Archive for the ‘Brands’ Category

Review: Lumia 640XL Windows Phone phablet from Microsoft Devices

Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

The 5.7-inch Lumia 640 XL (S$429) comes with Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim, a 13-megapixel rear camera and 3000mAh removable battery. Wee Wu Neo from The Neo Dimension checks out the affordable phablet from Microsoft Devices.

The Lumia 640 XL will be available in matte cyan, orange, black, and white.

The Lumia 640 XL will be available in matte cyan, orange, black, and white.

The Lumia 640 series features the first Microsoft-branded LTE smartphones since the acquisition of Nokia Mobile.

By the look of its price and hardware specification, the Lumia 640 series exhibits almost identical performance to the Android Motorola MotoG.

The Lumia 640 XL with its 3000mAh removable battery. Photo credit: Wee Wu Neo.

The Lumia 640 XL with its 3000mAh removable battery. Photo credit: Wee Wu Neo.

This review covers the Lumia 640 XL, the Windows Phone phablet in the Lumia 640 series.

Design and Build

The Lumia 640 XL measures 157.9 x 81.5 x 9.0mm and weighs 171g.

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3 smartphone portrait photography tips from Russel Wong

Sunday, May 17th, 2015

Celebrity photographer Russel Wong shared some of his tips on portrait photography using a smartphone in a workshop at the OPPO Concept Store in Suntec City Tower 3. Here are three of the tips attendees found most useful.

Celebrity photographer, Russel Wong sharing his experiences of taking portraiture using a smartphone.

Celebrity photographer, Russel Wong sharing his experiences of taking portraiture using a smartphone.

Russel Wong is one of the most profiled photographers in Singapore and Asia.

Described as a “celebrity photographer who also photographs celebrities”, Wong enjoys the acclaim of being the first Singaporean to break into the notoriously difficult Hollywood movie industry.

Below are 3 smartphone portraiture photography tips that Wong shared during the workshop using the OPPO N3 smartphone that was launched in Singapore back in end October 2014.

1. Hold the camera as vertical as possbile

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Sony showcases BRAVIA 4K LCD & Full HD TV 2015 lineup

Thursday, May 14th, 2015

Sony Singapore showcased the BRAVIA 4K LCD and Full HD televisions that were announced earlier this year at CES 2015 – with new models ranging from 32 to 75 inches in size, some based on Google Android TV and impressively thin models thinner than a smartphone. Prices TBA.

The Sony Bravia X9000C is only 4.9mm at its thinnest - thinner than some smartphones.

The Sony Bravia X9000C is only 4.9mm at its thinnest – thinner than some smartphones.

This new lineup for 2015 will soon be available in Singapore, with models rolling in as early as next month – June 2015.

Sony BRAVIA KDL-65W850C with Google Android TV.

Sony BRAVIA KDL-65W850C with Google Android TV.

The 4K models ships with advanced 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling technology by analysing and upscaling content to 4K resolution.

The X9000C Series 4K LCD TV (in 55 and 65 inches) is only 4.9mm at its thinnest part and with its tiny frame – mount it on the wall and it’ll appear like a floating display.

The Bravia X series as well as the W800C and W850C will support Google’s Android TV operating system, making it easy to stream videos, function as a gaming device, and provide enhanced features like Google Cast and Voice Search.

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Review: Seagate NAS 4-bay 20TB Network Attached Storage for businesses

Monday, May 11th, 2015

If you’re a small growing business looking for an easy-to-use and affordable NAS storage solution that keeps your data secure and always available, this Seagate NAS 4-bay 20TB (S$1,899) could well be your answer.

Seagate NAS 4-Bay 20TB.

Seagate NAS 4-Bay 20TB.

The NAS 4-bay 20TB is one of many configurations (see sidebar below) that Seagate introduced as part of its Network Attached Storage (NAS) product line refresh that saw the replacement of its previous Business Storage series with the NAS and NAS Pro lines of product.

In the box: Seagate NAS, power supply cable, Ethernet cable, Quick Start Guide.

In the box: Seagate NAS, power supply cable, Ethernet cable, Quick Start Guide.

With pre-installed hard disk drives (HDD) and pre-configured RAID disks, as well as its latest operating system – NAS 0S 4 – Seagate offers storage simplicity for SOHOs (Small Office Home Office) and small businesses with ease of use and private cloud access over the Internet.

