How time flies real fast in the technology world. Earlier this week, TechCrunch had reported that Facebook was in talks to acquire WhatsApp, the highly popular text messaging app that aims to deliver a better way to exchange text messages among mobile phone users. WhatsApp denied that rumor, saying that it was “not factually accurate”, but within hours of that denial, Facebook opened up its Messenger app to allow people to sign up to it using just a phone number and a name, no need for a Facebook account. Just like WhatsApp.

More → →

In a memo to shareholders, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer indicated that the company will be building hardware for its own software when it deems necessary, just like how it has built XBox consoles and the upcoming Surface tablets running Windows 8. This undoubtedly means that it will eventually build its own mobile phones running Windows Phone. While most people see this as a taking the Apple playbook of building software and hardware in-house, it’s actually more reminiscent of Twitter.

More → →

Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile network technology has arrived on the iPhone with the announcement of iPhone 5. Sure, you could say that Apple is late to the party since several Android and Windows Phone devices have had LTE support for a while, but when you really think about it, how many networks have rolled out LTE around the world and how many markets are being served by the super high speed connection that LTE brings? On top of that, can you use LTE when you’re traveling abroad? Indonesian iPhone 5 users may be out of luck regardless.

More → →

E-commerce is probably the hottest industry in Indonesia right now. And it just so happens that e-commerce is also the industry that makes Indonesia arguably the hottest emerging economy in the world right now.

More → →

Oh RIM, once a great company with a great business. I guess this is what happens when you can’t keep up with competitors and stopped innovating on a regular basis. Looking at the trend, there’s a big chance that RIM’s own “partners” are trying to move away from them. Sounds crazy? Maybe not.

More → →

Should local startups aim high and try to hit the overseas market or should they stick to the local scene and serve the local consumers? The answer clearly depends on the product and the resources available to the founders but it’s something worth thinking about. The majority of Indonesia’s tech startups are aiming at the local market. Nationalist sentiment is very high in the country and most startup founders aren’t interested in tackling the international market for various reasons.

More → →