Yes today has announced the Huddle XS, its 2nd 4G Hotspot device. The original Yes Huddle is one of our favourite portable MiFi solution that’s easy to use with stellar performance.

The new model comes with a smaller footprint and it is almost half the weight of its predecessor. In terms of specs which we’ve obtained from InfoMark, the Huddle XS has less battery capacity but boasts a longer life of up to 6 hours. The only disadvantage of the Huddle XS is the lack of removable battery.

For existing or those intending to subscribe to Yes on prepaid, the Huddle XS is priced at RM480 outright. It is also offered as low as RM80 if you purchased it with 24 months contract of Yes Unlimited Super Postpaid plans.

For more information of the new Huddle XS, head over to Yes Huddle XS page.

	Mobile Devices, Players on the Field, Yes
	Biscuit Mini, Infomark, KWF-B2700, Yes, yes 4g, Yes 4G Huddle, yes huddle, Yes Huddle Spec, Yes Huddle XS

Yes today has finally launched its long awaited 4G Android smart phone that comes with dual-mode (4G WiMAX/3G SIM) capabilities. It retails for RM1,688 outright and comes bundled with 3 plan options of 3 plans on offer at RM88, RM138 & RM238 monthly.

The eclipse can be yours for free with 24 months bundling of eclipse 238 plan that comes with 7GB of data, free calls/SMS within Yes network and 1000 free SMS/minutes of voice calls. Interesting to note that they are offering the new slim Huddle XS 4G hotspot for RM400 with the bundled offer. The huddle XS is going for RM480 outright or RM80 when bundled with 24 months contract of Yes Postpaid plan. More details of the huddle XS here.

In terms of specs, it runs on a single core 1GHz Qualcomm processor with 512MB RAM and 2GB of ROM. Over at the front you get a 4.1″ WVGA display with a front facing VGA camera. At the back it comes with a 5MP camera with assisted LED flash and it is powered with a 1,500mAh battery. The eclipse runs on a rather dated Android 2.2 Froyo. In addition to your standard Android features, the eclipse can support 4 way video calls and 6 way audio calls over Yes’s 4G network. Being a dual-mode device, you can stay connected or make calls via your regular 3G SIM where Yes’s 4G network is out of reach.

More info on the Yes Eclipse here.

Head after the break for the introductory video of the Yes Eclipse phone.

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	Mobile Devices, Players on the Field, Yes
	Android, Yes, yes 4g, Yes 4G Android phone, Yes Eclipse, yes huddle, Yes Huddle XS

Update: Picture of the actual device right after the jump. @jnoathan who contributed the picture also mentioned that the device will be called the Huddle XS. Also, @dieselelectric highlighted something we forgot to mention earlier — unlike the original Huddle, the Huddle XS features non-removable battery. Thanks guys! More details of the Huddle XS here.

In addition to the launch of its very own 4G Android smartphone, Yes is also working on a new version of its Huddle 4G mobile WiFi router and while we’ve heard about this a number of times since last year, there has not been any solid information about the device. That is, until now.

In the treasure trove of geekdom that is the LowYat.Net forums, we found very detailed albeit not officially confirmed information about the new Yes Huddle.

Like the old Huddle, the new Huddle is an off-the-shelve solution by Korean manufacturer Infomark and it’s the device you see pictured above. Overall, the new Huddle will be thinner and have a smaller footprint than the original but the device is said to have a longer battery lifespan – 7.8 hours claimed compared to the 5 hours in the original Huddle. The new Huddle is also thinner at 12.5mm compared to 18mm in the original. As far as we know, there won’t be any colour options, the new Huddle will only be offered in white.

The new Huddle also features an improved operation status indicator with three separate LEDs in charge of displaying power, WiMAX and WiFi status indicators making the power and wireless status levels easier to read at a glance. Although we would prefer a proper screen that can display information in more detail.

In terms of pricing, a source in the LowYat.Net forums said that it will retail for RM480 and is likely to be offered for free with a 24 months contract. Launch detail has not been revealed yet but it looks like it will happen soon if not at the same time as the Eclipse launch.

The Huddle is one of our favourite mobile router because of its long lasting battery and the consistent high-speed performance offered by the Yes 4G network. The new Huddle improves on all the critical aspects of the old Huddle and is set to be another popular device from Yes. However we would like to see Yes offer a special upgrade scheme for existing or long-standing customer to incentivise them to purchase the new device. Hopefully they’ve thought about that already.

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	Players on the Field, Yes
	new Yes Huddle, Yes, yes 4g, yes huddle, Yes Huddle Mini, Yes Huddle XS

UPDATE 2: Yes Eclipse 4G Smart Phone launched at RM1,688. Read more about it here.

UPDATE 1: Unconfirmed pricing of the Eclipse is RM1,680 outright. The phone is said to be offered for free with a 24-months contract. Monthly pricing for this plan is not yet known. If the pricing is indeed true, the Eclipse is way overpriced for its specification considering that you can get a current dual-core Android for the same amount of money or even less. The Eclipse is looking to be a device that will easily Eclipsed by its peers.

