Researched during the last three months of 2009, DBI 2.0 found almost 1.5 million online technology brand mentions – double the level tracked in DBI 1.0, conducted July to September 2009. Other key findings from DBI 2.0 include:

• Mentions of large technology brands online doubled in the last quarter of 2009, reaching 1.5 million across Asia Pacific’s top 300 large technology brands, covering almost 3,800 channels and online sites.
• Twitter’s massive growth trajectory has seen it become the dominant channel for sharing news about technology brands across Asia, except in China where it is banned. For example, in India, Twitter represents over three-quarters of all online conversations tracked.
• Despite massive online buzz generated by Microsoft around Windows 7, Google continued to be the most discussed brand across the region, generating significant mentions in areas such as its Chrome and Android operating systems, and the Nexus One smart phone.

Developed by Edelman and derived from Brandtology data, the second quarterly Digital Brand Index (DBI 2.0) for Singapore found:

• Google (over 20,600) and SingTel (over 13,700) topped the rankings by way of volume of conversations, with increases of 245 per cent and 50 per cent in the last quarter respectively
• StarHub closed the gap on SingTel, enjoying a 137.3 per cent increase in online buzz
• Canon (4.3) once again topped the Average Engagement scoreboard, ahead of LG (3.3)
• The centre of gravity for online conversation regarding technology brands in Singapore was once again dominated Hardwarezone Forum, Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (37,043 mentions) and Twitter Singapore (20,643). The channels combined accounted for over one third (37.2 per cent) of all chatter
• StarHub knocked SingTel from the top spot in the Channel Index, which reveals the number of unique channels discussing a brand

Source: Twitter Leapfrogs Established Digital News Sources finds the Asia Pacific Quarterly Digital Brand Index

Even though is my first time reviewing/playing with an Android mobile phone, I will not be touching any of the default Android stuff aka Google stuff. I shall be focusing on the enhancement Motorola did with Android. I would like to apologize first if some of the stuff I mention are part of Android instead of an enhancement by Motorola.

Specifications

• OS: Android 1.5 (Cupcake)
• Input: QWERTY slider with Touch Screen
• Display: 320 x 480 pixels, 187 DPI; 3.1 inch HVGA screen
• Battery: 1420 mAh lithium polymer
• Standby Time: up to 325 hrs / 13.5 days
• Talk Time: up to 360 min / 6 hrs
• Camera: 5.0MP with Auto Focus
• Bluetooth: 2.0+EDR, stereo Bluetooth
• WiFi: 802.11 b,g
• Headset jack: 3.5mm audio jack
• Connector Type: MicroUSB 2.0 high-speed
• Weight: 163g
• Size: 114mm (H) x 58mm (W) x 15.6mm (D)
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Network: WCDMA 900/1700/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (Category 7/8), EDGE, GPRS Class 12, AGPS
• Built-in Memory: 256MB + 2GB MicroSD bundled
• Removable Memory: MicroSD up to 32GB

For more detailed specifications, check out the Official Motorola DEXT Specifications Page.

Packaging Contents

Box Contents

• Phone
• Earpiece
• Manual
• USB Cable
• Charger Head
• Spare Earpiece Sponge Cover

Motorola Logos

You can find Motorola logos almost on every item.

Charger Head

The charger head is simple, small and compact, similar to that of the charger from Apple’s iPhone 3GS.

Motorola DEXT

Front View

Front Hardware Buttons

There are three hardware buttons at the front. First button is the Settings button, followed by the Home button and lastly the Back button. The design is not only imprinted but also embossed and hence you can feel each (similar to braille).

Back View

There are some circular deboss on the back which makes it easier to hold and adds to the overall design of the phone.

Right Side View

Right Side View Button Closeup

There are two buttons on the right side, one right at the top and one right at the bottom. The top button is used for locking the phone and switching on/off the phone. The button at the bottom is used as a shortcut button to launch the Camera App and use to take photographs when in the Camera app.

Left View

At the top, the first toggle is a ringer switch which allows you to silent your phone by moving it down, similar to the iPhone. The next two buttons are for adjusting the volume of the ringer. The port at the bottom is for the MicroUSB connector.

Front View – Landscape

Sliding Full QWERTY Keypad

There is a sliding full QWERTY keypad and the tactile feedback of each key is pretty good. Just want to highlight that I got no problem pressing the top row of keys despite my fat thumbs, I know some phones have this issue because the keys are placed too closed to the top edge.

Back View – Landscape

You can see the Motorola logo being lighted up when the phone is switched on, similar to Apple’s logo on the MacBooks.

MOTOBLUR
After creating an account with MOTOBLUR, the next step is to setup your services.

Services Setup

MOTOBLUR supports the following nine services:

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Google
• LastFM
• Twitter
• Email
• Corporate Sync
• Picasa
• PhotoBuket

Facebook Service Setup

Setting up these services are pretty straight forward, just key in your username and password and you are good to go. Similarly for email, MOTOBLUR will try to make a smart guess of your IMAP/POP/SMTP settings. I tested the Facebook, Google, Twitter and Email services and only the Email service allows you to have more than 1 email account. In another words, you cannot have more than 1 Twitter, Facebook or Google services in your phone. These days, a handful of people have 2 Twitter accounts, so I think it would be good to at least support multiple Twitter accounts. Hope we can see this feature in future software updates.

MOTOBLUR’s Accounts App

You can choose to add more services anytime by going into the MOTOBLUR’s Accounts App.

