Singtrel mio TV to launch 4 new chanels, Granda TV and Football Frenzy Channels 1,2,3

Singtel mio TV will launch 4 new channels soon in Jul and August.
The first will be Ch 23 Granada TV. It comprises of combination of contemporary dramas, cool comedy, cutting edge reality and best in talk and entertainment shows.

Next is Ch 61, 62 and 63 Football Frenzy Channels 1,2,3
CH 61 will carry European footabll and UEFA coverage and Italian Series A

Ch 62 and 63 will simulcast LIVE matches from UEFA champions and Europa League and Italian Serie A.

SingTel unveils portal for UEFA Champions League

SingTel unveils portal for UEFA Champions League

SINGAPORE - SingTel has launched Football Frenzy, billed as the country's first multimedia social football experience, giving viewers coverage of the UEFA Champions League club football tournament across the company's online, mio TV and mobile platforms.

Edward Ying, chief of the content and media services group at SingTel, said: “When we won the exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League games last year, we said that sports - and football in particular - would be a key driver for content take-up. The launch of Football Frenzy is a reinforcement of our commitment to become a major player in the market.”

Football Frenzy will kick off with the upcoming UEFA season in mid-August to offer viewers all 146 UEFA Champions League matches both ‘live’ or via on-demand, and up to 149 UEFA Europa League matches.

Among other new features, a web portal featuring a virtual ‘SingTel stadium’ will be launched in early August for viewing of all live and replay matches and access to exclusive football content online. Visitors are also encouraged to sign up and participate in virtual fan clubs of the teams to create a social networking style of environment. The portal was developed by OgilvyOne Singapore.

Viewers can also get updates on-the-go via SingTel’s IDEAS mobile portal, which will offer previews and highlight shows as well as live matches.

SingTel currently holds the rights to the Italian Serie A, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. All three tournaments will be included in the new offering.

StarHub holds the rights to the Barclays Premier League tournament. Bidding for the rights to the highly-popular English football league is expected to come into play by the middle of next year.

H1N1 : Pay up to S$2000 to treat H1N1

We take a break from our usually blogging of tech.

Today, I saw some interesting discussions on the net and would like to know your opinion about whether it is worth risking yourself in getting H1N1 ?

If you are down with flu, and you call 993, the first thing you will have to pay the following :

S$90(or S$100) for the ambulance
S$214 for the H1N1 checks.
S$xx for expired Tamiflu tablets.

The bulk would be the 7 day average stay in "Hotel Hospital" costing at least close to a thousand. Even if you are insured under medishield, can that be claimed, i do not know.

So, get ready to pay S$2k if you are confirmed H1N1 case. This are just my estimates, the bill might be smaller than the estimated if 'subsidised'.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health has sent expired Tamiflu supplies to the general practitioner’s in Singapore

Singapore’s Ministry of Health has sent expired Tamiflu supplies to the general practitioner’s in Singapore. Tamiflu, which comes in boxes of 10 pills each, is the anti-viral drug for th H1N1 flu. According to the report and to my own sources as well, these Tamiflu meds hve expiry dates of 2007, and was manufactured in 2003. MOH has added a sticker that says that these meds can be used beyond their shelf life - to 2010.

MOH’s circular to the GPs say this:

We would like to assure you that the extension is with the approval from the manufacturer (Roche), U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and our Health Sciences Authority. This extention is made possible due to our stringent conditioning and maintenance requirements in our storage facilities. The efficacy of the drug is not compromised in any way and is fit for usage.
Straits Times has done really well to get doctors to give their response.

Dr Wong Tien Hua, a general practitioner in Sengkang, said an expiry date can vouch for a drug’s effectiveness only for that period. ‘If it is past the expiry date, the effectiveness of the drug might not be good,’ he said, adding that someone with the H1N1 virus might take longer to recover if given ‘expired’ medication. (from ST)

Agreeing, Dr Vincent Chia, deputy director of Healthway Medical, said although it is a national stockpile, the onus will still be on the doctor to explain to patients. ‘Tamiflu is not without its side effects…so when that happens we won’t know if it’s because the drugs are expired or because of the side effects,’ he said. (from ST)

Is ASTRO Malaysia broadcasting to Singapore soon ?

