O.M.G.

In today’s day and age, a WiFi connection is pretty much a must-have for anyone who is planning on purchasing a mobile phone. However for those with a limited budget, the choice is only limited to two branded models such as the Nokia C3 or the slightly more expensive Samsung Ch@t 335. Both of which are currently priced at around 5-6k php. But what if you only have a budget of below 5,000 php? Well, that’s where the brands such as MyPhone, Cherry, and Firefly comes into the table.

Even though I wasn’t able to find a single review on the internet, the brand of choice was not that hard for me to pick since Cherry has already received a ton of bad press lately and was even featured in the news for poor customer service and bad build-quality, while Firefly … well, even though I haven’t had the chance to get any user comment/review on the said brand, its price turned me off. Yes, a low price-tag isn’t always considered as a good thing. Especially when it’s almost 30% cheaper when compared to brands such as MyPhone.

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Specification:
Supported Networks: GSM / EDGE / GPRS Class 12 (Dual-Sim support)
Size: 116 x 63.2 x 12.3mm
Display: 2.4“ 320×240 pixels QVGA screen
Memory: Internal: 73.1mb / External: up to 8gb micro SD
Camera: 3 MP
Features: FM Radio, SMS, MMS, Email, IM, Bluetooth, WiFi

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Cellphone Layout and Interface:

As what you can see on the photo above, the QW29 looks pretty much the same as any other QWERTY bar phones out on the market today. At the bottom of the screen you’ll see two round-silver shortcut buttons for MSN Live Messenger and Facebook which gives you easy and instant access to both program/website. I however found it a little bit odd that they opted to use a non-modifiable shortcut button for MSN instead of Yahoo Messenger when MSN is nowhere near YM’s popularity here in our country (and this is supposed to be a “pinoy” focused phone).

Sitting beside those two buttons are the Sim 1 and 2 switch, as well as the multi-purpose answer/menu, and end call/cancel/on-off button. Those buttons work with no issues with their primary function(s) but can be confusing when used as a menu/interface button. Unlike most phones where the button sitting directly below a particular option on the screen performs the specified task, with this phone, the button below it may or may not work depending where or what program you’re trying to use. For example, there are times wherein an “option” menu sits right below the sim 1 button but pressing on the said button won’t do anything because it’s the MSN (the silver shortcut on the left-side) button that’s linked to the said option. The same thing happens on the other side of the menu and so on. Moving around the menus isn’t as easy as one might think, but you’ll get the hang of it after awhile.

The center trackpad serves as a 4 way directional pad as well as a confirmation or “ok” button with most programs. Think of it as a touchpad on a laptop computer. It may look like a nice feature, but to be honest I would have preferred directional buttons since holding down on a particular key keeps the screen going on a particular direction, which is something that cannot be done with this trackpad. Scrolling-down on a lengthy website can be a pain as you continuously rub the pad trying to reach the bottom of a page. Luckily, the built-in browser enables you to quickly reach the other end of a website by bouncing up or down the page. For example, if you’re already at the bottom of a page and wants to go back at the top, you just have to scroll-down and the browser will bounce up the top of the page (and vice-versa).

The micro-USB port is situated at the bottom of the phone along with the 3.5mm earphone jack. While the speakers along with the camera lens sits right beside each other at the back of the phone.

The main-screen displays the usual signal-strength, battery meter, call-log and phonebook shortcuts along with the option to display the time (analog or digital), date, service provider, and WLAN name. Down at the bottom you have 6 non-modifiable shortcut icons for: options, messages, wifi, browser, camera, and opera mini.

Going to the option screen will display a ton of icons which I believe was intentionally done by the company to make the phone look like its got a lot of features on offer. However after checking most of the icons out, you’ll end up realizing that majority of the 30 shortcut icons are nothing but browser bookmarks. If they placed them on a shortcut named “Bookmarks”, the main menu would have been a lot easier to browse around with.

The phone’s interface is in no way comparable with the user-friendly menus such as the likes of Nokia. Heck, it’s not even as user-friendly as Samsung. Expect to press 1-3 more buttons just for you to reach a specific function.