Android Widgets

Home Screen – Portrait

Home Screen – Landscape

MOTOBLUR comes with five widgets in the DEXT:

• Social Status
• Happenings
• Messages
• News
• Weather

Social Status

Social Status App

The Social Status Widget displays your current status update. What it does is pretty straight forward. Tapping on it will open up the Social Status App and it will allow you to post your status update to either Facebook or Twitter or to All Services. For some reasons, it only displays the latest status update from each service which is rather annoying.

Happenings

Home Screen – Portrait

Happenings Widget

Happenings Widget displays your friends feed in Facebook and status updates of the people you are following in Twitter. There is a small icon at the bottom right hand of the widget which tells you which service is the update coming from and an avatar or Facebook profile picture of your friend posting the update.

Tapping on it will make the widget popup with more details on it. For Twitter updates, it allows you to favorite the tweet, but there are no options for you to @reply to the tweet or retweet it. Perhaps it would be good if you can @reply, retweet and even direct message your friend. For Faceboook updates, you can view comments associated with the update and even post a comment straight from the popup window.

Clicking on the Diagonal arrow will open up the Happenings App. For the Facebook service, it will display more information like pictures in the photo albums that your friend had uploaded. For Twitter service, it will allow you to @reply to your friend but you still can’t retweet the tweet or direct message your friend.

I still think the Happenings Widget have room for more improvements. One thing I dislike about it, is not being able to filter the updates from my services in the widget settings. It just lump everything together. I can’t filter by Twitter or Facebook updates which is irritating. However once you open up the Happenings App, you can press the Settings key and set which services to show.

There should be an option to let user choose how often he want his updates, it is being defaulted to 15 minutes, which is way way too long. I think 5 minutes would be good.

Messages

Messaging App

Messages Widget works somewhat similar to that of the Happenings Widget, in terms of design, but the placement is inverted. The avatar is displayed first before the message. If you got any new direct or private messages from Twitter or Facebook, you can reply directly reply from the widget. But once you click close, the message is being marked as read and the only way to access it is via the Messaging App.

Universal Inbox

The Messaging App allows you to check all your messages in just one place. Emails, Facebook private messages, Twitter direct messages, SMSs, etc. Once you opened up the Messaging App, you will see the Universal Inbox icon, Text Messaging icon and the icons of all your services which you have setup. The Universal Inbox aggregates all your messages and emails into a single view allow you to reply or delete them. If you only want to view the messages from a specific service, lets say Facebook, just click on the Facebook icon.

You can set which service messages to be included in the Universal Inbox. The ability to filter your service messages in the Universal Inbox would be a good addition instead of exiting the Universal Inbox and tapping on the respective service icon to view it’s messages.

News
News Widget allows you to display RSS feed on your homescreen. There are two ways you can enter the feed. One is by the direct URL to the RSS feed and the other is by typing in the website URL and the widget will automatically determine the RSS feed for you. I would say the second way is pretty good to have.

Weather
Weather Widget is simple and no frills, it gets the weather data from AccuWeather.com. I wish it has better design and bigger just like the way HTC does it.

Contacts

Contacts App

Similar to the Messaging App, MOTOBLUR also integrates your contacts from places like Google, Twitter and Facebook into the Contact Apps. There are three tabs at the bottom, History, A-Z and Status. History allows you to view your previous communication you had with your contacts and that includes Email, Facebook messages and Twitter Direct Messages. A-Z just simply list down all your contacts you have in the phone. Status allows you view the latest status updates of your contacts from Facebook or Twitter.

Contacts App Filter

You can even filter your contacts based on services like Facebook or Twitter and even down to your Google Contact Groupings. Neat!

Camera
Despite the camera being a 5.0MP camera taking 2560×1920 pictures, I think the quality of the picture is pretty bad even when taking under full bright light conditions. There are a lot of noise in it. You can view the sample photo taken and judge it for yourself. In case you are wondering, there is no built-in LED flashlight.

Battery
The battery has a capacity of 1420 mAh, but similar to all smartphones these days, it cannot last a full day with heavy usage. So you have to be prepared to charge it everyday. The official specifications indicated that it can have 6 hrs of continuous talktime which is 1 hour more than the iPhone 3GS. I got about 11 hours of heavy usage playing with the phone without talking.

For the standby time, it is stated to last 325 hours. I managed to get about 300 hours by disabling all MOTOBLUR Apps so that there are no active background Internet connection going on and I only touch the phone once a day just to see check the uptime and battery level. For normal circumstances, mine lasted about 23 hours without touching the phone at all, but of course there are active Internet connections going on in the background from MOTOBLUR Apps, Facebook and Twitdroid.

After playing with it for about 30 minutes, the phone started to heat up and you can feel that it is very hot at the back. The reason why I mentioned this is because the heat seems to be greater than the average smartphones.

UI Walkthrough Video

Conclusion
The Motorola DEXT is good android phone to have if you are looking for a Android phone with a full QWERTY keypad. With the Android 2.1 update coming to Motorola DEXT, you can ensure that the phone will be future proof for the time being. But similar to all smartphones, the cons is always the battery, but for the DEXT an additional thing to watch out for will be the heat issues of the battery.

The MOTOBLUR is a very good alternative to Apple’s MobileMe and best of all, it is a free service that comes together with your phone with no yearly subscription. I am still wondering why they use the word “blur”, it seems inappropriate here. Despite the great MOTOBLUR platform, the widgets/applications which makes use of the MOTOBLUR platform, needs some improvement in terms of usability and additional features. But in the mean time, you can use the native Android Facebook Widget/App and for Twitter, the Twitdroid.

