Archive for the ‘Operating Systems’ Category

Event: HP showcases new Windows 8 computers, tablets and printers

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

With the impending General Availability of Windows 8 on October 26, HP has showcased its range of All-in-One desktops, notebooks and tablets; and enunciated its vision of integrating these with smartphone usage and its printer product line – to enable a connected life.

HP showcases its extensive range of PCs and printers - and how they can be integrated to give users "A Life Connected". Pictured here is the Officejet Pro 6700 Premium eAiO and the ENVY x2.

HP showcases its extensive range of PCs and printers – and how they can be integrated to give users “A Life Connected”. Pictured here is the Officejet Pro 6700 Premium eAiO (left) and the ENVY x2 (right). Not shown to scale.

HP wants to help us integrate the disparate electronic gadgets in our digital lives seamlessly into “A Life Connected” – the theme for the showcase event.

HP is introducing two new tablets based on Windows 8. Pictured here is the ElitePad 900.

HP is introducing two new tablets based on Windows 8. Pictured here is the ElitePad 900.

HP Singapore roped in local celebrity, Irene Ang, to demonstrate how an user could leverage the wide range of HP products for work and play, and move content and media easily between different devices.

Irene went on a fictitious holiday to Morocco, armed with HP’s recently unveiled HP Envy x2 hybrid notebook, that comes with a detachable keyboard, which she’d used to book her holiday and hotel.

Irene arrived at a Moroccan hotel where the staff used an HP EllitePad 900 tablet to check her in, printing out her check-in paperwork wirelessly using an HP printer.

The EllitePad 900 comes with a jacket that doubles battery life and provides additional expansion ports.

HP Photosmart 7520 eAiO

HP Photosmart 7520 eAiO

During her vacation in exotic Morocco, Irene snapped photos using her smartphone and used an HP app to upload and edit her photos online at Snapfish.

These photos are automatically synched with her tablet and AIO computer at home.

Along the way, she had time to do an “OppaN Irene Ang style” number to music streamed from her tablet.

And below is Oppan Irene Ang Style…

Here are some of the computers showcased during the entertaining event.

Follow this link to check out the new AiO inkjet printers with wireless direct printing technology.

Nubox and EpiCentre sells out non-contracted iPhone 5 across Singapore

Friday, September 21st, 2012

Nubox and EpiCentre, both Apple Premium Reseller chains in Singapore, sold out their non-contracted iPhone 5 units nationwide when sales of the new smartphone commenced at 8am this morning.

This is the first time either are selling non-contracted iPhones on launch day. (All photos in this post taken by Nubox and EpiCentre)

Happy customers with their new iPhone 5 at Nubox Tampines Mall.

Happy customers with their new iPhone 5 at Nubox Tampines Mall.

Nubox sold out its iPhone 5 units within 30 minutes while EpiCentre sold out its units within 2 hours.

Overnight queues at EpiCentre Somerset.

Overnight queues at EpiCentre Somerset.

Both were unable to divulge the number of units sold as there was a gag order from Apple on sales figures.

Longest queue at for Nubox was at Tampines Mall with more than 200 people.

Longest queue at for Nubox was at Tampines Mall with more than 200 people.

Nubox set up queue poles outside its outlets at 8pm last night, with people starting to queue at that time at Tampines Mall, which also had the longest queue of some 200 people.

First and second customer at Nubox@Raffles City today – Felix Haryanto William (left) and Angus Tan. 18-year-old polytechnic student Felix Haryanto William started the queue at 1 a.m this morning. Felix was accompanied by his father. “My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for iPhone 5 since last December. I am an Apple fan and I just want the latest phone. We queued at Nubox for the launch of the new iPad in March and decided to come here again to queue for the new iPhone,” said Felix.

