2011 v12n2 - KEEP TABS

TM

THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRST TECH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

REVIEWED

Acer Iconia Tab A500 | Epson B-510DN Printer HTC ChaCha | LG-P970 Optimus Black Neo Basic B5106N | Neo Basic B5702 Razer Lachesi Gaming Mouse Razer Ironclad Mouse Pad Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Western Digital MyBook Studio

TOSHIBA PORTEGE R830

A TAB[LET] A DAY

An Affordable Alternative

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1

The Best Business Netbooks

Why Thin is In

ASUS ROG VULCAN

Gaming Gets Serious

Keep Tabs

ENCHONG DEE & ERICH GONZALES REEL Royalty

editor’snote

a few words from our editor

T

ablets used to be those pills one popped in the mouth to remedy ailments or what Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai with the inscription of God’s Ten Commandments.

But these days, tablets have taken on a whole new meaning. Thanks to Apple and its iPad, consumers are increasingly choosing tablet computers over desktops and laptops. Tablet PCs, and the iPad in particular, are getting so much hype in the media right now, it’s easy to forget that although they aren’t new, they’ve certainly become newly popular. Indeed, tablet PCs have been around for quite a while, only now are they becoming the desirable, usable and functional devices that we’ve always wanted them to be. Tablet computers are shifting the way people spend their time. And in such a short period of time, it has changed how people consume information, interact with information, how we share and relate to information.

The “tablet effect,” as most industry observers call it, is here. The iPad is currently the most obvious example of how tablets are going mainstream. People slowly replacing books—even school books—with tablet PCs. Businesses are also taking on these tabs to be used in varied ways, including those in food service, healthcare, field-service work and for general on-the-go inventory management, to name a few.

To herald this “newly popular” gadget, we’ve decided to dedicate this issue to these tablets—from the top slate PCs in the market, to iPads new uses, free apps, etc. We also have a surprise for your regular readers—instead of only a cover girl/girls, we have a cover “couple,” Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales, stars of the “newly popular” telenovela, Maria la del Barrio.

It appears these tablets/slate PCs will be with us for quite some time now. Just how exactly this genreredefining technology will transform our daily lives, we can only guess for now. These are exciting times indeed.

Armin A. Amio EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Enchong: White Shredded shirt (Php 1,200),Paradigm Shift; Denim Jeans (Php 899), Bench; On Erich: Black Shredded shirt (Php 1,200), Paradigm Shift; Cuffed Denim Shorts (Php 915) Forever21

September2011

Photographed by Erwin Barleta Erich’s Make-up by RB Chanco Erich’s Hair by Harlyn Hernandez Enchong’s grooming by Peps Silvestre Art Direction by Benjamin Arnold & Michelle Callanta-Toledo Styling by M.R. Gavin Shot at Camera Cart Studio

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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

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT HR OFFICER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

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

LEGAL COUNSEL Alba Law Office

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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February2011

editorsnote

contents

Volume 12 Number 02 • September 2011

56 photofeature

[EN]RICHING ENTERTAINMENT

September2011

Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee showcase the latest tablets and netbooks.

4

44

coverstory

A TAB[LET] A DAY Where did tablets come from and where are they going to take us? Find out the gritty facts on the computers of the future. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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February2011

contents

content Volume 12 Number 02 • September 2011

Tech

08 techparade

We showcase the newest gadgets, from the HTC Sensation to the Asus ROG G74SX.

22 gadgetslab

Tested and reviewed. Here are our expert opinions.

32 tablets

iPad: Multifunctional wonder

Because some of the best things in life are free.

37 gaming

Find out what indie developers offer a unique gaming experience.

Kia wins four design awards in new auto brand contest

Lifestyle

62 lifestyleparade

From the glitz of Salvatore Ferragamo to Banana Republic’s “Mad Men” Collection, life means nothing without style.

Kia Motors wins multiple awards in design competition

38

CATS/Mercedes-Benz previews the CLS 63 AMG

82 yin&yang

Achieve harmony and balance with these feng shui tips.

The new Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG combines elegance and comfort.

43

Ford Ranger goes big on creature comforts

68 wellness

Find out about the revolutionary laser technology unveiled by American Eye Center.

The Ford Ranger’s interior goes hightech.

39

J.D. Power improves newvehicle sales satisfaction

66 beautylab

Performance Kinetix—Training your body for what it was designed for.

New-Vehicle Sales Satisfaction ratings in the Philippines.

36 websites

The web is an infinite source of information. Read on to find out the most useful sites around.

54

Best Business Netbooks

50

Gurango

52

Neo SHOWROOMS

47 September2011

40

34 apps

Features

6

Mobility

48

Portability and power for the mobile professional

Software that plays a vital role in today’s business systems.

The local manufacturer amps up its customer service.

Green Business A new series of business monitors are unveiled by Philips, which promise to be both energy efficient while loaded with a wealth of features.

Life in High-Definition Do you want to live your life in high-definition? From televisions to cameras, read on to discover the best that the HD world has to offer.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Music 76 listen

Boom Bap! Music Apps: Take your tablet to the next level of performance with these highly recommended music production apps.

78 featuredartist

The Do-Over: L.A.’s infamous event series takes over The Collective.

80 cdreview

Lady Gaga is at her dirty best in “Born This Way”; Jennifer Lopez answers the question to “Love?”; Matthew Morrison of Glee debuts with a self-titled album; Jim Paredes dishes out good ol’ OPM in “Laro”.

Bits&Bytes 84 events

HP and BSP say “No to Fakes!”

86

Android Fusion: The Alcatel OneTouch Blaze Product Launch

87 newsbits&bytes

Check out what’s hot off the tech presses.

92 buyersguide

Getting a new gadget? Let us help you out.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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February2011

contents

techparade

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

Samsung Large-Format Display September2011

MONITORS

8

Samsung’s new range of large-format display monitors comes in various screen sizes—from 32” to 46” and 55”— perfect for building up large format in-store video walls. And with the ultra-thin and super narrow bezels at an outstanding 5.2mm to 5.7mm, the monitors are completely ideal for a smooth and seamless viewing experience.

Touchscreen Display technology was integrated into the monitors, creating an extremely interactive experience that is simple and easy to use. Updating files and databases for in-store displays is also effortless as these cutting-edge products play videos, music , and images without the need for a computer, as access to information is made via USB.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph 9 ASUS recommends Windows® 7.

June2011

AD http://ph.asus.com & facebook.com/asusph Audio by Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®

Intel, the Intel Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries

techparade

Featuring exclusive SonicMaster technology co-developed with audio specialists Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®, the new ASUS N Series delivers the clearest, richest and deepest sound ever produced by a notebook. Powered by an Intel® Core™ i5 processor and Windows® 7 Home Premium, it is also equipped with Super Hybrid Engine technology that boosts system performance by 7 percent*. USB 3.0 connectivity delivers ten times faster data transfers as compared to USB 2.0, and Video Magic technology upscales standard defiinition video to Full HD 1080p. ASUS N Series notebooks with SonicMaster. Experience multimedia at its most moving.

techparad

Creative Zii Sound

BLUETOOTH MODULAR SPEAKER SYSTEM Having the ability to start out small and expand later will never lose its appeal when it comes to sound systems, and this is what the Creative Zii Sound D3X and D5X offer.

These modest but powerful Bluetooth wireless speakers come in a convenient one-piece design, allowing you to easily change their placement anytime. They will seamlessly pair with any Bluetooth-enabled device and superior streaming audio is a certainty since it comes with the apt-X audio codec. Moreover, if you’re entertaining guests, the unique “Party” mode can instantly sync up to three of these speakers together, even if they’re placed in different rooms. And when you decide that its finally time to expand, you can simply grab more D3X and/or D5X units at your own pace, until you achieve that multichannel sound you’ve been aiming for.

If you want an even bigger sound, there is no better partner for these speakers than the DSX wireless subwoofer. Featuring Creative’s Symmetrically Loaded Acoustic Module technology, superior sound amplification is guaranteed, so be prepared to feel that bass thump. The best part about the DSX is that it has a range of up to 30 meters, allowing you to strategically place the subwoofer virtually anywhere.

Creative D80

D5X

BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS Enjoying your music with the Creative D80 has never been this simple. This compact and stylish speaker system can be linked with any Bluetooth-enabled device, allowing you to seamlessly sync your music without the unwanted clutter of wires. There is also a handy Bluetooth Connect button to allow easy switching between devices. You can also connect via the traditional AUX-in port. With a range of up to 10 meters, you can literally place this speaker system anywhere to enjoy the sonic superiority provided by its 3-inch drivers. The Creative D80 is available in four tantalizing colors of blue, pink, green and black.

D3X

WP-300

WP-350

DSX

Creative WP Series September2011

BLUETOOTH HEADSET

WP-400 10

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Imagine listening to your favorite playlist, watching a movie or speaking on the phone through premium-quality headphones without the hassle of wires, and you will find no other solution than Creative’s WP-series Bluetooth headsets. Consisting of the WP-300, WP-350 and WP-400, all three products feature apt-X technology to guarantee crystal clear stereo audio when streamed via Bluetooth. If sonic performance is your concern, rest assured that its Neodymium drivers are specially calibrated and crafted by audio professionals, guaranteeing the best audio experience possible. The headsets also feature quick volume and playback controls so you can enjoy endless hours of entertainment and communication with its ultra-comfortable leatherette ear cushions.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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June2011

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techparad

BlackBerry Torch 9850 & 9860 SMARTPHONE

The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones offer the fast, fluid BlackBerry 7 experience in a stylish new all-touch design. With a new 3.7-inch display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 are optimized for displaying web pages, photos, videos, and powerful gaming experiences and still deliver the real-time communication and collaboration experience.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 & 9930 SMARTPHONE

September2011

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet (at only 10.5mm) and the first to offer the perfect union of a high performance keyboard and touch display integrated within the iconic BlackBerry Bold design. The new Bold 9900 and 9930 are also the first BlackBerry smartphones to include built-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new technology that is enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to pair accessories or read SmartPoster tags.

Distinguished by its beautiful design, amazingly effective keyboard and brilliant touch display, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is crafted with premium materials including a brushed stainless steel frame that puts the finishing touch on a truly outstanding smartphone.

BlackBerry Torch 9810

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www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

SMARTPHONE

Building on the popular design of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, the new Torch 9810 is faster and more fluid with high-performance hardware features and the new 7 OS delivering an enhanced multimedia experience. Featuring a large 3.2-inch, highresolution touch display and a distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow faster typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 truly delivers the best of both worlds.

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AD

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®

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.

Octiv Duo

inMotion® Compact

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.

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

Speaker System for iPhone® and iPod®

T612

June2011

PLAY IT. CHARGE IT. SHARE IT.

Portable speaker system for iPhone™ and iPod®

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)

techparade

inMotion Classic

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

techparad

Epson SurePress L-4033A

SHORT-RUN DIGITAL PRESS The Epson SurePress is designed for label printing firms taking the first steps into digital printing or expanding their existing digital printing capacity, as well as general commercial printers looking to add digital label printing to their portfolio of services. It prints on a range of off-the-shelf papers and film up to 330mm wide and at speeds up to 5m/min and fits easily into existing digital workflows. Harnessing Epson's Micro Piezo inkjet technology and newly developed six-color, water-based, pigment inks, the Epson SurePress is able to ensure consistent and high quality results. The Epson SurePress is currently the only digital label press in its class that is optimized for short print runs of up to 6,000 100mm x 118mm labels. It offers a print on demand capability and needs a make-ready time only 15 minutes, a significant time saving over traditional letter or semi-rotary press systems that need a minimum of three hours for setup.

MSI Propeller Blade COOLING TECHNOLOGY

For gamers who are frustrated with system crashes in Crysis 2 due to inadequate cooling of their graphics card, their woes may soon be over. MSI’s Propeller Blade features a cutting-edge design with gloss-coated blades that have arched edges, rounded tips and curved angles.

Patented in Japan and Germany, this brand-new cooling solution is stealthily silent and grants 20% increased airflow that can lessen operating temperatures by as much as 21 degrees. Thanks to its advanced engineering, it’s also able to cover more surface area to effectively dissipate heat around the graphics card and peripheral components. MSI’s Propeller Blade is now featured on the all-new Twin Frozr III and Cyclone II thermal solutions, guaranteeing high-performance cooling and highperformance gaming.

LG Optimus 3D

September2011

SMARTPHONE

14

The LG Optimus 3D introduces a number of innovative “first” technologies, including the world’s first dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory architecture as well as the first 3D platform allowing for recording, viewing and sharing of 3D content. The LG Optimus 3D offers significant performance benefits as a result of the simultaneous transfer of data between the dual-core and dual-memory. Users can browse web pages, multitask between programs, play games at a higher frame rate and enjoy movies more smoothly and longer than ever before. Its dual 5-megapixel camera allows users to capture and record their best moments as images and videos in 3D. A 4.3-inch WVGA display faithfully recreates the 3D experience without the use of glasses. The display provides bright and flicker-free images allowing users to view 2D (up to 1080p) and 3D (up to 720p) multimedia content. Users can navigate through the device’s 3D interface with the click of LG’s unique 3D Hot Key which presents five 3D-dedicated UIs, including Gallery, Camera, Game&Apps, YouTube 3D and 3D Guide. Another amazing thing about the Optimus 3D is its capability to convert 2D photos and videos to 3D.

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June2011

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techparad

Toshiba Tecra R840 LAPTOP

Toshiba's Tecra range is aimed at those seeking a laptop to use primarily for work. The company's latest offering, the 14-inch Tecra R840, seems to fit the bill, as it's not just thin and light, but also packs a powerful punch when it comes to performance. The R840packs a dual-core Intel Core i5-2520M Sandy Bridge processor, clocked at 2.5GHz. It also has 4GB of RAM, which is enough to give this laptop's Windows 7 Professional operating system room to stretch its legs. Unlike the majority of today's laptops, the R840 has both a pointer stick and a trackpad. There are two sets of trackpad buttons— one above the pad for when you're using the pointer, and one below for when you're relying on the pad.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk EXTERNAL DRIVE

Dubbed as the “world’s most upgradable external desktop drive,” Seagate presents its users with a storage device that has both versatile features and connectivity options as well. The GoFlex Desk comes in different storage capacities ranging from 500GB all the way up to 3TB, providing unparalleled backup and encryption with it’s on board software. Transferring files are possible through USB 2.0 as well as SuperSpeed 3.0 adapters, cutting down waiting time and increasing users’ productivity. This external drive is also compatible with both Macs and PCs, further adding to this hard drive’s flexibility.

Speedo Aquabeat September2011

MP3 PLAYER

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Among the activities that are hard to bring together are listening to music and swimming, not anymore as Speedo expands it device line with the Aquabeat waterproof MP3 player. The Aquabeat’s streamlined, hydrodynamic body reduces drag underwater, thereby ensuring that it does not affect the swimmer’s stride. It is also a lightweight device at 35 grams, which makes it possible to be clipped on the swimmer’s aqua wear. Among the best features of the Aquabeat are its earphone clips, which have been shaped to fit the outer ear without sacrificing audio quality. It is also shaped to help block the entry of water into the ear, which helps swimmers to concentrate underwater.

The Aquabeat comes in 1GB and 2GB variants. It can play music in MP3, VBR, and WMA file formats and can also be used for up to nine hours and comes in lime green, pink, gray, blue and purple. Not recommended for use in salt water.

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June2011

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techparad

Belkin TuneBase FM IN-CAR MUSIC PLAYER

Belkin’s TuneBase FM combines ClearScan technology with Belkin’s ClearScan LIVE iPhone App to provide the best FM station recommendations and finds the clearest signal possible. The App can be downloaded from the AppStore for free. If the car stereo supports RDS, it will also show information of the track playing on the radio’s display screen. And if the iPhone is playing music when a call comes in, the music automatically fades out. The caller’s voice will be projected on speakerphone loud and clear through the car’s stereo speakers. A convenient base stand also charges the iPod or iPhone. An additional USB port even allows you to charge a second device while you drive.

Php 3,990

A4Tech VTrack PADLESS MOUSE

For users looking for a customizable all round casual mice, this mouse features V-track technology enabling it to work on on smooth or uneven surfaces like fur or hair. The technology is very useful because it lets users literally use their mouse on any type of surface. It features a tiny laser lens hole for incredible precision and a small multi-link receiver for use with up to three supported peripherals.

wired Php 350 to Php 450 wireless Php 750 to Php 900

carNAVi PRO TV

September2011

GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM

18

carNAVi is offering affordable and easy –to-use GPS Navigation Assistants so you can find your way in the Philippines and other countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam—with more countries to come.

The ultra slim, portable and fully featured GNAs comes with the newest GPS/Galileo receiver, 5-inch TFT touch creen, Bluetooth, hands-free and m ultimedia functions with integrated analog TV. It comes preloaded with carNAVi's new HD Maps of the Philippines including many points of interest (POI) with perfected routing and address search as well as detailed maps of Malaysia and Singapore. Additional detailed maps of Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and many other countries in Asia are available in the carNAVi Store online free of charge.

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Transcend RDF8 USB 3.0 CARD READER

September2011

Transcend now offers the RDF8 USB 3.0 card reader for pro-level file transfer. The RDF8 offers blazing fast transfers with USB 3.0 interface, making it perfect for professional photographers to effortlessly copy a large number of images. It has four slots—one CF, one SDHC/SDXC, one M2/microSD, and one MS PRO/XC/MS DUO and supports all new card formats including SDHC UHS-1, SDXC UHS-1, UDMA6/UDMA7 CF and MSXC cards.

Backwards compatible with USB2.0, the RDF8 is the ideal companion for your present and future data management needs.

Republic of Gamers Vulcan ANC PRO GAMING HEADSET

Designed to immerse users into games and keep them free of distractions like never before, the ROG team forged the Vulcan ANC with both performance and comfort in mind. The Vulcan ANC features 85% active noise cancellation to filter out sounds like low frequency computer fan noise and 30dB passive noise cancellation to reduce a wide range of ambient noises, including background voices. The Vulcan ANC not only provides gamers an immersive gaming experience with noise-cancelling features, but also a comfortable one. The lightweight design of 320g is lighter than other similar models.

Soft memory foam encased in breathable Japanese protein leather ensures user comfort even after extended gaming sessions. It is also portable, with a foldable design that easily fits into a durable touring case to take between competitions or LAN parties.

Php 5,990

Moshi Moshi POP Phone POP HANDSET

On top of improved call comfort, there is also the added convenience of being able to access phone functions while you're on a call. A 3.5mm plug fits into most audio jacks, making the POP Phone compatible with virtually all types of mobile devices, including computers and tablets, and can even be used for VOIP calls. USB adaptors, splitter cables, and other mobile phone adaptors are available as accessories.

The POP Phone features a high-quality speaker and microphone for excellent call clarity.

It is finished in a soft-touch texture and comes in a variety of fun colors—red, blue, yellow, pink, green, and purple.

Php 1,875

techparade

For those who miss talking on a "real" telephone, Moshi Moshi recaptures those telebabad moments with the POP Phone handset. Created by French designer David Turpin, the POP handset is not only a novelty item but actually addresses an important health issue by eliminating up to 99% of absorbed phone radiation.

techparad

Samsung RS26MB REFRIGERATOR

Samsung’s RS26MB refrigerator infuses elegant design and functionality with its interior and exterior features, starting with its Champagne Handle. The unique handle softly sparkles in pink, gold lines that illuminate light on the handle bar. Similar to the bubbles rising inside a champagne glass, the Champagne Handle adds a level of sophistication to any atmosphere. A new Bid Printing technology melts ink into glass and allows light to be reflected off the surface of the refrigerator for a sleek look. This jewel light effect is also viewable when opening the refrigerator door, leading into the appliance’s fully-lit interior with its metallic finish. The RS26MB refrigerator comes equipped with Samsung’s fourth-generation Digital Inverter Compressor, providing consumers with energy savings of more than 20 percent with its cooling capacity that adjusts to temperature, humidity and usage patterns. Ten sensors monitor the refrigerator’s performance, collect and send data to controller which then analyzes the data and adjusts operations so the refrigerator runs at its optimal condition.

Western Digital TV Live Hub MEDIA PLAYER

When two great features are combined, the result is usually an equally great product, and such is the case with the WD TV Live Hub. It is a media player with a 1TB internal hard drive that allows users to instantly stream HD movies and TV shows to the display panel of their choice. Featuring an Ethernet port, USB 2.0, composite A/V, component video and optical audio, users are guaranteed numerous connectivity options to enjoy their media. For those that prefer their multimedia entertainment on high definition televisions, then the WD TV Live Hub is a perfect choice.

Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 SMARTPHONE September2011

The new Galaxy S Wifi 5.0, for lack of a better description, is the beautiful marriage of a touch MP3 player and an Android tablet. It has the processing power of a Galaxy Tab and the portability and sound clarity of a touch MP3 player. It has access to hundreds of thousands of apps on the Android Market and has the stunning visual display you would wish on your MP3 player. Featuring a 5-inch LCD screen coupled with the mDNIe (Mobile Digital Natural Image engine), the Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 gives a “cinematic” viewing experience no other device with the same screen size can offer. It is just amazingly clear and vivid. Plus, with its dual surround speakers and SoundAliveTM technology, sharing your fave beats with friends is simply a blast. To complement the visual display and the sound clarity, the Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 runs on an ultra-fast 1GHz application processor whose speeds are similar to the Galaxy Tab.

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September2011

Western Digital Elements Play

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MEDIA PLAYER

All-in-one media players are finding its way into more people’s homes, as they offer an easy way to enjoy media on their favorite high definition displays.

Western Digital offers its customers Elements Play, a full-HD ready player that supports virtually every file format your multimedia might be encoded in. With an internal hard drive up to 2TB and all the essential connectivity options, users need not look far for a complete solution to their media needs.

Western Digital Caviar Black DESKTOP SATA HARD DRIVE

For power users that seek the most out of their fully tweaked computers, the only viable choice for a hard drive is the Caviar Black, offering generous storage capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB. Its advanced mechanical structure features dual actuators, StableTrack and NoTouch ramp load technology which guarantees secure data by stabilizing and protecting the drive’s recording head. With mechanics aside, its impressive electronic composition showcases dual processors and a cache of up to 64MB for supreme performance. In fact, WD’s confidence in the Caviar Black’s performance and reliability is backed up by a limited five-year warranty, and with that kind of assurance, users should have no doubts as well.

Western Digital Caviar Blue DESKTOP SATA/PATA HARD DRIVE

The Caviar Blue is a perfect choice for reliable storage and great performance, providing storage capacities ranging from 80GB to an impressive 1TB. This internal desktop drive also offers its users a choice between a SATA or PATA interface, up to 32MB cache sizes and a rotational speed of 7200 RPM for maximum efficiency. In short, the Caviar Blue is an ideal solution for home computers and small businesses that require reliable performance to store their multimedia and important files.

DESKTOP SATA HARD DRIVE

Western Digital’s unique GreenPower Technology allows the Caviar Green to amazingly lower energy consumption by reducing working temperatures, resulting in quiet operation and enhanced reliability. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it offers users a revolutionary 3TB of maximum storage as well. The Caviar Green’s impressive memory capacity isn’t just limited to desktops. It is also ideal for external hard drives and Network Attached Servers as well. So, if you’re looking for a hard drive that provides the perfect balance between performance and energy consumption, then the Caviar Green should be at the top of your list.

techparade

Western Digital Caviar Green

gadgetslab

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

24 HTC ChaCha SMARTPHONE

September2011

The Facebook phone

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

TABLET The future computer

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Neo Basic B5106N

LAPTOP Back to basics

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Western Digital My Book Studio (2TB)

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE Best served with a Mac

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GAMING MOUSE & MOUSE PAD

By John Nieves

September2011

Razer Lachesis & Ironclad

WHAT’S HOT: LACHESIS • Excellent customizability • Excellent tracking and control • Ambidextrous design IRONCLAD • Solid design and construction • Immovable, doesn’t budge even in fast and furious games • Comes in a nice carrying case

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WHAT’S NOT: LACHESIS • Ambidextrous design might not be for everyone IRONCLAD • Expensive

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: Both the Razer Lachesis and the Razer Ironclad isn’t for the faint of heart. The high price of admission (especially for the Ironclad) is a significant barrier to some but for the people who are willing to make the leap, both products will help them win games, whatever they may be.

