The X10 Cafe is a showcase of the Xperia™ range of handsets, as well as Sony Ericsson’s latest mobile phones.  The Xperia™ line of handsets brings consumers the best communication and entertainment experiences, delivered in a collection of smartphones to give consumers choice in size and style.

The latest of these choices is the Xperia™ X10 mini and X10 mini pro.  The X10 mini has dimensions of 3.2 by 1.9 by .63 inches, while the X10 mini pro with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard is 3.5 by 2.05 by .67 inches.  Both are approximately the size of a credit card, but are bursting with numerous features.  As Google Android smartphones, the duo can be customized with directly downloadable applications from Android Market™.

Both phones have a 2.55-inch scratch resistant TFT touchscreen supporting over 16 million colors.  Their 5-megapixel camera for stills and video comes with auto focus, geo tagging, photo and video light and the Sony Ericsson album application, a feature that organizes image files.  Their user experience platform was specifically designed for a smaller form factor with a one-hand touch experience.  Users can quickly access their most used and favourite applications through a unique and customizable four-corner user interface.

Sony Ericsson says the phones are true compact versions of the highly popular Xperia™ X10.  The Xperia™ X10, which made a solid global debut earlier this year, was Sony Ericsson’s first smartphone in the Android platform.  It has since become one of the company’s best sellers, and has been recorded as Japan’s top selling smartphone.  The X10 mini is available in black, pearl white, lime and silver while the X10 mini pro is in black and red.

Sony Ericsson has also announced a new Xperia™ mobile phone that will be arriving by Q3 2010, the X8.  The X8 will build on the success of the X10 and the mini products and extend the most entertaining smartphones collection to an even broader audience.

Visitors to the X10 Cafe from now until July 25, 2010 can also check out the new Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ and Vivaz pro.  Like the Vivaz™, the new Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro allows consumers to capture, view and share their best experiences in HD video.  The Vivaz™ pro has a QWERTY keyboard that allows consumers to communicate quickly and efficiently via email, SMS or social networking updates.

The Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ has an 8.1 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, continuous auto focus for video, image stabilizer, 3D games, Facebook and Twitter applications.  One can review the HD video content in the standby panel or online via Wi-Fi on the 3.2 inch widescreen.

Meantime, the Vivaz™ pro lets users stay in touch through email, Twitter™, Facebook™, blogging and chat with easy typing through its QWERTY keyboard.  View everything on the 3.2” 16:9 wide touchscreen which gives HD resolution videos for upload to YouTube via Wi-Fi™.  The phone has a 5.1-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, auto focus and face detection.

Both Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ and Vivaz™ pro feature the new design philosophy ’human curvature’, which will become a consistent feature of the Sony Ericsson portfolio.  The design mirrors the shape of the human body, and at the same time delivers a precise and compelling way of interacting with the phones.

Visitors can enjoy phone demos and other freebies at the X10 Cafe, 2nd floor, Northwing of SM City Cebu until July 25, 2010.  The new handsets are now available in Sony Ericsson Experience Shops and authorized dealers nationwide.

**Smallest phone in terms of height x width, based on phones available for purchase in the market as of April 28, 2010.

Sony Ericsson is a 50/50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in major markets around the world. Sony Ericsson’s strategy is to become the industry leader in mobile Communication Entertainment, through new styles of interaction across the internet and social media. Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through innovative and feature rich phones, accessories, content and applications.  For more information, please see: www.sonyericsson.com/press.

Live and Loud will feature a school band competition to be participated by bands from Cebu Doctor’s University, University of the Philippines Cebu College, Cebu Institute of Technology, University of Cebu, University of Southern Philippines, Southwestern University and the University of San Jose Recoletos; with performances from Tambayan – one of RCTV shows– bands and Cebu’s pride: Cuarenta, Bethany, Pandora, Missing Filemon, Juress, Uno, Lui and the Line Divides which will all be streamed live on http://www.PldtWatchpad.com.

