Samsung Galaxy Note 2 now on sale in the UK - where can you get it?

Vodafone and Three have become the first two UK networks to carry the Samsung Galaxy Note II. The 5.5-inch phone-tablet hybrid, which officially went on sale at the start of October, is now available from Vodafone from free with a contract of £47 a month, that comes with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 2GB of mobile data and 3GB of BT Openzone Wi-Fi access. The Samsung Galaxy Note II is now on sale in the UK. Image: Stephen Shankland/CNET For a Note 2 at no upfront cost, Three users will need to sign up to a £44 per month contract, with all-you-can-eat data, 1,000 minutes and 5,000 texts. Both the Vodafone and Three deals run over 24 months. O2 customers will also be able to get their hands on the Galaxy Note 2 — eventually. The operator's website says the device will be coming in October, but doesn't give an exact date. Three users may also be in for a wait — the tablet is marked as "out of stock" on its website. EE, the operator formerly known as Everything Everywhere, will also be adding the Samsung device to its line-up later this month. An LTE version of the Galaxy Note 2 will be available on both Orange and T-Mobile contracts from 15 October (EE owns both operators). Once EE launches its 4G service in the next few weeks, anyone with one of the LTE devices will be able to upgrade to one of EE's 4G price plans. EE confirmed this week that it will be switching on its 4G LTE network in 10 UK cities at the end of this month.

Keep the heart healthy by eating apples daily: study

A small-scale study funded by the apple industry claims that an apple a day can, indeed, keep the cardiologist at bay. Published in the Journal of Functional Foods, the research found that healthy, middle-aged adults who ate one apple every day for four weeks succeeded in lowering levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol by 40 percent -- a substance which has been linked to the hardening of the arteries. To carry out their study, researchers from Ohio State University recruited 16 healthy adults between the ages of 40 and 60 who weren’t regular apple eaters – less than twice a month. Participants were instructed to eat either a Red or a Golden Delicious apple every day for four weeks. Another 17 participants took oral capsules containing 194 mg of polyphenols for four weeks, and a third group of 18 people took a placebo. While the polyphenol capsules also yielded measurable results, they weren’t as strong as consuming whole apples, researchers said. “That could either be because there are other things in the apple that could contribute to the effect, or, in some cases, these bioactive compounds seem to get absorbed better when they're consumed in foods,” hypothesized lead researcher Robert DiSilvestro. When oxidized LDL or low-density lipoprotein --also known as ‘bad cholesterol’ -- oxidizes after meeting free radicals, the cholesterol is more likely to promote inflammation and cause tissue damage, researchers explain. DiSilvestro also claims that eating whole apples daily was found to be more effective in this particular capacity -- lowering bad cholesterol levels -- than other antioxidant-rich foods he’s studied separately, including turmeric, green tea and tomato extract. The latest study builds on previous research vaunting the health benefits of apples. A Florida State University study likewise proved that eating an apple daily lowered ‘bad cholesterol’ levels by 23 percent while also increasing good cholesterol levels by 4 percent. Female participants also lost an average of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) during the year-long experiment.

Gov't site sets up 'checkpoint', denies hacking

Hours after the Palace denied reported hacks on government websites, the Official Gazette has started running an "e-checkpoint" Thursday. A gray screen now flashes before users logging into gov.ph, with a message noting that they will be shortly redirected to the Official Gazette front page. This comes amid protests against the new Cybercrime Prevention Law, which has sparked a spate of hacking attacks targetting government websites. "We continue to adopt appropriate security measures to ensure the integrity of our websites," Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma said in a statement. As if telling hackers not to flatter themselves too much, Coloma denied that the websites of the Office of the President and a state news agency had been defaced. "There was a scheduled systems maintenance of the President’s website that lasted for about 5 hours in the morning of Oct. 3," Coloma said. He was reacting to reports that visitors to the Malacañang website got error messages early Wednesday. "During this period, Facebook fans and Twitter followers of the President were duly re-directed and were able to use these social media channels without any interruption," Coloma said. Reports that the Philippine Information Agency website had been hacked are also not true, he added. "There was no actual defacement of the PIA website and at no time was there a service disruption," Coloma said. He admitted, however, that a hacker had accessed the personal email of one of PIA's editors early Oct. 2 and had inserted a link that appeared in one of the news agency's online posts. "This specific irregularity was addressed immediately," Coloma noted. Websites crippled by hackers include the National Telecommunications Commission, the central bank and the Manila Water and Sewerage System. In a separate statement Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that hackers "deprive the broader public of access to much needed government information and services online" . Critics of the Cybercrime Prevention Act should likewise condemn the series of hackings, Lacierda urged. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to hunt down and arrest individuals behind the attacks, reports said. This, as protests against the new law remain ablaze, forcing senators who voted for its passage to vow to fie amendatory bills on contentious provisions, especially libel.

Is boxer-turned-politician Pacquiao building a dynasty?

General Santos, south Philippines (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - If Philippine political families can build dynasties, why not boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao? Pacquiao himself has announced his reelection bid in 2013 as representative of Sarangani's lone congressional district in south Philippines. His wife, Jinkee, is running for vice governor of the province, while his youngest brother, Rogelio, wants to become a congressman of neighbouring South Cotabato, too. The boxer's People Champ Movement has teamed up with Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay's United Nationalist Alliance in fielding Rogelio in the congressional race for the first district of South Cotabato. Rogelio, chairman of Barangay (village) Apopong in General Santos, will run against the incumbent, Representative Pedro Acharon Jr., a former mayor. Jinkee will be the running mate of Steve Chiongbian Solon, the incumbent vice governor, who will be seeking the gubernatorial post against possibly incumbent Governor Miguel Dominguez, who is in his last term. The team-up indicates an alliance that Pacquiao has forged with the Chiongbians, a family that has kept a tight grip on Sarangani politics. It has obscured Pacquiao's victory over another Chiongbian, Roy, in the 2010 congressional race. Roy, the brother of then outgoing Rep. Erwin Chiongbian, questioned Pacquiao's residency but failed to have him disqualified. Pacquiao claimed he had lived in Sarangani before his foray into politics. Pacquiao then took pride in defeating a "billionaire" and part of a political dynasty. His supporters credited the boxer's "charisma and propoor" outlook for his victory. In 2007, however, Pacquiao lost to former Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio in the mayoral race in General Santos City, despite reportedly spending about 120 million pesos (US$2.8 million) in the election campaign. In next year's mayoral battle, the boxer has tapped Councilor Ronnel Rivera, a son of a fishing magnate, against Custodio. Jinkee filed her certificate of candidacy for vice governor in Alabel town on Tuesday, according to Alvin Quinanola, the province's election officer. Another member of the Pacquiao family, Lorelie, is also into politics, having won as chair of Barangay Labangal in General Santos in the 2010 barangay elections. Lorelie is the wife of Pacquiao's brother, Bobby.

Google overtakes Microsoft, Apple climbs six places in Interband's "Best Global Brands"

On October 2 brand consultancy agency Interbrand released its 13th annual "Best Global Brands" report. While Coca-Cola retained pole position, Google was ranked above Microsoft for the first time since the report began and Apple climbed six places to second position. Interbrand compile the rankings in the "Best Global Brands" report by assessing the brands across three key areas: "financial performance of the branded product or services," "the role of the brand in the purchase decision," and "the strength of the brand." Interbrand's methodology is the first of its kind to be ISO Certified and a full breakdown of the methodology can be found at: http://goo.gl/j0EVK. This year's "Best Global Brands" revealed some interesting changes among the world's biggest software/ tech companies. While drinks brand Coca-Cola retained its number one spot, Apple climbed six places, from eighth place in 2011 to second place in 2012. According to Interbrand, Apple's ascent up the charts is due to a combination of increased sales in both emerging and developed markets, a continuing sense of brand loyalty from its customers and a strong emphasis on brand protection. According to Interbrand, Apple has generated a net profit of $8.8 billion this year and has experienced an increase in brand value of 129 percent. Apple's rival Samsung also demonstrated strong growth climbing from 17th position to ninth this year with a 40 percent increase in value. Interbrand attributes this meteoric rise to the company's strong smartphone sales and online buzz surrounding the launch of the Galaxy SIII and the Galaxy Note. Google, in fourth position, has, for the first time in the history of Interbrand's "Best Global Brands" report, overtaken rival Microsoft. Google experienced a 26 percent increase in brand value over the past year yet remained in fourth position, Microsoft however experienced -2 percent growth in brand value from last year, causing it to fall from third position in 2011 to fifth position in 2012.

