Nokia N8 Tickles Our Fancy

If you can name any thing (thing, not person) that makes you feel happy, excited or kilig, what would it be? I must admit. I crush the Nokia N8.

A plain Thursday morning turned into an exciting one -- thanks to our friend Nikka from Nokia Philippines for allowing me to preview the incredible Nokia N8. The hardware may already look exactly the same, but the Symbian^3 software on this unit isn't final yet. Fortunately, the unit I tested had the final hardware and Symbian^3 software already. Ain't I lucky enough?

Upon holding the phone, I completely dropped my drink and utensils to give my full love and attention to the Nokia N8. It's wonderful. It's amazing. It's lovable. It defines why I truly love Nokia phones.

Nokia N8 is the first Nokia phone that locks the battery in forever. Built with aluminum elements, the phone has a sleek design that provides very solid and comfortable feel. The size is comparable to that of an iPhone, but edgier. Note however that this mobile phone does not claim to be an iPhone killer at all.

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Singapore-Malaysia in a Breeze (Part 2)

Remembering Part 1 of my Singapore and Malaysia trip, I last mentioned about our visit to Sentosa. I already miss riding the Luge, doing the zipline, and killing time by people-watching at the different beaches there... and how I really loved the 'Songs of the Sea' show.

Left: Houses made of wood that are built on water - view before the show starts. Right: At the end of the show is a wonder fireworks display.

On the night of our third day, we were already in transit to Genting Highlands in Malaysia via the Transtar premium bus (SGD 44.29/pax), which we booked online. We had to travel from Sentosa to Lavender MRT Station, because boarding and check-in is in this area. Our trip started its journey at 10:45PM.

We didn't have to bring our whole luggage bag with us, because we had it stored in our hostel for SGD3 per 24 hours. Convenience indeed!

Day 4 - August 29

By 5:45 in the morning, we finally got to Genting Highlands. It was raining that morning and the weather was freezing cold. We were quite unsure of what to do and where to go, so we headed to the lobby of the colorful First World Hotel (pictured below) to kill time, take a short nap, and just think of what to do that day.

I only had MYR26, which I borrowed from a friend before we left Manila. Only that, some Peso and SGDs, we were hoping to find an open money exchanger that early (and especially that it's a Sunday). We failed, of course, but we saw an ATM from which we withdrew some amount of money. Seeing only McDo and KFC open, we opted to eat KFC again and waited for the theme parks to open. Glad there was free WiFi there.

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Deeply Angered with Citibank Philippines' Worst Service

Yes, you read it right -- Citibank Philippines has the worst customer service I have encountered as of yet! After exactly 1 month and 7 days upon credit card approval, I have decided to cancel my account for their crappy alibis, repeated lies, and inefficient third party courier.

August 11, 2010 was the date I got a text message that my credit card was approved. It was written there that I will be able to receive the credit card after 3 banking days, which should be on the 16th. I received no notifications or deliveries whatsoever, but decided to wait a few more days.

If I'm not mistaken, I gave my first call the following week and was told that the card is already with the courier. I accepted. I returned a call again and got a response that there is still no update from the courier in their system. I requested for them to give me a call the next day to explain what is happening. Someone called me and told me they will reschedule delivery. I accepted again.

Come August 23 or 24, I contacted Citibank again asking for my card and if it can be rushed for delivery on August 25, so I can use it for my out of the country trip. No card appeared on my doorstep.

After 6 days of vacation, I was really expecting my card to have been delivered already. Lo and behold, there was none! I am already very angry by the fourth call, so I requested for a manager to talk to me. Dino answered my call and gave apologies again. I requested for a return call to explain again what happened, but no one ever called back. Ever since my last call, I gave up following up and hoped that the credit card will be delivered to my home address.

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Nokia C3 Touch and Type: Same Great Value, Better Experience

We all know Nokia C3 as the phone that offers great value for money. With the recent conclusion of Nokia World in London, executives revealed an upgrade to this model by introducing the Nokia C3 Touch and Type. Smaller than its predecessor, the C3-01 combines the traditional phone keypad and of a touch screen.

Key Features:

• Touch and type functionality
• Series 40 in full stainless steel chassis
• Nokia Messaging with e-mail and instant messaging
• 3G, HSPA, WLAN, Bluetooth
• 5 megapixel camera with flash
• Built-in Facebook and Twitter apps
• Ovi Store for downloading of apps and games
• FM radio and music player
• 30MB internal memory expandable up to 32GB microSD memory card

Available in colors Silver, Warm Grey, and Golden Khaki, the Nokia C3 Touch and Type is priced at EUR 145 or approximately Php8,400, and will be available in Q4 or Q1 of 2011.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab: Another iPad Killer Steps Up

Since the release of Apple’s Ipad earlier this year, several companies have stepped up to dethrone the leader in pad/tablet sales. The most up-and-coming of these contenders is Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. While only time will tell if the Galaxy Tab will prove to be a true “Ipad killer”, Samsung’s prospects are already quite promising.

