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Most of us are thinking that we could see the next Samsung Galaxy S5 in February 2014 when the Mobile World Congress or MWC is expected to happen. However, news reports from an official insider in Samsung has said that the Samsung Galaxy S5 would be unveiled at New York in March. The report seems even more credible as the Samsung Galaxy S4 was also introduced last March in New York as well, but do take this rumour with a pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but we wouldn't be surprised if HTC is planning to camp outside with the HTC One+ like they did with the HTC One.

It seems that it isn't just the phablet range that Sony is filling up but also the smartphone range as well as they recently announced the Sony Xperia E1. Featuring a powerful loudspeaker, the Xperia E1 looks to retain the same premium design as other Xperia smartphones while going for a price range from $174 (RM577) to $203 (RM666). Tech specs and features for the Sony Xperia E1 include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch display with 480 x 800 pixel resolution, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage and dual-SIM support. The main feature of the Xperia E1 is the 100 dB loudspeaker fitted onto the backside of the smartphone along with Sony WALKMAN audio technology. Since it is designed for the budget conscious the Xperia E1 has a 3MP rear camera but still supports WiFi, aGPS and Bluetooth 4.0. No news on when it would be available in Malaysia but it should be soon. For now, check out the videos in this article.

Filling out their phablet range, Sony has officially anounced the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and Sony Xperia T2 Ultra Dual. Both have huge 6-inch Triluminous displays at 720 x 1280 pixel resolutions with the only major difference being that the T2 Ultra dual has dual-SIM support. Other tech specs and features for the two phablets include a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage + microSD, 13MP rear camera with Exmor RS sensor, 1.1MP front camera with Exmor R sensor, NFC + LTE and a non-removable 3000 mAh battery. The phablet retains the slim monolithic design as the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and looks quite good all in all. While it should eventually reach Malaysia there are still no specific Malaysia release dates. In terms of pricing, the device is said to be going for $545 (RM1788). While the processor isn't as top-notch as the other phablet device in the Sony Xperia range, the bigger screen and exceptional camera should make it a very tempting midrange device. For now, check out the video and images in this article.

While it hasn't been announced officially just yet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite or SMT-T110 has been officially confirmed by it's own manual. The user manual appeared on the Samsung Polish website with details about the SM-T110 which is the WiFi-only version of the Tab 3 Lite. The site also revealed prices with the WiFi-only version going for $165 (RM541) and the 3G version going for $263 (RM863). Tech specs and features for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite were confirmed with a 1.2GHz dual-core Marvell PXA986 processor, Vivante GC1000 graphics, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 7-inch display with 600 x 1024 pixel resolution, microSD card support, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and a 3600 mAh battery. The user manual doesn't give enough image details to know if the design will be much different from before but at 192 x 177 x 9.7mm and 310g it is a bit larger and heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0. No Malaysia release date just yet but with the user manual already here the tablet should be available soon.

It has been 2 months since the last teaser ad, but Celcom is finally offering the Apple iPad mini with Retina Display from RM948. You have a choice of 12 month to 24 month contracts but you have to sign up for any of the three available Celcom First iPad plans. You will have to pay an upfront payment which will be rebated for the next 10 months. Contrary to the RRP listed on the Celcom site, the iPad mini with Retina Display is currently priced at RM1279 for the 16GB WiFi-only model and RM1699 for the 16GB WiFi + 4G LTE model. For more plan details check out the table and links in the article.

The concept renders continue to roll out as this time around we get one for the upcoming rumoured 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro. Rumoured to be the device that will bridge the gap between performance machines and consumer tablets, the iPad Pro is said to have hardware that will satisfy engineers, designers and other professionals. Possible tech specs include a 64-bit chipset and processor, a 12.9-inch display with 4K resolution and an Eye ID iris scanner. While we commend SET Solution, the makers of the concept render on their effort, we can't help but think that this render is a bit lacking in polish. Perhaps the tablet is too unrealistically thin or the render quality is a bit low this time around. Either way, you can check out the Apple iPad Pro concept render in this article for yourself.

While it was originally sent in back in July 2013, a patent published from Samsung reveals that new head gestures could come to the next Samsung Galaxy device in line, which would be the Samsung Galaxy S5. We've already got the Smart Stay and vertical scrolling feature, but the new patent will allow users to turn pages with certain head movements, followed by a wink or nod to confirm the action. While we think this could make your head look like a typewriter the patent reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S5 could be watching your head a lot more than you think, making it even more likely that an iris scanner could also be coming for the smartphone. No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing were available for the Samsung Galaxy S5 but it should be coming soon, perhaps in February 2014 when the next Mobile World Congress happens.

HP was last known for it's HP Pre 3 which didn't get launched in the end. However, HP is still gearing up for another foray into the smartphone market with a $200 (RM650) phablet. This rumour comes courtesy of Yam Su Yin, HP Senior Director who said "HP has to be in the game" and that they have to offer a phone that is unique. Based on a recent Bluetooth SIG listing, the name of the device could be the HP Slate 6 Voice Tab, while tech specs and features for the device have already appeared at GFX benchmark. These tech specs include a 6-inch 720 x 1280 resolution display, 1GHz quad-core Marvell processor and Android 4.2.2. No news on exact Malaysia release dates but the device is supposedly headed to emerging markets like Malaysia which could mean we'll see the HP Slate 6 Voice Tab soon.

A new Samsung Galaxy device recently appeared in a Zauba listing. Zauba is an Indian website which tracks Indian exports and imports, a bit like the SIRIM database here in Malaysia. Back to the Zauba listing, the mystery Samsung Galaxy device is listed as Samsung GT-I9405 and has tech specs which include a 5.5-inch display and single SIM capabilities. The device is listed for testing and evaluation. So far, it doesn't seem to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 because the model numbering is below that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 which is GT-I9500 and it doesn't match with the Galaxy Note series either as Note numbering goes from N7100, N9000 and so forth. It isn't the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo either as the matching SM-N7500 / SM-N7505 model number has already appeared in Zauba. The value pricing of the listing is a big hint though as 32746 Indian Rupees (RM1721) places the device squarely in the mid-range. Check out the listing in the article for yourself but do stay tuned for more updates.

It isn't big news that Microsoft's Windows 8 hasn't been doing well. Despite losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars both in terms of Windows 8 and Windows RT based devices as well as software, Microsoft has kept plugging at it with the latest update being Windows 8.1, but even this doesn't seem to be taking off. Rumours have recently surfaced that Microsoft may be scrapping all the changes Windows 8 did and come back to the old Windows 7 interface. One of these rumours comes from Paul Thurott who is quite well known for Windows related news. What sets his rumour apart is that he predicts Microsoft will come out with Windows 9 in April 2015. According to him the announcement will come in April 2014 with the roll-out release next year. As a dedicated computer desktop user I can't say that I've been thrilled by the rather intrusive Windows 8 redesign, but it has been getting a following for it's various touchscreen devices. We still don't know what tech specs or features the Windows 9 revamp will have but it is rumoured to have three major points along with an optional Metro 2.0 feature. Stay tuned for more updates.