Samsung Galaxy Note Edge will change how we use mobile devices?

This phone (phablet if you like) offers essentially the same features as the Galaxy Note 4, but distinguishes itself with an extra curved strip of touchscreen on the side.

With this 160 pixel of 'edge' screen, you can customise buttons to make it the notification centre when you are doing something else on the main 5.6-inch display. Samsung said the phone will change how users interact with mobile devices and applications. This, in my opinion, is left to be seen.


The phablet looks big in the hands of most of us. Image: Computerworld Malaysia

The new phone is retailed at RM2,999 which is a bit expensive for a transitional mobile device.

Would you grab one? Or, do you prefer your current Galaxy S5, Note 4, or iPhone6?


Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Your cup of tea?


Galaxy Note Edge: Specifications

• 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 54GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.6-inch display: Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 resolution (with additional display of 160 pixel)
• 16MP rear camera (Auto focus, Optical Image Stabilization)
• 3.7MP front camera (f1.9)
• Supports WiFi 802.11ac, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, IR LED, 4G LTE Cat 4 + 4G LTE Cat 6
• Dimension: 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3mm
• Weight: 174g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 3000 mAh battery (adaptive fast charging)

Other features: Air Command, S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen input, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Voice Recorder, Heart rate sensor, Finger print scanner, UV sensor


What you can do with it differently:

• access apps with full, split or pop-up screens, 
• change apps size and position with one easy swipe,
• skip music, pause videos and control other apps using the Curved Edge display,
• keep your notifications and alerts neatly organised on the curved side,
• 'supposedly' incoming calls, texts and emails no longer get in the way,
• design your own Edge Screen and express yourself by using your favourite images and phrases,
• arrange your main app icons aligned to the side so you can leave the rest of your home screen clutter free.

Availability & Price

Available now in 'Charcoal Black' and 'Frost White' at all Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung authorised retailers.

Retail price: RM2,999 (US$825).


TheGreenMechanics: Doesn't look like a phone that fits my bills, but others may find this interesting and one that suits their need. Verdict: The price is too prohibitive.

Samsung brings in mobile printers for mobile Malaysian enterprise

Samsung has recently introduced the NFC-enabled colour laser printer and multi-function printers (MFP) Xpress C410W series, pioneering the mobile printing solution and NFC printer market in Malaysia.

[NFC: Near Field Communication; devices can only communicate if placed close together]


"Print directly from your smartphone" - Launching of the Xpress series printers.


With the innovation in Samsung's mobile printing solution, users are able to print high quality photos and documents from their smart devices (smartphones, tablets, etc) with ease.

The new printer Xpress C410W series consists of the C410W colour laser printer, the C460W colour laser MFPs with print, copy and scan functionality and the C460FW colour laser MFP with print, copy, scan and fax capabilities.

These three models are able to print up to 18 pages per minute (ppm) in black and white and four ppm in colour.


The Xpress C410W series printer is easy to set up with just three quick steps without the need for a USB connection between printer and computer.


The Xpress C410W series connects wirelessly with mobile devices via WiFi-Direct, allowing users to effortlessly and securely print pictures, documents, e-mails and web content by simply tapping their smart devices on the printer.

With Samsung Mobile Print app, users are able to print everything from PDF files to Microsoft Office documents such as Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations directly from their smart devices.


Who will use them

Samsung Malaysia Electronics said these printers are intended mainly for mobile enterprises, SMEs, and entrepreneurs.

"Our latest printing solutions are grounded in business owners' desire to print photos and documents directly from their smart devices. As enterprises rapidly expand their businesses, we want to empower them with innovative technology that helps them to evolve and grow their business with a competitive edge." - Samsung Malaysia Electronics president Lee Dong Yong.

Printing from smartphones?

The Xpress C410W series connects wirelessly with mobile devices for fast, integrated and convenient printing on the go. Users can effortlessly and securely print pictures, documents, e-mails and web content by simply tapping their smart devices on the printer. Scanning and faxing documents is also made easy as users are able to sync the contacts on their smart devices with the printers.

With Samsung Mobile Print App users are now able to print everything from PDF files to Microsoft Office documents such as Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations directly from their smart devices.

Owners of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Tab series will be able to print images from the gallery app, documents, email and web browser pages.


Price and availability

Available from June onwards, the recommended retail prices for these Xpress printers are:

C410W   : RM665
C460W   : RM1,095
C460FW : RM1,250


TheGreenMechanics: Pretty competitive pricing for laser printers, but I've read somewhere that NFC printing on the Xpress printers is confined to Samsung smart devices only and Apple smartphones are not supported. This should not be too big an issue though, as WiFi direct printing is supported by Samsung Mobile App for Android, iOS and Windows.