If you have been watching Ch 8 or some cable channels, you would have noticed that Astro Malaysia (satellite), similar to our Starhub cable has been advertising abt. Astro channels on TV.

It is kind of weird as the number listed to subscribe is a Malaysian number beginning with 03. I wrote to ASTRO asking for an answer.

They said, if we were to broadcast into Singapore, we will post a press release on astro.com.my

I wonder if that answers my question.

If Astro is allowed to beam into Singapore via satellite, we would be one of the last nations to have satellites ban lifted ;) Waiting for that day..

CommunicAsia 2009 New phones at the show

Looks like this year there isn't a lot of new phones launched at Singapore communicasia 2009. Is it due to H1N1 as exhibitors expect a smaller crowd?

Anyway, if you do a search on the net, you could find tons of coverage from local online blogs and media.

Here are some links which covered the various phones from LG, Samsung, ASUS, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei from ocw.

Garmin-ASUS
http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?t=86960
http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?t=86959

Huawei
http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?t=86978

Samsung
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2009/sams...ung-Jet/p1.htm
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2009/sams...-series/p1.htm

Nokia
http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?t=86878

LG
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2009/LG/l...sia2009/p1.htm

Sony Ericsson
http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?t=86983

# Latest Floor plan for PC SHOW 2009. M1, Starhub and Singtel will be present http://bit.ly/10lK0d
# Price list update link http://bit.ly/10lK0d

PC SHOW2009 Pricelist update Belkin, AVLABS, ViewSonic, Platonics, trend Micro, Logitech, Gigabyte, MSI, Samsung, Acer, Lenovo

PC SHOW 2009 Price List and Brochures, Great Singapore Sale

Are you looking for the best bargain in IT products & Gadgets. Check out the PC SHOW 2009 price list at this URL.

StarHub selected as BBC Worldwide Channels’ exclusive pay TV partner in Singapore Three additional BBC channels on StarHub TV from 1 August

StarHub selected as BBC Worldwide Channels’ exclusive pay TV partner in Singapore

Three additional BBC channels on StarHub TV from 1 August

Singapore, 5 June 2009 - StarHub and BBC Worldwide Channels have sealed a deal that makes StarHub TV the exclusive pay TV platform in Singapore to carry five BBC branded channels. On 1 August 2009, StarHub TV will add BBC Knowledge (StarHub TV Channel 74), BBC Lifestyle (StarHub TV Channel 83) and CBeebies (StarHub TV Channel 31) to its Education Basic Group, Lifestyle Basic Upsize Group and Kids Basic Upsize Group respectively at no additional cost. These three additions will join BBC World News and BBC Entertainment which are presently offered by StarHub TV. At launch, BBC Knowledge will be added to the Education Basic Group to join Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel and Living, HISTORY and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL. BBC Lifestyle will join BBC Entertainment, FX, MGM, The Style Network and Turner Classic Movies in the Lifestyle Basic Upsize Group while CBeebies goes into the Kids Basic Upsize Group to join JimJam and Boomerang. "We warmly welcome BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies to the StarHub TV family. With BBC World News and BBC Entertainment already on our platform, I am excited that the rest of the channels under the BBC brand name will soon come together under one roof from August, and further strengthen the offerings in our Education Basic Group, Lifestyle and Kids Basic Upsize Groups. It has been our commitment to provide viewers, especially families with kids, safe and quality entertainment. Thus I believe our viewers will be pleased to hear of this news as they will soon get to enjoy more of such programmes from the different genres at no extra cost," said Ms Ong Bee Lian, StarHub's Vice President of Home Solutions. Commenting on the launches, Mr Mark Whitehead, BBC Worldwide Channels’ Senior Vice President and General Manager, said, “Today’s announcement builds on BBC Worldwide Channel’s long-term relationship with StarHub. Strategically, Singapore is an important part of our expansion strategy in Asia. We are excited that our entire suite of channels will be offered together on one platform in this key market.” He added: “From 1 August, viewers will be able to enjoy a greater range of programming from BBC’s Worldwide’s channels– including acclaimed and award-winning non-fiction and factual programme from one of the world’s foremost producer of non-fiction and documentary programming on BBC Knowledge; engaging and compelling programmes that inspire viewers to get more out of life on BBC Lifestyle; and providing a safe environment for pre-schoolers (0-6) to learn through play on CBeebies. These three new channels complement BBC World News and BBC Entertainment, which are already on StarHub’s pay TV platform.” At launch, viewers can look forward to catching the exclusive premieres of programmes such as the latest series of Top Gear and the new BBC science series Earth - Power of the Planet on BBC Knowledge; brand new seasons of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA, and the popular Gok Wan, British fashion consultant, author and television presenter on Gok's Fashion Fix on BBC Lifestyle; and In The Night Garden, which is the new multi-award winning series from the creators of the phenomenally successful Teletubbies on CBeebies. To enjoy BBC Knowledge, viewers must first subscribe to a minimum of three Basic Groups, including the Education Basic Group. Viewers who wish to watch BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies will need to subscribe to Lifestyle and Kids Basic Plus Groups respectively, which consists of Lifestyle and Kids Basic Groups and their corresponding Upsize Groups. Existing StarHub TV customers can call 1633 to add new groups or channels while new customers can call 1630 to take up a StarHub TV package. For more information on StarHub TV services, visit www.starhub.com/tv.

