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Apple has released invitations for a possible reveal event on 10 September 2013 for the US, but has also released invitations for an event in China on 11 September 2013. Other invitations were also sent out for Japan and Germany. All invitations feature the same colourful dot design but rumours are that the China version event may show off theApple iPad 5 as a new video showing off the iPad 5 parts compared to the Apple iPad 4 has surfaced. The video shows what we've been guessing for quite some time now, that the iPad 5 will feature a more iPad Mini look with narrower bezels and thinner design.

Going for the usual internal tech spec refresh is the official announcement for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. Offering up the same artificial leather backplate look as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the tablet offers an impressive 10.1-inch screen with 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution and 299ppi pixel density. Like the Note 3, it will offer 2 processor and chipset options which include the 1.9GHz Octa core processor or the 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 with LTE support version. Other features include 3GB of RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB storage, microSD support, an 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and larger 8220 mAh battery. Samsung have also managed to cut down the tablet to a thinner 243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9mm and a lighter 535g, all powered by Android 4.3.

This isn't the first time we've seen the Asus Transformer Book Trio as this unique 2-for-1 dual-boot deal showed up earlier in June packing a bit less power. This IFA 2013 release offers the same tablet plus desktop capable keyboard dock, but at rather newer and higher-end tech specs which include:

For the Tablet:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2760 processor
• 11.6-inch 1080p screen
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB / 32GB / 64GB storage
• Android 4.2.

For the Keyboard Dock:

• Intel Core i7 Haswell processor
• 4GB RAM
• 1TB storage

While it was leaked complete with tech specs, the Asus FonePad 7 finally gets the official announcement. Going for more or less the same look and feel of tablet with phone capabilities, the FonePad 7 takes up where the original Asus FonePad left off. Featuring a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 with tech specs that include a 7-inch 1280 x 800 pixel screen, a 5MP rear camera, 8GB/16GB/32GB storage, 1.2MP front camera, 10.5mm thinness, weighs 340g and has a 10-hour battery, the FonePad 7 ups the internals somewhat by offering the better screen. Hopefully the revamp won't see too much of an increase in price as the original FonePad was rather well known for it's budget capabilities. Unfortunately, there isn't any news yet on pricing for the Asus FonePad 7 and no Malaysia release dates too. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted as to any new developments.

Asus are really gunning for the tablet market with 2 new releases consisting of the Asus MeMo Pad 8 and the Asus MeMo Pad 10. The MeMo Pad 8 has tech specs which include a 1.6Ghz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB storage, an 8-inch IPS screen with 1280 x 800 pixel resolutions, a 5MP rear camera, a 1.2MP front camera and a 3950 mAh battery. Weighing in at 350g the MeMo Pad 8 can last up to 9 hours worth of 720p HD video playback on normal settings and offers a rounded slate look with narrow bezels. The MeMo Pad 10 features the exact same specs except that it weighs 522g, has a smaller 2MP rear camera, 16GB of storage and a 5070 mAh battery, allowing it to run for 9.5 hours on the same 720p HD video playback. Both use Android 4.2 and are aimed at the budget crowd.  Unfortunately, no Malaysia release dates were available at the time and there wasn't any exact pricing news either.

Asus also had quite a few announcements to make with the official announcement of the Asus Fonepad Note FHD6. The Asus Fone pad Note FHD6 also known as FonePad Note 6 and it goes down a number from the standard 7-inches and offers a 6-inch tablet phone. For some reason or another Asus don't want to call the Note 6 a phablet but that is pretty much what it is, complete with built-in stylus. It features a dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 (brand new). Tech specs for the FonePad Note 6 include a 6-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel screen, 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.2MP front camera, 16GB/32GB storage, Android 4.2.2 and packs a 3200 mAh battery. Despite it's smaller size measures 10.3mm thin (making it quite thick actually) and weighs in at 210g (which is a bit less than the larger phablets). Quite obviously, the Asus FonePad Note 6 aims for the performance phablet market. Unfortunately, there isn't any news yet on pricing and no Malaysia release dates too. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted as to any new developments.

After months of leaks and rumours, the Sony Xperia Z1 or previously known as Honami finally gets officially announced. Combining the best of Sony according to the One Sony initiative it puts in an awesome 20.7MP, F2.0 aperture 27mm wide-angle G Lens equipped camera sensor into a thin yet stylish glass covered smartphone. The smartphone itself is IP58 waterproof and features the now familiar OmniBalance design. The main focus of the Z1 remains the camera though as it packs in 3x clear zoom, a BIONZ image processor, super fast shutter to capture time and a dedicated camera shutter button. Other tech specs are equally impressive as it offers a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, up to 64GB microSD, Android 4.2 and a 3000 mAh battery. According to Sony, the cameraphone has up to 14 hours talk time and also utilizes pixel-binning like the Lumia 1020. This pixel-binning seems to offer more sharpness and clarity rather than Lytro-like after zoom effects.

The 3rd generation phablet with the series that started the whole phablet trend is finally here with the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. While it may not be the largest phablet around anymore it does keep up appearances with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED Full HD screen, a new S Pen and some really impressive tech specs. As rumoured earlier, the Note 3 comes in 2 flavours, one with a 1.9GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor and another one with 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor. Both pack in 3GB RM, making the Note 3 the world's first smartphone to break the 2GB RAM limit. You also get 32GB / 64GB worth of storage and up to 64GB microSD. Other tech specs include a 13MP camera with LED flash and smart stabilization, which means the Snapdragon 800 version can record 4K video, probably at 1080p 60fps while 192KHz audio recording is also available.

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch was officially announced along with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Featuring a metallic chrome bezel it certainly looks better than the earlier leaked "prototypes" and comes in black, grey, red, yellow and white plastic watch straps. It confirms many tech spec rumours which include a camera, microphones and speaker built into the strap along with a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED screen that has a 320 x 320 pixel resolution. Tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Gear include an 800 MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB storage and a 1.9MB camera capable of taking 720p video. According to Samsung, while it only packs in a 315 mAh battery it should last "about a day" although they are unclear if this is 24 hours or an 8 hour working day.

Recently, the SOFTEC Asia 2013 was launched and will be held from 2 September 2013 to 5 September 2013 at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa. Hosted and sponsored by the Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB), this is the first SOFTEC event to go regional and focused on the sharing of knowledge amongst leading software test professionals within the ASEAN region. Following the theme "Test the Walk" the event covered various software testing conferences, talks and discussions along with some announcements. This included a roundtable discussions amongst CIOs or Chief Information Officers within the ASEAN region sharing information, challenges and solutions faced by CIOs in implementing smoothly working IT systems accross borders. The SOFTEC Asia 2013 event was officiated by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who also launched MSTB's Quality Software Product Certification Scheme.