Planet BFW

I just broke my two week old case Good thing this case has a case+beltclip system which means I still have a case. I broke the clip off the case while trying out some Sofa’s at Mandaue Foam. It got caught on arm rest and the clip just snapped.

I had the case in Portait mode on my waste because if I rotate it in landscape, the iphone could easily be pushed out with just a slight accidental nudge from the butt. I guess the lanscape mode was really more for just laying it on the table and converting the whole clip system into a stand to watch your favorite movies or photos.

I loved this case/belt clip combo though. Damn.

I can still use the belt clip system as permanent table stand at the office though.

My Only hope is my Seidio Case, which I know has one of the most solid belt clips out there, tried and tested with my Seido+Innocase system for my HTC Touch Pro.

Here is a photo of the Seidio Case + Innocase Beltclip.

Seidio Website

What I am hoping for is that the tunewear case will fit on the seidio Belt clip as I prefer it over the clip so when I get to the office I can easily witch from the Seidio innocase and my cripple Tunewear deskstand.

Still: It is a sad day for me. First my Icooly Case/stand/Belt Clip, after I broke the clip the case was useless, now this, 2 WEEKS OLD!! The Only thing I bought it Singapore for me.

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/vNVn8tGjhn8/i-broke-my-iphone-tunewear-belt-clip.html

Via BFWGaming

It was last October 2009 when I received my Corsair Hydro Series H50 via a fellow Istoryan (dmelsie). Its an awesome CPU cooler for its price, giving you a high-end air cooler’s performance without the weight and much more room in your system. For those who are not familiar, its a low-cost liquid cooling system manufactured by Asetek and rebranded with modifications to improve performance by Corsair. Its not really the watercooling we’ve come to known per se (with respect to watercooling purists) but it follows the principle where liquid (ethylene glycol + water) is used as a medium for transferring heat via aluminum radiator. If I recall correctly, this was introduced last June and released to the public on July. Knowing that we’re a little bit behind locally when products based in US are released, it wasn’t until October that the product arrived as ordered by dmelsie via PC Express. Since then, the cooler has received numerous awards for its performance and price. If you wish to know more about how this product would fare, there’s an awesome review provided by bit-tech.net.

As a My Tech Island reviewer, this cooler would provide relief in the constant removal and re-installation due to the products that come in for review and by December, the Asus Maximus Formula III was handed to me for testing via Fine Upgrades. Unfortunately, the first revision of the cooler only had motherboard brackets for sockets LGA775, LGA 1366 and AM3 so the Asus MFIII uses the new socket LGA1156 for the P55 chipset wouldn’t be compatible. I tried checking out Corsair’s website and they had an advisory that LGA1156 brackets which will be provided for early-adopters for free but end users would have to pay the shipping for $5. This was really a bad news for me since everyone knows here that items being shipped from the U.S. would really cost a fortune here in the Philippines.

It took me a while to have the courage (December 2009) to contact Corsair via their website to request for the bracket and asked how much it would cost for the item to be shipped here in our country and this is the response I received from Kelvin of Corsair;

It was unexpected and truth be told, if the bracket would cost me somewhere around 2,000 pesos in shipping fees, I would’ve forgotten about it since I can get used coolers for that price available locally but Kelvin’s response was overwhelming and it didn’t took long for Corsair to respond (1 day because of time difference). We’ve have email exchanges regarding the shipment information but sadly, the bracket didn’t made it in time for the Asus Maximus Formula III review because UPS was having problems locating the address I specified. Ironically, the bracket arrived the day I returned the motherboard to Asus. Still, I was very happy when it came in and this is what I received:

On behalf of My Tech Island, thank you Corsair for an excellent customer service! Rest assured this will be used on upcoming reviews.

P.S.

Send us your products for reviews(?)

