iPod Nano Mk.VI

The sixth-generation iPod Nano

The iPod Nano of the new decade is now changed and its no longer more similar to the classic iPod. The new sixth-generation iPod Nano is now an iPod Touch with a shape of the iPod Shuffle, as part of the new iPod range, consisting of the 4th-generation iPod Touch (now with the camera), and the new 4th-generation iPod Shuffle which goes retro but with the new voice recognition feature.

What impresses the new iPod Nano is the new touch screen feature. I think this new feature borrowed some aspects of the iPod touch but the size makes it eccentric. What makes it on this size, this iPod Nano is now fully focused on playing music. With the lack of the video camera feature, voice recorder, and video playback, this would be rather disappointing.

This new iPod Nano is not my type, unless if someone had it with their old iPod Shuffle may be ready to get their hands on the new iPod Nano. For this iPod claimed as "the iPod Touch look with the iPod Shuffle size", this would be the cutest of the iPod range. Most tech-savvy girls are welcomed to purchase this cute gadget and put some of their favorite songs and enjoy their music trip.

Can this new iPod Nano be a hit? Let's pray that Power Mac Center, the official Apple retailer in the Philippines, will sell these.

Photo: Apple Inc.

The Sphere

This girl group may not be familiar to J-Pop fans, but anime fans will recognize it as a group of four female seiyuus. This girl group would be known as Sphere.

Why called themselves Sphere? This seiyuu unit consists of four familiar seiyuus we are familiar from their famous anime roles.

First, there is Minako Kotobuki, fans recognize her as Tsumugi Kotobuki from the K-On! series, then there's Ayahi Takagaki. I can only recognize Takagaki-san as Arrester Blanket from Fight Ippatsu Juden-Chan. Next, there's Haruka Tomatsu. Fans will recognize Haruka Tomatsu as Shiho Sannomiya from Zettai Karen Children, Nagi from Kannagi, Lala from To LOVE-Ru (coming this fall is the second season titled Motto To LOVE-Ru), and the Kirishima twins from Nyan Koi. Last but not the least is, OMG, Aki Toyosaki. Everyone recognized Aki-chan as K-On's Yui Hirasawa, Kazari Uiharu from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun, Satsuki from Maid-sama, and other roles she was familiar of.

From their first single, titled Future Stream, from the Super Noisy Nova, all the way to their latest maxi single (pictured above), and more to come from this four-seiyuu unit, most anime and seiyuu fans will add Sphere to the list of their favorites.

Do you think they'll be the next big thing? Trust me, my only favorites on this seiyuu unit were Haruka Tomatsu and Aki Toyosaki. I am not familiar with a seiyuu named Ayahi Takagaki, but for those who watched the Fight Ippatsu Juden-chan anime should recognized Takagaki-san as Arrester Blanket, Plug Cryostat's busty rival and ally. Minako Kotobuki's cool, but Aki Toyosaki is way better because, she's our favorite Yui Hirasawa from K-On!

Official Sphere site:

http://www.planet-sphere.jp/

iPod Touch (Fourth-generation)

Apple iPod Touch (4th Generation)

With the introduction of the iPad and the iPhone 4, our favorite fun-loving Apple iPod Touch made its full-model change and this will be called the Apple iPod Touch 4.

Why this iPod Touch reached its fourth-generation model? In this model, the iPod Touch can now do things the same as the iPhone 4, such as the new FaceTime feature. This feature does the same trick as the iPhone, you can do a little talk with your pals face to face thanks to the new camera feature, for the first time attached on this model. This app makes video calling at its finest. Also new to the iPod Touch 4 is the new retina display, which brings the most clearest view to this wonderful handheld gadget. From webpages, games, apps, and more, this display will shock you with excitement.

If you want to capture videos in High-Definition, there's an app for that. The new iPod Touch 4 now comes with the HD video camera, which allows you to snap photos and HD video that you can wow them when you send them by Facebook, YouTube, and others. This iPod is way better than my old iPod Touch.

My comment:
This iPod Touch is even better than my old iPod Touch because it now has video call, HD camera, retina display, and more that meets the gadget junkie's eye. With the SRP of $299 - $399 (about 25,000 to 40,000 Pesos), most Apple fans will start saving up some moolah before buying this! I hope this new iPod Touch will be on sale soon at the Power Mac Center, the Philippines' number one Apple retailer.

