Sunday, February 7, 2010

RIM Launches the BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone in Thailand

New 3G Smartphone Delivers High-End Features and Performance in a Compact and Highly Refined Design


Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today debuted the sleek and powerful BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone in Thailand. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 includes an extensive array of high-end communications and multimedia features in a compact and highly refined design that will appeal to users for both professional and personal use.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a 3.2MP camera and a dazzling, high resolution display.

Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with a smoothly integrated touch-sensitive trackpad and a highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard. The dark chrome frame and leatherette back add to the new smartphone's sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch sides allow it to feel incredibly comfortable in one hand.

“Building on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold, we are now pleased to bring the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone to Thailand,” said Gregory Wade, Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Research In Motion. “We believe that customers will be extremely impressed with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone’s exciting new features, exceptional performance and refined design.”
Key features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone include:

Sleek design measuring 4.29" x 2.36" x 0.56" (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm) and weighing only 4.3 oz (122 grams)

Sharp and dazzling 2.44” light-sensing display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)

Highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard – with finely sculpted keys and chrome frets – for fast, accurate typing

Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and responsive navigation
Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) for faster web browsing and extended data coverage
3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
BlackBerry OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar enhancements

* as well as a better browsing experience with faster JavaScript and CSS processing

Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging

Media player for videos, pictures and music (music plays up to 38 hours), and BlackBerry Media Sync for easily syncing photos as well as iTunes and Windows Media Player music with the smartphone**

BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs to enable synching data such as contacts and calendar appointments between a computer and the smartphone

3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset

microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is included
256 MB of Flash memory

Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology and high quality speakerphone

Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals

Support for BlackBerry services with access to up to 10 supported email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts such as Yahoo!®, Windows Live™ Hotmail®, AOL® and Gmail™); and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support, which features advanced security and IT administration capabilities for corporate deployments

Global connectivity with UMTS/HSDPA 2100/1900/850/800 MHz and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM support

Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone is expected to be available in Thailand from AIS, dtac and True Move at the end of February. Please check with each individual carrier for pricing and product availability. For more information about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone, visit http://th.blackberry.com/devices/blackberrybold9700/.
* Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0

** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies. Photo syncing is currently only available for Windows-based PCs.
About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

LG Lollipop captures the imagination of trendy Thai teens

LG’s newest handset looks sweet and stylish on the outside, but is packed full with smart technology and unique features on the inside.


LG Electronics (LG), a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications in Thailand, has today unveiled LG Lollipop – a highly unique and colorful handset that is ideally suited to the needs of teenagers and users looking for a great combination of stylish design and smart functionality, with programmable LED lights that can display user-designed pixel animations.

Designed with fun-seeking and fashion-conscious consumers in mind, the LG Lollipop stands out from the crowd with its thin 13.4mm flip-phone design, 3MP wide-angle camera, video recording, MP3 player, FM radio, Bluetooth and 3G Technology support. Available in three different flavors (blue, pink and black), users can create ‘My Sweet Pop Code’, a unique Lollipop language that allows users to communicate their emotions with others using the LED pixel animations displayed on the phone.

hether you are feeling happy or blue, users can express themselves through their phone.

Speaking at the LG Lollipop launch press conference, Mr. Hyun Woo (Howard) Lee, Managing Director, LG Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “The launch of the Lollipop phone today is our first major release of the first quarter, with 37 new LG models due to enter the market gradually this year. As a nation of mobile-lovers, Thailand is a dynamic and fast-growing market that is a strategic country for LG. Currently our market share stands at 7%, but we are targeting to reach 15% by the end of this year. The LG Lollipop will play an important part in this growth. However, we also have many new handsets on the way to suit every segment of user that take advantage of the latest 3G Technology, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard technology - including more than 10 new smartphones running on different mobile platforms.”

Khun Somsak Athisaitrakul, Product Group Head (Mobile Communications) Senior Manager, LG Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. added, “Prior to its launch, the LG Lollipop has already received a lot of interest online thanks to its colorful personality, high-specifications and unique features. With the youth segment representing an important market for LG, we are confident that the LG Lollipop will help us enhance LG’s brand preference amongst Thai teenagers and young users. However, the phone is also being well-received within the broader market by users looking for a stylish clamshell device that delivers the latest mobile technology innovations. In fact, our research has shown that many Thai consumers prefer to use a flip-phone handset, with the flip-phone market in Thailand growing by 25% last year alone. LG is now regarded as the leading manufacturer of flip-phone handsets in Thailand, we believe that there are still plenty of opportunities in this segment, providing that we keep pushing the boundaries and pack more technology into our phones.”

In order to reach a wider audience and encourage brand engagement, the launch of the LG Lollipop will be supported by a range of online marketing activities. Research by LG has shown that the internet is the most popular way for Thai teenagers to chat with their friends and enjoy entertainment content. As such, LG has created an online TV drama series to be known as ‘LG Lollipop Love’, which will help spread awareness of the LG Lollipop’s ‘My Sweet Pop Code’ to target customers via short webisodes. Each webisode will be around 3 minutes long and broadcast online at www.lge.com/lollipop . In addition, users will be able to download various Lollipop emoticons to reflect their mood when chatting with friends via MSN.

To celebrate the launch of the LG Lollipop, LG is offering the following special promotions to Thai consumers who visit the LG booth at the Thailand Mobile Expo 2010, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, from 4 – 7th February, 2010:
A free limited edition carry case with every purchase of a LG Lollipop phone.

Spend 10,000THB or more on any LG phone and get a free 8GB external memory card and complimentary gift.

A 6 month payment program with 0% interest when purchasing one of nine selected handsets using a participating credit card.

For full specifications, details and high-resolution images of the LG Lollipop GD580 handset, please visit www.lge.com/th/lglollipop
About LG Electronics Thailand

LG Electronics (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. is a leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics and mobile communications. LG’s vision is to become the leading electronics and mobile phone brand – the world’s best at enriching lives through innovation. LG Thailand comprises of five business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG aims at delivering products that come with stylish design and smart technology, with marketing programs under the concept “Life’s Good”.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

TRUE GROUP UNVEILS BUSINESS DIRECTIONS FOR 2010

CONVERGENCE, INNOVATION LEADERSHIP AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT MOBILE INTERNET ON 3G


True Corporation Plc has unveiled its business directions for 2010, placing emphasis on furthering the Group’s convergence strategy, innovation leadership and network quality. Increased investment in TrueOnline’s hi-speed Internet services will target nationwide coverage. TrueMove’s mobile network will be enhanced to support greater data and voice demand while content development will support mobile Internet growth driven by 3G. Meanwhile, the Group will maintain its innovation leadership through the launch of high-definition channels at TrueVisions.

In 2009, True Group’s core businesses, which include TrueOnline, TrueMove and TrueVisions, progressed in many areas. Over the first nine months of 2009 TrueMove performed well with growth in non-voice services, a recovery in International Roaming (IR) and continuing success in managing and controlling Interconnection (IC) payments. Meanwhile TrueMove subscriber numbers grew to 15.4 million at the end of Q309. Service revenue continued to increase for TrueOnline’s Broadband service while the subscriber base rose to 665,000. True was also able to provide increased international bandwidth at lower costs. As for TrueVisions, its subscriber base grew to 1.64 million and in October 2009 the company was given the green light from the MCOT to commence paid advertising. This will generate increased content and variety for viewers while gradually developing into an important new revenue stream.

Mr. Suphachai Chearavonont, President & CEO of True Corporation Plc said, “In 2010 True Group will maintain its leadership in core businesses, stressing innovation as well as developing the quality of our networks and services. The coverage of TrueOnline’s hi-speed Internet will be expanded nationwide to meet the demand for hi-speed Internet in Bangkok and key provinces. This will provide improved access to news and information and allow subscribers to perform online transactions easier. We will expand TrueMove’s voice and data network to support fast growing demand and also focus on content development to support mobile Internet usage on both the 850 MHz and 2.1 GHz 3G frequencies. For TrueVisions, we plan to add more programs and channels to serve every customer group and lifestyle. Meanwhile, the launch of high-definition channels will increase the viewing experience for subscribers.

“True Group will continue to pursue its convergence strategy. By offering innovative products and new services we will create added convenience and value for our customers,” Mr. Suphachai concluded.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

TNT supports PDA project with book donation and delivery

TNT Express Worldwide (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leading provider of integrated express services from the Netherlands has announced its latest CSR initiative as part of its philosophy of providing practical support with recognizable and sustainable community benefits.


At today's press conference held at the PDA (The Population and Community Development Association) linked Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok, the donation of some 6,000 educational English language books to the PDA's rural educational development endeavor was officially announced. Scheduled to take place on 12 February 2010, the donation will be marked with a delivery of books by TNT vehicles to Lamplaimat Pattana School in Buri Ram province.

