LG ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS
All Business Units Report Improved 2012 Operating Income from Previous Year

SEOUL, Jan. 30, 2013 – LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced consolidated revenues of KRW 50.96 trillion (USD 45.22 billion) and a net profit of KRW 91 billion (USD 80.75 million) for full-year 2012. Despite a 6 percent revenue decrease from 2011, operating profits increased significantly in 2012 to KRW 1.14 trillion (USD 1.01 billion) from KRW 379 billion (USD 342.06 million) in full-year 2011.

Fourth quarter 2012 consolidated revenues were KRW 13.50 trillion (USD 12.37 billion) with an operating profit of KRW 107 billion (USD 98.08 million). Unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2012 showed a net loss of KRW 468 billion (USD 428.96 million) which reflects a fine related to alleged cathode-ray tube pricing issues imposed by the European Commission in December.

The LG Home Entertainment Company reported record sales of flat-panel TVs with 9.3 million units in the fourth quarter resulting in a 17.4 percent revenue increase quarter-on-quarter to KRW 6.44 trillion (USD 5.91 billion) and full-year operating profit of KRW 542 billion (USD 480.92 million). Revenues from 3D and Smart TVs increased with higher unit sales in the United States, Europe and CIS countries. Although the Home Entertainment Company had the strongest quarter of the year in terms of revenue, profitability declined somewhat due to lower average selling prices and increased competition. LG will continue to aggressively market 3D and Smart TVs and plans to expand its share of the premium TV segment in 2013 with Ultra HD TVs and OLED TVs.

The LG Mobile Communications Company reported a 7 percent unit increase quarter-on-quarter in mobile handset shipments to 15.4 million with more than half of the units coming from smartphones. Smartphone shipments grew 23 percent compared to the previous quarter, increasing to 8.6 million devices from the 7 million in the third quarter. Fourth quarter revenues were the highest of the year, growing 15 percent to KRW 2.81 trillion (USD 2.58 billion) quarter-on-quarter. Sales of premium LTE smartphones such as Optimus G and Vu:2 increased in the fourth quarter, as did the L-series and Google Nexus 4. With more European and emerging markets introducing LTE services this year, LG plans to increase smartphone revenues and market share by launching follow-up devices to Optimus G and the L-series as well as the new F-series.

The LG Home Appliance Company posted almost flat revenues year-on-year, with sales of KRW 2.94 trillion (USD 2.7 billion) in the fourth quarter as strong sales in the U.S. and CIS countries were largely offset by sluggish demand in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Profitability was affected by unfavorable foreign exchange rates and increased marketing investments, even though average selling prices for home appliance products rose in the fourth quarter. The company plans to improve its revenue and profitability in 2013 with more competitive products, advanced technologies and a stronger focus on profitable regions.

The LG Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions Company reported sales of KRW 683 billion (USD 626 million) in the fourth quarter, essentially unchanged year-on-year. An operating loss of KRW 11 billion (USD 10.08 million) in the quarter showed improvement from the same period last year due to operational efficiencies. For full-year 2012, the company recorded revenues of KRW 4.35 trillion (USD 3.86 billion) and operating profit of KRW 156 billion (USD 138.42 million). The priority in 2013 will be to introduce more energy-efficient and localized products to bolster revenue growth.

Microsoft Releases Office 365 Home Premium

New Consumer Cloud Service Works Across Devices to Help Busy People Simplify Their lives and Get More Done

SINGAPORE — Jan. 30, 2013 — Microsoft Singapore today announced the general availability of Office 365 Home Premium, a reinvention of the company’s flagship Office product line for consumers. Office 365 Home Premium is a cloud service designed for busy households and juggling ever-increasing work and family responsibilities. The new offering include the latest and most complete set of Office applications; works across up to five devices, including Windows tablets, PCs and Macs; and comes with extra SkyDrive storage and Skype calling – all for S$138.00 for an annual subscription, the equivalent of S$11.50 per month.

John Fernandes, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Singapore said: “Microsoft’s new Office is inspired by the modern families and connected individuals juggling multiple devices at home and work. Today, we are making Office available as a cloud service with Office 365 Home Premium to help consumers stay always connected regardless of devices. Together with the new Windows and Windows Phone, Office as a service gives you the freedom to do things when and how you want.”

Simultaneously, Microsoft today released Office 365 University for college students, faculty members and staff as well as updated versions of the traditional Office suites – Office Home and Student 2013, Office Home and Business 2013, and Office Professional 2013 in Singapore.

Office 365 Home Premium & University

In a recent global survey conducted by Microsoft, nearly 60% of people said they don’t have the time to do the things they want to do, and more than 80% were counting on technology to make things better.  The new Office is designed to help people be as productive on the go as they are at their desk and get more time to do the things they want.

