MakaPalm http://www.makapalm.com Notes from a Filipino Palm user Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:39:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Wanted: New Media Producer for ABS-CBN Global http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-new-media-producer-for-abs-cbn-global/ http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-new-media-producer-for-abs-cbn-global/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:37:57 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=695 ABS-CBNABS-CBN Global is looking for a new media producer to handle The Filipino Channel Online (TFCNow), its online video and audio streaming subscription service that distributes ABS-CBN programs to Filipinos all over the world.

If you have a degree and experience in mass communication or marketing, at least 30 years old, and live on the Web like I do, you may want to apply.

Don’t miss the opportunity to work with Cris Concepcion — one of my favorite Yahoos, who labored for the creation of our office and led its sales and operations before joining the broadcast giant last year as head of new media and technology.

Check out the Jobstreet ad before submitting your info at ABS-CBN’s recruitment site.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-new-media-producer-for-abs-cbn-global/feed/ 0 Nokia and Yahoo announce partnership http://www.makapalm.com/nokia-yahoo-announce-partnership/ http://www.makapalm.com/nokia-yahoo-announce-partnership/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 15:48:50 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=682 Nokia and Yahoo! today announced a partnership in online mapping and communication services.

In this worldwide alliance, Nokia’s Ovi Maps will power Yahoo!’s maps and navigation services, while Yahoo! will be the provider of Nokia’s email and chat services.

The two companies are also planning to integrate user logins. Initially, Nokia users may access select Yahoo! properties using their Ovi user IDs.

While US-based observers and critics may frown at this development as an alliance between an also-ran and a small player, it has great impact in emerging markets such as the Philippines. Yahoo! is used by at least 80% of Internet users in the Philippines, while Nokia is the most popular cellphone brand (with 59% device manufacturer share in Admob’s latest metrics) . In the Philippines, this could only be described as a partnership between two tech giants.

Disclosure: This blogger works for Yahoo! Philippines.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/nokia-yahoo-announce-partnership/feed/ 0 HP to buy Palm for $1.2 billion http://www.makapalm.com/hp-to-buy-palm-for-1-2-billion/ http://www.makapalm.com/hp-to-buy-palm-for-1-2-billion/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:50:56 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=671 would buy my favorite smart phone maker.]]>

Will Palm Pre become HP Pre? (Palm/Wikipedia)

I woke up this morning to the news that HP, one of the world’s oldest and largest IT company, would buy my favorite smart phone maker. While there had been rumors of as possible buyout of Palm, HP was not always mentioned in the reports.

While it’s a bit sad that Palm would again be no longer an independent company, it’s still good news — as what my colleague Joey Alarilla tweeted. Learning that Palm would soon be in the hands of HP, a leading creator of a wide range of IT products, made me feel that the PDA and smart phone pioneer would not just fade away as some critics predicted.

Maybe the webOS-powered Palm Pre and its successors would eventually reach and be a hit in the Philippine shores. HP, after all, is a global company.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/hp-to-buy-palm-for-1-2-billion/feed/ 0 Wanted: Producer/Reporter for Yahoo! http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-producerreporter-for-yahoo/ http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-producerreporter-for-yahoo/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:44:21 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=647 Yahoo!Reposted from ErwinOliva.com:

Yahoo! Southeast Asia is looking for a producer/reporter to develop stories for the web.

  • The candidate must have 3 to 5 years experience in television production, a news wire agency, or online news media.
  • The candidate must be knowledgeable about online journalism and ready to use multimedia technology to find and develop stories for the Internet.
  • Willing to work with little supervision but can plan coverage, edit stories, and has sense of immediacy for news.
  • Teamplayer who is willing to work for a regional team.

Send your letter of application explaining why you’re interested in this job along with your resume to eoliva[at]yahoo-inc[dot]com.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/wanted-producerreporter-for-yahoo/feed/ 0 Bloomberg: Palm is looking for a buyer http://www.makapalm.com/bloomberg-palm-is-looking-for-a-buyer/ http://www.makapalm.com/bloomberg-palm-is-looking-for-a-buyer/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:43:16 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=641 Update: A Reuters report said Palm hired bankers "to assess strategic options for the company, including a potential sale." Citing an anonymous source, the report added that Palm could look for additional financing or license webOS if it chooses not to sell itself.]]> Update: A Reuters report said Palm hired bankers “to assess strategic options for the company, including a potential sale.” Citing an anonymous source, the report added that Palm could look for additional financing or license webOS if it chooses not to sell itself.

After days of rumors that certain companies are looking at buying Palm, Inc. — the maker of smartphones Treo, Centro, Pre, and Pixi — Bloomberg reported today that the company is working with investment firms to find a buyer.

The report said among the possible buyers are Chinese laptop maker Lenovo and Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer HTC, which creates phones for Google’s Android operating system. Chinese firms Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. — yes, it’s the same ZTE of the ZTE/NBN Scandal fame!

Palm has yet to issue a comment on this issue, and none of the reported possible buyers confirmed their interest in buying the PDA pioneer.

Palm followers like me hope that these rumors are just — well — rumors. We want to see an independent Palm that will continue to create gadgets that will delight us, maka-Palms, and ensure that the webOS — which is still in its early stages — be utilized to its full potential. We have yet to see a webOS-based Foleo 2, which could compete with the iPad.

On the other hand, a possible buyout will not be entirely new for Palm. Around three years after Jeff Hawkins founded Palm Computing, Inc. in 1992, US Robotics bought the company. Later, 3Com acquired Palm’s new mother company. Its founders then left Palm and started creating smart phones in their new company called Handspring. They found their way back to their baby in 2003 when Handspring merged with Palm’s hardware division.

But if the rumors are true, we can only hope that the buyer will provide the Palm guys with the resources they need to compete and level of independence that will allow them to continue innovating.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/bloomberg-palm-is-looking-for-a-buyer/feed/ 0 Pre Plus & Pixi Plus coming to AT&T http://www.makapalm.com/palm-pre-pixi-coming-to-att/ http://www.makapalm.com/palm-pre-pixi-coming-to-att/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:13:54 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=635 announced today that webOS is coming to AT&T, a GSM-based telecom in the US. Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus will be available "in the coming months," according to the company's official blog. ]]> Palm announced today that webOS is coming to AT&T, a GSM-based telecom in the US.

Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus will be available “in the coming months,” according to the company’s official blog.

The first-generation models of Palm Pre and Pixi are already being offered by GSM carriers in Europe, but Pre units are very scarce here in the Philippines. I wonder if this piece of news will pave the way for the availability of these Palm phones here, where telecoms are also using GSM technology.

Will this latest announcement also boost the company’s falling stocks and reverse the widespread perception that Palm is going down?

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/palm-pre-pixi-coming-to-att/feed/ 0 Yahoo!-Microsoft deal gets US, EU nod http://www.makapalm.com/yahoo-microsoft-deal-gets-us-eu-nod/ http://www.makapalm.com/yahoo-microsoft-deal-gets-us-eu-nod/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:50:04 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=625 Below is a Yahoo! press release on the approval of its search deal with Microsoft in the United States and the European Union. Disclosure: This blogger works for Yahoo! Philippines.


Yahoo! and Microsoft to Implement Search Alliance
Completion of U.S., European Review Clears Way for Agreement to Move Forward

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT – News) and Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO – News) announced today that they have received clearance for their search agreement, without restrictions, from both the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission, and will now turn their attention to beginning the process of implementing the deal.

Implementation of the deal is expected to begin in the coming days and will involve transitioning Yahoo!’s algorithmic and paid search platforms to Microsoft, with Yahoo! becoming the exclusive relationship sales force for both companies’ premium search advertisers globally. Once the transition is completed, the companies’ unified search marketplace will deliver improved innovation for consumers, better volume and efficiency for advertisers and better monetization opportunities for web publishers through a platform that contains a larger pool of search queries.