Photo: Apple Inc.

Right megane-shoujo, wrong megane-shoujo

A certain question comes up in my mind saying that hey, am I getting used to some megane-shoujo (glasses girl) I frequently, or rarely, saw on animes?

My answer comes up on my mind saying, what about it? Well, maybe...

The only megane-shoujos come up in my mind are those I saw on various anime shows. For instance,

Haruna Saotome from Mahou-Sensei Negima (consider it right)

Subaru from Maid-sama (eh?)

Mii Konori from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (Hmmm...)

Saki Kijima from Hayate the Combat Butler (Tee-hee, her cute side always gets us)

Aoi Nogami from Zettai Karen Children (ooooh)

and wait there were others, but I guess its too plenty to explain it.

Well, anyway, they're cute, funny, cool, weird, and everything. Well, why didn't I think about these types of anime girls dealing with?

My favorites were Saki Kijima and Aoi Nogami. Tee-hee, what do you think? They're really look like themselves, but they're different. Saki was Wataru Tachibana's maid while Aoi Nogami was the teleporter of the crime-fighting trio, The Children.

Sometimes, these moe-worthy girls hiding their deepest secrets...

Who is Ayrton Senna for you?

Born from 1960, began racing karts in 1973, participated on Formula One in 1984, gained the first of three championship titles in 1988, and later died in an accident in 1994, the name Ayrton Senna became one of the most legendary faces in the history of Formula One.

As far as I can remember I can only recognize Mr. Senna from the Japanese Honda Prelude commercial.

Now, a Japanese trailer given us the first glimpse on the documentary of one of Formula One's most legendary faces.

Looks like the whole world's looking forward to check out the documentary flick about the legendary Ayrton Senna. That documentary flick shows us the challenges of the legend, from his first challenge to the end of his career (in an untimely death).

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/04/video-japanese-trailer-for-ayrton-senna-documentary/

Audi A7 Sportback

Audi's first-of-its-kind premium hatchback, the A7 (not to be confused with the Kia K7), tries to stand out against its main competitor, the Porsche Panamera. However, the million-dollar question is, will the Audi A7 take advantage with its eccentric design?

Audi A7 Sportback

Just how eccentric is the Audi A7's design? For instance, the front view of the A7 resembles like the present third-generation A8, the side view looks more of an A5 Sportback, and the rear view that makes it more eccentric. With that design, most German car enthusiasts will keep guessing whether they will like the A7 or not. As for me, I think this rear view will be placed in a scrapbook of ugliest rear sides because just one look will make their reactions go eccentric.

On the inside, the A7 seems to have an eccentric feeling. Compare this car to the A5 Sportback and the results will remain eccentric. The rear seats of the A7 Sportback can be flipped down to make room for some more luggage space, which reminds me of other hatchbacks I know from the past to the present. On the driver's side, the A7 Sportback offers the same level as the new A8. With the available handwriting recognition, MMI Navigation Plus, and the new heads-up display, these features will keep the driver informed while taking on the most eccentric places on Europe.

From its arrival, three available engines are available for the A7. These engines include the 2.8 V6 FSI engine, diesel powered 3.0L V6 engine, and the high-performance 3.0L V6 TFSi engine. Most variants come with the seven-speed S-tronic transmission and Audi's legendary quattro technology. Finding which A7 variant suitable for you still offers you with this transmission and drive-train available only on this eccentric premium-sized hatchback.

My thoughts about the A7:
With the A7's sales start this autumn at the suggested retail price of 51,650 Euros or my predicted price will be under the seven-million peso mark, this eccentric sportback will try to keep itself eccentric thanks to its eccentric rear view that others think this is very ugly to look at it. On the bright side, 51,650 Euros is good enough to topple the base Panamera's price of about 75,899, but I still prefer the Panamera because this is more appealing than the A7.

Cheche Bureche again...

Back in the August 27 episode of Bubble Gang, there was a sketch called Cheche Bureche. Ogie Alcasid as Cheche, Michael V as Bureche, and Antonio Aquitania as the father. On our first encounter of this sketch, Cheche's dad introduced Bureche to Cheche. At first, we saw Bureche as an innocent little girl, when the father's away, we saw Bureche showing off her (his) mean side against Cheche. Bureche broke Cheche's doll, which unknowingly it was a savings for Cheche's dollhouse her father saving it.

