April 5th, 2013
Singapore is the first South East Asia market to launch the Microsoft Surface RT tablet computer. Both the 32GB (S$668) and 64GB (S$798) versions are now available in Singapore at 20 Challenger stores. Price list within.
Microsoft Surface RT tablet has just been launched in Singapore.
Microsoft describes the Surface RT as “a tablet with some laptop capabilities”.
One big selling point is that the tablet ships with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT – which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
Hands-on
Physically, the Surface RT feels light at 680g and is only 9.4mm thin (275 x 172 mm in size).
Integrated kick-stand to prop the tablet up in landscape mode.
There is an integrated kickstand that folds out behind the tablet – allowing it to stand in landscape orientation.
Unfortunately, the stand doesn’t work in portrait orientation so you’ll have to hold it with your hands instead.
The keyboard doubles up as a cover to protect the 16:9 widescreen high-definition display (10.6-inch ClearType HD touchscreen display with 1366 x 768 pixels).
Two types of keyboard covers are available – a 3mm-thick Touch Cover for gesture-based touch typing or a 5mm-thick Type cover with traditional moving keys.
It was easy to attach and separate the keyboard/cover from the tablet.
Simply pull the magnetic connectors apart or put the edges close to each other for the connectors to snap in place.
There is a full-sized USB port and microSDXC card slot for additional storage.
The Surface RT runs on a Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU with 2GB RAM.
The Touch Cover is really thin at 3mm.
It runs Windows RT and works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store.
What this means is that don’t expect any software written for the full Windows OS (Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP etc) to run on the tablet.
Challenger is the sole launch retailer for the Surface RT in Singapore.
Prices are listed below.
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Tags: Challenger, launch, Microsoft, Office, prices, RT, Singapore, Surface, tablets, Windows
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April 4th, 2013
Fuji Xerox is the first in the office equipment industry to open a direct office in Myanmar, with the aim of becoming the market leader in the emerging market within three years – in terms of sales revenue.
Fuji Xerox is setting up office in Myanmar to help expand its business in the developing nation.
The Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (Myanmar Branch) in Yangon began operations on 1 April, 2013 and is headed by its General Manager – Yoshio Hanada.
The branch will be staffed by another Japanese and six local employees.
Since the start of the new government in 2011, Myanmar has been promoting deregulation which is stimulating its economy.
Competitors in Myanmar
Two other big players are Canon and Konica Minolta, with Canon currently in pole position and Fuji Xerox third in market share by revenue, reckons Honda.
The enactment of the new foreign investment law in 2012 will be leading to the creation of a special economic zone.
The number of foreign corporations, including Japanese companies, entering Myanmar is rapidly increasing, which is likely to boost the country’s economic growth.
Currently, Fuji Xerox provides multifunction devices in Myanmar via a local dealer, Concordia.
Under current regulations, Fuji Xerox is not allowed to have a direct sales force in the country.
The Myanmar Branch will therefore provide the dealer with support in carrying out sales activities and sales consulting services, as well as make proposals for high value-added products such as high-speed color publishing systems.
It will also help accelerate business development for the Government Sector.
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Tags: Canon, Fuji Xerox, Konica, Minolta, Myanmar, Singapore
Posted in Announce, Canon, Events, Figures, Fuji Xerox, Laserjet, Printers, Tech news, Tickers | 1 Comment »
April 3rd, 2013
Canon formally launched the new cameras and lens at Chye Seng Huat Hardware cafe. Half the cameras had already hit the shelves earlier while the new models will debut towards end-April and early-May, with prices yet-to-be announced.
The highlights today include the PowerShot N, EOS 100D and EOS 700D.
Andrew Koh – Senior Director and GM of Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore – kicking off the launch in Singapore.
The Canon PowerShot N has a squarish form factor (78.6 x 69.3 x 29.2 mm) and is so compact it can fit in the palm and be operated with one hand.
Canon PowerShot N
It has Wi-Fi connectivity and comes with pre-programmed creative Instagram-style filters.
The 12.1-megapixel PowerShot N has 8x optical zoom, swivel screen and ISO to 6,400.
The EOS 100D has an 18-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and and full DSLR functionalities.
This is despite its compactness – Canon boasts that the 370g EOS 100D is the world’s smallest (116.8 x 90.7 x 69.4 mm) and lightest DSLR.
Canon EOS 100D
The EOS 700D has the same sensor and DIGIC 5 imaging processor, and comes with a fully articulated LCD panel.
Both DSLRs can be paired with the new EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM EF-S lens for quieter and smoother AF operation while shooting video.
All the above models will be available in Singapore by end-April. Prices will be announced later.
The other cameras that were launched are the IXUS 255 HS, IXUS 140, IXUS 135, IXUS 132, PowerShot A2600, PowerShot A2500, as well as the newest PowerShot SX280 HS and PowerShot SX270 HS.
Canon EOS 700D has 18 megapixels and DIGIC 5 imaging processor.
All the cameras and lens that were launched today are listed below.
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Tags: cameras, Canon, compact, DSLR, EOS, Singapore
Posted in Cameras, Canon, Compact camera, DSLR, EOS, Events, Gadgets, IXUS, Launch, Lens, Photography, PowerShot, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
April 2nd, 2013
The newly-launched scanner has a 3.7-inch touchscreen user interface and is capable of wireless scanning for local and cloud storage. Available now in Singapore at S$988 (incl. GST).
Brother ADS-2600DW, available in Singapore now at S$988. Photo from: Brother
The Brother ADS-2600DW sports a one-touch scan button and is capable of creating searchable PDFs, as well as duplex scanning at up to 24 pages per minute in a single pass.
“… innovative and easy-to-use business solution for busy workgroups and small-to-medium businesses that require critical hard-copy documents to be quickly and easily converted, managed and stored to a variety of business destinations,” said Takeo Shimazu, Managing Director, Brother International Singapore Pte Ltd.
It also comes bundled with software to take advantage of a broad range of professional functions.
The ADS-2600W is Brother’s flagship scanner and promises a full suite of features to help collaborate, update and access documents while embracing the convenience of cloud technology.
Scanned documents can be sent directly from the machine to a wide variety of business and professional destinations such as Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, Box, SkyDrive, Facebook, Flickr and Picasa Web Albums, as well as Microsoft SharePoint through the included Nuance PaperPort software.
The ADS-2600W also scans to local destinations such as email servers and FTP sites, USB flash memory drive and even Android phones and tablets.
Key features of the Brother ADS-2600DW scanner are listed below.
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Tags: Brother, cloud, launch, scanners, Singapore
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April 1st, 2013
HP today unveiled the new HP ENVY120 e-All-in-One – an inkjet printer with a see-through scan preview lid and paper trays that extend only during printing.
RRP: S$399 (incl. GST). Available in Singapore now.
HP ENVY120 e-All-in-One multifunction inkjet printer – S$399 in Singapore.
The HP ENVY120 e-All-in-One allows home users to scan, copy, access the web and print premium lab-quality photos and everyday documents.
See-through scan preview lid and retractable paper tray.
It features ePrint, helping users to save time and enjoy more flexibility in printing from virtually anywhere with a smartphone, tablet or a PC.
It also has wireless direct printing capability that enables users to print without going through a router.
The front USB port is optimized for charging USB-compatible mobile devices.
The printer also sports quiet acoustics and an auto-retracting paper tray when loading paper and picking up print-outs.
“The HP ENVY120 e-All-in-One printer offers the flexibility of printing from multiple mobile devices while being an attractive showpiece in the living room,” said Serena Yong, General Manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Singapore.
Via the large 4.33-inch color touchscreen, users can access and download free apps from HP and partners to create, share, and print puzzles, coloring pages, and more.
Additionally, users can scan documents and photos to their email directly.
Families using the HP ENVY120 e-All-in-One can reduce their environmental impact with this PVC-free printer that also reduces the use of paper with automatic two-sided printing and is ENERGY STAR qualified.
Below are the tech specs for the HP ENVY 120 eAiO printer.
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Tags: AIO, copy, ENVY, fax, HP, inkjets, multi-function, Multifunction, photos, print, printers, scan
Posted in Accessories, Announce, Availability, Gadgets, HP, Inkjet, Multi-function printer, Prices, Printers, Specifications | No Comments »
March 31st, 2013
Here’s wishing all Christians a Happy Easter holiday.
Homemade Easter bunnies jumping for joy.
“Easter is a Christian festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament,” according to Wikipedia.
