I’m giving away a Motorola WiMax Wave 2 Wireless Broadband Modem.

WiMax Modem Giveaway

I used it for my internet service for a 2-week demo from a guy named Rey. It worked well that time, but now it’s no longer working. I got another *subscription* from Angel. Tried to return the first modem to Angel’s company. But they don’t seem to be interested in getting it back.

So, all’s good. I’m giving away the modem to anyone who’s got a creative idea on how he/she will use the Motorola WiMax Wave 2 Wireless Broadband Modem.

Leave a comment below and tell me your creative idea on how YOU will use the Modem. You just might win the modem.

lovingly yours,

kuya edong

I was at Coffee Bean at Salcedo, Makati last night with a friend. Right there, out of maybe 12 people inside the cafe, there were two iPad users. One was reading some books and checking his twitter account. Another girl was with a group of friends and was showing them some photos she took from a recent trip.

The iPad is in the Philippines and more and more Pinoys are using it.

iPad in a Box

iPad user Vince bought an iPad for his wife on their anniversary. Sa tingin niyo, sino ang *tunay* na gustong gumamit nung iPad?

Below is a video demonstration of the iPad from my friend, Mannix Moya. He demonstrates the sleek functionality of the iPad, different orientations, highlighting, graphics rendering etc. He also compares the iPad to the Kindle which he uses as well.

Learn more about the iPad in this two and a half minute demo:

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iHaveYetToTryIt

Here’s a quick (Qik!) video of the HTC Magic, the first Android phone in the Philippines.

The Google Android Phone by HTC features a barcode scanner, compass, 3D road-level view of places among other things. See how it works by clicking the image below:

Google Android Demo by HTC

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(in monotone) “I am a robot”

Cignal Digital TV is the latest satellite TV service by Mediascape, Inc. (http://www.mediascape.com.ph), same company that delivers myTV (TV in you mobile phone).

Cignal TV Satellite Dish

After the jump, some first impressions and a lot of information from the flyers.
AND a video interview with a Cignal representative. Thanks to Bernie for the video interview!

First impressions

Digital TV at P390 per month? Not bad, compared to around P500 for cable TV.

Uptake of the service will depend on a couple of factors: Quality, Delivery, Price (QDP).

I don’t know yet about the Q and the D, but I do have some details about the service offering and the Price. I can imagine that there’ll be a huge queue for installations, especially with the huge satellite dish that has to be installed accurately facing a specific compass direction.

The service is currently delivering plain-definition TV. By June 2009, high-definition TV (HDTV) will be available.

Channels currently available:

• ABS-CBN
• GMA
• 5 TV
• Q TV
• Studio 23
• NBN
• CIS9
• IBC
• etc
• 2nd Avenue
• Net24
• b
• HBO
• Disney
• Cartoon Network
• CNN
• PBO
• Viva Cinema
• AXN
• bio

Overheard, still to come: Discovery travel and living.

From the flyer:

One-Time set-up fee: P5,500

Package includes:
Installation Fee
Set Top Box with free remote control
Cignal Card
Satellite Dish and Cables

One year lock-in period.

Installation fee may vary depending on the location and materials that will be used for the equipment

Cignal TV Set top box and remote control

According to a representative: One TV is to one Set top box. One satellite dish can accommodate multiple set top boxes.

Monthly Fees (Vat Inclusive)

Postpaid Monthly Subscription Fee: P390 per month
Prepaid Service Fee
P390 for 30 days

Requirements

Postpaid
a.) Proof of Billing (any utility bill under the subscriber’s name)
b.) Proof of Income (payslip, ITR, Certificate of Employment – with details of salary)

Prepaid
a.) Proof of Billing

Application Procedure

• a.) Fill-out application form
• b.) Attach Proof of Billing
• c.) Pay one-time set-up fee
• d.) Submit to Cignal authorized dealer

COVERAGE AREAS:

Metro Manila
Luzon:  Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga,
Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bataan, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon
Visayas:  Bohol, Leyte, Samar
Mindanao:  Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur

For Inquiries, Contact Cignal:

• cignalcare@mediascape.com.ph
• 02-8956353
• 0908-7699119

Christine Reyes at the Cignal booth, photo from jeromea:

More photos, courtesy of Cignal:

Cignal card

Cignal Dish

Cignal receiver (Set top box)

Cignal Remote Control

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hi-definition

This is interesting. For P1,799/month for 24 months, you get to own a Netbook inclusive of 60hours of wireless internet per month. That’s P799 Internet Plan, P1,000 monthly amortization for the laptop.

