Nokia Lumia 530 Dual SIM lands for P4,990

Nokia’s (now Microsoft Mobile) most affordable Windows Phone device to date, the Lumia 530 Dual SIM, has been released in the Philippines. The Lumia 530 features a 4-inch LCD display, 4Gb storage, a 5-megapixel camera, and comes with the latest features of the Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan such as the Word Flow keyboard and Action Center.

If you think the internal memory is a little low, fret not. You can insert a microSD card (up to 128Gb) and install apps from the Windows Store right there.

“With high end apps, features and exceptional build quality at an amazing price, the Lumia 530 DS sets the benchmark for affordable smartphones,” said Karel Holub, General Manager, Philippines, Microsoft Mobile Devices Sales. ”The Lumia 530 DS demonstrates our focus on welcoming more people to the Windows Phone ecosystem with amazing devices that light up Microsoft’s digital work and life experiences. By building on the momentum of the successful Lumia 520, the Lumia 530 DS will help us deliver an uncompromised smartphone experience to more customers than ever before.”

The Nokia Lumia 530 Dual SIM will be available in orange, green, grey, and white. It will retail for P4,990.

Nokia Lumia 530 Features and Specifications
4-inch LCD display with FWVGA (854x480) resolution @ 246ppi
1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor
512Mb RAM
4Gb internal storage, up to 128Gb microSD card slot
5-megapixel camera
3G/HSPA+ (21Mbps) - 900/2100MHz
2G - 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Dual SIM
1430mAh battery capacity
Windows Phone 8.1 OS with Lumia Cyan update

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Digital technologies for education highlight DigiTech Manila confab

The first ever DigiTech Manila Conference and Expo, slated on Sept. 19 and 20, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, will feature the various facets in digital technology for children, schools, libraries, and for the ICT industry. Digital learning enthusiasts are invited to take advantage and update themselves on gadgets, high-tech services, and new developments that will give new perspectives on how people generally learn, teach, and live in this modern day.

DigiTech is highlighted by two conferences: the National Conference on Technology in Education, and PEPCon: The 1^st Philippine Educational Publisher’s Congress.  Both events will gather digital technology leaders, experts and practitioners in education, as well as provide a venue for school administrators, educators, teachers, students, librarians, publishers, researchers, content providers, software and hardware suppliers, app and web developers to interact, discuss and work together to promote current informative, innovative and creative teaching and learning technologies.

Speakers at the two conferences include former Education Undersecretary Dr. Isagani Cruz; professor, columnist, and author Dr. Queena Lee-Chua; Supreme Court library director Milagros Santos-Ong; associate professor and principal of the University of the Philippines Cebu High School, Dr. Aurelio Vilbar; Brian Aljer Coballes of the Ateneo de Manila High School-Educational Media Center, Victoria Tinio of Fit-Ed, Mylene Abiva of Felta Multi-Media, Inc., Dexter Andrada, chief technopreneur of Mite Asia, Apple Distinguished educator Galvin Ngo; Jansen Mayor of Millenium Challenge Account-Philippines, Jose Ma. Policarpio of Digilearn Multimedia, UP professor Dr. Milagros Laurel, Ireneo Demecias Jr of Ayala Foundation’s Text to Teach, DIgi Ann C. Castillo of World Vision; and Tan Lee Hong of Cengage Learning Asia Pte. Ltd.

DigiTech Manila Conference and Expo is part of the biggest and longest running book fair in the country, the Manila International Book Fair, set on Sept. 17 to 21. Another event taking place is the Best of Anime where otakus, Japanophiles, and cosplayers gather for two days to experience otaku culture.  For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail info@primetradeasia.com.

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Samsung’s curved ultra high-definition (UHD) TV arrives in the Philippines

“This year will be a big year for entertainment”, says Chung Lyong Lee, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) President and Managing Director. The leader in innovation and design once again outdoes itself in its latest TV model release: World’s First Curved Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV.  This newest lineup from Samsung is geared towards fulfilling the needs and desires of Filipino viewers.

The Samsung Curved UHD TV boasts of crisp picture quality, 4x more powerful that of a FHD screen, and a change in perspective that makes images appear larger and true-to-life. As compared to flat screen TVs, this special screen allows for a more realistic viewing experience even from different angles—ensuring that everyone gets the best seat in the house. The combination of the curved screen and Samsung Proprietary Auto Depth Enhancer UHD technology automatically adjusts contrast for a greater sense of depth and gives a 3D-like effect without requiring glasses. Imagine seeing images coming to life right in front of you in spectacular color, clarity and detail that only Samsung can give. Amazing, isn’t it? Even the color is further enhanced using the PurColor technology that reproduces color for even more detailed expression.

