ASUS ROG Launches the ROG Flow X13 Laptop

ROG Flow X13 with 360° Hinge Providing More Freedom

The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU in the ROG Flow X13 have been improved for the 2022 edition. The ultra-slim, ultra-light body is very portable, and a 360° hinge allows for console-style gameplay with a controller or creating artwork with the included stylus.
The touchscreen, which is available in 4K 60Hz and 1080p 120Hz for ultra-crisp or ultra-smooth gaming, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. The Flow X13, despite its small build, has a full keyboard with 1.7mm key travel, as well as a variety of connectors; HDMI, USB Type-A, and Type-C, and ROG XG Mobile interface for connecting to their ultra-portable family of external GPUs.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

ROG Flow X13 Specifications

GV301R-ELI192W
GV301R-CLJ056W

Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS Mobile Processor
8-core / 16-thread, 20MB cache, up to 4.7 GHz max boost
AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS Mobile Processor
8-core / 16-thread, 20MB cache, up to 4.7 GHz max boost

RAM
(2x) 16GB LPDDR5 on boardMax Capacity: 32GB
Support dual-channel memory
(2x) 8GB LPDDR5 on boardMax Capacity: 16GB
Support dual-channel memory

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPUROG Boost: 1085MHz* at 40W
1035MHz Boost Clock+50MHz OC
35W+5W Dynamic Boost
4GB GDDR6
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPUROG Boost: 1107.5MHz* at 40W
1057.5MHz Boost Clock+50MHz OC
35W+5W Dynamic Boost
4GB GDDR6

Storage
1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (2230)
512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (2230)

Connectivity
(1x) 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack(1x) HDMI 2.0b
(1x) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
(1x) ROG XG Mobile Interface
(2x) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort / Power delivery

Display
13.4-inchUHD+ 16:10 (3840 x 2400, WQUXGA)
Glossy display
sRGB: 116%
Adobe: 86%
DCI-P3: 85%
Touch Screen
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
IPS-level
Adaptive-Sync
Pantone Validated
Support stylus
MUX Switch + Optimus
Support Dolby Vision HDR
13.4-inch
FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200, WUXGA)
Glossy display
sRGB: 100%
Adobe: 75%
Touch Screen
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
IPS-level
Adaptive-Sync
Pantone Validated
Support stylus
MUX Switch + Optimus
Support Dolby Vision HDR

Power
62WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
TYPE-C, 100W AC Adapter
Output: 20V DC, 5A, 100W
Input: 100~240V AC, 50/60Hz universal

Dimensions
299 x 222 x 158 ~ 158 mm

Weight
1.30Kg

Price
RM13,999
RM6,599

For more information about the ROG Flow X13 laptops, feel free to visit their official website here.
XG Mobile: External Graphics Card
In 2021, the XG Mobile series was released as companion hardware for the ROG Flow series, providing top-tier graphics performance and extra I/O ports as needed. The series is now complete, with AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT GPU XG Mobile for 2022, and offers very powerful graphics card options from both AMD and NVIDIA.
XG Mobile delivers premier desktop performance in a mobile form factor, featuring AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, dedicated DisplayPort, HDMI outputs, several USB ports, and an ethernet interface. The Flow Z13 combined with an XG Mobile is the ultimate portable gaming platform for high-refresh-rate gaming, streaming, or content creation.
Pokdepinion: A power convertible PC suitable for both gaming and creative designing, also comes with an additional stylus, and is going to be a very productive work machine. XG Mobile is a good addition to those who are traveling and require a more powerful rendering machine.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Google Will Reject Any Smartphones That Runs On Android Pie Or Lower Beginning Next Year

Xdadevelopers has reported that Google will not be approving any smartphones that runs Android 9 Pie or lower starting next year (2020), precisely on the 31st of January.
Once the date arrives, Google will only be approving devices that’s running the latest Android 10. The information was revealed through Google’s latest GMS (Google Mobile Services) Requirements for OEMs’/ODMs.
In order to be approved by GMS, OEMs will need to submit software builds to Google to them to be approved and to be able to be fitted in with their services, which includes services, Google apps, and the standard stuff.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Picture by xdadevelopers
Despite the news, it looks like Google will still approve updates for Android 9 Pie devices, at least until Google has launched the upcoming Android 11 OS, which is reported to launch in August 2020.
Pokdepinion: At least with this move, it’ll ensure that smartphone companies will keep their phones up to date.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Allegedly Beats Apple A16 Bionic In Leaked Benchmark

A rare mishap over at Cupertino meant a gap for San Diego’s chipmaker to strike back.
Image: Wccftech
Previously, it is known that Apple had a rare mistake in chip development for its A16 Bionic SoC which ends up holding back its overall performance (notably lacking ray-tracing feature in its GPU). Over at Qualcomm, engineering samples of what claims to be Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has seen surpassing Apple A16’s scores in the Geekbench test.
Image: DCinside
For reference, Wccftech found out that A16’s scores clocked in at 1,874 for single-core and 5,384 for multi-core. The leak, courtesy of a post in Korean forum website DCinside, claims that the SD8 Gen 3 at its current state is ahead with 1,930 and 6,236 points respectively. Of course, this chip is likely set for early 2024 launch, so what we’re seeing here may not be final, as the chipmaker further optimizes its performance and power efficiency (the post alleges 20% less power consumption at its current state).

