Smart strengthens popularity of 'instashare' lifestyle

MANILA, Philippines - The word “instant” can easily describe any decade. In the 1970s, instant photographs from push-button cameras were the rage. Then in the 1980s, instant music came into play courtesy of cassette tapes.

In the 1990s, instant food became commonplace. And at the turn of the millennium, instant messaging was made possible by mobile phones and the Internet.

Today, instant once again adapts a different meaning as the digital age enters the “instashare” era. As its name suggests, instashare means sharing experiences over the Internet through the use of mobile devices.

Simply take a photo or a video, and your summer escapades could be seen by your friends around the world faster than you could return to your hotel room.

Thanks to mobile services from Smart, “instasharing” has even created a sub-culture of its own among Filipinos — mostly of tech-savvy users and their circle of friends who use social networking sites as a repository of memories.

“Among the most popular mobile apps Filipinos use for instasharing are Instagram, Foursquare, and more recently Pinterest,” said Smart broadband Internet and data services head Lloyd Manaloto.

The free-to-download apps are used to upload images, location, and status updates, respectively, to popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

“The trend continues to grow and we realize that we have to live up to our customers’ demands. Which is why we continue to create services which will cater to their needs — such as our best-ever Postpaid Data Plan 1000,” Manaloto said.

Manaloto refers to Special Edition Data Plan 1000 which includes 500 texts to all networks, 500 minutes of Smart-Talk ‘N Text calls, and 1GB of mobile data per month.

What’s more, subscribers can avail themselves of the latest smartphones for a 24-month amortized and discounted price on top of the monthly service fee.

“Not only are we giving the best services, we are including the best devices so Filipinos could fully enjoy every moment of their vacation,” said Manaloto.

Included in the roster of gadgets are the 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (the first Google phone which features Android version 4 “Ice Cream Sandwich”) which are available for only P900 per month.

Also in the lineup are the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 (P800/month), the HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio (P900/month), the HTC Evo 3D (P900/month), the Nokia N9 (P900/month), the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray (P500/month), and soon the latest Windows Phone in the market, the Nokia Lumia 710 (P450/month).

BlackBerry fans, meanwhile, can also get their very own BlackBerry Curve 9360 (P700/month), BlackBerry Bold 9790 (P900/month), and BlackBerry Bold 9900 (P1,300/month).

“This amazing offer is available only until May 19 so make sure you make this summer your hottest one yet,” said Manaloto.

“And when you get your brand new phone, be sure to share the good news with your friends,” he added.

To learn more about the limited-edition Data Plan 1000, check www.smart.com.ph/DataPlan1000 or visit the nearest Smart Wireless Center nearest you.