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Despite being the affordable postpaid plan that started it all, the FIRST Basic 38 by Celcom plan still offers massive value for subscribers at just RM38 per month, at least until the end of the promotional period due on 16 July 2015. After which date, subscribers won't be able to get the 3GB Internet + 3GB complimentary Celcom WiFi for life (or at least while they are still subscribed) currently on offer. Featuring free voice and SMS extras along with free movie tickets every month these plans pack a good amount of value already, in addition to the greater Celcom network coverage and ability to carry forward up to 3GB of unused Internet to the next month. Those looking to grab this last chance to subscribe for the FIRST Basic 38 by Celcom plans should walk-in to selected Blue Cube stores as soon as possible and there is even a complimentary smartphone for another RM10 per month. Check out the table and links in this article for more information but for other FIRST Basic 38 by Celcom details check out the Celcom site.

It appears that the ASUS ZenPad 8 is already available in the US for $199.99 (RM759). Tech specs are quite high for this price range with a 64-bit 1.83GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 8-inch display with 2048 x 1536 resolution, 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and Android 5.1 Lollipop. The tablet is WiFi only though and while it isn't the latest Intel Atom x3 or SoFIA powered device, it does offer good value for the money. There are no specific Malaysia release dates yet and it will probably come to Malaysia eventually, but we expect this to happen only after the ASUS ZenPad 7 tablets get their marching orders sometime in July or August 2015.

We first reported about Apple Watch smartwatch clones appearing at CES 2015 with the Hyperdon Smart Watch, but now it appears that the other clones have also arrived here in Malaysia. A quick search for 'smart watches' on Lazada.com.my reveals quite a few of them featuring the same rounded metallic body and dial control as the Apple Watch. Pricing for these variously named smartwatches range from RM145 ($38) to RM350. Do bear in mind that the original Apple Watch starts from $350 (RM1327). Tech specs for these Apple Watch clones include Bluetooth connectivity and compatiblity with iOS and Android devices but since they are cheap knockoffs you can expect some decrease in build quality and other features. However, there may be those who would cheat you by selling these clones as the original Apple Watch. One of the easiest ways of seeing if it is a clone is to check the underside. The real Apple Watch will have various sensors underneath it (like a heart rate monitor) while the clone will likely be just steel. Lazada and other major online sites require sellers to sell these clones with different names from the Apple Watch so it should be safe to get them from online sources, but if you're window shopping in real life best be wary.

ESCAPE  Axiata  Sdn  Bhd,  a  fully  owned  subsidiary  of Celcom  Axiata  Berhad have announced a new #SalomaHariRaya campaign offering duit raya and prizes worth up to RM50000 for all Malaysians from 26 June 2015 to 18 August 2015. To enter the contest, participants may lip-sync or sing to the Saloma sung 'Selamat Hari Raya' song, record it and share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #SalomaHariRaya and @SalomaHariRaya tags. MAGIC SIM users can get extra duit raya with an additional #MAGICSIM hashtag. Participants can check their submisions at www.celcomESCAPE.com. The Top 50 submissions may win a chance to win RM200 duit raya from the total amount and may also appear in a final mash-up video at the end of the contest. MAGIC SIM users will get an extra advantage here as well, as they can win up five times the duit raya for RM1000 duit raya. In conjunction with the campaign, Xpax MAGIC SIM subscribers get to watch 6 complimentary box-office movies this Raya period at www.celcomESCAPE.com/magic. The movies include various box-office hits with each title starting with the letters ‘S’, ’A’, ’L.’, ‘O’, ‘M’ and ‘A’. Check out other promotions in this article as well.

The Xiaomi Mi5 Plus was recently spotted on China's TENAA, revealing a few portrait shots along with some tech specs and features list. Looking much like a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge with curved 2.5D glass on the sides (doesn't look like an actual curved screen) the flat and thin Mi5 Plus features a gold coloured metal frame with what appears to be glass covered front and back. The design is reminiscent of the Xiaomi Mi Note. According to TENAA tech specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4GB LPDRR4 RAM, 64GB storage, 5.7-inch display with 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution and Gorilla Glass 4 with a 13MP rear camera (dual tone LED flash) and 4MP front camera. The smartphone will support 4G LTE Cat9, WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with 155.1 x 77.6 x 6.95mm | 160g measurements. No specific Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but it is expected in the coming months.

What would you do if you had an idea for a device but couldn't find it being sold anywhere? While you could try and prototype it or make it, previously it wasn't easy to put together a working computer platform designed specifically for those who like to tinker and make things. However, in this day and age, those who make things or 'Makers' now have access to system-on-chip boards and platforms designed to be modular for easy attachment of sensors and servos. The maker movement in Malaysia is quickly picking up steam, with more makers of every age appearing with bright ideas about devices you cannot find on the shelf but are nonetheless useful. The Intel Galileo board is Intel's solution for Makers and we were privilaged enough to get our hands-on with an Intel Galileo set which you can see in the video in this article.

The Samsung Galaxy A8 recently got leaked complete with Malaysia pricing. The folks at MDroid recently spotted it going for RM1888 while renders of the smartphone have also appeared courtesy of @OnLeaks. The leaked image certainly looks authentic and features a full metal frame like the other Samsung Galaxy A range. Tech specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 5.7-inch FHD super AMOLED display, 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 3050 mAh battery. It is set to come with Android 5.1 right out of the box and even has a fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button. While there are no Malaysia release dates it should be coming soon.

Despite all the successes Microsoft has been having with its Lumia phones, it appears that we may soon see less Lumia phone releases in the near future. This comes about as Microsoft have laid off 7800 employees "generally working on smartphones" and writing off the $7.6 billion Nokia acquisition. In response to rumours that Microsoft would stop making Lumia phones entirely, Satya Nadella, Microsoft's current CEO announced that there would be restructuring and streamlining, resulting in flagship, business and value smartphone categories for any new upcoming Lumia smartphones. Bloomberg also found out that there may be just 1 or 2 devices for each category. Obviously, Microsoft have already released more than six Lumia smartphones already, but this likely means that this streamlined approach will be the way Microsoft will operate their streamlined phone business from now on. As it is, we are expecting some flagship Lumia smartphones to appear shortly.

After our in-depth testing and ASUS ZenFone 2 review, we're quite certain about how powerful the smartphone really is. However, an XDA member took it a step further by hacking the device to allow it to run a full-fledged Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. According to Yua Ca Van, the same process can allow installation of Windows 8, 8.1 and even Windows 10. Furthermore, the Windows 7 that was installed ran with next to no bugs with performance on par with normal Windows 7 systems. While this certainly shows the power of the Intel-based ZenFone 2 it isn't actually easy to use Windows 7 on the ZenFone 2 due to the size constraints. Check it out for yourself in the video in this article.

While many ASUS users are wondering when they'll get their Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrades, quite a few of the tablet users have already started receiving theirs. This includes those who got the ASUS Fonepad 7 FE375CG. Powered by a 64-bit 1.83GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 processor, the new update offers native 64-bit processing. While many ZenFone users are silently screaming "why not us too?" this order does make sense as the Fonepads and other ASUS tablets did get their 64-bit Intel processors first. It does indicate that there is progress so those users should get their updates eventually. So far, the interface looks to have been revamped with some smoother animations and nicer layouts but this is just what we've seen so far at a glance. You also get some new apps and bloatware so make sure you have some extra space available. If you're interested in the ASUS Fonepad 7 FE375CG do check out our full review of the tablet but for now you can see the screenshots of the update along with some design changes and an early benchmark in this article.