oBike Partners With Grab – Implements GrabPay!

oBike, Singapore’s smart bike-sharing company, has announce today that they have struck a deal to partner with Grab.
oBike Partners Up With Grab
As part of the partnership, oBike will be integrating GrabPay, which is Grab’s mobile wallet into their mobile app, offering bike-riders another cashless payment option through the GrabPay wallet. The two companies also look forward to work closely together to improve the on-demand transport infrastructure in Singapore. They have hinted that more will be revealed in the coming weeks to come.
With the collaboration, the two companies aims to promote bike-riding as an alternative commute across the island-state. It will make urban cycling more convenient and accessible for commuters, and show their commitment to work for Singapore’s on-demand transport ecosystem.

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Besides the ability to pay without the need of cash, oBike users will also be able to earn GrabReward points when they pay for their bike rides using GrabPay in the coming months. So get a ride and get started in racking up those points.
oBike was founded in Singapore last year in January, and they claim to be South East Asia’s first smart station-less bike-sharing company. The company currently operates in over 60 cities across 17 countries that includes; Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and more.
Pokdepinion: It isn’t getting much attention here in Malaysia, but if you’re one that uses it, this partnership will definitely be of convenience to you. Now you don’t need to worry of the need to bring money in order to ride. So start to use it and get rewards now!

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Razer Huntsman Mini Analog Unveiled — 60% Form Factor With Razer’s Analog Optical Switches!

The folks at Razer has today announced of the new Razer Huntsman Mini Analog, the first 60% keyboard in the market that comes with the company’s proprietary Analog Optical Switches.
Razer Huntsman Mini Analog

Coming with their Analog Optical Switches, it brings a finer degree where the adjustable analog comes with sensitivity presets, and double keymapping for digital/analog inputs. This in turn gives you a fine throttle-control or steering in racing games or assign two functions to a single key depending on how hard you press the key.

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In terms of durability, they come with Doubleshot PBT keycaps, which should last you longer than your standard keycaps. Aside from that, it comes with a detachable Type-C cable which makes it easier for you to bring it around, should you want to.
In case you are interested in purchasing the keyboard, you can get it for the price of RM669 where you can buy at Razer’s official store on both Lazada and Shopee.
For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: Not going to lie, the keyboard does look sleek. Now if only it came in a white variant, I’d totally dig it even more!
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HMD Set To Release Refreshed Nokia 3650?

It’s well known that ever since their revival, HMD/Nokia has been bringing back Nokia classics from the past such as the Nokia 3310, Nokia 110, and Nokia 2720 Flip. According to reports, the company is set to release a new and updated Nokia 3650 this year.
New Nokia 3650 set for release this year?

The original Nokia 3650 was released back in 2003 where it is a Symbian-powered device that comes with a rather unique circular keyboard layout, separating itself from other phones.
As for its specifications, it featured a 2.1-inch TFT display, a single VGA camera at the back as well as a 850mAh battery under the hood. Should the report proves to be true, it will be interesting to see if HMD will make some tweaks to the design or improvements. At least a KaiOS UI would seen as a likely upgrade to the classic device.

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For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
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Pokdepinion: Sure it is unique looking… but I’m not really sure if anyone would pick it up in 2021. If they could bring back the N-Gage back to the scene, it will definitely bring back the crowd.
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[CES2019] Acer Releases Barrage Of New Products — Includes The New Predator Triton 900

After a host of brands introducing their product at this year’s CES 2019, now it’s Acer’s turn in introducing their line of products, which includes a new Chromebook, Swift, as well as Predator Triton.
Acer Swift 7

First up is the new Swift 7, which is a thin and light 14-inch laptop that comes with 92% screen-to-body ratio. Meant to be portable, it weighs in only at 890 grams.

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It offers Full HD 1920×1080 touch display with IPS technology and features 100% sRGB/72% NTSC color gamut as well as 300 nits of brightness. For protection, it offers a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
Powered by the 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8500Y processor, it comes with up to 512GB of PCIe SSD storage. In terms of RAM, it packs 16GB LPDDR3 inside. They’ve said that the laptop can last 10 hours of battery life.
Acer Chromebook 315

The new Acer Chromebook 315 is the company’s first Chromebook to be powered by 7th Gen AMD A6-9220C or A4-9120C processor with Radeon graphics. Display wise, it offers a Full HD 15.6-inch IPS display.
As for connectivity, it offers two USB Type-C Gen 1 ports and it features WiFi 802.11ac wireless featuring 2×2 MIMO technology.
Predator Triton 900

The Predator Triton 900 is a gaming notebook in a unique form factor with innovative new design features. It features a CNC-machined Ezel Aero Hinge that flips, extends, or reclines the 17-inch display.
It features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics as well as offering 4K IPS display that comes with NVIDIA G-Sync, offering one of the best possible experience in gaming. Other than that, it comes with the latest 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor.
Other than that, it comes with NVME PCIe Raid 0 SSDs and comes with up to 32GB DDR4. You can also connect it through your Xbox controller as it comes with an Xbox wireless receiver. To round it off, it features audio by Waves. Waves Maxx delivers better sound quality made immersive with Waves Nx for a hyper-realistic 3D audio experience.
Additionally, the Triton 900 also comes with support for Predator RGB Assault, an app for League of Legends (LoL) that shows pre-defined keyboard lighting effects while champions cast their abilities.
Predator Triton 500
The  Predator Triton 500 comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that’s 17.9mm thin and weighs in at 2.1kg. You can get up to 8-hours of battery life. As for graphics, it comes with up RTX 2080 with Max-Q design. Other than that, it comes with up 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, NVME PCIe RAID 0 SSDs, and up to 32GB DDR4 RAM. The GPU is overclockable and VR-Ready.
Its 15.6-inch 300 nits IPS display brings games to life with 144Hz refresh rates in overdrive at 3ms.
Aside from all these laptops, Acer will be bringing out their PredatorSense mobile app that gives you control of the Predator PC from your smartphone. With it, you can control settings for OC, fan speeds, lighting, and audio modes.
Pokdepinion: Well, I just can’t wait to see the Predator Triton 900. It sure does look unique, but I wonder if it will make its way here to Malaysia..
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TMT Game On Roadshow Launches with Big Discounts on Gaming Products

At a launch event in Kuala Lumpur today, the folks over at Thunder Match Technology (TMT) have launched a new campaign called “Game On”, which will provide a month-long sale on gadgets, mobile, components and accessories across all TMT outlets. To kickstart the campaign, we have a TMT Game On roadshow that will be happening in Mid Valley Megamall from 18th March to 24th March 2019.

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Malaysians can get their hands on a variety of consumer tech and gaming products from a wide variety of notable brands. You can also get a hands-on experience and some of these new and innovative products yourself, like the Acer Thronos. The brands that we know will be present include:

ASUS ROG
Cooler Master
Acer Predator
Alienware
AOC
Dell
BenQ Zowie
Omen by HP
Intel
Logitech
Razer
MSI
HyperX
Sony
Thermaltake

To sweeten the deal for some of the products on sale during the TMT Game On roadshow, customers who spend a minimum of RM500 during the roadshow or any TMT store from now until 18th April 2019 will be eligible for entry in a lucky draw. The prizes include vouchers and products worth a grand total of RM40,000.
Interestingly, customers can opt to purchase the items via instalments during the TMT Game On roadshow using Shopee. All you have to do is scan the QR code from the products at the roadshow and you can pay by instalment with 0% interest.

During this roadshow, there will also be eSports tournaments for PUBG and Mobile Legends for the public to watch on 23rd and 24th March 2019. RM20,000 cash prize is on the line so we expect quite a bit of competition for the tournaments. Aside from that, there will also be meet-and-greet sessions with notable gaming figures, Le Josette, David Xero, and Victor Kax.
The TMT Game On roadshow will be happening at Concourse, Mid Valley Megamall from 18th March to 24th March 2019. For more details, click right here.
Pokdepinion: If you’re planning to get a new gaming phone or laptop for yourself, it’s worth checking out.
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Google Assistant may see a major redesign soon

Google has announced their plans to upgrade the performance of Google Assistant, but they also may have a major redesign up their sleeves. Android users on Reddit have found that their Google Assistant now looks entirely different when triggered.

Instead of a white rectangular popup, it appears that Google is experimenting with a shade with Google’s colors along the bottom of the screen. It looks much sleeker, but it might be a little less noticeable when Google Assistant is actually active. Personally, I prefer the older design, but that might just be me.

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The new design appears to be a part of a limited A/B testing for Google, so not everyone will have it on their phones yet. Which design you prefer, the new design or the one that almost everyone except the select few are using? Let us know!
Pokdepinion: A dark popup instead of it in glaring white would actually be more welcome than this shade…
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ASUS throws in a bit of BMW into the new ROG Strix SCAR III and Hero III

ASUS didn’t forget about their ROG Strix series of laptops this time. In addition to the new ROG Strix SCAR III and Hero III and a more affordable ROG Strix G. They have refreshed the design to add even more RGB and also reworked the design for better ventilation. The new functional design is inspired by a collaboration with BMW Designworks Group to stand out from the crowd. ASUS also emphasizes upgradability, with an easy-to-open bottom panel which lifts up to reveal dual SO-DIMM slots, M.2 and 2.5″ drive bays for future-proofing.
ROG Strix SCAR III and ROG Strix Hero III

Equipped with its signature Gunmetal Grey motif and carbon weave pattern on the interior, the ROG Strix SCAR III is unmistakably designed for FPS gamers. The ROG Strix Hero III on the other hand sports a Midnight Black finish with stealthy cyber text across the palm rest. BMW Designworks Group’s influence also shows itself in the form of the new ROG Keystone. It offers the capability to access a secret Shadow Drive, change settings based on Armory Crate profiles and more, via the unique implementation of NFC in the ROG Keystone.

