Yes! Finally, Apple was given the go signal to bring in the new iPad to Philippine shores. Or should I say, the NTC has finished scrutinizing the new iPad and finally gave it the nod to be sold in the Philippine markets? And so, the exact date of release of the new iPad will be on May 29. That will be 11 days from now.

How did I know of the exact date? Check out this regional page of the new iPad’s availability on the Apple site. It lists down all the Asian countries where the iPad is already available for sale. Although the Philippines is included, it does have a notation which states that the new iPad will be available on May 29.

The new iPad will be available from the Philippine Apple Online store, authorized Apple resellers and Globe Telecoms.

So hopefully, you’ve saved enough for the new iPad models of you choice.

News had it that Apple is set to give the go signal for 30 more countries to start selling the new iPad. Unfortunately, the Philippines is not yet included? Why? Well according to reports, the Philippines plus a few more countries are yet to officially approved the availability of the new iPad in the local market. No words yet as to when the new iPad be finally available in Manila so if you can’t wait for some more weeks or perhaps day, you might as well buy the new iPad now from the grey market.

As you may have read in various tech sites a couple of hours ago, Apple has revealed the latest generation of iPad. The new iPad will have the same models as the iPad 2. Even the price range for all models were the same when the iPad 2 was introduced. Since, Apple will still continue selling the iPad 2, its price has to be lower than the new iPad. Given those facts, are you planning to get the new iPad? It will be available in Apple Stores in several countries by March 16. Pre-ordering has already started from these stores as well.

Unfortunately, the Philippine Apple Store is not among those which will be getting the iPad on March 16. The good news is that distribution of the new iPad seems to be in a rush so Apple decided to include Singapore and Hong Kong as among the countries which will be getting the new iPad together with the U.S. and Canada.

So, if you’re in Manila, Philippines and you want to buy the new iPad, you’re best bet will be to get this from either the Hong Kong or Singapore online Apple stores. Another good news here is that you can use your Philippine issued credit card to purchase the iPad from these stores. All you need is a valid Hong Kong or Singapore address where Apple will send your new iPad 2. I’ve done this when the iPhone 4S was released in Singapore. No hitch or whatsoever.

So, are you buying the new iPad? You better pre-order it now to ensure that you’ll be getting your unit starting March 16, 2012. Good luck!

I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy Note for a couple of weeks now, replacing my Samsung Galaxy S II as my Android phone. It’s time to give this great smartphone the proper review. You can read the Samsung Galaxy Note review
over at Gadgetell.com. Check it out and please share. Happy New Year everyone.

A few hours before 2011 ends and 2012 begins, allow me to give you my top gadgets of 2011. Take note, I personally used (and owned) all of these top five gadgets of 2011. Four of them are still with me. While the only one who’ve left me a few months ago was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 which I found to be a redundant since I already have the iPad 2.  Anyway, I still find it as one of the top gadgets that I’ve owned for this year. The rest of the top five gadgets of 2011 for aczafra.com are as follow:

1.) Samsung Galaxy Note

Being the the latest of the gadgets I purchased this year, the Samsung Galaxy Note has to be on top. Although it’s only a few months into 2011, still as of latest report, Samsung announced that it has already shipped more than a million units of the Galaxy Note. And that doesn’t include shipment to the United States yet since it was not officially released there yet. There are so many things to love about the Galaxy Note. If you want to enjoy the best of both worlds – smartphone and tablet – this is the perfect gadget for you.

2.) iPad 2

Still my tablet of choice that belongs in the 7-10 inches category. There are so many things to love with the iPad 2 as well. And with iOS 5, its stock features and functionality have become more powerful, useful and so much to desire about. The only tablet that can beat the iPad 2 has got to be the upcoming iPad 3. So Apple, take your time because I still want to enjoy my iPad 2 some more this year.

3.) Samsung Galaxy S II

As previously announced, the Samsung Galaxy Note reservation page is now active. This means that you can now reserve a Galaxy Note by heading to this link, enter some of your personal details and choose whether you want to get the Galaxy Note unlocked or via Smart Unli Plan 2000. The factory unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note will set you back for Php 33,000 up front which the Smart Unli Plan will not cost you any cash out.

After reserving your unit, wait for an email confirmation which you need to bring upon claiming your Samsung Galaxy Note.

So, there good luck folks!

Related articles

• Samsung Galaxy Note Release Date, Pricing and How to Get It in Manila (aczafra.com)
• Samsung Starts Shipping the Galaxy Note to the European Market (androidnewshub.com)

Have you been planning to get the Samsung Galaxy Note since it was announced by Samsung? Well, if you do, you’ll be glad to know that the said Samsung tablet/phone hybrid device can now be yours, if you’re willing to spend around Php 36,400. The Samsung Galaxy Note is now available from online store Widget City Philippines. Yes, you read it right, the Samsung Galaxy Note will costs you more than to get the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 which I think retails for around Php 26,000. A little overpriced? Well, it’s an “unofficial unit” probably sourced out by Widget City from other countries where it is already available.

So, if you’re will to pay that much for this shiny, new Samsung device, check out Widget City, or check out this video demo first to convince yourself that the Samsung Galaxy Note is one heck of a gadget to have.

I was recently contacted by the developers of this new iPhone app called TrafficDito and I was supposed to make a preview post but I couldn’t install the beta version of the app on my iPhone 4 so I waited until the app was ready for download from the App Store. And so it was released a couple of days ago and I finally got to see the app.

Similar to the MMDA iPhone app, TrafficDito is also a traffic monitoring app. But unlike, the MMDA app, TrafficDito relies on inputs from users for monitoring traffic conditions. Yes, it doesn’t have the same traffic monitoring system as the MMDA app, but you’ll find it most useful for side-streets and major thoroughfares not covered by the MMDA app.

TrafficDito is well organized and designed as well. But its usefulness will solely depend on the validity of the traffic conditions of posted by users. Anybody who has the app installed on their iPhone or who’ll register from the TrafficDito.com site can post traffic updates. How accurate those traffic updates are depends on one’s discretion I guess.

Check out TrafficDito from the App Store now and see for yourself if it can help you in traversing the Metro.

Can’t wait for Globe to release the iPhone 4S (which we heard won’t be happening until early 2012) ? You might want to check out the Apple Online Store in Singapore which just started accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 4S. The good thing about iPhone 4S bought in Singapore is that it comes out of the box – factory unlocked! Which means that you can use it right away with a Globe or Smart micro-SIM.

So, how can you purchase the iPhone 4S from Apple Store Singapore if you’re in Manila? Well, you just need to contact a friend or relative residing in Singapore and ask them if they can receive your iPhone 4S for you. The good news here is that you can use your Philippine issued credit card to purchase the iPhone 4S in Singapore.

So, what about billing address? Don’t worry, based on my previous experience when I bought the iPhone 4 in the Singapore Apple Store, they accepted the shipping address I indicated as the billing address.

Go ahead and try it out. You might get lucky. Apple Store in Singapore indicates 1-2 weeks shipping time. So, if you order now, you might get your iPhone 4S first week of November. Good luck!

In case you were sleeping so soundly last night, you might have missed the news that iOS 5 is now out there in the open, waiting for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Yes, mga kababayan, it’s our favorite time of the year again, Apple has released the much awaited – iOS 5. Fire up your iTunes, connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, grab a cup of coffee and bread or something, do your morning chores and hope that PLDT myDSL or whatever Internet provider that you are using at home don’t choke up. In time, you’ll have your iDevices running the best iOS version to date.

If you have no idea what to expect from iOS 5, you better this comprehensive guide and screenshot tour .

Good luck and have fun!

Related articles

• New iPhone 4S Specs, Prices, Release Date, Available in the Philippines in December? (aczafra.com)
• MMDA Traffic Navigator for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (mobilepinas.com)
• Apple Unveils the New iPhone 4S! (mobilepinas.com)
• MMDA Traffic Navigator App for iOS is Now Available on the App Store! (aczafra.com)