SingTel ups the British quotient on mio TV, Award winning on-demand content from BBC and ITV

SingTel ups the British quotient on mio TV
Friday, Jun 05, 2009

Award winning on-demand content from BBC and ITV

first on mio TV - ahead of all other platforms

Singapore, 5 June 2009 -- Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced today that a slew of exciting new British content will be launched on its mio TV platform come 15 July.

The content on offer is a premium selection of key pickings from two heavyweights in the international television arena – BBC Worldwide TV Sales & Distribution and ITV Global Entertainment Ltd. BBC is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world, and ITV is the biggest commercial television network in the UK.

“We are very excited about the partnerships with BBC and ITV. These allow us to provide a comprehensive and high-quality range of the most current British content to our customers,” said Mr Low Ka Hoe, Director for IPTV Business, SingTel. “With these new service offerings, SingTel is reinforcing our leading position in the market as the pay TV platform for on-demand content.”

Mr Low added, “We have observed a keen response to content offered on-demand, such as Season Pass, which allows viewers to access popular TV series as early as 24 hours after their US premiere. The BBC and ITV content on these channels will also be packaged to allow greater flexibility in the way it is viewed.”

First-run and never-seen-before drama and documentary titles

‘British Drama’ and ‘British Documentary’ - will feature a stellar line-up handpicked from BBC and ITV’s library of award-winning programmes. Selected dramas and documentaries will be available one month after their UK telecast, ahead of any other platform in Singapore.

On ‘British Drama’, viewers can look forward to watching some of the Britain’s most brilliant actors in a wide range of award-winning drama series cutting across genres such as literature, horror and comedy. Titles from BBC include the latest seasons of Hotel Babylon, Dr Who and Torchwood, while ITV will offer Britannia High, The Prisoner and My Boy Jack.

‘British Documentary’ showcases the best of award-winning documentaries, wildlife, science and natural history programmes from BBC and ITV. This includes first-run rights to BBC’s iconic titles such as Life (HD), the BBC Natural History Unit’s blockbuster series for 2009 – as well as Nature’s Great Event, which showcases the planet's most breathtaking natural events and the dramatic wildlife stories behind them.

The new content will be offered as part of mio TV’s SuperSaver English Pack at $19.90 per month. As part of the channel restructuring, the current BBC linear channels on mio TV will no longer be available and all customers will be notified about the changes.

Pricing details for the new channels will be announced at a later date.

About mio TV

mio TV is the innovative digital pay TV service offering from SingTel. Launched in July 2007, the service offers customers value and full flexibility to watch what they want, when they want.

