Latest News

We'd like to say that we predicted it beforehand, but ASUS also announced the ASUS Zenfone Zoom ZX550 smartphone. According to ASUS it is the thinnest smartphone with a 3x optical zoom lens yet and features optical image stabilization (OIS), laser auto-focus and a 10-element lens. While it is built around the same tech specs as the ASUS ZenFone 2 with a 5.5-inch display it doesn't mention what processor or how much RAM it will be using, hinting that it could be using a still unnamed or unreleased processor, perhaps one of Intel's latest Cherry Trail Atom processors. Regardless of the processor, the Zenfone Zoom is estimated to arrive in Q2 of 2015 at $399 (RM1417). Check out the full tech specs below:

• Up to 128GB storage + 5GB ASUS Webstorage
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, IPS, 403ppi pixel density, 400nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3)
• 13MP rear camera (PixelMaster, f/2.7 to 4.8-aperture, 10-element lenses, 3x optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS), laser auto-focus, dual-colour Real Tone flash) + 5MP front camera (PixelMaster, f/2.0 aperture, wide-angle 85 degree lens)
• 158.9 x 78.84 x 11.95 | 185g
• supports 4G LTE Cat4, 802.11ac WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, dual micro-SIM, GPS
• features Selfie Panorama, 400% Low-light mode, Backlight HDR, Enhanced one-touch beautification mode, Manual mode, Zero Shutter lag 
• 3000 mAh battery
• Android 5.0 Lollipop + ASUS ZenUI
• Available in Meteorite black / Glacier white

Withings, a relatively small smart products manufacturer has just unveiled a new smartwatch that looks and feels like a traditional analog watch. The new Withings Activite Pop is the low-end version of the costlier Withings Activite luxury smartwatch that retails for $450 (RM1592). Made with cheaper materials, the company managed to slice down its cost to $150 (RM530). The reduced price and weight on the watch is achieved by using silicone for the strap and PVD coating on the watch case. Still, the watch looks well-built and stylish and will be available in three colors namely Azure, Shark Grey and Sand. The new Activite Pop will be able to monitor sleep patterns, much like the pricier Activite. It also allows users to set alarms via the companion app, which will wake them up using an optimally timed vibration. The new watch doesn't have a digital touch screen display,  instead it features a smaller dial on the face that displays the percentage of target that has been achieved. This greatly increases the battery life of the device as the company claims it can last up to 8 months. The watch is water resistant too, up to 98.4 feet. The Withings Activite Pop will be available for sale starting today in limited quantities for the US but we don't expect a Malaysia release date anytime soon. However, the company does have plans for a wide scale release within the US starting from March 2015.

ASUS officially announced the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML smartphone at CES 2015 recently. Instead of offering 3 new versions of the original ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6, the new ZenFone 2 is just a single size with a 5.5-inch display (which is a good direction we think). The overall rounded back and metallic front panel with concentric circle design remains the same but the bezel is thinner at 3.3mm while the side is also slimmer at 3.9mm. The back looks like brushed metal (but is probably still anodized plastic) and features a dual LED true tone flash (amber LED + white LED). As we predicted, there is a Rear Key control as well for volume and perhaps scrolling. According to ASUS, there will be two versions. Both will feature the same 5.5-inch display but the more premium one will be the world's first smartphone with 4GB of RAM while the other one will remain at 2GB of RAM. Other notable tech specs include a 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor and 5MP front camera retailing at $199 (RM707).

Released a while back in late 2014, the SIM Kad Rakyat 1Malaysia or SR1M program aims to offer an affordable prepaid mobile number complete with calls, SMS and Internet. The program is part of the Malaysian Government BR1M initiative with each starter prepaid pack priced at RM5.90. It runs on Clixster Mobile, which uses DiGi's network but provides calls at 8 sen per block and SMS and 5 sen per MB of data. You can also get a monthly data plan of sorts at RM17 for 1GB of data. Check out the SR1M site or Facebook page for more information.

