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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.

While the Sony Smart Shot or Interchangeable Wireless Lens cameras for smartphones have yet to be officially named or announced, a leaked press release has confirmed many of the features and tech specs rumoured for the two available models. So far, these models remain the Sony QX100 and QX10 and according to the press release will be announced on 4 September at 4pm in London. Tech specs and features are mostly confirmed as the higher-end QX100 will get a 20.1MP Exmor R CMOS sensor but adds a wide aperture ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens with 3.6x optical zoom and Bionz image processor. The QX10 on the other hand will get an 18.2MP Exmore R sensor with 10x optical zoom Sony G lens with a weight of just 113g. The QX100 will be priced at $500 (RM1651) while the QX10 will be priced at $250 (RM826). The video certainly looks official and seems to indicate that the mounting system will be built-in while the wireless lens itself will connect via the Sony PlayMemories app (which is available for both iOS and Android). No news on release dates in Malaysia but we'll probably get that information by tomorrow.

Rounding off the range of HTC smartphones is the entry-level HTC Desire 300, which was officially announced alongside the mid-range HTC Desire 601. Tech specs and features for the HTC Desire 300 include a 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor with a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 512MB of RAM and about 1.2GB worth of available storage. Like the earlier announced HTC Desire 601, the HTC Desire 300 packs in a 5MP camera with no UltraPixels but does offer a F/2.8 aperture and 34mm lens. The 1650 mAh battery is removable and the smartphone also supports microSD cards. The name itself may be different but the tech specs match up with the earlier rumoured HTC Desire 601 mini which then got a supposed name change to the HTC Z3. While it doesn't offer HTC Zoe it does come with BlinkFeed which could explain the limited amount of available storage. Set for release in October 2013, there were no exact Malaysia release dates or pricing but the overall design follows that of the HTC Desire 601.

We said it would happen and it has as Microsoft recently acquired Nokia for $7.17 billion (RM23.6 billion). The deal covers Nokia's Devices and Services along with the right to license Nokia's various phone patents. According to Microsoft, they will get the cash from overseas resources and close the deal by Q1 of 2014. Nokia are getting something out of it as well as Stephan Elop, Nokia CEO will get to lead the Microsoft Devices team where the rest of Nokia's employees will join him. The current head, Julie Larson-Green will focus instead on the Xbox and Surface devices. While this could result in a Microsoft Nokia Lumia Windows Phone, Microsoft have said that they will be keeping things short, so you can probably expect Microsoft Lumias and Ashas to hit the shelves soon. With Steve Balmer's impending retirement on the horizon, Stephan Elop looks like the most promising candidate for next head of Microsoft but it also means that he needs to step up Microsoft's new phone business, which looks more and more difficult with Nokia's resulting drop in share price. So far no news on when we'll all be using Microsoft Asha or Lumia phones but expect things to start shaking up here in Malaysia as these two gigantic companies shift gears. Microsoft will still support other Windows Phone partners like HTC and Samsung.

The mid-range smartphone formerly known as the HTC Zara was officially released as the HTC Desire 601 recently. Confirming pretty much all the rumoured tech specs, features and leaked images, the HTC Desire 601 will pack in a 1.4GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 4.5-inch display (960 x 540), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage + microSD support and weigh in at 130g. Unfortunately, the rear camera is not Ultrapixel, instead it will be a 5MP AutoFocus f/2.0 aperture camera while the front camera is just a 0.3MP VGA camera. Other changes include just Sense 5.0 but this also means that Zoe and BlinkFeed gets included as well. It will support 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and GPS though. The HTC Desire 601 will be released in October 2013 for selected markets in Africa, Europe and the Middle East but no exact release dates for Malaysia. The only thing left unclarified would be the price which is still pending, but should be cleared up during the local launch.

When we first covered the early rumours about a wireless lens, WVIL or the Wireless Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens came up way before the now upcoming Sony Smart Shot wireless lens. Released way back in 2011, the WVIL system isn't a real wireless lens but actually a concept exploring the possibilities of the wireless lens. Put up by the Artefact Group, it offered a look into what they thought would be the natural progression of digital photography with smartphones. While the Sony Smart Shot wireless lens could have come from a different source, the Artefact Group has explored the concept of a wireless lens so fully that there are even concept renders of possible accessories and even an easier to use camera app. We're practically days away from the unveiling of the Sony Smart Shot but if you'd like a possible view at the future of wireless lens check out the pics and videos here.

More images of the upcoming interchangeable wireless lens system for smartphones from Sony have appeared. TheSony Smart Shot wireless lens will still probably arrive in two versions, namely the higher-end Sony DSC-QX100 and consumer compact level Sony DSC-QX10. The new images show how the lens will connect to the frame which seems to be adjustable. The images confirm that the wireless lens will likely connect magnetically also confirming that they will probably be standalone systems complete with their own batteries and other features. No new tech spec information about the wireless lens so we assume that the previously outlined specs are correct. The official reveal should be within the next couple of days or during the IFA 2013 event but no exact details were available on release dates for Malaysia.

With the IFA 2013 event upon us, Acer has officially launched it's Acer Liquid S2 as the World's first smartphone with the ability to record 4K video. Powered by a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, this 6-inch phablet offers full HD IPS display for 368ppi protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Other tech specs and features include a 3300 mAh battery, 16GB storage and microSD support up to 128GB. It packs in a 13MP rear camera with 28mm wide-angle lens with a backside illuminated sensor. The 2MP front camera also has an ultra-wide 88 degree 24mm BSI sensor and supports 1080p video recording.

The Acer Liquid C2 captures 4K Ultra HD video at 60 frames per second and can also do slow motion video. At 166 x 86 x 8.9mm the phablet is quite thin and supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, 3G and GPS. At the event, Acer said that it would launch the smartphone late October 2013 in Europe but no detailed information on Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet. According to related news, the Acer Liquid S2 achieves 4K video recording not through it's camera sensor but through the Snapdragon 800 chipset, which may make the chipset synonymous with 4K video recording in general.