Curbside Stories

The Sony Smartwatch Gen 1 that I initially bought but I saw at lazada.com.ph that they have a bundle offer--a  Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V and Sony Smartwatch Gen 1 for a lesser cost than when you buy them individually. It is now here! Finally! After five sleepless nights, my Sony Smartwatch Gen 1 and Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V has arrived! It was delivered within 5 days at the office. I was actually out when my staff informed me that I have a package waiting for me.  A wrist band as a replacement for the velcro strap that comes in the package. This is my Aunt's, mine is white.  She asked me to buy her a Smartwatch Gen 1 and wrist band, too. I actually convinced her to buy a Smartwatch because I really really would like to buy the cellphone-smartwatch bundle.  It's the cutest that ever embraced my wrist since my favorite watch. I like that  aside from telling time, it also tells me if I have a text message, Twitter and Facbook notifications and ...

A totally random purchase from an online shopping website. I just thought this would be a great accessory for my android phone since I don't like to always look at my phone to check for notifications and messages. The Sony Smartwatch was introduced last year. There is already a 2nd generation in the market and it sells for a little over $200.

  I am dying to have this Photojojo Phone Lens Series! This set contains three types of lenses--telephoto, fisheye, wide and macro--that fits in most phones. I have an iPhone 4S and these lenses would be great to capture life's precious moments! The set costs $49 + shipping. I suggest you buy the set for you to save because I bet you'll go gaga taking pictures using any of the lenses that you'll end up buying the rest. Dear Photojojo, I do hope you'll send me a sample of any of your lenses (but I prefer the wide and macro lens). I swear I will be your number 1 Photojojo advocate in the Philippines! Photojojo Phone Lens Series at the Photojojo Store!  

How would you like to be remembered? Just got home from the cemetery. It is All Saint's Day here and we (all of my relatives) went to the mausoleum of our departed loved ones. Today is a special day because it is the only time of the year that we get to be with all our loved ones, both living and dead, in one place. This is also true with other families as well. I snapped photos of beautiful flowers in the mausoleum and the sunset with some inspirational quotes.

The receiving area at the lobby. It is very homey and not intimidating compared to other hotel lobbies. I went to Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay City to check out their conference room. We will have a seminar next week and ocular inspection is vital in preparing the team building activities. Here are some of the shots I took using iPhone 4S and Instagram filters.

Taken at Tagaytay Highlands. I admit. I am really  into Instagram photography. I just find the application really convenient, useful and fun for a wannabe professional photographer and blogger like me. And you can guess again that my favorite filter is X-Pro II.  I am already having second thoughts about buying a DSLR. Taken at the back of Starbucks,Tagaytay City overlooking the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. Taken at View Point, Tagaytay City overllooking Batangas. Taken at View Point, Tagaytay City overlooking the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.

Lo-fi filter Just trying out how versatile a camera an iPhone 4S can be. I took photos of these flowers around my grandmother's garden and I am impressed about the result. I used some Instagram magic here just to add a little drama to the photos taken by a wannabe professional photographer. By the way, follow my Instagram here . I can say that iPhone 4S + preset lens filters is the closest thing to owning a DSLR. Remember my post about the 10 things I will accomplish before the year ends? It includes owning a DSLR. Since iPhone 4S already impressed me, I would really really like to have a macro lens or SLR mount for a more professional looking photos. I am dying to have them! Amaro filter Lo-fi filter X Pro II filter. Amaro filter Amaro filter X Pro II filter

Blackberry's new concept phone--Empathy. It was designed by Kiki and Daniel of Art Center College of Design as sponsored by RIM Blackberry. Although Blackberry Empathy is not yet available in the market, it will surely make previous Blackberry phones and other phones as well, melt. This phone that looks like a black sapphire has these drool worthy features: 1. The ability to detect the emotion of its user and its contacts as well (super powers?), hence, the name Empathy. It is equipped with a mood ring. 2. It becomes clear when idle . 3. The buttons change color according to the user's emotion. 4. Has proximity sensor to detect people's emotions. 5. Has transparent OLED screen.

Meet my new cellphone, Samsung Galaxy Y that Smart Telecom gave to me as a reward for being loyal to them. I have been their post-paid subscriber since 2008. My Samsung Monte can take a rest now. And for being a Smart Bro subscriber for two years, I got this Nokia C1-01 as a reward. It really pays to be loyal! Woot! Woot! I hope next time they will give me an iPhone! Haha!

Photo from mobilephoneconnect.com It is none other than President Benigno Aquino III! The most coveted phone was delivered by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of Globe's parent firm, Ayala Corp., in person in Malacanang two days before Apple iPhone 4s was officially launched in the Philippines. Globe president, Ernest Cu, clarified that it was not for anything else but to acknowledge President Noynoy's loyalty to Globe Telecom since he has been their subscriber for years now. For techie lovers out there, you can also own an Apple iPhone 4S by clicking here and here .

Meet my new baby, Canon PowerShot A3200 IS as my gift to myself this Christmas. It has 14.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and has video recording capability. And yes, I bought it in pink. I'll try to post more photos in this blog. Click. Click. Click.

Ho! Ho! Ho!  It's 29 days before Christmas and you better load up and stock up on gifts for your loved ones.  Found these items at Anthropologie that are so cute... you would think twice about giving them as gifts after buying them.

 GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking is not a new technology as it was first used in the 1960s by the US Navy.  It is a space-based navigation system that provides accurate location and time information about virtually anything using a GPS tracking device.  It was used initially by the military during combat and has been used since in other industries like cargo and freight, vehicles, cellular phones and many others.  In 1989, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making GPS available for civilian use. What are the benefits of GPS? 1. Surveying - for making maps 2. Map-making - cartographic maps 3. Navigation - to determine the exact location and distance 4. Cellular telephony - clock synchronization 5. Tectonics - fault motion measurement in earthquakes 6. GPS Tours - to give details about a specific location 7. Geofencing - cargo and freight tracking, animal tracking, vehicle and person tracking 8. Recreation - drawing, geocaching 9. GPS Aircraft Trac...

I am such an avid fan of the Oprah Show.  I wish that I could watch her live but it is just me dreaming.  I was saddened by the news that the show will come to an end soon.  Of all her episodes, it is Oprah's Favorite Things that I really love watching.  I get a happy headache after watching the episode.  I could just imagine taking all those wonderful items for free.  I believe the most expensive thing she has ever given on the episode was an LG refrigerator with built-in television.  How cool is that? The network decided to postpone their 2009 Favorite Things episode because of the recession.  I think it's a wise thing to do.  Now, a year after that, she gave away really really cool items for her live audience.  Here are some of those amazing items. A Philip Stein diamond watch worth $2,475. Tory Burch tote worth $250 and Tory Burch 'Reva Ballerina' flat worth $195. Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera worth $700. Cashmere sweater an...

I am a sound sleeper.  I sleep early and wake up late on a weekend and wake up 1 hour before my work time on weekdays.  I went to the mall a few days ago and since then I've been insomniac.  I know what caused it--this Samsung S5620 also known as Monte.  It has a touch screen mobile phone with 3.6 Mbps HSDPA, 3 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi (woohoo!), 2.1 Bluetooth, secondary video call camera and office document reader.  If I can't have Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 , this buddy would be my next best option.  What I love about its many features is the Wi-Fi... meaning you can abuse coffee shop or restaurant internet connections using this cellphone.  Oh, the office document viewer is not bad also... I need it to keep track of my freelance works.  This buddy sells between 9,000 to 10,000 in the Philippines--way cheaper compared to the Xperia X10.  I went back to the mall yesterday to cure my insomnia but they do not have a stock.  I still have to...

I believe the greenest, cost efficient and most accessible way to generate electricity is through solar energy.  I could not comprehend why only a few are using the power of the sun... it is free to begin with and solar kits can be easily installed in homes, cars, boats and just about anything that requires electricity.  I just again thought of it when we had no electricity for two days.  I wish we had solar panels as back up in cases of brownout that will probably happen frequently now that the rainy season is here.  I hope the government and households will consider this.

My Mom bought me a Magic Jack about two weeks ago but I could not use it because I do not have a spare telephone unit.  I bought a unit a few days ago before the typhoon and thought I can use it now that I have a the unit, but no... I do not have an internet connection to install the software.   I have heard of this product a few months ago from a friend because she uses this to call her parents in the US.  Magic Jack allows you to call for free to any US telephone number just by using your computer.  To read more about this product, click on this link .

I saw my cousin holding something on her ear and I got curious.  Well, she's holding a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 in all its glory while listening to Justin Beiber's song.  I grabbed it from her and immediately checked out  its features .  I thought it was hers and she had it as a gift from her dad who works as an engineer in Saudi Arabia... it is not.  It is my aunt's new purchase after years of holding on to a  Nokia cellphone that our grandmother gave her.  I looked into the price and it is a whopping thirty two thousand pesos (Php32,000).  I know she can afford it because of her equally whopping salary (denied disclosure).  This guy has a 8 megapixel camera, 4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, Wi-Fi, and 1 GHz processor that allows you to surf, tweet, update your Facebook status, chat, email and whathaveyou!  I love this!

My early greetings to all fathers in the world... Happy Father's Day! I know most of you are planning a special celebration for your dads--be it going out with the family for lunch or dinner on Sunday, have a solo date, or simply cook a special meal... make it even more special by giving your dear dads a present to show your appreciation for all the love and care. Allow me to give you my gift suggestions for the greatest dads in the world. For the sporty dad, this Emporio Armani rubber strap watch is perfect on his wrist.  This is available at Neiman Marcus for $195. Support your dad's effort in trying to looking good by giving him this Clinique shaving essentials set that is available at Bergdorf Goodman for only $45.50.  The set includes a full size and travel size face scrub, cream shave, post-shave healer.  That is value for your money! For the wine enthusiast, this Cuisinart 'Private Reserve' 8-bottle wine cellar is perfect to store his favorite wines.  T...

 Apple launched the iPhone in 2008 and everyone wants to own one. Recently, Apple produced another technology breakthrough--the iPad... and just the same, everyone wants to own one.  After producing the most coveted gadgets of the millennium, what's next for Apple?   On 2012, they are projecting the release of the iBoard with over a hundred widgets on the screen.  On 2014, behold for the coming of the iMat... the downside of this monster gadget is that you can't bring it anywhere but what's great about this is that you can share it with over thirty people. For the details of the next "i" things in Apple, click here .