For some strange reason I've been having difficulty transferring photos from my Nexus One via Bluetooth lately. I used to transfer it through Bluetooth without any problem before, but I have been experiencing problems pairing my Bluetooth devices to it. And it has been a cause of delay for making some blog posts (eyeroll).
Anyway, so sending the photos via email was a huge pain. I don't know why I only tried this now, but the easiest way to transfer your photos from your Android phone is by sending it to your Picasa account!
It's easy!
1. Just go to your photo gallery.
2. Select photos you want to share.
3. Share via Picasa! And viola the photos would be transferred to your account and saved in the "Dropbox" album.
Geez... why did I only do this now? Oh well, you learn something everyday :)
So Jay took the risk and got himself the iPed last weekend in Divisoria. It cost PhP4,300 including the keyboard with case.
Included in the box were the following: Android 7" tablet, charger, USB connection.
Here's how it looks with the keyboard (includes case and stylus*):
Here are specs based on the available info (no info on processor etc.):
Memory: 256 MB
Model number: Generic
Firmware version: 1.6
Kernel version: 2.6.29-00236-g4f8dbbb-dirty
Build number: WMT2.0
The applications included are as follows: chat tool, e-mail, file explore, my photo, my video, Youtube, magic album, my music, camera.
Settings that can be personalized: wireless controls (wifi/3G), sound and display, apps, SD cards and devices (you can add a micro-SD for added storage space), date and time, locale and text (it was actually defaulted in Chinese!), about device, touchpanel calibration.
What we've so far used it for:
1. Browsing
2. Watching Youtube videos
3. Typing/checking docs/spreadsheet
4. Listening to music
5. Watching videos (through a file)
6. Easy games -- Angry Birds doesn't work on it
What we need to check on:
1. Battery life
2. Upgrade firmware
3. If it would work on Globe Tattoo/Smart Bro. Saleslady said it wouldn't work if you use the Sun Cellular dongle.
The saleslady wasn't really helpful when another customer asked questions about what apps would work on the tablet. She just kept saying "Go to the Android site". It was her standard answer for questions she didn't understand.
If you intend to purchase an Android tablet, be forthright with your purpose for getting one. Jay got it because he wanted to have a handy gadget to browse the internet anywhere around our home. If your objective is to use it like a laptop then it would probably be better for you to a purchase a high-end tablet.
You'll get what you pay for :)
*Do not use the stylus. It scratches the surface easily.
A few months ago I excitedly shared my experience about getting my first Android phone, the Nexus One. Last night I had the privilege of attending Cherry Mobile's launch of its line of Android phones. Of all the phones showcased I only got the chance to check out the Cherry Mobile Superion (tablet). Here's a demo by Cherry Mobile's head for product development, Reggie Ramos.
Superion
The Superion is a pad that's also a phone which runs on Froyo (2.2) which is the latest version of Android. Here are its features:
Android OS 2.2
Quadband GSM, 850/900/1900/2100
Triband UMTS 900/1900/2100
7” WVGA Capacitive Touchscreen
Qualcomm MSM 7227 600 MHz Processor
512 MB ROM, 512 MB RAM
Expandable memory up to 32GB
3G/HSDPA Connectivity
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS/AGPS
Standard Mini USB 2.0
3.5mm headphone jack
G-Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
Google Mobile Services (Gmail, Maps, Marketplace)
3 mega pixels with Auto-Focus (back)
VGA Camera (front)
Price: PhP19,900
Nova
For those who'd like to try out using an Android phone this is Cherry Mobile's most affordable smart phone. Here are the features:
OS: Android OS, v2.1 (Eclair)
Size: 114.9mm (H) x 56.8mm (W) x 12.6mm (T)
CPU: Qualcomm MSM 7227 600 MHz processor
Screen: 320 x 480 pixels, 3.2 inches
Type: Capacitive touch screen
Memory: 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
Card Slot: microSD, up to 32 GB
3G: HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
WLAN: 802.11 b/g
GPS: Yes, with A-GPS support
Bluetooth: Yes
Camera: 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Batter: standard battery, Li-Po 1270 mAh
Price: PhP11,490
Magnum HD
This is Cherry Mobile's high-end Android phone. Here are the features:
OS: Android OS v2.2 (Froyo)
Size: 120 x 63 x 9.9 mm
CPU Qualcomm MSM8225-1 (App: Scorpion 1GHZ)
Screen: 480 x 800 pixels, 4.1 inches
Memory: 512 MB RAM, 2GB ROM
Card Slot: microSD, up to 32GB
3G: HSDPA, 14.4 Mbps
WLAN 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth: Yes, v3.0 with A2DP
GPS: Yes, v2.0 microUSB
Camera: 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus
Video: Yes, 720p@30fps
Front camera: Yes, VGA
GPS: yes, with A-GPS support
Battery: standard battery, Li-Po 1500 mAh
Price: PhP18,990.00
I have been doing searches on Google for 12 years now and I learned how to be a better searcher by trial and error and with some help from the Google Cheat Sheet.
