Tags: Mobile Phone Industry, Telecommunications
By Alexander Villafania
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA – Smart Communications re-entered into the smartphone foray with the recent announcement of the Netphone, a mobile communications device running Google’s Android operating system.
The company introduced the device at the 3GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. This would be Smart’s second announcement within weeks of a smartphone running the Android OS, the first being the Huawei Ideos.
Other than running the Android 2.2 “Froyo” version, the telecom firm is yet to announce technical specifications and pricing of the Netphone.
Smart also did indicate whether the Netphone would have WiFi or connect via cellular though it would highly likely to do so as most devices of its type have Wifi features.
A photo provided by Smart shows a full-touch screen phone. The screen could be around 3.2 inches in size, as with most Android-powered phone models. The back of the phone features a 3.2 megapixel camera without a flash.
Smart said the Netphone should provide simultaneous connectivity to a number of social networking services, including Facebook and Twitter. Apparently, Smart would be deploying applications specific to the Netphone.
In a previous interview, Gio Bacareza, Smart’s head for Broadband Internet and Data Services, announced that the company was looking to create an application marketplace for mobile devices. This was indicated when Smart joined the Wholesale Application Community (WAC).
Meanwhile, Smart President and CEO Napoleon Nazareno said that the Netphone should open new revenue streams for the company while offering lower-priced smartphones to a largely low-tier mobile phone market.
This would be the second smartphone offered under the Smart brand, the first being the original Smart Amazing Phone in 2003, which was powered by an older generation Windows Mobile operating system.
Likewise, Smart’s parent firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) last year launched an Android tablet PC called the Telpad, which can be connected to the Internet via Wifi or through a cradle that also servs as a handset.
(Photo courtesy of Smart Communications)
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RP telecoms can increase revenues via data services, says Ovum
Filipino company unveils Google Android-based Web TV
A Filipino-branded Windows smartphone for less than P10, 000
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