M Lhuillier partners with Starmobile and Smart to launch the ML Phone

From left to right:  Smart Dept. Head/VP, National Key Accounts Group Precy Katigbak, Smart SVP/Head for Wireless and Distribution Alex Caeg, M Lhuillier GM for Luzon/NCR Lorenzo Escaño, Starmobile CEO Joey Uy, and Starmobile President Uly Lao, poses M Lhuillier Numero Uno.

M Lhuillier announces its partnership with Starmobile and Smart with the launching of the ML Phone, a customized Starmobile PLAY Five smartphone powered by a Smart SIM with data allocation packaged for one year.  This partnership brings together the integration of mobile and digital technology to the financial services industry.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Starmobile and Smart as it extends our relationship with our customers, and expands our network to create new ones. Our efforts to push for strategic alliances help us to deliver excellence, innovation and quality service to the customers we serve,” said Lorenzo Escaño, general manager for M Lhuillier Luzon & NCR.

The ML Phone possesses advanced specifications and access to Smart’s widest internet service, thereby allowing M Lhuillier customers to enjoy and enhance their experience with its new digital solution, the ML Wallet.

A proprietary technology, the ML Wallet is an embedded app on the ML Phone.  But for the millions of M Lhuillier customers with Android or iPhone devices, they can download it through Google Play Store or Apple App Store, respectively.

With this breakthrough product, users can conveniently send money, pay bills and electronically load mobile phones anytime and anywhere.  Just some of the earlier features available on the ML Wallet app and with more robust features to follow.

According to Joey Uy, chief executive officer for Starmobile, “We promise to support M Lhuillier all the way, from providing them the units and updating their application.”

ML Phone is something to experience. With a free Smart SIM Pack and data allocation of up to 100 mbps per month, it is definite to deliver the best network service.

“Together, our teams commit to a stronger collaboration to deliver a common goal. I am happy that this project will be very fruitful. We look forward to seeing the launch of M Lhuillier Phone in the market,” said Alex Caeg, senior vice president and head for wireless and distribution of Smart.

The ML Phone is now available in select M Lhuillier Branches nationwide.

Starmobile has concluded its first ever Digital TV signal testing in Metro Manila

Leading Philippine smart devices brand Starmobile has officially concluded its first ever Digital TV (DTV) signal testing in Metro Manila.

The series of tests, conducted from April 10 to April 19, 2015, reveal that GMA 1SEG and GMA News TV lead with coverage presence in 10 out of the 14 test locations. This is followed by ABS-CBN Sports, ABS-CBN, and ABS-CBN One Seg which is present in 9 locations.

In terms of signal quality (where signal is present), ABS-CBN Sports has the highest average signal strength with 3.9 bars out of a possible 4, followed by ABS-CBN and AKSYON TV both with an average of 3.8 bars each.

The tests were performed in selected Starmobile concept stores and kiosks in Metro Manila through the use of the new Starmobile KNIGHT Vision, the first and only Pinoy-branded Android smartphone with a built-in DTV tuner that complies with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) ISDB-T standard.

“This is a landmark test not only for Starmobile but for the industry in general,” said Starmobile President Ulysses Lao. “Our test demystifies DTV as an ‘alien’ technology, and translates it into something practical which the Filipino masses could experience,” he added.

Lao refers to the simple yet scientific methodology which Starmobile used to conduct the test. By running the KNIGHT Vision‘s scanning feature and browsing through all available channels, Starmobile was able to quantify broadcast coverage, strength, and quality.

“This is a 100% independent and consumer-centric test which we feel should be known by the public especially with the on-going shift from Analog to Digital broadcast,” said Starmobile Product Development Head Michael Chen.

“We will continue to conduct DTV tests nationwide so that we could better assess the proliferation of this technology,”Chen ended.

The Starmobile KNIGHT Vision (P9,990) is a 5.5-inch Android device with an HD Screen and 2GB of RAM. Apart from being compatible with DTV in over 65 countries, it also boasts of being the first Pinoy camera phone with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology, a feature commonly found only in high-end models of multinational brands

Starmobile unveils the Knight Vision with built-in Digital TV (DTV) receiver

Shortly after launching the KNIGHT X, the most powerful Pinoy smartphone ever, Philippine smart devices brand Starmobile makes another mark in the local smartphone market as it unveils the KNIGHT Vision, first Pinoy Android smartphone with a built-in Digital TV (DTV) receiver.

