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A Continued Love Affair With BlackBerry KEY2

Author: Poisonvine.com

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a hardcore BlackBerry fan. Therefore, please expect this review to be biased in the favour of BlackBerry. If there’s something you don’t agree with, let’s just agree to disagree.

 

Despite the prevalence of full touch screen phones, and admittedly there are many very good options out there, there are still a bunch of us who are willing to sacrifice a 16:9 4K stereo sound movie experience on a giant phone for features which makes a phone more usable as, well, a phone.

 

For me, my phone is primarily a communications device – Telegram, WhatsApp and email. I am totally happy to use my tablet to watch movies and play games (I just got a Mi Pad 4 recently which is really good value-for-money and I have no complaints with it so far). As such, the typing experience on my phone is really important to me. I like to be able to type and walk at the same time and still be able to keep my eyes on the road. I like to be able to type confidently without having to check my phone for spelling errors (or worse, stupid autocorrects which can be potentially more embarrassing than some innocent spelling errors. If you have no clue on how serious or hilarious autocorrect mistakes can be, you can see them here).

BlackBerry KEY2’s keyboard is not the best by far in my memory but it is 80% there

This is where a keyboard comes in.

 

BlackBerry KEY2’s keyboard is not the best by far in my memory. That accolade still goes to the good old BlackBerry Bold 9900 (back then, they manufacture their own phone. Now TCL is the manufacturer of all BlackBerry phones) but I think KEY2 is 80% there. The KEY2 certainly made a few improvements over the KeyOne. The keys are angled in such a way that it matches how the thumb would “hit” the keyboard. What I didn’t like so much was that in order to keep a slim profile for the phone, the right “shift” and “alt” key had to go, which at times is a bother if I need to type numbers. For example, to input “7”, I have to hold down the “alt” key and press the “z” key at the same time which is really difficult. Luckily it is possible to lock the “alt” (or the “shift” key for that matter) by double-pressing the “alt” key, but I definitely still prefer to have the alt and shift key on both sides. It is possible to customise the currency key so that it works as “shift” key, but now I chose to use it as “ctrl” key so that I can use it to do my cut and paste easily.

 

Another feature I like about BlackBerry KEY2’s keyboard is that it is possible to create a multi-language keyboard which gives predictive words for up to 3 compatible languages (read: similar writing systems). This could be useful if you regularly communicate using different languages (or better yet, a mix of them). Instead of having to change the input language all the time, you can now simply type away. That said, switching languages on the keyboard (say, English to Chinese) is super easy. Just hold “alt” and press “enter” to toggle between the available languages.

One of my favourite features on legacy BlackBerry devices was the global search feature. Instead of having to go into the contacts app to start looking for someone, I can simply type the person’s name and the phone will show me search results related to the person, including contact details, email conversations with the person, or social media stuff.

 

This feature is still available on the KEY2, but the setting is difficult to find. To enable the global search, tap the centre button (BlackBerry launcher), and click the “Settings” button on the top right hand corner, then “Typing action”, then select “Start a search”.

I have found this feature to be useful, unfortunately it is slow. I really hope that this will be improved going forward.

 

An important thing to note is that when this feature is switched on, in order to use the apps shortcut, you have to hold the bottom right key (the one with nine dots) in order to activate the shortcuts. Some may also notice that the options for creating “short press” shortcut is gone, which effectively reduces the available keys for creating shortcuts by half (long press vs short press). However, there is a workaround. If you create the “short press” shortcuts first, then switch to “Start a search”, the “short press” shortcuts will still work. So currently, I use a short press “T” for Telegram and a long press “T” for Twitter and still have the global search enabled.

 

The battery life on the phone is quite impressive. The battery easily last over a day with normal usage on the phone. That is despite the phone’s battery being only 3500 mAh. I am not sure, but I think it is because the processor Snapdragon 660 is a very power efficient processor.

 

But this brings me to my next point, while I will buy the phone, the price point vs the hardware specs makes it hard for me to recommend this phone to others. For Snapdragon 660, 6 GB RAM and 64 GB memory, BlackBerry KEY2 has a recommended retail price of SGD 899. It is currently possible to buy the Oneplus 6T at SGD 898 which has Snapdragon 845, 6 GB RAM and 128 GB memory. ( If you want to know how good the OnePlus phone is, read my review here)

 

I loved BlackBerry legacy devices, but the user experience on the android versions of BlackBerry hasn’t been quite as smooth so far. I still miss being able to swipe up and right from anywhere, any app to access the BlackBerry hub. That said, the KEY2 has proven to me that there is a future for BlackBerry in android, but admittedly it’s not for everybody.

 

Now I just gotta find the best discount I can get for this phone…

 

p.s. If you are keen to know more about my love for BlackBerry, read my older article on BlackBerry Passport here)

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OPPO Singapore Launches R17 Series

Teardrop Front Camera of OPPO R17 Series

OPPO Singapore announced the launch of two new R series products – OPPO R17 and R17 Pro in Singapore. Singapore is the first market globally to launch the R17 series following the Shanghai launch earlier this year.

 

The R17 series adopts Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6 for the first time, with a 91.5% screen-to-body ratio and Hidden Fingerprint Unlock for the R17 Pro. The Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6 is able to withstand a drop from a one-meter height to a rough surface for an average 15 times, doubled that of the Gorilla Glass 5 performance.

Although OPPO R17 Pro Sports 12MP f/1.5-f/2.4) +20MP (f/2.6) + TOF 3D Camera, no finger print sensor at the back of the phone

The R17 Pro also carries SuperVOOC flash charging technology, allowing users to enjoy the safest and most efficient charging technology in the industry. The R17 Pro also support NFC wireless payment, making the transition to mobile payments easy and convenient.

 

The R17 is equipped with a 6GB DDR4 RAM, with octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 mobile platform. It can perform multiple tasks seamlessly such as HD video playing or online mobile games. With 128GB storage space, users have ample space to store all their files.

 

The TOF Camera of OPPO R17 Pro is capable of capturing face image in 3D

The R17 comes with a 25MP front camera and a Sony IMX576 sensor with f/2.0 aperture equipped with real-time HDR support. The R17 series is able to provide up to 8 million different beautification schemes to intelligently match different users across the globe. Additionally, the customised beauty mode can now identify up to four people in the frame and enables users to adjust the facial features and preview the effects in real time. The rear cameras of the R17 series can intelligently recognise 23 photography modes and as many as 864 scenario combinations to ensure every shot taken is the best shot possible.

 

 

The R17 Pro is equipped with a variable smart aperture of f1.5/f2.4 which can automatically adjust to the lighting conditions making images sharper and clearer in both bright and low light situations. The R17 Pro has OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), which can stabilise images and guarantee a longer exposure time to brighten night-time photography, especially with a 7P lens module. The combination of these two features further heightens precision in night-time photography.

 

Furthermore, with regards to sensors, the R17 Pro uses a Sony IMX362 as its main camera, which has 12 MP with dual-pixel for quick and accurate focusing, and 1.4micron pixels size and 1/2.55 sensor size, for brighter night shots and lower noise level. Overall, the whole hardware system of the OPPO R17 Pro is designed for night photography.

 

The R17 Pro also features TOF 3D camera, upgrading the camera from 2D to 3D and featuring users’ functions like 3D photos, somatosensory games, AR ruler and more.

The OPPO R17 6GB+128GB will be available in Singapore on 6th October at $699.

The R17 Pro 8GB+128GB with SuperVOOC is priced at $999. Pre-order will begin on 3rd November 2018 and it will be available from 10th November 2018.

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July – The Month For Budget Phones – ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1), Huawei nova 3i, Honor Play

July in Singapore is filled with exciting launches of budget phones. Last week, ASUS and Huawei launched their ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) and Huawei nova 3i. This week, another new contender in Singapore – Honor launches Honor Play. All these products are selling competitively at the price range of $300 – $450. This post, I am doing a quick comparison of the specs of these phones and hopefully, gives some ideas in your next purchase.

 

Camera

Samsung and iPhone started the idea of Face Unlock but it is not longer a technology barrier for other smartphone markers. All 3 phones offer the face unlock features. I am not a fan for this feature but I am impressed with the technology and how front-facing camera have evolved for the past 1 years.

 

The ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) and Honor Play comes with 8MP and 16MP front-facing camera respectively whereas the Huawei nova 3i is equipped with dual 24MP and 2MP front-facing camera. Judging from the specs alone, the Huawei nova 3i seems to edge above the other 2 phones. In fact, the resolution of the front-facing camera of the nova 3i is higher than its rear camera which is packed with dual 16MP and 2MP lens. The nova 3i’s front-facing camera is also armed with the popular Huawei’s AI photography technology.

