Two giant local telco companies, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, have just launched the iPhone 4s here in the Philippines. Obviously, Globe isn’t the only telco here which exclusively distributes iPhones anymore so many fan boys are so excited to get a hold of one of these beauties for an expected lowered pricing due to the clash of these telcos.

So, without further formalities and before i fly and look for some morgan silver dollars for sale, here are the official pricing for Smart iPhone 4s and Globe iPhone 4s:

Smart iPhone 4s:

Prepaid -

• 16GB: Php 33,200
• 32GB: Php 38,200
• 64GB: Php 43,200

Postpaid -

Globe iPhone 4s:

PREPAID -

• 16GB: Php 37,690
• 32GB: Php 43,490
• 64GB: Php 49,290

POSTPAID -

16GB plans

• Plan 1799
  Cash-out: P4,800
  Consumable: 800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 3
• Plan 2499
  Cash-out: Free
  Consumable: 1500
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 5
• Plan 3799
  Cash-out: Free
  Consumable: 2800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 7

32GB Plans

• Plan 1799
  Cash-out: P10,080
  Consumable: 800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 3
• Plan 2499
  Cash-out: P4,800
  Consumable: 1500
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 5
• Plan 3799
  Cash-out: Free
  Consumable: 2800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 7

64GB Plans

• Plan 1799
  Cash-out: P15,096
  Consumable: 800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 3
• Plan 2499
  Cash-out: P10,080
  Consumable: 1500
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 5
• Plan 3799
  Cash-out: P4,800
  Consumable: 2800
  Internet: Unlimited
  Freebies: Choose 7

FREEBIES:

A: 10mins calls and 200 SMS to Globe/TM
B: 5mins call and 25 SMS to other networks
C: 20mins IDD and 10 international SMS to 10 destination (US, Canada, Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Thailand)
D: Not applicable
E: Unlimited calls and texts to 1(one) Globe/TM no.

As you may have noticed, Smart kits are way cheaper than what Globe offers (for some strange reason). Is this Globe’s own marketing strategy to lure its clients to sign up for their post-paid plans?

© 2011, montsch. All rights reserved.

Lenovo Mobile has finally launched their mobile phones in the Philippine market with a wide array of products that will surely be a hit among Pinoy mobile enthusiasts. They primarily showed us six mobile phones ranging from the classic bar to the popular QWERTY and Android smartphone. Be sure to check the “in the flesh” phone images and their key specs after the jump.

Lenovo E156 | SRP — Php 1,290.00

Key Specs/Features:

•  Dual SIM, Dual Active
•  Expandable memory up to 8GB via microSD card
•  Music Player
•  Built-in FM Radio
•  FM Recording
•  Sound Recording
•  Call Blacklist
•  GPRS and MMS
•  WAP Browser
•  Games
•  Calendar
•  Alarm Clock

Lenovo A336 | SRP — Php 2,990.00

Key Specs/Features:

● Dual SIM, Dual Active
● Expandable memory up to 8GB via microSD card
● Built-in Game Simulator
● Dedicated Game Keys
● Webcam Functionality
● VGA Camera
● Photo Editor
● Music and Video Player
● Built-in FM Radio with Recording
● Schedule FM Recording
● Voice Call and Sound Recording
● Answer Machine
● Background Sound Effect
● Bluetooth Connectivity
● Built-in Torch

Lenovo Q330 | SRP — Php 2,990.00

Key Specs/Features:

● Dual SIM, Dual Active
● QWERTY Keypad
● Expandable memory up to 8GB via microSD card
● 2 Megapixels Camera
● Video Record and Playback
● Music and Video Player
● Built-in SNS Apps: Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter
● Pushmail
● Opera Mini Browser
● Built-in FM Radio with Recording
● Answer Machine
● Background Sound Effect
● Bluetooth Technology
● GPRS and MMS
● Built-in Torch

Lenovo Q350 | SRP — Php 3,990.00

Key Specs/Features:

● Dual SIM, Dual Active
● QWERTY Keypad
● WiFi Connectivity
● Expandable memory up to 16GB via microSD card
● 3 Megapixels Camera
● Webcam Functionality
● Multimedia Player
● SMS Schedule
● Mobile Tracker
● Built-in SNS Apps: Nimbuzz, Facebook, Twitter
● Opera Mini Browser
● Pushmail
● Built-in FM Radio with Recording and FM Alarm
● Answer Machine
● Bluetooth Technology
● GPRS and MMS
● 3.5mm Audio jack

Lenovo S800 | SRP — Php8,880.00

Key Specs/Features:

