by Jovie Cabais | Sep 15, 2013 | Tech Updates
THE most promising startups and tech innovators will converge in the world’s best island of Boracay for the very first “Geeks on a Beach” event on September 26-27, 2013. This two-day conference — organized by TechTalks.ph who brought Startup Weekend to Cebu and Davao — will be a techfest, featuring the world’s most-promising tech leaders who will talk about instructive and useful topics on gaming, mobile apps, and graphic design. It will also be a great opportunity for startup founders to pitch innovative ideas and create a network of partners, enroute to building new products and launching businesses that would attract investors to the Philippines. The gathering will be held against the soothingly beautiful backdrop that Boracay offers — picturesque sunrise and sunset, soft white sand, and clear blue ocean, among many other natural wonders distinguishing Boracay as “the world’s best island” by Travel+Leisure. The ‘Geeks on a Beach’ confab is very timely for startup enthusiasts as the Philippines has just been given another credit ratings upgrade, following its first investment grade from Fitch Ratings and favorable growth prognoses from various institutions. An investment grade serves as a signal to investors that a country is suitable for business and that its government and private enterprises have the good ability to pay their obligations. International credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said in a statement on May 2 that it had raised the country’s credit rating to the minimum investment grade of BBB- from BB and assigned a “stable” outlook on the country’s new rating. The Philippines’ improved credit rating is an affirmation that the local economy is sound and...
by Jovie Cabais | Sep 15, 2013 | Tech Updates
The mobile devices that we take for granted today were found only in science fiction a few decades ago. Today, even kids and toddlers love to use these mobile devices for entertainment and learning. The last several years, the improvements in smartphones seem to be incremental and it seems that there is hardly anything else that you will want to be on your mobile device. So maybe we need another gear. Google came up with Google Glass, a device that projects a screen in front of the wearer’s eyes to show information about the objects within view. It can also record video and audio. The trouble is, this device is quite expensive at $1,500 and has been a concern because it has the potential to record and broadcast anything it sees and therefore is a privacy concern. Sony has its SmartWatch which is Android compatible and can act as an extension to the user’s Android phone allowing the user to be notified of calls and messages even if the phone is in a bag or elsewhere within 10 meters. Health Apps are also available for those with an active lifestyle. Samsung came up with its Galaxy Gear which is also acts as an extension to a mobile phone. Unlike the Sony SmartWatch though which is compatible with any Android device running on Ice Cream Sandwich version of the operating system, Galaxy Gear is currently only compatible with Galaxy Note 3. Obviously, Samsung will need to make it compatible to more devices for it to be successful. Apple is rumored to be developing an “iWatch” but has no details on...
by Jovie Cabais | Sep 8, 2013 | Tech Updates
The Bohol Information and Communications Technology Council (BICTC) held an important coordination meeting on September 7, 2013 as part of its preparations as the host for the 6th National ICT SUMMIT on November 28-29, 2013. The local council represented by Ms. Leah Tirol-Magno, the BICTC Chairperson, is also working closely with the National ICT Council of the Philippines (NICP) represented by Ms. Wit Holganza, the NICP President. The theme of the summit is “I GET IT” for Innovations in Governance, Education, and Tourism for ITpreneurs. During the weekend meeting, the members of BICTC finalized committee assignments for the overall program, finance matters, registration, bookings and event coordination. The council will be tapping the local tourism industry organizations for accommodations and tour packages. The summit is a good marketing opportunity for local players as the participants will come from all over the country and will include other ICT councils and local government units. The council is looking for local players who want to sponsor the event. The NICP SUMMIT 2013 is a 6 part event composed of an annual NICP Leaders , conference plenary proper, break-out sessions, business speed-dating session, gala night and e-Gov Awards. The SUMMIT is the 6th annual conference of the National ICT Confederation of the Phils co-organized in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-ICT Office, Bohol ICT Council, Bohol Provincial Government, Tagbilaran City Government, DILG, and Department of Trade and Industry Bohol, . Interested industry may also participate in this event by availing the Investment packages namely the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors. To know more of the Investment package’s value and benefits,...
by Jovie Cabais | Sep 1, 2013 | Tech Updates
Various players in the Bohol tourism industry and a group of students and their instructor attended the E-commerce and Digital Marketing Boot Camp held on August 30, 2013 at the Panda Tea Garden Suites Conference Room. There were 60 participants representing travel and tour agencies, resorts, hotels, restaurants, food processing, local government units tourism offices, retail and academe. Ms. Janet Toral of DigitalFilipino.com, a recognized e-commerce specialist in the Philippines, conducted the boot camp. The morning session included an overview of e-commerce, policies and laws. The participants were given an example of how to develop a budget and execution plan for a digital marketing campaign. They were also taught about cross-selling and up-selling, among others. Mr. Jerome Auza of Auza.Net gave a short overview on booking systems and the options when considering which booking system to use. In the afternoon, Ms. Toral discussed digital marketing strategies and the metrics that may be used to measure the effectiveness of the marketing efforts. She also presented case studies of tourism industry players who have used digital marketing in promoting their products and services. In one of the question and answer session, the participants raised the situation in Bohol’s tourism industry were the number of tourists in 2013 is observed to be much lower than in previous years. The participants shared opinions why there is a decline in tourist arrivals. One of the participants, Ms. Lai Biliran, challenged Auza.Net to lead the effort of marketing Bohol through social media and other digital marketing methods. In response to Biliran’s challenge, Auza.Net is considering to use one of its website projects, Bohol.Info, as one...
by Jovie Cabais | Aug 25, 2013 | Tech Updates
THE most promising startup communities, design, telecommunications, and gaming innovators will converge in the world’s best island of Boracay for the very first “Geeks on a Beach” event on September 26-27, 2013. This two-day conference — the first in the Philippines organized by TechTalks.ph who brought Startup Weekend to Cebu and Davao — will be a techfest, featuring the world’s most-promising tech leaders who will talk about instructive and useful topics on gaming, mobile apps, and graphic design. The gathering will be held against the soothingly beautiful backdrop that Boracay offers — picturesque sunrise and sunset, soft white sand, and clear blue ocean, among many other natural wonders distinguishing Boracay as “the world’s best island” by Travel+Leisure. It will also be a great opportunity for startup communities to pitch innovative ideas and create a network of partners, enroute to building new products and launching businesses that would attract investors to the Philippines. The ‘Geeks on a Beach’ confab is very timely for startup enthusiasts as the Philippines has just been given another credit ratings upgrade, following its first investment grade from Fitch Ratings and favorable growth prognoses from various institutions. International credit-ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said in a statement on May 2 that it had raised the country’s credit rating to the minimum investment grade of BBB- from BB+ and assigned a “stable” outlook on the country’s new rating. The Philippines’ improved credit ratings is an affirmation that the local economy is sound and at par with higher-rated countries. Speakers for “Geeks on the Beach” will be Bowei Gai, founder and chief ambassador of World Startup Report;...
by Jovie Cabais | Aug 25, 2013 | Tech Updates
Digitalfilipino.com, in collaboration with Auza.net, will conduct a workshop called “Digital Marketing and E-commerce for the Tourism Industry Boot Camp” on August 30, 2013. The workshop will be held at the Panda Tea Garden Suites, JA Clarin Street, Tagbilaran City, infront of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) office. Ms. Janette Toral, an e-commerce specialist of the Philippines, is the main trainor in the workshop and she will help the participants understand how to grow their business online. The workshop is geared towards the tourism industry but business owners and marketing professionals who want to learn more on digital marketing are welcome to join. The topics are as follows: Apply Search Engine Marketing Techniques – Build One’s Influencer identity and Developing Content Plan – Know the overview of E-commerce Law and Data Privacy Law – Design and Email Marketing campaign – Produce Social Media Plan – Manage Customer Reviews and social media feedback – Integrate an Online Booking/ Payment System (by Auza.Net) The previously announced venue could no longer accommodate the confirmed number of participants so the venue was changed and this time, there are plenty more seats available. Please contact Jovie at 09176220225 or 038-510-0611 for for reservation. Workshop fee is Php1,500....
