New PayPal Refund Policy May End Up Hurting Sellers
PayPal office

Many online businesses today utilize PayPal as a payment gateway. It’s convenient and also generally safe to use for almost everyone. However, a new PayPal refund policy that is being introduced may end up hurting sellers and possibly make the move to alternative options.
Usually when someone is selling goods or services, they will be charged a flat-rate transaction fee and also a percentage-based commission on the sales. If a customer were to request for a refund, everything will be refunded except for the transaction fee. With the new Paypal refund policy, they will be keeping the commission fee.
Businesses / sellers who utilize PayPal will have to pay a 2.9% commission on the total amount of sale, and this amount will no longer be returned to them in the event of a half or full refund. As for the flat-rate transaction fee which was never subjected to refunds, it has been set at USD $0.30.

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To give you guys a clear idea, say a sale of USD $1,000 was requested for refund. Not only will the seller lose the sale, they will also lose USD $29 in the process. Especially when there has been cases of buyers abusing the refund button, this can potentially hurt a lot of businesses / sellers. On the other hand, it does force them to be more careful in running their business.
Aside from this, they have also changed how they handle currency conversions and international payments. Transferring money through PayPal to another country will now have a variable fee of 5% with a minimum cost of USD $0.99 and a maximum cost of USD $4.99.
This change will not impact buyers but it will certainly have a noticeable impact for sellers / businesses. PayPal has even mentioned that anyone who disagrees with the new refund policy is free to close their account.
Source: Official Policy
Pokdepinion: I suppose perhaps it could’ve been worded a bit differently but it certainly sounds like they don’t care about the sellers / businesses.
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Noctua NH-P1 passive CPU cooler is finally here!

The fully-passive Noctua NH-P1 has finally been released! The cooler is quite unlike their previous CPU coolers, which were designed to be used with fans. But that’s not to say that the Noctua NH-P1 cannot be used with a fan.

One major difference in the way it is engineered is the way that the fins are thicker and further apart to allow better heat dissipation with just natural convection, instead of forced airflow. You have six heatpipes running into just 13 thick fins, unlike the dense fin stack that most air coolers tout. You might also notice that Noctua offset the layout to accommodate most VRM heatsinks and I/O shroud, while also ensuring that it won’t block your memory or PCIe slots.

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Noctua also released the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM fan that’s based on the famed NF-A12x25, but are optimized for really silent operation at just 12.1dB(A) full tilt, with the Low Noise Adapter taking it down to an even quieter 7.6dB(A), which will be well below the noise floor of most normal usage scenario.
Noctua shared some results with an entirely fanless build, where the Noctua NH-P1 does a pretty good job of handling a Core i9-11900K pulling 125W running at 3.6GHz in Prime95. It is throttling, with temperatures nearing 100°C, but the fact that it is in an entirely passive build is really impressive. The situation greatly improves with the Noctua NF-A12x25 LS-PWM fan, allowing the CPU to run at up to 4.4GHz with a 175W power draw.

In the same build guide video, Noctua does mention that when you go passive, you will have to forgo conventionally acceptable temperatures, and you will be looking at temperatures of around 90~95°C on AMD and over 100~115°C on Intel, especially if you intended to use the Noctua NH-P1 with CPUs with 80W TDP and up.
Noctua does state that these temperatures are still within operating limits, and you will instead see the CPUs throttle to keep thermals in check, so you might be getting lower than ideal boost clocks, as seen in the results above. Once again, Noctua wants to keep expectations realistic, and we really like that about Noctua.

You will also need quite a capacious case to house the Noctua NH-P1 though, with it being 158mm tall. Passive cooling enthusiast should understand that you need more mass to be able passively dissipate the heat from today’s high-end CPUs. To help optimize the cooling, Noctua will be including a tube of Noctua NT-H2 thermal paste. Installation will be just as easy as any previous Noctua cooler, with the SecuFirm2+ mounting system used here.

The Noctua NH-P1 will be available for $109.90 (~RM453), with the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM priced at $29.90 (~RM124).
Pokdepinion: I wonder if it will be able to handle even more if we put it into a high airflow case like the Cooler Master HAF500 cases, where you get huge 200mm fans pushing a lot of air without making much noise.
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OPPO F1s Black limited edition is now available for pre-order — “Once you go black…”

The OPPO F1s is definitely THE device among OPPO’s fans in Malaysia since its release. With the recently launch of the special edition Ayda Jebat’s OPPO F1s smartphone, OPPO doesn’t show any sign of wanting to stop their successful streak. OPPO Malaysia now plans to carry on the success by spicing up with a new color option for the OPPO F1s.

On top of the already available color options of Rose Gold and Gold, the Selfie Expert OPPO F1s is now available in Black. Consumers can now pre-order your OPPO F1s Black Limited Edition at the price of RM1, 198 starting from 8th December until 16th December 2016 either at the 20 selected OPPO Concept Stores in Malaysia or online preorder from OPPO’s official website.

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As for the OPPO Concept Stores, consumers may pre-order the OPPO F1s Black Limited Edition for RM100 in the 20 selected OPPO concept stores and pay the remaining amount when it is launched on 17th December 2016, whereas for consumers who pre-order from OPPO’s Official Website will need to pay the full amount (RM1,198) for the OPPO F1s Black Limited Edition. As for appreciation, consumers will get a free OPPO Selfie Stick and also an exclusive phone case only if they pre-order the “Selfie Expert” OPPO F1s Black Limited Edition within the period from 8th December till 16th December 2016.

Selected OPPO Concept Stores in Malaysia

Region
Location

Kuala Lumpur
Lowyat Concept Store 3

Setapak Mall Concept Store

Nu Sentral Concept Store

Selangor
SS15 Concept Store

One Utama Concept Store

Putrajaya IOI City Mall Concept Store

Sunway Pyramid Concept Store

Alam Sentral Concept Store

Negeri Sembilan
Palm Mall Seremban Concept Store

Penang
Pacific Megamall Prai Concept Store

Kedah
Aman Central Concept Store

Johor Bahru
AEON Bukit Indah Concept Store

Sutera Mall Concept Store

Giant Muar Concept Store

Melaka
AEON Bandaraya Melaka Concept Store

Perak
Ipoh Parade Concept Store

Terengganu
Jalan Masjid Abidin Concept Store

Pahang
Kuantan Parade Concept Store

Sabah
Harbour Mall Concept Store

Sarawak
Plaza Merdeka Concept Store

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Black Shark 3S announced in China with 120Hz AMOLED display from just ~RM2432

Black Shark has just announced their latest gaming smartphone, the Black Shark 3S. Surprisingly, Black Shark didn’t take the opportunity to throw in the latest Snapdragon 865+ chipset for bragging rights, instead reusing the Snapdragon 865 here. But there are some upgrades which might entice you to get the Black Shark 3S instead of the Black Shark 3.
The Black Shark 3S comes an upgraded display which now runs at 120Hz instead of the Black Shark 3’s 90Hz. This is paired up with 270Hz touch polling for increased responsiveness. On top of that, the screen is also pressure-sensitive, allowing for a more intuitive gaming experience. Shoulder triggers are better, but it seems like Black Shark wants the Black Shark 3 Pro to remain relevant despite releasing the Black Shark 3S as a newer model.

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Speaking of an intuitive gaming experience, the Black Shark 3S also supports motion gestures involving the gyroscope as well as audio commands. I have no idea how that performs, but I do suspect that it will take some getting used to. If you prefer a more conventional gaming experience, there’s also the USB screen-mirroring tech that promises a mere 40ms latency.

Under the hood, most of the hardware are carried over directly from the Black Shark 3, with the exception of the storage. Black Shark equipped the Black Shark 3S with UFS 3.1 storage instead of the UFS 3.0 storage that came with the Black Shark 3.
Black Shark 3S Specs

Snapdragon 865, octa-core up to 2.84 GHz, 7nm
Up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM
Up to 512GB UFS 3.1 storage
6.67″ FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 270Hz touch polling
64MP f/1.8 + 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide + 5MP f/2.2 macro
20MP f/2.0 selfie camera
4720mAh battery, 65W fast charging
12GB + 128GB: 3999 CNY (~RM2432)
12GB + 256GB: 4299 CNY (~RM2614)
12GB + 512GB: 4799 CNY (~RM2918)

The Black Shark 3S will come in two colors, a sleek blue-silver option and a classic black color. We aren’t sure if it will replace the Black Shark 3 here in Malaysia, but you might want to wait for it or the ROG Phone 3, if you are considering a gaming phone at this point in time.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if there will be a Black Shark 3S Pro just around the corner?
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New Google Chrome Update Accidentally Misplaces Android App Data

Recently, a new Google Chrome Update was made available. Commonly referred to as Chrome 79, it caused some issues with users as personal data seemed to have gone missing for some apps. This resulted in Google halting the roll out for the update to investigate further.
Interestingly, the Android app data was never missing. In fact, it was actually accidentally misplaced. This is due to Android’s built-in WebView changing where the data is stored, and it didn’t manage to migrate the old data correctly.
The estimated amount of users who have already updated to Chrome 79 is said to be as high as 50%. This means that there’s a big headache on Google’s end, especially to see which apps are affected by the glitch. It’s particularly confusing as some Android app data are still in old location, but some bits of data also present in the new location.

