SPOTTED | The Top 25 Websites in the Philippines and What These Might Say About the Average Filipino Netizen

I was already on my way home inside an elevator when I began to think, what are the most visited websites or sites in the Philippines? What do most of the Filipinos do online nowadays? For what reason do we Filipinos go online? Which websites experience receive high Filipino traffic?

In this post, I will talk about the most popular websites in the Philippines as of September 2015. My source here is Alexa which is a commercial web traffic data and analytics provider. I will also give my own prejudice in defining what the online Filipino community does at this point in time.

But first, let me give to you the list of the top 25 (most popular) websites in the Philippines.

So, what is in it for me reading this post? What is the importance of this ranking? What does this list tell us about the average Filipino netizen?

1. Facebook.com 
2. Google.com
3. Google.com.ph
4. Youtube.com
5. Yahoo.comm
6. Gmanetwork.com
7. Amazon.com
8. Blogspot.com
9. Twitter.com
10. Wikipedia.org
11. Inquirer.net
12. Lazada.com.ph
13. Olx.ph
14. Rappler.com
15. Linkedin.com
16. Instagram.com
17. Ask.com
18. Abscbnnews.com
19. Kat.cr
20. Wordpress.com
21. Diply.com
22. Onclickads.net
23. Blogger.com
24. Paypal.com
25. Pinterest.com

Here are some points to ponder on. These are just my generalizations on what Filipino do online.

FIRST: Filipino netizens love to network with other people.

Deeply rooted within our culture of Filipino hospitality, perhaps it's not that hard to say that Filipinos love to let others people know what they are doing or even speak out their minds in the online world since the Philippines was known to be the text messaging capital of the world - the behavior of which is often exploited by telecommunication companies like PLDT, Globe, Smart, TalknText, TM, and Sun Cellular. What evidence must be needed when this list is topped by Facebook, shown with the inclusion of  Twitter and LinkedIn. Perhaps, the extent of social networking far reaches the negative side of the spectrum as more and more Filipinos nowadays are being lured to pyramid scams which are often proliferated by fellow netizens in these social networks.

SECOND: Filipino netizens love to write and share.

A lot of Filipinos love to share just anything from things they know to things they don't know he he. Clearly, there are a lot of bloggers who have established their niches through their blogs either via Blogger (or Blogspot) and Wordpress. I mentioned "things they do not know" because a few bloggers just gain popularity because they post hearsays, rumors, and scandals just to get more traffic - at the expense of celebrities and other public figures. 

Don't forget Instagram which is like the online super photo album of Filipino netizens and Kat.cr which I think is a torrent site for anything pirated haha. Posts on Diply.com are also some of the most shared online in social media networks, hence, its position in the top 25 list.

THIRD: Filipino netizens love to search, learn, and pursue things that interest them.

What could clearly prove this point is the presence of not one, not two, but four search engines in the top 25 list of high traffic websites in the Philippines namely Google.com, Google.com.ph, Yahoo.com, and Ask.com. This clearly encompasses all types of search from whatever type of Filipino netizen to whatever subject one searches about. It's not only that, Filipinos online love to refer to Wikipedia (probably because it's oftentimes indexed high in search engine results) as their library. It should be noted though that this practice of relying on Wikipedia should be guided as Wikipedia is still unreliable especially when it comes to student reports and assignments. Better stick with .edu sites.

Let's also not forget Youtube.com and Pinterest.com which clearly are for those who want to engage in their passion and know more about just anything which are interesting.

FOURTH: Filipino netizens love to transact online.

This is very true. Filipinos want to buy, sell, pawn, trade, and get paid for their services/products
online. I always thought that OLX is the leading buy and sell platform but I was wrong. Amazon.com and Lazada.comph rank higher than Olx.ph. Another proof for this is the presence of many online buy and sell groups in Facebook. You don't believe? Just type in Buy and Sell on your search bar in Facebook. The presence of Paypal.com and Onclickads.net also support this statement.

FIFTH: Filipino netizens love news.