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The ROG Strix SCAR III can be equipped with a 240 Hz/3ms panel, giving you the edge when it comes to fast-paced first person shooters. There is also a 144 Hz alternative offered if you do not require such a quick display. The ROG Strix SCAR III and ROG Strix Hero III will also sport ROG Boost, taking the GPU up to 1440 MHz at 115W. If you require more horsepower, you can equip the ROG Strix SCAR III with the 9th Generation Intel Core i9 9880H processor with 8 cores and 16 threads for unprecedented performance in a gaming laptop.
ROG Strix G
The new ROG Strix G distills the ROG experience down to its core, with a low profile design which suits any environment. It can be configured with an Intel Core i7 9750H, a GeForce RTX 2070 and a 144 Hz display, but it will be offered with more affordable options as well, such as a GeForce GTX 16-series GPU.

There’s no ROG Keystone on the ROG Strix G, but you will still be enjoying four-zone Aura Sync for the keyboard, the new functional design which enhances the cooling capabilities of the ROG Strix laptops and also RangeBoost Gigabit WiFi, G-SYNC via DisplayPort and more. The ROG Strix G is testament to the fact that you don’t need a laptop that screams “I AM A GAMER” to deliver the performance you need to dominate.
The new ROG Strix lineup will be offered in 15.6″ and 17.3″ varaints with ultra-narrow bezels to minimize the footprint. Pricing still remains TBD.
Pokdepinion: Personally, I find the ROG Strix Hero III much better looking. That cyber-text? Hngh!
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ASUS PB287Q 28″ 4K 60Hz 1ms widescreen WLED UHD display review

When I was in high school, one of the toughest lesson that I taught to myself (proudly without Google coz’ it didn’t exist back then) was to understand display resolutions. It took me about 30 minutes of repeating “1024 x 768” to memorize my desktop’s resolution back then – just so that I could look smart when someone asks me about my desktop. Little did I knew back then of what the future was carrying in this field. There is nothing to be denied here, by the time my house had a HDTV, people around me were already talking jargons like 720p and 1080p and I told myself, “Here we go again, another round of memory intensive procedure”. Now, all that seems so yesterday to me really but we have actually came a long way in high-definition era. The future is here and it’s called “4K”. Basically, multiply your HD resolution by 4 and you get 4K. Yes, we are now entering a totally different world that is about to create a stir of awe and awkward. I couldn’t be happier to obtain the first-hand privilege in Malaysia really.
Yes, ASUS!
The package is unboxed to a couple of goodies.
I’ve been planning to replace my existing Philips displays with the ASUS’ MX239 Borderless displays. Plurals because I’m used to two monitors now and it’s just too hard to get rid of the habit. Then something landed in our mini lab – The ASUS PB287Q LED display. And it’s not tough to identify the supremacy of this product really. That 4K badge is powerful enough to get you all excited and hyped up. Under the box, is a panel possessing a whopping 3840 x 2160 resolution flickering at 60Hz. The only computer display that I have seen that has higher frequency than this is the one on my Alienware MX17R3 which is 120Hz because of its 3D capabilities. Packing a WLED with pixel density of 157ppi and 100,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio along with a 1ms gray-to-gray response time, this beast is not going to be easy on your pocket. That is expected though, because 4K is a luxury for now. Follow along.
A Beast for a Beast
You may want to opt for the Display port instead of HDMI to churn out 60Hz potential
Before you close this window and head down to your local store to get one of these, I suggest you stop right there and continue reading. Just because your pocket allows you to buy a display that is almost the same price of a conventional desktop, does not mean this is for you yet. Most conventional desktops today can’t even render 1080p projections without stutters, let alone 4K. To fire up this display at its maximum potential, daddy had to fully utilize 2 units of ASUS 780GTX Direct-Cu2 on SLI with one of them just dedicated for PhysX! This was along with an i7 4770K at 3.5GHz (non-OCed) fed with 16GBs of 2400MHz DRAMs churning data on a 240GB Kingston HyperX SSD with all this nicely mounted on a Maximus VI Formula motherboard. Yes kids, daddy was gaming on a setup worth more than RM15,000.00 literally. With all that horsepower, I fired up Battlefield 4 at 4K resolution with Ultra settings. The outcome? I was immersed in one of the best gaming experience a human could ever experience – except the fact that there were minor stutters. Stutters? YES! 4K is not a joke. If you are only going to utilize it for 1080p gaming, you might as well just resort to the MX239 instead. Or your 4K display is just going to look like a power-induced photoframe only. I am going to wait until someone appears out of the blue and sponsors me two units of GTX Titans. I told you, I can’t live without two displays, so I will need 2 units of these PB287Q displays to satisfy my thirst.

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Some Tid-Bits
My 40″ HDTV (top) vs the 28″ PB287Q (bottom)
Your usual 1920 x 1080 resolution (top) vs 4K (bottom)
One of the fun part about this 4K display was the Splendid Plus Video Intelligence Technology that is capable of optimizing the display output by enhancing the colors, brightness and sharpness. There are several modes; Standard, Theater, sRGB, Gaming, Night Mode, Scenery, Darkroom and Reading Modes. These modes can be switched with just two clicks of buttons really and it does what it promises excellently. You might be wondering if you really need these modes, but trust me, when you have a resolution this big, your average facebook webpage looks like a mobile rendered page and the background feels pinkish in theater mode. I’ve never tinkered with my Philips display’s settings at all for as long as I have had them but I have switched these modes on the PB287Q more than 20 times just on its first day.
Gymnastics on a Display
I’ve set it to view at 180 degrees with my eyes. The flexibility is crazy!
No, I’m not talking about watching panty-hose clad sportsmen on the display. The PB287Q is so flexible, you can twist and turn it into any direction that you want. Swivel, Tile, Pivot, Height, you name it! And it’s fairly easy to adjust too considering the weight that this monitor carries in total. You can pivot if at 90 degrees, tilt it between 20 degreest to -5 degrees and swivel it at 60 degrees.The viewing angles are 170 degrees on the horizontal side and 160 degrees on the vertical side (don’t compare it to IPS+ please).
Bring The Bad Boys!
After all the fancy dreams, we have to wake up to reality. I had a lot of fun with this 4K monster really and I am dying to find some latest movies that readily renders in 4K resolution. But the PB287Q has some improvements to be made still. First of all, this beast needs its beauty. The aesthetics of this display looks way too conventional considering the fact that ASUS had already embarked on the borderless journey with their MX series displays.
Here’s a raw screenie from my setup,
Secondly, the functional buttons are at the back of the display instead of the front or bottom. I’m really not sure why did ASUS decide to do this because every time I press the functional button, I pivot the display a bit. My hint to ASUS on this subject is that touch buttons on the front will do the job excellently. Third, I think its time for displays to have ambient light sensors as we approach this level of technologies. I game in a dark room and I use f.lux to counter my daily contrast and brightness intensity. Having a 4K, you naturally look at intense details, putting a lot of stress on your eyes – especially in poorly lit lighting conditions. But you can say, the trade-off is totally worth the experience that you will get if you own one of these! Meanwhile, I’m going off for another round of Battlefield 4 for some real war experience!
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Sony Xperia 1 V Pricing Leak Reveals a Surprising Detail

A recent pricing information leak has confirmed the cost of the Sony Xperia 1 V in China, which is considerably cheaper than its previous iteration. However, it is still more expensive than most current flagships.
Sony Xperia 1 V Pricing Information Leak Reveals a Surprising Detail

Sony’s latest flagship phone, the Xperia 1 V, is set to launch in Japan on May 11th, and it’s expected to come with a hefty price tag. While previous leaks have suggested that the phone will be an upgrade over its predecessor, the Xperia 1 IV, a new pricing leak has confirmed that it will cost CNY¥8,000 in China, putting it around $1,160 / RM5,140.

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While this is still significantly more expensive than most current flagships, it’s a 6% price cut from the Xperia 1 IV, which launched with a price tag of $1,599. This lower price point might be an effort to keep up with the competition in China, where Sony Xperias are popular.
Unfortunately, this price cut might not extend to global markets, and it’s highly likely that the Xperia 1 V will match the price tag of its predecessor in other regions. However, the phone is expected to come with significant upgrades, such as a next-gen low-noise sensor, which may justify the high price tag.
While we’ll have to wait until the official unveiling to get concrete details, the Xperia 1 V is expected to be a top-of-the-line flagship device, and fans of the Xperia series will likely be eager to get their hands on it. The phone is set to bring significant enhancements over the previous iteration, and it’s sure to make a splash in the smartphone market.
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Pokdepinion: I am about pretty sure it will be a little higher than that when it officially arrives in Malaysia. I’m sure it will be a solid device but the high price point will be the one to make it rather hard to sell well.
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UPS Enhanced Services Impacts Asia Pacific Region Growth

The folks from UPS has revealed that their newly enhanced services has impacted almost 1.4 million postal codes in 41 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific region, allowing worldwide connectivity for over 22 million businesses.

