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The New LG gram Targets Mobile Workforce

Last month,  LG Singapore held LG HE and IT Product Launch at Marina Bay Sand.  At the event, LG Singapore launched their new LG gram ultrabooks that target at mobile workforce.

 

LG Singapore pitches that Portability, Functionality, Battery Life, Durability are the 4 ingredients in their development of LG gram.

 

LG gram

Portability: The New LG gram comes in 3 distinct models – 13.3 -, 14- and 15.6- inch  weigh approximately between 960g – 1.1kg which honestly speaking, is very light compared to similar laptops in the market.  All the 3 models measured not more than 1.68cm which could fit comfortably into most sling bags used by mobile executives.

 

Functionality:   The new LG gram is equipped with latest 8th Gen Intel Core and SSD storage that delivers performance for mobile workers. Despite its slim body, it still has all the the necessary ports such as HDMI. microSD, USB, USB-C and headphone jack (Yes, this is a feature!)

 

The product also comes with Fingerprint ID that enable users to log in and power on with the press of a button without comprising security.

 

Battery Life: LG gram is equipped with a 72Wh battery that LG claims could last up to 22.5hrs in a single charge. The long battery life is very ideal for busy executives who are always on the move.

 

Durability: The new LG gram has improved its build quality;  a magnesium alloy called Nano Carbon (with Magnesium) is used for the LG gram’s body. This material is known to be tough and light and is commonly used  in aerospace engineering. LG gram is even put under US military MIL-STD 810G durability tests for resistance to impact, pressure and temperature. You may wish to see the short demo we shot at the event below.

 

My thoughts: The product demo is impressive and freelancer like me who is always on the move will be keen to own one.  Speaking about the price, the LG gram is selling at RRP starting from SGD1,999 . Indeed, it is a hefty price tag compared to other similar products. Afterall, you have to pay a price for the portability and toughness of the product.

 

In business, it is about productivity and impression. The LG gram has packed with supreme hardware features that promises to deliver productivity and powerful. However, LG, in the laptop market, has not established a clear business impression as compared to other established names like Lenovo’s ThinkPad and Apple’s Mac (ok, Mac is for creative professionals). In my opinion, you are paying more on the LG gram’s hardwares than the brand. In short, you are getting what you pay for but this product may not the one that caters to all.

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Dell Launches New Inspiron 7000 Series Laptop in Singapore

Singapore, October 2017 – Dell revealed a new Inspiron 7000 series laptop in the newly revamped Plaza Singapura Store.

From left Inspiron 15 7000 (7570), Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming (7567), Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 (7373). Source: Instagram user @weewu

The new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 aims to bring stunning visuals and powerful performance in a small footprint. A narrower border and FHD IPS touch display also supports active pen for digital drawing, writing and note taking.

With the new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1, consumers can watch movies or video chat uninterrupted thanks to SmartByte streaming technology co-engineered by Dell that prioritises streaming and conferencing above other network activities.  It also offers longer battery life and quieter performance with standard SSDs or optional PCIe NVMe SSDs.

 

For those who prefer a traditional laptop, the new Inspiron 7000 laptops are the perfect travel companion with the slim, light and thin-bezel design in Platinum Silver or Pink Champagne. Available in 15 inches, the Inspiron 7000 offers a brilliant FHD IPS display for a crisp, detailed picture, viewable from a wide range of angles without sacrificing image quality. The laptops take advantage of the outstanding performance, responsiveness and hardware enabled security built into the 8th Generation Intel Core processor.

 


The new Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop offers NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete graphics and NVIDIA Max Q Design technology, 7th Gen Intel quad core CPU options and dual fans to keep the system cool and quiet while powering through challenging games. Anti-glare IPS wide viewing angle FHD display provides excellent visual clarity while Waves MaxxAudio Pro software delivers precise audio. The laptop’s new 2×2 WiFi antenna design provides great wireless performance, while the SmartByte software prioritises gaming and video content to keep games and videos smooth even during large file downloads. A new quick-charge battery gets up to 80% capacity within an hour and the Thunderbolt 3 multi-use port connects multiple devices (including support for up to two 4K displays) to the laptop with transfers up to 40Gbps.

