Nikon launches 6 new cameras in Singapore

August 23rd, 2012

Nikon spearheaded its Autumn 2012 collection of cameras with 6 new cameras, 1 lens and 1 waterproof casing. Among these cameras are the super compact S01 and the Android-equipped S800c.

All will be available in September. Prices TBA.

Update (4 September, 2012):

The COOLPIX L610 is now available in Singapore at S$339.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Most camera launches roll out more of the same, with slight improvements in features or specifications.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

So its most refreshing to see Nikon trying to innovate by launching cameras that genuinely push the boundaries.

My favourite among the slew of cameras launched in Singapore today is the S01.

You’ve got to see it to believe it and you’ve got to handle it to appreciate it.

The S01 is smaller than a credit card!

It’s thicker than the card of course, but it’s like one of those charms people dangle from their keychains, although I wouldn’t want the camera slamming against the dashboard as I drive.

And people with big hands might not appreciate the compactness as much.

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

It’s a bold step for Nikon to take – pushing the limits of camera miniaturisation.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

I’m sure smartphone makers would be very keen to adopt some of the technologies developed to make their smartphone cameras perform even better.

Already, these camera phones are encroaching into the market share of compact cameras with the only difference being image quality, which is made up for by the convenience of having the smartphone camera being available and handy at all times.

I won’t be surprised if some of Nikon’s sub-contractors are already talking to smartphone makers on possible collaborations.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the same front, Nikon is hitting back at the smartphone camera sector with the S800c – a compact camera with an Android OS (2.3) and Wi-Fi connectivity.

So you can use photo-editing apps (such as Photoshop, Instagram and PicsArt) from the Google Play store to edit photos taken with the camera, and share it online on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

You can also use any of the other 500,000 apps on the Google Play for gaming or other purposes.

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

What the S800c doesn’t have yet is 3G connectivity, to give it 3G data connectivity in case there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity.

Who knows, you might even see a Nikon camera-phone (in that order) in the future!

The other products launched today are more run-of-the-mill cameras and accessories.

These include three new compacts from the COOLPIX family: COOLPIX P7700, L610, and S6400.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

For its mirrorless interchangeable lens line, Nikon has launched the Nikon 1 J2, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Nikon 1 water proof case.

I’ll be posting more details of each camera so you can check the tech specs in those articles.

TomTom updates its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad

August 23rd, 2012

TomTom has launched a new version (v1.11) of its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad. Users will be able to navigate to addresses found on the Internet, search with foursquare, and get the very latest TomTom maps.

Customers with an older version of the app can download it for free. For new customers, the app can be purchased for US$49.99 at the Apple App Store.

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

Drivers can now quickly and easily navigate to places they’ve found on websites and other apps by copying an address and pasting it into their TomTom Navigation app.

There’s no need to type as the app will automatically work out the destination and direct them straight there.

While v1.10 integrated Facebook with the app, v1.11 adds foursquare.

After linking foursquare to the TomTom app, users can search and navigate to their favourite foursquare places, checking in to collect points on arrival.

New printer: Canon SELPHY CP900

August 22nd, 2012

Canon has announced its first Wi-Fi-enabled compact photo printer. The SELPHY CP900 hits the shelves in Singapore on 30 August at S$199.

The Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer comes in black, white or pink.

The Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer comes in black, white or pink.

With built-in Wi-Fi, the SELPHY CP900 enables users to instantly and wirelessly print photos taken with smartphones and tablets anytime, anywhere.

White Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.The compact printer can connect wirelessly to iOS and eventually to Android devices.

It can also connect wirelessly to a wide range of commonly-used devices like laptops and PCs to print photos.

iPhone/iPad users can print photos via Canon’s EasyPhotoPrint app which can be downloaded from the Apple App store.

The Android application will only be available end December 2012.

If you’re using a BlackBerry or Windows Phone, then you’re out of luck. You won’t be able to print directly from the smartphone or tablet to the CP900.

Black Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

Black Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

The SELPHY CP900’s wireless capabilities also support DPS over IP (this is a standard for interconnecting devices over LAN/wireless) for cameras to connect and print wirelessly without going through a router.

Printing from a memory card or external drives is also possible.

The SELPHY CP900 is equipped with a slot compatible with the widely-used SD/SDHC/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus storage cards.

It also has an USB slot for easy access to photos saved in a flash drive or hard disk.

Pink Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

Pink Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

The SELPHY CP900 uses a dye-sublimation system which provides excellent gradations at a high 300×300 dpi resolution.

