Category: Opinion

Photo Sharing Plays a Big Part in Facebook’s Acquisition of WhatsApp

If you thought that Viber’s acquisition by Rakuten last week was a major news in the mobile industry, today’s $19 billion Facebook acquisition of WhatsApp would be a massive earthquake sending shockwaves across the entire planet. With Instagram and now WhatsApp under its ownership, Facebook becomes an even larger photo-sharing entity on the planet.

Continue reading Photo Sharing Plays a Big Part in Facebook’s Acquisition of WhatsApp

The Government Isn’t Going to Shut Down Telkomsel and Indosat Following Australian Spying Allegations

Following the revelations by the New York Times that the Australian government has access to snoop in on phone communications made through Indonesia’s Telkomsel and Indosat cellular networks, Indonesia’s minister for communications Tifatul Sembiring issued a warning on Tuesday that both telco companies may face shutdown if found to be active parties in the breach. Telkomsel is the leading mobile company in the country with over 120 million subscribers and Indosat is among the top three with over 50 million subscribers.

Continue reading The Government Isn’t Going to Shut Down Telkomsel and Indosat Following Australian Spying Allegations

Guvera Isn’t Perfect But It’s Pretty Damn Good

Australia’s music streaming service Guvera was finally available in Indonesia last Tuesday following a few months of beta period and the service was given a full refresh which included the debut of listener profiles and celebrity playlists. How does the service fare so far?

I’ve been using Guvera on the iPhone and iPad and I have to say that it’s pretty damn close to how I would expect a music streaming service to be. It’s definitely not perfect, which is what this post is all about, but it’s a far better proposition than most offerings I’ve checked out in the past. Continue reading Guvera Isn’t Perfect But It’s Pretty Damn Good

Bank Indonesia Issues Second Statement on Bitcoin and Virtual Currencies

Bank Indonesia has issued its second official statement regarding Bitcoin following its initial decision in January determining the virtual currency as an illegal and unsupported method of exchange. This time, the tone is no less stern but the central bank has essentially decided that it will not regulate Bitcoin. Any use by the consumers will be at their own risk.
Continue reading Bank Indonesia Issues Second Statement on Bitcoin and Virtual Currencies

No, Bakrie Group Did Not Acquire Path, and Yes, It’s Still a Great App

The Indonesian media is still buzzing from the Bakrie deal with Path and many are contemplating all sorts of strategies and schemes that the Bakrie Group might do with Path as if it had acquired the company outright. Somehow the idea that Bakrie Group did not, seems to have been deflected off their thick skulls. Once again, Path hasn’t been acquired by anyone. Anyone who thinks so is an idiot.
Continue reading No, Bakrie Group Did Not Acquire Path, and Yes, It’s Still a Great App

Outrage Over Announcement That Path Accepted Investment from Bakrie Group

I’ve only been up for about an hour this Saturday morning and a huge news dropped courtesy of Kara Swisher on Re/Code. Something that I suspected back in November came to reality. Indonesia’s Bakrie Group, run by conglomerate Anindya Bakrie, led a USD 25 million investment in Path. Path CEO Dave Morin had made two trips to Indonesia in the past three months (most recently last week) and it quickly bore fruit.

Continue reading Outrage Over Announcement That Path Accepted Investment from Bakrie Group

Quit Whining About Foreign Products, Make Your Own Products Great

There’s a tendency for local software engineers or software companies to create Indonesian versions of existing online services or social networks. While there are merits of launching similar services with local touches, in most cases, these would end up being outright clones with barely any unique selling point aside from being locally developed. I’m sick of hearing people whining about foreign products “stealing” revenue. It’s your own damn fault that people use foreign products because you didn’t come up with great ones yourself.

Continue reading Quit Whining About Foreign Products, Make Your Own Products Great

Setipe Co-Founder on Social Media, Self-Esteem, and Online Dating in Indonesia

Since moving back to Indonesia 4 years ago I started to mention “online dating” whenever appropriate in general conversations with friends, family and people I meet. I can say so far I’ve gotten quite a sense of why they are apprehensive to try it.

Continue reading Setipe Co-Founder on Social Media, Self-Esteem, and Online Dating in Indonesia

[Manic Monday] Thank You Aquarius Mahakam

This morning I stopped by Aquarius Mahakam. The fence to the parking area was still partly closed with only one car parked, because they will only be open at 10. A security guard was sweeping the parking area from dry leaves and litter. I asked him: “Sir, I hear the store’s closing?” He turned, gave be a slight, bitter smile and answered “Yes, so they say.” “Until when will it be open?” “End of the month,” he answered. I moved on as I had to rush to the office.
Continue reading [Manic Monday] Thank You Aquarius Mahakam

Embracing Digital and Mobile Media is Crucial for Advertisers

Advertising powers most of the web and as the world turns towards mobile interaction and activities, so must the advertising industry. The days of placing banner ads and counting impressions or click throughs are being left behind by new interaction and business models that are far more direct in measuring consumer responses and therefore return on investment.

Continue reading Embracing Digital and Mobile Media is Crucial for Advertisers