Google Maps for iOS Now Ready for Download in the App Store
Finally, the much awaited Google Maps for iOS app is now ready for download in the App Store. The App features voice navigation, local search, Street View, transit & more features waiting for you to discover and use. You can now ditch you Google Maps for iOS shortcut icon that you created before.
Google Maps for iOS
Screenshot of Google Maps for iOS
Google Maps for iOS versus Apple Maps
Apple ditched out Google’s mapping service in the release of iOS 6, the latest version of their mobile operating service. It was replaced by Apple Maps, an internally developed mapping service that features, turn by turn navigation, and flyover data. But just a few days after its release, Apple received plenty of complaints. Most customers complained about the comparatively smaller data in Apple Maps as compared the massive data in Google Maps. Also there are complains about inaccuracy of locations and landmarks.
The issue with Apple Maps has come to a point where Apple has to issue a public apology. It was also rumored that the removal/resignation of several top Apple executives was because of Apple maps fiasco. A recent report also relates how important accuracy is for Apple Maps. In Australia, the inaccurate map data leads the police in the wrong direction.
With this release of Google Maps for iOS, it is expected that many customers will be delighted. Google Maps for iOS is expected to deliver just what Apple customer needs and has been accustomed to. In earlier versions of iOS, Google Maps satisfied them with quantity and quality of map data.
Note: Google Maps for iOS 6 is not yet available in the Philippines
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Categories: Mobile, Software Tags: App Store, Apple, Apple maps, Google, Google Maps, Google Street View, GoogleMaps, iOS, iPhone 5, Turn-by-turn navigation
Reset Your Unfinished Plan and Get Globe iPhone 5
Here’s a nice offer from Globe Telecom that I think make sense and will really attract more people to buy the new iPhone 5. The offer is to enable the existing iPhone user to upgrade to Globe iPhone 5 even though they are still locked up to their earlier iPhone plan. For example, if you avail any of Globe’s iPhone 4S plans last year or even early this year and want to upgrade to get the new iPhone, all you have to do is to renew your plan and you will be able to have the iPhone 5 at a discount. The discount though depends several factors such as the original plan you have, the remaining months left on your original plan and more.
Globe iPhone 5
iPhone 5 Upgrade Calculator
Globe has launched an online calculator to see how much you have to pay to get the iPhone depending your situation. The link to the calculator is here: http://www.globe.com.ph/iphone5-reset-calculator
Globe iPhone 5 Plan Reset Calculator
SMART Versus Globe iPhone 5
Like last year, SMART and Globe is on a head-on collision with respect to the new iPhone 5. Both telcos, being the two largest networks in the country, have set-up truly competitive offers on the celebrated device. Whether it will be a Globe iPhone 5 or SMART iPhone 5 will boil down to what the customer need and how both companies will market their offers to the customers.
Upgrading to iPhone 5
iPhone is still one of the most expensive smartphones in the market today and is generally picked by those who have the money to spend on gadgets that are considered a luxury. Still, there are those who are tech addicts, people who can’t accept being left behind by fast-moving technology. Those people are the ones who are willing to upgrade to newer versions of phones as they arrive. Well, that matter is a personal decision. And if you have the means, what’s the reason for not enjoying your hard-earned money?
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, Technology Tags: Apple, Globe, Globe Telecom, Globe Telecoms, iPhone, iPhone 5, Mobile device, Philippines, Smart, smartphone, Telcos
iPhone 5 Philippines on December 14 – Apple Press Release
Finally, the latest version of the celebrated smartphone is about to come to the Philippines on December 14. Apple Inc, through a press release announced that iPhone 5 will officially be available in the country on the said date. Of course, as you have expected, the device will be made available through Smart and Globe, the two major mobile networks in the country.
Apple iPhone 5 – the biggest and the best iPhone to date.
Globe Starts Registration for iPhone 5
Immediately after the press release, Globe Telecoms begins pre-registration for those interested to buy the iPhone 5. Here’s the link to their webpage: http://iphone5.globe.com.ph/registration/register_1.php
Globe iPhone 5
iPhone 5 SMART Pre-orders
SMART Communications has already started pre-oders of iPhone 5 units. You can register in this link: http://www1.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/iphone5/register
SMART iPhone 5 Pre-order registration
With both telecoms set to offer the device on December 14, we can expect another epic duel of events to be held simultaneously just like what happened last year when Globe and SMART organized their own events in different locations offering iPhone 4S to the excited Filipinos. It was unclear who really won last year, but both events really rocked the nation.
iPhone 5 Philippines Price
Globe has not yet announced prices for the iPhone 5. It will naturally come tied up to a data plan or be sold as locked-up prepaid version.