SingTel’s mSocial VAS
SingTel will offer a newly created value-added service, mSocial, priced at SGD$5.35 per month for consumers to enjoy unlimited local mobile data using the MOTOBLUR platform. These include photo uploads, postings received and status updates on popular social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter within the MOTOBLUR service platform.

mSocial includes 100MB of local data for all other internet surfing and email access. In addition, excess usage beyond 100MB is capped at SGD$30 per month, giving customers peace of mind when using Motorola DEXT. Also, as a launch promotion, mSocial is free to all customers who sign up for any 3G Flexi plans with the device.

Availability
Motorola DEXT is available from this Saturday, 23th January 2010 onwards from as low as SGD$0 – SGD$248 (on any 3G Flexi Plans) or SGD$0 – SGD$348 (on SingTel’s free incoming call plans) at any SingTel retail store or SingTel Exclusive Retailers, and at SingTel’s online store.

Customers on free incoming call plans who sign up for mSocial will enjoy an additional SGD$50 discount.

Customers on SingTel’s free incoming call plans (excluding 3G Flexi plans) can sign up for mSocial at a promotional price of SGD$5.35/month (usual price is SGD$9.90).

mSocial is free for customers who sign up for the latest enhanced 3G Flexi plans that come with 12GB of local data, starting from SGD$39/month, with local data usage capped at SGD$30.

Press Release: Motorola introduces a unique mobile experience with the launch of Motorola DEXT, exclusively with SingTel

• Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names.
• Hit Menu button, create new APN.
• Enter new APN settings. See below for the details.
• Hit Menu button, save settings.
• Select the new APN name, then hit the home button. Your 3G connection will shortly appear in the top bar.

APN Settings
For Starhub customers:

• name: Starhub Internet
• APN: shwapint
• username: [leave blank]
• password: [leave blank]

For M1 customers:

• name: M1 Internet
• APN: sunsurf
• username: 65
• password: user123

For SingTel customers (Just In Case):

• name: SingTel Internet
• APN: internet
• username: 65IDEAS (or blank)
• password: IDEAS (or blank)

The Nexus One is an unlocked device that can be purchased online at google.com/phone, because of that, the first place for users to look for support is the help section on the site which includes how-to videos, feature overviews, ordering/payment/set-up/warranty info, a user’s guide and help forum. However, if you need further help, try calling Singapore’s HTC Support line at 1-800-238-7788 from 8am-8pm, Monday to Saturday. Also do note that HTC IS providing local support and repair services for Nexus One.

INQ Chat 3G

Specifications
The official specifications of the INQ Chat 3G is not stated on the official website and I have to get it from SingTel’s INQ website as well as the press release which is sent to my email.

• Qualcomm QSC 6270
• QVGA (320×240 pixels), 262k TFT
• 3.2M pixels Auto focus outward facing camera & P2P video (“see what I see”)
• Built-in: 100MB NAND + 128MB SDRAM, User Memory: 100MB, Expandable: Micro SD/SDHC memory card slot (support up to 8GB capacity)
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Headset, Handsfree, File Transfer, ObjectPush, A2DP, AVRCP, DUN)
• Audio Playback: AMR-NB, aac, aac plus, XMF, EAAC, MP3, WAV, MIDI, IMY
• Video Playback: MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• Audio Streaming: AMR, AAC, AAC+, EAAC+(Audio only)
• Video Streaming: MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• DRM: OMA DRM 1.0
• Battery Life: Capacity: 1500mAH (nominal), Maximum standby: 470 hours, Talktime: 550 minutes

Applications

• BREW 4.0 + INQ System 1 extensions
• Java MIDP2.0 (Multi Tasking)
• Access Net Front 3.5 browser INQ UI including Switcher
• Facebook application. Integrated with Contacts, Messaging, Caller ID, Camera, Photos, Switcher, Status Bar, Notifications and My Stuff
• Twitter application. Integrated Contacts, Messaging, Homescreen widgets, Switcher, Notifications and My Stuff
• INQ Push Email. Presented on Switcher and integrated with Contacts, Messaging, Switcher, Notifications and My Stuff
• INQ Hub. Presented on Switcher for quick access to INQ Hub, a portal where users can discover new applications available for INQ handsets, and access mobile support
• Instant Launcher, RSS Feeds, Native Widgets (Weather, World Clock, Search, RSS Feeds), Startup Wizard
• Drivers and modem dashboard for dialup connection (PC and MAC)
• SMS, MMS, Email (Support POP3, IMAP4, SMTP) SyncML
• Copy and Paste, file manager (including memory card search)
• Smart Learning & Predictive Text Entry (edit user dictionary)
• True Type Fonts
• File transfer, Message, Phonebook management on PC Suite (MS Windows)
• Embedded USB Plug-and-Play

Unboxing
The packaging style is identical to that of the INQ Mini 3G, the only difference is the image used on the front box cover.

Box

Phone

Accessories

Box Contents

Keypad

Keypad

The keypad is pretty good, nice to press and great tactile feedback, still maintaining the same standard as the keypad on the Mini 3G. The kepad is a little similar to the Nokia E71 just that for for the Chat 3G, the number pad is on the left side instead of being in the center.

Side

Left Side

On the left side of the phone contains the Mini-USB port and the volume switch. The Mini-USB port is used to charge the phone, transfer data as well as for the earpiece for hands-free talking. I wished they used a 3.5mm port and Micro-USB instead as the industry is moving towards that.

Right Side

On the right side of the phone contains the “Switcher” switch which enables you to move through the menu icons on the main screen. I don’t see myself pressing that button often as I am used to pressing the navigation button on the keypad instead.

Camera
The camera has a great improvement from 2MP to 3.2MP with auto-focus. I have taken a sample picture using the camera, as you can see the picture turns out pretty ok. Similar to the Mini 3G, there is no front facing camera as well and hence you can’t do video chat.

Facebook

Facebook App

The Facebook app still remains the same from the Mini 3G from what I can see, it is still integrated into your message app as well as the contact app. Not forgetting that in the pictures app, you can view your Facebook photos as well.

Twitter

Twitter App

The Twitter app for Chat 3G has also been changed a little, there are now tabs on top and by pressing the left and right arrow keys, it will allow you to move through the tabs. This solve the problem I mentioned in the Mini 3G where there is a missing “mention” or “direct message” view.

Star Up / Shut Down
It took about 50 seconds for the phone to start up and only just 5 seconds for the phone to shut down. This is similar to my Snow Leopard which takes minutes to startup but only 10 seconds to shut down.

Conclusion
This is definitely a significant improvement over the INQ Mini 3G which I reviewed 3 months ago. It makes a good social media phone and coupled with a good battery life. Camera is also not bad. It would be cool if there is a non-camera version of it so that NSF can bring that phone into camp. Many NSF/regulars are using the Nokia E61 which have a non-camera version if they wanted a full QWERTY keypad.

SingTel is offering the INQ Chat 3G for SGD$0.00 aka free with 3G Flexi plans, iTwo plans, iThree plans and premium plans, check it out here.

Singapore – 17 December, 2009 – SingTel and INQ Mobile will be bringing in the much anticipated INQ Chat 3G, the first QWERTY mobile from INQ and one of the world’s most unique phones – to Singapore.
The INQ Chat 3G brings updates from Twitter directly to the homescreen and offers push Gmail. It also offers consumers the chance to switch between different applications with one click – thanks to
its ‘Switcher’ key conveniently located on the side of the phone.

This is SingTel’s second exclusive INQ phone and will be available on 19 December 2009 for as low as $0 if customers subscribe to a 3G Flexi Lite-AMPed Plan which costs $39 monthly and now comes power- packed with free data of up to 12 GB with a $30 price cap on data usage. SingTel’s 3G Flexi Lite-AMPed Plan complements the INQ Chat 3G’ functionalities of a phone without a hefty price tag that comes with simple applications for customers to use their mobile phones as social network devices.

To complete the social networking experience, SingTel customers will also enjoy free six months subscription on SingTel’s IM on Mobile service and SingTel’s award winning AMPed music service free with selected mobile plans. AMPed, which won the coveted award “Best Mobile Music Service” at the GSMA’s Asia Mobile Awards 2009, offers an unsurpassed social music experience with the first-of-its-kind mobile music service in Asia that goes beyond offering free unlimited music downloads and daily music news.

INQ CEO, Mr Frank Meehan, said: “We’ve upped the ante with this phone. It’s got the multitasking and ease of use that INQ is known for combined with a qwerty keyboard that’s fantastic for people doing a lot of emailing or messaging.”

Mr Shane Da Silva, SingTel Vice-President Consumer Sales, said: “The social networking trend is unstoppable and this unique phone allows users a one-click access to popular social networks while on the move. This unique product, coupled with SingTel’s innovative services, will address the needs of customers who want to stay in touch and connected with family and friends anytime, anyplace.”

INQ phones are rated as one of the ‘top 10 gadgets for social media junkies’ by Mashable.

The INQ Chat 3G comes complete with an expanded suite of INQ applications and features:

• Facebook, email, and Twitter are ‘always on’ and accessible with one-click from the home screen; a login to any application is required only once.
• Customers can receive instant Facebook and Twitter updates on the home screen.
• A new email client incorporating push Gmail.
• The integrated message inbox includes pokes and updates from Facebook, and direct messages from Twitter.
• A built-in GPS capability allowing customers to easily access Google Maps.
• Seamless media syncing with Macs and PCs. The software, powered by doubleTwist, synchronise music from iTunes and Windows Media Player straight to the phone. Unlike most other synchronise solutions, the media sync doesn’t require customers to give up using their favourite media player on their computer. It also allows users to synchronise videos and photos.

For more information on phone features, click on www.singtel.com/INQ.

I have gotten the review unit in my hands, shall review it after I get back from Hong Kong.

SingTel’s promotion at Sitex 2009.

• Apple MacBook 13″ (White) worth $1,588 with 10Mbps Premium Plan @ $88/mth. Upgrade to 15Mbps for just $10/mth more.
• Free Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium Upgrade worth $219 @ with 10Mbps Premium Plan @ $49.90/mth OR 15Mbps Premium Plan @ $62.90/mth
• 15% off 6Mbps No-Frills Plan with free wireless modem @ $33.92/mth (U.P. $39.90)
• Receive free 2 months subscription for a new 10/15Mbps mio Home plan by signing up for Barclays Premier League or Barclays Premier League + ESPN Star Sports Channels.

SingTel’s Partner promotion at Sitex 2009. The partners are located in Sitex.

