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While the Google Nexus range of devices often gives a more pure Android experience, there other Google Play Edition devices that offer a similar experience as well. Joining the ranks of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One is the LG G Pad 8.3 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. The first phablet and tablet to join the Google Play Edition ranks, the two devices will run Android 4.4 Kit Kat and get faster Android updates than other non-Google Play Edition devices. Tech specs for the LG G Pad 8.3 include an 8.3-inch Full HD display, 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra on the other hand offers a 6.44-inch full HD display, 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and standard Xperia Z water and dust resistance. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is only WiFi capable but the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition is equipped with 4G LTE. Check out the video in this article.

Asus has officially announced the PadFone Mini 4.3 as part of their range of smartphone in a tablet combo range. Previous PadFones had 10.1-inch tablets but perhaps due to the smaller nature of the PadFone Mini 4.3, the tablet that it comes with now has a 7-inch display. Other tech specs and features include a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.3-inch display with 960 x 540 pixel resolution, 16GB storage + microSD, 8MP rear camera + 16fps burst mode + f/2.0 aperture, Dual-SIM support and a 1500 mAh battery. The tablet part offers a 7-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and an extra 2200 mAh battery which even lets you recharge the smartphone using the tablet battery. The combo runs on Android 4.3 and will be priced at NTD11900 (RM1298). No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing details were available but we expect the Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 to make it's Malaysian debut soon hopefully at a similar price. For now, check out the video in this article.

Maxis, Celcom and DiGi have all made the Apple iPad Air available in Malaysia on their various plans and packages. The iPad Air is also generally available on the Malaysian Apple store along with local sellers. For a complete and customizable comparison based on price and telco provider check out our Technave.com Apple iPad Air plan comparison tool and the various tables and links in this article.

Celcom recently opened plans for the Apple iPad Air starting from RM1248. Quite obviously, the plans are for the Apple iPad Air 4G LTE Cellular version covering the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. Celcom are currently offering the deal on their Celcom First iPad plans for both 12 month and 24 month contracts. Of note is the fact that the monthly commitment is quite low, from just RM50 up to RM100. For more details check out the table and links in this article.

Completing the major Malaysian Telco Apple iPad Air offers is DiGi who are offering the tablet on a zero contract package from RM1453. Unfortunately, the catch is that it is only for the 16GB Apple iPad Air 4G LTE Cellular version and there is only one plan for it. You also have to pay an upfront payment and advance payment as well. The good news is that the early payment will be rebated back to you over the course of 24 months, but if you decide to terminate or shift plans, you lose this early payment. For more details, check out the table and links in the article.

If you have the money and want a tech device, why not invest in it and build it? This seems to have been the idea behind the TYPO Keyboard which is a QWERTY keyboard add-on for touchscreen smartphones like the Apple iPhone 5 and 5S. Backed by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who has already sunk in $1 million into the venture, the TYPO Keyboard looks a lot like the QWERTY keyboards you'll find on a BlackBerry device, complete with contoured keys and a backlight for typing in dim or low-light conditions. The add-on covers up the Apple iPhone Home button making the iPhone longer and thicker but still allowing the use of auto-correct while also offering quick-access to currency keys. So far the TYPO Keyboard is only usable for the Apple iPhone 5 and 5S but it is being developed for other touchscreen smartphones as well. While there isn't any Malaysia release date, this is mainly because the TYPO Keyboard is due for release at CES 2014 at a price tag of $99 (RM318).

While the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 already offers a good 3200 mAh battery for about 1 and a half worth of battery life, there will be some who want more than that, which is what the ZeroLemon 10000 mAh Tri-Cell Extended Battery case does. As the name suggests, it basically replaces the Note 3 3200 mAh battery with a much larger 10000 mAh battery. However, because it is so much larger, the back casing has to be replaced with the ZeroLemon custom back casing. Acccording to ZeroLemon this back casing not only comes with NFC support, it also has a double polycarbonate ans thermoplastic polyurethane layer for extra protection. This also means that the phablet becomes a whole lot thicker and loses the artificial leather backside that first came with the Note 3.  Despite the extra thickness, there is still space to put the S Pen stylus and even a clip-on belt holster. Priced at $59.99 (RM193) the battery case should extend battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 up to a week from a single charge and is compatible with all versions of the phablet. No news on Malaysia release dates but keep an eye out for it at our sister site of MobileMegaMall.com and the sellers there should have it or something similar soon.

If you're thinking about getting a bluetooth wearable notifications device then perhaps you'd consider getting the Smarty Ring instead of a regular old smartwatch. While it could just as likely be vapourware, the Smarty Ring is one of those crowd funded projects where you get email, social media and other app notifications directly to your finger where the bluetooth enabled Smarty Ring is worn. It can also be used to tell time, accept or reject calls, make outgoing calls (but not directly), trigger the camera, control music and change your profile through buttons on the side of the ring. The ring itself is a rather thick stainless steel device with embedded circuitry and has a 24-hour battery life. It can be charged wirelessly.

The Samsung Galaxy J was officially launched in Taiwan recently, bearing top tech specs with a metal casing. While it was initially thought to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 thanks to a rather vague teaser video, it does offer a number of tech specs which include those from the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. This includes a 5-inch Full HD 1080p Super AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM and 13MP camera in a casing with a brushed metal backside. Sources indicate that it will be sold from TWD21900 (RM2370) unlocked and can be bought in Red and White. While there is still no news yet about specific Malaysia release dates or pricing, the official Taiwan announcement indicates that we could soon see a more global roll out for this smartphone which was formerly only sold in Japan.

The upcoming Asus Padfone mini with it's 4.3-inch compact screen and 7-inch tablet combo has recently been leaked by evleaks. The more compact version of the smartphone from Asus that can be turned into a tablet is rumoured to be unveiled a couple of days more on 11 December 2013 so you won't have to wait too long for it to show up officially. No details for other tech specs and features or Malaysia pricing or release dates were available but stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.