November 2005 Archives

Few people have heard of the GP32, mainly because it was supposed to be a primarily Korean phenomenon. Nevertheless, word --and units-- have gone out around the world over the past couple of years, and this was a good thing because this amazing little device could play games, MP3 music, even DivX videos, in a form factor that was reminiscent of a Game Boy Advance. And yet it was far superior to a GBA in terms of versatility, especially since it was an open source console. In fact, it was best known for its amazing number of emulators, including SNES, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Sega Genesis/SMS/Megadrive, Commodore 64, and even GBA! Enter the GP2X. This sub-10,000 peso followup from Korea's GamePark Holdings follows the GP32's legendary footsteps and offers much, much more. For one thing, this amazing device is not just a media player/gaming console. It is actually a full-fledged computer masquerading as a gaming device. It has dual CPU cores (!) -- namely an ARM920T host processor and an ARM940T video processor, 64MB of RAM and 64MB of NAND Flash memory, an SD card slot, USB 2.0 connector, 3.5" 320x240 TFT LCD screen, S-Video TV-Out, and can run videos for EIGHT HOURS. And, get this, it ships with the Linux OS. In short, this is an open source-lover's mobile dream come true. Use it as a DivX player, image viewer, play classic games on your TV (thanks to the sheer number of free emulators available), use it as your MP3 player (or OGG, or whatever music format you care for), or even develop games for it. It's hard not to rave about the GP2X. Stocks arrive first quarter of 2006, and it's guaranteed a cult following.

There is a new kid in the browser block and its name is Ghostzilla. Ghostzilla is a Mozilla-based browser whose tagetted users are those that surf the 'net at the office. This browser opens up in any active window on your desktop and it automatically hides itself whenever you move your mouse away from the opened browser window. To make it re-appear again, rapidly move the mouse pointer from left to right to left again -- making sure that the pointer "touches" both the left and right edge. If you have several active programs open in your desktop, Ghostzilla will magically appear on the front-most active window. Once it is activated, the webpage you are surfing on looks unobtrusive and a casual observer will not even guess that you are on the 'net. Since you are busy reading the contents on-screen, they may simply assume that you are busy working. Slick huh??? The animation below shows how Ghostzilla basically works (the animated gif is from the Ghostzilla Site) Ghostzilla looks like its still in its early versions but as it is, it is quite usable if you are not surfing on graphics-intensive sites. Great for browsing blogs (like this one) since it works well with websites with a lot of texts in it. Since this browser is based on Mozilla, its a bit more secure than IE.

UPDATE: You can subscribe to the Philippine Podcasts by following these instructions, care of Elbert from PhilMUG: Fire up iTunes, select Advanced from the menu and Subscribe to podcast... Then enter the following URL: http://www.microwarehouse.com.ph/podcast.xml From there, you can 'Get' any of the available Pinoy podcasts. Woot! I just love good news. It's news like this that makes me proud to be Pinoy. You see, I just came from an event of monumental proportions - the launch of the Philippine Podcasting Network. Since you all read our mag, you must already know that podcasting is the newest medium of broadcasting that empowers anybody to have a voice over the airwaves. Spearheaded by Microwarehouse, a total of 25 original local podcasts will be uploaded into the iTunes Music Store, thereby allowing anyone around the world to get a glimpse of the rich Filipino culture. We'll give you an update as to when these podcasts will go live on iTunes, all ready for download - for free! Some of the more interesting podcasts include Jessica Zafra's Twisted (she's abandoned traditional media ladies and gents so this is the only place you'll hear her), the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism channel, Gayspeak by Danton Remoto, The Fully Booked book reviews, Red Box Greatest Karaoke Hits (hehe!), and the timeless Kahapon Lamang by local broadcasting luminary Eddie Ilarde. We also got several friends who contribute to our magazine with their very own podcasts. You can listen in on The Fabulous! Podcast by Dominique James as well as the PhilMUG and Podcentral podcasts. Of course, we at m|ph also have our own podcast. Since you'll have to wait a few more days, we've decided to upload it onto our site. You can download our first podcast HERE. Booya!

In its continuing bid to take over the world (or at least the internet), Google has launched yet another service called Google Analytics. Google Analytics enables website owners to analyze the traffic going into their website. Site owners/webmasters need to register on the Analytics site and, once registered, a code/script will be generated. This code needs to be placed on the site and, once it's in place, an analysis of web traffic into the said website will be given by Google. Here's a sample google Analytics stats that I got for my fledgling blog: Pretty cool, huh? Oh, and Google Analytics gives more graphs than the screenshot shown above, but I would have to monopolize this page in order to show them all. In fact, the data given by Google Analytics can truly help those who want to generate more traffic for their websites. Anyway, I wonder how the m|ph blog's stats would look like when analyzed by Google?

