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Huawei recently made several important announcements at CES 2015. One of them was their partnership with the Omlet open social platform, which will be featured on upcoming Huawei devices. Some of the key features coming from this collaboration includes Share-First wich will enable users to take a photo and share it without first unlocking their device. Another feature will be Theme Share, allowing Huawei device owners to share their current customizations with friends. While no exact Malaysia release dates were mentioned the Omlet open social platform should start appearing in Huawei devices later in 2015. 

During the CES 2015 event, Huawei also kicked off their Hilink era which is a strategy to offer fully integrated mobile Internet solutions globally. The solution basically caters to the Internet of Things which through Huawei devices like the Huawei MediaPad X1 and TalkBand B1 allow access to connected smart devices such as an electric fan, sockets, remote control lighting and more. While no major device announcements were made, Huawei showcased all of their recent smartphones and devices including the Huawei Ascend Mate 7, Huawei Honor 6, Huawei Honor 6 Plus, Huawei Ascend P7,Huawei Ascend G7 and more.

The highest-end smartphone in the current batch of Samsung Galaxy A series was officially announced with the Samsung Galaxy A7 recently. There will be two versions of the Galaxy A7 with one featuring a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor and Dual SIM support while another version offers a 32-bit octa-core Exynos 5430 processor and single SIM support. Other tech specs for both Galaxy A7 versions includes a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolutions, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, microSD support, a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 4G LTE Cat4 connectivity and a 2600 mAh battery. While there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, it seems likely that the Galaxy A7 will be coming soon as it is packing Android 4.4 and not Android 5.0 Lollipop. Other notable features includes a private mode for better security, multi-screen mode for multi-tasking and ultra wide shot for the selfie front camera. While we don't have any specific Malaysia release dates or pricing details the Galaxy A7 is expected to come to Malaysia in February 2015 for RM1499 based on previous coverage of the Malaysia Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 launch. Check out our hands-on pictures of the Galaxy A7 in this article.

Rumours about the first 64-bit Huawei smartphone have popped up complete with a picture and tech specs. Called the Huawei G628, it offers a 64-bit 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 5-inch 720p display, 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 2MP front camera, 3G LTE and Android 4.4 KitKat. It seems a bit strange that it won't come out with Android 5.0 Lollipop but our earlier coverage of the Huawei Honor 3C Lite led to some face to face time with Huawei officials who said that Android Lollipop would be coming to Huawei devices before or within Q2 of 2015. As usual, no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but the Huawei G628 is expected to cost CNY1000 (RM573). As always, do take such rumours with a good pinch of salt.

Shown off recently at CES 2015, the Polaroid Selfie smartphone features a dual LED flash 13MP rotateable camera very similar to the earlier released OPPO N1. In fact, it is so similar as to be an almost blatant copy. This includes the same white body, rounded corners and rounded back. Tech specs and features are decidedly different with an octa-core MediaTek processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5.5-inch display with 720p resolution and Android 5.0 Lollipop, but OPPO are definitely not amused. Here's what OPPO had to say about it:

It was recently reported that the Polaroid Selfie smartphone released at the CES 2015 has a remarkably similar design to the patented rotating camera phone OPPO N1. However, OPPO has not licensed the design of the rotating camera to any third parties, nor has us done that in any OEM way. We will continue to keep track of the event and reserves the right to take further legal action.

OPPO is committed to delivering our customers with the most delightful electronic experience that is full of surprises through meticulous designs and smart technology. OPPO holds strong respect to intellectual properties and any innovation of technology and design. Sustainable innovation sits at the core of our business, and has made OPPO being a mostly talked new brand in the mobile industry.

OPPO does not stop here with the rotating camera on N1. An upgraded model, the N3, was launched in late 2014 featuring a motorised rotating ‘selfie’ camera, which could rotate for 206 degrees and makes new shooting modes like auto panaroma possible. Perfect for hands free selfies!

Some folks may think it is okay for OPPO to be copied so blatantly as many other Chinese companies have so blatantly copied designs from elsewhere, but that doesn't make this right in any way. We expect there to be a court case or at least a cease and desist order soon. For more details and pics on the OPPO N1, check out our OPPO N1 review.

The OPPO U3 has been officially announced and unfortunately it's 13MP rear camera will not pack a 4x optical zoom. Other tech specs and features for the OPPO U3 include a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5.9-inch full HD 1080p display, 13MP rear camera with fixed focal lens and 5MP front camera with LED flash. It will also come with 4G LTE connectivity, 4K video recording and a dedicated AK4961 audio processor for clearer sound. The overall design looks rather thin and flat with rounded edges, a metallic strip running along the sides, a protruding rear camera and a diamond pattern on the back. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but it is expected to arrive on 14 January 2015 for China. The OPPO U3 follows closely on the heels of theASUS ZenFone Zoom which offers a similar sized display but packs in 3x optical zoom. Stay tuned for more developments.