Pricing and Availability:

All products are available immediately, unless otherwise stated, through Dell and its authorised partners:

 

Product Starting Price in SGD / Availability
Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 (7373) From $1,599. Available now.
Inspiron 15 7000 (7570) From $1,599. Available now.
Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming (7567) From $1,599. Available now.
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BenQ Launches 2 Projectors Targeted at Home Users – W8000 Home Theater Projector & DLP 4K UHD projector W11000

BenQ, recognized for making good qualities projectors, announces 2 new products targeted at home users – W8000 & W11000. These projectors have been tested and certified by THX engineers for image qualities that ensures delivery of good cinematic experiences to home users. So, what are the differences between these 2?

BenQ launches new DLP Projector - W11000 that is capable of delivering #4K display. Source: Instagram user @weewu
BenQ launches new DLP Projector – W11000 that is capable of delivering #4K display. Source: Instagram user @weewu

Resolutions 

This is by far, the most obvious difference between the 2. The W8000 is delivering Full 1080P which is common standard used in most of the video content whereas W11000 is capable of producing 4K UHD Display. Although some of you may argue that there aren’t many 4K content in the market, is there a need to have a 4K display?

I have never buy into that argument since there are so many projectors in the market that could upscale 1080P to 4K just so like the BenQ W11000. However, most 4K projectors you see in the market start off with 1080P resolution and subsequently render to 4K (so as to impress the user with the difference but usually, this takes up processing time). The W11000, instead of following this process, starts off at 2K. Then, using XPR fast switching technology, the individual pixels on the DLP chip render the output by 2 times to 4K.

 

Versatility

BenQ launches W8000 home theater projector. Source: Instagram user @weewu
BenQ launches W8000 home theater projector. Source: Instagram user @weewu

Space (in Singapore) is a luxury. Most of us stay in HDB which does not provide a luxurious space for big theater equipment. The W8000 comes with 5 interchangeable lens that gives users the flexibility in different room scenarios – whether from a small room with a Wide Zoom Lens or a long zoom Lens for hall (upto approx 11m!).

Capable in delivering 4K quality, the W11000 works well in almost any home environment.  Nonetheless, I will suggest to leave a big piece of wall as your projector screen. It is 4K afterall! Why not fully capitalize on it?!

Price

The BenQ W8000 home theater projector is priced at SGD 3,888 after GST (pricing includes Standard Lens) which is very competitive  in the market.

The BenQ W11000 home theater projector is priced at SGD 7,299 after GST which is a steal! Most projectors at this range will be around 5-figures.

BenQ W8000 is available now whereas BenQ W11000 will be available mid-December 2016 onwards.

For sales enquiries, please visit Home Cinemapit Pte Ltd and KEC Sound and Vision Pte Ltd.

 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Product-Brochure_W11000-and-W8000-Home-Cinema-Projectors-from-BenQ.pdf” title=”product-brochure_w11000-and-w8000-home-cinema-projectors-from-benq”]

 

 

 

 

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Smartphone Market Maintains Growth in South East Asia in 16Q2; Samsung, OPPO, True and ASUS Dominate

According to the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) Asia/Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, total smartphone shipments in the South East Asia (SEA) region is approximately 28 million units in the second quarter of 2016 reflecting an 18.1% increase quarter-on quarter (QoQ) and continued positive growth year-on-year (YoY) of 6.5%. Countries in the SEA region tracked by IDC’s local and regional analysts are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The report states that competitive price points and heavy marketing activities in a now crowded market are the key driving factors for the budget conscious SEA market.

In terms of market share, the overall smartphone market remains dominated by Samsung, followed by OPPO, True (an operator in Thailand), Asus and Lava.

