In case you are unaware, Samsung announced Samsung Galaxy SIII which is the successor to the Galaxy SII and their flagship mobile phone at Samsung Mobile Unpacked 2012 yesterday in London.

Samsung provided a live stream to the event but apparently the NDA for the Samsung Galaxy SIII of those major tech sites was lifted right before the event. So it is weird to see so much details of the phone even before the person went up on stage to officially announced it.

I am pretty disappointed with the design of the phone, is just doesn’t look nice (I think even my Samsung Galaxy Nexus looks better), but of couse the HTC One X is still the better looking one. Two colors will be available and they are Pebble Blue and Marble White.

The screen is huge at 4.8″ with HD Super AMOLE providing a resolution of 1280×720 which gives you about 306ppi (iPhone 4/4S is about 326ppi, iPad 3 is about 264ppi). Some other notable features include the use of microSIM as well as microSD expansion slot for up to 64GB of external space.

Similar to the HTC One Series, Samsung has partnered with Dropbox to provide extra 50GB worth of Dropbox storage for 2 years (worth USD$198) for the owners of the Samsung Galaxy SIII.

Samsung have a clone of Apple’s Siri but they called it the S Voice, and it even allows you to use your voice to pick up an incoming call. Samsung Galaxy SIII also includes a facial recognition feature to zoom and track a person’s face using the camera.

According to the press release, the Samsung Galaxy SIII will be available in Singapore from Q2 2012. I am guessing it will be available around End May 2012.

Highlights

• Features a 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display for a vivid viewing experience and an 8MP camera and 1.9MP front camera which offer a variety of intelligent camera features and face recognition related options that ensure all moments are captured easily and instantly
• Powered by Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich to greatly enhance usability and practicality to make life easier
• Features ‘Smart stay’ which recognizes how the phone is being used i.e. the front camera identifies the eyes by maintaining a bright display for continued viewing pleasure
• Features ‘S Voice’, the advanced natural language user interface, to listen and respond to words, allowing information search and basic device-user communication through voice commands
• The ‘Buddy photo share’ function and the new ‘S Beam’ allow for instant and easy sharing of photos and videos among friends and family
• Features the ‘Pop up play’, which boost performance and the overall user experience by allowing users to play a video anywhere on the screen while simultaneously running other tasks, eliminating the need to close and restart videos when checking new emails or surfing the Web.

Specifications

• Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
• Processor: Samsung Exynos 4 Quad (1.4GHz quad-core processor)
• RAM: 1GB
• Display: 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED (1280×720) display
• OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Camera (Rear): 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BSI
• Camera (Front): 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BSI
• Video Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)
• Audio Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X
• Additional Features:
  • S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot
  • AllShare Play, AllShare Cast
  • Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show
  • Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access
  • Pop up play
  • S Voice
  • Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR
• Connectivity: WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40, GPS/GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0(LE)
• Sensor: Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer
• Memory: 16/32/64GB internal storage options + microSD slot (up to 64GB)
• Dimension: 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm
• Weight: 133g
• Battery: 2,100 mAh

Official Site (Singapore): Samsung Galaxy SIII

Samsung Galaxy SIII – Marble White

Samsung Galaxy SIII – Marble White (Back)

Samsung Galaxy S3 – Pebble Blue

Samsung Galaxy S3 – Pebble Blue (Back)

The e-book service is known as skoob. It offer the works of Singapore writers, study guides and educational books for local primary and secondary school students.

Skoob on iPad (Bookshelf)

At launch there are about 39,000 local and international bestsellers for smartphones, tablets and PCs. Payment is in Singapore Dollars (SGD$) and made via Singapore Credit Cards or if you are a SingTel customer, you can charged it to your monthly SingTel bill.

You can download books on up to five devices on one account. Skoob is available for free on Apple iTunes Store and Android Marketplace. You can also use any browser to view them online via skoob or load the e-books into Adobe Digital Editions.

Was invited to the global launch of Canon EOS-1D X (Press Release) that happen at 1pm sharp yesterday at Canon Singapore Office. The Canon EOS-1D X is an integration between the EOS 1D and 1Ds product lines. This integration combines the best of both worlds from both model (shooting speed and image quality) into a single form factor.

Canon EOS-1D X (Front)

Canon EOS-1D X (Back)

The EOS-1D X is capable of continuous shooting at a speed of 12 frames-per-second, it is powered by the new Dual DIGIC 5+ image processor and on top of it, it has another DIGIC 4 image processor just for Autofocus (AF)! This bring up the number of image processers in the Canon EOS-1D X to 3! It also features a Gigabit LAN Port for network connectivity! This allows you to transfer shots immediately after you have taken them to your computer!

