Battle of the Map Apps

A lot of buzz surrounding the whole Apple Maps issue. A lot of people say it's hardly noticeable, for others... disastrous.

On this side of the planet, here in the Philippines... this is the situation. I tried being fair, entering the name of a popular city rather than some obscure street. These were my results each with the same search parameters simply entered in Google Maps, bing maps, and iOS Maps. Only Google knew of the city.

What are your funny map app stories unique to where you live?

iPhone 5 Phever

Now that Apple has announced the iPhone 5, I think the official keynote & presentation was kinda blah. I think this is how Apple should've launched the iPhone 5. Hehehehehe! ENJOY!

Why Pay For Apps?

There are a ton of free ad-supported apps out there. A lot are quite good and more than adequate for most people's needs. So why bother buying an app? To get rid of those tacky ads? Because it's only $1? To support the development for a good app that you like? Perhaps. But the biggest (and best IMO) reason to buy the ad-free version from a good developer is system performance.

Ad-supported apps need (surprise, surprise) ads to pay their salaries. Those ads need an active internet connection in order to pull in the next ad to display. That takes up internet bandwidth, CPU cycles, and battery life. An article on BBC stated that up to 80% of battery consumed by any particular app is dedicated to the ad-supported functions (receiving the ad, sending anonymous user info back to the system)

Every line of computer code that is run, no matter how small, can use up system speed. Even if a free app uses only 0.5% of your CPU to pull an ad, few people only have ONE app installed. Now, there are those that don't use mobile data and think "Well, that's no biggie to me. I don't use mobile data so I don't see those ads". Why not just shut off your internet connection then? Well, you may not see the ad, but now, the app will continue to poll for new ad content continuously eating up CPU cycles and battery life. The app won't stop requesting for a new ad (or stop trying to send user info) just because you shut off your internet. Even more so, it will try more often until it gets to connect to the system.

Now, are free ad-based apps all bad? Of course not. But when you use an app quite often, it may be worth the $1 (Gasp, you may have to delay buying that latte) to purchase it. It will de-clutter your screen, improve system speed, and help support the developers that actually make good apps!

Apple Tip of the Day: FaceTime and Wifi

Here's a small FaceTime fix for those of you that may be having connectivity issues over your home WiFi connections.

If you recently upgraded to a Wireless N capable router (the older ones were B and G) you may have suddenly noticed erratic behavior when making or receiving FaceTime calls.

It's a bit technical, but it has something to do with the "Channel Width" feature found in the newer routers. If you're not comfortable going into your wireless router's menu, then ask someone to help you out.

Now your particular model may not have an identical menu as mine, but try and look under the Wireless settings for something that will show a "Channel" function with 20MHZ/40MHZ as the options. Either disable this, or set it to 20MHZ only.

Another thing, if you no longer have any legacy Wireless B devices (older laptops, etc) then disable the B function on the router all together. This limits the number of conflicts your wireless network will have scanning and searching for older devices.

Original Source: Apple Support Forum

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iPad 2 Prices Officially Drop (Philippines)

Good news to those thinking of getting an iPad! Apple Store PH has officially dropped the iPad 2 prices to coincide with Apple's Official price drop! This also means that preloved iPads should be a lot cheaper as well.

Prices start at

P18,990 for a brand new 16GB iPad 2!

P24,990 for the 16GB 3G model!

Head on over to Apple Store PH now!

iOS Tip Of The Day: Save Your Home...Button.

Almost all iOS owners know the inconvenience of the non-responsive Home Button. It is the weakest link in the iOS hardware platform and yet using it is also the most required action. This leaves you with a perfectly working iOS device...EXCEPT for a Home Button that either doesn't respond or need to be mashed just to respond.

Jailbreaking is an option. It enables gesture (swipe) access to almost all the Home Button functions. But what about people that don't know how, or just don't want to Jailbreak their iOS devices? Well, on iOS 5, Apple has a feature that can help minimize the use of the Home Button.

It's found in the Settings Menu on your device.

Simply scroll down to the General menu

Then go to Accessibility

Then Assistive Touch.

Once enabled, you will now have a translucent button that floats over your desktop. The button placement is dynamic and can be moved around, it will also automatically move out of the way of the virtual keyboard.

Pressing this will bring up a gesture box, and the Home Button is one of them!

A Little Friday Tech Humor : Siri in the Philippines

I'm sure there are countless issues with Siri's accent recognition... specially if you're from other countries... here in the Philippines, we have our own version.

Introducing, Vangie!

Merry Christmas!

Maligayang Pasko!

Joyeux Noël!

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

4S: Sign-up, Siri, Speed, Santa (iPhone 4S in the Philippines)

Just in time for Christmas!  Don't you just LOVE corporate timing?  Yes, within hours of each other, both Smart and Globe have announced release dates for the iPhone 4S in the Philippines... and the magic date is...

