If you’ve always wanted a smartphone but think they’re too expensive, fret not because there’s now a full-featured touchscreen smartphone from wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) that costs only P4,999. What’s more — it comes pre-loaded with SmartNet, a suite of easy-to-use, free-of-charge social networking apps.

Smart’s Netphone 701, a touchscreen smartphone running on Android – the world’s most popular mobile
device operating system, offers more value than other full-featured, highly-customizable and Internet-capable smartphones in the market today.

Powered by Android 2.2, users can install gaming, productivity, entertainment, information and utility apps onto
the phone, for free, from the Android Market. Being an Android device, the Netphone 701 can access and back up a user’s data online, browse the Web and use features and services that require constant connection to the Internet.

The hardware of the Netphone 701 likewise puts it at par with the best of them. Its 600-MHz processor allows apps to load quicky and flawlessly, and the 3.2-megapixel camera with editing features captures the best moments of one’s life. Its 800×480 pixels display resolution allows clear video playback on its 3.5-inch capacitive,
multitouch, AMOLED touchscreen.

The difference is in SmartNet

While similar to other devices, what sets the Netphone 701 apart is that it comes pre-loaded with SmartNet. This home-grown service allows users to chat, search and add contacts from the cloud, check their Facebook and Twitter social stream without switching applications, post online updates, and much more, for free.

Created specifically for emerging markets, SmartNet touts the ‘Safe Browse’ feature, which keeps other applications outside SmartNet from accessing the Web in the background – taking away the risk of bill shock, or incurring unexpected data charges.

With the Philippines now known as the ‘social networking capital’ of the world – with almost the entire online population actively and deeply engaged in Facebook and Twitter — the Netphone 701 is truly the smartphone for the Internet-savvy, highly social, yet budget-conscious Pinoy.

With all those features, the Netphone 701 surprises with its cost of P4,999 for a prepaid kit – a delightful deal for an Android-powered handset.

The Netphone 701 is available at all Smart Stores nationwide, for both prepaid and postpaid. It is also available at Smart’s online store (smart.com.ph/store), which offers free nationwide delivery for all orders up to June 30, 2012. For more information about the Netphone 701, visit netphone.ph.

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Netphone 701: Power smartphone at a delightful price

Vultures are seen by a lot of people as ugly and disgusting creatures, but in reality these birds have been an important part of our ecosystem by keeping the environment clean and preventing the spread of dangerous diseases.

Here’s the sad part: approximately 40 million vultures have been lost in the last 15 years. Their rapid decline is blamed on the widespread use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal drug used for treating inflammation in livestock such as cows. When these scavengers feed on the carcass of those cattle, they die of liver and kidney failure.

In a move to revive the dwindling population of vultures, “restaurants” have been established in Nepal which provide nourishment for the endangered birds. These feeding stations get their meat from old ox and cows, and the serving of healthy food has helped increase the number of vultures in that region.

From Reuters:

Pithauli, some 100 km (60 miles) southwest of the Nepali capital of Kathmandu, was the site of the first such feeding station, which now number six around the country.

The number of nesting pairs there has grown to 46 compared with just 17 before the feeding site was opened five years ago, said Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary, who coordinates the project.

The vulture restaurant has become a tourist attraction in the poverty-stricken village, and admission fees from visitors — who last year numbered some 2,000 — help support it.

Despite the positive results, though, some locals remain skeptical.

“Why save a bird that feeds on dead animals?” said 34-year-old Chet Nath Gandell, noting that the scavengers sometimes leave parts of the carcasses unfinished. “Stinking carrion pollutes the air and we are forced to breathe in a slow poison.”

Check out this amazing footage of vultures feeding from a cow carcass in Nepal.

Post from: Daily Contributor

Nepal sets up “restaurants” for endangered vultures

The cast and crew of “The Bourne Legacy” are currently filming in Manila, but today we’re getting a glimpse at Jeremy Renner as the new super-spy, in the first teaser trailer of the Tony Gilroy-directed action thriller.

The “Psycho”-esque promo reveals Renner’s character as Kenneth Gibson, despite being listed in the credits as Aaron Cross. Also starring Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen, and Albert Finney, the movie will be shown in U.S. theaters on August 3.

WATCH:

What can you say about the “Bourne Legacy” teaser trailer? Do you think Renner has what it takes to succeed Matt Damon in the franchise?

Post from: Daily Contributor

‘The Bourne Legacy’ teaser trailer hits the web [VIDEO]

I rarely play basketball, but I would still buy these kicks…if I win in some sort of gambling.

I say that because the highly anticipated Air Jordan 2012, the 27th model in the Air Jordan franchise, is gonna cost you a staggering $223. That’s a lot, considering that there’s nothing so special about these shoes except for the interchangeable sleeves and midsoles for performance customization.

The Tinker Hatfield and Tom Luedecke-designed footwear also boasts an “innovative Flight Carbon plate in the midfoot that is made with a combination of glass and carbon fiber and is contoured to the natural shape of the foot for optimal support.” Nice job, Nike, now please lower the price of these shoes —or else no one will buy them…except those sneakerheads.

Check out the video below to listen to Hatfield and Luedecke as they go in depth with the new Air Jordan.

Post from: Daily Contributor

These new Air Jordans are designed to encourage today’s rich ball players to rethink performance

With the recent news of Apple’s move into textbooks – iBooks 2 – could this revolutionary move into the education industry work out? This infographic highlights the numbers behind the two and analyzes if this change will work.

Created by: Online Teaching Degree

Post from: Daily Contributor

The numbers behind iPads vs textbooks [INFOGRAPHIC]

For the first time in Manila, the world-renowned Cirque Mother Africa (created by professional acrobat Winston Ruddle) will dazzle and mesmerize local audiences with wild African music, dance and performance in a two-hour showcase.

The series of performances will start from April 19 to 22 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.

Having performed in sold out shows staged in Germany, Italy, Romania,
Russia, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Spain – Cirque Mother Africa will tantalize audiences in Manila with a unique African-themed spectacle.

Dancers, percussionists, singers, acrobats and contortionists energetically take to the stage in a celebration of the culture of the traditional and modern African arts & culture.

The heartbeat of Africa pulsates throughout the jaw-dropping show as the musicians and artistes articulate their passion and love for their homeland including Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Benin, Zimbabwe, and Guinea.

The innovative show combines the talents from nine African countries to provide the wonder, suspense and joy of Cirque Mother Africa.

The show is a delight for the senses with items spun through the air, bodies contorted into mind-boggling shapes, and performers balance on other performers, percussionists beat up a storm of sound and traditional dancers tell their own stories. The audience will be overwhelmed by the complexity and versatility of these world-class acts.

Masks, drums, beads, and amazing costumes all bring forth the feel of
authentic African traditions.

Cirque Mother Africa is not just a traditional African show. It also has a take on the modern, fresh and dynamic culture of the new Africa. Young acrobats perform feats that belong in any world-class circus, and energetic young performers compete in tap-dancing that is a toe-tapping delight. This is a fresh and fantastic show that evokes passion and demands a response.

Audiences are encouraged, prodded and charmed to actively respond rather than to simply watch a breath-taking spectacle.

Cirque Mother Africa 2012 can be seen from April 19 to 22 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Tickets are available at selected National Book Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, Cinema Lobby – Greenbelt 1 and Trinoma. You may also inquire at TicketWorld Office, www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891-9999 for bookings & reservations.

EXCLUSIVE! Enjoy a 15% discount from February 7-20 by calling the
following hotlines 0916-3403919 or 0921-5642108

Post from: Daily Contributor

Cirque Mother Africa to Perform at Resorts World Manila

Mark our words: February is going to be epic on AXN! Kick starting the lineup in the beginning of the month is the highly anticipated return of singing reality competition series The Voice Season 2.

Premiering on February 6, 2012 within 24 hours of the US broadcast is Season 2 of The Voice, offering aspiring singers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by celebrity coaches. Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton return with their sizzling chemistry and their trademark red swiveling chairs to judge contestants solely on their vocal talent and not their looks. If more than one coach turns to pick a particular singer, the tide turns and the choice of coach goes to the singer. This season, show producer Mark Burnett has added more rounds of blind auditions and each of the coaches’ teams will be expanded to 12 singers each.

The ante is certainly upped in terms of the diversity and quality of the contestants this season, with Aguilera bagging ‘everything from an opera singer, powerhouse MC to soul singers’ on her team. What is interesting is that savvy contestants who are in demand now know how to play the game, and have taken the opportunity to push the coaches a little further and wrangle for commitment to be kept for a few rounds.

Season 1’s contestants have done well for themselves so far; winner Javier Colon has released a new album in collaboration with Natasha Bedingfield and his coach, Adam Levine, while first runner-up Dia Frampton has also launched her album with the help of coach Blake Shelton. Other contestants – Beverly McClellan from Team Aguilera and Vicci Martinez from Team Cee Lo have also begun recording after the show ended.

Talent-spotting aside, be sure to keep an eye out for new songs from the coaches themselves! After all, Season 1 was the launchpad for Shelton’s Honey Bee, a country chart-topper, as well as the Maroon 5-Aguilera single Moves Like Jagger which hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 list. And as Aguilera teased, look out for the ‘kickass’ opening performance by the coaches this season!

*The Voice Season 2 premieres on 6 Feb 2012, Mon at 10.55pm
Viewers are invited to visit www.axn-asia.com for the latest update on their broadcast schedules or follow them on Twitter @axnasia for more info.

Post from: Daily Contributor

The Voice Seson 2 – First in Asia on AXN

Your favorite Krispy Kreme doughnuts are lovingly shaped into hearts this season. Celebrate love and share the sweetness of Valentine with a box of your favorite doughnut and coffee brand.

Enjoy Chocolate Ice Sprinkles, Peanut Butter with Choco Drizzle, Cookies & Cream, Snickers Classic, Powdered Strawberry, Chocolate Ice Custard, Chocolate Ice Kreme Filled, Caramel Kreme Crunch, New York Cheese Cake, Kitkat, and Choco Mania Doughnuts, as they come in cute, romantic heart shapes.

Krispy Kreme’s heart-shaped Valentine doughnuts are only available from February 6 to 14, 2012, so hurry! Grab a box now and revel in the romance with Krispy Kreme this Heart Month!

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Celebrate the season of love with Krispy Kreme’s heart-shaped doughnuts

Social media has become an avenue for hateful acts and a trigger for suicide. Is it nature or nurture? This infographic highlights the issue of cyberbullying.

Created by: Online Counseling Degrees

Post from: Daily Contributor

Cyberbullying and Social Media

The New England Patriots and New York Giants will meet tonight ( kickoff time 6:30 p.m. EST) at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, a rematch of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII victory over the Patriots.

The Giants provide a tough matchup for the Pats. Tom Coughlin’s men not only defeated Tom Brady and the gang in The Big Game four years ago, they won 24-20 at New England on Nov. 6 this season. New York’s front line is superb, perhaps the best in the league. A second championship for Eli Manning would make a strong case for his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile in Brady’s ten seasons as a starter, New England has earned trips to the Super Bowl in half of them, and the 34-year-old playmaker can join Pittsburgh’s Terry Bradshaw and San Francisco’s Joe Montana as only the third quarterback in NFL history to win four Super Bowls if he can lead the Pats to a victory over the Giants. But football enthusiasts should keep in mind that Bradshaw and Montana never lost in The Big Game . They were each 4-0; Tom would be 4-1 with a win tonight.

Madonna, together with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., will perform for an estimated 117 million viewers during the Super Bowl halftime show, and everyone has been wondering about what the 53-year-old singer will do on stage. Although Madge will be singing three of her classic hits as well as her new track Give Me All Your Lovin‘, the Queen of Pop said that she did not want to give anything else away ahead of time.

“I don’t want to blow the surprises,” Madonna said. “I want people to be knocked out of their seats.”

There are also rumors that Cee Lo Green may appear during her set, as well as LMFAO.

Super Bowl 2012 certainly has all the makings of another thriller. And yes, everyone from car manufacturers to a yogurt company will try to entice us with their commercials. Last year’s game drew in more than 111 million viewers, and the number of people tuning in has increased each year for the past five.

The Big Game will be televised in the United States on NBC. But if you don’t have access to television at the moment, you can catch all the action live online, for free, at the NFL’s official website. Super Bowl 46 will also be streamed live at NBCsports.com.

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Super Bowl 2012 Live Stream: Watch Giants vs Patriots Live Online for Free

BMW has designed a car capable of automated driving.

The prototype is fitted with a system which includes radar, cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonics to determine where it is and better understand its surroundings. The vehicle can also recognize speed limits and not exceed that speed. It can brake, accelerate and pass other automobiles while analyzing the traffic conditions.

BMW is still in the development phase, and we’re not sure how far to look into the future for mass production. However, the highly automated BMW 5 Series has logged 5000 km on the road already. Once the technology is proven effective, the German luxury car manufacturer may begin to commercialize it.

Click here to see the robo-car in action.

Post from: Daily Contributor

Prototype Bimmer drives itself on the Autobahn [VIDEO]

The latest menswear collection by Icelandic designer Sruli Recht features leather made from dolphin skin, fabric woven from horse hair and silk extracted from a spider’s gland implanted in a goat. I wonder, what will PETA say about this?

[via Dezeen]

Post from: Daily Contributor

Sruli Recht’s showpieces are sure to set PETA in a frenzy

Israeli horticulturists have developed a new variety of tomato that is red on the inside, and black on the out.

Dubbed the ‘Black Galaxy‘, the strange fruit was bred to contain higher than normal levels of antioxidants and Vitamin C, which means it may be more nutritious than a regular tomato.

Technological Seeds, the company behind the achievement, says the color is the produce of a special pigment, which was derived from blueberries and introduced into the new species.

The ‘Black Galaxy’ is intended for luxury hotel market due to its unique color. The new crossbreed will make its worldwide debut next week at the Arava Agricultural R&D Exhibition, which is also open to the public. The show will also feature seedless lemons, a new species of strawberries, red lemons and rainbow carrots – which are yellow, purple and pink.

Post from: Daily Contributor

Israeli scientists breed antioxidant-rich black tomatoes

Some new sandals have been created by an Australian footwear company so wearers can feel the same sensation as walking barefoot on a freshly cut lawn.

KUSA’s grass flip flops are made with a thick layer of artificial turf that looks and feels pretty similar to the real deal. The material occasionally needs to be fluffed but doesn’t require weeding, mowing or fertilizing.

“KUSA flip flops give you an extra layer of comfort. Comfort you can’t feel anywhere else (short of walking on real grass). Our unique Syn-Turf material conforms to and is naturally shaped by the individual contours of your feet,” proclaims the company website.

The sandals are currently available online from around $30.

Post from: Daily Contributor

Love the feeling of bare feet on freshly mowed grass? Then these flops are for you.

As the big news hit yesterday, Facebook’s IPO (initial public offering) would be the largest in tech company history. We’ve put together a short video to highlight this news. If you use Facebook, this one’s for you.

“Facebook’s IPO filing not only made a statement as the largest for any technology company but a glimpse into their earnings shows their attention to detail. In 2011, FB reported a net income of $1 Billion. Not $950 million or $1.2 Billion. Perhaps it was a shout out to Justin Timberlake’s famous line from “The Social Network,” but the facts remain, they are very much in control. Not only will Mark Zuckerberg become one of the wealthiest men in the world, nearly 1,000 employees are expected to become millionaires overnight. Who would’ve thought playing farm games all day could be worth so much!”

WATCH:

Created By: MBA Online

Post from: Daily Contributor

Facebook files for IPO [VIDEO]