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Aiming to secure a bit more of the budget android smartphone market, Alcatel has recently announced their newOneTouch Pop C series of budget android smartphones. The new series consists of the Pop C1, Pop C3, Pop C5 andPop C7 all of which have many bright colours and target a wide spectrum of users.  Tech specs and features for the Pop C series range from a 1GHz dual-core processor and 3.5-inch HVGA display for the Pop C1 and a 1.3GHz processor, 4-inch WVGA display and 3.2MP rear camera for the Pop C3. Going up a step higher is the Pop C5 with a 1.3GHz dual core processor, 4.5-inch display and 5MP camera. Rounding up the series is the Pop C7 which features a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with a 5-inch display and 5MP camera. All of the OneTouch Pop C series will run on Android 4.2 and is expected have release dates in Malaysia sometime later in 2013 starting in October for the C1 and C3 and November for the C5 with the C7 expected after that.

Nissan is entering the smartwatch fray with their Nismo Watch, designed to complement users of their performance Nismo cars. While it isn't an actual product just yet, it is a concept complete with a mock-up which certainly sounds intriguing. The smartwatch connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth while the smartphone is connected to the car via a dashboard insert. It will then get driving information such as speed, fuel performance and other stats along with your heartrate and other biometrics so you can stay frosty while taking that hairpin turn at 120km per hour. So far, the designs seem to show that this smartphone will be an Apple iPhone, but it doesn't say for sure if it will be iOS exclusive. The design of the watch is futuristic to say the least, and rather than watch, looks more like a bracelet. It could be using a flexible display but since it doesn't show it actually bending or anything we'll wait for more information. Check out the video and interview regarding the Nissan Nismo Watch here.

Microsoft continues slogging on with their Surface range of tablets as reports show that Microsoft are currently working on 3 new Surface tablets. Surface Pro 2 will be the Intel Haswell refresh of the current Surface Pro while the Surface 2 will be the revamp (hopefully replacement) for the Surface RT tablet. The third Surface tablet looks to be something in the 7-inch to 8-inch range as it will be named the Surface Mini. Perhaps Microsoft is getting impatient for other manufacturers to come out with their 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets and is working on a reference design. However, if the Surface Mini gets priced much higher than the others but has the same tech specs this won't serve Microsoft very well.

The Nokia Lumia 1520 recently made an appearance in several live shots along with a press render showing off the Nokia phablet in all it's extra Windows Phone 8 column glory. In the live shots on the other hand, the phablet looks to be placed side by side with a Sony Xperia Z perhaps to compare thinness. Overall, the rather extended camera hump doesn't seem to get in the way of things too much. While it supposedly packs in a 6-inch Full HD 1080p screen, it still looks holdable within one hand. Other expected tech specs for the smartphones include a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage. The images also seem to confirm a PureView camera sensor with ZEISS lens. Check out the pics in the article.

When it was first introduced, the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch was said to only be able to work with Samsung Galaxy smartphones and even then, it would only work with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 at the time. While it still only works with the Note 3 a recent announcement reveals that the smartwatch may soon be compatible with any smartphone provided that it supports Bluetooth LE and has Android 4.3 (which still means no go for you iOS users hoping for some cross compatibility). According to the announcement, firmware upgrades are being sent out and the Gear may soon be compatible with the Samsung Galaxy SIII, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Ryan Bidan, Samsung Director of Product Marketing said:

"[I]t is just the timetable of bringing that software to other devices. It is nothing other than engineering work to do it.... Part of that functionality is tied to some updates in Android 4.3. So we are working to bring 4.3 to all those devices as well and so that is definitely one of the factors influencing adoption.
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We were working to make sure that we had the right engineering to do it on the Galaxy Note 3. So, here we are at the launch of the Galaxy Note 3 and here is Galaxy Gear. There is more to come, for sure."

While the Sony SmartWatch 2 got announced in June 2013 it was originally scheduled to reach Malaysia in September 2013. Sony Mobile Malaysia recently changed this to October but gave a more definite date range this time around. This time, they say that the Sony SmartWatch 2 will be available in Malaysia from 15 October 2013 to 20 October 2013. While this solves the issue of a Malaysia release date, it doesn't answer the question about pricing, but we should find out about that soon. In addition to this information, Sony Mobile Malaysia also said that the SBH52 Smart Bluetooth Handset would also be coming along with the Sony SmartWatch 2. Released together with the SmartWatch 2 in tandem with the Sony Xperia Z Ultra the Handset is priced at RM480 but will likely be available with the Sony SmartWatch 2 next month.

Celcom is currently offering 2 new devices for their Celcom First plans in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 will be offered from RM888 while the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will be offered from RM1388. Both are available on the Celcom First voice and / or data plans under 12 month or 18  month contracts.

Both devices offer LTE support but while the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is a dual-core 8-inch tablet, the Galaxy S4 Active is the rugged waterproof version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone. You can get more information regarding this deal from the respective Celcom Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and Celcom Samsung Galaxy S4 Active sites. Alternatively, you can also check out our other Celcom telco plans as well.

Panasonic recently made an announcement that they would be officially withdrawing from the consumer smartphone market. $15 billion worth of losses is nothing to sneeze at and is probably the main reason why Panasonic are doing so. While they tried to expand in Europe last year from March 2012, the attempt didn't come out as planned. Kazuhiro Tsuga, President of Panasonic had this to say:

"it's not acceptable for the company to be bleeding red ink like this, so we have to think about ways to develop assets that we do have in a more effective direction."

Panasonic will continue to sell consumer handsets in emerging markets (like Malaysia) but won't be making the devices themselves. Rather, the brand will be Panasonic but the manufacturers will be different. In related news, Panasonic may still be developing a Toughphone like their now famous Toughbook line of notebook computers, which may or may not see the light of day. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but we will keep you posted.

Just revealed at the IFA 2013 and already the Sony Xperia Z1 has been officially launched in Malaysia. The smartphone formerly known as the Honami sticks in a 20.7MP 1/2.3-inch Exmore RS digital compact camera sensor along with a 5-inch Full HD Triluminos display smartphone, Sony G Lens, a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM into the now familiar Omni-balance designed form factor. The Xperia Z1 looks and feels like other premium Xperia Z smartphones as it maintains the same aluminum unibody chassis sandwiched by two slabs of tempered glass. While the Z1 is IP58 water proof certified it also packs in a dedicated camera button, so you can bring it underwater with you and take advantage of the powerful camera. Sony Mobile Malaysia say that the Sony Xperia Z1 should be available in the first week of October 2013, while a whole bunch of accessories will come later in mid-October.

Nikon recently announced their new Coolpix S6600 and Coolpix P7800 digital cameras. What makes the S6600 so notable is that it is the first Coolpix S-series to get a vari-angle monitor which is also available for the Coolpix P7800. The S6600 is more of a flexible consumer model but offers a Gesture Control function for self portrait shots. Other tech specs for the S6600 include a 16MP backside illumination CMOS image sensor, lens-shift vibration reduction, 12x optical zoom NIKKOR lens featuring 2cm macro and built-in WiFi for easy wireless transmission.