Showing posts with label Mobile Network Services. Show all posts

What Is Smart Money, And Can You Buy From Google Play With It?


Smart Money is a payment solution that Smart Communications, Inc. developed close on the heels of Globe Telecom's G-Cash success. The concept is similar: send money or pay someone from a Smart Center or accredited partner, and the recipient will receive the credits via his Smart Gold, Smart Buddy or TalkN'Text number.

Today, however, Smart Money differentiated itself from G-Cash by partnering with BDO, providing MasterCard-based transactions, and then leaning heavily on its card-based services and making online transactions easier.

I've found a few great reviews about the use of their Smart Money accounts for online transactions, especially verifying their PayPal accounts, accepting payments as merchants, making Apple App Store purchases, and most importantly, successfully buying premium Android apps:


In general, though, finding reviews of Smart Money online is a little tough, as not a lot of people have made use of it. However, I managed to fish a couple of ReviewStream articles about Smart Money:


The Lady Programmer has also been able to use her Smart Money card to transfer funds from PayPal to EON to SmartMoney. She did this in order to do away with needing to endure the long lines in Unionbank Baguio.

The primary use of Smart Money, as I've found out, has been to verify one's PayPal account. Here are other resources on the different methods of verifying PayPal accounts, and also withdrawing one's PayPal funds through different means:


There were also a few discussions on users' experience of Smart Money, then another discussion on  international remittance methods and there was a very informative post on Txtbuff.com. I needed to fish out the discussion via the Google Webcache entry instead of viewing it directly, though. You may view or download the PDF of the discussion HERE.

The bottom line is that users' experience with Smart Money have been varied. I'm not sure whether it's the fact that these are mass Mastercard numbers, debit accounts at that, that cause some accounts to be denied. Another theory of mine might be that since this facility is in partnership with Banco de Oro, there may still be kinks in the system.

No offense to Banco de Oro, but there was a recent report about a BDO branch teller who stole from an OFW's account. Not only that, I have a "six-degrees-of-separation" (actually two degrees of separation) story of a BDO savings account being sapped of its funds. Not only that, the BDO Cash Card has been notorious for going offline on a constant basis (can you say, DAILY), especially during afternoons, as well as for having bugs in it like not really having a PIN, and other such banking-related horror stories.

Though I have not personally experienced losing money through my BDO Cash Card, these cautionary tales make a user wonder if the bugs in Smart Money, which had partnered with Banco de Oro, are due to the bank that they partnered with, and not MasterCard or its own system, per se.

But that's one for another story. The point is that, these are the reviews, these are the cautionary tales, and while I (and now you) have been thoroughly warned, I personally like experimenting and won't mind trying out a few transactions using my Smart Money Debit Card. I believe that the system may have matured by now (note that the successful Android Market purchase was made in 2011 yet), and thanks to the Lock/Unlock feature of Smart Money, no one needs to worry about losing funds. And do check the stories in the PDF we've made available for download. One gal who lost her cash actually got it back. Kudos to Smart Communications Inc. for that!

It is worth noting that there was only one very minor "horror story" I've personally experienced so far: the day I claimed my Smart Money MasterCard, the guard at the Smart Communications Inc., center where I claimed it asked me if I was going to make a "cash-in" or "cash-out" transaction. When I said that I was just going to claim my new card, he mused in relief and noted that their facility was offline. Not much different from BDO Cash Card, so I shrugged that off.

If you have been thoroughly scared about the inconsistencies in people's experience with the facility by now, I really do apologize. I aimed to make a very balanced, very honest overview of the payment facility, since I have not yet thoroughly tested mine.

