Which is the biggest mobile tech news of 2016?

Which is the biggest mobile tech news of 2016?

by | Nov 24, 2016 | Branded Content, Tech

Vote for the biggest mobile tech news of 2016

2016 has been an explosive year for mobile enthusiasts, and here, we list the most prominent pieces of news from the world of mobile technology.

(Note that these are numbered in no particular order)

From exploding phones to disappearing airpods, 2016 has been an interesting year for those who pay attention to the mobile industry.

They didn’t let me on the plane

Arguably the piece of smartphone news this year that has been the most prominent was the recall of 2.5million Galaxy Note 7’s, Samsung’s flagship device, a mere two weeks after its launch due to exploding batteries. Samsung initially offered replacements, but decided to refund and discontinue the phones altogether after the replacements themselves began to go up in flames.

Picture from Daily Star UK

Vote for the explosive note 7 as the most prominent piece of news 2016

Hey Apple, Where are my earphones?

Apple set social media abuzz with memes and giggles when the newly announced Iphone 7 was revealed to have no aux cable. Worse yet, the internet was flooded with jokes about losing the new cordless air pods within seconds of buying them, becoming a running quip among apple and android fans alike.

Picture from MashableAsia

Vote for the disappearing air pods as the most prominent piece of news 2016

The Bezel-less Mi Mix

Xiao Mi’s announcement of the Bezel-less phone, the Mi Mix, got netizens excited for the next step in smartphone design. People are evidently bored of prevailing smartphone models, but there are only a limited number of ways one can design a rectangular slab of metal and glass.

At the same event, Xiaomi also unveiled the Mi Note 2, which looks similar to Samsung’s Note 7, but without the caveat of setting the house on fire.

Picture from The Verge

Vote for the bezel less Mi Mix as the most prominent piece of news 2016

The Google Pixel

The Google Pixel is Googles newest attempt at breaking into the high-end mobile phone market. The Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL sport a 5.0- and 5.5-inch build respectively, both run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, the Adreno 530 and 4GB of RAM. Both of them pack 32 GB to 128 GB internal memory. The Google Pixel runs on 2,770 mAH, while the Google Pixel XL runs on 3,450 mAH. Pegged at $699 for the lowest-end configuration.

Picture from Made by Google

Vote for the Google Pixel release as the most prominent piece of news 2016

Google's Pixel Phone Hacked In Under a Minute

Speaking of the pixel, a group of white hat hackers from Qihoo, a Chinese security firm, exploited the phones security flaw in under a minute, bagging a $120,000 bounty from google. The hack left the Pixel vulnerable to outside control, giving hackers’ access to eavesdrop, pick pocket, and utilize the device in botnet attacks.

Oops.

Picture from Cyber Threat Defense Blog

Vote for the Google Pixel hack as the most prominent piece of news 2016

Huawei’s Leica-P9 Combo

Huawei and Leica’s joint announcement on their collaboration on the new 2016 huawei P9 was a big deal this year. The P9 was the smartphone industry’s first serious investment in a dual camera system, one that has since been adopted by apple. The P9 has a traditional 12-megapixel camera, but right next to it is another, monochrome 12-megapixel one. Working together they improve contrast and triple the amount of light information received by the device.

Vote for the Leica P9 Combo as the most prominent piece of news of 2016

LG-G5 Modular Flop

LG’s announcement that it will be releasing a modular phone in the form of the LG-G5 got nerds and geeks excited for its release. Unfortunately, at the commencement of sale, LG only had two modules available, largely relying on third parties to create more. Later, the LG-G5 was apparently a flop with LG admitting its disappointment with “somewhat slow” sales.

Picture from Androidcentral

Vote for the LG Modular flop as the most prominent piece of news 2016

Timeline

  • Googles Pixel Hacked

  • Google Pixel launch

  • Mi Mix Launch

  • Samsung Note 7 explodes

  • iPhone 7 launch

  • Huawei’s Leica-P9 Combo

  • LG-G5 Modular Flop

Enjoy Tax Relief as SSPN-i Plus Depositior

Enjoy Tax Relief as SSPN-i Plus Depositior

by | Nov 22, 2016 | Branded Content, learn

What is SSPN-i Plus?

SSPN-i Plus is a higher education savings plan or scheme specifically introduced by Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) or National Higher Education Fund Corporation to promote smart saving and investment for the future. SSPN-i Plus combines education savings and takaful protection in inexpensive and comprehensive plan, which is fine-tuned from the existing SSPN-i plan. In other words, what you save today will come in handy to support the higher education of your child or yourself in the future.

