Microsoft Philippines is having a campaign called “Transform Your Business” where they are giving Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) a chance to avail the latest software for free.

This campaign will run until March 31, 2012 and is open to all Philippine-registered SMEs whose operations run on 5-249 computers.

Interested? Register at www.itworks.ph, complete all requested information and upload a one- to two-minute video stating your company name, nature of business and why your business needs an upgrade (I.e. Outdated software, manual operations, etc.). Contestants should then share their videos with as many people as possible.

The promo is part of Microsoft’s campaign designed to help boost the growth of SMEs in the country, encouraging local businesses to create and enhance their IT infrastructure to enable innovation and business growth. Through the program, Microsoft is showcasing the wide array of its latest products and solutions including Windows 7, Office 2010, Windows Server and System Center.

“We are encouraging all local SMEs to participate in this promo for an opportunity to upgrade their businesses by accomplishing a few easy steps. Not only are we giving them a free office makeover, we are also equipping them with the necessary tools to become globally competitive with the help of Microsoft’s premier technologies,” said Bernadette Nacario, Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners Director of Microsoft Philippines.

For more information, you can visit the Upgrade My Business site.

We haven’t had a raffle thingy going on for quite a while but here’s one and we’re giving away 2 pairs of Noontec Zoro headphones. We reviewed this Beats-inspired headphones a while back and really liked its looks and the decent sound it offers.

Now here’s your chance to win one and try them on yourself. We’re giving away a black and a white model of the Zoro and for the first time here in PTB, we’re going to use Rafflecopter to handle the collating, verification and drawing of the winners.

So what do you need to do? You need to gain raffle entries! To do that, here are a number of options:

1. Leave a comment answering this super-easy question “What’s your current favorite song?”*
2. Like Noontec Philippine’s Facebook Page*
3. Like Pinoy Tech Blog’s Facebook Page
4. Follow us on Twitter!
5. Tweet about this giveaway
6. Simply like this blog post

*1 and 2 are mandatory and will be checked prior to announcing the winners.

Doing each of these will earn you 1 raffle entry which gives you more chances of being drawn by Rafflecopter. If everything goes well, we’ll be using Rafflecopter in all our giveaways involving simple mechanics.

Got it? Then get to it! Contest ends next Saturday, Feb. 11.

Update: This contest is open to Philippine residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So you decided to give your gal an iPad for Christmas but she’s not too happy on that Smart Cover it came with. Or maybe your guy needs something that would keep his new smartphone charged all the time while on the go.

For the whole month of February, there’s this Color Me Red Sale going on that offers discounts (we heard up to 30% off) on popular brands of gadget accessories: MiLi, Opt, Macally, Moshi and iPearl. Just in time if you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift.

Products included in this special sale are stylish back cover cases and folio cases for iPad 1 and 2, protective cases for Macbook Air 11”, Macbook Pro 13” and 15”, keyboard and screen protectors for Macbook and iPad, and external portable charging cases for iPhone 3GS.

Here is the list of participating retail partners:

• A.Shop
• Beeper City
• eNovation
• Gadgets In Style
• Gamestop
• iGig
• iStudio
• Mobile 1
• Planet Gadgets
• Senco Link
• Switch

We always love posting great deals on electronics here at PTB and right now, Widget City is offering a couple of their MacBooks at a discounted price. To add to that, they’re giving PTB readers an additional discount on the discounted price. How cool is that?

First up is the 11-inch MacBook Air with 64GB SDD. What’s selling for P49,999 at the online Apple Store, Widget City is selling theirs for just P41,500.

• 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
• 2GB memory
• 64GB flash storage
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• SRP: P49,990
• Widget City Price: P41,500
• PTB discount price: P40,000

P40k for a MBA? Oh my!

Next on the list is the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz Core i5 processor. What’s been selling for P61,990, WC is giving theirs for just P51,500.

• 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
• 4GB 1333MHz
• 500GB 5400 rpm
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• Built-in battery (7 hours)
• SRP: P61,990
• Widget City Price: P51,500
• PTB discount price: P50,000

How about that? Your own MacBook Pro for just half a hundred grand.

What’s nice about Apple products, including these MacBooks, is that it’s covered by Apple’s international warranty. And you can also buy Apple Care extended warranty for it from any authorized Apple reseller.

If you want to get the special PTB price, just print this page and present it when you make your purchase in Widget City. Only cash payment for this deal guys but if you don’t want to be bringing a wad of cash with you, you can also do bank transfer or bank deposit to their account.

They also offer nationwide shipping, just add Php700 and it becomes fully insured as well.

