Google Music is an online music streaming service where you can store up to 20,000 songs from your music collection, buy music from Android Market and listen the songs from anywhere either your PC, laptop or your Android phone by just logging in to the service. Currently the service is only available to US residents only, but there are ways to get this if you are outside the US. Here’s how you get it.

The Google Music server recognize you as US residents by the IP address that you are using. So the easiest way to bypass this is to use a US proxy when you log on to Google Music website. Go to Hidemyass.com and key in music.google.com. At the advanced option panel, select the proxy server as USA proxy server, just as below and click Hide my ass!! You may use other web proxy website to do this but I find Hidemyass is one of the easiest.

Once your browser directs you to the Google Music website, just hit “Create an account” and key in your details accordingly. Your Google Music account will be created and you can use the service instantly! This change of proxy method only needed for creating a new Google Music account, after that you can access to Google Music right from your browser. All that remains to be done on your desktop is to install the upload tool and start uploading music.

Now on the Android phone part, you need to install the Google Music apps into your phone. Since you are outside of the US, you will need to source for the app file elsewhere. If your Android phone is rooted, try install Market enabler and emulate your network provider as T-Mobile US. Search Google Music in the Market and install it right to your phone.

If your phone is not rooted, hit Google and search for com.google.android.music.4.0.9.apk. Download the apk file and store inside your phone to install it. Once installed, just login and you will be able to play your favorite songs fom there.

Do take note that playing songs from the Music app requires internet connection so connecting to the WiFi is a better choice for this. The songs that have been played will be stored as cache in your phone so you don’t need to stream the song from the internet again the next time you play it. Have fun!!

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note, a Phone-Tablet which features a 5.3″ HD Super Amoled display, 1.4 GHz Dual Core processor, 8MP Camera with LED flash, 2500mah battery and a “stylus”. This is one hell of a phone and because of the huge 5.3” WXGA (1280 x 800, 285 PPI) screen I’m not sure whether to categorize it as a phone or a tablet.

Samsung has introduced a S-Pen stylus which adds-on to its multi-input capabilities as it promises precise and faster pen-like writing while on the go. You can use it to write notes, crop photos, make drawings and so on. The stylus do make me feel like going back to the Windows Mobile era again though.

Check out the videos after the jump.

Samsung just released a few interactive videos to showcase Samsung Galaxy Note capabilities.

HTC is announcing an affordable and reduced suggested retail price for selected handhelds allowing everyone to enjoy the best in mobile experience. The selected handhelds are:

Now that’s a big drop considering the original price for the HTC Sensation was RM2199. If you are looking for a HTC phone now is the best time to get it.

Press release as follows.

HTC ANNOUNCES HANDHELDS PRICE REVISION

Malaysia – 21 October, 2011 – As part our philosophy of providing innovative and powerful handhelds to all. HTC is announcing an affordable and reducedsuggested retail price for selected handhelds allowing everyone to enjoy the best in mobile experience.

The revised prices will take effect immediately.

 

 

Model

New Retail Price

HTC Wildfire S Surf the web in style with multi-window browsing, pinch to zoom with auto text reflow, and Flash video support. The HTC Wildfire S lets you take great shots with the 5 MP camera with flash, tag your friends in the pictures and instantly post them to social networks for all to enjoy. Explore thousands of apps on Android Market™ and send your favorite ones to friends – so everyone can get in on the fun. The HTC Wildfire S will be available in stunning shades of ‘Bloom Pink’, ‘Silver White’ and ‘Dark Gray’.

RM 899

 

 

 

Model	New Recommended Retail Price
HTC ChaCha The HTC ChaCha lets you share music, photos, your location and status updates in just one touch via a dedicated Facebook® share button. With integrated Facebook chat, catch-up with your friends whenever you like. With a dedicated QWERTY keyboard featuring well balanced raised keys the HTC ChaCha lets send out your messages superfast. The new HTC ChaCha comes in stunning shades of Modern White, Phantom Black and Amethyst Purple.	RM 799
HTC Salsa With HTC Salsa you can instantly share photos, videos and more to your close ones, with a dedicated Facebook® share button. With integrated Facebook chat, the HTC Salsa lets catch-up with your friends whenever you like. Facebook widgets keep you up to speed by showing your friends’ latest status updates. Plus, the calendar updates you with upcoming birthdays and events.	RM 999
Model	New Recommended Retail Price
HTC Sensation Want to be entertained like never before? Movies and videos look great with a stunning qHD display, and they sound crystal clear with Hi-Fi audio technology. The HTC Sensation also includes an immersive HTC Sense experience making this phone easy-to-use and a top entertainer. The premium design, complete with contoured glass edging, feels great in your hand. The HTC Sensation is a multimedia superphone.	RM 1,799

