Zenfone 2 sale and anticipated Zenfone 3

Zenfone 2

Lately, there have been post in Facebook on Zenfone 2 discounted price or sale.  But when I check in the mall, there is hardly any indication that Zenfone 2 is on sale.  No posters, or even price tag that it is on sale for a discounted price.

I think, Asus is trying to sell off old models, in preparation for the newer Zenfone 3.  But, the Zenfone 2 model, they are try to have the sale on is the 32GB model, which I think isn't being sold in the mall I checked.  Even the lesser models of Zenfone are not on sale.  But on the Asus website, it is on sale. So the sale is probably only available on their website and online.

On latest news, Asus will unveil, there new phones this Aug 14, 2016.  According to their facebook posts, they will unveil their new products of phones and laptops.  So we will see what their new phones will offer this 2016.  Will it be better than the Samsung phones?   We shall see.

My Experience with Lazada (Part 2)

Ok. So I haven't been blogging for a long while, I have been busy at work and family life.

It has been months since my last blog regarding Lazada and it's flawed service and no regard to return customers.  I tried their service once and I'm not returning or buying their stuff, even if they bombard me with discounts and "sale" ads.

Ok, so I had no choice at that time, I had to find an LBC to send the wrong product back to Lazada.  Hard to do since, I have no time to go and get in line to return something that should not have been sent since it was clearly the wrong one.  I barely have time for myself and I have to give time to return the stuff I clearly don't need back to Lazada.

Lucky for me, when I got to an LBC, there was no line.  But soon, there was a line as I was transacting with the clerk to send the wrong package back to Lazada.

So I sent the package, I got an email from Lazada that they received it 3-4 days later.  It will take them 5 more days to process it.  It took them in total a week and a few days before I got a refund under my account.  Reason the items were wrong, was because the vendor selling it gave the reason, the items I wanted was out of stock, so they cannot replace it anymore.

Lazada has shifty vendors.  Vendors that may have been just as well be street vendors in Divisoria selling Power Banks and the like.  Also the items they advertise is not the one you will receive, when delivered.

I was forced to just order another item from another vendor.  As I said the item advertised is not what you will get.  I ordered another power bank, plus memory card adding another amount to the already costly purchase.  Costly in time and money.  I received the package after 3-4 days.  Separately, since the items I bought are from 2 different vendors.  The memory card was good as advertised.  The power bank is again not the capacity as advertised.  I'm tired of sending the item back that I just kept it and vowed never to buy from Lazada again.

Lazada, may advertise their moto is effortless shopping, but it's very tiring experience for me as a whole.  I still fume when I remember the things I had to do just to have the wrong rectified.

I maybe only the few that got the bad experience.  But it's a warning to all, that Lazada is not as it advertised itself to be.

My Experience with Lazada (Part 1)

I tried Lazada for the first time, this year 2016.  I was under the impression it will be effortless shopping as they advertise.  And boy, was I wrong. 

The purchase online was a bit smooth.  The problem lies on the delivery of the purchased item and the customer service there after.  I am not making this up, nor I have the intent of bad mouthing Lazada.  This is just an honest, story I have with my experience on ordering and receiving my package from Lazada.

Overall experience was bad.  First of all, the product should have been allowed to be inspected by the customer, and have it return right away if it's not the right one.  Not let the customer go to the nearest LBC branch just to send it back to Lazada.  Right there and then the wrong product should not be paid and returned by the customer to Lazada.  It was a hassle on my part as a customer to have to go to an LBC branch, just to send the wrong product back.

Okay, here is my story with regards to my Lazada order experience. 

I wanted to try Lazada since, the prices are cheap for an item I never seem to see in physical stores.  In this case a power bank 20000 mAh with solar power bank of 20000mAh for just around 800 Philippine Pesos.  So, I ordered online, use a 100 discount voucher to lessen the delivery charge of 50... So I only get to pay 700+. I got a confirmation email, yada yada yada.. delivery expected date.. so on..

So to keep it short, on delivery day I got a SMS msg stating I will expect delivery soon.  On that day, the delivery guy was there, he wanted to get the money/payment first before I could even see the package.  I gave the money / payment, he gave me the package which was awkward from the size it seems to only contain one power bank.  The guy seems to know there is something wrong with the package and instructed me that for returns I have to go to LBC and send the package back.

What the F**k? So the delivery guy left, me with seemingly a wrong package.  I opened it, lo and behold one Power bank with a usb lamp light and a monopad.. pink color and I'm a guy...

I tried contacting Lazada, thru email... no luck there, online chat was like talking to a robot.  So I have no choice but to send the package back, or just use the pink power bank... and call it a bad experience.

All this could just been avoided if their delivery guy was able to check the package before delivery and specified it was the wrong item based on their waybill.  Or at least let the customer check and have it returned there and then without paying for the wrong product.

Part 2 on what happened next...

Asus Zenfone 2: First Look and first impressions

The Zenfone 2 is the much anticipated phone in the Philippine market.  It has high ram (4GB), large screen, gorilla glass, LTE, Dual SIM, memory expansion slot up to 32 GB and 2 tone flash at a lower price than other highend phones.  Right after the release date for the Philippines, I checked in the cellular phone stores and I came across people who are also asking for the Zenfone 2 if it is already available for purchase.

Last I checked, in most stores, the only available variant of the phone is the 16GB memory capacity with 2 GB RAM.  Some stores carry the 32GB memory capacity with 4 GB but ask for straight cash payment.  Some stores carry a few stocks but only have red color variant.

Most people are looking for the 64GB memory variant, which is understandable, since the only difference it has with the 32GB variant is Php1,000,  also Dual SIM.

On to the first look and impression.  After using it for a couple of days.  I have to honestly say I am a bit disappointed with the phone.  I have been using Samsung phones for a long time and this phone with it's great specs on paper have somewhat disappointed me,

I was looking forward to a dual sim LTE, or even a 3G for the 2nd SIM card.  No, that is not the case with this phone, you only get 2G on the 2nd SIM slot, might as well not use it, if you cannot switch data connection between SIMS.  In the Philippines there are areas, where a certain carrier has stronger signal, changing data service network would have been a nice feature, which is possible in a samsung phone to my surprise.

I'm a bit disappointed on how it heats up at times and gets battery drain for some reason the google playstore drains it up.  It looks fragile, that if I drop it, the screen will crack.

Now on with the pros.  It is snappy, easy to start, has a good screen size and looks good.

I will write a more in depth review after a few weeks.  But my first impression is it's not that great, but compared to other high specs phone this is one of the cheaper versions.  I would recommend you also check Meizu M1 or M2 as a comparison to Asus Zenfone 2, if you are in the market to buying a new phone.

Until next time.

CDR-King SATA HDD Docking Station Combo (CW-D2) Review

It has been a couple of years, since I posted a "first look" blog on this device from CD-R king.  And I don't know if anyone will still be interested since this probably isn't being sold by CD-R king anymore.  But I did mention to a comment I will place a review about the device, so here it is.

The device works just like any external drive may it be DVD or hard drive.  The only difference it that this single device allows you to use hard disks that are for laptop and desktop.  Provided it does not exceed 500 GB.  It could be the hardware's chip limitation, that more than 500 GB, it won't read.  I have not tried it yet on a 1 TB.

Pros

• You can use any sata drive may it be desktop or laptop
• Easy swap and usage, don't swap while it's being read
• Built Sturdy, still functioning after more than a year
• you have card readers as a bonus
• one press button to back-up your drive (untested)

Cons

• USB connection is the weak point
• more partition, the more slow it is to detect all drives by windows
• not portable, heavy base

All in all, this device delivers what is advertised.  A recommended buy, if you can still buy one.  But may not be available in CD-R King anymore.  They have a lot of hard drive cases now, if you want to convert your used drives as external hard drives.

My previous blog on this device: http://philgadgames.blogspot.com/2012/06/cdr-king-sata-hdd-docking-station-combo.html

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 wifi version Review

This is my review on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, wifi version.  It's a little bit dated, but this is a personal look and review after more than a couple of months usage.

Note that I also own and have reviewed the iPad Mini (http://philgadgames.blogspot.com/2013/05/ipad-mini-wifi-version-review-and.html).  So, I may at times mention the iPad mini on my review.

