Cheapest 7 inch tablet in the Philippine market?

I was attracted by this advertisement in Lazada.com based on a posting in Facebook.



or this:




Here are the specs:
Price

Screen size;Resolution	7" screen, 800 x 480 Resolution
Operating system	Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Memory	4GB (internal memory), up to 32GB micro SD/TF support
Chip	BOXCHIP A13/ Cortex-A8 1~1.5GHz
Wifi	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
eg	3G Module supports USB external
OTG	USB OTG functions
Camera	1.3MP
Reference	lazada.com
Warranty	1 Year, Authenticity guaranteed
Before ₱ 4,989.00, Now ₱ 2,999.00

The price is unbelievable and it may be possible that all students should be able to buy this device for educational purposes! Now if they can lower the price to P1,000.00 we can standardized on this as an educational tool from elementary to highschool to college!

April 6, 2013: The price at Lozada when you order has been bumped to P3,489.00. they should stop advertising the P2999.00 in Facebook.

Would you buy the latest IPad3 because of its astounding Retina display?

Only Apple knows how to interest the technical blogging world and news media about its upcoming Ipad3. Click on
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/ipad-high-res-display-outlook/.

The new iPad3 boasts a stunning 2048 x 1536 hyperresolution Retina display. Most viewers of the device are made speechless after first seeing the display, but are you going to buy it? There are a few reasons I wont be buying soon an iPad3:



1. I have the first original iPad with wifi and mobile carrier features. It is relatively heavy but it is my niece favorite.

2. I have my hands on the iPad2 obtained from my sister with wifi only.

3. I dont have money now to buy Apple's crazy to get iPad3.

4. I still have not found applications which can completely replace my laptops! For example, Python programming, cheap Office applications, multiuser/multitasking mobile Linux, etc.

But I can get insane too. I was about to buy the original Samsung Tab but my friend convinced me to buy the original Ipad. I dont use it much, perhaps I am brainwashed by Android more varied softwares. And I havent written a lot of posts for the iPad on this blog you are reading now. But that may change, in the near future. Not a promise though.

Cables with sdcard, video outputs from CDRking

From our favorite people's gadget store comes this

Here is the feature set from the CDRKing page:

1. Easy to transfer Images and Videos
   
2. Connect to iPad Directly, No installation needed
   
3. Supports SD card and Micro SD card for Data Transfer to your iPad
   
4. Can sync data and charge using the USB or USB mini ports
   
5. Compatible with USB Camera connection for Picture transfer
   
6. Supports Mini USB 2.0
   
7. 3.5mm AV output for TV viewing  
   

This set, labeled TMIPA02, 5-IN-1 IPAD CAMERA CONNECTION KIT, will set you back for P1380 pesos! But we believe this is worth the price.

My computers are Linux powered and I dont have an Mac computer. This accesory kit comes handy!

Guess who first registered the iPad trademark?

It is not Apple but Proview of Taiwan.


Click on FT.com for full details.

In short:

You would have thought that Apple would be the first with the iPad trademark, but Proview in China beat Apple to it.The important part of the report is that
between the years 200 and 2004, Proview registered the trademark in EU, China South Korea, and other countries. But in 3006, Proview sold to apple the "global trademark" for the iPad label, and the two companies are at logerheads whether that deal should include China, now a profitable consumer base.

Proview currently focuses on effient LED lighting products if it owns the http://www.proview.com site, a screenshot is provided below:

Samsung and Apple: enemies and lovers

Flash! Samsung wins in Australian courts! Australian courts refused a request of Apple to ban Samsung products (the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets) in Australia.

Korea Times

Yet in spite of these legal battles, Apple has renewed renewed a supply contract for Samsung to supply parts for Apple highly esteemed products.


Apple perhaps recognized that it has to share the limelight in innovative products with Samsung!

The legal landscape is fast changing and full of twists and turns! Here is the latest news:

Business week, Dec. 1: Apple wins extension on samsung tablet ban in Australia.

Fast pad from CDR-king boasts some respectable specifications

From the catalog of CDR-King, our favorite gadgets store, we have this Fastpad tablet available for only "P8, 800.00"
It features WIFI capabilities, supports 3G(??!!! to be verified, sorry), is HDMI capable, with 4gb internal storage, expandable to 32gb with ports for HDMI video, USB 2.0and Audio and it weighs in only at 0.39 kg.

The hardware is nothing to sneeze at: Samsung S5PV210 ARM Cortex-A8 CPU operating at 1GHz. It is equipped with
DDR2 512MB memory and and 4GB storage TF Card with a maximum capacity of up to 32GB optional.

