Nikon updates its line of optics with a new, and affordable medium telephoto prime.
HP releases redesigned 15-inch Envy to the Philippines, priced
HP’s just refreshed their 15-inch Envy notebook, and wouldn’t you know it, it still looks gorgeous. The notebook isn’t an ultrabook by any stretch of the imagination, but don’t think for a second it’s your regular, run-of-the-mill notebook. The new Envy is 15-inches of pure, unadulterated sexy, with a majority of the externals built of sturdy aluminium. Internally, the Envy 15 houses a second generation Intel Core processor (depending on configuration), with an AMD’s Mobility Radeon HD graphic processors giving that extra oomph when it comes to gaming. The Envy 15 is also a multimedia powerhouse, as it contains six powerful speakers and two subwoofers with Beats Audio. Of course, something this pretty and powerful isn’t cheap – you’ll need to fork over Php 99,990 if you ever decide you want one.
Sony bows out of OLED TV business
Aside from the obvious product releases come the start of CES on Monday like ultrabooks and tablets, many are looking forward to OLED TV announcements from the usual suspects. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include Japanese electronics giant Sony, as it seems that they have decided to bow out of the OLED TV business, at least for consumers. The firm has stated that they’ll be sticking with the tried and proven LCD panels with their TVs. This announcement is a disappointment to many, as Sony was the first company to ever make a commercial OLED TV roughly 5 years ago – the XEL-1.
Source: Daily Yomuri Online
HTC posts lower than expected results in Q4, 25.5% lower than last year
Some worrying news out of Taiwanese smartphone giant HTC today – it seems that HTC has posted a less than stellar Q4, and has only managed to post T$11.02 billion in net earnings (about 366m USD) which is quite a drop from their T$14.8b (about $492m) performance last year. While the company isn’t floundering, the sharp drop in Q4 revenue means that HTC’s unparalleled growth has now ground to a halt, amid strong competition from rivals like Samsung and Apple.
Source: Reuters
Meet the Nikon D4
If you’ve been waiting and wondering if it actually even existed, well here it is. Say hello to the Nikon D4.
Win a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play courtesy of Gameloft and Sony Ericsson Philippines
Want to game with Android on a smartphone built specifically for that purpose? Well, you’re in luck. Gameloft and Sony Ericsson Philippines is giving you a chance to win a Xperia Play. Rules are simple – you need to like both Gameloft and Sony Ericsson Philippines and answer this simple question: What is the world’s first smartphone with playstation-certified gaming? Interested? Of course you are. You can head over to the official contest page here to know more. Good luck!
Samsung achieves record Q4 profit – 4.5 billion dollars
Samsung’s Q4 results are out, and it turns out innovating and making pretty nice products is a great way to make tons and tons of money. The Korean electronics giant has managed to post a record operating profit for Q4, and has managed to rake in 5.2 trillion won (amounting to $4.5 billion), which beat out initial estimates of 4.7 trillion won. Samsung’s success is attributed to the phenomenal performance of its smartphones, as well as the sale of its HDD business to Seagate and new revenue streams from mobile processing chips and OLED displays. All this cash means that we’ll be seeing a lot more innovation and more awesome products, right Samsung?
Source: Reuters
Asus outs stylishly fast Black Diamond RT-N15U wireless router
There are certain products that you don’t expect to get prettified, and wireless routers sit pretty high on that list. But just like Linksys, Asus doesn’t mind spicing things up when it comes to their wireless solutions, and has released the Black Diamond RT-N15U wireless router. Aside from being visually appealing, the RT-N15U features Gigabit connections, fast WiFi connectivity, with a USB port allowing users to use it for FTP server use and UPnP streaming. The Asus Black Diamond RT-N15U will be available 2nd week of February, with suggested retail price of Php 5,090.
Get the most out of your iPhone 4s with Globe
Globe Telecom formally launched the new iPhone 4S featuring exclusive perks for its valued subscribers as part of its commitment to superior customer experience.
Leading the pack of exclusive benefits for Globe subscribers availing of the iPhone 4S is the unlimited data plans bundled across the company’s portfolio of postpaid packages. “iPhone users love to use their iPhone so they deserve a plan that will allow them to enjoy their device with no restrictions,” shares Peter Bithos, Senior Adviser for Consumer Business. For as low as Plan 999, Globe subscribers can take advantage of the unlimited mobile surfing package – something that only Globe can provide. On top of unlimited access to their favorite online sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google and Yahoo via their iPhone 4S, Globe subscribers can also personalize their iPhone 4S use and experience as they can choose their own iPhone apps for free, and accessories at a cool 20% discount.
Another exciting perk extended to Globe users is the ‘no worry guarantee’ to prevent bill shock. To prevent bill shock, Globe will guarantee ‘worry-free’ mobile surfing by capping data spend of subscribers using PowerSurf. So subscribers in PowerSurf 99, 299, or 499 who will exceed their respective data plans need not worry about bill shock because charging stops at Php 999.