 

Model is doing a selfie with Huawei nova 3i

The Honor Play has the same dual camera specs as the Huawei nova 3i. As a separated brand owned by Huawei, the rear camera of the phone comes with Huawei’s AI photography technology. If you are a fan of Huawei’s mobile phones, I am sure this feature is something that you are seeking for.

 

In terms of rear camera specs, the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) has dual 13MP + 5MP camera lens. The secondary 5MP camera enhanced the bokeh effects of the photo. The rear camera supports 4K recording.

Processor and Memory

Kirin 970 processor made it to the world stage when Huawei introduced their

Honor Play showcased at Raduga Center

flagship Huawei Mate 10 last year. This time, the same Kirin 970 processor in Huawei Mate 10 is used to power the Honor Play. This budget phone is essentially a premium smartphone and it has a 4GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM that could be expanded with external microSD capacity upto 256GB.

 

On the other hand, the nova 3i from the parent company is equipped with the newer Kirin 710 processor. The new processor is designed to give a better performance specifically for the mid-range phones. The nova 3i has a 4GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM that could be expanded with external microSD capacity upto 256GB.

 

Unlike Huawei, ASUS uses older Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, one that is commonly found in mid-range smartphones, in their Zenfone Max Pro (M1). For the past 1 year, the 636 processor has proven to be reliable in terms of performance and power consumption. The Zenfone Max Pro (M1) has a 3GB RAM and 32GB of Rom but could be expanded with external microSD capacity upto 2TB.

 

Port – USB Type C, Micro USB , Audio Jack

Fortunately, budget and midrange phones do not always copy everything that a premium phone has. ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1), Huawei nova 3i and Honor Play keep the 3.5mm audio jack. You could still enjoy your music on these devices with your current headphones.

 

Among the 3 phones, the Honor Play is the only one with the USB Type C port where as the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) and the Huawei nova 3i come with the conventional micro-USB ports. Nonetheless, all 3 phones have fast charge features.

 

ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) showcased in Singapore

Battery Capacity

Battery capacity for Huawei nova 3i and Honor Play are 3,340 mAh and 3,750mAh respectively whereas the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) is packed with 5,000mAh. Judging from the pure hardware perspective, it is impressive to put such a big battery into a phone.

 

Verdict

Let’s just be practical – If you need a phone that works and nothing else, the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M1) seems to be a better option. The phone has bigger battery which technically speaking, could last longer eliminating the need of bringing a power bank. With external microSD storage upto 2TB, you could store all your documents and images in your phone.  Unlike the Huawei nova 3i and Honor Play, the microSD card slot is dedicated one which means that there is no need to compromise one sim card slot for external storage. You could still use the dual sim cards simultaneously. If you are one of those who is holding 2 numbers – one for personal and one for work, this is a good feature to have.

 

From 25th July to 30 July, ASUS is having a special launch promotion for Zenfone Max Pro (M1). Price will drop from SGD 348 to SGD 258. Perfect for budget-constraint freelancers who use their personal device for both work and leisure.

 

If you are looking for fun – Honor Play is the first gaming phone that is designed for young mobile users who do not have deep pocket to burn. The Kirin 970 processor has already proven its capability in Huawei Mate 10 but this time, consumers do not need to pay a premium price to get superior performance. The famous Huawei’s GPU Turbo is of course included in the phone.

 

The phone is selling at recommended retail price of SGD 429 at Qoo10 and Honor Singapore is accepting pre-order starting from today. The shipment is expected to be out from 7 Aug onwards.

 

Social Media and Lifestyle–  If you are one of those who like to share good pictures on your SNS, then the nova 3i is the clear winner. The nova 3i has 4 cameras in total! Powered by AI, the nova 3i can recognise over 200 scenarios across eight categories including Blue Sky, Plant and Beach. The AI function can optimise photos by scene to create a true-to-life effect.

With AI machine learning, the HUAWEI nova 3i also supports 3D Qmoji, which is a social media-friendly feature that digitally transposes the face of a user onto a digital avatar.

The nova 3i is selling at SGD 398 and will be making its public debut on 28 July 2018 at Waterway Point Shopping Mall, East Wing Atrium, Basement 2. From 11am to 9pm, customers will receive a Casio G-SHOCK Analog-Digital Watch (worth $199) with every purchase of the nova 3i, while stocks last.

