StarMobile Astra dual-SIM Android ICS TV hands-on

Met with the folks from StarMobile the other day when they gave me two of their newest Android smartphones. The StarMobile Astra was the one that got most of my attention because it’s an Android TV phone.

The phone has been around since October and has gotten a lot of attention for a couple of reasons.

The StarMobile Astra is a combination of an Android smartphone with pretty decent hardware configuration running ICS. It has a 4.3-inch IPS display, a dual-SIM functionality with both SIM slots able to connect to 3G networks separately and comes with a built-in analog TV tuner.

All that for a pretty interesting retail price of Php6,990.

Out of the box, the Astra reminds us of the old Desire series under HTC line-up from years back. It’s got a dark brown tone with a matte finish (they tell me a white version is coming out), a little curvy around the edges and has that solid look and feel with a bit of heft.

The 4.3-inch IPS LCD they used on the Astra looks very good. The colors are bright and crisp which compensates for the slightly low resolution (~240ppi).

The stock ICS they placed here doesn’t have any custom UI although I noticed that the icons are similar to the ones in my Asus Padfone.

If you look at the complete specs of the handset below, you’ll definitely agree that the price point put on this device is a strong challenger even if you don’t consider the TV tuner feature.

StarMobile Astra specs:
4.3-inch IPS display @ 800×480 pixels, 240ppi
MediaTek MT6577 1.0GHz dual-core Cortex-A9
PowerVR SGX 531
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
up to 32GB via microSD (8GB included)
3G/HSPA, dual-SIM, dual standby
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.0
GPS w/ aGPS support
8MP rear camera w/ dual-LED flash
VGA front-facing camera
TV Tuner (analog)
Li-Ion 1500mAh battery
Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

We also ran a couple of benchmarks on the device and got the following results — 5,722 (Antutu Benchmark) and 2,680 (Quadrant Standard). They aren’t really that impressive but the numbers are decent and could really pass as a typical result of a mid-range handset.

The TV Tuner is analog so don’t expect good quality reception from over-the-air channels. The TV antenna extends from a hidden slot at the bottom left side of the handset. What you can appreciate from this set up is that you have a large display for viewing your favorite local TV shows (I think the Astra has one of the biggest TV screens, if not the biggest, on any smartphone).

For a suggested retail price of Php6,990, it is worth considering. It has actually been my 4th handset I bring around but use it to watch TV on the road.





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Make your Holidays (Pac)safe & secure! Pacsafe’s launches first limited edition collection designed to give you a stress-free lifestyle

The spirit of the Yuletide season is already in the air, and people are already gearing themselves for Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, it is also a time when pickpockets and bag thieves litter the streets and crowded places, expertly checking on unsuspecting or gullible passersby. The situation ends up with the victim helpless and despondent, his/her bag slashed and its valuable contents already given up for good.

Pacsafe, the leaders in smart anti-theft travel gear, recently launched their first limited edition Urban Holiday Collection, a line of fashion-forward bags that not only look elegant and sophisticated but also packed with safety and security features that will guarantee a stress-free and thief-proof holidays.

Each of these holiday premium collections feature a personality that speaks of Pacsafe’s anti-theft heritage while at the same time tells its own story through carefully chosen fabrics, hardware, detailing and construction. For example, masculine sophistication dominates the Metrosafe Tweed Collection, while understated elegance is woven into the Citysafe Herringbone Collection, exuding classic but strong feminine lines. Street chic gets energized with a dose of attitude and edge in the savvy Slingsafe Denim Collection.

The Metrosafe GII Tweed Collection blends old world style with a touch of contemporary gold premium hardware and innovative security features. These bags are designed for the stylish urbanite gentleman who gets about town with class, flair and charisma. Unafraid to stand out, he is open to embracing new cultures and creating new experiences. He is comfortable in his own skin and knows who he is. He travels the city’s streets on his own terms, therefore radiating confidence.

The Citysafe GII Herringbone Collection adds elegance and style to any outfit, designed for the sophisticated woman who always looks effortlessly graceful and composed. She holds her head high and walks with finesse and determination. She is in charge of her own world and never settles for less than perfect. The Citysafe GII Herringbone blends classic, luxe fabrics with antique detailing and practical, innovative security features, giving the Citysafe woman everything she needs to succeed.

The Slingsafe Denim Collection draws inspiration from the new generation, high-end lifestyle brands and gives it an edgy, individualistic street twist with attitude. Street-smart denim and nonchalant style meets clean lines to create an urban essential look for today’s contemporary underground subculture.

