Reviews #1: Samsung Wave S8500 (Preview)

I might have lost my Wave to a bunch of hooligans, but I now have two friends who own one and another one coming up. Yep, it's that popular. Samsung's very first bada OS phone has its strong and weak points, but one thing is clear: it's one of Samsung's best-sellers. Now, for 19K, you get a lot with the Wave--and I mean a lot: S-AMOLED display, a 1GHz CPU, anodized aluminum body a la N8. then again, just add 3-5K and you have yourself an N8. But I'm digressing.

People I know who have owned it for two weeks have very little to complain. So do I. And most of us didn't come from Android smartphones If you are planning to buy this phone, then I hope this review will help you make up your mind. And while the Wave has a lot going for it, after a month of strong usage you might get something iffy here and there that hurts the spiffy. Hopefully this partial review helps you decided.

Here are the stuffs I liked and disliked with the Wave:

What I liked:

* Wonderful movie player on the go -- plays anything save M4V. S-AMOLED rocks

* Mobile AP is just cool (your phone becomes a router!)

* Very responsive capacitive screen paired with an intuitive UI--a match for the iPhone

* Capable keyboard

* Easy access panel on every screen a la Android

* Threaded messages view that can switch to FOLDER view

* Fake call and scheduled messaging are just very useful

* SNS-integrated phonebook (though may need improvement here)

* Etiquette pause

* Music player dropdown from lock screen

* Packet data and connectivity control is very organized though takes a few clicks to get here and there

* Sunlight legibility is impressive

* Very good build, though not a fan of the look

* Good retail package earphones and equalizer presets

* Very detailed manual

What I disliked:

* Subpar music shuffling (may repeat tracks that has just been played)

* Dodgy Internet experience at slow speeds

* Mobile AP is not very configurable

* Wifi signal is present but strength indicator is missing

* Can't mark multiple emails as read

* IM client not very user-friendly, needs a lot of improvement

* Sent messages are deleted after the 200th sent message

* Can only save upto 1000 messages. Inbox conspicuously slows down with more messages, portrait and landscape switching struggles

* Functionally and Visually poor FB and Twitter native clients, outdone by mobile web versions

* Browser, slow or fast connexion, supports 3 tabs at most

* Memory overflow will reset your widgets and you have to set them up again

* Apps that have updates are not notified when you sync with PC; Samsung Kies can do a lot of speed and usability improvement.

* Battery life not very impressive

* Camera underpeforms at dark, may tend to oversaturate blacks.

* Internet browser keeps logging you out: cookie trouble suspect.

Continue reading >>

Top 7 #2: Up and Coming Phones / Gadgets / Updates

I'm so excited to get my new phone one of these days. I haven't had the time to actually choose which one to get. If you're like me, and willing to wait a bit longer, hope this article below help you read up on these phones and help you decide whether to seal the deal now or just hang on to that old ready to retire mobile of yours.

1. White iPhone 4 (coming spring 2011)

First promised by late July of 2010, the White iPhone4 has not seen the end of mass production hell. Rumors say the white iPhone missed July launch due to some paint problems--the case and the home button paint mismatch and Steve called a halt. Now it has been confirmed that the white variant will be released by Spring of 2011--what a stretch from July! It may not be as classy as the black, but if you are a fan of white Apple products, this is something you might wanna wait for. Then again, that's a long wait, but if you have waited, you might as well wait some more.

Why you wanna wait for it? Coz it's white. And it gives you some sort of badge, idk, patience badge, exclusive badge (since everyone's got black).

2. HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z (Q4, 2010)

So much praise has been given to HTC Desire that a successor needs to be tougher, meaner, more badass but still in a very classy way. Now, came out news of its successor and it feels depressing, at least in the screen department. Losing AMOLED but gaining screen estate, The HTC Desire HD tries Desire in bigger proportions. Swapping 3.7" to 4.3" and AMOLED to S-LCD, can make some smile and some frown. AMOLED, IMO, is really the way to go--less power consumption, higher contrast (though lower detail). But due to shortage, HTC decided to go with S-LCD.

Desire Z retains the 3.7" screen (again S-LCD), but gains physical qwerty. Pretty much the same specs as the original Desire. With reviews all over the net praising HTC's virtual qwerty, I just don't get the point of adding bulk to your pocket. Then again, nothing beats hardware keys.

Why you wanna wait for it? Coz either is pretty badass. One's got a 4.3" screen. The other has a slideout qwerty. Both improvements for the already epic HTC Desire.