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Review of ASUS Zenfone 5 (2018) – A Good Budget Phone?

In the budget phone space, the idea of a “good” product varies as it really depends on customer’s perception of “good”.  Today, I am going to review ASUS Zenfone 5. I am going to share with you on my idea of a “good” budget phone. I have broken it down into the following which I think it may help you in deciding whether you should buy the ASUS Zenfone 5.

ASUS Zenfone 5

Simplicity

This is perhaps my most important criterion on budget phone. As a budget phone user, I don’t need sophisticated features. I just need a phone that works while at the same time, saves my credit card bills. The Android user interface (UI) should not be that different from the Android phones that I have used before. To put it simply, the UI of the budget phone should look just like a stock Android.

 

Back to our topic on ASUS Zenfone 5, the phone deserves a thumbs-up. The ZenUI 5 of Zenfone 5 is almost identical to stock android. I have no problem familiarising the interface. I can locate the contact and phone app easily. Setting up is extremely easy as you could easily by-pass the FaceID and fingerprint setup. (Yes, I really don’t think these are important features for a budget phone).

 

I am not a photo-person but as we are communicating more on social networks these days, camera plays an important part of your entire smartphone experience.  We all love to shoot beautiful photos. The AI camera of Zenfone 5 detects and automatically adjust the image setting to make stunting-looking photos.

 

I have put up some of my photos shot by Zenfone 5 in Europe. I don’t think the image quality is perfect but there are good enough for me to share on my social networks.

Sample Shot by ASUS Zenfone 5
Sample Shot by ASUS Zenfone 5
Sample Shot by ASUS Zenfone 5

 

What needs to be there should be there

The Zenfone 5 is equipped with 3.5mm audio jack

Ironically, phone makers are trying to remove some standard features as part of their new product offerings I don’t think that’s the right way (at least for budget phones). Fortunately, the Zenfone 5 is equipped with USB Type C and 3.5mm audio jack (3.5mm audio jack is not a standard feature for some phones).

 

A battery that could last you for a whole day. The ASUS Zenfone 5 is packed with 3,300 mAh which is not too bad considering some flagship phones in 2018 may offer even less than that.

 

Price

Value vs Money – the game of the budget phone maker. The ASUS Zenfone 5 is selling at SGD 488 which is not exactly attractive (at least to me). At that price range, I could be looking other alternatives from Xiaomi.

 

Verdict

I must say ASUS has come a long way. The ZenUI has improved a lot since they launched their first phone. It is very easy to navigate within the phone. The camera is up-to-mark and it serves my social media needs

 

Front camera and the notch of Zenfone 5

In general, almost everything about this phone seems to hit the right spot. Its price at SGD 488 is kind of turn-off. Although the Zenfone 5 has packed with features that you could find in the premium phones like the face unlock, that is not necessary for most users. As a budget phone user myself, I will rather have this feature removed in exchange for a lower price.

 

Despite it is a good product, my advice is to wait for a better discount which I believe it should be happening soon as ASUS is releasing newer models.

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Samsung Singapore Launches Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. introduces the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ this month. The new phones are redesigned with a new Dual Aperture lens that powers an innovative low light camera, Super Slow-mo video capabilities and personalized AR Emoji.

Samsung unveil Galaxy S9 and S9+

First Impression – What’s New in Galaxy S9 and S9+ compared to S8 and S8+?

In terms of hardware, the most notable difference is the overall dimension and weight. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ is slightly shorter  and wider than its predecessor making the device looks less elongated.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are also slightly thicker and heavier than the S8 and S8+. (S9/S9+ is 8.5mm thick and weighs 163g and 189g respectively, S8/S8+ is 8.0mm thick and weights 155g and 173g) . This is probably due to the new Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF camera sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4) used in the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Despite the slight difference in the overall dimension, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ shared the same display size of the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The camera, which is the main selling point of this year’s Galaxy S9 and S9+, is packed with Samsung’s Dual Aperture (F1.5 / F2.4) that automatically lets in more light under low-light condition. Like Sony’s Xperia range of smartphones, Samsung has included Super Slow-mo features in Galaxy S9 and S9+ to allow users to take dramatic slow-motion video.

Having packed with new enhancement in Galaxy S9 and S9+, faster processors (10nm, 64-bit, Octa-core processor (2.7 GHz Quad + 1.7 GHz Quad) 10nm, 64-bit, and Octa-core processor (2.8 GHz Quad + 1.7 GHz Quad) respectively ) are used to power the devices.

Samsung adds AR Emoji in Galaxy S9 and S9+ which allows users to create an emoji that looks, sounds and acts like them. AR Emoji analyzes a 2D image of the user and maps out more than 100 facial features to create a 3D model that reflects and imitates expressions, like winks and nods, for true personalization.

 

Overall, my first impression on Galaxy S9 and S9+ – the phone looks and feels like the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Comparing the specifications, slight enhancement made in Galaxy S9 and S9+ may not attract consumers. Nonetheless, first impression may not do any justice to Samsung.

Price and Availability

The Galaxy S9 (64GB) is selling at SGD 1,198 whereas Galaxy S9+ is selling at SGD 1,348 (64GB)/SGD 1,498 (256GB). Pre-order commerce from 1 March 2018, Thursday 12pm.

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Samsung Launches Galaxy A8 and A8+ in Singapore

To kickstart the year 2018, Samsung Electronics Singapore debuted their latest smartphones in the Galaxy A series – the Galaxy A8(2018) and the Galaxy A8+(2018). Samsung prided their A-series as a mid-range smartphones for the young.

So how far has Samsung achieved in attracting the young to switch from iPhones to their Galaxy Series? Let’s take a closer look of the Galaxy A8 and A8+.

Source: Instagram user @weewu

Enhanced Front Camera Capabilities – Dual Front Camera with Live Focus and Face-Unlock Features

The new Galaxy A8(2018) and the Galaxy A8+(2018) feature a new 16MP + 8MP F1.9 Dual Front Camera in addition to an impressive 16MP rear camera, allowing users to capture important moments and memories at any time and location. As the Dual Front Camera is made up of two separate cameras, users have the flexibility in choosing the type of selfies to take – from close-ups with the background, to portrait shots with a clear and crisp background. With the advanced Live Focus feature, users can easily create and adjust the bokeh effect on the smartphones before or after taking a picture.

 

Also fitted with facial recognition security features, consumers can opt for a quick and hassle-free way to unlock their Galaxy A8(2018) or Galaxy A8+(2018) with just a look. By simply scanning your face with the front camera and enabling the facial recognition feature under the security settings, consumers are ready to unlock their phone in a quick and effortless manner.

 

 

Though I like the idea of putting 2 cameras on the front, I still find it strange that they didn’t do it like-wise for the back.

 

Galaxy S8’s and Note 8’s Infinity Display on Galaxy A8

For the first time on the Galaxy A, Samsung brings in the Infinity Display which is the key feature of their Samsung’s premium Galaxy S8 and Note 8. The Galaxy A8 and A8+ comes in 5.6-inch and 6.0-inch screen size respectively. With an 18.5:9 display ratio that goes beyond the bezel, the device provides users with the ultimate cinematic experience. The smartphone screen is also supported with a premium metal frame and a curved glass on the back and front, providing users an ergonomic and comfortable grip when using the sleek and stylish device.

 

 

Water Resistance – IP68 – Certified, Separated Dual Sim Card Slot and MircoSD card slot

Continued from the previous Galaxy A series, the new Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) are equipped with IP68-certified water and dust resistant capabilities, allowing them to withstand elements including rain, sweat, sand and dust.

 

One thing to note, the Galaxy A8(2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) supports Dual Sim and microSD cards expandable storage upto 256GB and they have the 2 slots separated from one another. Unlike their previous Galaxy S series which use a hybrid microSD and Sim card slot, you could use both Sim cards and microSD simultaneously.

 

Supports Samsung Pay and Gear VR models

Both the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) are also the first in the Galaxy A line-up to support most of their Gear VR models.

 

The Galaxy A8 and A8+ are equipped with Samsung Pay where users can make safe and secure mobile payments almost anywhere. Simply swipe up to bring up the last transacted credit or debit card, scan your fingerprint or key in your PIN and make payment.

 

 

Local Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) will be available from 27 January 2017 at a recommended retail price of $648 and $798 respectively, including GST. Available in Gold and Black, the devices will be available at all local telecommunication operators, selected consumer electronic stores, authorised mobile retailers, Samsung Experience Stores and selected online marketplace.