With this unprecedented union of forces, WatchPad now brings the Cebu flavor to the rest of the Philippines with the addition of RCTV to its growing list of channels. RCTV, which airs locally on Channel 36 on Sky Cable and now nationwide through WatchPad, is Cebu’s only infotainment channel that features everything about Cebu- lifestyle, culture, music, people and places. WatchPad subscribers from all over the country can now experience Cebu’s multi-faceted charm by accessing RCTV’s shows for free on their myDSL-powered PCs. “We are very excited about myDSL WatchPad’s partnership with RCTV. There are so many great talents, hot happenings and exciting parties in Cebu and by tying up with RCTV we hope to bring the islands closer through constant innovation and convergence to further revolutionize broadband and internet television” says Myla Villanueva, Senior brand manager of PLDT myDSL.

PLDT myDSL Watchpad, the country’s pioneering internet TV, just keeps on getting bigger and better by giving myDSL subscribers added value through both local, national and international content. PLDT myDSL subscribers can now experience internet TV viewing at its best and the hottest shows from 18 free channels to choose from on their DSL-powered PCs, some of which are not available on local Cebu cable: Channel [V], CNN, National Geographic, E!, PBO, CNBC, Cartoon Network, Animax, History, The Biography Channel, Crime and Investigation, Living Asia, RCTV, Go, Splash, Smart Shopping, TBN-Word, and myView.

Not yet on watchpad? Log on to http://www.pldtwatchpad.com to get your free username and password.

PHILIPPINES, 10 February 2010 - Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd’s Computer Systems Division, in partnership with their mobile computing partner, Tricom Dynamics Inc,  announced the grand opening of its first Concept Store at SM City in North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. This shopToshiba Concept Store will strengthen their presence in the Visayas region and increase market in the retail of Toshiba premium laptops.

Ms. Krislyn Chia, Toshiba Singapore’s Assistant Manager, Toshiba Computer Systems Division, said that with its strategic location at the 3rd level of SM City Cebu’s Cyberzone, the shopToshiba Concept Store will showcase Toshiba’s innovative, high quality and stylishly-designed notebook computers with several enhancements to its line of Qosmio, Satellite, Satellite Pro, Tecra, PORTEGE notebook computers and not forgetting netbooks. This is in line with Toshiba being the first notebook computer maker to celebrate 25 years of notebook innovations and quality. During this celebration, Toshiba would like to engage with consumers more through rich experiences enabled by new and emergent technology.

Convenience for Costumers

“The new shopToshiba Concept Store brings together the complete notebook PC line into one shop in downtown Cebu,” said Ms. Juno Limjap-Sison, Tricom Marketing and Communications Officer. “The convenient location makes it easy for our costumers to come and view our products.”

“We now have a shop floor to showcase what Toshiba’s world-class leading products are capable of.” TRICOM Dynamics President, Mr. Edgardo B. Isleta.

iServ – Toshiba’s Authorized Service Center in SM City Cebu

Finally, a service center that is easily accessible. Customers may now have their notebooks checked while they stroll around the mall, or relax while they wait in the cool lounge area of iServ located within the shopToshiba Concept Store. This Service Center is a service location fully endorsed by Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd., where service personnel are fully certified by Toshiba and service parts used are originals supplied by Toshiba.

Toshiba broadens its Satellite and Portege lineup featuring NEW 2010 Intel Core Processors and Multi Touch Screen Technology.

Satellite M500 (Premier Series): Empower your fingers with Multi Touch Screen Technology

Toshiba strives to make the notebook PC a natural tool for improving everyday life and let you discover easy and exciting new ways to have fun and get things done with your PC. With the latest Intel’s Core i5-520M Processor coupled with Windows 7 operating system, the touch-screen technology on the Satellite M500 Premier Series offers users a natural way to navigate through their digital world, enhancing the mobile computing experience.

Browse through newspapers and Web pages with ease, of flick through photo albums fast. Users can also easily sift through long lists and files with a natural swirling motion. With multitouch technology, zoom in and out by placing two fingers on the screen and moving them apart. To rotate images, press on the image with one finger and use another one to turn it in the direction you want.

The Satellite M500’s touch-screen technology also works wonderfully with Toshiba Bulletin Board and Toshiba ReelTime.

