Proton Sold 13,362 Units in October 2021 – 3 Models Remain Segment Leaders

Proton saw further improvement to its sales in October 2021 last month. With over 13,362 units sold, three of the national carmaker’s models continue to lead their respective segments, including the
hugely popular Proton X50
, Proton X70, as well as the Proton Exora.

Naturally, the affordable Proton Saga saw the highest number of sales; as many as 5,107 units were delivered to customers last month, though it’s no longer the
best-selling A-segment sedan
. The X50, on the other hand, saw 3,839 units registered – this is the most number of units delivered in a single month for the B-segment SUV.

As for the X70, 2,165 units of the C-segment SUV were sold last month, followed by the Persona (1,393), Iriz (497), and the best-selling C-segment MPV of last month, the Exora (359). Keep keep in mind that these figures also include exports.

“Proton’s sales in October can be summarized as a story of strong buyer demand and unrealised sales potential. While we are happy with the continued popularity of the Proton Saga and our achievement with the two SUVs, we missed out on adding more units to our final tally as we continue ramping up our supply of components,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

“Market demand, however, is expected to remain strong towards the end of year, so we are working diligently towards closing 2021 on a high note,” he added.


Gateron X Now in Malaysia – New Linear Switch From RM2.40

The brand new Gateron X linear switch is now available right here in Malaysia. Featuring a bottom housing made from a new mold – there’s an “X” engraving on the bottom to signify this – as well as polished insides, the Gateron X should be noticeably smoother than the company’s other linear offerings.

This Gateron X switch is
exclusively available from Keys.my locally
; it is the official Malaysian vendor. If you buy less than 20 Gateron X switches from Keys.my, it will cost RM3 per unit. To get the best discount, you have to purchase over 100 switches, bringing down the price to RM2.40 per switch.

As mentioned, the Gateron X switch has a new bottom housing with polished insides; even the POM stem is polished. “These polished areas reduce surface roughness while maintaining stem tolerances,” as the product listing states. In fact, the polished areas are even “slippery to grip.”

While the new Gateron X switch is quite a bit more costly than Gateron’s other offerings, it does seem like a promising (and possibly smooth) linear switch. If you’re keen to pick it up, you can do so from Keys.my’s
official website
 or its
Shopee Store
.
Hex Keyboards
 (based in Singapore) also carry the Gateron X, though it’s sold out at the moment.


Akko Unveils MOD 005 – Gasket-Mounted Aluminium Keyboard for RM570

Akko is introducing quite a number of
new products lately
, including this keyboard kit, the Akko MOD 005. Sporting a gasket mount design and a CNC aluminium case, it’s quite an intriguing 65% keyboard.

Given its more premium aluminium case, the MOD 005 does cost quite a bit more than Akko’s other keyboards. On Akko’s official
Shopee Malaysia store
, the MOD 005 is listed at RM569.99, though it can now be purchased for slightly less at RM562.99.

But if you get the MOD 005 on
Akko’s online store
 instead, you can actually get it for slightly less at $129.99 (about RM540), though you’ll also have to pay more for shipping.

Anyway, the MOD 005, as mentioned, is a 65% keyboard with a gasket mounting system that makes use of 3mm PORON strips. It also has a CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate
and
 an extra FR4 plate (very generous of Akko), a coiled cable, and support for both screw-in and plate-mounted stabilisers.

On paper, the Akko MOD 005 does seem like a reasonably good 65% keyboard. If you want to pick it up, you can do so over at
Shopee Malaysia
 or
Akko’s online store
.


Video: Akko CS Jelly Black Sound Test on the Ikki68 Aurora

Touted as the heaviest switch in Akko’s CS series with a 50g actuation force, the Akko CS Jelly Black is a budget-friendly linear switch with a clacky sound profile and a dustproof stem, much like the
CS Starfish
. How affordable is it? Well, it costs
less than RM1 per switch
.

Although the Jelly Black doesn’t get the Starfish’s two-stage spring, it still has a long 22mm spring. This makes for a “snappy” typing experience with stronger, more responsive upstrokes. Pushing down on the switch from the very top of the downstroke requires more force as well thanks to the long spring – a typing characteristic some folks may be fond of.

Aside from the Akko CS Jelly Black and the aforementioned Starfish, we also received the
Jelly Blue and CS Sponge
 tactile switches from Akko. Stay tuned for our review – and sound test – of these switches!


Glorious Slammed for Copying Keycap Design

Glorious forayed into the enthusiast keyboard scene quite a bit since it released the
Glorious Panda

switch
 and the
GMMK Pro
. Just recently, the company introduced a couple of new keycap sets, and…they look very similar to existing sets.

In response, many folks – even big names in the custom keyboard hobby – are criticizing Glorious’ action. Though the design of the keycap sets in question are not exactly the same, you can definitely see the similarities.

Infinikey Aether

So what are the keycap sets that started this uproar? Well, they’re Glorious’ new GPBT Celestial Fire and Celestial Ice sets. Celestial Fire is very similar to
Infinikey Aether
 designed by Alexotos (a keyboard content creator), while Celestial Ice looks like
SA DreamEater
.

As mentioned, these four keycaps sets are not carbon copies of each other, but there’s no denying that they share a similar design language. Judge for yourself with the images below.

Alexotos’ Aether base kit
Glorious GPBT Celestial Fire kit
Glorious GPBT Celestial Ice kit
SA DreamEater base kit

Quite similar, aren’t they? Granted, clones of popular keycap sets – especially ones from GMK – have always been available in the market, but it’s very rare for a big,
established
 company like Glorious to do the same. Needless to say, this is frowned upon by the custom keyboard community.

In fact, many keyboard content creators have posted a response to the release of the GPBT Celestial keycaps; even Taeha Types himself chimed in. These are some of their responses:

I think this sentiment sums it up. All of us creators tried to give some benefit of the doubt when the GMMK Pro was released, but this is not it. And please especially read the last of Marcia's thread post.
https://t.co/rG2bykOt54
— Taeha Types (@taehatypes)
November 3, 2021

Anyways, support Designers, creators, small business. Turn away from big soulless corporations, avoid turning this hobby into one of many stale ones out there.
Be the community I fell in love with.
pic.twitter.com/jCMIupUBd5
— Qlavier keyboard design (@qlavier)
November 3, 2021

pic.twitter.com/5CnQK3nZas
— josh (@susboards)
November 4, 2021

A few days after the Celestial keycaps went up for sale, Glorious
finally released a statement
 addressing the situation. “Neither set (Celestial Fire and Ice) was modeled after or inspired by any specific existing set,” the company wrote.

But sometime during the production process, it “came to light internally that the Celestial Fire colourway looked similar to that of an existing set put out by Alexotos,” Glorious continued.

“Although the colourways were similar (Celestial Fire and Aether), after internal discussion, our production teams agreed the final design was not a copy of Aether, and continued with production. We did not consult Alex at this time, as we were confident the keycap set had enough differences, and Aether was no longer being produced,” the company added.

Aether

A couple of weeks before release, Glorious did eventually get in touch with Alexotos, in which he expressed “clear disappointment upon seeing the similarities between the sets.” He also told Glorious of his plan to release a second run of the Aether keycap set (Glorious was unaware of this) and that Celestial Fire could harm him financially.

“The next day, we reached back out to Alex with intentions of coming to a mutual resolution to preserve our working relationship. Unfortunately, we were not able to come to an agreement at that time,” Glorious said. The company added that since the first batches of Celestial keycaps have been made, Glorious proceeded with the release.

“Since the release of Celestial, we have received a lot of feedback from both customers and partners. The passion from the community about this topic is clear, and many feel angered and hurt by the situation.”

Celestial Fire

“We realise we made a mistake proceeding with the release of this keycap set without informing and involving Alex much earlier in the process,” wrote Glorious. With this in mind, Glorious wants to do what is right by the keyboard community and Alexotos, and the company reached an “amicable resolution with him.”

The resolution includes an offer to compensate him financially, which was “respectfully turned down” by Alexotos. Glorious also said it agreed to his ideas for how the company can do a better job of working within the keyboard community moving forward.

“We want to do a better job incorporating the community as a whole during the early production process of all our keyboard products so that this doesn’t happen again,” Glorious said.

While it’s great that Glorious addressed the issue at hand, it’s worth noting that the similarity between Celestial Ice and SA DreamEater was not mentioned at all in the statement.

Glorious communicated to me that they feel the same way, and have agreed to make changes going forward. I have no ill feelings towards Glorious or the keycaps, I just want everyone to be happy. 😌 2/2
— alexotos (@otosalex)
November 5, 2021

It’s worth noting that Glorious is no stranger to controversy either. The Glorious Panda, for example, was actually called Holy Panda at first; a direct reference to the original (and hugely popular) frankenswitch. To top it off, the company
even tried to trademark the name
, drawing ire from the custom keyboard community.

Eventually, Glorious later rebranded the switch to Glorious Panda after the uproar. This name change was positively received by the community…for the most part. Anyway, when we take into consideration this past issue with the current keycap drama, it’s not a good look for Glorious.

Aether

As much as the custom mechanical keyboard scene has grown over the years, it still remains a niche hobby. So when a large company like Glorious releases a keycap set that looks strikingly similar to an existing set – which is usually designed by smaller entities – this (understandably) doesn’t bode well with the community.

Hopefully, Glorious does take necessary measures to ensure that something like this will not happen again in the future, especially with future releases of the Celestial keycap sets.


MySejahtera Error – Users Mistakenly Put Under Quarantine

Now this is not something you want to happen to you: several MySejahtera users were mistakenly given Home Surveillance Order (HSO) or Person Under Surveillance (PUS) status. If you have either one of these two statuses on your MySejahtera account, you (naturally) will not be allowed to check-in anywhere.

This was revealed by MySejahtera on its Twitter account. According to the Tweet, the root cause of the error has been fixed, so folks who were mistakenly given the HSO or PUS status will no longer be labeled as such.

It's still there! How am I supposed to remove it?!?
pic.twitter.com/JKCDV4auET
— Nicol Chong (@nicolchong)
November 7, 2021

Although MySejahtera said that this error has been rectified, a number of users are reporting that they are still seeing the HSO or PUS status on their accounts. According to
another Twitter user
, contacting the helpdesk seems to resolve the issue.

If you believe you’ve been mistakenly put under HSO or PUS, you can contact the helpdesk through the MySejahtera app itself. Hopefully, you don’t have to do this in the first place.


Deal: Sony Xperia 10 III Going for RM1,649 Now

Sony’s latest mid-range smartphone, the Sony Xperia 10 III, is quite a bit more affordable now. Initially priced at RM1,999 when the phone first launched here in Malaysia, you can now get it for only RM1,649 – that’s exactly
RM350 worth of savings
.

This deal on the Xperia 10 III is offered by Sony Centre Sunway Pyramid’s official Shopee store. Though the phone is listed at RM1,699, you can claim a RM50 discount voucher from the retailer to
bring down the price to RM1,649
. Unfortunately, only the Blue model is in stock at the time of writing.

For that kind of money, the Xperia 10 III is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chipset, which should be faster and more power-efficient
than its predecessor
’s Snapdragon 665 chipset. After all, it’s built on an 8nm process instead of the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process, which should translate to better battery life.

Other specifications of the Xperia 10 III include a compact 6-inch 2520 x 1080 OLED screen, a triple camera system (12MP f/1.8 primary + 8MP f/2.4 telephoto + 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle), an 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a generous 4,500mAh battery, and an IP65/IP68 rating.

If you’re keen to grab the Sony Xperia 10 III for only RM1,649, you can do so over at
Shopee Malaysia
.


Sony Xperia 1 III Still Going for RM5,399 – Now Bundled With Wireless Charger & RM100 Voucher

Previously, the high-end Sony Xperia 1 III received a
RM400 discount
 until 31 October 2021, bringing down its price to RM5,399. Well, it appears the flagship phone is still offered at this price point, and to sweeten the deal, the Xperia 1 III is also bundled with a wireless charger now.

This deal is offered by Sony Malaysia itself on its online store
right here
. Aside from the wireless charger – and the RM400 discount on the phone – every purchase of the Xperia 1 III will come with a RM100 JD Sports gift card too.

One of the main highlights of the Xperia 1 III is its “variable telephoto lens” system that allows the 12MP telephoto sensor of the to change its focal length between 70mm to 105mm. The system is also paired with a “Dual PD sensor,” which promises fast autofocus speeds, even when switching between different focal lengths.

Complementing the telephoto lens of the Xperia 1 III is a 12MP primary sensor, along with a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter. Other specifications of the flagship phone include a sharp and vibrant 120Hz 6.5-inch 4K OLED screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage, an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery, as well as an IP65/IP68 rating.

The Sony Xperia 1 III can now be purchased for RM5,399 on
Sony Malaysia’s online store
. To recap, you’ll also get a wireless charger and a RM100 JD Sports gift card with every purchase.


Malaysia, Singapore Quarantine-Free Travel From 29 November

If you’re planning to travel between Malaysia and Singapore soon, great news: you won’t be required to be quarantined from 29 November onwards. Instead, all you need to do is to be tested for COVID-19 before entering either countries through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).

Of course, there are a couple of caveats to VTL. As the name suggests, only fully vaccinated individuals can take advantage of this quarantine-free entry. On top of that, it is only limited to air travel at the moment between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Changi Airport.

This was announced in a joint statement by the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. “Given the significant progress that both countries have made in vaccinating their respective populations and managing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Ministers agreed that it is timely to progressively resume cross-border travel between both countries, in a safe manner,” the statement reads.

“The Prime Ministers also look forward to restoring travel across the land links between countries in the near future,” which include the Causeway and Second Link. At the moment, only those who are travelling by air (and fully vaccinated) between Malaysia and Singapore are not required to undergo quarantine from 29 November 2021 onwards.


Huawei Nova 9 Lands in Malaysia for RM1,999 – Early Birds Get Goodies Worth RM829

The Huawei Nova 9 has just been launched in Malaysia. Sporting a sleek design with a dual curved 120Hz screen, it’s a reasonably premium-looking phone despite its mid-range positioning.

Only one variant of the Nova 9 is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 256GB of storage with 8GB of RAM, this sole model for our market is priced at RM1,999. Those who
pre-order the phone
 by 19 November will also receive RM829 worth of goodies, including a Huawei FreeBuds Pro wireless earbuds worth RM699.

As mentioned, the Nova 9 has a sleek dual curved screen for a premium-looking design. The panel itself, on the other hand, is a 6.57-inch 1080p OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 300Hz touch sampling rate to reduce input latency; something avid mobile gamers will appreciate.

Other specifications of the Huawei Nova 9 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, a quad camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,300mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.


Honda City Hatchback Open for Booking in Malaysia – Launching Q4 2021

Bookings for the all-new Honda City Hatchback is now open in Malaysia! Set to be launched locally sometime in Q4 2021 – which could be this month or the next – the replacement for the popular Jazz hatchback is offered in two powertrains: the standard 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC petrol and the range-topping e:HEV hybrid system.

So far, only the range-topping RS e:HEV hybrid model and the V trim – with the aforementioned 1.5L petrol engine – of the City Hatchback have been confirmed. Naturally, the RS model is also the only variant to get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems.

As the City Hatchback succeeds the Jazz, it’s no surprise that the B-segment hatchback also gets the latter’s much-loved ULTRA Seats. Basically, the rear seats of the City Hatchback can be folded flat or even flipped up in four different configurations to accommodate different cargo.

“The introduction of the All-New City Hatchback is a key milestone for Honda in Malaysia as it is the first time the company is offering the City model in a hatchback body type,” said the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Madoka Chujo.

The Honda City Hatchback is now available for booking at all Honda authorised dealerships nationwide. You can place your booking online
here
, or through the HondaTouch app as well – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Shopee 11.11 Shopping Guide – How to Get the Best Deals

The Shopee 11.11 Big Sale is happening this midnight, which will offer a number of good deals. Not only can you get free shipping with no minimum spend, there are also discounts up to 95%. Needless to say, it’s a great time to purchase anything you might need at 12AM tonight.

Of course, if you want to get the best deals, there are a number of things to pay attention to. From claiming bank vouchers to checking out as quickly as you can (before the vouchers run out), here are some tips for Shopee’s 11.11 Big Sale tonight!

Claim Bank Vouchers

This is arguably the best (and easiest) way to get a sizeable discount on your purchases. All you have to do is claim for bank vouchers from Shopee
here
, and pay with a credit card from selected banks. Of course, it’s not just limited to credit cards: there are also Visa and BigPay vouchers which offer RM15 off your purchases.

Naturally, there’s a minimum spend requirement for the discount vouchers. The BigPay voucher, for example, has a RM120 minimum spend to get RM15 off. The Visa voucher, on the other hand, has a higher RM150 minimum spend. Basically, these bank vouchers have different minimum spend requirements.

On top of that, it’s worth noting that these vouchers can only be used with specific retailers, which brings us to the next point..

Look for Mall and Preferred Retailers

Most Shopee vouchers – including the aforementioned bank vouchers – are only applicable to Mall and Preferred retailers, so it’s best to do your purchases with these retailers. It’s a little inconvenient, yes, but retailers with either one of the two statuses are (usually) more reputable, so that’s good.

If you have trouble looking for specific products that are sold by Mall or Preferred retailers, you can use the filter feature in the search tool to only show listings from these retailers. You can even sort the filtered listings by price, ensuring that you can get the best deal.

Checkout Through the Shopee App

Another thing about Shopee vouchers: most of them can only be used if you checkout through the Shopee app. If you make your purchase through the Shopee website instead, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on the opportunity to use the best voucher available for your particular order.

Personally, I find it best to make my Shopee purchases through the app anyway, so this isn’t exactly a big issue (to me). You can download the Shopee app through the
Apple App Store
 or the
Google Play Store
.

Combine Your Orders to Meet Minimum Spend

What if the items you want don’t meet the minimum spend for vouchers? Well, you can combine your orders from other sellers; not every item in an order has to be from the same retailer. Sure, you won’t have to pay multiple shipping fees, but if combining orders allow you to use certain discount vouchers, you’ll be saving more.

Don’t Forget to Claim Shop Vouchers

Aside from Shopee vouchers, there are also shop-specific vouchers that can be used in tandem with the former, so you can get even more discounts on your purchases. You can easily see the vouchers that are available from a specific shop through the product listing itself or from your shopping cart page in the Shopee app.

Here’s a neat trick to get the best deal on any product: if a retailer is listing an item at a higher price than another store, check if there’s any shop voucher that you can use to lower the price. I kid you not, there were a few instances where I got a better deal by doing so.

Get Your Items Ready in the Shopping Cart

The best time to make your purchases on big sales like 11.11 is to checkout at 12AM itself, so it’s imperative that you have your items ready in the shopping cart
before
 midnight. Browse through the items that you want to purchase several days before the sale itself, claim every voucher you can find, and checkout the moment the clock strikes 12AM.

Here’s the thing: Shopee vouchers are limited, and they can run out within
minutes
 after 12AM. This is especially true for discount vouchers that are really good – such as bank vouchers – so you’ll have to be quick to be able to use these vouchers.

Keep an Eye Out for Voucher Drops Throughout the Day

If you missed out on the crucial 12AM shopping window, don’t worry: Shopee will release quite a number of vouchers throughout the sale day. It can be a little overwhelming to keep track of this, but if you’ve got the Shopee app installed, there will usually be push notifications to notify users of any voucher drops.

So there you have it. With these tips, you’ll definitely get some good savings on Shopee’s 11.11 Big Sale happening this midnight. For more information on the sale – and to claim for various vouchers – visit
this page
.


You Can Now Access Netflix on Astro

Back in June earlier this year
, Astro announced that Netflix will be accessible through its Ultra Box. Well, the subscription service is now officially available on Astro. On top of that, there are also
Astro TV packs
 that come with a Netflix (and even Disney+ Hotstar) subscription.

The most affordable Astro TV pack with Netflix bundled together is the Entertainment Plus Pack for RM129.99/month. If you want both Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar in the same TV pack, there’s Premium Pack 3 for RM154.99/month; access to HBO GO is also offered in this bundle.

Of course, you don’t have to purchase these TV packs to access Netflix on Astro’s Ultra Box. As long as you have an active subscription to the streaming service, you can log on to Netflix without any issue. It’s just a little bit more convenient to include the subscription cost into a single bill, especially if you fancy other content in the TV pack.

Astro is also working on adding Netflix to the Ulti Box, though no specific timeline was given. The company will also add other streaming services – including Disney+ Hotstar, iQiyi, and TVBAnywhere+ – to the Ultra and Ulti boxes in the future. More details on the availability of these streaming services on Astro can be found
here
.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Now Open for Booking – From RM45,700 to RM58,800

Just one week after
spy shots of the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 started going around, the national carmaker has opened bookings for the new (and very popular) B-segment hatchback. On top of that, we even have the price range of the facelifted Myvi.

Set to retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800 – which should be without sales tax exemption, given that it’s been
extended to 30 June 2022
 – the updated Myvi is slightly more costly now. For the sake of comparison, the current Myvi retails from RM41,292 to RM52,697.

Interestingly, the facelifted Myvi will only feature an automatic transmission; the manual option will be discontinued with the facelift, for better or worse. Perodua did not mention if the four-speed automatic will be retained for the new Myvi, though it is rumoured to feature a CVT gearbox now – similar to the one found in the Ativa.

As many as five different variants of the facelifted Myvi will be offered, including the range-topping AV, H, X – these three models will feature a 1.5L engine – and two G trims with a 1.3L mill. The fuel efficiency of the Myvi has also been improved to 22.2km per litre (tested on the 1.3L variant) from 21.1km per litre; that’s quite impressive.

Spy shots of the 2022 Myvi facelift

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now available for booking in Malaysia at Perodua showrooms nationwide. Alternatively, you can also place a booking for the B-segment hatchback
online
.

Read more:

2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Getting Level 2 Autonomous Driving?


Poco M4 Pro 5G Now in Malaysia From RM849 – Early Birds Get RM100 Off

Poco just launched another affordable smartphone here in Malaysia, the Poco M4 Pro 5G. Retailing from only RM849, you can get this budget-friendly phone with a RM100 discount this Thursday on 11 November.

Two variants of the M4 Pro are offered in Malaysia. The base model with 64GB of expandable storage and 4GB of RAM retails at RM849, while the 128GB configuration with 6GB of RAM costs RM999.

As mentioned, those who purchase either one of these two variants on 11 November
from Shopee
 can get a RM100 discount, bringing down the prices to RM749 and RM899 respectively.

For that kind of money, the M4 Pro is a reasonably good phone. It features a 6.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, a dual camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle), a 16MP selfie camera, and a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

The Poco M4 Pro 5G will be available for purchase this Thursday on 11 November. To recap, you can get a RM100 discount if you buy the phone on that day itself from Shopee, bringing down the price of the phone to RM749 and RM899 for the 64GB and 128GB models respectively.


Video: Akko CS Sponge & Jelly Blue Sound Test on Ikki68 Aurora

Here’s our sound test of the Akko CS Sponge and Jelly Blue tactile switches! Beyond the different colourway of these two switches, both of them are similar to each other: both of them have a long 22mm two-stage spring with a “dual tactile bump.”

Interestingly, despite the similarity between the two tactile switches, the Jelly Blue has a slightly higher-pitched sound profile; this can be attributed to the Cherry-style housing of the switch. In comparison, the Sponge has a Kailh-style housing.

Aside from these Akko CS Sponge and Jelly Blue tactile switches, we also got the
Jelly Black
 and
Starfish
 linear switches from Akko. Stay tuned for our review of these switches!


Video: Ion Zenith Sound Test With NovelKeys Cream

We’ve finally built our Zenith custom keyboard! Paired with
NovelKeys Cream linear switches
 – lubed with Krytox 205g0, of course – and an aluminium plate, this is definitely one of the clackiest (in a good way) custom keyboards we’ve ever tried.

Although the Zenith is designed by Ion Keyboards, it it actually manufactured and distributed by Rama Works, which is known for its range of premium keyboards and accessories. Aside from that, the Zenith also uses an isolated gasket mounting system that promises a “crisp and clean” typing experience.

Our full review of the Zenith will be posted very, very soon. Stay tuned to our website (and
YouTube channel
) for that! We also have an
unboxing of this custom keyboard
.


Pixel 6 – Slow Fingerprint Sensor Due to “Enhanced Security”

More folks have gotten their hands on the
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
, so naturally, we’re also getting some interesting user complains. One of them is the slow fingerprint sensor of the two phones, and Google said that this is caused by “enhanced security algorithms.”

Google posted this particular statement on Twitter in response to a user’s complain regarding the finicky performance of the Pixel 6’s fingerprint sensor. Because the sensor uses enhanced security algorithms, “these added protections can take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor,” as Google puts it.

We're sorry for the hassle. The Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor utilizes enhanced security algorithms. In some instances, these added protections can take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor. Try troubleshooting steps:
https://t.co/uTbifE5Uyo
. Thanks. ^Levi
— Made By Google (@madebygoogle)
November 6, 2021

It’s worth noting that under-display fingerprint sensors have their fair share of issues when it comes to recognition speed and accuracy, and the Pixel 6 is not the first phone to suffer from this. Still, it’s understandably frustrating for a flagship-tier phone to be plagued by this issue, even though some users reported no issue at all with the sensor.

Of course, there is a chance Google could push an update to improve the fingerprint sensor of the Pixel 6, especially if it’s a widespread enough issue. In the meantime, you can follow
these troubleshooting steps
 if you’re having issues with the fingerprint sensor of the Pixel 6.


Acer Aspire Vero Lands in Malaysia From RM3,399

In line with Acer’s commitment to sustainable operations, the Taiwanese company introduced the Acer Aspire Vero here in Malaysia, a laptop made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. Not only is is touted as a green product, it also looks to be a decent productivity-focused laptop.

Two variants of the Aspire Vero are offered in Malaysia. The base model with an Intel Core i5-1155G7 processor and 8GB of RAM costs RM3,399, while the Core i7-1195G7 configuration with 16GB of RAM goes for RM4,299. Those who purchase either models between 11 to 19 November will also receive freebies worth up to RM497.

Aside from the different processor and RAM capacity, both variants of the Aspire Vero are similar to each other. They have a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS screen – which is said to be 99% recyclable – Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 512GB of SSD storage, Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 with a lifetime license, and Windows 11 out of the box.

Beyond what’s under the hood, it’s worth noting that the chassis of the Aspire Vero is composed of 30% PCR plastic, which cuts CO2 emissions by 21% for the production of this particular part. The laptop’s keycaps also contain 50% PCR plastic, and even the 100% recyclable packaging of the laptop can be repurposed as a laptop stand.

To recap, the Acer Aspire Vero will be available for purchase in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 11 November. The Core i5 + 8GB RAM model costs RM3,399, while the Core i7 + 16GB RAM configuration is priced at RM4,299.


Genshin Impact 2.3 Livestream Happening on 12 November – Albedo Returning?

Mihoyo just revealed the date for
Genshin Impact
‘s Version 2.3 special program. Set to take place this Friday on 12 November, both Albedo and Gorou are shown in the teaser for the livestream – chances are, these two characters will be featured in Genshin Impact 2.3’s event wishes.

If Albedo’s event wish returns in Version 2.3 of Genshin Impact, it would be his second banner almost a year
since his debut in the game
. As for Gorou, he was first teased
alongside Arataki Itto
 last month, so it’s likely that these two characters will be playable in Genshin Impact 2.3.

According to Mihoyo, the Version 2.3 special program for Genshin Impact will also feature “juicy details about new game content and developments in Version 2.3.” As usual, redemption codes (and other goodies) will be given during the livestream as well.

You can catch the livestream of Genshin Impact Version 2.3
on Twitch
 this Friday on 12 November at 8PM for us here in Malaysia. If you missed the stream, don’t worry: the special program
will also be on YouTube
 on 13 November at 12AM.


11 – 17 November Fuel Price: RON 97 up 2 Sen, RON 95 & Diesel Maintain

The price of RON 97 is set to increase yet again this coming week, though by a smaller margin this time. From tomorrow onwards, RON 97 will go up by 2 sen per litre. Not surprisingly, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 for the next seven days is set at RM3.08 per litre (up from RM3.06). 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 11 to 17 November. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Keychron Q1 Restocking End-November – Knob Version Delayed to December 2021

Stocks of the
Keychron Q1
 have been running low for quite sometime now, but this is set to change soon.
According to Keychron
, more units of the 75% keyboard will be available by the end of the month, though stocks will still be quite limited.

Keychron is having difficulty producing more Q1 due to (you’ve guessed it) chip shortage. This issue is said to only be solved sometime in January 2022, and this is still just an estimate. The good news is, the knob version of the Q1 will not affected by this chip shortage, so there won’t be shortage of stock.

The bad news? Well, the Q1 with knob support has been delayed to early December now; it was previously said to be
releasing sometime this month
. Nonetheless, at least Keychron won’t have issues stocking this particular version of the Q1 once it is released.

Aside from that, Keychron will also release two new colour options of the Q1: White and Green. Both of them will be offered in limited numbers at the end of this month or early December. If you’d like to learn more about the Q1, check out our
full written review
, or our video review below.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Getting Level 2 Autonomous Driving?

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now open for booking in Malaysia, and even the
price range of the popular B-segment hatchback
 has been revealed. Now, the national carmaker posted a teaser of the updated Myvi’s instrument cluster and steering wheel, revealing some key features.

Compared to the current Myvi, the new instrument cluster is now finished in red; even the multi-info display is larger now, lending to a more modern look. What’s more interesting, however, are the buttons on the steering wheel. These seem to suggest that the Myvi will sport level 2 autonomous driving, just like the larger (and costlier)
Ativa
.

We can feel the excitement building up, too. Catch the premiere of the Next Standard by staying tuned right here. Book now at
https://t.co/7o1neCq9gi
 or at any authorised Perodua showroom.
#Perodua

#NewMyvi

#NextStandard

#VersatileConvenience

pic.twitter.com/H6qcTLO8ZS
— Perodua (@perodua)
November 11, 2021

As you can see on the right side of the steering wheel, there are buttons for Lane Keep Control (LKC) and adaptive cruise control. These features – among other things – make up the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system, which is only found on the Ativa at the moment. The fact that it will also be available on the Myvi is…well, quite a big deal.

