Thursday, May 31, 2012

Maxis, Celcom, DiGi Plans Compared (Samsung Galaxy SIII)


The above are the comparison between the 3 major telcos on the plans for the Samsung Galaxy SIII which went on sale today. The comparison are based on the minimum commitment duration.

The only direct possible comparison is the 12 months contract plans for the 3 telcos. Judging by the total calculation of the entire tenure of the contract, DiGi has the most affordable at RM2315. Do take note that in the DG Smart Plan 48, there are no calls/SMS bundled in the contract. Only 1GB data plan. The RM2315 has also taken into account the RM5/month rebate when you sign up for auto-billing.
Sign up for auto-billing can be a hassle as you will need to go to the DiGi Center and not the DiGi Store for the registration.

The next closest to DiGi's price is the Maxis Value First (RM30/month) + 1GB (RM48/month) plan. It sums up to be RM2735 after 12 months. The difference between Maxis and DiGi upon 12 months contract is RM420. Taking 420 and divide by 12 months would give you RM35/month additional charges when you subscribe to Maxis. As mentioned earlier, DiGi does not have calls/SMS bundled. Therefore if you were to make calls/SMS worth RM35/month in DiGi, it would give you the same total amount upon completion of the 12 months contract. So the RM35/month of calls/SMS should be your key point in choosing between Maxis and DiGi.

As for Celcom, it has the advantage of RM50 worth of calls/SMS. If you're on the high usage of calls/SMS, Celcom should be the choice between the 3 as the difference between Maxis and Celcom is only RM99 which translate to RM8.25/month additional to Maxis.

The above are only my personal views. Please do take into account the services and coverage when deciding on which telco to subscribe to.

Update (01.07.12): Comparison table updated to reflect U Mobile. Please click here.

[Maxis] Samsung Galaxy SIII for RM999 (Package - Limited Time Only)


Finally Maxis releases its package for the Samsung Galaxy SIII. As to compete with DiGi, Maxis launches its own RM999 device plan for period of 4 days only, starting from 31st May till 3rd June.
The advance payment is only applicable for new or current Maxis subscriber which are less than 1 year with Maxis.

Below are the total payment charges on all possible Maxis Packages.


Pick your choice wisely.

Source: Maxis

[Rumor] Pictures of Next Generation iPhone (iPhone 5?)



Pictures above from uBreakiFix.com the purportedly next generation iPhone design. Noticeably from the pictures are the bigger screen size (3.9-inch perhaps) and a smaller dock connector. Mechanical drawing below also shows the bigger display size as well as smaller dock connector.


Lots of pictures surface lately pointing to 2 main items, mainly the bigger display as well as the small dock connector.

Source: uBreakiFix.com, iLab Factory, 9to5Mac

Monday, May 28, 2012

[Celcom] Samsung Galaxy SIII for RM1398 (Package)


Celcom releases the Samsung Galaxy SIII packages today. It comes in 3 different plans and the lowest payment for the device is RM1398 with 18 months contract on the Celcom Exec 250.

Celcom Exec 50 + Mobile Internet Basic
  • RM1778 (12 months) and RM1718 (18 months) for the device 
  • Upfront payment: RM300
  • 1GB data
  • RM50 worth of calls/SMS
  • Total payment (12 months): RM1778 + (RM88 x 12) = RM2834
  • Total payment (18 months): RM1718 + (RM88 x 18) = RM3302

Celcom Exec 50 + Mobile Internet Advance
  • RM1748 (12 months) and RM1678 (18 months) for the device 
  • Upfront payment: RM300
  • 3GB data
  • RM50 worth of calls/SMS
  • Total payment (12 months): RM1748 + (RM108 x 12) = RM3044
  • Total payment (18 months): RM1678 + (RM108 x 18) = RM3622

Celcom Exec 250
  • RM1568 (12 months) and RM1398 (18 months) for the device 
  • Upfront payment: RM600
  • 5GB data
  • 2000mins/SMS
  • Free Celcom Broadband Advance with 6GB data
  • Total payment (12 months): RM1568 + (RM250 x 12) = RM4568
  • Total payment (18 months): RM1398 + (RM250 x 18) = RM5898

Pre-order is available now but you will only get the device on the 31st May.

Source: Celcom

[DiGi] Samsung Galaxy SIII for RM999 (Package)



Finally, the DiGi releases the package for the Samsung Galaxy SIII. The RRP is marked as RM2199 as earlier speculated.
It comes in 2 types of packages, DG Smart Plan 68 and DG Smart Plan 88. Both packages comes with 24 months contract only.

DG Smart Plan 68:

  • RM1149 for the device
  • Upfront payment: RM68
  • Upfront device payment: RM500
  • 3GB data
  • Total payment: RM1149 + (RM63* x 24) = RM2661
  • *RM5 rebate for auto-billing

DG Smart Plan 88:
  • RM999 for the device
  • Upfront payment: RM88
  • Upfront device payment: RM600
  • 5GB data
  • Total payment: RM999 + (RM83* x 24) = RM2991
  • *RM5 rebate for auto-billing

For the moment, DiGi is only offering the 16GB Marble White version.


The above are the locations for the DiGi Samsung Galaxy SIII launching and yes the date is on 31st May.


Source: DiGi Store

Saturday, May 26, 2012

[Celcom] Registration of Interest for Samsung Galaxy SIII


Celcom too had released in their website the registration of interest for the Samsung Galaxy SIII. Based on the info during the media event yesterday, 16GB white version will be the only one available in Malaysia currently. Therefore in the ROI registration, you can only select White color.


Above are the location for the pickup of your units. The earlier post has already given the hint that launching will be happening next week. Collection of the device will start on the 31st May.

Source: Celcom

Friday, May 25, 2012

Untethered Jailbreak for your iOS 5.1.1


The iOS 5.1.1 untethered jailbreak is finally available by Absinthe 2.0. Supported iOS devices are as below:

  • iPad, iPad 2 and the New iPad
  • iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S
  • iPod Touch 3G and iPod Touch 4G
Head on to the link from iClarified for the tutorial on how to jailbreak your iOS devices.

Source: iClarified

1Malaysia Pad (RM999)


MalTechPro announces recently that they will be releasing the 1st ever Malaysia made tablet called the 1Malaysia Pad. As for promotional launching, the first 5000 pcs will be sold at the introductory price of RM999. The display size is expected to be 7-inch and features 3MP camera. It was rumored to include the very own 1Malaysia Messenger application. Pre-order could be made via the MalTechPro website.
News was reported by Malaysian Insider.

Source: The Malaysian InsiderMalTechPro
 

[DiGi] Samsung Galaxy SIII Register-Of-Interest Finally


Now this time it's official from DiGi. Kindly refer to the link below to register your interest on the Samsung Galaxy SIII with DiGi. At the moment, DiGi is the only telcos that provides ROI.

Source: DiGi

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Samsung Galaxy SIII Goes On Sale in Dubai


Dubai was reported apparently to be the first ever country to put the Samsung Galaxy SIII for sale at the Malls of the Emirates. The price of the 16GB version was reported to be 2450AED (Arab Emirates Dirham). That would translate to be approximately RM2081.05. The price is close to what we would expect in Malaysia of RM2199.



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

[Rumor] 3.9-inch Next Generation iPhone Screen (1136 x 640)


Next generation iPhone is rumored to feature a slightly bigger screen size of 3.9-inch and with the screen resolution of 1136 x 640. It was also rumored that Apple had started ordering the 3.9-inch display for the upcoming iPhone 5.

Source: 9to5mac

Official Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich for Malaysia's Samsung Galaxy Note


Finally the wait is over for the Samsung Galaxy Note users. All SME Malaysian Samsung Galaxy Note units will be able to get the update via the desktop Samsung Kies. There are several complains that the download is slow and the updating always gets stuck. There don't seem to be OTA update at the moment.


The official stock ICS Malaysian ROM has a kernel version of DXLP9 and a modem version DXLP5.
For those who can't tolerate the slow and problematic via Kies, you can always flash via PC Odin. The Malaysian firmware can be found here. The complete ROM file size is approximately 636.7MB.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Samsung Galaxy SIII Malaysia Launching @ LowYat Plaza (28th May)


Samsung Galaxy SIII Launching event at LowYat Plaza starting from 28th May. In the previous post, Celcom was expected to launch the next generation Galaxy on the 30th.
Things are really heating up nicely now. Personally I expect the official release to be on the 30th as the UK launching was widely announced by Samsung to be on the 29th May.

Source: LowYat Plaza

Samsung Galaxy SIII Malaysia Launching @ Mid Valley Megamall (30th May)


This is by far the most concrete news that the Samsung Galaxy SIII will be launching in Malaysia at Mid Valley Megamall starting from May 30th till June 3rd 2012. Picture above was taken from the Mid Valley Megamall official website. Refer to the source link below.
Get your $$$ ready..

Source: MidValley

Samsung Galaxy Note Olympic Edition


Samsung releases the Olympic Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Note. Samsung is the official sponsor of the London Olympic 2012.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

[Rumor] Samsung Galaxy SIII Launching in Malaysia on 24th May? RM2199?


There are several news circulating that Samsung had sent out media invites for the Samsung Galaxy SIII launching in Malaysia. Media events is expected to happen on the 24th of May 2012 which is earlier that the UK launching which is on the 29th. It was also speculated that the device price would start from RM2199.
It is also safe to assume that Maxis, DiGi, Celcom and U Mobile will all be delivering packages for the device.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

[Maxis] Nokia Lumia 610 Packages


Maxis releases the packages for the new Nokia Lumia 610. The usual plan would require the user to subscribe either a Value First or Value Plus plan and a data plan of your choice ranging from 1GB to 3GB. This time around there are lighter packages for much lighter user which could fit into the category plan of Value Plus Internet 50 or Value Plus Internet 80.

As for comparison purposes, we will choose the Value First (RM30/month) + Data Plan 1GB (RM48/month). That would give you a total of RM78/month and depending the length of contract you decided to have, the device price ranges accordingly.
Assuming we choose the shortest commitment and the minimum monthly package, the total payment you would pay after 12 months contract is (RM78 x 12) + RM549 = RM1485.

If you are a lighter user, you may want to choose the Value Plus Internet 50 package which consists of 250MB, 100 SMS and 100 MMS with a monthly fee of RM50.
Total payment after 12 months contract for the shortest commitment is (RM50 x 12) + RM499 = RM1099.

Some specification details are available here.

Source: Maxis Nokia Lumia 610

Saturday, May 12, 2012

[DiGi] Samsung Galaxy SIII Register-Of-Interest (Under Construction)


Something interesting.. DiGi stepped up the game by releasing the Samsung Galaxy SIII ROI but as from the website shown, it's only a registration of interest to be the first to be notified about the DiGi's plans and pricing for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy SIII.
So don't be too excited as this is not the actual pre-booking.

Update: The page is now "under construction" after DiGi's rep announced that the webpage was not supposed to go public... 




What a bummer.. is DiGi trying to test the market? 

Source: DiGi Samsung Galaxy SIII

Friday, May 11, 2012

Vodafone UK Started The Pre-Order Ball Rolling for Samsung Galaxy SIII


Vodafone UK has now put the Samsung Galaxy SIII up for pre-ordering. The device is expected to be available on 29th May 2012.

Source: Vodafone UK

Nokia Lumia 610 Finally in Malaysia


Folks at soyacincau managed to get a snapshot of Nokia Lumia 610 price from the Nokia Store. It is priced at RRP RM699. It comes in 4 distinct color namely White, Black, Magenta and Cyan.
Just to refresh, the Lumia 610 will be powered with Snapdragon S1 800MHz processor with 256MB RAM. It has 8GB internal memory with no microSD card expendable capability unfortunately. It has 3.7-inch WVGA display with screen resolution of 800 x 480. Device is powered by Windows Phone 7.5 Tango and has a battery capacity of 1300mAh. It has 5MP camera with LED flash.
At the moment, there are no telco providing bundling packages with the Lumia 610.

Source: soyacincauNokia Lumia 610

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Facebook App Center Anyone?


Selling your application on the online store is really the way in the future. Facebook will be launching its own App Center. The company is hoping to be able to give developers a convenient way to distribute apps. Applications which require to be downloaded to your devices, be it iOS or Android, it will automatically be directed to either Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Source: Facebook App Center

Samsung Galaxy Note ICS 4.0 Premium Suite Now Rolling Out (Germans, Dutch)


Samsung today quietly rolled out the much awaited Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 update to the Samsung Galaxy Note. It has reported to be available currently in Germany and Holland. It was also confirmed that the Premium Suite will be available in this update. OTA update is approximately 318MB.
Some enthusiastic root users from other parts of the world are already flashing the GNote to the German ICS 4.0 ROM.




Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Jailbreak iPad 3 (new iPad) on iOS 5.1.1 Coming Soon


Very interesting picture indeed showing the iPad 3 (new iPad) running on iOS 5.1.1 with Cydia 1.1.6.
So, has the jailbreaking team found the right exploit for jailbreaking the A5X chip?
Image above was taken from the famous jailbreaker i0n1c.

Source: i0n1c

[Maxis] New iPad Data Plan


Maxis's new iPad data plans consists of plans for postpaid and prepaid users. Take note that both postpaid and prepaid iPad data plan does not require user to have a yearly commitment - in other words, contractless.



As for the postpaid data plan, data quota ranges from 3.5GB, 6GB and 15GB in which the 15GB Premium data plan would require an advance payment of RM50. If you are currently an iValue plan user (which means you somehow owned an iPhone from Maxis), you will be entitled to RM10 rebate per month. That would give an entry data plan of RM60/month. Maxis did something different this time around. Upon exceeding the allocated data, Maxis will not be charging you extra but instead speed throttling will be activated.


If you would still like to enjoy the normal speed even after exceeding your monthly quota, you may opt for the quota upgrades as stated in the above table.


You don't have to feel left out if you're a hotlink user (prepaid) as Maxis had that covered through the iPad data plan prepaid. The table above shows the single iPad data plan of 3.5GB for RM70 which is valid for 30 days upon activations.

Source: Maxis iPad PostpaidMaxis iPad Prepaid

Apple iOS 5.1.1 Updates


Apple yesterday released the updates of iOS 5.1.1 to all iOS devices. Updates are available via OTA (over-the-air) and the file size is approximately 54.5MB if you're coming from iOS 5.1.

Updates are as below:

  • Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
  • Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
  • Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
  • Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
  • Fixes an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase

Source: Apple

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Apple WorldWide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2012 Kicks-Off on June 11


This year's Apple WWDC 2012 will be held on June 11 - 15 in San Francisco. Apple will reveal the future of iOS and OSX during the conference. Stay tune..

p/s: All tickets are already sold out


Source: Apple WWDC2012

Samsung Galaxy S3 in Malaysia by Early June 2012


Samsung Galaxy S3 was reported to be in Malaysian shore as early as June 2012. Below is the excerpt taken from Bernama with the interview with Samsung Electronic's Director of Regional Mobile Business for South East Asia, Oceania and Taiwan.


I assume the AP units would get in Malaysia at least 1 month earlier than the official launching dates.

Source: Bernama

Samsung Galaxy S3 Revealed


The much awaited next generation Samsung Galaxy was recently launched and from my observations, there seemed to be mixed feedback. Some thinks that the Galaxy S3 doesn't really have much improvements and some likes the new outlook. My personal opinion, the Samsung Galaxy S3 looks curvy on the edge if you compare to the S2 or Galaxy Note but other than that, the updates are all internal. This brings us to similar scenario that we are familiar with when Apple launches iPhone 4S after the iPhone 4. At least Samsung did something to the outlook. The S3 is only 8.6mm thick.


The Samsung Galaxy S3 is powered by 1.4GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM. I guess the most disappointed part of the S3 would be the display. The S3 has a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with screen resolution of 1280 x 720 with 306dpi which packs slightly lesser dpi than the HTC One X (HTC One X has 4.7-inch display) or the previous Galaxy Nexus. It was confirmed that the S3 display is the PenTile display technology, similar to the Galaxy Note. For screen resolution as high as the S3, PenTile or RGB display does not make too much of a difference. In fact PenTile technology was said to consume lesser power. The S3 has a battery capacity of 2100mAh.


As for the camera, it has 8MP and 1.9MP on the front-facing. At a quick glance, there are no difference in terms of the camera hardware when compared to previous S2 or Galaxy Note. Samsung on the other hand concentrated to develop on the software part of the camera instead. With much hype over the new HTC One X camera capabilities, the S3 new camera software enhancements will give HTC a run for its money. S3 camera is now capable of Burst-Mode which captures 20 pictures at one go. On top of that, there is a feature called "Select Best Shot" which takes 8 shots at a single capture and automatically select the best picture out of the 8 shots taken earlier. It is also capable of 1080p video capturing with still picture capturing simultaneously. Though the still picture would only be a max of 6MP.
As for the front-facing camera, Samsung built-in a new feature call "Smart Stay" which will prevent the device from dimming the screen when a video call is being carried out.

Other notable new feature would be NFC capabilities as well as Samsung's new S Voice. If you ask me, that's the competition for Siri in iOS. Video below shows capabilities of the S Voice.



The Samsung Galaxy S3 comes in 2 color, namely Pebble Blue and Marble White. It has internal memory capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. All models are microSD expendable up to 64GB. On top of that, Samsung provides free 50GB dropbox storage for up to 2 years.


Source: Samsung Mobile