Globe also pairs the great device with its equally amazing postpaid plans that are customizable, consumable and affordable, with plans starting at Php 999, or build your own from Php 299 with minimum cash-out.
To enable full functionality of the device, Globe subscribers will also greatly benefit from the company’s aggressive $790-million network modernization and IT transformation rollout that would have the company’s base stations deployed nationwide to be HSPA+ and 3G-enabled, as well as comprehensive re-engineering of IT systems resulting to convergent billing systems, faster response to customer queries and service requests by Globe stores and call centers.
The perks list goes on with Globe also offering an exclusive payment scheme for its prepaid subscribers where they can avail of a 12-month, 0% interest installment plan with the country’s top credit card companies. It also partnered with Ayala affiliate Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) for a 24-month, 0% interest payment scheme.
Come alive with 90’s Music and Gadgets Magazine!
We are giving away 2 tickets to 5 lucky people for MCA music’s 90’s Music Comes Alive launch happening on January 13, 2012, 8pm at Eastwood Central Plaza! Read more about the event here.
HTC to unveil Quad core, 4G smartphones in MWC, not during CES report says
We already managed to report on two supposedly leaked HTC Quad core devices that will possibly hit retail stores soon-ish, and it seems that HTC has more quad core devices up its sleeve this year. The only wrinkle is that they won’t be unveiling those said devices next week at CES, and instead opting to unleash them during the MWC in Barcelona in February according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. Aside from carrying NVIDIA’s new Tegra 3 processor, the new devices will also include Qualcomm’s MSM 8906 4G LTE chipsets, which if we’re lucky, will make an appearance locally alongside the commercial availability of Smart’s LTE network.
Source: DigiTimes
Eco-friendly chargers in 2012 CES
As the Gadgets Team prepares for its February “Going Green” issue, how about we give you a look at some “green technology” scheduled to be released at the upcoming CES.
Bracketron’s GreenZero battery boasts a more eco-friendly and efficient way to charge mobile devices by eliminating stand-by energy consumption as it automatically shuts off once device is charged. The series includes Mushroom and Stone designs that are compatible with with iPhone, USB and microUSB devices. All it takes is one-click to charge and once the charge is complete it shuts off to save energy and avoid top-off stress on device batteries.
Source: Bracketron
LG unveils Z330 and Z430 ultrabooks ahead of CES
As we get closer and closer to the anointed date of January 9th (the start of CES), more and more companies are stretching their muscles and unveiling products that’ll hit store shelves later this year. LG is one of those companies, and while it doesn’t have a clear PC presence in our fair land, some of its wares still manage to find their way into our shores. Such will also be the case for their two new ultrabooks, the Z330 and the Z430, the two newest members of the new slim and light notebook category that we call ultrabooks. Both devices will be equipped with Intel’s second generation Core i7 processor, and will both pack a SSD for quick loading times. The Z430 will additionally carry a secondary 500GB HDD for more storage and will pack a 14-inch screen as opposed to the Z330’s 13-inch display. Both devices will have razor thin profiles, with LG quoting 14.7mm thickness for the Z330 and 19.9mm thickness for the Z430.
Another thing that piqued our interest is LG’s claim that the Z430 uses a thin bezel that allows a 14-inch display to be used in a smaller, 13-inch chassis. Sound familiar? Of course it does – it’s the same claim that Samsung made with its recently released, Series 7 Chronos notebook. LG says that the new ultrabooks will be available in the first quarter of 2012.
Source: Newswire Korea
Would you eat the Dark Side of the Force?
Here’s a great burger idea – a burger chain from France named Quick will be offering two Star Wars themed burgers available for its customers. One is a regular looking Jedi burger which looks like it uses regular buns, while the other is a Sith themed burger complete with a bun as black as Lord Vader’s heart. The two burgers are part of a promotional drive for the re-release of the The Phantom Menace in 3D, and while the film is a terrible waste of celluloid, you can celebrate the fact that it’s responsible for the birth of a really, really gnarly looking burger.
Source: Buzzfeed
Take to the digital skies in Microsoft’s Flight absolutely free
The long awaited revival of Microsoft’s historic Flight Simulator series is landing in spring, and players will now be able to take to the digital skies for free. Microsoft has announced that it’s making Flight, the next title in their Flight Simulator franchise completely free to play, with in-game purchases fueling revenue. If you haven’t heard of it, it was one of the most realistic flight simulators way back when, to the point that pilots would sometimes use it to freshen up on new airplanes before actually flying them. Players will initially be able to fly around the big Island of Hawaii, with additional planes, regions and other items available through in-game purchases. The title is set to land this Spring, which gives you more than enough time to buy aviator glasses and practice your big boy pilot voice.
Source: MSNBC