Archive for the ‘ICT’ Category
Globe GCash Soon Good for Online Purchases
Globe Telecom's GCash mobile wallet
At the GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Globe Telecom launched a customer strategy for the unbanked — paying for mobile apps and other Web goods through GCash, its internationally acclaimed micro payment service that transforms a mobile phone into a virtual wallet for money transfers at the speed and cost of a text message.
Though the Philippines has over 70 million mobile phone subscribers that have catapulted it as the world’s text messaging capital, its market is traditionally constrained by low credit card ownership that hampers full participation in today’s digital life.
To start off the service, Globe has partnered with Research in Motion (RIM) to allow Globe subscribers using BlackBerry devices to charge purchases for mobile applications from the BlackBerry App World onto their monthly-postpaid bill or prepaid account credits. The new service is expected to roll out in the second quarter this year.
A tie-up with American Express will roll out an online payment solution that will enable Globe subscribers to purchase goods such as electronics, toys, apparel, and many other goods from popular US and UK online sites that accept American Express.
Read more at CRM Innovation
Photo by GSMA MMU at Flickr.com
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Leyte is Most Business-friendly Province in Philippines
Capitol building of Leyte province
President Benigno S. Aquino III awarded Leyte as the most business-friendly LGU (local government unit) or province in the Philippines during an award ceremony held at the Manila Hotel Thursday evening. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also awarded the province a Hall of Fame award for consistently winning the award for the third time.
Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla personally accepted the award. He was accompanied by Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte, and several department heads, in a display of unity and force.
PCCI cited the Leyte’s effort to prepare the province as an IT destination through Leyte ICT Park and the launching of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) that provides initial assistance to starting entrepreneurs in the IT field. The ICT Park has been recognized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
Read more at Philippine Information Agency
Photo by blade842125 at Flickr.com
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A New Social Media Website for the Filipino Community
Home page of PinoyKubo.com
I’m wondering what Canadian company Astraqom, describing themselves as “a world leading provider of online community platforms leveraging IP communications,” is doing playing a “me, too” venture with the Facebook vs. Google+ world of social media networking by coming up with PinoyKubo, its social networking platform beta-tested in June this year. Here are some of the quips I’ve seen so far:
PinoyKubo is home to several online games, Filipino e-cards, chat, blogs, videos and more.
PinoyKubo is a global online meeting place reaching people of the Philippines around the world.
PinoyKubo offers the following applications: Chat, Video Chat, Photo and Video Uploads, Online Games and a lot more!
“The online community’s audience, membership, and market include Filipina and Filipino expatriates, business people and students who are in the Philippines as well as abroad. It also is popular with those who are in a position to develop business with those in the Philippines and those who wish to learn Tagalog or just be immersed in the exciting Philippines world culture.” I do hope it’s not one of those Match.com-wannabes touting “Filipina” (notice that was the first word description talking about membership).
What does it have that Facebook doesn’t have? That should be one of the first few questions that comes into mind. PinoyKubo has an answer:
“You can record your own audio and then save it and load it as message to your friends. You can enjoy a lot of our OPM songs or choose and play with something like 20,000 games. Take a test or make a test. But most people really love how they can draw and write a message literally and send it via the PK chat! Sing-along on the Karaoke! Make friends and have endless chatting, gaming or listening fun.”
PinoyKubo touts groups, too, but it relates it to businesses and organizations becoming popular, or as champions, via sponsorships, ads, partnering options, and special events. Add the phrase “…and be an important part of 2011 and future image and branding.” The list of companies who are taking part in the new Filipino social networking site are Astraqom (obviously, the creators of PinoyKubo), Manuel S. Enverga University, Virtual Phone Line, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular.
There’s an e-commerce component mentioned by PinoyKubo. “Any PinoyKubo member can start and operate his or her own electronic store and sell services and products online. Because of the company’s emphasis on empowering Filipinas and Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad and also those who enjoy the culture, there are no fees for transactions. Payments are made via Paypal.” (Again, the emphasis on Filipinas. Why not use a generic, non-gender term?) Their PR.com publication writes, “The PinoyKubo e-store is available to retail brand names or home hand-crafted items. The PinoyKubo community members do not have to buy their own store website, nor do they have to install anything to get started. With a minimal few minutes of effort, they are up and running with their own stores.” Click here to watch a YouTube video of a demo in setting up an e-store.
Jonathan Sowah is the founder of PinoyKubo and AstraQom. He is reported to say that the PinoyKubo social network’s stores is an effective way to expand entrepreneur and businesses’ reach into the benefits of social media.
