[TECH & TREND] The Asus Zenfone 2 laser 6.0 [ZE601KL]

So my recent phone is giving me a hard time for somehow crashing in the middle of use but somehow I was able to resolve that issue. I bought a new phone so that I won't be doing the same maintenance over and over just so my old phone would work in good condition.

By the way my old phone is an old Samsung Galaxy Note 2 bought around 2013 so I think it kinda served its span. Anyways the new phone I've been working with right now is a good Asus Zenfone 2 "Laser" 6.0 ZE601KL.

I bought this phone for a total of P 11,995 from an Asus store inside Cyberzone from SM Pampanga. The Unit is bundled with a headset and a charger. You can choose from two colors either Gold or the Silver one (and if am not mistaken there is also a Red one but it is not available when I bought the phone), and so I choose to get the silver one like my old Samsung Note 2 (I like dark colors for my gadgets).

Why 6.0? It has a very large 6 inch size than the previous 5.0 and 5.5 Asus Laser Units.
It is said to have a 71.8% screen to body ratio. So for the record I've placed my Samsung Note 2 beside it for the comparison.

My old Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a 5.5 inch compared with the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 with a 6 inch Multi Touch and 1080 x 1920 pixels ( a 367 ppi pixel density ) for its resolution, and it is also equipped with a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for its screen protection. These little factors is what made the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 a smart phone with monstrous screen display.

Here is a look from both lock screens the screen brightness or backlight, as you can see my Note 2 was set to auto and my Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 was set to its lowest. There were issues about the Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 about the backlight power or its intensity during the daylight that it is somehow weak or not doing well (this is also based from the reviews I have read and heard when I was deciding which phone ot buy), But it really is not a big thing for me, I always liked my phone this dim because I don't want anything that drains my battery except for the games I play the apps I want (which usually are very few) the camera that I usually use and the Wifi.

The Asus Zenfone 2 laser 6.0 has a Octa core processor 1.7 GHz CPU with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 for its chip set 32 GB internal storage and a 3GB RAM.

External memory storage is expandable up tp 128 GB with a micro SD card and this smartphone is also equipped with a dual sim dual stand by capabilities that most multi-sim / network users will find handy.

The battery as you can see in the image is removable unlike the Asus Zenfone 2 and its other Zenfone 2 models the battery is builtin. You can also see two speakers under the battery hold that gives excellent loud speaker and music output (I might make a video review about the smartphone soon for everyone who is interested). On the upper part you can see the camera with a 13 Mega pixel  with f/2.0 aperture, has a laser beside it (the black thingy) that can be used to give the camera a fast auto focus and can be used to measure certain distances from your point to where the laser will hit (For the secondary or front camera the smartphone has 5 Mega pixel and F/2.0 aperture), and on the other side is a dual led flash that I can say IS very bright.

To sum up the Pros and Cons of the phone so far as I am using it are:

Pros:
* Great Primary Camera with 13 MP can go on to manual mode like a real DSLR with HDR and Panorama mode and has a good ISO range up to 800 and shutter speed up to 1/1000 combined with high speed auto focus with its laser and from the front It has a 5 MP secondary camera for your selfie needs. Both camera has a f/2.0 aperture so you can practice a good photography and selfie skills in this smartphone.

* Great GPU and CPU for playing 3D games less lag for high graphic settings for some 3D games and big screen for your wide range of viewing. Also combined with a 3GB RAM for a better gaming experience.

*Speakers are A-OK great quality sound but much better bass output with the earphones that is included with it, over all the total audio is great because it also has like an audio equalizer / mixer app from it.

*Battery is great and would depend how heavy you use the smartphone from games to Wifi or Mobile data. (and I think we all know by now which apps and program eats the battery fast.)

*Body? the smartphone looks really sturdy at the same time looks classy with its back cover and a little lighter weight compared to any other 6 inch smartphone available right now, combined with a slick Gorilla Glass 4 screen protection you just have to wipe away the smudges your hands are placing on it.

