Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4: Tablet Heaven!

Before I start my review on one of the latest and greatest from Samsung, let me first sum up my verdict in one description: NEAR PERFECTION!

Now that you have a very good idea where my review is heading, let me go into specifics why I call it as such. You see in its class or in the higher 9 to 10 inch spectrum, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is probably the best in terms of specs: screen quality, processor, power, software, operating system, design, portability, quality etc. I could go on and on)

My Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is perfect for holding with one hand.
Its just like reading a medium-sized book.

POWERFUL FOUR CORE PROCESSOR

Ok lets go hands on. This baby rocks a very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Although this is not the latest, it still is one of the best up there in terms of performance, stability and quality. After all, Qualcomm is still by far the leading manufacturer of mobile device processors in the world. When the Snapdragon 800 was introduced a few months ago, it was hailed as a breakthrough in the micro-processing world due to its power and unique architecture. The Tab Pro 8.4 is one of the few devices that uses this meaty processor. It is in fact the most powerful processor used in a tablet by far.

Not only does this baby rocks, it runs very fast. It is clocked at 2.3 Gigahertz, again one of, if not the fastest in the slate category. And it has four cores as opposed to the two cores which is a standard in most tablets today. And true enough, according to real time tests conducted around the world, it lives up to its hype.

I myself didn't have problems with it. Imagine this: I'm surfing the net with multiple windows open while watching a full HD movie (in a separate micro screen) and doing my blog entry in a word processor all at the same time without any hiccups. On my last tab, also a Samsung, running a full HD video while checking my e-mail is already a burden for the processor. Most of the time the video processor crashes.

I also play the latest NBA 2K14, a resource and graphic intensive game, smoothly and with no major problems.

HIGH QUALITY DISPLAY

Samsung's Tab Pro line has the highest quality screens in the tablet world. In fact, its 2560 x 1600 (359 PPI) pixel density is higher than the Ipad's Retina Display, considered the holy grail of mobile, tab and laptop screens.

Although its 8.4 inch, super LCD screen technology is not as bright as the super AMOLEDs of Samsung's smart-phones, it's as very fluid and vivid. Its color saturation is one of the best in the industry. My full HD films rendered perfectly on it. This is perfectly so since full definition movies must be appreciated in full def. screens period. I haven't tried it outside during high noon but knowing Samsung displays (I have been a Samsung user since I got an S3 in 2012) they are relatively visible under direct sunlight.

The Tab Pro's rear features a faux leather, a design element introduced
in the Samsung Note 3. The leather helps in the high grip factor of the tab

To sum up the display quality, I'm lifting an excerpt from a recent review by Engadget.com:

"The Galaxy Tab Pro's display is gorgeous. I was dazzled from the minute I turned it on. Like the rest of the Galaxy Tab Pro line, the 8.4 boasts an impressive 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. But, because the 8.4-inch model has the smallest screen of the lot, its pixel density is the sharpest, topping out at an impressive 359 pixels per inch. That makes the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 the most pixel-dense slate we've ever seen, and it shows. Icons and images are so crisp and lifelike that they look painted on. Further, the Tab Pro utilizes a TFT LCD instead of the Super AMOLED found in previous Samsung tablets, which results in much more natural colors, a welcome change from AMOLED's hyper-saturated hues."

The Tab Pro's 8 Megapixel rear camera
takes decent photos & videos while its
front facing 2MP shooter is good for
video chats & selfies

CLASSY AND ULTRA-THIN DESIGN

Its design is hewn from Samsung's latest smart-phones. I would say it's the classiest and most stylish design I have seen in a tablet. The great thing about it is it still maintains its minimalist attitude. The back is made of faux leather that is actually plastic. But it really feels like the real thing and the leather pattern has a premium feel to it. The other great thing about it is it produces a grippy texture. This simply means the tab is very comfortable to hold even with just one hand, which is reinforced more by its ultra-thin size. There is non of that fear of dropping it compared to earlier iterations made of glazed plastic which feels like it could slip out of your hands anytime. The fake stitching on the sides of the faux leather reinforces more the premium element of the tab.