Via mytechisland

It was last October 2009 when I received my Corsair Hydro Series H50 via a fellow Istoryan (dmelsie). Its an awesome CPU cooler for its price, giving you a high-end air cooler’s performance without the weight and much more room in your system. For those who are not familiar, its a low-cost liquid cooling system manufactured by Asetek and rebranded with modifications to improve performance by Corsair. Its not really the watercooling we’ve come to known per se (with respect to watercooling purists) but it follows the principle where liquid (ethylene glycol + water) is used as a medium for transferring heat via aluminum radiator. If I recall correctly, this was introduced last June and released to the public on July. Knowing that we’re a little bit behind locally when products based in US are released, it wasn’t until October that the product arrived as ordered by dmelsie via PC Express. Since then, the cooler has received numerous awards for its performance and price. If you wish to know more about how this product would fare, there’s an awesome review provided by bit-tech.net.

As a My Tech Island reviewer, this cooler would provide relief in the constant removal and re-installation due to the products that come in for review and by December, the Asus Maximus Formula III was handed to me for testing via Fine Upgrades. Unfortunately, the first revision of the cooler only had motherboard brackets for sockets LGA775, LGA 1366 and AM3 so the Asus MFIII uses the new socket LGA1156 for the P55 chipset wouldn’t be compatible. I tried checking out Corsair’s website and they had an advisory that LGA1156 brackets which will be provided for early-adopters for free but end users would have to pay the shipping for $5. This was really a bad news for me since everyone knows here that items being shipped from the U.S. would really cost a fortune here in the Philippines.

It took me a while to have the courage (December 2009) to contact Corsair via their website to request for the bracket and asked how much it would cost for the item to be shipped here in our country and this is the response I received from Kelvin of Corsair;

It was unexpected and truth be told, if the bracket would cost me somewhere around 2,000 pesos in shipping fees, I would’ve forgotten about it since I can get used coolers for that price available locally but Kelvin’s response was overwhelming and it didn’t took long for Corsair to respond (1 day because of time difference). We’ve have email exchanges regarding the shipment information but sadly, the bracket didn’t made it in time for the Asus Maximus Formula III review because UPS was having problems locating the address I specified. Ironically, the bracket arrived the day I returned the motherboard to Asus. Still, I was very happy when it came in and this is what I received:

On behalf of My Tech Island, thank you Corsair for an excellent customer service! Rest assured this will be used on upcoming reviews.

P.S.

Send us your products for reviews(?)

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/8laylg7Xb4I/corsairs-excellent-customer-service.html

Via BFWGaming

Let me start with my own local script:

TITLE: Cebuano Buying an “IPOD” or an “IPAD” (we weren’t really sure)

CEBUANO BUYER: “Sir can I ples buy an I-fad”,

APPLE SALESMAN: “Ipod or Ipad”

CEBUANO BUYER” “IFAD- SIR, how many kinds do you hab arawn her?

APPLE SALESMAN:”Well we have the Ipod classics and the latest one, the
IPAD”

CEBUANO BUYER:” What?!? You hab di IFAD CLASSICS and the IFAD?? Boang maning mga ta…whana, palit nalang kog EM-FI-TRI Flayer sa lain uy KA LITSI BAH!!”

Hitlers Take:

Steve Jobs Take:

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/u8mwEPVILOw/ipad-mockery-and-sow-it-begins.html

Via BFWGaming

Before I comment, first take a look at the latest Apple Sexy Thing yourself:

WEBSITE:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Technical Specs

Display

* 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
* 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
* Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
* Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Wireless and Cellular
Wi-Fi model

* Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
* Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

Wi-Fi + 3G model

* UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
* GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)
* Data only2
* Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
* Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

Location

* Wi-Fi
* Digital compass
* Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
* Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

In the Box

* iPad
* Dock connector to USB cable
* 10W Power Adapter
* Documentation

Environmental Status Report

iPad embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It is designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:

* Arsenic-free display glass
* BFR-free
* Mercury-free LCD display
* PVC-free
* Recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure

Capacity3

* 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

Processor

* 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip

Sensors

* Accelerometer
* Ambient light sensor

Audio Playback

* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
* User-configurable maximum volume limit

TV and Video

* Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Composite A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite A/V Cable
* H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Mail attachment support

* Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

Languages

* Language support for English, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian
* Keyboard support for English (US) English (UK), French (France, Canada), German, Japanese (QWERTY), Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting and Pinyin), Russian
* Dictionary support for English (US), English (UK), French, French (Canadian), French (Swiss), German, Japanese, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting, Pinyin), Russian