 

 

  • Samsung retained its top position by relying on its price and spec competitive Galaxy J series which was highly suited for the budget conscious SEA market. Meanwhile, the flagship Galaxy S7 series saw better YoY performance in terms of unit shipments compared to the Galaxy S6 series launched back in 2015.
  • OPPO moved to second position for the first time. Despite Oppo’s continued marketing investments to build a solid brand equity for its F1 family, it was the Neo model that drove up its volume.
  • Asus’ position is supported by its highly affordable Zenfone Go model. Meanwhile, the growth of its flagship, the Zenfone 2 Laser, slowed down in preparation for the new Zenfone 3 targeted for launch in the third quarter.
  • Unit shipments for True and Lava were propelled by heavy operator activities to increase 3G subscribers nationwide in Thailand.

 

 

Meanwhile, 3G handsets still make up majority of the market share as they carry significantly lower price points as opposed to 4G ones, a pivotal factor particularly for SEA consumers. Furthermore, the slow uptake of 4G is largely attributed to the temporary rise of 3G devices in Thailand, where operators were in a rush to migrate subscribers from 2G to 3G, handing out large amounts of free or heavily discounted handsets.

Source: IDC

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(Video) Maybank launches Samsung Pay Service in Singapore

It is official that Maybank will offer Samsung Pay to their credit and debit cardholders. This is inline with the bank’s objective in pushing digital initiatives in the South East Asia region. Samsung Pay provides an additional payment option for Maybank’s customers.

Senior management from Maybank and Samsung at the launch of Samsung Pay by Maybank Singapore (left to right): Choong Wai Hong, Head, Community Financial Services, Maybank Singapore; Karen Low, Head, Cards & Unsecured Lending, Maybank Singapore; Lim Kuo Siong, Head, Information Services, Maybank Singapore; Mohd Suhail Amar Suresh Abdullah, Group Chief Technology Officer, Maybank; Michael Foong, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Maybank; Lim Hong Tat, Group Head, Community Financial Services and CEO, Maybank Singapore; Eugene Goh, Vice President, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore; Andy Sim, Vice President and Head, New Business Development, Samsung Electronics Singapore; Christopher Tarr, Director, Samsung Pay – Southeast Asia & Oceania
Senior management from Maybank and Samsung at the launch of Samsung Pay by Maybank Singapore (left to right): Choong Wai Hong, Head, Community Financial Services, Maybank Singapore; Karen Low, Head, Cards & Unsecured Lending, Maybank Singapore; Lim Kuo Siong, Head, Information Services, Maybank Singapore; Mohd Suhail Amar Suresh Abdullah, Group Chief Technology Officer, Maybank; Michael Foong, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Maybank; Lim Hong Tat, Group Head, Community Financial Services and CEO, Maybank Singapore; Eugene Goh, Vice President, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore; Andy Sim, Vice President and Head, New Business Development, Samsung Electronics Singapore; Christopher Tarr, Director, Samsung Pay – Southeast Asia & Oceania. Source: Instagram user @weewu

As the world is moving towards transactions using smartphone, Samsung, as the world’s largest mobile phone maker, plays a strategy role in assisting the bank’s initiative in digitizing banks’ services.  With Samsung Pay, the bank expects the adoption to be 10,000 for the first year and 20,000 by the end of second year.

Besides payment, Maybank is exploring other banking solutions using Samsung Pay’s biometric authentication technology. Integration of loyalty cards and cardless withdrawals are services in the pipelines and will be made available to the bank’s customers in the near future.

Maybank has also supported Fintech community and will be a key partner of the Fintech festival in Singapore this November.

To view the presentation at Galaxy Studio, see below Facebook Live video below

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Press Release – LeEco hits new online sales record of ₹ 78 Crore with Le 2 & Le Max2

Bangalore / New Delhi, June 28, 2016:  LeEco garners Rs 78.6 crore by achieving sales orders of over 61,000 units of its next generation Superphones, Le 2 and Le Max2, in its flash sale campaign on both LeMall.com India and Flipkart, updating the industry records set by itself a few months ago. The total registration reached over 6 lakh within 8 days. LeEco is also the first brand which released two flagship phones with Qualcomm processors in the same day.

The records were achieved through two combined channels, LeEco’s own marketplace ecommerce platform, LeMall.com India, which was just launched on June 8th, and Flipkart.

