September 2007 Archives

The MIT-engineered One Laptop Per Child computer that was widely praised for costing just a hundred bucks now costs almost twice that, according to the non-profit group in an announcement last Friday. The OLPC laptop is meant for international release for schoolchildren in depressed and developing countries, in a noble effort to improve education. Among its benefits, aside from the low cost, is low power consumption, built-in wifi, a display readable even in bright sunlight and a mechanism to charge it by hand via a crank. Initial customer-countries are Brazil, Libya, Thailand and Uruguay. From $100, the price has crept up to $130, then $148, then $176, and now stands at $188, and there is no end in sight yet for the computer being manufactured by Quanta Computer Inc. of Taiwan. Spokesman George Snell of OLPC says that rising component costs and currency fluctuations are driving the costs up, but says the group will try to not let it get past $190. For now they have a buffer of $2. It was too good to be true anyway. Let's all continue to pray for the project's success.

Reports have come out that Apple has tweaked the new iPods (Classic, Touch, nano) so that iTunes breaks when you use the Linux operating system. Some folk who like Linux a whole lot (or dislike Apple in general) have repurposed the older iPods to run off Linux instead, but Apple seems to have inserted new code into the iTunes DB file in the player in the hidden i_PodControl/iTunes folder that disables the database and shows exactly zero songs on the player. Knowing the usual suspects, this qualifies as a minor nuisance. After the iPhone, this should be a piece of cake. But still. Hackers are at work on it already. Click here for more details on the issue.

Probably one of the most pirated applications available today, next to Microsoft Windows, is Adobe Photoshop. For one reason or another, everyone just seems to want one regardless if he or she really needs it. Unfortunately, those who wish to avail of one through legal means but are a bit short on cash, instead of looking for more affordable alternatives, immediately turn to the dark side and resort to the most convenient method, albeit illegal. So here’s a bit of good news for those Adobe loyalists who aren’t really looking for the full gamut of Photoshop features. Adobe is currently hard at work in developing Photoshop Express, a free online photo editing site aimed at making available to anyone and anywhere some basic photo editing tools to those who can’t get a hold of Photoshop. Can this site totally replace Photoshop? The answer is a resounding no as most of its features are pretty basic and its user interface is totally different than the standalone program. Watch out for this site when it is officially launched as it will surely make for fine competition with sites like Flickr that also offer online editing tools.

Do you love Mobile TV but just can’t get the hang of using the N92 because of its bulky size? Well, Nokia’s got the solution for you. Welcome the N77 DVB-H phone. It’s capable of providing you all the Mobile TV you want in a more compact and easier-to-use size with excellent screen resolution and sound quality. If it looks familiar, that’s because it more or less sports the same physical attributes as the N73 minus the Carl Zeiss optics and lens cover at the rear. After the debut of the N92 last month, this is the second mobile phone from Nokia to have Mobile TV via DVB-H, and we're willing to bet that it won't be the last. Compared to its heftier brother, it’s are fewer. Wifi connectivity is not available on this unit and the screen is a bit smaller. However, you do get a unit that’s easier to carry around without attracting too much attention, which is good, especially if you don’t want to be the next victim of lurking thieves. Watch out for the full review in the upcoming November-December issue of Mobile Philippines.

Water, without a doubt, is the source of all life, but for our beloved gadgets, it is the venom that will most likely end its electronic existence. Thank God for companies like SwimMan who are in the business of water-proofing mp3 players and headphones.

As a treat for iPod Shuffle fanatics, they’ve come up with the first fully water-resistant 2^nd generation Shuffle. Yes, you can completely submerge this DAP up to 10 feet deep without worrying about damage from water. Say goodbye to those bulky waterproof cases or those cheap unreliable plastic covers. With the 100 % water-proofed iPod Shuffle, you’re sure to have your tunes by your side whereever you go. Take it to the beach, the pool or even in your shower. They sell water-proofed Shuffles and headphones, or you can send them your own shuffle and they'll water-proof it for you.

This is great especially now that it’s the rainy season again and you never know when it’s going to pour. With a water-proofed iPod, you don’t have to worry if it gets wet or not. Your other electronic device, the mobile phone, sad to say, isn’t as fortunate unless it's one of those ancient dust-proof, shock-proof and splash-guarded models.

SwimMan currently doesn't ship to Asia, but I'm sure you have relatives or friends in the US. So, if you really want one, I bet you can find a way to get one.