Alan Miu, Managing Director of TNT Thailand said, "TNT Thailand is especially honoured to have been given the opportunity to support the PDA, Thailand's largest NGO and chaired by the now legendary Mechai Viravaidya. The venue for today's announcement regarding TNT's donation to the Associations' endeavor to develop rural education is not only very agreeable, it reminds us all of the importance of the original inspiration for the founding of the PDA whose community work now encompasses so much more, but which is always based on education and partnership.

"For the past many years TNT has implemented a strong CSR programme exemplified at the global level for example with a longstanding partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). Here in Thailand, we were able to use our logistics expertise effectively to help the victims of the 2004 tsunami, worked with the Royal Thai Army to deliver food and drinking water to the victims of the 2008 Nargis cyclone in Myanmar and later to implement a whole series of practical initiatives that reflect TNT's belief that healthy children become healthy, productive citizens to the benefit of all. Supporting the PDA's Community Library project provides TNT Thailand with an admirable opportunity to continue to contribute to the country's future."

In his comments at the press conference Mechai said, "Since it was founded in 1974 the PDA has extended its activities considerably from addressing immediate family planning needs. Today, PDA is the leading and most diversified NGO in Thailand with 18 regional development centres and branch offices with a strong emphasis on poverty eradication in rural areas. With support from partners, PDA established Lamplaimat Pattana Primary and Secondary Schools to become a model school that offers high quality education to children from poor families for free. The school has been domestically and internationally recognized from its revolutionary, world-class standard curriculum.

The donation of books will support PDA's endeavor to develop rural education. Lamplaimat Pattana School will help distribute the books to schools and villages in Lamplaimat district. The books will be a part of the Village Toy Library program that PDA has started since last year to promote philanthropic mindset in children.

"TNT's generous donation of educational books to the PDA Community Library project is not only most welcome, it also represents PDA's own philosophy of providing practical support in a way which requires involvement by those who are to benefit."

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Supercharge Your iPhone With icloud and 100 GB Storage

icloud, the Online Computer, Today Rolls Out icloud Premium -- a Massive 100 GB of Secure Cloud Storage for Only $39.99 / Year

Everybody Can Now Access All Their Content Anytime and Anywhere

icloud Basic With 3 GB is Available for Free, and Open for Sign-Ups at http://icloud.com

Today's launch of icloud Premium and the 100 GB Super Drive will greatly extend all the amazing capabilities of icloud to the iPhone. The new premium service lets everyone store, access and easily share files through any smart phone or browser. It gives you 100 GB of storage right in your pocket. You will never again feel that you have forgotten to bring important files with you. icloud securely stores files like music, photos, videos, documents, and provides a full management interface and virtual desktop through a browser to organize and share all your content.
icloud launch movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQgdceh66EQ

Daniel Arthursson, icloud's Founder and CEO, says, "Having 100 GB directly accessible in your pocket through an iPhone or smartphone will definitely change how we use and interact with data. With the massive storage of the icloud Super Drive, everything will always be accessible, no need to bring your computer to do a quick PowerPoint presentation, just present it straight out of the cloud."
Facts about the icloud online computer:
* Secure cloud storage with backup accessible from any computer,
iPhone, Android or Windows Mobile phone
* Free basic version includes 50 applications like Office, Mail,
Music, Video, Instant Messaging and Games
* icloud Premium with 100 GB Super Drive now available for $39.99/year
* Community (my.icloud.com) and email @icloud.com
* Zero installation, runs within browsers
* Available worldwide in 26 languages and used in 170 countries
About icloud

Founded in 2001 by Daniel Arthursson, Xcerion provides the free icloud.com service, the world's leading "Cloud OS", a groundbreaking technology with 22 pending patents. Developers have API and tools to build their own cloud applications.

Xcerion is based in Sweden, privately held and funded by Northzone Ventures. Investors include Lou Perazzoli, architect of Windows NT and former Manager Microsoft Core OS and John Connors former CFO Microsoft. Xcerion is a Red Herring Global 100 winner.

TeliaSonera and Huawei Launch World’s Fastest Commercial Mobile Broadband Network with Huawei’s 4G/LTE Solutions

TeliaSonera and Huawei Launch World’s Fastest Commercial Mobile Broadband Network with Huawei’s 4G/LTE Solutions


Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, and TeliaSonera, the largest telecoms operator in Scandinavia and the Baltic countries, today jointly announced the deployment of the world’s first LTE commercial network in Oslo, Norway. These 4G services offer maximum speeds of up to 100 Mb/s and are approximately 10 times faster than existing 3G networks.

