iflix is now offering TM Unifi customers a free 12 month subscription of iflix worth RM 96

8:52:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


A couple of weeks back, popular video streaming site iflix announced that they have partnered up with TM to bring a year's worth of iflix to all TM Unifi customers. Well, after the not so long wait, it looks like all active TM Unifi subscribers will now be able to take advantage of that complimentary 12 month subscription of iflix worth RM 96 by simply visiting www.iflix.com and clicking on the big red button. That's all, click the button and you can begin streaming a wide range of Movies and TV shows.



But what's the catch? There is actually no drawbacks to this deal as you do not need to enter credit card details to register but whether you'll end up seeing an extra charge on your TM bill after the 12 month trial ends is yet to be seen. As noted by Soyacincau.com, this offer will give access to 5 different devices to be registered onto the 12 month trial account. But only 2 devices can be actively streaming video content at any given time.

In addition to watching iflix on your computer, you will also be able to use iflix on your android and iOS smartphone through the free application. What's even cooler is that you can use the new offline streaming feature on the iflix app to load up to 10 videos on your Android or iOS device to prepare for that random day when Unifi decides not to work.

But if that's not your style or you just have a lot of internet quota left at the end of the month, iflix does allow you to stream videos directly from the iflix with your mobile data. You just gotta register the device with the TM Unifi 12 month iflix plan beforehand and hope that you are not the third person to turn on iflix at any given time.

So what are you waiting for, just head on to www.iflix.com or through the free iflix app available on Android and iOS while connected to your TM Unifi Wi-Fi to get started. And in case you read the whole article and don't know what iflix is, it's basically a video streaming site that has a wide range movies and TV shows from the US, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: AMANZ.MY and LOWYAT.NET

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Prepaid reloads will still be imposed with 6% GST in 2016

8:17:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


In April this year, Malaysia implemented a new unified Tax called GST which combined existing sales tax values into a single 6%. Some medicinal goods and basic necessities were excluded from GST but oddly enough, prepaid reload coupons did require an extra 6% over the base value of the reload. This caused a little backlash come April 1st and MCMC swayed between including and excluding 6% GST towards a prepaid reload card.

Prepaid Top Up cards are now 6% more expensive, or is it? — "So, today i attempted to purchase a Top Up card from my favorite place but the cashier initially told me to get them somewhere else. Despite that i still insisted on buying the Top Up card there. Then i asked him about the sales of Top Up card for the past few days and he told me that i was the first person to buy the Top Up card from there this month." Continue reading.
Currently, prepaid reload cards still cost 6% more but telco companies like UMobile have reimbursed users with extra calls and SMS to customers. But, the word is out now that the 6% GST will still be imposed towards a purchase of a prepaid reload card in 2016. But here's the big difference, instead of adding 6%, the new system being implemented in 2016 will deduct the GST value from the prepaid value you bought.

So, a RM 10 prepaid reload coupon will only credit RM 9.43 to your account. So, the good news is that you no longer need to carry around a man purse to store all the extra coins to get a prepaid reload and the even better news is that MCMC is the RM 0.57 GST imposed on the RM 10 reload will be credited back to your account within 24 hours. But the catch is that the system will only credit back the GST amount if you are a Malaysia (meaning, you telephone number needs to be registered with a Malaysia IC in order to get the full value of the reload).

In essence, this new system being implemented for prepaid reloads in Malaysia will only benefit Malaysians and foreigners will need to surrender 6% of their reload value. Well, at least the prepaid reloads will not cost what is used to be but like all good things, this scheme might not last long as the documentation only lists this system being valid through 31 December 2016.

To learn more about this new scheme, read the full FAQ list on MCMC's site

ORIGINAL SOURCE: LOWYAT.NET via MCMC

0 comments:

Getting a screen replacement for the Surface Pro 3

8:01:00 AM dickwyn 6 Comments


The Surface Pro 3 announced in 2014 was a fine device, it looked like the future when comparing it against the original Surface tablet. Probably the best thing about Surface Pro 3 is it's form factor, thin and light while still having enough screen real estate for productivity on the go. But since it is still widely considered as a tablet, it must be taken care of properly as it is not built to be as strong as a conventional laptop. Long story short, a couple of weeks ago, the screen of the Surface Pro 3 cracked in front of my eyes. It was a direct face down affair onto a tiled floor and the Type Cover didn't exactly protect the Gorilla Glass 3 covered display from impact.

There was a noticeable break on the top right corner and the innards was exposed. In addition to that, a hairline crack has also formed diagonally on the screen and glass shreds popped out near the impact point which was on the corner of the Surface Pro 3 which became slightly dented. Look at the picture below to see what I mean.

TL:DR Replacing the Surface Pro 3's display

Step 1: Call Microsoft, pay the required fee and wait for an email
Step 2: Schedule a date with the courier company based on the email
Step 4: Re-package the Surface Pro 3 in any box other than the original one
Step 5: Pass the box to the courier when they arrive
Step 6: Receive your new Surface Pro 3 in 4-6 business days

The crack looked a little disastrous at first but the display was functioning and Windows did manage to boot after a few minutes showing the 'Surface' startup screen. Besides that, the Type Cover also worked but the problem is with the touchscreen, it was not registering clicks (properly) and the fact that the hairline crack will eventually spread makes the device a hazardous thing to use.

So, the screen needs to be replaced. From the ifixit teardown, I know that it is like nearly impossible to fix the Surface Pro 3 display manually as disassembling it will require some tools and is a little risky as the cover glass might break and cause injuries. I opted to Google for some advice to see how other people solve the problem and to my surprise there is actually not many stories about the Surface Pro 3 screen cracking. But from what I read, the Surface Pro 3 screen replacement from Microsoft will cost upwards of US$300 which is about RM 1,290.

I also learnt that the 1 year warranty that comes with Surface Pro 3 only covers hardware defects caused by manufacturing. My Surface Pro 3 was still in the so-called warranty period but yeah, accidental damage like a screen crack is not inclusive of the standard warranty. I did stumble upon the Microsoft Complete warranty package but like all Microsoft services, the $149 Microsoft Complete Accidental Protection was only available in the US.

Finally, I ended up bringing it to the Microsoft Authorized Reseller (AKA ex-Nokia shop) in hope that I will be able to send the device for a screen replacement. The Store was not help whatsoever, they just asked me to call Microsoft support. In the same time, I also contacted Microsoft Malaysia through Facebook and well, their reply sounded like one of those standardized ones. Like really, I told them that the screen cracked and they say their team will need to diagnose the exact issue before giving me a time frame as to when the repair will be completed. You will see why this advice is totally redundant later in this article.

Week 1: Calling Microsoft Surface Support


So, the procedure to get the Surface Pro 3 display replaced is to give Microsoft Surface Support a call at 1 800 886 295. Firstly, you will need to make sure that your device is linked in with your Microsoft account as you will need to use your Microsoft account to process the payment afterwards. The person on the line will first ask about the issue and after that I provided the Microsoft account associated with the Surface Pro 3 that I'll be sending in for repair as that will serve as the communication channel, payment channel and Microsoft will also be able to get your device's serial number from there.


Well after that, Microsoft will email a confirmation code to validate my Microsoft account for that session (keep in mind that each time you call them about resolving an issue, you will need a validation code. How'd I know that, well the first time I called them my call dropped halfway. So, yeah, have your email handy while making the call) and once that's over, I could start talking about fixing the display. And the price to pay is RM 1,340.

Now this is where the problem comes up, Microsoft wants you to pay the required fee before they take the device in for a repair. This is where the Microsoft account comes into play, through the payment options on your Microsoft account, you will need to pay from there. So, I keyed in the credit card details but I stumbled upon a problem when trying to input the billing address. It was set to United States and couldn't be changed to Malaysia.

Do note that I did all of this while still talking on the line with the customer service rep. So, I told the customer service rep that I have problems with the billing address and after 5 minutes of waiting, she told me that she was unable to override the country details even from her side. I was a little on the dead end right there so I asked if they will accept payment options through PayPal since it's listed there as a payment option but she said that it was not possible to do so.

Finally, I ended up just paying through the phone by telling her my credit card details. Make sure you ask them to stop the audio recording used in training and monitoring exercises before blattering out your credit card details. After nearly 30 minutes on the line, eventually the payment went through and the rep told me that a confirmation email will be sent regarding the courier collection.
That was not the end of the call as I had some questions regarding the repair. From the questions that I asked, I got to know that Microsoft will actually just send me back a refurbished Surface Pro 3 as they say that replacing the screen might cause some unwanted quality issues that Microsoft wants to avoid. Sounds reasonable enough. Also, the replacement will take up to 6 business days.

Week 2: Courier Pickup


So, the next week another email popped up regarding the scheduling of the courier to collect the device. They actually called several times before sending the email and I had to personally call them back to confirm that I will be at home to give the package to the courier the next day. After confirming that, I received an email with the consignment note to attach with the package. Within the email, they also warned not to put the Surface Pro 3 into the original box and also not to include anything other like the Surface Pen and Travel adapter.

At that time, I have already sealed it nicely in the original box. Why didn't they tell me that when I called them last week? So, I scrambled around the house to look for a box which can fit the device and eventually I ended up with a box for a water faucet which fits the Surface Pro 3 nicely. Then I added some inflatable packaging to keep the device firmly in place and wrapped it up nice and tight.

The next day, the courier company which was TNT Express arrived a little late than scheduled as the driver told me that he was given the wrong address but luckily he found my place eventually. Just so you know, the Surface Pro 3 is being sent back to Penang for a replacement.



Week 3: Brand new Surface Pro 3

After an email notification, the courier came the next week with a brand new Surface Pro 3. This doesn't need any extra explanation but the refurbished Surface Pro 3 came in a plain brown box that only has a sticker which shows the serial number of the device and inside the box is the Surface Pro 3 with some decent packaging foam.

As expected, this is a brand new Surface Pro 3 and it is actually one of the newer models as the old Surface Pro 3 has a Windows logo under the kickstand but the refurbished that Microsoft sent had the Microsoft logo under the kickstand just like the new Surface Pro 4.

Conclusion

In the end, it took about 3-4 weeks to get the Surface Pro 3's display replaced. Not as quick as the 1 week replacement the Microsoft Authorized Reseller quoted me when I asked them about replacing a cracked screen but this is the only way to get the display replaced other than outright buying a new device. Overall, I am pretty happy with Microsoft's customer service this time around unlike my experience with buying the Surface Pro 4 which also took 3-4 weeks. However, I would like to see a physical Microsoft repair center in Malaysia like what Samsung and Nokia had because going to a repair center is much more time effective than calling customer service.

So, the lesson learnt here is that you should take very good care of your Surface Pro 3 or any smartphone, tablet, computer and electronics in general so that you don't need to go through customer service to get it replaced.

Insider Talk

Well, now you know why I didn't want to go through Microsoft Support to get my Surface Pro 4's left speaker fixed. 

I Still remember when Panos Panay dropped the Surface Pro 3 on stage when it was launched early last year but that was on a carpeted floor and was probably tested to a certain degree.

6 comments:

My experience in buying the Surface Pro 4 in Malaysia

6:12:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


On October, Microsoft unveiled the new Surface Pro 4 alongside new Windows 10 hardware like the Surface Book and Lumia 950 series in a special hardware event. Both devices have since then made it to Malaysia, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 starts at RM 3,999 and the Lumia 950 series start at RM 2,699. Now this is where I come in, I have recently bought a Surface Pro 4 here in Malaysia and my experience is not as simple as driving to Digital Mall and picking it up.

So, this adventure starts in late October when news broke out that Microsoft is opening up pre orders for the Surface Pro 4 on Lazada through the official Microsoft Store. At that time, only the black and blue type cover was available as an add on and I wanted the new teal color so I did not bother to pre order the device first as there was no bundle pricing, just a free tablet sleeve.

As it turns out, Microsoft Malaysia is only making two type cover colors available at launched opposed to having the full set available which also includes the teal, light blue and red Type Cover. Then the Surface Pro 4 was officially launched in Malaysia on November 19th and I went down to the IT store nearby to take a look at the device and I was somewhat convinced that the blue type cover was good enough in terms of looks.


The following week, I decided to buy the Surface Pro 4 through the Microsoft Authorized Seller on Lazada because they were accepting payments through a credit card without an extra charge. But little did I know that this is going to end up being a disaster. I ordered the device on Friday and through the email confirmation, the Surface Pro 4 and Type cover was supposedly arriving by the end of the following week. On Wednesday, the Type Cover arrived in the mail but I waited till Friday and there was still no sign of the tablet itself.

I have purchased through Lazada before and I know that they have a habit of sending text message notifications when the package is being dispatched but for this order, I did not receive a message beforehand. By then, It was around 11 (going to 12) and usually the courier will come by that time. So, finally, I decided to place a call to Lazada's customer service to enquire about the status of my order.

The first call that I placed went through pretty quickly and the rep on the line told me that he will follow up on my case in a forthcoming email. The email arrived a few minutes later and he basically asked whether the product that I bought is a pre-order device. I promptly replied to him by saying No, of course not. What kind of question is that, you should know that its not a pre order device in the first place. After that, I went out to get lunch and I was expecting another reply from them regarding my case but nothing popped up on my email.

After lunch around 1:30, I placed a second call to customer Lazada's customer service to enquire about the status of my order. I provided them with my order number and moments later, the person on the other side told me that the supplier of Microsoft Authorized Seller on Lazada (which is TMT Online) has recently contacted them that the product is currently out of stock and will require me to wait for about 2 weeks. At that moment, I was somewhat furious because not only did they not inform me about this matter earlier and the fact that the person on the line told me that the supplier knew they had no stock on Saturday.