Razer Lachesis The Lachesis mouse that Razer sent for review is actually an update—the original one debuted back in 2007, and even back then it got a lot of positive reviews.

The updated Lachesis features a 5600dpi Razer Precision 3.5G Laser sensor that allows for more precise movements for players. It is an ambidextrous mouse, and is fully customizable.

Using the mouse was an extremely positive experience, as the 3.5G laser sensor helped it to track really well. My character’s movements in games became much smoother and more precise, and allowed me to pull off better shots which translated into better rounds.

Probably the only issue I had with the Lachesis is its ambidextrous nature.

While that’s great for Razer as it gives the product a universal appeal, certain compromises had to be made when it came to design. As a result my grip wasn’t as comfortable compared with

a mouse that’s designed for the righthanded.

Razer Ironclad Most people don’t get the need for mouse mats. Some casual gamers have pointed out that mats are an unnecessary expense, and that any surface, as long as your mouse will track along it, is good enough. But on a competitive level, good enough isn’t good enough.

The Razer Ironclad is designed to give gamers every conceivable advantage.

In this case, it’s the mouse surface. You see mice that use laser sensors like the Lachesis, perform better on rigid, uniform surfaces like the Ironclad’s sandblasted aluminum body than soft, cloth mats.

The overall surface area is pretty big, and gives you about 320x270mm surface area to play with. It’s pretty heavy, and along with its equally impressive

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carrying case, it amounts to the weight of a small notebook. The mat is off-white in color, and is pretty devoid of laser etching save for a Razer logo. The whole thing is finely made and feels fantastic, I reckon you could even throw it at one of your opponents and it’ll probably survive.

The bottom of the mat is rubberized, so it stayed put even during hectic gameplay.

The surface of the Ironclad allowed the Lachesis to glide easily over it, allowing me a better degree of control.

The only thing that’ll probably stop people from buying the Ironclad is the price. At Php 3,299, it’s as expensive as they come. This isn’t a purchase that most people take lightly, but once you do take that plunge, the money you spend is definitely worth it.

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I initially had reservations about my ability to use it because of its shape, and my mouse gripping style. I’m more of a claw gripper you see, and the Lachesis’ low profile initially made me wary of being able to hold it properly.

Surprisingly it was pretty comfortable to use, and I managed to adjust to it quickly. The scroll wheel has a nice rubber coating and gave tactile feedback.

The Php 4,399 priced mouse has seven

buttons (two on each side, two near the scroll wheel and the scroll wheel itself) that users can customize through a configurator software. Everything from the mouse sensitivity to button macros and even the lighting of the mouse can be configured to your personal preference.

LACHESIS

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HTC ChaCha

SMARTPHONE

By MR Gavin

SPECIFICATIONS OPERATING SYSTEM: Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense CPU: 800MHz LCD SIZE: 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 114.4mm x 64.6mm x 10.7 mm WEIGHT: 120g BAND: 2G – GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G – HSDPA 900/2100 WHAT’S HOT: • Curved design • Facebook button for easy share • Spacious keypad • Reasonably priced WHAT’S NOT: • Small screen • Keypad bug

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: Being connected is the ultimate reason to own the HTC ChaCha, and if you are the ultimate Facebook fan, this is definitely on top of your list.

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When the blog-o-sphere was buzzing about a Facebook phone, I really thought it was a phone made by the social network giant until the HTC ChaCha was presented being the Facebook phone.

With more than 750 million Facebook subscribers, it is no wonder why a phone wholly dedicated to the social network will be a hit in the market. With everyone wanting to be connected 24/7, the HTC ChaCha might just be the answer.

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HTC always churns out amazingly designed phones, and the HTC ChaCha is no exception. Its angular design made it easier to hold and navigate through the pages and apps. The phone is made with metal and plastic, making its design distinct and hip. It sports a candy-bar form factor with a full QWERTY running on Android and HTC sense.

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It has a very spacious QWERTY keyboard that made it easier to compose messages without accidentally pressing other buttons. The downside with the keyboard is that it has the “FN + @” bug. Apparently, the letter “Y “has an alternate function of the symbol “@,” but when you try to use the function the # sign or “£” appears. This would have passed my attention if the “@” sign is not often used, but as this is a Facebook

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phone, it will be often used to sign in and out of the social network. You can still find the “@” button as the alternate function of “P”, leaving out the labeled “~”. Just below the display are the touch controls for home, menu, back and search. The volume control is on the right side, and lock on the top right. Though there is no shortcut for the camera, there are two calling buttons just above the QWERTY pad so you can answer calls even without navigating through your screen.

There are two cameras, a 5-megapixel at the back with an LED flash and a VGA front camera which you can also use as a mirror. The 2.6-inch screen is just right for composing messages and updating your social network but not enough for other applications. It is pinch to zoom, making it easier to see clearly on its small screen. But with this small screen, it’s a bit of pain for the internet. You may need to zoom in and out for you to get a better view of sites. But you will be able to enjoy graphics crisp and clear because they are cramped into a small screen.

The main attraction of the HTC ChaCha is the Facebook button, wholly dedicated to your Facebook account. With one click, you will be directed to your Facebook page, saving you a second or two than looking for an app. While browsing through music, photos or video, you can click the button and you can easily share it on your page. While using the camera, you can also click the Facebook button to instantly upload your photo.

The ChaCha is very social, it has Friend Stream where you can see Facebook, Flickr and tweet updates all in one screen. If you want to organize communication not by application, you can view from the people button so all your calls, messages and updates will be organized by contact. It also has an integrated Facebook chat, making it easier to catch up with friends online.

It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, making it work smoother and faster for your social networking demands. There are seven home screens which you can customize however you want. From your

Facebook and Twitter updates to people you often call or send messages to.

What’s best with HTC phones is that you get access to HTC Sense.com where you can backup your files, contacts and messages through HTC’s cloud server.

It can also help you track and lock your phone if ever you lose them.

Battery life can be dreadful, when you are connected through WiFi all day and updating your Facebook here and there, your battery will be drained by the end of the day. But with it on standby and with average usage, it can last up to 2 days.

HTC ChaCha could be your ultimate social networking phone, though you need a decent internet plan for you to stay connected all the time. It is exclusively distributed by Smart with a retail price of Php 15,500 or for a consumable plan Php 1,800 or unlimited plan Php 1,500.

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TABLET

By Steven Vea

September2011

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN: 10.1’ display @ 1280×800 WXGA screen OPERATING SYSTEM: Android 3.1 Honeycomb CPU & CHIPSET: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor; ULP GeForce GPU, NVidia Tegra 2 chipset MEMORY: 1GB RAM; 16GB/32GB/64GB internal storage CAMERA: 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash (rear); 2 megapixel front-facing camera CONNECTIVITY: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0; 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA, GPS w/ aGPS

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WHAT’S HOT: • Excellent display • Responsive touchscreen WHAT’S NOT: • “Force close” notifications

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1’s exterior is very sleek, albeit very similar to it’s more popular fruity counterpart. Its overall design is very minimal and when held in its prescribed horizontal/landscape orientation, the 2-megapixel camera is all that is visible.

On the sides of the unit you will find the speakers which have been craftily designed as to be almost indiscernible.

At the bottom, you will find the port to connect the USB/charger cable. On the top of the tablet, the buttons for power and volume, 3.5mm audio jack and slot for a SIM card can be found.

Unfortunately, the 10.1 cannot make phone calls and is restricted to text messaging and 3G only.

the left hand side which shows all the open applications. It would have been nice to be able to shut them down from there as well, but this is possible via another shortcut bar that can be accessed by an subtle arrow on the bottom-center of the screen.

The button to access the apps is a little difficult to spot in the beginning, but it’s located on the upper right hand side, next to a + button which launches an organizer for your homescreen. Opening the Apps will launch a graphic menu.

The first app I launched was the already installed eBook reader, seeing that tablets initially cater to that specific need. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 came with two free eBooks (at least in our review unit): The Marvelous Land of Oz and A Christmas Carol.

At the very bottom of the screen on the right hand side are the familiar info data (time, WiFi signal and battery life indicators). When touched, a menu will appear in which you can customize the Tab’s settings. On the left hand side, you will find the main navigation buttons (Back, Home, Running Applications, and Screenshot). Opening the Running Applications displays a graphic menu on

It was fun to read The Marvelous World of Oz because you could actually “turn” the pages, and the graphics were fluid and smooth. Several tools were available such as a highlighter and pen so that you could make notes on the digital “pages.” The Galaxy Tab 10.1’s weight does become a factor after some time however, and wrist fatigue made it necessary to place the unit down on the

Upon opening the web browser, a notification appeared asking to download the Google Circles app. After agreeing to the request, setting it up was easy.

Once the Gmail account is synchronized, everything flowed smoothly. In tandem with Google, this author’s Facebook account was also synced to the Social Hub app, which provided a quick and intuitive way to view new posts. All Facebook events appeared in Samsung’s Calendar app as well, which makes this tablet a great way to organize.

However, I did experience recurring “Force Close” messages. These notifications needed some investigating, so I mustered the courage to run a number of apps simultaneously.

Launching the Gallery, camera, Angry Birds, YouTube App, eBook Reader and six other tabs on the web browser did not only cause the “Force Close” pop-up to appear. Rather, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 froze and required a complete reboot.

It was now time to run the benchmark test, and it seemed that installing Advanced Task Killer was necessary,

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so that unnecessary apps/processes could be shut down. Two consecutive benchmarks tests were done using Quadrant Standard. In both benchmarks, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes out on top, with the Nexus One coming in second.

A third benchmark test was supposed to follow, but unfortunately, the “Force Close” notification surfaced once again.

Apparently, after some extensive research, there are other testers/ users experiencing this issue, which seems to be recurring in Samsung’s tablets especially when multi-tasking.

Whether this is a hardware-based issue or Honeycomb cannot be confirmed, but both consumers and Samsung should be aware of this.

Fortunately, in the span of time that I was able to test it, the hard reboot only occurred once, but it can be assumed that if you don’t effectively manage your running apps with this tablet, it might be a frequent problem. Although the Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes with its own Task Manager, it is highly suggested that you avail of Advanced Task Killer (or something similar) from the Android Market.

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Once the Galaxy Tab is up and running, it is hard to resist toying with it without any technical oversight. The display is crisp, vivid and well illuminated which makes it quite pleasurable to use. Some users might find the extra large widgets shocking it at first, but since the 10.1 runs on Android 3.1 Honeycomb, widgets can be resized and arranged to your preferred taste.

table. So despite this tablet’s thin and light form factor, it still isn’t suitable for prolonged one-hand usage.

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is an excellent device and should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for an Android tablet.

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LG-P970 Optimus Black

SMARTPHONE

By John Nieves

SPECIFICATIONS OPERATING SYSTEM: Android 2.2 CPU: 1 GHz Cortex-A8 processor, PowerVR SGX530 GPU, TI OMAP 3630 chipset LCD SIZE: 4-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 480×800 pixels PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 122mm x 64mm x 9.2mm WEIGHT: 109g BAND: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/1900/2100 WHAT’S HOT: • NOVA display is bright and readable even under the sun • Easy to use and operate • Light and thin WHAT’S NOT: • Runs on Android 2.2

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: While somewhat hobbled by an older version of Android, the LG-P970 Optimus Black is still worth a look if you’re in the market for a mid-end smartphone.

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LG’s Optimus Black is a fantastic Android phone that probably has it all—good looks, solid feature set and a price that’s not going to burn holes in your bank account. It’s a mid-end phone that looks, feels and performs like a flagship smartphone.

The Optimus Black has a very clean exterior design and shuns physical buttons like the plague. Aside from the requisite power button that rests on the top of the device and the volume rocker and G key (more on this later) on the left side, every input key is of the touchsensitive variety.

thing. The back of the device has angled surfaces on both sides, with a single speaker near the bottom of the device.

While the Optimus Black has excellent construction all around with nary a creak to be found, the mostly plastic construction plus its light weight makes it feel a bit “cheaper” than it actually is.

The charging/USB slot sits on top, along with the 3.5mm jack. One of its main features is the NOVA display—a 700 nit, 4-inch IPS deal that has a resolution of 480×800 pixels. IPS is a kind of LCD tech that allows for better colors overall and greatly reduces color distortion and contrast loss when viewed at an angle.

The high nit rating also means that the phone is still readable even under direct sunlight.

The phone also carries a 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor and PowerVR SGX530 GPU, which means it has enough horses under the hood to handle moderately intense number crunching and graphics work.

Imaging is done by way of a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. There’s also a secondary camera at the front.

The Optimus Black is a dainty little

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Unlike recently released smartphones, the Optimus Black uses Android 2.2 Froyo, not the newer 2.3 Gingerbread version. This might have been a

forgivable omission four months ago, but not in the current market where even entry-level devices now sport Gingerbread. There might still be hope though, as LG might push an OTA (over the air) update, though there’s no word of that happening yet.

To its credit, the Android build is extremely stable; I didn’t experience any major software crash while using it.

And while the processor isn’t a dual-core affair like its bigger sibling the Optimus 2X, it was still able to keep up with all the apps I installed in the device.

The G key stands for Gesture key, and in theory it allows you to utilize the accelerometer on the device to switch screens and quickly access the camera by tilting the phone and shaking it twice, respectively. While the switch

functionality worked well, the camera wouldn’t turn on no matter how much I shook the device.

As usual, I installed Android benchmark tool AnTuTu to be able to gauge the number crunching abilities.

Unsurprisingly, AnTuTu gave back a figure of 2576, which was slightly below the HTC Desire HD and above the Nexus One. Battery life is pretty good; it was able to survive more than a day away from the socket. Calls also came in loud and clear—with no distortion whatsoever.

So is the LG-P970 Optimus Black worth a purchase? Despite the limitations brought on by its slightly dated OS, the Optimus Black still brings a lot of features to the table. It’s certainly worthy of the Php 19,900 price tag attached to it.

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EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

By Steven Vea

September2011

Western Digital My Book Studio (2TB)

SPECIFICATIONS DIMENSIONS (HxWxD): 165mm x 48mm x 135mm WEIGHT: 1.18kg PORTS: FireWire 800 and 400, USB 2.0 OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 5°C to 35°C NON-OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -20°C to 65°C

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WHAT’S HOT: • Sleek functional design • Fast transfers speeds • Multiple ports WHAT’S NOT: • Requires reformat for Windows

The WD logo has been synonymous with safe storage for quite some time, because they offer reliability and security showcased in a sleek design.

Staying true to their formula, Western Digital’s My Book Studio is possibly one of the best storage solutions for your Mac. First of all, caution must be exercised when transporting and opening this product’s box, for the flap opens on the sides and not on top, as is conventional with most boxes. Once you’ve safely settled the My Book Studio down, however, sliding the unit out greets us with a modern aluminum casing, with air vents immediately visible on the top and bottom. The texture is smooth and lives up to its “Studio” name— it looks professional and would fit well in a graphic design studio or an office with a modern theme. Moreover, the metal enclosure assures that it won’t retain any latent fingerprints, so you can expect this drive to look pristine and brand new for a long time.

Since this drive is intended to be stationary on a desktop, Western Digital advises users not to move it around too often. Although if it’s necessary to take on a trip, the My Book Studio isn’t incredibly bulky—it’s size and weight is relatively similar to a Bible or a

What makes the My Book Studio a great product is that it provides three interfaces to connect the hard drive to your computer: USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800. Cables have been conveniently provided by Western Digital as well, which are well-made and will match the color scheme of your Apple computer.

A quick-start booklet is included in the packaging, although it isn’t needed since hard drives are fairly straight forward to connect. The only thing that may require reference is how to differentiate between the two FireWire ports, since there are no text labels indicating which is which. Western Digital has arranged the ports according to speed, from highest to lowest with the FireWire 800 on top and the USB 2.0 on the bottom.

It was finally time to connect the My Book Studio to a computer, and the My Book Studio was linked to an iMac (OS X 10.6.8, i3 3.06GHz, 4GB RAM), with the FireWire 800 on the top of the testing lits. Once the cable was connected, the drive instantly mounted, followed by a dialog box granting an option to create a back up using Apple’s Time Machine. Opening the drive reveals WD’s preinstalled folders and files such as

Quick Formatter, Turbo Installer and the PDF User Manuals.

The My Book Studio also comes with the option to install WD’s backup software SmartWare, which looks promising since the interface is quite user-friendly.

However, users should refrain from using automatic backup programs, as doing anything critical should always have a hands-on approach and shouldn’t be left to automation.

The My Book Studio is also compatible with Windows, but it requires a complete reformat which is time consuming.

While this might seem unappealing, in retrospect, it’s clearly advertised as a desktop external drive that has been pre-formatted for Mac. With that said, it’s safe to assume that those who acquire this drive will be using it solely with Apple’s OS. However, it’s always an advantage to have a drive that easily switches between the two major operating systems. Support for other OSs, such as Linux or Ubuntu, would have been much appreciated.

Moving along, it was finally time to test the drive’s transfer rate, and since the largest file on hand at the time of this review was a Blu-ray rip of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it seemed like a good place to start. Migrating the 7.04 GB file from the iMac to the My Book Studio clocked in at less than two

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minutes, which is very impressive. During the transfer, the drive remained quiet and undetectable, unlike other products in which you can actually hear the hard drive spin.

Transferring via USB 2.0 was also surprisingly fast, taking approximately three and half minutes. It would have been great if Western Digital included a USB 3.0 port on the My Book Studio, but perhaps this would have required a larger chassis and would make it more expensive.

Testing playback of various media formats direct from the My Book Studio, (i.e. MKV, mp3, etc.) produced uninterrupted results. Several editing and processing operations using iMovie, Photoshop and GarageBand were executed direct from the My Book Studio as well, and the drive performed excellently and caused no problems at all. All read and write operations were fast and fluid, which is expected from a product coming from Western Digital.

So how does it fair? In the end, if you’re looking to expand the storage capacity of your Mac, or simply want an external hard drive to back up your files, then the My Book Studio is one of the best choices. It works fast, has all the ports you need, and to top it all off, it looks great.

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The My Book Studio comes preformatted for Mac, so expect its external chassis to aesthetically complement Apple products. It’s a tower-style external hard drive that is free of unnecessary styling; all that is present on the front is a pinsized LED light to indicate power and the WD logo. At the rear, you will find the provision for a Kensington Lock, power adapter and the ports.

dictionary. So, while it isn’t ideal to lug around, it won’t be a heavy burden if ever the need arises.

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The Western Digital My Book Studio is fast, silent and has all the essential interfaces you’ll need, packaged in a clean-cut modern design. If you’ve got an Apple computer, then this is the desktop drive to get.

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Epson B-510DN

BUSINESS COLOR INK JET PRINTER

By Benjamin Arnold

SPECIFICATIONS INK TYPE: DURABrite Ultra pigment ink INTERFACE: DESKTOP: Hi-Speed USB 2.0 NETWORK INTERFACE: 100Base-Tx / 10Base-Tx Ethernet NETWORK PRINTING PROTOCOL: TCP / IP, LPR, PORT9100 DIMENSIONS (WxDxH): 18.9 inches x 21.6 inches x 12.3 inches WEIGHT: 24lbs WHAT’S HOT: • High yield ink cartridges • Fast printing speeds • Can handle a wide variety of paper types • Ink doesn’t smear easily • Can hold up to 650 sheets of paper • Can automatically print back-to-back • Save on usage costs WHAT’S NOT: • Color isn’t that bright • Noisy when in high-speed mode • Confusing paper trays

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The Epson B-510DN is an efficient high-yield business inkjet printer that can save you time and money plus the environment.

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Nowadays, every brand of printer is boasting about the amount of money you will save by using their printers paired with their economically developed inks. Who can argue with that, since every cent counts in this tight-budgeted economy we live in today? Perhaps that is why the Epson B-510DN business color ink jet printer was developed.

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Within its boxy exoskeleton, this printer holds four high-capacity color cartridges that contain DURABrite Ultra pigment ink.

These Individual, high-yield ink cartridges can—according to the manufactures— print out around 8,000 pages in black and white or 7,000 full-colored pages before replacing cartridges. We put this to the test by printing out a variety of documents and photos ranging from simple black and white text documents to full color page layouts. After recycling nearly a full ream of paper to print out stories, filling up multiple photo frames with pictures of our loved ones and printing out the entire September issue twice, we didn’t even put a dent into the ink level.

But with all this ink, there is one thing that doesn’t fit right with me as a graphic artist—the actual color of the ink. The colors come out a little dull and slightly darker. But then again, this printer was

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designed to be an office printer. When it comes to standard prints such as text documents or forms that have simple graphics like logos or colored text, this printer is more than sufficient to do its job and costs only about Php 0.26 for a black and white print and around Php 1.36 for a full-colored print.

We tested the printer to see how quickly it could print out a variety of documents from simple text documents to full color photos. When it came to simple black and white text documents it could spit out around 9 pages per minute (PPM) with the high-speed option turned off and around 35 ppm with the high-speed option turned on. For pages that had a slight mixture of text with colored images, with the high-speed turned off, it printed around 3ppm while on highspeed, around 15 ppm. For full page colored graphics and photos, the printer was able to print out around 2 ppm with

the high-speed turned off, and around 0.55 ppm with the high-speed on. In addition to ppm, the click-to-print takes an average 11.2 seconds.

Though printing with the high-speed option on can save you a lot of time, there is a draw back—the detail or accuracy of the printouts degrade with the higher speed applied. Degrading comes in the form of misaligned prints, horizontal and/or vertical banding, loss of color density as well as loss of sharpness in photos and text edges.

Using it on high-speed all the time can also shorten the lifespan of the printer.

One of the unique features of the printer that could be useful in any office would have to be the back-to-back printing option. The printer can automatically print on both sides of a piece of paper, simplifying the thought process of how to put the paper into the printer properly

so that it will print on both sides in the right direction.

The Epson B-510DN is fitted with two paper trays: a front tray that can hold up to around 500 pieces of paper; and a rear try that can hold up to around 150 pieces of paper. The problem though is that with the dual tray, I had a difficult time printing on certain types of paper, because I had to manually adjust which tray should be used for what—though there is an automatic setting, but that only determines the tray based on the size of the paper, not the type of paper.

In the end this printer is an excellent addition to any office that has a high output volume of documents on a daily basis, because—based on our tests—this printer will last your company a very long time while cutting down the cost of ink and paper.

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TABLET

By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

September2011

Acer Iconia Tab A500

SPECIFICATIONS DISPLAY: 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 TFT LCD OS: Android Honeycomb, 3.1 PROCESSOR: 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 Dual Core processor, Tegra 2 chipset DIMENSIONS: 260mm x 177mm x 13.3 mm WEIGHT: 730g

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WHAT’S HOT: • Sleek design • Impressive sound and screen • Battery life WHAT’S NOT: • A bit on the heavy side • Slight creaks and smudges easily

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: It may take a strong arm to wield this tablet but for its price, you get considerably more for your money.

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I may not be big on tablets, but I do like things that keep me preoccupied, informed, and entertained.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 does just that. Measuring at 260 x 177 x 13.3 mm and weighing at 730g, this machine—with its 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 TFT LCD screen—sports an incredibly sleek brushed aluminum design that has very little frills.

Now if you’re not all too familiar with tablets, you may find the A500 a bit on the heavy side. And for someone with really small hands, I didn’t feel all that secure holding it with one hand while the other poked and prodded lest I want to throw Php 21,900 down the drain.

And for its seemingly sturdy build, there were obvious creaks which just made you want to be even more careful manhandling it.

The Acer A500 is powered by Android Honeycomb and has a dual-core Nvdia Tegra 1Ghz processor which makes the

tablet relatively fast especially when you want to surf the net or just go from one app to the next as my overzealous fingers did. Even my 4-year old had an easy time with it and enjoyed playing Angry Birds since the screen was larger than my mobile phone’s and the colors were much more vivid.

Software included LumiRead, an e-book reader; SocialJogger, which is a Twitter and Facebook status update browse; NemoPlayer, a photo, video and music navigator; Clear.Fi multimedia browser; and Photo Browser 3D, which allows you to flip through digital scrapbooks of your

camera images. Game Zone links to the included versions of the games Need for Speed: Shift and Let’s Golf. Whatever it is you’re doing, be mindful. The screen can get a little dirty with all the fingerprints and smudges so it’s good to have one of those display cleaner cloths handy.

