SoyaCincau

Acer Iconia W3 8″ Windows 8 Pro Tablet quietly revealed

soyacincau — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:34:00 +0000

Acer has quietly revealed its new Iconia W3 Tablet which comes in a more portable 8″ form factor. Considering most Microsoft based tablets are 10-inchers, this would be the smallest Windows 8 tablet currently. While it is small in size, surprisingly it runs on a full fledged Microsoft Windows 8 Pro and not the scaled down Windows RT version. Being a productivity tool, the Iconia W3 comes with a accompanying keyboard which connects via Bluetooth. From the product pics, the tablet can be attached to the back of the keyboard.

In terms of specs, it runs on Intel Atom Z2760 processor with 2GB of RAM and there’s a choice of 32GB and 64GB storage option. The front 8.1″ display does a WXGA resolution capable of 1280×768. It also comes with a 2MP camera, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, micro HDMI and micro USB port. Battery life is rated at 8 hours.

No pricing details yet but the Iconia W3 is expected to be introduced in early June. Head after the break for more images of the device.

[ SOURCE, VIA ]

HTC One to get Android 4.2.2 update in couple of weeks

soyacincau — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:01:58 +0000

The HTC One currently runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean which is a notch lower than the latest Android 4.2. As comparison, the Galaxy S4 already runs on Android 4.2.2 out of the box. If you’re itching for the latest, now word has it that HTC will be rolling out Android 4.2.2 update for the HTC One in 2-3 weeks time.

For older HTC devices such as HTC Butterfly, HTC One X, One S and One X+, a software update is expected to come soon which will bring HTC One’s BlinkFeed and Zoe as well. Software updates is a critical factor for smart phone ownership and it is good to see manufacturers giving existing loyal users the latest features.

[ SOURCE ]

Samsung to free up more available storage on Galaxy S4

soyacincau — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:20:21 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB model which comes with just 8.8GB of available storage leaves much to be desired. Although there’s an expandable microSD memory slot, getting just half usable space from its advertised capacity would leave users feeling a little shortchanged. Technically it is not cheating as the on-board memory really is a 16GB capacity but usable storage is totally a different matter.

As comparison, an iPhone 16GB has 13.5GB of available space, Sony Xperia Z with 11.73GB and BlackBerry Z10 16GB with about 10GB. The rather high out of the box storage consumption on the Galaxy S4 is mainly due to Samsung’s built-in apps and TouchWiz features that uses eye and finger tracking. Acknowledging it is concern needed to be addressed, Samsung is now looking into software optimisation to free up more space. Since most of the features are not really critical or used frequently by users, they should consider add-on features/apps to be downloaded on demand. Must be a tough spot for Samsung and it would be interesting to see how much fat they can trim in future software updates.

[ SOURCE ]

Google announces Galaxy S4 with pure Nexus experience

soyacincau — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:20:35 +0000

If you’re looking for a Galaxy S4 without the fancy and bloaty user interfaces, you might want to check this out. At Google I/O 2013, they have announced a Galaxy S4 Google edition which runs on plain vanilla Google OS. Think of it as Galaxy S4′s version of a Nexus smart phone without TouchWiz.

The details of the Galaxy S4 Google edition isn’t fully revealed apart of having 16GB of storage with LTE support and has its bootloader unlocked. It is good to know that despite being a Google device, it still retains a microSD expansion slot.

The Galaxy S4 Google edition will be on sale in the US from 26th June from Google Play. It will carry the price tag of $649, which is just slightly below RM2,000.

[ SOURCE ]

Maxis to offer HTC One from RM1,249

soyacincau — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:10:41 +0000

UPDATE: Maxis’s HTC One page plans have gone public over here. Thanks @huaipoh for the alert!

The HTC One is currently available for bundling on all telcos except for Maxis. For those curious about Maxis’s offering, we got tipped off on its plans from one of our readers who managed to get some details from one of its centres. It is offered with its usual TalkMore or SurfMore plans and those entitled for SKMM RM200 rebate, it can be yours for just RM1,249.

The full bundled pricing as follows:

Value First/Value Plus + 1GB (24 months) – RM1,849
Value First/Value Plus + 3GB (24 months) – RM1,749

TalkMore28 + 1GB (24 months) – RM1,849
TalkMore28 + 3GB (24 months) – RM1,749

TalkMore48 + 1GB (12 months) – RM1,899
TalkMore48 + 1GB (24 months) – RM1,749
TalkMore48 + 3GB (12 months) – RM1,799
TalkMore48 + 3GB (24 months) – RM1,499

TalkMore78 + 1GB (12 months) – RM1,799
TalkMore78 + 1GB (24 months) – RM1,449
TalkMore78 + 3GB (12 months) – RM1,649
TalkMore78 + 3GB (24 months) – RM1,299

SurfMore50 (12 months) – RM1,919
SurfMore50 (24 months) – RM1,749
SurfMore75 (12 months) – RM1,849
SurfMore75 (24 months) – RM1,499

SKMM Offer TalkMore78 + 1GB (24 months) – RM1,249

As usual there’s a RM250 upfront payment required if you sign for 12 months contract while those signing up for 24 months would require RM1,000 as upfront payment. At the moment, stocks are not available yet which is probably the reason why Maxis has been holding up its plan until now.

Thanks Ian Lim for the heads up via Twitter.

Celcom offers BlackBerry Q10 from RM1,388

soyacincau — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:50:48 +0000

The BlackBerry Q10 is officially available today with Celcom offering the device as low as RM1,388 on contract. As usual, it comes bundled with its usual Celcom First postpaid and bolt-on data plans.

Full BlackBerry Q10 bundled pricing as follows:

Celcom First Prime + 1GB/3GB (12 months) – RM1,888
Celcom First Prime + 1GB/3GB (18 months) – RM1,838
Celcom First Premier + 1GB/3GB (12 months) – RM1,838
Celcom First Premier + 1GB/3GB (18 months) – RM1,788
Celcom First Elite + 1GB/3GB (12 months) – RM1,688
Celcom First Elite + 1GB/3GB (18 months) – RM1,638

Celcom First Prime + 5GB (24 months) – RM1,388
Celcom First Premier + 5GB (24 months) – RM1,388
Celcom First Elite + 5GB (24 months) – RM1,388
Celcom First Data mPro Plus (24 months) – RM1,488

An advance payment between RM250-450 is required for 12/18 months contract and RM700 is required if you’re signing up for 24 months contract. If you’ve registered your interest earlier, Celcom is giving additional rebates and Bluetooth speaker worth RM299 as an early bird offer.

The BlackBerry Q10 with its QWERTY keyboard retails at RM2,388, which is an extra RM200 over its full touch screen based BlackBerry Z10 model. In terms of connectivity, the Q10 comes with 4G LTE support which is compatible with our local networks.

For more information, head over to Celcom’s BlackBerry Q10 page.

Nokia Lumia 925 revealed with aluminium frame and smart camera features

soyacincau — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:55:16 +0000

Nokia has just announced its latest Lumia flagship device – the Lumia 925. Departing from its usual signature colourful polycarbonate designs, the Lumia 925 now uses aluminium as the device frame which is a more premium feeling material. The back of the Lumia 925 still uses polycarbonate.

In terms of hardware specs, it is almost identical with its Lumia 920. It runs on the same 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 processor with 1GB of RAM, a 4.5″ 1280×768 display, 8.7MP camera with Optical Image Stabiliser and 2,000mAh battery. However the display on the Lumia 925 uses OLED as oppose to the Lumia 920′s IPS panel. The camera is given a boost with a 6-element lens which is 1 extra over the 920. In terms of dimensions, the Lumia 925 is lighter at 139 grams (Lumia 920: 185 grams) and shaves a couple of milimetres off its height, width and thickness as well.

