Today, I got to see and check out the iPhone 3G which will be released by Globe Telecom to the public tomorrow (August 22). I took tons of pictures and played with the device for a while. Here are my first impressions:
Blogging this live from the Shang for the media launching of Globe’s iPhone 3G in the Philippines. Took a bunch of photos below:
Globe added a Globe MyServices app inside the iPhone. It can be accessed via Safari’s bookmarks (as myGlobe Internet). This will be used to activate your iPhone 3G — enter your mobile number and you will eb sent an SMS for the PIN.
The myGlobe Internet app also allows you to login to your Globe Postpaid account to check your balance and usage. You can also switch between time-based charging to KB-based charging using the app. This can be done on all prepaid and postpaid plans of the iPhone 3G.
Globe is coordinating with Apple to introduce the iTunes store in the Philippines. The device itself is a little thicker than the 1st gen iPhone but since it’s curved at the back, it might look thinner. Apple has expanded the number of antennas to 10 from the previous 6, which is why the curved back side.
Likewise, executives confirm that the reason for discontinuing unlimited Globe Visibility is because of excessive use of a few customers hoarding bandwidth of the 3G network (mainly for P2P activities). I suggested several ways to curb this and they say they’re exploring their options.
As of today, there are thousands of subscribers that have reserved the iPhone 3G. They cannot share exact figures but it’s between 1,000 and 10,000 units. Subscribers can opt to get their iPhone 3G tonight at midnight, deliver it to their doorsteps by midnight or get it at one of the Globe Service Centers.
The iPhone is a real smudge-magnet — fingerprints all over the face and back cover.
At the Globe MyServices, customers can download various stuff from InfoTxt, to RingBack tones and wallpapers for a corresponding fee. Ringtones are not included since those will have to go thru the iTunes store.
The built-in speakers are loud enough that you can put it down the table and use the phone clearly (minus ambient noise).
Important to note: If you bought an iPhone 3G outside the country and bring it to the Philippines to use with a Globe SIM, it will not work. Several customers have approached Globe to have their phones unlocked to no avail. Apple made sure of this so there will be no inter-country provider exchanges.
There are lots of information that Globe is contractually oblige not to disclose to media or the public, typical of Apple.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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jhe says:
theres no problem of unlocking iphone with locked to network carriers because i already jailbreak & unlock my iphone 3G bought in japan with softbank carrier. if your on another country & wish to bring your iphone, then you can unlock it by yourself as long as you still have the network carriers? you can try to check it out this site, http://www.iphonefirmware.com/firmwar. you can download all the things you need to jailbreak & unlock your iphone 3G via Cydia using yellow sn0w.
paulo says:
hey there. i’ve heard, apple had just shed 100US$ off the iphone 3g price. its at 5000Php na lang yata. would that be available in the phils na din? because if it would be, i’d gladly buy 5units..hahaha!
tagal pa yata yun. i heard naka-lock siya sa AT&T. boo!
anyone got details?
Valhalla says:
I’m Selling my Iphone 3G 16GB sealed in box from globe telecoms. for only 38T.
I got this as a platinum reward from globe and no plan of using it because i’m already contented in using my N95
you can text me at 091559*****
Chris says:
bought mine in HK. just got back from china and am using a globe sim. tried smart pero mahina signal. this is globally unlocked btw, so magagamit ko kht san..price? mahal lang but worth it. cheers!
estatiktik says:
hello yuga…ano po ba ung recommended casing nung iphone 3g?, at saan makaabili?…
anu ginagamit mu?…:P
i want to get the invisibleSHIELD…may bumebenta ba nun dito sa manila?…
thanks….
cuapao says:
-GlobeUno-
thanks for the info. i’m still waiting for the call. hope they’ll call tomorrow. :D
GlobeUno says:
TIP: If you want an iPhone right now get a new line from a Businesss Center. IF you go to a BC and there is no stock, go to a lesser known one, worst case a provincial BC :)
GlobeUno says:
To those saying that there were no stocks of iPhones that is not true. ALL Business centers nationwide were provided stocks the day before the launch. Aside from that some select dealers and agents were also given stocks.
If you were told that there is none, it only means that the launch stock was wiped out fast in that BC, because it was prioritized to earlier reservations or higher plans. Now they are waiting in line to get a new batch again from Apple.