If you’re wondering on what they have upgraded upon, well in the first half of 2019, they did upgrades to Shenzhen Asia Pacific Air Hub, where it increased the hub’s processing capacity by nearly 50% in preparation for volume gains in the coming three years.

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They’ve also managed to reduce intercontinental transit times by up to 4 days, while shipments to destinations in Asia see transit times improved by up to 2 days. If you’re shipping from Ipoh to Europe and Intra-Asia, you’ll benefit from shipments arriving 1 day faster.
Additionally, they’ve improved their geographic reach, where they offer international shipping with time-definite deliveries in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Not to forget, with Saturday pick-up services in the US, it strengthens their supply chain flexibility. It enables import shipments destined for eight markets in Asia, including Malaysia, to be delivered 1 day earlier than before.
Pokdepinion: Where would we be without our international package delivery guys, right?
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Malaysia will shut down 3G networks by the end of 2021 in JENDELA plan

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and MCO, the Malaysian government sees a more urgent importance to further improve the national network infrastructure. To achieve these goals, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) that will be the platform to improve the nation’s digital communication under the 12th Malaysian plan that will be ongoing from 2021 to 2025.
JENDELA will be executed in phases, with Phase 1 commencing immediately. It will include the following steps:

Expand 4G mobile broadband coverage from 91.8% to 96.9% in populated areas
Increase the mobile broadband speeds from 25Mbps to 35Mbps
Enable up to 7.5 million premises with access to gigabit speed fixed broadband connections.

On top of that, JENDELA also plans to phase out 3G networks by stages until the end of 2021 to improve 4G networks as well as strengthening the foundation of 5G networks. The transition to 5G will be a part of Phase 2, after achieving all the goals in Phase 1 of JENDELA.

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Sabah and Sarawak will also see improved networks via JENDELA, with more new communication towers and upgraded communication transmitters planned. More premises will also see fiber connectivity to bring a huge increase in network speeds. These upgrades and improvements are expected to roll out between 2020 until 2022.

The Prime Minister calls upon the state governments, local authorities, ministries and other related agencies to provide their cooperation to make JENDELA a success and drive the nation towards a digital economy. Communications and Multimedia Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be in charge of ensuring that service providers execute JENDELA as planned for the good of the people.
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Pokdepinion: Well, I guess it is high time to drop 3G from the equation anyway?
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Samsung ISOCELL HP1 is a 200MP sensor that takes 12.5MP pictures

Samsung has been pushing for higher and higher resolution sensors, and earlier this year it was already leaked that Samsung will be launching a 200MP sensor. That would be the Samsung ISOCELL HP1, a 200MP sensor that features tiny 0.64μm pixels, but works around this limitation in a pretty cool way. Samsung also introduced the ISOCELL GN5, but more on that later.
Samsung ISOCELL HP1: 16-in-1 ChameleonCell pixel binning!

Since the arrival of the 48MP Sony IMX586 in the HONOR View20, we have been looking at pixel binning as a way to overcome the shortcomings of tiny smartphone sensors. By combining four pixels, smartphones can now be able to deliver better low-light photography, or capture high-res 48MP images with the use of clever demosaicing algorithms. Samsung takes it a step further, with the ISOCELL HP1, combining up to 16 adjacent pixels for better low-light performance.

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Each of the 200 million pixels are tiny, at 0.64μm, which is smaller than the 0.7μm we see in budget smartphones in the market today. However by combining up to 16 of them, you get 12.5MP photos with the equivalent 2.56μm pixels, which is significantly larger than the 1.6μm you get with earlier high-resolution sensors. This is what enables the improved low-light sensitivity. In brighter conditions, the Samsung ISOCELL HP1 also supports the conventional 4-in-1 pixel binning, which results in 1.28μm pixels, and 50MP images. Or in really well-lit conditions, you can take 200MP shots as well. Samsung calls this their ChameleonCell technology.

Obviously when shooting at 200MP, the demosaicing algorithm is probably working overtime, as 16 adjacent pixels have the same color filter. Aside from photos, the the ISOCELL HP1 can also shoot 8K videos at 30FPS, with the sensor combining four adjacent pixels for an effective resolution of 50MP, which gives you a full-sensor readout with the need to crop or scale down the image resolution.
Samsung ISOCELL GN5: 1.0μm pixels with Dual Pixel Pro

Samsung’s ISOCELL GN series appears to comprise exclusively of 50MP sensors, and the ISOCELL GN5 is the latest addition to the lineup. Samsung skipped over the ISOCELL GN3 and GN4, and we now have this. This sensor adopts smaller pixels, at 1.0μm versus the 1.4μm pixels that the ISOCELL GN2 packed. However Samsung is confident that this won’t affect performance, at least in terms of autofocusing.
For one, the ISOCELL GN5 takes after the ISOCELL GN2’s Dual Pixel Pro phase-detection autofocusing. Two photodiodes are placed within each pixel either horizontally or vertically, to recognize pattern changes in all directions. Interestingly, the ISOCELL GN2 has diagonal photodiodes instead, so I am not sure whether this is due to the space constraints of the 1.0μm pixel or is this the better layout. With 1 million phase-detecting multi-directional photodiodes spread across the sensor, autofocusing is expected to fast and precise.

The ISOCELL GN5 also debuts Samsung’s Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) on a Dual Pixel product, improving the photodiode’s full-well capacity (FWC) which will provide for enhanced dynamic range, as well as decreasing crosstalk within the pixel.
Samsung has mentioned that samples of these sensors are already available, so we should be seeing them in upcoming smartphones pretty soon.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if Samsung will debut the ISOCELL HP1 in one of their devices, or will they let Xiaomi do it for them.
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HONOR Magic5 Series Officially Unveiled and Confirmed Coming to Malaysia

The highly anticipated HONOR Magic5 Series has finally been unveiled, and we can confirm that it will indeed be coming to Malaysia.
HONOR Magic5 Pro

Starting off with the top-of-the-line HONOR Magic5 Pro, it features a Triple Camera system with a customized 1/1.12″ sensor and a bright f/1.6 aperture. This upgrade in light-gathering ability surpasses the Magic4 Pro, which had a 1/1.56″ sensor and an f/1.8 aperture. Additionally, the main camera now features Optical Image Stabilization, which the Magic4 Pro lacked. The 50MP ultra wide-angle camera also has a brighter aperture at f/2.0 compared to the f/2.2 of its predecessor.

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The periscope module has changed significantly, now equipped with a 50MP sensor, the Sony IMX858, instead of a 64MP sensor. The lens still offers 3.5x optical magnification, but with a brighter f/3.0 lens instead of f/3.5. The Ultra Fusion Computational Optics system now enables high-quality digital zoom up to 100x. The camera system is also equipped with an array of sensors and advanced software features, including a 3D ToF laser for focusing, a multi-spectrum sensor for color temperature, and a flicker sensor.
The HONOR Magic5 Pro has partnered with the Guinness World Records to capture the attempt at the World’s Highest Between The Legs Slam Dunk record using its AI Motion Sensor Capture mode. Additionally, the phone features IMAX Enhanced Movie Master, which allows users to shoot and edit videos on their phones. The phone can record 4K video at 60fps in either HDR10+ or Magic-Log 10-bit log format.

It boasts a curved design inspired by the works of architect Antoni Gaudí, with a 6.81″ display curved on four sides. The large LTPO panel can refresh at up to 120Hz, with a resolution of 1,312 x 2,848px, giving it a pixel density of 461ppi. It can hit a peak HDR brightness of 1,800 nits, close to double the peak of the Magic4 Pro, and uses high-frequency PWM dimming at 2,160Hz when it needs to go low. The display is calibrated for color accuracy at two brightness levels and supports HDR10+. It also features stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra.
On the front, the phone has a dual-sensor pill-shaped cutout in the upper left corner. One is a 12MP sensor for the selfie camera, and the other is a 3D depth sensor that enables 3D face recognition. There is also a fingerprint reader embedded into the display. The HONOR Magic5 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. The phone launches with MagicUI 7.1 based on Android 13, and it features custom hardware like the Discrete Display Chipset and the Discrete Security Chipset, which stores sensitive information such as passwords and biometric data.
It boasts the first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standalone antenna architecture in the industry, which is said to boost Wi-Fi 6 performance by up to 200% and reduce latency by up to 30%. It is powered by a 5,100mAh battery, which supports 66W wired and 50W wireless SuperCharge, and the charger is included in the box.
The HONOR Magic5 Pro is available in Glacier Blue, Meadow Green, Coral Purple, Orange, and Black, with one configuration of 12GB RAM / 512GB storage, and it is priced at €1,200. No word yet on pricing and availability in Malaysia, but we can confirm that it will be coming to the country. Do stay tuned for further updates.
HONOR Magic5

Then we have the base model HONOR Magic5, a slightly toned-down version of the Magic5 Pro smartphone. While it features a slightly smaller 6.73″ display, its peak HDR brightness still reaches an impressive 1,600 nits, which is higher than the Magic4 Pro. However, the major difference lies in the camera system. The Magic5 has a 54MP main (1/1.49″), 50MP ultra-wide and 32MP telephoto module.
Under the hood, it has the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset as the Pro model, but with a memory configuration of 8GB RAM / 256GB storage. Additionally, the phone is slightly thinner than the Pro model despite having the same 5,100mAh battery capacity. It supports 66W wired SuperCharge, but there is no wireless charging available on this device.
The HONOR Magic5 comes in Blue and Black colours and is available in the 8GB RAM / 256GB storage configuration. It is priced at €900, making it a more affordable option for those looking for a high-performance smartphone. No word yet on pricing and availability in Malaysia, but we can confirm that it will be coming to the country. Do stay tuned for further updates.
Source
Pokdepinion: Quite curious to see how it will turn out but expect to hear more about it from us soon. We’re going to review it and see what it’s truly capable of. Let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to know about and I’ll keep my eyes out for it.
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Snapdragon 636 + huge 5000 mAh battery, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 is the mid-range smartphone to get!

