While the Sony PlayStation 5 is getting all the attention with its new design and upcoming games, we happened to pass by an important announcement by Niantic, the makers behind Pokemon GO. Starting from August 2020, the company will no longer support 32-bit Android devices.

As we enter the last month of the year, Sony Mobile has released a new Xperia Theme skin for the Xperia users. Usually, users have to pay to use some premium themes released by the company from time to time, as well as retro ones such as the PlayStation theme that are already available in Google Play store.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is one of the thinnest tablets in the market at just 6.4mm thin. Add to the fact that it is also a premium device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB RAM, 8MP rear camera, 4G LTE connectivity and an 8-inch touchscreen with shatter proof glass and you get a tablet designed for performance with plenty of features to boot. Like other Sony Xperia Z series devices, it is also IP68 certified waterproof. Priced at around RM1799, we go hands-on with the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact for a run-down of the tech specs and features. Check out the video for yourself in this article.

Sony Mobile Communications are looking for one special individual from their Xperia customers who embodies the spirit, energy and attitude of the brand with their Next Face of Xperia contest. The search will cover Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Those interested in entering can go to http://campaigns.sonymobile.com/86400/ while the closing submission date is 14 June 2015. The Next Face of Xperia should embody at least one of the following:

• Waterproof: I can survive underwater
• Low Light: I can see in the dark
• 2 Day Battery: I can stay awake for days
• Digital Noise Cancelling: I can silence crowds
• Hi-Res Audio: I can hear things you can’t
• Remote Play: I can run through walls
• Smartwear: I can shape tomorrow

Winners will get prizes that include: 

• The opportunity to participate in future Xperia marketing programs
• A Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone and Sony Xperia Z4 tablet 
• Return airfare from the winner's nearest capital city to Manila for a photography shoot 
• Hotel accommodation for the duration of the shoot 

After being announced in November last year, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact remains one of the thinnest tablets in the market. While the tech specs are a bit older, it is still quite relevant with a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB RAM, 8-inch Trilumionos display, 6.4mm thinness, 8.1MP rear camera and more. We managed to get our hands on the 4G LTE equipped version for a little unboxing video which you can check out in this article.

Celebrate an abundance of good fortune with a brand new smartphone and the best plans to stay on top of this Chinese New Year 2015! Taking advantage of Malaysia's fastest and most reliable mobile network, Celcom are offering various smartphones for the Year of the Goat with the FIRST by Celcom plan. Utilizing Celcom's OPTIMISER feature with the FIRST plans you can get a mobile plan personalized exactly for your needs based on your usage. Featuring up to 4GB of WiFi Internet or up to 250 minutes of voice and 250 SMS FIRST plans offer one of the best packages around. Offering something for every user, the smartphones available for Celcom's Blue Cube Outlets Chinese New Year Campaign include the following from RM38 to RM1088:

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G ~ RM88 with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM589)

• Samsung GALAXY Note 4 ~ RM1088 with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM2,499)

• BlackBerry Passport ~ RM988 with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM2,399)

• Sony Xperia Z3 ~ RM988 with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM2,399)

• OPPO Find 7 ~ RM538 with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM1,798)

• OPPO Neo 5 ~ RM38  with Celcom FIRST plans (RRP: RM598)

Drop by a CELCOM BLUE CUBE store and ask for any of these smartphones and the plan, FIRST by Celcom to get massive savings for this Chinese New Year. For more information regarding this promotion and the various smartphones check out the Celcom site or www.celcom.com.my.

Sony Mobile is currently offering selected Xperia smartphones, tablets and accessories with various offers as part of it's Spring to a Great Start with Sony promotion. Available from 3 February to 17 February 2015, users can get extra gifts worth up to RM98 which include 16GB and 8GB microSD memory cards with free Limited Edition Xperia 2015 Chinese New Year Shirts. These products include the Sony Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia Z2, Xperia C3, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia M2 Aqua and Xperia T3 and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. Other notable products available include various companion products such as Bluetooth headsets and speakers but for more details check out the promo pics below or the Sony Mobile Facebook Page.

The Sony Xperia Z3 is now available at U Mobile from as low as RM999. Originally retailing at RM2399, you will have to sign up for a 24 months contract under the U58, U88 or U Plus postpaid plans. You may also trade-in your older smartphones for up to RM750 in rebates. The no upfront payment option is available under certain conditions, one of which includes signing up for either the U88 or U Plus postpaid plans. The other conditions include paying for the deal using your credit card and then activating auto-debit for your monthly commitment fees. For more details, check out the table and links below.

One of the thinnest tablets around is now available in Malaysia as the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is retailing at RM1669. According to Sony Malaysia, the LTE 16GB version will come in both black and white but the WiFi 32GB version will only come in white and even then, in December. Featuring a super-bright and sharp 8-inch display with full HD 1080p resolution the tablet also features the ability to use the PS4 Remote Play function, so you can game with your Xperia Z3 Tablet compact and PlayStation 4 console anywhere within range. The tablet is also iP65/68 certified for water and dust proofing so you can take a dip with it and still be fine. For the full list of Xperia Z3 Tablet compact tech specs and features, check it out below:

• 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 16GB /32GB storage + up to 128GB microSD
• 8-inch Triluminos Display (1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, X-Reality engine)
• 8.1MP rear camera (8x digital zoom, Exmor RS sensor, stabilizer) + 2.2MP front camera
• supports A-GPS, NFC, DLNA, WiFi, 4G LTE
• features Sony 3D surround sound, Clear Audio+, IP65/68 certification
• 213 x 124 x 6.4mm | 270g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 4500 mAh battery

Maxis are now offering the Sony Xperia Z3 with a trade-in offer up to RM950. Certain smartphones like the Apple iPhone 5S or Samsung Galaxy S5 will get this rebate but even if you bring in a no-name phone it will still get a trade-in value of RM200 (as long as it is still working). Granted, you will have to sign up for a Maxis One plan for 24 months but you'll be able to get the Xperia Z3 from RM1499 which is quite a drop from the retail value of RM2399. Check out the details in the table in this article.