Firefox 1.5 is OUT!

The latest & "safer" version of Firefox has been officially released. It boasts of faster browsing, live bookmarks, improved pop-up blocking, integrated search & improved security as some of the improvements done to it added to the ever-famous tabbed-browsing.

The Philippine Podcasts

Just recently, the Philippines launched a group of podcasts made locally, most of it, podcast versions of magazines and tv shows. I downloaded a couple of them, the m-pH podcast and the T3 Philippines Podcast.

It's a start, but if the m-pH peeps continue with that kind of format, well, it's LAME. It goes the same with the T3 magazine podcast. I mean, you flaunt that these are Philippine podcasts for Filipinos and yet you discuss things that Filipinos CANNOT get. Yes we the 5th Gen iPod is already available locally, but to discuss about iTunes and the contents of iTunes is, well, not Filipino. Ok, maybe they could mention it but not totally make it your topic for the whole podcast. Heck, we can't even purchase from iTunes Music Store. Then they talked about the SONY rootkit fiasco, hehehe how many filipinos do you think has purchased these CDs and how many CDs do you think are for sale in the country? Oh and how many Filipinos do they think has a PC? I would agree that the PC penetration base is starting to grow, but it's not enough.

And the discussion is NOT DYNAMIC. Guys, use your ingeniuity! There are lots of topic to discuss which I think is worth talking about like the increasing shift from dial-up to broadband connection. The increasing trend in wireless networking at home and it's wide deployment in the urban centers. These things are local news and that's what you're supposed to be, local podcasts with local content.

A Fragmented User's Group

I know I could be labeled as biased in writing this assessment since I am an active member of another users group, but then again, I don't see any conflict of interest between my group and their as we cater to a different genre which can actually compliment one another.

Anyhow, my friends keep telling me how fragmented this group is for quite some time now, but I never believed them until about a month ago when I stumbled upon a thread in their group and I was shocked. I never realized that they have two "official" websites claiming they are the legitimate one and now a third one came out just a couple of weeks ago, but this 3rd one is more of a Blog than anything else, focused in exposing the bad sides of one of the "legit" sites.

I know some people in these groups, since some of them are members of my group too. They are infact some of the influential members in my group. I too have some "encounters" with these people but we are civil with each other. I am saddened by the fact that these people has lost control of their groups and that it has come to a point where name calling has become a norm.

The Advent of Office Suite Alternatives

Is the end near for Microsoft's Office suite? I think so! Microsoft's own .Net initiative failed years ago because they were too early in the game. Well, some would rake in when they're early but with Bill Gates' situation, it's the other way around. What's .Net? Well, Microsoft planned it as the alternative to installing softwares in every PC but instead having to access these applications in a central server. But when they launched it, PC penetration in the market was too small, so as internet penetration. Now, Microsoft has re-launched .Net initiative into Live.com and OfficeLive.com (not yet operational). Well, Live.com is at the moment just like MyGoogle, it's bland and simple.

Speaking of Google, they are one of the reasons why Bill Gates is up in arms getting Live.com up and running ASAP. Google has recently teamed up with Sun Microsystems and the talk in the air is that they are in the planning stages of creating an online office alternative that will run on Google's servers. Then there are these two little domains which other than OpenOffice, is threatening Microsoft with their Live.com and OfficeLive.com, they are Writely and Numsum.

Writely is an online Word Document processor, it's simple and it let users share the documents, same with NumSum but is the Spreadsheet counterpart. One can even post the Writely document as a Blog!

The time is right for these on-line initiatives to start because more and more people are using broadband. With it, they will free more space in their hard drives and would create more space in their pockets because all these are FREE.

Portable AIDS testing Device

A team from Harvard Medical School has invented a small device capable of testing for the CD4 count of a patient. To test a sample, you drop some blood onto the chip and then place it into a reader which then tests for the blood CD4 count. Not completely portable—yet—but definitely a step in the right direction.

Drive + Play from Harman-Kardon

Ever since I got my iPod Nano, I've been interested in how to integrate it with my daily life. And part of my daily routing is driving. So it only follows that I get interested in news about how I could integrate my iPod Nano into my car. Presently I am using a casette deck adapter to play my songs from my iPod into the car stereo system. I have been checking the local Pod Users Group when I stumbled upon this.
The Harman-Kardon Drive+Play system. The Drive + Play consists of three components: A backlit LCD pivoting display, which is designed to be mounted where the driver can easily see the screen while keeping their eyes on the road; a five-button navigation control unit – the navigation wheel is similar to BMW’s iDrive wheel, but mimics the iPods controls; and the “Brain” – the unit that connects everything together. The brain of the system features a wireless FM modulator with five factory frequencies and one definable by the user. It also has a 3.5mm auxiliary output so you can connect it to any vehicle that has an auxiliary input jack. An auxiliary input allows the user to route other audio signals like satellite radio through the Drive + Play to the vehicle’s audio system.
The Drive + Play charges the iPod when connected and shuts off when the car turns off. The unit returns to the place in the song where you left off when the vehicle is turned on again. Well, I just hope this will see Philippine shores soon!

