Archive for the ‘gadgets’ Category

Sony unveils ILCE-QX1 and DSC-QX30 lens cameras at IFA 2014

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Sony has expanded its lens-style cameras with the new ILCE-QX1 and DSC-QX30 during a pre-IFA event in Berlin, Germany. The Japanese camera maker also added two fresh new colour options for the DSC-QX10.

Available in Singapore from October 2014.

The new lens-style cameras from Sony: ILCE-QX1 (right) and DSC-QX30 (left).

The new lens-style cameras from Sony: ILCE-QX1 (right) and DSC-QX30 (left).

Sony’s lens-style cameras combine the spontaneity and easy sharing of smartphones with the image quality of dedicated cameras.

These cameras are connected to the smartphone via Wi-Fi.

ILCE-QX1 lens camera

The ILCE-QX1 lets serious photographers make use of their E-mount / A-mount (requires LA-EA4 adaptor for A-mount lenses) lens collection – be it zoom, wide angle, tele or macro.

QX1 comes with built-in pop-up flash.

QX1 comes with built-in pop-up flash.

Users can exercise control over exposure, focus and shooting modes.

The camera’s APS-C size Exmor CMOS sensor has 20.1-megapixels works with Sony’s BIONZ X processor that now features improved area-specific noise reduction – producing low-noise images, even when shooting in near-darkness.

The big sensor inside the QX1 also creates pro-style ‘bokeh’ effects with creamy background blur – another trick that smartphones can’t match.

The QX1 comes with many features, including RAW recording and pop-up flash.

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ASUS unveils ZenWatch, Zenbook UX305, EeeBook X205 & MeMO Pad 7 at IFA 2014

Friday, September 5th, 2014

ASUS has announced at IFA 2014 its first wearable device, the ZenWatch; the 13.3-inch Zenbook UX305 Ultrabook; the 11-inch EeeBook X205 compact laptop; and the 7-inch MeMO Pad 7 Android tablet.

Update (12 February, 2015):

The ASUS Ultrabook ZenBook UX305 is now available in a new Obsidian Stone colour.

The ASUS Ultrabook ZenBook UX305 is now available in a new Obsidian Stone colour.

The Ultrabook ZenBook UX305 is now available in Singapore.

Powered by Intel Core M processor with 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD, the super-slim Ultrabook retails from S$999 at all ASUS authorised retailers and ASUS brand stores.

The ZenWatch and the MeMO Pad 7 were among the gadgets announced by ASUS at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany.

The ZenWatch and the MeMO Pad 7 were among the gadgets announced by ASUS at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany.

ASUS unveiled the slew of new devices at a pre-IFA 2014 event in Berlin, Germany.

ASUS ZenWatch

The ASUS ZenWatch is the first wearable device from ASUS, powered by Android Wear and featuring a version of the ASUS ZenUI user interface developed specifically for ZenWatch.

ASUS ZenWatch

ASUS ZenWatch

The ZenWatch pairs with a smartphone running Android™ 4.3 or higher to provide information and to serve as a personal wellness manager in conjunction with the ASUS ZenUI Wellness app.

The ZenWatch sports a 2.5D curved and comes with a selection of instantly-changeable software watch faces, allowing users to customize ZenWatch easily to match their style.

Smart features of the ZenWatch uncludes Watch Unlock, Tap Tap, Remote Camera, Cover to Mute, Find My Phone and Presentation Control.

Its seamlessly integrates with ASUS ZenUI, letting users enjoy enhanced versions of exclusive ASUS ZenUI apps such as What’s Next and Do It Later.

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Sony unveils Xperia E3, Z3 series, SmartBand Talk & SmartWatch 3 at IFA

Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Sony has just announced at IFA 2014 the mid-range Xperia E3 smartphone; Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact phablets & Z3 Tablet Compact tablet; as well as its new SmartWear gadgets – SmartBand Talk and SmartWatch 3.

Update (16 September, 2014):

The slew of products announced during IFA 2014 were showcased at the Xperia Z3 SEA launch event in Singapore.

Local pricing and availability below.

Model / RRP Availability
Xperia Z3

$998

Pre-order on week of 22 September 2014.

Launch on 4 October 2014

 

Xperia Z3 Compact

S$798

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

S$TBA

Price and availability to be announced closer to launch date.
Xperia E3

S$298

SmartBand Talk

S$228

End Oct 2014
SmartWatch 3

S$298

The Sony Xperia Z3 series and SmartWear devices. (The Xperia E3 is not shown above - see below).

The Sony Xperia Z3 series and SmartWear devices. (The Xperia E3 is not shown above – see below).

Sony has rolled out a slew of new gadgets – from premium flagships to novel SmartWear devices, whilst keeping an eye on the budget conscious mid-range.

Xperia Z3 series phablets/tablet

All three new members of the Xperia Z3 series run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2.5 GHz quad-core CPUs and 3G RAM, with fully integrated Qualcomm Adreno 330 GPU.