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The upcoming Apple A17 Bionic should still bring improvements, however it is said that the chip will put more focus on efficiency rather than performance this time around. If the trajectory stays as it is, we may be seeing Qualcomm finally beating Apple’s best shot for the first time in a while. Still, do take this leak with a generous amount of salt, as many things may change in the upcoming months leading to launch.
Source: Wccftech
Pokdepinion: It’d be interesting to see what Apple brings for the A17 next – Qualcomm may chose to respond accordingly.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Nokia XR20 is a rugged brick priced at $550

No, it doesn’t come bricked from the box. The Nokia XR20 is the phone for those who like to make memes about how if you drop a Nokia on the ground, the earth shatters. Or maybe for those who are really clumsy. The Nokia XR20 meets the military-grade MIL-STD 810H standards and is also IP68-rated.

But that’s about where the excitement ends. The rest of the device is extremely mediocre, especially when you consider its $550 (~RM2328) price tag. You can easily get a much better device that’s also IP68-rated with that kind of money, but of course it isn’t a Nokia, and it won’t be MIL-STD 810H-rated, promising to survive drops from up to 1.8m high. To be able to be this tough, Nokia forgoes the usual premium metal and glass, and instead encased the Nokia XR20 in durable plastic, with Gorilla Glass Victus covering the front.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

You get a Snapdragon 480 under the hood mated to up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. You can throw in a microSD card too, which is an increasingly rare feature nowadays. To help you fill up the storage is a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide shooter, along with an 8MP selfie camera. While these specifications are pretty boring, it does come with 15W wireless charging and also stereo speakers, features which aren’t usually available with these sort of specifications.
Nokia XR20 Specs

Snapdragon 480, octa-core up to 2.0GHz, 8nm
Up to 6GB RAM
Up to 128GB storage, expandable via microSD
6.67″ FHD+ display, GG Victus
48MP f/1.79 + 13MP f/2.4 ultra-wide
8MP f/2.0 selfie camera
4630mAh battery, 18W fast charging, 15W wireless charging
6GB+128GB: $550 (~RM2328)

The Nokia XR20 comes with a promise for 4 years of updates, which is excellent. I guess it really depends if you want an enduring device, both in terms of hardware and software, or one that is really worth your money. Availability in Malaysia is currently unknown.
Source
Pokdepinion: A phone that is supposed to get four years of updates, but doesn’t come with a user-replaceable battery? Just why?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Latest macOS 11.3 beta might see Rosetta 2 removed

A huge part of Apple’s success in replacing the Intel processors in the latest Macs with Arm-based Apple Silicon is Rosetta 2. It allows for near-seamless translation of x86 apps to allow them to run on the Apple M1, but it seems that Rosetta 2 might be getting the axe, at least in some regions.

Apple is removing Rosetta from Macs during updates in certain countries in Mac 11.3 beta 3. Maybe this is due to legal issues? “Rosetta will be removed upon installing this update” “Rosetta is no longer available in your region. Applications requiring Rosetta will no longer urn” pic.twitter.com/NmsjXOwPvP
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) March 3, 2021

The latest macOS 11.3 beta that’s available for developers to test revealed the following strings: “Rosetta will be removed upon installing this update.” and “Rosetta is no longer available in this region. Applications requiring Rosetta will no longer run.”
Rosetta 2 is a key part of what allows Apple users to switch over to Apple Silicon-powered devices without having to find workarounds to their workflow. Without Rosetta 2, users with the new MacBooks and Mac Mini who use x86 apps will have to look for alternatives that are natively written for Arm.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

It is reportedly quite easy to recompile software to run natively on the Apple M1, but still there are probably huge libraries of apps that haven’t been recompiled to run on Arm natively.
Apple has allegedly not responded to MacRumors on the reasoning behind the removal of Rosetta 2 nor the regions which are affected.
Source
Pokdepinion: I wonder how many people will have their workflows affected if Rosetta 2 no longer works.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Sony WF-1000XM5 Could See a Significant Price Increase at Launch

Sony fans and tech enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of Sony’s latest flagship true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5. Although the official unveiling is still pending, signs of their imminent arrival are popping up everywhere, including its potential price, sparking excitement among audio enthusiasts.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Price Hike Inbound?