The printer has three new optimisation scenes – Cloudy, Blue Sky and Sunset – and automatically and intelligently analyses and corrects images, correcting their brightness, contrast and reduces noise before printing.

Users can preview photos with the 2.7” LCD Display which has a wide viewing angle.

With the increasing popularity of photo-sharing software and apps like Instagram which captures photos in a square format,

“With an increasing amount of consumers using their mobile phones and popular apps such as Instagram to take photos, the SELPHY CP900 provides creative solutions which will allow for a more personalised, long-lasting copy of their photos and memories,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.

The SELPHY CP900 enables users to print square format photos from Instagram with the new 54 X 54mm square ratio paper.

Canon sticker labels available in this new size allow for easy personalisation on any surface.

The SELPHY CP900 can also print postcard size and ID photos of up to 28 different sizes (ICAO standard) with cropping.

佳能推出了新的袖珍型照片打印机。SELPHY CP900 利用dye sublimation 可引出鲜艳持久的照片。苹果iPhone使用者可利用其无限衔接能力方便印刷。Android使用者得等到年尾才会有适用的运用程序。Windows Phone 以及 BlackBerry 用户则无法直接通过手机传送印刷。” – 科技点心(微薄)

To maximise cost-efficiency, the SELPHY CP900 is also able to print ID photos of up to two different people on a single sheet of paper.

To prevent fading, photos printed with the SELPHY CP900 are protected by a durable protective print over-coating.

This protective over-coating helps preserve these precious memories for up to 100 years if kept in a photo album.

Forrester ranks Polycom top for video collaboration

August 22nd, 2012

In a new independent report from Forrester Research, Polycom has been ranked top for video collaboration strategy and current offerings.

Cisco was ranked a close second while Huawei was out of the top three.

The Forrester Wave: Room-Based Videoconferencing, Q3 2012 Report

The Forrester Wave: Room-Based Videoconferencing, Q3 2012 Report

Polycom received perfect scores in the categories of quality of experience, interoperability, product roadmap, partnerships, security and compliance.

“Polycom has a diverse portfolio of endpoints including a range of options that run the gamut from mobile and room-based systems to immersive telepresence,” wrote Phillip Karcher, the author of the Forrester Research report.

Polycom is a global leader in open standards-based unified communications (UC), with a global ecosystem of over 7,000 partners.

The report, titled “The Forrester Wave: Room-Based Videoconferencing, Q3 2012”, uses 39 criteria to evaluate the top vendors in the industry, looking at video collaboration solutions for every work environment – from mobile and desktops to room systems and immersive telepresence – along with the services that support them.

The Forrester Wave report also discusses the growing interest in “face to face” video collaboration, which is helping businesses increase productivity, improve employee engagement and trust and lower costs.

“Polycom will also continue to offer the industry’s broadest multi-vendor integration and lowest TCO. For our more than 415,000 customers globally, Polycom is delivering innovations in video collaboration that are changing the way people work, collaborate, learn, govern, create and even help save lives,” said Andy Miller, CEO Polycom.

Polycom RealPresence video collaboration solutions deliver secure, high-quality video to companies of all sizes, so that teams can meet face-to-face with colleagues, partners and customers anywhere people work ― in the office, at home, on the go, or on the manufacturing floor, in a hospital or, at a movie set.

The RealPresence Platform provides the robust provisioning, management, scalability, reliability, flexibility and security required both for video enterprises and their private video clouds serving thousands of users, as well as for Video-as-a-Service (VaaS) delivered from the cloud potentially to tens of millions.

Read more about the Polycom RealPresence Video Collaboration Solutions below.

Read the rest of this entry »

SingTel launches Singapore’s first 4G service for tablets

August 21st, 2012

SingTel today announced that it will launch Singapore’s first 4G service for tablets on 28 August. Two models will be offered: Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE). Details of price plans within.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE) and Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL will be available at launch from 28 August.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE) and Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL will be available at launch from 28 August.

The service will offer tablet users theoretical download speeds of up to 75Mbps and typical download speeds between 3.4Mbps and 12Mbps.

It will provide mobile Internet access that is more than three times faster than existing 21Mbps 3G tablet services, with one-fifth of the network latency.