One downside is the costly toner. At the time of posting, colour toners (3 toner per set) costs $54.99 (about RM178) and black toner costs $63.99 (about RM207).

Samsung unveiled its new flagship phone the Galaxy S5

Korean electronic giant Samsung unveiled the new iteration of its Galaxy phone, the Galaxy S5, during a recent media event in Barcelona.

In a stark contrast to the rumours, the S5 doesn't have a 4K screen, it doesn't have a 3-sided display that tracks your head movement, and surprise surprise, it's not metal! It is more of a minor design and upgrades rather than a revolutionary ones.



So, here's how the new Galaxy S5 is summed up:

Design

Looks almost similar to the S4 but slightly bigger and heavier. Remember iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S? They are pretty identical, so, yeah what's the big deal, right.

The plastic back panel is a textured matte finish, with 4 choices of colours.


Specifications

The Galaxy S5 sports newer processor, bigger battery, and a slightly larger display. The 0.2GHz bump in processing power shouldn't make a lot of difference. Samsung claimed the new device will provide 20% better battery life than the Galaxy S4.

The Galaxy S5's 5.1-inch display uses the same 1920-x-1080-pixel resolution as the GS4's 5.0-inch screen. Samsung claimed the S5 includes a new advanced auto-brightness system that adjusts colors based on the lighting in your environment.




Camera

The S5 has a new 16MP camera, up from 13MP in the S4. The camera can auto-focus in 0.3-second and you can expect speedier photo taking.

The live HDR preview mode is a new feature and it allows you to check out how HDR mode will look on an image before you press the shutter button.


User experience

It is dust- and water-resistant. And it has a heart rate monitor and fingerprint scanner. Not sure if this one will work, but let's just see when the phone goes on sale.

The USB 3.0 interface should allows for faster charging and data transfers, while the new Download Booster mode that combines LTE (4G) and Wi-Fi should make for faster data transfers.


Would you upgrade?

The Galaxy S5's user interface has not been changed drastically and is seen to be more of a refinement.

If you've been using Samsung's flagship phones for a while, the Galaxy S5 looks like a little step forward from the previous generation, but not a total rebirth of a new one. Until we see the slab and feel it with our own hands, I think it is too early to tell if a S4 owner should upgrade.



Source: Computerworld

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 to be available in March 2014 for $449.99(RM1,649)

Samsung announced this week that the long-awaited update to its Galaxy Camera will become available for US$449.99 in mid-March (about RM1,649).

I bought my Galaxy Camera last year for RM1,490. It was retailed for RM1,699 but street price went down to about RM1,500 after being in the market for one year.

Galaxy Camera 2: Not too much of an update, just looking more sleek.

Galaxy Camera (old): Bulky, bigger than most compact cameras.

The Galaxy Camera 2 is built around the premise of integrating apps and other features typically found on handsets. The camera will run on Android 4.3, and have a 4.8-inch LCD screen and a quad-core processor. 

The new camera is a followup to the original Galaxy Camera, which was bulky and oversized compared to other point and shoot cameras. At 283 grams, the new camera is lighter and more portable. The older version weighs 300g.

Features and Specs

With a 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the camera has a 21x optical zoom and up to 3200 ISO. The device will have 8GB of internal storage (the older one has 4GB), and a micro-SD slot that can accommodate storage cards of up to 64GB. 

The camera will be able to shoot full high-definition video at a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution and 30 frames per second. It will shoot video in AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, WEBM and WMV formats. The camera has also advanced its predecessor's connectivity features, so images can be transferred more easily. 

Like smartphones, it will have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC so the camera can connect to other devices wirelessly. Users will also be able to access Google's online services such as the Play app and media store, Maps, Hangouts and YouTube. 

The smartphone interface on the Galaxy Camera 2 makes it easy to share files with the company's TVs and mobile devices. Samsung's Kies software will allow transfer of pictures from one device to another.

Source: CM

Samsung announced industry-leading 8-Gigabit LPDDR4 mobile RAM chip

With this announcement, future Samsung mobile devices could be fitted with bigger 4GB RAM and it could be realised as early as this month during the International CES trade show in Las Vegas.

Thinking of Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 already?


Another industry's first. Image credit Samsung Tomorrow


What this means is that, Samsung will be able to offer a breakthrough 4GB dynamic RAM chips which would be 50% faster than the current fastest LPDDR3 RAM.

In simple terms, you have more performance in your hand (literally). More importantly it uses 40% less energy compared to the latest chip - your battery should last longer!


Samsung Develops Industry’s First 8Gb LPDDR4 Mobile DRAM

Samsung has developed the industry's first 8 Gigabit LPDDR4 (low power double data rate) mobile DRAM. By combining four of them, the electronics giant claimed a high-end smartphone or tablet can get 4GB of RAM.

Today many expensive smartphones have 2GB of RAM, while Samsung's own Galaxy Note 3 has 3GB.

The memory increase and performance improvement offered by Samsung's chip will result in faster, more responsive applications and will open the door for more advanced features as well as higher resolution displays, according to the company.

The product also consumes less power than current memory chipsets, it said. Other expected smartphone trends for 2014 are faster LTE network connections and faster processors.


TheGreenMechanics: The latest Apple flagship, the iPhone 5S uses only 1GB of RAM compared to Samsung's 2GB and 3GB  on its high-end mobile devices. But the 5S feels pretty fast and perform just as good. Maybe it's how the operating system is written/programmed that matters.

I'm happy with what I have, save for the battery performance. I really need my smartphone to last longer than a day on continuous usage.


Source: Samsung

Price of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3: $699

Major carriers in the US require you to cough up between $199 to $299 depending on the contract y are signed for.

But what we are more interested here is the retail price without contract as many of us may just want the phone set and hunt for the best plan or package out there ourselves.

Want to squeeze Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 into your pockets? That'd be....

According to Engadget, the Note 3 is peg at $699 without contract, although no official announcement from Samsung yet. This was reportedly seen on Verizon's website.

That would be an equivalent of RM2,399 in Malaysia but there's no surprise here as the Note 2 was priced around the same figure previously.

This sounds ridiculous but remember this is Samsung's flagship phablet and people are expected to pay ridiculous price.

Source: Engadget

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 officially announced in Berlin

Apple is expected to announce the latest iPhone next week, but just before that, Samsung sneaked in to announce two new devices on Wednesday - the Galaxy Note 3, the latest iteration of the Note family and the Galaxy Gear, a smart watch.

The latest entry to Samsung's popular phablet line is equipped with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display and its signature S Pen stylus, and is scheduled to launch later this month. September is poised to be a shopping month for the latest gadget!

The Galaxy Note 3 is equipped with a useful S Pen

Physical difference from the older Note 2

The Note 3 sports a 5.7-inch, full high-definition screen, a slight bigger than the Note 2's 5.5-inch display. But despite the bigger screen, the Note 3 is thinner and lighter, measuring 8.3mm and weighing just 168g.

The screen sizes have been creeping up slightly since the introduction of the first Note:

Galaxy Note 1 : 5.3 inches
Galaxy Note 2 : 5.5 inches
Galaxy Note 3 : 5.7 inches

Don't be surprised if the future Note's screen size overtake the Galaxy Mega's current 6.3 inches.

Thinner and lighter. With screen size bigger than Note 2's, the Note 3 is still lighter by a few grams

Specification of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Chipset	:	Quad Core Processor
CPU Speed	:	2.3 GHz (LTE) and 1.9 GHz octa-core (3G)
Memory	:	32 GB or 64 GB and 3GB RAM
Connectivity	:	3G, 4G LTE
Other wireless	:	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Operating System	:	Android Jelly Bean 4.3
Display Technology	:	Super AMOLED
Display Size	:	5.7 inches
Resolution	:	1920 x 1080 pixels, 386.5ppi
Camera Resolution(Rear)	:	13 M
Camera Resolution(Front)	:	2.1 MP
Flash	:	LED flash
Dimension (HxWxD)	:	6 x 3.1 x 0.33 (inch), thickness 8.3mm
Weight	:	168 g
External Memory Slot	:	MicroSD up to 64 GB
Capacity	:	3,200 mAh
Video Resolution	:	4K or Ultra HD

As phones get bigger and tablets get more ubiquitous, it's good to see that the Galaxy Note 3 does something different that actually justifies the increased size. It multitasks!

I don't fancy big phablet as I tend to go for bigger tablet and smaller smartphone for the obvious reason, but this will be an interesting preposition for the big-phone lovers.

Comparison of Samsung Galaxy Grand, Galaxy Win/Quattro, Galaxy S3 mini, and Galaxy S4 mini

While looking for a replacement of my second handset, I narrowed my search down to the Galaxy series and I am particularly looking for one that is in the mid-range. My main cellphone is an Apple iPhone, so, it is ideal - at least for me - to go to Samsung for a complementary set.

Galaxy S4 Mini has just been released this month and it is too early to tell if the street price would be in the range of RM1,299 to RM1,399. Recommended retail price (RRP) is RM1,599. Anyway, this has been included in the Table purely as a bench-marker for the mid-rangers.

The Galaxy S4 Mini is the toned-down version of Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S4.

On my radar are the Galaxy S3 mini (a bit dated now), Galaxy Grand, and Galaxy Win (also sold as dual-SIM Galaxy Quattro) - all in the price range of RM999 - RM1,099.

: :       : :       : :       : :       : :       : :       : :

*UPDATED July 19,2013*

I checked few outlets out and found that there is another great contender, a Non-Samsung-Waranty unit (not by Samsung Malaysia) called Samsung Galaxy Express. Released quite recently in March 2013, I compared that, specifications-wise, it is pretty impressive.

I would say it beats both the Galaxy Grand (I9082) and Galaxy Win/Quattro (I8550) as well as the Galaxy S3 mini, by a small margin. The Galaxy Express is equipped with 4G LTE and Super AMOLED plus, 4.5" display.

At City Mall in Kota Kinabalu, the Galaxy Express is retailed at RM999.

Problem is that, in Malaysia it is not listed in the Samsung Warranty list (it is on AP Warranty) and to me this is a deal breaker. The retailer told me that the camera and display are covered with only 3 months of warranty. Being an AP set, the labour charges per visit/check is RM100, plus RM400 for faulty display and RM100 for faulty camera.

I gave it a pass and choosed Samsung Galaxy Win/Quattro (I8552) instead. It was released in May 2013 and I paid RM999 for it. I will need some getting used to with this one. The set is covered by Samsung warranty and I should be in good hands for the next 1 year.

First impression: It's a bit big with 4.7" display compared to my main handset, the 3.5" iPhone 4S. Nothing near the iPhone in terms of performance, speed and user experience but good enough as a second handphone set. It will be slotted with Celcom SIM to complement the Maxis Surfmore75 on my iPhone.

Verdict: If one asks me which of the four similarly priced mid-range Galaxy phone would I choose, I'd say Galaxy Express, followed by Galaxy Win (also known as Galaxy Grand Quattro).

Figure 1: Comparison table - all of them comparable, except for the higher priced S4 Mini.

First impression is that, the latest offering (Galaxy Win/Quattro) is exciting as new releases would normally offer some features that belong to the current higher-end version.

I called up few local retailers and the prices are still negotiable if you go there in person. My hunting will begin this weekend. The Galaxy Grand looks tempting but the S3 Mini might win it in terms of overall features. We shall see.

Please stay tuned, this page will be updated in due course.

Samsung Galaxy S4 price in Malaysia

Samsung Galaxy S4 is set to be retailed at RM2,199 in Malaysia.

While there is no official announcement yet from Samsung Malaysia, it is obvious the official retail price for the Galaxy S4 is RM2,199 - phone set only, without data plan/ contract. One of the local telecommunications service providers - purposely or otherwise - revealed the RRP in its website.

According to DiGi store online, the S4 will be available in the local market at the end of this month, which is just few days away from now. If you subscribe to the telco's data plan, you can buy it for as low as RM1,199.


Setting your eyes on this new offering from Samsung?


We were in Shanghai last Sunday and the S4, 16GB variant was on display at Samsung Store for ¥5,199 (approx. RM2,599), which is a bit on the high side. We asked if there are another variants, such as 32GB, and the Sales Advisor replied in the negative.

That being the case, buying from local retailers seem to be the more sensible thing to do. RM 2,199 would be the same retail price as the S3.


Check it out here for Samsung Galaxy S4 specifications.

Samsung Galaxy S4 supports wireless charging

You are going to like this.

Although not really 'wireless' in the sense that it will not sap the juice while you're walking and holding it, Samsung's recently announced Galaxy S4 smartphone will support wireless charging - with the help of a pad.

Charging pad for the Galaxy S4 - wireless but not 'independent'

Wireless charging but Charging Pad not included in the package

There's some confusion over whether the Samsung Galaxy S4 supports wireless charging or not. The new flagship Android smartphone does support the feature but not out of the box.