"Bionic" Eyes

Hope this is not a hoax, but then again, we can always dream right. Well, Isreal-based VisionCare has said they have invented an implantable device that might help people with Age-related Macualr Degeneration. The Implantable Miniature Telescope, which just finished its Phase II/III clinical trials, consists of two wide-angle glass microlenses that refocus incoming images away from the damaged macula and over to healthier parts of the eye. The IMT is surgically implanted into one cornea of an AMD sufferer in an outpatient procedure, and provides a 2.2x or 3x magnification to the affected eye, while the other eye is left to monitor peripheral vision. Nice one!

The Palm TX

As you might have well known, Palm has launched two new handheld. One of them is the TX. Yeah, when I tried to Google Palm TX, it gave me a whole bunch of results regarding Texas hehehe. Anyways, I got to play with this new toy from Palm. Yup it runs on Palm OS and NOT Windows Mobile as some of you might think. It has the same housing as that of the Palm Tungsten E/E2/T5. The difference from the T5 is that the TX has WiFi (finally!), slower processor (to compensate for power), it will not work as an external drive unlike the T5 (although thru 3rd party applications like CardExport one can make it act as if it's an external drive - Flash Drive). The casing is sort of black-blue in color.

I don't know if it's just the GlobeQuest WIZ connection in the launch or the Blazer browser installed is really fast in loading and refreshing webpages. The screen is wonderful and big. It uses the new Palm Universal connector. It's currently selling in the Philippines with an SRP of P18900.00, this is wireless connectivity made affordable.

Change

Things change, and as blogs start growing in the technological world, sa as this one. This should've been done long long time ago, but I only got the urge to do it now. As you may have noticed, this blog has been mostly about technology news. So the new name (hehehe or re-branded?). Welcome to the new BloogerGan-Tech Site. See more of you soon!

SMART WiFi's Twin

PLDT has silently launched a fixed-wireless broadband service the PLDT my DSLw. It's basically SMART WiFi rebranded which is also a rebranded Meridian service. Now, while writing this blog, it just occured to me that they are marketing this as an added service to their existing subscribers who CANNOT be reached by their DSL service. As you know, DSL has a weakness wherein only subscribers within a certain radius of their swith station can be serviced. and perhaps the SMART thingie is for those who CANNOT be reached by any wired telephone system.

Writing the Nintendo DS

Looks like Nintendo is really bent in making the Nintendo DS an all-around portable console. To make it more interesting, some Nintendo DS is now being installed with DECUMA, a handwriting recognition software first seen in the now extinct SONY Clie PDA's. This is a good choice for Nintendo, now that 2nd screen will really have a function that is useful.

Avantgo part I

I am have re-installed my Avantgo software in my Zire 72 after reading somewhere the Avantgo has upgraded it's software servers to now add RSS support. I am currently re-syncing my Zire72 to check if all my RSS feeds I configured earlier into the Avantgo servers will really be synced. Good luck to me!

Google Desktop2

When Google launched the first Google Desktop, I was one of those who didn't jumped right away into the wagon, especially after reading some of the privacy concerns (hehehe who knows what secretes I keep within my hard drives that even I doesn't want it found), but after a while and after the Google Desktop 2 release, I downloaded it and since then, I've been enjoying it. I was afraid that it would hug much of my desktop's limited resources, but I was surprise to find out that it really doesn't use up much, not after it has indexed your files that is. What I really like about it is the SCRATCH PAD, it's a Notepad type of widget that automatically saves what ever you type within it. Saves me time from clicking on my Notepad icon and saving it after typing things in it. Overall, the Google Desktop 2 is really a big help, with it's indexing capabilities, now looking for long "lost" files in your PC is just a few clicks away. Oh and did I mention that searching your HD is also fast? See ya!

The SAMSUNG ML-1610 Laser Printer

I recently "acquired" a SAMSUNG ML-1610 Laser Printer. What's funny about this printer is that, it's being sold very cheap in the market. Heck, it's cheaper than most of the other ink jet printers out there. It is a monochrome printer made with home users in mind. Has a USB interface only and can only hold 150 sheets of paper on it's tray. Due to simplicity it has only one multi-function button. I don't care if it only has 2MB of internal memory, this is not a big deal to me since I will not be printing graphics extensive documents with it. At the moment I now own 3 printers of different generations and types. This is my 3rd printer and I really like, I still haven't seen much of it's potential but then again, it's less than a week since I got it.

The FLOCK

The FLOCK, this is the codename for the next generation Firefox plus more features than your ordinary web browser, in fact, it's designed for the so-called WEB 2.0 I'm testing the developers copy, although there are still lots of bugs in it, I might say that I like one of it's supposed feature already. In fact I posted this blog from with the browser itself. A user of Flock can blog from right inside the browser if for example the user likes one of the articles in the web page he's in at the moment. Blogger is supported, hopefully other blog servers will be supported when the official launch comes. I'm going to bet my ass that this one is going to give Microsoft a run for their buck!

