Singtel will be launching the new iPhone 3GS on Friday, 10th July 2009. Hopefully it will NOT be during office hour.

Received this SMS From Singtel

IPHONE: You have a date next Friday 10 July with your new iPhone 3GS – keep it free! We will email you early next week with launch event details, prices and upgrade options. Have a good weekend and see u next Friday! It’s going to be huge!

Looks like the launch of Singtel iPhone 3GS is getting nearer, got this in my mailbox yesterday:

Click to view the full teaser email

Here is what it says:

Hi Lester,

Thank you very much for your interest in the iPhone3GS!

I know you are waiting for details on pricing and the launch event. Don’t worry, as you have registered, you will be among the first to know.

Expect an email from me with details of our great launch offers. Keep an eye on your inbox to stay ahead of the game.

The iPhone 3GS lets you do it even faster than before. Launch and switch between applications quickly. Shoot, edit and share video right on your phone. Make a call or play a song using just your voice. And discover many more features that make iPhone 3GS the best iPhone yet.

Plus this device also downloads data much quicker at 7.2 Mbps using SingTel’s unrivalled 3G network. With all its remarkable features – the wait will certainly be worth it.

If you have friends who want to be ahead of the pack they can register at www.singtel.com/reg

Sorry to tease you; I will be back with more: soon.

With best regards,

Wong Soon Nam
Vice President – Consumer Marketing

You can register your interest with Singtel for iPhone 3GS at https://www.singtelshop.com/iPhone3GS/.

I was invited to the Singtel AMPed event today which is held at Mandarin Oriental. Singtel AMPed is a music service similar to Nokia Comes with Music except that it is not tied down to any phones. It is a music service that you can enjoy regardless if you owned a Nokia, Samsung or a Sony Ericsson mobile phone. It is a free service for you if you are currently on 3G Flexi plans or you have the Broadband on Mobile (200MB) as a value added service.

Here are some of the key features taken from the press release:

• Interactive AMPed music portal with extensive search features: Customers can search the music store and browse for songs through the user-friendly interface with categories like ‘Artiste’, ‘Album’, ‘New Releases’, ‘Top Downloads’, ‘Recommended Hits’, ‘Shared Playlists’ and even playlists based on customers’ ‘Moods’. They can also access their favourite artiste’s blog and official website for the latest updates.
• Simple mobile application: Customers can download music easily through a specially designed user interface on their mobile phones. They can update their personal profiles anytime, access playlists from artistes and other members, and be updated with the latest music news.
• Auto-synchronisation of playlists: Playlists from the AMPed web portal or mobile application will be synchronised automatically in real-time.
• Chat function and album reviews, with direct links to social networking sites: Customers can upload reviews and comments instantly, allowing them to upload photos, share and chat about their experiences with other music lovers. They can even link their news to popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, offering even greater interaction.

Some more exclusive benefits:

• Select 15 songs to own and share every month. Customers can transfer them to various music playback devices, share them with friends and keep them indefinitely. Unused track entitlements can be cumulatively rolled over until the end of the subscription period.
• Meet their favourite stars and receive priority invitation to exclusive music showcases, autograph signings and meet-and-greet sessions up to six times a year, the first being the Lady Gaga showcase on 14 June.
• Access three full-length music videos, free of charge, on the interactive web portal. These videos are refreshed weekly. In addition, while customers are listening to their favourite hits, they can also preview clips of the music video, if available.

Similar with almost all mobile music services, the songs comes with DRM but you get to owned 15 songs every month. In another words, you can download 15 DRM-free songs every month. The file format for the DRM is of course WMA and the DRM-free songs should be MP3. I have not been able to confirm this as there are conflicting information on it.

The bitrate when you play on your PC should be 192kbps but on your phone it is 96 kbps. Again, I am unable to confirm this. Apparently DK and Nicole received different information about this as well. Nothing technical is said in the press release or the Q&A session.

*UPDATE* Music downloaded to PC is in 192kbps WMA format. Music downloaded to mobile is in 96kbps MP3 format. It’s the same for both DRM and DRM-free music.

Lady Gaga showcase is at 7pm tonight! Woot!

Here is a video of Lady Gaga making an entrance at Singtel AMPed:

Here are some videos from the Lady Gaga Showcase:

Press Release: Singtel AMPed
Facebook Gallery: Singtel AMPed

Apple announced the new iPhone 3G S, S stands for speed. Basically, everything is the same as the iPhone 3G including the looks.

Here are the changes as compared to the iPhone 3G:

• Improved performance
• Improved battery (though not much difference)
• 7.2Mbps HSDPA (iPhone 3G was 3.6Mbps)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (iPhone 3G was 2.0)
• 3-megapixel autofocus camera with macro mode and auto white balance
• Video recording at 30fps VGA with on-device editing capability
• Voice control that allows you to dial and control your music
• Digital compass
• Headphones include an inline remote for music control
• 3D graphics support in hardware
• Nike + support built-in
• Supports accessibility features, like zooming on text, inverting video, and voice over when you touch whatever text is on screen.
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating screen

It will be available in Singapore by Singtel in July 2009. Just to let you know Singtel supports Internet Tethering as well as MMS for the iPhone OS 3. Seriously I think lots of Americans is hating AT&T right now because both Internet Tethering and MMS is not yet supported by AT&T.

iPhone OS 3 will be released on Wednesday, 17th June 2009 worldwide. With iPhone OS 3, I see no point in jailbreaking maybe besides the ability to change theme and SSH.

Keeping my fingers cross to see if Singtel allows last year iPhone 3G users to upgrade to iPhone 3G S.

Links

• Apple Singapore: iPhone
• Apple Singapore: iPhone 3G S
• Apple Singapore Store: iPhone

As mentioned in my previous post, Nokia Messaging makes mobile email easy and mobilizes consumer email across a range of Nokia S60 devices. Nokia Messaging enables users to quickly set up, access, and use their email on their Nokia devices through a service that is optimized for mobile email.

Today, there was a blogger event showcasing Nokia Messaging on Nokia Eseries phones such as the E71, E63, E66 and the E75. Setting up an email has never been easier, just need two things, your email address and your email password and Nokia Messaging will automatically try to determine your IMAP settings (default is IMAP and not POP3) based on your email address. If you are using Hotmail or Yahoo Mail, you are able to use the IMAP services on Nokia Messaging even though you are not Hotmail/Yahoo premium paying customers. Do note that you are not connecting to the mail severs straight but you are going through Nokia servers and then Nokia servers will query the mail servers on your behalf. Similar to how BlackBerry works. You are allowed up to 10 email accounts (non-corporate) on the Nokia Messaging.

I did raise a question, what if your IMAP settings are not found in the Nokia Messaging server, the answer is that the user will have to key in the settings manually after Nokia Messaging fails to detect your IMAP settings. Also this service is not free, you are required to sign up with Singtel MobileM@il Plus in order to enjoy this service. MobileM@il Plus comes with a 10MB data plan as well. The normal subscription price is SGD$17.86 per month. M1 and Starhub will be rolling out the Nokia Messaging service as well.

On a side note, Nokia E75 is already commercial available in the market since 18th April 2009 at at RRP of SGD$768 without any operator plan.

Phones!

The Enhanced Email Application in E75

Press Release: SingTel delivers Nokia Messaging to Singapore consumers

I was invited to the Singtel Blogger Race on the SingTel F1 Simulators which current location is at SingTel Pickering Operations Complex. It will be over at Suntec City next week if I am not wrong. I also got to put on the F1 race suit and after wearing it, it was literally an inbuilt sauna due to the fire resistant material! After taking pictures with it, I immediately took it off. No wonder those F1 drivers can lose a lot of weight!

Got to play with the SingTel F1 simulators, it was developed by a London company. I must say it is pretty realistic especially the crashing part. I did pretty bad for the score, took 3 minutes and 22 seconds to complete a lap. The winner was 2 minutes and 36 seconds and it was by a girl! Even the runner up also was a girl! Guys took the 3rd and 4th place!

They also got the computer version using Logitech racing gears, but it was not as realistic and the steering wheel felt to light. Not used to it.

The 2009 Formula 1 Night Race will happen on the 25th September 2009 to 27th September 2009 in Singapore.

We Are At The Right Place

In F1 Suit

The Singtel F1 Simulator

• Official Singtel Site: SingTel Singapore Grand Prix
• Official F1 Site: Singapore Grand Prix
• Facebook Gallery: Blogger Race on the SingTel F1 Simulators

I was trying my luck by dropping Ivy aka Nanyate from Singtel an email to see if I can purchase the Singtel Huawei E180 Modem directly from Singtel at a discounted rate. But to my surprise, Singtel decided to give it to me for free. Thank you Ivy! Thank you Singtel!

My Singtel Huawei E180 Modem arrived on Thursday, 9th April 2009.

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box – Front View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box – Back View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box Contents

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem – Front View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem – Back View

Links

• Singtel
• Singtel’s BBOM
• Huawei E180 Modem

Just got this press release in my mailbox yesterday.

What Is Nokia Messaging?
Nokia Messaging makes mobile email easy and mobilizes consumer email across a range of Nokia S60 devices. Nokia Messaging enables users to quickly set up, access, and use their email on their Nokia devices through a service that is optimized for mobile email. For more information, check out the Nokia Messaging FAQ.

SingTel Delivers Nokia Messaging To Singapore Consumers

New data plan for consumer email service for Nokia E63 is a first in Asia

Singapore – SingTel and Nokia will deliver Nokia Messaging on the Nokia E63 with special data plans for SingTel mobile subscribers in Singapore to drive mobile messaging adoption for its customers using Nokia devices. SingTel will be the first operator in Asia, and among the first in the world to launch this offering on 4 April 2009.

As a special introductory offer, SingTel subscribers who purchase a Nokia E63 device with a MobileM@il Plus data plan for two years at S$5.35/month will have the Nokia Messaging built-in push email service included without additional charge. (Normal subscription price is S$17.86).

MobileM@il Plus also comes with a bundle of 10MB data and PhoneSafe – a mobile phone security solution that lets customers lock phone, backup and delete important data such as emails from phones remotely.

