If you’ve been waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S3, you can now pre-order it in Singapore. The Galaxy S3 pre-ordering in Singapore starts today and you can register your interest with you favorite telcos: M1, Singtel or Starhub.

→ www.starhub.com/galaxys3

→ www.singtelshop.com/galaxys3/

→ www.m1.com.sg/galaxys3/

Unlike the iPhone or earlier version of Galaxy, all the 3 telcos get to sell the S3 at the same time. I guess the numbers are limited due to worldwide demand for the new smartphone and you really have to be quick to register your interest to be among the first to own this latest Android 4.0 phone.

Samsumg Galaxy S3 Pre-orders reached 10M units

The Galaxy S3 pre-ordering started a few days ago and 10 million units have been “booked” from around the world according to this report:

Samsung Galaxy S3: already close to 10 million pre-ordered

All this buzz about the new S3 reminds me of the start of the iPhone craze in Singapore. Will the S3 be the next must-have phone for Singaporeans?! And will the popularity of the S3 erodes the sale of the yet-to-be-announced iPhone 5?

Samsung Galaxy S3 release date and price(?)

According to the Yahoo report, the Galaxy S3 will be officially released on 29 May 2012.

However, when I checked the M1, Singtel and Starhub pre-order websites, the price of the Galaxy S3 was not yet available. So you could actually sell the Galaxy S3 without telling your potential customers how much it cost?

Are you placing the Galaxy S3 pre-order?

This is a follow up post to my earlier Galaxy S3 post. Some friends read the post and ask me “why not the Galaxy Note”. So here’s my reply… a summarized Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note comparison.

This comparison is based on my research on the internet and my experience in using the Galaxy S2. It is to justify why I should be upgrading to the Galaxy S3 and not the Galaxy Note or the HTC One X or the highly-anticipated iPhone 5.

Galaxy S3 New Feature Highlights

Eye-tracking, inbuilt Wi-Fi Direct, S Voice(a Siri alternative) and Direct Call. Actually, I’m not sure if I would be using all these new features. However, I think the eye-tracking or “Smart Stay” which keeps the display on as long as you’re looking at it and “Direct Call” which reduces the need to tap to call a number probably the more useful ones.

Look and Feel: Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note

Curvier, thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Note. Faster user interface. Faster camera as in no shutter lag.

Most importantly, the Galaxy S3 could still squeeze it into a shirt or trouser pocket.

Usability: Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note

• Cleaner, less cluttered user interface
• Camera with virtually no shutter lag
• 20GB Dropbox cloud storage for 2 years

Technical Specs: Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note

• Android 4.0(Ice Cream Sandwich) vs Android 2.3(Gingerbread)
• Exynos 4 quad SoC quad-core 1.5Ghz CPU vs dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 1.4GHz CPU
• 4.8″ Super AMOLED Plus HD display(720×1280) vs 5.3″ HD Super AMOLED(800×1280)
• 3G HSDPA & 4G LTE 700 vs 3G HSDPA only
• 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6mm vs 146.9 x 83x 9.7mm
• 133 grams vs 178 grams
• Micro SIM vs Standard SIM

Read about the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S III at LesterChan.net and it prompted me to write this blog post to say that I too want the new Galaxy S3 when it becomes available in Singapore.

Yes, I want it despite the fact that the camera might not be as good as the iPhone 4S or the HTC One X.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Features

• 4.8″ 720×1280 Super AMOLED display
• 8MP camera and 1.9MP front camera
• Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
• Cloud storage, 50GB Dropbox for two years
• “Smart Stay” – so as long as you’re looking at it, the display won’t dim or turn off
• “Direct Call” – no need to hit call, simply hold the device up to your face and the number will be dialled automatically

Samsung Galaxy S3 in Singapore

I have been using the Galaxy S2 for about a year and is waiting impatiently for the Samsung S3 to be available in Singapore. Now, my questions is when will it available in Singapore. I hope Singtel will be the first the 3 telcos(Singtel, Starhub and M1) to offer the S3 so that I can trade in my S2. I think I prefer the a marble white Galaxy S3.

No. I am not getting the Galaxy Note because it’s too big. Read my take on Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note here.

According to LesterChan.net, the new Galaxy S3 “available in Singapore from Q2 2012″. That means it should in Singapore latest by end of June!

Are you going to get the Samsung Galaxy S3 or HTC One X? Please leave your comment below.

[Updated 19 May 2012]: Galaxy S3 pre-order starts today, you can register your interest with Singtel, Starhub or M1.

This years PC Show 2012 starts from 7 to 10 June. As usual, the event will occupy level 1, 3, 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. The PC Show opening hours from 12 noon to 9 pm daily. Avoid the first hour of the show or else you’ll have to queue to get in.