Tablet model

ASUS Tranformer Pad TF300TL

Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9 (LTE)

4G tablet price plan

Prestige 75

Monthly subscription

$64.90

$49.90

$64.90

$49.90

Tablet price

$429

$549

$329

$449

Data bundle

10GB

Excess usage and data cap

$5.35 per GB (w GST) 1 July to 31 Dec 2012
$10.70/GB (w GST) from 1 Jan 2013
$94(w GST) cap applies

Contractual period

24 months

Two Android tablets will be available at launch from SingTel with the new Prestige 75 plans. Existing 4G smartphone customers can also purchase the tablets with a multi-SIM plan.

SingTel will launch the mio TV Play app for Android tablets on 28 August.

Model

Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL (LTE)

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE)

Operating system

Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Android 3.2 (Honeycomb)

Screen size

10.1″ WXGA(1280 X 800) LED Backlight screen with IPS

8.9″ WXGA TFT technology

Internal memory

32GB, 1GB RAM

16GB, 1GB RAM

Expandable memory

Up to 64GB

Up to 32GB

Camera specs

8MP, Front 1.2MP

3MP

Other features

Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-Core 1.2Ghz

Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060, 1200 MHz

This app will offer an extensive library of on-demand movies, including new release Hollywood blockbusters and the latest titles from around the world.

Movies will be offered from $2.99, and users can charge purchases to their SingTel bill or credit card.

mio TV Play will be available for free download at the Google Play app store, and also pre-loaded into the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE).

New Android tablet: Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1

August 21st, 2012

Having created a niche with the 5-inch GALAXY Note that straddled between a 7-inch tablet and a 3.5-inch smartphone, Samsung has introduced the 10.1-inch version of the GALAXY Note.

There will be three configurations: the WiFi/16GB (S$798) and 3G+WiFi/16GB (S$998) versions will be available on 25 August, while the LTE+WiFi version will be released later in the year.

Update (4 January, 2013): 

The Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 LTE will hit the shelves in Singapore from 5 Jaunary 2013. The tablet will be available at S$998 (without contract), in deep grey.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Hitherto, most people have used tablets as a content consuming tool – checking emails, surfing the Web, viewing photos, reading documents and ebooks, playing back videos and music.

I tried out the GALAXY Note 10.1 during its launch in Singapore today. I found it to be extremely responsive, comparable to a Wacom graphics tablet. The Photoshop Touch was also fast and easy to use, making photo editing pleasant and fun on a tablet.

In terms of content creation, some type short notes and emails using the onscreen keyboard, while those who write longer text documents type them out by connecting an external keyboard.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1
OS Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen 10.1″ WXGA LCD +Digitizer
Resolution 1280 x 800
Battery 7,000 mAh
Processor 1.4 GHz Quad-core
Camera Rear: 5mp
Front: 1.9mp
Video Full HD(1080p)
Memory Int: 16 GB,
RAM: 2 GB
Ext: Up to 32 GB microSD
Size /mm 262 x 180 x 600
Weight 597 g

Price

3G/WiFi: S$998,
WiFi: S$798

The GALAXY Note 10.1 tries to make possible serious content creation using a tablet.

From note-taking via typing or handwriting with a stylus, research and clipping from the Web using S Note app, to powerful photo-editing using Photoshop Touch.

What differentiates the GALAXY Note 10.1 from the GALAXY Tab 10.1? It’s the combination of the stylus (S Pen) and the user interface that integrates with the stylus.

The GALAXY Note 10.1 comes with 2i-screen multi-tasking, where two apps are displayed running side-by-side on the screen, and videos can be displayed on a floating window for a picture-in-picture effect.

As for other Samsung products, users will be able to access the edutainment content and apps available on the Samsung Learning Hub.

For more details about the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, read the press release below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Telstra Global launches mobile operator IPX platform

August 21st, 2012

Telstra Global today launched Telstra Global IPX Service, a fully integrated platform allowing mobile operators to meet the demands of the rapid growth in data usage and international roaming with next generation mobility services.

Telstra Global is a leading global supplier of managed network and hosting services.

Telstra Global is a leading global supplier of managed network and hosting services.

Telstra Global IPX Service is aimed at mobile operators looking to maximise their Long Term Evolution (LTE) investments to capitalise on increased international mobility and exploding mobile data consumption.

“IPX provides mobile operators with the opportunity to innovate beyond the network by taking advantage of increased data usage, moving up the value chain by offering feature rich applications and services delivered through a high quality end user experience which customers are demanding whether at home or abroad,” said Mr Nathan Bell, Telstra Global’s Director of Products and Marketing.

