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Viliv S5 unboxed and handled in Hong Kong
We've seen plenty of Viliv's S5 tablet PC, but the fine folks of Engadget Chinese have scored some precious unboxing time with the little dude, and it's looking pretty great. The XP-running MID has a 4.8-inch touchscreen, a 60GB hard disk, an Intel Silverthorne-class 1.33GHz Z520 CPU, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 1GB of memory. It's available in Korea now, though it appears to have missed its European / U.S. shipping dates at the end of March -- but we'll let you know when we start seeing these babies hit the streets. They're supposed to be priced at $649 when they do become available in the States. There are a few more shots after the break, but hit the read link for the entire, stunningly awesome set.
21Mbps Next G mobile broadband comes to Hong Kong's CSL Limited
21Mbps down seems a bit sluggish compared to Ericsson's 56Mbps HSPA+ demonstration, but it's still pretty speedy compared to what's offered in most corners of the globe. As of this week, CSL Limited customers in Hong Kong have access to the same Next G network that Aussies have been enjoying for months on end through Telstra. The launch marks the world's first SDR-based HSPA+ All IP network in Hong Kong, and if you're looking for new devices to take advantage, the operator's currently offering the HP Mini 1110TU (Mobile Broadband Edition), as well as the Express 21 USB modem. Oh, and we totally can't close this post without quoting the new service's motto: "Next G: Time is the Enemy, Fight Back."
VIA's 1080p-lovin' VX855 chipset emerges in MacBook Air knockoff
We've already seen one legitimate laptop maker botch up its specification sheet within the past 24 hours, so we certainly wouldn't put it past a KIRF-maker to pull a similar trick. At least on paper, Top Crown Technology Limited's simply-titled 3G Notebook includes a 1.3GHz VIA Nano CPU, the newfangled VX885 Media System Processor, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display (1,024 x 576), Chrome9 graphics, a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, 3-in-1 multicard reader, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5G WWAN and a pair of built-in speakers. The only problem is the backwards Apple logo and the absolute assurance that this thing will be just marginally less craptastic than the "world's cheapest laptop." For shame.[Via NetbookNews]
Samsung offers up C3110H slider in Hong Kong
We're certainly seen simpler from Samsung, but the Anycall-branded GT-C3110H is pretty fancy for a low-end slider. The quad-band GSM phone sports a 2-inch 220 x 176 resolution display, 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, microSDHC card slot, speakerphone, up to 8.5 hours of talk time (510 hours in standby), a built-in music player and an incredible 15MB of internal storage. Yeah, fifteen megabytes. All told, it's not a half bad choice for just HK$1,080 (around $139 in greenbacks), and you'll even get to choose between black, purple and silver. Wicked, we know.[Via Samsung Hub]
Sony's VAIO P spotted for sale in Hong Kong, price tag spotted too
Just last week our hopes for an affordable VAIO P were quickly dashed as Amazon's UK site fixed what was apparently typo, setting the price on Sony's "don't call me a netbook" ultraportable to over $1,000. That's in-line with what we've been expecting for the US release, but still we'd held out some hope for a last-minute price cut. Now, like a twist of the knife, we have photos of the machines for sale in the wild -- with a wild price tag to match. Kip HT took these pictures (one above, one below) at a Hong Kong retailer and passed them along, sending word that the top-spec model was going for the equivalent of $2,188.48. No word on a price for the cheapest model, but it seems we now have confirmation that the Sony tax also applies overseas.[Thanks, Kip HT]
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic bundled with Shure SE210 earphones in Hong Kong
As you can probably tell from the naming convention used on Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic, this here phone was designed with music playback in mind. Shocking, we know. That being the case, we're not surprised to see this here Nokia / Shure bundle surface in Hong Kong, and honestly, we're a little surprised it took this long. The special edition kit will come packaged with one handset and one set of Shure SE210 earphones, and it's expected to go on sale today for around $620. Too bad you'll have to jet to Hong Kong and drop by the currency conversion joint to actually snag one.[Via The Nokia 5800 Blog]
Hong Kong's now TV offering Disney / ABC shows on HD VOD
Last time we checked in with a la carte IPTV provider now TV, the Hong Kong service had just hit a half million subscribers -- three years later its adding content from Disney - ABC to the high definition video on-demand offerings. Lost, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Kyle XY episodes and more are available at the press of a button for a $7.70 / month (U.S.) subscription fee. The only question now is when one of the big providers Stateside will let us build our own channel lineup.
Chinese pirates offering cheap AVCHD Blu-ray rips on disguised DVD-Rs
Just last week we heard that Warner Bros. was ending its home video / DVD business in South Korea due to rampant piracy, and now we've got a report from China suggesting that sophisticated pirates are duping buyers with faux Blu-ray Discs that are actually DVDs. As the story goes, movie pirates in select parts of Asia are ripping bona fide BDs and then burning them in AVCHD format (which uses 720 horizontal lines of resolution compared to Blu-ray's 1,080) on writable DVDs. Word on the street has it that these discs are being offered for around $7 each, and they even boast the BD hologram and the iconic blue hues on the packaging. Reportedly, none of the discs have made it outside of Asia just yet, but stay sharp should you ever get the urge to snag a discounted BD title while traveling abroad. [Image courtesy of UberGizmo]
Hong Kong's All Sports Network nabs NHL distribution rights in much of Asia
The NHL may not have the viewership in America as, say, the NFL, but that doesn't mean it can't find fans elsewhere. In a rather unexpected move, Hong Kong-based All Sports Network (ASN) has signed a multi-year deal to posses rights for broadcasting NHL matchups throughout much of Asia (India, South Korea and China included). Over 130 upcoming regular-season games will be televised on ASN's Yes TV along with the All-Star game, playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final. The good news? The broadcast rights include "all forms of television, including HDTV." The bad? Japan, Australia and New Zealand have been excluded from the agreement.[Image courtesy of The Globe & Mail]
iPhone in 29 new countries; unlocked in Hong Kong
Our sister site Engadget reports that Apple is now offering unlocked iPhones in Hong Kong via its online store. HK$5,500 (≈ US$700) will buy you an 8GB model, HK$6,200 (≈ US$800) gets you 16GB. The Apple Store's terms and conditions limit sales to individuals in Hong Kong only, but who knows what the gray market will bring. Three Russian carriers will also begin selling unlocked iPhones on October 3, with the 8GB model selling for over US$900. In related news, 29 new countries will begin selling the iPhone, some today: Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey and Venezuela. [Via IGM.]
Apple now selling iPhone 3G unlocked in Hong Kong
If you can't get your goods into China via the front door, there's always the back. Apple is now selling its iPhone 3G unlocked via its on-line Apple Store in Hong Kong. The 8GB model sells for HK$5,500 (about US$694) or HK$6,200 (about $797) for the 16 gigger. Already available since July 11th with a local Hutchison Telecommunications contract, this is the first time that Apple has sold its device unlocked in Hong Kong:"iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation."Unfortunately for the 1 billion mainland Chinese, the terms and conditions limit sales to those in Hong Kong only -- not that the gray market cares about T&Cs. It'll be interesting to see if Apple extends the unlocking more broadly (presumably as exclusivity deals expire) or if this is strictly a local phenomena, perhaps in direct response to having its WiFi and the imperialistic 3G gutted from handsets sold under Apple's rumored China Mobile deal.[Via PC World, thanks Twins N]
Ask Engadget: What gadget(s) to get on my one trip to Asia?
We'll be honest -- Dave has run into a magnificent problem to have, but it's still an issue in need of an answer. And before you get too engrossed, may we remind you that you can send in questions of your own to ask at engadget dawt com. "I live in Canada and have relatives visiting Taiwan in the near future. What hawt Asia-only, non-igloo-related gadget should I ask them to grip for me? Thanks!" We're going to take the liberty of expanding this question to involve all of Asia, given that quite a few others are probably headed to Akihabara in the foreseeable future. So, what's the best gizmos(s) to pick up if heading over to the other side for what may be the first and last time ever?
Hutchison / 3 snags iPhone for Hong Kong and Macau
Looks like Hutchison (aka 3) snagged the iPhone for distribution in Hong Kong and Macau, which will be coming "later this year." Like the rest, this was another one liner un-announcement with no real info, but you probably wouldn't want to anger Steve before WWDC. Besides, in Hong Kong 3 doesn't sell anything but 3G phones -- so put that in your iPipe and smoke it.[Thanks, Chris and Joe]
Hutchison's 3 gets iPhone in Hong Kong, Macau
The countries continue to fall ahead of Apple's presumed June 9th, 3G iPhone announcement at WWDC. This time it's Hong Kong and Macau -- foothold populations as Apple eyes the big Japanese, Russian, and Chinese prizes which have thus far avoided Jobs' charm RDF.[Thanks, Patrick C and Edmond]
Colorware, Photoshop, or iPhone 2? None of the above.
Does that glossy black iPhone-esque thing we recently saw bare an uncanny resemblance to the description we've gotten of the 3G iPhone? Yeah, yeah it does -- but it ain't it. As we've already mentioned over on Engadget, what we're seeing here appears to be nothing more than an uber-fancy case for the iPhone Senior. Now, if the 3G model should just so happen to steal from cues from what we're seeing here anyway, we think that'd be just alright with us. Thoughts?[Via Boy Genius Report]
ASUS replacing Eee PC 900 batteries with longer lasting versions
Attaboy, ASUS. Not even 24-hours after reports starting flooding in over end users receiving less capacious Eee PC batteries in Hong Kong than expected, the firm is stepping up and doing the right thing. According to an admittedly rough translation of a statement on its website, ASUS is openly thanking its supporters for their business, and while it seems as though it's still chalking the whole mishap up as a simple mistake, every single Hong Kong-based customer will be receiving a free (5800mAh) replacement. 'Tis a shame we'll likely still be griping over the battery life.[Via jkkmobile]
Eee PC 900 owners find weaker batteries than those used by reviewers
This isn't going to end well for Asus. Early adopters of the Eee PC 900 in Hong Kong are in a spat with Asus over batteries. Seems the Eee PC 900 ships with a standard 4-cell, 4400mAh battery whereas the battery shipped to the Hong Kong media (and presumably others) was a 4-cell, 5800mAh; the latter Asus is calling a mistake. That would certainly account for the wide ranging Eee PC 900's battery life reviews which have varied from a very disappointing 1.5 hours to a decent 2.5-hours. Of course testing methods will also contribute to lifespan. Regardless, ASUS is now considering giving 900 buyers a free upgrade. Our suggestion? Just do it Asus, and pronto. Else the Eee PC brand you've become so dependent upon is going to take a serious beating.
Hong Kong's billboards broadcasting the Outdoor HD Corner network
Hong Kong's Digital Outdoor Television Limited has launched a new project, creating the Outdoor HD Corner network, bringing broadcaster TVB's HD content to various DOTV locations. We're inundated with ads every time we step outside, but don't mind getting some actual HD programming wherever we go. Already confirmed to include clips from the 2008 Olympics, the network will be available at nearly 200 DOTV spots in malls, restaurants and computer centers.
Samsung intros F218, F338 musicphones in Hong Kong
Samsung pulled out all the stops at a star-studded event last week in Hong Kong to usher in its F218 and F338 phones, spinner and slider members of the company's MusiCall series. The two models seem to be little more than localized versions of the F210 and F300 for Europe, respectively -- but if music's your gig, that might not be a bad thing at all. The F218 features 1GB of integrated storage with microSD expansion, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, and ACCESS' NetFront browser (on that crazy little display, imagine that!). The F338 adds 3G data and microSDHC support -- a good thing, since it lacks the F218's ample in-built memory -- and goes for a slightly more traditional slim slider package.[Via Mobilewhack]
Nintendo, Chinese government hunts down pirates
Nintendo doesn't get along well with pirates. Maybe they don't like peg legs. Maybe scurvy gives them the creeps. Perhaps, a problem with parrots? Whatever the case may be, let it be known if you're found producing mod chips or game copying devices, Nintendo will raise anchor, drops the sails, and charge at you full speed ahead in a game of aquatic chicken ... and they don't blink (because a corporate entity doesn't have eyes).Playing the Governor Alexander Spotswood to Supreme Factory's Blackbeard (read some history, damn it!), Nintendo "requested" the Chinese High Court (assuming the role of Lieutenant Robert Maynard) to stop a "global distribution operative involving game copying devices and modification chips." The court raided Supreme Factory, collecting over "10,000 game copying devices and mod chips." Nintendo joined forces with the US Government back in April in an attempt to help curb piracy in China. Guess that's working out well for them.
