BenQ has announced the arrival of the new BenQ MP511 digital projector targeted at avid video gamers, home theatre enthusiasts and business professionals. Housed in an elegant design, the MP511 strikes a perfect balance between classic good looks and top-notch visual performance. Its snowy-white color is sure to blend in into any home décor or office environment seamlessly.

Ideal for movie and television enjoyment and professional business presentation as well as gaming, the MP511 features a sharp 2000:1 contrast ratio and a high 2000 ANSI lumen brightness as well as 800 X 600 SVGA resolution in either 4:3 native aspect ratio or a selectable 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The 2.6kg BenQ MP511 can project images from 30 inches to 300 inches in a full 16.7 billion color palette glory.  

The new BenQ MP511 retails at RM1999.00 and is available now. Read on for more details.  

Samsung has recently its latest music mobile phones, SGH-F210 and SGH-F200. The SGH-F210 and SGH-F200 mobile phones combine today’s most advanced mobile phone capabilities with cutting edge music player technology in one super sleek package. Brilliantly designed with a swivel function that users can flick open to make calls or to playback music with ease.

Both models feature a 128 x 220, 262,144 color screen as well as a navigation control on the front with the navigation control that rotates around to reveal a keypad. The F210 comes with 1GB NAND of memory with the option of expanding up to 2GB on its microSD card slot and a two-megapixel camera.

Both devices have a "3D sound effect" included in order to make them capable of providing music experiences at best standards. F210 and F200 also have MP3 playback time capability of 18 and 20 hours respectively.  The SGH-F210 will be available by mid November in Malaysia while the SGH-F200 has a recommended retail price of RM 799.00 and is now available.

Read on for more info, pictures and tech specs.

HP has unveiled an innovative line-up of personal mobile and desktop computing productsthat have been designed to reflect consumers’ personal and professional lives through meaningful innovations and the next-generation designs.

HP TouchSmart PC

This include two special edition consumer notebook PCs; the Pavilion dv2600 series Special Edition Entertainment Notebook PC and the 15.4 inch HP Pavilion dv6500 series Special Edition Entertainment Notebook PC both with new HP Imprint designs; a Designed-in-Asia-for-Asia notebook PC (the HP TouchSmart PC) ; largest-ever expansion of four new iPAQs (the HP iPAQ 912 Business Messenger,the HP iPAQ 612 Business Navigator, the HP iPAQ 212 Enterprise Handheld, and the HP iPAQ 112 Classic Handheld), as well as the HP Pavilion Elite m9000 Series Desktop PC and the latest high definition widescreen monitors; the HP w2207h 22-inch and HP w2408h Vivid Color 24-inch.

The prices for the launched products are as follows.  RM1,300 for the HP w2207h 22-inch, RM1,900 onwards for the HP w2408h 24 inch, RM5,688 onwards for the HP Pavilion Elite m9000 Series Desktop PC, RM5,499 onwards for the HP Pavilion dv2616TX and RM5,999 onwards for the HP Pavilion dv6601TX series. The HP iPaqs will be available in November so no prices are available as yet.

Read on for more info on the products. 

Microsoft has managed to pierce sligthly into Symbian's hold on Nokia with this latest news. Don't worry Symbian fans, Nokia isn't going full Windows... yet. However, both Microsoft and Nokia have announced that they will provide mobile consumers with a new suite of Windows Live services, specifically designed for Nokia devices.

As of today, Nokia users in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia with selected Nokia S60 devices can download the new suite enabling access to Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Spaces. By the end of the year, Nokia users in India, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam can access the service on select devices.

Nokia Nseries consumers who own the Nokia N73, N76, N80 Internet Edition, N93i, and the N95 multimedia computers are the first who can access the Windows Live services via the Download! Application on their devices. Existing users and interested consumers can visit http://www.nokia.com/windowslive to learn more.. Initially the service will be available as a free trial and then customers in select markets wishing to continue using the service may be asked to pay a monthly fee.

Read on for more info. 

