iPhone 3G and Globe ~ SCRATCH e-PAD!

Globe Telecom, the second biggest mobile service provider in the Philippines will introduce iPhone 3G today. iPhone 3G is twice as fast as the original iPhone with a built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third party applications available through the new App Store.

Globe will be offering special post paid plans that will allow consumers to experience the exciting features of iPhone 3G. These special plans will come with free local mobile internet hours and free Wi-Fi browsing hours (in areas covered by Globe Wireless Internet Zones). This, together with Globe’s call and text rates, ensures excellent connectivity. iPhone 3G will also be available on existing Globe tariff plans.

iPhone 3G operates on Wi-Fi, EDGE and 3G networks to give the best e-mail, web browsing, search and maps applications for a mobile phone. 3G provides the subscriber faster access to the Internet as well as the capability to transmit and receive data in various forms such as photos, video and audio.

Question now is, was the iPhone and Globe combination made a stir all over the country being announced a month ago? Answer is, a big NO, a mere fact that iPhone is an expensive device, cost at around Php47,000 for 16GB and Php37,000 for 8GB, this wont really capture majority of Filipino mobile market. It has also been known that this device is just a plane hype and their was really nothing inside it. Feature wise, it has a poor camera, no video recorder, poor music sound, cannot send MMS, poor bluetooth connectivity, poor battery life, texting is difficult (knowing how important texting is among Filipinos) among others. You can't even count on iPhone online stores to download softwares and music files because its not available in this country. What more can a Filipino do with this device? nothing more.

We have to sight also the fact that iPhone has been the most well clone device in the country, with clones that looks very similar to the original one, it has lost its shining prestige with a notion that if you own one, your just among those people who own the clone. That's why Smart Communications, the leading mobile service provider in the country, have no moves in getting the iPhone to be part of their portfolio, because they know that this phone wont sell in the local market and there making the SMARTEST choice.