Currently, mio TV offers a total of 58 channels, of which 15 are on-demand channels. Content on mio TV covers a wide range of genres as well as Singapore’s largest range of video-on-demand titles with and High Definition content.

SingTel is Asia’s leading communications group providing a portfolio of services including voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms. Together with its regional partners, it serves over 249 million mobile customers in eight markets. For more information, visit www.singtel.com/miotv.

SingTel had 78,000 mio TV subscribers as at 31 March 2009.

Computex Taipei 2009 News Updates

Computex Taipei 2009 News Updates

Computex Taipei 2009 MSI showcase 3 new models of Intel P55 Lynnfield mainboards
Computex Taipei 2009 MSI showcase ATI R4890 Cylone, N250GTS Twin Frozr, N275 GTX Lightning graphics
Computex Taipei 2009 MSI new X400, X600 and U200 notebooks
Computex Taipei 2009 News -NVIDIA Ion products are everywhere
Computex Taipei 2009 MSI X340 Slim notebook to be on display
Computex Taipei 2009 news - ECS launches EDGE/WiMAX dongle phone
Computex Taipei 2009 news - ECS Lynnfield mainboard displayed
Computex Taipei 2009 - ECS launches AMD 785G mainboard ECS A785G-M
Computex Taipei 2009 News - ASUS Crosshair III Formula & R.O.G OC Station
Computex Taipei 2009 News - ASUS announces mini-ITX mainboard based on 945GC for Atom N330
Computex Taipei 2009 News - ECS will showcase P55H-A, A785GM-M, A790GMX-AD3
Computex Taipei 2009 News - Gigabyte releases 2 new 10.1" Netbooks
Computex Taipei 2009 News - ECS ventures into OEM/ODM AMD graphics card

HTC Magic Video Demo at Singapore launch event

The highly anticipated HTC Magic will be on sale in Singapore for a hefty price tag of S$1049 in June. So, how does this new Android has in features in comparison to the HTC Dream and other iphone alike touch screen phones.

See this review and youtube videos to check it out.

Starhub introduces prepaid mobile broadband based on HSPA - MaxMobile Prepaid

StarHub to launch Singapore's innovative mobile broadband pre-paid service - "MaxMobile Prepaid" - that offers greater options, flexibility and value at more affordable prices

MaxMobile Prepaid service comes in various time-based plans with unlimited data access, from one hour to five days and with two speed choices

Customer-friendly charging feature based on 24-hour block of access allows users to pay for mobile broadband access as and when they need to surf, and not a second less

Consumers in Singapore and inbound travellers will be able to enjoy a new and innovative mobile broadband pre-paid service when StarHub launches its MaxMobile Prepaid service that offers short-term, instant "anywhere, anytime" broadband Internet access for up to 2Mbps or 7.2Mbps in download speeds from a notebook computer. MaxMobile Prepaid, with its customer-friendly charging feature, is created to give customers maxmium flexibility and better value in the choice of short-term Internet surfing.

Customers need not be bounded by monthly subscription anymore, and would instead have the flexibility to choose from different time-based plans, from as low as $2 for an hour of access.

In addition, StarHub's unique feature of customer-friendly charging based on 24-hour block of connection, starts only from the point customers select the preferred plan. For example, if the customer starts his three-day plan from 5pm, he is able to enjoy unlimited Internet access for the next full 72 hours, and not a second less. This feature permits customers to maximise their usage hours when they pay for MaxMobile Prepaid broadband access, as and when they need to surf only. 

There is also another customer-friendly feature that reminds customers that their MaxMobile Prepaid plan is due to end. SMS alerts from StarHub will be sent to customers before their selected plan ends. 

Said Mr Chan Kin Hung, Head of Personal Solutions and Advanced Multimedia Services at StarHub,"MaxMobile Prepaid is best suited for people with occasional or immediate need for broadband access anywhere in Singapore. It also caters to those who do not wish to be on contractual commitment. In addition, MaxMobile Prepaid offers inbound travellers a convenient and ready access to cost-effective fast Internet, at only $4 a day anytime, anywhere, from the Airport to the Zoo, during their stay in Singapore. Best of all, users have the flexibility to change their MaxMobile Prepaid plan based on their needs at the point of selection. So they can be on the one-hour plan today, the three-day plan next week, and one-hour plan a month later!"

To get started with the MaxMobile Prepaid service, customers simply purchase a pre-paid data SIM card, priced at $12, from any StarHub Shop and Exclusive Partners' outlets from 23 May 2009. The product will be available at other authorised dealers islandwide later. Customers who do not have an existing HSPA dongle can pick up the device and data SIM card bundle at an attractive introductory price.

Subsequently, customers can easily extend the MaxMobile Prepaid service by topping up the value of the data SIM card, which has a validity of 180 days. StarHub Happy top-up cards of different value types - $6, $18 and $38, are readily available at StarHub Shops, Exclusive Partners' outlets, 7-Eleven, Cheers, SingPost, I-Econ and UOB Money Changing Counters at Changi Airport. Customers can also make top-ups electronically via DBS/POSB ATMs, SAMs, AXS, or debit card payment while the option to top up using credit card will be available later.

LG Arena (KM900) is here in Singapore

This phone mimics the iphone esp with it's so called S-Interface. Looks pretty cool. Unfortunately it is running on a proprietary operating system. I suspect the price will dip very fast as it is a LG. Look at how LG Viewty pricing has dropped throughout the months.

Read abt it here

http://my.ocworkbench.com/2009/LG/LG-KM900-Arena/p1.htm

Starhub cable tv now supports wide screen format 16:9 with new software Upgrade

Software Upgrades

New Features and Enhancement

For HubStation HD, HubStation, Digital and HD set-top box

ENHANCED 7-Day On-Screen TV Guide 3-Day On-Screen TV Guide has been extended to 7 days. You can now plan your TV schedule 7 days ahead! NEW Quick Surf You can browse the programme titles and synopsis available in the next 24 hours via the Info Bar. NEW Widescreen Format You can set the TV display to widescreen format if you are using a widescreen TV set. (For HubStation and Digital set-top box only)

Additional New Features and Enhancements

For HubStation HD and HubStation set-top box

ENHANCED 7 Days Recording Record your favourite programmes up to 7 days in advance. ENHANCED Record By Time - Weekdays Only / Weekends Only There are more options available for recording by time. You can now choose to record only on weekdays or weekends only NEW Jump To Feature This feature allows you to jump to a specific time in a recorded programme NEW Recording Icons With the recording icons on the Info Bar and On-Screen TV Guide, you will know which programmes have been scheduled for recording.

To enjoy these new and enhanced features, simply:-

Power off and on the main power supply of your HubStation HD, HubStation, Digital or HD set-top box from 04 May 2009 onwards. An "Updating in progress.. please wait" message will be shown on screen. Once completed, your set-top box will tune to a video channel.

How to ensure if the upgrade is successful?

To check if you have upgrade to the latest software, press MENU on your remote control and press DOWN arrow button to select Settings, followed by DVR Info (for HubStation HD & HubStation) or STB Info (for Digital or HD set-top box). Press OK button to confirm. Please ensure that the Firmware Version and iGuide Version is as follows:

Firmware Version HubStation: 1.25.03 HubStation HD: 1.4.0 HD set-top box: Q93_307 Digital Box (ADB Q46): 0978.48 Digital Box (SCV2110C): Q92_201 Digital Box (DCI15SHB): 3.3a

iGuide Version HubStation / HubStation HD: 1.21.0.1423 Digital / HD Set-top box: 1.21.0.506

If you are unable to upgrade the iGuide or Firmware to the latest version, please call 1633 for troubleshooting

Watch TVB dramas in High Definition on StarHub’s Demand TV

Watch TVB dramas in High Definition on StarHub’s Demand TV

Singapore, 30 April 2009 – Come 4 May 2009, StarHub TV customers using HubStation HD can look forward to catching their favourite TVB dramas in High Definition (HD) via Demand TV.

StarHub is one of the first pay TV operators in the world to offer TVB dramas in HD. The dramas will be available on Video-On-Demand, and customers can purchase and watch the programmes anytime they wish.

“We are excited to offer TVB dramas in HD to viewers in Singapore. This addition not only enhances our HD content offerings but also provides drama fans with the option to watch their favourite dramas in full HD splendour anytime they desire,” said Ms Ong Bee Lian, StarHub’s Head of Pay TV & Entertainment.

The titles that will be available from 4 May are The Gem of Life and The Master Of Tai Chi. The Gem Of Life is TVB’s 82-episode mega production starring A-Listers including Gigi Lai, Ada Choi, Maggie Siu, Moses Chan and Bowie Lam. It will premiere in two parts - the first 41 episodes will be made available from 4 May and the remaining episodes in June. Equally captivating, The Master of Tai Chi is a period drama which explores the topics of Tai Chi and stars Chiu Man Chuk, Raymond Lam and Myolie Wu. Viewers can preview the first episode of all titles for free, and catch subsequent episodes at a fee of $1.20 ($1.28 with GST) per episode.

To access TVB dramas in HD, customers simply need to press the “VOD” button on their remote control, select “TV Series” followed by “TVB Drama”, and thereafter, select the programme from the catalogue.

StarHub also offers a variety of linear HD content including HD5 (Ch 300), NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL HD (Ch 301), Discovery HD (Ch 302), History HD (Ch 303), Sports HD (Ch 304) and All Sports Network HD (Ch 305).

HubStation HD, which enables customers to access HD content – both linear and on-demand, is available to StarHub TV customers on a rental basis at $14 ($14.98 with GST) monthly. Besides accessing HD content, HubStation HD users will also be able to enjoy features and benefits such as being able to record HD programmes, control ‘live’ TV – the ability to pause and replay ‘live’ TV broadcast, and get free 1Mbps broadband Internet access [1]as well as StarHub’s Digital Voice service. To upgrade to HubStation HD, customers can bring their existing set-top boxes to any of our four Customer Service Centres [2]or call 1633 to arrange for an appointment.

For more information on StarHub’s Demand TV services – comprising Video-On-Demand and On Demand Channels, visit www.starhub.com/demandtv.

HTC launches Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2 in Singapore

New HTC Touch Diamond2TM and HTC Touch Pro2TM Signal a New Wave in Communication
New phones simplify information access with HTC Push Internet and unify personal communication with single-view contact integration
Singapore – 16 April 2009 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the device balances function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience.

"The HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “HTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate."

HTC TouchFLO 3D Integrated With Windows Mobile
The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTC’s latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather. As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.
Bringing People Together
With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used. This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

Simplifying How People Access Their Information
Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTC’s Push Internet technology. HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC Touch Diamond2
The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.
Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTC’s new Push Internet technology, the Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.
With 20% larger battery capacity, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

HTC Touch Pro2
Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

Introducing HTC Straight TalkTM For HTC Touch Pro2
The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. HTC’s new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls* and turn any location into a conference room.
In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Pricing & Availability:
The new HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 will be available from mid May and end June 2009 at all authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of SGD $1,088 and $1,328. (inclusive of 7% GST) respectively**.

Hitachi 50" LCD TV selling for S$2000+

I was surprised when I saw that at a factory outlet sale a few weekends ago. When I search for the exact model at various mega stores, I am unable to find it. Instead I found a Hitachi IPS panel series. It is damn shocking as the LCD is so thin unlike traditional LCD TVs. It also weighs less in comparison. The price is steeper at $2500 for a 42".

IT SHOW 2009 Discounts Offers and Deals

The quarterly computer show in Singapore will begin today. The march event is held at Suntec City and is known as IT SHOW 2009.

If you are looking for new notebooks or subscribing to new broadband plans or buying a new LCD monitor, you should do some home work. A good starting point is to check out the online brochures and price lists of IT SHOW 2009.

One of the updated links would be at OCWORKBENCH with URL at
http://my.ocworkbench.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=77