Changing the game in the cell phone industry

In this gadget-crazy society, where one must not only have the latest “in” cell phone, but more than one of them for good measure, communication has become a balancing act.

So much so that the trend today is for one to have one cell phone line for work, another for family and friends, and sometimes an uber exclusive line for those significant others—something that requires a) lugging around two or three cell phones everywhere one goes; or b) developing a knack for swapping SIM cards every 30 minutes or so.

It's a juggling act that is not only cumbersome at the best of times, but downright insane at the worst (imagine suffering from tinnitus due to incessant ringing).

But leave it to the Filipino to find a way to make technology obsession work.

These days, one need not resort to hauling two cell phones around nor mastering sleight of hand techniques to keep those lines of communication open.

With the recent introduction of MyPhone T22 Duo, the first dual active SIM mobile phone in the Philippines , one can move seamlessly from one line to another without a hitch.

Launched last month at the Blue Leaf Clubhouse at the Fort, the T22 Duo has two SIM slots to ensure simultaneous activation of both lines and is compatible with all networks. That means one can make and receive calls and texts from two different lines without switching the other off. Basically, it's two phones in one sleek package.

David Lim, president of Solid Group which distributes MyPhone, pointed out that the T22 Duo was designed to eliminate the hassle of lugging two phones around or constantly SIM-swapping.

“We are the first company to come out with a Dual Active SIM (DAS) phone that can have both lines active simultaneously. Our plan is to pursue the technology, and further it with innovations in style and technology for the future MyPhones. We want to make MyPhone synonymous with the ‘Dual Age of Mobile Phones,'” said Lim.

The T22 Duo boasts of a 2.4-inch liquid crystal display (where one can watch the latest downloaded episode of Heroes and other mp4 videos). Its stereo quality sound makes listening to mp3 songs an enjoyable experience. And for those cam whores who just can't help snapping a picture of themselves, the phone has a 2-megapixel camera and GPRS.

Those who are all thumbs at marathon texting can even use the stylus to access the features on the touch screen.

Changing the game

MyPhone also launched its T11 Multimedia Phone and T33 Windows Mobile Pocket PC, although Lim made it clear that the future of MyPhone lay in the further development of its Dual SIM line, stressing their thrust of “changing the game.”

He hinted at more innovations currently under works, like a Dual Active SIM Windows Mobile Pocket PC with Wi-Fi and GPS.

The T22 Duo is simply the first of MyPhone's line of Dual Active SIM phones. MyPhone will be coming out with other innovations of style and technology. It won't be long until they come out with a Dual Active SIM Pocket PC with Wi-Fi and GPS.

Who is behind MyPhone?

MyPhone is actually the newest technology brand of Solid Group Inc., a longtime player in technological innovations. Formed by Joseph Lim and his wife Elena Lim, Solid Group's main thrust is to forge groundbreaking innovations, products and services to the Filipino people.

The company made a name for itself in the sixties when it brought to the country major international brands such as Sony and Sanyo. Their reputation for bringing in innovative brands was cemented when the company brought in TCL and Kia Motors. It also owns and operates MyDestiny cable and high-speed Internet.

Operating for almost 50 years, Solid Group is now managed by Joseph and Elena's children, led by eldest son, David. It was his idea to create a local brand of mobile phones, equipped with all the technological advances of leading mobile brands, at competitive prices that will revolutionize the local market. This became MyPhone.

“We remodeled the unit and put in features to make it user-friendly for Filipinos, like the keypad, which we made more suitable for texting. Our software is done by Filipinos,” Lim reveals. With its user-friendly features and even friendlier price, David expects MyPhone to be a major player in the mobile phone arena, if not change the game altogether.

Manila Standard Today - Gianna G. Maniego