Gadgets

Surface Surfaces

By Jay Lagare on Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The table is now a tablet. Microsoft has announced it’s own branded tablet (ahead of the anticipated Google’s own branded tablet). And guess what? It looks like and iPad down to the screen cover. If it wasn’t for the Windows logo and the keyboard, I could swear it’s an iPad. And then the microsite looks so minimalist, so Apple-ish. Looks like Apple has another company to sue.

Gadgets

iOS 6 beta

By Jay Lagare on Tuesday, June 12, 2012

So iOS 6 was announced at WWDC and I grabbed the beta soon as it became available. It generally looks just like iOS 5 in keeping with Apple’s incremental improvement approach. There were changes here and there but the biggest ones I noticed were:

Maps – out goes Google and in comes TomTom, their new maps data provider. New features are turn-by-turn navigation and 3D view. Level of detail is less than Google Maps at this time though.
Passbook – one place for all your electronic/digital passes, tickets, discount cards, coupons, etc.
Siri – gets new functionality such as launching apps.
Call Handling – Do not disturb mode (with exceptions to selected number or repeated calls, how cool is that?), send SMS to reject call (Nokias had this since like forever), callback reminder.
Parental Control – better restrictions on apps and content, Guided Access mode (stay within one app). Just be sure your toddler doesn’t slam your iDevice on the floor in frustration.
Privacy – better privacy control
Mail – Mailbox management (VIP and flagging), add attachments from the new message screen, new pull down to refresh animation.
Clock – Alarm sound can be a song. You can wake up to the sound of Manic Monday and Friday I’m In Love :P
Safari – offline reading, syncing
Share Button – graphical, colorful, and prettier. Way better than the previous text list.
Built-In Apps – built-in apps such as iTunes and Music have sleeker, easier-to-use interfaces. Unfortunately, Find My Friends isn’t one of them. Not that anybody uses it.
New Wallpapers – 3 new wallpapers including the official iOS 6 ripples background.
Facebook Integration – Similar to the Twitter integration introduced in iOS 5. Couldn’t care less about this :P

Gadgets

Mophie Juice Pack Pro

By Jay Lagare on Friday, June 8, 2012

I love rugged cases and, because of the iPhone 4S’ dismal battery performance, I’ve been looking around for a battery case. So I was just thinking that ruggedized cases are bulky, battery cases are bulky, why not bring the two together? And then someone comes out with something exactly that: the Mophie Juice Pack Pro. I’m just wondering what’s up with the scrimping on the plastic bits up the front.

Here’s something else that’s bulky: an inductive charger. Can I give all you case makers a month for that? :P

Gadgets

Lifetrons Worldwide Travel Adapter

By Jay Lagare on Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Got this from the in-flight duty free shop ($36) because it was more expensive at the airport duty free shop (NT$1400 or around $48). And then I find out that similar travel adapters are just around $20-$30 from Amazon.

Still, it’s not so bad. It’s your normal travel adapter with 4 different types of retractable prongs and as many sockets. It’s a bit chunky (see photo comparing it to standard iPhone charger) and not easily pocketable but with a gadget bag should be no problem. It has a smooth satin finish that looks pretty and resists fingerprints. But it is not scratch-resistant and can easily get marred or rubbed off.

The best thing about it is that it has two USB charging ports. And they’re not just ordinary ports, they are iPad-compatible (1000mA). The USB ports are actually the primary reason why I got this adapter. You’re supposed to be able to fast-charge two iPads but since I have only one, I wasn’t able to verify this. But being able to charge a phone, a tablet, and a laptop at the same time? That’s good enough for me!

Rating: 4/5

Gadgets

Energizer XP1000

By Jay Lagare on Monday, April 23, 2012

My usage pattern (heavy mobile browsing, moderate SMS, and some calls) coupled with Smart’s poor 3G network coverage results in dismal battery performance of my iPhone 4S. Despite my best efforts, standby is at only 20 hours with usage of around 4 hours and that already includes my sleeping time. Fully charged in the morning, I get up to12-14 hours of standby before I need to recharge. Usually, I’m back home by then. But that means I have a problem when I’m away for more than half the day.

My solution is the Energizer XP1000. It is a small (about the size of 1/3 a deck of cards) and light emergency charger and backup battery. It has a “universal” charging cable that allows you to charge the XP1000 via a USB port and charge different devices by attaching different tips or connectors for different standards/devices. The package includes tips for mini-USB, micro-USB, iPhone/iPod, and Nokia.

The XP1000 specifications claims it stores a charge for a year, can be recharged up to 500 times, and is rated at 1000mAh. It charges my iPhone 4S from almost empty to just over 50% in around 2 hours. Not bad. That should give me an extra 6-7 hours of standby and a corresponding amount of usage. My only quibble is that the universal charging cable makes carrying the XP1000 around in your pocket a bit less convenient. But it’s not a problem if you have a gadget bag.

Rating: 4/5