Pro Pakistani

Nokia Launches X Series at a Musical Event in Karachi

ProPakistani — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:29:39 +0000

By Danish Hassan

Capturing the magic of music and touch, Nokia recently held its Music Event in Karachi. The event setup exuded tons of lively colors and disco appeal. The guests at the event were first ushered into the XpressMusic lounge where they got to experience the latest touch and music devices from Nokia. The guests were then led into the main hall where the event kicked off.

The two Nokia spokespersons for the evening were Imran Khalid Mahmood, Country General Manager, Nokia Pakistan and Christophe Corsi, Head of LIVE Category, Nokia Middle East and Africa who talked about company’s strategy towards its music and touch phones business.

First to speak about Nokia’s Music and Touch Portfolio was Imran Mahmood who talked about Nokia’s leadership in music technology and customer-centric approach. Nokia’s commitment to music is evident from the fact that it understands people, the passion of their heart and the music of their soul. Nokia has the most comprehensive Music and Touch Portfolio across many price points. Nokia is making it possible for people to touch the music by bringing to the market more and more devices with touch and music optimization.

Talking about the future of music, Imran Mahmood said, “Digital music is the future. In today’s world, the way we listen to music and enjoy it has changed completely. Nokia has been leading the music technology all the way. We are partnering with the leading artists and musicians.”

Nokia is the 5th most adored and loved brand in the world. As a market leader, Nokia understands that it has a responsibility to meet and exceed consumer expectations.

With millions of music optimized mobile phones sold to date, Nokia knows that it needs to take special care when it comes to delivering new devices.

Nokia wants to progress towards superiority consistently. For this reason, Nokia pays special attention to consumer behavior. Nokia know their likes and dislikes and understands their lifestyle. Based on the consumer insight, Nokia will bring most optimized devices to its valuable consumers.

Nokia strongly believes that change is the only constant. Nokia is driving this change as a market leader. Nokia has entered into several partnerships with most popular artists, musicians and record labels to set new industry standards. Through these partnerships, Nokia will provide its consumers with the most convenient music services because Nokia is aware that making music optimized devices only is not enough to ensure a complete music experience.

Music is the single most important need of today’s youth. With passing time, new ways of music consumption are emerging. Youth doesn’t just want to play the music; they also want to play with it. Keeping this in mind, Nokia has made both music sharing and music management convenient and easy to use features in all Nokia devices.

Nokia ‘Comes With Music’ is an exclusive service available in select markets. It makes locally relevant songs available to people via their mobile phones making all you can eat music easily accessible. Nokia currently has 12 Nokia Music Stores globally and is striving hard to establish it Music Store in Pakistan in near future. To ensure that managing music is a streamlined and comfortable experience for music lovers, Ovi also makes easy music management possible for Nokia music optimized mobile phones

Nokia leads the music devices share in Pakistan. To continue innovation in its Music & Touch Portfolio, Nokia will introduce Nokia X6, Nokia X3 and Nokia 5230 in Pakistani market during the start of the next year. Nokia’s consumer research indicates that 24% of the market is willing to pay PKR 8,000 or more for touch-screen devices. Based on these numbers, Nokia will bring touch devices at lower price points to allow maximum number of users to enjoy music. All information about Nokia Music is available on www.nokia.com/music

Christophe Corsi talked about the changing trends in the way we listen to music and Nokia’s strategy through which Nokia will stay at the top.

Most of the people enjoy listening to music. In Pakistan specifically, youth enjoys music a lot. Nokia is in a strong position to lead music phone market. Mobile phone is the new platform for digital music.

New technologies are driving the music industry. In the 80s, people enjoyed music on Vinyl Disks, then came Cassettes which were replaced by CDs in late 90s to bring more music. CDs were followed by Video/DVD as people wanted to view and listen to music at the same time. Today, music has gone digital.

