Unboxing: LG G3

I recently got a new phone. I actually extended my contract with Globe Telecom for another 2 years. My plan was still the old MySuperSurf plan wherein I still get to have unli internet (it drops to 2G signal upon reaching the 3GB limit). I chose the newest smartphone in the planet, the LG G3. It actually was offered by Globe just a few weeks ago. I have been using it for about a week now and so far, I have no regrets.

I considered getting the Samsung S5. But since I was using the Samsung S3, I decided to try another brand. The only thing better with the S5 is that it was water and dust proof and the camera has bigger megapixels. But the G3 definitely also has tons of great features, in particular the large screen that looks better than HD. And because it's LG, I got a free 50GB cloud storage space on Box for life. When I bought the S3 2 years ago, I also got a 50GB cloud storage space on Dropbox, but it was only good for 2 years.

I won't tell all features of the LG G3, because you can easily check them out in various websites. But what I can say is that with the large "super HD" screen, I enjoy watching movies and reading books on the phone. Plus it's not too big for it to be a bit awkward when talking on the phone.

For new or old subscribers, Globe is offering the phone for free at Plan 1799 with 30 months locked-in period. For 24 months and below, there's a corresponding cash out. By the way, the Plan 1799 includes 5GB LTE internet, 55 minutes call to all networks and 1,100 text messages. Plus 6 months Spotify Premium membership and Gadget Care for a month.

And if you want to just buy the phone alone, many sites such as Kimstore offer it for about P26-28k. And I think LG and other mobile phone stores offer it for more than 30K, but with installment options.

Here are some photos of the unboxing:

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SM, Ayala Cinemas Online Tickets

Going to the movies is now made easier with the two biggest cinema chains allowing online purchase of tickets. Imagine buying tickets to your most awaited movie without having to line up. Plus you also get to choose the best seats.

I have tried the services of both SM and Ayala. And so far, both worked well. I did manage to get the best seats without having to line up and I arrived at the mall just in time for the trailers. However, I must say that though I prefer Ayala Mall Cinemas, SM has the more convenient online experience.

Both Ayala and SM charge P20 fee per ticket, but SM doesn't ask you to print your ticket. In fact, they will text the ticket to you and you'll just need to scan your phone to the 'scanner' right outside the theater and that scanner will print out the tickets for you. Ayala, on the other hand, will ask you to print your ticket at home. If you don't have a printer, you have to go to the ticket counter and ask them to print it for you. And before they print it, the counter lady will ask you to fill up a piece of paper with all the details.

In terms of 'less hassle', SM wins. But nonetheless, buying movie tickets online for both companies is now very convenient. I now wonder why so many people are still lining up.

Ayala Malls Cinema: www.sureseats.com
SM Cinema: www.smcinema.com

Ayala Malls Cinema ticket

SM Cinema ticket (via text)

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From Books to E-Books

I love reading books. I started reading novels when I was in high school. I would read the novels my mom has in the shelf. From then on, I would buy my own books, and she would be the one borrowing from me. I would have a mini library already if I combine all the books I bought and the books my mom owns. But many of the books were borrowed and not returned, some got lost since we had to move houses, and some were stored in boxes for a long time that termites took the pages.

But nevertheless, the love for books never faded. Every time I buy a book, I would smell its pages (Yes, I'm weird in that way). And every time I read, I try not to open the book too wide and I always check the edges and the sides of the book. I would also write my name and the the purchase date in the title page inside the book to mark my territory.

Then e-books came. I was never really into the idea of reading books via a computer. For me, it takes away the pleasure and the essence of reading. Until I got a smartphone... with a big screen. I never read an e-book right away, but the opportunity came when somebody gave me a copy of an e-book. That was 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' Don't judge me, but that's the very first e-book I read in full. :-)

That was a few months ago, then I stopped reading an e-book, not because I don't like it, but because I'm not yet ready to buy one. For me, If I need to shell out some cash, I'd like to physically touch the fruits of my money. Then just this past 2 weeks, I downloaded free e-books and I have read 2 so far: 'Life of Pi' and 'The Hobbit'. I also happen to have the movie copy of the 2 novels. I also recently bought a tablet and I bought my first e-book. It was a trial, so I opted for the cheapest one I saw, which was 'The Skeleton Key' by James Rollins. It was only $.99c.

Will I stop buying books? Definitely not. But I'm now more open to the changes in technology in the literary world. I just hope e-books prices will decrease, after all, no paper is used.

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Unboxing: Samsung Ativ Smart PC

I have always wanted to buy a tablet and a laptop. Which is why I have been eyeing the Asus Transformer series the whole year last year. From Transformer Prime to Transformer Pad to Transformer Infinity. Supplies in the Philippines however are very limited. Then came Windows 8. My eyes turned to the Asus VivoTab, which is similar to the Transformer series only it's Windows-powered. But stocks too were limited in the country.
Then came the Samsung Ativ Smart PC.
I have never really considered the Ativ when it was unveiled around October. But by December, I became a proud owner of the tablet/laptop convertible. The store where I bought it says they only have 2-3 available stocks left, so I bought it right away. And it has exactly been a month since then.