Accessibility

* Support for playback of closed-captioned content
* VoiceOver screen reader
* Full-screen zoom magnification
* White on black
* Mono audio

Battery and Power4

* Built-in 25Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
* Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
* Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Input and Output

* Dock connector
* 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
* Built-in speakers
* Microphone
* SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)

External buttons and controls

* On/Off, Sleep/wake
* Mute
* Volume up/down
* Home

Mac system requirements

* Mac computer with USB 2.0 port
* Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
* iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
* iTunes Store account
* Internet access

Windows system requirements

* PC with USB 2.0 port
* Windows 7, Windows Vista; Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
* iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
* iTunes Store account
* Internet access

Environmental requirements

* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
* Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

——————

Now for my Honest Opinion.

Well, you know why the NETBOOK Market flew? Because the netbook is a trimmed down version of Laptop the will allow you to do EVERYTHING ON IT on it. Now on the IPAD, it seems you can’t. It’s just a “GO BIGGY” size version of the itouch/Iphone minus the Camera. It can do everything my iphone can do on a bigger screen. The good thing about it though is you get to buy accessories for it that will make it more useful. A USB port to allow you to connect your digital camera directly to it to transfer photos. An SD adapter to allow you to transfer Photos (hopefully data as well) to you I-PAD. A keyboard and mouse because I don’t really know how you can use the touch screen keyboard on that huge thing unless I was as big as Shaquil O Neil.

Looking at everyone’s usual daily gadget arsenal, where will this device fit in? If you have your iphone or itouch with you + you regular Laptop or Netbook, where will this baby fit in? It will be extra baggage. You mite bring it around for awhile for bragging rights but eventually, it will get stuck at home or at the office.

1 GHZ?? Cmon, netboooks are already going Dual Core Atoms @ 1.6GHZ. The new HTC HD2 and Googles Nexus One, which are mobile phones which already have the 1GHZ snapdragon processor.

No Multi tasking? No Camera, No Optical Drive Slot, … Hmmmmm.

NO MICROPHONE
- Wow, adding voice call or doing internet calls would have been a very welcome addition too and mite even increase sales for this device. What were they thinking?

Well, it’s not all that bad, it might still work for specific tasked jobs. Before it was release, I heard Apple was meeting with medical execs to have the IPAD as a tool for hospitals, replacing patient charts. It think this device would be perfect for that. High battery life, thin and light. Clear Pictures and Videos for the doctors to review, with the right customized medical software, This will be perfect for the JOB.

Imagine DHL having you sign your delivery document with this.

For the HOME, I think this would also work best as an EBOOK reader that can do more than just read EBOOKs. But in the end, that is where it will stay at, at Home.

I already have my iphone and an Itouch for portability and it can do everything the I-PAD can do. I just hope it will allow me to sync between my Iphone and my Ipad without the need of a PC.

Putting 128Gig of hard space would have increase the purchase value of this device, right now you can already buy an itouch with 64gig.

Who will buy it?
- Well I think Mac Junkies will definitely line up for this as they do with every MAC release. People who don’t have a netbook will surely try this out. But For those people who already have a desktop at home, a laptop for work, and an Iphone, I doubt they will be there for the first Generation IPAD.

—————-
No Optical drive
No USB Port
No Microphone
No Camera
No Flash
No Multi Tasking
No Free Keyboard Dock
No Data Expansion Slot

I think this device deserves a Singapore-Type “NO” T-shirt Design

Still, it is super sexy.
——————

Well overall, it is a sexy device. Right now I just do not know YET how it will fit in my life. I may not buy one but I wouldn’t mind having one if someone gave it to me *HINT*

That’s about it for now!

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/Y_o5dwiECJQ/apple-ipad-initial-reaction.html

Via BFWGaming

A friend of mine (Thanks Don Don of istorya.net) pointed me to this very cool application for the iphone, unfortunately, only Jailbroken aps can use this, you can download it for free on Cydia. Instead of the usual slide to unlock or the numeric password protection, you simply need to connect the DOTS! Only downside I see is you experiment with it too much and you mite forget which dots you are suppose to connect. On the Real Android Mobile System, they send it to you via Email. I don’t think it does that for you here on the Iphone.

