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iPad-ish for a hundred

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As expected after its grand launching, clones of the iPad are taking the world by storm! A few days ago, I was able to get myself an iPad clone that uses the Android Operating System. (Drum roll please) Introducing, the $100 tablet called Android MID.


So, why did I get it? At first I wanted to give it as a Christmas gift for my 10-year old brother but after exploring the gadget for an hour, I decided to have it for myself as an eBook reader (insert evil laugh here). And since the Blackberry Playbook won’t be out in the market until summer of 2011, then I might as well lug around with me this mini tablet.

Looking like the original iPad, the Android MID which I named VIKI, (name taken from the movie I, Robot and also because my friend Lurchie calls it an iRobot) boasts of a full-color 7” touch screen. Being lightweight and easy to clutch with both hands, this tablet is perfect as an eBook reader. Surprisingly, its humbling features just don’t end there. With this little she-devil (yes, it’s a she!), you can connect to the internet and experience full-page web browsing, play music and videos, edit and view documents, and even download Android apps for free! Did I say free? Yes! For FREE! It also has a built-in camera, mic and speaker for whatever purpose it may serve – I find it useless though. This device came pre-loaded with Facebook app, You Tube and several games like the famous plants vs. zombies, angry birds, farm frenzy, and many more.

Good points:

  • Interface switching. The screen can automatically switch according to the direction of the device.
  • Transfer Box. You can use this external device to connect Ethernet or a USB.
  • Touch screen with stylus
  • Huge desktop icons
  • SD card supports up to 32GB
  • Resolution 800*480

Not-so-good points:

  • Play time is only 3 hours max depending on use. I tried downloading kobo and e-reading time can last up to 4.5 hours with ‘night” reading mode. Yay!
  • For some bizarre reason, it seems like this device cannot download apps straight from Android market. I downloaded the market app from Slideme.org to access some games and applications. SuperLurchie has also introduced me to freewarelovers where I got most of the apps I am using right now. How to install? Easy. Download the apk file/s (application installer) to your SD Card. Insert the SD card to your device and run the app. And you’re done :)

Here are some of the apps I was able to install from freewarelovers:

  1. Nimbuzz
  2. Kobo Ebook Reader – After 4 hours of rummaging around the web, I found it! Woo hoo. Super duper thanks to this blog entry I found: Android Reading Apps
  3. Twitter Client – I ended up with Tweetcaster after trying so many twitter clients. LOL.
  4. Angry Birds (which I have not opened yet)
  5. Dolphin Browser

For Apple lovers, the Android MID may be a cheapo version of their iPads but in my humble opinion, it’s one small toy that can do a handful of extraordinary things – NOT BAD for a hundred bucks! I’m giving it 3.5 stars out of 5. Yes, I am that generous.

To top it off, VIKI came with a protective leather case and a mini keyboard.

Gadget Review: Nikon D5000

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Early this year I was contemplating on buying a Nikon D5000 but I know from the bottom of my being, I am just a point and shoot noob :D (and proud of it!). So instead of going for the high-end gadget I went for a semi-pro one – the Lumix FZ35. After reading a lot of reviews, watching videos and asking Lurchie and a few other people for advice, I decided to go for it. I love Fisch, my camera, but my heart can’t help but flutter each time I see a Canon EOS 550D! LOL. I know, I know I am trying to piece this snippet with different camera models. The current price of the Canon EOS 550D, however, is holding me back from buying it. I’d rather save it for an iMac which I can use for work, right? Still, for those who want the Nikon D5000 – it is still a good choice! I came up with a review on the Nikon D5000 based on the materials and details I gathered from the web.


The Nikon D5000

In April 2009, Nikon unveiled their latest DSLR camera – the ‘Nikon D5000′. This new Nikon DSLR baby boasts a distinctively bashing display along with other functional features that are also presented in D60 and D90. Nikon decided to introduce a simplified but packed DSLR camera that both photo enthusiasts and professionals will appreciate. This move aimed to entice first-time DSLR owners to put their investment on a camera model that is worth their money. True enough, the much-anticipated release of this new Nikon baby has caught the interest of many.

