NAIA T3 Open for business

Written by admin on July 23, 2008 – 3:44 pm -

Mothballed since 2002 due to legal and structural reasons, NAIA’s (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 3 is finally operational albeit partially and initially for domestic flights. First to use the terminal was Cebu Pacific’s ATR 72 turboprop bound for Caticlan. PAL Express will also be using the new terminal  next week. 

Soft launching the new terminal for domestic operations is probably a good move since it will give airport authorities a chance to iron out the bugs associated with most new airport openings without having to worry about the more complicated nature of international operations.

Unlike other new airports in the asian region, NAIA’s Terminal 3 seems to be yet just another stand-alone structure, not much thought has been given into how it fits into the rest of the existing airport. For starters how do passengers with connecting flights get to the other terminals? The only way is to physically exit the terminal and commute through the traffic clogged streets to get to another terminal. What about transiting passengers? Do they have to clear immigrations and customs too to get to another terminal?

From an architectural stand point, the terminal doesn’t look too shabby but compared to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, T3 looks somewhat like a domestic terminal, I’m aware that the structure was designed in 2000 but even during those days, most modern structures were constructed with steel and glass and were more of cylindrical designs rather than the boxy form of T3.

Lastly from an operational perspective, how much traffic can NAIA’s two runway’s handle. The most utilized runway is called runway 06 and runway 24 which span over 6000 ft from SLEX to the Multinational access road in Sucat Paranaque because it can handle large aircraft such as 777 and 747’s, the second runway is much shorter and is used mostly by smaller aircraft. In contrast, Incheon International Airport just opened up a third runway in additional to its existing two parallel 6000ft runways.  So can we expect more delays in departures and arrivals due to airport traffic?

In the long term I do hope that they maintain all of these structures properly and no let it derriorate into the pathetic state that NAIA Terminal 1 has become.


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Posted in Philippines | 1 Comment »

WordPress for iPhone / iPod Touch

Written by admin on July 22, 2008 – 7:44 pm -

WordPress for the iPhone and iPod Touch has just gone live at the iTunes App Store and is available as a free download. 

The application allows for bloggers to update their WordPress or self hosted WordPress blogs on the move, with either an iPhone or iPod Touch. Photos can be added via the iPhone’s built-in camera or the Photo Library. Needless to say unlike iPhone users, those with iPods need to be connected via Wifi.

No more excuses for not updating my blog eh? 

More details available here.


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Posted in Blogging, Tech | No Comments »

iPhone 3G in South Korea?

Written by admin on July 17, 2008 – 7:25 pm -

Since it’s launch on 11 July, the iPhone 3G has sold more than 1 million units. Meanwhie Apple fans in South Korea have been left hanging if the iPhone 3G will ever hit the streets. 

There seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon at the The Chosun Ilbo reports that Apple has posted a job listing on its website for ‘Korea iPhone Account Manager’. The job description indicates that the person will be responsible for managing day to day issues with Apple’s chosen carrier. 

The biggest hurdle is the South Korean governments requirement for all mobile phones that access the internet to support WIPI. There is a possibility that they will scrap WIPI all together by the end of the year. The second hurdle are Apple’s demands such as revenue sharing.

My opinion is that pressure should be put on the S. Korean government to open up the mobile phone market here considering they have been flooding the international market with Samsung and LG phones. As much as I would love seeing the iPhone 3G here, I would also like to see Nokia, Blackberry and Sony Erricson get into the Korean market.

 


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Posted in South Korea, Tech | No Comments »

Mobile Phone coverage

Written by admin on July 16, 2008 – 5:19 pm -

Seoul has excellent mobile phone coverage no matter which telecom provider you decide to go with. Even basements will get almost a full signal. Compared to the U.S. for example, mobile phone signals are only good when you’re outside, for example walking into almost any IKEA store will guarantee an ‘out of service area’ message. Other asian countries such as Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines fare relatively well compared to the U.S. So why does Korea have great coverage?

Well besides the normal cell towers that dot the landscape, there are numerous smaller antennas in basements, elevators, malls,and rooftops that boost the signal. Some of these antennas are privately purchased from the mobile provider and installed in their offices to provide better service for both people who work their and their clients. 


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Posted in Observations, South Korea | 2 Comments »

Electronics shopping in Seoul

Written by admin on July 11, 2008 – 2:46 pm -

I often receive queries if there is an equivalent of Radio Shack in Seoul or South Korea for that matter. Radio Shack is an electronics and parts store that is available throughout the continental U.S. and a few other countries. In fact there was an official Radio Shack store in Makati located at the car park near SM. 

Even with the prevalence of internet shopping, I often want to see and touch the goods that I purchase so above is a google earth photo of Yongsan and I’ve labeled the buildings with a short description of what’s where over there.

A - IPark Mall

      1F - Camera’s / Navigation / Gadgets
      2F - Home Appliances
      3F - Home Appliances
      4F - Computers  Console games (Xbox, PS2, PS3, Nintendo)
      5F - Computers / Musical Instruments / Pro Audio and DJ Equipment
      6F - Home Appliances / Computers

B - ET Land 

      B   - Electronic Parts / Tools / Test and Measuring Equipment
      1F - Home Appliances (LCD TV’s, Washing Machines / Recliners / Vacuum Cleaners / Heaters)
      2F - Camera’s / Mobile Phones / Gadgets / Hifi Audio and Home Theater )
      3F - Computers
      4F - Computers
      5F - Food Court / Console Games (XBox, PS2, PS3, Nintendo) / Hobby Shops 

C - Mobile phones / Tools

D - Computers / Peripherals / Cables

E - Tools / Lighting Fixtures / CCTV 

F - Lighting Fixtures

Lastly Yongsan RC, where they sell remote control vehicles such as cars / planes and helicopters. The staff are really nice and friendly.

So how do you get there? Find your way to Yongsan subway station and you should be right smack in the middle of the iPark Mall.

Other places that sell gadgets, electronics and hobby shops :

Technomart Gangbyeon (Gangbyeon) Subway Line 2
Technomart Sindorim (Sindorim) Subway Line 2
Kukje Electronics Center (Seocho) 

I will update this post as more information is gathered.

 

 


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Posted in Hobbies, Seoul, Shopping, Tech | 1 Comment »
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