Stock ROM T839UVKH1 2.2.1 for Samsung T839 T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

A stock ROM with build number T839UVKH1 for T-mobile's Sidekick 4G (Samsung T839) has been released  by samfirmware and which is now available to download. As early as we've  been expected but T-mobile doesn't bring any Android 2.3 Gingerbread updates yet. This is still an Android 2.2.1 Froyo version.

We do not have any report yet from the Dev's if this already tested and works.So we have no any idea of what comes up with this firmware version, since the last official update was T839UVKG2 last 21st of July but ironically it was not an upgrade version for the operating system and it was only issued for maintenance that includes various bug fixes and enhancements. As of now, the Odexed T839UVKD1 version was commonly been used by most advance users by way of using Odin tool to flash Back to Factory Stock and or to Recover a Broken System.


According to the build number coding the T839UVKH1 is much newer than the T839UVKD1 and T839UVKG2. So this version is the latest firmware we got. Anyway, flashing the stock firmware through ODin is much easier but needs extra precautions for it might it end up a serious problem such as bricking the device. So if you are not skilled in using Odin and do not wish to cause any damage to your phone, just leave your device and await for official updates via OTA.

 Disclaimer: Flash at your own risk, if your device get bricked I am not liable.
 
For advance users that want to give it a try you can grab a copy via samfirmware.com download link
Sidekick 4G T839UVKH.You can register at samfirmware.com for free.

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The ultimate ultraportable for 2011: The Sony Vaio Z2 (Z217GG/N)

While MacBook Air's and Intel's Ultrabooks get all the press these days, the best ultraportable in the market is still the Sony Vaio Z, or more precisely the updated 2011 Z2 model. 

The Sony Vaio Z2 at 0.65 inches is a thinner than Apple's MacBook Air. At 2.6 pounds in weight, it is 0.4 pounds lighter than the MacBook Air. Instead of Intel Core i5 processor found in the MacBook Air, the Sony Vaio Z2 boasts a Core i7 processor. In addition the the Sony Vaio Z2 has a full HD 13.1-inch 1020p (1980 x 1020 resolution) screen,  dual 128GB SSD drives which can run on RAID 0 and has both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt (Light Peak) technology. You wont find this technology in any other ultraportable today.

It even comes with it's own Portable Media Dock which upgrades the Intel 3000HD graphics to AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics with 1GB of dedicated RAM and has Blu-ray player.

It beats every 13-inch ultraportable in the market by a fairly large margin. Unfortunately, in cost it beats it's competition by a large margin too. All this Sony Vaio Z2 tech costs, and it costs a lot. How much? A the Sony Vaio Z2 will set you back Php149,999, and that is the promotional cash price.

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How to connect the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc on TV

Get some sort of all-over scene of your Sony Ericsson Arc phone, because it has alot of additional, mostly unobtrusive features. This is just another simple tips on how to connect the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc to TV. This features of Arc will make more even better on how it's camera is capable of capturing a high quality photos of 8-megapixel and recording a high definition video at 750p.

Here's how to sipmly connect it on TV so that you can view your videos and photos in a wider screen. Just find the port with labeled HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) at the top your xperia ARC. That's the interface output from the phone which can be able to connect it on via TV. You need also to use a microHDMI - HDMI converter cable, if you haven't it you'll need to buy one.

Now, If your TV supports CEC it will eventually just automatically switch automatically to the HDMI channel, if it's not, jus manually switch your TV to HDMI channel. 

Once you manage to connect it, you will find another experience with your ARC while it's being connected to the TV, because it will also mimic anything you do on your device.

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LG Optimus One P500 @ Php7,990

The LG Optimus One, our favorite entry level smartphone has done it again. Whenever it is threatened by newer products, it adjust its price and keeps its crown. 

This time, the suggested retail price is down to Php8,990, and until October 2, 2011, an additional 1K discount is being given.  Php7,990 for a tried and tested phone running Android 2.3 with a 3.2-inch 320 x 480 screen, decent performance. It is a steal.

LG also has promo's on its new LG Optimus 3D and Optimus Me. The promo is available from LG Concept Stores and kiosks.

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HTC Mozart 7 @ Php14,750

CMK Cellphones is offering the HTC Mozart 7 at Php14,750 with a one year warranty from HTC. This is a  really good price for a phone 1GHz processor, a 480 x 800 screen and 8GB of internal storage.

If you have been curious about Windows Phone 7, this is probably a good time to grab one. The HTC Mozart 7 will be getting an update to Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango".

I have to stop blogging this now and see if I can convince my wife to let me get one before supplies run out.

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Around the web: Asus Eee Pad Slider and Samsung Galaxy Note - Tablets of a different kind

Hardware Zone Philippines has a in-depth look at the Asus Eee Pad Slider. While this thing looked interesting at CES 2011, after reading Hardware Zone Philippines review, I realized this device is not as interesting as it initially looks. It is essentially a ARM powered notebook, with a small keyboard. Still, it weighs in at a reasonable 2 pounds. I think I would be much happier with something more conventional like an ARM powered Asus Eee PC X101 with a touchscreen and larger keyboard.

