Samsung Galaxy S4 – Specs, Price, and Availability in the Philippines
Samsung Mobile finally unveiled Galaxy S4, the latest model of their highly successful Galaxy S line of smartphones. The device sports a 5-in Super AMOLED HD (1920X1080) display, running on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) OS, with a computing power coming from Quadcore Processor and 2GB of RAM.
Samsung Galaxy S4 unveiled
As expected, Samsung beefed several interesting new and upgraded features such as the 13 MP rear camera, Smart Pause/Scroll eye detector that pauses a video when the user removes his eyes from the screen, S Health that lets you track health-related stats and so much more.
Behold: Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S4 Specs
Here’s a brief summary of Samsung Galaxy S4 technical specifications:
- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- 1.9GHz quad-core/1.6GHz octa-core CPU (varies by market)
- PowerVR SGX544MP3 GPU
- 5-inch 1080p display (441PPI)
- 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM
- 16GB to 64GB of storage
- 2.5G, 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi a-ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
- IR LED (for remote control)
- microSD card slot (up to 64GB)
- 13MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- 2600mAh battery
- 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g
Samsung Galaxy S4 Features
Here’s a rundown of Samsung Galaxy S4 features
- Dual Camera
- Group Play
- Sound and Shot
- Story Album
- Drama Shot
- Samsung Hub
- S Translator
- ChatON
- Smart Scroll/Smart Pause
- Samsung WatchON
- S Voice Drive
- HomeSync
- Air View / Air Gesture
- S Health
- Adapt Display
- Adapt Sound
To explain these features further, please watch this video from Samsung Mobile.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Price and Availability (Philippines)
Though pricing was not yet revealed, it can be expected that the unit will be priced around 35000 to 40000 Pesos for the open-line, non-contract unit.
Samsung also mentioned that by late April 2013, Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in 327 carriers in 55 countries. That may include major mobile service providers in the country – SMART, Globe, and Sun Cellular.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, smartphone, Technology Tags: Android, Google, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, Samsung
HP Unveils Slate 7 Tablet at MWC 2013
Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest manufacturer of personal computers announces the release of Slate 7 tablet during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.
The HP Slate 7 tablet
HP Slate 7 is an affordable Android tablet that aims to compete in the space now occupied by Google Nexus 7 and iPad Mini. Here are the features and technical specification of the device.
[Related: Google Unveils Nexus 7 Tablet]
[Related: iPad Mini Philippines Now Available!]
HP Slate 7 Specs
- 7-in touchscreen display (High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel) – Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) - ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor - 1GB RAM – 8GB on-board storage – micro SD card slot – 3 MP rear camera and VGA front camera - embedded Beats Audio – he HP ePrint application
Pricing and Availability in the Philippines
HP Slate 7 will be available in the US this April 2013. The device was priced at $169 (around 7000 Pesos). Availability in the Philippines was not mentioned but there’s a huge possibility that the device will make it to the Philippine market.
After HP TouchPad and the WebOS
HP is struggling to come out of the fading PC business like Dell. In February 2011, the company attempted to jump into the bandwagon of the fast growing tablet market by announcing the HP TouchPad. It is a 9.7 inches tablet powered by WebOS, a mobile operating system HP bought together with Palm in 2010. The device hardware and software (WebOS) were met with positive reception from reviewers. But the key flaw of the TouchPad is the lack of available apps, an area where Apple and Google had a huge advantage.
The TouchPad endeavor eventually ended in August 2011 when HP decided to drop the development of WebOS and all other devices running on it. The remaining TouchPads went on sale for $100 and the demand was crazy. Two years after that, here’s HP again, trying to enter the tablet space with HP Slate 7. Now that they have partnered with Google in using Android, that will solve the main problem they had with WebOS, that is, the apps availability. Will HP finally make it this time? Probably. The tablet market is increasingly becoming a bloody battlefield, with better and cheaper tablets coming every other month. Having that said, it would be a tough challenge for HP.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, Software, tablet Tags: Android, Apple, Google, HP, HP Touchpad, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, TouchPad, webOS
Samsung Galaxy S4 Event on March 14
Samsung Mobile confirms the rumored event on March 14, 2013 on which they might release the long awaited Samsung Galaxy S4. The likelihood of the S4 release can be discerned by the event poster shown below. As you can see, instead of saying “Ready for the Show”, they wrote ‘Ready 4 the Show”. Is it a subtle tout to the S4 release? We shall see.