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Phonebook:

The phone is capable of storing up to 1000 entries. It can save up to 3 phone numbers under a single name, plus a few extras like fax number, birthday, and email address. There are also a few built-in animations that can be used but can only be seen while the person with the said entry is giving you a call. You can customize further by using a user-specific ringtone as well as your own custom photo/avatar. The phone however just gives me an error that the picture that I’m trying to use is “too big”. It doesn’t say if it’s too big resolution or file size wise. Though it may be indicated on the users manual but I’m just too lazy to even bother reading it.

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Internet / Chat / Email / SMS:

Since the QW29 is a WiFi phone, I’m sure you guys are interested how exactly it performs on 3 of the most common tasks such as browsing. Well I’m glad to say that the browser works well with most non-flash enabled websites. The texts however are quite big for my taste and I couldn’t find an option to make them smaller. If you’re going to use Facebook a lot then you might be disappointed with some of its flaws. First off, the option to upload a picture direct from the mobile site of Facebook is nowhere to be found. Photos are also at times displayed at a smaller size when compared to the list of preview thumbnails. And if you think that’s frustrating, trying to download the picture for a bigger view will prevent you from using the “back” button to quickly go back to the album and you’ll end up digging through the menu just for you to go back to the album to continue browsing. And if you’re planning on posting a lengthy status message, or any message for that matter … the phone limits you to a measly 120 characters!

On the other hand if you’re going to use the phone to chat with YM for example, then the application allows you to type in 199 characters per message which isn’t bad considering you can just type in another message when you run out of space. The chat program also enables you to set your status (busy, away, appear offline, etc), add emoticons, add contacts etc.

Sending an email using the browser limits you with the same 120 characters but, if you use the POP3 capability then you can type in a total of 4,096 characters which is good news if you’re going to use the phone for sending emails a lot. The phone is already pre-configured to send and receive emails via a gmail account. All you need to do is add your email address and password, and you’re already good to go.

Sending and receiving SMS is more or less the same as with other cellphones. I however find it frustrating that the phone doesn’t inform you who sent you a text message until you press of the “view” button. Which will not directly open up the text message, but will rather open up the inbox instead which will force you to press an additional button just so you’d be able to read the text message. Enabling the user to screen the message even before opening it has been a feature of even the cheapest of cellphones before, why it isn’t available on this particular brand/model is beyond me.

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Other features:

Considering the QW29′s affordable price, the list of features and the phone’s capability is quite impressive. The addition of a 3MP non-autofocus camera is quite nice. It has the capability of taking pictures as well as videos. The quality cannot be compared with branded phones but is a lot better when compared with china phones. You can also use the camera as a webcam when connected on a computer via USB, but since I haven’t tried using it, I’m not sure if it also captures your voice.

The FM radio works well and can be even placed to play on the background. There is an option to schedule and record FM stations. You can use the earphones (that comes with the package) or loudspeaker to listen to your favorite tunes. The sound quality is quite nice and there is not problem with the volume (with the loudspeaker at least).

There are a few other things like a basic image editor, and a message blocker which I haven’t tried yet but if it works as its name suggest … then it’s like a godsend to those who are being spammed via SMS by some random losers (yes, I hate ‘em too).

The phone allows you to install java programs such as UC Browser which is an excellent alternative to the phone’s built-in web browser. Problem here is that the phone doesn’t have the option to create a shortcut for the said program. You’re going to be forced to dig-in really deep through the menu to open up a 3rd party program which is simply frustrating. Minimizing the program seems to be the only way to somehow alleviate the said problem.

Battery life seems to be good for at least 2 days or even much longer than that if you keep the WiFi and/or Bluetooth turned off or only use it for sending/receiving text messages.

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Conclusion:

For a cellphone that is currently priced at 3,888php, I find it hard not to recommend this phone to anyone who is looking for a cheap all-in-one solution. One should be however aware of its browser issues such as the lack of flash support and 120 character limitation. The non-streamlined main menu and confusing function buttons can also be a turn-off to some users. It’s physically on the thin side, it’s light, doesn’t look cheap at all and comes in 3 colors (silver, red, and black). Other than that, its capability to enable the users to browse the net, chat (MSN, YM, GTalk), and send emails while also allowing them to listen to music via MP3 and FM radio, as well as take pictures and videos makes this an attractive and affordable cellphone that is worth checking out.

Fern-C is one of the most popular anti-oxidant brand of vitamin C that is currently being imitated by others such as Ultima C. Now although there isn’t anything wrong with taking other brands, taking in fake versions of Fern-C is a different story.

It’s almost impossible to spot the fake from the original Fern-C since even though the legit version keeps on changing the looks of their box, the fake ones are doing a good job of catching up and updating their packaging as well.

The only sure fire way to spot the fake one(s) is by checking out their price tag.

The fake Fern-C’s asking price ranges from as low as 350-450php which can be purchased at Ongpin and Divisoria. Their “dealers” try to convince their clients that it’s the same as the one that can be purchased in drug-stores, but they purchase in bulk so they get discounts. But the question is, can you really purchase the original version of Fern-C below 500php?

Here’s a picture of a leaflet that is given to distributors during seminars:

Now, let’s take a closer look at the lower-right portion …

As you can see, the table shows the “retail” price (those that can be purchased in drug-stores such as Mercury Drug) per box as well as the discounted members price of 500php. That discounted price doesn’t even include any additional amount for profit.

Then why is it that other distributors sell a box at the same price  of 500php? That’s because for every box they sell, they get a 25 peso rebate. So unless they want to earn more than 25 pesos, there’s no need for them to sell at a much higher price. Which means that there is absolutely no other way of acquiring a box which is priced lower than 500 pesos.

So do yourself a favor, instead of taking in a drug that contains “god knows what” … purchase a box from a trusted source. Heck! Even if you purchase one at 500php per box, that still won’t guarantee that it isn’t fake. Try and ask for additional proof such as leaflets or Fern-C labeled plastic bags which as far as I know isn’t being given to those fake distributors (unless of course they already copied those as well lol!). Legit distributors should be able to give you at least one small plastic bag per box, or a big one for bulk orders.

I can still clearly remember back when I was a kid being confused as to which path I should take. You see, I was set-off to study in a Catholic school from elementary, all the way up to college. However at the time, I was actually a part of this religion that is so weird they didn’t even have a name … and I’m not even trying to be funny here. Some of my friends even thought I was part of a cult. That group however based everything in the Bible and that was pretty much the start of my confusion. Because when I’m in school, I was told that praying to Mary helps make your prayers become more effective. But when I’m at our church, we are told that in the Bible, God said that the only mediator between Him and men is  His Son Christ Jesus. Mix that with your school telling you that you should ask saints to pray for you and that you need to confess your sins to a priest for forgiveness … the result is one really confused kid.

As I grew up, I came into the realization that if I want to know the answers, I should look for it in the Bible. Because after all, every religion out there use the Bible as proof that God, His Son, and all those other persons existed … right? And as Christians, we should not only be believers, but followers of the written Book as well.

One of the most common and probably the biggest difference between the Catholic church and other Christian religions is how we believe in Mary. Catholics and Christians both believe that she’s the mother of Christ. But it pretty much stops there because while Christians (and when I say “Christians”, I mean religions that don’t pray to Mary or saints) do consider her as a pure woman, Catholics use her as a mediator between God and man. They say that it’s the same as asking a friend of yours to pray for you and that they see no reason why Jesus wouldn’t listen to her own mother. That does make sense, but … is it Biblical?

Everytime I get into this kind of discussion with a person who uses Mary as a mediator, I always end up getting analogies. Using examples that are not written in the Bible. Take that example that I have just given above, it does make sense. But, wouldn’t God listen more directly to His Son than His mother who is just a man like each and everyone of us?