In terms of software, the camera usability is given a much needed boost. The Lumia 925 comes with Smart Camera Apps which lets you take burst shots (Max 5MP), best shot (similar to best faces) and Action shot which is similar to what Galaxy S4 and HTC One is offering right now. Existing Nokia Lumia devices will also get the latest Smart Camera apps via Nokia’s upcoming Amber update but there’s no mention when it will be rolled out. For those eager to take food pics with filters, Nokia has also introduced Hipstamatic Oggl app, which is Windows Phone 8′s alternative to Instagram. Out of the box, the Lumia 925 doesn’t support wireless charging natively. However it is still possible with an optional sleeve like the Lumia 720.

The Lumia 925 is offered in Silver and Grey colours with a price tag of 469 Euros which is about RM1,815. It is expected to be rolled out in June beginning with China and Europe. Overall, the Lumia 925 is looking like a mere slimmed down Lumia 920 facelift rather than an all new model with small touches on the hardware and smart add-ons in the camera department.

For more information, head over to Nokia’s Lumia 925 product page.

More official product photos, videos and sample photos taken with the Lumia 925 after the break.

Sample Lumia 925 photos

BBM coming to iOS and Android in mid-2013

soyacincau — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:43:22 +0000

Apart from revealing the BlackBerry Q5, another big announcement is that its proprietary BBM messaging service will finally be open to iOS and Android this coming summer. Previously, BBM was a BlackBerry device only service. You also had to subscribe to BlackBerry BIS service to be able to use BBM. Though BlackBerry has relaxed is strict requirements for BBM with the BlackBerry Z10 where users can that use BBM on a standard data plan without the need for BIS.

BBM will be available for iOS 6 and Android devices running on 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above. For a start, the BBM service will offer single and group chats up to 30 people with the ability to share photos and videos. In terms of BB Pin invite, Android users will get an added advantage of inviting new contacts through NFC. The BBM video and voice chat feature are not mentioned but looks like it will be rolled out later in phases.

The thought of BBM being available on all platforms have been rumoured for quite sometime now. With the rise of cross platform instant messaging service such as WhatsApp, Line, WeChat & KakaoTalk, it only makes more sense for extend BBM’s reach to stay relevant. With most users being comfortable with their current IM, it would be an uphill task for BlackBerry to poach new users from its non-BlackBerry platforms. If only BlackBerry has made this move earlier when there isn’t many players in the IM space.

For iOS and Android users out there, would you make a switch to BBM?

[ SOURCE ]

Entry-level BlackBerry Q5 officially announced

soyacincau — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:52:42 +0000

BlackBerry has officially announced its new BlackBerry Q5, an entry level QWERTY and touch screen device that runs on the current BlackBerry 10 OS. The device was previously speculated as the R10. In terms of availability the Q5 will be heading to selected markets in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Targeted at emerging markets and youth segment, the Q5 sports a BlackBerry Curve-like keyboard and comes in black, red and white colours. So far no official specs have been revealed but if the earlier speculation is correct, the Q5 comes with a 3.1″ 720×720 display, 2GB of RAM, 5MP camera and a 1,800mAh capacity battery. We will update once the full details are out.

Head after the break for more product shots of the BlackBerry Q5.

[ SOURCE ]

U Mobile revamps UMI prepaid offering with free WeChat & KakaoTalk data

soyacincau — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:00:31 +0000

U Mobile’s Unlimited Mobile Internet prepaid offerings is one of the best value for money offerings in the market. After its UMI 48 package, they have now introduced a new UMI 38 option which offers 500MB of data, 200 minutes of calls and 30 SMS for just RM38/month. This is similar to its earlier UMI 28 offering but with an extra 100 minutes of talk time.

On top of that, U Mobile now offers free data usage for WeChat and KakaoTalk messengers for UMI 28, UMI 38 and UMI 48 subscribers. Not a bad offering for those who use these 2 instant messaging service on a daily basis.

Head over to U Mobile’s Unlimited Mobile Internet page for more info.