Archive for the ‘gadgets’ Category

Travel: Thailand 2014 – A week in the Land of Smiles

Friday, December 12th, 2014

It’s the year-end school holidays and the family decided to take an impromptu short break to Thailand for a week.

Welcome to the Land of Smiles. Here the welcoming facade of our hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand. Photo taken with Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Welcome to the Land of Smiles. Here the welcoming facade of our hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand.

We’d initially thought about going to Krabi but it looked so crowded in photos on the Web that we decided to choose somewhere that’s more “off the beaten track”.

So we settled on Hua Hin, a popular weekend getaway for the local Thais in Bangkok.

Time for relaxation. Laidback sculpture in the gardens of our hotel in Hua Hin.

Time for relaxation. Laidback sculpture in the gardens of our hotel in Hua Hin.

It’s a two-and-a-half hour drive from Bangkok and four-plus-hour journey by train or bus.

(more…)

New arrivals: Samsung GALAXY Tab Active ruggedised tablet

Friday, December 5th, 2014

The new 8-inch, Android 4.4 (KitKat) ruggedised tablet is now available in Singapore at S$698 (LTE) and S$598 (Wi-Fi).

The Samsung GALAXY Tab Active is available in Titanium Green and it comes with the Ruggedized Cover and the “C Pen”.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab Active is available in Titanium Green and it comes with the Ruggedized Cover and the “C Pen”.

Samsung has launched its first ruggedised tablet, with anti-shock protection to withstand a 1.2-metre drop (with ruggedised cover on); and water/dust resistant to IP67 certification.

The GALAXY Tab Active is developed specifically for the business environment with professional functionalities and reinforced security.

Weighing 393g and measuring 213.1 x 126.2 x 9.75mm, the tablet has 1.5GB RAM and 16GB memory, with MicroSD slot for a further 128GB.

The GALAXY Tab Active is driven by a 1.2GHz Quad Core processor and powered by a 4,450mAh user replaceable battery.

The following accessories are also available for purchase with the GALAXY Tab Active:

  • Gear Circle (SM-R130) available in Black, Blue and White at S$168.
  • 9500mAh Battery Pack (EB-PN910) available in Black and White at S$128.
  • USB/LAN Hub (ET-UP900) at S$98.

The 8-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT LCD touch screen has 16 million colours.

(more…)

Sony announces PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Only 12,300 units of the limited edition PS4 will be available worldwide. It will be priced SGD689 in Singapore, IDR7,399,000 in Indonesia, RM1,779 in Malaysia, PHP26,999 in The Philippines, and THB20,990 in Thailand.

Update from AFA 2014 (4 December, 2014):

There will be a “PlayStation 20th Anniversary Online Contest” for customers in Southeast Asia to get a chance to win a purchase pass to buy the PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition.

The contest will be held from 4th December to 21st December, 2014.

Customers can log in to the “PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Website” from now on and register to participate in the contest within this period.

The participants will need to use their creativity to express why they should be given the purchase pass to buy the PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition.

They can share any photo or video on Instagram to celebrate PlayStation 20th Anniversary with a specific hashtag.

The themes can be:

  • Your special PlayStation collection
  • Your best moment with PlayStation
  • PlayStation related cosplay
  • Anything you can think of!

All winners will be determined by the number of likes on Instagram (50%) and selected by a judging panel according to creative, inspiring and styling factors (50%).

An appearance reminiscent of the original PS: The PlayStation 4(PS4) system, Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 4), PlayStation Camera, vertical stand and the mono headset all come in “Original Gray,” a limited color that replicates that of the original console.  The PS family mark labels are on the PS4 system, DUALSHOCK 4, and PlayStation Camera. The combination of colors is similar to that of the original PS.

An appearance reminiscent of the original PS: The PlayStation 4(PS4) system, Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 4), PlayStation Camera, vertical stand and the mono headset all come in “Original Gray,” a limited color that replicates that of the original console. The PS family mark labels are on the PS4 system, DUALSHOCK 4, and PlayStation Camera. The combination of colors is similar to that of the original PS.

The number 12,300 reflects the launch date of the original PlayStation on 3rd December, 1994.

The PS4 itself as well as the surface of the DUALSHOCK 4 controller’s touch pad are embossed with the  “△2○×□” pattern, a special arrangement of the “△○×□” logo mark with  “○” resembling the number “0” to indicate the 20th anniversary.

