Latest News

Reports about the next-generation Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 have surfaced recently. Apparently, the camera modules for the two not-even-announced yet smartphones may have camera modules that are 8x brighter than your average camera module today. In addition to this, the camera modules will also have features like anti-shake that can correct an angular error up to 1.5 degrees, which is awesome considering that the current standard is only at 0.7 degrees. Other tech specs and features include the rumour that these camera modules are still going to be 13MP. The brighter sensor should enable better image processing under low-light conditions. While the report doesn't really mention the Galaxy S5 or Note 4, the camera module should be developed within that time frame. No details on pricing or Malaysia release dates but a safe bet would be to say that we'll find out in 2014.

Just like previous Samsung phones, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 gets a dual-SIM version of it's own as Samsung recently made the launch for this version official. While Malaysia has yet to get the official announcement or Malaysia release date, the dual-SIM Note 3 has already been revealed in China. This China version is however not carrier locked and should work anywhere in the world (which means you could probably see some local sellers with the dual-SIM Note 3 quite soon). Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005, the dual-SIM version uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset which means that it should feature LTE capabilities along with whatever tech specs that the N9005 has. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Dual-SIM is currently priced at €735 (RM3758) but we're pretty sure that the actual Malaysia pricing will be much lower than that.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear is probably the most feature filled smartwatch from a branded company currently in the market. While it does have a number of shortcomings, such as poor battery life and compatibility with smartphones other than the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 a number of rather cool promo ads for the smartwatch have come out. For those who haven't always wanted a smartwatch, the ads show where some of the first smartwatches in media came from including Dick Tracy, The Jetsons, Star Trek, Inspector Gadget, Knight Rider and Power Rangers. It is an interesting look at smartwatches and captures some of the essence that makes a smartwatch, at least according to popular media. Check the videos out for yourself and see where it all began for smartwatches.

While the Sony Xperia Z1 is now officially available in Malaysia, Celcom is now offering the smartphone from as low as RM1538, which is quite good considering the retail price of the Z1 is RM2399. To get this deal, you have to sign up for a Celcom postpaid plan under 12, 18 or 24 month contracts. For more details, check out the table and links in this article.

It isn't a new rumour that Google is working on a smartwatch of their own, but it's a new rumour that it may be called the Google Gem Nexus smartwatch. To top this off the Gem Nexus may get it's reveal date alongside Android 4.4 KitKat on 31 October 2013. The rumour comes from Android Police who say that while they don't have any pics to back them up, they are quite confident that both could get revealed on the same date. So far we don't have any tech specs or features apart from another rumour which indicates that it may be related to the Motorola xWatch, but it seems unlikely that Motorola would release a separate smartwatch now that it is owned by Google. Bear in mind too that Google previously bought WIMM Labs, makers of the WIMM One smartwatch about a year ago, so they've had a good amount of time to create a WiFi enabled smartwatch with a robust Android based app platform (which are the 2 main features that the WIMM One had). No specific Malaysia release dates or pricing but we should find out at the end of the month.

While it may not be the latest, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is still one of the greatest smartphones to be had in the market. However, with the recent glut of new smartphones Maxis is now offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE from RM1139 despite the retail value still being RM2499. To get this deal you have to subscribe to the SurfMore and TalkMore postpaid plans with either 12 month or 24 month contracts. For more details check out the table and links in this article.

Having the ability to see like a cyborg seems to be all the rage as Google Glass and other smart glasses continue to emerge. Going for a similar concept of Augmented Reality (AR) overlay but this time with ski goggles is the Oakley Airwave 1.5. It isn't the first in the series as this new update offers many improvements over the original. This includes a better 1.0GHz dual-core OMAP 4 ARM Cortex A9 processor, 1GB and 2GB RAM options and built-in WiFi and GPS. According to Oakley, the new additions help to increase smoothness and extend battery life to 5 to 6 hours despite the battery being the same 1200 mAh. Since it is a ski goggle, it lets you check altitude speed, airtime, jump distance, jump height and vertical descent data while skiing. But with the new improvements users can now check Facebook messages and access smartphone music playlists. The Oakley Airwave 1.5 is priced at $650 (RM2076) and while we don't have any ski jumps here, similar sports like skateboarding or other extreme sports could probably see some use in it's capabilities.  

Celcom's slated 14 days of BlackBerry Z30 exclusivity is just around the corner and they've since released the various packages surrounding the Z30 smartphone.  Available on 5 October 2013 at the Blue Cube Sunway Pyramid store, Full Line Communications Sdn Bhd in Shah Alam and Gateway Sdn Bhd in Wangsa Maju, the BlackBerry Z30 will be available on 24 month contras to any Celcom First Voice + Data mPro bundle plan subscribers. As mentioned before, the first 200 subscribers get a BlackBerry Z10 FREE (RM1899), an Urbanears Headset (RM340), 2 Alicia Keys concert tickets (RM590) and the Alicia Keys "Girl on Fire" album download. Check out the table and links in this article for more details.

As more smartphones announce fingerprint scanners, the recently announced Fujitsu Arrows Tab FJT21 is one of the few tablets to have a fingerprint scanner as well. And it isn't just any old swipe fingerprint scanner, the one on the Arrows Tab is multi-user which means you can pass it around and have various different users on a single tablet. Running on Android 4.2, there are modes for guests, kids and general users. Tech specs and features for the Fujitsu Arrows Tab FJT21 are quite impressive which include:

• 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor
• 10.1-inch LCD display (2560 x 1600, Gorilla Glass 3)
• 8MP rear camera + 1.3MP front camera
• 64GB storage
• supports LTE

Filling up the rest of their Venue tablet lineup, Dell have recently announced the Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1 touchscreen tablets. It confirms that Dell probably won't be making Windows RT tablets anymore. Seeing as how there are only two other 8-inch Windows 8 tablets on the market, the announcement is timely. Like other Windows 8 powered tablets, the Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro come with several docks and keyboards which while not as thin as the Surface Touch covers, does offer built-in batteries for longer battery life and now standard chiclet/island style keyboard keys. Tech specs and features for the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro include the following:

• Dell Venue 8 Pro
• Intel quad-core
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB storage + microSD
• 8-inch display (IPS, 1280 x 800)
• supports Synaptics digitizer pen
• 10 hour battery
• 400g | 8.9mm thick

• Dell Venue 11 Pro
• Intel Atom Quad-core processor / Intel Haswell Core i5
• 10.8-inch display (1920 x 1080, IPS)
• up to 8GB RAM
• 256GB storage + microSD
• WiDi + NFC + HDMI
• 10 hour removable battery