Online Apple Store Philippines is up

Good news to all Pinoys, the Apple online store Philippines is now open for business. If you wanna start shopping check out this link http://store.apple.com/ph

They currently have all Apple product line available except for the iPhone which should be available at all Globe outlets.

Be sure though to have an AppleID ready for online shopping. I have an article in the past regarding creating one.

It's Finally here

It's Finally Here...

The long wait is over. It's finally here. The iPhone 3G. Please review my previous post on how you can get started with the iPhone. I will post more articles in the coming days.

Globe banking on Apple’s stylish iPhone

More iPhone News

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom, Inc. is banking on Apple’s third-generation (3G) iPhone to temper the effects on profits of declining consumption due to rising consumer prices.

The iPhone, exclusive to Globe subscribers, will hit stores on Aug. 22 and will cost P42,000 for the base eight-gigabyte model — four times the suggested retail price of $199 or less than P10,000 in the US.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Globe President Gerardo Ablaza said the introduction of the iPhone, coupled with the launch of value-added services, would drive company growth for the rest of the year.

An analyst said the iPhone would be received well, saying the price "would not stop the wave of fanaticism of Apple users." "The iPhone craze is one thing [Globe] can take advantage of," said Astro C. del Castillo of First Grade Holdings, Inc. He said Globe could sell up to a million iPhones.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ablaza said the company was disappointed that a record increase in subscribers in the second quarter had failed to translate into a proportionate hike in wireless revenues.

Its subscriber base grew by 1.5 million to over 22 million subscribers in the second quarter mainly due to the strong performance of the network’s low-cost brand, TM. But wireless revenues dipped by 2%. Mr. Ablaza said sales would likely settle in the low single digit for the year. The company hopes to do better as prices stabilize. — Paolo Luis G. Montecillo, BusinessWorld


Source: GMANews.TV

Why is the Price for the iPhone 3G like that?

Taken from Globe's FAQ about the iPhone 3G, Globe explains the reason for the steep price.

Q: How much is it? Why is the price like that?
A: The 8GB and 16GB are available under the Prepaid Kit offer. The 8GB retails for P41,899 and the 16GB retails for P48,899. While the price may be steep, the price is a result of increases in dollar exchange rates, as well as tax. This is why Globe is giving you P1,000 worth of load for every purchase. Plus, you even get P1,000 discount when you are one of the first 1,000 who avail via reservation!

Q: What's the Prepaid Kit offer?
A: Globe gives you the choice to avail of the iPhone 3G with a Prepaid SIM. It's not just a regular prepaid kit. This packages comes with P1,000 load value which will be sent to you over 5 months. That's P200 per month of load which you can use to browse the internet.

We encourage you to activate TIME browsing rate at P5 for 15 minutes by texting TIME to 1111. This way, you are able to maximize your web experience on the iPhone 3G without overspending. P200 worth of rebates is equivalent to as much as 10 free hours of internet time per month or as much as 50 hours of internet time over 5 months.

Source: Globe

Globe Telecom to Bring iPhone 3G to the Philippines on August 22

More iPhone news

MANILA – August 6, 2008 – Globe Telecom today announced that it will bring iPhone 3G to the Philippines on August 22. iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone plus 3G networking that is twice as fast*, 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.

“We are very excited to launch iPhone 3G here in the Philippines. Beginning August 22, Globe is bringing to the Filipinos the best browsing experience through the revolutionary iPhone 3G on our 3G/HSDPA network,” said Gerardo C. Ablaza Jr., president and CEO of Globe Telecom.

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.

Consumers interested in purchasing iPhone 3G with Globe postpaid and prepaid offers are encouraged to start making their reservations beginning August 6 by calling Globe’s 24-Hour Call-in Service via landline (632)7301000 or 211 via toll-free mobile or visiting www.iphone3g.globe.com.ph.

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.

Globe Telecom is a leading telecommunications company in the Philippines with more than 21 million mobile subscribers. As a pioneer, Globe continues to be a part of the revolution that’s connecting millions of people across the country and around the world. Beyond technology, Globe’s business is truly shaped by the bonds that tie Filipinos together. Communications is ultimately about relationships, and this drives the company to innovate and constantly find easy and relevant ways to enrich people’s lives.