No worries, I aim to reload my card as soon as I can, since I am itching to buy Pumpkins vs. Monsters power-ups because I'm stuck on Levels 15 of both Castle Tomorrow and Halloween stages. I'm thinking of blowing around Php 300 on Purple Lightnings, Ice Grenades and Grave Pumpkins to get ahead. A little insane, but it's taking SERIOUSLY LONG to earn just one ruby to play the Slots with and earn a few of these power-ups. The ultimate I've-Finally-Beaten-Pumpkins-vs.-Monsters review is long overdue, and for the sake of experimentation in two different Android-related transactions, I'm willing to part with a day or two of my living allowance. :p

Also, I've been itching to buy Easy Money, the app, so that I can make that review, soon. Though I hardly need it, as Google Docs suffices for me.

The thing is, I've presented to you the facts, the stories, the reviews. Now, it's up to you to decide how to move forward from here. Will you bite the bullet and start using Smart Money? Or will you hold off and see more people using it?

It's really yours to decide. :)

Before I go, here are links to another Android App payment method: Your Smart LOAD.

Smart Communications Inc. is piling it thick for its users and potential users, as it made an announcement of this payment method just last month. Check out the blog and press release:


For now, the surefire way to pay for your Google Play purchases would be through Google Checkout, using tried and tested debit and credit cards.

Thanks to reader Waterborne for asking the question on what Smart Money is. :)
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The Hazards Of Multiple SIM Use On An Android


For almost a year, my life was in a bit of mad transition, so I thought it was unwise to get myself an ADSL Internet line. Thanks to the availability of 3G, I was able to live on only a prepaid 3G Internet connection.

Initially, I used SmartBro. But given that it was actually a pain to use in Boracay for some reason, I tried using Globe Tattoo. And that started me on my love affair with 3G Broadband connections.

I first used a Globe Tattoo dongle with my Edimax 3G Router. Then, when I got the Cherry Mobile Nova and discovered that I could upgrade it to 2.2 without a hitch then use it as a portable WiFi hotspot, I finally bought myself a Sun Broadband Wireless SIM. With access to all three networks, I was able to compare and decide which one has the best service.

Before Globe Tattoo rolled out its SuperSurf 999 for prepaid, possibly in December 2011 or January 2012, I was using Globe SuperSurf 220. Not soon after starting the use of the service, I figured out that 5 days of use at a time makes for a very erratic reloading schedule. Given too, the fact that I preferred to maintain being able to reload at least Php 200 a week so that I could qualify for Globe's Superfree Weekend, I started to use Globe SuperSurf during weekdays and then Sun Broadband Wireless' SBW100 or i100 during the weekends.

It was in this "shifting schedules" with the SIM cards that I noticed bugs in some apps and seeing my Google Account needing a re-login because of the changing networks I was using.

So, the bottom line of this post is, if you're using an Android but you have a multitude of SIM Cards, prepare for a bit of inconvenience such as I've mentioned. Else, if you prefer less irritations, use your Android with just one SIM Card.

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 Photo Credits: Chip Hazard
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Mobile Internet/3G Network Reviews [Tips for Android Users Who Use 3G]


This may not be a post that's purely about the Android, but nonetheless, I believe this is a topic that concerns a good number of Android users: 3G, HSDPA and other wireless Internet technology.

I won't launch into an all-out geek-out lecture on these Internet protocols, but I'm going to give a discussion that's suited for the consumer.

For those who want to know more about the mechanics behind 3G, HSDPA, HSPA+, 4G, LTE and the other wireless Internet technology mentioned on this post, the links lead to Wikipedia articles on these specific topics. 

All three giant networks (well, technically, just two now, after the Sun-Smart merger) have 3G, and Globe and Smart have HSPA+, which is essentially 3.5G or even labeled as 4G. The incoming technology that Smart Communications Inc. is working on rolling out is the LTE technology, which promises speeds that will make crying over a torrent download a thing of the past.

Disclaimer: I personally do not believe in downloading torrents, for moral and legal reasons.