TeliaSonera’s customers will be the first in the world to enjoy simultaneous mobile broadband services such as high definition (HD) video conferencing in mobile environments and a variety of HD video programs via multiple terminal devices; applications that cannot be realized in current 3G networks.

Mr. Kenneth Karlberg, President and Head of Mobility Services TeliaSonera, said: “We are very proud to be the first operator in the world to offer our customers 4G services. Thanks to the successful cooperation with Huawei, we can offer 4G to our customers in Oslo earlier than originally planned.”

As a leading provider of end-to-end 4G/LTE solutions, Huawei delivered both network infrastructures and services to TeliaSonera, such as access network, core network, operation support system, and network planning and optimization. Its field proven fourth-generation base stations and SAE (System Architecture Evolution) solution ensure the stability of the network and enable fast deployment.

Yu Chengdong, President of Huawei Europe, said: “In partnership with TeliaSonera, Huawei began this journey eleven months ago to introduce the world’s most advanced mobile broadband technology to the residents of Oslo. This milestone, which was achieved in a short period of time, reflects Huawei’s unwavering commitment towards accelerating the commercialization of LTE/SAE solutions. Operators such as TeliaSonera, are now able to to fully realize economic benefits from the many new applications that can only be made possible with ultra broadband services.”

To date, Huawei has constructed over 25 LTE commercial and trial networks and has made more than 3,300 LTE/SAE contributions to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
About Huawei

Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 36 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

AIS LAUNCHES THAILAND’S FIRST “FACEBOOK &TWITTER ALERT” CUSTOMERS “MENT” AND “TWEET” RIGHT ON AIS MOBILE PHONE

AIS connects the world of social network smash, Facebook and Twitter, to every AIS mobile phone, introducing Thailand’s first Facebook &Twitter Alert on mobile phone service in response to the popularity among new generation, receiving and posting messages online (“Ment” and “Tweet”) through quick and convenient real time SMS. Never miss any movement of the communities, expanding the territory of online social network to wireless world on mobile phones obviously accessing every user group (Mass)


Mr. Pratthana Leelapanang, Assistance Vice President – Value Added Service of AIS, disclosed “Now the surge of Social Network becomes the remarkable phenomenon in the online world, especially on the sizzling websites Facebook and Twitter occupying a multitude of members resulting in exponential increase of Internet connects and breaking limit to access mobile phone service. During the past 2-3 years, the growth of Social Network has caused the increase of data use. There are over 65 million worldwide users of Social Network on mobile phones at present. However, the Social Network access through mobile phone has been restricted to only the Smart Phone group.

To expand Social Network to every user group (mass) for unlimited connection to community groups anytime and anywhere, AIS develops the latest service, Thailand’s first “Facebook &Twitter Alert” on mobile phone via SMS allowing users of every handset registered on AIS network to receive “Ment” messages from friends or “Tweet” from the ones you follow on a real time basis and post messages, images and other functions such as Comment, Status Update, Add Friend and Update Tweet through SMS from your mobile phones to online world immediately. Users can identify friends’ name or their follows.

Besides, check out the highlight Twitter Express service that enables AIS users who are not Twitter members to “Follow” the one they want to follow, simply from the recommended Twitter list of interesting persons and top follows including various gurus, artists, stars and celebrities.

We are convinced that the service “Facebook &Twitter Alert” will complete lifestyle of mobile phone users from new generation to stay tuned to their society even more closely.”

AIS customers may see more details and apply for the service through Wap Portal by pressing *900*9# and calling out to get URL link to the Social Network page and select Facebook or Twitter service as desired for the following service rates;
Facebook* Twitter
Member fees Free Trial 7 days Free Trial 7 days
(Receive message) 9 Baht / week 9 Baht / week
(for unlimited messages) (for 10 received messages / day
and 1 Baht/message for excess messages)
Status Update fees 2 Baht / SMS 2 Baht /SMS
(Send message) 6 Baht / MMS
* Service on December 15, 2009

- According to the statistics, there are about 1.34 million Facebook members in Thailand with over 5 million viewers. Thailand is in the 4th ranging of Facebook growth (1st Taiwan, 2nd Vietnam and 3rd Philippine). Regarding Twitter, there are 600,000 members with over 1.2 million followers.
- There are over 6 million AIS Mobile Internet users at present.
- There are about 100,000 users of Facebook on mobile phones.
- There are about 30,000 users of Twitter on mobile phones.