The new Office 365 Home Premium usher in new ways to get things done and sharing new ideas via collaboration:

• ·     It works across devices.  Office 365 Home Premium works beautifully with touch, pen or keyboard on Windows PCs, Windows tablets, Macs and Windows Phones.  And, with Office Web Apps, you can create, read, edit and share your Office docs on any popular device.
• ·     It is in the cloud.  Office 365 Home Premium is in the cloud, so when you sign in, your documents – and even your personalized settings – are always available wherever you are.
• ·     It delivers new capabilities.  Office 365 Home Premium includes new features to keep you connected and productive.  A few include:  the People Card aggregates all your contact information from different sources, including your social networks, in a single place; Read Mode optimizes your documents for reading on a tablet; Last Location lets you pick up right where you left off when using Office across multiple devices; PDF Reflow lets you to use information from PDFs in Office docs; Presenter View gives you a command center for presentations; and FlashFill eliminates wasteful time spent on data entry.

About Office 365 Home Premium

Office 365 Home Premium is available in 162 markets in 21 languages and includes the following:

• ·     The most complete set of Office applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access.
• ·     One license for the entire household – use Office on up to five Windows PCs or tablets or Macs, and get Office on Demand from any Internet-connected PC.
• ·     27 GB of cloud storage with SkyDrive – 20 GB more than the normal user.
• ·     60 free Skype world calling minutes per month – so you can call any mobile, landline or PC in the world.
• ·     All future upgrades such that consumers’ copies of Office are always updated with the latest from Microsoft.

Additionally, Microsoft is launching Office 365 University for students, faculty stuff and staff in eligible local tertiary intuitions[1]. At just S$108.00 for a four year subscription – the equivalent of S$2.25 per month – users can enjoy:

• ·        All of the applications, SkyDrive storage, Skype calling and future upgrades included with Office 365 Home Premium.
• ·        One license for the user – use Office on up to two Windows PCs or tablets or Macs, and get Office on Demand from any Internet-connected PC.

Microsoft also announced they will upgrade Office 365 multiple times per year, ending the company’s traditional three-year release cycle.  Office 365 Home Premium subscribers will get future updates and new capabilities automatically without any additional hassles.  For example, subscribers will automatically get the new applications and upgrades when available, such as the forthcoming Office applications for Mac and as-yet unannounced capabilities.

“People’s needs change rapidly, and Office 365 Home Premium will change with them,” added Mr. Fernandes.  “Now, it’s a matter of months, not years, before a great new idea makes it from an engineer’s head to a customer’s hands.”

Office suites for single users

For consumers who require single installations on their sole device at home, traditional suites are also available. Users are still able to leverage on the power of cloud with their personalized settings and documents saved within the cloud with just a single sign-in. The new Office also provides support for touch and stylus for new Windows 8 touch-enable devices, in addition to keyboard and mouse, enabling consumers more flexibility and choice.

Transition to Services

Microsoft introduced Office 365 to business customers in June 2011.  Today, the company disclosed new details on their progress in the cloud, sharing that 20% of their enterprise customers are using Office 365.  In addition, the pace of growth is accelerating with twice as many people signing up in the last quarter compared to a year ago.

“Office 365 is the fastest growing business product in Microsoft history, and we’re not slowing down,” said Mr. Fernandes. “In Singapore, we have seen momentous growth since launch, with many companies citing cost reductions and increased productivity within the workforce as key benefits of deploying Office 365 within the enterprise.”

Office 365 for businesses will be updated with new capabilities, currently available as part of a customer preview, on February 27.

Pricing and Availability

The new Office is available today at all authorized retailers:

Note:

Samsung Mobile has posted on their facebook fan page to alert users not to flash update the latest firmware on their Samsung SIII.

“Dear fans, the recent software update for GALAXY S III, Jelly Bean 4.1.2 (XXELLC), that some of you might have received was not meant for released in the Singapore market. We do offer our sincere apologies for inconvenience caused. We will keep our fans updated when the software is ready.”

Those who have flashed are experiencing issues with their phones. One user Vincent woo posted a note claiming that after the jelly bean update, it takes me more than 9 hours to charge from 10% to full, even when I wake up after charging overnight, it is not full battery.

Some users claim that it is a good firmware to keep as it fixes the “sudden death” issue. There were also complains about the availability of the firmware on time while some couldn’t get it updated using KIES, the updating software that accompanies the smartphone.

Are you facing strange issues with this new firmware. Comment below.

As the Year of the Sensational Snake dawns upon us, StarHub TV would like to show its thanks and appreciation to all customers by offering Free Preview of more than 30 Asian channels starting 8 Feb, 12 noon to 13 Feb, 12 noon.

