Can’t Buy an iPad? Try China’s Android ePad

This generation is indeed, ruled by the Apple craze. iPods were a hit since day one. And now, they have come up with a sleek new gadget, the Apple iPad. Thanks to Manny Pacquiao, this Apple gadget became quite popular in our beloved country. If only the Class A know about the release of the iPad, every single Filipino who is a Manny Pacquiao fan knows that this is his favorite toy these days.

Who wouldn’t want an iPad for Christmas anyway? I would. But I can’t buy one because it’s not cheap. It costs around Php23,000 or so. I’m not sure, just estimating. But it says that much on Apple’s website. It would be nice to own one but as a cheapsie, I wouldn’t bother.

That’s when I set my sight on a cheaper alternative, the Android ePad. Looks like an iPad but definitely isn’t an iPad so don’t set your hopes too high. It’s a China made knock-off so like you, I’m quite very wary to give it a try.

I was walking the kiosks of Greenhills one day in November aiming to buy a new cellphone when I saw iPads and ePads sold everywhere. I was curious so I inquired. The cost of these China models? Only Php4,600. Even lower if you know how to haggle. I’m actually looking to buy a netbook because I want internet connectivity while on the go. This gadget did interest me at that point. So I went out and buy.

Actually, I intended to buy this particular gadget over the website too. It’s a china electronics website, around $99 each, free shipping. I was surprised to see the same device in Greenhills sold at almost the same price. If I buy online, I would have to wait 15 days or so for shipping. And there’s the custom fees to worry about too. Buying in Greenhills is indeed the better option. That’s what I did. Bought the ePad right there and then, not knowing if I did the right thing or not.

About the Device

The operating system is Android, the same ones used by the expensive HTC phones. It comes with a WiFi connection, which I immediately tested at SM Megamall. Worked well. I’m pleased. However, the connection to the internet is kind of slow. Well, connections at hotspots are slow anyway so I’m not complaining.

It has no Bluetooth, although you can easily attach an adapter to it. The device has built-in Bluetooth controls so you don’t have to worry about drivers too. I haven’t tried putting one but I’m expecting is a plug and play thing.

The memory is only 256mb. That seems low but when you consider the applications that are made with it, that’s practically enough for a light user like me. I’m not into games or other stuff, I might have to stress that. I bought the device primarily to check emails and do some typing. You can extend the memory capacity by installing a microSD card. The store attendant says I can put up to 4GB.

I’m quite lucky I got applications pre-installed in mine. That’s what you get from buying at Greenhills I guess. Lots of freebies. However, if you would like to put other stuff to your ePad, there are booths everywhere where you can do so. Just look for the sign where it says Downloads.

It has a built-in camera and has a program where you can easily take a snapshot of the screen. Perfect if you want to store anything you found on the internet. Cool, huh? And like an iPod, you can play your favorite songs stored in the microSD card. It has speakers and a media player so you can play whatever you like.

As for connections, I has a USB connection but on an extension. The USB port on the device is not the big standard one so another cord has to be connected to it so you can attach a mouse, a keyboard, Bluetooth adapter, or a USB hub. I haven’t tried other USB devices on this one except for the ones I mentioned. Hopefully, the others will also work.

Lastly, this device supports most Huwaei 3G USB modems. So if you’ve got a SmartBro plug-it, you can use this one. Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband works as well for as long as your adapter is a Huwaei. This way, you can have internet connection even if you’re not in a hotspot.

The device uses resistive touchscreen and doesn’t come with a stylus. You might have to buy one extra. I would also recommend a screen protector while you’re at it. And a leather case too. There’s one that comes with a keyboard. Buy that one and you’ll have an instant netbook with a touchscreen.

All in all, I love this gadget. It’s portable and convenient. Now I can blog anywhere!

My Cheapsies Rating: 4 Thumbs Up

LimeDomains: Domains with Free Web Hosting Good or Not?

As I go on my usual surfing habit, I came across LimeDomains again. Actually, I've heard about their service before. They offer domain registration services and a free hosting service comes with every domain purchase. A great, irresistible package indeed, especially for a cheapsie like me. Lime Domains is affiliated with the very popular Lime Wire network.

I checked out their site and registered. I was even happy to know that they accept Paypal, the only payment option for me because I am really scared of using credit card over the worldwide web. So all the more I got really excited with their service. That was two years ago, when they offer domains at $6.50 - lower than the usual $8.99 rate of popular registrants like GoDaddy. But I never really gotten around buying a domain from them during that time for one reason or another.