It was rumoured that the Galaxy S4 would feature wireless charging but Samsung made no mention of it during the New York launch event last week. The rumour was not unfounded as the Galaxy S3 was supposed to support it but Samsung never actually released the accessories.

The catch is that the Galaxy S4 doesn't support wireless charging out of the box like such phones as the Google Nexus 4. However, a wireless charging cover and wireless charging pad will go on sale soon.

Qi has announced that its wireless charging standard will be supported by the Galaxy S4, according to a UK retailer, Clove. "In theory you should be able to use other Qi wireless charging accessories rather than Samsung's own ones, but we'll need to confirm that once we've received stock of the device." said the retailer.


Prices of the Galaxy S4, and the Charger Pad

There's no price or release date for the Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging cover or wireless charging pad.

The Galaxy S4 features a 5in Full HD screen, 8-core processor and a 13Mp camera. The flagship smartphone will be released on 26 April,2013 in the UK. Although pricing is still to be confirmed, one retailer has put a £529 (approx. RM2,495), matching the iPhone 5.

A retailer in Kota Kinabalu is confident that the S4 will be released in Malaysia late April.


References:-

• Clove: Samsung Galaxy S4 will support wireless charging
• Qi: Galaxy S4 has Qi wireless charging

All new Samsung Galaxy S4 - specifications & price.

The 4th generation Galaxy S is here and the market will again be spoilt for choice.

For official price in Malaysia, check out the article here.

U ready 4 the next galaxy?

The Galaxy S4 looks very similar in design to its predecessor, the Galaxy S3. With a 5" screen, matching the size of the Sony Xperia Z, it's big. But the traditional look remains with rounded corners, a physical home button and a removable rear cover.

The S4 size and design compared with its predecessors

It's really not fair to compare the all new Galaxy S4 with the iPhone 5 isn't it, but which new offering can you bring in from Apple's stable to pit against it?

Specifications: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5

The Guardian argued that with the introduction of the S4 will pave the way for the Galaxy S phones to eclipse the iPhone. Make your own judgement but here is the sales of both phones since 2010:

Will the Galaxy outsell the iPhone this year?: Galaxy S series sales vs iPhone's

Official Samsung Galaxy S4 specs:

Processor   : 1.9GHz quad-core processor / 1.6GHz octa-core processor (depending on market)
OS                 : Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Display        : 5 inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi
RAM             : 2GB
Internal Storage: 16/ 32/ 64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB)
Dimensions: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g
Battery: 2,600 mAh

Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz;
 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz;
 4G (LTE Cat 3 100/50Mbps)
Rear Camera: 13 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
Front Camera: 2 Mega pixel camera, Full HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
Video: Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)
Audio: Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X

Additional Features:
Group Play: Share Music, Share Picture, Share Document, Play Games, Story Album, S Translator,
Optical Reader, Samsung Smart Scroll, Samsung Smart Pause, Air Gesture, Air View, Samsung Hub,
ChatON (Voice/Video Call, Share screen, 3-way calling), Samsung WatchON, S Travel (Trip Advisor),
S Voice™ Drive, S Health Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound
Auto adjust touch sensitivity (Glove friendly)
Safety Assistance, Samsung Link, Screen Mirroring
Samsung KNOX (B2B only)

Google Mobile Services: Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads, Voice Search

Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS /GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth® 4.0, IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0
Sensors: Accelerometer, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, Gesture


Samsung Galaxy S4 Price

In the United States, media and journalists believe the S4 will be priced at $199 + contract, similar to the S3 when it was launched last year.

In the United Kingdom, it is expected to set you back £499, SIM-free (approx. RM2,348).

For Malaysian market, I can bet my money on a RM2,199 price tag (16GB variant). It has and will always be such priced.

Samsung Africa launches Solar-powered Internet schools

Watch it Malaysia.

Because we can definitely do this and we can even surpass what they did in South Africa. We have the talents (experienced designers and installers), we have many remote areas, and most of all, we have the social obligation - and the leaders pledge - to extend similar services to the rural folks. The hilly terrain should not be too much of a challenge to transport stuff anymore nowadays. The implementation of the promised Internet Village should be intensified and do away with too much hassle.

We do not have to wait for Samsung to do CSR for us, do we?

A 40-foot shipping container-turn-school.

They did it in South Africa

Samsung has built the first-of-its-kind solar-powered internet schools in the remote rural areas of South Africa, with design specifically to thwart theft. The schools are understood to have been equipped with Samsung's tablet PCs, laptop computers, internet connection, wi-fi cameras.

