Good news folks! We opened up the OBT for our latest game, BHO, yesterday Feb 6, 2012

Since it’s Open Beta, this means that everyone can now register, download the game and even load up on Level Up cards to buy items for your characters.

Meanwhile, to help you out, here are some important links:

• Download the BHO PH client
• Register for an account FREE
• Load Up
• How to Install
• How To Top Up and use the item mall
• Item Mall guide

For more details, please visit the official bounty hounds site

http://www.bountyhounds.ph

If your favorite internet cafe/shop does not have BHO installed, just comment below and give us the following:

• Cafe Name
• Complete Address
• Tel No

Spread the word and please share!

Unleash the hounds!!!

What’s better than owning a digital camera, a notebook and a tablet? It’s owning ONE DEVICE that transforms into all three! Introducing the Fujitsu Lifebook 2013. Click below for details.

Fujitsu Lifebook 2013

Debuting at the recent CES, here’s what pcauthority.com.au wrote about the device:

Taking convergence to extreme levels, the Lifebook 2013 offers up four devices in one. More specifically, four devices in a single laptop shell. So, in place of a keyboard sits a removable tablet that transforms into a full-sized touch-sensitive QWERTY keyboard for getting your type on.

Next, you’ll find a detachable digital camera, which acts as the laptop’s rear facing snapper when not on the move. Finally, a slot in the bottom of the machine is home to a mobile phone that’ll allow you to easily sync contents with the laptop without the need for fiddly wires. The fourth device is obviously the laptop itself.

Each individual component rockhas s its own CPU and interestingly, when all devices are back in their rightful places they share the processing graft between them, suggesting all devices could run on the same OS.

Seems that we will see this launched by next year. In the meantime, drool over more pics of the Lifebook below;

So what happens when Zombies get all emo on us? Well, there’s this unbelievable new movie called Warm Bodies which takes on “Twilighty” traits.

I hope they don’t sparkle too. Sigh. More pics and the plot after the jump.

WARM BODIES (2012)

Here’s the plot

When a highly unusual zombie rescues a girl from imminent death at the hands of his cohorts, their unlikely romance sets in motion a chain of events that will transform him, his fellow dead and maybe even the whole lifeless world.

So, is this movie worth watching? Let’s all wait and be the judge.

More pics,

Check out the official IMDB entry for more details.

Don’t forget to share and let all your friends know! Thanks!

The first time I got my iPhone 4s, I was quite happy with the data plan speeds (Smart). I was reaching up to a maximum of 4.6MBPS on certain areas (like Makati, at work). Recently, the past week has been slow as hell. I thought it was due to me capping the speeds because of my MB consumption.

This started around a week ago. I continuously did troubleshooting, restarted the device and even read up on possible causes on the web. Speedtests indicate that now I get only about 0.03 MBPS on the average. That’s like a dial-up speed on a supposedly 4G network. Sheesh!

My iPhone plan allowed me 1.5 Gig per month consumption when using cellular data. The iPhone can track your consumption (Settings > General > Usage > Cellular Usage). My phone clocked in at only 280MB of usage for the first 30 days. So I called up Smart Customer Support for assistance. The agent told me that there was no network interruption or problem. I told him that it could be that the system cannot cope up with the demand. For me, that was the only logical explanation once I tried to eliminate the other possibilities. The agent then replied that he’d get back to me in 24 hours after escalating my concern with their IT guys. I asked if I already capped my 1GB consumption. He said “unlikely”.

Fast forward 4 days, still no response.

This is really frustrating. Especially for a customer’s perspective. I’m paying P2,000 per month just to have the convenience of having unlimited data – to be able to check email anytime, browse my social networks, search the web, use the GPS and do all the fun things that a Smartphone user can – upload photos, share anything, keep in touch with family and friends.

But if the network cannot handle the sheer volume of users after spending top dollar to market the iPhone, then this may be a success story that can easily backfire for Smart.

I just posted my problems at their Smart Facebook page and hopefully I get an answer soon.

So, calling the attention of the top honchos of Smart; here’s an unsolicited advice – please look into this problem and find solutions ASAP. I know I’m not the only one having this problem, some officemates and friends with the similar Smart iPhone plan have also experienced it.

Please fix this soon. Otherwise, you’ll be facing the ire of Unli-Data subscribers all over the country.

Thanks!

