CitiPhone? Will Other Banks Follow Suit?

FCC Sheds Light on NFC-Equipped Phone from Citi (Phone Scoop)

But given that it does not have a keypad, will other banks use the same design?

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Talkin' Tech's Cellphone Tiangge

(Left to Right -- My trusty Treo 650, My new Sony Ericsson Z750i, HTC Touch Dual)

I noticed that my pockets are extra heavy this morning so I took everything out to my table and here's what's been weighing me down today...

I own and use both the Treo 650 and the Z750i. The HTC Touch Dual is a "review unit" for an article/review I am writing for Mobile Philippines magazine.

Uh oh, New Addiction... (GPS)

Yesterday, I bought a new cellphone for my wife, a Platinum Silver Sony Ericsson Z750i. It is a beautiful phone but it has a little "gem" hidden within it -- it is GPS-enabled. I tested out its GPS ccapabilities while driving home and I must say that I'm really impressed at how this phone was a able to triangulate my general location. It even has the capability to correlate my location and plot it through its built-in Google Maps application!

I will be giving turning over this phone to Mrs. Talkintech later today with so much hesitation... I think this little taste of GPS goodness has started a new interest such that I'm starting to shop around for a GPS device of my own.

Inquirer.Net: Don’t make your cell phone your confidante

MANILA, Philippines―With cellular or mobile phones becoming almost like miniature computers with memory cards and all, you will have to take extra care when discarding an old one.

Don’t make your cell phone your confidante

This is exactly how a lot of local "scandals" have started:  clueless cellphone owner records himself/herself on the phone with a partner doing the "jiggy".  Months later the cellphone breaks and needs repairs.  Clueless cellphone owner wants to save some money opts to have the cellphone repaired at a neighborhood cellphone stall.  Cellhone technician finds the video, downloads it and "shares" it with his friends.

That scenario is actually a bit tame considering a lot of people are storing sensitive information like credit card numbers, ATM Card PINs, and passwords on their cellphones.  What's worse is that they simply store these data on their cellphone's notepad application!

Here's some tip to those who can't help but store confidential information on their cellphones:

• If possible, use a "wallet" program that requires some sort of a password before sensitive information can be displayed.  Such programs are available for your cellphone depending on the make and model.  If your phone does not support this, don't store confidential informaton on them!
• Before selling your cellphone, make sure to restore it to "factory default".  Doing so will wipe out all data on your device.
• Always have your phone repaired at authorized service center.  If you insist on having it done elsewhere, make sure that you are around while they service your phone to make sure that data is not copied by the "technician".
  

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SMS SPAM Galore!

In a span of less than 24 hours, I have received two fricking SMS SPAM (also known as SPASMS). Here's SPASM #1

From: +639152050115

Hi... We offer u ez& affordble CashLoan 50K-500K @ only 0.98%/mo. NoCol. Use4 CrdtCrd Pyoff, Tuition,Bsns,etc. We cn send u mor dtls tru Fax or Email. - jerome:)

And here's SPASM #2

From: +639054113460

CASH LOAN from CHINATRUST with interest rate of as low as 1.39% per month.We also have CARLOAN financing BRAND NEW or SECOND HAND UNIT,CAR MORTGAGE OR/CR only PAYOFF BANK BALANCE with an interest rate of 1percent per mo.,lower interest for brandnew.INTERESTED...OUR OFC.FNES.2974226.2973432,2973741,4877984 LOOK FOR MS.JINKY..

The second SPASM is especially irritating because it apparently comes from a well known local bank! If their strategy for getting more clients is to bombard them with unsolicited messages, then they won't get any business from me!

Is there a way to prevent my phone from receiving these unsolicited Text messages? I sure hope this post attracts the attention of the NTC.

