FINALLY, after months of waiting, I now have Plants vs. Zombies in my Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0.
My mobile life gets better everyday. 
The first thing I would do come January is clean up my home work station.
Dec 242011
So it’s Christmas once more. Before we get all tied up with the last minute activities, let’s all pause and remember the true reason for celebrating Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ our saviour.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Aug 282011
I am a multi-tasker, a workalcoholic, and an information junky. With Smart’s products and services, I can be all three, easily.
I need to be connected all the time. Whether it’s through my laptop or through my mobile phone, I depend on Smart’s dependable products to support my business requirements and my personal communication needs.
Through Smart’s Smartbro products I get connected to the internet almost anywhere. With my Smart Gold data plan I get dependable call, text, and mobile data service everywhere.
My story with Smart started when they gave me broadband internet connection through Smart broadband Canopy, even though we were out of service coverage by the other networks. In fact, we were the first in our neighborhood to get broadband internet connection.
Having confidence in Smart’s broadband services, I got myself a Smartbro plug-it postpaid plan. This allowed me to become a true digital nomad with offices anywhere I want. This became very helpful when I had to work between the office, my house and the hospital when my mother became sick. I was able to attend to all my responsibilities as an employee, business owner, and as a son.
Smart’s widest coverage has also helped me connect with others in some of the remotest areas of the country. An example was when I was shooting in the middle of a rice field somewhere in Tarlac. I got a text message from a prospective client asking for my portfolio. I took a 5-minute break from the shoot, pull out my laptop, connected my Smartbro plug-it and logged on to the internet. I sent my portfolio, shut my laptop off, and resumed shooting within 5 minutes. The extraordinary thing was my other phones with non-Smart SIMs couldn’t even get a signal. Amazing!
Again, through my Smart Gold data plan and my tablet, I can be productive even during my 2-hour commute to and from the office. I check my mail, respond to blog comments, chat with family and friends, check my Facebook News Feed, and respond to Twitter friends.
When I’m in the office working my 8-5 job, and need to do some work for my photography business, I just go out for lunch, find a comfortable spot in the cafe, power on my laptop and do my stuff. I can make calls, send emails, and edit some photos and send them to clients, easily and within my one-hour break, thanks to Smart’s good call and internet service.
Although I use Smart’s fast internet access, courtesy of SmartBro, generally for work and business, I have also used it to make my relationship with my family better.
By the time I go home, I’ve done all the things I need. I have the rest of the day for my wife, my family, and friends.
When my family, here and abroad, wants to share videos and photos of their latest activities, it doesn’t take us a day just to see their latest home videos or vacation photos. When we feel the need to talk, we just fire up our favorite messaging software and voila! Long hours of catching up and talking, without the expensive international calls. Smart’s services have made us closer, bridging the distance between continents.
Everyone strives to have work-life balance; With Smart, you can.
So now you got that little nifty tablet that you’ve drooled over for so long. But your shiny new toy isn’t unique: it’s as plain as the next one. What can you do to make you device stand out? You customize it! But before you go on and start rooting and hacking your Tab, let’s look at the ways you can pimp your Galaxy Tab without voiding the warranty.
Here’s a short list of things you can do to personalize your Samsung Galaxy Tab
Hardware
Let’s start with the hardware. You can avail of the following items to create a style for your Galaxy Tab that reflects your personality.
Screen protectors
You have three options for screen protectors
The standard clear and glossy type is virtually invisible if applied properly. But, like the original screen of the tab, this type of screen protectors attract fingerprints and oil smudges like sugar attracts ants, flies, and dieters. Use this when you want to preserve the clarity of the LCD and protect it, too.
The matte and anti-reflective type helps reduce fingerprints and reflections but reduces the clarity of your device’s LCD. Use this if you find it hard to read from the screen with all the reflections.