The PS4 itself as well as the surface of the DUALSHOCK 4 controller’s touch pad are embossed with the “△2○×□” pattern, a special arrangement of the “△○×□” logo mark with “○” resembling the number “0” to indicate the 20th anniversary.

The limited edition PS4 – which resembles the original PlayStation – and included accessories will come in “Original Gray” colour, packaged in a special commemorative box.

The original PlayStation was the first home console in video game history to reach a milestone of over 100 million units in cumulative worldwide shipments.

The limited edition PS4 offers a sense of nostalgia to long-time PlayStation fans, while also providing a fresh experience to those who never picked up the original console.

The PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition includes the following:

(more…)

LG CSR – Creating smiles one photo at a time

Friday, November 28th, 2014

Earlier this year, LG Singapore worked with three individuals – a photographer, a doctor and a pharmacist – to provide Pocket Photos, LG’s smart mobile printers, for a self-directed medical mission where they provided free medical care to the people living in the slums in Chennai, India.

The delighted looks on the faces of the kids were priceless when they saw the prints of their photos.

The delighted looks on the faces of the kids were priceless when they saw the prints of their photos. Photo credit: LG Electronics.

How did the the Pocket Photos help?

The LG Pocket Photo 2 (PD239) was a huge attraction and helped to break the ice with the local people and keep them entertained as they queued to seek medical treatment.

The photos served as ice-breakers to help remove the reserve of the locals towards the volunteers.

The photos served as ice-breakers to help remove the reserve of the locals towards the volunteers. Photo credit: LG Electronics.

The locals loved to be photographed and were mesmerised that something as small as a portable battery pack was able to print photos instantly.

(more…)

New arrivals: Casio EXILIM EX-MR1 with mirror for selfies

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

The Casio EXILIM EX-MR1 (S$429) is available in Singapore at SITEX 2014 and selected Casio authorised retailers from 27 November 2014.

The front surface is mirrored with the lens directly behind it.

The front surface is mirrored with the lens directly behind it.

The 14-megapixel EXILIM EX-MR1 is the latest in Casio’s EXILIM range of compact digital cameras.

Designed to optimise the user experience when taking self-portraits, the EX-MR1 has a novel front-facing mirror so that ladies can adjust their appearance to their liking when taking selfies.

The Casio EXILIM EX-MR1 comes in Green, Pink and White (shown here).

The Casio EXILIM EX-MR1 comes in Green, Pink and White (shown here).

The mirrored front surface of the EX-MR1 is has special coating that allows light to pass through to the lens while also reflecting it out to the user.

With the camera lens directly behind the mirror, ladies are able to snap away while looking directly at their reflection and maintain eye contact with the lens.

Subjects are able to check their appearances and experiment with different poses while the photographer views the image through the LCD monitor.

Weighing ony 133g, the EX-MR1 is simple, chic and ergonomically designed to fit nicely in a lady’s palm.

The shutter button is placed along the side of the camera.

The EX-MR1 has a 21-mm wide angle lens suited for ‘selfies’ and an Auto Rotation function to easily preview both landscape and portrait images.

(more…)

New arrivals: HTC Desire EYE phablet and RE camera

Monday, November 24th, 2014

HTC hopes to reinvent mobile photography and imaging with the HTC Desire EYE “double exposure” smartphone, the RE fun camera, EYE Experience imaging software, and enhanced Zoe video editor.

The HTC Desire EYE will be available in Singapore from 27 November at SITEX 2014 at S$728 S$628, through StarHub and M1.

Errattum:

HTC has updated that the price of the HTC Desire EYE in Singapore during SITEX 2014 to S$728 from the S$628 in the original press release.

HTC Desire EYE (left, in White and Coral Red duotone) phablet and HTC RE (in green) camera.

HTC Desire EYE (left, in White and Coral Red duotone) phablet and HTC RE (in green) camera.

HTC has announced two new innovative gadgets which I had the chance to preview last week – the RE fun camera and Desire EYE Android phablet – both of which are water proof.

HTC RE camera

The RE camera will be available from late December onwards. HTC has yet to announce its price tag in Singapore.

(more…)

Events: Intel Future Showcase at Singapore Carlton Hotel

Friday, November 21st, 2014

The Intel Future Showcase puts Asian innovation in the spotlight and offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Asia’s role in driving the company’s innovation and technology development.

