Valentines Day Gifts: OPPO Offers Special Gift Packs on Valentines Day

OPPO is offering special gifts packs to those who will get an OPPO N3 during the Valentine’s event, said a statement issued by the company.

The limited edition gift packs offered during the campaign consist of practical accessories that have been specifically prepared for the release of N3. Gift packs consist of:

• Handset covers,
• Photography stands
• Handheld selfie sticks

All these gift packs are designed to provide users with the best photography experience that only an OPPO handset can offer, said the statement.

During the Valentines event, in OPPO exclusive shops and local shopping malls OPPO “Love photo studios” will provide fans and enthusiasts with an opportunity to take intimate pictures with OPPO handsets and upload them to Facebook for sharing.

As the first handset in the world to come with a motorized rotating camera, the OPPO N3 is second to none when it comes down to capturing those precious moments, claimed OPPO.

Utilizing the 16 megapixel camera which is certified by Schneider-Kreuznach from Germany and the PI 2.0 + image software platform, the N3 offers the most exotic shooting experience that is possible with a rotating camera.

All these make it the perfect device for loves everywhere to bring a twist to those Valentine’s Day selfies.

Just in case if you are wondering, price of OPPO N3 is Rs. 69,900 in Pakistan.

Nokia Wireless Charging: Microsoft Announced The Retail Availability of New DT-903 Nokia Wireless Charging Plate For Lumia Devices

Today Microsoft announced the retail availability of their latest charging plate accessory to go along with some of their Nokia Windows Phone handsets.

The new DT-903 Wireless Charging Plate has some enhancements that look like they will make the device a very cool thing to have on your desktop.

This charging plate can connect to your Nokia Lumia phone that uses the Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) technology and Qi charging to provide you visual light patterns of alerts from your phone for incoming calls, messages, and emails. In addition it will glow if your phone needs to be charged.

The three key pieces you need for these features to work are:

- Qi Wireless charging capable phone
- Bluetooth LE compatible phone
- Use Device Hub app to manage notifications (ships on all Lumias)

Some examples are the Nokia Lumia 830 and Lumia 735.

According to the Microsoft Store website product page for the DT-903 Wireless Charging Plate, the following phones can be charged using this accessory:

- Any phone that supports Qi wireless charging
- Nokia Lumia Icon
- Nokia Lumia 720
- Nokia Lumia 810
- Nokia Lumia 820 (requires CC-3041 Wireless Charging Shell)
- Nokia Lumia 822
- Nokia Lumia 920
- Nokia Lumia 925 (requires CC-3065 Wireless Charging Cover)
- Nokia Lumia 928
- Nokia Lumia 1020 (requires CC-3066 Wireless Charging Cover)
- Nokia Lumia 1520
- HTC 8X

They even demoed a modified Fatboy Edison Petit Lamp that flashed based on interactions with the phone at IFA Berlin 2014.

It is unfortunately not for sale.

You can get the DT-903 Wireless Charging Plate now at the Microsoft Store online for $59.00. According to a Microsoft spokesperson it will be available in the Microsoft Store retail locations in February.

Chance to win OPPO N3 SmartPhones Through OPPO’s Photography Contest

To enable more people to share their photographic fun and great moments, OPPO has officially launched “It’s Your Turn” global mobile photography contest, inviting mobile owners worldwide to share their stories with photographs.

The three-week contest will center on three themes – “Selfie Showdown”, “Our World”, and “Inspiring Moments”. Participants can take part in the contest by either directly visiting the contest’s official page here or sharing their photos on social media sites such as Facebook.

The Facebook accounts of OPPO’s global and country sites will share photos uploaded by participants on a regular basis. A total of 30 winners will be selected and each of them will be given an all new N3.

The OPPO N3 sports a unique motorized rotating camera which certainly brings an interesting twist to smartphone photography. While delivering pictures up to 64 megapixels through OPPO’s market leading Pure Image processing technology – the PI 2.0+, the N3 is also equipped with customized camera software.

So, it’s your turn to get creative and win an all new OPPO N3 smartphone for yourself. Just log on to http://global.oppo.com/ItsYourTurn/ and register your entry.

Win a Samsung 10.1’’ Tablet by Taking the ISOC Regional Policy Survey

Following the success of its 2014 Regional Policy Survey, Internet Society (ISOC) Asia-Pacific Bureau has launched a Regional Policy Survey 2015, to more deeply examine ongoing Internet policy making trends in the region.

The 2015 survey intends to gain further insights on the most important policy themes and areas of concern as identified by ISOC members in last year’s study.

As an Internet user in Asia-Pacific, your views are extremely valuable in drawing a holistic depiction of important policy related concerns and challenges in the region. The results of this study will serve as input to regional and local policy-making, both in the public and private spheres. It will also help to enable regional bodies, governments, private sector, and technical communities make informed decisions on Internet development in Pakistan.

This survey should only take about 15 minutes of your time. Your answers will be completely anonymous.

Participants who complete the survey will have an option of being entered into a draw for three (3) Samsung Galaxy 10.1” tablets. Please enter your email address when prompted if you wish to be included in the draw. Survey results will be published on the Internet Society website.

The survey is available at the following link and will close on 11 February 2015.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/apacpolicy2015

Government on course to auction more 3G and 4G license in 2015

After getting a less expected amount of revenue from the Auction of 3G and 4G licensing in April 2014, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seems dedicated once again to auction more licenses of Next generation Mobile services (NGMS).

For this, the regulatory authority PTA has thrown out an advertisement for obtaining expression of interest (EOI) in order to hire consultants for auctioning to unsold slots, 850 Mhz (defunct) and 1800 MHz spectrum, in the year 2015 as a part of its efforts to introduce Next Generation Mobile Services in the country.

According to advertisement, the consultant is supposed to assess the market for the auction as well as attract new investors from outside Pakistan.

Just like the previous exercise of April 2014, PTA has been asked to sell these two slots for the highest possible value.

The April 2014 auction generated $ 1.112 billion for the national exchequer but government could only collect $ 965 million in the FY 2013-14. The two cellular operators, Telenor and Ufone, have yet to pay $ 147 million under an installment payment program that was designed by government itself in order to make things easier for cellular operators.

Not only these two cellular operators enjoyed the partial payment plan but also they were seen cautious at the time of buying spectrum when both bought only 5 MHz each.

A senior Telenor official called the decision “rational” by saying that 3G adoption rate in Pakistan would be slow and 5MHz has enough room to serve the needs in the coming years.

Another official of a telecom company said, “it is too early for the government to think about making more money from the spectrum auction. The entire industry is stuck and planning to deal with re-verification of mobile SIMs that would cause loss of revenue and customer eventually”.

“Instead of putting more pressure on the industry, government should support the industry at this moment in such a way that existing cellular operators could contribute more in the national exchequer through selling more services”, the official added.

Recently, PTA displayed on its website some 5 million 3G subscribers in just 7 months after the launch of 3G services in Pakistan.

There are currently 4 3G and 2 4G cellular operators working in Pakistan who are madly fighting over subscribers by indulging into heavy price war. The PML (N) government still finds the market lucrative enough for another foreign investor.

Microsoft Partners with PayPal on Retail Payments

Microsoft and PayPal announced this week that they are partnering to provide retailers with an all-in-one point of sale (POS) solution that includes a Surface Pro 3 tablet and a PayPal Here card reader. Aimed at small businesses, this solution will work like the suddenly ubiquitous Square readers that are usually paired with a smart phone or tablet. And it's coming to Windows Phone too.

"The new PayPal Here reader will include payment support for Microsoft Surface and other Windows devices through our efforts with Microsoft," PayPal vice president Brad Brodigan says. "Small businesses that use the PayPal Here reader, Windows 8.1 app, and SDK on these devices will benefit from the same world-class product features and customer support enjoyed by existing PayPal Here users."

The value proposition here, according to Microsoft, is that many small business retailers today have to maintain two devices: A tablet that is used with a (Square) card reader for transacting cash register-style business with customers and a laptop or other PC for inventory, supply, customer relationship information and accounting.

Here, we can see where Microsoft's tagline for the Surface Pro 3—"the tablet that can replace your laptop"—comes to life, because this solution lets small businesses complete both jobs with a single device. It's also worth noting that the Surface Pro 3's Pen provides a more natural customer signature pen than the usual system of drawing a doodle with your finger on an iPad screen like a two-year-old.

What's new here is mostly on the PayPal side. Late to the card reader game, PayPal will soon offer a PayPal Here card reader which—judging by its positioning in the supplied materials—connects to the Surface Pro 3 headphone jack, as does the Square reader. It will also provide a Windows 8.1 PayPal app to customers in the United States through the Windows Store. And a version for Windows Phone 8.1 is also on the way.

Additionally, third parties such as Anthro, ArmorActive, Heckler Design and ProClip USA will supply a variety of "fixed and portable enclosures in a range of form factors and colors" to complete the Surface Pro 3/PayPal retail experience.

Here's a video showing off how this will all come together.

Small business retailers in the US will be able to purchase this setup—the complete POS solution including Surface, the PayPal Here app and card reader and various point of sale hardware accessories—"later this year," Microsoft says. It will be made available through commercial resellers, Microsoft Retail Stores and select partner retail locations.

Ufone Partners with Faysal Bank to Offer iPhone 6 for Rs. 5,000 per Month Instalment

Ufone together with Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) has announced the launch of iPhone-based instalment plan of the year, whereby customers could own an iPhone 6 along with telecom goodies for as low as Rs. 5,000/ month inclusive of all taxes, that too without any upfront cost.

Customers would also be able to avail 1,000 on net minutes, 150 off net minutes, 1000 SMS and 3GB data, all inclusive in the monthly installment plan.

Customers could choose between 18 months and 24 months payment plans for any iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

Below are prices for iPhone and iPhone 6 Plus with 18 and 24 months terms:

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus – 24 Months Instalment Plan

• iPhone 6
  • 16 GB: Rs. 5,000 per month
  • 64 GB: Rs. 5,600 per month
  • 128 GB: Rs. 6,200 per month
• iPhone 6 Plus
  • 16 GB: Rs. 5,600 per month
  • 64 GB: Rs. 6,200 per month
  • 128 GB: Rs. 6,800 per month

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus – 18 Months Instalment Plan

• iPhone 6
  • 16 GB: Rs. 6,100 per month
  • 64 GB: Rs. 6,900 per month
  • 128 GB: Rs. 7,650 per month
• iPhone 6 Plus
  • 16 GB: Rs. 6,850 per month
  • 64 GB: Rs. 7,650 per month
  • 128 GB: Rs. 8,400 per month

Those who have Faysal Bank credit card can go ahead and dial their help-line to register the request.

Mr. Khurram Mahboob – Head of HVC, Ufone along with Mr. Ahmed Hemani, Head of Products and Mareting, Faysal Bank Limited, at the launch ceremony of iPhone 6 installment plans

Regarding this exciting new launch, Mr. Khurram Mahboob, Head of HVC at Ufone said, “This innovative endeavor would ensure that these latest, classy, and most sought after Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are within easy reach of our esteemed customers.”

“It is because of our valuable partnership with FBL that we’ve been able to offer these tailor made solutions to facilitate our customers, where they can now avail both; seamless connectivity coupled with a new Apple gadgetry.”

Expressing his views, Mr. Ahmed Hemani, Head of Products and Marketing, FBL said, “Ufone’s inclination towards uniqueness and innovation has compelled us to extend our partnership with the telecom operator, as its vision is in-line with our vision of putting customers first and providing them with quality solutions.”

It is another successful year that both Ufone and FBL have extended their partnership in offering smartphone solutions at affordable rates, earlier in 2013; both parties launched Postpay Smartphone Plan featuring Blackberry and Samsung mobile phones.

What Blackouts? LG Develops Battery Powered TV for Pakistan

No matter where you are in the world consumer’s demand and deserve an uninterrupted television viewing experience. LG Electronics has has developed the new LG Battery TV Plus specifically for the Pakistani market, ensuring their latest in home electronics can power through blackouts or any other power supply surprises.

LG Battery Plus TV:

The LG Battery Plus Television (LB552R) has a powerful battery at the heart of the unit, enabling the television to charge throughout the day. So when the powers go out, it still remains on. To guarantee functionality, LG has also equipped the television with a built in satellite function that enables the television to still receive the full line-up of channels regardless of whether the power is out or not. Every feature of the TV is able to run seamlessly through the internal battery power supply.

The LG Battery Plus TV can last up to one hour on battery and has an in-built satellite function

Also included in the unit is the built in time-machine television recorder that lets viewers save their favorite programs directly to the television unit. With the included storage system on the TV anyone will be able to go back and watch their favorite programs at a time convenient for them. All this is possible without any extra equipment or installation needed.

Battery Details:

The back-up battery on the LG Battery Plus TV is able to power the unit and built in satellite device for up to 60 minutes. The battery is also changeable, giving consumers the option of replacing the battery without the need of replacing the entire television. Households will be able to save money as the built in satellite and recorder replaces the need for an outside satellite dish or DVR system.

Connectivity:

Like all of LG’s TV’s numerous channels will be able to be broadcasted through the unit, both in HD and regular display. People can display their own programming as well using the built in MHL Cable ports, USB ports, and one of the 2 AV reports. Any owner that also has an Android powered smart phone will be able power the TV using the Smart TV Remote app, recognized for its ease of use.

Speaking on the new unit entering the Pakistani market, Mr. D. Y. Kim, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE said:

“Our consumers are the center of our company and it’s our job to make sure we deliver products that meet their needs. The LG Battery Plus television will be a great addition to any home as it incorporates our award winning Home Entertainment technology in a package that fits the region. We know our Pakistani consumers will be very pleased with this new product.”

Fawad Khan to Become the New face of Samsung in Pakistan

Samsung began its year with the signing of Fawad Khan and Farhad Humayun as the future Brand Ambassadors for Samsung’s mobiles under the Galaxy flagship at a mega event held in Pearl Continental, Lahore.

Fawad’s tremendous popularity as a vocalist, actor and model in Pakistan is well-known and now he has gained international recognition too, as he appeared recently in a Bollywood movie that was a box office hit and made him stand among the top notch stars of Bollywood. Whereas, Farhad Humayun is a famous model and lead vocalists and drummer of the Band “Overload”.

Both these stars have now tied bonds with Samsung to represent its powerful smartphones.

Samsung has also announced that they would continue to work with the “Josh” band, which has already been working as Samsung’s Brand Ambassador for over an year.

Fareed ullah Jan, the Head of Samsung’s Hand-Held Products (HHP) division said, “Samsung has had successful journeys with all its brand ambassadors and now the addition of Fawad Khan and Farhad Humayun in the Samsung Family, as the new Brand Ambassadors is also a very promising initiative for the company and the celebs.” Further he said, “We will continue working with the Josh Band as well, as our experience with them has also been amazing and I am sure, it will continue to be so.”

The high profiled event was attended by the celebrities, company’s officials, bloggers and media personnel.