HTC launched the EVO 3D in Malaysia 2 weeks ago. The EVO 3D is the first QHD 3D display phone from HTC running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread which features a 4.3-inch display and a powerful 1.2 GHz QualcommSnapdragon dual-core processor. HTC EVO 3D also features dual 5 megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture both high-quality conventional and stunning 3D images and videos, opening up new frontiers for user-generated content, social networking and streaming video.

This phone was launched in the US months ago and was one of the first smartphones using a dual-core processor and also a 3D display without the use of 3D glasses. You can get it from HTC retailers at the retail price of RM2199 or wait for the cheaper package from Digi.

Press release and specifications as follows.

HTC INTRODUCES THE FIRST GLASSES-FREE DEVICE WITH QHD 3D DISPLAY – HTC EVO 3D

HTC pushes the limits of innovation with their first 3D-enabled multimedia features on the HTC EVO 3D

 

Malaysia – 23 August, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled the HTC EVO 3D, taking the mobile multimedia experience to a new level, providing the ability to capture and not only view in 3D through a brilliant high-defintion display, but also share at fast speeds, offering consumers the ultimate glasses-free 3D experience.

Built with the Gingerbread (2.3) version of Android™, HTC EVO 3D features HTC’s first qHD 3D 4.3-inch display and a powerful 1.2 GHz QualcommSnapdragon dual-core processor. HTC EVO 3D also features dual 5 megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture both high-quality conventional and stunning 3D images and videos, opening up new frontiers for user-generated content, social networking and streaming video.

As 3D has become more sought-after in both movie theaters and family rooms, the ability to enjoy 3D on a wireless phone – 3D glasses-free – will change the way customers interact with their devices. According to The NPD Group’s 3D 360° Monitor (September 2010), consumers show a high degree of interest in working with personal media in 3D (with one-third saying they would like to take photos in 3D). For details, visit http://www.3dmarkettrends.com.

The countless ways customers benefit from HTC EVO 3D’s dynamic ability to capture and playback video in 3D include:

• Real estate agents can create and share 3D virtual tours of homes that let out-of-town buyers “walk through” the house and truly experience the listings before they can see them live;
• 3D mapping of terrain will help build new and exciting features for navigation, and hikers will be able to get aerial views of the topography of rivers and mountains while in the backcountry; and
• Families can “relive” the excitement of their vacation and feel like they are there again.

“At HTC, we believe in offering a wide portfolio of beautifully designed, powerful and highly customizable devices for our customers, and the HTC EVO 3D does just that,” said Lennard Hoornik, President of HTC South Asia Pacific. “As HTC continues to push the limits of innovation, we are looking forward to delivering the HTC EVO 3D to our customers this year.”

According to ABI Research (Dec. 20, 2010) mobile 3D devices will be driven by three key applications: creation of user-generated 3D content by integrated video and still cameras, playback of 3D content and 3D gaming. It also anticipates that mobile devices may turn out to be the most successful form factor towards bringing 3D technology into mainstream markets.

With integrated 3D HD (720p) video capture and the latest version of the acclaimed HTC Sense experience, HTC EVO 3D makes it possible to become part of the action and then easily and seamlessly post high-quality video to YouTube™ or Facebook, or share moments in real time over the Internet live. Its integrated DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) capability makes it fast and easy to share stored music, pictures and user-generated HD video wirelessly with other DLNA-certified^® home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers and more. Using an HDMI cable (sold separately) makes it possible to also share user-created 3D video content via a 3D TV.

Additional key features of HTC EVO 3D include:

• 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat
• 3GMobileHotspot capability, supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
• Android Market™ for access to more than 200,000 useful applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
• Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™, Google Calendar, Voice Actions, and YouTube™
• Corporate e-mail (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^®), personal (POP and IMAP) e-mail and instant messaging
• 1GB Usable memory/1GB RAM
• microSD slot (supports up to 32GB memory card)
• Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n
• Stereo Bluetooth^®
• Integrated GPS
• 1730 mAh Lithium-ion battery

Pre-packed With a Suite of Multimedia Entertainment Features

Packing the HTC EVO 3D with a whole library of multimedia entertainment that will keep you at the edge of your seat for hours with not only a recently released action-packed blockbuster, The Green Hornet™ 3D Movie  (limited stocks available) but also the latest instalments of chartbuster games, Spider-Man: Total Mayhem HD, Need for Speed™ SHIFT and  The Sims™3.

Availability
The HTC EVO 3D will be available at all authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of RM 2,199. There will also be a subsidized price package with Digi for the HTC EVO 3D.

HTC EVO 3D from HTC at a glance:

The smartphone industries is really blooming nowadays, even Fujitsu came out their first ‘Mango’ based Windows Phone 7 - Windows® Phone IS12T. The IS12T is Japan’s first water- and dust-proof smartphone featuring Windows Phone 7.5. In addition to much smoother operability compared to conventional smartphones, the device offers the highest quality camera for a smartphone with 13.2 megapixels, and 32 GB of internal memory.

Other specifications such as processor speed and memory were not revealed in the press release. No news on when will this launch in Malaysia also. Click on the image for larger view. Press release as follows.

FUJITSU INTRODUCES JAPAN’S WATER AND DUST PROOF SMARTPHONE FEATURING WINDOWS PHONE 7.5 – IS12T

 Tokyo, September 5, 2011 — KDDI Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Takashi Tanaka) and Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company (Head office: Naha, Okinawa; Representative Director and President; Hiroshi Kitagawa) will introduce “Windows Phone IS12T,” manufactured by Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Limited (Head office: Kawasaki, Kanagawa; President: Nobuo Otani). The Windows® Phone IS12T, available after September 2011, will feature the smartphone operating system “Windows Phone 7.5,” provided by Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuyuki Higuchi; hereafter: Microsoft).

Windows® Phone IS12T is Japan’s first water- and dust-proof smartphone featuring Windows Phone 7.5. In addition to much smoother operability compared to conventional smartphones, the device offers the highest quality camera for a smartphone with 13.2 megapixels, and 32 GB of internal memory, while realizing a compact size. Users can not only read and edit Microsoft Office documents, but can also store and share data through Windows Live SkyDrive, a free-of-charge cloud service operated by Microsoft. It is an attractive smartphone employing the abundant applications and technology of Internet Explorer® 9, the latest web browser for PCs to realize Internet capabilities.

Windows Phone® IS12T is now displayed at KDDI Designing Studio in Harajuku, Tokyo, and au NAGOYA in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

The HTC Sensation is by far the most high end phone from HTC Android line. It comes with a 4.3 inch screen, 1.2GHz dual core processor, 768MB of RAM, 1GB internal storage and 8 megapixel camera. HTC had come up with a 6 minutes video to show you how awesome this phone is. Watch below.

Opps, this news seems to be 2 weeks ago but what the heck. The HTC Incredible S is packed with 4″ WVGA Super LCD (800×480 pixels), 8 megapixel rear camera with dual flash, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera with built-in video calling functionality, 1Ghz CPU, Bluetooth 2.1, 1.1GB internal storage and 768 MB of RAM. The phone will be available exclusively from Digi and available at HTC authorized resellers from end of April onwards at the price of RM1999. At this low price, this is really a good buy in my opinion.

Press release as follows.

HTC INTRODUCES HTC INCREDIBLE Sä in MALAYSIA

New smartphone combines cutting-edge design with a premium mobile experience

MALAYSIA – 18 March, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled a new version of one of its most popular and advanced smartphones – HTC Incredible S – as part of its commitment to expanding the market for advanced smartphones while providing distinct choices in design, power and value.  The HTC Incredible S includes HTC Sense, HTC’s unique customer-focused user experience that puts people at the center by making phones work in a more simple and natural way.

“HTC developed the HTC Sense experience to bring cutting-edge innovation to our customers in simple and natural ways that just make sense – this is what HTC Incredible S represents best,” said Peter Chou, CEO  of HTC Corporation.  “These new phones offer an exhilarating mix of style, innovation and features that extend people’s mobile experience in ways that feel personal and completely original.”

 

The alluring HTC Incredible S smartphone combines cutting-edge design with a premium mobile experience for those who dare to be different. Showing what can be achieved when engineers and designers work together to raise the bar for mobile phone design, the HTC Incredible S smartphone features a stunning, contoured body that highlights the internal hardware components of the device. Capturing and viewing video in crystal clear High-Definition has never been so easy and a bright 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display and stereo surround sound bring a vibrant cinematic experience to the palm of your hand.

 

HTC Incredible S also takes high quality pictures with its 8-megapixel camera with dual flash, and it easily enables videos, photos and music to be shared from the handset direct to a TV using DLNA® technology. Thanks to the HTC Incredible S’s front facing camera and video call functionality, users will constantly be able to chat with their friends face-to-face.

 

Availability

The HTC Incredible S will be available exclusively at all DiGi Centres and DiGi Specialised stores at a subsidized price with contract. For more details, visit the DiGi website.

Retail units will be available at all HTC authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of RM 1,999.00 from the end April onwards.

 

Apple had just released a new iPad 2 video entitled “We Believe”. Although the video seems very “touching” but it’s a little bit too much I would say. Have a look at the video below.

HTC will be launching the HTC Incredible S in Malaysia this 18th March. The Incredible S is one of the 3 phones from HTC which were announced in Mobile World Congress last month. This phone will be packed with 4″ WVGA Super LCD (800×480 pixels), 8 megapixel rear camera with dual flash, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera with built-in video calling functionality, 1Ghz CPU, Bluetooth 2.1, 1.1GB internal storage and 768 MB of RAM.

It is expected that the phone will still be running on Android Froyo 2.2 and upgrade will be available later. How much do you think it will cost? RM2199?

Apple has just announced iPad 2 in its event in the USA. The new iPad 2 had enhanced the hardware and the software compared to the old iPad 1, mainly on an upgraded processor (1GHz dual core A5 processor), front and rear cameras and lighter + thinner design which comes in black and white color. Surprisingly, the battery life remains the same as 10 hours after upgrading the processor, and the price is exactly the same as iPad 1! Sadly, the iPad 2 screen resolution still remain the same as iPad 1 at 1024×768 pixels unlike the iPhone 4 retina display.

Take a look at the video below on the full features of the iPad 2.

Here are the comparisons between iPad 2 & iPad 1.

Apple iPad 2 VS Apple iPad 1 – Hardware and Software Enhancements

• iPad 2 has dual core A5 processor compared to A4 single core processor in iPad 1
• iPad 2 has twice as fast CPU as iPad 1 has.
• iPad has 9 times faster graphics performance as compared to iPad 1
• Same power consumption as iPad 1 which is good as it saves battery
• There are two video cameras, front and rear
• Video Conferencing and facetime is possible with iPad 2 between iPad 2 and iPad 2, iPhone or Mac OS
• Thickness is reduced by 33%, from 13.4 mm in iPad 1 to just 8.8 mm in iPad 2 which makes it very sleek
• iPad 2 weights only 1.3 pound compared to 1.5 pound for iPad 1
• Comes in both Black and White colour opposed to only black in iPad 1
• Works with both Verizon and AT&T
• 10 Hours battery life – same as iPad 1 without any compromise
• Added new gyroscopes for motion sensing in iPad 2 which was not there in iPad 1
• iPad 2 comes with HDMI output which was not there in iPad 1
• iPad 2 HDMI output is mirrored in full HD resolution which was not there in iPad 1
• iPad 2 can remain in charging while connected to HDMI output
• iPad 2 HDMI output supports screen rotation and all apps
• iPad 2 HDMI output connector is sold separately for $39
• iPad 2 has optional Covers which are magnetic and cover the screen. They stick to the iPad 2 using magnets
• iPad 2 cover can be used as stand and back cover to hold it in convenient position
• iPad 2 covers don’t add much weight and keep the screen clean, it also auto locks the display when the cover is on.

The smart cover is something really smart though!

The iPad 2 will be available in the US starting on 11th March 2011. Other regions will be available by end March. Malaysia? Well I guess we will have to wait at least 4-5 months just to have this in store considering the iPad 1 just launched here few months ago. You may have a look at the comparison below between the new iPad 2 and some of the latest tablets launched lately.

So what do you think about the new iPad 2? Is the new design revolutionary? By the way, if you are still interested in getting the iPad 1, here’s the great news!! The iPad 1 price had just been reduced where the 16GB wifi version is only at RM1199 now! Click here to have a look.