DEC 16, 2011

Sign up now using the links above!

A Little Friday Tech Humor : Siri

App of the Day : Online Banking (BPI - Philippines)

BPI (Bank of the Philippines Islands) has just released their mobile app for both iOS and Android.  It's a very sleek app with all the online banking functions built in.  Although you could just go to your mobile browser to log in and do your banking, zooming in and scrolling around the full page isn't fun, or fast.

The app installation isn't quite clear though... 

The proper procedure is:

1) Log into BPI Online using your login name and password

2) Go to Other Services > Express Mobile Registration > Mobile Banking

3) Enter you mobile number and click Submit (no need to enter the ATM number)

4) You will receive an SMS with a secure link and verification code to activate your account and download the app (If you already installed the app from the App Store or Marketplace, skip the next step)

5) Click the link and download/install the app.

6) Launch the app and enter the verification code you received via SMS

7) Login using your online name and password.

iOS Virus

Hacker Charlie Miller has exposed a security flaw in Apple's App Store.  The flaw allows a LEGIT app to secretly download an unsigned, app without the knowledge of the user, or Apple through a backdoor entrance.

Remember, this is a signed, listed, inspected and fully authorized app from the App Store.  The malicious code was not detected by Apple, and the only reason the app was pulled and his dev account cancelled was because he himself announced the presence of his virus in the app that he wrote.

This not only reveals a huge potential security flaw in iOS, but in Apple's App Store model as well.  Any official app could potentially be a trojan horse carrying with it, full remote access to your iPhone/iPod Touch and its contents.

Currently, there is no way of protecting yourself from this type of threat... nor is there any way for the end user to know if any of their apps were actually made with this type of virus built in.

Although technical, this video is a proof of concept showing how he gains remote access into an iPhone that has downloaded the app.

Apple Virus Warning!!!!

It's a very wide spread misconception that Macs are immune to viruses (or virii if you're 1337). This is NOT (nor has it ever been) true. There are far fewer viruses that can infect Mac, yes... but they are still out there. The main issue is that the complacency of the end users make them the easier target.

The bigger immediate threat at the moment is a new backdoor trojan that has been detected out in the wild. Named Tsunami, it allows a cracker remote access to your Mac and make it do horrible things (Such as download porn!)

Sophos, one of the leading Apple Anti-virus software providers has detected it and has issued an update for their anti-virus software package. For Mac users that haven't downloaded an anti-virus yet for their Macs, you can get Sophos' free home version here.

App Of The Day: Handbrake

For great videos on the go with you iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android... use Handbrake!  Yes, it is an odd name for an app... with an even odder icon... but it works great!

One step video conversions to allow easy playback on your iOS or Android device.

Some would prefer downloading an app that plays all formats, but I don't really like wasting storage space with a 15GB movie, when you can't really appreciate 1080p on a mobile screen.

The iPhone 4 preset works on almost all devices, or create a higher 720p preset if your mobile screen supports it.

Download it here for free!

Hakunamatata, It Means No Worries...NOT! (OSX Lion)

Apple has always been synonymous with easy computing.  Trouble-free, hassle-free everything.  Well... upgrading to Lion is more akin to a Microsoft Windows Vista upgrade.  Now, let me clarify this by isolating this review to be specific to people UPGRADING to Lion... and not new systems preinstalled with Lion.

I was initially reluctant to upgrade to Lion, but when a Snow Leopard 10.6.8 update broke my digital audio, I was hoping it would be fixed in Lion... alas, it wasn't.  It's not as bad, but it's still doesn't work as well as it did prior to the update.  For those unfamiliar with the issue, it's quite specific: Digital audio gets disabled after watching Dolby or DTS movies.

Another issue is the Rosetta compatibility.  Granted few people now run Rosetta apps, but this usually requires you to reinstall apps that were running in 32-bit mode.  I had to reinstall Logic cuz I kept getting an incompatible version notice.

There's also the really fugly iCal skin update.  Although this can easily be fixed, I shouldn't HAVE to go through this much trouble for something that wasn't broken to begin with.  For those that don't know, iCal has been given a really fugly s**t brown skin.  So while OSX retains it's aluminum look, iCal, which used to match... now doesn't.

For those thinking of upgrading, I'd hold off... the minor updates in Lion aren't really worth it.  For those buying new systems, and doing a fresh install of all your programs, most of these won't be a problem.  Except for the s**t brown iCal.

Hub-a Hub-a, Apple's New Cinema Display

Since Apple's introduction of Thunderbolt, there has been a ton of hype... but no very few products on the market.  I feel this is wasted opportunity for so many manufacturers who could've cashed in on the initial excitement of Thunderbolt.

Apple was, of course, one of the first to update their Cinema Displays to the new Thunderbolt port w/ hub.  Why is this a big deal?