These are channels from the all Chinese Entertainment Group, Chinese Infotainment Group and all 800 series channels, excludingOn Demand channels. These include KBS World (Ch 115), ONE (Ch 823), STAR Chinese Channel (Ch 822) and TVBJ (Ch 838). Full list of channels available on CNY Free Preview are listed in the table below.

Customers can also tune in to their favourite programmes while house-visiting as eight of these Asian channels will be made available on StarHub’s Internet TV service, TV Anywhere via www.starhubtv.com. They are Asia Travel (Ch 833), CBN (Ch 809), CTI (827), KBS World (Ch 115), KBS World HD (Ch 875), KMTV (Ch 846), TVBJ (Ch 838) and TVBS News (Ch 808).

StarHub broadband customers can also enjoy the Free Preview when they rent a HubStation HD or HD Interactive set-top box under theAnytime TV plan.

Key programmes during this CNY Free Preview include:

CNY Eve (9 Feb)

TVB Golden Viva Spectacular新春黄金庆典screening on TVBJ ‘Live’ (StarHub TV Channel 838)星和视界第838频道, 8.30pm

A 4-hour CNY countdown show featuring TVB artistes performing in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Highs And Lows雷霆扫毒screening on VV Drama 娱家戏剧台(StarHub TV Channel 855)星和视界第855频道，7.45pm

Cast: Michael Miu; Raymond Lam; Kate Tsui; Ella Koon; Ben Wong

Starring Michael Miu, Raymond Lam, and Kate Tsui, this action-packed crime thriller centres on the Narcotics Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force and its drug-trafficking cases. The psychological battle of wits and intertwining relationships make this a compelling drama.

演员：苖侨伟；林峰；徐子珊；官恩娜；黄智贤

由苖侨伟、林峰、徐子珊及官恩娜所主演，此剧讲述了香港毒品调查科警队的扫毒过程，并有不少震憾性的动作场面。一连串的警匪正邪相争、矛盾的兄弟情及复杂的情感决择，是该剧的看点.。

Shenzhen Countdown Show 2013声震新世界2013青春狂欢夜-跨年晚会screening on E City 都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 7pm

Host: Zhao Yi Ou; Ou Han Sheng; Wong Cho Lam

One of China’s newest metropolises Shenzhen is known as the City of Youth. This first-of-its-kind countdown show invited idol stars like Fan Bing Bing, Nicholas Tse, Liu Qian, Guo Jing Ming, and more, to share their life experiences and inspire youths to live out their passion.

主持：赵屹鸥；欧汉声；王祖蓝

深圳是一座代表青春的城市。深圳卫视推陈出新打造了一场以＂青春狂欢夜＂为主题的跨年晚会。节目邀请了青春偶像范冰冰、谢霆锋、刘谦、郭敬明等，齐聚分享自己的生活经历。

CNY Day 1 (10 Feb 2013)

Dinner Party饭局也疯狂screening on E City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 11.30pm

Cast: Fan Wei; Huang Bo; Liu Hua; Liang Guan Hua; Monica Mok

Chinese New Year series <Dinner Party> brings together 12 comedian actors and actresses within the backdrop of a renowned restaurant “Tian Yi Ren”. Much hilarity ensues when 12 restaurant patrons from different walks of life meet at the same dining table.

演员：范伟；黄渤；刘桦；梁冠华；莫小棋

贺岁喜剧片＜饭局也疯狂＞集合了12个喜剧名星。以高档饭店“天人一＂为背景，讲述了12个来自不同文化背景的食客同时走进同一个饭局，引发了一连串爆笑的故事。

2013 Hao Jiao Xiang Qi CNY Special活力四蛇青春争霸战screening on E City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 1.30pm

Host: Plungon; Ah Pang; Shara Lin

The energetic and youthful <2013 Hao Jiao Xiang Qi CNY Special> brings you two teams, each led by a member of Plungon, as they face off in games, wushu, dancing and more!

主持：浩角翔起；阿庞；林逸欣

＜活力四蛇青春争霸战＞由主持人浩子及阿翔担任两队队长大摆擂台，比武术、玩游戏、大跳性感舞…此春节晚会邀请了各大专学院极具实力团体，营造浓厚的青春热血活力！

2013 Million Star II CNY Special金蛇报喜旺星光-华人星光同乐会screening on E City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 8pm

Host: Matilda Tao

This Chinese New Year special brings you performances from popular singers Rachel Liang, Jess Lee, Sean Lin, Amber An and many more. Gigi Leung, Ascent Chan and John Yuan also make their appearances!

