2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Received 4,303 Bookings in 9 Days – 6,000 Monthly Sales Target

The
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 is off to a great start. We previously reported that the new B-segment hatchback
received over 3,000 bookings in only one week
, and Perodua just revealed that the figure currently stands at an impressive 4,303 bookings – all in only nine days.

Evidently, Malaysians don’t mind the fact that the refreshed Myvi is now more costly; it is
priced from RM45,700 to RM58,800
. Perodua also expects to register 6,000 units of the refreshed Myvi every month, but judging by the amount of bookings the hatchback have already received, this does seem like a conservative estimate.

“The Myvi has struck all the right cords with Malaysians and has been widely accepted by the people. This new offering is to ensure that our valued customers are getting the best value as possible,” said the CEO and President of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “We are thankful to our customers and to all Malaysians for the support shown to both Perodua and the new Myvi,” he added.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide; you can also place a booking online
right here
. Deliveries of the popular hatchback is set to start today, but with over 4,303 bookings to fulfill right now, you may want to place your order soon to secure a unit.


Genshin Impact Albedo & Eula Double Banner Revealed With Bennett, Rosaria, Noelle

Genshin Impact’s first
double banner
 – featuring Albedo and Eula – will go live this Wednesday on 24 November, and Mihoyo just revealed the 4-star characters that will be accompanying the two 5-star characters. These include Bennett, Rosaria, and Noelle.

That’s right, even though Albedo and Eula will be featured in separate event wishes, they both share the same roster of 4-star characters. Of course, pity is also shared between the two banners, and the wish guarantee count
will
 carry over to future character banners too.

Anyway, just like Genshin Impact’s
previous character

event wishes
, the “drop rate” of Albedo, Eula, Bennett, Rosaria, and Noelle will be increased. In the case of Albedo and Eula, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be either of them, depending on which banner you’re wishing. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be them.

Since Genshin Impact’s pity system for character banners ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character every 90 wishes, you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Albedo or Eula. The same rule applies to 4-star characters (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but given that there are three of them featured in the banner, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Bennett, Rosaria, or Noelle. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters – especially Bennett, given that it’s been quite long since he was featured in a banner – you will likely have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Albedo’s “Secretum Secretorum” and Eula’s “Born of Ocean Swell” event wishes will go live on Genshin Impact this Wednesday on 24 November right after the
Version 2.3 update
. Their banners will be available until 14 December, so we can expect Arataki Itto’s event wish – alongside Gorou – to go live then.


Huawei Watch GT 3 Lands in Malaysia From RM999

Huawei just launched its latest smartwatch in Malaysia, the Huawei Watch GT 3. Sporting an AMOLED display with reasonably affordable price tags, it’s quite an attractive – and sleek-looking – smartwatch.

Two sizes of the Watch GT 3 are available in Malaysia: 42mm and 46mm. Both starts at RM999 for the black strap models, while the leather strap variants cost slightly more at RM1,099. Interestingly, every pre-order of the 46mm model comes with a pair of Huawei FreeLace wireless earphones worth RM379, while the 42mm version comes with a RM200 instant rebate.

As mentioned, the Watch GT 3 has a circular AMOLED display with a stainless steel case – though the rear case is plastic – for a premium look and feel. It also has a 5 ATM water resistance rating, the ability to monitor blood oxygen level all-day, and up to
14 days of battery life
 for the 46mm model; seven days for the smaller 42mm variant.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 is now
available for pre-order in Malaysia
 until 3 December 2021. To recap, both the 42mm and 46mm models cost RM999 for the regular black strap configuration; the leather strap version costs RM1,099 instead.


Huawei Watch GT Runner Arrives in Malaysia for RM1,399

Aside from the
GT Watch 3
, Huawei also introduced another smartwatch in Malaysia, the Huawei Watch GT Runner. As its name suggests, it is made for runners with a number of features that are catered to these individuals, including Huawei TruSport and Running Ability Index (RAI).

Only one variant of the Watch GT Runner is offered in Malaysia. Retailing at RM1,399, those who pre-order the smartwatch can also get freebies worth RM548, which include a pair of Huawei FreeBuds 3i wireless earbuds and a Huawei Scale 3 weighing scale.

As mentioned, the GT Runner is made for…well, runners. According to Huawei, the combination of Huawei TruSport and RAI allows the smartwatch to accurately measure “the wearers’ performance as well as technique based on the heart rate, distance, and other data.”

Other specifications of the Watch GT Runner include a 1.43-inch 466 x 466 circular AMOLED display, the ability to monitor blood oxygen level all-day, a 5 ATM water resistance rating, and an impressive battery life of up to 14 days.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 12 December 2021. To recap, this runner-centric smartwatch retails at RM1,399, and early birds can RM548 worth of freebies.


Asus Unveils RM2,799 Laptop With OLED Screen in Malaysia

OLED displays on laptops are usually reserved for higher-end, more premium offerings, but the Asus VivoBook 15 OLED is not that at all. With a RM2,799 starting price, this is one of the most affordable laptops in the market now with an OLED panel – that’s quite a big selling point.

Three different variants of the VivoBook 15 are offered in Malaysia. The RM2,799 base model features an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics.

A tier up is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U configuration of the VivoBook 15, which costs RM3,199. This variant comes with Radeon integrated graphics with twice the amount of RAM (8GB), though it retains the 512GB SSD. If you want more processing power, you can swap out the processor for a Ryzen 7 5700U chip for RM3,499.

Of course, the main highlight of the VivoBook 15 has to be its 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 OLED display. Not only does it offer vibrant colours and deep, true blacks – inherent characteristics of an OLED panel – it also has a peak brightness of 600 nits.

The Asus VivoBook 15 is now available for purchase in Malaysia. To recap, the Core i3 model costs RM2,799, while the Ryzen 5 5500U and Ryzen 7 5700U configurations go for RM3,199 and RM3,499 respectively.


Sony WF-1000XM4 Review: Amazing Noise-Cancellation, Even Better Value Now

The Sony WF-1000XM4 is considered to be one of the best wireless earbuds in the market now, thanks to its amazing active noise cancellation (ANC) performance, audio quality, and long battery life. But at launch, it was priced at RM1,099 for the Malaysian market, which is a little steep.

But now, the WF-1000XM4 is much, much more affordable, making it
that
 much more compelling. If you want an excellent pair of wireless earbuds with great value for money, look no further than the XM4.

What It Is

First, let’s talk about the pricing of the WF-1000XM4. At launch, it retailed at RM1,099, but you can easily get it
for RM899 now
 – that’s a substantial RM200 price difference. If you’re a bargain hunter, you can even grab the wireless earbuds for
as low as RM839
.

Pricing aside, the WF-1000XM4 is said to have the best ANC in the market for a pair of wireless earbuds, thanks to the new V1 chip; more on this further down the review. On top of that, even with ANC activated, the XM4 can last up to eight hours on a single charge – two more hours than its predecessor’s quoted battery life.

Speaking of battery life, the charging case of the WF-1000XM4 – now 40% smaller with support for wireless charging – can fully charge the earbuds twice, effectively giving you 24 hours of battery life in total. With IPX4 water resistance, you can also use the XM4 for your workouts or in the rain without issue.

The Good Stuff

Let’s start with one of the best features of the WF-1000XM4 (in my opinion): its ANC performance. I compared the ANC of these earbuds to the larger
WH-1000XM4 headphones
, and I’m pleasantly surprised that both of them are quite comparable to each other in this regard – that’s a high praise for the WF-1000XM4.

Sure, the ANC of the XM4 has the “deafening” effect, but once I start playing some tunes, this effect is reduced. Audio quality of these earbuds are fantastic too. It offers detailed, punchy bass, clear vocals, and overall, a warm, “fun” sound signature that complements pop music very, very well. In short, these earbuds sound
great
.

Another winning quality of the WF-1000XM4 is its long battery life. In fact, I can get Sony’s quoted battery life of eight hours effortlessly with the XM4
while
 ANC is activated; that’s class-leading for a pair of wireless earbuds. With ANC disabled, I reckon the XM4 can last even longer on a single charge.

I also really like the “noise isolation earbud tips” of the WF-1000XM4, which feels like a cross between silicone and foam material. Not only are they comfortable to wear for long periods of time, they provide a good seal too for even better audio quality. However, the material does feel a little too fragile for my liking.

One feature that’s brought over to the WF-1000XM4 from the WH-1000XM4 headphones is the “Speak-to-Chat” feature, which automatically activates ambient sound mode whenever I start speaking. This isn’t a groundbreaking feature by any means, but I do love the fact that it can detect my voice quite quickly.

Plus, I don’t have to fumble about to take off the earbuds whenever someone is talking to me with this feature.

Last but certainly not least is the value proposition of the WF-1000XM4. At launch, its RM1,099 price tag is a little hard to swallow, but given that you can now get it
for only RM899
 – or
as low as RM839
 on big sale days, such as 11.11 or 12.12 – you’re
really
 getting your money’s worth with these earbuds.

The Bad Stuff

For the most part, the WF-1000XM4 doesn’t have any big shortcomings, though I do wish the earbuds themselves are a little bit more compact. Don’t get me wrong, the design is much improved over the earpiece-like design of the
WF-1000XM3
, but I do find the earbuds to be a tad too bulky, especially when worn.

And then there’s the charging case. Although it is now 40% smaller, it’s still not as compact as its competition; trying to fit the case into my jeans pocket, for example, is not a particularly comfortable experience.

Is It Worth It?

Most definitely. For only RM899 now, the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers fantastic value for money while also featuring excellent ANC, pleasant audio quality, long,
long
 battery life, and a comfortable fit. It truly is the premium wireless earbuds to beat in the market now.

It would’ve been even better if the earbuds and charging case are a little bit more compact, but beyond that, I thoroughly enjoyed using the WF-1000XM4. If you can get it at a good deal, it’s really a no-brainer purchase if you’re looking to buy one of the best wireless earbuds in the market now.


Mihoyo Teases Shenhe & Yun Jin – Playable in Genshin Impact 2.4?

Here we go again: Mihoyo just started teasing two brand new characters in Genshin Impact, Shenhe and Yun Jin. Chances are, these two characters will be playable in the Version 2.4 update, which should be arriving sometime in January 2022.

After all, previous characters that were teased by Mihoyo were eventually playable in the next version update of Genshin Impact. These include
Arataki Itto
, Gorou,
Thoma
, and of course, the
Raiden Shogun herself
.

"One has traversed many realms and taken a great many pupils. Among them, Shenhe bears the closest resemblance to oneself. " — Cloud Retainer
◆ Shenhe ‧ Lonesome Transcendence
◆ Ethereal Soul Amidst the Mortal Realm
◆ Cryo
◆ Crista Doloris
#GenshinImpact

pic.twitter.com/vIzYf2SVq0
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
November 22, 2021

"One performance by Yun Jin at our tea house rakes in enough Mora that we won't have to open for a whole month!" — Fan Er'ye of Heyu Tea House
◆ Yun Jin ‧ Stage Lucida
◆ Current Director of Yun-Han Opera Troupe
◆ Geo
◆ Opera Grandis
#GenshinImpact

pic.twitter.com/UKC0FojsFu
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
November 22, 2021

As with Genshin Impact’s previous teasers, the rarity of Shenhe and Yun Jin have not been revealed yet. But the teasers did confirm that Shenhe is a Cryo character wielding a polearm. Yun Jin is also a polearm user, but she’s aligned with the Geo element instead.

Based on Mihoyo’s previous Genshin Impact teasers, we reckon both Shenhe and Yun Jin will be playable in Version 2.4 of Genshin Impact. The new update should be released in early January 2022, so expect these two characters to make their respective debuts then.


Sony Xperia 5 III Malaysian Pre-Orders Open for RM4,599 – Early Birds Get RM549 Earbuds

After months of delay, the Sony Xperia 5 III is finally available for pre-order in Malaysia. To sweeten the deal, those who purchase the compact flagship in the pre-order period will also get a Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds worth RM549 for free.

One of the headline features of the Xperia 5 III is its variable telephoto lens system, which allows the 12MP telephoto sensor to change its focal length between 70mm to 105mm. Paired with a “Dual PD sensor,” it promises fast autofocus speeds too, even when switching between different focal lengths. This phone also features a 12MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter.

Rounding out the hardware of the Xperia 5 III are a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of expandable storage, an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery, as well as an IP65/IP68 rating.

The Sony Xperia 5 III is now
available for pre-order in Malaysia
 until 20 December for RM4,599. To recap, every pre-order of the compact flagship will also come with a Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds worth RM549.


Motorola Edge 20 Pro With Periscope Telephoto Camera Coming to Malaysia Soon

Motorola has been relatively quiet in Malaysia, but that’s about to change with the local debut of its high-end phone, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. Set to arrive here “soon,” the device is expected to be priced at RM2,499 for the Malaysian market.

For that kind of money, the Edge 20 Pro offers some interesting features, including a triple camera system. It is made up of a 108MP primary sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide angle shooter – it also doubles as a macro camera – and an 8MP periscope telephoto lens that can do 5x optical zoom.

Other specifications of the Edge 20 Pro include a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with support for 30W TurboPower fast charging.

We were told that the Motorola Edge 20 Pro “will be available in Malaysia soon,” so unfortunately enough, there’s no solid release date yet. Anyway, the high-end phone is expected to retail at RM2,499 locally.


Motorola e40 Now in Malaysia for RM599 – 90Hz Screen & 5,000mAh Battery

Aside from the
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
, the company also introduced a more affordable phone in Malaysia, the Motorola e40. Sporting a 90Hz screen with a sizeable 5,000mAh battery, this budget-friendly phone retails at only RM599.

On top of that, those who purchase the e40 by 31 December 2021 can get it with a RM50 discount, bringing down the price of the phone to RM549; this deal is available on both
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. Now, given the affordability of the e40, it doesn’t offer particularly impressive hardware, but they are good enough for everyday use.

These include a 6.53-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Unisoc T606 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 10W fast charging.

To recap, the affordable Motorola e40 is now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM599. You can also get a RM50 discount if you purchase the phone by 31 December 2021 on
Shopee
 or
Lazada
.


Mitsubishi Now Offers Unaccompanied Test Drives – Delivered to Your Location Too

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is now offering unaccompanied test drives; that is, no sales adviser will be in the car with you during the test drive. On top of that, you can have the test drive vehicle delivered to your location too.

Of course, there is one caveat: this service is only offered in the Klang Valley area right now. According to MMM, unaccompanied test drive is available in this region as there’s strong buyer demand for the Triton and Xpander in the Klang Valley, along with the fact that COVID-19 pandemic is still very much present.

Anyway, with that in mind, test drive vehicles are sanitised accordingly (including all touch points) before it is handed over to the customer. The sales adviser will also provide relevant details on the vehicle’s features and technology, and once that is done, customers are free to test drive the car for an hour before returning it to the same location.

Naturally, you also have the option to have the sales adviser in the car with you during the test drive. Whichever is your preference, you can request for a test drive with MMM
right here
. You will then be contacted to verify and confirm the appointment to have the test drive vehicle delivered to your preferred location.


Hyundai Kona Electric Now in Malaysia – EV With up to 484km Range From RM150k

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) just unveiled the most affordable EV in Malaysia yet – well, “affordable” to an extent. Enter the Hyundai Kona Electric: this fully imported (CBU), all-electric SUV starts at RM149,888 here, so it really is the most affordable EV you can get locally right now.

Three variants of the Kona Electric are available in Malaysia. The base e-Lite model (39.2kWh with 7.2kW onboard charger) costs RM149,888, while the e-Plus (39.2kWh with 11kW onboard charger) and e-Max (64kWh with 11kW onboard charger) variants go for RM169,888 and RM199,888 respectively.

As announced at
Budget 2022
, HSDM said that the Kona Electric is “fully exempted from import and excise duties, sales tax, as well as road tax.” Needless to say, this is a very good incentive.

The range of an EV is one of the most important aspects of such a vehicle, so let’s talk about that first. The 39.2kWh variants of the Kona Electric – which include the e-Lite and e-Plus models – have a range of up to 305km, while the higher-end 64kWh e-Max model can return up to 484KM of range on a single charge.

Of course, the performances of the 39.2kWh and 64kWh variants of the Kona Electric are quite different too. The former has a permanent magnet synchronous motor that outputs 136PS and 395Nm of torque; it can do the 0-100kmph sprint in 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 155kmph.

As for the 62kWh version of the Kona Electric, its motor is quite a bit more powerful: with 204PS and 395Nm of torque (unchanged from the 39.2kWh model), it can do the century sprint in only 7.9 seconds. It also has a higher top speed of 167km/h.

What about warranty? Well, the lithium-ion polymer battery of the Kona Electric has an eight-year or 160,000km warranty (whichever comes first), while the SUV itself comes with a two-year/50,000km warranty.

You can also purchase an optional add-on (RM10,000) to extend the warranty to a five-year/100,000km warranty with free service maintenance for three years or 50,000km.

If you want to check out the Hyundai Kona Electric for yourself, you can do so over at the Hyundai Ara Damansara showroom at Sime Darby Motors City, or the Hyundai Old Klang Road showroom.


Mode Eighty (2022) Pre-Orders Now Live – Custom TKL Keyboard From $459, Shipping March 2022

The updated
Mode Eighty (2022)
 is now available for pre-order. This premium, custom TKL keyboard retails from $459 (about RM1,930), making it slightly more affordable than the
original 2020 model
.

The reason why the new Eighty costs less is thanks to its new, softer isolated top mount system, which doesn’t require the PORON base; a compulsory part for the previous model. If you want a more muted, stiffer typing experience, you can get that base (for the stack mount system) as a $20 add-on, increasing the price to $479 (about RM2,015).

Compared to the
Mode SixtyFive
, the Eighty’s different parts are not quite as customisable, though you do have a fair number of colour options. You can customise the colour of the top and bottom case, a hotswap or solderable PCB, as well as plate material.

You can place your pre-order of the Mode Eighty – and configure the keyboard to your liking –
right here
. Fulfilment for the Eighty will begin as early as March 2022, so that’s only a four-month lead time –
a very short waiting time in this hobby
.


2022 Honda Civic for Malaysia Details Leaked – 3 Variants, No 1.8L Model

The
2022 Honda Civic
 was tipped to be launched in Malaysia
sometime this year
, but while there’s still no concrete details of the C-segment sedan’s debut here, we do have some pretty interesting leaks. If these leaked information are accurate, there won’t be a 1.8L model of the 11th gen Civic FE.

These leaked details come from
aarex
 and
PoisonSoul
 from Lowyat.NET’s forum. As the images below show, there will supposedly be three different variants of the 2022 Civic: there’s the base E trim, mid-range V model, and the range-topping RS variant.

All of them seem to be powered by a 1.5L turbo engine that outputs 182PS and 240Nm of torque. The mill is said to be paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as expected.

We also get a look at what appears to be Malaysian-specific units of the 11th gen Civic E and RS models. The base E model gets 16-inch alloy wheels, smart clear wiper, auto opening trunk, as well as LED headlights and DRLs; a solid list of features despite being the most affordable model.

The range-topping Civic RS, on the other hand, adds on larger, sleeker 18-inch wheels finished in black, twin exhaust tips, a black spoiler, black door handles, black side mirrors, and of course, the RS emblem on the front end. All in all, it has a sportier exterior, matching the RS branding.

Given that these details on the 2022 Honda Civic did not come from Honda Malaysia itself, there is a chance they are not accurate, so take them with a grain of salt. Rest assured, we’ll keep a close eye on any official news regarding the local availability of the new Civic.


Simpler60 Custom Keyboard Pre-Orders Live – Starts at S$230

The relatively affordable
Simpler60
 custom keyboard is now
available for pre-order from iLumkb
. Interestingly, its final retail price is slightly lower than the initial estimate: it retails from S$230, which comes up to about RM710.

This price tag is for three specific colours of the Simpler60: Black, Dark Grey, and Brown, which are all anodised. The E-White colour option, on the other hand, costs S$245 (approximately RM755). You’re paying more for the electrophoresis process to get this white colourway.

One of the highlights of the Simpler60 is its mounting system. While it’s said to be a tray-mounted keyboard, it’s not inaccurate to call it a gasket-mounted keyboard either. See, unlike standard tray mount keyboards, the Simpler60 does not have screw standoffs (making for an uneven typing feel) to secure the plate and PCB to the bottom case.

Instead, there’s a 3.7mm thick PORON dampener – which is placed between the PCB and plate – that is inserted into specific cutouts in the case to secure the keyboard in place. This is actually very similar to the mounting system of the
KDBfans KBD67 Lite
, but the silicone dampener is replaced with a PORON one for the Simpler60.

Other features of the Simpler60 include a hotswap PCB, a CNC aluminium case, a polycarbonate plate, and support for screw-in stabilisers.

The Simpler60 is now
available for pre-order on iLumkb
; only 80 units are available for this round of pre-order. Do note that shipping is only set to begin sometime in the first or second quarter of 2022, so you could be getting the keyboard as late as June 2022.


25 November – 1 December Fuel Price: RON 97 Down 3 Sen

Surprise surprise: after many weeks of price hikes, RON 97 is finally going down in price this coming week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.05 per litre (down from RM3.08). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 25 November to 1 December. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


DJI Opens Flagship Store in Pavilion KL – Grand Opening Sale on 28 November

DJI just opened its first-ever flagship store in Malaysia. Located in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the Experience Store Premium offers a wide range of DJI products – it shares the same interior design as international DJI retail outlets too.

Among the products that are on display in the store include the DJI Mavic 3, DJI Air 2S, DJI FPV, as well as the new
DJI Action 2
 modular action camera. There are also a number of accessories on sale, including bags and chargers.

Aside from this flagship store, DJI also said that another Experience Store Premium – which also doubles as a service centre – will be opened in One Utama sometime in December next month; the company is aiming to get the store opened by Christmas. Otherwise, it will begin operation sometime in January 2022 instead.

If you’d like to pay the DJI flagship store a visit, you can do so from this Sunday onwards on 28 November. To celebrate the grand opening of the outlet, there will be a promotion for the first 50 customers. The full list of deals are as follows:

DJI Tello: RM399 (Original price RM499)

DJI OM4: RM379 (original price RM459)

DJI Mini SE: RM1,199 (original price RM1,349)

DJI FPV combo: RM4,299 (original price RM5,299)

DJI Mavic 3 + bag: RM9,999

The new DJI Experience Store Premium is located at level 5 in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. To recap, another DJI flagship store will be opened in One Utama sometime in December next month before Christmas or January 2022.


Unboxing the Most Customisable Custom Keyboard – Mode SixtyFive

After only five months of waiting – a
relatively short waiting time
 in the custom keyboard scene, believe it or not – my personal order of the Mode SixtyFive has arrived. What makes this keyboard particularly interesting is its sheer customisability: you can change the finish and material of almost every part of the SixtyFive.

On top of that, unlike most custom keyboards, which are only offered in limited-time group buys, you can
still
 place an order of the SixtyFive. As a cherry on top, you only need to wait until March 2022 to receive the keyboard if you purchase it right now. How’s that for a short waiting time?

Anyway, if you’re intrigued, here’s our unboxing of the Mode SixtyFive – it offers quite a fun unboxing experience, especially for a keyboard that starts at only $299 (about RM1,265).

Every order of the SixtyFive comes in three different boxes…inside a larger box. These boxes are separated by the components, top case, and bottom case; very descriptive. The components box (naturally) houses the PCB, plate, backpiece, and other accessories that you got with the keyboard.

For my order of the SixtyFive, however, the aluminium and FR4 plates (along with the plate foam) were placed outside of the components box. This is likely because I ordered two PCBs and the silicone base for the stack mount system, which were all found inside the components box – keep this in mind if you plan to order a lot of accessories.

Oh, a screwdriver is also included with the SixtyFive. It’s not a high-end screwdriver by any means, but it’s certainly a nice touch!

FR4 plate

Aluminium plate

Plate foam

Silicone base

Next, we have the PCB of the SixtyFive. As mentioned, I purchased two PCBs for this keyboard; it’s always a good idea to
purchase extra PCBs
 for a custom keyboard as insurance. I only got the hotswap PCB, so it doesn’t have the flex cuts found on the solderable PCB, which is meant to provide a softer typing experience with a half plate.

Anyway, while the aesthetics of a PCB doesn’t affect its functionality, I do like how the SixtyFive’s PCB looks. The large “MODE” branding is a nice touch, and it has a unique shape to it too.

The backpiece

Moving on, there’s the backpiece of the SixtyFive. For my personal build, I went with a black anodised backpiece to add some contrast to the white top and bottom casing that I selected – we’ll get to these parts shortly. There are also magnets on this backpiece, allowing it to snap onto the back of the SixtyFive easily.

Other accessories that come with the SixtyFive include a daughterboard – I got an extra one for insurance, much like the PCB – four feet, silicone caps for the isolated top mount system, as well as a bunch of screws to put the keyboard together.

Daughterboard

Silicone caps

Feet

Okay, now let’s take a look at the top and bottom casings of the SixtyFive. I don’t have an all-white keyboard in my collection yet, so I went with this colour scheme for the SixtyFive. The white aluminium option for these two parts do cost an extra $10 (each), but after seeing and feeling the quality of these parts in person, I’m very happy with my choice.

Not only is the finish
close
 to perfect – there’s only a small black speck on my top casing that couldn’t be rubbed off – the electrophoresis coating feels nice and smooth to the touch too. For a keyboard that starts at only $299, the quality control and finishing of the keyboard – along with the packaging – are
top-notch
.

If I have any qualm about the SixtyFive’s unboxing experience, it would be the fact that there are…quite a lot of packaging. Almost every part of the keyboard are individually packed, so it can be a little annoying to clean up. Granted, the ziplock bags
are
 of good quality, which can be reused to keep switches or keycaps.

All in all, I’m quite happy with the SixtyFive so far. At least, that’s my initial impression of this super customisable 65% keyboard. I’m excited to start building it to see how this board would perform, especially with its three different mounting styles.

That’s right, the SixtyFive can be mounted three different ways. There’s the conventional top-mount system, an isolated top-mount for a cleaner sound profile (in theory), and stack mount, which provides “maximum acoustic dampening and a firm but not unforgiving typing feel,” as Mode puts it.

The Mode SixtyFive is still available for pre-order with a $299 starting price, and you can configure your very own unit
through the configurator
. If you place your order right now, the SixtyFive is expected to ship sometime in March 2022 – that’s only a four-month wait, a
very short turnaround time
 in this hobby.


10,000 EV Charging Stations to Be Installed in Selangor by 2025

Back at Budget 2022, the government announced
very attractive tax incentives
 for electric vehicles (EV) to encourage EV adoption in the country. Well, at the tabling of Selangor Budget 2022, the state government just announced that as many as 10,000 EV charging stations will be installed in Selangor by 2025.

This is possible thanks to RM10 million worth of investment from the private sector. In 2022 alone, 1,000 EV charging stations are expected to be installed, while the remaining 9,000 stations will be completed in the remaining three years.

Once EV charging stations are more accessible to the general public, we imagine Malaysians will be more compelled to purchase EVs. After all, good charging infrastructure is important to drive EV adoption in Malaysia, especially for folks who don’t have access to charging outlets at home.

Hopefully, we’ll see more efforts like this to incentivise the purchase of EVs in Malaysia. We reckon more car makers will also bring in their EV offerings in the near future if the government continues this push. Hyundai, for one, is already bringing in the Kona Electric SUV, which is currently
the most affordable EV in the country now
.


Keychron Q1 Back in Stock From $149

After going out of stock for a little while, the
Keychron Q1
 is now available for purchase again from
Keychron’s online store
. Both the barebone and fully assembled versions are available, though stocks are still quite limited.

At the time of writing, both the ANSI and ISO versions of the barebone Q1 are still available, but for the latter, only the Navy Blue colour option is left. As for the fully assembled model, all three colours (Navy Blue, Carbon Black, Space Grey) are still in stock, but some switch options are no longer available.

To recap, the barebone version of the Q1 retails at $149 (about RM630), while the fully assembled model costs $169 (approximately RM715). If you want to learn more about this 75% keyboard, check out our video review above or our written review
right here
.

Given the limited availability of the Keychron Q1, you may want to get it as soon as you can from its
online store
. Alternatively, if you want the knob version instead, it will be in stock
sometime in December next month
.


Nintendo Switch OLED vs. Switch V1 – Worth Upgrading?

I didn’t plan to get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) when it was first announced. But when I saw a
good deal on the new Switch
, I decided it was time to upgrade my original V1 console.

And…I’m glad I did! While the OLED Switch isn’t remarkably different from its predecessor, it does offer
enough
 new features to make the upgrade worth it. If you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s our comparison between the all-new Switch and the V1 model.

The most significant difference between the two consoles lies in the name of the OLED Switch: the new OLED panel. Not only is it a higher quality screen with punchy colours and deep, true blacks, it is also a larger 7-inch 720p display. In comparison, the original Switch sports a smaller a 6.2-inch LCD panel of the same resolution.

When you put the two handheld consoles next to each other, you can definitely see the difference in screen quality. The Switch V1’s LCD panel looks washed out compared to the richer OLED display of the new Switch, and needless to say, the larger screen also makes for a more immersive gaming experience.

Despite the fact that the OLED Switch’s display resolution remains the same at 720p even with the increased panel size (6.2-inch to 7-inch), there’s no noticeable pixelation at all. Granted, you’ll definitely see individual pixels if you look close enough, but in normal use, it’s definitely a non-issue.

It’s also worth noting that the OLED Switch
finally
 has a glass screen. Well, sort of. Although the panel itself is made of glass, it is protected by a more scratch-prone plastic film to prevent glass shards from scattering in the event the screen is cracked. Still, this is an improvement over the completely plastic screen of the Switch V1.

Now, thanks to the OLED glass panel, the new Switch’s screen looks “clearer” with better clarity. The Switch V1, in comparison, looks almost…well, cloudy. Even with a screen protector installed – which I personally did to avoid scratching the plastic protective layer – the OLED panel still looks noticeably better.

If you want the
best
 gaming experience on the go, you’ll definitely appreciate the OLED Switch’s superior screen quality. Of course, if you want a more compact system instead, the Switch Lite is the better option, but that is a topic for another day.

Anyway, in order to accommodate the larger display of the OLED Switch, the screen bezels have been shrunk quite a bit, lending to a far more modern-looking machine than the Switch V1. However, the side bezels are still a little too thick for my liking.

Another big improvement the OLED Switch brings is the wider, much more robust kickstand. Not only is it adjustable to any angle that I want, the whole system feels more stable with this kickstand. All in all, a huge improvement compared to the thin piece of plastic that holds up the Switch V1.

