It looks like the already very affordable U Mobile has just gotten even more affordable with the new “Switch to U Mobile” deal that offers free data, free calls, and free SMS to subscribers.

First up, U Mobile yesterday introduced a new prepaid plan, the UMI 38, that comes with 200 minutes of calls, 30 free SMS and 500MB of “high-speed internet” at only RM38/month.  The new prepaid plan is in addition to the already existing plans – UMI 18, UMI 28 and UMI 48.

U Mobile also announced its partnership with popular messaging apps – KakaoTalk and WeChat, to offer free data to use the apps for all UMI subscribers.

Finally, U Mobile also introduced a reward program that gives free  bonus when existing U Mobile prepaid subscribers invite their friends and family to subscribe to the telco’s prepaid service. The introducer will enjoy 5% free credit every time their friends top up.

Visit U Mobile for more information.

Marking the revival of its ailing mobile division, Sony went loud by launching not one, but two flagship smartphones that pair elegant design with high-end specs – something previous Sony smartphones have failed to do. I saw – and came away impressed – with the more expensive Xperia Z earlier this year, and our review left us excited for what’s to come in future Sony smartphones.

However, the Japanese company also has the Xperia ZL, the little brother of the Xperia Z. Shedding the glass back and water and dust resistance rating, Sony has also packed in some features on the ZL that is not found on the Z. Crucially, the ZL is priced significantly lower than the Z, and is one of the most affordable premium smartphones in the market. Is this the ace up Sony’s proverbial sleeve?

Review continues after the break.

One of the best things about Google is how it provides so many services that you can use together on both desktop and mobile. Today, Google is providing a better integration between its products by combining the storage of Google Drive, Gmail and Google+ Photos into a 15GB storage pool, so instead of the old 10GB for Gmail and 5GB for Drive and Google+ Photos, you get 15GB for all; a good news especially for heavy Google Drive users.

The changes will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks. For those who have purchased additional storage space for Google Drive, the space will be shared between those three Google products as well so you’re no longer limited to a 25GB upgrade in Gmail. If you’re a Google Apps user, you will also be getting shared storage of 30GB.

Visit Google’s blog for more information.

(Source: Engadget, Google Drive Blog)

Any fans of Daft Punk here? Well, some of us here in the HQ absolutely love their music too and are really looking forward for the band’s upcoming album called Random Access Memories which is scheduled to be out very soon.

Hence, we found it is rather intriguing that Daft Punk latest teaser video about Random Access Memories is actually an unboxing video (something that we do numerous times here at Lowyat.NET) for the vinyl version of the album. Just take a look at it below, which was just published on their YouTube channel around one hour ago:

It is needless to say that the Daft Punk fans in our team got really super psyched about this video especially towards the end of the video where the first few second of the new album was played out loud. At this rate, we are not surprised if these guys turn up in the office wearing Daft Punk’s helmets and disco suit very soon…that might be a sight to behold, frankly speaking.

Are you a Hotlink user? If you are, and you’ve got a smartphone, you might want to check on your credit balance. We have been receiving numerous reports from Hotlink subscribers that from late last night, they have been receiving messages that their internet quota has been depleted, and they will be charged based on usage. Needless to say, to those who didn’t read the message and did not turn off their data services, they would have woken up this morning to find their credit exhausted.

The above image, courtesy of forumer Mafiaz shows the SMS he received notifying him that his internet quota has been exhausted, but a quick check reveals he has only used up half of his 3GB allocation. Those who tried to renew their Internet plans were notified that the system was down, and those who did not turn off their data connection had their credit exhausted at RM0.05/10kB. We did a quick check on Maxis’ facebook page an noticed many more complaints of a similar nature.

A check on the Maxis Customer Support forums also shows at least a dozen topics on the issue, with no comment or response from the Maxis CS team in sight. At time of writing, a few customers have managed to lodge a complaint via the Maxis customer service hotline, but have not got any kind of response or acknowledgement on the issue.

Only less than 2 days to go before the BlackBerry Q10 officially arrives but it looks like you can already preorder it with Maxis. Maxis is offering the latest BlackBerry device from as low as RM1,178 when you sign up for a BBMore plan – BBMore55, BBMore88, or BBMore148, from as low as RM55/month. Unfortunately though, the offer is only available for new sign ups so if you’re an existing Maxis subscriber and wish to keep your number, you will need to wait till 15 May 2013.

Available on Maxis’ online store, you can do your purchase entirely from the comfort of your own seat, and the device will be delivered to you on 15 May 2013. The offers are as shown below:

Find out more about the BlackBerry Q10 on our previous post or visit Maxis for more information.

Ever since it was announced at New York alongside Aspire R7 and Iconia A1, our eyes are locked on the Acer Aspire P3 since it is the first out of those three devices that will be made available in Malaysia. There are other reasons as well including its uncanny resemblance to Microsoft Surface which made us wonder how does it fare against Microsoft’s own Windows 8 tablet.

Anyway, we found out that we might be able to see it sooner than we expected. According to a blog post by a local blog advertising network which have been appointed by Acer Malaysia as one of the marketing platform for the device, 22 May will be the release date for Acer Aspire P3 in our shores. Furthermore, the convertible Ultrabook is said to be powered by the third generation Intel Core i3.

Meanwhile, we predict that the Malaysian price for Aspire P3 will not be far different from its listed starting price of around RM 2397 (USD 799.99) in United States considering that the price tag of the previously released Acer Iconia W700 – which features identical 11.6-inch display size and Intel Core i3 processor series – is also within the same price range.

Well, let’s see if our prediction will hit the spot this coming 22 May.

[Source: Nuffnang]

Fancy a quick family getaway but money an issue? You’re in luck! Bring your kids on a quick getaway with Malaysian airlines new promotion; If you book from now until 20th May 2013 for the travelling period until the 31st of May, every Adult ticket booked with MAS will allow an under 12 year old child to travel for free! This is a perfect means to bring the family on holiday for cheap(er). Book your flights at your nearest travel agent or MAS Ticketing Office.

Conditions as follows

• Booking period: 29 Apr 2013 to 20 May 2013.
• Travel period: 29 Apr 2013 to 31 May 2013.
• Eligibility: For every paying adult flying out from Kuala Lumpur, one accompanied child or infant is entitled to fly for free.
• Valid for Economy Class purchases only.
• Not applicable for promotional fares.
• Complimentary child ticket applicable for first accompanied child. For second child onwards, normal fares will apply.
• Valid for all international sectors, except for Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur-Chennai, Kuala Lumpur-Bangalore and all domestic sectors.
• Promotion is not applicable during peak periods, demand flights and subject to seat availability.
• Not applicable for online bookings. Bookings can be made via travel agents, Malaysia Airlines ticket office or by calling 1 300 88 3000.

Head over here for more details!