Today, I got to see and check out the iPhone 3G which will be released by Globe Telecom to the public tomorrow (August 22). I took tons of pictures and played with the device for a while. Here are my first impressions:
Blogging this live from the Shang for the media launching of Globe’s iPhone 3G in the Philippines. Took a bunch of photos below:
Globe added a Globe MyServices app inside the iPhone. It can be accessed via Safari’s bookmarks (as myGlobe Internet). This will be used to activate your iPhone 3G — enter your mobile number and you will eb sent an SMS for the PIN.
The myGlobe Internet app also allows you to login to your Globe Postpaid account to check your balance and usage. You can also switch between time-based charging to KB-based charging using the app. This can be done on all prepaid and postpaid plans of the iPhone 3G.
Globe is coordinating with Apple to introduce the iTunes store in the Philippines. The device itself is a little thicker than the 1st gen iPhone but since it’s curved at the back, it might look thinner. Apple has expanded the number of antennas to 10 from the previous 6, which is why the curved back side.
Likewise, executives confirm that the reason for discontinuing unlimited Globe Visibility is because of excessive use of a few customers hoarding bandwidth of the 3G network (mainly for P2P activities). I suggested several ways to curb this and they say they’re exploring their options.
As of today, there are thousands of subscribers that have reserved the iPhone 3G. They cannot share exact figures but it’s between 1,000 and 10,000 units. Subscribers can opt to get their iPhone 3G tonight at midnight, deliver it to their doorsteps by midnight or get it at one of the Globe Service Centers.
The iPhone is a real smudge-magnet — fingerprints all over the face and back cover.
At the Globe MyServices, customers can download various stuff from InfoTxt, to RingBack tones and wallpapers for a corresponding fee. Ringtones are not included since those will have to go thru the iTunes store.
The built-in speakers are loud enough that you can put it down the table and use the phone clearly (minus ambient noise).
Important to note: If you bought an iPhone 3G outside the country and bring it to the Philippines to use with a Globe SIM, it will not work. Several customers have approached Globe to have their phones unlocked to no avail. Apple made sure of this so there will be no inter-country provider exchanges.
There are lots of information that Globe is contractually oblige not to disclose to media or the public, typical of Apple.
theres no problem of unlocking iphone with locked to network carriers because i already jailbreak & unlock my iphone 3G bought in japan with softbank carrier. if your on another country & wish to bring your iphone, then you can unlock it by yourself as long as you still have the network carriers? you can try to check it out this site, http://www.iphonefirmware.com/firmwar. you can download all the things you need to jailbreak & unlock your iphone 3G via Cydia using yellow sn0w.