In addition to this, Samsung makes sure that the usage is a breeze with its user-friendly operating system! This Curved UHD TV is easy, fast, and fun to use with its multi-link screen feature that allows dual screens to process separate tasks that operate alongside each other. Side-by-side enjoyment of multiple entertainment portals (think comparing the trailer on YouTube.com vis-à-vis its original cut on Bluray) is now made possible by Samsung’s innovative TV line. Users need not to worry about cutting down on speed performance thanks to the upgraded Quad Core processor, the Quad Core Plus, which delivers quicker loading and navigation through tasks and commands. Browse through the panels for apps, multimedia content, NewsOn features and more with the swift speed of the Samsung SMART TV. The Curved UHD SMART TV is available in 78-inches, 65-inches, and 55-inches in all Samsung outlets nationwide.

2014 Product Lineup: Built for the Philippine Market
Aside from the curved UHD TV, Samsung has tailored this year’s product lineup with the Philippine market in mind. Some of the features worth highlighting on are the internet capability of the TVs, perfect for our social media and internet-savvy Filipino users, and the Family TV feature, that lets family members maximize the Samsung experience with Screen Capture and Sound capture to instantly catalogue their favorite moments on screen for personal viewing in the future. Plus, all these saved images and information are automatically saved in your USB for easy storage and access. What a great convenience! There’s also, Soccer Mode, designed specifically for a more enjoyable sports-watching experience with optimized picture and sound quality. Soccer fans can now zoom in, auto and manual highlight, and record moments throughout the game for a more interactive and closer look at their favorite sport. And for those hungry for local content, there is Clickplay, (the only Philippine Video-On-Demand App with Hollywood content,) and NewsOn page powered by Yahoo PH.

Samsung’s new audio products keep Life and Design in tune
Completing this immersive experience is the ultra-slim HW-H600 SoundStand, which is a complete audio system that can be wirelessly connected to your SMART TV for the full effects of surround sound television enjoyment. It’s sleek, low-profile design is fit for small spaces around your home, such as the bedroom, and is powered by Multi-Direction technology that creates richer sound and high quality acoustics. The HW-H600 can easily be paired with 32” up to 55” Samsung SMART TVs.

Samsung continues to set the bar in innovation worldwide, combining ground-breaking features with unmatched performance and design to create products that match and anticipate consumers’ needs and desires.  Come and see Samsung’s newest lineup of products at your nearest appliance store.

Samsung’s curved UHD TVs bears a price tag of P300,000 to P500,000 while the flat UHD variants range from P150,000 to P400,000.

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Nokia X meets Pinoys at X Races

Thousands of excited Nokia fans together with intrigued mobile phone users took the fastlane to Android apps as they joined “Nokia X Races”, the public launch of the new Nokia X, last March 29 at the SM By the Bay. Attendees both young and old experienced the power of Nokia X, and saw how the best of Nokia, Microsoft, and Android came together in the awesome device. They also got their hearts racing with eXhilaratingly fun activities, special offers and freebies, and a show hosted by Nikki Gil and John Prats that included rocking performances by guest performers including Rocksteddy.
 
“Nokia X Races” was a festival of eXceptional and eXciting activities that highlighted the many facets of the new Nokia X. Throughout the day, guests enjoyed the experiential Nokia X demo area; games such as Speed Stack, Giant XOX, and The X Illusion; and food kiosks - all while hanging out with some guest celebrities. To axcelerate their Nokia X adventure, guests also participated in activities, such as Rock Wall Climbing, Inflatable Obstacle Course, and the crowd favorite, Kart Racing.
 
Nokia kept their fans’ hearts pumping by holding various contests like the most creative “X-ed” face selfie, offering special deals when you purchase a Nokia X, and giving away eXciting prizes).

Karel Holub, general manager of Nokia Philippines says, “We are very happy with the turnout of the people here at “Nokia X Races” as we launch to the general public our affordable smartphone that provides the great Nokia and Microsoft experiences while running your favorite Android apps.” After pieces of news came out about the phone reportedly being sold out in China, Karel adds “we are truly happy about the reception and interest that we are getting. Since the Philippines is one of the first countries to launch it, we at Nokia are very eXcited for all the Pinoys who can easily get the Nokia X experience at a very affordable price.”
 
Nokia X is the perfect introduction to the world of Android apps, coupled with signature Nokia experiences, and the most popular Microsoft services. It features Nokia’s renowned quality and design, with a fresh, tile-based user interface inspired by its Lumia family. It comes with Fastlane, a screen that lets people switch between their favorite apps more smoothly. People can access curated, over 200 thousand, quality-tested apps from Nokia Store, more than a dozen third-party app stores and by sideloading.
 
Nokia X is now available in bright green, bright red, black, and white for SRP of Php 5,990.

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Globe posts P7.8 billion revenues in broadband business

Globe Telecom, through its broadband brand Tattoo, maintained its leadership in the Philippine broadband industry with its flagship on-the-go and home broadband services after posting double-digit increases in both revenues and subscriber base as of end-September 2013.

