Today is Digital Photographer Philippines’ 7th Anniversary event – and its being held right now at 9th Avenue in Bonifacio High Street, Fort. Sony is celebrating that fact with a one day, one time deal on their Semi-Professional DSLT camera (Digital Single Lens Translucent) the SLT-A77. (Get it? Because the model number says 77 and DPP is celebrating its 7th year.) Anyway, the deal itself is quite impressive – buy one take one on any of the three possible combos for the A77 – body only for PHP 50k; with an 18-55 standard kit for PHP 60k; or with a 16-50 f2.8 lens kit for PHP 80k. Keep in mind that you’ll be getting two of the same kit so all of these bundles will include another A77 + any lens kit you bought with it. That’s quite a decent price if you think about it – getting a semi-professional APS-C camera body for 25k; with a lens kit for 30k; or with a constant f2.8 aperture lens for PHP 40k. Not bad, though you would be getting two.

Now personally, I’d like to take advantage of the Sony Buy-1 Take-1 promo for the Alpha A77, but somehow I don’t even know what I’d use one Semi-Professional DSLT for – let alone two. (I prefer compact body mirrorless cameras.) That and I don’t even like lugging full-body cameras anymore. Oh and I can barely cover the cost. But hey, anybody want to split two Sony SLT’s for the price of one?

Anyway, Sony sale or not, if you’re interested in being part of the festivities of DPP’s 7th Anniversary, just head on over to the Fort right now. Entrance is free and there should be lots to see – and potentially buy.

Try not to overspend though!

Earlier this week Globe Telecom had a press conference to talk about the new postpaid offerings that goes with their newest smartphone – the Samsung Galaxy S4. Being the newest phone in the line of the South Korean giant’s flagship Android devices, the phone boasts of improvements like new "quality of life" features; upgraded cameras; and a powerful LTE-Capable Quad-Core processor. Globe is proud to announce that you can pick up the phone with their competitive plans which end up quite a bit cheaper than to its competitors. To top it off, they’re also offering extra contract options so you can choose the length of your contract from 6-30 months if you wish.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the fourth generation of the smartphone line that pretty much made the South Korean manufacturer the number one handset maker in the world – and fittingly so. This time around they’ve gone about upgrading a lot of the innards of the phone – with a bevy of new software features; camera shooting modes; and even some health and UI improvements. The outside hasn’t been changed much, but its gotten lighter and thinner, despite the larger screen, larger battery, and a new powerful LTE-capable Quad-Core processor.

Samsung Galaxy S4

• Quad-Core 1.9Ghz Snapdragon (LTE capable) processor
• 5.0" 1920×1080 AMOLED Gorilla Glass 3 Display
• 13MP Camera + LED Flash, 2MP Front
• Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz UI
• 2GB RAM, 16/32/64GB ROM, MicroSD
• 2,600mAh Battery
• NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, InfraRed Blaster
• Available in White or Black

You can grab yourself a Galaxy S4 with any of Globe’s plans which you can see in the picture above. You’ll also notice that the telco offers contracts ranging from as short as 6 months up to 30 – allowing you to customize the plan to suit your commitment needs. Furthermore, you can check out the difference in total contract price for the lowest unlimited data plan between Globe and the competition. You’ll notice that the main difference here is that for PHP 1,599 on Globe, it already includes the price of the phone. While the competition’s pricing starts at PHP 1,500 plus an extra monthly payment for the actual device. (Eventually costing you up to 16k extra.) Of course, the plans differ slightly with regards to minutes and perks, so you’ll still have to do the math for your use case.

If you opt for the Globe plan, you can avail of their unique benefits like gadget insurance, no bill shock guarantee, and access to their 24/7 customer service. (LTE is unlimited until the end of May, but there is a fair use policy of 800MB/day if we understand it correctly.)

So if you’re on the lookout to getting the next Samsung flagship and want something with flexible plan lengths or cheaper full contract price, check out Globe’s Galaxy S4 plans here and see if they’re suited for you.

Hey guys, its May 1, 2013 today and in the Philippines that means its Labor Day. Whether or not that means anything to you shouldn’t matter, but it is also the day that Nokia Philippines is going to give out Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices on their twitter account. That’s right. Head on over to Twitter and tell @NokiaPilipinas why you should switch to a Lumia phone today (the contest is for today only) and you could take home one of their colorful new devices!

The contest is valid for today only and currently the hashtag and contest is all about the Lumia 820. The instructions (pictured above) asks for the contestants to tweet (obviously you need a Twitter account) why you want to switch to a Lumia. Add the hashtags #ReasonsToSwitchTo and #Lumia820 right now and we believe that’s all you need to do.

We’re not sure how many phones Nokia is planning to give away today, but its probably safe to assume that they’re going to include at least one model of all their five new WP8 devices. Either way, head on over to Twitter and tell them your #ReasonsToSwitchTo a #Lumia820!

Epson Precision Philippines Incorporated (EPPI) recently held a tour and launch at their plant located in Lipa City, Batangas. The newly-expanded facility employs 10,400 employees and is capable of producing 40 printers and 7 projectors per minute – products that are mainly shipped overseas as exports. Epson is also the undisputed #1 Brand in the world for projector sales, with a whopping 26.2% of the market share – a feat that can be attributed to its feature-rich projector lineup. And the Japanese company is looking to bolster that lineup with the launch of 7 new models – which include 3D projectors for both the office and home, as well as interactive short-throw models for collaborations and business meetings.

The tour of the plant gave us a look at the inner workings on Epson’s assembly lines and how they work on their efficiency and speed. Production volume at the EPPI plant has been growing steadily year-over-year and the company is not looking to slow down any time soon. The plant also continues to be active in the community and it’s environmental responsibilities. Their products use 25% recycled plastic, which prevents any undue waste and loss of quality. In the Philippines, Epson has also launched their Inkjet cartridge recycling program, and their employees participate in advocacies like donating to PWDs; aiding in the maintenance of schools; book donations; tree plantings; and the like.

After the tour, Epson took the opportunity to introduce their newest line of projectors – which include a slew of 3D capable units for both business and education; 3D projectors designed for home entertainment; and short-throw projectors tailored for businesses that need interactive displays.

Epson EB-W16 & EB-W16SK are both 3D projectors that support all versions of the 3D standard (there are various versions that some projectors don’t actually support) in passive and active type projection. Pictured above is the EB-W16SK which has 2 stacked projectors for passive 3D. Its designed for larger audiences or auditoriums that prefer glasses that do not need batteries. It’s single-stack brother, the EB-W16, is more practical for smaller setups where active battery-powered 3D glasses would be preferred. Both projectors are targeted for educational and/or business use.

For home entertainment the EH-TW6100 and the EH-TW8100 are the ones to get and both are new versions to their popular predecessors in the line. Capable of projecting native Full HD 1080p in 3D at 480 hertz is the major selling point for these – guaranteeing much brighter and flicker free home entertainment experiences. The TW8100 has an additional lens-shift feature that can correct a distorted image so you can place the projector offset to the left or right of the screen if needed. Both projectors use active 3D and can convert 2D movies/images to 3D as well.

Finally the last set of projectors include the EB-400 series, the EB-1400wi, and the EB-1410wi – interactive type projectors for ideal for business meetings and collaborative efforts. The EB-400 is a short-throw projector series designed for tabletop use and is a great choice for consumers looking for an affordable interactive unit. While the last two units are ultra-short-throw devices with a more extensive feature list that includes capabilities like wireless connectivity; ability to be used without a PC; Dual-Pen simultaneous capabilities; output options for collaborated work; compatibility with Microsoft Word native formats; and other such features. The EB-1400wi is capable of up to 2600 lumens while the EB-1410wi can do up to 3100.

Here’s a quick video on what the EB-1410wi can do for you.

So if you’re on the lookout for some 3D projectors or something that can be used to manipulate data on the screen directly, check out the current lineup of Epson devices wherever they may be offered near you. For more information, also check out their website here.

For more pictures of the event, check out the gallery below.

		Epson Lipa Tour & 3D Projector Launch VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Battery discharging is a very commonly misunderstood issue these days and its actually quite unnerving to most mobile device users (for both smartphones and tablets). The main problem? Well, except for the part where smartphones generally run out of charge within a day, (people still complain about that) is the technology called Trickle Charging. Why, you ask, are people going crazy over it? Well, its because of its unintended side effect: the battery percentage drops (sometimes immediately) to around 95% (90-99) when you unplug it from its charging source. Naturally most people think this is a battery issue or a charger issue, but it isn’t. This is actually normal, and shouldn’t be thought of as a problem. Now you might ask, why does this happen? Well we’re going to explain it to you with a kind-of a crappy homemade educational video. Hop over the jump to watch and be learned!

Alright guys! Hopefully that explained everything you need to know about your battery percentage dipping when you unplug it from the charger. Though you might ask why does the phone keep saying it has “100%” when it actually doesn’t? Well, this is exactly so you don’t keep waiting for it to reach 100% and complain that your phone is broken. So like we said, don’t worry about it and don’t blame your phone or its manufacturers. Even top brands like Samsung, Sony, and HTC use Trickle Charging and the “fake” 100% charge.

Until next time, consider yourself edumacated!

Whew, been a while since we updated the Podcast for the #BigTimeShow – so we’ve got some catching up to do!In this episode of the Big Time Show (that aired on January 12, 2013), we talk about the news that came out during the Consumer Electronics Show 2013. Topics include the Sony Xperia Z & ZL; Huawei Ascend Mate & D2; ZTE Grand S & Lenovo K900; the Sharp Aquos SH930W; new processors from Qualcomm, NVidia, & Samsung; NVidia’s Project Shield gaming portable; and the Razer Edge transformable gaming tablet PC. (And more of course!) As always you can check out the show via our embedded video or download the mp3 version in the form of the iTunes / RSS / direct download formats below. Hop on over the jump to check them out!

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on your favorite podcast aggregator! And of course, feel free to join us on the live show every Saturday around 10PM so you can be part of the craziness! (Go to bit.ly/watchbts to watch live!)

Watch us live! / Countdown Page: bit.ly/watchbts
Check us out on iTunes: bit.ly/btsitunes
Podcast RSS Feed: bit.ly/btspodrss

Here in the Philippines, a recent “scandalous” story has come to light in some TV show about some vapid people talking about their shallow vapid lives. Which admittedly, happens pretty much every day. But this one time, we just had to react. Why? Because the topic is now being discussed internationally as a blind item in dating sites as some sort of scenario – one that I’m very sad to say has actually happened in real life. That’s right, I’m officially ashamed how shallow and pointless some of our countrymen are living their lives.

So yeah, dating sites are now using the Janine Tugonon gossip as a blind item. I’m not sad that they’re using it, but sad to learn how shallow a girl can be. I’m also sad that on a cooking segment, the country’s most idiotic TV personality literally drills her and her ex-boyfriend about it like a dog in heat for some juicy tabloid ratings. I’m also sad that this most idiotic TV personality is the sister of the President of the Philippines. I’m also sad how much of a weakling this boyfriend is to just stand there and take it – both from the idiotic TV personality, and his shallow vapid ex-girlfriend. He couldn’t even stand up for himself long enough to say, "None of your God damned business."

These people definitely deserve each other. Hopefully in hell.

If you understand the language, (and want to see the Filipino version of white trash) go have a look at the video where it all happens below.

Local manufacturer NEO recently launched a slew of gaming laptops for their targeted budget-conscious consumers. The Elan line – as it is called – range from a portable 11.6" unit, to more robust 15.6" models and range from PHP 25k to 71k. (Cheaper if you opt for one without a Windows 8 license.) Packing Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce DirectX 11 GPUs, these notebooks should be able to handle some demanding gaming as well as have some decent battery life. Hop on over the jump to peep some more specs of these units and a preview video as well!

Specs are below! (Prices in parenthesis means it comes with Linux instead of Windows 8.)

To see more of these new laptops, check out our preview video below!

All of these new laptops are now available from NEO retail partners like PC Express, PC Corner, & Octagon computer stores. So check them out if you’re so inclined!

Promo Note: If you buy one of these NEO Élan laptops between March 12 and May 12, you’ll also get a (legit) copy of StarCraft II for free! (Your choice of Heart of the Swarm or Wings of Liberty.)

Today, Huawei Philippines launched their first foray into Microsoft’s Windows Phone mobile operating system in the form of the Huawei Ascend W1. With a track record of decent battery life in their smartphones, the company is looking to prove the same can be done for their new WP8 device. Priced at an affordable PHP 8,990, the midranger packs a Dual-Core 1.2Ghz Snapdragon Processor; 4.0” 800×480 IPS OGS display; 5MP Camera + LED Flash; VGA Front Camera; and a large 1950mAh Battery (by Windows Phone standards). With the app marketplace getting some great new apps, the W1 might just be the right device to break into the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem. Hop on over the jump to check out some specs, some more pictures, and our preview video!

Huawei Ascend W1 – PHP 8,990

• Windows Phone 8 OS
• Dual-Core 1.2Ghz Snapdragon Processor
• 4.0” 800×480 IPS OGS Display
• 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, MicroSD Slot
• 5MP Camera + LED Flash, VGA Front
• 1950mAh Battery
• Now Available in Blue and White – with possible Red & Black to follow

Check out our video preview below!

For more pictures of the event, check out our gallery below!

		Huawei Ascend W1 Launch VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

In its continuing effort to promote creativity and the drive to produce rich media experiences with the newest PCs and Ultrabooks, Intel has recently wrapped up its Sing to Win 2 online video contest. Open to all college students, the competition is the successor to the original Sing to Win back in 2011. A ceremony was held recently to award the winners of the contest, as well as holding a sendoff party to outgoing Intel General Manager Mr. Ricky Banaag.

The Intel Sing to Win 2 is a combination of a singing, dancing, and video editing contest. Contestants film themselves singing one of 5 pre-determined songs and are given the creative freedom to edit the video using their preferred PC. First prize winner went to Shobert Halilig, a Multimedia Arts student of Asia Pacific College; second place winner was a group from De La Salle University Dasmarinas comprised of Nikki Mae Ilagan, Florabel Hernandez, Leonahlyn Drilon and Stephanie Deuda; and finally, third place went to a Polytechnic University of the Philippines student named Felicidad Olituquit.

Outgoing Intel General Manager Mr. Ricky Banaag was there to award the winners, who received an Ultrabook to continue their exploits into video production and rich media. Mr. Banaag, who is taking early retirement, will be succeeded by Calum Chrisholm effective this April.

Intel also took their Sing to Win 2 on a roadshow to various universities and malls in and around the Metro, promoting the use of creative tools and the capabilities of Ultrabook line they have inspired.

The Technoclast would like to congratulate the winners of the event and bid sir Ricky Banaag our best wishes!