Archive for the ‘Android’ Category
Monday, February 16th, 2015
The ASUS Fonepad 8 is one of the largest and most affordable phablet on the market. At only S$299, it provides you with all the features and functionality that you need out of a tablet/phone combo.
ASUS designed the Fonepad series with affordability in mind. The Fonepad 6 and Fonepad 7 were released in 2013, while the Fonepad 8 were launched in late 2014.
The dual-SIM gives you much needed flexibility especially when you’re travelling and wants to slot in a cheap local SIM, but still wants to remain contactable on your regular number.
Two features which impressed me was the dual-SIM capability and long battery life of the ASUS Fonepad 8 phablet.
It is easy to slot in/out the two micro-SIM cards as both slots are in a special compartment on the left side of the phablet, along with the microSD card slot, that allows you to expand the 8 or 16GB internal storage of the Fonepad 8 by up to another 64GB.
Top right corner of the Fonepad 8.
The phone supports 3G for both SIM cards but not 4G/LTE.
I found usage of dual SIM straightforward like in other dual-SIM Android phones.
The internal, non-removable 4,000mAh battery provided long hours of usage without worry of running dry.
Even with intense usage and video viewing, the Fonepad 8 easily lasted an entire day and then some.
On my more typical day, there was usually at least 20-30 percent battery left at the end of the day.
Fonepad 8 is available in four colours—black, white, red and gold. White and gold models include white bezels, while the black and red models feature a black fascia. Out of the box, the pre-loaded ZenUI color scheme matches the device’s back cover color, which is plastic and features a non-slip diamond-pattern coating.
ASUS rates the battery life to 14.2 hours of Wi-Fi Web browsing, 12 hours of HD video playback, and 21 hours of 3G talk time.
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Tags:Android, Android 4, Asus, Fonepad, Fonepad 8, KitKat, mobile, phablets, reviews, smartphones, tablets
Posted in Accessories, Android, Asus, battery, Gadgets, gadgets, Opinion, Phones, Prices, Review, smartphones, Specifications, Tablets, tablets | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
HP has launched its 2015 line-up of notebooks and tablets for businesses and enterprises. The wide range of computing devices will be available from end February till May 2015.
Detailed pricing and availability below.
HP’s new line-up of notebooks and tablets for 2015 offer a wide range of mobility solutions for businesses and enterprises. Left: HP EliteBook Folio 1020 G1 Speical Edition. Right: HP ElitePad 1000 G2 Rugged Tablet.
Amongst the new devices is the EliteBook Folio 1020 family – which HP touts as the industry’s thinnest and lightest business-class notebooks.
“The HP EliteBook 1020 represents game-changing innovation in both materials and mechanical engineering to create the world’s thinnest and lightest business notebooks in a form factor that enables our customers to be more productive in more places,” said Serena Yong, general manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Singapore and Malaysia.
The HP EliteBook 1020 and the HP EliteBook 1020 Special Edition (SE) are ultra-thin at 15.7 mm, and the SE takes advantage of HP’s exclusive blend of magnesium-lithium alloy and reusable carbon fiber to achieve a weight of only 1 kg (2.2 lbs).
Price and availability of the new line-up of tablets/notebooks is tabulated below.
The HP EliteBook 1020 and the ultra-lightweight HP EliteBook 1020 SE are designed with enterprise mobility in mind, with up to 9 hours of battery life to power a full work day.
Price and availability of the new line-up of tablets/notebooks are tabulated below.
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Tags:Android, EliteBook, ElitePad, enterprise, HP, mobility, notebooks, ruggedised, Singapore, slate, tablets, ultrabooks, Windows
Posted in Android, Business IT, Cloud, ElitePad, Enterprise IT, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, HP, Hybrid, Launch, Mobile, newArrivals, Notebooks, notebooks, Prices, Printers, Slate, Tablets, tablets, Ultrabooks, Windows 8 | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 13th, 2015
Samsung has launched in Singapore its GALAXY A Series of Android smartphones. The mid-range smartphones include the 4.5-inch A3 (S$448), 5-inch A5 (S$598) and the 5.5-inch A7 (S$TBA).