Broadband revenues leapt 22% from P6.3 billion to P7.8 billion year-on-year, the highest in the industry, on the back of the market’s positive response to Tattoo’s wide portfolio of wireless and wired broadband products that were made more affordable and relevant to subscribers. Tattoo closed the first nine months of the year with 1.9 million broadband subscribers, up by 15% from last year’s 1.6 million, with both wired and wireless subscriber bases registering growths of 17% and 14% respectively.

“We are happy to sustain momentum of our broadband business with game-changing offers that provide fast internet connectivity, may it be mobile or at home broadband services,” said Gilbert Simpao, Head of Broadband Business at Globe. “As we’re starting to reap the benefits of our new modern network, we will remain focused on finding new ways to delight our customers and provide them with new broadband innovations.”

Robust growth in the broadband business resulted from aggressive acquisitions campaigns, attractive pricing offers and product bundles. This positive response and sustained growth was a product of the company’s continued push to expand its product portfolio and its awareness of the customers’ evolving and increasing demands for nomadic and home broadband services such as the more affordable Tattoo Prepaid 4G SuperStick at P1995 alongside Tattoo Postpaid’s more personalized and consumable plans with increased surfing speeds now up to 42 Mbps delivered by the telco’s growing and expanding Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

The Tattoo Prepaid LTE devices were also launched with the mobile Wi-Fi variant at the forefront as it doubles as a powerbank with 3000mAh capacity. LTE Postpaid plans are also offered starting at Plan 1299 which comes with a free LTE dongle or, for a one-time fee of P2,000, upgrade to a mobile Wi-Fi device.

True to its customer-focused strategy, Tattoo introduced its first rewards program called Tattoo+ Rewards, where qualified subscribers earn rewards points and freebies by subscribing, loading and using Tattoo services. Tattoo also launched the revolutionary Tablet Revolution bannering the most affordable tablet bundles where subscribers get three free devices -- Skyworth S73 tablet or a Cloudpad 705W, a Blackberry Curve 9220 and the country’s fastest broadband Wi-Fi stick which can power up to 10 devices, all starting only at Plan 1298. Other Tattoo tablet bundles are also made available with varying numbers of free browsing hours starting at Plan 598.

Tattoo Home Broadband also offered its enhanced product bundles with high-speed internet, free landline, and free unlimited landline to mobile (Globe and TM) call services. Broadband bundles were unveiled such as Plan 1099 at 1 Mbps, Plan 1299 at 2 Mbps, Plan 1599 at 3 Mbps, Plan 2299 at 5 Mbps, Plan 3999 at 10 Mbps and Plan 4999 at 15 Mbps. Meanwhile, internet-only plans that connect at 3 and 5 Mbps were made available at Plan 999 and 1999 respectively, both with unlimited internet access.

To date, over 80% of the network is already on 4G HSPA+ providing faster mobile browsing experience for customers, complementing the pilot LTE deployments in key business districts. Nearly 900 Long Term Evolution (LTE) sites in key cities and holiday destinations are now operational. At the same time, Globe continues to enhance its Service Quality with the continuing optimization and capacity upgrade of its modern network.

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Globe giving customers free Tattoo Mobile Wi-Fi with every prepaid tablet bundle

Whether it is a well-deserved reward for a hardworking year that was or as a special gift for a loved one, Tattoo, the country’s most reliable mobile broadband, gives you the best prepaid value tablet bundle offers of the season!

You may just be able to check a wish off your list with Tattoo’s unbeaten prepaid tablet bundles! Save as much as P2845 with these new offers that carry a great selection of affordable tablets starting at P4995 for a CloudPad 705W or a SkyWorth S73 and P6995 for a SkyWorth S82. All these new bundles now come with a FREE Tattoo Mobile Wi-Fi that allows you to connect up to 10 devices with speeds of up to 7.2mbps!

“As Tattoo’s offers evolve with the needs of our customers, we continue to create different bundles that would satisfy the desire to always be on trend. And with the surge of quality and reasonably priced tablets, we saw the opportunity to provide these latest gadgets to our subscribers through some of the best value offers available in the market today” said Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo.

Tattoo also gives you more reasons to enjoy the holidays with a wonderful freebie to kick start your mobile broadband connection by texting FREE1 to 8888 for 1 free surfing hour good for a day.

Try something new this season. Step up and join the Tattoo Tablet Revolution. Know more about Tattoo’s latest deals and visit tattoo.globe.com.ph, call 730-1010 or visit a Globe store near you.

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Start your Christmas countdown with these 12 apps for Nokia Lumia smartphones

The holidays are always filled with celebrations – feasts with family, parties with friends, and an endless string of other social gatherings. It is the time of the year when everyone deserves to kickback, relax, and spend time with the people they care most about.

With the rapidly growing number of apps available on the Windows Phone Apps+Games Store, you can find the perfect app that will make even the usual  ‘partridge in a pear tree’ more alive and festive.

