Saturday 20 September 2014

Sabah Sarawak keluar Malaysia: Polis kenal pasti individu terlibat

AHMAD ZAHID: Polis telah kenal pasti beberapa individu dan kumpulan kecil yang cuba menghasut rakyat untuk membawa Sabah dan Sarawak keluar Malaysia.

MANJUNG: Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) telah mengenal pasti beberapa individu dan kumpulan kecil yang cuba menghasut rakyat untuk membawa Sabah dan Sarawak keluar daripada Malaysia.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi memberitahu, polis akan membuka kertas siasatan terhadap individu terbabit, yang turut melibatkan ahli politik serta bekas ahli politik, jika mereka masih meneruskan niat jahat mereka itu.

Menurut Zahid, pihaknya percaya individu terbabit berkemungkinan besar bersekongkol dengan satu kesultanan yang tidak lagi wujud serta dijanjikan jawatan tertentu jika berjaya berbuat demikian.

Justeru, Zahid memberi amaran keras kepada individu-individu terbabit untuk menghentikan perbuatan mereka sebelum tindakan keras diambil.

Tambah beliau, selain Akta Hasutan 1948, undang-undang dan akta sedia ada lain boleh dikenakan terhadap mereka yang terlibat, khususnya dalam dari sudut menderhaka kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Jika ada indvidu dan kumpulan kecil yang terus membangkitkan perkara itu, polis - berdasarkan maklumat yang dikumpulkan - akan mengambil tindakan.

“Kita bukan hanya sekadar mengunakan Akta Hasutan 1948, tetapi terdapat beberapa lagi undang-undang dan akta-akta yang boleh digunakan Peguam Negara untuk melakukan pendakwaan terhadap mereka, terutamanya dalam aspek penderhakaan terhadap DYMM Agong.

“Saya minta mereka hentikan sebelum menanggung akibatnya,” kata Ahmad Zahid.


Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat UMNO Bahagian Lumut pada Sabtu yang turut disertai Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Ahmad Zahid yang juga Naib Presiden UMNO menegaskan isu neo-kolonialisme yang ditimbulkan pihak terbabit adalah tidak benar sama sekali kerana Sabah dan Sarawak merupakan sebahagian daripada Malaysia.

Zahid memberitahu isu tersebut masih lagi belum menjadi isu yang besar dan pihak terbabit hanya mahu memperbesarkan perkara-perkara yang tidak relevan dengan niat menghasut rakyat.

-Sumber: Astro Awani

Pemilik pertama iPhone 6 jatuhkan telefon secara langsung


Perkara berkenaan berlaku apabila pemiliknya, Jack Cooksey cuba menunjukkan telefon pintar berkenaan sebelum ianya jatuh ke lantai

Pemilik pertama iPhone 6 di Perth, Australia secara tidak sengaja menjatuhkan peranti berkenaan ketika mengeluarkannya dari kotak, lapor The Independent.


Perkara berkenaan berlaku apabila pemiliknya, Jack Cooksey cuba menunjukkan telefon pintar berkenaan sebelum ianya jatuh ke lantai dalam satu temu bual televisyen yang diadakan secara langsung.

"Saya panik kemudian tak sengaja telefon jatuh. Keadaannya masih baik kerana masih berplastik” kata Cooksey.

Beliau kemudian memeriksa skrin mudah alih berkenaan untuk memastikan ia tidak mempunyai sebarang kesan calar.


Beliau kemudian memeriksa skrin mudah alih berkenaan untuk memastikan ia tidak mempunyai sebarang kesan calar.



 

Menurut portal berita, Cooksey tidak sabar untuk mendapatkan telefon tersebut selepas menempahnya secara online.

Cooksey beratur bersama 200 pelanggan lain di luar kedai Apple di Perth untuk mengambilnya.

"Saya tidak sabar untuk membukanya sekali lagi - dan tidak menjatuhkannya," katanya

Australia adalah salah satu negara pertama di dunia menjual iPhone 6.

IPhone 6 telah dilancarkan pada 9 September bersama beberapa peranti dan aplikasi lain yang membuatkan orang ramai dari seluruh dunia tidak sabar untuk melihat dan memilikinya.

Astro introduces 'Same Day as the US' campaign

COUCH potatoes heads up!


Astro subscribers can now rejoice as they are able to watch 16 American series under Astro’s “Same Day as the US” Campaign, hours after it premieres in the US.

The titles include British epic drama Downton Abbey, The Blacklist,Scandal, Revenge, The Walking Dead, Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Resurrection.

Fans of the much-acclaimed reality talent series also will be able to catch The Voice hours after its US premiere.

The campaign kicks off Monday with the award-winning drama,Downton Abbey on Diva (Channel 702) followed by The Blacklist(Season Two) on Channel 701/CH721 HD).

The Voice S7 will be aired for two days starting Tuesday on AXN, CH701/721 HD while Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D will meet viewers on Tuesday on Fox (710). 

On Friday, StarWorld will screen the Scandal (Season 4) on StarWorld (Channel 711/722 HD).

On Sept 29, viewers will be able to catch Resurrection (Season 2) on Lifetime (Channel 709) followed by Brooklyn Nine-Nine S2 on DIVA (CH702) on Sept 30.

The Walking Dead (Season Five) will meet viewers on FOX (710) on Oct 13.

Spearheaded by Astro, “Same Day as the US’ campaign includes channel partners HBO, Fox, SPE Networks, NBC, Universal and AETN will provide as many series from US Fall television line-up merely hours after the broadcast in its origin country.

Viewers will also be able to find out not only the latest local and regional shows on Astro but the latest US and UK series.

According to Astro Content Management Group vice-president Agnes Rozario, the broadcaster is elated that Astro is taking the lead in closing the window between US and UK premiere dates in the region to enhance the customer experience and ensure that it remains the easiest and fastest way for customers to access content.

Astro
(Left to right): Penny Tan, Marketing Director from FOX International Channels, Gan Ling Sze, Vice President, Affiliate and


Media Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Erika North, Head of Programming from HBO Asia, Agnes Rozario, Vice President of

Content Group, Astro and Ramez Sheikh, Vice President, Network Development & Distribution Asia Pacific from NBC Universal



“We have secured the hottest and latest series to be shown on Malaysian screens on the same day as the US and UK premiere, exclusively on Astro and will continue to work with our partners to extend this offering,” said Rozario.

She also added that The Walking Dead  - Part 2 which was aired hours after its US broadcast in February saw a 70 per cent increase in viewership.

'Same Day as the US' campaign will see no less than 16 new and recurring series premiering within hours after their respective US and UK premieres.

Greater viewing flexibility

The campaign aims to empower customers with greater flexibility in their viewing such as the time-shift options such as recording via Astro Byond PVR.

The new series secured made available on a video-on-demand basis on the PVR/STB and Astro On-The-Go. Customers have to connect their PVRs to the Internet or go to Astro-On-The-Go to catch up on previous episodes for the season.

Kicking off this feature are Season 5 of The Walking Dead, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Season Two), Scandal (Season Four), Revenge (Season Two), The Blacklist (Season Two), Boardwalk Empire (Season Two) andResurrection (Season Two)

Not only will customers have the pleasure of watching their shows on the same day as the US in HD but also at their convenience when they choose, where they choose and on the screen of their choice be it on TV, online or on mobile. 

- source: ASTRO Awani 

The Dark Knight rises in Canada


It was certainly a na-na-na-na-na-na of an event when 542 people turned up at a park in Calgary, Canada on Friday.

The employees of oil and gas firm Nexen dressed up as the favourite superhero to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Batman in one place.




The idea was part of the employees’ annual fundraising campaign for the charity United Way, with the theme "From Suits to Superheroes."







It was certainly a celebration of all things 'Dark Knight'.

This is not the first time the company got up close and personal with superheroes.

Last year the company was paid a visit by Marvel and DC comics in support of their United Way fundraiser.