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Solving the issue without any loss in user data will be tough. Hopefully, Google manages to find a way to do so sooner rather than later. At the moment, they’re torn between continuing the migration by having the data set in the new location, or reverting back to the old location.
If you’re an app developer and your creation is affected by this mess, you can let Google know by clicking right here.
Source: Knowtechie
Pokdepinion: Sounds like a massive headache for Google. I wonder how long it will take to rectify the issue.
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When it comes to naming a company, the sky’s the limit on what you can come up with. For one particular Steam developer, he had a very cunning idea designed to trick gamers, and it resulted in him getting fired by Valve.
Valve Fires Steam Developer For Giving His Company This Hilariously Smart Name

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When it comes to games on Steam, user reviews play a major role to get people interested in them. Due to how Valve designed the UI for their digital storefront, the developer of Emoji Evolution decided to take advantage of the situation and name his company “Very Positive”.
The logic behind it is that it will confuse gamers into think that reception for the game is great, thus encouraging them to buy the game. While this wouldn’t trick people who are very familiar with Steam, it is bound to cause confusion for a number of people, especially since there are millions of gamers on it on a daily basis. Given how the font and colour for the developer / publisher is similar to the reviews summary, it’s easy to see why people might get it mixed up.
After the issue started gaining traction online, the quality control team at Valve took swift action and banned the developer’s account. It was confirmed in a tweet by the developer shortly after. The developer also went on the mention that gamers on Steam make conclusions about information when they see familiar words rather than spending time reading everything that’s necessary. With how Steam reviews summary and developer / publisher details look similar, this is what he focused on to take advantage of the situation.
Source
Pokdepinion: Not gonna lie, it’s a pretty smart move. It does make me wonder how many of you read this part. Maybe if I say something absurd like nyannyannyan, then it might attract some attention.
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Another Nokia 9 Leak Showcases Front Design

While it’s been awhile since we’ve heard on the progress of the Nokia 9, it seems that there’s been another leak but this time around, showcasing on the front build of the device.

The leak was found on Weibo, where revealed the looks of the phone that’s reportedly to come with a whopping 5 lens’ at the rear. Judging by the leak, it looks like the device will have some form of IR sensor that’s spotted at the top left most. Additionally, the speaker is found located at the top right hand corner of the device.

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As you can see, according to the picture, the phone doesn’t comes with a notch. HMD has reportedly said that “notches are a thing of 2018”, and if it’s true, it will be a welcoming fact that the Nokia 9 won’t come with it at all.

Just in case you have forgotten on how the rear looks like, here’s the penta-camera setup that was revealed back then.
Pokdepinion: I’m definitely getting more and more excited on this device, if it does indeed comes out. Hopefully, it won’t cost a fortune and let’s just hope that it does packs a punch under the hood in terms of specifications. It’s been awhile since Nokia released a proper flagship smartphone, so hopefully this will be it.
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Is The New Ayato and Yae Kit Leak for Genshin Impact Real?

A new alleged Genshin Impact leak has surfaced online, supposedly revealed the kit for Ayato and Yae Miko. Is there any truth to this matter? Let’s find out.
Genshin Impact: Is The New Ayato and Yae Kit Leak Real?

[Verified] A recent NGA thread has posted datamined info of Ayato + Yae’s kits (left), which is real but has already been analyzed.
Please refer to @/Ubatcha1’s statement (right) + Dimbreath’s original analysis here: https://t.co/aG1h3YtK6J
NGA thread: https://t.co/QzLNTJbYpi pic.twitter.com/UouhKQx3wt
— SaveYourPrimos 💎🙌 (225/225 = Benny’s Mistsplttr) (@SaveYourPrimos) December 25, 2021

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There were a number of alleged Genshin Impact leaks that surfaced on the Chinese message board NGA, which also happens to be a good source of insider leaks. Whether they are accurate or not is hard to say as it’s not as credible as datamined leaks and if it’s true, there’s a chance that miHoYo / Cognosphere might end up changing things up.
The first leak supposedly reveals Ayato as a Hydro character with Kendo-style attacks. As such, Ayato will be a Sword-type character with skills that will help support teammates such as reducing skill cooldown. There’s also a suggestion of Yae being able to summon towers that can be detonated. This isn’t exactly new as popular data miner Dimbreath has reported this before, with an emphasis that it might be a bait by miHoYo.

[FAKE] In the same NGA thread, an alleged crop of Yae’s Skill/Burst icons was posted.
The full, original image repurposes Yae Sakura assets from Honkai Impact 3rd, along with breaking standardized colors/layouts of Genshin UI in-game.
NGA thread: https://t.co/imPgFeDaLh pic.twitter.com/m3NTqN4jX5
— SaveYourPrimos 💎🙌 (225/225 = Benny’s Mistsplttr) (@SaveYourPrimos) December 25, 2021

The second leak allegedly reveals in-game screenshots of Yae Miko. However, this is definitely fake as it’s a screenshot of Yae Sakura from Honkai Impact instead, a character who shares a very similar design. If you see it floating around on social media, highly likely it’s a fake.
Genshin Impact is currently available for free on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and PC. A Nintendo Switch port of the game coming in the near future. Update 2.4 is expected to launch sometime in early January 2022 for all available platforms.
Source
Pokdepinion:  I knew the screenshots were fake since it seemed so familiar. Speaking of which, if you don’t play Honkai Impact the 3rd, you should. It’s pretty fun if you need something to pass the time, as it might give you a sense of deja vu if you play Genshin as well.
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You Can Soon Play Steam Games on Your Smartphone – This is How It Works

Not enough games to entertain you on mobile? Wished that you could play some of those PC games on your smartphone? Well, soon, you’ll be able to officially play Steam games on Android and iOS. Of course, this includes tablets and Apple’s iPads as well.
You Can Soon Play Steam Games on Your Smartphone via Steam Link

PC games usually take a lot of power to properly run. Our smartphones have been getting stronger and stronger but it’s still not quite there yet. However, you can stream games to said devices and play them. Streaming games from Steam to mobile devices isn’t new as it’s already possible via 3rd-party apps. Soon, it’s going to be doable with their own native app named Steam Link.

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Officially announced by Valve, the app will release on the week of May 21st 2018, and it’ll let you play your games via streaming on iOS, Android and Smart TVs via 5GHz Wi-Fi or wired ethernet. The Android version will be released in a beta version at first, even if the announcement is unclear on whether this will be before or after the official launch.
Steam Controller, MFI controllers, and more will be supported natively by the app. A 2nd app, named Steam Video, will allow you to do the same for your Steam-based video via Wi-Fi or LTE, both in offline and streaming modes. This one will be released sometime in the summer of this year.
While many games are probably a bit cumbersome to play on a the small screen of a smartphone, it is still an added convenience for people to make use of. Heck, soon you can live your dream of playing DotA 2 or CS:GO from your smartphones if you wished.
Source: Valve Corporation
Pokdepinion: It’s a great move by Valve without a doubt but what I wanted to know is what will the latency be like with our internet connection. Perhaps a router upgrade might also help but only time will tell.
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Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL introduced

Microsoft Corp. introduced Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, two new smartphones that give people greater flexibility and freedom to choose when and where they get things done. Both phones are upgradeable to Windows 10, which offers more personal computing and greater productivity, and will be available later this year.

In a competitive marketplace, Microsoft continues to deliver innovative smartphone experiences at all price points. Both devices offer the seamless integration of hardware essentials — with a choice of screen sizes and camera capabilities — and Microsoft services to offer incredible productivity with affordability. With Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, people are prepared for anything — for work, at home and on the go:

Smoothly and quickly access important documents or run popular websites, apps and games thanks to the onboard 1 GB of memory and powerful Qualcomm ® Snapdragon ™ processor featuring quad-core CPU running at 1.2GHz.
Enjoy photos and videos on a crisp high-definition (HD) display — either 5 inches on Lumia 640 or 5.7 inches on Lumia 640 XL.
Power through the day with battery to spare with a long-lasting battery — 2500 mAh for Lumia 640 and 3000 mAh for Lumia 640 XL.
Capture detail-rich photos even in low light with the 8MP camera on Lumia 640 or 13MP ZEISS optics on Lumia 640 XL. Both feature LED flash, a front-facing camera for Skype video calling, and Lumia Camera software right out of the box.
Enjoy the latest version of Windows Phone 8.1 and the Lumia Denim update, complete with one-swipe Action Center, Word Flow and Live Folders. People can also upgrade Lumia 640 and 640 XL to Windows 10 and enjoy its benefits as it becomes available later this year.
Have the best of both worlds with LTE support available on dual-SIM models for the first time. In addition, all dual-SIM models will feature Smart Dual SIM to help ensure people never miss a call.

Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL customers will be able to access new Windows 10 features and innovation through the Windows Insider Program, as well as upgrade to Windows 10 later this year. Key features and improvements of Windows 10 include new universal apps such as Office, Mail and Calendar, and Photos; Internet Protocol-based messaging from Skype and others integrated directly into the messaging experience; an entirely new browsing experience with the new Project Spartan browser; and extended integration of the Cortana personal assistant.