Palm with Bluetooth Internet Connection Sharing

At long last, I was able to connect my Palm Zire 72 to my PC using Bluetooth and now I am able to use Internet Connection Sharing and browse the web even if somebody is using my PC. Hehehehe I've been trying to do this for some time now but was not successful in my previous attempts probably because of lack of interest. It's quite a relief to use my PDA to surf the net without worrying about my GPRS charges. The next thing is to challenge the range which would "probably"  prevent me from getting a WiFi enable PDA hehehe.

SMART WiFi -- on the way to SUCCESS

I would agree to people saying that SMART WiFi is a success. Although there
are still some quirks regarding speed and customer service, it's acceptable
considering the service being still oh so young. The winning factor to this
service is, semi-broadband even without a phoneline. It's really the hassle
of the phoneline application that disappoints applicants. But with SMART
WiFi, all you have to do is go to the nearest business center and fill up
the forms, after a week or so, you have an always-on internet connection.
These days, it's more important to have a connected PC than to just have a
phoneline, since less and less people are now using landlines because of the
emergence of unlimited cellular calls. Overall, it becomes more cheaper this
way.

Globelines VoIP

Today I tested my first ever VoIP call using my landline and DSL carrier
Globelines (take note that I'm paying them and they're not paying me a cent
to do this ad). I called my Mom in New York thru my PC using Globelines'
soft phone. the voice quality was superb, considering it was done using the
PC. Heck I'm ok with it since I'm only paying around P2.80/min as compared
to PLDT's P5.00/min on their soft phone. This is the only thing I could say
regarding these VoIP, bring it on!!!!

Let me give you some scratch!

Oh my GOD! The cute and wonderfully beautiful iPod Nano has dermatological
problems! There are some Nano owners complaining that the screen easily gets
scratches! Good thing (and I hope the Philippines is included), Apple has
promised that they will replaced Nanos that have factory defect just like
easily scratchable screens.

Additionally, Apple acknowledges that the screens on some Nanos have cracked
and has agreed to replace the models with new units. The company says it
hasn't received many complaints about scratches. "We do not believe it's a
widespread issue," Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said Wednesday.

Dowling says the plastic shell of the Nano is made from the same material
used on other recent iPods. He suggests that if users are concerned about
scratching, they should buy one of the many Nano cases that will soon be
available. Apple attributes the cracked-screen problem to a vendor defect
affecting "less than one-tenth of 1%" of Nano shipments.

Another Card Format?

Just when you thought that the multitude of memory cards out in the market
are enough to make you puke, listen to this. Sony and SanDisk today
announced a smaller Memory Stick card format; Memory Stick Micro or M2,
designed to be used with mobile phones, being a card that can be inserted
into a mobile phone case slot, and used to store pictures, music and videos.

M2 measures 15 millimeters (mm) by 12.5mm by 1.2mm, significantly smaller
than the Memory Stick Duo card format, measuring 31mm by 20mm by 1.6mm. M2
cards can be inserted and removed up to 12,000 times. M2 is compatible with
Memory Stick Pro it can be loaded into an adapter card and inserted into a
Memory Stick Pro slot on a notebook computer - such as Sony's Vaio, a video
recorder, PlayStation, TV, even kiosks in Japan, and have content loaded
onto it. Memory Stick is the second most popular memory card format, with a
quarter of the world memory card production volume, second to the SD format
with 41 percent, according to industry researcher TSR. The MMC format is
third with 12 percent. In Sony's fiscal 2004, over 50 million Memory Stick
cards were shipped, with cumulative shipments of 100 million since the
format arrived in 1998.

Memory Stick isn't a world-wide standard like VHS, but nor is it a failed
format like Betamax.

Sony has digital rights management (DRM) technology, called Magic Gate, on
all Memory Stick formats, which allows content providers to specify none,
limited or totally free copying rights. The card isn't locked to the
particular device it happens to be in.

M2 runs on either 1.8 volts or 3.3 volts, making it suitable for mobile
phones from a power usage point of view. It also has an eject control design
intended to prevent cards flying out of phones and getting lost. The
insertion slot is intended to be on the outside of the phone, making M2
insertion and removal much easier than a SIM card or battery.

M2 can hold 1GB and has a roadmap out to 32GB. A 1GB card could have 2 hours
20 minutes of QVGA 768Kbit/s video stored on it. Memory Stick Pro holds 4GB,
Duo 2GB. In general capacities on such flash memory formats are doubling
every twelve months or less. We should be able to expect a 2GB M2 card in a
few months after the 1GB card becomes available in the first half of 2006. A
4GB M2 card might arrive in 2008.

Just days ago SanDisk announced a rival micro SD format memory card, the
Gruvi. It also has a DRM facility, a different one. Nice for SanDisk; it can
punt two micro memory card formats to the phone and content companies.