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Continuing their ongoing trend of not fixing something that isn't broken, HTC have officially announced the HTC One M8s which is basically the same HTC One M8 but with an updated 64-bit processor and 13MP dual rear camera. HTC has seen fit to get rid of the UltraPixel rear camera completely with nearly every other tech spec remaining the same. This isn't exactly a bad thing if you're a really, really big fan of the HTC One M8, but it definitely won't look any different than before. The full tech specs and features include a 64-bit 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB Storage + microSD, 5-inch display with full HD 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution, a 13MP rear dual camera and a 5MP front camera. The One M8s weighs in at 160g and 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.55mm and comes with a 2840 mAh battery along with Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense. Set for release in the UK at £379.99 (RM2062) there are as yet no plans for a Malaysia release date or any local pricing details. In any case, we're more likely to see the HTC One M8s at the DirectD Gadget Mega Store and other third party sellers like SatuGadget before any official HTC Malaysia release anytime soon.

When it was first released last year, the ASUS PadFone S made a big splash as one of the most feature-filled value smartphones for below RM1K. Retailing at just RM899 it packed in a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, a 5-inch full HD display, 4G LTE, NFC, IPX2 splash resistance and a 13MP rear camera with 4K and slow motion video recording. While we've yet to see any PadFone S 2 yet, there may be another option in the form of the ASUS PadFone S Plus, which packs in 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage on top of everything else. Leaked by Dynamics Distribution, the PadFone S Plus looks to be compatible with the same accessories, including the docking station and wireless bluetooth keyboard. The additional RAM and storage should add on a bit more in terms of performance but it should feel like the original PadFone S so you can read our ASUS PadFone S review here for a clearer idea. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but it should be soon as Dynamics Distribution is the local distributor for ASUS and many other mobile devices.

Right after the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge yesterday, the pre-order period for both devices starts today on 3 April 2015 until 12 April 2015. The pricing remains the same at RM2599 for the 32GB storage Galaxy S6 while the Galaxy S6 edge with 32GB storage will go for RM3099. As mentioned earlier, there is an early-bird prize in the form of a FREE Samsung Wireless Charger when you deposit RM300. The Samsung Wireless Charger retails separately for RM232 but do remember that stocks of this freebie are limited, so it is first come first serve. The pre-order is direct from Samsung with no additional contract but they will not deliver to your location. Instead, you will be given a choice of collection points so you can decide where to go on your own. Check out the preorder site if you're interested.

Samsung Malaysia have just launched the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge today at RM2599 and RM3099 respectively with said pricing inclusive of the 6% GST but just for the 32GB storage version. Samsung has started from scratch for the two devices, offering a thin and solid yet rounded metal frame for the Galaxy S6 and curved dual-edge side screen for the Galaxy S6 edge. Tech specs and features for the Galaxy S6 include a 64-bit 2.1GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB / 64GB / 128GB storage, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution (577 ppi), a 16MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and smart OIS, 5MP front camera and 2550 mAh battery. The Galaxy S6 edge on the other hand offers a  64-bit 1.8GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB/128GB storage, a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2K resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 4, a 16MP f/1.9 aperture rear camera and 5MP front camera. Both will be available on pre-order in Malaysia from 3 April 2015 to 12 April 2015 at www.Samsung.com/my and retail on 17 April 2015. Early-bird buyers may get a free wireless charger but stocks are limited. In addition to the above, the two smartphones also have a personalized pick-up service with free servicing during the warranty period, so if something goes wrong, Samsung will come and pick it up. Check out the hands-on photos in the article.

In conjunction with their upcoming Mi Fan Festival on 8 April 2015, Xiaomi have also announced new products including the Xiaomi Redmi 2A for RMB 599 (RM357) but as an added bonus they will also cut this price down to RMB 499 (RM298) during the Mi Fan Festival. While the Redmi 2A shares the same 4.7-inch screen and looks as the Xiaomi Redmi 2, it will use a different processor and somewhat cut-down tech specs which you can see below. Xiaomi also announced the Mi Note Pink Edition smartphone along with the Mi TV 2 55”, Mi Power Strip and Mi Smart Scale. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing for either the Redmi 2A or the Mi Note Pink Edition yet, but we don't think it will be available for the Mi Fan Festival here in Malaysia just yet.

