Day: December 14, 2014

LG G Watch R Quick Review

Abe Olandres Leave a comment

Lazada Philippines

When LG came out with their first smartwatch back in March, it looked very plain and simple and had very few features and functionalities. The battery life of about 1.5 days can also be a nuisance since you’ll be forced to re-charge it every single night.

I eventually bought one in Hong Kong last June and tried it out for a couple of months. I was already using several smart bands that time (a Jawbone UP24 and Garmin Vivofit) so an upgrade to a smartwatch running Android Wear seems a nice idea.

So I traded my usual Diesel and TWSteel watches for a much simpler but connected LG G Watch. After a few months, I no longer use it after I keep on forgetting to re-charge at night.

A few months later, LG introduced the second-generation G Watch R with a much nicer design and completely rounded face (the R means round).

The LG G Watch R is perhaps the best-looking smartwatch we’ve seen to date. It has that classic look, a rounded face with nice OLED display that most people would think it’s just a regular watch that glows. The face is protected by a slightly protruding round metal ring so accidental bumps will not harm the glass.

The Polymer-OLED display is about 1.3 inches in diameter and has a resolution of 320×320 pixels. The screen looks pretty sharp and crisp. Outdoor visibility is really good, even under direct sunlight, thanks to the OLED display.

The concept of Android Wear as an operating system is that it allows the watch to connect to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth.

The low-power connection enables the phone and the watch to sync data and connectivity, giving the wearer the ability to receive notifications and make voice commands from the watch.

One can also control the smartphone via the watch in a number of instances – remote shutter for the phone camera, play music, maps and navigation, or simply using Google Now.

The 4GB internal storage of the G Watch R allows the user to actually store music files for playback even when disconnected from the phone. The watch can hook up to a Bluetooth headphone and stream the music directly into it.

For fitness buffs, the built-in step counter or pedometer and the heart rate sensor are very useful features. The photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor emits a green light to the skin which measures blood flow to compute for the heart rate. Based on experience, it’s actually a very accurate sensor.

The watch is powered by a Snapdragon 400 chip with 512MB RAM. This configuration is almost the same as most entry-level Android smartphones out there so we’re confident that future upgrades to Android Wear can still be easily handled by the watch.

With an IP67 rating, the G Watch R is also water and dust resistant, giving you some level of confidence whenever the watch gets the occasional splash.

As for the battery life that we complained from the older model, the new G Watch R is now more efficient and can last close to two days. It’s not still our ideal re-charging cycle but it’s an improvement.

Perhaps the only factor that still makes me hesitate from getting one is the retail price. With an SRP of Php13,990, I feel it’s a bit above the usual price for a smartwatch. I still think the G Watch R is a looker of a smartwatch.

LG G Watch R specs:
1.3-inch P-OLED Display @ 320×320 pixels, 348ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz quad-core
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
9-Axis (Gyro/ Accelerometer/ Compass)
Barometer
Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor
Dust and Water Resistant (IP67)
410mAh battery
Android Wear OS

What we liked about it:
* Classic design
* Fine leather straps
* Decent battery life
* Good performance

What we did not like:
* Very pricey for its category

The post LG G Watch R Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones Review

Louie Diangson Leave a comment

Lazada Philippines

People have different tastes especially when it comes to music. That’s why the hardware we use to listen to them have their own different characteristics – some are great with bass while some are more inclined towards trebles. Then there are the special unbiased ones that offer great balance from both ends of the spectrum. One good example is the Bose SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones.

Design and Construction

We normally associate the power of a headphone with size. That is the more powerful it is the bigger the size, but with the SoundLink BT headphones, that is certainly not the case. This wireless headphone is small and portable enough that it can fit inside a small case when folded. It can even fit inside a pocket of a cargo shorts. Unfolded, you can still put it inside a small bag and won’t take up much space.

The SoundLink BT headphones sports a similar build and design as the Bose QC25 Noise-cancelling headphones we reviewed recently. It is mostly made of plastic with black and dark blue accents. The adjustable headband has foam underneath and is covered with cloth with the top that is similar to denim.

The swiveling earcups, like the QC25, feature soft leather padding which feels comfortable on the ears. On its right side of the right earcup is the switch for the power and Bluetooth, and the two-way microphone system so you can accept calls.