● First full-color translucent display to hit the Philippine market.
● G-Sensor
● Webcam Functionality
● Expandable memory up to 16GB via microSD card
● 2 Megapixels Camera
● Video Record and Playback
● Music and Video Player
● Privacy Protection
● SMS and Call Blacklist
● Text Viewer (.txt file)
● Built-in FM Radio with Recording
● Answer Machine
● Background Sound
● Bluetooth Technology
● GPRS and MMS

Lenovo A60 | SRP — Php 7,990.00

Key Specs/Features:

● Dual SIM Capability
● 3G Technology
● Android OS v.2.3 (Gingerbread)
● 650MHz, MT6573 Processor
● 3.5 inches Capacitive Multi-Touchscreen
● Customizable Homescreens  + Widgets
● WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity
● Tethering and Portable WLAN Hotspot
● GPS Navigation/trucker gps
● 220MB Internal Memory
● Expandable memory up to 16GB via microSD card
● 3 Megapixels with VGA front-facing camera
● Multimedia Player
● Built-in FM Radio
● Filter Application: Blacklist, Whitelist and Keyword
● 3.5mm Audio jack

I was a bit surprised that these phones came with such price tags as they carry a known and reputable brand name on the mobile industry. Nonetheless,  these phone line-up is incredible considering that its from “Lenovo” and they’re just under Php10k. A real steal, I must say. Watch out for our first impressions of these phones and for more of their images in a short while.

In the meantime…

Availability

You can buy your Lenovo Mobile phones at the following locations:

M2 Mobile, SM Bacoor
M2 Mobile, Starmall, Mandaluyong
Globotel, Greenbelt
Memo Express, all branches nationwide  (Memo Express junior stores in Savemore branches does not carry the A60 and S800, while not all Memo Express senior stores carry the phones yet)
Eight Plus, Ever Gotesco Grand Central, Monumento
Eight Plus, Ever Gotesco Commonwealth
Junrex, SM Cebu
Junrex, Ayala Center Cebu
Presnet, SM Batangas
Presnet, SM Bacoor
Sandztel

Like Lenovo Mobile Facebook page as they continue to update this list.

© 2011, montsch. All rights reserved.

Sexy might be an adjective word that describes sexual attraction in humans. But how about when a “PC just got Sexy“? You might think of a thin, light, bright and blazing fast computer system when you hear such phrase.

Indeed, a “Sexy PC” must be thin. It should be thin and light enough to carry anywhere people would like to go. With the availability of wireless internet access nowadays, you cant be wrong in choosing a thin and light PC to carry around anywhere.

A sexy PC should also be bright. Bright enough to showcase colorful presentations, viewing movies, online gaming and fast enough for multitasking people like bloggers, writers, gamers and also to anyone that use their computer as an entertainment mecca right at their laps.

With these things in mind, Samsung unveiled the thinnest, lightest, and the brightest Samsung Notebook series 9, also known as the Samsung Sexy PC, through an exclusive event held at The Peninsula Manila,  Makati last March 22nd, 2011.

The Samsung Notebook Series 9 measures only 16.3mm (0.64 inches) in depth, has a 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit SuperBright Plus display with 16 million color reproduction and weighs only 1.31 kg (2.88lbs.) making it the thinnest, lightest, and the brightest personal computer around.

Another highlighted feature is its solid state body which is made with the most advanced Duralumin metal alloy that are used mainly in aircrafts for a lighter and sleeker feeling.

Samsung is showing us real innovations that most of electronic manufacturers are lacking these days. These features are the ones I’ve been longing to have in a personal computers since I was introduced to this technology – Indeed, PC just got Sexy.

Some known personalities have already spoken about what can they say about this new Samsung Notebook Series 9.after the jump!

Samsung 9 Series Specs:

• 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processor 2537M (1.40 GHz, 3MB; turbo up to 2.3 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) / Windows® 7 Professional (64 bit)
• 4GB DDR3 (up to 8GB)
• 128GB Solid State Drive (up to 256)
• 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit SuperBright Plus display (400 nit)
• Resolution: 1366×768
• Intel HD GT2 Integrated Graphics
• 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, WiMax
• USB 3.0
• 3 watt (1.5W x 2) stereo speakers and 1.5 watt sub-woofer
• 1.3megapixel HD Webcam
• Li-Po battery (up to 6.5 hours)
• 2.89 lbs.

*Like Samsung Facebook page for promos and other exciting prizes! Who knows, you might be the next to own this sleek and sexy Samsung Notebook Series 9!

Want to share your own perspective about what a “Sexy PC” is? Then write a comment below!

© 2011, montsch. All rights reserved.

The Samsung Smart TV shown at the exclusive bloggers event by Samsung Philippines

Samsung Philippines recently unveiled their newest innovation in Televisions through an exclusive bloggers event held at The Seventh High, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

They primarily introduced the Samsung Smart TV will change the way you look at televisions. It features a lot of functions, which by the way made this thing Smart-er, that will surely loved by its enthusiasts.

The event started with a luscious dinner as the event’s host, Ms. Sarah Hernandez, introduced the sleek Samsung Smart TV.

The Samsung Smart TV boasts a powerful SocialTV function where one can watch the television while posting live tweeter feeds or update a status message on Facebook in just a few clicks and press on the television’s remote. You can also use a Samsung app powered device, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, to navigate through its features.

Ms. Jan Roma, Samsung Philippines’ Product Manager, led their team in a brief demonstration on how the Samsung Smart TV works.

Samsung Smart TV feature highlights:

• TV App Store

Cited as the “first in any television innovation”. This cool feature will let users to download useful TV applications at no additional cost.

• Connect

Search information online, update blogs/social status/chat, get the latest news and pretty much do everything that internet has to offer. Want more? You can even do all of these while watching your favorite TV show all at the same time!

• All-Share

The All-Share Feature of this Samsung Smart TV uses wireless technology to let you synchronize content from other gadgets and devices such as your laptops and mobile phones, so you can store files, listen to music, view pictures, or watch your own videos.

I was able to try the Samsung Smart TV and I can say that this indeed is one smarter way to do a lot of things that I will be enumerating in my next series of posts.

Visit Samsung website here or like them on facebook for more information.

© 2011, montsch. All rights reserved.

Based on the new Barts GPU technology from AMD, the ASUS HD6870 DirectCU graphics card (EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5) ships with new and exclusive ASUS Super Alloy Power technology, which blends various metals and elements using an exclusive ASUS formula, resulting in a 15% performance increase*, 2.5 times longer product lifespan* and 35°C cooler operation*. Alongside Super Alloy Power, proprietary ASUS Voltage Tweak overclocking technology delivers 50%* faster clock speeds at up to 1372MHz. The new card also incorporates exclusive DirectCU copper heatpipes that speed up heat dissipation through direct contact with the GPU.

Product Highlights

• The self-designed ASUS HD6870 DirectCU joins the ASUS lineup of Barts-based graphics cards with a safe and stable pre-set factory overclock of the core to 915MHz, which is 10MHz above reference. The design also features 1120 stream processors and 1GB of GDDR5 video memory. This new graphics card enables truly smooth PC gaming at the highest detail settings and resolutions of 1920 x 1200 and above. It is a genuine hardcore model with DirectCU cooling that uses flattened copper heat pipes in direct contact with the GPU for cooler performance compared to generic designs, making it a must-buy for performance-tuning enthusiasts.

• The ASUS HD6870 DirectCU debuts Super Alloy Power technology, a revolutionary ASUS innovation based on a new alloy blended using an exclusive ASUS formula. This alloy is highly-magnetic, heat-resistant and anti-corrosive to reduce power loss, enhance durability and achieve cooler operation. Super Alloy Power technology represents a milestone of ASUS research and development innovation, going beyond just finding the right metals. It also signifies a major accomplishment in overcoming the challenges of producing technology that can operate under extreme pressure and temperatures. ASUS Super Alloy Power is implemented on key components, including Super Alloy Chokes, Super Alloy Capacitors, Super Alloy MOS and the Super Hybrid Engine. These allow users to get the most out of their hardware with a 15% performance boost*, 2.5 times longer lifespan* and 35°C cooler operation*.

• 1. Unlike traditional chokes, Super Alloy Chokes run 35°C cooler* and eliminate buzzing noise under load.
  2. Super Alloy Capacitors increase the card’s lifespan to 150,000 hours, which is 2.5 times longer* than traditional capacitors.
  3. Super Alloy Capacitors and MOS increase the card’s maximum voltage threshold by 30%*.
  4. Super Hybrid Engine technology acts as an intelligent power consumption optimizer, switching between high intensity and low intensity power profiles in real time for a 15% performance boost*.

• Exclusive ASUS Voltage Tweak technology makes the most of the increased tolerances of the ASUS HD6870 DirectCU. This overclocking interface makes it easy for users to increase voltages to the GPU core, video memory and board to raise card speeds by 50%* to 1372MHz — a major advantage much sought after by hardcore gamers.

* Subject to specific graphics card model, system configuration and usage. Results may vary.

