CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – My Take on the International Version of Kindle

My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – My Take on the International Version of Kindle”.  Click here for the full read.

US$20 Rebate for International Kindle

Is it because of the pressure from Barnes & Noble’s Nook, priced at US$259? or is it because of the unfairness of the extra US$20 for the international version of the Kindle? well, anyway, the latest news is there’s a rebate for us international users….a US$20 REBATE….woot.

Will post up a review of the Kindle in a day or two, but so far, loving it and the fast 3G modem for downloading books.

Hello,

Good news! Due to strong customer demand for our newest Kindle with U.S. and international wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6″ Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of the Kindle you just purchased from $279 down to $259. You don’t need to do anything to get the lower price–we are automatically issuing you a $20 refund. This refund should be processed in the next few days and will appear as a credit on your next billing statement.

We’ll also send you a follow-up e-mail to confirm the refund once it has been completed.

We hope you enjoy your new Kindle. Please send us your feedback at: Kindle-feedback@amazon.com

Sincerely,

The Kindle Team

CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – Amazon Kindle Finally Available Outside Continental US

My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “Amazon Kindle Finally Available Outside Continental US”. Click here for the full read.

Video Preview – Microsoft Courier

Coming from a tablet user for the past 10+ years, I can tell you that this Microsoft Courier idea, if it works, would surely be one of the hottest thing to come but given Microsoft’s past track record, especially with their half heart support for OneNote and other Tablet devices and associated softwares…… I don’t know.  I surely hope it will be different this time around. Guess only time will tell.

Source – Gizmodo via myblogiphone

DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone and iPod – Nikon Version Released

Image from onOne Software

Following the success with the Canon version of the DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone or iPod Touch, onOne Software released its latest version for Nikon users. The latest version features -

• Remotely fire your Canon EOS or Nikon DSLR camera
  with your iPhone or iPod Touch
• Remotely control the camera settings like
  shutter-speed, aperture, white-balance and more
• View images saved on the camera from your iPhone or iPod Touch
• Look through your camera’s viewfinder remotely
• Great for remote-firing at weddings, sporting events, for kids, and for self-portraits

There are currently two versions out, the Professional version (US$19.99) and the Lite version (US$1.99).  The Lite version only support the basic functions such as connecting to host computer, firing the camera, seeing post-view image, checking battery status and image remaining.  For another US$18, you’ll get all those fancy functions such as being able to adjust shutter speed, ISO, white-balance, exposure compensation, auto exposure bracketing, burst mode and more.

For more information (and there are tons), visit onOne Software’s product page.

Source – onOne Software’s product page

Street Price of Nokia N97 – Hong Kong

[Updated: 2 September 2009]

Seems like the prices of the imported version went up the past couple weeks and the prices for the local version have dipped a bit.

Import version

HK$4,418 (US$567) from http://www.cheaphk.com
TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425

Local version

HK$4,680 (US$600) from AST Global (TEL:31053202 / FAX:81470155)

[9 August 2009]

Import version

HK$4,098 (US$525) from http://www.cheaphk.com
TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425

Local version

HK$4,740 (US$608) from Sonic (TEL:66909664)

[2 July 2009] Been getting a lot of queries regarding the street price of the Nokia N97 in Hong Kong.  Here’s what I found out so far on the best deals for both the import and local versions.

Import version

HK$4,800 (US$615) from iMobile (Tel: 23818171, Fax: 23818172)

Local version

HK$5,230 (US$670) from www.beerbeered.com

Will update more along the way.

Video Preview – Windows 7

Well, ordered my copy of Mac OSX Snow Leopard at the Apple Store, due to limited stock, delivery been pushed back to 7 September.  Will check out and see how these two OS fair against each other.

Source – TechnoBuffalo

Nokia Booklet 3G Video

Are you impressed with the Nokia Booklet 3G? I’m not.

Source – Nokia Conversations, Mobile Gazette

Review – Olympus E-P1 Digital Pen from Gear Diary

Image from Gear Diary

Raymond Ser over at Gear Diary posted up his first part of the review on the all new Olympus E-P1 Digital Pen this week.  As Raymond puts it, the review is more from an amateur perspective which I found to be very easy to read (lacks the camera jargon).  That coupled with some really nice shots of the Olympus E-P1 Digital Pen, definitely a good review on the camera.  Check out his review here.  Can’t wait for the second part.

For those interested to know, the street price of the Olympus E-P1 Digital Pen in Hong Kong is around HK$6,880 (US$882).

Source – Gear Diary

Rumored Apple Keynote Event on 9 September 2009 – Possible New iPods?

Multiple sources indicated that there might be a new release of the new generation of iPods with the possible inclusion of a camera and microphone.  Speculations indicated that the three possible versions are of 16, 32 and 64GB were a price tag of US$199, US$299 and US$399 respectively. Possible upgrade to iTunes 9 is said to be included as well.

As for the Apple Tablet, according to Gizmodo, “They went on to say that although the project (Apple Tablet) has been going on under various names between four and six years, the first prototype was built around the end of 2008. Adding, “The time to market from first prototype is generally 6-9 months.” That would place the device’s release date in this holiday season. (Think not) They then said, “There was a question of what OS the device would run, too.” So the chances of it being announced at the upcoming keynote event is highly unlikely.

Stay tuned for more.

Source – Gizmodo

iPhone 3GS (Import Version) – Hong Kong Street Price for Import Version

[Updated: 13 August 2009] The going rate for 16GB is HK$6,348 (US$814) whilst the 32GB is faring HK$7,358 (US$943) from http://www.cheaphk.com, TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425.

[7 June 2009] Prices dropped following 3HK’s announcement of the official launch on 10 July.  Street price for imported 16GB version now HK$6,680 (US$856) and for the 32GB, HK$7,680 (US$985).

[30 June 2009] Wow, the prices jetted back up this week.  Latest 16GB version going for HK$8,398 (US$1,076) and HK$9,668 (US$1,239) for 32GB (available from http://www.cheaphk.com, TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425)

[24 June 2009] Two days, what a difference it made.  With the influx of imported iPhone 3GS, the prices dropped drastically today.  The 16GB version of iPhone 3GS is faring HK$5,500 (US$705) whilst the 32GB at HK$6,800 (US872).

[23 June 2009] They’re here in Hong Kong, just 3 days after the offical launch in US, the iPhone 3GS 16GB import version finally made it here.  Take a wide guess on the price tag……

HK$8,500 (US$1,090) for 16GB version….ouch.

HTC Hero is Almost Here

image from PCCW

They’re almost here.  PCCW mobile is now taking orders (HK$300 deposit) for HTC Hero. According to local sources, the phone should be available by end of August. Still no details on pricing yet, but expect the formal announcement within a few days.

Video Review – iPhone 3GS vs HTC Hero

Awesome versus video of the iPhone 3GS and the HTC Hero from phonedog.com.  Check out this 10 minutes long video, enjoy.

I don’t regret getting my iPhone 3GS.

Source – phonedog

Video Review – More HTC Hero Vids

Check out this 3-part video review (31 minutes+) on the HTC Hero, excellent review from the guys at MobileBurn.com which covers everything from the inside to the outside of the phone.  Don’t miss it.

Source – MobileBurn.com