1st 2 customers at Nubox@Raffles City – Felix Haryanto William (L) & Angus Tan. 18-yr-old polytechnic student Felix  started the queue at 1 am this morning with his father. “My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for iPhone 5 since last December. I am an Apple fan and I just want the latest phone. We queued at Nubox for the launch of the new iPad in March and decided to come here again to queue for the new iPhone,” said Felix.

19-year-old Deepti Vasan queued with her father since 8 p.m. last night. “We are looking forward to the larger screen which would be great for videos. We were very excited when we know that Nubox is selling iPhone 5. We still have an existing contract and it would be very expensive to break the contact,” said Deepti. Both father and daughter were delighted with their new 64GB iPhone 5.

19-year-old Deepti Vasan queued with her father since 8 pm last night at Nubox@Tampines Mall. “We are looking forward to the larger screen which would be great for videos. We were very excited when we know that Nubox is selling iPhone 5. We still have an existing contract and it would be very expensive to break the contact,” said Deepti. Both father and daughter were delighted with their new 64GB iPhone 5.

For EpiCentre, the majority of the queues started forming from 8pm last night.
“I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a welcome crew as I entered the store,” said Ms Tang Yinghua, the first customer at the EpiCentre ION Orchard outlet. “I felt like a VIP as the crew clapped and cheered continuously as they activated my iPhone 5. It was an overwhelming experience and I can’t wait to use my iPhone 5 immediately.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a welcome crew as I entered the store,” said Ms Tang Yinghua, the first customer at the EpiCentre ION Orchard outlet. “I felt like a VIP as the crew clapped and cheered continuously as they activated my iPhone 5. It was an overwhelming experience and I can’t wait to use my iPhone 5 immediately.”

EpiCentre is offering promotional bundles for the iPhone 5, which includes trade-up promotions for customers upgrading their smartphones to the new Apple iPhone 5.

Trade-up prices vary depending on the smartphone model and conditions.

Accessories bundles include either the purchase of a Gosh iPhone 5 screen protector and a Gosh Cross Case at S$39.90 (usual price: S$70.90); or the purchase of any screen protector or phone case at 15% discount.

SingTel launches new deF!ND and the Apple iPhone 5

Friday, September 21st, 2012

20-year-old Liu Ting Ting was the first customer to purchase an iPhone 5 from SingTel this morning.

Besides selling the iPhone 5, SingTel also launched a new version of deF!ND – its free mobile personal assistant app that integrates local information and enables bookings of services on the move.

Early-bird customers at SingTel's  iPhone 5 launch.

Early-bird customers at SingTel’s iPhone 5 launch.

SingTel has organised a three-day launch event for the iPhone 5 starting this morning at 8am at Marina Bay Sands, Exhibition Hall D, Basement 2.

Liu Ting Ting  jumping with joy.

Liu Ting Ting jumping with joy.

A record 68,000 customers registered their interest over six days to purchase iPhone 5 from SingTel.

SingTel’s price plans can be found at the end of this post.

The 10,000 appointment slots to purchase iPhone 5 at our launch event were snapped-up within one and a half hours.

The first customer to purchase iPhone 5 is Ms Liu Ting Ting (age 20, student).

She had arrived last night (Thurs 20 Sep) at 8:30pm even though she had a confirmed appointment to purchase iPhone 5 this morning.

Liu Ting Ting with Allan Lew (R) and Yuen Kuan Moon (L) from SingTel.

Liu Ting Ting with Allan Lew (R) and Yuen Kuan Moon (L) from SingTel.

She chose to camp overnight in order to be the first to get the phone.

SingTel also unveiled a new version of deF!ND, which features Singapore’s own voice-activated personal assistant, often dubbed the “Singapore Siri”.

First launched in November last year, the new version now features a significantly expanded database of more than 100,000 reviews on more than 15,000 eateries from HungryGoWhere, Singapore’s popular food website.

Users can quickly and easily browse through recommendations of highly-rated restaurants and hawkers nearest to their current location.

SingTel deF!ND can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

SingTel deF!ND can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

deF!ND is now able to make intelligent movie recommendations based on users’ personal preferences and display screening times at GV, Shaw and Cathay cinemas nearest to their current location.

deF!ND is a free app iOS and Android app from SingTel.A virtual barometer predicts the user’s level of interest in all movies that are currently airing.

The app allows users to select seats and charge ticket purchases to their credit cards.

With deF!ND, users can also book taxis, locate ATMs, medical clinics and other essential amenities, find the best shopping deals and get updates on local events.

The app draws from SingTel’s popular inSing.com database of more than 170,000 business listings.

By the way, SingTel’s price plans is listed below.

(more…)

New social app: NuffnangX makes it easy to read blogs on the go

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

The free app works on iOS, Android and web platforms and helps users discover new blogs, follow bloggers’ updates and conduct two-way conversations with them while on the go.

NuffnangX is a free app for iOS, Android and Web platforms for perusing blogs on the road.

NuffnangX is a free app for iOS, Android and Web platforms for perusing blogs on the road.

Netccentric Pte Ltd, the parent company of Asia Pacific’s blog advertising community Nuffnang.com, has globally launched NuffnangX.

“It continues to be more and more challenging for bloggers to engage their readers and for readers to keep up with their favourite blogs,” said Cheo Ming Shen, co-founder of NuffnangX and Netccentric.

With thousands of blogs out there, NuffnangX hand-picks blogs to suit your reading preferences and interests.

The app serves as your personal blog shopper which selects the best blogs from around the world for you.

NuffnagX is a free app for iOS, Android and Web platforms for persing blogs on the move.NuffnangX’s Patent Pending Technology summarises hundreds and thousands of words of each blog entry on your feed to a single line that is known as the “elevator pitch” so you can decide quickly whether a blog is interesting enough for you to read.

NuffnangX also simplifies the commenting process, making it seamless and easy to use.

Both partners had met whilst studying in London, and fresh from graduation, started Netccentric Pte Ltd as the holding company for their web ventures.

Coupled with a mixed bag of working experience in the Finance and Government sectors, their first project was Nuffnang.com, Asia Pacific’s First Blog Advertising Community.

New Android smartphone: LG Optimus G, its new flagship LTE device

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

LG has launched the Optimus G in Seoul, Korea today. Available in Korea next week and in key global markets in October.

The Optimus G is LG's new flagship smartphone model, with 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

The Optimus G is LG’s new flagship smartphone model, with 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

LG Optimus G
OS Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen 4.7″ WXGA, True HD IPSPlus
Resolution 1280 x 768
Battery 2,100 mAh, sealed
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz Quad-Core Krait CPUs
Features LTE, NFC
Camera Rear: 13 MP*
Front: 1.3 MP
Video 1080p Full HD
Memory RAM: 2 GB
Int: 32 GB
Ext: Nil
Size /mm 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45
Weight 145 g
Price TBA
* In certain markets, the phone could be shipped with an 8 MP camera.

The Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) phone has a camera that shoots an amazing 13 megapixels while the sealed battery is rated at 2,100 mAh.

The Optimus G has a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus (1280 x 768 pixels) screen and is only 8.45mm thin.

It is both LTE and NFC capable.

LG’s new flagship smartphone leverages the powerful 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU to provide speedy performance and a sleek user experience.

LG boasts that the Optimus G goes beyond multi-taking into “cross-tasking” of activities without limitations.

According to LG: whereas multi-tasking applies to running various applications at the same time, cross-tasking applies to complex tasks that can be completed simultaneously without having to compromise other tasks.

Some new UX features that will be included into the Optimus G to showcase its cross-tasking and engaging capabilities are listed below.

(more…)

New social app: SingTel Loop & Meet organises your social life

Friday, September 14th, 2012

This free app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets helps users to discover fun things to do and organise outings with friends.

Screenshots from SingTel's free Loop & Meet app for iOS and Android mobile devices.

Screenshots from SingTel’s free Loop & Meet app for iOS and Android mobile devices.