• Free Acer Aspire one 10.1″ UItra Slim Netbook (AO531h) worth $999 with 10Mbps Premium Plan @ $56/mth. Upgrade to 15Mbps for just $10/mth more. (SITEX 2009, Singapore Expo Hall 6, Foyer 2, Booth 6C20)
• Exclusive 500GB Hard Disk Drive: Free Acer Aspire Touch and Rotate Notebook (AS1820PTZ) worth $1,498 with 10Mbps Premium Plan @ $69.29/mth (SITEX 2009: Booth 6C20).
• Exclusive Model: Free Lenovo IdeaPad U150 Notebook (Black) worth $1,299 with 10Mbps Premium Plan @ $69.29/mth. (SITEX 2009: Booth 6A20).

Scanned Singnet Promotion Brochure By Boot Strike: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | More

There are no promotions for SingTel mobile because they just have that during the Suntec Christmas Fair which took place on the 21st and 22nd November 2009.

Sitex 2009 is happening at Singapore Expo on the 26th to 29th November 2009 at Hall 5 and 6. Check out all the scanned price lists of Sitex 2009 by Boot Strike.

World’s Longest Chain Of Light-Sticks Beckons Singapore’s Youth To Come To Where The Bright Lights Dance – Singtel’s ZoukOut 2009

Singapore’s youth will feel the light on the night of the 20th of November, as most parts of the island frequented by young people will be draped in possibly the world’s longest chain of light-sticks. This unique and record-breaking installation is one of the highlights of SingTel’s on-going campaign for ZoukOut, which it is presenting for the fourth consecutive year.

The chain of close to 10,000 specially designed red light-sticks is about 8.09km long, and will stretch from SingTel’s Comcentre headquarters at Exeter Road through Skate-Park, Orchard Cineleisure, ION, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Heeren, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapura, Cathay Orchard, Singapore Management University, Raffles City, Esplanade, Collyer Quay, Keppel Road and Vivocity to Siloso Beach (Sentosa). Each light-stick bears an invite to “Come where the bright lights dance” at SingTel’s ZoukOut 2009.

The region’s biggest music and dance festival presented by SingTel, will take place on the 12th of December, 2009. Sentosa’s Siloso Beach will be rocked by the vibes of DJs such as Armin Van Buuren, Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclair, Ame and Kings of Tomorrow.

“SingTel is pleased to present ZoukOut 2009 for the fourth year running in partnership with Zouk. ZoukOut 2009 is an ideal platform for our customers to be entertained by world-class acts including an impressive line-up of international DJs. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to reaching out to youths through music and entertaining lifestyle-related activities, and our customers can look forward to more similar events from us,” Ms Sarah Chua, Vice President of Consumer Marketing, SingTel, said.

“ZoukOut is a dusk to dawn event, and bright light-sticks are a common sighting amongst the partygoers. SingTel has hence decided on the deployment of brilliant light-sticks as the invitation to our young customers to the region’s biggest and wildest music & dance festival. At ZoukOut 2009, our customers can also look forward to more delightful surprises at the SingTel VIP zone,” Mr. Derrick Heng, Director of Segment Marketing & Communications, SingTel, said.

ZoukOut 2008 saw SingTel’s customers chilling out on board a specially erected VIP yacht. Customers can gain free entry to ZoukOut 2009 by signing up to any SingTel youth plan. SingTel customers also enjoy free-flow from 8-11pm at the VIP zone, which structure still remains a mystery.

Singapore, 9 October 2009 – SingTel and Acer today jointly announced the Singapore launch of Acer’s first Windows phones, Acer neoTouch and beTouch E100, exclusive to SingTel customers from 17 October 2009. They will be among the first in the world to enjoy both smartphones, which run the new Windows Mobile 6.5.

These two phones will be the first of Acer’s second generation 2009 models to be launched in Singapore. The devices continue Acer’s goal to break down the barrier between technology and people, and form a cornerstone in the company’s strategy towards becoming a leader in the ‘mobility market’.

“The neoTouch is Acer’s flagship smartphone model of 2009 and will spearhead our highly anticipated range of devices that will be launched in the fourth quarter,” said Mr Roger Yuen, Vice President Asia Pacific, Smart Handheld Business Group of Acer Inc. “We are very excited about this partnership with SingTel. With neoTouch’s powerful 1GHz processor, we see this as a perfect fit for SingTel’s customers who want a mobile device that can meet their need for speed and real-time internet access. The other device we are launching exclusively with SingTel is the beTouch E100. This device is a great, intuitive smartphone that allows people to network with their friends on Facebook, Flickr and Instant Messaging. It is the perfect device for the young who are tech savvy and demand connectivity with their contacts on the go.”

He added, “We are confident that the neoTouch and beTouch E100 will be highly appealing to tech-savvy SingTel customers who are looking to upgrade from a feature phone.”

“We are pleased to partner Acer on this exclusive launch of the latest Windows phones. The next generation features like My Phone syncing service and Windows Marketplace for Mobile, coupled with its high-speed processor will allow our customers to enjoy an integrated and richer mobile experience, similar to that on a PC,” said Mr Shane Da Silva, SingTel’s Vice President of Consumer Sales.

“In addition, customers will enjoy a differentiated and hassle-free Windows phone experience with SingTel’s one-stop Windows Mobile Support where they can call a centralised hotline for enquiries and assistance. With SingTel’s MobileM@il Exchange service, bundled with 1GB data and PHONESafe security service, customers can have peace-of-mind while surfing to their heart’s content,” added Mr Da Silva.

Pricing, availability and promotions
Customers who purchase any of the two phones will enjoy the following:

• Sign up for MobileM@il Exchange 1GB at $9.95/month (50 percent discount off normal subscription of $19.90/month). The data plan comes with 1GB of bundled data, allowing customers to surf the Internet and access their emails on-the-go affordably. MobileM@il Exchange customers will also enjoy free access to PHONESafe service, a mobile phone security solution that allows customers to lock their handsets and backup important data remotely.
• Customers who purchase the phones with any of SingTel’s Youth plans will enjoy free IM on Mobile for 12 months, PHONESafe for 6 months and 50 per cent discount for BroadBand on Mobile Plus (1GB) (normal subscription is $19.90/month). This is on top of the youth perks of Free Unlimited SMS (to any service provider) and Free Camp / Campus Calls.

neoTouch and beTouch 100 will be available for pre-ordering at https://www.singtelshop.com/ from 10 October, Saturday. Both phones will be sold island-wide from 17 October 2009 at SingTel Shops, hello! stores, selected SingTel Exclusive retailers and its online store, www.singtelshop.com.

About Acer neoTouch
The Acer neoTouch is an iconic product that brings together performance and style. The flagship Acer smartphone promises high speed Internet connectivity and processing – providing a full PC experience on a mobile handset. It runs on the new Windows Mobile 6.5 platform which was officially unveiled on 7 October, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip which allows for up-to-double processing speed over current industry standards. It is anticipated to be a leader in the Windows phone arena and is a fully touch-operated smartphone that will provide seamless user-experience.

The neoTouch will appeal to the top range of smartphone users who want a light and convenient device that can function seamlessly as a PC (Personal Computer), employing both leisure and business applications. Pragmatic users who value a reliable smartphone that is effective and efficient, will also be attracted to the neoTouch, particularly for its ability to access and manipulate word processing and spreadsheet applications.

About Acer beTouch E100

The beTouch E100, also known as the ‘C1′, will appeal to both feature phone users looking to upgrade to a smartphone, and customers looking for a fresh and bold design. With a variety of colours to choose from, the beTouch E100 features a large touch screen with Acer’s intuitive user interface, a whooping 3.2″ touch screen and a 5-way navigation wheel.

The beTouch E100 comes in white, and customers can choose battery covers that come in lime green, red or pink to further personalize their phones. This phone will be especially appealing for the youth who want a smartphone that is trendy and easy to use.

Photos of the Acer neoTouch and the Acer beTouch E100 are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/acer_smartphones

Press Release: SingTel launches Acer’s new Windows Phones
GSM ArenaAcer neoTouch S200
GSM ArenaAcer beTouch E100

Specifications

It features a 2.2″ QVGA (240×320 pixels) TFT screen with support up to 262k colors.

Remaining technical specifications:

• Camera: 2.0M pixels fixed focus outward facing camera. P2P video (“see what I see”).
• Memory: On board: 128MB NAND + 128MB SDRAM (User Memory: 50M) | Expandable: Micro SD/SDHC memory card slot (support up to 4GB capacity)
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Headset, Handsfree, File Transfer, ObjectPush, A2DP, AVRCP, DUN)
• Connectivity: USB 2.0 Full Speed
• Download & Playback: Audio: AMR, AAC, AAC+, E-AAC+(Audio only), MIDI, MP3, wav | Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• Streaming: Audio: AMR, AAC, AAC+, EAAC+(Audio only) | Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• Battery capacity: 1150 mAh
• Standby: 2G – 260 hours | 3G – 285 hours | Talktime: 2G – 210 minutes | 3G – 160 minutes

Applications bundled:

• BREW 4.0 (Multi Tasking) + INQ System 1 extensions
• Java MIDP2.0 (Multi Tasking)
• Access Net Front 3.5 browser
• INQ UI including Switcher
• Integrated INQ Applications:
  • Facebook application. Integrated with Contacts, Messaging, Caller ID, Camera, Photos, Switcher
  • Skype application. Integrated with Contacts, Messaging, call log, dialer, Switcher
  • Twitter application. Integrated with Switcher.
• Instant Launcher, Traffic Controller, Feeds, Startup Wizard, Static Widgets (World Clock, Weather, Search, Feeds)
• Copy & Paste, file manager (including memory card search)
• Smart Learning & Predictive Text Entry (edit user dictionary)
• True Type Fonts
• File transfer, Message, Phonebook management on PC Suite (MS Windows)
• Embedded USB Plug-and-Play drivers & modem dashboard for dialup connection (PC & MAC)
• SMS, MMS, Email (Support POP3, IMAP4, SMTP)
• SyncML

Even the official specifications listed Skype application, I can’t seem to find the application in the phone itself. Instead there is an application called IM on Mobile which is basically Windows Live Messenger.

Unboxing
I did post the unboxing pictures on the INQ Mini 3G last week. The packaging is very unique and I personally like it, I think it is better than the Apple’s iPhone 3G packaging. The content of the box includes the phone itself, battery, a charger head, a USB cable, ear piece and the card-like instruction manual.

Universal USB Port

Universal USB Port

The mini-usb port at the top of the phone is used for charging as well as for the ear piece. I think it is pretty cool.

Camera
The camera is a fixed focus camera with resolution up to 2MP. I have taken a sample picture using the camera. As you can see, the picture is pretty lousy. I think my iPhone 3G 2MP camera does better than that. I think it is meant to be a video camera as it supports P2P video.

