Archive for the ‘Launch’ Category

New Android smartphone: LG Optimus G, its new flagship LTE device

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

LG has launched the Optimus G in Seoul, Korea today. Available in Korea next week and in key global markets in October.

The Optimus G is LG's new flagship smartphone model, with 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

The Optimus G is LG’s new flagship smartphone model, with 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

LG Optimus G
OS Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen 4.7″ WXGA, True HD IPSPlus
Resolution 1280 x 768
Battery 2,100 mAh, sealed
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz Quad-Core Krait CPUs
Features LTE, NFC
Camera Rear: 13 MP*
Front: 1.3 MP
Video 1080p Full HD
Memory RAM: 2 GB
Int: 32 GB
Ext: Nil
Size /mm 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45
Weight 145 g
Price TBA
* In certain markets, the phone could be shipped with an 8 MP camera.

The Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) phone has a camera that shoots an amazing 13 megapixels while the sealed battery is rated at 2,100 mAh.

The Optimus G has a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus (1280 x 768 pixels) screen and is only 8.45mm thin.

It is both LTE and NFC capable.

LG’s new flagship smartphone leverages the powerful 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU to provide speedy performance and a sleek user experience.

LG boasts that the Optimus G goes beyond multi-taking into “cross-tasking” of activities without limitations.

According to LG: whereas multi-tasking applies to running various applications at the same time, cross-tasking applies to complex tasks that can be completed simultaneously without having to compromise other tasks.

Some new UX features that will be included into the Optimus G to showcase its cross-tasking and engaging capabilities are listed below.

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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.

New DSLR: Nikon D600

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

Nikon has launched its latest DSLR: a full-frame shooter that fills the gap between the recently-released D800 and the DX-format D7000.

The FX-format D600 has a 24.3-megapixels sensor and will be available from 18 September for S$3,249 (body only).

Nikon D600 was launched in Singapore. Full-frame 24.3 MP. S$3,249 from 18 September.

Nikon D600 was launched in Singapore. Full-frame 24.3 MP. S$3,249 from 18 September.

The Nikon D600 is targeted at the serious photography enthusiast upgrading to an entry-level full-frame camera.

Full-frame digital SLR cameras excel over other digital cameras equipped with smaller sensors, especially under challenging low-light conditions and where the wider angle of view is critical for shooting scenarios such as landscape and architectural photography.

Equipped with the heart and technology of its higher-end siblings (the D4, D800 and D800E), the D600 is more affordable and has a similar ergonomics and layout of controls as the D7000 to make the transition easier for the photographer making the cross-over.

The D600 has the same EXPEED 3 image-processing engine as the D4 (S$9,799) and D800 (S$4,488), and sports the following features:

  • an optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage
  • Full-frame mode: 24.3 megapixels
  • DX-format crop mode: 10.5 megapixels
  • a magnesium-alloy weather-sealed body for dust and water-resistance
  • 3-D axis tracking with 39 focus points
  • built-in automatic HDR capturing/processing
  • time-lapse video function
  • dual SD memory card slots
  • ISO range from 100-6,400, expandable to 50 (Lo-1) and 25,600 (Hi-2)

The Multi-CAM 4800FX AF-sensor module of the Nikon D600 utilises 39 focus points.

The system also places an emphasis on the human face, working in conjunction with the Advanced Scene Recognition System to provide accurate face detection even through the optical viewfinder.

The camera also offers seven cross-type sensors that are fully functional when using super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses and teleconverters (2.0x) with an aperture value up to f/8.

This is useful for those who need extreme telephoto focal lengths for sports or wildlife.

Nikon D600, entry-level full-frame DSLR.

Nikon D600, entry-level full-frame DSLR.

The Nikon D600 also features a precise Scene Recognition System that analyses detailed scene brightness and colour information acquired from the 2,016-pixel RGB sensor.

The information is then applied to autofocus, automatic exposure, i-TTL balanced fill-flash, and white balance control, all to achieve detailed and balanced images.

For storage, the Nikon D600 has dual card slots for SD cards, and offers users the ability to record backup, overflow, RAW/JPEG separation, and the additional option of shooting stills to one and video to the other.

The new Nikon D600 (left) sitting side-by-side with its higher-end sibling, the D800 (different lenses).

The new Nikon D600 (left) sitting side-by-side with its higher-end sibling, the D800 (different lenses).

Cinematic HD Video

When it comes to recording HD video, users have the choice of various resolutions and frame rates, including full HD 1080 at 30/24p utilising the Nikon D600‘s entire full-frame sensor, and HD 720 at 60/30p.

Nikon D600
Megapixels 24.3 megapixels
Sensor FX-format CMOS (full-frame)
Image processing engine EXPEED 3
ISO 100-6,400 (Expanded: 50-25,600)
Burst mode 5.5 fps
LCD 3.2″, 920k dots, TFT colour
Movie Full HD (1080/30p)
Size /mm 141 x 113 x 82
Weight 760 g
Price S$3,249

By utilising the B-Frame data compression method, users can record H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video with optimal size and quality for up to 29:59 minutes per clip (normal quality).

The Nikon D600 also enables users to use both compatible FX and DX lenses to shoot HD movies.

The FX-based movie format makes full use of the large image sensor and offers a shallow depth-of-field with an emphasis on background-blur characteristics while the DX- based movie format is optimal for recording movies and bringing subjects closer (1.5X) when lenses with short focal lengths are used.

For professional and broadcast applications that call for outboard digital recorders or external monitors, users can stream an uncompressed full HD signal directly out of the camera via the HDMI port.

The Nikon D600 is also equipped with an audio monitor port for headphones to be used.

SingTel aims to be leading regional mCommerce hub in 5 years

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

SingTel will provide customers with a  suite of mobile payment and marketing services to make it a leading mobile commerce hub in the Asia Pacific region in five years.

Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel's CEO Consumer Singapore presenting SingTel's roadmap for mCommerce.

Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s CEO Consumer Singapore presenting SingTel’s roadmap for mCommerce.

First it is opening a remittance centre in Lucky Plaza at Orchard road on next Monday.

“Mobile money is rapidly emerging as an alternative to cash,” said Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s CEO Consumer Singapore.

By the end of 2012, SingTel aims to launch Singapore’s first mobile-to-mobile remittance service

It will also progressively launch a wide range of consumer mobile commerce services throughout the year that will complement its existing Near Field Communications (NFC) contactless mobile payment services.

SingTel mRemit

“With more than 462 million mobile subscribers in 26 countries across Asia and Africa, SingTel is in a unique position to serve as a one-stop mobile commerce hub for the region. We aim to leverage the SingTel Group’s scale to reduce the costs of offering mobile commerce services for our regional associates,” added Yuen.

SingTel’s mobile remittance service, named mRemit, will be the first service of its kind in Singapore to allow consumers to use their mobile phones to remit funds to an overseas recipient’s mobile wallet account.

The sending and receiving parties will both be notified by SMS once transactions have been successfully completed.

Unlike traditional remittance services, SingTel mRemit will enable secure fund transfers at competitive rates, in seconds rather than days, thus allowing recipients to enjoy immediate access to their money.

In addition, exchange rates will be transparent and easily verifiable for customers, saving them time and effort.

From 17 September, over-the-counter remittance will be available via the Lucky Plaza store, with the mobile service launching in the coming months.

At launch, customers will be able to remit funds to the Philippines, in collaboration with GCASH, the mobile commerce service offered by SingTel’s regional associate, Globe Telecom.

Recipients can claim the remitted funds through 6,000 designated locations or 9,000 ATMS across the Philippines.

Alternatively, they can use the funds, via their mobile wallet, to purchase goods and services, top-up prepaid mobile services, pay their credit card and utility bills, renew insurance policies and repay loans.

SingTel plans to leverage its regional scale to extend the service quickly to countries in which the SingTel group affiliates operate, and where remittance services are in high demand.

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.

Nokia launches its first Windows Phone 8 smartphones

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

Nokia has unveiled its first hardware running the new mobile operating system from Microsoft.

The Finnish phone maker launched two Windows Phone 8 smartphones – Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 – in a joint media event between Nokia and Microsoft in New York today.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones at Manhattan today.

The one-and-a-half hour session just ended five minutes ago.

The joint media event saw the unveiling of the Lumia 920 (with PureView) and Lumia 820, with NFC, more powerful processors (1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4), better displays and new  augmented reality apps (City Lens) for its location suite and enhancements to existing apps (Nokia Drive, Maps and Transport).

Check back at this space for more updates on new features of the two new smartphones.

Progress Software collaborates with SingTel to launch cloud platform for application development

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Progress Software is collaborating with SingTel to launch cloud-based infrastructure for ISVs to build, test, manage and deploy cloud-based applications.

MoU signing. Keith Budge, Vice President and Managing Director (Asia Pacific & Japan), Progress Software (Left) with Alvin Kok, Head of Infocomm Services, SingTel (right).

MoU signing. Keith Budge, Vice President and Managing Director (Asia Pacific & Japan), Progress Software (Left) with Alvin Kok, Head of Infocomm Services, SingTel (right).

From the brief that Budge and Kok gave me, I can see how the collaboration will enable ISVs to mature from providing on-premise one-to-one solutions; to cloud-enabled, single-source, multi-tenanted, pay-per-use solutions.

Essentially, SingTel will provide the foundation with its PowerON IaaS, Progress Software will provide the enabler in the form of OpenEdge PaaS, so that ISVs can quickly and cost-effectively deploy cloud-based applications for their clients’ businesses.

Progress Software Corporation is a global software company that aims to be a leading platform provider for the next-generation, context-aware applications in the Cloud.

“… this [collaboration with SingTel] bolsters our strategy to provide new and existing application partners a singular, unified platform to build and deploy applications in the cloud,” said Keith Budge, Vice President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific and Japan, Progress Software.

Its collaboration with Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) will enable software developers from Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to deploy, access and analyze applications in the Cloud using the Progress OpenEdge application development platform.

