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Along with the new Canon Connect Station CS100, the Japanese giant also unveiled a number of smart cameras and video recorders. In all, the company announced over eight devices at CES 2015 including new cameras in its PowerShot, ELPH and Vixia lineup. The company also added a photo printer in its Pixma range of affordable printers.  The new ranges of Canon devices are equipped with Wireless connectivity. Some in the PowerShot lineup even feature NFC. This helps them to connect with the company's newly launched CS100 media hub. The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS is the costliest of the lot and comes with 16MP sensor, 50x Optical Zoom, OIS, 1080p HD video support, high speed Autofocus and zoom framing assist. You get all these features for a $430 (RM1538) price tag. There are other cheaper models too in the range like the PowerShot SX710 HS and SX610 which feature 30x and 18x zoom and retail for $350 (RM1252) and $250 (RM894) respectively. In the PowerShot ELPH range, Canon added two new affordable models. Both feature 20MP sensors, 12X zoom and 720p video support. The costlier $150 (RM537) ELPH 170 IS model features OIS, which is not found in the $120 (RM429) ELPH 160 model. As for the Vixia video camera lineup, Canon has made three new additions. The costlier VIXIA HF R62 features a larger battery and retails for $430 (RM1538) as opposed to the $400 (RM1430) VIXIA R60. Finally, the VIXIA HF R600 is the cheapest of the lot at $300 (RM1073). Canon has managed to reduce the price by removing wireless connectivity in this model. The company also unveiled a $100 (RM357) Pixma photo printer MX492at the event which wirelessly connects to smartphones and computers.

Garmin is a world renowned company specializing in GPS navigation products. The company is now shifting its focus to a hot new industry – wearables, as it recently announced three new smartwatches at CES 2015 in Las Vegas. First in the lot is the Garmin Vivoactive, which is also the company's first dedicated smartwatch. It comes with a square design like the LG G Watch and features the company's first app market called as the Connect IQ. The Vivoactive can display a number of information right on its small touchscreen display like emails, texts, social media interactions, calendar, reminders and missed calls. It can track distance as well as speed, thanks to the in-built GPS radio. The onboard battery typically lasts for three weeks…

Samsung Malaysia recently launched their Samsung Galaxy A5 and Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphones. Aimed at the young and trendy, the new smartphones feature a metal unibody chassis with ultra-slim design. With the Galaxy A3 priced at RM899 and the Galaxy A5 going for RM1199, these should make for an attractive and reasonably affordable device for the young Malaysian user. As such, Samsung have included a number of selfie centric features such as wide-selfies and palm, voice and audio activated selfies to take advantage of the 5MP front camera avalable in all of these smartphones. Both the Galaxy A5 and A3 will be available in Malaysia starting from 9 January 2015. The higher-end Samsung Galaxy A7 is expected to come in February 2015 for a retail price of RM1499. There will also be a Bestnya Bersama music campaign featuring the Samsung Galaxy A series soon. In the meantime, do check out our hands-on pictures, tech specs and videos below:

• Samsung Galaxy A5
• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5-inch Super AMOLED display (720 x 1280 pixel resolution, 294 ppi pixel density)
• 13MP rear camera (autofocus, LED flash) + 5MP front camera
• 139.3  x  69.7  x  6.7 mm | 123g
• supports 4G LTE, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, A-GPS
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 2300 mAh battery

• Samsung Galaxy A3
• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 4.5-inch Super AMOLED display (540 x 960 pixel resolution, 245 ppi pixel density)
• 8MP rear camera (autofocus, LED flash) + 5MP front camera
• 130.1  x  65.5  x  6.9 mm | 110.3g
• supports 4G LTE, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, A-GPS
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 1900 mAh battery

At CES 2015 Intel made quite a few announcements, but one of the most important was for the 5th Generation Intel Core processor family. Utilizing a 14nm fabrication process, the new Intel Core processors include Intel HD graphics and Intel Iris graphics based on the Intel Broadwell microarchitecture. While these new 5th Generation Intel Core processors will be making their way to notebooks, 2-in-1 devices, ultrabooks, chromebooks, mini PCs, desktops and other devices, Intel is also readying their new Cherry Trail range of processors for mobile devices. These Cherry Trail processors are also made using a 14nm fabrication process, offer 64-bit computing, Intel Generation 8-LP graphics and LTE-Advanced connectivity via the Intel XMM 726x platform for Cat6 speeds. We expect Cherry Trail tablets to arrive sometime in Q1 or Q2 of 2015 despite there being no Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet. Here's what Intel had to say about Cherry Trail:

