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Experience fun and adventure at your fingertips with Nokia Asha 305

6:28 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Nokia introduces the first product in the Asha Full Touch range, the Nokia Asha 305, a smartphone that’s sure to delight young, urban and aspirational users.

Nokia Asha 305 is an entertaining device that’s designed for great browsing experiences, social networking, and fun apps and games. It has a vivid and colorful 3” touch screen that’s quick and responsive and a newly designed Series 40 OS that’s fun, intuitive and easy to use.

The Nokia Asha 305 also comes with the exclusive EA (Electronic Arts) Games Pack including 40 free best-selling titles like Tetris, Bejeweled, Need for Speed, The Sims, and Fifa 2012. And if you want more games and apps like WhatsApp and Foursquare, you can find hundreds more at the Nokia Store.

The Nokia Asha 305 uses the revolutionary Nokia Browser, which is 3x faster than other browsers. Its revolutionary cloud accelerated technology offers up to 85% compression, thereby saving on your data connection costs.

This smartphone makes it fun and easy for you to stay in touch with friends and family through Facebook, Twitter and IM. It comes with a 2MP camera, and a 2GB memory card (expandable to 32GB). It is also a dual SIM phone with an Easy Swap port that makes it easy for you to change SIMs (w/o turning off the phone or removing the battery) and a SIM Card manager that allows you to make the most of all your SIMs (up to 5).

All in all, Nokia Asha 305 gives you a richer, smarter, more engaging experience for only PhP3,890 (SRP). Choose from four different colors: silver white, red, mid blue, and dark grey.

Also, watch out for Nokia Asha 306, the single SIM version of Nokia Asha 305. It will be available in stores towards end of July 2012.

About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia’s technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visithttp://www.nokia.com.ph.

Globe boosts smartphone use in PH with affordable mobile browsing plans

6:28 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Smartphone use in the Philippines is on a steady rise on the back of more low-priced internet-enabled mobile devices, giving more Filipinos access to internet surfing on their mobile phones.

According to a report from research firm GfK Philippines, the average price of smartphones in Philippines has dropped 23% from last year’s USD317 or roughly P13,000 to USD244 or a little over P10,000 this year. “Rising demand for smartphones is largely triggered by efforts of device manufacturers who are offering more affordable smartphones, as well as retailers who have started offering 0% interest programs of up to 24 months on top of other promos when selling smartphone devices,” noted Benny Villanueva, general manager of GfK Philippines.

Riding the growth of smartphone use in the Philippines, Globe Telecom launched Globe PowerSurf plans, which are mobile browsing plans that use megabytes or MBs, a unit that measures data in internet-related transactions. Mobile surfing activities such as sending e-mails, downloading an application, posting on social networking sites, uploading photos or streaming videos all require a certain amount of data. 1MB is equivalent to 1,024 kilobytes (KB).

For example, activities that do not include downloading of any image, video or sound such as Facebook posts and likes, tweets, and e-mail without attachments consume up to 100 KB. Web page views and photo uploads and downloads are within the 100 KB to 500 KB range, while YouTube video streaming, application, games and music downloads generate more than 1MB.

Through Globe PowerSurf MB, subscribers get bulk Megabytes (MB) of mobile data, consumable per KB. Using Globe PowerSurf MB plans, subscribers use their allotted MBs for mobile internet activities, where MBs are consumed based on actual data from a specific activity. This type of charging is better than default charging where subscribers are charged P5.00 for every 15 minutes of online time. Using MBs in mobile surfing does not look at the time spent online, but on the activity performed or site visited, making it more affordable to surf on the mobile phone, thus giving users the worry-free mobile surfing experience.

“Most Filipinos buy smartphones and miss out on a lot of its features by limiting its use to texting or calling. A lot of smartphone users tend to use data via WiFi only due to fear of high data charges. This is why Globe introduced their PowerSurf MB plans. PowerSurf MB is best for smartphone users who always want to be connected and online without having to worry about high data charges, since charging is not based on time spent online, but on what they do and the sites they go to when connected to mobile internet,” said Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Head of Globe Mobile Data Services.

“Now that smartphone prices have dropped, it is fitting to offer mobile internet plans that give more value for money. Through this lineup of data plans, we also hope to empower smartphone owners to maximize their phone and enjoy the full features of its apps, especially now that surfing on mobile has become easier on the pocket with Globe PowerSurf MB plans,” she added.