The receipt that came with the Type Cover came in handy as the Microsoft Authorized Seller on Lazada is actually served by local IT store Thunder Match Technology. So, I called them up and asked about the situation with the Surface Pro 4 and the story adds up with what Lazada told me earlier and at that point I said ok, a 2 week wait doesn't sound too bad. There was some talk about the second batch of devices being held up in customs. I told off the customer service rep on the line saying that I was not informed about the matter and I had to make a few calls to understand the matter.

Feeling a little curious, I went down to Digital Mall the following day to inquire about the stock of the Surface Pro 4 in on of Thunder Match's retail outlets. Turns out that their retail outlet there still has stock of the Surface Pro 4 but it seems that their HQ has partitioned out some units to their own retail outlets. There is most likely some miscommunication between the Lazada and Thunder Match that caused the stock availability because when I checked out the Surface Pro 4 on Lazada, it was listed there that they have 8 more units in stock. 


So, I waited for a few days and out of the blue, an email from Lazada came up saying that my order has been cancelled and that a refund towards my payment will be made in the next two days. This made me very even furious compared to what I was facing when they told me to wait for two weeks. It was an involuntary cancellation and I had no say in it. First they ask me to wait two weeks and then they cancel my order altogether.


So, here I am three weeks later, happily typing this article on my Surface Pro 4. Lazada's services are actually pretty good and I like the free shipping on most products but this experience gives me that will power not to recommend others to buy computers from Lazada as it might not sound that simple. Sure, you might save the extra processing fee for the credit card but you might face some problems with how I had with this supplier.

Well, that should be the end right? Nope, as it turns out the unit that I purchased from the All IT Hypermarket was defective. The left speaker was completely dead. I was busy installing all the Windows Updates on the first day and only yesterday that I noticed that the audio was a little odd while watching a YouTube video. After a closer inspection, I concluded that the left speaker is faulty.

So, today I went back to All It Hypermarket and explained the issue to the technical support counter. All went well and the tech support person agreed to replace the faulty unit with a new one. So, he brought in the Surface Pro 4 into the office to have it check out and 5 minutes later, the supervisor came out to say that they are unable to replace the unit and referred me to call Microsoft tech support and have them deal with my faulty left speaker.

At that time, I was a little impatient already as I know that the Microsoft Surface tech support will take at least 2 weeks to send me a replacement. I just could not do it because I'll be going overseas next week. So, I argued with him by saying that the wait time for Microsoft's support is just too long. I did add on other things like their 7 day exchange program and then finally after saying a mouthful, he decided to give me a replacement on the spot with one condition. If the next unit is also faulty, I will need to refer to Microsoft Surface tech support to get it resolved.

And this is the actual end of the story, at the moment I am still installing all the Windows updates while working on this article. Have you ever had such a buying experience, do share it with us in the comments section or email your experience to us at thetechtoday@outlook.com

Stay tuned for an upcoming article where I share my thoughts on replacing the Surface Pro 3's cracked screen. Not as problematic like my Surface Pro 4 purchase but it did take quite a while to get it fixed.

Insider Talk

This is the first article on the Malaysia site that I am introducing the insider talk segment, basically this last part is where I add in all the unrelated but marginally related info.

I actually tweeted my angriness on Twitter and Microsoft Malaysia replied to my tweet and asked me to send them an email regarding the issue. I did send them a very very long email but I have yet to receive a reply from them. Microsoft should totally look into this issue as looking forward, it looks like new Microsoft phones and tablets will be exclusively available through Lazada at launch given that both the Surface Pro 4 and Lumia 950 series started off on the online shopping site.

The last part of the article where I found out that the left speaker was dead actually happened while I was writing this article actually. Was all ready to publish it and then I noticed the problem. This is probably a lesson that I should appreciate stereo audio and that you should check out the speakers next time you're buying a laptop.

0 comments:

Microsoft launches the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in Malaysia

1:42:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


Microsoft has just launched the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in Malaysia. Both devices run Microsoft's latest Windows 10 Mobile operating system and will be available for purchase in stores later this week. The smaller 5.2" Lumia 950 is priced at RM 2,699 while the larger 5.7" Lumia 950 XL goes up to RM 2,999 and if you pre-order either devices through Lazada, you will get the Microsoft Display Dock worth RM 309 for free provided that you are the first 100 to buy either devices.

Windows 10 ReviewMicrosoft is calling this Snap Assist and I can tell you first hand, I just can't believe it took this long for someone to think of this. Besides snapping windows on both sides, in Windows 10 you can also snap windows to a particular quadrant of the screen. Continue reading
Alongside the launch of the Lumia 950 series in Malaysia, Digi has also stepped in to exclusively offer the new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL to enterprise users which will be able to take advantage of the productivity features that Windows 10 Mobile has to offer. With the Digi SmartPlan 238, Business users can get the Lumia 950 for free and the Lumia 950 XL for only RM 330. This RM 238 plan includes 10GB of LTE quota and unlimited calls/SMS.


Lumia 950 Dual SIM key specifications

  • 5.2" 1440 x 2560 AMOLED display 
  • Snapdragon 808 CPU @ 1.82GHz 
  • Dual SIM LTE 
  • 3GB RAM 
  • 32GB memory 
  • 20MP Pureview camera 
  • 5MP front camera 
  • 3,000mAh battery 
  • Windows 10 Mobile 
  • 145 x 73.2 x 8.2mm (150g) 
  • RM 2,699 inclusive GST

Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM key specifications

  • 5.7" 1440 x 2560 AMOLED display 
  • Snapdragon 810 CPU @ 1.5GHz 
  • Dual SIM LTE 
  • 3GB RAM 
  • 32GB memory 
  • 20MP Pureview camera 
  • 5MP front camera 
  • 3,340mAh battery 
  • Windows 10 Mobile 
  • 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1mm (165g) 
  • RM 2,999 inclusive GST

Microsoft Display Dock

  • USB Type-C (x2) 
  • USB 2.0 (x2) 
  • USB 2.0 high current 
  • Display Port 
  • HDMI port 
  • 64.1 x 64.1 x 25.6 (230g)
  • RM 309 inclusive GST

In terms of the hardware configuration, both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL feature near identical specifications and pack the same Qualcomm processors found inside flagship android devices like the Galaxy S6 and LG G4. Also included in the bunch is a reversible USB Type-C connector that supports USB 3.1 speeds, a large user-replaceable battery and also microSD card slot for expanding the base 32GB storage.

Then comes the camera which is still a Pureview branded one like all the flagship Lumia devices in the past. Do note that cameras on both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are indeed identical in technical specifications despite the difference in design. The 20MP Pureview camera on the Lumia 950/950 XL features Carl Zeiss optics, a 1.12µm (1/2.4") sensor, 5th generation Optical Image Stabilization, 4K video recording and a triple LED RGB flash. Read more about the camera innovations on the Lumia 950 series here


However, the Lumia 950 series is not only about the flagship grade hardware, the software plays a key role in enabling cool features like Continuum and Windows Hello. Continuum on both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL basically allows you to have a desktop-like experience directly through your smartphone with the help of the Microsoft Display Dock or a Miricast receiver to output content onto a monitor. Windows Hello in the other hand is a biometric security system that uses the front camera to unlock your phone.

If you are sold on Windows 10 Mobile or specifically the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, both devices will be available in stores this Friday (Dec 18) or through Lazada for RM 2699 and RM 2,999 respectively. The Microsoft Display Dock will also be available for RM 309. No word as to when the Lumia 550 running Windows 10 Mobile will be launched in Malaysia but Digi will be offering it to their Business customers in the coming weeks.

0 comments:

Microsoft reverts their decision and allow OneDrive users to keep their free 30GB of storage

7:22:00 PM dickwyn 0 Comments


Microsoft might have caused a lot of unnecessary problems when they announced that they will be dropping the free storage options from 15GB to only 5GB last month when they found out that paid customers are taking advantage of the unlimited storage by uploading terabytes and terabytes of data. But today, those problems will be resolved as an official response from a Microsoft representative is saying that existing uses will be able to retain their free storage after all.

But beyond the apologies, Microsoft is also giving back some incentive to active OneDrive users and anyone using more than 5GB of storage on the free OneDrive plan will receive a complimentary one-year subscription of Office 365 Personal which includes 1TB of OneDrive storage. Microsoft says they will begin sending out redemption codes through email early next year.

As for existing Office 365 Home, Personal and University, users will continue to get 1TB of OneDrive storage and the excess storage from the unlimited quota will be available for up to 12 months.

So, what are you waiting for, if you are a OneDrive user and you want to retain your 30GB of free storage (15GB+15GB camera roll bonus), all you have to do is head over to aka.ms/onedrivestorage to keep the free storage. Hurry up and do that today as the offer to retain the base 30GB OneDrive storage ends Jan 31. This also means that new free users in 2016 will only receive 5GB of OneDrive storage.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: WMPOWERUSER via MICROSOFT

0 comments:

BlackBerry Priv officially arrives in Malaysia for a whopping RM 3,559

1:02:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


The wait is over and after numerous leaks since the start of the year, today the BlackBerry Priv is officially stepping foot on Malaysia. Available starting December 15, the Android powered BlackBerry Priv packs all the goodness of a BlackBerry 10 device like the signature qwerty keyboard and the BlackBerry Hub software.

