Pinoy Techno Guide

Along with the affordable octa core Cherry Mobile Pulse, the company also announced a cheap dual core smartphone with a 4-inch IPS display and 3G access – the Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini.

Unlike other phones in this price point that only has 256MB of RAM, the Pulse Mini has 512MB which is enough for light to moderate use of apps.

Check out the Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini:

Notice the Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini's design.

Just like the bigger Pulse, the mini also has an iPhone-ish design with its circular home button and apparent absence of the other capacitive buttons. It also has a tapered body towards the bottom.

Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini runs on a 1GHz MediaTek MT6572 processor with a Mali-400 MP graphics processor and 512MB of RAM. However, it doesn’t come with Android Kitkat out of the box.

It also has an IPS display which is rare at this price level. This will greatly improve the 4-inch 800 x 480-Pixel display quality even if the device is tilted.

For the cameras, it has a 5MP main shooter and a VGA snapper on the front. It isn’t clear if the main camera is autofocus.

One thing which is very interesting with the Pulse series is the double tap to wake function. When the phone’s display is turned off, tapping the screen will turn it on.

Lastly, Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini has 3G HSPA+ access so you can enjoy fast mobile internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

Cherry Mobile Pulse Mini Specs

1.0GHz Dual Core MediaTek MT6572 Processor
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS
4.0-Inch IPS Display (800 x 480 Pixels, 233 PPI)
ARM Mali-400 MP GPU
5.0 Megapixel Main Camera
VGA Front Camera
512MB of RAM
4GB Internal Storage
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth
GPS
FM Radio
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
₱2,699.00 Official Suggested Retail Price

Xiaomi has partnered with Smart Telecommunications to offer the Xiaomi Mi3 on its postpaid plans. Filipinos can now own the Mi 3 for as low as ₱500 per month.

Of course, you need to comply with several requirements to avail of the Mi 3 on Smart. The All-In 500 Plan option also requires you to pay ₱7,800 on the first month. To get the Mi 3 for free, you need to sign up for at least the Data Plan 999.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Now Available on Smart Postpaid Plans

Xiaomi Mi 3 is a great phone for its high end specs on a relatively cheap price compared to other international brands. It runs on a Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and MIUI v5. It is officially priced ₱10,599 and is exclusively sold by Lazada(until this offer from Smart).

I once said that Xiaomi isn’t a big threat to the local brands because the Mi 3 lacks some features and doesn't have any physical store. However, the partnership with local carriers like Smart will give them a higher exposure and drive their sales up and trump the local brands on the ₱10,000 - ₱11,000 price point.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Complete Specs (Philippine Version)

2.3GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Processor
MIUI v5 OS (Android 4.4 Kitkat)
5-Inch Full HD IPS Display with OGS (1080 x 1920 Pixels, 441 PPI)
Adreno 330 GPU
13.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with Stacked CMOS Sensor, f/2.2 Aperture and Dual LED Flash
2.0 Megapixel Front Camera
2GB of RAM
16GB Internal Storage
No MicroSD Card Slot
Single SIM (Regular Size)
3G DC-HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wireless Display via Wi-Fi
NFC
Bluetooth 4.0 with Bluetooth HID
Assisted GPS with GLONASS
FM Radio
USB OTG Support
3.5mm Audio Jack
Barometer
E-Compass
Gyroscope
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
3,050mAh Li-ion Battery (Non-removable)
₱10,599 Official Price

Buy Now on Lazada

Cherry Mobile updated their tablets pricelist and listed the Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 with LTE at ₱13,999.00.

The Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 is a gaming centered tablet by NVIDIA which is being distributed by Cherry Mobile. It packs a 1.8GHz quad core Tegra 4 processor, 72-core GeForce graphics processor with Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box and supports NVIDIA’s Direct Stylus.

Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 LTE

The addition of LTE connectivity allows swift experience for games that require a fast and stable internet connection (granted that you are in an area with good 4G LTE signal).

However, the additional ₱4,000 for the 4G LTE feature might just be too much. You can just opt for the Wi-Fi only Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 which has an official suggested retail price of ₱9,999.00.

Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 LTE Specs

1.8GHz Quad Core (+1) NVIDIA Tegra 4 Processor
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS with Kitkat Update
7-Inch IPS Display (1280 x 800 Pixels, 216 PPI)
NVIDIA GeForce GPU
5.0 Megapixel Main Camera
VGA Front Camera
1GB of RAM
16GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS with GLONASS
Micro HDMI
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
199 x 119 x 9.6mm @ 320 grams
4,100mAh Battery
₱13,999.00 Official Suggested Retail Price

Cherry Mobile published an unboxing video of the most affordable octa core smartphone to date– the Cherry Mobile Pulse.

Meanwhile, the CM Pulse is already available at several Cherry Mobile outlets and the first owners shared sample photos and even reviewed the device.

Here’s the Cherry Mobile Pulse Unboxing Video:

One of the surprising details in the above unboxing is the free screen protector. Cherry Mobile Pulse already has a scratch resistant DragonTrail glass display but an extra layer of protection is welcome.

You can also see clearly the tapered body of the Cherry Mobile Pulse. Mel Torres measured its thickness to be 7.5mm at its thickest and a mere 3.5mm at its thinnest!

The most interesting part of the Cherry Mobile Pulse is its iPhone-ish look brought about by the circular home button that actually lights up and blinks while charging and when you have notifications. Sadly, it is also the part that you can double tap to wake the device, not its display!

Cherry Mobile Pulse Unboxing Double Tap Feature

In terms of camera performance, Cherry Mobile Pulse is on the average level. Photos generally look good but not on par with the 13MP snappers of other well-known brands (as expected).

Here are some sample photos taken using the 13MP camera of the Cherry Mobile Pulse:

Cherry Mobile Pulse Sample Photo by Abram Paul Angara

Cherry Mobile Pulse is now available in some Cherry Mobile outlets. If the above unboxing video and sample photos convinced you that this smartphone is worth your ₱6,495, check the nearest Cherry Mobile outlet in your area this weekend.

Cherry Mobile Pulse Specs

1.7GHz Octa Core MediaTek MT6592 Processor
Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS
5.0-Inch HD IPS Display (720 x 1280 Pixels, 294 PPI)
ARM Mali-450 MP GPU
DragonTrail Scratch Resistant Glass
13.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with LED Flash
5.0 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM (Regular + Micro)
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth 3.0
GPS
FM Radio
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
2,000mAh Battery (Removable)
₱6,495.00 Official Suggested Retail Price

Samsung unveiled its first high end smartphone to feature a metallic frame and compact design – the octa core Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

Most smartphones from Samsung use plastic as the casing material which made them feel less premium to others. The new design will be carried on by future Galaxy smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

Take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Alpha:

Meet the Samsung Galaxy Alpha!

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha runs on an octa core Exynos 5 Octa processor that combines four 1.8GHz Cortex-A15 cores and four 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 cores. It also has 2GB of RAM to handle multitasking and large apps.

It comes with Android 4.4.4 Kitkat out of the box with the usual Samsung TouchWiz user interface. Samsung Galaxy Alpha truly has premium specs to pair up with its new design.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha only has a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 720p resolution. This isn't good for those who are looking for a larger display with full HD resolution.

Like the gold Samsung Galaxy Alpha?

On the photography department, Samsung Galaxy Alpha boasts a 12MP autofocus main camera with an LED flash and a 2.1MP front snapper.

It’s worth noting that it will also have a finger print scanner at the home button which is certified by Paypal and a heart rate monitor which will be controlled by the S-Health app.

There are additional issues with the Samsung Galaxy Alpha though. First is the lack of a microSD card and second is the seemingly insufficient 1,860mAh battery capacity. It does have 32GB of onboard storage and the smaller screen means lesser stress for the battery.

A closer look at the Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha comes with a single SIM slot but has Cat. 6 4G LTE connectivity giving it up to 300Mbps and 50Mbps download and upload speed respectively. It also has dual band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and FM Radio.

It will be available in black, white, gold, silver and blue this September. Based on reported prices in Russia, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha might cost around ₱30,000 here in the Philippines.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Specs

1.8GHz + 1.3GHz Samsung Exynos 5 Octa Octa Core Processor
Android 4.4.4 Kitkat OS
Samsung TouchWiz User Interface
4.7-Inch HD Super AMOLED Display (1280 x 720 Pixels, 317 PPI)
ARM Mali-T628 MP6 GPU
12.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with LED Flash
2.10 Megapixel Front Camera
2GB of RAM
32GB Internal Storage
No MicroSD Card Slot
Single SIM
4G Cat. 6 LTE, 3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot with MIMO
NFC
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS
FM Radio
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Fingerprint Scanner
Heart Rate Monitor
Geomagnetic Sensor
Gyroscope
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7 mm @ 115g
1,860mAh Battery
₱30,000.00 Estimated Price

Why I'm Skeptical

Smart Telecommunications published a press release saying that the company just ‘fired up the country’s first 5G network’.

Of course, I was skeptical because 5G supposedly won't exist until the year 2020. A closer look at Smart’s announcement reveals that they are actually talking about LTE-Advanced– a 4G network standard that US carriers like AT&T labeled as ‘5G’.

