Latest News

After Samsung's very interesting video on flexible screens we often forget that other manufacturers such as LG are also working on similar flexible screen technology. While this was shown off by LG at this year's CES 2013 with their curved Flexible OLED panel HDTV and e-paper solutions, recently LG Vice President of Mobile, Yoon Bu-hyun was noted as saying that they are working with LG's Display department to create a smartphone with a flexible OLED screen by the end of the year.

Malaysia got its official HTC One launch recently and it saw the Aluminum unibody Android smartphone get both the 32GB and 64GB versions. Price-wise the HTC One 32GB version retails at RM2299 while the HTC One 64GB version retails at RM2499. According to HTC, both versions should be available for the 4 major telcos of Celcom, Maxis, DiGi and U Mobile by early May. SenQ may also get it around this time while other dealers may get it a bit later in mid-May.

While the HTC One has already received an update to make it's Ultrapixel camera better (in that case, less blurry daytime shots) it recently received a new update that makes the HTC One camera performance even better. Below are the listed improvements for the firmware update version 1.29.401.13:

• Improvement to sound capture with Zoe
• Noise reduction in slow motion movie capture
• Improved color reproduction and dynamic range (reduced over-exposure in non-HDR images) in certain conditions
• Fix to display correct ISO in EXIF information when ISO settings are manually changed by the user
• Improved system performance and stability

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 has also made an appearance under the Celcom banner, with a number of bundles for this S Pen enabled tablet. The lowest subsidized price begins from RM1088, which is about RM600 less than the current RRP of RM1699. For full details check out the table below:

Celcom recently released their plan bundles for the Sony Xperia E. Targeting the upper entry level market the Sony Xperia E's main draw is it's Walkman Music with 3D surround sound, making it perfect for the teen or young adult who has to be listening to music 24/7. Celcom provides the Sony Xperia E under a number of affordable plans with a choice of 12 months to 18 months contract. For more details check out the table below:

Maxis have also come out with their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV plan bundles and again it looks like it is the Non-LTE powered version. Perhaps the LTE-enabled version will come out with a special Maxis 4G LTE plan bundle later on, which Maxis have confirmed by saying that it is "Coming Soon". The lowest subsidized price of RM1149 has a couple of conditions which include:

• Exclusive for Online offers only
• Normal Price is RM1249
• Only available for New Maxis Line subscriptions

Celcom has released their bundle plans for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV (Non-LTE) version. In a show of flexibility normally unseen before in previous initial offers, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is being offered under 12 months, 18 months and 24 months contracts and for nearly all of the bundles including Celcom First Prime, Celcom First Premier, Celcom First Elite and mPro Plus. The lowest subsidized price of RM1338 is of course only for a 24 month contract but there are more than one choice available. Check out the table below for all the details:

While we're on the actual launch date for the Malaysia launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV, Samsung recently released a Dual-SIM version powered by an Exynos 5 Octa processor. Targeting the China market this previously unheard of Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV version goes by the model number of I9502 which is quite apt since the standard Exynos 5 Octa powered Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV goes by the model number of I9500.

That being said, the I9502 has practically the same tech specs as the I9500 such as the aforementioned Exynos 5 Octa processor, a 13MP camera, 5-inch Super AMOLED 1080P screen and so forth. It is 2g heavier but apart from that and the Dual-SIM capability it is identical.

Just like all the other telcos in Malaysia, Celcom have come out with a Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV offer for tomorrow's official launch of the smartphone. This offer is at a jaw dropping RM588 but there are a number of conditions that have to be met to get that price which include:

• You have to buy it during the launch
• You must sign up for the Celcom First Voice with a Data mPro bundle plan

There is no doubt about it, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV has got to be one of the most popular and in-demand smartphones around. Users in the US are clamoring for it just as much as users over here in Malaysia. Unfortunately there is such a thing as demand outstripping supply, which has been blamed for the recent delays of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV in the US.

Already, some US carriers such as T-Mobile are moving the pre-order campaign from 24 April 2013 to 29 April 2013. Sprint is also moving the sales start from 27 April 2013 to a later but still unnamed date. According to these carriers, online pre-orders will be filled first before other orders can be processed.