SingTel has launched Loop & Meet, a mobile app that enables mobile users to send event invitations quickly and easily, and tracks responses without having to sort through dozens of email and text messages.

Discover things to do. Send and track invitations. Meet up and have fun!

With Loop & Meet, users can browse through hundreds of events that are refreshed daily from inSing.com.

“We know that it is sometimes difficult to plan new activities or think of new places to visit,” said Cheong Hai Thoo, SingTel’s Head of Multimedia.

These events have been categorised for easy browsing into: movies, music, leisure, night out, arts, festivals and family.

The service allows users to invite their friends via SMS or email.

The app was developed in collaboration with app developer, Goba.

“Loop & Meet makes this process a breeze so that users will never be short of leisure and entertainment options,” Cheong enthused.

Recipients can use the SMS and web platforms to confirm attendance and chat with registered users, even if they have not installed the app.

Loop & Meet will help to track the responses and send invitees reminders if they do not respond.

This makes it easier for all users to keep track of the full event itinerary, time, place and attendees.

Free SingTel Loop & Meet app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.Loop & Meet is an important addition to SingTel’s growing suite of multimedia offerings, which includes the skoob e-Books service, AMPed music service and deF!ND digital concierge.

Loop & Meet is available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

Apple launches iPhone 5 with 4-inch Retina display, A6 chip and new connector

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

No surprises as to the features of the iPhone 5 except that there’s no NFC. Most of the enhancements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. As with its predecessors, iPhone 5 will come in 16 GB (S$948), 32 GB (S$1,088) and 64 GB (S$1,238) configurations.

It will arrive in 9 countries, including Singapore, on 21 September.

The iPhone 5 comes in Black & Slate or White & Silver.

The iPhone 5 comes in Black & Slate or White & Silver.

The iPhone 5 will run on iOS 6, which will be released as a free software update two days before the smartphone itself hits the shelves.

Apple iPhone 5
OS iOS 6
Screen 4″ Retina display
Resolution 1136 x 640
Battery mAh rating not revealed
Processor A6
Features LTE
Camera Rear: 8 MP
Front: 1.2 MP
Video Rear: 1080p30
Front: 720p30
Video Info not available
Memory Int: 16, 32, 64 GB
Ext: Nil
Size /mm 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6
Weight 112 g
Price (w GST)
  • 16 GB: S$948
  • 32 GB: S$1,088
  • 64 GB: S$1,238

The new operating system features 200 new features but will notably be foregoing Google’s Maps and YouTube apps.

The 4-inch Retina display is now taller, with 1136 x 640 pixels at a high 326 ppi resolution.

All these will run off the new Apple-designed A6 chip and 4G LTE network.

Design-wise, the iPhone 5 is a stunner, with a selection of Black & Slate and White & Silver.

The former has most of my friends salivating although the white is beginning to become somewhat commonplace by now.

And the body is only 7.6mm thin.

The rear camera now has 8 megapixels while the front 1.2-megapixel camera shoots 720p video at up to 30 fps for FaceTime HD video calls.

A new panorama feature stitches photos of up to 28 megapixels simply by moving the camera across a scene in one smooth motion – like the sweep panorama in Sony cameras.

Available in 9 countries on 21 September.

Available in 9 countries on 21 Sep.

As expected, Apple has replaced the 30-pin connector with a new 9-pin Lightning connector.

A Lightning-to-30-pin Adapter (sold separately) is available to connect the iPhone 5 to legacy 30-pin accessories.

Due to the variation in LTE networks in different countries, the iPhone 5 will come in 3 variants in terms of LTE frequencies.

The first model (A1428 GSM) works only in the US and Canada, while the second (A1429 CDMA) works for US carriers Sprint and Verizon, as well as KDDI in Japan.

9-pin Lightning connector replaces 30-pin connector.

9-pin Lightning connector replaces 30-pin connector.