Holiday Photos & Selfies
To capture precious holiday moments, download Christmas 2013; a free photography app that helps create personalized Christmas cards for sharing on your preferred social network. Nokia Cinemagraph, a magical blend of photo and movie-like animation, creates pictures that seem almost alive. It animates an area of your picture with enchanting results. The popular Instagram is now also available for Windows Phone 8 users in BETA version. Customize your favorite Christmas photo with the custom built filter effects to transform your special moments into works of art.

Food & Fit
The holidays have also become a reason for a lot of us to indulge a little more; an excuse to help ourselves to another slice of cake, another glass of wine, or an extra hour of sleep. However, it is good to have a treat once in awhile. With these apps, you can worry less about getting off track with your goals and enjoy the holiday festivities.

Spice up your Christmas menu and learn new food preparation tips through Allrecipes. It delivers thousands of top rated quick and easy recipes that will definitely be a hit among friends and family. Alcometer lets you determine your blood alcohol level easily. It helps you revel responsibly throughout the holidays with the alcohol content, the glass size, and the time of taking drinks being completely customizable. Keep the extra pounds from all the delectable dishes off with the help of MyFitnessPal. It is Windows Phone 8’s fastest and easiest way to count calories.

Gifts & Games
In this time of giving, browse through the largest selection of gifts and purchase your dream Nokia Lumia device, the new and affordable Nokia Asha phones or other nice presents through Amazon Mobile. AE City Jump – Christmas is an adventure game set across the city. Various bonus levels, bright graphics, and smooth gameplay make it challenging and fun for everyone. Among kids, Christmas Hunt is a favorite. It is a simple game in which users help Santa and his reindeer find Christmas items across twelve different Christmas hunt pages.

Staying Connected
Show loved ones here and abroad that you care by staying connected with them. Download Skype and make free Skype to Skype video and voice calls as well as send instant messages to friends and family around the world. Send free messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages to loved ones through WhatsApp. Explore new places and make new memories with friends and family with HERE Maps, which shows the smartest way across town even without going online.

Make your Christmas merrier and download these free apps now from the Windows Phone Store.

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Globe to offer iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display

As expected, Globe announced on Monday, December 9 that they will be carrying the cellular versions of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display on their postpaid plans starting on December 19. The iPads will be available with unlimited LTE data, though the pricing for those plans haven’t been revealed yet.

The iPad Air features a new design, similar to that of the iPad mini. It is 20% thinner at only 7.5mm, 28% lighter at just one pound, and still can go for up to 10-hour of video playback time. The iPad mini with Retina display, on the other hand, now packs a higher-resolution display, just like the Air. Both models have the new A7 CPU with M7 motion-coprocessor, 2x faster Wi-Fi, and improved LTE with support for even more bands as well as MIMO.

Those who are interested in the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display may register their interest on Globe’s website, here and here.

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Nokia Asha 502 now available in stores for P4,800

Nokia recently announced that the Asha 502 Dual SIM is now available at retail stores in the Philippines for P4,800. The Asha 502, a new addition to the Finnish company’s low-end smartphone line, features a clever new design called dual-shot. The phone itself is made of brightly colored body enclosed in a clear transparent shell, which makes it look as if the phone is wrapped in ice. It is a nice touch and makes the phone look more appealing to the eyes.

The Nokia Asha 502 is one of the first Asha devices (along with the Asha 503) to pack a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. It comes with built-in photo filters and editing capability so you can further enhance your photos according to your liking. It is also Easy Swap dual SIM capable, as with most Asha devices, and even lets you switch SIM cards when the phone is turned on.

Nokia Asha 502 Specifications and Features
3-inch display with QVGA resolution
5-megapixel camera with LED flash
GSM 900/1800 MHz
Bluetooth 3.0
Dual SIM
1010mAh battery
4GB microSD memory, expandable up to 32GB

The Nokia Asha 502 comes in black, white, yellow, green, cyan, and red and retails for P4,800. It comes with a 4GB microSD card out-of-the-box, though it can take cards of up to 32GB in capacity.

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Gionee's Elife E6 eyes businessmen

Gionee Communication Equipment Co. Ltd., one of China’s leading mobile  phone manufacturers, is eyeing businessmen as its niche market for its new smartphone model. Gionee Philippines mobile head Katrin Salanga-Gregorio said at the launch of its new smartphone model Gionee ELIFE E6 that businessmen will find the new phone suited for their needs. “Businessmen who are on the lookout for a smart phone and who need to be mobile will find Gionee’s ELIFE E6 a great and reliable companion,” Salanga-Gregorio said.

She said that ELIFE E6 is packed with superior features that businessmen will find useful. For one, ELIFE E6 is equipped with NQ Mobile Security and Anti-Virus.  Businessmen who are into mobile banking will no longer have to worry about the security of their information and data.

