2022 Toyota Vios Sees up to RM3,007 Price Hike – Now With SST Included

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) also released news prices for the Toyota Vios, which now includes SST, just like the
Yaris
. Although the sales tax exemption is only set to end on 30 June, new bookings of the B-segment sedan are only expected to be delivered in Q3 2022; hence the new prices with SST included.

Effectively immediately, the Vios now starts at RM77,600 for the base 1.5J variant, a price increase of RM2,977. The 1.5E, on the other hand, costs RM85,600 (RM3,007 price increase). As for the 1.5G and GR-S 1.5 trims, they are priced at RM90,400 and RM98,100 respectively; both see a RM2,816 price hike.

Do note that these are only estimated prices, so there’s a chance there will be changes in the future.

The regular Vios

The Vios GR-S

Regardless of which variant you go for – yes, even the Vios GR-S – the updated Vios soldiers on with the same Dual VVT-i 2NR-FE 1.5L engine that does 107PS and 140Nm of torque. It is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a seven-speed Shiftmatic mode, though the Vios GR-S gets a 10-speed CVT instead.

The 10-speed CVT isn’t the only equipment that’s unique to the Vios GR-S. It also comes with the aforementioned sports-tuned suspension for “increased handling and confidence in high speed as well as comfort,” 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats wrapped in leather and suede, and a more aggressively-styled aerokit than the regular Vios.

These differences aside, other aspects of the Vios GR-S are identical to the G model. That means it still features the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance systems, which is actually offered in all variants of the Vios except for the base J trim. Safety Sense includes Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and these two features can be switched off if the driver doesn’t need them.

Every model of the Vios also gets seven airbags, but only the G variant gets leather wrapped steering wheel and seats; other trims of the regular Vios feature urethane steering wheels and fabric upholstery instead. Besides that, the facelifted Vios supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well, though the base J model does not.

The 2021 Toyota Vios facelift is now available for viewing and testing at all Toyota dealerships and UMWT branches. The Vios GR-S, on the other hand, can only be test driven at
selected showrooms
.


Perodua Achieves 61,624 Sales in Q1 2022 – Sold 26,759 Units in March 2022 Alone

Perodua’s sales performance for the year is off to a great start. In the first quarter of 2022, the national carmaker managed to sell an impressive 61,624 cars. Last month alone, Perodua registered as many as 26,759 units.

Compared to the same period in 2021, where Perodua sold 57,909 cars, the company’s sales see a 6.4% improvement in Q1 2022. The carmaker is also maintaining its lofty 247,000 sales target for the year. Given that Perodua is aiming to release one new model and two minor changes this year, it’s very possible the company can hit this sales target.

“Moving forward, we foresee the second quarter of 2022 to be the highlight for the automotive industry as brands will deliver as many vehicles as they can within that three-month period,” said the CEO and president of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“While semiconductor chip supply and COVID-19 would still influence production, we expect that production and registration will continue to improve. We do not foresee other factors such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to have a major impact on Perodua’s production moving forward,” he added.


Perodua: Extension of Sales Tax Exemption Is What the Industry Needs

The current sales tax exemption – which has already been extended
three times already
 – is set to end on 30 June 2022. Since the exemption period is set to end this quarter, Perodua is asking for a further extension from the government.

“Perodua also echoes MAA’s (Malaysia Automotive Association) request to further extend the sales tax exemption as factors such as the global semiconductor supply disruption and Covid-19 cases are still impacting the industry,” said the CEO and president of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Right now, the local automotive ecosystem is starting to recover and an extension in the sales tax exemption is what the industry needs for sustained growth during this recovery period,” he added.

Originally introduced in June 2020 – yes, it was first announced two years ago – the sales tax exemption was implemented to help the automotive sector recover lost sales due to the adverse economical effects of COVID-19. CKD cars – which also include SUVs and MPVs, of course – get 100% sales tax exemption, while CBU models receive 50% exemption instead.

It remains to be seen if the government will give a fourth extension to the sales tax exemption for passenger cars in Malaysia. Given that there are three months left before the exemption period ends, there’s still some time for the government to deliberate.


Video: Keychron K8 Pro Sound Test With Boba U4T

Here’s our sound test of the Keychron K8 Pro! What makes this keyboard particularly interesting – aside from its $74 (about RM310) starting price – is the fact that this is a wireless TKL keyboard with support for QMK and VIA.

Custom keyboards with QMK and VIA compatibility are usually wired, which is what gives the K8 Pro wireless keyboard its unique appeal. Of course, there’s also its affordable pricing,
starting at only $74
 for the barebone version, which doesn’t come with switches or keycaps.

The Keychron K8 Pro is now
available for backing on Kickstarter
 until 15 April next week. Shipping will begin next month in May 2022, so you don’t have to wait too long to get the keyboard. As always, stay tuned for our review of the K8 Pro!


Honda Malaysia’s New MD/CEO Is Hironobu Yoshimura – Succeeds Madoka Chujo

Honda Malaysia just announced the appointment of Hironobu Yoshimura as the brand’s new managing director and CEO from 1 April 2022. He takes over from Madoka Chujo a year after her tenure as she heads back to Japan to assume a new role at Honda Motor Company in the sales division of the automobile operations sales supervisory unit.

Yoshimura brings with him over 34 years of experience, having held key roles within Honda in various countries, including Japan, Thailand, and Pakistan. Prior to his role as MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, he was the president and CEO of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited.

“I am excited to take up this new role at Honda Malaysia. This unique and diverse nation is truly an important market in the Asia and Oceania region for us at Honda,” Yoshimura said.

“Honda Malaysia has persevered through and overcame many challenges over the years. I look forward to leading the company in a post-pandemic business environment and to contribute positively towards the growth of the company,” he added.


3 Honda Models Segment Leaders in Q1 2022 in Malaysia – Civic, City, City Hatchback

Right after his appointment as the
new managing director and CEO
 of Honda Malaysia, Hironobu Yoshimura revealed that three Honda models were ranked first in their respective segments. These include the all-new 11th generation
Honda Civic
, the
Honda City
 sedan, as well as the
Honda City Hatchback
.

Unfortunately, beyond confirming this, no other details were revealed, though it’s no mystery that these three models are very popular. So much so, in fact, that no discounts are given for two of the three models – only the City sedan is currently offered with a
RM2,000 discount for April 2022
.

Speaking of which, Honda Malaysia also previously revealed that the City was the carmaker’s best-selling model in January and February 2022. As of early last month, as many as
32,500 units of the B-segment sedan
 are on Malaysian roads – that’s an impressive figure.

If you’re interested to get any of these Honda models (especially within the
sales tax exemption period
), 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
.


Keychron K8 Pro Hands-On: Not Your Typical Pre-Built Keyboard

Pre-built keyboards, while readily available, don’t offer the best typing experience money can buy. Granted, most of them are also quite a bit more affordable than custom keyboards – and some nice creature comforts like wireless support – but you’re still losing out on customisability and overall refinement.

That’s where the Keychron K8 Pro come in. Not only is it budget-friendly, this pre-built
wireless
 TKL keyboard also offers many features typically found on custom keyboards, including a hotswap PCB, screw-in stabilisers, as well as support for QMK and VIA for easy key mapping. The best part? You won’t have to wait long to get it either.

The Keychron K8 Pro is currently
available for backing on Kickstarter
 until 15 April next week. Shipping will begin next month in May 2022, which is really quite fast. Granted, it’s still not as readily available as an off-the-shelf keyboard, but you
are
 getting some neat features with this pre-built.

So how much does the K8 Pro cost? Well, it starts at only $74, which comes up to about RM310. That’s for the barebone version, which doesn’t come with switches or keycaps. If you want the fully assembled version, it will set you back $84 (approximately RM355), though you’ll only get white backlit lighting.

If you want RGB lighting, you’ll have to add on $10 (around RM40). There is also a more premium version of the keyboard with an aluminium frame for $104 (about RM440); this is the version you see in this hands-on.

As mentioned, the K8 Pro is a wireless TKL keyboard. With Bluetooth 5.1, it can be paired with up to three different devices. The key mapping of the keyboard can also be changed through QMK and VIA, though it’s worth noting that VIA doesn’t automatically detect the K8 Pro yet in my testing. It makes sense, given that the keyboard will only start shipping next month.

Anyway, the K8 Pro also has a hotswap PCB, so it’s very easy to swap out switches without desoldering. It also has south-facing LEDs, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues with keycaps of various profiles and switches with shorter stem poles.

Okay, so how is it like to type on the K8 Pro? Well, surprisingly nice! I installed the
Gazzew Boba U4T Thocky
 switch on this keyboard, and paired with the Akko Black & Pink ASA keycaps, the K8 Pro can produce quite a deep, “thocky” sound profile. There’s also no pinging of any kind, thanks to the bottom plastic case with a silicone sheet.

However, the K8 Pro is a stiff keyboard. Its combination of a steel plate and a tray-mount system offers no flex at all, so you get a hard, “harsh” feeling whenever you bottom out. This is in stark contrast to, say, the gasket-mounted
Keychron Q1
, which offers a ton of flex for a soft, comfortable typing feel.

Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a matter of preference, though I personally prefer a softer typing experience.

Typing feel aside, I’m quite impressed with the stock stabilisers of the K8 Pro. The screw-in nature of these stabilisers make for a tight, secure fit, so the stabilised keys don’t feel…well, loose. This tightness also minimises rattling and ticking on the stabilisers, which is further improved by the factory lube on the wires.

However, while the lube does a decent job of silencing the stabilisers, there are still some ticking and rattling, especially on the enter and left shift keys. But overall, these are pretty darn good stabilisers out of the box, especially for a pre-built keyboard.

With some added lube, I reckon these stabilisers will perform very well. Of course, there’s also the option to just swap them out for a different set of stabilisers if you so desire.

All in all, the Keychron K8 Pro is really quite a good pre-built keyboard. It’s relatively affordable, it has a hotswap PCB, the screw-in stabilisers are more than adequate without tuning, and most of all, you don’t have to wait for months on end to get the keyboard in your hands.

Long waiting time has always been one of the most frustrating aspects of the custom keyboard hobby, so in this regard, the K8 Pro certainly has the edge. Plus, despite its pre-built nature, you’re still getting some convenient features such as wireless support and easy key mapping via QMK or VIA.

If you’re keen to get the K8 Pro, you can
back it on Kickstarter
 now; do note that you’ve only got until 15 April to back the project. We’re currently working on our full video review of the K8 Pro, so stay tuned for that!


