Announced at CES 2012, Sony Xperia S (the link is still pointing to SonyEricsson.com) is Sony’s first smartphone after she broke up with Ericsson.

Sony Xperia S

The specs for Sony Xperia S is pretty impressive (1.5GHz Dual-Core + 1GB RAM) and it does supports NFC as well. The only complain I have is it should be launching with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) instead of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It will be available in 2 colors, black or white.

The Sony Xperia S will be available in Q1 2012 and the update to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will only be available in Q2 2012 and the RRP wil be available at a later date.

Technical Specifications

• Screen: 4.3 inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine
• Resolution: HD resolution screen (1280 x 720)
• OS: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Processor: 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 32GB flash storage
• Memory card slot: 32 GB eMMC
• Front Facing Camera: Front (720p)
• Back Camera: Sony’s Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor (12.1 MP) With 1080p HD recording
• Connectivity:
• Size: 128.0 × 64.0 × 10.6 mm
• Weight: 144g

Official Site: Sony Xperia S
Press Release: First smartphone from the new Xperia NXT series – next generation smartphones from Sony

Nokia Lumia 900 was announced at CES 2012 but unfortunately at this point of time, it is only available exclusively for AT&T at launch time. I am pretty sure it will be in other countries as well. For Singapore, maybe SingTel will bring them in with their LTE service?

Now, if only Nokia included in NFC to the Lumia 900 and it would be perfect!

Nokia Lumia 900

What Has Changed?
The design is almost the same as the Nokia Lumia 800 except it has bigger screen 4.3″ vs 3.7″ while maintaining the same resolution of 800×480.

The processer speed is the same at 1.4GHz, but the Nokia Lumia 900 uses a newer Snapdragon S2 processor, which I think should give it some performance boost over the Nokia Lumia 800.

When it comes to camera, the back camera remains the same while a 1MP front-facing camera has been added.

Gyroscope has been added to the Nokia Lumia 900 which was missing in the Nokia Lumia 800.

According to My Nokia Blog, the SIM tray design has been changed as well, now it requires a SIM Door Key (as what Nokia calls it, similar to iPhone’s SIM Tray Eject Pin) to open the SIM tray. Because of this change, the microUSB port is now exposed.

The battery capacity has also been increased from 1,450mAh of the Nokia Lumia 800 to 1,830mAh of the Nokia Lumia 900.

In the same post, Nokia Lumia 900 vs Nokia Lumia 800 – what’s changed by My Nokia Blog, it states that the Nokia Lumia 800 has a cured screen with no bezel while the Nokia 900 has a flat screen with raised edge bezel.

The Nokia Lumia 900 will only be available in 2 colors (Black or Cyan) instead of 3 like the Nokia Lumia 800.

Technical Specifications

• Operating: Windows Phone Release 7.5 – Mango Commercial Release 2 (Mango + LTE)
• Processor: 1.4GHz Snapdragon APQ8055 + MDM9200
• Networks: GSM/EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100, LTE Band 4 (1700/2100) & 17 (700)
• 4G/LTE – up to 50Mbps down/25Mbps up, HSPA – up to 21Mbps down/5.76 Mbps up
• 4.3″ ClearBlack AMOLED display with WVGA 800×480 resolution
• 512MB RAM
• 16 GB internal memory (14.5GB user memory)
• Primary (Rear-facing): 8MP with f2.2/28mm Carl Zeiss lens and dual LED flash, Auto Focus, 720p, 30fps video capture
• Secondary (Front-facing): 1MP with f2.4, 30fps video capture (VGA video call resolution)
• A-GPS, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), USB 2.0 high-speed, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 3.5mm headset connector
• 1830mAh battery
• Accelerometer, Proximity, Magnetometer, light sensor, Gyroscope
• Volume: 90cc
• Weight: 160 g (5.6 ounces)
• Dimensions (max): 127.8 x 68.5 x 11.5 mm (5 x 2.7 x .45 inches)

Nokia Conversations: Nokia Lumia 900 – Born for the USA
Engadget: AT&T Nokia Lumia 900 Hands-on at CES 2012 (video)
My Nokia Blog: Nokia Lumia 900 vs Nokia Lumia 800 – what’s changed

Galaxy Nexus – February 2012 – RRP: SGD$948

Galaxy Nexus

• World’s first smartphone running on Android™4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest release of the Android platform
• Features a 4.65″ HD Super AMOLED display at 720p resolution and an ultra-fast 1.2GHz dual core processor to take advantage of GALAXY Nexus’ enhanced multitasking capabilities
• Redesigned user interface with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support and a full web browsing experience
• Designed to provide a “pure Google” experience, GALAXY Nexus will be the first to receive software upgrades and new applications as soon as they are available

