The new LTE Broadband on Mobile (BBOM) plan is called Mobile Prestige 75.

Broadband on Mobile Prestige 75 Price Plan

• Price (including GST): SGD$69.90/month
• Data Bundle: 50GB 3G data (21Mbps) + 10GB LTE data
• Excess Charges: SGD$0.512/MB, Capped at SGD$94.16/month
• Download Speed: 75Mbps (Theoretical), 3.4Mbps to 12Mbps (Typical)
• Comes with free LTE dongle and free Wireless@SG (3Mbps)

Notes

• Users can expect 3.4Mbps to 12Mbps speeds more than 80% of the time in areas of coverage. Speeds and user experience are dependent on factors such as the user’s location from base stations, the number of users in the area, the mobile devices used, as well as the response of websites accessed. Users may also experience slower speeds indoors where mobile signals are blocked by walls and structures.
• Three times faster than dongle-based 21Mbps 3G mobile broadband service. Network latency will vary depending on the location of the web servers accessed by the user. 80% lower latency was measured for Singapore-based servers.

Joanne-Marie Sim

She is Joanne-Marie Sim and she walked away with a SGD$10,000 cash prize and a SGD$10,000 contract to host the new weekly lifestyle series on YouTube called TGIS (Thank Goodness It’s SingTel).

This new weekly lifetstyle series will premier on Tuesday, 6th December 2011 on SingTel’s YouTube channel and SingTel’s Facebook page.

SingTel Casting Call Finalists

Skoob on iPad (Bookshelf)

At launch there are about 39,000 local and international bestsellers for smartphones, tablets and PCs. Payment is in Singapore Dollars (SGD$) and made via Singapore Credit Cards or if you are a SingTel customer, you can charged it to your monthly SingTel bill.

You can download books on up to five devices on one account. Skoob is available for free on Apple iTunes Store and Android Marketplace. You can also use any browser to view them online via skoob or load the e-books into Adobe Digital Editions.

This time round, Apple Singapore has made the iPhone 4S available for pre-order 1 week before the official launch of the iPhone 4S with the telco.

iPhone 4S Price (Unlock + Without Contract)

• 16GB: SGD$948
• 32GB: SGD$1,088
• 64GB: SGD$1,238

Here are the price plans for SingTel iPhone 4S:

iFlexi Plans

• iFlexi Lite – SGD$39.90
  • 12GB Data
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 550 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$498
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$668
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$798
• iFlexi Value – SGD$59.90
  • 12GB Data
  • 200 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 650 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$248
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$368
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$538
• iFlexi Plus – SGD$99.90
  • 12GB Data
  • 500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 700 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$98
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$208
• iFlexi Premium – SGD$205
  • 30GB Data
  • 2,000 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 2,000 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$108

It is recommended that you get iFlexi plan instead of getting a Voice Only plan with BroadBand on Mobile (BBOM) as a Value-Added Service (VAS). This is because you will end up paying more and the bundled data usage is much lesser than what is given in an iFlexi plan.

Voice Only Plans

• Classic – SGD$29.96
  • No Data
  • 150 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$658
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$798
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$938
• iOne Plus – SGD$25.68
  • No Data
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$658
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$798
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$938
• iTwo Value – SGD$48.15
  • No Data *
  • 300 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$418
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$558
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$698
• iTwo Plus – SGD$82.93
  • No Data *
  • 700 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: SGD$58
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$198
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$338
• iThree Plus – SGD$192.60
  • No Data *
  • 2,000 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 2,000 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$108
• Premium 700 – SGD$94.16
  • No Data *
  • 700 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: SGD$148
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$288
• Premium 1500 – SGD$201.16
  • No Data *
  • 1,500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 4S 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 32GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 4S 64GB Price: SGD$108

Data Only Plans

• Broadband on Mobile Deluxe (VAS) – SGD$9.90
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 200 MB
  • Data Usage Bill Cap: SGD$29.90
• Broadband on Mobile Plus (VAS) – SGD$19.90
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 2 GB
  • Data Usage Bill Cap: SGD$29.90
• Broadband on Mobile Premium (VAS) – SGD$29.90
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 10 GB
  • Data Usage Bill Cap: SGD$39.90
• Broadband on Mobile Platinum (VAS) – SGD$39.90
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 30 GB
  • Data Usage Bill Cap: SGD$49.90

