PLEO, The Next Generation's Pet

Yesterday i have an opportunity to attend Pensonic event at Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur early in the morning.

At first, i thought it's gonna be home appliances launching which much synonym with the company but surprisingly PLEO comes out!

What the hack is PLEO (perhaps you will think such)? It's a ROBOTIC PET, same concept as we saw with ASIMO but for PLEO, it has emotion, awareness, evolution, interaction that couldn't be controlled by human.

Interesting to see that PLEO is physically a small Dinosaur which can evaluate his or her movement according to environment.

PLEO can walk, sleep, eat (using piece of leaf provided by Pensonic) and will ask for attention from his / her owner.

For sure it's will attracts kids especially or for somebody who wants companion in his / her life.

With the price of RM1,699, PLEO will be great alternative for IT geeks beside laptop, PDA etc.....

IPv6 Will Support More Data and Users

The Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) address system has the means to support a large user base and at the same time encourage more in the community to utilise the internet.

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Fadillah Yusof said to ensure that Malaysia was not left behind in the world of information technology, his Ministry was actively undertaking research and development (R&D) work on the IPv6.

“The R&D is important as the IPv4 address system used in Malaysia is expected to be completely utilised between 2008 and 2010. This factor is the main reason why the IPv6 version is needed,” he told reporters after launching the MyDNSIPv6 in Seri Kembangan here today.

The MyDNSIPv6 is a IPv6 version that is still being developed and tested by MYNIC Bhd.

MYNIC Bhd is an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and regularised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

A IPv6 centre of excellence has been established by the government at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang.

According to Fadillah, it had the ability to develop the IPv6 use in Malaysia in future.

He said that the government had allocated RM1.9 million for R&D work at the USM centre on the IPv6, including enhancing its security features and service quality.

The USM IPv6 centre is also to provide the training for professionals on the IPv6 while streamlining other activities such as R&D in the IPv6, creating awareness of the IPv6 and a certification programmes.

Meanwhile, MYNIC Bhd director Shariya Haniz Zulkifli said the IPv4 internet address system was now 20 years old.

“The IPv4 can still function but its capacity to register IP addresses is decreasing as a result of an increase in the number of users and using the IPv6 is the solution to the problem,” he added. — BERNAMA

Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte Reflects Authenticity and Performance

Nokia introduced the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte, a new premium mobile phone that marries the timeless design of the Nokia 8800 Arte range with materials that reflect a new exclusivity based on refinement and authenticity. Engineered from carbon fibre, titanium, polished glass and stainless steel, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is for individuals who appreciate uncompromised high performance.

Carbon fibre is an ultra light and strong material that expresses a woven pattern that is both high-tech and sensuous. Custom built to ensure the precision engineering that these materials require, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte features 3D patterns that express the inherent performance and luster of carbon fibre.

Inspired by the use of these materials in a range of areas, including architecture, sports cars and aerospace, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte reflects a modern feel through the unique tones, textures and sculpted shapes that carbon fibre and titanium deliver. The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is now available in the market with a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of RM5,688.

HP Introduces New Imaging and Printing Devices and Tailored Solutions to Accelerate Business Results for Enterprise Customerst

HP today announced its expanded portfolio of imaging and printing devices, solutions and services to help enterprise customers boost productivity, security and environmental sustainability.

HP also announced increased traction in HP Managed Print Services with an increasing number of new customers in Asia Pacific who are benefiting from a cost-effective, productivity-enhancing imaging and printing environment.

Building on HP’s leading position in enterprise imaging and printing, HP’s broadened portfolio comprises four specialized solutions, five new assessment services, one HP LaserJet multifunction printer (MFP), three HP LaserJet printers, an HP Scanjet device, and enhancements to the HP Carbon Footprint Calculator.

According to IDC, HP is the leading provider of laser single and multifunction hardcopy peripherals shipped to Enterprises(1) in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) region, with 42% market share and strong double digit year-on-year growth (+13%)(2).

“HP is continuing its efforts to help enterprises build an Enterprise Print 2.0 plan as enterprises optimize their infrastructure, manage their environment and improve workflows,” said Yan Yoke Ping, Country General Manager, Imaging and Printing Group, Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd.

“The expanded imaging and printing portfolio features a robust line-up of targeted, cost-effective solutions with the right mix services and devices to enterprise customers, helping them achieve better business results.”

Specialized solutions for enterprise customersTailoring solutions to meet specific industry needs, HP has added new enterprise solutions focused on customers in the healthcare and manufacturing and distribution industries.

HP also introduced two imaging and printing solutions and four new assessment services that span industry sectors to address specific business needs for enterprises.

Designed to streamline information workflows, enhance security and help reduce costs, HP’s newest solutions offer customers industry-specific expertise with a single point of contact for simplified sales, service and support processes.

Loyalty Bonus for Xpax Users

Xpax, Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad’s prepaid brand, today introduced Loyalty Bonus, its latest offering under the Xpax Bonus campaign.

