Apps and Gadgets

In a surprise move, I saw a tweet yesterday from the productivity app I've used more frequently over Evernote -- Springpad -- announcing that they will be shutting down on June 25, 2014. I quickly checked to see if this was indeed official and read this article on their blog, " Springpad says goodbye ". Sad but true, they are indeed shutting down due to lack of funding. :-( If you're one of the many Springpad users who loved the app but will need to consider alternatives now, the good news is that there are 2 migration options: Evernote and Pocket .

Dell just introduced today its latest entry level Inspiron 14 3000 Series and Inspiron 14 and 15 5000 Series laptops that are meant for families and students.

Spotify is the music streaming app that is taking cyberspace by storm nowadays. If you've gotten tired of listening only to your own music playlists over and over again, Spotify now lets you hear streamed music from different genre collections as well as from friends and celebrities.   Now you can enjoy Spotify with Globe's GoSurf promo . Globe Postpaid and Prepaid subscribers, TM and Tattoo subscribers can subscribe to GoSurf with Spotify. This means you get a plan that combines surfing time as well as Spotify music streaming. 

Android users, rejoice! A leading password manager, 1Password by AgileBits, has an open beta test for its 1Password 4 for Android . (screenshot courtesy of AgileBits website) Being a 1Password user for many years, I don't hesitate to recommend this leading password manager to my family and friends. They have iOS, Mac and Windows versions. All you need to remember is ONE master password (Note: The master password has to be something you can remember because it has no "Forgot Password" feature. You forget it, you lose your info inside). But once you're logged in, you'll find the safety features really outstanding: strong encryption; ability to auto-login from 1Password or copy-paste the password; categories; vaults (lets you put passwords in different vaults where each vault has its own sync, sharing and password settings); and a new Watchtower feature in the Mac version that alerts you to passwords that have not been changed in a long time, weak passwords o

Smart's postpaid plan options have just widened again with the inclusion of the LG G2 Mini LTE smartphone in its offerings. Available with the Smart Postpaid All-in Plan 1200 , the LG G2 Mini LTE is said to be the most affordable smartphone bundled with unlimited LTE surfing using the Smart platform. The Unli LTE 995 is already automatically included in the All-in Plan 1200 so the remaining consumable balance can be used for other call and text bundles. The LG G2 Mini LTE is the mini version of the LG G2. It runs on KitKat and has an 8MP rear camera (with autofocus and LED flash) and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. It also comes with 8GB of internal storage and a 2440 mAh battery. It will be available in black and white. Here are some of its cool features: * Knock Code - a popular feature which lets users tap twice on the screen to wake the phone up from sleep mode. * Rear Key - lets users take full control of their phones with their index finger using a rocker placed

Still wondering what to give your Mom or wife on Mother's Day? Here's something very different you could try. Smart has partnered with Uber , the on-demand car service, to bring you an on-demand promo just for Mom. On May 11, Uber users can request for a special Mother’s Day package which will include the following: - A bouquet of fresh flowers - Gift box with beauty products from Glamour Box - A sweet treat from Grechelle's Kitchen - Gift certificate for a manicure session at Posh Nails The package's regular price is P400 but those with active Smart postpaid subscriptions will receive a special code on Mother's Day which can be used to order the package at 50% off. How to order? Those with active SMART Postpaid subscriptions will receive a special code on Mother’s Day which they can use to avail of the Uber on-demand promotion for half its usual price. This will be charged to the credit card used during the registration for an Uber account. User

The backdrop of the launch was as theatrical and exciting as the products being introduced. From a modern family setting that featured different ways of enjoying the 2014 product lineup of Samsung in family entertainment, we were treated to a Roman gladiator performance at the Blue Leaf event hall, where Samsung unveiled another world first - the Samsung Curved UHD TV . This angle really shows the curvature of the UHD TV

The old way of checking a flight's status was through the airline's website. I remember doing that many, many times when family members were traveling. But for some reason, they were not always reliable. At times, departure/arrival delays were not reflected on the flight status. But now, there are apps you can download that provide more accurate and real-time flight status. One of them which is on my phone is FlightStats. Just imagine how useful such apps can be. If there is a delay in the flight, you'd know even before leaving home. Productivity is much higher because you know that you can leave home and arrive at the airport at just the right time, allowing you to do work when flights are delayed. The Flightstats app uses a mix of information and visuals. First you enter the details (by flight, by airport or by route).