BlackBerry's first Android smartphone, the Priv arrives"This felt like that moment when Nokia's plan to build an Android phone was leaked onto the internet. But unlike's Stephen Elop's line of Nokia X devices which ran on a forked version of Android and was primarily powered by Microsoft services, BlackBerry's first android device is actually more like every other android phone out there with the stock Google launcher paired with some BlackBerry specific applications." Continue reading.
Indeed, this latest smartphone from BlackBerry runs on Android instead of BlackBerry 10 and the Canadian company managed to pull this off without compromising on security. With a AMOLED dual curved display and power from the 6-core Snapdragon 808 processor, BlackBerry's first android smartphone is just as good as other flagship android devices released this year. In addition to the QHD resolution display, BlackBerry has also topped it off with a slide out keyboard that introduces that signature qwerty keyboard to Android.

BlackBerry Priv specifications

  • 5.4" AMOLED QHD display (540 ppi)
  • Snapdragon 808 CPU w/ Adreno 418 GPU
  • 3GB RAM with 32GB of expandable memory
  • 18MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization
  • 2MP front camera
  • Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • 147 x 77.2 x 9.4mm (192g)
  • 3,410mAh battery

Despite running Google's widely adopted Android software, BlackBerry says they did not skim on the security as the Priv (which stands for Privilege and Privacy) comes with a hardened Linux kernel which includes multiple patches and improvements made to the core Android kernel. Beyond that, BlackBerry says that all data on the device is encrypted by default and small things like the DTEK application that detects unsecure files and monthly patches is what makes the Priv a privacy phone.

But how much does this sexy and advanced (in terms of privacy) android smartphone cost? Well, BlackBerry thinks that all of that hardware and software will cost you more than an iPhone 6S. The BlackBerry Priv will cost RM 3,559 inclusive of GST and that puts it up against the recently announced Blackphone 2 from Silent Circle which is nearly as pricey at RM 3,599

In contrast, the new Xperia Z5 Premium with the industry's first 4K display clocks in at RM 3,099 and the larger Galaxy S6 edge+ is also at RM 3,099. So, you will need to factor in whether the extra layer of security is well worth the price. 

0 comments:

Huawei Watch is coming to Malaysia on Dec 10 for RM 1,799

8:40:00 PM dickwyn 0 Comments


It looks like today is not only a Nexus day but Huawei has also surprised the crowd with the arrival of their first smartwatch into the Malaysian market. Introduced as the Huawei Watch earlier this year, this smartwatch from Huawei runs Google's Android Wear platform and will definitely pair up nicely with the just announced Nexus 6P which is also from Huawei and also other Android smartphone as well as the iPhone.

Huawei Watch specifications

  • 1.4" AMOLED 400 x 400 display
  • Sapphire crystal cover glass
  • Snapdragon 400 processor
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 4GB memory
  • 300mAh battery
  • 42 x 42 x 11.3mm 
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  • Bluetooth 4.1 LE

What sets aside the Huawei Watch from the competition is that is comes in a premium build that rivals both the Moto 360 and Samsung Gear S2. In addition to the round display, the Huawei Watch also has another thing up its sleeve and that is the cover glass protecting the circular display is actually sapphire crystal which is a stronger element than diamond. The Apple Watch (non-sport edition) also comes with a sapphire crystal display.

In terms of availability, Huawei Malaysia will be offering three versions of the Huawei Watch in Malaysia which is the stainless steel model with a stainless links bracelet (RM 1,799), another stainless steel model with a leather strap (RM 1,799) and the last one with a black plated stainless steel case with a black stainless steel links bracelet (RM 1,999).

Just like the Nexus 6P, the new Huawei Watch will also be available for purchase starting this Thursday (December 10) through Vmall. Sadly, there is no Nexus 6P and Huawei Watch bundle but if you buy the former, you will get a Chromecast for free

ORIGINAL SOURCE: AMANZ

0 comments:

Huawei Nexus 6P arrives in Malaysia for RM 2,698

8:16:00 PM dickwyn 0 Comments


The trend on releasing two flagship smartphones have been set by Apple last year and this year Google is bucking up on that trend with the release of the LG made Nexus 5X and the Huawei made Nexus 6P. While the Nexus 5X is still not in the market, Chinese smartphone maker Huawei is officially launching the Nexus 6P in Malaysia.

A full metal anodized aluminum unibody, 3D curved glass, chamfered edges, a USB Type C charging port and Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The new Nexus 6P is not just a way to experience all the new additions to Android 6.0 Marshmallow but it retains all the premium grade hardware unlike previous Nexus devices.

Huawei Nexus 6P specifications

  • 5.7" QHD AMOLED display
  • Octa-core Snapdragon 810 v2.1 CPU
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 32/64/128GB memory
  • 12.3MP camera
  • 8MP front camera
  • 3,450mAh battery
  • 159 x 77.8 x 7.3mm (178g)
  • Aluminum or Graphite color

Beyond all the fancy hardware that Huawei has built, the Nexus 6P comes with a new sensor on the back called Nexus Imprint. It is basically a fingerprint scanner that is fine tuned with Android and things like authorizing and unlocking the device is now officially supported on Android so you can rest assured that you data is safe. This does include support for the Android Pay system but there is no support for a mobile payment system in Malaysia yet.

As for the price of this premium Android experience, Huawei Malaysia is pricing the Nexus 6P it at RM 2,698 which is a pretty odd number actually but this puts the new Nexus 6P in between all the flagship android smartphones in terms of pricing. But do note that this price is for the 64GB model and that the Nexus 6P will support LTE in malaysia.

The Nexus 6P will be available for purchase online starting December 10 through both Lazada and Vmall for RM 2,698 and the first 600 customers will receive a free Chromecast. 

0 comments:

Microsoft Malaysia is giving away a free Display Dock for Lumia 950 pre-orders

7:25:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments

Earlier this week, Microsoft Lumia Malaysia opened up a competition to give out 20 passes to attend the Lumia 950 series launch party in Malaysia on December 15 and that competition is still ongoing. However, if you want to own the actual device and not just be the first one to try it out, Microsoft has just opened up the pre-order page for both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.

Just like the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft is once again giving exclusive first dibs to Lazada to sell the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. The listing itself is now live and if you have RM 2,700, you can now pre-order the 32GB Lumia 950 through Lazada and if you are the lucky enough to be the first 50 to pre-order the device, you will also get the Microsoft Display Dock worth RM 309 for free.

For a quick refresher, the Lumia 950 comes with a new 5.2" QHD display, a new 20MP Pureview camera and runs on Windows 10 Mobile. The RM 309 Microsoft Display Dock in the other hand is small cube that outputs various ports through the Lumia 950's USB Type-C port and is designed to take advantage of Continuum which is a Windows 10 Mobile feature that allows your Lumia 950 to be a desktop.

At the moment, the Lumia 950 priced at RM 2,700 can be pre-ordered through Lazada Malaysia but the bigger RM 3,000 5.7" Lumia 950 XL is still not available for pre-order at the time of writing. But either way, by pre-ordering the Lumia 950 XL, you will also get the Microsoft Display Dock if you are the first 50 to order the device.




ORIGINAL SOURCE: THE SKOP via SOYACINCAU

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TM UniFi and Streamyx customers rejoice, get your free 1 year subscription of iflix today

4:30:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


iflix, the video streaming service that took Malaysia by storm this year is continuing their conquest to get more users to try their service. Currently, iflix will give you a 30 day trial when you first sign up and if you recently bought a Samsung device, you will also get a 6 month free trial access to the huge library of video content.

But today, iflix is stepping up their game with their latest initiative with TM to provide all UniFi and Streamyx (4Mbps and 8Mbps) customers with a 1 year trial of iFlix. You read that right, 12 months of free access to iflix's wide library of TV shows and movies. But here's the catch, this offer is only available to home users and not available for business users and in order to enjoy that free 1 year access to iflix, you will need to be connected to your UniFi or Streamyx internet either on your computer browser or through the smartphone app.

This new partnership between iflix adds upon TM UniFi's HyppTV platform which also offers some movie and TV programs through a subscription service. But once that year long subscription has ended, you will have the choice to continue your iflix subscription for a low price of RM 10 a month which adds up to RM 96 a year. So, do take advantage of the free iflix subscription if you are subscribed to UniFi. www.iflix.com is where to get started!

ORIGINAL SOURCE: VERNONCHAN.COM

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Samsung goes glass and metal with their new lineup of mainstream smartphones

6:34:00 PM dickwyn 0 Comments

Samsung has been restructuring their mobile phone portfolio since 2014 and with the both the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy Note5 announced, it is clear that Samsung is no longer interested in building plastic phones. While their flagship lineup has been given the refresh this year, today Samsung is giving their premium Galaxy A lineup a brand new look for 2016.