The dock of the OLED Switch has been slightly reworked too with a couple of design changes. Obviously, the white model features a matching white dock, but beyond the different colour scheme, the insides has a pretty neat-looking pattern too. Curiously, the back panel is no longer attached to the dock when it is popped open.

But the most important change to the new dock is the inclusion of a LAN port. Given that the Switch doesn’t have the best wireless connectivity, the addition of a LAN port should make for more pleasant and consistent online multiplayer.

Beyond these physical changes, there’s also one area where the OLED Switch has the edge over the Switch V1: battery life. Just like the
Switch V2
, the OLED Switch offers between 4.5 to 9 hours of use on a single charge. The V1, in contrast, can only last between 2.5 to 6.5 hours.

It’s also worth noting that the OLED Switch features 64GB of internal storage over the original Switch’s much smaller 32GB storage. Granted, 64GB is still not quite enough – you’ll need a microSD card, especially if you plan to purchase digital copies of games – but hey, more storage is always good.

So should you get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)? If you’re not a Switch owner yet, and you want the best gaming experience in handheld mode, then yes, the OLED Switch is the best option. I would highly recommending upgrading to this new console if you’re currently using the Switch V1 too; you’re getting quite a number of upgrades here.

That being said, if you don’t plan to use the Switch in handheld mode, then it’s probably more cost-effective to get the more affordable Switch V2 instead, which is still sold right now. Unless you really need the LAN port of the new dock, the user experience of any given Switch is identical when the system is docked.


Deal: Get the Nintendo Switch OLED for RM1,749 Now

It hasn’t been that long since the
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
 was launched, but you can now get it at a lower price point. Previously going
for about RM1,849
, you can now get the latest and greatest Switch
for only RM1,749
.

This deal is offered by Shopee Mall retailer Impulse Gaming; one of the most renowned game stores in Malaysia. Both the new
White and Neon colour options
 are available from Impulse for RM1,749, and naturally, it comes with a 12-month warranty from Maxsoft, the official distributor of Nintendo products in Southeast Asia.

Compared to its predecessor, the new OLED Switch features a larger 7-inch OLED panel with thinner bezels. It also has double the internal storage at 64GB, and the stand sees a design revision as well. Instead of the original Switch’s fragile-looking stand, this new Switch uses a much sturdier, wider stand that is also adjustable.

Other changes introduced in the new OLED Switch include a new dock with a wired LAN port, “enhanced audio” from the system’s onboard speakers, and between 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life – the same quoted battery life as its predecessor.

If you want to get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
for RM1,749
, you can do so from Impulse Gaming on Shopee. At the time of writing, about 30 units are left.


Video: Typ 65+ Review & Sound Test

There are actually quite a number of Malaysians in the custom keyboard scene. There’s
Singa
, TGR, and this custom 65% keyboard from a Malaysian studio: enter Axiöm Studios’ Typ 65+.

Two configurations of the Typ 65+ are offered: the solderable version retails at RM1,640, while the hotswap variant costs RM1,680. For that kind of money, you’re getting a solid 65% keyboard with a left macro column, along with the option to assemble it in top-mount or gasket-mount configuration.

The Typ 65+’s group buy will go live tomorrow on 30 November at 9AM; fulfilment is set to begin sometime in Q3 2022. Watch our video review above to find out if this custom keyboard is for you!


Keychron Q2 Sound Test Released – Now Sporting “Double Gasket” Design

Keychron just released a sound test of its upcoming 65% keyboard, the Keychron Q2. Thanks to its new “double gasket” design, it does seem to have improved sound profile over the
Keychron Q1
 – just as the
company promised
.

So what is the double gasket design? Basically, on top of the standard gasket-mount system of the Q2 – which in turn is similar to the Q1 – there are also silicone pads between the top and bottom cases. This is done to “significantly reduce the resonance between the metals,” as Keychron puts it.

Looking at the video of the sound test above, the Q2 does sound quite a bit better than the Q1 in stock configuration. While there’s still some case ping (it comes off as a “metallic” sound), it’s not quite as noticeable anymore. Keychron also said that the bottom case of the Q2 is thicker now to improve its sound profile.

The Keychron Q2 will be available for purchase as an in-stock keyboard sometime in December next month. It’s said to be priced similarly to the Q1 – which starts at $149 (about RM630) – despite the fact that it’s a smaller keyboard. Anyway, you can register your interest for the Q2
right here
 ahead of its launch.


MapleStorySEA Introduces New “Lara” Character on 1 December

Launched back in 2005, MapleStorySEA is undoubtedly one of the most well-known MMORPGs in the gaming space. Well, come 1 December, a new character will be added to the game: Lara, the Charmer of Elements.

To celebrate the arrival of Lara, there’s a “pre-creation” event for the new character. Just create your Lara character before 30 November (tomorrow), and you will get a number of rewards, including Lara-specific quote ring, label ring, damage skin, as well as a Lil Lithos pet.

Aside from that, there is also a
Tera Burning event
, which allows players to create one new character that will enjoy 3x experience boost up to level 200. You’ll also get additional rewards for hitting level milestones, encouraging players to further level up the character.

“MapleStorySEA is one of the most successful MMORPGs in SEA with 16 years of live service,” said the Country Manager of PlayPark Singapore, Ivan Seah. “Continued updates and improvements keeps it fresh and exciting for everyone,” he added.

If you’d like to check out Lara in MapleStorySEA – or you’d like to return to the game – you can register for an account
right here
. To recap, Lara will be added to the MMORPG on 1 December at 10AM Malaysian time.


Returning to MapleStorySEA – Same Old (But Still Fun) Game in Need of Modernisation

MapleStorySEA is touted by PlayPark – the distributor of the hit South Korean MMORPG in Southeast Asia – to be one of the world’s longest-running games of its kind. After all, it was launched back in 2005, and it’s still up and running today in 2021.

With the
introduction of Lara
 tomorrow on 1 December, I decided to jump back into MapleStorySEA after many years of being away from the game. Well, while it still retains many of its charms, there are also aspects of the game that feel…well, archaic.

However, I’m still quite excited to get back into the game and experience all of the new characters. Maybe it’s the nostalgia at play here as I look back at all the characters I’ve built in the past, but I am willing to see what MapleStorySEA has to offer again after being away from it for so long.

The Game Is Still Very Fun & Entertaining

One of the biggest draws of MapleStory has to be its gameplay: there’s nothing quite like seeing the screen
flooded
 with big numbers as the character unleashes his or her respective skills. My personal favourite character/class is Luminous, who can alternate between light and dark magic to unleash skills with very flashy animations.

And that’s another strong point of MapleStory; the flashy, elaborate skill animations. This is especially true of “newer” classes such as the aforementioned Luminous and Lara. That’s how I dictate which character to level up: as long as they have a fun gameplay (to me) with cool-looking animations, I’m good to go.

I’m not quite sure when this was changed – I’ve been away from MapleStory for years here – but I’m happy to see that I can freely create almost every single character available in the game now. Previously, certain classes were time-limited, which can be quite annoying if you missed the opportunity to create your favourite class.

Last but definitely not least is the rich lore of MapleStory. I’ve only caught glimpses of the new lore since I left the game, and I’m thrilled that the storytelling is still as good as ever. Really, I look forward to catching up to many years of lore development in the world of MapleStory, especially with the newer characters.

But After So Many Years, MapleStory Is Showing Its Age

The moment I launched MapleStorySEA, it’s as if I was transported back 10 years, and it’s not because of nostalgia. In fact, trying to
install
 the game is already much harder than it should be. The installer itself doesn’t have a very intuitive UI, and extracting the downloaded files took unusually long.

After taking some time to get MapleStorySEA installed, I launched the game for the first time…and waited a good minute before I got to the login screen after my PC seemingly froze. Mind you, I’m running the game on a reasonably capable machine, even if it’s not exactly an absurdly powerful rig.

Anyway, once I finally got into the game, I was quite surprised to see that the resolution maxes out at 1920 x 1080…in 2021. This resolution is even labeled as “beta” in the settings page. Granted, the art style of the game still looks great at 1080p, but for it to max out at this resolution in this day and age is (again) archaic, to say the least.

To be honest, I was quite put off by these shortcomings even before I got into the game, and I imagine newcomers won’t be thrilled by this arduous process either. If MapleStorySEA could just modernise these old-fashioned aspects, it’ll definitely improve the overall gaming experience.

There Is Still Potential

Like I’ve said before, even with these negatives, I am still very willing to get into MapleStorySEA again. It’s much more focused on the single-player experience now in terms of leveling up – which I personally prefer – and I’m particularly excited to figure out which character I want to build with the current
Tera Burning event
 for faster levelling.

Obviously, the player base of MapleStorySEA has gotten quite a bit smaller compared to its peak years. PlayPark said over seven million accounts were created since its launch in 2005, but now, only 1.2 million active players are left. Even then, this figure is actually the number of active players over the past
three years
 – that’s not exactly great.

Regardless, I am excited to get back into MapleStorySEA after all these years. If you’d like to check out Lara in the game – or you’d like to return to the game like I am – you can register for an account
right here
.
Hopefully, PlayPark will continue to improve the MMORPG for years to come; if it has lasted 16 years, surely it can go on further, right?


SP-Star Meteor White Review: My New Favourite Linear Switch

SP-Star has made some
very interesting switches
 in recent times, and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is one of the company’s more well-known offerings. I recently managed to finally grab this switch, and after putting it through its paces, it is
easily
 one of my favourite linear switches to date.

Not only does the Meteor White offer a unique, smooth typing experience, it is also quite a bit more affordable than its competition. If you’re looking to get a new linear switch, consider the Meteor White…if you can find it in stock.

What It Is

Do note that I got the “new” recoloured version of the SP-Star Meteor White. Previously, it had a dark blue housing; this latest version features a light grey housing instead. But beyond the different colour, the top and bottom housings are still made of nylon with a white POM stem.

Design wise, the Meteor White is a five-pin switch, so you won’t have any issue mounting them directly onto the PCB if you want to, say, do a half plate build. It also has a rather light 57g gold-plated spring with an equally light factory lubing out of the box.

As I’ve mentioned before, the Meteor White switch is quite affordable. I got it from
local Shopee retailer NullKeyboards
 at RM23 for a pack of 10 switches, though it is sold out at the moment. At this price point, the Meteor White is more budget-friendly than the
Cobalt POM
, for example.