For now, here are your 3G options:


As a subscriber based in Kalibo, Aklan, I chose Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband Wireless as my 3G connectivity solutions. Why? Because these are the speeds I got from the three providers:

  • Sun Broadband Wireless: 2.20MBPS
  • Globe Tattoo: 1.54MBPS
  • SmartBro: 0.33MBPS

And, where I live is actually the host of a Smart Communications Tower, and one of the first areas to get HSPA+ access in the Aklan area when the Rocket Plug-It was launched. With the 3G service lagging behind the other two networks', guess why I chose the two providers that I had.

However, in Iloilo City, the service by these three providers now differs in quality. I have not checked the speed on these, but I noticed that in my area, which is the subdivision-filled suburbs closest to the northern town of Leganes, around 40 minutes from the city by public jeepney (and probably 20 minutes by car), the networks revert to EDGE, if I place my Android on "GSM/WCDMA Auto" mode. If I place Sun Cellular or Globe Tattoo on WCDMA mode, the signal is rather patchy. When I'm on the rooftop of my home, I get full signal. Inside, sheltered by earthquake-proof-thick walls, I have a headache finding signal for ANY of these networks.

I have had the best luck with Sun Broadband Wireless and Globe Tattoo, but Globe really reverts to EDGE and won't respond when put on "WCDMA Only" mode. With Sun Broadband Wireless, I get a good-enough 1-bar to 2-bar signal when I'm at a good angle away from the window.

With Sun Broadband Wireless, signal is great around this time, and I'm having a fast, pain-free time surfing as of the moment. But I find it odd because last night, which was a Friday, I was having a hard time getting a consistent signal at around 2 to 3AM.

In the city area, especially in the Jaro/Javellana area, I tried a SmartBro connection, also with my Android. It was a pain around 9PM to midnight, providing only EDGE access. Then, when it hit around 1AM, it switched to HSDPA and gave an awesome surfing and download time, that two computers were able to share the connection. The speed lasted until morning. Is this because of SmartBro's Off-Peak promo? I'm not exactly sure, but in my experience, this is what happened.

In 2011 to today, I've traveled and stayed with different areas in the Visayas and in Metro Manila. And here are my observations:

  • Makati, Metro Manila: Sun Cellular's signal practically dies when you're somewhere in the upper storeys of the buildings there. So, I was able to use only Globe Tattoo with my Cherry Mobile Nova in the RCBC Plaza/Cityland Tower area. I was on a 20+ floor.
  • Quezon City, Metro Manila, bordering Manila (Galas, QC area): Globe Tattoo was great, but you have to set it on "WCDMA Only" because unless you do, it switches from GPRS to EDGE to 3G to HSDPA, it's crazy.
    • In this same area, Sun Broadband Wireless was also awesome, giving better speeds and more signal stability than Globe.
  • Kalibo, Aklan: Globe Tattoo is great as a weekday option, especially if you're on prepaid. With its SuperSurf 5-day package, you will get 5 days of access and a SuperFree Weekend bonus. But what makes it a better weekday option is that it's faster on the weekdays but a pain in the butt on the weekends, though, compared to Sun Broadband Wireless, data transfer is more reliable on this.
    • Sun Broadband Wireless, on the other hand, is better as a weekend option because its speeds are not as good as Globe Tattoo's on the weekdays, BUT this is the fastest weekend connection. Maybe it's the fact that not a lot of people have learned to trust Sun Broadband Wireless in Kalibo, Aklan just yet.
    • SmartBro is a very slow *3G* option in Kalibo, Aklan, whatever day of the week. (I'm sorry, Smart Communications friends.)
  • On The Way To Caticlan, Aklan, from Kalibo, Aklan: I have yet to try SmartBro while traveling, but I've tried Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband Wireless. 
    • Sun Broadband Wireless: Hopeless on the road. SBW, as I've been told by Sun Cellular Kalibo's Service Center reps, only has 3G and HSDPA technology in Kalibo, Aklan. Outside of Kalibo, Sun Cellular only provides 2G, even in Boracay.
    • Globe Tattoo is awesome, providing GPRS connection in certain areas, so you can still update in places where there is signal. Then when you arrive in Caticlan, all is smooth-sailing from there.
  • Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan: 
    • Leave your SmartBro at home, you'll just have the urge to throw it into the ocean. If you did make the mistake of using a SmartBro connection, the best times to use it would be 6AM to just before noon. Afternoons will also give you good-enough speeds, but forget it from evenings to early mornings. My reference point is my experience back in Summer of 2011, when they launched the LTE. (LTE is a different matter, because when I tried it on their launch, it was truly, truly amazing.) I believe that I may have experienced this kind of service because of Smart Communications' service upgrades in making way for LTE technology.
    • As mentioned, there is no 3G for Sun Broadband Wireless anywhere outside Kalibo, Aklan, so leave your Sun Broadband Wireless dongle at home, as well.
    • Globe Tattoo is awesome on the island, though there are days when signal dies (take note: dies the whole day long), and since the banks there are served by ONLY a Globe Telecom connection, good luck squeezing money out of an ATM when this happens. I experienced a dead Globe Telecom signal around twice while living on the island, and these happened in June, the start of the typhoon season. I do recall that the signal blackout happened right after a strong storm.
I have only tried prepaid connections, so far, and the most economical of options is, indeed, Sun Broadband Wireless. With Php 250 for 7 days of use for Sun Broadband Wireless, vs. Php 220 for 5 days for Globe Tattoo (actually Php 225 to Php 230, because you need to leave at least Php 5.00 to use the service) and Php 200 for 5 days for SmartBro (Php 201 to Php 205, in reality, as you need to maintain Php 1.00 to use the connection/account), you get:
  • Sun Broadband Wireless: Php 35.71
  • SmartBro (Php 201): Php 40.20
  • Globe Tattoo (Php 225): Php 45
Per day of use. If you go postpaid, here are the monthly rates:


Sun Cellular's reps told me that speeds are better when you're a PostPaid subscriber vs. when you're a regular, prepaid user. We'll see, and I'll let you know when I do get one.

With Globe Tattoo, I believe there's a Fair Use Policy in place: when a user hits 800MB in bandwidth, the service is automatically cut off, but will resume 24 hours later. So if you're a heavy video downloader or watcher, you may want to monitor your Globe Tattoo use. For Postpaid Globe Tattoo, I believe, and I recall reading from Plurk friends' timelines (including the post of the actual error message on the last link) that it doesn't have the 800MB Bandwidth cap that the prepaid version has.

We hope you find this as a good guide in what 3G/HSDPA to use with your 3G-Enabled Android device. When Smart Communications' LTE finally gets opened to the public, that will be another story.

Smart Communications is the only company to moving provide LTE in the country, by the way, and with their demo launched in Boracay in Summer 2011, it promises to be awesome, indeed, and truly worth the wait.

With that, get ready to get your 4G Android Device come 2012/2013!

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Photo Credits: iTechy
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How To Save On Calls And Texts Through Viber



The other week, we talked about Viber, an app that not only gives you the convenience of Instant Messaging technology that mimics SMS technology, it also unites users across the two major mobile platforms: iOS and Android. Coming soon on the Blackberry.

Today, we discuss how you could save on prepaid or even postpaid credits, using Viber. It may take a bit of an adjustment, and IS a lifehack of sorts.

How to make it work: 

Prerequisite: Asking all of the people you usually text to download Viber to their Androids, iPhones and iPod Touches.

Method 1: If you're constantly online anyway because you have a WiFi/DSL connection at home and WiFi at work, then you don't need to maintain an unlimited subscription for your phone. Just load regular prepaid credits, text minimally when you're commuting, and do the bulk of your texting at work or at home.

This would help if your main number is a Sun Cellular number, as Sun to Sun texts now only cost Php 0.50 per message. Another budget-saving network would be Red Mobile, with text messages costing only Php 0.50 for Red to Red and Red to Smart. Texts to other networks cost Php 1.00.