Some time ago, Sony issued a controversial memo announcing that no more than 20 CD titles have been released containing what was called an XCP protection software that was similar to Microsoft's DRM technology. As it turns out, there's more to it than meets the eye. XCP is a rootkit-style software that installs itself deep into the computer without the consent of the user. Hmm. Wait a minute. Sounds more like malware to me! In fact the entire world has reached a concensus that this XCP rootkit is indeed a virus that can become a security threat to Windows itself. Microsoft has declared the XCP as hazardous to MS Windows because not only can it disable your CD-ROM drive, but it also opens a gateway to a wide-spreading virus for Windows. It's so rampant that Symantec has released a security response to remove the XCP-drawn virus.

The software giant said a key part of the XCP copy protection system counted as malicious software under the rules it uses to define what Windows should be protected against. It plans to include detection and removal tools for parts of XCP in its weekly anti-spyware software update. The news came as Sony BMG suspended production of CDs that use XCP.

How exactly does XCp destroy your CD-ROM drive?

Sony's anti-piracy program installer pops up when you drop one of these content-protected CDs into your drive. If you agree to install it, there is no "uninstall" feature. Russinovich was able to use his knowledge of rootkits and the Windows operating system to zero in on the offending driver files needed to run the software. Unfortunately, he found that removing the program also erased the system files that power his CD-ROM drive, rendering it useless.

c/o Brian of Security Fix (Washington Post Blog) There is a partial list here and here of albums that contain this XCP copy protection. These albums include titles such as Foo Fighters' In Your Honor and Switchfoot's Nothing Is Sound. Sony claimed that these copy-protected CD's number no more than 20 titles but from indie surveys and blogger counts, the number is in the 50's. It has to be noted that the XCP protection scheme was only used in CD's sold in the United States. Is this a preview of things to come? With the bad publicity the XCP DRM has generated, Sony might have to rethink their overall strategy for world domination as well as make several apologies suspending the DRM technology bundled in their CD's.

I've just proven to myself, once again, that I don't know everything, despite my vanity and imagined proficiency with certain things, specially with Macintoshes and Mac OS X. I'm coming across a lot of these things in my old age, and I'm learning to dial down my know-it-allness more and more these days. Like this little tip I discovered a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes you come across the Apple Quicktime video file that has irritatingly low sound levels, and even if you jack up the volume as high as you can, it's still not enough. Even if you raise the main volume levels via preferences, you still have to shush the room and stick your ear against the speaker to hear anything. Wouldn't it be great if you could somehow just pump up the volume even more, just this once? Actually, I found out that you can, on Macs using recent versions of Mac OS X. It's a simple trick, really. All you need to do is hold down [shift] while you click on that volume icon, and the OS allows you higher levels of volume beyond the standard limits. Of course if you do this to an already loud sounding file you risk blowing out your speakers, but that's your lookout. (Maybe that's why this little trick is, as far as I know, undocumented. Of course, I'm of the "If all else fails, RTFM" school, so I might have just missed it and no one bothered to tell me.) I just feel a bit dumb for not knowing the tip after all this time using Macs, and I suppose a whole bunch of you more seasoned Mac users out there know this already. I've had to, on occasion, load up the file in Final Cut Express, raise the gain then save back the file, just to make the thing louder. Sheesh. Knowing this would've saved me a whole lot of trouble. Haven't had a chance to check if this Quicktime feature is available with the Windows version (and I'm sure someone will chime in and tell us), but it sure works great on OS X. Just one of those little things that are nice to know, so if you didn't before, well, now you do.

The latest issue your favorite mobile tech lifestyle magazine, Mobile Philippines (m|ph), is out! Have we got some pretty spiffy devices thoroughly reviewed for you: get to know the soul-stirring iPod nano; the pocket-friendly Nokia 1110 and Nokia 1600; the music-fueled Motorola E680i "DJ Moto"; the videocam-like Nokia N90; the big-screen Archos AV700 portable media player; and a trio of Sony Walkman units, namely the Network Walkman NW E505, the Network Walkman HD5 and the amazing Sony Ericsson W800i music phone. We also go back in time to take a peek at a quick history of portable music players, spanning the old analog days to today's digitals, as well as a history of portable memory devices. And just to complete the picture of having old geezers recall their younger days (Jayvee might object to this), the m|ph editors recall their very first mobile devices, some of which ought to belong in museums by now. Beyond the memories, this issue also introduces you to a singular voice talent and recording studio that specializes in podcasts. There's also a closer look at the surprising alliance between Palm and Microsoft, as well as a roundup of a bunch of mice that just happened to scurry by (some of which are optical). Oh, and stalwart editor Jason de Villa introduces the younger gen to a history of m|ph the magazine. And one more thing (with apologies to Steve Jobs). There's something different about m|ph, or more precisely our publishing group, starting this month. Can you spot it? It's out in the stands now, folks, so please do get yourselves a copy. If this issue doesn't jog your memory, we don't know what will. :)

The latest Mobinet study of consulting group A.T. Kearney is out, and, while the global study takes a generally positive view for the growth of mobile cellular data services, it paints a bleak picture as well for telecoms that are hoping to offer streaming videos over our cell phones. The upside: According to the Mobinet 2005 study, people with multimedia handsets are willing to pay more for multimedia services. In fact, there was a 57 percent growth in global music downloads via mobile services, a figure that is topped by Japan, China and South Korea. The downside: People aren't as interested in getting TV services over their phones. This could be a downer for telecom operators such as Bayantel (see related entry here), particularly if they hope to lure a market by offering "Mobile TV" services. But there's still hope. Those below 18 years of age do not mind paying in order to access music videos via their phones, while the rest of the market are willing to pay for real-time or time sensitive content, particularly news feeds (which appeal most to those in their mid-30s to late-50s). Moral of the story: Telecom operators that are trying to feed off the youth market will have to establish tie-ups with music video providers (MTV perhaps?). On the other hand, the best way to hit the professionals market is by focusing on real-time news feeds. As I've mentioned in an earlier entry, this is where Bayantel's ANC News can become a very strong asset, being the most competent 24-hour news video service in the Philippines today. You can read the results of the Mobinet 2005 study here.

Creative has come out with a thing of beauty with the Creative Zen Vision. A 30GB personal media player, the Vision comes in a gorgeous matte black and gray finish that feels almost sensuous (am I allowed to say that here?). It sports a crisp 3.7" 640x480 transflective LCD screen, plays back practically all the major video file formats, and even sports a CompactFlash card slot. And we have it here to unpack! The first thing that will greet you upon opening the box of the Creative Zen Vision is the requisite slew of quick-starts, installation CDs and the user's manual, all resting on a pair of foldaway flaps. Pull out the flaps and inside you will find, ta-daaah, the Creative Zen Vision, cocooned in a protective styro wrap and resting on an eggcrate mount. Take off the eggcrate mount and inside, the next thing that you will see is the Vision's faux velvet drawstring pouch. Not as impressive as seeing a hardcase inside, but at least Creative was thoughtful enough to include it. Take out the pouch as well as the cardboard base beneath it and you will find the accessories, consisting of (from left to right): USB cable, Creative earphones (featuring a metal-post design), AV connectors, and AC power adapter. Oh, and just one more thing. Before anything else, don't forget to take out the Vision's battery pack and remove the protective plastic tab from the battery terminals. If you don't do this, your Vision won't be able to charge and you'd be wondering if you got yourself a dud unit. And there you have it, the Creative Zen Vision. Unpacked. It's a stylish personal media player with an impressive form factor and excellent build quality. You can read all about the Creative Zen Vision, including its various pros and cons, in the December issue of m|ph magazine.

Microsoft is offering software development tools for *free* at its website. Yup! The so-called "evil empire" is offering an "Express" version of Visual Studio and MS SQL Server 2005 for free and it can be downloaded here. This is welcome news for new programmers since license costs for both software can add up to a couple of thousands of pesos to acquire. With these tools, newbie programmers can learn to create .NET applications which is quite marketable these days. A friend of mine said that it's about time that Microsoft did this since they are being clobbered by the free offerings by the Open Source community with its plethora of free development tools and database engines. Will this open up new markets for these Microsoft products? Time can only tell...

Do we need another cellular operator? Maybe, maybe not, but Bayantel is about to enter the Philippine mobile arena. Bayantel has had a useable cellular licence since 2002 and has been sitting on it for far too long. First of all, because mobilizing a mobile network is going to be a big financial strain for this struggling telecom firm. But more important, there doesn't seem to be a reason for them to enter the mobile market in the first place. After all, how can one compete with the two top mobile titans, Globe and SMART, as well as Sun's Unlimited Plan services? The answer: 3G. Which is still a big gamble for a cash-strapped telecom firm, particularly when Globe seems serious with offering its own 3G services as well. But it's doable. Why? Because 3G services will rely on content. And one of Bayantel's biggest strengths lies in its connection to the Lopez Group's broadcast powerhouse, ABS-CBN. With the ABS-CBN link, a Bayantel 3G phone network can offer content such as 24-hour news video feeds courtesy of the ANC channel, movies from the Filipino Channel, and perhaps even a soap opera or two on the go. And of course, you can get a 24-hour video pass into the house of Pinoy Big Brother. Groan. A tie-up with the Lopez-leaning SkyCable network will also provide even more content, particularly from the popular Lifestyle Network. The next question now is how to put these together into a workable business model. For one thing, will people actually pay for videos that are streamed into their phones? And if so, how much is a reasonable rate? And what about the competitive response? If I were Globe Telecom, here's what I'd do: Get as many media affiliations as I could muster before SMART gets them. This means putting together exclusive content agreements with TV powerhouse GMA-7, as well as tie-ups with Solar Entertainment and perhaps international content service providers as well. Just to be safe. But as far as I can see, thus far the killer content would still come from the Lopez group. Which means that they do have a good chance of dominating a 3G content-based world. Assuming people actually pay for the content, that is. Oh, and if I were SMART, here's what I'd do: Buy Bayantel.