Oh, take note of the “PWR” button on the lower right of the steering wheel too. This is the same button found on the Ativa to get extra responsiveness from the CVT gearbox, giving further credence to the rumour that the Myvi will feature the same transmission.

Spy shots of the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift

No word yet on exactly when the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will make its official debut, though it’s been confirmed to retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800 in Malaysia. You can also place a booking for the new Myvi at Perodua showrooms nationwide or online
right here
.

Read more:

Spy Shot: 2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Spotted on Trailer – Heading to Showrooms?


Keychron Q2 Now Releasing in End-November or Early December 2021

Previously slated to be launched by the end of this month, the
Keychron Q2
‘s release date has been slightly pushed back. Now, it’s
set to hit the market
 either at the end of November or early December 2021.

Unlike
the Q1
, there will be no pre-order of the Q2. Instead, the 65% keyboard will be sold as an in-stock product, so you won’t have to wait for months on end to receive the keyboard. However, it remains to be seen if the knob version of the Q2 will also be sold at the same time.

As you can see in the product shot above, the Q2 will come with double shot PBT keycaps in OSA profile too; quite a change over the OEM profile of the Q1’s stock keycaps. It’s worth noting that Keychron’s OSA keycaps look to be different from
existing OSA keycaps
 – these keycaps seem to have more rounded corners.

Just like the Q1, the Q2 is a gasket-mounted keyboard with a hotswap PCB. It also features a CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate, and support for screw-in stabilisers. The fully assembled model will come with three choices of Gateron switches as well: Brown (tactile), Red (linear), or Blue (clicky).

So how much will the Keychron Q2 cost? According to Keychron, it will be priced similarly to the Q1 – which starts at $149 (about RM620) – despite the fact that it’s a smaller keyboard. Anyway, you can register your interest for the Q2
right here
 ahead of its estimated launch by the end of this month or early December 2021.


Keychron Q3 & Q4 Keyboards Confirmed: TKL & 60% Layouts, January 2022 Launch

Keychron’ Q series of keyboards is set to get even bigger in the coming months. Currently, the lineup is made up of the
Q1
 and
Q2
, which are 75% and 65% keyboards respectively. Come next year, the
Q3 and Q4 keyboards
 – with TKL and 60% layouts respectively – will join the series.

Out of the two new keyboards, the Q3 TKL keyboard will be released first sometime in January 2022. As for the Q4 60% keyboard, it’s slated to be introduced in March 2022.

The Keychron Q1

Beyond confirming the sizes of the Q3 and Q4 keyboards, Keychron did not reveal any other details, though they should be similar to the Q1 and Q2. If this is the case, they will sport a gasket mounting system, a hotswap PCB with VIA support, a full CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate, as well as support for screw-in stabilisers.

Evidently, Keychron is focusing quite a bit on its Q series keyboards, which are meant to appeal to the enthusiast keyboard crowd. The next product in the series to be released is the Q2 – it’s currently set to hit the market
by the end of the month or early December 2021.


Deal: Grab the Sony WF-1000XM4 for Only RM839

Sony’s latest wireless earbuds, the
Sony WF-1000XM4
, is arguably one of the best earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) right now. On top of that, a couple of retailers are offering a pretty good discount on it too: you can get the WF-1000XM4
for only RM839 now
.

Sony Centre Mid Valley
 and
MSL Digital
 – both are Shopee Mall retailers – are currently listing the WF-1000XM4 at merely RM839. Needless to say, this is a
very
 good deal; it’s a sizeable
RM260 discount
 from the original retail price.

What makes the WF-1000XM4 particularly interesting is its ANC performance, which is said to be best in class by Sony itself. On top of that, even with ANC activated, the XM4 can last up to eight hours on a single charge – that’s two more hours than its predecessor’s quoted battery life.

In terms of sound quality, the WF-1000XM4 now supports high-resolution audio courtesy of LDAC, so it should be able to deliver better audio quality. On top of that, the
WH-1000XM4
‘s “Speak-to-Chat” feature has been implemented into these wireless earbuds too. Basically, when you start speaking, it will automatically let in ambient sound.

Other noteworthy features of the WF-1000XM4 include IPX4 water resistance – you can use it for your workouts or in the rain without issue – as well as a 40% smaller charging case. The case supports wireless charging, and it can fully charge the earbuds twice, giving you effectively 24 hours of battery life in total.

If you want to get the Sony WF-1000XM4 for only RM839, you can do so from
Sony Centre Mid Valley
 and
MSL Digital
.


Video: Ion Zenith Review – ALMOST Worth the Wait

This is the Zenith, designed by Ion Keyboards and manufactured by Rama Works Foundry. As a premium 65% custom keyboard with a unique macro column on the left, it certainly looks (and feels) the part. However, the Zenith also has some shortcomings, including QC that should’ve been better for a keyboard at this price point.

Despite the issues I faced with the Zenith, I am still quite happy with it. It has a fantastic, clean, clacky sound profile – have a listen to our sound test in the video review above! – it offers a firm (but not overly so) typing experience, and although my unit doesn’t have perfect QC, it still feels very, very premium.

Do I regret purchasing the Zenith? Not at all, though the
15 months wait
 does take away some excitement from the premium keyboard – in my opinion, anyway.


Deal: Sony WH-1000XM4 Going for Only RM934 Now

The
Sony WH-1000XM4
, one of the best noise-cancelling wireless headphones in the market now, is more affordable than ever. Originally retailing at RM1,599, you can now get the XM4
for only RM934
.

This deal is offered by Shopee Mall retailer MSL Digital. It is listing the WH-1000XM4 for RM949, and you can collect a RM15 discount voucher from the retailer to bring down the price
to only RM934
. Compared to the launch price of the headphones, you’re saving a whopping RM665 with this deal.

Without a doubt RM934 for a pair of noise-cancelling wireless headphones of this calibre is a very,
very
 good deal. Not quite convinced? Then check out our
review of the Sony WH-1000XM4
.


Oppo A95 Available for Pre-Order in Malaysia Soon With Freebies Worth RM486

Malaysian pre-orders of the Oppo A95 is set to go live very soon. Slated to be launched locally this coming Monday on 15 November, those who pre-order the mid-range phone will also get freebies worth RM486.

To get these freebies, you’ll have to pre-order the A95 through the
Oppo Store
 and arrange for a pick-up at an offline Oppo Brand Store. By doing so, you’ll get an Oppo VOOC power bank worth RM229 alongside a six-month extended warranty plan (worth RM49.90).

However, do note that the VOOC power bank is only available on a specific day – which has not been revealed yet – at certain Oppo Brand Stores on a first-come, first-served basis.

Aside from the power bank, those who pre-order the A95 can also purchase the Oppo Enco Buds wireless earbuds (worth RM159) for only RM1. If you’re a My Oppo Member, you can also claim a RM50 promo code from the My Oppo App upon your purchase of the phone during the pre-order period.

As for the Oppo A95 instead, only some of its hardware have been revealed, including a sizeable 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging, 128GB of internal storage, and 8GB of RAM. We’ll find out exactly how much the mid-ranger costs in Malaysia once it is launched here next week on 15 November.


Keychron Q3’s First Render Shown – No Knob?

Keychron just released the first-ever render for the Keychron Q3, its
upcoming TKL keyboard
. The Q3 is shown with the company’s upcoming OSA keycaps, and curiously, it doesn’t seem to have a knob like the
Q1
 or Q2 keyboard.

This image of the Q3 was posted by
Nick Xu of Keychron
 on Facebook. In the post, he was asking where would be an ideal position to put a knob on the TKL keyboard. “Some of the comments ask if Q3 will have a knob, but where to put it nicely?”

“Please show me some photo examples. I cannot find a nice way to fit the knob,” he added.

Anyway, beyond the knob situation, the Q3 should be similar to the Q1. If this is the case, it will be sporting a gasket mounting system, a hotswap PCB with VIA support, a full CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate, as well as support for screw-in stabilisers.

The Keychron Q3 is expected to go on sale
sometime in January 2022
, followed by the Q4 – it has a 60% layout instead – in March 2022.


Honor 50 Lite Launching in Malaysia 25 November

Honor is set to launch yet another phone in Malaysia soon, the Honor 50 Lite. Based on its name, it should be more affordable than the
Honor 50
, and the phone will be launched on our shores in the next two weeks on 25 November.

One of the most highlighted features of the 50 Lite (as expected) is the fact that it ships with Google Mobile Services (GMS). Honor phones sold in Malaysia – prior to the release of the Honor 50 – did not come with GMS, so they didn’t have access to Google’s range of apps and services, which is really the defining trait of an Android smartphone.

As for what’s under the hood of the 50 Lite, some of its key hardware have not been revealed yet, though it is said to come with a 6.67-inch display, a quad camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), as well as a 4,300mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

The Honor 50 Lite will be launched in Malaysia on 25 November. If this phone catches your fancy, can register your interest for 50 Lite
right here
.


Ikki68 Aurora Returns – Budget Custom Keyboard From RM570

Wuque Studio is back with round two of the excellent (and budget-friendly)
Ikki68 Aurora
 65% custom keyboard. This time around, local vendor
Rebult Keyboards
 is the Malaysian proxy for the keyboard, so you won’t have to pay as much for shipping.

The
second revision of the Ikki68 Aurora
 is largely similar to the first version, though there are some notable changes. The new PCB and plate of the updated Ikki68, for example, now feature a number of flex cuts for a “bouncier” and more flexible typing experience.

In fact, the new PCB of the Ikki68 Aurora is also thinner at 1.2mm, not to mention the fact that the wireless version (via Bluetooth) also supports VIA now for easy key mapping. Naturally, both the wired and wireless PCBs are hotswap, so if you want a solderable PCB instead, you’ll have to
get it as an add-on
.

If you want to add a premium touch to the Ikki68 Aurora, you can get the aluminium top case, which is compatible with the original Ikki68 too. There are also five new colour options: Aurora Fog, Aurora Blue, Aurora Pink, Aurora Clear, and Aurora Snow – this one has an aluminium top instead of polycarbonate.

Other specifications of the Ikki68 Aurora include a customisable gasket mounting system for a softer or firmer typing experience, support for screw-in stabilisers, as well as underglow RGB lighting.

