Latest News

While we live in a world where people use their thumbs to type on touchscreens, the pen remains one of the most used tools in human history to date. As we gear up for the imminent arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in the next few days, Samsung have come out with an article describing the role of various pens in human history with perhaps the inclusion of Samsung's own S Pen stylus. Currently available on Samsung devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and other Galaxy Note devices, the S Pen can be used to replace your mouse and keyboard while giving your thumbs a rest as well. Check out Samsung's take on the role of pens (and the S Pen) in this article or see our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as well.

DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd recently announced that they are looking for two inspiring youths to participate and represent Malaysia in the Telenor Youth Forum 2015 (TYF2015). The Telenor Youth Forum gathers young opinion leaders from 13 countries across Asia and Europe for a global dialogue in Oslo, Norway from 8 December 2015 and 11 December 2015. The topic this year is 'Knowledge for All', addressing questions like How will access to information and knowledge impact people, business and communities, and in what ways will societies transform when knowledge becomes available to all? What role does technology play in bringing knowledge for all, and are there really limits to what technology can achieve? Participants must be aged from 18 to 28 years old and if you are interested or know someone who should be involved, apply at digi.my/tyf by 15 September 2015. Winners will be announced in early November 2015. You can also join in atwww.facebook.com/TelenorYouthForum or on Twitter @TelenorGroup. 

“We believe our young Internet generation is uniquely positioned to predict and advise on how to build a better digital future for all. They clearly understand that access to knowledge empowers learning and literacy that are fundamental to create sustainable growth and development opportunities for society, and that mobile Internet is a key enabler of this reality. With TYF2015, we are challenging youths to unearth interesting insights on how enabling Internet for all impacts people, learning and society at large to help shape the future of their countries.” Quah Yean Nie, Digi’s Head of Communications and Sustainability 

DiGi recently announced its 5th Digi CyberSAFE Schools Programme and month-long Video Script Competition in collaboration with CyberSecurity Malaysia, Childline Malaysia and the Ministry of Education. The Digi CyberSAFE Schools Programe is designed to improve awareness of students and teachers to protect themselves digitally on the Internet, teaching safe online practices and positive digital citizenship. In conjunction with this, DiGi also launched their Digi CyberSAFE Video Script Competition from 7 August 2015 to 31 August 2015 for all secondary schoolchildren to submit scripts or homemade video of not more than 5 minutes on Internet Safety and Resiliency. Winners may walk away with an RM2000 grand prize and RM1000 runner-up prize. The CyberSAFE in School 2015 Survey will also be carried out to understand the various new online risks encountered by our children along with their current level of Digital resiliency. Here's what DiGi had to say about it:

“We are committed in enabling the internet for more people in Malaysia and are looking to inspire as well as ensure a family-friendly and safe internet experience for all, especially children by building digital resilience and fostering responsible digital citizenship among them. As part of our ‘Empowering Societies’ initiative, we at Digi are dedicated in protecting the young ones from the rising risk of cyber threats and look towards encouraging the positive use of the internet. Aside from awareness workshops in schools and training teachers, the programme has also attained zero rate calls to the Childline 15999, developed content such as the edutainment video, and has worked with Interpol to block child sexual abuse material sites. We at Digi strive to make the internet a safe environment for everyone” Philip Ling, Digi’s Programme Manager for Sustainability 

Xiaomi recently announced that it will manufacture devices locally in India in support of the current 'Make in India' Initiative. Partnering with Foxconn Technology Group, this initiative has resulted in the announcement of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, a version of the Redmi 2 with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage for 6999 rupees (RM431) that is to be manufactured wholly in India. Other tech specs and features include a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 4.7-inch HD display and dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity. Production on the Redmi 2 Prime has already begun at the Sri City factory with units produced there to be sold in India. No Malaysia release dates yet for a Redmi 2 Prime here but it could eventually mean more affordable Xiaomi devices in the future. 

The new ASUS ZenPad tablets set to replace their Fonepads are coming to Malaysia soon. Set for an August release, we've just received our invite for an upcoming sneak peak of the devices. So far, we're expecting the ASUS ZenPad C 7.0 and ASUS ZenPad 7.0 to make an appearance, but the ASUS ZenPad 8 could make a surprise entrance as well. The first two are powered by the new Intel Atom x3 processor formerly known as SoFIA and will feature integrated 3G connectivity. Previous leaks that we've received show a stylish yet very slim and thin profile for all those large phone enthusiasts out there with other features including DTS-HD audio technology and more. No actual Malaysia release dates yet, but pricing details have been revealed to start from RM499. Stay tuned and we'll keep you updated as to new developments soon.

Another day, another leak, this time about a possible Huawei smartphone. This time the smartphone bearing the model number CRR-UL00 could be either the Huawei Mate 7 mini or Huawei Mate 7 Plus. Caught running AnTuTu, tech specs for the device include an octa-core Kirin processor (possibly the Kirin 930 or 935), 3GB RAM, a 4.7-inch FHD display, rear fingerprint scanner, 13MP rear camera with Sony IMX278 sensor and Android 5.1.1. Rumoured to come with an full metal body, the device is expected to get announced on 2 September 2015 at the upcoming IFA. Do take this rumour with a pinch of salt though, but as the source is @evleaks himself it seems very likely. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet though but stay tuned for more developments.

As if chasing down the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, reports indicate that the next Apple iPhone, rumoured to be called the Apple iPhone 6S could be coming on 9 September 2015. So far, there are surprisingly not that many leaks as previously but according to rumours the new iPhone 6S could have features that include a Force Touch Display, a Series 7000 aluminum (said to be 60% tougher than previous) yet maintain more or less the same look and feel as the previous Apple iPhone 6. Other devices said to feature alongside the new iPhone include the Apple iPad Pro and a possible plastic backed Apple iPhone 6C following in the footsteps of the iPhone 5C. Hopefully, Apple have learnt where they went wrong and will offer improvements but with all rumours, do take this with a good pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details, but we expect everything to come to Malaysia in October or November 2015. 

We certainly liked the recent ASUS ZenFone 2 but it seems ASUS have plans for improvement with a new sub-range of ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser smartphones each coming wtih Laser autofocus, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, 16GB storage + microSD support, a 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, 5MP front camera, dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity and 3000 mAh battery. There will be three versions in this sub-range with one version having a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM and 5.5-inch display. The medium version retains the 5.5-inch display but ups the processor to a Snapdragon 615 along with 3GB RAM. The third version will include the Snapdragon 615 processor and 3GB RAM but increase the size with a 6-inch display. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but the most basic ZenFone 2 Laser will start from 10000 rupees (RM612), while the medium version will go for 14000 rupees (RM857). The largest version will go for 18000 rupees (RM1102).

At the recent ASUS ZenFestival in India, ASUS announced a ZenFone with a massive 5000 mAh battery called the ASUS ZenFone Max. Unlike some of the other new announcements, the ZenFone Max goes for a design more like the original ZenFone range with no volume controls on the backplate. It does offer a metallic frame though along with physical capacitive keys below the 5.5-inch display. It also comes with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4 along with a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP PixelMaster camera with laser autofocus and dual-tone LED flash along with a 5MP front camera. It should have Dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity as well. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details for the ZenFone Max yet but it is expected sometime in October 2015. Asides from the battery and cameras, other features are decidedly entry-level to midrange so we expect a price tag of below RM1K, perhaps around RM799 to RM899 but we should know more in the next few months.

The upcoming ASUS ZenPad C 7.0 tablet packing in the latest Intel Atom x3 (SoFIA) processor pricing has been revealed via local distributor Dynamics Distribution and their Facebook Page at RM499. Tech specs include 1GB RAM, dual-SIM dual 3G standby and more. Along with the ZenPad C 7.0, it was also revealed that the ASUS ZenFone C with 2GB RAM would also be available at RM399 via SatuGadgetDotCom. Tech specs for the enhanced ZenFone C remain mostly the same though with the with the extra addition of 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. In related news, ASUS Malaysia currently have their ASUS ZenPower 9600 mAh powerbanks officially available on their ASUS Store at just RM59.