The A3 and A5 will be available in Singapore on 16 January while the A7 will be available this quarter.
The new GALAXY A series comes in three sizes (from left) – the 5.5-inch A7 (S$TBA), 5-inch A5 (S$598) and the 4.5-inch A3 (S$448).
The A3 and A5 were launched in Korea on 31 October, 2014 while the A7 was launched on 12 January, 2015 in Korea.
First impressions
I like the thin metallic body of the A-series.
The GALAXY A3 4G will be available from January 16 in Pearl White and Midnight Black, at $448 without contract. The Platinum Silver, Champagne Gold (24 January), and Soft Pink (February) versions will be available later.
The beauty face feature is really interesting.
This offers three ways of enhancing your selfies – skin retouch, eyes enlargement and face-slimming.
There are sliders to let you control how much of the effect to apply, and you can preview the effect as you drag the slider to the left or right.
The skin retouch effect is nothing new and is basically the run-of-the-mill skin blurring functionality which produces instantly-recognisably fake blurred skin.
So it’s good that you can use a slider to limit how much of the effect to apply to avoid appearing too amateurish.
The GALAXY A7 4G will be available this quarter in Pearl White and Midnight Black.
The eyes enlargement effect is really interesting but you have to try-and-error, as the effect can be either flattering or downright weird.
I was most impressed with the face slimming feature. I can see how it’s going to be flattering for many to see their face slimmed slightly.
All three models come with SUPER AMOLED screen for a vivid and colourful display.
The A-series GALAXY smartphones are priced more affordably than Samsung’s two flagship smartphones – the Note and S series.
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Tags:A3, A5, A7, Android, Galaxy, launch, Samsung, selfies, Singapore, smartphones, wefies
Posted in Android, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, GALAXY, Launch, newArrivals, Phones, Prices, Samsung, smartphones, Specifications | Comments Closed
Sunday, December 14th, 2014
A dual-SIM phone allows you to stay contactable to your regular contacts yet enables you to take advantage of more affordable local data/voice rates to avoid expensive overseas roaming charges – without having to carry two separate mobile phones.
The Motorola Moto G (2nd Generation) is one of the increasing number of smartphones that support a dual-SIM capability.
Nowadays, it is increasingly easy to get a local SIM card when one travels overseas for work or leisure.
The local SIM allows you to make/receive calls at affordable local rates and more significantly, to stay connected via mobile broadband – without chalking out a huge bill.
You can read
over here all about the benefits of getting a pre-paid local SIM card whenever you travel overseas.
But most mobile phones allow only one SIM card to be installed – so if you put in the local SIM card, you’ll have to remove your regular SIM card and become uncontactable to those who call you on your regular number, unless you forward those calls to your local number.
Otherwise, you’d carry a second single-SIM card phone, which is a hassle.
Not too long ago …
I remember in the early days of smartphones, people were selling dual-SIM card adaptors the size of regular sized SIM cards that you could place two micro SIM cards in.
You’d have to cut your regular sized SIM card yourself into micro SIM card size and it was a daunting proposition for most people to risk damaging your SIM card in the process.
These adaptors only worked for certain models of mobile phones, and you need to switch off and on the phone to switch between the SIM cards.
Fortunately, smartphones have evolved and nowadays, you have dual-SIM card phones that enable you use both SIM cards at the same time.
I brought along a Motorola Moto G (2nd Generation) dual-SIM card phone during my short break to Thailand and it was such a blessing.
There are two micro-SIM card slots so I could keep my regular SIM card in one slot and plug in the prepaid local SIM card that I bought at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the other.
The guy at the True Move counter did all the set up for me.
So after five minutes of queueing and five minutes of installation and payment, I was as connected in Thailand as I was at home back in Singapore.
I could receive roaming calls on my regular number from my friends back in Singapore and other parts of the world, while at the same stay connected on email and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via the mobile broadband on the local SIM card.
