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The recently announced Nokia X range of smartphones offers users a unique mix of Nokia and windows Phone apps with the ability to run Android apps. When it first came out, Microsoft set it so that while you could sideload an Android app, all the official apps would be accessible via the Nokia Store. This meant that you couldn't access the Google Play store or use certain Google services like Google Now. The resourceful folks at XDA Developers have got around this by rooting the device, even offering a guide on how to do it. While Nokia have not condemned this, it could void your warranty, so be careful what you do when the Nokia X and Nokia XL make their arrival in Malaysia on 5 March 2014.

Samsung Malaysia have also made the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 available at a retail price of RM1699. While the overall look of the Android powered camera hasn't changed that much from the original Samsung Galaxy Camera, the tech specs and features have received a number of updates and changes. One of the most notable is that the Galaxy Camera 2 does not have 3G or 4G connectivity, but just WiFi. Other tech specs include a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 20GB RAM, 8GB storage + microSD support, NFC support and a 2000 mAh battery. Tech specs and features which remai nthe same are the 4.8-inch Super Clear LCD with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, 16MP 1/2.3" BSI Sensor, 21X optical zoom and Xenon Flash. There is a weight difference though as the Galaxy Camera 2 is lighter at 283g with a more rugged look and feel. While the retail price is RM1699, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is already available from other sellers at just RM1598.

A fairly realistic rumour has cropped up about the Apple iPhone 6, which should be announced in a couple more months which say that Apple will probably keep the 8MP rear camera it already has but change the sensor aperture to f/2.0. Previously the camera sensor on the Apple iPhone 5S was set at f/2.2 while the Apple iPhone 5 had an f/2.4 aperture. The change for the Apple iPhone 5S resulted in more light coming in to the sensor and improving low light shots. A change to f/2.0 aperture would mean even better low-light performance. Other rumours indicate that the camera would have a 6p sapphire lens with the CMOS sensor expected to be manufactured by Sony. This rumour certainly sounds like something Apple would do, despite so many users asking for a 13MP rear camera upgrade. However, since it is a rumour still, do remember to take it with a good grain of salt, as a rumour is still a rumour until proven.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is finally available officially in Malaysia. Announced back in 2013, it is an update to the earlier Samsung Galaxy Grand and features a larger 5.25-inch display, better processor and tech specs along with an artificial leather backside. Notable tech specs and features include a 1.2gHZ quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB storage, *MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera and dual-SIM support. While there is a version that offers 4G LTE support, the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 released here does not have 4G LTE. At 163g and 8.95mm thin, the Galaxy Grand 2 is somewhat in the phablet range, complete with 2600 mAh battery. Samsung Malaysia are setting it's retail price at RM1199 but there are already sellers offering it from RM1085. Prices may vary depending on the retailer but it should be available at most Malaysia retailers.

Apart from overseeing Google's Android and Chrome developments, Sundar Pichai was also seen going about at the Mobile World Congress 2014 recently. He made a number of interesting comments, one of which is that the Samsung Galaxy S6 would be running Android and not Tizen, which is Samsung's own home-grown mobile operating system. So far, Samsung have already put Tizen in their Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 Neo and Samsung Gear Fit smartwatches and smartband with a possible Samsung Tizen smartphone expected soon. According to Sundar Pichai though, there is no cause for alarm as there is supposedly no tension going on between Samsung and Google. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 only just announced recently, a year-long wait is quite a while for such a claim to stay valid, so do take this with a grain of salt.

Like a couple of other smartwatch makers, it isn't the first time Motorola have come up with a smartwatch. Back in 2012 they came out with the Motorola MOTOACTV, which was a smartwatch health tracker fitness device that didn't really fly off the shelves. Now it seems like Motorola may be coming back on the smartwatch bandwagon as Rick Osterloh, Vice President of Motorola was quoted as saying that the new Motorola smartwatch would look good at the same time. He didn't really reveal all that much about other tech specs and details but his exact words were:

“Right now, there are no wearable products you actually want to wear, and it’s because they’re all extremely ugly”

Nikon has officially announced their flagship Nikon D4S. While it initially made an appearance at CES 2014, at the time it was still in development. However, as we thought at the time, it looks like not much has changed, at least in terms of the design. Keeping the same frame and chassis as the Nikon D4, the Nikon D4S uses a faster EXPEED 4 processor, allowing for 30% shorter processing time, 11fps shots per second in burst mode with autofocus and autoexposure and 1080p video recording at 60 fps. Other notable tech specs and features include an ISO range of 409600 resulting in higher sensitivity for the lower ISO levels and a larger battery.

BlackBerry has announced two new smartphones under their deal with Foxconn at the MWC 2014. These include the BlackBerry Z3 which is a touchscreen smartphone and the BlackBerry Q20 which offers a more traditional BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard. Tech specs for the BlackBerry Z3 include a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, a 5MP rear camera, a 1.1MP front camera, FM Radio and a 5-inch touchscreen with 960 x 540 pixel resolution. The Z3 is expected to be priced at $200 with an initial release in Indonesia for April 2014. The BlackBerry Q20 on the other hand will have a 3.5-inch touchscreen, Menu, Back, Send and End buttons and a trackpad along with the aforementioned full QWERTY keyboard.

While the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S5 saw a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, an infographic showing the evolution of the Samsung Galaxy S series confirms earlier rumours that a Samsung Exynos powered version is also coming too. Details of this version are scant but we do know that the Samsung Exynos processor will be an octa-core (having eight cores) and be clocked at 2.1GHz. Other tech specs like the 5.1-inch full HD Super AMOLED display, 16MP rear camera and 2800 mAh battery remain the same however. No news yet on when we might see this version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 but hopefully it won't omit features such as 4K video recording that have previously been available for the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and chipsets.

The interest in Windows 8.1 tablets and convertible laptops is rising, especially for models that offer a good keyboard convertible option and are relatively affordable, which accurately describes the ASUS Transformer Book T100 (T100TA-DK005H) 2-in-1 ultra portable laptop and tablet combo. Demand has been overwhelming, so much so that current stocks of the tablet convertible have been depleted. Seeing this ASUS have since ordered a new batch of the ASUS Transformer Book T100 (T100TA-DK005H) which is expected to be available next week.