Galaxy S II for RM799 at the Maxis Launch Event

Got an email from Maxis. RM 799 for Galaxy S II... Only for one day.. hmm.. At first I thought, OK!! I must go que up... However, the catch is, a new 3G data plan have to be registered. And this got me thinking... 

Which means to get this, you have to subscribe monthly :

- Value Plus 50 (Minimum) - RM 50 

- 3GB data plan (for 24 months) - RM 88 

Am now using Maxis value plus 50 + 500Mb plan for my Galaxy S package last year. (RM 50 + RM 58 - RM 10 rebate = RM 98 monthly)

To qualify for a promotion priced SGSII, I need to fork out additional RM 40 per month. RM 40 x 24 = RM 960. Which means the total cost to own this is RM 1,759 if I que up at the launch and "HOPE" to be one of the first 300 customer. 

I might as well get RM 1,799 for the phone and maintain my current package... I only pay RM 40 extra one time...  heheheh.. No Que, No hassle... Furthermore, I don't need additional data up to 3GB on my phone network, I'd already say YES to a much faster option for that. HAHAHA!

Samsung's Solar Powered Notebook/Netbook!

Since May 11th, Twitters and Blogs have been flooded with news about Samsung's Solar Powered Notebooks due to Samsung's unveiling of a netbook (Samsung NC215) at the Africa Regional Forum in Nairobi.

The netbook is supposed to be completely usable off the grid and just needs the sun to charge its batteries. Imagine using this notebook in remote places, while traveling and even around town without the extra weight of adapters like the other netbooks.

Thanks to Samsung's notebook brand manager Mr KM Chew for allowing me to take a few pictures. More about the capabilities are still strictly under lock and key. 

The netbook. Easily spotted with the large solar panel covering the whole front cover.

The top cover/screen is not made any more thicker than normal netbooks.

On the right, the usual notebook lock, VGA out, USB ports and Audio ports

Netbook sized keyboard, island keys, nice layout

On the left, power for quick charging, RJ45 port and USB

You saw it first on JL's Gadget Blog!

Samsung countersues Apple...

Just a few days ago, it was a hot news about Apple suing Samsung. Now, Samsung strikes back..

Samsung said in a statement Friday that Apple's iPhone and iPad infringe Samsung's 10 mobile technology patents and it called for Apple to stop infringing its technology and compensate the company.

Samsung said the suits, filed in South Korea, Japan and Germany, involved 10 alleged infringements of patents mainly involving power reduction during data transmission, 3G technology for reducing errors during data transmission, and wireless data communication technology.

Source :  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/22/us-samsung-apple-idUSTRE73L0DG20110422


hmm... interesting.... 

Apple sues Samsung for 'copying' iPhones and iPad

Apple is suing its rival Samsung Electronics for allegedly copying the design of its iPad and iPhone.

It claims Samsung's Galaxy range of mobile phones and tablet "slavishly" copy the iPhone and iPad, according to court papers.
Apple's claims focus on Galaxy's design features, such as the look of its screen icons.
Galaxy products use Google's Android operating system, which directly competes with Apple's mobile software.
As well as being a competitor, Samsung supplies Apple with microchips that are used in some Apple products, such as the A4 and A5 processors, as well as memory chips used in MacBook Pro computers.
The lawsuit was filed on Friday and alleges Samsung violated Apple's patents and trademarks.
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said in a statement: "This kind of blatant copying is wrong."
Samsung was not immediately available for comment.


Patent battles
John Jackson, an analyst with CCS Insight, said Samsung is essentially Apple's only real tablet competitor at this stage.
Apple is one participant in a web of litigation among phone makers and software firms over who owns the patents used in smartphones.
Nokia has sued Apple, which in turn has sued handset maker HTC Corp.
Apple is bringing 16 claims against Samsung, including unjust enrichment, trademark infringement and 10 patent claims.
In March Apple sued HTC alleging patent infringement over the iPhone.
In October 2010, Apple sued Motorola, saying its smartphones use Apple's intellectual property.

Sources :
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/apple-sues-samsung-over-for-copying-the-iphone-and-ipad/ 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13124753
http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20110418/apple-files-patent-suit-against-samsung-over-galaxy-line-of-phones-and-tablets/

Galaxy S vs Nexus S

(This post was created in the LRT station as I was stuck here for 1 hour+ during rush hour)


After a brief review and some read up in websites, here are my summary. I call up the stronger points of the device.

How To : install custom firmware for Samsung Galaxy S

This post is a guide for basic PDA firmware flashing. Will post another one for advanced tweaking (md5,pit update) and making your Samsung Galaxy S fly...


Why flash it rather than using KIES for official update?
One thing I realized : Original firmware is not to my liking, lag and slow. I want my phone to be fast!


I have been doing this for a few friends and a few others via email. I think it will be more beneficial for me to post it up as a reference to all. (Some friends willing to travel 300km to meet me for this). 


Kudos to Justin Tan (Photog and LancerGT brother) who train me about ODIN over MSN...

-------------------------------------------

Let's start with tools you need:


- Windows PC/Notebook (For Odin)
- Your SGS (Samsung Galaxy S) cable
- Odin 1.3 (and above) - This is your flashing tool 
- A firmware of your choice (For this I use : Froyo 2.2.1 JPY)


Resource links and guides after the jump

Samsung Series 9 - World's thinnest and lightest

Samsung will be launching the world's thinnest and lightest notebook on March 17th in Malaysia. Some of you may have read about it before. It's the 9 Series. This goes head to head with the Macbook Air. The price will be announced at launching but i believe it should be competitive with the macbook air.

Holding it for the first time the unit feels solid yet very light, it's made of Duralumin, typically found in advanced aircrafts and offers construction quality twice as durable as aluminum. The design is sleek with nice curves. The minute i got it i said i have to get one. Now, i'm primarily a MacOS user but i do have a windows desktop. So for those who want to look for windows macbook air equivalent this is it.