主持：陶晶莹

初一特別节目＜金蛇报喜旺星光＞邀请了大家熟悉的梁文音、李佳薇、林俊逸、大恺、安心亚等歌手齐聚一堂。＜华星＞参赛者与评审梁咏琪、阿翔、袁惟仁也将参与演出！

The Assassin銅雀台screening on STAR Chinese Movies卫视电影台(StarHub TV Channel 866)星和视界第866频道，9.30pm

Cast: Chow Yun Fatt, Liu Yifei and Tamaki

The story revolves around the Eastern Han Dynasty era from a new perspective.

主演：周润发刘亦菲玉木宏

影片由中日韩著名影星联袂出演，周润发、刘亦菲、玉木宏等人主演，将从全新的角度审视发生在中国东汉末年的历史故事。更多剧情>>

CNY Day 2 (11 Feb 2013)

Dragon TV Countdown Special 2013  梦圆东方‘-东方卫视跨年盛典screening on E City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 11.30am

Festive mood came alive at <Dragon TV Countdown Special 2013> where top celebrities like MayDay, Lee Joon Ki, Na Ying, Jonathan Lee and more, performed under one roof to usher in 2013. Do not miss the stunning 4D light show which lit up the Shanghai skies to mark the end of 2012.

一年一度的东方卫视跨年盛典邀请了摇滚天团五月天、韩国人气天王李准基、天后那英、音乐教父李宗盛等，掀起一波音乐热浪。精彩绝伦的4D灯光秀更为2012画下美丽句点。

MBC Annual K-POP Festival 2012 <2012 MBC歌谣大典> screening onE City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 7pm

<MBC Annual K-POP Festival 2012> is a year-end music programme broadcast on 31 December annually. This final music show of the year features an impressive line-up of stars to wrap up 2012 with a blast! Catch the hottest K-POP artists on E City!

备受瞩目的年末音乐盛会＜2012 MBC歌谣大典＞邀请了当今乐坛里人气最旺的重量级艺人轮番飙唱，为年末的节庆气氛增添音乐元素。喜欢K-POP的朋友千万不要错过！

My Dog Dou Dou我的狗蚪蚪screening onE City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 4pm

Cast: Jason Wang; Ivan Ho; Cathryn Lee

A local movie starring Taiwanese Hokkien drama king Jason Wang and child actor Ivan Ho from <We Not Naughty>, this story follows a boy who yearns for the love of his gambler dad. One day he brings home a dog that has an astounding ability to predict winning lottery numbers…

演员：王识贤；卢楷浚；李元玲

此国产片由台湾长寿剧＜爱＞男主角王识贤，及本地片＜孩子不坏＞男童星卢楷浚，携手演出。故事讲述一名嗜赌成性的单亲爸爸与儿子收养了一只能预测真字的奇特狗儿。

CNY Day 3 (12 Feb 2013)

Snake Brings Good Luck蛇来运转迎新春screening on E City都会台(StarHub TV Channel 111/825)星和视界第111/825频道, 3am

Host: Xu Nai Lin; Iris Ai

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, over 20 Taiwanese celebrities will appear on the fun-filled <Snake Brings Good Luck> to showcase their talents, cooking skills and more, making this a much-anticipated variety show!

主持人：徐乃麟；艾莉丝

台视的20多位艺人将在大年初一特别节目＜蛇来运转迎新＞里使出浑身解数大PK！精彩节目内容包括才艺表演、比一比运势、做年菜、玩游戏等…保证令人期待！

If you are wondering about the image quality of pictures taken by the Sony Xperia Z smartphone, here are some pictures that are taken using the phone in HDR and macro mode. Enjoy.

According to a report on PC World, Intel decided to quit the PC motherboard business by shutting down its Desktop Board brand. To company will begin shrinking its motherboard product line with the arrival of socket LGA1150 Core “Haswell” processors, and eventually leave the market within 3 years. One can draw three distinct inferences from this move. First, Intel’s Desktop Board lineup is too bloated, and the desktop form-factor is on a rapid decline in relation to the rest of the PC industry. Second, with the emergence of new high-volume brands in the motherboard industry, Intel is finding its lineup out of place.

Third, and more interestingly, this could be a move by Intel to pacify other motherboard vendors about the impending transition of a bulk of the motherboard volume from changeable CPU socket to hardwired BGA, which is bound to happen in a couple of years from now. Other vendors expressed apprehensions over the transition to BGA believing such a more could make Desktop Board put them out of business. Intel’s Desktop Board team will instead spend resources in developing new form-factors such as the NUC.

Source: http://communities.intel.com/thread/34217

Firefox OS is a new mobile operating system built entirely using open web standards. In Firefox OS, HTML5 apps can do “phone things” – they can make the phone vibrate, make a phone call or send a text message.

This week we are announcing our new Firefox OS developer preview phones because we believe that developers will help bring the power of the web to mobile. These developer phones are being developed by Geeksphone in partnership with Telefonica. We are looking to make them available in February.

Updated: Added the two phone models and their specifications below.

The Keon model

• CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 1Ghz
• UMTS 2100/1900/900 (3G HSPA)
• GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (2G EDGE)
• Screen 3.5″ HVGA Multitouch
• 3 MP Camera
• 4GB ROM, 512 MB RAM
• MicroSD, Wifi N, Light and proxmity Sensor, G-Sensor, GPS, MicroUSB
• 1580 mAh battery
• Over the air updates
• Unlocked, add your own SIM card

The Peak model

• CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.2Ghz x2.
• UMTS 2100/1900/900 (3G HSPA).
• GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (2G EDGE).
• Screen 4.3″ qHD IPS Multitouch.
• Camera 8 MP (back) + 2 MP (front).
• 4 GB (ROM) and 512 (RAM).
• MicroSD, Wifi N, Light and proxmity Sensor, G-Sensor, GPS, MicroUSB, Flash (camera).
• Battery 1800 mAh.

Developer preview phones will help make the mobile web more accessible to more people. Developers are critical to the web and to Mozilla’s mission to make the web accessible to everyone. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide use Firefox to discover, experience and connect to the Web. A web based on open standards and open technologies. We couldn’t have done this without web developers. Now we are working on bringing the power of the web to mobile, through Firefox OS, along with all the power of open standards and an open community, and once again, we’d like to invite web developers to join us.

Below is a video showing the new OS at work

SEOUL, Jan. 22, 2013 – The Optimus G, LG’s most premium and powerful 4G LTE smartphone, will begin its global roll-out into over 50 countries this month. The Optimus G has already been launched in the United States, Canada, Korea and Japan to very favorable reviews and LG is aiming to build on the excitement already generated to launch the device in other LTE markets.

“As 4G LTE availability expands on a global scale, we will leverage our strong LTE technology and expertise to offer consumers the best 4G experience through our devices,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With the latest Jelly Bean OS and improved software, Optimus G will make a strong case for the title of ultimate premium 4G LTE smartphone.”

Since the launch of Optimus G last September, the smartphone has been enthusiastically received by audiences as one of the most advanced 4G LTE devices currently available. Optimus G has been receiving accolades from consumers and industry thought leaders alike for its powerful performance and thoughtful user experience. Optimus G’s unrivaled power originates from its innovative hardware design which includes Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon™ S4 Pro Quad-Core processor. The device also delivers blazing fast data transfer speeds using today’s 4G LTE telecommunication network.

“LG’s long history of LTE know-how is evident in the DNA of the Optimus G,” said Dr. Park. “As such, we hope consumers will take a deep, hard look at Optimus G when deciding which smartphone will give them the best 4G experience.”

The Optimus G will be available starting at the end of January in Singapore followed by other markets worldwide offering 4G LTE service.

M1 provides further details on service recovery process

SINGAPORE, 21 January 2013 – M1 takes a very serious view of the service incident which affected customers from 15 to 17 January 2013, and would

like to provide more details on the consequent recovery activities.

On 15 January, upgrading works were being carried out by a vendor on the backhaul transmission network at one of our network centres. At around 2.30am, the vendor attempted to connect its power cables from the transmission equipment rack to the distribution rack. This caused sparks at the distribution rack, followed by smoke emitting from the transmission equipment rack and the distribution rack. The smoke triggered the FM 200 gas suppression system and gas was discharged. Shortly after, one of the 88 water sprinklers was set off, causing damage to one of our mobile network switches and resulting in the service disruption.

M1’s top priority was to restore service in the affected areas as quickly as possible and contingency plans were activated. To restore service, contingency plans for the core network was to increase network capacity and signaling links between all the other mobile network switches.

Plan A for the radio network was activated, with the radio network controller and its associated media gateway being re-linked to the alternative mobile network switch. While the links were being re-configured, Plan B was concurrently activated. This involved complex step-by-step restoration work including the reconfiguration of 416 base stations to the alternative mobile network switch, re-establishing communication links, and traffic rebalancing. This was followed by comprehensive testing, including drive tests in the coverage area of each individual base station, to ensure full call continuity for both voice and data services. Plan B resulted in a total of 199 sites being connected by 3am on 17 January 2013. Plan A took over and completed the remaining 217 sites.

Partial 3G service to our customers in the affected areas was restored on the evening of 15 January 2013. Restoration works for all affected sites were completed at about 3pm on 17 January 2013 and full service was restored at 6pm on the same day.

We would like to reassure our customers that our contingency plans were in place and were activated in this incident. As a result, we were able to restore service in the shortest possible time under the circumstances. In the absence of these contingency plans, the services would have taken about 12-16 weeks to be fully restored. Plans to further enhance and improve our network resiliency incorporating the latest technology commenced in the second half of 2011, with target completion date of mid-2013.