As I learn more about what is written in the Bible, I continually find it hard to believe that there are people who call themselves believers of the Holy Book but doesn’t really follow what’s written on it. There’s just too many holes in this whole “using Mary and saints” as a mediator thing, I’m not even sure which one I should discuss first.

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Okay, I guess I’ll focus on the mediator thing first. Here’s what is written in the Bible:

…there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

(Acts 4:12)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

(John 14:6)

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and find pasture … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

(John 10:9)

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all …

(1 Timothy 2:5)

Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them

(Hebrews 7:25)

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I think it’s very clear here that if we are to follow what is written in the Bible, then we wouldn’t go and use anyone else other than Christ Jesus as our mediator. But I have seen a lot of Catholics who strongly said “NO, Jesus is NOT the only mediator” even when presented with these verses. Why do they do that? I’m really not sure. I guess admitting what they have been doing for years is actually non-Biblical is too hard for them to swallow. But is it really worth keeping your pride intact than to accept what is actually being asked of us in the Bible?

The Bible also specifically told us that we should abide its teachings:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

(John 8:12)

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As you can see, the Bible clearly indicates that we should only use Jesus as our mediator … and no one else. But what about that issue wherein asking our fellowmen to pray for us? Why is it okay to do that but not use saints? Well, the difference is quite obvious but some people couldn’t see it. Asking the dead or spirits to pray for you, is in no way the same as asking the living to do the same thing. And this is something that is forbidden in the Bible:

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

(Deuteronomy 18:10-13)

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I somewhat understand why some people want to believe that endorsing their prayers to Mary or the saints will make their prayers become more effective. First reason is probably because of yet another comparison in our lives were a higher-up speaks for us … like trying to get yourself  hired in that big company. It sometimes help if you know someone from the inside, right? But does that also apply with our God?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

(1 John 5:14-15)

As you can see, God answers prayers on whether they are asked according to His will … and not the source. So to ask a saint thinking that God will give it more consideration because it was delivered to Him by that person is not Biblical.

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And second, it might be because some people feel that they’re not worthy of speaking directly to Jesus because of our sins, but the Bible tells us that:

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

(Hebrews 4:16)

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We should actually feel comforted knowing that all of our prayers are going to be treated the same way regardless of our history. I kinda feel saddened by the fact that other people actually believe that their prayers gets more attention just because they’re using someone else to mediate for them … when in reality, all they’re doing is not abiding what is written in the Bible. They put too much trust on someone who is probably not even capable of hearing their prayers. But that is another question that they might have, if they have been doing it wrong … why are they being blessed? Why are their prayers being answered? Why are good things happening in their lives? Well for me, life isn’t all about trials and hardships. Regardless of your religion, you will experience good things in life. That is one of the main reasons why Atheists feel that there is no need for them to worship anyone. Since they believe that they have complete control of their life and they will experience joy and happiness even without praying.

I also am not aware of a verse in the Bible which states that the dead will gain the capability to hear our prayers. Not only that, even if they can hear us, does God give them the power of omniscience wherein they will be able to understand us regardless of our language? Remember, based on the Bible, there is only one all-powerful and all-knowing creature in this universe … and that isn’t Mary nor any of the saints.

I urge everyone who believes in Christ and the Father not to let our traditions detract us from following what is actually being asked from us in the Bible. All these other mediators, these sculptures that people pray-on and kneel to, does nothing but pull us away from the person who is actually capable of hearing, and answering our prayers.

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

(Mark 7: 6-8)

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…”(Exodus 20:4-5)

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Now I have posted this here not to convince you guys to join me in my belief system. Heck, I don’t even consider myself as a religious person. I really wouldn’t care if the things that I mentioned here are still not enough to make you change your view on the proper way of praying and worshiping God. But I have been told countless amount of times that the Devil will do everything in his power to tear our relationship apart with our Savior. And that includes making us worship the wrong figure to the extent that we end up rejecting what is in the Bible and believe that our  own made-up ways is better than what is actually written. It’s sad to see that the enemy has in so many ways already succeeded … that or maybe we’re just to stubborn to follow what God (and not what other people) tells us is the right thing to do.