What I personally liked about the A500 is its battery life. I’m not a heavy user generally but the tablet lasted a whole weekend without needing to make a run for the charger (which I deliberately left in the office). I guess it can go about 7 hours for the average user.

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The power button, headphone jack and a mini HDMI port are on the left, while the charging micro USB and USB port are on right. The power button glows white when the tablet is on and orange when charging with the display off. At the top you’ll find the volume rocker and orientation lock and a small flap that protects a microSD slot while a docking connector is on the bottom. The 5-megapixel camera and impressive speakers are located at the back and a smaller 2-megapixel front-facing camera on the front.

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NEO Basic B5702

NOTEBOOK

By John Nieves

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN SIZE: 14-inch LED, 1366×768 MEMORY: 4GB DDR3 CPU & CHIPSET: Intel Core i72630QM@2Ghz WIRELESS USED: 802.11 b/g WARRANTY: 1 year warranty on parts and service WHAT’S HOT: • Low price • Powerful processor WHAT’S NOT: • So-so design • No discrete GPU • Stiff keyboard

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: At Php 34,999, it’s one of the best value Core i7 equipped notebooks out there.

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September2011

Now that Sandy Bridge has been out for a good nine months, it has managed to find its way into practically all manner of devices and is now being used by a wide variety of manufacturers. Neo has come out with its own set of offerings based on this next-generation chip from Intel. The NEO Basic B5702 is the biggest and baddest of the bunch; it packs a Core i7-2630QM processor at a price that’s hard to resist.

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The Basic B5702 remains true to its name. It’s a no-frills device that eschews gimmicky designs for a familiar layout. Visually it’s not as stunning or as interesting as other notebooks. The display is a 14-inch LED screen, capable of resolutions up to 1366×768. It has a plain gloss black lid complimented by a faux-wood grain chassis. It also doesn’t have touch-sensitive keys or media shortcut keys—just a large power button and the grill for the speakers near the lid.

There are a lot of connection options for the Basic B5702—three USB ports (with one doubling as an eSata port), D-sub,

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Ethernet, HDMI and your usual audio connections). It also has an optical drive and the keyboard layout is good with the keys spaced evenly.

The Intel Core i7-2630QM at 2Ghz which is paired with about 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 640GB HDD is extremely powerful. It’s usually used in dedicated gaming machines and the like, so it’s capable of breezing through most applications like Adobe Photoshop without much issue. The screen size is big enough to watch movies on, and though sound quality isn’t the best in the world, it’s good enough.

As this laptop weighs about 2.4 kilos, it’s probably a good idea to keep this thing on your desk rather than carry it around everywhere. Speaking of mobility, if you do choose to carry this thing around, you’ll be happy to know you’ll have about four hours of battery life.

I used PCMark Vantage to come up with a rough performance estimate of the Basic B5702. PCMark Vantage tests everything from viewing and editing photos, video, music and other media, gaming, communications, productivity and security. It managed to score 6365, which is pretty decent.

No gadget is ever perfect, and the Basic B5702 is no exception. Aside from being pretty bland visually, the keyboard of the Basic B5702 is a bit stiff and takes a bit of getting used to. And while it’s totally capable of entry-level gaming, this isn’t the machine for gamers, owing to its lack of a discrete GPU. But those things may not be as important as the unit’s price tag, which is a Php 34,999. It’s one of lowest priced notebooks we’ve seen so far that’s equipped with a Core i7 processor.

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LAPTOP

By Steven Vea

September2011

Neo Basic B5106N

SPECIFICATIONS DISPLAY: 15-inch LCD, 1366x768 resolution OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7-Starter 32bit SP1 PROCESSOR: Intel Pentium CPU B940 2GHZ MEMORY: 2GB DDR3 RAM (8GB max); 640 GB hdd GRAPHICS: Intel HD Graphics Family

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WHAT’S HOT: • Excellent specs at a reasonable price • RAM expandable to 8GB • Streamlined design WHAT’S NOT: • Hotkeys require a bit of pressure • Wrist rests can get a little warm • Noisy optical drive

BUY METER

BOTTOMLINE: The NEO Basic B5106N is a simple and effective laptop. It provides all the essential features one might need at a sensible price, which makes it a perfect buy for the average consumer.

8.810

Having been around for several years now, NEO has continuously developed its products to provide essential features within a reasonable price range. This is true with the Basic B5106N, as the name implies, for it embodies what is necessary and inexpensive in a clean-cut design.

Upon opening the box, the B5106N we received came bundled with familiar accessories: power cord + AC adapter, Quick Start Guide, warranty card and several CD’s (drivers/utilities, Cyberlink DVD Suite, NEO recovery Disk/Windows 7 Starter).

Opening the lid reveals the keyboard, and I found its design and layout particularly refreshing, as it veers away from the chiclet-style keys that a majority of manufacturers are using.

While at first glance, users might be fooled into thinking the keys are clustered too closely together, the

On the left side of the unit are the VGA, LAN, HDMI, 2 USB ports, multicard reader, cooling fan and jack for the power cord. The opposite side reveals an additional USB port, separate headphone and microphone jacks, and the optical drive. Above the keyboard are the familiar LED indicators (Caps, Num Lock, etc.) as well as 4 physical hotkeys to quickly launch the default email client, internet browser, and to toggle Silent Mode (which slows the cooling fan and conserves energy). The power button is located here as well.

After physically examining the sleek B5106N, it’s finally time to turn it on.

Initially, the power button is quite difficult to spot, which is the same for the other hotkeys as well. The colorless icons/labels are all etched into the body, which helps to give this NEO laptop a unified, streamlined and clutter-free look. However, this reviewer found the buttons too recessed into the chassis, so users might need a few tries with the right amount of pressure to activate the power switch. However, once booted up, a beautiful blue LED light indicates that the laptop is currently working.

With the help of 2GB of DDR3 RAM (expandable up to 8GB), startup time took approximately 20 seconds, and shutdown was a little faster at approximately 15 seconds. Running on Windows 7-Starter 32-bit SP1 with Sandy Bridge-based Intel Pentium B940 processors, B5106N users may want to consider installing a 64-bit operating system to fully utilize the maximum RAM allotted by this laptop. However, even with just the factory installed memory,

this laptop performed swiftly and excellently.

The laptop’s 15-inch LCD display is bright and vivid, although it’s prone to latent fingerprints and a minute amount of glare. Equipped with an Intel HD Graphics Family video card, the B5106N was quite capable in playing high definition media. If you’re an avid gamer however, you may want to look elsewhere, since this laptop’s video card will have limited game compatibility.

Rest assured however, that It will fulfill basic multimedia tasks, whether it’s for business or pleasure.

In the end, it’s actually quite surprising not to see more people using NEO products. The B5106N is well-designed, an excellent performer and is remarkably affordable. Moreover, not only do you get an efficient laptop, but you’ll also be supporting a product that has been imagined and forged on our very own shores.

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A glimpse at the external chassis welcomes a subtle yet pleasing artistic design, which does well to complement the B5106N’s streamlined casing.

Clocking in at approximately 2.3 kg, this laptop scales in at a modest weight, therefore its portability will ultimately depend on how much one is willing to carry. In terms of durability, this laptop feels ruggedly built with hinges that feel secure and strong.

keyboard is actually ergonomically designed and is even a pleasure to use.

Similarly, the touchpad’s design adorns a “classic” look, but unlike the keyboard, the surface’s lack of texture might turn some users away. In retrospect, the touchpad blends in seamlessly with the wrist rests to create a neat and tidy workspace. The clicker is great to use as well, even though there are no divisions between the left and right buttons. It responds well and poses no hindrance to productivity.

tablets

a portable personal computer

Multifunctional

iPad

By Presy Alba

At work and at home, we are expected to be experts in multitasking. So it is not surprising that we also expect our gadgets to be capable of doing different things.

But of all gadgets available in the market today, the iPad is one of the most versatile—it can be whatever you want it to be. With over 65,000 iPad-specific apps available, there is at least one app that can simulate many of the appliances and gadgets for every activity or interest.

Outside of the regular stuff that most of us do on the iPad, here are a few unconventional things that you can use the iPad for:

September2011

As a musical instrument Maximizing on the multi-touch feature of the iPad, a variety of apps are available on the App Store that can transform the iPad to a piano keyboard, percussion instrument, synthesizer and so many other musical instruments. If you’re interested in seeing how it works, I recommend that you watch Season 7 Episode 2 of CSI New York. In this episode a music student is shown using 3 iPads: one as a keyboard, another as a percussion instrument and the third as synthesizer to play her composition as a one-man band. With the three iPads attached to an amplifier and a Macbook Pro, she had created her own recording studio at home.

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As a painting canvas For the would-be painters, apps like Art Rage can turn the whole iPad screen into a painting canvas. The experience is even more tactile than the desktop version of the application. It’s almost like finger painting without the mess. What’s more, most of the painting and design applications available provide a variety and a wide selection of brushes and painting tools, and allows the user to mix colors on a painter’s palette like in real life.

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September2011

As a DJ pad For the musically inclined, the iPad can be a very interesting DJ tool. We’ve all seen that many of the well-known pro DJs who play the music in the popular bars always have a Macbook on hand for their playlists. Now it is even better because many of them have added an iPad or two as DJ Pads to manipulate the music and create their unique and often signature sound effects. If you’re an amateur or a wanna be DJ, using the iPad could be an inexpensive way to learn the tricks of the trade. There are a lot of free DJ mixers available in the App Store. All you need to do is select which one is best for you.

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As a digital photo album If you love to take photographs. You can show them off by having the iPad automatically show your photo collection, changing photos every 2 to 20 seconds. You don’t even have to download anything as the Photos app comes bundled with the iPad iOS; so all you really have to do is sync your photos from your iTunes to your iPad and you’re all set.

As a prayer book Whether you are Catholic, Christian, Muslim or anything in between, if you practice prayer, there should be an app available for you on the app store. For Catholics who practice the Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church, there’s a free app called iBreviary that follows the Shorter Christian Prayer format and a Divine Office App for those who follow the full version for $14.99. Having the prayer book app of your choice on the iPad totally eliminates having to lug a bulky printed version around, especially when you’re traveling.

These are just samples of what an iPad can do. Whoever you are, whatever your interests, the iPad will surely have an app that can enhance your enjoyment of your hobby or passion.

tablets

As a digital library When you’re alone, it’s always good to have some reading material at hand in case you have to sit around and wait. Having your own digital library on the iPad gives you a wide selection of reading materials to choose from—depending on your mood. The iBooks app which is bundled with the iPad iOS allows you to read PDF and ePub format books, while a free download of the Kindle reader will allow you to read all books in the mobi format that you purchase from the Kindle store.

apps

there’s an app for that

The Best Things in Life are Free Compiled By M.R. Gavin

Health, Beauty and Wellness

Calorie Counter by Fat Secret Android

In Case of Emergency (ICE) BlackBerry App World

Muscle Lab Mini Apple

Get to know the calorie and nutrition facts for the foods you eat. Calorie Counter is an app where you can find nutritional info of the food you eat and where you also easily keep track of your meals, exercise activity and weight.

When you can’t give rescue personnel your vital, medical information, JaredCo’s I.C.E. kicks in with everything paramedics need.

The Muscle Lab offers one of the most complete resources for tracking your fitness level on the web— nutritional intake to analyzing strength increases, and a whole lot more.

This app has saved lives, and it could save yours in case of emergency as it provides EMTs of all your essential personal and medical data.

September2011

News & Entertainment

CNN App Android

PingChat BlackBerry App World

RjDj Apple

Get the latest news, watch live video and iReport at CNN from your Android phone. Now available for all Androidpowered mobile phones.

PingChat! is the ultimate way to communicate with all of your friends on all major smartphone platforms.

PingChat! provides free, unlimited, cross-platform, smartphone-to-smartphone messaging with real-time conversations, group chat, media sharing, and much more.

RjDj is an amazing new way of experiencing music. RjDj is the only place you can get special reactive music by AIR, Carl Craig, Bookashade, Chiddy Bang, Jimmy Edgar, Netsky, Little Boots, Sophie Barker, Son of Dave, Kirsty Hawkshaw, Fabrice Lig and many more.

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Travel March2011

Where Android

Navita Translator BlackBerry App World

TripAdvisor Apple

Discover nearby places, get recommendations and share your favorites with WHERE!

Translate-and-speak words and phrases from e-mails, browser, SMS or by typing on the app software.

Navita Translator translates more than 50 languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian.

Have the perfect trip, find the best places to eat, sleep and play! With Tripadvisor you can browse through over 45 million reviews and opinions, review restaurants and hotels all over the world.

Join the millions of people who rely on WHERE everyday to answer the question: ‘Where should I go next?’

Games

Dark Galaxy BlackBerry App World

TapFish Apple

Racing Moto is a fast-paced racing game although you can still enjoy that beautiful view during the journey.

With the Earth’s resources all but spent, humans have colonized planets in the outer rims of the galaxy. Divided as ever, they battle endlessly among themselves. With alliances broken as quickly as they are formed, it’s every man for himself. Do you have the will to conquer the galaxy? Find out with Dark Galaxy.

Raise beautiful baby clown fish, feed them to see them grow, and decorate your tanks with exotic tropical plants and sea reefs. With TapFish, everything is easy and simple as 1-2-3. (But don’t forget to clean your tank!)

apps

Racing MOTO Android

websites USEFUL WEBSITES

enter the internet

By Presy Alba

I’m a person of habit. I make use of the same web tools again and again, especially when previous experience has proven them to be very useful. So for web searches, I Google-like everyone. If I need an online encyclopedia, I go to www.wikipedia.org. If I need a web dictionary, I go to www.dictionary.com. For international travel my first stop is always www.expedia.com for both tickets and hotel bookings, and for domestic and regional travel, www.asiatravel.com has the best hotel deals.

When I need to learn about how to fix things or understand how they work, I visit www. howstuffworks.com.

In the past month, I’ve discovered a few more websites that will surely become favorites: www.instructables.com I love reading about Do-It-Yourself projects. It’s very interesting to read about how people can do creative stuff—and teach others how to do it step-by-step. If you’re thinking of a project, you might check out if there’s a how-to guide at www. instructables.com first. What I like about this website is that most of the contributors are also busy people so many of the projects can be finished in less than 10 minutes.

Even better, many of the projects make use of recycled materials so you save the planet while you’re trying your hand at DIYing.

www.treehugger.com Speaking of saving the environment, www.treehugger.com is a must-visit website if you want to learn about how you can contribute by reducing your carbon footprint. The site is full of ideas on how you can cut down on waste in the office and how to embrace a more environment friendly lifestyle—after all it’s really a matter of choices.

www.makeuseof.com

September2011

It pays to be on top of what’s available in the net and how to take care of your gadgets, troubleshoot computer related stuff and just know the newest and coolest tools and websites, www.makeuseof.com should be in your favorites list. When you subscribe to makeuseof’s mailing list, after you confirm your email, they will send you a password that allows you to download many very useful guides in PDF including the Ultimate tips and tricks for Office 2010, the unofficial guide to using DropBox, Facebook Marketing, Facebook Privacy Guide and so many more. There’s also a nice selection of cheat sheets for the three popular Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS and Linux, as well as cheat sheets for the various search engines and browsers. All in all, this website should be a very useful resource for anyone who has a computer and is interested in learning how to effective make use of the available resources.

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All the websites mentioned in this article can be viewed on any tablet computer and on the iPad as the contents are Flash free, so whether you’re visiting these sites using a desktop, a laptop, a netbook or a tablet, you won’t have any problems accessing all the information these have to offer.

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gaming

where playing around is a good thing

Indie Game Madness Compiled by John Nieves

While there’s nothing I like more than indulging in a big-budget mind-altering AAA title, there’s a quaint charm to be found in independently developed videogames. Indie games are a unique proposition for a couple of reasons: Creating them aren’t as costly as AAA titles backed by big-name publishers, so game developers have a freer hand when it comes to designing gameplay elements and the overall experience; they are also more accessible to people with tight budgets, and are a fraction of the cost of other big name titles. Here are a few good ones to get your indie game collection started.

Hammerfight

Osmos

Braid is a platforming puzzle game where you manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles, ala Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. What’s unique about the game is that each puzzle is lovingly crafted to challenge, but not frustrate players.

There will be times where puzzles will leave you scratching your head, but after observing the environment, you’ll get a sudden epiphany. It’s like House, but instead of making a person better, you’re trying to get out of a room with the sole purpose of killing you. Braid is available through Steam.

Unique and quirky, Osmos is a unique little game that’ll keep you playing long after bedtime. You play the part of a little micro-organism, trying to survive and not be eaten by other bigger fish (figuratively speaking). To survive, you need to absorb smaller organisms while trying to avoid the bigger ones that can end your meager existence. You’re able to move around by expelling other organisms, which if you’re not careful, might make you smaller than your intended target. It’s deviously simple to play, and the soundtrack puts you in a Zen-like state after awhile. The game is available through hemispheregames.

Cogs The puzzles that the Cogs game throws at you are pretty unique. It’s not unusual for the game to call on you to solve four interlocking puzzles at a time. And you’re not just sliding tiles around for nothing either—each level gives you a different payoff each time you solve a puzzle, like launching a ship for example, or making a bird tweet. Point is, each puzzle is distinctive, and while there’s some definite head scratchers, the rewards will pull you through. You can get Cogs via Steam .

September2011

Hammerfight takes place in a world where flying machines armed with a melee of weapons roam the sky.

Hammerfight is a unique 2D platformer that uses physics as a weapon. Each weapon—from gigantic boulders, swords, spears and hammers—have their own weight and fighting style. A sword, for example, goes around in a fixed arc, while an iron ball attached to a chain is dependent on the consistency of your machine’s rotation. The game also has a deep and engaging storyline, and multiple game modes once you finish the game’s central campaign. Hammerfight is available through Steam.

Braid

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mobility

the hottest machines that get you places

CATS/Mercedes-Benz Previews the CLS 63 AMG Mercedes-Benz recently previewed the new CLS 63 AMG which will be brought in the country at a later date this year.

The new CLS-Class is the second generation of the first four-door coupé in the world. When the CLS-Class 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.

September2011

The CLS 63 AMG is an exceptional automobile offering impressive performance, dynamic styling and an exclusive interior. The four-door coupé is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 bi-turbo AMG engine, which was developed entirely

by Mercedes-AMG. It proves to be more efficient than the previous model with up

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to 32-percent more fuel efficiency at only 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers. The refined coupé has a 0-100 kph time of just 4.4 seconds, on its way to a governed top speed of 250 kph. The newly developed bi-turbo engines features a peak output of up to 525 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque.

Also proving its efficiency and trendsetting innovations, it has the ECO Start/ Stop Function that is different from the common Start/Stop Functions found in other cars today. It is the only one in the segment of high -performance sports cars. With the ECO Start/Stop Function, the engine shuts down when the car stops and starts when the accelerator is stepped on. When the car shuts down, the steering wheel, air conditioning system and other important features will still be working, allowing savings of significant amounts of fuel. The CLS 63 AMG will have a showroom price of Php 12.8 million.

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New-vehicle sales satisfaction has increased in the Philippines caused by rapid sales growth and increased customer expectations, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2011 Philippines Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study Now in its 11th year, the study measures new-vehicle owner satisfaction with the sales and delivery experience in seven key factors that contribute to overall satisfaction. In order of importance, they are: delivery process; delivery timing; salesperson; paperwork; deal; sales initiation; and dealer facility.

“The study finds a strong connection between sales standard implementation and overall satisfaction,” said Mohit Arora, executive director at J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Singapore. “Overall improvement in the industry in 2011 is largely driven by more rigorous implementation of sales standards and processes across most manufacturers.”

Nissan ranks highest in new-vehicle sales satisfaction with a score of 839 and performs particularly well in the delivery process and salesperson factors. Ford follows Nissan in the rankings (835). Although ranking below the industry average, Kia (823) improves more than any other brand in the study in 2011, a gain of 40 points from 2010.

The study finds that the percentage of customers who were offered test drives has increased to 88 percent in 2011 from 76 percent in 2010. For a second consecutive year, the proportion of customers who actually take a test drive when one is offered has increased.

The study also finds that customers whose vehicles were delivered to their home are more satisfied with the delivery process, on average, compared with customers who picked up their vehicle from the dealership. Among customers whose vehicles were delivered to their home, satisfaction averages 830. In comparison, satisfaction averages 823 among customers who picked up their vehicle from the dealership. The proportion of customers who received their vehicle at home in 2011 (50%) has more than doubled from 2010 (23%).

“The hefty growth rate of vehicle sales in the Philippines must not deter manufacturers from providing a delightful sales experience to their customers,” said Arora. “In a market where a large majority of customers rely on traditional and non-digital sources of information in making a purchase decision—such as the reputation of the brand or recommendations from friends and family—providing a delightful sales experience helps to generate good word of mouth, which may translate into increased business.”

mobility

Overall new-vehicle sales satisfaction averages 829 on a 1,000-point scale in 2011, an improvement of 10 points from 2010. In addition, all nine brands included in the study have improved from 2010. Among the factors examined in the study, satisfaction is highest in the salesperson and delivery process factors, which have improved by 12 and two points, respectively, from 2010.

September2011

J.D. Power reports improvement in new-vehicle sales satisfaction

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mobilit

Kia Wins Four Design Awards

September2011

Kia Motors is one of the main winners in the first-ever Automotive Brand Contest. This new international brand and design competition was organized by the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council), which is also responsible for the Designpreis der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (German Design Award). The judging panel of the first Automotive Brand Contest declared Kia Motors the worthy winner in two categories. In the Brand Design category, where strategy and focus of the brand’s overall design is rated, Kia was ranked ‘Best of Best.’

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For the Exterior category, in which the design of the vehicle itself is the centre of attention, three Kia models were picked as winners: the compact Sportage CUV, the forthcoming Rio B-segment model (on sale from Fall 2011 in most global markets) and the all-new, athletic D-segment Kia Optima sedan. The Kia Optima and Kia Sportage have already been awarded prestigious design prizes: the red dot award (Kia Optima: ‘best of the best’) and the iF product design award.

“We are all exceedingly proud that Kia Motors has done so well in this new competition, which is very important within the automotive industry,” said Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer. “By changing our basic design focus, we have given our brand a face, a distinctive identity.

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mobilit

Mobilizing the Filipino Safely with Motorcycles

By Mike Antigua

In these days of unstable fuel prices and increasingly busy traffic on the roads, the option of riding a motorcycle has become quite attractive for most Filipinos. In fact, a standard motorcycle is cheaper than a four-wheel vehicle. It’s easier to maintain and consumes less fuel. While perhaps the only downside is it can only bring one or two from one place to another, this still doesn’t discount the fact that nothing beats a two-wheeler when it comes to affordability and traffic convenience.

This is why the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) would like nothing better than to see more Filipinos riding motorcycles.

The MDPPA is comprised of six motorcycle manufacturers—Honda Philippines, Inc.; Kawasaki Motor (Phils.) Corp.; Suzuki Philippines Inc.; Eastworld Motor Industries Corp.; Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc.; and Kymco Philippines Inc. that have embarked on a unified effort to spur the growth of motorcycle use in the Philippines.

Part of its roadmap comes from the association’s Development Framework drafted in 2009, which aims to make personal mobility affordable to the common Filipino. The member-companies delivered nearly 760,000 new motorcycles last year, increasing the population of Filipino motorcyclists to around 4.5 million. This year, the MDPPA expects to reach 1 million in total unit sales.

The MDPPA had its origins in 1973, when four Japanese-branded motorcycle manufacturers bonded together to help develop the Philippine motorcycle industry, which was considered small at the that time compared to the automobile sector. The four companies – Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – were able to secure the approval from the Board of Investments, thus the Philippine Motorcycle Manufacturing Program was created.

Today, the MDPPA contributes to the social and economic growth of the country by creating jobs for 5,000 workers employed in motorcycle assembly plants and 30,000 personnel in 1,475 motorcycle dealers and supply shops nationwide.

