YTechCity.com

Here’s the latest piece of new from the official Windows Phone blog. Eric Hautala the General Manager of Customer Experience Engineering says in a blog post that the much awaited Mango release of Windows Phone 7 is expected to roll out “in the next week or two”.

Mango will bring to the Windows Phone 7 platform a whole host of features (like multitasking and much, much more) to put it on par with the likes of iOS and Android. Closer to home, the lack of local support for the Windows Phone Marketplace is a major issue for users, so we hope that gets fixed in the upcoming release as well.

Full excerpt below:

Hi everybody. Given all the recent speculation around the timing of our Mango update, I wanted to bring you up to speed on what to expect next.

For months, we and dozens of our partner companies have been laying the groundwork for the Windows Phone 7.5 update—and making solid progress. As a result, we now expect to start rolling it out in the next week or two. At that time, we’ll also refresh the Where’s My Phone Update? table to reflect the worldwide rollout status.

This also seems like a good time to caution against installing unofficial or leaked copies of Windows Phone software.

During the official Windows Phone 7.5 update process, every Windows Phone will also receive software from the handset manufacturer. This matched and paired firmware has been painstakingly tuned so your phone—and apps—work with all the new features of Windows Phone 7.5. Since your phone requires the proper firmware to function as designed, my advice is simple: steer clear of bootleg updates and homebrew tools.

By the way, in case you missed it, we recently released new versions of both the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac and the Zune software for PCs, which you’ll need to update your phone. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to install it. I think you’ll like the update-related improvements, which speed up the overall update process and give you more control over backups. A small favor: When you update to Zune 4.8, you’ll be asked to participate in improving the update process. Please consider doing so.

I know you’re eager to get your hands on the next release of Windows Phone—and everyone involved with Windows Phone is equally excited and eager to deliver it to you. Please hang on—we’re almost there.

Eric Hautala

General Manager, Customer Experience Engineering

[source]

Google+ for Android is now available in Malaysia. You can download it direct from Android Market just search “Google+” and you’re good to go or just click on this link right here.

HTC has been really busy of late with a slew of devices expected to make their debut in the coming weeks. The latest of which is this, the HTC Rhyme (codenamed: Bliss).

Below is some unconfirmed specs on the internet machine:
*Comes with HTC Charm — an pendant-like accessory that glows to tell user of incoming calls or messages
*3.7-inch display
*1GHz single-core processor
*5MP camera with 720p video recording

The HTC Rhyme departs from the other Android smartphone in HTC’s range as it is the first to be primarily designed for women. For now we’re only presented with an official-looking render of the device with no details on specifications and pricing.

Though from the picture, we can see that the Rhyme is running a cleaner looking Sense 3.5. September 20 is the expected launch date and it appears that Asia may be a key market for the device (notice Singapore set as default location in the weather widget?)

So ladies, what do you think? The HTC Rhyme tickle your fancy?

[Source]

Best Buy — a popular consumer electronics retailer in the US — has started pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Two versions are available, a 16GB WiFi version for US$469.99 and a 32GB WiFi version that will be selling for US$569.99. The pre-order page however didn’t yet include a launch date for the device.

We have been told that the Galaxy Tab 8.9 will be making it to Malaysia in about a month’s time after the launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. We’re nearing the one month mark since the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was launch but we haven’t seen any indication that Samsung Malaysia is planning another launch soon. It’s either that they really nothing planned at the moment or they are keeping a very tight lid on things.

Either way, with the US pricing of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 now a known quantity, it gives us some indication of how much the device might retail for when it comes to Malaysia.

In this instance we’re pegging the Galaxy Tab 8.9 (16GB WiFi) to retail in the range of RM1,600 to RM1,500. We’re using the US retail price of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and its difference with the Malaysia selling price as a marker, which means our estimate, at the moment, is an educated at best. Even so, it looks some may see the Galaxy Tab 8.9 as expensive.

But for those who are waiting for the Galaxy Tab 8.9, don’t you worry. We’ll keep a close eye on things. When we get the latest details, you’ll know it.

[Source]

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 (RRP RM1,988) is now available on DiGi for as low as RM1,249 with its DG Smart Plan.

There’s really nothing out of the ordinary with regards to the DG Smart Plans that are on offer. You get to choose from two plans with two contract terms giving you four possible plan combinations. There’s the DG Smart Plan 48 with 1GB of mobile internet data and a flat rate of 15sen/min calls and 10sen/SMS to all networks for RM43/month. You can also purchase the Torch 9810 with a DG Smart Plan 68 which offers the same call and SMS rates as the DG Smart Plan 48 but offers 5GB mobile internet data. You can opt for 12- and 24-months contract period.

For both plans you will need to add RM10/month for BlackBerry Internet Service or RM20/month for BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

If you’re looking for a simple, hassle-free plan that comes with the BlackBerry 9810, DiGi is probably it. Simple and cheap. No guarantees on performance and coverage though.

For more details, check out DiGi’s website here.