PC Show 2012
7-10 June 2012
12 to 9pm
Suntec Singapore

Consumers flock to this IT and electronics fair to hunt for the best bargain laptops such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Toshiba, etc. and related computer hardwares and accessories.

Major camera brands such as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony have promoted their latest compact cameras and DSLRs in previous shows and it is expected they will be present in this year’s event too. There were many new models released over the past 6 months and competitions are hotting up.

Besides computer hardware and digital cameras, the PC Show has become the “battleground” for Singtel, Starhub and M1 to gain market share for broadband subscribers. As observed over the recent years, the freebies are getting more attractive e.g. MacBook Pro for a 2-year subscription plan. Indeed, it is the best time to sign up for a new plan or recontract your broadband during the PC Show. Only the three telcos are allowed to carry Apple products i.e. iPhone and iPad at the show. These booths are not only attractions to Apple fans but also people looking for the latest Android phones from Samsung, HTC and etc.

To find out more information on The PC Show 2012, please visit http://www.pcshow2012.com

I have been using the Galaxy S2 for about 2 months now. After spending about 2 years with the iPhone 3GS, I renewed my Singtel contract in July and got the Samsung Galaxy SII. To be very very honest, I don’t miss the iPhone!

I love the iPhone 3GS. That’s why I didn’t upgrade to a iPhone 4 when it was launched last year. I wanted a phone with better reception and longer battery life.

Better Reception & Longer Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy S2 gives me better reception and longer battery life. My phone calls didn’t get drop as often when going into the lift. And I don’t have to recharge the Galaxy S2 every 8 to 10 hours. I can use the Galaxy S2 for up to 2 days with recharging.

The Samsung interface for Andriod is ok. I got used to it within 2 days. Apple iOS is still superior in this aspect. Apple iPhone OS is a lot more intuitive.

Great Phone Camera

I like the quality of the photo taken by the Galaxy S2 8MP camera. It gives sharp picture in bright outdoor and usable photos in low-light enviroment. You can also adjust the exposure to compensate for extreme lighting condition. In addition, the camera app has built-in editor for you to crop your images.

Email App

I don’t like the email app. It is slow and not intuitive to use. So I do not download to read email messages unless I think it’s urgent and important. I rather access my email on my MacBook.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Many iPhone users complain about the limitation of sharing files over Bluetooth**. One reason I switch to an Andriod phone is because I wanted to try out first hand the advantage of using Bluetooth to transfer file. Honestly, after 2 months, I still don’t see myself using this Bluetooth transfer frequently – I only transferred via Bluetooth 3 times so far.

Why?

Because I used Dropbox. I find it more convenient to transfer files via Dropbox App between my Galaxy S2, iPad and MacBook.

**iPhone 3GS Bluetooth Not Working

The IT Show 2012 will start on 8 Mar until 11 Mar at Suntec Singaproe. This is probably the largest, in term of visitors and revenue, among all the consumer electronics trade fairs in Singapore.

Last year, the 4-day IT Show attracted a massive turnout of over 80,000 visitors and chalked up over $65 million in sales

People flocked to the Singapore IT Show to look for latest gadgets such as smartphones, iPad-like tablet PC, digital cameras, portable entertainment devices. As for the staples like the laptops, netbooks, flat panel TVs and monitors, printers and etc., people come to the IT Show to look for the best bargain.

Beside major brands e.g. ACER, ASUS, Apple, Canon, Creative, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Nikon, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, you can expect the 3 Singapore telcos: Singtel, Starhub and M1 at each other’s throats vying for more subscribers.

Hot Gadgets at the IT Show 2011

Here’s my list of hot gadgets for IT Show 2011:

• MacBook Pro
• Lumix GF2
• Olympus E-PL2 and XZ-1
• Free MacBook Air offer by telcos

Have I missed out something? Tell me what hot gadgets you are buying at the IT Show 2011. Leave your comment at the box below.

Once upon time there was the G1 aka HTC Dream. The HTC Dream was the first Google Android-powered smartphone. This 1st generation Android phone is not exactly a hot-seller and did not live up to the hype. So HTC announced a sleeker HTC Magic earlier this year. Then on 27 April 2009, Samsung surprised me by announcing the Samsung i7500 – the first Samsung Android phone!

Samsung Android Phone

I really want to know more about this new Samsung Android phone and how the i7500 compares with the HTC Magic.

Samsung i7500 Specifications

But both models are not officially available yet and there are very few reviews on these phones. Maybe the Samsung i7500 will be available at the PC Show 2009 at Suntec City next month.

“Comparing to the specs of i7500, I think HTC Magic is a waste of time…”

Even Youtube has not few good video on the new Samsung Android phone.

This video on the Samsung i7500 from Tech65.org probably the best preview I’ve seen so far.

