How does iPhone 5S Fingerprint Sensor compares with Galaxy S4 Face unlock

From http://iosbasics.com/apple-news/how-does-iphone-5s-fingerprint-sensor-competes-with-android-face-unlock/

This is for ODesk employer. 

Probably one of the most fascinating features of the iPhone 5S when it was recently released was the fingerprint sensor aptly called the “Touch ID”.

The Touch ID is a fingerprint reader that can be found on the home button of your iPhone 5S. The scanner can read any finger, be it your index finger or your pinkie, in 360 degrees.  This means that the app can learn multiple fingers and does not have to be oriented in a certain way.

Though this feature is optional, with this fingerprint sensor, passwords will be a thing of the past. The Touch ID may substitute the “slide to unlock” feature or the number passcodes that helps you to log on to your phone. This fingerprint sensor will also make shopping easier on the App Store, iTunes, or iBooks, as all you need after all will be your finger. It is all in a touch of a finger.  However, a little downside to this app is that it does not yet work with third-party developers. Now, you may only enjoy making purchases with these apps compatible from Apple.

According to Apple, the Touch ID can store up to five fingerprints.  The fingerprints are kept in a Secure Enclave in the phone’s processing chip, and according to Apple, this will never be stored on the Apple servers nor the iCloud.

Using the Touch ID may be problematic for those with scarred fingers, though they have the option to use their not so marked ones. Also, it may be a bit tricky for the sweaty ones, the use of a hanky might help. Well, if this does not work, backups such as the “slide to unlock’ and the passcodes are still substitute options.

The Touch ID gives iPhone Users security. This can be a defense from thieves, pickpockets, and would be hackers. With this, one thing is for sure, only I touch my iPhone 5S.

Android also had launched a fancy face unlock feature with the announcement of Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Criticized over the lack of security, Google has improved it a lot over the time. It was very easy to fool the application by putting a photograph of the person how has locked the mobile. However, the latest release of Android Jelly Bean has addressed that problem by adding “Blink” option which is called “Liveness”. Which means once this option is enabled, you need to blink after your face is recognized by the phone. Only after you blink, the phone screen will unlock. Cool heh!!

Gimmicks apart, now the most important question, how secure these features are. Fingerprints, Retina Scans are unique to each individual. What about Face!!! Do you have duplicates, close resemblances!!!

 iPhone 5S’s fingerprint sensor does look bit secure given that it uses one of widely accepted bio-metric recognition methods. Though Apple needs to improve it further to enable it’s scanner to do a deep scan. A deep scan will make sure that wet, scared fingers do not affect the result.

Another relevant point – does your company offers a BYOD (Bring your own device) scheme and you intend to configure corporate email on your phone under any such scheme? Most of the companies does not recognize face unlock to be as secure as PIN/password lock. So chances are that face unlock functionality may be disabled by the installed security policy by your company’s network admin once you configure corporate email into your device. What about fingerprint scan then? Let’s wait and watch till it gets launched and we’ll come to know. You may let us know by leaving a comment here if your company’s security policy allows uses of face unlock.

10 travel destination deals at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart

Text by Ana Valenzuela | Photos by Rhoy Cobilla | Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com · Saturday, September 7, 2013 · 7:12 pm
http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/10-travel-destination-deals-at-the-24th-philippine-travel-mart

Visitors check out deals at a travel agency’s booth at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center, September 6, 2013. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

The 24th Philippine Travel Mart Philippine, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) at the SMX Convention Center, is a traveler’s paradise. Hundreds of travel deals on airfare and hotel stays are available this year at the event, which is expected to have around 40,000 visitors from opening day, September 6, through its closing day on Sunday, September 8.

Even if you’re not yet in vacation mode, you just might change your mind when you see all the affordable packages and prices of top local destinations.