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Tags:airport, broadband, Lumia, Mi-Fi, Microsoft Devices, mobile, Moto G, Motorola, prepaid, SIM, Suvarnabhumi, Thailand, Thailand 2014, tips, travel, True Move
Posted in Android, Events, Gadgets, gadgets, Holiday, Lumia, Microsoft, Microsoft Devices, Moto, Motorola, Nokia, Phones, smartphones, Thailand 2014, Tips, travel, Windows Phone 8 | No Comments »
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”.
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 Samsung GALAXY Tab Active is now available in Singapore at $698 for the LTE version and $598 for the Wi-Fi version at IT retailers, Samsung Experience Stores, and from authorised Enterprise channel partners.
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…)
Tags:Galaxy, prices, ruggedised, Samsung, Singapore, Tab, tablets
Posted in Android, Announce, Availability, Business IT, Gadgets, gadgets, Galaxy, newArrivals, Prices, Samsung, Security, Specifications, Tablets, tablets | No Comments »
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. 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.
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.
PadFone S Promotions
The PadFone S retails for S$449 normally but until 2 November, you can purchase it at S$399 and receive a 1-year Screen Replacement Warranty free.
There is also a Facebook contest by ASUS Singapore with a PadFone S up for grabs.
Simply Like, Post, Tag and Share by 4 November.
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).
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Tags:accessories, Android, Android 4, Apps, Asus, KitKat, PadFone, PadFone S, phablets, prices, promotions, reviews, Singapore, smartphones, tablets, ZenUI
Posted in Accessories, Android, Apps, Asus, Gadgets, gadgets, Phones, Prices, Review, smartphones, Specifications, Tablets, tablets | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 29th, 2014
The new portable storage drive from WD connects to smartphones, tablets, cameras and mobile devices, expanding storage without any wires or Internet access. Available in Singapore now in 1TB (S$299) and 2TB (S$399) capacities.
My Passport Wireless is an easy to use Wi-Fi enabled storage drive that allows consumers to save, access and share stored content wirelessly with any smartphone, tablet, computer or other device.
For the frequent business traveler, family on a road trip or creative professional working in the field – the My Passport Wireless drive is a simple way to connect all computing and mobile devices to content without any wires or Internet connection.
WD My Passport Wireless is now available in Singapore in 1TB (S$299) and 2TB (S$299) capacities.
Additionally, when users need to transfer large amounts of data, the My Passport Wireless drive provides the option of using a high speed USB 3.0 connection.
The My Passport Wireless drive broadcasts its own wireless network that allows up to eight devices to connect at the same time and access any content stored on the drive.
Available in 1TB or 2TB models, users now have the ability to store and access up to hundreds of hours of movies and music, as well photos and other digital files, from their smartphones and tablets that are typically limited by minimal storage capacity.
(more…)
Tags:hard drive, HDD, mobile, My Passport, Singapore, storage, WD, wireless
Posted in Accessories, Android, Apps, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, iOS, Launch, Press Release, Prices, Specifications, storage drive, Western Digital | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 28th, 2014
The new lineup from Fitbit features continuous, automatic heart rate tracking; GPS; smartwatch functionality; plus all day activity and automatic sleep tracking.
Fitbit Charge (S$169), Fitbit Charge HR (S$199) and Fitbit Surge (S$329) will be available broadly in early 2015.
Fitbit Charge (S$169) is available in black, slate, blue* and burgundy*; Fitbit Charge HR (S$199) will be available in black, plum, blue* and tangerine*; Fitbit Surge (S$329) will be available in black, blue* and tangerine*. * indicates colors that are coming soon. Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge will be available in small, large and extra large sizes (extra large only available through Fitbit.com).
Fitbit has unveiled three new activity and sleep-tracking products: Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge.
- Fitbit Charge – a high-performance wristband that delivers all-day activity tracking, real-time fitness stats and Caller ID right on the wrist for people who want to step up their everyday activities to improve their overall health.
- Fitbit Charge HR – an advanced tracker that delivers continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate, Caller ID and all-day activity tracking for active users: regular exercisers looking to push their fitness further.
- Fitbit Surge – a sleek Fitness Super Watch that offers the best of GPS, continuous wrist-based heart rate, all-day fitness tracking, and smartwatch functionality in one device, for people dedicated to reaching their peak performance.
More detailed descriptions extracted from the press release below.
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Tags:Fitbit, Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR, Fitbit Surge, fitness, health, prices, Singapore, trackers, wearables
Posted in Accessories, Android, Announce, Fitbit, fitness watches, Gadgets, gadgets, iOS, newArrivals, Prices, Specifications, Sports, Watches, Windows Phone 8 | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
The GALAXY S3 Neo smartphones will be used in a UN project for the three worst-hit African countries. The donated smartphones are worth about US$1 million.
Update (23 October, 2014):
LG Electronics is also contributing 2,000 smartphones to the United Nations’ response to the deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
“We hope that our contribution will make a difference as the UN and NGOs fight on the front lines to improve healthcare, food security and sanitation in areas affected by the Ebola epidemic. This endeavor is representative of LG’s ongoing mission to use its technology to contribute toward resolving global issues,” said Choong-hak Lee, senior vice president and head of LG’s corporate social responsibility efforts.
The donated smartphones from LG will be provided to healthcare and other key personnel dispatched by the UN in the affected areas where they are urgently needed.
The smartphones will allow for fast and seamless communication between the teams on the ground, focusing on medical data gathering, monitoring and planning.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will facilitate the distribution of the mobile devices.
According to OCHA, almost one billion dollars will be needed to address the immediate humanitarian needs caused by the Ebola virus.
Almost 5,000 people have been infected with Ebola since the outbreak started in West Africa in March with more than 2,400 individuals having died across the region.
Support from LG and other international partners are critical to the UN’s efforts to stabilize the outbreak.
All donated smartphones will be destroyed once the virus outbreak has subsided.
The smartphones, to be donated through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), will be used in the Humanitarian Connectivity Project, the UN’s IT project that utilises mobile devices to provide humanitarian support in disaster areas.
The donated GALAXY S3 Neo smartphones will be used in 60 Ebola medical clinics in the three worst-hit African countries, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
By installing the UN’s Smart Health Pro mobile application, medical staff can utilise the smartphones to treat patients and collect medical data, while quarantined patients can contact their families using the devices.
(more…)
Tags:Congo, CSR, Ebola, Galaxy, Ghana, Guinea, LG, Liberia, S3 Neo, Samsung, Sierra Leone, smartphones, South Africa, UN
Posted in Android, Announce, Gadgets, gadgets, LG, Phones, Samsung, smartphones, Tickers | No Comments »
Saturday, October 18th, 2014
Sydney based studio, Garage Entertainment, Australia’s producer/distributor of Action Sports & Adventure film and television content has collaborated with Samsung SportsFlow to launch a new Actions Sports & Adventure Channel called Fearless.
Home page of the Fearless Channel on Samsung SportsFlow. Image source: Samsung SportsFlow.
The Fearless channel is now available on the SportsFlow app, giving on-demand access for SportsFlow users (currently over half a million) to over 1,000 best in class action sports films, including films from media houses such as Red Bull, Crusty Demons, Taylor Steele and Rip Curl.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Australian studio Garage Entertainment. As a company that understands actions sports and how to effectively display the sport, they are a critical partner supporting us to bring awesome content to SportsFlow users,” said Maurizio Barbieri, Head of Sports, Media Solution Centre, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Samsung Electronics.
Titles include “The Art OF Flight”, “Where The Trail Ends” and “Missing” – which were shown on the big screen at the Fearless Film Festival in Sentosa, in celebration of the launch of the channel.
Additionally, there will also be premium content available for purchase through the Fearless channel.
Content on the Fearless channel will be available to all SportsFlow users across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The Fearless channel marks both the first time sports film content is available on the SportsFlow app as well as the first collaboration of Samsung SportsFlow with any film studio/distributor worldwide.
Fearless Film Festival in Sentosa (15-17 October, 2014) – action movies under the stars. Photo source: Fast Track
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Tags:Fearless, Garage Entertainment, Gear, movies, Samsung, Sentosa, SportsFlow, video, VR
Posted in Android, Entertainment, events, Exhibition, Lifestyle, Samsung, Sports | No Comments »
