Motorists advisory: Road asphalting ongoing at Juan Luna Avenue from SM City Cebu area to Carmelites Monastery. Take detours.

Road is currently being filled with asphalt while huge trucks blocked several lanes.

Sent from my Windows Phone

Rapoo Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: A REVIEW

I didn't have any interest with wireless keyboards before until my new laptop got stolen. Now I need to revive my old laptop from the dead. Its LCD is busted so I had to attached my old desktop PC monitor so I can use it. The problem: I cannot move the old laptop anywhere I want it because of the cable wire attached to the PC monitor. It has to be stationary and its cable doesn't let you take the laptop far where you can sit back and relax on your bed or you would have to bring the monitor near your pillows.

I have been using wireless optical mouse for the longest time so it's not something new to me. It is way better than the touch pad especially if you play a lot of PC games. While looking for a new wireless mouse, for my “cyborg” laptop, I bumped into a set of mouse and keyboard from Rapoo. Why not try it? I said to myself. It cost me around P980 with a raffle stub—yes there was a raffle stub, part of their promo at a computer shop in Northwing. After about two weeks of using the new gadgets, here's what I think about what's inside the Rapoo box I bought.

The Look and features

The black colors for both the mouse and keyboard is a favorite for most gadgets because it does not easily catch stains or scratches tend to be invisible. Its color also makes the gadgets look slick and appealing to most (young) users.

The shape of the mouse rests comfortably to your palm. Although it will appear a bit larger than the regular desktop mouse. Maybe because of its shape. It also has a roller for easy scroll over pages like other optical mouse in the market.

One observable feature is that its mouse does not have the usual red lazer light found in most optical mouse that I had used before. At first you would think it is not functioning when you

r used to seeing the tiny red light.

Both the mouse and the keyboard are lightweight you can practically carry them everywhere. Although the keyboard size would need a bigger backpack unlike the folding keyboard—which I have not tried using it. A friend of mine says folding keyboards malfunctions a lot.

There is only one USB socket for both

Mouse and Keyboard so you can free other USB slots on your PC for other devices you want to connect to your computer like a joystick for games, or a usb memory card. The socket is also small (and black) that you wouldn't notice it attached to your PC or laptop.

I haven't really tested how far can the wireless signal go. My room is not huge so typical bedroom sizes do not really need to know how far can the Rapoo signal reach. Only Mr. Bean does such experiment, I think.

The mouse has ON-OFF switch button in order to save battery life. The Rapoo package includes two AA batteries: one for the mouse and the other for the keyboard. Rapoo guarantees it should last about 9 months. Let's just wait and see.

The battery on the keyboard is neatly designed and perfectly hidden. You wouldn't expect that there's a battery slot on the upper right portion of the keyboard. It just looked like one of the keys.

Usage

The mouse is about the same weight as an ordinary Desktop mouse. The keyboard is very lightweight and the keys are a bit cramped. You just need to get used to typing through it for a few days until you notice your fingers sprinting through the keys because of deadlines.

The problem however with “too” lightweight of a keyboard is its stability when your typing fast. Your hand can easily push it or drag it to the edge of the table. Maybe it needs a rubber stopper on its bottom to keep it in one place.

The buttons on the keyboard requires you to push a little deeper compared to how you type using a laptop. But if you are used to standard keyboard on a desktop, then you wouldn't complain.

The mouse is a bit large for those who are used to using smaller ones. (Take note: people with hands smaller than the average.)

I often use smaller mouse when I am covering a story on field. At first, using it is somewhat uncomfortable because of the size and the weird shoe-like shape. When you get to be used to it, you will however find out that its shape sits comfortably to your palm. All you need to know is how to grab or hold it correctly by changing the positions of your hand.

One good thing: the mouse runs on all surfaces in a normal bedroom: wood, concrete, and tiles, except for rugged and carpeted ones. For obvious reasons, you don't want your mouse scratching on those rugged surfaces anyway.

