February 12, 2015 | Prepys' Homepage

6 Smartphone Features We Usually Overlook

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

Sure, we look for the best cameras, the thinnest builds, and the largest batteries when it comes to choosing our smartphones; but what about those little add-ons that pretty much matter in everyday usage? We list down 6 smartphone features we usually overlook.

1. Notification Light

SONY DSC

A notification light is one feature that never made it to Apple devices (except using its flash to alert you). The feature is mostly seen on phones running Android — it’s just a small LED light usually near the speaker phone at the front or nestled at the base of the screen. It notifies the user of calls, messages, emails, and even Facebook updates by lighting up in different colors.

This eliminates the need to unlock your phone or press anything just to check if you have new messages. One look at your phone even from a distance should already tell you if you have any updates.

2. Music Player Equalizer

Music Player

All the music-lovers out there would agree with us when we say it pays to have an equalizer integrated within the music player. This prevents being stuck with a standard sound and if you don’t exactly have one of the best headphones on then your music experience could be underwhelming — and tuneheads don’t want that!

Having your own equalizer lets you have extra room to compensate the shortcomings (if there are any) and tweak the sound to your liking. If you want bass, drop the lows!

3. End Call Using Power Button

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Having this small feature comes into play when you’re standing inside the MRT and your phone rings. You can get it, swipe to answer, talk, end the call and put it back in your pocket, and go back to holding on to the safety handrail. It wasn’t made for just that one specific scenario but you get our point.

Plus, since it’s a physical button you can feel it without needing to look for it so you can end your call and put the phone back in its place in one go (pressing the power button also locks your screen right after the call).

4. Built-in Battery Saver

Asus-ZenFone-6-power-saver

Battery life has been an old issue and we don’t want our smartphone dying on us in the middle of a traffic jam. This is where a battery saver or a power-saving manager would be useful. The built-in program optimizes the phone’s remaining energy and eliminates other processes which are not being used.

One example is the ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE171CG) that we recently reviewed. It yielded a result of 16 hours of video playback before its battery drains.

5. Cellular Data Manager

mobile-Data

Buried somewhat deep in the Settings menu, the cellular data manager can be found which basically tells you how much data you’ve consumed for the past days.

This is essential to those that register under a telcom’s Internet promo which comes with certain allocated data to be consumed. It lets you monitor your usage and from there know how much more you can surf until you find the next Wi-Fi spot.

6. Dedicated Shutter Button

If you find yourself always whipping out your smartphone to take a #selfie or capture something that amuses you, a dedicated shutter button for the camera will prove handy.

Not only do you have a physical button that makes you use it just like a camera, it also acts like a shortcut button for some phones to go straight to their Camera app in an instant. It’s click and go wherever you go.

Those are our simple but helpful features that we often overlook, although it could really make the user experience easier and more enjoyable. Do you have a feature that you think is a lot helpful in everyday tasks? Don’t hesitate to throw them at the comment section!

The post 6 Smartphone Features We Usually Overlook appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Mandaluyong City cites DMCI Homes as one of its top 10 taxpayers

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 PRNEWS Leave a comment

The Mandaluyong City government has awarded DMCI Homes as one of its top 10 taxpayers and thanked the residential resort builder for contributing to the increased investments in the so-called Tiger City.

Mayor Benhur Abalos presented the award to Jan Venturanza, head of the DMCI Homes Marketing and Customer Care, and April Bernal, project development manager, during the celebration of the Mandaluyong City’s 21st founding anniversary and 70th Liberation Day commemoration dubbed Liberation Ball at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club on Feb. 8, 2015.

Abalos thanked DMCI Homes and the other top 10 taxpayer awardees for enabling the city government to earn P154 billion in revenues from the business sector and P155 billion in total investment last year.

“The city council, our taxpayers and our Ulirang Mandalenyo have shaped what our city is right now,” said Abalos. “We thank each and every one of you, all the industry players and investors, for all of the achievements that we have had.”