This year, the yearly travel fair racks up some must-grab deals. Air Asia and Philippine Airlines, for instance, are some of the airline companies slashing off their price. Cebu Pacific is offering 50 percent off for bookings made for travel date from October 1 to December 31, 2013, and a whopping Php1 fare (certain charges not included) for travel on June 1 to December 31, 2014.

Hundreds of visitors register on the first day alone of the yearly Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center, September 6, 2013. The travel bazaar offers special deals and travel promos for airfares and hotel stays. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

Deals that you can only find in the Travel Mart, unexplored places that you will surely look forward to visiting, and more bounties worth uncovering are at the travel mart. Go ahead and make the Travel Mart your weekend part of your place this weekend. It’s ongoing till Sunday, September 8.

1. Puerto Princesa, Palawan for Php2,250 per night.
The underground river, glorious beaches, and an hour’s ride away from Manila, it is no wonder why this city is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the country. Stay in a small Pension house, resort or hotel and enjoy the sites of Puerto Princesa. The Travel Fair offers so many packages, you’d drown at how many flyers for Palawan alone you will get. You can find a good rate for as low as Php2,250 per person in a pension house accommodation with free breakfast (courtesy of Universal Planet). Package includes airport transfers city tour, and Underground River tour or Honda Bay Island Hopping with lunch.

High-end Puerto Princesa resort, Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa offers beach villas for only Php5,850 for the Philippine Travel mart weekend only.  Rooms are good until end of May next year, regular rate of the villa Php6,500.

2. Allah Valley, South Cotabato for Php2,500 per night
Dubbed as the land of Dreamweavers, journey through South Cotabato and get to see the grand view cultural emblem which is T’nalak weaving. Get to meet the T’boli people, while trekking  in Lake Holon, crater of Mt. Melibingoy  and explore Allah Valley more. One place to stay is at the Farm @ Carpenters hill, which offers a room for as low as Php2,500 per night. For more travel information, contact Rels Rendje,  Tour Operator at (+63) 917-5378786 or (+63) 928-3443344

3. Island of Negros for Php388++ per night.
Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are provinces that belong in two separate regions, Central and Western Visayas, respectively, and have separate identities. Oriental is known more for Silliman university and the dive site in Apo Island while Occidental gained popularity for its capital, Bacolod and the famed Masskara festival. Negros perks up the agriculture scene with organic farming and even offers seminars as well as samples of the produce in different model farms.

Go Hotels offers rooms for as low as P388 + vat per night, pension houses cost about Php550 per room. For tour information, contact Viaje Negrense, at(+63) 917-3000060.

4. Subic, Olangapo for Php4,000 per night.
Famed for its naval bases, Subic Bay has been turned into a crowd drawer with its duty free shops, water sports activities, and relics from the World War 2. PhilTOA got together a group of Subic Bay hotels and resorts, who slashed off prices for the Travel mart attendees. The Subic Yacht Club offers a Php4,000 gift certificate for room accommodation, usually worth Php6,500. The gift certificate includes gym use, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool use, while a two hour yacht cruise comes with additional cost. Grande Island Resort, a triple A resort in Subic, offers rooms for as low as P3,840 per night, published rate is P6,600. Have a laid-back day on the island or indulge in water sports activities like snorkelling and jet-skiing.

A mascot of this Subic beach resort adds cheer and fun at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart, September 6 to 8, 2013 at SMX Convention Center. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

5. Siquijor for Php650 per night.
The mystique island,  once called the Island of fire, as it was believed that fireflies lit the city at night is full of wonderful beaches, historical sites, and love potions and herbal products to boot. There are many paces to stay which offer rates as low as Php650 per night.

6. La Union for Php6,853 per night.
Tagged as the Surfing Capital of the  North, La Union lets the rolling mountains come across the glorious waves of the sea.  Yet, there is more to this province than its ultra fine beaches, as it presents eco-trail, botanical garden,  silver craft, and many more. The Travel Mart racks up amazing prices, yet nothing can compete with Thunderbird Resorts’ deal of Php6,853 (originally Php8,900) for the weekdays, and Php7,315 (Php9500) for the weekends.

