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In line with Sony's 6-month release schedule for their devices, they have rather quietly announced their new Sony Xperia Z3+ smartphone. This time around, the main changes are the processor, front camera and the storage as the Xperia Z3+ packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 5MP front camera with wide-angle lens and 32GB storage. Other tech specs and features remain nearly identical though, but the new Xperia Z3+ is slightly slimmer and thinner, resulting in a slightly smaller 2930 mAh battery. The design remains the same however along with the IP68 water resistant certification. The tech specs that have also remained the same include the 20.7MP Sony Exmor rear camera and 5.2-inch full HD Triluminous display. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but we expect it to appear soon.

Red and gold are already a pretty nice colour combination but this time around we finally get the official announcement for the Iron Man Samsung Galaxy S6 edge in conjunction with the recent Avengers 2: Age of Ultron movie. Featuring the aforementioned colours with the gold accents for the metal parts, this version of the Galaxy S6 Edge certainly looks nice and the bundled wireless charger has also been rebranded to look like an arc reactor (that thing in the center of Iron Man's chest). Tech specs and features should remain the same as the 64GB storage version though, but we expect the price to be a bit higher than the current retail pricing of RM3599. You do get an Iron Man theme, box and extra back casing though. For now, there are still no Malaysia release dates as it will be going Korea first on 27 May 2015, followed by China and Hong Kong in June. Check out the official unboxing video in this article.

Xiaomi's latest flagship smartphone the Xiaomi Mi 4i has been announced globally and officially here in Malaysia though it will only be available on 28 May 2015 (this Thursday) for RM749. While it packs in similar tech specs with the Mi 4, the Mi 4i goes for a plastic back which is currently only available in white, but more colours are also available. Stand out features include a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 5-inch full HD display with Sunlight Display tech for outdoor viewing, 4G LTE connectivity and a large 3120 mAh battery. Other tech specs include 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (no microSD slot), a 13MP f/2.0 rear camera with 5-element lens, 5MP f/1.8 front camera with wide angle lens and dual SIM support. Xiaomi Malaysia will offer the Mi 4i at RM749 on 28 May 2015 from 12PM in conjunction with their 1st Anniversary celebrations which will also include priority sales for loyal fans, various accessory bundles, discount vouchers and more.

The ASUS ZenFone 2 is really making waves as an affordable yet performance-level smartphone. It turns out that it also has a tool to make the transfer from your old smartphone easier, allowing you to transfer stuff like contacts, calender and bookmark data to your new ASUS ZenFone 2. While it has a whole bunch of different smartphones to choose from like Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Lenovo and LG, it seems that this is the perfect tool for those who previously got an ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 or ZenFone 6 to transfer your data over. Personally, I did it with my ASUS PadFone S as the list of models available is both comprehensive and up-to-date. The transfer is done via bluetooth though, so make sure your phone supports bluetooth if you intend to use the Data Transfer tool for your new ASUS ZenFone 2.

We previously reported on the ASUS ZenPad 7 but now pics and tech specs of the ASUS ZenPad 8 have also appeared. Rumoured to be coming at Computex 2015 next week the ZenPad 7 is rumoured to have a 7-inch display with 600 x 1024 pixel resolution. However, the ZenPad 8 reportedly may have an 8-inch display with 1536 x 2048 pixel resolutions. Quite obviously, the ZenPad 8 is likely meant to rival the Apple iPad mini with Retina Display and probably will be a bit more expensive. Since the ZenPad 7 is rumoured to come with an Intel Atom x3 processor it makes more sense for the ZenPad 8 to also come with an Intel Atom x3 processor as well, but it will likely be higher clocked and come with 3G or 4G LTE connectivity. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but the ZenPad 7 is rumoured to come at $160 (RM579). We shouldn't have to wait too long to find out, so stay tuned for more developments.

While it looks like the Apple Watch may not be coming to Malaysia officially anytime soon, third-party sellers like SatuGadgetDotCom and DirectD are now selling it here in Malaysia. Granted, choices are limited to the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch versions but both sellers provide fairly good aftersales services. Pricing starts from RM1769 and both the 38mm and 42mm size versions are also available but you can probably find cheaper pricing at other lesser known sellers. Originally, pricing for the Apple Watch began from $349 (RM1263) but you have to expect this kind of price increase for something as premium as the Apple Watch. No news yet on an official Malaysia release date or pricing details, but if it does come, it will likely be at the end of the year with the new Apple iPhone.

How do you improve on a good smartphone like the ASUS ZenFone? You add on more useful  features and make it prettier than before, or at least that's how it seems with the ASUS ZenFone 2. We managed to do some hands-on time with the new and improved ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551MLsmartphone with tech specs that includes a 64-bit Intel processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage and a 5.5-inch full HD display. Apart from these features the new ZenFone 2 moved the power button to the top, volume controls to the back along with a brushed metal-like backplate. Check out our hands-on video of the ZenFone 2 in this article.

TechNave.com recently had the opportunity to interview Intel Rockstars at the recent Intel Intelligent Generations showcase in Penang. These Rockstars included the design team from Intel Malaysia responsible for the Intel Compute Stick and 5th Generation Intel Core processors along with the Intel Singapore team in charge of the Intel Atom X3. According to these Intel Rockstars, the Intel Compute Stick was initially created on the theme of miniturization, trying to see how small they could make an effective x86 based machine. Powered by an Intel Atom processor, the Compute Stick plugs into any HDMI-ready display or HDTV and turns it into a desktop PC. While there are still no plans for an Intel Core M powered Compute Stick or one with a discrete graphic card (we asked, they said not yet) they are open to suggestions, with coming Compute Stick devices perhaps offering other options instead.

Regarding the Intel Atom X3 processor formerly known as SoFIA, the Intel Singapore team revealed that they have already been provided to manufacturers. This jives with rumours about the upcoming Intel Atom X3 powered ASUS ZenPad. However, they did admit that these processors have been provided earlier to China-brand manufacturers partly because of China's larger tech ecosystem and market and also as a testing ground for other markets. As such, we should see other Intel Atom X3 powered devices within 2015. What does this mean for normal consumers? Well, considering that the Intel Atom X3 packs in built-in 3G/4G LTE connectivity at lower price points it could mean more affordable tablets and smartphones in the near future. So if you're looking to buy an Intel powered tablet we'd recommend waiting for a while first. We shouldn't have to wait too long though as this next wave of Intel Atom X3 powered devices are expected in the next couple of months.

Intel recently held their Intelligent Generations showcase in Penang displaying the recent achievements and products from Intel including the newly launched Intel Compute Stick, Intel Atom X3 processors and 5th Generation Intel Core processors and their relevant devices. TechNave were thankfully on hand to cover all of this with the main event being the launch for the Intel Compute Stick. Designed to be a portable x86 Windows 8.1 desktop you can bring in your pocket, the lightweight Compute Stick plugs into any HDMI port for display or HDTV and turns it into a fully fledged desktop PC. A demo of the device showed that it could load large Microsoft PowerPoint files with as fast a performance as standard desktops and play games like Minecraft.

Granted, you may have to use Bluetooth enabled keyboards and mice to control it, but the Compute Stick brings a new device form factor to the current computing environment. Priced at RM599 for the Windows 8.1 version it will be made available sometime in June 2015 or afterwards. An Ubuntu (a Linux based operating system) powered version is also expected for RM499. At this price point we can see this being used as the family or living room PC especially for those who already have a HDTV or HDMI ready display. Intel envisions even more use-case scenarios including digital signage, education and more. Check out the full tech specs and features in this article.

The rumoured OPPO R7 and a larger OPPO R7 Plus version have been officially announced for 2499 CNY (RM1451) and 2999 CNY (RM1741) respectively. Featuring a semi-curved 2.5D glass front for an almost bezel-free look, the two smartphones also have metal unibody frames and more. These tech specs include a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 3GB RAM, 13MP F2.2 rear camera and 8MP F2.4 front camera. The differences in features are mostly in terms of size as the R7 sports a 5-inch display while the R7 Plus has 6-inch version. Both offer full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolutions but the larger R7 Plus features a bigger 4100 mAh batery and a fingerprint scanner. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but there should be more developments coming soon.