Places such as Time Zone and Worlds of Fun have become favorite hangouts of teenagers and kids-at-heart for the many games they offer, and the prizes they can win from either tickets they collect or the assortment of crane games available. Come on, don’t tell you’ve never tried those crane games before, trying to win a huge stuffed toy for your girlfriend or a Nintendo Gameboy Advance for yourself? Well, in New Jersey, they’ve taken this game to a whole new level by including the Nintendo Wii and the much coveted iPhone as prizes. You heard me right, those crazy dudes in the US decided use those gadgets as bait for arcade junkies of all ages. Maybe it’s a long shot, but if you do get lucky, think of how much you’ll save by just playing a crane game? Maybe the folks at Time Zone will take their lead or maybe world peace will be achieved next month. Hey, we’re free to dream, right?

Probably trying to amass hype close to what the iPhone is enjoying, Euro Palm has decided to follow the route which many have tried before to attract interest and become the talk of the town: unbiased, totally random raffle prizes. Yes, they are giving away Palm smartphones, but as to what model, no one knows. Safe to say that it will be the latest off the production line, but its performance and exact specifications is anyone’s guess. Early rumors pointed to the Palm Centro, but Palm's Stephanie Richardson posted a note on their blog hinting that "it's a Bird, it's a Plane, it's not a Centro." Well, one thing's for certain, for those residing in one of the countries listed in the teaser website of Palm, you stand to win five of this yet-to-be-released gadget. Could it be the next big winner for Palm or another dud that fails to meet the hype? Only time will tell. But, hey, if it’s free, why not take the chance, right? Come to think of it, local distributors should take a hint from Euro Palm and maybe the local tech scene can be abuzz once againâ€

In the wake of recent gadget releases like the new iPhone-ish iPods, the release tomorrow of the next iteration of the Sony Playstation Portable, the PSP2, also known as the Slim and Light PSP, is decidedly underwhelming and anticlimatic, particularly due to the new and innovative features (or lack of them). And beside the still-peaking (after all this time) Nintendo DS, the Sept. 10 release of the PSP2 is like a mildly interesting side attraction in the gaudy carnival of gadgetry for 2007. The PSP-S150, as it is formally known, is actually interesting in that Sony managed to shave off nearly a third of the weight and nearly a fifth of the thickness of the original (hence the nickname slim and light), loads faster and lasts longer, but basically that's it (aside of course from the new video-out feature, which turns it basically into the smallest PS2 in the world). A bit like the iPod Classic in upgrade terms, but certainly nowhere near the class of an iPod Touch update. When launched at E3 earlier, people were disappointed - they were expecting a bigger, better screen, if not a touchscreen already, more memory, and the loss of the reviled UMD media. Instead we get slim and light. Expected to hit stores tomorrow, it costs US$199, is available in black, white and silver, and comes bundled with a 1gb Memory Stick and Star Wars Battlefront, as of last reports. Whoopee. Expect a full review in Mobile Philippines soon.

For the few unbelievers out there, here's actual video of an iPhone unlock, courtesy of our colleagues at Engadget:

In what could be one of the biggest moves the company has ever made, Palm has decided not to push through with its controversial Foleo mobile companion device. Despite the fact that they have already introduced it back in May, it will no longer go into full production. Ed Colligan, Palm CEO, left a message at their official blog stating the official discontinuation of the Foleo so that they can focus on delivering out the "next generation platform and the first smartphones that will carry this to the market." However, the whole idea of the Foleo isn’t extinct yet as they also noted that a Foleo II based on the new platform is still part of their plan. For those unaware of the Foleo, it was Palm’s perfect mobile companion to the Treo. Early specifications included Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, and was expected to run on the Linux OS platform. It was said to provide fast, simple and intuitive navigation; instant on and off; and real-time synchronization with the paired smartphone. Priced at $499, it was either a very expensive accessory or a very lackluster laptop. Palm fanboys had mixed reactions when the Foleo was announced as some were looking forward to it, while others simply wanted something more substantial and worthy of their hard-earned money. Well, Palm has finally laid this issue to rest with the abortion of the Foleo. May it rest in peace.

Apple just concluded another event, and boy, iPod lovers were treated to not just one, but two new toys to drool over. The iPod Touch inherits the beauty of the dominant touchscreen from the iPhone and Wifi connectivity, while the new iPod Nano gets an upgrade with a larger display and improved user interface, despite shrinking in size.

Personally, the new Nano looks like an obese kid due to its wide size brought about by its large screen. Feature wise, however, this new kid isn't a slacker because it packs in most of the video iPod's features in its redesigned body.

The iPod Touch, on the other hand, can easily be mistaken for the iPhone and is, in reality, a stripped down version of the mobile phone. Of course, being the maiden models of this new series, capacity-wise, the 8 GB and 16 GB model fails in comparison to current iPod models that come in 30+ GB sizes.

Other announcements include the beefing up of the iPod classic’s storage to 80 and 160 GB, the iPod Shuffle (Red) edition, and the new iTunes Wifi Music Store service, and a tie-up with Starbucks.

