HTC Butterfly Sense 5 and Android 4.2.2 OTA update leaks out

Owners of older HTC smartphones like the Butterfly, Droid DNA, and One X may have been feeling a little bit left out since all of HTC’s attention is now aimed at their new flagship, the HTC One.

Apparently, that isn’t entirely true. Today, we have managed to snag a copy of the pre-release update that will bring Sense 5 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean goodies to the HTC Butterfly. The update brings the refashioned interface which now looks flatter and more easy to the eye.

The HTC BlinkFeed, one of the features the manufacturer are heavily promoting, is also present here. Now I remember when the HTC One reviews came, most of the reviewers said that the BlinkFeed cannot be disabled in its entirety. In this Sense 5 build, it looks like they added an option to switch to the traditional home screen style which only displays widgets and shortcuts alike. I am not sure if the reviewers just missed that option as it is buried deep inside the Settings app. Either way, this is a good news particularly for those who don’t use BlinkFeed at all.

Another major feature, but from Android 4.2.2 this time, that comes with the update is the quick shortcuts and toggles in the notification center. This feature in specific is really hand as it allows the users to activate some settings and actions without the need to leave the app or screen they are on. As opposed to stock Android, tapping on a toggle on Sense 5 will activate that said, well, toggle, whereas on stock Android it will only take you to the page of that toggle in the Settings app. Quick shortcuts and toggles can be accessed by swiping your two fingers down from the top edge of the screen or by tapping the icon in the notification center.

Unfortunately, the HTC Zoe seems to be not coming to other devices aside from the One, as the feature is nowhere to be found in this build. It could be that or HTC hasn’t just really added Zoe in this pre-release version. I hope it’s the latter.

The overall smoothness and performance of this update is really good, with some minor quirks like the crashing of the Sense 5 launcher. But other than that, it seems that the update is almost ready for release. Insiders say HTC will release it this Month.

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Smart WiFi Plug-It Initial Tests

Smart recently released the newest addition to their wireless broadband lineup – the Smart WiFi Plug-It, and we’re taking it for a spin. Check out our initial tests below.

Smart used the Huawei E355 mobile wi-fi device for the WiFi Plug-It. It is not just your ordinary broadband stick – this device can also act as a wi-fi hotspot which can accommodate up to 5 devices. Check out the specs below.

Smart WiFi Plug-It (Huawei E355) Specifications and Features
WLAN: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
HSPA+/HSPA/UMTS
EDGE/GPRS/GSM
HSPA+ data service of up to 21.6 Mbps*
HSUPA data service of up to 5.76 Mbps*
microSD Card Slot (up to 32GB)
Equalizer and receive diversity
Data and SMS Service
*Depending on the state of network and environment

This is almost similar to Smart’s Rocket WiFi but this is just not powered by a battery – you will always have to find and connect it to a USB power source. It is also an advantage to battery powered device though, as you can just bring this for very long road trips instead of the battery powered ones.

The Smart WiFi Plug-It can have a maximum of 21.6 Mbps speeds when connected to an HSPA+ network, but Smart listed it’s just up to 7.2 Mbps. Perhaps they are trying to not to disappoint their customers by listing a very high maximum speeds when all they can get is mostly lower than that. Anyway, check out our initial speed tests below.

The test was conducted at around 1:15 AM when most users are probably downloading torrents *ahem* while their computers are left turned on. The average download speed is around 1.81 Mbps while the uploads are fast at an average 1.02 Mbps compared to the average 0.54 Mbps on our PLDT DSL connection. I will do more speed tests in our area and hopefully I’ll have time to go around the Metro too.

Stay tuned for our review coming up next week.

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Unboxing: Nokia Lumia 800; First Impressions

I just got my hands on the twin of the Nokia N9... Introducing, the Nokia Lumia 800! Welcome to the Philippines! You don't know how much I am excited to get my hands on this! And now, just as what I do when I receive a phone, the unboxing!

The shape of the box of the Nokia Lumia 800 is just almost the same on the retail box of the N9 and X7. But the design of Lumia 800's box is quite different. It has a panoramic image of the device spread on the sides of it. Let's just take at the photos, they'll speak for themselves, shall we? :)

Fun thing to note here. This sticker usually contains the IMEI, and many other 'numeric' stuffs here, but I stumbled upon a text that reads "NOKIA WORLD 2011". I think Nokia wants people to remember on when did this phone was announced. Nokia World 2011 is probably a milestone for them. :D

Pretty much the same with the N9 and X7, the device will greet you first once you've slide it open.

The Lumia 800... Yum! The Lumia 800 has the same design as the N9. When I say the same, it is exactly similar.

Whilst the N9 did not have a physical camera shutter key, Microsoft lists it as a requirement. So Nokia has added one. The volume keys, power key, and the camera key is not as lousy as the ones on the N9. I wonder what happened on the N9. Or maybe it's just on my review unit.

Another difference between the Lumia 800 and the N9 is the relocated dual-LED flash. The LED flash of the Lumia 800 has been moved to the top of the metal strip that houses the camera module.

Also same with the N9, the Lumia 800 comes with a matte case.

Bunch of papers here. Well it's just the User Manual and the Product and Safety Information, just in different languages.

This is the what you will see inside the box of the iPh... I mean the Lumia 800... A charger, a USB cable, and the headset.

The Nokia Fast Charger AC-16, but just a different variant as on what I got with the N9. Silly me. LOL.

The Nokia Charging and Data Cable CA-185CD. Just hook it up with the charger and you're good to go.

The Nokia Stereo Headset WH-902. The number has been bumped by 1 from the headset of the N9.

First boot! I love the ClearBlack display! Blacks are black! And the glass is curved as on the N9. Excellent job Nokia!

And, an overview of what's inside the box. I can't believe everything fits in that small box.

