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In line with the change to 64-bit Android Lollipop, Xiaomi have officially announced the Xiaomi Redmi 2 smartphone with a 64-bit processor. While the overall design remains the same as the Redmi 1s with a 4.7-inch display at 720p HD resolution, the Redmi 2 comes in a few newer pastel colours. Other notable tech specs and features include a 64-bit 1.2GHZ quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage, a 4.7-inch IPS display with 720p HD resolution and support for dual-SIM 4G LTE. Unfortunately, apart from these, other tech specs remain the same with an 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet but it is expected to go on sale in China on 9 January 2015 for 700CNY (RM398).

Apart from their Alcatel OneTouch Watch, Alcatel OneTouch have also announced the Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 series. The series will have 4 models, with tech specs and features that include a 3.5-inch display with 3G connectivity for the first model. The other three models have 4-inch, 4.5-inch and 5-inch displays with 4G LTE connectivity. The most notable feature is that all four Pixi 3 models can run Firefox, Windows and Android. Now, Alcatel OneTouch have not explained whether each phone will have all three operating systems (for a triple boot device) or if you get to choose in the beginning which OS you'd like to use, but we'll find out more soon. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but the Pixi 3 series look to be entry-level to midrange devices.

As usual, every tech company is set for major announcements come CES 2015 and Alcatel OneTouch are no exception. They have also announced that they will be releasing a circular smartwatch named the Alcatel OneTouch Watch on 6 January 2015. While there is not mention of tech specs the image shows multiple (and possibly interchangeable) watch straps, a circular watch face and a mostly touchscreen and voice control interface. We're not sure if it will use Android Wear but features will include notifications, remote music playback, pedometer and other health tracking functions. While there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet, Alcatel OneTouch have said that the OneTouch Watch will have a "smart price". While it is unclear if it is smart for Alcatel OneTouch or for us, it would be great if it is priced below the usual $300 (RM1058).

While ASUS are all set to make a whole bunch of announcements at CES 2015 on 5 January 2015, they've released a teaser trailer on what they could be unveiling. The video asks you to "SEE WHAT OTHERS CAN'T SEE" but what you should really be paying attention to are the dots and spaces in the video. This is actually morse code for "OPTICAL ZOOM", confirming rumours we've heard about an optical zoom capable, perhaps being called the ASUS ZenFone Zoom. A good example would be something like the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom which retails for around RM1699 but if ASUS can push the price below RM1K, we're sure that the number of interested parties may increase. Hopefully, they'll also be able to make the telescoping zoom lens more compact but we'll find out more tech specs and features in the next few days. If you can't wait, do stand by here and watch their announcements for yourself. Check out the video and translate the morse code yourself below:

Sony recently announced the Limited Edition variants of its Sony Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact with unique design inscriptions on the back plate of each of the three devices. The designs are inspired by architecture from Berlin, Tokyo and Warsaw. Each device will have a design based on one of the above mentioned city's architecture. The Xperia Z3's back plate will be inspired by Berlin, the Xperia Z3 Compact by Tokyo and finally, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact by Warsaw's architecture. It is said that three different designers gathered each of the city's landmarks and inscribed them onto the phone's back plate. There are 33 Limited Edition models of the above devices, but they probably won't be available outside of Germany. The regular variants of all the three models had a Malaysia release date around two months back. The flagship Xperia Z3 is priced at RM2399, the Z3 Compact at RM1899 and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact at RM1669. Sony is giving out freebies up till 4 January 2015 on a number of its smartphones and tablets including these three devices. Some of the freebies included an 8GB microSD card, SBH20 stereo Bluetooth headset, KFC Vouchers and a gadget stand. 

According to the latest poster released by HTC on its Weibo page, the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer will unveil at least one Desire smartphone at the upcoming CES 2015 event which will be held at Las Vegas starting 5 January 2015. The teaser image says 'Always Desire more' which probably hints at a new HTC Desire smartphone from the company this year. HTC's Desire range has shown some promise recently especially with the Desire Eye smartphone and the Desire 820. The Desire range usually offer  mid-range specs and the new Desire phone expected to be unveiled on 6 January 2015 will most likely be a mid-range smartphone as well. Given that HTC has not yet hinted at a new 'One' branded phone, it's very likely that the company won't announce a flagship device at the event. Traditionally, HTC announces its 'HTC One' flagship sometime later during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) which happens in February 2015. Hence, the leaked HTC One (M9) Hima flagship model could debut around March this year too. As for the new Desire smartphone, there aren't many details like Malaysia release dates or pricing available just yet. It could be something new and big like the unique Desire Eye smartphone with a 13MP front camera. Stay tuned for more updates from CES 2015 in the coming days.

Samsung Malaysia will be bringing in their Samsung Galaxy A series of smartphone to Malaysia on 8 January 2015 as they have already sent out save-the-date invites. While they didn't mention specific models, the Samsung Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 are expected to arrive ahead of the Galaxy A7. Bearing a similar thin metal frame design with the Galaxy Alpha smartphone, the new Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 are aimed at the young and trendy. As such, the two may be priced rather attractively, perhaps below RM1K. This news comes amidst reports that the Galaxy Alpha itself could soon be discontinued with existing stock being allowed to run out. Check out the tech specs of the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 smartphones 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

Intel Malaysia recently provided the two winners of their 'Level Up Your Business' competition RM30000 worth of devices and support for a significant Tech Boost for each startup. The two winning tech startups include Edu 360 and Tableapp while the 'Level Up Your Business' contest was designed to increase ICT adoption while making life a bit easier for Malaysian SMEs. Edu 360 provides robotics and animation enrichment activities to help develop more creative and problem-solving kids. Tableapp on the other hand is a real-time online reservation service for Malaysian restaurants. Hopefully the Tech Boosts will help accelerate and improve overall growth of the two startups and open up interest from other Malaysian startups and SMEs.

The upcoming Xiaomi MiPad 2 tablet has had a number of rumours about it crop up, not least of which include tech specs and features. While the previous MiPad packed in a 2.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, the MiPad 2 could come with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor instead. We expect this to be partly becaue that Intel Atom processor is 64-bit and also because Intel is making it really easy for manufacturers to get their mobile processors. Other tech specs and features include a 7.9-inch display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution along with 2GB RAM and Android 4.4.4. Leaked pictures indicate that the MiPad 2 will have a less rounded corners look but will still be thin and slim. No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but the Xiaomi MiPad 2 is expected during CES 2015 so we shouldn't have to wait very long.

According to GFX Benchmark, a new Microsoft Lumia device could soon be coming with a 14MP rear camera. The RM-1062 appearing as the device could well be the Lumia 1330 as it also came with other tech specs and features similar to the Lumia 1320. These include a 5.7-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM and 32GB storage. Apart from the 14MP rear camera the smartphone could also come with a 5MP front camera as well. From the tech specs, the Lumia 1330 could well be the little brother of the Lumia 1320 phablet but the Snapdragon 400 processor could also mean that the Lumia 1330 will come with 4G LTE connectivity. We expect the dual SIM version to arrive in Malaysia but there are still no exact Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet.