WeChat Upgrades to Versions 5.1 play by play updates by the country's top searched app

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Enjoy the world of the WeChat! Experience chatting in a whole new way and connect with friends across mobile platforms!

WeChat, the new way to connect, available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Nokia (Symbian).

WeChat—The most-searched social messaging app according to Google Trends in Philippines, ahead of key competitors and the 3rd most searched item in general.—lets you carry on making connections with a handful of entertainment at the side.

WeChat has almost 500 million users as of July last year, with 100 million of them coming from China.

Steve Zheng, WeChat’s senior business development manager, citing Google trends, said their app is one of the Top 3 searched apps in the Philippines. Moreover, noting that they are now available in some parts of Southeast Asia. WeChat have yet to expand to other countries.

WeChat has developed a lot of features such as animated stickers. "We made a lot of new stickers to engage them so they can better express their emotions.” Zheng said

China’s hot messaging app WeChat recently launched its newest version in the Philippines, which includes three games, more animated stickers and an expanded group chat feature. WeChat 5.1 can now accommodate up to 100 users in its group chat service from the previous limit of 40.

Download WeChat's latest 5.1 update and read on to know more about how WeChat skyrockets excitement to your every day with its latest feature such as Games, which lets you challenge your friends with fun and addictive games while you're on the move.

WeChat 5.1 hopes to attract more casual gamers with the side-scrolling race game “Gunz Dash” and the puzzle games “2 Day’s Match” and “Craz3 Match,” which are all available for iOS, Android, Symbian, Windows Phone and BlackBerry users.

The mobile revolution is no longer just about messaging - especially in the Philippines, which aside from being the global texting capital, is also gaining stance as one of the fastest growing market for smartphones. It's good to note that while the popularity of social networking access via smartphones have won everyone's attention, games are continuing to mark its place in the digital scene to fill in people's idle gaps with fun, too.

WeChat—The most-searched social messaging app according to Google Trends in Philippines, ahead of key competitors and the 3rd most searched item in general.—lets you carry on making connections with a handful of entertainment at the side.

Download WeChat's latest 5.1 update and read on to know more about how WeChat skyrockets excitement to your every day with its latest feature such as Games, which lets you challenge your friends with fun and addictive games while you're on the move.

Challenge your friends with fun and addictive WeChat Games!
Gunz Dash, one of the pioneering titles of WeChat Games, lets players choose their favorite heroes and let them embark on exciting adventures in a fantasy universe. Whether in solo or multiplayer mode, users can speed through worlds and collect coins for a high score in this exciting 2D animated, side-scrolling race game. Plus point: Gunz Dash's setting can be customized to activate music and sound effect to enhance the gaming experience.
(Official site: http://games.wechat.com/gunzdash/)

To take the puzzle gaming further, WeChat's second title Craz3 Match makes players match tiles in groups of three and eliminate some seriously cute animals. Users can also boost their scores with magical items like Quick Hint, Shark, Time Reverse, Unlock, and Level Up to boost their points against other players.
(Official site; http://games.wechat.com/craz3match/)

Level up your social life. Expand your Chat

Aside from the Games, the latest 5.1 upgrade also comes with enhanced features which allow users to support the latest platforms of iOS and Android, use group messaging to converse with a regular of 40 users or join at most two sized-up group chats with up to100 users each.

Tell your story with StoryCam for WeChat

Tell your story with StoryCam for WeChat (Official site: http://camera.wechat.com)! You can use your own words to describe the 'what', 'where' and 'when' of your photos with this exclusive app. With festival watermarks, filters and real-time location based information, you can now personalize and share any moment. Download StoryCam for WeChat for free and start telling your photo stories!

Features of StoryCam for WeChat include:

- Choose from five photo themes: Featured, Place, Weather, Food and Lifestyle
- Enhance photos with up to 13 free filters
- Receive real-time location, weather and date updates
- Edit your location and stories
- Place watermarks wherever you want on your photos
- Share photos easily with WeChat friends, on Moments or by email


WeChat StoryCam
WeChat's not stopping there, the app has more new features that make connecting even more enjoyable.

• Edit 'Favorite Messages' - Save your favorite text and voice messages, photos and videos to 'Favorite Messages'- the first cloud-based storage service on mobile social communication apps - to view and share again anytime. You can edit and add new content to saved messages in any way you want.
• Register with Email Address - You have more choices to connect with WeChat - you can register with your email address to start chatting with friends.
• Gmail Contact Integration - Link to your Google account, find out who else is using WeChat and add them to your friends list.
• Supports Latest Smartphone iOS Platforms - WeChat 5.1 is optimized to support the latest versions on both iOS and Android.

The latest WeChat 5.1 and StoryCam for WeChat are now available for both Android and iOS users. Visit www.wechat.com for the latest information

WeChat users can add friends via a wide range of innovative actions and methods, including scanning QR codes, connecting users' phone books and activating location-based functions such as "People Nearby" and "Shake". The platform enhances social interaction by supporting exchanging of text, voice and video, stickers, and photos with their friends over data networks or under Wi-Fi environments. Users can choose to communicate one-on-one, or within their closed social network through "Moments".

Check out some of the features here:

Video Call
Moments
Hold to Talk

WeChat also comes with comprehensive privacy setting functions, which enables user to tailor their security level as needed

For more details and application download, please visit www.wechat.com

For more fun and exciting, WeChat had become the means for purchasing vendo products like drinks and other goodies for users-on-the-go. Users don't need to bring cash and just flash your QR Code you can even get drinks in public places!

Download your WeChat now at www.wechat.com. WeChat can also be downloaded at Apple App, Google Play, Windows Phone, Nokia S40, OS 5.0, OS 6.0 and above, Symbian and Blackberry.

For more information please visit www.wechat.com and follow WeChat Philippines on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WechatPH

For more information about the app, just visit WeChat’s official website and WeChat Philippines on Facebook.

WeChat Bloggers Night was held at Makati Shangri -la Hotel.
Photos:  https://www.facebook.com/WechatPH/posts/390388001097153

“All must go” in Smart’s five-day gadget sale at Jump Experience Center

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Smart’s “All Must Go” deals for five days starting NOW - January 29 at Jump Experience Center , SM Megamall ! 

Get two free smartphones with your UnliSurf plan. Own a laptop or tablet powered by hours of Internet surfing for as low as P499 a month.

Enjoy huge savings with 75% off on Smart Bro Prepaid Rocket Devices. These are just some of the deals being offered at the biggest gadget sale of leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).

From January 29 to February 2, 2014, Smart is holding its “All Must Go” Gadget Sale only at Jump Experience Center located at the fourth floor (Cyberzone) of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

For a limited time, customers can take advantage of amazing deals and big savings on some featured gadgets, while enjoying the mobile leader’s widest network coverage and reliable data services.

Prospective postpaid subscribers can “Buy 1 Win 1” with their Smart Postpaid UnliSurf Plan 999 which includes unlimited surfing, and nine minutes of calls and 99 texts to all networks.

Aside from the free smartphone bundled with the plan (Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, LG Nexus 4, O+ USA 8.15 and many more available on the plan), subscriber will also automatically win one more mystery smartphone.

Those who thrive on Internet on-the-go meanwhile may get a free laptop or tablet with Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plans. For as low as P499 a month and with zero one-time fee, subscriber can take home a free gadget such as the Acer Aspire One Netbook or Neo VC2EW Netbook powered by free 30 hours of Internet surfing and every month. 

Offer is also available with Smart Bro Gadget Plus Plan 699 that comes with a free gadget such as Asus EEE Pad Slider, Asus Nexus 7 Tab and more – with 50 hours of Internet Surfing every month. 

These plans come free with a Smart Bro Pocket Wifi or Power Plug-It and the Anti-Bill Shock feature that allows subscribers to have unlimited Internet surfing with maximum data bill of P1,199 for Gadget Plus Plan 499 and P1,299 for Gadget Plus Plan 699.

Subscribers also have the option to get the Smart Bro device of their choice under the Easy App plan with no lock-in period by just paying a one-time fee.

For those who want to unleash the full potential of their existing gadgets – whether laptops, tablets, smartphones – Smart Bro is also offering 75% off the Smart Bro Rocket Plug-It, Rocket Chic and Rocket WiFi Plus.

Surf the Internet on rocket speed with either the tough and rough-looking Smart Bro Rocket Plug It or the pink and stylish Smart Bro Rocket Chic, now for only P495 each (previously P2,345), backed by 4G High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) technology of up to 12 Mbps.

The ultra-fast Smart Bro Rocket Wi-Fi Plus is also now available for only P1,495 (previously P6,495). Running on HSPA+ network with speeds of up to 12 Mbps, the Smart Bro Rocket Wi-Fi Plus can easily connect up to five gadgets.

Smart’s “All Must Go” deals are valid until supplies last. 

For more information on Smart’s “All Must Go” sale and to check the list of all available devices, visit http://www1.smart.com.ph/postpaid/smartgadgetsale.

 Smart Bro is the wireless broadband service of Smart Broadband, Inc., a subsidiary of Smart.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Solaire!

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Solaire Resort invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year to usher in the auspicious Year of the Wooden Horse on Friday, January 31, 2014.

There will be a Lion Dance accompanied by a cacophony of drums and cymbals and an exhibition of firecrackers which marks Chinese New Year and guests will be able to witness this ceremony in the resort’s Porte cohere. The lion dancers will perform in the hotel's lobby and will move to different areas of the resort.

To highlight the significance of this annual indulgence, Solaire brings you the lucky “Koi fish-shaped” Tikoy in elegant gift boxes.

Guests can enjoy this popular take-out treat available at Red Lantern located in the resort’s ground level until 14 February 2014. For bulk orders of Tikoy, guests should call the resort at 888 8888.

Dine at Red Lantern and savor the unique a la carte menu comprising sumptuous dishes: Braised Pork Trotter with Chinese Mushrooms and Vegetables, Sautéed Prawns with Vegetables and X.O. Sauce and Salmon Fish ‘Yee Sang’.

Diners can choose from three variations of set menus: each of them comprising more than 8 dishes priced at P1,888.00** per person; P1,988.00** per person and P2,888.00** per person.

“Great Prosperity Set Menu”

“Rich Fortune Set Menu” 

“Fa Fa Fa Fortune God Set Menu” 

Guests who also plans to stay overnight, Solaire Resort offers a Chinese New Year Package for only P8,800** for a Grand Deluxe room! The room package includes one night’s accommodation and breakfast buffet at "Fresh". 

For a "Two Bay Suite Package" inclusive of one night accommodation with breakfast at the Executive Lounge, the rate is P16,888** Available only from January 30 till February 2, 2014.

** Prices are subject to service charge and applicable government tax. Prior reservations required, call 888 8888.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Solaire Resort in Pasay City , 

Entertainment City (Near SM Mall of Asia), Parañaque City 

For more updates and info, visit Website: http://www.solaireresort.com 

and Email: info@solairemanila.com

"Ultrablessed" by Sponge Cola

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Ultrablessed reflects the Diamond-recording band Sponge Cola’s fun journey as musicians. Composed of 10 new songs, the album gives people a glimpse of the more than a decade of friendship between the members of the band.

Ultrablessed will be launched this January 31, 8 p.m., at the Eastwood Central Plaza. A bonus DVD of their last concert Maximum Capacity is also included in the album.

Composed of Yael on vocals, Armo on lead guitar, Gosh on bass and TedMark on drums, Sponge Cola considers this album as a celebration of years of blessings.

“We have been chillin’, doing the things we love to do all these years,” says Yael. “So, looking back, we are not just really blessed, but we are Ultrablessed.”

According to Yael, the album contains 10 new fun songs, but quickly clarified that, “basically, all the tracks in the album are ‘fun’ songs, but not necessarily happy. Some songs are sad, but they are fun.”

Yael further explains that the album has that fun vibe, which is a product of the band members’ current state of mind.

“When you are happy, of course, you come up with ‘fun’ songs,” he adds. “This album has that vibe in it, so I hope we can share this to everyone.”

The album’s first single Anting-Anting, which also features Gloc-9 and Denise Barbacena, talks about empowerment among victims of bullying. Its music video is set to premiere on MYX in a few days.

Ultrablessed also features the band’s collaboration with Yeng Constantino. Aptly called +63, the area code of the phillipines, the song talks about long distance love, a familiar theme in everyday Filipino life.

"Communication softens the blow of distance,” explains Yael. “Nothing beats the real thing, but distance forces us to make do with what little interaction we can have.”

For Yael, Ultrablessed is also special because, like the band’s earlier hits, his brother Yannyi Yuzon worked on the project as producer.

He adds, “Yanny, alongside Eric Perlas of tower of doom. It's a very similar setup to what we had with the first album with Jorel Corpus formerly of kjwan co-producing the band's first album Palabas.”

Coincidentally, the band went on a quick workation in the United States with first album co-producer Jorel Corpus, now a Berkeley School of Music Graduate, to film a road tripping musical show called “This is How We Travel,” which will air on the band's youtube channelyoutube.com/spongecolamusic on February 15.

"We've been touring nonstop,” states Yael. “So we wanted to unwind, but we had a camera with us so we filmed our quirky west coast roadtrip along with some performances as well."

Ultrablessed CD Track List

1. Hawla

2. Kailangan Kita

3. Anting-anting (feat. Gloc-9 and Denise Barbacena)

4. Iyong-Iyong-Iyo

5. 9 To Sawa

6. +63 (feat. yeng constantino)

7. Walk Away

8. R.I.C.E

9. Singapore Sling (Dahil Kilala Na Kita)

10. The Answer

Maximum Capacity Concert DVD Track List:

1.     22

2.    KLSP

3.    Tuliro

4.    Tambay - Ako Na Lang with Zia Quizon

5.    Una

6.    Jillian

7.    Gemini

8.    Ayt with Gary Valenciano

9.    Puso

10.   Neon

11.   Jeepney

12.   Dragonfly

13.   XGF

14.   Bitiw

Encore

15.   Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay

Follow Sponge Cola:

www.spongecolaonline.com

Facebook: spongecola

Twitter: @sponge_cola 

Instagram: @spongecolamusic

YouTube: spongecolamusic

Samsung Galaxy Data SIM Promo

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Samsung Philippines has been promoting the Samsung Galaxy Data SIM. The SIM card is actually part of Samsung’s new promo for its 3G-capable smartphones and tablets. Powered by Globe Telecom’s network, the SIM card enables new buyers of Samsung smartphones and tablets to instantly enjoy their device.

The Samsung Galaxy Data SIM bestows users free two months of Globe Telecom’s PowerSurf 299 or equivalent to a total of 600MB free mobile data (300MB per month in two months). Such an amount of data enables users to deliver up to 19,000 tweets on Twitter, download 150 songs, or watch 300 minutes of online video.

The Samsung Galaxy Data SIM can be acquired by purchasing any 3G-capable smartphone or 3G tablet from participating Samsung Experience stores or kiosks.

Promo runs until February 28, 2014. For more information on the details and the mechanics of the promo, visit https://www.facebook.com/SamsungMobilePH.