racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

The iPad has reached the Philippine shores, but only through the grey market so far. This means that you can buy an iPad, but you might not get the same Apple warranty and support. Also, prices are usually non-standard with some retailers selling iPads at a steep premium (I’m looking at you, Infomaxx Gold).

I heard from sources that official distributors will start selling the iPad sometime this week. What’s better–they’re selling it at prices that are definitely lower than what unofficial retailers are offering. If the entry level iPad is selling at $499, then that translates to about PhP 22,000. So this means retailers will probably sell the iPad starting at about PhP 25,000 (with the usual taxes plus premium, etc.). I think that with lower official prices, third-party retailers will start selling at lower price points.

[via techie.com.ph]

According to Asus Philippines, they are set to launch the upcoming EeePC 1000 this July 29th. I earlier ranted that Asus is launching the 1000 here, but not the 901. I’m betting Asus here still wants to clear its stock of EeePC 900 units (as the 901′s price difference is just about $50, or even reportedly zero in some parts of the world).

The Asus 901 and 1000 (photo credit: Engadget)

At any rate, the 1000 is a completely different line in terms of form factor, since it sports a 10-inch screen, and is therefore a bit larger and heavier than the 90x and 70x EeePCs. The 1000′s direct competitor is the MSI Wind. Most probably, pricing will be approximately same as with the MSI Wind’s PhP 26,000. Note that the EeePC 1000 retails for US$550 elsewhere (price recently dropped from $650), which is about PhP 24,750.

It’s the year of the netbooks, people! There’s more to come, with Dell’s “E” series to be launched this August, and the HDD models of the Acer Aspire one, also to be introduced come August. Who’s next? Apple?

Acer is apparently anticipating huge demand for their upcoming Aspire One ultraportable (earlier announced). I’ve made a few calls and Acer said the Aspire One will hit the retail shops third week of July. It also seems there are already stocks in some shops here in Manila (like the Acer concept store in SM Megamall Cyberzone).

However, judging from what I’ve read on the TipidPC forums, it seems Acer is intent on moving slower-selling products along with the Aspire One, since they will only sell X number of Aspire One units with Y number of other models. This is from the point of view of retailers. So does this mean the Aspire One will come in limited stocks?

Also, reports say that the SSD version of the Aspire One is unbearably slow on Windows XP, which might be a deal breaker for most consumers, who are more Windows-savvy. For those of us who are into exploring, well, there are other options, like possibly Ubuntu (or some variant thereof).

Things are getting a bit more exciting for laptop / ultraportable aficionados (like someone I know). Let’s wait for the Dell E series to come this August!

I’ve come to realize that a lot of Filipinos have been fans of game shows (from the silly ones to the intellectually challenging ones) because of various reasons. These range from a desire to get rich quick, to the desire to escape from one’s problems (even momentarily), or even just to entertain oneself.

PCIJ has an in-depth analysis, mostly from the psychological aspect of the game show mentality.

Cash draws people, most of whom dream of getting as much of it as possible. But while cash prizes have always been a game-show staple, it used to be that contestants needed to have some modicum of skill, talent, or intelligence to have a shot at them. By contrast, the more popular game shows today ask only that contestants have a great desire to get their hands on lots of money — fast.

Networks claim they’re helping out people by not simply giving dole-outs but opportunities to have a better means of living.

Some observers say TV shows that are practically giving away huge amounts of money are actually exploiting the poor. This, they say, was most apparent in the “Wowowee” tragedy of 2006, where 71 people were trampled to death in a mad rush to get inside the Ultra stadium where the show was going to be held. Over 30,000 people had come — and camped out in front the stadium days before — hoping to win the P1-million cash prize and giveaways that included two houses and lots, 15 passenger jeepneys, two taxicabs with franchises, and 20 tricycles.

The fact that the program offered jeepneys, taxicabs, and tricycles among its prizes does show an effort to encourage enterprise among would-be contestants; its producers could also argue that all they were doing was giving people a leg up. Where they may have erred, however, is in failing to provide real criteria and means through which those who join and eventually win the prizes could feel that they truly deserve these.

Still, I think it’s the get-rich-quick mentality that prevails, and the producers exploit this. A lot of disadvantaged, uneducated people wishing to have a shot at these game shows look to these as means to escape poverty. As Ruffa Mae Quinto’s character said in one of her movies: habang may game show, may pag asa (while there are game shows, there is hope).

But as money mentors would say, if you have a low potential for money, or a poor financial blueprint, then whatever you gain from such activities are quickly lost. Have you heard of the Lottery winner who ended up poorer than he originally was only a year after winning his millions?

At any rate, of course there is entertainment value. And I’m particularly fond of those game shows that really challenge the mind, in terms of asking difficult questions, or requiring computation and risk-management.

But it’s still tantamount to gambling, if you rely too much on luck and circumstance, such as with lotteries and other such games of chance. It’s wise to take calculated risks. It’s foolish and sinful to gamble. There is a thin line easily crossed.

And to the millions out there who still languish in hunger and poverty, hoping for an easy way out–is there an easy way out at all?

[via the Daily PCIJ]

Just got word from Bayantel DSL customer service that they have increased speeds across the board. New plan speeds are as follows:

* Plan 899 (PhP 899 per month) – from 384 Kbps now 768 Kbps, burstable to 1280 Kbps during off-peak hours
* Plan 1699 (PhP 1,699 per month) – from 768 Kbps now 1280 Kbps, burstable to 1536 Kbps during off-peak hours
* Plan 1999 (PhP 1,999 per month; new plan!) – 2048 Kbps
* Plan 2560 (PhP 2,560 per month) – from 1536 Kbps now 2560 Kbps

Apparently new subscribers as of Nov 1st of this year are getting these packages already. Existing subscribers have to request for an upgrade, which I find very inconvenient and unfair (because we don’t get it automatically). Still, this is a good move on Bayantel’s part, especially considering that their competitors are also increasing speeds.

Here’s one of my latest speedtest results: