Archive for the ‘Operating Systems’ Category

New Arrival: Listen To Web Pages On Android Phones

Thursday, March 5th, 2020

You can now ask Google Assistant to read aloud the text on a webpage – basically turning any webpage into a podcast! The new functionality is now available on all Android phones.

Check out the video about the new Read It feature for Google Assistant in Android phones.

Check out the video about the new Read It feature for Google Assistant in Android phones.

Nowadays we consume so much content on our tiny smartphone screen – news, articles, stories etc.

For older folks with failing eyesight, or anybody with visual or reading difficulties, Google Assistant can now read web articles on your smartphone browsers out loud.

I’ve always wished that I could consume web content while I’m driving.

At the moment, you can only do that if it’s a podcast, or unless you just listen to the audio of a video, because you got to keep your eyes on the road while driving.

So I listen to the news or radio, or my own music while I drive.

With the ability of Google Assistant to read aloud web pages, I don’t have to postpone perusing a web article until when I can read it myself.

I can listen to it when I’m driving, or taking a bus or train (using earphones) so that I don’t have to strain my eyes reading on a moving vehicle.

(more…)

New Arrival: Huawei nova 7i Smartphone In Singapore (S$388)

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020

The 48-megapixel, 4200mAh Huawei nova 7i will be available for pre-order in Singapore from 5 March and hit Singapore on 14 March. RRP: S$388.

The Huawei nova 7i Android smartphone is available in Singapore in Midnight Black and Sakura Pink.

The Huawei nova 7i Android smartphone is available in Singapore in Midnight Black and Sakura Pink.

The Huawei nova 7i is equipped with a quad-camera system that supports Handheld Night Mode.

The camera system includes a 48MP Main Camera, an 8MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens, a 2MP Macro Lens and a 2MP Bokeh Lens.

Key technical specifications of the Huawei nova 7i Android smartphone.

Key technical specifications of the Huawei nova 7i Android smartphone.

Equipped with a 6.4-inch FHD+ Punch FullView Display and a big screen-to-body ratio of 90.6%, the Huawei nova 7i has a 16MP front camera on the upper left corner for selfies.

The Huawei nova 7i also features a side-mounted fingerprint power button for faster unlock.

The Huawei nova 7i has a large 4200mAh battery and Kirin 810 chipset.

With 40W Huawei SuperCharge support, the device can be charged up to 70% in 30 minutes.

Huawei AppGallery, the world’s third largest app store, is pre-installed on all Huawei mobile devices including the latest Huawei nova 7i.

(more…)

Samsung Unpacked 2020 Unveils New Galaxy S20 Models & Z Flip Foldable

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

The global event in San Francisco unveiled the Galaxy S20, S20+ & S20 Ultra flagship smartphones, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphone and the Galaxy Buds+. Price & availability below.

Hands on the new Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy S20 will be available in Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink. The Galaxy S20+ will be available in Cosmic Gray, Cosmic Black and Cloud Blue. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will be available in Cosmic Gray and Cosmic Black.

Hands on the new Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy S20 will be available in Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink. The Galaxy S20+ will be available in Cosmic Gray, Cosmic Black and Cloud Blue. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will be available in Cosmic Gray and Cosmic Black.

The Galaxy Z Flip will be available in Singapore from 14 February 2020, Friday, from 8am on local telecommunication operators’ (M1, Singtel and StarHub) online stores and the Samsung Online Store, with a recommended retail price of S$1,998 (including GST).

The Galaxy Z Flip will be available in Mirror Purple and Mirror Black.

A black or silver leather cover for the Flip is available at S$118.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by tech4tea Reviews (@tech4teareviews) on

Singapore will be the first market in Southeast Asia to launch the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (left), the first in a new Galaxy Z lineup of foldable smartphones. For now, the Galaxy Fold (right) is not part of the new Galaxy Z product line.

Pre-Order / Registration of interest for the Galaxy S20 (128GB), Galaxy S20+ (128GB) and Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (128GB) will commence from 12 February 2020, Wednesday, from 1pm.

(more…)

Google Enhances Google Pixel With Pixel Feature Drop

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

Google has begun providing Pixel users with functionality improvements through what they call Pixel feature drops. The first one has just arrived.