What You’ll Get

Basically, the Nikon D5000 will come in two kits, which include the body only configuration (for $729) and the 18-55mm VR kit lens (sold for $849). Its standard kit would normally include the following items:

  • The Nikon D5000 camera body
  • A EN-EL9a lithium ion rechargeable battery
  • Body and eye cap
  • Shoulder strap
  • A/V and USB cable
  • A 234-page camera manual
  • Nikon software suite CD
  • 18-55 VR lens (available only for those who bought the lens kits)

Just like with other Nikon DSLR models, the D5000 camera box doesn’t include a memory card. Therefore, you have to make a separate memory card purchase for that matter. However, if you already have either an SD or SDHC memory card, which is both supported by this camera, then you wouldn’t have to worry about purchasing a new one.

A Quick Overview

Generally, the D5000 Nikon camera is regarded as an upper-entry-level DSLR model. It basically aims to attract techie individuals, first-time DSLR owners, as well as existing DSLR holders. So, the question is, what can this camera offer you?

Its focal features are as follows:

  • 12.9 megapixel (12.3 million effective pixels) DX-format sensor
  • EXPEED processor (also found in D90)
  • 11-point AF system (with distance tracking, color, and viewfinder gridlines)
  • Tilt and swivel LCD display (its most notable feature)
  • Live view, image and video playback
  • Excellent movie capture of up to a resolution of 1280×720 (with mono sound)
  • Seven primary shoot modes (auto, program, manual, scene, aperture priority, d-movie, and shutter priority)
  • ISO 200-3200 range
  • Sensor shake or image sensor cleaning
  • In-camera retouching
  • Optional connector for GPS unit
  • Continuous shooting at 4 frames/second

Design wise, the D5000 Nikon camera resembles pretty much like the D40x/D60 but much bigger, since it has to make room for the new tilt and swivel LCD display feature. In terms of style and build quality, it has a decent plastic construction that is less rugged than the D90. In addition to that, it features a larger and more convenient camera grip for ease of handling. Features wise, it practically has the same offerings like the previous Nikon DSLR models but with a little twist.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Nikon D5000 DSLR camera succeeded in combining the magnificent features of D90 into a more compact and economical design. This model was literally introduced for entry-level DSLR users, which make up the majority of Nikon’s target audience. That being said, the emergence of the D5000 camera is truly an evolution. So, if you want to enjoy the amazing features being offered by the D90 without spending a fortune then, the Nikon D5000 DSLR camera is the perfect model for you!

To end this review, take a look at Fisch, my trusty Lumix FZ35

Read this short blog I posted on why I named my camera, Fisch :)

Gadget Review: The Blackberry Bold 9000

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bold_blackberryHailed as one of the smartest QWERTY phones, the Blackberry Bold 9000 is definitely the best within the no-touch screen display smart phone category. It encompasses the true essence of what Blackberry stands for. Basically, the Blackberry Bold seeks to target individuals who really mean business. With its quad band handset configuration that allows HSDPA, 3G and GPS navigation, RIM (Research in Motion) anticipates that it will give IPHONE 3G a tough competition.

To give you a more detailed idea on what to expect on this magnificent Blackberry phone, here is an in-depth evaluation of its major aspects:

Display

Blackberry Bold 9000 features a more elaborate 480×320 screen resolution as compared to other Blackberry smart phone models. In addition to that, its display is capable of producing 65,000 colors. Even though, its display may not be as rich as other modern phone displays (which offer almost 16M colors), Blackberry bold assures that its bright and clear screen would be enough to offer easy reading – the most basic and primary goal of all Blackberry phones.

Design

Since the phone is pretty much dominated by its QWERTY keyboard, RIM had to widen its body construction in order to make enough room for a comfortable and natural sized keyboard without compromising the size of its LCD screen. Moreover, it carries a dramatically improved look, which is evident through its leather textured back and rounded corners. The said enhancements make this Blackberry phone look utterly sexy while still maintaining a professional feel.

Keyboard

Its smart, slightly angled and well-spaced keyboard greatly adds up to its natural charm. Additionally, its extended keyboard design stands out from other Blackberry phone models. In fact, this magnificent smart phone is undoubtedly wider than other phone models manufactured by many of its competitors. With its wider keyboard, users would find it much easier to type. Moreover, it also has separate keys for making calls and accessing the menu. Perhaps, one of its noteworthy features is the presence of a trackball, which is primarily build to provide easy menu and web page navigation.

boldConnectivity

As mentioned earlier, the Blackberry Bold 9000 is a quad band phone, thus, allowing you to connect from around the world with the use of varying frequency bands. In addition to that, it also showcases a tri-band 3-G HSDPA connection, which is capable of supporting speeds of up to 3.6 mbps. Aside from that, it is also Wi-Fi ready (so I get to enjoy my Wi-Fi at home), and supports Bluetooth as well as USB connections.