Speaking about Nokia’s leadership in music, Christophe Corsi said, “Our technology will drive the music industry. Our consumers want everything in one device. Digital convergence is happening now and Nokia is at the forefront of it. Nokia’s customer centric approach renders it in a strong position to combine the most wanted features in its music and touch devices.”

Nokia will bring Nokia 5230 to Pakistani market. This device will touch you with its appealing design and vivid color skins. Nokia 5230 is an affordable touch device. The touch interface comes with Nokia’s intuitive UI. Packed with crisp 3.2” widescreen and resolution of 640×360 pixels, Nokia 5230 features a Media Bar with quick access to your favorite media and applications, such as music, photos, YouTube or Ovi Share.

You can stay tuned with music experience because Nokia 5230 has all the S60 functionalities. Access to Ovi Store allows users to download plenty of games and fun applications to personalize your Nokia 5230.

Nokia 5230 is an integral part of Nokia’s music story. Continuing the music story and expanding Nokia’s wide portfolio of touch and music devices, Nokia X6 and X3 are two new fantastic devices to look forward to.

Nokia X6 is the ultimate touch phone with capacitive touch, metallic accent and a sleek design. It is a powerful entertainment device, combining 32GB of on-board memory with a slick 3.2” finger touch interface. The ultimate device for music lovers and social butterflies, the Nokia X6 has a 16:9 widescreen optimized for photos, videos and browsing. With direct access to Ovi Store, the Nokia X6 is a hive of activity that brings 20 friends and virtual communities, like Facebook, to your homescreen.

When asked about the difference between an mp3 player and Nokia’s music-optimized phone, Imran Mahmood responded, “There’s no difference between the quality of an mp3 player and Nokia music optimized phones. If you would check the specifications of a music-optimized Nokia phone, you will find out that music quality of Nokia’s music devices are at par with stand alone mp3 players.”

Answering a question regarding compatibility of XpressMusic phones in the market, Imran Mahmood stated, “Those who have XpressMusic phones can also benefit from Nokia’s Music Store when it will be available in Pakistan. Nokia Music Store provides music on the basis of subscription that is compatible with all music optimized Nokia phones.”

Evolving its products with the latest available technology is a practice that Nokia will continue in a foreseeable future. Setting new industry standards with its Music & Touch Portfolio, Nokia aims to make music and touch available to the masses with the most enriched music experience at different price points.

SHC Suspends Arrest Warrant Against PTA Chairman

ProPakistani — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:53:13 +0000

The Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended an arrest warrant, issued by an Additional District and Sessions Court on October 31, against the chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in the blasphemous caricatures case.

The court issued non-bailable warrants against the cartoonists, publishers of the Danish, Italian and French newspapers as well as the PTA chairman and officials in a case that said that the PTA had failed to ban the newspapers’ websites in Pakistan. The case was registered on the complaint of Maulvi Iqbal Haider in the Gulberg police station.

PTA’s counsel, Sibtain Mahmood, submitted that the issuance of arrest warrants against the PTA officials and its chairman was not admissible in the law as no crime was committed by them.

The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, after preliminary hearing of the petition, suspended the arrest warrants and issued notice to Advocate General and Deputy Attorney General Sindh for November 18 for further hearing of the case.

Via The News

PTA Removes CNIC Copy Condition for SIM Data Correction

ProPakistani — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:48:57 +0000

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in order to facilitate mobile users, has removed the condition of providing CNIC copy by the consumers seeking correction in their SIM data.

According to the PTA, presently, extensive monitoring of the SIM Information System — 668 is being carried out after its successful deployment throughout the country.

In view of difficulties faced by consumers of far flung areas in approaching Customer Services Centres (CSCs), designated franchises of each mobile company were permitted to only receive complaints pertaining to ‘668’ and forward the same to the company concerned for correction/deletion/regularisation of SIM data, as the case may be.

However, in order to facilitate both CSCs/franchises and consumers to handle and process maximum number of complaints in a short span of time, the condition of providing copy of CNIC by the consumers has been removed. Consumers are now required to fill the undertaking form prior to which they have to show their original CNIC to the representative of CSC/franchisee.