Jinkee Pacquiao's foray into politics

After making a name of her own as a celebrity beauty endorser, the wife of People's Champ Manny Pacquiao has set out to make her mark in politics. Jinkee Pacquiao is running for vice governor of Saranggani, the province represented by her husband who is now seeking a second term in Congress, reports said. The Pacquaios filed their certificates of candidacy at the local Commission on Elections office Tuesday, along with Saranggani Vice Governor and gubernatorial bidder Steve Solon. Jinkee's decision to run was finalized only hours before Manny's scheduled filing, reports claimed, noting that it was the outcome of consultations between Manny and some allies. Pacquiao leads a regional political party called the "People's Champ Movement," which is affiliated with Vice President Jejomar Binay's United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). At an earlier UNA media briefing, Pacqiao has floated the possibility that his ally, incumbent Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, will run as vice governor. Dominguez has been governor for three consecutive terms. "Pinag-iisipan pa niya kung tatakbo siya as vice-governor o magpapahinga muna (He is still deciding between running as vice-governor and taking a break)," Pacquiao said. Dominguez, however, declined Pacquaio's offers, noting that he prefers an executive post over legislative ones, reports said.

Senators flip-flop on Cybercrime Law

Senators who voted for the passage of the Cybercrime Prevention Act now seem to be skating around the issue as the law continues to draw the ire of Filipinos and the attention of the international community. One by one, lawmakers have vowed to file bills to amend the newly approved law, particularly to repeal its provisions on online libel, which they say "slipped under their noses." "I do not suggest that we 'throw the baby out with the bath water,' but the libel clause must be amended and free speech upheld," Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said in a statement on his official Facebook account Wednesday. "I will file a bill to that effect and support all efforts made in the same direction," he added. His statement comes amid several petitions filed by various groups urging the Supreme Court to block the implementation of the law which takes effect Wednesday. The Cybercrime Prevention Act also grabbed the global spotlight, with international watchdog Human Rights Watch saying that it violates free speech and a Forbes article calling it "a mix of ignorance to technology and the desire to exert further control over a population." Like Marcos, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said he is set to file amendments to the law. The addition of online libel "was a mistake," he said, although declining to provide any reason or motive as to its inclusion. "I will just admit our shortcomings, personally, because I can’t speak for other senators," Escudero added. For his part, Marcos noted that the committee report he signed included no libel provisions. "The records will show that when the Libel Clause was introduced and approved on the same day, I was away on 'official business,'" he said. Also saying that she will file an amendment is Sen. Pia Cayetano, who admitted that no one blocked the libel provisions when they were brought to the floor. "It was impeachment period, when Cybercrime Bill was called, I reviewed portion on child porn, which is my area of responsibility," Cayetano said via her Twitter account Tuesday. She added that she would have blocked the libel provision if she "had seen seen it or if someone pointed it out." "Sadly we cannot catch every provision all the time," she tweeted. Even the law's author, Sen. Edgardo Angara, said he will move to amend the Cybercrime Law when Congress resumes Oct. 8. He particularly cited provisions granting the Department of Justice (DOJ) powers to restrict and block access to computer data based on prima facie evidence, reports said. Angara also asked DOJ to suspend the implementation of the provisions in question. Aside from Cayetano, Escudero and Marcos, 10 other senators voted in favor of the Cybercrime Law. These were Senators Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Loren Legarda, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Vicente "Tito" Sotto, Ralph Recto and Manny Villar. Only Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III voted against the bill, claiming it to be "oppresive and dangerous." Guingona late September asked the High Court to void certain provisions in the bill, including libel. "Let me clarify this to avoid confusion, the country needs a Cybercrime Prevention Act, however, this law that was passed recently contains problematic provisions," Guingona said in an earlier statement. "Without these confusing and vague provisions, this law is necessary," he added. Marcos, however, noted: "This is no time to make excuses nor to blame anyone for what I cannot agree to with regards the libel clause." "Having said that, I would rather be accused of a lapse in supervision than not do anything to correct it," Marcos said.