Windows Phone Metro UI Prototype #1

Click image to enlarge.

When Metro UI came out for Windows Phone, I was really surprised with Microsoft’s decision to move in the direction of the Zune HD. The Zune HD’s interface was great. It had a clean, modern and typographic inspired layout that no design or device has ever had before. It was snappy, had smooth transitions and new.

Windows Phone adopted that interface but in the process, it also unfortunately inherited the large, cutoff texts that served as the page title. To be fair, it does not look bad but every time I see that big chunk of text above I can’t help but think of the wasted limited screen estate I have on my phone.

So I  had a free time to do some mock up of an alternate Metro Styling for inside panoramas of Windows Phone. Take for example the People Hub. With the alternate styling, few changes will happen.

• There will be more vertical real-estate for actual content
• An option to set a custom background. Set similar to Pictures Hub so readability is not hindered
• Hierarchical importance and variation is not only determined by the size of the type but also the color and weight of it. Color of header text will be determined by an algorithm of color spots on the chosen background.
• Added line breaks for a more formal and cohesive compartmentalization of each content.
• Enable the status icons to be constantly displayed on top.

I’m sure many of you might disagree with the suggestions but these are just some ideas that bounced around my head without any real actual holistic study of the full user interface. I’m sure Microsoft did their homework. I’m just merely providing a prototype, that’s all :)

Scosche SnapSHIELD iPad 2 Case Review

The Scosche SnapSHIELD for the iPad 2 is slim snap-on polycarbonate case that provide durable and good protection for your device. It is compatible with Apple’s Smart Cover, which was an instant buy for me since I have a spare of that. I initially wanted to get a folio, with the strap and all but most of them made the iPad 2 too bulky so this Scosche’s SnapSHIELD was just perfect.

   

Unlike my other delicate and more expensive Grove Bamboo case, the Scosche SnapSHIELD offers a more handy and curvy profile that is perfect for the iPad 2. The carbon-fiber texture at the back adds grip and coolness to an otherwise boring case. The interior has a felt lining to protect the back of the iPad from scratching and moving. The opening ports are minimally cut to shape without being too open and prone to bumps.

One minor caveat was the shiny glossy finish the case has and as you can see from the photos, it can easily be scratched up, But that’s what cases are for - protecting the device it’s on. Don’t tell me you’re going to buy a case for your case. The SnapSHIELD retails for $40.

If you have an iPad 2 and have the Smart Cover or even considering getting one, the Scosche SnapSHIELD is really a good choice. I really like this case.

Nokia N9 Unboxing Philippines

A rather simple unboxing and some quick use on the Nokia N9.

HP TouchPad Ice Cream Sandwich Cyanogen 9

Team Cyanogen just released Cyanogen 9 Alpha 0 for the HP TouchPad rocking the latest and greatest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Some kinks need to be worked on are hardware video (Youtube HD versions), the camera, some market and google apps and audio.

They have previously released Cyanogenmod 7 Alpha 3.5 for the TouchPad which was stable from my experience. This release obviously has rough issues but most of what we know on ICS works.

If you have a TouchPad and want to install Ice Cream Sandwich, please take note that this is an Alpha Zero build. and as they say in their RootzWiki thread, the zero means “zero hardware-accelerated video”, “zero camera”, and “zero support!” so install at your own risk.

RootzWiki.com - CyanogenMod 9 Touchpad
XDA-Dev - Cyanogen 9 ICS Installation Guide for the HP TouchPad

Nokia N9 in the Philippines

We’ve got the Nokia N9 in the house! :) thanks to Nokia for sending a black 64GB Nokia N9 unit. I’ll do a review in the next few days on this Meego-powered device. Did it stand a chance against Windows Phone 7 had it not been pulled? We’ll find out. Stay tuned.

Nokia Lumia 900 Arrives

Nokia finally introduced the older brother of the Lumia 800. The Nokia Lumia 900 aka the Ace was unveiled at CES 2012 by Nokia CEO Stephone Elop together with Steve Ballmer of Microsoft and Ralph Dela Vega of AT&T Mobility.

The Lumia 900 has a much bigger screen at 4.3” compared to the 800’s 3.7” display. It clearly has the HTC HD7, Titan and the new Titan 2 as direct competitors in the large screened Windows Phone market.

Nokia Lumia 900 Specs

• Display: 4.3", 480x800 ClearBlack AMOLED
• Processor: 1.4GHz Snapdragon APQ8055
• RAM: 512MB
• Camera: Front and Rear (8MP, 720p HD)
• Storage: 16GB
• Battery: 1830 mAh

The Nokia Lumia 900 will apparently be release initially to AT&T but don’t fret, it would be sold unlocked at Microsoft Stores and at Amazon in the coming months like the Nokia 800.

If you’re looking to buy the smaller but still great Lumia 800 in the Philippines. It’s is now being sold for 22,500 at Widget City ahead of Nokia Philippines release this coming March 2012.

Will InSync be the first Philippine start-up to go global?

Insync, not the boy band mind you, has been getting rave reviews from the blogospehere as a major competitor for the huge and massively popular DropBox service.

Forget Dropbox: Check out Insync, which syncs with Google Docs
- http://sgentrepreneurs.com

Insync, a startup based in Singapore and Manila, just raised a US$800,000 funding from from phiLabs. Co-Founder and CEO Terence Pua has made the service free starting last December 2011 and is cheaper per gigabyte compared to DropBox as it utilizes Google’s cloud storage services.

Insync cloud storage service uses Google to undercut Dropbox
- The Verge

Insync turns Google Docs into the GDrive
- CNet

I welcome this development in cloud storage as it puts more competition in the market which means lower rates and better service for us consumers.

Good luck to to Insync guys! Don’t disband yet alright?