AIS have Sold their Quota of iPhone 4
It seems that within a matter of hours, AIS have managed to take pre-orders for their complete quota of iPhone 4 handsets. When I received my e-mail from them at 3.30 p.m. this afternoon, the 3 rounds on Friday 24th September 2010 were fully booked (see previous blog here). This only left the midnight launch on Thursday and this weekend. However, when I checked again at 4.30 p.m. this is what I saw. The four days of the AIS iPhone 4 launch was now fully booked. It is not known the number of handsets they had in their quota yet, but it looks like the first batch is sold out. It is not known when they will be re-stocking.
DTAC customers have also been contacted about reserving their handsets and given a choice of days to pick it up. That only leaves TrueMove, which is sadly my carrier. Not a peep out of them. Like many other people, I registered my interest in the iPhone 4 on their website. I received a few emails but nothing recently. Then I heard news that if you attended a seminar in the afternoon tomorrow you could, in theory, reserve an iPhone 4 handset. I wrote to them and managed to get an invitation (see here). However, there is very little information about what to expect tomorrow. Lots of complaints on the Thai forums about the TrueMove iPhone launch.
At least we know the prices as these were leaked ahead of time (see here). Apparently Apple had forbidden the three camps on announcing any details. I will update on Twitter @RichardBarrow as soon as I hear anything new.
Reserve an iPhone 4 with AIS
Last week I registered my interest in buying an iPhone 4 with AIS on their website. I only did so because I wanted to be informed quickly of the availability. I also registered for TrueMove last month. DTAC have a page as well but only for their customers. So far I have only heard back from AIS. In an email there was a link specifically for me to a page that gave me different options for going to buy an iPhone 4 from them. As you can see, as of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday is already fully booked. The other timeslots might fill up quickly. I haven't heard anything from True yet even though I am a customer and even though I registered interest on their website. If they don't sort themselves out quickly, I might jump camps!
Official Prices for iPhone 4 in Thailand
With the official launch of the iPhone 4 in Thailand by DTAC, AIS and TrueMove at midnight on Thursday, everyone has been asking about the price. The three camps have been very quiet on this. Which is strange as they are asking us to reserve a handset without knowing the price first. Now there has been a leak of the graphic from True's website at the www.pdamobiz.com forum. This is not on True's website yet so they must have found it by going through the back door. We are expecting all three camps to sell the iPhone 4 at the same price. However, prices of data packages will vary. Interestingly, the iPhone 3GS 16GB and 32GB on True's website now has a "sold out" sign. They only have the new iPhone 3GS 8GB. But then, the price of the new iPhone 4 is very similar to the 3GS handsets so difficult to sell both.
Here are the prices for the iPhone 4 handset only:
- 16GB Price 22,250 Baht (VAT included 23,807.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 26,000 Baht (VAT included 27,820 Baht).
Prices for the iPhone 4 if you have a data package with True:
- 16GB Price 20,650 Baht (VAT included 22,095.50 Baht).
- 32GB Price 23,900 Baht (VAT included 25,573 Baht).
I will update on Twitter @RichardBarrow as soon as I hear anything.
Invitation for True’s iPhone 4 Launch
This morning I received my invitation for TrueMove's iPhone 4 launch on Thursday 23rd September. It doesn't give much information. It is basically inviting me to attend a seminar on the topic of "iOS 4.1 Thailand" at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Apparently, if I go to the seminar then I am entitled to reserve an iPhone 4 handset which will be given out at the launch party starting that evening at 10 p.m. There is hardly any information or publicity about this event on the Internet. The Thai forums are buzzing with people who are confused and trying to find out what is happening. Some people are worried that if they don't go to the seminar they won't be able to attend the launch party in the evening. In addition, some are complaining that it is going to be a long day with the seminar starting at 2 p.m. and the launch event going on until midnight. No answers yet.
So far, there have been no press releases about the prices for the iPhone 4 handset. I guess we will find out on Thursday evening. DTAC and AIS are expected to have launch parties the same night. DTAC are expected to have theirs at the Jusco building and AIS at Central Plaza Ladphrao. DTAC customers that registered their interest in buying an iPhone have already received an SMS saying that they will be told details of prices soon. AIS have allowed people to register their interest as well but no news from them yet. True were the first to open a form for people to register an interest in the iPhone. They sent out a few weekly e-mails but nothing for a while now. The event is in two days and it looks like True won't be inviting the people who registered. So, what was the point of that?
I managed to get an invite via a posting on True's Facebook page which actually isn't there any more. For some reason it was quickly deleted (see here for original page). The following is what the page said:
ในวันที่ 23 กันยายน 2553 เวลา 14.00 - 17.00 น. ขอเชิญเป็นหนึ่งในคนพิเศษที่ เข้าร่วมงานสัมนาหัวข้อ iOS 4.1 Thailand Dev forum. ณ Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
ซึ่งแขกผู้เข้าร่วมงานสัมนานั้น จะได้รับสิทธิพิเศษ นำบัตรเชิญเข้าร่วมงานสัมนาไปซื้อ iPhone 4 (16Gb,32Gb) ได้ในงานเปิดตัว Truemove iPhone 4 ที่เริ่ม 22.00 น.
ร่วมเป็นหนึ่งในคนพิเศษกับเราโดยการ
0. "Like" http://www.facebook.com/iPhonebyTruemove เพื่อเป็นช่องทางในการติดต่อกับเรา
1. ส่งเหตุผลว่าทำไมท่านควรเข้าร่วมฟังงานสัมนา iOS 4.1 กับเรา
2. ชื่อ นามสกุล เบอร์ติดต่อกลับ
3. ที่อยู่เพื่อเราจะส่งบัตรเข้าร่วมงานไปให้ท่าน
ที่ convergence.true@gmail.com
I wrote to True last Thursday to say I was interested in attending the seminar and launch party. A few hours later they wrote back asking for my mailing address and which iPhone model I wanted. Other than that, I don't know what to expect this Thursday. If you can read Thai, check this link where people are discussing this event. I will update on Twitter @RichardBarrow as soon as I hear anything.
New Double SIM for iPhone + iPad Users
This morning TrueMove held a "Blogger Day" at Siam Square where, among other things, they announced new data packages . This will come out soon to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 4 in Thailand. There isn't any announcement on their website yet, but I managed to get the following information from Thai bloggers who were tweeting live during the event.
iPack 549 baht/month - Edge (2G) use 1GB, 3G use 1GB and free WiFi
iPack 749 baht/month - 500 SMS & 300 MMS messages, Unlimited for Edge, 3G and WiFi
TrueMove also announced a "double SIM" package for people who have an iPhone and iPad. I am not too clear on this yet, but it looks like if you purchase any iPhone package, you can then get the iPack 749 package at a 200 baht discount. Present packages at True expire on the 30th September 2010. I will update here as soon as the situation becomes clearer.
There has been no announcement of the prices for the iPhone 4 handset which is expected to be released on Friday 24th September 2010. The launch party the night before is by invitation only. However, posters advertising this event at Siam Square have reportedly had the launch date blacked out. Also, it is not known whether people will be able to buy the handset in True, DTAC and AIS shops on Friday or not. There has been no press releases from any of the camps so far other than talking about a midnight launch. One thing for sure is that supplies are expected to be limited. I will update on Twitter @RichardBarrow as soon as I hear anything.
In related news, the iPhone 4 is being released this Saturday in China (25th September). There was a press release from Apple about this but no word about a release in Thailand.
The above pictures were tweeted by @iphonemods and @pinnynoy.
Top 10 iPhone Apps by @thaifaq
This is a weekly look at popular apps for the iPhone as suggested by people living and working in Thailand. This week we hear from @thaifaq who is a former business owner from Canada living in semi-retirement in Thailand. He runs a popular video website about living and working in Bangkok at www.thai-faq.com and he also co-hosts a weekly Bangkok Podcast at www.bangkokpodcast.com
1. Convert: Essential tool for calculating the Baht to my rapidly falling dollar.
2. BugMe!: A great little to do app for keeping track of all the little things I have to get done during the day
3. Files: My old 2G iPhone can't run iBooks so I use this app to keep ebooks to read during the day.
4. Skype: Essential app for making overseas calls while keeping the costs down
5. Shazam: I am constantly amazed at the ability of this app to help me discover new music
6. Echofon: A nice little Twitter client.
7. WhatsApp: It's an SMS app on steriods. Works best for sending SMS/MMS messages overseas as there is no cost to do so
8. uTalk Thai: A fun visual app for learning the Thai language. It's a great icebreaker as the Thais get a huge kick out of you trying to learn their language.
9. Japanese: I'm studying Japanese right now and this is one of the best Japanese/English dictionaries in the app store.
10. DoodleJump: An addictive super easy to use game. This game is also a great icebreaker as it's fun for all ages and very easy to learn.
Every weekend we are featuring the favourite Top 10 iPhone Apps for Internet personalities living in Thailand. Please contact us if you wish to have your list featured on our blog.
Top 10 iPhone Apps by Kainer
This is a weekly look at popular apps for the iPhone as suggested by people living and working in Thailand. This week we hear from Kainer Weissmann who has taken a few years off from his work in Germany to spend some time in Thailand. He first worked in Bangkok before moving to Koh Phangan as a manager of a small lodge. His website is www.kainerweissmann.de
No.1 is Icebird, I used Echofone before but feel more comfortable with Icebird for Twitter.
Facebook app (free), even that it's full of bugs currently seems to be my No. 2.
No. 3 is Quick Dict, Thai edition followed by Thai from Profitt inc. as my No. 4. Both little helpers in learning and understanding Thai.
No. 5 is very useful and called Search.app (cydia store). It does exactly that. It searches through your emails, notes, sms, contacts or the web.
No. 6 goes to IMAP Folders (or Lite version for free), where I can create rules to sort my emails by name (sender) or any included words.
I recommend my No. 7 to all the Iphone users who miss the possibility to create playlists in the Ipod-App. It is called.... *surprise* Playlist creator .
No. 8 goes to My Measures & Dimensions (or Lite Version for free). This app lets you create arrows angles and text in your pictures and shows and stores dimensions.
No. 9 is Skype (free) and No. 10 3G Unrestrictor (cydia store) which tricks apps and lets them think they are on wifi even though they are on 3G even for facetime on iphone4. Nothing new I guess for Iphone users.
Free Thai Phrasebook for the iPhone
The Tourism Authority of Thailand presents a new useful tool that lets you visit Thailand worry-free: the Speak Thai (EN) Application, your personal & portable translator with over 2,500 words for all your needs in Thailand. Communicate with Thai people anywhere, anytime with a few easy touches. Simply install this application on your phone and you'll have the power to speak Thai at your fingertips.
Speak Thai (EN) is now the fourth iPhone app to be released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The first three were a real disappointment. These were Top 50 Amazing Experiences in Thailand, Eat and Drink in BKK and Thai Cookbook by TAT. However, I think I can safely predict that Speak Thai (EN) will prove to be a runaway success at iTunes as anyone planning a holiday to Thailand will surely be downloading it. At last the TAT have produced something that we not only need, but is also free too. On the first screen you are given nine different categories. If you click through to the next page you are then given a sub-category page which then leads to a list of useful phrases and words. Click on this you are then taken to a page where you can listen to a native speaker. In settings you can choose either a female or male speaker. You are given the phrase in English, romanisation and Thai script. There are apparently 2,500 words and phrases already and they promise that there will be an update in the future.
I am planning on compiling a Top 10 list of essential iPhone apps for tourists going to Thailand. This is definitely a contender to go on this list. It's not perfect but you cannot really nitpick when you are given something for free. I found it a little tedious having to click 4 times just to listen to the sound clip for the phrases. Then, having to go back one to choose another phrase. Normally this is not too bad if you are only learning a few phrases. But, if you are learning to count from 1 to 10 then it is a little boring. Would be nice to see things like numbers and words like that on one page. However, it is nice that you can bookmark favourite phrases to make it easier to find later. Another thing is that they have the female and male speaker both using "chan" which is OK if you are familiar with someone. But, I personally wouldn't use "chan" when referring to myself. Having said all that, Speak Thai (EN) definitely should be downloaded by any tourist coming to Thailand.
UPDATE: The SpeakThai app now supports five native languages (English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French and Japanese). Strangely, this is not an update but a new app! Click here to visit iTunes.
iPhone 4 Launch in Thailand 23 September
We have now received official notice that the iPhone 4 will be launched in Thailand next week as expected.
According to this picture, TrueMove will be holding a Midnight Launch Party starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday 23rd September 2010. The iPhone 4 will then be officially launched after midnight on the 24th September. This will take place at Royal Paragon Hall at Siam Paragon. Bad news is that it is by invitation only.
At least we now know that the launch of the iPhone 4 in Thailand is imminent. The question is, will there be enough handsets for everyone? Take the case of Taiwan where the iPhone 4 is being launched tomorrow. Over 200,000 customers have pre-ordered the iPhone 4 however not all we get one tomorrow. This is because only 45,000-60,000 of the devices are available! I wonder how it is going to be handled here in Thailand.
UPDATE: DTAC will have a press conference for the iPhone 4 on Wednesday 22nd September at 10 a.m. at DTAC House. AIS will be launching their iPhone at CentralPlaza Lad Phrao. Not sure when yet. I will post news on Twitter @RichardBarrow as soon as we receive any definite information.
iPhone App to help you Remember Dishes
Yumnesia is the perfect dining companion. It remembers every dish you eat so you will never forget your favorite (or least favorite) dish again. Take a picture, rate the dish, even add a note, then flip through your past dining experiences with ease. Explore the menu without fear of accidentally ordering a dish you’ve already had and didn’t like.
I was really happy when I stumbled upon Yummesia which is an iPhone app that helps you remember the names of your favourite dishes. Now everyone can be their own food critic. Before I continue, I must stress that what you see here is only what I have added myself. When you buy this excellent app you basically get a blank canvas. You can then organize it in any way you like. Really, the main page should be a list of restaurants that you have visited. But, I changed this a bit to make it kinds of food: noodles, rice dishes, curries etc. So, when I click on "Rice Dishes" I get the screen above left. You can add as many items as you like. As you can see, you can write in English or Thai or both. Click on the name and you go to a page with a picture of that dish. The five white dots at the bottom is for you to enter your rating. Double click on the picture and you will see your notes for this dish. You don't have to go back to the menu to choose another dish. Just swipe the picture to move to the next one.
This is the section I created for "Noodles". Really it should be the name of a restaurant but it doesn't really matter. Notice that the food dish "pad thai" has a camera icon next to it. That means I don't have a picture for it yet. You can either take a live picture at the restaurant before you start your meal or add one from your photo album. This iPhone app is really useful for me at the moment as I am doing a 30 Day Thai Street Food Challenge. As I go along I can enter the pictures of all the food that I am eating. This helps me remember everything that I am eating as I am not allowed to repeat dishes this month. There isn't a Thai Street Food app out there but this is becoming the next best thing for me! If you love eating food then you must buy Yumnesia which will help you keep a pictorial record of your favourite food. The present price is only 99 cents.
COMPETITION: I really like this iPhone app so I asked the developers if I could have some promo codes to give away in a competition in this blog. As usual, to enter is very easy. All you have to do is post a reply as a comment before Sunday 19th September 2010. We will then put all the names into a randomizer on that day to pick THREE lucky winners. Good luck!
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การใช้ไอโฟนในประเทศไทย
On this blog I will be sharing with you tips and methods of using an iPhone and iPad in Thailand. I am not pretending to be an expert, but I hope that from my personal experience of using an iPhone for my work and pleasure you might gain some knowledge. As well as reviewing apps that I use, I will also post about accessories and also the latest news from around the world.
- Richard Barrow
Twitter: @RichardBarrow
Archives: @TwitterArchives
Contact: @Paknamweb.com
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