Since it falls on a Sunday, some countries designate the next day (Monday) as a public holiday.
Tags: bunnies, Easter, holiday, Singapore
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March 29th, 2013
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians, and is a public holiday in many countries.
Candles in the Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain. Photo credit: John Tan
Here’s wishing everyone a great Easter weekend.
Tags: Barcelona, Christian, Good Friday, holiday, Spain
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March 28th, 2013
If you’re traveling overseas and facing inconveniences due to the language barrier, you can now count on the free Google Translate app on your Android mobile device – even when there isn’t any data connection.
Offline mode of the Google Translate app on Android lets you bring a translator around in your pocket.
Google Translate is a popular web service that helps translate free text and website text content from one language to another.
50 language packs available for download to use in offline mode of the Android app.
The browser-based service is usually used on desktop and notebook computers and require an Internet connection to work.
Languages include Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Conversation mode allows voice entry and read out.
Google has now launched offline language packages for Google Translate on Android (2.3 and above) with support for 50 languages for the app – from French and Spanish to Chinese and Arabic.
Tags: Android, app, Arabian, Chinese, English, Google, Japanese, Korean, languages, Translate
Posted in Android, Announce, App, Availability, Google, Mobile, Phones, Software, Specifications, Tablets | 1 Comment »
March 27th, 2013
The newly-launched MFC-J2310 InkBenefit is the most compact inkjet model from Brother.
Available from 28 March 2013, the S$298 multi-function printer is capable of printing A3-sized documents and boast ink savings and increased efficiency for consumers, SOHOs and SMBs.
Brother MFC-J2310 InkBenefit. Available in Singapore from 28 March at S$298.
MFC-J2310 InkBenefit has wired and wireless functionalities for cloud and mobile printing with Brother’s iPrint&Scan app, Airprint and Google Cloud.
Brother MFC-J2310 InkBenefit is Brother’s most compact inkjet multi-function printer that prints up to A3 sizes.
The multi-function printer also copies, faxes, and scans, and sports an intuitive 1.8-inch touchscreen colour LCD display.
The MFC-J2310 is capable of printing up to A3 sizes, as well as automated two-side printing for A4 documents
As with the higher-end MFC-J2510 InkBenefit, which was launched in Singapore half a year ago, the new MFC-J2310 is compact and similar in size to the typical A4 multi-function printer, even though it can print up to A3 sizes.
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Tags: Brother, Google Cloud, inkjets, launch, multi-function, printer, Singapore
Posted in Accessories, Brother, Cloud, Gadgets, Inkjet, Launch, Multi-function printer, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
March 27th, 2013
The free fxTrade mobile app brings robust desktop functionality to mobile devices, including customizable charts, price alerts, overlays and indicators.
OANDA’s free fxTrade mobile app is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices.
OANDA, a global provider of innovative foreign exchange trading services, today announced a significant update to its OANDA fxTrade mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
“There are no longer any compromises when it comes to mobile,” said OANDA CEO K Duker.
OANDA’s fxTrade mobile app allows users to quickly monitor forex market activity as well as manage positions, control risk, and monitor account status and profitability while on the go.
The free app’s intuitive design makes the most of native iPhone, iPad, and Android capabilities to provide features that traders need to stay on top of the fast-moving forex market.
OANDA’s fxTrade mobile app comes with rich features and customisability.
Today’s release is the result of more than 18 months of work from the OANDA mobile development team, and incorporates user feedback from OANDA customers globally.
“With this new version of our trading app, we’re providing our customers with what they want: a robust platform at their fingertips and a great trading experience, no matter where they are,” Duker added.
Mobile devices already account for 30 percent of logins and 15 percent of trades for OANDA clients, a number that has risen rapidly since the company introduced its first mobile trading app in 2010.
The OANDA mobile apps for iPhone and iPad users are available for download in the App Store, or on the Google Play apps store for Android-based smartphones and tablets.
These apps complement the OANDA MetaTrader 4 mobile applications that are available for iPhone and Android smartphones and tablets.
Key features of this new version of OANDA’s fxTrade mobile app include:
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Tags: Android, Apps, FOREX, iOS, iPad, iPhone, OANDA, smartphones, tablets
Posted in Android, Announce, App, Apple, Gadgets, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Launch, Phones, Software, Tablets | No Comments »