3. XPERIA X10, mini, and mini pro OS Upgrade to Android 2.1 (November 2010)

Too little too late, but better late than never. Finally, Sony Ericsson's Android flagship phones are getting their much needed updates. While this ain't 2.2--and most HTC Desire owners are already bored with 2.2--this update will deliver much needed improvements on the x10 line such as improved keyboard, 65K color limit removal (inherent to 1.6), added homescreen panes, improved performance, improved SNS widgets, and HD video recording (about time).

While X10's custom UI in mini and mini pro is universally praised for their usability, the X10 biggie's is criticized for being laggy, buggy, and oversimplistic. Videos however show this is no longer the case after the update. And, hey, you get more apps! But then again, still no multitouch.

Demo can be seen below:

Why you wanna wait for it? If you have an X10, you must have been dying to get this update. You're too impatient already. If you haven't gotten one, then this update might change your mind. After all, the X10's price has gone as low as the HTC Hero's and Legend's both of which are stuck with 2.1. And, hey, X10 has much advantages over those--screen size and CPU. Just don't brag on an HTC Desire.

4. Samsung Wave II and Samsung Wave Numbers (November)

S-AMOLED hew? Samsung's first bada OS-powered phone, Wave S8500, was such a smash that it shipped more than they predicted, ruining their AMOLED screen production forecast. So much so, they needed to discontinue the original Wave to make way for AMOLED orders from other companies and their own Galaxy S and Omnia 7 phones. But with a considerable demand for the S8500, they needed to make a successor, albeit one that sports S-LCD. Deja vu? The Samsung Wave II sports a 3.7" S-LCD screen, retaining most of the specs of the Original Wave. While S-LCD may be inferior to S-AMOLED, you get a bigger screen. Reports say the Wave II costs 30 Euros more than the Wave I. That's almost 2000 Philippine pesos. But that doesn't seem like a deal breaker, after all, I find 3.3 inches to be too small. Then again, it's not S-AMOLED.

If you're not looking to burn money, Samsung has other solutions, the Wave Numbers: 525, 533, 575, and 723. Whew, too many numbers. Basically, the 525s don't have 3G, while the 575s has. The 533 is like the 525 but comes with a slideout qwerty keyboard. All are full capacitive touch phones (no word on multitouch but since bada is, it's most likely) with 3.2" TFT screen, all WQVGA (428 by 240), have wifi 802.11 b/g save for the 723 that has 802.11 b/g/n. Mind you, WQVGA will look kinda floppy seeing how Wave I has 800 by 480 resolution on 3.3". Apparently Samsung is all for pleasing the masses. Expected price in pesos for the 525, 10K.

Why you wanna wait for it? For the Wave II: I had a Wave for a month and everytime I switch to my iTouch and go back to the Wave, I felt uncomfy. It's just a matter of .2" difference in terms of screen, but I feel like the Wave was too rectangular and not as conducive for typing as you want it to. If you are planning to get a Wave, don't be surprised if they tell you that it's out of stock. That means you have to get the Wave II coz the Wave aint coming.

For the numbers: If you're planning on an affordable touchscreen, these kids might do you good. They're expected to be incredibly affordable rivals of the Corby, and in fact, may be Corby's replacements.

5. Samsung Omnia 7 (November)

Windows Phone 7 might be in its infancy, but it doesn't stop the major players from making their models powered by WP7. The interface, looking as classy as a magazine may not be for everyone, but the usability of the OS gained universal praise. But universal frowns also saw the lack of multitasking, copy-paste (big ouch there), and bluetooth file transfer to name a few. Boy, does this OS now smell like iPhone's early beginnings. I'm also wondering if those devices are upgradeable as most Windows Mobile stuff usually are not.

Fast forward to the WP7 device in question, the Omnia 7 is the Omnia 2's successor. It may not be improvements on all departments, but hey, you got S-AMOLED, 1GHz processor, capacitive screen. Not to mention that this phone incorporates design elements of the iPhone (home screen button concaved), Galaxy S (4" S-AMOLED screen and touch sensitive keys), and the metallic rear of the S8500 Samsung Wave. Now, grace that with WP7, and that's the Omnia 7. The bad thing about this new OS is the fact that manufacturers weren't able to customize it much. MicroSoft has locked it down so much even HTC has missed placing their Sense UI on it. So what sets the Omnia 7 apart from the WP7 crowd? The S-AMOLED screen. But it would have to compete with the Galaxy S for the title of best multimedia playing device, though I'm all for the Omnia 7 because it's not all plasticky like its brother.

Why you wanna wait for it? Sure, Wp7 is in its infancy, but who doesn't wanna have that baby? It's classy, sassy, and elegant, and wouldn't be long enough until all these manufacturers will find their way inside the OS and make their own tweaks. The Omnia 7 seems like a powerhouse with its specs, but it's not for the faint of heart. If you're getting it, be sure you are ready to commit and experience some level of frustrations.

6. PlayStation Phone (2011)

Geeks have been dreaming about this phone 5 years ago, and just this week, it said Hi to the Internet and everyone went nuts--criticizing and praising it, saying how it would kill the iPhone or how funny it is to be caught in a business meeting with one of these. For good or for bad, Sony Ericsson is out making headlines again, and we can expect them to be doing the same strategy: announce early, release very late.

What does the PS Phone have? According to rumors Android 3.0, touch pad like the ones in laptops--this supports multitouch, an analog d-pad and gaming buttons. The phone is a slider much like the PSP Go. If the pricing is right, this will sell like hotcakes and restore Sony Ericsson to prestige. Oh how they miss the trophy with the X10. Anyways, Sony is denying this device, but we'll see soon.

Why you wanna wait for it? It's the PSP Go that can make calls. It's on Android. But one thing scary, we don't know the price yet. And it might be a KIRF.

7. Samsung Galaxy Tab (November)

Priced a bit below the iPad and performs, well, a bit under the iPad, too, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has not been pleasing tech sites. Oh well, Google themselves said it, 2.2 ain't for tablet yet. The Tab has gotten very funny impressions: on the tablet side, it doesn't do so well, being laggy and all. On the phone side, it can make calls. But then it's a bit too huge to carry around with you. So having the Tab with you does not make sense unless you really want a tablet and the iPad doesn't quite cut it for you. Maybe a few firmware updates / tweaks will cheer up this baby and make it work faster. But for now, it still is not a serious threat to the iPad--given that there is no word about an update.

Why you wanna wait for it? Coz you hate Apple and the iPad but too sissy to admit that you want an iPad so you get the equivalent anyway. While, personally, I dislike the iPad for several reasons, I think the only serious advantage the Tab has over it is it can make calls. So if that's your thing, a tablet phone, I think you wanna try the Dell Streak, or this.

In Review: The Social Network

The Gist

While being a film about the popular social networking site facebook, this movie is not your date / sheeple film that makes you feel cheated after seeing. The film flaunts excellent direction, witty script, perfect editing, and well-executed screenplay. The movie feels very mature, convincing, stylish, and full of content. The only missing ingredient is a character to sympathize with as in this film, you would hate the protagonist.

The good

• Excellent direction
• Casting and acting is also top-notch, coupled with a great script
• Well-written screenplay

The bad

• May appear too believable and vilifies facebook and Zuckerberg (not that it's a bad thing)
• Full of dialogs

The Other Face of Facebook

Based on the book Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, The Social Network details how Facebook started way back in 2003. If you are in IT or have been following Facebook's story, you would know that many IT people have shied away from Facebook mainly because most of them, us, thinks Zuckerberg is evil and is out to scam us of our privacy.

You must also know that if you are going to watch this movie, you must put aside your disdain for Zuckerberg as the movie will give you that. Yes, you will end up hating him for being a traitor and a thief. So who's the lucky guy who played Zuckerberg? It's Jesse Eisenberg, the guy from Zombieland. I actually mistake him quite often for Michael Cera (see below). Other than Cera, Le Beouf was apparently rumored to play the part.

So yes, you would end up hating Eisenberg for messing up Eduardo Saverin (his bestfriend, and former Facebook CFO--played by Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (fondly referred to as the Winklevi, skillfully played by just 1 person, Armie Hammer).

What's amazing about the film other than how fleshed out and real these characters are is its way of narration--jumping back from one settlement table to another then to memory lane then to settlement table again. The script helps keep you entertained as that's all the movie is about, talk and talk. It would have been fun if we actually got to see the Winklevi chase Zuckerberg like they said in one of their testimonies.

The bad thing is, this is based on a book of a disputed nature. It may have overdramatized everything. I'm pretty sure Saverin wasn't out in the rain--dripping wet--when he went to Palo Alto. And the broken chimney, that might not even have happened. Of course, the dialogs, beautiful as they are, we must remind ourselves, is a product of Hollywood training--people can be witty and funny, but not all the time--which makes it all the more painful to watch for the subjects of the film. I'm pretty sure Zuckerberg winced everytime Eisenberg says something so obscenely insensitive.

Put yourself in those shoes. I wouldn't mind. He's a billionaire.

I give it a 4/5. Passed and Recommended.

Pick of the Week #1

This week's video pick of the week is Florence + The Machine's Kiss With A Fist. I'm just falling in love with her. She's so crazy!

In Review: RED

The Gist

Fast-paced movie featuring film veterans as CIA agents troubled out of peaceful retirement. Effective casting, but can grow boring on spots. Special mention to Helen Mirren who effectively portrayed a like-able character.

The Good

• Good casting
• Entertaining dialogue
• Maintains a good balance between action and dialogues

The Bad

• May seem too fast-paced at times
• Has a popcorn movie feel to it
• Has boring formulaic action movie spots

Synopsis

Frank Moses (Willis) is a retired CIA agent willing a normal life. Feeling the sadness of retirement, he stirs a phone-only relationship with a CSR from his pension office, Sarah (Mary Louise-Parker). One night, his house was attacked by hitmen--all of which he has disposed. Fearing for Sarah, he flies all the way to Kansas City to abduct her and reassembles his fellow retirees (Freeman, Malkovich, Mirren) to find out the man behind the plot to kill them all.

Popcorn or No Popcorn?

While beautifully scripted, RED might at some turn feel like your typical popcorn movie. For one, it has lots of guns, then it is based on a comic book, and finally you have Bruce Willis playing lead. Not that guns, action chases, or Willis is bad, but you would kind of wonder if this will appeal to the intellect given those premises.

Luckily, Mirren's inclusion to the cast gives it a sophisticated twist of charm and wit. You would be amazed how gracefully she carries a huge gun, blasting police and CIA agents. Another good inclusion is John Malkovich whose crazy character is enjoyable and well-played throughout the movie. He'll strike a resemblance to, say, Lemony Snicket's Count Olaf only with a pig gun. And, say, he does look like Jim Carey Olaf.

Pacing is liquid, but I wish they didnt use those gimicky pocketbook/postcard screens to transition from one American state to another. It feels uncomfortable and out of line. Perhaps they were referring to Sarah's love of reading romance novels, but to me it feels MySpace.

There are some predictable subplots, too. For instance, Morgan Freeman's escape and then his subsequent death. No to mention other questionable premises like how Freeman's character manages to do what he does while suffering a stage 4 liver cancer? I suppose he should have looked emaciated, too. But all that ignored, the movie is fine, fun, and to an extent, believable.

I give it a passing mark of 3/5.

Top 7#1: 2010's Best Songs. So Far

2010 saw my small switch from full pop to alt-pop / indie pop / anti-pop. While I still enjoy pop music very much, I am very much surprised how much I am enjoying non-pop music. There's very little difference between the two, save that anti-pop is crazier--and possibly more artistic as it's not meant to sell but to express. Nonetheless, here are my most fave songs for 2010, and I daresay, they're the best:

1. Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine (Lungs, 2009)

What does one need to transition from Indie to Mainstream? An MTV VMA performance, an inclusion to a Julia Roberts film, and a banging sound. Florence + The Machine's debut sound is now finally getting more mainstream attention. The MV for this song also blows, enough to win a Moon man for Best Art Direction in a video.

2. Woohoo by Christina Aguilera (Bionic, 2010)

Released as a promo single for Aguilera's then-upcoming 4th studio album Bionic last May 2010, this song still enjoys moderate playback on my iPod. During it's first month, I have played this song for about 400 plays. The song sings about cunnilingus in a very playful way, all the while boasting the listener's ego. Aguilera really loves fluffing her ego, and this song is one of her many anthems to women empowerment--only this one has the most sexual undertone.

3. XXXO by MIA (/\/\ /\ Y /\, 2010)

With a title of XXXO, you'd wonder what this song is about. And one play is all you need to hook you to it. The simple repetitive chorus and references to popular culture (Twitter, iPhone, and the youtube-laden single cover) lends well to this song's like-ability. That and coupled by the song having a video that parodies MySpace's glitter graphics.

4. Bulletproof by LaRoux (LaRoux, 2009)

Third time's a charm for LaRoux as their third single really hit big both in the UK and the US. Bulletproof first hit top of the UK chart last June 2009. Then it was featured in Cougar Town and Ugly and from there, they just started gaining on US iTunes. Hopefully, we'll get to see more of Ellie Jackson in the future.

5. Tightrope by Janelle Monae (The Archandroid, 2010)

She is the female James Brown, they all call her. But after being signed to P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records, Janelle Monae was called a sellout by critics. Then, this song came out and shut them all up. After her 2010 album The Archandroid came out, Monae gained universal critical acclaim for her musical vision and ambition, affirming that even if she's now in a pop record label, she is still working her own vision.

6. Collapsing Cities by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly! featuring ShyFX

I do know very little about this band from the UK, to be honest. But what I do know is that all their previous sounds sound nothing like this one, and that's why I like it. GCWCF, as called by their fans, is yet to release a full-length studio album, but judgind by just how cool they sound, I'd best keep an ear open to their stuff.

7. You've Changed by Sia (Hands, 2010)

This song has been around for quite awhile in Australia, and yet the world hasn't still quite catch it. There's a 90's feel to this song that reminds of you Madonna or Cyndi Lauper tracks. But what really made me love this song is the accompanying video which is just soooo cool.