Sony Xperia Z Available for Pre-Order at Php29,990

Sony's flagship smartphone, the Android powered Sony Xperia Z is now available on pre-order from Lazada for Php29,990. The phone is available in three colors: black, white and purple.

Pre-ordered units will start shipping on April 8, 2013. Phone bought from Lazada on or before May 15, 2013 will also come with a free Krusell Donso FlipCover case and a chance to win a Sony smart watch.

Smart Communications iPhone 5 Wipeout Promo

Smart Communications is offering post paid subscribers discounts on their pre-termination fees for subscribers who want to avail of Apple's iPhone 5. The size of the discount depends on the number of months remaining on the contract.

• 1-7 months remaining - up to a 75% discount
• 8-13 months remaining - up to a 50% discount
• 14-19 months remaining - up to a 25% discount

To find out if you are qualified, and how much your discounted pre-termination fee, you can text WIPEOUT to 2928.

You can get more details on Smart's iPhone 5 Wipeout promo at this link.

Goggle Play Anniversary Deals: 50% Off On Final Fantasy Dimensions

It is one year to the day when the Android Market was renamed to Google Play, which also saw the expansion of Google Play services. Since the new services offered are not yet available in the Philippines, for us, the change from Android Market to Google Play, was just a matter of nomenclature.

You can expect some good deals on Google Play on the event of its anniversary. So far I noticed this one from my Wish List. Final Fantasy Dimensions is being offered at 50% off, at just a bit over Php370. I delayed picking up this title because of its high price. With the 50% discount, this JRPG is going from my Wish List to my App List. 

Please post any other Google Play Anniversary offers that you see.

Sony Vaio S13116FG @ Php49,980

For those not interested in Windows 8 and touchscreen laptops, now is a good time to go bargain hunting for Windows 7 laptops. One example is the Sony Vaio S13116FG, which used to retail at Php59,990 is now being offered at Php49,990. 

The Sony Vaio S is a nice portable 13.3-inch laptop, with a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. It comes with a powerful Intel Core i5-3210M processor, 4 GB of RAM, Intel 4000 graphics and a Nvidia GeForce GT640M LE discrete graphics card which you can switch on when you want more power. For storage you get a 640 GB hard drive. The  Sony Vaio S13116FG weighs in a just four pounds and is less than an inch think. Unlike most laptops under 4 pounds in weight this one comes with a DVD/RW drive.

HTC Windows 8 Phone One Day Sale

HTC is having a one day sale on its latest Windows Phone handsets today December 18. Offered at steeply discounted prices are the Windows Phone 8S and the 8X, at its HTC Concept Store in SM North EDSA. The sale is limited to the first 88 buyers of each handset, with each buyer only allowed to buy one phone.

Smart Christmas Midnight Rush

From Smart Communucations Facebook Page:

The Smart Christmas Midnight Rush is the best time to get a smartphone this Christmas! We have amazing deals, incredible freebies, great entertainment...all in one night. All from the better network!* 

• Enjoy the best deals for HTC Desire C & iPhone 4S 
• Make early reservations for Sony Xperia V with LTE Plan 1500 or Google Nexus 4 with Data Plan 1500. Phones will be available on December 18.
• Get a chance to win a trip to HK, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, iTunes Card, GCs from PowerMac, Sofitel Manila & Store Specialists, Inc.

Celebrate with us and watch out for the reveal of the latest smartphone in the market at 12:01am of December 14!

Be part of this event in any of these venues: Resort's World Manila, Reserve, Dillinger’s, Trilogy ATC, Jack's Loft Eastwood, Smart Store Greenhills, Smart Store Limketkai, CDO, Penthouse, Cebu, Star, Davao.

Smart Communications is now offering LTE Handsets

Smart has added to LTE enabled Android phones in their line-up and offering them on LTE Plans! The phones are the ZTE T82 and the Sony Xperia V.

As for the plans, UnliData Plan 1500 includes 60 minutes of voice calls and 120 SMS to all networks, with 1.5GB of data. UnliData 2000 includes 150 minutes of voice calls and 200 SMS to all networks, with 2.5GB of data. Verified with Smart's CS. After hitting the data cap, speed will be slowed down.