Method 2: If you need a constant connection online, and are considering getting an ADSL line for home, scratch the thought. Choose to use a 3G mobile connection instead, and host it on your Android or iPhone that has Viber installed. This way, you can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot, even as you take advantage of constant connection to Viber.

The only thing you have to worry about now is how to reach your contacts who are not on Viber.

If most of your mobile network credits, whether prepaid or postpaid, are consumed on text conversations that last for hours, then move to 3G and Viber and save on mobile credits. If having a 3G data plan is not an option at the moment, then exercise a bit of restraint and teach yourself to just text when you're within WiFi range. This way, you'll ensure that you'll be able to maximize your mobile service consumption.

Enjoy Viber!
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More On The Samsung Galaxy Y: Free On Globe's SuperPlan 499

As we mentioned yesterday, the Samsung Galaxy Y is the "It" entry-level Android as of the moment. For one, all three networks have created dirt-cheap postpaid plans around this phone, and it's all good for the consumer. Just in case you didn't catch our brief on some of the best deals in Androids this season, here's the link: Sale Watch: What's Happening This Christmas.

We didn't catch wind of Globe's Postpaid offering on the Samsung Galaxy Y until just this weekend. Yugatech spotted the promo flyer back in October 2011 and blogged about it here.:

As it says there, as well as on this post the Samsung Galaxy Y is available for free on Globe's Plan 499. If you're familiar with Globe's Plans, these are fully customizable with add-on promos. The Plan is the basic MSF you will be paying, and depending on which Plan you choose, you will be able to take advantage of freebies from Globe.

For Plan 499, you can choose 2 Freebies to go with your Plan. Below is a photo showing the Freebies you may choose from, using your plan.


The downside to Globe's Postpaid Plans (especially those on the SuperPlan system) is that, if you want to avail of unlimited promos and offers, they will be added ON TOP of your plan. Unlike Sun Cellular's Plans, where the unlimited promos can already be factored in with your MSF, in Globe's SuperPlan system, you will have to configure your personal SuperPlan. Then the total bill will depend on the basic MSF, plus whatever promo you take advantage of.

Take for example, this demo SuperPlan we configured is based on Plan 499, with a MySuperText (Unlimited Text to Globe/TM) add-on, and we chose 6 hours worth of mobile surfing as freebies.


This plan is basically consumable, meaning whatever value you accrue when you text, call or surf, will be taken out of the MSF allotment, at regular rates.

So whereas you can get unlimited calls and texts on a Sun Cellular Plan 350, or unlimited texts, unlimited access to social networking, and even unlimited chatting via YM and FB Chat (via SmartNet) on a Smart Postpaid Plan 349 (a Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone exclusive plan), you will get a regular SuperPlan 499 on Globe Telecom. Just to emphasize, SuperPlan 499 is just good old Php 499 you can consume, plus a couple of other services you can choose as freebies.

Does this scheme make sense? Maybe the table below will help you decide:


That's it for the Samsung Galaxy Y for now. Hope you enjoyed this two-part series, and watch out for more gadget overviews here on AndroidAlliance.Ph!
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Sale Watch: What's Happening This Christmas



It’s already December next week, and we’re sure that we’re all excited about the sales that are coming our way. While we’re still populating our comprehensive table of Cherry Mobile Android Phones, we thought it’d be great to alert you on what’s bound to happen this Christmas month.
  • Cherry Mobile has already published its “12 Cherrys of Christmas” price list. If you recall from Cherry Mobile’s promotions last year, they put on promo one Cherry Mobile phone a day, ramping up the sales until they finally released premium phones for a steal. This year, we’re waiting with bated breath, as they may put Cherry Mobile Androids on sale.
  • Even if Cherry Mobile Androids are NOT on sale, they’ve already bumped down the prices to affordable price points. So if you’re no longer in the mood to wait for the Droids to plummet to possibly obscene prices, check out Cherry Mobile’s Droid catalog.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Y has been put on Smart Communications and Sun Cellular’s best plans. On Plan 349 for Smart and Plan 350 for Sun, getting yourself a Droid has now gotten more sensible.