Sony wants 319,99 Euros for the new WF-1000XM5s. Seems a bit steep.
— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) June 24, 2023

The most recent clue regarding the Sony WF-1000XM5 came from a German journalist at WinFuture, who shared the European launch price on Twitter. According to their tweet, the earbuds are expected to be priced at €319.99. If this pricing holds true, it would put the Sony WF-1000XM5 at around $319 / £287 / RM1,149.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

As of now, Sony has not officially confirmed these pricing details, but the rumoured figures seem reasonable. Considering that the previous iteration, the Sony WF-1000XM4, launched at $279 / €279 / £199 / RM1,099, and prices for various products have increased in recent years, the speculated pricing for the WF-1000XM5 aligns with market trends.
However, Sony should tread carefully, as the competition in the true wireless earbuds space is fierce. The Apple AirPods Pro 2, currently a dominant name in the market, can be found on Amazon for $199. Sony will need to convince potential customers that their earbuds offer superior value and justify the higher price point.

Rumours and speculation surround the anticipated Sony WF-1000XM5, providing insights into what might differentiate them from their predecessors. It is speculated that the WF-1000XM5 will feature enhanced active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and a range of advanced features. Some of these rumours have been supported by an FCC filing for the upcoming earbuds.
Among the potential special features, the most intriguing ones include faster charging and extended battery life. Additionally, the redesigned shape of the stems is expected to provide a more ergonomic fit, reducing discomfort during extended use.
With the mounting evidence suggesting the existence of the Sony WF-1000XM5, the only missing piece of the puzzle is Sony’s official announcement. Listeners eager to experience top-tier noise-canceling earbuds can explore the Sony WF-1000XM4, the previous generation of Sony’s flagship earbuds. Stay tuned for further updates on the Sony WF-1000XM5 as Sony prepares to showcase their latest innovation in the realm of true wireless earbuds.
Source
Pokdepinion: Given the recent inflation and worsening of certain currencies, I wouldn’t be surprised if the price here ends up higher than I anticipated. I just hope it’s not that much more.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers review — Smooth operator

Introduction

I don’t usually use speakers, as I consider a pair of headphones to suffice for my media consumption. However since I reviewed the Edifier R1000T4, I have been addicted to the fact that I can get good sound without putting my head between two cans. With that out of the way, let’s listen to the Edifier R1280T that Edifier Malaysia just sent us.
Unboxing

The speakers come in a standard cardboard box with color images on white around the top, front and back. The sides are done in maroon, which gives it a nice premium look. The front has an image of the speaker set, while the back sports a list of features and specifications.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Opening the box reveals flaps which show a list of package contents and also a basic diagram of the connections necessary when setting up the Edifier R1280T. Nice use of space. The contents are well protected by molded pulp trays, which hold them in place to protect them from damage during shipping.

In addition to the molded pulp trays, the speakers themselves are wrapped in foam and plastic, providing extra protection. The rest of the contents also come in their own plastic wrappers.

Here’s all the contents of the package. You get an RCA-RCA cable, AUX-RCA cable, speaker interconnect wires, infrared remote controller and of course, the usual documentation and the Edifier R1280T speakers.
Appearance

The walnut-colored wood on the sides of the speakers sandwich the grey laminated MDF running down the center of the speakers. Depending on your preferences, you can take the mesh off or keep it on. I prefer it off as I find looking of the drivers, tweeters and reflex ports more interesting than the smooth gray fabric of the mesh covers. Edifier did try to spice things up a little with silver accents running through the center of the grilles though. Even with the grille off, the Edifier R1280T loses out in terms of aesthetics when compared to the Edifier R1000T4, with the latter sporting a golden woofer. The grey panel in the middle and the wood panels on the sides are not flush for some reason, with the sides being taller than the middle section.

You will find the inputs and spring loaded speaker terminals at the rear end of the speakers. There are two pairs of RCA inputs, differing in their sensitivity. The PC input is less sensitive than the AUX input. The right speaker is the active one here, but you aren’t actually forced to place it on the left, as simply inverting the RCA inputs will allow it to function as the left speaker.

I am really happy that Edifier placed the controls here on the side of the right speaker here, as it is a lot more convenient to adjust the dials here. You have dials to control the treble, bass and volume, as well as a little status LED that lights up in green when active, and blinks when the speakers are muted.

They also provided a nifty little remote to control the volume and also to mute the speakers. The remote isn’t made of much, just a slab of plastic with three buttons on it. The glossy finishing is a great fingerprint collector, and the plastic shell is prone to scratches. You get the option to mute the speakers with the remote, which is a good call by Edifier, in case you receive a call while listening to music with these speakers and want it temporarily muted while you talk to the obnoxious being disrupting your enjoyment of music.
Specifications

Power output:
 RMS 21W x 2 (DRC ON)

Signal to noise ratio:
≥ 85 dbA

Frequency response:
75 Hz – 18 KHz (+/- 9dB)

Input Sensitivity:
PC: 750 mV ± 50 mV
AUX: 550 mV ± 50 mV

Input type:
RCA stereo input (2 sets)

Dimensions:
146 x 234 x 196 mm

Weight:
Approx: 4.9 kg

User Experience
Setting up the speakers was a pretty straightforward process, with the only issue I encountered was the speaker interconnect wires having too similar a color for me to differentiate them. They are actually silver and copper colored respectively, but I guess I was too excited to try these speakers and missed the difference. With that out of the way, let’s set it up to have a listen.