Prepaid subscribers can choose from the following affordable PowerSurf plans: 20MB for P15 valid for 1 day, 50MB for P30 also valid for 1 day, and 100MB for P50 valid for 3 days. Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers looking for plans with higher MB allocation and longer validity can avail of the following 30-day PowerSurf MB variants: 50MB for only P99, 300 MB for only P299, and 1GB for only P499.

To subscribe to a Globe PowerSurf MB plan, text Powersurf to 8888 or dial *143# for free. Learn more about Globe PowerSurf MB plans by visiting http://surf.globe.com.ph.

US-based tech council to help local technopreneurs: Techtalks

6:50 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Science & Technology Advisory Council - Silicon Valley’s ON3 Program launched in 2011 is expected to help local technopreneurs realize their goals.

Tina Amper of Techtalks.ph said the involvement of the council, which recently announced a partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) of the United States State Department, will provide “exciting opportunities to the Filipinos.”

“This partnership will provide Filipino entrepreneurs, not just the technopreneurs, access to a network of global resources. GEP Partners include international groups that can offer Filipino entrepreneurs mentoring which is experiencing increasing demand” said the Silicon Valley-based Amper.

Early this month, the Silicon Valley-based council, which has identified Techtalks as among its partners, has announced its partnership with the US State Department's GEP in promoting entrepreneurship around the world.

Christina R. Laskowski, STAC President, said the entry of her group in the Philippine technology community signifies its interest to work with local technopreneurs to help accelerate the growth of their companies and to provide access to the tools and resources to compete globally effectively and efficiently.

“We recognize the potentials of the country and we believe that with access to tools, resources and training, that there is so much that can be achieved by these technopreneurs. We are here to provide them with whatever assistance we can in order to increase the probability of their success,” Laskowski said.

Amper added that one additional incentive to Filipino entrepreneurs is that STAC SV is committed to provide them access to angel investors, many of them based in Silicon Valley.

Amper made the comment after the Silicon Valley-based council recognized the efforts of TeckTalks.ph (techtalks.ph) in promoting technopreneurship in the grassroots level in the country.

Techtalks.ph successfully held the "Startup Weekend Cebu" last May where the most successful Filipino Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist Diosdado Banatao served as one of the judges. A second Startup Weekend in Cebu is scheduled this October 2012.

Banatao is an entrepreneur and engineer who have made his mark in the technology industry being a veteran startup technopreneur. He is even considered a visionary Silicon Valley.

Startup Weekend, which is also held in other countries, is a 54-hour event that provides participants a venue for building Internet-based or mobile applications that can become viable enterprises. Startup Weekend is a registered 501 © (3) non profit charitable organization funded by Global & Regional Sponsors and Grants, first and foremost among those being The Kauffman Foundation.

Travel a great distance with Nokia

6:24 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

How far can a mobile phone go? From just being a means of communication, mobile phones have evolved to a multi-functional device that provides information, entertainment, business-related apps, and social networking. But, Nokia took its smartphones to a higher level as these can be your personal navigation whenever and wherever you go with its preloaded maps that are available offline!

Nokia has been using vector maps since 2006, and for the past six years the brand has been developing its navigation offering. At the core of this service innovation are the offline maps and Nokia Drive, which aim to deliver a complete navigation experience.

The Nokia Maps are preloaded on Nokia smartphones to give users a great out-of-the-box experience. An easy first-use process will walk you through on how to make your favorite countries and regions available offline. Manage your offline maps that you can always go back to, regardless of service provider coverage.

Aside from street maps, Nokia Maps enables offline search with its available points of interest (POIs). It also offers offline rerouting and on-device navigation voices. Plus, these voice-guided turn-by-turn navigations are available for over 110 countries and in 70 languages!

On top of this, you can customize your maps since the Nokia Maps are locally saved on your device. Download an entire country or specific regions, depending on your preference and needs. This way, you can definitely find your way to your destination and enjoy your vacation.

To date, Nokia Drive, with a full offline experience, is available for Nokia Lumia, Nokia N9, and Nokia Belle smartphones. Even the Nokia N95, introduced in 2007 has offline navigation.

Nokia Asha smartphones also come with preloaded maps and preloaded POIs to make sure location-based services are affordable. Non-Nokia users can also visit http://maps.nokia.com from their mobile browser and discover cached maps available offline for their phones.

Indeed, Nokia has gone a great leap to make their smartphones more functional by allowing users to travel leisurely with its offline maps.

HTC LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION DESIRE FAMILY OF AFFORDABLE SMART PHONES WITH BEATS AUDIO

7:51 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Successors to hugely popular HTC Desire are brilliant, entertaining and well connected

Following on from the successful launch of the HTC One series, HTC, a global designer of smartphones, today unveiled the successors to the hugely popular HTC Desire smartphone – HTC Desire V and HTC Desire C. Featuring Beats Audio™ technology, this family of premium designed, yet affordable smartphones, allows you to hear your music just as the artist intended. The HTC Desire family is also incredibly smart, enabling you to easily manage your professional and personal lives and share the moments that shape them.

“Listening to music is one of the most popular things people use their phones for, so it’s more important than ever that we deliver the power and emotion artists capture in the studio,” said Richard Javier, country Manager, HTC Philippines. “The HTC Desire family offers customers excellent design, easy access to content and fast connectivity – making them the perfect lifestyle smartphone choice.”

Authentic sound without compromise

The HTC Desire family feature a powerful, yet rich studio-quality sound experience that is enabled through the combination of optimized Beats Audio and amazing hardware. This integration enables a rich, clear audio experience to customers no matter if they’re listening to music or playing a game.

Premium design taken to a new level

Combining a durable metal frame with precision engineering, the HTC Desire family of smartphones is ideal for those who want a premium-designed phone. Boasting sharp in-call sound, hyper-viewing angle display and metal camera bezel, these compact smartphones not only offer some of the largest screen sizes in their class, but also an unrivalled level of design and user-experience for their class.

Designed for sharing

Packing the latest mobile technology into a neat, eye-catching design, the HTC Desire family of smartphones makes it easy to browse the Web, view photos or connect with friends and family. If you like to share personal experiences with your social network, instant sharing capabilities will allow you to post any moment, seconds after it was captured. The new HTC Desire V and Desire C are also among the first entry-level smartphones to offer the latest version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich), which delivers a smooth and immensely enjoyable user experience at affordable price points.

Through deep integration of Dropbox and 25GB of free online space[i], you also have the freedom to securely back-up, browse and share thousands of photos, videos and documents, whether stored locally or in the cloud.

HTC Desire V

Like HTC Desire C, HTC Desire V is a dual-SIM smartphone for busy users who need to keep track of their work and personal lives on a single mobile companion. With a brilliant 4- inch screen and the latest HTC Sense 4.0 integrated with Android 4.0, HTC Desire V (3G and GSM) is HTC’s most affordable 4-inch smartphone, and a fantastic choice for those who want to combine technology with style. The Desire V makes it easy for users to save all contact numbers—from business contacts to family and friends, they can access all of them in one gadget. This dual-SIM smartphone lets users switch easily between personal and work mobile phone numbers and accounts, allowing for greater freedom and cost management. It also enables users to easily switch between networks for better coverage, ensuring that you stay connected no matter where you are.

HTC Desire C

Available in red, white and black, and coming with HTC Sense 4.0 integrated with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), the HTC Desire C is great as a first smartphone or for those upgrading from an existing one. Packing a powerful battery and offering access to thousands of apps and games– available through Google Play – you will always be connected and entertained whether at work, home or on the move.

Availability

HTC Desire V and HTC Desire C are now available in HTC concept stores and authorized retailers nationwide. HTC Desire V comes with a suggested retail price of Php 16, 990 while HTC Desire C has a suggested retail price of Php 10,990.

About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense^™, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.

HTC One S – Key Features

· Stylish Ceramic Black or Gradient Silver unibody casing

· Authentic Beats Audio sound experience

· Low light camera capture – perfect for nights out

· Record video and take stills at the same time

· Listen to tracks through car speakers

· Plug HTC’s wireless Media Link HD accessory into a TV to…..

o Share photos and stream video on a television screen

o Activate mirror mode whilst gaming and use the phone simply as your controller whilst playing it on the big screen

HTC One S – Unique Design

The HTC One S is available in two exclusive and finishes, matte Ceramic Black and the ultra-chic Gradient Silver, both of which have never before been used on mobile phones. Those looking for a the highly durable handset will love the unibody design in ultra-matte black, which has been produced using a method usually reserved for satellites and racing yachts. During the production process this handset is blasted with microscopic lightning bolts which, at the point of reaction, are even hotter than the sun. The result is a smooth surface which feels soft to touch, yet is super scratch-resistant. HTC has also developed the first graduated anodized design with a sophisticated light-to-dark gradient finish, perfect for those looking for a stylish handbag accessory.

HTC Sense™ - More from HTC

The HTC One S is a phone that understands its users, due to the clever HTC Sense technology which enables the phone to be naturally intuitive. For example, when the phone rings but can’t be answered, it can just be turned over so it stops ringing. Or, if the phone is in a jacket pocket or handbag it will know and ring louder until it gets attention.

Photo sharing made easy with Nokia

7:42 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Nowadays, people are getting into the trend of sharing photos via online albums, Facebook posts and picture messages. A day won’t go by without them presenting pictures of how great their day was or something that interests them. This fad has become more prevalent since the discovery of the ease and convenience of uploading and sharing photos through mobile phones.

However, it hasn’t always been like that. Before, people would store and share their photos using physical albums. Also, the process of taking, processing, printing and sticking photos in an album would take weeks. It was not until the 80s that digitalization of photography was introduced. People were then able to hand over a CD of images or attach a photo file by email. Then the evolution of internet opened more ways of sharing photos and videos online. Blogging allowed people to post photos and views of just about anything.

In 2000, the first camera phones appeared, followed by the first MMS-capable mobile phones. This started the trend of mobile photo sharing. Contributing greatly to this phenomenon was Nokia, the world’s biggest camera manufacturer. It has continuously presented numerous devices that have built-in cameras and mobile sharing capabilities.

Nokia makes another milestone in image technology with their new Nokia 808 PureView. This groundbreaking smartphone captures your everyday moments with its world-class Carl Zeiss 41MP lens and then transforms photos into 5MP images that can be instantly and easily shared.

Based upon research from Nokia’s Future Trends team, which tracks emerging trends in mobility, people use photos to let others know who they are and what great lives they have. Photo sharing websites and social networks like Facebook and Twitter were born from this need. Social media photos were eventually transformed into online scrapbooks and timelines so everyone knows you are leading lives that are happy and fulfilled.

To help make your photos stand out Nokia Store offers apps such as Photofunia, PhotoFX and Camera Lover Pack to add effects and props before you capture a photo. Then you can instantly upload this and share it to your friends through mail or to your social networks.

With Nokia set to deliver more phones enriched with image technology and apps to enhance photos, expect to see more unique and original ways to use and share photos.

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia’s technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com.ph.

Globe network upgrade in full swing, completes 30% of equipment modernization

6:11 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom said that the upgrade of its network facilities is progressively being conducted as new equipment rolls out in various parts of the country. The company added that within a span of four months since its announcement in January this year, Globe has modernized at least 30% of its network equipment located in various cellsites nationwide.

“We are fast tracking certain areas to address strong consumer demand and clamor for better services. Overall, we are on target with the roll-out plan,” said Robert Tan, Chief Technical Adviser of Globe Telecom, “Our goal is to have seamless change-outs of the network with as minimal impact on customer experience as possible. The improvements in our service quality will be felt by our customers in an increasing number of areas across the country as the network upgrade progresses towards completion.”

To date, Globe customers in South Luzon; the Davao Gulf provinces, including Davao City; and Compostela Valley now enjoy vastly-improved services such as quick call connections, rare dropped calls as well as faster and greater access to UNLI offers. In addition, Davao City and adjacent provinces are now fully equipped with new generation mobile systems supporting high-speed data, which brings speeds up to 5 mbps.

The network modernization of Globe will also significantly enhance its 3G footprint in more towns and municipalities, translating to more stable 3G signal for customers as well improved mobile browsing experience. Globe is rolling-out over 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, which will significantly increase capacity, resiliency and better traffic management to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS, and data traffic.

Tan noted that hand-in-hand with the total network change-out, Globe is also implementing mitigating measures to accommodate current voice, text and data traffic in heavy user areas.

“Even as we roll-out the modernization program for the network, Globe continues to invest in existing infrastructure to better serve our customers. We are, in fact, implementing measures to boost our 3G signal, particularly in high-traffic areas including Makati City,” added Tan.
Globe is also in the thick of a massive, multi-year modernization program that aims to beef-up Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and landline services nationwide. The project costs over $70-Million and forms part of the $700-Million total network modernization investment of Globe. To date, DSL services of Globe, known as Tattoo@Home, have been beefed-up in the National Capital Region. DSL upgrades in Southern Luzon and the Visayas are already underway.

Globe expects that more of its subscribers will be able to experience service improvements by the third quarter of 2012. These improvements include faster call connections, less dropped calls as well as faster sending and receipt of text messages.

Saucony now in Cebu

6:44 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Make Your Own Rules with Globe PowerSurf

6:43 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Did you know that you can actually make your own rules and be in full control of your mobile browsing minus the fear of excessive charges? With Globe PowerSurf and its new Megabytes (MB)-based data plans, you definitely can.

Recall that an MB is a unit used to measure the size of internet-related activities, which includes mobile surfing. Every internet-related activity requires data, and the MB of each depends on the richness of the activity. Text e-mails, Facebook likes and Twitter posts use less MB than song and photo downloads like sharing photos on Instragram and video streaming like watching videos on YouTube. By knowing how much of these activities you can do with 1MB, you’ll have an idea of the things you can do with Globe PowerSurf MB.

So what exactly can you do with 1MB? A lot! Mad about Facebook? 1MB is already 100 likes, 29 posts or 14 page views. Can’t live without Twitter? 1MB lets you enjoy 33 tweets or 25 page views. E-mail junkie? Send 50 text e-mails with your 1MB. A surfing addict? Use your 1MB in viewing 2 webpages or doing 25 Google searches.

If you can do all those with just 1MB, what more with a Globe PowerSurf MB plan?

With Globe PowerSurf MB plans, you can stay connected on the World Wide Web via your trusty smartphone at a much longer time but at a more affordable price since charging is based on actual data consumption only. They are also best suited for users who want to keep their apps updated and constantly receive notifications, since these updates and feeds usually consume very minimal data, allowing you to be on over long periods of time without having to worry about billshock.

The flexibility of Globe PowerSurf MB plans lets you control how much of it you need, where to use it, and how long it will last. This gives you the power to stay online on your mobile phone longer. Once you fully understand how MBs work, you can compute the number of MBs that fit your mobile internet lifestyle, letting you choose the Globe PowerSurf MB plan best for you and your budget!

Prepaid subscribers on a budget can choose the following affordable PowerSurf plans: 20MB for P15 valid for 1 day, 50MB for P30 also valid for 1 day, and 100MB for P50 valid for 3 days. Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers looking for plans with higher MB allocation and longer validity can avail of the following 30-day PowerSurf MB variants: 50MB for only P99, 300 MB for only P299, and 1GB (1024MB) for only P499.

“We understand that mobile browsing users have different needs so we’re excited to let our subscribers know that they are empowered to choose which PowerSurf MB plan suits them best. Globe PowerSurf MB plans gives subscribers control over their mobile internet usage, control over the things they love to do on the mobile phone, control over how long they want to be online, and control over their budget. We created PowerSurf MB plans because everyone deserves to make the rules based on their mobile internet lifestyle, a worry-free guarantee only from Globe Mobile Internet,” said Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Head of Globe Mobile Data Services.

Subscribe to a Globe PowerSurf MB plan of your choice now by texting Powersurf to 8888 or dialing *143# for free. To learn more about Globe PowerSurf MB plans, visit http://surf.globe.com.ph.

Acoustic Sessions with Nyoy Volante, Krissy and Ericka at Ayala Center Cebu

6:33 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Plantersbank embarks on expansion

6:33 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom bags Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards 2012

6:01 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom is the first Philippine telecommunications firm to win in the Social Empowerment Category of the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards (AREA) 2012 Southeast Asia, attesting to the company’s commitment to transform communities through innovative solutions.

”Sagot Ka ni Kap”, a community vigilance program of Globe Bridging Communities won in the Social Empowerment category besting 25 entries in Southeast Asia. This multi-awarded program harnesses the power and speed of mobile technologies for good governance at the barangay level.

AREA is the region’s most prestigious recognition for organizations that go beyond standard business operations to fulfill their responsibilities to internal and external environment. It honors deserving enterprises for outstanding, innovative products, services, and projects in the field of corporate responsibility. The Social Empowerment Category, on the other hand, focuses on programs for communities or individuals that are socially excluded or that suffer discrimination in work, business, or in community life.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of Globe to social responsibility. For “Sagot Ka ni Kap,” we were able to capitalize on the core business and competencies of Globe to make way for mobile and broadband technologies for ordinary citizens to have a voice in the community resulting in responsive governance and efficient peacekeeping activities in rural areas,” said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

He added: “This program hopes to strengthen local security infrastructure and inspire the essential set of capabilities needed for effective leadership and at the same time, develop their capacities as future community leaders.”

“Sagot Ka ni Kap” was launched in 2008 by Globe Bridging Communities, the flagship CSR program of Globe. It enables community members to contribute in keeping the peace and order in the community by equipping community watch volunteers with mobile phones, hand-held radios, rain gears, and first-aid kits as well as providing capacity-building workshops on the Barangay Rule of Law or “Katarungan Pambarangay”, conflict resolution and crisis management. The beneficiaries also receive a one-year personal accident insurance complete with medical reimbursements and unprovoked murder and assault coverage.

To date, there are 385 host communities included in the program. Reporting of complaints on various community disturbances also increased from 1 - 2 per day in 2008 to 15-20 incidents reported through SMS messages in 2011. Likewise, there is also a 34% decrease in negative incidents in “Sagot Ka ni Kap” communities since the start of program implementation.

For the awards, Globe underwent an independent audit to ascertain the validity and reliability of information provided. AREA also put together an independent jury comprised of business leaders, academician and retired senior government and political leaders to evaluate the credibility of all submitted projects. The projects demonstrate the enterprise’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment in incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, respect for individuals, involvement in communities and protection of the environment into the way they do business.

The jury uses a scorecard system which was built with the aim to assess the program’s delivery in achieving innovation, solution orientation, results, sustainability and integration. Ratings given are the average score that is attained by each of the applicants.

CloudCamp Cebu enlightens attendees on cloud computing

5:59 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

HE CloudCamp Cebu 2012 enlightened its participants to understand the importance of cloud computing to businesses, including small and medium enterprises, as this technology allows the storing of information at a minimal cost.

The event, held on July 4 at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu City, speakers of the event tried to convey the message to the about 200 participants that cloud computing can be used to store information with mininal cost.

Jojo Colina of ArcusIT Inc. (arcusit.ph), host of the event, explained that this technology allows anyone to share resources through the different available infrastructure.

Cloud computing, Colina explained, does not only allow people to share their data among them, but also protect these pieces of information from being corrupted especially when the hardware of the company conks out.

Citing the case of a company whose services suffered after one of its networks was busted because of a calamity, Colina explained that cloud computing allows organizations to accesst tools necessary to protect their data.

Companies that offer cloud computing as a service, Colina added, have invested a huge amount to secure the data of their customers. In this way, he added, customers are confident that their data are protected.

Other experts on the technology, like Benjie Tan of the sponsoring Globe Business, explained that cloud computing provides its user the mechanism on how to secure data.

Tan said that the user can design the layer of security depending on the need and the capability.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pratesa, ASEAN VMWARE director of Service Providers and Public Cloud, said that one of the advantages of cloud solutions is that it can give an extra level of security and extra level of disaster recovery mechanism in case something happens to the primary level in times of failure. On cloud security, Pratesa stressed that addressing security should be two-pronged---physical security and virtual security.

Christopher Syling of Intel emphasized the need for the end-users to also secure its system as it would run futile for the providers to only secure its facilities while end-users are not.

CloudCamp Cebu 2012 also became the venue for the discussion of the types of cloud computing as it can become a service in terms of being an infrastructure, a software and a platform.

CloudCamp will also be held in Davao in November, organizers said.

Joining ArcusIT in bringing the event to Cebu were Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Junior International Chamber of Mandaue and Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT).

Globe Telecom, VMWare, NetSuite, DataOneAsia, Appxys, Comfac Global Group and Intel Philippines also supported CloudCamp Cebu.

The event gathered those familiar with this new technology trend and those who wanted to know more about it, including companies that have been using the technology in running their businesses, as well as those who intend to tap cloud computing as a service for their businesses.

Sari-Sare Store Festival to help attendees further grow their businesses

5:53 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

THE 2012 Sari-Sari Store Festival is expected to provide the over 2000 members of the Prince Warehouse Club attending the event with tools on how they can grow their respective businesses.

The event, which will be held on July 14 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City, will hold discussions on how to further grow their sari-sari stores including best practices and successes in running these iconic village stores.