NVIDIA has officially announced their latest mobile processor system  with the 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra X1. Featuring tech specs that includes an octa-core processor and 256-core Maxwell GPU, the Tegra X1 offers 4K video playback at 60fps and 1.3 Gigapixel camera throughout. Fabricated using a more energy efficient 20nm process, the Tegra X1 is estimated to be 2x more powerful than it's predecessor the NVIDIA Tegra K1. The Tegra X1 also delivers more than 1 Teraflop worth of processing power, which is about what today's desktop processors can do. Still no plans on a possible mobile device, Malaysia release date or pricing but the Tegra X1 features indicate a device (possibly a tablet) with a 4K display and perhaps 4GB RAM. NVIDIA have said that they intend to use the Tegra X1 anywhere and everywhere, including inside cars (allowing them to drive and park on their own), homes and other smart devices.

In line with the change to 64-bit Android Lollipop, Xiaomi have officially announced the Xiaomi Redmi 2 smartphone with a 64-bit processor. While the overall design remains the same as the Redmi 1s with a 4.7-inch display at 720p HD resolution, the Redmi 2 comes in a few newer pastel colours. Other notable tech specs and features include a 64-bit 1.2GHZ quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage, a 4.7-inch IPS display with 720p HD resolution and support for dual-SIM 4G LTE. Unfortunately, apart from these, other tech specs remain the same with an 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet but it is expected to go on sale in China on 9 January 2015 for 700CNY (RM398).

Apart from their Alcatel OneTouch Watch, Alcatel OneTouch have also announced the Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 series. The series will have 4 models, with tech specs and features that include a 3.5-inch display with 3G connectivity for the first model. The other three models have 4-inch, 4.5-inch and 5-inch displays with 4G LTE connectivity. The most notable feature is that all four Pixi 3 models can run Firefox, Windows and Android. Now, Alcatel OneTouch have not explained whether each phone will have all three operating systems (for a triple boot device) or if you get to choose in the beginning which OS you'd like to use, but we'll find out more soon. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but the Pixi 3 series look to be entry-level to midrange devices.

As usual, every tech company is set for major announcements come CES 2015 and Alcatel OneTouch are no exception. They have also announced that they will be releasing a circular smartwatch named the Alcatel OneTouch Watch on 6 January 2015. While there is not mention of tech specs the image shows multiple (and possibly interchangeable) watch straps, a circular watch face and a mostly touchscreen and voice control interface. We're not sure if it will use Android Wear but features will include notifications, remote music playback, pedometer and other health tracking functions. While there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet, Alcatel OneTouch have said that the OneTouch Watch will have a "smart price". While it is unclear if it is smart for Alcatel OneTouch or for us, it would be great if it is priced below the usual $300 (RM1058).

While ASUS are all set to make a whole bunch of announcements at CES 2015 on 5 January 2015, they've released a teaser trailer on what they could be unveiling. The video asks you to "SEE WHAT OTHERS CAN'T SEE" but what you should really be paying attention to are the dots and spaces in the video. This is actually morse code for "OPTICAL ZOOM", confirming rumours we've heard about an optical zoom capable, perhaps being called the ASUS ZenFone Zoom. A good example would be something like the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom which retails for around RM1699 but if ASUS can push the price below RM1K, we're sure that the number of interested parties may increase. Hopefully, they'll also be able to make the telescoping zoom lens more compact but we'll find out more tech specs and features in the next few days. If you can't wait, do stand by here and watch their announcements for yourself. Check out the video and translate the morse code yourself below:

Sony recently announced the Limited Edition variants of its Sony Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact with unique design inscriptions on the back plate of each of the three devices. The designs are inspired by architecture from Berlin, Tokyo and Warsaw. Each device will have a design based on one of the above mentioned city's architecture. The Xperia Z3's back plate will be inspired by Berlin, the Xperia Z3 Compact by Tokyo and finally, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact by Warsaw's architecture. It is said that three different designers gathered each of the city's landmarks and inscribed them onto the phone's back plate. There are 33 Limited Edition models of the above devices, but they probably won't be available outside of Germany. The regular variants of all the three models had a Malaysia release date around two months back. The flagship Xperia Z3 is priced at RM2399, the Z3 Compact at RM1899 and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact at RM1669. Sony is giving out freebies up till 4 January 2015 on a number of its smartphones and tablets including these three devices. Some of the freebies included an 8GB microSD card, SBH20 stereo Bluetooth headset, KFC Vouchers and a gadget stand.