I set it up here at my “studio” to give it a go, as my desk had issues with resonance with the Edifier R1000T4. It sounded pretty good, but the highs were decidedly veiled here at this stage. I am glad to report that moving them over to my desk didn’t cause the table to vibrate, possibly due to the frontal placement of the reflex port pushing air forward instead of out of the back. This should mean that the Edifier R1280T will offer more flexibility in terms of placement.
So I did mention that the highs were not up to my expectations, right? Well after communicating with Edifier Malaysia, I was advised to allow the speakers to burn in for at least 100 hours for better sound. I have had my fair share of audio equipment that actually sound better after burning in, so I did let the speakers go through the burn in process with the burn in tracks available on YouTube as well as just casually listening to songs and watching movies with them.
After about 2 weeks, I started to judge them. I keep the treble dial turned up by around 25%, and the bass dial untouched. Going through my usual playlist of music including some classical music, pop, K-pop and EDM, I find the speakers really satisfying to listen to. It does exceptionally well in movies, classical and acoustic music, with good performance in genres with a greater emphasis on bass. It has a somewhat warm sound signature which I find more comfortable to listen to over longer periods. Having the speaker grille on it dampens the highs, so I use the speakers without the grilles throughout my usage.

The highs are  still somewhat less sparkly than what I had come to expect after listening to the Edifier R1000T4. Don’t get me wrong though, the Edifier R1280T does not sound veiled at all. The highs are clear but the upper frequencies are rolled off, resulting in a less piercing, or if I may, a smoother sound. For a slight boost in clarity, I turned the treble dial up. Mids are great, giving you clear vocals and great reproduction of acoustic instruments. From the video of Boyce Avenue performing Say Something, the guitar sounds and vocals are very well defined, which I enjoyed very much. With these speakers, I spent a lot of time listening to Boyce Avenue, Tyler Ward and the soundtracks to Kimi No Nawa.

Bass is also pretty nicely represented here. It doesn’t have much to show in the sub-bass department, but the amount of bass should keep almost everyone happy. Even when listening to EDM or K-pop, I found that the Edifier R1280T is still plenty capable of delivering an enjoyable experience. Listening to Speakerbox from the amazing scene showcasing The Rock and Jason Statham in Fate of the Furious 8 was good. The bass thumps were decent but the missing sub bass frequencies are sorely needed here. The bass dial adjusts the mid-bass, turning it up will give it a boomy sound. I do not recommend adjusting it from its factory settings. Overall, the Edifier R1280T is well balanced with a very smooth sound. I would say these speakers are pretty good for almost every genre of music, as long as you do not expect the bass to hit hard like a truck.
Next up, the remote control. Despite being based on infrared technology, it is virtually impossible to have it fail. Yes, I tried controlling the volume with it under my desk, about 3 meters away beside the speakers, and it worked. Basically as long as there is a way for the infrared signal to reach the receiver, either directly or reflected off a surface perpendicular to the speakers, it will work. Really awesome stuff here.
Conclusion

The Edifier R1280T is a good pair of speakers. They offer a good, smooth sound profile, with the extreme frequencies slightly rolled off. They make for a great pair of speakers for listening to music non-stop, as over-analytical sound profiles tend to be fatiguing to listen over extended periods. Build quality is also good, while I would have preferred a more woody-looking finish. Overall, these make for great listening, irregardless if you use these as PC speakers or to amp up the sound from your TV set. If I were to ask for more, it would be support for Bluetooth. For RM279  (SRP RM285) I believe the Edifier R1280T represents good value for the sound it offers, and I award it our Silver Pokdeward.

Our thanks to Edifier Malaysia for the Edifier R1280T in this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Escalating China-Taiwan Conflict May Cause Apple iPhone 14’s Delay

In recent news, Nancy Pelosi, the US House of Representatives Speaker, made her trip to Taiwan and the relationship between China and Taiwan has been further strained by Pelosi’s trip.
Apple is TSMC’s largest client, and the business sends chips to Pegatron in China, where iPhones are built. As a response, the CCP has created new laws that prohibit using the terms “Taiwan” or “Republic of China” in shipping papers. This also implies that part of the hardware may be sent back to Taiwan, which would delay the manufacture of the iPhone 14.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The fact that Pelosi was seen with Pegatron’s Vice Chairman and senior TSMC executives during the visit only serves to exacerbate the situation. As a result, this could be the start of a more acrimonious trade war between the CCP and Taiwan, in which Apple and other US-based corporations will be caught in the crossfire.
With regard to any labels bearing the words “Made in Taiwan” or “Republic of China,” Apple has already begun discussions with its Taiwanese business partners. The information provided by Ming-Chi Kuo’s sources that only one 6.1-inch iPhone 14 unit will leave Foxconn’s Indian production is also not shocking. Apple is actively pursuing output diversification for the first time ever.
Since the iPhone 14 is right around the corner and there are speculations circulating that there are some quality production concerns with the screens and the camera lenses of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the news arrived at the worst possible moment.
Source
Pokdepinion: I hope that the conflict may not escalate quickly which would affect even more companies.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


GIGABYTE AORUS and G2 Esports partners up for 2021

GIGABYTE AORUS partnered up with G2 Esports to get actual feedback from real esports players to improve their gaming products since 2018. Throughout the years, GIGABYTE AORUS has provided the latest and greatest hardware they have to assist G2 Esports training. In return, G2 Esports provides valuable feedback during the product development phase at AORUS, to ensure that AORUS products meet and exceed the needs of gamers. 2021 will mark the 4th consecutive year of GIGABYTE’s collaboration with G2 Esports.

