iPhone 4 Unlocked Now Available – Could Come To the Philippines too

Apple is now selling through its stores the unlocked iPhone 4. What does it mean to Filipinos? Well, it means that you can now get an iPhone 4 someday that doesn’t require the 2-year contract from Globe.

Right now, only the GSM model of the iPhone 4 is available. But that’s okay if you’re planning to live in the Philippines. The 16GB version of the iPhone 4 is available for USD649$ roughly 27,907php if you convert directly to pesos and the 32GB is available for USD749$ or 32,307php. However, we all know that it would probably be more expensive than that.

I just hope that with this move, iPhone will one day become available to other carriers and the competition on selling the iPhone will one day come to our shores.

The Great Wall of Wi-Tribe: Bandwidth Cap of 6GB

Months after subscribing to Wi-Tribe, we can really now say that this internet service provider sucks. Why? They have a bandwidth cap that is previously 3GB per month to now 6GB per month but we all know that a cap is a cap and 6GB is still not enough.

Why Wi-Tribe has a cap?

If you’re new to Wi-Tribe, have you read their Fair Use Policy? If you’re like us that is suffering on paying monthly subscription to this service, have you read it too before subscribing?

Why have one?

Well it’s designed to make sure your broadband service is fast and reliable whenever you use it.

Some of our broadband customers use file sharing software and download large files like music and videos. This uses up lots of network capacity leaving less available for you. If they’re doing this at peak times, it could mean that the speed of your broadband service will be affected.

Am I likely to be affected by the Fair Use Policy?

If you don’t use file sharing software or download large files from the Internet it’s unlikely you’ll ever be affected by this policy. If you do, all we ask is that you do so considerately, perhaps by downloading outside the peak hours of 1am to 7am. Don’t forget that media streaming, including the streaming of internet radio contributes to your use of bandwidth and may, if left permanently on, cause you to be in breach of this policy.

What will happen if my use is very high?

If you only occasionally have very high usage, we’re unlikely to be concerned. If it is happening regularly, we may either have to reduce the transmission speed of your broadband while we continue to keep an eye on your usage, or suspend your service and/or possibly close your account.

We don’t want to do that, and with your support and goodwill we’ll work with you to see if we can avoid this happening.

In the age of YouTube and Facebook, I advice not to suffer the same mistake of subscribing to this crappy internet service provider called Wi-Tribe. If you need mobility then get a SmartBRO or Globe Tattoo. At least you can rely on them even if they too have bad customer support. (At least they’re better than Wi-Tribe).

To Wi-Tribe

Seriously, calling it 4G is false advertising. The Advertising Board of the Philippines should take action on this.

Share your experience with Wi-Tribe and their bandwidth cap

How many times have you experienced this? Do you think Wi-Tribe should remove this cap and just provide good service? Is the 2-year lock fair in this kind of service?

Let us know in the comments below.

Level-Up's New Game: A Date and Registration for Closed Beta

A new teaser image for Level-Up’s upcoming new game can now be seen when you visit levelupgames.ph.

Included in the new teaser is a “September 17, 2010” date in which I cannot disclose here what the date is for. But, I can tell you that you should check-out the Level-Up! Website on that date if you are just as excited as everyone else across the country.

This teaser should give you a good clue now on what the new game is.

PLDT ZyXEL problems that affects Routers

After months of having problem with the PLDT modem, used for connecting to MyDSL, they finally replaced it but with a charge of 1,200php to our next bill.

What problem will you encounter with the modem?

As time pass by, the modem will be old and just like every modern appliance or gadget, every electronics will expire after a year or two.

The problem we encounter with ours is that our Router (LAN) is having problem connecting to the modem. They said it’s because of the Ethernet socket but that’s what we told them when we called 172.

Are you having problems connecting to your MyDSL?

If you’re a subscriber for more than a year, it’s good to have the modem checked. When PLDT replaced the modem yesterday, we can connect smoothly again. (Router, 2 PCs, and wireless devices)

4G Wi-tribe is not so 4G after all

It has been 6 months now since we first used the Wi-tribe “4G” connection and damn we regret having a 1 year plan fir that.

First of all, the connection is not so 4G after all. Second is, SMART BRO is even faster and has more coverage than Wi-tribe. Most of all, my internet connection in my phone (3G) feels faster!

So how do you speed up or boost your Wi-tribe internet connection?

Simple! Get a different connection that has been proven by the test of time (PLDT myDSL, SMART BRO, etc…) and throw your “4G” Wi-tribe.

Increase in Meralco April 2010 Bill

I still haven’t received my April 2010 bill but I now fear the numericals inside it.

Earlier today, Meralco announced and explains why do we have a higher Meralco bill this April. So before I sulk in my little corner due to the increase in my electricity bill, read the announcement below.

Posted at the official Meralco website:

Meralco's Generation Charge

The rise in generation charges springs from the high cost of electricity that Meralco buys from its suppliers. These suppliers consist of the National Power Corporation (NCP), Independent Power Producers (IPP) and Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

The major factor that caused the sharp rise in electricity was because of the increase in the price of WESM, a venue for trading electricity as a commodity in the spot market.

Meralco does not add any mark-up to the cost of electricity purchased from these electricity suppliers. The generation cost, which averages about 50-60% of your electric bill, goes directly to Meralco’s power suppliers and adds nothing to Meralco’s income.

Personally, I don’t buy this bullshit. But I’m definitely sure that it really is a wake-up call to us that we need to find an alternative way of generating power; especially a cheaper way of generating electricity.  Ilocos Norte has it already.

How I wish to have something like the Bangui Windmills constructed near Metro Manila.

Globe iPhone Plan – Scamming you through Internet Data Plan?

Have you noticed that on your first month of your iPhone plan with Globe, your bill will be so big, it reaches from 5,000php to 11,000php?

This happens especially if you signed up for a Time-based Data Plan and you never turn-off or change the APN settings of your iPhone.

First time iPhone user? GO KB-Data Plan

I admit, I’ve paid Globe the 9,000php bill on me even if I know it feels like a scam since my Internet at home is only 1,999php and when I thought I’m only using the wi-fi of my home internet, Globe is still charging my internet access. The culprit–Time-based Data Plan.

The solution is easy; if you’re someone who wants to be online 24/7, then change your plan to KB-based.

How to change your Globe iPhone Plan?

1. Call 211 – Believe me, it’s faster calling 211 than going to their website or via their live chat support.
2. Tell them that they scammed you through your whopping bill (lol) and Request for a change of data plan from Time-based to KB-based.
3. (Optional) If you’re persuasive enough to request them that they should reverse your OVER-CHARGED bill and erase the history of Globe’s Scam, then good for you.

So for those planning to get an iPhone here in the Philippines, make sure you go KB-Based Data Plan and avoid becoming the victim of Globe Telecom’s Scam.

Meralco Price Hike

My electricity bill has not arrived yet but it seems like a lot are complaining about the almost 200% increase on their dues.
For people like me who pays the bills for their house, this is too much!
Our regular electricity bill is from 3,000 to 4,500 monthly. Imagine if that will increase by 200%. WTF!

You guys, did you receive your Meralco bill already? How was it?