About iPhone 5
iPhone 5 is the biggest iPhone since the device debuted in 2007. It has a 4-in retina display, a more powerful A6 processor, and comes loaded with iOS 6, Apple’s mobile operating system. The new iPhone also sports a thinner and lighter design, new color schemes black – slate and white-silver and a support for the fast LTE mobile network. The iPhone 5 box also comes with Apple’s new design of EarPods.
For more details, please check this article:
Apple iPhone 5 – Specs, Features, Price and Availability in the Philippines
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines Tags: Apple, Apple Inc., Globe Telecoms, iPhone, iPhone 5, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, Smart, Telcos
iOS 6.0.1 Update Now Available for Download
Apple released today the first update to iOS 6, that is iOS 6.0.1. According to Apple the update contains improvements and fixes to some known bugs.
iOS 6.0.1 Update Improvements
Here is the list of errors fixed in this update:
- Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air
- Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard
- Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off
- Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks
- Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances
- Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match
- Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen
- Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings
As you can see above, majority of the bugs fixed were found in the iPhone.
Apple Maps Update? None
Well, I think many of us is expecting an improvement for the Apple Maps or better yet, if Apple returns to using Google Maps. But no, there’s no such update for the Apple Maps app.
For those not familiar, many customers complained about the new Apple Maps. Serious errors such as missing landmarks, wrongly spelled name of places, entire city disappearing were just some of the errors found. The customer backlash even reached the point where Apple CEO issued a public apology. And rumors has it that the recent ousting of Apple executive Scott Forstall is partly due to his decision with Apple Maps.
The update is 30 to 40 MB (I think it depends on the device) and will just take a few seconds or minutes to download depending on the speed of connection.
How to update to iOS 6.0.1?
You can update via iTunes. Just plug in your device and check for software update. You can also do it over-the-air. Just connect to a WiFi or turn-on your mobile data and go to the Settings App. In the General Setting, tap on the Software Update.
iOS 6.0.1 Over The Air (OTA) Update on an iPad
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Categories: Mobile, Software, Technology Tags: Apple, Apple maps, Apple Software Update, iOS 6, iOS 6.0.1, iPhone 5, Mobile OS
iPhone 5 Philippines: Price and Where to Buy?
Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 last month in a media event in San Francisco, California, USA. The new iPhone features a bigger screen, thinner and lighter aluminum uni-body, a new industrial design, support for 4G LTE connectivity, nano-SIM and more. The phone goes on sale last September 21 in selected countries including US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Appled unveiled today the iPhone 5 – the biggest and the best iPhone to date.
iPhone 5 Availability in the Philippines
iPhone 5 is not yet available in the Philippines. The two major mobile operators in the country – Globe and SMART- were the official distributors of the iPhones in the Philippines. The units sold through them though are locked to their respective networks. It means that iPhone 5 units bought in SMART will only work with SMART SIM cards. The same is true with units sold via Globe.
Last year when iPhone 4S was released, it took more than two months before it reached the country. SMART and Globe held separate events to introduce the most awaited device of that time. So, for this year, we can expect the same. We can expect the iPhone 5 to officially arrive in the country (via SMART and/or Globe) early this December.
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iPhone 5 in Gray Market
Nevertheless, even though the iPhone 5 is not yet here officially, you can still buy it from numerous vendors, both online and offline. Those vendors usually get their units from Hong Kong, where an unlocked version are sold because in Hong Kong, the law prohibits telcos from locking devices. These units were either shipped or carried by hand (if few only). With the cost of transportation and the import taxes, you would understand that the units from them are higher in price.
I checked some online sellers to see how much they are selling the iPhone 5. The cheapest that I saw was a 16 GB unit from a seller in Multiply.com. It costs 39500 Pesos.
iPhone5 available at Multiply.com
Here’s one from ebay.ph.
iPhone 5 Prices in ebay.ph (click to ENLARGE)
And here’s another one from Lazada.com
iPhone 5 Philippines in Lazada.com (click to ENLARGE)
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, Technology Tags: Apple, iPhone 5, iPhone 5 Philippines, smartphone
iPhone 5: Has Apple Lost Its Innovation?
The iPhone 5 is the biggest update to the iPhone since its release in 2007. For the first time, Apple changed the screen size probably because of pressure from Android phones which sports gigantic screens of up to 5.5 inches (Galaxy Note 2). And again, it seems like Apple is just catching up with Samsung, HTC, Motorola and LG in their latest move to support the increasingly becoming popular LTE wireless broadband.
Appled unveiled today the iPhone 5 – the biggest and the best iPhone to date.
Is Apple Still A Leader in Innovation?