Right now, you should only really be considering the Sony Xperia V which is being offered on a promo free at Data Plan 1500 & UnliData Plan 2000 until January 30, 2013. After that you will have to add Php6,500 to get the phone free at UnliData Plan 1500. The ZTE T82 is offered free at Data Plan 1500 & Data Plan 2000 which is its regular price.

So for now, lets just look at the Sony Xperia V.

The Sony Xperia V is powered by Android 4.04 Ice Cream Sandwich. It has a 4.3-inch display with a HD resolution (720 x 1280).  Inside is a dual-core 1.5GHz 28 nm Krait processor which can pretty much keep up, and sometimes out perform, the quad core Nvidia Tegra 3 (HTC One X) and Samsung Exynos 4 (Samsung Galaxy S III). The phone only comes with 8 GB of internal storage, but that is expandable vai a MicroSD card slot. The phone also packs a 13 MP camera. The 1750 mAh battery on the Sony Xperia V is a bit smaller than I would have liked, but lets see how it performs before laying judgment

You can pre-order the Sony Xperia V at this link. The Sony Xperia V will be launched on December 21, 2012.

Google Play Turkey Day Sale

Google Play is having an app sale in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. RedmondTheRobot is compiling a list of apps on sale. This is what he has so far.

Quickoffice Pro - $0.99 (was $14.99)

The Adventures of Tin Tin - $0.99 (was $6.99)

The Amazing Spider-Man - $0.99 (was $6.99)

BackStab - $0.99 (was $6.99)

Gangstar Rio: City of Saints - $0.99 (was $6.99)

Virtua Tennis Challenge - $1.99 (was $4.99)

Sonic 4: Episode II - $2.99 (was $6.99)

BlackList Pro - $1.27 (was $3.49)

Majesty: Fantasy Kingdom Sim - $0.99 (was $2.99)

Sparkle - $1.29 (was $2.39)

Azkend - $0.99 (was $2.39)

Need for Speed: Most Wanted - $4.99 (was $6.99)

Wordplay Adfree - $2.56 (was $3.99)

Update 1:

franco.Kernel Updater - $3.19 (was ?) - thanks to IAmAN00bie

AccuWeather Platinum - $0.99 (was $2.99)

90Droid ExtremeFitness Tracker - $0.99 (was $3.49)

My Backup Pro - $2.99 (was $4.99)

Moodagent - $0.99 (was $5.20)

Droid Scan Pro PDF - $2.25 (was $4.49)

Glowfly - $0.99 (was ?)

Update 2:

EnbornX - $0.99 (was $1.93)

Furah added a nice addition to the sale if you want to check that out.

We also have the GoneMAD Music Player thanks to gonemad16.

Kabloink has also posted a few photo/camera app sales!

Update 3:

SwiftKey 3 Keyboard - $1.99 (was $3.99)

Neuroshima Hex - $0.99 (was $2.99)

Startup Manager - $1.49 (was $2.99)

SplashID Safe - $4.99 (was $9.99)

Wisp - $0.99 (was $2.84)

Smart RAM Booster Pro - $1.27 (was $2.56)

Memory Booster - $1.49 (was $2.99)

Kabloink has also given us a couple more here.

CypherQuotes is also on sale now thanks to zoomthinge.

Update 4:

Spirit HD - $1.49 (was $2.99)

TileStorm HD - $1.99 (was $3.99)

Aftermath XHD - $2.99 (was $5.99)

Jump Desktop (RDP & VNC) - $4.99 (was $9.99)

RoByte - Remote for Roku - $0.99 (was $2.99)

DocumentsToGo - $8.95 (was $14.95)

Goodnight Moon - $0.99 (was $4.99) - thanks to raygun01

Reddit Sync Pro - $1.00 (was $1.99) - thanks to ljdawson

Update 5:

Ground Effect Pro HD - $1.99 (was $3.99)

Hard Lines HD - $1.49 (was $2.99)

Navigon USA - $24.95 (was $49.95)

To get the most updated list, be sure to check out the original post at this link.