A few days ago Jay Trinidad, Google Asia Pacific's product marketing manager for consumer products, gave some tips on how to become a super Google searcher. Here's some of them:
1. Keep it short and simple - don't use too many words in a query.
2. Eliminate unwanted results - sometimes we search for words that have multiple meanings. To eliminate some unwanted results just put a minus sign ("-") and the redundant keyword after the query (i.e. [java -coffee]). This is also quite useful for searching for recipes (i.e. [adobo -toyo]).
3. Use contextual words to indicate the kind of result you want - include words that would put your query in the proper context. For example you'd like to learn gardening, as a beginner you essentially want to read on the basics. So you can try [gardening tutorial]. Other contextual terms are DIY or how to, guideline, curriculum, lesson plans and summary.
4. Find a word on the page - oftentimes when doing research you'd end up in web pages that have very long text and that results. To find the word your searched for within the page just type "Ctrl+F" on your keyboard.
5. Search operators - refine your searches by telling Google to perform a particular kind of search. Here's a few search operators you can use -
Define: - use Google as a dictionary. For example, define:ROTL.
Filetype: - find documents of a particular kind. For example, gardening filetype:pdf.
Site: - search within a single domain. For example, android site:inquirer.net.
6. Advanced Search options for Google Web Search - or "masusing paghahanap" in Filipino. You need not memorize these search operators. All of these are available on Google Advanced Search.
7. Simple queries for simple answers - try using the following keywords to find some queries that we do often -
Weather - i.e. [weather davao]
Local - for local business hunting. i.e. [pizza Makati]
Public Data - i.e. [population Philippines], [gdp Philippines]
Currency and unit conversion - i.e. [2,000 php to usd]
Time - i.e. [time italy]
Translate - i.e. [translate ______ in Filipino], [translate glass in Filipino]
Other Google search properties you can use:
1. Google Translate - translate websites or words instantly by using Google Translate (translate.google.com).
2. Google Maps - find places easily by searching on Google Maps (maps.google.com). You can find local hot spots (i.e. "pizza in Makati"), read and share local business reviews and save items to My Maps.
Cherry Mobile is a locally branded handset provider that offers affordable phones - from basic call/text phones to smart phones with triple-SIM capability. Amazing isn't it? And I was truly awed to witness people flock in their booths whenever they do mall events. They're selling phones like pancakes (well more like burgers)!
I won this Cherry Mobile 1800 single SIM phone during the raffle when they introduced their newest endorser, Kim Chiu, a few weeks ago. I rarely win in raffle draws so I was really happy I won a phone because it gave me a chance to have a photo-opp with John Lloyd Cruz and Kim Chiu.
The Cherry Mobile 1800 single SIM handset provides basic phone necessities, calls and for texting. It also has a FM radio and flashlight feature. I didn't get the chance to use the phone because I gave the phone to my Mom since the phone I got for her for Mother's Day conked out. She didn't have any difficulty adjusting to the handset and has been using the phone quite a bit (I know coz I pay for her phone bills haha). My Mom's almost 75 years old so ease of use is important to her and she's been telling her friends that the phone is from John Lloyd. LOL.
It's been seven months since I got my Nexus One. It took me about two weeks to fully transfer all the conveniences I had in my Nokia E71 to the Nexus One. The issues I encountered were the following: (1) exporting contacts, (2) setting up wifi, and (3) setting up 3g. It was hard to figure out since I couldn't find any localized info about it, but I eventually figured it out and posted about it here at You Got Tech. It was my friend Markku who reset the security settings of my router to get my home wifi working on the phone.
After 7 months I can say that I can't live without my Nexus One and here's why:
1. Rooster Alarm - my phone wakes me up twice a day. One before 5 in the morning and the second one at around 8. The alarm feature also allows me to set different alarm modes. Now I just use one phone to wake me up and I tell you it won't let up until you are awake!
2. Email Heaven - I actually check my mail before I get out of bed. This helps me adjust my day depending on any new priority that comes in via email.
3. Social Networking - And before I go to the bathroom I usually say, "Good morning" on Plurk and check for messages from Twitter and Facebook. I usually also try to "Check-in" via Foursquare whenever I'm out (Foursquare though doesn't work well with 3G connections).
4. Apps - I enjoy the camera apps the most especially that of "Camera360" and "Camera FX". The flashlight app was also very useful when Typhoon Basyang hit. Also have a piano app and lots of games from Lab Pixies (addicting grrrrr!). I'm still waiting though for a Plants vs. Zombies Android app.
5. Google Maps and Latitude - with more and more info being tagged locally by mappers I can proudly say I haven't gotten lost for sometime now. Also discovered that it's easier to check-in on Foursquare if you do a sync first on Google Latitude.
6. Google - when it doubt you can easily search for stuff on Google. Also love the search function for the contacts list since my list is all messed up.
I haven't been lugging around my laptop because of my phone. My Android experience though would probably level-up with better 3G/HSDPA service. What about you, how is your Android experience going?