The ease of use and set-up is particularly attractive to small companies without dedicated IT resources, while the cloud access is especially useful for organisations with mobile workers requiring secure remote access to vital documents, data and resources from the field.

Connection is easy: Simply connect the Ethernet cable to the NAS and the router. Then connect the power cable to the NAS and the outlet and you're ready to go. You can connect a second Ethernet cable for redundancy or performance.

Connection is easy: Simply connect the Ethernet cable to the NAS and the router. Then connect the power cable to the NAS and the outlet and you’re ready to go. You can connect a second Ethernet cable for redundancy or performance.

The easy-to-navigate HTML user-interface is driven by the new LINUX-based NAS OS 4, which now comes with a redesigned Device Manager, enabling users to manage preferences and configure settings from a single location.

It includes useful features such as App Manager and Seagate Sdrive for remote access – some of the most demanded features of NAS users in general.

I found the NAS device management effortless from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone.

I was also impressed by how silent the internal fan of the NAS was – you can just leave the NAS on and hardly notice any noise.

My take:

“Seagate’s NAS 4-bay 20TB offers an excellent affordable and reliable network attached storage solution for home and small business businesses with up to 25 employees – with easy set-up and usage, as well as cloud access from anywhere with an Internet connection, from mobile devices including tablets and smartphones.”

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New arrivals: Samsung Android powered Smart UX Centre printers

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

Eight new models from four series of Samsung’s MultiXpress multi-function printers equipped with Smart UX Centre – powered by Android – are now available in Singapore for businesses. Available at authorised Samsung business solutions partners.

Samsung’s Android printers are designed to be more independent, intuitive and can be used in all business environments for cost-effectiveness and increased productivity. Printers not shown to scale. Left: M4580FX Monochrome MFP; Right: K4350LX Monochrome MFP.

Samsung’s Android printers are designed to be more independent, intuitive and can be used in all business environments for cost-effectiveness and increased productivity. Printers not shown to scale. Left: M4580FX Monochrome MFP; Right: K4350LX Monochrome MFP.

In line with Samsung’s focus to develop printer solutions that fit seamlessly into the IT and Smart office ecosystem, the new Android-based multi-function printers (MFPs) operate independently without a PC while offering application scalability and a user friendly interface.

Samsung K4350LX A3 Monochrome MFP.

Samsung K4350LX A3 Monochrome MFP.

The new Smart MultiXpress MFPs each feature a 10.1-inch full touchscreen panel that enables users to search and print from web browsers, emails, maps, images and other types of content – without the need to connect to a PC or server.

The touchscreen also offers the ability to preview documents, as well as editing and annotating capabilities.

The Smart MultiXpress series MFPs comprise eight new models from four different printer categories, including:

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Event: Photos of 5,000 smiling faces fill Clarke Quay Central Atrium

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Smile Singapore, an advocacy campaign by Clarke Quay Central to promote a happier and joyful nation, is installing its photo mural of smiling portraits in the Central Atrium of the shopping mall.

Smile Singapore campaign at Clarke Quay Central Atrium to promote a happier and joyful Singapore.

Smile Singapore campaign at Clarke Quay Central Atrium to promote a happier and joyful Singapore.

A record number of 5755 people have come forward over the past five weeks to share their stories about what makes them happy in Singapore.

Smile Singapore campaign at Clarke Quay Central Atrium.

Smile Singapore campaign at Clarke Quay Central Atrium.

Their smiling portraits have been captured and will be printed, laminated and pieced together to create a giant photo mural to be completed by Sunday, 3 May 2015.

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Event: Singtel cheers for Team Singapore for SEA Games 2015

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Singtel is rallying support for Team Singapore by putting the spotlight on the people inspiring the athletes; providing 24/7 live coverage of the games; and Cheer Aggregator software to provide insights to the support from the public.

SEA Games athletes with their inspirations as well as staff from Singtel and the Singapore sports community. Photo credit: Wee Wu Neo, theneodimension.com.

SEA Games athletes with their inspirations as well as staff from Singtel and the Singapore sports community. Photo credit: Wee Wu Neo, theneodimension.com.

Singtel had earlier announced its commitment as the SEA Games’ Official Multimedia Partner, with sponsorship of over S$15 million worth of next-generation multimedia solutions and technology infrastructure.

Celebrating the Extraordinary

Singtel will shine the spotlight on our Team Singapore athletes and the people who have been their guiding lights, with a glimpse into these behind-the-scenes personalities.

Members of the public will hear the inspiring stories of the heroes behind each successful athlete.

Six Team Singapore athletes will share their stories about the people who have made personal sacrifices, and who have gone the extra mile to support them on their SEA Games quest.

Vera has nominated her physiotherapist Hwee Koon as her extraordinary person, touched by how she always takes time out to treat any injury she sustains, sometimes even long after the office has closed.

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New arrivals: LG G4 Android flagship smartphone (S$928/S$998)

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

LG Electronics has globally unveiled its latest flagship smartphone – the LG G4. The 5.5-inch (2560 x 1440, 538ppi) smartphone ships with Android 5.1 Lollipop and comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB memory.

Available end-May in Singapore from M1, Singtel, StarHub and LG Mobile retailers.

Update (13 May, 2015):

Promotion with M1 and StarHub (while stocks last): Customers who register their purchase interest (15-24 May) with M1 and StarHub (Singtel not included) will get a free 64GB MicroSD card and for purchases of the LG G4 in leather, a free genuine leather Quick Circle Cover.

This is in addition to the free extra battery and charger cradle for purchases from all three telcos.

The LG G4 is available in handcrafted, genuine full grain leather in three beautiful colors (Black, Brown and Red). Other material options for the G4 rear cover include artisan-forged Metallic Gray as well as lustrous, Shiny Gold.

The LG G4 is available in handcrafted, genuine full grain leather in three beautiful colors (Black, Brown and Red). Other material options for the G4 rear cover include artisan-forged Metallic Gray as well as lustrous, Shiny Gold.

The regional launch for the LG G4 was held in the ArtScience Museum in Singapore.

The LG G4 is available in handcrafted, genuine full grain leather in three beautiful colors (Black, Brown and Red).

Other material options for the G4 rear cover include artisan-forged Metallic Gray as well as lustrous, Shiny Gold.

The G4 has a 16-megapixel rear camera with F1.8 aperture and OIS 2.0 – which now incorporates three-axis optical image stabilisation to reduce blur.

The camera also added Manual Mode for photography, allowing users to directly control focus, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation and white balance.

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New arrivals: HTC One M9 flagship Android smartphone

Monday, April 27th, 2015

The latest flagship model in the HTC One family debuts in Singapore on 2 May, 2015 and is available from M1, Singtel and StarHub for S$1,008. Tech specs below.

The HTC One M9 will be available in dual-tone silver and rose gold, and single-tone gunmetal grey in Singapore (S$1,008) from 2 May 2015 at M1, Singtel, and StarHub. A single-tone gold and dual-tone gold and pink version may be available later.

The HTC One M9 will be available in dual-tone silver and rose gold, and single-tone gunmetal grey in Singapore (S$1,008) from 2 May 2015 at M1, Singtel, and StarHub. A single-tone gold and dual-tone gold and pink version may be available later.

The HTC One M9 ships with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with HTC Sense 7 and is driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core CPU with 3GB RAM and 32GB memory.

HTC One M9 in single-tone gunmetal grey, with dual front-facing speakers and new 5.1 channel Dolby Surround sound simulation.

HTC One M9 in single-tone gunmetal grey, with dual front-facing speakers and new 5.1 channel Dolby Surround sound simulation.

Measuring 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.61mm and weighing 157g, the M9 is powered by a 2840mAh battery and has a 5-inch display with Full HD 1080p.

The M9 uses Nano SIM and comes with NFC and micro-USB port.

It has a 20-megapixel rear camera with sapphire lens cover and front camera with f/2.0 lens capable of 1080p video recording.

The main camera is capable of shooting 4K video.

The HTC One M9 was first unveiled in March during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

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Adobe adds Photoshop Lightroom CC to Creative Cloud Photography

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan – with Photoshop CC and the new Photoshop Lightroom CC – is now available across desktop and mobile for S$13 per month.

All existing Photography and Creative Cloud complete plan members are able to access the new version of Lightroom CC today – at no extra charge.

All existing Photography and Creative Cloud complete plan members are able to access the new version of Lightroom CC today – at no extra charge.

The new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC promises fast performance and new tools to edit, enhance, organise and showcase photos.

With Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC, Adobe Creative Cloud Photography includes mobile capabilities – automatically syncing photos with Lightroom CC on the desktop, while Lightroom on mobile devices lets users access and edit their entire catalog of photos on iPad, iPhone as well as Android smartphones and tablets.

Creative Cloud Photography is making the transition for digital photography from a traditional desktop-based process to a more mobile, connected workflow for digital images.

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