The battery beast you have been waiting for

The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (can someone please advise ASUS on how to make simpler names?) which was previously rumored is now official —  and it is priced from just INR 11 000 (~RM644.30). ASUS’ latest mid-range smartphone was introduced in India as part of their partnership with Flipkart, but we can confirm that it will be made available in Malaysia.
Which is great news, as we could definitely do with a more competitive mid-range market. The Snapdragon 636-touting ZenFone Max Pro M1 is confirmed to be arriving in Malaysia middle of next month by our sources in ASUS Malaysia, although pricing is yet to be confirmed.

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What makes this device special aside from the massive battery and powerful yet efficient chipset is the pure Android 8.1 Oreo it runs instead of ZenUI which is the default for ASUS’ smartphones. While marketed as a mid-range device, it comes with up to 6GB of RAM. The highest end variant also comes with a 16MP + 5MP rear camera and a 16MP front camera, instead of the 13MP + 5MP rear camera mated to an 8MP front camera setup found on the lower end configurations. Understandably, the dual camera setup is for depth detection to enable better portrait effects.
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Specifications and Pricing

CPU/Chipset:
Snapdragon 636 (8 x Kryo 260 @ up to 1.8 GHz), 14nm FinFET

GPU:
Adreno 509

RAM:
3GB/4GB
6GB

Display:
5.99″ 18:9 FHD+ (1080p) IPS display

Storage:
32GB/64GB (expandable via microSD)
64GB

Camera:
Main Camera(s)
13MP f/2.2, PDAF + 5MP
Single LED flash, 4K video
Front Camera
8MP f/2.2, Beautify
Main Camera(s)
16MP, PDAF + 5MP
Single LED flash, 4K video
Front Camera
16MP, Beautify, LED flash

OS:
Pure Android 8.1 Oreo

Connectivity:
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.1

SIM:
Dual nanoSIM

Battery:
Li-ion 5000 mAh (non-removable)

Weight:
180 g

Price:
INR 11 000 (~RM644.30) / INR 13 000 (~RM761.45)
INR 15 000 (~RM878.59)

The variant that will make it to Malaysia is still unconfirmed, but we will be sure to update when we have more information!
Pokdepinion: I can’t wait for ASUS Malaysia to bring the ZenFone Max Pro M1 to Malaysia by the middle of next month! A Snapdragon 636 device for less than RM700 sounds like an amazing deal!
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Dimensity 2000 will be 25% more efficient than Snapdragon 898?

MediaTek is definitely rising rapidly in the smartphone market, with the Dimensity 1100 and Dimensity 1200 edging out Qualcomm’s chips in quite a number of more affordable flagships. MediaTek might have bigger ambitions though, with the Dimensity 2000 expected to match the Snapdragon 898 in terms of performance, while being significantly more efficient.
Of course, take these rumors with a pinch of salt. According to MyDrivers, the Dimensity 2000 will enjoy the efficiency gains of TSMC’s 4nm process to be up to 25% more efficient than the Snapdragon 898. Instead of TSMC, Qualcomm will be relying Samsung’s 4nm process node for the Snapdragon 898. Samsung’s manufacturing process usually pales in comparison to TSMC’s, but 25% is definitely a bit too significant to entirely be attributed to the difference in process node.
The Dimensity 2000 is rumored to pack the latest Cortex-X2 and Cortex-A710 CPU cores, along with the Mali-G79 GPU architecture. Qualcomm’s Adreno graphics have usually provided better performance over Arm’s graphics architectures, but we will have to see if that holds true for this generation. This combination is allegedly good enough to let the Dimensity 2000 match the Snapdragon 898 in terms of performance.

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If these rumors are true, we should see a lot more MediaTek-powered flagships next year. Being able to deliver the same performance while enjoying better efficiency is definitely going to put the MediaTek Dimensity 2000 in the limelight. With many smartphone makers burned (literally) by the toasty Snapdragon 888, the Snapdragon 898 might be a less popular option, as it is rumored to run just as hot as the Snapdragon 888.
Pokdepinion: I hope these rumors are true. MediaTek has traditionally been less efficient and less performant than their contemporary Snapdragon counterparts, so this development would be really quite exciting indeed.
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A number of reviewers and content creators have received the PlayStation 5 along with peripherals for the next gen game console. A recent unboxing video of the DualSense controller has shed light on some new details, particularly on its compatibility.
PS5 DualSense Controller Can Be Used on Windows PC and Android

According to a DualSense unboxing video by YouTuber Austin Evans, the DualSense controller does not come with a USB-C cable. In fact, you will only find a user guide and a the controller itself inside the box. However, USB-C cables are expected to be included with the PlayStation 5 console itself, so it’s not like they aren’t giving you a cable to use it with.

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Apart from that, Austin Evans also noted that the DualSense controller can be paired wirelessly with the PlayStation 4, albeit with limited functions. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t work with the Xbox Series X as the competing console is only able to charge the gamepad, and nothing more.
It also appears to work when connected to a Windows 10 PC. In this particular case, it’s connected to a Microsoft Surface Laptop Go. Lastly, it also works perfectly fine when connected to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth, with the exception of haptic feedback. There’s no clue on whether it will work the same on iOS or not.
The DualSense controller, along with the PlayStation 5, will be officially launching on 12th November 2020 in selected countries, and 19th November 2020 for the rest of the world. It may be delayed in a number of Southeast Asian countries, but we will report more on this as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: Not surprised to see that it can work with more than the PS5 given how the DualShock 4 was. Can’t wait to try it out myself.
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Indie Dev Giving Free Games Until Nintendo Wii U and 3DS eShops Shut Down

With the Nintendo eShops for Wii U and 3DS shutting down for good soon, an indie developer started giving away free games until its closure.
Free Games for Nintendo Wii U and 3DS Owners

01/09/2023 – Wii U games giveaway!
Pad of Time
Americas: B18RQPS430J5SX6T
Europe: B18RQDMQ0GCKXQ2X
Australia: B18RQW1W3XWSWNMW
El Silla
Americas: B16GW2QB2M2QXG0N
Pad of Time is also available for Nintendo Switch and PC https://t.co/n9OjbYk0ff#eshop #Giveaways #WiiU
— Markanime 🆖 (@Markanime) January 9, 2023

As 2023 begins, we are approaching the end of the Wii U and 3DS eShops. The final stage of their closure is scheduled for 27th March 2023, at which point it will no longer be possible to purchase in-game content, download demos, add funds or redeem download codes.

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In light of this, independent developer and publisher Markanime Studios has decided to give away codes for two of their Wii U games, El Silla and Pad of Time, on a daily basis until the eShop can no longer accept redeem codes. In El Silla, players use chairs to attack opponents, while Pad of Time is a classic action-adventure game with a retro aesthetic, where players use a time machine to jump between different eras in each level.

Once again, the Wii U and 3DS eShops will officially close at the end of March, at which point players will only be able to redownload content they have already purchased.
Source
Pokdepinion: It’s a noble gesture for sure, and it lets people who plan on keeping these systems a way to load up some games before eShops get taken down.
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Tekken 7 Season 4 Confirmed – Teases New Character and Improves Netcode

Recently, Bandai Namco ran a livestream on their official Twitch channel showcasing the Japan Fighting Game Publishers Roundtable. While the livestream also featured a bunch of publishers like Capcom, Arc System Works and more, we’re gonna be focusing on Bandai Namco. Katsuhiro Harada has officially announced that Tekken 7 Season 4 is indeed coming soon.
Tekken 7 Season 4

While the full details of Tekken 7 Season 4 has yet to be revealed, the announcement did share a number of major updates coming to the game. For starters, there will be rebalances for all characters. This may not sound like much but the interesting part here is that every character in the game will have a brand new move. As for what that move is for each character, we will have to wait and see.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic is still going on and Bandai Namco wanting to make a better online gaming experience, there will be a Wi-Fi indicator for every online player. This means you will know whether your opponent is using Wi-Fi or LAN before accepting a fight. Furthermore, there were some closed betas running behind the scenes with improved rollback code and the results have been good. They have essentially improved the online netcode which should allow for a much better online gaming experience in Tekken 7 Season 4.
Arguably the biggest teaser from the trailer is the tease for an upcoming DLC character. It shows what appears to be a female on the roof of a Pagoda. Many believe this to be Kunimitsu, but there is no guarantee yet. For all we know, it might just be an all-new, original character.
Interestingly, it was said that Tekken 7 Season 4 was expected to have already been out by now. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be delayed. This is a good sign that the new Season Pass will be coming sooner rather than later, although no release date has been officially announced yet.
Source
Pokdepinion: I still play this game to this day so I’m personally excited for this. Would like to see how much of an improvement the online experience will be.
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Goodbye Acer BYOC Apps — the Acer Cloud apps few cared for are shutting down soon

If you own an Acer computer, you may have noticed the abApps that come preloaded on your system. Few would probably give a damn about what most consider bloatware, but if you actually used it, you may want to pay some attention. Acer’s BYOC Apps are shutting down.
When Acer ends the abApps services on 30th September, your files will be removed from the cloud. Your files from the abApps can still be found on the original devices, just not on the cloud.

