Archive for the ‘Review’ Category

Huawei unveils new P20 series flagship Android smartphones

Tuesday, March 27th, 2018

Huawei has unveiled in Paris, France the new P20 and P20 Pro smartphones. These two new flagship models promise to continue Huawei’s focus on camera prowess in collaboration with Leica.

Update (2 April, 2018):

Singapore is one of the first few countries to launch the new phones. The prices, colours and availability of the Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro in Singapore has been released. Read the details here.

The P20 and P20 Pro includes improvements to Huawei’s AI engine for enhanced camera functionality while the P20 Pro features the new Leica triple camera.

The P20 and P20 Pro includes improvements to Huawei’s AI engine for enhanced camera functionality while the P20 Pro features the new Leica triple camera.

Key features of the Huawei P20 series include the following.

  • The Huawei P20 Pro features a camera that promises to capture more light and detail with the new Leica triple camera, boasting what the company claims the smartphone industry’s highest pixel count.
  • The Huawei P20 features a new Leica dual camera.
  • Both includes Master AI which includes AI-driven professional photography settings and Huawei AIS – its AI stabilisation technology.
  • Thin bezel, with new colours including a dynamic gradient finish.
  • Features Kirin 970 processor with a dedicated NPU and EMUI 8.1 based on Android 8.1 for a premium and smooth user experience.

In addition to the P20 and P20 Pro, Huawei also unveiled the Porsche Design Huawei Mate RS (Race Sport).

Singapore will be one of the first few countries in the world to launch the Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro in early April 2018.

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New arrival: Huawei nova 2 lite entry Android smartphone

Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

The black Huawei nova 2 lite (S$298) will debut in Singapore at the IT Show on 15 March, while the blue version will be available from end-March 2018.

The nova 2 lite is Huawei’s entry-level Android smartphone, priced at S$298.

The nova 2 lite is Huawei’s entry-level Android smartphone, priced at S$298.

The HUAWEI nova 2 lite features an 8-megapixel (MP) front camera with selfie toning flash, as well as a dual-lens rear camera.

The HUAWEI nova 2 lite introduces Face Unlock – a high-precision facial recognition technology that is powered by an AI algorithm to automatically detect up to 1,024 points on the human face and perform high-accuracy mapping.

This feature lets users unlock their screens in less than 900 milliseconds using facial recognition.

The HUAWEI nova 2 lite also has a party trick for singing enthusiasts – Karaoke Mode.

This feature enables users to hear their own voice when singing into the microphone on their headsets, akin to being in a recording studio.

Considering the entry-level price, the specs looks more like a mid-tier smartphone.

Would be curious to check out its performance level.

More details in the press release below.

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New arrival: Garmin Forerunner 645 Music GPS smart watch

Tuesday, March 13th, 2018

The Garmin Forerunner 645 Music is a GPS running watch with integrated music and features Garmin Pay contactless payment solution. RRP: S$669 (without integrated music: S$599). IT Show 2018 promotions below.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music & Forerunner 645 GPS smart watch.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music & Forerunner 645 GPS smart watch.

The integrated music gives athletes the freedom to enjoy their favorite tunes on a run or during a workout without having to take a phone along.

Need to buy a bottle of water or a quick bite after a workout?

Garmin Pay contactless payment solution lets users pay for purchases with the Forerunner 645 Music.

In addition to 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the smart watch includes advanced running dynamics, performance monitoring tools, connected features and thousands of ways to customise with free watch faces, widgets, data fields and apps through the Garmin Connect IQ store.

More details from the press release below.

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New arrival: Aftershock PC launches customisable Omnidesk

Friday, March 9th, 2018

The height-adjustable Omnidesk can be configured for either standing or sitting position and unclutters the desktop with cable trays, USB ports, monitor arms and mounted speakers. Basic setup starts from S$630.

One desk to rule them all - Omnidesk from Aftershock PC.

One desk to rule them all – Omnidesk from Aftershock PC.

Homegrown Aftershock PC is best known for its highly customisable laptops and desktops, where users can choose individual components to meet their very specific needs.

The founders of Aftershock PC are now bringing the same formula to the table top with the launch of Omnidesk.

To start custom-building your personal work and play space, go to http://www.theomnidesk.com.

To start custom-building your personal work and play space, go to http://www.theomnidesk.com.

The Omnidesk is a motorised, height-adjustable desk, that is fully customisable for work and play.

Start with selecting the size and shape of your desk.

Then choose the finish: from solid bamboo wood, to spill-resistant laminate, or even a signature mouse-mat texture coating, which lets you use an optical mouse directly on its surface, without the need for a mousepad.

All desks are height-adjustable at the push of a button through a silent, built-in motor.

Save up to four preset heights to memory, so that you can easily set the desk to your preferred height for work, gaming, or Netflix-watching, without having to manually readjust it every time.

There are also many desktop management options to customise the workspace of your dreams.

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mc2 launches smart blinds & home decor gallery in Singapore

Wednesday, March 7th, 2018

The 4,200 square foot gallery allows customers to browse and purchase smart blinds, curtains, wallpapers, marble and timber products and materials on display. Promotions below.

The mc2 gallery is located at 33 Ubi Ave 3, #01-28, Vertex Building, Singapore 408868.

The mc2 gallery is located at 33 Ubi Ave 3, #01-28, Vertex Building, Singapore 408868.

Highlights of the gallery includes the following.

  • ALTEX SecureZIP blinds – fully developed and made in Singapore.
  • Curtain-shaping technology to keep curtains looking tidily folded.
  • Showcase of blinds brands including Hunter Douglas and Toso.

The gallery serves as a one-stop space where homeowners and interior designers can browse and purchase a wide array of home fashion and decor products.

Curtain-shaping technology (right) keeps curtains looking tidily folded all the time.

Curtain-shaping technology (right) keeps curtains looking tidily folded all the time.

Mc2 launch promotion

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New arrival: Microsoft launches new Surface line-up & store in Singapore

Tuesday, March 6th, 2018

Microsoft launched in Singapore today the new Surface Book 2, Surface Laptop and Surface Studio. It also unveiled its first dedicated Surface Store in South East Asia – inside the Harvey Norman Millenia Walk store in Singapore. Prices below.

The Microsoft Surface family: (from left) Surface Pro, Surface Book 2, Surface Studio, Surface Laptop.

The Microsoft Surface family: (from left) Surface Pro, Surface Book 2, Surface Studio, Surface Laptop.

The new Surface computers are additions to the existing Surface Pro tablet.

The Surface Book 2 & Surface Studio will be available from 15 March, while the Surface Pro & Surface Laptop are available now.

Prices and configurations of the new Surface devices in Singapore are listed below.

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Promotion: WhizComms 1Gbps Home Fibre Broadband service

Friday, March 2nd, 2018

WhizComms is offering its high speed 1Gbps Home Fibre Broadband service subscription at S$34 per month, with total savings amounting to more than S$100 for signups by 14 March 2018.

The S$34/mth subscription works out to S$1.60/day. Promotion ends on 14 March, 2018.

The S$34/mth subscription works out to S$1.60/day. Promotion ends on 14 March, 2018.

All subscribers will get to enjoy the following promotions if they sign up by 14 March 2018.

  • S$38/mth for 12-month plan or S$34/mth for 24-month plan.
  • Free Activation Fee, worth S$53.50.
  • Free Installation and Delivery on Weekdays from 9am to 6pm.
  • Free Onsite Audit service to complement any subscription plan with wireless router.
  • Save 10% on Airlive (AC1200-R) router at S$88.

Visit WhizComms online to sign up.

New arrival: Sony A7 III full-frame mirrorless camera

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

The new Sony A7 III camera and SEL2870 lens will be available in selected Asia Pacific countries in March 2018. Prices TBA.

The A7 III is capable of continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with either mechanical shutter or silent shooting and full Auto Focus/Auto Exposure tracking.

The A7 III is capable of continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with either mechanical shutter or silent shooting and full Auto Focus/Auto Exposure tracking.

The Sony A7 III ships with a newly developed full-frame 24.2-megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with Evolved Image Processing.

The AF III is equipped with a 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation with a 5 step shutter speed advantage.

The AF III is equipped with a 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation with a 5 step shutter speed advantage.

It has a wide ISO range of 100 – 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 204800 for still images) and 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivities.

The AF system features 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of image area, 425 contrast AF points and fast and reliable Eye AF.

The camera is capable of high resolution 4K movie shooting with full pixel readout and no pixel binning across full-width of full-frame sensor.

Sony boasts that the A7 III has the longest rated battery life of any mirrorless camera – at 710 shots per charge.

Other upgraded operability and functionality include the addition of a joystick for adjusting focus points, Dual SD Card Slots, and SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C Terminal.

More details from the press release below.

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New arrival: Circles.Life unlimited data on demand for S$3/day

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

Circles.life offers unlimited data on demand at 4G+ speeds at S$3 per calendar day; as well as WhatsApp Passport – offering unlimited WhatsApp roaming for messaging in 18 countries at S$1 per calendar day.

In the same way that other asset light digital players in entertainment, transportation and hospitality has reimagined their respective industries, Circles.Life believes its proprietary cloud-based infrastructure Circles-X will reimagine the future of the telco industry.

In the same way that other asset light digital players in entertainment, transportation and hospitality has reimagined their respective industries, Circles.Life believes its proprietary cloud-based infrastructure Circles-X will reimagine the future of the telco industry.

The unlimited mobile data on demand that Circles.Life is offering is free from any contract and can be activated anytime by simply turning it on in the mobile dashboard within the CirclesCare app.

Circles.Life customers customers are eligible to use the “Unlimited Data on Demand” without subscribing to the company’s existing 20GB for S$20 data upgrade.

Note that fair use policy applies, so speeds will be “managed” after 100GB of usage per month, based on the mobile number.

For WhatsApp Passport, customers can pay S$1 per day to enjoy unlimited data usage for WhatsApp messaging while roaming with partner networks in over 18 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, USA, India and the UK.

Note that this is only for messaging – including sending of photos and videos – but does not include WhatsApp voice calls.

International expansion to Indonesia

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New arrival: Canon launches EOS M50, EOS 1500D & 470EX-AI

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Canon launched globally two new entry interchangeable lens cameras (EOS M50 & EOS 1500D) and an Auto Intelligent flash 470EX-AI. Prices & availability TBA.

A post shared by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

The Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera will be available in three kit options: EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM kit, EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM + EF-M55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM kit and body only.

The new 24.1-megapixel EOS M50 is the entry-level camera for Canon’s line-up of mirrorless cameras.

The first Canon camera to be equipped with the new DIGIC 8 image processor the EOS M50 ships with 4K movie shooting ability and an improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

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