For Macbook Pro owners, attaching a regular LCD allows only ONE external monitor, along with the built-in LCD.

With Thunderbolt, the Macbook Pro 13" gains the ability to power 2 external TB displays, albeit disabling the internal LCD, while the 15" and 17" MBP with graphics cards can handle 2 TB displays aside from the built-in display!

Macbook Airs on the other hand are still out of luck, stuck with just one external display, regardless of whether it's a Thunderbolt or Mini Displayport LCD.

The new Apple Cinema Display also has a Thunderbolt port at the back to allow the daisy-chaining of the second Thunderbolt display, or other Thunderbolt accessories.
(Like Sonnet's new Thunderbolt to Expresscard adapters or hard drives)

A Little Tech Humor

Apparently, Steve Jobs meant to say "I reign as CEO of Apple"

DAMN YOU AUTOCORRECT!!!

Thanks to masseur from Esato for this.

Upsetting the Apple Cart

This week has been quite busy in the world of tech...  not in terms of new and exciting products, but more on the business side of things.  Following the demise of HP's webOS, and Globe Telecom's scandal with Tonino Lamborghini, The Big Apple, Steve Jobs, has announced his resignation as CEO of the world's most valuable company.

It has been no secret that Steve Jobs' health has been on the decline, and no doubt the main reason behind this announcement.  And I think it's admirable that he has decided to step down in a proper manner and hand the reigns over to COO Tim Cook, rather than waiting for a less ideal time.

Whether you love Apple, or hate them, they have steered the course of technology in the past 30 years.  With either successful products, or flops, they have influenced every aspect of computing and consumer electronics.

Now, the main question on everyone's mind is, will Apple fall far from the tree?  Tim Cook has a long history with Apple, and will still have Steve Jobs on the board for the near future.  I think Apple, as a company, has more than enough capable people at the helm (unless the hire HP's Leo Apotheker who will probably bring Apple shares back down to $20 by closing down iOS) who understand his philosophy.  And I believe it can continue in a manner that he'd be proud of.  It would be a matter of whether or not the public trusts  the new leaders of Apple to continue the heritage and keep true to Jobs' vision.

With the iPad3 and iPhone 5 just around the corner, this will be interesting times for Apple.  I for one, am looking forward to what lies ahead!

Apple OSX Update Warning...DO NOT UPDATE!

Ok, this only applies to those who use the digital audio output on their Macs...

DO NOT UPDATE TO 10.6.8 just yet.

The update causes a digital audio glitch that disables your HDMI/Digital Out after watching a DD or DTS movie.  The only way to get your audio back is to reboot the system.

No known fix at the moment.

RAMming It Up! (2011 Macbook Pro 13 RAM Upgrade)

With all computer systems, memory is very important.  RAM (commonly referred to simply as 'memory') is the most important upgrade you should perform on your system prior to any other upgrades.

More RAM will allow your computer to work on more programs, and work faster.  Why does it make a difference?  All your programs, applications and files are stored in your hard drive.  This is a cheaper and slower (yes, even SSDs are slower than RAM... unless you've got RAM Drives, that's another story) storage that allows you to save more stuff at a fraction of the cost.

The 2011 Macbook Pros come with 4GB of RAM.  Quite adequate for everyday computing, surfing and word processing.  But open 10 websites, or run complex programs like Photoshop or Final Cut... and you're gonna get significant performance hits.  You'll feel like your new Macbook Pro is not as fast as it should be.

With 4GB of RAM... it really isn't.  Half the time, your computer is just waiting for the tasks and information to be pulled out of the hard drive before it can begin processing the task you want it to do.

Now, upgrading the MBP 13 RAM is relatively easy:  It takes 2 modules of SODIMM DDR3 1333 memory.  So to max it out, you need 2 4GB modules.

• Make sure you're grounded (touch a large metal object, wear a grounding strap, or invest in cleanroom footwear like Birkenstock's ESD line)

• Make sure your MBP is off, flip it over and start unscrewing the bottom screws.  Please note, the screws are of different lengths, it's best to remember which position they were in.

• Carefully lift the bottom cover off to expose the internal components.

• Push the 2 retaining tabs of the original RAM outward, it should pop-up.  Just pull the ram out gently.  Try not to rock the module from side to side.  The bottom stick is a bit harder to get to but the process is the same.

• Take your new RAM and align the notch with the one of the socket.  Insert the stick at a 45° angle and push it in gently.  Then press the stick down until you hear a click and it lies flat against the main board.  Repeat the procedure for the 2nd memory module

• Replace the bottom cover and carefully screw it back in, making sure to use the right screws.  Do not over-tighten the screws.

That's it!  Just start up your MBP and the system automatically configures itself for the new RAM.

**Hallo, ich lerne Deutsch und ich kann ein paar Fragen zu beantworten.
Je parle un peu français aussi. Je peux répondre à des questions sur mes messages.**