The screen is a 7” TFT display, 16:9 aspect ratio and 800x480 resolution. This tablet incredibly has a capacitive touch screen. Its communications and networking hardware features an internal Wif: Internal Wifi module, IEEE 802.11b/g wireless and is even equipped with a G-sensor for playing 3-D games.
It has a 3.0 megapixel camera at the back.

For sound play back, it has 2 x 1W stereo speakers, and has a standard earphone jack.Of course it has an internal microphone. The battery is rated at 2200mAh and the tablet comes with a power jack/adapter rated at 9B/1.5 A. We dont know its rated battery life until it needs a recharge (some buyers reported 4-6 hours at Tipid).

The operating system is Android (Linux based!) but at the earlier version of 2.2. It comes with standard applications
SW online, QQ, MSN, Skype, Ebook reader for reading UMD, TXT, PDF formats, Google Market Online and it supports
Quick Office.

Unlike the Ipad, it comes with Flash Adobe Flash 10.1! Here is a side view of the ports area.

Images and bare specifications are from the online catalog of CDRKing.

Here are the capabilities of the Fastpad:

Features
• WIFI capabilities
HDMI capable 4gb internal storage, expandable to 32gb HDMI, USB and Audio ports 0.39kg, lightweight
• Software:
OS: Android 2.2 Dynamic desktop SW online: QQ, MSN, Skype Ebook: UMD, TXT, PDF Google Market Online Quick Office: supported Video: 1080p HD Video, HW decode MPEG4/ H.264/ H.263/ VC1/ RMVB/ RM/ 3GP/ AVI/ MKV/ MOV Audio: MP3/WMA/WAV/AAC/AAC+ Image Viewer: JPEG/PNG/BMP/GIF Flash: Adobe Flash 10.1 Language: Multilateral
• Hardware
CPU:Samsung S5PV210 ARM Cortex-A8 process 1GHz system clock Memory: DDR2 512MB Storage: 4GB TF Card, Maximum support up to 32GB (optional) LCD: 7” TFT, 16:9, 800x480 Touch: Capacitive Touch Wifi: Internal Wifi module, IEEE 802.11b/g wireless G-Sensor: Rotator screen, 3D games Camera: 3.0 megapixel HDMI: HD video output USB: USB Host 2.0, USB Device 2.0 Dimension: 7.6” x 4.9” 0.50” (H x L x W)
• Audio:
2 x 1W stereo speaker Earphone jack Internal Mic Key: Power on/off, Home, Menu, Esc Battery: 2200mAh Power Jack: 9V/1.5A power adapter(100-240v input)
• Package Content
1x Tablet 1x DC 9V Power Adapter 1x 3.5 Audio Jack 1 USB 5 Pin Female Connector 1x USB 5 Pin Connector

You should first compare this with the Samsung Galaxy Pad without the 3G model which sets you back by 17-18 K pesos! So this Fastpad looks like a bargain.

Its Official! iPad2 is out for sale March 11.

Just browsed the news today. Steve Jobs lead in the unveiling of the new iPad2 at an Apple event in San Francisco March 12. According to the sources, the iPad pricing remains the same starting at US 499$. Basically the new iPad has

1. front and back camera.
2. has faster dual core A5 processor with lower power consumption.
3. has an hdmi connector to connect to a flat TV.
4. offers new colored cases with magnets and which put the iPad2 to sleep when not in use.
5. Two new softwares were introduced, the Garage band and new iMovie video software.
6. the iPad2 comes in two colors, Black or white.
7. Adding to the iPad2 requires a computer connection and syncing through iTunes.

We would have preferred that iPad introduces new usb slots. The new features will not make us run to buy the new iPad2. I hope that the original Samsung Galaxy tablet will still be available with a much much lower price thatn the 28,000 pesos it currently commands at some stores.

We hope that other manufacturers can lower their prices. We are keeping an eye on the Motorola Xoom!



The iPad2 is not revolutionary as when the first iPad came out.This is more of a gradual evolutionary improvement.


Click on any of the following links to view photos of the new iPad2.


USA Today


Macworld

Ipad 2 to be out today???

It is March 2 in the Philippines. Since we are about 12 hours ahead of the Eastern Standard Time of the US, we may be asleep already when Apple makes the announcement of the iPad2 release.

In the meantime, here are news, articles on the iPad2.

