Google launches Street View in the Philippines

After what seemed like forever (not really, maybe almost 2 years), search-giant Google has officially launched Street View in Google Maps in the Philippines. It was in November 2013 when a Street View car was seen plying EDSA, followed by the official announcement of the initiative in January 2014. As of now, Google has covered most areas in the National Capital Region (Metro...

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Microsoft will offer Windows 10 for free… even for pirates

You may have already heard that Microsoft will let its Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 customers upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost when it gets released. Did that excite you? Well, get this – the software giant has announced in a summit in China that it will even let users with non-genuine copies of Windows (read: pirated users) to the latest version of the OS. However, it is not...

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Samsung gets serious with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

I was privileged to have been invited to Samsung’s announcement of their next flagship Galaxy S smartphones – yes, with an ‘s’! – in Manila last Monday (Sunday in Barcelona, Spain). Of course, being the geeky person that I am, I attended the media event (who wouldn’t want to see their new smartphones in person on day one?). I’m going to skip all the introduction and delve...

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Globe rolls out prepaid LTE SIM cards

Hello to all my readers. I’ve been quite busy in the past few months and didn’t post anything new since September. But there’s this news that I think is worth posting. So, Globe just announced that prepaid LTE SIM cards are now (finally) available. And we’re not talking about the Tattoo Prepaid LTE SIM cards that were out since September 2012 – what they have now is the...

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Nokia Lumia 530 Dual SIM lands for P4,990

Nokia’s (now Microsoft Mobile) most affordable Windows Phone device to date, the Lumia 530 Dual SIM, has been released in the Philippines. The Lumia 530 features a 4-inch LCD display, 4Gb storage, a 5-megapixel camera, and comes with the latest features of the Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan such as the Word Flow keyboard and Action Center. If you think the internal memory...

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Samsung announces the Galaxy Note Edge

Samsung has just revealed the Galaxy Note Edge at the IFA 2014 in Berlin. The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge features a curved edge screen that was demoed by the Korean company in the past. Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Features and Specifications 5.6-inch Quad HD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor 3GB RAM 32/64GB internal...

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Samsung’s first metal smartphone is arriving in the Philippines

The first Samsung smartphone to pack a metal body is soon arriving in the Philippines. We recently spotted the Samsung Galaxy Alpha with model number SM-G850F over SamMobile’s firmware listing website. According to the initial firmware available, it is possible that the Galaxy Alpha will only be available unlocked at retail stores. The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was announced...

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Digital technologies for education highlight DigiTech Manila confab

The first ever DigiTech Manila Conference and Expo, slated on Sept. 19 and 20, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, will feature the various facets in digital technology for children, schools, libraries, and for the ICT industry. Digital learning enthusiasts are invited to take advantage and update themselves on gadgets, high-tech services, and...

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Xiaomi to sell Mi 5200mAh and 10400mAh power banks on August 29

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech company that makes and sells affordable smartphones and other devices at affordable prices, will soon make their popular Mi power banks available in the Philippines. The Mi power banks, which comes in 5200mAh and 10400mAh variants, comes with high-quality battery cells either from LG or Samsung. The sleek power banks sports an aluminum casing making...

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Google Play carrier billing comes to Globe

At the first day of Globe Telecom’s Digital Lifestyle Expo at the SM Megamall, the company announced that carrier billing for the Google Play Store is finally coming. With carrier billing, anyone using an Android smartphone on Globe will now be able to buy apps, games, and even rent or purchase movies and have it paid thru their plan or deducted from their prepaid credits...

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Of restrictions and competition

Ever wonder why telecom services in the Philippines are shitty? Look no further. Here's the only answer, straight from the horse's mouth. The 2015 AEC does not pose a threat to the Philippine telco industry. "The effect on telco is minimal because it is regulated. It would require licenses, and entry to this market will require partnerships," Cu said. "So we expect very little, immediate impact on us," he added. What Mr. Ernest Cu is trying to say is that the odds of us having a new telecom company in the country is low. Because first,...

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Beyond the Box slashes P4,000 off the Retina iPad mini price

Apple fans, look right here. If you’re in the market for a brand new iPad mini with Retina display, you better get one from Beyond the Box. Right now, until September 15, you can get as much as P4,000 off the price on the WiFi plus Cellular model. If the price off isn’t enough, they’re throwing in a free accessory as well for every purchase. Urbanears Plattan (valued at...

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iPhone 6 cases are already available in the Philippines

Just one of the many signs that Apple’s next smartphone, the iPhone 6, is already around the corner is this case that’s already available in Manila. The case seems to be for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 model as it’s only a tad bigger than the iPhone 5s. The case is remarkable slimmer, and bears the same rounded edges found on the iPod touch and iPad. The lock button has been...

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Globe is now unlocking out-of-contract iPhones

Good news to owners of Globe-issued iPhones. Globe is now offering official iPhone unlocks for eligible customers. Unlocking an iPhone allows the user to use a SIM card from another network and could be particularly useful if travelling abroad, or if the user decides to give or sell the device. To be eligible, the device must be out of contract and that you still have an...

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Samsung Galaxy K Zoom lands for P24,990

It’s not the Galaxy S5 Zoom. It seems as if Samsung doesn’t want to pollute the name of their flagship smartphone. And so they called the successor to the Galaxy S4 Zoom the Galaxy K Zoom. The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom follows the same principle as its predecessor. It’s a smartphone with a bulging camera sensor at the back, which makes it a viable replacement for point-and-shoots....

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