My say

Overall, Blackberry Bold 9000 is perhaps the most innovative smart phone model that RIM has ever introduced so far. It is highly recommended for business professionals due to its professional look, sleek design (chic design too ;) ), and functional features. Bottom line is – Blackberry Bold 9000 is absolutely a worthy phone investment, considering the convenience and services that you’ll get to enjoy!

I’m so glad I got one last year. My berry has a few visible scratches on the housing (particularly on the bezel) due to not so normal wear and tear – I’m clumsy and I keep dropping it on the floor.  I’ve been after that white full housing for a while now. Since I can’t find one locally, I’ll just put it on my wish list for now. Wanna know which celebrity is using blackberry? Follow this link.

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Unboxing the Pinnacle

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Guess what I got in the mail today?! Yes! It’s the Pinnacle Podcast Factory I purchased in eBay 2 days ago. Now, I can really save and record all the songs I wanted. Sweeeeet! I will be uploading all audio files at my newest acquisition – Creative Jooze.

Creativejooze.com is another website I own which flaunts freshly squeezed photos and music…and anything that’s artsy cutesy patootsy. ;)

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So, I guess this is the start of my new journey with Bella and Edward (Okay, so I decided to call it Edward since Me and Blithe are twilight devotees *guilty face*).

And the saga continues…

Digging can be fun

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mrjonesMr. Jones’ Graveyard Shift

Just when he thought he would retire, Mr. Jones is getting back into business… the Cemetery biz! He’s trying to win back the love of his life, Mimi, and taking one last shot at making it big… even if it means working the graveyard shift! Start with a shovel and some old grave markers and build it into a marble-clad festival of crypts. Expand and decorate greenways, and erect statues and monuments for the filthy rich. The rewards are to die for!

Multi-tasking, strategy, time management and a spooky, eerie atmosphere. It’s not your usual ‘dash game’, which by the way reminds me that of all the dash games I’ve downloaded I am not fond of Diner Dash at all, sorry Flo. I wasn’t expecting much out of this game and had second thoughts about going through with the download. But I’m so glad I did! I truly recommend it to everyone who can take on a creepy challenge for a day ;)

Tips:
1. Use the shovel or excavator to dig or refill graves.
2. Dump unused things in the recycle bin to earn some money.
3. Do not take a client that offers you a job with a higher “burial budget” if you do not have the money yet. You’ll lose good reputation points if you can’t make it on time.
4. Do not etch the name on the tombstone unless you’re ready to bury the dead. This should be done on the last part after you have decorated the plot.
5. You can work until 12 midnight. Just avoid bumping into ghosts – they can put you to sleep.
6. Green smoke oozing out from a grave means a zombie is about to come out. So add more decor to the plot to make the dead happy :) Zombies won’t bite nor eat you alive, they just leave you unhappy with a low income. People who come to the cemetery to bury their dead will only pay you half of what they owe you when zombies are around.

Good points: Good graphics, Good sounds – one of the best games so far. Overall, I give it a 9.5. I enjoyed digging all those graves as much as I enjoyed Ranch Rush (10 points for RR) and the last 2 Delicious Emily episodes. Bad point? I just find Mimi irritating. Last tip: Do not buy the things Mimi is asking you to! Do it on the later part when you have enough money.

It can be addicting, really. So yeah, don’t forget to shower ;)

There are a handful of games I like leaving me glued to my chair for hours – Tradewinds Series, Farm Frenzy, Ranch Rush, Wedding Dash, Fairy godmother Tycoon, Fishing Craze, Miriel’s Enchanted Mystery and Cake Mania. I know, I know, some don’t really sound too challenging but hey, we got different tastes. Although I’m pretty sure you’ll like Mr. Jones.

If you need help, you can ask me. I might be even be generous enough and in a good mood to get you not only the demo *wink, wink*

So, what are you waiting for? Dig your way to a new experience.

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