The Galaxy S III is Not That Otherworldly

Photo from Samsung

Last week, Samsung has launched the phone that is said to be the main competitor to the iPhone, the Galaxy S III. 

Unleashed from the Mobile Unpacked event in May 3, the Galaxy S III was one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2012. Rumors were floating around the internet for the specs and features of this thing. It ranged from a dual-core to a quad-core processor, screen size of 4.6 to 4.8 inches.

Well, most of them came true. It will come with a quad-core Exynos processor, although it may come with a different processor when it reaches the United States. It has a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1280x720 resolution. It comes with Android 4.0, known as Ice Cream Sandwich, out of the box, with TouchWiz Nature UX on top of it. Software features of the newest version of TouchWiz includes Smart Stay, which keeps the screen on when you look at the phone, even though you set the auto-off, and S Voice, which has advanced voice controls like being able to access the camera.

I honestly think that this phone has great specs, which is what the Galaxy S line has been known for. They really went all-out on this one, going so far as to "mimic" Apple with an exclusive launch event just for this, so I expected more, despite being an Apple fan.

Putting all biases aside, this is just a GOOD smartphone. And that means a lot. The specs were great, but I feel as if they've stepped back on the design. C'mon! This is a flagship phone, not some random phone release! I wanted to say that this is a true iPhone competitor, but it feels lacking at some point. Although I was surprised with the software they have shown, it really doesn't make up for the design.

Although the screen's very tempting, it still does not serve well for me as a phone, although it boils down to personal preference on this one.

Overall, I'm standing on my decision that this is a GOOD smartphone. This puts me in high hopes that Apple's next big thing will certainly compete well against the plethora of Android smartphones this year.

Week 2: What To Do

I kinda thought that we would be reading more things during this week.

YES and NO.

YES, because we really did at the start of this week. One reading I did had something to do with that word in the picture. (and they say a picture's worth a thousand words, HA!) It showed me that assets are one of the things a company must really consider because a lot of things can happen to them like it getting outdated and needs to be replaced by a newer model.

NO, because later in the week, we had to learn more new stuff that we have to do for the company. I always wanted to learn new things and this was one of those times. We were learning lots of new stuff, especially today when we laughed hard at how simple it is compared to what we did before that. 

I have to get ready though because important people are coming soon. GOOD LUCK to me.

Week 1: The Test Run

From now on, I will post something on the end of the work week because I wanna sum up my experiences of being an on-the-job trainee.

Here we go...

Days before I started, I already started feeling nervous about how I would face this new challenge that lied ahead. It felt creepy...

...until the time I started getting comfortable with the workplace. It's just in school actually, so going to work feels like taking summer classes (which I find no use for, to me) and I can't get over that, even at this very moment. LOL to that.

During each day, each of us gets 2 snacks and 2 servings of drinks. Honestly, it was satisfying because it felt soothing while getting our brains overloaded with information. The best part was we got to choose which snacks we want! (although we were only limited to biscuits, which was okay with me) I realized that I wasn't used to staring at a computer screen for 5 hours straight for a very long time, mostly because I committed to NOT stay in front of one for that long unless it was really urgent or I am utterly bored. 


The thing is, I find myself being more enthusiastic than I was before I started. Even though I still feel parts of me being a bit lazy because of adjusting, I know that I can do something productive here.


I hope that next week would be the start of serious business. For now, this is it.

Saving Jessica Sanchez: SMART Judges, RELAXED Fans

Source: YouTube.com

There are things that should be considered when having these talent competitions: I personally think that the judges SHOULD have a say. WHY? Because of what happened with Jessica Sanchez.


On American Idol, shocking news happened when the lowest number of votes were from Jessica. As you watch the video above, you will notice that after the announcement was made, people were surprised as to what turned out. She's one of the assumed frontrunners of Season 11 and this is what happened to her?


I think this is a matter of the right choices. You don't just vote for the person with the looks, or voice alone. It must be the WHOLE PACKAGE! And it's not just Jessica, even Joshua Ledet, another frontrunner, shared the same fate in the Bottom 3 (although he is safe). I just hope that the fans willingly vote for their favorites seriously because I don't want this to happen AGAIN.

The Growth of Instagram

Oh, Instagram.

Last I checked, this photo-sharing app is widely popular amongst the iOS community and is 30 million strong, despite being exclusive to one OS. After more than a week, it's become one of the most popular startups made in history.

Here's what happened:

Instagram for Android

Last week, Instagram released the app in Google Play. This was one of the biggest releases that Android has ever had. Reviewers say that it has carried over most of what iOS users experience over to the green robot's version, and apparently the users rejoiced. In under a day of availability, 1 million of the Android horde downloaded this! I thought this was amazing already! Until...

Facebook buys Instagram for $1B

When I woke up this morning, I checked my Twitter feed and read that same phrase. At first, I like "WHAAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Is Facebook gonna ruin the experience that I have known and loved for months? IS IT THE END OF INSTAGRAM?" Then, I read EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE there is on this topic. Here, I came to realize a few things:

Facebook's keeping Instagram alive

I know, I know, I was one of the skeptics. After reading Mark Zuckerberg's post, he said that they are "committed to building and growing Instagram independently". Usually, I would say that this would eventually change, and Instagram would go away, but I have faith that Facebook would maintain this very vibrant photo-sharing app and make it more powerful due to Facebook's infrastructure.

This MAY solve Facebook's problem with Mobile

I have to admit, Facebook's mobile app and website SUCKS. Although the team redesigned them, it's still LIMITED and functions poorly compared to the website. I could even do MORE there than on my iPod touch. The purchase of Instagram may help solve that and will possibly make Facebook put out a WAY BETTER mobile app and site for us users to enjoy. I honestly hope this happens.

Just when I thought this was already too big to consume,

Android app hitting 5M downloads in 6 days

This is just MIND-BOGGLING. I have never found an app that's more widespread than this. IT'S AMAZING that the scale of this is unheard of. This reassures Facebook that Instagram will grow, surprisingly at a tremendous rate.

I say this: CONGRATULATIONS to Kevin Systrom and his team for the success they have with Instagram and I sincerely hope you won't let Facebook ruin the experience we all love.

If you haven't downloaded this, here's the link: Instagr.am

Fare thee well, Instagram.

Selfless Plugs: Ella's Diaries

Here I am, putting up another plug for my friend here. ^^


Read her blog, it's a set of stories on what she's doing and how she's dealing with it. Hope you guys will like it. ^_^


Link is HERE. Thanks guys!

Instagram for Android? I'm Okay With It!

Source: Instagram

After a month or so waiting for this, it's finally here! :D Instagram on Android!


A lot of apps are already ported to Android, with the recent one being Temple Run (one of my favorite iOS apps to date). It's no surprise to me that Burbn went on and did this. I am an iOS user, and I enjoy this app when I can, but it's good to see this finally on the green side.


According to what I've read and watched, Instagram for Android has brought the same experience that iPhone users have come to know and love. The founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom, claimed that the Android app "is sometimes better than our iOS app, it's crazy". I have yet to really test what it can do, so I hope it would feel like the same experience as I have from my iOS device.


Now on to the main issue, I've seen so many tweets and posts on how iPhone users are disgusted or pissed at the fact that Android users have Instagram because it is referred as "inferior product". I really think they're OVERREACTING. Although I'm part of the "walled garden", I really don't like this issue and I sincerely hope this would go away QUICKLY.


To all Android users who downloaded this, I sincerely welcome y'all to Instagram and hopefully like it as we have for nearly 2 years. ^_^

The Not So Favorable But Still Great Odds: The Hunger Games Movie Review

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

Effie's very popular line. This is what I thought of before going in the movie house to watch the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games. I was wondering how on earth they're gonna pull this off since I've heard that it was impossible to follow everything in the book. I really hoped for the best.

Source: LionsGate

I sincerely hope I watched this movie first...

The way that the director played this out was amazing, the scenes that were untouched were really as accurate as they could possibly be. I really thought that Jennifer Lawrence nailed the acting on the main protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. It feels like she was meant to play this role, or this was made for her.

The other characters played their role well, although I was concerned over a few things. Why does Haymitch look cleaner? I expected him to look like a drunkard. Instead, he looks like he got out from a futuristic shower. Last I checked, he lives in District 12! Also, I found the height difference of Josh Hutcherson (who plays Peeta) and Lawrence to be a bit disturbing.

The only complaint that makes this not so favorable for me is that since I read the book, I felt that the movie lacked the scenes I wanted to be there. For instance, the remaining tributes (e.g. Cato, Clove, Thresh) aren't as exposed as they are in the book. I'm sorry but this really goes to show that books are STILL better than the movies.

BUT, this is still a great movie to watch and enjoy. I AM HOPING THAT THEIR ODDS WILL BE BETTER IN CATCHING FIRE. ^_^


What do you think guys? Was the hype worth it? Post your reactions in the comments.

Are Tablets Really the Dawn of the Post-PC Era?

Source: Apple, Inc.

Tablets are now all the rage, the catalyst being the picture you see there, Apple's iPad.