Note

• Prices stated are including 7% GST.
• All voice plans come with unlimited free incoming calls
• iFlexi plans local data bundle is capped at SGD$30 per month

Links

• Apple Online Store: iPhone 4S
• SingTel Shop: SingTel iPhone 4S
• SingTel: iPhone 4S Site

Previous SingTel iPhone Price Plans

• SingTel iPhone 4 Price Plans
• SingTel iPhone 3GS Price Plans
• SingTel iPhone 3G Price Plans

This contest is opened to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents from 15th October 2011 to 8th November 2011. The winner of this contest will walk away with SGD$10,000 in cash prizes and a 1 year contract with SingTel to host the YouTube program.

The weekly programme will showcase the latest in consumer technologies, local news and events, how-tos, as well as content aimed at engaging social media users.

To participate, first of all, you need to be female aged 18 years old and above and submit a photo, short video introduction, and bio of yourselves to the SingTel Casting Call Facebook App on SingTel’s Facebook Page.

From the public submissions, only 20 will be shortlisted by the judging panel that consists of SingTel’s Representatives and Panel of Guest Bloggers.

From the 20 shortlisted, there will be only 1 winner and they will be judged by Celebrity Judges/SingTel Senior Executives (70%) and Public Voting (30%).

For more information, check out the SingTel Casting Call App on Facebook!

You can register your interest for iPhone 4S with SingTel at https://www.singtelshop.com/iphone4s.

This time round, they learned from their mistake, the site is developed in HTML/JS instead of Flash!

The iPhone 4S is set to be launched in Singapore the following Friday on 28th October 2011.

Landing Page

Form Details Page

Looking back, SingTel place the iPhone 4 Register Interest Page up on the 28th June 2010.

First thing upon reaching Zouk is for you to register for the party. There are a few computers outside for you to login to your Facebook account, upon logging in, you need to like SingTel’s Facebook Page and then allow SingTel & HTC Event Facebook Application to access your Facebook details. This is to allow the RFID tagging to work.

After you registered, you proceed on to pose for photos in front of the giant Facebook wall mock up and after that, you are in Zouk!

I found a total of 5 RFIDs Machines at the party:

• Giant Facebook Wall (Photo Taking)
• The Bar (Free Flow Drinks)
• Toy Machine (Catch Free Android Figurines Using UFO Catcher)
• Farm Story Zone (Free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough)
• Angry Birds Zone (Play Life Size Angry Birds Game)

Giant Facebook Wall

Free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Angry Birds Zone

GNASD???

There are also 2 contests that took place, 1 is abbreviation challenge and the other is imitating the Android bots dancing. The abbreviation challenge is tough! There are some abbreviations that I never used before like LTNS (Long Time No See) and GNASD (Good Night And Sweet Dreams).

Door Gift – Facebook Stickers

Li Xiang and I enjoyed ourselves at the party, hope to see more of these type of geeky/social party happening!

What Is SingTel AMPed?

Since its launch in 2009, AMPed has become the number one digital music service in Singapore. It continues to be the only music service in Singapore to offer unlimited track downloads. With more than 500,000 subscribers, AMPed has clocked over 10 million song downloads. The service has expanded its catalogue to over 3 million songs through partnerships with leading music labels such as Universal Music.

This time the showcase was awesome, firstly, she was punctual unlike the previous show case where she was late for more than an hour. and she sand a lot of songs, according to the press release, she sang a total of 9 songs (Born This Way, Edge of Glory, Bad Romance, Just Dance, Judas, Hair, Alejandro, You and I, Telephone) in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 people.

Lady Gaga was also the most downloaded artiste on the SingTel AMPed unlimited music download service.

Sign Boards

2x Tickets

Lady gaga

Also, we can expect commercial LTE services from SingTel by the end of the year.

SingTel: Broadband on Mobile

That is not really true. SingTel has a 1GB plan which cost SGD$7 for a period of 7 days for prepaid card users. I think that is more than enough. I hardly use more than 1GB per month on my iPhone 4. You can find most of the optional Value Added Services (VAS) for prepaid plans here.

Here are some popular VAS charges for prepaid plans:

• Free Incoming Calls – SGD$0.60 per day
• MMS – SGD$0.11 per local MMS, SGD$0.20 per global MMS
• Data Plan – SGD$1 for 10MB over 7 days, SGD$7 for 1GB over 7 Days

Now, if only SingTel offer MicroSIM prepaid card.

SingTel: Prepaid Plans
SingTel: Prepaid Plans VAS

Tag Lite Supplementary Plan allows users to share bundled data between supplementary line and main line.

• Promotional Monthly Subscription: SGD$5.35/mth (subjected to 12 months contract).
• Enjoy Free Incoming Calls on Tag Lite Supplementary Plan when you are tagged onto Plans with Free Incoming Calls.
• Excess data charges will apply if both main line and supplementary line exceeds the data bundle on main price plan.
• Customers can also utilize the Tag Lite Supplementary plan to call and SMS at pay per use rates. No sharing of minutes and SMS between main and supplementary line.

In summary, think of Tag Lite as MultiSIM without the sharing of voice minutes and SMSes between the SIM cards. Tag Lite only allows you to share data between the SIM Cards.

If you read the thread I mentioned above, you will notice many users complained that the speed of Tag Lite is slower than MultiSIM, in particular, it is being capped at 0.35Mbps. Despite that is not true (there is no speed cap for Tag Lite), I still can’t explain why the network engineers can “uncap” it for some users after they called in to complain about the speed.

If you ask me, I say go for the MultiSIM instead at least you can share voice minutes and SMSes with your other secondary phones (besides iPad) for just additional SGD$5 more per month.

You can register your interest here before 12pm, tomorrow, 13th May 2011.

Mobile Broadband

More Information: Mobile Broadband

Mobile Multi-SIM

In summary, the subsidized rates for MultiSIM is SGD$30 cheaper than the retail price of iPad 2 but you have to be bonded by a 12-month contract. Also just to clarify, on the SingTel site it states “one card is a MicroSIM” but in actual fact you can have one or more MicroSIM for your MultiSIM plan and the charges remain the same as stated above.

More Information: Mobile Multi-SIM

iPad 2 Prices
Just for easier comparison, here are the prices of iPad 2 in Singapore.

Official Site: SingTel iPad 2
Official Site: Apple iPad 2

Bridge DataRoam Unlimited Plus

• Price: SGD$20/day
• Data Bundle: Unlimited
• Service Coverage
  1. Australia – Optus
  2. Hong Kong – CSL
  3. Indonesia – Telkomsel
  4. Macau – CTM
  5. Malaysia – Maxis
  6. Philippines – Globe Telecom
  7. Taiwan – Taiwan Mobile
  8. Thailand – AIS
• Enjoy FREE extended coverage
  1. France – Orange
  2. USA – AT&T
  3. Switzerland – Swisscom
  4. Japan – Softbank

Bridge DataRoam Unlimited

• Price
  • 1 day – SGD$14
  • 3 days – SGD$38
  • 5 days – SGD$56
• Data Bundle: Unlimited
• Service Coverage
  1. Australia – Optus
  2. Hong Kong – CSL
  3. India – Bharti Airtel
  4. Indonesia – Telkomsel
  5. Korea – SK Telecom
  6. Macau – CTM
  7. Malaysia – Maxis
  8. Philippines – Globe Telecom
  9. Taiwan – Taiwan Mobile
  10. Thailand – AIS

As you can see on the prices above, most people will be opting for Bridge DataRoam Unlimited instead as you will be traveling only to 1 country and stay there for a few days, before proceeding back home or travelling to another country.

When I was in Hong Kong on 22nd April 2011 to 26th April 2011, I activated the 5 days Bridge DataRoam Unlimited for SGD$56, which is about SGD$11+ per day, cheaper than paying for my hotel Internet.

Personally I find the price is pretty reasonable. Some countries might have cheaper alternatives like in Hong Kong, the local pre-paid SIM card from Three (which has a MicroSIM version as well), charges only HKD$28 (~SGD$4.50) for unlimited usage of data in a day.

If you are using Bridge Data Roaming, you need to remember not to use “Automatic Network Selection” which is by default on for most if not all phones. Instead you need to select “Manual Network Selection” and choose your preferred network which in my case is CSL in Hong Kong. This is to ensure that your data will not wonder off to another telecom network in the country (without your knowing) which is not part of the Bridge Alliance.

Screenshots of the steps I took to activate my bridge data roaming when in Hong Kong

In terms of speed, I am pretty disappointed during the last few days of my trip, when I arrived in Hong Kong on 22nd, my speed was pretty good as seen from the first screenshot of speedtest.net. But subsequently, my speed seems to be capped at 0.05mbps for both upstream and downstream no matter where I am. I thought it was a speed cap for bridge data roaming.

However when I came back to Singapore, I am getting this cap as well no matter where I am. I thought that is something wrong with my iPhone 4 and wanted to do a restore. Luckily I didn’t because yesterday, it just resolved by itself. So I am guessing that is something really wrong with SingTel network for the past few days which is making me get this “crap cap speed”.

Hopefully I am able to test the speed in more countries, so that I can make a conclusion. I should be travelling to Malaysia and Indonesia next.

SingTel Travelling Overseas: Roaming
Official Site: Bridge Alliance

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY Prices (SGD$)

Press Release

Powered by Android version 2.3 technology, this ground-breaking smartphone delivers the ultimate mobile gaming experience with super-fast graphics capabilities and dedicated game controls. It is also equipped with all the features of a leading-edge smartphone to deliver a superb experience for web-browsing, communications, multimedia content and social networking.

The Xperia PLAY is the first smartphone to be PlayStation-certified and is pre-loaded with six leading games: FIFA 10, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, SIMS 3, Star Battalion, Madden NFL 11 and Crash Bandicoot. As an exclusive bonus, SingTel customers will also get to enjoy the popular action game, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, free of charge. They will be able to compete against other Xperia Play users in an online leaderboard competition, to win an all-expenses paid trip to the annual video game conference E3 in Los Angeles in June.

Customers can also expand their games library with titles from the SingTel IDEAS portal, Android Marketplace and PlayStation Pocket.

In addition to games, the Xperia PLAY is pre-loaded with SingTel apps, such as the award-winning AMPed social music service and MobileTV video streaming service. Customers will be able to catch the live football action of the Barclays Premier League with the BPL Mobile service, and connect with their friends via SingTel’s WheresApp application.

Mr Lew said: “By bringing the Xperia PLAY to Singapore, we want to give our customers the freedom to take their favourite games with them wherever they go. This exciting handset perfectly complements our ESC cloud-based games offerings. Just as ESC showcases the strengths of our high-speed broadband services, the Xperia PLAY demonstrates the strengths of our mobile network. So whether at home or on the move, SingTel customers will never be short of entertainment and lifestyle options.”

“Sony Ericsson is delighted to introduce, in partnership with SingTel, the world’s first PlayStation certified smartphone – the Xperia PLAY – to Singapore. Singaporeans are increasingly looking for access to all their favourite apps, games, chat and web browsing functions in one smart device. The Xperia PLAY meets the on-the-go communication and entertainment needs of consumers, and is the only smartphone to combine the best of Android with a PlayStation quality gaming experience,” said Mr Eugene Goh, Deputy General Manager and Head of Market Unit Singapore, Sony Ericsson.

The Xperia PLAY is available with SingTel’s 3G Flexi price plans which include up to 500 free minutes of local outgoing calls, 500 free local SMSes and 12 GB of free local data usage.

The handset will also be available at SingTel’s Xperia PLAY roadshow at Vivocity on 22-24 April from 11am to 9pm.

Official Site: Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
Official Site: SingTel Shop

Red Rewards

Red Rewards is SingTel’s loyalty program to reward their residential customers.

Earn reward points from your SingTel bill to redeem a wide selection of rewards from our comprehensive catalogue, ranging from SingTel product & services, promotional lifestyle rewards to lucky draw chances.
Enjoy Instant Rewards and Birthday Treats from participating merchants.

Previously in order to be a Red Rewards Member, your bill must average about SGD$100 every month for at least 6 consecutive months. But on 18th March 2011, they have revamped it such that all customers are now automatically part of unless you are one of the following:

• Customers who are only using SingTel’s prepaid mobile service.
• SingTel’s business-registered customers or customers on any corporate scheme.
• Customers who are enjoying other rewards programs, such as the SingTel-UOB credit card rewards program.
• Customers who are barred from using SingTel services and/or have outstanding bills for any of SingTel’s subscription service

Red Prestige

Red Prestige

To be a Red Prestige member, the conditions have not been changed, your bill must average about SGD$250 for 6 consecutive months. I have 4 lines (all my family members) under my name and my mom always have overseas calls and hence that is why the bill amount hovers around there.

Red Prestige Benefits:

• A Red Prestige handset voucher ranging up to $550 every 12 months, subject to minimum spending and tenure criteria.
• Priority service at hello! stores and customer hotlines.
• 15% discount for purchase of accessories at hello! stores.
• 2-hr express free SIM card replacement and delivery when you lose your phone (call 1688).
• 14-day equipment exchange program.
• Discounts and privileges at selected merchant outlets upon presenting your Red Prestige card.

Official Site: SingTel Red Prestige
Official Site: SingTel Red Rewards

Singapore, 28 March 2011 – The three mobile network operators in Singapore – M1, SingTel and StarHub, and Ericsson’s global mobile commerce enabler IPX are pleased to announce that post-paid mobile customers in Singapore will be able to make a $5, $10 or $20 donation to aid victims of the Japan disaster by sending an SMS to the common short-code 78888. Donations will go towards the Singapore Red Cross Society’s relief efforts in Japan. This mobile donation campaign will continue for one month, starting from 6am on 28 March 2011 till midnight on 25 April 2011.

M1, SingTel, StarHub and Ericsson, which provides the technical solution, have jointly agreed to waive all administration fees associated with such premium SMS, and forward the full proceeds to the relief organisation.
The donations will be reflected in customers’ next monthly bill from their respective mobile service providers.
Donation details:

• For a $5 donation, SMS RC5 to 78888
• For a $10 donation SMS RC10 to 78888
• For a $20 donation, SMS RC20 to 78888

Donations are not tax-deductible and persons below the age of 18 years will require parental or guardian consent before making a donation.

Mr Lim Theam Poh, Director of Operations and Head of International Services of the Singapore Red Cross Society, said, “We are grateful to the mobile industry in Singapore for coming together in support of the Singapore Red Cross Society’s relief efforts to aid the victims of the Japan catastrophe. Many Singaporeans have approached us to volunteer their assistance, and financial contributions are the best way to help, especially in an international disaster. The popularity of text messaging and the simplicity of the SMS donation channel will allow us to harness the compassion and generosity of Singaporeans and turn it into positive action for the disaster victims.”

Angry Birds Plush Toy

SingTel’s Droid

My iPhone 4 is as good as a paper weight when I go overseas because I can’t use data on it due to expensive data roaming. I always wanted to try SingTel’s Bridge DataRoam Unlimited but didn’t have chance to read up more about it. So for tomorrow’s trip, I decided to research a little.

SingTel Bridge Data Roaming Price Plans

SingTel’s is offering 2 plans for its Bridge DataRoam Unlimited. I am only interested in that because no monthly fees is needed and you only need to activate it when you need it. It is valid for a full day (24 hours) from 0000 to 2359 regardless of what time you activate. So it doesn’t make much sense to activate it if you reach the country at night.

