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.

It's Spreading...and it's Spreading Wildly!

A new mobile phone virus has been found in the wild that can spread from cellphones to PC. The virus infects (as usual) a Symbian OS phone either thru Bluetooth or after being download and then infects a Windows computer when the memory card from the phone is used on the PC. This will then propagate to the internet and vice versa.

The new mobile phone virus, dubbed SYMBOS_CARDTRP.A, propagates on Symbian Series 60 devices. Once the mobile phone virus infects a PC, it will eventually launch WORM_WUKILL.B, a worm that attempts to spread the infection to other PCs.

SPEED UP!

After being thrown into circles yesterday, I finally got some tangible results. Now my DSL speed is 768 kbps! When I jumped into the DSL bandwagon last year and subscribed to  Globelines Broadband, I got 386 kbps for my P1995.00 monthly subscription. Fair enough for me since it's waaaay fast compared to dial-up. Even when rival PLDT myDSL bumped up their speeds last May 2005, I was confident then that my DSL provider would not let me down. So, on September 20, 2005, I checked out <a href="http://www.globelines.com.ph">Globelines'</a> website to see for any promos or to that extent, anything that would interest me. Then I saw that they've updated the broadband packages that they're offering, this time, the P1995 has 768 kbps! So, I immediately called Globelines' customer service and ask if I could have my speed bumped up, and they said all I have to do is to go to the nearest Business Center and fill out a Service Modification form and wait for my speed to increase, pretty easy huh?! NOT!!! The next day, before going home, I went straight to the Business Center here at Habay Road, Bacoor, Cavite. To my surprise, the customer service representative told me that I have to pay 2 months of my current monthly fee as to preterminate my DSL subscription so I could avail of the new speeds. Even when I told her that I already called their HOTLINE she still insist that it's going to be a termination of service and that there might have been a MISCOMMUNICATION between me and the girl on the phone I talked to the night before. So, I just told her never mind and I'll just come back after two months to have my service upgraded. When I got home, I called the Globelines Customer Service Hotline right away and asked for clarification. Still, what the guy told me was the same thing the girl the night before told me, that it's just a SERVICE MODIFICATION! He told me that he'll call me back to clear things up with that girl in the Business Center. True enough, after 30 minutes, the guy told me that everything has been settled and all I have to do is to go to the Business Center and just fill up the necessary forms. Then after 2 minutes from the guys call, the girl from the Business Center called up and told me to drop by anytime (pretty long huh?). So, I went, but when I got there, she told me that I don't have to pay the pretermination fee anymore but I still have to have my line disconnected to avail of the new speeds (man this is getting irritating!). So I told her the guy on the phone told me otherwise. So, she told me that she'll clear things up first with their head office and she'll just call me the next day (which is today). Fine! When I got home, again, I called up the HOTLINE and reported the Business Center girls incompetence, even them at the HOTLINE could not believe it happened. Today, I got a call from the Business Center girl and told me that everything's all right and that my speed has now been updated. Whew dude, it's that simple, she just doesn't know what she's supposed to know. Just imagine how unproductive it would be to a very big company to send someone to remove the hardware from my house and eventually install it back again! What do you think?

PLDT will Acquire DREAM Satellite

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company is buying DREAM Satellite. This is to augment the telecommunications firm's plan to go into the Direct-To-Home (DTH) service. Acquisition of Dream Satellite would enable a joint venture between PLDT and America's largest direct-TV provider, Echostar Communications Inc., to finally take off.

PLDT and Echostar are planning to invest $85 million in pay TV operations in the Philippines through satellite receivers, not the traditional cable system that is prone to piracy and signal theft.

Philippine Multi-Media System uses PLDT's Mabuhay Satellite to broadcast content to more than 100,000 subscribers nationwide. Dream Satellite is considered more expensive than the traditional cable providers.

Sources said that if talks with Dream failed, PLDT would open negotiations with other direct-to-home providers such as Pacific Cable Inc. and GV Broadcasting.

Under the plan, the joint venture between PLDT and Echostar will provide clients with home antennas. It will also supply more than 2,000 video and audio channels.

Free OPERA Anyone?

OPERA browser is now FREE! The ads at the top is now gone and is now part of the competition between Firefox & Internet Explorer. Try it now!

The WiFi Hotspot

NOTE: This blog was supposed to be posted last September 17, 2005 Saturday -- This is the first time I've accessed the internet thru a Hotspot and man am I bored. If you are wondering what a Hotspot is, well, it's a wireless access to the internet using a broadband connection outside your home e.g. cafe's & malls. I was sooooo excited to use it, since I also know that I have universal access to WIZ hotspots (Globe's Wireless Internet Zone) because I am a Globelines subscriber and they have this WorldPass thing where in I can use the same userid and password that I use in my Globelines DSL account. Ok, I plugged my notebook pc into the only power socket I've seen in Starbucks ABS-CBN. Found a 91% WiFi signal and figured out (which is the most common form of learning for me) how to log in and access the internet. But when I entered the userid and password of my WordPass account, I was denied! OMG! Now, how do you think will I be able to surf the net and let time pass by, while my wife enjoys herself with the company of her highschool friend? Good thing I am also a subscriber of Globe's Mobile Phone service (it only shows how a die-hard Globe subscriber I am huh?), and with it, with just a few taps from my phone's keypad, I was able to acquire a userid and password. Whew, that was some "universal Access" huh?!

5 cents IDD from Globelines!

TOLD YOU! After the Philippine government approved the implementing rules of VoIP it wouldn't take long before the telcos will release their own versions of VoIP. It was Bayantel that released it first, then followed PLDT and now Globelines has released their own version. Globelines has three different types and pricing schemes for the subscribers and public. They have reduced the 40 cents charge for their landline subscreiber to 20 cents per minute, 10 cents/min for those who'going to use their all-in-one prepaid card Globe1 and 5 cents for Globelines Broadband subscribers through the softphone that will be available for download starting September 20, 2005. So why the heck subscribe to those VoIP services, when I can get the same price advantage with my own phoneline.

The New iPod Nano -- the iPod mini killer

Apple has recently launched the iPod Nano, the iPod mini Killer! Yup, the iPod mini is now obsolete and will be replaced by this new spanky iPod Nano. Very small and thin, with colored screen and click wheel. Although the click wheel center button is bigger than the usual. It will use the same connector for the dock but the headset jack will be at the bottom of the unit. I will come with 2GB & 4GB sizes. And comes in two colors as well, Traditional White and the new Black. Enjoy!