About Toshiba

Established in 1875, Toshiba Corporation is a global high technology product leader with 315 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Toshiba Singapore Pte. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. Its Singapore-based Computer Systems Division (CSD) is the regional headquarters for South and Southeast Asia. In addition to notebooks under the Qosmio, Satellite, Satellite Pro, TECRA, PORTEGE and libretto product brand names, the company also offers portable and wireless accessories for customers under the Toshiba brand name. Fore more information, visit the company’s website at www.pc.toshiba-asia.com.

At shopToshiba Concept Store you can find these beauties:

Samsung Corby

My Color, My Life.

• Designed to Catch the Color Wave

Don’t be surprised if virtual strangers want to hold your phone – it’s that touchable and appealing. Delicious to the eye, its unique bi-color design and contoured body is a joy to hold and own. Fitting comfortably in hand, clutch it all day if you want – at least to make sure nobody else grabs it! If you feel like a change from vibrant color to cool graphics, just switch up the back cover to the extra patterned one included. It is matched hue to hue, that express your maverick style and individuality. The available colors are Jamaican Yellow, Festival Orange, Cupid Pink, and the Minimal White.

• Activate Your Social Networks

With online social communities now a given, face it, you can’t live without social network sites – and having access to it all the time. The Samsung Corby is a super communicator with Pop-up SNS that gives you widget-friendly single icon access, both a pre-installed selection and even more downloadables. You can receive updates on an idle screen – ideal when you’re following SNS site updates and itching to see fresh posts on your favorite SNS sites.

• Intuitive Full Touch Experience

Experience the sensory pleasure of full touch screen, even better with a smartly intuitive and simple to use TouchWiz UI that further enhances your user experience. Take advantage of an icon-perfect menu of widgets pre-stored and also downloadable from an extensive online assortment — makes your phone more fun and convenient to use, not to mention making your life easier. Have a blast with useful tools an keep yourself up-to-date with the latest in news and entertainment, along with your favorite SNS sites.

• Touch Convenience Personified

Experience the true convenience and usability of touch screen technology with two exceptional features: Smart Unlock and One Finger Zoom. Just by tracing an alphabet letter on the screen, you can unlock security access on your handset and also go straight to your favorite applications – like a customized menu unleashed by your finger! Another finger-smart feature is One Finger Zoom, letting you enlarge sections of interest while you want to see certain pictures in sizes two times larger for maximized viewing comfort.

• Specification

Network

-Quad Band (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900)

-GPRS, EDGE

Dimension

-103 x 56.5 x 12.4mm / 93.2g

Display

-2.8″ Color QVGA TFT Screen

Connectivity

-Bluetooth v2.0

-USB v2.0 High Speed

Music Player

- MP3, AAC, AAc+, e-AAC+, WMA9

-Find Music

FM Radio with RDS

Video

- Mpeg 4 + AMR NB/H .263 + AMR NB

Camera

- 2 Mega Pixel

- Panorama shot / smile shot

Cartoon UI

Smart Unlock

One-finger zoom

Additional battery covers

- Fashion Jacket (patterned design cover)

- Black Jacket (black color battery cover)

Memory

- Internal memory: 61MB

- External memory: up to 8GB

Pop-up SNS

Samsung Communities

• Accessories

Package Contents

1. Standard cover

2. Fashion Jacket

3. Black Jacket

4. Battery 960mAh

5. 3.5mm Stereo Headset

6. Mic. cable

7. Travel Adapter

So Happy to have Corby! Weeeeeeeeee! Buy one now!

The first part of the program was the Presentation of PoliticalArena.com v2.0 by Racquel Cagurangan, General Manager of PoliticalArena.com.

Politicalarena.com is the country’s first socio-political networking site, developed to promote awareness and interactivity in the local political scene. It provides users with a common platform to access information about candidates and, at the same time, offers candidates with a venue to disseminate information to the public, real time.

Just like any other networking site, politicalarena.com encourages visitors to register and voice out their concerns, express their views, interact with candidates and learn more about Philippine politics. They could also post photos, upload videos and share their views through blogging, asking questions and posting testimonials.