Source: Instagram user @weewuOpening of the Revamped Samsung Experience Store@Vivocity Promotion

In celebration of the revamping of the Samsung Electronics Store at VivoCity, customers who purchase any Galaxy smartphone or tablet at a recommended retail price of $400 and above will receive a $30 Mapletree voucher at the point of purchase. Customers who purchase a Galaxy Note8, S8+, S8 or Tab S3 will receive a $50 Mapletree voucher instead. This promotion will commence from 18 January 2018 on a while stocks last basis.

 

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HMD Releases Nokia 2 – Promise 2-Day Battery Life

Singapore, 2 January 2018 – HMD Global announced the launch of the Nokia 2 that promises two-day battery life.

The enomous 4100mAh battery allows you to enjoy continuous entertainment from your favourite shows, songs, social media without constantly worrying about running out of battery. The Nokia 2 also features a 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera for you to snap and capture memories on the go.

Availability

The Nokia 2 will be available in Pewter/Black and Pewter/White at SGD 159 and are now available through sole distributor A-Mobile from all M1, Courts, Challenger, Best Denki, Sprint Cass, Gain City, Handphoneshop, 3Mobile outlets, Mustafa and online at Lazada.

 

Technical specifications for the Nokia 2

• Networks:

o GSM: 850/900/1800/1900

o WCDMA: 1, 2, 5, 8

o LTE: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40

• Network: LTE Cat. 4, 150Mbps DL/50Mbps UL, VoLTE, Video Calling, VoWiFi

• CPU: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Mobile Platform

• OS: Android Nougat

• RAM: RAM 1GB DDR3

• Storage: 8GB e-MMC (up to 128GB with MicroSD card)

• Display: 5.0” HD 1280 x 720 LTPS LCD, In-Cell Touch, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3

• Camera:

o Primary camera: 8MP auto focus with LED flash

o Front-facing camera: 5MP fixed focus

• Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n, BT 4.1, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/Beidou, FM/(RDS)

• Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer (G-sensor), E-compass

• Battery: 4100 mAh

• SIM slot: 2 Nano-SIM + 1 micro SD card slot (on Dual SIM variant)

• Input/output: Micro USB (USB 2.0), 3.5mm audio jack

• Dimensions: 143.5 x 71.3 x 9.30 mm

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Singapore is the First Country To Launch Huawei Mate 10 Pro

The HUAWEI Mate 10 Series smartphones were launched yesterday in Singapore at the Funan Showsuite. The HUAWEI MATE 10 Series features breakthroughs in AI that open the door for a more intelligent and personalised mobile experience. Singapore will be amongst the first few countries to range the HUAWEI Mate 10 series, and will be the first country in the world to launch the HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro.

 

 

Expanding on Huawei’s partnership with Leica, the HUAWEI Mate 10 Series’ dual lens camera is now further enhanced using AI through RealTime Scene and Object Recognition. The camera is able to detect up to 13 different objects and scenes and intelligently optimises picture settings to deliver unbelievable image clarity.

 

Powered by Huawei’s all-new Kirin 970 processor, the HUAWEI Mate 10 Series incorporates AI enhancements that deliver a speedier, more user-friendly mobile experience. One example is the real-time text translation across a wide range of foreign languages that does not require an Internet connection. Simply take a picture of the text and the translation will be completed without the usual delay that is attributed to a phone requiring an Internet connection

 

SINGAPORE PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

HUAWEI Mate 10:

The HUAWEI Mate 10 will be available for sale in Singapore from October 28, 2017, in two colours, Mocha Brown and Black. Recommended retail price SGD 888

 

HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro:

Singapore will be the first country in the world to officially launch the HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro for sale. It will be available in two colours, Mocha Brown and Midnight Blue. The Mate 10 Pro in Mocha Brown will be available in stores and online retailers from November 11, 2017, while the Mate 10 Pro in Midnight Blue will be available in stores and online retailers from November 25, 2017. Recommended retail price SGD 1,098

 

Check up my tour with Huawei at Funan ! 

 

Launch of #huaweiMate10 series in #Singapore. #smartphone #instagadget #mate10sg #huawei

A post shared by Neo Wee Wu 梁威武 (@weewu) on

 

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Kill Some Zombies at Bugis This October

This Halloween, Bugis Junction and Bugis+ are daring shoppers to face their fears with a larger-than-life immersive virtual reality (VR) gaming experience.  This is the first time that malls in Singapore are hosting a VR experience of this scale.

