Globe to roll out mobile apps for 'richer' experience

Mobile messaging and movies apps highlight a new "exclusive" mobile app suite now being rolled out by Globe Telecoms to give smartphone owners a "richer" experience. Globe said the apps include GSERVICES, GCASH, GMOVIES and GMESSAGE for account management and personalized services, financial services, movies, and instant messaging. “With Globe Mobile Apps, we provide subscribers with unique, relevant and delightful content that will add value to today's fast-paced lifestyle – whether movies, instant messaging, or financial and personalized services. Access to the apps is also easy and hassle-free, further empowering our subscribers to enjoy Globe apps, their way,” said Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe. The GSERVICES app, free for Globe subscribers, lets subscribers check prepaid load or outstanding postpaid balance, register to promos, share load to family and friends, check rewards points and redeem rewards, and view postpaid bills. GCASH lets subscribers buy prepaid load anytime and anywhere with a 10-percent rebate, pay bills, send money to family and friends via their mobile, Facebook or e-mail accounts. It also lets them send donations without having to memorize keywords or access numbers. It also gives subscribers access to their contact list and even Facebook friends without having to switch applications. GMOVIES, a first, is a one-stop mobile application for checking movie schedules and reviews, booking and reserving seats, and buying movie tickets. While GMOVIES is initially available in Ayala Cinemas, it will soon be available for SM Cinemas. "The first of its kind in the Philippines, the GMOVIES app provides users the convenience of e-movie tickets by letting them view movie schedules, choose seats, and pay for ticket purchases minus the hassle of long queues in theaters, especially during preview of blockbuster movies," Globe said. Meanwhile, GMESSAGE is a mobile messaging application that allows users to send and receive free and unlimited messages with other GMESSAGE users anywhere in the world. It also allows users to send and receive messages with non-GMESSAGE users for only 15 centavos per message. "With the GMESSAGE app, users can also share photos, videos and audio files. The app also incorporates an innovative technology called 'Magic Words,' which can detect the context of a sentence and provide a link to what the user is talking about," Globe said. Globe added it is the first operator in Asia to launch GMESSAGE, which it said is perfect for Filipinos who have led the world in text messaging over the last few years. Smartphone penetration Globe said the new apps come amid the increasing smartphone penetration in the country. Citing Ericsson’s Mobility Report, Filipinos are the world’s fourth fastest growing mobile internet users with five million new users during the third quarter of 2012, trailing China with 38 million subscriptions. “Mobility is becoming an increasingly significant part of our daily lives with the availability of smartphones and tablets that have changed the way we use the internet. We always have devices within arm’s reach, allowing us instant access to information, entertainment and social interaction,” said Douglas Gilstrap, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy at Ericsson. Initial availability Globe said GMOVIES and GMESSAGE will be initially available to Android users via Google Play, with iOS versions coming out soon for iPhone users via the App Store. On the other hand, GSERVICES is available on App Store and soon on Google Play. The GCASH app is available on the App Store, Google Play and BlackBerry App World. To download the apps, type glb.ph/GMOVIES, glb.ph/GMESSAGE, glb.ph/GSERVICES, or glb.ph/GCASH on the phone browser, or send APPS to 8888. Standard mobile browsing rates apply. — LBG, GMA News