Transfer Multiple Photos from Alcatel U5 to Windows 8 Laptop

For some reason, Windows 8 wasn't recognizing the Alcatel U5 Smartphone when it was being connected to any USB port even after swapping USB cables.

There's also the option of transferring files from the Alcated U5 to your Laptop via Bluetooth, but I haven't been able to do this for multiple files after the devices were paired. So, I kept looking for a multiple photo transfer solution.

Device Manager was showing the Alcatel U5 under Portable Devices with a yellow question mark. This means that the device was not properly recognized.

Tried updating the drivers automatically by searching online. It found an MTP driver, but was saying something about an INF error.

Looked for an alternative solution and found a video which was recommending that the MTP USB driver be installed manually from the C:\Windows\inf folder.

Changed the browse directory option and then chose the "Let me pick a list of drivers on my computer option".

Was looking for an MTP or MTP USB device option but initially, there were none. If you see a bunch of numbers with a USB icon, try that. I guess I got lucky. The next time I tried this option, it now gave me two options, MTP and MTP USB device. Choose MTP USB device.

If all goes well, you should now see the Alcated U5 as a portable media device along with your drives on Windows explorer. Right click on it and select import pictures and videos. There are settings which you can configure to streamline this process, but basically, what happens is the PC searches all the android phone folders and directories for all photos and videos and imports these to the computer. I initially found 1000+ pictures on the phone, and this might seem inefficient. But if you are using the same directory on your PC to store all photos, you can skip copying duplicates the next time you go through the process. Yes, searching through all the photos the second time or nth time around is inefficient, but it should only import the new ones.

Personally, I still prefer the old way of going through the DCIM folder and only selecting the photos that are new based on the date they were created. But this wasn't possible in my current situation, thus the workaround above. Hope it helps you out.

SKK Chronos Era

Bought a new phone since my old phone was starting to have issues. Was looking for a comparable phone from SKK, near the price that I purchased over a year ago. The closest priced unit was the Chronos Era at 2799.

Here's the specs for the SKK Chronos Era based on the CPU-Z app from Google Play

Display: 4.59-inch 720 x 1280 pixels 320 dpi (same as what I had before)
Chipset: Mediatek MT6580 (same)
CPU: 1.3GHz Quad-core 4x ARM Cortex-A7 (same)
GPU: Mali-400 MP (same)
RAM: 960 MB (half of what I had before)
Storage: 5.24 GB internal storage
Memory: roughly 1 GB
Main camera: 8 MP (rear) (lower than what I had before)
Front camera: 5 MP
Connectivity: 3G/HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
Freebies: Jelly case (instead of a Flip case)
Ports: microUSB
Android Version: 6.0

I think I'm beginning to have buyer's remorse because some of the specs are lower for roughly the same amount I shelled out last year.

In terms of performance, I was able to test out Clash Royale, Google Chrome and Instagram, and these are all working fine. Clash Royale was playing well without me having to adjust any settings.

I'm not a fan of the movable "button" on the screen for home, minimizing windows, and back. I think this was invented so that in case a part of the display no longer works properly, you can still move the button to a different part of the screen so that it can still function. But it is an eyesore when you open an app and I find that I have to move it to a different part to press a button on the app.

Also having a hard time adjusting again to a "physical" app management button. But this unit has that at the middle bottom part. Having to long press that to be able to cycle through all open apps, then swipe left to close the app seems more tedious than the swipe up - swipe left motion I got used to.

They tried to make the phone's interface look like an iPhone by using iPhone-like icons. You can look like an iPhone, but it would be better if you could perform like an iPhone.

Now, for some positives.

If you're a text to speech fan, it is now easier to get alternative voices. You no longer have to download additional apps on Google Play for additional voices on the phone. There's already an option under Settings > Language & Input > Language to select additional voices.

You now have an option to transfer files using the USB cable instead of charging the phone as the only option. In my previous phone, downloading File Manager to transfer files wirelessly was the only option.