Official Link: Galaxy Nexus
Press Resource Link: Galaxy Nexus

Galaxy W – January 2012 – RRP: SGD$498

Galaxy W

• Ideal for those seeking a balance between style and performance
• Powered by a 1.4GHz dual core processor, the GALAXY W weighs just 114.7 grams
• Value-added features include Samsung’s Social Hub, Samsung Apps, Polaris Office, Android Market

Press Resource Link: Galaxy W

Omnia W – January 2012 – RRP: SGD$498

Omnia W

• First Samsung Smartphone based on the latest release of Microsoft’s Windows Phone, code-named Mango
• Sleek design with a metallic finish and a rich 3.7″ Super AMOLED display, ensuring photos and videos captured with the 5MP camera can be enjoyed with vivid clarity
• Enhanced Windows Phone usability including superior web browsing with integration of Internet Explorer 9 and Bing, and Office Hub that provides productivity on-the-go
• Samsung-exclusive productivity apps including Samsung AllShare that provides seamless content transfer between the smartphone and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTVs, monitors and digital cameras

Official Site: Omnia W
Press Resource Link: Omnia W

Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus – January 2012 – RRP: SGD$768

Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

• With a 7-inch display and weighing just 345g and measuring only 9.96mm in thinness, GALAXY Tab 7.0 Plus provides enhanced portability and fits easily into a jacket pocket or handbag
• Offers voice and video call support, without the need for a headset, allowing users to catch up with friends and family from anywhere

Official Site: Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
Press Resource Link: Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

Galaxy Tab 7.7 – February 2012 – RRP: SGD$898

Galaxy Tab 7.7

• World’s first tablet to feature the brilliant Super AMOLED Plus display technology that allows for a wider range of colours that make images incredibly vivid
• Powered by a 1.4GHz dual core processor, the GALAXY Tab 7.7 is one of the most portable devices available in the market, measuring only 7.89 millimeters in thinness and weighs 335 grams
• Samsung’s Hub Services – Game Hub, Readers Hub and Social Hub – offers easy access to content including games, eBooks and music; GALAXY Tab 7.7 is the first mobile tablet to include a pre-loaded Game Hub with easy social games delivered with lightning fast graphics

Official Site: Galaxy Tab 7.7

The Prada Phone by LG 3.0 will be retailing for SGD$1,088 without contract.

Prada Phone by LG 3.0

LG will be having a 1-day-only sale event at its LG LIVE Store located at Marina Bay Sands on the 21st January 2012. You can get the phone without contract on that day and you will receive a limited edition LG Prada Cradle (worth SGD$228) with every purchase of the Prada Phone.

For SingTel, the Prada Phone by LG 3.0 will be available for order on the 20th January 2012. No word on the pricing with contract yet. You can check out this link, www.singtelshop.com/pradaphone for more information.

For m1, StarHub, I can’t seem to find the link for Prada Phone on their website.

If you pre-order with any of the local telcos, you will also receive a limited edition LG Prada Cradle (worth SGD$228) with every purchase of the Prada Phone.

Specifications

• Operating System: Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Processor: 1.0 GHz Dual-Core/Dual-Channel/Dual Memory
• Network: HSPA+ 21Mbps
• Dimensions: 127.5 x 69 x 8.5 mm
• Screen: 4.3″ WVGA (800 x 480) NOVA Plus (800 nits)
• Camera: 8.0MP with Auto Focus and LED, 1.3MP front camera
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, HDMI/MHL, NFC, A-GPS
• User Memory: Up to 8GB internal + microSD
• Battery: 1,540mAh Li-Ion

Official Site: Prada Phone by LG 3.0
SingTel Shop: Prada Phone by LG 3.0

Bought the Twelve South PlugBug Charger at the Apple Store at Fashion Show Mall, Las Vegas for USD$34.95 and after tax, it costs USD$37.78 (SGD$49.14).

The PlugBug charger acts as an US travel adapter for your MacBook Pro/Air MacSafe Power Adapter and on top of that it gives you an additional USB port that allows you to charge your iPhone or iPad. I find it super useful for hotels that has limited power sockets. If you prefer not to attached it to your MacSafe Power Adapter, no worries as it can be used as a standalone USB charger.

The USB output produces a 5V at 2.1A which is perfect for iPad charging.

An international version is in the works right now and should be available by early next year and I am so going to get that as well!

Box Front

Box Back

PlugBug Charger (Standalone)

PlugBug Charger (Attaching)

PlugBug Charger

PlugBug Charger On The Wall