TIP: Stick to a simple pattern that you can easily remember.

Enjoy!

http://modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news/698571-androidlock-lock-unlock-your-iphone-android-style.html

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/VYpGJ5m8sV4/android-like-iphone-lock-screen.html

Via BFWGaming

Tech Island S04 Teaser 2: Captivatingly Tech from Tech Island Cebu on Vimeo.

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/qSgT8rmD96E/techisland-season-4-teaser-two.html

Via BFWGaming

Techisland Tech Forecast: Watch out for the Coming of USB 3.0>> The maximum transfer speed of USB 2.0 is 480Mbps, and USB 3.0 is able to reach 5Gbps.

YES 5GBS PER SECOND.

Many suppliers has presented SuperSpeed USB peripheral devices, such as portable hard disk, motherboard, flash drives and just about anything USB.

We should be seeing more of this on mid this year towards the end of 2010. By 2011 it will be the standard USB slot for almost all Motherboards and Laptops.

Sunbeam, one of the leading peripherals Manufacturer has already released USB 3.0 devices and is one of the first companies to do so.

For those with USB 2.0 Motherboards or PC’s, don’t fret, USB 3.0 PCI cards will be available for you to add on to your existing system enabling you to now have USB 3.0 and use 3.0 Devices.

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/ffZZ8oWJ488/techisland-tech-forecast-usb-30-sunbeam.html

Via BFWGaming

Tech Island S04 Teaser 1: A New Face from Tech Island Cebu on Vimeo.

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/Ob8CnK93fHE/techisland-season-4-teaser-one.html

Via BFWGaming

The new processors use a default base clock (BCLK) of 133 MHz this means that if we divide the memory frequency by the BCLK, we get the memory multiplier, for example; 1600 / 133 = 12. Core i7 processors under the LGA1156 socket can use 12 as the highest memory multiplier giving it a memory speed of 1600 MHz. So for 1333, the memory multiplier is 10, 1066 uses 8 and finally 800 uses 6. From the table you’ll also see the limitation of memory speeds supported by the different lineup of processors where 1600 is only available to LGA1156 Core i7. To attain a higher memory speed under the Core i5 processors, one would have to increase the base clock which makes perfect sense. Now that I have explained how the memory speeds are obtained, let’s move on to the memory kit that we will be looking into.

About Patriot Memory

Established in 1985, Patriot Memory builds a full range of memory module and flash memory products, offering a perfect blend of quality and value. Patriot products include Extreme Performance (EP), Signature Lines (SL) and Flash Memory solutions (FM).

We understand the value of designing and responding quickly and intelligently to the rapid changes inherent in the memory module industry. This commitment to R&D enables us to deliver the best quality memory modules powered by the latest innovative technology.

Patriot’s development and manufacturing facility are located in Fremont, California USA. Our manufacturing segment is composed of a highly skilled production staff and multiple production lines optimized for modules, giving Patriot the ability and resources necessary to provide a full line of memory module solutions.

To meet the growing global demand for its products, Patriot manufactures its Extreme Performance (EP), Dual Channel (DC) and Signature Line (SL) products in its own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with highly skilled staff in Fremont, California USA.

Patriot is a member of JEDEC. You can feel confident that your Patriot modules are of the highest quality available.

Patriot Memory ensures that every module meets or exceeds industry standards. The manufacturing process begins with high-quality components and ends with rigorous functional testing to ensure each module’s reliability and compatibility.

Patriot Memory modules are approved by leading motherboard and system manufacturers such Intel, Tyan, Supermicro and Iwill. Patriot Memory is a member of Apple Developer Connection. Awards from such leading product review sites as XBit Labs, Anandtech, Tom’s Hardware and Hot Hardware.com demonstrate Patriot EP and DC+XBLK memory modules set the standard for performance and reliability.