This Speedtest result shows a 209.66 Mbps connection speed using Smart's LTE-Advanced network.

LTE-Advanced or LTE-A is not 5G

LTE-A promises internet connection speeds from 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) for a moving receiver and up to 1 Gbps for a stationary one. This is well within the range of a 4G network based on the definition set by the International Telecommunications Union-Radio communications sector (ITU-R).

A 5G network on the other hand doesn’t even have a clear definition that international organizations have agreed upon. One thing for sure is that it should be faster than 1 Gbps for a receiver who isn’t moving.

Smart’s LTE-A network achieved an amazing internet connection speed of almost 210 Mbps in several tests performed by the company since August 2013. However, they should not use the term ‘5G’ yet.

Even their LTE network does not actually meet what the 4G network standards set by ITU-R because you can only reach an internet connection speed of up to 42 Mbps. However, the ITU-R has already accepted these ‘3.9G’ networks and considered them as 4G as long as they provide an overall better experience compared to 3G.

I appreciate that Smart Telecommunications has these efforts to introduce newer wireless communications standards in our country but they also have the responsibility of explaining what these technologies truly are.

Once again, I’m very excited for the biggest annual gadget sale in the Philippines– the Cyber Month 2014 Tech Sale by SM Cyberzone.

Shop at any SM Cyberzone branch from August 1 - 31 and avail of up to 50% discounts, freebies and the chance to win in different promos. Local and international brands will hold their own promos apart from the ones provided by SM Cyberzone.

As a tech blogger, I always visit SM Cyberzone whenever I’m near one due to a single reason – they have the largest collection of gadgets from different brands! I’ll be back in Cebu at the end of the month and will choose another smartphone to review after the Asus Zenfone 5.

I’m looking forward to the freebies from Nokia, Dell and Lenovo. DTC and other local brands are also slashing huge chunks out of their prices while Beats and Apple are giving away a Beats Solo and an iPad Mini.

Aside from the Tech Sale, you can also experience the latest gadgets in ‘interactive displays’ during the Cybervasion. You can also play the latest video games for free on the hottest game consoles. Different branches of SM Cyberzone offers different promos and events so you should definitely visit the nearest one this month!

There’s also a Cosplay Parade where your favorite cartoon or anime characters are brought to life. You might even join the parade if you’re a Cosplayer.

Tech bloggers have been invited to write about our favorite gadgets this year as part of the Cyber Rave. If you’re an aspiring tech blogger, visiting an SM Cyberzone branch and blogging about the gadgets that you like there is a good way to start.

Lastly, you can follow SM Cyberzone on Facebook and answer some tech related questions or post photos of old gadgets. Both can make you win cool prizes like the modern version of your antique gadget.

SKK announced another quad core smartphone – the SKK Marian V2. It’s an upgrade to the SKK Marian V1 having better cameras, more RAM and Android 4.4.2 Kitkat out of the box.

The SKK Marian V2 retains the 5-inch IPS screen of its predecessor. It also has the same 1.3GHz quad core processor with a dual core Mali-400 MP2 graphics processor.

Here’s the SKK Marian V2:

Meet the SKK Marian V2

One curious detail on the photo of the SKK Marian V2 above is the iPhone-ish circular home button. Hopefully, this won’t make the Marian V2 look like a cheap iPhone look-alike. Even the placement of the rear camera and flash are reminiscent of Apple’s smartphone.

The back cover has a metallic brush finish although it surely is made up of plastic. The side views also make the Marian V2 appear sleek and cool with three available colors: black, white and gold.

The good news is – SKK Marian V2 supports USB On the Go function. Gamers can connect USB game controllers and USB flash drives for additional storage space.

SKK hasn’t revealed the pricing and battery capacity of the SKK Marian V2 yet but the V1 has an SRP of ₱4,599 so this should cost more. Nevertheless, SKK slashed the price of the V1 to just ₱2,299 in one of its promos.

SKK Marian V2 Specs

1.3GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6582M Processor
Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS
5 Inch IPS Display (854 x 480 Pixels, 196 PPI)
Mali-400 MP2 GPU
13.0 Megapixel Main Camera with LED Flash
5.0 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
4GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G, EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth
GPS
FM Radio
USB OTG Support
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor

As part of their 4th anniversary celebration, Xiaomi launched MIUI V6. It’s the 6th iteration of its custom ROM that users around the world have fallen in love with.

MIUI V6 has now matured with simpler icons, more system tools and several performance improvements in the Linux kernel and RAM management.

MIUI V6 Screenshots Gallery:

MIUI V6 homescreen, lockscreen and quick settings

Cherry Mobile Apollo Sample Picture

MIUI V6 features a redesign interface with cleaner layout and simpler icons. It follows the ‘Content is Essence’ philosophy. Notifications, icons and widgets can also be managed more easily on the MIUI V6.

Aside from the changes in appearance, MIUI V6 also employed new Linux kernel and RAM performance improvement techniques. This makes it smoother without eating too much RAM.

Clean Master has been embedded with MIUI V6 for managing running applications. You don’t have to download this app from the Playstore anymore.

MIUI V6 Screenshot of Power Saver, Virus Scanner and Clean Master

MIUI V6 now has power-saving modes that you can turn on to extend battery life. It also has new security tools to protect your smartphone running on MIUI V6 from malicious apps or viruses.

There are also changes in the camera app, dial pad and email. All these changes do justice to the“Visually Stunning, Stunningly Simple” tagline of the MIUI V6.

MIUI V6 will be first used by 1,000 beta testers while the developer version will be open to the public by September 2014 and the final upgrade will be on October 2014.

Are you excited?

Just a week after Cherry Mobile announced the Cherry Mobile Pebble, MyPhone answered with the MyPhone Storm TV.

Both Android phones boast mobile TV function but MyPhone Storm TV has better specs and slightly higher price. It has a larger 4-inch screen, better camera and probably higher amount of RAM and battery capacity.

Here’s the MyPhone Storm TV:

MyPhone Storm TV is not just available in red but also in black, white, yellow and blue!

Before this announcement, I’ve already seen the MyPhone Storm TV in some MyPhone outlets. A unique detail about this smartphone is the presence of what looks like physical play and next buttons on its lower portion.

Its speakers are found on the front – one on top and another at the bottom in between the said buttons. However, these are not stereo speakers but the bottom one is just a front facing loudspeaker.

The main issue with the MyPhone Storm TV is the 512MB onboard storage which will surely limit the number of apps that you can install. There’s a slot for a 32GB microSD card but some apps cannot be moved there.

Nevertheless, MyPhone Storm TV is still one of the best options if you are looking for an Android phone with mobile TV function. It’s just ₱2,799 and comes with 512MB of RAM and a 1,700mAh Li-ion battery.

MyPhone Storm TV Specs

1.0GHz Dual Core Processor
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS
4.0-Inch Capacitive Display (800 x 480 Pixels, 233 PPI)
3.2 Megapixel Main Camera with LED Flash
VGA Front Camera
512MB of RAM
512MB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi
GPS
Mobile TV Function
FM Radio
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
1,700mAh Li-ion Battery
₱2,799.00 Official Suggested Retail Price

Buy on Lazada

If you’re looking for an affordable laptop that runs on Windows 8.1 and not a version of Linux or CromeOS, the HP Stream is the perfect choice.

The upcoming HP Stream uses an AMD processor with Radeon R3 graphics and 2GB of RAM to run Windows 8.1 on a 14.0-inch display. There’s even up to 100GB of free cloud storage on Microsoft’s OneDrive.

Here’s a small photo of the HP Stream:

HP Stream photo from a leaked document found by Mobile Geeks (German).

Of course, there are disadvantages with the HP Stream. First, it only has 32GB or 64GB of onboard solid state drive (SSD) storage. You can use an SD card to add storage space or use an external hard drive. The use of an SSD instead of the usual hard drive also improves the overall performance of this laptop.

Another disadvantage is its non-touchscreen HD display. Windows 8.1 works best on a touchscreen device but the price of the HP Stream isn’t enough to have this feature.

The HP Stream is aimed at competing with Google’s Chromebooks which are becoming the best-selling low-end laptops nowadays in the US. This hasn't gained much traction here in the Philippines because they are virtually useless without an active internet connection.

Instead of using Google’s online productivity tools like Google Docs and Sheets, HP Stream users can use Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. This is better suited to our needs.

HP Stream also has Beats Audio for sound with four speakers and an HD camera for video calls. There’s also a multi-touch trackpad that support modern Windows 8 trackpad gestures.

For connectivity, HP Stream supports wireless display via Miracast, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It also has two USB 2.0 ports and a single high speed USB 3.0 port.

Sadly, the HP Stream will be powered by a lowly 2,960mAh Li-ion battery which will surely limit its operating time without being connected to a wall socket.

There’s a better version with a touchscreen fullHD display but it will also cost more. HP Stream has an official price of $199 which is around ₱8,800 when converted. What do you think? Is this worth it for the HP Stream Windows 8.1 laptop?