The Intel Education 2 in 1 Reference Design, offering the flexibility and mobility of a tablet plus the performance and productivity of a laptop - offering versatile learning for students. The ruggedised device is drop, water and dust resistant - suitable for outdoor learning as well as within the classroom. I first saw this design in Singapore during the Intel Solutions Summit back in April this year.

The Intel Education 2 in 1 Reference Design, offering the flexibility and mobility of a tablet plus the performance and productivity of a laptop – offering versatile learning for students. The ruggedised device is drop, water and dust resistant – suitable for outdoor learning as well as within the classroom. I first saw this design in Singapore during the Intel Solutions Summit back in April this year.

The Intel Future Showcase is being held in Singapore for the first time, offering a glimpse into the innovation that goes on inside Intel’s Asian and global operations.

(more…)

Jawbone expands UP family with UP MOVE & UP3 fitness bands

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

Jawbone announced today that they will be releasing two brand new activity trackers in the coming weeks – the UP MOVE (S$85) and the UP3 (S$288) wristbands.

Jawbone UP MOVE (left) and Jawbone UP3 (right) activity tracking fitness bands.

Jawbone UP MOVE (left) and Jawbone UP3 (right) activity tracking fitness bands.

The UP MOVE will be available in November before Christmas this year, while the UP3 will be made available by early next year in three colors.

“美国消费者电子零件制造商 Jawbone 宣布了两款新的健康手环:Jawbone UP MOVE(十一月起: S$85新元) 以及 Jawbone UP3(明年初开始: S$288新元)。” – 科技点心(微薄)

The UP by Jawbone App for UP MOVE will be available on iOS and Android devices as free download from the App Store and Google Play.

The UP by Jawbone App for UP3 will be available on iOS soon as a free download from the App Store. A compatible Android app for UP3 will be available early next year.

(more…)

Review: ASUS PadFone S Android smartphone cum tablet combo

Saturday, November 1st, 2014

As a pioneer of 2-in-1 mobile devices, ASUS offers with the PadFone S the portability of the smartphone and the larger screen of a tablet by selling both at the price of one device.

Two colours are available for the ASUS PadFone S - Dark Ruby (shown above) and Pure White.

Two colours are available for the ASUS PadFone S – Dark Ruby (shown above) and Pure White. Photo: ASUS Singapore.

The PadFone S was launched in Singapore on 14 October, 2014 together with 11 other new mobile and computing products.

The PadFone S is a 5-inch Android smartphone that comes with a PadFone S Station.

The PadFone S I reviewed was the Pure White version. Normal retail price: S$449.

The PadFone S I reviewed was the Pure White version. Normal retail price: S$449.

You can use the PadFone S on its own like any smartphone or you can slot it into the back of the PadFone S Station and use the combination as an 8.9-inch tablet, leveraging the larger backlit Super IPS display of the Station.

You can’t use the PadFone S Station on its own though, because it is simply a dumb display with no computer processors within.

Actually, the Station has more – it also includes a 4990mAh Li-Polymer (non-removable) battery to provide the larger energy demands of powering a larger display.

The larger battery can also be used to charge the PadFone S to extend its battery life from 22 hours talk-time (3G) to 64 hours.

The combined PadFone S in the Station felt a little bit hefty though, at a combined weight of 664g.

My view:
I found the ASUS PadFone S provided me with the portability of a smartphone and – only when I need it – a truely larger display and usability of a tablet –> all at the price of a single device (or less).

(more…)

New arrivals: Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless earbuds & Jabra Sport Life App

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Enjoy music in immersive Dolby Digital sound while the integrated biometric heart rate monitor in the earbuds work with the app to bring your training and fitness to the next level. RRP: S$298 from 1 November.

From 1 November, Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless retails at Apple premium resellers, Challenger, Harvey Norman, Stereo Electronics and other authorised resellers at an RRP of S$298.

From 1 November, Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless retails at Apple premium resellers, Challenger, Harvey Norman, Stereo Electronics and other authorised resellers at an RRP of S$298.

The Jabra Sport Life App  accesses biometric data from the earbuds to help you track and evaluate your workout.

With one touch, users of iOS and Android devices get a clear view of how close they are to meeting their training goals; hear real-time personalised audio coaching, change music or even answer or end calls – during the workout.

(more…)