Based on what I've seen over the past year, when tablets were coming out left and right, I think that tablets are becoming more and more powerful and can handle serious applications that PCs and Macs can do.


The thing is, I don't think the world is ready for what Apple calls the "Post-PC Era". Sure that people's lives have been made easier when smartphones came out and tablets revived to be more powerful than ever before, but we haven't got to the point that many CAN abandon their PCs and be confident that they'll be able to get a better experience with the tablet. There are still people who prefer doing photo editing using their desktops and laptops because of the power that they have.

Source: Amazon

Another aspect though of the tablet that has already changed and will be permanent, is the fact that it is used for content consumption. Take for instance, the Amazon Kindle Fire. It may be small, like what you see, but it costs $199 and is purely meant for consuming media from Amazon, which is actually successful. 


I am positive though that this will happen, just not right now. We have to let technology run its pace until we can reach that time. Until then, enjoy all the goodness of desktops and laptops.

My Friend's Blog :)

Wow. :D I've never posted more than once in a day. :)

I would like to take a moment of your time to promote my friend's blog. ^^ Her name's Diana, and although she just did blogging now, I find her recent posts so cool. Read her blog to experience that coolness. Link is HERE. 


Thanks guys!

Thoughts On: "The New iPad"

Yes, guys. The new iPad is here. I know, I know. "It looks exactly like the one last year!" Don't be fooled, though. Apple made sure that like the iPhone 4S, this "new iPad" will sell like hot cakes. I won't delve into the details of the specs as every freaking tech site has them, and of course, the Apple website. 


For those who just knew this now, here are what makes this iPad "new":

• Retina Display: This will blow you away, with a 2048x1536 resolution display. This means everything you see on the new iPad will be amazing.
• Apple A5X Processor: This may not mean much to everyone, but this is a dual-core processor WITH quad-core graphics. This powers that very powerful Retina Display, and puts out great graphics, with Apple claiming it to be better than Nvidia's Tegra 3 Quad-Core processor. (Let's see who's gonna get the last laugh. HAHA)
• 5 MP iSight camera: Another wish of some people, they put a higher quality camera in it, also carrying the advanced optics that they put in the iPhone 4S. This means better pictures captured, and also better viewed with that monster Retina Display.
• 1080p HD Video Recording: Expected this, since this is from the 4S. Still, it's cool.
• 4G LTE: Again, this may not mean much, but Apple FINALLY caught up with the norm. Now, this new iPad will now have faster data speeds which will please web surfers.

They also put Dictation on the new iPad, letting users speak what they want to type. My thoughts on what they put? Although it's not a revolutionary upgrade, it's a GREAT upgrade to an already GREAT device. Unlike the iPhone, which is in a sea of a lot of phones, the iPad became the first to define the category that almost died, but Apple successfully revived. I am deeply amazed and they don't need to change things that ain't broke, and changed things that were needed and did it right.

Overall, they changed the tablet game. AGAIN.

Sources: Apple, TechnoBuffalo

BITS and pieces of IT. :)

I spent a whole day full of fun and surprises as EZWare brings us Year 2 of the "Battle of IT Schools" or BITS, for short. It's an event where all schools and universities which offer IT programs gather and compete in the Thesis competitions and the Computer Quiz Bowl. Other events include: various intermission numbers, RAFFLE DRAW, and speakers that talked to us about current trends in the field of IT.


In regards to the quiz bowl, I think the winners deserved to win, but the quiz bowl wasn't designed to test who really is the best out there. Since it turned out that way, we just had a lot of fun ESPECIALLY when my classmate went up the stage for the Chinese-speaking thing. It was AMUSING! =))

Besides all the events, current trends were actually used even when we entered the venue! The chip you see there is the actual chip used to go in and out of the venue after you have registered. This got me FREE unlimited hot chocolate throughout the whole day! AMAZING! :D


I was actually amazed at what IT can still do to our society. Hopefully, more and more things can be done to make our lives easier.


This is IT!

Free ALL THE Apps! :D

Well, maybe not ALL the apps. That's just crazy. Anyway, the title has a relation to what I'm about to show you. This may deviate from the usual happenings around me but that's because I've been busy lately.

Here we go. The thing I wanna talk about is Free My Apps by Fiksu. It is a service that claims to "NEVER Pay For Apps Again". This is definitely true!


It has a credit system that lets you earn credits everytime you download their sponsor apps and run them for 30 seconds each, which are ALL free. 


After saving enough credits, you can download gift apps. All of them are paid apps, and you can get them for FREE. (YES, FREE!)








This is currently for iOS users only. Hopefully, they can put out a version of this for you Android people.