HP Stream Notebook PC Specs

1.0GHz - 1.6GHz Quad Core AMD A4 Micro-6400T Processor
Windows 8.1 Operating System
14.0-Inch HD Display (1366 x 768 Pixels)
Non-touch with SVA Anti-Glare Coating
AMD Radeon R3 Integrated Graphics
2GB of RAM
32 or 64GB Internal SSD Storage
Expandable via SDXC Card Slot
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
Beats Audio with Four Speakers
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Miracast
Bluetooth 4.0
USB 3.0 Port
2 x USB 2.0 Ports
3.5mm Audio Jack
2,960mAh Li-ion Battery
$199 (~₱8,800) Official Price

Just a little over two weeks after the Cherry Mobile Flare 3 was released, Cherry Mobile already has a better version of the Phablet ng Bayan– the Cherry Mobile Flare S3!

Cherry Angel, a retailer of Cherry Mobile products revealed that the Cherry Mobile Flare S3 boasts USB On the Go (OTG) function and better cameras at 13MP and 5MP for the rear and front respectively.

Here's Cherry Angel's post:

Cherry Mobile Flare S3 revealed by Cherry Angel

Cherry Angel's post about the Cherry Mobile Flare S3.

Other specs of the Cherry Mobile Flare S3 are basically the same as the Flare 3. It also has a 5-inch IPS OGS display with scratch resistant glass and a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. You can think of it as just an upgraded version.

It’s not clear though if the two has the same design. Cherry Angel said that photos of the device will be released as soon as it arrives within this week.

Cherry Mobile Flare S3 also runs on the same 1.3GHz quad core MediaTek MT6582 processor with a Mali-400 MP2 graphics processor and 1GB of RAM. It also has 8GB of onboard storage and can handle up to 64GB microSD.

It is also priced at ₱3,999 with a 1,980mAh removable Li-ion battery, the usual wireless connectivity features and 3G HSPA+ access.

Take note that Cherry Angel is a trusted retailer and reliable source of information regarding Cherry Mobile products but we can’t be sure with all these information unless the actual unit is photographed.

It’s also worth mentioning that this might irritate those who bought the Cherry Mobile Flare 3 which doesn’t have USB OTG and only has an 8MP camera for the rear and 3MP on the front.

Cherry Mobile Flare S3 Preliminary Specs

*Assuming that Flare S3 is almost identical to Flare 3

1.3GHz Quad Core Mediatek MT6582 Processor
Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS
5.0-Inch qHD IPS Display with OGS (540 x 960 Pixels, 220 PPI)
Scratch Resistant Glass
ARM Mali-400 MP2 GPU
13.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with BSI Sensor and LED Flash
5.0 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth v3.0
GPS with Assisted GPS
FM Radio
USB OTG Support
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
1,980mAh Battery
₱3,999.00 Suggested Retail Price

SKK is challenging Cherry Mobile by teasing an octa core smartphone for less than ₱6,000. Cherry Mobile’s cheapest octa core, the Cherry Mobile Pulse has an SRP of ₱6,499.

"How can 8 < 6?", SKK asked on a Facebook post. Of course, you can pretty much understand what that means. The part of the smartphone shown on the photo below also reveals that it runs on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat.

SKK Teases an Octa Core Smartphone for Less than ₱6,000 with Android 4.4 Kitkat

Octa Core for ₱5,999?

If SKK can release this octa core smartphone this month, it will certainly make people think twice before purchasing the rival Cherry Mobile Pulse.

Given the lower price, it surely has several specs that are lower than what you can find on the Pulse. It might be the battery or screen resolution.

The photo also reveals the rear camera with an LED flash but doesn't have any indication about the resolution. It also has a front camera and a couple of sensors on the front.

Follow us on Facebook for the latest development about this octa core offering from SKK Mobile.

Why root your phone?

Rooting your Android smartphone opens up a wide array of customization and performance improvements like removing bloatwares and installing apps that require root access.

I once published an article on how to root an Android smartphone easily using Kingo Root on a PC. However, you can also install certain apps that can root your phone with just one tap without the need for a laptop or desktop computer.

How to Root Your Android Smartphone without a PC

Screenshots of Framaroot and SuperSU managing superuser access of an app.

Disclaimer: In most cases, rooting your Android phone will void the manufacturer’s warranty. You have to unroot it first before it can be accepted in a service center. It might also cause small or huge damage to your smartphone. Proceed at your own risk!

Rooting without a PC Using Framaroot

The most famous way of rooting an Android phone without a PC is by using an app called Framaroot. It was developed by XDA Developers senior member alephzain.

Framaroot download link

After downloading Framaroot.apk, make sure that you set your Android phone to allow installing apps from non-market or unknown sources. Go to Settings> Security and check this option. You can then install Framaroot.

Launch the app and tap any of the characters from Lord of the Rings - Gandalf, Boromir, Pippin, Legolas, Sam, Frodo, Aragorn and Gimli. If the result is a success, then you’ve just rooted your Android smartphone. Check your app drawer for the SuperSU app with the flying blue Android or Sharp (#) icon.

Rooting Android 4.4+ Kitkat Smartphones without a PC

For smartphones running on Android Kitkat, rooting can be tricky with different techniques failing to install Supersu. Thankfully, another XDA Recognized Developer Geohot released an app called Towelroot that can root smartphones running on Android’s latest version like the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Towelroot download link

The steps are similar to using Framaroot but instead of characters from Lord of the Rings, Towelroot only has a single button saying, “Make it Rain”. Tapping this button will root your Android 4.4 Kitkat smartphone. You'll need an active internet connection for this.

Take note that you’ll need to download SuperSU because Towelroot doesn’t install it automatically. SuperSU will let you control if you allow an app to gain superuser access or not.

Now what?

Now that you have a rooted Android phone, here are some root-only apps that you might enjoy:

Root Explorer– allows user to access system folders to edit, replace or delete files like bloatware apps and advanced device settings.

Greenify– prevents applications like Facebook from running in the background freeing more RAM and hence, making your Android phone run as smooth as when you first used it.

Titanium Backup– creates backups of your phone’s data, system and files.

Xiaomi’s second gadget offering for Filipinos after the Mi 3 is something that tries to solve one of the biggest woes we have on smartphones – short battery life!

Xiaomi Philippines proudly introduces its Mi Powerbanks with 5200mAh capacity for only ₱445 and a larger version with 10400mAh capacity for ₱645. In contrast, a Samsung powerbank with 8800mAh capacity is listed on Lazada for ₱1,499!

Here's the Mi Powerbank:

The Mi Powerbank will be available in silver but other colors might follow.

The Mi Powerbank boasts “a sleek aluminum casing surrounds dual battery cell technology from LG and Samsung”. Admit it, the Mi Powerbank looks cool and its price is just right for Filipinos.

Aside from its looks, the Mi Powerbank is also very compact with a width of only 2.16 inches while the larger one is only 3 inches wide.

In terms of performance, the 5200mAh version can re-charge to 100% battery capacity a drained Mi 3 once while an iPhone 5S can be re-charged twice. The 10400mAh version can re-charge an iPhone 5S four times and up to 50% on the 5th cycle!

The Mi Powerbanks also feature circuit chipset protection by Texas Instruments that not only protects against voltage surge that may damage itself or your phone but also improves the efficiency of the powerbanks.

Just like the Xiaomi Mi 3, these powerbanks are sold exclusively by Lazada Philippines. The first flash sale will start on Friday, August 29, 2014 at exactly 12 noon.

After a lot of teasers, SKK finally revealed their octa core smartphone with only ₱5,499 suggested retail price – the SKK Phoenix X1!

Some details are still kept secret but a leaked photo of its data sheet reveals a 5.0-inch HD IPS display, 1GB of RAM, a 13MP camera and 8GB onboard storage expandable up to 64GB via microSD.

Here’s the SKK Phoenix X1:

SKK Phoenix X1 Octa Core Smartphone for less than ₱6,000

Mash-up of the teaser photos of SKK Phoenix X1

We already know that SKK Phoenix X1 will run on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat out of the box with the first teaser photo. This makes it very promising in terms of performance – Kitkat on a 1.7GHz octa core MT6592 processor with a Mali-450 MP graphics processor!

However, the 1GB of RAM might affect its performance when a lot of apps are opened with several running on the background. The storage space is more than enough though.

The display is also looking good with the HD resolution and IPS panel. A video posted by SKK also reveals that it has a scratch resistant glass!

The 13MP autofocus rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front camera are also one of SKK Phoenix X1’s major strengths.

Wireless connectivity is complete with Wi-Fi, 3G access, Bluetooth and GPS with A-GPS support. However, it apparently doesn’t have USB OTG support. That’s bad news for gamers who are looking for an octa core smartphone where they can connect a USB game controller.

Battery capacity is at 2,500mAh while basic sensors are all present. It’s expected to make an appearance at the SKK 3 day sale exhibit at the Glorietta Activity Center from Aug. 22 to 24, 2014.

We’ll keep this post updated for any new detail about the SKK Phoenix X1. You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest tech news in the country.

SKK Phoenix X1 Specs

1.7GHz Octa Core MediaTek MT6592 Processor
Android 4.4.2 Kitkat Operating System
5.0-Inch HD IPS Display (720 x 1280 Pixels, 294 PPI)
Scratch Resistant Glass
ARM Mali-450 MP GPU
13.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with LED Flash
5.0 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS with A-GPS
FM Radio
MicroUSB
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
2,500mAh Li-ion Battery
Less than ₱5,499.00 Official Suggested Retail Price

Cherry Mobile continues to celebrate its 5 years of operation by releasing limited edition smartphones. This time, it’s a high end member of the Cosmos series called the Cherry Mobile One.

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One packs a lot of sought after features like a large HD display with Gorilla Glass 2, octa core chip, BSI camera, sound enhancements, anti-theft function and Android Kitkat out of the box.

Here's the Cherry Mobile Cosmos One:

Meet 'THE ONE'!

One thing that you’ll immediately notice with the design of the Cherry Mobile Cosmos One is its leather-like back cover but without the fake stitches. There’s also a dedicated camera button on its right side and the rear camera and its LED flash are housed in a metallic-looking module.

The 5.5-inch HD IPS screen might be too large for some but there are a lot of people who want this phablet. Its back cover is also slightly curved towards the edges and should make the Cherry Mobile Cosmos One easier to hold.

Inside the Cherry Mobile Cosmos One is an octa core MediaTek MT6592M processor clocked at 1.4GHz. This is the same as the MyPhone Infinity Lite which is more expensive by ₱1,000.

Notice the dedicated camera button on the Cherry Mobile Cosmos One.

Gamers are treated with a Mali-450 MP graphics processor with 1GB of RAM. There should be no problem with playing hard core games but if Facebook and other applications are also running in the background, multi-tasking might not be that smooth.

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One has 8GB of onboard storage with a slot for up to a 64GB microSD card for additional storage space.

Its cameras are also very promising at 14MP and 8MP for the rear and front respectively. The 14MP main camera boasts a backside illuminated sensor and a bright LED flash. The front camera is clearly interpolated while the main one might have a 13MP sensor.

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One's back

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One also comes complete with wireless connectivity features like 3G HSPA+ access, Miracast wireless display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and FM Radio. It even supports USB OTG for connecting USB flash drives or input devices like game controllers.

It also promises high quality audio for the earphones and loudspeakers with audio enhancers. Clear Motion technology for smooth video playback is also in tow.

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One has a 2,400mAh battery which should be enough for a day of normal use. However, playing games and using 3G or Wi-Fi will surely require you to re-charge the phone sooner.

It will be available only on August 30, 2014 in select concept stores nationwide.

Cherry Mobile Cosmos One Specs

1.4GHz Octa Core MediaTek MT6592M Processor
Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS
5.5-Inch HD IPS Display (720 x 1280 Pixels, 267 PPI)
Corning Gorilla Glass 2 Scratch Resistant Glass
ARM Mali-450 MP GPU
14.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with BSI Sensor and LED Flash
8.0 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM (Regular + Micro)
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Miracast Wireless Display
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS with A-GPS
FM Radio
USB OTG Support
3.5mm Audio Jack
Accelerometer
Ambient Light Sensor
Proximity Sensor
2,400mAh Li-ion Battery
₱6,999.00 Official Price

Here’s an interesting new smartphone from SKK which features a 13MP camera that can rotate to take very high quality selfies – the SKK X4!

Aside from the swivel camera, SKK X4 also boasts a 1.3GHz quad core processor, 5-inch IPS display, 1GB of RAM, 3G access and a microSD slot that can accommodate a 64GB memory card.

Take a look at the SKK X4:

SKK X4 5.0-Inch Quad Core Smartphone with a 13MP Swivel Camera

Yup! The SKK X4 looks a lot like the Oppo N1.

The swivel camera of the SKK X4 takes its cues from the Oppo N1 which is the first smartphone in the world to have this feature. If you take a lot of selfies, you should consider the SKK X4 to be your next smartphone.

The SKK X4 has been labeled as an Oppo N1 clone. However, there are a lot of differences between the two. Oppo N1 is a high end smartphone while the SKK X4 is a mid-range one. It also has a smaller screen with a resolution of only 960 x 540 pixels compared to the 5.9-inch 1920 x 1280 pixels of the Oppo N1.

Of course, the SKK X4 is definitely more budget-friendly. However, SKK hasn’t revealed its official price yet. Follow us on Facebook and will update you when the SKK X4 gets priced.

Are you interested with the SKK X4? The good news is it also has a 2,500mAh battery which should be sufficient for a day of use. However, there are issues with the quality of SKK smartphones. The SKK X4's rotating camera might not be very durable too.