Taking the May election and Social Networking to the next level

Major changes have been introduced to politicalarena.com, the most notable one being the reduction from 22 ‘perceived’ presidential candidates featured on site down to the 10 official presidential candidates.

The site also now includes not just the presidential candidates but their running mates and the whole senatorial slate. This will provide users with access to majority of the candidates running for national seats.

While politicalarena.com introduced a lot modifications to better cater to its member’s needs, some features still remain the same. Users can still upload and view photos and videos in the Photos and Videos section of the site. The Forum which encourages healthy discussions on everything related to politics ad the Philippines is still s great venue for site members to gather and discuss. The News, Announcements and Calendar sections of the site still continue to relay important information on current events and other campaign activities.

What’s new?

Politicalarena.com promises a lot more for its browsers and members as it takes social networking and 2010 elections to the next level – with more exciting and interactive features – for a more informed and intelligent electorate.

Official Candidate List

After COMELEC’s recent declaration of official candidates, the website has included the complete list of candidates for the national positions, together with their respective profiles.

Now, have you ever wondered how this new voting system works?

Another part of the program was the Demonstration of the PCOS Machine Testing conducted by Miguel Avila, Smartmatic-TIM.

Now here’s the step by step tutorial of how this new voting system works:

Step 1

Fill up your ballot bu shading in the ovals next to the names of the candidates you want to vote for.

Some position will require you to choose more than one candidate, so read the instructions carefully!

NOTE: DO NOT OVER-VOTE! If you vote for more than the maximum number allowed, your votes for that position will NOT BE COUNTED.

Step 2

Insert your ballot into the counting machine. It doesn’t matter if you insert the ballot bottom first or upside down.

Step 3

At the end of the process, the voting machine will count all the votes cast and produce thirty copies of the election returns.

It’s that simple. Now, are you ready to cast your vote?

“VOTE WISELY”

iPod Shuffle in polished stainless steel.

VoiceOver

With the press of a button, this amazing feature tells you what song is playing and who’s performing it. It also announces playlists. So while you’re listening, you can keep running, walking, lifting, or biking. Learn more…

Small is huge

Clip on a 2GB or 4GB iPod shuffle, and up to 1,000 songs—with loads of color—go wherever you go. Learn more…

• Available in selected languages.
• 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. Song capacity is based on 4 minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; in 256-Kbps AAC format, song capacity is up to 250 songs (2GB) or 500 songs (4GB); actual capacity varies by encoding method and bit rate.
• New products may not be available in all stores immediately.

See http://www.apple.com/asia/ipodshuffle/specs.html for more information.

Isn’t it great to have FREE Wi Fi mallwide? All you have to do is bring your wi fi capable devices and voila!-you can have internet on the go.

July 31, 2009 at 5:00PM in the North Wing Atrium, the launching of the SM City Cebu’s Free Wi Fi took place. The Cebu Bloggers Society were present together with other organization like the PSP Cebu. Some of our co-members joined the photo blogging contest where in they have to upload their photo blog on “What I Love About The North Wing”. Our very own Michael Sinjin Pineda won the 1st place and got himself an HP Mininote 2133 Linux, also Jose Farrugia won the 2nd place and got a Samsung Jet S8003. Lucky for them.

Another highlights of the event were the presence of Dj Nikki Taylor who was on the mix at 5pm followed by the live performance of the Hardwood band at 6pm. Another were the Surf-the-web Trivia Contest where in the first to answer trivia questions on-line would win a Sony PSP or a Nokia E51 cellphone and the Raffle draw which gave away two (2) Sony PSP Slim 3000.

The North Wing Atrium were crowded with people who brought their wi fi capable gadgets. You could see them browsing the internet, blogging, or even playing games on-line. I know most of them are very pleased and happy to know that finally, there is a free wi fi not just in a restaurant or in a coffehouse  but mallwide. The launching was definitely a success!

Here are some of the photos taken during the event:

Photo Credits to Guada and Bryan Karl.