Apple Philippines One Day Sale

Apple Philippines is having a one day sale today. The Apple iPad 2 16 GB (WiFi and WiFi + 3G) is being offered at Php1,392 off the suggested retail price. The  MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are being discounted at Php4,892 off the suggested retail price.

The discounted prices being the same across the board, this makes the 11.6-inch MacBook Airs and the 13-inch MacBook Air (128 GB) particularly interesting. 

Apple Philippine is also offering a discount on iPods and accessories. Check out the full list of items on sale at Apple Philippine's website. It's a one day sale, so don't think about it too long. 

Gameloft Sale at Google Play

From today, till Sunday, November 25, 2012, Gameloft is offering four of its titles for sale on Google Play at a discounted price of US$0.99 (or Php40.73 at the time of this writing. The four titles are:

• The Amazing Spider Man
• Gangstar Rio: City of Saints 
• Backstab
• The Adventures of Tintin

These four games have a regular price of US$4.99.

A new set of selections on Google Plays 25-cent sale

You might get different options depending on your country and device. Here is what I see on mine.

Click this link to see the current apps on sale at Google Play.

Google Play Hits 25 Billion Downloads! US$0.25 App Promo as a Thank You.

Google Play Hits 25 Billion Downloads a few hours ago. In celebration, apps will be sold at a discounted price of US$0.25 over the next five days. 

So far I noticed Gameloft's Asphalt 7, Rovio's Angry Birds Space Premium, Kemco's Symphony of Eternity, Granny Smith, Draw Something and NFL Kicker 13  are all selling at just Php10.44 as part of the promotional sale.

On the non-gaming apps we have OfficeSuite Pro 6 +, Tasks and Ocean HD at just Php10.44.

I already bought Tasks a few months back. Great app. But I did pick up OfficeSuite Pro 6 + and Symphony of Eternity. 

I might not see some apps on sale, as I have bought several already. If you find anything else on sale, please do share it in the comments section.

Apple iPhone 4S free at Plan 1500 from Smart

I do not have many details on Smart's Switch Madness promo, to be held at EDSA Shangri-la Mall on September 28-29, 2012. One thing that caught my eye in the teaser was that the Apple iPhone 4S would be offered free at Plan 1500, presumably to switchers from other networks.

Click for a larger image

If you have been wanting an iPhone, this might be a good time to get one.

Gameloft End of Summer Sale at Google Play

In celebration of the end of the US Summer (whats so good about the end of summer), Game loft is offering three of its popular titles on Google Play for US$0.99:

• N.O.V.A. 3: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance
• Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation
• Gangstar Rio: City of Saints

Sale is for a week. Grab then while they are cheap.

Cherry Mobile W900 at Php5,999 - One Day Third Anniversary Sale

Cherry Mobile is having a one day sale on August 15, 2012, where it will be offering the Cherry Mobile W900 for discounted price of Php5,999. The Cherry Mobile W900 is regularly priced at Php9,999. The reason for the sale is that this August 15 marks the third anniversary of the company.

The specifications of the Cherry Mobile W900 are as follows:

• Android 2.3
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 1 GB of internal storage expandable via MicroSD card. 8 GB MicroSD card supplied.
• 512 MB of RAM
• 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor
• Adreno 205 graphics
• Qualcomm chipset
• 5 MP primary camera with a LED flash
• Secondary camera
• 720p video capture
• HSDPA+ 21.1 Mbps connectivity

Source: Yugatech

Free Twitter Access from Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom is offering free Twitter via mobile.twitter.com for its prepaid users from June 20 until July 31, 2012.

In order to avail of the free service on your Globe Prepaid or TM phone, simply text FREE TWITTER to 8888 in order to register. You may start browsing mobile.twitter.com and enjoy the free Twitter service once an SMS confirmation has been received. Remember if you click links to third party sites, this will result in additional data charges at the rate of Php5 for every 15 minutes. You must have P1 remaining balance in order to register to FREE TWITTER.

Summer Solistice sale at Google Play - Discounted apps!