Specifications

So what are you waiting for guys! Go out now of your whirlpools and head on the nearest ASUS authorized dealers today!

Product specifications and features may change without prior notice. Check www.asus.com for details.

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.

Fresh news people. Google now announces “Google Instant Previews“.This newest addition to Google now features an instant visual preview of your website search results. That means that you can now choose which website you can go and pick the ones that is apt for your searches.

On the contrary, website owners might need to redesign their pages as pop ups on their pages might appear on the visual image as well, delivering an interference and sometimes distracting elements that could make their pages less attractive.

“Instant Preview does not change our search algorithm or ranking in any way. It’s the same results, in the same order. There is also no change to how clicks are tracked. If a user clicks on the title of a result and visits your site, it will count as a normal click, regardless of whether the result was previewed.” Google says.

This might be a good thing for internet consumers while  it might be sound alarming to some website owners who are concerned about their SEO ratings.

“Google Instant Previews” will be rolling out the soonest possible time on your browsers and it will be available in 40 languages in the next few days.

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.

The new Crosshair IV Extreme from ASUS’ Republic of Gamers brand delivers compatibility with some of the fastest processors available through the AMD890FX chipset. It further ships with CrossLinx 3 technology, which enables multi-GPU usability with graphics cards from different vendors and generations. The new motherboard also comes with a slew of user-friendly overclocking features, including ROG Connect, RC Bluetooth and ROG iDirect.

Graphics Card Flexibility

With CrossLinx 3 technology, Crosshair IV Extreme users gain the ability to mix and match multiple graphics cards from both NVIDIA and ATI, including models of different GPU generations. This technology uses the Lucid HYDRALOGIX engine, which bridges various graphics cards to enable their simultaneous usage. By removing compatibility hurdles, CrossLinx 3 makes it possible to experiment with different configurations of graphics cards for maximum performance.

On Crosshair IV Extreme, a unique layout design features a total of five PCI Express expansion slots. Two provide dedicated native graphics card support for either a single GPU or two in CrossFire configuration. The additional three feature Lucid HYDRALOGIX and CrossLinx 3 technologies, which enable a mixture of graphics cards from different vendors and generations, with a total of four detectable and working at once. Users keen on tuning their system gain greater freedom to do so with the unprecedented five PCI Express slots, and the technology maintains optimized performance whether in single or multiple-GPU arrangements.

Revolutionary User Control

Crosshair IV Extreme continues ROG’s established tradition of extreme performance, bringing much needed hardcore overclocking capabilities to the AMD side of the market. It ships with a full range of performance features, starting with ROG Connect, which enables pure hardware-level tweaking through USB from a remote notebook PC.

RC Bluetooth accesses a host of board, memory and CPU overclocking parameters from any Bluetooth-enabled device, while ROG iDirect introduces PC tuning from iPhone. This adds convenience and style to overclocking, a practice that used to be exclusive and cumbersome to get into.

These features simplify overclocking without compromising results, so that any user, novice to hardcore, can tap the full potential of Crosshair IV Extreme and related hardware with minimum difficulty and for maximum gain. All have been designed with direct feedback from the PC performance community taken into consideration.

The Crosshair IV Extreme will be available in the Philippines for Php20,990 this month.

Specifications

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.

Ever heard of a commuter bus that is equipped with a WiFi internet? Well, Smart Bro has their own version in providing WiFi mobility.

It is a portable 3G+WiFi router and they call it SmartBro Pocket WiFi. This newly released Smart Bro service is available on a postpaid Plan 495 which gives you 50 hours of 3g internet surfing per month. There is a Php10 per 30mins should you exceed the time allotted (50hrs) in a month.

There is an additional Php150 for the Pocket Wifi device and a lock-in period of 24mos or two (2) years.

You can hookup up to 5 WiFi capable devices and start enjoying the promised (up to) 2Mbps download speeds. Probable downside is when the nearest Smart tower is busy as it still uses the same old Smart Bro technology.

Having this handy though makes you a mobile WiFi zone which sounds cool and makes yourself busy surfing stuff during your vacant hours, long walk in a beach, or even just inside the comfort of your home.

Would you possibly go for this considering its size, price and mobility?

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.

Think of a mobile device that is light, thin, strong, and sexy enough to take with you wherever you go. One of the first thing that tickled your mind might be the iPad ayt?

I certainly understand that that its really damn hard to reduce belly fat but Apple seems to doing it again and again and again with an ease. Apple now claims that they have learned a lot in iPad that they are ported most of its features to this new MacBook Air.