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Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL also come with a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes the latest Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote) on the Lumia as well as on one PC or Mac and one tablet, plus 1TB of OneDrive storage, and 60 free minutes of Skype Unlimited Worldwide calling per month.
“Our newest Lumia devices build on our momentum in the affordable smartphones space,” said Jo Harlow, corporate vice president for Phones at Microsoft. “With the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, we continue to make innovation accessible to more people. We have packaged competitive hardware with innovative Windows software and Microsoft services to help you achieve more, wherever and whenever you want.”
Lumia 640 XL will begin rolling out globally in March and will be available in matte cyan, orange and black, as well as both matte and glossy white. Lumia 640 will be available starting in April and will be available in glossy cyan, orange and white, as well as matte black. Both Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL will be available in single-SIM and dual-SIM LTE and dual-SIM 3G variants. Lumia 640 XL will also be available as a single-SIM 3G variant.
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WhatsApp Dents Government’s Smoking Ban Movement By Blocking Complaint Hotline

It’s been six months since the the local ministry here in Malaysia enforced a smoking ban in eateries as well as public places. They’ve even set up a hotline on Whatsapp for users to report if there’s cases of people who disobey the rule. Now it seems that messaging platform has totally block the hotline.
Now, if you sent a message to the number 60108608949, your message will not be sent, with it not showing the ‘double tick’ sign that we know as to be sent.
The news, which was revealed by FMT, has said that there were reports of complaint over privacy, thus having the number mentioned to be blocked by WhatsApp. According to their source from the health ministry, they are now consulting their legal experts on how they can provide the complaint channel (on the app) without being accused of breaking the rules.

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Started earlier in the year, if you are caught smoking in restaurants or even public places, you can be fined up to RM10,000 or even serve three years in jail.
Pokdepinion: Come on guys, there shouldn’t be complaints in the first place. Go smoke at a place that you’ll not bother the people around.
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U Mobile introduces UNLIMITED HERO P139 — unlimited data, voice calls and HD streaming!

U Mobile is back yet again with a pretty amazing postpaid plan! The UNLIMITED HERO P139 postpaid plan offers unlimited data and unlimited calls to all networks, as well as unlimited HD streaming.
While there is unlimited data for your smartphone, U Mobile doesn’t offer unlimited tethering with the UNLIMITED HERO P139. U Mobile only offers 50GB for tethering, which is plenty for anyone with a home internet plan. All of that is offered for just RM139, which is pretty affordable alright.

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In addition to that, the UNLIMITED HERO P139 plan from U Mobile comes with 3GB of roaming data via ROAM-ONZ. This is available in 12 countries in our region, but if you sign up from now to 28 February 2019, you can enjoy ROAM-ONZ GLOBAL at no extra charge, expanding the list to a total of 36 countries, at no extra cost for 2 years!
We also asked U Mobile regarding their coverage and coverage, and we received a somewhat positive response. They are aware of their weakness at the moment, and are working hard to improve the situation. U Mobile is expected to upgrade their coverage and wean off their reliance on Maxis’ network very soon, shifting to a 100% U Mobile network infrastructure.
In fact, their most recent upgrade to their network was performed in Malacca. So, any of you using U Mobile in Malacca care to provide some feedback?
Pokdepinion: I wouldn’t mind giving U Mobile another try if they promise better coverage…
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[Computex 2018] Noctua introduces a whole range of new products, including a desk fan…?

Noctua’s presence at Computex 2018 was largely centered around the applications of their latest Noctua NF-A12x25 120mm fan, launched back in May. That includes the 5th generation NH-U12 CPU cooler with more heatpipes and more surface area to take advantage of the new fan, 12cm Intel Xeon LGA3647 coolers, and also a desk fan. Yes, Noctua, the Austrian company dedicated to cooling your PC hardware, is now ready to keep you cool too!
Interesting uses for the NF-A12x25 fans

The new desk fan uses a three-way Airflow Amplification System that applies Bernoulli’s principle to deliver a strong stream of airflow at you. Basically the fancy looking funnel allows the desk fan’s airflow to be felt at a distance of more than 2m, despite being near-silent in operation. It is currently at the prototype stage, with release expected sometime next year.

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Noctua’s upgraded NH-U12 cooler comes with a less vague release date, with it expected to hit markets in late 2018 or early 2019. The Noctua NH-U12 is now in its 5th iteration, and will feature two NF-A12x25 120mm fans for improved performance over its predecessor. Its performance gains won’t come just from the new fans though, as the addition of two heatpipes and 37% more surface area also help to improve the heat dissipation. Worth noting is that with 7 heatpipes, it actually has more heatpipes than the larger NH-U14S and utterly massive NH-D15. It was pitted against the Noctua NH-D15, Noctua’s flagship model and showed near-identical performance when cooling a 220W heat load, while being so much smaller.
More cooling!

For those who desire even more cooling performance than the NH-D15, worry not as Noctua is currently working on new single and dual-tower prototypes that are designed to beat the NH-D15. Noctua will release only one of the two in 2019, depending on performance optimizations. Enthusiasts who need lower profile high performance air coolers can also look forward to an performance update to the existing L9x65 low profile cooler in Q1 2019, as well as a new 140mm C-type cooler with no ETA yet.
Cooler-looking coolers (and fans)

In what may be a show of rebelliousness against the RGB trend that has all but taken over the industry, Noctua added all-black fans and coolers to their chromax line up. The new black Noctua NH-D15, NH-U12S and NH-L9i are scheduled to hit the market in late 2018 or Q1 2019. The new black NF-A20, NF-A12x15, NF-A9, NF-A9x14 and NF-A8 fans will also be released according in the same timeframe. chromax heatsinks covers for the Noctua NH-U14S are also being prepared, and should be available before the end of the year. Unfortunately, the powerful NF-A12x25 fans doesn’t seem to be available in black. Maybe some time later.
Noctua’s first redux cooler

The redux line also sees a new member in the form of the NH-U12S series CPU cooler. It will have one less heatpipe, and come with less accessories too. However the proven SecuFirm mounting system will be present here too. It will be more attractively priced than the outgoing NH-U12S too when it is released in Q1 2019.
More prototypes!

Noctua also showed some new fans, including a 140mm counterpart of the NF-A12x25, along with slim 140×15, 80×15, 70×15 and 50×15 A-series models.A smaller 6×15 fan is also slated to arrive in Q1 2019. 5V and 5V PWM fans were shown too at their booth, with 200, 140, 120, 92, 80 and 40mm models running off a USB power bank. These 5V fans are planned for a Q3 2018 release.

Aside from fans and coolers, they are also introducing two new accessories. One is a 8-port fan hub allowing you to power, control and monitor up to 8 PWM fans, and a 24 to 12V step-down converter to allow users to run 12V Noctua fans in 24V environments.
Last but not least, the Noctua NH-D15 was voted the best CPU cooler of the year yet again by the jury of the European Hardware Association. Congratulations, Noctua!
Pokdepinion: I do want the new 120mm tower cooler, in black, with matching black A12x25… Noctua please make it happen!
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New Mobile RPG KonoSuba Fantastic Days Is Now Open For Pre-registration

Fresh off last weekend’s Anime Expo Lite 2021, game publisher Nexon has announced that pre-registration for their new free-to-play mobile RPG KonoSuba Fantastic Days is now open to the public. All players who pre-register early will be placed into a drawing for a chance to win a collectable Pop Up Parade figurine of Megumin, as well as other goodies, courtesy of Nexon.
Pre-register for the KonoSuba Fantastic Days mobile game now!

KonoSuba Fantastic Days, published by Nexon and based on the hit anime series, featuring fan-favourite characters such as Kazuma Sato, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness. The original Japanese voice actors from the anime will portray the characters, including Jun Fukushima, Sora Amamiya, Rie Takahashi, and Ai Kayano. Additional heroes and heroines will be created particularly for the comedy anime RPG, following an all-new storyline.

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Check out the trailer for the game down below.

Nexon is giving a limited-time gift for players who sign up as part of the pre-registration for the global launch. A collectable Megumin figurine from Pop Up Parade and wireless Razer Hammerhead Earbuds will be given away to a few lucky winners. The winners will be announced on KonoSuba Fantastic Days’ Twitter account, so be sure to follow them and remain up to date. You can pre-register for the game here and stand a chance to win any of the giveaway prizes.

Nexon collaborated with KonoSuba publisher Kadokawa to create KonoSuba Fantastic Days, which was developed by Sumzap. The game will be released later this year on iOS and Android platforms globally.
Pokdepinion: This looks pretty interesting. I occasionally watch Konosuba and the anime is pretty funny and great. Hopefully, the game is as good as the anime.
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ASUS Officially Takes The Wraps Off Its New ROG Ally Gaming Handheld

Two versions will be available – starting with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme-powered model.

After much hype since the April Fool’s, the ROG Ally finally made its appearance globally – the gaming handheld is now available for preorder on with full retail launch globally on June 13, 2023. As a Windows-powered handheld, the company says it is capable of running  “any game from any platform”, with three months of free Xbox Game Pass available right out of the box.

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The chips are cooled by “Zero Gravity” cooling system which maintains cooling performance on any orientation of the device. Next to the CPU is the 16GB LPDDR5-6400 RAM, 512GB M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 SSD, UHS-II microSD card slot for further storage expansion; it also comes with Wi-Fi 6E onboard, as well as 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C (alongside XGm port). The display meanwhile is a 500 nits, 7-inch FHD 120Hz display with 7ms response time, 100% sRGB coverage covered by the glossy Gorilla Glass Victus (with DXC coating for reduced reflections).