The third model (A1429 GSM) runs on 850MHz, 1800MHz and 2100Mz.

This is the most international version – compatible with the most number of countries.

Note that although the iPhone 5 runs on 1800MHz for LTE, Singapore operates its LTE network on 1800MHz and 2600MHz.

So in areas where 1800MHz is not available, the iPhone 5 will fall back onto 3G.

Likewise, in countries where the 4G is not compatible with your version of iPhone 5, you will still be able to use in on 3G.

The iPhone 4S will also be available for a suggested retail price of SGD$788 (incl GST) and iPhone 4 for a suggested retail price SGD$588 (incl GST).

The first nine countries getting the iPhone 5 on 21 September are Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the US and the UK.

The iPhone 5 will be available in 9 countries on 21 Sep and another 22 countries on 28 Sep.

The iPhone 5 will be available in 9 countries on 21 Sep and another 22 countries on 28 Sep.

Customers from these countries can pre-order the iPhone 5 beginning 14 September.

All three major Telcos in Singapore, SingTel, StarHub and M1, will be selling the iPhone 5 on 21 September.

The iPhone 5 will next hit the shelves worldwide at 22 more countries a week later on 22 September.

These countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Infographic: Red Hat started from a spare bedroom

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

Did you know Red Hat started out in a spare bedroom in Tim Burke’s (current Vice President, Linux Engineering, Red Hat) house?

Here’s a tech byte about the software company that provides open source software to the enterprise community.

Red Hat started out from a spare bedroom. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source software.

Red Hat started out from a spare bedroom. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source software.

Red Hat Linux first appeared in 1994, with an October release called Halloween. It also started the Fedora Project in 2003.

Red Hat believes in community-led innovation. That’s why Red Hat is the leading corporate contributor to the kernel, with 70,790 changes, making up 16.3% of contributions to the GNOME project.

The Top 5 Asia Pacific stock exchanges are powered by Red Hat.

Infographic: Linux turns 21

Saturday, September 8th, 2012

Do you know that Linux has turned 21 years old on 25 August 2012? Here’s a tech byte about the open source operating system.

Linux is now twenty-one years old. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source.

Linux is now twenty-one years old. Click to see full infographic which includes Red Hat and Open Source.

The initial announcement from Linus Torvalds was posted on 25 August 1991.

The kernel which forms the core of the Linux system is the result of one of the largest co-operative software projects ever attempted.

Almost 8,000 individual developers contributed to each kernel release between ver. 2.6.11 to 3.2, and the numbers continue to increase.

TODAY! Xperia tipo dual smartphone available in Singapore

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

The Xperia tipodual from Sony Mobile is now available in Singapore. The dual-SIM smartphone is available in black or silver at S$268 (without contract) at M1.

Only the dual-SIM version of the Xperia tipo dual is available in Singapore.

Only the dual-SIM version of the Xperia tipo dual is available in Singapore.

The dual-SIM version of Sony Mobile’s Xperia tipo has hit the shelves in Singapore.

Sony Mobile Xperia tipodual
OS Android 4.0 (ICS)
Screen 3.2″ TFT
Resolution 320 x 480
Battery 1,500 mAh
Processor 800 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7225AA
Camera Rear: 3.2 MP
Front: Nil
Video VGA (640 x 480)
Memory Int: 2.9 GB
Ext: 32 GB microSD
Size /mm 103 x 57 x 13
Weight 99.4 g
Price S$268

The Xperia tipodual is available at M1, Xperia Concept Stores, Sony Stores and Sony Centres.

Running on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), the Xperia tipodual accepts two SIM cards and allows users to easily change from one network to another.

This can be done by simply pressing a dedicated button on the smartphone

There is no need to switch off and on the phone or go through complicated menu-selections.

The Xperia tipodual has a 3.2-inch display, 3.2-megapixel camera and 1,500mAH battery.

The smartphone comes with a dedicated setup guide, and a built-in application enabling users to monitor their data usage and battery life.