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Samsung D880 Duos - Phone with two SIM card slots - SlashPhone.com

Samsung D880 Duos - Phone with two SIM card slots - SlashPhone.com


Slashphone reports that Samsung seems to have beaten the other cellphone manufacturing heavyweights in releasing dual-SIM cellphones.  Question: Will the local telcos support these officially?  I sure know of one that would. :)

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Globe Giveth, Globe Taketh Away

A couple of weeks ago, a lot of Globe Telecom prepaid subscribers collectively heaved a sigh of relief when a lot of them received a notice from Globe saying that they are receiving additional prepaid credits (locally known as "load") because of a "Rewards Promo". Of course, monthly subscribers took this news with a grain of salt -- and some degree of envy. Here's the reaction from a local cellphone enthusiast forum.

But a few days ago, the people who received the free prepaid credits received another notice from Globe saying that there has been a system error and that the amount credited to them will be revoked! So here's what the same people are saying now.

Hmmm... what a way to usher in their new logo huh?

technorati tags:cellphone, telco

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iPhone Unlocked (Really!)

It took a long time coming but it came nonetheless. This was possible through the collective efforts of the people who does not reside in the U.S. but still wants a fully functional iPhone.

The process of using a non-AT&T SIM card on the iphone involves cloning a SIM card, adjusting the IMSI, ICC and Ki number on the cloned SIM and an iPhone that was not activated using the iTunes/AT&T method. (If you are a good "googler", you'll find the detailed procedure on the 'Net).

The process is not for the average Joes out there but then the "seeds" has been sown and its just a matter of time before an idiot-proof way of using the iPhone outside of the U.S. will be available to the general geekdom.

technorati tags:iphone, hackintosh, cellphone

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Ultimate Repurposing: Surgeons Used Cellphones as Operating Room Light

I'm sure a lot of us has done this one way or another: use a cellphone as an emergency flashlight. But this is more extreme -- surgeons in Argentina used the light from cellphone screens to finish an emergency appendix operation!

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) -- The light from the cell phone screens allowed surgeons to complete an emergency appendix operation during a blackout in a city in central Argentina, reports said on Saturday.

Leonardo Molina, 29, was on the operating table on July 21, when the power went out in the Policlinico Juan D. Peron, the main hospital in Villa Mercedes, a small city in San Luis province.

"The generator, which should have been working correctly, didn't work," a hospital spokesman, whose name was not given, told TN television news station.

"The surgeons and anesthetists were in the dark... A family member got some cell phones together from people in the hallway and took them in to provide light," he said.

source: CNN.Com

technorati tags:cellphone, repurposing, lifehack

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Good News for Smartphone-using Globe Subscribers!

ADVISORY

Good news!

Globe is now offering 50% discount on WAP and internet browsing rates! Subscribers will now be charged only Php0.075/KB to access the internet through their phones or using their phones as modem! Promo runs until September 19, 2007.

myGlobe

Good news indeed! With this new rates, checking emails and "emergency web browsing" will be more cost effective. Finally, Globe seems to be wising up a bit... I sure hope they start *really* competing with Smart's Php10/30 minute mobile internet browsing.

technorati tags:cellphone, globe, mobile internet

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Bargain Nokla N95

A seller using the local online auction site Bishot is selling a genuine original Nokla N95 for only Php 10,000 (around $200). According to the auction page:

You are looking to buy a Brand New Nokla N95 phone, Not Nokia N95. NOT ALL NOKLA N95s ARE THE SAME!!! Some have a 1.3MP camera and some have a 2.0MP camera. Etc, etc. They are all different depending upon the supplier--many sellers here do not even know what specs their particular Nokla N95 has. I sell both genuine Nokia and non-branded phones, and there are reasons for buying each. I would like to briefly give the disadvantages and advantages of owning a Nokla instead of a Nokia. Nokla Nokia Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages Touch-screen No GPS Nokia quality Expensive $$$$ Dual sim Does not work in US Works in US No touch-screen Costs much less $$$ 5.0MP camera Only one sim Looks, feels, functions very similar to Nokia The Package includes: Nokla N95 phone-- USB Cable-- Stylus-- Headphones-- Charger-- Owner's Manual-- 2 x Batteries. You will receive EVERYTHING in the pictures, EXACTLY as it is shown. Be confident in knowing what you will get!