Then I came across Lime Domains again, this time I was attracted by their 50% offer. Domains are offered at $4.99 - a great deal since prices went up to $11.49 at GoDaddy, without coupons and all - for a .com domain.

This time I went for the gold. I purchased a domain but I wasn't able to get the half price deal. But I was able to use a code, lime599, and was allowed to purchase the domain at $5.65. Still a better deal from the Domain Sale! $7.49 .com at GoDaddy with a discount coupon. Plus, I get a free hosting service. That really iced up the cake for me.

However, all my woes came in after the purchase. I bought the domain November 9, 2010. Everyday, I keep on checking the control panel so I can start installing an application. I want to use this domain as an online image store so I want to put up a shopping cart software like ZenCart. Today is November 13. I still can't get to my control panel.

Five days after the purchase, they still can't resolve my domain. They say that I can get through uploading files with an FTP program. All they have for me is a temporary FTP access. They gave me all the info. Installing a shopping cart software through FTP is possible but honestly, I don't want to go through it. Doing the same job through the control panel is much better, so much simpler, and a whole lot faster. But since I can't access that yet, all I can do is wait. I hope not perpetually though.

GoDaddy's service is way better. However, they don't offer free hosting without ads, which is a big bummer. And their domain prices is relatively higher than LimeDomain's. But hey, I got this domain, www.cheapsies.com up and running after 24 hours of registering it with them. I guess they are still the best when it comes to domain registration. The instant access that they provide their with customers can really put your web ideas in full swing in no time. I wish I could say the same with LimeDomains.

So for the rating...

LimeDomain .com registration and free hosting service - 1 thumb up

Sigh, I'm not so pleased. Bad cheapsie choice for me.

Smart's All New ALLTEXT Offers

Smart, one of the three leading telcos here in the Phillipines is proud to announce that it has made its ALLTEXT offers better and bigger. Now, you can text more and call more with these plans.

ALLTEXT20 is now more juiced up with 160 texts (10 to other networks) and 10 minute calls. Valid for 1 day.

To subscribe, just text C20 to 2827

ALLTEXT30 has 210 texts (10 to other networks)and 20 minute calls. Valid for 2 days.

To subscribe, just text C30 to 2827

ALLTEXT60 comes with 510 (10 to other networks)texts and 20 minutes worth of calls. Valid for 5 days.

To subscribe, text C60 to 2827.


All of there could have been triggered by Globe's EVERYBODY TEXT offer, which includes 200 texts to all networks for 20Php. As expected, Smart has done what is needed to get ahead of the competition.

Some say that Smart has further increased its ALLTEXT20 package to 200 text messages. I haven't tried it to check. However, they also said that if you purchase the package from a store, the usual 100 text messages to Smart and Talk and Text subscribers, 10 to other networks, and 5 minute worth of calls.

But then again, if you ask me, I would still go back to my favorite Smart Load package. And that's the UNLI 15 plan. Here, I get unlimited texts to Smart and Talk and Text users for the whole day. And it costs me only 15 pesos. Well, I'm a cheapsie so for me, that's the best deal. Less money spent, more texts. Only works for in-network texters though and not for those who needs to call or send messages to other networks. The only problem with this plan is that you need 1 peso extra. There's no 1 peso bonus when you subrcribe, like in the others. If you would like to subscribe to UNLI 15, just text 15 to 258.

So now for the Cheapsie Rating:

SMART ALL-NEW ALLTEXT PACKAGES - 3 THUMBS UP

SMART UNLITEXT 15 - 4 THUMBS UP

Down to 256kbps on Wi-Tribe

Today marks the first day when I exceed th 1GB allocation of my Wi-Tribe MoveUp 598 plan. I was kind of worried that my internet connection would be reduced to a dragging nightmare. But thankfully, I was wrong.

Again, I'm not the downloading type. I don't have rigs here and my internet needs are limited to frequent emails, browsing, and blogging with occasional YouTube watching, setup or small file downloads, and well, Facebook uploading.