The new Ikki68 Aurora is now available for pre-order through
Rebult Keyboards
 here in Malaysia from RM570 until 26 November. It will start shipping to customers sometime in April 2022, which is about five months away –
decent lead time for a custom keyboard
, believe it or not.


Unboxing & Hands-On With the GamaKay LK67 Keyboard & DAGK Rosemary Keycap

Want to get into the keyboard hobby, but not quite ready to invest too much money on a “proper” custom keyboard? Well, then consider the
GamaKay LK67 keyboard kit
. Not only is the kit quite affordable, the LK67 even has a knob – a feature not many keyboards have.

If you’re intrigued, here’s our unboxing of the LK67 keyboard kit courtesy of Banggood. We also received the
DAGK Rosemary keycap set
 to pair with the keyboard!

The packaging of both the GamaKay LK67 and DAGK Rosemary keycap is quite simple. The former is protected reasonably well with some foam and a plastic covering, while the Rosemary keycap set is placed in two foam cutouts in a plain brown box.

Bundled together with the LK67 are several accessories. These include a braided USB-C cable, a keycap/switch puller combo, and a 2.4GHz dongle. That’s right, the LK67 is a wireless keyboard, and it can connect to a device via the dongle or Bluetooth. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of how long the 2,400mAh battery can last on a single charge.

Anyway, the LK67 itself has a plastic case, and it seems to be using a tray mount system with a metal plate of sorts; typical combo of a pre-built keyboard. But what’s not so typical is the hotswap PCB of the LK67, allowing you to experiment with different switches easily without the need to solder them to the keyboard.

Not surprisingly, the LK67 features plate-mounted stabilisers as well, which are less desirable than screw-in stabilisers that fit more tightly onto the PCB of a keyboard. That being said, the LK67’s plate-mounted stabilisers are…actually quite good.

Not only do these stabilisers sit quite snugly on the plate, they don’t seem to rattle or tick much in my brief test with them. For the sake of context, I tested them with the
Akko CS Sponge
 tactile switch and the aforementioned DAGK Rosemary keycaps. I’ll pay close attention to how these stabilisers continue to perform as I use the LK67 as my daily driver.

Another neat feature of the LK67 is the knob on the top right of the keyboard. While it doesn’t feel particularly solid – there’s quite a bit of wobble – it does work as intended. I can easily control the volume with the knob, and I can even click on it to pause and play media.

Oh, there are also a boatload of RGB lighting throughout the keyboard, though I find myself disabling them.

So…how does the LK67 feel like to type on? Well, it’s reasonably good for the price. Because this is a tray-mounted keyboard, it does offer a firm, stiff typing experience. If this is exactly what you look for in a keyboard, then you’ll be happy with the LK67 – it’s all about preference.

What about the sound profile of the LK67? I would say it is acceptable (again) for the price. See, the tray mount system transfers quite a bit of typing vibration to the case, so it has the typical “plasticky” sound signature of a pre-built keyboard, unfortunately enough.

However, with the right configuration of parts, the LK67 definitely has the potential to be “thocky” – the deep, low-pitch sound profile that is sought-after in the enthusiast keyboard scene. I’ve tried mounting the
all-nylon Anubis switch
 with the DAGK Rosemary PBT keycap, and it definitely has a deep (albeit still plasticky) sound signature.

Speaking of the DAGK Rosemary keycap set, I’m genuinely surprised by how good it is. Made from PBT plastic with a Cherry profile, the keycaps feel and look great. There are enough keys of various sizes to fit most keyboard layouts too, such as the LK67.

Design wise, I’m not a big fan of the font used for the alphas, but the dye-sublimation is respectable with reasonably sharp-looking legends and vibrant colours. I especially like the unique aesthetics of the spacebar; the design is a little busy, yes, but it’s definitely eye-catching.

Okay, so how much does the GamaKay LK67 and DAGK Rosemary keycap set cost? The LK67 keyboard kit (at the time of writing) costs only $59.99, which
comes up to about RM250
. The DAGK Rosemary keycap, on the other hand, is also
going for $59.99 right now
.

While the DAGK Rosemary keycaps are not exactly budget-friendly – though the quality does match the asking price – the LK67 is certainly an affordable keyboard that can be a great starting point for folks to get into the hobby, especially if you want the practicality of a knob.

I will be putting the GamaKay LK67 through its paces in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for a review of this budget-friendly keyboard right here and
Nextrift’s YouTube channel
. If you’re keen to purchase the
LK67 keyboard kit
 or
DAGK Rosemary keycap set
, you can get both of them over at
Banggood
.


Spy Shot: 2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Spotted on Trailer – Heading to Showrooms?

The upcoming
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 has been spotted yet again, this time on a trailer. Chances are, these units are heading to Perodua showrooms ahead of the new Myvi’s official launch.

This video of the Myvi facelift was first shared on The Ajerul’s
Facebook page
; it was sent by Amir Zaheen Minhaj. We only got rear and side views of the updated B-segment hatchback in the video, showcasing the new lower bumper – with a lot more empty space now – and the same 15-inch alloy wheels as the current model.

Set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
 – which should be without sales tax exemption, given that it’s been extended to 30 June 2022 – the updated Myvi is slightly more costly now. For the sake of comparison, the current Myvi retails from RM41,292 to RM52,697.

No word yet on exactly when the facelift Myvi will be launched, but given that it is on the way to showrooms already, there’s a good chance the hatchback will be launched in the very near future; perhaps sometime next week.

Previous spy shots of the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide or online
right here
. Perodua is also teasing a number of features the updated model will offer, including
level 2 autonomous driving
.

Read more:

2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Now Open for Booking – From RM45,700 to RM58,800

2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Getting Level 2 Autonomous Driving?


Sony Xperia Pro-I Open for Pre-Order in Malaysia for RM7,199

Sony Malaysia just opened pre-orders for its latest flagship smartphone, the
Sony Xperia Pro-I
. If you want a high-end phone with very promising camera performance, the Xperia Pro-I may tickle your fancy.

First spotted by
Amanz
, as many as
three different bundles
 are offered for the Xperia Pro-I: there’s the phone itself for RM7,199, a vlog monitor bundle for RM7,718, and the “Complete Creator’s Kit” bundle, which includes the vlog monitor, shooting grip, and lavalier microphone for RM8,028.

Anyway, Sony is not just positioning the Xperia Pro-I as a smartphone: it’s also touted as “an exciting addition to Sony’s camera line-up” by the Japanese company, given that its 12MP primary camera is packed with a 1.0-type Exmor RS sensor. This is similar to the sensor found in Sony’s well-loved RX100 VII camera.

Beyond the impressive 12MP primary shooter, the Xperia Pro-I is…basically based on the
Xperia 1 III
, though it doesn’t get the variable telephoto lens. Instead, it features a 12MP telephoto lens with a 50mm focal length and a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter.

Other specifications of the Xperia Pro-I include a sharp and vibrant 120Hz 6.5-inch 4K OLED screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM, 512GB of expandable storage, an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery, and an IP65/IP68 rating.

The Sony Xperia Pro-I is now
available for pre-order in Malaysia
 until 15 December 2021. Every pre-order of any three bundles will also be offered with a complimentary 256GB microSD card.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Launching on 18 November

Here it is: after numerous teasers and spy shots, the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is finally launching this Thursday on 18 November. Sporting
new
looks
 and
level 2 autonomous driving
, the new B-segment hatchback is shaping up to be quite an exciting upgrade.

This was confirmed by Perodua itself on its social media pages. The online launch will be taking place on four platforms this Thursday at 9PM, including
YouTube
 and
Facebook
.

Be among the first to know. This Thursday we will unveil The Next Standard. Save the date!
#Perodua

#NewMyvi

#NextStandard

pic.twitter.com/cF1ex55iFx
— Perodua (@perodua)
November 15, 2021

As mentioned, the facelifted Myvi is expected to feature level 2 autonomous driving, thanks to a teaser posted by Perodua
right here
. The steering wheel of the new hatchback has buttons for Lane Keep Control (LKC) and adaptive cruise control, which make up the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system.

The fact that PSDA is available on the new Myvi is quite a big deal, given that there are no other models in the market now with such a feature at this price point. To recap, the facelifted Myvi is set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
; slightly more costly than the current model’s range – RM41,292 to RM52,697 – but it does come with a number of upgrades.

Spy shots of the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut this Thursday on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


More 2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Teasers Shown – Red Seats, New Bumpers

Perodua is building anticipation for the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 with more teasers. Set to be launched this Thursday on 18 November, the national carmaker revealed the new interior and bumpers of the upcoming B-segment hatchback.

As
previous spy shots
 have shown, the facelifted Myvi will feature new front and rear bumpers. The updated front end is similar in design to the Ativa and Aruz, but more importantly, the hatchback also gets vertical DRLs now – a feature many, many folks have been asking for.

We’ve seen most of the exterior of the new Myvi, but not much of the interior, until now. Not only does the facelifted model have new leather seats with red highlights – which look quite plush and comfortable too – it also has a redesigned instrument cluster (finished in red as well) and steering wheel with some
interesting buttons for level 2 autonomous driving
.

The fact that the facelifted Myvi will sport this feature at this price point is a big deal. To put this into context, the updated hatchback is set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
. Slightly more costly than the current model’s range – RM41,292 to RM52,697 – but you are getting quite a number of noteworthy upgrades.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut this Thursday on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


Genshin Impact 2.3 Arrives 24 November With Arataki Itto & Gorou

Genshin Impact
 Version 2.3 is coming next week on 24 November. As usual, we’re getting a number of new events and characters, including Arataki Itto and Gorou – two Geo characters that were
previously teased by Mihoyo
.

Itto is a 5-star character that wields a claymore, and his event wish will be in the second phase of Genshin Impact 2.3 alongside Gorou, a 4-star bow character. The first phase, on the other hand, is a first for Genshin Impact: both Albedo and Eula will be getting their own event wishes
simultaneously
.

Aside from that, there will also be a new story quest that focuses quite a bit on these two characters in Version 2.3 of Genshin Impact. As shown in the trailer above, it appears Albedo and Eula – alongside a number of other characters, such as Bennett and Amber – are in some sort of conflict; very intriguing.

