work with color and shape, making our spaces more interesting and more luxurious should not be a difficult project to take on.

http://www.moma.org

http://www.louvre.fr

websites

One example of opulent design matched with great engineering is the Versailles Palace in France. It stands as a testament of what a truly over-thetop lifestyle the French monarchy had before the revolution. Visiting http:// en.chateauversailles.fr/discover-estate will open the doors of Versailles to the virtual tourist. Exploring the palace will open your eyes to a whole new fully gilded world.

http://mv.vatican.va

tablets

a portable personal computer

Reasons to Buy A Tablet

August2011

By Presy Alba

The tablet computer is defined by Wikipedia as “a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touchscreen and operated mainly by touching the screen. It uses an onscreen virtual keyboard or a digital pen rather than a physical keyboard.” I have an iPad and I would love to convince everyone to get one, but it really is a personal choice. I’ve tried a few Android tablets and although I still prefer the iPad experience, the Android tablets are just as useful. If you don’t have a Tablet yet, but you’re not sure you really need one, here are 11 reasons why you should buy one:

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August2011

1. Take it anywhere I still rely on my Macbook Pro for most of the work that I do in the office and at home but the iPad is still my take-along gadget of choice aside from my mobile phones. Even after I exchanged my 15-inch Macbook Pro to a 13-inch version, it still weighs around 2kgs. and I have to take my laptop bag along, whereas I can just slide the iPad into my tote bag and I’m ready to go.

2. Work anywhere The tablet is very versatile. You can load it up with all the applications you need for work and take everything along with you. You can work anywhere and retrieve your files online and check your email by accessing any available access point or connect using mobile internet if your tablet has 3G connectivity.

3. Stay connected You can even stay in contact with your team while on the road via Skype or the chat program of your choice. I use Skype and IM+ to stay connected with friends and colleagues when I am away from the office. I installed both only because Skype is not supported by IM+ which allows me to login to my Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk and Facebook accounts simultaneously.

4. Use less paper When I go to meetings, unless the people attending are low-tech, I don’t even bother to print anything out. I just save them as PDF, load them on my iPad and be secure that I have all the supporting documents at hand, ready to project them onscreen when necessary. If I think that I will need to give out copies, I just upload everything to my Google Docs folder and send the link by email.

5. Notes and presentations With the iPad always in my tote bag, I never miss out on any opportunity to take audio notes of meetings, seminars and talks that I attend using Evernote. And I can also show videos and presentations anytime, anywhere. In large meetings where I need to show a presentation and take notes at the same time, I use my iPad to show the presentations and my Macbook to record audio and take down notes. Using the iPad as a presentation tool is very easy with Keynote, and there’s a laser pointer feature that allows the presenter to highlight or focus on an item just by touching the screen.

6. Apps galore I think that having a multitude of apps to choose from is one major factor in the iPad’s success. Apps range from ones that are totally free, free light versions and the full-price full feature versions. It’s also a good strategy that a lot of these apps are less than $10.

7. Maps and guides And speaking of free apps, with the Maps app that comes bundled with iOS you can literally find your way anywhere in the world with the help of street maps, satellite and a hybrid view, so getting directions from one location to another is a matter of knowing the address. And if traveling to foreign locales is daunting, you can always get a travel guide of major cities and countries of the world mostly for free from the app store.

8. E-books and reading I use both the iBooks and the Kindle Reader app for my collection of books – iBooks for the stuff I download in the epub format, and the Kindle Reader for all the Kindle books I purchase from the Kindle Store at Amazon.com.

9. Music and audiobooks Although I still bring along my reliable iPod classic as a backup source of music and a repository of all my audiobooks, I still keep a playlist of my favorite music in my iPad and one or two audiobooks that I plan to listen to at the moment. So I can listen to my music and audiobooks using earphones if I don’t want to disturb other people or plug in mini speakers to boost the volume whenever I’m alone or want to share what I am listening to.

10. TV shows, movies and games

11. Long battery life And the greatest part about the iPad is its long battery life. I can watch TV shows and movies or play games for a whole day before I need to recharge. It lasts even longer if I just read or surf the web.

tablets

Since I never have time to watch regular TV because of my work schedule, I just download them to watch for later. So now whenever I’m in the parlor, instead of reading gossip magazine while having my hair or nails done, I watch my favorite TV episodes or a movie. Playing games on the iPad is a totally different experience from playing on any computer. With the multi-touchscreen, playing games like Angry Birds or Plants vs. Zombies is truly more interactive and exciting.

apps

there’s an app for that

Compiled by Ana Umacob and Mary Dominique Castro

iRa Pro iOS 3 or later Daring to be a fly on the wall? Check out Lextech Labs’ iRa Pro. It provides situational awareness for first responders and security professionals. Users can navigate effortlessly between hundreds of cameras and can control pan-tilt-zoom cameras with a swipe of a finger.

5 minute clinical consult Android/iOS 3 or higher/Blackberry OS/ Windows Mobile For the hypochondriac, this app from Skyscape gives you guidance on the management and diagnosis of over 900 medical conditions right at your fingertips. A great resource for clinical situations, it has all the information needed to help identify and treat numerous disorders.

$899.99 on iTunes $99.99 on Blackberry App World/Android Market/Apple App Store

Ambur iOS 3 or higher

iVIP Black iOS 4

A restaurant management solution app that is built entirely on the iOS platform invades every restaurateur’s dream. Connecting and syncing data wirelessly, waiters can take orders directly on a device such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Completed orders can be sent directly to a kitchen printer for preparation and a final check can be printed directly from the app. Ambur is available from the App store as a free download in trial form.

Also known as “the Millionaire’s app,” it is the possibly one of the most exclusive applications out in the market. We’re talking about VIP lounges, private islands, luxury cars, personal trainers, and the like. You have to prove your net worth before you can gain access to this utility. And how much net worth are we talking about? Just £1 million—at least! $999.99 on the Apple App Store

$999.99 (full license) iOS 3 or higher

MATG Dynamics GP iOS 3 or higher

TripIt Android/ iOS4

AmpliTube iOS4

Bento iOS4

MATG stands for ‘My Accounts To Go,’ Basically on the finance and accounting side, it wirelessly syncs into your firms’ database for warehouse information, sales orders, inventory information, and accounts receivable statements. Just make sure that the IT guys at the office make the data available to you.

Have your own travel assistant app that lets you organize all your travel plans and compile it in just one place on your phone. It initially creates a “smartinerary” —providing maps for your travel plans, etc. that can be shared easily. It even keeps you posted with status alerts and alternate flight options and then stores all your frequent traveling points.

Explore and unleash your potential using Amplitube that lets you play, practice and record anytime, anywhere using world-class guitar and bass that give out ultra-realistic tones and effects. The app features the Fender tone with full multit-rack recording capability. You also get 3 stompbox rigs, 11 built-in stompbox effects, five amps, five speaker cabinets and two microphones—allowing you to record and re-amp your audio files as you wish. You can also make use of the SpeedTrainer learning/practice feature which can slow down or speed up the tempo of your audio material without affecting pitch. A digital chromatic tuner and metronome are also included.

Be stress-free even while at work. This app can easily organize your contacts, track projects, plan events and manage things with built-in features like 25 ready-to-use customized templates and iTunes-style searching and sorting ability. It supports a variety of field types so you can store text, numbers, dates, times, durations, locations, pictures, sounds, video clips, voice memos, pop-up choices, check boxes, prices, rates, addresses, phone numbers, ratings, web sites, email addresses, instant messaging accounts, and more.

$499.99 on the Apple App Store

August2011

Free at Android Market; $ 1.99 on the Apple App Store

$19.99 on the Apple App Store

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$4.99 on the Apple App Store

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August2011

Samsung Galaxy S II For the discerning who know they deserve better

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp., the leader in Android smartphones, has made available the Samsung Galaxy S II (Model: GT-I9100), the first 4G phone to hit the country. This beautifully thin (8.49mm),lightweight and extremely powerful smartphone comes equipped with a 1.2 GHz dualcore processor allowing lightning-fast processing. The Samsung Galaxy S II bears with it the latest Android smartphone OS, Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

“We’re are very excited and proud to bring in the first 4G Android smartphone in the country that not only pleases the eye but delivers the most delightful

greatly increased sub-pixel count, Super AMOLED Plus complements the human eye in its ability to recognize images.

Incorporating a dual-core application processor and advanced 4G wireless network (HSPA+ 21) connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy S II has the speed and power to provide the best mobile performance. It offers seamless multitasking, switching between applications instantly. Superior 3D hardware performance makes games and video incredibly fast and smooth.

The Galaxy S II is truly smarter than the ordinary smartphone. With its pre-loaded voice solution feature, Galaxy S II users can command their phone to call, text and even send an email hands-free. Simply activate the voice solution with these simple words “Hey Galaxy” and the phone automatically responds by asking the user what he would like to do. This unique solution translates uttered words into both commands and actual text so SMS and emails can be dictated and sent without the use of one’s fingers.

The Samsung Galaxy S II is equipped with an 8-megapixel, high-profile camera and camcorder with 1080p full HD recording and playback. With Samsung’s patented AllShare technology users can capture, create and share experiences hassle-free. The phone features Samsung’s new crystal-clear Super AMOLED Plus screen. This is the most advanced mobile visual display ever created. It introduces the best in quality in color gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness. Using RealStripe screen technology and a

Samsung has introduced a new range of enterprise mobility solutions that help enterprise customers empower a flexible and connected mobile workforce. Samsung has partnered with IT industry leaders to offer the most relevant enterprise solutions, working seamlessly on the Android Gingerbread platform and paying special attention to securing data and network.

Samsung Galaxy S II|feature

“In 2011, we will take Samsung’s leadership in Speed, Screen and Content to a whole new level,” said Glenn Glinoga, business unit director for mobile communications business. “With the Galaxy S II, Samsung wants to set the new standard of quality viewing on mobile, powerful performance, and slim and modern design.” The Galaxy S II is a powerful evolution of Galaxy S as it builds on the phenomenal success of the original. “We are proud to unveil the ultimate smartphone,” added Glinoga. “Consumers will no longer have to limit themselves because the Samsung Galaxy S II allows them to design their own smart lives.”

smartphone experience,” added Coco Domingo, product marketing head for mobile communications business.

covergir

Angel

e e

iN TH SkY(dRiV )

She’s like the wind—at least now, more than ever, with the Suzuki Skydrive 125, Angel can breeze through life bringing along with her all of the flashing qualities of her charm and beauty. With a 125 displacement, the highest in its class, and an “angel” to accompany the flight, the sky is the limit.

With edgy and modern designs reminiscent of Suzuki’s own superbikes, you can be an astig rider, born to stand out and be envied. It is astig sa hataw, as it can reach speeds of up to 120km per hour. It is also astig sa tibay and astig sa porma due to its fashion forward aesthetics and easy maneuverability.

August2011

It is no wonder that the winner of Star Studio’s poll for Sexiest Female is also the first astig rider for the Skydrive. Angel Locsin truly embodies what an astig rider is all about—fierce and powerful on the outside, yet soft-hearted and loving on the inside. Angel, the epitome of a modern woman, is versatile both in reel and real life. Onscreen, she is able to juggle between drama and action, and in the end, always rises as a powerful woman who has overcome the challenges faced by the characters she portrays. In real life, she faces intrigue and controversy head on, but remains ever

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humble and helpful to her fellowmen. She is gorgeous onscreen and off, but it is her simplicity that always shines through. Much like Angel, the Suzuki Skydrive 125 is an agile performer on the road with its CVT transmission SOHC engine which ensures quick and easy acceleration and control. But while it is able to put on a lot of speed, even beginners can handle the scooter without fear. Angel can even attest to the Skydrive’s safety features, as she drives her own from time to time. And like Angel’s simple ways, the Skydrive is automatic, which makes it a hop-and-go ride. The Suzuki Skydrive is a trendy but robust scooter. With radical designs and bold colors like Pearl Mirage White, Titan Black, Pearl Mirage White with Titan Black, and Candy Summer Red with Titan Black. The Suzuki Skydrive is beautiful inside and out. Meet our Angel in the Skydrive.

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August2011

Angelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trendsetting style and undeniable womanliness complement the image of the Suzuki Skydrive as a trendy but robust scooter.

covergirl

mobility

the hottest machines that get you places

By Mike Antigua

Sometimes we dream of the best of the best: the most luxurious, the most expensive, the most exclusive, the most hard-to-attain. Oftentimes, we come across all of these qualities in one neat little package. More often than not, though, we just end up gawking, staring speechless and wishing we were behind the wheel instead of outside the showroom window.

August2011

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your chance to bring home these objects of desire, albeit between the pages of this magazine. Try not to drool on the photos.

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The top-of-the-line A8L is powered by a 4.2-liter, directinjection V8 engine, and ably managed by an 8-speed

tiptronic automatic transmission that surprisingly gives good fuel economy. Its got active suspension and dynamic steering system that provides a comfortable ride even on roads that sports cars love. With understated elegance and exceptional driving dynamics, the Audi A8 may just be one of the strongest contenders in its segment. A 3-liter V6 diesel engine with common rail injection system and turbocharger is also available.

August2011

Audi A8

Audi A8 The 2011 Audi A8 is Audi’s flagship model, mixing it up in the full-size luxury sedan category with an exceptional blend of performance and leading edge technology. Its distinct advantage is the use of an aluminum frame and body panels, making it significantly lighter than the traditional steel frame and helps offset the bulk of the car’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Audi R8

Audi R8 A smart, comfy supercar for daily use—why not? Built on a sturdy but lightweight aluminum space frame chassis similar to the one used on the Lamborghini Gallard, the R8 is the first mid-engine production vehicle Audi has ever sold.

The R8 comes with a choice of two mid-mounted engines. A 4.2-liter V8 that produces 430 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.2-liter V10 good for 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system that has been specially tuned for the R8 to deliver a decidedly rear-wheel-biased power delivery. Transmission choices are a standard six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed

“R Tronic” sequential-shifting manual with an automatic mode.

The interiors are typically Audi: roomy and of top quality while retaining a modern design flair that’s quite uncommon in other supercars. The driver controls are solidly finished and ergonomically designed, making everything within reach especially in high-speed situations.

The R8 is the culmination of everything Audi has learned from more than 70 years of racing history. Now it can be enjoyed even on city streets and neighborhood roads.

BMW 6-Series Coupe BMW 6-Series Coupe Here’s a car that evokes a strong character with outstanding performance, seemingly in a class all its own when you consider its price, position and overall looks. The BMW 6-Series Coupe is touted as an exceptional vehicle. It’s a nifty package that comes with advanced intelligence and dynamics wrapped around elegant lines and fine interior finish.

If you’re willing to let your hair down a bit more, go with the BMW 6-Series Convertible. Not only is it fun to drive, its also ideal for daily use. The Active Steering, Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Drive provide for relaxed driving in every situation. With 270 kW (367 HP), the eight-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 650i Convertible and Coupé provides a powerful drive.

mobility

Crash-active headrests, dual-stage brake lights, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights and many other technical highlights ensure safe and relaxed driving in the BMW 6 Series Coupé. Thirteen interior loudspeakers, voice-controlled navigation system, keyless startup

and active speed control are only a few of the optional features, making the drive in your BMW 6-Series even more comfortable.

mobilit

Jaguar XJ Jaguar XJ If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the all-new Jaguar XJ prowling the streets of the metro, then you’re missing out on an arrestingly beautiful piece of machinery. Launched in the Philippines in July 2010, the XJ combines high-end luxury and intuitive technology wrapped in a striking design package that’s sure to leave people staring in awe. Jaguar infused as much passion in the new design as its long-time predecessors, capturing the uniqueness of the original 1968 XJ but in a more modern form.

the car’s rear glass wrapped around the body sides that isolate the roof. This is a big departure from Jaguar of old, and the British brand intends to adhere to this shift to a sleek and sporty look. Hear the deep, sweet purr of this cat’s 5.0-liter V8 Petrol Engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that does its business quickly with unnoticeable lag, doing 0-100km in 5.7 seconds. Say what you want about the conservative British, this Jaguar is out to stretch its legs and give other luxury sport sedans something to think about.

Long, fluid lines begin from the front, leading the eye to a form that’s akin to a teardrop shape that ends with

Lexus LS 600HL Lexus LS 600hL The 2011 Lexus LS600hL is a full-sized hybrid luxury sedan that’s the most expensive in the Lexus lineup. Whatever additional cost you may incur in getting this fine piece of machinery is offset by its wide-range of state-of-the-art technological features and interior amenities. You start paying no heed to the expense once you get a taste of its ultra-quiet Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the world’s first to combine a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with all-wheel-drive (AWD) hybrid drivetrain, generating a peak combined output rating of 438 horsepower and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Whether you sit behind the wheel or recline in the rear passenger seat, you’d be awestruck by the space, subdued elegance and magnificence of the LS 600hL. Bask in the rear seat relaxation package that adds a power recliner with leg rest and massage feature while your ears are treated to the aural delight provided by the Mark Levinson sound system that hits you with a 7.1-channel surround sound support coming through 450 watts split among 19 speakers.

If that’s not enough to send you to ultra-luxury dreamland, consider a package which includes a center console with a cooler box, power rear door shades, additional wood trip, a rear audio control panel, rear-seat entertainment system, infrared temperature sensors that adjust the climate control for the rear passengers and a rear-seat wood table. A remarkable technology wonder is the advanced parking guidance system that will parallel park or back the car up into a spot without any help from the driver except for pressing the brake pedal. Add to the adaptive cruise control with a pre-collision safety system. There may be a lot more things that can be said of the Lexus LS600hL, but one doesn’t need to. You just need to experience a car that blends uniquely Japanese subtlety with high-end technology and leading-edge performance.

Maserati Granturismo Maserati GranTurismo Any discussion about hot and stylish luxury cars should always include the Maserati GranTurismo, a two-door, four-seater coupe styled and designed inside and out by Pininfarina

August2011

Start with the 4.2-liter V8 version and enjoy the drive. When you might want a little bit more power, then the ‘S’ version—with 4.7 liter V8 and 433 horsepower—might be more to your liking as it is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s racing pedigree brought to the street.

Designed as a muscular and sporty car that can be enjoyed every day, the GranTurismo makes sure that all four occupants are seated in safety and comfort. The best seat, of course, is behind the wheel, as you get to enjoy the spirited power and handling of the automatic gearbox

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and adaptive control system that adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and driving conditions. The interiors—highlighted by red leather upholstery—are of top-notch quality, combining a captivating design and prestigious materials to offer for driver and passengers alike. The “Easy Entry” system powers the front seats forward to allow ample space for rear passenger to climb onboard. A perfect bend of power and elegance, the GranTurismo embodies the unique build quality and passion for style that Maserati has been known for: cars that combine style, performance and luxury in equal measure.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

A sharply creased and refined body design shows the character of the CLS63, as only AMG can envision it. Tight, athletic and swift are the adjectives that come to mind upon first glance. The aluminum hood and front fenders have been reshaped, framing a deep front air dam to give the car a wider-looking stance, capped with twin LED light bars

Managing all this power under the bonnet is AMG’s Speedshift seven-speed transmission with the MCT (multi-clutch technology) system, which employs a startup clutch in place of a conventional torque converter. It also has a fuel-saving new ECO Start/Stop system and shifts as quick as 100 miliseconds. Motor Trend calls it the “best-tuned automatic tranny in the business.”

August2011

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Newly designed inside and out, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG continues to impress in the same manner the previous generation did. The CLS 63 AMG is an exceptional automobile offering impressive performance, dynamic styling and an exclusive interior. The four-door Coupé is powered by an all-new, handcrafted 5.5-liter V8 biturbo AMG engine, which was developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG. It proves to be more efficient than the previous 6.3-litre, managing a 32-percent increase in fuel economy.

Inside you’ve got upgraded sport seats, giving you command of the AMG Drive Unit that offers driverselectable setups for transmission, suspension, steering and 3-mode ESP. Each seat is individually contoured for its occupant.

When the Mercedes-Benz CLS was first launched in 2003, it created a whole new automobile category, being the first to combine elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. It’s a 4-door hotrod, albeit a bit more refined.

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Porsche continues to improve on a good thing despite changing everything on the new Cayenne. This time, they’ve honed and reinvented the Cayenne concept to create a new range of models with new drives. It’s now lighter—up to 185kg, depending on the specification— and also more dynamic, more comfortable and closer to the road.

After Porsche announced its entry in the SUV segment in 2002, the Cayenne has proven that sportscar lineage can blend with utilitarian intentions to produce great results. The entry-level Cayenne is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter, V6 engine delivering 300 horsepower. Top speed is rated at 230km/h and acceleration from

0 to 100 in 7.5 seconds. A step up is the Cayenne S, packed with a 400 horespower 4.8-liter V8 engine. On top of the hierarchy is the Cayenne Turbo, with its awesome 4.8-liter Twin Turbo V8 engine that delivers 500horsepower. There is also the Cayenne S Hybrid which uses a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 333-horsepower, connected to a threephase synchronous electric motor that adds another 47horspower.

If you feel more comfortable loitering around town on a sporty SUV, take a good look at the Cayenne. Sheer power from within and presented to you in form that exudes eagerness and determination.

mobility

mobilit

Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera Sportscar technology for four. That’s the basic premise for the Porsche Panamera luxury sedan. The overall look takes a bit getting used to, but it is not, by no means, unglamorous and certainly manages to look at home in the Porsche lineup. Its got a low, wide stance and a sleek roofline. This five-door “family car” is best experienced from behind the wheel, as you tend to negate whatever criticism you might have on its controversial looks. Relish in the performance of the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine with 300hp. The six-speed manual gearbox is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of 261km/h. Optimum power and fuel economy also come courtesy of VarioCam Plus and direct fuel injection, while Porsche Stability Management ensures a more dynamic drive. Push the Panamera over 90km/h and a rear spoiler

Volvo S60 Volvo S60 Say goodbye to the “tank in a tuxedo” look Volvo has been associated with in the past. The all-new S60 tries re-engineers the brand’s long-standing image of a boring and dull family car and usher in a new design philosophy: to create beauty that works beautifully. To encourage this change in perception, Volvo unleashes a change in attitude, marked by a stunning design that’s guaranteed to set your heart racing and performance that proves its place as a sporting machine.

August2011

Looking at the all-new S60 leaves you undecided—to drive it or stay outside and stare at it? Of course, this Volvo was designed to be a driver’s car, so every detail has been created to place the driver in complete control. Choose from an impressive range of 4-, 5- and 6-cylinder gasoline or diesel variants bannered by the top-ofthe-line all-wheel drive option powered by a 3.0-liter

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turbo-charged gasoline engine, twin-scroll turbo, 6-speed Geartronic transmission with Sport mode. The S60 is also equipped with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control with Advanced Stability Control, and Torque Vectoring, improving road handling and ride stability. On top of all this muscle and technology is Volvo’s fanatic devotion to safety. Their latest innovation is Pedestrian Detection, a camera- and radar-based system that can automatically detect pedestrians in front of the car, warn the driver and apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time, stopping the S60 even at speeds of up to 35km/h. Other safety functions standard in the car are: Collision Warning with Auto Brake, City Safety Standard, Driver Alert Control, Blind Spot Information System, Lane Departure Warning. A groundbreaking new Volvo that not only looks fast, but is fun (and safe) to drive

automatically pops out from the rear lid, helping reduce lift at the rear axle. Standard features include the CDR-31 audio system with 7-inch colour touchscreen display, climate control, cruise control, and electrically adjustable comforts seats. The interiors are probably the most opulent that Porsche has ever gone, with plenty of space for four individuals to relax comfortably on high-quality materials and outstanding ergonomics. A wide range of personalization options are available including a selection of up to 16 exterior colours to choose from. The Panamera follows the philosophy of form follows function. And after everything is said and done, its still, every inch, a Porsche. Also available are the Panamera 4, an all-wheel drive version, and the Panamera 4S, an allwheel drive with 400horspower V8 model.

mobilit

Go for Suzuki! AutoMoto Convention 2011 By M.R. Gavin

It was a night of green lights at Hotel Sofitel as Suzuki Philippines held its second AutoMoto Convention with the theme: Go for Growth, Go for Green and Go for Greatness. Suzuki lived up to its promise of going for the best as top executives from Suzuki Motor Corp. Japan and the Philippines attended the much-awaited event along with Suzuki car and motorcycle dealers from all over the country. Go for Growth Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman Osamu Suzuki flew in to witness major unveilings and launchings held by the brand. He emphasized Suzuki Philippines’ commitment in expanding the company not only to boost its standing in the industry but to assist the country and te Philippine government in making transportation readily available to everyone. This announcement was followed by one of the biggest news that night—the unveiling of the new Suzuki Philippines motorcycle manufacturing plant in Canlubang, Laguna. The new plant is expected to accommodate the increasing demand for Suzuki motorcycle units in the country. Suzuki is among the top companies trusted by Filipinos when it comes to reliable, affordable and good quality motorcycles.

Go for Green Also that night, the much-awaited follow-up to one of Suzuki’s bestselling cars, the Suzuki Swift, was unveiled. The third-generation Swift boasts of larger dimensions, bigger loading capacity and more measures of comfort. But what really makes the new Swift stand out is that it is eco-friendly—its lightweight engine is more fuel-efficient and with lesser emission. The Swift retains the sporty subcompact character of its predecessors, but with added comforts that all can enjoy—larger dimensions to fit everyone and a more environment friendly but nonetheless potent engine. The new Swift is priced at Php 769,000 (automatic) and Php 729,000 (manual) and is available in Ablaze Red, Snow White Pearl and Star Silver Metallic at over 15 Suzuki dealers nationwide.

Go for Greatness

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The Suzuki Skydrive was also the star of the night with Angel Locsin on hand to present the display of the 125 variant. The New Skydrive 125 is reminiscent of a feminine beauty with smooth curves and lines while being futuristic and sporty, with a responsive Super CVT engine that delivers 9.3HP of raw power. The autoMoto convention came to a close with a Dealers Awards Night. Suzuki Philippines honored its outstanding dealers for the year. Motortrade bagged the Top Motorcycle Dealer in Sales award while Suzuki Auto Caloocan won the Top Automobile dealer in sales award. It was a night filled with surprises and Suzuki promises that this is just a start of greater things ahead. Beyond doubt, Suzuki is unstoppable.

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August2011

Road Trip Ready: The Honda CR-V The Honda CR-V is a good crossover between a sedan and a big SUV for its compactness and car-like easy handling but with more powerful engine, cargo room and flexibility in space. A versatile, functional SUV that can easily transform into anything, the Honda CR-V is as good as a family vehicle which can take you on out-of-town road trips or city-driving, a compact SUV for those who like to drive in style. When choosing a vehicle, you always consider various factors; its driving capability, functionality, design, size and practicality. You also think whether a sedan or an SUV perfectly suits your lifestyle more. The Honda CR-V gives you the best and most practical choice in all these factors, having a sedan-like design for easy driving and handling, a four-cylinder engine for power driving, excellent passenger room and cargo capacity as of an SUV and a sleeker exterior for a mod driving.

The Honda CR-V is the most compact SUV you can get, yet it gives you much flexibility in space when it comes to passenger room and cargo capacity. Environmentalists Grace Favila, Nieves Confesor and Bettina Manalang of the Philippine Businesses for the Environment (PBE) recently tested the CR-V. The three have been friends for a long time and know each other’s quirks as they enjoyed their road trip using the CR-V. They were able to sample how convenient it is to ride a compact SUV in congested roads in the metro

They all love shopping so they didn’t pass the chance in shopping for food on their way. They loaded the CR-V with local delicacies and household wares. It features fold and tumble rear seats for a completely flat loading floor which allows you to load more.They have loaded at least 20 shopping bags in the cargo. When it comes to safety and environmental features, the Honda CR-V doesn’t falter as it has met the Euro 4 emission standard level, surpassing Euro 2 standards as per Philippine regulations. The CR-V is also equipped with a fuel meter that displays instantaneous and average fuel economy to help moderate one’s consumption. The CR-V also has safety technologies such as anti-lock braking system and vehicle stability assist which give drivers a retaining control during sudden braking and slippage and provides lateral skidding prevention. Consumers also get to save money because it is cheap to maintain a CR-V, with maintenance schedule that comes every 10,000 km., versus competition’s 5,000 km. interval. The CR-V also has a high resale value, making the Honda CR-V a recipient of Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value for three years now.

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Featuring bold styling, the Honda CR-V is tough when it comes to performance and functionality. Its sedan-like performance is a bonus which makes you drive with agile moves, easy maneuverability and refined ride, suitable for all types of drivers, especially for ladies. Its ride is comfortable, quiet and nimble, which is good for driving in both highly congested roads or long-distance trips. The Honda CR-V’s wide tread gives good stability.

and even bring it out of town for weekend trips. Bettina, who has always been a Honda user, didn’t get surprised of the CR-V’s smooth performance. “I was not at all surprised at the smoothness of the ride. I have always been a Honda girl, and as a matter of fact, my entire family is a Honda fan too. So I know first-hand the riding comfort of any Honda,” Bettina said.

mobilit

Nissan Navara Mother Trucker Showdown

Blistering fast sprints. Precision off-road driving. Grueling obstacles. Over the course of two days at the sprawling proving grounds at Evia Lifestyle Center in Daang Hari, Universal Motors Corp. showcased the bestselling Nissan Navara and its take-no prisoners’ attitude.

August2011

With nearly 200 invited guests from the media, Navara Club Philippines, and teams from the burgeoning multisport community, the Nissan Navara was subjected to a backbreaking regimen of driving challenges to prove its unbeatable status as the “Mother Trucker” of all pickup trucks. The Navara was subjected to brutal series of 0-100 km/h drag strip-style runs. With one of the highest power-to-weight ratios in its class for both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, the Navara has blistering acceleration to outmatch even passenger cars. The course included a precision driving challenge on the “Delta Course,” a series of boulder strips, log crossings, mud pools, mounds, and inclines to demonstrate the superiority of the Navara’s four-wheel drive package. Yet the Mother Trucker Showdown was not just about driving the Navara hard. It was also a chance for participants to immerse themselves in the lifestyle that the Navara caters to: exciting, unbeatable, and for the hard-charging individual. Participants attacked the exhilarating mountain bike track, the brutal 8-crossmember obstacle course, and the state-of-the-art power zone. The mountain bike track involved

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nearly 2 kilometers of steep ascents, slippery descents, technical switchbacks, and no room for error. The 8-crossmember obstacle course, on the other hand, challenged participants to find out if they were as tough as the Navara’s vaunted 8-crossmember ladder frame chassis with its military style ropes, walls, and trenches. Finally, the Power Zone challenged participants to produce the human equivalent of the Navara’s 174 PS engine. Featuring a state-of-the-art ergometer, each participant was given 1 minute to produce the highest possible wattage. By the end of the challenge, each participant had come to a greater appreciation of the real meaning of “Mother Trucker.”

mobilit

Ford Philippines kicks-off 2011 Driving Skills for Life Campaign

Ford Group Philippines (FGP) kicks off its comprehensive and UN-recognized road safety initiatives under the company’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) campaign this month. This program is part of Ford’s ongoing commitment to promote and improve driver safety in the Philippines. Ford is planning a series of day camps and seminars throughout the year and aims to have 2,000 licensed drivers participate in the DSFL program. Training will focus on safe, smart and fuel efficient driving skills as well as providing handy tips on vehicle maintenance. Driving Skills for Life offers free courses, both classroom training and practical learning, to help educate drivers of all ages on safe driving practices. The program has been customized for the Philippines to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions. Since 2005, Ford’s DSFL program has had more than 20,000 participants. The Driving Skills for Life program also includes seminars for Ford employees, licensed student drivers, customers, corporate fleet accounts and automotive enthusiast such as car clubs. “Our commitment to our customers does not end with our products. We are also dedicated to encouraging people to become responsible and safe drivers. Since road safety is an important issue and concern in the Philippines, we aim to minimize road traffic accidents and promote economical and fuel-efficient driving through the Driver Skills for Life education campaign,” said Anika Salceda-Wycoco, AVP for communications.

August2011

This year’s first DSFL seminar was held recently with customers at Ford EDSA dealership. A total of 21 Ford owners and 9 dealership employees participated in the session that was conducted in collaboration with Ford’s DSFL partner, Tuason Racing School (TRS), and featured interactive activities on safe, smart and fuel efficient driving techniques. Participants were also given the opportunity to drive and apply their classroom learning’s. “There are different causes of motoring accidents every year. Speeding, drunk driving and not following road signs and regulations are just some of them. We need to understand that road safety is a full time commitment and licensed drivers should always keep an open eye and undistracted mind when on the road,” said JP Tuason of TRS. “The Driving Skills for Life program is an ideal way for Ford to leverage our global expertise to help make a difference here in the Philippines. We hope to encourage more Filipinos to practice safe driving every time they are on the road,” Wycoco added.

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By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

One Christmas, instead of buying my three sisters presents, I decided to give them something handmade. I didn’t have that much money so I figured I’d create gifts that were deeply personal and befitting of our close sisterhood. I took an old photo of the four of us dancing around looking all crazy, scanned it and printed out copies. Then I foraged for some old, reusable art materials (glitter, glue, felt paper, cardboard and acetate), whipped out my trusty scissors and created picture frames for each of my sisters holding that funny photo inside. Naturally, they appreciated the effort and were glad to have been reminded of a time in our lives when we were young with nary a worry in the world—even though I’m pretty sure they were hoping to receive something a tad pricier.

But shelling out Php 40,000 at the time just so you can view (and display) all of your photos in one fluid motion may not seem all that enticing or practical. That’s why the average digital photo frame is MORE than just a photo frame.

These days, people don’t have the time (or the patience) to create more personalized gifts especially if you have a ton of photos that are frame-worthy. Fortunately, with technology on its never-ending quest to make our lives easier, digital photo frames were invented.

Of course after three years and with so many digital frames to choose from, consumers need to make certain considerations before purchasing a digital photo frame. Taking your budget into account, several features should be considered in order to maximize utility. One is the media type, which involves the number of different storages a single device can use. There are also the physical dimensions, the style and aesthetics (so that it doesn’t clash with everything else in your house), power options and deluxe features (such as sending a photo directly to another gadget) all of which are examples of aspects consumers should regard.

When Kodak debuted its first OLED photo frame back in 2008, people were undoubtedly overwhelmed by the revolutionary leap photos have taken. These digital devices, which consist of a flat-panel screen picture frame, allow electronic storage and digital photos display. The photos can be transferred directly from the digital camera to the frame and, depending on the camera, can assure a clear display of a great number of images. In essence, a digital photo frame means less dusty photo albums and frames and more coffee table and wall space.

Sony DPP-F800/B The stylish S-Frame DPP-F800 brightens up any room with a crisp, clear view of your photos on the 8-inch screen. But that’s not all. It also delivers beautiful, labquality prints of your favorite images too. So now you can make the memories last even longer. Features include an 8-inch WVGA Clear Photo LCD Screen, 256MB internal memory (stores up to 500 pics), creative prints (Calendar, Layout, ID photo, Slideshow), a wide choice of slideshow viewing modes, auto orientation, and multiple direct card slots. It’s priced at Php 12,999.

Samsung SPF-105P Life is full of priceless memories. And displaying those memories should be easy and convenient. Samsung introduces the 10-inch Samsung SPF-105P—an elegant solution to a modern problem. Designed to enhance your digital photos, as well your décor, the new Samsung LED Digital Photo Frame will change the way you think about picture frames. Features include 1024x600 resolution for detailed images, 1GB internal memory, UbiSync technology which makes it possible to use as a USB mini-PC monitor, and rechargeable batteries.

ViewSonic VFD1027w-11 ViewSonic’s 10-inch VFD1027w-11 digital photo frame easily stores your photos thanks to 128MB of internal memory. The beautiful ebony frame complements any home or office décor. Use the slideshow feature to customize your viewing. The ultra-high 1024x600 resolution screen shows your photos in brilliant detail. It’s easy to load photos using the USB port or your SD, MMC, or MS memory card. The clock and calendar functions keep you on schedule while still showing your favorite photos. Choose the VFD1027w-11 for anyone on your gift list or treat yourself to this beautiful digital frame.

Frame ‘Em Up—The Digital Way|feature

These are a few digital frames:

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Frame ‘Em Up—The Digital Way

The Ultimate Guide for Tech Travelers|featur August2011

THE

ULTIMATE

GUIDE FOR

TECH TRAVELERS By Danee Torres

Anyone who says he hates technology must be living under a rock. Technology is everywhere, even in the production of the water we drink. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simply no escape from it. One of the most significant contributions of technology is changing the way people travel. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s follow the yellow brick road of the traveling technophile, except for them, the road looks more like an LED-lit, moving walkway equipped with WiFi. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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Survival Kit August2011

All tech travelers need a tech bag when going on trips. This bag should contain a laptop or tablet if you’re on a business trip, a smartphone, wall chargers (or solar chargers), universal adaptors, X-mini speakers and a travel-sized portion of CyberClean.

Pre-Departure Being a tech traveler, I would think you’ve replaced your overcharging travel agent with a reliable website where you can get good deals on plane tickets. The basic “whats” don’t change when traveling, just the ‘hows’. When you’ve booked the ticket and paid for it online, the airline will e-mail you the confirmation. You can also choose to check-in online, but instead of a physical boarding pass, you go digital. Various carriers have already rolled out a paperless boarding pass in the form of a two-dimensional bar code that stores your name and flight info. It’ll be sent by the airline to your smartphone, so be sure to have it scanned at the gate through a handheld scanner.

Make use of your waiting time by scoping out places of interest or downloading maps into your laptop or smartphone, if you haven’t already. You’ll avoid getting lost and looking like an unsuspecting tourist if you toss the foldout map and nonchalantly just pinch-and-zoom that map app on your phone. FlightTrack is a good app for iPhone owners as it tracks both domestic and international flights, even allowing online accessibility. It has real-time gate and flight status updates on 5,000 airports and 1,400 airlines. Foreign exchange rates are another one of those things all travelers worry about. If you weren’t able to check the rate before you left your country, you should get the exchange rates app on your Android phone. Not only does it show all world currencies at multiple displays but it also has an integrated calculator, offline mode and currency Wikipedia- just some added knowledge for small-talk. If you’re really thorough, get the TripIt app, a travel organizer that consolidates your flight, hotel and rental car confirmation emails into a travel itinerary so you won’t have to. Booking a hotel can also be tedious and quite expensive although most of them now have a 21-day advance purchase discount. What’s tedious is you have to navigate through every website individually to find a hotel that suits your budget. That’s all in the past with Agoda.com. In 2004, Agoda.com was launched in an effort to make it easier for the traveler to get the lowest available hotel rate in as many worldwide destinations. Today, the website can be accessed in 32 languages and is partners with over 10,000 hotels. Its edge is in the “pairing of technology and the human touch” because it negotiates directly with hotels. With each booking, the user saves points that they can choose to accumulate for future use on the next booking. When it comes to shelter for the adventurous kind, no one can beat Airbnb.com. The brainchild of college friends Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky, Airbnb is a marketplace for people to list and book their unique spaces. Whether it’s a seven-bedroom house in London, a villa in Itay or an igloo in Slovenia, they’ve got it listed. Some of the places that a traveler only dreams of visiting are listed, like a private kubo in Fiji. Rates can be reasonable if you’re being hosted by the owner as opposed to renting out from a real-estate company. My personal experience involves an online conversation with the owner about his apartment in Hong Kong. He had an extra bedroom and since I was only going to be staying for a few days and the apartment is right next to Kowloon Park, I decided to check if I could stay with him. His asking rate per day was about Php 3,000, a very reasonable price as opposed to the Php 5,000-8,000 rate I would’ve gotten from hotels in that area. Most of the help tech can give travelers is in preparation for travelling so that arrival will be smooth and hassle-free. Then it starts up again. You’ve got your laptop or tablet for your documents, your smartphone for communication, speakers in case you’re doing a presentation that has sound and your CyberClean gadget cleaner because after all, being in transit allows for more germs and dirt to stick to your survival kit. One more thing, a word of advice from one tech traveler to another; after you’ve booked a hotel and packed your things and downloaded all those apps—don’t forget your electric toothbrush charger.

The Ultimate Guide for Tech Travelers|feature

Tools

Trend Micro Titanium|featur

Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security (2011)

Searching for a complete security program is always a daunting task, not because of the numerous options to choose from, but due to the complete reliance on software to safeguard our systems and data. Maximum security suites have often been plagued with several problems. For starters, they are often complicated to operate and are saturated with settings that the average consumer or business owner might not understand. Moreover, a great number of anti-threat applications exert so much effort into real time protection that they end up overwhelming the system’s resources. This is where Trend Micro’s Titanium Maximum Security makes its noteworthy entrance: it’s a full featured security suite that provides optimum protection and a user-friendly interface while posing a minimal impact on your computer’s performance. Titanium is refreshingly easy to use, considering the immense power it possesses. Its redesigned interface definitely has the consumer in mind, since everything from installation to customization is intuitive and effortless. Furthermore, Trend Micro proclaims that once installed, their program will never ask its user to manually download periodic updates. Titanium will be self-serving and will automatically execute these tasks to ensure full and current protection.

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Once installed, opening up Titanium’s main interface presents its users with a neat and compartmentalized layout in the form of drop down menus. At a glance, the main options provided are as follows: Security Summary, System Tuner, Parental Controls and a Subscription check. A tool bar on the bottom provides shortcuts to the Tools menu where users can calibrate which features to turn on/off. Quick access buttons to instantly scan, modify user settings and view current security reports are also available. If users want more enhanced protection, clicking on the Tools button reveals more features: Parental Controls, Data Theft Prevention, Trend Micro Vault, System Tuner, Secure Erase, and the Free Tool Center. These features are (thankfully) quite self-explanatory. However, for the sake of showing some of Titanium’s capabilities, some elements are worthy of noting. The Data Theft Prevention feature safeguards information such as credit card numbers, passwords, etc., and what makes Titanium unique is that users can specify exactly what should be protected. An entry form is provided and users can input even just the last

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few numbers of a credit card or password to ensure its safety. Moreover, the Trend Micro Vault offers a password protected folder to defend sensitive data, which is a feature that’s been around for quite some time. However, Titanium ups the ante by allowing users to request a complete shutdown of this folder if they report their laptop stolen. Thus, even if the perpetrator has knowledge of the password, Trend Micro will not release this folder without the user’s personal confirmation to re-open it. With all these features, how exactly does Titanium protect you from the intricate web of cybercrime? You might as well deem it heaven sent, since it works mainly in the “cloud” or in cyberspace itself. It employs the patented Trend Micro Smart Protection Network which functions by intercepting threats online before it even reaches your computer. How does it do this? When surfing the web, Titanium blocks access to potentially harmful web pages by monitoring a particular site’s reputation and the specific pages and links contained within it. Moreover, it protects your email by running a check of IP addresses against known spam sources and finally, it ensures the security of your system by running a real time check in its cloud database before users can access any type of file. By concentrating most of its power onto the cloud and not on your computer, Titanium’s unique approach towards security leaves your system’s valuable resources at your disposal, guaranteeing users maximum performance and productivity. If ever Titanium presents you with any problem, which this author considers highly unlikely, one of Trend Micro’s greatest strengths is its round-the-clock technical support. TrendLabs Philippines has over 500 Technical Support Engineers, with specific areas of expertise, ensuring that the representative users speak with is highly knowledgeable with the current issue. All in all, Trend Micro’s Titanium is a maximum security suite that is hard as steel: it provides advanced system protection coupled with a genuinely intuitive interface, allowing consumers (as well as businesses) to focus on productivity instead of security.

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August2011

The Digital By Steven Vea

Setting up the complete entertainment system inside your own home can be a very daunting task. It can require a lot of painstaking work and hours of research, but if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to pay a premium price for optimal performance, then you will have no regrets down the road.

The Digital Home â&#x20AC;˘

HOME

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coverstor The Digital Home •

LG CINEMA 3D LW SERIES

oreover, with the World Wide Web continuing to integrate even further into our daily lives, setting up your home to be a multimedia haven is not enough—some form of network must be involved, whether it’s sharing media between devices or accessing the internet to acquire it. So, before you begin, it’s important to take note of the devices you already own, and you might want to list down your wish list as well, so that there is room for expansion in the future.

TELEVISIONS Without a doubt, most home entertainment systems now revolve around the television, even more so now with the commercial availability of 3D multimedia. It is actually quite difficult to purchase the wrong high definition TV, as long as you purchase from a manufacturer that has a solid reputation. So spend wisely and luxuriously by picking up a “smart TV” that is Internet-ready and supports 3D. Also take note of connectivity options (i.e. USB ports, HDMI, etc.) as well as supported audio and video formats. So, if money is no object when purchasing a Smart TV complete with features, you might want to take a look at these:

LG CINEMA 3D LW SERIES • 3D Smart TV • Internet ready with fully functional web browser • Intuitive LG Home dashboard with LG pps • Battery-free Cinema 3D glasses • 2D to 3D conversion • Magic Motion Remote for easier web browsing

SAMSUNG SERIES 9 9000 • 3D HyperReal Engine • Internet@TV technology • Ultra Clear Panel with Enhanced Black Expression • Extended PVR allows users to record shows • 960 Clear Motion rate • Universal integration with other Samsung devices • Comes with universal remote

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SONY BRAVIA HX925

• X-Reality PRO Picture Engine • Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Intelligent Peak LED backlight • Full HD 3D (two 3D glasses included in sales package) • Motionflow XR 800 • OptiContrast Panel and Corning Gorilla Glass • Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n) • 2 x TDGBR250B Rechargeable 3D Active Shutter Glasses • Sony Internet TV www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

AV RECEIVER Audio/Video (A/V) receivers are underrated in their roles within a home entertainment system. In fact, it is probably the most vital piece, for it serves as the main hub for all your devices to plug into, whether it’s your television or portable media player. Granted, while the average consumer might not need to purchase one, serious audiophiles and home-theater fanatics should consider it a requirement. When purchasing a home theater receiver, remember to take note of the devices you already own and visualize future purchase as to leave room for expansion down the road. Here are a few ideas for receivers that can handle just about anything—while looking great at the same time:

HARMAN/KARDON AVR 760 • Dolby Volume technology auto-adjusts sound levels • 85 watts • 7 channels, dual subwoofer • EzSet/EQII • Internet ready

DENON AVP-A1HDCI ULTRA REFERENCE A/V NETWORK STREAMING PREAMPLIFIER • Built in Ethernet and Wi-Fi • 6 individual transformers • 12 HD video inputs, 16 standard definition inputs • De-interlacing, upscaling and conversion to HDMI • Silicon Optix HQV Realta reference video processor • Audyssey Dynamic Volume • Optional iPod adapter

HARMAN/KARDON AVR 760

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August2011

SAMSUNG SERIES 9 9000

SONY BRAVIA HX925

The Digital Home •

DENON AVP-A1HDCI ULTRA REFERENCE A/V NETWORK STREAMING PREAMPLIFIER

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HARMAN/KARDON BDS800

August2011

WESTERN DIGITAL 4TB SHARESPACE NETWORK STORAGE SYSTEM (WDA4NC40000P)

SYNOLOGY DISKSTATION DS411J

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NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE

If you’ve lavishly spent on your Smart TV, then you will need the home theater system to round out the optimal experience. Luckily there are several trusted manufacturers you can turn to that will offer you premium sound quality encased in unique and innovative designs.

One device you should definitely consider getting is a network attached storage (NAS) device which allows streaming access to your media across different devices. The advantage of having a NAS to manage your multimedia is more storage and access to your media without needing to turn on a computer.

If you’re ready to be surrounded by sound, take a glance at these systems:

If you want to splurge on storage, you should take a look at these:

BOSE LIFESTYLE 48 SYSTEM

SYNOLOGY DISKSTATION DS411J

• Premium Jewel Cube speakers • Can distribute audio to 14 additional rooms • 5.1-channel surround sound • DVD system, HDMI and video upscaling • Can stores up to 340 hours of music

• Marvell ARM 1.2Ghz CPU • 128MB DDR2 of Memory • 4 drive bays • LAN connection • Secure RAID Data protection • DLNA Certified media Server

HARMAN/KARDON BDS800 • 5.1 channels • Blu-ray, CD, DVD support • 200-watt subwoofer • Ethernet connection

PEEL FOR APPLE

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BOSE LIFESTYLE 48 SYSTEM

HOME THEATER A/V SYSTEMS

WESTERN DIGITAL 4TB SHARESPACE NETWORK STORAGE SYSTEM (WDA4NC40000P) • Multiple RAID modes, RAID 5 (max.) • Ethernet connectivity • 4 drive bays • 3 USB ports • WD GreenPower Technology

OTHER LUXURIES REMOTE CONTROL If you’ve finally got your home theatre system setup, you will no doubt be presented with a barrage of remotes, and it can be both cumbersome and confusing at the same time.

LOGITECH HARMONY 1100

If you want to splurge on a universal remote, the Logitech Harmony 1100 features a 3.5-inch touchscreen and can replace up to 15 remotes within your home. It features customizable icons to for easy navigation and comes with its own recharging dock, to ensure that you will never have to search for the elusive remote control.

GAMING CONSOLE Even though televisions are evolving to support multiple connectivity options in receiving and downloading media (i.e. USB, WiFi), a Blu-ray and/or DVD player will always find a place in your home theater system, especially if you prefer to have a physical archive of original movies as opposed to soft copies that you’ve downloaded or streamed.

SONY PLAYSTATION 3

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But why limit yourself to a standalone Blu-ray player, when you can treat yourself to a gaming console? Even if you’re not a gamer, the Sony Playstation 3 is a great device that can perform multiple functions because it can act as both a network device and a Blu-ray player as well. It is definitely a luxury worth having around your home.

The Digital Home •

Similarly, one of the most intuitive ways to control all your luxurious gadgets is your smartphone. Various apps are free for download, such as Peel for your Apple device, which allows you to instantly control your home theater system in one convenient device.

Panasonic Lumix|featur

Panasonic Lumix G3, GF3 and Leica DG Summilux 25mm August2011

By Steven Vea

CHIANG MAI, Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Panasonicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on the world of photography has been vastly understated, especially since it was the company that introduced to the world the mirrorless or micro four-thirds (MFT) system. This revolutionary hybrid wowed the camera-loving community, for it fused together the coveted features of hefty DSLRs and the portability offered by point-andshoots. Today, these interchangeable lens (ILS) systems are slowly becoming the preferred camera of choice among consumer hobbyists and professional photographers alike, when they need a camera that packs quality in a compact unit. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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The design of the mirrorless camera had several criteria to adhere to, such as creating a comfortably compact size while delivering excellent images at the same time. Therefore it seems logical that if Panasonic were to further develop its impressive micro-four thirds line, it would start crafting a way for the camera to be even more compact. The G3 and GF3 are equipped with newly designed Live MOS sensors that are 17% smaller (17.3 x 13.0 mm) than its predecessors, which allow the camera bodies to be 15% lighter. Despite its reduced size, however, its capturing capabilities haven’t been lessened in any way. These two new products still provide the same image quality the G Series has been known to consistently deliver. The G3 is equipped with a 16-megapixel sensor, while the GF3 hosts 12 megapixels, which is quite astounding for a camera of this size.

The Lumix G series also features Panasonic’s unique Intelligent Auto (iA) Plus mode, which takes photography to a whole new level. Three main options are available for manual adjustments: white balance, defocusing, and exposure compensation. What makes iA Plus intuitive is that users are presented with a slider to make the necessary modifications, so that they are able to fine tune their photos via a friendly graphical user interface (GUI) as opposed to dealing with complicated numbers. The iA Plus mode provides a versatile array of realtime tools for Lumix G users, allowing them to tweak the range of defocus as well as monitor the light and color saturation for maximum artistic output. Speaking of creativity, Panasonic has added a new option to its Creative Control mode, called the Miniature Effect. As the name implies, this added touch can make landscape images appear miniscule by applying synthesized bokeh to simulate shots taken with a macro lens. Other modes to induce one’s imagination include Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia and High Dynamic. These Creative Control options provide different levels of saturation - from vivid (Expressive) to subdued (Retro).

Another great feature of the G3 and GF3 is the ability to capture still images while recording video at Full HD, which shoots at a resolution of 1920×1080. Any of the previously mentioned effects can be applied to videos as well, which can be viewed in realtime via its electronic Live Viewfinder or TFT LCD Touch panel. Previewing video via the latter method allows users to adjust settings on the fly via the user-friendly GUI, so that they can get the perfect shot.

optics. Its wide angle and wide opening make it a versatile single focal prime for both landscapes and portraits, whether it’s during the day or in low light.

As if the improvements and features of the G3 and GF3 weren’t enough to reel people in, Panasonic has also introduced a brand new lens, the Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4 ASPH. It features Nano Surface Coating and an Ultra High Refractive (UHR) index, which allows the lens to remain light (200 grams) while still retaining excellent Leica inspired

As Panasonic says, “for those that understand the difference”, these cameras have “a size you’ll like, and an image you’ll love.”

With the release of the G3 and GF3, people have a chance to witness firsthand the power of Panasonic’s G series systems. The compact MFT-ILS cameras are a perfect choice for those that are searching for a small unit that packs a wealth of power.

For more information, visit: http://panasonic.net/lumix

Panasonic Lumix|feature

Not only is performance enhanced with the revolutionary Venus Engine FHD, but the new G3 and GF3 boast superb speed while consuming less power at the same time. One of the noted enhancements is a quicker contrast autofocus system, dubbed the Light Speed AF, which Panasonic proclaims as being 90% accurate with a capture speed of approximately 0.18 seconds. This dramatic increase in performance provides assurance that users will never again have to worry about missing a moment because the wrong subject was in focus.

Panasonic has also announced improved resolution at high ISO’s, with a staggering 60% reduction in noise. This grants users further creative control especially when shooting in locations with little to no light, and when the use of a flash is not possible. Worthy of note as well is the G3 and GF3’s built-in flash, which has been expertly designed to flawlessly integrate within the cameras’ small body.

August2011

The newly released Lumix cameras, the G3 and GF3, are the third generation in Panasonic’s beloved G series. Several new improvements have been made to this already brilliant line, which should please fans of the mirrorless systems even further.

Online Banking|featur

E H OF T R E W

E IN

L G N IN O K N BA By JC Ansis

August2011

Technology today has become revolutionary and a lot of innovative ways have since been developed to help ease our lives. Thanks to the rapid-growing Internet, people no longer have to leave the house when they want to order food, buy clothes or talk to friends. Now we can shop, communicate and even transact with banks online.

Online banking allows you to make bank transactions with the use of the web. It lets you make deposits, withdrawals, transfers, etc. on your bank’s secure website—all with a click of a mouse. It’s hassle-free and since all you need is Internet access, online banking can be done anywhere and everywhere. I get annoyed every time I have to fall in crowded lines to pay bills. What’s even more annoying is that I’d have to go to several establishments to pay each bill: electric, cable, internet and phone. This, of course, would take me more than an hour to accomplish. Now, with online banking, I can just stay home, log on to my laptop, access the Internet and pay my bills in less than five minutes.

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There are lots of things you can perform with online banking like checking account balances, requesting bank statements, transferring funds between accounts, pay bills, applying for credit loans and other transactions. But is it safe? Security is always an issue with Internet transactions. But banks make sure they have high-tech firewalls and secure encryptions so your accounts have slim chances of getting hacked, keeping your money safe. Most banks, if not all, have already taken the opportunity to make their customer’s lives easier through online banking. And based on personal experience, paying bills and transferring money have never been as painless as watching TV.

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A few online banking tips: August2011

• Whenever you’re at a bank’s website, make sure to look for “https://www...” in the address bar. The “https” signifies you have a secure connection. • Avoid using the same password for financial websites that you use for everyday activities like email and your social networking sites. • Don’t click on a link in an email. Instead, type in the URL to avoid visiting phishing sites that could fool you into entering your login information.

Why use PayPal? Proceed to checkout? This phrase is seen as often as a stripper on a pole. Online shopping has become a fad, especially with the number of coupon sites swarming around the web. Whether they’re buying shirts, shoes or bags, people have found online purchasing a much easier and less-trouble way of shopping. They find something they like on the Internet, click on a few links, pay the amount and wait at home for the goods to be delivered. No need to go to the malls. It’s that simple. But many people seek payment methods that are safe and reliable to avoid any hackers or con artists that lurk and snatch people’s information and credit card numbers. That’s why most people opt to use PayPal when online shopping. To briefly describe it, PayPal is an easy way to pay online or send money over the internet. Creating your own PayPal account is free and simple; you just need an email address, bank account and a home address. People can connect their credit/debit cards or bank accounts to PayPal, without having to worry about their financial details getting revealed. Online customers don’t like entering contact and bank information all the time, it’s as irritating as a kid high on candy. So PayPal omits that, and in turn makes shopping an easy breezy experience. It’s immediate and convenient, it’s got an automatic payment tracking system and there’s a PayPal Buyer Protection that safeguards its customers from frauds and malicious sellers.

Another way of paying for your shopping is via debit cards. In cases you don’t have enough cash in your wallet or forgot to withdraw from an ATM machine, debit cards can be swiped at any establishments that recognize Visa or Mastercard and voila, your purchase is complete. Most restaurants and stores accept debit cards, making it handy for customers. For travelers, having a debit card is necessary, because it provides less chance of cash being stolen or lost. And unlike credit cards, you only use money that is available to you, saving you from plunging rapidly into debt. This can make it a lot easier to budget and avoid overspending. Plus, it’s much safer to have a card in your wallet than carry around a wad of money. Thanks to the ever-so-growing telecom companies, Globe and Smart, they too have found ways of making online transactions and payment schemes uncomplicated. Globe Telecom’s GCash and Smart Communications’ Smart Money are faster and secure ways to send & receive money. Currently, both provide users with cards that can be used for shopping sprees, paying your bills and other related money transactions anytime, anywhere. Aside from cashless shopping, they also have cash-pickup services that include local and international remittance companies. Cardholders have the privilege of withdrawing money from any ATM machine as well. Online businesses also prefer GCash and Smart Money for their transactions with customers. It makes it easier for both the seller and buyer, especially when both parties are located miles away. And the tracking of payments and cashing-out money is effortless. With these tools, customers can now have the peace of mind when shopping online in the comfort of their own home.

Online Banking|feature

Debit Cards, G-Cash and Smart Money

Recommended Smart TVS|featur

Recommended SMART TVS By Steven Vea

What is a Smart TV? Smart TVs, in the simplest sense, are basically a combination of a computer and a television. These hybrid TVs—as they are sometimes also called—offer their users the ability to enjoy different forms of media on their highdefinition display.

Does size matter?

Web connectivity on Smart TVs is usually achieved via Ethernet or wirelessly, although the latter might require the purchase of an additional component (i.e. WiFi adapter or USB dongle). The Internet’s scope is slightly limited on SmartTVs, and the addition of browsers capable of full web functionality is slowly catching on. Typically, the most popular features are available such as streaming movies, music, games, apps and social networking. Certain brands also offer exclusive content to entice customers to indulge in their product.

So is bigger better? Ideally it is, so consider getting the largest possible size that your room size and budget will allow.

Smart TVs are usually DLNA certified which, in a nutshell, simply means that users can share and integrate their media across multiple DLNA devices. Usually this can be achieved with an existing WiFi network, but it can also be done by purchasing a dedicated home server.

There is a science to screen size. To get the most out of your beloved HDTV, you should take the time to do the math as the television’s size is directly linked to the optimal viewing distance. Typically, the closest you should sit would be 1.5 times the screen’s diagonal measurement and no farther than twice that. So, if you buy a 40-incher, the ideal viewing range would be approximately 60-80 inches (approximately 1.5 to 2 meters).

LED, LCD or Plasma? This is probably the most burdening decision when purchasing a new HDTV. To keep things simple, plasmas excel in black hues, exhibit more vibrant colors but consume more power. On the other hand, LEDs are basically LCDs with better backlighting; resulting in slightly improved viewing angles and a thinner chassis. Furthermore, some LCD TVs now have what is dubbed as local dimming capability which can equal the truer black colors on plasmas. LCDs are often the most popular because they present users an efficient balance of performance, price and offer a wider range of available sizes.

LG LG 47LW550T LG has a great reputation of reliability, and now they are about to add impressive features along with it. This new Smart TV from LG offers pretty much everything a user would want, not just in a television, but in a home entertainment system. It is a 3D LEDedgelit LCD that is full HD ready with a 1920x1080 resolution. It features multimedia playback via dual USB and DLNA. It is WiFi ready and has 3D Surround. While that mouthful of acronyms might seem confusing, its web capabilities aren’t. Users can access Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand and Live Streaming Sports (i.e. MLB.tv, NBA GameTime, etc.). Since this SmartTV’s software is made by Plex, users can expect the interface to be both sleek and fast. LG also offers its own dedicated web browser and an innovative Magic Remote (a wand-like device that functions as a mouse). An app is also available for iPhone and Android smartphones for a virtual keyboard, which makes browsing the web almost like a computer on this LG SmartTV.

SONY Sony Bravia EX700 Series Seeing Sony televisions that are decades old in other people’s homes is testament of the company’s reputation for durability and longevity. Its Bravia series of Smart TVs offers both stability and a plethora of multimedia options for its users. Possessing their inventive Edge LED backlight technology, Sony’s EX700 series televisions are capable of being ultra slim. Users can access the web to their delight as Sony offers YouTube, DailyMotion, and Style.com, to only name a few. Skype video calls are also available with an optional add-on, as well as other video conferencing capabilities. Another interesting feature in these SmartTVs is TrackID, which can instantly identify a song that is being played in your favorite show or movie. Utilizing all these features would not be complete without a way to effectively control them, but luckily, Sony’s Media Remote allows users to use their iPhone or Android smartphone as a remote control. But if you already own a VAIO laptop, a simple software update will provide an option to control the SmartTV with the notebook’s keyboard.

SAMSUNG August2011

Samsung LED 7000 series At a mere 1.2 inches thick, this Smart TV comes with Samsung Apps and offers Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, YouTube, ESPN, Pandora, Facebook, Twitter and Skype (with the kit upgrade). The 7000 series also boasts a full web browser, a Search All feature for finding videos via apps and/or other connected devices, and a handy recommendation engine for Video-on-Demand services. Furthermore, its innovative QWERTY Remote takes full advantage of this smart TV’s internet capabilities, which as the name implies, is a stylish hybrid between a remote control and a keyboard.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

Two one

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Dual-SIM phones are indeed heaven sent to the two-mobile people. Rather than having to lug around two separate mobiles, you can now own a one single phone that can accommodate two SIM cards inside it. Both are connected and can receive calls and messages—all the time. This means this single device can have two numbers, two calling plans and two contracts—for the price of one phone.

