The 3G era in Singapore, covering early tablets, mobile routers, and data plans.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) 3G arrives in Singapore from 16th June 2012 for S$798, without contract and including 7% GST. It features a 10.1-inch WXGA 1280x800 display, HSDPA 21Mbps connectivity, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and weighs 587g.
From 1st July 2012, SingTel's new Flexi plans affect new and re-contracting customers. The data bundle drops from 12GB to 2GB on Flexi Lite, where most of us sit, while the SMS quota rises from 550 to 800. Disappointing.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 3G (16GB) is now available in Singapore at S$848 without contract. Samsung launched its sale on 19th August 2011, pairing the Tab's ultra-thin form factor with a lightweight design.
I got the Sapido MB-1132 for NT$1,790, about S$76.83, thanks to my relative Andy, who picked it up at Guang Hua Digital Plaza in Taiwan during Computex 2011. It impressed me, charging USB devices and acting as a router.
About time! By end July 2011, consumers will enjoy significantly faster smartphone surfing inside MRT tunnels. The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts told Parliament that Singapore's three telcos must complete the network installation by then.
Bought the Huawei MiFi E585 for S$185 from Amos on HardwareZone forums. This mobile router uses your SIM card to get online and shares the connection with up to five devices, unlike 3G USB modems that serve only one.
Apple has announced the iPad, built around a custom 1GHz A4 system-on-a-chip. It has a 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS Multi-Touch display at 1024x768 (132ppi) with an oleophobic coating, plus Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR connectivity.
Nokia has jumped on the netbook bandwagon, though I've no idea why it calls the Booklet 3G a mini-laptop; for me, any Atom-powered laptop is a netbook. The specs look delicious: a 10-inch screen, 3G, A-GPS and just 1.25kg.
On a whim, I emailed Ivy from SingTel to ask about buying the SingTel Huawei E180 modem at a discount. To my surprise, SingTel gave it to me free. Thank you, Ivy, and thank you, SingTel! It's just arrived.
It looks exactly like the old iPhone, but it's much cheaper: US$199 for 8GB and US$299 for 16GB, around S$272 and S$408 respectively, though both require a two-year contract. The key difference is the addition of 3G.