It will be available from March 2012 at an estimated RRP of USD$6,800 (SGD$8,620).

Some of the features include:

• 18.1MP full-frame (35mm) sensor
• Image noise control improved by 2 stops
• Next generation high-density reticular 61-point AF system
• New shutter unit with carbon fibre shutter blades promises 400,000 shutter count
• Advanced EOS Movie features for better compatibility with video production workflows
• Dust-proof and drip-proof magnesium alloy body, with new carrier wave-based dust removal system

WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter

GP-E1 GPS Receiver

There are also 2 new accessories accompanying the EOS-1D X, the WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter for wirless network connectivity and GP-E1 GPS Receiver that automacailly adds location information to your photo’s EXIF data.

The WFT-E6 will be available at the same time as EOS-1D X (March 2012) at an estimated RRP of USD$600 (SGD$760) while the GP-E1 will be available from April 1012 at an estimated RRP of USD$300 (SGD$380).

Press Release: Canon Integrates 1D and 1Ds Series to Launch the EOS-1D X

Sony announced the Sony ICF-DS15iP last Thursday. The ICF series is Sony’s line of iPod and iPhone Docks. In particular the Sony ICF-DS15iP is an iPod and iPhone Dock Clock Radio.

If you need a cheaper alternative to a iPhone dock with alarm clock functionality, I would totally recommend the Sony ICF-DS15iP. The Sony ICF-DS15iP is going to retail for SGD$179 and will be available from 30th September 2011 onwards at all Sony Authorized Retailers.

I got the older variant which is the Sony ICF-C1iPMK2 which I got 2 years ago and I am still using it as my iPhone charging station as well as the alarm clock which wakes me up at 7am every weekday.

The Sony ICF-DS15iP is the successor to the ICF-DS11iP which is the successor to the ICF-C1iPMK2.

Press Release

Sony Electronics Asia Pacific launches its latest clock radio with a docking station for iPod/iPhone – the ICF-DS15iP. Aesthetically designed with a sleek finish, the new clock radio dock is not only smaller in size but also provides more sound options with its Mega Bass and Mega Xpand Sound system and larger volume output.

Additionally, users are now able to control the music from anywhere in the room using the supplied remote control, giving them the freedom to change the music or turn off an alarm without having to be in close proximity to the clock radio.

Sydney Lee, Assistant General Manager, Personal Audio Category, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific, said, “The new ICF-DS15iP not only provides music lovers with a powerful, rich audio experience while using their iPod/iPhone, but also the convenience of having an ‘all-in-one’ clock radio that complements any home with its stylish design and finish.”

The new ICF-DS15iP is available in both black and silver and will be available in Asia Pacific from October 2011 onwards.

Sony ICF-DS15iP (Silver)

Sony ICF-DS15iP (Black)

Sony Asia: Sony ICF-DS15iP

At HP Booth 8428 – HP Direct Counter Only
The 16GB and 32GB HP TouchPads will be available for S$118 (S$126 with GST) and S$188 (S$201 with GST) per unit respectively during the first two days of COMEX 2011 (1-2 September 2011). 100 units of the 16GB and 32GB versions each will be available each day and this purchase is limited to one unit per person, regardless of whether it’s 16GB or 32GB. The mode of purchase is cash and carry only, no credit cards or NETs. This is non-refundable and non-returnable.
 
These units will be available at HP booth 8428 (specifically the HP Direct counter), Hall 402/403.
 
At HP Booths (8150, 8245, 8428)
You will also be able to purchase a HP TouchPad 16GB and HP TouchPad 32GB for S$49 (with GST) and S$119 (with GST) respectively with any purchase of a HP TouchSmart610 -1138d, 1178d, 1188d; and HP Pavilion dv4-3020TX, HP Pavilion dv6-6144TX, dv6-6105TX and dv6-6106TX.
 
Your purchase-with-purchase HP TouchPad will be available at RewardsLINK, first come first serve, while stocks last.

RewardsLINK
3 Temasek Boulevard #02-163
Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
 
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 11.00am – 7.00pm
Eve of X’mas /New Year/CNY: 11.00am – 3.00pm
Closed on X’mas, New Year and CNY
Email: contactus@marquev.com

 
Note

• These offers are available while stocks last.
• Terms and conditions apply.
• Purchases of the HP TouchPad from COMEX 2011 are not entitled to benefit from any other promotions or programs (including without limitation the HP Rebate/Refund/Return Program).

*UPDATE* 18:48, 01/09/2011: Due to safety and security concerns, the sale of the standalone HP TouchPads at COMEX will be discontinued. However, HP PCs purchase with purchase offers for the HP TouchPad will still be available at COMEX. Source at HP Singapore Facebook Page.