7. Leyte for Php5,485 per night.
Where did General Douglas MacArthur return when he vowed to do so? Nowhere else but Leyte. Apart from a monument to MacArthur and the San Juanico bridge, other visitor spots of these Visayan province includes the Lake Danao, the virgin islet of Kalanangaman, and Tabuk. Whole day trip be from Php1,865 to Php5,485 (depending on the number of persons). For more travel information contact, (+632917) 321-7966.

8. Naga, Bicol for Php18,888 for three days.
An excursion of sorts is the best way to describe a trip to Naga, Bicol. Explore the heritage sites, go on a pilgrimage, or even dive into the ocean as all these can be done when in Bicol. Not enough? Then try three days at Misibis Bay for only Php18,888 net per person. Package includes breakfast and city tour.

9. Cebu for Php3,500 per night.
Find out more about Cebu, beyond its famous lechon and mangoes as you stay in a first-class hotel. Travel Mart offers the best prices at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, which offers a room for as low as Php3,500 (originally Php 4,000) and a double occupancy room for Php3,800 (originally Php5,000). Marco Polo Plaza Cebu also offers a room for as low as Php3,000, while Movenpick, the newest five-star hotel in Cebu, gives its guests a three-day stay in a deluxe room for only Php27,000.

10. Boracay for Php2,380 per night.
A lush stretch of white sands, and as the sun comes down the island dares to party—complete, of course, with bars, clubs, and fire dancers. Boracay has taken over the title summer capital long ago, and its time to rediscover why. Travel mart offers discount rates for as low as Php 2,380 per night (courtesy of Travel Universe Cafe). If you are looking forward to world-class service while in Boracay, Fridays, a triple A resort provides great discount, book a suite or deluxe room for Php8,000 per night.

WINDOW SHOPPER | Walking through WIl Tower Mall

Text and photos by Ana Valenzuela | Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com · Saturday, September 21, 2013 · 9:48 am

http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/window-shopper-walking-through-wil-tower-mall

The WBR Bar and Restaurant, owned by Willie Revillame, carries the same menu as Wil’s Steak Town, another establishment owned by the TV host. Photo by Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com.

Even though construction is still underway for the WIl Tower Mall, a 42 storey twin tower complex, the mall area opened its doors, welcoming guests to the first four levels of the commercial establishments of the Wil Tower Mall at the Eugenio Lopez Drive, Quezon City. Tower one, is set to turn over by 2014

The mall was formally launched in an exclusive party for VIPS last Sunday September 15. The opening was graced by Vista Land Chairman Manuel Villar, his wife Sen. Cynthia Villar, Imelda Marcos, Dra. Vicky Belo and daughter Cristalle Henares, Ogie Alcasid, and Randy Santiago, among others. The mall opened its door to the public a day after,

Willie Revillame’s Rolls Royce, reportedly the first to be purchased in the country since the British luxury car brand appointed its local dealer this year, is on display in the mall. Photo by Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com.

Currently only two stores are operational, the WBR Bar and Restaurant owned by Willie Revillame and Beyond the Box, a premium Apple reseller. According to the staff, the WBR Bar and restaurant takes off the menu  of another Revillame-owned diner, Wil’s Steak Town. Some of the house specialty includes the Oxtail Kare Kare (for Php450), pizzas, and steaks.

Beyond the Box is another store that is open in the Wil Tower Mall. Photo by Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com.

Other stores that will soon open are Bench, Fila, Bench Fix Salon, Fully Booked, Zapp Laser Skin Care, , Italianni’s, Krazy Garlik, Pho Hoa, My Thai, and Nail Spa. The condo brochure also promises a grocery store. According to our source, everything is set to open by the end of the year.

More stores opening soon. Photo by Ana Valenzuela, InterAksyon.com.