In celebration of the longest day of the year, the Summer Solistice, Google is have a sale on selected apps:

•     Jamie's 20 Minute meals
•     Draw Something
•     Blue Hat, Green hat
•     Shazam Encore
•     mSecure
•     Mini Motor Racing
•     Order & Chaos Online
•     Clouds & Sheep Premium
•     Alarm Clock by doubleTwist
•     NBA Jam
•     RepliGo PDF Reader
•     Guns'n'Glory WW2
•     Flight Track
•     Moo, Baa, La La La!
•     Mass Effect: Infiltrator
•     Grand Theft Auto III

The sale is only for one day, so grab then while they are hot. View the apps on sale at Google Play at this link.

Smart expands its PISO SALE line-up

Php500 a month + Php1 = Great Deal

Smart is offering some older units in its expanded "Piso Sale". From June 18 to 25, 2012 you can get any of the following devices.

All-in Plan 1800

• Apple iPhone 4 (8GB)   
• Nokia E7
• Samsung Galaxy Tab P7500

Recommendation: Pick of the lot is the Apple iPhone 4. If you plan to avail of unlimited data might as well go with Data Plan 2000 and get the Apple iPhone 4S by shelling out Php2,500. But if you do not want a data plan, the iPhone 4 is a pretty decent offering at this price.

All-In Plan 1200

• Apple iPhone 3GS (8GB)
• Nokia E5 

All-In Plan 800

• Nokia N9 (16GB/64BG) 

Recommendation: The Nokia N9 is a steal at this plan, and a better choice that the phones at Plan 1200. The Apple iPhone 3GS and Nokia E5 are really obsolescent devices.

 
All-in Plan 500

• HTC Mozart
• Samsung Wave II S8530
• Nokia E72

Recommendation: Not a bad deal for an HTC Mozart.

Source: Smart Communications

Smart Communications offers free unlimited Facebook access

Starting today, June 8 2012, and until July 8 ,2012, Smart Communications will unlimited access to Facebook. The service is available to any phone that can support a mobile browser.

To get avail of the promo, Smart subscribers need to text FB to 211. You will receive an SMS with a download link. You will need to have a P1 maintaining balance to be able to avail of the free Facebook access. Follow the instructions to get the Facebook Mobile App. When you resister you will be notified that your unlimited Facebook access only runs until July 8, 2012. I am not sure if this promo will only run until July 8, 2012. There was no mention in Smart's press release that the promo was time limited,

The other way to access the service is to using your cellphone’s browser. Just go to m.facebook.com.  The free offer is only for access to Facebook, and regular data charges will apply when a user clicks on a link to browse photos, videos, news articles or any other content outside of Facebook. I would advise users who plan to use their browser are advised to set the m.facebook.com as the mobile browser’s home page. That way no charges will apply upon start of browsing.

 

LG Optimus L3 launching on April 21, 2012 with a special launch hour sale

LG Optimus L3. LG is launching its entry level Optimus L3 this Saturday, April 21, 2012. This entry level phone competes directly with Samsung Galaxy Y. The Optimus L3 has more internal storage than the Samsung Galaxy Y, which is important since not all apps can be installed in the MicroSD card. It also has a better camera and larger battery than the Galaxy Y. The Galaxy Y has faster 3G connectivity. With a suggested retail price of Php5,990 its prize is the same as the Galaxy Y.

Quick specs:

• Android 2.3 
• 3.2-inch display, 240 x 320 pixels
• 1 GB of storage, expandable via MicroSD card
• 384 MB of RAM
• 800 MHz processor
• 3.15 MP auto focus camera
• No secondary camera
• VGA video recording
• HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
• 1500 mAh battery
• MSRP: Php5,990

Like the Samsung Galaxy Y it has a low resolution 240 x 320 pixel display. We were hoping that 2011 would see the end of Android phones using this resolution. A fair number of Android apps do not run or do not run optimally under that screen resolution. Android was originally developed to run on displays with a 320 x 480 resolution.

Launch hour sale. From 5 PM to 6 PM on April 21, 2012 LG will be offering the LG Optimus L3 for a discounted price of Php4,990 with a free jelly case at the LG Concept Stores in the Mall of Asia and Megamall. Given problems that have happened in past launch day promo sales, I do not want to make any representations about this one. Those interested can download the full promo mechanics at this link.