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Sony Mobile Communications are looking for one special individual from their Xperia customers who embodies the spirit, energy and attitude of the brand with their Next Face of Xperia contest. The search will cover Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Those interested in entering can go to http://campaigns.sonymobile.com/86400/ while the closing submission date is 14 June 2015. The Next Face of Xperia should embody at least one of the following:

• Waterproof: I can survive underwater
• Low Light: I can see in the dark
• 2 Day Battery: I can stay awake for days
• Digital Noise Cancelling: I can silence crowds
• Hi-Res Audio: I can hear things you can’t
• Remote Play: I can run through walls
• Smartwear: I can shape tomorrow

Winners will get prizes that include: 

• The opportunity to participate in future Xperia marketing programs
• A Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone and Sony Xperia Z4 tablet 
• Return airfare from the winner's nearest capital city to Manila for a photography shoot 
• Hotel accommodation for the duration of the shoot 

While it isn't the HTC One M8 or One M9, a similarly high-end device has just appeared with the release of the HTC One ME. So far, the phone has only been released in China with no specific Malaysia release dates just yet. This model comes with a 2.2GHZ octa-core Mediatek Helio X10 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB hard disk storage which is expandable via microSD slot. Apprently, this is the first and only smartphone thus far that uses the new Helio x10 processor. Other tech specs and features include a 5.2-inch display, 20MP rear camera, 4MP front facing camera and a BoomSound speaker by Dolby Surround. The OS in this device is Adroid 5.0 Lolipop. For connectivity, HTC has endowed the HTC One ME with dual–SIM, 4G LTE, 4.1 Bluetooth and dual–band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac as well NFC options. The elegant polycarbonate chassis comes in several colours, namely gold sepia, meteor grey and rose gold. Unfortunately for us, HTC has not mentioned any Malaysia pricing details yet but stay tuned and we'll let you know as soon as we find out.

Celcom Axiata Berhad recently revealed their latest limited edition package from Xpax called theMAGIC SIM for what they call the best in class mobile Internet plan for Malaysian users. Offering plans from as low as RM1/day the MAGIC SIM starter pack is available today from RM5. It will feature FREE Basic Internet, FREE High Speed Internet and FREE Call and SMS services. The FREE Basic Internet will offer 64kbps speeds for unlimited use of chat programs while the FREE Hi-Speed Internet will offer up to 75mbps speeds depending on your 4G LTE coverage. Like their previous FIRST Basic 38 plan, you can also carry forward unused Internet. Priced from RM1 for 30MB of Internet, you can also get an additional 30MB from today till 30 June 2015. The MAGIC SIM is maintained according to airtime but the MAGIC RELOADs should help add even more Internet value to those who need it. Launched by Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, the new MAGIC SIM will also have monthly "miracles" or extra promotional programs that have yet to be announced. Check out the pics below for a breakdown on reloads, top-up value and more or go to the MAGIC SIM site at www.xpax.com.my:

“We wanted to create something special for our customers, a MAGIC SIM that everyone would want to own because of the exceptional value that it offers and the exclusive benefits that they can expect for years to come. There’s something to look forward to every month in line with MAGIC SIM’s tagline of You’ll never let it go. The new MAGIC SIM exemplifies Celcom’s goal of becoming the Internet Champion and ensuring that every level of society is connected to lightning-fast 4G LTE speeds in Celcom territory’s network.” Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad

The Huawei TalkBand B2 is set to appear in Malaysia. [Update] Currently available for with a 30% discount voucher as part of a pre-order bundle with the Huawei P8 for RM1799, the new and improved smartband and fitness tracker still transforms into a bluetooth headset just like its earlier predecessor, the TalkBand B1. However, instead of the plastic exterior of the B1, the B2 offers a curved screen and metal body for a tougher and more stylish design. We're quite excited about it finally making its way to Malaysia but for now you can see our live demo hands-on of the Huawei TalkBand B2 in this article.