Samsung reckon that, on average, less than 25% of rural areas on the continent benefit from electricity, resulting in isolated communities with limited access to education and connectivity.

The solar-powered schools are built for energy scarce environments, harsh weather conditions, and for transportation over long distances. The solar panels, made from rubber (not glass) provide enough energy to power the classroom’s equipment for up to nine hours a day, and for one and a half days without any sunlight at all. The selection of rubber material over glass is to withstand long journey into the rural areas.


KK Park, President and CEO of Samsung Africa, on the initiative:

“We have set an ambitious goal for ourselves in Africa: to positively affect 5-million lives by 2015. We believe that this can most effectively be achieved if we connect our CSR initiatives with our history and core business. With the goal to grow our business on the continent, we also know that we have to sustain our level of innovation. This can only be achieved if we invest in education to facilitate African thought leadership and to ensure we have access to a large workforce of skilled engineers in the future. The Solar Powered Internet School is a great example of this strategy at play.”

The classroom can accommodate 21 student. It is also equipped with a 50-inch electronic board.

The classroom is equipped with a smart power consumption monitor that detects if people use the solar setup to power anything that they are not supposed to, such as television sets. I think this is a good idea but being in a remote area, Samsung should provide some socket outlets for the community to charge their electric lanterns, communication tools, etc. This should serve the general public even further.

If 'power theft' is a concern, Samsung can always password-protect the power sockets.


Source: designboom and Samsung Tomorrow.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 price Malaysia - RM1,299

It was first announced to carry a price tag of RM2,199 in Malaysia.

Now, for as low as RM1,299 (DiGi) or RM1,388 (Celcom) you can get to own this distinctively different tablet. The full functional S-pen (a stylus) brings back memories of the old smart phones and electronic organisers, PDA.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 brings in a multitasking experience with its multi-screen feature where user can utilise two different applications side-by-side simultaneously on the expansive view of 10.1-inch screen. Main features of Samsung's new offering are:

Operating System    : Android 4.0 (Ice-cream Sandwich)
Screen size              : 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) LCD
Input                        : S Pen/S Note (apart from touch screen)
Processor                : 1.4GHz Exynos Quad-Core
Cameras                  : 5MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera


Galaxy Note 10.1 Prices/Packages

The three main telcos - DiGi, Maxis and Celcom - have announced their packages for the new tablet. The recommended retail price is RM2,199 and as usual you can purchase this at much reduced cost in a couple of months.

1) DiGi

2) Maxis

Value Plan 50: Data quota - 1.5GB, monthly - RM50
Value Plan 75: Data quota - 3.5GB, monthly - RM75


3) Celcom

You may want to check out what's in store for you at U Mobile if your area is covered by this service provider.

I have used the services of all three telcos in the past for both my smart phones and tablet. My personal experience is that, Maxis is quite conservative (read stingy) in allocating data for the same amount of money you pay compared to the other telcos. But they offer the fastest surfing experience, for now.

Let's see if Celcom and DiGi buck up. I like Celcom in the sense that they provide the widest coverage and I can go practically everywhere and still get at least 1 or 2 bars of signal on my phone.

Tablet PC market share: iPad rules.

Two years after creating the market, Apple Inc. remains the king of all media tablets, with its global market share rising to nearly 70% in the second quarter, putting the company on pace to reclaim much of the dominance it surrendered in 2011.

During the second quarter this year, Apple shipped 17 million iPad 2 and new iPad media tablets, up from 11.8 million the first quarter, according to iSuppli Display Materials & Systems Service. This industry-leading increase in shipments translated into a market share gain of 11.5% points, as Apple’s second-quarter global tablet share climbed to 69.6%, up from 58.1% in the first quarter.

And you thought Samsung beat Apple Inc.'s iPad hands down with more Galaxy Tab variants in the market? Maybe one day, but for now iPad is the king.

Samsung, at any one time, has in its stable Galaxy Tab 7.7, Galaxy Tab 2(7.0), Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1), Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, and the upcoming Galaxy Note 10.1

Apple has single product, the iPad (the latest iteration being the New iPad). The reason for the overwhelming support for the iPad? Research shows that satisfied users are likely to go back to the same brand for their next purchase. It seems that Apple already has developed a solid future customer base, which will continue to strengthen barring a major stumble on an upcoming product release. The iPad Mini comes to mind.

Android and iOS devices battle it out.

There'll be 360 million Tablet Computers in 2016

This posting is not about comparing which brand is superior; it's just so we know how the tablet PC is expected to shape in the near future.

Today there are about 120 million tablet computers in the market. By 2016, it is estimated that this will triple to more than 360 million. This, in some way reinforce my contention in my previous article that there maybe possibility that tablet PC will make its way to schools in place of the heavy school bags. These tablet PCs could be the super text books in the near future.

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Samsung is currently marketing the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) together with the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) - the improved versions of both variants.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is basically designed based on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) but comes with  S-Pen. It allows users to draw, annotate and write notes on the 10.1in screen. It has faster 1.4GHz processor, more RAM and better camera. Other than that they are practically the same slabs.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 - Image: techworld.

**UPDATE: Malaysia pricing and packages here. **

Key Features of the Galaxy Note 10.1

Price                        : TBA, but The Inquirer quoted £399 (16GB WiFi only)
                                : £499 (16GB WiFi + 3G)
Screen size              : 10.1-inch
Processor                 : 1.4GHz quad-Core processor, 2GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 16GB, but also possibly 32GB and 64GB
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G
Camera                    : 5 MP
Announced               : Feb 2012 at MWC 2012, then re-announce last week (August 2012)
Availability                : end-August 2012 (expected)

All specifications obtained from Techwold.

This 10.1" slab is said to be an attempt to match the iPad. Let's see how it fares, considering it has gone back to the drawing board for 6 months since its first announcement in February 2012.

Perhaps an interesting option (or rather more confusion to existing Galaxy Tab users), but I'm sticking to my snappy iPad 3 for now. Happy user.

New Samsung Galaxy S3 price - Malaysia

When it was first made available in Malaysia on 31 May 2012, some telcos offered the new Galaxy S III for as low as RM999, with data subscription package.

Which telco to go for?

For the world's biggest economy, TECH SOURCE reported that American consumers can start pre-ordering the Galaxy S3 starting June 6, for as low as US$199.99 ( approx. RM632) for a 2-year contract 16GB, at AT&T. Meanwhile, Sprint will sell the Galaxy S3 16 GB for $199.99 (two year contract), and the 32 GB version for $249.99 (approx. RM789).


Galaxy S III Malaysia prices

Click here for detailed specifications of the Galaxy S3.

The recommended retail price for the new S3 is RM2,199 but there is already talk on the street that the price would soon touch RM2,100 (set only). Samsung smart phones are notoriously known for drastic drop in prices after being in the market for a month or two, so, watch out for that and get your timing right.

Maxis
Monthly commitment: RM68 (for data only)
Upfront payment: RM200 to RM500 depending on length of contract
Data quota: 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,399 (24-month contract), RM1,599 (18-month) and RM1,699 (12-month)

DiGi
Monthly commitment: RM63 (applicable to Auto-billing only) + voice call included
Upfront payment: NA
Data quota: 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,449 (24-month contract) and RM1,699 (12-month)

Celcom
Monthly commitment: RM108 + voice call included
Upfront payment: RM300
Data quota : 3 GB
Device prices: RM1,678 (18-month contract) and RM1,748 (12-month).

There are other data plans, such as 1GB and 5GB but I choosed 3GB for illustration as this is the likely amount of data one will be needing. With the capability of the high-end mobile smartphone, the amount of data downloaded as well as uploaded will increase. For smartphone, 1.5GB data plan used to be regarded as the default choice for many. Not anymore.

Samsung Galaxy S3 now available in Malaysia

Samsung Galaxy S3 will finally be available in Malaysia through Celcom, DiGi and Maxis beginning tomorrow, May 31, 2012, and other outlets later in June 2012. So, while Sabahans and Sarawakians are in the thick of Harvest Festival and Gawai celebrations, early birds would take delivery of their S3.
 

 
Samsung is confident that Galaxy S3 would surpass the success of the Galaxy S2 which sold 20 million units globally since its launch last year. This smartphone is the first device to feature quad core application processor, which should be translated to enhanced performance, faster web browsing, seamless multi-tasking, supreme graphics quality, and an instantly responsive user interface on a larger screen. That is according to Samsung, but we'll let the users be the judges.


Features and Specifications

The Galaxy S3 is powered by Android ver 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich and a 2,100 mAh battery. Full specifications are as follows:

Check out how the new S3 is compared with its predecessor S2, the iPhone 4S, and the HTC One X.

Android fan or no fan, this should be interesting and it should give consumers wider option. The society will - sooner rather than later - have to accept the fact that computing is going the mobile way and it is coming very fast.

