Saturday, June 30, 2012

[Rumor] Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Screen Size of 5.5-inch Confirmed?

courtesy of GSMArena

Samsung Galaxy Note next generation are expected to have a larger screen of 5.5-inch and a slimmer body. The current Galaxy Note is having a squarish look of 5.3-inch. The Note 2 is now expecting similar body feel of the Samsung Galaxy SIII. The device was earlier rumored to be launching in October 2012 which has now being carried forward to September 2012. Insider sources were saying that the earlier release was to avoid clashing with the next generation iPhone 5 release which is widely predicted to be in October.

The Galaxy Note 2 are expected to have 8MP camera with improved sensor (probably similar ones as the Galaxy SIII) and probably a quad-core processor with 2GB RAM. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was expected straight out of the box as well.

Source: GSM Arena

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Galaxy Nexus 7


Google releases new 7-inch tablet code named Galaxy Nexus 7 recently in the Google I/O event. The device spots a 1280 x 800 resolution with IPS LCD. It is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor running on 1.2GHz with 1GB RAM. It has a 12-core GPU processor for delivering of rich quality graphics. Device is built by Asus.



As for the construction, it has a sturdy matte rubbery back which allows nice grip and the device weights 340g. It has a thickness of 10.45mm which is 1.04mm thicker than the new iPad. There is no rear camera but the front facing camera is equipped with 1.2MP resolution. It has a battery capacity of 4325mAh which is 325mAh more juice when compared with the Samsung Galaxy 7+. It has also the built-in NFC functionality. Most importantly during the entire launching is actually the new Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS. This is the flagship tablet that would be the first to deliver with Jelly Bean.
Device goes for $199 and $299 for 8GB and 16GB respectively. Pre-order can be made now if you're residing in US, UK, Canada and Australia. Expected delivery to be in mid July 2012.

Source: Galaxy Nexus 7

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

[Rumor] Rendered Pictures of the iPhone 5


Pictures of the next generation iPhone is now getting more real with the 3D rendering pictures popping up in the internet. Most noticeable changes expected is the new 4-inch display size and the smaller dock connector.

[Celcom] New iPad Plans


Similar to Maxis, Celcom launches its new iPad plans as well. Celcom made available the choices of 12 months and 24 months. It comes in 2 packages only which is the iPad Basic (RM70/month) and iPad Advance (RM100/month). Similar to Maxis, there is also an advance payment required and would also be rebated within the next 12 months of the contract.

For comparison purposes (to Maxis), I will take the 24 months contract with the cheapest monthly commitment package. That would give me a total payment after 24 months of RM1429 + (RM70 x 24) = RM3109. With that you get to enjoy a quota of 4.5GB.

As for Maxis, taking 24 months with similar data quota of 4GB, the total payment after 24 months would be RM1349 + (RM68 x 24) = 2981. It gives a different of RM128 cheaper when compared with Celcom but a short of 500MB/month of usage.

Source: Celcom New iPad

[Maxis] New iPad Plans


As mentioned, Maxis releases the new iPad plans on 22nd June. It comprises of 3 packages. Taking an example of the cheapest plan, you will enjoy 2GB worth of data plan with a monthly commitment of RM48/month for the next 24 months. Upfront payment of RM300 is required but will be refunded equally over 5 months (RM60/month). Device is priced at RM1499 for a 16GB + 4G variant. Surprising to me is that the RRP mentioned in the Maxis website for the 16GB + 4G variant is RM1949 whereas in the Apple Online Store it is only RM1899. The 32GB + 4G and 64GB + 4G variants are the same as the online store.
So, back to the earlier example, the total payment needed upon completion of the 24 months contract would be RM1499 + (RM48 x 24) = RM2651.
Upon exceeding of the data quota, you will not be charged extra but the speed would be throttled.


If you're a Maxis One Club member, you enjoy further discounts on the device when you sign up with 4GB or 12GB plan with 32GB + 4G or 64GB + 4G.

Source: Maxis New iPad

Saturday, June 16, 2012

[Celcom] New new iPad Data Plan - 22nd June


Celcom too has the new iPad package launching on the 22nd of June and the event is happening in Subang Parade 11am onwards. Head on to the link below for the pre-registration. Maxis too have similar announcement today.


First 80 customers dressed in blue during the event will get a special surprise. So what kind of surprise would that be?

Source: Celcom

Friday, June 15, 2012

DiGi Introduces Contract-less Plans


DiGi introduces Zero Contract Devices for the first time. Available devices under this contract-less plans are Samsung Galaxy Note, iPhone 4S, HTC One X and HTC One V. All the devices except iPhone are cheaper than RRP price by RM100.