Atul Jain, COO – Smart Electronics, LeEco India, said, “We are humbled to see yet another stupendous Flash Sale record in a row. The entire LeEco family is overwhelmed seeing the response from our users. This time we have introduced world’s first Digital Lossless audio standard (CDLA). This will bring an unparalleled audio experience to our superfans thereby ushering in an era of lossless music in India and the globe. This is going to become the new industry standard. We promise to live up to our Superfans’ expectation by bringing more breakthrough technologies, stronger comprehensive ecosystem, and disruptive pricing”.

The unprecedented responses from buyers were expected given four compelling reasons LeEco brought to the smartphone market in India: lossless music with CDLA standard, Supertainment with a complete content ecosystem and membership program, stylish design and unprecedented features with cool technologies, and all these three coming at a disruptive price offer by LeEco.

The record making numbers of more than 61,000 orders received from buyers only vindicates the point that LeEco’s Superphones popularity has been soaring in an unprecedented rate.

The total sales number in the flash sale also points to the growing craze for Lossless music. To catalyze this CDLA (Continual Digital Lossless Audio) standard adoption, LeEco has made a handsome investment of Rs 200 million. In the first flash sale of its Superphones Le 2 and Le Max2 that was held today (June 28), the internet technology conglomerate gave away a free CDLA earphone worth Rs. 1990 to all Le 2 and Le Max2 buyers. LeEco is the world’s first company that created the type-C CDLA earphone, replacing the traditional 3.5mm headphone port and creating a lossless audio experience to end users.

The Supertainment program of LeEco is something that is resistless given the popularity of entertainment programs in India. LeEco is now working with big names like Eros Now, YuppTV and Hungama in India. Through LeEco’s Membership program, users can get access to a collection of 2000+ movies, inclusive of premieres from Hollywood & Bollywood. LeEco membership program also provides 3000+ hours of curated shows, 150+ live TV channels and 3.5 million songs of users’ choices. LeEco takes the lead in offering 1.9 million songs with lossless audio, bringing the users’ audio experience to a brand new height.

Another reason that makes LeEco Superphone hard to resist is its stylish design and cool features and technology. With stylish unibody metal designs, Le 2 is powered by the Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chipset, making the phone the first one in India to adopt such high-end and the most powerful Octa-Core CPU, which performs 21% faster than Snapdragon 800 and is also miles ahead of Snapdragon 808. Le 2 provides a 16MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. The image quality is visibly better with vibrant and true-to-life colours. With technologies like PDAF, Closed Loop and other ground-breaking technologies, people can catch clear pictures in moving and unfavourable conditions.

Powered by the world’s most powerful processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Le Max2 features the high performance combination of 6GB RAM and 64GB ROM, pushing the limits of the industry to new heights. With a RAM three times that of the iPhone 6s Plus, Le Max2 gives 40% faster performance than most other models.

Le Max2 features a 5.7 inch screen in 2K Super Retina Display, the best display for itself and for VR equipment. Its 21MP rear camera and 8MP front camera both come with the blazingly fast PDAF standard and F 2.0 aperture, which protects the images from smear and dim light. The cameras on Le Max2 shot pictures with great clarity thanks to improved components or technologies like 6-layer of lens, PDAF, Closed Loop, optical image stabilization, Dual HDR and Dual-tone flash and so on.

Le 2, the 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM combination Superphone, comes at a compelling price of Rs 11,999. Le Max2, the 4GB+32GB model is priced at a disruptive price of Rs 22,999, and for the high-end 6GB RAM and 64 GB ROM combination the price is at an irresistible Rs 29,999.

For people who missed June 28th flash sale, they can expect the upcoming opportunity very soon. LeEco’s 2nd flash sale for Le 2 and Le Max2 will start on July 5th, and the registration commence from 4pm today (June 28).

During the July 5th flash sale of Le 2 and Le Max2, users can look forward to some amazing offers from both Flipkart and LeMall India:

  1. 10% cashback. (Details to come soon)
  2. Free CDLA Earphones worth Rs.1990
  3. Both Superphones include a one-year LeEco membership worth Rs 4900
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OnePlus 3 is Hitting Singapore This July

SINGAPORE, 15 Jun 2016 – OnePlus is releasing its long-awaited flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 3 in Singapore from Q3 (July) onwards at traditional retail stores. Available in Graphite and Soft Gold.

OnePlus 3 will be available in Graphite and Soft Gold

The OnePlus 3 features Dash Charge fast charging technology, which adds a day of power in only half an hour. It comes completely unlocked – no carrier contracts necessary, and an unlocked bootloader . It is also the first OnePlus smartphone to be available for purchase at launch without an invite on OnePlus’ e-commerce site.

“We know that the best smartphone is the one that works exactly how you want it to,” said OnePlus Founder and CEO Pete Lau. “The OnePlus 3 delivers that experience. It combines what our customers already love about our products with what they want and expect next. For example, Dash Charge sets a new standard for fast charging technology. It’s a flagship smartphone inspired by – and made for – our fans.”

Dash Charge – A Day’s Power in Half an Hour

The OnePlus 3 utilizes Dash Charge technology, a faster, cooler and safer way to charge a smartphone. Unlike other quick charging technologies, Dash Charge replenishes more than 60% of the 3,000 mAh battery in 30 minutes and continues fast charging even when streaming video or playing energy-intensive games. This is made possible by leveraging a large electric current for stable, consistent charging speeds. In addition, Dash Charge carries more current than other charging solutions, and at lower temperatures, by shifting the power management process from the phone itself to the Dash Charge adapter, so a vast majority of the heat generated while charging never reaches the device. Along with five custom safety measures in place to safeguard the adaptor, cable and phone itself, users can charge their OnePlus 3 as fast as possible without worry.

Smart Capture – High-quality Photos and Easy Selfies

The 16 MP rear camera on the OnePlus 3 provides better imaging with incredible detail and clarity. OnePlus’ proprietary Smart Capture, allows users to capture the ideal shot in any environment. Smart Capture functionalities include HD Mode, Auto HDR and Dynamic De-noise, which compares several frames of the same photo and blends them together in post-processing to reduce noise. The OnePlus 3 also includes a new Smile Capture feature, allowing user to take selfie photo using the front-facing 8 MP camera simply by smiling.

Dual-stabilization technologies – Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) – help reduce blur, ensuring photos come out as planned.

Premium Design – Elegantly Curved Aluminum Unibody

The design of the OnePlus 3 takes aesthetics, quality and usability to a new level. The all-metal unibody, carved from a single slab of space-grade aluminum alloy, makes for a seamless, resilient build, while the balance of soft curves against sharp lines creates a striking impression and comfortable grip. At 7.3 mm, the OnePlus 3 is one of the thinnest flagships ever. The 5.5-inch 1080p Optic AMOLED display produces colors that are more vivid and true-to-life than ever before – even in bright sunlight.

Fast, Powerful, Customizable

The OnePlus 3 was designed to deliver maximum performance. Packing the new quad-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820 processor (up to 2.2 GHz), the OnePlus 3 performs tasks 35% faster than the OnePlus 2 and features a 40% boost in graphical power – all at a fraction of the power consumption.

The device also sets a new standard in smartphone memory. The OnePlus 3 boasts 6 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, allowing for next-level multitasking without delay or lag and ensuring it can handle the most demanding apps. The OnePlus 3 also features an improved, more durable ceramic fingerprint sensor that improves accuracy with increased use. Offering the ability to unlock the device in under 0.3 seconds, even from a sleeping screen, users can access their phone faster and more accurately.

Their custom operating system, OxygenOS, offers a fast, clean, customizable and bloat-free operating system based on Android Marshmallow. With off-screen gestures and customizable capacitive hardware and software buttons built in, the OnePlus 3 allows customers to personalize their smartphone experience.

The unlocked OnePlus 3 never ties you down to a carrier. Customers can have more control over connectivity with the ability to choose from a wide band of support for service providers across the globe. Additionally, with dual Nano SIM card support, the OnePlus 3 can connect to two networks with ease.

Availability

Fans in Singapore can expect to lay their hands on the OnePlus 3 at traditional retail stores from the start of Q3 (July), with pricing to be confirmed. The OnePlus 3 will be available for online purchase, followed by traditional retail stores.

Specification

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Specsheet-OnePlus3.pdf”]

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Press Release – Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL now on sale in Singapore

Two new premium Lumia devices increase productivity and light up Windows 10

Left: Lumia 950, Right: Lumia 950 XL

SINGAPORE – 31 March 2016 – Microsoft announced today retail availability of Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in Singapore. The newest flagship devices to join the Lumia portfolio and the first to ship with Windows 10, the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL deliver a familiar and consistent experience that extends across your Windows devices, including innovative features like Windows Hello beta for Lumia and Continuum for phones. Combined with stunning HD displays, new PureView cameras with 20 megapixel sensors and triple LED natural flash that shoot 4K video, as well as the latest in processing power, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL represent the best innovation from Microsoft.

“We designed Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL for people who want the most productive smartphones running the most productive operating system,” said Mark Trundle, Microsoft Mobile Devices Segment Lead for Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. “People like mobile professionals who want a premium phone that can work like a PC now have the perfect partner for their Windows 10 devices in Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. With full Windows 10 and features like Continuum for phone, it’s easy to do more than ever from your phone whether you’re in the office, at home or on the road.”

Microsoft Display Dock

Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL: Premium and capable handsets

  • Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are the first Lumia phones to come pre-loaded with Windows 10 – delivering on our promise of one familiar and consistent experience that transitions seamlessly across Windows devices from key apps like Office built-in to access to all your stuff via OneDrive and the cloud.
  • Both Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL feature Continuum for phones, enhanced by the optional Microsoft Display Dock accessory sold separately at SGD 158. This Windows 10 feature allows people to use their phone like a PC by connecting it to a monitor and transforming it for larger-screen entertainment, or adding a keyboard and mouse to work like a PC with Windows 10 apps like Microsoft Office, while simultaneously taking calls or performing other tasks.
  • As the latest premium handsets, these phones boast superior performance. Both devices feature a QuadHD AMOLED display featuring up to 564ppi, which means photos, videos and even simple reading show up well, even in sunlight.
  • Microsoft’s PureView technology is built into both Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL cameras, boasting a 20MP sensor and triple LED natural flash. The camera captures the perfect image, even in the most challenging conditions, and those photos can be automatically synced across all Windows 10 devices with the Windows Photo app and shared easily with friends and family.
  • To make this all possible, both phones also have the latest-generation Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors to get these things done faster.

Availability

In Singapore, customers can purchase Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL at the estimated retail price of SGD 898 and SGD 998 respectively, by visiting HandphoneShop, 3 Mobile and GadgetWorld retail outlets, as well as HandphoneShop.com and Microsoft Store online.

From 15 April 2016, customers will also be able to buy from selected Challenger, Harvey Norman and Newstead retail outlets, as well as M1, Singtel and Starhub. Commercial customers should approach authorised resellers. For more     information, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/en/mobile

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Press Release – Apple tops The Straits Times Digital Awards with seven wins



Singapore, 23 February 2016 – Apple was the biggest winner at The Straits Times Digital Awards 2016 today, bagging seven awards across the smartphone, tablet and smartwatch categories. Apple was clearly the favourite among the readers of ST Digital, winning the Readers’ Choice in all five awards which it was shortlisted as a finalist – Best Overall Smartphone, Best Phablet, Best Smartphone Camera, Best Tablet and Best Smartwatch. The tech giant also got the nod of approval from the ST Digital editorial team who chose the Apple iPad Pro for the Best Tablet and the Apple Watch for the Best Smartwatch.

Apple’s dominance in the mobile devices category was blunted by Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 4G+ which won the Editor’s Choice awards for Best Overall Smartphone and Best Smartphone Camera, and by the Google Nexus 6P which took the Editor’s Choice award for the Best Phablet.

Into its fifth year, the annual tech awards aim to celebrate and recognise the best gadgets, games and tech innovations of the year. This year, the awards has been renamed as The Straits Times Digital Awards as the weekly tech supplement had shed its old name Digital Life last year to reflect its integration into the main broadsheet section of The Straits Times.

As in previous years, the awards are divided into Editor’s Choice awards, picked by The Straits Times Digital editorial team, and the Readers’ Choice, selected by ST readers in an online poll in January. They stood a chance to win lucky draw prizes worth over $25,000.

This year saw the introduction of two new categories – Best Smartwatch and Best Fitness Tracker – to capture new segments that are tugging strongly at consumers’ heartstrings and wallets.

Altogether, there were 21 award categories with a total of 105 products and games nominated. About 4700 ST readers voted in the January poll.

Canon emerged as the second biggest overall winner, clinching all four Readers’ Choice awards in the camera categories.

Lenovo was the biggest winner in the laptops category, getting three wins followed by Asus with two.

The editorial team picked The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for the Best Overall Game while the readers voted for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.

With the haze dominating headlines last year, ST Engineering’s Innosparks duly won the Most Innovative award with its unique Air+ Smart Mask that built an air filter into the mask for easy breathing in the smog.

Ms Irene Tham, Tech Editor of The Straits Times said: “We would like to congratulate all winners. It was a tough call for many of the judging decisions as there were several equally-deserving finalists.

“I would also like to thank StarHub for coming in as our new presenting sponsor this year. Previously, StarHub was only a category sponsor and I am heartened by StarHub’s show of confidence to raise its involvement and support for our awards.”

Ms Jeannie Ong, Chief Strategic Partnership Officer of StarHub said: “I have always marvelled at The Straits Times team for putting together the Digital Life Awards successfully for the past four years, despite limited resources. They have done an excellent job for readers like myself, as they have proven themselves to be the ‘authoritative voice’ on what were the hottest gadgets and best innovations for our industry each year.”

Ms Ong added: “StarHub is honoured to be the presenter of the renamed The Straits Times Digital Awards, and we will continue to work closely with the device manufacturers to bring better improvements to the lives of Singaporean consumers, by enhancing the way they live, work and play.”

The full results of the winners are available online at www.straitstimes.com/tech and will also be published in The Straits Times Digital section tomorrow (Feb 24, 2016).

See PDF version on the list of winners

[pdf-embedder url=”https://theneodimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ST-Digital-Awards-2016-winners-list.pdf”]

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Samsung Introduces the New Premium Gear S2 Classic plated in 18K Rose Gold and Platinum

Samsung announced the retail availability of the two new highly-anticipated editions of the Gear S2 classic – the Gear S2 classic plated in 18K Rose Gold and Platinum.

Gear S2 classic in Rose Gold
Gear S2 classic in Rose Gold

 

Gear S2 classic in Platinum
Gear S2 classic in Platinum

The premium editions of the Samsung Gear S2 classic sees both its bezel and buckle encased in the finest of materials – the Gear S2 classic in Rose Gold is plated in 18K Rose Gold and the Gear S2 classic in Platinum is plated in Platinum. Designed for users seeking timeless elegance and sophistication in their timepiece, the Gear S2 classic plated in 18K Rose Gold and Platinum features its distinguished circular design and delivers intuitive and enhanced smartwatch functionalities – a must-have luxurious accessory.

The Samsung Gear S2 classic will be available in a 18K Rose Gold plated case with an Ivory Genuine Leather Band and in a Platinum plated case with a Black Genuine Leather Band from 13 February 2016 at a recommended retail price of $698 (inclusive of GST). The two editions of the Gear S2 classic will be available at all Samsung Experience Stores as well as selected consumer electronics and departmental stores.

Consumers can visit all Samsung Experience Stores for a hands-on experience of the Gear S2 classic plated in 18K Rose Gold and Pla tinum, exclusively showcased with the Premium Handcrafted Alligator Strap for Gear S2 classic. The Premium Handcrafted Alligator Strap for Gear S2 classic retails exclusively in Samsung Experience Stores at VivoCity and Paragon at a recommended retail price of $368. Alternative strap options for the Gear S2 Classic plated in 18K Rose Gold and Platinum are also available at all Samsung Experience Stores and selected consumer electronics and departmental stores, including the Rose Gold Stainless Metal Strap and the Silver Stainless Metal Strap retailing at $88.