Business World – Bulletins page S2/6
October 30-31, 2009 Friday – Saturday

IPVG Corp., in partnership with the Ayala Technology Business Incubator and GlobeLabs, will be launching MobileXtreme! The Big Apps Competition, a nationwide search for the most innovative mobile applications. The competition will be sphere headed by IPVG, Ayala Technology Business Incubator, GlobeLabs and MegaMobile, Inc., the mobile communications business unit of IPVG. As an aggregator, MegaMobile welcomes mobile concepts and developed products for application that run on the Java (J20) platform. The competition will be facilitated through an office Web-based portal where contestants can upload their entries, which can consist of applications under the following categories: Game and Entertainment, Enterprise and Productivity, and Cause-oriented. A one-day conference dubbed as MobileXtreme! The Big Apps Competition-Opening Forum will be held on Nov. 7, 1p.m. to 6 p.m., at the UP-Ayala Land Techno Hub Conference Room in Quezon City. For inquiries, e-mail to innovation@ayalafoundation.org or call 752-1627.

http://www.hardwarezone.com.ph/news/view.php?id=14988&cid=5
October 30, 2009 Friday

Manila, Philippines -- IPVG Corp., in partnership with the Ayala Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and GlobeLabs, will be launching MobileXtreme! The Big Apps Competition, a nationwide search for the most innovative mobile applications .

The competition will be spearheaded by IPVG, Ayala Technology Business Incubator, GlobeLabs and MegaMobile Inc., the mobile communications business unit of IPVG. MegaMobile is the mobile service partner of content providers and communities which include some of the biggest names in the publishing, online gaming, music and entertainment industries.

By Alexander Villafania
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20091028-232748/Local-firms-seek-innovation-in-mobile-apps
October 29, 2009 – Thursday

MANILA, Philippines – With more than half of the country`s 90 million people already using mobile phones, the prospects for mobile services continue to grow.

This is especially true when mobile phone subscribers start demanding mobile services beyond SMS or text messaging and even downloading music or video files.

Some of the new mobile applications that are seeing action are a broad range of location-based services that allow subscribers to remotely track and manage their businesses. Another service is mobile payment wherein a mobile phone can work as an electronic wallet to pay for products or services.

Telecommunications companies are already taking notice with mobile applications. Bigger demand is coming from local businesses that are turning their office-based employees into a mobile workforce by having them use their phones as their essential business tool.

Most existing personal and business applications are developed using Java on top of Symbian operating system for phones. However, a growing number of applications are making their way on the Apple iPhone, especially with its touch screen feature and easy-to-use development kit.

With much potential coming from mobile applications, it is no surprise that certain companies are conducting competitions to find innovative mobile software.

Smart Communications started its own Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), which rewards students with commercially viable mobile applications.

Following the lead from Smart, two other companies have started their own mobile applications competition. Internet services firm IPVG and the Ayala Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) announced MobileXtreme, a nationwide contest for the best mobile applications developers.

While Smart SWEEP focuses on student projects, MobileXtreme is open to corporate and independent developers. Contestants have to create applications that best fit certain categories. In this case, there are categories for entertainment, enterprise productivity, and public service applications.

The competition is set to start this November until February 2010. Winning groups or individuals would have a chance to turn their experimental applications into real-world products.

The competition is also sponsored by IPVG`s MegaMobile division and Ayala-owned GlobeLabs.

http://computerworld.com.ph/nationwide-mobile-app-competition-launched/
October 29, 2009 – Thursday

MobileXtreme! The Big Apps Competition, a nationwide search for the most innovative mobile applications has been launched by IPVG, Ayala Technology Business Incubator, GlobeLabs and MegaMobile Inc., the mobile communications business unit of IPVG.

As an aggregator, MegaMobile welcomes mobile concepts and developed products (preferably the latter) for applications that run on the Java (J20) platform. The competition will be facilitated through an official web-based portal where contestants can upload their entries, which can consist of applications under the following categories:

Category 1: Games and Entertainment
- Entertainment, fun and games

Category 2: Enterprise and Productivity
- Enterprise and productivity solutions; applications that address business needs as well as home and work productivity needs of individuals

Category 3: Cause-oriented
- Cause-oriented applications, news and public service, applications that address needs of underserved and marginal sectors of society (ex: farmers, fishermen)

The competition will present a chance for developers to showcase original applications. The best entries will receive infrastructure support from IPVG to help develop their ideas into full blown commercial products, plus a chance to have their products launched commercially through IPVG and MegaMobile. Category winners will also receive a bonus cash prize of Php 50,000 each.

To kick off the competition and issue the official call for entries, a one-day conference dubbed as MobileXtreme! The Big Apps Competition - Opening Forum will be held on November 7, 2009 at the UP-AyalaLand TechnoHub Conference Room in Quezon City, from 1PM to 6 PM. Keynote speakers for the said conference will include representatives from IPVG, MegaMobile, Ayala Foundation and representatives from the IT industry. The Opening Forum will be free of charge and potential contestants can learn firsthand what the board of judges will be looking for in the entries and what the experts’ insights are on current and emerging mobile trends.

MobileXtreme! will run from November 2009 to February 2010. Online learning materials, discussions and forums at the competition’s official portal will be held simultaneously during this period.

Deadline for submission of entries will be January 10, 2010.

Finalists will be invited to the MobileXtreme! Awards Night – Open Tech Party to be held on February 26, 2010 at the main lobby of the UP-AyalaLand TechnoHub in Quezon City.

Manila Bulletin – Entertainment E-5
October 24, 2009 – Saturday

Did you know that Rhian Ramos sings very well? We first heard GMA’s
Rhian Ramos sing U2’s “With or Without You” At the Bloggers’ Night
party of PLDT MyDSL Watchpad at Mag.net in Bonifacio High Street last
week.

And like most of the people in the venue that night, we were all blown
away by Rhian’s beautiful voice. She really can sing! She is truly a
combination of beauty, brains and beautiful voice. Who says one cannot
have it all?

That’s why when we heard that she actually has recorded an album for
an online game, a joint project between GMA’s New Media Inc., online
gaming publisher IP E-Game Ventures Inc. (E-Games) and Bellhaus, we
weren’t surprised at all.

Rhian Ramos is now a recording artist as X-Paly Online Games Inc.
recently launched her singing career with the Audition Dance Battle
dance album. Rhian showcases her singing ability with “You”, the
carrier single of the 15-track dance album of Audition Dance Battle, a
highly popular online casual dance game with millions of players
worldwide and published locally by X-Play.

”You” was launched on SOP recently. The music video was directed by
Jeff tan of Bellhaus, and it features a very sophisticated Rhian in
stylish party scenes along with fellow Kapuso artists Sheena Halili,
Dominic Roco, Vaness del Moral, recording artist Brenan, and
Audition’s very own players. Highlights of the music video included
scenes of Rhian in an elegant helicopter amidst classic skyline.

Rhian sings "You" in Audition Dance Battle album

Philippine Star - Entertainment C-8
October 24, 2009 – Saturday

X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play) and Bellhaus Entertainment Inc. recently launched Rhian Ramos` singing career with the Audition Dance Battle album.

Rhian showcases her singing ability with “You”, the carrier single of the fifteen track dance album of Audition Dance Battle, a highly popular online casual dance game with millions of players worldwide and published locally by X-Play, the joint venture company of GMA Network Inc.’s digital media arm GMA New Media Inc. (GMA NMI) and leading online gaming publisher IP E-Game Ventures Inc. (E-Games).

“It’s been such a great year for me; sobrang dami kong blessings na nakuha this year. I wanted talaga to be able to give something new to everyone who supported me. This year, singing was it,” shared Rhian during the official launch of the Audition Dance Album in GMA7’s Sunday afternoon variety show SOP, which was a double celebration for Rhian who also marked her birthday that day.

Rhian’s launch was also the premiere for the official music video of “You”. Directed by Jeff Tan of Bellhaus Entertainment Inc., the video featured a very sophisticated Rhian in stylish party scenes along with fellow Kapuso artists Sheena Halili, Dominic Roco, Vaness Del Moral, recording artist Brenan, and Audition’s very own players. Highlights of the music video included scenes of Rhian in an elegant helicopter amidst a classic skyline.

Rhian has been planning to come out with her own album this year. “We’ve all worked so hard to make this album happen, and I thank the Audition family na talagang pinaghirapan yung album,” said Rhian. Audistas, as Audition Dance Battle players are called, have chosen Rhian’s song to dance so frequently inside the game that it has stayed in the #1 spot for several weeks now. Audition Dance Battle offers the ultimate online gaming experience for dance aficionados, who enjoy grooving to the beat of fun and funky dance hits. The game features fantastic dance-gaming experience that is complete with character customization, cool graphics and animations, and the hippest tunes and moves from a variety of dance genres ranging from hip hop to ballroom.

Download “You” to your mobile phone by texting TONE RHIANYOU (for monotone), POLY RHIANYOU (for polytones), TTONE RHIANYOU (for truetone) and send to 4627. Rhian’s “You” caller ringback can also be downloaded by texting RHIANYOU to 2728 for Smart, 2332 for Globe, and 2300 for Sun subscribers.

Rhian will be in a series of mall shows. The free admission mall tour will include special performances and an album signing activity with Rhian, on-site tournaments of Audition and other X-Play games, plus prizes.

Mall tour dates and locations are today at SM Manila, (with other shows slated for) SM Batangas, SM Baguio, SM Cebu, and SM San Lazaro (Manila).

By: JOEL D. PINAROC
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/225999/ip-converge-unveils-new-disasterrecovery-services
Manila Bulletin – Infotech B-6
October 23, 2009 - Friday

Internet data center operator IP Converge Data Center, Inc. has
unveiled its new disaster-recovery solutions for new and existing
clients.

The company, the information technology and telecommunications
division of publicly-listed IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP), said its IPC
Business Continuity facility leverages on IP Converge’s existing
state-of-the-art data center infrastructure and redundant IP network
which guarantees continuous power, cooling, and Internet connectivity
even in the event of a disaster.

The unveiling is also apparently timely, in the wake of a recent
typhoon which left scores of businesses unable to operate due to power
outages.

IP-Converge said located on the 34th floor of RCBC Plaza — a highly
secure, seismic-zone 4 compliant building, the facility is fully
equipped with business equipment such as copiers, fax machines,
IDD/NDD capable phones, and printers to ensure that customers can
continue to operate their business in the event of a disaster.

“IPC Business Continuity provides companies with accessibility to
their mission-critical applications and data which will allow them to
have true business continuity without the prohibitive cost of
developing one for themselves,” Herns Hermida, IPC AVP for product
development, said.

http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27191:ipconverge-intros-business-continuity-centre&catid=147:internet&Itemid=68

October 16, 2009 – Friday

IP Converge Data Centre, the IT and telecoms division of IPVG, has released an addition to its roster of solutions and services called IPC Business Continuity Centre, reports Philstar.

This latest service offering from the Makati-based Internet data centre operator aims to address the business continuity and disaster recovery requirements of new and existing clients.

The IPC Business Continuity Centre leverages on IP-Converge`s existing data centre infrastructure and redundant IP network which guarantees continuous power, cooling and Internet connectivity even in the event of a disaster.

Philippine Star – Networks, page C4

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=513223&publicationSubCategoryId=71

October 12, 2009 – Monday

MANILA, Philippines - IP Converge Data Center Inc., the information technology and telecommunications division of publicly listed IPVG Corp., announced that it has launched a new addition to its roster of solutions and services: IPC Business Continuity.

This latest service offering from the Makati-based Internet data center operator aims to address the business continuity and disaster recovery requirements of new and existing clients.

The IPC Business Continuity Center leverages on IP-Converge’s existing state-of-the-art data center infrastructure and redundant IP network which guarantees continuous power, cooling and Internet connectivity even in the event of a disaster.

Located on the 34th floor of RCBC Plaza — a highly secure, seismic-zone 4 compliant building — the facility is fully equipped with business equipment such as copiers, fax machines, IDD/NDD-capable phones, and printers to ensure that customers can continue to operate their business in the event of a disaster.

“IPC Business Continuity provides companies with accessibility to their mission-critical applications and data which will allow them to have true business continuity without the prohibitive cost of developing one for themselves,” says IPC AVP for product development Herns Hermida.

“Companies are able to avert huge losses in revenue and credibility as their clients are able to continuously transact with them without them knowing that they are going through difficult times,” Hermida added.

IP-Converge’s Business Continuity Center is a ready and available back-up facility that’s ideal for all businesses to ensure continuous operation in the wake of unforeseen events, whether natural or human-induced.

Moreover, the center will aid in the recovery of mission-critical data and sustain the operations over several days or even weeks until normal business is restored.

“In today’s interconnected world, it is incumbent for organizations to have facilities in place to mitigate the effects of disasters and make their mission-critical applications constantly available. Otherwise, customers will bring their business to a more stable and reliable service provider. Business continuity initiatives have become a fundamental move for companies to include in their short-term and strategic plans,” Hermida said.

IPC Business Continuity is offered on a per-seat basis and clients are given the option of contracting seats on a dedicated or shared basis. The IPC Business Continuity Center is available to clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Together with its co-location, connectivity, Internet and professional services, IP-Converge is able to customize business continuity solutions for virtually any customer, tailoring the service to suit specific disaster recovery plans.

IP-Converge is a regional Internet data center providing a wide array of managed data services and business solutions at international standards with operations in Makati, Hong Kong and Singapore.

An ISO 9001:2000 certified company, the foundation of the company’s business is centered on customer satisfaction through high quality, on-time delivery and a personalized, “boutique” approach to clients.

Business World Bulletins page S2/6

October 5, 2009 Monday

Cloud Computing and Software as a Service took a step from being a trend to becoming a permanent business model when Prudential Vietnam Finance Co. Ltd. (Prudential Finance), one of the Vietnam`s leading finance companies, became an On-Demand Sales Force.com customer.

This was made possible through the implementation and customization services delivered by Salesforce.com`s Philippine Select Consulting Partner, IP-Converge Data Center, Inc.

By: Melvin Calimag

Manila Bulletin Infotech B-6

October 4, 2009 Sunday

There was a time when today`s youth was referred to as "the Ragnarok generation", a clearer reference to the immense popularity of the Korean online game that captivated young and tech-savvy Filipinos.

But that was four or five years ago, when Ragnarok was still the rage of the town and online gaming was just starting its ascent to the public`s consciousness. The advent of free-to-play model, however, has since altered the online gaming terrain dramatically.

"The free-to-play model has really been a game-changer," said Gil Edeza, president and chief operating officer of IP E-Game Ventures Inc., during the recent launch of another free-to-play online game called Runes of Magic

By Ed Richelle Uy

The Manila Times Magazine page B8

October 4, 2009 Sunday

Forget 21 guns... this game can give you a thousand.

Barely a week after taking gamers on a trip to mystical world of Taborea in Runes of Magic, E-Games now gives FPS lovers a heavy-dose of realistic combat action as it commences Operation 7 (OP7).

Developed by Korean game development company Mgame, OP7 challenges the current lineup of MMOFPS (massively multiplayer online first person shooter game), and promises the most action-packed and realistic gaming experience.

Tom Noda

http://computerworld.com.ph/online-shooter-game-to-go-mainstream-in-philippine-tv/

October 1, 2009 Friday

Local gaming firm X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play) aims to make history in television programming as it attempts to have a regular show for its online shooter game Operation 7 (OP7) that will compete with mainstream TV shows.

Opposed to regular TV techie shows or features that merely discuss about the latest in the ICT industry, X-Play plans to have a live TV broadcast of OP7`s action, described in the gaming world as a massively multiplayer online first person shooter game or MMOFPS.

George Royeca, X-Play vice president for casual games, said that they are working with GMA Network Inc. (GMA7) to have a regular time slot for OP7.

We`re eyeing a slot on the weekend. We aim for the younger audience and we will compete with mainstream TV shows and telenovelas, Royeca said, adding that GMA7 is now tapping the younger audience bracket.

Royeca said the younger Filipino audience has been overlooked for quite some time and TV firms are trying to move back in terms of ages of TV viewers by bringing in shows that is relevant to the youth`s lifestyles.