PinoyTechBlog takes a look at the new 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note and looks at whether it is a smartphone or a tablet. Actually, where it fit make perfect sense to me. 

In some ways tablets replace the paper. As pure paper replacements, their primary use is as follows:

The 6-inch Kindle was designed to mimic a paperback book.

The 9.7-inch iPad primarily was designed to for viewing more colorful and interactive media in the form of newspapers, magazines and comic books.

The 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note looks like a nice replacement for your diary and a Reporters Notepad.

A NYT Reporters Notepad from brandbook.de.

One size will really not fit all. But with the Samsung Galaxy Note reportedly being priced at over US$1,000, I am not sure how many will find the Note to be the right fit for them.

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SMART's Nethpone 701 vs. LG Optimus One P500

It will be some time before we can test the new SmartNet services which will accompany its new Netphone, but between its Netphone messenger, FX Messenger, Global Directory and Safe Browsing, it looks like SmartNet might become something like a local Social Network. We will just have to wait and see how that all pans out.

The Netphone 701 itself, is a known quantity. In selecting its first Netphone, SMART Communications went with a tried and tested phone, the ZTE Blade. It is the same phone selected by UK based Telecom Orange for their network. On the Orange network, the ZTE Blade is called the Orange San Francisco. If you want to find out more about SMART's Netphone 701 phone you can read reviews from UK based websites on the Orange San Francisco.

Review of the Orange San Francisco by TechRadar UK

Review of the Orange San Francisco by Trusted Reviews

Review of the Orange San Francisco by CNET UK

While the hardware will be the same, the operating system will be different. Instead of the Orange modified Android OS, you will find vanilla Android with Red Bends WAC based SmartNet software.

Price. The asking price of SMART Communications, at Php9,900 is hard to beat. From a hardware standpoint, the best reason to get the Netphone 701 is its 3.5-inch, high resolution 480 x 800 screen, is the same size as the screen on Apple's iPhone and Nokia N8.

Sony Ericsson does not offer anything comparable, all its phones at this price range now running a obsolescent version of the Android OS, version 2.1 Eclair. Samsung offerings at this price range have smaller screens (3.14-inch) with painfully lower 240 x 320 screen resolutions. Nokia closest competitor is the C6-01 is more than 2K more expensive and with Symbian OS which is gradually being phased out it is not very inviting. Similarly, HTC's nearest offering is also more than 2K more expensive. Only LG has something comparably priced.

The LG Optimus One can be had for as low as Php9,800, which put its price Php100 lower than the Optimus One. 

Update & Correction: The LG Optimus One now has a suggested retail price of just Php8,990 and is available at a discounted price of Php7,990 until October 2, 2011 from LG Concept Stores and kiosks.

The Netphone 701 and Optimus One run on similar hardware. Both phones have 600MHz ARM 11 processors, Adreno 200 graphics and 512MB of RAM. Both phones have 3.2MP auto-focus cameras.  The key areas of difference are:

Screen. The SMART Netphone 3.5-inch screen is larger than the LG Optimus One's 3.2-inch screen The Netphone also has a higher screen resolution at 480 x 800, while the Optimus One has a lower resolution 320 x 480 screen.

Size. The Netphone 710 is the slimmer of the two at 116 x 56.5 x 11.8 m, while the Optimus One is a chunkier looking 113.5 x 59 x 13.3 mm.

Internal Storage. The Optimus One has more user available internal storage, at 170MB versus 150MB for the Netphone 701. I suspect the 150MB of the Netphone will be reduced because of the pre-installed SmartNet apps.

Battery. The Optimus One has a larger 1500 mAh battery, while the Netphone 701 has a smaller 1250 mAh battery. The Netphone's has a decently sized battery being rated higher than some batteries on even more expensive phones. The HTC Desire HD only has a 1230 mAh battery.

Operating System. Both phones come out of the box with Android 2.2, but the Optimus One is upgradeable to Android 2.3. The Android 2.2 upgrade was a major update and any phone running a lower version of Android is something we could consider obsolete. Android 2.3 really focuses more on features not found on the Netphone 701 and Optimus One.  

While the Optimus One has several points in its favor, ultimately screen size and screen resolution are more important, and in those categories the Optimus One falls far behind the Netphone.

From a hardware standpoint, it look like SMART's Netphone is the best budget phone in the market and its its 3.5-inch, high resolution 480 x 800 screen really puts its competitors, and even higher priced models to shame.

Update: Every time something new comes in to threaten the spot of the LG Optimus One as the band for the buck smartphone in the Philippines, it simply lowers its price. At Php7,990 till September 25, 2011, it is 2K cheaper than the Netphone. I think that will be enough to call this comparison a draw?

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