Logitech has introduced the newest addition to its line of G-series peripherals for PC gaming. The Logitech G9 Laser Mouse allows PC gamers the ability to modify nearly every part of the G9 mouse for the best personal fit, feel and performance.

Logitech also unveiled an upgrade to its Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard – now with native support from the most popular games for its exclusive GamePanel LCD screen, a backlighted 160 by 43 pixel screen that gives gamers critical information to help them win.

With the corded G9 mouse, gamers can enjoy interchangeable grips, on-the-fly dpi switching ranging from 200 dpi to 3200 dpi, full-speed USB laser tracking, an onboard-memory profiling system, weight tuning, a custom-color LED and the hyper-fast MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel. The G9 Laser Mouse will be available in October at a suggested retail price of RM429.00.

Read on for more information on the G9 mouse and G15 keyboard. 

Symantec has launched Norton Internet Security 2008 and Norton AntiVirus 2008, their security solutions that have been enhanced to provide computer users with comprehensive protection against new and emerging online threats, including disguised attacks used by drive-by downloads.

In addition, Norton Internet Security 2008 will also feature Norton Identity Safe to protect users’ identities when they buy, bank or browse online. The company has also optimized each product for greater performance, improved technical support and reduced user interruption. 

Norton Internet Security 2008 and Norton AntiVirus 2008 will be available on Symantec's online store http://my.symantecstore.com as well as various locations. The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security 2008 is RM189 for one year. It is also available in three and five user licenses at RM249 and RM449 respectively. Norton AntiVirus 2008 is going at RM139 for one year with three, five and 10 user license pricing available at RM229, RM399 and RM899 respectively.
 

Recent research conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Yahoo! on the state of the Web shows that consumers are suffering from "Web search fatigue." The study revealed that while 99 percent of online adults use a search engine to find information on the Internet, a mere 15 percent of them find what they're looking for with their first search, with most needing to conduct three to four searches.

"The new Yahoo! Search is focused on getting consumers the most relevant information as well as providing the best user experience. We know that consumers want a complete answer, not a bunch of links, and the changes we've made are focused on getting people to the best answer -- whether it be a Web link, photo, video or music clip -- in one search," said Vish Makhijani, general manager and senior vice president of Yahoo! Search.

Only available from Yahoo!, Search Assist goes beyond basic search "suggestions" and gives consumers real-time query suggestions as well as related topics and concepts, which is especially valuable when a person is searching on an unfamiliar topic.

Samsung has launched their Samsung SGH-F500 Ultra Video, what they claim to be the the first phone to be DivX Certified. Combined with a built-in audio player, the Ultra Video boasts DVD-like quality picture and sound. The company has partnered with DivX in the region to provide DivX Pro as a bundled PC software for Ultra Video users to convert various video files into the DivX format for quality viewing on the SGH-F500 phone.

Complementing the Ultra Video’s cutting-edge features is an innovative design incorporating a dual face LCD screen - a phone on one side and on the reverse a large 2.4” screen for multimedia viewing. The 2.4” wide screen boasts a 240x320 pixel panel in 262,000 colours that can display video in landscape mode.  

With an internal memory of 350 MB and expandable memory up to 2GB (with microSD card), the Ultra Video allows the user to view approximately two movies (each about two hours long). The HSDPA (3.5G) enabled phone allows users to transmit data at broadband speeds five times faster* than 3G, for instant information and entertainment on the move. With HSDPA, Ultra Video users can download large files quickly for high quality viewing. The Ultra Video also comes with a 2.0 mega-pixel camera and Bluetooth v1.2 with A2DP stereo headset support. 

The Samsung Ultra Video is has a recommended retail price of RM 2,499.00. Read on for tech specs

On Friday, 28 September 2007, Lowyat.NET received a 'Notice to Take Down' letter addressed to its owner and administrator via e-mail from Solicitors Lilian & Associates acting on behalf of Kenny Wong (forum nickname: kennywongyf) and Chris Lau (gtoracer1) of 'Mobile Care Stop', a mobile phone retail shop in Subang Square, Subang Jaya, Selangor.  The letter threatens to join the administrator and owner of Lowyat.NET in a High Court action for damages, but does not state specifically what the cause of action is. 

The letter demanded that by Monday 1st October 2007,:-

1. We remove "all postings by a Mr Goh Chee Pheng, and responses thereto by the supporters of Mr Goh in his quest to ruin our client from the forum"; and

2. Ban Mr Goh (forum nickname 'AntonioKane')  from Lowyat.NET 'at root level'.

Background

On 28 August, Goh Chee Phen (AntonioKane), opened a thread in our Trade Zone Helddesk & Dispute Resolution Corner to complain about alleged misleading conduct and bad service provided by Mobile Care Stop.  The gist of the complaint related to Goh's purchase of a AP Sony Ericsson S500i mobile phone.  Goh claims that after 3 days, the keypad cracked.  Goh further alleges that Mr. Kenny Wong, 'manager' of Mobile Care Stop had informed him upon purchase that the phone came with 1 year warranty, and that he just needed to bring the receipt.  

When Goh returned to Mobile Care Stop after 2 days, it is alleged that a Mr. Chris Lau informed him that there was no warranty on the keypad. 

Goh opened a thread in Lowyat.NET as he had come across Mobile Care Stop through a sales thread advertised by Kenny Wong on Lowyat.NET.  For the uninitiated, Lowyat.NET has a 'Trade Zone' where members may open up threads for free to sell or advertise their goods.  

This is not the first complaint among Lowyat.NET users about Mr. Kenny Wong.  A thread was opened several months earlier by another user alleging unethical and unfair business practices.  Lowyat.NET has not verified or ascertained the accuracy of any of these complaints.

Tribunal Case

Goh had lodged a complaint with the Consumer Affairs Tribunal about the practices of Mobile Care Stop and has a hearing date on Tuesday, 2nd October 2007.

Update : The Consumer Affairs Tribunal has rejected the complaint filed by Mr. Goh. We also received a copy of a report from Sri Bermaju Communications Sdn Bhd who handle the warranty of the phone in question. The report states that the damage to the phone was caused by excessive force and hence is not covered by the guarantee.  

Lelong Sales

Mr. Kenny Wong and Mr. Chris Lau also sell their products on auction site, Lelong.com.my.  As it happens, Lelong's forums also contain a thread alleging dishonesty by Mobile Care Stop.

Remember the Palm devices? Well some of you might remember them and it wasn't that long ago that the Palm Treo 680 was released. Well, what most people might think is a dying brand is still breathing and they've launched their latest Palm PDA phone called the Palm Centro.

With voice, text, IM, email, web, contact and calendar capabilities, a full-color touch screen and full keyboard, Centro brings Palm simplicity and organization to customers who want to stay connected with co-workers, friends and family.  With a new compact design, Centro is the smallest and lightest Palm phone to date. Centro has a modern, stylish look that feels comfortable in the hand, pocket or evening purse.

Unfortunately, we here in Malaysia won't be seeing the Palm Centro yet as it is only available in the US via Sprint come mid-October in onyx black or ruby red. However, sooner or later it will hit our shores and Palm fans can rejoice over a new device. 

Read on for more info on the Palm Centro. 

Nokia has launched what it terms its first-ever 'global format' Concept Store in Malaysia at the Pavillion Kuala Lumpur. The concept store will provice Malaysian consumers an enhanced experience whilst discovering Nokia's concept of mobility. The store was designed based on findings of from a Nokia conducted study and divided into separate experience and demonstration zones that cater to the specific needs of customers in each category.

Located on the 5th floor and covering a retail space of over 1,000 sq. ft., the Nokia Concept Store boasts signature features of Nokia's Flagship Stores in New York and Chicago like;

*Product centre pieces that allow customers to try the full range of Nokia mobile devices.

*Complete showcase of Nokia's portfolio of N-series, E-series and other mobile phones and accessories under one roof.

A second concept store will also be opened soon at the newly opened Gardens in Mid Valley City.