HTC One Max launched in Malaysia, retailed at RM2,499

HTC South Asia senior executives with SKWong (2nd right) Country Manager of HTC Malaysia at the launch. Photo - Computerworld Malaysia


HTC Malaysia has launched HTC One Max, a supersized version of its flagship smartphone that includes a new fingerprint scan feature, which delivers an enhanced smartphone experience, said the Taiwan-headquartered mobile devices manufacturer.

HTC phones are regarded as expensive alternative to Samsung's and the build quality is said to better with good luxury feel, although I've never bought one for myself to have the kind of experience.

HTC claimed that the upgrade to HTC Sense 5.5 (that's HTC's Android skin to you and me) will provide our most amazing mobile experience yet, with the HTC One max delivering the size and power required to do "everything you want, and more, without compromise."


HTC One Max specifications

Display           : 5.9" full HD1080p
Processor       : Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600
CPU speed     : 1.7 GHz
Memory         : 16GB or 32GB (news has it that the 32GB version may not be offered here)
Card slot        : micro SD
Battery           : 3300 mAh
Android skin  : HTC Sense 5.5
Price              : RM2,499 (expected retail price)

Additional 50GB of additional free Google Drive online storage is offered to HTC One max owners.

The built-in fingerprint scan feature, which is located on the back of the device, allows users to lock and unlock the screen and launch up to three favourite applications by assigning an individual finger to each, he said.

The HTC One max is available in Malaysia at all HTC retailers and selected mobile operators.


TheGreenMechanics: This is a phablet capable of giving Samsung Galaxy Note 3 a run for its money. The race for larger smartphone (or rather phablet) screen size isn't going to stop anytime soon, it seems. But I'll stick to my trusty old 4" screen phone for now, and maybe save a little bit of money.

I tend to agree with the recent research finding that bigger phones mean bigger bills.


Source: Computerworld Malaysia

Mitsubishi Motors cuts Japan electric car price by up to US$9,100(RM29,200)

This is something for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia and the policy makers to think about.

In Japan, the electric car, i-MiEV is now selling at (after price cut and government subsidy):

• Top range   - ¥2.0 million (about RM63,400)
• Entry level  - ¥1.7 million (about RM53,900)

Mitsubishi's all-electric car, the i-MiEV is selling at RM139,888 (on the road) in Malaysia.


Acceptance is slower than expected

Mitsubishi Motors Corp has slashed the price of its i-MiEV electric minicar in Japan by up to US$9,100 aiming to boost sluggish sales as makers of electric vehicles face slower-than-expected acceptance of the technology.

Japan's sixth-biggest carmaker, which started selling the i-MiEV in 2009, said it was dropping the price of its top of the range i-MiEV by around 25%, or 900,000 yen (RM29,200 at current exchange rate), to ¥2.9 million.

With government subsidies, the model can be bought in Japan for around ¥2 million.

Mitsubishi Motors also cut the price of the entry level i-MiEV by 190,000 yen to ¥2.5 million, which with subsidies can be bought for about ¥1.7 million.


TheGreenMechanics: If we want to encourage the adoption of energy efficient and electric vehicles in this country, we really need to relook at the relevant policies and make such vehicles affordable to many.


Full article at The Malay Mail

Hydro power station in Tenom to be upgraded from 66 MW to 75 MW

The Borneo Post reported Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) managing director Ir Haji Abdul Razak Sallim as saying that the Pangi hydropower plant in Tenom is currently undergoing upgrading works to boost the existing power generation capacity of 66 MW to 75 MW.

For a total amount of RM57million for the upgrading project, an additional 9 MW is not that much but should be good for the foreseeable future.


Ir. Hj Abdul Razak (third left) in the control room.



The 3 turbines that will be upgraded from 22MW to 25MW each.


Upgrading works which would take longer time as temporary closure of turbine engine needs to be done on a rotational basis, is as follows:

Commenced        : February 28, 2011
Completion          : December 2015
Status                  : 47% (as at Nov 2013)
Current capacity  : 22 MW x 3 (Total 66MW)
After upgrade      : 25 MW x 3 (Total 75 MW)
Cost                     : RM57 million ($17.74 million)

The upgrading works includes three components, namely:

• Increase generation capacity to 25MW each
• Replacement of the control system to a better technology for faster operational response
• Upgrading of the cooling system

The upgrading project is among those announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak when tabling the Budget 2014.

The Pangi power station is being upgraded because it is the only hyrdo power station in Sabah which is still in operation since 30 years ago and it is time that the station system is upgraded to support the generation of electricity to consumers in the state.


Source: The Borneo Post, Friday, Nov. 22, 2013
Photos are property of The Borneo Post.