Sitex 2013 - Telco, Tablets, & Mobile Accessories Buying Guide
Some of the best deals at any tech show can be found with the telcos, who just love to bundle their deals with loads of premium goodies. Plus, we check out the best promotions on smartphones, tablets and mobile accessories to complement your latest purchases.
Sitex 2013 Buying Guide
Sitex 2013 is currently taking place at Singapore Expo Hall 4B, 5 and 6. The show is on from 28th November to 1st December, and is open from 11am to 9pm. One of Singapore's longest running tech shows, Sitex 2013 will feature more than 800 exhibitors and cover over 350,000 square-feet of exhibitions space with products ranging from notebooks and tablets to televisions, automotive accessories and more. As usual, admission is free!
There will be a ton of products at the show, so in this handy buying guide we'll be giving you tips and tricks on what to look for in a great product. Whether you're buying a new broadband plan or a tablet device, here's what you need to know before you buy your next gadget. But before that, check out a video roundup of top 10 new gadgets you might want to check out at Sitex and who knows, you might get some of them!
Buying Guide Index
HardwareZone Sitex 2013 Portal
For more on Sitex 2013, including maps, brochures and Twitter updates, click on through to our Sitex portal.
Broadband Plan Deals at the Show
Here are some highlighted broadband plan deals at Sitex this year.
M1 Fibre Broadband 200Mbps fibre home broadband forjust $39/month and get 6 months of subscription free OR 300Mbps fibre broadband for just $49/month and get 3 months of subscription free Sitex 2013 Offer
Location M1 - Hall 5, 5D10 and 5D20 |
Up to 150Mbps download and 75Mbps upload speeds with more bandwidth for more users streaming HD video. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location MyRepublic - Hall 5, Booth 5E40 |
StarHub 200Mbps Fibre Home Broadband Sign up for StarHub 200Mbps Fibre Home Broadband with a two-year contract and get the Acer Aspire C720 Chromebook free.Sitex 2013 Offer
Location StarHub - Hall 6, Booth 6A20 | ViewQwest 100Mbps Starter Plan Jumping on the fibre broadband bandwagon? Give ViewQwest Starter Plan a try!Sitex 2013 Offer
Location ViewQwest - Hall 6, Booth 6D40 |
SingTel Home Fibre Broadband SingTel is offering several months of free subscription depending on the fibre home bundle you sign up. The monthly subscription packages are also very competitive. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location SingTel - Hall 5, Booth 5B01 |
MyRepublic PURE HD 150Mbps Fibre Broadband
Sitex 2013 Broadband Plans Portal
Broadband Plan Buying Guide
Consumers now have more choice than ever for their internet needs, with a host of new companies like MyRepublic joining the big three Telcos. If you're thinking about signing up for a new plan, tech shows are often the best place to do it as the freebies and extras tend to be better than at other times of the year.
BROADBAND TODAY
Broadband plans in Singapore fall into three categories: Cable broadband, ADSL broadband, and Fiber broadband.
Cable broadbanddelivers high-speed Internet access via coaxial cables and a cable termination point. Plans are available from StarHub, M1, Pacnet, and NTT Communications offering speeds of between 3Mbps to 15Mbps. An advantage of cable broadband is thatthe quality of your connection is not dependent on your proximity to your ISP (whereas ADSL is). However, unlike ADSL, which runs on a dedicated line, cable connections are shared with others in your HDB or condo block, which can affect your download speeds. |  |
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadbanddelivers high-speed Internet access via your existing telephone line. Plans are available from SingTel, M1, and Pacnet offering speeds of between 1.5Mbps to 15Mbps. One disadvantage of ADSL broadband is that your connection is linked to a fixed telephone line, so switching residence can be troublesome and will result in loss of service for a few days. On the other hand, unlike cable broadband, your ADSL connection is not affected by other users in your area.
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Fiber broadbanduses fiber optic cables to deliver Internet speeds far higher than both Cable and ADSL broadband. Plans are available from SingTel, StarHub, M1, MyRepublic, and ViewQwest ranging from 50mbps up to a mind-boggling 1Gbps. Fiber optic broadband requires a fiber optic termination point to be installed by network infrastructure provider, OpenNet.