To commemorate the partnership, GIGABYTE has released various motherboards, with the latest being the Z490 AORUS Ultra G2 Edition motherboard, incorporating the iconic samurai logo from G2 with the beautiful design of the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Ultra.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

GIGABYTE’s partnership with G2 also runs deeper than just their components, as the GIGABYTE AORUS 15G also received precious feedback from the esports team in its development, and thus sports the G2 Esports insignia on the packaging. You can read our review of the GIGABYTE AORUS 15G here.

We do hope to see GIGABYTE’s partnership with G2 Esports bring more esports-oriented products in 2021 like monitors and peripherals, which can definitely do with more design optimizations to make them better suited to the demanding rigors of esports.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if there will be AORUS 15G G2 Edition soon, with the G2 emblem replacing the AORUS logo?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT VS ZenScreen MB16AC – Which One to Go For?

ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT VS ZenScreen MB16AC

Recently, we reviewed both the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT and ZenScreen MB16AC portable monitors. Both are capable of boosting your productivity on-the-go but one is clearly better than the other. If you’re looking for a portable monitor or considering these two options, then let us help you with our comparison of both products.
If you want to see the review for the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT click right here. As for the ZenScreen MB16AC, click here instead.
Design

Both portable monitors are essentially identical. They resemble a bigger version of the old ASUS ZenPad tablets, with a rather classy, clean, metallic build that’s greatly complemented by the protective case. The case itself has strong magnets that will allow them to stand in a variety of ways.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The most noticeable difference between the two is that the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT uses a joystick / button hybrid for navigation whereas the ZenScreen MB16AC has two navigation buttons. While the joystick can feel rather flimsy, it is much easier to use compared to the navigation buttons.
I personally feel that the usability can be enhanced much further if there’s a rubber grip on the joystick but that shouldn’t be too hard to DIY. In this regard, we have a clear winner.
Winner: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
Specifications
This one, I won’t be declaring a specific winner. Instead, it’s just for your reference on specifications.
ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT Specifications
Panel SizeWide Screen 15.6″, 16:9 Panel TypeIPSTrue Resolution1920 X 1080Display Viewing Area (HxV)344.16 x 193.59 mm Display SurfaceNon-glareTouchscreenYes, 10-point touchPixel Pitch0.179 mm Brightness250 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio700:1Viewing Angle (CR≧10)178°(H) / 178°(V) Response Time5 ms (GTG)Display Colours17 million colours (8-bit) HDR SupportNoRefresh Rate60 HzLow Blue LightYesHDCP SupportYesViewing ModessRGB, Scenery, Theater, Standard, Night View, Game, Reading, DarkroomAdaptive Refresh RateNoSignal InputHybrid Signal USB Type-CMicro HDMI / MHLAudio1W x 2 Stereo RMS Power<12W consumption7800 mAh Li-polymer batteryQuick Charge 3.0 Mechanical DesignChassis Colours : Dark graySlim Design : YesSuper Narrow Bezel Design : Yes Dimensions359.7 x 227.4 x 9.0 mm, 0.9 kg
ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC Specifications
Panel SizeWide Screen 15.6″, 16:9 Panel TypeIPSTrue Resolution1920 X 1080Display Viewing Area (HxV)344.16 x 193.59 mm Display SurfaceGlareTouchscreenNoPixel Pitch0.179 mm Brightness220 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio800:1Viewing Angle (CR≧10)178°(H) / 178°(V) Response Time5 ms (GTG)Display Colours17 million colours (8-bit) HDR SupportNoRefresh Rate60 HzLow Blue LightYesViewing ModessRGB, Scenery, Theater, Standard, Night View, Game, Reading, DarkroomAdaptive Refresh RateNoSignal InputHybrid Signal USB Type-CAudioNonePower<8W consumptionMechanical DesignChassis Colours : Dark graySlim Design : YesSuper Narrow Bezel Design : Yes Dimensions359.7 x 226.4 x 8.0 mm, 0.78 kg
Portability

Both the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT and ZenScreen MB16AC are slim, light, and portable. While the touchscreen variant is listed as thicker and heavier, you can’t tell the difference even when you have both portable monitors side-by-side. The difference is only 120g and 1mm of thickness. I consider the difference negligible and therefore, a draw.
Winner: Draw
Display Quality