Other new additions to Genshin Impact 2.3 include a new boss (Golden Wolflord), Hangout Events for Gorou and Beidou, as well as a new 4-star sword (Cinnabar Spindle) that players can get for free by just participating in the “Shadows Amidst Snowstorms” event.

Genshin Impact Version 2.3 will drop next week on 24 November. Once the update is live, Albedo’s and Eula’s event wishes will be available first, followed by Arataki Itto and Gorou at a later date.


Genshin Impact Introduces 2 Simultaneous Character Banners in Version 2.3

Now this is quite interesting: Mihoyo will be running two character banners
simultaneously
in
Genshin Impact
 (from time to time), beginning with Version 2.3 next week. Once the update is live on
24 November
, you can wish for two different 5-star characters – a first for the game.

Dubbed Character Event Wish-2, Albedo and Eula will kick off the new format. If you’re wondering, yes, only previously released 5-star characters will be featured in this new wish type. Naturally, pity is shared between the two banners, and the wish guarantee count
will
 carry over to future character banners too.

However, it remains to be seen if Albedo and Eula will get their own separate event wishes with different featured 4-star characters. If this is the case, which 4-star characters are paired with them will affect how compelling their banners will be, even if most folks will be aiming to get the 5-star characters themselves.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out more come next week when Albedo’s and Eula’s event wishes are officially revealed. Based on previous banner announcements, we expect their event wishes to be announced as early as next Monday on 22 November – two days before Genshin Impact’s Version 2.3 update drops on 24 November.


Keychron Q3 to Retail From $149 – More Details Revealed

Keychron revealed quite a number of new information on its upcoming TKL keyboard, the
Keychron Q3
. Its pricing, for one, has been confirmed to start at $149 (about RM620) for the barebone kit, or $169 (approximately RM705) for the fully assembled version.

If you recall, these are the exact same prices for the
Keychron Q1
, which is a slightly smaller 75% keyboard. Aside from that, most of the Q3’s specifications seem to mirror the Q1 too, including a gasket mounting system, full aluminium body, VIA-compatible hotswap PCB, and support for screw-in stabilisers.

Of course, the Q3 does have a couple of unique features, including a TKL layout (naturally) and a force case/top break mod – as
described by Keychron
 – which is said to be a silicone between the top and bottom case. In theory, this should reduce case ping, which is one of the biggest shortcomings of the Q1.

At the moment, the Keychron Q3 is expected to be available sometime in Q1 2022, though it was previously estimated to go on sale in January 2022. If you’re looking to get a reasonably affordable TKL keyboard with some features only typically found on a custom board, the Q3 may be worth waiting for.


Oppo A95 With 5,000mAh battery & Sleek Design Lands in Malaysia for RM1,099

The affordable Oppo A95 has just been launched in Malaysia. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with a sizeable battery capacity in a sleek-looking design, the A95 is worth considering.

Only one variant of the A95 is offered for the Malaysian market. Sporting 128GB of expandable storage with 8GB of RAM, this mid-range phone costs only RM1,099. those who pre-order the mid-range phone through the
Oppo Store
 – and arrange for a pick-up at an offline Oppo Brand Store – until 19 November will also get
freebies worth RM486
.

Hardware wise, the A95 is a textbook mid-range phone. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, a 6.43-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), a 16MP selfie camera, and a generous 5,000mAh battery – in a reasonably slim 7.95mm chassis – with support for 33W fast charging.

The Oppo A95 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 19 November for RM1,099; it will hit store shelves the next day on 20 November. You can place your pre-order for the A95 over at the
Oppo Store
,
Shopee
, or even
Lazada
 right now.


Confirmed: 2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Getting Level 2 Autonomous Driving

Two more days until the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift debuts, and as usual, the national carmaker continues to drop teasers for the refreshed B-segment hatchback. This time around, Perodua is teasing the level 2 autonomous driving capability of the new Myvi.

Dubbed Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system, the teaser video below shows the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) feature in action. As soon as the new Myvi starts drifting to another lane, the system automatically keeps the car back in the middle of the lane.

The Next Standard is coming. Built for those who value peace of mind above all. Book now at any authorised Perodua showroom or online:
https://t.co/7o1neCq9gi
#NewMyvi

#NextStandard

#IntelligentSafety

pic.twitter.com/yCNVlysqNW
— Perodua (@perodua)
November 16, 2021

As the PSDA system was highlighted in the video, it’s likely that the updated Myvi will sport other features that make up the system. These include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Pre-Collision Braking, and even Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB).

The fact that the facelifted Myvi will sport PSDA at this price point is a big deal. To put this into context, the updated hatchback is set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
. Slightly more costly than the current model’s range – RM41,292 to RM52,697 – but you are getting quite a number of noteworthy upgrades.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut this Thursday on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


Proton Has Plans for EV, PHEV & Hybrid Models – Proton Edar CEO

Now this is quite interesting. The CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah, just revealed that Proton has plans to introduce EV, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid cars in the future. However, no specific timeline was given, unfortunately enough.

This was revealed in an interview between Roslan and
The Star
. Speaking on the
tax incentives for EVs
 tabled in Budget 2022, he said it will help to drive the adoption rate of EVs in Malaysia, as well as encouraging the introduction of more EVs in the local market.

“Proton has a planned roadmap towards introducing hybrid, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and EVs – so perhaps this development can help to push our plans forward,” he said.

However, Roslan added that the EV sector in Malaysia still has a long way to go. “The building of a charging infrastructure to help support larger numbers of EVs is a considerable obstacle that needs to be overcome.”

Nonetheless, the prospect of a Proton EV, PHEV, or hybrid is certainly an interesting proposition. Thanks to its partnership with Geely, the national carmaker certainly has the ability to produce such vehicles – here’s hoping it will be sooner rather than later.


Akko MOD 007 Now Available – Gasket-Mount 75% Keyboard (With Knob) for RM625

Here’s yet another affordable gasket-mounted aluminium keyboard from Akko; this time in a 75% form factor. Enter the Akko MOD 007, which is now available for purchase on
Shopee Malaysia
.

However, only the MOD 007 in Sakura Pink is offered at the moment
for RM624.99 on Shopee
. The other three colour options (Dark Night, Ocean Blue, Space Grey), will only be available at a later date, though you can pre-order them over at
Akko’s online store for $149.99
 (about RM625).

Just like the
MOD 005
, the MOD 007 is a gasket-mounted keyboard, though it uses a 75% layout instead with a knob at the top right. Other features of the MOD 007 are similar to the MOD 005, including a CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate
and
 an extra FR4 plate, a coiled cable, and support for both screw-in and plate-mounted stabilisers.

The Akko MOD 007 (in Sakura Pink) is now available for purchase
through Shopee Malaysia for RM624.99
. Other colour options will be available soon, but if you want to secure a pre-order, you can do so over at
Akko’s online store
 for $149.99.


The Oppo A95 Is a Surprisingly Good Mid-Ranger for RM1,099

For most folks, shopping for an affordable Android smartphone is about finding the best hardware for the money; this is the strategy I usually employ, anyway. However, sometimes it’s not all about hardware – it’s important for a device to be good in other aspects too, especially in the software department.

And that is one area (among others) where the Oppo A95 particularly excels in. Not only does it offer a good software experience, it is also quite a well-rounded mid-range phone. Of course, it does fall short in some regards, but for the most part, the A95 is a solid phone for the money.

First, let’s talk about the hardware of the A95. It features a 6.43-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), and a 16MP selfie camera.

These specifications are par for the course for a mid-ranger, but what I find particularly interesting about the Oppo A95 is its generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. See, despite this sizeable battery – which should provide above average battery life – the A95 is still quite a slim phone, measuring 7.95mm thin. Tipping the scales at 175g, it’s quite lightweight too.

Speaking of which, I do like how the A95 feels in my hands. Despite its frame and back panel being made out of plastic, it still has solid build quality. While I wouldn’t say the phone is premium by any means, it definitely doesn’t feel “cheap,” which is always a good thing in my book.

The software experience of the A95 is one of my favourite aspects of the phone. Unlike the software of most Chinese phones –
especially Xiaomi
 – ColorOS 11.1 feels polished (despite the bloatware) and intuitive to use. I’m especially fond of the always on display: it looks sleek
and
 functional.

Speaking of display, the A95’s Full HD+ AMOLED panel looks great too. It offers vibrant colours, deep, true blacks, and wide viewing angles; inherent characteristics of an AMOLED screen, basically. Sure, it’s “just” a 60Hz display, but I’ll take an AMOLED panel over, say, an LCD screen with a higher refresh rate for a superior viewing experience.

While we’re still talking about the display of the Oppo A95, the in-screen fingerprint sensor of this phone is worth a mention as well. Though it’s not the quickest one I’ve come across, the optical sensor can still recognise my fingerprint fairly quickly and accurately. Not something that can be said of many other phones with a similar sensor at this price point.

One area where the A95 is a little lacklustre compared to its competition is the chipset powering the phone: a Snapdragon 662. While it’s not exactly a “bad” chip per se, it certainly doesn’t match the RM1,099 price tag of the phone.

After all, you can get the
Snapdragon 860-powered Poco X3 Pro
 for
RM100 less
. Yes, this markedly more powerful phone costs only RM999.

But of course, there’s more to a phone than just raw performance, and it’s not like the Oppo A95 is a slow phone. Granted, it does feel a little sluggish when I’m switch between multiple apps on the phone, but it still feels fast enough for everyday use. I can even play PUBG Mobile reasonably smoothly with the A95.

Last but certainly not least is the camera performance of the A95, which is…a mixed bag. For the most part, the triple camera system headlined by the 48MP main camera can take good-looking shots, but this is only the case under ideal lighting. Once the sun goes down, so does the camera performance of the phone.

48MP primary
48MP primary
48MP primary (2x zoom)
48MP primary (5x zoom)

As you can see in the sample images above, the detail preservation of the A95’s camera in low light conditions are not great; this is especially evident in the trees. The phone can also do 2x and 5x zoom, but this is done through digital zoom only – the A95 doesn’t have a telephoto lens.

And that’s the other shortcoming of the A95. Despite the fact that it has three camera sensors (48MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), they’re not as versatile as an ultra-wide angle lens or telephoto shooter. The 2MP macro camera does enable you to take close-up shots more effectively, but in terms of practicality, an ultra-wide angle sensor would’ve been better.

48MP primary
2MP macro

All things considered, the Oppo A95 doesn’t offer the best value for money when it comes to raw performance, and its camera system isn’t the most versatile either. But what the A95 excels in is a refined software experience, a large battery capacity, good quality AMOLED display, and a sleek-looking design in a thin, lightweight chassis.

If these are the qualities that you look for in a smartphone, then the A95 is definitely worth considering. It may not immediately wow folks with its modest spec sheet or RM1,099 price tag, but once you start using the phone and get a feel for the refined software experience, you may be surprised by this mid-ranger.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Received Over 3,000 Bookings in a Week

Bookings for the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 were only opened last week on 9 November, and in a span of just one week, over 3,000 bookings for the refreshed B-segment hatchback have already been made – that’s quite impressive.

This was revealed by the CEO and President of Perodua himself, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, in an report by
Astro Awani
. Given the amount of upgrades the new Myvi is set to receive – and the fact that it is one of the most popular cars on Malaysian roads – it’s no surprise that the hatchback is so well-received.

One of the most highlighted new features of the facelifted Myvi is its
Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system
, which is essentially level 2 semi-autonomous driving. This means the PSDA can control the steering and throttle input of the car in certain situations, such as highway driving.

The fact that the updated Myvi will sport this driver assistance system at this price point is a big deal. To put this into context, the updated hatchback is set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
. Slightly more costly than the current model’s range – RM41,292 to RM52,697 – but you are getting quite a number of noteworthy upgrades.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut tomorrow on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


18 – 24 November Fuel Price: All Prices Maintain

After going up week after week, the price of RON 97 is finally set to remain this time around. Not surprisingly, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained too, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 for the next seven days is set at RM3.08 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 18 to 24 November. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Spy Shot: 2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Arrives at Showrooms Ahead of Launch

The
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 will be launched tomorrow on 18 November, and it appears several units of the refreshed B-segment hatchback have arrived at a couple of showrooms. This gives us a closer look at the actual unit of the new Myvi.

These images come from
Optizorb
 on Lowyat.NET’s forum and the
Pahang Darul Makmur’s Facebook page
. The Electric Blue model shown on the trailer looks to be the H variant, which is positioned just below the range-topping AV model. You can see the new front and rear bumpers of the hatchback in these shots, along with the blacked-out side mirrors.

One of the most highlighted new features of the facelifted Myvi is its
Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system
, which is essentially level 2 semi-autonomous driving. This means the PSDA can control the steering and throttle input of the car in certain situations, such as highway driving.

The fact that the updated Myvi will sport this driver assistance system at this price point is a big deal. To put this into context, the updated hatchback is set to
retail from RM45,700 to RM58,800
. Slightly more costly than the current model’s range – RM41,292 to RM52,697 – but you are getting quite a number of noteworthy upgrades.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut tomorrow on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


AstraZeneca Booster Shot to Be Given 6 Months After 2nd Dose

The Ministry of Health (MOH) finally shed some light on COVID-19 booster shots for those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has given the green light to administering the AstraZeneca vaccine as a booster shot to recipients of the same vaccine type.

This booster shot will be given to individuals above 18 years old six months after their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, but do note that certain groups (such as frontliners) will be given priority. More details on this will be revealed by the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) from time to time.

Kenyataan Akhbar Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Keputusan Mesyuarat Pihak Berkuasa Kawalan Dadah Kali Ke-366 Berkenaan Pendaftaran Vaksin COVID-19
pic.twitter.com/EmUtp4Crz0
— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya)
November 17, 2021

Aside from that, MOH also announced that Sinovac recipients can get the same type of vaccine (Sinovac) as a booster shot. The jab will be given between three to six months after the second dose, though the CITF has yet to reveal who will be prioritised for the booster shot.

As previously revealed
, you won’t need to apply to get a COVID-19 booster shot if you’re eligible; you will be notified of any appointment through the
MySejahtera app
. Depending on where you’re located, the booster will be given at a clinic or hospital.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Spec Sheet Leaks – D-CVT Confirmed?

Seems like we’re getting a few notable leaks regarding the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
 ahead of its launch tomorrow. This time around, it’s an alleged spec sheet of the new B-segment hatchback, which confirms the use of D-CVT – the same transmission found in the
Perodua Ativa
.

This supposed spec sheet of the Myvi facelift was shared by
Optizorb
 on Lowyat.NET’s forum. Thanks to the new D-CVT gearbox, the quoted fuel consumption of the hatchback improved slightly. The 1.3L models have an impressive figure of 22.2km per litre, while the more powerful 1.5L variants can do 21.1km per litre; still quite respectable.

As expected, DRLs on the new Myvi are reserved for the higher-end H and AV trims, while the latter gets all the bells and whistles. These include the full suite of Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA), reverse camera, leather seats, and even an integrated dashcam.

Of course, given that this alleged spec sheet of the facelifted Myvi did not come directly from Perodua, there is a chance it is inaccurate. Nonetheless, it certainly lines up with expectations, so we wouldn’t be surprised if this is the finalised spec sheet.

Previous spy shot of the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift will debut tomorrow on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
. The New Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
 – it is priced from
RM45,700 to RM58,800
.

Read more:

2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Official – RM46k to RM59k, Level 2 Autonomous, D-CVT


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Pricing Leaks – Only RM2,200 Difference Between 1.3L & 1.5L Models?

Here’s yet another leak on the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
! While Perodua has revealed the price range of the upcoming B-segment hatchback, there was no specific breakdown; until now. If this leaked price list is accurate, there’s only a RM2,200 difference between the 1.3L and 1.5L models.

Just like the
leaked spec sheet
, this alleged price list of the facelifted Myvi comes from
Optizorb on Lowyat.NET’s forum
. According to the list, the most affordable 1.5L G base model costs RM45,700, while the same trim with ASA 3.0 (AEB, basically) costs RM47,700. You’re effectively paying RM2,000 more to get the safety feature.

Moving up the price list is the 1.5L X variant, which costs RM49,900, followed by the 1.5L H model for RM53,900. Last but certainly not least is the 1.5L AV trim; this range-topping Myvi facelift with all the bells and whistles costs RM58,800. It is also the only model to get the full Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system.

Essentially, PSDA gives the AV variant of the new Myvi level 2 semi-autonomous driving, thanks to the combination of Adaptive Cruise Control (throttle operation) and Lane Keep Control (steering). It remains to be seen how well these two systems would perform on the refreshed Myvi, though they should be good enough to meet the requirements of level 2 semi-autonomous driving.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift at an unspecified showroom

Given that this price list did not come from Perodua itself, there is a chance it is inaccurate; we’ll only know for sure once the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift debuts tomorrow on 18 November at 9PM. You can catch the online launch of the new hatchback on Perodua’s
YouTube channel
 or
Facebook page
.

The updated Myvi is also open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide right now or online
here
.


Honor 50 Lite Arriving in Malaysia 25 November for RM999

Honor Malaysia just revealed more details on its latest affordable smartphone, the
Honor 50 Lite
. Set to arrive here next week on 25 November, the budget-friendly phone will retail at RM999 locally.

For that kind of money, the 50 Lite is packed with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM; reasonably generous capacities. Aside from that, this mid-ranger also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, a 6.67-inch 2376 x 1080 LCD screen, as well as a 4,300mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

In the camera department, this phone sports a quad camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro + 2MP depth) and a 16MP selfie camera.

One of the most highlighted features of the 50 Lite (as expected) is the fact that it ships with Google Mobile Services (GMS). Honor phones sold in Malaysia – prior to the release of the Honor 50 – did not come with GMS, so they didn’t have access to Google’s range of apps and services, which is really the defining trait of an Android smartphone.

The Honor 50 Lite will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 25 November onwards. To sweeten the deal, early birds can get up to RM300 worth of freebies, including a Bluetooth speaker and a Honor-branded backpack.


New MacBook Pro With M1 Pro & M1 Max Chips Now in Malaysia From RM8,799

Apple’s latest
14-inch
 and
16-inch MacBook Pro
 models are now available for purchase in Malaysia. Retailing from RM8,799, they certainly carry a premium asking price, though you do get equally premium products.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the more “affordable” laptop of the two,
starting at RM8,799
 for the M1 Pro configuration with 512GB of storage and 16GB of unified memory. The bigger 16-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand,
retails from RM10,799
 for the same configuration.

One of the biggest upgrades the new MacBook Pro laptops received – aside from the blazing fast M1 Pro and M1 Max chips – is the bright and vibrant Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display. Packed with ProMotion, this panel offers up to 120Hz refresh rate for superior motion clarity.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops are now available for purchase on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. Alternatively, you can also head to your nearest Apple reseller, which should have them in stock now.


3rd-Gen AirPods Now Available in Malaysia for RM829

The third-generation AirPods with a brand new design – though they looks very similar to the
AirPods Pro
 – are now available here in Malaysia for RM829. What sets the wireless earbuds apart from its predecessor is support for spatial audio, along with a slew of other improvements, such as water resistance.

Design wise, the new AirPods look very much like the Pro model, thanks to the shorter stems. These wireless earbuds also get the same “force sensor” controls as the AirPods Pro for media control, along with an IPX4 water resistance rating for the earbuds themselves
and
 the charging case.

Speaking of which, the charging case now supports wireless charging as well, and it can stretch the 6 hours battery life of the updated AirPods to 30 hours. As for Spatial Audio, you can enjoy this feature – much like the AirPods Pro – in Apple Music and Apple TV (complete with dynamic head tracking) across Apple devices.

The third-generation AirPods are now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM829 on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. You can also head to your nearest Apple reseller to get these new wireless earbuds.


Unboxing Magic: The Gathering Crimson Vow Set Booster – Fun to Open?

Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, Innistrad: Crimson Vow, is available today. This set – which focuses quite a bit on vampires – continues the trading card game’s Halloween theme introduced in the previous set, Midnight Hunt.

To celebrate the launch of the new set, Wizards of the Coast (WOTC) sent us a Set Booster of Crimson Vow to check out. If you’re interested to pick it up, here’s our unboxing of the Crimson Vow Set Booster!

Unlike a normal Draft Booster, a Set Booster is meant to be more “exciting” to crack open. This booster type was introduced just last year with Zendikar Rising, and it’s proven to be quite popular among folks who just enjoy opening booster packs instead of using them for Limited play (Draft or Sealed).

So…what makes a Set Booster more exciting to open? Well, quite a number of things, actually. There is a structure to this (technically) 14-card pack. 12 of them are Magic cards, while the other two are an art card and a token/ad card.

Some of the art cards in the Crimson Vow’s Set Booster

When you first crack open a Set Booster, the first card you’ll see is an art card, followed by a
very nice-looking
 black and white full-art basic land card for Crimson Vow. If you’re lucky enough, there is a 15% chance that this land card will be foil. Out of 16 packs that we’ve opened so far though, we only managed to get one foil land card.

Anyway, after the basic land card, the next six cards will be regular commons and uncommons with some form of “connection” to each other. Unlike Draft Boosters, you’re only guaranteed one uncommon with a Set Booster, though the other five common cards have a chance to be upgraded to uncommon rarity.

The content of a single Set Booster

After these common and uncommon cards, the 9th card in a Set Booster pack is the “head-turning slot,” as WOTC puts it. This slot is occupied by different cards from one set to another, but for Crimson Vow, it will be a common or uncommon double-faced, hybrid mana, or showcase card – that is, it has a special frame.

The 10th and 11th slot of a Set Booster is where things can get really interesting. These two slots can be anything from common to
mythic rare
 cards, depending on your luck. You will also get showcase cards in these slots; we got a pretty sweet-looking Runo Stromkirk in one of the packs.

Of course, the 12th slot in a Set Booster pack is a guaranteed rare or mythic rare card, which is no different than the same slot found in Draft Boosters. As for the 13th slot in the pack, it is a guaranteed foil card, and it can be of any rarity – yes, you can even get a mythic rare foil. We were fortunate enough to get a foil Cultivator Colossus in this slot!

Last but certainly not least is the 14th slot, which is usually a token/ad card. However, there is a 25% chance it will be a card from “The List” – a list of 300 interesting cards from Magic’s past. If a Set Booster pack has such a card, it can be of any rarity.

An example of a card from The List in the 14th slot

And…that is basically what a Set Booster is. Its unique structure certainly makes it interesting to crack open, especially with the increased chance of getting a rare or mythic rare card. Oh, also included in the Crimson Vow Set Booster is a Box Topper card.

A Box Topper is a single card that’s guaranteed to be a foil rare or mythic rare card with an extended-art. You can also get a Box Topper in a box of Draft Booster; two of them if you get the Collector Booster box. Basically, a Box Topper is extra incentive for players to purchase a whole booster box instead of individual packs.

While we love cracking open Magic packs, we wanted to get some “value” out of the Crimson Vow Set Booster, so we played a Winston Draft – a casual limited play for two players – with eight packs from the booster. Keep in mind that this isn’t exactly recommended, as a Set Booster is not designed for drafting; that’s what Draft Boosters are made for.

Nonetheless, even if a Set Booster is not meant for limited play, we still enjoyed building our own decks with it. There are still some fun synergies with Crimson Vow’s new mechanics such as daybound and nightbound, disturb, exploit, cleave, and of course, blood tokens that are generated by vampire cards.

All in all, Innistrad: Crimson Vow looks to be a great addition to Magic: The Gathering. If you’re keen to check out this new set, give your
nearest hobby shop
 a visit tonight – it’s Friday Night Magic, after all.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift Official – RM46k to RM59k, Level 2 Autonomous, D-CVT

After a plethora of leaks and teasers, the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift has finally been unwrapped, and it’s…basically what we’ve expected. The leaked
pricing
 and
spec sheet
 of the refreshed B-segment hatchback are all accurate, though there are some improvements that weren’t revealed until now, such as better acceleration.

That’s right, even though the new Myvi is now sporting a D-CVT gearbox – the same one found in the
Ativa
 – the 0-100km/h acceleration of the hatchback has actually improved by 20%. It takes 11.5 seconds for the 1.3L models to do the century sprint, and 10.2 seconds for the 1.5L variants.

Speaking of which, the facelifted Myvi soldiers on with the same 1.3L (94hp/121Nm) and 1.5L (102hp/136Nm) engines. Thanks to the new D-CVT gearbox, fuel efficiency has been improved too: the 1.3L models have an impressive figure of 22.2km per litre, while the more powerful 1.5L variants can do 21.1km per litre, which is still quite respectable.

As for pricing, the most affordable 1.5L G base model costs RM45,700, while the same trim with Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) goes for RM47,700. PSDA, in this case, is made up of Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control, Front Departure Alert, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).

Moving up the price range is the 1.5L X variant, which costs RM49,900, followed by the 1.5L H model for RM53,900. Last but certainly not least is the 1.5L AV trim; this range-topping Myvi facelift with all the bells and whistles costs RM58,800. It is also the only model to get the
full
PSDA system.

On top of the safety features mentioned above, the AV trim’s PSDA system adds on Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), as well as a reverse camera.

Thanks to the addition of ACC (throttle operation) and LKC (steering), the AV Myvi meets the criteria for level 2 semi-autonomous driving – a feature that’s unheard of at this price point.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide; you can also place a booking online
right here
. Deliveries of the popular hatchback is set to start today, but with
over 3,000 bookings already made
, you may want to place your order soon to secure a unit.


PlayStation Black Friday 2021 Sale Offers Discounts on PS5, PS4 Games, PS Plus Subscription

PlayStation’s Black Friday 2021 sale is happening right now until 29 November, offering discounts on quite a number of items. These include physical copies of PS5 and PS4 games, PlayStation Plus subscription, as well as the DualShock 4 controller.

Let’s start with the physical PS5 and PS4 games that are discounted. Three PS5 games are discounted from their original RM299 asking price: Demon’s Souls (RM209), Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (RM239), and Final Fantasy VII Remake (RM239).

As for PS4 games, four of them are discounted, including the PS4 version of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (RM189), Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (RM169), NieR Replicant (RM169), and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (RM79). Oh, if you need another DualShock 4 controller for your PS4, you can get it for RM179 – that’s a RM60 discount.

Aside from that, there’s also a 33% discount on a 12-month PS Plus subscription, so you can get it for only RM106. A number of other PS5 and PS4 titles are also discounted – up to a whopping 80% – on the PS Store, such as Resident Evil Village and Far Cry 6. More details on the PlayStation Black Friday sale can be found
here
.


2022 Perodua Myvi Facelift – The RM59k AV Variant Offers Amazing Value

The highly anticipated 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is here, and it is the best iteration of the B-segment hatchback yet. After all, the refreshed Myvi has received
over 4,000 bookings
 in only nine days, and deliveries have already started yesterday.

If you’re thinking of getting the new Myvi, consider going for the range-topping AV variant. It is worth every single sen, and we’ll outline exactly why it offers the best value for your money in this article.

So…how much does the top-of-the-line AV trim of the 2022 Myvi cost? Well, it is priced at RM58,800, and for that kind of money, you’re getting quite a number of attractive features, including the full suite of Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system.

This really is one of the best reasons to get the AV variant. With the full PSDA system, the Myvi AV meets the criteria for level 2 autonomous driving, thanks to the addition of Adaptive Cruise Control (throttle operation) and Lane Keep Control (steering).

See, level 2 autonomous driving at
this price point
 is unheard of, and Perodua is rightfully highlighting this particular aspect of the new Myvi. “This is the first time in Malaysian history that a car company is offering a car with autonomous level 2 technology priced under RM60,000,” said the CEO and President of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Now, do keep in mind that other variants of the Myvi – except for the base 1.3L G model – are equipped with PSDA too, but it is limited to Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control, Front Departure Alert, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP). Only the AV variant gets ACC and LKC.

While we’re on the topic of safety, it’s worth noting that the AV and H variants of the updated Myvi – the two highest-end offerings, naturally – get six airbags, so that’s another reason to go for the AV (or H) model. The G and X trim levels only get four airbags, omitting the curtain airbags.

In the event of a side impact crash, curtain airbags are essential to protect an occupant’s head. Needless to say, it can literally be a lifesaver, even if the likelihood of a side impact crash is lower than that of a front or rear-end collision.

Aside from safety, the Myvi AV is also the only variant to get a number of creature comforts. These include bright red and black leather seats, an integrated dashcam – so you don’t have to install one on your own – a reverse camera, and a more pleasant-looking instrument cluster finished in red.

Given that you’re getting all of these upgrades from the H variant (RM53,900) for only RM4,900 more, it’s almost a no-brainer to get this AV trim. Plus, when this price difference is put into a five-year or seven-year loan, it doesn’t increase the monthly commitment too much either.

As for the facelifted Myvi as a whole, it’s a markedly improved hatchback over its predecessor. It
finally
 gets daylight running lights – though this is limited to the H and AV variants – 5% better fuel efficiency, as well as improved acceleration despite still being powered by the same 1.5L engine that outputs 102hp and 136Nm of torque.

This is thanks to the new D-CVT gearbox of the facelifted Myvi; the very same one found in the
Perodua Ativa
. Compared to the previous model, the 0-100km/h acceleration of the hatchback has improved by 20%. It takes only 10.2 seconds for the 1.5L variants to do the century sprint, and 11.5 seconds for the 1.3L models.

Oh, as for fuel efficiency, the 1.3L variants of the new Myvi can return up to 22.2km per litre, while the more powerful 1.5L models can do 21.1km per litre, which is still quite respectable.

Of course, while I personally believe the range-topping AV variant of the Myvi facelift offers the best value for money, other trim levels of the B-segment hatchback are still worth considering. This is especially the case if the AV’s RM58,800 price tag doesn’t quite fit your budget.

If so, I’d say the Myvi X (RM49,900) is the next best option if you’re looking at sheer value for money. After all, for only RM2,200 more compared to the 1.3L G variant with PSDA, you’re getting a more powerful 1.5L engine, not to mention larger 15-inch alloy wheels and automatic LED headlights.

But is it worth paying extra RM8,900 to upgrade to the AV variant over the X trim? In my opinion, absolutely.

Nonetheless, the new 2022 Perodua Myvi is a great facelift over the previous model. The extra upgrades definitely justify the higher asking prices, and to get level 2 autonomous driving below the RM60,000 price point – at least, while the sales tax exemption is still in place
until 30 June 2022
 – the new Myvi really does offer
fantastic
value for money.