Thursday, January 17, 2013

Updating Cherry Mobile Flare with Pics (Newbie Guide)

So, we all know that the Cherry Mobile Flare came with a lot of perks...and flaws. For instance, the FM Radio app wasn't present in its initial build. And there were problems with the G-Sensor and SMS Auto-Rotate.

Some hours ago, I found out that the update to fix these Cherry Mobile Flare issues has been released. Of course, everybody who wanted it badly went through Cherry Mobile's link to Drop Box.

Which turned out to be an epic failure...

Note: I just dropped by Cherry Mobile's site and was glad to see that they finally uploaded it there and a Mirror Site (*cough* Drop Box). 

I have to admit, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. So even with the simplest instructions quoted below, I still had to do it twice before I got it right.

1. Save the update file to the root of the SD card. Turn off the phone.  Make sure phone is charged at least 15%.
2. Press and hold Power+volume Up for a few seconds. It will display first a green screen.
3. Release the button after the screen shows a red display to show the Android sytem revocery.
4. Select apply update from external storage' and select the update file. Use volume keys to select and power key to confirm.
5. The phone will update. After update is finish, select reboot system now. 
Source
Here's some additional information on the entire process. Hopefully, I'd be able to help others who are in the same predicament as I was.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 1 FAQ. Where the hell is this root?

After tethering your phone to your PC, this message should pop out.  Once you click on "Open device to view files", that folder will be the root.
Note: USB mode is expected to be on MTP.

Flare will have the label S100. This is where you're supposed to copy the file that you just downloaded from Cherry Mobile.
UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 2 WARNING. Make sure to read all the steps before doing the procedure. I let go of the buttons at step 2 reason why my phone didn't go red as mentioned in Step 3.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 3. Once your screen turns red (mine was reddish pink than red), that's when you should let go. Now, wait for the screen shown below to appear.
Use the volume key to navigate your way to "apply update from external storage" and press the power button for confirmation

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 4. If my memory serves me right, you'd still need to look for the msm7627a-ota-TBW59.... item (which will probably be the first choice on the next screen) and confirm.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 5. The phone will update.

Just like this...

Once you get the "Install from sdcard complete." message, just select  "reboot system now".

When your phone is  done rebooting, you should see something like this on your "About phone" menu.

Finally!
I hope this has helped. Please take note that I am no Android expert. Heck, it took me two tries before I got it right. Good luck!

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Lazada (lazada.com.ph) Buying Experience

I was a little hesitant on doing my first online purchase. I've done EBAY and Sulit, but never before have I purchased from an online shop... so Lazada was a first for me.

The Lazada Shopping Experience

I browsed through Lazada with one thing in mind... the much-coveted Cherry Mobile Flare Android phone which they were selling at 3,999 php (discounted at 26% from the original price). Yesterday we came across a Cherry Mobile kiosk and much to our dismay, they were selling the Flare at 4,499 php (or was it 4,599 php). Fortunately for me, I had already done my ordering. (Product Status: Pending ^^)

I would've posted my invoice, but I forgot to do so due to the excitement.

The Lazada Shipping Experience

I ordered the CM Flare phone last Sunday, January 13, 2013 at about 9 or 10 in the evening. I received it at about 4 PM today (January 15, 2013).  Not bad for a 5-day waiting period, don't you think?

The box is sealed with a white sticker etched with the word "VOID". Once you remove that sticker, the word "VOID" will remain on box thereby giving customers the assurance that it was not opened or tampered with.
So mine was delivered at my door step and I paid upon delivery.

What's in the Cherry Mobile Flare box...
Cherry Mobile Flare at my Fingertips

I got my phone in good fully-functional condition (so far, so good). And I just love it (for its price, performance, and my online shopping experience, anyway!).

What you see is what you get! No hidden charges or issues with mishandling.

So just remember, to keep that tax invoice and consignee slip in case something "undesirable" happens (I dare not to mention!).

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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Sarabia Manor Hotel Pool Side at Iloilo City, Philippines

One of my sisters just loves staying at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. The location is nice and there's a convenient store at the bottom. There's also the BPI bank (with an ATM), Ocean City (seafood restaurant) and Coffeebreak (a coffee cafe) just across it.

This is the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center's pool side
A couple of years ago, my nieces would come to Iloilo every summer to learn swimming at the pool side. They have swimming instructors available in the corner office near the restaurant/cafe area. Back then, they usually charged as low 1,000 to 5,000 php per 10 to 12 sessions (Although, I'll have to confirm this.)

Another one of the many views the Sarabia Manor Hotel Pool Area showcases.
And one last shot of the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center's pool showing part of the kiddie pool.

The kiddie pool...
You can drop by and check out the place, rates and services at the Sarabia Manor Hotel website.

The Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center is located at 101 General Luna Street, Iloilo City, Philippines. You may contact them at (+6333) 335-1021 to 27 or sarabia_hotel@yahoo.com.ph

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