C-Section Comics came up with this matrix of how smartphone users see each other. Pretty accurate if you ask me. Interesting to note that Nokia is not included. It seems it has lost relevance in the smartphone space.
Globe Subscriber Discrimination
Yesterday, I got reminded again how much I dislike Globe. I was trying to find a less expensive way of going online and I saw SUPERSURF 50. Unlimited Internet for a whole day for P50. I tried registering for it. Prepaid only. I tried the next one SUPERSURF 220, unlimited Internet for 5 days for P220. No luck, also prepaid only. Do I try SUPERSURF 1200, unlimited Internet for 1 month for P1200? No, I just need one day. Clearly there is an intentional discrimination against postpaid subscribers.
Almost to the day last year, I found out that roaming charges for prepaid is less than that for postpaid. At least that’s how I was charged. There are published rates for prepaid on their website, but there is none for postpaid. The CSR I talked to said it is dependent on the International partner. Some may have higher charges, and some may be lower. Still, prepaid would still depend on those same partners, don’t they?
It’s funny since Globe keeps insisting that they are leading in postpaid subscribers. Maybe right now it’s unclear who really is leading. But what is clear is that just a few years ago, Globe was definitely leading. Now it’s not so clear anymore. And the way Globe is doing things, it clearly won’t be.
Joining The Side Of The Light
Now that’s a rather ungainly title. The dark side would be Microsoft. The side of the light would be Apple: somehow it evokes images of a supposedly utopian society, open, clean, orderly, and full of happy, contented people. But under the surface is a dark and sinister truth: Steve Job’s and his infamous reality distortion field. Those under its spell goes where he wants them to go and want what he wants them to want.
This is quite ironic since Apple’s famous ad “1984” portrays Apple as the liberator from a controlling entity representing supposedly IBM and, later, Microsoft. The ad is based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell. In the novel, Oceania is totalitarian state whose government controls the speech, actions, and thoughts of its subjects. The ruler of Oceania is the dictatorial Big Brother. These days, Apple is more and more like the Oceania government and Steve Jobs Big Brother.
Still, it’s undeniable that Apple pulled off a mean feat with the iPhone. Apps is is now an everyday word and the millions and millions of users presents a very compelling argument for developing them. Of course, users buy only apps Apple wants them to buy. What is available on the App Store is tightly controlled by Apple. But hey, just develop what Apple wants you to develop!
Unfortunately, you need a Mac to develop for the iPhone. So today, I pulled the trigger on a 13-inch MacBook Pro. I chose it over the slightly less expensive MacBook because of the faster processor, bigger RAM (4GB!), and, of course, the aluminum unibody (call it higher-end-in-an-egalitarian-society look). Plus I still have the capability to develop Android apps. I can even play games (that’s the key thing)!
And so begins my journey to the Apple dystopia and hopefully towards becoming an iPhone developer. But first, Starcraft II!
Wherefore Art Thou Samsung Galaxy S?
Globe supposedly has the exclusive right to sell the Samsung Galaxy S but I’ve been to several Globe business centers and I haven’t seen one. One business center told me it’s not in stock. Another told me it’s on reservation basis with a possibility of delivery in 1-2 months (vs the Apple iPhone 4’s 1-2 weeks). Yet another told me it has been phased out. What is the story really? I wonder if Globe was required by Apple to sell so many iPhone 4s that they’ve decided to curtail sales of its most potent competitor.
Nokia N8 First Impression
Had the chance to play around with a Nokia N8 display unit. Build is very good. The body is mainly made of anodized aluminum. It’s not stainless steel but it’s reasonably tough. The display is covered with Gorilla glass so it should also be tough. Even the plastic ends and port covers seems to be of a durable material. No flimsy rubber here like that on the E51. It comes in many colors but no black. Only a watered down dark gray.
The camera is great. The main selling point of the N series has always been the camera and it doesn’t disappoint. The lens is Carl Zeiss and it has a Xenon flash. It is good for general purpose shots and even has macro. The shutter is a two-stage focus then shoot button. It also takes 720p video at 25fps. There’s supposedly a hack out there that makes this 30fps. The trade-off is that the camera module is quite big and significantly protrudes from the back.