Oh, and for those iPhone seekers, Steve also slashed prices of the 8 GB model from $599 to just $399. Available immediately from their online and retail stores. Of course, this is limited to the US only. It could make a mighty fine pasalubong, don't you think?

Along with the new services offered by Nokia, like a bunch of unsigned NBA-bound potentials, these new phones were graciously introduced to the public in hopes of garnering enough interest to be the next pick for your mobile phone line up.

The Nokia 5310 Xpress Music phone carries on the tradition with the signature music controls found beside the screen, but now comes in a much slimmer and more compact form factor. It's got a 2-inch QVGA display, microSD card support and a 2-megapixel camera. It's not 3G-enabled, but that means the price won't be that high either.

The 5610 Xpress Music phone, on the other hand, is a slider that looks quite similar to the star of the night, the N81. What’s unique to this phone is the new slider button which allows for easy navigation through playlists, gallery and the main menu. It comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera and a secondary one for video calls, 3G, and a large 2.2-inch display.

Now, on to the new N-baby of the family. The release of the N81 confirmed the truth to an earlier postthat mentioned the retention of most N-series features. Nokia, however, added something new to the table by announcing that it would be available in two variants: an internal 8GB version and microSD card version. Kind of reminiscent to the whole Music/Internet edition of the early N-series, but they never released both versions at the same time. It would be interesting to find out how the market reacts to this move.

Last, but not the least, they also unveiled the N95 Black edition with 8GB of heaping memory, a larger 2.8-inch screen, improved battery life and TV-out.

So, which phone's your No.1 pick?

I thought the whole point of the shuffle was to make the most affordable, minimalist digital music player around, but apparently some folk think otherwise. See the Heyerdahl special edition diamond-encrusted, pink and white gold iPod shuffle called the iDiamond. Currently on display in Oslo until October 1, the not-for-sale, one-of-a-kind digital music player's casing and earbuds are made of white and pink gold and are studded with 430 diamonds (they'd have fitted it with more, I think, but it was too small.) It's currently valued at US$41,000, or almost PHP1.9M. Would be a mighty shame to load this up with pirated MP3. More details here. (Cross-posted in Mac-A-Doodle)

Back in the days when the coolest phone was the Nokia 5110, everyone was trying to outclass one another by either having the best housing for their phone or the highest score in Snake. Well, those days are long gone and I doubt if anyone is vaguely interested in Snake anymore especially with the current crop of gaming consoles and devices available to consumers. However, this doesn’t mean that Nokia is conceding the throne in the gaming arena as it relaunches and repackages N-Gage, its premiere line of game-centric phones … sort of. It used to be a product, but now they’re launching it anew as a service for downloading games for compatible phones. You no longer will be limited to those Gameboy-looking phones which, in all honesty, doesn’t feel and function like a phone anyway. Now, you can play your favorite N-gage games on your own Nokia phone without having to buy a new phone and game cartridges or discs. Part of the Ovi web portal which Nokia recently launched, the site is already up, but the service is set to go full throttle in November. Of course, the downloads aren’t free so you Nokia-loving game-junkies better start saving, cause here’s another addiction bound your way.

Further blurring the line between mobile phones and computers, Nokia has launched its new web portal that links its various new services with just a click of a button from either your PC or your own Nokia phone. Ovi is its name and is aimed at providing Nokia loyalists a one-stop site for all your mobile phone needs. From music to games to mini-maps, you name it. Along with the launch of Ovi, Nokia also introduced to the public its latest ventureâ€

A lot of the talk about iPhones being "finally" liberated from the Apple/AT&T tyranny and being unlocked for service anywhere in the world this past month have been either of two things: an incredibly complicated hack worthy only of the best hax0rz, or totally bogus. Of late, more and more of these stories are turning out to be more accurate (as in our previous post about Pinoys having the iPhones and using them too), but the rest of the world seems to be a bit more hard to convince. Well, CNN itself has stepped up to the plate and unconditionally confirms one specific instance, and declares to the planet, yes, Virginia, it's true, iPhones can be unlocked. CNN says in a report that some guys from iPhoneSIMFree.com are the real deal, and that they have been shown an actual physical demonstration, so yes, it must be true. Heck, we could've told them that. So, doubting Thomases, it's safe to get your relatives to score you an iPhone from the US, because you can now have it truly unlocked. So says CNN. See the CNN report here.

Trying to leech off the free internet in a mall and getting a blistering snail's pace most of time, have you ever wondered where the Philippines would be, internet speed-wise, in the grand scheme of things? Wonder no more. World Politics Review created a chart showing the relative ranking of countries as far as available broadband speeds went. We'd love to be in a Starbucks in Tokyo, but back here at home we'd be somewhere between Spain and the Czech Republic, we reckon: