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We've always felt that the LG Vu series of 4:3 aspect ratio smartphones doesn't really get the hype it deserves, and the same is true for the latest LG Vu 3 which was recently announced by LG in a very quiet sort of manner. Packing in a slightly larger 5.2-inch screen but still maintaining the same 4:3 aspect ratio, the Vu 3 looks just as wide as the previous version. However, slightly curvier corners give it a less boxy look and the slightly larger size also means it has some space to put a Rubberdium stylus pen (which unfortunately, isn't a digitizer pen like some other phablets). Other tech specs and features for the LG Vu 3 are still quite generous and include:

• 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor
• 5.2-inch display (1280 x 960, IPS)
• 2GB RAM
• 13MP rear camera + 2.1MP front camera
• Supports LTE-A
• Android 4.2.2 + LG UX user interface

U Mobile has cut down the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 tablet price all the way down to RM0, provided of course that you sign up for one of their Ultimate Device postpaid plans. Available under 24 month contracts, users can get the tablet, which has a retail price of RM1099, at RM699, RM459 or for FREE with one of the three Ultimate Device postpaid plans. For more details, check out the table in this article.

Apple's iOS 7 operating system has finally become downloadable for everyone with a compatible Apple device. The full list of Apple devices capable of downloading the iOS 7 update include the Apple iPod Touch, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S,iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad with Retina display (iPad 3 and iPad 4) and iPad mini. However, some devices will get certain features while some others will not. To check what features you'll be getting with your device, check out our device and features chart below. As always when updating something as big as an operating system, always remember to backup all your important data on the device and make sure you have enough space to download and install everything (in this case 3GB of free space is the recommended amount). Make sure you also have a fast connection and a full battery, just in case.

Not all news is bad for BlackBerry as some new smartphone models were recently sighted bearing the BlackBerry name. These are supposedly the C-series or Cafe series BlackBerry smartphones codenamed Americano. According to rumours, the BlackBerry C-series will feature a QWERTY version and a touchscreen version. Both will have tech specs which include a Snapdragon 400 CPU while the touchscreen version could have a 4.2-inch screen with 720 x 1280 resolution. Both would probably support 4G LTE connectivity with some sources indicating that this could eventually be called the BlackBerry Z5. Unfortunately, no pricing or exact Malaysia release dates but the from the looks of things the devices could be headed for the entry to mid-range market, and be priced accordingly.

The Nokia Windows RT tablet previously codenamed as Sirius may have already got a name. This time it may be called the Nokia Lumia 2520. The leak comes courtesy of @evleaks, who has been surprisingly accurate about these Nokia naming conventions so far. Tech specs and features for the Lumia 2520 include a Snapdragon 800 processor, 1080p display, 32GB storage 4G LTE support and detachable keyboard cover. The 10.1-inch Windows RT tablet is expected to be launched on 22 October 2013 and we should probably be able to expect Malaysia release dates on or around said date. Pricing for the tablet is so far estimated to be around $499 (RM1584) so if you're thinking about Windows RT (and who exactly is?) then you should start saving up for October 2013.

Celcom has also come out with their deals on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch combo. This time the Note 3 is being offered from RM1538 with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch only available for free for the first 100 who confirm a booking of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with Celcom. To get the deal, you have to sign up for a 24-months contract with the Celcom First plans and an mPro 88 data plan. Check out the full details in the article.

Nokia Malaysia recently launched the Lumia 1020 cameraphone in Malaysia for RM2499. As the cameraphone with the only 41MP camera sensor and the ability to take Lytro-like blur-free photos, the Lumia 1020 is probably the cameraphone to beat. While the RM2499 price is a bit high, this is probably because the RM299 camera grip is also included. The camera grip isn't just a frame add-on as it also packs in a built-in 1020 mAh battery, extending the battery life of the 2000 mAh powered Lumia 1020 by up to 50% more while giving a more camera-like grip for taking pics. Tech specs and features for the Lumia 1020 include a 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, the 41MP camera sensor, optical image stabilizer, xenon flash and 6-element Carl Zeiss lens. It comes in Black, Yellow and White and also supports 4G LTE. If you need more information, check out the Nokia Lumia 1020 site.

After previously doing their gold-plating thing with the HTC One, GoldenGenie are now offering the Apple iPhone 5S in 5 different styles using gold, platinum or rose gold. As mentioned in the title, the price can go all the way up to $4400 (RM13928) but there's no denying that the actual gold plated device looks much more stunning than the standard "champagne gold" anodized aluminum casing of the Apple iPhone 5S. Apart from the hefty price you can also expect the resulting Apple iPhone 5S to weigh a lot more as well. As usual, each gold plated version comes with it's own classy wooden box. Check out the pics below:

HP has announced 4 new Android tablets for their Slate 7 range of tablets with launch dates happening in November 2013. These include the Slate 8 Pro, Slate 7 HD, Slate 10 HD and Slate 7 Extreme. While there are 2 new 7-inch tablets in the announcement, they probably won't be replacing the current Slate 7 tablet. Tech specs for the tablets include the following:

• Slate 8 Pro
• NVIDIA Tegra 4 Processor
• 7.98-inch display (1600 x 1200, 4:3 ratio)
• 8MP rear camera + 2MP front camera
• supports microSD + micro USB + micro HDMI

• Slate 7 HD
• Dual-core processor
• 7-inch display (1280 x 800, IPS)
• may support LTE + Beats Audio

• Slate 10 HD
• Dual-core processor
• 10-inch display (1280 x 800, IPS)
• may support LTE + Beats Audio

• Slate 7 Extreme
• NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor
• 7-inch display (1280 x 800, IPS) 
• comes with stylus

As mentioned in an earlier report, the BlackBerry Z30 has been officially announced here in Malaysia. While it will be available from 5 October 2013, Celcom has exclusive rights over the smartphone for the next 14 days starting from that date. As such Celcom are teasing a number of fairly interesting freebies for those who sign up for a BlackBerry Z30 under a Celcom plan during this 14 day period. This includes a FREE BlackBerry Z10, 2 Alicia Keys concert tickets for KL, free download of Alicia Keys "Girl on Fire" album and an UrbanGears headset for the first 200 subscribers. After the first 200, the next 800 will also get freebies, but what exactly these freebies are still hasn't been announced just yet. So if you're gunning for a BlackBerry Z30, save 5 October 2013 as the day to do so, preferably at a nearby Celcom Bluecube store. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.