TRAFFIC!!!! -There's now an app for that!-

For most Filipinos, traffic is a way of life. The average Pinoy commute is about 15-20km (or about 10-15 miles) this easily translates to a 45 min commute by car (yes, 45 min) Now, radio traffic reports are pretty useless, telling you that's it's traffic when you're already STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

Wouldn't it be great if we had a system similar to the ones abroad that show the traffic status before we leave the house or office?  Well, the MMDA is slowly rolling out a very competent online traffic status system.

Still in public beta, it has saved me at least 8 hours a week by giving me information on whether to leave now, wait it out, or take an alternate route.

The system is pretty convenient... the traffic info for 9 of the major roads in Metro Manila are now online via:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

iOS app

Android app

The apps are very nice to have if you have mobile internet, the website gives further details on any accidents and road work being done, and the Twitter account provides alternate route suggestions.

Great work to the MMDA for this app!

大阪からのご挨拶！

I'm on holiday for a few days here in Osaka, Japan.

Gonna check out all the gadgets here...

so far, no BLACK Xperia ray in the shops...

but there are a whole lot of people with Xperia Arcos...

COOL!

Travel Tech: A Pacsafe 85L Review

I bring a lot of stuff when I travel.  A lot of hotels have in-room safes, others don't... specially when you're backpacking around a city or country.  One of the most useful travel gadgets I own is a Pacsafe 85L safety mesh bag.

Essentially a steel cage that you can wrap around any existing bag or backpack.  The long security cable can be fastened around a post or rail to prevent snatching.

Simply place it over your bag, tighten the securing cable lock, and padlock (it comes with a Pacsafe padlock & key, but I upgraded mine to a Pacsafe TSA combination lock instead)

It gets you funny looks at airport security, but eventually becomes a topic of conversation with security personnel.

It's not 100% fool-proof, anyone with wire or bolt cutters will be able to get to your bag, but it will deter a lot of pick-pockets and casual thieves, specially when traveling by train in other countries.

Highly recommended for backpackers and adventurers that want to keep their stuff safe while on the move.

**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.**