The NQ Mobile Security and Anti-Virus also gives users peace of mind whenever they surf the Internet.  Its Internet Protection protects the email, social media and other web accounts of users. The Internet Protection feature also protects the smart phone from malicious websites. The NQ Mobile Security and Anti-Virus also gives users a chance to recover their smart phone should it get stolen.  It has the anti-theft feature which will alert friends of a user that another individual used the phone.

Because of the size of its screen, entrepreneurs who need to read files or work on a proposal would find it easier to do so on the ELIFE E6.  Users no longer have to squint or zoom their screen often just to read their files, said Salanga-Gregorio.

“Businessmen on the go will delight in the ELIFE E6’s Smart Gesture features.  With their  phone, users can simply pick up the phone to their ear to answer a call automatically.  Users may also answer or refuse the call by moving their hand up or down the sensor,” she said.

Texting is also a breeze via the ELIFE E6’s Smart Gesture features.  A user can just slide their hands over the letters of the word they want to input on their SMS. They no longer have to tap incessantly on the screen just to compose a text message.

An innovation by Gionee, the ELIFE E6 has become the company’s flagship smartphone model. According to Salanga-Gregorio, ELIFE E6 and other Gionee mobile phone products are increasingly becoming popular in the country.

Gionee Communication Equipment Co. Ltd. was established in 2002 engaged in mobile device design, R&D, manufacturing, sales and mobile internet application services. Gionee sells over 23 million handsets annually in China mainland alone. It ranked number 3 in the 2G market in November 2011 and No. 2 in the GSM market in August 2012.

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Unlocked iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c now available in the Philippines

Beyond the Box, an Apple Premium Reseller, announced that they will be selling unlocked iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units starting today, November 15. Previously, iPhones were originally always sold with a carrier contract — typically 2 years — or on prepaid, and thus comes with a network lock. It was the case with all generations of iPhone up to the 5, but not anymore after Apple started to offer unlocked units in April.

The iPhone 5c retails for P29,000 for the 16GB model and P34,200 for 32GB. The iPhone 5s, meanwhile, has a price tag of P34,400 for 16GB, P39,600 for 32GB, and P44,800 for the 64GB model. Unlocked models, of course, comes without contract and network lock, so you’re free to use it on any network in the Philippines or other countries. You’ll also find accessories for the iPhone 5c and 5s such as the official Apple cases in their stores.

Beyond the Box has locations in Eton Centris Walk, Lucky Chinatown, One Rockwell, Resorts World Manila, Robinson’s Ermita, and Robinson’s Galleria.

Oh, and don’t you ever say that the pricing (it is Apple that set these) are way higher than the grey market, because those units don’t come with local warranty. If your device screws up, you’re basically on your own.

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Globe wants to give you an iPhone every year on its iPhone Forever Plans

Globe Telecom today announced their new iPhone Forever Plans. The new plans allows you to sign up (or renew) a 2-year contract and get an iPhone every year for without paying anything (aside from the monthly plan, that is).

So how does the Globe iPhone Forever Plans work? Let’s say you want to get an iPhone 5s. The lowest plan for the 5s costs P1,599 a month and includes 1GB of LTE data and P601 of consumable amount, which I assume you can use to avail of combos like texts and calls. Now, on the 13th month of your contract, you can get a new iPhone (assuming that the next one is out) without paying anything and without extending your contract — as long as you trade in your old 5s that you got when you signed up. Once your 2-year contract is up, you can renew again and get another iPhone by doing the same process.

Below is the table of the iPhone Forever Plans on Globe.

iPhone Forever Plan	Plan 1599	Plan 1999	Plan 2999	Plan 5599	Plan 6999
Device	iPhone 5c (16GB)	iPhone 5s (16GB)	iPhone 5s (16GB)	iPhone 5c / iPhone 5s (32GB)	iPhone 5s (64GB)
Contract Period	2-year	2-year	2-year	2-year	2-year
Inclusions	•P601 consumable •1GB LTE data	•P601 consumable •1GB LTE data	•P101 consumable •Unlimited LTE data •Unlimited calls and SMS to Globe	- - •Unlimited LTE data •Unlimited calls and SMS to all networks •Platinum Blue	- - •Unlimited LTE data •Unlimited calls and SMS to all networks •Platinum Blue •P1,000 consumable for roaming services

Those who will sign up for Plans 5599 and Plan 6999 will get a Platinum Blue membership with perks like dedicated hotline, priority handling at Globe Business Centers, and discounts and other privileges at partner merchants and establishments.

Want to sign up already? Here’s the table of the eligible devices that you can trade in.

Device to be traded in	Upfront Payment
Tier 1: iPhone 4S, iPhone 5	-
Tier 2: iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, BlackBerry Q10, HTC One	P4,999
Tier 3: iPhone 3GS, Samsung Galaxy S3, BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Curve/Bold/Torch, Samsung Galaxy S3 mini, Nokia Lumia	P9,999
Tier 4: All other devices	P11,999
No device	P12,999

All said, the iPhone Forever Plans is only suited for those who want to get a new phone every year without breaking or renewing their contract. It would have been better though if Globe has an option wherein you can keep your current phone at a fee.