Bridge DataRoam Unlimited Plus

• Price: SGD$20/day
• Data Bundle: Unlimited
• Service Coverage
  1. Australia – Optus
  2. Hong Kong – CSL
  3. Indonesia – Telkomsel
  4. Macau – CTM
  5. Malaysia – Maxis
  6. Philippines – Globe Telecom
  7. Taiwan – Taiwan Mobile
  8. Thailand – AIS
• Enjoy FREE extended coverage
  1. France – Orange
  2. USA – AT&T
  3. Switzerland – Swisscom
  4. Japan – Softbank

Bridge DataRoam Unlimited

• Price
  • 1 day – SGD$14
  • 3 days – SGD$38
  • 5 days – SGD$56
• Data Bundle: Unlimited
• Service Coverage
  1. Australia – Optus
  2. Hong Kong – CSL
  3. India – Bharti Airtel
  4. Indonesia – Telkomsel
  5. Korea – SK Telecom
  6. Macau – CTM
  7. Malaysia – Maxis
  8. Philippines – Globe Telecom
  9. Taiwan – Taiwan Mobile
  10. Thailand – AIS

I can’t really figure out what is the difference between the two plans if you go to countries like Hong Kong, Indonesia or Taiwan as an example.

Obviously I want to choose the Bridge DataRoam Unlimited plan as it is SGD$14 vs SGD$20 of the Bridge DataRoam Unlimited Plus plan and most likely I will take the 3 days plan for SGD$38.

Do note that you need to stay connected to the specific network of the country. So make sure you choose the network manually rather than let it auto connect to any network (which is most likely the default setting).

Activation

• Dial *7626 (*ROAM) from Singapore
• Type *7626 via sms and send to 3333 from overseas

Screenshots

SingTel Travelling Overseas: Roaming
Official Site: Bridge Alliance

See also: SingTel Bridge Data Roaming – Part 2

Media Pass

Poster

Bloggers With David Archuleta

David Archuleta At Media Conference

David Archuleta’s Showcase

For more information, check out SingTel N8 Page and my Nokia N8 Review.

Box Front

Box Back

Nokia N8

The built of the phone is good, the glass is made up of Gorilla Glass and the body is made up of anodised aluminum. Not forgetting it has a capacitive touch screen with AMOLED display. The battery is non-removable though.

HDMI Port

12MP Camera

The camera is a 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens and xenon flashlight. It can record 720p HD video at 25fps and it has a front facing camera for video calls.

MicroUSB Port

For connectivity, it has a HDMI output, uses MicroUSB, Bluetooth 3.0 and supports B/G/N Wireless Network. It comes with 16GB internal memory and expandable via MicroSD.

As mentioned before the hardware is fantastic. But the OS is a serious let down. As a whole, the OS is so sluggish. There is no proper or official social app like Twitter or Facebook. All your social needs is found in the Social app made by Nokia and the app is just mediocre. There is an app called Gravity which I heard is the best social app on Symbian but no way I am going to pay SGD$15 bucks for it.

Symbian^3 Home Screen

There is no QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode and you have to type in T9! I wonder when is the last time I use the numpad to type a message. When you rotate the screen to landscape, the keyboard changes to QWERTY and it occupy half the screen and the other half of the screen is the input text box instead of showing a portion of the screen you are at.

Internet surfing is a pain, I have to click Options -> Go To -> Type in URL -> Enter. The address bar should always be on top of the screen like iPhone or hidden like Android and only show it when I tap the top portion of the screen. There is pinch to zoom on web pages on Symbian^3 but like Android the experience for this is not as smooth as iPhone.

I would call it a great multimedia device, but as a whole is no where near a smartphone in terms of today’s standard thanks to Symbian^3. If someone made a ROM and allows it to be flashed to Android, I think it will perform much better.

As you can see Symbian has already reached its EOL (I doubt Symbian^4 will be a huge leap), hopefully MeeGo will do Nokia’s phones justice.

The Nokia N8 retails for SGD$785 without contract and available in 5 colors (Silver white, Dark grey, Orange, Blue and Green). I love the Orange color.

SingTel will be the first operator to bring in the Nokia N8 to Singapore. It will be launching on 5th November 2010. SingTel will introduce new N’tertainment 3G Flexi price plans for the Nokia N8. Nokia N8 is available for pre-order on SingTel N8 Page.

Press Release: SingTel and Nokia launch the new Nokia N8 smartphone in Singapore

Nokia Singapore: Nokia N8