Here’s a selection of interesting tech events happening this week (28 October – 3 November 2012). It is not an exhaustive list and represents only a sampling of events that gives a taste of the tech pulse in Singapore.
What are some of the more interesting tech events happening in Singapore this week?
Lenovo is showing off its exciting lineup of convertible notebook/tablet hybrids for Windows 8 this week. I played with some of the models during the Windows 8 launch in Singapore last week, and they are amazing. Watch this space for the hands-on.
Event listing on tech4tea.com
You can see this selection of events in the right sidebar on every page.
Event organisers can submit your events for listing to johntan@tech4tea.com – but there are no promises that your event will be featured.
This week sees Microsoft move its focus from the launch of Windows 8 to the formal launch of Windows Phone 8, which shares a common core with its bigger sibling.
Will the Metro-based new smartphone operating system increase its market share from a meagre 3.5% (for the second quarter according to IDC).
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android dominate with 17% and 68% respectively. Windows Phone 8 smartphones announced thus far include Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, HTC 8S and 8X, and Samsung ATIV S. We might actually see the HTC models showcased in Singapore this Friday!
Midweek, Brother is launching a new printer while A*STAR Data Storage Institute will show off the world’s thinnest 2.5-inch 5mm hybrid drive for consumer and business devices.
For those interested in the latest trends in Cloud, Mobile, Social and Big Data, be sure to register for Oracle Day 2012 at Marina Bay Sands. Get the hottest updates on critical business drivers, meet Oracle experts and experience their latest technologies at the Demo booths.
And for photography buffs, the Singapore leg of Canon’s annual PhotoMarathon Asia 2012 takes place at the Marina Bay Sands this Saturday. To be guaranteed a participation slot do register online prior to the event.
Two days before General Availability of Microsoft Windows 8, ASUS unveils its lineup of new Windows 8 touch-enabled devices, which includes full gaming desktops, All-in-Ones, notebooks, tablets – as well as notebook/tablet convertibles/transformers. Prices within.
The ASUS VivoTab RT 3G is now available in Singapore from 9 January for S$1,049.
ASUS has unveiled a comprehensive lineup of Windows 8 computers ranging from powerful gaming desktops, All-in-One desktops, notebooks, tablets, as well as convertible and transformer notebook/tablethybrids.
Among the major computer manufacturers, I consider Asus as one of the most innovative.
Innovative pioneers
The Taiwanese company created the Netbook genre with its Eee PCs back in 2007.
ASUS Transformer Book
Asus also the pioneered the tablet/notebook hybrid with the Asus Transformer TF101 – offering a hardware keyboard that the Android tablet could be docked into for serious work that involves typing – plus added battery life and connectors.
Now every other major computer maker offers notebook/tablet hybrids in their lineup.
Either as a “Transformer” hybrid where the keyboard can be totally detached.
Or in a “Convertible” format where the keyboard cannot be detached but can be manipulated such that the machine can be held as a tablet or used like a traditional laptop.
Asus has continued its innovation with products such as the Transformer Padfone and now the Taichi – a convertible with dual screens.
Below is a summary of the new Windows 8 lineup unveiled by ASUS.
Here’s a selection of interesting tech events happening this week (21-27 October 2012). It is not an exhaustive list and represents only a sampling of events that gives a taste of the tech pulse in Singapore.
What are some of the more interesting tech events happening in Singapore?
This week sees the culmination of weeks of anticipation building up to the General Availability of Windows 8. CNET reports that Microsoft is holding a special event in New York City on the eve to as a pre-launch celebration. This is also being held in other major cities as well.
Event listing on tech4tea.com
You can see this selection of events in the right sidebar on every page.
Event organisers can submit your events for listing to johntan@tech4tea.com – but there are no promises that your event will be featured.
Asus is showcasing its Windows 8 lineup while Samsung is setting up a “Samsung Experience Corner” in the Challenger store in Funan DigitaLife Mall.
In parallel is similar levels of excitement with Apple holding a special event with the usual cryptic message. This time the invite reads “We’ve got a little more to show you”, which everyone sees as pointing to the launch of the 7.85-inch iPad Mini.
For Rounding off an exciting week is a public holiday for countries in the region for Muslims – Hari Raya Haji. Take the chance to check out the new range of Loewe televisions launched by Atlas Sound & Vision in Singapore.
Nubox to re-launch Nubox@Funan DigitaLife Mall, with store opening promotions. It will also hold the finals of the Nubox Super Size Challenge at the store.
Samsung has launched the GALAXY Note II LTE in Singapore. The 5.5-inch smartphone/tablet hybrid will be available from end of this week at S$998 (without contract) in Ceramic White or Titan Gray. It will also be available from the three Telcos.
Update (28 March, 2013):
The Amber Brown version of the Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE will be available on 30 March 2013 (Saturday).
The Recommended Retail Price (without line contract) is S$968.
The Samsung GALAXY SIV was launched two weeks ago on 14 March in New York City.
However, that may only hit the shelves in April/May 2013.
Update (14 March, 2013):
Samsung today announced the launch of the Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE in Martian Pink.
It will be available from 16 March 2013 (Saturday) at S$968, without line contract.
And at 7pm today (in Singapore, that will be 7pm tomorrow morning), Samsung will be launching the successor to the GALAXY S III in New York City.
The widely-anticipated Samsung GALAXY S IV will be the first GALAXY smartphone to be launched within the US.
Samsung hopes it will help the company wrest the number one position in the US from Apple’s iPhone, something it has already accomplished outside of the US.
The launch will be live-streamed worldwide.
Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE, complete with S Pen, comes in Ceramic White or Titan Gray.
The Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE has a thinner but bigger body than its predecessor, with a 16:9 screen ratio. It is the latest in Samsung’s GALAXY Note series after the launch of the GALAXY Note 10.1 in August.
The Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE (S$998) and GALAXY Camera (available November, price TBA) were launched at a gala event at The Ritz-Carlton.
Samsung also announced two local celebrities – Olivia Ong and Desmond Tan – as ambassadors for the two new gadgets.
Samsung celebrity ambassadors, Olivia Ong and Desmond Tan with their newly launched devices – GALAXY Note II and GALAXY Camera at the ‘Be Creative’ event.
Singaporean singer-songwriter, Olivia Ong will be the brand ambassador for the GALAXY Note II LTE; while MediaCorp artiste, Desmond Tan will be the ambassador for the GALAXY Camera.
“The GALAXY Note II LTE allows me to be more creative and expressive in my daily life. With its large touchscreen, S Pen and easy-to-use functions, I can now take photos and scribble words and phrases which come to mind wherever I go, and they could be the next inspiration for my upcoming albums,” said Olivia Ong.
Olivia Ong, known for her soothing and powerful vocals and songwriting prowess, will be participating in “The Wonderland” project, and embark on a creative journey to compose an original song “Wonderland”.
“Wonderland” will be made into a music video, to capture the story behind the song and more importantly, better understand what inspires her.
Olivia will capture her inspirations and write her thoughts using the Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE, and fans will get to join Olivia in her creativity process by interacting and sharing ideas with Olivia and catch behind-the-scenes videos of her creative journey to create this original song.
Olivia Ong singing her favourite song “Let It Rain” at the launch of the GALAXY Note II and GALAXY Camera at Samsung’s ‘Be Creative’ event.
MediaCorp artiste,Desmond Tan, enthuses about how he loves sharing photos with fans and loved ones on social media instantly after shoots.
Chosen as the new celebrity ambassador for the Samsung GALAXY Camera, up-and-coming MediaCorp artiste, Desmond Tan is a photography buff, who loves to share photos of his special moments with friends, fans and family.
“I love to take photos and share them online so the GALAXY Camera works perfectly for me. I can take professional-like photos, edit and upload onto Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and also use the smart and social GALAXY Camera to surf the internet and send text messages to friends and families as and when I want,” said Desmond Tan.
In preparation for his upcoming lead role in a drama, “96 Café” where he will be taking on the role of a photographer, Desmond has been exploring the various features of the GALAXY Camera by taking photos and sharing them directly from his GALAXY camera with fans who follow him on Instagram.
Other celebrities and personalities who were present at the event included creative and theatre director, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, and boutique hotelier and entrepreneur, Loh Lik Peng, who are Samsung’s ambassadors for the recently-launched GALAXY Note 10.1.
Here’s a selection of interesting tech events happening this week (14-20 October 2012). It is not an exhaustive list and represents only a sampling of events that gives a taste of the tech pulse in Singapore.
What are some of the more interesting tech events happening in Singapore?