 Turtle image c/o GettyImages (Royalty-Free) http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/turtle-on-meadow-royalty-free-image/91273911

On January 27 to 29, the International Game Developers Association – Manila Chapter (IGDA Manila) presents Manila Game Jam 2012 (MGJ 2012), the biggest annual game-making event in the country. As part of the worldwide Global Game Jam, students, professional and hobbyist game developers will create games in just 48 hours, with the top games being awarded honors and special prizes.

MGJ 2012 is the 3rd game jam organized by IGDA Manila. Last year’s game jam had more than 80 participants forming 18 teams and producing more than 20 games. Among these submissions, the game “Speck” made it to the top ten games of the Game Sauce Challenge, showing that Filipino developers have what it takes to create globally competitive games.
This year, IGDA Manila partners with Developers Connect Philippines (DevCon), the University of the Philippines Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC) and De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) to make MGJ 2012 the best game jam to date. MGJ 2012 will be held in two sites, UP ITTC and DLS-CSB, to accommodate more participants and share the game-making experience with more people.

Similar to last year, a one-day game-making seminar will be conducted on January 20 in DLS-CSB, a week prior to MGJ 2012. Talks will be given by previous jam participants, discussing their game-making experience with tips and tricks on how to churn out a game in 48 hours. This seminar is free and open to all aspiring game developers, and will also serve as an orientation for this year’s participants.

MGJ 2012 is co-presented by Boomzap, Nokia and Accenture, with additional sponsorship from Microsoft, Anino Games, Proudcloud, Zachtronics Industries, Introversion Software, Casual Connect, Globe Labs, Unity 3D, Webgeekph.com and Spot.ph

Seeya there folks!

Pass the word around. We appreciate it.

More info? http://igdamanila.org/

We recently released our CBT pass dispensing system for Bounty Hounds. If you are having difficulty looking for a BHO CBT card, no more worries. All you have to do is GO TO THIS LINK, enter your email add and you get a BHO account instantly. Now, tell all your friends and don’t forget to share this post. Thanks!

More and more content today is being accessed through mobile; iPhones, iPads, Galaxy Tabs… the works. Currently, your blog (like mine) is most likely not optimized to load (and be read) on the small screen. Besides, having a mobile version of your blog will make it load faster and thus, your readers will more than likely stay and read more of your content. Here’s how to make a mobile version of your blog without any coding needed.

For WordPress, the easiest way is to download, install and personalize WPTouch, the most popular mobile converter for WordPress blogs.

After downloading it, and reading a few instructions, my blog was up and running in a couple of minutes. No coding required! Your blog will detect a mobile browser and “throw” the optimized version automatically. You still retain the “web version” for PC or laptop users, of course.

It will turn your blog from this

to this…

Sweet!

That’s how easy it is. There’s also an option to include your Adsense publisher ID so you can still retain (and earn) from your Google Adsense account.

Now, make your mobile-version for your blog today.

Don’t forget to share!

Happy blogging!

Last year, I posted my top 8 predictions for 2011. It’s good to note that I got almost everything right. Now it’s time for my annual tech predictions for 2012.

Tech Predictions for 2012 – by Mon Macutay (www.gmtristan.com) 

1. Apple will rule the world – Apple will lead tech. They will cement themselves as the biggest tech company on planet Earth. Samsung will be one of its fierce rivals. In fact, Samsung will dominate the Android phone and tablet market this year. The iPhone 5 will be announced and released.
2. Facebook will be the standard login – Last year, I predicted that Facebook “connectivity” and “sync” will start to permeate all levels of tech. From apps to social networks that cater to new, niche markets. And in 2011, the “log in with Facebook” craze started. In 2012, it will be the norm.
3. Microsoft and Nokia will make a comeback – Microsoft will try to this by launching Windows 8 and Nokia will try to salvage their name using Windows Mobile. Let’s see if the market will accept this. Chrome will officially overtake IE as the browser of choice.
4. Digital Marketing – becomes part of the “Tri-Media” approach. It will be as important to marketers like TV or radio. With tri-media consumption always going down, online marketing continues to grow. 2012 will see a huge market and need for “Social Media Experts”. Sadly, a lot of individuals will pretend to be experts just to get a piece of the pie, so to speak. Advertising on Facebook, for me, will be huge and companies who go into social media will emerge the victors.
5. RIM (makers of BlackBerry) will buy the farm – repeat after me, there is no “business phone” niche. The BB magic will fade and RIM will feel the financial burden. To combat this locally, telcos will position the BlackBerry to the youth as an entry-level smartphone hyping on the demand of the BBM (group texting without paying too much). Businessmen will then gasp when they see 15-year-olds with BlackBerry models the same as theirs.
6. Faster Broadband speeds for the Philippines – with new technologies, Smart and PLDT will lead the way and offer real DSL speeds to homes and businesses. The LTE will jumpstart this revolution From an average of 1MBPs per household, we will see and increase this year anywhere from 2MBPS to 4MBPS. Also, with a lot of competition, telcos will be forced to offer lower rates to capture a bigger portion of the market.
7. The Blog Mad Max – the blogging industry will see a great upheaval. With microblogging services like Twitter or even Instagram, a lot of bloggers will finally give up. Those who prevail and hang on will survive the blog-post-apocalyptic-nightmare. Businesses will now choose their blogger partners carefully and finally, bloggers will be given the same preferential treatment as real press or media (I am seeing that trend happen today).
8. Tablets – more and more accessories will be offered to make your tablet your primary PC. More juice, battery time and input devices will now make working on a tablet practical and fun. Both the iPad and the Galaxy Tab will rule. But there is a possibility of a 3rd contender. That, we have to see.
9. The Cloud Revolution – all major tech companies (and services) will now offer cloud solutions. Dropbox and Apple may have started it but this year, we will see more corporate-level solutions that will be made. Cloud space will be even bigger in 2012. MSN already offers all SkyDrive members a free 25GB cloud storage.
10. The Growth of WiFi in the Philippines – with a lot of Smartphones entering the middle-class B and C markets, the demand for WiFi (naturally) will go ka-boom! In 2012, you will more restos, bars and other places offer free (or paid) WiFi.

Finally, the world will NOT end in 2012.

PS. Check out my 2011 predictions here

Seeya all next year!

GM T

Now that I ditched my BB for the new iPhone 4S, I’m starting a new series of App Reviews. This is the first one.

If you’re the kind who always likes to share your food moments on Facebook (or your other social networks), Evernote’s Food app is for you. You can catalog and tag all your meals and it allows you to share them with a single touch. Plus, since it’s from Evernote, it automatically syncs with Evernote too. And yes, it’s a FREE app.

Evernote Food 

You start by taking a snapshot of your meal/food. In this example below, I was at Le Ching’s Green Hills, one of my favorite Chinese restos, and I was able to snap my favorite meal – Pork Spare Ribs and Chicken Feet! Yum!

Once you’re done with the snap, you can then add information such as a title, a GPS-tracked location and then tags. This allows you to easily sort, organize and search for your favorite meals in the future (see below)

Evernote Food then documents each and every meal into a note and is sorted by date. It automatically syncs with your Evernote app too. Cool, ain’t it?

Then, it’s simply a click away if you want to share your nom-nom photos to your Facebook, Twitter or share it via e-mail to your friends

To summarize, Evernote Food is a great and nifty app. It works wonders to document and store your favorite restaurants so you won’t forget the best menu and food options when you’re out with your friends or relatives. It’s also a great app to determine where to eat out if you don’t have a specific choice in mind. Just whip out your iPhone and make your friends say “Wow!”

I leave you with the official Evernote Food demo video below;

Check out Evernote Food via their official website

Will have more Apple App reviews in the future.

Thanks!

It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for. It’s the most asked question in every digital property BHO owns, Facebook, forums, etc. Now, you get the answer – MONDAY. JANUARY 9, 2012.

Mark the date! Here are a few more notes on how to join the CBT

Important Links and Information (BHO CBT)

• How do I join the CBT? – You can check this link for a list of Internet Cafes. Go to the cafe nearest you and ask for a card. It’s Free!
• I have a card, now what? – Redeem your CBT pass HERE. Check your email and you will receive FIVE (5) accounts (username and password). Highly recommended that you share this with your friends!
• How do I download and install the game? – If you are a cafe owner, you can email cafesales@levelupgames.ph to ask our agent to come and install it for you. For home users, you DOWNLOAD THE GAME HERE and then instructions are also there.
• The CBT is open to all players playing in the Philippines only.

Anything else I should know?

Well, be sure to drop by regularly on the following sites;

• BHO Facebook Page
• Official BHO website
• BHO Forums

Seeya inside the game on Jan 9!

Release the hounds!!!!

Don’t forget to share. Thanks