I can finally come out of the shell and talk about Smart’s latest technology release — Plug ‘n Talk. I met with Smart representatives earlier today and I was able to witness a demonstration of this very cool gadget. It is a hybrid VoIP unit. In a nutshell, the unit which is essentially a thumbdrive accepts a Smart Buddy Simcard, plugged into a Windows computer with internet connection and can take outgoing and incoming voice calls and SMS/MMS messages incurring Philippine local rates. The hybrid nature of the technology is derived from the model whereas the party using the unit uses an over-IP technology which connects to Smart’s network in the Philippines and from there a circuit-switch communication occurs. The reciprocal applies when the unit becomes the receiver. In other words, it’s a VoIP-Circuit-switch technology.
Though I know the launch date, I will not provide that information as well as any pricing. I’m just to excited to post the technology’s overall concept. For more information, visit the hyperlinked site above.
During the demonstration, the call is quite loud and clear, however I won’t be too optimistic. There still is that VoIP characteristic. I’m only after the text messaging because it only costs P1/outgoing message to any Smart/TNT and P2 for Globe/TM/Sun and the MMS which costs the same as what they charge in the Philippines. I’ll have my dongle hooked into my PC and find TXTM8S.
September 3rd, 2008
The other night I was watching Nuts Entertainment on GMA PinoyTV and Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero was the guest in the Balakubak segment. One question was whether he’d consider running in the presidential election in 2010. As usual, Chiz gave an intelligent answer whereas he said that he’s only thirty-nine years old so he won’t comment on such, but he hinted that he would be forty by the election day. Unlike the United States which requires a 35-year-old limit, the Philippines requires that its President is at least forty. Escudero has been considered to be one of the candidates in 2010, and so thoughts amassed.
So far, the hopefuls that I’m aware of are Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Noli De Castro, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, and Bayani Fernando. To follow are my two cents:
Bayani Fernando would be insignificant in this race. Though he is famous around the National Capital Region for his MMDA, the provinces are not aware of his accomplishments. Addition to that, he has divided support within the region. I strongly believe that the progress he dreams of for the nation is purely cosmetic. I won’t be surprised if he’s in the office and make the country foolish by nominating it for the Olympics… Sorry I couldn’t resist humor.
Francis Escudero entered his first term in the executive position a year ago. Intellegent, young, ambitious and with great vision. If elected, my expectation on his policies would be too high. He’s one of the better nationalists in the country. However, I would question his experience. Are his accomplishments enough to say that he has experience in the executive level? My bet is that his greater chances is at age forty-seven. He’s one of the better politicians in the national level in the country I must say.
Loren Legarda is probably one of the most greedy politician I could think of. Should we say power monger? She failed to win as the vice president, so she’s expected to take a stab at the presidency and become the third madam president. Cory and Gloria I think are enough to screw the nation. Is that sexist to you? It’s a fact! Not only the gender that will render incapability to lead the country for Legarda, it’s also the fact that she’s a news woman. A journalist must be objective, but a journalist also knows all the tricks to hide and confide things. They can be their own PR strategist. The public could be easily blinded. She is intelligent and courageous, but those aren’t enough.
Vice President Noli De Castro could be a force to reckon with during the elections. He has a wide fanbase way back his MGB days. He’s literally done nothing (as far as I know) that can smudge his reputation, but he’s also done nothing for the country. He’s playing a neutral role now as he tries to win the public through image. I believe he will fight during the elections using righteous image and maintain his fanbase. Like I said about journalists, I hope he doesn’t rule the country.
That brings me to the two men who will probably have a showdown in 2010. Them being Ilonggos are mere coincidents. I don’t have wide knowledge of all these six politicians I’ve mentioned, my opinion is based on tidbits of knowledge about them.
Roxas is a respected Senator and is a descendant of the former President Manuel Roxas. In fact, he won more votes than the current president had, so he’s popular also. He’s rich and intelligent. He appeals to the masses and he’s media friendly. The only negative on him would probably his bachelor status. Being a family person is usually a factor in becoming the leader of a nation (it’s a big deal in the US anyway). Other than that, he may as well be the next president of the Philippines.
Roxas may have a greater chance to win the presidency, but he won’t get it so easily. Manny Villar will most likely make a stir and give Roxas a fight of his life. Villar has led the Congress and the Senate in his public service in the last decade. Though I’m not knowledgeable of him, I’ve seen him on a TV interview once. I don’t need books to tell me what this person can bring the nation. He has a clear vision of what he will give for the country, the values he set for the country to straighten. I don’t invision him to lead the country and make it prosper. I see him leading the country to a path which could eventually lead to properity. A very intelligent man who seems to have his priority set straight.