M1’s partially affected 3G service fully restored

SINGAPORE, 18 January 2013 – We have restored full 3G service in the affected areas yesterday. To express our sincere appreciation to the affected customers for their patience and understanding, all our postpaid customers will enjoy three days of free local mobile calls, SMS, MMS and data services, from 10 to 12 February 2013. This will commence from 00:01 hours on 10 February till midnight on 12 February 2013.

Prepaid customers will enjoy a S$1 bonus for every top-up of S$17 and above, during the month of February 2013.

Sony Mobile Singapore showcase the new 5″ Xperia Z
bluetooth 16 Jan 2013

Sony Mobile Singapore showcase it’s latest Android Smartphone at Red Dot Museum yesterday. The latest addition to the Xperia family is Xperia Z, the first full 5 inches reality display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 smartphone in a compact water proof design form factor.

The 5 inch full HD 1080p Xperia Z is powered by Snapdragon S4 Pro Quad Core processor. Other than having a larger screen compared to the Xperia V, it has a 13 megapixel fast capture camera which performs just like a HD camera. Exmor RS for mobile, the world’s first image sensor with HDR video is available on the Xperia Z.

The Xperia Z improves on power management with a new feature BATTERY STAMINA mode which improves the standby time by 4 times or more by automatically shutting down battery draining apps.

We have seen NFC being used on Xperia V share music on speakers. With Xperia Z, you can share music, photos and videos to the new BRAVIA TV. Simply touch the remote control of the TV and mirror the contents to the large screen Sony TV.

The Xperia Z is 7.9mm thin and is highly durable with tempered glass and anti shatter film on the front and back and it is IP 55 and IP57 certified for dust and water resistant.

The Xperia Z and Xperia ZL (in a smaller form factor) will be launched in Q1 2013 with JellyBean. It will shortly be upgraded to Android 4.2.

It will be available in 3 colours, Black, White and Purple. Xperia ZL will be available in Black and White.

On the next few pages, we run through the specifications and included two videos showing the features of the Xperia Z and the One Touch Mirroring feature mirroring contents through NFC.

M1 users are having connection to the mobile services. Although it mentioned in reports that its 3G base stations are affected, setting it to 2G doesn’t help too.

The problem affects the western region of Singapore from Red Hill to Jurong East and Bukit Batok. Central areas including the CBD has coverage but the signal level is intermittent.

Are you facing similar issues. Share your comments below.

Press Release by M1

“Added measures will be put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” added Ms Kooi.

Starting tomorrow, 15 January 2013, StarHub TV customers will be able to catch R21 titles on its On Demand platform. Kicking off the launch are these six titles: .

1. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

2. I Love You Philip Morris

3. Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

4. A Frozen Flower

5. A Single Man

6. Lust, Caution

The titles will cost from $5.99 each.

To access the R21 titles, StarHub TV customers will be required to complete these steps:

1. Call 1633 or visit any StarHub Customer Service Centre to obtain a R21 PIN through a one-time registration.

2. Verify their identities (StarHub TV registered customers) and that they are 21 years old and above.

3. A R21 PIN will be issued to their registered mobile phone. They will be prompted to change their R21 PIN upon first viewing of any R21 title.

To ensure additional security, customers will have to re-enter their R21 PIN to view the R21 content again if it is paused for more than 5 minutes. As an added security feature, customers can also opt-in for the SMS notification alert when an SMS will be triggered to the registered customer should there be a failed attempt on the On-Screen verification.

To access R21 content on On Demand, customers will need to have the HubStation, HubStation HD or HD Interactive set-top boxes.

Visuals of Lust, Caution and The Girl with Dragon Tattoo are attached.

LG SHOWS ITS FIRST OLED TV WITH CURVED SCREEN
New OLED TV Underscores LG’s Status as Technology and Design Frontrunner

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2013 – LG Electronics (LG) today demonstrated its continued OLED TV market leadership with a revolutionary curved model, the EA9800, shown for the first time here today at the 2013 International CES. Featuring proprietary WRGB technology, the incredibly thin display features a dramatic curved design and a vivid picture quality that is practically indiscernible from colors found in nature.

The unique new EA9800 model features the industry’s very first curved screen ergo-nomic design with full CINEMA 3D support. With a gentle inward flex, the entire screen surface is equidistant from the viewer’s eyes, removing the problem of screen-edge visual distortion and detail loss. Availability and pricing were not announced.

“LG is the first to launch the 55-inch OLED TV,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG’s Home Entertainment Company. “We believe our new OLED TVs offer the ul-timate viewing experience, surpassing anything seen before. The new curved model complements our core OLED TV family with a unique design that capitalizes on the thinness of the screen and the aesthetic beauty of OLED TV.”