More than the style and the sophistication of Pacsafe’s Limited Edition Holiday Collection, all of these bags carry the trademark Pacsafe anti-theft features. These include:

  • Lightweight eXomesh patented slash guards that are built and concealed into these vulnerable areas to protect your gear from slash-and-run theft. Bag slashers often like to target the exposed side and bottom panels of bags, which cause valuables to fall out and eventually end up into their hands;
  • Slashproof Carrysafe straps are adjustable straps reinforced with a lightweight, flexible, high-tensile stainless steel wire which prevents opportunistic bag slashers from slicing through your bag strap and running off with your gear;
  • Smart ‘Turn & Lock’ Hooks are small smart devices that pack a whole lot of intelligence. The hook unfastens so that you can attach your bag to a secure fixture, be it the leg of a table or around a palm tree at the beach. What’s more, the smart hook has a special turning mechanism, which usually locks the hook into place, making it harder for a bag snatcher to make an easy getaway;
  • Smart Zipper Security concealed zipper clips make it difficult for crafty, opportunistic pickpockets to slide open your bag and steal your valuables. Hidden from view, thieves won’t know where to begin or how to get in. They also smartly attach to clips so if they get pulled, the bag won’t just slide open; and
  • the RFIDsafe is an innovative RFID-blocking material feature applied to pockets in Pacsafe bags to prevent identity thieves from stealing and downloading sensitive personal information from passports, bank and credit cards, based on the award-winning success of the RFIDsafe 50.

This Christmas, give yourself or your loved ones the best gift that will keep worries off about thieves or pickpockets. With Pacsafe’s limited edition Urban Holiday Collection, you guarantee yourself a (Pac)safe and stress-free Christmas experience!

Pacsafe travel gear and accessories are available in most major department stores like Rustan’s, SM and Robinsons and at all Travel Club and BratPack Stores nationwide. Like us on Facebook (Pacsafe Philippines) or contact United Limsun International Trading Corporation at tel. no. 921-9493.

Smart, Globe still fail NTC test for “dropped calls”

Two of the country’s top telcos, Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc., both failed NTC’s test for “dropped call” rate in the third quarter.

NTC’s standards for dropped call rates is at 2%. Unfortunately, both telcos failed to meet that standard. “Smart got a 2.15%, while Globe fared worse with 2.75%,” says NTC Director Edgardo Cabarios. This means that there are more than two calls dropped or involuntary terminated for every 100 calls.

Smart and Globe have been informed of the results and are asked to submit a written explanation why they failed to meet the 2% dropped call rate. “If NTC finds that the reasons are not meritorious, telcos may be directed to cease from accepting new subscribers,” Cabarios said.

NTC also performed tests for blocked calls, signal level, signal quality, and call set-up time. Both Smart and Globe passed the tests with Smart leading the Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks for the said quarter.

{sources: 1 & 2}





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

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GoPro app for Android now out

Just two weeks after the release of GoPro app for iOS devices, the company has just recently ported the app to the Google Play Store for Android 4+ users.


GoPro

One of the limitations of the GoPro cameras is its lack of display, that’s why the California based manufacturer made a companion app to address just that. Not only does this app lets users see what the snapper sees, it also allows them to control some of the camera’s basic features (Power On/Off and Start/Stop recording) and give info about the camera’s battery and storage status.

Here’s a short video tutorial on how to sync your GoPro camera with your handset and the things you need to have in order to do so.

Unfortunately, the GoPro app only supports the HD Hero2 for now, but we assume that the recently launched GoPro Hero3 will be included in the subsequent version of the app. The company also mentioned that they’re planning to include features like video and photo streaming from camera to device/web, SNS sharing and multi-camera control.

{source}





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

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Google outs Android 4.2 update for Galaxy Nexus

Samsung Galaxy Nexus (i9250, GSM variant) users have a reason to be happy as their device is one of the first to get the latest iteration of the Android OS. With this update, the smartphone joins the ranks of the recently released LG Nexus 4 and Samsung Nexus 10.


Android4.2

The new version brings a handful of improvements to the native phone apps like the Notification bar, Google Now and Keyboard (Gesture Typing). In addition to these enhancements, Android 4.2 also offers some new features like PhotoSphere, Daydream and Multi-user mode.

HomeScreen

We’re not sure of the exact date when this update will reach our local handsets, but we have a feeling that it won’t take that long before it does. If you’re feeling a bit impatient, you can also do the update manually by following the instruction provided by Androidpolice.com here.

For a more in-depth look at the new Jelly bean OS, you can also check out previous post here. Oh and don’t forget to comment if you were able to receive the update already and perhaps share your experience with the Android 4.2.

{source}





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

Follow @suncelltweets for more info.

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