Huawei Ideos S7 on Maxis

While DiGi is in their Xmas mood, Maxis has gone ahead and released their second tablet, after the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The other Telcos aren’t even worth mentioning at this point. This tablet is by Huawei, called the Ideos S7.

Maxis has several packages to offer:

1. Huawei Ideos S7 retail = RM1599
2. Huawei Ideos S7 + 1 year contract = RM999 for device (save RM600) – In my opinion, if you need a tablet, The Huawei Ideos S7 on a one year contract is not a bad deal because it’s cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Tab and with comparable specs as well.
3. Huawei Ideos S7 + 2 year contract = RM899 for device (save RM700) – I highly discourage signing for two years just to get another RM100 off.
4. Huawei Ideos S7 + Ideos U8150 smartphone + 1 year contract x 2 = RM1599 for devices (save RM899) – If you need a smartphone as well, just pay RM1599 for both devices. In this case, my idea would be to put your contract voice+data Maxis SIM into the smartphone and use the tablet on the contract data sim, or WiFi.

[source]

Your contract will include a voice plan and a data plan, but don’t be surprised, although this is a tablet, it is still capable of handling voice calls. Full tablet specs below:

Windows Phone runs on HTC HD2

The newest and latest Windows Phone OS runs on the HTC HD2 as seen advertised here by HTC Malaysia on our RapidKL LRT trains. Also seen on the HTC ‘decorated’ LRT coach is a mention of the HTC HD mini (below the window on the upper left corner of the picture) and also the HTC Touch 2 (partial picture on the right).  Do both the phones comes with the new Windows Phone software as well?

Unfortunately, the answer is actually NO. Windows Phone OS DOES NOT run on the HTC HD2, HD mini and Touch 2. This is obviously a misleading ad by HTC. You don’t see computer manufacturers advertise a Pentium 3 computer beside a Windows Vista logo, do you? These three older phones (around 1 year old, give and take) actually run the older (and obsolete) Windows Mobile 6.5. I assure you that not once does Windows Mobile 6.5 logo appear on the same train.

Currently, the latest phones with Windows Phone (7) which are available on the market are the:

• HTC HD7 on Maxis[source]

• HTC 7 Mozart on DiGi[source]

• LG Optimus 7 on Celcom[source]

So, don’t be mislead by anything you see advertised by mobile phone brands (and also telcos) nowdays. Phones are gaining momentum and are gaining popularity as mobile computers that they’ll tell you anything to make a sale.

you are now 3+8

Starting 15th of December 2010, all new mobile phone numbers which are registered will have the code 011 in front followed by 8 different digits at the back for each user. Previously, it was 010,012,013,014,016, etc in front depending on the telco plus 7 different digits for each user. The increase in digits is to accommodate the rising number of mobile phone users in the country. Refer webpage below by DiGi.

[source]

[Update:15-Dec-2010]

Seems like Maxis and Celcom decided to finally join in the fun of letting everyone else know.

Maxis [source]

Celcom [source]

DiGi Smart Plan LITE

Smartphones are what’s IN right now, a lot of people have one, more people crave for one but everyone hates paying for one. Why? This is because most smartphones are outright expensive to begin with, not the mention the even higher cost for mobile internet. You can use a smartphone without internet connectivity, but this somewhat dwarfs the function of the phone since major smartphone functions evolve around the usage of mobile web browsers and email. In the end, if you really really really desire a smartphone, which has an internet connection, what’s the lowest amount that you have to pay each month?

DiGi recently rolled out a new data plan, called Smart Plan LITE. It’s called LITE because this is a cheaper plan than the original Smart Plan. The difference between the two will be summarized in the table below.  The most attractive thing about this Smart Plan LITE is that you only pay RM28 a month for data. This is considered cheap when other plans will come around the RM60-100 range. But of course with paying less, you get less. What is less? The data volume; you’ll only get 300mb. Sounds measly but most smartphone users will most likely average around 100mb usage per week.  But even if  you exceed your allocated volume, DiGi will not block your connection or even worse, make you pay more like some telcos, you only get a slower connection because your internet connection is blocked.

All calls and SMS are charged on a per use basis of 15sen/min and 10sen respectively. MMS are charged 20sen. This package is definitely suitable for new users who wish to try out mobile internet without burning their pockets or light users who normally just rely on push email, RSS feeds and normal internet browsing and reading. Those with large screens phones like the Galaxy Tab who are prone to watch more Youtube video for example, can opt for a higher volume plan from DiGi, namely the Smart Plan or other plans from Celcom. See table below for a summary of minimum cost which you have to pay the telcos and how much data you are getting.

So, don’t wait any further. The DiGi Smart Plan LITE is a good plan to get almost anyone started on mobile internet. Give it a try.

Source:

Digi : [1], [2]

Maxis : [1], [2], [3]

Celcom:  [1], [2], [3]

U-mobile and other telcos not listed due to coverage limitations.

UPDATE:3-1-2011

Sorry everyone for the mis-information. DiGi has misguided a lot of people about the quota of the Smartplan LITE. Although this plan has a lower monthly fee and lower quota, unlike Smartplan (Rm68@3GB) which will be throttled to 128kbps after the limit is reach, this LITE plan will block your internet connection. Refer here.

This information is not found at all on the Smartplan LITE page here, but found on a different 3G internet page here. See snapshot at bottom of page below:

HTC Desire HD on DiGi Smartplan

You’re on Digi and you waited so long to get a big chunky sexy phone?

Wait no longer, DiGi has finally revealed price plans for HTC’s biggest screen Android phone yet.

The retail price is RM2299, but is available for discounted prices of RM1699 and RM1399 under 12 and 24 months contract respectively.

[source]

I bet a lot of people are excited because this is officially going to be DiGi’s first high end Android smartphone. Previously they only carried smaller phones such as the HTC Legend and HTC Aria, not to forget the Garmin A10. Previously all of the big screen and high end Android phones would go to Maxis, eg:  Samsung Galaxy S, Sony Ericsson X10, etc bla bla bla.

Both the HTC Desire HD and the Desire Z are released at the same time, and at the same price of RM2299 (unbelievable). Seems like Maxis has enough of big screens and decided to get something different instead, the HTC Desire Z, which is the slide out QWERTY version. High end QWERTY Android phones are not very common. For example, the only one i can remember right now is the Milestone from Motorola (or known as the Droid in US).  So Maxis has made a smart move by grabbing the rare keyboard Desire Z and left the DiGi users to enjoy the Desire HD.