“SingTel is pleased to be the first telco in Asia to partner Nokia to introduce Nokia Messaging. More and more customers – even non-business users – are looking for a reliable service that allows them to have email pushed easily to their handsets while on the move,” said Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s Chief of Consumer.

“This new Nokia Messaging service offers all consumers a chance to enjoy push email services on their phones, previously only available to business users with corporate email. With just a single application and SingTel’s new MobileM@il Plus, our customers can manage multiple email accounts anytime, anywhere. When used on the Nokia E63, Nokia Messaging makes it effortless to set up a push email account, providing an unprecedented ease of use and convenience to our customers. Coupled with SingTel’s unrivalled 3G network, they will enjoy a superior mobile email experience and remain connected easily”, said Mr Yuen.

“We want to make mobile messaging as ubiquitous as voice or SMS. Nokia Messaging gives people a simple and affordable mobile access to the world’s most popular email in the marketplace. We believe mobile messaging is a critical, must-have feature, and we deliver mobile messaging solutions to the broadest range of devices, all easily activated with a few clicks,” said Vlasta Berka, General Manager, Nokia Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei.

Nokia Messaging mobilises consumer email on Nokia devices, to give millions of consumers access to email accounts from Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail, and SingNet email as well as email solutions from thousands of ISPs around the world on Nokia devices.

To mobilise their email account, all users have to enter are their email address and password, and emails are seamlessly pushed to their preferred Nokia device. Nokia Messaging also makes it simple to read, send, forward and reply to emails, download and read attachments, and attach files to emails directly on their Nokia device.

SingTel MobileM@il Plus plans for the Nokia Messaging solution will also be offered across other Nokia devices including the Nokia E75 which will be available very soon.

Links

• Nokia Singapore
• Nokia E63
• Nokia Messaging
• Singtel

Today, Singtel launches HTC Dream aka G1. It will be available at all Singtel Shops and Singtel Hello Shops tomorrow. Alongside with the launch of HTC Dream, Singtel also announces 3 new Flexi plans that is targeted towards the HTC Dream.

HTC Dream Specifications

• Processor: Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz
• Operating System: Android
• Memory: 256 MB (ROM) and 192 MB (RAM)
• Dimensions (LxWxT): 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm
• Weight: 158 grams with battery
• Display: 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution
• Keyboard: Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
• GPS: GPS navigation capability
• Connectivity: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate, 802.11b/g, HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)
• Camera: 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus
• Expansion Slot: microSD memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)

3 New Voice + Data Plans

• 3G Flexi Lite – SGD$39
  • 500 MB Data
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • HTC Dream Price: SGD$438
• 3G Flexi – SGD$56
  • 1 GB Data
  • 200 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • HTC Dream Price: SGD$338
• 3G Flexi Plus – SGD$95
  • 2 GB Data
  • 500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • HTC Dream Price: SGD$238

Note

• Download Speed up to 3.6 Mbps, Upload Speed up to 1 Mbps. The Download Speed is stated but the Upload Speed is not stated, I am basing it off here.
• These plans also come with 6 value added services free (Caller ID, AutoRoam, SMS Plus, VoiceMail, Colour-Me-Tones, Overseas Missed Call Alert).
• Taken from: 3G Flexi Plans.
• Prices stated are including 7% GST.

Other Singtel Plans With HTC Dream Prices

• iOne Plus (SGD$25.68) – SGD$488
• iTwo Value (SGD$48.15) – SGD$388
• iTwo Plus (SGD$82.93) – SGD$288
• iThree Plus (SGD$192.60) – SGD$238

Links

• Press Release: HTC Dream goes on sale at SingTel retail stores tomorrow
• Official Site (Singtel): HTC Dream
• Official Site (HTC): HTC Dream
• Facebook Gallery: Singtel HTC Dream Launch
• Youtube: Video Of Singtel HTC Dream

Singtel will be bringing in the first Google Android powered mobiles phones to Asia (Singapore included), the HTC Dream.

Singapore, 5 February 2009 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today unveiled the first Android powered mobile phone released in Asia – the HTC Dream. Customers of SingTel and its wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, Optus, will soon be the first in Asia to enjoy this highly anticipated device.

The HTC Dream combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes popular Google applications and products that millions have enjoyed on the desktop. With a fun and intuitive user interface and one-touch access to Google Search, the HTC Dream provides access to Android Market, so customers can find and download unique applications to expand and personalise their phone to fit their lifestyle.

“We are delighted to work with Google and HTC to be the first operator in Asia to bring the HTC Dream to our customers. This demonstrates our commitment to deliver a unique experience to our customers and meeting their demand for quality communications and multimedia products and services,” said Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s Chief of Consumer and CEO of SingTel Mobile. “This Android-powered mobile device and its range of popular Google applications and other multimedia-rich software will redefine our customers’ mobile phone experience. Coupled with SingTel’s unrivalled 3G mobile network, our customers can enjoy the full potential of the Internet with just a Dream phone in their hands.”

Press Release: SingTel and HTC Introduce the HTC Dream – the First Android-Powered phone released in Singapore