Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 3 7.0

It is the time for Samsung 3rd generation of 7 inch tablet to get replacement. It comes in Wi-Fi and 3G versions, with the 3G one being fully voice call capable.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Key Specification :

• 7” WSVGA with 600 x 1024 resolution TFT screen
• 1.2HGz dual core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8/16 GB internal memory with built in SD slot
• 3.15 MP back facing camera with 720p@30fps video recording
• 1.3 MP front facing camera
• 4,000mAh
• Android 4.1

Samsung will begin to gradually roll out the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 globally in the beginning of May for the Wi-Fi version and in June for the 3G version.

My Opinion : Hardly see what's the difference with previous Tab 2 7.0 beside some physical changes. The hardware is similar. Worth to upgrade if you're existing Tab 2 7.0? Nop. Unless you're craving for Jelly Bean.

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Oppo unveils R809T

Smartphone is getting thinner and thinner nowdays. Oppo just unveils a thin smartphone, R809T with 6.9mm thickness. But still not as thin as it's Oppo Find (6.65mm).

Oppo R809T Key Specification :

• 4.7 inch with 720p resolution
• 1.2GHz quad core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8MP back facing camera
• 2MP front facing camera
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

There’s no launch date or price for the Oppo R809 just yet.

My Opinion : Couldn't help it but I still like my phone to have certain weight and thickness. Or else it feel like nth on my palm. Nevertheless, Oppo R809T has mid range spec which could be worth to buy if given proper price at launch.

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Acer announces Liquid E2

Acer Liquid E2 is now official. The smartphone is intended for the European market and offers top-notch performance thanks to the quad-core processor inside and optional dual-SIM telephony.

Acer Liquid E2 Key Specification :

• 4.5-inch qHD IPS display
• 1.2GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6589 ARM Cortex-A7 processor
• PowerVR SGX544MP
• 1GB RAM
• 8MP back facing camera with 1080p@30fps video recording
• 2MP front-facing camera

E2 is equipped with stereo speakers and DTS sound enhancement for the audiophiles.

Acer will release the Liquid E2 in mid-May in Belgium, Netherlands, Ukraine, France, followed by Spain, UK, Italy, Germany and Russia with a suggested retail price of just €229. The price of the dual-SIM model is yet to be revealed. Liquid E2 will launch in black and white versions. There is no info whether the device will become available in other countries later.

My Opinion : Pretty decent phone but it is still nowhere near the current competition flagship phone.

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Nokia Asha 210 goes official

A new Asha lineup just announced by Nokia. It packed with QWERTY keyboard for speed typer and it comes in both single SIM and dual-SIM flavors.

Nokia Asha 210 Key Specification :

• 2.4 inches with 320 x 240 pixels of resolution
• 32 MB RAM
• 64MB internal memory with microSD slot
• 2 MP back facing camera
• QCIF@10fps video recording
• 1200 mAh

The dual-SIM version will come with support for Easy Swap - exchange the secondary SIM without powering off the handset.

The Nokia Asha 210 is going to be available in yellow, cyan, black, magenta, and white and the estimated retail price for the Nokia Asha 210 is around $72 (RM216 after converted).

My Opinion : Great little phone with cheap price. It is a phone for people who do not need it to be smart and in the same time, easy to type too.

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Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-LF1

Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-LF1, the first in a new line of Raw-shooting enthusiast compacts. It is one of the sibling for Panasonic famous LX series.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Key Specification :

• 12.1 megapixels
• 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) CMOS sensor
• ISO 80 - 6400 (12800 with boost)
• 28–200 mm F2.0 - F5.9
• Electronic Viewfinder
• 3″ fixed LCD
• 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless

The LF1 will sell for a recommended price of $499.99 (RM1,500 after converted).

My opinion : Not a fast lens, not a retro design, I'll get LX7 or Fujifilm X20 anytime with the price tag. However LF1 packed a small design that easily fit into pocket and yet, it has longer zoom. Still, I am disappointed on the small aperture on end zoom. Perhaps, this camera will appeal more for ppl who looking for something compact, high end zoom and also Wi-Fi for quick social sharing. Oh did I forgot to mention the viewfinder? I think it looks awkward to use it on small body camera. I really do.

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Panasonic unveils Lumix DMC-G6

The long awaiting G6 is here! The G6 gains considerably improved movie capabilities, including full exposure control, an external mic socket and the sensor from the GH2. It also adds the NFC-aided Wi-Fi for simple remote control and image download that we first saw in the GF6.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 Key Specification :

• 16.1 megapixels
• Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS SENSOR
• ISO 160 - 25600
• 23 Number of focus points
• 3″ Fully articulated LCD Screen
• Electronic Viewfinder
• 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery

The G6 will available at price $749.99 (RM 2250 after converted).

My Opinion : They call G6 as GH2.5 since it sit in between GH2 and GH3. Yes it has all video capability from GH2. It would be a very nice addition to those who are major more on videograph.

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ZTE Geek announced

ZTE has just announced the ZTE Geek smartphone powered by Intel Clover Trail+ platform.

ZTE Geek Key Specification :

5-inch with 720p display
2GHz dual-core Intel Z2580 processor Clover Trail+
PowerVR SGX 544MP2
1GB of RAM
8GB Internal memory
8MP back facing camera
1MP front facing camera
2,300 mAh
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

There is still no official info on market availability and pricing.

My Opinion : We have seen how much capability dual core Intel Clover Trail+ can perform. It can easily overtake quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor in certain benchmark. If the price is cheap, I can't see why not grab this phone? Plus it running the latest Android 4.2.2 where alot phone doesn't have it yet.

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Samsung announces Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8

When you think Galaxy Note is not big enough for you, Samsung now officially announce Galaxy Mega. Both phablet sit lower than current Galaxy Note II but offer much larger screens.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 Key Specification :

• 6.3" LCD with 720p resolution
• 1.7Ghz dual-core Exynos 5250 chipset Cortex-A15 CPU
• 1.5GB of RAM
• 8MP back facing camera
• 1.9MP front camera
• 8GB/16GB internal memory with expenable microSD
• LTE
• NFC
• IR emitter
• 3,200mAh
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 Key Specification :

• 6.3" LCD with qHD resolution
• 1.4Ghz dual-core Exynos 5250 chipset Cortex-A15 CPU
• 1.5GB of RAM
• 8MP back facing camera
• 1.9MP front camera
• 8GB/16GB internal memory with expenable microSD
• 2,600mAh
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Both Samsung Galaxy Mega will be available worldwide with the rollout starting from Europe and Russia in May.No info on the price yet.

My Opinion : Mega! That's really big phone on hand. But I don't get it why can't Samsung just release Mega 6.3? Mega 5.8 can be easily replaced by current Galaxy Note II (0.3 inch doesn't make much difference) who features more powerful spec. Not to mention, the design awfully similar with other Galaxy range. Confusing much. Very confusing. Last one, anyone notice the key button (back and menu) are not consistence on both Mega? Mega 6.3 follow the standard android and 5.8 follow Samsung standard.

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Panasonic unveils DMC-GF6

The replacement for Panasonic GF5 is here! The entry level GF6 featured Wi-Fi and also NFC.Like many of its competitors it has a capacitive touchscreen, that can tilt both downwards and upwards to face forwards for self-portraits.

Panasonic DMC-GF6 Key Specification :

• 16.0 megapixels
• Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS Sensor
• Venus Engine FHD imaging processor
• ISO 160 - 12800 (25600 with boost)
• 3" Tilting LCD
• 1920 x 1080 (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL) video recording
• Built-In Wireless & NFC
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery

Unfortunately no price or release date has been announced so far.

My Opinion : Thumb up to Panasonic GF6! While it features tilting LCD screen, it still remain the slimness of GF series. Nothing much to be shout except new features Wi-Fi and also NFC as well.

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Samsung announces Galaxy Win

The Samsung Galaxy Win announced and it's going to be making the mid-ranger available globally.



Samsung Galaxy Win Key Specification :

4.7” TFT screen with WVGA resolution
1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8625Q Snapdragon 200 CPU
Adreno 203
1 GB RAM
5MP back camera
0.3MP front camera
8GB internal memory with expendable microSD
2,000mAh
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

The Galaxy Win will be available in two color variants - Ceramic White and Titan Gray and it will be hitting multiple markets in single-SIM and dual-SIM versions. Pricing and availability are not available yet.

My Opinion : Same design from Samsung. I am getting much confuse looking at it. Other than the quad core processor, the other spec are very low compare with most competitor nowdays. Of course, it can still sell if the price tag are on the right one.

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HTC First - The first Android integrated with Facebook Home

Not the first time HTC tried to integrate Facebook to it's Android phone. Now, we have HTC First, the very first Android phone that integrated with Facebook Home launcher.

HTC First Key Specification :

• 4.3" 720p display
• 1.4GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset CPU
• Adreno 305 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• 5MP back facing camera
• LTE
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Pricing and avaibility world wide is still unknown. However the HTC First will launch on Apr. 12 on AT&T, priced at $99.99.

My Opinion : Mid range spec but if it could run smoothly with the new Facebook Home, so why not? Expecting it have a decent camera.

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Facebook Home for Android goes official

Nothing surprise, we already know Facebook are doing something to integrate mobile and it's apps. So here what we have, Facebook Home which basically a launcher that replaces your normal homescreen with "Cover Feed" - a tool which gives you a gesture-operated aggregation of your friends' posts, pictures, statuses, etc.

Check out the video for few demo on the launcher.







From the demo, it seem interesting with the integration of Facebook Messenger known as "Chat heads". I can;t wait to try out this launcher since I am always open to try something difference from normal Android launcher.

Facebook Home will launch on Google Play on April 12 for a selecedt smartphones, initially - the Samsung Galaxy S4, S III and Note II and the HTC One and One X+.