As of this writing, here’s my ranking worldwide (70th) and country-wise (1st):

Chikka’s breakthrough had been in marrying IM technology seamlessly with SMS, and then building a back-end that would withstand its use by the world’s ‘text capital’ – The Philippines.

2010: Chikka for the New Digital Generation

Ten years later, Chikka has served over 68 million people who had registered on-line and via mobile to enjoy the way Chikka had united on-line Filipinos with the sea of SMS users. The company is also releasing the latest version of its Chikka Text Messenger.

“Back in 2000, Internet penetration in the country was a mere 2% but many had mobile phones and we were already a texting culture,” said Chikka founder Dennis Mendiola. “We enabled Filipinos to connect to an on-line IM community via texting which was second nature to us.”

Today, a “digital generation” has emerged and 30% of Filipinos have Internet access taking part in social networks and becoming active in social media. Mobile penetration is closer to 80%.

“We saw this during the great reawakening and national mourning for the passing of former President Cory Aquino. We witnessed it again as Typhoon Ondoy brought great floods to the Capital and the Youth, with their Internet and mobile tools helped relay information for mobilization and disaster relief,” said Mendiola.

Thus is setting for Chikka latest version release.

“Chikka is more relevant than ever. We observe for example that a lot of casual messaging previously exchanged via text has shifted to the social networks. Our latest version is being released, combining the cool convenience of sending an IM message when one is on-line with the personal warmth, immediacy even urgency of receiving a message as text, instantly read on ones phone,” Mendiola added.

Lighter “Load”

Promoting even higher utility for the community, the new Chikka version features P1.00 replies during off-peak hours when a lot of Global Filipinos are driving message traffic to friends and loved ones mobiles in the Philippines. Unlimited text packages akin to popular UNLI packages being offered by Philippine telcos are also now available all day.

It is also interoperable with Google Talk while Chikka is working on partnering with other instant messaging applications to make it easier for users to keep in touch.

“In 2010, there were over 16 million visits to the Chikka site from 215 countries during a one month period,” CIO Dennis Mendiola said. “Even though there are a lot of technological advancements in the communications industry, Chikka still remains to be the preferred communications tool for Global Pinoys.”

The Future

According to Mendiola much of the work that went into the “new Chikka” actually happened in the back-end with a major re-architecture.

This allows the company to pursue a technology roadmap that will very soon enable Chikka for any platform and operating system, for any IM aggregator, and also for any mobile device, Already a 3rd party developer has released an iPhone App. Chikka for its part is set to unveil its own app for the iPhone, as well as Blackberry and Android devices.

“The idea is for Chikka users to be able to access it on numerous communications platforms,” Mendiola said. “Simply put, as long as you have a computer or mobile phone, you can use Chikka.”

On to the review:

The BlackBerry 9700 was announced last October 2009, and this is RIM’s second handset (next to the Curve 8520) that will sport a touch-sensitive optical trackpad instead of the problematic trackball. A very welcome move from RIM. Compared with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, the Bold 9700′s camera is upgraded to 3.15MP (from just 2.0MP) with Image Stabilization; weight is reduced to just 122g from 133g; the Bold 9700 supports GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/1900/2100, & HSDPA 1700/2100/900 — up to 3.6Mbps. Like the Bold 9000, Bold 9700 is also WiFi (802.11 b/g, UMA) enabled.

On the downside, internal storage for the Bold 9700 was reduced to just 256MB from Bold 9000′s 1GB. But, the Bold 9700 supports up to 16GB microSD expandable storage, while the Bold 9000 can only accommodate up to 8GB. The screen size got a little bit smaller at 2.44 inches, compared to the Bold 9000′s 2.6 inches.

GlobePH currently sells the BlackBerry Bold 9700 at PHP28,995 as a prepaid phonekit.

To participate in the auction, players must convert their play money into game credits for use in the monthly online auctions. The monthly auction, still hosted within the game site, will feature prizes up for grabs to the player that bids the highest number of game credits. The game is open to all players, but players must be registered to Smart Rewards to participate in the auction.

Dubbed as “B Free Day”, in line with Smart Bro’s partnership with the two premier collegiate sports leagues, which produced limited editions of Smart Bro Plug Its, dongles designed with the sports team monickers of UAAP and NCAA member schools. These are Adamson University, Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, National University, UE, UST and UP for UAAP. The NCAA member schools are College of St. Benilde (CSB), Jose Rizal University, Letran, Mapua, San Beda, San Sebastian, Philippine Christian University (on leave), and University of Perpetual Help.

“Supporting school sports is one of our advocacies as these provide positive entertainment and promote healthy competition among the youth. Giving away the dongles is our reward to them, in line with Smart Bro’s goal of delivering Internet for all,” explained Smart marketing group head Annie P. Naval.

Held at the Megatent in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, “B Free Day” thrilled the student crowd with back-to-back performances by popular rock bands Sandwich, Hale and Spongecola; raffle draws; and games and treats reminiscent of school fairs such as bail out jail booth, balloon darts, ball toss, back massages, burgers, beverages and other sponsors’ freebies—all beginning with the letter ‘b’.

Another popular section of “B Free” featured a remount of the successful Smart Bro Broadbandemonium – The Great SMART Bro Sale. The sale brought together major PC brands Acer, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Neo and Toshiba, which have bundled Smart Bro in some of their latest models, to give buyers the right equipment to enjoy the Internet with Smart Bro’s fast connectivity.

Smart Communications, Inc. recently launched its expanded HSPA network nationwide, from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Digos, Davao del Sur—with many more cellsites expected to go live before 2009 ends. Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other key cities are already covered with seamless, high-speed mobile broadband which provides a subscriber high speeds of up to 5.8Mbps, enabling Smart Bro subscribers to enjoy the fastest wireless broadband service when surfing the internet.

Thanks to the wonderful people of Havoc Digital (and Rogue) for the Press Pass!

Though SpeedTest.net is saying that I am currently located somewhere in UK(?).

We’re expecting some 300 bloggers and WiFi testers to show up at the SM City Marikina Cyberzone. Hope that all other SM Supermalls will provide Free WiFi access soon.

(photo courtesy of Melo Villareal)

Dell is leading the way in designing solutions to meet your needs at every stage of growth. Their latest Vostro model delivers affordable solutions to address basic computing tasks on any budget.

You can stay productive and focused on your business in the office, on the road, or at home. The Vostro A840 laptop delivers the technology you need to execute everyday business tasks no matter where you are. It’s compact and easy to take anywhere. Integrated Wi-Fi, modem, and Bluetooth options keep you connected and in sync for on-the-go collaboration. It is easy to deploy and manage for out-of-the-box productivity. And it is pre-configured with core office productivity applications and no annoying trialware.

Dell helps you avoid hardware failures with high quality industry-standard components and proven Intel technology. Designed for everyday mobile office computing, the Vostro A840 laptop is ready to take on the rigors of your business day and keep you looking professional. Dell will also provide you with services and support you need to help you remain on your business – not on your technology.

Dell Vostro A840 is just right for your growing businesses. It’s affordable, reliable and worry-free.

Through its Philippine subsidiary DELL Philippines, it is set to be accessible and be able to provide services to all Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). And at this start of the year, DELL Philippines brings in good news with Dell Vostro A840 Bundling Promo. For every purchase of Dell Vostro A840, customer is entitled to (1) unit LG KP105.

LG KP105 is a bar phone with a colored monitor, FM radio capable, dual band and has a mobile tracker. Its suggested retail price is 1,999.00 pesos, but LG KP105 can be yours free when you buy Dell Vostro A840.

See flyers and posters for details.

You might want to know how to avail..

Promo Mechanics / Claiming Directions:

This promo is open to all buyers of Dell Vostro A840 laptops from January 15 – February 15, 2009 nationwide.

For every purchase of Dell Vostro A840, customer is entitled to one (1) unit of LG KP105 mobile phone.

To claim your free LG KP105 mobile phone, fax or email the following documents to First Tier Branding Solutions Inc.

Sales Invoice and Official Receipt

Cut out of the laptop’s serial number sticker found in the box

Valid ID (SSS, PRC, Driver’s license, Passport, etc.) and Contact Information

First Tier Brands contact information are as follows:

Tel Nos: (02) 856.2375 / (02) 383.1651

Mobile Phone: (0922) 836.5191

Fax No: (02) 856.2375

Email Address: dell.a840@gmail.com

Address: Unit 1610 BSA Suites Carlos Palanca Street

Legaspi Village, Makati City

Note: A customer representative will contact the claimant/s on claiming instructions.

For Metro Manila customers, please claim your mobile phones at First Tier Brands office. For provincial claimants, First Tier Brands will send the item via courier service. Delivery charges will apply and will be shouldered by the claimant.

All claims must be received on or before April15, 2009. Redemption period is until May 15, 2009 only.

Unclaimed mobile phones will be forfeited in favor of Dell Asia Pacific – Philippine Representative Office SMB Group with prior approval from DTI.

In case of disputes, Dell Asia Pacific’s decision in concurrence with DTI shall be final and non-negotiable.

All employees of Dell Asia Pacific, participating dealers and other promo partners/third parties, including their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity, are automatically disqualified from joining the promo.

Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 0067 Series OF 2009

People from Sky Broadband was there, too. And as TJ describes it: insanely fast! How fast was it, 12Mbps for a residential broadband.

All bloggers went home with gift certificates from Sky Cable — free installation and rental of Digibox, plus a quarter subscription to Sky Cable Gold at zero cost. Kewl, isn’t it?

(Some pics grabbed from Az — thanks Az!)

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Type a title of a song in Esnips.com and you will find tons of versions of the same song, in different formats. Clicking on a link will load the Flash-based media player of the website. Now, if you want to download a copy of the file, you can, but your will be needing iMesh.

Now, here’s a technique that I am using to download the MP3 files, without having to use (and install) iMesh:

1. Let’s say, the URL of the song I wish to download is
   http://www.esnips.com/doc/a56a0906-0f7f-4e6a-a241-1f3cdfaf7cb1/kundiman_ni_paraluman
2. Change the word ‘doc’ in the URL to ‘nsdoc‘.
3. Replace the song title or name with /ts_id/1205795172796/ns_flash/file88.mp3, in my example URL, I will have to remove ‘kundiman_ni_paraluman‘ and replace it with ‘/ts_id/1205795172796/ns_flash/file88.mp3′
4. Hit the {Enter} key, and you will be prompted to save the MP3 file. That easy.

If you were helped of this post, your “Thank you!” is accepted, but your PayPal donation is better.

Just book a flight online at http://www.flyseair.com and use the PROMO CODE RRBR35EE to avail of the 15% discount. The discount is valid only if you will buy the ticket online.

For inquiries and other concern with regards to this promo, please do not hesitate to leave a comment on this post. Thank you!