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Samsung recently announced their new rugged, anti-shock Samsung Galaxy Tab Active tablet. Featuring IP67 water resistance certification, a built-in C-Pen stylus and the ability to survive a 1.2 meter drop thanks to an inclusive shock-proof protective cover, the Galaxy Tab Active is the tablet for rugged outdoor professionals. Other tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active include the following:

• 1.2GHz quad-core processor
• 1.5GB RAM
• 16GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 8-inch display (1280 x 800 pixel resolution)
• 3.1MP rear camera (LED Flash) + 1.2MP front camera
• supports 4G LTE, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, NFC, GPS
• features S Translator, Ultra Power saving mode, Barcod Scanner, Businessweek+, Hanshow, Hancell, Hanwrite
• 126.2 x 213.1 x 9.75mm | 393g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 4450 mAh battery

ASUS Malaysia recently released one of the first of their planned 64-bit Intel Atom processor powered tablets with the ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE375CG). The tablet follows the slim bezel 7-inch display design as before while featuring dual-SIM capabilities, 3G connectivity and phone functions. Other tech specs include a 64-bit 1.83GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB / 16GB storage + 5GB ASUS Webstorage, 7-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixel screen resolution, 5MP PixelMaster rear camera, 2MP front camera and Android 4.4 KitKat. The tablet will feature the ASUS ZenUI and weigh in at just 299g. It is available in black and white for now. The retail pricing according to Dynamics Distribution is set at RM649 but we've seen it being sold on the local market for as low as RM599. The new range of 64-bit Intel Atom processors should bring increased performance and better graphics but we'll be able to say more after we have the review unit for testing. In the meantime, check out the video below:

While ASUS have already announced a 64-bit tablet with the ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE375CG) they recently brought another 64-bit tablet to the family with the official announcement of a 64-bit ASUS MeMo Pad 7 (ME572C/CL). In terms of design,  the tablet offers more colours and slimmer bezels. Unlike the Fonepad 7, this MeMo Pad 7 tablet does not pack in 3G or 4G LTE. Tech specs for the tablet include a 1.86GHz Intel Atom processor,  1GB RAM, 7-inch IPS screen with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution and oleophobic coating along with a 5MP rear camera and  2MP front camera.  The cameras use ASUS PixelMaster camera technoloogy while the tablet measures in at 113.7 x 189.3 x 9.6mm and 295g. No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but early performance benchmarks have these new 64-bit Intel Atom processor working very well so stay tuned for more developments. 

ASUS have officially announced the ASUS ZenWatch (WI500Q), confirming a curved screen, premium look and gesture-based shortcuts. The overall design of the smartwatch is definitely premium with a classy metal chassis that is both thin and shiny right down to the chrome finish. Measuring in at 50.6 x 39.8 x 7.9-9.4mm and 75g the ZenWatch is quite slim and trim. Tech specs for the ZenWatch are not bad at all with a Snapdragon 400 processor,  512MB of RAM,  4GB of storage and a curved 1.63-inch display with 320 x 320 pixel resolution covered by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The watch has a leather strap and IP55 water resistance certification.  This means that it can probably take a shower or some rain but may not survive a swim. The ZenWatch runs on Android Wear with the ASUS ZenUI user interface but we're not sure if this also means that the watch may only have 1GB of storage left due to all the ZenUI apps. According to ASUS,  they have more than 100 watch faces but one of the more notable features is gesture-based system of shortcuts such as covering the watch to mute it and so forth. While there are still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet,  early estimates have it priced at around $260 (RM823) which places it on par with other smartwatches in the country. Hopefully, the price comes down a little for it to remain competitive.

While there isn't any companion smartwatch for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 this time around, there is a companion virtual reality headset in the form of the Samsung Gear VR. Officially announced alongside the phablet, the Gear VR is a virtual reality headset that uses the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as the main display. Created in collaboration with the developers of the Occulus Rift virtual reality goggles, the headset offers a complete 360 degree view for a number of applications. Check out the tech specs and features for the Samsung Gear VR below:

• 96" Field of View optical lens
• supports accelerator, gyrometer, magnetic and proximity sensors
• <20ms motion to photon latency
• covers both nearsighted and farsighted eyesight
• features touch pad, back button, volume key, microUSB 1.1, 16GB microSD with pre-loaded 360 degree and 3D content
• 198 x 116 x 90mm