MDPPA president Reynaldo M. Gener said the association has undertaken several measures to promote safety not only because of the negative image these sensationalized accidents have on motorcycling but because it is more concerned with keeping all road users safe from harm.

In 2010, the MDPPA conducted 34 safe riding seminar-workshops around Luzon for more than 1,700 motorcyclists and several more will be conducted this year. On July 30, 2011, it will distribute the safety riding manual during its weekend riding advocacy. During the first half of the year, the MDPPA put up stationary billboards to remind riders to “Race in the Race Tracks and Not on the Streets” as well as to wear safety gear while riding. It also worked with Petron in “Lakbay Alalay” during the Holy Week to offer free emergency clinics to motorcycle riders.

The MDPPA works closely with government agencies not only in matters directly or indirectly affecting the motorcycle Industry but in matters that affect the motorcycleriding public as well. It submits position papers pertaining to laws and policies regarding customs duties, tariff, importation, intellectual property rights, traffic, road safety and even city ordinances that restrict, marginalize or discriminate motorcycle riders.

Aside from submitting its position on government concerns, the MDPPA aids government agencies in implementing their programs and mandates towards road safety. The association participated in the creation and dissemination of Safe-T-Kids traffic safety training flash cards in association with the Department of Transportation and Communication under the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership. The flash cards aim to teach traffic safety to children in Grade School levels, especially those who travel with less parental supervision.

September2011

On May 29, the group, together with Petron Corp., launched the “Helmet On, Headlight On” or H2On Project to promote Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act, which makes wearing a helmet mandatory for riders, and LTO Administrative Order AHS 2008015, which defines the “Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operations of Motorcycles in Highways” that requires motorcyclists to turn on their headlight while riding in the day or night to increase their visibility.

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Looking ahead, the MDPPA believes it can grow the industry to emulate the success of other Asian countries that have a high motorcycle density; like Thailand, where for every three individuals, one owns a motorcycle; and Vietnam, where the ratio is 4:1. The Philippines density ratio is 34:1, but leave it to the MDPPA to put the Filipino masses on two wheels.

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September2011

Ford Ranger Goes Big on Creature Comforts

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Say the word and your wish will be at the Ford Ranger’s command. Select models will now have a Bluetooth voice control system that allow drivers to operate their mobile phone, audio system and climate control using voice-activated command.

The voice control buttons are located on the steering wheel and are conveniently accessed when driving, allowing the drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Voice commands are detected by a microphone housed inside the cab.

Ranger’s integrated audio system is an integral and unique part of the center dashboard, effectively deterring theft. The Human Machine Interface on the central control panel is inspired by the latest communication devices, with a joy stick as a central control element and a soft feel number pad to enter phone numbers.

To further improve interior comfort, the new-to-Ranger dual zone climate control allows the driver and passenger to set separate temperature settings.

Initially, select Ranger models will have cruise control, theater-dimming, driveaway locking, rain-sensing wipers, an electrochromatic rear view mirror that is able to automatically dim to prevent glare from the lights of following vehicles, and a Thatcham-rated alarm system complete with battery back-up siren and dead locks.

Based on Ford’s new global compact pickup truck platform, the all-new Ford Ranger will be sold on five continents, in over 180 markets. And in the Philippines, the AllNew Ranger is set to please adventure seekers with its new rugged and bold design, advanced engines delivering more power, torque and stamina, smart technologies for a more confident drive and uncompromised comfort, convenience and connectivity enhancing the overall driving experience in both work and recreational activities.

The All-New Ranger will be available in the Philippines by the first quarter of 2012.

mobility

The driver can make or take phone calls and access the mobile’s phone book and calling history. The system can also record voice tags for favorite numbers. In the same way, the driver has effortless control over the radio, CD player, iPod and other external devices via the USB port. It is also possible to stream audio from the mobile phone.

The Ford Ranger now utilizes a common global electrical architecture that is also shared by the next-generation Ford Focus. This means that engineers are able to use globally developed and engineered components in the all-new Ranger platform, resulting in more new features and technologies in the pickup which can be upgraded in the future.

coverstor

A

TAB(LET) September2011

A DAY 44

Today’s computing generation is all googly-eyed about the latest tablet device in the market. The wafer-thin square plates of glass, steel and silicone have become a magnet for anyone and everyone who wants to have the latest, the hottest and the smartest tablet device in town.

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By Mike Antigua

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September2011

U

nknown to many, the tablet has deep historical roots. It wasn’t as if it was designed and created out of nothing then launched in the market a year ago. Tablets, in the old days, meant any smooth surface, of stone or wood, or paper, or any material that one can write on, usually with a sharp, pointed object (a stylus or pen) and later on, using ink.

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As a commercial product, though, tablets can be traced to as far back as the 19th century, when the first patent for an electronic table used for handwriting was granted in 1888. According to research on Wikipedia: “The first patent for a system that recognized handwritten characters by analyzing the handwriting motion was granted in 1915.The first publicly demonstrated system using a tablet and handwriting text recognition instead of a keyboard for working with a modern digital computer dates back to 1956.”

By the 1960s, when computers were starting to become smaller and faster, several predictions of how home computers would look like started invading the public consciousness, by way of TV shows like Star Trek and sci-fi movies. Indeed, Hollywood, as it still does today, has the habit of jumping the gun on good ideas, leaving it up to tech engineers and resident nerds to turn these fictional devices into the real thing.

The first iteration of a tablet-like PC began with the introduction of a functioning table-based input system— the Styalator—which came out in the 1950s and had an electronic tablet with a pen for computer input and realtime handwriting recognition software. The more popular RAND Tablet, developed in 1964, had an electronic slate tablet and a pen but costs about $18,000! “The attached stylus sensed electrical pulses relayed through a fine grid of conductors housed beneath the drawing surface,” explained ComputerHistory.org.

In 1968, the Dynabook was introduced, and it was the first fully functioning tablet computer conceived by a computer scientist named Alan Kay. It never progressed beyond the conceptual stage but it was envisioned as a portable computing tool with nearly unlimited power supply that could be used as an educational tool for children.

The ‘70s heralded the age of the personal computer, and from then on, the PC became an ubiquitous part of the modern family in the generations that followed. Little was heard of the development of tablet computing, but companies were beginning to take a look at a way to change traditional keyboards for pad style inputs.

Apple by then had started churning out the compact Mac desktops that revolutionized the PC market. And they also dipped their hand in developing a table device early on with the Apple Graphics Tablet in 1979. This device enabled users to draw on the tablet with a wired stylus pen and transfer those creations over to their computer.

Ironically, this peripheral for the Apple II platform was a dud, despite its consumer-friendly price point of $650.

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In 1972, a tablet officially known as the Atlas DEC PDP 15 was produced for commercial consumption by schools and technology labs. It had a ‘typewriter’ attached to the system to produce a hardcopy of the tasks performed. By 1973, it had become obsolete as new technologies and platforms became available.

coverstor A

B

C (A) NCR System 3125 (1991); (B) Apple Graphics Tablet (1979); (C) Compaq Tablet (2001); (D) RAND Tablet (1964); (E) Digital Graphic 15 (1972)

D

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In June of 1991, the NCR Corp. introduced the pen-based “notepad” computer dubbed by The New York Times as “truly ahead of its time.” The NCR 3125, weighing slightly less than 4lbs, was significantly more powerful than the GRiDPad. It ran on Intel’s i386 SL microprocessor that allowed it to decipher upper- and lower-case letters with a high degree of accuracy. Its major limitation, though, was its inability to recognize cursive writing—let alone a doctor’s handwriting. It costs $4,765.

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As more tech companies underwent several trials in the development of the tablet PC in the 1990s, some headway came about in the form of handheld devices that ushered in the generation of Palm computing, with Palm Pilots and other PDAs finding their way into the consumer market with varying degrees of success. Advances in programming to recognize handwriting had finally come to fruition while smaller and more powerful microchips had finally reached a level suitable for tablet-style handheld computers to be produced affordably and within reach of the average consumer.

After its long history of ups and downs, the time was now ripe for a ‘true tablet’ to hit the stands. And so it was that Microsoft’s Bill Gates took the stage during the 2001 edition of the Comdex

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trade show to announce the Windows XP Tablet Edition. Gates predicted that tablets would dominate the PC market within five years.

This was the very first occasion that the phrase “tablet PC” would be used in mainstream marketing, and from then on, the term spread like wildfire. Previous attempts at tablet computing made use of proprietary operating systems like PenPoint OS and Palm OS. This new version of Windows XP promised the same looks and functionality of Windows in a format better suited to a touchscreen interface. Much as this bold new step brought tablet PCs toward a new direction, they still largely catered to the business market.

One category that served business and industry well are the slate tablets. Slates do not have built-in keyboards and relied on the touchscreen for input. While slates had the advantage of being portable and more durable, it proved cumbersone when tasked with typing long documents.

The other category, the convertible tablet, features a rotating screen that allowed the computer to be oriented either as a standard laptop or a slate PC. This type of tablet had the advantage of including a full-size keyboard and disc drive, as well as a few other features lacking in

the slate tablet. Convertible tablets also featured large screens, topping out at 1213 inches in most cases, although a few 15-17 inch screens were also marketed.

The Fujitsu Lifebook, Dell Latitude XT and Lenovo Thinkpad X60 were some of the convertible tablets that came out at that time.

There was also the hybrid tablet, wherein you could detach the keyboard segment from the screen and use it as a slate tablet. Notable models include the HP Compaq TC1100 and the Lenovo IdeaPad U1.

Convertible tablets may resemble laptops in form and function, but they cost much more, thus it didn’t really became a hit with consumers. Manufacturers began thinking of producing low-cost laptops, and thus the netbook market was born.

Netbooks hit it big a few years ago, primarily because of its affordability and ease of use. While none of the low-cost netbooks offered touch screen or tablet functionality, Asus attempted to bridge the gap with its Eee PC T91, a netbook that offered a multi-touch screen. Multitouch by then was still being developed for wide release, and was eventually adapted by Apple for the iPhone and iPod touch in 2007.

Everything changed in 2010 when Apple announced the iPad, a “magical and revolutionary device” that’s touted as the “best tablet PC.” Like many of the new products Apple launched in the years leading to the iPad, it was aimed at attracting consumers who have been disappointed by past attempts of other manufacturers to come up with a product that they can truly use for various functions.

The tablet computer has had quite a journey since the days of ‘60s sci-fi movies and pioneering prototypes. It was just a matter of the idea coming before the means to produce, thereby necessitating a long “gestation” period for other supportive technology to come together in order for the true tablet device to be realized.

Many are looking to the iPad to usher in a new age of digital media, combining the best aspects of a music player, the eBook reader, and a computer all in one device. Some believe what we have now still needs a lot of work. The battle for OS supremacy will continue to heat up with the entry of new players. We’ve barely scratched its multi-touch surface.

Sources: Digital Lovers Blog, IGN Gear, The Huffington Post, New Gadgets and Cool Gizmos

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September2011

Green Business

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Philips has joined the “green” revolution and recently came out with a new series of business monitors for companies and professional users.

The new business monitors don’t just make a good impression because of their low power consumption—their picture quality is superb as well. LED backlighting means unusually pure, deep colors are displayed; the contrast ratio is especially high. In addition to this, LEDs are environmentally friendly since these do not contain mercury. They also consume 40% less power than conventional CCFL backlighting. Besides that, they have a longer service life, do not need to be replaced as often and therefore cut down waste.

The monitors consume a low amount of power, thanks to the Philips PowerSensor technology which reduces the amount of energy required. In models like the 235PL2ES, 273P3LPHEB, and 221B3LPCB, this technology cuts the amount of energy use by up to 80%.

Philips PowerSensor technology saves energy by dimming the screen as soon as the user moves away from the monitor. The infrared sensor can perceive a user is returning to the desk and causes the monitor to switch back to its normal operating mode immediately. The PowerSensor can reduce your energy costs, which is generally the case during meetings or lunch breaks. When in standby mode, the business monitors only consume 0.1 watt of power. Most of them can even be switched off completely by pressing a power button. Large enterprises can save a considerable amount of energy this way.

The Philips 273P3LPHEB which is equipped with a 27-inch display and Philips SuperErgo base, meaning its height can be adjusted by up to 130 mm, can be tilted and turned, and also includes an auto-pivoting feature. The Business Line (B Line) was developed specifically for businesses and features height and tilt adjustment capabilities. The Small Business Line (S Line) is ideal for small firms as it offers good quality at an attractivelyzz low price.

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The new business range from Philips includes monitors that suit a wide variety of needs. The Professional Line (or P Line) was designed with professional users in mind such as architects and designers and combines superb picture quality with high ergonomic standards.

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N I E LIF HIGH DEFINITION

By MR Gavin

Say goodbye to those old gritty films from the past. High-definition is now in full blast. Almost everything now is in HD. We might not realize it but everything digitally possible can be as clear as real life. We barely see low-definition videos these days. Even YouTube and Vimeo videos are available in HD. You don’t have to squint just to view a much clearer image. From televisions to cameras, you can find one HD gadget for you to enjoy.

Sony Bravia NX720

September2011

Television

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Who wouldn’t want to kick back and relax while watching your favorite show?

Without doubt, the television is the most vital part of living in high-definition. You can watch your favorite characters as if they are standing right in front of you.

Most televisions out there are already in HD, producing crisp and clear images. With the right kind of TV, you would definitely bring out the couch potato in you.

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•Full HD 3D •LED for superb contrast and energy efficiency •X-Reality PRO Engine for outstanding picture, including online content viewing •High motion clarity with Motionflow XR 480 •Wireless internet TV

LG Smart TV LG 55LV3730 •LED LCD •1920 x 1080p Full HD Resolution •4,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio •XD Engine •isf Certification / Picture Wizard II •DivX HD Plus •DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)

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Broadcast Cameras

Video Camera/Camcorders HD video cameras used to be big and bulky. But with today’s technology, everything can now fit right in the palm of your hands.

Arri Alexa •35 format film-style digital camera •0.75-60 fps adjustable with 1/1000 fps precision •Electronic rolling shutter •Exposure from EI 160 to EI 3200 •Splash and Dust proof with system cooling •Electronic color viewfinder with LCOS micro display and ARRI LED illumination

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Of course the perfect partner of our television is the broadcast camera. Ever wondered how your favorite movies and shows are made? Broadcast cameras are specially equipped to cater any kind of television screen, whether you stretch them into widescreen or to your average 21-inch television.

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Digital SLR Since HD video recording was enabled in DSLRs, these now feature higher video resolution, bit rate, autofocus and exposure features that can compete with broadcast quality videos and cameras. Here are some DSLRs that can make your film-making dreams a reality.

Canon XA10

Samsung Q10

•Full HD Approx. 2.07-megapixels (1920 x 1080) for Video and 16:9 Approx.

2.07-megapixels (1920 x 1080) for Photo •3.5-inch High Resolution Touch Panel •Widescreen Color LCD •64GB internal flash drive •Cinema look filters •Infrared Recording •HD to SD Downconversion •Double Slot Recording

•Compact Full HD •10x Optical Zoom •20x Digital Zoom •2.7-inch Auto Rotate Touch-Panel LCD •Intelli-studio •Optical Image Stabilizer Duo •USB port rechargeable

COMPACT CAMERA Compact cameras are one of the most used gadgets next to mobile phones. These ohso-small cameras can probably now capture full HD videos, giving you all the chances to capture those intimate moments with the ones close to your heart.

Nikon D3X

•Dual DIGIC 4 image processors

• SLR with Live View • 51-point MultiCAM3500FX autofocus system • Scene Recognition System • 16-bit processing to handle detail on the 75MB image files • 3-inch, 922,000-dot LCD • 35.9mm x 24mm FX format sensor (1.4” x 0.94”) • Weather-resistant magnesium body • ISO range of 100-1600 with a Lo1 (equivalent to ISO 50) with boosts up to ISO 6400 • 24.5-megapixel shooting at up to 5fps; cropped 10-megapixel shooting at up to 7fps • 12ms start-up time; 41ms shutter-release lag time • Writes files to dual CF slots at 35MB/s • USB 2.0, HDMI and AV-out jacks, with 10pin terminal for GPS and other accessories • Same lithium-ion battery as D3

•Canon EF lens mount (excludes EF-S) •New autofocus module (45 AF point with 39 cross-type AF points) •Integrated sensor cleaning system •100–12800 ISO speed equivalent (expandable to L: 50, H1: 25600, H2: 51200 or H3: 102400) •30–1/8000 sec. shutter speed and bulb shutter auto lighting optimizer •Magnesium Alloy weather sealed body •Live preview mode •3.0 in, 920,000 dots Clear View II TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor with 160° viewing angle •10 frames per second continuous shooting (Large JPEG: max. 121 frames, RAW: max. 28 frames)

Panasonic Lumix fz47/FZ48

Olympus SZ-11

•12.1 Megapixels •24x Optical Zoom •3-inch TFT Screen LCD Display •1920 x 1080 Full HD video recording •Manual Exposure on video •12.1 hi-speed CCD •25mm ultra wide angle •32x intelligent zoom

•14 Megapixels •20x Optical Zoom + 4x Digital Zoom •3-inch LCD vie recording •3D photo mode •TruePic™ III+ •HD movie recording

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Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

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Gurango Working & Living The Dream Job

By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

Despite the country’s overwhelming population, manpower is not enough to make a business more efficient, organized, and competent in this fast-paced, highly competitive world. Technology plays an integral role in developing are more systematized and optimal way of running a business.

One company understands this integration and thus provides management solutions built on the ever-reliable Microsoft technology platform which aims to help growing organizations improve the productivity of their people and reduce costs.

But before all of this came to view, as is with most success stories, a pivotal moment in one’s life usually serves as a catalyst. Joey Gurango, chief executive and chief technology officer at Gurango Software, said: “Back in college, what I really wanted to be was to work with Boeing and to build airplanes. But as a hobby, I discovered this thing called programming. In any engineering course, there are electives for programming, and because I was interested in it, I took all the electives. It was all a hobby until I reached my third year in college. I took up this basic programming class for mini computers which is a precursor to the small computers we have today. And I did very well, and at the end of the quarter, when my professor returned my exam paper, she wrote a note on the back that said, ‘Joey, have you ever considered a career in software development?’ I thought that was flattering but had completely forgotten about it.

“Five years later, I read in the newspaper about a software company called Edmark, which is an educational software company founded by my [former professor] and her husband and had just been bought by another company called Scholastic Software. And when I saw it, I said, ‘maybe I should consider software development.’ But I completely forgot about that. When I was in my junior year, there was a job fair in school and Apple computer was hiring. I applied and they offered me a job, but I needed to join them right away. So I left school, joined the Apple company and I got so good at it. A couple of years later, I applied for a job at Microsoft, got hired, and worked for the first version of Excel. From that point on, I decided that that’s what I wanted to do. I started my own company in 1987 in Seattle, then brought it to the Philippines in 1991. To make a long story short, nine years later, I sold that company and that company which I sold it to was acquired by Microsoft.

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“Back in college, what I really wanted to be was to work with Boeing and to build airplanes. But as a hobby, I discovered this thing called programming”

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Gurango Software offers solutions for businesses such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), materials requirement planning, human capital management (HCM), business process automation. Philippine clients include Belo, Ayala Land, and Cebu Pacific, to name a few.

Team leader Raffy Ladios explained “basically, we render or offer products, resell ERP solutions and render services to tailor-fit the products that we sell. We resell Microsoft products along with our own products.” Berlly Castillo, another employee, said “We cater to different types of software depending on the industry and target market. For

The idea is that, the more intermingling we have, then the more

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Gurango Software’s

Top Guy

September2011

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versatile people we become.

Joey Gurango is the CEO and CTO of GURANGO Software, an award-winning Microsoft Dynamics partner and a global provider of Human Capital Management solutions, serving over 500 customers in 15 different countries.

ERP, our target markets are the retailers and manufacturers and are used for taking down inventory and accounting.

Customer service management deals with tracking communication with the customer while HCM is more on internal and human resource management.” “Clients want a certain thing that does not come out of the box, that’s where we come in,” Raffy added.

“Maybe you’re wondering why we are catering services for Microsoft dynamics software, unlike others who build their own software solutions,” said Stephen Villavert.

“The answer is quite simple. The problem is already definite, so it’s only logical to provide definite solutions.

So instead of building from scratch, why not create a standard solution and streamline those solutions to meet our client’s needs?”

Special thanks to Lyka Tasis, Rotchine Canet, Tim Mislos, Stephen Villavert, Berlly Castillo, Raffy Ladios, and Joey Gurango.

Joey was inducted in the Hall of Fame for Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professionals, in recognition of his mastery of, and contributions to, software technologies and businesses. In November 2006, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship acknowledged him as one of the country’s Ten Most Inspiring Technopreneurs.

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This is inarguably Gurango Software’s strengths—building software on top of existing Microsoft technology. And since Microsoft is generally a familiar system in most companies, compatibility as well as usability will not become an issue and highly customized products can still be made available.

Raffy noted that “Most companies are either good at selling their products or they’re good at customizing. One thing that sets us apart from others is that we’re good at both. Now if you were a client, which supplier would you choose? Would you choose two separate suppliers or would you go for one that’s good in both?”

Of course, what good is any product without a good man to back it up? For these employees, working at Gurango Software is more than just providing solutions for others. It is a place where talent is grown and skills are further enhanced through shared knowledge and constant, healthy interaction. It is a place that believes every employee has the potential to become better by believing in what each employee can offer. Joey explained that “Probably the best way to describe it is the structured chaos. Working hours are very flexible, we allow people to work from home. The idea is that, the more intermingling we have, then the more versatile people we become. From the outside, it’s almost chaotic, but from the inside, they know what to do. Working here involves a lot of responsibility. It’s a high-trust situation and people are trusted until proven untrustworthy, because that’s the only way I learned how to manage.”

For one employee, “Working here in Gurango is a commitment. Before making a commitment, first is you have to see if they’re fun to be with. Here, we are happy and we do things together. Next is trust and understanding. The last is the continuous learning. We value the learning that we get from here.”

Joey started his IT career in 1982, when he got a job with Apple Computer as a product support engineer for the Lisa computer, the predecessor to the Macintosh. Then in 1986, he worked as a programmer at Microsoft on version 1.0 of Excel for Windows. He moved back to the Philippines in 1991 to start his own software company called Match Data Systems, which he sold to Great Plains Software in 1999. Great Plains was later acquired by Microsoft in 2003. He worked as a Microsoft executive between 1999 and 2003, first as the Managing Director for the business solutions software development team, then as the Asia-Pacific regional director for products and services.

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Visiting Neo SHOWROOMS

By Steven Vea

Despite being relatively new to the field, Neo has already made its mark as one of the country’s leading manufacturers of laptops. In fact, they began creating their notebooks in 2004, only a year after the brand name was officially announced to the public, and it was only in 2008 that the introduction of the primary product lines were formally established.

SM North EDSA Showroom

Since that short period of time, Neo has kept on evolving, progressing and catering to the Filipino’s growing interest in its world-class products. In a span of only 7 years, the company has already opened five showrooms around the country. Three are located in the vicinity of Metro Manila (SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA and in Shaw Boulevard) while the remaining two can be found in SM City Cebu and NCCC Davao. It has also established ties with more than 80 dealers nationwide to sell Neo’s product offerings and to lend support and service on the company’s behalf.

Neo Showrooms

September2011

Gadgets Magazine recently visited the three Metro Manila showrooms with Neo’s showroom manager Rhon R. Castillo. The guided tour exhibited selected models from Neo’s elite product line (Basic, Élan and Edge laptops), which were all available to the public for testing.

SM Megamall

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The Basic series, as the name implies, has all the essential characteristics needed in a top-performing laptop, such as Intel’s second-generation i7 quad core

processors. What makes Neo stand out among competing brands is its mission to bring cutting-edge technology at a reasonable price to customers.

Castillo explained that the Basic laptops line is popular because, “What really matters is what’s inside. As you can see in our laptops specs, Neo can easily compete with other more known brands, but we offer it at a more affordable price.”

When you visit a Neo showroom, you will also get a chance to try out its flagship product, the Élan L4300, which is a highend 3D gaming notebook that astounded the public with it was released back in October 2010. Some of its features include the pristine power of a Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 285m graphics card, which should satisfy any gamer’s needs. Moreover, the Neo showroom in SM Megamall features a dedicated L4300 station that lets you sit and try the laptop’s 3D capabilities to your heart’s content. This great opportunity allows you to witness first-hand the remarkable technology employed behind the 3D glasses and the USB transmitter.

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For those who are unsure of what Neo laptop will suit their needs, rest assured that showroom representatives will personally answer all your queries and duly inform you of their products’ features.

Castillo pointed out that “When you enter [a Neo showroom], you will be greeted instantly by a representative who will assist you in choosing a laptop. This is because at

Neo, there’s always a laptop for you.”

Neo also provides the unique opportunity to avail of the Basic B702N which is sold exclusively at the showrooms. “This Neo laptop is not available at any of our affiliated dealers,” said Castillo. “It is sold only in our showrooms. It has a Core i7, 4 gigabytes of RAM, which is expandable up to 8Gigs, and comes installed with Windows 7 Home edition.”

The showrooms also double as a service center, creating a convenient way for Neo customers to have their laptop serviced since the showrooms are located in several popular shopping malls. Moreover, the company has gone the extra mile with their world-class support by authorizing its 80 dealer partners to act as extended service centers as well.

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Aside from the Basic and Élan series, visitors to the Neo showrooms will also be able to get a hands-on experience of the ultraportable Edge laptops, which boast unparalleled multitasking features contained within a light and slim chassis.

These notebooks were crafted specifically for the user that wants a compact and mobile unit when they’re on the go. If you drop by the showroom in SM City North EDSA, you get the chance to feel its solid build and featherweight body.

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“When you enter [a Neo showroom], you will be greeted instantly by a representative who will assist you in choosing a laptop. This is because at Neo, there’s always a laptop for you.”

Neo Service Center

“Neo has the fastest service, in both time and satisfaction. We have an efficient ‘while-you-wait’ service.”

Neo CARE Neo Care, the company’s esteemed customer service, was officially announced last December of 2010, alongside unveiling their latest product line at the time. They issued a statement to the public regarding the extra steps they have made in improving their service centers, ensuring that customers receive top quality service.

Indeed, upon entering the Neo Customer Service Center, the first thing you will notice is the array of chairs that have been laid out for customers. Moreover,

The greatest characteristic of Neo Care over its competitors in terms of its service is their constant endeavor to order and replenish their inventory. This means that if your Neo laptop needs a part replacement, you wouldn’t have to wait for a shipment to come in unless absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, it is possible to actually receive your repaired laptop within the day itself if you’re willing to wait, but you can alternatively track the repair progress on their site, or you may also consult with Neo Care representatives via toll-free numbers, email, live chat and Facebook.

With this kind of product quality and service, it’s hard to find a reason why you shouldn’t purchase one of their laptops. And remember, if you decide to go Neo, rest assured that there’s always one for you.

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According to Rhon R. Castillo, Neo’s showroom manager, even though each showroom is also a service center, people are still encouraged to visit the main establishment located in Shaw Boulevard. Since one of a customer’s greatest demands is the time for repairs to be completed, Neo can cater to this need more efficiently at this particular site. According to Gerson Sullano, Neo’s customer service manager, “Neo has the fastest service, in both time and satisfaction. We have an efficient ‘whileyou-wait’ service.”

unlike other service centers that are often rapt with heaps of tech junk, Neo’s Showroom is classy and fresh.

Gerson Sullano, states on their website that “the upgraded Neo Care Service is a collaboration of Improved Inventory Management, Upgraded Service Stations, Better Equipped Professionals & Quality Control Procedures”.

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the T BESss e Busin ooks Netb

By Danee Torres

September2011

In the list of people who can’t afford to waste time, executives are in the upper echelons next to journalists, stock brokers and technology R&D researchers. That’s why they need the right machines to complement their busy, demanding lives. While tablets are always great for portability, it might not be too great when executives want to reply to a lot of emails. We’re talking about computers that can go from the office to an outside meeting without compromising performance.

ASUS Eee PC 1215N-PU27

MacBook Air

HP Mini 110

Toshiba NB300

First up, the ASUS Eee PC 1215N-PU27.

With a 12.1-inch screen, the Eee PC 1215N-PU27 has probably the biggest netbook screen since the XPS M1330 three years ago. Its 16:9 HD LED-backlit glare-type display coupled with the Next-Generation NVIDIA ION discrete graphics optimizes multimedia viewing for presentations. With all this, you’d think the Eee PC 1215N-PU27 should have a formidable microprocessor under the hood. I’ve got news for you—it does! The Intel Dual-Core Atom D525 churns out to 1.8GHz, lessening waiting time for the executive who has zero-to-no patience with application lags. Moreover, its 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery has a standby time of up to 6 hours. Just an added bonus, the Eee PC 1215N-PU27 has an HDMI port and deals could go more smoothly when you’re presenting in full HD 1080p video playback. It’s also light, weighing in about 1.45 kg. If this netbook were a superhero it would be the Flash. It’s so fast that it seems to violate laws of nature—except gravity.

want to be carrying a powerful yet 7-pound laptop. Here’s where Apple makes your day. The newest iteration of the 11-inch MacBook Air had heads turning and cyberspace buzzing, but is it right for executives? On the outside, it’s incredibly thin which translates to extremely light. It’s made out of an aluminum block that you’re bound to be impressed with its sturdiness and design.

Underneath it’s got a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 256 GB solid state drive matched with the bright and clear monitor that Apple is known for. Supporting multi-touch gestures on the recently launched OS X Lion, the MacBook Air is an amazing machine for both executives and laymen alike. The downside is the less-than-stellar battery life at 3 hours and the lack of more ports and USB 3.0. Its price is a little steep, too.

But hey, at least it’s not embarrassing to whip out during meetings or at the coffee shop.

the tech giant has developed products that have become popular the world over, even upstaging Apple’s MacBook at some point with their HP Envy, the mini-note of the hour is the HP Mini 110. It’s a feather in its cap that it comes in four vibrant colors to suit any user’s personality— especially for those who work in the creative department. Moreover, execs on the go will certainly appreciate that its starting weight is only 1.14 kg and only 0.9-inches thin. One less thing to worry about is bringing along a flash drive because the mini-note allows the user to access the HP cloud drive, providing portability and ease with retrieval of files.

With a six-cell battery the Mini 110 gives about 8.5 hours of battery life so you can stay working on its 93% full-sized keyboard for longer.

Literally. The NB300 mini notebook has USB sleep-and-charge ports that can charge your small gadgets while it’s turned off. Another travelling worry that it has solved: possible damage to your hard drive from unexpected drops and jolts while in transit. Toshiba has placed a Hard Drive Impact Sensor that detects sudden movements and then “parks” the hard drive head before damage happens.

So your excuse about how your laptop fell off the countertop and wiped your hard drive clean won’t stick. The best part is you can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor. The NB300 means business but it’s also a green mini-notebook as it was built with a mercury-free LED and comes with the power-saving Toshiba eco utility to manage energy consumption. Even better, under the hood it’s got the latest dual-core Intel Atom processor N550 paired with Intel Integrated Graphics and enhanced video capabilities which cuts video streaming and web Flash content waiting time. You know what that means?

No more awkward silences at meetings while you’re praying that your laptop pulls through and loads media content immediately.

Speaking of gravity, if you’re shuffling from meeting to meeting you wouldn’t

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Looks certainly count when it comes to picking the right laptop and some execs will want to choose the stylish yet affordable collection that HP has. While

When you’re travelling you hardly have enough time to charge all your gadgets with you, thus ensuring that either your smartphone or your mp3 player—or Heaven forbid, your laptop—is going to conk out on you. Toshiba’s NB300 is not only light at 1.17kg, but it can also charge your smartphone in its sleep.

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September2011

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Honeycomb tablet

It is the first of the Android 3.0 tablets with both a functioning card slot and a full USB-A host port that accepts a keyboard, flash drives, a USB media card reader, and even a portable hard drive. You are now looking at a tablet with desktop capabilities.

Equipped with 1GB RAM, it runs on a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 250 dual-core processor and you can expect to play HD games close to the quality of console games. Not the thinnest tablet in the market, but it is the first dual-core Honeycomb and so far, the cheapest tablet released here in the Philippines.

September2011

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ACER ICONIA TAB A500

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Entertainment

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September2011

en]RICHING www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Primetime pair Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee give us a dose of the latest tablets and notebooks.

Photographed by Erwin Barleta | Erich’s Make-up by RB Chanco | Erich’s Hair by Harlyn Hernandez | Enchong’s grooming by Peps Silvestre | Art Direction by Benjamin Arnold & Michelle Callanta-Toledo | Styling by M.R. Gavin | Shot at Camera Cart Studio

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On Enchong: White sando (Php 150) & Denim Jeans (Php 899), BENCH; On Erich: Turquoise spaghetti strap (Php 125), FOREVER21 & Denim Wattwash Pants (Php 3,999) from MARITHÉ + FRANÇOIS GIRBAUD

photofeatur

On Enchong: Black and White zip-up jacket (Php 699) & Green Acid Wash Pants (Php 899), BENCH; On Erich: Denim Blouse (Php 1,025) & Acid wash shorts (Php 1,175), FOREVER21

September2011

NEO B5106

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Notebook

A basic notebook with not-so-basic specs. With Windows 7 starter as operating system, the B5106 has 2GB DDR3 memory and a storage space of 640GB. It features the Intel Pentium B940 Processor and built-in WiFi and different ports (USB 2.0, USB eSata Combo, HDMI, etc.). If you’re looking for a compact notebook for everyday use, the Neo B5106 is for you.

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September2011

ASUS EEE PAD TRANSFORMER

Honeycomb tablet Get ready for the Transformer, the Asus’ Transformer that is. A Honeycomb with a keyboard dock, you don’t have to worry about if you’re pressing the screen enough to launch applications, hence the name ‘Transformer’ which changes from a tablet to something like a netbook. The keyboard dock is sold separately, though. Weighing only 2.2 lbs. and measures just 0.5-inch thin, it is a lightweight companion equipped with built-in 1.2-megapixel webcam, 4-in-1 media reader, Nvidia Tegra 2 graphics for lush images and a mini HDMI output for connection to an HDTV, and 16/32GB hard drive that runs on Nvidia Tegra 2 processor.

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On Enchong: Gray undershirt (Php 150) & Blue Denim Pants (Php 899), BENCH; On Erich: Purple tank top (Php 125), FOREVER21 & Blue Denim Pants (models own)

Honeycomb tablet

Looking for the thinnest tablet in the market? The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 may fit the bill. Since the body is made up of a thin sheet of glass and plastic, it is very light at 595 grams and about 0.3-inch thin. With a bright and crisp screen, playing an HD game or watching a feel good HD movie will be a more stimulating experience.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a very competitive challenger in today’s tablet wars. It has SMS capabilities (3G SIM card slot), a 3.5mm audio port, 3-megapixel camera with flash, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, USB port for data connection and a microSD slot for memory expansion.

September2011

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SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1

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heats up the rainy season

September2011

‘MARIA LA DEL BARRIO’

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ABS-CBN and Televisa has joined hands to offer televiewers a captivating tale of love that is now engaging the hearts of every Kapamilya viewer this season. Maria la del Barrio will feature two of the hottest stars in the industry today, Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee, as they give life to the characters of Maria Hernandez and Luis Dela Vega.

Under the direction of Rory B. Quintos and Richard Somes, Maria la del Barrio delves into the lives of Maria and Luis as they search for true love, even amidst their pasts and their conflicting present lives.

Sharing the limelight is Angel Aquino who portrays the role of Victoria Montenegro-Dela Vega, mother of Luis Fernando. Ian Veneracion plays her husband who has a past with Assunta de Rossi who is Maria’s mother. Comedy Queen Aiai delas Alas takes on a very special role as Casilda, Maria's adoptive mother.

Maria la del Barrio also serves as a comeback for Paw Diaz on the television scene. Paw, a batchmate of Erich and Arron Villaflor in Star Circle Quest, portrays Soraya's character, the woman who will stand between Maria and Luis’ romance. Arron, on the other hand, plays the role of Vladimir who has a soft spot in Maria's heart. Other cast members include Jake Roxas, Katya Santos, Gio Alvarez, Atoy Co, Jane Oineza, Badjie Mortiz and K Brosas.

Shot in scenic Tagaytay and Cavite, and with a script led by Denise O’Hara and Henry Quitain’s team, Maria la del Barrio promises a whole new viewing experience. “Pinaghirapan po namin ang bawat eksena at mas pinaganda pa para mas lalo ninyong ma-enjoy ang panonood,” Erich said.

“When I learned that I’ll be working with Erich again, sobrang natuwa ako siyempre. Masarap siyang katrabaho,” Enchong shared.

Here on the pages of Gadgets Magazine, the two actors sizzle just like in the top-rating telenovela.

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On Enchong: Black undershirt (Php 150) & Denim pants (Php 899), BENCH; On Erich: White tank top (Php 815), FOREVER21 & Wattwash pants (Php 4,999), MARITHÉ + FRANÇOIS GIRBAUD

lifestyleparade

simplify your lifestyle decisions

Compiled by Benjamin Arnold

Banana Republic Fall 2011 “Mad Men” Collection Get that Mad Men inspiration from Banana Republic’s Fall 2011 collection which was based on the Emmy Award-winning series. Revive that 1960s era with this affordable yet luxuriously designed wearables for men and women. The men’s collection consists of chunky-meets-streamlined knit sweaters, tailored suit separates and fitted trousers, with classic accessories such as money clips, cotton pocket squares, silk ties, tie bars and fedora hats. The women’s pieces are very lady-like with chic trench coats, tailored dresses, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and statement accessories, like print scarves and leopard print pump heels.

Oxygen Reversible Jeans Add a twist to your style with Oxygen Reversible Jeans. It’s great for those who are out traveling or just want to instantly change up their looks. All you got to do is flip it inside out so you get two pants for the price of one. With different washes such as gray, dark blue and black to name a few, you change it up with different fits as well, such as dropcrotch or skinny. Be part of a hip denim revolution by reversing your jeans with Oxygen.

Men’s (Php 1,899); Women’s (Php 1,799) TALKING

ENJOYING

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

September2011

Melissa Jean Paul Gaultier, Talking & Enjoying Shoes Get simple yet modern shoes with these new designs from Melissa. Collaborating with Jean Paul Gaultier, Melissa’s was able to produce a stiletto boot with a criss-cross mesh effect and peep-toe style that gives impact to anyone who wears them.With the Melissa Enjoying and Talking, your get a wonderful mix of elegance and irreverence in either a lace up perforated Oxfords or a classic heel in either smooth or flocked finish.

Jean Paul Gaultier (Php 5,999); Enjoying (Php 2,895); Talking (Php 3,895) 62

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Marc Jacobs Splash Cocktail Collection 2011

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Fragrance This charming and whimsical scent will make you feel like you are running through beautiful sunny field filled with wild roses, violets and jasmine releasing your free spirited side.

2.5oz/ 75ml (Php 4,798); 4.2oz/125ml (Php 5,998)

September2011

Picture a beautiful sunny summer day with the sound of the Caribbean waves washing up onto the white sands sipping the fruity sharp taste of your cocktail in hand—that is the inspiration behind Marc Jacobs Limited Edition 2011 Splash Cocktail Collection: Cranberry, Ginger and Curacao.

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300ml/10.0 fl. oz.

(Php 4,998)

300ml/10.0 fl. oz.

(Php 4,998)

Chloé Rosebud Fragrance Dazzle your man with this delicate Rosebud Perfume by Chloé Edu de Parfum. Just like any bouquet, this lovely scent was built around classic floral scents with roses at its velvety heart.

50ml (Php 5,198)

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300ml/10.0 fl. oz.

(Php 4,998)

lifestyleparad

Beabi Limited Artist Edition 2011 Tote Bags & Bag Organizers Taking on local and international celebrities—such as Rajo Laurel, Kim Chiu and the Pambansang Kamao, Manny Pacquiao—they designed a collection of six tote bags and bag organizers for Beabi, perfect for anyone who loves to be organized. Each bag purchase helps a variety of organizations sponsored by the celebrity designers.

Bobbie Heavenly Glitz Collection Color, fun and sparkle are a good way to beat the rainy bed weather. Brighten up your life and look with Bobbie’s Heavenly Glitz Collection—a nail polish with bigger glitter particles for a more stunning nail that takes inspiration from the heavenly bodies in space. Mix and match the four colors to get amazingly eye-catching, color popping nails—Star Gazer, Solar Burst, The Big Bang and Supernova. So apply that burst with Bobbie’s Heavenly Glitz collection for that star-striking nail color.

ORLY Happy Go Lucky Nail Polish Get that rainbow happiness into your life with these powerful nail colors from ORLY. The fresh and vibrant colors of the Happy Go Lucky collection can take your life from dark and gloomy to oh-so-edgy. With fresh hues that suits all on the go girls to glam up, Fresh (Lime Green Crème), Flirty (Hot Pink Shimmer), Frisky (Teal Crème) and Frolic (Dark Violet Crème) you can make your nails your fashion accessory and be fashionable and flirty with nails that say “WOW!”

Php 349.75

September2011

VMV Hypoallergenics Tarte-a-tan This antioxidant bronzing “coco” powder has reparative antioxidants like green tea and rice phytic acid, plus coconut-derived monolaurin for anti-acne disinfection. To add to this mix of amazing skin friendly make-up, Tarte-a-tan is infused with virgin coconut oil to keep skin soft while providing a whole multitude of other skin-wellness pulses from cellular health to anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits.

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Salvatore Ferragamo Timepieces 2011 Collection

Salvatore Ferragamo Renaissance

Salvatore Ferragamo Gancino Soirée

Salvatore Ferragamo Grande Maison

This vintage model for women features a steel or IP Gold case, illuminated by diamonds or blue or pink sapphires on the top ring, combined with fine lizard or satin straps in various colors coordinated with the case.

The 24mm case is embellished by 16 diamonds set in the top ring and the pure color energy of the dial, finished in the characteristic red enamel finished with either a cooler steel or warmer IP rose gold bracelet.

Stylized gancino shape taken in with a modern angle of style for a contemporary yet classic look finished with an IP finish case and tone-on-tone dial enriched with sunray decoration. Also available in a couple’s pair.

September2011

Timepieces that articulate a casual yet sophisticated sense of elegance for everyday use is the classic style you get from Salvatore Ferragamo timepieces. The 2011 collection depicts the brand’s aesthetic heritage to build its own personality with the addition of three new models.

Speedo Xenith Sunglasses Keep the sun out of your eyes and get well protected with Speedo Xenith sunglasses, designed for those who lead an active, sporty lifestyle. Not only does it give you 100% (yes it says 100% on the box) protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays, it is also made of shatterproof polycarbonate polarized lenses so you’re sure of its durability. The sunglasses also wrap around your face to ensure performance fit and maximum field of vision. For added versatility, the frames come in wither black or white and you can swap the lenses for either polarized, low light or hydro lenses.

Xenith Sunglasses (Php 4,888); Polarized lenses (Php 2,388); Low-light lenses (Php 1,188); Hydro Lenses (Php 1,488)

For those who love to run, I’m a Runner and iTri Triathlon Daily Log Books are the perfect accessory to keeping your progress recorded. Designed by a runner for runners, this 16-week daily log book features sections for a variety of important information, such as what you do, where you run, what you run with, what you ate, how you feel both before and after and a whole lot more. With this log book—which comes in black, blue, red, purple, fuchsia and apple green—you are sure to reach your goal.

Php 380

lifestyleparade

I’m a Runner & iTri Triathlon Daily Log Book

beautylab

beauty secrets revealed

THE CORE OF EXERCISE PERFORMANCE KINETIX

By Benjamin Arnold & Michelle Callanta-Toledo

September2011

Performance Kinetix is probably one of the newest buzzwords in the health and wellness field in the country. While it may sound a bit daunting, Performance Kinetix is actually a movement-based training and exercise program with the main thrust of teaching the body how to move efficiently and effectively while keeping the brain engaged. In layman’s terms, it is teaching the body to do what it is designed to do.

The program utilizes training that improves one’s fundamental movement patterns that slowly teach the body to adapt and transition to more complex movement. One of the unique features of this workout routine is the level upon which people do the exercises. Each evel is based upon your own perception as it uses the Rate of Perceived Exertion or Borg RPE Scale to determine one’s level. This RPE Scale is a common method for determining exercise intensity levels. It describes the intensity of training sessions in a subjective manner based upon how hard you feel your body is working. This is usually a 15-point scale ranging from 6 to 20, but in Performance Kinetix, the scale is adjusted to an 11-point scale from 0 (no effort at all) to 10 (very, very hard.)

The entire Performance Kinetix workout consists of a variety of exercise programs, namely the total body circuit (for fat loss, conditioning and sculpting), bodyweight exercise, VIPR boot camp, TRX exercises, a running program and the kettlebell (circuit) workouts.

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MICHELLE SAYS: September2011

Leave your ego at the door. This is probably the mantra one has to keep in mind before undertaking Performance Kinetix. While it may not seem all that difficult at first glance— with the seemingly “harmless” ropes hanging from ceiling bars and the jump-ropes that you find hooked to a corner. Do not be fooled: this is definitely one effective way to see just how “athletic” you really are. That’s why Performance Kinetix is not for the average Joe who wants to try out the newest exercise routine. This is actually an exercise program for athletes who (though they may not want to admit it) need to further strengthen and condition their “core.”

We began with a series of warm-ups which, strangely, does not constitute any form of stretching (as the program believes stretching should only be done after the workout so as to not “deactivate” the muscles prior to the workout). These warm-ups included jumping with the jump rope as well as a series of drills that require you to pace from one side of the room to the other, be it sliding or walking while raising your feet to touch your hands. As it is “movement-based training,” you are expected to be able to move into positions that are natural to your body (at least what was once natural—as a child).

Our instructor, Armand Bautista, pointed out that my body was already showing signs of tightness (much to my embarrassment since my colleague received nothing but praises for his surprising flexibility). After a series of exercises using the TRX (Total-body Resistance Exercise) suspension rope, I immediately began to feel weak. My arms were shaking from having to hold myself up and my body was aching from having to pull my own weight. The moment you get into it, despite maintaining a somewhat beginner’s RPE (Rate of Perceived Effort), you can already deduce that this workout is out to make you ready for a performance—ala Cirque du Soleil.

Men and women of different ages joined the hour-long class. Beginners and athletes trained together except the individual exertion of intensity varied. That way, you can pace yourself properly without feeling the need to keep up with peers. Unfortunately for my colleague, who was doing rather well in his performance, form and intensity, began to lose consciousness after about 30 minutes so we had to cut our training short. I guess for all of his flexibility, the one thing I was able to do better (and this is fundamental in ANY exercise) was… breathe.

BENJAMIN SAYS: The first thing I must mention before I continue with my side of the article is that I didn’t get to experience as much of the actual exercise as everyone else did. I did, however, learn a huge lesson that everyone should take note of if they ever want to take up Performance Kinetix.

Before the actual exercise, we did warm-up exercises. These consisted of dynamic movements which involved jumping ropes, high-knee stretch walking, side squats and high kicks. This was designed around the idea that one should prepare the body for the high-intensity movement through a low-intensity warm up—with the end goal of developing your body’s capability to move joints in their entire range of motion without fear or pain.

After the warm up, we began with the actual exercises which consisted of circuit suspension training exercises. Sounds technical? It was. It involved a series of functional movements (such as pushing, pulling, lifting and twisting) with our own weight as resistance. If you've ever done sit-ups or pull-ups, this is 10 times more difficult. All the while, the instructor informed us to be conscious of everything we are doing and not to leave things up to reflex.

So the biggest lesson learned is if you are planning on doing Performance Kinetix or any form of exercise for that matter, eat a proper meal at least two hours before you work out (preferably something high in carbohydrates if you are going to be doing weight resistance training)—and don’t forget to breathe.