1. 
   Photos and videos of the rumored iPad2?
   We arent sure how the device will really look like, but it never hurts to view photos of prototypes.
   
   
2. Eweek: iPad is obsolete?!!
   
   Makes me unhappy and a little angry. I should have waited for this March?
   
3. 
   Reuters: Apple to introduce new iPad, with or without Jobs Without Jobs, Apple should be dead by now, instead it has the most strange transformation into a leading computing technology company!
   
4. 
   AFP: Apple to unveil new upgrade
   
   

NBS has iPAD cover

I have a brown colored leatherette cover bought from CDRKing. I wanted a black color but it is out of stock. Instead I went to NBS (National Book Store) in Ali Mall last night and I was able to buy a black simulated leather cover for the price of 339.25 pesos.

Here is our brown covered CDRKIng, as you can see, you have to be eternally conscious always of ensuring that the iPAD does not slip out of the cover!

The iPad needs a setting to turn off Cellular Data connection.

I cannot laugh at the stories of people being billed exhorbitantly, in fact the bills can be enormous!, by Smart, Globe and other communication companies.
For instance, Rep. Anna York Bondoc was billed the incredible amount of P100,000 for only 3 week use of mobile phones.

A spokesman for the Globe company has even averred that the iPad still connects to the 3G even when it is turned OFF!


This shows that we need a bill to stop billing by the hour the iPAD is ON but by the the hours the device is connected and downloading digital data.

We need a gadget to turn off the Cellular Data connection when the iPad is turned off via the power button. It SHOULD NOT automatically connect to the 3G communications provider!! Damn!


IT IS SO EASY TO FORGET: go to settings > Celllular Data and turn it off manually!

The New Zealand Earthquake and the Earthquake program of USGS on the Ipad.

I used to shudder at the real time reporting of the free iPad Earthquake program most recent geological temblor report. Viewing a recent history grid, I noticed that a series of Earthquake rocked the South Island of New Zealand, which already suffered last September but without fatalities. Alas this time, up to 65 deaths were reported in crushed buildings, or trapped in cars. Unlike the September earthquakes in which people were mostly in bed, this time, more people were out and even some were in the tower of Christchurch Cathedral which tumbled down according to reports.

The series of earthquakes were of magnitudes (from most recent) 4.8, 4.4, 6.3, 5.5, 4.1, 4.5, 5.6,4.5, 6.4 in the Richter scale.

Here is a screenshot of the location of the New Zealand earthquakes (on second row and last entry):

CS Monitor: at least 65 dead.

LA Times

iPad 2 in production?

Click on Thinner, Faster, Lighter


the new ipad2 will have a front and back camera, will be thinner and lighter but will have still the same display resolution.

Zaggmate for iPad.

From http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggmate-ipad-case
comes an aluminum case with bluetooth keyboard for the iPad.
It is available for only about 100 dollars (4,500 pesos). Here is a pic
lifted from the above mentioned page.

Here are the features also from the manufacturer's page:

ZAGGmate iPad Case Features

Aircraft-grade aluminum with a bead-blasted, anodized finish that matches the iPad
Military grade high-density padding for superior drop protection
Innovative hinge provides ten angles for viewing and typing in both portrait and landscape mode (non-keyboard version only)
Stylish, thin and lightweight. Half as thin as most folios for the iPad
Large, flat base allows for use on a soft or uneven surface such as a lap or on a bed
Only adds about ⅛" to the iPad

ZAGGmate iPad Case w/ keyboard Features

Embedded wireless Bluetooth physical keyboard
Special function keys for music control, volume control, slideshow, home, search, etc.
Only adds about ¼" to the iPad
About


The Zaggmate case with keyboard goes only for around 100 USDollars!
without keyboard, this one will set you up for 70 USD. Another competing product is from Tsir Tech whose case is made of leather.

Links About the iPad Collection

Links Collection

• 1.13.20118 great ipad games
  Alas, these great games will cost you. But buyers of iPad are supposed to be rich.:)
  
  
• undated PCWorld, all the best tablets
  
  
  
• 2.04.2011Washington Post Great iPad Apps for kids!
  
  
• 1.05.2011 TCGeeks
  
  Basically the article mentions basic applications to install which should helpyou be productive with the ipad.
  
  

  calendaring tools	CalenGoo,iCal
  todo lists	ToodleDo
  office docs	Documents to go

  
  
• 6.2010 PCMag Best 50 iPad Applications
  
  
• 9.07.2010 Honeytech: 30 Best iPad Applications
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 7.28.2010 Apple sued over overheating iPads.
  Tablet doesn't function 'under common weather conditions,' lawsuit says.
  
  
  
• 4.15.2010 The Best 20 iPad Apps
  From Extreme Tech.
  
  
• 4.02.2010 engadget: photos of ipad internals
  For FCC compliance, manufacturers required to submit prototytypes for testing.
  
  
  
• 4.02.2010 FAQ about the iPad
  From Macworld. General questions about the iPad from its design to applications.
  
  
  
• 1.29.2010
  Apple's $499 - $829 iPad: GPS, Map, Navigation Features
  GPS and navigation software for the iPAD.
  
  
  
• 1.28.2010
  iPad Vs. iPhone: 9 Things The iPad Has The iPhone DOESN'T (PHOTOS)
  From more memory, to bigger higher resolution screen, to bigger keyboard, to larger number of applications on day one!
  
  
• General undated links:
  
  Broadcom BCM4750 product
  The aGPS chip used in the iPad.
  
  
  

GPS not working?!

I tapped on the Maps application and it does not tell me my current location. The iPad was only on wifi and I went to the WWW and was informed that it will take 15 minutes to determine location. However, a popup message informed me "Cannot Determine Location"!

I was puzzled why there were those who wrote that 3G must be turned on. Since I had no prepaid load on my SIM, I have turned the Settings>Carrier off. Turning it on, the iPad Maps application rapidly zeroed on my location! I think the ipad is not really using a GPS, but rather computes location using cell towers signald based on strength and applying a simple triangulation.


And wonder of wonders, after turning off my 3G Carrier, the iPad Map program was now able to show my location!


A simple geolocation service has expropriated the GPS(Global Positioning System) moniker!

Free Earthquake software gives me alarming news of current earthquakes.

The free earthquake software gives a nice synthesis of maps and client-push-on alerts of earthquakes happening somewhere on the Earth's crust.


It is informative but the frequent alarms (popup news of the most recent earthquakes) cannot give me peace of mind. I will remove it some of these days unless I get used to it and accept the fact that yes! the Earth is "alive" and is a geologically active body in the Universe.

Ipad saves me from buying a portable electronic piano.

Last December I passsed by an appliance store in Trinoma, and I was impressed by the low prices (less than 10,000 pesos of a Casio portable piano. When you dont even know how to play the piano, carrying a portale piano (or music keyboards) does not have appeal, unless you want to show off silly that you have it!

Browsing the iPAD store , I was lucky to find free piano software name appropriately "Piano Free". When I presented it to my niece, she immediately liked it so much.

I will have to spend more time with this eMusic software for iPAD before I give a more critical review. Buying an IPAD may be the best decision one can make, and it can be helped by people or organizations offering free software or by Apple opening up the SDK to developers, especially Python programmers, and offering IDEs.

There are other free piano softwares, and I suggest to try out the free ones first so to get the feel. But most softwares for the iPad are cheap!

Simple stat appliction provides basic statistical tests.

Simple stat for the IPAD provides basic statistical tests. These are

1. Z-test for mean
2. Z-test for proportion
3. t-test for mean (sigma unknown)
4. two sample t-test
5. paired T-test

YOu cant complain about the price (it is free). These are quite easy to implement as a web service. See for example our very own Extreme adorio-research.org


All statistical tests are double-sided tests.
We expect this software to grow in features.

Nearly paid 15,000 pesos for a KIndle.

What's a piece about the Kindle doing here? Actually my iPAD has a Kindle application and I would like to warn my readers not to rush out buying the actual Kindle reader.

When I was serious about buying one last December, the price offered was 15,500 with black leather case for a Kindle with wifi. Now the advertised price is only US 139 dollars! That converts to 6,255 pesos only. Of course buying directly might set you back even more by paying for shipping, but it should not end up worth more than 10,000 pesos.

So Amazon should be commended for making their e-reader more affordable, but you should not pay too much for it in the Philippines.

For the specifications, visit Kindle 3 specs.

If you wait a few months out, we believe it will go down in price more.

Cheapest Screen Protector for the iPAD? - 93 pesos only!

I visited SM Clark today and I was pleasantly surprised that NBS (National Book Store) sells a screen protector for only 93 pesos! Compare that with 150 pesos from CDRKing but theirs were never on stock at its SM Clark branch even today!





However the packaging leaves a lot to be desired, the cleaning cloth is even exposed to the air! Duh.

A friend actually wanted to give me one last December, but in my haste to apply it, the plastic protector ended up full of air bubbles.