I wonder if there is someone who will actually buy this phone?

technorati tags:Nokia, Nokla, fake

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Registration of SIM card buyers proposed

Two senators have filed similar bills calling for the registration of personal information of buyers of SIM (subscriber identity module) cards as a means to curb abuses and prevent crimes involving cell phones.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who earlier proposed a longer jail term of
12-19 years for cell phone snatchers, has filed Senate Bill 289, requiring registration of the personal information of buyers of SIM cards, whether pre-paid or post paid.

Senate Bill 191, filed separately by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, similarly requires SIM card buyers to register information into a database that the telecommunication providers would maintain.

source: gmanews.tv

Finally, the Senators have stopped their pointless "investigations" to file actual bills! I'm sure their measures will not be welcomed by the local telcos since it means additional workload for them but if this bill is passed into law these two gentlemen just proved that they indeed deserve their seats in the Senate.

technorati tags:cellphone, law

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"iPhone Sa Pilipinas"

subtitle: Jesusphone in the Philippines

Free Instant WiFi Access for Nokia E-series Phones (Philippines only)

Basically, if you are a Nokia E-series phone user, you are entitled to a 720 hours (30 full days) of internet access from your device courtesy of AirborneAccess. So, what's the implication of this promo? This means that for 30 days, existing and new E-series users can make use of AirborneAccess hotspots to surf the 'net, send/receive emails, do VOIP calls and other online activities -- for FREE!

technorati tags:wi-fi, nokia, airborneaccess, internet

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Movino: DIY Home Surveillance System?

There is a topic at PhilMUG that discusses the Nokia E61/E61i and that particular thread has been a treasure trove for download junkies like me. One of the recent applications that was mentioned in PhilMUG's E61 thread is Movino.

Movino is a free and open source software that allows iSight-less Macs to use a cellphone's built-in camera as a "mobile" webcam. It is compatible with Skype and other chat clients. This is accomplished by installing the main Movino program to the Mac. Then install the Movino application to a compatible cellphone. Once both programs are running, the movie clip is transmitted to the Mac via BlueTooth. Movino also supports wi-fi but I haven't tried it yet.

Initially, I tried the set up with my Nokia E61i and it worked like a charm! The movie clip that was recorded using Movino even had sound! Then I tried to download and install the Movino Java program to my Moto RAZR V3X and it also worked. The picture from the RAZR was smaller and a bit jerky but it was still viewable.

The movie clip can be routed to a web server on the Mac, allowing it to be viewed from virtually anywhere in cyberspace.

My MacBook already has a built-in iSight so I plan to repurpose my Movino set up as some sort of a security webcam. I rarely use my Moto RAZR V3X and I think I can rig it so I can record whatever's happening in my backyard.

technorati tags:cellphone, apple, macbook, movino, surveillance

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Truphone: Free Voice Calls and SMS to the US and Other Countries

Yup! Free, as in "free beer" -- at least until December 21, 2007.

Anyway, Truphone is a voip service that allows its users to do international calls through wi-fi or 3G. Its client software can be downloaded by texting an international number (a cost worth spending for, IMHO) and once the Truephone servers gets your request, it will send you the Truphone application. As an added "bonus" to the ability to do international calls, users are assigned a US-based phone number.

Truphone works mostly with Nokia handsets and here's a list of the supported phones so far:

• Nokia e61i
• Nokia e65
• Nokia e90
• Nokia e95
• Nokia e60
• Nokia e61
• Nokia e70
• Nokia n80ie
• Nokia n80

According to their website, Truephone is also working on a software that will work with Windows Mobile-based phones.