The Huawei P8 was officially launched today for the South Pacific Region, which also includes Malaysia. The premium flagship smartphone features an all metal frame with curvy corners and equally premium looks. It takes a step further than than the previous Huawei Ascend P7 and Ascend P6. While Huawei have definitely made the design their own, it is difficult not to draw comparisons with the Apple iPhone 6. However, at 6.4mm the Huawei P8 is both thinner and flatter with no protruding rear camera. Featuring a new RGBW 13MP rear sensor with optical image stabilization, the P8 is sensitive and accurate enough to capture light painting, a clear indication of the low-light capabilities that the P8 offers. The Huawei P8 is due for a Malaysia release date in June with a pre-order bundle coming with [Update] a 30% discount voucher for the TalkBand B2 at just RM1799. Check out the other tech specs and our hands-on of the Huawei P8 below:

• 64-bit 2.0GHz octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 930 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• 5.2-inch display (full HD, 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution)
• 13MP rear camera (OIS, RGBW sensor, DSLR-level Image Signal Processor, F2.0, dual color temperature flash) + 8MP front camera
• supports dual SIM 4G LTE, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1+LE, WiFi b/g/n
• features wind-suppression anti-noise mic, dual antenna design
• 2680 mAh battery
• 144.9 x 72.1 x 6.4mm | 144g
• Android 5.0 Lollipop + EMUI 3.1

Featuring a straight and curvy metal frame, the Huawei P8 looks beautiful with chamferred edges, a polished metal frame and super thin profile. First impressions are that it is a beautiful smartphone with a very sturdy frame and light design. In the Q&A sessions, Huawei reiterated their passionate stand on creating useful features for consumers with coming smartphones and devices offering value and innovation in conjunction with their 'Wei To' marketing campaign to pioneer new value for consumers. While we may not see any 16MP or 20MP cameras, Huawei are dedicated to creating a DSLR experience with their smartphone cameras, perhaps by creating sensors that will let in more light in the future. This applies to displays as well, as they are also intent on creating more innovations with full HD displays as according to them, quad HD or 2K displays only suck up battery life and bring no value to the consumers. We'll be looking forward to seeing what else this may bring, like perhaps super resolution or interpolated picture modes and even better battery life but for now, Huawei will also be bringing their Huawei P8lite and TalkBand B2 to Malaysia in June 2015. 

As the race for the 4GB RAM smartphones continues the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML also continues to impress. This time around we take it for a spin with Asphalt 8:AirBorne and with a USB OTG flash drive. How will this versiosn with a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor and 32GB storage fare? Check it out for yourself in this article.

ASUS has officially announced the ASUS ZenWatch 2 smartwatch. Utilizing Android Wear it comes in 22mm and 18mm bands, quite obviously designed for men and women or those with big wrists and small wrists. Tech specs include and a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, OLED display covered by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 and IP67 water resistance certification. This means you can bring it swimming. On top of this, battery life has been improved and a new magnetic charging system has been implemented although the details are still rather unclear. The ZenWatch 2 will be available in gunmetal, silver and rose gold with a choice over rubber, leather and metal bands. Other bands are due as well, along with one covered with Swarovski crystals. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but we should find out more in the coming months.

After being teased for a bit by ASUS themselves, ASUS recently announced the ASUS ZenFone Selfie ZD551KL smartphone. Featuring a Toshiba 13MP camera with laser focus and 1/3 2" sensors on both the front and back with dual tone LED flash, this ZenFone offers rather different tech specs from the more recent ASUS ZenFone 2 range. This includes a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, probably 2GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch display with full HD 1080p resolution, 4G LTE and Android 5.0 Lollipop. Rather than go for their usual brushed metal backside, the ZenFone Selfie offers solid pastel colours in aqua blue, pink and white, although the metallic backplates are also available as well. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but we expect these to crop up in the comming months.

It seems that the strikingly blue and green coloured Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge colours are now available for Malaysians who don't want to sign up for either Celcom or Maxis to get either colour. Do note that the Blue Topaz colour remains the exclusive colour for the Galaxy S6 while the Green Emerald is only available for the Galaxy S6 edge. Tech specs and pricing are likely to remain the same as before though, with the Galaxy S6 costing RM2599 while the Galaxy S6 edge retails from RM3099, both for the 32GB storage version. Both should be available for purchase at all authorized Samsung resellers and Samsung Experience stores, and if it isn't yet just wait a while longer for stocks to arrive.

Microsoft is picking up the pace for their ultimate goal of 39 Microsoft Authorized Reseller stores by opening 2 new stores here in Malaysia. This will include a Microsoft Authorized Reseller store in The Gardens Mall on 30 May 2015. Another store will be opened at One Utama on 31 May 2015. As usual the store will offer a hands-on experience for Microsoft products like Windows phones, feature phones, Surface tablets, Microsoft Office 365 and more. Check out the promotions and activities in this article.