The launch stock is nearly wiped out nationwide.
They are selling FAST! especially the black 16gb, for some reason.
this info is very reliable, check my name :)
cocoie says:
iPhone 3G is awesome…kaya lang awesome din ang presyo.. san kaya may raffle promo?
Abe Olandres says:
@JE, I already got one.
@Rom, nice chatting with you guys too. And yeah, was able to make it to my car.
Rom says:
Abe, nice seeing you at Circles and at the Globe iPhone Launch. Hope you got your iPhone (and saved your car on time). :)
juan says:
“If you bought an iPhone 3G outside the country and bring it to the Philippines to use with a Globe SIM, it will not work. Several customers have approached Globe to have their phones unlocked to no avail”
di kaya ng globe dahil sa technicalities. pero di porke di kaya ng globe wala ng iba pde gumawa. just search for jailbreak, pwnage. lots of tools available. mahirap ata tanggapin porke’t sinabi ng apple e tatanggapin na lang na ganun. ;)
noemi says:
am getting mine a week from now. Too lazy to get it during the launch.
Fluff says:
i will be getting my iphone on august 25th from globe. new lines get the phone earlier. while my gf getting it thru loyalty program will take longer. she will be receiving it on september 1. we reserved the phone early around august 10th. not sure if alot of people purchase iphone when i ask a representative from the business center he just smiled. looks like not alot ;p
Juvenile Economist says:
Yuga, will you be getting an iPhone? Just curious.
As for me, I’d rather go for a Samsung Omnia or a Nokia E90. If only they ran on an OS as beautiful as the iPhone’s. Symbian and Windows Mobile OS’s are butt ugly. hehe
http://musingsofayoungeconomist.co.cc
Gwapito.com says:
“There are lots of information that Globe is contractually oblige not to disclose to media or the public, typical of Apple.”
– including the overheating and exploding iPods.
Dyimz says:
Sugoi! Nice pics!
scatterhaiku says:
thanks for the pictures. :) it’s one thing to read reviews online, quite another to see pictures of a device actually in the country…
cuapao says:
i phoned globe a while ago. they said that there are only several business centers that has the iphone 3g ready for pick up by tomorrow. ONLY SEVERAL. some might even take a month “daw” for them to get the iphone delivered in the business centers. i dont know why. but yeah that sucks. i’m still waiting for the business center in alabang town center to phone my mom regarding the pick up date of my iphone wheather imma go pick it up tomorrow or some other day. tsk. but nevertheless i’m still assured because i was able to get a reservation. the only thing is, i wont be able to get it by tomorrow (i think). :D
BrianB says:
Abe, nice story I sent to your comments section.
BrianB says:
Cute iPhone 3G makers takes pics of herself for new owners. Did she get fired?
http://www.pmptoday.com/2008/08/21/iphone-factory-girl-says-hi-to-new-iphone-3g-owners/
Abe Olandres says:
Was the first one to arrive and took shots of half a dozen iPhone 3Gs.
BrianB says:
Exclusive pics?
Anyway, dapat two-year warranty or something and may option na pwedeng palitan nang bagong iPhone after a year. What do you think guys?
jhay says:
Not really keen on getting an iPhone but I’m really after iTunes store becoming available here in the Philippines. :D
Christian Cabuay says:
I’ve had mine for about a month and have incorporated it into my daily life. The best thing about it is the apps. The worst is the battery life, system speed and 3G speed.
kim says:
the best way to get a 3G unlocked is to get a 3g iphone sim unlocker. (a version of turbo sim that emulates an unlocked sim that works with 3G phones). I’ve had my iphone 3G unlocked for a few weeks now.
I got my sim unlocker from brando in hongkong (google mobile brando 3g sim)
McBilly says:
“If you bought an iPhone 3G outside the country and bring it to the Philippines to use with a Globe SIM, it will not work. Several customers have approached Globe to have their phones unlocked to no avail.”
Holy crap. That hurts! Well, I guess that’s what the exclusive deal with Apple is for.
Roxanne says:
I bought an iPhone 3G few days ago. Too bad I can’t use it in the Philippines. Thanks for the pictures, I’m pretty sure lots of bloggers appreciate your updates. We both have the same impression of iPhone 3G.