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HTC recently announced their take on the action camera, the HTC RE. Shaped like a small periscope, the camera can take photos and record videos using a 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor with 146-degree wide-angle lens at f/2.8. It has no on button, no viewfinder and works either on it's own or with both Android and iOS devices. Other tech specs include support for an up to 128GB microSD card and an 820 mAh battery. To turn it on, just hold it, the sensor on the grip will turn it on automatically. The only control on the RE is a large circular button on the corner, a short press takes a picture, a long press records a video and you can record 1080p video at 30fps or slow motion video at 720p.

Trend Micro recently launched their Maximum Security 2015 Cloud Edition security solution for cyber threats covering PC, Mac, Android and iOS users. The solution aims to protect users across social media, websites, emails and instant messaging with smart protection and identification of cyber threats. It even offers protection from phishing scam emails and even comes with a password manager and secure password generator. Social media networks covered by the solution includes Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter. The Trend Micro Maximum Security 2015 solution will be going for RM89 for 1 year for 1 device and RM139 for 1 year for 3 devices. For their Trend Micro Internet Security 2015, users can get 1 year for 1 device at RM69 along with Trend Micro Internet Security 2015 for 1 year and 3 devices at RM99. In addition, users who buy these products from the launch date till December 2014 will also get a free RM30 AEON shopping voucher.

In a brief media gathering recently, ASUS Malaysia launched new additions to their tablet line-up with the 64-bit ASUS Fonepad 8 FE380CG and 64-bit ASUS MeMo Pad 8 ME581CL. Both offer much slimmer bezels than before with an 8-inch display but the MeMo Pad 8 ME581CL is clearly the more premium of the two tablets. Despite that, the Fonepad 8 FE380CG packs in a number of notable features which include very loud, crisp and clear dual front speakers, dual-SIM capability and 3G connectivity to go with it's 64-bit 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z3530 processor. The MeMo Pad 8 is both thinner and lighter at 7.45mm thin and 299g featuring an 8-inch IPS display with full HD 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. This tablet also comes with 2GB RAM, 4G LTE Cat4, 802.11ac WiFi and NFC to go with it. It also has an AnyPen feature which lets you use a pencil or metal tip pen as a stylus. Check out the full tech specs list below:

• ASUS Fonepad 8 FE380CG
• 64-bit 1.33GHZ quad-core Intel Atom Z3530 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage + 5GB ASUS Webstorage + microSD (up to 64GB)
• 8-inch LED Backlight display (IPS, Anti-fingerprint coating, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution)
• 5MP rear camera (autofocus) + 2MP front camera
• 120 x 214 x 8.9mm | 310g
• supports 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Miracast
• features dual front speakers, dual-SIM and GPS
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• Available in black, gold, red and white
• RM649

ASUS are doing quite well with their new ZenFone range of smartphones and seem to be filling up every niche they can with the recent introduction of the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE (A500KL) and 4.5-inch display ASUS ZenFone 4 (A450CG). Now, rumours are saying that a 5.5-inch display ZenFone could be coming, perhaps to be called the ASUS ZenFone 5 A550CG? Rumours indicate that it would come with the next processor refresh for the ASUS ZenFone range, perhaps powered by Intel SoFIA processors. We expect some tech specs to remain the same such as 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, 4.5-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 2110 mAh battery. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but rumours indicate that it could come during CES 2015. Right now, ASUS seem to be filling up the niches according to screen size and connectivity, but so far they have no Selfie centric offerings just yet. An ASUS ZenFone smartphone with a 5MP front camera doesn't sound too far fetched though but with all of these rumours, do remember to take them with a pinch of salt.

It seems that HTC could be upping the selfie smartphone ante with a smartphone that has a 13MP front camera with dual LED flash. Apparently called the HTC Desire Eye, the smartphone will also pack in another 13MP camera with dual-LED flash on the rear. Coming courtesy of @upleaks, the rumour indicates that other tech specs and features could include a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB storage, a 2400 mAh batteyr and some form of IPx7 certification for water proofing. No details were available yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but HTC is expected to hold a press event tomorrow in New York but it could be for a different device entirely. Stay tuned for more updates soon.