This week sees the continuation of buzz building up to the General Availability of Windows 8. Intel, Samsung, HP and Sony have already showcased their respective offerings. Next week, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 8 on 26 October 2012.
Event listing on tech4tea.com
You can see this selection of events in the right sidebar.
Event organisers can submit your events for listing to johntan@tech4tea.com – but there are no promises that your event will be featured.
Audiophiles can look forward to the launch of Swiss Piega handmade speakers by Atlas Singapore, while photographers finally see the Lytro light field camera officially launched in Singapore.
The much anticipated Samsung GALAXY Note II and GALAXY Camera will be launched at the Ritz-Carlton; while BlackBerry and ZALORA join hands to present a fashion show inspired by the BlackBerry Bold smartphones.
On the enterprise side, Progress Software and NCS are talks about growth in big data and the realtime analytic industries, while DPM Teo Chee Hean opens Techventure 2012.
Finally, wrap up the week with a bit of fun and learning at Canon Imaging Academy, shooting out-and-about Singapore and learning about shooting stock photos along the way.
15 October (Sunday)
BlackBerry JamHack 2012
5-city, 3-day, 40-hour hackathon organised by 5 developer groups & communities in Asia Pacific, supported by RIM.
Culminates in App Pitches on the last day on 15 Oct.
Venue: Delhi, Bangalore, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila
15 October (Monday)
Realtime analytics for business
Progress Software and NCS talks about growth in big data and realtime analytic industries.
16 October (Tuesday)
Lytro launch
Official launch of the Lytro light field camera in Singapore.
Venue: Clarke Quay
17 October (Wednesday)
Samsung launch of GALAXY Note II and GALAXY Camera
Launch of Samsung’s latest products in Singapore.
Venue: Ritz-Carlton
17-18 October (Wednesday to Thursday)
Techventure 2012
This year’s theme, “Äsia.Innovation.Renaisance”, highlights the economic transformation in Asia and opportunities for businesses from technological innovation.
Venue: Marina Bay Sands
18 October (Thursday)
Fashionably Bold
BlackBerry and ZALORA collaborates on a fashion show inspired by the BlackBerry Bold smartphones.
Venue: 72-13 Mohammed Sultan Road
19 October (Friday)
Piega launch by Atlas
Swiss Piega launching a range of exclusive handmade speakers in Singapore.
Venue: Atlas Showroom @ Windstedt
20-22 October (Saturday to Monday)
Singapore iStockalypse
iStockphoto and Getty Images are partnering with Canon Singapore to organise this 3-day photo-workshop to shoot Singapore.
Theory on Saturday, followed by portfolio review on Sunday and out-and-about shooting on Monday.
With the release of Microsoft Windows 8, HP has lined up a range of computers running the new operating system – from All-in-One desktops to notebooks – and two tablets!
HP has lined up a wide range of Windows 8 computers – from desktop AiOs and notebooks to its two new tablets.
Following its aborted foray into tablets last year (with the webOS-based TouchPad), HP will be launching not one but two tablets, based on Windows 8 – the HP ENVY x2 and the HP ElitePad 900.
Both will be available later this year and in January 2013 respectively. Below are some of the computers showcased during the HP’s “A Life Connected” event.
HP ENVY x2
Powerful and ultrathin hybrid notebook PC, with a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard.
Ultra slim and lightweight, the docking mechanism has a seamless magnetic latch that smoothly guides the tablet into place.
Comes with Beats Audio for a rich, audio experience.
Available in late 2012. Price S$1,099.
HP ElitePad 900
The HP ElitePad 900 is HP’s premium thin and light Windows 8 tablet, designed for business.
Consumer-inspired design, and precision-crafted with quality materials like Corning Gorilla Glass 2 and sleek contoured edges.
Unique, productivity-enhancing ecosystem of elegantly designed Smart Jackets and other accessories.
Available in late January 2013. Price TBA.
Update (3 May 2013): The HP ElitePad 900 is now available in Singapore for S$1,099 (32GB SSD) and S$1,299 (64GB SSD).
HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4
The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 brings the intuitive power of touch to a 14-inch Ultrabook format with up to 8 hours of battery life.
Powerful performance and modern, metallic good looks. Comes with Beats Audio and a booming subwoofer.
Available in late 2012 for S$1,399.
HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 & Sleekbook 15
The HP Pavilion Sleekbook PCs provide the performance and easy applications that consumers need every day, in ultrathin 14-inch and 15.6-inch packages.
Available on October 26:
Sleekbook14 (AMD): S$699
Sleekbook14 (Intel i5): S$999
Sleekbook15: S$1,049
HP ENVY 23 & ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PC
The HP ENVY 23-inch and 20-inch consumer AiO PCs are the newest in the ENVY line and feature the latest touch technology in a one-cord solution with space-saving small footprint.
It is capable of sensing up to 10 fingers on the screen, so you can use both hands to play games, type or touch the screen.
Available in October:
HP ENVY 23: S$1,599
HP ENVY 20: S$1,199
HP Pavilion 20 AiO PC
The new HP Pavilion 20 is a powerful 20-inch non-touch AiO PC built for value-conscious consumers.
With the impending General Availability of Windows 8 on October 26, HP has showcased its range of All-in-One desktops, notebooks and tablets; and enunciated its vision of integrating these with smartphone usage and its printer product line – to enable a connected life.
HP showcases its extensive range of PCs and printers – and how they can be integrated to give users “A Life Connected”. Pictured here is the Officejet Pro 6700 Premium eAiO (left) and the ENVY x2 (right). Not shown to scale.
HP wants to help us integrate the disparate electronic gadgets in our digital lives seamlessly into “A Life Connected” – the theme for the showcase event.
HP is introducing two new tablets based on Windows 8. Pictured here is the ElitePad 900.
HP Singapore roped in local celebrity, Irene Ang, to demonstrate how an user could leverage the wide range of HP products for work and play, and move content and media easily between different devices.
Irene went on a fictitious holiday to Morocco, armed with HP’s recently unveiled HP Envy x2 hybrid notebook, that comes with a detachable keyboard, which she’d used to book her holiday and hotel.
Irene arrived at a Moroccan hotel where the staff used an HP EllitePad 900 tablet to check her in, printing out her check-in paperwork wirelessly using an HP printer.
The EllitePad 900 comes with a jacket that doubles battery life and provides additional expansion ports.
HP Photosmart 7520 eAiO
During her vacation in exotic Morocco, Irene snapped photos using her smartphone and used an HP app to upload and edit her photos online at Snapfish.
These photos are automatically synched with her tablet and AIO computer at home.
Along the way, she had time to do an “OppaN Irene Ang style” number to music streamed from her tablet.
And below is Oppan Irene Ang Style…
Here are some of the computers showcased during the entertaining event.
Follow this link to check out the new AiO inkjet printers with wireless direct printing technology.
This free app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets helps users to discover fun things to do and organise outings with friends.
Screenshots from SingTel’s free Loop & Meet app for iOS and Android mobile devices.
SingTel has launched Loop & Meet, a mobile app that enables mobile users to send event invitations quickly and easily, and tracks responses without having to sort through dozens of email and text messages.
Discover things to do. Send and track invitations. Meet up and have fun!
With Loop & Meet, users can browse through hundreds of events that are refreshed daily from inSing.com.
“We know that it is sometimes difficult to plan new activities or think of new places to visit,” said Cheong Hai Thoo, SingTel’s Head of Multimedia.
These events have been categorised for easy browsing into: movies, music, leisure, night out, arts, festivals and family.
The service allows users to invite their friends via SMS or email.
The app was developed in collaboration with app developer, Goba.
“Loop & Meet makes this process a breeze so that users will never be short of leisure and entertainment options,” Cheong enthused.
Recipients can use the SMS and web platforms to confirm attendance and chat with registered users, even if they have not installed the app.
Loop & Meet will help to track the responses and send invitees reminders if they do not respond.
This makes it easier for all users to keep track of the full event itinerary, time, place and attendees.
Loop & Meet is an important addition to SingTel’s growing suite of multimedia offerings, which includes the skoob e-Books service, AMPed music service and deF!ND digital concierge.
Asus will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Booths 8220 & 8310.
Click to view or download Asus promotions during COMEX 2012.
Check out Asus’ range of notebooks, Ultrabooks, netbooks, tablets. They are pioneers in the consumer computers arena with their EE PC netbooks, Transformer tablets, and PadFones.
Check out their COMEX 2012 discounts and freebies here.