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us and you know how MacBooks can touch the heart of that special someone?

Want to try out the best cameras and Handycams Sony has to offer? Better head to their booth at the Photoworld Asia 2012. Held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Sony highlights some of its best products on digital imaging from Alpha, Cyber-shot and Handycam.

Fun with the Cyber-shot

Never before have innovation, style and the most advanced technologies come together at affordable price points and high quality results than with today’s line-up of several new Cyber-shot digital still camera models.

Aside from the W series, which include models WX7 and W570, that feature some of Sony’s most affordable full-featured cameras to-date, the event also highlighted the reliable S series and H series both known for their superb high performance shooting capability and incredible imaging quality.

The stylish line-up of Cyber-shot T-series cameras were also showcased. Leading the pack is TX55, the world’s slimmest fashion camera and TX10, Sony’s sleek and chic underwater camera that’s also dust proof, and both shock and temperature resistant.

Aside from high-quality resolutions, all these models feature the Sweep Panorama mode which utilizes a CCD sensor to capture dramatic panoramic scenes. The Sweep Panorama mode allows the cameras to shoot images continuously to capture wide landscapes or tall buildings in one easy “press and sweep” motion and automatically stitch the images together to create one stunning panoramic photo.

Handycams with built-in projector

Boasting a fresh handycam feature – a built-in projector, the DCR-PJ5 is the first SD digital camcorder with such innovation giving users the chance to share captured memories anytime, anywhere.

With the new “Projector Input” feature, users can also enjoy projecting contents from other compatible devices such as PlayStations, Walkmans, home theater systems, portable DVD players, mobile phones and and tablets.

With Sony’s precision engineering and miniaturization technique, there’s now a chance to able to place a bright, high-contrast projector beneath the LCD panel without adding too much bulk to the camcorder itself. Despite its tiny size, if used in a dark environment, the built-in projector is powerful enough to project images as large as 60 inches (@ 3m distance) in size.

Enthusiasts and professional-grade cameras

Packed with the best digital imaging technology, the Alpha NEX-5N, A65 and A77 caters to all levels of serious photography aficionados – from the hobbyist, to the budding professional, to the seasoned experts.

Measuring only 23.3mm at its slimmest point and made of tough and light magnesium alloy, NEX-5N is a step forward from its predecessor, the NEX-5N boasts of superb responsiveness, superior image quality with the creativity of a DSLR camera.

Second on this formidable digital imaging technology triad is the A65, the fastest camera of its kind bringing advanced features to budding photographers. The compact camera is backed by a higher version of Sony’s highly recognized Translucent Mirror Technology with a 15-point AF 3 cross-sensor system and full-time continuous AF, delivering fast shooting up to 10 frames per second.

Completing the line-up is the A77 camera which has the fastest 12fps burst shooting for interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C size sensor, not only in its class, but in the world.  The A77 features a better version of Sony’s award-winning Translucent Mirror Technology and boasts of an entirely redeveloped 19-point autofocus system (AF) with 11 cross sensors and full-time continuous AF that delivers blazing speed. Coupled with Sony’s enhanced Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (24.3 effective megapixel resolution) and newly developed BIONZ image processor, the Translucent Mirror Technology allows users to take sharp, ultra-low noise photos at a blistering 12fps, making the A77 the fastest interchangeable lens camera in the world.

Something for the fans

Sony will hold various events to celebrate Photoworld Asia 2012 which includes a photography seminar with Alpha brand ambassador Paul Soriano entitled, “My Sony Alpha 77 Experience,” a photo-exhibition of the winning entries from the recently concluded “Go Wide: Sweep Panorama On-the-Spot Contest,” which was held at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.  There will also be a performance by Zumba dancers that will showcase the impressive action photography capability of the Sony Alpha 65, which can capture 10 frames per second. Exciting promos are also in store for Photoworld Asia delegates and visitors like freebies for every purchase of Alpha, Cyber-shot and Handycam.

The PhotoWorld Asia 2012 is a 9-day event scheduled from January 26 to 31, 2012 held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati.

To start the year of the Water Dragon, Smart is giving its valued subscribers free 25mb worth of mobile internet every Monday. That’s every Monday until Smart knows when (maybe end of the year?).

So what can you do with 25MB worth of internet? That’s enough to tweet, update FB status, Foursquare for the rest of the day. This promo is equivalent to the Php20 ALWAYS ON package of Smart.

To avail of this freebie, simply text FREE 25MB to 2200 every Monday. This promo applies to both prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

There’s still time to join this New Year Promo from Sony Ericsson Philippines’ Facebook page where you can win an Xperia phone of your choice.

Five Xperia phones will be given away, an Xperia arc S, Xperia mini, Xperia ray, Xperia neo V, and an Xperia active. All you need to do is fill up a few fields, select the phone that you want and why did you choose it.

Now here’s the thing, only one winner will be selected per handset so if you’re going for the arc S, which I think a lot of people also wants, you’ll have a smaller chance of winning compared to choosing the mini or the active. So choose wisely.

Deadline for submitting your entries is 12mn, January 31, 2012.

Are you a Smart Bro prepaid subscriber? If you are, are you taking advantage of the free 15-minute internet that Smart has giving away everyday to celebrate Chinese New Year? The 15-minute mania promo started last January 10 and will continue until January 23, 2012.

This promo is a real, no-frills gift from Smart Bro to its prepaid subscribers. All you need to do is register and maintain a 1-peso load on your account. Afterwards, you will receive your free minutes automatically every day without any hassle.

To register, simply send BRO15 to 2200 any day until January 22. You will receive your free 15 minutes for internet surfing the following day, every day until January 23.

“We want our subscribers to get into the habit of going online, everyday,” said Bacareza. “Online activities, especially on social networking sites, increase during holidays. With Bro Countdown to Chinese New Year Promo, we’d like our users to spread their New Year greetings online through their bonus credits.”

For more information about Smart Bro’s other promos and various surfing packages that fit your lifestyle, log on to www.smart.com.ph/bro.

The 17^th edition, Cards & Payments Asia 2012, Asia’s largest smart technology exhibition is set to wow with a bigger and better event this year. It will showcase highly anticipated new technologies in Near Field Communication (NFC) and contactless payment together with the entire spectrum of smart technology initiatives. Key stakeholders from the telecommunications, government authorities and services, banking, hospitality, retail, healthcare, transport, aviation and logistics sectors will come together to reveal how the latest applications and product innovations can drive service, growth and business opportunities in their respective industries across Asia.

Singapore may be one of the first nations to see the widespread adoption of NFC as a payment mode. This is made possible via the S$40 million Call-for-Collaboration (CFC) initiative, allowing up to 20,000 retail points and taxis to be NFC-enabled by mid 2012. This initiative, by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and 7 companies, namely mobile operators M1, StarHub, SingTel, payment service providers Citibank, DBS and EZ-Link, as well as Gemalto, a digital security company, marks Asia’s first interoperable nationwide deployment of NFC mobile payment system. Along with the rest of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region which sees more than 9 countries like Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, South Korea and Sri Lanka making advances in NFC technology, experts believe that this tech savvy region could be the first adopters of NFC enabled mobile payment for their next mobility solutions.

Richard Ireland, Chief Executive, Terrapinn Asia Pacific said, “This year’s Cards & Payments Asia not only allows attendees to gain valuable insights on how to capitalise on the exponential growth of    e-commerce and mobile commerce, but leverage on cutting-edge knowledge of multi-channel strategies for effective customer engagement, making it a must-attend event for all stakeholders seeking an edge over their competitions.”

This three-day event expects to draw more than 8,000 attendees, over 200 international leading solution providers from Singapore, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy and many more.  7 concurrent conferences and pre- and post-workshops will feature renowed speakers from all over Asia and beyond.

Co-located with Cards & Payments Asia 2012 are seven synergistic events: Prepaid Cards Asia, Near Field Communication (NFC) World Asia, Digital ID World Asia, RFID World Asia, Retail World Asia, Online Retail World Asia  and Digital Signage World Asia .

To participate in Cards & Payments Asia 2012, please visit http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/cards-asia/.

Ok listen up folks, to those who weren’t able to buy their LG phone last Christmas, good news because LG is having a price drop on some of their selected phones. They are also throwing in some freebie on your purchase.

Check out the poster below:

The LG Optimus 3D got a P3,000 discount, from P29,990 it’s now down to P26,990 and you’ll get a car charger and an HDMI cable as well.

The LG Optimus Black, both the black and white version, is now P15,490 from Php17,990. You’ll get a car charger with it and also a jelly case.

LG also released the LG Optimus Net Dual SIM, a dual-sim Android phone of their popular Optimus Net. It comes at an introductory price of P8,990. The old Optimus Net is now P8,490 and the bigger brother of the Optimus Net, the Optimus Hub is available for Php11,990.

If you’re still asking when’s the Gingerbread update for the Optimus Black coming, last we heard from LG is that they’re still finalizing some tests but it’s going to be soon. Hmmm.