TIP FOR THE MOUSE: you need to avoid black-colored surfaces. I had a bed sheet with stripes of yellow and black. I noticed that when the mouse passes through the black color on the sheet, the cursor response slows down or would not respond at all. I haven't really researched how that happened. My old optical mouse has a black-colored mousepad.

conclusion

Basically, the two Rapoo wireless gadgets have been serving its purpose at least to an average computer user like me. It's price is affordable. It is very usefull for those who still are saving up to buy a new laptop and had to settle for “back-from-the-dead” and “cyborg” laptop units. The keyboard and mouse set is a pretty decent replacement for those laptops with busted keyboards and touch pad. 

(Note: I wrote this review sometime in May 2013. After about 9 months of using the Rapoo wireless; the only problem I have is the often malfunctioning power switch in the Mouse-- located under the unit along with the optical lense. Maybe Rapoo can change this design since the switch often gets dragged and worn out when your using the Mouse. It may be best to put the switch on the top portion of the Mouse. On the other hand, I would have to give it to the keyboard. It is simply the best keyboard I have ever owned. The battery has not been changed since May and the keys are perfectly okay and still as sensitive since the day I bought it. It fell down my table for several times and it is still functioning a-ok. )

Easy Taxi app services available soon in Cebu

Just read from one of the threads at their Facebook Page that "Easy Taxi", the mobile phone application which let users book a taxi without the hassles, may soon be available in Cebu. In one of their posts, the makers of Easy Taxi announced: 

"Easy Taxi, the world's largest and fastest taxi app, is coming to Cebu city! Now you can book a taxi with a tap of a button and enjoy a safe and hassle-free ride like never before! "

Now that would be something new especially for gadget and tech savvy passengers. The challenge however is how the app can get access to hundreds of taxi operators in Cebu City. One of the features I have read about Easy Taxi isn't just about getting the ride but also getting to your destination safe. 

"We thoroughly screen and train each driver to ensure that only those with clear history and best skills become our partners. Our cab app allows you to see driver's identity and car. Lost an item? Track your taxi on the fingerprints and never worry about safety anymore!" said the application's description texts at the iTunes download site.

The application may also pave the way for Cebu City's upgrade in the payment systems for Taxicabs. In areas serviced by Easy Taxi, the passengers can pay through their credit cards or paypal through mobile phone access. 

In the Philippines, the Easy Taxi is available in Metro Manila area only. Their expansion to Cebu should be highly anticipated. No dates have been mentioned yet as to when their services will be available at the Philippines' Queen City of the South. 

PRESS RELEASE: MSI-ECS named 2013 EMC Distributor of the Year

(Note: Accommodating an emailed press release below. The article is written by MSI-ECS staff)

In the recently concluded EMC Partners’ Kick-Off dubbed “The Voice of EMC Philippines”, MSI-ECS took the limelight for winning the 2013 EMC Distributor of the Year Award following its accomplishments on the following criteria: 13% of EMC’s total product revenue, 35% of EMC’s total incremental product revenue, 86% of EMC’s Distributor revenue, 72% of EMC’s total incremental Distributor revenue and incremental revenue achievement of 75% last 2012. Photo shows (L-R), Chee Heng Loon, EMC channel director, Southeast Asia, EMC; Jon Murray, director, office of global product sales, EMC; Coco Aguilar, EMC product manager; MSI-ECS; Svet Paner, AVP sales and marketing, technology enterprise group, MSI-ECS; Nicky Francisco, channels manager, EMC Philippines; and Ronnie Latinazo, country manager, EMC Philippines.  

MSI-ECS has consistently bagged the award since 2011.

JUST IN: Microsoft bids goodbye to SkyDrive, welcomes OneDrive

Just got email from Microsoft a few hours ago that  there will be major changes in the SkyDrive---its own cloud storage system that allows users of Microsoft accounts to avail of a free 8G space to keep your personal files which you can access anywhere as long as there is Internet access. (There are others that have more storage spaces if they have the paid subscriptions). 

For those who are new to the concept, the cloud storage simply lets you own a virtual hard drive  except that there really is no hardware component. All the files are just stored in the Internet (referred here as the "cloud") The advantage is that you can technically bring along all your files anywhere you go and read, edit, delete anything. You can even view all your files from any smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop computers.

Skydrive of course has tough competitiors like Google Drive which offers higher storage space at 16G, the highly popular Dropbox, and iCloud for Apple products.

One thing for sure is that the Skydrive's name will be changed into the OneDrive. Interesting. Can't wait to see what its features would be like since the email I got from Microsoft are just some sort of a teaser. 

I'm sharing you a snip of the email I got below. For now, let's all wait and see

Traffic congestion at the Corner of Osmeña Road and Kaoshiung Street

A ten-wheeler truck is stuck because of malfunctioning wheel. The southbound truck is carrying gasoline.

Sent from my Windows Phone

lone Pinoy winter games athlete gets the spotlight from US media-giant NBC

Being the lone athlete from the Philippines, Michael Christian Martinez gets the attention of the Olympics' US media-partner NBC. The article described Martinez as making history partly because it will be the first time the Philippines (a tropical country) will be sending a contender in figure skating. It's interesting to note also that the story on the NBC website mentioned how the mall ice skating rinks are a key factor for developing figure skating here.

  "olympic dreams started from an air-conditioned mall in humid manila"

Here's the story as published at NBCOlympics.Com:

SOCHI, RUSSIA – Taped to a red training coat with a not-be-seen logo underneath it, a small laminated plastic flag of the Philippines is placed squarely on the chest of figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, the country’s first Winter Olympian in two decades.

The 17-year-old Filipino who trains in Los Angeles and has a Russian coach is also the Philippines lone representative here, making his Olympic debut and becoming the first-ever figure skater to represent any Southeast Asian country.

RELATED: Understanding the team event

“It feels great that I'm here representing the Philippines at the Olympics,” Martinez told NBCOlympics.com in an interview Wednesday. “There is a lot of pressure on me because not only am I skating for my country, but for all the hard work I've put in the last four years.”

Olympic dreams start all over the world each and every day. For Martinez, it was in an air-conditioned shopping mall in humid Manila at the age of nine.

“I saw skaters doing jumps and spins on the rink at the mall,” the teenager remembered. “After the first time I tried it I loved the sport already.”

- See more at: http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/michael-christian-martinez-figure-skater-philippines-makes-olympic-history#sthash.vt4faDJv.dpuf

Waka Waka brings lights to Northern Cebu

What in the world is a Waka-Waka solar lamp? Catchy name. But more than what's in a name, these solar lamps have definitely helped those that were rebuilding their lives from the destruction brought about by the Super Typhoon Yolanda. Here's an article shared through email by our friends from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation about the "waka-waka" LED lights.

"In partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) distributed 2,500 WakaWaka solar lamps in northern Cebu to temporarily light the homes of survivors who still have no access to electricity last Jan. 28.

Nearly three months after super typhoon Yolanda ravaged northern Cebu, many survivors are living with fuel-powered lamps or candles at home. The typhoon toppled most of the electrical posts.

That is why the beneficiaries in the towns of Tabogon, Medellin, Madridejos, and Daanbantayan were grateful, as they can now light up their homes, especially during night time. They found the lamps useful, as the solar-powered lamps can be used up 16 to 100 hours or good for five days.

Because the lamps have solar panels, they can be charged during the day by exposure to sunlight and can then be used at night. With its multi-purpose cables, the WakaWaka lamps also serves as universal charger of cellular phones, ensuring that people could still have power to make emergency calls even when electricity is down.

IRC, an organization created upon the request of Albert Einstein, also gave blankets, jerry cans, and mats, which RAFI used to complement the shelter kits that funded by funded by Caritas Germany.

Since its founding in 1933, the IRC has responded to nearly every major global humanitarian crisis, helping millions of people.  Its main office is in New York, but it also has offices in Washington DC, London, Brussels, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi.

It chose RAFI as partner when it came to the Philippines to help in humanitarian efforts for supertyphoon Yolanda survivors. 

The WakaWaka lamp has solar panels on one side that stores heat energy from the sun that later on powers its LED lamp. Its multi-purpose cables, the lamp also serves as universal cellular phone charger."

Testing

Testing post via email

Sent from my Windows Phone

Chrome vs Firefox: A Review on mobile browsers

By Dale G. Israel

In a fast pace world, everyone is going mobile. And in the mobile world, every application on your smartphone is claiming to be better than the other. Two of the most popular PC web browsers are also bringing their competiton on the growing mobile platform specifically that of the Android operating system.