Those who want to expand their businesses will find help in looking for more capital as experts will provide them with the techniques on how to access funds from loan providers, including micro-financing.

These are just among the points to be discussed during the event which will also tackle other issues necessary to grow stores of club members.

“The Festival is our way of expressing our gratitude for the members for their continued support in sustaining and advancing our vision,” Robert Go, Prince Warehouse Club president and CEO, said, whose company has launched the event seven years ago as its way of recognizing the contribution of its members in the growth of the local economy.

With the theme: “Sari-Sari Store Festival 2012: Grow Your Store With Us!,” the Sari-Sari Store Festival has become a much-anticipated activity of Prince Warehouse Club that has opened branches last year in the towns of Baybay, Maasin and Naval. In the last quarter of this year, it will open two more branches in Argao and Dalaguete, in southern Cebu.

Participants and the rest of those who want to see the exhibits will have a better viewing area for the products as sponsors who will be provided strategically-located stalls to showcase their products.

The event will be capped with a variety show and the awarding for the Best in Booth Display on the theme: “Growing your stores with Prince Warehouse Club.”

Supporting the event are Nestle Phils., Unilever Philis, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils.Inc., IPI, Wellmade Manufacturing Inc, Colgate Palmolive, URC, Virginia Foods, Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc., Benby Enterprises, Splash,Green Cross, Sunpride, P&G, Johson & Johnson, Basic Essential, Philusa, Monde Nissin, Everlink, Concept Foods Marketing Corp..Tossen & Pri Foods, Silka, Aries, IFP, URC-RTD, UBS and Neotrade.

Media partners include SunStar Superbalita, Cebu Daily News, Alcordo Advertising & Greenworld Led Solutions with The Event Mangement Team-PRWorks as its official event organizer.

Finance Asia names Globe as best managed company in PH

5:05 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

CloudCamp Cebu 2012 to shed light on cloud computing

3:47 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

THE importance of cloud computing to information technology storage as well as other benefits to its users will be among the issues to be discussed when the CloudCamp Cebu 2012 takes place July 4 at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu City.

With Cebu City as the only place in the country identified for the holding of the global event, the 200 participants expected to attend it will have a venue to exchange ideas on how to use cloud computing as a tool in protecting their data at an affordable cost.

Hosted by CloudCamp.org, the CloudCamp Cebu 2012 will also become the venue for the discussion of the types of cloud computing as it can become a service in terms of being an infratructure, a software and a platform.

Partners in holding the event include the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Education Development Foundation For Information Technology (CEDFIT) and the Junior International Chamber of Mandaue.

The event will gather people familiar with this new technology trend and those who want to know more about it, including companies that have been using the technology in running their businesses, as well as those who intend to tap cloud computing as a service for their businesses.

Aside from the breakout sessions for the discussion of the issues, the daylong event will also be highlighted by the presentation of sponsors as well as socials and networking among the attendees so they can start connecting with those whom they think can provide them with services.

The CloudCamp 2012 in Cebu City is one of the few of such events held outside the US as most of these camps were held in the country with the first being held on March 11 in Austin Texas.

Sponsored by big global technology companies, the CloudCamp, a global event, was conceptualized by those who adopted cloud computing in its infancy so they can have a venue in discussing issues about it. In the camp, participants are provided with the venue for them to about the technologies behind cloud computing.

Organizers of the CloudCamp said it is “an unconference where early adopters of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas.”

“With the rapid change occurring in the industry, we need a place we can meet to share our experiences, challenges and solutions,” they added, pointing out that at the event people are encouraged to share their thoughts on issues concerning cloud computing.

Those who have taken advantage of cloud computing have used web browsers or mobile applications in accessing their data which are stored in remote locations, allowing them to do away with bigger services as well making their computer systems run faster because they do not need huge storage facilities.

The concept behind cloud computing is the sharing of resources similar to electricity grid with the Internet serving as its network.

For more information about the event, one can visit cloudcamp.org.

IT employment initiative of Codetoki wins 1st Ideas & Apps Challenge Philippines

6:22 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

About 50,000 Information Technology and Computer Science students graduate from Philippine schools every year. Yet, only eight percent are employable. How to make these graduates more competent so as to increase their chances of employment is what Codetoki hopes to achieve.