I will be reviewing the Lumia 800 in the coming weeks along with the N9, 700, and 500. Watch out for my reviews!

The Nokia Lumia 800 is not yet available here in the Philippines, but it is expected to be released here early next year. To know more about the Nokia Lumia 800, please click here.

A special shout-out and thank you to Nokia for providing us this review unit! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :D
  
UPDATE: Widget City is now selling the Nokia Lumia 800 for only P23,500, just in case you're itching to get one early.

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Unboxing: The Nokia 700 - It's NFC Time!

Today we have the Nokia 700 for the unboxing! Read on for more photos and impressions on what the Nokia 700 has to offer.

The phone is alone... It has no extra cases whatsoever unlike on the Nokia 500.

This is what will greet you inside.

We have the Nokia Charger AC-15, similar to the one included in the Nokia N8 package.

We have the Nokia Connectivity Cable CA-179. This can be also used to charge the phone if connected to a computer.

This is the Nokia Stereo Headset, along with those two earbuds. The headset has only one control available, the 'answer' key for calls.

Again., the usual paper works, the My Nokia Service Card, a Nokia Care card, and the User Guide and the Product and Safety Information.

Hey, are you the type of person who doesn't read the manuals of your phone? This time you may want to do so. A special surprise is waiting for you! ;)

The Nokia 700 is a very compact, small, and light smartphone. It's even small than my brother's Nokia C2-03.

The back side of the phone houses the 5 Megapixels camera along with the LED flash. The battery cover is made of stainless steel which adds a bit of heft to the phone, with the Nokia logo embossed on it. A lanyard hole is available on the bottom.

Look how slim this phone is! This is much slimmer than my Nokia N8!!

The speaker grille is located on the bottom of the phone... which adds an impression of it being a slider phone. My mom thought so. :D

Hello there Belle! How are you? Can we be friends? We're going to review this phone in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! :)

You can now get a Nokia 700 at Nokia Stores nationwide for only P14,000. To know more about the Nokia 700, please click here.

A special shout-out and thank you to Nokia Philippines for providing us this review unit! :D

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Unboxing: The Affordable Nokia 500

We have another phone to unbox today. This time, it's the 1GHz Symbian Anna phone, the Nokia 500. The box of the Nokia 500 is almost identical to the Nokia E6 and many other Nokia phones.

The phone itself along with an extra back cover is placed on the top part of the packaging.

You either want to choose a red one...

Or the black one. By the way, this is the default cover on the Nokia 500 that I received. I just swapped it with the blue one. There are even more colors available.

This is the Nokia Fast Charger AC-8.

The Nokia Stereo Headset WH-102.

The rather short Nokia Connectivity Cable CA-101D. It's only about 6 inches long.

The usual paper stuffs, a Nokia Care card which includes a handy lists of Nokia Care Center branches around the country, the My Nokia Service Card used for warranty purposes, the User Guide, and the Product and Safety Information.

First power on! We'll be reviewing this phone in the next few weeks, so you better watch out for it! :)

The Nokia 500 is now available at Nokia Stores nationwide. This phone is quite affordable as it's on the sub P10,000 level. I'm not sure on the exact retail price but I will surely update this post once I have it. To know more about the Nokia 500, please click here.


UPDATE: The Nokia 500 retails at P8,850 at Nokia Stores nationwide.


A special shout-out and thank you to Nokia Philippines for providing us this review unit! :D

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Unboxing: A Special Nokia N9

Click image to view in full-resolution.

Look! We've just received this Nokia N9 packed in a special box! And I'm here again for the unboxing rituals. Sorry, no videos. I am not that good in shooting videos. Maybe soon, eh? :D

You may click each photos to view them in a much higher resolution.

The Nokia N9 came in a very special and luxurious-looking box. Open it, and the gorgeous and beautiful looking phone greets you. It is laid on a very soft 'cottony' case, the ones that you usually see on luxury watch cases. Then there's the Nokia logo embedded on the upper part of the case.

The N9 looks very very sleek! See that? That's the Gorilla Glass that is curved so it fades into the body.

The review unit that I received comes with these basic accessories. Just right for a normal use.

The package comes with a Nokia Soft Cover CC-1020. The case has a matte texture, it's not like the N8 Silicone Case that becomes 'sticky' when your hands are sweated. The case does not also add too much thickness to the N9. It gives you access to all ports and buttons, except for the sim tray.

This is the Nokia Charging and Data Cable CA-185CD. This one loos minimalistic, just like Apple's USB cable for their iDevices.

Next up is the Nokia Fast USB Charger AC-16. This one plugs directly to the wall socket, and then you'll just attach the USB of the N9 and, voila! You now have a charger! Unfortunately, I can not use this as it has a different plug type. I think this one is a European variant.

This is the Nokia Stereo Headset WH-901. This is a basic headset. Nokia could've just packaged the N9 with the WH-701. I miss the music controls. And the earphone itself keeps falling off my ears when I use it! Okay, enough rants.

This is the product fact sheet. Lists all of the N9's technical profile which made a lot of oohs and aaahs.

N9's back, touting it's 8 Megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, along with a dual-LED flash. The body is a polycarbonate  plastic. But it still has a special feel on it, not just a cheapo plastic. *cough*

N9 is powered on! I've put a security code so it is... well, secured.

It's now swiping time!!

This is how the N9 looks when it's in the soft case. Still looks sexy, doesn't it? :)

This completes my Nokia N9 unboxing. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for my full review!

The Nokia N9 is now available in the Philippines and retails for P24,990 for the 16GB variant and P29,490 for the 64GB variant at Nokia Stores nationwide. To know more about the Nokia N9, please click here.

A special shout-out and thank you to Nokia Philippines for providing us this review unit! :D

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