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Acer will be terminating everything related to abApps, meaning the accounts, user details and files will all be removed from the cloud. Your AcerID will not be affected though.
Head over to Acer Support for more information.
Pokdepinion: Well, I usually clean my entire PC before starting to use it…
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BitFenix introduces the BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 Modular Cables

The introduction of BitFenix Alchemy sleeved cable allowed many end users to customize their computers. With input by some prolific case modders, BitFenix comes with the new BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 sleeved cables.

The BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 quality is manufactured to meet premium standards with the use of premium materials. These connectors use High Current Alloy Terminals to provide the best connection on the terminal and minimize the efficiency drop in modular connections.
Using pure copper strand cables that are up to 16AWG thick, Alchemy 2.0 reduces the resistance while increasing efficiency in modular cables.

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BitFenix Alchemy 2.0BitFenix Alchemy 2.0BitFenix Alchemy 2.0BitFenix Alchemy 2.0
The BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 cables is achieved through a heat shrink-less sleeving process. The special cables used in the manufacturing improve the flexibility of the sleeved cables and extend the lifetime of the product.

To improve aesthetics, Alchemy 2.0 cable kits come with rubber cable combs which prevent damage to the sleeve unlike plastic combs. These combs can be cut into different sizes to fit with different cables.

The BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 sleeved cables are designed to replace the standard modular cables of the modular power supplies from the major brands. Each kit contains a set of standard modular cables for the specific power supply and five rubber cable combs. Alchemy 2.0 Cable kits come in six models supporting six different modular power supply series.
Currently we have no information of product availability in Malaysia.
BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 product page: BitFenix
BitFenix Malaysia Facebook: BitFenix Malaysia

Pokdepinion: Poor and low quality sleeved cable could damage your systems. The BitFenix Alchemy 2.0 is an effective solution for end users who don’t have any experience in computer modding.
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 slated for mid-October

Hot on the heels of the now-confirmed NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB, a new GPU from NVIDIA has appeared. Instead of being yet another GPU with irresponsible levels of performance, this GPU is targeted at a budget range, and if the rumors are to be trusted, coming out very soon by mid-October.

The new GPU is allegedly codenamed GP107-400, and features the exact same number of CUDA cores as the previous generation Maxwell 2.0 based GTX 950 featured, while being clocked higher. With the gains gotten from the new Pascal architecture and jump to the 16nm FinFET manufacturing process, the GTX 1050 should be a great deal faster than the GTX 950. The GeForce GTX 1050 is also expected to feature 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM running at 7 Gbps, fed over a 128-bit wide memory interface.

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What makes the GeForce GTX 1050 even more interesting is that it has a suggested TDP of 75W. That means that NVIDIA can do away with the PCIe power connectors on this card, but of course AIBs are free to add power connectors to feed higher clocked GPUs if they desire. Power wise, the GeForce GTX 1050 is set to go head to head against the AMD Radeon RX 460, but performance wise may see it slot somewhere above the RX 460 and below the RX 470, with highly overclocked AIBs possibly nipping at the heels of RX 470 cards. Pricing will definitely determine if gamers on a budget pick their next card from the green camp or the red camp, but given NVIDIA’s current track record, we may see a card that is marginally costlier than the card it outperforms slightly, making for a really close fight.
SOURCE: BenchLife.info

Pokdepinion: With the value for money of these lower end cards, it makes it very much easier for gamers on a budget to afford a gaming rig that can play most recent games reasonably well.
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GrabRewards Now With Wider Selection Of Benefits

The folks at Grab Malaysia has recently announce upgrades to their GrabRewards program by offering more fun, flexibility, and greater selection of rewards. The new changes are now available and you can see them through your Grab app.
With the new enhancements, you are allowed to earn more GrabRewards points and perks through in-app Challenges and enable you to keep GrabReward points from expiring. The points (that’s accumulated) can be used to redeem from an expanded catalog of products and services. This means that points will never expire as long as you make a successful Grab transaction for any of Grab’s services within three months from your last transaction.
Users will also be able to redeem exclusive privileges from Grab’s expanded catalog, which includes a Playstation 4 Pro, Apple Watch Series 3, Beats Wireless Headphones, shopping vouchers, and special redemption/vouchers from their merchant-partners, and more.  You can find these at the “Exclusive Rewards” section for all tier of customers, until this 31st of December 2019.

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Starting from the 1st of October 2019, Grab users will be able to earn up to 3 GrabRewards points for every RM1 spent across all Grab services, depending on their membership tier. Users will also be able to enjoy up to 3x more GrabRewards Points when they use GrabPay for in-store payments, online shopping, or on mobile prepaid top-ups for a limited time (until 31st December 2019).
Not to forget, Grab will soon introduce a brand new interactive play-to-win feature, where you can unlock rewards and bonuses beyond the existing benefits when you complete a series of in-app challenges based on Grab services within a time period.
Pokdepinion: It’s certainly exciting for Grab users everywhere. Who doesn’t want faster points and more selection on rewards?
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Malaysia is now No.26 on the Global Speedtest Index for Internet speed

As Malaysian telcos scramble to deliver faster Internet speeds at lower prices, it seems that Malaysia has moved up a number of ranks in the Global Speedtest Index for fixed broadband. The current global average is 50.88 Mbps, and we are currently sitting at an average of 61.97 Mbps.

This is a major step forward, as we rose 10 ranks in just the past month, as we are now faster than Taiwan and just a rung below Germany which has a national average of 61.98 Mbps.

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With Malaysian ISPs now offering up to 1 Gbps Internet for just RM199, we can expect to see Malaysia climb further up. The current king of the hill in the Speedtest Global Index is our neighbor, Singapore, which sports an average download speed of 181.47 Mbps.

While we are seeing much better fixed broadband speeds, mobile internet in Malaysia is still pretty abysmal, with an average of just 18.41 Mbps. We are currently sitting at No.76. To put things into perspective, the average download speeds worldwide on mobile internet is 23.80 Mbps.
Well at least it seems that the change in government has brought some positive change to us. What do you think?
Pokdepinion: Well, I am still stuck here with 10 Mbps, but let’s not be selfish, aye?
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Philips’ 65-inch PUT7374 TV Has Just Landed In Malaysia

Philips PUT7374 TV brings the cinema home

Philips has just released their new 65-inch behemoth of a TV, the PUT7374. The PUT7374 TV is part of the Philips 7300 Series and is a 65-inch 4K UHD LED Android TV. It comes decked out with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a high-end television.

The PUT7374 features immersive and realistic visuals with its use Philips’ Ambilight system which uses intelligent LEDs around the edges of the TV to cast on-screen colours onto the walls, and into the room, changing in real-time, as the picture changes. Meanwhile, P5 Pro Perfect Picture Engine, with the brand new Picture Quality Processor, brings you to another realm of visual experience. Details have more depth. Colours are vivid, but skin tones look natural. This visual fiesta is backed up by the fidelity of Dolby Vision, ensuring you’ll enjoy all the same contrast, brightness and colour that the director intended.

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High Dynamic Range Plus is a new video standard. It redefines in-home entertainment through advances in contrast and colour. Your Philips TV is specifically designed to get the most out of the new HDR10+ video format. Contrast, colour, and brightness levels are adjusted from frame to frame.
Th PUT7374 also features full-range speakers for crisp, clear dialogue, and punchy effects. It also comes with Dolby Atmos technology which ensures spacious sound with clarity, detail, and depth. Twin 10W full-range speakers provide 20 watts of output power to fill the room with sound, and there’s optical digital audio out for external speakers.

Seeing that the PUT7374 is an Android TV, it comes packed with a full Android experience with Google Play Store and Philips App Gallery. Google Assistant is also present and will let you control your TV with just your voice. Want to play a game, watch Netflix, or find content and apps in the Google Play store? Just tell your TV. You’re even in control of your Google Assistant-compatible smart home devices. Simply speak to dim the lights and set the air conditioning just right for the perfect movie night.
Philips PUT7374 TV price and availability
The Philips 65-inch PUT7374 TV will available in Malaysia sometime mid of September. There’s also a smaller and more affordable 55-inch version of the PUT7374 for those that prefer a smaller TV. The 65-inch version will retail at RM5,999 while the smaller 55-inch version will retail at RM3,999.
You can read more about Philips PUT7374 TVs here.
Pokdepinion: This actually looks pretty good and the price is relatively reasonable as well. If you’re looking to buy a big TV then this might just be the one for you.
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ROG Strix Fusion 300 and Fusion 500 — virtual 7.1 channel audio for immersive gaming!

Good gaming audio from ROG doesn’t come cheap. Prepare a kidney or two before you fall in love with these…
ROG Strix Fusion headsets arrive in Malaysia
ROG has just announced their latest gaming headphones, the ROG Strix Fusion 300 and Strix Fusion 500. Both headphones feature virtual 7.1-channel audio, which means they rely on software magic to simulate more audio channels. So what’s the difference between the two? Let’s take a closer look.
ROG Strix Fusion 300
The ROG Strix Fusion 300 packs premium 50mm ASUS Essence drivers in an airtight chamber for punchy bass. Metal covers deliver better sound while amping up the aesthetics. ASUS claims that the Strix Fusion is capable of an all-rounded audio performance, making it good for any kind of audio.