For those that prefers the normal plans, the iPhone 5c is available at Plan 999 with P800 monthly cashout while the iPhone 5s starts at P1,799 with P400 monthly cashout. Both plans come with unlimited LTE data and consumables that you can use towards combos and boosters.

The iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s will be available starting November 15.

Those who want to apply may visit Globe’s website.

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LiFEDATA, Globe partner for app platform HealthCloud

Filipino software development company LiFEDATA Systems, Inc. launches LifeCloud, a highly secured, multi-industry platform of applications that leverage technology to upgrade the quality of life in the sectors of healthcare, lifestyle, business, and education.

Recognizing the role of technology towards better lives, LiFEDATA Systems debuts at the upcoming ‘’Digital LiFE Congress and Expo’’ on Nov. 14-16, at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

For healthcare, LiFEDATA and Globe Telecom are partnering to showcase Globe HealthCloud.

Globe HealthCloud powered by LiFEDATA, has three major applications: HealthCloud MD, HealthCloud Patient, and HealthCloud HMO --- a paperless clinic management system that allows doctors to focus more on patient care.  HealthCloud is part of Globe’s Cloud Solutions portfolio.

HealthCloud MD is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system that compiles a patient’s medical files, detailing personal profiles, past medical histories and diagnoses, past and current medical charts, and other significant health information for easy and convenient retrieval, especially in emergency situations.

Aside from the complete clinical documentation, the system also features a calendar and scheduling function, custom templates, doctor’s and nurse’s notes, e-prescription and many other functions.

The system also features a directory of HMO-accredited doctors with their specializations as well as HMO-accredited hospitals, clinics and laboratories. It also links doctors with their respective hospitals / clinics, schedules management of doctors and appointment requests, and facilitates claims reception, collection of requirements, and approval.

Addressing the growing needs of the Digital LiFE Congress and Expo organized by LiFEDATA Systems is poised to be the biggest innovation expo for 2013, with four conference tracks for Healthcare and Wellness, Business and Technology, E.D.G.E. (Education, Design, Games, and Entertainment), and Lifestyle and Tourism, plus a track on home and living.

Presented by Globe Telecom and Medicard Philippines and sponsored by The Generics Pharmacy, CBORD and Lenovo Philippines, the event is endorsed by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and AIESEC in the Philippines. For more information, visit www.lifecongress.ph.

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HTC One max officially announced, arriving in the Philippines on November 15

The long-rumored HTC One max has been finally unveiled this week. Essentially a bigger ‘One’, the One max features a large 5.9-inch of full HD 1080 display, the infamous Ultrapixel camera which HTC says is a good-performer in low light conditions, the BoomSound speakers on the front (sans the Beats Audio integration this time), and a juicy 3300mAh battery.

Not wanting to get left behind (no pun intended!), HTC also added a fingerprint sensor on the back of One max. It can be used to unlock the screen as well as for launching up to three apps directly using different fingers. It also runs on the new Sense 5.5 UI on top of Android Jelly Bean, providing improved user experience across the board. BlinkFeed has been updated to include Google+ and RSS support, and there is now a Dual Shot feature where you can take photos using both front and back cameras at the same time. The HTC Scribble feature lets you draw on photos — though it doesn’t come with a pen — and Photo Editor lets you create GIFs.

Aside from those, not much else is new, unfortunately. There is a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage — though with microSD card slot this time — and 4G LTE support.

HTC One max Specifications and Features
5.9-inch Super LCD 3 full HD 1080p (1920x1080) display
1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad=core processor
2GB RAM
16GB storage
microSD card slot up to 64GB
4G LTE - 900/1800/2100/2600Mhz
4-megapixel 'Ultrapixel' camera
2.1-megapixel front-facing camera
1080p full HD recording
Dual Shot
3300mAh battery
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS

HTC says the One max is coming to retail stores in the Philippines on November 15, which is less than a month away, for P37,790. It is also slated to launch across all carriers in the country — Smart, Globe, and Sun Cellular.

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Maxell reveals new M series earphones

Our busy and hectic lifestyle has created a need for a private space in the midst of all the din.  A good pair of earphones is usually enough to provide this personal bubble for most people.  But with the gamut of earphones in the market, finding quality earphones worth your hard earned money may prove to be more difficult.

Enter the new M Series high-end earphones from Maxell Ltd, a marketing leader in digital media products for consumers and professionals. The “M” series’ excellent sound quality, superior comfort and great durability is the answer to every fanatic’s search for the best earphones in the market. Based on new acoustic theory and technology, the MXH-BDA700, MXH-DD600, and MXH-CA200 earphones offer more than just music to the ears.

