Saturday, December 19, 2009

Engadget's Keepin' It Real Fake Edition: Nintendo Wii.. I mean, MiWi.

I'm a fan of Engadget's Keepin' It Real Fake series. I don't usually buy those fake stuffs but recently, someone gave us one. No offense to the one who gave us that MiWi unit but, I can't help to feature it here in my tech blog :)

First, I'll show you the real thing then, I'm going to show you the Wii-mitation.

This is our original Nintendo Wii unit...
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6176/fakewii002.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/4443/fakewii003.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/4200/fakewii004.jpg

...and this is the fake Nintendo Wii a.k.a. MiWi (The whole package costs $32 USD)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5934/fakewii006.jpg


http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/7608/fakewii007.jpg
Side-by-side with the REAL Nintedo Wii

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1375/fakewii010.jpg
The fake Wii can be battery operated??

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8848/fakewii009.jpg
MiWi's Cartridge Slot (No dvd/cd reader)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3407/fakewii011.jpg
MiWi's AC-DC adapter socket

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7048/fakewii012.jpg
MiWi's Reciever

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5346/fakewii013.jpg
MiWi Controller side-by-side with the original Wiimote

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8001/fakewii014.jpg
Back view

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/1971/fakewii015.jpg
Top view

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5688/fakewii016.jpg
MiWi Controller

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/4656/fakewii017.jpg
MiWi tennis racket attachment

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5259/fakewii018.jpg
You insert it in the top portion...

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/8121/fakewii021.jpg
To remove the attachment, click the bottom just bellow where you attached it.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5738/fakewii022.jpg
MiWi's cable and adapters.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8632/fakewii023.jpg
MiWi's attachments! (Included in the package)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8206/fakewii024.jpg
Apparently, the MiWi doesn't have the original Nintendo Wii's infrared receiver.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9734/fakewii028.jpg
MiWi Box
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8105/fakewii029.jpg
MiWi accessories (Not included)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8060/fakewii030.jpg
Mi Guitar?????

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1037/fakewii031.jpg
These are all the included games in one cartridge.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/6935/fakewii032.jpg
Notice the Model Number? (Lower right)
Apparently, the creator of the MiWi is kinda intelligent. He is so correct by using the code "BS"-9900-89

If you think you've seen it all, wait till you see how SUCKY the graphics are. Let's not start with the game play.

Overall, it's a waste of time buying this unit, waste of energy playing it and last but not the least, one of the worst imitations I've ever seen.

*Video of the gameplay to follow
**For a sneak preview (info) of the game play: even if you don't click or move the controller, it plays by itself. It's like on autopilot mode.



Monday, December 7, 2009

iPhone Power Station Battery - mini review

Well, as you have read yesterday in my Lowepro Classified Sling 180 aw review, I will be leaving soon for a short vacation. Did I also tell you that having an iPhone while traveling is now essential?

I have this application called XGPS. It lets you download maps for offline use. Cool, huh? And because my iPhone 3g has a built-in GPS, guess who's never going to get lost in a foreign land? :P

There are limitations with the iPhone though. Battery power is one of them. I always use 3g and I can drain the battery within 4 hours of usage. I won't be bringing my laptop to where I am going because my iPhone would serve the purpose. For long travel times, it would be my entertainment machine -- watching movies, listening to music and playing tons of games!

But again, I would be needing a mobile-charger. Since I won't have a car where I can charge my iPhone while traveling, I need a back-up battery. Here is the closest I can find in Greenhills Shopping Center -- It's called the iPhone Power Station.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3685/iphonepowerstationbattet.jpg
It has that same battery indicator you can see in Macbook batteries. You charge it like how you charge your iPhone. By the way, you cannot charge the Power Station and charge your iPhone at the same time. I tried that already. :)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3301/iphonepowerstationbatte.jpg
It's almost half the size of the iPhone.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/3301/iphonepowerstationbatte.jpg
Upper portion of the Power Station

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3301/iphonepowerstationbatte.jpg
Rear view

Well, as of testing (1st day), it can charge your iPhone up to 87% of its' full capacity. According to the box, it takes 4 hours to recharge the Power Station (Twice the amount of time compared to charging your iPhone)

I'm going to try use a USB hub to charge both gadgets using one Apple adapter. hehe.

Lowepro Classified Sling 180 aw - Camera Bag Review

After a long search and research for the perfect DSLR/Laptop/Tripod bag for me. I've seen actual bags and my alternative to the Lowepro Classified Sling 180 aw was the Tamrac Aero 85.


Before I proceed, here are the specs from the Lowepro website:

Interior:
9.3 x 4.4 x 12.6 in.
23.5 x 12 x 32 cm
Exterior:
10.6 x 8.9 x 16.5 in.
27 x 22.5 x 42 cm

Fits:
DSLR with standard zoom lens attached; 1-2 extra lenses (up to 70-200mm f/2.8) or flash; accessories; personal gear; 7-9” netbook in front pocket.
Note: This bag meets most airline carry-on size requirements.

Designed For Digital All Weather Cover Slip Lock System Airline Carry On
Professional SLR SLR Digital Still or Video Camera Memory Card Flash Unit Notebook PDA Cell Phone

Photo below by AQC photography


Lowepro Classified Sling 180 aw


Left view


Notice the cool security feature? The zipper to access the inside of the bag cannot be opened. :)





Right view - Tripod holder tucked inside. (below the orange tripod icon)


Left side of the bag where the main pocket can be accessed.


memory card pockets - notice the "flappable" memory card icon? cool!








This is where the All-Weather raincoat is hidden :)


You can also pick it up like an ordinary bag! Check out the bag handle...




Huge capacity!


Top portion of the drawer - That's my ENL3e battery


My ENL3e battery plus my Nokia e63


Top view - with my lenspen visible.


Additional pocket on the flap.


What's this for? I don't really know..




The laptop slot in front. According to Lowepro, it can only fit 8-9" netbooks. According to my test, my 12" laptop can fit! coooool!!! (I'm pretty sure laptops bigger than 12" won't fit)






Bottom part of the bag.



Brand and model name tag


The cool zipper protection lock :)


You can attach Slip lock cases (where the Lowepro logo is located). Here are several sliplock optional accessories you can purchase.

To tell you the truth, every single feature I can think of at the time of not knowing the feature exists is in this bag!! I'm very impressed and contented. Now.. I'm going to take this bag to my trip this weekend and test it some more. Follow-up review to uhm, follow.

(While researching, this was the only other review for the Lowepro Classified Sling 180 aw I found)