I may have misinformed you on facts, however these are thoughts without allusions. I may have just paraded my ignorance, but at least I’ve cleared my head.
September 2nd, 2008
I’m not exactly a music critic, but I’ll mention a few things about Rico Blanco’s album Your Universe and especially the first single, Yugto. I’ll call this album good. Blanco’s poetic abilities is still evident in this solo album. Yugto has an operatic feel to it trying to follow Freddie Mercury and Queen. The intro surprisingly sounds Eastern European which I thought was cool. I can’t imagine the Vikings in the Philippines. Blanco did not try to sound different from Rivermaya and I think it’s a better move because he was after all Rivermaya. It’s good that he did not attempt to escape. I can’t wait to see him perform Yugto live because the song has a tendency to be an awesome live act.
August 15th, 2008
It’s not a secret that I’m a sucker for cool t-shirts. I visit Threadless weekly for new killer designs that are up for purchase. Most of the time I can’t buy because I can’t choose. I have TVJ shirts that I can find when I go home to the Philippines or have my aunt buy if she finds any. The most recent shirt order I had were Francis M’s 3 Stars & A Sun FMCC shirts. Not the best fabric, but it’s very Pinoy. I received a newsletter from Divisoria and in that newsletter, they were advertising t-shirts produced by ASTIGSHIRTCO. and I found them really cool designs. My favorite so far is the image I’m attaching with this entry. It’s flagrantly offensive, but a brave design.
August 15th, 2008
Okay, here we go. You may have noticed drastic changes in the site. It looks more crowded than the previous one. Don’t worry, an upgraded version of the old one will return. For now, let me enjoy the pinkish motif. I love the header so much that it compliments the site’s name.
Over the weekend, I finally had my first entry at Tech Blog Philippines. I’ve been looking for a topic for nearly a month and I finally found it yesterday. I don’t intend to write regularly there, but I will formulate a better piece next time I come across an interesting gadget.
This morning, I took my learner’s permit exam for a motorcycle license and I passed. I’m going to take the rider’s course later this month or early next month once I’m fully geared up. I have to do this before the winter starts. Then save for a bike for next summer. I’ve been eyeing a Ducati Monster for a few years now.
Tonight, before catching up with a late entry before midnight strikes, I cleaned up my Friendster list. I deleted a few accounts which are duplicate and/or have been dormant for a few weeks.
August 4th, 2008
A few years ago watching people on Filipino TV wearing parkas bothered me. The country is very hot, yet people wore warm clothings. Nowadays with all the typhoons hitting the nation, I’m excusing such display. However, what bothers me now is the new trend that artists are starting in Philippine showbiz. They are now wearing scarves and shawls.
How cold is it in the Philippines for these “fashionista wannabees” to be wearing scarves and shawls? I strongly believe that fashion compliments the season. Aren’t these people scorching with scarves tightly bundled on their necks? I blame Korean Drama for this trend, but it makes sense in Korea because it’s cold there. Not in the Philippines. Do these people know that every time foreigners see them on TV they are laughing because of their so called “fashion” sense?
Panawagan, Christian Bautista… Hindi ka ba naiinitan sa porma mo?
July 22nd, 2008
Before leaving the house, I saw on the news that the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will pilot an electronic voting process in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the coming gubernatorial (regional) election in the region. The machines are provided by Avante.
Electronic voting is still a huge issue in the United States and we debated the issue in one of my classes. A few nations have been using this technique for their elections, to some degree. The system is said to be “very” secure according to Smartmatic Sahi’s Vince Dizon because it uses an encryption similar to internet banking.
I’m pessimistic (once again) with this advancement. Firstly, ARMM is a very significant region in the current world affairs. If it was local government we’re talking about, then it would be okay, but this election affects several provinces. My pessimism lies on the technology. Any electronic device that we know of is insecure. Unless the system is using quantum encryption (which is not 100% secure anymore) then my pessimism would go away. If they are using an encryption that internet banking is using, then they are using decades old technology and have been documented to have been broken.
Government is more crucial than banking. If the system in banking catches an anomaly, they can always revert the numbers. In the government, you can’t ask the people to vote again. Election is not stateful, while banking is stateful. There’s a reset in banking, but none in election.
Do I need to mention the possible hackers? I think I’ll leave that to your imagination.
July 21st, 2008
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