Latest News

We've always liked metal-clad Samsung smartphones, perhaps because most Samsung smartphones are made from plastic, but it seems that they may soon come out with a refresh of the Samsung ATIV S. Asides from being one of the few Samsung smartphones with a metal backside it is also one of the few Windows Phone 8 smartphones from Samsung as well. Leaked by master leaker @evleaks, the new Samsung ATIV SE looks to retain the same brushed metal backside as before but has some upgraded tech specs as well. These tech specs include Windows Phone 8.1 and 4G LTE along with a full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution screen. So far, it looks to be just a Verizon-only phone, so it probably won't have a Malaysia release date or pricing here. Still, stay tuned for the latest updates.

The Samsung Galaxy Beam was one of the first mobile devices to pack in a built-in pico projector, however, it didn't do very well perhaps because of not-so-good tech specs and a rather bulky plastic build. Recently, a smartphone that looks to be the Samsung Galaxy Beam 2 was registered in Tenaa, China's mobile device database under the SM-G3858 model number. While it doesn't really name itself as the Galaxy Beam 2, the bump on the top looks remarkably similar but rather than go for a plastic build, this smartphone offers a brushed metal backside. Tech specs for the SM-G3858 include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, microSD support, 4.66-inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution along with Android 4.2.2. Measuring in at 11.6mm thick, it is still quite bulky but not as thick as the original Galaxy Beam which was 12.5mm. For now, it looks to be released in China first, with a possible global rollout and Malaysia release date sometime later in 2014. Stay tuned for more updates.

Samsung Malaysia has recently indicated that their latest Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone is coming to Malaysia as soon as 27 March 2014. This follows the teasers done by all the major telcos in Malaysia like DiGi, Celcom and Maxis and it is also ahead of the 11 April 2014 international roll-out date. While there aren't any other details, we expect the Samsung Galaxy S5 to be launched simultaneously by all three major telcos either on the same date or a day or so afterwards. We're expecting a rather big launch for each telco with big deals for the first-comers and early birds so keep 27 March 2014 and the days after open on your calendar. While there isn't any official pricing just yet, some local sites are estimating that it could go for RM2399.

While there are many 2.4GHz wireless keyboards out there, few offer as many features and control as the RANGER Handy Keyboard. Featuring 2.4GHz wireless technology this RF small sized keyboard offers a built-in 7mm Trackball and scroll wheel built into the keyboard. Located on the sides, these fatures offer a more ergonomic method of control for your home entertainment center, Smart TV, TV box and game console. It is also invaluable for meeting room presentations where mobility and control are necessary for success. With more than 15 hotkeys available, the RANGER Handy Keyboard offers any number of one-press shortcuts that you can easily use for your purposes. Tech specs and features for the RANGER Handy Keyboard include:

• 2.4GHz RF
• Up to 10 meters
• 55 +/- 10g
• 5 million times Life Cycle
• 0.5 Watts max power consumption
• features 15 Hot Keys, Trackball, Click & Right Click Keys,
• 7mm Trackball (@ 1000/1200/1600dpi)
• 2 x AAA alkaline batteries
• 271.5(L) x 122(W) x 24(H) mm | 300 +/- 20g
• Supports Windows XP with MCE/Vista/Windows 7

While there are still no leaked images (the one above is just a concept render) of the upcoming rumoured Google LG smartwatch, tech specs of the device have been leaked courtesy of @evleaks. According to the master leaker, the smartwatch will have a 1.65-inch IPS display with 280 x 280 pixel resolution 512MB RAM and 4GB storage. While we still don't have any Malaysia release dates or pricing, many are expecting the Google LG smartwatch to make an appearance in June 2014 at the Google I/O event. Rumours also indicate that Google is working on a version of Android designed for a smartwatch (and other smaller devices) which will be used for the Google LG smartwatch.

Rounding off the telco tease for the Samsung Galaxy S5 is Maxis who just put up a teaser page. Like Celcom, it isn't a Registration of Interest page. Nor does it give away any other details. With this sort of build-up we're expecting all three telcos to come out with the Samsung Galaxy S5 with a bang on 11 April 2014, so keep that date open. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet though, so stay tuned for more updates.

In what is becoming a common occurance for flagship smartphones in Malaysia, Celcom has also released a teaser image for the Samsung Galaxy S5. While it doesn't show any tech specs or offer an Registration of Interest (ROI) page like DiGi it does confirm that we'll see the smartphone coming from Celcom soon. No news as to specific Malaysia release dates or pricing but we hope it will be with all four colours of Charcoal Black, Copper Gold, Electric Blue and Shimmery White included.

Nokia may soon join LG and Samsung as flexible battery makers when a patent from Nokia recently surfaced. The patent describes a ribbon-like battery strip which can bend, twist and roll up. Tech specs and features are not detailed but the patent does explain how the battery works, which is through an anode block and cathode block connected via a battery ribbon that is vacuum packaged. This ribbon battery is targeted at:

"mobile phone, a gaming device, a music player, a notebook computer, or a personal digital assistant."

However, with the way it can be rolled up, we're thinking it would be perfect as the wrist strap for a Nokia smartwatch, which still hasn't been entirely confirmed just yet. Since this is still just a patent, there is no news on when Nokia will make such a flexible battery or for how much, but it does indicate some interesting things coming from Nokia in the future.

The new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone utilizes Samsung's own ISOCELL technology for the camera sensor. Looking to explain why the smaller sized ISOCELL camera sensor is such an improvement, Samsung have released a video explaining how it works and what benefits it offers. This includes better performance, less noise and richer picture quality in low light conditions. Check out the video for yourself in this article.

For the most part, smartwatches and smartbands today are just companion Bluetooth remote control devices you wear on your wrist. You actually need your smartphone around for the smartwatch to work. However, there are some smartwatches that let you do away with the smartphone like the Neptune Pine and Goophone smartwatch, but the latest one is the Exetech XS-3. Following the slab of touchscreen school of design, the Exetech XS-3 is a fairly thick smartwatch that has no back cover for the battery underneath it. This battery comes in direct contact with your skin (and sweat) so we're a bit wary that you might short the smartwatch out (and yourself).