Check out this cool Flash game at http://www.107.peugeot.co.uk/peugeot.swf

Actually, im very good with driving cars like Maximum Tune & Initial D

Somewhat related to my previous post about Windows Mobile 5 Palm Treo 700w being sold in Lanao del Norte, here is an article from Businessworld online about the looming competition between local telcos in providing CDMA2000 services.

Adopting CDMA seen to give telcos new revenue stream

With the much-hyped third-generation (3G) cellular service practically fizzling, would jumping into the next-generation fixed-line service give telecom providers the hoped-for new revenues?

Dubbed as the wireless local loop, the fixed-line service is built using the code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.

Christian Villareal, sales manager of CDMA gear maker ZTE Corp., said the company is wooing the country’s top three telecom companies -- Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co, Globe Telecom, Inc, and Digital Telecommunications Phils., Inc. -- to roll out the service.

ZTE is the same company that is planning to offer 3G handsets that could go as low as P10,000 per unit, much lower than today’s minimum price of P20,000.

Simply put, wireless loop subscribers will be able to make unlimited landline calls using CDMA-enabled mobile phones within a specific radius from a base station.

Here, Lopez-led Bayan Telecommunications, Inc. (BayanTel) -- which is yet to launch its cellular service -- was the first to launch the service in March, packaged under the brand, SPAN. SPAN is built on the infrastructure supplied by ZTE.

A SPAN user can make an unlimited number of calls or send a short messaging service or text to another user within a 2.5-km service radius.

This is available for an activation fee of P2,200 and a monthly fee of P749, including VAT, making CDMA rates cheaper than cellular rates. The service is now being offered in Marikina, Manila, Tacloban, General Santos and Davao.

CDMA is expected to generate 500 million users worldwide by 2010 from 300 million now.

"We are bullish about the prospects of SPAN given its high-value proposition of limited mobility with unlimited calling within the network. We hope to make the service more widely deployed in the next coming months, particularly in major cities outside of Manila," BayanTel chief executive consultant Tunde Fafunwa said.

ZTE’s Mr. Villareal said an unlimited wireless service offer is a potential new source for fresh revenues.

Smart and Globe had confirmed separately "the killer application," the come-on which they hope would bring in new 3G users, remains elusive.

Globe said it might take longer than two years before it could recover its investment in 3G.

For the first phase of the rollout, which will run until next year, Globe has allocated some $100 million in investments.

When asked if BayanTel is ready for the looming competition, Mr. Fafunwa said the company has already "assumed" the competition, but the company will continue to have the first-mover advantage.

Since the CDMA technology uses the existing fixed-line infrastructure of telcos, cost is not seen as a major barrier.

Source: BusinessWorld: I.T. Matters - News

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on an ad at Yello.com which is selling units of Windows Mobile 5 Palm Treo 700w for P16,500! Being CDMA-EVDO, I know this wouldnt just work with inserting a GSM SIM card from your dreaded favorite Mobile Phone Operator. I just wonder how would could this be made to work on the networks of our CDMA providers like Broadband Philippines & Mango. But 16,500 for an EVDO Windows Mobile 5 Palm Treo sounds very cheap!

They even have a lot of units being sold!

With regards to my previous blog entry about how annoyed I am with Microsoft Virtual Earth compared to Google Maps, here is a screenshot of my location on Google Maps, which i have labelled so you have an idea of where the area is. I live in Cityland Shaw Tower in Ortigas Center which i have labeled as "Home" in the picture.

 

Well... these are really tough times for the IT industry (except of course for the contact center sector). The PCS, the oldest IT org in the philippines and the most influential (has the ears of the President), would, aside from doing cost cutting measures, be increasing membership fees. Although understandable, I hope the new board of directors of the PCS would think of creative activities and benefits to justify the increase in membership fees. Value doesnt always have to cost a lot.

I have been craving for authentic shawarma but Id feel too shy to binge on them at the usual shawarma carts. At first i thought that it would be difficult to make at home without those special shawarma roaster contraptions, but at a recent Mobile Kusina (not related to Windows Mobile) episode, I discovered that shawarma meat can be made by grilling sukiyaki cut strips of beef or chicken. Sadly, I got non-halal pork, because my nearest supermarket didnt have beef. Here is the recipie if youre interesed to try it out yourself.

SHAWARMA SPECTACULA

Ingredients:

• ½ kilo Monterey Beef Sukiyaki Cut
• For Marinade:
• ¼ cup garlic
• ½ cup onions
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 T Wansuy
• 2 T Purefoods Supremo Vinegar
• ½ cup Magnolia Nutri Oil

For Garlic Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups Real Mayonaise
• ½ cup Magnolia Full Cream Milk
• 1 cup Wilkins Distilled Water
• 2 T garlic, minced
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups Magnolia Nutri Oil
• salt to taste

 

Procedure:

1. Mix all Marinade ingredients in a blender and mix well. Place meat in a bowl big enough to accommodate both the marinade and the beef. Pour marinade over meat, cover and marinate for at least 30 min in the chiller.
2. Place meat in skewers. Make sure to pack the skewer tight. Grill for at least 4 min on each side, or until done. Allow meat to rest, and remove from skewer. Cut in to smaller pieces. Serve with warm pita bread, garlic sauce, sliced onions and sliced tomatoes.
3. To make Garlic Sauce: Place all ingredients together except oil and salt in a blender and puree until well combined. Gradually add oil until sauce consistency is attained. Oil may or may not be totally consumed. Add salt to taste.

With Windows Live Writer, I can easily post maps from MS Virtual Earth, with my user defined pushpins. Although I would wish that they have better zooming detail compared to Google Earth, where i could really see the rooftop of my building.

On the August 30th monthly membership meeting, the Philippine Computer Society would have TJ Javier as the guest speaker to share his experiences in running Microsoft Philippines.

" In line with last month’s survey on the training requirements of PCS members, this month’s MMM will focus on modeling a CEO and a briefing on the aspects of nation building.

PCS is privileged to have Antonio “TJ” Javier, General Manager of Microsoft Philippines as its main speaker for the August MMM.  TJ will reveal his secrets in successfully managing the Philippine operations of the most popular IT company in the world.  His insights will surely help all members in becoming better managers of our companies."

I was introduced to TJ once before and he commended me for my efforts in evangelizing Windows Mobile in the Philippines through the Pinoy Windows Mobile community. I hope he still remembers me when we meet again. :) After TJ's talk, a speaker from Gawad Kalinga would talk about how we can contribute in nation building.

Interestingly this members meeting wouldnt have a lunch break since the schedule says its from 7:30 to 10:30 AM. Probably theyre starting to do some cost cutting.