When we ran our benchmark tests on both portable monitors, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC had the better colours compared to the ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT. Display uniformity test showed favourable results, but the touchscreen variant did better.
When viewing this with my own eyes however, I could not see the difference in colours between both products. Viewing angles are good on both, thanks to the IPS panels but the glare on the MB16AC is very noticeable. It can make it harder to use in a variety of environments, making the the touchscreen variant better suited for on-the-go work.
Winner: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
Features

There are a number of similarities between both portable monitors. This includes the hybrid-signal USB-C port, Full HD resolution, IPS panel, screen size, and a number of options that can be tweaked via the OSD. The differences are where the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT has an edge.
For starters, the MB16AMT has touchscreen display, giving you more ways to interact. Then we have the Micro HDMI port, which gives it a wider range of devices to connect with. The built-in battery also makes it more outdoor-friendly. Lastly, it has built-in speakers, which isn’t particularly good but I’m sure some of you will see this as a plus.
Winner: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
Price

Both monitors are expected to come with 3-years warranty and most of the same items in the box. Ultimately, this boils down purely to price. The ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT is the pricier one at RM1,769 whereas the ZenScreen MB16AC is more affordable at RM1,169.
Winner: ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC
Final Verdict

With the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT leading the comparison with a two-point difference, it is the winner and deemed as the better option. There’s nothing wrong with going for the MB16AC but for the price you are paying, I personally feel that it’s much better to go for the touchscreen variant as it allows you to do so much more.
Overall Winner: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS Malaysia Launches New ZenBook 13, 14, and 15 Laptops – #SmallerThanA4

ASUS Malaysia Launches New ZenBook 13, 14, and 15 Laptops

At a launch event in Kuala Lumpur today, the folks over at ASUS Malaysia has launched three new laptops aimed at productivity. It is the 13-inch ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333, 14-inch ASUS ZenBook 14 UX433, and the 15-inch ASUS ZenBook UX533.
It is dubbed as the world’s most compact laptop series and it does have some interesting features. For one thing, the laptops are generally the size of an A4 paper, with the ZenBook 13 UX333 being smaller than A4. The ZenBook 14 itself is built in a 13-inch chassis, and it shares the same weight as the smaller UX333.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

One of the more interesting features is the Exclusive NumberPad feature, where the touchpad also doubles as a numberpad. By pressing the top right corner of the touchpad, it will light up to reveal the Exclusive NumberPad. Even when activated, you can still use the touchpad as usual. This feature is not available in the ZenBook 15 UX533 as it already has a physical numberpad.

The other is a feature we’ve seen in some of the previous ASUS laptops, the ErgoLift hinge. What it does is that it creates a bit of space between the laptop and the surface its being placed on when you’ve opened the lid. The result is a more comfortable typing experience as well as improved airflow for better cooling performance.

The laptops are powered by the 8th Gen Intel Core processors, either the Intel Core i5-8265U or Intel Core i7-8565U, both of which are essentially similar to their Kaby Lake R counterparts but with a higher turbo clock speed. All the laptops also come with discrete GPU, with the ZenBook 13 UX333 and ZenBook 14 UX433 having the NVIDIA GeForce MX150 while the UX533 has the GTX 1050.

In terms of memory, all three laptops will come with 512GBs of PCIe 3.0 x2 SSD, which is pretty speedy so you can expect some fast boot / loading times. The ZenBook 13 UX333 and ZenBook 14 UX433 will have 8GBs of LPDDR3 RAM while the UX533 will have 16GBs of DDR4 RAM instead.
For a detailed look at all three laptops, check out the specifications right below here:
ASUS ZenBook UX333 Specifications

CPU
Intel Core i5-8265U / Intel Core i7-8565U

RAM
8GB LPDDR3

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5

Storage
512GB PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe SSD

HID
Full-sized backlit keyboard, 1.4mm travel
Glass-covered with integrated NumberPad; intelligent palm-rejection

Connectivity
Dual Band WiFi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A)
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C)
MicroSD card reader

Display
13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Wide View Frameless NanoEdge, 100% sRGB
1 x HDMI

Audio
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with Surround Sound
Array microphone with Alexa and Cortana support
1 x Combo Audio Jack

Power
65W power adapter
50 WHr 3-cell Li-Po battery

Dimensions
302 x 189 x 16.9 mm

Weight
1.19 kg

ASUS ZenBook UX433 Specifications

CPU
Intel Core i5-8265U @ 1.6 GHz (up to 3.9 GHz Turbo Boost)

RAM
8GB LPDDR3

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5

Storage
512GB PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe SSD

HID
Full-sized backlit keyboard, 1.4mm travel
Glass-covered with integrated NumberPad; intelligent palm-rejection

Connectivity
Dual Band WiFi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A)
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C)
MicroSD card reader

Display
14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Wide View Frameless NanoEdge, 100% sRGB
1 x HDMI

Audio
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with Surround Sound
Array microphone with Alexa and Cortana support
1 x Combo Audio Jack

Power
65W power adapter
50 WHr 3-cell Li-Po battery

Dimensions
319 x 199 x 15.9 mm

Weight
1.19 kg

ASUS ZenBook UX533 Specifications

CPU
Intel Core i7-8565U @ 1.8 GHz (up to 4.6 GHz Turbo Boost)

RAM
16GB DDR4

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB GDDR5

Storage
512GB PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe SSD

HID
Full-sized backlit keyboard, 1.4mm travel

Connectivity
Dual Band WiFi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A)
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-A)
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C)
MicroSD card reader

Display
15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Wide View Frameless NanoEdge, 100% sRGB
1 x HDMI

Audio
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with Surround Sound
Array microphone with Alexa and Cortana support
1 x Combo Audio Jack

Power
65W power adapter
73 WHr 3-cell Li-Po battery

Dimensions
354 x 220 x 17.9 mm

Weight
1.68 kg

The prices for the laptops are as listed below:

ASUS ZenBook UX333 = Starting from RM4,499
ASUS ZenBook UX433 = RM4,399
ASUS ZenBook UX533 = RM6,099

All three laptops will be available in Malaysia starting today onwards at all ASUS official stores as well as retailers.
We have actually reviewed the ASUS ZenBook 14 UX433. Click right here to read the in-depth review.
Pokdepinion: It’s a great laptop series for those who need to be productive on-the-go. Personally, I’d lean more towards the 14-inch one but either way, get the one that’s more suited to your needs.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


It appears that Samsung is planning to bring Quick Share, along with some other apps, to Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store. Here’s what we know about it thus far.
Quick Share and More Samsung Apps Are Coming to Windows 10

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Samsung is expected to bring a number of their apps over to Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store, the most notable one being Quick Share. For those of you who aren’t aware, Quick Share allows Samsung devices to share pictures, videos, and documents, which means this can also easily be done between those devices and Windows 10 PCs.
Typically, files can be shared wirelessly via Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, and SmartThings. The requirement for using it is simply to have a Samsung device that is running One UI 2.0 at least, so older devices without it will not be able to take advantage of it. Some Windows 10 PCs can already download it on the Microsoft Store but for us here in Malaysia, it’s not available just yet.
Apart from Quick Share, they are also bringing in Samsung Free, which is a news and apps aggregator previously going under the name Samsung Daily. The other app that they’re bringing is known as Samsung O, but no word yet on exactly what it’s supposed to be for.
For now, we will be reporting more on this as soon as information becomes available, especially on its availability, so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: As a Samsung user myself, this is going to be very handy to have. Can’t wait for it to be available here.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 OC Edition 8GB GDDR6 review — a premium take on the “budget” RTX pixel pusher

Introduction

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 is the baby of the GeForce RTX lineup, at least until the 2060 arrives, that is. It is also the only card in ASUS’ ROG Strix graphics card lineup for the GeForce RTX generation to not feature the latest cooler, thus looks a lot more like the previous generation of ROG Strix cards than the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 and ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. With lesser specifications all around, is the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 still a good buy?
Unboxing

In terms of packaging, there really is nothing to set the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 apart from the rest of the recent cards from the ROG Strix series. Of course, right off the bat you see that the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 does not have Axial-tech fans which were introduced with the higher end ROG Strix GeForce RTX cards.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The back lists out the highlight features of the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070. Once again, this doesn’t come with any new features at all when compared to older cards.

In the box is the card, an envelope containing a driver CD, two velcro cable ties, some basic documentation as well as 2x 6-pin PCIe to 1x 8-pin PCIe adapter. I am not really sure which power supply actually has an excess of 6-pin PCIe power connectors but not even one 8-pin power connector, so yeah. Also, who can afford a GeForce RTX 2070 but doesn’t have Internet to download drivers?
Appearance

ASUS has kept using their patented Wing-blade fan design here, so it definitely looks a lot more like its predecessors. The entire shroud has also been carried over from the previous generation, so aesthetics wise, there isn’t any change at all here.

On the side you get nice GeForce RTX branding, which is part of a structural brace meant to prevent the card from sagging. The brace is less prominent than the one on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti though, as the card is not nearly as thick and thus requires less structural support.

The backplate is also very familiar. Some cyber patterns and an illuminated ROG logo. Since there is no NVLink connector, there’s more room for the LED switch and P-mode/Q-mode toggle. More on that later.

The selection of ports is similar to what you will get with any of the other RTX cards. So for this generation, a USB-C connector has been added for VR headsets. The PCIe bracket is also finished in matte black now, instead of the nickel-plating that older cards used to sport. I am actually a fan of the older finish though, but to each their own.

Now the GeForce RTX 2070 is a less power-hungry card, so it only needs one 8-pin and one 6-pin power connector. In total, they feed up to 225W, while the PCIe slot is capable of another 75W, for a total of 300W. Plenty for a card that is only rated at 175W at stock clocks.

While we just mentioned that this card is less power-hungry, ASUS somehow decided to the ASUS FanConnect II headers here on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070, but removed them from the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. There’s also a RGB header for synchronizing your system’s RGB lighting with your GPUs. If you already own a full AURA Sync ecosystem though, this header will probably just go unused.

