by Edgard Hilario
Globe Telecom and Apple’s iPhone started the dance in 2008 when mobile experience was just beginning to excite, creating a fad which turned into a race to bring to as many Filipinos the true meaning of innovation. In a span of five years, that monumental date blossomed into a match-made-in-heaven setup that had millions of Globe subscribers feeling the love of blissful connectivity and thrill of mobile technology.
And theirs is a love affair that continues to go strong — in all aspects.
In 2007, the Manila Bulletin brought first-ever iPhone to the country with TechNews editor Art Samaniego, Jr. sort of played Cupid when he used a Globe SIM in taking the then world’s most exciting device for a spin. All of MB’s first iPhone purchases got Globe in them.
In August 2008, Globe exclusively launched the Apple iPhone 3G in the country — their first date and historic for the country — and the spark resulted to various offers for postpaid and prepaid plans. With its fast 3G wireless technology, the iPhone 3G proved to be a perfect match for the constantly innovating telecom company. Filipinos got the best browsing experience on iPhone through Globe’s 3G/HSDPA network.
Globe Telecom provided a Christmas in February 2009 when it reduced the price of iPhone 3G by P4000 with the purchase of an 8GB or 16GB iPhone 3G prepaid kit. The new pricing made iPhone 3G even more affordable in the Philippines with the 8GB version costing just P33,599 and the 16GB version at P39,799.
In July of the same year, Globe launched the much-awaited iPhone 3GS, being its exclusive telecom carrier once again. The new iPhone 3GS features faster performance, a video camera, voice cotrol, and GPS maps with compass. Comparing it to the previous iPhone, its battery life has been improved by 40-50% longer (up to 5 hours 3G talk time, 9 hours of WiFi , and 10 hours on video playback). Available in black and white, the 3GS came in 6GB and 32GB worth of space. It was the ultimate gadget, with so many iPhone applications readily available, and users can customized their iPhone to fit their lifestyle. Globe offered the iPhone 3GS in regular postpaid plans and prepaid kits.
Sustaining a winning run, Globe Telecom launched iPhone 4, the thinnest smartphone in the world with the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, in the Philippines in 2010. Again, with best deals both in postpaid and prepaid plans.
“Customers will enjoy a superior mobile experience with iPhone 4 on Globe’s high-quality network and wide array of fully customizable plans,” said Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu. The iPhone 4 features FaceTime, which makes the dream of video calling a reality, and Apple’s stunning new Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, resulting in super crisp text, images and video.
Then in December 2011, Globe Telecom launched the iPhone 4s, further making available the complete array of Apple mobile devices—from the iPhone 3GS to the iPad2—bundled with innovative plans. “Apple has been our strong partner since 2008 and this relationship has allowed Globe to provide our customers with the best deals for the complete Apple product portfolio. Backed by several years of experience in handling Apple mobile devices, Globe is better-equipped to deal with the specific needs that face iPhone users, particularly in mobile data. We have developed offers and services that cater to the mobile browsing habits of a wide variety of consumers,” Cu said.
The iPhone 4s is packed with incredible new features including Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4s has a reworked cellular architecture complete with dual-mode HSPA+ and CDMA2000 compatibility, making it a world-phone device.“iPhone 4s works in perfect sync with the 4G mobile technology of Globe. We were the first to roll-out HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) to our cell sites and base stations in the country, realizing early on that more and more mobile consumer devices would work on this technology. And as we continue to fast-track our network transformation program, future-proofed and capable of using 4G technologies like long-term evolution (LTE), our customers are in for a better mobile experience,” added Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business of Globe Telecom.
Before 2011 ended, Globe Telecom launched exclusive perks for its valued subscribers, which include unlimited access to mobile internet browsing. Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III became the first subscriber to receive his iPhone 4s from Globe as his loyalty reward.
“iPhone users love to use their iPhone so they deserve a plan that will allow them to enjoy their device with no restrictions,” said Bithos. “For as low as Plan 999, Globe subscribers can take advantage of the unlimited mobile surfing package – something that only Globe can provide.”
Looking further ahead, Globe Telecom offered the new Nano-SIMs in Globe Stores in 2012. “Once again, Globe pioneers in bringing the latest technologies to Filipino mobile phone users as we offer the revolutionary Nano-SIMs in our Globe Stores with the availability of newer smartphone models using this type of SIM.”
And true enough, something big came up.
Globe Telecom officially launched the iPhone 5 with its suite of compelling offers and exclusive privileges for the best iPhone experience like no other. The iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology—all while delivering even better battery life. iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.
Also in 2012, Globe offered the “Reset” program which allows subscribers to renew or extend their existing account to get the device at a discount. This means that if a subscriber’s 24-month contract is still not up for renewal to get a new device, a corresponding “reset fee” can be settled to get the iPhone 5 under the same postpaid line.
This 2013, Globe Telecom announced it will offer iPhone 5s, the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, and iPhone 5c, the most colorful iPhone yet, to customers beginning November 15, 2013.
