News & Reviews:   Microsoft Lumia 530

Microsoft Malaysia recently announced that Malaysia would be getting the first Microsoft Authorized Reseller Store in Asia Pacific. Located in Suria KLCC, the store will offer various Microsoft products including Windows smartphones, phones, Surface tablets and software like Windows and Microsoft Office 365. The extensive line-up will be available for the public to get a hands-on and personal view with available Microsoft devices, apps and services. While it may be the first, it won't be the last as 39 more such retail outlets are planned for Malaysia by the end of 2015. Promotions will include the following:

• The first 50 customers to purchase any Lumia or Surface device will walk away with a pair of Monster Headphones
• With every purchase of a Lumia or Surface, customers will be able to participate in the Live Tiles of Fortune game, where they stand to win shopping vouchers worth RM50. 
• In collaboration with AirAsia, any purchase of a Lumia 532 and Lumia 535 will entitle customers to 5,000 worth of AirAsia Big points which can be redeemed for a return flight to selected destinations. For more information on this promotion, do visit http://www.airasiabig.com/promos/lumia/ 
• The top 3 (three) most creative pictures taken using the Mobsta device using the hashtag #MicrosoftMYStore stand a chance to win attractive prizes such as a Limited Edition Gold Lumia 930, Lumia 535 with Coloud Boom headset, and a Lumia 530.
• Customers can also get their free caricature done on a Surface Pro 3 by artists when they visit the Microsoft Store. 
• Every three hours starting from 11:00am, visitors to the store can compete with others in Zombie Tsunami. The top three scorers of each game will win a Seagate Wireless Plus HDD, Microsoft Treasure Tag and Coloud Boom Headset respectively.

The Microsoft Lumia 532 smartphone will soon be available in Malaysia for RM379 starting from 27 March 2015. Offering something between the Lumia 530 and Lumia 535, the Lumia 532 features tech specs that include a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 4-inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 5MP rear camera and VGA front camera. Measuring in at 118.9 x 65.5 x 11.6mm the Lumia 532 will be available in black, green, orange and white. It also supports 3.5G connectivity, Dual-SIM and up to 128GB microSD. Powered by a 1560 mAh battery it will feature integrated Skype, Office and now Spotify for free. With these features, tech specs and pricing the Lumia 532 should offer entry-level users another solid option for a Windows Phone but you can check out the highlight video for yourself in this article.

The Microsoft Lumia 430 has been officially announced for $70 (RM260). Looking like a thicker Lumia 530, the Lumia 430 retains the same old colourful but tough polycarbonate backside but has slightly reduced tech specs and features along with a few upgrades. These include a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB storage, up to 128GB microSD, a 4-inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 2MP front camera and VGA front camera. The larger than average RAM and storage seems to suggest that the Lumia 430 should be able to update to the upcoming Windows 10 due in July. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing yet, but we expect it to make an appearance eventually.

Microsoft may be coming out with a new Lumia smartphone on 11 November 2014, as they have released a teaser image of a smartphone and the date "11.11.2014". From the shape of the curve, it seems likely that this new Lumia would be the Lumia 535 with one major feature being a front-facing camera (the Lumia 530 doesn't have one). Other tech specs could also include a larger 5-inch display with 960 x 540 pixel resolution, 1GB RAM, a 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera and 1900 mAh battery. The added features will likely mean an increase in price from the RM355 the Lumia 530 is currently retailing at, perhaps at RM399? No news about any Malaysia release dates just yet but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we find out.