Here’s a quick comparison of the specs, as differentiated by our second guest writer Alexis Bonari:

Photo courtesy of TechMynd

Apple's iPad:

• Operating System: Mac OSX
• 3G capable
• Wi-Fi
• Supports Apple Iapps software
• Lacks front-facing camera

Samsung's Galaxy Tab:

• Operating System: Google’s Android OS
• 3G capable
• Wi-Fi
• Rumored to have full access to the Google Android marketplace
• Front facing camera for video calling

Things To Consider:

1. Apps

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Nokia is Back with New Smartphones as Announced at Nokia World

Thousands of people gathered together in ICC London ExCel for this year's Nokia World showcase. Amidst everyone's expectation of hearing something about MeeGo (Nokia + Intel OS collaboration), Nokia keynote speakers just focused highlighting that Nokia is unique and really stands to its tagline 'Connecting People.'

Three brand new Symbian^3 smartphones were announced in addition to the previously released Nokia N8. Here they are:

Nokia N8 - Link to N8 Data Sheet

Nokia E7 - Link to E7 Data Sheet

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Be "So Fox" and Win an iPad

Strike a pose, create a scene, and make stunning statements for a chance to win an iPad or a few seconds of fame on cable TV.

FOX Channel, the world's number one US TV series channel, brings the "So Manila, So Fox" mall and bar tours this September. Drop by SM North EDSA from September 16 to 22 and give your best creative takes in the photo or video booths.

Three most creative shots in the "So Manila, So Fox" photo booth will take home a brand new iPad. All you have to do is to think out-of-the-box as you pose and have your picture taken with the huge FOX logo.

Meanwhile, the video booth allows you to act adventurous, edgy, hip, fabulous, or crazy while being videotaped flashing a Fox statement pill. The most creative video clips will be featured in Fox Channel’s station ID.

Log on to “So Manila, So Fox” website at www.somanilasofox.com to download all photos and videos.

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7 Reasons Why Nokia N900 is an Awesome Travel Mate

By now, readers of my blog know that I'm such a huge Nokia fan. WOMWorld was generous enough to let me try the Nokia N900 right after experiencing the Nokia Booklet 3G firsthand. This gadget is amazing, proven especially during my Singapore-Malaysia trip in the last week of August.

Nokia N900 is a full QWERTY side-slider phone with a 3.5" resistive touchscreen that operates in landscape mode most of the time (for now). It uses an open, Linux-based Maemo platform instead of the usual Series 40 or 60 operating system, which gives mobile users like me a whole new different experience with Nokia. As a gadget, Nokia N900 is a combination of a mobile phone, internet tablet, media player, game console, mini computer, and a camera.

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Singapore-Malaysia in a Breeze (Part 1)

After two months since I last went out of the country, the six days vacation I had in Singapore and Malaysia last August 26-31 are experiences I will bring with me for a lifetime. Thanks to Cebu Pacific's P1so fare last year, my round trip airfare only amounted to Php787 (excluding Php1,620 travel tax + Php750 terminal fee).

I went on the trip with a good friend MG, who basically planned the whole itinerary. Both of us came from work and therefore were sleepless before the flight. I went straight from office to airport past three in the morning, just to catch our 6:25am flight. Fast forward to 50 minutes past nine in the morning, we see ourselves riding the bus, then train, and later on walking under the sunny (then rainy) streets of Singapore looking for our booked hostel.

Allow me to tell my stories through these photos:

Day 1 - August 26

Our hostel called Inn Crowd, located in Little India, at SGD59.50/night

First meal of the trip - Roasted duck with Noodles and wanton soup

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Giveaways to The Big Outlet (New Season) Sale 2010 [Updated with Winners]

Three years of shopping! Three solid years of great deals! The Big Outlet Sale 2010 is back for the second time this year, offering both the old and new seasons' apparels, shoes, sporting goods, broadband subscription, watches, bags, footwear, perfumes, make-up, etcetera.

Offering up to 80% off on their items, the sale is indeed a must-go this September 24-26 (Friday-Sunday), 10AM-9PM at the Megatent located in 30 Meralco Ave. Ortigas Center. Additional 5% off and Raffle Items await BPI Express Credit EDGE Cardholders. Entrance is FREE to BPI Cardholders (with a valid ID).

For non-BPI cardholders, GLICH'S LIFE is giving away 50 pairs of tickets for FREE! It's easy to score these tickets. Just do the following:

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Nokia C3 Offers Great Value for Money

Nokia C3 has been making noise in the realm of mobile phones mainly because it offers great value for money. Launched in July 31 of this year, the phone's introductory price of Php6,295 drew a lot of people in getting a unit for themselves. After the first day's stocks got sold out, the SRP of Php7,295 now fills the market (lower prices are available in some stores).

The Nokia C series was manufactured mainly for the budget-conscious people who also wants good communication features. By communication, Nokia means accessibility to social and networking sites, as well as tools used for interaction with family and friends (i.e. email and chat).

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