LG’s OLED TVs produce astoundingly vivid and realistic pictures, thanks to superior WRGB technology. This unique Four-Color Pixel system features a white sub-pixel, which works in conjunction with the conventional RGB setup to create the perfect color output. The built-in Color Refiner delivers even greater tonal enhancement, resulting in images that are more vibrant and natural than anything seen before. The 55-inch OLED TV also offers an infinite contrast ratio, which maintains optimal contrast levels regard-less of ambient brightness or viewing angle. To complement the infinite contrast ratio and enable the richest color and deepest black expression, the High Dynamic Range (HDR) algorithm has been incorporated. This technology also ensures contrast ratio consistency and maximum color separation.
As OLEDs generate their own light, there is no need for a separate backlight, enabling LG OLED TVs to boast a significantly reduced weight and depth, and a stylish, mini-mal appearance. The EA9800’s streamlined, ultra-modern design and curved screen re-move any hint of visual distraction to maximize the viewing experience. Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) has been implemented to further reduce unit weight and add additional strength to the beautifully curved screen. The OLED TV’s sleek styling and slim profile complement the stunning images brought about by LG’s WRGB technology, helping to create what is truly the ultimate immersive viewing experience.
LG’s Paper Slim design effectively unifies screen and stand into a seamless aesthetic entity. Meanwhile, CINEMA SCREEN Design elements result in a narrow screen bezel which is practically invisible to the naked eye. A minimal bezel helps to produce a truly immersive 2D and 3D viewing experience. For installation versatility, the new model al-so ships with an easy-to-mount wall bracket that allows a single person to complete the entire installation. With less than a one-inch gap between wall and TV, LG’s design masterpiece can now be displayed like a true work of art.

Additionally, Smart Touch Control further differentiates LG’s OLED TV designs from competing models. This new feature results in a more attractive appearance and a better control experience. Located below the screen, the sliding touch key provides the user with an intuitive and elegant way to control the OLED TVs basic functions, such as changing channels and volume, and powering on or off.

LG’s OLED TVs combine the company’s industry-leading CINEMA 3D technology with Smart TV capabilities, creating the most immersive and comprehensive home en-tertainment experience possible.

Kingston DataTraveler HyperX Predator 3.0

Part Number

Capacity and Features

DTHXP30/512GB

DataTraveler HyperX Predator USB 512GB

DTHXP30/1T

DataTraveler HyperX Predator USB 1TB

Windows 8 crosses 60 million mark, sees strong consumer momentum in Singapore

Consumers continue to ride on Windows 8 Upgrade Offers which end on 31^st January 2013

At the 11^th Annual J.P Morgan Tech Forum at CES 2013 yesterday, Microsoft announced that 60 million Windows 8 licenses have been sold to-date globally.

Since launch, Microsoft has seen strong consumer interest in Windows 8 in Singapore, which has outsold Windows 7 by at least 4 times for the same period post launch.

With more than 50 new Windows 8 devices, from hybrid PCs, notebooks, AIOs to tablets retailing in over 120 stores, local consumers are spoilt for choices; and there has been a strong momentum of customers purchasing new devices since the launch. Globally, there are now more than 1,700 certified systems for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Apps are a new way for consumers to experience Windows 8. Globally, the number of apps has quadrupled and the Store has passed the 100 million app download mark – just two months after general availability. For the Singapore market, the Store has seen hundreds of great local apps, including DBS Lifestyle (for DBS Indulge and Shopper), ESPN StarSports, iProperty Singapore, WeGo.com, and much more.

Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro is simple – the following table demonstrates the upgrade paths and savings one can enjoy through the Windows Upgrade Offer which will end 31 January 2013:

Table 1: Windows 8 Upgrade Paths

For more information on Windows 8, visithttp://windows.sg

Join the conversation @microsoft_sg or #windows8

ASUS VivoTab™ RT 3G Available in Singapore

First Windows RT 3G detachable tablet with powerful quad-core processor in the ASUS lineup

Singapore (9 January, 2013) — Following the launch of its WiFi predecessor in October, ASUS VivoTab™ RT is now available in 3G in Singapore from today at S$1,049. The first Windows RT detachable tablet in Singapore, ASUS VivoTab™ RT features a mobile dock that transforms the tablet into a notebook for increased productivity and versatility with longer battery life. VivoTab™ RT uses NVIDIA^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core processor for smooth and responsive use with Windows RT, and comes pre-installed with the Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview that enhances users’ productivity on-the-go anytime, anywhere.