The ROG Ally also comes with optional accessories, including the ROG Gaming Charger Dock that comes with a HDMI port on the charger itself – similar in design to Apple’s iMac charger (where the LAN port situates). There’s also the XG Mobile external GPUs – with both NVIDIA and AMD options available (RTX 4090 or RX 6850M XT) for additional I/O expansion.
It comes with two configurations: the more powerful model comes with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with 8 cores, 16 threads; whereas the entry-level model features the standard AMD Ryzen Z1 processor with 6 cores, 12 threads at disposal. Both models support various AMD Radeon technologies such as FSR, RSR upscaling, with the latter built on a driver-level to upscale any game. The ROG Ally will be priced at $699 and $599 respectively – with the latter available at a later date this year.
Pokdepinion: Price is indeed competitive, let’s see if Valve has any answer to that.
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Transcend StoreJet 25MC 1TB review — with a USB Type-C connector

We have reviewed lots of Transcend storage solutions, especially their external drives and SSDs. From the previous reviews, we understand that most Transcend external HDD drives come with shock resistant casings and USB 3.0 connection. Today we have something pretty similar to the other external drives we have reviewed, but this time around the Transcend StoreJet 25MC 1TB features a reversible USB Type-C connector.
Unboxing

As usual for Transcend products, the Transcend StoreJet 25MC 1TB also comes in a simple white and maroon packaging. You get a huge window in front to see what you will be getting before you pay for it.

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The back is chock full of details with quite small font. I wish Transcend has went with highlights of the specifications instead of dumping everything here.

The contents of the box include some documentation in case you do not know how to use an external drive, brochures of the other products by Transcend and of course the Transcend Transcend StoreJet 25MC itself and the USB Type-C connector.

Appearance

The Transcend StoreJet 25MC 1TB is essentially a chunk of rubberized plastic. Unlike the Transcend StoreJet 25H3 3TB, the StoreJet 25MC doesn’t have a dual-tone finishing. The drive is wrapped entirely in grey rubber with a green strip running across the top to keep things interesting.

On the back there’s pretty much nothing to see except the product label.

We can see the microUSB 3.0 port here, which is a sign that there won’t be a major increase in speeds over the other external HDDs Transcend offers. Not like current HDDs can make full use of USB 3.0 speeds anyway, so it’s all good.

The StoreJet 25MC connects to your device via USB Type-C. The advantage of using USB Type-C port is compatibility with upcoming ultraportables which will most probably be the frontline to shift towards the new standard as it requires less space than a standard USB Type-A port. And also not having to check the orientation of the connector before plugging it in is definitely a plus.

Specifications

Performance
I tested the Transcend StoreJet 25MC 1TB with CrystalDiskMark. For an external drive, the random 4K speed is unnecessary as it’s not frequently use as the daily driver. As its usage is more to backup or archive, the sequential transfer speed is more important.

The Transcend StoreJet 25MC is faster than both the Transcend StoreJet 25H3 4TB and 3TB, but this is more likely due to a faster HDD inside the enclosure, rather than due to the new Type-C connection.

Real-time performance
File Transfer

We have updated our storage review with a new benchmark for external drives. In this real-time performance test, I transferred a total of 15.9GB of files for each category. There are five categories, which are compressed files (.zip, .rar, .tgz), documents (.xlsx, .docx, .pdf) game files, movies and pictures (.jpg, .cr2, .mov).

Cost perGB

Conclusion
The StoreJet 25MC comes with a reversible USB Type-C cable, allowing for full compatibility with any device that comes with a USB type-C port. Although it’s using a Type-C connector, you won’t be able to use it as external storage on the latest smartphones that are using Type-C ports, as they do not provide enough juice to power the drive. Transcend StoreJet 25MC is only available with 1TB of capacity, priced at RM281 at online retailers. Just a little bit pricier compared to the other external drives we have reviewed before but the speed and support for the newer USB Type-C standard justifies its price.

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Samsung Holds #FoodiePicks Contest For New Samsung Members

Samsung has announced that they will be holding a special food-centric contest called the #FoodiePicks contest. This contest is open specially for those who are new members of Samsung Members.
#FoodiePicks contest for new Samsung Members only

Individuals who join up for Samsung Members for the first time between now and 14 April 2022 can enter the 2022 Foodie Picks Contest for new members. Individuals who recently enrolled on Samsung Members between 1 January 2022 and 14 April 2022 are eligible participants.

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Ten winners will each get one of the following prizes:

1st Place winner: 1x Samsung Galaxy Buds2 worth RM499
2nd Place winner: 1x Samsung Galaxy A01 Core worth RM329
3rd Place winners (8 winners): One Samsung Galaxy SmartTag each worth RM119

Simply follow the instructions below to be entered to win a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds2 or any of the prizes listed above:

Open or download the Samsung Members app and create a Samsung Account.
Share a post of your favourite meal or café (and location) on the contest board with the hashtags #SamsungMembersMY and #FoodiePicks.
Don’t forget to include the referral codes found in the Samsung Members Community for a better chance of winning.

For more details on the contest, click here.
Pokdepinion: Those new to Samsung Members should definitely sign and give this contest a go especially if they’re hardcore foodies!
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vivo And Digi Launches New #vivoX70PhotographyRedefined TikTok challenge

In celebration of the recently launched vivo X70 series, vivo has partnered with Digi to launch a special TikTok challenge called #vivoX70PhotographyRedefined. The TikTok challenge will run from 16th until 30th October 2021 where users will have a chance to win RM15,000 worth of prizes.
vivo x Digi TikTok challenge #vivoX70PhotographyRedefined

Users can follow the steps below in order to take part in vivo and Digi’s TikTok challenge:

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Launch the TikTok App and go to the ‘Discover’ page
Search #vivoX70PhotographyRedefined, and decide the mode you would like to participate in (Gimbal or Night Mode), before recording your video
Publish your entry on TikTok with the hashtags #vivoX70PhotographyRedefined #vivoX70 #vivoX70Pro #vivoMalaysia, #digibelia and tag vivo Malaysia and Digi on TikTok
Make sure your TikTok video is set to Public
Like and follow vivo’s official Facebook and Instagram pages. The winners will be announced on these platforms.

The grand prize winner will receive a vivo X70 Pro (value RM3,299), while the second prize winner will receive a TWS 2 ANC (worth RM369). The third prize winner will receive a TWS 2e (worth RM269). There will also be seven consolation prize winners, each of whom will receive special vivo items. Upon participation, all participants will receive RM20 e-vouchers and Pakej Khas BELIA by Digi.
For more information on the challenge and its terms and conditions, head over to the official website here.
Pokdepinion: Time to get on TikTok right now.
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Xiaomi’s CEO teases Mi 10’s design and cooling system on Weibo ahead of launch

The Xiaomi Mi 10’s launch may be dampened by the 2019-nCoV situation, but that doesn’t mean that Xiaomi won’t hype up their upcoming flagship. Believed to be Xiaomi’s first flagship to break out of the “budget flagship” segment, the Xiaomi Mi 10 has a lot riding on it.

In addition to flagship specifications like the Snapdragon 865 chipset, LPDDR5 memory and a 108MP main camera, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun has now teased the launch poster. It shows off the quad camera setup while also confirming the 108MP main camera. Meanwhile over on the front a pretty weirdly positioned punch-hole camera is seen along with the curved display. The design isn’t particularly fresh, with it being pretty similar to the Mi Note 10‘s design.

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The cooling system appears to be pretty monstrous too. Xiaomi boasts of a cooling system that consists of a massive 3000 mm2  vapor chamber in the Mi 10, that is claimed to be 3x the area of the one in the Mate 30 Pro 5G. In addition to that, there’s going to be graphene heatspreaders and 6-layer graphite sheets that span most of the body, with dedicated sheets for the camera and flash assembly. Lei Jun also shared about a large amount of copper foil and thermally conductive gel in the upcoming Mi 10, This will be combined with AI thermal management algorithms to deliver optimal performance for longer periods.

Xiaomi’s Wang Teng Thomas also shared his gaming experience (which was great) aside from inviting people to compare it against the Mate 30 Pro 5G. If you noticed, Xiaomi seems to be targeting the Mate 30 Pro 5G as the main competition for the Mi 10, which might hint at a similar price point for the latter as well. With the Mate 30 Pro 5G priced at RM4199 here in Malaysia, the Mi 10 would be more than double as expensive as the last Xiaomi flagship, the Mi 9, if that’s really the case.
Regardless, we only have three more days until 13th February which is when the Xiaomi Mi 10 will be announced officially. Stay tuned for our coverage of the Mi 10’s launch!
Pokdepinion: I must say the design doesn’t look that interesting for a flagship that’s meant to be the sum of Xiaomi’s dreams over the past 10 years…
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Redmi K30 Pro to sport UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5 RAM

While the Redmi K30 Pro is expected to be one of the more affordable Snapdragon 865 devices, it seems like it will also be one of the best-performing ones thus far. Samsung has just announced their latest eUFS 3.1 storage, and Redmi didn’t skip a beat by announcing that the Redmi K30 Pro will offer both LPDDR5 memory and UFS 3.1 storage.
The main advantage of UFS 3.1 is its sequential write speeds, with UFS 3.1 capable of nearly 3x the write speeds UFS 3.0 could handle. Redmi’s implementation seems to be a little slower with Redmi claiming that it will offer up to 750MB/s sequential write speeds, a little shy of Samsung’s claims of 1200MB/s sequential read speeds possible on UFS 3.1, but it is still much faster than the 410MB/s that UFS 3.0 could deliver. It might also be a hint at Redmi not offering 512GB variants of the K30 Pro, as Samsung’s claims are based on their 512GB modules.

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UFS 3.1 doesn’t seem to offer any improvements in terms of sequential read speeds, but random read speeds has went up by 60% to 100 000 IOPS and random writes gets a small 3% bump to 70 000 IOPS. All in all, it’s a small step forward, but its an upgrade nonetheless. UFS 3.1 will be available in 128GB and 256GB capacities too, aside from the 512GB variant that these figures are based off. Samsung will be using their 5th Gen V-NAND for UFS 3.1 modules.

Aside from the new storage technology, the Redmi K30 Pro is expected to feature a 64MP camera as well as a popup selfie camera, among other things like a huge vapor chamber cooling system to allow to deliver better sustained performance. The launch date appears to be set for 24th March, so stay tuned for our coverage.
Pokdepinion: I think there’s little left to leak about the Redmi K30 Pro… Now all I want is an AMOLED display.
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Say Goodbye to EA Origin As Changes Are Coming

It looks like we will be saying goodbye to EA Origin as the company is looking to streamline their branding. They have been testing a beta version of a revamped PC client, and this is expected to replace it.
Goodbye EA Origin, Hello EA Desktop

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In the interview with GamesBeat, Electronic Arts mentioned that the new EA Desktop PC client, which will be replacing EA Origin, will have faster updates, faster downloads, straightforward access to games, and expanded cross-play features. For parents, there will be a feature called Playtime Controls so they can keep tabs on how long their children are allowed to play.
Furthermore, the new PC client will act as a gateway to the company’s subscription service. For those of you who aren’t aware, Origin Access Basic was changed to EA Play while Origin Access Premiere was changed to EA Play Pro last month. It’s part of their efforts to streamline their branding efforts.
The company has expanded from just being a regular digital marketplace over the years. After all, EA Play is available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and even Steam, with there being an expectation to integrate Xbox Game Pass subscriptions soon.
If you are interested in getting the new EA Origin replacement, signups for the closed beta are available. EA will be sending out invitations, and it will be on a first come, first served basis. With that being said, no official release date for it has been announced yet.
Source
Pokdepinion: I really don’t see why they needed to do this. People are already familiar with the name Origin. Sure, EA Desktop is more simplified but it doesn’t have that oomph in the name, at least for me.
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Acer Unveils A Multitude of New Displays for Everyone at [email protected] 2021

At the [email protected] 2021 global press conference, Acer has unveiled a variety of new displays for gamers, consumers, and professionals. Let’s look at each product one at a time, shall we?
Acer L811 Laser Projector

The Acer L811 is an 4K-capable ultra-short-throw laser projector with support for HDR10 and a contrast ratio of 2 million to 1 for the deepest blacks. It’s said to offer up to 3,000 lumens of brightness for a better home theater experience. From just 0.312 meters away, it can project up to 120-inches, with the idea here being that you don’t need a big space to have a big display.

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Using the Acer LumiSense technology, the laser projector is capable of analyzing content frame-by-frame to dynamically adjust brightness so you get a more optimized viewing experience. It’s said to have low input lag with an option for 240Hz refresh rate at Full HD resolution, and can also display 3D at 144Hz 24p via 3D Blu-ray. For sound, it has two built-in 10W Acer TrueHarmony speakers.
In case you’re worried about durability, the Acer EcoProjection technology reduces standby power consumption by up to 66%, effectively extending the laser’s lifespan by up to 30,000 hours. You can safely make use of the projector 24/7 without worries. Furthermore, it has an IP6X “dust-tight” protection so it will remain reliable for years to come.
It’s expected to be made available in other regions starting November, but no word yet on local availability and pricing. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Acer CB273U Monitor for Professionals

Next up, we have the Acer CB273U, a 27-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS monitor aimed at professionals. It displays vivid 8-bit colors with Delta E<1 color accuracy, HDR10 support, and 178° viewing angle, making it ideal for creatives to bring their work to life. Furthermore, the Ergostand lets you adjust the height, tilt,, swivel and pivot to get that perfect angle tailored to you. Apart from that, it also has Acer BlueLightShield Pro and Acer Flickerless technology for improved viewing comfort.
For added convenience, this monitor, alongside other monitors in the CB3 series, comes with a docking station which includes a 90W USB-C port with Power Delivery support to charge laptops,, an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, and a built-in KVM switch to switch between different PCs without having to change monitors, keyboards, and mice.
This isn’t just for creative use however as it also comes with some features to make the most out of your gaming experience. The Acer CB273U supports AMD FreeSync for a smoother, blur-free gaming experience, and it’s enhanced further with the 1ms Visual Response Boost (VRB).
It’s expected to be made available in other regions starting November, but no word yet on local availability and pricing. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Acer Predator GD711 and GM712 for Gamers

And now for the gamers, we have the Acer Predator GD711 and GM712 smart 4K LED gaming projectors, both of which are intended for console and PC gaming. They are said to have 4,000 LED lumens of brightness, high dynamic contrast, and HDR10 support. Interestingly, there is a built-in app market which will let you access a variety of streaming services directly on it.
The Acer Predator GD711 specifically supports Full HD 120Hz for game consoles and Full HD 240Hz for gaming PCs. The GM712 on the other hand is for those who prefer lamp-based projectors, offering 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness. However, both models will have the same viewing modes; Standard Mode with up to 4K resolution, a game mode intended from bright visuals, and another game mode for darker visuals.

The gaming projectors are capable of projecting at just 23dBa in ECO mode, with a throw ratio of 1.22, letting it support of wide range of throw sizes for a more versatile offering. They have also a 10W speaker and an antimicrobial coated-remote control. Acer claims that the effectiveness of dissipating heat via air lets them have a 30,000 hour-long lifespan.
It’s expected to be made available in other regions starting November, but no word yet on local availability and pricing. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Pokdepinion: Now, those gaming monitors look pretty interesting. Knowing me, I would probably having it project on my ceiling and just lie down while I game. That sounds like a dream gaming experience.
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The new iPhone has one new feature no iPhone has ever had

Chinese telcos have revealed what may be the biggest upgrade to the upcoming iPhone. A common gripe among iPhone users is they either have to get two iPhones to use their personal and business numbers, or just get an Android as a secondary device. iPhone users just can’t get out of carrying two phones, but they soon can.

Chinese telcos China Mobile and China Telecom have shared images on social media pointing to the next Apple device featuring dual SIM support. China Telecom’s post was practically a direct giveaway with an iPhone X-esque device and two SIM slots, while China Mobile at least tries to obfuscate the fact a little by using an actual apple instead. This confirms a previous rumor regarding dual SIM support in the upcoming iPhone.

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However it seems that not every region will get the dual-SIM capable iPhones. Rumors point to it offered in China, India and Indonesia, but Malaysia is probably also in that list. After all, we do have a strong presence of dual SIM devices here in Malaysia.
Source: PhoneRadar
Pokdepinion: I don’t even use the dual SIM feature on my device, but I do forsee a lot of people liking this feature.
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COVID Has Disrupted This Year’s Dota 2’s The Internationals

Even if you are not a big fan of Dota 2, you probably would’ve heard of The Internationals before, one of the world’s largest esports tournament. While it was schedule to begin this 7th of October in Romania, there’s been some bad news, all thanks to COVID-19.
Dota 2 The Internationals 2021

Valve has revealed that the tournament will no longer be witnessed live in person as COVID-19 has impacted the preparation of the event. Ti10 will however proceed as normal, where it will start this coming 7th of October 2021.

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Here’s what they had to say on the matter:
We have been carefully evaluating the continued rise of COVID rates in Romania, as well as the resulting introduction of new local restrictions in Bucharest. To ensure the safety of all players, talent, and production staff participating in the event, we have decided to refund all ticket sales for The International 2021.
As you can see from the statements, those who’ve purchased tickets to catch the event will be refunded. Romania recently recorded 12,032 of new COVID-19 cases on Thursday and the local government has decided to implement new restrictions to negate it from rising.
This year’s The International has a prize pool of more than $40 million, one of the biggest in the esports world. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source
Pokdepinion: I don’t think that it’s a good idea to host a global event like this just yet. You got people from across the globe wanting to attend at a single place, that just smells like a recipe for disaster with the pandemic still a thing after nearly two years.
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MSi Prestige PL60 Laptop Review: Jack of All Trades, Master of None

Introduction

Our review of the MSi Prestige PL60 laptop. Will this be your next mobile computing machine?
There are various kinds of laptops available today to cater to a multitude of users across the globe. Some people want thin laptops that are easy to bring around while others don’t mind carrying around something bigger if it means getting some performance in. This laptop we have with is us is closer to the latter.

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While this laptop may not exactly be cheap, it would worth taking a look at for its price range, depending on your needs in a laptop. Without further ado, let’s dive into the MSi Prestige PL60 laptop.
Unboxing the MSi Prestige PL60

When we first got the machine, it was inside this big-sized silver box. It is a laptop with a 15.6″ inch screen after all, so such a size is normal. Upon opening the box, you’ll see the MSI Prestige PL60 with Styrofoam protecting the left and right ends of the machine, which is done so to minimize impact damage during shipment.

Tear the box apart and you’ll find yourself the 120W AC adapter along with a tie clip for cable management. The actual unit will have a user manual and warranty guides inside so don’t worry about that. It may seem like it’s lacking from the picture but to be fair, it does cover the essentials for the laptop. If you bought one and can’t seem to find the battery, don’t panic. It’s on the machine already.
Appearance

The MSI Prestige PL60 laptop is in metallic silver, and it has a simple, yet elegant look to it. When opened, it gives a vibe that the laptop is more than capable of doing anything you’d like without issues, much like a dependable uncle of sorts. You have your trackpad, a keyboard that includes the numpad (with the arrow keys seemingly crossing over to the numpad), a fine looking display with a webcam just above it.