The rumoured Samsung Galaxy A5 set to join the Galaxy Alpha recently got benchmarked at the GFX Benchmark test which revealed more detailed tech specs than before. Previously the Galaxy A5 or SM-A500 was rumoured to be packing a Snapdragon 400 processor, but the benchmark reveals that it could be using a 64-bit 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor. Other notable tech specs include a 4.8-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2300 mAh battery and Android 4.4.4 right out of the box. Press renders of what could be the Galaxy A5 were also revealed which you can see in this article.

The folks at TechRax did a drop test for all of the Apple iPhone smartphones. This included a side drop and front facing drop for each iPhone onto a hard driveway, revealing that while most of the iPhones can take a beating from the side, nearly all of them smashed from the front. Granted, the front of the Apple iPhone 3G did not shatter but this was mainly due to luck as it dropped on the side first. While it doesn't seem to show any difference from beginning to end, it does show that if you're going to get any Apple iPhone, the first thing you should do is get a shock-proof casing around it quick because an accidental front drop will probably result in a shattered screen. Check it out for yourself in this article.

While all of the major Malaysian Telcos have come out with their own teaser images and registration of interest page, Samsung Malaysia have already sent out the invites for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch. Our invite revealed that we'll all know a bit more on 15 October 2014. The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is expected to revitalise Samsung's flagging smartphone sales with tech specs that include:

• 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor / 1.9GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 5433 (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core)
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 54GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.7-inch display (Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution)
• 16MP rear camera (auto focus, Smart Optical Image Stabilization) + 3.7MP front camera (f1.9)
• supports WiFi 802.11 ac (MIMO), GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, IR LED, MHL 3.0, 4G LTE Cat 4 + 4G LTE Cat 6
• Features: Air Command, S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen input, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Voice Recorder, Heart rate sensor, Finger print scanner, UV sensor
• 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm | 176g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 3220 mAh battery (adaptive fast charging)

The Android 4.4 KitKat update for the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 is now available for download. Do note that ASUS Malaysia will be releasing the update in batches so if you haven't received the update notification yet, wait a while and it should be available soon. To update go to Settings > About > System Update > Check for update. As before, the update is supposed to be available for original ASUS Malaysia sets so do make sure which version you have first.

Intel Malaysia recently held a #GoFaster event to showcase their plans and outlook for tablet and smartphone processors in 2014 to 2015. George Chacko, Regional Director of Tablet Product Marketing at Intel APAC was on hand to provide this information in detail. While nothing new was really revealed, it did show everything Intel has planned for the rest of the year and next year. These Intel technologies and systems include 64-bit processors, Intel 4G LTE Cat6 connectivity, the upcoming 14nm Cherry Trail processors and the SoFIA integrated processors. Both the Cherry Trail and SoFIA processors are set for 2015 but it should bring about, faster, more connected and more affordable devices in the new year. Other notable technologies on the way to Intel powered tablets and smartphones include wireless charging, eye scanning biometrics and RealSense cameras. While there aren't any specific Malaysia release dates or pricing for upcoming Intel powered tablets and smartphones, Intel are working closely with all the big names including ASUS, Lenovo, Acer and much more. For those not in the know:

• Cherry Trail is the next architecture for Intel mobile processors which will use a 14nm fabrication process. The current architecture uses a 22nm process, so with the smaller fabrication, Intel can pack in more for better graphics and better energy efficient processors.
• SoFIA processors will integrate 3G and 4G LTE Cat6 connectivity into the processor itself, making it simpler to design and make a connected tablet or smartphone while also cutting costs. It should also help make connectivity on the go faster.
• RealSense cameras not only capture images they also capture depth like a real human eye allowing it to accurately measure what it sees. This set for use in better gesture controls but could also be useful in augmented reality as well.