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The Nokia Normandy is supposedly Nokia's upcoming smartphone that will have a custom Android operating system. Some rumours said it was killed before it even started due to the Microsoft-Nokia merger while some like @evleaks show that it may well be alive and kicking. So far leaks don't reveal much about what the Nokia Normandy asides from tech specs like dual-SIM support. However, certain other reports have said that the Nokia Normandy could be called the Nokia A110, have a 5MP camera and a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor along with an Android 4.4.1 version operating system. No pricing or Malaysia release dates yet but the Nokia Normandy is expected to appear at the MWC Expo 2014 in February.

While there have been a whole lot of smartwatches and smartbands, not many of them have actually been from existing popular watch makers, but Casio has changed that by announcing the G-Shock STB-1000 smartwatch. While the overall shape and design looks just like a Casio G-Shock watch, it is in fact Bluetooth 4.0 LE capable and can link up with several fitness apps. Unfortunately, it only works with iOS. Tech specs and features on the G-Shock STB-1000 include notifications of incoming calls, texts and emails along with music player control. It can also display data from the Abvio Runmeter GPS, Walkmeter GPS, Cyclemeter GPS and Wahoo Fitness apps with more to come soon. Other notable features include some degree of customization from the iOS app along with the ability to find your phone through the Phone Finder function. The main advantage the G-Shock STB-1000 has over every other smartwatch around is that the battery is rated at 2 years and it has 100-meter water resistance. While you definitely can't check emails, take pics or answer calls from this smartwatch, the other features should make it very attractive. So far, no Malaysia release dates or pricing were available but knowing Casio, the G-Shock STB-1000 is likely either already available or will be coming soon.

The Apple Malaysia store will be holding a special Red Friday one-day shopping event on 10 January 2014 (this Friday). So far Apple hasn't said what discounts are available or how much but they have said that purchases over RM250 will get free shipping. The one-day sale should start as the clock ticks over to 12.01am at midnight on Thursday. You can however expect 2 things, 1) things will go fast, so if you have the opportunity (and more importantly money) then get it quick, and 2) expect the Apple Malaysia store to get slow as users flood the site. We're guessing the Apple iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, Apple TV, iPod nano, iPod Touch, Macbook Air, iMac and MacBook Pro will be the ones to get the discounts as the links for these products have been changed to red just like the text of the advertisement. Accessories that may get the same treatment include those for the iPhone 5S, iPad mini and iPad Air.

We've already covered the rumours about a more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 which could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo or Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite, but some leaked documents have revealed what could be the real name of the new smartphone model. The leaked documents look to be internal Samsung documentation and reveal that this smartphone could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo. The document also revealed tech specs which include a 1.2GHz quad-core A7 chipset, 1GB RAM, 5-inch TFT PLS (confirming earlier PLS display rumours) display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera, 8GB worth of storage and a 2100 mAh battery. The smartphone will feature microSD support along with Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, WiFi, microUSB and GPS with GLONASS. Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo is expected to be 299 Euro (RM1337) which should slot it in nicely between the Samsung Galaxy Grand and Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. No exact Malaysia release dates were available but it should be soon with this level of internal documentation.

Known more for their rugged construction site machines and clothing line, Caterpillar has just revealed a tough mobile phone called the CAT B100 which you can safely bring to the construction site. Measuring 123 x 56 x 17.5mm, the phone looks more like a brick than a normal mobile phone and tough enough to hammer nails with. The CAT B100 is IP67 and MIL 810G certified so it can handle dunking into water, drops, extreme temperatures and quite a lot of things that your average mobile phone wouldn't be able to take. Other tech specs include a 2.2-inch display with 240 x 320 pixel resolution, a 3MP rear camera, microSD support up to 32GB and a more robust custom operating system. Weighing in at 136g this isn't the phone you want to send SMS, check emails or play games with but it is perfect for when you need a truly tough mobile phone. No news on pricing or Malaysia release dates but it should reach us sometime between Q1 and Q2 of 2014.

Kids are curious, that is a given and it is also a given that you can find a ton of stuff, apps and content you wouldn't want your kids to see on any normal Android smartphone or tablet. Acknowledging this, Techno Source and KD Interactive have released the Kurio Phone which they say is the safest smartphone for kids. Apart from blocking apps, access and content the Kurio Phone let's paranoid parents block certain numbers from calling, set up geofenced areas and determine how long the Kuria Phone can be used. Granted there are parental control apps which can do this, but the Kurio Phone integrates everything seamlessly. Parents can also be notified when the Kurio Phone is turned on or off or when the SIM has been changed. It also comes with anti-theft features like remote deletion, locking and taking a photo when it starts up (taking a picture of the thief) and sending it. Tech specs are reasonable with a multi-core processor, 4-inch display with 480 x 800 pixel resolution, 1GB of RAM, 4GB storage and up to 32GB microSD along with 3G and GPS. No details yet on Malaysia pricing or release dates but it should start being available from Q1 to Q2 of 2014.

Seemingly taking a page from another concept renderer, a rumour has surfaced saying that the Apple iPhone 6 or next Apple iPhone could be called the Apple iPhone Air. This is because it will measure 6mm thin compared to the 7.6mm thin Apple iPhone 5S. This is still quite thick compared to the 3mm thin concept render previously shown but it is thinner than the previous generation and probably more realistic. Reports indicate that the Apple iPhone Air will still have a metal body but weigh more than the previous version, perhaps because of a larger screen size. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but it should be revealed sometime in September 2014.

At a time when most flagship smartphones pack cameras larger than 8MP, the 4MP UltraPixel camera on the HTC One seems like something that shouldn't be there. Granted, it may have started the trend for specialized low-light condition cameras on smartphones but overall, it didn't deliver as well as the 8MP, 13MP, 20MP or even 41MP cameraphones out there. Unfortunately, it seems like the next version of the HTC One, which may be called the HTC One+ or HTC One 2 will likely keep the same 4MP UltraPixel camera. Other tech specs and features are rumoured to get upgraded including a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB / 3GB RAM and a 5-inch full HD display. Other rumours say that there will be 2 cameras, with one being the 4MP UltraPixel camera for low-light and another higher megapixel camera for normal conditions. No exact news on Malaysia release dates or pricing but rumours indicate that it could be coming at the MWC Expo on 24 February 2014. As always take this rumour with a grain of salt at least until HTC makes an official announcement. Stay tuned and we'll keep you updated of this.

Coming from the makers of the first successful consumer smartwatch is the Pebble Steel smartwatch. Essentially the same Pebble bluetooth notifications smartwatch, the new Steel offers a more stylish and sturdy look with premium materials that include a Corning Gorilla Glass panel and all metal materials. The Steel definitely looks and handles nicer than the original plastic Pebble smartwatch but it still runs the same Pebble apps and notifications as before. The Steel will not replace the original though as it will be priced at a higher-end $249 (RM817) price tag. As far as Malaysia release dates go, the Pebble Steel smartwatch will be available worldwide on 28 January 2014 but you can still go to the Pebble Steel site to pre-order as stocks are limited.

CES 2014 continues to shape up as the place for everyone to announce their tech wearables and LG is no exception as they have gone and announced their Lifeband Touch smartband along with Heart Rate Earphones. Initially designed for the fitness inclined, the two devices connect wirelessly to each other and to both Android and iOS smartphones. The Lifeband Touch is a smart bangle with a touch OLED display showing the time, notifications, biometric data and music controls with a built in accelerometer and altimeter for the measurment of distance, speed, steps taken, calories burned and much more. The device is motion controlled as well, turning on or off when you rotate your wrist. The LG Heart Rate Earphones use PerformTek sensors to measure blood flow from your ears, allowing it to measure your heart rate and oxygen consumption. LG have made the design for the earphone comfortable and clip-on while being lightweight enough to go for a run without too much danger of falling off. Still not much news on exact Malaysia release dates or pricing but these devices should be expected after Q2 2014 when they will be released for the US.