The privacy and mirror-like screen protectors only lets you see the screen if you are looking at it straight on. Anyone trying to peep at your LCD will only see a mirror like surface. Use this if you often view your Galaxy Tab in public and you don’t want people seeing your screen as you browse your facebook account or view your favorite porn site, while sitting in a cafe in the middle of the day…or something to that effect.
Cases
Cases
Soft cases
Soft cases provide enough protection for your Galaxy Tab against light bumps and scratches but don’t expect them to withstand drops and strong bumps.
Here’s a list of common soft cases:
- nylon sleeves
- (memory) foam sleeves
- silicon and rubber jelly cases
Hard cases
Hard cases provide the best protection against bumps and scratches. But, make sure that the hard case you buy is made from good materials. Some materials, like cheap plastic, crack and may scratch the Galaxy Tab.
Here’s a list of common hard cases:
- Firm Jelly Cases – these covers protect the back and sides of the Galaxy Tab while leaving the screen totally exposed. They also have cutouts to allow access to the ports and slots of the Galaxy Tab.
- Firm Jelly Cases with stands – offer the same protection as the the firm jelly cases and they have the additional benefit of having kick stands at the back.
- Galaxy Tab Notebook/Folio Cases
If you do get one of these notebook cases, make sure that it has a correct snug and fit. Also check that all sides are covered and that the cutouts match the ports and slots in the Galaxy Tab.
Expansion options
Aside from getting accessories for you Tab, you can also expand its features by adding this hardware expansion options:
- Additional memory card – Unlike the popular Apple iPad, the Galaxy Tab has a microSD expansion slot. You can use up to 32GBs SDHC cards which will bring your total storage to 48GBs.
- Bluetooth devices – You can also pair the Galaxy Tab with a huge selection of bluetooth devices. One good addition is a bluetooth headset if you want to use your tablet as a phone. Another device is a keyboard so that you can type easier and faster. Some users have reported using a bluetooth mouse with the Galaxy Tab with success.
Software
NOTE: By default, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is not rooted. This means you won’t be able to run Apps that require root permission/access. But don’t worry, if you just use the Tab for average purposes you won’t ever need to have root access.
Launchers
Launchers give you the option to further customize your Samsung Galaxy Tab’s user interface (UI). They give you options for changing screen animations, desktop layouts, and themes! Yes, using launchers will also give you themes. You can spend hours customizing your Galaxy Tab just by installing a new launcher.
Here are my two favorite launchers:
Widgets
Widgets are great for displaying information in your Tabs screen. One thing to remember about widgets is that they can drain your battery faster if they refresh their information in frequent intervals.
More Apps!
One of the most important benefit of having an Android phone is having access to all those apps! so go and explore the Android Market; your Samsung Galaxy Tab can handle a lot of them courtesy of the 2Gb internal memory. At one time I had 85 different apps installed on my Tab, yet the internal memory still had 1.5GB.
Try out all the apps you want then just uninstall the ones you don’t use. This way, you don’t clutter your app drawer.
There you have it! Simple solutions to customize your Samsung Galaxy Tab because you don’t always need to root your Samsung Galaxy Tab to enjoy it.
How about you, how have you customized your Samsung Galaxy Tab?
Apr 112011
Hi I’m Russel, I’m a gadget addict. I like to have electronic devices that make my life more enjoyable, more efficient, and more convenient — or so I thought.
As I tried more devices, I got more and more obsessed with getting the latest and the greatest. I became addicted to upgrades. Eventually, when financial resources started to run out, I decided to cure this addiction.
Now I can confidently say that I’m no longer a gadget addict. I am now reformed.
Because of my experience, I have resolved to help others kick their gadget addiction and start living near normal lives.
This blog will now be directed towards that quest of providing practical advise for those with the addiction and to those who have to live with people with the addiction. This site is for you.
Mar 252011
Being mobile means most of the time you are away from the power outlet. You must have a power supply that can last as long as you are out in the field.
Unfortunately, battery life isn’t always the best feature of our mobile devices like smartphones. We either need to buy expensive long life batteries or stay in places that have available power outlets.
Fortunately, Kodak came out with a very useful and affordable alternative power source for us, the Kodak Portable Charger KP100-C+2 kit.
The kit is a combination of an AC Charging Base and an external Power Pack. If your device can be charged from a USB port, then you can use the Kodak Portable Charger KP100-C+2 Power Pack as power supply.
Here’s a list of included items in the kit:
- AC Charging base – this charges your device through a USB and it also charges the Power Pack. This charging base needs to be connected to the power outlet.
- Power Pack – this is the external battery. It can charge your devices from its USB port.
- Two Rechargeable AA batteries – each rated at 2400mAh.
- Power Cord
- User guide
Advantages
Portable - this unit is small enough to fit in you laptop bag. If you just take the Power Pack it becomes smaller.
Reusable - the fact that it uses rechargeable batteries makes it reusable again and again.
Replaceable batteries – unlike some external battery packs with built-in batteries, the Kodak Portable Charger KP100-C+2 uses rechargeable AA batteries that you can replace anytime.
Affordable - at USD11.50, this unit only cost as much as 4 cups of Frappuccino in Starbucks.
Real-life Performance
The packaging of the kit claims being able to give up to an additional 40 hours of charge for your devices. That would mean almost 2 days of additional power to your device.
I tested this with my Motorola Milestone Android smartphone. To get a base reading of how long my smartphone usually lasts, I fully charged it, used 3G Internet only (no wifi), watched a couple of movies, and listened to music till the battery emptied.
I then connected it to the Power Pack and turned it on. Again I used the phone and timed how long it will survive with the Power Pack.
And here are the results:
Motorola Milestone with default battery: 7 hours 40minutes
Motorola Milestone with Power Pack: 10 hours and 38 minutes.
More than 10 hours of additional power is not bad. And, this is from when the phone’s battery was empty. The phone was continuously being charged until the Power Pack emptied. What’s nice about this is if I wanted to continue charging the phone, I can just replace the batteries with freshly charged ones.
Personal Practical Uses
I’ve been using the Kodak Portable Charger for a couple of weeks now. Here are some of the ways I use it:
- I use my Android 2.2 phone as Wife hotspot, and the Kodak Portable Charger KP100-C+2 gives the phone extra power to last longer. This is very important since using 3G drains the battery fast.
- When I want longer MP3 playback outdoors, this kit is a good solution.
- I use the Power Pack as additional backup battery for my Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera
.
- I use the Power Pack to charge my mobile phones. I have USB Power Tips
that let me charge my 2 Myphone dual SIM phones and Android phone.
Conclusion
As we become more mobile with our electronic gadgets, we face the “battery empty” problem more often.
The Kodak Portable Charger KP100-C+2 is an affordable and practical solution for that problem. With its price, there’s no longer an excuse not to get one even if you already have one. In fact I’m ordering one these kits again.
I don’t know where to get it here in the Philippines, but I got mine from Amazon.com. To know how I got it shipped fast and affordable, read my article here.
Do you think this kit will be helpful to you? Le me know what you think by commenting below.
Photos of the product
Jan 052011
However fanboyish it may sound, Apple has done a great job at innovating and revolutionizing consumer electronics.
I’m a technology junky. I enjoy using the latest gadgets and technology. What I’ve noticed is that Apple has been a catalyst for innovations and revolutions in the mobile computing industry. When Apple gets into the game, they make it look cool.
You can say that it all boils down to marketing, but it does have its advantages, not just for Apple but also for the consumers.
Here is one example:
The iPod.
There are thousands of music players available on the market. Often times, when we mention music player or MP3 player
To be clear, the iPod wasn’t the first MP3 player. That honor goes to the world’s first MP3 player — the MPMan F10 manufactured by Korea’s Saehan Information Systems and was launched in March of 1998 at CeBIT.
What Apple did was create a sleek-looking device driven by a revolutionary user interface. The iPod became so popular, it became part of modern day culture. Because of its popularity, thousands of MP3 players have been created to rival or at least eat at the market share of the iPod.
Now here’s my take on the iPod phenomena: Music players wouldn’t be popular if Apple didn’t create the iPod family of music players. In my opinion consumer electronics should thank Apple for marketing the music player to the masses. Honestly, did you give the MP3 music players any thought before the iPod came? Most of the people I asked said no.
It was Apple who spent a lot of money to market the iPod as a necessity and as a cool gadget to have and be seen with. Once the iPod became popular, other companies started to make their own players. Microsoft’s Zune
As other companies started to compete in this niche, consumers got more MP3 or media players. These days, almost everyone I know has a media player and iPod has a lot to do with that.
On my next post, I’ll share my insights on the next great product of Apple: the iPhone.
Note: Before the Apple fanboys rejoice because they have another supporter, or before the PC fanboys start thinking I’ve changed camps, let me be clear: I DON’T CARE. I am not a die hard fan of any of these camps. I buy and use the brand that fits my needs, and not because of the marketing materials that’s pushed to me.
I’m writing this article to express my observation. Take it as it is.
————-
Nov 262010
One of the best benefits of mobile computing is the option to work anywhere. But sometimes we take this benefit for granted and abuse it unknowingly. A good example is text messaging and mobile emailing. Due to these two activities a lot of people have strained thumbs and hand joints requiring therapy. Another good example is how men unknowingly roast their private parts with their laptops.
In a recent study done at the State University of New York, researchers has concluded that using your laptop on your lap can raise the temperature around the scrotum area. This increase in temperature can cause sperm production to be lowered.
Dr. Yefim Sheynkin, a urologist at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, led the new study.
The test was done by attaching heat sensors on the scrotum of the test subject and temperature data was collected. After an hour of using laptops on their laps, the temperature in men’s testicles has increased by 2.5 degrees Celsius, which was beyond what experts consider safe.
You may think that this research is hilarious. Any man in his right mind would know that if you put something hot on top of your crotch, it won’t be good. That was my initial reaction too. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
The increase in temperature is not instant but is gradual which means it won’t feel that hot first. As you use your laptop on your lap longer, you adjust to the heat. By the time you realize it’s hot, you’d been roasting the family jewels for quite some time already.
Lap pads can keep your laptops cool and lessen the heat being transferred to your skin, but they do not help lessen the general temperature of your testicles.
Here are some tips to prevent cooking your testicles with your laptop:
- Avoid putting your laptop on your lap.
- If you’re going to put the laptop on your lap, put something between your lap and the laptop, preferably something thick, like a cushion or a pillow.
- Work on a table.
- Work on a table.
- Work on a table.
With proper prevention and retraining, we can make working with laptops on the table a habit. Mobile computing can be a productive and safe experience if exercise correct working habits and avoid practices that eventually will burn us.
Read a full article at http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A457320101108.
For those watching the new season of the brutally unique TV series “Dexter”, pay attention to the phone Dexter is using. Yes, it is a Nokia N8
I can understand why Dexter would chose an Nokia N8
Back to Dexter. He amazingly has 5 million fans in Facebook. Either a lot of people like watching him kill the bad, or they just enjoy following death, gore, sex, and all that evil in the world. A lot of people can’t seem to be satisfied with all that nasty stuff. Now, Nokia got a sweet deal being the “non-official” provider of mobile phones for the characters of the Dexter TV show. Imagine 5 million fans seeing Dexter flashing an N8, Laguerta using an E72, and Deb using another Nokia phone: 5 million potential Dexter wannabes who would be thrilled to use the same phone as Dex. Yup that’s Marketing, alright.
Oh well, it’s nice seeing the bad guys get chopped once in a while. But does it really justify the murders that Dex does? I have my opinion on this but I’ll keep it to myself. For now, I’m just happy seeing the Nokia N8 on TV.
Chill.
Check out the Nokia N8 GSM Touchscreen Phone
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