Applications for 500 Startups is Now Open

Sign up now! http://500.co/2013/01/31/applications-open-for-500strong-starfleet-academy/

What is 500 Startups?

500 Startups is a new kind of seed fund and startup accelerator.

500 Startups provides early-stage companies with up to $250K in funding, our startup accelerator program, and unique events like SmashSummit, UnSexy, and GeeksOnaPlane. With hundreds of experienced startup mentors around the world, our creative work space in the heart of Silicon Valley, and a vibrant community of startup founders, we help companies succeed in ways other venture firms do not. We are 500.

Exploring the Grand Canyon on Google Maps

Back in October, Google Maps took the Street View Trekker (its newest camera platform) to the Grand Canyon for its inaugural collection of 360 degree imagery. This is one of the latest projects Google has worked on to further its goal of providing people with the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world.

The imagery has now been processed, stitched together, and turned into panoramics that are available on Google Maps. The collection includes more than 9,500 panoramas from trails along the Grand Canyon south rim and nearby Meteor Crater.

Western Digital Announces Q2 Revenue of US$3.8 Billion and Non-GAAP Net Income of US$513 Million, or US$2.09 Per Share

Western Digital Corporation reported revenue of US$3.8 billion, hard-drive shipments of 59.2 million and net income of US$335 million, or US$1.36 per share for its second fiscal quarter ended Dec. 28, 2012. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was US$513 million or US$2.09 per share.1 In the year-ago quarter, the company reported revenue of US$2.0 billion, net income of US$145 million, or US$0.61 per share, and shipped 28.5 million hard drives. Non-GAAP net income in the year-ago quarter was US$358 million, or US$1.51 per share.2

Cherry Mobile OMEGA finally here! for only Php 6,699

Cherry Mobile is getting aggressive in their campaign on Android Phones, and now their latest offering is the Omega with 5.2 inches 5 point Capacitive Touch Screen and run on the latest  Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The Omega is the first smartphone from Cherry Mobile to run the latest 4.1 Jelly Bean, besides that most of it's tech specs are the same with their other products. Although the 512MB ROM is a bit low it should have been equipped with at least 1GB ROM, I'm sure there are a lot of Android fans out there that is a bit disappoint on this.

Entrepreneurship on the Verge of a Threat

This might just kill entrepreneurship in the country..

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will hold operators of buy-and-sell websites liable for any entrepreneur who makes money online without first registering with the bureau and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We will file cases against sellers who fail to issue receipts and pay taxes, but we will also file cases against the websites which provide such service,” BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said.

She said website operators engaged in buy and sell are similar to that of mall operators that allow entrepreneurs to lease a commercial space in their establishments.

#readmore
BIR: We can go after Sulit, AyosDito and YOU for unregistered, untaxed online sales
http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/bir-we-can-go-after-sulit-ayosdito-and-you-for-unregistered-untaxed-online-sales

Google Launches their Philippines Office

Google Inc announced its deepening investment in the Philippines by opening a new office in Manila.

The Philippines has a vibrant and growing online community with over 33 million Internet users, a number that is likely to double in the next 3 years (ADMA 2012). The new office is in line with Google’s ongoing efforts to provide and improve its services for its Filipino users, to help Filipino businesses grow both locally and globally and to tap into local talent. Google is currently hiring for its Manila office. Job openings can be viewed on its website, www.google.com.ph/jobs, in the coming days.

“The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population. This new office will allow us better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers. Over 33 million Filipinos access the Internet regularly to study, shop, search for ideas, opportunities, create news businesses, and connect to each other. And Internet use in the Philippines is set to grow exponentially. Research indicates that the number of Filipinos online will have nearly doubled by 2016!” said Julian Persaud, Managing Director of Google in Southeast Asia.

Social Media Manager Explained

"What's a social media manager? And how do they function? I'm a social media idiot eh...hahaha"

You handle social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook, Blogs etc.Big Brands, Celebs, etc hire Social Media Managers. Senior writers who help manage our Facebook page are Social Media Managers

On a more serious note,

A person who manages accounts directly, like Facebook/Twitter, and engages with fans, members, audience, etc., creates and posts content, and acts as basic customer service is a Community Manager.

A person who creates content based on strategies on a per brand and per case basis, develops strategies for individual brands/campaigns, and conducts analysis and reporting on social assets is a Social Media Manager.

A person who develops strategies on how best to market or advertise a brand/business on social and executes them is a Social Media Marketer.

A person who handles SMMs and CMs is a Social Media Director.

Or, as many would have it, all are labeled as SMMs You will usually know what s/he is in 5 minutes.

Then, there's Jason Cruz, the Social Media Guy.

*credits to the WIM Team (Jason Cruz and Vince Golangco)

The Samsung Galaxy S III Mini: Does Size Matter?

Does Size Matter? This was the first question that we needed to answer as we step forth towards the venue of the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini.

Tweeting #SamsungSIIIMini all the throughout the night just to get a chance to win a brand new Samsung S3 Mini but to no avail, yet we were entertained by the debate happening before us as some DJs tried to score points as they battle to earn the votes of the audience answering "YES" or "NO" in order to get a final win.

HTC Unveils Microsoft's New flagship Windows Phone

The HTC launch at the Jump Experience Center at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City recently unveiled Microsoft's new flagship Windows Phone, the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, to the local market, available exclusively through carrier Smart Communications.

Powered by a Qualcomm S4 1.5GHz dual core processor and 1 gigabyte of RAM, the 8X sports a 4.3-inch, 341 pixels-per-inch (ppi) screen covered with scratchproof Gorilla Glass 2 inside a three-dimensional, pure unibody design, with a color scheme based on Windows Phone Live Tiles.

Aspire All-In-One PCs : Bringing a Big Bang to the New Year

The holiday break is over and the working world is now picking up pace. You dread having to go back to your office and face tons of work again. But don’t fret. Enjoy the brand new year looking forward to a new life—and bring bang to the New Year by having the latest Acer Aspire ZS600 all-in-one PC in your home for the whole family to enjoy.