A Nokia Lumia smartphone that runs on Android is probably what everyone is longing for. It’s the perfect combination of great hardware and very flexible and powerful OS. And according to @evleaks, this could finally be happening.
According to @evleaks’ tweet, Nokia by Microsoft will finally bring a Lumia smartphone that is powered by Android: “Big news: Android-powered Lumia incoming, from Nokia by Microsoft.”
Unfortunately, @evleaks didn’t provide much info on the upcoming device so we can only hope that he is spot-on as an Android-wielding Lumia is a dream phone to a lot of people especially Nokia fans.
Big news: Android-powered Lumia incoming, from Nokia by Microsoft – http://t.co/KKLstDDVVO
Since we don’t have much information as of the moment, it’s wise to take this with a grain of salt. But if you take into consideration that we already have Android-powered Nokias (Nokia X, XL, X2) and that @evleaks has an impressive resume of accurate leaks, the possibility is there.
Alteam is a Taiwan-based headphone and microphone manufacturer. The company has been working closely with these devices since the year 2000 and have been releasing new designs every succeeding year. What we have in our hands now is the Alteam ANP-777 headphones that have their own Active Noise Cancellation technology. Is it a good travel companion as the company claims it? Read our Quick Review and find out.
The ear cups are foldable so the ‘phones can be packed flat inside its case.
Alteam’s ANP-777 is plastic all around making it generally lightweight. The only parts where it breaks its plastic build are the padded headband and ear cups that are wrapped with artificial leather. On the left cup we have the removable cover that hides the two AAA batteries needed for ANC and over on the right side is the power switch along with the button that toggles between four different sound modes (we will discuss more of that later on).
The right cup also holds a volume rocker on its lower back side that provides easy access while on-the-go.
If you’re a headphone enthusiast you’ll probably notice that its general look resembles closely that of Blaupunkt’s Comfort 112 – right from its on-ear design, shape of ear cups, headband, and all the way down to the volume adjuster on the side.
Its adjustable headband goes easy on the head and makes the 40mm ear cups clamp comfortably. They’re also padded with memory foam cushions that make listening for long periods of time possible. We tried wearing it while watching and it we made it through a 2-hour movie without any strains, although we sometimes found ourselves fixing the cups to fully seal our ears.
As mentioned earlier, the ANP-777 has four different sound modes toggled by the round button on the right cup. It changes its color to identify what mode is on. It was hard to remember what all the colors represent at first, but we’re sure it gets easier as you keep on using it.
Here are the corresponding colors:
Red: Default (ANC is on) Green: Stereo Orange: Music Blue: Movie
The ANC mode effectively tones down external noises by a significant amount. It eliminates the sound of vehicles passing by when music is playing, but loud noises like heavy construction still gets through. Stereo Mode adds a bit more of soundscape to the overall sound although it loses some solid bass quality. Music Mode works great with playing tunes, while the Movie Mode has admirable lows for voice and explosions.
Take note that using the headphones without battery is possible. In which case only passive noise cancellation only takes place and switching between sound modes is unavailable.
The Alteam ANP-777 is for users who want an easy-to-bring pair of cans with good music quality. Its all-plastic frame makes sure it’s lightweight, although those looking for a premium feel might be disappointed with it. With a discounted price of Php4,485.60, the Alteam ANP-777 lets you specifically choose different sound for different use by digitally processing it. So if you’re a fan of personally tweaking your music to your liking and you have the spare money, you might want to give this a shot. It acts as a good partner during long commutes with its lightweight body and foldable cups that store easily in its included hard case.
You can opt to use the ordinary 3.5mm cable or go with the coiled one if you’re just at home. It has an in-line mic so you can also accept calls using it.
Alteam ANP-777 specs: Design: Headband, over-ear Type: Closed-back Features: EUPHONY 3D Sound Technology, HDSS Sound Technology Driver Size: 40mm Frequency Range: 10Hz – 25KHz Impedance: 50 ohms Sensitivity: 100dB Maximum Power Output: 120mW Plug Type: 3.5mm Battery: 2 x AAA
The company is generous enough to include an array of different adapters to make sure you could use the ANP-777 with different devices and ports.
What we liked about it: *Lightweight and comfortable *Ideal for travelling *Good sound reproduction *Package includes an array of different adapters
What we didn’t like: *All plastic build *Depends largely on batteries
They came, they had fun, they had selfies. Over the weekend, however, concerned members of the country’s youth came together to take a serious position that had nothing to do with having their best angles to the camera.
Participants in the First National FOI Youth Congress called on lawmakers to hasten the passage of the Freedom of Information bill during a three-day gathering at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance.
Some 300 members of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) also called on their fellow youth to join in the fight to transform the government “into an institution that is worthy of the trust of the people that it serves”.
Youth leaders noted how the older generation tends to brand today’s youth as self-absorbed an apathetic. But in this particular issue, FYI leaders said, the youth are really taking the initiative.
“Apathetic and selfish – that is how some older people view our generation…(but the) youth of today can actually be passionate about something socially relevant”, Allan Pangilinan, lead convenor of the FOI Youth Initiative said.
The three-day event gathered youth and student organizations that supported calls for the immediate passage of a Freedom of Information Law that they hope would institute more transparency and accountability in government. The bill has is still mouldering at the House committee on public information even though as Senate version has already been passed on third reading.
Jeff Crisostomo, one of the founders of the network, pointed out that the FYI has grown today into a national network of more than 200 youth and student groups, four time larger since its founding at least three years ago when it only had 50 member-organizations.
Crisostomo, who is now the legislative and media officer of Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao, called on members of the FYI to come up with “creative means” in pushing for the passage of the FOI as he pointed out that it is necessary in ensuring more transparency in public services especially education.
He also said that the push should include encouraging local government officials to come up with their own local Freedom of Information ordinances.
“Let us show (President Aquino) that we mean business”, he added.
Lawyer Nepomuceno Malaluan, lead convenor of the Right To Know, Right Now! Coalition said the FYI is a “testament to the power and essence of FOI” because it “bridges generations” who want to hold their governments “accountable and to be informed to enable the effective exercise of rights”.
PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas, who delivered a talk on the practice of accessing information, said the push for an FOI is not only based on whims by its advocates but is grounded on declarations by the United Nations that the right to information is the foundation of all rights.
She also underscored the fact that this is not a special law for journalists, and accessing information is being done by reporters acting as trustees of public interest. If there is no right to information, for example, it is impossible for the public to know about contracts being entered into by the government that would impact on their lives.
With the absence of an FOI, persistence is important in getting information or documents from the government. “Whoever blinks first loses; it is the coping mechanisms that make a difference in the Philippines, not because of the FOI”, she said.
Mangahas also pointed out the difference between the open government policy and a rights-based freedom of information regime.
The open government policy means that agencies and offices would be putting out their information on the Worldwide Web but this would depend on the terms of the government and not on the demand of people for information.
“Government’s voluntary disclosure is not good enough; if it is really, then why did the (Disbursement Acceleration Program) happen? Open data is not a bypass solution for an FOI Law.”
Among the organizers of the activity are the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines, the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, and the UP Economics Towards Consciousness.
Senator Grace Poe, main author of the Senate version of the FOI and chair of the Committee on People’s Public Information and Mass Media, lauded the FYI as she pointed out the urgent need for an FOI.
“The attainment of a just, progressive, and lasting peace greatly depends upon the free flow of information to the public”, she said. Julius D. Mariveles
LEAVE IT to the youth to produce a catchy and easy-to-understand primer on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, that controversial measure whose importance some government officials apparently still can not or will not comprehend.
The 7-minute video was produced by the University of the Philippines student group Economics Towards Consciousness (UP-ETC), a university-wide student organization based in the UP School of Economics.
The video was first made public during the FOI Youth Congress at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG).
Feel free to share the YouTube video with your friends and colleagues.
Megaworld, the country’s leading real estate developer, is fast tracking the construction of office, commercial, and residential towers in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park due to the strong demand, brisk sales and rental inquiries for residential, commercial, and office spaces.
This year, three office towers, namely One Global Center, Two Global Center and Richmonde Tower are scheduled to be completed. The three towers, with a total of 25,000 square meters of leasable spaces, will be able to accommodate around 10,000 full time employees (FTE) for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies.
Megaworld will also start the construction of another two office towers by August this year: One Techno Place and Two Techno Place, which will generate an additional 8,000 FTEs in the township. Both towers, with a total of 19,000 square meters of leasable spaces, are scheduled to be completed in early 2016.
“With the heavy influx of inquiries from BPO companies who want to be part of Iloilo Business Park, we see the urgent need to hasten the construction of more office towers to meet the strong demand,” says Jericho P. Go, senior vice president, Megaworld.
StarTek, Inc., a US-based BPO company, has already started its operation in the Richmonde office tower this month of June and is poised to launch its standalone BPO office building at Two Global Center by 4th quarter of this year.
As the first BPO company opens in Iloilo Business Park, McDonald’s also opens its standalone store in the township. The branch will be the biggest McDonald’s store in Iloilo City, with a total seating capacity of 250. It will have two floors with play place, party area drive thru, and parking area.
“We are very excited to be the first fastfood chain to open in Iloilo Business Park, and we are very happy to serve the Ilonggos who are working and visiting, including those who will be living in this world-class township,” says Eugene Reducindo, managing director, Choice Gourmet Banquet, Inc., the franchisee of McDonald’s in Iloilo Business Park.
Aside from office and residential towers, Megaworld has also started the construction of the Megaworld Central Mall and Festive Walk, a 1.1-kilometer commercial and retail strip parallel to Iloilo’s Diversion Road. The mall and the first phase of Festive Walk are expected to be completed by second half of 2015.
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, a 151-room business hotel, will also open early next year, just in time for the city’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) side meetings. The other hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, has started its construction and is expected to be completed by end-2015.
The 3,700-seating capacity Iloilo Convention Center has also started its construction and once completed, it will be the biggest and most modern convention facility in Region 6.
Dubbed as the biggest business and tourism hub in Western Visayas, the Iloilo Business Park is expected to bring Megaworld’s pioneering ‘LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN’ township to Western Visayas, following the success of other townships such as the 18.5-hectare Eastwood City, known to be the Philippines’ first IT park; the 50-hectare McKinley Hill, 34.5-hectare McKinley West in Fort Bonifacio; the 15.4-hectare Uptown Bonifacio and the 5-hectare Forbes Town Center in Bonifacio Global City; the 25-hectare Newport City in Pasay City, home of the famous Resorts World Manila; the 12.3-hectare Woodside City in Pasig City; the 11-hectare Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City; and the 28.8-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