In the end though, Performance Kinetix appears to be an interesting exercise that I am actually looking forward to doing again because, as the instructor said, this exercise can help us develop the basic functional body movements that we use every day. Plus I also do not want to be known as the big guy who fainted during exercise.

beautylab

This is just about the time when everything went black and I passed out. After I came around, I found my wet T-shirt on the back of my neck, the instructor next to me giving me a granola bar and Michelle handing me a bottle of water. I passed out from a combination of being anemic—perhaps because my blood sugar level dropped as I didn’t eat properly before the exercise—and that I forgot to breathe. This exercise routine is tricky. You have to breathe in at certain times and breathe out when you return to position. I spent the rest of the class sitting on the sidelines.

wellnes

American Eye Center Unveils Laser Technology To enhance its services and maintain its leadership in the eye-care industry, American Eye Center unveils the most advanced technology for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism an all-laser or bladeless LASIK surgery via the WaveLight Refractive Suite.

The WaveLight Refractive Suite brings an unprecedented level of safety and precision, allowing surgeons to provide consistently excellent refractive and visual results when performing laser vision correction.

September2011

The first of its kind in the Philippines, this new equipment is very much in demand in all premier eye centers around the world. The WaveLight Refractive Suite is known as the world’s fastest refractive platform. It combines two of the most advanced lasers currently available for performing LASIK surgery—the WaveLight EX500, a 500 Hz repetition excimer laser; and the WaveLight FS200, a 200 kHz Femtosecond laser.

The FS200 femtosecond laser is impressive because of its speed and ability to make the flap that is needed for LASIK surgery. There is no need for blades. The surgeon is given the freedom of choice with regard to diameter, shape, thickness, depth, angle and location of the flap according to the individual needs of the patient.

American Eye Center has been breaking new ground when it comes to ophthalmic care since its establishment in 1995. According to Dr. Benjamin Cabrera, chief operating officer, and a specialist in Cataract surgery, American Eye Center pioneered many of the globally accepted treatments now widely being used locally. “We are continuing this trend with our investment in the femtosecond technology, because we know that quality and safety must never be compromised when it comes to treating eye conditions,” he added.

A very distinct advantage of this system overs is that the Excimer laser is networked with the Femtosecond laser. With this system, All Laser LASIK becomes very convenient for the patient. The entire procedure is done in less than 20 minutes and costs Php 77,000 for both eyes.

The center is a full-service diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical eye facility fully accredited with the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. It houses the latest diagnostic equipment for the early detection and monitoring of all eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataract.

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Pinoy_Blogfest 2.

S O C I A L

M E D I A

5 AUGUST 2011

|

C O N V E R G E N C E

TRINOMA ACTIVITY CENTER

Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube, social networking is taking the world by storm. The Philippines has been dubbed the Social Networking Capital of the World, and it is small wonder why Filipino talents are making it big in the international scene, all thanks to the wonders of social networking.

Bloggers may not realize the power they now have in their hands but there is a great sense of responsibility on their shoulders and it is their job to use that power for change and for the greater good.

September2011

The recently held Gadgets Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 challenged bloggers to use social media as an agent for change—to transform lives through web activities. Top Filipino bloggers trooped to the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City on August 5 to stake their claim in the social media scene.

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SOCIAL ACTIVITY 1: THE NEW WORKPLACE

Louie Sangalang of Teletech discussed how the web is vital to their company’s hiring strategy and how many people get into trouble for not being aware of their web activities. He also mentioned that companies now check their applicants’ online activities and this has become a vital exercise when hiring new employees.

September2011

The first social activity entitled “The New Workplace”discussed some of today’s latest job trends as well as important factors to consider when looking for a job. Also tackled was the BPO industry and how it could be the biggest industry in the Philippines.

LOUIE SANGALANG joined TeleTech in December 2010 as senior manager for talent acquisition. He has worked in several industries such as banking, television, insurance & investments, and integrated resorts. He is a Teletech rehire, having worked with the company from 2005-2007.

ANGELO HERNANDEZ joined TeleTech as senior manager for talent acquisition marketing last April 2011. He brings years of experience in PR, events and online marketing to an increasingly competitive industry.

He also maintains a blog, which, in his estimation, is read by only two people: his ex-boss and his ex-girlfriend.

His colleague, Angelo Hernandez, presented interesting ways on how to land that dream job— from putting out a differently presented résumé to coming up with new ways to make an impact with a job application. Angelo is senior manager for talent acquisition marketing at Teletech.

If you have the ultimate dream of succeeding in your chosen job, Joey Gurango is the man to help you prep for success. Joey is the CEO and CTO of Gurango Software, an award-winning Microsoft Dynamics partner and global provider of human capital management solutions. He talked about why companies should invest more on its people and to make them an asset of a company. He also shared his success story that surely inspired everyone to go out and reach for that dream.

JOEY GURANGO is the CEO & CTO of Gurango Software, an award-winning Microsoft Dynamics partner and global provider of Human Capital Management solutions, serving over 500 customers in 15 different countries. In recognition of his mastery of and contributions to software technologies and businesses, Joey was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professionals. In 2006, he was acknowledged as one of the country’s Most Inspiring Technopreneurs by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY 2: IT’S A DIGITAL LIFE

Gadgetsmagazine.com.ph Online Editor John Nieves talked about keeping it safe in the digital world. He tackled the various means of avoiding scams, viruses, information phishing and other cybercrimes. John said the greatest way to protect you and your accounts is to be careful with what you click on.

JOHN NIEVES is currently the Online Editor of www.gadgetsmagazine. com.ph. As a member of the Gadgets team since 2005, he has seen his fair share of gadgets trends and has managed to get his grubby mitts on everything from smartphones to notebooks. When not testing the latest gadgets or writing about technology, he spends most of his free time gaming and fragging his friends in Team Fortress 2 or Battlefield Bad Company 2. John is a self-confessed geek and technophile.

MICHELLE CALLANTA-TOLEDO is Gadgets Magazine's associate editor, resident MILF, and montlyBeautyLab guinea pig. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and generally technology-averse, Michelle remains true to her Multiply (and what was once her Friendster) accounts as well as her Nokia N82 (her favorite 3-year old feature phone), much to the chagrin of her colleagues. She asserts, though, that it is because of this aversion that she maintains a fresh outlook on the latest technological advancements. So why is she in Gadgets? Because she is its official layman.Nay, laywoman. No pun intended.

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0

It’s always hard to choose a gadget, especially when you are spending thousands of pesos for something you want or need. Gadgets Magazine Associate Editor, Michelle Callanta-Toledo helped the audience make that purchase count by determining what you need and getting your money’s worth.

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY 3: PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BLOGGERS

If photography is up your alley, photo-journalist Antonni Cuesta discussed new trends in photography and film. He wants to help beginners and professionals get the most OUT of their existing equipment. He also discussed up-andcoming cameras that will surely be a hit for both photography and film enthusiasts.

ANTONNI CUESTA originally trained as a photo-journalist, focusing on reportage and documentary story-telling. Later on he expanded his portfolio by taking on various commercial and editorial work for magazines as well as commissioned photography work for private clients and publications. He has participated in several art exhibits, working with both photography and new media. He has given talks and seminars to help photographers—both beginners and professionals alike—to help them get the most out of their photographic equipment.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY 4: HEALTHY LIVING

Armand Bautista of Performance Kinetix interacted with the audience by making them try on some exercises. He also entertained questions on health and wellness. He is a level 2 certified personal trainer for the American Council on Exercise, VIPR training master for Asia, Movement Efficiency Training master and Pilates instructor.

He surely made everyone groove to the right beat at the event.

September2011

Nutrition, health and wellness were the topics of Professor Hercules Callanta’s talk. He is a former dean of the UP College of Human Kinetics and is the president of Strength & Conditioning Inc., which promotes sports and recreational conditioning among athletes. He discussed common misconceptions on health and exercises and how to live healthy by eating right.

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ARMAND BAUTISTA holds certifications in various fitness regimens including the following: Certified personal trainer level 2 (American Council on Exercise); VIPR master trainer for Asia; Movement Efficiency Training master trainer; certified Pilates instructor (Romana’s Pilates, New York); certified TRX suspension training instructor; and Kettlebell for Fitness instructor. He was a former UP Judo Team co-captain and is now the strength and conditioning coach of the UP Men’s and Women’s Judo Team. Armand owns PIlatesWorks Body Studio and is a partner, head coach and trainer of Performance Kinetix.

PROFESSOR HERCULES CALLANTA is the president of Strength & Conditioning Inc., an organization that promotes sports and recreational conditioning among athletes. Present clients include elite basketball, badminton, football and swimming athletes; recreational badminton players, fitness enthusiasts and retired athletes. He is an associate professor at the UP College of Human Kinetics and was the UP varsity sports director in 2009-2010. He is currently the athletics and PE director of the Lyceum of the Philippines.

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BLOGGERS BIO (By Invitation Only)

Manolo Quezon III, Gang Badoy and Allie Cook are three advocates of utilizing social media for the social good. The three of them shared their insights on how bloggers can become positive change agents through social networking.

Undersecretary Quezon is a blogger himself; you can find some pretty interesting entries on his website and feed your mind with the latest news and time-worthy reads.

Rock Ed Philippines founder Gang Badoy encouraged the audience to be assertive in their online posts as well as to take more stands. She also talked about how everyone is given the opportunity to post something that can contribute to the future study about the past, to be a part of building history and making it easier for future generations to find pieces of the past by posting a photo, a story, a song or a video in your blog.

“One click,” she points out, “and you can make history.”

Allie Cook of Kiva.org is an advocate of connecting people from all over the world to provide safe and affordable access to capital to those in need to create better lives. Kiva.org is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunit around the world.

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 is organized by Gadgets Magazine, with the support of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Teletech, Canon, Globe, Pony, Neo, Asus, Western Digital, Archos, BenQ, JBL, Sennheiser, Manila Bulletin, BusinessMirror, and TriNoma.

September2011

Bloggers were also given an opportunity to be a part of a by-invitation only event that was held the night of Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0. The program featured people who move and change society by being a part of projects that can transform the environment around them.

MANUEL L. QUEZON III (MANOLO QUEZON) is a popular essayist and blogger, who is currently an undersecretary of the Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office. Prior to this, he hosted The Explainer and The Explainer Dialogues on ANC cable news channel. He also headed the Speaker’s Bureau and was a columnist and editorial writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and was the assistant managing editor for the Philippine Free Press weekly news magazine. Manolo has received various awards for his professional work, including being named “Opinion Writer of the Year” in 1994 and 2005 by the Rotary Club of Manila’s Journalism Awards, one of the oldest journalism awards in the country. He also won the 1st Prize for the Essay in English for the Carlos Palance Memorial Awards for Literature in 1997.

GANG BADOY is a media practitioner and alternative educator. A product of the Assumption San Lorenzo High School, UP Diliman and the IndianapolisPurdue University, she worked first for ABS-CBN in San Francisco and became news desk editor for NBC’s Eyewitness News. In 1999, she accepted a post with the Diocese of San Jose, California, and worked closely with Catholic Relief Services. She came home to the Philippines in mid-2003 and joined Jesuit Communications (JesCom) and spearheaded workshops on “Media and Ministry” for the East Asian Pastoral Institute. Primarily a writer, Gang founded Rock Ed Philippines, an alternative education volunteer group that works for a more interesting way of presenting socio-civic issues to the youth. She also devotes time to giving media literacy lectures in campuses all over the Philippines, and is a staunch volunteerism advocate. Gang was awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) and Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for 2010.

ALLIE COOK is a Kiva Fellow working with AlalaysaKaunlaran Inc. (ASKI) in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Born in Massachusetts, she grew up in London and as an expat was able to travel frequently and ignite her passion for adventure. During college, she lived in Paris as an intern for the State Department. She also studied in Morocco, where she focused on women's activism and political empowerment. She also spent some time in Guatemala working with CasaSito. Seeing the incredible projects this small organization pursued to educate and empower youth, renewed a passion for economic development. This led Allie to volunteer in Kiva's headquarters office where she was inspired by embarking Kiva Fellows. She is particularly excited to see the real social impact of microfinance and Client Protection Principles in action. Allie enjoys getting lost, the ocean, yoga, reading, and going on long trail rides.

WALTER B. PANGANIBAN is the media relations manager of the coca-cola export corporation. He works closely with media organizations both in the local and national levels to implement various media development programs of Coca-Cola in the Philippines.

GOODBlog In line with Coke’s “Live Positively” advocacy program, Gadgets Magazine and The Coca-Cola Export Corporation are launching the GoodBlog Awards aimed at recognizing online posts that promote positive social values and help enhance people’s lives.

This year’s GoodBlog theme is Spark and Share – which is about inspiring and igniting ideas and imagery that enhance lives.

We’re looking for blogs that are about a project or activity that impacts the quality of life for an individual, family, community or the nation. It can be in words, photos or videos. In particular, we are looking for ideas and experiences that can inspire others to reach out, pay forward, and take the extra step. Share your stories

about how transformations happen because of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Tell us how a germ of an idea can be that special spark that leads to new frontiers.

There are three blog categories: Text Blogs, Photo Blogs and Video Blogs. And since we know that it doesn’t take an established blogger or a tech savvy journalist to enact meaningful change through social media, anyone with a FaceBook, Twitter, Google Plus, Tumblr, Flickr, or YouTube presence can join.

Basic criteria to keep in mind when joining or nominating an entry: • Text Blogs should be from 350 to 750 words. Graphic elements such as images, etc. may be included.

• Photo blog entries may be a single photo or a photo series of up to 3 images, with an accompanying explanation of up to 150 words.

• Video blog entries should be a short video up to 2-minutes, with an accompanying explanation of up to 150 words.

All entries should link back to an active url containing the original post, which should have been published within 2011.

The official website, www.goodblogaward.com, is currently under construction and will begin accepting entries in September 2011. Watch out for further announcements on how to inspire others as a GoodBlog advocate!

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0

AWARD

A `BERRY’ HAPPY

GLOBE PLAYBOOK LAUNCH

TAKING the cue from the “work hard, play hard” personality of the BlackBerry Playbook, the first tablet device of BlackBerry, Globe Telecom adopted the “Happy Hour” theme to introduce it for the first time in the Philippines in an uber fun event last August 3 at the Fiesta San Miguel of Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

Despite the drizzle and the heavy traffic, BlackBerry enthusiasts packed the venue as early as 6 p.m.

Globe and Blackberry executives came in full force, so did the members of the media and the loyal subscribers of Globe who were all very eager to be the first to feast their eyes on and own the BlackBerry Playbook.

Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu came with his whole family. Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business and Chee Lo Fun, Senior Advisor of Consumer Marketing, were also present together with other Globe executives.

Research in Motion (RIM) top guns led by Hastings Singh, Vice President for South Asia, and John Leung, Philippines’ RIM Director, flew in from Singapore to be a part of this one-of-a-kind launch.

It was a starry, starry night as celebrities mingled with Globe and RIM executives, Globe subscribers and members of the media, and gamely posed in the “Happy Faces” booth with their brand-new Playbooks.

Living up to its “Happy Hour” theme, there was free flowing beer, everyone had a grand time jamming with the band, “True Faith,” as they excitedly joined the beer drinking/ trivia game where winners were given spanking new BlackBerry Playbook units.

Gorgeous models eagerly showed the guests how to best enjoy their BlackBerry Playbooks which whetted the appetite of the subscribers, making sure not to leave the place without bringing home their very own Blackberry Playbook tablet and device bundles.

“We are very happy that RIM has once again placed its trust on Globe to be the exclusive initial distributor of BlackBerry Playbook here in the Philippines. It is consistent with our promise to our subscribers that we will let them have the first experience with all the latest phones and gadgets that are introduced in the country,” Martha Sazon, Head of Globe Postpaid said.

To sweeten the BlackBerry Playbook experience, you can get the Blackberry Playbook 16GB plus a Blackberry Curve 9300 3G with a Globe Platinum Plan 5000. The first 50 availers will get free Bang and Olufssen headphones To know more, just call the Globe Platinum Hotline at (02) 73018888

listen

hit the right beats with the latest sound tech

Boom, Bap!

Music Production Apps

By Steven Vea

It is undeniable how tablets have taken the world by storm, as they presented the general public with a brand new way of finishing work and consuming multimedia. It is only natural that this tantalizing new technology would eventually have to address the growing clamor of musicians for the development of serious music production apps.

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Latency and operating systems Perhaps the greatest concern that both musicians and developers had to face with virtual instruments was the issue of latency—which can be roughly described as the delay from the time that a virtual button/key is pressed to the moment that a sound is generated. Therefore, as logic dictates, latency is vital to accuracy, and is a major factor in terms of live performances.

Now, there’s a reason why the iPad is popular among musicians and music enthusiasts— not only do they have a greater variety of apps to choose from, but the operating system itself is a work of wonder because it offers the best ratio of low latency audio.

This essentially means that music apps used on iPads can provide musicians actual onstage capabilities.

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iOS The first app worthy of mention is Korg’s iElectribe, for it was the first synthesizer app that turned heads and posited the iPad as a serious tool for musicians. Often seen as the app that launched the music app revolution, it was unique at the time because it was an accurate virtual adaption of the actual hardware. The iElectribe had an interface that was as user-friendly as its hardware counterpart, and it gave an easy and entertaining way to make music on the iPad.

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Android users, however, will find that the Marketplace lacks any real in-depth music app because the operating system still lacks the ability to fully handle low-latency audio.

Despite these limitations, there are still some great usable music apps for Android, and users can expect their latency needs to be addressed in the future.

Korg didn’t stop there for they understood the allure and reputation of their vintage synthesizers. Following the iElectribe, the company then released the iMS-20 app, which mirrored its legendary hardware counterpart and provided one of the most compelling interfaces ever created for the iPad. Although the app might seem quite expensive ($32.99 or approximately Php 1,400) and its interface may seem initially complex to be viewed on a tablet’s display, the iMs-20 is a powerful synthesizer app for the iPad and is a definite must-have for any vintage synth lover and musician.

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When it comes to effects, there’s a rationale behind the consistent appearance of IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube on “best music apps” lists. Moreover, using it with the iRig interface (which creates a method to connect a ¼-inch guitar cable to your iPad) is what really opens up the wealth of possibilities that can be achieved with this app. It offers pristine analog-modeled effects and processors to crunch up and transform any guitar, bass, or any line-level sound signal. What makes AmpliTube even more amazing is that it offers an entire effects rig in a very mobile package, and expanding it with more virtual amps and pedals is easy and self-contained within the app itself. Since it also offers multi-track recording, you can literally produce tracks completely within AmpliTube when you’re on the go.

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Some users, however, search for a more complete “all-in-one” app to cater to their musical needs. FL Studio, formerly known as FruityLoops, is a well-known developer of music production software and their iPad entry is FL Studio Mobile HD, which gives others a run for their money. It features multi-tracking, a step sequencer and a piano roll editor—all of which are a sight to behold on the iPad display. What makes FL Studio Mobile HD one of the must-have apps is not just its impressive features, it’s because the interface has been crafted specifically for a smooth workflow on a touchscreen.

If you’re looking to DJ with your iPad, dJay is the app that can provide the best performance in a live gig situation. However Algoriddim, the app’s developer, was quite smart to require the use of their exclusive Griffin DJ Cable, which basically splits the headphone output of the iPad, sending separate audio outputs to headphones and speakers for cueing. Without that cable, dJay is not as effective, and it is surprisingly expensive. But if you really want to have a pro-DJ rig on your iPad, getting Algoriddim’s app and exclusive cable is a must.

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Android Some of the most promising production apps for Android come from developer NIKO20 (NIKO-twenty), which offers three interesting tools namely ReLoop, Electrum and Sonic Chop. Although they’re able to hold weight on their own, these apps are best used in tandem with each other.

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Electrum is an 8-channel drum machine app, which allows you to create, program and sequence a maximum of 32 patterns. It’s pretty straightforward to use, and you should be able to come up with some interesting grooves quickly. But if sampling from songs is more of your style, you can alternatively use Sonic Chop Sample Ripper to slice the parts that you want or you can also loop a particular segment in an existing song for quick remixes. Once you’re done creating on either app, you can then export the file as a WAV or import it into the ReLoop sequencer, in which you have up to 10 tracks to work with and can make songs with unlimited lengths.

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While Android might not offer a lot in the scope of real in-depth music production, they do offer various utilities and tools. One unique and intuitive musical composition and scratchpad tool is ChordBot Pro—a very simple app that allows you to test chord progressions and arrangements when you don’t have an instrument with you. Its interface isn’t the prettiest thing in the world, (which is a simple grid that resembles a telephone’s keypad) but the lack of flare helps make the app a successful conduit for creativity.

Other handy Android sound tools include TouchDAW and Samalyse TapeMachine.

TouchDAW, as the name implies, allows you to control your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software using your tablet or smartphone as a remote. If you’re patient enough to get around some of its programming quirks, it can be useful when your instrument is out of reach from your “record” button, or if you need a shortcut to tweak a certain parameter while playing live. The TapeMachine on the other hand, functions just like a normal tape recorder, except it also has built-in splicing tools, which means you can edit your audio while on the move.

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Tablets?

For now, iOs is dominating the market only because of app availability and its lowlatency performance. However, it would also be wise to wait and see how Android steps up to the plate because its unsaturated music market could lure in a lot of high-quality apps that just might blow away competition. It is undeniable that tablets are slowly becoming a new “instrument” of choice, and we shouldn’t be surprised if we witness the birth of new instruments in the foreseeable future.

Apple Apps: 1. iElectribe 2. iMS-20 3.Amplitube 4. dJay 5. FL Studio Mobile HD Android Apps: 6. Electrum 7. ReLoop 8. Sonic Chop 9. Chordbot Pro 10. TouchDAW 11. TapeMachie 11

listen

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featuredartist

The DO-OVER

the musicians and their toys

does Manila

By Paolo Toledo Photos by B-Side x Soulflower

On a drizzling and cool afternoon in Manila on July 26, The Do-Over happened at the B-Side of The Collective.

The Do-Over is an event series in LA started by DJs Chris Haycock, Jamie Strong and American soul singer Aloe Blacc—that aims to hold a purpose that’s equally positive and inspiring as its young history. According to a Do-Over write-up, the originators “wanted to create a day that would integrate the city racially, socio-economically, and most importantly, musically.”

For many, Do-Over is a way of life and an outlet to celebrate originality…black, white, brown, gay, straight, rich and poor come together each and every Sunday to DO their weekend all OVER and get down to the sounds of hip-hop, funk, house, disco, rock, jazz, reggae, Latin and beyond.

When the B-Side crew announced that they were bringing the Do-Over our way, everybody threw their hands in the air. Word got out, whispers were passed, and the buzz grew with every repost on Facebook.

In true backyard fashion, the hype was created under the radar, and the people who knew what was up were on board. The Do-Over crew was set to fly out, and with them was the solid lineup of recognized DJs: Daz-I-Klue from Bugz In The Attic, DJ Rhettmatic from the Beat Junkies, and DJ Shortkut from the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Beat Junkies and Triple Threat DJs. When the much-awaited day came, even a light drizzle was not enough to wash out Manila’s excitement. As early as 3pm, B-Side was abuzz, people were rolling in, and local DJs were bumping the afternoon beats. The vibe elevated to electric as DJs Rye, Red-I, Supreme Fist and Soulflower dropped massive mixes of hip-hop, electro, and even OPM disco. To add more local flavor, a string of Manila musicians were also performing inside the B-Side bar, where heads grooved and bobbed to the sounds of Caliph8 x Malek, Noodle Experience, ILL-J x Iconic, and The Mighty Miscellaneous.

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The whole space was already crawling with smiles of different backgrounds, dancing and drinking to the vibrations of the Do-Over Manila when Haycock and Strong got on deck, heating the night to fever pitch with their sets. The Collective backyard was set— music was good, the barbecue fired up, the conversations were fresh, and Daz-I-Klue was about to turn the party out. And after energizing the night with a mix of breakbeat and latin, the melting pot of Manila’s scene was ready for Rhettmatic. True to form, Rhet blasted out B-Side with clapping Motown and soul, before launching into a reggae mix that swept the people to one singing and swaying mass.

Despite Shortkut missing the trip to Manila due to flight mishaps (but he DID arrive the day after to rock B-Side’s Irie Sunday event), the party was no less special and as memorable to those who came out for the experience. The mix of heads from all walks of life—all backgrounds of music, culture, and class—were for one day, grooving and bobbing as one. The Do-Over did Manila, and it was indeed “Done, son.”

