Monday, January 30, 2012

Wireless Mobile Internet

If your planning to get one, don't expect performance to be at par with wired (DSL or Cable) internet. So don't expect to use it for your "torrenting" needs.

Wireless Mobile Internet was designed for mobile computing. That's why I believe that dreaming for a fast mobile wireless speed is rubbish. What's the point of aiming for a 20Mbps speed, when most would just used it on their cellphones, browsing or updating their social networking status.

It's the businesses that will benefit fast wireless internet. Unfortunately, most of us equate fast wireless internet to an easy fix of downloading torrents. And if you don't know the factors that can affect connection speeds on a wireless connection, then you better just shut up and subscribe to a wired connection.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Offline Gmail for Ice Cream Sandwich

Don't know if it was present in Honeycomb, but I just noticed it after the upgrade. Sweet!

Friday, January 20, 2012

2 days of Ice Cream Sandwich

So far so good! Noticed a significant increase in responsiveness to touch, taps and launching apps. The teal highlights and new color palette sure is a welcome sight. And of course, the Roboto font gives more detail and better reading environment.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What's New in Ice Cream Sandwich part 1

The splash screen is different. It's not the fluctuating, hypnotic purple honeycomb anymore, now it's more like the yellow, red, orange, blue flakes blasting out of a windows logo (I don't know why but that's what I can think of). Of course the Roboto font which is very noticeable system wide. In honeycomb, to unlock a device, just drag the encircled padlock outside the bigger circle, now you can only drag the padlock to either the left, which will open the camera app right away, or to the right, which will totally unlock the device. In the notifications bar, instead of tapping the "x" to dismiss, now, you have to "flick" or slide the notification to dismiss. Also, the glowing blue of honeycomb has been replaced with a brighter teal and a more dynamic set of icons on the task bar.

Motorola Xoom Ice Cream Sandwich Update

I've been expecting this since ICS was announced. Last week, Motorola sent an email to Xoom Wifi owners that are members of the Xoom support forum that Motorola will conduct a "project" involving the device and it's owners. The project turned out to be private beta testers for the release build of Ice Cream Sandwich. The "project" was started at the end of the week, to span the whole weekend to test the build for any problems that users might encounter. This is a pretty quick test really.

Expecting that this is really ICS, I kept on check for any updates over the weekend (although I'm not part of the private beta testers), hoping to catch an update. No news either was being put out on when the real update will come out. Early this afternoon, I was wondering why my internet connection was a bit slow, since browsing bored me, I played around the Xoom and when I got to the System Update part of the settings, lo and behold, the device has downloaded most of the update and is in the verge of the reboot, though nothing in the download page says anything about ICS or what the update is all about.

After the install and reboot, the Roboto font greeted me in the installation proper, this confirmed my nerdgasm and a new splash sreen was flashing to my eyes. After it, my Motorola Xoom was new again! With Ice Cream Sandwich!!!

Progress Bar in BlackBerry Messaging app

I don't know if this has been here before, but I just found out while sending an email, you can highlight the message and a progress bar will hover giving you information as to how much was uploaded already. Nifty trick!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Send & Receive SMS from your Android Phone using your PC

Here are 3 applications (solutions) that I've used, which you might find useful when you're in the office or at home.

1.) Mightytxt


This one I've used the longest. It started as Texty and eventually evolved into Mightytxt. Install the app on your phone, then a counterpart extension is available for Chrome, which means you can use it in both Mac, Windows & Linux environments. It's been very accurate but a little slow to send sms. I don't know if you can call it an advantage, because even if your phone is not connected to the same wireless network, notifications will arrive/pop up on your desktop. So those who are on unlimited data plans, even if your phone is in the office, and your in the house, you can still get your messages (or until the battery lasts). So, if you're asking why I still have the two other apps below? Well, I want to get alerts on my Android tablet as well, which means, even when I'm on the road, with 2 phones and a tablet, it would be better if I don't have to bring out every gadget just to check my sms.

Which brought me to....
2.) MySMS

You also install an app on the phone. There's a Chrome app (not an extension) counterpart, but it's just an HTML5 site, which means, any device that has an HTML5 compatible browser (which is almost every browser out there)...which also means, I can use it on my non-Android tablet (BlackBerry Playbook), because Android tablets (Honeycomb & Ice Cream Sandwich) have their own app. Just like mightTxt your Android smartphone doesn't have to be in the same network for it to work, as long as the phone has data connection (wifi or data plan), it will work. 

And the last app that I'm trying out is....
3.) Airdroid

This one needs to have your phone on the same wireless network as the device you're going to use to access the phone. And no counterpart application is needed to be on the accessing device (e.g. tablet, pc). Because once the phone app has been activated, it will give you an IP address and a dynamic password which you'll type on any web browser, input the password, and you're connected to your phone. 

It's going to be a bit tricky because, you can use the mobile router function of the smartphone to link your accessing device (tablet) with the phone, but this will also increase the draining of the battery of the smartphone. But then again, it's another option right? Hope this helps.

Upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich

Yup! My Motorola Xoom is now running Android 4.0.3! Wooohooo!

The Roboto Font

Change in font is confirming the "suspicion"! Damn, good to have a GED (Google Experience Device)

Restarting

After the "surprise" update. Waiting for the reboot! Still in nerdgasm!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

mySMS

If you have a wifi only Android tablet & you also own an Android phone w/ data plan, you can send & receive text messages on the tablet with this application. Just install the app in both devices and off you go typing on your tablet.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 plus

I guess this is the real next generation Galaxy Tab. It's 7 inches, runs on Android and....it's a phone!