TMCNet contributor Rahul Arora writes that with PinoyKubo’s features and tools, the participants can easily meet long-term social and entrepreneurial goals. They can make friends to collaborate with, get appreciated for one’s talents, accomplishments and abilities, and discover and employ new methods and tools to reach social and business (also may be entrepreneurial and financial) goals. But most of what he writes are copied from the Astraqom website.
Let’s summarize. PinoyKubo is:
- Social networking site, like Facebook (photo, links, chats, etc.)
- Online gaming site, like Friendster;
- Blogging site, like Blogger or WordPress;
- Meeting place, maybe like LinkedIn Groups
- e-Cards? Plaxo.com comes to mind
- e-Store, like Multiply
- Video uploads, like YouTube
- Anything else I missed?
PinoyKubo today has about 50,000 members (they call it “friendships”) after three months of beta-testing. They are planning a comprehensive game archive with over 14,000 different games and activities, plus social-oriented ones.
AstraQom Corporation merged with Aon Communications (Canada) Inc. in 2009 and has operations in Ottawa, Montreal, Maniwaki, Toronto, Miami and Mexico City (Mexico). It is a member of the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA).
I salute a Canadian company offering a service for Filipinos, worldwide. I advocate cloud-based applications and social media for the workplace. I’m not much of an online game afficionado but maybe it’s a carrot to the younger generation who are prospective buyers of its e-stores. So, join http://www.PinoyKubo.com and see what a predominantly Filipino market can do for you and your small business.
Sources: Facebook Page | PinoyKubo Info & Fansite | SGE Entrepreneurs | PR.com | TMCNet.com | American Banking & Marketing News
Image of Home Page at PinoyKubo.com
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Qatar Telecom (QTel) may increase stake in Philippines thru Liberty Telecoms
Photo by glenn_almonte at Flickr.com
Qtel may raise its shareholding in the Philippines’ Liberty Telecoms company and is discussing further expansion of the mobile broadband venture with local partner San Miguel Corporation, according to reports from the Reuters news agency.
Qatar’s dominant telco currently has a 32.7% stake in Liberty, while San Miguel holds 33% of the holding company, which is valued on the market at just under US$110 million. Its subsidiary, Liberty Broadcast Networks, operates a WiMax based Wi-Tribe 4G broadband service which launched in February, following similar ventures by Qtel and Saudi Arabia’s A A Tukri Group (Atco) in Jordan and Pakistan.
Read more at Rapid TV News
The Philippine Supreme Court is Joining Twitter and Facebook
Photo from Supreme Court Philippines site
The recent national elections opened the floodgates for Philippine politicians and national and local government units to enter and experiment into the virtual world of online social media networking. Here comes one more unit – the Supreme Court. Can they make the grade in value (of tweets and posts) and consistency in making it a long-term commitment and not like the shortsighted plans of the many?
The court may be accessed by searching for “Supreme Court of the Philippines” in Facebook and KorteSuprema in Twitter.
Source: Nine MSN News
US Anti-outsourcing Bill a Filipino-American Concern
Photo by banggigay at Flickr.com
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The recent anti-outsourcing bill proposed by Senator Charles Schumer is a source of concern for the Filipino American community. The Shcumer bill, places a tax on outsourcing and Filipinos in the U.S. it is going to hurt businesses in the Philippines and give the U.S. a bad image. The bill puts a 25-cent tax on each call made to a call center based outside the U.S. Members of the Filipino-American community traveled to the capital to visit Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Charles Schumer to express their opposition to the bill. A letter from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) to Sen. Schumer said that the proposal is incongruous with the impression of America as a big brother.
The proposal has passed in the House. It is now in the Senate for scrutiny and its primary purpose is to create a disincentive for outsourcing.
Read more at Blogger News Network
Introducing Globe Muzta! for Overseas and Migrant Filipinos
Globe recently launched Globe Muzta!, a new service that’s designed to allow the overseas and migrant Filipino to call and send text messages to family and friends in the Philippines using nominal rates. Much like the common features of Skype, YM and Chikka, PC-to-PC audio and video calls are free as well as PC-to-PC instant messaging or chat. However, calls made to any Philippine mobile or landline number costs P6.50/minute while SMS or text messages sent to any Philippine mobile or landline number is P1.00 each.
This new service also allows Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers to contact your PC through a virtual 817 number assigned to you, at local Philippine rates. There are no registration or monthly fees. You only need to pay for the calls and text-messages you make which is by loading credits to your prepaid account. To load, you can use your credit card, international autoload Max (IAMAX), prepaid call cards and e-PINs. Load expiry ranges from 45 to 120 days, depending on the amount of load, i.e. P100 at 45 days, P500 at 120 days.
You will get to keep your 817 virtual number as long as your account is active. For prepaid accounts, your account will expire if you do not top-up within the required period.
