VAIO Is Back But Can It Survive The Ever Competitve PC Market?

Hi Huneybees,

Yes, you read it right, VAIO has resurfaced back in the Personal Computing (PC) business after it was sold by SONY to a private equity group back in 2014!

After four (4) years of abyss, VAIO has unveiled the premium VAIO S Series - S11 and S13 - to some great Japanese fare on the 16th of August at Keyaki in Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore.

To distinguish itself from an even more competitive PC market four years ago, the new series of VAIO laptops incorporates the latest i5/i7 8th Generation Intel core processors to its sleek hexagonal design and light wright materials to ensure robustness, durability and weight reduction.

VAIO S13 features a thicker cooling vent with higher heat dispersing capability to ensure stable and high operation capacity

Credit to its Japanese-made craftsmanship and adaptation of magnesium alloy for VAIO S13 and carbon fibre for VAIO S11, both laptops are just 5mm thin at their slimmest point and weighs at only 1.07kg and 0.85kg respectively. 

Have a peace of mind with the all new VAIO S Series laptops as access can be programmed via the integrated fingerprint reader! 

Other innovations for the VAIO S series include an intuitive fingerprint reader for more convenience but secure access and an anti-spill keyboard that has had underwent stringent drink spill tests of up to 150ml!

Say goodbyes to adaptors as all new VAIO S Series laptops have all the necessary ports built-in for business focused users  

Overall VAIO S Series, powered by the latest Microsoft Windows 10 OS, has what it takes to impress any casual or business user who is shopping for a all-purpose laptop. Designed for portability while packed with all the latest technical specification such as Full HD LCD display, 256GB/512GB SSD, a 8th Generation Intel core processor, 1Mp webcam, a SD card reader and even a VGA port on top of HDMI and 3x USB 3.0 ports, the VAIO S Series is more than capable for video-streaming, web-surfacing, ppt presentation and working on other office productivity software.

Nevertheless, I wasn't impressed with VAIO S Series. While the Business PC is a huge market, it is also known as a cut-throat market where pricing is a major consideration on top of availability and technical support. Unfortunately, the new VAIO S Series look "over spec" for general usage but "less sexy" and/or "less flexible" compared to those ultra-mobile PCs such as Microsoft Surface Pro or Apple MacBook Air.

Ironically, it was VAIO that first created a disruption to the PC market with its first ultra-mobile PC under the U series back in 2004 and followed by the more iconic UX series in 2006. Let's hope it has plans in the coming months to repeat the feat, but until then, sorry to VAIO S series.

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Here Are Something About Sony Alpha a9 That I Want You To Know...

Hi Huneybees,

The Alpha a9 is the latest Full Frame mirrorless camera that Sony hopes to penetrate into the serious photography market, targeting the Prosumer quarter as well as the Professional photographers and videographers.

Equipped with a high speed 20fps (frames per second) continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking on a 24.2 megapixels 35mm full frame CMOS stacked sensor that has a sensitivity of up to 204800 ISO, Alpha a9 certainly does look very cable of giving more established DSLR brands of Nikon and Canon a run for their monies!

Being a regular sports and event photographer, I found weight and size an important consideration on top of the camera features, as I often have to react to the situation on the field and move around quickly to capture that moment. I must admit I was very pleased with what I saw when I received the Alpha a9 (for testing) as it was so much lighter and smaller - weighted at less than 700g, thanks to its small Magnesium alloy body and only measured 5 inches (width) by 4 inches (height) - than the standard DSLR that I was used to handling.

While I did not have any Sony E-mount pro lens (Aperture 2.8 or better) to make any technical comparison with what I have from my regular DSLR collection, I was still impressed with the overall colour (white balance) accuracy and sharpest of images captured in JPEG with the given general-purpose zoom lens of Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.

Image captured by Sony Alpha a9 with FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS @ 28mm f/3.5, ISO100, 1/230 sec

Image captured by Sony Alpha a9 with FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS @ 41mm f/5.6, ISO2500, 1/100 sec

Image captured by Sony Alpha a9 with FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS @ 2.5x Crop; 28mm f/5, ISO3200, 1/125 sec

The highly accurate eye AF tracking, similar to that of Alpha a7 Mk3 that I have tested before, coupled with the quietness yet amazing 20fps bursting shots, made Alpha a9 an awesome camera for me trying to capture images at sound sensitive area such as a concert or theatre play.

Also I realised I have the tendency to capture almost every image via the LCD display on the Alpha a9 rather than through the electronic viewfinder, which was btw as realistic as a true viewfinder on a DSLR.

Rather, it was all about work flow efficiency that mirrorless camera brings, like the m4/3 system that your truly Queen Bee always carry around, which allowed me to quickly select the right focusing point from any of the 693-point wide area AF on the LCD touch screen without having to meddle with joystick/thumbstick while looking through the viewfinder.

It was also great for photographers like me who has myopia / short sightedness because we no longer need to wipe off the stain on our spectacle lens no more (after using it to see through the viewfinder)!

While I really like the overall package of the Alpha a9 presented by Sony, there were times it did frustrate me while I'm shooting with this full frame mirrorless camera. Maybe because of its small size, guys like me with big palms found the camera less ergonomics.

The EV selector dial, was the number one bane for me as it always got in the way when I moved my finger from LCD touch screen to the shutter button. This often caused the EV setting to change and affected the exposure of my image, and unless I realised early and re-adjusted back the right settings, I would have missed capturing that moment in the right exposure!

Auto white balance was another huge let down for Alpha a9. Not sure why the colour produced from the JPEG image was often way off when shooting indoor. Many a times, I have to manually set the white balance before shooting indoor and that could be time consuming.

Every camera model has its strengths and weaknesses and Alpha a9 is no exception. Undoubtedly, Sony's investment in R&D has yielded dividend in the form of Alpha a9, which itself can mount serious challenge to the juggernauts of today's sport photography - Nikon D5 and Canon EOS-D1X Mark II.

Here is my question to Huneybees, who are looking around for such high-end camera: "How is any of these cameras going to improve your photography?"

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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4FINGERS Collaborates With God of War In A Month-Long Epic Journey

Hi Huneybees,

Kratos and his son Atreus are back! Following the death of Kratos' second wife and Atreus' mother, they journey to fulfill her promise and spread her ashes at the highest peak of the nine realms. This installment of God of War is set in Norse lands and for those fans of this game, you are in for a treat.

If snacking whilst gaming is your thing too, pop on over to 4FINGERS Crispy Chicken near you as they have collaborated with Sony Interactive Entertainment Hong Kong Limited Singapore Branch (SIES), to celebrate the highly anticipated release of the latest installment of PlayStation® 4 video game - God of War.

From 20th April to 20th May 2018, the 4FINGERS x God of War campaign will kick off in 17 outlets in both Singapore and Malaysia. Diners will be treated to an immersive experience, featuring an impressive line-up of lucky dips, in-store gaming booths, photo backdrops, giveaways and lots of chicken! Whether you’re a God of War superfan or you’re devoted to crispy chicken, there’s something here for everyone.

While this may seem like an unlikely combination, 4FINGERS and God of War have more in common than you think. Much like the brave warrior Kratos, the brand strives to go against the status quo by serving their customers the freshest and crispiest chicken using only natural products. 4FINGERS is an advocate for the underdogs, often working with local artistes and organising events such as ‘The Local Motion’. By being loyal to their customers, there is a high level of engagement and positive interactions in-store.

Here’s what you can win:

• Diners who purchase 4FINGERS’ “Wings of Power” Combo meal will get a chance at the Treasure Chest lucky dip to win the grand prize of a paid trip to the famous Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) gaming conference in Los Angeles.
• Other prizes include Limited Edition God of War PlayStation® 4 Pro consoles, copies of the God of War game, and other exclusive merchandise.

Singapore Outlets will also have these exclusive activities:

• Starting with Orchard Gateway on Saturday, 21 April, 2 - 4pm, 4FINGERS has invited fans dressed as Kratos and Atreus to make in-store appearances across Singapore. 98.7FM Radio DJs Sonia Chew and Joakim Gomez will be conducting a live broadcast and engaging the crowd with fun activities from 2 - 4PM. Further fan dress-up appearances will be announced through social media.
• Marina Square, Northpoint City, Orchard Gateway, and Tampines 1 outlets will have GAEM mobile console machines for customers to try out God of War.
• The Jurong Point outlet will have a PlayStation®-branded booth where customers can experience the game as well.
• At Northpoint City, “Runes of 4FINGERS”, a weekly clue-based hunt will be conducted. Participants will have to find and creatively pose with a hidden “rune” at Northpoint City for a chance to win God of War merchandise, Nokia 3310 3G mobile phones, and the latest Apple iPad (2018) Wi-Fi 128GB. The first ‘rune’ clue will be revealed on 4FINGERS’ Facebook page next Friday, 27 April, at 10:30AM.
• The Marina Square and Northpoint City outlets will also feature a photo backdrop, where participants can snap powerful poses for Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #WingsOfPower. The best posts will be rewarded with exclusive prizes.

I know I will definitely be hanging out at 4FINGERS, see ya there!

For more information on 4FINGERS:  Website | Facebook | Instagram

God of War (PS4 Exclusive, S$72.90) is out on 20th April at all PlayStation Authorized Dealers. Follow PlayStation Asia on Facebook and on Instagram for latest updates on God of War.

*God of War is rated M18 (Mature 18) by Singapore’s InfoComm Media Development Authority. 

Gameplay stations are intended for, and restricted to, persons aged 18 and above.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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My First Impression With Sony α7 III (Alpha 7 Mark 3) Full Frame Mirrorless Camera!

Hi Huneybees,

Sony has just officially launched its latest entry level full-frame mirrorless camera in α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) and I would like to share my take on this new camera, having the opportunity to try it out during the media session held earlier.

The Look

Not only does the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) shares the same form factor and almost identical in design to Sony's current flagship full frame mirrorless camera - α7R III (aka Alpha 7 R3 or simply a7 RIII) - it also inherit two features, which I feel are very useful for serious photographers.

The addition of multi-selector (aka the joystick or thumbstick) and AF-ON is great for photographer

I'm happy for Sony for finally getting it right when it introduced multi-selector and AF-ON on
α7R III (aka Alpha 7 R3 or simply a7 RIII) and now the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III).  Both features in my opinion should have been standard long ago as the multi-selector (aka the joystick or thumbstick) really allows the user to shift the focus point of the subject with ease before shooting while the AF-ON button allows the user to focus on a subject until he / she changes it. These features combine make the work flow of an event or wedding photographer so much efficient!

The performance

Testing Sony's α7 III's low light capability with FE24-70 f2.8 OSS lens

Equipped with a brand new full-frame 24.2MP Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor and an enhanced BIONZ X image processing engine, the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) is not just fast in data readout and processing, it also is more light sensitive with a wide ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 204,800 for still photos!

Impressive Result of a cropped but unedited photo taken by α7 III at ISO 10,000, 1/250 f2.8

What this really means for user is the ability to shoot images at low light, hand held, supported by the 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization, with impressive result!!

Testing α7 III's fast hybrid AF system with its improved motion prediction algorithms inherited from α9 at continuous burst rate at 1/1250 f2.8

The class leading 693 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast AF points were at work on the model (the subject) while she was turning

An impressive cropped but unedited photo of the model in focus, while she was turning around, taken from α7 III at continuous burst mode

What set the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) over its more expensive cousin is definitely the fast hybrid Auto Focus. With 693 phase-detection AF points, 425 contrast AF points and the optimized motion prediction algorithms, both inherited from Sony's high-end Alpha 9 (α9) model, together with my favourite  Eye AF in the AF Continuous mode, makes the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) every photographer's dream tool as it ensures reliable and accurate focus in just about any scene.

Packed with a big buffer that allows up to 177 shots in standard JPEG format and up to 89 shots in compressed RAW images or 40 shots in uncompressed form, plus the ability to shoot continuous up to 10fps (even in silent shutter mode) for up to 710 shots per battery charge using LCD or 610 shots using XGA OLED "Tru-Finder" EVF is simply awesome for any event or event sport photograpy!

What is even better is the fact that while the data is still writing to the memory card from the camera, after all the continuous shots, the user can still access (and often photographers do) to the menu and parameter to change setting!!

My Verdict

As a DSLR user, I am really impressed with what the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) is capable of.
Through my crystal ball, I believe Sony is going to sell many of  the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) as, in my opinion, this full frame mirrorless camera is anything but entry level and is even better than its more expensive cousin α7R III.  While the majority of the buyer would likely to be existing Sony upgraders (due to α7 III's great technology leap over earlier models),  it would also attract those M4/3 users who are looking to improve photography through technology plus also people from the DSLR world (like myself) who don't mind shifting from traditional viewfinder to EVF or even LCD.

Great job Sony!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Sony’s New 4K HDR Home Cinema Projectors Certainly Brings The Most ‘True To Reality’ Images To Its Customers.

Hi Huneybees,

Sony has just introduced three (3) new home cinema projectors - VPL-VW260ES, VPL-VW360ES, and VPL-VW760ES - that promises to delivers a truly immersive 4K HDR viewing experience.

If you are one of those Huneybees who is after spectacular, true-to-life images home cinema experience, the new home cinema projectors by Sony is definitely going to amaze you!

All these models deliver high contrast, detail-packed images thanks to Sony's cutting edge native SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) panel.
Fyi, SXRD is Sony's propriety Liquid Crystal On Screen (LCOS) video projection technology, which offers much higher contrast ratio than the Digital Light Processing (DLP) video technology offered by its competitors, as well as today's LCD and even Prisma TV displays found in our homes!
Together with the built-in Reality Creation, an impressive resolution processing technology that uses an unique Sony algorithm to perfectly map pixels, Sony's new home cinema projectors promise to provide viewers the consistently crisp images one could only dream of before...

What's more, viewers can enjoy any kind of High-dynamic-range imaging (HDR) content, including HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) for broadcast and online content shows, in addition to HDR10 that is the standard HDR format for UHD.

Here's a quick summary of the three (3) new models introduced:

• The VPL-VW760ES premium laser light source projector in compact design*¹ reproduces stunning 4K HDR images.
• The versatile VPL-VW360ES with adjustable function of image quality is suited for various types of viewing contents.
• The VPL-VW260ES delivers immersive and authentic 4K HDR images with high cost performance.

*¹It measures 496mm in depth which is 40% smaller than current laser light source model, VPL-VW5000ES.

All three (3) feature-packed 4K HDR projectors, from the cost-effective VPL-VW260ES to the premium VPL-VW760ES, have breathtakingly-real picture quality, thanks to Sony's commitment to brings the most ‘true to reality’ images to its customers.

Queen Bee and I were truly blown away after watching several video clips - from Spider-Man : Homercoming to The Story of Earth by National Geographic - projected by the premium VPL-VW760ES as both of us were truly immersed throughout those experience! Now it's time to start saving the money...

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Get Your Act Together For AXN's Asia's Got Talent Season 2

Hi Huneybees,

(This could be you! – Asia’s Got Talent Season 1 finalists)

Hey ASIA! Always had a talent in singing, performance, dance, etc? Wana show off those talents of yours and be Asia's Next Superstar? Well, be ready for online auditions for AXN's Asia's Got Talent Season 2 starts on April 10!

Remember the winning act last season by Filipino shadow dance group, El Gamma Penumbra? They had all of Asia tuning into that programme, it was the talk of the town and they even walked away with a cash prize of USD100,000!

So, if you think you have the talents, be sure to visit www.AXN-Asia.com/AsiasGotTalent to submit an application and audition video, which should include a short introduction of the act, and the actual performance. The videos should be under two minutes’ in duration. 

In addition to the online auditions, AXN will also hold a series of open auditions in major cities across the region next month. Cities, dates and venues will be announced in the coming weeks via AXN’s TV channel, social platforms (@AXNAsia) and website.

"Asia’s Got Talent is the world’s biggest talent competition and we encourage people of any age and with any dream to come forward and take the spotlight. Following the outstanding success of season one on AXN, and the awe-inspiring talent that emerged from 15 countries, Asia’s Got Talent has established its place as the region’s most powerful platform to launch aspiring stars.

For season two, AXN is looking for a variety of acts that span everything from thrilling, surprising and breathtaking to funny and quirky…and sometimes bizarre. Asia’s Got Talent is captivating entertainment at its best and there’s no better place than Asia to discover to the next generation of superstars." --- Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

New Ratings Records in Asia

Season one of Asia’s Got Talent set new ratings records for the English general entertainment (GE) genre during its run, taking AXN to the number one spot in its timeslot among all regional pay-TV channels collectively across Southeast Asia and Taiwan.²

In Malaysia, Asia’s Got Talent was the highest rated entertainment series on English language channels on Astro in the past two years. In the Philippines, the Grand Final Results episode of Asia’s Got Talent was the highest rated pay-TV program in the country since 2008, and commanded a 96 percent share among 22 English GE channels. ³

2. Source: Kantar Malaysia Astro DTAM, Kantar Media Singapore, Kantar Media Philippines all urban panel, 12th March to 14th May 2015, Thursdays, 8pm to 10pm, target: pay TV 4+

3. Source: Kantar Malaysia Astro DTAM, 2015-2016. Kantar Media Philippines all urban panel, 14th May 2015, target: pay TV 4+

Got Talent Globally

The Got Talent franchise was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced and owned by Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia. It is entered in the Guinness World Records as the Most Successful Reality Television Format in history with 70 local versions produced across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle-East, Africa and the Americas. Around the world, the Got Talent format airs in a total of 186 countries.

AXN: A leader in original productions

AXN is a leader of regionally produced original content in Asia, with notable ratings successes including five seasons of the international Emmy-nominated The Amazing Race Asia; the Asian Television Award-winning Cash Cab Asia and Cash Cab Philippines; The Apprentice Asia; Cyril: Rio Magic; Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition; and the Asian Television Award-nominated Cyril: Simply Magic.

So, be sure to get your act together and stay tuned to www.SonyPicturesTelevision.com for more information. Have fun and hope to see you on TV soon! =)

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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