These features are already rolling out and will hit all Pixel phones (Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4) in the coming weeks. To get them, you have to update to the latest version of Android and go to the PlayStore to start downloading the updated apps.

These features are already rolling out and will hit all Pixel phones (Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4) in the coming weeks. To get them, you have to update to the latest version of Android and go to the PlayStore to start downloading the updated apps.

The Pixel feature drop is in addition to automatic updates that Google currently already provide for fixes and minor improvements.

This first feature drop includes a new way to capture portraits, easier Duo calls and automatic call screening (for those in the US).

So for Singaporeans, what’s new with the new Google Assistant in English?

(more…)

Event: Vivo NEX 3 Roadshow #FutureBeyondEdges

Saturday, November 9th, 2019

I popped down to the Vivo #FutureBeyondEdges roadshow at Bedok Mall today and tried out the exciting new flagship smartphone – NEX 3 – that was launched in Singapore last week.

Mediacorp Artiste Elvin Ng with Liu Hong Bin, CEO of Vivo Singapore and the new Vivo Nex 3 flagship smartphone (S$1,299) at the #FutureBeyondEdges roadshow at Bedok Mall.

Mediacorp Artiste Elvin Ng with Liu Hong Bin, CEO of Vivo Singapore and the new Vivo Nex 3 flagship smartphone (S$1,299) at the #FutureBeyondEdges roadshow at Bedok Mall.

Based on first impressions, I like the “no edges – no buttons” design of the premium phone.

The 6.89-inch POLED Waterfall Fullview Display (1080 x 2256 FHD+) extends over the curved edges on both sides and offers an immersive visual experience with the high 99.6% screen-to-body ratio.

All around the edges, there’re no buttons at all, except for the diminutive power button which is so flushed with the side that it’s hardly noticeable.

The volume up/down “buttons” on either side of the power button are totally invisible because they use embedded sensors.

The fingerprint sensor is in-display on the front, so you don’t see any fingerprint sensor at the rear.

There is also face-unlock should the fingerprint authentication fail three times.

The triple rear cameras come with a 64-megapixel main camera, as well as a 13MP wide-angle camera and 13MP telescopic camera that takes pretty impressive macro photos.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by tech4tea Reviews (@tech4teareviews) on

The new Vivo NEX 3 showcased at the #FutureBeyondEdges roadshow at Bedok Mall in Singapore.

The front camera is a massive 16MP camera that pops out from the top of the NEX 3, accompanied by a flash.

(more…)

New Arrival: Xiaomi Launches 4 New Redmi “8” Series Phones In Singapore

Sunday, October 20th, 2019

Xiaomi has unveiled 4 new Redmi smartphone models that will be available in Singapore towards the end of October 2019. Prices and availability below.

Four new entry-level smartphones from Xiaomi for the Singapore market.

Four new entry-level smartphones from Xiaomi for the Singapore market: Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8, Redmi 8, and Redmi 8A. Click on the links of each model for a 1-page brochure of the smartphone.

The prices, configurations and availability of the four phone models are tabulated below.

The four models are the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8, Redmi 8, and Redmi 8A.

Click on the table to enlarge.

New Arrival: ASUS ROG Phone II in Singapore

Saturday, October 19th, 2019

ASUS boasts that the new S$1,598 gaming phone is the world’s first Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus, has the world’s first 120Hz/1ms AMOLED display and has a monster 6000mAh battery.

Republic of Gamers (ROG) today unveils the ROG Phone II, the successor to the game-changing ROG Phone.

Republic of Gamers (ROG) today unveils the ROG Phone II, the successor to the game-changing ROG Phone.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor in the new ASUS ROG Phone II is clocked at 2.96GHz with Qualcomm Adreno 640 GPU.

It features the world’s first 120Hz/1ms AMOLED 10-bit HDR 6.59″ display with Delta-E <1 colour accuracy and only 49ms touch latency.

The huge 6000mAh battery with 30W ROG HyperCharge enables long stamina for gaming and fast recharging.

For gaming, the ROG Phone II has a landscape-oriented design, Dual Surrounding Vibration, front-facing stereo speakers, plus a new range of modular accessories.

More details below from the press release.