The sides are covered in aluminum metal which again reinforces the classy element. The front is mostly covered with glass with the proprietary Samsung brand and the physical menu button with touch buttons on its sides. However, I found out from Samsung Philippines that the glass is not Gorilla but only tempered glass, this means there is no scratch resistance protection. But the best innovation in front is the very narrow bezel especially on the sides which makes it very compact. Other surprising innovations are its being lightweight at just 11 ounces and its thinness at just 0.28 inches. I call them innovations because it takes engineering and design marvel to squeeze all these wonderful technology in a very compact and portable tablet.

OPERATING SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY

The Tab Pro 8.4 is designed with the businessman or professional in mind hence its carries the latest and greatest mobile OS from Google that is Android KitKat. Of course common sense dictates that if you target the businessmen, then you are targeting the most discriminating and highest end market. The free softwares include Hancom Office Suite, the closest thing to Microsoft Office and a whole slew of new productivity apps not found in the regular tablet lines of Samsung such as the Tab 4 and Tab 3.

The Magazine UX interface is also a noteworthy addition to the usual Samsung TouchWiz layer for Android. I have been working on my documents using the Hancom apps and I found them almost similar in terms of features to the widely used Microsoft Office suite. Its better than the Polaris Suite which Samsung incorporated in their earlier and lower end tablets.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY FEATURES

The tab comes with a slew of very vital features such LTE connectivity, USB To Go, Micro USB, MicroSD card slot, multi-spectrum WiFi, Infrared, Bluetooth 4.0, High quality stereo speakers, 8MP auto-focused camera with LED flash, 2MP Front Facing camera, Gyroscope, Sensors, Light Ambient Sensor, Microphone with recorder and HDMI function which needs a third party adaptor.

VERDICT

I highly recommend this tab to professionals and business people. Likewise to people who are techies and very discriminating when it comes to features. The only minor drawbacks are its non Gorilla Glass screen and its hefty price tag. For the price I should say it depends on the buyer. For me, the price equates to its premium and top end features hence it is forgivable. For the glass screen however, I'm completely at a loss on why Samsung had to leave this very important feature. My guess is that it could be a strategic business decision known only by the company.

The key to the Tab pro 8.4's success lies in its portability and functionality. Portability in the sense that it is easier to bring than a 10 inch tab or ultrabook. Functionality in the sense that it brings with it the same business and multimedia features that can be found in a laptop or netbook.

To sum it all up, let me lift an actual quote from a review of Yugatech.com, one of the leading tech review sites in the Philippines:

"It’s the complete package. There’s not a lot of things that we can complain about the tablet; its got a marvelous display, its engine performs well even under heavy pressure, the camera is great and, to top it all, the battery life is very impressive. Needless to say, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is a keeper"

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

BLUEMAX LAHAR DREDGING PROJECT COMMENDED BY DENR & PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

Bluemax Tradelink Inc.'s lahar sand export project in Zambales was highly commended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) local offices in Region 3 recently.

Speaking over at radio station DZBB in the program 'Boses Ng Balita', Lormelyn Claudio, Director of DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 3, said Bluemax's dredging and extracting of lahar sand along Bucao River channel, one of the main river systems in Zambales now heavily silted, was sort of like a miracle for the people of Botolan Zambales as it is expected to decrease more incidence of floods. It will also deepen the channel and will provide passage for overflowing flood waters.

"This project is supposed to be the work by the National Government with the participation of the Local Government but now private companies like Bluemax assumes all cost related to dredging and desilting, and agreeing that it is just right  for the Government to allow Bluemax to export the lahar sand for commercial purposes because Government doesn't need to pay private contractors like Bluemax   to do the job but even requires Bluemax to pay taxes from the sales of the said sand. It is now a very good opportunity to solve our problem with  Lahar sand," explained Claudio.

Bluemax' lahar dredging site in Zambales

Claudio clearly explained the positive impact of the projectand that it went thru Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review and evaluation pursuant to PD 1568. For his part, Reynaldo Cruz, OIC of the DENR's Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 3 explained in the same radio program that Bluemax has obtained all     the necessary legal procedures. "Their permit to export the lahar sand is regularly cleared by our office. Suffice to say the whole operation is above board and  legitimate," Cruz stressed.

A dump truck delivers tons of lahar sand to a large barge

The DOTC's Philippine Ports Authority (PPO) also recently recognized Bluemax for its immense contribution in the development and smooth operations of the sea port in San Fernando, La Union. The award was bestowed during the local PPO's 38th founding anniversary celebration.

The lahar is graded, processed whenever required, and exported by Blumax to Singapore for its massive reclamation project meant to sustain its fast economic growth. The company was awarded the contract to provide lahar sand back in 2011 says its president Clark Zapata in the same program.

Bluemax Tradelink President Clark Zapata (in yellow shirt) with DENR officials at DZBB Radio after their guesting

"Before, Singapore used to import sand from other much nearer countries. But these countries stopped it due to lack of supply and issues. But blessing for us, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left us an endless supply of lahar sand," said Zapata.

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted, endless tons of lahar sand were spewed out thereby creating havoc up to this day in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac and its surrounding areas. Whenever it rains, lahar would flow down from the mountains and would clog rivers, destroy properties and lives and bring down the local economies.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Topnotch Lab Can Detect Immunologic Causes Of Failed Pregnancies

Blood is one of the most important elements of the human body. Whenever there is suspicion of disease or infection, the usual first course of action is to test the blood for definitive evidence.

There are numerous tests for the blood to determine a person's state of health. The most common tests are the complete blood count (CBC), fasting/random blood sugar, cholesterol, lipid profile, blood urea nitrogen, and dengue.

Moreover, there are special blood tests that determine one’s immunologic condition. Since these blood tests are important tools in diagnosis, they should be readily available and results should be accurate and prompt. Most hospitals and laboratories, with their large number of patients, usually take a few days to release test results.

Bloodworks logo

But there is a reputable laboratory in Katipunan, Quezon City that guarantees fast results , i.e. within 24 hours from blood extraction, and which can be electronically sent to the patients. Moreover, it offers home service to patients in the surrounding communities. 

Bloodworks Lab offers extensive immunologic tests which have been significantly used by obstetricians in managing patients with unexplained, repeated miscarriages and those with difficulty in conceiving. Immunologic tests conducted in Bloodworks include:  APAS , Basic and Comprehensive Immunology Panels, Lymphocyte Subset Enumeration Panels, and other Immunology / Serology tests.

Bloodworks uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment in its 
lab along with new design elements to provide a relaxing 
but professional ambiance

Bloodworks Lab is the only stand alone lab in the country that offers these extensive immunologic tests. It has the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, among which is its own 4-color flow cytometer (the third of its kind in the Philippines) and employs competent, professionally certified medical technologists. It takes pride in its topnotch and professional staff led by Immuno-Pathologist Dr. Arvin C. Faundo, a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine Class 1996, specializing in Hematopathology and Stem Cell Transplantation with training from  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA; and Bloodworks’ Chief Medical Technologist, Mary Antonette Menciano, who is trained in the Clinical Immunology Laboratory of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, Illinois, for reproductive immunology testing.

The facade of Bloodworks lab in Katipunan

The BD FACSCalibur™ Flowcytometer platform (above in Bloodworks) offers a unique modular approach to flowcytometry and allows users to perform both cell analysis and cell sorting in an innovative single bench-top system. Designed with multicolor application support in mind, the BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer provides flexibility to support a wide variety of research and clinical applications. The system supports a wide variety of research and clinical applications and is complemented by a broad suite of intuitive software solutions to streamline analysis for a wide range of applications including enumeration of lymphocyte subsets, stem cells, residual white blood cells, and reticulocytes.

The Lab  also offers routine tests for blood, urine, and stool. It also offers special packages designed for  specific sectors  like the Well-Being Package, Diet/Weight Management Package, Senior Citizen's Check Up, Pre-Employment Package, and Cancer Screening Tests such as Prostrate, Ovarian and Colon.

The J&J Vitros 250 is a fully automated chemical analyzer
and one of the hi-tech equipment found in the lab

Bloodworks has already served numerous, satisfied patients in the past two years since its opening in September 2012, because of its comprehensive and efficient services and the convenience it offers in the delivery of these services.

Bloodworks Lab is conveniently located in Elizabeth Hall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City with a satellite office at Civic Drive, Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For further inquiries, call 426-0237, 0925-3795611 or visit their website at www.bloodworkslab.com and Facebook page BLOODWORKS.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda with Bloodworks PR as basis