New color technology, more intense shades as Avon launches its Holiday Look 2013

Text by Ana Valenzuela | Photos by Rhoy Cobilla | Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com · Thursday, September 12, 2013 · 6:17 pm
http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/new-color-technology-more-intense-shades-as-avon-launches-its-holiday-look-2013

“Pick a feature and go with it—your eyes, your cheeks, just pick one and try to highlight it,” makeup artist Lauren Andersen (in photo, with microphone) said at the recent unveiling of Avon’s newest makeup collection. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, Interaksyon.com.

A natural look, “blend-ability” and texture, consistency of color, and less need to retouch are some of the things women look for in a makeup. Avon, which has been in the country for 35 years now, thought of nothing but just that when it recently launched its newest campaign, You Make it Beautiful and a new product line that took three years to develop at the Mindanao Ballroom in the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

The newest makeup line has been formulated with True Color Technology by Avon, which shows off the intensity of the shades, assuring the wearer of a longer lasting eyeshadow, lipstick or lip gloss.

The company for women invited makeup artist Lauren Andersen, who flew in from New York and stopped by the country amidst the monsoon rains. Andersen has been named as Avon’s Global Celebrity Makeup Artist with Hollywood A-listers like Jessica Alba, Madonna, Kate Beckinsale, and Nicole Richie as some of her clients.

Brand ambassador Anne Curtis was on hosting duties as she presented the newest Avon makeup collection. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, Interaksyon.com.

Anne Curtis, an Avon brand ambassador, was on hosting duties for the night, and she got into a small chitchat with Andersen on how she came to love the brand. Apparently, the blonde beauty had grown up with the brand as her mother was an Avon lady. “Some of my earliest memories playing with makeup are with Avon products,” Andersen recalled. “My passion for beauty began with Avon and I’m excited to continue my journey with the brand as they debut an innovative Avon color collection.”

Joining the two on the couch was Lisa Lamberty, Director of Avon’s New Product Innovation Department, whose job is to put on and try all sorts of lipsticks and mascaras all day. Lamberty shared that this new collection of eye shadow, True Color Eyeshadow Quad has exactly what every woman is looking for, a shade that stays throughout the day.

Avon Makeup Collection’s latest line features True Color Technology, which took three years of research and development. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

“We created a crystal-clear technology, with the base and the binder in the eye shadow and we incorporated polymers that help the color last through the day,” she disclosed.

Makeup artist to Hollywood A-listers Lisa Lamberty shows how to create the smokey eye makeup by slightly wetting the makeup brush and dipping it into the eyeshadow powder for more impact. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, Interaksyon.com.

Yet, it is not only the powder that is innovative, as Andersen complimented the packaging with its step-by-step application education, “the numbers literally tells us which color goes where,” Andersen put in, “creating your looks is so easy and fun.” She demonstrated how simple it really is, as later on during the event, she dolled up a model with nothing but the True Color Eyeshadow quad with the Chocolate Sensation shade.

During the presentation, Curtis said she loved the look, and would love to try it on her noontime show, as she does her own makeup. But there is something that this TV host/actress loves more. The animated Curtis needed no cue cards in confessing how she adores lipstick “One thing you ladies know if you follow me on Instagram is that I am such a lipstick monster. My favorite color is Lava Love, I love red,” she revealed.

Avon Makeup Collection’s latest shades are made more intense with a new color technology. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.

With more than 50 sticks of different shades of red, pink and nude, the new Ultra Color lipstick minimizes chapped lips as it is infused with a lip nourishing formula. “We incorporated self-renewing pigments and Shea Butter to help with the moisturization,” Lamberty said. “We put ingredients such as Vitamin E, Omega oil and Arctic Berry.”

The Ultra Glazewear Lip Gloss has also been infused with Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Omega Oil, and Arctic Berry.

“I am a big lipstick junkie, I feel like it is the fastest way to dress up anything. If I am tired you will know it because I’ll wear the brightest loudest lip color, because I want everyone to think the opposite. It’s a great way to disguise it,” Andersen shared.

At the unveiling of Avon’s latest makeup collection, from left: Lauren Andersen, Avon’s Global Celebrity Makeup Artist; Lisa Lamberty, Director of Avon’s New Product Innovation Department; Bob Briddon, Avon’s SVP and President for Asia Pacific and Philippines and Anne Curtis share the stage together. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, Interaksyon.com.

The night ended with Curtis showing off Avon’s newest TVC, part of the brand’s new You Make it Beautiful campaign. “Our products are designed to bring out what is naturally beautiful about you,” concluded Bob Briddon, Avon’s SVP and President for Asia Pacific and Philippines. “But ultimately, what we want to remind women through this campaign is that it’s their uniqueness that creates the impact that can’t be forgotten.”

Cant’ focus in school or at work? Could be Iron Deficiency Anemia

By Ana Valenzuela | Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com · Thursday, September 12, 2013 · 11:40 am

http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/cant-focus-in-school-or-at-work-could-be-iron-deficiency-anemia

Women who work long hours, lack sleep, and tend to bleed heavily during their menstrual periods could benefit from taking an iron supplement. Photo courtesy of Sangiobon.

Ever notice yourself shifting thoughts all of a sudden and forgetting words, your head throbbing hard with a headache, and already feeling tiredness even without exerting that much physical effort. Worse, you look pale and are short of breath. Chances are, the signs—lack of focus, pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath, and vertigo—all point to anemia.

Although there are many types of anemia, Dr. Corazon Zaida N. Gamilla, UST OB-GYN Department Chairman stressed in a recent press conference that, “Iron Defiance Anemia (IDA) is most existing, most changeable, and corrective.”

She added that our body needs iron as this vital mineral creates hemoglobin, found in red blood cells and myoglobin, found in muscles. Iron also transmits oxygen from the lungs throughout the rest of the body. When our body lacks iron functioning of certain organs will be affected.

Studies show that iron deficiency is prevalent in younger women, or those who have started with their menstrual period especially those who tend to bleed heavily, those who are in the reproductive age group—pregnant women and lactating women—and the elderly age group. This condition cannot be ignored by women. It weakens their physical ability, and if they are pregnant, it adds risk to the baby that they are carrying.

Women need 12 milligrams of iron per day, however Dr. Gamilla emphasized that women’s needs differ according to their lifestyles and needs. A career woman who keeps an erratic schedule and does not eat well and on time may need more iron in her body. A normal pregnant woman, who eats for two or three due to multiple pregnancies, will need twice the amount of her iron demand.

Dr. Gamilla also disclosed that one’s diet, sports or exercise habits, and genes may predispose development of IDA. The ob-gyn cites a vegan diet as an example, “When you go into a very strict vegan diet, for instance, you have to know that there is risk involved,” she says.

That is why one has to make up with iron-rich foods, and other vitamins and minerals that are lacking in your diet. She also mentioned that those who are into sports are the prototype of women who have IDA.

Iron supplements can help treat iron deficiency anemia or IDA.

Dr. Gamila said that IDA can be easily treated by adding iron in your diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, and taking an iron supplement. Iron can be found in everyday foods such as red meat, egg, liver, oatmeal, and nuts. Getting six hours of sleep is not only great for the body but it is a cure for IDA.

Dr. Gamilla warned that the norm of six hours should be during night time. She adds, “catnaps are powerhouses because it reinforces your body, but it does not take the place of the nocturnal sleep.”

Another booster for IDA is taking an iron supplement. One of the most potent reliefs for IDA, Sangobion can turn anyone into an “iron lady” as it helps restore the body’s lost iron reserves. This chocolate-scented capsule contains other vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Copper Sulfate and Manganese Sulfate.

“In order to cope, women need to pay attention to their health. When signs of fatigue, paleness, as well as lack of focus and energy start to show, it could be telling sigs of iron deficiency anemia,” Dr. Gamilla shares. “Iron and health is something that is not very abstract, taking the right amount of iron in one’s diet is something that one can easily strive for.”