(more…)

New Arrival: OPPO Reno2 and Reno2 Z Smartphones in Singapore

Friday, October 18th, 2019

OPPO has launched the Reno2 (S$899) & Reno2 Z (S$899) Android smartphones in Singapore. OPPO also launched its first wireless noise cancelling headphones – the Enco Q1 (S$179). Available from 26 October. Introductory promotions below.

The OPPO Reno2 has 5x hybrid zoom, ultra dark mode, sunlight AMOLED screen, ultra steady video.

The OPPO Reno2 has 5x hybrid zoom, ultra dark mode, sunlight AMOLED screen, ultra steady video.

The OPPO Reno2 (S$899) comes in Luminous Black and Sunset Pink with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Editor’s Comments

The mid-range phones bring enhancements to OPPO’s Reno series phones in improved Wi-Fi connectivity, photography and video recording.

An interesting feature I tried is the real-time video bokeh where the background is blurred. It’s the video equivalent of the portrait mode in smartphone still photography.

The more affordable OPPO Reno2 Z (S$599) comes in Luminous Black and Sky White with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

The OPPO Enco Q1 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (S$179) in Midnight Black and Sunny Orange will be available from 26 October 2019 at OPPO concept store and OPPO official online store on Lazada, Qoo10 and Shopee.

More details below from the press release.

(more…)

New Arrival: Vivo NEX 3 Flagship Android Smartphone

Thursday, October 17th, 2019

As part of the NEX 3 launch in Singapore, Vivo will hold a #FutureBeyondEdges event from 6–12 November at Bedok Mall. Customers who purchase the NEX 3 (S$1,299) at the event will receive a FREE DJI OSMO Mobile 3 Combo (worth S$189) and Folio Case (worth S$29.90) – while stocks lasts.

The new Vivo NEX 3 will be available from 2 November 2019 through major local telcos. Exclusive promo deals – worth over $200 will also be available at their #FutureBeyondEdges event at Bedok Mall from 6-12 November 2019.

The new Vivo NEX 3 will be available from 2 November 2019 through major local telcos. Exclusive promo deals – worth over S$200 will also be available at their #FutureBeyondEdges event at Bedok Mall from 6-12 November 2019.

The Vivo NEX 3 will be available through the telcos M1, Singtel and StarHub.

Highlights of the NEX 3 includes the following.

  • Borderless Screen – A 6.89-inch notch-free POLED Waterfall FullView Display that extends along the edges and provides an immersive visual experience with a 99.6% screen-to-body ratio
  • Triple Camera Setup – A 64MP main camera, 13MP wide-angle camera and a 13MP telescopic camera that allow users to seamlessly switch between wide-angle, telescopic and macro capabilities with a single touch. A 16MP Elevating Front Camera to capture the perfect selfies.
  • Reliable and Powerful Performance – Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus and UFS 3.0 high-speed flash memory for top computing performance and smooth multitasking capabilities. A massive 4500mAh battery for a long-lasting experience.
  • Superior Audio – The AK4377A independent audio chip drives the vivo Hi-Fi experience, allowing users to enjoy a more immersive music experience.

More details below from the press release.

(more…)

New Arrival: Samsung Galaxy A10s And Galaxy A30s Refresh

Saturday, October 5th, 2019

Samsung has launched the refreshed devices for the Galaxy A series smartphones. Available in Singapore from today. Prices below.

The Samsung Galaxy A10s (S$198) is available in black while the Samsung Galaxy A30s (S$328) is available in Prism Crush Black or Prism Crush Green.

The Samsung Galaxy A10s (S$198) is available in black while the Samsung Galaxy A30s (S$328) is available in Prism Crush Black or Prism Crush Green.

These entry-level smartphones Galaxy A10s (S$198) & Galaxy A30s (S$328) enjoy enhanced everyday features, combining affordability and versatility, offering consumers a holistic user experience.

The Galaxy A10s has a 6.2-inch HD+ TFT Display while the A30s sports a 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-V Display.

Both have a long-lasting 4,000mAh battery, with the Galaxy A30s equipped with fast charging capability.

The Galaxy A10s sports dual rear cameras – a 13MP Main (F1.8) and 2MP Depth Camera (F2.4) – and an 8MP front camera.

The Galaxy A30s comes with triple rear cameras: an improved 25MP (F1.7) main camera and an 8MP 123o FOV Ultra Wide Camera, and a new 5MP depth camera.

(more…)