With this new bonus plan, the longer a customer stays with Xpax, the more FREE SMS they will receive to their 8pax. Only customers who have been with Xpax for more than 6 months are eligible to enjoy this bonus. The Loyalty Bonus will be awarded to customers automatically every mid of the month (no registration required), and will be given based on the table below:

Length of stay Free SMS to 8pax (per month)

6 - 11 months 15
12 – 23 months 25
24 – 35 months 35
36 – 47 months 45
48 – 59 months 55
60 – 71 months 65
72 – 83 months 75
84 – 95 months 85
96 – 107 months 95
108 – 119 months 100
120 months & above 100


Speaking at an exclusive media briefing on this new bonus offering, En Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad said, “The Loyalty Bonus is Xpax’s way of rewarding millions of our loyal customers. With the introduction of yet another new bonus, Xpax is clearly the market leader in terms of rewarding our customers. We are continuously coming up with innovative and original customer loyalty programmes designed to empower our Xpax customers with the BEST overall prepaid experience in the market.”

Xpax has already launched five other bonuses via the Xpax Bonus campaign, which are :
§ Every Month Bonus - rewards Xpax customers with MORE free bonus airtime EVERY MONTH in addition to many more great benefits and rewards. Customers will get up to 8% bonus airtime for usage of RM50 or more. The bonus airtime is automatically credited into customers’ account. They don’t need to redeem points or wait for four months.
§ Birthday Bonus - rewards customers with FREE calls and SMSes to their 8pax on their birthday and the next 6 days. Customers can enjoy this bonus if their stay with Xpax is more than 3 months since activation and the customers’ account remains active.
§ Early Reload Bonus - Xpax customers can enjoy up to five extra validity days when they reload a minimum of RM10 within their active period. The extra five days validity will then be credited the next day once the customer has successfully completed the reload.
§ Surprise Bonus - customers from time to time will enjoy surprise benefits whenever they reload.
§ Hello Sunday Bonus - customers can enjoy FREE minutes to their 8pax on Sundays every month based on how much they spend the previous month. For every RM1 they spend, they will get 30 seconds FREE the following month.

In addition to the launch of the Loyalty Bonus, Celcom rolled out its new mobile instant messaging service, IM(X), which enables prepaid and postpaid customers to enjoy real time text conversation with friends and colleagues, anytime, anywhere.



Customers can also chat with other non-Celcom IM(X) subscribers using the IM(X) client via the SMS continuity feature, which means that non-IM(X) users will receive their messages in the form of an SMS. Other IM(X) features include seamless login (no passwords required); adding contacts via mobile number or phone book; adding friends using their mobile numbers; public & private chat rooms and so much more.

“Celcom is the only telco in Malaysia to tie-up with Yahoo! for this service. IM(X) is fully integrated with the Yahoo! Messenger platform, which means that all existing Yahoo! Messenger users can bring their chatting experience from their PCs to their mobile phones and enjoy real time conversation, anytime, anywhere, using Celcom’s unrivalled network coverage,” Zalman said.

IM(X) offers unlimited messaging at one low flat fee. The monthly unlimited subscription fee for IM(X) is only RM8, whereas the weekly unlimited subscription fee is only RM3. Free trial of the service is currently being offered until 31 December 2008.

Next Generation of Windows Live by Microsoft

Microsoft today announced the next generation of Windows Live, an integrated set of online services that make it easier and more fun for consumers to communicate and share with the people they care about most.

The new generation of Windows Live includes updated experiences for photo sharing, e-mail, instant messaging and more. These highlights include:

· Social Features
That allows users to further “express” themselves and better on-the-go access with Windows Live SkyDrive that enables 25GB of storage online

· Windows Live Messenger
Now includes more personalization, a “what’s new” feed with updates from contacts across the Web, drag-and-drop photo sharing in the conversation window, a favorites list to designate the most important contacts, and group IM to chat simultaneously with up to 20 people at the same time.

· Windows Live Hotmail
Upcoming changes include the ability to bring multiple e-mail accounts together, the ability to put multiple e-mail addresses onto almost any device, increased storage, and a revamped calendar that makes it easier to share calendars with others, subscribe to multiple calendars and use your calendar with Microsoft Outlook.

· Windows Live Groups
A place for groups to collaborate online, includes a shared calendar, shared storage, a shared e-mail address, and shared instant messaging.

Adding onto that, Windows Live also goes local!

All Windows Live and MSN properties including Messenger, Hotmail, and Spaces now have full local language capabilities offering users the opportunity to Discover, Communicate and Share in the language that they feel most comfortable. Besides Bahasa Malaysia, Windows Live provides local language capabilities in 48 languages including Bahasa Indonesia, Thai and Vietnamese.

Tiny, long-lost primate rediscovered in Indonesia

Something interesting I found at one of the browser... Is it true?

On a misty mountaintop on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, scientists for the first time in more than eight decades have observed a living pygmy tarsier, one of the planet's smallest and rarest primates.

Over a two-month period, the scientists used nets to trap three furry, mouse-sized pygmy tarsiers -- two males and one female -- on Mt. Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in central Sulawesi, the researchers said on Tuesday.

They spotted a fourth one that got away.

The tarsiers, which some scientists believed were extinct, may not have been overly thrilled to be found. One of them chomped Sharon Gursky-Doyen, a Texas A&M University professor of anthropology who took part in the expedition.

"I'm the only person in the world to ever be bitten by a pygmy tarsier," Gursky-Doyen said in a telephone interview.

"My assistant was trying to hold him still while I was attaching a radio collar around its neck. It's very hard to hold them because they can turn their heads around 180 degrees. As I'm trying to close the radio collar, he turned his head and nipped my finger. And I yanked it and I was bleeding." - Reuters