Stay connected for free with Netphone

SMARTPHONES, which are now available in the market, are designed for users to stay connected all the time. These were designed mostly for Americans and Europeans who can afford to stay online 24/7. This is one reason that prompted wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. to design its own smartphone that suits the needs of Filipino mobile phone users. The Netphone 701, the first of the many Netphone product line to be introduced by Smart, was formally launched over the weekend. It is the only smartphone in the Philippines to come with full suite of Internet services at no extra cost. The Netphone 701, an Android-powered handset, is sold at P9,900 for a prepaid kit and comes free with postpaid plan 800. "The Netphone is the only phone of its kind that guarantees a worry-free Internet experience. No longer will subscribers have to worry about unexpected charges in their load or bill, thanks to Safe Browse, a patented application that allows the Netphone to connect only to a set of approved sites and services," Smart broadband Internet and data services head Giovanni Bacareza said during the product's media launch in Cebu City. He said they are looking at a huge market for this new product, which also comes in a "very affordable price" and much like any other expensive full-featured Internet-capable smartphones. "At present, there are 30 million Filipinos using the Internet, but only five million access the Net using their mobile phones," Bacareza said. This market segment uses smartphones, but with limited access to Net due to high charges of being connected. Bacareza said the figure should have been higher, considering the fact that it is easier to access the Internet with mobile devices. "The Netphone is our answer to the Filipinos' increasing demand for mobile Internet access. It's versatile - the services are relevant. It's something the ordinary Filipino can afford," Bacareza said. With the Netphone, he added, users are given access to social networking feeds from Facebook and Twitter for free through the Netphone's Social Stream. This could be a come-on feature of the product as the country, from being the text capital of the world, has already grabbed the title of being the world's online social networking champ. But more importantly, Bacareza said the Netphone gives users access to SmartNet, which allows users post comments and read updates on Facebook and Twitter and chat via Facebook and Yahoo Messenger without turning on Internet connectivity or relying on Wifi access. "We have integrated into SmartNet one-touch access to the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo Messenger, enabling its users, while on SmartNet, to stay online and keep tabs on their social activities for free. This allows our subscribers to enjoy their habit, yet save their airtime load," Bacareza said. Smart's patented "Safe Browse" feature on the Netphone allows users to choose when the device and the apps can and cannot access the Internet, a feature not yet supported by any other smartphone. "With Safe Browse turned on, using various apps and access to specific websites will be free," Bacareza said. The Netphone also carries the Global Directory feature that gives users the biggest phonebook ever. The directory stores contacts on the web in the cloud where there is enough space for everyone. Through this feature, it lets you contact anyone who is part of this directory by typing the name and contact numbers. Because Netphone is powered by Android 2.2, users have given the access to more than 300,000 applications available in the Android market. "You can install gaming, productivity, entertainment, information and utility apps through the Android market. You can access and back up data online, you can browse the Internet and use features and services that require constant connection to the Internet," Bacareza said.