• Xiaomi Redmi 2A 
• 1.5GHz Leadcore L1860C processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• 4.7-inch display (1280 x 720 pixel resolution)
• 8MP rear camera, 5-element lens
• supports TD-LTE bands only
• 2200mAh battery
• RMB 599 (RMB 499 one day Mi Fan Festival offer)

• Mi Note Pink Edition
• Snapdragon 801
• 3GB RAM
• 16GB flash
• 5.7-inch Full HD display (3D curved Gorilla Glass 3 with metal frame)
• 13MP rear camera (OIS, f/2.0) + 4MP front camera (large 2-micron pixels sensor)
• supports 4G Dual SIM
• RMB 2499 (Comes with a 5000 mAh power bank)

Xiaomi recently announced that their Mi Fan Festival would be held on 8 April 2015 to celebrate the company's 5th birthday due on 6 April 2015. In conjunction with this, Mi Malaysia will be offering existing and new Mi products for 8 April 2015 at 12pm and 8pm. Mi Malaysia fans can also enjoy up to 90% discounts and may also use the the coupons won from playing Xiaomi’s Give Mi Five game for further discounts. These products will include the following:

• Xiaomi Redmi 2 (Dark Grey) - RM449
• Mi Power Bank 5000 mAh (Red) - RM40
• Mi LED Light (Available in blue or white) - RM16
• Mi Band Strap (Available in blue or yellow) - RM16
• Mi Phone Stand (Moo Cow Blue) - RM10
• Teddy Mi Bunny 25cm (Available in brown or pink) - RM34

With the ASUS ZenFone 2 all set for it's usual regional launch on 21 April 2015 we managed to score some hands-on time with the ZenFone 2 at the recent DirectD Gadget Mega Store grand opening. This revealed some interesting features including that we'll see the ZenFone 2 packing Android 5.0 and some other interesting camera features. These include a selfie panorama mode for the front camera, and a manual and super resolution mode for the rear camera. There is also a new ZenMotion feature which not only will allow you to double tap on the screen to wake it up or suspend it but also to draw gestures on it for quick shortcuts in standby mode. We're sure there's more than just those features but we'll be able to tell you more about these and others in the next few weeks so stay tuned.

As is standard of every 1 April 2015 the tech companies are releasing their April Fools stuff and Samsung has started it off with an announcement for the Samsung Galaxy Blade Edge, the world's first connected, smart knife with a clear design and display built into the blade. It even comes with some really impressive hardware and tech specs. Obviously, Samsung is just joking here but it is nice to see them not taking themselves too seriously. Check out the Samsung Galaxy Blade Edge for yourself as well. Any Malaysia release dates or local pricing details? Again, obviously not but Samsung did manage to get this in before the smartphone manufacturers who actually make the world's thinnest smartphones. Enjoy the chuckle for yourself below:

Microsoft recently announced their new Surface 3 tablet for work and play starting from RM1879. Featuring a 10.8-inch 1920 x 1280 full HD display, the tablet offers the same look and feel of the Surface range of tablets with it's adjustable built-in kickstand but is just 8.7mm thin. Powered by a new quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor, stand-out tech specs and features include 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, optional 4G LTE, Surface Pen support, an 8MP rear camera, 3.5MP front camera, 2GB / 4GB RAM and 64GB / 128GB storage. It also packs in a USB 3.0 port, microSD, Mini DisplayPort, MicroUSB port and stere speakers with Dolby audio technology. Thankfully, it comes with the full Windows 8.1 and Office experience. Like other Surface tablets it also comes with a Type cover and other accessories. While it isn't available off the shelf yet, you can get it on pre-order here in Malaysia.

ASUS recently sent out invitations for the launch of the ASUS ZenFone 2 range of smartphones. Like the original ASUS ZenFone range before it, it seems that the ZenFone 2 will be seeing a regional launch on 21 April 2015. While so many new smartphones have already been announced the ZenFone 2 remains the only smartphone in the world with a version packing in 4GB of RAM. Other tech specs look to be equally impressive with a 64-bit Intel processor, 4G LTE, 5.5-inch display, brushed metal design, rear controls and a better PixelMaster camera that allows you to see what others can't see. Pricing details have already been announced with the 5-inch display version with the model number ZE550CL, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at just 4990 NT$ (RM582).

The 5.5-inch -display ZE550ML will come with a 720p display, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at 5990 NT$ (RM699) while the ZE551ML 32GB storage version with a 1080p display is priced at 6990 NT$ (RM815). The most premium 5.5-inch 1080p display ZE551ML with 4GB RAM, NFC and 32GB storage version will go at 8990 NT$ (RM1049) and the version with 64GB storage will go for 9990 NT$ (RM1167). No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but expect the recent 6% GST to raise prices somewhat. We also expect other ASUS Zen products to appear like the ZenFlash but it hasn't been confirmed yet if we will also see the ZenFone Zoom. Stay tuned as we'll be going over to cover it directly.