Archive for the ‘Apple’ Category

SITEX 2012 promotions: EpiCentre Apple products and accessories

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

EpiCentre Pte Ltd will be at SITEX 2012 in Hall 6, Booth 6E01. They will be retailing Apple products as well as third party products, some at more than 70% discounts.

SITEX 2012 promotions from EpiCentre.

Click to view or download Nikon promotions for SITEX 2012.  (Caution: 5MB PDF file with 5 flyers)

EpiCentre’s full range of Apple products includes the latest MacBook Pro with Retina display, iPad with Retina display, iPhone 5 (with SingTel contracts) and iPods

Purchases of laptops or tablets from EpiCentre’s SITEX booth or at any of the eight EpiCentre stores located islandwide will come with gifts worth more than S$400.

Below are EpiCentre’s promotions for SITEX 2012.

(more…)

SITEX 2012 promotions: Nubox Apple products and accessories

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

Nubox will be at SITEX 2012 in Hall 6. They will be retailing Apple products and accessories at up to 70% discounts.

Nubox is an arm of Newstead Technologies with Apple Premium Reseller (APR) and Apple Authorised Reseller (AAR) stores in Singapore.

Nubox is an arm of Newstead Technologies with Apple Premium Reseller (APR) and Apple Authorised Reseller (AAR) stores in Singapore.

Nubox will be offering the complete range of Apple products from the new iPod touch and iPod nano to the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini.

Purchase any Mac from Nubox at the show and enjoy savings of up to $258.

There’ll be discounts of up to 70% on accessories including audio products, covers and electronic items as well as exclusive star buys.

Nubox will also be conducting hourly workshops on OSX and Mountain Lion during SITEX 2012.

this WEEK in TECH – a selection of interesting events

Sunday, October 28th, 2012

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?

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.

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.

Oracle Day 2012: Simpor Ballroom, Level 4, Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre

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.

Below is the events listing for the week.

(more…)

Nubox opens Eleventh Apple Premium Reseller Store in Funan Singapore

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Nubox, an arm of Newstead Technologies, will be re-launching Nubox@Funan DigitaLife Mall at Funan DigitaLife Mall, 109 North Bridge Road, #03-21/22 on October 26, 2012, 11 am.

In conjunction with the store opening, there will be a series of promotions from 26 - 28 October.

In conjunction with the store opening, there will be a series of promotions from 26 – 28 October. Click on image to see enlarged view of the discount flyer.

The Nubox store at Funan DigitaLife Mall first started as an Apple Authorised Reseller in 2008.

“We are very pleased to be the largest chain of Apple Premium Reseller (APR) with 11 stores islandwide. All Nubox stores have attained the APR status,” said Ms Evelyn Chua, Chief Marketing Officer, Newstead Technologies.

To achieve the Apple Premium Reseller (APR) status, the store met stringent criteria from Apple – from store location and size to quality service and certified staff.

Similar to other Nubox stores, customers will be able to get the full range of Apple products as well as an extensive range of third-party accessories and software.

The friendly Nubox staff will also provide professional advice on products, complete with training and service support.

Nubox Super Size Challenge

Nubox Super Size Challenge

Nubox Super Size Challenge

To celebrate the opening of Nubox@Funan DigitaLife Mall, Nubox will be holding the grand finals of Nubox Super Size Challenge at 10am at the store on 27 October.

The competition was first held last year. The preliminary rounds for this year’s challenge was held online from 10 – 17 October.

The top 10 participants with the most number of correct answers completed within the shortest time will face-off “live” at the finals.

The champion will walk away with S$1,200 worth of Nubox vouchers. The other nine finalists will receive a-JAYS One+ earphones worth $88.

Event: Apple iPad mini Event

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Apple introduces iPad mini (S$448 – S$878), Fourth Generation iPad (S$658 – S$1,088), iMac and Mac mini (S$1,088 – S$2,788), as well as 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (S$2,388 – S$2,788) at San Jose, California. All prices include GST.

Philip Schiller introduces the iPad mini in San Jose, California. Schiller is Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

Philip Schiller introduces the iPad mini in San Jose, California. Schiller is Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

As rumoured, Apple has introduced the iPad mini, with a 7.9-inch (1024 x 768 pixels) non-Retina display and 7.2mm thick.

The new iPad mini with its bigger brother, the Fourth Generation iPad.

The new iPad mini with its bigger brother, the Fourth Generation iPad.

It is a quarter thinner than the Fourth Generation iPad and thinner than a pencil, according to Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

The Fourth Generation iPad is an update that includes a new A6X CPU, a 720p FaceTime HD camera, additional LTE carrier support and faster Wi-Fi.

Externally, the only difference is the 9-pin Lightning connector which replaces the old 30-pin jack.

The Wi-Fi only version of the two tablets will be available in 34 countries from 2 November and can be pre-ordered in 26 countries from 26 October. Singapore is in both lists.

The Wi-Fi + Cellular versions will only start shipping “a couple of weeks after the Wi-Fi models”, according to Apple.

Many expected the iPad mini to be priced to compete with 7-inch tablets such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD and Google’s Nexus 7, both of which start at US$199.

Apple's new iMac is super thin at the edges - only 5mm on all edges.

Apple’s new iMac is super thin at the edges – only 5mm on all edges.

However, the iPad mini will start at US$329 instead.

Apple has also updated its Mac mini and iMacs (21.5 and 27-inch).

The later is particularly stunning with its razor-thin all-in-one form factor that has excited the tech community.

It comes with a new storage option called Fusion Drive – which combines 128GB of flash with a standard 1TB or 3TB hard drive.

The Mac mini is available today, while the 21.5-inch iMac and 27-inch iMac will be available in November and December respectively through the Apple Online Store.

Philip Schiller – Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing – also unveiled a new 13-inch MacBook Pro that is 20 percent thinner than its predecessor and weighs nearly half a kilogram lighter.

New 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.

New 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Starting at S$2,388, the new notebook has a 2.5GHz Intel processor, a high-resolution Retina display with more than 4 million pixels, and a solid-state flash drive instead of a spinning hard disk.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available from today through the Apple Online Store.

In the other big tech event for this week, Microsoft is releasing its Windows 8 cross-platform operating system for General Availability this Friday on 26 October.

Nubox and EpiCentre sells out non-contracted iPhone 5 across Singapore

Friday, September 21st, 2012

Nubox and EpiCentre, both Apple Premium Reseller chains in Singapore, sold out their non-contracted iPhone 5 units nationwide when sales of the new smartphone commenced at 8am this morning.

This is the first time either are selling non-contracted iPhones on launch day. (All photos in this post taken by Nubox and EpiCentre)

Happy customers with their new iPhone 5 at Nubox Tampines Mall.

Happy customers with their new iPhone 5 at Nubox Tampines Mall.

Nubox sold out its iPhone 5 units within 30 minutes while EpiCentre sold out its units within 2 hours.

Overnight queues at EpiCentre Somerset.

Overnight queues at EpiCentre Somerset.

Both were unable to divulge the number of units sold as there was a gag order from Apple on sales figures.

Longest queue at for Nubox was at Tampines Mall with more than 200 people.

Longest queue at for Nubox was at Tampines Mall with more than 200 people.

Nubox set up queue poles outside its outlets at 8pm last night, with people starting to queue at that time at Tampines Mall, which also had the longest queue of some 200 people.

First and second customer at Nubox@Raffles City today – Felix Haryanto William (left) and Angus Tan. 18-year-old polytechnic student Felix Haryanto William started the queue at 1 a.m this morning. Felix was accompanied by his father. “My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for iPhone 5 since last December. I am an Apple fan and I just want the latest phone. We queued at Nubox for the launch of the new iPad in March and decided to come here again to queue for the new iPhone,” said Felix.

1st 2 customers at Nubox@Raffles City – Felix Haryanto William (L) & Angus Tan. 18-yr-old polytechnic student Felix  started the queue at 1 am this morning with his father. “My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for iPhone 5 since last December. I am an Apple fan and I just want the latest phone. We queued at Nubox for the launch of the new iPad in March and decided to come here again to queue for the new iPhone,” said Felix.

19-year-old Deepti Vasan queued with her father since 8 p.m. last night. “We are looking forward to the larger screen which would be great for videos. We were very excited when we know that Nubox is selling iPhone 5. We still have an existing contract and it would be very expensive to break the contact,” said Deepti. Both father and daughter were delighted with their new 64GB iPhone 5.

19-year-old Deepti Vasan queued with her father since 8 pm last night at Nubox@Tampines Mall. “We are looking forward to the larger screen which would be great for videos. We were very excited when we know that Nubox is selling iPhone 5. We still have an existing contract and it would be very expensive to break the contact,” said Deepti. Both father and daughter were delighted with their new 64GB iPhone 5.