Let’s face it, the iPhone 5 is amazing but many feel that it doesn’t have the “wow” factor. The “wow” first came when Apple introduced the iPod in October 2001. The device proved to be revolutionary, disrupting the way we listen to music. The “wow” factor came again just six years after that when Steve Jobs stood before a small crowd in January 2007 Macworld conference and introduced the first iPhone. The crowd went crazy as they saw how Jobs effortlessly swiped through the large multi-touch screen of the iPhone, the first of its kind.Not long after the iPhone revolutionized the phone, in April 2010, Apple made history again by introducing the iPad, the first tablet of its kind. Well, initial reception for the iPad proved to be a little skewed toward the negative but later reviews and user experiences reveals a carefully thought and innovative product. The “wow” didn’t came immediately after the announcement but the sales records echoed it. Year 2010 became the year of the iPad. The next years saw the blossom of the new market of computing devices – the tablets. Other companies followed with their own versions, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Flyer, Motorola Xoom, Amazon Kindle Fire and many more.
Not A Phone
Apple has been a technology leader since the beginning, way back to the days of Apple computers and the Macintosh. Innovation has been the lifeblood of Apple. Well, I agree that the iPhone 5 is far from revolutionary, but I don’t think we can judge Apple’s innovation just by one product. Who knows what product they are working at behind the boundary of the highly secured Cupertino campus? Is it the TV, the radio, or something we haven’t thought of. Remember, when Steve Jobs was asked what market research was done with the iPad, he simply answered, “None. It’s not the consumers’ job to know what they want.” Probably, the next big thing from Apple is not a phone.
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Categories: Mobile, Software, Technology Tags: Apple, Apple Inc., Google, Innovation, iPad, iPhone, iPhone 5, iPod, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Steve Jobs, tablet, Technology
Apple iPhone 5 – Specs, Features, Price and Availability in the Philippines
Apple Inc unveiled today the biggest and probably the best update to the iPhone since its release in 2007: the iPhone 5. Sporting a bigger 4-inch retina display, LTE support, iOS 6 and a new industrial design, this is indeed the biggest iPhone ever!
Here’s a rundown of the iPhone 5 features and technical specs.
Appled unveiled today the iPhone 5 – the biggest and the best iPhone to date.
Bigger Screen. iPhone 5 doesn’t become wider compared to iPhone 4S, it just get taller. The reason is that Apple wants to maintain users comfort when using the phone by one hand. The new iPhone 5 has a screen of 4inches diagonally.
New Design. Thinner and Lighter. iPhone 5 is the thinnest and the lightest iPhone ever with 7.6 mm (iPhone 4S is 9.3 mm) in thickness and 112 grams in weight (20% lighter than iPhone 4S). The new design also sports a dual shade color anodized aluminum uni-body available in black and white models.
A6 Chip. The new A6 chip will deliver the fastest performance while maintaining the same battery capacity as that of the iPhone 4s – up to 10 hours of video playback.
LTE Support and Nano SIM. iPhone 5 supports both LTE and CDMA technologies. With this, the iPhone 5 is ready to support the blazing speed offered by LTE networks. Here in the Philippines, both Globe and SMART have launched their own LTE offerings. The iPhone 5 supports the smaller, nano SIM cards.
Earpods and New Connector. Apple also introduced a new design of earphones and called them EarPods which promises to deliver excellent audio performance that first most ears. The new Lightning connector, a smaller digital connector poised to replace Apple’s 30-pin connectors.
iOS 6. The latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, the iOS 6 is poised to deliver excellent mobile experience by revamping its default apps and the integration of Facebook to its system. As it has been revealed earlier, Apple revamped its mapping system ditching out Google as the data provider. With iOS 6, the iSight camera can now be used to take panoramic shots, a feature that was already offered by Samsung Galaxy lineup. Siri, our beloved assistant is now wiser and more capable than ever.
iPhone 5 Price and Availability in the Philippines
The iPhone 5 will be available in US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK on Friday, September 21, and customers can pre-order their iPhone 5 beginning Friday, September 14. By September 28, the iPhone 5 will be available in 22 additional countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
For the Philippines, I think it would be before the end of this year just like what happened with iPhone 4S. The pricing would be the same as the iPhone 4S. Both Globe and SMART have already hinted that they will be offering the device to the Philippine market.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, Software, Technology Tags: Apple, Apple Inc., Globe Telecoms, iOS, iOS 6, iPhone, iPhone 5, iPhone 5 available Philippines, iPhone 5 Philippines, iSight, Mobile device, Mobile OS, Philippines, Smart, smartphone
iPhone 5? Apple to Unveil the Next iPhone in September 12 Event
Apple has sent invitations to the media Tuesday (US) regarding an event that will be held on September 12, 2012 at Yerba Buena Center, San Franciso. Although not explicitly mentioned, the invitation gave hint at a possible release of the next iPhone, which the media often refers to as iPhone 5.
The invitation shows a big number 12 but casting a shadow of something that looks like 5. See for yourself below:
The Apple event invitation shows hint of the possible release of iPhone 5.
What does the rumor tells us about the next iPhone?
Big Screen (4 inches)
Recently, there’s a strong rumor that iPhone 5 will sport a bigger screen. In my opinion, this move is logical since Apple’s main competitor in the smartphone market, Samsung Mobile has already released dozens of smartphones which gigantic screen. The Galaxy line for instance sports screen sizes of as big as 5.5 inches (Galaxy Note 2). Other phone manufacturers such as HTC and Motorola follows a similar move.
Smaller Dock Connector, Thinner Uni-body Aluminum Case
Photos of rumored iPhone 5 reveals a smaller dock connector, a thinner uni-body aluminum case. The thinner aluminum might compensate for the increase in the phone size and maintain the current weight of iPhone.
LTE Support and Nano SIM
Rumor also says that iPhone 5 will be the first to use the so called nanoSIM, smaller than the current microSIM used in iPhone 4S. The purpose of which is to conserve space inside the already jam packed smartphone design.
Even before the release of iPhone 4S, people have been expecting Apple to support the increasingly becoming popular 4G LTE wireless technology. Many are unsatisfied that iPhone 4S just support up to 14.4 Mbps of data transfer (3G HSDPA). If Apple will indeed finally support the faster LTE network, then it would be a huge leap for many.
iPhone 4S Availability in the Philippines
Now that the two largest mobile network company in the country (SMART and Globe) selling iPhones in the Philippines, it would be good that Apple make the device a little earlier. Last year, it took more than two months before the celebrated device officially entered the Philippine market. I hope, this time it would be much earlier.
When it comes to price, I think Apple won’t break its tradition of keeping the price of the iPhone series while lowering the prices of the previous models. If that holds true then the prepaid 16GB iPhone 5 will likely be priced at 33, 200 Pesos.
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Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price Tags: 4G Wireless, Apple, Apple Inc., Globe Telecoms, iPhone, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, LTE, Smart, smartphone
iPhone 5 $800 Rumor Spreads like Wildfire in Twitter
Will the iPhone 5 cost $800? That’s too bad for many consumer who used to pay iPhones way way less than that when subsidized by mobile carriers that offer the device. But anyway, that was just a rumor that broke out in Twitter a few hours ago. The topic “iPhone 5 $800″ is still trending in Twitter Philippines until the time of writing this article.
iPhone 5 $800 on trending in Twitter Philippines
800 USD for an iPhone 5 Possible
Well, actually, 800 US Dollars for an iPhone is not surprising, but it should be sold as open-line, not subsidized by the carrier, and of course, free from contract-bound lock-in period. Here in the Philippines, SMART Communications is selling the iPhone 4S at 33,200 pesos if cashed out, almost exactly equivalent to $800 at the current exchange rate.
The new iPhone 4S
iPhone 5 this September 12
According to rumors that spread in the internet, Apple will be holding a media event this September 12, 2012 wherein the company plans to announce the next version of their most successful device- the iPhone 5. But as early as today, leaked photos of supposedly iPhone 5 prototypes have surfaced. The photos indicates that the screen will be bigger, the unit will be thinner and Apple will introduce a new color shade, Gray. Well, rumors will remain rumors until the actual event will be held, so stay on.
Categories: Internet, Mobile, price, social network, Technology Tags: Apple, Apple Inc., iPhone, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5 $800, Mobile device, Philippines, Smart, Smartphones, Twitter
Apple Unveils iPhone 4S – Specs, Price and Availability in the Philippines
At the media event on its campus, Apple Inc announced today iPhone 4S boasting the the following features and features:
- Dual Core A5 Processor
- faster HSDPA downloads (up to 14.4 Mbps)
- New 8MP Camera (1080p HD video capture)
- New 64 GB model
-Voice commands (Siri Assistant)
- Comes loaded with iOS 5 with over 200 new features
The new iPhone 4S featuring A5 chip, 8MP Camera, and Siri Assistant
Pricing and Availablity
The iPhone 4S will be available in the US on October 14 but pre-order will start Friday, October 7, 2011.
I expect that the iPhone 4S will only be available via Globe Telecoms, the official carrier of iPhones in the Philippines. As for the price, the iPhone 4S will be much similar to the price of its predecessor, the iPhone 4.
The iPhone 4S announcement only mentioned the US release but just as the previous iPhone versions, we can assume that iPhone 4S will be released a few months later. For thousand of Filipino Apple fans, the wait may take a little longer as usual.
Categories: Mobile, Philippines, price, Technology Tags: Apple, Apple Inc., iOS, iPhone, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, Mobile device, Philippines, Smartphones