Personally, I LOVE this service but the number of sponsor apps are few and it seems hard to get the cool apps.






Link to Free My Apps: CLICK HERE

Expectations for 2012...

The first day of 2012 is nearly over, but this year's just getting started. Here's what I expect from this year:

• WORLD IS NOT GOING TO END - Seriously, people! You really believe those? Sheeesh, next thing you know that guy (Harold Camping) predicts some random date to be the "Judgment Day".
• PROGRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES - It's about time that the President should do something that will radically affect the lives of the Filipinos.
• BE MORE OPEN-MINDED - Usually, I get biased as to what I use. I don't try to use other things for it opposes my ideals. For this year, I want to try things that can make me more open with other things.

For now, that's all I expect from you, 2012. ^^ Hope you'll be nice to everyone. :D

The Sudden Turn of Events..

"Some things either happen because you wanted to or it's for a reason."

This month taught me a lot in life. This maybe one of those times where you feel helpless and learn that people have been there for you all this time. It may feel like it's too late to realize but it never isn't, right? So, I'll be telling the story of my year-end experience before thanking people of the memories of this year.


It all started when I had this problem with my right ear. It was really painful because I couldn't hear anything, and there was this annoying high-pitched screech with it. It really hurts. I didn't know what to do. We went to the doctor and got medication but after a week, it seemed a bit hopeless because of this feeling of uselessness. I didn't know if I could make it through that time. I prayed to God that I wanted to get well, that I wanted to hear the voices of happiness from family and friends. Then, a lot of things happened that opened my eyes even further...

First, I had a chance to be with a good friend in high school for a day, going wherever she was going. Next, we had a great time during the Christmas party of our family. After that, we had a good time roaming around the city for Christmas Day. It was amazing how different the views of the city are between day and night. December 26th, my cousins and I went to the mall for some unforgettable fun.

The events just keep happening after that. On the 29th, I went with 4th year high school classmates. We had a great time by singing with the karaoke and eating in KFC while talking about the good ol' times. Then just yesterday, I was with a very good friend of mine in college with another friend and just had a good time bonding.






It made me realize that no matter how hopeless you can get, God will find ways to lead you back to Him. I saw that through my family and friends. I am forever grateful to God for what He has done, and I thank Him so much for all that has happened. I just hope and pray that my mom would get better.

SO WILL 2012. ^_^


THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS! LOVE Y'ALL! :D

A Nice Christmas Eve So Far..

It's been a loooooooong while since I've posted. Oh well..

The feeling that you're with your family is AMAZING! :D


Oh, gotta go now... We still gotta sing here ^^ 'til later guys! :)

Fire And Ice :)

This event really meant a lot to the people behind it. :) I can't believe after all the hardwork we've been through, we've heard positive feedback from teachers. I'm so happy for all of us.. I really appreciate the work that we did to reach the success we now harness.


Despite the problems we faced on the journey to this event, we all pulled through. ^^ Without our president's iron fist, maybe this would have been worse.

Job well done guys ^_^

Moody.

No one has denied me of my state right now.

I really don't like what I'm feeling at this very moment. It's like this thorn on my side that would never go away and until now, I could never figure out why. I really don't like being this way.

Being moody does have its perks though. It helps me think about certain things that I usually don't think about due to stress that I can't prevent while in school. I'm really starting to hate this. Oh well.

I really hate ranting like this. Maybe it's because of my feelings? Or the fact that my plans are ruined for next week due to some uncalled-for activities where most of them won't matter to a person whose interests are computers. I'd rather stay at home and do more productive stuff for an upcoming event because it's really getting closer.

And wait, crap. I don't like having feelings for someone that I view as something else. I don't want something bad to happen. I just want them to stay as they are. Being TOO moody sucks.

I don't know why random rants are popping out of my head, but one thing's for sure, and it's that I'm feeling moody right now.

That's all. BOW.

Countdown UPDATE!

Sorry for the delay guys! I was busy yesterday trying to figure out what to give away..

Until it hit me... Why not invite that person over for a treat? Like in KFC?

Are you okay with that?

Type YES if you do, NO if you don't in the comments below.

ONLY TODAY'S VOTES COUNT. GO!

Guess the Countdown :)

Sorry if it's been a while since I blogged. I've been VERY busy lately due to strenuous activities in school.

So, I've decided to leave you a countdown:




What is it, you may ask? Well, it's for you to find out! Comment below to guess what it's for and you may just  get a chance to win something! Prize will be revealed as soon as that countdown reaches 7 days before it's over. ^^

READY, SET, GUESS! ^_^