Apple To Start Selling Unlocked iPhones In the Philippines?

Globe Telecom has been the only carrier that offers the iPhone here in the Philippines in the past 3 years. Customers has no option to get an unlocked iPhone, but rather they have to buy Globe-locked units at authorized resellers or at Globe Stores itself. But lo and behold, what's that thing doing in there at Apple Online Store? Apple has added the Smart as an option there, as well as a list pointing to the Apple Online Store, with a text that reads, "Order your new iPhone 4S from the Apple Online Store starting 16 December."


Will Apple finally start to offer unlocked iPhones? It's possible, considering that 2 carriers will soon sell it. There's no reason for Apple not to sell unlocked iPhones anymore.

We're two days away from the launch date. So, we'll see.

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Nokia Lumia 900 On End Of February According To Swisscom

If Swisscom is to be believed, then we may see the next flagship phone of Nokia, the Lumia 900. A customer has asked the Swiss carrier on the availability of the Nokia Lumia 800 OR the 900. And, Swisscom has replied  and said that the Nokia Lumia 800 will be available in the end of January, while the 900 is 'still open'. When asked about the 'still open' thing, the carrier responded, "900 end of February".

Nokia may announce the Lumia 900 on Mobile World Congress in February, and ship it on retail stores a few weeks after. The Lumia 900 is rumoured to pack a 4.3-inch display, up to 32GB of internal memory, a front-facing camera which is not present on the Lumia 800, and, an LTE version for the US carriers.

Source: Twitter (Swisscom)
Via: WMPowerUser

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Angry Birds Seasons 'Wreck the Halls' Update Now Available

Angry Birds Seasons has just received another seasonal update! Christmas is approaching and the Angry Birds Seasons 'Wreck the Halls' episode is now here! The new update features 25 new levels, which includes gingerbread cookies, bells, twinkling lights, and candy canes.

New levels will open everyday, which has already started last December 1st. Get the update now! It's now available at Nokia Store, iTunes, and Android Market.

Nokia Store Link
iTunes Link
Android Market Link

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Unboxing: A Special Nokia N9

Click image to view in full-resolution.

Look! We've just received this Nokia N9 packed in a special box! And I'm here again for the unboxing rituals. Sorry, no videos. I am not that good in shooting videos. Maybe soon, eh? :D

You may click each photos to view them in a much higher resolution.

The Nokia N9 came in a very special and luxurious-looking box. Open it, and the gorgeous and beautiful looking phone greets you. It is laid on a very soft 'cottony' case, the ones that you usually see on luxury watch cases. Then there's the Nokia logo embedded on the upper part of the case.

The N9 looks very very sleek! See that? That's the Gorilla Glass that is curved so it fades into the body.

The review unit that I received comes with these basic accessories. Just right for a normal use.

The package comes with a Nokia Soft Cover CC-1020. The case has a matte texture, it's not like the N8 Silicone Case that becomes 'sticky' when your hands are sweated. The case does not also add too much thickness to the N9. It gives you access to all ports and buttons, except for the sim tray.

This is the Nokia Charging and Data Cable CA-185CD. This one loos minimalistic, just like Apple's USB cable for their iDevices.

Next up is the Nokia Fast USB Charger AC-16. This one plugs directly to the wall socket, and then you'll just attach the USB of the N9 and, voila! You now have a charger! Unfortunately, I can not use this as it has a different plug type. I think this one is a European variant.

This is the Nokia Stereo Headset WH-901. This is a basic headset. Nokia could've just packaged the N9 with the WH-701. I miss the music controls. And the earphone itself keeps falling off my ears when I use it! Okay, enough rants.

This is the product fact sheet. Lists all of the N9's technical profile which made a lot of oohs and aaahs.

N9's back, touting it's 8 Megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, along with a dual-LED flash. The body is a polycarbonate  plastic. But it still has a special feel on it, not just a cheapo plastic. *cough*

N9 is powered on! I've put a security code so it is... well, secured.

It's now swiping time!!

This is how the N9 looks when it's in the soft case. Still looks sexy, doesn't it? :)

This completes my Nokia N9 unboxing. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for my full review!

The Nokia N9 is now available in the Philippines and retails for P24,990 for the 16GB variant and P29,490 for the 64GB variant at Nokia Stores nationwide. To know more about the Nokia N9, please click here.

A special shout-out and thank you to Nokia Philippines for providing us this review unit! :D

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EXCLUSIVE! Globe Plan and Pricing Details On iPhone 4S

This just in! The following will be the pricing scheme for the iPhone 4S on pre-paid on Globe.


iPhone 4S 16GB - P37,599
iPhone 4S 32GB - P43,399
iPhone 4S 64GB - P49,199


If we will compare the SRPs of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, you will notice that the price for the 16GB variant has changed, up by P100 from the previously P37,499 for the 16GB iPhone 4, while the price of the 32GB variant has gone down by P300, from the previous price of P43,699 on the 32GB iPhone 4. The new 64GB variant of the iPhone 4S is priced at a steep P49,199.


However, you can get these at a cheaper price if you will get them at some online sellers. I found one Sulit.com.ph listing that sells the 16GB iPhone 4S for as low as P36,500 while the 64GB sells at only P43,500 on the same listing.


We're still waiting for the word on the plans and pricing details of the iPhone 4S on postpaid.


Oh by the way, I almost forgot. The iPhone 4 16GB still retails for P37,499. Although we're expecting a price-drop soon. Globe better be announce this soon.


UPDATE: I talked to a Globe agent again to ask for any updated information on the prepaid SRPs. And they has slightly changed it.

iPhone 4S 16GB - P37,690
iPhone 4S 32GB - P43,490
iPhone 4S 16GB - P49,290

Globe's SRPs for the iPhone 4S is a bit steep compared to Smart's SRPs. Here's the SRPs for Smart:


iPhone 4S 16GB - P33,200
iPhone 4S 32GB - P38,200
iPhone 4S 16GB - P43,200


The Globe agent also said that the iPhone 4 is not being offered anymore but the iPhone 3GS is still available for P23,899.

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Don't Press The Red Button Or Else... Okay, Press It

 

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Beyond the Box Wants You To Open A Quirky Box!

Beyond the Box, the newest Apple Premium Reseller in the Philippines, wants you to open a loot box. All you gotta do is make a purchase of any items amounting to at least P1,000 at their One Rockwell store. That's it! They will let you pick one box, and you rip it open. All boxes are guaranteed to have an item, mostly a Quirky accessory. There are also 2 boxes that contains an iPod touch and an iPod nano.

This promo will be happening on December 10 and 11 only at Beyond the Box - One Rockwell store. Another caveat is that this will be only for the 1st 100 customers.

Beyond the Box - One Rockwell is located at Stall No. 103, Ground level, One Rockwell East Tower, Makati City.

You may want to like or follow Beyond the Box on Facebook or Twitter.

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Symbian Belle Release On Early 2012

Symbian Belle was supposed to be out now if a rumour is to be believed. But no. The new update for Symbian is not expected to come until early 2012. This one seems to be a more solid info, as it came from several Nokia accounts online.

So, you willing to wait? Or just go the flashing via Phoenix way?

Sources: (1) Nokia Singapore (2) Nokia Malaysia (3) Nokia Netherlands (4) Nokia UK

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Holy Moly! Get These Android Apps for Only $0.10 (P5.00)

Holy crap! Android Market has just passed the 10 billion downloads. And because of that, Google is offering these apps and games for only $0.10 (P4.33)!! Check the list below.


SoundHound ∞ - Was $4.99 Now $0.10
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD - Was $6.99 Now $0.10
Minecraft - Pocket Edition - Was $X.xx Now $0.10
SwiftKey X Keyboard - Was $3.99 Now $0.10
Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro - Was $3.99 Now $0.10
Great Little War Game - Was $2.99 Now $0.10
SketchBook Mobile - Was $1.99 Now $0.10
Fieldrunners HD - Was $2.99 Now $0.10
Color & Draw for kids:phone ed - Was $X.xx Now $0.10
Paper Camera - Was $1.99 Now $0.10


I don't know exactly when will this promotion end. Maybe in 10 days? Or maybe 10 different apps for every 10 days for only $0.10 until... You think.


Visit the Android Market promotion page for more.

