We received several emails today about the newly implemented Globe iToolbar. The iToolbar appears when you’re using mobile internet or tethering your device to a phone on the Globe network.
A few readers pointed out to us that this new implementation is automatically inserted by Globe to any website that your browse on the net.
The Globe iToolbar is an expandable toolbar within your phone’s browser that gives you quick and easy access to Globe services, Internet search, and your favorite Internet sites.
Globe’s reason behind the introduction of this toolbar is “to make your Mobile Internet experience much more convenient. You can now enjoy quick and easy access to your favorite Globe and Internet services.“.
As of May 2012, Globe Postpaid, Globe Prepaid, and TM subscribers with the following devices can see the Globe iToolbar:
iPhone 3G running iOS5 or higher using the native browser
iPhone 3GSrunning iOS5 or higher using the native browser
iPhone 4running iOS5 or higher using the native browser
iPhone 4Srunning iOS5 or higher using the native browser
Sony Ericsson LT15i Xperia Arc using Android 2.3 or higher using the native browser
Samsung GT-S5570 Galaxy Mini using Android 2.3 or higher using the native browser
The biggest complaint we are getting from Globe subscribers is that there’s no way to remove this toolbar. This has apparently distracted a lot of subscribers and ruined the user experience especially on mobile devices with very limited screen real estate.
As of this time, there is no way for subscribers to remove the Globe iToolbar. We’re getting comments from Globe regarding this issue.
Update: Globe says they are aware of the reactions of subscribers and looking into the next steps to address this issue.
Update 2: Looks like Globe Telecom has decided to drop the iToolbar on their mobile internet. We’re getting reports people are no longer seeing the Globe iToolbar when using their Globe mobile internet.
Update 3: Talked to a Globe exec who told me they already scrapped the whole idea of the iToolbar.
Hat tip Marc Obaldo, Ernesto Pacheco.
The person who came up with this idea should be fired!
From a customer perspective, it is really annoying and intrusive.
And from the site owner’s perspective it is actually stealing if it is without their consent.
Im using dolphin browser in my iphone today and all of a sudden i noticed this toolbar from globe without asking me permission, at first i thought it was spyware or a malicious program that invaded my privacy. I agree whoever is behind with this idea is totally ignorant when it comes to privacy issues!
Screw you Globe. We don’t want your annoying toolbar that eats up space on our smart phone’s screen. I wouldn’t complain if the service is free but we are getting ads for a paid internet service. Who is the idiot who taught this was a great idea???
This move by Globe is totally unbecoming of an Ayala Corporation company. My husband and I have been very loyal customers of Globe since 2005 but today I cannot feel but be slighted by the underhandedness of placing such a toolbar on my browser without my consent and without giving me a choice to turn it off. In terms of ethics, I thought it veered on the Zuckerberg-ish. I am extremely disappointed. I am canceling my subscription tomorrow. For months I have been putting up with Tattoo’s slug-paced download and almost static upload speeds out of a true belief in Ayala Corporation and its subsidiaries. But if this is how Globe repays its customers for brand loyalty, I am out.
I have no complaints on globe. love the no data cap and real unlimited services..
but the toolbar is really annoying. the toolbar doesnt show though on all websites.. toolbar doesnt show up on facebook. it does on engadget. here in yugatech, none either.
im on postpaid and using my htc mozart as my hotspot all the time
Are you really that sure that Globe doesn’t CAP you please read this site http://tattoo.globe.com.ph/fup/index
The Globe @Home broadband service currently provides the following peak volume capacity depending on your plan:
For WiMax Postpaid 512 Kbps: 16 GB – 20 GB per account per month
For WiMax Postpaid 1 Mbps: 21 GB – 25 GB per account per month
For WiMax accounts with Speed Boost add-on or is installed starting on May 13, 2011:
For WiMax Postpaid 512 Kbps: 1 GB per account per day
For WiMax Postpaid 1 Mbps: 3 GB per account per day
For WiMax Postpaid 2 Mbps: 5 GB per account per day
For DSL accounts with Speed Boost add-on or is installed starting on November 11, 2011:
For DSL Postpaid 1 Mbps: 3 GB per account per day
For DSL Postpaid 2 Mbps: 5 GB per account per day
For DSL Postpaid 3 Mbps: 7 GB per account per day
For DSL Postpaid 5 Mbps: 10 GB per account per day
nasan ang mobile (cellphone) internet dyan nimrod? eh wimax and home DSL yan.
parang virus tong ginawa ng globe. i’m using globe tattoo to connect to the internet, pero sun subscriber pero nagpopop pa rin yung toolbar nila sa phone ko. another disappointment.
This is just plain Bull Shit on Globe’s part!
Fix your Signal and service, and don’t come up with Stupid Marketing ploys like this!
If people needs to access your LOUSY services, they will just browse over to your pathetic and sluggish website! IMPROVE YOUR LOUSY INTERNET SERVICE! WE DON’T NEED YOUR MARKETING SHIT!
parang kolehiya ring back ng globe na nilalagay nila sa unsuspecting globe customers! biruin mo na ang mayor na barako ang ringback nya e kolehiyala!!
Not cool Globe. I will disconnect ky line bec of this. It sucks Globe. It has analytics and couod possibly violation your privacy.Di niya pati naeenhance User experience. Baka magkaads pa yan in the future. Switch na talaga ako sa Smart.
Back to smart for me
Kalokohan na yan! Ibagsak ang Globe!
Same with my Corporate Globe postpaid SIM, I see that bar when I tether using a Huawei E585 personal WIFI hotspot…
So that’s the reason why I have that Tattoo bar on every page of my tabs on my laptop. It is really annoying, Globe should have first ask for the user’s permission or at least may settings na pwede i-disable ito. Wala naman ito sa contract na pinirmahan ko nung nag subscribed ako nang Globe Tattoo.
The first rule in enhancing user mobile experience:
“Do not annoy your users!”
Called globe today for the same reason. Globe people ignorant about it. I hate it. My phone already has that white home button on the screen, and the globe I-toolbar clutters the screen. I touch it every time I browse. Can’t even move it. Stupid globe. Direct your efforts to making your signal better, don’t come up with stupid marketing ploys.
Thanks, Abe.
“Globe’s reason behind the introduction of this toolbar is “to make your Mobile Internet experience much more convenient. You can now enjoy quick and easy access to your favorite Globe and Internet services.“.”
Sure, globe is so sarcastic with this statement. This will definitely eat my screen’s real estate.
You can minimize it though by clicking the curly braces at the far right. But it is still there nonetheless.
I was very annoyed when I saw this on my screen but PROBLEM SOLVED. I used AdBlock with my Chrome.
Wow. That large toolbar surely wastes a lot of screen estate especially for smartphones. What the hell, globe?
So that’s why. But this appeared earlier at work and we are definitely not on Globe or tether connection as we have a dedicated line. So how come?