I know you’ve all been wondering about this so we decided to do a comparison between the 2.0 MP cameras of the Carl Zeiss equipped Nokia N90 and the Sony Ericsson W800i (same as the K750's camera). At first glance the N90 looks like a clear winner because of its swivel lenss and powerful macro as seen with this shot: However, the N90's colors were also slightly more saturated. Tones were generally lighter and "dreamy" as compared to the day shots of the W800i. In terms of looking for "what's better," well it's all up to what you're looking for. There were some more dramatic shots I could take with the N90 that I couldn't do with the W800i. Check this glared photo out. You can see the comparison here with the W800i's clear colored portrait versus the dreamy-like N90 portrait of my dog. Now, Sony Ericsson was a lot easier to use in the dark, according to GSM Arena's own tests:

"In the dark we had to take pictures with Nokia N90 blindly. The scene is lightened just for a moment only when you press the shutter release button. When you use Sony Ericsson with flash support the support diodes light up first, so you can see roughly what you are photographing; the phone focuses itself on a closer distance."

Slashphone also did a short comparison of the N90 and W800i cameras. There's also a very detailed one over at GSM Arena. One thing that ups the value of the N90 is its video playing capability. You can actually turn this into your home digital video recorder. Download and watch this Quicktime video to see what I mean. This 5.1MB video is hosted by our friendly Cellphone9 blog. You can read the full review of both the W800i and the N90 in the upcoming issue of m|ph which is due in stands next week. Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: If you would look at the title, it specifically states Clueless' which means that this article is geared for those who are not that knowledgeable, and is not an article written by the "clueless". --- 'Tis the season again. Companies will be handing out (or doling out?) the Christmas Bonuses to their hardworking drones and one of the most asked questions I get during this season are the following: * Is it okay to get a 2nd hand cellphone? It really looks good! * Is the laptop that is posted at bidshot a good buy? * A friend is selling his PDA, should I get it? * A desktop PC is being sold by an officemate for only [insert amount here], is the price reasonable? There is no definite answer to such queries so I decided to write down stock/generic answer here. There are a couple of things to think about before getting a Pre-Owned (actually a euphemism for 2nd Hand) gadget: 1. Look at the general appearance of the merchandise. It should look good, especially if you think that the price the seller is asking for is a bit high. 2. Looks can be deceiving. Test out the merchandise in question. Make sure that it still does what it was designed to do. If possible, "burn it in" and no, it doesn't mean that you need to put it in an oven for testing. It simply means that you should test it for a long period of time (not just for a few minutes). It should still work even if it is left running for a few hours. 3. Check for completeness. Most, if not all, bundled accessories and peripherals should be included with the merchandise. Stolen gadgets are often sold as "unit only" and buying them will make you liable under the Anti-fencing law. 4. Buy from reputable sellers and if possible, someone you personally know. Should anything goes very wrong with your purchase, you should be able to easily get in touch the seller. 5. And lastly, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Make sure that you know what you are getting into when buying pre-owned gadgets. Make sure that you really need it and there is a need for it. Look at the price. If the price of the pre-owned item is not too far off the price of a brand new one, save up and get the brand new stuff! These are just a few tips. I will follow this entry up with particular things to look for when buying specific gadgets. Till then, happy shopping and don't spend that bonus in one big splurge! --- Disclaimer Part Deux: This has been originally posted on my personal tech blog.

Time was when I used Chikka with a little twinge of guilt. That's because it allowed me to send text messages to my friends for free. ...And to top it off, I always ended my messages with "<chikka>" just to remind my textees that they should not reply to my message lest they get charged P2.50. Which of course essentially blows the entire Chikka business model of feeding off these paid replies to your free texts. So I guess I was quite relieved when Chikka started implementing a policy where you cannot text further to anybody unless that person replies at least once. That... kind of removes a bit of the guilt from my hands, heheh. Masquerading as an "anti-spam" feature, this new tweak prevents people like me from taking advantage of poor Chikka to the hilt. Bottom line is, it prunes out all those folks who refuse to reply to a Chikka message at all. Of course, this won't prune out tightwads who only reply once in their lifetimes, just for compliance. So just the same, I still end my messages with "<chikka>" (or just "<c>" once the textee gets the hang of it). Because, heck, I AM a cheapskate.