Here's what I like so far.

• It has a big screen compared to other tablets.
• But it is light and thin, just right.
• It comes with a stylus pen, which is great for note taking and drawing.
• It has a keyboard dock.
• It has 3 USB ports plus a Micro SD card slot.
• Windows 8 (as compared to Windows 8 RT), so basically it's really both a tablet and a laptop.

But of course, there are also downsides.

• It packs 64gb of space but only about 30gb can be used, since the Windows OS & pre-installed apps have already eaten a huge chunk of the space.
• Sometimes the speakers & stylus won't function, you have to restart the computer.
• Windows 8 -- so basically expect the usual Windows errors and glitches (Ex. I couldn't download apps for weeks due to several errors. I had to restore to factory settings twice.)

Generally, I'm happy with the Ativ. I just hope Windows and Samsung continue to send updates to correct some errors and to improve the overall experience. More Windows 8 apps would also be much appreciated.

Just to clarify, there is a much powerful version : the Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro, but of course that's more expensive.

Here are some unboxing photos:

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After 7 months: Samsung S3

I bought my Samsung Galaxy S3 when it was officially sold in the Philippines last June 1, 2012. I have been using it for almost 7 months now. And so far, I have no regrets. It's not perfect, but it has more good points than bad. It's been almost a year since it was launched worldwide, many phones have already been introduced including the iPhone 5, but I think the S3 remains to still be among the smartphones to beat.


Good Points
What I really like about the S3 is the screen. It really has one of the best screens in any mobile gadget. You can watch full HD movies, photos, play games and it's very bright (which you can adjust depending on your eyes). I thought I'll never use a mobile phone to watch movies, but I did with the S3 and the experience was not bad.
Though the phone is bigger than others, it still weighs less & it's very thin. But it's very easy to hold and feels very solid.
I also like the S Voice when using the Music Player. In my room, I just say 'next', 'stop' or 'play'. I also say 'shoot' when taking photos.
I also always use the Direct Call feature. And since it's Android, there's just so many apps, plus you can also  transfer music, movies from your computer to the phone.
There are other so many good features, but those mentioned are just some of the things I regularly use.

Bad Points
Like any product, there are also not-so good things found on the S3. The top would be sometimes it just hangs that I need to turn it off. Though this does not happen regularly, it still sucks if it happens.
I know the Camera of the S3 is among the best, but sometimes it doesn't capture that well. I don't know if it's just me or sometimes the picture quality is not that good considering the specs. There are times the photos are really awesome, but there are times it's not. I also don't use a lot of the features of the camera.

My reviews here are just based on my personal experience. The reviews are also not in full since I may have missed some features. If you have your own review, you can also post it below :)

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Unboxing: Samsung Galaxy SIII in the Philippines

My first attempt writing a tech post.
I finally have the world's latest and most advanced smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy SIII. It was launched in the Philippines last May 28, 2012. Globe gave out the first set of handsets during an event at the Mind Museum last June 1, 2012. Smart distributed the phone the next day.
I covered the June 1 event of Globe. There were only a limited number of phones that night. Globe representatives say, Globe received the first SIII phones in the country. I'm not really the type who needs to get the latest phone during the launch event, but I did that day.
Proud to say, I'm one of the first in the country to officially get a Samsung Galaxy SIII.


Here are my 'unboxing' photos:

The box was smaller than the iPhone box

features of S3 at the back of box

what's inside

finally, the phone

accessories

it's very thin and light

can't wait to check its features

The Samsung Galaxy SIII boasts of an 8-MP camera, a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display, 4G mobile connectivity, longer battery life, Quad Core CPU, and the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS. For Globe subscribers, it's free under Plan 2499 with 24-months lockout contract. The plan comes with unlimited internet, P1,500 consumable plus other freebies. For Smart, it's free under Plan 2000 with 30-months lockout contract. It offers 1GB of internet usage and consumable call and text messages. 

Samsung Galaxy SIII

the 2 photos taken by Tony Velasquez :)

NOTE: This is a personal post, not a sponsored article. I bought the phone as I renewed my subscription plan.

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Blogger App

Trying out this blogger iPhone app... Just discovered it, haha

Btw, thanks to GeiserMaclang for sending me a post birthday gift. Didn't expect it at all! Thanks!! :)

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Tech reporter

Last week I covered 3 events which are all tech-related. I feel I am now a technology/gadget journalist! :-) I covered the launch of Sandy Bridge, Intel's newest core processor, at WhiteSpace in Makati. I also went to the launch of the Acer Iconia new products- a dual touchscreen laptop and a tablet PC. My third coverage was a Globe Prepaid-sponsored event, the Campus Connect Super Showdown.

Anyway, here are 2 of my reports aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC)

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2010 World Robot Olympiad

2010 World Robot Olympiad

Manila, Philippines

Aired: November 8, 2010

ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC)

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