Categories
Geek

SMART can give you the last 6 digits of your Globe number when you switch. And more.

In terms of the “industry wars” it seems that the ones involving telcos are the most fascinating. As someone who’s been involved in the industry for more than 8 years, I tend to hear things, a lot of them being allegedly true and others rumors. A number of these include SMART choosing earlier to invest in improving their data network in the late 2000’s while Globe introduced the unlimited texting scheme to increase subs. It’s also an allegedly “cute” reason why SMART bought SUN — to have introduced their own unli-text services without losing money while still relegating half the competition. Today, SMART is reaping the benefits of an early investment with a better mobile data network in most areas. A network modernization program takes between 2.5 to 5 years and Globe has just begun theirs. Are you willing to wait that long? By that time, gigabit connection speeds should already be the norm.

Continue reading “SMART can give you the last 6 digits of your Globe number when you switch. And more.”
Categories
Mostly Everything

Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition is reborn into the iPad (and other platforms)

This is the game that defined a huge chunk of my years in fourth year high school and the early parts of college. And now, this next generation of gamers can enjoy one of the best PC games ever made for the iPad, PC, Mac OS X and soon, on Android tablets. Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition is coming this September 18th.

This is a definite must buy!

USD $ 19.99 for the PC
USD $9.99 for the iPad via iTunes

Since its initial release in 1998, Baldur’s Gate has entertained millions of fans around the globe, and has received countless awards. This classic saga of mystery, intrigue, and adventure has set the standard for Dungeons & Dragonsâ„¢ computer role-playing games ever since.

Running on an upgraded and improved version of the Infinity Engine developed specifically for tablets, Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Editionâ„¢ will include the entire Baldur’s Gate adventure, the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion pack, and never before seen content including a new adventure, and a new party member: Rasaad yn Bashir, a monk of the Order of the Sun Soul. A variety of enhancements will be available for in-app purchasing, including new portrait and voice sets.

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition for iPad contains the following enhancements:

New Adventure: The Black Pits
New Character: Dorn Il-Khan as an in-app purchase
New Character: Neera the Wild Mage as an in-app purchase
New Character: Rasaad yn Bashir
New Player Voice sets as an in-app purchase
New Player Portraits as an in-app purchase
Gamecenter Support allows you to keep track of your friends and invite them to play with you

Categories
Mostly Everything

Google Fiber launches in a few hours

Looks exciting? What exactly is Google Fiber?

Google Fiber is a project to build an experimental broadband internet network infrastructure using fiber-optic communication in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, following a selection process. Over 1,100 communities applied to be the first recipient of the technology. Google announced on March 30, 2011 that Kansas City, Kansas will be the first community where the experimental network would be deployed.On May 17, 2011, Google announced that the service would be expanded to include the Kansas City, Missouri metro area. On July 24, 2012, Google announced that fiber would be available in two days (July 26). Neither pricing nor initial availability were mentioned. [Wikipedia]

So essentially, it’s an ISP that gives 1 gigabit per second and it’s not in the Philippines.

That is all.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Sony announces the new Walkman NWZ F800 running on Android 4.0

While HTC went the “beats” way and included Dr. Dre Beats headphones with most of their high end smartphones, Sony continues the Walkman line with the latest version of Android.

The NWZ F800 Walkman also known as the F800 or simply the new Walkman phone from Sony is a beauty. It’s basically comparable with Sony’s current line of Xperia devices but focuses more on audio enhancements.

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Categories
Underwater

The Whale Sharks of Oslob

BIG 2015 UPDATE: I was part of an underwater video crew that helped document whale shark tourism practices in Oslob and Donsol. You can watch the trailer below. It is titled ‘On the Brink’ and will be shown next year (2016).


MAJOR DEVELOPMENT: DENR has ordered that whale shark feeding be stopped in Oslob.

DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim gave the directive in a letter to the DENR regional executive director.

It was made in response to an email of whale shark researcher Elson Q. Aca addressed to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje “regarding the practice of feeding whale sharks by tourists and scuba divers in Oslob, Cebu.”

SunStar Cebu

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EDIT: There is a similar practice with swimming with whale sharks in the island of Leyte and it seems to be more sustainable.

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I promised myself that I would write about the controversy behind the whale sharks of Oslob on the condition that I see the phenomenon myself. Being there, seeing it — it contributes to being informed. Frankly I’m tired of “armchair activists” who pile on issues like this — making sweeping generalizations about what’s best for these fish yet are so far away removed from the situation while they drink their lattes and sport clothes that apparently have buttons made out of poached Philippine shells. All oblivious.

Continue reading “The Whale Sharks of Oslob”