For this year’s launch, subscribers can avail of yet another innovative iPhone offer, the Globe iPhone Forever, an exclusive upgrade program open to new and existing postpaid customers that enables them to swap their current devices with an iPhone 5c oriPhone 5s, allowing them to get a new iPhone every year for free or with minimal cashout. To know more about iPhone Forever, visit www.globe.com.ph/iphoneforever.
With all its innovative offers through the years, Globe has indeed proven that aside from being the leader in postpaid, it has grown to become the iPhone expert with its long-standing partnership with Apple, establishing its legacy in carrying the iPhone — since forever.
The iPhone Evolution
iPhone1
It was the first generation iPhone that Apple Inc. revealed in 2007. It became a constant source in terms of communication, entertainment and connectivity. It obtains good graphical user interface on a touch screen and features quad-band GSM cellular connectivity with GPRS and EDGE support for data transfer.
iPhone 3G
It was the 2nd generation of iPhone. It includes several new hardware features such as Assisted GPS, 3G data and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA. Its software has improved with iPhone OS 2.0 and introduced other exciting features like Push email and turn-by turn navigation. It also launched the Apple’s new distribution platform for third-party applications, the App Store.
The third generation iPhone and successor to the iPhone 3G. It has a 3.2-megapixel camera with higher resolution and video ability. It features interface control elements consist of sliders, switches, and buttons. It uses internal accelerometers in order for some applications to respond to shaking the device. (switching from portrait to landscape mode.)
It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It was announced on June 7, 2010, at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2010, held at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, and was released on June 24, 2010.
iPhone 4 runs Apple’s iOS operating system, the same operating system as used on prior iPhones, the iPad, and the iPod Touch. It is mainly controlled by a user’s fingertips on the multi-touch display. It is particularly marketed for video calling (marketed by Apple as FaceTime), consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music and for general web and email access.
iPhone 4s
The time it was launched, it was declared as the “most amazing phone yet”. Succeeding the iPhone 4 and preceding the iPhone 5. It is the fifth generation of the iPhone. The Apple A5 chipset was upgraded and an eight-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording.
It introduced features including iCloud, iMessage, Notification Center, reminders, and Twitter integration. Includes a 4s-exclusive intelligent personal assistant called Siri that was included in future generations of mobile Apple products.
iPhone 5
Features a big design changes compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 4s. It was thinner and lighter than previous models and included an aluminum-based body. It has taller screen with a nearly 16:9 aspect ratio. Comprises a new compact dock connector that replaces the 30-pin design. It also has Apple A6 system-on-chip, LTE support and Lightning.
iPhone 5c
Apple went color-crazy for the iPhone 5c which comes in white, pink, blue, yellow, green. Created with A6 chip. 8MP iSight camera. 4-inch Retina display, amonmg others, it is billed as an ultrafast LTE wireless device. Add iOS 7 and 5c provides a new and unique iPhone experience.
iPhone 5s
Deviating from tradition, Apple offers the iPhone 5s in three elegant expressions of gold, silver, and space gray. Introduced here for the first time is Touch ID — a new fingerprint identity sensor that makes powering on faster, easier, and a little futuristic.
Top features of the iPhone 5s:
- A7 chip with 64-bit architecture
- M7 motion coprocessor
- 8 megapixels with 1.5µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- True Tone flash
- Backside illumination sensor
- Five-element lens
- Hybrid IR filter
- 1080p HD video recording
- True Tone flash
- Slo-mo video
- Improved video stabilization
- 1.2MP photos (1280 by 960)
- 720p HD video recording
- Backside illumination sensor
iPhone Facts
- Apple wasn’t the first to use the name, “iPhone”. A few days before the big announcement, Cisco announced their “iPhone” device. The issue went into lawsuit and both companies settled on using the “iPhone” name. Eventually Apple acquired the trademark for its own.
- The icon of the Artist in the Music function of the iPhone resembles Bono, lead singer of the band, U2. Bono is a longtime Apple user.
- Jailbreaking an iPhone required a program called Cydia. Cydia is the scientific name of the Coddling Moth, which is the worm found inside apples.
- An iPhone has 200 patents and 156 suppliers across three continents.
- The most expensive iPhone product was a customization from Stuart Hughes, selling an iPhone 5 Black Diamond for $15-million.
- The most expensive part of the iPhone 4 is the Retina Display, which costs $28.50.
- The iPhone’s codename was “Purple”. And while Apple employees spent countless hours working on the device, they have renamed their office as the “Purple Dorm” with a poster about Fight Club’s first rule.
- iPhone’s processors are made by Samsung.
- Five years since the original release, iPhone is available in over 100 countries.
- Popular science-fiction author, Isaac Asinov, claimed that by 2014 we would have devices that feature the same functionality as an iPhone.
- The Safari reading icon is based on Steve Job’s glasses.