Here’s a selection of interesting tech events happening this week (18-24 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?
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.
The final of the four large annual IT exhibitions in Singapore kicks off at the Singapore EXPO from Thursday to Sunday, while SUNTEC Singapore takes this chance for a major renovation.
It’ll be a busy week looking for promos and deals in the IT fair. Just prior to that is a media luncheon to hear out Red Hat at SuperTree by IndoChin.
One week from today, the final of four large annual IT exhibitions in Singapore will take place for four days (22-25 Nov) at the Singapore EXPO. SITEX 2012 will open daily from 11 am to 9 pm (Admission FREE).
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.
In the run up to Windows 8 official release on October 26, Sony has revealed its Fall lineup of Intel-based VAIO notebooks running on the new operating system – including the VAIO Duo 11 slate that comes with sliding keyboard.
Available from November 2012. VAIO Duo 11 will be sold at S$1,999 (i5-3317U processor) and S$2,699 (i7-3517U). Prices for the other notebooks TBA.
Sony’s new lineup of VAIO notebooks is helmed by the VAIO Duo 11, an Ultrabook slate with a slide-out keyboard and stylus pen; weighing only 1.3 kg and 17.85 mm thin. 11.6-inch display and available in November 2012 at S$1,999 (i5 CPU) and S$2,699 (i7 CPU).
Sony showcased its new VAIO lineup for the Fall at the Red Dot Museum in Singapore today.
New S Series models come in 13.3″ and 15.5″ screens, i5 and i7 CPUs and comes with new colour Red. 1.69 kg, 22.8 mm thin.
The new notebooks run on the latest Intel* chips and the new Windows 8 operating system, centering user experience around Touch interactivity.
These sleekly designed machines either have a 10-point multi-touch screen, or come with touchpads that enable users to utilise the touch interface of Windows 8.
As an electronics giant with a full range of electronic products, Sony demonstrated how the VAIO computers could be tightly integrated with other electronic gadgets in its stable.
These include large DLNA TV displays, cameras, video cameras, and Android smartphones.
Two new 14″E14P Series notebooks (i5 & i7). Note the soft-edged design with no bezels.
A VAIO user can therefore download, edit and share photos/videos taken with a camera or smartphone and view them either on the Web or on a large TV.
Two new 13.3″ VAIO T Series models (i5 & i7 CPU) using premium materials like magnesium and aluminium.
The VAIO Duo 11 ultrabook can function as a flat slate but has a slide-out keyboard to become a laptop.
The new S Series models has 5.5 hr battery life (additional 11 hr with optional extended battery) and a Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System that uses two graphics processors.
The two new T Series Ultrabooks has either SSD or hybrid HDD/SSD storage.
* In addition to the two new VAIO E14P Series models, the lineup also includes the VAIO E 11” and 15” series which are equipped with 3rd generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, or the AMD Radeon processor.
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.
The first three episodes of Cybergeddon has been released at 1pm today. The remaining six webisodes will be released over the next two days. Catch the movie at Yahoo!
Also check out “Cybergeddon” app – the free mobile game on the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; as well as Google Play store for Android devices.
Cybergeddon, Anthony E. Zuiker’s digital blockbuster will premiere globally on Tuesday, 25 September.
Cybergeddon follows agent Chloe Jocelyn (Missy Peregrym) as she investigates a slew of seemingly unrelated cyber-attacks with fellow agent Frank Parker (Manny Montana) and incarcerated master hacker Chase ‘Rabbit’ Rosen (Kick Gurry).
Anthony E. Zuiker and Missy Peregrym on the set of Cybergeddon in Toronto, Canada.
In a world where everyone is connected, Chloe and her team must break the worldwide cybercrime ring led by Gustov Dobreff (Olivier Martinez) before it is too late.
Olivier Martinez (from “Unfaithful”) acts as villain Gustov Dobreff.
The “movie” is actually a web serial comprising 9 webisodes to be released on Yahoo! over a period of three consecutive days starting 25 September 2012 (Tuesday).
Cybergeddon debuts on 25 September (Tuesday) on Yahoo! with three webisodes released each day for three consecutive days.You can watch the trailer here.
Cybergeddon will debut in over 25 countries and 10 languages.
The digital blockbuster was produced in Toronto, Canada and puts the spotlight on the growing threat of cybercrime, identity theft and vulnerabilities in our highly connected and digital lives.
Missy Peregrym (from “Rookie Blue”) acts as heroine Chloe Jocelyn.
Norton by Symantec consulted directly with the projects’ creators to lend credibility and technical insights that helped inform the narrative and led to the creation of a cybersecurity character in the film.
I found the show struck a good balance between technical depth and entertainment value.
Missy Peregrym’s character is framed by the villain in Cybergeddon.
There was an adequate supply of technical jargon to appease the informed hacker in the audience without boring the living daylights out of the layman viewer.
Manny Montana (from “Breakout Kings”) acts as agent Frank Parker.
In fact, well-designed animation was used to illustrate abstract hacking processes to help audiences appreciate the complexities and progress of various hacking processes.
Missy Peregrym in the Norton Security Operations Center (NSOC) in Cybergeddon.
The pace of the movie was maintained throughout so that the show felt like a regular action thriller – actually, there was plenty of chase and fight scenes, complete with pyrotechnics and gory stabs so even if you don’t understand any of the hacking bits, you can still enjoy the flick.
Re-creation of the Norton Security Operations Center (NSOC) for Cybergeddon.
A bit of planning can save you much meandering in the ocean of exhibitors at COMEX 2012. Here are three simple steps to make your bargain-hunting a breeze.
Do you find yourself zig-zagging acrros the hall and shuttling to-and-fro between floors?
The weekend is here and many will be jam-packing Levels 3, 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore to take advantage of promotions at COMEX 2012 – one of four major annual IT shows in Singapore.
Follow these three simple steps to make your bargain-hunting a breeze.
Step 1 – Online browsing of promotions
Check out the offers online. Even before hitting the venue, browse through the e-brochures and e-flyers to check out the discounts and freebies offered by exhibitors.
Click on this button to display ALL articles and promotions for COMEX 2012.
Check the list of promotions I have consolidated on tech4tea.com here.
You can click on the COMEX 2012 button at the top of the side-bar to the right of every page of tech4tea.com – it will show you all the articles related to COMEX 2012.
If you have specific gadgets you want to buy, you can do some targeted browsing/search.
Notice the buttons the main COMEX 2012 button? Pressing these buttons will lead you to a compilation of the relevant flyers/promotions for the category of gadgets that you’re looking for.
Drowning in a sea of irrelevant brochures? Do some targeted browsing instead.
These include computers (desktops, all-in-ones, notebooks, ultrabooks, netbooks, tablets etc), printers (laser printers, inkjets, photo and label printers etc), cameras, audio products and accessories.
Hopefully, this will rescue you from drowning in the sea of brochures and flyers flying around the Web.
Step 2 – Plan your route
Based on the shopping list, tally with the floor plan for the show, and plan an expeditious route through the booths.
This will save you from having to zig-zag across the halls or between floors.
You may want to plan a route that includes competing exhibitors just to check whether they have revised their prices on-site to something better than what you’ve already decided based on online browsing.
Step 3 – Put on your blinkers or shop-till-you-drop
With your shopping list and route in hand, put on your blinkers and FOLLOW the plan. You should be able to get in and out and get what you want pretty quickly.
Of course, if you prefer to spend the entire day and empty your wallets, you can just go the free-and-easy way, and meander through the crowd as and where your fancy takes you.
Below are some useful resources for planning your COMEX 2012 shopping trip.
As usual, I hit COMEX 2012 on the second afternoon of the 4-day event, before the end-of-week crowds roll in after work to look for bargains.
COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore, Levels 3, 4 & 6; from 30 August to 2 September, 12 noon to 9 pm; admission free.
Compared to the PC Show in June, the crowds at COMEX 2012 was bigger during this second-afternoon slot – which is what I believe to be the “lullest” time-window of the four annual 4-day IT exhibitions..
Queing up to enter Suntec car park.
I managed to park at Suntec Singapore itself after a 15-minute queue at car park entrance E. Don’t even think about driving to COMEX over the weekend. Do yourself a favour and take public transport instead.
There’re more exhibitors at COMEX 2012 compared to the previous show as well. I got in and out within half an hour – I’d planned my shopping list, checked out the floor plans and worked out the route of attack through the crowds and booths.
Olympus will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Hall 404, Booth 8205.
Click to view or download Olympus promotions during COMEX 2012. Caution: Large file (14MB PDF).
Check out Olympus promotions for its range of cameras. S$150 discount for its (super-)Tough TG-320 that was just launched this month (at S$348). You can get now get the waterproof (3m) and shockproof (1.5m) adventure camera for S$198.
Another of my favourite is the XZ-1. It’s been around for a while now but its F1.8 bright lens is still alluring, especially with a discount of S$250 from S$748 to S$498, plus gifts worth S$175.
For those moving beyond compact cameras, check out the retro PEN-series and OM-D E-M5 mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
Olympus also sells voice recorders and very fashionable accessories for its cameras.