ASUS Malaysia recently announced that their online portal the ASUS Store now accepts online banking through Fpx to pay for the various ASUS ZenFone smartphones available at the site. Previously the ASUS Store only accepted payment through credit card or cash-on-delivery (CoD). This means that you can now pay using Maybank2u, CIMB, Public Bank, Hong Leong, Bank Islam and RHB online banking. In related news, the ASUS Store is currently holding a New Year Flash Sale with the ASUS ZenFone 4 going for RM269 with a free bumper case. If you need help deciding feel free to check out our detailed ASUS ZenFone 4 review. ASUS Malaysia also announced that they recently sold more than 600000 ASUS ZenFone smartphones here in Malaysia so as a reward a special promotion will be available on 12 January 2015, so stay tuned for further developments.

ASUS Malaysia recently announced their Face the Future global contest for their ASUS ZenWatch smartwatch. Beginning from 10 January 2015 (today) to 10 February 2015 you can send in your own ZenWatch watch face design which could become one of the standard watch faces included with the ASUS ZenWatch. Winners will win the ASUS ZenWatch with a prize for 6 categories including Overall Gold Medal, Best Beauty in Design, Best Practical Design, Best Creative Design, Best Student Design Award and Fan Favorite. In addition, 3 more ASUS ZenWatch smartwatches will also be up for grabs in a lucky draw for users who vote for their favourite designs, so everyone wins. Check out the ASUS ZenWatch site for more details or go and download the ASUS ZenWatch Watch Face Template for your entry in the Face the Future contest. Still no news on Malaysia release dates, but considering this Face the Future contest we expect the ASUS ZenWatch to make an appearance in Malaysia soon, probably after the contest ends, so stay tuned for more developments. 

China continues it's March towards smartphone domination with the recent announcement of the Beidu Little Pepper 6 smartphone. Retailing for just $193 (RM688) it's most notable features include a 20MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, 4G LTE, IR blaster and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covering the 5-inch display with a 720p pixel resolution. Other tech specs are rather entry-level though with a 64-bit quad-core 1.5GHz MediaTek processor, 1GB RAM and 16GB storage. The overall design looks very similar with the Huawei Honor 6, complete with a metal frame and a 7.1mm thin chassis. No news yet about any Malaysia release dates and pricing details, but it could come up from third-party sellers here in Malaysia.

The Samsung Galaxy A5, one of the company's first metal body mid-range smartphone was announced last month. Now, a Vietnamese gold plating company called Karalux is offering a special gold plated Samsung Galaxy A5 variant for an additional $200. Karalux specializes in the customization of phones and supercars and has a number of gold plated models of famous flagships like the Apple iPad Air 2, Apple iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 under its belt. As for the mid-range A5, Karalux has gold plated the entire aluminum body of the phone with 24K gold. The end result is a gold Galaxy A5 with some plastic patches left on the top, back and the bottom. The company claims that it takes around 4 hours to complete the process. Interested users can also ask for a custom design on the back plate of the device. Even with the $200 (RM711) additional charge, the total cost of the Galaxy A5 comes to around $610 (RM2169). That's a decent price for a gold plated device. As for the tech specs, the A5 comes with a Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 5-inch 720p display and 13MP rear camera. The regular version of the Galaxy A5 is already available starting from today.    

The Consumer Electronics Show held at Las Vegas every year is a platform for major tech manufacturers to showcase their new technology. Kwikset, the residential lock manufacturer was also present at this event. The company unveiled a brand new extension service called as the Kwikset Kevo Plus which works with its existing Kevo platform to enable remote lock / unlock access to these Bluetooth enabled residential locks. The new Kevo Plus connects to your Kevo account and can remotely lock and unlock your doors from any part of the world. Unlike the traditional Kevo app, where users had to send e-keys to guests and friends via the app in order to unlock the door, this new service provides access to the door lock directly to you. The Kevo Plus service comes with a free Bluetooth LE receiver which connects to your router and the Kevo Bluetooth enabled door lock. As soon as you send the command to unlock the door, this receiver forwards that command to the door lock and it unlocks automatically. The home owner will also receive notifications when someone else with a key locks / unlocks the door. Read more about the Kevo remote access features on the official Kwikset website. Meanwhile check out this video to see how Kiwkset's Kevo locks work.