Winners of the State Level Unduk Ngadau 2012

I was at KDCA to tag along with others to shoot the final of Unduk Ngadau state level.

Since I'm still stuck in the massive traffic jam, I'll do a quick update of the winners:

Miss Kaamatan (Unduk Ngadau): UN Telupid (Melinda Louis)
1st Runner Up: UN Kota Kinabalu (Fenney Doimis)
2nd Runner Up: UN Tambunan (Meryl Foster Paladius)

41-contestants for the State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2012

This year's Unduk Ngadau receives prizes in cash and kinds totalling RM68,800.00
Congratulations to the winners. I will do up a photographic update ASAP.

Updated: Please see Melinda is Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2012  

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.

First Malaysia-branded Android tablet for RM999

Last week MalTechPro Sdn Bhd unveiled the first Malaysian made 7-inch tablet known as 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad which is fully equipped with a capacitive touch screen, android system, wireless broadband, 3G and the latest applications.

The 1Malaysia Pad launched on 24 May 2012. Picture credit: The Sun Daily

In my previous posting, I wrote an article regarding India's world cheapest tablet, the Aakash and Malaysia seem to have followed suit in launching an Android tablet. But unlike the US$45 to $70 Indian version, the 1Malaysia Pad is priced further up at RM999 (US$315).


1Mpad specifications in brief

Not much was available from the media coverage but for a start, this are what have been made known:
Price                       : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size             : 7 inch
Operating system     : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity      : TBA
Mobile connectivity   : WiFi, 3G
Camera                   : 3 MP
Released                 : May 2012
Availability               : available now for pre-order

The Borneo Post reported that the tablet is equipped with a proprietary 1Malaysia messenger app which would allow users to send messages, pictures and videos for free.


First impression

While this appears to be more powerful than the low-coast Aakash, at its current high list price, the tablet doesn't appear to be a fantastic deal. RM999 is relatively expensive for a 7" tablet, more so with better specced and affordable offerings in the market are available, such as the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus at RM1,200 (US$380) and still dropping in price. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 was last seen priced cheaper at RM799 (US$250) but I'm unsure if this model is still available in Malaysia.


Who will buy them?

Befitting its name, this tablet is targetted to be first marketed to students at a discounted price. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry planned to include MalTechPro as a merchant in the ministry’s student discount card program, due to kick off next month.

The amount of the discount has not been decided yet but this is touted to be a replacement for the current 1Malaysia netbooks in universities.

Would you buy one of these for yourself? I think it is too expensive and the manufacturer will have to persuade the government to push it to the people through various 'donation' programs.


Early Verdict

An introductory price of RM699 - RM799 would have been more appealing considering such technology has been around for sometime, plus, the OS is an outdated one. Throw in the option for WiFi and Wifi + 3G to reduce the price further.