You can choose within the three DG Smart Plans without any commitment. You will get additional RM5 special rebate during this limited time offer period. Assuming you register for auto-biling, for the DG Smart Plan 48, you will get a total monthly savings of RM10 for the 1st 12 months only. That means if you intend to stay with the DG Smart Plan 48 after 12 months, the rebate of RM10 is no longer valid. Take note that you will have to sign up for at least 3 months and in the event that you would like to terminate before 3 months, you will be charged RM100 for admin fee.

Available devices under this promotion are as below.



There will also be an advance payment of RM88, RM68 or RM48 depending on which plan you would like to subscribe.

Source: DiGi Zero Contract Devices


[Maxis] New new iPad Data Plan?


Teaser from Maxis.. Coming 22nd June 2012.

Source: Maxis

Thursday, June 14, 2012

[China] Fake Portable Hard Drive - Junk Inside


Becareful on what you buy from an online store especially in China. Recently a Chinese man got himself a Samsung Portable HDD 160GB for RMB220 which translates to approximately RM110. To his surprise, the contents inside the casing was full of metal junks with glues all over it.




Clearly printed at the back of the HDD case and the box was the Samsung logo and apparently the device was made in Hong Kong. The man bought this fake HDD from the famous Chinese Taobao website which is equivalent to eBay or Amazon.

Source: MICgadget

[U Mobile] Samsung Galaxy SIII Registration-Of-Interest


Better late than never. U Mobile is gearing up for the Samsung Galaxy SIII release. You can place your registration of interest (ROI) starting today 14th June till 25th June and ready for collection only on the 29th June. As the stocks are still limited across Malaysia, I believe U Mobile will also be having stock constraints as well.

Source: U Mobile Samsung Galaxy SIII

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Nokia 808 PureView Lands in Malaysia (RM1899)


The Nokia 808 PureView has finally set its footprint on Malaysian shore. Recommended retail price from Nokia is RM1899. There are only 2 choices of colors for Malaysian which is either Black or White. Sadly the Red did not make the appearance in Malaysia.

It was first revealed back in Feb 28th during the MWC 2012 event. This is another Nokia's flagship device which focus mainly on picture and video capabilities of the device.

Below are the specification of the Nokia 808 PureView:

  • 4.0-inch display of 360 x 680 screen resolution
  • Corning Gorilla Glass with AMOLED technology
  • 41MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss Optics, Xenon Flash
  • Rear camera features an aperture f/2.4
  • Minimum focus distance of 15cm with camera focal length of 8mm
  • 0.3MP front facing camera
  • 1.3GHz single-core processor with 512MB RAM
  • Battery capacity of 1400mAh
  • HDMI and NFC 
  • Internal memory of 16GB with microSD expendable to 32GB
  • Symbian Belle OS

Along with the release, Nokia has also made a hard case specifically for the device.
Nokia in April releases a video showing the entire advertisement captured using the Nokia 808 PureView.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Apple iOS 6 Preview


iOS 6 was released as beta yesterday and it is expected to be fully launched in fall. Fall season in 2012 starts on 22nd September. That means it should not be earlier than that.


In the new iOS 6, Siri was updated to be even more capable. It is now able to launch apps in which it could not previously. It now has more capability of searching for restaurants, more sports news and also movies. As we all here in Malaysia would have known, Siri is only capable of searching for weather conditions. Even the previous integration with Google Maps doesn't work either. So for us in Malaysia, nothing to cheer about in this upgraded Siri in iOS 6. Siri will also be available in the new iPad.


As we have heard thee rumors, Apple is now releasing its own Map. It has the capability of providing turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic updates as well as 3D imaging which Apple named it as Flyover. Obviously this replaces the Google Maps in the next generation iOS 6.



Apple did a nice tweak on the iOS 6 by allowing the users to dismiss calls with a swipe and sending pre-compiled SMS after rejecting a call. It is also capable of setting a location-based reminder for such purpose as well. Another feature is the Do Not Disturb feature in which the notifications/reminders/calendar will not no longer pop. You can set a specific time for the DND to happen. This is good especially when you're sleeping.


Facebook integration is also the newly available fine-tuned feature in the iOS 6.

All in all, it does seem like a lot of minor tweaks here and there on the iOS 6. The iOS 6 will be available officially for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, new iPad and iPod Touch 4th Gen.