The concept of SSPN-i Plus

SSPN-i Plus adopts the concept of disciplined savings on a monthly basis based on the package you choose. It is a syariah compliant savings plan with a total of six packages to be chosen from, depending on your needs. In addition to the existing five packages, PTPTN had also introduced the Intan package on 6 May 2016 for added affordability with just RM1 per day or RM30 per month.

Savings Package

SSPN-i Plus has six packages to suit your different needs. They are Intan, Delima, Topas, Zamrud, Nilam and Berlian.

Benefit of income tax relief

SSPN-i Plus is guaranteed by the government and you are privileged to enjoy multiple benefits, including income tax relief up to RM12,000 per year, based on your nett deposit.

Who is eligible for tax relief benefit?

The income tax relief benefit applies to depositors of SSPN-i Plus who can be the parents/ adoptive parents/ legal guardians/ other valid depositors by law. The tax reduction up to RM12,000 per year is derived from the nett deposit (savings minus withdrawals) of the current assessment year, meaning up to RM6,000 for nett deposit (savings) and another RM6,000 for takaful contribution under the life insurance and KWSP (EPF) category. For parents (husband and wife) who open their respective SSPN-i Plus accounts and file for separate tax assessments, they are entitled to the same tax relief of up to RM12,000 each. The last date to enjoy such income tax relief is 31 December 2016 for this year. Please refer to Section D (Relief) on the LHDN form when you file for this income tax relief.

Example of nett deposit calculation:

Let say you have a balance of RM4,500 in your SSPN-i Plus deposit last year and you made a RM3,000 deposit and a RM1,000 withdrawal this year, your nett deposit of the current assessment year is RM2,000. The nett deposit (savings) will be used to derive the income tax relief subsequently.

  • Last year’s SSPN-i Plus balance = RM4,500
  • This year’s deposits (savings) = RM3,000
  • This year’s withdrawals = RM1,000
  • Nett deposits of the current assessment year = RM3,000 (deposits or savings) – RM1,000 (withdrawals) = RM2,000 (nett deposits or savings)

Dividend is also part of the tax exemption!

Another exciting advantage of SSPN-i Plus, offered competitive dividends, which are eligible for tax exemption too.

Who can open an SSPN-i Plus account?

The depositors must be Malaysians belonging to the 18 – 64 age group. The beneficiaries must also be Malaysians aged between 1 day and 29 years old, who can be yourself/ your child/ child under your care, which is valid by law. For individuals who are unmarried, you are also eligible for participating in the SSPN-i Plus for yourselves on condition you belong to the 18 – 64 age group, but you are not eligible for tax relief in this situation. Each depositor is only allowed to open one SSPN-i Plus account by nominating one beneficiary only. However, different depositors are allowed to open their respective SSPN-i Plus accounts for the same beneficiary.

For further enquiries

Please visit the official portal of PTPTN

Visit Now

or contact PTPTN Careline at

03 – 2193 3000

for further information.

Australian Business Migration Seminar

Australian Business Migration Seminar

by | Nov 21, 2016 | Branded Content, Business, travel

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS MIGRATION SEMINAR

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

SUNDAY, 27/11/2016 | PETALING JAYA – SELANGOR

The AUSTRALIAN MIGRATION AGENTS PTY LTD (Reg.995541-P) with a special guest speaker from the WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STATE GOVERNMENT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (SBDC) invites you to a pre-assessed value-packed seminar.

  • Register early for the cost free seminar.
  • Have your eligibility assessed by the visiting government official.
  • Find out how you can migrate to Australia.
  • Find out which business visa most suited to your need.
  • Get to know about different business opportunities.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

  • BUSINESS OWNERS
  • INVESTORS
  • SELF-EMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS
    Including:
    DOCTORS, LAWYERS, DENTISTS, ENGINEERS, ETC.

KEY SPEAKERS

Mr. Bruno Delfante

Manager WA Business Migration Centre, Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC)

Mr. Robert K Chelliah

CEO Australian Migration Agents Group of Companies, Migration Agents Registration No. 92-54011

Types of business visas and financial requirements:

 

  1. VISA 132– Business Talent; Stream A – Business History. (Permanent Visa)
    • Business owners with business annual turnover of at least MYR9 million
    • Personal and business assets of at least MYR4.5 million.
  2. VISA 188– Business Innovation Stream. (Provisional Visa)
    • Business owners with business annual turnover of at least MYR1.5 million.
    • Personal and business assets of at least MYR2.5 million.
  3. VISA 188– Business Investor Stream. (Provisional Visa)
    • Business and personal assets of at least MYR6.75 million.
    • Interest bearing capital guaranteed investment of at least MYR4.5 million

*Other business visa categories available

Book a seat to attend our seminar

Venue: Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya. Anggerik Suite, Level 2.
2, Jalan Barat, 46200 Petaling Jaya.

Date: Sunday, 27th November 2016

Admission: Strictly by pre-registration only owing to limited seats.

Time: 2PM to 6PM

Contact: Robert +6012 348 2961   Annu +6012 787 5590

*FREE PARKING AVAILABLE UNDER THE OVER-HEAD BRIDGE.

Please follow the link below to RSVP.

RSVP Now

For more information, visit our website

Learn more

Top Student Awarded Scholarship to study Early Childhood Education in Ireland

Top Student Awarded Scholarship to study Early Childhood Education in Ireland

by | Nov 18, 2016 | Branded Content, learn

Top Student Awarded Scholarship to study Early Childhood Education in Ireland

MCKL diploma graduates will find plenty of opportunities overseas through the generosity of their partnered universities.

Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) wishes to congratulate Nadia Iman Binti Abdul Jalil, who has won an exclusive MCKL-IT Tralee Scholarship for her excellent academic achievements in the College to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Care & Education in Institute of Technology Tralee, Ireland. This special scholarship will cover most of Nadia’s academic fees, accompanied with free accommodations. To regular MCKL diploma graduates, IT Tralee also offers the 2016-17 Special Citizen Scholarship, which includes a fee waiver of €1000.00 and free accommodations for the duration of their course. MCKL students therefore only have to pay roughly €12,000.00 per year, which includes tuition fees and cost of living.

Such exceptional concessions represent a close collaboration between MCKL and IT Tralee, resulting from years of producing passionate, knowledgeable and hardworking students from MCKL’s Diploma in ECE programme. Many of them have advanced to further studies overseas and excelled in their respective courses, such as Esther Lim, Hong Xiao Yi, Tan Evon, Ng Xu Xuan and Michelle How Xin Yi, who all graduated last year from IT Tralee, and the latter three did so with First Class Honours.

In recognition of the quality of MCKL diploma graduates, IT Tralee and the University of Gloucestershire, UK have given them the opportunity to enter directly into the third year of their degree programmes, which means that students only have to study for one additional year to turn their diploma qualification into a Bachelor’s Degree. Other institutions such as New Zealand Tertiary College, NZ, University College Birmingham, UK, University of Hertfordshire, UK and University of West England, UK have also acknowledged MCKL graduates by offering advanced standing for entry into the second year of their degree programmes.

Students who have a passion for teaching and nurturing young children may consider enrolling for MCKL’s Diploma in Early Childhood Education. For further information on MCKL and its programmes: call 03-22746711 (Marketing) or 03-22741851 (General), Email [email protected] or visit our website www.mckl.edu.my

Discounts of 15% and 10% for PTPTN loan repayment

Discounts of 15% and 10% for PTPTN loan repayment

by | Nov 15, 2016 | Branded Content, learn

Incentives under Budget 2017 for PTPTN repayment

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak had announced discount incentives for the repayment of PTPTN loan during the Budget 2017 speech on 21 October 2016. The incentives are valid from 22 October 2016 till 31 December 2017. They are:

  • A 15% discount incentive for borrowers who make a full settlement of their total outstanding debt ;
  • A 10% discount incentive for borrowers who make repayment at least 50% of their total outstanding debt;
  • A 10% discount incentive for borrowers who make repayment through salary deduction or direct debit according to the repayment schedule.

The 15% discount incentive

One of the most fundamental terms and conditions of this incentive is that borrowers must make a full settlement of their total outstanding debt between 22 October 2016 and 31 December 2017. For example, if you were a recipient of PTPTN loan for diploma and higher levels of studies, you need to settle all your debts within the stipulated period in order to enjoy the 15% discount.

Another attractive feature of this incentive is that multiple channels of the settlement are considered for the incentive. This simply means they can use a combination of payments through KWSP (Account II withdrawal at www.kwsp.gov.my), or by cash or online method (e.g. JomPay) with condition that the payment is received by PTPTN within the same month. Therefore, borrowers are advised to make loan repayment no later than the 27th day of each month.

The 15% discount is derived from the total outstanding debt and adjustment for the incentive given will be done at end of the month. Please refer to www.ptptn.gov.my or contact PTPTN Careline at 03 – 2193 3000 for confirmation of your total outstanding debt.

More special, this 15% discount is also applicable to the Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman (WPP) recipients who were not the PTPTN borrowers but are still carrying the WPP debt. Another exciting aspect of this incentive is that it is also applicable to borrowers who have already been subject to enforcement action such as blacklisted by the Malaysian Immigration Department or summons.

The 10% discount incentive

The 10% discount is valid for (1) one-off loan repayment at least 50% of the total outstanding debt balance; or (2) salary deduction or direct debit according to the repayment schedule. The recipients of Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman (WPP) are entitled to this incentive under the same condition.

The salary deduction application can be done online at www.ptptn.gov.my. For direct debit, you need to obtain the application form from the PTPTN counter and submit your complete form to any nearby PTPTN branch. Please be reminded that only the original form is accepted. Direct debit is done through periodic deductions from either the savings account or current account involving 22 banks and it is FREE.

The advantages of this 10% discount incentive include disciplining yourself with a consistent repayment schedule to avoid loan arrears. This will save you from being black-listed by the Malaysian Immigration Department or summons. Without loan arrears, you have a clean credit record on the Bank Negara’s credit reference system.

Grab it now!

Eligible PTPTN loan borrowers are strongly encouraged to seize this limited – time golden opportunity, which is valid until 31 December 2017.

Tell me more

Low Cost Finger Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Low Cost Finger Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

by | Nov 14, 2016 | Branded Content, learn

Low Cost Finger Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Kuala Lumpur, 8 November 2016: Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), students, Ngie Kok Sin and John Lim Hong Aun, emerged as champions in the ‘Best of Tertiary Student Project – Software/Hardware’ category of the MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2016. Their success continues a string of APICTA awards won since it’s inception in 1999.

The duo who are Year 3 Mechatronic Engineering degree students spent 9 months working on the winning project, titled ‘Design & Develop a Low Cost Finger Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients’. The project featured a wireless connection that is an added advantage to physiotherapists and patients. It allows remote monitoring and control through cameras, smart servo and brain wave detection devices. In doing so, medical and ancillary support personnel can derive useful analytical information for effective and speedy rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Paying tribute to their Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Technology (FCET) mentors, Ngie and Lim said, “We feel absolutely proud to be the winners this year. We thank our two Engineering Faculty mentors for their constant support, advice and inspiration. They challenged us to think out of the box”.

Ngie and Lim will now represent Malaysia in the International APICTA Awards which will be held in Taiwan from 2 December to 5 December 2016. They aim to bring glory to the country and to the university.

The winning Finger Exoskeleton project

The duo, as the Winner of MSC Malaysia’s APICTA Awards, will represent Malaysia in the upcoming International APICTA which will be held in December. From left: Dr Thang Ka Fei, Head of School of Engineering, APU, John Lim Hong Aun, Ngie Kok Sin, Vickneswari Durairajah, Suresh Gobee.

Upon their victory, Ngie and Lim will be representing Malaysia to compete in the International APICTA Awards 2016, which will be held from 2 December to 5 December 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan.

“We feel absolutely proud to be the winner this year, and we would like to thank our university and the mentors, Ms. Vicky and Mr. Suresh for their support. We will look forward to representing Malaysia in the International APICTA Awards in Taiwan, hopefully we can bring glory to our country and the university,” said Ngie and Lim upon receiving the award.

The Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA Awards) is an international awards program organized by APICTA, which aims to increase ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide. To date, the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance comprises 17 economies: Australia , Bangladesh , Brunei Darussalam , China , Chinese Taipei , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Japan , Macao , Malaysia , Myanmar , Pakistan , Singapore , Sri Lanka , Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal.

The duo, as the Winner of MSC Malaysia’s APICTA Awards, will represent Malaysia in the upcoming International APICTA which will be held in December. Left: John Lim Hong Aun, Right: Ngie Kok Sin

About APICTA

The Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA Awards) is an international awards program organized by APICTA, which aims to increase ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide. To date, the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance comprises 17 economies: Australia , Bangladesh , Brunei Darussalam , China , Chinese Taipei , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Japan , Macao , Malaysia , Myanmar , Pakistan , Singapore , Sri Lanka , Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal.

About Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is amongst Malaysia’s Premier Private Universities. APU offers a wide range of degree programmes in collaboration with Staffordshire University, UK with Technology as a common core. These programmes nurture students into professionals and prepare them for challenging careers and roles in business and society globally. Professionalism, problem-solving skills, and creativity & innovation are some of the key attributes of APU graduates. The multi-cultural student community comprises both Malaysian students as well as International students. APU was also Rated No.1 in Asia and Malaysia for Multicultural Learning Experience by the Student Barometer Wave 2015, ‘Studying with people from other cultures’. 

APU has earned an enviable reputation as an award-winning University through its achievements in winning a host of prestigious awards at national and international levels. It was announced as among the Highest Rated Universities in Malaysia, being rated at TIER 5 (EXCELLENT) under the SETARA 2013 Ratings by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) on 1st November 2012 and has maintained this Excellent rating in the latest SETARA 2013 Ratings announced on 17th November 2014. For more information, please visit http://www.apu.edu.my/.

For more information visit APU Website

Visit Now