Oh, and they have a special offer that gives you a $2 credit if you sign up now (whoa! did I just write that? I think I sounded like a telemarketer there...)

technorati tags:cellphone, voip, nokia

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iMate Ultimate: Pre-Empting the iPhone?

i-mate is to unveil the most advanced mobile phone ever seen in the Middle East in September at the annual GITEX show in Dubai - a device 30 times more powerful than Apple's new iPhone, CEO Jim Morrison has exclusively revealed to Arabian Business.

Ultimate "30 times more powerful" than iPhone, claims Morrison | Comms | News | ITP.net

Does a device's "powerful-ness" a guarantee its dominance, performance or even popularity?

Take the Nintendo Wii for example. In terms of sheer processing power and graphical capabilities, Sony PlayStation 3 leaves the Wii in the dust. Despite being more powerful, the Nintendo Wii outsells the Sony PS3. Users of both console admits that despite of having a less powerful processor and graphics engine, Nintendo Wii is more fun to play with.

I can't help but think that Jim Morrison (what a name!) is only riding on the current iPhone frenzy to bring attention to i-mate's "Ultimate" line.

The iPhone will be released in the U.S. in three days and I know that a lot of geeks are frothing in the mouth, waiting for it be be finally be available in the market. I personally know that local techies are also eagerly awaiting its Asia release. Can i-mate say the same about their "Ultimate" line?

technorati tags:cellphone, iPhone, Apple, Windows Mobile

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Stalker Gains Control of a Whole Family's Cellphone

A horror movie come to life | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

Horror story indeed! I bet half my weekly Starbucks that the perp in this stalking case is a tech savvy family member or at least a close family friend.

But seriously, the person who is behind this hi-tech stalking may either be a hacker extraordinaire or simply a family member who has too much time on his/her hands. I mean, I'm in the tech business and I have yet to see a cellphone whose ringtone can be changed remotely without user intervention and as far as my limited techical knowledge is concerned, this can only be accomplished if you have the phone in your hands.

Spoofing phone calls, well that's easier to do if you have the proper equipment and access codes. I heard in one podcast where Woz (Steve Wozniak) talks about how he pulls a prank on his friends my calling them on their cellphones but when this friends look at who is calling, their own numbers will appear on their cellphone screen -- so that means this is possible.

BUT, I still stick to my previous statement, this *may* be a handiwork of a troubled family member/close friend of the family.

technorati tags:cellphone, privacy, hacking

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Mobile Phone Registration Act of 2007(?)

Well, well, well... it seems something happened during the last long Independence Day weekend. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is said to be issuing a draft circular compelling all cellphone importers to register their units with the said agency. This is not a big deal, the big deal is that existing cellphone users are also compelled to register their existing cellphones!

GMANews.tv reports that all cellphones are required to be registered to prevent "terrorism, theft, and robbery, text spams to protect the wider interest of the public". Now, the question is, if a cellphone is used to send a SMS Scam, how can it be traced to a particular cellphone unit?

Wouldn't it be more practical to have the SIM cards registered since it is easier to change SIM cards than to change cellphones? I think this is a boneheaded move by the NTC and they are solving a prevalent problem with the wrong solution... IT IS easier and more practical to register SIM cards -- regular telco subscribers already have their information with the telcos and tracing them is just an SQL query away. The problem here is that most dubious activities on the cellphones are done unsing PREPAID SIM cards and NTC must first move to register all Prepaid SIM card sales in order to curb "terrorism, theft, and robbery, text spams to protect the wider interest of the public".

I'm sure the NTC will have an earful from TXTPower and similar groups on this.

Jabra BT8010: Non-geeky Stereo Headset

A few months ago I had a chance to review a wireless bluetooth stereo headset for Mobile. I loved the freedom of listening to music without wires. However that particular headset was too bulky and made me feel like a Borg whenever I need to walk around.


Now Jabra is releasing a new wireless bluetooth stereo headset that *may* be a bit more wearable than its predecessor... the Jabra BT8010. It is actually a "convertible" setup where a user may use one for doing phone calls, and then connect the other one for listening to music. Costing $149 (around Php 7,500), this gadget is on my wishlist for my next bonus!