SlashPhone » Asia

BlackBerry 6.1 platform announced at DevCon Asia, Bali!

Budi Putra — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:16:39 +0000

RIM announced new BlackBerry 6.1 Application Platform for BlackBerry Smartphones on the BlackBerry Developer Conference Asia in Bali, Indonesia, today. According to Tyler Lessard, VP of Global Alliances and Developer Relations for RIM, the new tools/APIs include digital compass APIs, Open GL-ES 2.0, Window API and event-based geo-fencing location APIs.

Designed for BlackBerry developers or partners in Asia, the BlackBerry Devcon Asia is now the largest all-development conference outside of North America.

RIM played this BlackBerry in Indonesia video during the opening of the conference. Check-out:

[via CrackBerry]

Foxconn to make smartphones for Vizio

Budi Putra — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:16:12 +0000

Taiwanese company Foxconn Electronics has landed OEM orders of smartphones [and tablets] for flat-screen TV maker Vizio, the Digi Times reports. Vizio plans to showcase its 4-inch smartphone called the Via Phone and the 8-inch tablet PC called the Via Tablet, at the upcoming CES in Las Vegas. Both devices will run Google’s Android operating system.

Via Phone will have a pair of cameras (one on the front and the back). Vizio will tie its new mobile device into their Via Plus internet service. For the time beeing, there is no further info about their carrier partner for this service.

Foxconn is the world’s largest maker of electronic components, they got some renowned product manufacturing contracts include the iPod, iPhone and iPad.

Telkomsel begins iPhone 4 preorder in Indonesia

Budi Putra — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 02:01:08 +0000

Finally, Indonesia’s biggest operator Telkomsel opens preorder period for iPhone 4. You can register your interest here. There’s no word on price plans yet –but just like the previous iPhone 3G and 3GS launches here, the Apple’s sole iPhone partner in the country always reveals the package deals less than a week ahead of the launch.

There’s no launch date at the moment, but “it may be any time up to two months from now,” as local tech blog Gajeto wrote.

The iPhone 4 features FaceTime, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a 3-axis gyro and up to 40 percent longer talk time. iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4, the newest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, which includes over 100 new features and 1500 new APIs for developers.

Citibank Korea launched mobile banking for foreigners

Budi Putra — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:12:25 +0000

Noticed that banking system in South Korea is quite easy. Opening a local bank account, for instance, is pretty simple whether you are a foreigner or not. And now, Citibank Korea (one of a few exceptional banks that have experience with foreign clients, besides Korea Exchange Bank, Woori Bank, and Hana Bank) launches another easyness: by offering VM mobile banking service in English.

Citibank had opened its first branch in Korea in 1967, and was born newly as Citibank Korea Inc. (CKI) through integration with KorAm Bank in 2004.

Available for most cell phones equipped for wireless Internet (initially being setup for SK Telecom and KTF subscribers, and then for LG Telecom users), the existing users of CKI Internet banking need to download its software. The application enables you to use various banking services such as transfer/inquiry, FX rate inquiry, loan inquiry and GIRO payment, as well as credit card inquiry and CA service.

According to a recent research, although the global economy has been slowing down since second half of this year, there is a strong optimism that the market will go growing in the coming year. The mobile market is predicted to grow to 308.1 trillion won (about US$ 220 billion), a 6.7% higher than this year.

[via 3Gweek]

BlackBerry Bold is coming to South Korean this month

Budi Putra — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:34:05 +0000

RIM and its local counterpart, SK Telecom, will deliver BlackBerry Bold 9000 for corporate users this month (most likely will come this December 29). It’s a really good timing since the local government has approved new mobile regulation standard that allows foreign handsets like BlackBerry and iPhone to be offered in the country.

[via 3Gweek]

MTNL to become India’s first 3G operator

Budi Putra — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:07:54 +0000

Finally a 3G connection landed in India. The state-owned telecom company, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), will unveil it tomorrow in India Telecom 2008 event. Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Sigh, will present at the event.

MTNL will offer free service for the first two months for its premium users in Delhi area, and the company also plans to launch 3G services in the whole region within a month, except Mumbai which will take place a bit longer, around two months time.

[via 3Gweek]

SingTel sells over 20,000 iPhones in three weeks

Budi Putra — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:00:40 +0000

Singapore apparently is one of iPhone 3G’s most enthusiast Asian countries. Since the historic Apple’s iPhone 3G launch in the SingTel Comcentre, Exeter Road, Singapore, on August 22nd, Singtel has sold more than 20,000 units of the Apple iPhone 3G during three week. To be rough, it is counted as about 1000 units sold per day!

This is the first time the telco has given a clear indication of sales after securing an exclusive deal with Apple to distribute the phone here ahead of rivals StarHub and MobileOne (M1). The phone is one of SingTel’s fastest selling handsets ever (and) interest in the iPhone 3G remains high.

SingTel is the country’s largest telecommunications company and the largest mobile network operator in the Asia Pacific outside of the People’s Republic of China. Singapore joins 17 other countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America that get their first taste of the iPhone.

[AsiaOne via 3Gweek | Photo: 3Gweek]