On the left side of the MSI Prestige PL60 is where most of the jacks are located. You can see multiple USB ports, RJ45, DisplayPort, HDMI, headphone jack, and a microphone jack. There are fewer things on the right side of the laptop; charging port, card reader, and another USB port.

When closed, you can see a clean, metallic finish with the MSi logo not taking up too much space. This does make it seem like the company is humble, as they opted not to have their logo, or the Prestige logo even, to hog the space on this side, giving it a nice, sleek appearance.
Design-wise, there’s really nothing to complain about. As far as liking the design is concerned, it is a subjective matter but if you as me, then yes, I do like the design. It looks and feels like a businessman’s laptop; cool, clean, and confident.
Specifications

CPU
Intel Core i7-7500U @ 2.7 GHz (up to 3.5 GHz Turbo Boost)

RAM
4GB (single-channel) 2400 MHz DDR4

GPU
GeForce GTX 1050 with 2GB GDDR5

Storage
128GB Toshiba M.2 SSD
1TB HGST Travelstar 7K1000 7200 RPM HDD

Software
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
MSi Dragon Center
MSi Battery Calibration
MSi True Color
Nahimic 2 Audio

Connectivity
802.11 ac Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.2
2 x USB 3.0 Type A
1 x USB 3.0 Type-C
1 x USB  2.0 Type-A
RJ45
SD card reader

Display
15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) Wide-View display
1 x HDMI (4K @ 30Hz)
1 x DisplayPort

Audio
4 x Dynaudio stereo speakers
1 x Woofer
1 x 3.5mm combo jack
1 x Headphone-out (SPDIF)

Power
120W AC adapter, 6-cell battery

Dimensions
383 x 260 mm x 22~29 mm

Weight
2.2kg

Performance
And now, we take the MSi Prestige PL60 through our usual suite of benchmark tools to give you guys an objective view of the laptop’s capabilities.

First up with CrystalDiskMark, we have the Toshiba M.2 SSD being tested. It’s acceptably fast and it allows Windows, as well as most of the software installed in this storage device, to boot up pretty quickly. With 128GBs however, storage space will run out pretty fast so if you’re getting this, best to choose at least with a 200GB-ish space.

The next one we have on CrystalDiskMark is the D drive, a.k.a. the HGST Travelstar 7K1000 HDD. The speeds are noticeably different compared to the previous one but this is normal when you compared SSD speeds with HDD speeds. If anything, the speed isn’t actually bad, and I’m glad MSi opted to include a 7200 RPM HDD instead of 5400 RPM like plenty of other brands. If you choose to install software here, do note that it can take a bit of extra time to load but don’t worry, it’s definitely less than the time it takes to make coffee.

So here’s where my head gets turned upside down. Notice in the OpenGL results test, it doesn’t even reach 1 FPS. It’s 0.97 and after running it again after changing the laptop’s power modes, it’s still about the same; 0.97 – 0.99 FPS. This is a laptop with a GTX 1050, mind you. I didn’t expect it to be lacking this badly.
As far as the CPU performance goes, it does well enough at 332 cb, thanks to the Intel Core i7-7500U. The score can be improved more if you upgraded the RAM a bit as it’s utilizing a single stick of 4GB DDR4 RAM (2400 MHz). Perhaps adding one more of the same one would yield noticeable improvements.

And lastly, we also ran the Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 under the Extreme preset. On this one, it seemed to perform decently. It’s not a #PCMasterRace level but it is acceptable performance. One thing worth noting is that while the test was running, it recorded a temperature of 57-58 degrees Celsius, and the fan was notably quiet. You’d probably only be able to hear the fan in a room that is completely quiet but even so, it’s barely there.
As far as battery life is concerned, that’s where the MSi Prestige PL60 is lacking in today’s standards. With some minor Photoshop work, and mostly web browsing (Edge Browser), it only got me about 3 and a half hours on full charge.
This is with 50% brightness and the keyboard’s backlight turned on. While you can extend it by adjusting some options, keep in mind that certain applications will have an effect on the battery life as well. In fact, Google Chrome is said to eat up more battery life. Realistically speaking, it’s best to carry a charger around if you plan on bringing this machine outdoors.
User Experience

With the world moving into laptops that are thin and light, the MSi Prestige PL60 seems a bit beastly in size. When you think about laptops from about 5 years ago, this would seem like the average size. After using it for a while, it doesn’t seem that big after all. The size still makes it easy for me to store in my bag and travel around with. Considering the fact that it’s 2.2 kg, it started to feel as if this laptop is pretty light for its size, especially since the weight feels evenly distributed across its body.

The keyboard is backlit and has decent tactile feedback. Travel distance isn’t exactly short so using the keyboard was pretty easy from the get-go. I am a mechanical user with a love for Blue switches, and I find it surprisingly enjoyable to type on this keyboard. The only thing I had to get used to was the arrow keys, as the arrow right key seems to have crossed over to the numpad, placed right beside ‘0’.

Then we have the touchpad, which is just okay in my book. I mean, it works and the clicks can be heard loud and clear but honestly, it’s not something I, or anyone else for that mattter, should use full-time. It can be slow to work with so a mouse, even a cheap one, could save you a lot of hassle. in fact, I only find it useful to quickly zoom in for browsers with a ‘pinching’ motion.

A major plus point for the MSi Prestige PL60 is the ports. It never feels like it’s lacking…unless you find a sudden need to plug in 5 thumbdrives in one go. There’s a port for USB-C, USB-A in 3.0 and 2.0, you most likely won’t be using all of them at once. Even when you need to use an external display, you have the option of using DisplayPort or HDMI. And as always, the card reader is there for convenience in case you ever needed to transfer files over. Just keep in mind that it accepts SD cards.
The MSi True Color software has a number of presets that can be customized even further to your liking.
In terms of display, the 15.6-inch Full HD display is a joy to look at. Everything looks sharp and the size is big enough so you don’t have to stare at the screen closely to see things (This happens to me often in 10-inch screen, sometimes for 12-13-inch). And when I feel that my eyes are being strained by bright light, I can freely adjust the display via the MSi True Color software, so I don’t feel the need to tear my eyes out.

The Dynaudio speakers on this laptop are surprisingly loud and crisp. It’s nowhere close to a proper speaker set but it’s definitely leaps and bounds better than your standard laptop speakers. While the Nahimic audio software allows you to fine tune your audio experience, don’t expect too much from the 7.1 surround sound feature. You’re not gonna feel surround sound on speakers, and it would sound weird on cheap earphones. Even with expensive headphones, just remember that it’s virtual surround and not true surround sound. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing of course.
As an editor, I have to write articles and edit photos. So far, writing and using Photoshop on this machine has been a breeze. No frustrations on my end, and it works great. While I did notice a slight performance downgrade when the MSi Prestige PL60 isn’t plugged in (same power mode on MSi Dragon Center and Windows by the way), it isn’t a huge drop that will cause frustrations for me.
Conclusion

The MSi Prestige PL60 is an enjoyable laptop to use. While it may be kind of big for today’s standards, it’s still relatively easy to bring around. The display is sharp, the speakers are surprisingly good, and it performs pretty well for work purposes. While I would still opt for an ultrathin laptop, this one has reassured me that laptops of this size aren’t out of style yet, and there are still people that would be well suited for this. It also made me realize that I definitely need a laptop with at least a 15.6-inch screen to truly enjoy it.
It would be an excellent machine if the battery life is noticeably longer, at least 5 hours without issues but given the machine’s specifications, it’s obvious why it can only last about 3 hours or so. It seems to be a well-rounded device but doesn’t seem to excel in one particular point.1514 I personally believe that this laptop would sell well if it was around the RM3,000 to RM3,500 range. However, it is currently retailing for RM4,499. With that in mind, I award the MSi Prestige PL60 with our Silver Pokdeward.

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PS Plus December 2021 Free Game May Have Been Revealed

Typically, we’d have to wait longer to find out about the following month’s PS Plus lineup. In the case of the PS Plus December 2021 free games lineup however, we may have learned a good chunk of detail about it earlier than expected. Here’s what we know thus far.
PS Plus December 2021 Potentially Revealed

Based on track record and a theory based on it, we expect the PS Plus December 2021 free games lineup to pop up on 7th December 2021 as it typically happens on the first Tuesday of every month. In this particular case, the date really matter as a game will be released on this specific date.

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The game is none other than Heavenly Bodies. This might seem odd to you but it’s not the first time we’ve seen newly launched games pop up as part of PS Plus. The theory here is that it has to be a game that’s being promoted on the official PlayStation blog, a smaller game release, and are either console exclusives or PlayStation exclusive, which fits Heavenly Bodies.
If you’re not sure what Heavenly Bodies is about, here’s a description of the game:
You have been entrusted to bring into operation Earth’s proudest feat of engineering. With only radio contact with mission control as your aid, you will have to use your sharp mind and dexterous limbs to assemble space telescopes, maintain delicate solar arrays and research cosmic botany. But without gravity, nothing is still, nothing is secure, and nothing is simple. At first you might fumble in the vastness of space, but in time you will grasp weightless motion with grace.
While there is no confirmation yet and this is more of a theory than a leak, there is a good chance it might be accurate, and we expect to learn the actual lineup within a week or two. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: This would be a great way to get people to try out a new game, especially if it’s not from a major developer / publisher. Personally, I can’t wait to give it a shot.
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Nokia laptops to be unveiled in India soon?