"Intel’s 14nm, next-generation Intel Atom processor for tablets, “Cherry Trail”, will offer new user experiences such as Intel RealSense technology, no wires, no passwords and Intel® Context Aware™ technology capabilities, bringing new innovation and excitement to tablets. Intel RealSense Snapshot provides depth-sensing photo capabilities, giving people the power to change focus, take measurements, and add dynamic effects and motion to pictures with a touch of a finger. With its no wires capabilities, Cherry Trail enables tablets to wirelessly display content to a big screen or projector. Cherry Trail will also enable users to login with their face, fingerprint or a trusted device they assigned. Using an accelerometer, sound and light sensors, and information from the cloud, Intel Context Aware technology can determine the context or environment someone is in and provide information based on those surroundings."

Yesterday, LG announced its successor to the LG G Flex smartphone at the CES 2015 event held in Las Vegas. The new LG G Flex 2 comes with a sleeker profile and a number of additional features, making it a true successor to the G Flex curved smartphone. LG has incorporated some important changes in the new device, like a smaller display with a higher resolution, top of the line Snapdragon 810 processor, Laser AutoFocus from the LG G3 and a fast charging battery. Apart from the impressive tech specs, the overall design has been improved to make the phone more ergonomic. The 5.5-inch display with a 700mm radius curvature makes it fit perfectly in the user's hands. Thanks to the curvature, the microphone is much closer to the mouth, thereby reducing background noise. The self-healing feature also makes a comeback, but this time it is much faster and effective. LG has managed to reduce the heal time from 3 minutes to just 10 seconds in normal room temperature. With the help of a special chemical treatment process developed by the company, the cover glass on the display is now 20 percent more durable too. The 3000 mAh battery onboard charges up to 50 percent in just 40 minutes. LG will start selling the G Flex 2 in South Korea by the end of January and will later release it in additional global markets. Full tech specs of the LG G Flex2 are given below.

• 64-bit 2.0 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
• Adreno T430
• 2GB DDR4 RAM
• 16 / 32GB memory + expandable storage up to 2TB
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, Curved P-OLED, 403 ppi)
• 13MP rear camera (Laser Auto Focus, OIS) + 2.1MP front camera
• 149.1 x 75.3 x 7.1-9.4mm | 152 grams
• Supports 4G / LTE / HSPA+, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS, USB 2.0
• Features Gesture Shot, Gesture View and Glance View
• 3000 mAh battery (Fast Charge)
• Android 5.0 Lollipop
• Available in Platinum Silver / Flamenco Red

A few days back, HTC had hinted that it would focus on the 'Desire' range at CES 2015. The Taiwanese company today unveiled its first Desire smartphone of the year, the all new HTC Desire 320. Like the name suggests, this particular device is the successor to the Desire 310 that was announced about a year back. As for the tech specs, the phone features almost the same specifications as the previous generation model. It comes with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 512MB/ 1GB RAM options depending upon the region of release. Users can choose between 4GB and 8GB for internal storage and can even expand it further via MicroSD card slot. An external memory card is essential given the fact that the 4GB model has just 1.5GB of free memory available to the user after system and apps. The display remains the same as the Desire 310, a 4.5-inch FWVGA resolution screen. There is a 5MP camera at the back, which can take videos at Full HD 1080p resolution and a VGA front camera. As for the connectivity options, the Desire 320 features quad-band 2G and 3G (HSPA) network support, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and Bluetooth 4.0. The phone runs on Android 4.4 KitKat OS and comes with a 2100mAh battery which provides up to 12 hours of 3G talk time. The phone will first release in UK followed by other regions. It is currently available in Canada for $99 (RM351). HTC has yet to reveal a Malaysia pricing or release date of the model but the current Desire 310 retails for around RM460.

Lenovo has been quite busy at CES 2015 announcing a number of products in different categories like smartphones, wearables, laptops etc. The company also updated its tablet lineup at the event with the all new Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 with AnyPen technology. This technology allows the tablet user to use any kind of metal object as a replacement to the traditional stylus. The replacements can be anything, from a ballpoint pen, a fork, to even a knife. The company claims that this technology improves precision and is much better than using your finger to write on the tablet screen. Apart from this new tech, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 features a 64-bit Intel Atom quad-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz. There is 2GB RAM on board with 32GB internal storage. On the front, the tablet comes with an 8-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution IPS display. Other tech specs include an 8MP rear camera, 1.6MP front camera, 6400 mAh battery (rated at 15 hours on a single charge!) and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio and Wolfson amplification. The tablet measures 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.1 inches and runs on a Windows 8.1 operating system. Lenovo will release this device in January 2015 for $299 (RM1063). The company has yet to announce details like Malaysia pricing and release dates.

Lenovo announced a number of new devices at CES 2015 including the Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro flagship and a flash accessory called as the Lenovo Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash. The top-of-the-line Vibe X2 Pro takes its design inspiration from it's predecessor, the Lenovo Vibe X2. It comes with a full metal body and a three color layered design. The phone runs on a 64-bit Snapdragon processor and supports 4G LTE networks. It features a 13MP front camera which puts it in direct competition with the recently announced HTC Desire Eye. The company has not included a front facing flash but interested users can purchase the Xtension Selfie accessory. It attaches itself to the phone's 3.5mm jack and the eight white LED bulbs on board illuminates your face. This extension is compatible with any Android smartphone with a 3.5mm headphone jack and can take up to 100 Selfies on a single charge. The Vibe Xtension flash will be available for sale from April 2015 for $29 (RM103). The Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro too will launch in April for $499 (RM1772) without contract. Full tech specs of the Lenovo flagship is as given below.

• 64-bit 1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor
• Adreno 405
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage + expandable storage up to 128GB
• 5.3-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, IPS LCD, 416 ppi)
• 13MP rear camera (autofocus, LED Flash) + 13MP front camera 
• 146.3 x 71 x 6.95 mm | 140 grams
• Supports 4G LTE, HSPA, dual Nano-SIMs, Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, FM Radio, microUSB 2.0, GPS
• Features Geo-Tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR
• 2410 mAh battery
• Android 4.4 + Vibe 2.0 UI
• Available in Champagne Gold / Rock Pink / Electric Blue

Along with the Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro flagship, Lenovo also announced an affordable high-end smartphone at CES 2015 called the Lenovo P90. The device features a very large battery and comes with top of the line tech specs. The P90 runs on Intel's latest 64-bit Atom processor which has a 5-mode XMM 7262 LTE modem. There's a 5.5-inch display up front with 1080p resolution. The rear camera measures 13MP and the front camera is 5MP. The highlight of the device is its 4000 mAh battery. Lenovo will launch the new P90 in February 2015 at a price tag of $369 (RM1312) without contract. Check out the full tech specs of the device below:

• 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 processor
• PowerVR G6430
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, IPS LCD, 401 ppi)
• 13MP rear camera (autofocus, LED Flash) + 5MP front camera
• 150 x 77.4 x 8.5 mm | 156 grams
• Supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, FM Radio, microUSB 2.0, GPS
• Features Geo-Tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR
• 4000 mAh battery
• Android 4.4 + Vibe 2.0 UI
• Available in Pearl White / Lava Red / Onyx Black

Microsoft has just unveiled the company's most affordable Internet phone in the market called the Nokia 215. Yes, Nokia name makes a comeback, probably to take advantage of the legacy and reputation of the Finnish company, once the world's largest smartphone maker. The Nokia 215 will cost just $29 (RM103) before taxes and subsidies and will offer essential connectivity as well as an impressive battery life. The phone features a 2.4-inch QVGA display (320 x 240 pixels). There will be Bluetooth connectivity options as well along with SLAM for easy file sharing. Like earlier feature phones from Nokia, this particular device too will come with Opera Mini for web browsing. Apps like Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Twitter will be built-in for a smooth social networking experience. Given the price tag, the phone does not support Wi-Fi but the user can access the web via 2G and dual band EDGE networks. As for the battery, the Nokia 215 comes with a 1100 mAh capacity one which provides up to 20 hours of talk time and 29 days of standby time. At the back, there is a very small 0.3MP camera sensor. The LED is located on top of the phone and can be used as a flashlight. The Nokia 215 will also have a dual-SIM version. Both models will be sold in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia in the coming months. Expect more details like Malaysia release dates and pricing soon.