The Cebu-based startup firm topped the Ideas portion of the 1^st Ideas & Apps Challenge, a competition initiated by AppBridge of US in partnership with Globe Telecom and its wholly-owned subsidiary, startup incubator Kickstart Ventures to produce ideas and applications that tackle social challenges in the country. The second part of the Challenge launches this week and focuses on building mobile or web-based applications to improve the lives of people who are in poverty or at risk. Contestants’ Apps will be distributed through the Globe Telecom network, and submission of apps will continue through August 2012.

Through its mobile application service, Codetoki seeks to provide early exposure to IT students by giving them a chance to join tech events, test their skills and work on real projects, and find opportunities for internship or even employment in well-respected corporations.

“We are very happy to win the first AppBridge Ideas Philippines Challenge and thrilled to make Codetoki real! Our mission is to help IT and computer science students become employable by giving them a free platform to learn mobile and web application development. We want to increase the opportunity for young Filipinos to be globally competitive in the IT world,” said Honeylyn Balingcasag, Codetoki spokesperson. Other members of the team are Ademar Tutor, Gerda Decio, Arnelle Balane, Gretchen Abenoja, and Donna Limoran.

Incidentally, Codetoki also placed third at the recently held Startup Weekend Cebu. Startup Weekend is an intense 54-hour event that brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

Entries for the Ideas and Apps Challenge need to satisfy at least one of the five key themes, namely: education; health, wellness, and humanitarian relief; job skills enhancement and employability; entrepreneurship; and active citizenship and good governance.

Ernest L. Cu, Globe President and CEO said: “We take pride in the company’s direct and indirect contributions to national development that is why we continue to pursue business models that promote greater social inclusion. We are joined by our major stakeholders, Ayala Corporation and SingTel, in our efforts toward nation-building and in instituting social change. We recognize the telecommunications industry’s unique power to transform society, and we believe that our well-being as a corporation is inextricably linked with that of the larger community.”

The Ideas & Apps Philippine Challenge posed an interesting question from AppBridge founder Margo Drakos: can the Filipino community go beyond discussing its numerous social problems to actually propose solutions for them? According to Kickstart President Minette Navarrete, based on the number and quality of the responses to the Ideas Phase of the challenge, the answer is a resounding ‘Yes”.

“The Filipino community embraces the challenge and will take responsibility for defining solutions. We are pleased to have partnered with AppBridge on this and to have put Kickstart at the service of the community by providing a real-life, real-time platform for proposing solutions especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid," she said.

Navarrete also called on more participants to the Apps Phase of the competition to see whether Filipinos can go beyond ideas and progress to action. Online submission of entries can be done through www.appbridge.org/Philippines.

“It’s great to see how Filipino creativity, pragmatism, and passion have yielded this rich set of ideas. Now, in the Apps Phase, the question is can Filipinos actually build solutions that work in the real world? We have seen an amazing blend of creative and technical talent building websites and apps in all the Startup Weekend events that Kickstart has sponsored and co-organized. It will be fantastic to see that same ‘No Talk, All Action” spirit moving the community to producing real-world solutions in the Ideas & Apps Philippine Challenge,” she said.

The Philippines was chosen by AppBridge for the pilot launch due to the country’s very high mobile penetration rate of 91 percent, familiarity of the residents with the English language, and the opportunity for the ideas and apps to have an impact on those living in poverty.

Results will be known on September 10 in time for the World Economic Forum Summit in China and the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York.

Cash and other prizes will be given to winners of both the Ideas Challenge and the Apps Challenge; and winners will be selected by a panel of judges, as well as a people’s vote.

Judges for the two challenges are Drakos, Navarrete, Cu, Morphlabs CEO and co-founder Winston Damarillo, PhilDev Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dado Banatao, Broadcast Journalist Karen Davila, and President of Microventures Paolo “Bam” Aquino.

AppBridge and The Ideas & Apps Challenge is an initiative of Clinton Global Initiative, The Forum of Young Global Leaders, and World Economic Forum. Aside from Kickstart Ventures and Globe Telecom, the other major sponsors are MorphLabs, Exist, and PhilDev while partners are Babson College in Boston, Hapinoy, and MercyCorps.

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About Globe™

Globe is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singapore Telecom who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.

About AppBridge.org

AppBridge, a 501c3 established by Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, is a non-profit organization building an online collection, creation, and distribution platform to bring free or low-cost mobile applications to those in poverty, enabling education, employment and economic opportunity.