The Xperia Z3 is 7.3mm thick and is available in white, black, copper or silver green. The Xperia Z3 Compact is 8.6mm thick and weighs 129g, and is available in orange, green, white or black. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (not shown here) is available in white or black.

The Xperia Z3 is 7.3mm thick and is available in white, black, copper or silver green. The Xperia Z3 Compact is 8.6mm thick and weighs 129g, and is available in orange, green, white or black. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (not shown here) is available in white or black.

They are waterproof and dust-tight (IP 65/68)

The Xperia Z3 flagship phablet comes only six months after its Xperia Z2 predecessor.

The screen is of similar size to the Z2 at 5.2 inches, but the Z3 is smaller, thinner and lighter.

Together with the Xperia Z3 Compact, the Z3 has a 20.7-megapixel camera with 1/2.3-inch “Exmor RS for mobile” image sensor, new 25mm “G Lens” and ISO 12800 sensitivity.

A dual SIM variant is also on offer in select markets.

The Xperia Z3 Compact phablet is a smaller version of the Xperia Z3 but with the same CPU and graphics chip.

It is a replacement for the Xperia Z1 Compact. Its 4.6-inch screen is larger than the 4.3 inches in the Z1 Compact.

Sony claims that the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact tablet is the world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet, at 6.4mm thick and 270g weight.

It features an 8-inch Full HD TRILUMINOS.

Xperia E3 mid-range smartphone

The Xperia E3 sports a 4.5-inch 480 x 854 IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core 1.2GHz processor, and Adreno 305 graphics, with 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage.

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Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear VR, Gear S and Gear Circle

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Samsung has announced the new Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge smartphone, the Gear VR mobile VR headset, as well as the Gear S smartwatch and Gear Circle earphones at the Unpacked Episode 2 press conference in Berlin, Germany.

Update (18 September, 2014):

Samsung showcased in Singapore today most of the new devices it unveiled during IFA 2014 in a media preview.

It also displayed accessories that Montblanc has specially designed for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in “Charcoal Black,” “Frost White,” “Bronze Gold,” and “Blossom Pink” in global markets starting in October.

The Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge are the latest additions to the Galaxy Note family.

Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge Android smartphones

The Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display and sports the Multi Window feature for multi-tasking.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

It ships with a 16-megapixel rear camera with Smart Optical Image Stabilizer, and a 3.7-megapixel front camera with f1.9 lens with 120 degrees wide angle.

The Note 4 also has a Fingerprint Scanner and a UV sensor.

The Galaxy Note Edge has a 5.6-inch screen that wraps around the right side of the device.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Gear VR mobile headset

Samsung and Oculus has collaborated to create the mobile VR headset optimised for the Galaxy Note 4.

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Review: Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

The Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker is a wireless Bluetooth speaker designed for both mobility and performance. It is affordably priced at S$99 in Singapore.

Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker

Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker

Despite its diminutive size, I found that the X300 speaker exhibited wide-range sound that easily fills a room.

That’s due to the way the drivers have been angled facing upward and out to produce a more expansive sound spectrum.

The X300 can also be placed upright. Photo: Logitech SG.

The X300 can also be placed upright. Photo: Logitech SG.

It delivers a deep and precise bass response, and detailed mid- and high-range sound.

You can also position the speaker upright in case of space constraints.

As with other Logitech Bluetooth speakers that I have tried in the past, connecting the speaker to a Bluetooth-enabled device and playing music streamed from the device is a piece of cake.

Simply hold down the Bluetooth button on top of the X300 for a few seconds for the initial pairing.

Make sure the source device has its Bluetooth turned on and is scanning for devices.

A blue light below the power button behind the speaker will begin to flash until it has paired with a device, in which case, the light will become solid.

I had no trouble pairing the X300 to my GALAXY S5 and iPad mini.

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New arrivals: Linksys RE6500HG, RE4000W & RE3000W range extenders

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

New Linksys RE6500HG Range Extender features adjustable high-gain antennae and an audio jack for streaming music wirelessly from a stereo system to a speaker. Prices (shown below) of the three models range from S$79-S$179.

The RE4000W and RE3000W are immediately available at Challenger for an MSRP of S$109 and S$79 respectively. All range extenders units will be available starting September 12, 2014 at Harvey Norman, Challenger and BEST Denki.  The RE6500HG will be available for S$179.

The RE4000W and RE3000W are immediately available at Challenger for an MSRP of S$109 and S$79 respectively. All range extenders units will be available starting September 12, 2014 at Harvey Norman, Challenger and BEST Denki. The RE6500HG will be available for S$179.

Linksys has announced its new lineup of Linksys Wi-Fi Range Extenders.

There are three new versions:

  1. Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE6500HG)
  2. Linksys N600 PRO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE4000W)
  3. Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE3000W).