You will need the following minimum requirements:
- A PC running with at least a Pentium 3 processor at 650 MHz
- At least 256 MB RAM
- 200 MB free Hard Disk Space
- Audio support (microphone and speakers or headset)
- A webcam if you plan to use the video calling feature
- Windows XP Service Pack 2
Globe Muzta! works with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. The application to download is about 22 Mb in size.
Source: Globe Muzta!
Amazing Statistics of People Visiting Mini-Philippines Blog
I never realized it that more than half of the visitors to this website or blog have come from people outside the Philippines. According to the stats, “96 different countries have visited this site!”
Thank you all for supporting this site. I’m not after any number of hits for that matter. I’m just having fun doing this in my spare time and sharing what interests me.
Happy Easter and more fun, joy and laughter to all of us this year!
Rafael (Raffy) Pekson II
Makati City, Philippines
Richmond, BC and Montreal, QUE (Canada)
1-877-586-6328 ext. 207
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Best On-demand Hosted Call Center Solution in the Philippines
L-R: Fred Cote, Raffy Pekson II and Chris Persaud
The CEO and COO of KUNNECT recently visited the Philippines to launch its call center technology solutions to the Philippine BPO market. Fred Cote, co-founder and CEO, spoke at the October 12 meeting of the members of the Call Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) in Shangri-La Hotel Makati. Mr. Cote presented KUNNECT as a viable, inexpensive call center solution for immediate operations without the need for costly and time-consuming setup, calling it the “best in its class” of a full suite of call center features and functionality. Together with Mr. Cote were Chris Persaud, COO of KUNNECT, and Raffy Pekson II, the Country Representative of KUNNECT in the Philippines.
Read more at Work and Coffee.
Smart is Buying Chikka.com
Leading wireless provider Smart Communications has agreed to buy 100 percent of Chikka Holdings Ltd., a wireless application service provider that provides instant web-based messaging services.
“The transaction is expected to be closed sometime in late December, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions,” Smart said in a press statement Friday.
Read more at Inquirer.net.
Philippine Cities Cebu, Makati, Quezon City, Mandaluyong in Top Global Outsourcing Lists
Cebu City hits the number one spot in Trendsiff.com’s Top 50 Emerging Global Outsourcing Cities. Shanghai and Beijing cities, both in China, followed Cebu City in the list. Makati City, on the other hand, makes the 8th place in the Top 8 Global Outsourcing Centers. This list includes (from the top) Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, all from India, and Dublin in Ireland.
There are also two Philippine cities that is part of the 2008 Top 50 newly-emerging outsourcing hotspots, namely, Quezon City (21st) and Mandaluyong City (45th).
The studies’ overall ranking are based on the following location assessment categories: scale and quality of workforce, cost, business catalyst, risk profile, infrastructure availability, and quality of life. Also, the “choice city” has now given way to “choice of country.”
The lists are according to a study by CyberMedia’s Global Services and investment advisory firm Tholons.
Reference: Trendsiff.com
All-Filipino Video Site
This website is powered by photo.net.ph and features the best Filipino videos online. From Travel, Adventure, Food, Pinoy TV, Music and even Politics and sports, its aim is to compile the best videos online for every Filipino’s viewing pleasure. This site is all about showing “Pinoy pride” online.
All videos are categorized and arranged by specific keywords, and are also hosted by YouTube. If you want to add your video, you need to contact the website’s operator at info@videos.ph.
Link: Videos.Ph.
Logitech Opens First Brand Store in Philippines
Swiss peripheral products company Logitech recently opened its first brand store in the Philippines at the Cyberzone technology area of SM Megamall. During the opening, Logitech unveiled new products such as new Logitech keyboards, a software for video-call streaming, wireless mouse and a host of others. In the store, customers can actually touch, demo and use their products on display. The brand store is being managed by Villman Computer; however, all products inside the store are for display and demo purposes and possible sales will be referred to Logitech’s sales channel partners in the country.
Source: Philstar.com.
TFC now on mobile in Japan
ABS-CBN’s ‘The Filipino Channel’ (TFC) is bringing the latest news and the best in entertainment to Filipinos in Japan on mobile. TFC subscribers on mobile will now have the chance to be updated with ABS-CBN’s latest news and entertainment scoops, variety shows, drama series, movies and sports events on the palm of their hands through compatible mobile phones within the country.
Read more at abs-cbnnews.com.
Top 10 Emerging Influential Bloggers
Janet Toral, a mainstay in the Philippine internet world, set up a project called the “Top 10 Emerging Influential Bloggers” in the Philippines and around the world. Bloggers who want to join can nominate their top 10 blogs that qualify where an event was staged to announce the Top 10 winners.
Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 won as one of the top winners. Click here to read his article and view his photos of the event.