On their second appearance, we saw Cheche playing tea time, and Bureche tries to turn Cheche drunk by mistaking wine as tea. Unfortunately, Bureche took the heat and she was drunk.

Do we think Cheche Bureche is Bubble Gang's next big thing since Ang Spoiled?

On that episode, sketches include meeting with an old friend from school, talks about their "jowa", an alternative for Facebook, friends in the past, IyoTube gone rock'n roll, homo-phobic, and a perfect kiss.

Chevrolet Cruze -U.S. Spec-

Chevrolet Cruze

While most countries, including the Philippines, enjoying the breathtaking experience of Chevrolet's new compact sedan, the Cruze, it seems that North American Chevrolet fans are finally getting a piece of action on a true global cars. I am glad this global car finally reached its home market, even when sourced from South Korea as the GM Daewoo Lacetti Premiere.

By gaining a world-level reputation, the Chevrolet Cruze will not be beaten by the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla in terms of style, packaging, and performance. I am glad that this car made the right move against Japanese compact sedans.

Two engine choices are available for the Cruze, such as the high-performance 1.4L turbo engine and the high-end 1.8L engine. Most variants are offered with 6-speed automatic transmission but the high-end Cruze 2LS grade offers not only the 6AT but also the fun-to-shift 6-speed manual transmission. If I were to choose between those, I would start with the 1.4L turbo engine because it is a wild ride but unfortunately, this variant does not have a manual transmission. Only the 1.8L Natural Aspiration engine comes with that kind of transmission.

When approaching to the Cruze's interior, it offers a wide array of technology you will never find it on the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. The Cruze offers Bluetooth connectivity, USB connectivity, available Turn-by-Turn Navigation, XM Satellite Radio, and Pioneer Premium Audio System. With these features, you will never turn back from your boring old sedan ever again because the Cruze was made to be premium compact sedan for the world market.

My thoughts about the Cruze:
Now on sale on the world market, from Korea, Europe, Asia Pacific, and now the North American market, the Chevrolet Cruze will always maintain the reputation as the excellent premium compact sedan. In the Philippines, the Cruze amazed us with its intuitive design, unquestionable packaging, and superb performance. Coming late 2010, there will be a Cruze Eco, engineered to be the world eco-car for the masses.


Photo: The Covenant Car Company Inc. (Asian model shown, US Version will vary)

In the end, miracles are merely fiction

Hey, remember back in February 2010, the month where the most religious fantaserye titled May Bukas Pa, ended in a happy manner? Yep, the happy ending where Santino was given a second chance to live thanks to not only Bro, but also the Virgin Mary. Seems that our Miracle Boy of the past now portrays the role of the half-human, half-Ungta, chosen one named Jacob or Eli in the new fantaserye, Noah.

Now, last night, the ending of another fantaserye, which miracle is the theme, titled Agua Bendita drop us a bucket of tears. If anyone saw the finale, what do you think?

What we're going to miss on this fantaserye is our friends from the sea, a dolphin named Dolly, and a clownfish named Otep.

After all, let's all wish Andi Eigenmann good luck for more projects.

With both fantaseryes that share the same theme of miracle (you know, protected by their families and friends, kidnapped by others for greed, and trying to fit in their normal lives) ended, will ABS-CBN making another fantaserye that the theme will be a miracle that follows the same flow as May Bukas Pa and Agua Bendita?

We hope we'll pray to Bro, or Papa Jesus, that there will be miracles around the corner.

Oh My! Hayate The Combat Butler Taiwan Drama a Go-Go! :-(

OH MY! Sources told that some Taiwanese TV channel announced that they'll be readying some shooting for the drama based on the hit manga and anime (and also one of my favorites), Hayate the Combat Butler!

In details, they'll bring Korean actress Park Shin-Hye and one of Taiwan's heart throbs, George Hu at first. They'll be more coming soon.

It says that Shin-Hye will portray the role of our favorite spoiled brat, Nagi, and George will portray as the titular character, Hayate.

Scoop:http://koreanupdates.com/2010/08/31/dinner-drama-gtv-it-is-confirmed-that-park-shin-hye-will-in-taiwans-drama-with-george-hu/

http://www.excite.co.jp/News/comic/20100901/NatalieComic_37023.html

I don't know what's going on, but this is going to be the weirdest news I've ever saw. i'm going to say the two words coming out of our friendly ghost, Momay. 