When it comes to daily news, I always go to Inquirer.net to read about the freshest scoop on business/finance and politics (both local and international). I also visit Rappler.com often because their site is visually pleasant and easily navigable, add to that the fact that they make their own wRap of the hottest issues for the day. But I was shocked to find out that GMA News topped them all - Inquirer, Rappler, and ABS-CBN News.

BONUS: Filipino netizens don't watch porn that much?

If the top 25 list is to serve as basis here, yes, it's true. But if we'd take a look at the top 50 ranking, haha, you'd definitely change your mind. One almost reached the top 25 list. Just search it up or visit alexa.com. :))

TECH | Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+ Sale Price, Specs, Features

Samsung Electronics Philippines unveiled its flagship gadgets for 2015 - the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus at Marriott Manila last Friday, August 14.

This is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 with a classy design.

Some of you may be asking, when will these be available? How much will a Note 5 cost? What is the price of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+? What are the specifications (specs) of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+?

Well, you've landed on the right page.

While a pre-view (or exhibit) and pre-order event will take place in Samsung Experience stores from August 17 (Monday), its Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will only be available starting September 5, 2015 (Saturday).

It is good to know that both the Galaxy Note 5 and the S6 Edge+ sports a metal and glass mix - a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 plus a matte aluminum wrap. Both are expected to run Android Lollipop with dual sim capabilities.

Video Courtesy Youtube channel Samsung Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has the following specs and features:

• aluminum frame design 
• available in black, white, gold and silver models.
• chassis comes with a slot for Samsung's S Pen stylus - allows users to doodle and note-make on its display
• bigger than S6 (7.6mm thick, 171g)
• fingerprint scanner through home button 
• 5.7in 2440x1560 QHD Super AMOLED display (same as last year's Note 4)
• 64-bit octa-core Exynos 7420 processor based on 14nm architecture
• 4GB RAM
• either 32GB or 64GB storage built-in, BUT NO microSD slot and removable battery
• 2K resolution display (efficient than Note 4)
• advanced TOUCH ID button
• fastest Wireless charging capabilities – in 120 minutes, full charge
• rear 16MP and front 5 MP
• capturing 4K resolution video
• live broadcasting feature
• new Samsung Pay

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, on the other hand boasts the following notable specs and features:

• Android 5.1 Lollipop
• new TouchWiz user interface displaying apps like S Note and S Health, plus  Microsoft apps including Powerpoint, Word and Skype. 
• rear 16MP sensor with optical image stabilisation and front 5MP sensor
• live broadcast feature
• non-removable 3,000mAh battery - 90 minutes (wired), 130 minutes (wireless), full charge
• Cat 6 LTE
• Bluetooth 4.2 LE connectivity

The S6 Edge+ was introduced online by Samsung last August 13.

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel Samsung Mobile

To see how remarkable the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is, let's take a look below at the comparison of the Edge Plus's sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, vs Apple's iPhone 6 Plus.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be priced at Php 36,990 (32 GB), while the Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be available for Php 39,990 (32 GB) and Php 44,990 (64 GB).

Here is another list of specs and features for the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+.

SALE | OPPO Super Sale from July 1 to 31!

Look at what we have here! OPPO Philippines has just started its Super Sale, which began on July 1 and will end on July 31, in all of its concept stores (OPPO shops link) and partner dealers (list here)!

Products on sale include the OPPO Find 7a, the Mirror 3, the Neo 3, and the Joy Plus, which have discounts in them. Take a look at these OPPO phones in any recognized OPPO store!

The specs (specifications) and prices of the OPPO phones on sale are as follows.

The Find 7a, the most popular OPPO phone, can now be bought at Php 16,990, a huge Php 5,000 off from the  PHP 21,990. The handset boasts with a 5.5 inch IPS display (1920×1080; Gorilla Glass 3), a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 16GB of storage (with microSD), 2GB of RAM, and a 13Mp rear cam / 5MP front cam.

The Mirror 3 is priced at Php 9,990, Php 1k off the original Php 10,990. It has a Smart Remote Technology and a Fast Charging experience. Meanwhile, the Neo 3 is being sold at Php 5,990 from Php 6,990. It has a 4.5 inch IPS display and a Quick Reach Gesture with ColorOS. 