Behind it is the LED lights for Bluetooth and Power level, volume keys and the multifunction key for play/pause, accept and end voice calls, or initiate voice recognition. Down below is the microUSB port for charging. As for the left earcup, it houses the port for the audio cable so you can still listen to your tunes when the battery runs out.

The Bose SoundLink BT headphones is easy to carry and very comfortable to wear thanks to the soft padding at the headband and cups. It’s snug but not tight enough to keep itself in place when it comes to sudden movements. So if you’re planning to take it to the gym or outside for running this is not exactly the type you’d want to bring.

Connectivity

One of the best bits about this headphone is Bluetooth connectivity. To connect, just switch on Bluetooth and connect your smartphone to the SoundLink BT headphones when discovered. Oncee paired, the voice prompt on the headphones tell you the level of the battery and that it is connected to the device. A voice prompt will also tell you of an incoming call.

Once connected you can conveniently listen to your tunes from your smartphone without having to worry about the messy cables. We found this very handy especially when we were working in front of the computer or when traveling inside a cramped bus/MRT as no cables were dangling or snagging. We can also move around without having to carry our smartphone or tablet with us. It was liberating.

Sound Performance

As mentioned at the start of the article, the SoundLink BT headphones is one of the most balanced headphones we’ve used so far. Bluetooth or wired, it produces loud sounds with great lows, mids, and highs. Noise canceling is absent here unlike the Bose QC25 but the leather padding on the cups and snug fit can help block some of the external noise. Sound leakage is almost non-existent.

Play some bass-dominated tracks like hip-hop or club music and you can hear and feel the powerful thumps without overpowering the less bassy beats. Rock and acoustic music sound fantastic as well as the mids and highs are very detailed and really crisp without the unwanted sibilance. Overall, the SoundLink BT headphones is really good in producing loud, balanced, clean and clear sounds.

Call quality

As mentioned earlier, you can take calls from your smartphone on the SoundLink. Sound quality is also good with no sign of choppiness. The person on the other line can also hear us loud and clear without having to speak louder than normal.

Battery Life

The SoundLink has a rated battery life of 15 hours which is really good. This makes it a perfect companion for long travels. If you’re low on juice you can charge it using a standard microUSB smartphone charger or a power bank. Charging time is also quick and will be full in just about an hour.

Conclusion

To conclude, the Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth headphones is an amazing wireless audio device that can produce great sounds. Regardless of what type of music you listen to this headphone can deliver it very well.

In addition, it’s portable, comfortable, has Bluetooth connectivity, can accept calls, and has a long battery life. It’s a bit expensive though at Php13,500 but you won’t be disappointed.

Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones specs:
Type: Supra-aural / on-ear
Bose TriPort Technology
Bluetooth
30 feet wireless range
dual microphone system
up to 15 hours battery life
7.1 x 5.5 x 2.4 in
152.6 g
Black, White

What we liked about it:
* Great sound quality
* Wireless Bluetooth playback
* Bluetooth call function
* Light and comfortable
* Foldable and portable
* Nice design
* Comes with a carrying case
* Long battery life

What we didn’t like:
* Pricey

The post Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Former Rep. Jun Lozada shares his cancer treatment the Fuda way

Ellen Leave a comment

Jun Lozada with Fuda Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng.

Jun Lozada with Fuda Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng.

Former Ambassador and Negros Occ. Rep. Apolinario “Jun” Lozada, Jr. relates his story on how he got to Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China for treatment of his prostate cancer with amusement now that he has been declared cancer-free.

But it was not so when a routine check-up last march showed a PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) level of over 100 when the normal count is only from zero to four.

Further tests revealed that he has prostate cancer.

The initial reaction was denial and hoping that it would be cured without going through the dreaded surgery and chemotherapy.

A well- meaning relative brought him to a popular and controversial priest who is known to heal sick people.

There he saw the priest’s wealthy benefactors give him “allowance.”

What his relative gave the priest must not have been hefty enough because the “holy man” just touch tapped his shoulder. Not forceful enough to remove the tumor in his body.

His aunt also brought him to “Kamay ni Jesus” shrine in Lucban, Quezon, where one has to climb the more than 290 steps to the statue of Jesus Christ.

He told his aunt, “I have difficulty going up to the second floor of my house. I don’t think I can go up to the statue. I’ll just pray here. Anyway, God said he hears the faithful wherever they are.”

His aunt scolded him for his irreverence but still accompanied him to other faith healers. The last one was in his own place (Lozada was representative of the fifth district, Negros Occidental from 1998 to 2004) in Pontevedra.

There was a guy who heals through water which he claims to have been blessed by a fairy. He sells the blessed water.

He went through the ceremonial “pray over” by the medium, who then spit on the glass of water that he was supposed to drink. Jun ran out of the medium’s house.

Then he learned from a friend about cryo surgery being done by Fuda Hospital.

Fuda Cancer Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng(2nd from left) and hospital specialists, Chen Jibing, Li Chaolong, ang Niu Lizhi, in a press conference in Guangzhou.

Fuda Cancer Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng(2nd from left) and hospital specialists, Chen Jibing, Li Chaolong, ang Niu Lizhi, in a press conference in Guangzhou.


He went there in July and underwent cryosurgery. Last week his latest PET scan showed the cancer is gone.

Lozada was one of those who gave a testimonial on the treatment of being done by Fuda Hospital in last weekend’s launching in Guangzhou of “Guangdong Provincial Light of Life Society for Cancer Rehabilitation,” a support for survivors and their families and International Post-graduate Training for Cancer with Jinan University.

Cryo (a Greek word which means “icy cold) surgery basically means destroying the abnormal or diseased tissue by freezing it under extremely cold condition (in Fuda its’ minus 160 degrees temperature).

Participant doctors said cryosurgery is a treatment for prostate cancer that is done in the United States. What Fuda Hospital did was combine it with Chinese traditional medical practice.

Fuda Hospital owner and Chief ChiefPresident Xu Kecheng calls their treatment the 3C+P. It stands for Cryosurgery (C) – Cancer Microvascular Intervention (C) – Combined Immunotherapy for Cancer (C) – Personalized therapy (P according to patient’s individual condition).

In his speech, Dr. Xu said, “It is difficult to kill all cancer cells in a cancer patient’s body, because 1) Cancer is a systemic disease, and metastasis is an ‘early event’. When 70 percent cancer patients are diagnosed, call cells already exist in their blood and bone marrows. Most of the cancer cells are simply in dormant state. 2) Radiotherapy and chemotherapy kill cancer cells exponentially, that is, only a percentage of cancer cells can be killed. It is impossible to eradicate all cancer cells. 3) Cancer cells are classified as common cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Current conventional therapies (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) are unable to exterminate cancer stem cells. The “silent” or “dormant” cancer stem cells are the sources of cancer recurrence and metastasis.”

Fuda’s treatment, he said, specifically targets the diseased tissue ”conquering the cancerous tumor while maintaining the healthy atmosphere of the body.”

He explained how it is done:

“A special piece of equipment is required for cryosurgery. Under the guidance of CT scan or ultrasound, an ultra-cold knife (fine needle with a diameter of about 1 to 2) is inserted into the tumor. Argon is input under high pressure so that temperature on the top of the knife drops to minus 160 degrees Celsius instantly. Then, helium is pumped in for the temperature to rise. This cycle is repeated twice or three times. In the end, tumor tissues are ablated and thereby killed. “

Fuda Hospital has expanded the use of cosurgery applies to liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, and different soft tissue sarcomas.

Cancer has ceased to be a death sentence with the advances in medical technology. Fuda Hospital has widened the options for treatment for cancer patients with its 3C+P.

Lozada said Fuda Hosptial’s 3C+P is not cheap. Plus since it has to be done in Guangzhou, one’s budget has to include air transportation and accommodation costs.

But it’s life that is at stake. It’s worth everything.

Former Rep. Jun Lozada shares his cancer treatment the Fuda way

Ellen Leave a comment

Jun Lozada with Fuda Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng.

Jun Lozada with Fuda Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng.

Former Ambassador and Negros Occ. Rep. Apolinario “Jun” Lozada, Jr. relates his story on how he got to Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China for treatment of his prostate cancer with amusement now that he has been declared cancer-free.

But it was not so when a routine check-up last march showed a PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) level of over 100 when the normal count is only from zero to four.

Further tests revealed that he has prostate cancer.

The initial reaction was denial and hoping that it would be cured without going through the dreaded surgery and chemotherapy.

A well- meaning relative brought him to a popular and controversial priest who is known to heal sick people.

There he saw the priest’s wealthy benefactors give him “allowance.”

What his relative gave the priest must not have been hefty enough because the “holy man” just touch tapped his shoulder. Not forceful enough to remove the tumor in his body.

His aunt also brought him to “Kamay ni Jesus” shrine in Lucban, Quezon, where one has to climb the more than 290 steps to the statue of Jesus Christ.

He told his aunt, “I have difficulty going up to the second floor of my house. I don’t think I can go up to the statue. I’ll just pray here. Anyway, God said he hears the faithful wherever they are.”

His aunt scolded him for his irreverence but still accompanied him to other faith healers. The last one was in his own place (Lozada was representative of the fifth district, Negros Occidental from 1998 to 2004) in Pontevedra.

There was a guy who heals through water which he claims to have been blessed by a fairy. He sells the blessed water.

He went through the ceremonial “pray over” by the medium, who then spit on the glass of water that he was supposed to drink. Jun ran out of the medium’s house.

Then he learned from a friend about cryo surgery being done by Fuda Hospital.

Fuda Cancer Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng(2nd from left) and hospital specialists, Chen Jibing, Li Chaolong, ang Niu Lizhi, in a press conference in Guangzhou.

Fuda Cancer Hospital Chief President Xu Kecheng(2nd from left) and hospital specialists, Chen Jibing, Li Chaolong, ang Niu Lizhi, in a press conference in Guangzhou.


He went there in July and underwent cryosurgery. Last week his latest PET scan showed the cancer is gone.

Lozada was one of those who gave a testimonial on the treatment of being done by Fuda Hospital in last weekend’s launching in Guangzhou of “Guangdong Provincial Light of Life Society for Cancer Rehabilitation,” a support for survivors and their families and International Post-graduate Training for Cancer with Jinan University.

Cryo (a Greek word which means “icy cold) surgery basically means destroying the abnormal or diseased tissue by freezing it under extremely cold condition (in Fuda its’ minus 160 degrees temperature).

Participant doctors said cryosurgery is a treatment for prostate cancer that is done in the United States. What Fuda Hospital did was combine it with Chinese traditional medical practice.

Fuda Hospital owner and Chief ChiefPresident Xu Kecheng calls their treatment the 3C+P. It stands for Cryosurgery (C) – Cancer Microvascular Intervention (C) – Combined Immunotherapy for Cancer (C) – Personalized therapy (P according to patient’s individual condition).

In his speech, Dr. Xu said, “It is difficult to kill all cancer cells in a cancer patient’s body, because 1) Cancer is a systemic disease, and metastasis is an ‘early event’. When 70 percent cancer patients are diagnosed, call cells already exist in their blood and bone marrows. Most of the cancer cells are simply in dormant state. 2) Radiotherapy and chemotherapy kill cancer cells exponentially, that is, only a percentage of cancer cells can be killed. It is impossible to eradicate all cancer cells. 3) Cancer cells are classified as common cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Current conventional therapies (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) are unable to exterminate cancer stem cells. The “silent” or “dormant” cancer stem cells are the sources of cancer recurrence and metastasis.”

Fuda’s treatment, he said, specifically targets the diseased tissue ”conquering the cancerous tumor while maintaining the healthy atmosphere of the body.”

He explained how it is done:

“A special piece of equipment is required for cryosurgery. Under the guidance of CT scan or ultrasound, an ultra-cold knife (fine needle with a diameter of about 1 to 2) is inserted into the tumor. Argon is input under high pressure so that temperature on the top of the knife drops to minus 160 degrees Celsius instantly. Then, helium is pumped in for the temperature to rise. This cycle is repeated twice or three times. In the end, tumor tissues are ablated and thereby killed. “

Fuda Hospital has expanded the use of cosurgery applies to liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, and different soft tissue sarcomas.

Cancer has ceased to be a death sentence with the advances in medical technology. Fuda Hospital has widened the options for treatment for cancer patients with its 3C+P.

Lozada said Fuda Hosptial’s 3C+P is not cheap. Plus since it has to be done in Guangzhou, one’s budget has to include air transportation and accommodation costs.

But it’s life that is at stake. It’s worth everything.