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The ROG Strix Fusion 300 has the ROG Hybrid ear cushion that allows for better comfort over long gaming sessions. The ear cushions combine protein leather and fabric mesh for maximum comfort without sacrificing sound quality.
While ROG is a PC brand, they did not leave out the console and mobile gamers. The Strix Fusion 300 features both USB 2.0 and 3.5mm audio connector. The built-in 7.1 channel virtual surround sound is activated in just one click, enabling immersive audio, anywhere and anytime.
The ROG Strix Fusion 300 is available now, priced at RM719.
ROG Strix Fusion 500
The upgraded variant of the ROG Strix Fusion 300, the ROG Strix Fusion 500 differentiates itself with high-fidelity ESS Sabre 9018 DAC and the ESS Sabre 9601K amplifier for 24-bit/96 kHz audio processing and detailed, powerful audio. These is the same amplifier chip found in the Gold PokdeWard-worthy ROG Centurion, so we are pretty sure these would be pretty amazing too.

Another difference is the addition of Aura Sync RGB for RGB effect synchronization. But instead of just being limited to syncing to the rest of your ROG hardware, the ROG Strix Fusion 500 takes it to the next level. Aura Headset lets you sync headset-to-headset, allowing you and your gaming mates to flash the same colors.
The ROG Strix Fusion 500 features virtual 7.1-channel surround too, but it one ups the Strix Fusion 300 with a custom algorithm developed with Bongiovi Acoustics. This partnership allows for pinpoint accuracy, allowing you to locate your enemies with their footsteps which are even more distinct and directional.
ROG Hybrid ear cushions are also found here for optimal comfort and sound isolation. If you are interested in the ROG Strix Fusion 500, you will have to wait until April. Prices are currently TBA, but we will be sure to update you when it is officially available here in Malaysia.
Specifications

ROG Strix Fusion 300
ROG Strix Fusion 500

Connector
USB 2.0 for PC/Mac
3.5mm for consoles, smart devices

Drivers
50mm ASUS Essence drivers, neodymium magnets

Frequency response
20 Hz – 20 kHz

Microphone
Analog
Uni-directional
50~10000 Hz
-39 ± 3 dB
Flip-up mute
Retractable
Digital
Uni-directional,
50~10000 Hz,
-39 ± 3 dB
Flip-up mute
Retractable

Lighting
Static/Breathing/Off
Aura Sync

Cable
2m, braided

Weight
360g

Price
RM719
TBA

Pokdepinion: I wonder how much will the ROG Strix Fusion 500 cost, with the ROG Strix Fusion 300 priced at RM719…
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Review

The Samsung Galaxy S21 trade up program is now up and running in Malaysia, so you can get the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra in a more affordable manner. If you’re interested to get Samsung’s new flagship series of smartphones, this would be the easiest way to get.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Trade Up Program Is Now Live in Malaysia
As many of you are aware by now, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series of smartphones have officially been launched in Malaysia. In fact, we’ve reviewed the Galaxy S21, which you can see by clicking right here. If you’ve been wanting to get it for yourself, now there’s an easier way to go about it as their usual trade up program is now live.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 trade up program lets you enjoy good trade in value if you want to get either of the three new flagship devices. With that being said however, the final amount offered for your smartphone will heavily depend on the condition of the device.

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From what we know thus far, the smartphone with the highest trade in value is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB, which is set at RM4,815, while the 2nd highest is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 at RM4,305. As for the previous generation Galaxy S20 series, it goes from anywhere between RM1,795 to RM2,175.
For those of you who participate in the Samsung Galaxy S21 trade up program, you will still be eligible for the freebies as well. This includes the Galaxy Fit 2, Galaxy SmartTag, and Wireless Charger Trio. The program will be available at Samsung Experience Stores and participating retailers nationwide.
For the full list of devices and their trade in value as part of the Samsung Galaxy S21 trade up program, check out the Terms and Conditions section in this page right here.
Source
Pokdepinion: If you want to get the new flagship device, this would be a good way to jump right into it.
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MSI Malaysia’s first official store opening

MSI invited us to their new official store’s grand opening at Lowyat 2nd floor on the 12th. This is the first ever MSI concept store in Malaysia where fans and potential buyers can experience the latest MSI notebooks with new technologies like Tobii eye tracking.

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MSI showcased their latest GT72S Tobii with a simple game which uses the eye tracking technology to aim at the dots. The technology can also be used to control the view camera in Assassin’s Creed as well as a few other selected titles. Besides gaming it can also be used to improve the lives of disabled people, but I guess that isn’t MSI’s target market.
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MSI displayed their Matrix Display technology, powering three monitors with a single laptop.

Fans are free to try any laptop ranging from the GT80 Titan all the way to the entry-level CX series laptops.

The premium Prestige series are also available for a touch and feel session at the store, as well as various MSI gaming peripherals. The MSI Vortex isn’t on display yet but I think it will be available soon enough.
MSI launched their workstation range, the WS and WT series at the event, revealing to us notebooks packing Intel Xeon processors and NVIDIA Quadro GPUs for professionals on the go. The WS and WT series are certified by Adobe and Autodesk to work perfectly with their software.

The WT series is based on the chassis of the GT series, which means more powerful cooling and also a thicker body. Meanwhile the WS series is based on the chassis of the GS series, which is well known to be among the thinnest high performance gaming laptops out there.

Have a cup of coffee?

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OPPO F1s & F1 Plus is now available on Senheng & SenQ — 0% Interest up to 24 months

OPPO F1s and F1 Plus are now available in nationwide Senheng Stores and senQ Digital Stations, leading electrical retail chain in Malaysia. Customers can now enjoy special benefits such as 0% Interest up to 24 months, Extra 1 Year PlusOne Warranty and Trade-up program.

During the promotional period, from 17th November 2016 till 31st January 2017, customers who purchased F1 Plus and F1s by using AEON Easy Payment or Hong Leong Credit Card will be entitled for complimentary gifts worth RM128. On top of this, a 4-days promotion (from 17th November 2016 till 20th November 2016) will be available only in senQ Digital Stations. Customers who purchased OPPO F1s and F1 Plus will be eligible for additional complimentary, OPPO Care which worth RM98.

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“This is one big leap for OPPO Malaysia to venture into retail chain for the first time in order to allow our loyal consumers who prefer to make purchase phone by instalment. To develop a better shopping experience for the consumers, OPPO Malaysia is entering into a long-term relationship with Senheng and senQ. So, consumers can look forward to having more OPPO products in all Senheng stores and senQ Digital Station nationwide”, says Chief-Executive-Officer of OPPO Malaysia William Fang.
Visit the nearest Senheng stores and senQ digital stations now to not miss the chance to enjoy these exclusive deals.
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Qualcomm Announces Launch Event for New Snapdragon 7 Series Chipset

Qualcomm is set to launch a new Snapdragon 7 series chipset on 17th March 2023. The details of the upcoming platform are scarce, but it is rumored to feature a Cortex-X2 core and built on the 4nm process technology.
Qualcomm to Unveil New Snapdragon 7 Series Chipset on 17th March

Qualcomm has scheduled an event for 17th March 2023 where the company is expected to introduce a new chipset from the Snapdragon 7 series, which is likely to be the Gen 2 version. This comes after the Gen 1 variant of the chipset arrived in the spring of 2022. While the name of the new platform is yet to be confirmed, rumors suggest that it could be the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 1. However, given that a year has passed since the release of the Gen 1 version, it is more likely that we’ll see Snapdragon 7 Gen 2, following the flagship Snapdragon 8 naming scheme.

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There is scarce information available on this new chipset, but one leaked Geekbench listing reveals that the Snapdragon SM7475 chipset will have one Cortex-X2 core clocked at 2.92 GHz, three Cortex-A710 units ticking at 2.5 GHz, and four 1.8GHz Cortex-A510 cores. The GPU is expected to be Adreno 725 with a 580Hz clock speed. If these details are accurate, it will be the first time Snapdragon has used Cortex-X2 on a midrange chipset. Additionally, the platform is said to be built by TSMC on the 4nm process technology.

The Snapdragon 7 series has proven to be quite popular among mid-range smartphone manufacturers. This range of chipsets is generally less expensive than the flagship Snapdragon 8 series but still offers impressive performance. With the upcoming Snapdragon 7 Gen 2, we can expect even better performance, and possibly even more advanced features.
The official details on the new chipset from Qualcomm will be revealed at the upcoming event on March 17th. We can expect more information on the processor’s capabilities, availability, and supported devices. It will be interesting to see how the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 stacks up against other mid-range chipsets in the market and whether it can surpass the performance of its predecessor.
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Pokdepinion: This might just be one of the most promising chips to come out in a while. The mid-range segment has always been an area of intrigue as you never know what premium features and capabilities might come your way without breaking the bank.
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MSI Ramadan Sales and Gameverse Promo Gives Up To RM3,000 Discounts on Laptops

Looking to get a new laptop soon? The MSI Ramasan Sales and Gameverse Promo gives you discounts up to RM3,000 for a variety of laptops. Here’s what you need to know.
MSI Ramadan Sales and Gameverse Promo

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MSI is having two special promos this month; MSI Ramadan Sales and Gameverse Promo. Here, you can get your hands on new laptops, be it for gaming or productivity, with discounts up to RM3,000. This includes laptops running the new 12th Gen Intel Core CPU, such as the Raider GE76 and Stealth GS66 which comes with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti.
Furthermore, you can get free gifts such as the limited edition MSI Dragonshield Spaceship, Helmet, Katana Set, and more on top of your laptop purchase. Not only that, you can even redeem a Fitbit Inspire 2 worth RM498 for free as well.
Both promotions will be up and running from now until 15th May 2022 and is applicable for the Gaming Series, Business Series, and Creator Series laptops. We’ve included links to both promotions right below here:
Ramadan Sales
Gameverse Promo
Pokdepinion: I was already contemplating buying a new gaming laptop and this is certainly enticing me. Well, gonna spend a good amount of time looking around to see which one piques my interest.
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HONOR Play 4T Pro is HONOR’s first mid-range smartphone with an OLED display!

