If you have being waiting for the right time to buy Apple products, today is your lucky day. Similar to last year‘s CNY promotion, Apple is throwing yet another Red Friday promotion on their online store where they give additional discounts on selected Apple products.

Check out some of the key promo items below:

iPad with Retina Display – from RM1,378 (Save RM121-RM181)
iPad 2 – RM1,078 (Save RM121)
iPod Touch 5th Gen – from RM938 (Save RM111-141)
iPod Touch 4th Gen – from RM628 (Save RM71)
iPod Nano – RM488 (Save RM41)
MacBook Air – from RM2,788 (Save RM311)
MacBook Pro – from RM3,388 (Save RM311)
MacBook Pro with Retina Display – from RM4,988 (Save RM311)

Apart from these devices, they also offer discounts on Apple accessories such as Wireless Keyboard, Trackpad, Mouse and covers. If you’re hoping for extra discounts on the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, unfortunately they are not on offer.

For more information, head over to Apple Store’s CNY Promo page.

Remember, this promo is only valid today, 25th January 2013.

UPDATE: New iPad 4th Gen and iPad Mini comparison table updated. Added Galaxy Tab 7.7.

After the unveiling of the new iPad mini and 4th generation iPad, it is time for another round of comparison. We have compared the tablets with both the internal hardware as well as the exterior dimensions.

The new iPad mini comes with a slightly larger 7.9″ display that does 1024×768 resolution, which is the same resolution of its older iPad 2 of 9.7″. While that gives a higher pixel density of 163ppi (pixels per inch), it is behind the Nexus 7 of 216ppi due to its higher resolution of 1280×800. In terms of dimensions, the iPad mini is the thinnest and lightest of the lot at only 7.2mm thick and 308g heavy.

Moving on to the larger tablets, the new iPad in its 4th generation still holds the highest pixel density of 264ppi thanks to its higher than HD resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. As comparison, the closest rival in the form of ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity does a lower full HD resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. In terms of battery, the 9.7″ iPad is still the largest with a rated 10 hour battery life and as a result, it is also the heaviest in this comparison.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a more unique offering with a included S-Pen stylus, 2GB of RAM and higher camera resolution of 8MP for the rear and 2MP at the front. In terms of 3G SIM sizes, the Android tablets are using the regular Mini-SIM while Apple is the only contender that uses micro-SIM. For the new iPad mini, it uses the latest nano-SIM, similar to the iPhone 5.

iOS 6 will be available for Malaysians to download from September 20 (September 19 in the US). The latest Apple mobile OS will support the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4, the new iPad and iPad 2 but as with previous versions of iOS, not all supported iDevices will get all the over 200 new features the latest version has to offer.

If you’re an iDevice user, you’ll want to know that Siri is still lacking local support and is only available for the iPhone 4S and new iPad. On the up side, Apple’s own Map app will have local support including turn-by-turn navigation and local search. Flyover 3D maps won’t be available in Malaysia though.

Here’s a quick rundown of which devices getting which features:
Siri: iPhone 4S, new iPad
Flyover: iPhone 4S, iPad 2, new iPad
Photo Stream: iPhone 4, 4S, iPad 2, new iPad
FaceTime Over 3G: iPhone 4S, new iPad
VIP List: iPhone 4, 4S, iPad 2, new iPad

While you wait for the download to be available, check out this video explaining the key features coming in the new version.

Bonus Tip:
Before updating to iOS 6, make sure that you’ve disabled Restrictions. Without Restrictions disabled your device may not be able to transfer purchases, backup or sync with your computer. To disable Restrictions, go to Settings > General > Restrictions.

After the announcement of the new “Resolutionary” iPad, Malaysia’s Apple store has already started slashing prices of the existing iPad 2. Now the cheapest entry model, the 16GB WiFi version is going for only RM1,199 after the RM300 reduction across all models including WiFi and 3G.

Such price reduction also occurred last year and Apple Store Malaysia had offered refunds of price difference for those that purchased within 14 days before the announcement. If you’re one of the unfortunate ones that just bought one recent, do stay tune for the refund announcement as it is likely they might be doing the same this year.