Facebook

Facebook Application

The selling point of INQ Mini 3G is the integration of Facebook as well as Twitter into the phone. The Facebook integration is pretty well done as it will stay connected to Facebook even after closing the application. You can view your Facebook contacts in your phone contact book as well as Facebook private messages in your phone messaging function. When you compose a message, it will prompt you whether you want to send a text message (SMS), Facebook private message or email.

Facebook Request

Whenever you get a friend request, it will prompt you. Upon accepting the friend request, it will ask you whether you want to resync your phone contact book to add in the new friend. Pretty neat.

Twitter

Twitter Application

I do not really like the integration of Twitter as unlike the Facebook application, Twitter seems like a standalone application that will disconnect after you exit. I expect that whenever I get a mention or a direct message the application will prompt me. But apparently it does not.

Twitter Application Options

Also the application does not allow me to filter my timelime as there is a missing “mention” or “direct message” view. I am disappointed with the way Twitter is integrated.

User Interface Walkthrough
The interface is similar to the Nokia S40. I have no complains on it as I think it is pretty user friendly and straight forward to navigate around. Here is a full walk through video of the user interface of the phone.

The only complain I have with the phone is that it LAGS. It lags real bad especially scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and browsing the web.

Summary
Pros:

• Unique packaging
• Great integration with Facebook
• Compact & lightweight
• Excellent battery life
• Keypad tactile feedback is good
• Real affordable

Cons:

• Laggy interface
• Camera not up to standard
• Missing Skype application
• Twitter integration can be improved
• No Wi-Fi

SingTel INQ Mini 3G is priced at $0 aka FREE, if you sign up for the 3G Flexi Lite AMPed plan or the iOne Plus Youth plan.

A more detailed review will be out next week.

Nicely Designed Box

When Opened

Nicely Designed Accessories Box Inside The Box

Instruction Cards

INQ Mini 3G

Facebook Gallery: INQ Mini 3G Unboxing

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and INQ Mobile today announced that SingTel mobile customers will soon become the first in Asia and among the first in the world to get their hands on the ultimate 3G social mobile phone, the new INQ Mini 3G.

The innovative phone is exclusive to SingTel customers in Singapore and will hit the stores on 19 September 2009. The launch of the new INQ Mini 3G follows the global success of the first INQ Mobile phone, INQ1, which was named ‘Handset of the Year’ at the 2009 Mobile World Congress.

The much-awaited INQ Mini 3G by the social networking communities around the world boasts a ‘carousel-style’ menu with one-click access to popular social networking applications such as Facebook and Twitter. The phone is also customised to offer SingTel users a complete social experience on the move with instant access to AMPed, SingTel’s social music service, IM on Mobile and inSing.com, SingTel’s one-stop information portal.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s Executive Vice President of Consumer, said: “SingTel is pleased to partner INQ and be the first in Asia to bring the INQ Mini 3G exclusively to our customers. The device complements our efforts to transform SingTel into an integrated multimedia solutions company, helping to strengthen our foothold in the social networking space, especially with the youths who are active users of Facebook and Twitter. We believe that INQ’s unique features provide an ideal platform for our customers to enjoy a social music experience and at the same time always stay connected to their communities.”

INQ Mini 3G: Innovative features that strengthen SingTel’s leadership in the multimedia and social mobile space

The INQ Mini 3G is the first social mobile phone to be fully integrated with Facebook, offering ‘always on’, one-click access to this popular social networking application, as well as Twitter. It also merges contacts on the mobile phone and Facebook to create the world’s first ‘live’ address book. Customers will see the caller’s latest Facebook profile picture with every incoming call. Another impressive feature is that the main Inbox will contain separate folders for Facebook messages, pokes and requests, as well as emails and SMS, all on the same page.

Customers can multitask easily with the user-friendly INQ Mini 3G to access popular social networking services such as Twitter, email and instant messenger using its Switcher feature. They can view updates 24/7 with the ‘always on’ feature by simply logging in just once to these applications and staying connected even when the phone is powered off.

INQ Mini 3G is pre-installed with the popular Twitter service. With the ‘always on’ feature, Twitter fans will enjoy a one-click tweeting experience and can tweet and retweet via the Internet rather than sending an SMS.

And the light-weight INQ Mini 3G offers all these impressive application-rich capabilities at a fraction of the price of other smartphones.

Mr Frank Meehan, Chief Executive Officer of INQ, said: “We are very excited to be bringing the INQ revolution to Singapore with a world class, innovative partner, SingTel. INQ’s social mobiles represent a real breakthrough; easy-to-use, high speed 3G handsets created to make Internet communications services accessible for everyone.”

Mr Yuen added: “The online community has been waiting for the right mobile phone – function, form factor and price – that can meet their social networking needs while on the move. INQ Mini 3G packs a punch with its novel features and delivers the ultimate social mobile experience to our customers, especially with INQ’s complete integration with Facebook – a world’s first. SingTel is making it very easy and attractive for everyone to network and even download their favourite music with AMPed on their INQ mobile device.”

“Are you INQ?” marketing campaign

Last month, SingTel organised a design competition to encourage budding artists and designers to express themselves freely. Contestants had to design works based on Singapore life and incorporate interesting elements of social and music activities. The two-week competition received over 60 entries, some of which will be incorporated into the advertising campaign for the INQ Mini 3G on SingTel.

To complete the social mobile experience, customers who sign up for selected mobile plans can enjoy free AMPed and IM on Mobile services.

