RIM Launching BB 10 Tonight

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, there was an enormous, imperious beast called BlackBerry.

Long story short, BlackBerry got screwed badly from competition from iPhone and Android.

Tonight (10am EST, 11pm Malaysian time), Research in Motion will try to steam the tide by introducing their savior, the one and only BlackBerry 10 operating system together with the first two ever BB10 devices.

If you, like me, cannot sleep tonight has always been partial to BlackBerry, tune in to live webcast and see for yourself how BlackBerry reinvent itself, and hopefully give iOS and Android a run for their money.

[Firmware] Malaysian Samsung Galaxy S3 is getting Android 4.1.2

Malaysian Samsung Galaxy S3 owners are in for a pleasant surprise.

Sammy has quietly rolled out updates for Android 4.1.2 for Galaxy S3.

However, just like 4.1.1, the update is by batches. You may check if your S3 is in line by going to Setting > About Phone > Software Update. 

Nexus 4 Retail Price in Malaysia Revealed, DiGi Offered Subsidized Plan

To recap why everyone loves Nexus 4, it boasted a Quad-core Krait 1.5GHz CPU, has 2 GB of RAM, and has an awesome 4.7 inches WXGA True HD IPS Plus display. You will also always get the latest Android updates from Google before anyone else.

However, one of the main reasons why Nexus 4 ran out of stock in many countries is because it is awesomely cheap for its top end specs.

Not in Malaysia however.

In Malaysia, Nexus 4 will retail for RM1,649.00, if the indication on DiGi website is any indication.

While it is still cheaper than competitors like Galaxy S3, Note II and iPhone 5, it is no where as cheap as you can get in US (around USD 349), Europe (EURO 349) or Australia (AUSD 349) for 16GB version.

If we were to compare only the Malaysian price however, this phone becomes very very attractive indeed compared to its competitor.

Anyway, if you still wish to purchase Nexus 4 in Malaysia, DiGi provides a little bit of subsidy and selling them for RM1499 with a RM63.00 monthly 2 years contract (8GB data per month). Unfortunately, only one plan is available. You may pre-order Nexus 4 from DiGi here.

DiGi's Nexus 4

Maybe a better bet would be to get your friend to purchase one in those countries that use the same GSM radio frequency with Malaysia and save on a few more hundred bucks. You should check if they are compatible here though before embarking on this route. 

Very badly played, LG. Very badly played.

Nexus 4 Coming to Malaysia vide DiGi on 7.1.2013

The most anticipated phone of 2012/2013 is coming to Malaysia!!

No, i am not talking about iPhone 5.

I am of course talking about Nexus 4!!!

And DiGi fired the first salvo by declaring, in a not so subtle post on its Facebook page that they will be offering Nexus 4 come next Monday, 7.1.2013.

From the posting, it also appears that Nexus 4 might be exclusive to DiGi.

No pricing or plan was indicated. But rest assured this blog will be filled with updates as soon as they come!!

And considering that the cap for the RM200 discount has been removed, this must be the best time to launch Nexus 4. Good job, DiGi.

But on a separate note, if Nexus 4 is really exclusive to DiGi, this blogger will be mightily upset. Monopoly will not create the best value for consumers. Telcos must be left to compete so as to ensure that the consumers get the best value for their monies.

[Browser] Opera Mini

I have a confession to make.

I installed Opera Mini merely to have a look on how Opera Web Pass works.

But I am pleased to report that Opera Mini has now became my default browser.

Why you may ask.

Let me just put it quick and sweet:

Main Pros

1. Save on data

I don't know how they did it, but somehow, surfing using Opera Mini uses very little data compared to other browsers.

According to Opera, data costs can be reduced to up to 90%.

From my own not so scientific real life comparison however, Opera Mini uses around 25% of the data that my stock browser normally used in a month. Not 90% but good enough for me.

For us who do not have an unlimited data plan, this works like magic.

2. Fast

Perhaps due the compression technique that Opera Mini uses, webpage rendering is relatively faster than stock browser and another browser that I was testing.


Main Cons

1. Mediocre Picture Quality

Perhaps also due to the trade off from the data compression technique, the picture quality is mediocre. If you do not enlarge any picture in the browser, they are fine. But if you need to enlarge them, it is advisable that you do not use Opera Mini.

Slight trade off for me.

2. Small Fonts

I need to set the font size to the largest setting to comfortably read on Opera Mini. And the testing was done on Samsung Galaxy S3.

3. You can't press back to exit

For some reason, if you press back till the end, instead of exiting, Opera Mni will merely go into background i.e. it is still running. You have to click the "exit" button, which brings us to the next problem.

4. No Exit button on default setting

Maybe Opera Mini intends to run all the time, that you need to specifically enable the "exit" button in the setting. To do so, go Setting > Advanced > press "On" for Exit Button.


Conclusion 

I would say despite the quirky cons here, the fact that it uses little data and still being awesomely fast wins it for me. As i said earlier, this is now my default browser.

Google Maps now available for Apple

iFans rejoice! For now you don't have to rely on some life threatening maps apps!!

Google has finally launched Google Maps for iPhone (click here), saving you the need to rely on the increasingly embarrassing Apple Maps.

With a proven track record, it is hoped that nobody dies in Australia due to reliance on Apple Maps.

Apple, don't you think its time for your maps to move over?

Australian Police: Apple Maps is life-threatening

Apple Maps is so bad that Australian Police thinks that it is life-threatening, reports BBC.

Why?

Because, Apple Maps may lead you to a place with searing heat with no water supply nearby.

According to Australian force, if you look for Mildura, Apple Maps will bring you to the middle of Murray Sunset National Park some 70 km away where the heat can rise up to 46 degree Celcius with no water supply in the park.

In that circumstance, stranded there might be potentially life-threatening.

The biggest question now is this - when will Apple swallows its pride and bite the bullet to drop Apple Maps?