General

Microsoft <3 Nokia

By on Wednesday, September 4, 2013

So Microsoft has acquired Nokia. There are even talks of Elop being chairman once Ballmer bows out. The case has come full circle: Elop has gone from Microsoft to Nokia to Microsoft. And bringing along Nokia to boot.

Now Microsoft will find itself in the same position as Google when the latter acquired Motorola. Now that Microsoft will own Nokia, will it be giving preferential treatment? Even more than their previous “special” relationship? Will it be able to avoid doing that? This is probably something all of Microsoft’s Windows Phone partners are thinking. But then, how many are there? So maybe that doesn’t really matter.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has a rather poor performance with hardware. Yes there’s the XBox and… XBox. And there are dismal failures like the MSX, Tablet PC, Zune, Kin, Slate, Surface… Will Elop and Nokia be bringing in something new? But then their track record for the past 3 years wasn’t great either.

Maybe they were just sticking to a scripted plan. Microsoft. Nokia. Microsoft.

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General

Chat Apps Are Not The Competition

By on Sunday, September 1, 2013

Saw this article at E27. Basically, Globe, or at least its consumer services, is saying that messaging systems based on data (such as LINE, WhatsApp, Viber, etc) is not the competitor of carriers. And that would be correct. Mobile carriers traditionally offer voice, SMS, and data. On top of these basic services is a whole world of additional services. Globe is stating that they are competing on these services via price innovation (if you can call it that) and not on additional services such as messaging systems. Not on technology innovation. Clearly Globe is stating that it is a mere mobile carrier period. Not a communication company, not a technology company. No wonder GLO, although relatively high, is so unexciting.

 

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General

A Terrible Globe Experience

By on Saturday, August 31, 2013

I have a Globe Tattoo Superstick plan (plan 1299). It came with amortization for device (Huawei E-5) factored in. The device was the difference between plan 1299 and the cheaper plan 999. I inquired back then if I could change from plan 1299 to plan 999 once the 24-month lock-in period is done. The answer was affirmative. So I signed up.

That lock-in period was finally done a few months back. A few days ago, I called Globe to request the change to plan 999 or whatever is equivalent now. Here’s what happened:

  1. I called the Globe call center and talked to a CSR regarding my request. There were a lot of times I was being put on hold after I ask something. I could almost picture the CSR talking to a colleague and/or frantically paging through a reference. Eventually, I got forwarded to another group.
  2. The new CSR said they don’t handle my account and got forwarded back to the first group. Didn’t the first CSR know who handles my account?
  3. The new CSR said such requests are handled by Globe centers. Nice.
  4. Today, I walk into a Globe center. I asked around and was told to call since such requests are handled by the call center!
  5. I called using the in-house phone. After more of the talk-and-hold routine, I was told such requested are handled by Globe centers. Not again!
  6. I talked to the person who seems to be in charge at the Globe center. After some discussion, I was told such request are really handled by Globe centers. She said something to the effect that CSRs may not be fully knowledgeable and when that happens, I am to get the name and give to her.
  7. I called again using the in-house phone. After more talk-and-hold and being put on hold for the nth time, I put down the phone and stormed off to get lunch.
  8. After lunch and when I got back home, I called the Globe center again. After the more of the usual talk-and-hold routine, I finally simplified my request to “just switch me to plan 999”. That did it pretty quick.

Total time wasted: 2-3 hours. Globe definitely needs to improve their call center CSR training. And what’s with not handling customer requests in person at the Globe center? Is that part of cost-cutting? Not good.

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General

Million People March

By on Tuesday, August 27, 2013

millionpeoplemarch

Paul, Ann, and I (representing also Michelle and Jeanne) joined the Million People March at Rizal Park yesterday. It was a good rally. Despite no single group claiming ownership of the event, it turned out to be well organized. It was not really a rally in the traditional sense. There were political groups in certain allocated areas but generally it’s was apolitical and more a gathering of people with a common goal: the abolition of the pork barrel and the way is is used stolen. not just the PDAF. The atmosphere was relaxed, even festive. There was no fear of a dispersal. Which is good. It means there’s progress in our fledgling (still, after all these years) democracy. Even the weather was kind. There was some rain early on but it quickly stopped while the clouds stayed around providing a cool shade for everyone.

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General

La Migliore Offerta (The Best Offer)

By on Sunday, August 25, 2013

lamiglioreoffertaLa Migliore Offerta (original title) by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, is an interesting film to say the least and I definitely wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone. Set against the streets, cafes, and auction houses of charming-as-always Europe, Geoffrey Rush is an eccentric art auctioneer Virgil Oldman. By eccentric, it means I’m saying he’s rich and not poor. If he were, then he would be a loon :P

Virgil has a nifty sideline going on where he assesses and undervalues works of arts that he covets, and have his conspirator bid for it. He also filches bits and pieces of stuff from his clients. So he is arrogant, prickly, and terribly dishonest. Yet he’s charming and somehow likeable. Maybe it’s those delicious lines he delivers.

One day, Virgil is contacted by a wealthy heiress named Claire who seeks to auction off and dispose of her recently deceased parent’s stuff. Claire suffers from some phobia where she not only doesn’t want to go in the open, but doesn’t want to be with people at all. Thus, they conducted business through a wall. At first, the two didn’t get well along but eventually they got along and into a more than just professional relationship (hint: involves activities with less and less clothes on).

The cynic, like myself, would think that a young woman being interested in an old man like Virgil would be all about the money. And yet, Virgil, maybe because of his inexperience with women, actually believes her. Personally, it was already stretching it when Claire started showing that hint of an interest in Virgil. But hey, maybe it’s her eccentricity, yeah?

It is a good film to watch. Better than good if you are less cynical.

Rating: 4/5.

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