OH MY!

Photo: Shogakukan

GMC Acadia Denali

2011 GMC Acadia Denali

When you notice the kind of vehicle often driven by gangsters, rappers, and street smarts, the kind of vehicle is always a heavy sports utility vehicle. When an SUV is built for ruggedness, some SUVs are built to wow the crowd with aftermarket rims, grille, and everything that goes bling-bling. With the regular GMC Acadia built for the average families, especially the soccer moms, this crossover met its newest addition to put the bling on the Acadia. Welcome to the Acadia Denali, the first crossover Denali from GMC's Denali range, a range possessing the wow factor among the successful.

It is time to get rich or die trying because this street billet makes the rounds to please against its rivals. With the body remain its Acadia look, the new Acadia Denali turns this boring Acadia into a gangster-look SUV thanks to its Denali grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, chrome exhaust tip, and body-side molding.

While gaining the gangster-look exterior, the interior of the Acadia Denali is rather more of a luxury car, which means that only heavy politicians can fit inside this SUV. With the Denali wood and leather steering wheel, available rear-view camera, heads up display, ambient lighting, and climate-controlled seats, these features made this GMC somewhat luxurious.

Under the hood, the GMC Acadia Denali comes with the 3.6L V6 engine that accumulates the power output 288 HP @ 6300 RPM and the torque output of 270 LB-FT @ 3400 RPM. On fuel economy, the Acadia Denali can accumulate 17mpg on city driving and 24mpg on highway driving.

My thoughts about the Acadia Denali:
Most gangsters, rappers, and street smarts prefer SUVs because they can trick it out to go bling on the streets. With the GMC Acadia Denali, this crossover utility vehicle really goes bling-bling on the big city. If a soccer mom drives this crossover, their kids would be popular at school, thinking that they have an awesome car no other parents could ever have, except the rich kids.

If I were driving that car, I would play some hip-hop, rap, and something gangsters would love to listen while cruising on the big city at night.

Photo: Autoblog

Kia Forte Hatchback

2011 Kia Forte Hatchback

Time to say hello to the newest addition of the Kia Forte range, from the sedan, Koup, and LPi Hybrid, which is essentially the most spacious Forte built to rival the Hyundai i30, Mazda Axela Sport, Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (Lancer) Sportback, and the Subaru Impreza hatchback.

The new Forte Hatchback is the latest addition of the Kia Forte range, possessing the qualities of being the spacious, economical, and sporty Korean hatchback that promises to please Korean buyers. With Kia's trademark Tiger Nose design courtesy of Peter Schreyer, the Forte Hatchback stays true to its roots because this grille will always be a part of the Kia family, ranging from the Soul, Sorento, and the new Sportage.

A peek on the Kia Forte Hatchback's side view is rather similar to its rival, the Hyundai i30, but the rear view wears the same look from its sedan brother. This goes the same for the interior but as a hatchback, this was built to be spacious.

The new Kia Forte Hatchback has a roster of high-tech goodies equipped to up the ante, such as the engine start/stop button, optional navigation system with Digital Media Broadcasting, and parking system. In order to show how worthy for the Forte Hatchback to be a true eco-car, the Active Eco System is added to bring the fuel efficiency of the 1.6L GDi engine (found on the Hyundai Avante MD). The GDi 1.6L engine has the power output of 140PS, the torque output of 17.0 kg-m, and the fuel economy of 16.5 km/L.

My thoughts about the Forte Hatchback:

With the sedan priced on about P1,320,000, my predicted price for the new Kia Forte Hatchback would be P1,550,000, but whatever, that is how the pricing for Kia cars in the Philippines should be. I hope that they should think twice before pricing newer Kia models in the Philippines due to most Pinoy Kia fans think they are overpriced.

Distinctively, the new Kia Forte Hatchback is built to be the most economical, most fuel-efficient, and the sportiest Korean hatchback set to take down the Hyundai i30 into pieces. Let us hope that Columbian Motors Corporation will bring this hatchback soon and price it right.

On the other hand, this car will be feature, along with the K5, Sportage, and other Kia models, on the IRIS spin-off, titled Athena: Goddess of War, coming soon this fall 2010 on Seoul Broadcasting System. If you enjoyed the action-packed Koreanovela, you are going to like this.

Photo: www.mt.co.kr