The cheapest on sale, priced at Php 3,990, is the OPPO Joy Plus which has 1 GB RAM, Beautify 3.0, and Easy Gesture with ColorOS 2.0.

Did you enjoy this post? Now, who's looking forward to Apple iPhone sales? What about Samsung's Great Sale this July!?

If you enjoyed reading this post, please like Spotlight Philippines for more updates. Thank you so much!

SALE | The Great Samsung Sale this July 2015! Samsung Galaxy S6, Tab S, and Note 4 deals are up for grabs!

Check out this year's hottest tech sale with great Samsung smartphone and tablet deals awaiting buyers!

Buy your desired Samsung gadgets from July 1 to 31, 2015 for discounts and some freebies will be given away in this month's Great Samsung Sale! The sale will be going on in all authorized Samsung outlets and dealers in the country.

Smartphones and tablets under the Samsung brand will be sold at lower prices. All smartphone deals will include a free Samsung Galaxy Data Sim. These smartphones and tablets include:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Php 31,990)
• Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime (Php 8,990)
• Samsung Galaxy A7 (Php 21,990 with free battery kit)
• Samsung Galaxy A5 (Php 6,990 with free battery kit)
• Samsung Galaxy E7 (Php 13,990)
• Samsung Galaxy E5 (Php 10,990)
• Samsung Galaxy J1 (Php 4,990)
• Samsung Galaxy V (Php 3,990)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (Php 24,990)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (Php 19,990)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 32 GB (P35,990 with free wireless charger)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 64 GB (P41,990 with free wireless charger)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge 32 GB (P41,990 with free wireless charger)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge 64 GB (P47,990 with free wireless charger)

It's not only Samsung that's having a sale this July! OPPO Philippines too; check it out here!

Did you enjoy this post? Now, who's looking forward to Apple iPhone sales? If you do, please like Spotlight Philippines for more updates. Thank you so much!

PINOY PRIDE: Aurelio, the first Filipino supercar

Several days ago, I featured in Spotlight Philippines the Salamander amphibious tricycle. It was still a prototype but definitely working. Now, who would have thought that Filipinos are capable of making cars?

Yes, I'm talking about cars, and it's not just cars, but supercars! SUPERCARS! Watch out for the launching of the Aurelio, the first Filipino supercar made by a Philippine company Aurelio Concepts Inc.

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel The ELITE Group

Who are Aurelio Concepts Inc? When did it began?

It all started with one man's passion, fueled by love for design and Filipino ingenuity.

Brendan Aurelio, an architect by profession, started building and creating his very first prototype car from scratch as a backyard hobby in 2004. His passion, though constrained by a limited budget, expressed its depth and dimension in a prototype creation that is seen as an original car that is uniquely Filipino, yet powerful and spirited to compete with global brands. His passion saw no contentment, as he devoted his life into perfecting this prototype. Through the years, car enthusiasts did not only notice the design distinction of the prototype, but more importantly, they believed in his devotion and vision of perfecting, fine-tuning, and innovating his craft.

From its humble beginning in 2004, through to 10 years of research and development, design innovation, numerous testings, and in-depth quality assurance, the creator now gives birth to a new prototype – The Aurelio.

Showcasing the prototype during numerous trade shows eventually paved way for a rise in public demand. Banking on skills, craftsmanship, and the art and science of aerodynamics, what was then a backyard hobby back in 2004, now grew into something stronger and faster. The Aurelio is passion and luxury combined, bringing value for money invested by any car owner. The Aurelio is not a replica of an existing car, but speaks of the buyer’s individuality and zest for design and speed.

Today, Brendan Aurelio is joined by Sonny Garcia and Peter Sy. Brendan's passion & precise craftsmanship, alongside Sonny's marketing expertise and Peter's business acumen and vision, paved way for Team Aurelio to become stronger than ever. Team Aurelio, the people behind the prototype, is here for you, raring to share The Aurelio. It isn’t just the potential and the demand that motivates Team Aurelio to embark on this business venture, but the thrill of bringing forth The Aurelio to the global market, because The Aurelio truly roars with the Filipino spirit, excellence and ingenuity.

