Samsung Galaxy Alpha launched - packs a metal frame and octa-core chip

Samsung's finally launched the much-leaked Galaxy Alpha, a fancier-looking but stripped-down version of the Galaxy S5. As expected, it sports a substantially different, less rounded design than the GS5, with metal sides that gives it a glancing resemblance to an iPhone 5s. 

The Alpha is also much lighter and thinner than its big brother at a mere 6.7mm and 115 grams. Samsung said it took a "fresh approach" with the new handset's looks, something it vowed to do in the face of asteep downturn in sales. The new design could also give some clues about the look of the Galaxy Note 4, set to launchearly next month.

However, Samsung also slimmed the specs a notch: The screen is 720p compared to full HD (or quad HD on the S5 LTE-A), while the CPU is an octa core model (likely an Exynos 5 with quad 1.8GHz + quad 1.3GHz), rather than the flagship's top-of-the-line Snapdragon 801 or 805. 

It also has a rather lackluster-sounding 1,860mAh battery, nearly 1,000mAh less than the GS5 -- meaning you might really need the available ultra-power saving mode. Other features include 2GB RAM, 4K video capture, 12- and 2.1-megapixel cameras, S Health, a fingerprint scanner, Gear wearable connectivity, and the usual array of Google apps. 

There's no pricing yet, but it'll arrive in September in black, white, gold, silver and blue colors, depending on the market.

- Engadget 

Wisma Putra keluar nasihat perjalanan ke Afrika

Sierra Leone, Republik Guinea dan Liberia disenaraikan sebagai negara yang dilanda wabak Ebola - Gambar Fail

KUALA LUMPUR: Rakyat Malaysia dinasihat supaya mengelak daripada melakukan lawatan ke negara Afrika yang dilanda wabak Ebola, khususnya Sierra Leone, Republik Guinea dan Liberia.

Wisma Putra menerusi satu kenyataan juga meminta rakyat Malaysia agar berhati-hati apabila membuat perjalanan ke wilayah lain di Afrika.

"Kepada mereka yang terpaksa melakukan perjalanan ke negara-negara dilanda Ebola, adalah dinasihatkan supaya mengikut nasihat serta panduan yang dikeluarkan Kementerian Kesihatan sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga dan mengurangkan risiko jangkitan," menurut kenyataan itu.

Rakyat negara ini yang menghadapi sebarang kecemasan ketika berada di negara-negara terjejas dengan Ebola boleh menghubungi Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Republik Guinea menerusi talian 00224622354050 dan00224622667879 atau emel mwconakry@kln.gov.my.

Penyakit Ebola merupakan penyakit demam berdarah yang mencatat kadar kematian tinggi dan boleh menjangkiti manusia serta haiwan primat seperti monyet.

Sejak mula dikesan di tiga negara Afrika Barat iaitu Sierra Leone, Liberia dan Guinea pada Mac lalu, Ebola telahpun mengakibatkan lebih 1,000 kematian. - Bernama