This new MacBook Air has no spinning hard drive nor optical drive just like an iPad. This might be a bad thing for some but I really find it to be amusing considering the fact that using CD’s nowadays are getting a little more less just like how floppy disks died a long long time ago.

Another interesting feature is the way how this new MacBook Air saves your file. For the first time ever in the history of Mac, they are now incorporating flash storage instead of an ever reliable hard disk drives.

Typically, flash storage is housed in a package that’s the same size as a conventional hard drive. Yet the flash chips themselves occupy a very small portion of that housing. Getting rid of the hard drive enclosure and using only the parts that matter — the actual flash chips — frees up about 90 percent more space.

Mr. Jobs got a point right there though. Instead of cluttering the MacBook Air‘s thin body, they saved a lot more space for more important things like a bigger battery! Now that’s how they mastered the word “mobility” as this beauty can last up to 5 hours of battery life on a single charge on the 11-inch model and up to 7 hours on the 13-inch model. Not to mention its 30hr battery life on sleep mode.

Another worth mentioning is the Multi-Touch feature. We know Apple for being the first in multi-touch technology for decades now. From iPod to iPad and now they are taking the Multi-Touch technology to the next level. You can now perform much more finger gestures on its all-glass touch pad surface which makes your interaction to your every application more personal.

All in all, this new Apple product is phenomenal considering its new features that will sure hit the masses palate. It’s not really usual for a company to go out of the “tech box” while hitting the right buttons. Kudos Apple!

*Available in 11- and 13-inch models. Starting at just ₱51,990

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.

Today, Asus is locally launching their ASUS –Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 here in the Philippines. This netbook already has Bang & Olufsen ICEPower, USB 3.0 and Nvidia ION technology which makes it the most advanced Eee PC.

Stylish and uniquely crafted to honor the Lamborghini tradition, the new netbook fields powerful NVIDIA® ION™ graphics and dual-core Intel® Atom™ D525 processing, audio by Bang & Olufsen, and the super-fast USB 3.0 standard.

Technology Focus

The result of co-branding and cooperation between netbook leader ASUS and supercar maker Automobili Lamborghini, the new VX6 offers a 12-inch portable PC that brings to the fore superb multimedia capabilities, with graphics driven by the new, second generation discrete NVIDIA® ION™ engine. It also uses NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, which can switch in real time between integrated and discrete graphics modes to ensure optimized performance and a longer battery life.

The VX6 uses the dual core Intel® Atom™ D525 processor, ensuring unprecedented multimedia performance for a 12-inch netbook. It renders graphics in sharp, vivid 1366 x 768, and can connect to any large screen HDTV via HDMI to enable 1080p visuals.

Bang & Olufsen ICEpower technology produces deep and rich bass with an extended frequency response range for audio performance far ahead of that offered by other netbooks. The technology provides high definition surround audio, with crystal clear and powerful sound in music, movies and games.

Racing Outlook

The new VX6 takes its design cues from the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 roadster. True to its heritage, it embodies luxury and performance, with a premium design that stands out among other portable PCs. It offers advanced ergonomics, including an isolated, quiet-action keyboard and soft touch palm rests. Exterior panels use durable and stylish brushed metal.

Centered on Speed

The VX6 uses USB 3.0, which operates at up to ten times the speed of USB 2.0. The new standard’s accelerated data handling is perfect for high definition content and media libraries. The VX6 also features Bluetooth 3.0, the latest iteration of the wireless standard, which delivers a bigger bandwidth and up to eight times the overall performance of Bluetooth 2.1. Wi-Fi connectivity takes the form of 802.11n, the fastest wireless currently available on netbooks.

Matching Mouse

Coinciding with the launch of the VX6, ASUS are releasing the WX-LAMBORGHINI wireless mouse to complement the new netbook. This high fidelity device (sold separately) features an attractive design reflecting the style of both the VX6 and Lamborghini cars. It operates at up to 2500 dpi, making for highly precise mouse input. The included USB nano dongle extends the range of operation up to 10 meters, while providing complete plug and play on any PC.

Bundled Extra Storage

Every purchase of the new ASUS-LAMBORGHINI Eee PC™ VX6 comes with a 500GB cloud storage allotment through ASUS WebStorage, dramatically increasing the overall space provided to consumers.

Suggested local Retail Price is at Php44,995 and comes with an ASUS ODD, ASUS-Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 Mouse and a matching Eee PC VX6 sleeve. For orders, customers may visit any of our concept stores in SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina, SM Fairview, Marquee Mall and SM Cebu.

© 2010, montsch. All rights reserved.