Source: Globe

Get your system ready for the iPhone 3G

Ok, let's say today is the release date for the iPhone3G. You want to impress the crowd by waiting inline outside of a mall so when the clock turns 10am you'll be the first to get the iPhone3G and set a record. Then your patience paid off, you were the first person indeed to walk outside of a Globe outlet with an iPhone3G. The crowd applauds and media taking shots of you holding a paperbag with an iPhone3G label, Globe and Apple logo. When asked to show them the iPhone, you were surprised as it shows, "Connect to iTunes" and the only thing you can do is to "slide for emergency" and dial 117. Home screen won't be available 'til you connect to itunes. You then walked back to the store and ask that they activate it but there's nothing they can do as there's not much computer available for you. You really want to have it activated before you walk out of the mall so as to impress your friends with the new cool feature.

Truth is you don't have to be in this situation. I have listed a number of things you need in order to prepare for your first iPhone 3G purchase and have it activated before you walk out the mall.

1. AppleID - AppleID is required to register your information in iTunes. AppleID is commonly used in the Apple website for discussion forums and for an iTunes account. You can create an AppleID by clicking here. Your email address will be your AppleID. If you have registered an iPod in the past, you probably have one. You can directly sign up for an AppleID and itunes account by using iTunes on your PC/Mac by clicking on Menu bar for Store>Create account.

2. iTunes 7.7.1 or later - Activation of your iPhone 3G is required and is done on a computer. iTunes require a PC running Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista. Mac users should have 10.4.11 and Mac OS X Leopard users must have 10.5.4 or later. 64 bit version of Windows requires 64 bit iTunes installer. You can get iTunes on this link

3. iTunes account - an iTunes account is required if you want to download or purchase iTunes content, even if you are going to download just a free App. Your AppleID can be your iTunes account. Please be advised that a valid credit card is required if you are registering your AppleID to be used for iTunes download. You may also opt to use a redeem code from an iTunes gift card, iTunes gift card is now available at Power Mac Centers in the Philippines. Redeem code can also be for free and can be obtained at tunecore.com

Recommended Programs/Service but not required

4. Outlook 2003, 2007 (for PC users) - This program is part of the Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007. Outlook is optional but required if you want to sync Calendars/Contacts you created on the iPhone to your PC. Outlook is a great source of backup if in case your iPhone got corrupted and needs to be restored. Mac users by default should have iCal for calendars and Address book for syncing contacts.

5. MobileMe account - An online service from Apple that allows you to sync your information from the iPhone3G up in the "cloud" (mobileme storage server). Mobile me is a paid service that costs $99/year. You can try mobileme for 60 days by clicking here. Credit card is required

Now we will continue your iPhone purchase journey. We left of from the situation wherein you need the phone to be activated...

You wish you brought your Laptop with you as there was a nearby Starbucks coffee with free Wifi access. Your only option now was that Internet cafe just right next to Starbucks.
You will then need to:
1. Download and install iTunes on the computer.
2. Connect the USB cable to the PC and connect the other end to your iPhone3G. iTunes will then automatically detect the iPhone and then you should see a "Lets get started" message in iTunes. You will now continue and fill up the required information and you were ready with an AppleID so the process went on smoothly. After you filled out the form, that SUBMIT button in iTunes completed the process.
3. iTunes is now congratulating you for a job well done in following the process and not calling Applecare for the techsupport. Your smile now is touching your ears as the much awaited Home screen of the iPhone is saying hello to you.

Thanks for reading on, I hope this writing will help you in the future when you buy your iPhone 3G. Chill!

This Blog will be Active once iPhone 3G is released officially in the Phlippines

This Blog will be Active once iPhone 3G is released officially in the Philippines
August 7, 2008


Hello folks, my name is Rouge and I'll be your official blogger in Manila once the iPhone 3g is officially released in the Philippines.

What will this blog have in store?

1. Tips and tricks on iPhone usage
2. Review of free Application from the App Store
3. iTunes and iPhone syncing troubleshooting
4. Mobileme tips and getting the most out of it.
5. Jailbreaking your phone and/or how to authorize unlock your iPhone so you can use it with other wireless carrier
6. User inputs and review + discussion
7. Anything iPhone under the sun