Pricing details will be announced on 19 September 2009 when the phone goes on sale at SingTel Shops, hello! stores and exclusive retailers island-wide.

Official Site: Singtel INQ
Official Site: INQ Mobile

According to Kuan Moon, this year the response was much better than last year. He did not give an exact figure but he says in thousands. Last year the launch of iPhone 3G is basically register of interest and user still have to queue up. But this year, Singtel did a pre-order and require the customers to make a deposit of SGD$50 before queuing. There is also a separate queue for walk-in customers which closes at about 9pm due to the overwhelming response on the pre-order queue.

The event was not a midnight launch but rather only a 4 hour event from 8pm all the way to 12midnight. I have no idea whether they closes at 12midnight yesterday as from what I know at 9pm, the waiting time was 6 hours according to their website.

Similar to last year, the host this year was Glenn Ong from Class 95 as well. Mediacorp artists like Pierre Png, Joanna Peh, Felicia Chin was also there. Instead of the glass house which Singtel specially built for the iPhone 3G launch last year, this year they are using tentage. Also, there are tentage all over the queue area because some customers complained about being in the rain as last year when they are queuing up.

I used my Dad’s line and got my iPhone 3GS 32GB Black at SGD$678 on iFlexi Lite plan. I upgrade his Classic plan to iFlex Lite and got SGD$100 off, I got a SGD$120 Red Prestige voucher from my uncle and hence the iPhone 3GS price became SGD$678 – (SGD$100 + SGD$120) = SGD$458.

The only way to tell an iPhone 3G from iPhone 3GS is at the back. A1303 refers to iPhone 3GS and 32GB will definitely be a 3GS. Also the part the text it says iPhone is shiny for iPhone 3GS and white for iPhone 3G.

Facebook Gallery: Singtel iPhone 3GS Launch

It seems that Singtel has just screwed iPhone 3G users by imposing a penalty of SGD$600 if you only fulfilled between 6 to 12 months of contract and SGD$300 if you fulfilled between 12 months and 21 months of contract! Singtel should not forget that majority of the users that will purchase iPhone 3G will most likely purchase iPhone 3GS!

*Update* For early iPhone 3G Users adopters who got the iPhone 3G during August 2008, instead of paying SGD$600, Singtel will give you 50% off and you will just have to pay SGD$300 for the penalty instead of the usual SGD$600. This promotion is only applicable during the launch period on the 10th, 11th and 12 July 2009. If you get on the 13th July 2009 onwards, you are back to paying SGD$600 for the penalty.. This promotion has been extended till the end of July 2009.

*Update* Updated on 15th December 2009, SingTel increases the data usage of iFlexi plans to 12GB and decreases the iPhone 3GS prices.

iFlexi Plans

• iFlexi Lite – SGD$39
  • 12GB Data
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$518
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$658
• iFlexi Value – SGD$56
  • 12GB Data
  • 200 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$248
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$398
• iFlexi Plus – SGD$95
  • 12GB Data
  • 500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$98
• iFlexi Premium – SGD$205
  • 30GB Data
  • 2,000 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 2,000 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: Free

3G Flexi Plans

• 3G Flexi Lite – SGD$39.00
  • 500 MB
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$548
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$678

• 3G Flexi – SGD$56.00
  • 1 GB
  • 200 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$348
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$508

• 3G Flexi Plus – SGD$95.01
  • 2 GB
  • 500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$49
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$208

Voice Only Plans

• Classic – SGD$29.96
  • No Data
  • 150 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$568
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$728
• iOne Plus – SGD$25.68
  • No Data
  • 100 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$698
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$848
• iTwo Value – SGD$48.15
  • No Data *
  • 300 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$348
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$508
• iTwo Plus – SGD$82.93
  • No Data *
  • 700 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 500 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$49
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$208
• iThree Plus – SGD$192.60
  • No Data *
  • 2,000 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 2,000 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: Free
• Premium 700 – SGD$94.16
  • No Data *
  • 700 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: SGD$49
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: SGD$208
• Premium 1500 – SGD$201.16
  • No Data *
  • 1,500 Mins Outgoing Voice
  • 360 SMS
  • iPhone 3GS 16GB Price: Free
  • iPhone 3GS 32GB Price: Free

Data Only Plans

• Broadband on Mobile Lite – SGD$3.50
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 2 MB
• Broadband on Mobile Plus – SGD$19.90
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 1 GB
• Broadband on Mobile Premium – SGD$29.90 (New)
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 10 GB
• Broadband on Mobile Platinum – SGD$39.90 (New)
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 30 GB
• Broadband on Mobile 1000 – SGD$22.42
  • Download Speed: 1Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 384kbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 30 GB
• Broadband on Mobile Youth – SGD$29.00
  • Download Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 384kbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 50 GB
  • For Students & NSFs Only
• Broadband on Mobile 2000 – SGD$37.00
  • Download Speed: 2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 512kbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 50 GB
• Broadband on Mobile 4000 – SGD$51.00
  • Download Speed: 4Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 50 GB
• Broadband on Mobile 7200 – SGD$72.76
  • Download Speed: 7.2Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 1.5Mbps
  • Free Local Bundled Usage: 50 GB

Note

• Prices stated are including 7% GST.
• For iFlexi plans, the data connection has 7.2 Mbps downstream speed

Links

• View Singtel Shop: Singtel iPhone 3GS
• View Singtel Broadband on Mobile price plans
• View Singtel Postpaid Mobile price plans
• View Singtel iPhone price plans

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!

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/.

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

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

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

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

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