“We are proud to introduce the KNIGHT Vision as we believe that DTV technology presents the biggest change in TV viewing ever,” said Starmobile Product Development Head Michael Chen. “Mobile DTV is bigger than the introduction of color and HD broadcast combined.” he added.

Unlike regular Analog TV broadcasts, DTV uses digital TV signals to deliver clean and crisp images and audio comparable to that of cable TV. There is no static, thus resulting in crystal clear audio and pictures wherever DTV services are available nationwide.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has mandated that all local TV stations make the shift to DTV broadcast within the next 3 to 5 years. To date, major networks such as ABS-CBN and GMA have begun offering their programs via DTV for free.

The Starmobile KNIGHT Vision is compatible with the NTC’s DTV standard.

“The KNIGHT Vision can change the way modern Filipinos enjoy TV forever–from a ‘fixed’ activity where they have to stay where the television set is located such as the living room or bedroom—TV is now a truly ‘mobile’ experience where they are free to watch together or individually wherever and whenever they please,” said Chen.  “No more fighting over the remote control!”

Apart from DTV, the KNIGHT Vision also boasts of a camera with a built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS).

Yet another first for a Pinoy smartphone, OIS minimizes image shaking when taking photos or videos. This enables users to take sharper photos compares to phones with non-OIS cameras.

“DTV lets you watch awesome videos, with OIS you can take awesome videos–and photos and photos as well! The KNIGHT Vision is a ground-breaking device that ushers in a true audio-visual revolution,” said Chen.

The Starmobile KNIGHT Vision will be available in stores nationwide by mid-April for only P9,990. For more information, visitwww.starmobile.com.ph or call 333-7827.

Starmobile launches the Starmobile Sync 2.0 app

Rapid smartphone adoption creates need for seamless ‘data migration’

A 2014 study by UK-based research firm On Device Research reveals that half of Filipino mobile phone users will own a smartphone by the end of 2015.

Apart from the demand for high-speed mobile services, this unprecedented rise in usage has also created the need for a fast and easy way to ‘migrate’ data from basic phones to smartphones.

Keeping this in mind, Philippine smartphone and tablet manufacturer Starmobile has introduced Starmobile Sync 2.0, an intelligent mobile app that enables end-users to transfer phone data quickly and hassle-free.

“Filipinos have become aware of the benefits of owning a Starmobile smartphone,” said Starmobile Product Development Head Michael Chen. “But one thing that discourages them from making the jump is that their contacts, text messages, photos, music, and videos are ‘trapped’ in another device—Starmobile Sync addresses all of that,” he said.

Building on the success of the original Starmobile Sync, Starmobile Sync 2.0 now includes Wi-Fi functionality.

“Before, the app could only transfer data via Bluetooth. With Wi-Fi functionality it has become faster, more seamless, and more universal,” Chen said.

A Starmobile KNIGHT X user for example simply has to power up Starmobile Sync 2.0 on the source and target devices and make sure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

From there on, it’s as simple as following the on-screen instructions. Depending on the network’s capabilities, Starmobile Sync 2.0 can transfer over 1,000 contacts in less than a minute.

Users of non-Wi-Fi enabled devices, meanwhile, can opt to use the Bluetooth transfer option.

Starmobile Sync 2.0 is available in all new Starmobile Android devices, beginning with the recently announced Starmobile KNIGHT X and Starmobile UP Snap.

For more information, please visit www.starmobile.com.ph or call 333-STAR (7827).

Starmobile Products, now made accessible at 7-Eleven Stores

Gone are the days where only snacks, ice cream in tubs/cones and toiletries are the ones you can find at a convenience store. Now, Philippine smart devices brand Starmobile makes available its products at selected 7-Eleven convenience stores.

Included in the initial rollout are the Rotonda (Pasig City),  One San Miguel, Avenue (Mandaluyong), National University, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and University of Santo Tomas  branches.

“Mobile devices have become a commodity and Filipinos need a convenient place where they can purchase them,” said Starmobile President Ulysees Lao.

“No need to commute or pay for parking fees—simply walk to the nearest participating 7-Eleven branch and go home with an awesome gadget,” he added.

A first in the Philippines, Starmobile products are currently available over-the-counter in select 7-Eleven branches in Metro Manila.


Over 60 more stores nationwide will follow suit before the year ends.

“We hope that having our products available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week will prove useful especially during times of emergency,” said Lao.

“Whether you need a spare phone or you lost your primary unit due to flood, you no longer need to go to a mall just to keep connected,” he ended.

For more information on Starmobile products, visit www.starmobile.com.ph