Lenovo's LTE smartphone the Vive Z launched in Malaysia

Lenovo's new Vibe Z is now available in Malaysia but for the first month, this will be exclusive to Celcom customers only. It will then be available to the rest of us starting April 15.


Lenovo Vibe Z is equipped with 4G LTE connectivity


For the consumers, this will give them alternative to the expensive iPhone and HTC, and the market dominating Galaxy series. The Vibe Z screen size is 5.5-inch compared to Galaxy S5's 5.1-inch. So, this is more comparable to Galaxy Note 3 in terms of dimension.


Lenovo Vibe Z: Specifications

Screen	-	5.5-inch IPS LCD
Resolution	-	1920 x 1080 pixels, pixel density: 401 PPI
OS	-	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Storage	-	16GB
Processor	-	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, quad-core 2.2GHz Krait 400 CPU
RAM	-	2GB
Connectivity	-	4G LTE, 3G, DC-HSDPA up to 42Mbps, WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio, A-GPS
Camera	-	Back: 13 MP with f/1.8 aperture lens, Front: 5 MP
Battery	-	3,000mAh
Dimension	-	149 x 77 x 7.9 mm
Weight	-	147 gram

Malaysia launching of the Lenovo Vibe Z. Photo: Computerworld


Lenovo says that the introduction of the Vibe Z further highlights how the Vibe series has begun to show a real impact in the premium segment of the smartphone market.

The Vibe Z focuses on the premium space of the smartphone market - gesture controls, photo enhancement software and other technologies in a razor-thin form, etc


Lenovo Vibe Z: Price

The retail price of the Vibe Z is RM1,799 but I've seen online price of as low as RM1,350 (iPmart) although this probably would not be equipped with 4G LTE connectivity.

For the early birds, they can get one from Celcom during the launch on March 15 for as low as RM688 ( I suppose this would come with a contract attached to it). You can go to Celcom website to find out more.


TheGreenMechanics:
With the rapid advancement in the manufacturing of mobile devices, prices should be going down and not up. Personal computers and laptops are good examples.

Are we paying too much for Renewable Energy fund?

From the few briefings conducted by the utility company (SESB), and other seminars in which SEDA Malaysia took part, I gathered that many feedbacks on the quantum of RE surcharge in the consumers electricity bills point towards disagreement.


Earlier article pertaining to the revision of surcharge from 1% to 1.6% effective Jan 1, 2014


Some say that we should maintain the 1% rate introduced in 2012. Some say we should not be charged anything at all.

At one of the briefings, the president of the Federation of Sabah Industry (FSI) argued that, while agreeing with the government effort  in promoting green technology, we should not be asked to pay the levy, having already hit hard by the electricity tariff hikes effective Jan 1 this year. Instead, the government should allocate budget for the purpose. To this, I tend to agree; the government should not stop at the RM300 million it contributed when the fund was set up at the end of 2011.

Are we paying too much, relatively? Paying 1.6% more for your utility bill may be a bit burdening but let's look at what are the rate in other countries implementing FiT mechanism:

COUNTRY		SURCHARGE IMPOSED
Germany	-	19%
Italy	-	8%
Portugal	-	5.6% (industrial), 6.2% (residential)
Thailand	-	2% (2013), 8% - 10% once 7GW of RE project is operational in few years time
China	-	3%
Japan	-	3%
United Kingdom	-	2% to 3%
Australia	-	2.4%
Malaysia	-	1.6%

*Data obtained during presentation by SEDA's Dr. Wei-nee Chen in Kota Kinabalu.


We have the lowest surcharge

Compared to others, we are actually paying much less. SEDA is looking at 2% but this, according to Dr Wei-née Chen, was not approved by the cabinet. I have no qualm if it will eventually be approved, but the government should also look at other ways of funding the RE, including setting aside some fund from its coffer.

Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association, MPIA's suggestion to make “carbon tax” as a source of funding for renewable energy is also interesting and is worth looking into.

By taxing carbon polluters, which include coal power plants, the transport sector and industries, these sector would be compelled to curtail their carbon emissions. An incentive may be given to those who make effort in reducing carbon emission, in the form of lower surcharge. The quantum is to be calculated after a careful study.

Notwithstanding, we should support the effort to promote sustainable energy in Malaysia.

DiGi modernises and improve networks in Malaysia

How is your personal experience with the services provided by your current telecommunication company? Many dropped calls? Intermittent loss of 3G/4G signals when internet-surfing? Limited broadband coverage? Or, are you satisfied?

All of the telcos boost about their products/services being the better ones, but is it always the case?

I'm currently using Celcom for non-broadband services, Maxis for broadband + voice, and DiGi for my broadband-only mobile device. Unfortunately I still experience dropped calls on both Celcom and Maxis on several occasions. I can't comment on DiGi as I don't have voice package with the telco.

If I surf the internet on my mobile devices with Maxis and DiGi, side by side, Maxis beats DiGi anytime, any location (or at least in my case when travelling around west coast of Sabah - Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Papar). Again, it's a shame that both telcos offer good broadband experience only at selected areas. Talking about limited data coverage.

I remember that MCMC and the relevant ministry warned these telcos on numerous occasions to improve their services or face the music. It's high time they invest good money on better infrastructure rather than just focusing on increasing their customer base.


DiGi investing heavily on improving its network


Launching of DiGi's two new internet products. Photo: Computerworld Malaysia


It's good to learn that DiGi is spending money to provide high quality internet experience.

Computerworld reported that the company has invested about RM1.5 billion (US$460 million) in the last two years in capital expenditure to modernise its network as well as expand its footprint nationwide. In addition, DiGi has further committed up to RM900 million (US$276 million) in capital expenditure to further strengthen its network position.

This is translated into modernisation of electronic parts in more than 5,500 sites with new equipment, expansion of HSPA+ 3G network to more than 80% population coverage, and increasing its own and jointly built fibre network to more than 3,200 kilometres. Malaysia is not a big country, so, 3,200km of fibre optic is quite impressive.

The RM900 million will further improve DiGi's internet experience by increasing its HSPA+ 3G coverage to 86% of population coverage, growing its LTE footprint up to 1,500 sites, and expanding its fibre network.

Currently, DiGi claimed itself to be the fastest growing mobile internet service provider in the country, with mobile internet revenue growth of 47.5% year-on-year.

Source: Computerworld Malaysia

TheGreenMechanics: That's something Celcom and Maxis need to better. For the 'better' speed offered by Maxis, it comes at premium prices in comparison to the other two service providers. Why don't (or why wouldn't) they do that - be competitive price-wise?