Archive for August, 2008
Enjoying the FREE WiFi Access at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
As bloggers, we consider three important things to maintain a blog: a PC/laptop, your blog and an internet connection. Since I moved in to Manila for my post-graduate internship, I bade ‘goodbye’ to blogging conveniently at my own house to dealing with extreme noise at the internet café. As alternative, I am always in search for free WiFi hotspots in the metro to blog.
Just this morning, I have received such great news from a co-intern that Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center is also a WiFi Hotspot provided by LinkSys. So now, I’m enjoying the free internet. Oops, got to attend a patient. J
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Globe Visibility vs. Smart Bro Prepaid vs. Sun Cellular Prepaid
I’ve been suffering from no-internet-connection-at-home dilemma ever since I moved to Manila for my internship. I bade “goodbye” to my not-so-fast-but-better-than-others PLDT MyDSL connection and said “hello” to the noisy internet cafe. I could always use some free Wi-Fi hotspots around the metro, however, this way can be inconvenient at times. I couldn’t apply for a postpaid plan because of the lock-in periods and the proof of billing they require. So my most probable choice to get my own internet connection is to avail to any prepaid service.
I went to Smart Wireless first and the agent said that the kit was out of stock. I’ve tried it at SM San Lazaro, too, however it was also out of stock due to the higher demand. Then I went on to Globe Business Center, to try if they also have a prepaid internet plan. I didn’t know that they have Globe Visibility plans which also works like Smart Bro Prepaid. Then the last stop was at SUN Cellular Center. I checked on if they also offer prepaid internet. Interestingly, they also offer a similar service.
Why should you choose a prepaid internet plan?
First, it’s convenient and you can load up in thousands of load outlets nationwide. Second, you can use it anywhere there is PC/laptop and a signal. Third, you only pay for what you have used. Prepaid plans are perfect for regular use like browsing and chatting. Fourth, you don’t need to provide any proof of billing and lock-in periods (except for SUN cellular’s prepaid plan). Fifth, you only need a plug and play USB modem to connect to the internet. No phone lines needed.
Here is the comparison of the Prepaid Internet Plans available in the Philippines:
1. Smart Bro Prepaid Kit – It was my first choice because, firstly, I am a Smart subscriber and secondly, I’ve tried the Smart Broadband Plan 999 for 1 year which was not a bad choice (although at times, the connection sucks).
The Smart Bro Prepaid Kit plug and play USB modem costs P3,800 (from its original price of P4,500) with 5 hours free internet hours. The maximum speed is 384kbps. Broadband Internet use is P10 for every 30 minutes. The nationwidest coverage of Smart and the convenience of loading it to thousands of load outlet nationwide.
2. Globe Visibility – It costs P4,500 (increased from its original price of P3,500) with free P30 load good for 6 internet sessions (1 session = 15 minutes) equivalent to 1.5 hours of continuous internet time. Mobile internet access connections available include GPRS, EDGE, 3G, and HSDPA. All of Globe’s 3G sites are HSDPA-ready. In the event of structural or hardware limitations, other connections such as EDGE, GPRS or Wi-Fi may be chosen.
Free hours are applicable to browsing within the Philippines only. Mobile Internet rate in excess of the free hours is charged at P5 for 15 minutes. Similar with Smart Bro Prepaid Kit, which can be loaded at thousands of e-loading stations, it can be reloaded at all Globe Business Centers and Autoload Max Retailers or using Share-A-Load or GCash.
Below are the different Globe Mobile Internet Connection you could use, their corresponding average and maximum speed.
HSPDA – Ave. speed of 400-700 Kbps – Max speed of 1.8 Mbps
3G – Ave speed of 150-250 Kbps – Max speed of 384 Kbps
EDGE – Ave speed of 80-120 Kbps – Max speed of 156 Kbps
GPRS – Ave speed of 30-40 Kbps – Max speed of 56 Kbps
WIZ Wi-Fi – Ave speed is dependent on HotSpot – Max speed is 512 + Kbps
Globe visibility is also available in postpaid plans. For available postpaid plans, please refer to the Globe website.
3. SUN Cellular Broadband. This service was just recently launched by SUN Cellular for Metro Manila users only. It also uses GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSPDA technology. It is said to have the lowest wireless broadband plan, with lowest per minute rate.
Affordable SUN Cellular Broadband plans:
- Plan 799
Monthly Service Fee (MSF): P799
One-time Charge: Waived
Maximum Speed: 400 Kbps
Monthly Usage Allowance: 60 hours
Rate in Excess of Usage Hours: P0.30/min
-Plan 999
Monthly Service Fee (MSF): P999
One-time Charge: Waived
Maximum Speed: 400 Kbps
Monthly Usage Allowance: Flat Rate
Rate in Excess of Usage Hours: N/A (Unlimited internet hours)
-Plan 1999
Monthly Service Fee (MSF): P1,999
One-time Charge: Waived
Maximum Speed: 1.4 Mbps
Monthly Usage Allowance: Flat Rate
Rate in Excess of Usage Hours: Unlimited
Their plans are seem to be worth-grabbing however, they would require the applicant to submit a proof of billing/proof of income, to sign a lock-in period of 2 years, and that s/he should have at least P20,000 monthly salary! Okay, they may have made it intended only for corporate people, I presumed. They should have made it more student-friendly because as I have observed more students are using the internet and owning a laptop.
So my final choice would be Globe Visibility. It has the most adorable features I must say. I was excited to buy a while ago but it was out-of-stock. I’ll try it if it’s already available next week or I may contact the Globe hotline to inquire about it.
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How to Fix the iPhone Mail Error
Some users reported that the iPhone Mail suddenly stopped accepting new messages especially after switching one connection to another.
Restarting your iPhone can fix this problem. Alternatively, you can try force-quitting the Mail application by launching it (if it is not already active) then holding the home key for several seconds until the Mail app disappears and you are returned to the home screen.
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How to Fix the iPhone error: “This movie format is not supported”
Recently, some iPhone users have been flocking message boards complaining about the newly found out error on iPhone.
Some movies are unplayable after iPhone software update. Cnet.com, the leading technology news site, found out that re-encoding movies may be the most viable fix for this issue. Also using an alternative video encoder or a lower resolution/bitrate can also help.
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Apple Releases an Update for iPhone Wireless Connectivity Bug
When the iPhone 3G came out, users expected a speedier internet connectivity using the smart phone through wireless networks.
The iPhone 3G, which went on sale July 11, connects to cellular providers’ speedier third-generation networks and was meant to deliver snappier Web surfing and online video viewing than the year-old original model.
However, after few weeks of release, complaints flocked to message boards in recent weeks, posting complaints about dropped calls and spotty wireless broadband connectivity.
Well, good news! Apple Inc. has released an iPhone software update it says improves communication between the smart phone and wireless networks.
Source: GMA News.TV
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iPhone Tip: Translate Words Easily with Your iPhone!
Good news to travelers. The Google mobile team has put together an iPhone interface for Google Translate.
Google Translate for iPhone is optimized for speed, supports all of the existing Google Translate language pairs, and uses a client-side data-store on your iPhone to hang on to your past translations so you always have them at hand, even if you can’t use the local data network. We wrote this using the AJAX Language API, so every time the Google Translate team updates the languages they support, the languages will automatically be added here.
To use Google Translate with your iPhone, just point your phone browser to www.google.com and choose the “more” tab. Or you can go directly to translate.google.com in your browser.
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How to Download Applications to Your iPhone?
Downloading and installing applications to your iPhone can be possible in several ways:
1. Using iTunes and your PC:
- You must have an iTunes software installed on your PC. If you don’t have iTunes installed, you can download a free copy at the Apple iTunes website.
- After you have installed it, go to Download.com or iTunes store and look for your favorite iPhone apps. When you connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer, iTunes syncs applications automatically.
2. Using an iPhone installer. Gizmondo has provided a step-by-step process on how to download and install iPhone applications without any technical and hacking knowledge required using a iPhone app installer and your desktop.
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Free Application Download: Last.FM for iPhone 1.1
With this free application for your iPhone, you can listen to free streaming radio on your iPhone with Last.fm.
Last.fm allows you to listen to your favorite artists, discover new music, and share music with the friends in your iPhone contact list. Based on your music taste, Last.fm creates radio stations from its 5 million+ track music catalog. You can start a radio station by entering any artist name or genre and listen for hours; all without having to store any music on your iPhone. You can also check out artist bios, similar artists, and concert info.
This is a perfect iPhone application for music lovers. Download Last.FM apps for iPhone, FREE!
Tags: iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 1.1, iPhone Philippines, iPhone Apps, iPhone Applications, Last.FM, iPhone Music
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Can you use a Smart SIM pack in iPhone?
The iPhone is exclusively distributed by Globe Telecom for Philippine users. So the Smart Telecom users asked, “Can we use our Smart SIM with iPhone?” During the early release of iPhones, you can use your Smart SIM card by unlocking it. However, problems have been coming out such as problems on making calls.
Several users at the Macintosh Philippines forums said that making calls is suddenly not possible with iPhone using Smart SIM however there’s no problem in using the phone for text messages.
One user, William Yu, of It’s hip2b2 has successfully unlocked the iPhone for Smart Post Paid kit without using any software and supersims, that Smart users may use. He notes that users should use these tricks and cracks at their own risk. Please don’t proceed if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Tags: iPhone Tips, iPhone Tricks, Smart SIM and iPhone, Smart Telecom
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Where to get a cheaper iPhone in the Philippines?
The current market price for iPhone in the Philippines is around P30,000 to P35,000, already unlocked and is ready to use with any network provider in the Philippines. However, you can find cheaper unlocked iPhones online through Auction.ph and eBay.ph. I found an unlocked brand new 8GB iPhone online which costs only P18,000 (save up to P 17,000!) That’s almost 50% off from its regular price of P35,000.
Important reminder:
Buying online can be risky especially with the growing number of online scams. To avoid getting scammed by fake sellers, always see the satisfaction level and feedbacks of the seller to make sure that you are dealing with a genuine one.
You can also avoid fake iPhone deals and units by dealing with an National Telecommunications (NTC) register dealer.
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