For EpiCentre, the majority of the queues started forming from 8pm last night.
“I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a welcome crew as I entered the store,” said Ms Tang Yinghua, the first customer at the EpiCentre ION Orchard outlet. “I felt like a VIP as the crew clapped and cheered continuously as they activated my iPhone 5. It was an overwhelming experience and I can’t wait to use my iPhone 5 immediately.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a welcome crew as I entered the store,” said Ms Tang Yinghua, the first customer at the EpiCentre ION Orchard outlet. “I felt like a VIP as the crew clapped and cheered continuously as they activated my iPhone 5. It was an overwhelming experience and I can’t wait to use my iPhone 5 immediately.”

EpiCentre is offering promotional bundles for the iPhone 5, which includes trade-up promotions for customers upgrading their smartphones to the new Apple iPhone 5.

Trade-up prices vary depending on the smartphone model and conditions.

Accessories bundles include either the purchase of a Gosh iPhone 5 screen protector and a Gosh Cross Case at S$39.90 (usual price: S$70.90); or the purchase of any screen protector or phone case at 15% discount.

SingTel launches new deF!ND and the Apple iPhone 5

Friday, September 21st, 2012

20-year-old Liu Ting Ting was the first customer to purchase an iPhone 5 from SingTel this morning.

Besides selling the iPhone 5, SingTel also launched a new version of deF!ND – its free mobile personal assistant app that integrates local information and enables bookings of services on the move.

Early-bird customers at SingTel's  iPhone 5 launch.

Early-bird customers at SingTel’s iPhone 5 launch.

SingTel has organised a three-day launch event for the iPhone 5 starting this morning at 8am at Marina Bay Sands, Exhibition Hall D, Basement 2.

Liu Ting Ting  jumping with joy.

Liu Ting Ting jumping with joy.

A record 68,000 customers registered their interest over six days to purchase iPhone 5 from SingTel.

SingTel’s price plans can be found at the end of this post.

The 10,000 appointment slots to purchase iPhone 5 at our launch event were snapped-up within one and a half hours.

The first customer to purchase iPhone 5 is Ms Liu Ting Ting (age 20, student).

She had arrived last night (Thurs 20 Sep) at 8:30pm even though she had a confirmed appointment to purchase iPhone 5 this morning.

Liu Ting Ting with Allan Lew (R) and Yuen Kuan Moon (L) from SingTel.

Liu Ting Ting with Allan Lew (R) and Yuen Kuan Moon (L) from SingTel.

She chose to camp overnight in order to be the first to get the phone.

SingTel also unveiled a new version of deF!ND, which features Singapore’s own voice-activated personal assistant, often dubbed the “Singapore Siri”.

First launched in November last year, the new version now features a significantly expanded database of more than 100,000 reviews on more than 15,000 eateries from HungryGoWhere, Singapore’s popular food website.

Users can quickly and easily browse through recommendations of highly-rated restaurants and hawkers nearest to their current location.

SingTel deF!ND can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

SingTel deF!ND can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

deF!ND is now able to make intelligent movie recommendations based on users’ personal preferences and display screening times at GV, Shaw and Cathay cinemas nearest to their current location.

deF!ND is a free app iOS and Android app from SingTel.A virtual barometer predicts the user’s level of interest in all movies that are currently airing.

The app allows users to select seats and charge ticket purchases to their credit cards.

With deF!ND, users can also book taxis, locate ATMs, medical clinics and other essential amenities, find the best shopping deals and get updates on local events.

The app draws from SingTel’s popular inSing.com database of more than 170,000 business listings.

By the way, SingTel’s price plans is listed below.

(more…)

New social app: SingTel Loop & Meet organises your social life

Friday, September 14th, 2012

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.

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.

Free SingTel Loop & Meet app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.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.

Loop & Meet is available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

Apple launches iPhone 5 with 4-inch Retina display, A6 chip and new connector

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

No surprises as to the features of the iPhone 5 except that there’s no NFC. Most of the enhancements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. As with its predecessors, iPhone 5 will come in 16 GB (S$948), 32 GB (S$1,088) and 64 GB (S$1,238) configurations.

It will arrive in 9 countries, including Singapore, on 21 September.

The iPhone 5 comes in Black & Slate or White & Silver.

The iPhone 5 comes in Black & Slate or White & Silver.

The iPhone 5 will run on iOS 6, which will be released as a free software update two days before the smartphone itself hits the shelves.

Apple iPhone 5
OS iOS 6
Screen 4″ Retina display
Resolution 1136 x 640
Battery mAh rating not revealed
Processor A6
Features LTE
Camera Rear: 8 MP
Front: 1.2 MP
Video Rear: 1080p30
Front: 720p30
Video Info not available
Memory Int: 16, 32, 64 GB
Ext: Nil
Size /mm 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6
Weight 112 g
Price (w GST)
  • 16 GB: S$948
  • 32 GB: S$1,088
  • 64 GB: S$1,238

The new operating system features 200 new features but will notably be foregoing Google’s Maps and YouTube apps.

The 4-inch Retina display is now taller, with 1136 x 640 pixels at a high 326 ppi resolution.

All these will run off the new Apple-designed A6 chip and 4G LTE network.

Design-wise, the iPhone 5 is a stunner, with a selection of Black & Slate and White & Silver.

The former has most of my friends salivating although the white is beginning to become somewhat commonplace by now.

And the body is only 7.6mm thin.

The rear camera now has 8 megapixels while the front 1.2-megapixel camera shoots 720p video at up to 30 fps for FaceTime HD video calls.

A new panorama feature stitches photos of up to 28 megapixels simply by moving the camera across a scene in one smooth motion – like the sweep panorama in Sony cameras.

Available in 9 countries on 21 September.

Available in 9 countries on 21 Sep.

As expected, Apple has replaced the 30-pin connector with a new 9-pin Lightning connector.

A Lightning-to-30-pin Adapter (sold separately) is available to connect the iPhone 5 to legacy 30-pin accessories.

Due to the variation in LTE networks in different countries, the iPhone 5 will come in 3 variants in terms of LTE frequencies.

The first model (A1428 GSM) works only in the US and Canada, while the second (A1429 CDMA) works for US carriers Sprint and Verizon, as well as KDDI in Japan.

9-pin Lightning connector replaces 30-pin connector.

9-pin Lightning connector replaces 30-pin connector.

The third model (A1429 GSM) runs on 850MHz, 1800MHz and 2100Mz.

This is the most international version – compatible with the most number of countries.

Note that although the iPhone 5 runs on 1800MHz for LTE, Singapore operates its LTE network on 1800MHz and 2600MHz.

So in areas where 1800MHz is not available, the iPhone 5 will fall back onto 3G.

Likewise, in countries where the 4G is not compatible with your version of iPhone 5, you will still be able to use in on 3G.

The iPhone 4S will also be available for a suggested retail price of SGD$788 (incl GST) and iPhone 4 for a suggested retail price SGD$588 (incl GST).

The first nine countries getting the iPhone 5 on 21 September are Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the US and the UK.

The iPhone 5 will be available in 9 countries on 21 Sep and another 22 countries on 28 Sep.

The iPhone 5 will be available in 9 countries on 21 Sep and another 22 countries on 28 Sep.

Customers from these countries can pre-order the iPhone 5 beginning 14 September.

All three major Telcos in Singapore, SingTel, StarHub and M1, will be selling the iPhone 5 on 21 September.

The iPhone 5 will next hit the shelves worldwide at 22 more countries a week later on 22 September.

These countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

COMEX 2012 promotions: Newstead, Nubox, tech@vogue

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Newstead, Nubox and tech@vogue will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at 7 booths on Levels 3 & 4.

COMEX 2012 promotions and offers from Newstead, Nubox and tech@vogue below.

COMEX 2012 promotions and offers from Newstead, Nubox and tech@vogue below.

Check out COMEX 2012 discounts and purchases from the Newstead stable of consumer IT retailers.

There are desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, ultrabooks and tablets from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung.

There are also Apple and PC accessories from Nubox and tech@vogue.

Booth #3015 on Level 3 sells Lenovo, Dell, ASUS, Sandisk, Samsung Galaxy & TomTom products.

The six booths at Level 4 are:

  • B8139 – ASUS & Dell
  • B8236 – ACC, Samsung & Acer
  • B8318 – Lenovo, Acer, Toshiba, Samsung & Oki
  • B8335 – Nubox & tech@vogue Gallery
  • B8418 – Ingram, Lenovo, HP & ASUS
  • B8498 – EA, Lenovo, Buffalo & Microsoft