The Good Stuff

When I first started using the Meteor White, the “soft” bottom out of this linear switch immediately stood out to me. This is likely due to the all-nylon housing of the switch, which feels softer than a polycarbonate housing. In fact, this soft, “cushioned” bottom out reminds me of the
Anubis
 – that’s also an all-nylon switch.

This cushioned bottom out is further emphasised after I lubed (Krytox 205g0) and filmed (Deskeys films) the Meteor White, and I honestly can’t get enough of it. Not only does the soft bottom out make for a comfortable typing experience, it has a nice, dampened sound signature too.

Speaking of which, the Meteor White is quite a muted switch; typical characteristic of a nylon switch. However, it still has a clacky sound profile too, just like other SP-Star switches. But after lubing and filming the Meteor White, it has a more “poppy” sound signature instead – I’m really,
really
fond of this.

I believe that not all switches require lubing or filming, but in the case of the Meteor White, I’d say it’s absolutely worth it to do both. It brings out the best qualities of the linear switch, and in my opinion, it improves the Meteor White’s sound profile quite a bit.

That is not to say the Meteor White doesn’t perform well in its stock configuration. The light factory lubing, for one, does a good job of providing a smooth downstroke. The lubing consistency across the 90 switches I got is relatively good too, though there were a few with slightly rougher feel.

If you care about stem wobble, you’ll be happy to know that the Meteor White is reasonably good in this regard. Though it does have slightly more horizontal wobble than vertical, it’s still a reasonably “stable” switch.

The Bad Stuff

While the Meteor White performs great out of the box with the light factory lubing, the oil-based lube (from what I can tell) can’t quite mask the leaf noise of the switch. Thankfully, lubing the leaf just a tad with the thicker Krytox 205g0 lube is enough to eliminate the leaf ticking.

Aside from that, I wish SP-Star went with a different colour scheme for this recoloured Meteor White. The light grey housing looks a tad too plain, in my opinion; I much prefer the dark blue housing of the original. Then again, this is only my personal opinion. Looks are subjective, after all.

Last but definitely not least is the limited availability of the Meteor White. At the time of writing, only
Swagkeys
 based in South Korea is taking pre-orders of the switch. Beyond that, every other listings of the switch are sold out, including
NullKeyboards
 (Malaysia),
Prevail Key Co.
 (US), and
Zion Studios
 (Philippines).

Is It Worth It?

If you can find the SP-Star Meteor White in stock at a reasonable price – that is, without a huge markup – it is absolutely worth it. Not many linear switches can offer such a unique typing feel and sound profile, which is
especially
 true at this price point.

Hopefully, the Meteor White will be more readily available moving forward. It’s a fantastic linear switch, and given that SP-Star itself has released one great switch
after another
, I’m really quite excited to see what the company has in store for the future.


Gateron Box Ink V2 Now Available on Pantheon (Singapore) For S$11.50

The all-new Gateron Box Ink V2 linear switch is now available from Pantheon, a vendor based in Singapore. At the moment, it is the closest vendor to us here in Malaysia to offer the new switch, so you won’t have to pay too much for shipping.

Considered to be superior to the original Gateron Ink V2, the Box Ink V2 now features a dustproof stem to reduce stem wobble. It also retains the switch’s “thocky” sound signature while also providing a smoother typing feel; a winning combination for a linear switch. Watch the video below for a sound test of the new switch.

That being said, the Box Ink V2 does have one big difference over its predecessor that could be a dealbreaker to some folks: it has less key travel. It offers only 3.4mm of travel, which is 0.6mm shorter than the original Ink V2. While this reduction in travel does not sound like much, it will be quite noticeable as you start using it.

Anyway, the Gateron Box Ink V2 is now available for purchase from Pantheon. Priced at S$11.50 for 10 switches (about RM35), it certainly carries a premium price tag, though the Gateron Ink series has always been positioned as a premium offering.


Honda Malaysia Continues to Offer up to RM10,000 Discount for December 2021

Honda Malaysia is extending its year-end deal. Just like last month, the Japanese carmaker is offering a whopping RM10,000 discount throughout December 2021; certain models even get a bigger discount now too.

Naturally,
the Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC variants of the D-segment sedan receive a generous RM10,000 rebate. It’s worth noting that the TC-P model only got a RM7,000 discount
back in October 2021
.

The
2021 Honda HR-V Hybrid
, on the other hand, receives a RM7,000 rebate, while the E, V, RS, and
SE
 variants of the B-segment SUV get a RM4,500 discount instead. If you’re looking to get a seven-seater instead, good news: the
Honda BR-V
 is discounted quite a bit too. Both the E and V trims get a RM6,000 discount.

Next is the
all-new Honda City
. The E trim is discounted by RM4,000, while the S, V, RS, and the
brand new V Sensing
 variants get a RM3,000 rebate. Other notable discounts given by Honda Malaysia include up to RM3,000 savings for the
Civic
, a RM4,000 discount for the Jazz, as well as a RM3,000 rebate for the CR-V, including the new
Black Edition
.

Do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 31 December 2021. More information on these discounts can be found
here
.

If you’re interested to get any of these Honda models with the aforementioned rebates, you can place your booking online
here
. Alternatively, bookings can be done through the HondaTouch app as well – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 With 30% Faster GPU Will Power 2022 Flagship Phones

Qualcomm just unveiled its 2022 flagship chip, and it now features a new naming convention. Dubbed Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, you can expect to find this high-end chipset in the majority of Android flagship phones next year.

Naturally, the new chip promises some notable performance gains. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s updated Adreno GPU, for one, promises to offer up to 30% faster graphics performance. On top of that, it is said to be 25% more power-efficient too.

Man’s hands holding smartphone with blank screen and playing video games

Speaking of power efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is now built on an even smaller 4nm process. Compared to the 5nm process of the Snapdragon 888, the new chip should be more power-efficient, delivering better battery life. Of course, this chip also comes with a number of  upgrades in other aspects, including camera, AI performance, and security.

We can expect to see smartphones powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip by the end of 2021. Quite a number of phone makers have started teasing their own devices running on the new chip, including Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, and Realme.


2 – 8 December Fuel Price: RON 97 Down Another 3 Sen, Others Remain

Now this is a pleasant surprise: for the coming week, RON 97 is going down by 3 sen yet again. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards until Wednesday next week, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.02 per litre (down from RM3.05). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 2 to 8 December. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Genshin Impact’s Storytelling Keeps Getting Better

One of the best aspects of Genshin Impact is its amazing storyline. The plot development in Version 2.0 and 2.1 of the hit game, for one, were some of the best moments in the overarching lore of Genshin Impact – in my opinion, anyway. However, the storyline of Version 2.2 felt a little…well, boring.

But in Genshin Impact 2.3, I’m absolutely loving the story of the Shadow Amidst Snowstorm event, which also offers fantastic character development for certain characters. Yes, it’s possible I’m so fond of it because it focuses quite a bit on the background of the mysterious Albedo, but nonetheless, it’s a masterful showcase of Mihoyo’s amazing storytelling chops.

Compelling, Elaborate Storyline

Despite the fact that Genshin Impact is a completely free title, I’m constantly amazed by how well-thought-out the storyline of the game is. The plot of the aforementioned Shadow Amidst Snowstorm event, for one, doesn’t feel like a story for the sake of it – the whole storyline flows very naturally.

It’s also worth noting that the characters featured in this event have
full voice acting
, which really brings the story to live. These characters include Albedo, Eula, Bennett – featured characters in the
current event wish
, basically – as well as the Traveler’s companion, Paimon (of course).

Without going into spoiler territory, there was one instance in the story where we could talk to the individual characters. Again, these dialogues are all spoken, and the lines were all well crafted and representative of each character’s own lore, giving the story even more depth.

Speaking of which..

Fantastic Character Development

Not only do we learn much more about Albedo’s history in the latest story event, Eula also gets quite a bit of character development. Her friendship with Amber is explored too, and even Bennett gets some of the limelight as we learn more about his…well, not so great luck in adventuring.

It’s also worth noting that I’m only at the second act of the story; there’s still a third act titled “A Secret Born From Ashes.” Needless to say, I’m excited to find out what the third act will reveal come 4 December.

I have a confession to make: I was actually saving up Primogems for
Arataki Itto and Gorou
 – both of them will be featured in the same event wish come 14 December – but after the second act of the story, I couldn’t help but to roll for Albedo. This is despite the fact that I already have full constellations for the 4-star characters in the banner.

This speaks volume to Mihoyo’s amazing characterisation of its Genshin Impact characters. Albedo’s gameplay and character design aside, I’m really fond of his personality and the lore built around him. I always find myself wishing for different characters
just
 for this reason, including Klee, Eula, and of course, the Raiden Shogun herself.

Event Challenges Are Fun Too

Beyond the storyline and character development, the event challenges are quite entertaining as well. Granted, there were a couple that are a little annoying to complete, but most of them are quite fun. I personally like the agility training challenge, which involves getting from point A to point B with some obstacles in the way.

Naturally, the event rewards are quite good too. Aside from the usual Primogems, Mora, and Hero’s Wit experience books, the Shadow Amidst Snowstorm event in particular also offers a new (and free) 4-star sword called Cinnabar Spindle. It is considered to be Albedo’s best weapon yet, which is…part of the reason why I wanted to roll for him.

There’s More to Come

Beyond the Shadow Amidst Snowstorm event, there will also be a story quest for Arataki Itto come 14 December; the same time his event wish goes live alongside Gorou. Though I’m merely speculating at the moment, I reckon Itto’s story quest will be quite entertaining. This has always been the case with (most) story quests in Genshin Impact.

Beyond the content we’re getting in Version 2.3 of Genshin Impact, I’m confident Mihoyo will continue to release compelling storylines with every new update. Since the developer already started teasing
Shenhe and Yun Jin
, I fully expect for both of them to be featured in a story somehow in Version 2.4 – I can’t wait for that.

With amazing storytelling, a roster of characters with excellent lore, and fun gameplay – not to mention
a physical event (of sorts) for Malaysian fans
 – it’s little wonder that Genshin Impact has become such a huge success. As far as live service games go, it is easily one of the best – if not
the best
 – game of its kind right now.


Affordable Vivo V23e 5G Coming to Malaysia 9 December

Vivo is bringing in the affordable Vivo V23e 5G to Malaysia next week. Set to debut here on 9 December, it’s quite a sleek-looking, thin budget-friendly smartphone.

One of the highlight features of the V23e is its 44MP front-facing camera with a number of selfie-centric features like Natural Portrait mode and Multi-Style Portrait. It also has a unique colourway in a slim chassis; the phone measures only 7.4mm thin.

Other specifications of the v23e 5G include a MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G chip, a 6.44-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), and a 4,050mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

The Vivo V23e 5G will be launched in Malaysia next week on 9 December. The phone maker also mentioned that the standard V23e has been certified by SIRIM; it is essentially the same phone with a different chipset and camera configuration. It remains to be seen if both phones will be introduced at the same time.


Spy Shot: Proton X90/Geely Haoyue Spotted on the Road!

Seems like we’re getting more sightings of the Geely Haoyue – or Okavango, as marketed in The Philippines – here in Malaysia. This Geely model is suspected to be the
Proton X90
, and we now have a video of the D-segment seven-seater SUV on Malaysian roads!

This video was shared by
The Ajerul on Facebook
, which is attributed to
PanduLaju
. As we can see in the still shot below, this particular test mule (oddly enough) has the number plate on the rear bumper instead of the tailgate; the original position for the Haoyue. Granted, this could be an earlier test unit.

Previous spy shot of the Haoyue in Malaysia
One of the earliest spy shots of the Haoyue locally

So what is the Haoyue? As mentioned, it’s a large D-segment SUV that can be configured with five or seven seats; it measures 4,835mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,785 tall. Compared to the
Proton X70
, the Haoyue is 316mm longer, 69mm wider, and 91mm taller.

Powering the Haoyue, on the other hand, is a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that outputs 181PS and 300Nm of torque. This engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with drive sent either to the front wheels or all four of them for the AWD model.

However, it’s worth noting that in The Philippines, the Okavango is actually available with a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine with a mild hybrid system that put out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque. This setup is also paired with a 7DCT, though there is no AWD variant.

Of course, given its positioning as a premium SUV, the Haoyue is equipped with Geely’s level 2 autonomous driving system too. It is made up of 24 different sensors to allow for as many as 17 “intelligent drive features.” According to Geely, this lets the SUV automatically follow, stop, as well as turn at speeds of up to 150km/h.

Oh, just like the
Proton X50
, the Haoyue is also capable of parking itself. It features a 360-degree camera as well, and given the large size of the SUV, we imagine this will come in handy for most drivers.

The Geely Haoyue

Even though the Geely Haoyue is already being tested on Malaysian roads, it’s still much too early to tell if it will eventually materialise to be the “Proton X90.” Nonetheless, we will keep a close eye for any further development!


Asus ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED Arrives in Malaysia – World’s First 16″ 4K OLED HDR Laptop From RM9,999

The premium Asus ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED laptop for creative professionals has arrived in Malaysia. Touted as the world’s first 16-inch laptop with a 4K OLED HDR display, it also has a unique physical dial “with over 70 functions.”

Three different variants of the Studiobook 16 OLED are offered in Malaysia. The sole Intel model (Core i7-11800H) features a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 OLED display, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 32GB of RAM, as well as a 1TB SSD for RM9,999.

Curiously, the other two AMD configurations of the Studiobook 16 OLED better value for money hardware-wise. Not only does it start from RM9,999 too, you’re also getting a sharper 16-inch 3840 x 2400 4K OLED panel, a Ryzen 9 5900HX processor paired with 32GB of RAM, an RTX 3060 GPU, and a 1TB SSD for that kind of money.

If you want to upgrade the GPU to a beefier RTX 3070 GPU and get twice the amount of RAM (64GB), you’ll have to fork out RM11,999.

Anyway, beyond these hardware, the Studiobook 16 also has the aforementioned physical dial dubbed Asus dial. It is described by Asus as an “intuitive physical controller that gives you instant and precise fingertip control over parameters in your creative apps. We imagine creative professionals will find this feature useful.

The Asus ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED will go on sale in Malaysia sometime this month. To recap, it starts from RM9,999 for both the Intel and AMD models, while the highest-end AMD variant with an RTX 3070 and 64GB of RAM costs RM11,999.


PlayStation Plus December 2021 Free Games Include Godfall & Judgment

PlayStation Plus’ December 2021 free games look to be quite interesting. The lineup includes Godfall: Challenger Edition, Mortal Shell, Lego DC Super-Villains, and for players in certain regions (such as Asia), we’re also getting Judgment.

However, do note that this is not the full Godfall game. Instead, this Challenger Edition “focuses on three unique modes: Lightbringer, Dreamstones, and the Ascended Tower of Trials,” as described by PlayStation. “All three are endgame-level content, but you’ll be immediately equipped with a spread of deadly weapons and skill points.”

Unlike
previous PS Plus

free games
, all of these games are available on the PS4 too instead of being limited to the PS5. Of course, you do get the PS5 version of Godfall, which should feature better graphics and faster loading times.

These four games can be claimed by PS Plus members from 7 December to 3 January 2022. That means you have until this coming Monday (6 December) to get your hands on November 2021’s free games, including
Knockout City and First Class Trouble
.


Deal: Nintendo Switch OLED Price Drops to RM1,688

It hasn’t been that long since the
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
 was launched, but you can now get it at a lower price point. Previously going
for RM1,749
, you can now get the latest and greatest Switch
for only RM1,688
.

This deal is offered by Preferred Shopee retailer GameStop. Unfortunately, only the new White colourway is in stock for
RM1,688.88
. Nonetheless, it comes with a 12-month warranty from Maxsoft, the official distributor of Nintendo products in Southeast Asia.

Compared to its predecessor, the new OLED Switch features a larger 7-inch OLED panel with thinner bezels. It also has double the internal storage at 64GB, and the stand sees a design revision as well. Instead of the original Switch’s fragile-looking stand, this new Switch uses a much sturdier, wider stand that is also adjustable.

Other changes introduced in the new OLED Switch include a new dock with a wired LAN port, “enhanced audio” from the system’s onboard speakers, and between 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life – the same quoted battery life as its predecessor.

If you want to get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
for RM1,688
, you can do so from GameStop on Shopee. At the time of writing, about 10 units are left.


HMD Teases New Nokia Tablet for Malaysian Market – Nokia T20?

It appears HMD Global will be bringing in a new Nokia-branded tablet to the Malaysian market soon. The company’s Malaysian Instagram account just posted a teaser of the tablet, which is likely the Nokia T20. It’s the first tablet to carry the Nokia branding since HMD took over the brand.

We’re confident this is the Nokia T20 because it’s the exact same teaser image shared by HMD global before the tablet was unveiled. You can refer to the posts by Nokia Mobile Malaysia and Nokia Mobile global below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nokia Mobile MY (@nokiamobilemy)

Everything you’d expect from a Nokia phone in a tablet.
Coming 6.10.21
pic.twitter.com/uTssAURMMQ
— Nokia Mobile (@NokiaMobile)
September 27, 2021

Naturally, the affordable nature of the T20 is its best selling point: it retails from only $250 in the US, which comes up to about RM1,055. For that kind of money, you’re getting a modest Android tablet powered by a Unisoc Tiger T610 processor.

Other specifications of the T20 include a 10.4-inch 2000 x 1200 IPS display, up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP selfie shooter, as well as a 8,200mAh battery with support for 15W charging.

No word yet on when the Nokia T20 will be introduced in Malaysia, though we reckon it will be happening soon. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the local availability of the affordable Android tablet.


Proton Sales Exceed 100k Units for 3rd Consecutive Year

Despite the extended COVID-19 lockdown in the middle of the year, Proton’s total sales for 2021 has exceeded the 100,000 mark. This is the third consecutive year the national carmaker has managed to achieve this milestone, thanks to its strong model lineup.

In November 2021, Proton delivered 14,187 units, bringing the carmaker’s total sales for the year to 100,566 units. Compared to the same month in 2020, Proton’s sales actually increased by 24.3% – that’s quite a big improvement.

“November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not demand. Crossing over the 100,000-unit threshold with a month to go is a highpoint for us after another year disrupted by COVID-19,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

“We are humbled by the achievement and are now confident of ending the year with an increase in total sales,” he added. Chances are, the carmaker’s sales will see further growth next year, especially if the “
Proton X90
” makes its debut then.


Proton Saga Best-Selling Car in November 2021; Over 4,000 Units of X50 Delivered

Proton’s sales in November 2021
 were very encouraging, and it was thanks to two popular models in its lineup: the Proton Saga and
Proton X50
. In fact, the Saga was the best-selling car in Malaysia last month with over 5,666 units sold.

The national carmaker also added that the Saga remains to lead the A-segment sedan market, a position the company is hopeful it will retain until the end of the year. The X50 also continues to be the best-selling B-segment SUV – and the SUV market in general, according to Proton – with 4,010 units delivered.

Naturally, the Proton X70 also leads the C-segment SUV market in November 2021 with 1,901 units sold. These are followed by the Persona (1,534), Iriz (642), and Exora (434, best-selling C-segment MPV). In total, Proton sold 14,187 units last month.

Curiously, Proton said that the 2022 Iriz and Persona are affected by component supply issues, limiting their production volumes. “November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not demand,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.


Sony Centre Mid Valley Opens Pre-Orders for PS5

A year after its arrival in Malaysia
, it’s still quite difficult to get a unit of the highly sought-after PlayStation 5. If you’re feeling lucky, good news: Sony Centre Mid Valley is currently accepting pre-orders of the PS5 right now.

Well, sort of. In order to be in the running for a
chance
 to pre-order the PS5, you’ll have to fill up
this form
. If you’re fortunate enough to be selected, you will be contacted by 6 December at 10PM to finalise your pre-order of the next-gen console.

Do note that you only have until 4 December at 9AM tomorrow morning to register your interest for the PS5 pre-order. This isn’t a first-come, first-served sale either; filling up the form just means you’re in the running to be chosen to pre-order the PS5.

While it wasn’t mentioned, it’s likely that stocks are very limited, so don’t be disheartened if you’re not chosen to pre-order the PS5. If you want a better chance of securing a unit, we recommend checking in with your favourite game shop to get into the waiting list – if the store has one.


Shopee: 80 First-Time Local Sellers Achieved RM1 Million Sales Within a Year

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that more folks have ventured onto e-commerce. In fact, Shopee said that the number of sellers on its platform have more than doubled in the past year, with 80 of them hitting the RM1 million sales mark within a year.

On top of that, these 80 retailers are first-time Shopee sellers that joined the platform in 2021. “Some of these sellers hail from areas outside of state capitals and main cities such as Hutan Melintang, Perak; Kulim, Kedah; and Bera, Pahang,” Shopee said in a press release.

“As we wrap up 2021, we see another year of Malaysians adapting to the pandemic, and it is now more important than ever for businesses to go online to capture more online-first customers,” said the CEO of Shopee, Terence Pang. “This year, we saw more local traders and sellers either taking their first step online or continuing their journey with us,” he added.

To further support these local sellers, Shopee will be running a number of campaigns to focus on them, including the #ShopeeSapotLokal initiative and a number of free shipping vouchers for the ongoing Shopee 12.12 Birthday Sale. You can
click here
 to learn more about the sale.


Dell G15 With Intel Tiger Lake-H Chips Quietly Arrive in Malaysia From RM4,349

The Dell G15 gaming laptop has been quietly launched in Malaysia. Sporting the latest Intel Tiger Lake-H processors with a range of Nvidia RTX graphics cards, it’s a reasonably affordable gaming machine.

As many as
five
 different variants of the G15 are offered in Malaysia. The base model (RM4,349) sports a 15.6-inch 1080p VA panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i5-11400H processor paired with 8GB of RAM, an RTX 3050 GPU, and a 512GB SSD storage.

A tier up is the RM4,849 configuration of the G15, which swaps out the processor to a Core i7-11800H. Next, we have the RTX 3050 Ti model with the same hardware (minus the different GPU and more RAM at 16GB) as the aforementioned model for RM5,349.

And then there’s the more powerful G15 with an RTX 3060 GPU for RM6,349. It’s quite a big leap in price, though you do get a larger 1TB SSD storage for that extra money. Last but not least is the G15 Special Edition; it comes with an aluminium cover in Obsidian Black (with an iridescent logo) and a faster 165Hz VA panel for RM6,549.

The Dell G15 Special Edition

Curiously, the Dell G15 Special Edition model only features 512GB of SSD despite being the most costly variant in the lineup. Anyway, this gaming laptop is now available for purchase in Malaysia through
Dell’s Malaysian online store
.


Deal: Sony WF-1000XM3 Heavily Discounted to RM529

While the
Sony WF-1000XM3
 has already been succeeded by the
WF-1000XM4
, it’s still a decent pair of wireless earbuds. The best part is, it is now more affordable than ever: you can grab the WF-1000XM3
for only RM529 now
.

To put this deal into context, the WF-1000XM3 used to go for RM949 at launch, so you’re looking at exactly RM420 worth of savings here. This listing is also offered by Cplus Digital, a Shopee Mall retailer. Rest assured, this is a legitimate offer with a one-year warranty from Sony Malaysia itself.

Cplus Digital is also offering the newer
WF-1000XM4
 with a reasonably good deal
at RM899
. For that kind of money, you’re getting better audio quality, even longer battery life, and water resistance over the WF-1000XM3.

Still, for RM529, the Sony WF-1000XM3 is a fantastic pair of wireless earbuds with great active noise cancellation, respectable battery life, and good audio quality. If you’d like to learn more about the WF-1000XM3, check out our review of the wireless earbuds
right here
.


Ducky’s First Mainstream Hotswap Keyboard Coming to Malaysia Soon

Introduced back in November last month, we just got confirmation that the
Ducky One 3 series
 of mechanical keyboards are coming to Malaysia soon. What makes these keyboards particularly interesting is the fact that they are the Taiwanese company’s first mainstream offering with a hotswap PCB, allowing users to easily swap out the switches.

The Malaysian availability of the Ducky One 3 series was revealed by
Ducky Malaysia’s Facebook page
, which is handled by
Sun Cycle
, the official distributor of Ducky products locally. According to the company, the new keyboards are set to arrive here by Christmas.

Technically, the
2020 Ducky Year of the Rat
 is the company’s first keyboard with hotswap support, but that is a limited edition model. The One 3 series, on the other hand, is made up of mainstream (and affordable) keyboards. In fact, the lineup is offered in many different colourways and form factor, including full-size, TKL, 65%, and even 60%.

Aside from the hotswap PCB, the One 3 series also features double-shot PBT keycaps, Cherry MX switches, RGB backlighting, a number of sound deadening material for improved sound profile, and plate-mounted stabilisers that are “fine-tuned for an exceptional typing experience,” as Ducky puts it.

No word yet on exactly when the Ducky One 3 series will arrive in Malaysia, but since Sun Cycle is already teasing the new keyboards, we reckon they will be available here very soon.


Perodua Aims to Hit 30k Sales in December 2021 – Over 14,600 Orders for 2022 Myvi

Perodua is aiming to hit 30,000 sales this month, which would be the national carmaker’s highest monthly sales figure yet, exceeding its previous best month of
27,858 units sold in October 2021
. Aside from that, Perodua also revealed that over 14,600 orders for the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift have been received.

“Of the 14,600 units (the new Myvi facelift) booked, 7,189 orders were converted from the previous variants,” said the CEO and President of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. The carmaker added that over 42,288 units of the Myvi were registered between January and November 2021 – a very respectable figure.

Zainal also apologised for a slightly lower delivery of 20,299 units in November last month, which is attributed to intermittent disruption from COVID-19 and the semiconductor chip supply shortage. “We are working with the automotive ecosystem to overcome these issues, and with these countermeasures in place, we see December 2021 as our best month yet,” he said.

With so many orders already placed for the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift, we reckon the national carmaker will be able to hit its 30,000 sales mark this month. Moving forward, Perodua is aiming to register as many as 240,000 units in 2022 next year.


Perodua Targets 240k Sales for 2022 & Significantly Reduced Waiting Period

Aside from aiming to deliver 30,000 units this month, Perodua also revealed its sales target for 2022. Next year, the national carmaker is targeting “at least” 240,000 sales – that’s a 40,000 increase over 2020’s target. Perodua also mentioned that waiting period will be significantly reduced in 2022.

However, it’s worth noting that the 240,000 figure is only a preliminary estimate. “A more accurate forecast will be shared in late January 2022,” said the CEO and President of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“We believe that the worst is behind us in terms of COVID-19 related lockdowns,
insyallah
, and while there are other risks in the market, we foresee the year 2022 as a year of recovery,” he added.

Aside from that, Zainal also said that the waiting period for its range of models – quite a big concern for the
Ativa
 – will be significantly reduced in 2022. “Based on current information and forecasts, we foresee that we can at least reach the 240,000 registration target next year as the market stabilises and our waiting period will be reduced significantly,” he said.

“The 240,000 registration number is important as we want to grow the Malaysian automotive ecosystem,” he further elaborated. The Perodua chief also forecasts that car demand would peak in the first six months of 2022. That’s when the sales tax exemption is set to end, which has been extended many times
to June 2022
 right now.


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Disney-Themed Accessories Now in Malaysia From RM69

Samsung released quite a number of accessories for the lifestyle-centric
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
 foldable phone, and these latest ones are done in collaboration with Disney. These include accessories themed after Star Wars, Marvel, and of course, the iconic Mickey Mouse.

Let’s start with the cover straps, which are offered in
Marvel
,
Disney
, and
National Geographic
 designs. These are priced at RM79, though Samsung Malaysia’s e-store is offering them for RM69 now. There’s also a
Disney-themed cover ring strap
 for RM79.

Last but definitely not least are the Star Wars and Simpsons straps, which also come with matching lanyards and sticker packs. Retailing at RM159, you can now get the Star Wars set for only RM129. Oddly enough, the Simpsons variant is not listed yet.

You can purchase these accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 on
Samsung Malaysia’s e-store
. Not sure if the foldable phone is for you? Then check out our
review of the Z Flip 3
.


Monokei Hiro Pre-Orders Now Open – Premium 65% Custom Keyboard From S$580

Monokei just opened pre-orders for another premium custom keyboard, the Monokei Hiro. With some design elements of the company’s popular Kei keyboard, the Hiro is a 65% gasket-mount keyboard with the former’s “distinct sound signature,” as Monokei puts it.

The Hiro can be purchased in three different configurations. The most affordable variant features an aluminium top case and “Silver” bottom case – likely aluminium – from S$580 (about RM1,790), while the brass bottom version starts at S$710 (approximately RM2,195). You can listen to a sound test of these two configurations in the video below.

The Monokei Hiro SE

Last but not least is the
all-brass
 Hiro SE, which comes in a new “Bounty Hunter” PVD finish for a sleek, stealthy look. Now, given that brass is not exactly a budget-friendly material, it’s no surprise that the Hiro SE starts at a steep S$1,180 (about RM3,645). Regardless of which variant you get, you can upgrade to a hotswap PCB for S$15 (about RM45).

The Monokei Hiro will be available for pre-order until
27 December 2021
 on
Monokei
; fulfilment will begin sometime in Q4 2022. More information on the Hiro can be found
here
.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift – 4 Months Waiting Time Now

With over
14,600 bookings
 already placed for the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
, it’s no surprise that waiting time for the hugely popular B-segment hatchback is quite long now. If you place an order for the new Myvi today, you’ll have to wait four months before you receive the car.

This bit of info came from the CEO and President of Perodua himself, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, as quoted by
WapCar
. The site wrote that for those who booked a Myvi between May to July 2021 – over 7,189 orders of the pre-facelift Myvi are upgrading to the new model, after all – they will get the hatchback by the end of this month.

Speaking of which, Perodua is aiming to deliver over 30,000 vehicles this month alone, which would be the national carmaker’s highest monthly sales figure yet, exceeding its previous best month of
27,858 units sold in October 2021
. Moving forward, Perodua said that waiting times for its range of models will be
reduced significantly too
 in 2022.

Given that Perodua is targeting to get
240,000 sales in 2022
, shorter waiting times will be essential for the carmaker to achieve that figure. The
extension of the sales tax exemption
 to June 2022 should also further bolster car sales in Malaysia for the first half of the year.


Get a Discount on Your PDRM & JPJ Summons From 9 – 12 December at KLCC

Update 8 December:
 The amount of discount has been revealed! You can get up to 80% discount on your PDRM and JPJ summonses; online payments are also eligible for the discount. More details can be found
here
.

The original article follows.

If you’ve got unpaid PDRM or JPJ summons, good news: you can get a discount later this week between 9 to 12 December at KLCC. Needless to say, it’s a great time to clear your summons – if you have any.

This discount is given out in celebration of the government’s 100 days of
Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia
. A payment counter will be opened at KLCCC from 9 to 12 December to get a discount on your PDRM or JPJ summons – the counter will be opened from 9AM to 10PM.

Unfortunately, the exact amount of discount is not detailed in the announcement, though it’s always a good thing to get a discount on summonses. PDRM summonses, in particular, are not discounted very often.

Do note that there’s a good chance only compoundable summonses are eligible for the discount. If the summon requires you to go to a court hearing, it’s unlikely that you’ll get to enjoy the savings. Anyway, if you’ve got a compoundable PDRM or JPJ summons, head on to KLCC between 9 to 12 December 2021 to get a discount.


Honda City Hatchback Lands in Malaysia – Four Variants, ULTRA Seats, From RM76k

After months of teasers, the Honda City Hatchback – which is replacing the Honda Jazz for the Malaysian market – has finally been launched in Malaysia. Just like its sedan sibling, four different variants of the B-segment hatchback are offered here, including the highest-end RS e:HEV hybrid model.

First, let’s talk prices. The most affordable S variant of the City Hatchback costs RM75,670, while the mid-tier E model is priced at RM83,080. As for the V trim – the range-topping petrol variant – it goes for RM87,860. Do note that these prices are with sales tax exemption applied
until 30 June 2022
.

Unfortunately, the highest-end RS e-HEV hybrid model will only be available here sometime in early 2022, so we’ll only know how much this trim costs once it is launched then.

The City Hatchback RS

Anyway, as its name suggests, the City Hatchback is basically the hatchback version of the City sedan, so both models are quite similar to each other. The petrol variants, for one, are powered by the same 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque. It is paired to a CVT gearbox, with drive sent to the front wheels.

The City Hatchback RS, on the other hand, features a Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain that delivers 109PS and 253Nm of torque out of an electric motor; this is what powers the car most of the time. The RS has a 1.5L engine too that does 98PS and 127Nm of torque, but it mainly acts as a generator for the electric motor. The 1.5L mill is only used at higher speeds.

The City Hatchback V

It’s also worth noting that the City Hatchback RS is the only model to get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety system. It’s made up of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

But what really sets the City Hatchback apart from the City sedan are the ULTRA seats, the signature feature of the Jazz. Thanks to this ingenious seat design, you can fold the seats down (flat) or completely flipped up to accommodate cargos of different shapes and sizes.

If the Honda City Hatchback piqued your interest, you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to place a booking. Alternatively, can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Honda City Hatchback – Honda Malaysia Targets 1k Monthly Sales; 2k Bookings Received

Seems like the Honda City Hatchback is quite popular among Malaysians. Initially open for booking just last month in November 2021, over 2,000 bookings have already been placed for the B-segment hatchback – that’s a respectable figure.

According to Honda Malaysia, it’s targeting to sell 1,000 units of the City Hatchback every month. If the Japanese carmaker can keep up the current sales momentum for the hatchback, it can certainly hit that figure – and then some.

Of course, given that full details of the City Hatchback were only revealed today, there’s no specific breakdown of which variant received the most bookings. However, historically – for the City sedan, anyway – the V model is usually the most popular variant.

To recap, the City Hatchback starts at RM75,670 for the base S model, going up to RM83,080 for the mid-tier E trim. The V variant, on the other hand, goes for RM87,860. Unfortunately, the RS e:HEV hybrid model will only be arriving in Malaysia sometime in early 2022, so we don’t know yet how much it costs locally.

Delivery for the Honda City Hatchback will begin in January 2022 next month. If you’re keen to get this B-segment hatchback, you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to place a booking. Alternatively, can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Over 22k 5th-Gen Honda City Sold in Malaysia – Only 5% Were RS Model

At the local launch of the
Honda City Hatchback
, Honda Malaysia revealed that over 22,000 units of the
fifth-generation Honda City
 sedan were sold in Malaysia. Of that amount, the top-of-the-line
RS e:HEV hybrid model
 only make up 5% of total sales.

It’s possible that the City RS’ RM105,950.45 price tag – that’s almost RM20,000 more than the V trim (RM86,561.45), the range-topping petrol model – is one of the key reasons it’s not quite as popular among Malaysians. It was also only made available here five months after the other models were launched locally.

That being said, Honda Malaysia did say that the sales performance of the City RS is within the company’s expectations. On top of that, the carmaker added that feedback from owners of the hybrid model have been positive too.

While not many units of the Honda City RS e:HEV were sold in Malaysia, it seems that those who actually bought the hybrid sedan are quite happy with it. It’ll be interesting to see how the City Hatchback RS will fare here once it is launched locally sometime in early 2022.


Video: Honda City Hatchback Launch in Malaysia

The Honda City Hatchback has finally been launched in Malaysia! With a sportier-looking design than its
sedan sibling
, the new B-segment hatchback is replacing the Jazz for the Malaysian market.

Even though we won’t be getting the cute new Jazz, the City Hatchback does get the former’s signature ULTRA seats. Thanks to this ingenious seat design, you can fold the seats down (flat) or completely flipped up to accommodate cargos of different shapes and sizes.

If you’d like to see the ULTRA seats in action, watch our video of the Honda City Hatchback above! You can place a booking for the hatchback at your nearest Honda dealership. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Deal: Nintendo Switch OLED Price Drops to RM1,549

It hasn’t been that long since the
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
 was launched, but it seems like the price of the portable console is steadily going down. Previously going
for RM1,688
, you can now get the latest and greatest Switch
for only RM1,549
.

This deal is offered by Shopee Mall retailer Impulse Gaming; one of the most renowned game stores in Malaysia. Both the new
White and Neon colour options
 are available from Impulse, but only the White model is going for RM1,549. Do note that you’ll only get a 3-month warranty from Impulse itself for this particular unit.

If you want a 12-month warranty from Maxsoft instead – the official distributor of Nintendo products in Southeast Asia – you’ll have to fork out an extra RM50 for a total of RM1,599. It’s worth the price difference, in our opinion.

Compared to its predecessor, the new OLED Switch features a larger 7-inch OLED panel with thinner bezels. It also has double the internal storage at 64GB, and the stand sees a design revision as well. Instead of the original Switch’s fragile-looking stand, this new Switch uses a much sturdier, wider stand that is also adjustable.

Other changes introduced in the new OLED Switch include a new dock with a wired LAN port, “enhanced audio” from the system’s onboard speakers, and between 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life – the same quoted battery life as its predecessor.

If you want to get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
for only RM1,549
, you can do so from Impulse Gaming on Shopee. At the time of writing, only three units are left, so be quick if you want to get the new Switch at this low price.


Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection Coming to PS5 on 28 January for RM209

Initially announced for the PS5 and PC back in September this year, we finally have a release date for
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
. Well, for the PS5 version anyway – the title will be arriving on the next-gen console next month on 28 January 2022.

Unfortunately, there’s no release date yet for the PC version of the collection, which is a remaster of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. It’s worth noting that this is the first time any of the Uncharted franchise is releasing on the PC.

Nonetheless, Sony did reveal some details for the PS5 version of the Legacy of Thieves Collection. There are three performance modes: Fidelity (4K at 30fps), Performance (60fps), and Performance+, which targets 120fps at 1080p.

Of course, players can also expect “near instant” loading times with the PS5 version of Legacy of Thieves. The DualSense’s much improved haptic feedback and adaptive triggers will be implemented in the game too, as expected.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection will be available on PS5 next month on 28 January 2022; the PC version’s release date will be revealed in the near future. You can
pre-order the game for the PS5 now for RM209
, but if you own Uncharted 4 or Lost Legacy already, you have the option to pay only RM40 to upgrade to the Legacy of Thieves Collection.


Uncharted 4 & Lost Legacy (Standalone) Removed From PlayStation Store

Just as the release date for
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
 was revealed for the PS5, the standalone versions of Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy for the PS4 were removed from the PlayStation Store. If you want to get either games on the PS4 now, you’ll have to get the bundle of the two games instead,
which costs RM169
.

While that price looks a little steep for titles that were released quite some time ago, it does make sense for those who plan to upgrade to
Legacy of Thieves (RM209)
 on the PS5. After all, those who purchase this bundle can upgrade to the remastered versions of the games for only RM40, so you’re basically paying the same amount of money in total.

Do note that if you’ve previously claimed Uncharted 4
through your PlayStation Plus subscription
, you won’t be eligible for the RM40 upgrade, as expected. If you have a
physical copy of Uncharted 4 or The Lost Legacy
 though, you will be able to enjoy the RM40 upgrade, but you’ll need to insert the physical disc every time you launch the game.

It’s not ideal that players are now forced to purchase both Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy in a bundle now – especially if they want to play just one of them – but you can purchase physical copies of the games instead. Nonetheless, if you prefer getting your games digitally, you can get the bundle on the
PlayStation Store for RM169
.


PSA: Buy Uncharted 4 or Lost Legacy Now to Get Legacy of Thieves for Only RM40

Sony just revealed the release date and pricing of
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
 on the PS5. The upgrade path for the upcoming collection is detailed too, allowing existing owners of Uncharted 4 or The Lost Legacy for the PS4 to get Legacy of Thieves –
which retails at RM209
 – for only RM40 come 28 January 2022.

With that in mind, now’s a great time to purchase the aforementioned two games. Even though the digital copies of the two games
have been removed from the PlayStation Store
, you can still get them in physical copy.

Right now, Uncharted 4 is going
for only RM79
 from renowned game store Impulse Gaming. Same goes for The Lost Legacy; HeavyArm (also a notable game store) is
listing the game at RM79
. If you purchase either one of these games and opt for the RM40 upgrade to Legacy of Thieves, you’re only paying RM119 for the PS5 game – great deal, isn’t it?

However, do note that you’ll need to insert the physical disc of Uncharted 4 or The Lost Legacy every time you launch Legacy of Thieves on the PS5. Obviously, if you have a PS5 Digital Edition, you won’t be able to take advantage of this benefit.

Of course, if you want to play both Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy right now, you can just get the digital bundle,
which costs RM169 on the PlayStation Store
. Yes, you can still upgrade to Legacy of Thieves for RM40 come 28 January 2022 (when the game is released) if you purchase this bundle.