Rainy Monday App of the Day: iTyphoon

Due to the recent storm flooding in the Philippines, I'm posting a very helpful app that allows you to track incoming LPA (low pressure areas) and storms.

iTyphoon has a great interface showing both the weather report as well as a tracking map with the current and predicted path of the storm. iTyphoon is available for free on both Android and iOS. Head on over to Google Play for the Android version, and the App Store for the iOS version!

Typhoon2000.ph on the other hand, is a private website that consolidates links and reports from various weather sites and sources in one place. For more detailed reports, and satellite images, this is the place to visit.

Happy Philippine Independence Day!

Google's Doodle today displays elements of the Philippine flag

and leads to entries on Philippine Independence.

Click the doodle below to see those links.

#itsmorefuninthephilippines

The Department of Tourism in the Philippines has launched their new tourism campaign #itsmorefuninthephilippines. Show what makes the Philippines fun, unique or amusing to you! Congratulations to the DOT for a successful campaign! #itsmorefuninthephilippines #1forfun So to all my readers out there, it really is more fun in the Philippines! Come and visit!

For those interested in creating their own FUN meme, download the Harabara font here. My full album is on Picasa.

**Update Jan 9, 2012 - you may also visit morefunmaker.com to create your own photo meme! **

Technology. More fun in the Philippines

Hotel Pickups. More fun in the Philippines

Afternoon Walks. More fun in the Philippines

Surface Intervals. More fun in the Philippines

Watching Twilight. More fun in the Philippines : Caption by Tippi Ocampo

Midnight. More fun in the Philippines

Being moony. More fun in the Philippines

Traffic. More fun in the Philippines

Going round the bend. More fun in the Philippines

Going round the bend. More fun in the Philippines

Typhoon Sendong : PH ALERT

The recent typhoon "Sendong" in the southern Philippines left hundreds dead and even more homeless.  The Philippine Red Cross is accepting donations to help all the victims and rebuild the city.

For those who want to help and donate, click on the link to go to the PRC site.

Philippine Red Cross - Donate Now

Life in the Fast (LTE) Lane! (Smart Philippines LTE Beta)

For the next two months, this blog will be powered by Smart's new LTE service!  Boasting 40++mbps speeds... let's see what this can little thing can do!!!  Stay tuned for full speed stats in and around the Metro!

Thanks to Smart for making me part of their Beta-test preview of their service!

For those looking for a speed boost NOW, Smart's Rocket Wifi at 20++mbps is available now at all Smart Centers!

This post has been brought to you by Smart LTE!

I feel like I'm in Japan again!
*just a note, this was a WIRED LAN connection*

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!

The Smart Netphone

I was invited to the launch of the Smart Netphone.

On a branding note, I would've simply gone with SmartPhone, but then that's me.

Smart Communications has just recently launched it's own Android-powered smartphone (See? How cool would that have been?)

It's a 3.5", 600MHz model targeted as an entry-level Android device starting at Php 9,900++ (or roughly US$230 based on today's exchange rate of 42.50)  Thankfully it runs FroYo (Android 2.2) because this adds a LOT OF SPEED and stability over Eclair (Android 2.1).  Trust me, I've lived with 2.1 for almost a year now, it's neat and all, but you really feel the sluggishness of the software.  Great decision to use 2.2 instead!

Decent specs for an entry-level model.  What I do find interesting is the unique app exclusive to the Smart Netphone.   The app is a combination of services custom built by Smart for people that are just starting mobile computing.

One of the major hindrances of 3G/4G data services in the Philippines is cost.  Without a data plan, a subscriber could easily be slapped with a Php40,000 or higher bill due to the fact that current smartphones connect to the internet for almost all their functions.  Smart solves this by having a widget data manager to control data costs.  Unlike generic data apps, this one is specific for Smart's services and prices so you only spend as much as you want to.

The other great part of the app is what they call the Social Stream.  Currently tied to Facebook and Twitter, it allows you to view your Facebook Status and Twitter streams for only Php1.00 (yes, 1 peso).  What it does is isolate Facebook and Twitter streams from the rest of the internet services.  This allows you to disable mobile data charges, but continue to Facebook and Tweet all day!

Over-all I think it's a decent entry-level Android.  Thumbs up to Smart for the cost-management app and custom social stream ticker.  Although a bit on the pricey side, Smart says they have intentions of introducing lower cost NetPhones in the future.  I think this is a great campaign because they're helping consumers try out the benefits of mobile internet without hiding costs or secretly charging customers without knowing how much they're actually spending!

Jump! Smart-PLDT's Technology Center

Smart and PLDT have set up a new customer center called "jump" in Megamall.  This showcases current and upcoming telecom tech in the Philippines.  Customers are allowed to play with gadgets and test them out.  Outfitted with touchscreen tables and some of the latest gadgets, gadget lovers would enjoy coming here.  It even showcases some phones (such as the SonyEricsson xperia ray) that are not yet on the market.  Drop by!