Samsung Galaxy S3 and Duos

I know this is a bit late but I haven't got the time to take a look of this Samsung Galaxy S3.  It is only now that I got to test this baby out.  I like the S3 because of the features like when you close your eyes this phone will go to sleep too.  Driving mode that tells you who send you a message or who is calling among other things. The graphics are very clear.  Camera and flash are excellent especially the rapid shots.  But there are still some bugs that needs to be fix.  For those instagram lovers, you won't like this but it hangs most of the time.  I hope Samsung can address this.  The problem with this phone is mostly about the apps that you download. Battery life is not so good.  I need my phone to have internet access all the time.  It really sucks the battery life of this phone.  For a heavy user, you will really need an extra battery or car charger. Other than that, this is a great phone. Clear screen, photos and sounds. Price for this is now reasonable. I give this 3 stars out of 5.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S3

Now for the Dual Sim version of the Samsung Galaxy S.  It looks like a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini at first glance.  Battery life is not good. If I'm out I have to turn off to wifi and mobile internet for this just to make it through out the day.  I have to turn it on only when I need to use it. Don't download games for this.  It's so slow to respond that eventually it will hang then crash. The resolution is not so good. I don't know why they would put a 5 mp camera but the resolution doesn't give it justice.

It's a decent call and text dual phone and emergency internet access.  But other than that, there is nothing you can do with this phone. I give it a 2 out of 5 stars.

Samsung Galaxy S Duos

UPDATE: GoFlex Satellite External Wi-Fi Hard Disk

I'm loving the update for the GoFlex Satellite External wi-fi hard disk. I can now connect to the internet while still connected to the hard disk.  I bring my wi-fi hard disk now whenever I go out & I have a car or whenever I go out until the next day. Whenever I'm home, I don't unplug it anymore.  So if ever I get another gadget that has wi-fi capabilities, I don't get the highest internal memory anymore.  I just bring this with me.

I give this gadget 4 out of 5 stars.

Apple Accessories

As you have been seeing in my last couple of blogs that most of our gadgets are made by Apple.  People who know my family and I that we are careful with our gadgets.  So when we sell our gadgets, it looks like almost brand new.  I even keep most of the boxes so they buyer will feel like they're getting a brand new gadget. I had sold a lot of gadgets and all of them are still happy with what they got from me.

Whenever we get a new gadget, the very first accessory we get is the screen protector.  Even though Apple's screen are really scratch resistant, we still get the screen protector.  We prefer matte finish because it's easier to navigate the touchscreen.  The only Apple gadget that doesn't have a screen protector is the laptop.

To start with the accessories, we will begin with the protectors.  My son is the only one who has a laptop, since he needs it for school and I need to compete with the computer.  His laptop has a hard case red clear cover and he designed the cover with an Iron Man, so when you turn it on the light on Iron Man's chest is the Apple logo.  He didn't put it on the laptop itself because when he gets tired with it, he can change the design.  He had it made to order in SM Mall of Asia.  It's actually made for cars so the sticker is really durable.  To protect the keyboard we got the Moshi keypad clear cover.  It is the most thinnest and durable keypad cover I have ever seen.  I got one for the Macpro keypad also.  You won't even realize that there's a cover on the keypad.  I love this cover.

 

It's a little expensive, so I didn't get it for my IMac in the office, as it might get lost or eaten by rats.  For those who are saving but still want to protect their keyboards, I suggest that you get a cling on food wrap.  It works great too.  You can buy this at the groceries with brands names like Saran and Glad. To be durable, wrap the keyboard twice.  Unfortunately, it won't work on the laptop because you have to wrap the whole laptop and I don't suggest that because it may overheat it.  There are a lot of keyboard cover that are much cheaper for your laptop keyboard.  Better get that than ruining your macbook.

Food wrap

I cover the IMac in the office with a black hard cover (similar to the picture below) to prevent it from scratches and dust.  The screen protector and the hard cover casing is the only accessories I have for my IMac.

 



Now we go to the Ipad. 


The Ipad 2 has this what they call the Smart cover.  It's compact and it's magnetic.  Unfortunately, it will scratch your IPad by the hinges. So I bought a cover that has the front cover like this Smart cover but it looks like the original cover of the IPad 1.  So far, so good. I still miss the Smart covers,  There are a lot of color to choose from.

Some use the Ipad like a laptop.  So, I got this Bluetooth keypad.  It's very handy for typing documents and chatting.  If only you can use a mouse rather than touching the screen then you'll have a laptop already.

 

Sometime, I use the Ipad like a pad. For drawing stuff or just scribbling something.  This pen is handy.  It's also a real pen so, even though you don't have an Ipad, you can use it as a regualar pen.  It's refillable too. You can buy the refill at any Parker.  Look for the refill for the jotter.  You can have the regular pen or the gel pen. 

 

I charge all my gadgets every night. It became my ritual.  Everyone who knows me, know me and my family have a lot of gadgets.  But there are times, I can't go home and there's no electrical outlet where I can recharge my gadgets. I have a charger in the car.  But during the times that I can't get to charge my gadgets, I have this.  MPow charger for IPad, Galaxy Tab and other gadgets that needs charging.  It has a a lot of different connector. You can charge almost any kind of tablets and cellphones with this baby. It's kinda heavy, but it will make sure that you'll never go low battery again.

 

It's the Iphone's turn.  I love to accessories my Iphone. But I like it the slimmer the better so that I can put it in my pocket. Problem with this ICoat and other cover like this is that it may scratch the screen.  But don't worry, the screen of the Iphone is really tough.  But I still put a screen protector on all of my gadgets.  Better safe than sorry.  It's cheaper to change the scratched protector than a scratched screen,  But if ever you scratched the bare screen, "What the Hell you are doing to your IPhone?" 

 

Another case that can protect your screen protector (I know it's redundant, but hey, if it will keep the value of my gadgets, I'm all for it.), I use the Alibaba case.  It has cases for all types of smartphones and tables and keeps your gadgets safe and clean. It covers the front of the phone and it's really convenient when you're talking because you don't need to cover the mouth piece. The cover serves as a cover.

 I'm like a girls scout, I'm ready for everything.  So I make sure I don't go low battery.  I'm loyal to this brand of extra batter for my Iphone. The Morphie Juice pack.  It's slim and it's also a case for the Iphone.  If you don't need the to charge the phone just yet, turn the battery off and turn it on again if your battery is running low.  I use this extra battery since I had my 3GS.  It's performance is like have another batter, not just to get by the rest of the day.  My son also has this.  He's a nursing student so he sometime goes on duty for 36 hours straits. It was very convenient for him since he didn't need to leave his phone to charge just anywhere. He's carry his phone while it's charging.

Told you we were an Apple Mac family.  I love how versatile this Ipod nano is.  I usually use it as a watch, while listening to audio books and my music.  I love this Tunewear Triporter for Ipod Nano 6g.  It can be use as a watch, necklace or you can just hang it on the belt holder.  It comes in different colors too. It also has a versatile case so you can just keep changing it to whatever you want it from the choices I gave you.

 

Since, I'm a business woman and I can wear the Tunewear for meetings and formal wear, I also got this metal strap for the Ipod.  You have to bring it to the watch repair shop to have it fit for you.  Change the face to be more elegant looking.

 

It doesn't mean that since the Ipod is small it doesn't need a screen protector. WRONG! As I said before, the first thing I buy for my gadgets is the screen protector. The Ipod nano 6g might be small but I still have a screen protector for this. 

I also, have this kind of strap for my Ipod but this doesn't fit me because I'm thin. I can put it on my arm. But I do love the designs of these straps.

 

So there you have it folks.  Everything you need to know to protect, stylize, and give it more power for you Apple, Mac and other gadgets.  But mostly Apple and Mac gadgets.  Until my next Blog.

 

Go Flex Sattelite Hard Drive

I love to watch videos and see photos that the 64 gig is not enough for my IPad.  Seagate found out a way to expand the hard disk drive of an IPad with the Go Flex Satellite Hard Drive. 

How does this work?
You go to the settings of you tablet or smartphone (it's not only for Apple products but for all products that has wi-fi capabilities) and look for the server of the GoFlex Satellite.  You can access a lot of photos, videos and files that are not in your gadgets.

Pros:
It's 500gig, so there's a lot of storage spaces. 
It's portable and rechargeable, so you can bring it everywhere.
Battery life is decent.
It's also an external hard drive for your computer or laptops

Cons:
For Apple products users, you can't connect to the internet because the wi-fi is dedicate only to the hard disk when you're using the GoFlex Satellite hard disk.  So you won't be able to receive any IMessage when you're viewing videos, photos and files that are in the disk.

Most of the time, you couldn't access any files after 10 minutes.  It's not disconnected, it just stop responding.  To remedy this, you have to turn it off and turn it on again.

There will be times but rarely, in my case, that it would watch a few videos non-stop.

You can only upload and download files using the computer or laptop not on the tablets or smartphones.
If you are going to show your work to clients using the IPad, this is perfect.  You won't need more than 10 minutes to show your products or services anyway.

So if you are thinking of purchasing this to watch your favorite TV shows or movie, I decide against it.
For Product and/or service presentation to clients, it's okay.

As a rating I would give it 3 Stars on the product.

I would suggest to research on the products you want before buying it. 

  

IOS 5

IOS5 was released last October 12, 2011.  So on that day most of our computers at home were downloading the updates for the Iphone and Ipad. It took almost the whole day because the file size varies per gadget ranging between 700 to 800 mb. 

What's new with the IOS5?  What I love the most is the IMessage.  It's like the Blackberry messenger, but unlike the BBM the user doesn't depend on the phone.  IMessage uses your Apple ID or even your phone number if you are using the IPhone or the IPad + 3G. It can also detect if your message has been delivered and read (in the settings turn on send read receipt).  I also love the find your IPhone/IPad but only whose Apple ID is register on the phone is the one who can locate the phone, because you will need the password.

Other features is the new style of notification.  Unlike before that it will appear in the middle of your screen, now it appears on top of the screen.  If you don't read it you can pull it down from the top of the screen.  I thought the pull down was like the menu of the Samsung, where some of the settings are there, that's one let down for me.  Another feature is that you don't need to unlock the screen to take a picture.  Just double click the button and the camera button along with the music controls appears.  So no need to rush to unlock the screen. They also added a reminder app, which I have to try. Like the Ibook, there is now a newsstand where all the magazines apps can now be placed there if you are subscribe to any.  They added the Icloud where you have a 5GB of free storage and upgradable for a fee.  I like Icloud in the PC that I don't need to transfer all my apps one by one when I'm changing computers.  I also like it when my kids upload a new app on their gadgets, they automatically upload to my Ipad, but you can also remove this if you don't want so many apps on your gadgets.  Since almost all of us has an Apple gadgets, we don't jailbreak out gadgets anymore because we share the apps and the price becomes reasonable.  I also share them with my nieces and nephew so that I get most of what I paid for.

You can now also sync your gadgets through wi-fi.  But I still it wired because it takes a long time to sync it wirelessly.

The difference of the Iphone4 and the Iphone4S (aside from the very large price difference) now is the Siri, which is the voice command, it's not even offer yet here the Philippines (so what's the point of getting the 4gs?) because it would ask you for your location before you can activate Siri and the camera which is much sharper because it has a 8-megapixel resolution and a custom lens with a larger f/2.4 aperture and also has face detector and the video recorder has image stabilizer . Let us not forget the dual core processor,, which is important when you're playing games on your IPhone.   Also, if ever I'm going to get an Iphone4s it would be the 64g and not the 32 anymore.  If I get the 32g, what's the difference, I don't use the Iphone camera and I rarely text because most of my friends has the same cell service provider that I am subscribe to and they have unlimited call to the same cell service provider.

That's all I can say for now for the IOS5.  It's free anyway, so make the most out of it.  Take time to take advantage of it's new features.  

Forex Trading Gadgets on the Go

I'm also a forex trader and many are asking me how I do my trading. Most people know that my kids and I are fans of Steve Jobs creative thinking.  So when I was starting to learn about forex, we were required to bring a window based laptop.  I have nothing against windows.  Competition is for the improvement of a product.  So I have my laptop installed a program called VMware.  It's another program like parallels.  I didn't knew that there was another one. It served me well.  I just use it at home.  I use parallels in the office because I bought my IMac previously owned by someone else.

I got tired of lugging my laptop all the time so I checked out if there's an app for the IPad for forex trading.  True enough almost all of the brokers has an app for there clients.  But I wanted that something where I can see the charts.  Good thing that most of the forex apps are free.

What I end up using is the T. Interceptor, that was recommended to me by a fellow trader.  It uses candle charts.  You can also plot lines to help you when to enter and exit a trade.  Problem is when I started trading for real it doesn't support my broker.

The broker I got was HOT Forex.  From what I googled, it's the top broker as I am typing this and was also recommended by another fellow trader. I liked this broker, aside that it is on the top, it's also easy to create an account.  Just register, scan and email their requirements, which is usually your valid government issued I.D. and proof of billing. After a few hours someone will call you verifying the documents and asks some questions.  A few minutes after the call I deposited $200 as my starting funds. Another reason, why I liked this broker is that you get a bonus.  Either you get 15% rescue bonus or a 50% withdrawal bonus.  I chose the 50% withdrawal bonus.  It's like a signing bonus that the will give you 50% of what you deposited and you can withdraw it. The 15% bonus is a buffer but you can't withdraw this.  For me the differences are the amount of the bonus and one can be withdrawn and the other cannot.  So I opted for the 50% bonus. So I don't have to worry how much do I can afford to lose. When I'm trading I just play around that $100 bonus and I manage to double it by accident.  Whew!

What does this has got to do with me being a gadget geek mom?  I don't trade using my computer.  I trade using my IPad and IPhone.  I check the charts on my IPad and I buy or sell using my IPhone.  HOT Forex doesn't have an app in the IPad. I do know that they have an app for the smartphones and PDA's.  Meaning android phones and Blackberry phones.  They also have a web based charts and trading.

My Forex Trading Tools

It so handy and I didn't want to buy another laptop, Mac or otherwise, just for forex trading.  I have no use for a laptop at the moment.  I used to have a laptop because I was planning to pursue my photography as a career.  Ever since I took over the family business, I didn't have the time for photography anymore.  I don't want to buy notebooks because of the small screen. The Mac Air for me is like an IPad with a keyboard, because they have almost the same specs.  I was planning to upgrade my Macbook Pro but ended up getting a Mac Pro CPU, so I rarely use a laptop. Also, if I need a laptop, I can borrow my son's brand new Macbook Pro 13".  So I use whatever I got.

Pocket Wi-fi

Now what about if I'm on the go and the place I go to has no wifi.  I use a open line pre-paid pocket wi-fi.  I didn't want to get a post-paid because the most place I go has wi-fi.  Why open line?  Here in the south Globe and Smart broadband wifi are slow.  So I use Sun broadband here in the south.  Anywhere else in Metro Manila Globe is fine.  But there was one time I was trading and there were no wi-fi in the area.  I tried using my Smart sim but I still couldn't connect.  So I used my Pre-paid Globe sim. There was also a time when there was wi-fi but we couldn't connect to the internet during one of our coaching session for forex. Some didn't have the broadband stick, so the lucky 4 got to share my wi-fi. Since it can only share up to 5 gadgets at a time. See my previous blog about wi-fi (just click the link to read all the wi-fi gadgets and broadband sims that I use and used already).

Someday, I'll get Macbook Pro 15" or maybe 17" who knows, when I really need it.  But for now, I'm happy doing my forex trading using with what I have now.

The Man Who Changed the World, Steve Jobs

I'm still wrapping my head with the release of the new Iphone 4S and how excited I am with the new features it has and making me think how am I going to sell my fairly new IPhone4.  I opened my Facebook account and what greeted me was the news that Steve Jobs, founder of the Apple Inc., has passed away on October 5, 2011. He was 56.

He contributed so much with most of our lives.  With the gadgets he introduced to the world, the world became smaller and life a little easier. How?  IPhone connected us with our love ones.  It got better when the face time was introduced.  Now I can get to see my kids when I'm away, even when I'm out of the country.  My son who is taking up nursing has a lot of big fat books that he carries most of the time.  With the IPad, he downloads those book and reads, highlights and write notes on it.  I too, buy books online and read them whenever I can.  I listen to my audio books with my IPod nano which I also use as a watch.  My son listen to his music with his IPod.

We are an Apple Mac family.  We like Mac because we have very little problems with it's laptops and computers. I love his creations.  I'm even craving for more.

I know that, Apple is ok, even without Steve Jobs.  He didn't do all of these things by himself.  He had some help and those that he helped and helped him, Steve left a part of him to those people.

He also some parts of him to us, the users of his creations and even to those who don't, to those who he touched the lives who met him, saw him and who heard him live, recorded, online and on youtube. He made geeks cool.

Steve Jobs talk on how to live your life.

Thank you, Steve. You changed the world!