Netphone, the First Operator-Managed Smartphone with Widgets

Smart Communications, the number one carrier in the Philippines, and Red Bend Software, a well-known company focusing on mobile software management, have just introduced the Netphone, the world’s first smartphone featuring widgets from the Wholesale Application Community (WAC) that can be managed over-the-air.

There is little information available about the phone's specs at the moment, but the carrier stated that the Netphone is powered by the Android 2.2 Froyo platform and comes with its own branded software and applications relevant to emerging market customers.

“We chose Red Bend as a strategic partner in our Netphone strategy because of their innovative solution, trusted expertise and unparalleled support in helping to bring our vision to reality,” said Napoleon L. Nazareno, President and CEO of Smart Communications, Inc., who serves on the WAC Board of Directors.

“With software at the heart of the Netphone experience, it is vital that we have full control over the entire device, ensuring we can rapidly deploy new widgets, applications and services over the air to continually enhance the Netphone’s value and control the software assets that drive our services revenue,” added Nazareno.

Carriers that opt for Red Bend's software solution will be able to “push” widgets directly onto their customers’ smartphones without further notice. This could, however, be seen as a privacy and security risk by some users.

Moreover, the Netphone comes with its own branded software and applications relevant to emerging market customers.

This seems to be a high revenue generating mobile service, as operators will be able to send WAC widgets to Netphone subscribers over the air that will contain relevant applications that they didn't have the chance to discover on the WAC-based SMART Shop or Android Market.

SMART and Red Bend will showcase a “Day in the Life of a Netphone Subscriber” at Mobile World Congress 2011, during February 14-17.

Starting February 14, we will be there to keep you up to date with live reports on the latest product launches and presentations.