Singapore first to launch Google Android phone in Asia
CORP TALK: Looks like SingTel has done it again, at least when it comes to making region firsts for introducing highly anticipated handsets touting newfangled OSes. Hot off the exclusive Apple iPhone launch last year, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and HTC Corporation will put on sale the HTC Dream tomorrow: the first Android-powered mobile phone to go on sale in Asia. Customers of SingTel and its wholly-owned subs in Australia, Optus, get to be the first in Asia to enjoy it.
Come tomorrow, several phone users will get to own a piece of Google's Android platform, courtesy of SingTel and HTC.
The HTC Dream itself touts full touch-screen functions and a QWERTY keyboard. It’s also suppose to come with a mobile Web experience that combines can’t-do-without Google apps and Google Search. Key to being an Android powered phone of course is access to Android Market, which hosts a bevy of apps from developers worldwide. For SingTel users, the HTC Dream will come with an app called SG SavvyShopper, where customers can scan a product barcode using their camera phone and get info like prices, product info and reviews.
To date, the Android-powered phone is available as the T-Mobile G1 in the US and the Era G1 in Poland.
For a video that compares some of the features between the HTC Dream (or G1) and the Apple iPhone, here’s a ZoneOut video episode done by the Singapore team. (Editor opinions: 2)
ZoneOut #7 - Dreaming the HTC Dream from videoman on Vimeo
Here’s a quick glance at SingTel’s price plans (2-year contracts) for the HTC Dream at launch tomorrow:
|
Price Plan |
Monthly Subscription |
Bundled Outgoing Minutes |
Bundled SMS |
Promotional Data Bundle** |
Price of HTC Dream phone*** |
| 3G Flexi Lite |
S$39 (US$25) |
100 |
500 |
500 MB |
S$238(US$155) |
| 3G Flexi |
S$56 (US$36) |
200 |
500 |
1 GB |
$138(US$90) |
| 3G Flexi Plus |
$95(US$62) |
500 |
500 |
2 GB |
$38(US$25) |
* Applicable for all new and recontracting customers across compatible phone models
** Applies after unlimited data bundle is exhausted
*** After S$200 (US$130) trade-in
David Chieng, Editor, HWM Singapore
David (HWM SG): What worked for the iPhone may not necessarily work for Android phones because Android phones will only really appeal to the geek crowd. Unlike the Apple iPhone, the Android-powered phone doesn’t have the same ease-of-use philosophy behind the device, except that the software’s designed by Google. (more…)