Galaxy S4 Event on March 14
Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumors Round-up
The Galaxy S line is the Samsung Mobile’s flagship smartphone product. Since the release of the first Galaxy S, the next version of the smartphone line has been a subject of rumor, most of which eventually confirmed. Here are some of the rumored features of the much anticipated smartphone of the year, the Galaxy S4.
Bigger Display
The Samsung Galaxy S4 was rumored to have a 5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 display. For comparison, Samsung Galaxy S3 has a 4.8 inches display. It will be surprising though if the S4 will not feature their self-developed Super AMOLED display technology, as some rumors claimed.
Faster and Smarter
Samsung is expected to beef up the technical specification of Galaxy S4. That may include a faster quad-core processor (or even an 8-core processor) and 2GB RAM.
Regarding the features, it might be a little more of what the S3 has offered.
Well, all these are just rumors and we still have to wait for another three weeks before finally confirming the actual Galaxy SIV.
Update: Samsung Mobile releases another poster featuring a huge number “4″. Please see the poster below.
The latest Samsung Galaxy S4 poster
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Categories: Mobile, price, smartphone Tags: Android, galaxy sIV, Google, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy S4, samsung mobile
Galaxy Note 8 – Specs, Price and Availablity in the Philippines
Just before the 2013 Mobile World Congress (MWC) starts, Samsung Mobile unveils Galaxy Note 8 tablet. The tablet appears to compete against the iPad Mini and Nexus 7, the two leading low-mid-end tablet products in the market today. Samsung also reveals some of the basic specification of Galaxy Note 8.
Samsung Mobile announces the Galaxy Note 8 tablet
Galaxy Note 8 Tablet Specs and Features
- Intelligent S Pen
- 1.6GHz processor
- 8-in WXGA screen
- Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- HSPA+ connectivity (optional)’
- 2GB of RAM
- 16 or 32GB of internal storage
- microSD slot for added storage
- 1.3-megapixel front camera and 5-megapixel rear camera
Price and Availability in the Philippines
No pricing was announced but since it appears to be Samsung’s answer to Google’s Nexus 7 and Apple’s iPad Mini, we can expect Galaxy Note 8 to be priced around 15000 Pesos. For comparison, the 16GB iPad Mini WiFi version is priced at 15990 Pesos while the 32 GB Nexus 7 can be purchased at 14000 Pesos.
[Read: iPad Mini Philippines Now Available!]
[Read:Nexus 7 – Where to Buy in Cebu?]
About the specific date, Samsung didn’t mention bus said the device would be available wordwide on 2Q 2013. I was hoping that the Philippines is included. If so, you can buy it at any Samsung Mobile outlet in the malls or possibly in other consumer electronics retailer nearest you.
Galaxy Note 8 provides another option for consumers. And this is a good option in addition to Samsung’s galaxy of tablets, phones and phablets. It appears that the smartphone and the tablet has finally comes to its maturity.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, tablet, Technology Tags: Apple, galaxy note 8, Google, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, samsung galaxy 8, tablet, Technology
HTC One Philippines – Specs, Price and Availability
Taiwan-based manufacturer HTC announces their latest flagship smartphone - HTC One. The announcement was made in a simultaneous two-location (London and New York) event tonight. After several leaked reports, here is the final and official specifications of HTC’s premier product:
- OS: Android 4.1.2 with HTC Sense 5
- 4.7 inches Super LCD 3 Display
- Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core, 1.7GHz
- Memory: 32GB and 64GB
- RAM: 2GB DDR2
- Battery: 2300 mAh Li-polymer battery
- Ultrapixel Camera (HTC technology) capable of 1080p recording
- NFF capable
- Infrared, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, DLNA for TV streaming
- MicroUSB slot
- Beats Audio
- Dual stereo speakers (at the front)
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA/CDMA/LTE support
- Gyro, Promity, Ambient Light, Accelerometer sensors
- GPS and compass
The all-new HTC One
HTC One Price and Availability
HTC One pricing and availability in the Philippines is yet to be revealed. Historically, SMART Communications and Sun Cellular are the only carriers that offer HTC phones in the country. The units were tied up with a data, voice and text plans. For HTC One, we can expect the same.
Open-line models will eventually arrive in the country but price is yet to be announced by specific vendors.
HTC One Savior?
HTC had a rough 2012. Their HTC One X flagship smartphone released last year failed to totter the increasing grounds of Apple and Samsung in the smartphone arena. Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung’s Galaxy SIII and Note 2 were still the favorite of consumers. Both companies had posted record sales last year.
Will HTC One be the product that will thrust HTC back to the forefront of the smartphone battle? Maybe. But what is clear is that it will be a tough battle, especially this year. Apple is poised to announce the successor of the highly successful iPhone 5 (iPhone 5S?) late this year. Samsung is also poised to announce the much rumored Galaxy SIV next month. It will be a bloody battle indeed.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, Technology Tags: Android, Google, HTC, HTC One, HTC One Philippines, HTC One X, HTC Smartphone, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, smartphone, Smartphones
Latest Tech News: New iPad 128 GB and Temple Run 2
Temple Run 2 released. Apple iPad 4 128 GB Model. More below on the latest news in the tech world.
Temple Run 2: Download and Play
The second version of the phenomenal mobile game application Temple Run is now available. It can be downloaded in your Kindle, Android and Apple devices. Temple Run 2 features new terrain, new power-ups, new characters and many improvements in performance and experience.
Yesterday, Imangi Studios the creator of the game, announced that the game has unseated Angry Birds Space as the fastest growing mobile game. The press released reported that Temple Run 2 was downloaded 50 Million times in just 13 days. For comparison, Rovio’s Angry Bird Space reached the 50 Million milestone in 35 days.
Temple Run 2 is a game where the user takes the role of an explorer who stole an idol from a temple. Being chased by demonic monkey, he must run continuously, picking up coins and power-ups along the way. To stay alive he must ensure that he would successfully avoid the obstacles. The game was favorably received by critics and users and is a certified time consumer. 
Temple Run 2 in iPad
Apple Releases iPad 128GB
Aiming for enterprise customers with big memory needs, Apple released Tuesday the 128 GB version of iPad 4 (iPad with Retina). With twice as much space as before, enterprise customers, artists and educators has more reason to use the iPad in their professional tasks.
The 128 GB iPad is priced at 799 USD for WiFi models and 929 USD for WiFi +Cellular models. The units will be available online at store.apple.com, Apple Retail Stores and select Apple Authorized Retailers starting February 5.
The fourth generation iPad or iPad 4 comes with 9.7 in Retina Display, a quad-core A6X Processor, 1.2 MP front and 5 MP Rear Cameras. Cellular versions now supports LTE wireless connectivity, the fastest mobile wireless technology available commercially.
The new iPad with Retina Display now comes in 128 GB version
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Categories: Games, Mobile, tablet Tags: Android, Apple, Apps, games, Google, Mobile device, temple run, temple run 2
Nexus 7 – Where to Buy in Cebu?
Google’s Nexus 7 tablet is can now be purchased in more stores here in the country. For instance, I saw here in Cebu City two electronics store selling it. Although, not yet verified, I think it is already available in Metro Manila and other cities in the country.
Here in Cebu City, you can buy the 32GB Nexus 7 tablet in Octagon Electronics store in Cyberzone, SM City Cebu. So, again, I think, Octagon stores there in Metro Manila have their supplies as well. I ask one of the sales personnel and he confirmed that they have a lots in stock. Another store here in Cebu that sells this device is Thinking Tools in Ayala Center.
Google Nexus 7
How Much is Nexus 7 in the Philippines?
Both stores – Octagon Electronics and Thinking Tools – priced their 32 GB Wifi Nexus 7 units at 14000 Pesos, a little above the US Price of 250 USD. Compare this with SMART’s offer 600 per month, for 24 months tied up with their FlexiSurf Pocket WiFi plan 599.
Nexus 7 Versus iPad Mini
It’s a tough comparison. I guess the answer is just about your preference and circumstance. iPad Mini is like the iPad 2 in smaller package. I would go for iPad Mini in terms of OS (iOS 6), apps selection, Usability and Camera. On the other hand, Nexus 7 boasts a better display (Corning Gorilla Glass), more free Apps (subsidized), and cheaper price. iPad Mini 16GB Model is 16000 Pesos in the Apple premium retailers (e.g. Power Mac Center, iStore) while Nexus 32GB is just 14000 Pesos. Durability wise, I think both devices are fairly the same considering Apple and Asus’ reputation. Lastly, after market support for Apple is light-years away from others especially here in the Philippines where the word warranty is as hard as climbing Mount Everest (exaggerated 
)
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, tablet Tags: Google, Nexus 7 Philippines, nexus 7 price, nexux 7, tablet
Google Maps for iOS Now Ready for Download in the App Store
Finally, the much awaited Google Maps for iOS app is now ready for download in the App Store. The App features voice navigation, local search, Street View, transit & more features waiting for you to discover and use. You can now ditch you Google Maps for iOS shortcut icon that you created before.