Apple’s WWDC22 Starts 6 June – Expect New iOS & MacOS Details

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) for 2022 is happening in the next two months. Set to take place from 6 to 10 June, it will be another online-only affair, where the Cupertino company will reveal “the latest innovations in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.”

Although WWDC22 is an online conference this year, Apple will actually hold an in-person session at Apple Park on 6 June. Both developers and students can watch the keynote and State of the Union videos together, though space will be limited. More details on how to apply for the session will be provided on the
Apple Developer site
 and app soon.

As mentioned, WWDC is where Apple unveils its latest software, so we can expect to get details on new iterations of iOS, macOS, and iPadOS at the conference, among other things. WWDC also allows developers to learn how to create “groundbreaking apps and interactive experiences,” as Apple puts it.

While software is a big part of WWDC, Apple has also introduced a number of new hardware at the event in the past, including new Macs and iPads. With the rumour of a new M2 processor coming to Macs this year, it’s possible we’ll learn more about the upcoming chip at WWDC22 on 6 June.


Hearthstone’s Year of the Hydra Arrives 12 April 2022 – Set Rotation & Core Set Updated

Hearthstone’s set rotation is happening next week! The current Year of the Gryphon will be replaced by the Year of the Hydra come 12 April 2022, which is also when the Voyage to the Sunken City expansion goes live.

Naturally, the Year of the Hydra marks the rotation of several sets from the Standard format. These include Ashes of Outland, Scholomance Academy, and Madness at the Darkmoon Faire. The Core Set also sees an update; 57 cards are taken out, and they will be replaced by 72 cards.

The 72 cards that will be a part of the new Core Set are not new cards. Rather, they are cards released in previous expansions, and some classics that are returning include Reno Jackson, Brann Bronzebeard, Elise Starseeker, and Sir Finley Mrrgglton. Yes, the original League of Explorers are coming back to the Standard format.

The Year of the Hydra rotation in Hearthstone will happen on 12 April next week. The Voyage to the Sunken City expansion will also go live on the same day. More details on the expansion and set rotation can be found
here
.


7 – 13 April Fuel Price: RON 97 Down 10 Sen, Others Unchanged

RON 97 is going down in price this week! For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 will drop by 10 sen per litre. 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 RM3.81 per litre (down from RM3.91). 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 6 to 13 April 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Mode Sonnet Pre-Orders Open 22 April – 75% Custom Keyboard From $299

Mode finally announced the pre-order date for its upcoming 75% keyboard, the Mode Sonnet. Touted by the brand to be its “best keyboard yet,” the Sonnet is offered in a variety of materials and accent pieces that is configurable
right here
, and you can pre-order it from 22 April onwards.

It’s worth noting that once pre-orders for the Sonnet begin, it will remain open
indefinitely
. Mode’s goal is to make the Sonnet as accessible as possible by doing so. This is really a great move by the brand to make custom keyboards more readily available.

Just like the
Mode SixtyFive
 and
Eighty
, the Sonnet can be mounted in two ways: isolated top mount or stack mount (the silicone base add-on is required for this). What’s unique to the Sonnet is the bottom case with “precision-milled” curves, which give the keyboard a…premium aesthetic, in our opinion.

The Mode Sonnet will be available for pre-order from 22 April at 10AM PST; that’s 23 April at 1AM for us here in Malaysia. While it starts at $299 (about RM1,260), the price will go up depending on the materials and options that you pick for the keyboard. You can configure your own Sonnet on
Mode’s website
.


PS5 Pre-Orders Open Again From Sony Centre Mid Valley Until 9 April 2022

It’s been quite some time since the PS5 was launched in Malaysia
, but it’s still a challenge to get a unit of the highly sought-after next-gen console. If you’re feeling lucky, good news: Sony Centre Mid Valley is accepting pre-orders of the PS5 yet again.

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 Google Form
. If you’re fortunate enough to be selected, you will be contacted on 11 April to finalise your pre-order of the next-gen console.

Do note that you only have until 9 April at 2PM this Saturday 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.


Acer Launches 4 New Monitors in Malaysia From RM899 & Sinar Raya With Acer Campaign

Acer just launched four new monitors in Malaysia. These include the high-end Predator X28 gaming monitor, Nitro EI322QURP, Nitro XZ306CX, and the most affordable of the lot, the Acer CB292CU.

Let’s start with the most premium offering, the RM3,699 Predator X28. Sporting a sharp 28-inch 3840 x 2160 UHD “Agile-Splendor” IPS display, the refresh rate of this panel can be overclocked to 152Hz. It also features Nvidia G-Sync technology and VESA DisplayHDR 400, along with Nvidia Reflex for lower latency.

The Predator X28

The Nitro EI3

The Nitro XZ3

The Acer CB2

And then we have the more affordable Nitro EI3 and XZ3; both of them are curved monitors for only RM1,299. The EI3 has a 31.5-inch 2560 x 1440 VA screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, while the XZ3 packs a faster 200Hz VA panel, though it’s a slightly smaller 29.5-inch 2560 x 1080 ultrawide display. Just like the higher-end X28, these two monitors meet the VESA DisplayHDR 400 standard too.

Last but not least is the Acer CB2 monitor, the most affordable monitor here with a RM899 price tag. For that kind of money, it comes with a 29-inch Full HD IPS display. Though this ultrawide monitor doesn’t have a high refresh rate, it does come with AMD FreeSync support.

In conjunction with Ramadan and the coming Hari Raya celebration, Acer Malaysia is also running its Sinar Raya with Acer campaign until 30 April. If you purchase selected Acer products, you can get a 10% rebate in TNG eWallet credit.


Meletrix Zoom65 Essential Edition Pre-Orders Open in Malaysia on 8 April From RM675

The
Meletrix Zoom65
 is one of the best custom keyboards to get if you want good value for money. But if you don’t fancy the keycaps and switches that are bundled with it, consider the Zoom665 Essential Edition. You can configure almost every part of the keyboard, and it will be available for pre-order here in Malaysia tomorrow.

Malaysian pre-orders of the Zoom65 Essential Edition is handled by none other than Rebult Keyboards. Pre-orders of the keyboard will open on 8 April tomorrow at 8PM with a RM675 starting price. The value proposition isn’t quite as good as the regular Zoom65 – given that you’re not getting keycaps and switches – but it’s still decent.

Just like the standard model, the Zoom65 Essential Edition uses a gasket mounting system with a full aluminium body, rotary encoder, polycarbonate plate, and of course, a hotswap PCB. Interestingly, this PCB also supports Bluetooth 5.0 with VIA compatibility.

Yes, the Zoom65 Essential Edition is a wireless custom keyboard, and a 2,300mAh battery is bundled with it too. Also packaged together with this keyboard are Wuque Studio’s stabilisers, a carrying case,
and
 a coiled USB-C cable.

You can pre-order the Meletrix Zoom65 Essential Edition tomorrow on 8 April at 8PM through
Rebult Keyboards’ official website
; pre-orders will close on 21 April. Deliveries are expected to begin sometime in June or July 2022.


Drop to Introduce New MT2 Keycap Profile – 3 Colourways, Cherry-Like Profile

Drop (sort of) announced a new keycap profile.
Dubbed MT2
 – though it is quite different from the much taller
MT3 profile
 – it looks to be similar to Cherry profile keycaps, and the company said it has “ambitious goals” for the new keycap profile.

The new MT2 profile will debut in three colourways in the coming weeks: White-on-Black, Black-on-White – classic options, basically – and Genesis for those that want a more eye-popping colour scheme. Given that Drop has released MT3 keycaps in various colourways, we imagine the same will be done for MT2 keycaps.

From top to bottom: WoB, BoW, Genesis

Among the goals Drop set out for these MT2 keycaps are “industry-leading legend tolerances,” keycaps that are free from exterior blemishes and imperfections, and interestingly enough, a cylindrical profile. This is a stark contrast over the more spherical profile of MT3 keycaps.

Nonetheless, we’ll learn more about Drop’s new MT2 keycap profile in the near future. It’ll be interesting to see how much it will be priced at; if priced right – with good quality control, of course – we reckon the MT2 keycaps will be quite compelling.


Recycle Your Unwanted Electronics With Vivo Until 30 April 2022

Now this is a good effort in reducing e-waste by Vivo Malaysia. In partnership with Electronic Recycling Through Heroes (ERTH), you can recycle unwanted electronics at selected Vivo stores in Malaysia from 8 to 30 April 2022.

So what kind of electronics can you recycle through this initiative by Vivo Malaysia? A few of them, actually. These include smartphones, laptops, small electrical appliances – they have to fit into the collection box, after all – as well as used batteries.

“We at Vivo recognise that e-waste is a growing concern globally. As technology advances, we need to also accelerate the management and disposal of our e-waste, to ensure better living with technology,” said the CEO of Vivo Malaysia, Mike Xu.

“We want to open up avenues for Malaysians to recycle their e-waste with ease in a safe and convenient environment, and hope through this initiative that Malaysians can adopt recycling their e-waste for a better future,” he added.

If you want to recycle your unwanted electronics with Vivo Malaysia, you can drop them off at these locations:

Vivo Flagship Store, Pavilion KL
Vivo Concept Store, Pavilion Bukit Jalil
Vivo Concept Store, Central i-City
Vivo Concept Store, Setia City Mall
Vivo Concept Store, AEON Bukit Tinggi


Smart #1 EV Launched – What You Need to Know About This Malaysia-Bound Electric SUV

Smart just unveiled its first vehicle under the joint venture between Daimler and Geely. Dubbed Smart #1 – pronounced “hashtag one” instead of number one, believe it or not – this electric vehicle (EV) is developed by Geely, and it’s coming to Malaysia under Proton Edar.

Needless to say, the prospect of the Smart #1 entering the Malaysian market in the near future (likely sometime in 2023) is exciting. This is especially the case with the
current incentives given by the government
 to push for the adoption of EVs in Malaysia.

If you’re interested to get the electric SUV once it’s available on our shores, here’s what you need to know about the Smart #1.

Fast Performance, Good Range

Powering the Smart #1 is a single motor driving the rear wheels. It outputs 272PS and 343Nm of torque, which are very respectable figures. No 0-100kmph sprint time was given, though Smart did say the #1 has a top speed of 180kmph.

Range is one of the most important aspects of an EV, and in this regard, the Smart #1 offers between 420km to 440km of range on the WLTP cycle. Reasonably good range out of a 66kWh battery, which can be recharged from 10% to 80% in only 30 minutes via a 150kW DC fast charger. It takes 3 hours for a 22kW AC charger to provide the same charge.

Level 2 Autonomous Driving

As with most modern cars in this segment, the Smart #1 features level 2 autonomous driving. This allows the electric SUV to control both the throttle and steering under certain conditions, thanks to the adaptive cruise control with stop and go function and active lane keeping assist.

On top of that, the Smart #1 also has blind spot assist, highway and traffic jam assist, auto parking assist, along with adaptive high beam assist. All in all, a rather sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems. It also has seven airbags for added safety.

Modern, Almost Futuristic Interior

There’s no denying that the Smart #1 has a very unique interior. One of the most eye-catching elements is the 12.8-inch 1080p floating infotainment screen in the centre console. Not only is this a large display, it’s also a fully integrated infotainment system.

Climate control, lights and sound, navigation, profile selection and preferences for your trip, as well as most functions of the car can be adjusted with this touch-enabled screen. While this makes for a more minimal-looking interior, we imagine some folks may not be thrilled by the absence of, say, physical dials to control the air-conditioning system.

Anyway, aside from the infotainment screen, the Smart #1 also has a 9.2-inch Full HD digital instrument cluster, along with a 10-inch head-up display.

Sleek Exterior

On the outside, the Smart #1 is quite the looker. The full-width LED headlights and taillights of the electric SUV are eye-catching, and it even has concealed electric door handles (almost like a Tesla), frameless doors, and a floating roof design complete with a sunroof. It can also be fitted with large 19-inch wheels.

Dimension wise, the Smart #1 measures 4,270mm long, 1,822mm wide, and 1,636mm tall with a 2,750mm wheelbase. Basically, this is a quite a sizeable SUV, though the 273L boot space (411L with the rear seats folded) isn’t particularly big. There’s also a 15L front boot to keep smaller items.

What About Pricing?

Unfortunately, Smart did not reveal the price of the Smart #1, though it is said to compete with other EVs such as the
Hyundai Kona Electric
, which is priced between RM149,888 to RM199,888 in Malaysia. Of course, it remains to be seen the #1 will sit in the same price range as well.

Nonetheless, it’s worth reiterating the
incentives offered by the Malaysian government
 for EVs right now. Import duty, excise duty, and sales tax will not be applied to the sales of EVs in Malaysia. This is the very reason why EVs such as the
Volvo XC40 Recharge
 and
Mercedes-Benz EQA
 are priced quite well locally.

When Will It Be Available?

The Smart #1 will go into production towards the end of the year; deliveries are expected to begin in 2023. However, it remains to be seen if this will also apply to the Malaysian market, even though it’s confirmed that Proton Edar will be the importer, distributor, and dealer for Smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand.

As per the memorandum of agreement signed between Proton and Smart, Proton Edar will handle the sales and service network for Smart models in these two markets too.

Hopefully, the Smart #1 will enter the Malaysian market sooner rather than later. While it’s unlikely that the electric SUV will be an “affordable” EV on our shores – even with all of the incentives given by the government – it’s always a good thing to have more options for those who are looking to own an EV here.


Genshin Impact Offers PlayStation Plus-Only Free Bundle – Refreshes Every Version Update

Now this is interesting: Hoyoverse quietly added a new
Genshin Impact
 bundle exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Not only can eligible players claim the bundle for free, it will also be refreshed every time a new version update is released for Genshin Impact.

This was outlined by Hoyoverse through an in-game notice accessible on the PlayStation version of Genshin Impact. The exclusive bundle offers 2x Fragile Resin, 20x Hero’s Wit, 15x Mystic Enhancement Ore, as well as 50,000 Mora.

Unfortunately, the bundle does not offer any Primogems, though there’s no denying that these freebies are still quite helpful. Fragile Resin, for example, are helpful when it comes to farming for artifacts or boss material. Plus, you can get these items
every time
 a version update is released.

If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you can get the exclusive bundle for Genshin Impact on the
PlayStation Store
. Do note that you’ll have to log into the game on the PS5 or PS4 within 365 days after claiming the bundle to get the freebies through the in-game mail.


Deal: Get up to 30% Discount on Premium (In-Stock) GMK Keycaps From Drop Right Now

If you’ve always wanted a GMK keycap set, but can’t justify the
long waiting time
 or paying a premium for the in-stock extras sale, this deal is for you. For a limited time, Drop is offering selected GMK sets – some of them are ready to ship, to boot – with
up to 30% discount
.

Among the GMK keycaps on sale, the GMK Red Samurai set is the most affordable, starting at only $59 (about RM250) for the 65% kit. Needless to say, this is a
fantastic
 price for a premium GMK keycap set, though you’ll have to make sure the kitting has all the keys you need for your particular keyboard.

GMK Red Samurai on
KBDfans’ KBD67 Lite

It’s also worth noting that although Drop says these are in-stock keycaps, some of them will not ship immediately. The aforementioned GMK Red Samurai, for one, is only expected to start shipping on 18 May 2022. Shipping for the GMK Pulse is also quite a bit later on 31 May 2022.

Nonetheless, it’s not often GMK keycaps are discounted this much. This deal is valid until 11 April at 11:59PM PST (12 April at 2:59PM for us here in Malaysia) or while stocks last, so if you like any of these GMK sets,
make your purchase by then
.


2022 Perodua Myvi GearUp Bodykit Teased – Coming Soon

Perodua just posted a teaser for the
2022 Perodua Myvi
‘s new GearUp bodykit! Previously leaked in full, the upcoming bodykit is an aggressive one; ideal for folks that want to give the facelifted Myvi a sportier look.

The teaser for the new Myvi’s GearUp bodykit was posted on Perodua’s social media pages. Unfortunately, only the front end of the bodykit was shown, revealing the sizeable bumper add-on piece with a two-tone colour scheme.

In the teaser, the GearUp bodykit is shown on the Ivory White Myvi – the kit looks especially good with this particular paint job, in our opinion. The black bits on the bodykit (which also extends to the front lip), contrast very well with the white hatchback.

No word yet on when the 2022 Myvi’s GearUp bodykit will be available for purchase, though it’s said to be “coming soon” to authorised Perodua showrooms. If you’d like to book the new Myvi, you can do so
over here
.

Myvi GearUp – ACE YOUR STYLE

The Perodua GearUp extras are here to ace and enhance The New Myvi's look.
Coming soon at all authorised Perodua showrooms. Book The New Myvi online now:
https://t.co/FTSHT0aN4K

#Perodua

#NewMyvi

#NextStandard

#MyviGearUp

pic.twitter.com/JRQi08PWTw
— Perodua (@perodua)
April 11, 2022


Deal: Nintendo Switch OLED Price Drops to RM1,349

It’s been a while since the
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
 was launched, so not surprisingly, the price of the portable console is steadily going down. Previously going for
as low as RM1,459
, you can now get the latest and greatest Switch
at

only RM1,349
.

This deal is offered by Shopee Mall retailer Impulse Gaming; one of the most renowned game stores in Malaysia. Unfortunately, only the
White colour option
 is available now, and curiously, both the Maxsoft and export sets are listed at the same price.

Given that the Maxsoft set offers a 12-month warranty – Maxsoft is the official distributor of Nintendo products in Southeast Asia – it’s definitely the variant to go for. The export unit only comes with a 3-month warranty from Impulse itself.

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 RM1,349
, you can do so from Impulse Gaming on Shopee. Not sure if it’s worth upgrading from an older model? Then check out our comparison
between the new OLED Switch and the original one
.


Drop Releases More Info on MT2 Keycaps – In-Stock Availability, ABS Plastic, PBT in Pipeline

Drop
released more details
 on its upcoming MT2 keycap sets, and they seem quite promising. Not only are these keycaps said to offer the “sharpest, crispest legends,” they will be sold as in-stock products as well – a very enticing prospect in the custom keyboard hobby.

Judging by the MT2 keycaps shown below, the legends do look nice and sharp, though they don’t appear to be quite as thick as GMK’s legends. This is an important comparison, given that GMK keycaps are largely considered to be the gold standard.

Aside from that, the base kit of MT2 keycaps will be compatible with a wide variety of keyboard layouts too. They are also made from “high quality ABS plastic” that MT3 keycaps use, and interestingly enough, Drop is looking into releasing PBT options as well.

As mentioned, Drop said that MT2 sets will be offered as in-stock products, adding that it “can make sets quickly and efficiently at scale.” No word yet on exactly when MT2 keycaps will be released, though Drop said it is only “weeks away from shipping our first production keycaps.”


Here’s What You Get With the RM150 ePemula Credit From ShopeePay, TNG, BigPay & GrabPay

If you’re a full-time student (undertaking diploma or SKM4 and above in Malaysia) or between the age of 18 to 20 (born in 2002 to 2004), you can claim RM150 worth of credit from four ewallet services today! These include ShopeePay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, and GrabPay.

On top of the RM150 ePemula credit, these ewallet services also offer additional incentives. Depending on what you want – or whichever platform you prefer – one option could be better than the others. If you’re having trouble picking which platform to claim your RM150 ePemula credit from, we have outlined the different benefits these ewallet services provide below.

ShopeePay

If you’re an avid ShopeePay user, claiming the RM150 ePemula credit from this platform may be the best option for you. Aside from the RM150 ePemula credit, you’re also getting a generous RM500 worth of vouchers, so you’re effectively enjoying RM650 worth of benefits from ShopeePay.

The RM500 extra vouchers include RM90 for ShopeePay, RM310 for ShopeeFood, RM50 for Shopee Mall, and even a RM50 YES voucher for SIM and data. Unlike the RM150 ePemula credit, which can only be used for offline purchases, the extra RM500 vouchers from ShopeePay can be spent offline and online through the app.

More details on ShopeePay’s ePemula benefits (along with the claim process) can be found
here
.

GrabPay

GrabPay’s extra incentives are not too shabby either. Although its RM210 extra vouchers on top of the RM150 ePemula credit are not quite as generous as Shopee’s, it could be worth it for folks that order a lot of food delivery with GrabFood, among other things.

The RM210 vouchers from GrabPay is divided into RM150 for GrabFood and RM60 from Grab’s partners, including Harvey Norman, FamilyMart, Starbucks, and Watsons. If these incentives tickle your fancy, you can claim your ePemula credit from GrabPay
right here
.

TNG eWallet

TNG eWallet gives out RM200 worth of vouchers to every successful ePemula applicant, so this platform’s offer is the least attractive if you’re looking at sheer monetary value. Unfortunately, TNG eWallet did not specify either what (or where) the RM200 vouchers can be used for.

Nonetheless, if TNG eWallet is the ewallet you use the most, it can be worth it to claim for your RM150 ePemula credit from the platform. However, it’s worth mentioning that the RM150 credit cannot be used for toll or parking payment. More details are available can be found on
TNG’s website
.

BigPay

BigPay’s extra incentives are by far the best of the lot…in monetary value, at least. The ewallet service is offering a whopping RM1,500 in vouchers, including RM1,000 from AirAsia Academy, RM325 on various AirAsia flights and hotel deals, RM76 to be used on AirAsia Deliveries, as well as a RM40 voucher from Zalora.

Although the RM1,500 extra benefits look great at a glance, it’s only worth it if you actually find the vouchers useful. That being said, one of BigPay’s biggest advantages is the fact that you also get a Mastercard or Visa prepaid card with the ewallet service, which can be used for an easier payment process without having to use your smartphone.

More details on BigPay’s ePemula benefits can be found
here
.

It’s worth mentioning again that no matter which platform you’re claiming the RM150 ePemula credit from, it can only be used for offline purchases. The RM150 credit is also only valid until 10 June 2022, so make sure you spend all of it by that date.

Despite its limitations, the RM150 ePemula credit is still beneficial to those who are eligible for the programme. After all, over two million youths and students are expected to benefit from this initiative, which also cost RM300 million to implement.


2022 Perodua Myvi GearUp Ace Bodykit Teased Again in Full

Perodua posted yet another teaser for the
2022 Perodua Myvi
‘s new GearUp Ace bodykit. The
last teaser
 only showed the front end of the bodykit, but this new video shows it in full, along with the aggressive (and sizeable) spoiler. Ideal for folks that want to give the facelifted Myvi a sportier look.

As usual, the teaser for the new Myvi’s Ace GearUp bodykit was posted on Perodua’s social media pages. We now get a glimpse of the side profile – revealing the two-tone side skirts to match the front end’s colour scheme – and also the rear end of the bodykit.

Aside from the new, larger spoiler, the rear end of the Myvi GearUp Ace bodykit also gives the rear bumper an extension, along with a diffuser-style trim. While it doesn’t look quite as aggressive as the front end of the bodykit, there’s enough going on to differentiate it from the standard model.

The teaser video also shows the previously revealed GearUp Ace seat covers for the 2022 Myvi, though there’s no mention on exactly when the new Ace bodykit will be available for purchase. If you’d like to book the new Myvi, you can do so
over here
.

Myvi GearUp – ACE ACCESSORIES
Look bolder, feel stylish, and up-to-date inside out with the Ace Bodykit and Ace Seat covers. Give your New Myvi continuous compliments. Book now at Perodua showrooms or online
https://t.co/FTSHT0affc

#NewMyvi

#MyviGearUp

#AceAccessories

pic.twitter.com/y9mauogsYa
— Perodua (@perodua)
April 12, 2022


UMW Toyota Records 22,447 Sales in Q1 2022 – New Model Launches Later in the Year

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) just revealed its sales figure for the first quarter of 2022. With over 22,447 units sold, the company is confident it can continue this upward trend for the rest of the year. On top of that, UMWT also revealed that it will introduce new models sometime this year.

In UMWT’s quarterly sales announcement, the company detailed its sales figure for February and March 2022 as well, with 6,432 and 8,487 units sold respectively. For the Lexus brand, 66 units were sold in February, while 101 units were registered the following month.

As for Toyota, 6,366 sales were recorded in February. The brand’s sales performance sees a noticeable improvement in March 2022, where 8,386 units were sold, a 32% increase in sales. UMWT attributes this to the deals offered for its best-sellers, including the
Vios
 and
Yaris
.

Interestingly, UMWT mentioned in the same press release that there will be “new product launches later in the year.” It remains to be seen what these new models will be, though they will certainly further bolster the sales performance of the company.


Honda City Hatchback V Sensing Now in Malaysia – Adds Honda Sensing for RM92k

Honda Malaysia just introduced a new variant of its B-segment hatchback. The Honda City Hatchback V Sensing, just like its
sedan counterpart of the same trim
, is essentially the 1.5L V model with the addition of Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems.

So how much does the new City Hatchback V Sensing cost? A cool RM91,708.51 with sales tax exemption applied until
30 June 2022
. For the sake of comparison, the regular City Hatchback V currently goes for RM87,860, so you’re paying exactly RM3,848.51 more for the V Sensing variant.

Given the extra safety features you’re getting with Honda Sensing, it’s worth the price difference, in our opinion. The system includes 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).

Aside from the addition of Honda Sensing, the City Hatchback V Sensing also gets a 7-inch digital instrument cluster instead of an analogue one. Beyond these two upgrades, other equipment of this new model are the exact same as the standard V model.

It’s still powered by the same 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque, and it is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The City Hatchback V Sensing also gets six airbags, Honda LaneWatch, 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Honda City Hatchback in the standard V trim

The Honda City Hatchback V Sensing is now available for booking in Malaysia. If you’re interested to get it, you can place your booking online
here
. Alternatively, bookings can be done through the HondaTouch app too – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Honda City V Sensing Made up 34% City Sales in Q1 2022

It seems like the Honda City V Sensing is quite a popular choice among Malaysians. At least, that’s the case for the first quarter of 2022, where 34% of City sales consist of the V Sensing model.

Essentially the highest-end petrol variant of the City, the V Sensing trim was introduced in
November last year
. Priced at RM90,212.36 with sales tax exemption applied until
30 June 2022
, it costs exactly RM3,650.91 more than the standard 1.5L V model.

Based on the popularity of the City V Sensing, it’s evident that Malaysians are willing to pay more for the added safety features. Honda Sensing offers 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).

“For the first quarter of 2022, the City V Sensing contributed 34% to the total City sales, which shows a positive trend for this variant and also the recognition of Honda Sensing, our advanced safety technology,” said the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Hironobu Yoshimura.

The Honda City V Sensing is now available for booking in Malaysia. If you’re interested to get it, you can place your booking online
here
. Alternatively, bookings can be done through the HondaTouch app too – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Video: Keychron K8 Pro Review – VIA Support on an Affordable Pre-Built Keyboard

One of the defining features of a custom keyboard is support for QMK and VIA, which allows for easy customisation of a keyboard’s key mapping. Well, despite being a pre-built keyboard, the Keychron K8 Pro supports the two software, along with a number of other features typically found on custom keyboards.

These include a hotswap PCB, screw-in stabilisers, and even a reasonably pleasant sound profile. It also has other creature comforts such as wireless connectivity and adjustable feet to change the typing angle. Basically, features that are not found on many custom keyboards.

If you’re looking to get an affordable TKL keyboard with some winning qualities, the Keychron K8 Pro is really worth looking into. Starting at only $74 (about RM315), you can pre-order the keyboard
right now on Kickstarter
 until 15 April.


Vivo Unveils Its First Foldable Phone, Vivo X Fold – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 120Hz AMOLED, 8,999 Yuan

Vivo is the latest phone brand to enter the foldable market with the Vivo X Fold. Sporting flagship-level hardware with a rather competitive price tag, the X Fold looks quite compelling, even though it’s only available in China at the moment.

Let’s start with the pricing of the X Fold. Available in two variants, the 256GB model costs 8,999 Chinese yuan (about RM5,980). The more generous 512GB variant, on the other hand, goes for 9,999 yuan (approximately RM6,645). Both configurations come with 12GB of RAM.

For that kind of money, the X Fold features an 8.03-inch foldable AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate; Vivo said the screen can be folded over 300,000 times without issues. On top of that, the screen folds flat too, so you won’t have to worry about dirt getting caught in between the two halves of the phone.

Other specifications of the X Fold include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a 120Hz 6.53-inch AMOLED cover screen, a quad camera system (50MP primary + 48MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP 2x telephoto + 8MP 5x periscope telephoto), 16MP selfie cameras (on the cover and foldable displays), as well as a 4,600mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging (50W wirelessly).

As mentioned, the Vivo X Fold has only been launched in China. It remains to be seen if the flagship foldable phone will also be available in other markets.


Subscribe to the Volvo XC40 Recharge or Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV From RM4,200/Month on Flux

If you want to get the ownership experience of an EV without being tied to a car loan, then consider subscribing to one – well, it’s basically renting – from Flux, a car subscription service. The company just added the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Hyundai Ioniq 5 to its lineup, and you can pre-book both of them right now.

That being said, both of these EVs are only expected to be delivered to Flux subscribers in late May next month. The more affordable of the two is the Ioniq 5 in base Lite trim, which starts at a cool RM4,200 a month if you opt for the 36-month plan.

As for the XC40 Recharge, it costs RM5,200 a month for the same 36-month plan.

However, there are other costs to consider. On top of the monthly subscription cost, there’s also a 6% service fee to be paid every month, bringing the total to RM4,452 and RM5,512 a month for the Ioniq 5 and XC40 Recharge respectively. There’s also a start fee of RM4,494.40 and RM5,618.00 to be paid for the cars’ “initial costs,” as Flux puts it.

While these are large sums of money, you won’t need to worry about insurance, road tax, maintenance, or wear and tear if you subscribe to the XC40 Recharge or Ioniq 5 with Flux; all of these are included in the monthly cost. Of course, there’s also the fact that you won’t be tied to a bank loan.

If you’re interested, you can pre-book the
Volvo XC40 Recharge
 or
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 with Flux right now. To recap, they are expected to be delivered in late May 2022, and selected plans also come with free charger and concierge service.


Exclusive MTG Streets of New Capenna Card Preview – Big Score

We got an exclusive card preview for Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming set, Streets of New Capenna from Wizards of the Coast! This is Big Score, a common rarity red instant spell that can help you better manage your mana pool – and even draw some cards.

Big Score is especially useful when you’ve got too many lands in your hand, as you need to discard a card as an additional cost to cast the spell. Not only do you get to draw two cards after doing so, you’ll also receive two Treasure tokens that can be sacrificed to add one mana of
any colour
.

The instant speed of Big Score also means you can cast it whenever you have priority, even during your opponent’s turn. This common spell is only offered with a normal frame, and naturally, it can be found in both Draft and Set Boosters of the upcoming set.

MTG’s Streets of New Capenna set will be released on 29 April 2022. If you want to pre-order the new set, check with your favourite local game store!


Samsung Galaxy A73 Unboxing – RM2,099 for a Water-Resistant Mid-Ranger

Water resistance is usually a feature reserved for flagship smartphones. But occasionally, there are some mid-rangers that sport this convenient feature; one such phone is the Samsung Galaxy A73.

Aside from its IP67 water and dust resistance, other aspects of the Galaxy A73 are pretty good too. While its pricing is a little steep at RM2,099, this is comfortably an upper mid-range phone. If you’re shopping for a phone at this price point, here’s an unboxing of the A73!

Similar to Samsung’s higher-end phones like the
Galaxy S22 Ultra
, the Galaxy A73’s retail box is nice and compact, given that a charger is no longer bundled with the phone. If you don’t have a spare USB-C charger lying around, you’d need to get one.

Of course, a USB-C to USB-C cable is provided with the Galaxy A73, so you don’t have to shop for both a cable and charger. Now, if you want to make use of this cable, you’ll have to make sure you get a charger with a USB-C port instead of the more common USB-A connection.

Open up the box, and you’ll be greeted by the Galaxy A73 itself. A protective plastic sheet covers up the phone, and you’ll have to remove it to start setting it up. Unfortunately, a screen protector is no longer pre-installed on the phone. Consider getting one yourself
along with a case to further protect the phone
.

This review unit of the Galaxy A73 is in the Awesome Mint colourway, an exclusive colour option for this particular model. It’s certainly a unique shade of green, though if you want a more…classic-looking colour, there are the Awesome Grey and Awesome White options.

As for the Galaxy A73 itself, it feels quite solid despite its plastic frame and rear panel; the phone doesn’t feel cheap by any means. However, tipping the scales at 181g, it feels a tad too lightweight for my liking. A little bit more heft would’ve given the impression of a more premium phone.

Now, it’s worth reiterating that the Galaxy A73 still doesn’t feel cheap, but it doesn’t exactly feel like a high-end, flagship phone either. Nonetheless, if you don’t like hefty devices, you might find this to be a good quality for the 6.7-inch phone.

Speaking of which, the Galaxy A73’s 6.7-inch 2400 x 1080 Super AMOLED Plus display looks bright and vibrant with deep blacks; typical traits of an AMOLED panel. This is a pleasant screen to look at, and coupled with the 120Hz refresh rate, you’ve got yourself a high quality, fast display.

In the performance department, the Galaxy A73 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset. Even though this is not a flagship-tier processor, it can still provide a fast, zippy user experience. I’ll be putting it through its paces in the full review of the A73 – stay tuned for that.

Packed with a 5,000mAh battery, I reckon the Galaxy A73 will be able to provide above average battery life too. After all, it only needs to power a 1080p AMOLED display – AMOLED panels are quite power-efficient – and the Snapdragon 778G itself isn’t too power hungry, given that it’s manufactured on a 5nm process.

And then there’s the camera system of the Galaxy A73. It has a quad camera system made up of a 108MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 5MP bokeh camera, and a 5MP depth sensor. It also has a 32MP selfie camera.

While the Galaxy A73’s 108MP primary camera and 12MP ultra-wide angle lens is a good combo, it is quite odd that this phone doesn’t retain
its predecessor’s telephoto shooter
. This limits the versatility of the camera configuration, given that it essentially loses out on an extra focal length.

Granted, most folks will find more use out of an ultra-wide angle camera than a telephoto lens. In instances where you do need the extra zoom, the 108MP primary sensor can still be used, though it’ll be relying on digital zoom instead, losing out on image fidelity.

Nonetheless, I’ll definitely take a deeper look at the camera performance of the Galaxy A73 in the full review.

For the Malaysian market, only a single variant of the Samsung Galaxy A73 is offered here. Sporting 256GB of internal storage – that is quite generous – with 8GB of RAM, it is priced at RM2,099. Compared to other mid-range phones in the market now, this price tag is certainly on the higher side.

But the Galaxy A73 is also quite a polished mid-range, not to mention the fact that it has an IP67 rating, a rare feature even among flagship phones. But even then, can the A73 really demand a RM2,099 price tag? Well, stay tuned to the full review for an answer to this question.


Genshin Impact Ayaka Rerun Banner Revealed – Arrives 19 April With Sayu, Rosaria, Razor

Kamisato Ayaka’s banner is finally returning to
Genshin Impact
 next week on 19 April. The event wish for the 5-star Cryo character will be accompanied by Sayu, Rosaria, and Razor.

Just like Genshin Impact’s
previous character

event wishes
, the “drop rate” of Ayaka, Sayu, Rosaria, and Razor will be increased. In the case of Ayaka, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be her. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be Ayaka.

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 Ayaka. 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 Sayu, Rosaria, or Razor. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters, you will likely have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Kamisato Ayaka’s “The Heron’s Court” event wish will go live in Genshin Impact on 19 April next week. Her banner will be available until 10 May; it’s safe to assume
Yelan and Kuki Shinobu’s event wishes
 will arrive shortly after that.


14 – 20 April Fuel Price: All Prices Unchanged

No changes to fuel prices this week! Of course, this mainly applies to RON 97, given that the ceiling prices of RON 95 and diesel have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is maintained at RM3.81 per litre. 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 14 to 20 April 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


New “Enhanced” TNG Card With NFC Now Available, But Only Reloadable Through App in May 2022

The much anticipated Touch ‘n Go card with NFC capability is now available for purchase! Thanks to its NFC support, the new TNG card can be reloaded directly through the TNG eWallet app, but there is a caveat to this.

According to
Amanz
, the new “Enhanced” TNG card – yes, that’s the official name – is actually available for purchase right now: it costs RM10 if you get it from TNG’s very own hub in Nu Sentral. In fact, the new card is also sold online through some retailers, though the ones we found are
listing it at a higher price
.

However, even though the new Enhanced TNG card is available for purchase now, the ability to reload it through the TNG eWallet app is not ready yet. According to a sales representative at TNG’s hub in Nu Sentral (as written in Amanz’s report), the feature is only expected to be available sometime next month in May 2022.

Nonetheless, now that the Enhanced TNG card is available for purchase – from TNG’s hub itself, no less – TNG should be making an official announcement very soon. Do note that the Enhanced TNG card itself has no credit when you purchase it; you’re paying the RM10 just for the card itself, basically.


Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV Quick Review: Quirky Looks, Quick Performance, Excellent Value

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is easily one of the most unique-looking EVs in the market now. But beyond its quirky looks, this electric SUV also offer
a ton
 of power under the hood, along with great value for money, thanks to the various incentives given by the Malaysian government for EVs.

If you’re shopping for a premium electric SUV, the Ioniq 5 should definitely,
definitely
 be in your list. Not quite convinced? Then keep on reading – there’s a reason why it has won so many awards, including the coveted 2022 World Car of the Year title.

Without a doubt the design of the Ioniq 5 will turn heads. After all, it looks like something out of a science fiction flick; it wouldn’t even look out of place in a futuristic-esque game like Cyberpunk 2077, if you will. From the mesmerising 20-inch wheels to the “pixelated” taillights, this is a handsome (and very quirky) electric SUV.

Do note that this is the Ioniq 5 in the range-topping Max variant, which features a 72.6kWh battery that can return up to 430km of range on the WLTP cycle. That’s a respectable figure, though I wasn’t able to put this to the test. I only had a few good hours with the EV courtesy of a reader, who was generous enough to loan Nextrift the car (thanks mystery reader!).

This being the range-topping model, the Ioniq 5 Max also feature a dual-motor AWD configuration, offering a whopping combined output of
305PS and 605Nm
 of torque. This allows the electric SUV to accelerate from 0-100kmph in only 5.2 seconds.

Needless to say, the Ioniq 5 is a
fast
 EV. Even when I’m cruising at about 80kmph, putting my foot down on the pedal can still
really
 push me back into the seat! It’s really quite exhilarating to drive a car with so much power to offer, even if it doesn’t offer exceptional handling.

Don’t get me wrong, the Ioniq 5 still handles quite well with decent steering feel, but I wouldn’t exactly feel confident enough to negotiate a corner at high speeds with this car. At the end of the day, this is still an SUV with a higher centre of gravity than a much lower sedan or performance car.

As for the ride quality of the Ioniq 5, it’s great! It soaks up road bumps exceptionally well, so not much vibration is transmitted to the cabin. All in all, it’s a very comfortable car to be in.

One of the biggest differences between driving a petrol car and an EV like the Ioniq 5 is the ability to drive the latter with just the throttle pedal. Basically, when you lift your foot off of the throttle, it’s as if you’re depressing the brakes on a petrol car. This regenerative braking also charges up the battery of the EV.

Initially, it’s quite a jarring experience, but I got used to it quite quickly. Of course, if you don’t like this driving characteristic, you can easily adjust the sensitivity of this feature, or just disable it entirely with the paddles on the steering wheel. No, these are not paddle shifters – EVs don’t have any gears to shift.

Okay, enough about performance: what about the pricing of the Ioniq 5? Well, it’s offered in three variants: Lite (RM199,888), Plus (RM229,888), and the Max model you see here for a cool RM259,888. Yes, this is not an affordable EV, but given the sheer performance (and space) that you get with the SUV, it really does offer good value for money.

While it doesn’t look particularly big in pictures, the Ioniq 5 is without a doubt a
large
electric SUV. At 4,635mm long and 1,890mm wide, it’s physically bigger than one of its EV competition, the
Mercedes-Benz EQA
, which also cost quite a bit more at RM278,201.25.

There’s also the fact that the Ioniq 5 is built from the ground up as an EV, and it is a sleeker-looking car to boot. Well, in my opinion, at least.

While the Malaysian government is still offering various incentives for electric cars on our shores – EVs are fully exempted from import and excise duties, as well as road tax – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (and most EVs here, basically) is especially compelling. However, at the end of the day, this is still an EV that needs to be charged.

Depending on where you’re located and whether or not you’ll have access to a charger at home, it can be difficult to get the Ioniq 5 charged up for your daily commute or trips out of the city. While there are quite a number of EV chargers in the Klang Valley area, locating one in other parts of the country can be a difficult task.

On the bright side, the EV charging infrastructure in Malaysia is definitely being improved upon, but not as fast as one would hope. So in the meantime, you’ll definitely feel the pinch as an early adopter, but if you’re ready for an electrified future, the Ioniq 5 is a fantastic choice.