SKK X4 Official Specs

1.3GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6582M Processor
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS
5.0-Inch IPS Display (960 x 540 Pixels, 220 PPI)
ARM Mali-400 MP2 GPU
13.0 Megapixel Autofocus Swivel Camera with LED Flash
1GB of RAM
4GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth
GPS
FM Radio
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
2,500mAh Battery

Xiaomi’s second smartphone for Filipinos is the 1.6GHz quad core Snapdragon 400 powered Redmi 1S with a 4.7-inch IPS display and an 8MP camera.

The Redmi 1S is better suited to what we want – an affordable smartphone around the 5k price point with specs that can run apps and games smoothly, take high quality photos and not too large nor too small.

Here’s the Xiaomi Redmi 1S:

Meet the Xiaomi Redmi 1S!

Some Xiaomi fans are disappointed that it isn’t the Redmi Note with the larger 5.5-inch screen. If you’re looking for a phablet, you better wait for that.

Meanwhile, let’s examine the features of the Xiaomi Redmi 1S. Its Snapdragon 400 processor, Adreno 305 graphics processor and 1GB RAM can achieve an Antutu score of up to 21,600 points!

The Redmi 1S also comes with 8GB of onboard storage and can be expanded up to 64GB using a microSD card.

MIUI v5

The 4.7-inch screen might be the biggest let down of the Redmi 1S. However, I know a lot of people who’d be contented and actually like this screen size. It also has 720 x 1280 pixels or HD resolution and an IPS panel. A layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 2 also protects it from scratches.

Just like the Xiaomi Mi 3, the Redmi 1S also comes with MIUI v5 on top of the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The custom user interface offers a lot of improvements with plenty of themes to choose from including a Pinoy inspired theme. MIUI v6 update with Android 4.4 Kitkat is just around the corner too.

Hugo Barra announces the Redmi 1S

The Redmi 1S has an 8MP autofocus main camera with an LED flash and f/2.2 aperture. There’s also a 1.6MP front facing camera which should take decent selfies in good lighting condition.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Redmi 1S offers up to 3G HSPA+ access which might disappoint some who are hoping for the LTE version. It does have Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS and of course, Wi-Fi.

Gamers and techies, you’ll be glad to know that Xiaomi Redmi 1S has USB OTG! Play a game with a USB game controller or connect an external HDD.

Interested with the Redmi 1S?

Xiaomi Redmi 1S comes with a removable 2,000mAh Li-ion battery and the usual smartphone sensors including an electronic compass and gyroscope.

It will be available for purchase exclusively online via Lazada starting on September 4, 2014. The Redmi 1S might be sold out sooner than the Mi 3 due to its more affordable price.

Are you planning to buy the Redmi 1S on September 4 with its incredibly low price? Sound off in the comments!

Xiaomi Redmi 1S Complete Specs (Philippine Version)

1.6GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8228 Processor
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS with MIUI v5 User Interface
4.7-Inch HD IPS Display (1280 x 720 Pixels, 312 PPI)
Corning Gorilla Glass 2 Scratch Resistance
Adreno 305 GPU
8.0 Megapixel Autofocus Main Camera with LED Flash
1.6 Megapixel Front Camera
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD
Dual SIM/Dual Standby
3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE and GPRS Networks
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS
FM Radio
USB OTG Support
3.5mm Audio Jack
Gyroscope
Electronic Compass
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor
137 x 69 x 9.9mm
2,000mAh Li-ion Battery
₱5,599.00 Official Price in the Philippines

Invitations are out– Apple will formally unveil the iPhone 6 on September 9, 2014 at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California. The long rumored iWatch might also take center stage.

The iPhone 6 is expected to have a 4.7-inch display with a larger 5.5-inch version to be announced later - both powered by a new A8 processor. On the other hand, the iWatch will host a lot of sensors to monitor your health.

Here's the invitation:

Apple's invitation for a 'special event'.

The invitation doesn’t say much unlike the colorful invitation of the iPhone 5C last year. There’s a large Apple logo in the background that might refer to a large iPhone 6. This is something that a lot of people want – a phablet iPhone which Samsung has been a champion with its Galaxy Note series.

The leaf of the Apple logo which casts shadow has also been taken as a clue to the iWatch. It’s very interesting to see how Apple can pull off the smartwatch and make it appeal to a lot of people – something that Samsung and LG hasn’t been very successful.

Lastly, the ‘Wish we could say more...’ tagline points to a possible integration of Siri with the iWatch. If not, we’ll at least see a lot of improvements with Apple’s virtual assistant.

The event will be shown worldwide. We’ll post the livestream video here which will start at 11:00 pm on September 9 Philippine Standard Time.