First Impression: Samsung Galaxy S at ICS

So last week I was at ICS and after a couple of weeks ago I got disappointed by the cancellation of the launched by Telkomsel, I finally got my chance to check out the newest device by Samsung, the Galaxy S.

A brief specification of this device, it sports a 4" Super AMOLED display, 5 MP autofocus camera and the ability to record a 720p video at 30 frame per sec, FM Radio, Android 2.1 + TouchWiz 3.0 UI and of course the 1GHz Hummingbird processor.

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Filed under  //  Android   Android 2.1   ics   samsung   Samsung Galaxy S   Telkomsel  
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Telkomsel's AppZone

While iPhone users can enjoy almost all paid apps in Indonesia's iPhone App Store, it is limited or almost none for Android and BlackBerry enthusiasts to experience such luxury.

Both Android Market and BlackBerry AppWorld is still closed if accessed from Indonesia for their paid apps. There are 3rd party though, like Mobihand and Handango.

Indosat was previously announcing its own App Store but I haven't heard any news from them ever since. Telkomsel, in other hand, seems already taken one step ahead by unveiling its AppZone. Go to http://appzone.telkomsel.com from phone or computer.

Advertised in national newspaper today, AppZone contains not only BlackBerry and Android apps, but also Java apps that can be installed in most phones.

I believe this is good trigger for Indonesian mobile developers to finally published their creations and make money from it.

Telkomsel AppZone is exclusively available for Telkomsel subscribers. Unfortunately, when tried to send the link/app to a number, no SMS confirmation received, blocking user to obtain app bought. Don't know what's wrong with system, but hope that it will get fixed as soon as possible.

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Filed under  //  app   apps   AppZone   Indonesia   Telkomsel   Telkomsel AppZone  
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Indonesia's Telkomsel opens pre-order for Android's Samsung Galaxy S

Indonesia's Telkomsel finally unveils pre-order page for those interested to snap the latest Android phone of Samsung family, Samsung Galaxy S. The official launching will be held on June 29, 8 PM at Pacific Place Jakarta. There's no price plan revealed yet, but our coverage told that the recommended price will range IDR 6-7 million (US$666-777 with current rate). The price tag is set at IDR6,499,000 (US$721) with 6 months free 500MB data installment.

Technology community shouldn't be surprised that Telkomsel jumps back again on selling Android. This platform has grown skyrocketing on recent years, while official partner in Indonesia is still only Indosat. Telkomsel used to be the first operator to offer Android with its HTC Magic bundling, but the campaign failed due to lack of Telkomsel commitment on providing all-in support. Their HTC Magic is OHD device, restricted to access Google support, including Marketplace.
 
No word on whether this Samsung Galaxy S is OHD or GMS device, but I believe Telkomsel won't do the same mistake as they did with HTC Magic. Also, Telkomsel is planning to build its own app store, just like Indosat counterpart, to facilitate local developers and to gain access of paid apps, which is not yet accessible for Indonesian users.
 
Samsung Galaxy S is the flag carrier of Samsung's Android line up. Powered by Hummingbird processor for GPU, Galaxy S is recognized to have better graphic performance than iPhone 3GS. Again, the further question will be, with such powerful resources, how many sophisticated games have already available in Android platform?
 
Galaxy S comes with OS2.1 and obviously ready to be upgraded to Froyo (OS2.2) when available.
 
Update: for unknown reason, we are unable to complete filling the form if we don't provide valid existing Telkomsel mobile number, means it can be associated with our current number and of course you need to have one before entering your pre-order entry. Already being fixed as of now.

Update2: the launching -- that initially set to be this night -- is postponed until further notice, according to its pre-order page

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Filed under  //  Android   Indonesia   pre-order   Samsung   Samsung Galaxy S   Telkomsel  
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Confirmed: Indonesia's Telkomsel to bring Android (again) this year

Indonesia's Telkomsel used to be the first operator in Indonesia that offered Android product, exactly a year ago. The first in line was HTC Magic. It was quite good product, but with no GMS support and lack of Telkomsel willing on providing decent data package, the sales was quite minimum, if not considered unsuccessful. 

Earlier this year, direct competitor Indosat had already started the Android campaign by launching not one, not two, but 6 Android handsets to cooperate with. All of them are GMS phones, get full Google app support. 
 
As Android maybe the hottest platform in town, raising up to 100,000 phones sold everyday in the US, seems Telkomsel doesn't want to miss the bandwagon anymore.
 
Confirmed from reliable source, Telkomsel will likely to start offering Android handsets  around Q3 2010. @TelkomselDroid, unofficial Twitter account that chat about Android and Telkomsel, said Telkomsel side is currently testing Samsung Galaxy S, and in talk for bringing Nexus One. No confirmation yet about this story but really hoping this list will grow longer, including the next hype HTC Desire.
 
I have two suggestions for Telkomsel on bringing Android (again). Number one is by having dedicated marketing team. Please know your market, they are not similar to BlackBerry and iPhone users. Most of them are gigs, that can be converted as quite IT savvy.
 