VivoTab™ RT hardware and software features

Microsoft Corp. and ASUS worked closely together to create one of the first Windows RT tablets in the market. With its chic metallic design measuring at 8.3mm and weighing at 525g, ASUS VivoTab™ RT is one of the thinnest and lightest 10.1” tablets featuring the powerful NVIDIA^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage space that ensures incredible performance. The 10.1” 1366 x 768 Super IPS+ display uses Corning^® Fit Glass and delivers sharp, detailed images with accurate colours, ultra-wide viewing angles of 178º and 600 nits brightness for stunning outdoor visibility.

The 8-megapixel high-performance camera captures incredibly detailed images with no shutter lag. With the ASUS SonicMaster technology and audio tuning by Waves, a recipient of Technical GRAMMY Award^®, the VivoTab™ RT features superlative sound quality.

ASUS VivoTab™ RT has a ‘hidden hinge’ design for a sleek, streamlined look and fully adjustable screen angle when used with the mobile dock. When docked, VivoTab™ RT converts into an ultra-portable productivity tool with keyboard, multi-touch touchpad and USB port, plus up to 16 hours’ use with the dock’s built-in battery. VivoTab™ RT with Windows RT comes preloaded with Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview for productivity at home and on the move. With its innovative tablet and mobile dock design, VivoTab™ RT delivers an outstanding combination of performance and mobility, both for work and play.

Specifications

(1)     Battery life is measured with 720p video playback, brightness at 100 nits and default volume with headphones

Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview will update to Office Home & Student 2013 RT. For further details, please visit http://office.com/officeRT

Introducing Xperia™ Z –the best of Sony in a premium smartphone

•Full HD 5” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for super brightness and clarity
•Sony’s media applications deliver rich user experiences and instant access to entertainment services
•Easy and fast One-touch functions to wirelessly share music, photos and videos across devices
•New stand-out Sony design with water and dust resistance

January 8th 2013, Singapore – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces its new flagship Android smartphone, Xperia Z. With a 5” Full HD 1080p Reality Display, Snapdragon™ S4 Pro quad-core processor, 13 megapixel fast-capture camera and 4G LTE, Xperia Z has all the specifications expected from a premium smartphone. On top of this, it brings the best of Sony’s unique technology, content, design and connectivity to deliver rich user experiences. Xperia Z will launch globally in Q1 2013.

“With Xperia Z, we are bringing over half a century of innovation in TV, imaging, music, film and gaming to create a superphone experience that truly stands out,” said Kuni Suzuki, President and CEO, at Sony Mobile Communications. “With great specifications, Sony’s media applications and One-touch functions, Xperia Z is well positioned for leadership in the smartphone market. By putting smartphones at the heart of our strategy, Sony is enabling people to create, enjoy and share content and experiences like never before.”

Intelligent Sony Technology

Xperia Z’s razor sharp Reality Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2, brings Sony’s long-standing TV expertise to the smartphone and delivers an immersive viewing experience with super brightness and clarity. The smartphone shares capabilities with Sony digital cameras and features Exmor RS for mobile, the world’s first image sensor with HDR (High Dynamic Range) video for smartphones. HDR technology gives clear images against strong backlight, so users can capture razor sharp pictures and videos whatever the conditions.

Xperia Z also includes Battery STAMINA Mode that can improve the standby time by four times or more*by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off and starting them up again when the screen is back on.

Discover, enjoy and share entertainment with Sony’s media applications and One-touch functions

Sony media applications offer a consistent entertainment experience across a range of Sony devices. Pre-loaded on Xperia Z, the “WALKMAN”, Album and Movies apps, enable discovery of on-line and off-line content through a single access point with new ways to enjoy and share that content.

One-touch functions enable consumers to easily share music, photos and videos from their smartphone to an array of NFC-enabled Sony devices, including speakers, headphones and now TVs. With the new BRAVIA TV, also announced today, simply touch Xperia Z to the remote control of the TV to instantly enjoy your photos and videos on the big screen.

Two additions to Sony’s range of NFC-enabled headsets were also introduced today, the Stereo Bluetooth™ Headset SBH20 and the Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M. Touch Xperia Z to either headset and begin listening to tracks instantly.

Stand-out design and durability

Precision engineered with premium materials, Xperia Z introduces a unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces on all sides. Despite its slim 7.9mm body, Xperia Z is highly durable with tempered glass and anti-shatter film on the front and back, as well as the highest levels of dust and water resistance** (IP55 and IP57) found in a premium smartphone.

Xperia Z will launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and will be upgraded to 4.2 shortly after launch for the latest Android user experience.

Key features for Xperia Z
•5” 1080 x 1920p full HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2

· 13MP Fast Capture camera with Exmor RS for mobile, HDR video, Superior Auto and Noise Reduction to effortlessly capture razor sharp pictures and videos in any conditions
•Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass display

· 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB RAM

· Battery STAMINA mode improves standby time by at least 4 times

LG Press Conference video at CES 2013