The Asia Pacific Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) market is attracting considerable interest from businesses due to the flexibility it brings to application development and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Frost & Sullivan projects that the market will grow to reach $523 million in 2016.

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Nubox upgrades Sim Lim store from AAR to APR status

Friday, August 24th, 2012

Nubox today opened its 10th Apple Premium Reseller (APR) store in Sim Lim Square. Prior to this, it had an Apple Authorised Reseller store at the geek’s paradise.

The new Nubox APR store replaces the previous AAR store in Sim Lim Square.

The new Nubox APR store replaces the previous AAR store in Sim Lim Square.

To be awarded APR status, the store met stringent criteria from Apple: ability to offer impeccable service to customers, store location and size and availability of staff with Apple Certified Support Professional certification.

In addition to the complete range of Apple products, Nubox@Sim Lim Square will offer a quality range of third-party accessories and software as well professional services that include training and service support.

Newstead Technologies now has 11 Nubox stores across Singapore, comprising 10 APRs and one AAR in Funan Digital Life Mall. The Funan AAR will also be replaced with an APR next month.

Evelyn Chua, the Chief marketing Officer of Newstead, tells me that she plans to open a twelfth Nubox APR in Bedok Mall next year.

Store opening promotions for Nubox @ Sim Lim Square from 24-26 August, 2012.

Store opening promotions for Nubox @ Sim Lim Square from 24-26 August, 2012. Click on thumbnail to zoom in.

For the time being, the plan is to stop at twelve. You can read more about Nubox and its stores here.

As part of the store opening, there will be promotional offers from today till Sunday.

Samsung EX2F: launch and promotional offer

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

The regional launch event of the Samsung EX2F compact camera was held in Singapore tonight. The camera is now available for S$699. Promotions till 16 September within.

Regional launch of the Samsung EX2F compact camera in Singapore.

Regional launch of the Samsung EX2F compact camera in Singapore.

The launch event was held in 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road in Singapore with some 60 attendees from Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Attendees had a chance to try out the camera for low-light night photography in a boat ride from Clarke Quay down the Singapore River and back.

The Samsung EX2F has a maximum aperture of F/1.4 at its widest angle of 24mm (35mm equivalent).

The 12-megapixel camera is Wi-Fi capable and has an optical zoom of approximately 3.3, with maximum zoom at 80mm.

I tried out the camera during the boat ride and found it offers the whole range of manual controls that you get with DSLRs.

From the short span of time that we had to play with the camera, we found the camera focuses reasonably fast and was able to take photos at relatively low light conditions, because of the bright F/1.4 lens.

It also has a full-swivel AMOLED screen for snapping photos at awkward angles.

You can read more about the Samsung EX2F and its technical specifications here.

Nikon launches 6 new cameras in Singapore

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Nikon spearheaded its Autumn 2012 collection of cameras with 6 new cameras, 1 lens and 1 waterproof casing. Among these cameras are the super compact S01 and the Android-equipped S800c.

All will be available in September. Prices TBA.

Update (4 September, 2012):

The COOLPIX L610 is now available in Singapore at S$339.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Most camera launches roll out more of the same, with slight improvements in features or specifications.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

So its most refreshing to see Nikon trying to innovate by launching cameras that genuinely push the boundaries.

My favourite among the slew of cameras launched in Singapore today is the S01.

You’ve got to see it to believe it and you’ve got to handle it to appreciate it.

The S01 is smaller than a credit card!

It’s thicker than the card of course, but it’s like one of those charms people dangle from their keychains, although I wouldn’t want the camera slamming against the dashboard as I drive.

And people with big hands might not appreciate the compactness as much.

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

It’s a bold step for Nikon to take – pushing the limits of camera miniaturisation.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

I’m sure smartphone makers would be very keen to adopt some of the technologies developed to make their smartphone cameras perform even better.

Already, these camera phones are encroaching into the market share of compact cameras with the only difference being image quality, which is made up for by the convenience of having the smartphone camera being available and handy at all times.

I won’t be surprised if some of Nikon’s sub-contractors are already talking to smartphone makers on possible collaborations.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the same front, Nikon is hitting back at the smartphone camera sector with the S800c – a compact camera with an Android OS (2.3) and Wi-Fi connectivity.

So you can use photo-editing apps (such as Photoshop, Instagram and PicsArt) from the Google Play store to edit photos taken with the camera, and share it online on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

You can also use any of the other 500,000 apps on the Google Play for gaming or other purposes.

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

What the S800c doesn’t have yet is 3G connectivity, to give it 3G data connectivity in case there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity.

Who knows, you might even see a Nikon camera-phone (in that order) in the future!

The other products launched today are more run-of-the-mill cameras and accessories.

These include three new compacts from the COOLPIX family: COOLPIX P7700, L610, and S6400.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

For its mirrorless interchangeable lens line, Nikon has launched the Nikon 1 J2, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Nikon 1 water proof case.

I’ll be posting more details of each camera so you can check the tech specs in those articles.