The second suggestion would be pairing the package with reliable yet affordable unlimited data package. Android is a bandwidth hog and I think the launch of Telkomsel's Flash Unlimited prepaid card is well suited with this campaign

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Filed under  //  Android   Indonesia   Telkomsel  
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Indonesia's Telkomsel offers unlimited international data and BlackBerry roaming

Following the celebration of Indonesia's Telkomsel's 15th birthday this month, the largest operator in Indonesia, in term of subscribers, is launching unlimited international data and BlackBerry roaming in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Applied only for postpaid KartuHalo subscribers, it costs IDR 50,000 (US$5.4) per day for BlackBerry roaming and IDR 150,000 (US$16.2) per day for data roaming, excluding taxes. It can be cheaper if you choose for 3-days package. 

If you are planning to travel to those countries, send SMS or type UMB code to subscribe. The activation can be performed in Indonesia or abroad. The respective partners are SingTel, Maxis, Optus, and CSL. Make sure you select manual operator locking to prevent automatic changing (sometimes happen when roaming partner's signal coverage is lower than other operator).
 
Previously, both XL and Indosat have already announced similar package with widest coverage. The only country that's not in XL or Indosat package is Australia. The scheme is cheaper than Indosat's but more expensive than XL postpaid's. 

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Telkomsel brings Google Translate via SMS

Unintentionally I just got the information via SMS after reload my simPATI numbers that I use. That SMS content says there is Google Translate service is now accessible via SMS.

According to information, we can translate Bahasa Indonesia and translate to English as default by typing a sentence or word in Bahasa Indonesia and send through sms to 4664. Translations results will be sent via SMS. If you read this 4664 is GOOG, perhaps short for Google.

For other language dictionaries are also available, but we must enter the language code before writing the sentence that we wish to translate, as for the language codes currently available are as follows:
EN: English
NL: Dutch
FR: French
DE: Germany
IT: Italian
PT: Portuguese
ES: Spanish

Example usage:
DE: Aku Cinta Padamu
Then send to 4664 to get the translation in German language.

The SMS rates are Rp. 100/SMS, I think this is a good step fom Google to provide SMS Online Dictionary. Looks like this new service only available on Telkomsel in Indonesia. If there is among readers who know any operators in Indonesia who have supported this service, please inform to us

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Filed under  //  Google Translate   Indonesia   Mobile   Services   Telkomsel  
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All Opera Mini 5 in Indonesia have Telkomsel brand?

   
Click here to download:
All_Opera_Mini_5_in_Indonesia_.zip (29 KB)

We reported a month ago that Telkomsel is Opera's preferred partner in Indonesia. But, I don't realize that this agreement means all Opera Mini (especially version 5) used in Indonesia will have Telkomsel brand on front loading page, no matter what your operator is.

I captured this screenshot just now, something I didn't notice yesterday. Beside front page, Telkomsel's page is on default bookmark page too, along with other Indonesian's selected sites, e.g: Vivanes and detikcom. Bear in mind that I don't use Telkomsel as my preferred network on this phone.

Can anyone confirm this?

Update: confirmed, it's also occur in Nokia and Sony Ericsson

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Filed under  //  browser   mobile browser   Opera Mini   Opera Mini 5   Telkomsel  
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Viigo featured in Indonesia's Telkomsel BlackBerry

The latest information received from Viigo revealed that Viigo will be featured as Virtual Preload on Telkomsel's BlackBerry handsets. Telkomsel, the largest operator in Indonesia based on subscribers, is trying to give more added value for its BlackBerry competitiveness, as current data shows that they are still behind XL and Indosat in this matter.

As co-branded version, Telkomsel will customize Viigo's default contents to include local news feeds, weather, blogs, etc. Viigo is one of the most popular app in BlackBerry to delivers tons of informations. Previously, other Indonesia's operator, AXIS, had already signed up for similar thing.

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Filed under  //  app   apps   BlackBerry   Indonesia   Telkomsel   Viigo  
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Telkomsel iPhone 3GS launch

Photos from the launch of iPhone 3GS by Telkomsel at Plaza Senayan Main Atrium.

While the press conference has been delayed, the show floor is quite crowded both by the public and Telkomsel staff.

It's far from the lavish and exclusive launch of the iPhone 3G last March at Pacific Place but with the lowered pricing and being right in the middle of the mall, there's a different kind of enthusiasm.

     
Click here to download:
Telkomsel_iPhone_3GS_launch_ta.zip (366 KB)

Sent from my iPhone

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Filed under  //  event   Indonesia   iPhone   photos   Telkomsel  
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Telkomsel Priority and Corporate customers get raw end of iPhone deal

Surprising news from iBox at Plaza Indonesia today when several acquaintances went in to buy Telkomsel's iPhone 3GS. Being long term corporate customers (10+ years) they expected to be able to purchase iPhone 3GS on the more affordable package plans.

Apparently it doesn't work that way. Priority customers have to wait until February 25, while Corporate customers may have to wait longer according to this printed email from Lucky Kurniawan, Regional Account Manager for Telkomsel. iBox employees were equally dumbfounded. They weren't informed until today about it. Turns out Priority means something else to the country's largest mobile provider.

According to iBox staff, around 15 people up until that time have left the store disappointed at not being able to buy the phones with the bundled postpaid plans. Neither the press release nor the marketing material mention anything about post paid subscribers having to wait at least until February 25.

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Filed under  //  3gs   indonesia   iphone   telkomsel  
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