Yes will be launching its new 4G phone on Wednesday but it was already revealed during its dealer conference last week. Earlier on, it was spotted in the hands of their staff during PC Fair.

According to the dealer that posted, the device will be running on a single core 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 processor, 512MB of RAM and 2GB of built-in storage. The screen is 4.1″ TFT that does a respectable resolution of 800×480. There’s a 5MP camera at the back with LED and a front facing VGA camera for video calls. Speaking of video calls, it was mentioned that the phone can make a 4 way video call simultaneously. In terms of dimensions, it is 12.9mm thick and weighs about 135 grams.

Yes is expected to offer bundling package like the other devices previously. More pricing and details shall be revealed this Wednesday.

[ SOURCE ]

	Android, Mobile Devices, Mobile OS, Players on the Field, Yes
	Android, Yes, yes 4g, Yes 4G Android phone, Yes Eclipse

After a long wait, Yes is finally launching its upcoming 4G phone. Dubbed as the “world’s smartest 4G phone”, the device will be launched next Wednesday at a media event in KL.

It is no secret that Yes has been working on an Android 4G smart phone with WiMAX capabilities. This allows seamless calls on their Yes network as well as the flexibility to make mobile network calls via 3G. The device was earlier spotted during PC Fair and the device is expected to run on a single core processor with Android 2.2 Froyo.

Bundling plans are expected to be revealed at the launch as well.

	Android, Mobile Devices, Mobile OS, Players on the Field, Yes
	Android, Yes, yes 4g, Yes 4G Android phone

Fellow blogger and uber geek Albert Ng was doing his walkabout at this weekend’s KL PC Fair when he glanced upon a Yes 4G employee with something very peculiar in her hand.

Albert’s laser-sharp eyes saw that the Yes 4G employee held a device that he had never seen before. His fast thinking and epic photo-snipping skills produced the shot that you see above. It is probably the first real close-up look of the Yes 4G Android smartphone.

Always very economical with his words, Albert’s describes the device to have a back, home and menu button like the CSL Droidpad – and that’s it. Albert is usually very meticulous as well and if he had more details, we’re pretty sure he would have shared it with us. It’s very possible that he couldn’t get a real chance to examine the device in more detail but in any case, very little about the Yes 4G Android phone is secret anyway.

As far as we know, Yes 4G smartphone is expected to run Android 2.2 Froyo and feature a 1Ghz single-core processor, between 512MB to 1GB of RAM, a 4-inch LCD display and a 5MP rear camera. The device will also feature dual-mode 3G/4G capability allowing users to use a 3G SIM card for calls and texts and Yes’ 4G network for data.

The device hardware puts the Yes 4G Android phone well within the entry-level segment. Pricing for the device is still a mystery but we think anything over RM1,000 would make potential customers look elsewhere. Sources close to Yes 4G have indicated that the device is planned to be launched before the second half of this year with the operator possibly offering the device for free with contract.

The Yes 4G Android smartphone was first announced soon after the Yes 4G service was launched way back in November 2010. Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, the top front man of the YTL empire, the people that build the Yes 4G network, said early last year that the device will be launched in August 2011. That deadline has come and gone yet there’s still no Android smartphone from Yes 4G. Let’s hope that there will be no more delays this time around.

The Yes 4G Android phone will be facing some very tough competition from the likes of HTC, Samsung and Sony, all of which have very capable entry level and mid range Android devices that are attractively priced and are packed with features and run on the more current Android OS. The team at Yes will have their work cut out for them to attract buyers from this very price conscious segment. It’s going to be interesting.

Big thanks to Albert for the picture.

	Android, Mobile Devices, Mobile OS, Players on the Field, Yes
	Android, Yes, yes 4g, Yes 4G Android phone

When Yes introduced its Super Postpaid plans, it lacked data quota top up options. This means that you’re stuck with 128kbps throttled speed until the next billing cycle if you have depleted your allocated monthly usage quota. Now they have introduced new SuperBooster, which is a top up option for you to regain back your full speed when your speeds are throttled.

Price starts from RM10 for 256MB and it goes up to RM55 for 3GB. In terms of validity, it follows your current billing cycle. For example if you’re 6 days until your quota is renewed, your extra top up quota is valid only for 6 days. Any unused data from the SuperBooster will not be carried forward to the new month. To top up, you can purchase it at My Account at the Yes portal.

For more information, head over to Yes SuperBooster page.

	Players on the Field, Yes
	Unlimited Super Postpaid, Yes, yes 4g, Yes Postpaid, Yes quota top up, Yes Super Postpaid, Yes SuperBooster

The Sony Tablet S is officially available this Month and it is also available for bundling on Yes. Outright, the Tablet S is priced at RM1,499 for the 16GB model and 1,799 for the 32GB model. These prices remain unchanged since its earlier pre-order.

On Yes, the Tablet S can be yours from RM1,288 with 24 months contract on Yes new postpaid plans. The bundle comes inclusive of a Yes Huddle Mifi and you must be tied with its highest 10GB postpaid plan of RM168/month. As an added extra, they also included a free Sony Tablet S cradle in the package while stocks last.

If you plan to sign up, there’s a RM100 activation fee and upfront payment up to RM600 which is rebated back across either 12 or 20 months period depending on your contract. For more information, head over to Yes’s Tablet S page.

For more information on the Sony Tablet S, head over to their microsite. If you wish to buy it outright, the Tablet S is also available online at the Sony Store with 12 months easy payment program.

	Android, Mobile Devices, Mobile OS, Players on the Field, Sony, Yes
	Sony, Sony S1, Sony S1 Malaysia, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet S Malaysia, Sony Tablet S Price, Sony Tablet S1, Yes, yes 4g, yes huddle, Yes Sony Tablet S

UPDATE: At the official launch of the Yes Super Postpaid plan, the CMO Chee Pok Jin has announced that the throttled speed is 128kbps. Obviously this is after you exceeded your monthly quota.

Yes today introduced its postpaid plans that come with unlimited data. This offers better peace of mind without any surprise charges for excess usage. There are 4 options from as low as RM48/month with 1.5GB of bundled data.

For subscribers who use more than 3GB of data a month, there’s a 4GB plan at RM68/month, 6GB at RM98/month & 10GB plan for RM168. As comparison, Yes prepaid valuepack offers 3.5GB for RM68 and 10GB for RM150 with calls and text messages bundled in.

Most Yes subscribers can certainly agree that switching to postpaid will be a better option for them as they don’t have to pay for excess usage and can stay connected even after the data cap has been utilised. Of course, speeds will be throttled down after you hit your monthly limit. Yes did not state what the throttled speed is but says that it will be comparable to industry standards (read: probably 128kbps).

While Yes allows you to carry forward unused Valuepack data indefinitely so long as you continue renewing your Valuepack, there is no such option for the postpaid plans. According to their FAQ, any unused data will be forfeited. In addition, if you are an existing Valuepack subscriber and would like to switch to Yes postpaid, all your accumulated data, talktime and SMS from the Valuepack plans are forfeited as well. That’s a bummer.

It is interesting to note that the Super Postpaid Plans mention speeds up to 10X faster than 3G with speeds up to 20Mbps but on their prepaid page, Yes mentions speeds up to 3-5X than 3G. Could this mean postpaid users might potentially enjoy faster speeds than prepaid? Or is it poor website management on Yes’s side?

In terms of devices, a 12 months contract will give you a free Yes Go USB dongle while a 24 months contract offers an option of a free Yes Huddle MiFi or a Yes Zoom home router. For the Huddle and Zoom, a device upfront payment of RM399 (for either device) is required. The up payment will be rebated back to your account across 20 months.

Overall, the plan is not groundbreaking as it offers similar value to what the rest of the industry is offering. The Yes Super Postpaid plans offer an alternative to existing 3G plans in the market and the performance of the Yes network is an added bonus.

We don’t like that there is currently no option to top up your data quota in case you burst your cap early and we’d prefer Yes to offer the Huddle on the 12-months contract as well. It doesn’t have to be free, a subsidised pricing is fine, we just don’t like that Yes is forcing users to subscribe to a longer contract tenure by limiting the device options.

For more information, head over to Yes Postpaid Plans page.

	Players on the Field, Yes
	Unlimited Super Postpaid, Yes, yes 4g, Yes Postpaid

Valentine’s day is coming on February 14th and Yes is running a special Valentine’s Day promotion for the month of February. They are offering a combo of a Yes 4G Mifi or home gateway that comes with a free USB modem and a chance to publicly declare your love on their big Yes LED Cube in front of Lot 10 on Valentine’s day.

For RM499, they are offering either Yes huddle MiFi or a Yes Zoom gateway which comes with 2x RM50 reloads. Looking at the details, they are giving RM30 free credit upon activation. On top of that, they will give RM60 loyalty credit for every 6 months within the 1 year subscription period they give RM60 if you stay with them for 6 months and they will give additional RM100 if you stay on further until 12 months. That makes the Yes huddle Mifi and Yes Zoom effectively RM249 if you stay with them for a year.

In the promo, they listed a total bundle of RM190 credit but from our calculation it is RM130 bundled credit upfront and additional RM120RM160 credit if you stay on for a year. Not sure if there’s any mistake but do clarify with them before signing up. In addition, they will also give a free Yes Go USB Modem with RM50 rebate credit for your loved one. Seriously, a USB stick as a Valentine’s Day gift? We rather you give the Yes Huddle Mifi as a gift instead.

Only those that purchase the Valentine combo will be entitled to submit their dedications online. The top 10 will be picked and shall be notified on February 13th, the day before the dedications go live on V-day. As extra goodies, they are also throwing additional prizes for the best top 3 submissions for the entire month. So if you want your message to be on the cube, you better do so before February 12th.

For more information, head over here.

	Mobile Devices, Players on the Field, Yes
	Valentine's day, Yes, yes 4g, yes go, yes huddle, Yes LED Cube, yes malaysia, Yes Mifi, yes zoom