And that is our quick review of the Ioniq 5! We also have a video review of the electric SUV in the works – stay tuned for that.


Oppo A96 Unboxing & Hands-On: Sleek Looks, Big Battery, but for How Much?

The Oppo A96 will be launched in Malaysia next week on 18 April. Ahead of its official launch, Oppo Malaysia sent over a review unit of the mid-range phone, so here’s our unboxing and hands-on of the A96!

First, let’s talk about the specifications of the A96. Some of the phone’s headline features include 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM – pretty generous capacities – a sizeable 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W SuperVOOC charging, along with a rather sleek-looking design dubbed “Oppo Glow.”

This is a reference to the gradient-like finish on the back panel of the A96 in Pearl Pink you see in this article. Though there are quite a number of other phones that sport a similar-looking design, it’s still a nice design element. Depending on the angle you’re looking at the A96’s back panel from, the colour shifts accordingly.

Okay, now to the unboxing. The A96 comes in a rather big box; that’s because a charger – a 33W unit, to boot – is bundled with the phone. Naturally, a charging cable (USB-A to USB-C) is also provided, along with a silicone case.

On top of that, the A96 has a pre-applied screen protector too. Paired together with the silicone case, you’ve got yourself a pretty well-protected phone.

If you’ve missed the headphone jack on a phone, well, the A96 has just that on the bottom of the phone. It also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is much faster than the in-screen sensors of other mid-range smartphones. It doubles as the power button as well.

In the performance department, the A96 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset. It’s a decidedly mid-range processor, but it should be fast enough for everyday use. In my brief time with the phone so far, it does feel fast and zippy, though it’s worth noting that this applies to most modern mid-rangers.

And then we have the A96’s 6.59-inch 1080p LTPS display, which looks decent. It is by no means as bright or as vibrant as an AMOLED panel, but given the positioning of this phone (the budget segment), it’s definitely a good enough screen. The 90Hz refresh rate also helps in the overall responsiveness of the device.

Another hardware that’s worth mentioning again is the battery capacity of the A96. Rated at 5,000mAh, it should be able to provide above average battery life. Oppo also said that the 33W SuperVOOC charger that’s bundled with the phone can provide 50% charge in 26 minutes of charging; decent speed for a phone in this segment.

But given the budget nature of the A96, it does have some shortcomings in certain aspects. Its design, for one, could use some work. Yes, I do like the unique aesthetic of the rear panel, but the large hole-punch cutout on the screen for the 16MP selfie camera and equally large bottom bezels don’t look particularly sleek.

Speaking of which, the plastic back panel of the A96 also feels a tad too soft and plasticky. In fact, I can physically see and feel the panel being depressed as I apply some
light
pressure to it. This, in turn, doesn’t make for particularly solid build quality, though it’s a non-issue if you do decide to slap on a case to the phone.

Last but certainly not least is the camera performance of the A96. It features a dual camera system, which only consist of a 50MP primary shooter and a 2MP bokeh lens. No telephoto sensor to be found here, let alone an ultra-wide angle camera.

To be fair, the sole 50MP camera does seem to be able to take decent-looking shots, but I have yet to put it through its paces in more challenging lighting situations. It’ll be interesting to see how the camera would perform in low light conditions; stay tuned to the full review for that.

While the Oppo A96 has a few shortcomings, it’s important to look at the phone for what it is: a budget-friendly offering. If priced right, these negatives can be overlooked, in my opinion, though it remains to be seen just how much it will cost here.

For the sake of comparison, its direct predecessor, the
Oppo A95
, went for RM1,099 at launch, and it only offered 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Although the A96 has the same amount of RAM, it comes with twice the amount of internal storage at 256GB, so…there’s a chance it will not retain the same price tag.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out for ourselves just how much the A96 will go for once it is launched in Malaysia next week on 18 April. Hopefully, it won’t be priced out of the market – anything above RM1,500 would be too much.


Proton Exora Celebrates 13th Anniversary – Records 186,137 Sales as Leading C-Segment MPV

To celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Proton Exora, the national carmaker revealed the sales number of the C-segment MPV. Touted as the top-selling car in its segment, over 186,137 units of the Exora are now on Malaysian roads.

That is a respectable figure, and despite being in the market for 13 years now – it was launched back in 2009 – a number of folks are still purchasing the Exora.
Just last month in March
, 536 units of the Exora were delivered.

Of course, starting at RM57,300 with sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022, the Exora is quite an affordable MPV. For that kind of money, it also offers a 1.6L turbocharged engine that outputs 140PS and 205Nm of torque paired with a CVT gearbox. Drive is sent to the front wheels.

If you want to get the Proton Exora minus sales tax, you’ve got until 30 June 2022 to do so. Given that the exemption period has been extended three times already, it’s unlikely the Malaysian government will give another extension.


PlayStation Ramadan Deals Offer up to 43% Discount on (Physical) PS5 & PS4 Games

In conjunction with Ramadan, PlayStation is offering pretty respectable discounts on a slew of games for both the PS5 and PS4. Happening now until 30 April, you can save up to 43% through this deal.

Interestingly, there are more PS5 games on offer than PS4 in this sale. The full list of games on discount are outlined below:

Demon’s Soul (PS5) RM209
Death Stranding Director’s Cut
 (PS5) RM169
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
 (PS5) RM209
Call of Duty: Vanguard (PS5) RM209
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5) RM169
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (PS4) RM169
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
 (PS4) RM169
Call of Duty: Vanguard (PS4) RM169

Do note that these prices are for physical copies of the games. To enjoy these discounted prices, you’ll have to check with your favourite game store, though some online retailers are already listing these titles at the discounted prices, including
Sony Malaysia itself
.

If you prefer getting digital copies of games instead, you can wait until 27 April to get special prices on “many game titles” (as PlayStation put it) on the PlayStation Store itself. The full list of games that will be discounted will be announced closer to the start of the sale, which is set to begin on 27 April to 11 May.


2022 Perodua Myvi GearUp Ace Bodykit Finally Shown in Person

Perodua has been teasing the
GearUp Ace bodykit
 for the 2022 Myvi for
quite some time now
, and today, the national carmaker finally unveiled how it looks like in person. This is the first time we’re seeing the actual bodykit shown on a white Myvi – previous leaked images of the kit was on a red model instead.

The front end of the GearUp Ace bodykit for the facelifted Myvi is the most aggressive angle, in our opinion. The sizeable bumper add-on piece has a two-tone colour scheme, and the black bits contrast nicely with the white paint job.

The Myvi Experience – Youthful Design
Designed to make you stand out with its eye-catching accents and bolder look design. The New Myvi is the Next Standard. Book now at any Perodua showroom or online:
https://t.co/FTSHT0aN4K

#Perodua

#NewMyvi

#NextStandard

#YouthfulDesign

pic.twitter.com/qQsdi05mui
— Perodua (@perodua)
April 15, 2022

In the video above, you can also see the side profile of the GearUp Ace bodykit. Naturally, the side skirts has the same dual-tone design. Though it’s not quite as obvious, the new, larger spoiler is also shown in the video, along with the diffuser-style trim in the middle section of the rear bumper.

Unfortunately, there’s still no mention on exactly when the 2022 Perodua Myvi’s GearUp Ace bodykit will be available for purchase. Nonetheless, if you’d like to book the new Myvi, you can do so
over here
.


2022 Perodua Myvi GearUp Ace Bodykit Costs RM2,500 – Rear Spoiler Available Separately for RM550

After posting
several

teasers
, Perodua finally revealed more details on the GearUp Ace bodykit for the new Perodua Myvi, including pricing. If you want to get this aggressive-looking kit for your Myvi, it will cost you RM2,500.

For that kind of money, the Ace bodykit is made up of a front bumper kit, rear bumper kit, side skirtings, as well as a rear spoiler. Daytime running lights are not included in the bodykit, so the LED DRLs you see in these images are of the H and AV variants, which get the feature as standard.

Naturally, the Ace bodykit is available for all six colour options of the Myvi. These include Ivory White (pictured here), Cranberry Red, Lava Red, Granite Grey, Glittering Silver, and Electric Blue.

If you want to get just the rear spoiler of the Ace bodykit for your new Myvi, good news: you can purchase it separately for RM550. There are also door visors (RM150), chrome side mirror garnish (RM120), and chrome window garnish (RM150) available for purchase.

Keen to get the new GearUp Ace bodykit for your 2022 Perodua Myvi? Then head to your nearest Perodua dealership to find out more. You can also book the new Myvi online
right here
.


Oppo A96 Launched in Malaysia – RM1,299 for Snapdragon 680 & 256GB Storage

Oppo just launched its latest mid-range phone in Malaysia, the Oppo A96. Sporting 256GB of internal storage – quite sizeable for a phone in this segment – the A96 is also a sleek-looking mid-ranger.

Only one variant of the A96 is offered for the Malaysian market. Featuring the aforementioned 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM, the A96 is priced at RM1,299 locally. This is a RM200 price increase over its predecessor, the
Oppo A95
, though the new phone does come with twice the amount of storage.

For that kind of money, the A96 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset. Even though this is a decidedly mid-range chip, it’s still able to provide a
zippy user experience
. Along with its 8GB of RAM, the A96 should be able to provide a pleasant user experience too.

Other specifications of the A96 include a 6.59-inch 1080p LTPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP primary + 2MP bokeh), a 16MP selfie shooter, a sizeable 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W SuperVOOC charging, and ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11 out of the box.

The Oppo A96 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 22 April. You can also get free gifts worth RM498 with every pre-order of the phone, including a slew of discount vouchers and an A96 gift box worth RM99, which include a power bank and an umbrella.

If you’d like to learn more about the A96, check out our
hands-on and unboxin
g
 of the mid-ranger
.


SP-Star Meteor White Restocked for RM1.95 Per Switch on Shopee

The
SP-Star Meteor White
, one of our favourite linear switches, is
back in stock on Shopee
. Offered by Preferred Shopee retailer NullKeyboards, the Meteor White is listed at RM19.50 for a pack of 10 switches – that’s RM1.90 per unit, a great price for a switch of this calibre.

What makes the Meteor White an excellent linear switch (in our opinion) is its soft, “cushioned” bottom out. Not only does the soft bottom out make for a comfortable typing experience, it has a nice, dampened sound signature too. For the lack of a better word, it has a “poppy” sound signature, especially after it is lubed and filmed.

Plus,
for only RM1.90 per switch
, it’s not as expensive as, say, the
Cobalt POM
. Despite its more budget-friendly price tag, it easily performs just as well as any high-end linear switch.

If you’d like to know more about the SP-Star Meteor White, check out our full review of the linear switch
right here
. You can also listen to a
sound test of the switch
 in the video above on the
Mode SixtyFive
!


Vivo T1 Series Arrives in Malaysia 25 April – Razer & PUBG Collaboration

Vivo Malaysia finally revealed the launch date for its latest “gaming series,” the Vivo T1. Set to be launched next week on 25 April, at least two different devices will launch under the new lineup, as shown in teasers posted by the company.

Interestingly, the T1 series is said to be a collaboration with Razer and PUBG. According to Vivo, it is “joining hands with Razer and PUBG to deliver an elevated gaming experience,” so there may be some software tweaks involved.

Unfortunately, no other details regarding the T1 series were unveiled by Vivo Malaysia. Granted, the Vivo T1 and Vivo T1X are already available in China, though the two phones look slightly different (especially the camera sensors) than the ones shown in the teaser image above.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out just what the Vivo T1 series has to offer come next week on 25 April. You can catch the livestream of the launch event at 12PM on that day through various platforms, including
Facebook
, YouTube, Twitter, and even TikTok.


Shopee Sellers to Be Charged Unsuccessful Order Fees From 9 May 2022

Shopee is implementing a new change on 9 May 2022 next month. For orders that are approved for return/refund, Shopee sellers will be charged an “unsuccessful order fee,” which include forward shipping fee (FSF) and/or return shipping fee (RSF).

However, Shopee sellers will only be charged this fee if the return/refund case is caused by the seller’s fault. These include wrong orders, incomplete items, or counterfeit products. FSF and RSF will not be charged if the buyer’s return/refund request is “change of mind” either.

According to Shopee, FSF and RSF are charged by its logistics partners. FSF is paid by buyers, while RSF is borne by Shopee itself. Chances are, Shopee is implementing this new system so that sellers will be more careful with their orders.

If you’d like to learn more about Shopee’s new unsuccessful order fee system, you can read the full details
here
 and
here
. While buyers are largely unaffected by this, sellers being more careful with their orders will ultimately ensure a more pleasant shopping experience for buyers.


Ops Hari Raya: 5 Traffic Offences Cannot Be Compounded – To Be Settled in Court

Planning a “balik kampung” trip? Then you may want to be extra careful on the road during the festive season. For the Hari Raya period, five traffic offences will not be compoundable. Basically, to settle these offences, you’ll have to appear in court.

This was detailed by transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong. The five traffic offences that cannot be compounded during Ops Hari Raya include speeding, driving on the emergency lane, using a phone while driving, running the red light, as well as queue jumping.

As mentioned, you will need to appear in court to settle these traffic offences; simply paying a fine will not cut it. It’s also worth noting that non-compoundable summonses like these will not be eligible for
future discounts either
.

Like previous festive seasons, goods vehicles won’t be allowed on the road either during the Hari Raya period to ease traffic. This ban will be enforced three days before and two days after Hari Raya, which are from 30 April to 2 May and 7 to 8 May.


MTG Streets of New Capenna Features Tokens Made by a Malaysian – Arrives 29 April

Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming set,
Streets of New Capenna
, is arriving next week on 29 April. Ahead of the set’s launch, Wizards of the Coast revealed six token designs from the set, which are exclusive to Southeast Asia. On top of that, two of the tokens are drawn by Malaysian artist
Fei Giap
.

The two tokens that were illustrated by Fei Giap – who is also the co-founder and creative director of Loka Made – are the treasure token for the Maestros crime family and the Halo magical substance. As for the other four tokens, they are designed by Rachta Lin (Singapore), Richard Suwono (Indonesia), Hongtae Taecholarn (Thailand), and Lius Estevez & Josh Corpuz (Philippines).

As mentioned, these particular token designs are exclusive to Southeast Asia, and they are limited single print run. To get these tokens, you’ll have to purchase Streets of New Capenna’s Collector Booster Box from participating WPN (Wizards Play Network) stores.

MTG’s Streets of New Capenna set will be released on 29 April 2022. It is available in Draft, Set, and Collector Boosters, along with factionalised Theme Boosters and Commander Decks. If you want to pre-order the new set, check with your favourite local game store!


Huawei MateBook D 15 With 11th Gen Intel Chip Now in Malaysia From RM3,099 – Early Birds Get RM827 Freebies

Huawei just launched the refreshed Huawei MateBook D 15 in Malaysia. Now sporting Intel’s 11th generation processor, this thin and light productivity laptop offers reasonably good value for money too.

The updated MateBook D 15 with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor starts at RM3,099 in Malaysia. For that kind of money, it offers 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. If you want more RAM, you can upgrade it to 16GB for RM3,399.

Those who purchase the higher-end MateBook D 15 (16GB + 512GB) model will also receive RM827 worth of freebies. these include a Huawei FreeLace neckbuds, Huawei CD20 Bluetooth mouse, Huawei-branded backpack, and a complimentary one year extended warranty. If you get the 8GB + 512GB variant instead, you only get the backpack and extended warranty.

As mentioned, the MateBook D 15 is quite a portable machine: its 16.9mm thin metal chassis weighs only 1.56kg. It also has a sleek-looking 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS screen with an 87% screen-to-body ratio, as well as Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics and Windows 10 Home out of the box (upgradable to Windows 11).

The new Huawei MateBook D 15 will be available for purchase in Malaysia this Friday on 22 April with a RM3,099 starting price. If you’re keen to get this productivity laptop, you can do so
over here
.


Realme 9 With “Ripple Design” Lands in Malaysia From RM899 – Get RM70 Discount on 22 April

Realme just launched yet another affordable phone in Malaysia, the Realme 9. One unique feature of the phone is its “ripple holographic design” on the back panel, and paired with its affordable pricing, the Realme 9 could appeal to those who are looking for a budget-friendly phone.

Two variants of the Realme 9 are offered for the Malaysian market. The RM899 base model features 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. If you want more RAM instead, opt for the 8GB + 128GB configuration instead for RM999.

For the first sale of the Realme 9 on 22 April through Shopee, you can get the base model with a RM70 discount, bringing down the price
to RM829
.

Under the hood of the Realme 9 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, along with a 6.4-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (108MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.

To recap, the Realme 9 will be available for purchase
on Shopee first
 this Friday on 22 April from only RM829; that’s a RM70 discount from the original price for the 6GB + 128GB model. The 8GB + 128GB variant, on the other hand, costs RM999.


21 – 27 April Fuel Price: All Prices Unchanged Again!

Good news: there are no changes to fuel prices again this week! Of course, this mainly applies to RON 97, given that the ceiling prices of RON 95 and diesel have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is maintained at RM3.81 per litre. 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 21 to 27 April 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Realme Pad Mini Tablet Arrives in Malaysia for Only RM699 – Early Birds Get RM100 Discount

Aside from the
Realme 9
, the Chinese company also launched an affordable tablet in Malaysia. Not only is the Realme Pad Mini budget-friendly, it even features a rather sleek-looking metal chassis.

Three different variants of the Pad Mini are offered in Malaysia. The WiFi-only base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage costs RM699, while the LTE variant with the same storage and RAM capacities is priced at RM749. The range-topping 4GB + 64GB configuration, on the other hand, goes for RM799.

For that kind of money, the Pad Mini comes with a Unisoc T616 processor. Other specifications of this affordable tablet include an 8.4-inch 1340 x 800 display, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP selfie camera, as well as a rather generous 6,400mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

The Realme Pad Mini will be available for purchase in Malaysia on 25 April. Both the WiFi-only and LTE versions of the 3GB + 32GB configuration can be purchased on Shopee for
RM599
 and
RM729
 on the day itself – that’s a RM100 and RM50 discount respectively – while the 4GB + 64GB model is sold through authorised retailers for RM799.


Logitech Lift Is a Funky, Ergonomic Vertical Mouse for RM299 in Malaysia

Logitech just launched a brand new “vertical” mouse, and it’s quite affordable, especially in comparison to its more premium MX series. Enter the Logitech Lift, which will definitely appeal to folks who want a more ergonomically-friendly mouse.

For the Malaysian market, the Lift retails at RM299; a reasonable price tag for a mouse of this calibre. It is also offered in three distinct colours: Rose, Pale Grey, and the classic Graphite. However, even though it’s offered in both left- and right-handed options, only the latter is confirmed for Malaysia at the moment.

Nonetheless, the Lift’s “vertical” nature should reduce wrist strain as your hand will be resting at a more natural angle on the mouse. It has a rubber grip too – and even a “cosy thumb rest,” as Logitech puts it – for improved comfort, especially during extended use.

Naturally, the Lift is also a wireless mouse, which can be connected to a device via Bluetooth or the bundled Logi Bolt USB receiver. It is good for up to 10m of wireless range, and although it doesn’t have a built-in battery, it’s said to be able to offer up to
two years
 of use with a single AA battery.

Unfortunately, while the local pricing of the Logitech Lift has been revealed on
Logitech’s Malaysian website
, it is not available for purchase in Malaysia just yet. Rest assured, we’ll keep a close eye on the local availability of this ergonomic vertical mouse.


This Is the 2022 Proton Saga Facelift – 4 Variants, Keyless Entry, Could Launch in May 2022

It’s been a while since we’ve got information on the
2022 Proton Saga facelift
. This time around, an image of the updated A-segment sedan in the middle of assembly leaked online, along with a document that (supposedly) confirms four variants of the new Saga, along with their specifications.

This image of the facelifted Saga being assembled was first posted by
malaysia_cars_overseas
 on Instagram – though the original post has been taken down – and subsequently shared by
Funtasticko
. Among the changes we can see in the image include the new Infinite Weave grille, updated design for the alloy wheels, and seemingly smoked taillights.

As for the leaked document, it shows four variants of the 2022 Saga: Standard MT, Standard AT, Premium AT, and the range-topping Premium S AT. Naturally, the latter gets all the bells and whistles for the upcoming sedan, including keyless entry, push start button, semi-leather seats, and side skirts with a front bumper lip.

Given that the document doesn’t specify any changes to the engine, the updated Saga will likely soldier on with the same 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95hp and 120Nm of torque. It should still be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that’s sourced from Hyundai as well.

Previous spy shots of the 2022 Saga

No word yet from Proton on the launch of the 2022 Proton Saga facelift, though local automotive site
Wapcar
 said that the new sedan will be launched sometime in May next month. We’ll just have to wait until then to see if the facelifted Saga will makes its debut.


Getting Back Into Magic: The Gathering – Easy to Learn?

Magic: The Gathering’s
Streets of New Capenna
 set is arriving next week on 29 April. Ahead of the set’s launch, Wizards of the Coast held a play session to get members of the media familiarised with the trading card game.

Now, the last time I played Magic was back in 2013 when the first Theros set was released. Needless to say, my knowledge of the card game is a little…rusty. But after a quick refresher, it’s surprisingly easy to get back into the game. This holds true even if you’re a newcomer.

If you’ve always wanted to try out Magic, go for it; it’s really not that difficult to grasp the mechanics of the card game. Of course, with the right community and group of friends, Magic is certainly a fun card game regardless of your skill level.

At the start of the media play session for Magic: The Gathering, we were given two Jumpstart booster packs; a set that was released back in 2020. Each pack contains 20 Magic cards (including lands), and with two packs shuffled together, we have a playable 40-card deck!

While cards featured in the Jumpstart set are not Standard-legal – they are only legal in Eternal formats – this is still a great way for new players to get familiarised with how a game of Magic is played.

Personally, I would’ve preferred a sealed format instead (or even drafting) with the new Streets of Capenna set, but it can be tough for newcomers to immediately build a deck from scratch in this format.

Anyway, once we’ve got our decks ready and shuffled thoroughly, we were paired with another member of the media to start a match. Speaking of shuffling, always have card sleeves ready if you’re planning to play Magic by cracking open new packs.

Not only is it much,
much
 easier to shuffle sleeved cards, the sleeves also protect the Magic cards. Given that some of the cards can cost quite a bit of money – especially if you pull a mythic rare card – it’s good practice to keep the cards as pristine as possible to retain their value.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have card sleeves during our play session. Thankfully (and unfortunately), I didn’t pull any high value card from my two packs, so I didn’t feel
too bad
 about playing them without sleeves on. Oh, a playmat
or a nice deskmat
 would be great too to further protect your cards.

Now that we have an opponent, we flip a coin (or any mutually agreeable method) to decide a winner, who gets to decide to start first or second. Once that’s done, each player draws seven cards from their deck. Don’t like your opening hand? Well, you can take a “mulligan” by shuffling the cards back to your deck, and draw seven new cards.

However, each time you take a mulligan, you’ll have to put a card you’ve drawn equal to the amount of mulligans you’ve taken to the bottom of your deck. Basically, you’ll have six cards after your first mulligan, five after your second mulligan, and so on…until you have zero card.

Needless to say, you’d want to avoid doing that. Having less cards is not a great situation to be in – generally, anyway.

When both players have decided not to take a mulligan, the game begins! The starting player will first put a land on the battlefield (only one land can be put down every turn), and if the player has no creature or spell to cast to whittle down the health of the opposing player, the turn is passed to the opponent.

Since the second starting player will be “behind the curve,” so to speak, they are allowed to draw a card when taking their first turn. Essentially, players who go second will start the game with eight cards in hand; this card advantage can be advantageous with certain decks.

To simplify things, this same cycle is repeated until the starting health total of a player (which is 20) goes down to zero – simple, right?

The five crime families in Streets of New Capenna

Of course, there are many more intricacies to Magic beyond this admittedly simple breakdown. For example, there are five different mana colours (classes, basically) with their own unique playstyles, many unique keywords with different effects, along with a ton of formats available to players, including Standard, Draft, Sealed, and even Commander.

These many different aspects of Magic: The Gathering are what make it such a popular trading card game, and it’s even more entertaining if you can find the right community. Heading to your nearest game store – you can locate one
here
 – is the easiest way to do so.

You can even experience Magic from the comfort of your own home if you have a group of friends that are interested to pick up the card game. In my experience – even if it has been many years since I’ve played Magic seriously – playing a drafting game with friends is very, very fun.

Plus, you also get to crack open new Magic booster packs in a drafting session. It’s always exciting to see what you can pull out of these packs, especially if you’re drafting with a new set, such as Streets of New Capenna with its
amazing illustrations
.

To recap, this set will release on 29 April next week. If you want to pre-order Streets of New Capenna, check with your favourite local game store!


Microsoft’s PC Game Pass Officially in Malaysia – RM5 First 3 Months, RM15 the Following Months

Microsoft’s PC Game Pass was quietly available in Malaysia about a month ago, and today, the service is officially announced for our market. Priced at merely RM5 for the first three months, you’re getting a lot of value for your money, even after the three months have passed.

Once your RM5 three-month subscription to PC Game Pass is over, you’ll only need to pay RM15 every month to continue enjoying the service. Given all of the games that you can access with PC Game Pass, there’s really no denying the excellent value proposition here.

Some of the titles that you can play through PC Game Pass right now include Halo Infinite, Hades, Back 4 Blood, and Age of Empire IV. As a Game Pass subscriber, you can also access titles available through EA Play, including the much-loved It Takes Two.

If you want to subscribe to Microsoft’s PC Game Pass in Malaysia, you can do so
over here
. To recap, you’ll only need to pay RM5 for the first three months. Your subscription will then be automatically renewed for RM15/month unless you cancel it.


Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV – First 11 Units Delivered in Malaysia, 200 Bookings to Date

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has delivered the first 11 units of the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 EV in Malaysia. With over 200 bookings made to date, the electric SUV looks to be a popular option among Malaysians.

Not only are these 11 owners the first to receive the Ioniq 5 on our shores, they also get a one-year membership with ChargEV courtesy of Yinson GreenTech. Normally, this would’ve cost RM240 annually, which gives ChargEV users access to 336 EV chargers in 236 locations throughout Malaysia.

Three different variants of the Ioniq 5 are offered in Malaysia. The base Lite model, for one, retails at RM199,888, which offers a 58kWh battery (good for up to 384km range) and rear-wheel drive. The mid-tier Plus variant, on the other hand, is a better-equipped version of the Lite for RM229,888.

As for the range-topping Max, it costs RM259,888 for a larger 72.6kWh battery (returning up to 430km range) and dual-motor AWD. Do note that as announced at
Budget 2022
, the Ioniq 5 is
fully exempted
 from import and excise duties, as well as road tax. Needless to say, this is a very good incentive to get the EV…if it fits your budget.

Powering the 58kWh RWD models of the Ioniq 5 – that is, the Lite and Plus variants – is a rear motor that outputs 170PS and 350Nm of torque, allowing them to do the century sprint in 8.5 seconds. As for the higher-end Max model with a dual-motor AWD configuration, it offers a whopping combined output of 305PS and 605Nm of torque; it can go from 0-100kmph in only 5.2 seconds.

Other specifications of the Ioniq 5 include seven airbags, fabric upholstery for the Lite (leather for the Plus and Max trims), Hyundai SmartSense – it includes lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go – a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as 19-inch alloy wheels; 20-inch for the Max.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is now available for booking in Malaysia. You can also place your booking online for RM1,000 through HSDM’s
Cl!ck to Buy
 platform. Not sure if this electric SUV is for you? Then read our
full review of the Ioniq 5
; our video review can also be found below.


Enhanced TNG Card With NFC Official – Now Reloadable With TNG eWallet App

Surprise surprise, Touch ‘n Go has officially launched the new “enhanced” TNG card with NFC capability. On top of that, the ability to reload the card through the TNG eWallet app is now available as well.

As we’ve
previously reported
, the enhanced TNG card costs RM10, and it is available for purchase through the TNG eWallet app itself and selected retail locations nationwide. Do note that the new card has no credit when you purchase it, so you’re basically paying the RM10 just for the card itself.

Of course, as the enhanced TNG card uses NFC for reload purposes, you’ll need a device with NFC capability in order to top-up the card through the TNG eWallet app. In our experience, it’s a relatively fuss-free affair too – certainly more convenient than reloading the card at a kiosk, for example.

If you want to purchase the new enhanced TNG card with NFC through the TNG eWallet app – or you’ve already got one, and you want to reload it through the app – make sure the app is updated to the latest version. You can check for any update through the
Apple App Store
 or
Google Play Store
.


Enhanced TNG Card With NFC – Limited to 2 Cards Per Order, Demand Expected to Exceed Supply

If you’re thinking of purchasing the new
enhanced TNG card with NFC
 through the TNG eWallet app, take note: the card is limited to only two units per order. On top of that, Touch ‘n Go is also expecting demand to exceed supply, which is likely why the limit is imposed.

Interestingly, the two cards per order limit only applies to online orders through the TNG eWallet app. No limit is imposed for over-the-counter purchases at retail outlets,
as outlined in the FAQ
. If you do get the new card through the app, you’ll have to pay RM5 for shipping as well, on top of the RM10 price per card.

“Given the global chip shortage, we expect demand to exceed supply. So, I’d like to urge patience amongst our users as we try to get these cards to you as soon as possible,” said the group CEO of Touch ‘n Go Group, Effendy Shahul Hamid.

If stocks of the new enhanced TNG card with NFC do run out, users can register their interest for the card through the TNG eWallet app; they will be notified when the card is available for purchase again. You can download the TNG eWallet app through the
Apple App Store
 or
Google Play Store
.


Xiaomi 11T Series Prices Revised in Malaysia – Now Starts at RM1,499

Launched here in Malaysia
back in September last year
, the prices of the Xiaomi 11T series have been revised for our local market. Previously starting at RM1,699, the 11T lineup now retails from RM1,499.

Of course, that starting price is for the more affordable Xiaomi 11T. The 8GB + 128GB model is now priced at RM1,499, while the 8GB + 256GB configuration goes for RM1,699. As for the higher-end 11T Pro, it costs RM1,999 and RM2,199 for the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB models respectively.

As the higher-end offering, the 11T Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. Aside from that, it also features a triple camera system made up of a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 5MP telemacro lens.

Other specifications of the 11T Pro include a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with 120Hz AdaptiveSync, fast UFS 3.1 storage, as well as a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge, which can fully charge the phone in only 17 minutes.

As for the more affordable Xiaomi 11T, it’s largely similar to the Pro model, though it does have a number of differences. Instead of a Qualcomm processor, it’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra SoC instead. Aside from that, the 11T also features the same display, camera system, and battery capacity as its Pro sibling, though its fast charging capability is limited to 67W.

You can now purchase both the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro at these new prices in Malaysia. If you’d like to learn more about the 11T Pro,
check out our review
.