Smart Telecom mobile internet coverage in Rockwell Powerplant Mall

A little update on the Smart mobile internet coverage in Metro Manila.  Currently, after multiple visits to the Rockwell Powerplant Mall, I noticed that the mobile internet speed of Smart Communications has improved.

My device has reached true HSPDA speed, youtube downloads was fast.  I guess, their infrastructure upgrade was already complete.  I just wish when they do the upgrades they don't charge their customers full price, when at that time slow to no mobile internet was available on certain areas.

Now, if only it is the same speed in the Araneta Center, where they have their name on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  Speed in surrounding areas should be fast as well, since it is a public place.  Also, there is even less tall buildings in the area, which should not affect the mobile internet connection.

Mobile internet speed on the following area is also good, but slow:
UP campus - Bahay ng Alumni (Sun cellular has no mobile internet coverage there)
Riverfront - Caniogan Pasig

Brgy. San Miguel in Pasig near the Petron Station and Wellcome Supermarket has a good connection speed, but not as good in Rockwell Powerplant Mall speed.

Don't ask about Megamall coverage, since there is no mobile signal in certain areas there, so when there is no bars on the phone, chances are there is no mobile internet available in that area.

Update:
There are some places in Rockwell Powerplant mall, which have slow and unreliable internet connection.  So, don't expect to reach 300kbps on that tablet or phone of yours in all areas.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - Review

This is my review of CD-R King's Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201).  I had it more than a couple of months now, and had charged it more than a couple of times and used it on multiple of devices.

Here is my impressions and review of the product, after using it more extensively on a number of days:

• It retains the charge and does not drain as fast without using it for a while
• High capacity device such as a tablet (iPad mini) drains it super fast and will only charge the tablet a fraction and completely drain the power bank within an hour.
• Heats up on charging with tablets, and large capacity 2400mAh battery phones
• Its indicator is helpful in determining the charge capacity of the power bank and pretty useful in cases where you need to drain and recharge it

Pros and Cons for the Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201)

Pros

• you get a led flashlight, a quick mobile charger with power level indicator, for the cheap price of Php580.00 (around $13 USD).
• it's small and easy to put on your pocket or bag.
• it can charge phones several times without recharging for a while

Cons

• there are times it heats up a bit when charging with a phone, really heats up when charging a tablet.
• not all devices are compatible with this charger (notably the Galaxy S Duos)
• it takes about 5-6 hours to fully charge.

The verdict on this device:

It's a nice portable device that does not take much space on your bag.  It can retain it's charge for more than a month without recharging.  You may have to check the charge level at times and need to recharge it in a couple of months to maintain good battery life, when you don't usually use it.

This is a good choice for a power bank, since it has a LED flashlight that can be used in cinemas or when you need a quick light in the dark.  And the LED charge level indicator is very helpful to determine if you need to recharge it already.

My verdict: This is a good buy, just don't expect it to last long.  I'm sure after a couple of years you need to change it with a new model, depending on how much you use it over time.

Last time I was in CD-R King - SM Megamall branch, this model is still available and for sale.

XCOM: Enemy within to be release this 2nd week of November

I have mentioned before XCOM will release an update this year, but I was wrong on mentioning it's just a DLC before on my blog http://philgadgames.blogspot.com/2013/09/xcom-enemy-within-dlc-not-expansion-is.html.

But, it seems like DLC to me since I have the PC version, and the only way I can purchase the expansion is thru steam, which by the way, they still blocks my IP address since someone in our IP block merited to be blocked and in the process also blocked everyone else with the same masked IP.

Currently released, here in the Philippines as mentioned by DataBlitz... fingers crossed that I get one later.

Determine Philippine Mobile Cellphone Carrier Provider

I got this from another website, which I forgot to copy the link.  And added some numbers that I came across with that I know is from this certain cell provider.

• Extelcom: 973, 974
• Globe Telecom: 905, 906, 915, 916, 917, 926, 927, 935, 936, 937, 996, 997
• Next Mobile (Nextel): 979
• Smart Communications: 910, 912, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929
• Sun Cellular: 922, 923, 932, 933, 942, 943, 925

Why this list?

Most people in the Philippines avail of unli call or text promo, that is limited to 3 networks or just a single cellphone network provider.  That is why we often find ourselves in a predicament, on whether to call or text a person, that we are unsure on whether we will be charged or have our prepaid load deducted. 

Hope this list will help.  Leave a comment, on errors and additions.   Please share the first 3 digits of the Cellphone provider in the Philippines that isn't on this list, that you came accross.

Disclaimer

I'm not liable, if you used the number without testing first if the call or text was charged or deducted.  Use with caution and double check first.

XCOM Enemy Within DLC, not an expansion, is going to be released in November 2013

Most of us are expecting an expansion pack for the XCOM game, but instead we have additional content, new upgrades for the units and new enemies.  This is usually accompanied by new campaign, but this one is just new units for both XCOM and the aliens.

I think, it's a bit expensive just to have an upgrade on units.  I don't know. Steam is giving me a hard time connecting to their server, since my area's shared IP has been blocked.

I'll buy, if it comes with a box in our local store.  Not buying if directly from steam.  I still like my box and DVD package.

Update: This game has already been released in the Philippines, but those who bought the installer need to wait for Nov 15 to start playing the game.  Also correction, this is an expansion pack in a sense it expands the game with new weapons and enemies.  With new enemies, there come new goals to the game.  I have been playing with it for a few hours and the game expansion does improve the game.  I also noticed the easy mode is still hard to play.  I started with normal and I got my butt kicked most of the time.  I can't wait for XCOM 2, next year hopefully a continued story rather than new faction and additional equipment.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - First Look

My blog on mobile power bank is so popular, that I decide to post another review on a higher capacity power bank 5600mAh.  Mind you, I only select the mobile power bank that I think is built to last, and a value for money.  I also have no sponsor or gain any income from these reviews.

This is only a first look, since the device was only bought yesterday, and I could not give a complete objective review in such a short time.  The price for this model PWB-065-R(PB-201) is Php580.00 (around $13 USD).

My first impressions on this CD-R King Mobile Power bank, is that it is a bit oddly designed. Not as odd as the last lipstick shape Power Bank? I was being sarcastic, if you couldn't tell.  I was looking for the other model, PWB-063-VT(VIP-H025) same features, but without the bumps as seen in the photo above.  Since, they look the same and I wanted to have my power bank right there and then, I got this one instead, since the other model wasn't available on that store branch of CD-R King.

Okay, my impressions:

• plastic built, that may crack open when dropped high enough.
• looks a bit better built than the rest of the power bank of the same capacity, on that particular branch of the CD-R King Store.
• It's very useful that it has a led flashlight, I can use it as a flashlight and charger.
• Easy to operate
• Fully charged when I bought it, ready to use.
• Useful power level indicator.
• at times you need to press the power button for the charge to start.
• the device heats up when charging high power capacity devices

Thanks to the salesperson for teaching me how to operate the flashlight since it does not indicate on the package.  It was actually 2 quick press on the power button to use the flashlight.

It charges on most devices. Namely the following, I tested it on:

• Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Y
• iPad Mini
• Fiio E6 Portable Headphone Amplifier

It does not charge Samsung Galaxy S Duos.  I don't know why.  I tried the older power bank I reviewed before CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh it charged without a problem.

So when buying the power bank, test it on the device you will primary use it for, since not all device will charge with this particular model - PWB-065-R(PB-201).

The product page on CD-R King website: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=18199&main=167

I bought mine in CD-R King Gateway Branch ground floor facing Aurora Boulevard.  Since the one on the LRT level has none of the colors that I like. Warranty is only 3 months.

Samsung Galaxy S Duos First Look and Review

The new released Samsung Galaxy S Duos is one among other new affordable phones released by Samsung in the Philippines.  New in the sense, that there isn't much screen protector and casings available for this particular model.

Together with Galaxy S Duos are the following in the same line of android phones:

• Galaxy Win
• Galaxy Core
• Galaxy Fame
• Galaxy Star
• Galaxy Pocket Neo
• Galaxy Young

I know other models are already old, wish Samsung named them different for their new releases.  The Galaxy Young will have people confuse refering to the old with the last release.

micro SD slot accessible on the right with power button on top

After using the Galaxy S Duos for a couple of weeks, I have to say, it's a very good smart phone.  The Galaxy S model name will not be tarnished by this particular model.  The reasons why are as follows:

1. Long battery life. (Compared to the S3 with same always on 3G internet.  S Duos last longer.)
2. All the android features of a high end Galaxy S (Software App wise) is available.
3. Screen size is good.
4. Build is good, especially the feel of the plastic on the back, it feels solid.
5. Fast charge, compared to my galaxy S3. (You know what, I think S3 was over hyped)
6. Does not heat up at the back when I browse the internet and use 3G (Mobile Internet). Unlike S3, which heats up after a few minutes of web browsing or heavy gameplay.

volume rocker on the left side

What is the specs for this Smart Phone?

• HSDPA 7.2 (900/2100MHz)
• Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
• 1GHz CPU
• 4 inches WVGA TFT LCD
• TouchWiz (Interface of Android)
• Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• GPS/Geo-tagging
• 5MegaPixels on the back with flash and VGA on the front.
• micro SD expandable the slot is accessible on the right side (No need to remove battery to access it)
• Power button on the upper right and volume rocker on the left

What is the weight and feel of the phone?

This smart phone is light-weight and solid built.  You can feel it once you lift it.  iPhone users will feel it's plastic built.  But it's a good phone as far as I can tell using it for couple of weeks.

earphone jack (Stereo)

Sound

Sound is the same as most phone, there isn't much to talk about, it's the same as the rest of the phones.  My only complaint is the Samsung Phones have their speakers at the back, which muffles the sound when you place it on a desk or on a seat.

It comes with an earphone jack, and an ear buds with microphone.

Camera

Camera is the same as the rest.  Standard quality. Nothing to get wow about.  It's an affordable phone, so the quality is a bit better than the lower ends.

Overall

The phone won't disappoint you much.  If you only need to browse the internet, tethering the internet to a tablet, use as a spare phone.  Then this is the phone for you if you have the budget.  Price of the Phone is around Php8,000+.

Galaxy Y besides Galaxy S Duos