*32 GB internal storage who wouldn't want a 32GB internal storage for a worth of P11,995? and the memory card slot is still expandable up to 128GB bundled with a great amount of RAM (3GB man 3GB!!!) and an Octa-core CPU that runs on 1.7GHz!

Cons:
*Yes the backlight issue when you are outside is really true, the backlight of the phone is not that good when you are outside with a heavy sunlight but its still visible and can be seen depends on how you put on the intensity or brightness of you screen light from dim to very bright. 

*Camera output is a little noisy or should I say grainy when light is not in your favor or you have very low light and want to capture a high detail image of your subject (based when am shooting on auto mode by the way, and moving to manual mode to capture a great detail in low light is a pain).

*Charging time is like 2 hours or so but I can say its worth it for its long lasting battery time but hey 2 hours is still a long time to charge specially when you're always on the go.

*Pre-installed apps are like there and always processing so you have to manage it a little remove some you don't need and shut off some running apps that you don't usually use, some call these apps bloatware and consumes your battery as long as they are active and processing

Well am still thinking about making video reviews for this so stay tuned. That's all for now!

[TECH & TREND] The PLDT Ultera Internet Fun plan 999 30GB 3Mbps

Hey guys so I just want to share with you our current Internet plan that we have right now.
It is from PLDT ( Philippine Long Distance Telephone company) and It is called Home Bro Ultera.
This was actually the migration or the migrated version of the old SmartBro canopy that SMART used to offer for Internet subscription.

So what about it? Home Bro Ultera on its basic price plan for us paying like 1,299 for a new subscriber because If am not mistaken you'll be paying it for like 3 years for the binding contract saying, you are paying for the subscription for around 999 and 300 for the PLDT wifi router that is included on the plan, I really do not know about the technicalities about using your own wifi than using theirs but just to be sure we subscribed for it.

Basically if you came from a SmartBro canopy and just migrated from it to Ultera you'd be like paying only the subscription fee or should I say the Internet fee. In short you're paying for the Bandwidth that is being allocated to your antenna.

Here is the best part! the most basic plan has a total volume allowance of 30GB monthly. Yep you heard it right! VOLUME ALLOWANCE! most of the current plans right now has Data Cap on it so if you want bigger GB on your internet you pay more.

So just to show you our current dashboard for our internet account take a look at this.

So once you sign in for your account with your gmail or any email you are using, you'll be having this dashboard for keeping or managing your account.

Right above you'll see Welcome,[your desired name when you register], your account number right Beside Home Bro Ultera - [account number] and it is also displayed with your account information on the right panel of the screen with your current email and your billing address.

Then your total current bill, we added a 10GB booster for a month that's why our bill is around that much.

AND! if you can see the USAGE DETAILS where the FUN PLAN is! That is your current status of what you have for a month as your data allowance and what is left of it.

By the way just for the information if you have the basic plan 999 you'll have like 3mbps of internet speed with 30gb allowance when you went over the 30gb it would not throttle down instead you wont be able to used the internet once you consumed all of your 30gb and you have to wait for the next refresh date of your service for another 30gb. Another by the way is that once you did not consume the 30gb it would not add up to your next monthly allowance.
   

[FOOD TRIP ADVENTURES] SALILUNGAN : JANY'S STOP & EAT and their awesome MUSCLE BURGER!!!

Got an awesome experience with Jany's Stop & Eat with their awesomely tasty "Jino's Muscle Burger" on their menu. At first I was really hesitant to buy but when hunger kicks in and I am on "meryenda mode" I really order out and eat what looks tasty specially if there is meat on it!!!

JANY'S STOP & EAT for the first time I've encountered this food stall in SALILUNGAN just around San Fernando Pampanga. They cater different kinds of burger servings so it's kinda like the common burger stalls you usually see in the metro manila if you've been there.

With that kind of thingking I was really hesitant to buy from them (I was really trying to avoid the "unang kagat tinapay lahat"/"first bite will be all buns") but since am really on "I need to eat something mode" that day so I kinda give it try...