In essence, it is a purchase of hardware and internet subscription bundle, where the hardware is subsidized by the internet service provider.

Here’s the complete press release below.

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kay aga aga, kamukha ni Aga

Smart Bro-Ready Asus EeePC with Internet Plan 799

SMART launches BRO-powered netbooks for mobile broadband fans

[18 March 2009] From the company which offered SMART Bro Prepaid, the country’s first prepaid wireless broadband service, comes a new product designed to be the perfect companion for highly mobile and increasingly tech-savvy individuals.

Leading wireless services operator Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), through its wholly-owned subsidiary SMART Broadband, Inc. (SBI), just launched the country’s first netbook with built-in, high-speed broadband connectivity, powered by SMART Bro.

SMART Bro wireless broadband modems now come embedded on units of the Asus Eee PC™ 904 GO, one of the newest models from the Taiwanese PC maker’s trend-setting line of ‘netbooks’ – or small but full-featured laptops that are built primarily for computing on-the-go.

The built-in SMART Bro modem and the SMART Bro data SIM that comes with the bundle allow the Asus Eee PC™ 904 GO to connect wirelessly to SMART’s nationwide HSPA network, offering fans of mobile broadband a complete, ready-to-run Internet experience in an all-in-one device, right out of the box.

HSPA is the latest evolution of the GSM technology, and is likened to having the high-speed, cable broadband experience delivered right to a mobile device.

The SMART Bro-powered Asus Eee PC™ 904 GO is available via the Plan 799 monthly subscription, which comes with up to 60 hours of Internet access, at speeds of up to 2 mbps in key cities in the country. Usage in excess of 60 hours will be charged P10 for every 30 minutes.

Initial cash-out for the 24-month subscription is P1,000 for the laptop plus P799 for the first monthly service fee, for a total of P1,799. The same amount goes for the monthly fee for the package. Interested subscribers may apply for the plan at selected SMART Wireless Centers in Metro Manila.

“As we innovate and offer more and more services under our mobile broadband portfolio, we hope to advance our ‘Internet for All’ agenda, to bring the benefits of broadband Internet to the grassroots,” said Orlando B. Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of SMART.

Smart Bro Inside - Netbooks with built-in Wireless Internet connection

[end of press release]

For Smart Bro Inquiries

• http://www.smart.com.ph/smartbro
• Contact customer care at *18888 from your smart Cellphone or 02-6727277 using a landline
• Visit any Smart Wireless Center

I sure would want to win it. And I feel I already did! (Law of attraction, mga kapatid! ).

Sony and Nuffnang are running a contest for bloggers entitled: “Sony World’s Firsts Contest!”

The contest asks bloggers to write about their first experience with Sony. Whether you’re 13, 33 (like me) or 63 years old, I’m sure you have many good memories about experiencing Sony for the first time.

Sony Vaio

I personally experienced Sony back in elementary in Baguio, borrowing my brother’s Sony walkman which he received as a Christmas gift (in the meantime, at age 6, and I got a stuffed toy for Christmas!). It must have been around 1981. My parents bought the Sony walkman (and my stuffed toy) during their trip to the US!

Ooops, but this isn’t my contest entry yet. Let me dip into my Sony memories muna.

In the meantime, here are excerpts from the contest mechanics:

1. First of all, you should be a Nuffnanger to be eligible to join this contest.

2.Write or make a BLOG ENTRY answering the question: “What is your first Sony product and describe its impact in your life.” You can use videos, photos, scrapbook or anything as long as you can make us and Sony swoon! Impress and show off! Be Creative and Innovative in your entry!

3. The blog entries should have a uniform title: “My first Sony experience is with my _________”

Ex. My first Sony experience is with my Sony walkman.

4. The blog entry should end with this sentence: “It (your first Sony product) definitely gave significance in my life just like the Sony’s World’s First _________________.”

Complete the above sentence by choosing among the new 8 products with the World Breakthrough Technologies.

For more details about the Sony’s World’s Firsts contest , visit Nuffnang.com.ph or Sony.com.ph .

I’m sure there are many Sony stories out there. It would be interesting reading those stories. I sure would like to hear the story behind a 63 year-old blogger’s first experience with Sony (lolo, not first exprience Siony, ha!). hehehe. And how that story would compare to a 13 year-old’s first experience with Sony.

See you on Dec 6 at the SMX Convention center, venue for the Sony Expo 2008. I’ll be batting for that Sony Vaio and Sony Cybershot!

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So nice

Disclosure: Nuffnang and Sony contacted me directly telling me about their campaign for this contest and the Sony Expo 2008. I’ve been asked to appear on a TV show, mornings @ ANC on Nov 27, 9-11am to talk about my experience with a Sony Vaio T15GN loaned to me for evaluation.

Aside from my parents, who wants to see me on TV?

I got this poster of Consumer Electronics Live via email from my friend Tere.

One brand caught my attention: FHM!

Hahaha! Just kidding. I imagine lotsa lotsa gadgets at the SMX convention center.

Among the lotsa lotsa gadgets, there’ll be:

• Mobile Phones
• Digital Imaging
• Laptops and Computer equipment
• High-performance home theater systems
• Audio equipment
• Gaming (PC, console, online and mobile-based)
• In-vehicle technology
• Wireless and convergence devices
• Home appliances and security
• Software and content providers
• Emerging technology
• Technology related services

I usually go to these events to find out what’s happening, find out what’s new. To try out some of the latest gadgets. Mostly to jog my ideation machine coconut and whip up my “Edong’s Dreams what ifs” with the current technologies available in the market.

If I get the chance to visit the event, it will be my first time at the SMX. I’m looking forward to seeing a spiffy interior at the SMX.

Who will be at the CEL? Ikaw?

Visit www.celmanila.com for more information.

Updates: 

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celamangka

Two weeks ago, I went to Makati and found that they’ve upgraded the ticketing system for street parking. In the past, they used to issue pre-printed receipts with hand-written time-in.

Now they have electronically printed receipts. The device has a simple touch-screen Liquid crystal display PDA. It has a software running behind it where the parking officer enters time in and out. Upon clicking “print”, the thermal printer coughs out the receipt that is issued to the car owner.

When the parking time is expired, the PDA starts to beep alerting the parking officer to watch out for the owner of cars with overdue tickets.

I’ve seen similar devices in the past. First in Australia (2005), second in a bus from Tagaytay (2007).

Glad to see the Makati local government is taking-up the technology.

Other benefits …

The mobile ticketing device allows the parking system to get more accurate data about parking trends (how long people park their cars, which areas are hot, turn-over of cars, how many go overtime etc.) . All this info can, theoretically, be gathered in a database for data processing. I don’t know if they actually do this.

Further, collections are less subjective. There’s an electronic record of the transaction, thus it is less vulnerable to human … what’s the word … dagdag-bawas.

Keep up the innovation and technology uptake!

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temporary parking

Found this machine at the NAIA. At least nadagdagan ng amenity ang ating Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Mabuti naman! That airport is the gateway pa naman where almost all foreigners arrive and depart from the Philippines.

Free Cellphone Charging at NAIA

The machine accepts various models of phones as indicated in each slot.

Free Cellphone Charging at NAIA

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recharging

I spotted this machine a Jewel Osco shop in Chicago. It’s a coin counter. And if I remember correctly, it allowed the user to convert loose change to either cash or pre-paid cards or gift cheques.

Coin Counter Machine

I remember seeing a Philippine version of a coin counter. It was an invention by a member of the Philippine inventor’s association.

Coin Counter Machine

I remember it was like a lunch box with a window to see where the coins go. There was a receiving pan at the top of the box where all the coins were placed. The user would just have to manually slide the coin into a slot at one corner of the pan. When the coin fell through, it would be sorted automatically and will be stacked inside the clear box in a neat row of coins.

Nice!

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coin collector