Google Maps for iOS
Screenshot of Google Maps for iOS
Google Maps for iOS versus Apple Maps
Apple ditched out Google’s mapping service in the release of iOS 6, the latest version of their mobile operating service. It was replaced by Apple Maps, an internally developed mapping service that features, turn by turn navigation, and flyover data. But just a few days after its release, Apple received plenty of complaints. Most customers complained about the comparatively smaller data in Apple Maps as compared the massive data in Google Maps. Also there are complains about inaccuracy of locations and landmarks.
The issue with Apple Maps has come to a point where Apple has to issue a public apology. It was also rumored that the removal/resignation of several top Apple executives was because of Apple maps fiasco. A recent report also relates how important accuracy is for Apple Maps. In Australia, the inaccurate map data leads the police in the wrong direction.
With this release of Google Maps for iOS, it is expected that many customers will be delighted. Google Maps for iOS is expected to deliver just what Apple customer needs and has been accustomed to. In earlier versions of iOS, Google Maps satisfied them with quantity and quality of map data.
Note: Google Maps for iOS 6 is not yet available in the Philippines
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Categories: Mobile, Software Tags: App Store, Apple, Apple maps, Google, Google Maps, Google Street View, GoogleMaps, iOS, iPhone 5, Turn-by-turn navigation
Smart Nexus 7 Is Bundled With Pocket Wifi Plan
Smart Communications is set to offer Google Nexus 7 to the Philippines bundled with Smart Bro Flexisurf Pocket WiFi plan 599. Pre-order can be done starting November 30 at flexisurf.smart.com.ph. You can get the device in just 600/month for 24 months at zero interest.
Smart to Offer Nexus 7 bundled with Pocket Wifi Data Plan
About Google Nexus 7
Google’s Nexus 7 tablet features a stunning 7-inch touchscreen display, a quad-core processor and the latest Android OS, version 4.2 (Jelly Bean). The device itself was designed by Google in partnership with Taiwanese company Asus. Reviews of the device were mostly positive because of its price relative to its more-than-decent specs.
The device that will be offered by Smart is the 32 GB version.
About Smart Bro Flexisurf Pocket WiFi Plan 599
Flexisurf Pocket WiFi plan 599 will give you 50 hours/month of internet usage with speed up to 7.2 Mbps and a Pocket Wifi device. This plan is under what smart termed as “anti-bill shock” where your bill will automatically be capped at 999 Pesos per month (80 hours of usage).
You Monthly Bill?
If you decide to buy this device, you will have to pay 1199 Pesos (600 for the Nexus 7 and 599 for the data plan) per month for 24 months lock-up period.
Learn more about Nexus 7 in this article: Google Announces Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10
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Categories: Internet, Mobile, Philippines, price, tablet Tags: Android, Google, Google Nexus 7, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Nexus 7, Philippines, Smart, Smart Bro, Telcos
Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 Philippines (via SMART)
Update: Smart Nexus 7 Is Bundled With Pocket Wifi Plan
The Nexus devices is heading over the country soon! Smart Communications announces Saturday that they will be offering the latest Google devices – Nexus 4 and Nexus 7- in the Philippines. The announcement was made via Twitter.
SMART to Offer Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 in the Philippines
About Nexus 4 and Nexus 7
Nexus 4 is the latest Google Phone. Successor of Galaxy Nexus, it was designed by Google in partnership with LG Electronics. It sports a quad-core processor, a stunning 4.7 inches Corning Gorilla Glass display, and Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) mobile OS.
Nexus 7 is the latest iteration of Google tablet. It sports a 7-inches display, a quad-core processor 1 GB RAM and is being offered an amazing price of as low as $199 USD (around 8400 Pesos) for the 16GB WiFi Model. It also runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) OS.
About SMART Communications
Smart Communications is the mobile arm of the telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT). It is the country’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers. They now offers a wide array of wireless technologies: GSM, 3G, and 4G (LTE, WiMAX and HSPA+).
Pricing and Availability
Smart has not yet disclosed the details about the price of these devices. It is likely though that Nexus 4 phone will come tied up with a plan and a 24-month contract. For Nexus 7, it is possible that SMART will only offer the 32 GB, WiFi + HSPA+ model and tie it to a their data plan.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, tablet Tags: 4G Wireless, Google, Jelly bean, LG Electronics, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Nexus, Nexus 7, Philippines, Smart, smartphone, Telcos