The pros and cons on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8:

Pros

• it has a stylus pen.
• has a large 8 inch screen
• cost less than the iPad Mini
• can expand the memory with SD memory slot
• has apps exclusive to galaxy note line

Cons

• Shorter Battery life (Compared to iPad Mini) it drains so fast
• Non-removable battery
• screen is not gorilla glass, could be scratch easily if not protected by a case
• default screen color tone is very vivid, can be changed to soft color in settings
• can accidentally touch the return and menu button when in landscape mode

After using the Galaxy Note 8 for more than a month, it's something that I can use next to my iPad Mini.  People say Apple product users are just nuts spending that much on the same device, but I say to them, don't judge unless you have used an Apple product yourself.  You get what you pay for in Apple products, that's all I have to say, and move along to the Galaxy Note 8 review.

Galaxy Note 8 is a nice android tablet, with something special attached (a stylus pen).  Although, I seldom use the stylus pen, when I use my Note 8.  I only use it when I want to draw something, this is where Note 8 differs with other tablets.  The stylus is really nice to write on the tablet since it has pressure sensitivity, making it write like a brush and a pencil.  And this stylus was developed with Wacom (known for their stylus and tablet products).  Maybe also one of the reason why it is more expensive.

Having the stylus feature out of the way, we now focus on the tablet itself.  The Note 8 tablet was the first Samsung try on the 8 inch arena, following the release of iPad Mini, since before Samsung only have the 7 inch tablets.  And it seems, to me, the 8 inch is just the right size and weight for a tablet. 

Screen is sharper and more vibrant than the iPad mini.  Being an android device it give the user an option to place widgets and customize initial content when you open the tablet.

The tablet has both a front 1.3 megapixel camera and back facing 8 megapixel camera. One of the reasons why this device is more expensive than most available android tablets out there, but you get what you pay for.   Other tablets are cheaper, but only have one camera that is crappy or none at all, like the Polaroid tablets.  I often scratch my head when I look at the price tags of these Polaroid tablets based on their outdated specs.

To be honest, I only own 2 tablets, one is the iPad mini and this Samsung Galaxy Note 8.  I have handled a cheaper android tablet, and trust me, usually if you buy a cheap tablet, don't expect a premium device.

Galaxy Note 8, currently priced at the range of Php14,500 - Php16,000 a bit cheaper than the iPad mini.

Philips SHE1360 wired earphones/ear-buds: Review

This is the only earphones/ear-buds that I would buy for its cheap price and good build/quality in the Philippines.  For around P200 (around $4.50 US), you get to listen to your music and sounds from your gadget without disturbing the people around you.  

Please note, this packaging is a bit old, latest packaging of this earphone is much smaller, but still in the price range of P200-P220 ($5 US).

There are a lot of cheap earphones being sold with prices around P100-P180 ($3.50 US), but they tend to be poorly made for the price and won't last as long as this earphone.  The build of this earphones is pretty good.  The rubber cable could handle a bit of tugging and will not get loose, unlike the other cheap brands that come off easily.  Cable length is adequate for everyday use, on devices that are on the go.

I have bought china made earphones in Canada, and when I accidentally tug them and then right away they are unusable and dangerous to use due to exposed wires, I had to exchange them for new ones.  The replacements also had the same lifespan and was not functioning after a few uses, but this Philips earphones still functions after all this years.

Pros and Cons for this earphone:

Pros

• Solid build
• Cable does not get tangled
• Cheap price for the quality you will get
• Delivers the sound you need for the low price

Cons

• Sound is standard, not stunning quality (better than most on this price range)
• Cable get hardened after years of use

I have three (3) of this earphones currently.  The first one was given to me as a gift.  It still functions and the cable is a bit hardened.  The second one, I bought as a spare in case the first one loses its sound.  But until now the first one still functions.

The third one I bought is for the purpose of these review.  And to test, if this earphone is still the same quality after 5 years.  It seems, it is still the same.

A little note.  Please test these earphones when you purchase at the store.  Don't buy if they say this earphone has no warranty when you purchase.  I bought my 3rd one from SM appliance, and it was a factory defective unit.  It sounded like tin cans and no vocals.  I had them replaced right away, and also a lesson for me not to buy without testing.  Even though my first 2 units worked without problems, the current batches may have factory defect sold in stores.  I should have doubts when the packaging was a little bit crooked and offset.

I highly recommend this earphone for the price.  If your intention is an earphone for the daily commute, this is the earphone for you.  Especially when you only intend to use it for radio and mp3s.