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WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Can I get Fiber broadband? Starting in 2010, network infrastructure providers OpenNet offered a one-time free installation of the fibre network termination point to all residences in Singapore. If you missed this offer, you'll need to book an appointment to have the TP installed, which will cost between $220-$450, although some ISPs offer to pay the installation charge for you if you sign up with them. As of 2013, over 95% of Singapore is fiber-ready. To check if your area is eligible for installation click here.
What router do I need for ADSL/Cable/Fiber? Any network router (wired or wireless) should be compatible with the modem your service provider gives you. However, it's a lot more tricky if you want to replace the modem that your service provider gives you. Not sure how to choose a router? Check out our networking buying guide.
What is International bandwidth/download speed? Some plans advertise different speeds for local and international downloads. Your local download speed will be applicable for sites hosted in Singapore (e.g. SingTel, locally hosted gaming servers), whereas international sites such a server in the US will subject to the international download speeds.
Smartphone Deals at the Show
Here are some highlighted smartphone deals at Sitex this year.
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LG G2 Fancy an Android smartphone with rear power and volume control buttons? The LG G2 breaks tradition by placing the power and volume control buttons on its back. It also sports an ultra thin bezel around its gorgeous 5.2-inch display and has a 13-megapixel rear camera which takes good images. Sitex 2013 Offer
| ASUSPadFone Infinity (Late 2013) The ASUS PadFone Infinity (Late 2013) comes with a newer Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2GHz processor and a micro-SD card slot that supports up to 64GB. Sitex 2013 Offer
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Location M1 - Hall 5, Booth 5D10, 5D20 | Location StarHub - Hall 6, Booth 6A20 |
AC Ryan M5.4 The AC Ryan M5.4 runs on a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB RAM and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It has a 5-inch Full-HD IPS display, 13-megapixel rear camera, 16GB internal storage, micro-SD card slot and a 2,000mAh battery. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location AC Ryan - Hall 5, Booth 5D60 | Nokia Lumia 1020 If you are looking for the best camera phone in the market, look no further than the Nokia Lumia 1020. It is equipped with a 41-megapixel PureView rear camera that can rival point-and-shoot cameras. Topping off the incredible camera performance are a gorgeous 4.5-inch AMOLED display and solid build quality. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location SingTel - Hall 5, Booth 5B01 |
Sony Xperia Z1 The Sony Xperia Z1 comes with a 5-inch Full-HD display, a 20.7-megapixel rear camera with G-Lens, 27mm wide angle and F2.0 aperture. It runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and has 16GB internal storage. SITEX 2013 Offer
Location SingTel - Hall 5, Booth 5B01 | HTCDesire 601 Looking for an affordable 4G LTE Android smartphone? The HTC Desire 601 fits the criteria as it has a decent 4.5-inch display, a competent Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 dual-core 1.4GHz processor and a 5-megapixel rear autofocus camera at just under $500 without contract. Sign it up with a two-year contract and you get yourself a good deal! Sitex 2013 Offer
Location StarHub - Hall 6, Booth 6A20 |
Sitex 2013 Smartphones Portal
Smartphone Buying Guide
A smartphone has become an integral part of our daily lifestyle. With so many options from the different mobile platforms, it must be very confusing for consumers to decide on their next phone purchase. The attractive deals at tech shows often complicate things further, with reduced prices and more freebies.
SMARTPHONES TODAY
The mobile industry is dominated by the likes of Apple iOS and phones powered by Google Android. There are also other players such as Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10. So which mobile platform suits you better?
Apple iOS is well-known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface. The consistency in user experience across the board helps you adapt to it pretty quickly. Backed by a vast and superior collection of apps, you will be spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing apps from photography, games, social networking, instant messaging, productivity and entertainment.Its great cross device synergy, anchored by iTunes and iCloud, provides a unified experience that is unrivalled. If you want a simple, easy-to-use and stable phone to use, you can't go wrong with an iOS device. More Information: WWDC 2013: iOS 7 Highlights, 11 Details You Might Have Missed about iOS 7, 7 Tips for using the new iOS, 7 Battery Saving Tips on iOS 7 |  |
BlackBerry recently unveiled its next generation operating system, BlackBerry 10 (BB 10), which will serve as a single platform for phones and tablets. BB 10 provides a whole new user experience where you use swipe gestures to navigate the interface instead of relying on a home, menu or back navigation button. One of its key features is the BlackBerry Hub, a notification center where your social and email accounts integrate. It is deliberately designed to be accessed from any app or lock screen, hence making it very convenient for you to check new notifications without quitting the app or task that you are doing. BlackBerry has one of the best, if not the best virtual keyboards in the market. The BB 10 keyboard is able to adapt to your typing style, learns from your message history and tries to predict the next word you are typing. Used over a substantial period of time, the BB 10 keyboard is able to deliver a faster and more accurate typing experience. If you are a loyal fan of BlackBerry's QWERTY keyboard, you will be glad to know that the company refined the design on the Q10. Whether you like a virtual or physical keyboard, BlackBerry has just the right device to meet your needs. More Information: BlackBerry Z10 Review, BlackBerry Q10 Review, BlackBerry Live 2013, BlackBerry Z30 Review |  |
As an open-source OS, it is no wonder that Google Android has grown to become the world's most popular mobile platform. As Google Android offers the freedom of choice and customization, vendors are able to manufacture a range of mobile devices with different screen sizes, form factors, price points, and user interfaces to suit the needs of different consumers. Its tight integration with Google's services such as Gmail, Maps and Drive is an asset that other mobile platforms lack. If you like the flexibility of customizing your home screens and taking more control over how your phone works, Google Android is clearly for you. More Information: The Best Features of Android 4.4 KitKat |  |
Windows Phone 8 (WP8) does not offer a drastically different user experience from its predecessor, Windows Phone 7. Its core still revolves around Live Tiles, which act as tiny windows that are constantly updated with the latest information. As such, you do not need to switch or jump between different apps to get the information you want. Windows Phone gives you all the necessary information with a single glance on the Start Screen. What's different in WP8 is the new Smart Screen, where you can resize the tiles according to your preferences. This allows you to enlarge certain functions of higher importance such as Calendar to be more visible on the home screen. Other updates include the option to enable app notifications on the lock screen, backup and restore data via Microsoft's SkyDrive, private group conversations in Rooms, NFC payment service in Wallet, and a selection of photo apps known as Lenses. If you want a break from the typical app and widget-filled home screens, WP8 can offer you a different and refreshing experience. More information: HWZ Tech Guide to Windows Phone 8 |  |
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Getting a Phone with Contract or Without Contract? If you are renewing your contract to purchase a phone, a gentle reminder that all three telcos have rolled out new tiered smartphones in September 2012. In a nutshell, you will no longer enjoy data bundles of at least 12GB or unlimited data usage once you switch over to the new smartphone plans. Check out our illustrated overview of tiered smartphone plans for a clearer picture.
3G or 4G? So far, M1 and SingTel are the two telcos in Singapore to launch a nationwide 4G LTE network. As for StarHub, its 4G network covers 60% of the island with a focus on outdoor coverage. Island-wide street-level coverage is expected by end of the year and pervasive in-building coverage is slated thereafter in the future. We did a mid-year review of the telcos' 4G LTE network in April. You may want to check the two articles (1) (2) out to have an idea of where the different telcos stand with regrards to 4G LTE coverage across the island.
More and more 4G-enabled mobile devices are entering the market and the telcos are actively promoting the adoption of 4G. If you want to enjoy faster mobile data connectivity, it is advisable to get a 4G phone but you have to take note that 4G phones generally have lower battery life. In addition, you are likely to switch to the new tiered plans and be limited by the lower data bundles. If you want to find out more about 4G LTE, do check out our 4G LTE Tech Guide. Do not know which devices are 4G-enabled? Fret not as we have compiled a list of devices with 4G LTE support.
Check out the latest mobile phones at our HardwareZone Mobile Phones Product Guide.
Tablets Deals at the Show
Here are some highlighted tablets deals at the Sitex this year.
ASUS MeMOPad HD 7 The ASUSMeMO Pad HD 7 is like a decent buy for the mainstream consumer who is looking for a no-frills tablet. It is essentially a repackaged Nexus 7 (2012) in a different skin and processing platform. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location ASUS - Hall 6, Booth 6B01 | AC Ryan Tab 7.2 The AC Ryan Tab 7.2 sports a 7-inch display (1,024 x 600 pixels) and is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor. It runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and has a host of connectivity options such as mini-HDMI, micro-USB, micro-SD and mini DC jack. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location AC Ryan - Hall 5, Booth 5D60 |
Google Nexus 7 The Google Nexus 7, manufactured by ASUS, is probably the best Android tablet in the market. It is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB RAM and has a 7-inch Full-HD display (1,920 x 1,200 pixels). As a Nexus device, you will be guaranteed to receive the latest Android updates from Google ahead of the rest. In addition, the stock Android interface gives you the smoothest user experience.Sitex 2013 Offer
Location ASUS - Hall 6, Booth 6B01 | Toshiba Excite Write The Toshiba Excite Write is powered by NVIDIA Tegra 4 quad-core 1.8GHz processor, 2GB RAM and sports a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. It has a TruPen stylus thatworks in conjunction with the Wacom technology digitizer which supports 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location Courts - Hall 6, 6C10 Harvey Norman - Hall 6, 6A10 |
Sitex 2013 Tablets Portal
Tablets Buying Guide
The tablet market is more crowded than before, with Apple iPads taking the lead and Google Android tablets fast catching up. Microsoft's Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets are beginning to make their presence felt in the tablet scene.
TABLETS TODAY
If you want to get a tablet today, there are three main options available: Apple, Google Android and Microsoft.
Apple is the company that started the tablet craze three years ago with its 9.7-inch iPad. Drawing lessons and experience from developing iOS for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Apple replicated the same formula and strategy successfully in the tablet space with four generations of iPads. It entered into the 7-inch tablet space last October when it unveiled the 7.9-inch iPad mini. While the market conditions were no longer friendly to Apple, the company managed to achieve significant sales of the iPad mini worldwide. A wide range of tablet accessories, a robust mobile platform combined with an intuitive user interface and support of tablet-optimized apps enables Apple to stay ahead of the competition. |  |
Before the introduction of the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets, Google left the tablet wars in the hands of its Android vendors, who met with little success in toppling the market leader, Apple. Having decided to take things into its own hands, Google partnered with ASUS to manufacture the 7-inch Nexus 7 and offered it at extremely attractive price points. It also launched Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the smoothest Android experience to date. Towards the end of 2012, Google collaborated with Samsung to build the Nexus 10 which has an ultra high resolution display. Since then, there's a race to the bottom in the tablet market as Android vendors built low cost, entry level tablets. A smoother, more fluid user experience, coupled with the growing support of developers for the Android ecosystem may finally give Apple and its iPads a run for their money. |  |
The tablet market has grown to be too big and important for Microsoft to ignore, and the Redmond company ventured into the tablet space with not one, but two Windows operating systems. To compete with the sea of ARM-powered Android tablets and Apple iPads, Microsoft specifically designed a special Windows operating system, called Windows RT that can be used on devices powered by ARM processors. As the competition has yet to conquer the enterprise sector, an area that is especially friendly towards Windows operating system, Microsoft licensed Windows 8 to its partners to develop tablets that can provide the same functionality as laptops and desktops. Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Fujitsu, Acer have since jumped on the bandwagon to offer Windows 8 and RT tablet devices. If you are looking for a desktop-like environment on a tablet, you can consider the diverse range of Windows 8 and RT-powered tablet devices from the various partners. |  |
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Should you get a 7-inch tablet? 7-inch tablets are better suited for reading due to their 4:3 aspect ratio. In addition, 7-inch tablet form factor offers better mobility and portability. However, if you are into heavy multimedia consumption and require larger screen real estate, it is obvious that 10.1-inch tablets are recommended. As a general guideline, there is no one size fits all for tablets. It depends on individual preferences, what and how you use the tablet.
Do tablets come with keyboard accessories? Yes, some tablets come with optional keyboard accessories while others are included as a bundle. For example, the ASUS Transformer Pad TF701T comes with the keyboard dock. Apple iPads, being the most popular tablet devices, tend to enjoy more support from third party vendors who make a wide range of Bluetooh keyboards for them.
Should you get a Wi-Fi or cellular model of the tablet? Some tablet models such as the Apple iPad, iPad Mini and ASUS Nexus 7 are available in two variants: Wi-Fi only and cellular. The cellular models will definitely cost more, but bring the convenience of staying connected on the move. However, you have to fork out extra cash to sign up for a multi-SIM card or another data SIM card for the tablet. In addition, cellular models will take a hit on battery performance since they are constantly connected and searching for data connectivity.
It also depends on where and how you will be using the tablet. If you tend to use the tablet at home or office, it is advisable to get a Wi-Fi model as you can connect the device to the office or home's Wi-Fi network. If there is no Wi-Fi network , you can always tether from your smartphone. On the other hand, a cellular tablet model will come in handy if you tend to be outdoors most of the time.
For more information on getting a tablet, check out our Tablet Tech Guide.
Check out the latest tablets at our HardwareZone Tablets Product Guide.
Mobile Accessories Deals at the Show
Here are some highlighted mobile accessories deals at Sitex this year.
Jumbox Power Bank 5200mAh Want to smell nice while charging your smartphone? Get the Jumbox Power Bank 5200mAh as it comes in 5 different scents (Lemon, Lavender, Strawberry, Blueberry and Ocean Blue). Its charging cycle life is stated at 500 times and the smell lasts about two to six months.Sitex 2013 Offer
Location tech@vogue - Hall 6, Booth 6E30 | Verus Premium Leather for Apple iPad Air Looking for a third-party leather cover for your new Apple iPad Air? Consider the Verus Premium Leather for its nice leather feel and affordable price tag. Sitex2013 Offer
Location nubox - Hall 6, Booth 6E20 |
Patchworks USGITG Pro (0.33mm) for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 The Patchworks USG ITG Pro is one of the best glass screen protectors to get for your Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Its surface hardness is rated at 9H for scratch resistance and repels oil, dust and fingerprints. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location tech@vogue - Hall 6, Booth 6E30 | Finger QPrivacQ 180 Mini Envious of the fingerprint sensor on the Apple iPhone 5S? Don't be as you can get one for your Android smartphone (supports Android 4.0 & above) The Finger Q PrivacQ 180 Mini provides another level of security for your chat conversations and apps by requiring you to swipe your finger to read messages or unlock selected apps. All you need to do is to attach the dongle via the micro-USB portto your smartphone. Open the Internet browser and access theFingerQ web site to download and install the software. Sitex 2013 Offer
Location tech@vogue - Hall 6, Booth 6E30 |
Sitex 2013 Mobile Accessories Portal
Mobile Accessories Buying Guide
Battery packs. Casings. Bluetooth headsets. These are just some of the necessary accessories to complete your smartphone or tablet experience - if you're looking to improve your smartphone's battery life, or wish to stream your music wirelessly via a Bluetooth headset, there's plenty at PC Show 2013.
MOBILE ACCESSORIES TODAY
When it comes to accessories for mobile phones and tablets, it is not far-fetched to say that you have endless choices from the likes of Energizer, EpiCentre, nubox and many more.
Nubox is an Apple Premium reseller and Apple Authorized Reseller company in Singapore. An arm of Newstead Technologies, nubox offers an extensive range of Apple products from Macs, to iPods, iPhones and iPads to a wide range of accessories to complement the mobile media and computing experience. |  |
Jabra is a global manufacturer of innovative headset and speakerphone solutions. The brand, Jabra, is about empowering consumers and enabling communication for mobile users. Its headset range has consistently being recognized as the gold standard in innovation and design. |  |
Plantronics is a company headquartered in Santa Cruz, California that pioneered the lightweight headset, the mobile headset, noise-cancelling technology and the personal speakerphone. Its portfolio of corded and wireless products is widely recognized for the excellent sound quality, reliability and comfort. |  |
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Do You Need a Wired or Wireless Headset? It depends on your needs. Drivers and people on-the-go will appreciate the convenience of going wireless, as they do not need to bother themselves with entangled wires or worry about wires getting in their way. However, if you are always on the move and have no access to a power supply, it is advisable to stick to wired headsets as you do not need to worry about them running out of power halfway through the day.
Is a Portable Battery Charger necessary? Mobile devices today come with many features and functions, such as GPS, video playback, video calls, gaming and web browsing. In addition, the trend of increasing display sizes and 4G LTE will mean that smartphones and tablets are likely to see shorter battery mileage. It is highly advisable to have a portable battery charger with you in the event that your phone runs low on battery and a quick charge of battery is what it takes to make the call or compose that important email.
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