Omnia Prices Coming Down So Soon?

Now available in Malaysia

In my earlier posting of the Omnia (read here), I had predicted the 16GB model to be at RM2,500 and the 8GB model at RM2,300.  It was my wish that the price for the 8GB model would dip below RM2,000.

When it was launched (also previewed at PC Fair earlier this month), the 16GB had a retail price of RM2,999 and the 8GB at RM2,799.  That was merely a brief 2 weeks ago.

Sony Ericsson X1 – Keyboard seemingly better than TyTN II

Arc Slider Design

The X1 comes with what Sony Ericsson calls an Arc Slider Design where by sliding out the screen reveals a really neat keyboard.  The screen slides out and slightly up in an arc fashion, hence, the name.  But it doesn’t tilt upwards like the HTC TyTN II, just slightly up.  It’s somewhere between the TyTN and the TyTN II.  What you will find in the brush metal body bracing the keyboard is a set of great QWERTY keys and those keys are probably one of the best I’ve used so far.  We’ll tackle the screen in another posting.  More on the keyboard. 

Sony Ericsson X1 – A Sexy Body

A sneak preview of the X1

Meeting the X1 the other day was really cool especially when it was a secret one.  A peek at his body showed an incredibly strong frame.  After all, it’s stainless steel.  Reminded me of Superman, the man of steel.  In X1, of stainless steel.  The cool steel has a robust feel in the palm although a tad heavier than normal.  Steel caged frame in PDAs is a rarity actually.  The classier ones were made of expensive aluminium but they were softer.  Once dropped, you get a permanent dent.  In the case of X1, you can throw it at a robber and will still be intact.

First Impressions of the Samsung Omnia i900

Neat and Slim - also not my hand 😉

The Samsung Omnia i900 is now officially available in Malaysia.  At RM2,999 for the 16GB model and RM2,799 for the 8GB model, it is currently priced as the top-of-the-line Windows Mobile device.  If you are not a prior user of a Windows Mobile device, you should read on as this is not written as an OS piece.  It’s an impression of having played with the Omnia.  A more detailed posting will be done when I get to actually use it for a period of time.  Let’s see if I can lay my hands on a unit soon.

For now, this is my first impressions of the Omnia.

Today at PC Fair – Diamond and Omnia Present

Samsung Omnia i900 at HTC booths!

Today, we find the Omnia on demonstration but strangely at booths sponsored by HTC on the ground floor

HTC Booth with Omnia present - Taken with HTC Touch Dual courtesy of SIS

exhibition area as well as at the Samsung booth on the 3rd floor.

Of course, the Omnia price was as predicted (read here) and there were no stocks until next week (my prediction again!).  I wonder if there were any takers for paying up to book the first Omnia arriving in Malaysia.  There should be a press launch by Samsung for the Omnia next week.

Diamond vs Omnia i900 at PC Fair – Here is Omnia’s Price!

The PC Fair is starting tomorrow in KL at the KL Convention Centre.  HTC will again show its dominant presence at this event.  Leading the HTC charge is obviously the Diamond, the latest in the pack of HTC’s family of devices available in Malaysia.  Word has it that there doesn’t seem to be any spectacular special packages during this PC Fair.  Hmm is the PC Fair losing its lustre?

Here are the special PC Fair prices for the HTC Diamond and the Samsung Omnia i900.  Remember, you read it HERE FIRST! This is breaking news now but it’ll be old tomorrow when PC Fair opens.  Welcome to the Internet age news.  Read on!

Omnia at PC Fair

Preview of the Omnia - Not my hand 😉

“Ladies and gentlemen, announcing the arrival of the new Samsung Omnia i900….”

(Applause).

For those of you who are anxiously awaiting the Omnia, I believe that Samsung will make the presence of Omnia felt at the PC Fair this weekend.

Both the 16GB and the 8GB models will be presented at the fair against the array of PDA phones that will be dished out by all the major vendors.

HTC will be making their customary presence with SIS backing and pitting the Cruise and the Diamond against everybody.  Probably the last shipments of the Touch range too.  Any takers?

Samsung Omnia is there to rain on HTC’s parade.  Will be definitely interesting at the PC Fair this weekend.

Now who will anchor the Samsung banner?  I don’t know yet.  Let’s see which key retailer will make that commitment.

From my last posting, I did say that the Omnia will be here after the PC Fair.  So what am I saying now?

Omnia in Malaysia Very Soon!

Omnia Front and Back - Close to an iPhone Style

The Samsung Omnia i900 is about to arrive officially to a shop near you! Malaysia is the next destination after Europe, China and Taiwan.  Singapore was the first country in the world that Samsung launched the Omnia during CommunicAsia 08 in June earlier this year.

A little bird told me that the first shipment of the Omnia will arrive in Malaysia within 2 weeks and will be immediately shipped to the key retailers.  Best time will be early August after the PC Fair in KL, probably week of 4th August.  The price is yet to be fixed at the time of writing but I suspect it should be…