The M series earphones are uniquely shaped to allow its dynamic driver units to reach maximum performance. These driver units are installed strategically in the earphones to create a superb sound field that produce rich and high clarity sound. With a high modulus aluminum case as its body to reduce acoustic vibration, the M series provide exceptional and uncompromising sound quality.

The “M” series is designed to sit comfortably in the ear. Tiny enclosures and silicon tips make them almost unnoticeable with nothing to cause any discomfort. The MXH-CA200, particularly, is designed to curve along the line of ears to give a comfortable wear.

Aside from giving the ultimate audio experience, Maxell adds a touch of style to the flagship models with a distinctive “M” mark engraved on its body that signifies “music” and the brand name.

The M series is an excellent after-market earphone for the Philippines’ growing number of smartphone users. According to IDC, a leading market research firm, the Philippines has 3.6M smartphone users which is expected to grow by 1M every year.

The launch of the new earphone range indicates an exciting time for Maxell. Mr. Yuji Kano, Marketing Manager of Maxell Singapore, anticipates a huge area of growth for the company.  He added, “Since the era of audio tapes, Maxell has strictly adhered to its philosophy of fundamental sound. Under a system integrated from product planning  to design, quality assurance and sales, we are confident that these three flagship models will be most popular items in Maxell Earphones Range.”

Renowned for making the classic open reel audio tapes in the 60’s, the first cassette tapes in the 70’s, digital audio cassettes in the 80’s and the CDs in the 90’s, Maxell expanded its line of products by adding earphones in 2006.

The MXH-BDA700, MXH-DD600, and MXH-CA200 will be available in the Philippines in November through Maxell’s authorized resellers and different kiosk location, with a suggested retail price of P6,299, P4,499, and P1,099 respectively.

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Smart offers the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, other laptops and tablets starting at Plan 499

Getting a new tablet or laptop doesn’t have to be hard and expensive. With Smart’s new Gadget Plus Plans, they are making that true and available to everybody. So if you’re in for a new tablet or laptop with bundled internet connection for your on-the-go moments, check this one out.

Starting at just P499 a month, you can already get a 7-inch Acer Iconia B1 tablet running on Android Jelly Bean and a mobile Wi-Fi with 30 hours of internet.

For P200 more, you can either have an Alcatel T7HD, an HP Slate 7, a Starmobile Engage 7 HD, or a Huawei Media Pad Youth 7-inch Android tablet, plus a mobile Wi-Fi with 50 hours of internet for just P699 a month.

If you want a more capable device bring with you, check out the devices on Plan 999. Available in this plan is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 with P2,000 upfront payment, the Samsung ATIV Book 2 for P1,500, the Acer Aspire V5 122P Touch for P2,500, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 for P2,000, or the iPad mini 16GB for P1,500. These also come with 50 hours of internet hours per month.

If you want to get a trio bundle, look for these devices on Plan 1299. One bundle includes the Samsung ATIV Book 2, a Samsung wireless printer, and a mobile Wi-Fi device. The other bundle is the Acer Aspire V5 122P Touch, an Acer Iconia B1, and a mobile Wi-Fi. The two bundles come with a P1,000 upfront payment each and also have 50 internet hours per month.

If you’re worried about exceeding your allotted internet hours, well, fret not. Once you consume a certain number of hours on your plan, it will automatically switch to unlimited data. You can check out the table below for more info.

If you want to know more about the Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plans, visit their website.

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HTC One mini arriving this October in the Philippines for P25,390

The HTC One mini — the miniature version of the HTC One — is set to hit the shelves in the Philippines this mid-October, according to the local arm of the Taiwanese company.

Packing the same aluminum body found on its bigger brother, the HTC One mini features a smaller 4.3-inch 720p HD display in a smaller footprint, a pair of BoomSound stereo speakers on the front, the Ultrapixel camera with incredible low-light capability and live gallery with Zoe, and the HTC BlinkFeed homescreen, which pulls all the content from the sources you pick in one place.

It sports a 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 1800mAh battery. It is also capable of operating on the local carriers’ 4G LTE networks. The One mini runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box and there’s no word yet if it’ll get an update to 4.3 or 4.4 KitKat, though there’s no reason it shouldn’t.

The HTC One mini will retail for P25,390, a price that’s not so ‘mini’. The company did not state if it will be offered on Globe and Smart.

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SingTel Group (including Globe) inks alliance with Samsung

Globe Telecom’s parent company, SingTel, announced that it will enter into a partnership with Samsung to drive next-generation mobile communication, infotainment and technology services in Asia. While specific details about the partnership are scarce, the Singapore-based company said that it will offer applications and digital services to its customers including those of in other countries which includes Globe here in the Philippines, Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Airtel, Optus (Australia), SingTel (Singapore) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

Applications and digital services may just mean Samsung’s digital hub for its mobile devices which include the Samsung Apps and Samsung Hub (music, video, books, and games) stores. Globe, for instance, already offers carrier billing for Samsung Apps.