20 MW Apple's NC Solar Farm?

Read the title or mention Apple and you immediately think about iPhone and iPad. You are not to blame for such alignment. In fact, to the people outside of the US these two products are the closest they could relate the blooming company to. Little known is Apple's green initiative for sustainable energy source in solar PV. The company is initiating a solar farm in North Carolina.

Mention Samsung to anyone anywhere in the world and chances are the person knows at least one or two of their telecommunication products. Apple and Samsung are two electronics giants that are shaping the way we communicate today. In their own right, they should be the front-runners in terms of sending the go-green message to the world. Let's look at how environmental-friendly they are.

Samsung's Green initiatives

Samsung Electronics' green initiatives are enveloped in its company-wide commitment called PlanetFirst^TM, a commitment to become one of the world’s most environmentally friendly companies by 2013.

Samsung's green initiatives. Click image for large view.

In order to make this commitment a reality, Samsung targeted four specific areas: reducing greenhouse emissions, offering more eco-friendly products, building eco-management partnerships around the world, and investing in eco-friendly R&D design facilities. Obviously, this is a huge project, but we are proud to share some of the outcomes - by samsungtomorrow.

Check out Samsung's PlanetFirst™ short video clip here.

To summarise things for this company, Samsung Electronics' Green Initiative have accumulated green management investment to a total of US$1.90billion since 2009.

Apple's 20MW Solar Farm?

While Samsung focus its green initiatives on products and procedures, Apple seem to be a step ahead in harnessing renewable energy to power up its operations.

RenewableEnergyWorld carried a report in its magazine revealing Apple's plan for a big solar project at its new data farm in North Carolina.

In February,  Apple disclosed plans to partly power its giant new data farm in Maiden, NC, with a 20 megawatt (MW) solar system. Also part of the plan is a smaller fuel cell system. Early March, there was a new filing with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) that lays out more details about the proposed 100-acre project, including size, possible cost, and the main technology supplier.

Some of the information that can glean from the publicly available NCUC documents, filed under "SP-1642/Sub 0" are as follows:-

Size and scope: 
No of installations: 14 PV installations, though the final number is yet to be determined.
PV modules:  E20 435-watt photovoltaic modules, rated at 20% efficiency
Energy output: Planned  for 20MWl.

Timeline: 
Expected to start delivering power to the grid as early as October 2012,
Whole installation to go online by December 31.

What's not said:

The documents don't directly get into costs either for Apple or Duke, except to say that there will be no discernable impact on Duke Energy's expansion plans or costs. For Apple, all it reveals is that the project will be self-financed from both current assets and ongoing operations, and represents "less than a quarter of a percent of positive cash/securities balance." However, in Apple's latest public filing as of Sept. 2011 (also listed in the NCUC docs) that cash/securities number is listed as $97 billion, so 0.0025 percent out of that is roughly $242 million - source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com

TheGreenMechanics says: I believe it's their noble intention

Both Samsung and Apple have so far shown interest and investment (read commitments) in ensuring sustainable working environment, and products.  

On whether they are looking more at taking care of their bottom line, is remained to be seen but indications are that both electronics giants are also caring for a safer and sustainable environmental care.

Samsung Galaxy Ace

Don't mistake the Galaxy Ace for the Galaxy-S as they are pronounced almost similar.

Fiddled briefly with the Galaxy Ace few days ago at Karamunsing Complex and it feels easy on the palm. Size almost as big as the iPhone 3GS but first impression is that the build quality is miles behind the iPhone. If the iPhone's response to the finger flick is like breeze and fast, expect a slower response from this. Of course I should not compare the two as the price and target market are different. Alright, I'm just looking for a simple phone that is decent but not flashy.

This is the latest release and is priced much cheaper. Retailed at RM999.00 but street price could be lower and from my initial survey this week, one can get it for RM980.00 (Release date: Feb 2011).

By comparison, Galaxy-S is retailed at RM2,599 and could be had at RM1900-RM2000 depending on memory size. (Release date Mar 2010). There's already an updated version, Galaxy-S2 coming up and this, I think, should give iPhone 4 a run for the money.

Hope to get hold of one Galaxy Ace next week and come back to give feedback to this posting.

Feedback/Update:

I am using this as a second handset and it is not delivering what's expected - ease of browsing the internet, connecting to WiFi, one-hand typing. It is slow.

After using it for the past 1 year, it seem to have slowed down so much that you basically have to wait for quite a while for it to respond to each click (touch) of a button.

de engineur, June 2012