The RE6500HG and RE4000W are dual band range extenders featuring Cross-Band technology which helps provide a stronger and more consistent signal throughout the home.

Features RE3000W RE4000W RE6500HG
Wireless Speed N300 N600 AC1200
Wireless Band Single Band (2.4 Ghz) Simultaneous Dual Band2.4 Ghz + 5Ghz Simultaneous Dual Band2.4 Ghz + 5Ghz
CrossBand Yes Yes
Plug-in or Desktop Plug-In Plug-In Desktop
Wireless Audio Yes
Wired Ports 1 Ethernet 2 Ethernet 4 Gigabit
Bridge Yes Yes Yes
High Gain Antenna No No Yes
MSRP Price S$79 S$109 S$179

All three range extenders are compatible with any wireless router, whether supplied by a broadband provider or purchased by the consumer, and are designed to extend b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi signals.

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New arrivals: Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Series notebooks

Saturday, August 30th, 2014

The Inspiron 14 7000 Series is a high-performance 14-inch laptop designed for today’s youth. It is available in Singapore now starting at S$1,699.

The new Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Series is available now in Singapore, and is available at Comex 2014.

The new Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Series is available now in Singapore, and is available at Comex 2014.

Dell has expanded its Inspiron line with the Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Series, a high-performance 14-inch laptop specially designed and developed for youths, a growing consumer segment.

Featuring the latest Intel® performance processor, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX-class graphics, and a sleek design, the Inspiron 14 addresses the rising demands of today’s generation of youths, whether it is for school, work, gaming or multimedia entertainment.

The Inspiron 14 7000 offers powerful productivity, powerful gaming experience and enhanced support and accessories.

Read the details in the extracts of the press release at the end of this article.

Key features of the Inspiron 14 7000 Series:

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New arrivals: ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE smartphone in Singapore on 30 August

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

The highly-affordable 5-inch Android 4.4 smartphone will be priced at S$249 (1GB RAM, 8GB memory), S$269 (2GB RAM, 8GB memory) and S$299 (2GB RAM, 16GB memory).

The ZenFone 5 LTE will be available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red and Champagne Gold colours (Champagne Gold will be available for only 16GB model). The purple colour shown above is not available in Singapore.

The ZenFone 5 LTE will be available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red and Champagne Gold colours (Champagne Gold will be available for only 16GB model). The purple colour shown above is not available in Singapore.

ASUS officially launched its ZenFone 5 LTE in Singapore today at Suntec Convention Centre.

What catches the attention is the affordable price tag. ASUS boasts that the sub-S$300 phone gives consumers the best value-for-money market.

And I can believe that.

Shipping with the latest Android 4.4 KitKat, the phone is smooth and responsive, and more than enough for what most people use their smartphones for – making calls, sending messages, taking photos, checking social media status, and surfing the Web.

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New arrivals: Lenovo Horizon 2 and ThinkPad 10 tablet computers

Tuesday, August 26th, 2014

The Lenovo Horizon2 will be available for pre-orders from S$2,399 at COMEX 2014. First 10 customers will receive a free Yoga Tablet 10 HD+.

The Lenovo ThinkPad 10 tablet is available now through commercial orders with prices starting from S$1,249.

Lenovo Horizon 2 (left ) and ThinkPad 10 (right).

Lenovo Horizon 2 (left ) and ThinkPad 10 (right).

The Lenovo Horizon 2 is a two-in-one Windows 8 PC providing multi-touch use at any angle, while the ThinkPad 10 is a tablet optimised for business professionals seeking both flexibility and mobility.

Horizon 2 Table PC

The 27-inch Horizon 2 is now much thinner and lighter than its predecessor – the IdeaCentre Horizon.

The Horizon 2 measures only 19.5mm and weighs only 7.6kg – making it easier to transport around the home or office.

The “Table computer” ships with improved performance and smarter features like near field communications (NFC) that interacts with users’ other devices.

Users can simply shake their Android device while using the new Horizon mobile app, allowing content to “fall” onto the Horizon 2’s screen.

Placing the mobile device directly on its screen lets users “pull” out content onto the PC’s display, signaling the Aura dial to appear.

The Lenovo Horizon 2 in

The Lenovo Horizon 2 in “Table” mode.

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New arrivals: Nokia Lumia 530 Windows smartphone in Singapore

Saturday, August 23rd, 2014

The Lumia 530 is now available in Singapore at an RRP of S$159 at Nokia Stores and Nokia Solution Partners. M1 will also be retailing the device bundled with data plans.

Windows Lumia 530 - available at S$159 in Singapore from 23 August 2014.

Windows Lumia 530 – available at S$159 in Singapore from 23 August 2014.

This is the most affordable Lumia to date, with a price below S$200.

The Lumia 530 is powered by a 1.2GHx quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor and has a 4-inch FWVGA LCD display.

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