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OPPO devices are quite well known to support VOOC fast charging but it appears that this could be taken even further with an upcoming OPPO device, rumoured to be the OPPO Smartwatch. While no names have been named, the main feature of this smartwatch seems to be the ability to get a full charge in just five minutes. Now this could be because of how small smartwatch batteries are but even then the standard charging time for most smartwatches is 1 to 2 hours or so at best. No other features or tech specs were available about the OPPO smartwatch, only that it could be round and most likely come with the OPPO Find 9 which is also rumoured to be coming in 2015. Stay tuned for more developments.

Google has officially announced the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for better stability, performance and a few new features. These features include built-in support for multiple SIM cards which is good news for those dual SIM users out there, a Device Protection feature for better security and hopefully some closure with your lost Android device and High Definition Voice. More on Device Protection, this feature allows your stolen device to stay locked until you sign in to your Google account even after you do a factory reset. Most Android devices should support it but it will definitely be available on theNexus 6 and Nexus 9. High Definition voice calling on the other hand, increases audio clarity for voice calls. Other notable feature updates include a Wi-fi networks and Bluetooth Quick Settings icons. No specific Malaysia release dates but we should get more info as the respective device manufacturers roll out their Android 5.1 Lollipop updates.

The Huawei P series of smartphones are more known for their performance and super thin chassis but the upcoming Huawei P8 could well get a new power saving feature, at least according to Huawei themselves. Huawei recently released a teaser image for the upcoming Huawei P8 which suggests that it could have a new power-saving feature. Considering that the Huawei Ascend P6 and Ascend P7 were both quite thin, it would be safe to assume that the P8 would also be thin and not likely to pack in a large battery. This means the teaser could indicate a more efficient method of extending battery life than before, perhaps even getting 2 days worth of battery life in a single charge. The teaser does not reveal anything else like other tech specs, Malaysia release dates or pricing but many are expecting the Huawei P8 to arrive on 15 April 2015 with an octa-core Kirin 930 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, 5.2-inch full HD display and 13MP camera with dual LED flash and OIS. Stay tuned for more developments.

Asides from the ASUS ZenFone 2 pricing, ASUS have also announced some very interesting peripherals for it with two separate external flash devices. These two external flash accessories are called theASUS ZenFlash and ASUS LolliFlash. They provide a more powerful xenon flash (about 400x more powerful) over the standard LED flash on your smartphone and connect via USB OTG. Not much details about pricing or release dates but we expect it to be announced along with the ASUS ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom come this April 2015. 

While it has been announced, the pricing and release date for the Apple Watch wasn't actually revealed, until now. While international pre-orders start from 10 April 2015 and ship on 24 April 2015, we should be able to expect the Apple Watch in Malaysia a few months afterwards. Pricing begins with the aluminum alloy Apple Watch Sport with the 38mm version going for $349 (RM1285) while the 42mm version will go for $399 (RM1470). The stainless steel Apple Watch 38mm version will be priced from $549 (RM2022) whille the 42mm version will start from $599 (RM2207). The 18k gold Apple Watch edition 38mm version will go from $10000 (RM36847) while the 42mm will start from $12000 (RM44216). While it isn't unusual for someone to wear a watch priced the same as a small car here in Malaysia, it is the most expensive price for a smartwatch yet. Too bad that it only works for Apple devices for now.

ASUS has recently released the ASUS ZenFone 2 for Taiwan with pricing for their 5-inch version and 5.5-inch 4GB RAM version. The release confirms the existance of a 5-inch display version with the model number ZE550CL, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at just 4990 NT$ (RM582). The 5.5-inch -display ZE550ML will come with a 720p display, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at 5990 NT$ (RM699) while the ZE551ML 32GB storage version with a 1080p display is priced at 6990 NT$ (RM815). The most premium 5.5-inch 1080p display ZE551ML with 4GB RAM, NFC and 32GB storage version will go at 8990 NT$ (RM1049). If this pricing remains the same for Malaysia, this is very competitive pricing as you wouldn't expect a 4GB RAM premium smartphone for just around RM1000. So far, these ASUS ZenFone 2 models are set for release in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and France but we should expect a Malaysian release in April 2015. So far, the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550CL has scored impressively on AnTuTu and should be a good upgrade but there is still no news on the ZenFone Zoom yet.