If you come across any good Samsung i7500 review, please let me know and leave a comment below.

Today, Digital Life features what I’ve been looking forward to – the latest 8MP camera phones review on the LG Renoir, Samsung Innova8, Samsung Pixon and Sony Ericsson C905. And according to the author, the winner is Sony Ericsson C905 aka Cybershot C905.

Why the Sony Ericsson C905

All the 4 camera phones were tested for outdoors, close-up, low-light and fast-motion shots. The Sony C905 came up first in 3 of the categories and third for fast-motion or action photography. The 2 seconds shutter lag seemed to be quite a problem. However, if you want sharp picture with the right exposure and color temperature then Sony C905 is the champion.

Samsung Pixon M8800

The Samsung scored #1 for fast-motion photography, #2 for outdoors and low-light, and #3 for close-up shot. From the series of 4 test, I would think it ranked #2 overall.

If you are looking for the fastest 8MP camera phone then the Samsung Pixon’s 1 second shutter response will ensure that you don’t miss that fleeting moment.

Samsung Pixon Hands-on

LG Renoir

The LG Renoir KC910 is the weakest of all. The Renoir was #4 for outdoors, close-up and low-light. In terms of response, it is #2 – just a fraction of a second slower than the Pixon.

It is apparent that if you are going for the sharpest and fastest 8MP camera phone then the $888 LG Renoir will not be the like candidate because you can get the Pixon for $10 more and the C905 for an additional $50.

Prices of 8MP Camera Phones

The following are retail prices in Singapore Dollars without contract:

• Price of Sony Ericsson C905 – $938
• Price of Samsung Pixon M8800 – $898
• Price of Samsung Innov8 i8510 – $1,098
• Price of LG Renoir KC910 – $999

8MP Camera Phones Shootout Results

The earlier post on Samsung Omnia Review is getting good response and hot discussion between Omnia users and potential owners on this latest touch-screen phone from Samsung.

So, to encourage more discussion, I’ve created a Samsung Omnia thread at Zest.SG Latest Gadgets Forum.

Why Use a Forum?

I guess some people prefer to participate in a forum discussion instead of commenting on a blog.

One reason being that your post does not need the blog owner to approve it. You get to see your discussion on the Omnia phone immediately and other forum members can also response to your questions quickly.

You may also want to check out this other very popular Samsung Omnia Forum.

I am referring to the contest at SamsungMobileBlog.com.sg. The prizes were 3 Samsung Omnia for the bloggers who wrote the best posts on what Omnia meant to them. The contest ended 18 days ago. Now people is asking who’s the winners but no one seems to know. Samsung wake up!

Samsung Omnia Contest Result?

One of the shortlisted Omnia bloggers contacted me 2 days ago and asked if I were one of the winners.

Of course not lah! I would be telling the whole world about winning a Samsung Omnia – at this blog.

She contacted 4 other shortlisted bloggers(5, including me?) and failed to find a winner.

Why didn’t Samsung announce the 3 Omnia winners at the official website?

It would save our poor Wendy lots of time and typing at her computer.

You can find her comments at my previous post.

September 16, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Wendy says:
hey there! i’m curious if u won the samsung omnia in the blog contest. do u know who won?

September 16, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
wassup says:
I didn’t hear from Samsung or the advertising company they engaged for the promotion. I checked the official website, samsungmobileblog.com.sg but there is no announcement of the winners yet. Did you hear from them?

September 18, 2008 @ 3:14 am
Wendy says:

Hey, thanks for your reply!

I emailed them and they say the winners have been notified and the prizes have been sent out, but there’re no announcements…

And of the 4 other people I’ve contacted, none of them have won it either.

Hmmm.

The Samsung Omnia Contest was extended but finally ended on the 31 August 2008. All the winners should have been notified from 1 to 5 September 2008. But, no winner or contest result was published at the official site – samsungmobileblog.com.sg

The Shortlisted Samsung Omnia Contest Bloggers

Are you one of the other 9 shortlisted bloggers?

1. Leow Shi Min aka Lula is fooling around with the monk
2. Wendy Wang aka Wendy’s Wendylicious Whims
3. Nurlianah aka Nolyn’s Weblog
4. Teo Huixian aka Huixian’s Rant!
5. Jang Wee Loon aka TechStuffs MySpace
6. Siti Sumari aka с–тεα•вιόgѕрот•сoм
7. Koh Yok How aka E-Hotspot
8. Tan Xiaofen aka Amber With You
9. Sherri Lee Singh aka This Is My Life

Then let us know if you were a Winner and got the Omnia or Not Winner by leaving a comment below.

[Update 23 Sep 2008]
SamsungMobileBlog.sg finally announced the 3 winners. They are:

• Andy Kwan
• Chua Wei Da
• Shawn Lee