What's next for Samsung? — Arguably Samsung has chosen the right path to innovate from the ground up with higher quality materials and innovating closely to Apple's terms meaning that not every year will we be able to see flashy new flagship devices with a radically improved feature set across the board. But the important thing is the they have taken the first step. Continue reading.
By brand new look, it basically looks a lot like the Galaxy S6 all around, there's even the same camera bump on the back. With a metal and glass build just like Samsung's 2015 flagship phones, the new 2016 Galaxy A3, A5, and A7 has been given a nice upgrade from the metal unibody design of the original Galaxy A series. But unlike the Galaxy S6, the new 2016 Galaxy A series comes loaded with a microSD card slot despite the glass and metal build.

Other features include an optional Dual SIM variant which is most likely coming to Malaysia, support for Samsung Pay, Samsung KNOX, two new f1.9 camera, Bluetooth 4.1, support for Fast Charging and also the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner on the home button. All three devices feature the exact same design and feature set and the only difference is in terms of the internal hardware and the actual size of the device. At launch, the 2016 Galaxy A series will be running Android 5.1 Lollipop and will most likely be upgraded to Android 6.0 Marshmallow sometime in 2016.

Samsung will start rolling out the new 2016 Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 in China in mid-December and other regions will receive the new 2016 Galaxy A series sometime next year. In terms of pricing, expect the prices of the new models to be similar to that of the existing Galaxy A models.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)

  • 5.5" 1080P Super AMOLED
  • 1.6GHz Octa-core CPU
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16GB expandable memory
  • 13MP f1.9 rear camera
  • 5MP f1.9 front camera
  • 3,300mAh battery
  • 151.5 x 74.1 x 7.3mm (172g)

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) 

  • 5.2" 1080P Super AMOLED
  • 1.6GHz Octa-core CPU
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB expandable memory
  • 13MP f1.9 rear camera
  • 5MP f1.9 front camera
  • 2,900mAh battery
  • 144.8 x 71 x 7.3mm (155g)

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016)

  • 4.7" 720P Super AMOLED
  • 1.6GHz Quad-core CPU
  • 1.5GB RAM
  • 16GB expandable memory
  • 13MP f1.9 rear camera
  • 5MP f1.9 front camera
  • 2,300mAh battery
  • 134.5 x 65.2 x 7.3mm (132g)

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Earn yourself an exclusive pass to the Lumia 950 series launch in Malaysia

12:26:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments


In October, Microsoft officially announced the Surface Book which was the company's first laptop. Not to be overshadowed by the Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge, the equally impressive Lumia 950 series was also announced during that event. While the Surface Book will not be arriving to Malaysia anytime soon, the Surface Pro 4 is now available to buy through Microsoft re sellers throughout Malaysia but stock is limited.

Sorry for the cheezy and somewhat non-descript intro. Microsoft Lumia Malaysia has just opened up a competition on their Facebook page whereby they will be giving out 20 passes to the Lumia 950 series launch party happening on 15 December in Bukit Bintang. All you have to do is to describe your undivided love towards the Lumia 950 (complete the following sentence) “I love the Lumia 950 and 950 XL as much as…!”

The possibilities are endless with this and make sure you check out the comments section before posting to avoid being a copycat. It could be bacon and cheese, or Microsoft and Malaysia or ever as much as the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL themselves. Sounds like a fun battle but make sure to check out the obligatory terms and conditions

Come unleash the all-new Lumia 950 & 950 XL with us, just complete the sentence: “I love the Lumia 950 and 950 XL as...
Posted by Microsoft Lumia Malaysia on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

ORIGINAL SOURCE: LOWYAT.NET

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OnePlus's unveils a new $20 case exclusively for the iPhone 6S

7:17:00 AM dickwyn 0 Comments

OnePlus is no stranger at stirring up some #HYPE around their products and this new accessory is exactly in line with the company's mission in promoting their line of android smartphones. At US$ 20 (~MYR 85), the new OnePlus Sandstone case is designed and build exclusively for Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. This is an interesting move by Shenzhen based OnePlus and all along we thought that Xiaomi was the only Apple wannabe, well it looks like OnePlus is the ultimate Apple fan. 


The new Sandstone case is basically just a simple hard iPhone case but the twist here is that the outer shell is constructed of the same Sandstone PET material that the original OnePlus One and new OnePlus 2 is constructed out of. In the short product video above, OnePlus is hinting that iPhone users do not necessarily have a good grip of their 4.7" iPhone.

Beyond the extra grip, the OnePlus Sandstone case for iPhone also features the OnePlus logo and if you liked OnePlus and just can't leave the iPhone, this is the product for you. And no, you do not need an invite to purchase this $20 case from OnePlus and in return, you will also receive an invite to buy the OnePlus X and if you're lucky enough, you will stand a chance to get the limited edition ceramic OnePlus X.

You can pick up the new Sandstone Case for iPhone today at www.oneplus.net/oneplus-sandstone-case

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