The Time Zombies competition that uses the latest Arctic Fox wireless technology, which allows a fully immersive gaming experience without the the burden of cumbersome cables or backpack computers that hinder physical movement.  The VR gaming showcase at Bugis Junction and Bugis+ this Halloween will mark Arctic Fox’s debut in Southeast Asia, to the delight of VR gaming enthusiasts in the region.

 

The Time Zombies VR competition

 

The thrilling Time Zombies VR competition will take place at Bugis+ Atrium, Level 2, from 13 to 29 October.  To take part in the Time Zombies VR Competition, shoppers can either present a receipt with a minimum spend of $20 in a single receipt at either Bugis Junction or Bugis+, or redeem one game play with 100 STAR$® via the CapitaStar app.

 

Qualifying rounds will take place between 13 to 26 October from 11am to 9pm daily.  Thereafter, scores will be tabulated and the top 10 individual players will be selected on 26 October at 9pm.  The competition will culminate in a final showdown among the top 10 players on 29 October from 2pm to 6pm.

 

Exciting prizes await the top 10 players, which include:

  • First place – $1,000 CapitaVouchers, plus Samsung S7 edge x 1 and Logitech speaker x 1
  • Second place – $800 CapitaVouchers, plus Samsung S7 edge x 1 and Logitech speaker x 1 Third place – $500 CapitaVouchers, plus Samsung S7 edge x 1 and Logitech speaker x 1
  • Fourth to Tenth place – $100 CapitaVouchers each.

 

In addition to the top 10 prizes, daily rewards await shoppers when they participate in the Time Zombies VR competition.  They stand to receive STAR$® when they achieve a minimum game score of 1,000 points, which will be awarded daily after tabulating the day’s game scores.

  • 1,000 to 1,999 game points = 1,000 STAR$® 2,000 to 2,999 game points = 2,000 STAR$®  •   3,000 to 3,999 game points = 3,000 STAR$®
  • 4,000 to 4,999 game points = 4,000 STAR$®
  • 5,000 game points and above = 5,000 STAR$®

More about Arctic Fox VR technology

 

Marking its debut in Southeast Asia, the Arctic Fox VR technology is a fully wireless and untethered system.  Players don only a wireless headset that features a high definition screen and gaming headphones for an immersive surround sound experience.

 

Without the burden of cumbersome cables or backpack computers that hinder physical movement, the system allows the player free movement within a 5 metre x 5 metre (25 square metres) physical space, thereby enhancing the immersive factor of the virtual reality experience.

 

Eight infrared cameras mounted on a truss keep track of the headsets and gameplay pistol positions in 3D where the player’s entire body becomes the controller for the game.  Players can move around in game as freely as they would like – walk, jump, duck, dodge, and even leopard crawl.  Equipped with a software that maps the movements onto the players’ positions within the game, the corresponding virtual visuals are then fed wirelessly to the headsets worn by players with no discernible lag time between the players’ physical movements and corresponding visuals within the game.

Arctic Fox VR headset and controller

Ready to be ushered into unparalleled thrills?  Horror fans will relish the adrenaline rush as Bugis Junction and Bugis+ bring them on a brand-new experience where their worst nightmares come to life with the latest in VR technology.

 

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Nokia 8 Will Hit Singapore Stores From 14 October Onwards

You have heard it right! The rumor is true. Nokia’s first Android phones – Nokia 8 will be coming in to Singapore and you could get them through major electronics and  Telco’s exclusive stores from 14 October onwards.

Ever since the announcement in Aug this year, the Nokia 8 has been receiving a lot of attentions from the market. Unlike other smartphone markers which try to differentiate themselves from others by putting a lot of proprietary bloat-wares in the Android OS, Nokia 8 will be powered by  stock version Android OS.  This means that Nokia 8 users will get updates soon after Google release it instead of waiting for the patching from the phone manufacturers.

If  you are keen to know what other benefits of stock android, you may wish to read up more here

 

Nokia 8 will be available in three colours – Polished Blue, Tempered Blue and Steel in Singapore at a suggested retail price of SGD 769 from tomorrow through sole distributor A-Mobile at all M1 Shops, Courts, Harvey Norman, Challenger, Sprint Cass, Mustafa, Handphoneshop, 3Mobile and selected AMobile authorised retailers.

About HMD Global

Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, HMD Global Oy is the new home of Nokia phones and tablets. HMD designs and markets a range of smartphones and feature phones targeted at a range of consumers and price points. With a commitment to innovation and quality, HMD is the proud exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand for mobile phones and tablets. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation