YTechCity.com

Lenovo today announced a new addition to its family of tablets – the IdeaPad Tablet A1. The 7-inch (LED with 1024×600 pixel resolution) IdeaPad A1 runs Android 2.3 and features a magnesium alloy “roll-cage” that is designed to protect critical internal components. The A1 is Lenovo’s third Android tablet to hit the market — the first two being the 10.1-inch IdeaPad K1 and the ThinkPad Tablet, also with a 10.1-inch screen.

Other vital specs include a single-core 1Ghz Nvidia Tegra Cortex A8 processor with 512MB RAM and 16GB of on board storage. You also get a 3MP rear camera (VGA front), a micro SD card reader and Mini USB connector

The A1 also features a “unique offline GPS navigation technology that allows direct satellite connection regardless of internet access”. We’re not sure how this is unique because virtually all devices can access GPS without the need for internet connectivity. You need connectivity to render the maps not to access GPS satellites but we’re not sure if that is what Lenovo means by this unique offline GPS navigation technology.

The A1 is available in black or white and will go on sale in Malaysia in January 2012 for RM799.

That RM799 price tag is very attractive for a 7-inch tablet but we’re not expecting that single-core 1GHz processor to deliver blazing performance either.

U Mobile is throwing a special promo for 1 week where they are offering 6 months subscription of MB68 and a Free USB Modem for only RM254. That’s a 50% off from its actual value whereby the MB68 broadband plan with 5GB data is usually charged at RM68/month and the modem’s purported value of RM100. This is a pretty good deal which calculates to only RM42.30/month.

To grab this offer, head over to U Mobile’s Like the Deals App. You will be asked to like their fan page and accept a couple of permissions. The device and SIM is collectable from selected U Mobile service centres. Before signing up, make sure your area is covered with their coverage map.

Celcom now offers the entry level Samsung Galaxy Y which is priced at RM499 outright.

For Celcom Exec consumer plans, the Galaxy Y is offered as low as RM208 on 18 months contract of Celcom Exec 50 + Celcom Broadband Advanced. The subscription should be RM108/month but the commitment was written as RM250/month on their website. For light users, there are lower options of Celcom Exec 50 + mLite data and Celcom Exec 50 + mBasic which should be priced at RM78 and RM88 respectively.

The major thing that we couldn’t understand is the upfront payment for the Galaxy Y. Celcom requires RM300-600 upfront for a phone that is priced below RM500. Also worth mentioning is that the upfront payment is rebated over 12 months. As the Galaxy Y is already an affordable device, it is ridiculous for Celcom to demand such a high upfront payment. Perhaps this is a typo by Celcom’s website team as they have been prone to mistakes recently like their “Droid RAZR” and “1.5GHz Galaxy Tab 8.9“. We suggest contacting Celcom for more details.

For Biz users, it is offered for free with 24 months contract of P148 + SMS Pack RM2 package.

For more information, head over to Celcom’s Smartphone page.

DiGi has started offering the affordable Samsung Galaxy W from as low as RM399 with 24 months contract of DiGi Smart Plan 68. As usual, you do get 2 contract period of 12 or 24 months and a lower plan option of Smart Plan 48.

The bundled pricing for Galaxy W as follows:
DG Smart Plan 48 (12 months) – RM799
DG Smart Plan 48 (24 months) – RM599
DG Smart Plan 68 (12 months) – RM699
DG Smart Plan 68 (24 months) – RM399

If you opt for auto-billing, DiGi will rebate RM5/month from your month subscription. Those that opt for Smart Plan 68 with 24 months period will also get extra RM15/month off for 24 months, which is a substantial RM360 additional savings. There’s an advance payment between RM50-RM500 required upfront depending on plan and option that you go with.

For more information, head over to DiGi’s Online Store.

Great news for Samsung Galaxy users. Samsung has just announced that it is aiming to roll-out latest os- Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for a selected range of its Galaxy devices as early the first quarter of 2012. The update will start rolling out to the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note devices within the first quarter 2012 while the following devices are slated to get ICS later in the year.

-Galaxy R
-Galaxy Tab 10.1
-Galaxy Tab 8.9
-Galaxy Tab 7.7
-Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

Samsung says they will make separate announcements on details of ICS update schedule for each market according to availability taking into account market situation and carriers’ requirements. If we hear anything, we’ll update you.