So for me, the 256kbps speed is still better way better than my pathetic USB broadband connection - and that's regardless of provider, mind you. That one simply keeps on disconnection. My Wi-Tribe here is a lot stable. I haven't had lost my signal or my internet connection even if I'm down to one bar. That's actually the case in my first few days with the service. Now I'm up to four bars and I feel more secured with my connections. So far no interruptions with my service. No instances of slowing either.

I'm now waiting for my first bill to see how this works. I am still in doubt whether I'd stick to the fixed Php598 bill or they'll switch my plans around like they claim they would in the Flexi plan. But I'm on MoveUp so they shouldn't. But that's something that I have to be sure of. They told me I'm on the fixed billing mode. And I can only hope that I really am.

So far so good. I'd post if I run on any problems. For now, I'm rating my cheapsie internet connection purchase as:

Wi-tribe MoveUp 598 - 4 THUMBS UP

My Wi-Tribe Internet Service Experience

I have been using a USB broadband connection for quite some time now. Well actually, I kind of tried it all - PLDT MyDSL, Globe Broadband, Smart Broadband, Destiny Cable, and just recently, the SUN Broadband service. I have even unlocked my USB in the hope to find out which of three big telcos can give me the best experience. Unfortunately, none of them seemed to work as I hoped them to.

I switch to prepaid because, I think you already know, I'm a cheapsie. I felt paying more than a thousand bucks on a monthly basis on an internet service is too much. I wasn't using the web as much as I do now back then.

When I was looking for my post-paid choices, I came across Wi-Tribe's 598 plan. Over their website it is advertised as the Flexi 598 plan, which means that your plan would automatically switch from one plan to another when all of your allocated gigabyte consumption is consumed. This means that even if you're on plan 598, you can be billed 998 or even 1998 on the next months if you exceed the allocation. Not good news if you're a heavy internet. And that's exactly what I am these days.

But when I contacted an agent near where I live, they said that there's a MOVE UP plan 598 - a fixed plan that would cost you the same amount throughout your 24-month subscription period. It would still be per a Gigabyte thing and you're only allocated 1GB for this plan. But instead of billing you more on the next cut-off period, they'll be reducing your internet speed instead. I think it's a better deal than the former.

So I tried it. I was given a WiMax router, all configured and ready, after I signed up the application form. When I get home, I just connected the wires and I got hooked to the internet. No other provider works as fast as this. Wi-Tribe's modems are configured once they're released. And they're just waiting for customer to take them home and use them. Neat.

Comparing it with Smart, which is my cousin's preferred connection because it comes with a wi-fi router, it took almost a week to get the thing working. But that's another story I'll share later.

Going back to Wi-Tribe, I modestly impressed with their service. I got one bar here at home but when we tested it at the kiosk, there's 4 bars. Maybe my location isn't that good. But I don't have any problems with the connection though. One bar signal still works beautifully. At least a lot better than what my measly USB connection can come up with.

After 24 hours I got my first email from them showing my account details. I was able to log on to my account and check my gigabyte consumption everyday. They update it religiously after 24 hours.

The only disappointment I have is that I am consuming more than I thought I would. On my 4th day of use, I was only 0.03 shy of reaching my quota. I have a whole month ahead of me. My only concern now is if the service would be unbearable when I go down to 256kbps. Right now, I'm running 512kbps and I'm satisfied. I don't go downloading stuff anyway.

Tomorrow I'll check my connection first think in the morning. By then I would have gotten over the quota. Then I'll have a feel of how slow is slow for Wi-Tribe. I hope my cheapsie decision is a good one. Wish me luck!

So I'm a Cheapsie

Yes, I'm a cheapsie. And I'm proud about it. I'm frugal. I like cheap items. I go for discounts. I love mall sales. If you can take a few pesos or dollars off that price tag, I'll take it. I enjoy making huge savings on everything I buy. This is what I am. I'm a cheapsie. And I won't deny it.

Actually, that's my inspiration for building this site. I know that deep inside you, you're a cheapsie too. Somehow you also want to buy products on sale. Admit it. You're with me when there's a big sale at Megamall or Ayala Center. Don't we just all love spending the whole day on a chaotic shopping mall during midnight madness events checking each stall, hunting for some great bargains?

Being a cheapsie isn't bad. It isn't wrong to value every single peso that you get from your job or every dollar that you earn from the internet, whichever the case. If you would like to get the best value for your money, then join me. We might as well trek this world on a budget and still max out on enjoyment. And let's see where our measly peso would take us. Ready? Let go!