“This breakthrough search alliance means Yahoo! can focus even more on our own innovative search experience,” said Yahoo! Chief Executive Officer Carol Bartz. “Yahoo! gets to do what we do best: combine our science and technology with compelling content to build personally relevant online experiences for our users and customers.”

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer concurred with Bartz’s assessment. “Although we are just at the beginning of this process, we have reached an exciting milestone,” Ballmer said. “I believe that together, Microsoft and Yahoo! will promote more choice, better value and greater innovation to our customers as well as to advertisers and publishers.”

Consumer Search Experience

Under terms of the agreement, which was announced in late July 2009, Microsoft will provide Yahoo! with the same search result listings available through Bing, and Yahoo! will innovate around those listings by integrating rich Yahoo! content, enhanced listings with conveniently organized information about key topics, and tools to tailor the experience for Yahoo! users.

Yahoo! will focus on providing a compelling and innovative search experience that allows people to find and explore the things, people and sites that matter most to them. While Microsoft will provide the underlying platform, both companies will continue to create different, compelling and evolving experiences, competing for audience, engagement and clicks.

Transition Timeline

Yahoo! and Microsoft will work with advertisers, publishers and developers on a customized plan designed to make the transition as efficient and seamless as possible. Both companies will begin working closely with most partners well in advance of their planned transition to the Microsoft platform and will communicate important information to partners about the transition periodically via phone, email, webinars and a newly created website at www.searchalliance.com.

The companies will begin the transition of algorithmic search and have set a goal of completing that effort in at least the United States by the end of 2010. The companies also hope to make significant progress transitioning U.S. advertisers and publishers prior to the 2010 holiday season, but may wait until 2011 if they determine that the transition will be more effective after the holiday season. All global customers and partners are expected to be transitioned by early 2012.

Customer Relationships

Once the transition is in place, Yahoo! and Microsoft will each represent and provide customer support to different advertiser segments. Yahoo!’s sales team will exclusively represent and support high volume advertisers, SEO and SEM agencies, and resellers and their clients. Microsoft will represent and support self-service advertisers.

Regulatory Summary

Although the transaction previously was cleared by regulators in Australia, Brazil and Canada, the terms of the agreement required clearance by U.S. and European regulators before it could commence. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Yahoo! continue to work with regulators in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan to ensure that they have all relevant information necessary to evaluate the transaction before the deal commences in those specific jurisdictions.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/yahoo-microsoft-deal-gets-us-eu-nod/feed/ 0 My Smart Money MasterCard problem http://www.makapalm.com/smart-money-mastercard-problem/ http://www.makapalm.com/smart-money-mastercard-problem/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:59:22 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=611 Smart Money MasterCardWhen Smart relaunched its mobile payment platform and dubbed it as “bagong pambayad ng bayan,” I thought it’s the best time to have my old, beaten, and recently misplaced Smart Money card replaced.

I have been using Smart Money to pay (via mobile-to mobile transfer) for goods I buy on ebay and to sell cellphone load to my friends and officemates.

A friendly customer care representative at Shangri-La mall assisted me in placing my replacement request, and I received my new Smart Money card after around a week. The first thing I noticed was that it didn’t look like the one being advertised, and it had a MasterCard Electronic logo instead of MasterCard. The last two digits of my Smart Money account number also changed.

When I activated the new card, the customer care officer on the phone assured me that the new Smart Money number printed on my card and the one from the lost card belong to a single account. She told me to just disregard the old account number and start using the new one.

I was glad that I didn’t have to wait long for it and that I could use it to withdraw money from any ATM.

Despite the disclaimer “Valid only where MasterCard Electronic is accepted” printed on my card, I still tried to use it on a website that requires MasterCard. As expected, it was declined.

I decided that I need to get another Smart Money card — this time the Mastercard version, which begins with 5299-67. The FAQ page on the Smart Money site says: “You can apply for a Smart Money MasterCard even if you already have a Smart Money MasterCard Electronic. To get your Smart Money MasterCard, please visit the nearest Smart Wireless Center.”

The same page also states that “a maximum of two (2) Smart Money MasterCards/Accounts may be linked to your Smart mobile phone.” Smart’s official account on Twitter, @SMARTCares, also told me in a direct message that “linking of 2 Smart money accnts to ur SIM is possible.”

So the next day, I went to the Smart Wireless Center at Gateway mall in Cubao. I was surprised when the customer care officer told me that I could no longer apply for another card since I already have an account linked to my SIM. He said I need to have another SIM card to apply for a new Smart Money account. But I didn’t want to buy a new SIM card and maintain a new Smart Buddy prepaid account. I asked if they could just unlink my existing Smart Money account from my SIM, and the reply I got was negative.

I consulted @SmartCares on Twitter again, and I was asked how many Smart Money accounts (active and inactive) do I own. I replied I have only one. However, discussing detailed problems such as this on Twiter was a bit difficult, so I called the Smart Money hotline and explained my problem.

If I could not apply for a new one, I told the custumer care officer, may I request that my MasterCard Electronic card be upgraded to the MasterCard version? The person on the phone cannot seem to differentiate MasterCard from MasterCard Electronic. I think she even thought that I just wanted to have the new design on my card. (I actually want both the new design and the online shopping functionality.) Upgrading my card is not possible, she said.

She also clarified that there can indeed only be one Smart Money account for each SIM card. I think Smart should rewrite the vague statements on the FAQ.

When I asked if we could just destroy the current account so I could apply for a new one, she said I should fax a letter and some required documents to 8457770. I will do as advised and see what will happen.

By the way, this problem reminds me of my Smart TextMail predicament. Through the years, I’ve been mostly satisfied with Smart’s mobile services (not including SmartBro). However, I wish Smart can solve little problems such as this.

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/smart-money-mastercard-problem/feed/ 1 New job opening at Yahoo! http://www.makapalm.com/new-job-opening-at-yahoo/ http://www.makapalm.com/new-job-opening-at-yahoo/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:44:25 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=609 May opening ulit sa Yahoo! Here’s the full announcement from Yahoo! Southeast Asia Yodel:

Yahoo! Southeast Asia is looking for a Commissioning Editor to help support the production of English-language custom-branded micro-sites.

You’ll be required to identify and commission bloggers/writers to produce a variety of articles ranging from finance to event guides. That means you’ll need both an extensive list of contacts as well as a broad knowledge of various subjects.

The role also requires you to have strong editing skills to draw out a distinct and engaging editorial voice to satisfy the Yahoo! audience. Just as important — you need to be able to recognize this quality in other people’s writing.

Given the high expectations of our users, the role requires a professional with at least five years in an editorial role.

The job will also involve:

- Identifying strong bloggers and building a strong relationship with them
- Assessing pitches from bloggers
- Editing article submissions
- Commissioning photographers and illustrators
- Issuing contracts to bloggers
- Paying bloggers

The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

- More than 5 years in an editorial role, preferably in the magazine industry
- Strong relationships with prominent bloggers
- Ability to write and re-write in an engaging style
- Strong copy editing skills, knowledge of AP style is preferred
- Strong attention to detail
- Nurturing skills to help develop bloggers

In terms of personality, we’re looking for someone who is able to juggle multiple assignments and roll with the punches. You must be able to work independently. You need to be comfortable with technology and internet publishing tools, and if not, you should at least be a quick learner.

Interested?

Please send your resume and a cover letter to:

Alan Soon
Managing Editor
Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Email: alansoon@yahoo-inc.com

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]]> http://www.makapalm.com/new-job-opening-at-yahoo/feed/ 0 Admob on Carrington Mobile http://www.makapalm.com/admob-on-carrington-mobile-for-wordpress/ http://www.makapalm.com/admob-on-carrington-mobile-for-wordpress/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:55:29 +0000 Ederic http://www.makapalm.com/?p=605 Makapalm’s mobile version is now powered by Carrington Mobile for WordPress. To add Admob advertisements on its mobile site, I edited three files under the carrington mobile theme folder:

  • /posts/posts-default.php for ad on the homepage
  • /single/single-default.php for ad on individual blog posts
  • /pages/pages-default.php for ad on pages

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