Irregular SIMs registered against complainant CNIC shall then be immediately removed from his/her name.

Furthermore, with a view to facilitating mobile companies to cope with the rush at Customer Services Centres/franchises and to effectively handle and resolve the complaints pertaining to the SIM Information System, an optional permission to mobile operators is being given to allow online facility to correct the customers antecedents and get the SIMs registered in their names through the procedure of ‘Activation of SIMs After Verification 789’ by calling the helpline of respective mobile company.

However, this facility is only meant/valid for those SIMs on which at least one warning SMS for correction of antecedents has been received, whereas all other users would visit CSC personally for correction of data.

Via The News

Zong Consumer Promo

ProPakistani — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:14:17 +0000

ZONG has introduced this offer that encourages its customers to put back their Zong SIMs to get incentives. It says

The customer will be given 30 free on-net minutes when he/she reactivates the Zong SIM and dial 919.
The customers will also get 50% free minutes on the amount of his/her monthly recharge from 6th November – 6th December.
Reactivating subscribers will also get a chance to win a grand prize of Suzuki cultus by using his/her SIM everyday during the campaign period.

This offer came after Zong’s earlier Dormant subscribers offer. However, Zong on its website says that its an innovative and new thing…!

Who is qualified?

All Zong subscribers who have not used their Zong SIM since 1st August qualify for this campaign.
(The customer can check if a customer qualifies for this campaign by dialing 919)

Note:

This Offer is being launched for all prepaid packages.
Qualifying subscribers will be given their bonus within 7 days of dialing 919 from their Zong SIM.
All qualifying subscribers who use their Zong SIM everyday during the campaign period will qualify for the Lucky Draw.
Lucky draw for Suzuki cultus will be conducted in the month of December 2009.
Zong will only give out Suzuki Cultus as the lucky draw price and cannot be substituted for any other kind of prize.
MNP users can also avail this offer
The free airtime will expire in 10 days.
Duration of the campaign is 6th November 2009 – 6th December 2009.
If customer does not receive his Prize within time, CS will record the complaint and resolve it.
Govt. Taxes apply.

Google Urdu Transliteration Plugin for Wordpress

ProPakistani — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:15:49 +0000

Most of us are familiar with Google Urdu Transliteration Service that converts Roman Urdu sentences into Urdu fonts.

Here we got this Wordpress Plugin, which can enable your blog comments Google Transliteration ready, meaning that commenters will be able to type in Roman Urdu while output will be served as Urdu Fonts, and that too automatically.

You can download the plugin from here: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-transliteration/

Once installed and activated, this plugin will offer an option of Enabling Google Transliteration.

Hats off to Reza Moallemi for developing such a useful plugin – which is going to be very handy for those who blog in Urdu Fonts.

Administrators will have to set a default language, out of 13 available languages to be used for the comments. Other than this, you can enable Google Transliteration by default or let the reader select it if required.

Post Via Pak Fellows

World Call EvDO: Still trying to Compete

ProPakistani — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:51:10 +0000

Its been more than 1 year now that World Call has started its EvDO (Wireless Broadband) service. The solution uses a USB modem to enable wireless broadband services for laptops and PC’s. Service was first launched in karachi and then expanded to Lahore also.

World Call EvDO is much criticized since it hit the stores, most of customers are unhappy due to poor signals and high costs. Moreover in the presence of competitor like PTCL its very difficult to survive in the market.

But worldcall in a latest move company has reduced the price of device to Rs 1200, which was once sold in 4500, nothing has been changed in the packages though!

256 Kbps = Rs. 1,200
512 Kbps = Rs. 1,800
1 MB = Rs. 2,500

Anyway its good to see that World Call has joined hands with Shaukat Khanam against cancer as Rs 100 on every sales will be donated to Shaukat Khanam.

If we do compare Worldcall’s EvDO with PTCL’s EVO then PTCL is clearly on the winning stand, as Worldcall EvDO is more expensive, less speedy and only available in Lahore and Karachi, whereas PTCL is covering almost 15 cities, with upto 3.1Mbps speed and options of post paid and prepaid.

In the era when we are shifting from Kb’s to Mb’s its really strange that why worldcall is providing such low speed packages at these high rates.

Below is the TVC for WorldCall Wireless broadband, featuring HP notebook commercials style animation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Telenor Clarifies about Easy Paisa Issues

ProPakistani — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:23:46 +0000

Recently, media has reported that IESCO and LESCO have asked their customers to not deposit their bills at Tameer bank’s easypaisa retailers. IESCO and LESCO have taken the position that they do not have an agreement with Tameer bank for bill collection through this channel.

In a company statement issued by Telenor said that Tameer Bank has a contract with KASB authorizing it to collect bills and deposit them through KASB’s aggregator service. Tameer Bank entered into an electronic bill collection arrangement with KASB Bank under their “eUBS” service in 2007. This Service Level Agreement was enhanced in February 2009 to cater for its Branchless Banking approval, further said the statement. The channels covered under this arrangement include IVR, ATM, Call Center, POS and other Over the Counter (OTC) modes.

Telenor believes that all utility companies, which have electronic billing arrangements with KASB have been made available to member banks as well. Therefore, Tameer Bank rightly availed this electronic collection under its umbrella agreement with KASB.

As per contract, KASB is responsible for all negotiations and arrangements with utility companies, and Telenor/Tameer Bank is asking them to resolve this issue with IESCO and LESCO as soon as possible.

Tameer Bank and Telenor Pakistan have decided to temporarily suspend the service from IESCO at easypaisa merchants. This service will be resumed as soon as the agreement issues between IESCO and Tameer Bank are resolved.

Tameer Bank and Telenor Pakistan has reassured all easypaisa customers who have already paid their IESCO and LESCO bills that their amounts have safely been deposited with the relevant utility companies.

Furthermore, Telenor’s helpline, 111-345-100 is available 24/7, to address any customer concerns related to easypaisa or previous transactions. Customers are requested to contact with their transaction ID.

Warid Bill Payments and TopUp Through ATM Machines

ProPakistani — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:13:28 +0000

WARID provides convenience to pay your Post pay bills or TOP up your prepaid accounts via 1LINK ATMs throughout the country.

Now, no need to wait in line, pay your bills through ATMS of following 1LINK Member banks. It is simple and easy to use service which is available 24 X 7.

All subscribers can now avail the facility to pay their bill through ATM machines, or can TopUp its prepaid number, which are available in denominations of Rs. 250, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000

Currently following members of 1LINK are providing this service.

Allied Bank Limited
Atlas Bank
Bank Al Habib
Bank Al Falah
Habib Bank Limited
RBS- Royal Bank of Scotland
Soneri Bank Limited
Standard Chartered Bank Limited
United Bank Limited

How to pay your Postpaid Bill or TopUp your prepaid number

Step 1: After entering your ATM PIN number, select the Utility Bill Payment option on the ATM screen
Step 2: Select ‘Warid Telecom’ from the list that appears on the screen
Step 3: Enter your mobile number for which you want TopUp or Bill payment
Step 4: Select your account
Step 5: Select the Amount for Top up or enter the Bill Payment amount for post pay
Step 6: Acknowledge the entered information
Step 7: Collect / Save the receipt.

For more information kindly contact your bank or visit www.1link.net.pk

Charges:

This service is free of cost and has no hidden charges.

Badal Dou Kistmat – Ufone, Pepsi Lottery

ProPakistani — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:05:11 +0000

After the recent Lakhpati offer Ufone is now going to change your luck. Ufone has came up again with a lotto offer in partnership with PEPSI Co, named as “BADAL DO KISMAT”.

According to the offer changing your luck is very simple, Look for the special Ufone code under your Pepsi bottle crown, SMS it to 737 & enter a lucky draw to win fabulous prizes, but if you are so unlucky to win any prize, you need not to worry, because sending an sms to 737 will give you a sweet ringtone for free! So don’t wait, get your luck changed.

Prizes:

Grand Prize: Mazda RX-8 Car
X-Box
Free Unlimited supply of Pepsi
Thousands of Free minutes and SMS
Cricket bats and t-shirts autographed by cricket stars

Note:

Each SMS to 737 will be charged at Rs. 2 + tax
Only Ufone customers are eligible to participate in this promotion.
Each mobile number can send in more than one entry
This promotion is valid on Pepsi/Mountain Dew/7Up/Mirinda/ 250 ml returnable bottle
All prizes will be subject to deduction of withholding tax and other deductions required to be made by law, which shall be to the account of the winner(s).
The decision of Pepsi and Ufone regarding all matters pertaining to the Promotion and the prizes will be final and binding on all concerned.
Prizes not claimed within 15 days of notification by Pepsi/Ufone, will be automatically forfeited.
Ufone, Pepsi or Pepsi bottlers’ employees, or those of their agencies, suppliers and lawyers are not eligible to participate in the promotion.
Terms and conditions and duration of this offer are subject to change without notice
This offer is valid for a limited period only.
19.5% FED on usage and 10% withholding tax at recharge

Samsung Reports $3.8 Billion 3rd Quarter Profits

ProPakistani — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:06:50 +0000

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has announced global revenues of 35.87 trillion Korean Won (Approximately 29 Billion U.S. Dollars) on a consolidated basis for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, an 18.5 percent increase year-on-year(YOY). Consolidated operating profit for the 3rd quarter was 4.23 trillion Korean Won, a 185.8 percent increase year-on-year. Income before income taxes reached 4.62 trillion Korean Won, approximately 3.8 billion U.S. Dollars on a consolidated basis.

Amid improving global consumer sentiment, Samsung recorded strong results across both major business units, namely the Device Solutions (Memory Chips, LCD Panels, etc.) and Digital Media/Communications (mobile phones, flat panel TVs, etc), which had supported a sustained profit recovery and enhanced market shares during the said period.

Mr. Robert Yi, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Investor Relations Team Said; “Samsung achieved an outstanding operating profit in the third quarter, with our components and product set businesses performing strongly in tandem. We forecast a solid fourth quarter supported by seasonal demand for consumer electronics. Despite many challenges including increased marketing expenses, we have made great progress in strengthening our market leadership throughout 2009. Thus, we are optimistic about further growth as the global economic recovery continues into 2010”.

Capital expenditure on a parent company basis for the third quarter was 1.34 trillion Korean Won, while Samsung expects capital expenditure for 2009 to reach 7 trillion Won. Samsung expects to increase capital expenditure further in 2010, as a response to rising demand for electronics. Samsung forecasts say that a weak U.S. dollar will not significantly impact its financial performance as its product set business is more influenced by the Euro and Yen. Thus Samsung will be able to maintain its price competitiveness alongside European and Japanese set manufacturers.

The improved operating profits for the major divisions of Samsung are as under: Semiconductors 1.15 trillion Won, LCD 1.01 trillion Won, Telecommunications 1.03 trillion Won and Digital Media 940 billion Won. Samsung’s technological advantage and cost competitiveness helped achieve higher sales & higher profits in various products including; Sale of 148 million large-sized LCD panels along with Premium LED, 240 Hz TV panels and other eco-friendly products, 1.2 million units of new line of LED TVs. Continued growth of Samsung mobile WiMAX business, Increased market-share for refrigerators and Drum washing machines. A sale of 60.2 million mobile sets with improved sales volume of feature-rich touch screen mobile handsets & devices. Thus, Samsung is on track to beat its full year 2009 target of 200 million mobile handset sales.