Ever since Samsung came out with their YOUM flexible displays, everyone has been wondering when we'd be able to see a Samsung smartphone featuring a bended or flexible display. In a surprise move, Samsung officially announced the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, the world's first smartphone with a bended display. Exactly as it's name suggests, one side of the display is bent at an angle and is a fully functional Super AMOLED touchscreen. Apart from that, other tech specs and features are more or less the same as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, right down to the S Pen and better looking artificial leather backside. The single edge touchscreen on the side does make it feel a bit lopsided and it also raises the question of whether it is made for left-handed or right handed people, but overall the design is very premium looking. Tech specs and features for the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge include:

• 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 54GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.6-inch display (Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 + 160 pixel resolution)
• 16MP rear camera (auto focus, Smart Optical Image Stabilization) + 3.7MP front camera (f1.9)
• supports WiFi 802.11 ac (MIMOP), GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, IR LED, MHL 3.0, 4G LTE Cat 4 + 4G LTE Cat 6
• Features: Air Command, S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen input, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Voice Recorder, Heart rate sensor, Finger print scanner, UV sensor
• 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3mm | 174g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 3000 mAh battery (adaptive fast charging)

Samsung has officially announced their Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phablet. While it features a same sized 5.7-inch display as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the overall design for the Note 4 is more compact, with slimmer bezels and a slightly taller frame. The overall look is more refined, with a classy metal side frame and artificial leather backside, this time with no rough stitching visible. The S Pen slides in at the bottom like before but the Galaxy Note 4 already has accessores from Montblanc that includes more stylish S Pen styluses and back casings. The full tech specs and feature list for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 can be seen below:

• 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor / 1.9GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 5433 (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core)
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 54GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.7-inch display (Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution)
• 16MP rear camera (auto focus, Smart Optical Image Stabilization) + 3.7MP front camera (f1.9)
• supports WiFi 802.11 ac (MIMO), GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, IR LED, MHL 3.0, 4G LTE Cat 4 + 4G LTE Cat 6
• Features: Air Command, S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen input, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Voice Recorder, Heart rate sensor, Finger print scanner, UV sensor
• 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm | 176g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 3220 mAh battery (adaptive fast charging)

The Sony QX10 and QX100 wireless lens cameras recently offered the ability to upgrade your smartphone's camera without having to replace your smartphone. This year, Sony may introduce the QX1 which offers smartphone and tablet users to use interchangeable Sony E-mount lenses. The QX1 appears to be a base that looks much like the Sony QX10 but instead of it's own zoom lens, offers up an e-mount. The QX1 will then act as the wireless transmitter, camera sensor and storage. Hopefully, Sony have ironed out the performance kinks and issues found in the earlier Sony QX10 and QX100 lens cameras this time around as Sony have also seen fit to include a pop-up flash for the Sony QX1. As usual, take this rumour with a pinch of salt, but the source was earlier correct about the Sony QX10 and QX100 so it should be quite an accurate rumour. No Malaysia release dates or pricing but it should be due for a reveal on 4 September 2014.

Rumours about a selfie oriented Lumia 730 smartphone from Microsoft have been circulating for a while now, but Microsoft just made it official by releasing a teaser image for the smartphone as a selfie. So far, there have already been various leaked images appearing. There aren't many details on tech specs and features except that there will be a 5MP front camera, have a 4.7-inch display and also come with a version called the Lumia 735 which basically has everything else along with 4G LTE. The Lumia 830 is also expected to arrive with the Lumia 730 but is expected to come with a PureView camera. Again no details on Malaysia release dates or pricing but with the announce date happening in a few more days, we shouldn't have to wait long to find out.

Apparently not satisfied with holding the previous record of 5.5mm for the Elife S5.5, Gionee have announced the Elife S5.1 which is 5.15mm thin. Other measurements are at 139.8mm x 67.4mm x 5.15mm. Tech specs are fairly midrange and include a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB storage, 4.8-inch display with 720p pixel resolution, 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2100 mAh battery and Android 4.3. The design goes for rounded corners and shiny metal sides with the parts near the micro-USB port and headphone jack a bit thicker than the rest. No details were available on Malaysia release dates or pricing but it should be launched in China sometime in September 2014. It seems very unlikely that you'll see it being sold here in Malaysia unless it is from a third-party seller, so keep a close watch for it at our sister site of Mobile Mega Mall.