Venturanza said DMCI Homes is just doing its job as a good corporate citizen.

“It is our duty and privilege to try to support the City of Mandaluyong,” he said after receiving the award on behalf of DMCI Homes.

“DMCI Homes will continue to support the city of Mandaluyong by paying the right tax,” Bernal said.

Among the DMCI Homes’ residential condominium developments in Mandaluyong City are Flair Towers, Tivoli Garden Residences and Dansalan Gardens. It is also constructing the Sheridan Towers and the company has other residential projects lined up for the city, according to Bernal.

Said Venturanza, “We believe that Mandaluyong still has a lot of underserved customers. We are doing our best to serve that need.”

Abalos also thanked property developers for complying with the city’s Green Building Ordinance, which requires new residential, office and school buildings to have features that reduce energy use and recycle water. The ordinance is the first of its kind from a local government unit in the country.

Venturanza said that DMCI Homes has no problems complying with the ordinance because even before the Mandaluyong City Council passed the regulation one year ago, the company’s projects already have their inherent green building features. He mentioned the Lumiventt reduced building footprints, landscaped roof deck slabs and medium-density planning for its residential developments.

The Lumiventt is a proprietary design technology of DMCI Homes that allows building interiors to be naturally ventilated and lighted. The Lumiventt design includes the so-called Sky Patios or three-floor high openings at the front and back of the building as well as central atriums and breezeways every five floors.

DMCI Homes was also one of the top 10 companies that paid at least P1 billion in taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in 2013. The feat won for the company the BIR’s Billionaires’ Club Award last year.

DMCI Homes and other top 10 BIR taxpayers paid P755.23 billion in taxes in 2013. The figure is 15.98 percent higher than that collected from the largest taxpayers in 2012 and represented more than 60 percent of the BIR’s total 2013 tax collection target of P1.217 trillion.

DMCI Homes surpassed other older real estate companies when it came to paying the largest amount of tax to the BIR as it became a member of the BIR’s Billionaires Club in only its 15th year in existence. The premiere developer of innovative resort-themed residential condominium communities also was the only real estate company among the Billionaires’ Club awardees.

Local source confirms Galaxy S6, S6 Edge details

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 Abe Olandres Leave a comment

A local source we talked to this week has revealed details of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge based on first-hand encounter with the device.

Our source personally saw and held the Galaxy S6 Edge from a Samsung Executive last week and described some details about the handset which will be formally announced in March 1 at the Unpacked event in Barcelona.

* There will be two main variants of the Galaxy S6 — the regular, flat one and another curved one which will be called Galaxy S6 Edge.

* The Galaxy S6 Edge will have a curved edge just like the Galaxy Note Edge. However, instead of just one side, both the left and right sides will have the curved display.

* Both devices will have a display size of 5.1 inches, the same size as the Galaxy S5.

* The handsets will also come in different colors — black, white and blue.

* The back panel of the device is made up of some very hard polycarbonate material that looks and feels like glass but is very tough. The Samsung executive even tried to scratch it with a fork during their dinner meeting. The material is also very glossy, giving it mirror-like properties.

As for the internals, the Galaxy S6 will sport the fastest chip from Samsung (an unnamed Exynos processor) but it’s also possible that a Qualcomm variant will be released (possibly the Snapdragon 810).

We’ve been invited to attend the Samsung Unpack Event in Barcelona next month so we’d be able to deliver first hand accounts of the launching.

The post Local source confirms Galaxy S6, S6 Edge details appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Sicogon stakeholders gather to celebrate gains

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 PRNEWS Leave a comment

Ryan Ybanez, ALI project development manager (far right), awarded a sari-sari store package sponsored by its partner Puregold, to members of the USWAG homeowner’s association, including (from left) Joe Hanz Miguel, Kagawad of Barangay Buay and livelihood committee of USWAG, Heber Magnate, Officer of USWAG, and Randy Bernal, President of USWAG

Barangay leaders, residents, and partners alike gathered in Sicogon Island recently to celebrate the Christmas season as well as the recent signing of a compromise agreement that paves the way for much needed community development in the area.

The event was organized by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO) and was attended by more than 1,000 households, including members of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (FESIFFA). The event signified the various groups’ readiness to move forward with plans for a world-class eco-tourism development that will create livelihood and business opportunities for the people of Sicogon. Included in the plan is the allocation of ample housing sites for residents, especially those affected by Typhoon Yolanda, as well as an agricultural area to be used for conventional farming.

Cora Dizon, ALI Vice President and head of Sicogon project, handed over holiday food packs at the gathering for the Sicogon community

“This is a very meaningful event for the people of Sicogon, as all stakeholders have gathered together for the first time to celebrate the season as well as symbolize their common desire to bring about sustainable and inclusive progress in the area,” said Cora Dizon, ALI Vice President and head of the Sicogon project.

A Catholic mass was held to kick-off the event which featured fellowship, games and gift-giving. Noche Buena food packs sponsored by ALI’s partner Puregold were distributed to the community and three Sari-Sari store packages were awarded to community cooperatives.

SIA’s New Premium Economy Class Now Open For Booking

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 PRNEWS Leave a comment

Singapore Airlines’ newest class of travel, Premium Economy Class, opens for sale today.

From 9 August 2015, customers travelling on select flights from Singapore to Sydney will be the first to experience the new cabin class, which will subsequently be made available to other destinations served by the Airline’s Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, in addition to the future fleet of Airbus A350s.

Conceptualisation for the new Premium Economy Class seats started in November 2013, with seat manufacturers ZIM Flugsitz GmbH (for the A380 and 777-300ER) and Zodiac Seats US (for the A350), and award-winning design firm JPA Design. The total investment for the new cabin class, which will initially be introduced on 19 A380s, 19 777-300ERs and the first 20 A350s, is estimated at USD80 million.

Premium Economy Class will be progressively introduced to other sectors, including Beijing, Delhi, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, London, Mumbai, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Zurich in the latter part of 2015 and early 2016. Customers may visit www.singaporeair.com for the most updated flight schedules and fare details for the new cabin class.

“We have been heartened by the highly positive public reaction to our new Premium Economy Class since our plans were announced last year,” said Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

“Many of our customers’ suggestions have been incorporated into the new product, and we are confident it will be well received by travellers who are looking for more features – in the seat design, in-flight offerings and exclusive privileges – all underpinned by the exceptional service that SIA is well known for, both on the ground and in the air.”

Premium Economy Class will welcome customers with a bespoke contemporary and stylish design, offering more space, comfort and convenience.

Each seat has a width ranging between 18.5 and 19.5 inches and offers an eight-inch recline for more ease and comfort. Complementing this is a sleek 13.3-inch full HD monitor, the largest in its class. Active noise-cancelling headphones will be provided to enhance the in-flight audio experience.

Thoughtful touches include full leather finishing and a calf-rest and foot-bar for every seat. Seats also feature individual in-seat power supply, two USB ports, personal in-seat reading light, cocktail table, as well as additional stowage space for personal items such as a water bottle, mobile phone and laptop. To enhance the individuality of the new class, seat amenities such as the headrest cover, cushion and blanket come in specially selected and matching colours.

Customers in Premium Economy Class can choose from a more extensive range of food and beverage offerings. Besides being able to select from a standard menu with three meal choices, customers may, from April 2015, also select from the Premium Economy Book the Cook service featuring popular dishes. Champagne will be offered, in addition to a selection of curated wines, throughout the flight.

To ensure a seamless experience that begins on the ground, priority check-in and baggage handling will be offered to customers travelling in Premium Economy Class. Customers will also enjoy a baggage allowance of 35kg. KrisFlyer members will receive 10% more miles when they fly in Premium Economy Class.