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Android Honeycomb Now Rolling Out OTA for HTC Flyer

The HTC Flyer has been on Gingerbread for quite some time now, and it's about time that it gets the Honeycomb update. HTC has officially announced that the Honeycomb update is now rolling-out OTA. The update is now available for the 3G + WiFi version. Update for WiFi only version should follow soon.

Source: (1) HTC (2) Engadget (image)

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Symbian Anna Version 025.008 Available On Navifirm for N8 and E7

Something's wrong going on at Espoo. I posted yesterday about Symbian Belle for today, but while waiting for it... Tada! This new firmware showed up on Navifirm. It's a version 025.008 update that seems to be for North America devices. Maybe this update is required for North America users... Ugh. I donn't know. I still expect Belle later.

Today is supposed to be Belle day. But no. It's Anna day.

UPDATE: This update is also available for E7.

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Nokia Lumia is Coming In the Philippines

Ms. Nikka Abes, Corporate Communications Manager of Nokia Philippines, has told me that the Nokia Lumia lineup will launch here in the Philippines in 2012, despite the rumours of the Lumia lineup not coming here in the Philippines because 'we already have' the N9. The Nokia Lumia 800 has already began shipping in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK last November 16 and the sales are pretty good. It will also become available in Hong Kong, where a gigantic Lumia 800 was set up, India, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan before the year ends. If I got it right pre-orders has already started in those countries.

Just in case you missed the announcement of this phone, it's a Windows Phone 7.5 Mango device, packed with a 1.4GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, 3.7-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display, an 8 megapixels auto focus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual-LED flash, 720p HD video recording, and a 1450 mAh battery.

When asked about the pricing and availability...

Maybe second quarter [2012]. That's all I have."

Estimated retail price is around €420 or about P25,000 before taxes and subsidies.


Hopefully it will indeed land here in our shores on or before Q2 along with the Nokia Lumia 710. :)

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Symbian Belle On December 5 (Today/tomorrow)?

Remember Taylor? Yes the one who provided us the leaked Symbian Belle firmware not so long ago, said in a post on DailyMobile Forum that the final Symbian Belle for Nokia N8 (and possibly for other devices?) will be finally released on Navifirm on December 5. You might remember that Symbian Belle for N8 mysteriously appeared and then disappeared on Navifirm in the last few days. Hopefully this time Nokia won't disappoint us.

By the way, it's already December 5 here, 2:32 AM. Fingers crossed for tomorrow (or later). Goodnight!

Source: (1) DailyMobile (2) DailyMobile

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Send a Nokia Greetings Card, Help African Children

The holiday season is just around the corner! And what's better other than to give? Help the people of Africa, specially the children, in providing them a better environment and better education. For every greetings card sent, Nokia will make a donation to support UNICEF's Schools for Africa program. What are you waiting for? Send a greetings card now to your loved ones and help other people at the same time.

Visit http://www.nokia.com/ecard to send one now.

Merry Christmas! =)

Full Press Release

Nokia sends Christmas cheers to UNICEF
This Christmas, global leader in mobile communications Nokia extends its support to UNICEF by inviting everyone to send a Christmas e-card to friends and loved ones. Just go to http://www.nokia.com/ecard, type in the name of the recipient, write your Christmas greeting and press ‘send’. For every card sent and opened, Nokia will make a donation to create better education opportunities for children, and provide them with a safe and protective environment where they can learn and play.

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iPhone 4S Available In the Philippines And Other Counties Starting December 16

Local network carriers Globe Telecom and Smart Communications has began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 4S, almost 2 months after it went on sale on U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the U.K last October 14.

Globe Telecom has been the official carrier of the iPhone in the past 3 years, but today, it has changed. Smart Communications will also start offering the Apple product starting on December 16.

You may now sign-up for postpaid or prepaid on Globe by filling-up the form here.

In case you're a Smart subscriber, head on here to sign-up.

Plans and pricing details are not yet available.

UPDATE: It looks like the December 16 launch date is set by Apple. The iPhone 4S will be also available on Malaysia, South Africa, Taiwan, and Thailand. If this is true, then we may also see the iPhone 4S on Globe Telecom on the same day.

UPDATE 2: Apple is also set to launch the iPhone 4S on Russia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia on the same day. [Source]

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