Nokia might be working on unveiling an all-new lineup of laptops soon. A number of Nokia laptops has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and it appears that Tongfang Limited will be the manufacturer of said Nokia laptops. There are nine SKUs listed, with their names seemingly hinting at the processors under the hood.

Turns out it will be a series. pic.twitter.com/9IUOXGWfD0
— Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) November 27, 2020

There are nine different Nokia laptops registered at the BIS, with the following model numbers:  NKi510UL82S, NKi510UL85S, NKi510UL165S, NKi510UL810S, NKi510UL1610S, NKi310UL41S, NKi310UL42S, NKi310UL82S, and NKi310UL85S. According to NokiaMob, the “i5” and “i3” parts point towards them coming with i5 and i3 processors.
If that is true, Nokia will be entering the laptop market with entry-level to mid-range offerings. Not a bad place to start, considering that those move in much higher volumes than premium laptops. And their chosen manufacturer is pretty good as well, as Tongfang is a reputable laptop ODM that manufactures laptops that are rebranded under various boutique laptop brands.

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A good example is the Level51 Vapor 15 Pro, which is at its core a Tongfang QC7. There’s a possibility that Nokia might be selling a variant of the Intel NUC M15 reference design. However the reference design calls for an Intel Core i7-1165G7, and the list of Nokia laptops registered at the BIS appears to only come in Core i3 and Core i5 variants.
Regardless, Nokia’s upcoming laptops should be pretty solid as they are manufactured by Tongfang, with the Nokia logo slapped on to bank on the nostalgia value that the brand commands. Hopefully, there won’t be a monetary premium for that nostalgia.
Source
Pokdepinion: With a reputable ODM behind them, I do think Nokia’s laptops might have a good chance of succeeding, if they price it right.
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MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk Overview — the best B550 board under RM1000?

With the recent AMD Ryzen 5000 series, I think quite a few of you guys would be looking for a new motherboard. The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a pretty good option for those who plan on jumping over to the red camp, or upgrading from an older AMD system. At its price of just RM799, I think there’s quite a lot to like here.
Unboxing

Packaging wise, the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk comes in a standard packaging that seems to be heavily inspired by military themes, just in case its name doesn’t give it away yet. The front is pretty devoid of information, while over on the back it is packed with all the key information that MSI wants to convey. I do appreciate the little I/O Overview window at the lower right corner, as it is really helpful to know what I/O does a board have before buying it.

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There is a surprising amount of paper in the box. You get a small brochure, a thank you note as well as a quick user guide along with the full user manual. There’s a case badge that comes in the signature MSI red, as well as two SATA cables and a few M.2 screws to round up the practical side of things. And oh, there’s a driver CD too.
Appearance

The board itself looks similar to all recent MSI MAG Tomahawk boards. There are lines on it that are supposed to evoke imagery of an aircraft carrier’s landing strip. The mix of the black and light grey elements across the board makes for a pretty aggressive design, while the neutral colors ensure that it won’t be too difficult to match with the rest of your components.

The back is pretty clean, without any unnecessary graphics. I do not understand brands that waste their time and money silkscreening the rear of the PCB. You will never see it unless you swap motherboards all the time.

For the I/O, it does look like they copied over the layout from the MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk, but dropped two USB 3.0 ports. Given that this is a slightly more affordable board that’s targeting a sub-RM800 price point, I guess that’s almost forgivable. Although I do wonder why does MSI think that someone shopping in this price segment would need dual LAN, instead of more USB ports, or better yet, WiFi. There’s a nice Flash BIOS button up there as well, allowing to update your BIOS without a CPU installed, which might come in handy later in the lifecycle of the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk.
Specifications
MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk

CPU support
AMD AM4
Ryzen 3000 CPU (Matisse only) and newer
Ryzen 4000G APU (Renoir) and newer

Power
1 x 24-pin ATX
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V
RAA229004 PWM controller (5+2 phase)
10 x ISL99360 (60A) powerstage for VCore
2 x ISL99360 (60A) powerstage for VSoC

Chipset
AMD B550

Memory
4 x DDR4 DIMM, max. 128GB un-buffered memory
Up to 5100MHz

Multi-GPU Support
2-way AMD CrossFireX

Expansion slots
PCIe 4.0 x16 (x16 electrically)
PCIe 3.0 x1
PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 electrically)
PCIe 3.0 x1

Storage
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s, supports RAID 0,1,10
1 x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA
1 x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA

Network
Realtek RTL8111H 1G LAN
Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN

USB
Rear I/O:
1 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps)
1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (10 Gbps)
2 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
2 x USB 2.0
On-board headers:
1 x USB Type-C (5 Gbps)
1 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) (2 ports each)
2 x USB 2.0 (2 ports each)

Audio
Realtek ALC1200 CODEC
5 x audio jacks (rear)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
1 x front panel audio connector

Display output
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort

Other onboard connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x Pump fan header
6 x Chassis fan headers
2 x RGB headers
2 x ARGB headers
1 x TPM module connector
1 x chassis intrusion connector

Overclocking features
EZ Debug LED
BIOS reset jumper

Included accessories
User’s manual
Quick installation guide
Driver DVD
2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable
2 x M.2 Screw
Case badge
Product registration card

Form factor
ATX (12″ x 9.6″)

Taking a Closer Look
VRMs

Under the chunky heatsinks lie a rather beefy VRM system that’s on par with many higher-end boards. The larger block that doubles as an I/O shroud weighs a good 315g, while the one above the socket weighs 105g. The larger block here on the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk appears to be carved out of a single block of aluminium, which is an interesting decision when a lot of MSI’s more premium options have the larger plate mounted onto a smaller heatsink under it.

Another intriguing decision is the fact that MSI is using a more robust VRM system here, versus the ones MAG Z490 Tomahawk  which should encounter more power hungry CPUs than this board ever will. Connected to the RAA229004 PWM controller are 12 power stages, 10 for the VCore rail and two for VSoC rail.

The VCore rail sees its two ISL99360 smart power stages connected in parallel in what MSI calls the Duet Rail configuration, which eliminates the need for doublers. The lack of doublers are apparently good for improving transient response, while also allowing MSI to lower the cost of this board, and put it towards the better power stages we have here. You can see that MSI didn’t waste their money by installing additional 4-pin EPS, as you won’t need that to max out your AMD Ryzen 3000 or Ryzen 5000 series processors on ambient cooling.
Audio

Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC1200 codec and some nice contrasty golden Nippon Chemi-Con caps. Overall the audio section is pretty basic, but the audio components do sport some separation from the rest of the board to reduce interference from affecting your audio quality.
Storage

As with most AMD B550 motherboards, only the first M.2 slot and PCIe slot support PCIe 4.0. Those get their lanes directly from the CPU, while the rest of the lanes come from the B550 chipset, which means that they are limited to PCIe 3.0. Both the M.2 slots come with heatspreaders, which is a nice touch.

Six right-angled SATA slots arranged right on the edge of the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a pretty nice touch, unlike the weird layout that MSI went with on the MAG Z490 Tomahawk. The USB-C header here is a slight bummer, as it only supports 5Gbps USB 3.0 speeds, instead of the USB 3.1 (10Gbps) speeds that it should be capable of. While not ideal, at least you can still use the USB-C port on your case empty though.
Networking

For some reason, MSI decided that it was going to be a better idea to cram in dual LAN on the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. Both the Gigabit and 2.5G LAN controllers are from Realtek, presumably to save some costs instead of going with an Intel-based solution, but I honestly think many users would prefer built-in WiFi over dual LAN networking. If you have a use for dual LAN, the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk might be one of the most affordable motherboards with this feature.
Others

For those who hate any sort of lighting on their board, there’s a physical LED switch here to allow you to turn off the lighting. MSI only baked in a few LEDs under the PCH heatsink, which I personally do not find too excessive, but I am sure some will prefer them off anyway. This little switch allows you to easily turn them off without having to install any software, which is a pretty nice touch.

While the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is probably not meant for the hardcore overclockers among you, it does have a very beefy VRM, which means that there will be plenty people who will try to get the most bang for their buck by pushing their CPU and RAM to its limits. The EZ Debug LED is a quick way for you to find out which component did you mess up. Unfortunately there’s no good way to revert your settings besides a full reset of your BIOS in the event of failed POSTs… So yeah.
Conclusion

My only main grouse by looking at the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is the lack of WiFi. The VRM is really excellent for its price segment, and while the USB-C header isn’t ideal, it is still nice to have. Many boards in this segment won’t even offer the header at all, so there’s that to keep in mind. Maybe a few more USB ports on the rear would be nice to have as well, but five USB-A ports and one USB-C is good enough for me, at least at the moment.
For RM799, I don’t think you can do much better than this in terms of the beefiness of the power delivery system, although some of the competition might offer a few nice features that you might want, like WiFi and more USB ports. Still, this board will definitely make its way to our list of recommended AMD B550 motherboards.
Our thanks to MSI Malaysia for sending us the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk.

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AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop processors expected to be released in September 2020

The AMD Ryzen 3000 series were announced in May at Computex 2019, and was offered on the market starting July. This year, the AMD Ryzen 4000 series was also expected to follow a similar timeline, but since Computex 2020 is delayed to September, the launch of the 4th Gen AMD Ryzen processors might follow suit.

On the upside, it might mean that AMD will be able to start selling the 4th Gen AMD Ryzen processors soon after the launch. AMD is expected to unveil the Zen 3 architecture with the AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop processors, with the processors based on an enhanced TSMC 7nm process.

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Enthusiasts are also hoping that the AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop processors will still work on the AMD AM4 socket, with it slated to be the last generation of AMD Ryzen processors supported by the socket. It should also be accompanied by the 600-series chipset, but going by AMD’s tradition, you can probably expect older boards to work just fine, albeit with some features missing.
I sure hope so, as I do plan on replacing my AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with a AMD Ryzen 4000 series desktop processor when those launch. Well, just a short wait until September.

Aside from the upcoming AMD CPUs, AMD is also expected to unveil the RDNA 2 graphics cards at Computex 2020. The Navi 2X GPUs are expected to bring hardware raytracing, letting AMD fight NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX cards on more equal footing.
Pokdepinion: September is probably a good time, as now everyone will be saving up for essentials rather than a new CPU.
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Sony Unveils New WF-SP800N Wireless Noise-Cancelling Sports Headphones

The folks over at Sony have unveiled a new wireless noise-cancelling audio gadget geared towards those with an active lifestyle, the Sony WF-SP800N sports headphones. Unlike some of their other noise-cancelling offerings, this one has an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, making it suitable for sports.
It is said that the Sony WF-SP800N charging case can hold up to 18 hours of music playback per full charge, 26 hours with noise-cancelling disabled. If you’re in a hurry, 10 minutes of charging is expected to give up to 60 minutes of music playback.

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While the sports headphones have noise-cancelling technology, it also has Sony’s signature EXTRA BASS for that added oomph in your music. You can customize your listening experience by using the Sony | Headphones Connect app on Android and iOS. You can even enable the 360 Reality Audio for a custom, immersive musical field.

Just like the WF-1000XM3, the Sony WF-SP800N has Adaptive Sound Control to adjust ambient sound settings based on your current environment. You also have the convenience of controlling your music by placing your finger on the right and left earbuds. It’s worth noting that the sports headphones are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so you can get more than just music.
When is the Sony WF-SP800N Coming to Malaysia?
The Sony WF-SP800N will be coming to Malaysia sometime in July 2020. Local retail price has yet to be announced and we will be reporting on that as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Pokdepinion: While the WF-1000XM3 is great, it doesn’t have any water resistance rating so it’s not suitable for exercise. This one on the other hand definitely is but I’m wondering if the listening experience is just as good.
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Four brands fined nearly RM523 million — EU levies heavy penalties for price-fixing

Just after hitting Google with a $5 billion antitrust fine, the European Commission fines four companies for antitrust practices. The companies involved are ASUS, Denon & Marantz, Phillips and Pioneer. The four companies are unrelated, but they were grouped together for the same offence.
The four companies were involved in price fixing, preventing online retailers from adjusting the prices of their products autonomously. This allowed the brands to maintain a higher resale price than the market would otherwise dictate. Incompliant online retailers would face the threat of being cut off on stocks.

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The companies were cooperative with the EU, allowing them to get massive discounts off their fines. Even after the discounts, ASUS is still hit with a whopping €63.5 million (~RM301.3M), Phillips with €29.8 million (~RM141.4M), €10.1 million (~RM47.93M) for Pioneer, and Denon & Marantz will have to pay €7.7 million (~RM36.54M).
These offences aren’t new either, with the EU taking a long time to finally come to a decision. All the breaches of the antitrust laws occured in between 2011 and 2013, with ASUS’ case extending to 2014 and Denon & Marantz’s all the way up to 2015.
What do you think about the EU fines? Are they justified?
Source: The Verge
Pokdepinion: Yay consumers. Now can they investigate whether price fixing occurs in Malaysia?
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Shopee 9.9 Is Coming Back And Bigger Than Ever With Deals All Around

Shopee will be hosting their yearly 9.9 Super Shopping Day again soon and this time around, they have a special surprise for shoppers.
Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day
For this year’s Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee are stepping up their game where the promotional period will last for 14-days starting from the 27th August till 9th September 2018.
With over 10,000 sellers, 120 brands, and 40 corporate partners on board, you can enjoy a diverse range of deals across all product categories on the special day. Leadiang up to 9 September itself, Shopee will be featuring a lineup of special themed days with each comes with promotions such as flash sales and up to 99% of various products in line with the focus of the day.

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Starting 27th August, you can  enjoy yourself in a non-stop 14-day shopping marathon featuring back-to-back themed days every 24 hours. During Super Brands Festival, Malaysians can score deals of up to 99% off on the hottest products from a wide variety of brands such as Nestle, L’Oreal, Ruseel Taylors, honor, Mead Johnson, Elianware, Her Jewellery, Thunder Match, Watsons, and PETPET.
One to watch for is on 9 September itself as Shopee will be featuring 9 rounds of Shocking Sale, which promises up to 99% off the most popular products. Besides that, you can also earn exclusive vouchers offering discounts on various product categories such as Fast-moving Consumer Goods, Fashion, Electronics, and Lifestyle.
Well that’s just a few of what Shopee will be offering leading up to the promotion. To find out more, you can click on the link here to go to Shopee’s website.
Pokdepinion: I don’t know how will my wallet survive this promo period. There’s sure to be something to tempt me to spend…

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 Officially Announced; Will Be A Multiplatform Title

After some teasing over at Sega’s side, we finally got to know about the latest entry in the Valkyria series. Yes, it is actually Valkyria Chronicles 4.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 Officially Announced

Over the past few days, Sega has been teasing a new entry in the Valkyria series, and the promised moment of its reveal has finally come. The new game is indeed Valkyria Chronicles 4. The English version will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, and will come sometime in 2018.
For Japan, the title will be the usual Senjo no Valkyria 4 (which translates as Valkyria of the Battlefield 4), and it will release for PlayStation 4 on March 21st and for Nintendo Switch later in Summer 2018.

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The Valkyria Chronicles series debuted in 2008 for PS3, quickly earning acclaim from critics and fans due to its tactical gameplay and its top-notch story, characters, and visuals. It gave birth to two sequels on PSP in 2010 and 2011, but unfortunately, Sega never localized the third game. After that, the first game received two remasters on PC and PS4, which are definitely awesome.
Recently, Sega also released a spin-off named Valkyria Revolution. While it was enjoyable, it came with a completely different genre and world. It ultimately failed to live up to the series legacy.
I don’t know about you, but as a massive fan of the Valkyria Chronicles series, the past week has been a rather nervous one. While announcing a new mainline game seemed a no-brainer, publishers often surprise us with choices that appear inexplicable.
Yet, this time around we have what I’m sure almost everyone wanted. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is coming, and I couldn’t be happier. You can check out the announcement trailer at the top of this post. Keep in mind, there’s no PC version coming, at least not at the moment.
Pokdepinion: I’ve been waiting for this for a while now and I couldn’t be happier. Now to get the hype train rolling!
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OPPO F1s camera features you do not want to miss

The OPPO F1s is a selfie-centric device, with OPPO highlighting the front camera’s bright f/2.0 aperture and large 1/3.1″-type 16 MP sensor more than the rear shooter. Still, the 13 MP rear shooter is actually no laughing matter, with PDAF technology on the 1/3.06″-type 13 MP sensor and a f/2.2 aperture lens. In fact, it does feature quite a few tricks up its sleeves that you might miss.

The icon above the shutter key, actually opens up the shooting mode menus. From here, you can choose from a few modes, including Ultra HD, various filters, double exposure mode and the usual expert mode, or manual. There is even a GIF mode, but the output quality is nothing to shout about. Double exposure does what it says on the can, stacking two shots into a single image. With the second image superimposed on to the first image, photos can look very artsy if you do it right. I might not find a use for it, but yeah, someone might enjoy that feature.

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The expert mode has the standard parameters to tweak, and even allows you to shoot RAW if you want to post process the images, but considering that the OPPO F1s does a pretty decent job already, I wouldn’t really care. If there was anything I would change, it would be to reduce the strength of the noise reduction, but who really cares when most smartphone images just get uploaded to social media with their heavy-handed compression algorithms?

Ultra HD mode takes 24MP and 52MP images through some software magic. Images gain a good lot of pixels, but detail doesn’t increase by much. Sure, when you zoom in, you get a clearer view, but that’s about it.

The aptly named “Various Filters” mode serves up a variety of color filters and also overlays to make your shot more interesting. Now you get to take shots that have filters applied directly to the image, instead of having to download a third party photo editor. Nifty.

Out of all the modes here, the front camera loses the Ultra HD and expert mode. Quite understandable, since no one needs a 52MP shot of their face anyway.

Moving on, the rear camera also offers HDR, while the front doesn’t. The aperture blade icons actually is all the OPPO F1s offers in terms of camera settings. You get to pick a shutter mode, set a timer, and also the aspect ratio of your images. Funnily, the “rectangle” aspect ratio is 1:1, which is a square. Weird. So the “rectangle” images are 9.7 MP and the “full screen” images (16:9) are 9.4 MP.

The front camera’s settings comes with an extra option, whether you want to save the image normally or flip it. The aspect ratio of your images also can be set, with the same 3 options. 16:9 images come in at 11.9 MP, while the 1:1 images are also 11.9 MP. Of course let’s not forget the beauty mode, which is available for both rear and front cameras.

Video recording is limited to [email protected] for both cameras. You get the choice of recording in 720p, and that’s all you get in the way of control.

We have now gone through the camera features available on the OPPO F1s. Here are some sample images from the OPPO F1s for your scrutiny, with full resolution samples available in our Flickr album.
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