Steer with us on our journey with The Aurelio, a car for the design enthusiast, the speed and safety conscious, the thrill seeker or simply for anyone whose passion and zest for the best is expressed by The Aurelio.

Drive The Aurelio – a product fueled by passion, crafted with Filipino ingenuity, yet bound by detailed engineering.

Stay confident that behind you is the Team Aurelio, always passionate and excelling in the way we do things, especially in serving your needs.

We run on the Filipino Dream. We go full speed ahead with Filipino Pride.

We will continue to run on Innovation. We are AURELIO.

Around 50% of Justin Bieber Twitter followers are fake, report says

Almost half of the total number of Justin Bieber's followers on Twitter are fake, a report from website Socialbakers suggests.

Photo Link: Justin Bieber Zone

Currently, the popular Youtube-discovered star Bieber has the most followers in the world after speeding past Lady Gaga last year. However, new research reveals that out of his 37.3 million followers, only 17.8 million or 47.72 percent of his total number of Twitter followers are linked to real accounts.

The report looked into social media profiles on Twitter. Socialbakers finds out fake accounts by looking at the number of followers of a specific person and checking if genuine tweets have been posted, rather than spam.

Furthermore, Twitter users which continuously tweet buzz phrases (e.g. diet, work from hoe, make money) were most likely considered as fake.

This  means the 19-year old internationally recognized singer behind "Baby" and "One Less Lonely Girl" will be ranked one spot below Lady Gaga, who has approximately 19 million real Twitter followers (doubtlessly fake ones excluded), in the run-up for the list of biggest celebrities with the largest following in Twitter-verse.

Leaked: Is this the new iPad, an iPad 5 in the making?

Photos of what may seem to be a prototype of the 5th-generation iPad, simply the iPad 5, are circulating the web. Could this next iPad be better in all aspects, hardware and software, to beat records set by the Samsung Google Nexus 10 and the ASUS Transformers Pad Infinity?

The snapshot of the rumored iPad 5, which is shown below, has been republished by website NoWhereElse.

Photo Courtesy: NoWhereElse

Some analysts think there would be no major redesign of the iPad, as most of its previous versions hadn't, but from the looks of it, weight and width could be its edge. The real deal for Apple would be to deviate from the restrictive environment it hosts through its iOS, rivaled by leading OS Android. If it would relax its hold on "too much exclusivity", then it has a fighting chance to retain its position as champion of quality in its tablets, among other gadgets.

The Latino Post, on the other hand, points that the Cupertino-based technology giant has not begun production of a new product yet, to follow the iPad 4.

If the rumor finds itself to be a fact, then a thinner iPad 5 would just annoy its consumer base, especially when a company fails to meet the demands of its buyers, aka fanatics.

SPOTTED: RoboLolong, a crocodile robot made out of car parts

While the passing of the world's largest crocodile, Lolong, continues to drift away from our nation's memory - Lolong being found in the Philippines inspires us all how great our environment still is, another crocodile (or actually two crocs) are making the scene and stealing the spotlight all the way from Cagayan de Oro.

Photo Courtesy: Facebook user Ian Huerbana

Made from spare car parts, RoboLolong became the caption of one uploaded photo which shows two metallic molds of crocodiles. What pride-raising ingenuity had whoever made these crocodile robots given to us! Kudos to this artful masterpiece!

Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 Review

Some of you might be wondering. Is the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 worth the bucks? Well, here is an honest customer-made review about this smartphone.

When I bought the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 through a plan, it was worth a total of 14,000 Php last year - way costlier than it is today ranging from 6,000 Php to 9,500 Php. This cost disparity made me thinking. Do smartphone prices really depreciate that much in a year? How frequent do new arrival smartphones (upgraded, better versions) show up in the market? Is it worth no wait?

One thing I like about the Galaxy Ace is that its built-in applications are oriented to easy access social networking but are much like every other functioning smartphone in the world. Moreover, its 5.0 megapixel camera is not bad for the budget price offer. Good shots may be made; other than that, there are various modes with which the shots can be made.

The Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 has a pretty stylish design with a glossy front revealing a minimalistic main button below it, metallic shiny sides embossed with a power button, a microSD slot (it's got only 153 MB memory), a charging slot, microUSB and headphone socket, and volume adjuster buttons, and a texture-filled back that somehow begs to differ. The back portion sports a different feel providing better grip and preventing scratches on it which make its easily handled.

It's lightweight even with a 3.5" screen whose applications run under Android 2.2 OS. A central button at the bottom-center leads the  user to the homescreen. On its sides are touch buttons for Back and Menu.

Resolution-wise, its got lesser pixel density per inch (148 ppi) compared to that of Apple's iPhone (320 ppi) and its bigger cousin, the Samsung Galaxy S II (220 ppi). Hence, the lower price it possesses.

Its 5.0 MP camera's excellence in its sub-category depends on the amount of lighting. At night, even with the night mode, photos seem to get a little bit blurred and unrecognizable.

The positions of applications on the divided horizontally-lengthy screen are customizable.

In terms of performance, the smartphone seems to be a bit slower than others especially when playing 3D games. Aside from that, the battery power suffers a lot due to the multiple tasks the Android OS performs. This is probably one of the things I hate about the Galaxy Ace S5830. So, if you're a gamer, better look for other smartphones that have longer and resilient battery life.

Its calling interface is neat. One would get to enjoy the typing experience, with relatively large numbers appearing on screen. It's also easy to start and end a call! Phone contacts are easily pulled in from different social networks; all that is needed is to log in to one of these (Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger, Gmail) and viola, the user's friends' contact numbers are stored in the phonebook. But, beware when transferring contacts through excel spreadsheet from one phone to another 'cause it might not result to what one expects it to be - contact names without numbers in it.

Hope this review has helped anyone looking into the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830's pros and cons. Yeah, the smartphone's relatively cheap so expect some compromises.

Cheapest iPad Mini (Lowest Price) in the Philippines

The iPad Mini is one of the sought-after gadgets for giveaway or gift-giving this Christmas - the full iPad experience in a smaller device. 

In Apple's overview of the iPad Mini:

Everything you love about iPad — the beautiful screen, fast and fluid performance, FaceTime and iSight cameras, thousands of amazing apps, 10-hour battery life* — is everything you’ll love about iPad mini, too. And you can hold it in one hand.

Apple's iPad Mini is already available in the Philippines, through Apple Philippines. Its prices are considered one of the cheapest, lowest in the market. Apple Philippines boasts of the cheapest iPad Mini tablets in the country.

The prices of the iPad Mini, similarly with that of its predecessor iPad versions, are influenced by the memory it possesses.

Here are the lowest prices of iPad Mini in the Philippine market:

• iPad Mini (16 GB, WiFi only) – 15,990 PHP
• iPad Mini (32 GB, WiFi only) – 20,990 PHP
• iPad Mini (64 GB, WiFi only) – 25,990 PHP
• iPad Mini (16GB, WiFi + Cellular) – 21,990 PHP
• iPad Mini (32GB, WiFi + Cellular) – 26,990 PHP
• iPad Mini (64GB, WiFi + Cellular) – 31,990 PHP

The difference of 6,000 Php comes from added convenience in roaming connection through fast mobile data networks (cellular). Shipment of the iPad Mini could take up to two (2) weeks; not bad at all. A limit of only two iPad Minis per customer is currently imposed to give everyone the opportunity to grab an iPad Mini before the year ends.

iPad Mini Specifications, Price

Popular smartphone brand Apple has launched its flagship phone's smaller version, the iPad Mini. Watch the trailer unveiling the iPad Mini to the world below.

Video Courtesy: Youtube user keysuccess24 

The iPad Mini specifications are as follows

iPad Mini SPECIFICATIONS:

• 7.2mm thin
• 53 percent lighter
• .68 pounds

iPad Mini DESIGN:

• Thinner bezels
• Ultra rounded edges
• Updated smart covers
• White and Black models
• Unibody design

iPad Mini DISPLAY:

• 7.9-inches
• LCD - (take note it’s not retina)
• 1,024 x 768 resolution
• Same screen resolution as the original iPad
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

iPad Mini HARDWARE:

• Dual-Core A5 processor
• Lightning dock
• 10 hours battery life

iPad Mini CONNECTIVITY:

• Wifi
• 3G wireless
• 4G LTE wireless

iPad Mini CAMERA STYLE:

• 5-megapixel camera
• FaceTime HD front-facing camera

iPad Mini POSSIBLE PRICE:

• Wi-Fi - $329 (16GB), $429 (32GB), $529 (64GB)
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - $459 (16GB), $559 (32GB), $659 (64GB)

Microsoft Surface Tablet, Prices

Seems like Apple's iPad has found THE challenger! Microsoft's Surface tablets are one of the highly anticipated gadgets this year!

 Its description in its main site was revealed: 

From touch to type, office to living room, from your screen to the big screen, you can see more, share more, and do more with Surface. Create, collaborate, and get stuff done with Office. Explore your world with fast, fluid Windows 8 apps. Discover new music, movies, and games in the Windows Store.

Surface tablets may be priced between $500 and $700.  Pre-order prices range from $499 for a 32 GB version of the tablet without a black touch cover, to $599 for those with the touch cover. 64 GB versions of the Surface tablet could reach $699. The touch covers have tactile keyboards built into it.

On Monday evening Microsoft started advertising its Surface tablets. The advertisement, seen below, seemed to provide an overview and highlight on the touch cover and a specific kickstand at the back of the tablet which can be used to stand the slate on its edge.

  

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel surface

SPOTTED: Nokia Lumia 920 Preview

Wanna know what Nokia's newest smartphone, the Lumia 920, can offer? Check out the video below to see a hands-on exercise of using the Nokia Lumia 920.

Video Courtesy: Youtube user phonedog

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy Note II from Globe

You can now pre-order the latest version of Samsung’s smartphone-tablet (phablet), the Galaxy Note 2, from Globe Telecom. The telecommunications giant revealed in its Facebook page that Samsung Galaxy Note II units will be offered for free at Plan 2499.

Globe has not declared the plan pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 yet, but hinted they will “most likely require cash-out for plan 599.” To make it more enticing, Globe announced that they’l be giving away free David Guetta Concert tickets to the first 20 applicants.

The Samsung Galaxy Note II is LTE-headed. Globe's LTE network, which is set to launch in the final months of 2012, “will cover 45 sites in Makati” and “will expand quickly to cover three of Manila’s biggest cities and select nearby regions.”

HTC One X Sale Price, Specs

HCT One X, a touchscreen-based smartphone created by Taiwanese firm HTC, has somehow caught the interest of some Filipino consumers. It is capable of competition with Samsung's Galaxy S III and Apple's iPhone 5.

A few of the deciding factors as to why it's also laid down as one of the top options this Christmas season are the following specifications:

• simultaneous HD video and image recording
• Super IPS LCD 2
• 8 MP back-illuminated sensor, 3264x2448 p, autofocus, with LED flash
• 1GB RAM
• internal 32 GB (26 GB user available storage)
• SMS threaded-view, email, MMS
• 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU
• standard battery Li-Po with 1800 mAh
• runs on Android OS version 4.0.3, Ice Cream Sandwich

Check out the review made by TechRadar about the HTC One X, where the smartphone got a rating of 4.5/5 due to its combination of quality processor, HD screen and thinness.

For its sale price, HTC One X units are being sold in Sulit and in other online shops ranging from a lowly 18,000 Php to a ceiling price of 26,000 Php. I don't know which one of these are fake or clones, but just be cautious of what are being presented to you by the seller to avoid being targeted by fraud.

Samsung Galaxy Note II (2) Sale Price, Specs

The Samsung Galaxy Note II has a similar upgrade route with the Samsung Galaxy S3, the most highly-anticipated smartphone created by Samsung.

The Samsung Galaxy Note II has the following specifiications (specs):

• 5.5" Super AMOLED display with 720p reso
• quad-core processor
• 64 GB capacity
• 2GB RAM
• NCF
• LTE
• 3100 mAh battery
• runs on Android OS Jellybean

Based from the standard retail prices of previous Samsung smartphones Galaxy Note and S3, the estimated retail price of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will fall in the range of P32,000 to P37,000. 

PH, one of the countries with most number of Facebook users

The Philippines is included in the top 10 countries with the most number of Facebook users, according to a list released by global online analytics firm SocialBakers.

Photo Courtesy: Social Bakers

PH ranked 8th in the list of countries with many Facebook users harboring more than 29 million Facebook users. The Philippines has added 1.4 million Facebook users last month - a 5.01 percent increase. For the past week, the number of Filipinos who signed up on Facebook increased by almost 30 percent.


Socialbakers is a global social media and digital analytics company with customers in 75 countries representing every continent. Socialbakers helps companies measure the effectiveness of their social marketing campaigns across all major networks, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+.

Rovio's Bad Piggies game, successor to Angry Birds

After the huge success of Angry Birds, a simple shooting strategy game that generally involves round-shaped  birds (as ammunition) and pigs (as targets) on structures, popular Finnish video game developer Rovio launched another game that would be one sure hit - Bad Piggies, as tribute to the plump green cuddly pigs. An introduction to the Bad Piggies may be viewed below.

Video Courtesy: RovioMobile

These green heads now become the foci of attraction in this game, with Rovio giving everyone a chance to play the role of the antagonists on solo (angry bird-less) missions.

The game starts with the Bad Piggies having found a map to the eggs, but the map is in pieces all over Piggy Island. The game begins with the Bad Piggies finding a map to some eggs, divided into pieces scattered all over Piggy Island. King Pig orders his follower piggies to recover pieces of this map, the locations of which could vary from mountain tops to cave diggings.

For the piggies to  succeed, objects such as umbrellas, balloons, bottle rockets, engines and wings needed to be turned into a flying machine, the design of which relies on the player's imagiination.

Bad Piggies is currently available in iOS app stores, Mac app stores, Google Play (Android) stores. Its Windows 8-compatible  (phone and pc) version will be made available soon. 

New element created by Asian scientists

Japanese scientists reveal they finally synthesized one of the missing elements in the periodic table of elements - 113, an element with 113 protons in its nucleus which does not exist naturally on Earth. 

Element 113 was created at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Saitama, Japan. The scientists created the new element by bombarding bismuth (Bi) atoms with zinc (Zn) in a particular accelerator.

Photo Courtesy: PTable

Elements with atomic number of 1 (hydrogen) to 94 (plutonium) exist naturally, while those from 96 to 118 have been made by man and confirmed, except elements 113 and 115.

If validated, element 113 will be Asia's first discovered element and will no longer take the temporary element name of ununtrium. Co-super heavy elements 114 and 116, formerly called ununquadium and ununhexium, were recently renamed as flerovium (Fl) and livermorium (Lv). In 2011, elements 110, 112 and 116 were given permanent monikers, darmstadtium (Ds), roentgenium (Rg) and copernicium (Cn).

It would be the first time for an Asian country to discover and earn naming rights for an element in the periodic table.

Google celebrates 14th birthday with doodle

I was very surprised, when I checked the Google homepage, to see a cute doodle marking Google's 14th birthday. At first, I was not able to read the G-O-O-G-L-E prints because I took a closer look at the brown partial images which somehow featured the search engine's name also. Then, it dawned on me that there were fourteen candles below it, signifying its 14 years of existence in the web.

Prior the transformation into cotton-candy, cloud-like Google birthday image, there was an animated chocolate cake. 

Actual birthdate

Google's actual birthday was September 7, the day the company was set up in 1998, but was then changed to September 27 to coincide with the revelation that Google once again got a record number of indexed pages.

Clicking the Google doodle leads you to Google's indexed search results amounting to 13.9 billion pages.