Handled one tonight and this tablet is thin and light. Very easy to lug around and since it's loaded with Honeycomb (and the potential Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade), you can do more things with it than the iPad. What I'm skeptic though is the use of the virtual keyboard. On how small it will be. I guess Swype and TouchPal keyboards will shine on this device. But mostly people will just be using the Tab to consume media rather than to create one.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

CES - Samsung's Smart Window - YouTube

CES - Samsung's Smart Window - YouTube: ""
now this is the future...it may be expensive now...but in 10yrs time...man! Wow!
'via Blog this'

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Can't connect to a landline using Globe cellphone

Right now I can't connect to any landline in Metro Manila while I can connect to my Globelines phone in the house. It keeps on either, disconnecting me, or No Circuits Available. I can connect to other Globe mobile numbers though. What's going on with Globe?

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Using your BlackBerry Smarphone as a remote control for the BlackBerry PlayBook on PlayBook OS 2 - YouTube

Using your BlackBerry Smarphone as a remote control for the BlackBerry PlayBook on PlayBook OS 2 - YouTube: ""
As I've said before, this Playbook OS2 will fill in my geek addiction for February especially it has this. The BlackBerry phone can act as a remote, keypad, trackpad, mouse for the Playbook.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 Native Email, Calendar & Contacts Demo! - YouTube

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 Native Email, Calendar & Contacts Demo! - YouTube: ""

Here's a preview of the upcoming Playbook OS2. It's a year delayed, but, according to RIM, is on time for the February release and will be available for free as a download for current Playbook owners and pre-installed to those who will buy the tablet come February.

The video features the native PIM applications on the Playbook. Note that this does not pass thru the Bridge app which means, it's accessible with or without a BlackBerry phone.

The Messaging app is a unified app where emails, status updates (twitter, linkedin) are found. It has also tabs to make composition of multiple emails rather easy. And as RIM is known for, the messaging app can hold both work and personal email at the same time.
'via Blog this'

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Wireless Internet Connection, Pinoy style

I'm so amazed by wireless internet, it makes me feel "connected" while mobile. Something that is only seen in the movies when I was growing up. Now a reality. In the Philippines, there are several companies that offer wireless internet. I guess, for a country that has several island, wired connection nationwide can be very hard to achieved (but can be if one really wants to), and wireless is the next best thing.

Wireless technology is maturing very fast, as wired speed are being achieved in a short span of time. But there are things about wireless internet that subscribers should know. One important thing is, it's wireless...which means it uses the airwaves to send data signals to and from your computer, and with that, a lot of interference is met along the way. That is why, when it comes to reliability, wired connections are still the way to go.

But in the Philippines, we tend to lead towards short cuts. It is with these short cuts that we think we are being "short-changed". What do I mean? The easiest and fastest way to get connected is to buy a prepaid USB modem stick, load it up and you're already surfing. It's cheap and fast. One doesn't have to wait for the technicians to come over, survey the place, install cables and wires, then wait for the activation from the closest station.

Those USB modem sticks are ok, but it wasn't made to be the primary internet connection. It was meant for mobility, short instances of needing internet connection. It wasn't made to be used to download huge files. Not for torrenting. But in the Philippines, subscribers would burn telcos if they don't get the advertised speed, even if it is clearly stated that the advartised speed isn't the actual speed.

Some even uses these wireless internet connections for their Internet Shop connections. Really now? Cause if you're going to ask me, if you're putting up a net shop, you should know a lot about the hardware, the software and the networking components of the business, and part of that is getting a wired DSL/Cable connection. Not to mention, you should be paying Business rates.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Wi-tribe testing update - Cash & Carry

It's raining, cloudy & I've got all full signal bars withing Cash & Carry Makati! Nice! Globe has fluctuating 3G signal on my BlackBerry while SUN has good HSDPA signal on the Android!

Globe's Gentxt card

Found this while cleaning out drawers. This was a gimik when texting started to become very popular

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Wi-tribe signal testing - Rockwell

Wi-tribe has no signal at the basement of Powerplant Mall. But was at it's very best once I went out (Starbucks, Cibo area).

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Faster battery draining of the BlackBerry

Lately, I've noticed that the battery of my BlackBerry Bold has been draing faster than usual. And it's not charging as fast as it should even if I'm already using the fast charger (BlackBerry Playbook charger).

Maybe there's an app that's constantly pinging it's servers. I turned of Facebook Messenger just now, will see if it's the culprit. My next suspect is Whatsapp Messenger. I will know at the end of the day.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Wi-tribe testing update - SM Mall of Asia

Continued with testing the mobile router from Wi-tribe. Today, felt some sluggishness in the clinic but still tolerable, was getting around 1Mbps on a 2Mbps plan. I think it's more of an area problem than the cloudy skies.

In the afternoon, it was raining, tested it and got consistent fast speeds close to 2Mbps. Lost signal inside the department store and Toy Kingdom of SM Mall of Asia but was able to get very good signals in the main mall corridor and so as inside Pizza Hut.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Globe DSL Cap

Just learned today that Globe has implemented capping on their DSL subscribers.

According to Globe's twitter Customer Service @talk2globe my 2Mbps bundled line has a 5GB/day or 150GB/mo cap. Once reached, subscribed speed will be reduced to 30% of the supposed speed.

I'm ok with capping as long as Globe would be able to give me the speed that I've subscribed to.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Removing Subscriptions from Google Currents

After some tinkering finally found out to remove a subscription from Google Currents, all you have to do is to long press on the subscription icon, and choices to either remove or rearrange will come out.

NOTE: Google Currents is only available in US and Canada as of this time

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom