Smart Communications, the leading wireless communications provider in the Philippines, unveiled the Smart Netphone back in February. The Smart Netphone is an Android-based smartphone that will be the first to support the WAC (Wholesale Applications Community) platform pushed by major carriers such as AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Deutsche Telekom and NTT Docomo, and is also backed by hardware manufacturers.
Based on very reliable sources, it looks like the actual hardware/program launch here in the Philippines is coming VERY VERY SOON. =) (Hint: check back for updates and pricing on the Smart Netphone Launch on Codamon.com). Follow @SmartNetPhone on Twitter as well!
The Smart Netphone is powered by Google Android Froyo 2.2 (may be updated by Smart) with the WAC software managed by Red Bend Software, independent of the manufacturer’s hardware. The WAC platform will allow users to access widgets pushed directly through Red Bend. The hardware is reportedly supplied by Huawei and will have be sold in the Philippines for 5,000 to 7,000 pesos. Jayvee also says something about a “BBM-like service for the entire SMART subscriber base” for the Netphon ecosystem which is SIMPLY AMAZING (yeah, i know lol).
Smart Netphone Video Philippine Launch
So what’s exciting about the WAC is that each app is treated as a service and should work as intended across the netphone family. Great for developers as you only need to code (theoretically) once and deploy on the netphone ecosystem. I’m sure there will be some constraints due to the inherent fragmentation of the android os supporting set of hardware.
As more hardware manufacturers support the WAC (HTC? Samsung?) then the system becomes more valuable. Time will tell if this will be the case. As a developer, I definitely support the ease of development and reducing porting duties.
Check back for more updates regarding the launch of Smart’s Netphone ecosystem in the Philippines.