- source: ASTRO Awani 

Bahana cinta 'pak imam'

Wan Abd Aziz
Wan Abd Aziz

KUALA TERENGGANU - Bahana cinta ‘pak imam’, seorang pemuda sanggup dijadikan tempat melampiaskan nafsu songsang seorang imam warga emas di sebuah masjid di Gong Badak, di sini, sejak enam tahun lalu.

Bagaimanapun, mangsa yang berusia 24 tahun itu nekad membocorkan rahsia hubungan mereka kepada pihak berkuasa selepas dipercayai tidak tahan lagi melayan kerenah ‘kekasihnya’ itu yang didakwa sering berlaku curang dengannya.

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Negeri Asisten Komisioner Wan Abd Aziz Wan Hamzah berkata, imam yang berusia 66 tahun itu dipercayai bukan pertama kali melakukan seks oral terhadap mangsa, malah boleh dikatakan hampir setiap kali mereka berdating iaitu sejak Januari 2008 lagi.

“Bagaimanapun, mangsa mendakwa kali terakhir suspek melakukan perbuatan terkutuk itu terhadapnya iaitu pada 4 Disember tahun lalu, kira-kira jam 11.30 malam di salah sebuah balai orang awam di kampung berkenaan.

“Suspek dikatakan telah mengambil kesempatan ketika mereka berjumpa memandangkan suasana persekitaran di situ gelap,” katanya ketika ditemui pemberita, semalam.

Wan Abd Aziz berkata, mangsa mendakwa suspek sebelum ini banyak kali mengulangi perbuatan tersebut terhadapnya, bagaimanapun mangsa nekad membuat laporan polis disebabkan tidak tahan melayan kerenah suspek yang sering berlaku curang terhadapnya.

Jelasnya, siasatan awal mendapati mangsa pernah membuat laporan polis berhubung kejadian berkenaan pada awal tahun lalu, namun bertindak menarik semula laporan tersebut kerana terpedaya dengan janji manis suspek yang ingin berubah.

“Mangsa mendakwa suspek sebelum ini pernah berjanji dengannya yang dia akan menjaga mangsa dengan sebaik mungkin dan tidak akan mengulangi perbuatan itu lagi.

“Namun, suspek memungkiri janji tersebut, malah lebih menyebabkan mangsa marah selepas mendapati suspek ada menjalinkan hubungan dengan individu lain,” katanya.

Menurut Wan Abd Aziz, kes berkenaan kini disiasat mengikut Seksyen 377B Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan persetubuhan yang bertentangan dengan aturan tabii.

Katanya, usaha mencari suspek kini giat dijalankan.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Ibu terkejut anak bersalin dalam tandas

BERA - Sepasang suami isteri amat terkejut apabila anak perempuan mereka yang baru berusia 16 tahun melahirkan anak lelaki di dalam tandas rumah mereka di Felda Bandar 32 dekat sini awal pagi tadi.

Wanita tersebut mendapati anaknya itu berlumuran darah, ketika dia hendak bersolat Subuh kira-kira 5.45 pagi.

Ketua Polis Daerah Bera, Deputi Superintendan Zul Haizal Zainal Abidin berkata bapa pelajar berkenaan kemudiannya membawa anaknya ke klinik kesihatan, sebelum membuat laporan polis kira-kira pukul 7.10 pagi.

Pelajar berkenaan kemudiannya dihantar ke Hospital Sultan Ahmad Shah, Temerloh.

Remaja itu dikatakan sudah mengandung sembilan bulan, tetapi tidak menunjukkan sebarang tanda dia mengandung. 

-Sumber:  Bernama

Permintaan terakhir Fatin tertunai

Nortipah sempat mengucup jenazah arwah anaknya, Fatin Farah Faradia sebaik sampai di Masjid Minda untuk disembahyangkan.
Nortipah sempat mengucup jenazah arwah anaknya, Fatin Farah Faradia sebaik sampai di Masjid Minda untuk disembahyangkan.

DUNGUN – Seorang ibu tidak menyangka hasrat anak sulungnya untuk bertemu bapa tersayang selepas dua tahun berpisah, rupanya menjadi permintaan terakhir sebelum si anak menemui ajal dalam satu kemalangan di kampus pengajiannya, dekat sini, petang kelmarin.

Ibu mangsa, Nortipah Khalid, 42, berkata, arwah anaknya, Fatin Farah Faradia Yusuf, 20, yang pulang bercuti sempena Aidilfitri baru-baru ini beria-ia mahu bertemu bapanya, Yusuf Yunus, 41, yang berpisah dengan ibunya sejak dua tahun lalu.

Nortipah berkata, untuk tidak menghampakan permintaan anaknya itu, dia membawa arwah bertemu bekas suaminya itu di Sri Bandi Kemaman dan mereka sempat bermaaf-maafan antara satu sama lain.

Menurut Nortipah, walaupun mereka tinggal berjauhan, namun arwah yang juga anak sulung daripada tiga beradik sentiasa menghubunginya, terutama jika anaknya itu ingin menduduki peperiksaan.

Kata Nortipah, dia masih terkejut dengan berita kematian anak perempuannya itu kerana arwah tidak menunjukkan sebarang perubahan, apatah lagi dia baharu bercakap dengan arwah melalui telefon seminggu lalu.

Menurut Nortipah, dia menerima berita mengejutkan itu kira-kira jam 5.30 petang kelmarin ketika dia berada di Felda Jerangau, menguruskan perniagaan pasar malamnya, dekat situ.

“Dia baru menghubungi makcik minggu lalu memberitahu dia agak sibuk kerana sedang membuat persiapan untuk menghadapi peperiksaan.

“Tiba-tiba petang semalam mak cik terima panggilan telefon memaklumkan dia terlibat dalam kemalangan, susah nak percaya,” kata Nortipah.

Menurut Nortipah, ketika arwah menghubunginya minggu lalu, anaknya yang juga penuntut jurusan Sains Sukan dan Rekreasi Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam juga sempat bertanyakan alamat rumah untuk mengirim baju T yang dicetaknya di kampus.

Fatin Farah Faradia maut akibat dirempuh sebuah kereta yang dipandu seorang pensyarah universiti berkenaan di dalam kawasan kampus di sini, petang, kelmarin.

Mangsa dilanggar kenderaan itu ketika berjalan selepas bergambar bersama rakan-rakannya di kawasan Fakulti Komunikasi dan Pengajian Media sehingga
menyebabkannya terjatuh dari kawasan berbukit ke perhentian bas berdekatan.

Penuntut tahun kedua Diploma Sains Sukan dan Rekreasi itu meninggal dunia kira-kira jam 7.30 malam hari yang sama di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) Klang berikutan pendarahan dalaman.

Menurut Dekan Fakulti Komunikasi dan Pengajian Media UiTM, Prof Dr Azizul Halim Yahya, dalam kejadian jam 5.20 petang itu, mangsa yang baharu selesai menghadiri kuliah dikatakan sedang berjalan bersama rakannya sebelum dirempuh kereta itu yang menyebabkannya tercampak.

“Kereta pensyarah itu kemudian melanggar pembahagi jalan manakala mangsa jatuh ke bawah bukit setinggi kira-kira lima meter dan pengsan sebelum dia dikejarkan ke HTAR,” katanya.

Menurut Azizul, pensyarah wanita berumur 58 tahun yang memandu kenderaan tersebut difahamkan mengalami sakit kepala sebelum kejadian itu, menyebabkan beliau gagal mengawal kereta dipandunya.

Jenazah arwah tiba dengan kenderaan jenazah UiTM di Masjid Minda, Dungun kira-kira jam 7 petang untuk disembahyangkan sebelum disemadikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam kampung Minda, lewat petang semalam.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

MRT dedah hasil siasatan kejadian runtuh landasan MRT di Kota Damansara

Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) menyatakan tiada pengawasan yang mencukupi antara faktor yang membawa kepada keruntuhan blok landasan projek MRT di Kota Damansara, dekat sini, bulan lepas.

Dalam kejadian 18 Ogos itu, tiga pekerja binaan lelaki warga Bangladesh yang bekerja di atas span jejambat landasan maut akibat dihempap landasan konkrit itu.

Dalam laporan yang dikeluarkan di sini hari ini, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MRT Corp, Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid berkata siasatan mendapati kekurangan kepipis telah menyebabkan landasan itu mempunyai kestabilan terhad dan oleh itu apabila parapet dipasang pada sebelah bahagian jejambat, ia mengakibatkan landasan jejambat itu runtuh.

"Jejambat itu tidak dipasang dengan galas yang kekal. Ia masih disokong pada bicu sementara. Tanpa kepipis menyokong jejambat itu manakala dengan bicu sementara, landasan jejambat itu tidak stabil.

"Ia akhirnya runtuh apabila bebanan mula berlaku pada satu bahagian apabila parapet dipasang," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.

Kepipis adalah kotak logam yang diisi dengan turap yang kemudian diletakkan pada pangkal tiang untuk menyokong jejambat ketika ia diletakkan di atas bicu sementara semasa proses pembinaan.

Sekiranya kepipis telah digunakan, Azhar berkata landasan jejambat itu tidak mungkin runtuh walaupun parapet dipasang di satu bahagian sahaja.

Siasatan terhadap kejadian itu dilakukan oleh MRT Corp dan MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) Sdn Bhd, sebagai rakan penyampaian projek.

Laporan itu mendapati beberapa faktor lain yang menyebabkan jejambat itu runtuh termasuk kekurangan kaedah membina parapet ke atas jejambat untuk trek tunggal.

Faktor lain ialah kegagalan mengenal pasti risiko dan pelaksanaan langkah mitigasi, gagal menyediakan pemeriksaan menyeluruh, dan pelan ujian, kegagalan berkomunikasi faktor risiko antara pelbagai pihak yang terlibat dalam kerja-kerja, dan pengurusan lemah kontraktor kecil.

Azhar berkata laporan itu telah mengenal pasti kakitangan dan organisasi iaitu MMC Gamuda KVMRT dan Syarikat Muhibbah Perniagaan dan Pembinaan Sdn Bhd, iaitu kontraktor utama Pakej V1 dan kontraktor mereka supaya bertanggungjawab di atas kejadian itu.

"Sebarang tindakan guaman terhadap mereka yang didapati bertanggungjawab hanya boleh diambil oleh kerajaan berdasarkan siasatan oleh Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan. (DOSH).

"Saya percaya hasil dapatan DOSH daripada siasatan mereka akan sama dengan hasil siasatan kami," katanya.

Selain tindakan oleh DOSH, beliau berkata MRT Corp juga akan melaksanakan beberapa langkah termasuk memecat individu-individu yang didapati telah bertanggungjawab atas kejadian itu serta menyenarai hitam kontraktor dan perunding daripada projek-projek masa depan.

Langkah-langkah lain termasuk menyemak semula kenyataan dan aliran proses kerja serta mengkaji keberkesanan Unit Penguatkuasaan Keselamatan, Kesihatan dan Alam Sekitar.

Dalam kejadian pukul 8.30 malam di tapak Projek MRT Pakej V1 dalam kawasan bekas tapak Institut Penyelidikan Getah Malaysia dekat Kota Damansara, tiga pekerja Bangladesh -- Mohammad Alauddin Mollik, Mohammed Faruk Khan dan Mohammad Elahi Hossain -- terbunuh.

-- Sumber: Bernama

Papan iklan runtuh hempap empat kereta

Papan iklan runtuh hempap empat kereta

GEORGE TOWN: Empat kereta rosak setelah dihempap papan iklan yang terjatuh dari bumbung sebuah bangunan lima tingkat akibat dipukul ribut di Pulau Pinang.

Dalam kejadian pada pukul 7.50 malam di Krystal Point Bayan Baru difahamkan kesemua kenderaan jenis Citroen, BMW, Perodua Myvi dan Kelisa yang diparkir di kawasan itu rosak teruk.

Komander kanan Ibu Pejabat Bomba dan Penyelamat negeri, Abdul Rahim Ismail berkata, papan iklan bersaiz 20 x60 kaki persegi itu jatuh dari bangunan perniagaan tersebut.

Ujarnya bomba tiba di lokasi kira kira jam 8.09 malam sebaik menerima laporan dan mendapati papan iklan itu jatuh bersama blok konkrit yang dipercayai tapak papan iklan terbabit.

Lapan anggota dari Balai Bomba Bayan Baru dikejarkan ke lolasi kejadian dan mengarahkan kawasan sekitar bangunan untuk tujuan keselamatan.

Tiada kecederaan dan kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan, punca kejadian dan kerugian masih dalam siasatan.

Sementara itu, pemilik kenderaan yang ditemui berkata biarpun masih terkejut dengan kejadian itu dia tetap bersyukur kerana terselamat dalam kejadian itu.

-- Sumber: Astro Awani

Beyond Apple and Samsung: The other phones in September


In the smartphone world, Apple is getting all the attention this week. Before that, it was Samsung with its Note 4 announcement, and it's likely to be Samsung again in a few weeks when the Note actually comes out. But there are a lot of other companies making quite interesting smartphones, many of which were introduced around the IFA show a couple of weeks ago, and these are worth considering.

Most of these phones run Android, although Microsoft did make an effort with the Lumia 830, 730 and 735, aiming at the more affordable part of the high-end phone range and the midrange market. In other words, the phones look good but aren't trying to be technical breakthroughs. They emphasize offering theWindows Phone at lower price points for a mainstream market, which sounds good, though the appeal of Windows Phone would be larger if there were more and better applications.

Within the Android world, the two phones from IFA that stood out most for me were the HuaweiAscend Mate7 (above) and the Sony Xperia Z3.

Huawei Goes Big

At Huawei's press conference, which had the theme of "make it possible," Richard Yu, CEO ofHuawei's Consumer Business Unit (above), said the Chinese company, which is one of the leading companies in providing LTE infrastructure worldwide, had grown to become the No. 3 maker of smartphones with a 6.9 percent market share, according to IDC.

The major product he introduced was the Ascend Mate7 with a 6-inch display and Huawei's own Kirin 925 octa-core processor.

In both of those cases, the product is a bit unique. Yu said the phone is the first to use a new display from Japan Display Inc. (JDI) with what he called a "negative liquid crystal display" (IPS-NEO), which gives it a high contrast ratio and increased brightness but with lower power.

In the Ascend Mate7, that is set off with an extremely thin bezel, with Huwaei touting the larger percentage of the size of the screen compared with the size of the phone. The phone measures 81 by 157mm and weights 185 grams, making it slightly bigger and heavier than the Galaxy Note 4, though with a larger (but not as high-resolution) display. Note that the 6-inch Mate7 isn't as tall as the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. It has a 4100 mAh battery, which Yu claimed would last for two days in normal use (we'll have to see), but the unit itself is only 7.9mm thick at its thickest point.

The company uses its own Kirin 925 processor, which has four 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A15 cores and four 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 cores in a big.LITTLE configuration, along with Mali-T628 graphics and an i3 sensor coprocessor, which supports a proximity sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass. It also includes Huawei's own LTE modem with support for LTE category 6, which Yu said made this the first octa-core processor with LTE Cat-6 support. It is manufactured on TSMC's 28nm HPM process.

Other features include dual antennas, so it works better wherever your hand is held on the phone, a single-touch fingerprint reader, microSD slot, 13-megapixel rear camera based on aSony image sensor, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, designed to be good at group shots. It comes in a metal case in black, white, and gold. This will sell for 499 euros and 599 euros, depending on memory, though it's unlikely it will ever be broadly offered in the U.S.

The other product the company announced was the slightly smaller 5.5-inch Ascend G7. (It's pretty amazing that the 5.5-inch product is the smaller one.) This is slightly smaller in all dimensions, has a 1,280-by-720 display, a LTE Category 4 modem and a 3000 mAh battery, and similar cameras to the Ascend Mate. It runs on a 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor.

Both of the new phones run Huawei's proprietary EMUI (emotion user interface) 3.0 design on top of Android, which emphasizes a series of circles and dots. We'll see whether this makes much of a difference. Although it's likely not to make much of an appearance in the U.S., Huawei clearly has global ambitions in the smartphone market.

For more, see PCMag's hands on with Huawei's Ascend Mate7 and G7.

Sony

I've often thought that Sony's Xperia line of Android phones haven't gotten the attention they deserve, as they've been top-notch phones for a long time. At the show, Sony introduced the Xperia Z3, which builds on the company's long-term emphasis on imaging and audio and adds in a couple of unusual features that make the phones stand out from the crowd.

It has a 5.2-inch, 1,920-by-1,080 screen with what Sony calls its Triluminous display, which does seem to increase saturation. It features a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera using Sony's 1/2.3 Exmor RS sensor and a 25mm wide-angle lens with the company saying it was the first smartphone camera with ISO 12,800 sensitivity. It can also record video at 4K, and a new feature lets you use multiple Xperia devices to capture and combine multiple angles (not that I think most people will do that). It also supports Sony's new high-resolution audio, a feature that is unique toSony's phones, and may well appeal to audiophiles.

One of the unique features is how it integrates with the Playstation 4, with Sony emphasizing how the phone can be used both as a remote to control your games while playing on the PS4 or to have some games move between the devices. It's a very cool feature.

In addition, Sony introduced a smaller Z3 Compact, essentially a 4.6-inch version with a 720p display, and a larger tablet version, the 8-inch Z3 tablet compact. It also announced the mid-range Xperia E3 with a 4.5-inch display and a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor.

I've been disappointed at how little we see of Sony smartphones in the U.S., but Sony seems to have made a few more inroads with the Z3, slated to arrive at T-Mobile shortly. For more, see PCMag's hands on with the Z3 and Z3 Compact.

I was also intrigued by some of the ways Sony seems to be embracing the Internet of Things, showing a sensor for major-brand tennis rackets and an application that lets you track your swing.

HTC and Motorola Update As Well

Also of interest is the HTC Desire 820, which the company said at the time would be the first Android phone with a 64-bit processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. That chip, which has four 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and four 1GHz Cortex-A53 cores, is likely to be running in 32-bit mode for now, as the 64-bit version of Android hasn't yet appeared, but the new instruction set looks like it could be more powerful. It will be interesting to see how it performs in the real world.

(Since then, there have been stories saying that some versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will use the Samsung Exynos 5433, with four ARM Cortex-57s and four Cortex-A53 cores on a 20nm process, and that this may actually ship first in some markets. Again, this would likely run in 32-bit for now.)

In other respects, the Desire 820 is a large mid-range phone with a 5.5-inch 1,280-by-720 display, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD. The Desire 820 has a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and 8-megapixel front-facing one, both of which support 1080p video recording.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Motorola announced a new version of its Moto X, which has a 5.2-inch 1,920-by-1,080 display and a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, which has been a standard on high-end Android phones for much of the year.

It's good to see Motorola increasing the specs on its flagship phone, which has been a leader in how it uses sensors. It emphasizes a pure Android software experience without any special UI or anything to get in the way of the Google Android OS. But it stands out through the immense array of customization you can do to the case, which is available in all sorts of colors and styles, including the Moto Maker site, where you can design your own. Motorola Mobility has recently been part of Google and is slated to be acquired by Lenovo.

In general, I've been impressed by the array of Android smartphones, all with slightly different strengths. Samsung embraced both a larger size and a stylus early. HTC emphasizes a lovely design along with great speakers and an unusual start screen. Sony is focusing on imaging, audio, and now gaming. LG offers size, convenience features, and its unusual rear-key. Motorola gives you more customization options than anyone else. And Huawei is trying to increase screen size in the same size phone and adding its own UI. That's why as much as I like looking at the new phones from Apple and Samsung, it's important to remember that there are lots of other companies trying new things in the smartphone market.

--source: PCMag.com