After some teasing, Lenovo has announced a new cameraphone called the Lenovo Vibe Shot. The device features a large 16MP BSI sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and the world's first Tricolor (triple) LED flash. Moreover, the camera unit will have a six element lens with sapphire coating. The phone looks extremely well built, thanks to the premium aluminum chassis with a thickness of just 7.3mm. There is Gorilla Glass protection on both the front and the back. The company claims that the camera will produce excellent pictures even in low-light conditions. There will be an 8MP front facing camera too, ideal for selfies. Other tech specs include a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor with 3GB RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. There will be a 5-inch display at the front with full HD 1080p resolution. The phone supports dual SIM cards (both Nano SIMs) and is compatible with 4G LTE networks. There will be a 2900 mAh battery on board to power all the tech specs. Lenovo will release the Vibe Shot in all major countries for $349 (RM1285) and we expect a Malaysia release date by the end of the month. 

Lenovo has announced an affordable 4G LTE enabled handset at MWC 2015 called the Lenovo A7000. Lenovo claims that the A7000 is the first smartphone to feature Dolby ATMOS sound technology. It is said that Dolby's tech will enhance the overall sound output from the device. As for the tech specs, the phone features a 1.5GHz Mediatek 'true' octa-core processor with 2GB of RAM. There will be 8GB internal storage which can be further expanded via MicroSD. The front features a 5.5-inch display with HD 720p resolution and wide viewing angles. At the back, there will be an 8MP camera unit with dual LED flash and up front, there will be a 5MP shooter. The phone will have two SIM card slots, both MicroSIMs and will support 4G LTE network connectivity. The Lenovo A7000 sports a thin 7.9mm thin body and weighs just 140g. Inside, there will be a 2900mAh battery. The company will make the device available for sale in most countries by the end of the month for $170 (RM617). Lenovo has not yet revealed specific details about a Malaysia release date or pricing, but expect more information in the coming few weeks.

Lenovo has unveiled two new tablets in its Tab2 A series lineup, namely the Lenovo Tab2 A10 and the Tab2 A8. The Tab2 A10 comes with a 64-bit Mediatek Silicon quad-core processor with 2GB RAM. There is a 10.1-inch display up front with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The tablet features a 7200 mAh battery which can power the device for up to 10 hours of continuous usage in an 8.9mm thin body. The Tab2 A10 is also the first tablet to feature Dolby ATMOS CYNEMA Style sound technology. It comes with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box but is upgradable to Android 5.0 Lollipop by June 2015. Pricing starts at $199 (RM721) for the Wi-Fi only model but the 4G LTE version will be up for grabs in April for $279 (RM1011.91). Coming to the Tab2 A8, it features a 64-bit quad-core Mediatek 8161 processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. There will be an 8-inch display up front with 720p resolution. The tablet measures 8.9mm thin just like the A10 but will come with a smaller 4200 mAh battery enough for 8 hours of usage. The Tab2 A8 is a phone tablet and has dual SIM GSM + 4G LTE compatible SIM card slots. The tablet will be available from June 2015 starting at $128 (RM467) for Wi-Fi and $179 (RM649) for 4G LTE versions. Lenovo is yet to reveal more details about Malaysia pricing or release dates but we should know more soon. 

Offering users another value smartphone for the entry-level market, Sony Malaysia have officially announced the local availability of the Sony Xperia E4 Dual smartphone. Featuring a large 5-inch display and dual-SIM support, the Xperia E Dual is being offered for a recommended retail price of RM459. Available in black and white the smartphone is designed to offer long-lasting 2-day battery life through a 2300 mAh battery and Sony's Ultra STAMINA Mode. Other notable tech specs include a 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage and microSD card support up to 32GB. The aforementioned 5-inch display is covered by scratch-resistant glass and offers a 960 x 540 pixel resolution. Coming with Android 4.4 KitKat, it also features a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. Here's what Sony had to say about it:

“With Xperia E4 Dual, we wanted to offer people some of the premium Sony features they have come to expect - with unparalleled ease of use - at a highly-competitive price point. With a simple set-up, great screen and unrivalled 2 day battery life we’ve created an on-the-go entertainment device that will keep on going, wherever you are.” Andrew Cheong, Country Director (Malaysia)