Firefox for Android and Chrome for Mobile are actually optional web browsers. You don't actually need them because smartphones have their own built-in internet browser application. But most built-in web browsers on your smartphone are boring. Installing these two applications are giving you more features and sometimes even faster internet browsing experience compared to the built-in ones.

Which one is better than the other? Firefox or Chrome? Actually, it depends on the type of usage and the website you want to view on your mobile. I have tested using both of the browsers on an ordinary Android tablet like the one I have—a Huawei Mediapad (running on Ice Cream Sandwhich version of Android Operating System) 

Speed

Sadly, both Firefox and Chrome have crashed several times on my tablet when I tried to open sophisticated websites. They crashed for reasons I do not really know. That initially levels the playing field of sort.  Most of their features are actually available on both except for a few exceptions.

For an ordinary user like me, both browser offers better speed than the built-in web browser on my tablet. Which is faster? Chrome is faster by about two seconds during a test I made in loading a favorite movie streaming site.  More or less, the difference is negligible so neither of the browsers are exceptional. 

Playing videos

One noticeable advantage of Firefox for Android over Chrome for Mobile is the ability to play flash videos. Flash are the type of files that make you view videos on the Internet since these are very light and does not consume time when you have slow connection. Sites like Youtube, Ustream, and other legal and illegal movie streaming sites uses flash videos.

Android OS no longer have updates on Adobe Flash but when you download an old version of the Flash app on Google Play, you still can play flash videos on your smartphone—in my case my Tablet. This however do not work on Chrome.

I have tried to look in Google for add-ons for Chrome that will allow playing flash videos but there are none. Chrome is owned by Google, by the way. On the other hand, the open-source Firefox simply tapped on the separate flash application I installed on my tablet in order for it to play flash videos on the browser.

There were comments on the web that Chrome and Google is trying to veer away from depending on Adobe Flash as they are trying to develop video playing via HTML 5 format. TRANSLATION: it may take a long time before Chrome for Mobile users that uses Android Ice Cream Sandwhich will be able to view videos on the browser.

With Chrome, you will have to play flash videos via separate apps from the websites themselves like that of the Youtube app, Ustream app, among others.

Basically, the edge of Firefox is the growing number of add-ons that are available in its open-source market. There is almost everything there for all user's need. Just Google it and you'll find out. Read user's comments though before installing.

The Look

Chrome definitely has a more simpler and user-friendly design compared to Firefox. If I am not the techy type, I would prefer using Chrome for Mobile than its counterpart. For one, tabs on the Chrome are easier to switch compared to Firefox. Aesthetically though, Firefox is more attractive because of the way its tabs are artistically shaped like folders with soft edges. The tabs however are hidden and you need to click the upper right of the browser to view them. In Chrome, the tabs are simple stacked side by side above the URL box—basically the same thing you see on your Chrome browser if you have one on your PC.

While Chrome stacks the visible tabs on top, Firefox has the advantage of allowing the user to have a bigger view of the website.

Privacy Settings

Both web browsers offer the “incognito” mode. This is the ability of a browser to automatically erase the traces of the websites you are viewing. Actually, it does not keep the list of websites you have visited. This means that when your done using your tablet, other people who will borrow your unit cannot check which sites have you been loitering around the entire day. For desktop PC, this mode is important also that your boss will not know the websites you are

Chrome and Firefox also offers the ability to syncronize the browsing contents on your mobile phone, tablet, and desktop PC. This means that whatever you are doing on your desktop using your firefox or chrome browser can be continued to your mobile if you need to be out of the office. It is a cool concept though I tested it only once because I haven't actually found a need for such feature with the kind of work I am doing right now.

While the two may be more or less the same. But until Chrome can fix the problem on playing flash videos, an ordinary user like me would still prefer Firefox. Flash is a necessity for most users in the mobile world. Who in the world that has a smartphone or tablet who have not tried viewing photos, movies, home-made videos on these gadgets?

Firefox and Chrome is just however two of the more popular browsers. There are however rising stars like Opera, Dolphin, and UC browsers that are also worth trying on. We'll find time to test those versions soon.

(My raw version of my story previously published  at Cebu Daily News on May 9, 2012; putting it up in my blog as some points here may still be useful as this was not published online back then. --Dale)

Nokia Lumia 820: A Review of Sorts

Just acquired my free Nokia Lumia 820 from my postpaid account from Globe Telecom. It was actually a choice between a Samsung Ativ and Nokia Lumia back in October 2013. Considering it was a 4G/LTE phone, my choice was then the Lumia. Was it a better choice? 

Below are just bits and pieces of what I can share about the Lumia 820 and probably its other middle-end counterparts in the Lumia family. This is not a technical description but a simple experience from an ordinary consumer like me---in my case, working at a highly fast-paced environment setting: the newsroom.

The Nokia Lumia 820 "Cyan (Blue)" version 

sits on its wireless charger (not provided in the box).

 Elegantly looking with its live Tiles 

(Photo: Nokia Conversations Website)

After more than three months of using the Lumia, it was a bit of mixed feeling since there are instances that I would have chosen another phone or even waited for the iPhone 5 offering from the telecom provider. 

First of all, the Lumia 820 is a Windows-powered phone. Something new for me being a long-time user of Android and iOS operating systems. Definitely the interface was a bit strange. Later on however, I am beginning to love the "Tiles" and it definitely "comes alive" compared to the static icons you get from the other operating systems.

The processor speed is impressive as it rarely hangs when opening several apps at a time. Yes, it does have the feature to switch between applications just like Android and Apple units. Let's say you open its free Microsoft Office to write about something and later on got bored so you switch to a game application just by long pressing the "start menu" on the phone. Then you can flip through all opened apps and switch to whichever you want to use. 

What's disappointing however is the lack of apps you can trust and  oftentimes, these available apps do not really do anything. They just merely waste your time in waiting for the download to come. Well, I guess it is because Windows Market is still starting their mobile journey so to speak compared to the more veteran and app-loaded Android Market of Google and iTunes Store of Apple.

Another downside about the Lumia is its inability to choose the network signal you want to connect through if your using the phone for Internet connection. Of course, a smartphone without Internet connection is just like a gun without bullets...useless. In the case of the Lumia you can set your phone to use 4G/LTE as its highest connection only. You cannot set your phone to use only 4G/LTE.

This means that when you get weak signals from your telecom or ISP on 4G, LTE or even 3G, you will be left with a crawling internet as it switches automatically to 2G. Unlike in Android where you can set a "4G only" connection, the Lumnia has none. I have read somewhere in the Internet that there are secret codes where you can set to 4G. Three months after, there ain't no working code found :( NONE.

I would have wanted this version of the
Lumia 820 had it not been out of stock last October from the
Globe Online Store. (Photo: Nokia Conversations) 

There are some blogs that says it was done so that networks on 4G will not be clogged or that it will help in keeping you connected with voice and texts even if the signals are not 4G or else you will be cut off while in a voice call. There is some logic there. 

The only hope there is, I guess, if Globe (my postpaid provider) will improve their 4G signals all across the country. I believe in the Cebu setting, there are only a few areas that are covered by 4G. That's in IT Park, Cebu Business Park, Capitol Site, UP Cebu and Lahug, and some stretches in Gorordo Avenue. I didnt get any 4G signal while on field to gather some news in Colon or any other downtown area. 

I will be talking more about my Lumia in the coming posts. Especially that I have just downloaded last week the update in its operating system. (From Lumia Amber to now Lumia Black.) Still testing on the new BLACK update and will tell you more about it as soon as I can in about a months use, I suppose.

(NOTE: For a more technical specs and description of the Nokia Lumia. Just Google "Windows Phone Insider" and wpcentral. You can also download Windows Phone Insider from the Windows Market. )

First Post (but not new to blogging though) :)

I will be posting here several news stories that I got from my various news coverages, accounts of people I encounter daily and the gadgets and apps I use in the course of my work at work in the Newsroom.


I have several blogs before like the one on wordpress and the now-defunct multiply. Now, I am trying to consolidate these accounts as well as with my Facebook page, Twitter account and other social networking sites.

That's it for now and you will be hearing more from me in awhile. Feel free to roam around my site.Hopefully, I can make this site informative for everyone.

This is Dale G. Israel, Senior Reporter of Cebu Daily News and this is my personal blog.


Check me out also
on Facebook Page: Dale G. Israel
On Twitter: @dalegisrael

contact me