In addition, the SingTel Group will work with Samsung to identify opportunities for joint launches and marketing campaigns of key Samsung device announcements.  The companies will also be able to leverage each others’ distribution channels to extend their retail reach to more customers.

Mr. Mark Chong, CEO International, SingTel Group Consumer said, “SingTel Group and Samsung will deliver an exciting mobile experience for customers, through brilliant mobile and innovative devices.”

Join projects among the two firms will begin this Q4 2013.

SingTel Group to drive joint communication, infotainment and technology services with Samsung’s innovative products
SingTel Group to drive joint communication, infotainment and technology services with Samsung’s innovative products

Singapore, 27 September 2013 – The SingTel Group today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung focused on driving next-generation mobile communication, infotainment and technology services in Asia. The new collaboration takes advantage of the scale of the SingTel Group and Samsung’s innovative products and services.

Under this partnership, both parties will offer applications and digital services to customers of SingTel Group companies, including Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Airtel, Globe Telecom (Philippines), Optus (Australia), SingTel (Singapore) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

In addition, the SingTel Group will work with Samsung to identify opportunities for joint launches and marketing campaigns of key Samsung device announcements.  The companies will also be able to leverage each others’ distribution channels to extend their retail reach to more customers.

SingTel Group’s leading mobile brands combined with Samsung’s mobile device ingenuity will grow the 3G and 4G customer base in each market and also enhance the experience of mobile customers and broaden their access to intelligent networks.

Mr. Mark Chong, CEO International, SingTel Group Consumer said, “SingTel Group and Samsung will deliver an exciting mobile experience for customers, through brilliant mobile and innovative devices.

“Not only will our companies mutually benefit, but our combined 400 million mobile customers will be able to take advantage of the unique offerings that will be provided in the future.”

Mr. DJ Lee, President and Head of Sales & Marketing, at Samsung Electronics, said, “We are honored by this opportunity to provide our customers with advanced mobile experiences.  In order to introduce Samsung’s next generation mobile communications, we continue to fully support and work closely with leading mobile operators.”

The SingTel Group and Samsung partnership will commence this month with joint projects beginning from the fourth quarter this year.

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Globe first to offer unlimited calls and texts to all networks

Globe Telecom has announced that they are now offering unlimited calls and texts to all networks, a first in the country.

The new offering, however, is initially available for Globe Platinum subscribers only — specifically, those who subscribe to the new All-Net Plan 5000 and All-Net Plan 10000. Those subscribers get unlimited data and unlimited calls and texts to all networks (Smart, Sun Cellular, Globe).

Aside from those unlimited services, Plan 5000 customers get P1,000 monthly consumable which they can use for other services like roaming, international calls, landline calls, etc., a 1-month subscription for Gadget Care insurance, an LTE smartphone (iPhone 5 16GB, Samsung Galaxy S4, or BlackBerry Q10), and a Platinum Elite membership.

Plan 10000 customers, on the other hand, get to have a P5,500 monthly consumable which can be shared with up to 2 extension lines, DUO and Gadget Care subscription for the length of the contract, an LTE smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note 3 + Galaxy Tab 3 Wi-Fi, Samsung Galaxy S4 + Galaxy Tab 3 Wi-Fi, iPhone 5 32GB, or BlackBerry Q10 + BlackBerry 9320), and a Platinum Elite membership.

The rich really get to enjoy great services, no? Let’s hope Globe brings this to their other postpaid plans too, heck, even on prepaid!

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Quad-core ASUS MeMO Pad HD 7 now out in retail stores for P6,995

If you’re in the market for an affordable yet still capable tablet in terms of performance, look no further other than the ASUS MeMO Pad HD 7.

The MeMO Pad HD 7 was announced in June and is now only arriving in the Philippines at very affordable prices. The 8GB model is being priced at just P6,995 while the 16GB model is at P8,995. The 8GB model is particularly attractive on that price point, just pair it with a 32GB microSD card which you can get for less than P2,000. It is available in variety of colors like blue, white, pink, green and gray

The Android 4.2 Jelly Bean-touting tablet sports a 7-inch IPS display with a 1280x800 HD resolution, a huge improvement over the display of the first-generation MeMO Pad. Powering the MeMO Pad HD 7 is a 1.2GHz MediaTek 8125 quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. It packs two cameras — a 1.2-megapixel on the front and a 5-megapixel main shooter on the rear. ASUS says it can last up to 10 hours of 720p HD video playback.

They are also offering official accessories for the MeMO Pad HD 7 such as the TransCover which folds into a leveled stand so you can type on the screen at comfort. It comes in blue, pink, white and black at P1,295.

The Persona Cover is also available, which is a snug-fit case that protects the tablet from everyday bumps and scrapes. It is available in available in black, pink and green, though no pricing has been provided.

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