B-Side is located at The Collective, Malugay St., Makati City. For reservations & inquiries email: bs021910@gmail.com

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cdreview

get our take on the latest tracks to hit the market

LADY GAGA Born This Way MCA Music Inc.

JENNIFER LOPEZ Love?

MCA Music Inc.

MATTHEW MORRISON Self-titled album MCA Music Inc.

JIM PAREDES Laro MCA Music Inc.

By Paolo Toledo

By Paolo Toledo

By Roni Callanta

By Roni Callanta

On Lady Gaga’s second full-length album “Born This Way,” the pop queen brings listeners to her world of glam-rock, electro-pop and Madonna’s influence.

At the same time, she also laces up her leathery themes of sex, religion and individuality, mixing it up with unicorns, motorcycles and even her own hair.

After a tumultuous journey through her music career in recent years, Jennifer Lopez relaunches herself into the fray with “Love?” She deems the album as very “close to her heart,” taking inspiration from her own romantic experiences and from the family she now nurtures.

If you were a mighty fine singer and performer on a hit television series, it wouldn’t be surprising if you eventually land yourself a record deal in the future.

One-third of iconic Filipino music group APO Hiking Society Jim Paredes turns the solo route by signing with MCA Music Inc. and releasing his debut album “Laro” in June of this year. “Laro” boasts fourteen tracks of original music in which he worked with Ernie Baladjay, APO’s arranger and friend of many years.

This album clearly shows the roots of Gaga in the ’80s glam and disco, melded with the current sledgehammer beats that thump in today’s dance music. Most of the album leaves no rest and pounds out dance floor fillers incessantly that can make the listener tired. Although musical experimentation is not a strong suit here, the themes are clear, the arrangements are haunting, and the style is unmistakable—it’s Lady Gaga at her dirty best.

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Aside from the singles Born This Way and The Edge Of Glory, highlights of the album include the ’80s rock n’ roll track, Hair. Here she sings about being as free as her locks, while backed up by heavy drums, sweeping synthesizers, and even the saxophone styles of the late Clarence Clemons. Yoü & I is a unique moment on the album where she takes a powerful love anthem and croons over Mutt Lange’s We Will Rock You-inspired drums and Brian May’s (Queen) guitar shreds.

The Daft Punk-esque song Government Hooker also provides a romp through circuits and effects, with Gaga’s lusty roars and suggestive lyrics.

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Lady Gaga has never been known for subtlety. Undoubtedly, the pop queen screams out her defiant style and liberty in everything she does, making no room for safety or concern. Her music carries the same electrifying loudness, the words are in-your-face, and the package is truly pop culture’s perfect formula.

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The release suspiciously comes right at the heels of her stint as a judge on hit-show American Idol, and after a period of huge flops in her previous releases. This then begs the question if Lopez can capitalize and survive in today’s electro-house pop scene, given her roots in mid-tempo R&B, hiphop and Latin-pop.

Based on the album, the answer does not seem as obvious. Although she stacked up a heavy-hitting list of producers, songwriters and collaborators (RedOne, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Pitbull), Lopez goes through “Love?” like a new artist trying to find a safe sound that caters to both her loyal fans, and the new generation of clubbers.

At one moment she’s back in dance-diva form, emulating the current wave of Euro-influenced club anthems in songs like On The Floor, Papi and Hypnotico. While at another turn, she mixes up some odd and half-baked tracks that seem to go nowhere such as Good Hit, Invading My Mind and Villain.

But Lopez also scores with the Rihannasounding island jam, I’m Into You, where she catches the right sex appeal and chemistry of the song with Lil Wayne. She also shines in the hiphop-driven Run The World, which reinforces her rule of the mid-tempo pop that she has commended in her earlier hits.

The verdict then is that “Love?” may well be Jennifer Lopez’s career-saving album with a number of hits that can “hang” in today’s scene, but it seems too hesitant and safe to be called her “best one yet.”

Our favorite curly-haired Spanish teacher and club director Will Shuester of the hit TV series Glee did just that— releasing his self-titled debut album in May this year under Mercury Records with 10 tracks of feel good, poppy island music with remakes such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow with fellow Glee star Gwyneth Paltrow.

The regular Joe would think that Matthew Morrison is just some actor most likely to have a broadway background under his belt, with a good set of vocal pipes and a hyper pair of dancing shoes. But this performer is also quite a musician and songwriter— writing some of the tracks of the album while collaborating with musical geniuses such as Sting in the second track Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot and Elton John in the ninth track Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters / Rocket Man. We were able to watch Matthew Morrison showcase his vocal chops on the TV series while also witnessing a few unfortunate rapping, but thank God he leaves that to television—keeping the album simple and light. However, it’s not something we’ve never heard before. No matter how simple and pleasant the album may seem right off the bat, it is however, sadly thin and unoriginal.

So, for those Gleeks and regular music listeners, if you want to hear more of Matthew Morrison’s singing, it’s best to just catch him on Glee. Besides, seeing him take his shirt off once in awhile makes listening to him a little more delightful.

For those APO fans, it’ll be a delight to know that Laro maintains the male Pinoy “kapilyuhan” and “karinyo” which the group tastefully mastered in their music through the years of being in the industry.

The songs that make up Laro are OPM Rap, Butong Pakwan, Ang Ganda Mo, May Araw Ka Rin, Sinungaling, Feeling Guilty, Libog Lang Yan, Lumisan Na Siya, “n My Heart, Basic Love, Sumpa, Live Your Own Life, Mangarap at Managinip and Palagi-lagi. The titles alone give you that nostalgic feeling of belting out to backin-the-day, feel-good OPM, because we have to admit, Jim Paredes along with his friends and musical geniuses from APO, all knew how to do really do it—leaving the listerners swooning and dreamy-eyed.

“Laro” makes for a good addition to your APO album collection and it’s good to see how Jim Paredes manages to throw in a little magic by making the listeners feel that he has gotten his two buddies in the background the entire time.

Erratum The record labels of Workshy and Trembling Blue Stars featured in the August 2011 issue should have been Universal Records and not MCA Music Inc. We apologize for this inadvertent mistake.

yin&yang

know your gadget’s fortune

Its 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 socalled “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.

Safety Medallion

Princesse graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in management engineering and now has successful businesses in various industries that are aided and supported by her knowledge of feng shui.

The center is the most important direction this year so make sure to place a hippo guard. This will help you to push away any effect of the Robbery Star that also 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.

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.

Hippo Guard

September2011

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

6 antique protection coins

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Flying Travel Horse

Feng shui expert Princesse LimFernandez of Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony at the Mandarin Oriental Manila Hotel was trained under the watchful eyes of two masters—the late Master Paul Lau Tak Lun who established Yin and Yang with her—and Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing of Hong Kong who is now the resident feng shui consultant of the Mandarin Oriental group.

Promotion Fish

Princesse and Master Chau have been vital in the popularity of Mandarin Oriental’s annual Chinese New Year celebrations. Their clients include both corporate and private individuals from all around the world.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest Tech and Lifestyle News?

TM

Stay connected with the Philippines’ First Tech Lifestyle Magazine The revitalized www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph, along with our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, features the latest, most up-to-date tech lifestyle news and daily updates. Read about the latest products straight from the box and the hottest events and news INSTANTANEOUSLY. Interactive online copies of current issues—which you can read from cover to cover—are available at our website—absolutely FREE.

events

HP and BSP says “NO TO FAKES!”

Amid the growing threat of counterfeit goods in the country, HP Philippines and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), join hands to launch an advocacy against the production and proliferation of fakes and counterfeits.

Dubbed as “NO to Fakes”KNOW the Original! is a campaign that seeks to raise public awareness with a commitment to stop the proliferation of counterfeits, including frequently counterfeited items such as banknotes (peso bills) and original HP Ink cartridges and toners.

“Both HP and BSP are targets of counterfeiters. We are very happy to take this first step to make people aware and to educate them on what’s real and not. We look forward to more partners to join this advocacy campaign,” said Armando Pascual, country general manager for imaging and printing group at HP Philippines.

September2011

The Philippines hopes to be removed from the US government’s blacklist of countries tolerating intellectual piracy and counterfeits. The BSP continues to protect the Filipinos from counterfeiters by working closely with police authorities while HP, along with the National Bureau of Investigation, has seized 22,000 fake ink cartridges and toners worth P21 million during this year alone.

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To combat the proliferation of fake peso bills, the BSP has introduced several new security features in its new generation Philippine banknotes. HP likewise introduced genuine security seal features on its Original HP Ink cartridges and toners.

The campaign spreads the inspiration by enlisting the help of celebrities and personalities who embody the advocacy’s noble ideals. These include celebrity mom Pia Magalona and son Elmo Magalona, trendsetter Tessa Prieto-Valdes, renowned lifestyle blogger Cecile Zamora Van Straten and social visionary Bam Aquino.

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event

Android Fusion

The Alcatel OneTouch Blaze Product Launch

By Steven Vea

Alcatel continues its tradition of offering feature-filled mobiles by introducing its official participation in the Android craze. The company has withstood great trials and tribulations in the competitive market of mobile communications. Now, it embarks on a journey to further solidify its position as one of the leading manufacturers of stylish, functional and affordable phones.

The product launch of the Blaze mobile phones was held in the Little Asia restaurant in the Promenade at Greenhills Shopping Center. Present at the event to spearhead the launch of the three new Blaze handsets were Harry Au, Alcatel general manager for Asia-Pacific and Darren Sy, general manager of ClearSight Corp., which is Alcatel’s official distributor in the Philippine.

It was revealed that the new mobiles in the Blaze series are actually a contributing factor towards Alcatel’s endeavor to release 20 new phone models by the end of the year. The current count is already impressive at 13, so it appears that this inspiring goal is a very attainable reality.

September2011

When asked about what Alcatel will be focusing on to beckon customers toward its products in a very saturated and competitive market, Darren Sy explained that the company is concentrating on the overall “feel” of the mobile phone, combining comfortable “textures” with necessary features at a reasonable price.

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OneTouch Blaze Duo 890D The Blaze Duo 890D is one of the most affordable dual-SIM dual-standby mobiles in the Philippines. Running on Android 2.2 Froyo, it has a 2.8-inch QVGA 262k resistive display with a resolution of 240x360. It is powered by a 420MHz processor and also features a 2-megapixel front-facing camera that can capture video at 15fps. It also comes with the essential connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, GSM Quadband, and GPS. Media can be maxed out to 16GB via microSD. The 890D also has the essential social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Google Chrome. It is available in orange, steel gray and fuschia.

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OneTouch Blaze 906 If you want to “Live Life Unexpectedly,” the Blaze 906 is slated to be your perfect companion. It has a 2.8-inch TFT LCD with 262k colors and a resolution of 240x320 pixels, which will complement it’s 2-megapixel camera. Running on Android 2.2 Froyo, it features 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, FM radio and an expandable memory of up to 32GB via microSD. The 906 also arrives with 20 pre-installed apps, which include Facebook, Twidroyd, MY Track and PC Suit. It is available in dark titanium gray and orange.

OneTouch Blaze 990 The Blaze 990 is Alcatel’s feature-rich mobile for this particular product line. It has a bright and vivid 3.5-inch TFT capacitive touch panel with a resolution of 320x480 pixels.

Surfing the web is a cinch since it comes with Quadband 3G and WiFi for connecting to the web, partnered with Google Chrome to cater to your daily web browsing needs. It has an impressive 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, to make sure that you don’t miss a moment, and you can then store your photos (as well as MP3s) to a microSD card of up to 32GB. Running on Android 2.2 Froyo, the 990 is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz processor, guaranteeing a smart Android app experience. This smart mobile is available in three colors - Aubergine, Spicy Red and Bluish Black.

These new Alcatel OneTouch mobiles are available through a multitude of authorized dealers spread throughout the country, guaranteeing the public an easy way to acquire these affordable and feature-rich Android phones.

newsbits&bytes the biggest news served fresh in

Epson 455Wi Wins

“Best in Classroom” Award Epson recently announced more awards by third-party organizations for its projectors.

The Epson 455Wi was adjudged “Best in Classroom” during the annual Classroom Projector Report from Projector Reviews, a leading AV technology research, product review, and advice website. This projector is known as the Epson EB 455Wi in other markets, including the Philippines. It won in the interactive projector category for its image quality, resolution and many easy to use interactive features.

Another Epson projector, the EB96W, won in the non-interactive projector category for its image quality and advanced feature set, including HDMI, USB Plug ‘n Play, price, and advanced networking and optional wireless Art Feierman, editor of Projector

Reinforcing its commitment to innovation, the telco leader has partnered with SM Cinema to allow Smart Rewards users to redeem their free tickets to blockbuster treats in a quick, easy, and high-tech manner, through the cutting-edge bCODE technology.

SM Department Store Reveals the Beauty Within

“This recent “Best in Classroom” award highlight’s Epson’s dedication to expand the role of our technologies towards providing high-quality, relevant and reliable products that are designed to be easy to use by teachers and students alike,” said Epson Philippines senior general manager Ed Bonoan.

“With intuitive, feature-rich and affordable technology solutions, teachers can truly deliver interactive and exciting classroom lessons, and further enrich the learning experience.”

“REDEEM 100OFF” to 9800, and will also enjoy free popcorn and drinks.

Your futuristic utopia comes alive in PLDT and Smart’s Jump experience center at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The top-of-the-line hub features the latest devices, services and technologies.

Located in one of the busiest malls in the metro, it is a place for the ultimate digital and mobile lifestyle of customers whether for home, work or leisure.

PLDT president and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno said “It showcases how PLDT and Smart are working together to offer customers the best possible services.” New and upcoming gadgets like the new PLDT Telpad, Apple iPad2, BlackBerry PlayBook, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and the Nokia C7 are also present. Powering these devices are PLDT’s Fiber to the Home and Smart’s WiMAX and HSPA+ connectivity. Just like the gadgets, visitors are free to

“If you’re on the lookout for the latest gadgets or if you simply want to test the latest services that have piqued your interest, Jump is the place to go to,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor. “We will constantly upgrade our equipment and our facilities so that we can treat our customers to the latest and the best, each and every time.”

Digital playground Also located within the premises are three gigantic touchscreen displays. The first is the “jump screen” where visitors can make their own dancing avatars. The second is used in the “jump springboard” lecture room as an interactive way of learning for customers. The third and largest is called “jump panorama” and is found at the heart of Jump.

GE CFL Bulbs Now at 7-Eleven Stores “We are very happy to partner with GE in providing our valued consumers 24/7 accessibility to energy-saving light bulbs. The GE Economizer Plus CFL products are not only affordable, but also attest GE’s being known for its leadership and track record when it comes to high-technology, high-quality products,” said Michael Chuaunsu, marketing director of 7-Eleven Philippines.

Subscribers who wish to experience blockbuster rewards can simply text the special item codes. A bCODE will then be sent to the subscriber via SMS. They simply need to have it scanned at the bCODE terminals found in SM Cinema lobbies nationwide, choose their preferred movie, and wait for the movie ticket to be dispensed. To enjoy the free movie on a later date, simply exchange the coupons for a movie pass.

Qualified Smart Bro users may also redeem free items via their online account, from where they can print out the bCODE. After scanning the printed out bCODE on the terminal, they can head over to the cinemas with their movie tickets and watch the free movie. For complete movie experience, Smart Rewards users can also redeem their free beverage or popcorn just by presenting the coupons at the snack bar.

try out these services even with their own devices.

GE Lighting Philippines has come up with energy-saving bulbs, the GE Economizer Plus CFL product line. These affordable and high-quality products are now available in more than 500 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

They were successfully launched in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and are now in the Philippines.

GE Economizer Plus bulbs come in both spiral and multi-finger shapes with wattages ranging from 5 to 23 watts .They passed through essential efficacy level and have an average life of 6,000 burning hours. They also comply with the latest IEC standards and are priced 20% lower than any other CFL brand. Other than 7-Eleven, the GE Economizer Plus line is also available at all leading hardware stores and supermarkets.

True beauty exists from within.

And with SM Department Store’s Beauty Section now offering an entire area for beauty ingestives, individuals can now unravel more beautiful versions of themselves beyond skin deep.

SM Beauty Section launches its new concept: Beauty Within, a plethora of supplements, vitamins and pharmaceuticals geared towards women’s well-being.

Having a day-to-day skin regimen and exercise routine are already a great way to enhance a woman’s holistic beauty. However, topical products can only go to a certain depth into the skin’s layer. But with beauty ingestives, the necessary nutrients are reaching the skin from within, making the transformation faster and more noticeable.

SM’s Beauty Within has brought together the country’s top brands with a singular mission in mind: to help women the country over reveal their beauty from within.

Standout beauty solutions include Mosbeau, Belo Nutraceuticals, Cosmo Skin, Met Tathione, Vita Pack, KB Kyusoku and Slim & White for skin whitening. For Skin Enhancement / Anti- Aging, there’s Myra E Capsule along with other brands like Gloww, Pynocare and IVI Premium Collagen Drink. For Body Slimming, there’s Xenical as well as other slimming formulation options such as Lesofat, ATC Redoxfat, Biguerlai, Cosmo Body, Kankura Herbal Tea, Kankunis Herbal Tea and Biofitea. Wheatgrass Powder and Organique Acai Juice Supplement on the other hand provide detoxification benefits.

Completing the offer for general wellness are vitamin brands Caltrate Plus, Berroca Performance and Moringana capsule.

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September2011

Qualified Smart Gold and Smart Buddy subscribers can claim free tickets, popcorn and drinks whenever they visit any SM Cinema anywhere in the country just by texting “REDEEM FREEMOVIE”, “REDEEM POPCORN, and “REDEEM DRINK” to 9800. Those who want to catch the latest blockbusters in 3D can get P100 off the IMAX ticket price just by texting

“JUMP” into the Future

Reviews, said the Epson 455Wi and the EB-96W stand out as top products in the education projector market for their great color, brightness, extensive networking, excellent input and output flexibility, and advanced feature sets.

Enjoy Free Movie Tickets and Treats

Amazing movie deals delivered in a high-tech fashion await subscribers of leading wireless services provider Smart Communications. Smart Rewards, the country’s first mobile rewards program, now offers free movie tickets and treats to loyal Smart Gold, Smart Buddy, and Smart Bro users.

bite-sized quantities

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Asus sets price for K Series notebooks that is available in five chic colors: urban green, seduction pink, party gold, chill blue, and passion red. Powered by 2ndgeneration Intel Core processors and discrete Nvidia Graphics, the K Series is your mobile notebook that will propel your multitasking activities fit for day-to-day computing.

If you are looking for a laptop that is built with solid balance of performance and design, there’s no need to think twice about buying that urban green Asus K Series notebook because the company just announced that their multicolor notebook is now at Php 27,995.

You will definitely stand out among the ocean of black notebooks with Asus K Series

The K Series boasts Asusexclusive IceCool technology providing users superior typing experience as palm rests remain cool at all times. Adding Palm Proof technology feature which detects errant touchpad contact and prevent accidental mouse pointer movement making this notebook the best choice for serious typists. Further extend the battery life with Power4Gear Battery Management giving fpur battery modes, depending on your type of task requirement.

New face of Canon

Canon Marketing Philippines Inc. (CMPI) has chosen actor Piolo Pascual as the brand’s newest endorser, whose enthusiasm

in photography, loyalty to the Canon brand, and goals of raising awareness about the beauty of the Philippines and the talent

Life Meets Style at Centris Walk Centris Walk’s green architecture and iconic modem canopies called “Constellations” amaze those out for a stroll. These are mushroom-like pods with soft shifting lights that add to the enchantment of the complex’s tranquil pedestrian-friendly promenade.

Samsung Galaxy S II reaches 5-M global sales instant access to music, games, e-reading and social networking services.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. said the Samsung GALAXY S II (Model: GT-I9100) has passed the 5-million global sales milestone.

The Galaxy S II is Samsung’s flagship smartphone device; a beautifully thin, (8.49mm) and lightweight dual-core smartphone that combines an unmatched Super AMOLED Plus viewing experience with incredible performance, all on Android. The nextgeneration smartphone also includes exclusive access to Samsung’s four new content and entertainment hubs, seamlessly integrated to provide

The 5 million mark has been reached in just 85 days, a rate which is 40 days faster than the original Galaxy S took to reach the same sales mark. This rate is set to accelerate as Samsung has just launched Galaxy S II in China, the world’s largest market.

“In just a few months the Galaxy S II has led the way in driving Samsung’s unmatched performance in the smartphone industry” said JK Shin, president and head of Samsung’s mobile communications business. “Since being launched into the retail market in late April, the Galaxy S II has seen tremendous growth.

This reflects the strong support from carrier partners globally, who in choosing the Galaxy S II as their flagship device have reaffirmed the device’s status as a premium, market-defining smartphone”

500,000 Android devices activated per day

September2011

Google says about half a million devices that are running on the Google Android mobile operating system are being activated around the world daily.

Via his official Twitter account (@Arubin), Android co-founder and senior vice president Andy Rubin disclosed that the figure is growing 4.4% week on week.

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The new milestone presents a 66% increase from January 2011 when Google reported that Android was enjoying 300,000 activations per day. Its closest rival, Apple’s iOS, was enjoying 360,000 activations per day at the time. Today, Android is the No. 1 mobile phone operating system in the world having been installed in more than 100

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At Centris Walk—the newest lifestyle hub in Quezon City—there is a lot to see, eat and experience.

An open space commercial complex, it is located within Eton Centris, a 12-hectare township development situated in the heart of Quezon City’s emerging Triangle Park Central Business District.

Eton Centris is a self-contained, fully-integrated community with its innovative retail and leisure destinations, office buildings and residential towers.

It is home to some of the country’s popular restaurants and dining places like Claw Daddy, Asya, Pho Hoa, Zong, My Thai, Jack’s Loft, Pancake House, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Tutti Frutti. More restaurants such as Choi Garden, Tong Yang and Yang Chow are also set to open. Kids of all ages, meanwhile, enjoy real-life thrills at Lazer Maxx, the only three-level Laser Tag Arena in the country.

Drop by on a weekend and you’ll find interesting items sold in the Sidcor Sunday Market—Quezon City’s longest-running weekend market—or visit the Food Bowl Night Market every Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 12 midnight and every Sunday from 6 am to 2 pm for organically grown fresh produce, biodynamic and natural products.

Centris Walk’s strategic location at the intersection of EDSA and Quezon Avenue with a direct access to the MRT Station makes it easily accessible to pedestrian traffic.

Parking is aplenty, with close to 1,000 parking slots available with provision for 24-hour security.

Team Asus-Mineski to represent Philippines in DotA2 Tournament

Mineski is the lone representative of the Philippines. Representing the Asus-Mineski Team are: James Kenneth Valdez (team captain), Julius Sto. Domingo, John Jerick Roxas, Joshua Dela Serna, Jessie Cristy Cuyco. Team manager Ronald Robins will also join the Philippine contingent.

million mobile gadgets such as tablets and smartphones.

In June, wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. reported a doubling of Android devices in its network.

From February to May, Android posted a 102% increase in use with the biggest rise taking place between April and May. “This unprecedented rise in the uptake of Android is testament to its increasing acceptance among Filipinos” said Smart wireless consumer division head Danilo J. Mojica. “As its biggest ambassador in the Philippines, Smart is committed to supporting the OS as it is key to bringing the smartphone and mobile Internet experience to all Filipinos.”

of its people are compatible with Canon’s new campaign ImageNation. Photo shows the actor with CMPI officers after the contract signing (from left) assistant manager for imaging communications products Rolando Romero Jr., president and CEO Alan Chng, director for supply chain management and administration Richard Ordoñez, Piolo Pascual, assistant director for consumer systems products Vinchy Sanchez, vice president bong serevo and director for business imaging solutions group and regional operations Jojo Bolima.

The 2014 Brazil World Cup may be over for the Philippines but DotA 2 in 2011 Gamescon Germany is a possible feat. Team Asus-Mineski (Eysoos-Meeneski) has set its quest to get the gold and make the country proud in the DotA 2 promotional

tournament at Gamescom 2011 on August 17-21 in Cologne, Germany. DotA (Defense of the Ancients) the most popular “free, non-supported game mod in the world” will be played by 16 teams from Europe, China, and Southeast Asia. Team Asus-

Participating teams have to pass a group stage, before entering a double elimination playoff bracket to determine the best of the game. The 16 international teams will vie for the bragging rights not to mention the $1-million prize sponsored by DotA 2 game developer Valve.