These are the Droid sales we've caught so far; we’ll keep gathering what we can find as the days hurtle into Christmas.

Watch out for more sales and bargain updates!

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How to Turn Your Android Into a Mobile WiFi Hotspot



Just a quick note, as compiling the complete lineup of Cherry Mobile Android offerings is taking our Android Alliance crew member a bit of forever to complete.

We came across this thread on Cherry Mobile earlier, and user Ralph Gerard Uy was asking how to turn the Cherry Mobile Magnum HD into a WiFi hotspot.





It doesn't really matter which model you use: Cherry Mobile Nova, Cherry Mobile Cosmo, Cherry Mobile Magnum, even Samsung, LG, Huawei or ZTE. If your Droid is on Froyo and up, and with 3G functionality, this is going to work:

Part 1. Put your phone on a Data Connection.

  1. Sign up for a data connection with either Globe Tattoo, Sun Broadband Wireless, or Smart Bro, either Prepaid or Postpaid.
  2. If you're on Prepaid, just load your SIM and put it on Unlimited use.

Globe Tattoo:

1 Day -- SUPERSURF50 send to 8888
5 Days -- SUPERSURF220 send to 8888

Sun Broadband Wireless:

Regular SIM:

3 Hours, good for 24 Hours -- i25 send to 247
1 Day -- i50 send to 247
3 Days -- i100 send to 247
7 Days -- i250 send to 247
30 Days -- i999 send to 247


Sun Broadband Wireless SIM:

LOAD [Card+PIN Numbers, no spaces] send to 2225
Then text any of the codes above to 247

    You may also load the specific Sun Broadband Wireless (SBW) Cards that already have the durations specified on them.

    Smart Bro:

    1 Day -- UNLISURF 50 to 2200
    2 Days -- UNLISURF 100 to 2200
    5 Days -- UNLISURF 200 to 2200

    Take note that Smart Bro has a space between the keyword and the denomination, while Globe Tattoo doesn't have spaces between the keyword and the denomination.

    Part 2. Configure your phone's data connection and WiFi Hotspot Tethering.
    1. Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks
    2. Look for Mobile Networks
    3. Check both: "Data enabled" and "Always connect to mobile" options
    4. Go back to Settings > Wireless & Networks
    5. Look for Tethering & portable hotspot
    6. Check "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
    That's it, your phone is already a mobile WiFi hotspot!


    Here is a visual illustration of those instructions (Click the photo or this link to get to the Slideshow):



    You may also configure your hotspot's connection security settings by going to "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings," setting an SSID name (the label that will show on the guest devices' WiFi search functions) and the WPA2 PSK (passkey). This way, you'll ensure that only you and the people who know your passkey will be able to use your data connection.

    Setting up a your Droid to be a portable WiFi hotspot is so easy, it's unbelievable. Hope you learned something new from us at Android Alliance Ph today!

    Edit: And oh. We almost forgot. We had upgraded our Cherry Mobile Nova from Eclair to Froyo. The how-to and experience can be read here.

    Edit 2: If you're experiencing problems with your mobile connection, especially on Sun Broadband Wireless, go to Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode, and tweak the settings there. Here are the following settings per network:
    • Globe Tattoo: GSM/WCDMA auto
    • Sun Broadband Wireless: WCDMA only
    • Smart Bro: GSM/WCDMA auto
    If you're in an area where 3G signal is not strong, and you're fine with a slower connection, as long as you can go online, you can choose "GSM only," which will connect you via GPRS. Remember, for Sun Broadband Wireless, the best connection type to choose is WCDMA.

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    Photo Credits: Mashable
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