Using a single channel, Telstra Global IPX Service allows mobile operators to optimise their networks to accommodate these demands, while offering a consistent customer experience to their end users.

Telstra Global IPX Service offers a platform that enables mobile operators to introduce new services and applications, to take advantage of ever more popular capabilities such as mobile gaming and video streaming with superior end user experience.

Telstra Global IPX is provided over Telstra Global’s a scalable and managed IP MPLS core network which maximises traffic on both legacy and new mobile platforms, allowing Telstra Global to partner with mobile operators who have already embarked on or are heading towards their LTE journey.

Telstra Global IPX Service offers reduced risk, rapid network scalability, the ability to own the end-user experience and provide a full range of value-added service offerings.

It also allows mobile operators to offer tailored roaming packages resulting in better value for money and quality of service for their customers’ data needs, combined with a consistent customer experience while roaming across global networks, alongside improved traffic management and billing authentication.

Read the rest of this entry »

Update: LG Optimus Vu: to make global debut

August 20th, 2012

The Optimus Vu: will have the 4-PLUS-1 NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core processor and Android 4.0 (ICS) OS when the 5-inch smartphone heads out of Korea and Japan to make its global debut in September.

The LG Optimus Vu: comes with a 5-inch, 4:3 ration IPS display.

The LG Optimus Vu: comes with a 5-inch, 4:3 ration IPS display.

I last wrote about the LG Optimus Vu: half a year ago in February, when it was unveiled ahead of MWC 2012, and slotted to be introduced in Korea in March.

At that time, it only had a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.

Since then, more than 500,000 units of the Optimus Vu: has been sold in Korea while it has been launched in Japan this month.

The LG Optimus Vu: sports a 5-inch display – slightly broader but smaller than the 5.3-inch Samsung GALAXY Note.

The 4:3 ratio IPS display will work well with an upgraded version of QuickMemo and Notebook – two features that maximises the use of the large screen.

The Optimus Vu: will make its debut in select markets in Europe, Asia (including Singapore), Middle East, Africa and Latin America in September.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

August 19th, 2012

Here’s wishing all Muslim friends: “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri“!

The Floating Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.

The Floating Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.

This is the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia. It is also known as the Floating Mosque – situated in Kuala Ibai Lagoon, about 4km from Kuala Terengganu Town.

My family was on vacation back in 2004 and driving to Kuala Terengganu when we were attracted by this beautiful mosque enroute.

This photo was shot from the playground across the lagoon, using a Sony compact digital camera, handheld in the dim twilight, and output directly to JPEG.

 

Converting from Apple iPhone to Nokia Lumia 900

August 18th, 2012

Having used the Apple iPhone for many years, I decided to switch over to the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone to see what the new kid on the block has to offer.

The Nokia Lumia 900 Windows 7.5 smartphone, fresh out of the box.

The Nokia Lumia 900 Windows 7.5 smartphone, fresh out of the box.

I was given a Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone when it arrived in Singapore, so I’ve been using it for a while now, and I’m still with it.

First released in the US during CES 2012 in January this year, and then announced during MWC 2012 in February for markets outside the US, Nokia’s third Lumia smartphone has been available in Singapore since 26 May and retails for S$849.

I find the physical design of the Lumia 900 handsome and masculine. More importantly, the user interface is intuitive and smooth, while web-surfing and mail-checking performance is excellent. Social networking with the People Hub is also convenient and hassle-free.
To sum up, I ended up using my 7” tablet much less often than before.

What I like

Firstly, the design. I know the striking colour is the cyan, but I’m glad I had the black version. It’s a solid slab of masculinity.

If you need turn-by-turn navigation especially when travelling overseas, the Lumia 900 already pays for itself.

If you need turn-by-turn navigation especially when travelling overseas, the Lumia 900 already pays for itself.

At 11.5mm thick, the Lumia 900 is definitely not the most svelte model on the scene. If thin is your thing, go for the HTC One S instead.

I like the solid feel and heft when I hold the Lumia 900 in my palm.

The solid unibody and glass is really robust, despite the rough handling – like throwing the car keys and the Lumia in the same trousers pocket, and dropping it a coupla times – it’s got nary a scratch on body nor screen.

Display is bright and clear, even under strong sunlight.

The blacks are really black. Fonts are so clear that sometimes the red text appear receded below the other-coloured fonts (it’s an optical illusion).

Photos and video appear really vivid on the phone’s screen.

Read the rest of this entry »