The said tournament will be broadcast in four languages.

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September2011

Kicker Sound Off Competition ASUS Philippines, TipidPC.com Surf While on Proclaim Contest Winner the Move

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All you need is your mobile phone powered by a Sun Cellular SIM to stay online and seamlessly surf the Net through Sun Cellular’s Mobile Internet service.

2011 Kicker Sound Off Competition Classic category winners show off their trophies.

For car audio buffs who prefer powerful amplifiers, the 2011 Kicker Sound Off Competition attracted a field of 28 entries competing in the Fixed and Open categories. Judging was based on the average metered scores measured with doors closed and doors open.

The Fixed category required all entries to use a Rockford Fosgate T1500-1BD amplifier and a Kicker 2010 CVR124 subwoofer. winning the cash prize and trophy as champion was Elgin Dee/Quest Audio.

Any vehicle with an existing Kicker subwoofer installation was eligible for the Open category, classified into 2-woofer, 3-woofer, and 4-woofer classes.

Declared champions at the end of the day were: Dennis Hizon (2-woofer), Jeffrey Palcone (3-woofer), and Egay Mercedes/ Jason Diwa (4-woofer). Special prizes were also given out to Elgin Dee/Quest Audio, as the record-holder; Team Bataan for

Best Team Kicker; Kristian Brazil for Most Creative Modifications and Best in Graphics; and Elmer de Guzman’s 1979 Volkswagen as Best in Classic Car. Kicker Performance Audio developed the first full-range speaker box exclusively for automotive use in 1980, and its products are recognized to be at the cutting-edge of audio design technology, performance and integration to ensure ultimate sound quality. Kicker is renowned for its Livin’ Loud tag, embodying its legendary Kicker bass and incredible music reproduction across a wide volume range.

In the Philippines, DLS and Kicker products are exclusively distributed by TSL Marketing Corporation, a member of the Winterpine Group of Companies, which has been in the car audio industry for the past three decades. For more information, email to inquiry@ winterpinegroup.com.

New Business Solutions Launch Canon’s ‘Life after 6’ Campaign

This is in line with Canon’s “Life after 6” campaign which promotes the importance of enabling executives and workers to enjoy time away from work to improve employee well-being and job performance. Studies have shown that productivity increases as workers return to their jobs refreshed after enjoying time off to ‘recharge their batteries.’ This can be as simple as meeting friends after-six or spending dinner with family.

Having more time for ‘life after work’ is made possible by Canon Business Imaging Solutions.

Known for their superior technology, Canon’s business products create a conducive

Asus Philippines partnered with the premier IT forum in the country, tipidpc.com for “I Really, Really Want an Asus PC!” Simple contest title but the prize was not simple at all. The coveted prize was an Asus Desktop PC Essentio CM Series with MS202D ultra-slim LCD monitor open to all TipidPC. com members.

Rarely you come across a contest online where you can win a full desktop especially from world renowned computer hardware company, Asus. Contestant must post why they want to win an Asus desktop PC and what features of the Asus desktop PC they like most on tipidpc.com’s “I Really Really Want an Asus PC!” Forum. Tipidpc users posted very

interesting, heart-warming and noble entries. Reading the contest forum, you will come across a lot of reasons why the contestants wants an Asus Desktop.

Some for their studies, another to replace their “Jurassic”desktops, one to communicate everyday with overseas-based parents, while some want to own their own gaming rig. Contestants must also acquire the most number of votes for his post.

Asus Philippines and Tipidpc.com recently proclaimed the official winner of the contest—tipidpc user mockraps, better known as Sunjie Santos. Sunjie shared with Asus Philippines the contest was timely because he was really looking for a computer.

A Treat for New

Citibank Cardholders

work environment by facilitating efficient workflow between hardware and software, causing less work stress, saving time and money, leading to work efficiency and productivity.

Canon Marketing (Phils.) president and CEO Alan Chng said, “”More than just highquality equipment, Canon’s advanced simplicity transforms the way people work in order to create more leisure time for a healthier, more productive workforce, which translates to profitability.”

Canon Business Imaging Solutions has four product groups to suit the needs of companies to effectively run their business and provide the best output quality for customers.

These include multifunction copiers, laser multifunction and single-function printers, imaging managing systems (document reader/scanner and large-format printing), and production and graphic arts.

Sun Cellular ties up with Citibank and LG Electronics for an exclusive postpaid offer. Present to seal the partnership are (from left) Erick Ligayo, LG Electronics accounts manager; Joel Lumanlan, Sun AVP for postpaid marketing; Myra Elma, Citibank VP for alternative channels; Ricky Pena, Sun SVP for postpaid and new business marketing; Ricci Javier, LG Electronics division head for mobile communications; and Gail Male, Citibank AVP for co-marketing.

New Citibank cardholders are in for an unbelievable and exclusive offer from Sun Cellular. An LG Optimus ME Android phone will be given away free with a Sun Plan 350 subscription for new

Citibank cardholders. Customers new to Citibank who apply for a Citibank credit card until September 30 through Citibank NA branches, via www.citibank. com.ph/Sun, or by calling Citibank (423-3000 or 423-3341) are qualified for the said promo.

LG Optimus ME runs on Android 2.2 Froyo system allowing users to have access to thousands of applications available in the Android Market and use the sleek smartphone as a WiFi hotspot.

It also boasts of GPS navigation, 3-megapixel camera, capacitive touch screen and a QWERTY virtual keypad. Sun Plan 350 comes with unlimited Sun calls and texts and 250 free SMS to all networks.

Start surfing on your mobile phone and enjoy limitless possibilities. For prepaid subscribers, convert your regular load to iLoads and enjoy better rates and unlimited connectivity. iLoads is available in Php25 which includes three hours of mobile internet valid for 1 day, Php50 which includes unlimited mobile internet valid for 1 day, Php100 which includes unlimited mobile internet valid for three days, Php250 which includes unlimited mobile internet valid for seven days, and Php999 which includes unlimited mobile internet valid for 30 days. Convert your load by texting i25, i50, i100, i250, or i999 to 247.

For more information, visit the nearest The Sun Shop now or call The Sun Hotline 200 using your Sun mobile phone or (02) 3958000 from any landline phone.

Fast Cargo Forges Partnership With Journey Tech Fast Cargo Logistics recently appointed Journey Tech Inc. as its technology partner to enhance its operations, specifically in tracking the movement of its vehicles.

Journey Tech Inc.’s Mobile Asset Real-time Keeper (MARK), which installs GPS device in Fast Cargo Trucks and provides 24/7 monitoring and assistance, aims to help Fast Cargo ensure on-time and safe delivery of cargos to its clients.

MARK is a total risk management solution that provides security for vehicles, including cargo and passengers and measures efficiency. Through the GPS device installed in vehicles and a customized software program, customers are able to access real-time update on the location of vehicles, speed and mileage.

MARK also facilitates the creation of a dispatch schedule that plots the route and estimated delivery time that allows the customer to assess the efficiency of its fleet.

More information on Journey Tech is available at www. journeytech.com.ph

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Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has announced a new range of business solutions designed to make work simple, so that users have less work stress, more time to enjoy moments that matter, and achieve a better work-life balance.

(From left) Rommel Salinas, Asus PH technical PR; Sunjie Santos, contest winner; Dos Roque, Asus PH marketing specialist; Zes Martinez, Tipid PC sales manager.

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Canon Joins Celebration of Zoo Anniversary

Generika Expands Franchise Operations

Canon Marketing Philippines Inc. (CMPI) hosted a succession of photography activities at the Manila Zoo during its 52nd anniversary celebration.

“We are one with all Filipinos in celebrating the founding of Manila Zoo,” said Alan Chng, president and CEO of CMPI. “Through photography, we hope that they will better appreciate the wildlife inside Manila’s oldest zoo.”

CMPI sponsored a photography workshop conducted by veteran photographer and Canon brand ambassador Jun Miranda. It was followed by a photo walk and an animal bingo game that was open to the public.

Further, CMPI opened the newly rebuilt Nipa Hut to all visitors, which will now be the site of upcoming zoo activities and future Canon PhotoSkwela sessions. PhotoSkwela is a sequence of workshops offering lessons on basic and advanced photography, scrapbook making and videography to Canon users.

CMPI, through various initiatives, has been supporting the zoo reinstate its status as one of the main tourists spots in Metro Manila The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden or Manila Zoo is the first zoo in Asia and the oldest and largest one in the Philippines.

Generika, an award-winning drugstore chain, recently announced it is opening up more areas in Metro Manila and Luzon, as well as in the Visayas and Mindanao for franchising.

For an overall initial investment of around P1.2 million, which already includes the P150,000 franchise fee, budding entrepreneurs can have their own business minus the trial and error of most startups.

Target areas which Generika is now processing for franchise applications are the entire Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. It is aggressively expanding in Cebu, where it recently opened stores in Lahug and Lapu-Lapu, with three more—Pardo, Consolacion and Punta Prinsesa—in the pipeline.

In Mindanao, Generika already has a presence in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Pagadian and Iligan. As part of its nationwide expansion, Generika is inviting interested franchisees from the Bicol region, as well as other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Compared with other generics outlets, Generika Drugstore has redefined the generics industry through affordable yet quality products as well as its airconditioned stores, well-trained in-store personnel, and a host of value-added services.

All Generika Drugstore outlets are air-conditioned because studies show that heat and humidity can degrade a drug’s efficacy.

Thus Generika’s air-con stores have been primarily designed to ensure the therapeutic value of medicines, while at the same time offering customer comfort and convenience through its more attractive premises.

As a pioneer of generic retail distribution, Generika has a wide range of generic medicines now available in the market.

Each store has a licensed pharmacist who can provide patient counseling to customers.

Professional staff also offer value-added services such as free blood pressure monitoring, affordable blood sugar testing, and other community outreach programs.

F1 Promo Marks Bosch Milestone 125th Anniversary

September2011

The Aerotwin is a new generation of bracket-less wiper blade that lasts 20% longer than conventional wipers. It features a built-in Evodium pressure strip that applies even pressure across the length of the blade. Its form, function and aerodynamic design ensure maximum performance and noise reduction even at high speeds and rainy weather.

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The automotive aftermarket division of Robert Bosch Inc., Philippine subsidiary of the Bosch Group, recently launched its Travel Free to the Grand Prix electronic raffle promotion in light of commemorating the German company’s 125th Anniversary this year. Every purchase of Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades entitles the buyer to a chance to win a free trip to the 2011 Macau Formula 1 Grand Prix. The winning entry will be

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drawn on October 3.

Harping on every motoring enthusiast’s love for Formula 1, Bosch ties-in the promo’s functionality to the yearlong need for good quality wipers in tropical countries like the Philippines. Travel Free is also a tribute to the Filipino’s affinity for motorsports, which is the proving ground for leading global automotive technology suppliers like Bosch.

Parallel to this, every set purchase of Bosch PlatinumIridium Fusion spark plugs from September to December also gives the buyer a chance to go to Kuala Lumpur for the 2012 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. A draw on January 3, 2012 will determine the second winner of a four-day, three-night trip to see the Grand Prix.

The Travel Free to the Grand Prix electronic raffle will also award several Bosch Aquatak pressure washers and IXO cordless lithiumion screwdrivers to lucky winners.

For information, log-on to www. bosch-carparts.com.ph.

A team of programmers maintains superior information systems so that all Generika Drugstore outlets can provide better customer service through medical information, medicine alternatives, price comparison database, effective sales and inventory monitoring, and automated ordering replenishment. These systems ensure that Generika customers can get proper advice about their medical needs and drug options.

At the same time, proper inventory monitoring ensures that stocks are always fresh and on-hand.

Taking the extra step to offer better quality and service has given Generika an edge over the competition, resulting in a successful business model that was recognized in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine with the Best in Franchise Support and Most Promising Franchise awards.

Generika Drugstore was the national winner in the drugstore chain category of the DSAP (Drugstore Association of the Philippines) Quality Award in 2008. In 2009, the BFAD (Bureau of Food & Drugs) Quality Seal Award was granted to five Generika Drugstore branches, while the Generika-Soledad branch was named overall winner for the drugstore chain category.

To explore the Generika franchise business, interested entrepreneurs may contact VisMin business development manager Mike Maquiran (09228585112), or Metro Manila and Luzon business development manager Edward Arban (09228984982). You may also visit the company website at www. generika.com.ph.

ThumbMOB launches mobile video service in Philippines Social applications and games developer ThumbMOB brings Vuclip, the world’s largest independent mobile video service, to the Philippines.

“We are very excited to launch Vuclip,” said Patricia Mulles, ThumbMOB founder and CEO. She adds, “The Philippines has always led in global surveys of top online video viewers. With Vuclip, we are confident that Filipinos will be able to satisfy their huge appetite for videos instantaneously, wherever they are, and participate in the growing global phenomenon of mobile video viewing. All they need is a Vuclip data plan and an internet-capable phone.”

A study by Synovate in August 2010 reported that more than half (53%) of Filipinos surveyed said they watched videos online, while one in three had uploaded photos or videos—the highest percentages in Asia. On Vuclip consumers enjoy the best in international and local video content by blending algorithmic results for the most popular and trending videos globally. In the Philippines, ThumbMOB curates relevant, local and branded videos that they know Filipinos will enjoy.

Vuclip will be available on all three mobile telecommunication carriers in the Philippines through special data plans starting at Php10 for two hours of unlimited video access. Just type “m.Vuclip. com” on your phone browser; or click on the Vuclip button on select MyPhone phone models.

Vacuum Cleaners Crawl out of the Waters

Electrolux has built 3 new vacuum from the sea in continuation with its initiative to raise awareness around ocean plastic waste and inspire consumers and industry to recycle.

Each of the vacuum cleaners represents the ocean from which the plastic came from. The vacuums embody the plastic paradox: oceans are full of plastic waste, yet on land there is a shortage of recycled plastic for producing sustainable vacs. Today, Electrolux offers Green Range vacuum cleaners with up to 70% post consumer recycled plastic.

The ambition is to reach 100%.

“Our intention is to bring awareness to the situation and the need for better plastic karma. So far, over 60 million people have been reached and we are continuing the initiative following the great response,” said Cecilia Nord, vice president for floor care sustainability and environmental affairs at Electrolux.

All the vacuum cleaners have been built using the same core structure (chassis, engine, and bag compartment) as the UltraOne Greenmodel and are fully functional. Plastic gravel made from the collected plastic was poured onto fiberglass moulds and covers the entire hood and the hub caps. By studying how small these plastic particles are one understands how hard it is to remove the plastic once it is in the oceans. It is a wake-up call and a reminder of one of the most important environmental issues today.

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20,000 Honda City Owners and Counting

Globe Telecom was named one of the top five Philippine companies by international research and advisory firm RepuTex for outstanding sustainability initiatives and corporate governance policies.

Globe is the only company in the field of wireless telecommunication services who qualified for the citation.

In the Philippines, Globe joins 13 other companies in the top list, which also included fellow Ayala conglomerates Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Corporation, and Ayala Land.

Other countries who were part of the study were China, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

RepuTex launched the RepuTex Environment, Social and Government Data Service that rates the ESG performance of listed companies in Asia.

PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar powered boat, was welcomed today by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and representatives of SunPower, a US-based solar company, during an event at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila. Powered exclusively by 38,000 of SunPower’s high-efficiency Maxeon solar cells, the catamaran is currently circumnavigating the globe, using only solar energy.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) celebrates 20,000 City sales since the introduction of the third-generation City in 2009.

“The current-generation City is more than the usual subcompact sedan, gaining popularity not only in Asia but also in Africa, Middle East and European regions,” said Tatsuya Natsume, HCPI president and general manager. “We are proud to share that the City has consistently generated sales milestones for Honda. Back then, average annual sales were approximately 3,400 units. With the entry of the third-generation City, annual sales on its launch year soared to 8,882 units. The record was even surpassed on its second year with 8,914 in 2010.

Another milestone has been reached. Honda sold the 200,000th City to the family of Gilbert Grafia. “We are truly grateful for the tremendous support that the market has given us. They inspire us in continuously looking for ways to bring more joy and value to our products and services,” Natsume added. The City offers complete value for your money with its practical and class-leading features.

DLS And Kicker Hold Car Audio Competitions and an RW10i subwoofer. The grand prize was awarded to a Toyota Yaris owned by Oliver Cristobal, with JC Car Audio as the installer.

The 2nd DLS Philippines Open Competition focused purely on sound quality (SQ), with judging based on how well the installation produced music which sounded like the original and without noise or distortion.

Competitors were required to set up a standard installation package for both the Pro and Classic categories, while the Open category allowed any DLS audio configuration. Sixteen cars competed in the DLS sound quality competition.

In the DLS Pro category, the required setup consisted of any audio head unit with the following standard DLS set-up: The Scandinavia 1, a 28-mm soft dome tweeter and the Scandinavia 6.2, a 6-inch midbass/midrange driver, with Scandinavia Xover 2-way filter boxes, and the TA2 2-channel amplifier. For the subwoofer, the package included an RW12i using an A6 amplifier. Winning the grand prize for the DLS Pro category was a Nissan Verita entered by Mickey’s Autosound.

For the DLS Classic category, the standard equipment set up was a JVC AVX-55 head unit linked to a DLS audio system consisting of a CA-31 3-channel amplifier, R6A 2-way speakers with tweeter,

The champion for the DLS Open category, which allowed any entry with a DLS audio set-up, was a Toyota Fortuner owned

by Dong Chung with installation

by Mickey’s Autosound. Other special awards were given to the following winners: Competitor’s Choice-Mickey Pascual; Best in Display-Autoline; People’s Choice-Jeffrey Yap; Most Creative Modifications-Rommel Trillianes; and Most Pristine-Roland Car Audio.

International EMMA (European Mobile Media Association) head judge Peter Flodqvist flew in from Sweden to supervise the event and serve as sound quality (SQ) judge. Installation quality was evaluated by Glen Saitowitz, a locally based Swiss national and EMMA head judge/ trainer currently conducting training clinics and workshops for prospective EMMA competition judges.

Among car audio enthusiasts, DLS is a highly-regarded brand, consistently placing in the Top 3 for the most wins in car audio championships not only in Europe but in the rest of the world.

“We are excited that our global journey has brought us to the Philippines, offering us the opportunity to meet with our SunPower partner and to see where these solar cells are manufactured,” said Raphael Domjan, founder and co-skipper of PlanetSolar. “We have been extremely pleased with the outstanding performance of the SunPower solar cells on every leg of our world-tour, to date. The solar cells have generated more power than needed to get us to each stop on time; in fact, we arrived in Manila a week ahead of schedule. We are proud to be the first solar boat of this size, which is the largest to date, to travel this great distance powered only by solar energy. It’s incredible.”

The MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar began its journey around the world in Monaco on September 27, 2010. The mission of the world’s largest solar boat is to demonstrate that existing renewable energy technologies are reliable and effective. The project also aims to advance scientific research. The PlanetSolar project, founded by the Swiss Raphael Domjan, based in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland/ Canton Vaud), has made technological developments possible in fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, as well as the storage of solar energy.

Petron free safety checks now year-round

Petron, the country’s leading oil company, is further strengthening its road safety advocacy in response to the global call to action of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Its Free Safety Check, originally offered as a component of Petron Lakbay Alalay, the country’s longest-running and most extensive motorist assistance program, has been expanded into a year-round program to encourage motorists to make sure their vehicles are roadworthy.

The extensive Free Safety covers 38 inspection points as follows: TIRES-tire pressure, tire wear, spare tire; ENGINE-air filter element, fan belt, power steering belt, alternator belt, air conditioner belt, upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose; ENGINE FLUIDS-engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, clutch fluid, gear oil, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, window washer;

BATTERY-battery fluid, battery terminals; LIGHTS-headlights, signal lights, brake lights, hazard, fog lights, third brake light, light gauges; UNDER CHASSIS-tie rod ends, upper ball joints, lower ball joints, cross joints, shock absorbers, axle boots; and ACCESSORIES-wiper blades, horn, basic tools, jack, early warning device.

The Free Safety Check is currently offered at 118 participating Petron stations nationwide, with 48 in Metro Manila, 16 in North Luzon, 10 in South Luzon, 29 in the Visayas, and 15 in Mindanao.

Motorists can drive in to any station with the Free Safety Check sign to avail of this service.

Through its network of service stations nationwide, Petron is in an excellent position to further promote the road safety advocacy in response to the worldwide imperative to prevent accidents and save lives.

newsbits&bytes

Peter Flodqvist (right), international EMMA head judge, explains scoring system during the 2nd DLS Philippines Open Competition.

Two car audio competitions were held back-to-back at the People’s Village of Tiendesitas in Pasig City on July 30, with the 2nd DLS Philippine Open Competition and the 2011 Kicker Sound Off Competition.

Solar-Powered Boat Docks in Manila September2011

Globe Tops in Sustainability Initiatives, Governance Policies

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buyers’guide

advertisers’ row

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

September2011

Desktop

92

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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93

ASUS

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

September2011

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

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

buyers’guide

HTC

buyers’guid September2011

94

AGFA

HP

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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September2011

CANON

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

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 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 (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 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

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

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

buyers’guide

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

95

links Technology ACER

NOKIA

Lifestyle

Unit 3401 Pbcom tower 6795 Ayala avenue corner Herrera Makati City Tel. 8153588 http://www.acer.com.ph

Nokia (Philippines), Inc. 40/F Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati Tel. 8861234

bathjunkies@yahoo.com Tel. 6655875

ASUS

NOONTEC

Asus Technology Philippines, Inc. Hanston Bldg., Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel. 6340309 http://ph.asus.com

noontec.ph@gmail.com Tel. 09178128418 09209158316 09228840909

CANON

Samsung Electronics, Phils.

Corporation 7/F Hanjinphil Bldg., 1128 University Parkway North Bonifacio Global City Taguig Tel. 1-800-SAMSUNG

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. 3RD Floor, Southpark Plaza, Phase 1 Santiago Street, Paseo De Magallanes Commercial Center Makati City Tel. 8848000

EPSON Epson Philippines Corporation 8th Floor Anson’s Centre 23 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City 1605 Tel. 7062609 Toll Free 1800-1063-EPSON

KASPERSKY Unit 404, 77 Visayas Building, Visayas Avenue Quezon City Tel. 5028030

SAMSUNG

SONY ERICSSON Sony Ericsson Philippines 7/F Octagon Building San Miguel Avenue Ortigas Center Pasig City Tel. 7891860

TOSHIBA Toshiba Notebooks Tricom Dynamics, Inc. Metro House 345 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati Tel. 8906525

Wellness Mobility JUJU CLEANSE 21 Dona Mary Alabang Hills Village, Alabang, Muntinlupa City Tel. 4783067 http://www.jujucleanse.com

MLSB Dental Prime Clinic

November2011

247 Unit 11 Kaminari bldg.

Banaue st. Quezon City Tel.4153837

96

FORD

Ford Group Philippines FGP Bldg. #1 American Road Greenfield Automotive Park SEZ Santa Rosa, Laguna Tel. (049) 5415000

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BATH JUNKIES

BOBBIE Rm. 505 5th floor Culmat Bldg., 1270-1330 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City Tel. 7215944

CBTL 4678 Ayala Avenue Makati City Tel. 9322403

CK ONE/DAVIDOFF/ MARC JACOBS Luxasia Philippines 7/F, Net Cube Center 3rd Ave. cor.

30th St, E-Square Cresent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Tel. 8561853

DIVOOM divoom.phil@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/DivoomPH Tel. 09175754812

ETUDE HOUSE G/F SM Megamall building B Julia Vargas Avenue Mandaluyong City Tel. 8361869

PONY/SPERRY/KEDS Gallop ventures group, Inc. 30/F, PSE East tower Ortigas center Pasig City Tel. 7060614 to 15

TONY MOLY Crossings Department store Trinoma North Avenue Corner EDSA Quezon City Tel. 9013785

ISUZU 114 Tech avenue phase 2 Laguna Techno park Binan Laguna Tel. 541 0224

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10/25/2011 2:11:22 PM