So among their Meat Burgers I decided to go with their no.5 Jino's Muscle Burger worth P160.00
I was really shocked when they started to cook the burger patty for the order (too bad my camera phone went out of juice)

To tell you about the cooking process the unexpected part was they actually pulled up two big chunky patty for a serious grilling. Each order from the meat burgers comes with a French Fries serving. So after a few minutes of waiting the take out order, got home and finally took a picture just so I can finally eat with all my hunger.

Under two sesame seed buns, two grilled meaty burger patties with BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) and a buttery cheese served with fries. Due to its overwhelming unexpected awesome taste I'd say I've taken some few bites and here's the result...

I was really saying to myself that I just have to take a few little bites to take more photos but, oh well I actually almost devoured the whole thing and fries were already gone :P

I'd say for the rates for this awesome burger is 9/10
*the meat patties 10/10 perfectly grilled and chunky meaty juicy awesome
*the buttery cheese 10/10 you can taste something like an extra ordinary cheesy margarine flavor that stay with your taste buds that is a driver for more bites with the meaty burger
* BLT is also 10/10 spread evenly and does not give a weird taste like in any other burgers where BLT is not well balanced and most are overpowering the taste of the patties.
*Bun 8/10 not too good but not too bad either
*the Fries? I'd give it like a 7/10 maybe because they didn't drain the oil on it due to fast service and stuff. but I'd say its good enough.

[FOOD TRIP ADVENTURES] SALILUNGAN Food Court at San Fernando Pampanga

After a long time of not blogging my food tripping adventures, here's one I can give you.
Just after a long day at work, I got home and mom decided to buy snacks (Meryenda) over at the newly established SALILUNGAN just around SAN FERNANDO Pampanga.

It's like a stop over canteen for travelers along the highway, for the time being these are the stalls that caters foods inside (I don't have my D3300, so I have to shoot with my phone camera).

Taking a look at the inside...

There is Teresita R. Razon's  Halo-halo & Palabok that serves one of the best Halo-Halo and palabok in Pampanga and expanded its branch through out the metro manila

 

Crispy Factory first time seeing the stall mom bought some dinner ("ULAM") here.
Variety of choices and stuff, and I really have no idea what some of the dishes that mom bought for dinner is called. Since I forgot to take pictures of it all I can say is the taste is quite satisfying.

Lugaw Republic well obviously it's "LUGAW"  and right beside is Buko House and Kabigting's Halo- Halo that also serves awesome Halo-Halo with its Yema (sweet soft chewy candy like thingy) fillings.

[COMPUTER TABLE PHOTO SERIES] A Silent Comic Strip Part 3

Episode 1 " A Shining Encounter " Part 3

Starring: 
SD Destiny Gundam as Des 
SD Zeta Gundam as Z
SD Strike Freedom Gundam as Fred

 Special Participation: 
 HGFC Shining Gundam

(From Left To Right)

Part 3 - 1

Part 3 - 2

Part 3 - 3

Part 3 - 4

While I'm doing some editing a few hours ago, my 10 year old keyboard( yes it's an effin 10 year old) just go nuts. Luckily, I had a spare keyboard from my cousin to upload these for the update. 

Episode 1: " A Shining Encounter " Part 4 update will be on 1/31/2016.

Here's the link of the Part 1 & Part 2 if you haven't seen it yet.

Episode 1: " A Shining Encounter " Part 1

Episode 1: " A Shining Encounter " Part 2

[FOOD TRIP ADVENTURES] Dinner at 1CHIBAN EXPRESS REVIEW

 We decided to have to dinner over at 1CHIBAN EXPRESS today, we drive through Mc Arthur Highway from Lazatin Road. The restaurant is beside Matutina's on KINGSPIRE business center along the right side of the road if your going to Angeles City from San Fernando driving along Mc Arthur highway.

Just to be sure here's a google map image for you if you feel lost along the highway! :)

Here is the look outside of the ICHIBAN EXPRESS ( or 1CHIBAN really don't know what's the original but if am not mistaken ICHI means 1 in Nihongo [ nihongo = japanese language ] so I think its kinda ok)  in case you got lost and wondering what it looks like (this is actually my first time eating here too so its cool!). Just below the image is the inside view from table we sit in.

Now time to order! From their menu there's actually a lot of cheap prices for a meal you don't usually see with that kind of price from other food chains. So here have a look yourself of their menu, because I really did take the liberty of taking pictures.

From the cashier looking at the menu displayed you can already see two sets of cuisine, there is Japanese and the other one is Chinese.

Now look at the price carefully, try to look at the goods and its' corresponding price. To others who looks for cheap food that belongs to either Japanese or Chinese cuisine, and some who wants to eat them both at the same time this place is for YOU! or should I say US! 

Bring in a budget of P100 - P200 peso for a Chinese or Japanese rice meal, sushi, dimsum, soup, desert or even drinks this place may become one of your favorite dine-in place!

After a few  minutes of thinking which food to eat on their menu, my Mom finally decided to JUST order a Kani Salad which is owrth around P120 peso which I'll tell you it's really WORTH IT! for it's humongous serving! also she add up some Gyoza which I think she just happen to "want to try and taste it" habit whenever we are eating somewhere new. The five piece gyoza was worth P100.

Then the next order was my Beef Curry which is worth a P150, and very worth it for me too, due to its' soft juicy beef and flavor full curry sauce over the rice made me satisfied for my dinner. Also there was a 4 piece Chicken Feet serving that my Dad ordered that we really did enjoy, It is worth P70 pesos and looks a good score for me dealing with the taste I'd give it a 7/10 for a chicken feet.

Wondering how the meals look like? Don't you guys worry I've taken a few snaps of 'em!

Each meal is served with a soup ( I really didn't get from what kind of soup meal it came from but from what I understand its a "soup" and it's free). We also ordered a pot of hot tea which is worth P50 pesos we emptied the Pot for all three of us and just asked the management to just fill the Pot with another hot water because the tea leaves inside is still usable.

The Kani Salad is dressed with Japanese Salad Dressing (or so I think that is what it is called). It was the first one to come to our table followed by the Chicken feet and the beef curry together with the hot tea and the soup!

The last order to arrive was the Gyoza which I think come on 3 or 4 minutes after the last order was served.

You will be served with chopsticks and can also request for spoon and fork if you do not know how to use a pair (and from my experience it really is hard to eat a rice meal with chopsticks specially if you're not used to it).

There were supposed to be five chunky Gyoza in there but by the time I picked up the camera the first one was already in her mouth so I was like, oh well might as well take the picture of what remains.  

After a few minutes of eating everything up of the tasty, deliciously cheap food, I did say my "Gochisousama!!!" and be done with it. I took off and try to take a few snaps of the "lucky money cat" display at their front entrance, after a few shots we got out and went home full and ready to take the good nights rest.

ICHIBAN EXPRESS is open from 10AM to 10PM in the evening at least that's what I saw from their opening and closing hours.

If I am not mistaken there are also lot of ICHIBAN food chains around the Philippines I just haven't been to some of them, and this was the first time I have ate and dine with the restaurant. From the branch that we ate from I'd say they gave us a good service and food so I'll give them a 8/10 for the service and 9/10 for the food!!! 

 

aaaand here is the cute lucky white CAT!!!

 

[COMPUTER TABLE PHOTO SERIES] A Silent Comic Strip Part 2

Episode 1 " A Shining Encounter " Part 2

Starring: 
SD Destiny Gundam as Des 
SD Zeta Gundam as Z
SD Strike Freedom Gundam as Fred

 Special Participation: 
 HGFC Shining Gundam

(From Left To Right)

Part 2 - 1

Part 2 - 2

Part 2 - 3

Episode 1: " A Shining Encounter " Part 3 update will be on 1/24/2016.

Here's a link of the Part 1 if you haven't seen it yet.
Episode 1 " A Shining Encounter " Part 1