Source: Apple iOS 6

Macbook Pro with Retina Display (2880 x 1800)



Highlight of yesterday WWDC 2012 event was the introduction of the new Macbook Pro with Retina Display. As the name specify, it is a 15-inch Macbook Pro with Retina Display giving a astonishing 2880 x 1800 screen resolution. It was quoted by Apple to be 3 times the resolution that you would get from a HD TV.


Notable difference is the physical thickness of the new Macbook Pro. It is 0.71-inch thick weighs 4.46-pounds. The previous models measures 0.95-inch and 5.6-pounds. The optical drive was the victim of the thinnest. The new Macbook Pro no longer have optical drive.


The new Macbook Pro is now powered up to 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor and capable up to 16GB of RAM. The machine is now running on a min size of 256GB SSD to a maximum of 768GB. Due to design constraints, there are no more mechanical HDD available. The other physical differences are the 2x Thunderbolt ports and 2x USB 3.0 ports. The missing parts are the microphone/audio-in jack as well as the IR receiver. The new machine is now having a new MagSafe 2 power port which is not compatible with the previous MagSafe power port. Apple does have a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 converter which costs RM39.
The lowest configuration you can get in Malaysia for the Macbook Pro with Retina Display is RM6799 with shipping within 2 to 3 weeks.

More pictures..

Monday, June 11, 2012

Apple iOS 6 Coming To Town..


Main agenda on the WWDC 2012 would be iOS 6 which is schedule to start today 10am Pacific time. The Apple WWDC 2012 will showcase from San Francisco from 11th ~ 15th June 2012.
We could expect new Macbook Pro and iMac line-ups.

In terms of software, obviously it would be iOS 6 and most probably the final introduction of the Mountain Lion.

Source: Apple WWDC 2012

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

[Rumor] Samsung Galaxy Note II (5.5-inch Display)


Rumors had began for the next generation Samsung Galaxy Note. This time around, the screen was rumored to be 5.5-inch. Any complains? Don't think so when Samsung Galaxy Note was said to be sold at approximately 7 million units to date.

Some rumored technical specification of the Samsung Galaxy Note II:

  • Super AMOLED HD WSXGA+ with 1680 x 1050 screen resolution
  • 360PPI density
  • Quad-Core Exynos 5250 processor (probably 1.5GHz)
  • 8MP rear camera. Probably similar sensor as the Samsung Galaxy SIII
  • Android 4.0 ICS
  • S Voice, Smart Stay, S Beam (similar to Samsung Galaxy SIII)

It was also rumored to be released somewhere in October 2012.

Source: Ubuntulife.net

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

[DiGi] Samsung Galaxy SIII Lowest Package Device Price Revised to RM1299


DiGi's RM999 plans has also ended. The new plan had been revised to RM1299 for the device price when you subscribe to DG Smart Plan 88. Total commitment after 24 months is RM1299 + (RM83 x 24) = RM3291 after RM5/month auto-billing deduction. Previously, you pay RM999 + (RM83 x 24) = RM2991. There is a significant of RM300 increment from the promo rate.

Source: DiGi



[Maxis] Samsung Galaxy SIII Lowest Package Device Price Revised to RM1399


As mentioned previously, the RM999 promo for the Maxis Samsung Galaxy SIII has ended on the 3rd of June and now the new package price with the lowest device price is RM1399.


The new package would require a advance payment of RM500 instead of RM900 previously for new and Maxis subscribers who are less than 1 year with Maxis. You would be required to subscribe to either Value First, Value Plus 50, 80, 150, 250 or 500 plus 1GB or 3GB data plan. Taking into usual lowest commitment plans, you would end up paying RM1399 + (RM30 x 24) + (RM48 x 24) = RM3271 after 24 months.

In the previous promo, you will pay RM999 + (RM30 x 24) + (RM68 x 24) = RM3351. That gives a difference of RM80 but you only have 1GB data plan in the current new plan. In the previous RM999 promo, you will have to subscribe to 3GB data plan.

Source: Maxis

Sunday, June 3, 2012

World's Most Thinnest Smartphone - Oppo Finder


Chinese maker Oppo now holds the world most thinnest smartphone. The comparison of "thinnest" can be found below.



Oppo is a local Chinese brand. The device is expected to be running on 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM. Display comes with 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus with a screen resolution of 1280 x 720. It has camera of 8MP and 1.3MP front-facing camera. Internal storage capacity of 16GB. Obviously the device will be running on the latest Android 4.0 ICS and Oppo will be adding in their own touch on the Android ICS with the Oppo Unique user interface.

Source: Oppo Finder

Apple Online Store is Down. New Items on Sales?


Apple Online Store worldwide is currently down. Not sure what to expect for the updates. iTV? New range of iMac?

Source: Apple Store