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September 26, 2011 EVERY MONDAY

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Technews

Section Editor: Art Samaniego, Jr.

Check, Gmate
onths back, the muchanticipated iPhone 5 was reportedly scheduled to make its debut this month; but I guess up to this very date no one really knows when and what exactly the iPhone 5 would be like. Apart from obviously as expected a far more powerful device, they say that the design features of the iPhone 5 would be similar to the latest iPod Touch being slimmer, svelte and sexier. But then again, in reality, what we all have are just rumors and speculations. Last weekend, as I was hanging out with friends, imagine the stare and the look of disbelief when I took a call from what supposedly is an iPod Touch. Could this possibly be the latest iPhone because clearly, it sure looks like an iPod Touch? The question was well written all over their faces. I hate to disappoint them but, it may not be the iPhone 5 that everyone eagerly awaits, but it sure is the latest iPod Touch and is definitely capable of calls and SMS messages. Yes, you read that right. You can make calls and text on Apples iTouch

and this is how. Introducing Skyroams Gmate, a device that could possibly offer endless possibilities to your reliable iTouch, iPad and iPhone. Gmate is a small companion device where you can insert a GSM/sim card giving iTouch and iPad the added smartphone features that we seem to be asking for. Gmate resembles very much like a myfi only a bit thinner and lighter. Since it is small and lightweight, unlike the Touch Peel that you attach to your mobile device, Gmate can easily be tucked away on ones pocket or bag rendering it invisible and convenient while using your iOs device. It has a sim card slot tucked on its side that communicates with your Apple iOs device via bluetooth. What sets it apart is that Gmate does not only enable voice calls and SMS to your device; it can also provide remote internet access via GPRS/EDGE. This is indeed good news to iPad users who have availed only of the WiFi option.

This way, you can now have 3G function. And for those who have an Iphone, they are definitely not left out because Gmate can transform their iPhone to a dual SIM phone. Installing the Gmate client on the iPod Touch was pretty easy. Just make sure that your mobile device is already jailbroken. I was able to download and install the Gmate software quickly from Cydia and after installation and reboot, a Gmate icon then appeared on my main screen.

Making calls and sending SMS messages are pretty much the same as the iPhone. Calls are clear on both ends and no dropped calls so far. As for the internet, initially there was a bit of confusion as to its settings because by default it was set for China Mobile Network; but after making changes as to the APN and DNS (de-

tails from our local network operator) everything went on smoothly. Of course, speed depends on the network provider. At this day and age, nothing is impossible. Clearly with Gmate, you can transform an iTouch to an iPhone, an iPad to an iPad 3G and an iPhone to a dual SIM iPhone. It is by going beyond the boundaries of these great devices you can prove that something good can simply be better. (Len Amadora)

On OS confusionNo more!
A smartphones success highly lies on its Operating System (OS). It is equally as important to choose the right OS aside from just choosing a great smartphone brand. According to Aloysius Low of CNET Asia, the second half of 2011 will be an all-out war between the various mobile operating systems. The excitement is rising even if Apple chose to delay iOS 5 to the end of Q3, when its previous release cycles happened in June. At the same time, Apple's mobile OS is set to be on a collision course with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Mango update that should be happening in October. Meanwhile, another rumor that is circulating on the Internet is Google's Ice Cream Sandwich, [which] is also primed to hit around this period if the rumors about an upcomingGoogle Nexus Prime are true. And of course, not to forget are the two other makers RIM and Nokia are debuting the BlackBerry 7 OS and Symbian Belle, respectively, on several new devices. What can we look forward to with each of the OSs? Apples iOS 5 Apple lovers would get over 200

new features that would bring a whole new level of mobile experience. Theres a brand new Notification Center for all alerts in just one section, an iMessage for sending messages over WiFi or 3G, a PC-free environment where everything can be done standalone, and a Wi-Fi Sync feature among others. Googles Ice Cream Sandwich Theres nothing finalized until we see the actual release, but rumor has it that this particular OS will unify the great divide of Android versions across smartphones and tablets. This basically means that smartphones will get some of the features first released for tablets in Honeycomb. It will maintain its free and customizable environment for everyone to

play and enjoy. Microsofts Mango The characteristic that best describe Windows Phone 7 is its focus on being an activity-centered rather than app-centered OS. On what they call as hubs, your attention is made to focus on ideas like people, pictures or music rather than the particular app or service you need at the moment. Nokias Symbian Belle It offers a fresh look of the home screen and user interface, a freeform and differently-sized livewidgets, a more modernized navigation, and more. New apps with built-in Near Field Communication (NFC) technology will allow contacts, vid-

eos, and images to be shared with other NFC-enabled devices and smartphones by simply touching two devices together. RIMs BlackBerry 7 OS Adding to the existing business and communication features are Liquid Graphics technology for smoother and more fluid graphics, a faster browser with seamless panning and zooming, a set of breakthrough technologies like Augmented Reality and NFC technology, and a voice-activated universal search. There you have it. Its a tough choice to make, but at the end of it all, you should choose what best suits your needs rather than what others say is best for you. (Glenn Richmond Ong)