Here’s the price difference for comparison:

WiFi
16GB iPad 2 RM1,499 RM1,199
32GB iPad 2 RM1,799 RM1,499
64GB iPad 2 RM2,099 RM1,799

3G
16GB iPad 2 RM1,899 RM1,599
32GB iPad 2 RM2,199 RM1,899
64GB iPad 2 RM2,499 RM2,199

To place an order, head over to the Apple Store. If you’ve been eyeing for a cheaper iPad, this is the time to do so but you better hurry before the old stocks run out.

…use your iPad like this in the LRT? We got to admit, it’s pretty smart but the case leaves the iPad prone to snatch theft if you’re not careful.

[via]

We’ve once again reached that time of the year where we look back at the past eleven months to see what a year it has been. For us at SoyaCincau.com, 2011 has been a year filled with amazing gadgets and innovation. The mobile scene has progressed so much in such a short time span that you can’t believe how much the game has moved on since a year ago.

In Malaysia, we see more interest from prominent brands like Samsung, Sony Ericsson, HTC, Nokia and BlackBerry as they identify Malaysia as a key market. As a result we see more devices being launched in Malaysia much earlier than – or at the very least at the same time as – other countries. We see this trend continuing for 2012 as Android gains traction and makes inroads in the minds and hearts of Malaysian consumers outside of urban areas and the demand for smartphones increases and prices drop.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone has got to be, in our opinion, one of the biggest lost opportunities for 2011. As a mobile platform, Windows Phone has loads of potential but the lack of a concerted and synchronised market awareness effort from Microsoft and manufacturers has resulted in the platform being an unknown in the country. As a result of that, retailers have seen very little interest in Windows Phone devices.

Having said that, Nokia is set to launch its range of Lumia devices that run on Windows Phone in Malaysia sometime before the first quarter of next year. With a strong brand presence in the country, Nokia could just be what Windows Phone need to gain some mind share in Malaysia. But make no mistake, the Nokia Lumia devices are not magic bullets and Microsoft can’t depend on Nokia alone to solve the lack of awareness for its mobile platform. More needs to be done on Microsoft’s side to educate and drive conversation on the strengths and advantages of Windows Phone.

Speaking of which, TIME magazine has released its top ten lists of everything for the year. Naturally, the list of Top 10 gadgets for 2011 is something we are all very interested to see.

TIME’s Top 10 Gadgets of 2011:

1. iPad 2
2. Galaxy Nexus
3. Kindle Fire
4. iPhone 4S
5. Nintendo 3DS
6. Sony S Series 13-inch laptop
7. Roku LT / Roku 2
8. 13-inch MacBook Air
9. Sony PlayStation 3D display
10. Motorola Atrix 4G with Lapdock

In some respects, the list of Top 10 gadget for 2011 echoes the 2010 list. Just like in 2010 where the iPad topped the list, the iPad 2 reigns supreme as the top gadget for 2011. Also like 2010, an Android device becomes the top ranked smartphone for 2011. Where previously it was the Samsung Galaxy S, this time it’s the Galaxy Nexus that is ranked as the top smartphone for 2011 right up at the number two spot. Another notable Android in the list is the Motorola Atrix, ranked at number ten.

Of course the Top 10 gadgets for 2011 wouldn’t be complete without the iPhone 4S making it onto the list – the latest iPhone ranks fourth.

What makes this year’s list interesting is our observation from last year’s list. Last year, we wrote:

It appears that 2010 is the year that Google’s Android becomes a legitimate contender in the mobile OS arena to formidably battle against the mighty iOS.

The question now is, will the Nexus S be able to maintain the momentum?

And Android has indeed maintained its momentum. In fact, Android has seen a surge in growth this year allowing the OS to finally surpass Apple’s iOS as the top smartphone operating system in the world.

So what will 2012 hold for us gadget geeks? Well, you can expect even more amazing devices to enter the market. Quad-core will be the new dual-core and Android will continue to grow its dominance for 2012. At the same time, 2012 will be an important year for the iPhone. The next iPhone and the innovations that will come with it, will be critical if Apple wants to reclaim that top spot.

Right now, Android offers more compelling choices in more price points that Apple can and if Apple wants to lead in the smartphone segment again, it needs to look at how it can deliver a compelling product proposition across the board, not just at the high-end segment of the market.

In 2012, everybody will want a smartphone but not everyone can afford an iPhone. That could be an opportunity for Apple or a potential risk.

What about BlackBerry? Right now they need all the help they can get. RIM has recently announced that the much touted QNX-based BlackBerry 10 devices will only be available at the later part of 2012. In the meantime RIM will bank on aggressively marketing and advertising its current range of device to drive sales. In the face of so many new innovations  from Android and iOS happening so quickly, RIM will – to put it mildly – find it tremendously difficult to hold on to what little market share it has left in the mobile market, let alone regain the big chunk of customers it has lost is such a short time. For their own good, let’s hope RIM has a major surprise in store for us all in 2012.

Here’s yet another Apple iPad 2 commercial entitled Love. Just like its previous ads, it evokes the emotional aspects around this “magical” device.

With many new tablets coming up, there’s nothing comes close to this type of ads.

[ SOURCE ]

The iPad with its glorious front glass may look sleek but careless mistakes such as dropping it can mess that precious gadget of yours in an instant. For maximum protection, there’s the G-Form extreme case which they have demonstrated an iPad surviving the impact of a dropping bowling bowl.

To take things to the next level, G-Form took it for a drop test at 1,300 feet with help of some skydivers. Watch it to believe. That’s one crazy protection sleeve. Head after the break for another test where they toss it out from a moving vehicle at 180KM/h.

[ SOURCE ]

China is a funny place. When the WiFi version of the iPad 2 was launched, teenagers sold off their vital organs just to raise enough money to get one. At launch day, crazed Apple fans (as well as scalpers) took frenzied buying to a whole new level over there when they beat each other up just to get the iPad 2.

Just recently, the 3G version of the iPad 2 was launched in China and judging from what happened during the WiFi version launch its pretty safe to assume that the masses will come back for another session of frenzied buying. Well as it turns out, this time around, on one in China gave a damn about the 3G version of the iPad 2.

Apple flagship stores in Shanghai and Beijing geared up with long line barricades and ramped-up in-store security expecting even more people to stand in line for the iPad 2 3G. This was not the case. In fact, no one came to buy a 3G iPad 2.

It was quite frankly one of the worst product launches we’ve ever seen. The main reason for this catastrophic failure is because the 3G iPad 2 is already on sale in neighboring Hong Kong and other Asian countries. And because of the rampant smuggling of Apple products into China, those who wanted the device would have already gotten it from unofficial sources. On top of that the 3G version is ridiculously expensive at US$721 for a 16GB version and it is apparently un-Jailbreakable at the moment.

China is a funny place, ain’t it?

Hit up the source link for a full recap on what went down in China during the iPad 2 3G launch. More surreal pictures of empty Apple Store fronts after the jump.

[via]

While Windows 8 will be Microsoft’s next PC operating system, the platform will also play an important role in mobile devices and Microsoft’s determination to capture the mobile market. PCs will run Windows 8 but tablets and smartphones will be where the war is to be won and Microsoft knows it.

The most formidable of opponents will be Apple with its iOS along with its iPhone and iPad. The iPad single-handedly created a new market segment and it is the tablet to beat, and so how does Windows 8 compares with the king of the tablets?

The video above pits Windows 8 with Apple’s latest iOS 5 to show the strengths and weaknesses of both. It’s worth noting that the Windows 8 build on the Samsung tablet in the featured is an early beta that’s available for the public to download but even in this early version the OS looks very polished. In fact, Windows 8 makes Apple’s latest iOS look decidedly dated. Microsoft has done some impressive work with Windows 8 to make it truly tablet friendly and we’re really excited about this.

Microsoft’s in with a potential winner here with Windows 8 but having the potential to be awesome is only half the battle one. Microsoft needs to rapidly capitalise on the interest and launch the whole ecosystem quickly. The whole gamut — platform, applications and hardware must be ready to go with a big bang no later than the first quarter of 2012 or even earlier or Microsoft will risk having its competitors catching up.

We’ll reserve our final word when we get a full-on review but even at this early stage Windows 8 is looking to be one of the biggest news in 2012.

[source, via]