Patriot Viper II Sector 5 – Memory Exclusively for LGA1156 Intel Core i5, i7 Processors

The Patriot Viper II Series, part of the Extreme Performance (EP) line is the ultimate performance memory solution for extreme enthusiasts and PC gamers. Engineered for the highest speeds, lowest latency memory kits, the Viper II Series are built using only the highest quality pre-sorted IC’s on the market ensuring both maximum quality and performance. Designed with an extruded aircraft-grade aluminum heat spreader, Viper II Series quickly dissipates heat from the modules that increases both stability and reliability during extreme overclocking conditions. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and is backed by a full lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.

Features

• Extreme Performance PC3-14400 (1800MHz)
• EPP Ready
• Equipped with advance aluminum heat-dispersing shields
• 100% Tested and Verified
• Lifetime Warranty
• RoHS Compliant

This is how the memory was packaged when it was handed to me by Jeremy of Fine Upgrades. I requested for at least a 4GB memory for the Asus Maximus Formula III review (will be posted soon) and upon reading the specs, it immediately crossed my mind that this product deserves a review of its own.

The kit includes a free 3DMark Vantage serial key as indicated on the box and is fully secured with its blister pack from the inside which protects the modules from moving around inside during shipping. Once again, there is no 3DMark Vantage CD inside, you’d have to download a trial version and use the CD key in here to activate the installation. There is no mention however, that these are Intel XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) capable memory modules. Aesthetics-wise, Sector 5 doesn’t disappoint. Black aluminum heatsinks coupled with black PCB is a killer combination. The height unfortunately, may post incompatibilities with low-clearance heatsinks depending on the orientation, it should fit just fine but then again, so are the rest of the performance modules available out there.

For those who are unfamiliar, Intel XP allows one to use higher than standard JEDEC frequencies at low timings without the need to manually tune the memory modules. The settings are embedded into the memory EEPROM and all one needs to do (given a motherboard that supports XMP), selects the profile through the BIOS. In this case, the memory is rated at DDR3-1800 CAS8 at 1.65 volts. Like I said earlier, Intel Core i5 processors has memory multiplier limit at 10 which if the default 133 BCLK is used, puts it at DDR3-1333 MHz. Enabling the XMP profile however, increases the BCLK to 180 and still uses giving it DDR3-1800 speed boost. Voltages for the memory and the integrated memory controller are also automatically adjusted to support low latency at 8-8-8-24 1T.

For some reason, Patriot didn’t include a profile for a standard JEDEC setting of DDR3-1333 MHz. I was curious if these modules can support 1333 MHz at a lower latency so I dropped down the frequencies to their default settings, hard set the voltage at 1.65 volts for the IMC and set the memory controller at 1.35 volts then started lowering down the latency and this is what I got:

Make no mistake; you are looking at DDR3-1333 with an ultra low CAS latency of 5. To put it into perspective, JEDEC standard latency for DDR3-1333 are the following; 7-7-7, 8-8-8, 9-9-9 and 10-10-10. What I have here is way below the standard at 5-5-5-15 and STILL at the maximum memory voltage limit at 1.65 volts which may have been lowered down if I had more time to play with them. This frequency has been tested with 5 runs of memtest86 with no errors! Let’s check out what these babies can do.

It’s obvious from this test the advantage of running the memory using its XMP profile. CAS5 may be a lot lower but if we consider the amount of data CAS8 at 1800 MHz can move, it has the clear advantage on all aspects especially with the memory copy.

These benchmarks all say the same thing; there is no reason for the average user to run this memory at stock speeds or even at DDR3-1333. Simply put, they are enthusiast’s memory and they should be configured at DDR3-1800 either by using the XMP profile for non-overclockers or a manual settings which theoretically, can give 300 MHz on BCLK with a 6 memory multiplier for 1800 at its specific voltage. Now that is very high headroom for your CPU, isn’t it?

The one thing that makes these memory kits stand out is after-market support; Fine Upgrades is the new distributor which means that if by any chance you’ll be having problems with a Patriot Memory kit that you purchased, support service is readily available given Fine Upgrade’s track record. This friends, will be the memory to test how the Asus Maximus Formula III fares.

Go to Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mytechisland/~3/-Rf6Bnx8fug/patriot-viper-ii-sector-5-new-memory-in.html

Via BFWGaming