Now while you might think, what’s the big hoo-haa about an OLED display in a mid-range? The Xiaomi Mi 9T offers that. Samsung has been doing that for quite a while now. It’s probably nothing big for everyone else, but for HONOR, the HONOR Play 4T Pro is their first model aside from the HONOR Magic series to come with an OLED display. Even their recent flagships, the HONOR 20 and V30 series, don’t come with an OLED panel, just to give you an idea of how big a deal this is.

Aside from the 6.3″ FHD+ OLED display, the HONOR Play 4T Pro also comes with a number of other great features. For starters, there’s an under-display fingerprint scanner, enabled by the jump to OLED panels. In addition to that, there’s a Kirin 810 chipset under the hood mated to up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It’s not the latest Kirin 820 5G in the HONOR 30S, but it is still one formidable mid-range chipset, as we saw in the HONOR 9X Pro.

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Meanwhile for the cameras you get a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide angle camera and a 2MP depth sensor on the back, and a 16MP selfie camera sitting in a little notch. The battery in the HONOR Play 4T Pro is a sizable 4000 mAh but HONOR managed to keep the thickness down to just 7.75 mm and the weight at a minimal 165 grams. Here are the full specs of the Play 4T Pro:
HONOR Play 4T Pro Specs

Kirin 810, octa-core @ 2.27 GHz, 7nm FinFET
Up to 8GB RAM
128GB storage (support NM card expansion)
6.3″ FHD+ OLED display
48MP f/1.8 + 8MP f/2.4 ultra-wide + 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor
16MP f/2.0 selfie camera
4000 mAh battery, 22.5W fast charge
6GB + 128GB: 1499 CNY (~RM922)
8GB + 128GB: 1699 CNY (~RM1045)

The HONOR Play 4T Pro is pretty affordable for a device with the Kirin 810, although you can probably just opt for the HONOR 9X Pro which is just RM999 but with double the storage. Of course, you don’t get the OLED display, but the LCD panel in the HONOR 9X Pro isn’t too shabby. You can get the HONOR Play 4T Pro in three colors, Midnight Black, Emerald Green and Icelandic Frost.
HONOR Play 4T

Meanwhile if you want an even more affordable option, there’s also the HONOR Play 4T. The HONOR Play 4T is a far cry from the Pro variant, with a Kirin 710A, a 6.39″ HD+ LCD display. There’s still a 48MP main camera with a 2MP depth sensor, so you should still get an acceptable photography experience out of the HONOR Play 4T. The following are the HONOR Play 4T’s specifications:
HONOR Play 4T Specs

Kirin 710A, octa-core up to 2.2 GHz, 12nm
6GB RAM
128GB storage (expandable via microSD)
6.39″ IPS LCD display, HONOR AllView Display
48MP f/1.8 + 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor
8MP selfie camera
4000 mAh battery, 10W charging (microUSB)
1199 CNY (~RM738)

The HONOR Play 4T is available in Emerald Green and Midnight Black, and it is essentially a basic entry-level device. Pre-orders for both the HONOR Play 4T and Play 4T Pro will start on 14th April on HONOR’s official Vmall online sales channel, with availability set to commence on 21st April.
Pokdepinion: The HONOR Play 4T Pro seems like an interesting mid-range device.. But I wonder why are all the new HONOR Play devices such a far cry from the original HONOR Play.
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Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Raising the Bar

Unboxing the Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Box

With every purchase of the Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earphones with noise-canceling, this is what you’re expected to get:
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Box content

USB-C cable
User guide and warranty
Spare eartips with 2 varying sizes
Charging case
The Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earphones themselves

Appearance
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Charging case
The successor to one of the best TWS earbuds have arrived and compared to its predecessor, the look has changed radically. For starters, you will notice that the charging case has significantly reduced in size. Furthermore, Sony has gone away with the two-tone look, with our black color variant only being black and nothing more.
As you can see, the charging case has a more oval shape with the Sony logo on top. There is an LED indicator on the front, close to the opening slight of the case, and you can find the USB-C port in the rear. In case you’re wondering, you can actually place it on a flat surface and it will stand just fine.

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Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Charging case opened
Open it up and you’ll have the slot for the two earbuds, which are magnetized. There will be a “clack” sound if you place the earbuds in the right slot, so if you don’t hear it or it appears to be sticking out a bit too much, you most likely put it in the wrong side.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Earbud (rear)
As for the earbuds themselves, it also has become more compact, adopting a more rounded shape this time around. There’s also a circular shape that looks like the rear of a typical bullet in rose gold / bronze accents, giving it a more stylistic look. In case you’re wondering, the large circular area is where the touch sensor is located, and you can see the Sony logo right next to it.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Earbud (side and front)
On the front, you have the ear tips, charging contacts, and a symbol that shows which side the ear buds belong to. While you won’t notice it at first glance, the ear tips have seen a change in material as it now built on foam, allowing it to fit inside your ears more securely and comfortably.
Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 has shrank in size but the charging case doesn’t look as nice as its predecessor. This is rather interesting as I personally feel that the earbuds themselves have improved in design while also being smaller. From a practical standpoint, there is a worry about the battery life being sacrificed so it can be smaller but we’ll get to that in the User Experience section.
If you’re interested in headphones instead, check out our review of the Sony WH-1000XM4 by clicking right here.
Specifications

Drivers
6mm High Power Neodymium Magnets

Frequency Response
20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

Headphone Type
True wireless, in-ear

Connection
Bluetooth 5.2
SBC, AAC, LDAC
A2DP, ACRCP, HFP, HSP

Wireless Range
10m

Noise-cancelling
Hybrid ANC for playback
Noise reduction for calls

Battery
Earphones
Up to 8 hours playback (ANC on)
Up to 12 hours playback (ANC off)
Charging Case
2 x Full Charge (Up to 24 hours total)

Weight
41g

Colour
Black, Silver

User Experience
Pairing
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Headphones Connect app
Connecting the Sony WF-1000XM4 to devices is pretty easy. Simply turn on your Bluetooth connectivity, scan for the device, and pair with it like you would any other Bluetooth audio device. When you’ve connected it at least once, it will automatically connect to that device when you take out the earbuds from the case in the future. You can use it on smartphones, PC, and more for as long as Bluetooth is available.
The best listening experience is definitely on smartphone as you have more customization options via the Sony Headphones Connect app. You can play around with the equalizer, adjust the noise-cancelling / ambient sound levels, toggle settings like Adaptive Sound Control, and more. It’s easy to use and I doubt anyone would have trouble with the app.
There are two downsides here and the first is the loss of NFC from its predecessor. Personally, it’s not a dealbreaker as I rarely use it anyway but it’s still pretty handy to have and I’m sure many consumers out there prefer this method of pairing given how easy it is. The other is the lack of multipoint connection, which is available on the WH-1000XM4. If you don’t need to have it connected to more than a single device at once, then this isn’t a problem for you.
Sound
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Earbuds
Some of you may be wondering if the Sony WF-1000XM4 is truly a step up from its predecessor, which is an already solid pair of TWS earbuds, and I can easily confirm that it is. The series is known to be more attuned to bass but in this new iteration, the bass is certainly more defined with subtle details being clearer to hear, and the sound generally being more balanced. The DSEE Extreme does its magic in upscaling the audio pretty well.
As for the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the Sony WF-1000XM4 is certainly on a league of its own as when it’s activated, it’s as if you are stuck in a vacuum environment with nothing but you and the audio playing through it. It’s a step up from its predecessor and it will be extremely difficult to find this feature performing at this level for TWS earbuds for sure.
When switching to calls, vocals sound brighter, making it easier to hear unless either participant is in a location with bad coverage. The only downside to this part is that the microphone unfortunately sounds worse than its predecessor, but not by a huge margin. It’s still within acceptable levels for a handsfree call experience.
Comfort
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Wearing the earbuds
One big improvement that Sony WF-1000XM4 has over its predecessor is the use of foam ear tips as opposed to the usual silicon rubber. The reason for this is that it can fit inside your ears more securely yet still maintain comfort as it will expand as you put in. As a result, noise isolation is improved which will result in a more immersive listening experience.
It uses M-size ear tips by default, but there are a pair of S and L sized ear tips in the box.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – M3 and M4 size comparison
As previously mentioned, the size has shrank compared to its predecessor, which also means that I can feel it when I move my head left and right. It’s a minor annoyance and far from being a dealbreaker but with the Sony WF-1000XM4, that is no longer an issue given the more secure fit and smaller size.
Another major improvement from its predecessor is that the Sony WF-1000XM4 has an IPX7 resistance rating, which means you can take it to the gym or use it for other workouts as well. Just don’t bring it to the shower or swimming and you’ll be fine.
For those of you that are wondering, you can make use of its touch sensor for easier controls. I will list it down but one thing I can say for sure is that the lack of volume control through it is a bit of a letdown but it’s nothing bad. It’s still relatively convenient to adjust volume directly on the device anyway.
Single Tap

Play / pause a track on the default music player
Switch noise canceling / Ambient Sound mode

Double Tap

Play the next song
Answer / end calls

Triple Tap

Play the previous track
Start the current track over from the beginning

Hold Touch Sensor

Activate Quick Attention Mode
Use / cancel voice assistant

Hold Touch Sensor for 5 Seconds

Enter device pairing mode

Battery Life
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review – Battery life
Given the smaller size, many people were worried that the battery life on the Sony WF-1000XM4 would be worse but as it turns out, that isn’t necessarily the case. Based on my usage, the battery life of the earbuds have improved from its predecessor’s 6 hours to about 7 and half hours to 8 hours per full charge. The charging case itself can get you at least 2 full charges which is more than enough, which is excellent.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Verdict
Sony WF-1000XM4 Review
Like its predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is a pretty solid offering and is very high in the list of best true wireless earbuds around. You get superb sound quality, improved battery life, ANC performance is in a class of its own, gains IPX7 resistance rating, fits more securely thanks to foam ear tips, and the app offers plenty of customization options. I
It’s not the perfect pair of earbuds however as it does have its quirks. It doesn’t support aptX HD, NFC is no longer present, microphone is strangely worse than its predecessor, and there’s no easy volume control. If you have the WF-1000XM3 already, I would suggest waiting for next year’s model instead but if you don’t, this is worth getting for sure, at its retail price of RM1,099.
At the end of our Sony WF-1000XM4 review, I award this pair of TWS earbuds with our coveted Gold Pokdeward.

We’d like to thank Sony Malaysia for providing us here at Pokde.net with the Sony WF-1000XM3 for this review.
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Merchants Are Turning To Lazada’s Lazat Bazaar During MCO 3.0

While the nation continues the battle against COVID-19 during the Ramadhan fasting month, Malaysians have opted to carry on the tradition of visiting bazaars virtually through the Lazat Bazaar, an ongoing month-long online food festival on Lazada. Local small businesses, grocers, and bazaar merchants who pivoted online at zero cost thanks to Lazada’s Pintar Niaga stimulus package are now able to continue operating during MCO 3.0 for the rest of Ramadhan and the upcoming Raya celebrations.
Ramadhan Bazaar merchants going online with Lazada’s Lazat Bazaar

The Lazat Bazaar, which connects KLites and Selangorians with their favourite local bazaar stalls and markets until the upcoming Raya festivities, will continue to offer same-day delivery on cooked-to-order food for Lazada customers in selected locations within Shah Alam, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and Subang. Lazada says that the best-selling items in Lazat Bazaar so far has been putu piring, followed by murtabak, kuih lopes, roti john, and kuih tepung pelita.

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Furthermore, MSMEs can take advantage of the Pintar Niaga stimulus kit, which includes 0% commission and listing fees, as well as easy access to Lazada University’s intensive step-by-step training, Seller Centre’s creative software, free RM300 advertisement credits, free high-traffic visibility slots, Free Shipping voucher discounts, 90-day dedicated support, and more.
Last year, local MSMEs on Lazada generated more than double the sales due to the platform’s stimulus package and supportive measures. Local MSMEs across all industries are welcomed to sign up as a new seller via this link, whereas those looking to feast on local Ramadhan bazaar delicacies from the comfort of their homes can visit the Lazat Bazaar here.
Pokdepinion: I miss going to Bazaar Ramadhan. Both this year and last year didn’t manage to go due to MCO. Even though Lazada’s Lazat Bazaar is probably the next best thing in that regard, it’s just not quite the same. I wish that I can go out to a physical one sometime in the future.
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Wireless keyboards prone to keylogging exploit

Is the convenience of using wireless peripherals worth opening yourself up to the risk of being snooped on? Well, you may be doing just that, simply because the manufacturer of your wireless keyboard and mouse decided to not write encryption protocols for the transmissions between the peripherals and their included dongles which connect to your PC. The little dongles are not only easy targets for hackers who want to inject fake keystrokes, but it can also be exploited to allow keylogging by unscrupulous individuals.

You don’t even need an Internet connection to be compromised with this exploit, as it targets the wireless dongle that communicates with your peripherals. The manufacturer of the chips in these dongles, Nordic Semiconductors, supports encryption of the transmissions between peripheral and computer, but requires the manufacturers to write their own encryption software. Well, writing software costs money, so to keep costs down these peripheral manufacturers often forgo encryption.

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If you are worried you are using an affected piece of hardware, then head over to the short list at KeySniffer to see whether your peripherals are in the list. However do remember that KeySniffer does not claim that the list is a complete list of all the hardware that can be compromised, so do be careful even if you are using peripherals that are not in the list.
What do we think that you can do to prevent yourself from being a victim of this exploit? Well, for one, use wired peripherals like me. Or if you really need the convenience of wireless peripherals, then go for Bluetooth-connected ones instead.
SOURCE: Geek.com

Pokdepinion: I have never liked wireless peripherals. Now I have an added reason to dislike them.
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Lidia Sobieska Revealed As Tekken 7 Newest DLC Character

We’ve known for a while that the newest DLC character will be an original creation with origins linked to Poland. Now, we get to see the character in its full glory as its Polish Prime Minister Lidia Sobieska.
Tekken 7 DLC: Polish Prime Minister Lidia Sobieska

The folks over at Bandai Namco have launched a brand new gameplay trailer revealing their newest DLC character, Polish Prime Minister Lidia Sobieska. She appears to be a lot younger than we expected based on initial teasers.

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Lidia Sobieska will be the final DLC character for Tekken 7 Season Pass 4, where Kunimitsu was the other new addition to the game. She will be available to play starting 23rd March 2021.
As you can see from the trailer, she has two main outfits; a casual fighter-type outfit and one in business attire. Most likely, her other alternate outfits will be colour variations of these two outfits, but there may be more when she’s finally available to play.
In case you’re wondering who this lady exactly is, she’s a brand new, original creation but she’s expected to play a prominent role in the Tekken storyline moving forward. While they might not explain much in this game, there will be a lot more when the sequel is out. We get hints from her character design, such as the scar on her left eye, and it might have something to do with the Mishima family as they are prominently shown as enemies.
Alongside Lidia Sobieska, the Island Paradise stage will be coming to Tekken 7 on 23rd March 2021. You can get these two as part of Season Pass 4 or purchase the character individually if you’re not interested in the pass as a whole.
Source
Pokdepinion: I’m actually very tempted to get Season Pass 4 now but my only question is if Lidia can wavedash or not. If she can, then take my money, Bandai Namco, because I’ve found my new main.
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ROG to introduce smartphone at MWC 2018? — a new competitor in the gaming smartphone niche

ASUS is no stranger at making nice smartphones. We have reviewed every generation of the ASUS ZenFones, and we have always been impressed, one way or another. But ASUS may have yet another card up their sleeves. A gaming smartphone.
A niche currently solely occupied by the Razer Phone, ASUS is set to pour their expertise in smartphone design and the gaming know-how of the Republic of Gamers division to create a proper gaming smartphone. Currently we are gonna go ahead and call it the ROG Phone.
While details are scarce, the ROG Phone is rumored to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. Gaming usually involves serious heat output over extended periods, so it is understood that an elaborate cooling system will be in place to keep it cool under the hood. Pair that with a high refresh rate screen, more RAM than we have ever seen in a smartphone (hint: more than 10GB) and we are looking at a true gaming beast of a smartphone.

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Pokdepinion: While every flagship device can be used for mobile gaming, it takes a true gaming smartphone to deliver the best possible experience. Here’s hoping ASUS will nail it with the ROG Phone.
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Console Gamers Are Able to Perform Better Than PC in Modern Warfare

When you think of popular first-person shooters (FPS) games out there today, chances are that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is high up in the list. It’s a pretty fun game to play with friends and strangers online and with the addition of cross play functionality, the pool of gamers you can play with have increased significantly. However, the balance may have shifted in favour of console gamers as they are generally able to perform better than PC gamers.
Before you start patting your back or picking up the pitchforks, there is a legitimate reason for it that you need to hear about. When cross-play was made available, they needed to level the playing field so every gamer will have a fair chance regardless of the platform. In other words, they needed to do some optimizations for console gamers so that they can play on equal terms with PC gamers. This bonus ended up working a little bit too well unfortunately.

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Reddit user u/J3RRY__ made a comparison of a player’s turn speed while affected by a stun grenade using a controller and a mouse / keyboard combo in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It shows that the controller is capable of turning around twice as fast compared to a mouse. Moreover, increasing the mouse DPI wasn’t enough to make the difference negligible.
Needless to say, PC gamers have made their complaints known. However, it’s more than just the turn speeds as the lack of a response from Infinity Ward made people feel disappointed. The game isn’t one that is free from glitches but those issues usually get a prompt response. This particular issue has been brought up for several months with no answers from the developers.
There is a chance that the developers are keeping mum on the issue as they have no plans on changing it. Regardless of the situation, we will be reporting more on the matter as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned for further updates.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is currently available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Gamerant
Pokdepinion: Ultimately, skills are what makes a person do better. However, it can be seen as a huge problem especially for your average gamer so I would like to see if there will be changes made soon.
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