The many uses of dual-SIM phones Mix and match packages People can use different plans on the same device to save money. Users can fit two SIMs into the same phone to get the best value for every call.

a pain. Dual-SIM mobiles give the user the convenience of two numbers without the extra weight.

Guaranteed coverage Reduced roaming People who frequently travel within or between countries will find roaming charges very expensive. With a dual-SIM phone, they can set up one account for the home country and a completely different one for another region or country—using a single contact directory.

Mix business with pleasure Many people want separate work and home numbers. Some use a phone of business and another one for personal calls. Having to carry two different mobile phones is such

In some countries, mobile networks only cover some regions or cities—in some areas, there might only be one network available. While your main SIM card might work with your home network, it’s also better if you have a backup SIM for traveling.

Data and voice Operators offer many plans. Some offer inexpensive data downloads while others are intended for people who use their phones only for calls and texts. By using two different SIM cards—one for voice and the other for data—users can get more for their money.

Two in One|feature

We Filipinos are such great communicators that we’ve totally embraced mobile phones into our lives. But with the dizzying array of services proffered by service providers, one cannot just help but have two (or even three phones) on hand—to get the best value for our hard-earned money.

Two in One|featur

Samsung Punch (GT-C3222) Php 5,199

August2011

If you’re looking for an affordable dual SIM phone, your search stops now. The popular Samsung Punch is a unique mobile phone that features dual-active SIM capabilities, meaning you are able to receive texts and phone calls from both SIMs simultaneously. With a 2.2-inch TFT display, managing contacts and messages is achieved through a QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad. The user interface is easy to navigate as well, and is designed to make your life easier, because Samsung has conveniently provided one inbox to collect messages for both SIMs. Moreover, switching between SIMs is extremely simple since a dedicated physical button has been placed on the phone’s side for quick access.

If you haven’t been knocked out by its capabilities just yet, the Samsung Punch is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera that has a 4X digital zoom and video recording as well. The mobile phone also caters to social networking fanatics, since shortcuts have been provided for Facebook, Twitter, Instant Messenger, and more. It also has FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an internal memory of 54MB that is expandable up to 8GB via microSD. Steven Vea

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

My|Phone is one of the first to offer dual-SIM phones in the Philippines and practically defined this mobile phone segment in the country. This homegrown brand has carved a niche in the highly competitive mobile market that other big-name brands have stopped and took a look (even tried to bite a bite) of the dual-SIM phone pie. My|Phone’s QT7 Duo is marketed as a music phone, and looking rather uncannily like a BlackBerry—with a QWERTY keypad and a trackball—but can accommodate two SIM cards. Its 240 x 320 pixel QVGA screen is laudable, measuring 2.2 inches across. The phone can connect by using Bluetooth or the USB. Battery life is rated at 6 hours (talk time) and 270 hours (standby time). It can support up 8 GB of external memory via microSD so you can store your photo and music files that can be played by a music player built in the phone. Other features include sound recorder, FM radio, alarm clock, calculator, e-book reader, calendar, etc. Armin Amio

Two in One|feature

My|Phone QT7 Duo Php 2,588

Two in One|featur

NOKIA X1-01 Php 2,280 The Nokia X1-01 offers an incredible dual-SIM experience as it can remember the settings for up to five different SIM cardsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and with no compromise on battery life, music features or messaging. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a no-nonsense phone that offers an exceptionally long battery life of up to 43 days on standby and 13 hours talk time. It will also last about 36 hours if you choose to play music solidly with its amazing speakers.

August2011

The Nokia X1-01 supports up to 16GB of storage using the SD card slot. It also offers an FM radio and an MP3 music player with dedicated music keys and one-click creation of a favorite playlist. The 3.5mm AV jack can be used to plug the output into headphones or even louder speakers and comes with a flashlight on the top. You can also give each SIM its own logo, music signature or ringtone. Michelle Callanta-Toledo

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

If you are looking for an affordable smartphone, Alcatel Onetouch is here to the rescue. The Tribe Touch OT 813D is a dual-SIM, WiFi and QWERTY touch smartphone that is sure to be a hit with everyone who loves being connected. With its one-of-a-kind design, this phone has features that can cater to any kind of lifestyle. The 2.4-inch screen display is a resistive touchscreen that helps the user to easily navigate through applications and programs and matched with a user-friendly QWERTY keypad to create and send messages. The OT 813D is jampacked with other features that suit the needs of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mobile users. It has a 2-megapixel camera, video playback and recording capability, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 player, FM radio with RDS, 3.5mm jack and an expandable memory up to 16GB via microSD. MR Gavin

Two in One|feature

Alcatel Tribe Touch 813D Php 3,999

photofeatur August2011

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S O C I A L

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M E D I A

C O N V E R G E N C E

August2011

5 AUGUST 2011

TRINOMA ACTIVITY CENTER

Public Social Events 10:30 AM 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:00 PM

- Social Activity #1 - Social Activity #2 - Social Activity #3 - Social Activity #4

The New Workplace It’s Digital Life Photography Healthy Living

Bloggers BIO (By Invitation Only) 7:00 PM - Cocktails / Evening Program

With Filipinos acknowledged as among the most active users of social media - via FaceBook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. -- Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 aims to raise awareness of social media as a transformative force. Attend any of the Social Activities for a chance to take home exciting freebies from the event partners. For inquiries, email blogfest@gadgetsmagazine.com.ph Get updates by logging on to www.GadgetsMagazine.com.ph Like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/GadgetsMagazine Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/GadgetsMagazine

SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN AGENT OF CHANGE

THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRST TECH-LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Media Partners:

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Are you ready to harness the power of social media for social good? Can you become a positive change agent through social networking?

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THE

LOOK

OF LUXE Gadgets Magazine takes you to the glitzy and glamorous world of high fashion, haute couture and lavish excess like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen before. The breathtaking Isabel Oli shows us the way to opulent living, not to mention magnificent looking.

August2011

Model Isabel Oli | Photographed by Erwin Barleta | Make-up & Hair by Ria Gamboa Art direction by Benjamin Arnold & Michelle Callanta-Toledo | Styling by M.R. Gavin Shot on location at Attica Bar & Lounge

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

LG OPTIMUS BLACK P970 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 122 x 64 x 9.2 mm WEIGHT: 109g TYPE: IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors SIZE: 480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches INTERNAL: 2 GB storage, 512 MB RAM CARD SLOT: microSD, up to 32GB, buy memory 3G: HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps OS: Android OS, v2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to v2.3 CPU: 1 GHz Cortex-A8 processor, PowerVR SGX530 GPU, TI OMAP 3630 chipset

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Silver & Teal long Dress, POPO GO; Cruiser bag 45, Pegase 45 & Eole 50, LOUIS VUITTON

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BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK August2011

PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 194 x 130 x 10 mm WEIGHT: 425 g DISPLAY: TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors 600 x 1024 pixels, 7-inches MEMORY: 16/32/64 GB storage, 1 GB RAM CPU: 1GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 CPU, PowerVR SGX540 GPU, TI OMAP 4430 chipset

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Black sweetheart dress, POPO GO; Inclusion bangle, earrings & ring, LOUIS VUITTON

August2011

3G NETWORK: HSDPA 900 / 2100 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 114.4 x 64.6 x 10.7 mm WEIGHT: 120 g TYPE: TFT capacitive touchscreen DISPLAY: 256K colors, 480 x 320 pixels, 2.6 inches CARD SLOT: microSD, up to 32GB, buy memory OS: Android OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread) CPU: 800 MHz processor

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HTC CHACHA

photofeatur SONY VAIO S VPCSA290X

August2011

CPU: 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5-2410M OPERATING SYSTEM: MS Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) RAM: 4GB NATIVE RESOLUTION: 1600x900 GRAPHICS CARD: AMD Radeon HD 6630M/Intel HD WARRANTY/SUPPORT: 1 year limited warranty PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 13.0 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches WEIGHT: 3.8lbs., 4.8 with battery slice

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Long Black Dress, POPO GO; Cosmopolitan Necklace, LOUIS VUITTON; Shoes, Models own

August2011

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PANASONIC LUMIX GF3

August2011

CAMERA TYPE: Digital Micro Four-Thirds Interchangeable Lens system TOTAL MEGAPIXELS: 12.1 effective megapixels SENSOR: 4/3 type MOS (Live MOS Sensor) SENSOR SIZE: 17.3 x 13 mm (M43) PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 107.7 x 67.1 x 32.5mm WEIGHT: Approx. 264g (including card and battery) DISPLAY: 3-inch touchscreen LCD

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August2011

ASUS K43SJ RESOLUTION: 1366 x 768 (HD), 16:9 LED backlit NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M with 512MB/1GB DDR3 VRAM TYPE: Intel Core i3-2310M dual-core processor MEMORY: DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM 2 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8GB SDRAM PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 34.8 x 24.2 x 2.95 - 3.48 cm WEIGHT: 2.44 kg (with 6-cell battery)

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Old rose dress & neckpiece by POPO GO ON THIS PAGE: Long Purple Dress by NICKY MARTINEZ; Cub evening clutch, LOUIS VUITTON

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Isabel Oli

HIGH ON LIFE — By Michelle Callanta-Toledo —

Strikingly beautiful with a chiselled and an astonishingly photogenic face, this commercial model, TV celebrity and movie actress all rolled into one lovely person is truly a versatile artist in full bloom. She is Maria Olivia S. Daytia, better known as Isabel Oli. With her talent in acting, youthful aura and appealing projection on camera, as well as a charming personality off camera, it is no wonder why she has come a long way from her first appearance on national television. She started her career by landing a role in a Max’s Restaurant commercial and the childhood sweetheart of multi-awarded actor Piolo Pascual. From then on, her effortless beauty allowed her to become a mainstay on our TV screens.

Isabel has proven that, more than just her angelic face, it is also her down-to-earth and alluring personality that distinguishes her from the rest. From her stint in It Might Be You back in 2004 to her transfer to GMA 7 to become the leading lady of matinee idol Richard Gutierrez in Sugo a year later, she continues to make a name for herself and build on her ever-growing acting credentials. Now, she is a part of the famous fictional TV series, Captain Barbell which premiered on March 28.

August2011

Simply, there’s no stopping a woman in pursuit of greater heights.

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August2011

MEGAPIXELS:10 megapixel CCD sensor ZOOM: 3x optical zoom lens (wide 29-87mm equivalent) WEIGHT: 130g including battery and card PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 85.5 x 51.5 x 19 mm SCREEN: 2.5inch screen RECORDING: VGA video, 30fps, max length 24 minutes OTHER FEATURES: Facebook, Youtube, Kodak, Twitter, Email, Flickr, Orkut sharing (plus more)

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KODAK EASYSHARE MINI M200

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simplify your lifestyle decisions

LIVING Luxury

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MARC BY MARC JACOBS aviator black, Price available upon request

When it comes to luxury, it’s not about spending a whole lot of money on just anything—it’s about spending a whole lot of money on the things that make you happy. This August, the Gadgets Magazine team has put together a collection of some of the most lavish lifestyle products to tickle those silver spoon taste buds.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Photo by Benjamin Arnold

August2011

By Benjamin Arnold

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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(A) LOUIS VUITTON Catania; (B) STEVE MADDEN bolero wedges; (C) STEVE MADDEN bow pumps; (D) MARC BY MARC JACOBS gold flats; (E) LOUIS VUITTON Chiapas high lace-ups for men; (F) LOUIS VUITTON Last Dance; (G) LOUIS VUITTON Confident, Prices available upon request

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HOES

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On average, a person takes around 3,000 to 5,000 steps each day. With that in mind, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you think it would be nice to dress those feet up every now and then with beautiful well-designed shoes? And when we say beautiful and well-designed, we mean beautiful designer shoes. From Steve Madden heels to Marc Jacobs flats with a splash of Louis Vuitton in between, get your designer shoe fix while looking stylish and sophisticated.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

AGS

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Whether you use it to go on vacation to some distant exclusive island or just to go out for a night on the town, bags are essential to keep your things in order and close to you. Gussy up your bag collection with a few choice pieces from Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, Steve Madden and Marc by Marc Jacobs to show off your adventurous side when it comes to travel and spending. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to splurge on yourself every once in a while does it?

Photos by Benjamin Arnold

(A) LOUIS VUITTON pont-neuf bag and bandeau; (B) TORY BURCH white roslyn satchel; (C) LOUIS VUITTON cub evening clutch; (D) MARC BY MARC JACOBS standard supply tote; (E) STEVE MADDEN chloe blush shoulder bag; (G) STEVE MADDEN joyce dark denim messenger bag; (H) LOUIS VUITTON pegase monogram vernis rolling luggage; Prices available upon request

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(A) Inclusion bangle; (B) Reversible belt; (C) inclusion ring and earrings; (D) Reversible belt; (E) Cosmopolitan necklace, all from LOUIS VUITTON; Prices available upon request

August2011

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CCESSORIES Accessories can make or break an outfit, so add some edge to your ensemble with these fine-looking Louis Vuitton pieces. For guys, good belts are a necessityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so wrap your waist with these classic pieces. Girls,brighten up their looks with a gorgeous set of jewelry. Rings, earrings, bangles and even a necklace can brighten up any attire.

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August2011

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Play with your senses by indulging in a few scents to change the mood. Calvin Klein has a range of fragrances that feel like gold on the skin. Spray on a few drops and take in the scent of these simple yet complex fragrances for that refreshing aroma. You are sure to smell like a million bucks after you cover yourself in these distinct sprays.

A C

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(A) in2u for men; (B) Eternity for men; (C) Beauty for women; (D) Eternity for women, all from CALVIN KLEIN; Prices avaialble upon request

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ATCHES

Time is gold. Highlight that wrist with a good classic timepiece like those of Hugo Boss and Juicy Couture. These serve both as style and function to help you look great while letting you look at the time. So wear that watch to keep your dates as being late might cost you more than itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth.

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E (A) JUICY COUTURE Dalton; (B) JUICY COUTURE Royal Dave; (C) JUICY COUTURE The Beau; (D) JUICY COUTURE J. Couture; (E, F & G) HUGO BOSS Black Spring collection, All prices available upon request

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

August2011

(A) WET N’ WILD glassy gloss; (B) MAJOLICA MAJORCA Majolook eyeshadow; (C) KIEHLS Facial Fuel Age Combat; (D) VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Tarte-a-tan; (E) KIEHLS Cross-Terrain UV Skin Protector SPF 50; (F) FOREVER21 eyeshadow hearts palette; (G) CUTEX nail polish milky way collection; (H) ITRI TRIATHLON Daily Log Book; (I) I’M A RUNNER Daily Log Book; (J) VICTORIA’S SECRET Pure Seduction Lotion, Prices available upon request

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Take care of that precious skin with these select products to add a little flair. For women, gloss, moisturize, and shimmer to complete that look and add some color with nail polish. For men, a clean and healthy-looking face is a prize one needs to work on. And for that extra mile, why not take a run while logging it in a log book—being rich in health means a better looking you.

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Photos by Benjamin Arnold

KIN, NAILS & WELLNESS

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(A) DKNY jacket; (B) BANANA REPUBLIC plaid long sleeves; (C) BANANA REPUBLIC basic grey shirt; (D) BANANA REPUBLIC polo shirt; (E) MARC BY MARC JACOBS polo shirt; (F) MARC BY MARC Jacobs pants; All prices available upon request

August2011

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EN’S WEAR

Dress up in a mix of any of these classic polo’s or shirts from Banana Republic to look handsomely debonair and dashing. Throw on a nice jacket from DKNY and a good pair of pants from Marc Jacobs, because every woman knows, that a man who has an eye for detail is sure to be a prize.

OMEN’S WEAR Sexy, Stylish and Chic are what women wear. Marc Jacobs, Tori Burch and Banana Republic had this in mind when they designed their clothes. These days, don’t just spend on any collection of clothes, spend on the good stuff. Whether it is a simple black dress or an eye catching top, you are sure to turn heads when you walk down the hall in these clothes. Elegance does come with a price.

Photos by Erwin Barleta

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(A) BANANA REPUBLIC blue dress; (B) MARC BY MARC JACOBS black asymmetrical dress; (C) TORY BURCH Red blouse; (D) TORY BURCH Navy blue pants; All Prices available upon request

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Tech-Savvy Parent Guide Compiled by Michelle Callanta-Toledo

Raising a child is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling tasks a parent undertakes. It is also undeniably one of the most challenging. But as our world constantly searches for ways to become more efficient and creates solutions to simplify even the most simple of tasks, we find ourselves becoming more secure and confident despite whatever the challenge. This is true for many of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents who are fortunate to have reached this day and age where many types of technology is readily available to give them a helping hand. So whether you are a single mom or a house-husband or a dual-working family, there is plenty of gadgetry and technology to help you become more than just a parent. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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Here are some gadget must-haves for the modern-day, tech-savvy parent: August2011

Super TrackStick GPS Tracker Yes, teenagers may hate us, and think that we’re going too far. But with teen issues like online predators, children in wrong places and with the wrong crowd, we can’t help but worry. The device has a 4-week battery life and can be tracked by parents using a computer with internet connection and works from anywhere in the world, with an accurate tracking down to 2.5 meters. The only problem would be how to tell the teenagers that they are being watched.

Eye-Fi Connect X2 Every parent will tell you that they have the cutest child in the world. That’s also why they take dozens of pictures of their kids to capture him/her in all of their cuteness. Unfortunately, not all moms and dads have the time to upload the pictures and as a result, pictures are stuck inside memory cards. But with the Eye-Fi Connect X2 memory cards, sharing pictures will be easy for busy parents. The memory card wirelessly transmits the photos to your computer whenever you come in range of your PC.

iRobot Roomba 770 A great help to all the Suzy Homemakers out there. With its dirt detection prowess, the iRobot Roomba 770 concentrates on cleaning the dirtiest floor, vacuuming even the most out of reach corners of the house. The full-bin indicator lets you know when the dust bin is full and needs to be emptied. It can also be very entertaining for the fact that it moves around on its own and goes back to its docking station to recharge before it runs out of battery.

Safety 1st Keep Close Child Tracker There’s nothing more frightening than losing a child, even for just a fraction of a second. Now you can free your mind from worry and stay connected with your child even outside your house. The Safety 1st Keep Close Child Tracker tells worrisome parents when their kid goes out of a certain range and if the units are not connected anymore. The 2-piece set includes a child unit and a parent unit which attaches easily with an adhesive strip.

Of course, as a parent to a feisty little 4-year old, I could have suggested other “helpful” gadgets like noise-cancelling headphones for when the kids are chewing your ear off, a game console to keep the rugrats preoccupied, a massage chair after a tiring day of chasing after the young-uns or even a surveillance camera (like those teddy bear nanny cams) placed in strategic parts of the house in case you’ve got a rebellious teenager on your hands. Anything to keep the stress and the blood pressure down because parenting is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But no matter how advanced the technology, no matter how sophisticated the design, no matter how efficient the tool, no gadget in the world can compare nor replace the unrelenting, unbending, and irreprehensible dedication of a loving and caring parent. Now if only there was a “utility belt” for parents (similar to what Batman uses to fight crime). But that’s a different article altogether.

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WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer A crying baby can be as confusing and frustrating as trying to communicate with someone who speaks a completely foreign language. But don’t fret because now there is a device that can help you interpret just why your baby is bringing on the waterworks. The WhyCry Baby Cry Analyzer is an electronic monitor capable of identifying the reasons why a baby is crying. The unit works by analyzing the baby’s crying power, frequencies of cry, intervals between crying, and associates the baby’s cry with an established pattern programmed into the unit. After a 20 second period of analysis it shows the result in a clear and precise way—by illuminating one of 5 facial expressions—hunger, boredom, discomfort, sleepiness and stress.

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&Lounge

Attica Bar

At the heart of A.Venue Mall on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati is the Attica Bar & Lounge, an exclusive bar and restaurant. It boasts of its wide selection of popular long drinks served in macho glasses. The Attica Illusion is a classic favorite, as well as the Apple Pie Shot. The place is also a hidden food gem serving a mouthwatering modern European menu masterfully created and prepared by Chef Roland Laudico of Bistro Filipino and BFAST fame. At Attica, great-tasting food is put on a pedestal, just as much as its modern interiors, cozy ambiance and interesting music selection- making it an instant hit for after-work cravings, happy hour, girls’ night out and a chill hangout after those long working hours. This joint’s comforting food is already affordable and now even more so.

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What makes this hip spot in Makati so fun is that it knows no age, crowd and mood— and probably that’s what just makes it the perfect hangout place. Operating hours: Tuesdays - Saturdays 7pm onwards Open for private bookings contact them at info.attica@yahoo.com 7295121 Themed Nights: Tuesdays - Tune-in Tuesdays (Live Acoustic Karaoke); Wednesday Fling (Singles night for the ladies); Thursdays-regular night; Friday Funk (Open Format); Saturdare (Top 40s, Hiphop & RnB)

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Chi.

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beauty secrets revealed

]ING DAY AT THE SPA By Michelle Callanta-Toledo and Benjamin Arnold

It is the universal life force that flows through a person’s body, maintaining the balance of an individual’s health, well-being and vitality. This is the concept upon which Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La was built upon. Located at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong, this luxury spa provides amenities and services beyond what is expected—working upon the concept of a “spa within a spa.”

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OPPOSITE: The Chi Spa Couple’s Suite Treatment Room; ABOVE: The Chi Spa Walkway; LEFT: The Chi Spa Outer Sanctum; BELOW: Michelle and Benjamin filling out the specially designed questionnair to determine their elemental property

Upon entering the beautiful Chineseinspired reception area, we were greeted by the receptionist with a pleasant welcome and a sweet yet sharp cup of ginger tea. The entire spa, which is

housed in the Garden Wing of the hotel, was beautifully decorated with Eastern Chinese culture as inspiration.

They directed us to a seating area where they provide hot towels and a questionnaire which we had to answer. One of the unique features the Chi spa offers is this questionnaire—which plays off of the concept of maintaining a balance of the five ancient elements (fire, earth, water, wood and metal) within the body. The results of this questionnaire serve as a gauge to determine which element we were leaning towards the most at that moment. They then use this information to customize each treatment to the client to balance out their inner

energy, making each experience a different one.

For the month of August, the Chi Spa offers a special themed service called “Emerald Sparkle.” This specialized spa service has three packages: The Green (Green Tea Scrub, Green Clay Wrap and Green Tea Facial), The Organic (Green Tea Scrub, Revitalizing Massage and Green Tea Facial) and the Ozone (head and scalp moor treatment, Green Clay Scrub and Green Clay Wrap.) The Emerald Sparkle treatment helps nourish and relax the senses with the natural detoxifying qualities of green tea, and green clay. Each package is priced at Php 5,999 net lasting for approximately two hours.

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Fully equipped with single, double and specialty treatment suites, outdoor bathing, relaxation lounges, a library and a yoga studio with classes, the Chi Spa is like an entire vacation escape on its own. It even has a section that offers the products which can only be obtained exclusively from The Chi Spa. The spa treatments range from internationally known services based on Chinese healing concepts to native delights such as the traditional hilot massage.

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Michelle says After much mental deliberation, I decided to go with the Ozone package which consists of the Head and Scalp Moor Treatment, Green Clay Scrub, and the Green Clay Wrap (despite my want of a facial, I felt my head of hair needed some serious pampering after I used a local hair treatment that was not only extremely difficult to wash off but also made my hair absolutely oily and stiff). I was led into the Khotan room which meant “healing oasis on silk road” to begin treatment. Inside, I had my own luxurious locker and bathroom where I kept all my personal belongings and [un] dressed. The shower doubled as a steam room which I was asked to use for about 10-15 minutes before starting. Having your own personal room may seem a bit much for those used to getting massages and spa treatments beside several other naked spa-folk, but I absolutely enjoyed the privacy it provided as well as the slow and steady pace it allowed me to have as I prepared myself for the 2-hour session. After a quick 10-minute go at the steam room, I rang the bell to alert my therapist that I was a ready.

She worked diligently, parting my hair in sections so my entire scalp was treated. Once the scalp treatment was applied, I was wrapped inside a thermal blanket for 10-minutes. I must’ve dozed off because the next thing I knew, my therapist was removing my cozy cocoon. The clay had hardened completely which made me amusingly statue-like. She instructed me to rinse off the scrub treatment and to shampoo/condition my hair with the Moor Shampoo and Conditioner laid out for me in the shower room. The hair treatment worked wonders as I finally got my hair back to the way it was (un-oily and un-stiff), if not softer and more manageable. I returned to the massage room and was also treated to a 30-minute back, shoulder and head massage (much to my surprise and delight as I thought a massage was not included in the package). Again, the therapist had taken note of my massage preference and made sure I received a massage that was neither too soft nor too hard, and more importantly, did not leave me feeling like I had just participated in a round of “Fight Club.” But what was uniquely added to the treatment was the type of massage oil they used. Because of the questionnaire (and their observance of the client’s facial features), they determined that my mood element at that particular moment was Metal (controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways) ergo the eucalyptus oil to balance my Chi.

The massage room was right beside the luxurious boudoir (so there was no need to awkwardly cross halls in just a bathrobe) where I sprawled comfortably onto the clean massage bed. The ambiance maintained a very Zen and relaxing feel and I immediately felt calm and at ease. They had also taken into consideration (as I answered in the questionnaire) my personal preference with regard to room temperature as I chill easily and suffer from allergic rhinitis so I wouldn’t get the sniffles or start begging for a blanket the moment I got in.

of multitudes of plants. Thanks to its chelatic properties (it binds heavy metal isotopes), it is a strong natural detoxifier. That’s why it’s used to repair and heal damaged hair.

My female therapist began with the Green Clay Scrub for my entire body (first the back, then the front). It was an earthy, grainy mixture that also acted as clay. Then the Moor Scalp Treatment was applied and massaged onto my scalp. Moor Mud is an organic substance and a product of natural decomposition

TOP: The Chi Spa Inner Sanctum; ABOVE: Michelle at the reception area; FAR LEFT: Michelle in her changing room looking at the Chi Spa’s menu of service; LEFT: “Khotan,” the name of Michelle’s suite which means “healing oasis on silk road”

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Finally, my therapist left me with further instructions to only take a shower after 6-8 hours and to not overexpose my skin to the sun so that I may maximize the benefits of my luxurious Ozone treatment.

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ABOVE: “Jampa,” the name of Benjamin’s suite which means “Loving, Kindness and Compassion;” LEFT: Chi, the Spa at Shangri-La; RIGHT: The Chi Spa Single Suite

Benjamin says The room I was lead to was named Jampa which means loving, kindness and compassion. The rooms were fully equipped like a hotel room, substituting the usual sleeping bed with a heated massage bed. The changing area had a cabinet with towels and a robe, a toilet, a shower (which had a wonderful rain shower head) and a steamer. They also provided toiletries such as cotton swabs, a comb and disposable undergarments, which I was instructed to use during the treatment.

The therapist told me to change in the changing room, and then proceed to the steam room for 10 to 15 minutes, after which I should take a shower. After my shower, I rang the little bell that they provided to signal the therapist that I was ready.

Having my feet washed wasn’t that bad. She had me place my feet into a big metal bowl filled with warm water, rose petals and I think some sort of bath salt to have them soak. After a few minutes, she lifted my feet out of the water and began scrubbing them with an exfoliating

The Emerald Sparkle Treatment that I chose was the Organic Treatment Package. This had a Green Tea scrub, a revitalizing massage and a Green Tea facial. The therapist had me lay down on the massage table face down, asking me if I wanted the bed to be heated during the treatment. I said yes because I tend to get chilled easily. That was where the two-hour treatment began. Now, a note to other men out there that are not accustomed to getting body scrubs or massages: When the therapist informs you to remove all items of clothing including jewelry and to dress up in the provided garments, it would most likely mean to also remove your underwear. This unfortunately did not cross my mind, as I found out during the Green Tea Body scrub that I was suppose to wear only the disposable undergarments provided, resulting in a humiliating mix up where I felt embarrassed for not knowing. After a few minutes wasted on the mix up and my removing of my underwear in the changing room, the therapist continued with the body scrub. The body scrub was an interesting

experience. While the therapist was applying it onto my body starting with my feet, it felt like a sort of gel, very cool and refreshing. As she moved up my upper body, I noticed that scrub on my feet and legs were starting to harden. She then asked me to turn around so she can apply the scrub to the front of my body. That was when I noticed that the gel like scrub was actually a form of clay. When she was finished, she had me take a shower to fully remove the clay body scrub from my body. While I was showering, I saw that the green clay wasn’t the usual body scrub filled with exfoliating beads, but had actual green tea leaves in the mix. After my shower, I had my massage. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the entire massage. I honestly dozed off— something that has never happened to me before during a massage. The parts that I do remember though were amazing. The very well-trained therapist was able to work on just the right spots, relieving the tightness and pain of all the muscles in my body. The pressure was well controlled—not too hard and not too soft, while the oil she used was cooling and refreshing without that chilly feel to it. The massage ended when I awoke to her beginning on the Green Tea Facial.

The facial was the last part of the treatment package. I felt that the method she used—compared with other facial spas—was way better. In other facial spas they use small metal hoops and

sharp pointed needles to clean the skin, sometimes leaving the skin scarred and in pain. The method the therapist used involved the use of cotton pads and a magnifying lamp to thoroughly clean out any black heads on my face. She would take two pads, wrap them around her fingers and then proceed to apply pressure on key areas of my skin to clean out the pores. This resulted into a nearpainless scar-free cleaning. After that, she applied the Green Tea facial clay onto my face and left it to dry. A few minutes later, she cleaned off the clay from my face and applied an antiallergy ointment to counter any allergic reaction to the natural ingredients of the facial. Although I don’t know of any materials that I might be allergic to, my face turned a bright red color, which later subsided after about 20 to 30 minutes.

The overall treatment was a life-reviving experience. I felt energized and refreshed as if all the mixed up and messed up flow of energy inside of me was rerouted to move fluently throughout my body—the complete opposite of the usual groggy heavy feeling I get from other spas. This wonderful experience made me believe more on the healing powers of eastern therapeutic treatments and the worthwhile price of the Chi Spa.

Special thanks to Claire E. Hernandez, Communications Manager of Edsa Shangri-La.

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Before the official treatment, the therapist offered to wash my feet. Though, in total honesty, I would have normally declined, the offer as having someone washes my feet for me is quite an awkward situation. But this one time, I said yes so that I could fully experience everything Chi Spa had to offer.

scrub that smelled like aloe vera. She then proceeded to wash my feet in the warm water and then drying it with a towel. During this whole process, she informed me that based on my answers to the previous questionnaire my element at that moment was leaning towards fire.

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hit the right beats with the latest sound tech

Luxurious Sound By Steven Vea

Audiophile is a well established retailer of studio quality professional products, having been one of the go-to sources in the Philippines for both recording engineers and musicians, whether they are enthusiasts or paid professionals.

Since this month’s issue is all about luxury, this Listen feature will look at some of the higher-end products for the DJ/producer looking to splurge on extravagant gear.

AKG K701 & K702 Any audiophile or critical sound enthusiast will be familiar with this brand, which has built a solid reputation as one of the primary manufacturers of quality audio products. For those that are looking for a great pair of open back dynamic headphones, wherein price is of no consequence, then the K701 and K702 are excellent choices. While the K701 is aimed more towards the hi-fi fanatic and the K702 is geared towards the audio professional, both headphones will appeal more towards the latter. Sound engineers and musicians will greater appreciate these two models, which are internally identical with only slight differences in physical design.

AKG K702

What makes these pair of cans unique is AKG’s patented Varimotion technology and flatwire cabling which, in the simplest terms, ensures its user the optimal sonic output— courtesy of advanced technological engineering. Moreover, once they are worn, they are strategically designed to be aimed at the ears’ best possible angle, enhancing sound quality by maintaining a more natural in-ear sound akin to listening to speakers. Not only do they sound great, but the replaceable 3D foam on its ear pads are specially crafted to comfortably rest on the outer ears, guaranteeing premium sound quality and allowing for longer periods of use with minimum listening fatigue.

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AKG K701: Php 16,800 AKG K702: Php 19,800

AKG K701

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TASCAM VL-X5/VL-A5 August2011

Anybody who works in a project or professional recording studio understands the value of a good pair of monitors. Since studio space is always an issue, speakers with 5-inch drivers have always been a popular choice for its manageable size. Granted, there are cheaper alternatives within this size range, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. These Tascam monitors are greatly favored within the budget conscious, and are often considered as the higher end of the line. Tascam’s VL-X5 is one of the most highly regarded reference speakers, boasting unsurpassed quality to match its relatively fair retail price. However, don’t be confused between these two products - the VL-A5 is simply the “updated” model of the VL-X5’s—it simply features the same superior performance housed within a different casing.

Tascam VLA5

These bi-amped nearfield monitors, boast 30 watts of high frequencies (HF) through its precise 1-inch natural silk dome driver and 5.25-inches for 60 watts on the lower end of the spectrum. It features switches for HF and LF controls, allowing users to modify the speaker’s clarity in relation to the listener’s position. However this shouldn’t be an issue because of Tascam’s unique Acoustic Space Control design, which helps speaker placement become less of a factor. With the tech speak aside, the VL-X5 and VL-A5 guarantee a sound that can only be described as being both rich, faithful and flat at the same time, allowing its users to accurately mix and master their music for production. Furthermore, the monitors’ size makes them easy to place in an unforgiving room, which is perfect for local studios that have to make-do with small spaces. VL-X5/VL-A5: Php 25,900

Tascam VLX5

RANE SL-4 & TTM-57SL DJ’ing today has taken an interesting turn towards a fusion of analog and digital based setups. While there are various products out there aimed for those struggling with tightened belts, stellar performance does come at a premium price. Rane’s products are considered one of the most coveted, as they provide unparalleled performance, quality and reliability. The company’s unique audio interface, the SL-4, allows DJs to connect up to four analog inputs (typically turntables) to be used at the same time within Serato Scratch Live, providing endless possibilities of creativity. Another feature unique to its interface is the two USB ports which is useful for seamless switching of DJs during live gigs. Other additional features include an extra analog auxiliary connection and a handy sample rate selector switch to toggle between 96 and 48kHz.

Rane SL4

Another great product from Rane is the TTM-57SL mixer, which comes with an array of features set to whet the palette of any DJ. One of its greatest assets is the seamless integration between hardware and Serato Scratch Live. The TTM-57SL also boasts better integration between analog and digital sound sources, which is perfect for the DJ with a complicated multi-input hybrid setup. As if that weren’t enough, Rane’s mixer also features internal LFO filter and echo effects, 8 channels of streaming audio and has a foot switch input. SL-4: Php 46,590 TTM-57SL: Php 76,990

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Rane TTM-57SL

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the musicians and their toys

DJThe Arbiewon Beatraveler Interviewed By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

After travelling from New Jersey back to the Philippines in 1996, one of the very first local jams I encountered was the song “Miss Pakipot” by a group called Urban Flow. I was only 13 then.

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The song would be introduced to me by a group of male bystanders as they sang within earshot whenever I walked by. At first, it was just strange as I barely understood Filipino. But then I learned to listen, understand, and appreciate its catchy tone and witty verses until I eventually learned to sing it myself: lines like ang pag-ibig ko sayo ‘sing bango ng Polo, ‘sing tamis ng Milo, ‘sing sarap ng Nido. It was only now and after 15 years that I realized that the DJ I’ve seen around the metro, respected, befriended, and grown to love because of his fantastic urban taste in music is the same DJ who was a member and producer of the aforementioned group and who also won a “Best Rap Single” Awit Award for the aforementioned song. Today, he’s not only the “beatraveler”. He’s an Asus brand ambassador.

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“[Asus] got me playing with some DJ apps from Android which is really cool especially when you’re diggin’ in the net for jams for your next gig. Battery life is good too, up to 16 hours with the dock included so you can watch all those movies on the trip, HD camera and video for papparachi style, and SD card capabilities! Definitely a must-have gadget for DJ’s and music producers out there.”

On becoming an ambassador Maybe they chose me because of the Sonic Master mixtape I made for them last year when they launched one of their laptops, the Asus NX90. I also did the bar tour for it. Of course, I was honored when I was asked to become an ambassador. It inspired me more to work on my passion.

On the Asus Transformer

On sense of musicality I usually don’t put myself into just one category since I get really get bored quickly playing one type of music. A typical set, I guess, would be some classic

On digital vs. analog Well the positive side these days is the easy access. Now you can do it all with a click of a button. When I started there was no internet so I relied on radio shows, magazines, and by watching other DJs. You also don’t have to bring boxes of records to the gig. But sound-wise and value, I like the analog better. It sounds better. You can touch it. They’re nice to collect and they make nice displays in the living room.

On favorite gadgets Well, I already have the Transfomer so I’m cool. But the most expensive gadgets I own are my collection of vintage portable turntables. Now, I’d want the limited edition gold-plated Technics turntables.

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It helps especially with the DJ’ing aspect. For example, it’s ease of use. I always wanted a gadget that was not only powerful and versatile, but also not too technical because sometimes what happens is instead of using it creatively, it takes too much time learning and adapting to the device. With the Transformer, it quickly adapted to my workflow. Also, it’s Android so it’s a big plus because of the hundreds of DJ, music production apps out there already available. I also like the portability. Even when I’m on the road I can make playlists, remixes and studies on the fly coz the transformer is quite powerful.

hiphop, soul, disco boogie, funk with a sprinkle of some rock and classic stuff just to mix it up a bit. I also base it on the feel of the crowd...or (with corporate gigs) the theme of the event. I like playing to an open-minded crowd. For me, a DJ should take you to places, to travel, bring you back into time. I’m the “beatraveler” because I don’t box myself into one style. I like taking musical journeys and I just love traveling in general.

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“...when it comes to my own songs, I just write what I feel. I make it honest, because it’s a representation of [me] as opposed to the story of someone else.”

David Choi: International Music Man

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Text and Photos by Benjamin Arnold

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From small screen monitors to a theater filled with people, singer, songwriter and producer David Choi is living proof of how the internet can take you places. Fresh from his sound check to prepare for his show at the Music Museum, Gadgets Magazine had a one-on-one chat with this YouTube sensation. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

At the age of 25, this California-born musician has been in the heart of music. “My parents have had a music store since I was 5,” he says, while relating of how he learned to play music. “I can pretty much play anything. But I haven’t really mastered [a single instrument], because I play by ear. I just figure out a couple of notes, and then I [work out] how the rest fit together.” Even with his natural talent for recognizing a melody, he did have formal training in music. “My training was with the violin and piano. I never really practiced. [Though with] the amount of time I played it, I should be really good at it, but I’m not.” With the number of instruments David has played, the guitar is the one he is known

for using the most. “I wrote most [of my] songs with a guitar. It’s a little easier for me.” Although his skill with a guitar has become his signature on YouTube, his heart plays with a different set of strings. “I could say [the guitar] is my main instrument, [but the] violin [would be my core]. I played [the violin] in That Girl [and] Won’t Even Start, it probably didn’t sound as good as it could have been; it got the job done.” When it comes to writing music, David prefers to write when he is in the zone. “I can’t explain it, but when creativity comes, I can write. I would love to write like that all the time.” But after being signed, his creative process changed slightly. “Since being signed my writing has been kind

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As for seeing himself perform, David prefers not to see or hear what took place. “I don’t like watching myself perform, because it sometimes sounds bad. [When] I see it on YouTube, there are times that I think to myself, ‘Oh my goodness’. The sound would be horrible, because sometimes—and most people don’t know this, I figured it out once I started performing—when the sound is bad, like the sound guy [controlling the monitors] or if the room is echoey, it’s hard to hear yourself. So if the sound is bad and the monitors aren’t working, I would probably sing off key. I hate that.” Besides his knack at singing a melody, David has been recognized for a different

“...I play by ear. I just figure out a couple of notes, and then I [work out] how the rest fit together.”

talent unrelated to music—his talent to keep a seriously straight face. “I’ve made some YouTube videos where I smile,” he says when asked to explain his supposed grin thriftiness. “It just means people haven’t been following me or my videos [closely], because I [actually] started smiling a few years ago. [But to be honest, I did try to make it into] a thing to not smile [in my videos]. It just comes naturally [for me]. I just don’t have a reason to smile sometimes. Like when you’re [alone] in your bed room, do you smile? If you remember something funny, of course, you would smile, [but] when there is a camera in front of you [and] you are talking to a fake audience, would you want to smile? [I don’t.]” Then, at a pathetic attempt to hold back a smile, David grins and adds, “I know though that I naturally have a non-smiling face; a [sort of] angry face.” With the wide range of Asian-American talent that David has worked with circulating YouTube—like Wong Fu Productions, KevJumba and Ryan Higa to name a few—David reminisces about his time working with our very own YouTube celebrity, comedic-Filipina, Christine Gambito a.k.a. HappySlip. “[We used to collaborate quite a bit.] After she [gave birth], it became harder to meet up with her. But I do miss her a lot. She hasn’t really been making a lot of videos since

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of forced. [But] being forced to write songs actually improved my writing. Like if someone asked me to write a song right now, I could probably write it.” After challenging him to write a song in two minutes, he replies with a laugh, “Well it doesn’t come that easily. But there are some times when different people would say, ‘Hey, write a little happy song,’ so I [write one] even though I am not really feeling happy. So that’s where it has helped me craft songs [for other artists]. But when it comes to my own songs, I just write what I feel. I make it honest, because it’s a representation of [me] as opposed to the story of someone else.”

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ABOVE: David Choi’s YouTube Site; BELOW: David Choi trying to keep a straight face, but fails.

[becoming] a mom. But I hope that we can do another shoot together.”

David showcases his knowledge and addiction for Apple products even further when asked what camera he uses to make his YouTube videos when told that Apple doesn’t produce cameras. “Apple does have a camera. It’s called the iSight! Available in every MacBook Pro.” He says impersonating a salesman. “[I used to use the iSight on my MacBook Pro when] making my YouTube videos. But now, I have upgraded [to] a Canon 7D. I mean I don’t know how to use it properly, but I

With over 70,000 Twitter followers, a highly visited YouTube page, multiple social networking accounts including Facebook, MySpace and not to mention his very own website, David attributes most of his success to social media. “It’s done everything for me, because I don’t promote using mainstream methods. It’s all through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube [and] MySpace. It’s actually the reason [I am able to tour and perform shows and do what I am doing now.] Before that, I was just doing song writing and producing [which] didn’t require any social networking.” When thinking of his very first video post, “[When I posted my first video, it definitely was not] a goal of mine to [go on] tour. I didn’t actually start doing shows until 2009. And I started YouTube in 2006.” With the power of social media and of course his God-given talent, it looks like David has been set to rise on the ladder of fame and fortune—a feat he does with a humbly cool, down-to-earth personality.

Special thanks to Danee Torres, Malu Lanto, Theater Operations Manager and Precy Florentino, President of Music Museum/Teatrino and Pauline Phoon, Artist Manager, Monsoon Production

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“I’m an Apple man; an Apple fan; an Apple whore—whatever you want to call it,” he says and no, he’s not talking about the fruit. Despite having a Samsung Galaxy for a phone, David is partial to Apple products. I think they are really well [designed and] run [well]. The only negative that [I can think of] is [that it is] expensive. That’s like the only thing, but besides that, [Apple products are] amazing. I have an iPad2, a MacBook Pro. I [even] have an Apple Router. I am also waiting for the iPhone 5.” Strangely enough, for both a musician and an Apple fan, he doesn’t own an iPod.

know the quality is better.”

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get our take on the latest tracks to hit the market

as the opening song) speaks of getting through trials and rising above different challenges. The lay of the lyrics—such as

Known to have a fusion of pop, smooth jazz, sophisti-pop and lounge in their repertoire, Jones tastefully complements the funk and jazz elements with her deep chilling vocals.

Guide me through if I stumble and fall/ Have faith in me or I’m gonna make you proud of me/And just be loved by you—

Lica

All I Want To Be MCA Music Inc. By Benjamin Arnold Lica, a young and talented singer has the style and feel of a typical teeny bopper. Much like Christina Aguilera or Mandy Moore during their early years, Lica has an inexperienced innocence about her and her music that show just how young she really is. Friendship, fun and good times are the main sources of inspiration for this album, with songs written by Tom Nichols and Paul Sutin. The album shines with happy warm feelings. Such as the song from which the album gets its name, All I Wanna Be (which on the album has two renditions—one on her own and one with Richard Poon, which served

Trembling Blue Stars

Fast Trains And Telegraph Wires MCA Music Inc. By Roni Callanta

August2011

The very moment the first lyric hit the player, I already knew what the album was going to be all about. I had an idea of how painful and melancholic the tone of the listening experience would be, despite the lively beats and upbeat guitar riffs as the track progressed. “I wonder what happened / how it came to be…” The first track, My Face for the World to See, let me know what was going down for the next hour and half.

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London-based indie-pop band Trembling Blue Stars released their latest double CD album “Fast Trains and Telegraph Wires” and “Cicely Tonight Volume One”— a selection of B-sides and experimental numbers in October of 2010 under Elefant Records.

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also invokes a slight devotion to God or a letter to ones parents. Her collaboration with Richard Poon was a strong point of the album because of the wonderful and beautiful blending of their voices as they complement each other. The other songs on the album are reminiscent of the late ’90s teen pop stars in the US with the fast up beat melodies and the repetitive “Na Na Na Na” like that of The Magic. Another obvious sign of her naivety is in the song Summer Time and Star Fantasy which speak more of what she would want or expect to be ideal than sharing emotions of what she has experienced or of the reality of the world.

Workshy

Bittersweet MCA Music Inc. By Roni Callanta London-based smooth-jazz band Workshy (Michael McDermott, Chrysta Jones and Kevin Kehoe) released their latest album “Bittersweet” under Imperial Records and gave you the hit songs such as Never The Same, You’re The Summer and Burt Bacharach standards like I Say A Little Prayer, If I Ever Lose This Heaven and Carole King’s It’s Too Late.

“Bittersweet” includes tracks such as Better Days, West End Love as well as their renditions of hits by romantic reggae act Janet Kay’s Silly Games, Bjork’s Venus As A Boy and American R&B singer La La’s We’ll Keep Striving. “Bittersweet” serves a relaxing blend of mellow grooves blended with new soul, jazz, R&B and bossa nova and heavily shows the influences of D’Sound, Swing Out Sister, Mike Francis, Kevyn Lettau, Matt Bianco and Sade. This is definitely a good album for those lazy, mellow Sunday drives or those nights in with a nice bottle of red.

But besides the fact that she is still growing both as a person and as an artist, the power of her voice shows she has the potential to become a true star.

Vocalist Rober Wratten (formerly of The Field Mice and Northern Picture Library) possesses lyrics that showcase a mix of exciting, energetic dream pop endeavors while subtly reminding the listener that the persona is in mourning. There are large amounts of expected moments of melancholy and there are points when the energy pushes the dream pop limits. The album seems to be clouded with heavy chunks of love, pain and melancholy with shambolic guitars providing the perfect foil to those chilling, melancholic vocals and blankets of reverb surrounding listeners at just the right moments. “Cicely Tonight Volume One,” on the other hand, slowly transitions to a more eclectic turn. This being the last album of the band, a sad bid of farewell strings the six tracks all together. The two CD release exposes the Trembling Blue Stars’ trademark of organic, intense and highly-spirited song-composition and beat choices. Despite the albums’ depressingly melancholic tone, they leave the listener hopeful while being reminded of how Trembling Blue Stars left with a high and spirited note.

The Wanted

Self-Titled Album MCA Music Inc. By Benjamin Arnold At first sound, the songs of The Wanted could easily be mistaken for much more famous groups. To best describe their sound, it would be somewhat mix of the lyrical play of Take That or Robbie Williams, the vocal talent of Blue with the musical arrangement similar to those of One Republic. With the blend of drums, pianos, guitars, bass and strings, the album has a classical ’90s feel with an early 2000 production. With songs revolving around love, life and personal trials, this 13-track album works on the typical strengths of any boy band album trying to attract listeners through their catchy tunes and the basic relatable storyline behind the lyrics. The thing that I find slightly unattractive about the album is the repeating lyrics which if done properly would result into an amazing song that provides instant

recall from the lyrics. Unfortunately for The Wanted, it sounded more like a lack of creativity, as if they couldn’t think of something better to put into certain sections of the song ultimately deciding to repeat lyrics over and over again. In addition to the repetitive lines of the songs, the attempt to put a wide range of vocals into the song—most likely to make them seem a little more experienced than how they really are— runs the flow of the songs on to a very bumpy non-fluent tone. Besides these flaws, however, the songs do exhibit a form of attraction with the catchy well arranged instrumentals and smooth flowing beat which serves as a smoke screen for the previously mentioned flaws. Though the first album could be the make it or break it album, I have a feeling that though this isn’t the best album they could produce, it could be a great stepping stone to something better. It will be like those bands that start out unknown, but later emerge—two or three albums later—as one of the most wanted mainstream artists like Paramore or Click Five.

know your gadget’s fortune

August2011

yin&yang

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It’s All About Directions By Princesse Lim-Fernandez

The art of feng shui involves the study of the environment and the surroundings merged with the art of placement of auspicious symbols. It is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics, believed to have been developed over 3,000 years ago, that use the laws of both Heaven (Chinese astronomy) and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi or chi. You can apply basic feng shui tips to harness the potential of yearly flying star energies and use it for best feng shui in your home. Every year, these Flying Star energies change their order which determines which ones are the lucky and unlucky directions. The feng shui chart shows all these stars and the direction where they reside for a particular year. Signs herald one’s personal luck, and if there are things bound your way, we cannot change them for these are determined according to one’s date of birth. There are ways to counter unlucky directions in feng shui. Auspicious symbols (or so-called “cures”) help ease their effect. There are also “cures” that enhance good luck. This way, you will be able to balance luck for you and your space. For the east direction, I recommend placing a brass gong and safety medallion in order to relieve the effect of the Disaster, Three Killing and Tai Suey stars. The northwest, where the Wealth Star is located this year, can be enhanced by placing a pair of jade money catchers and a water fountain. The center is the most important of all so make sure to place a hippo guard. This will help you to push away any effect of the Robbery Star that resides in this direction this year. To enhance luck of the southwest area, place a promotion fish luck item. This will improve the result of the Promotion and Academic stars. On the south resides the Sickness and the Backstabbing Stars. This means, people should be extra careful on who they trust as well as be mindful of their health. We can alleviate the effect of these stars by placing 6 antique protection coins.

When placing a luck item, make sure that the area is clean, well-lit and clutter free in order to reach its full potential.

Feng shui expert Princesse LimFernandez of Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony at the Mandarin Oriental Manila Hotel trained under the watchful eyes of two masters—the late Master Paul Lau Tak Lun who established Yin and Yang with her and international feng shui master Joseph Chau Kam Shing of Hong Kong who is now the resident feng shui consultant of the Mandarin Oriental group. Princesse graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering and now has successful businesses in various industries that are aided and supported by her knowledge of feng shui. Princesse and Master Chau have been vital in the popularity of Mandarin Oriental’s annual Chinese New Year celebration. Their clients include both corporate and private individuals from all around the world.

yin&yang

The southeast is where the Travel Star is situated this year. A flying travel horse is perfect as a good luck item to attract and enhance travel luck. Be sure to find a charm that is a gold horse with right foot up, a different-looking charm conveys otherwise.

Princesse Lim-Fernandez

events

The Optimus Invasion

LG Electronics Philippines, a company that makes technology relevant to Filipinos, took another step in providing meaningful experiences to its customers through the 2011 LG Optimus Invasion Dealer Roadshow event held at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Itercontinental Manila. The event was organized for LG Electronics’ mobile phone dealers, and it featured LG’s latest product lineup for 2011. To the delight of the attendees, the event featured the Optimus Black—one of the slimmest smartphones with a bright NOVA display; the Optimus 2X—the world’s first dual core phone, the Optimus 3D—the smartphone that brings the 3D experience to your hand; and the Optimus Pad—the world’s 1st 3D HD recording tablet with a dual core processor and the first tablet to use the Android Honeycomb OS.

lag. The LG Optimus 2X also offers 1080p HD video playback and recording, adding to the industry new contents mirroring through HDMI interface and expanding content on external displays to Full HD quality. The Optimus 2X can connect wirelessly to any DLNA-compatible digital device such as HD TVs for a console-like gaming experience. It incorporates an 8-megapixel back-facing camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, allowing the user to take clear pictures that are a pleasure to view on its 4-inch WVGA LCD full touchscreen.

Upon entering, visitors were treated to an Ultimate Optimus Experience with the LG Optimus Series Passport that allowed customers to visit all four stations that featured the three phones and the tablet. The passport also served as entry to the event where LG talked about its new and intelligent Optimus lineup.

Optimus 3D

August2011

Optimus Black

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The LG Optimus Black is a delightfully slim and light smartphone that has a bright 4-inch NOVA LCD capacitive screen that promises truer whites even under direct sunlight. It has the world’s first 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel back-facing camera that makes taking pictures a pleasurable experience. Uploading these photos through Facebook or Twitter will never be a challenge as the Optimus Black is equipped with WiFi direct technology.

Optimus 2X The LG Optimus 2X is known as the world’s first superphone. It is equipped with Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, which runs at a clock speed of 1GHz and boasts low power consumption and high performance for playing video and audio. The processor makes for faster, smoother web browsing and multitasks with virtually no screen

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The LG Optimus 3D is a smartphone that provides a wholistic and real 3D experience at the palm of your hand. With the Optimus 3D, customers can shoot 3D content and view 3D images without 3D glasses. It is also equipped with a dual core processor that can easily play back both 3D and HD content. Customers can also enjoy 3D content on TV by sending it via DLNA or HDMI.

Optimus Pad The Optimus Pad is the world’s first tablet equipped with the Android Honeycomb OS. It is built with a dual core processor for enhanced UI performance and is capable of 3D HD recording and full HD video playback. It is supported by Flash 10.1 for optimum web browsing experience. LG Optimus, meaning “best” in Latin, is the phone series comprised of devices running on a range of popular operating systems and Android tablet PC. The Optimus series is the result of extensive consumer research and development that delved into the way average people gather information in today’s digital age.

Returns to Manila

August2011

Kobe Bryant

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Athletes, basketball enthusiasts and die-hard Kobe Bryant fans dropped their regular routines for the day to catch a rare glimpse of the legendary athlete during his 2011 Manila visit on July 13. “Nike is proud to bring Kobe Bryant back to Manila. During his last two visits, Kobe was able to inspire young athletes to fulfill their sports dreams. Now, he’s back to check the progress of those athletes and encourage even more,” said Nike Philippines country marketing manager Mae Dichupa. “As a global sporting brand, Nike not only creates premium performance products to help athletes reach their full potential, we’re also committed to developing campaigns and activities that continually inspire youth. Bringing Kobe Bryant closer to his fans is testament to that.”

where they can hone their skills with the hope of one day grooming the next basketball superstars. At the Nike Park in The Fort, hundreds of Kobe fans were given the chance to get up-close and personal with the basketball superstar. Kobe was joined by kids who had previously joined the Kobe Basketball Camp in LA for a short Q&A session where he left his fans with inspiring words.

Kobe Bryant was in Manila for just a day but he left the metro Black Mambacrazy. Tipping-off his visit on a charitable note, he met with athletes from Gawad Kalinga’s youth development program, SIGA sharing tips on how they can improve their game. Known to be a strong supporter of charitable institutions, Kobe makes it a point to especially reach out to kids during his visits.

The highlight of Kobe’s was the main event where the entire Araneta Coliseum was filled by roaring fans who braved the traffic just to see the basketball superstar in action. As a treat to his fans, Kobe gave everyone a glimpse of what the Black Mamba does best—by coaching an exhibition game between members of Nike-sponsored teams of DLSU Green Archers, ADMU Blue Eagles, FEU Tamaraws and Smart Gilas Pilipinas. This first-hand training with Kobe definitely gave these ballers a huge advantage in the on-going collegiate basketball season.

To ensure that his presence will have a lasting effect on the kids even after this year’s visit, Nike and Kobe refurbished the Gawad Kalinga basketball court in Taguig to give these athletes a better venue

In his third visit, Kobe was able to inspire even more athletes to dream big. Not even a day has passed after his tour and the entire nation’s already looking forward to his return.

events

event

Celebrate the Best of the Best

It was a spectacular event as the TriNoma Activity Center was filled with royalty, heroes and heroines, robots and villains as Globe-powered Tattoo and Swatch displayed creativity at its best.

August2011

“Tattooed in Time” featured an exciting cosplay competition gathering the most compelling characters parading down the runway in full regalia. Over 60 participants were trimmed down to 15 of the best characters for a chance to bag the Best Male, Best Female and Best Mecha awards.

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The best of the best then walked the runway battling for coveted awards. Semifinals host Mia Bayuga had her hands full with introducing each contestant as they displayed their costumes in a fashion walk-off. Meticulous costume choices coupled with each contestants’ elaborate interpretations made it a fashion show brimming with talent and style. In the end Samantha de Guzman bagged the Best Female Cosplayer in her Pharoah of Lilith of Battle of Immortals costume, Best

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Male was awarded to Dennis Madarang for his magnificent Balanar Arm Dota costume from DOTA All Stars, while Cykah Malagad won the Best Mecha for the intricate details of his Astaroth costume from the Grand Chase game. In celebration of true creativity, Swatch then launched their latest collection designed by noted Japanese artist Hiroyuki Matsuura. These latest designs featured Transmission, Use Your Ears, Crowha, Windy Bunny, Strawberry Switchblade and Ducky Brigade. Matteo Guidicelli, champion racer and Swatch’s latest endorser, surprised everyone as he introduced the latest Swatch and Art collection. Honoring the artistic creations of Hiroyuki Matsuura, each character from the

collection was given life through the designs of Philippines renowned fashion designers Kermit Tesoro, Louis Claparols, Jerome Lorico, Eric delos Santos, Jerome Ang and Martin Baustista. Each model sashayed down the catwalk wearing couture fashion inspired by Matsuura’s New Six Gents Collection for Swatch. The hosts of the evening, Supreme Man, Tim Yap and Queen of Cosplay and Tattoo ambassador Alodia Gosiengfiao, presided over the surreal surroundings and told the audience all about the latest from Tattoo and Swatch. They were joined by Dong Ronquillo, head of nomadic broadband business for Tattoo, Swatch Philippines president Virgie Ramos, Swatch Philippines creative director Rowell Santiago, Swatch Philippines COO James Locsin, and Ashley Gosiengfiao.

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The motherboard—sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard or system board—is the central printed circuit board (PCB) in many modern computers, making it a critical part of every laptop or desktop PC. Asus, one of the most trusted motherboard and graphics card brand, gathered local technical media and hardware pros for the first Asus Technical Seminar this year. This is a recurring event by Asus Philippines to thoroughly discuss the technology behind each product and of course its exclusive technology featured in it. Highlighted in the seminar are the products first seen in Computex 2011 in Taiwan. Asus’ Republic of Gamers Maximus IV Gene-Z, Crosshair V Formula and Matrix GTX 580 Rommel Salinas, Asus Philippines open platform technical PR specialist, started off with Republic of Gamers goodies. ROG is the sub-brand of Asus created for the sole purpose of delivering the most innovative hardcore hardware for truly dedicated gamers. Highlighted ROG products in the seminar were Maximus IV Gene-Z and Crosshair V Formula motherboards, and Matrix GTX 580 graphics card. The Maximus IV GENE-Z uses the new Intel Z68 chipset to deliver unparalleled gaming and overclocking features. The Crosshair V Formula is the first AMD 990FX-based motherboard supporting both 3-Way SLI and CrossFireX, and with a graphical UEFI BIOS. The ROG MATRIX GTX 580 is a high-performance graphics card for enthusiasts and gamers who demand the very best with Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 GPU.

TUF, The Ultimate Force Sabertooth 990 FX

vital components, giving users the ability to monitor each one individually and automatically adjusts fan speeds to ensure the system maintains a level of high stability without overheating.

Asus P8Z68 V-PRO This is your dream Z68 motherboard, with full support for 3 times faster video conversion and universal switchable graphics. As explained in the event, the Intel Z68 chipset in the P8Z68-V PRO offers several major advances: the ability to overclock the processor graphics in the Sandy Bridge CPU. Smart Response Technology for SSD caching and the ability to switch between the discrete and integrated graphics. Exclusive to Asus motherboards, its UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the first ever mouse-controlled graphical BIOS interface designed with dual selectable modes. It delivers a user-friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls to enable more flexible and convenient input with quick scrolling. As shared in the event, Asus takes pride in being able to deliver the full features and benefits of the Intel Z68 chip for the consumers to take advantage of; Switchable graphic, Transcoding and SSD caching features supported versus other brands. With Asus unique features UEFI BIOS and Dual Intelligent Processors 2 (DIP 2) with Digi+VRM, Asus proves to show that they have become the standard for motherboard excellence. Held in Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center in Ortigas, the Asus Open Platform Technical Seminar was a great opportunity for tech media and enthusiasts to learn and know more about the latest in information technology, and they literally got a closer look on the latest innovations from the company.

events

A TUF motherboard built with high-end components ensures quality and tested server-grade reliability and are certified TUF only after a series of extreme stress tests including maximum temperature and humidity tolerance, so users get nothing but the best and most reliable motherboard on the market. This was showcased and thoroughly explained with the newest addition to the Asus TUF Series motherboards, Sabertooth 990FX, which also has the distinction of being the first AMD-based system in the TUF Series of motherboards. The Sabertooth 990FX motherboards feature the use of CeraM!X, an exclusive aerospace-grade cooling material that effectively conducts heat away from vital system components, 50% larger cooling area for maximum heat dissipation. Another feature is Asus’s Thermal Radar technology, which consists of 10 sensors located on various

August2011

Asus Holds Technical Seminar

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Rise of the Android Malware Raise funds via eBay Charity Have Fun

August2011

eBay Philippines (www.ebay. ph) launched the eBay Charity Fundraising platform in April with the GMA Kapuso Foundation as its first registered charity. The platform provides registered charities in the Philippines with an avenue to raise funds via the auction of celebrity memorabilia and experiences to buyers in Philippines and worldwide.

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Smartphone owners using the Android platform should be extra cautious every time they operate their devices. Over the past year, security software company Trend Micro released several malware attack reports detailing the different ways cyber criminals have taken advantage of Androidbased phones. Just this June, for example, a malware called DroidDreamLight was spotted.

Micro global network for research and development.

The malware was apparently downloaded together with legitimate applications that have been Trojanized by cybercriminals. These malware creators modified preexisting apps that were uploaded on the Android Market by appending malicious codes. Afterwards they uploaded these tampered apps back on the market.

The second thing to keep in mind is that not all apps are safe.

Over 120,000 unsuspecting users who didn’t know the difference between genuine and fake apps fell victims to their ploy and installed the said apps on their phones. As a result, information such as their International Mobile Subscriber (IMSI) number, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, device model, language used, software development kit (SDK) version, and list of installed apps were all stolen and sent back to URLs specified by the cybercriminals. TrendLabs senior threat analyst Mark Balanza said all the stolen information will be collected and potentially used by cybercriminals for social engineering schemes to fool users into accessing and downloading possibly more damaging malware updates in the future. TrendLabs is the Trend

Disabling the Wi-Fi auto-connect option also helps since it decreases the risk of exposing a device to freely flowing threats on a wireless network.

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What should Android users do? Balanza said users should take advantage of their smartphone’s built-in security features. By simply assigning a pattern, PIN, password, or more advisably a fingerprint lock on the device gives the user sole access to his or her data.

eBay Philippines provides charities with an experienced Trading Assistant to assist them in listing management and an account manager to help them with their eBay account and auction planning. eBay also provides promotional support with banners on the home page and direct mailers as well as on the eBay Facebook page.

UNICEF Philippines and GMA Kapuso Foundation have conducted successful charity fundraising campaigns on eBay Philippines and have auctioned many celebrity memorabilia. In fact, UNICEF have raised over Php 900,000 through the auction of art and sculptures while GMA Kapuso Foundation have raised over Php130,000 through the auction of celebrity clothes and accessories. Deepa Thomas, Head – Pop Culture, eBay Philippines shared, “We are delighted with the initial response from the eBay community of buyers as well as our charity partners. We invite more charities to register on our Charity fundraising platform & benefit from our traffic, buyer base and promotion.”

Globe Offers New PHL Inbound Calling Promo

Trojanized apps are often made to look harmless. Any unnecessary call for access rights unrelated to the app’s functions should be considered suspicious and potentially dangerous. Blocking third-party app stores altogether is advisable as well.

Lastly, Balanza suggests investing in mobile security apps that will protect user information from phishing attacks, will block unwanted calls or messages, and will prevent the download of fake and malicious Android apps. Some mobile security apps like Trend Micro Mobile Security also provide parents with controls to keep their children away from inappropriate content whenever they access the device. For more information on Android malware and security visit http://us.trendmicro.com/us/ products/personal/mobilesecurity-for-android

Callers and subscribers from the US can save up to 95% when they call their loved ones in the Philippines with the newest calling service from Globe Telecom. The Globe Super US Direct is another innovative calling offer for Filipino subscribers receiving calls from their relatives in the United States. Available to Globe Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers, it is the first and only calling service that provides them their virtual US landline numbers which can be used to receive incoming calls that are charged with local US call rates. This means that the subscriber’s contact from anywhere in the US will be charged a lower and more affordable calling rate compared with a standard IDD call when calling the Philippines.

“With Globe Super US Direct, families separated by distance need not worry about high overseas call rates that prohibit them from calling the Philippines regularly. Those based in the US can now call their loved ones here more frequently to keep their bonds and ties intact despite being away from each other,” said Richie Sison, head for overseas Filipino communities and strategic alliances. For $15 or only Php 699 valid for a month’s use, the Philippine-based Globe mobile number will enjoy its own US number, complete with a US area code. Family members based in the US are then charged local call rates based on their respective plans when they call the Philippines, making longdistance communication more affordable and convenient.

with Sun Broadband

Tourists and travelers can now experience safe, convenient trips while enjoying the power of online surfing 24/7 for free with Victory Liner and Sun Broadband’s partnership. The transport company’s tieup with Sun Broadband aims to give their patrons and subscribers one of the most exciting tours of their lives by providing them enriching and interactive experiences while on board Victory Liner’s buses through the power of Sun Broadband’s WiFi service. Patrons get to enjoy this new service for free.

Sweeter Days for Groupon Philippines

Since its launch in February, the online daily deals site Groupon Philippines, formerly Beeconomic, has tripled its subscriber base in just three months. Aside from the growing number of subscribers, Groupon Philippines has also been featuring more Sweet Deals every day, giving both its current and new subscribers a chance to see, taste and experience the best lifestyle deals in the country. With its success in Metro Manila and the hive has been growing to almost a hundred busy bees daily and counting, Groupon Philippines has just launched in Cebu and will be expanding to Davao, Bacolod and Iloilo soon. Groupon Philippines offers Sweet Deals for practically everything. Aside from bringing the best of the city at only a fraction of the price, has also committed itself in helping make lives better as they launched a charity for Japan’s tsunami and earthquake victims, where Groupon met every Php100 donated with Php100 of its own.

newsbits&byte

Globe Business serves SMEs with complete solutions

Globe Business provides a complete suite of wired, wireless and broadband solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). As a one-stop-shop for all the communication needs of entrepreneurs, it is launching new Negostar deals exclusively for SME customers. Available starting June 13, these offers bring down the price of mobile packages and introduce affordable mobile and broadband solutions for entrepreneurs. Globe Business’ Account Managers provide consultation to entrepreneurs, customizing solutions suited to their unique needs. Today, they highly recommend the new Negostar deals that will help SMEs achieve cost-efficiency. SMEs can save as much as 50% in the new Negostar Bronze deal that offers three Nokia 1616 phones with three postpaid lines for only Php719 every month. The three

lines, called Negostar Mobile Trio, get free 300 texts to all networks and are treated as one account so business owners get just one bill. Globe Business also offers the new Negostar Silver plan that gives as much as 39% savings to SMEs. For only Php2,319 per month, they get a postpaid plan with a new Nokia C1-01, broadband service at speeds of up to 1Mbps plus their very own netbook, and a Globe landline. The postpaid line features unlimited calls to Globe and TM phones and free 300 texts to all networks. The Negostar deals and its wide range of business solutions are all available to SMEs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and it even offers consultations with the help of its Globe Business Account Managers to customize solutions suited to the demands of their businesses.

August2011

Honda Holds Contest For Civic Owners

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Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. proudly announces winners of its online photo contest entitled, “Lovin’ My Civic.”The tilt aims to creatively capture the owners’ strong fascination and memorable experiences with the Honda Civic, across model generations. Lucy Dy, Jericho Antiporda and Raphael Francisco bested entries across the country and won HTC Desire S Android phone, Nintendo 3DS and Sony 2GB W Series MP3 Walkman, respectively. Lucy, Jericho and Raphael are part of over 100,000 Civic owners who share the same passion for excitement and innovation.

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Second batch of Isuzu-TESDA scholars graduates

The Isuzu-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Auto Mechanic Training Center has graduated its second batch of scholars, made up of 29 scholars picked from qualified but underprivileged youth in the country. The training center is a project of Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan (IML), TESDA and Plan Philippines. The 13 male and 16 female students from this batch will have the opportunity to work at Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), Isuzu Auto Parts Manufacturing Corp. (IAMC), various Isuzu dealerships,

and other local service shops and companies. Students of the TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center earn the highest certification (known as NC4) in the field of automotive service after a two-year course. They also get an NC2 certification in driving by the time they graduate. Besides the technical skills, the students are trained in the other aspects of the car business, like teamwork, customer relations and planning.

the Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center, and we are having already the second commencement exercises,” said Isuzu Motors chairman Yoshinori Ida during the graduation ceremony held on May 10. The Leyte-based training center successfully graduated its first batch of scholars in November last year, with 25 scholars subsequently landing jobs at IPC, IAMC, and Isuzu dealers. They are currently contractual employees about to enter the probationary phase.

“It has only been two-and-a-half years since the inauguration of

HTC Recognized for Design Leadership HTC Corp. has been honored by three separate international organizations for excellence in product design. The company’s philosophy of designing mobile phones for the individual passions and pursuits of consumers is reflected in each winning product line, resulting in recent awards from IDEA, and earlier in the year from red dot and IDA. “Countless HTC employees came together to earn the recognition we received at IDEA 2011, red dot 2011 and IDA 2010,” said Scott Croyle, vice president of design at HTC. “Our award-winning designs span multiple disciplines

and regions around the world. Our teams listened to and observed customers, recognized their differing needs, and partnered to design products that have these customers’ desires at heart.” HTC garnered four top awards at the 2011 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for devices in the communications tools category. The HTC Droid Incredible was given a Gold award, HTC EVO 4G recognized with a Silver award, and the HTC Legend garnered a Bronze award. Additionally, the HTC Aria was a finalist in the communications tool category.

In March, HTC won three awards from red dot. The EVO 4G won the highest product design award: the “red dot: best of the best” award, recognizing trailblazing design. In addition, the HTC Legend and HTC Aria won a red dot, a quality seal awarded to devices with high design quality, that stand apart from comparable products. In May, the IDA, a four-yearold awards program honoring smart and sustainable design, recognized HTC’s pioneering design by awarding the HTC Legend a Gold at the 2010 IDA Awards.

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and is also an expression of the oil company’s long-standing support for the preservation, appreciation and rediscovery of Philippine arts, culture, values and traditions. The Tambuli Awards recognizes effective integrated marketing communications programs and is awarded annually by the University of Asia and the Pacific. Petron Corp., the undisputed oil industry leader, recently won accolades from two award-giving bodies. ArtPetron 10 received a Bronze Tambuli Award in the Best Youth Brand category during the 2011 Tambuli Awards held last 09 June 2011. Themed Alay sa Natatanging Pamayanan, ArtPetron 10 featured Petron’s involvement in the communities and its dynamic partnerships with local folk in uplifting their quality of life. ArtPetron 10 encouraged the student artists to render creative renditions and transform its partnerships with Filipino communities into exceptional paintings and photographs. The ArtPetron National Student Art Competition is a painting and photography contest open to all college students. It is Petron’s advocacy with the Filipino youth,

For the 11th consecutive year, Petron was, again, bestowed the Gold ‘Trusted Brand’ Award in the Petrol Station category by Readers Digest in ceremonies held last June 2 at Resorts World Manila. The award is the result of a survey where respondents vote for the brand they trust and rate them in terms of trustworthiness, credible image, quality, value, understanding of customers’ needs, and innovativeness. Petron is the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines. Its oil refinery produces a full range of petroleum products to supply nearly 40% of the country’s fuel requirements. Through more than 1,500 service stations nationwide—the largest service station network in the country— Petron retails gasoline, diesel and kerosene to motorists.

Kaspersky Lab Raises Alarm vs. Botnet Malware Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, raised the alarm as it discovers TDL-4, the latest variant of the TDSS botnet, which is found to be destructive and powerful enough to remain hidden among other botnets. It said the latest TDSS botnet variant could compete in stealing data from infected computers and was developed to be unnoticed even by commercial antivirus applications.

KDDI and Ruckus Wireless Debut Mobile Data Offload Network Ruckus Wireless has been selected by KDDI Corp., Japan’s principal telecommunications provider, to supply advanced WiFi products for the world’s first and largest “instant-on” WiFi access and mobile data offload service. With over 32 million mobile subscribers, KDDI is leveraging advanced carrier WiFi technology, pioneered by Ruckus Wireless, to offload mobile data traffic from its cellular network while providing subscribers with seamless, highspeed wireless access throughout Japan. Subscribers of KDDI’s packet flat rate plans can now use the new KDDI “au Wi-Fi SPOT” service free of charge with their Android smartphones in over 10,000 locations initially, scaling to 100,000 locations by March 2012. With no tedious, manual configuration of the phone, KDDI subscribers can automatically access and be authenticated to KDDI WiFi hotspots using credentials embedded within each phone over highly secured and encrypted connections.

With WiFi embedded in virtually every mobile Internet device, common hotspot services have become an important component of effective coverage for today’s service providers worldwide that offer smartphones. WiFi hotspots are a quick and cost-effective way for mobile operators to inject wireless capacity in areas of high usage, thereby alleviating the pressures on 3G/4G infrastructures caused by the explosion of mobile Internet data traffic.

However, the lack of integration between WiFi hotspots and cellular networks has hampered operators from delivering a seamless and consistent subscriber experience to the exploding population of smartphone and tablet users. KDDI has solved this problem, through introducing innovative bundled plans that include both 3G and WiFi traffic in a variety of options. The charging is unified, and access to both 3G and Ruckusdriven WiFi networks is a single seamless experience for KDDI’s customers.

The Kaspersky Lab experts warn that the release of the TDL-4 is just an indication of the risks cybercriminals are willing to take just to earn from the misery of victims.

Participants in the digi-film contest must submit an original 60-second short video that must highlight the image of any Pony footwear and may also contain digital animation and text; and while digital art poster contest participants are expected to produce original photo which should have a title, a short narrative describing the concept and a clearly visible image of Pony Footwear. Contestants may send in more than one entry. The “Show Off” contest begins on June 15 and will run until October 15, 2011. For more information, visit www.ponyshowoff.com.

To help victims recover from this calamity, Petron dealers and service stations in Davao have mobilized as official Tulong Kapwa centers to accept donations in cash and in kind. Those who wish to provide assistance may go to any participating Petron station displaying the Tulong Kapwa signage.

In response to the recent flash floods that hit Davao City and neighboring areas, Petron initiated the Tulong Kapwa campaign to provide assistance to the victims and their families. Last July 6 Petron and its dealers turned over, relief goods consisting of several sacks of rice and boxes of food items, as well as school supplies such as Petron notebooks and pens to address the immediate needs of the affected families.

Heavy rains last June 28 caused the Pangi River to overflow, resulting in a 10-ft. flood in five barangays in Davao City. Over 12,000 families were affected by the floods, destroying 50 homes and resulting in about 30 fatalities. Several areas were again submerged in knee-deep waters on July 3, prompting affected families to evacuate their homes.

Petron, the country’s leading oil company, is proud of its corporate social responsibility programs which help improve the lives of the communities it serves. These include its pioneering Petron Lakbay Alalay program, which has been expanded from a summer emergency roadside assistance project into a year-long motorist safety advocacy. Through Petron Foundation, it is also actively involved in education and coastal management.

newsbits&bytes

The TDSS itself installs on a PC around 30 utilities, including fake antivirus programs and systems for both increasing advertising traffic and distributing spam. One of the most significant new additions to TDL-4 is the possibility to infect 64-bit operating systems.

REBEL designers and visionaries are invited to show off their creative streak and visual genius in Pony Footwear’s digital film and poster art competition billed “Show Off.” A competition open to everyone, each contestant is expected to interpret Pony Footwear’s tagline “Let’s Get It On” using imagery, digital design and short narrative.

Petron initiates Tulong Kapwa for Davao flash flood victims

TLD-4 has so far been widely used in a variety of attacks on both individuals and businesses. According to an analysis made by Kaspersky Lab experts, at least 4.5 million computers worldwide were found to be infected in the first three months of 2011. About US$250,000 is estimated to have been spent by cybercriminals on the creation of a botnet made up of American users. Kaspersky Lab experts Sergey Golovanov says the new botnet was undetectable for months. The TDL-4 has been found to have new capabilities not seen in previous variants. These included the ability to have its own encryption method in communicating with other infected computers, the use of peer-to-peer networks in sending commands, and even create a proxy server functionality that could allow cybercriminals to have undetectable, unlimited Internet access through infected computers.

Pony Holds A Contest

August2011

Petron earns Tambuli, Trusted Brand Awards

newsbits&byte

Canon Leads Inkjet Printer Market Canon PIXMA continues to dominate the country’s total inkjet printer market as its share grew 38% in the first quarter this year from last year’s 31%, said the International Data Corp. (IDC). IDC, a research company that specializes in technology companies and markets, said during the period, apart from dominating the Total Inkjet Printer Category, Canon PIXMA led the single function printer category with 46% market share. It said Canon PIXMA also got a large share of 32% in the multifunction inkjet printer segment.

“The PIXMA brand continues to have strong following locally owing to its efficient pre-sales and after sales support, fast service turn-around time, reasonable price, exclusive promos, and unmatched prints,” said Jill Santiago, consumer systems products marketing manager of Canon Marketing Philippines, Inc.

Canon PIXMA iP 2770, MP258, and MX366 were among the top-selling products for the quarter. Canon PIXMA printers are known for their affordability, ease of use and advanced features. They are equipped with the proprietary FINE technology which allows users to print photos with the highest quality fast.

Santiago said sales were further pushed by strong marketing efforts, increased number of service centers with 230 nationwide, and improved coverage of provincial areas.

Further, Canon PIXMA printers comes with the patented Chromalife 100+ technology that ensures every photo printed on Canon PIXMA Printers with Canon genuine ink and photo paper lasts for up to 300 years.

MediaTek brings Yahoo! Services Around The World MediaTek Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. have announced a global partnership that will embed Yahoo!’s services into MediaTek’s mobile platform solutions. MediaTek is the world’s largest mobile chipset maker and in 2010, the company shipped over 500 million units for assembly into a wide range of mobile phones distributed worldwide.

Multiply Commerce Opens The Largest Online Shopping Space

August2011

From its beginning as a social networking site where millions of people went to share photos and videos, Multiply has evolved into the largest online shopping site in the Philippines with the introduction of Multiply Commerce. Multiply Commerce features a network that connects virtual shoppers to the widest variety of on-line shops.

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Multiply Commerce celebrates the individuality of Digital Pinoys by offering thousands of shops and millions of choices which is a unique platform in the Philippine shopping market. Multiply Commerce has upgraded features for both shoppers and merchants. For shoppers, Multiply Commerce introduced the Marketplace that offers a listing of the variety of shops available so people can easily find what they’re looking for. For sellers, the Multiply Commerce program was developed to help them manage and grow their business.

Yahoo! will be MediaTek’s first global mobile service partner to deliver mobile Internet services including Yahoo! Messenger, News, Finance, Weather, Mail and other Yahoo! popular services on MediaTek’s MAUI Runtime Environment (MRE). MRE is MediaTek’s new middleware technology designed for mobile developers to deploy services and content for “smart-feature phones.”

Ming-Kai Tsai, MediaTek chairman, said: “MediaTek has redefined the mobile landscape through our partnership with Yahoo!. By integrating Yahoo! services into our mobile platform solutions, we are providing our customers and end users with access to the best experience for hugely popular Yahoo! services like Messenger, Mail, News, Weather and much more. ” Rose Tsou, AVP at Yahoo! Asia Pacific, said: “The mobile Internet presents a wealth of opportunity for Yahoo! and our partnership with MediaTek will further connect us with our audiences in growing markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and India where new to Internet users are coming online for the first time through their mobile devices.”

Hyundai Appliances Presents Full Line innovative Products Hyundai consumer electronics, home, and small domestic appliances rolls out the first tranche of its full-line products, confident of the Philippine market’s demand for valueladen products with latest innovations in technology, design and applications. Joseph Alexis Bandol, Hyundai Digital Display Product Head for GTC Aldis, sole distributor of Hyundai Appliances, said the company is strongly affirmed of the mark that the Korean brand Hyundai has carved globally in the manufacture of affordable, energy efficient and exceptional quality cars. “In home appliances, there is a clear demand for the Hyundai brand and the attributes of luxury features that can be enjoyed for lesser costs,” Bandol declares. Bandol states that Hyundai Appliances presents a mid-priced positioning to serve a wider market. Hyundai Appliances’ LED TVs feature a USB slot for all-

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Be gentle with your nails and protect them from harsh elements by applying the Mighty Nail Strengthener to avoid peeling, cracking and dry and brittle nails. The I Don’t Nail Bite Solution is the answer to your not-so-pleasant ‘nail-biting’ habit, while the Instant Nail Whitener will keep nails looking

clean and healthy.

Accidental splitting or breaking of your nail will be taken care of by Cutex’s Emergency Nail Repair that has micro crystal particles that leave a protective and sealing film on damaged nails. Moisturizing nails regularly will keep them healthy and will add glow to how they look. Cutex has the Superb Nail and Cuticle Conditioner which is perfect to moisturize dry cuticles, and prevent painful hangnails. If your body needs vitamins, so

Hyundai Appliances’ range of value price points and innovation form a strong message not only for client attraction but also for loyalty, Bandol declares. He said that with established outlets like SM Appliance Center, Ansons, Automatic Center, Shopwise and more than 100 other appliance shops nationwide, GTC Aldis looks forward to providing full complement customer service to clients.

iPhone 4 In White From Globe Globe Telecom brings the white model of iPhone 4 to subscribers in the Philippines, after launching the earlier black version in September last year. “The long wait is over. Globe is changing everything again by bringing the white iPhone 4 exclusively to its mobile phone subscribers,” said Peter Bithos, senior advisor of consumer business at Globe Telecom. Apart from the Philippines, white models of the iPhone 4 are also available in Austria, Australia, Belgium,

Make Your Nails Summer-Ready With Cutex’s Nail Remedy Solutions Thanks to Cutex, getting your nails ready is simple and easy. It has a wide range of Nail Remedy items as solutions to your nail problems.

format Movie Playback in High Definition while the LCD TVs have a unique Image Reality Creation Engine producing the highest quality standard in picture quality. On offer are sealed two-door water dispensers for sanitation with refrigerator cabinet for drinks, and its built-in stoves with new economic burner features, to name a few. Earmarked for introduction within the year are 3D LED TVs, alongside refrigerators, front-load washing machines, etc.

Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and the United States. The white iPhone 4 will also be available on the brand-new Globe My SuperSurf Plans, an array of fully customizable unlimited data plans which provide users with uninterrupted surfing, consumable monthly fees, bonus call and text services, starting at Plan 999.

do your nails. Cutex has Take Your Nail Vitamin which is infused with Vitamins C and E beads.

pusher, emery board, multipurpose buffer block and toenail spacer).

Cutex has the tools, implements, solutions and colors that will transform ho-hum, dull-looking nails to healthy and gorgeous nails which you can do yourself. Its complete of D-I-Y manicure and pedicure items also include clear gloss, top coat, base coat and nail hardener, caring nail polish removers, caring cuticle softener, nail grooming tools (with finger clipper, toenail clipper, nail and cuticle nipper, cuticle

And if you want to paint your nails with bright and striking summer hues, take your pick from Cutex’s fashionable shades. It is formulated free of dibutyl phthalate which cause infertility and certain types of cancer; toluene, also known as the human reproductive toxin; and dormaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. said its Smart TV unveiled this year surpassed 2 million units in cumulative sales recently, which is a remarkable record achieved within just three months since its launching.

It hit the global stage in March, and after that, Samsung Smart TV has marked several key sales milestones to date. In just 25 days in early April, Samsung boasted half a million units of sales, and its cumulative sales surpassed a whopping 1 million units within 45 days in late April. Since then, more than 150,000 units in average have been sold weekly, surpassing the 2 million mark recently. This means that average 22,000 units and 15.4 units were sold daily and minutely respectively, which is an unprecedented record

compared to the fact that it took eight months LED TV to pass the same milestone in the past. This reinforces its brand reputation as “Smart TV = Samsung.” Samsung Smart TV was very popular in North America—one of the largest TV markets in the world— with 730,000 units sold, followed by developed TV markets in Europe such as UK, Germany, France, Italy with 710,000 units sold. In the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, where Smart TVs were launched later, about 170,000 units were sold, proving its growing popularity there. In South Korea alone, the number of Samsung Smart TVs sold upon its launch was more than 120,000 units, showing a growing demand. Samsung Smart TV’s sales success was made possible by its widest

Sony Philippines opens new Davao center

product lineup, user interface— perfectly optimized for Smart TV— differentiated smart functionality and enriched content which provide what consumers want.

Samsung Electronics also opened up the era of Smart TV popularization by launching the 32-inch D6000 series, and in May, it rolled out the world’s largest 75-inch D9500 premium series— widening consumers’ choices with the full Smart TV lineup each by function, size and pricing. With Samsung Smart TV, users can enjoy smart tips, smart search, social networking, web browser, and Samsung Apps TV all via Smart Hub—a customized user interface. At the same time, Smart Hub’s well arranged main menu allows them to look through a wide array of content at a glance which is just a click away.

South Korean Community Partners with Smart

Sony Philippines, together with Metro Plaza, recently opened its second Sony Centre branch in Davao. Located at the third level of the newly opened Abreeza Mall, this specialized store will surely address the fast paced technological needs of more Filipinos. The new Sony Center Abreeza Mall by Metro Plaza holds the complete Sony product line-up of all the models and accessories offered here in the Philippines. Everyone will be able to touch, try and enjoy the newest technological offerings in the Bravia TVs, Cyber-shot Digital Cameras, Handycam Camcorders, Alpha DSLRs, Vaio computers,

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August2011

Samsung Smart TV Marked 2M Unit Milestone

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Walkman MP3 players and even the PlayStation with all its accessories. They can even experience the 3D, projector and internet capabilities of the new product lines. To add to the excitement of the opening, Sony Philippines had an acoustic and drumbeat performance to entertain the guests. “We are really excited to open our second Sony full lineup store in Davao, Sony fans in this province plus its nearby cities can find the perfect home and personal entertainment products through actual first hand experience”, says Twinkle Rafael, director for retail management at Sony Philippines.

Yamaha hosts Run for Heroes

Smart Communications Inc. has formalized an agreement with the United Korean Community Association (UKCA), the umbrella organization representing the interests of both visiting and migrant South Koreans in the Philippines, to provide the UKCA its suite of customizable services. Under the agreement signed at the Korean Embassy in Taguig City in the presence of Ambassador Lee Hye Min, the telco leader will offer, among others, its Infoboard solution— a Web-based, two-way announcement and feedback platform—to help the organization

manage communicating with other Koreans across the country. UKCA can use any Internetenabled computer to send announcements, such as security and emergency advisories, among others. This can be received by members via their cellphones via SMS, at no cost to them, wherever they are in the country and at any time of the day. Through their Smart cellphone registered to the Infoboard, the UKCA members can also use the service to text emergency updates, reports, and feedback to the organization for Php1 per message.

“It is a great opportunity to have this partnership with Smart as it will help us provide communication for the safety and security of our fellow Koreans in the Philippines, and to make their stay more worry-free and comfortable. This partnership also means that the Korean Embassy, the UKCA, and Smart will be able to work hand-in-hand for the benefit of all the Koreans in this country,” shared Won Joo Lee, president of UKCA in the Philippines.

21K Male category winners Willy Tanui, Hernandito Pineda and Dandelon Bumahit with YMPH president, Takeshi Yano (2nd from right) and Rio dela Cruz (2nd from left) of Runrio.

A sea of runners in red and black flocked the serene streets of Bonifacio Global City on July 3 for the first installment of the Yamaha Run for Heroes.

Group initiative which provides education support for children of soldiers who have died or permanently incapacitated in the line of duty.

The first company-initiated public run by Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc. (YMPH), Yamaha Run for Heroes attracted almost 8,000 runners from Metro Manila and neighboring cities. The company was able to raise over P1 million for the official event charity, Hero Foundation Inc., an Ayala

YMPH president, Takeshi Yano said “it was very overwhelming to see so many people running together to help children in need.” The company gave Yamaha Mio Fino motorcycles to the three top finishers—Annie Elma, Dandy Maldo and William Rivero.

newsbits&bytes

Jin Byung Chul and Soon Chul Jung of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines; Jin Ho Park of United Korean Community Association (UKCA); Yong Ho Kim of the Korean Embassy; Won Joo Lee of UKCA; Ambassador Lee Hye Min; Smart co-founder and chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea; and Perry Bayani, James Bernas, and Louie de Guzman of Smart sales and business development.

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SAMSUNG

NEO

SAMSUNG GALAXY MINI S5570 3.14-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen Android 2.2 (Froyo) 600 MHz processor 110.4 x 60.8 x 12.1 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 10,690

ELAN L4300-3D 15.6” HD Led Intel Core i7 740QM 4 GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 500 GB Hard Disk Drive Php 99,999

B3362 N 10.1 WSVGA Intel Atom N455 2 GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 250 GB Hard Disk Drive Php 11,999

B4200 N 14.0” HD Led Intel Pentium P6200 2GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 320GB Hard Disk Drive Php 17,999

SAMSUNG GALAXY FIT S5670 3.31-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen Android 2.2 (Froyo) 600 MHz processor 110.2 x 61.2 x 12.6 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 12,890

B3410 N Intel Celeron T3500 2GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 250GB Hard Disk drive Php 15,999

B5700 N 14.0 HD Led Intel Core i7-2630QM 2GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 500 GB Hard Disk Drive Php 30,999

B5100 N 14.0 HD Led Intel Core i3-2310M 2GB DDR3 1-year Warranty 500 GB Hard Disk Drive Php 24,999

*Models denoted with N do NOT have OS

REDFOX

SAMSUNG GALAXY ACE S5830 3.5-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen Android 2.2 (Froyo) 800 MHz ARM 11 processor, Adreno 200 GPU, Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset 112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 16,500

WIZPAD T1032IW 10-inch Backlit capacitive LED Intel Atom 455 32GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium Php 37,999

Tablet

WIZPAD T1030IW 10-inch Backlit capacitive LED Intel Atom 455 16GB SSD Windows 7 Starter Php 31,999

August2011

Desktop

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ICITIZEN EZ100-16AW 15.6-inch LED monitor AMD Athlon Processor LE-1640 1GB DDR2 1-year Warrranty 250GB HDD Php 16,000

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WIZPAD T1034IW 10-inch Backlit capacitive LED Intel Atom 455 32GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium Php 41,999

Notebook

EVOLVE ET18510ANW 18.5-inch LCD AMD Athlon Processor X2 215 2GB DDR2 1-year Warranty 320GB HDD Php 28,499

ICITIZEN IC1040I 10-inch LED Intel Atom N450 1GB DDR2 1-year Warranty 250GB HDD Php 15,000

ICITIZENW1040I 10-inch LED Intel Atom N450 2GB DDR2 1-year Warranty 320GB HDD Php 17,990

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ASUS August2011

K42N-VX057O 14-inch LED AMD V140, 2.3 GHz 2GB DDR2 800 MHz SDRAM 1 year Warranty parts and labor 320 GB HDD Php 18,995

EEE PC 1215T 12-inch LED AMD V105, 1.2 GHz 2GB DDR3 1 year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 19,995

K42F-VX329 Intel Core i3-380 2GB DDR3 1066 Mhz SDRAM 500GB HDD, 14" LED Display, Super Multi ODD, Card Reader, BT, 0.3MP webcam HDMI port, No OS, Bag Php 26,995

EEE PC 1015PX 10.1” LED Display Intel® Atom™ N570 Processor 2GB DDR3 Colors: Black and Red 250GB Php 13,995

N43SL-V1G-VX132 14-inch LED Intel Core i5 2410M (2.3 GHz) 2GB DDR 1333 Mhz SDRAM 1 year Warranty parts and labor 500 GB HDD Php 39,995

1005PXD Red, 10.1" Anti-Glare display, N455 1GB DDR2, 250GB HDD, BT, 802.11 b/g wireless, 2 USB, BT, Card reader 0.3MP webcam, Win 7 Starter Available in red, blue, and black Php 14,995

O!Play Mini Stylish and compact HD media player, Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel surround sound with full HD 1080p, Full support for most popular media formats, Exclusive RightTxT auto subtitle detection,4-in-1 card reader for easy access to huge range of photo formats Php 3,600

K42SJ 2nd generation Intel Core i3-2310 2GB DDR3 1333 Mhz SDRAM 500GB, 14" LED Display, NVIDIA GT520 1GB graphics, Super Multi ODD, Card Reader, BT, webcam, HDMI port Php 26,995

NIKON

ESSENTIO CM6830 WITH VE208T 20.0” inches Mercury-free LED-backlit panel The 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ Processors HDMI for Hi-def Enjoyment 8GB Max 2 x DIMM Dual Channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz Up to 4 TB, 2 HDD 1 year warranty

ASUS CP6130 WITH VH2197T 18.5” LED panel DVI input with HDCP Intel Pentium Dual Core processor G620 2.6GHz DDR3 1333MHz 4GB500 GB HDD Intel GMA X4500 HD HD hardware solution 1 year warranty

COOLPIX L120 14.1 megapixels 3-inch TFT LCD 120 MB, expandable via SD card NIKKOR 4.5-94.5mm lens, 21X Optical Zoom 109.9 X 76.5 X 78.4 mm Php 15,999

HTC DESIRE Z 3.7-inch S-LCD capacitive touchscreen Android 2.2 (Froyo) 800 MHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 205 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 7230 chipset 119 x 60.4 x 14.2 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 30,800

HTC DESIRE HD 4.3-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen Android 2.2 (Froyo) 1 GHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 205 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon chipset 123 x 68 x 11.8 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 33,500

HTC HD7 4.3-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen Microsoft Windows Phone 7 1 GHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 200 GPU, Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon chipset 122 x 68 x 11.2 mm GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/2100 Php 36,900

“It’s not easy looking for a new gadget. Luckily, we’re here to help you out.”

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HTC

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AGFA

HP MINI 110-3101TU 10.1-inch LCD Intel Atom N475 1GB DDR2 1-year Warranty parts and labor 250GB HDD Php 18,990

MINI 210-2005TU/ 2025TU BLACK/RED 10.1 LED flush display Intel Atom N475 2GB DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 22,990

MINI 210-1102TU/1103 RED/BLUE 10.1 LED flush display Intel Atom N475 1GB 667DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 250GB HDD Php 21,490

PRECISA 1430 14.1 Megapixels 2.4-inch Auto Brigthness LCD 20 MB internal memory expandable via SD card 3x Optical Zoom with Image Stabilization 92 x 60.5 x 30.35mm Php 2,995

CQ42-357TU 14-inch LED Intel Pentium P6200 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 26,990

CQ42-254TU 14-inch LED Intel Core i3 350M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 29,990

CQ42-292TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i3 350M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 38,990

OPTIMA 145 14.1 Megapixels 2.7-inch Auto Brightness LCD 64 MB internal memory expandable via SD card 5x Optical Zoom with Image Stabilization 97.7 x 60.5 x 21.58mm Php 4,995

CQ42-268TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i3 350M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 500GB HDD Php 33,990

CQ42-263TU 14-inch LED Intel Core i5 450M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 320GB HDD Php 34,990

G42-366TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i3 380M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 500GB HDD Php 35,990

OPTIMA 147 14.1 Megapixels 3-inch Auto Brightness LCD 64 MB internal memory expandable via SD card 7x Optical Zoom with Image Stabilization 99.5 x 56.9mm x 21.23mm Php 5,995

G42-368TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i3 380M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 500GB HDD Php 39,990

G42-370TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i5 460M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 500GB HDD Php 40,990

G42-372TX 14-inch LED Intel Core i5 460M 2GB 1066DDR3 1-year Warranty parts and labor 500GB HDD Php 43,990

SELECTA 14 14.1 Megapixels 2.7-inch Auto Brightness LCD 13.7 MB internal memory expandable via SD card 15x Optical Wide Zoom with Optical Image Stabilization 103 x 74 x 68mm Php 8,995

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CANON August2011

EOS 600D 18 megapixels 3-inch wide LCD with vari-angle SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card EF-S 18-55mm f.3.5-5.6 IS II (Kit lens) 133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7 mm Php 49,950

EOS 1D MARK IV 16.1 megapixels 3.0 inches TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor Type I or II CF card, SD memory card, MicroDrive 156 x 156.6 x 79.9mm Php 249,950.00 (body only)

EOS 1000D 10.50 megapixels 2.5in TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor SD card, SDHC card 18-55mm kit lens 126.1 x 97.5 x 61.9mm Php Php 27,950

EOS 5D MARK II 21.10 megapixels 3-inch TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor with Live view shooting Type I or II CF card, UDMA-compatible Canon EF lenses 152 x 113.5 x 75mm Php 129,950.00 (body only)

EOS 7D 18 megapixels 3.0-inch TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor SD, SDHC and SDXC card 128.8 x 97.5 x 75.3mm Php 89,950

DIGITAL IXUS 310 HS 12.1 megapixels 3.2-inchPureColor II Touch LCD screen SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card 4.4x Optical zoom 100.6 x 55.4 x 25.0 mm Php 19,950

DIGITAL IXUS 220 HS 12.1-megapixels 2.7-inch PureColor II G LCD SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card 24mm, 5x zoom, Optical IS 92.2 x 55.9 x 19.5 mm Php 16,950

POWERSHOT A3300 IS 16 megapixels 3.0-inch TFT LCD SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card 5.0 – 25.0 mm, 5x optical zoom 95.1 x 56.7 x 23.9 mm Php 9,950

POWERSHOT A2200 14.1 megapixels 2.7-inch TFT colour wide viewing angle type SD, SDHC memory, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, HC MMCplus 93.2 x 57.2 x 23.6mm Php 6,950

POWERSHOT SX130 IS 12.1 megapixels 3.0-inch TFT colour LCD with wide viewing angle SD, SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, HC MMCplus 113.3 x 73.2 x 45.8mm Php 15,950

VIXIA FS400 2.7-inch widescreen colour 37x optical zoom SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card 53 x 59 x 122mm Php 12,950

MG5270 WiFi enabled USB and Card ports 2.4 inch LCD display Pictbridge support Php 8,495

IX6560 USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 9600 dpi resolution. 549 × 299 × 159mm Php 11,650

POWERSHOT A800 10.0 megapixels 2.5 TFT LCD SD, SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card 24mm, 5x zoom, Optical IS 6.6 - 21.6mm, 3.3 optical zoom Php 3,950

POWERSHOT A1200 12.1 megapixel 2.7-inch type TFT colour wide viewing angle type SD, SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, HC MMCplus 97.5 x 62.5 x 30.7mm Php 4,590

buyers’guide

EOS 1100D 12.2 Megapixels 2.7-inch LCD with Live View shooting SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card EF-S 18-55mm f.3.5-5.6 IS II (Kit lens) 129.9x 99.7x 77.9mm Php 31,950

links

your gadgets directory

Technology Acer

Nokia

http://www.acer.com.ph

4/F 5/F Building B, SM Megamall Julia Vargas Avenue Corner Edsa Mandaluyong City Tel. 636 5478

Audiophile 3F Festival mall corporate avenue corner Civic drive Muntinlupa City Tel. 807 8796

Altec Lansing BANBROS Commercial Inc., 3/F BB Corporate Center 32 Pilar cor. Araullo St, Addition Hills, San Juan CIty

Asus Technology Philippines, Inc. Hanston Bldg., Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel. 634-0309 http://ph.asus.com

D-link Unit 1421 Cityland Herrera Tower Rufino Corner Valero Street Salcedo Village Makati City Tel. 482 7700

Fujitsu/Gateway/Seagate LG/F Techno Hub Computer Gallery, Shangri-La Plaza EDSA Corner Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City Tel. 843 4343 local 2166

Genius Topy II Building 3 Economia Street, Libis, Quezon City Tel. 688 3999

HTC SiSPH Technologies, Inc. Suite 3003, 30th flr. Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan CIty Tel. 728 3388

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Neo

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Glee Electronics, Inc. Unit 203 2/F Taipan Place Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel. 633 4533

Panasonic Philippines Ortigas Avenue Extension, Taytay, Rizal Tel. 636 3101

Speedo Aquashot 3/F The Podium 18 ADB Avenue Ortigas Center 1550 Mandaluyong City Tel. 687 0982

Western Digital 3/F AIC Gold Tower 301-304 Garnet Road Ortigas Center 1605 Pasig City Tel. 634 6421

Mobility Audi, Porsche

201 EDSA Mandaluyong City Tel. 727 0383

BMW 2324 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Makati City Tel. 892 8128

Ford Ford Manila 1090 Paz Guazon Cor. Mendiola Extension Otis, Pandacan Manila Tel. 562 5950

Jaguar, Maserati G/F Enzo Building 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City Tel. 897 8888

Lifestyle

8402 8th Avenue Corner 34th street, North Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel. 856 5050

Mercedes Benz 1008 EDSA Greenhills San Juan City Tel. 723 5808

Suzuki Philippines Inc. Danny Floro Street Bagong Ilog Pasig City Tel. 671 9724

Volvo Volvo Building 2272 Don Chino Roces Avenue 1200 Makati City Tel. 893 6622

Banana Republic

DKNY

G/F Greenbelt 5 Legaspi Street Legaspi Village Makati City Tel. 729 4047

G/F Greenbelt 4 North Drive Ayala Center Makati City Tel. 757 1105

Calvin Klein

Louis Vuitton

G/F Greenbelt 3 Paseo De Roxas Corner Legaspi Street Makati City Tel. 757 4578

G/F Greenbelt 4 Paseo De Roxas Ayala Center Makati City Tel. 756 0637

Cutex/ Majolica Majorca/ Wet nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wild

Marc by Marc Jacobs

SM department store G/F, SM Megamall-A Department Store Julia Vargas Avenue Corner Edsa Mandaluyong City Tel. 633 5012

Chi Spa EDSA Shangri-La Garden Way Ortigas Center, Mandaluyon City Tel. 633 8888

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Lexus

G/F Greenbelt 5 Legaspi Street Legaspi Village Makati City Tel. 729 9607

Steve Madden G/F Greenbelt 5 Legaspi Street Legaspi Village Makati City Tel. 729 0814

Tory Burch G/F Greenbelt 5 Legaspi Street Legaspi Village Makati City Tel. 501 3690