Send in the CloudFones

MANILA, Philippines - I recently made a suggestion, in a job in my recent past, that one of the best ways to reach our target market was through Facebook and Twitter. I was told that the suggestion was “elitist,” and it was turned down.

“Only those in the private sector have access to Facebook and Twitter,” the boss said, and I didn’t argue. “Those who have less don’t go to those sites.”

But what I do know is that Facebook, Twitter and similar social network sites are no longer the sole “ownership” of people with computers, or people in the private sector.

In an interview in the past, I remember that I was told that the reason Internet cafés still are around is because young people, from all walks of life, spend at least P50 a day logging on to their fave sites. Of course, statistics don’t lie. On www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/ lists, the Philippines is listed as number eight, out of 200 countries in terms of number of users. The site says that there are a total of 26,871,460 Facebook users from the country.

Keep Us Net Connected

It must be these statistics, and perhaps the clamor for cell phones that make connecting faster, that has telcos looking for gadgets that will meet these needs. Recently, Globe introduced its CloudFone Ice, an Android handset that’s easy on the pocket, enabling a wide range of users to experience the benefits of mobile Web powered by the Globe network.

Just like when texting was the in thing many years ago, telcos like Globe made sure that the cell phones they offered made texting easy, and cheap, too.

Today, texting is still one of the main ways we communicate, but there are lots of younger folks out there who look to Facebook and Twitter to keep abreast of what is happening. After all, a post on either of site reaches farther than a single text ever can.

The CloudFone Ice is loaded with a 3.2-inch full touchscreen display, running on Android 2.1 and has Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 3G/HSDPA, Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio and 3.15 megapixel camera with up to 32GB storage via microSD card. But, Globe admits that the selling point for this cell phone is it being a phone that makes connecting to the Net a breeze.

“The CloudFone Ice is another revolutionary offer from Globe. At a price that’s so easy on the wallets of our Filipino mobile phone users, this is indeed one great deal to respond to the increasing demand for more affordable smartphones,” said Joanna Africa, head of Globe portfolio management. “Gone are the days when mobile access to various sources of information and entertainment via the World Wide Web was limited to the more expensive smartphones. With the CloudFone Ice, users can access Facebook, Twitter, Google, and their favorite e-mail and chat sites in a snap without having to spend too much.”

The CloudFone Ice is not the best-looking cell phone on the market, but in Wi-Fi hotspots, its connections are made really well. I took the CloudFone Ice for a test in one of the Wi-Fi hotspots in a coffee shop in Makati.

I set up the Android with my e-mail addys and downloads started quickly. I also tried downloading a PDF file, it didn’t take long and since it is a touchscreen cell phone, it was easy to pinch the screen so that I could see the file clearly.

Work out of the way, I opted to check out YouTube and catch a few videos. I was not disappointed as the videos downloaded fast and played without interruption. Of course, thank goodness for the great Wi-Fi connection at the coffee shop. I checked Facebook and Twitter as these are the two social networking sites where I have accounts. The experience was pleasing. And I can understand why the younger folks would like a phone like the CloudFone Ice.

This One Is For You

 Globe says that the CloudFone Ice is really targeted toward budget-conscious consumers who want to own an affordable Android so they can enjoy mobile browsing. In the past, the kind of browsing was available to users owning high-end smartphones. The cheapest plan under which customers can get the phone for free is postpaid All-Unli Plan (with a P349 UnliText to Globe/TM booster). With postpaid Plan 299, they can get the phone for only P1,426. Globe admits to not having a profile of the customers who have availed of the CloudFone Ice, but, the main plan availed of by most of the buyers was Plan 499 and the All-Unli Plan. The CloudFone Ice is available for only P4,990 for a prepaid kit or for free at My Super Plan 499 for postpaid subscribers.

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For more information, visit a Globe store nearest you or call 730-1000.