I guess that's the end of my positive list. I'll try to come up with more as time progresses.

So, technology does not always advance with time. After a year, I was expecting better specs for the same price. But I feel like I got a downgrade for the same price. Maybe I didn't search well enough. I was actually considering the iRobot brand because their prices were below 2,000 pesos for roughly similar specs, but when I used their display, it seemed slower than what I was used to.

Maybe I should have gone for SKK's Hyperblade X, which was what the sales lady was aggressively pushing. But it cost 500 pesos more. I'd like tech to be better at the same price, or same at a lower price.

UPDATE: Was disappointed with this unit. I was getting all sorts of malware installed in it despite doing a factory reset and installing Kaspersky as my first app. It appears that the phone comes bundled with malware infested apps. Why would SKK even consider such a practice? One of the apps with built in malware was the HD Player. And once the malware has infected your phone, it is pretty difficult to remove it despite installing and updating antivirus or anti-malware apps.

SKK Chronos Ace Plus Product Review

Purchased a new smartphone a few days ago since my old one was having problems with the battery. The SKK Chronos Ace Plus was the closest product with specs similar to my old phone but at two-third's of my old phone's price. Moore's law is at work - at least with mobile phones.

Here's the specs for the SKK Chronos Plus based on the CPU-Z app from Google Play

Display: 4.59-inch 720 x 1280 pixels 320 dpi
Chipset: Mediatek MT6580
CPU: 1.3GHz Quad-core
GPU: Mali-400 MP graphics
RAM: 1976 MB
Memory: 5.12 GB internal storage
Main camera: 13 MP (rear)
Front camera: 5 MP
Connectivity: 3G/HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
Freebies: Smartphone case
Ports: microUSB
Android Version: 6.0 Marshmallow

So far, I've installed most of the apps I've been using like Clash Royale, Chrome, Kaspersky, etc. and these are working fine. There has been a time when the phone restarted and seemed to be stuck at the SKK logo for a long time. (This was quite a scare since the phone is just 3-days out of the box) I just long-pressed the power button and the phone was able to shut down. I restarted it and it seems to be working fine. I guess this is something I have to watch out for.

If you're a gamer, the battery will probably be drained in one to two hours so you'll find yourself recharging every few hours. But if you aren't using the phone for anything graphics intensive, a fully charged battery should last you an entire day.

The fact that the phone comes with its own case is a bit neat since it is hard to find a case for most unknown brands at phone-accessory shops. The phone has a light sensor near the front camera and when you close the case (eliminating light), the display changes to a clock which shows through the case hole.

The phone also comes with its own charger and ear phones. The manual could have been done better. There isn't even a diagram for the different parts of the phone. But I guess it is assumed that most people nowadays know their phone basics.

Anyway, at 2699 pesos, I can't complain (not yet). I've ran into an SKK page where there are customers who are dissatisfied with SKK products, calling these the worst smartphones and tablets in the Philippine market. But I hope I don't end up being one of them. If the phone lasts as long as my old smartphone did (1 year and a half), then I would say that I've gotten my money's worth out of it. I guess I'll be updating this post based on how the phone performs. Till then.

Bulging Battery on Coby CMP500 Nitrox

Coby CMP500 Nitrox

My Coby CMP500 Nitrox has served me well for almost a year and six months. But lately, it would power off on its own despite the battery charge still being above 60%. So I decided to check the battery by opening up the case.

CMP500 with the battery removed

I'm not sure if you can notice it, but the battery is bulging.

Slight bulge in the left side of the battery

When I checked the shop at SM North Edsa Annex where I purchased the unit, they said that they did not have available batteries with them. Their repair center in Manila probably has one, but it would cost around 800 pesos or roughly 20% of the original price of the unit. But with newer models from other brands costing only about 3 times that amount, I did not think replacing the battery made any sense if the unit would conk out soon enough.

Thank you Coby for a year and a half worth of service. But with unavailability of immediate service and replacement parts, you'll probably find yourself losing potentially loyal customers to new competition.