ASUS’ implementation of RGB on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 is very outdated when compare to its competition from other manufacturers. While this year most manufacturers have started adopting addressable RGB on their cards, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 sticks with good ol’ RGB.

The ROG logo on the backplate is also RGB-illuminated, but unfortunately cannot be controlled separately. The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 will glow uniformly in the same color on both the front and back side.
Specifications
ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (TU106)

Clocks
OC Mode
Boost – 1845 MHz; Base – 1410 MHz
Gaming Mode
Boost – 1815 MHz; Base – 1410 MHz

Cores
2304 CUDA cores

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory Clocks
14 000 MHz

Memory Interface
256-bit

Display outputs
2 x DisplayPort 1.4
2 x HDMI 2.0b
1 x USB Type-C

Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin
1 x 6-pin

Recommended PSU
550W

Multi-GPU support
No

Dimensions
30.5 x 13.06 x 4.89 cm

The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 sports clocks significantly higher than even the overclocked NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Founders Edition. You can also see that from the specifications, this card is a little bit thinner than your usual 2.5-slot card. We will see how this card performs.
Test Machine

CPU
Intel Core i7-5820K @ 4.125 GHz

Motherboard
ROG Rampage V Extreme

Memory
4 x 4GB Kingston HyperX Predator 3000 MHz CL15

Storage
Kimtigo 120GB SSD

Power Supply
Cooler Master V850

Monitor
ASUS VX239H

GPU Driver
GeForce Game Ready Driver 417.35 WHQL

As testing today’s high-end cards at 1080p would be ridiculous, we will be testing them at 4K. As we have yet to have a 4K monitor in the office, we will be using Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) to simulate 4K.
Testing Methodology
We will be running in-game benchmarks where available, at the specified resolution(s) and at the maximum graphics preset, unless otherwise specified. Average framerates during gameplay will be recorded with Fraps, in the event of a benchmarked game not having an in-game benchmarking tool. Temperatures will be recorded with HWiNFO, and the maximum temperature in a 45-minute long Superposition stress test run will be reported. Fan speeds will be according to the default fan curve as defined by the manufacturer. At 4K we will turn off anti-aliasing (AA) as it is unrealistic and unnecessary to use it at that resolution. The latest drivers available will be used, unless otherwise specified. Default clocks will be used, unless otherwise specified.
Performance
Gaming Performance

Unlike the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti which represented a good single card to deliver better 4K performance, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 doesn’t do too well at 4K. It does however come pretty close to the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition which we have tested in our earlier benchmark runs.
Boost/Temperature
The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 maintains boost clocks of around 1900 MHz while keeping temperatures around 64°C. Probably that’s why ASUS decided against using the Axial-tech fans in the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070, as it definitely didn’t need them to deliver cool temperatures under load. Even when taxed, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070’s fans remain very quiet on the standard fan curve. There’s the option to go completely silent when the temperatures are below 55°C too, but the default settings has the fans running at around 1000 RPM, which is inaudible anyway.
User Experience

If you have AURA Sync, you can just use it to synchronize the colors. If you aren’t, you can always download the AURA RGB Lighting Control software which is available in the support page for the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070. As expected, with the limited RGB lighting on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070, you also get very limited controls. There isn’t even the ability to set the backplate lighting and shroud lighting separately.

GPU Tweak II lets you tweak the card’s performance settings, even going in to create a custom fan curve if you desire. It’s a cool piece of software, and unlike the AURA controls, this offers plenty of options to play around with.

If you someday decide that you have finally given up on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070’s limited RGB capabilities, there is a physical switch on the board to switch them off instantly. The BIOS switch is also a pretty fancy thing, allowing you to turn the card into a quieter card, if that is ever necessary.
Conclusion
The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 is a fine card if you aren’t into fancy RGB lighting, but if you are, you will be left high and dry. The design that has been carried over lock, stock, and barrel from the previous generation is also somewhat boring now. It’s undeniable that it is a card that stays cool and quiet, but a bit more design flair didn’t hurt anyone, did it?

Losing out on NVLink with the GeForce RTX 2070 removes the opportunity to double the performance someday when DX12 multi-GPU becomes mainstream, and at the moment it probably is more suited to 1440p or 1080p gaming, rather than 4K. Think of it as almost GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, with some additional — albeit limited — support for raytracing.
Interestingly, while ASUS priced the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti well above the competition, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 is actually pretty in-line with the others in terms of pricing. Priced at RM3499 and the fact that it runs cool and quiet, it is a great option if you want a GeForce RTX 2070. We definitely can stand behind the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070, especially if you are upgrading from a mid-range card.

Our thanks to ASUS Malaysia for provisioning the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 OC Edition 8GB GDDR6 for this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Realme Hosts Angpau For You Campaign — Angpaus Awaits!

To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, Realme Malaysia will be launching their Angpau For You campaign, which will start from the 16th of January 2019 to 10th of February 2019, where you stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

The campaign will see Malaysians with the opportunity to participate in an interactive game where they can slash their angpau to unlock Realme prosperity gives such as the Realme 2 Pro, Realme 2, Realme C1, Olike wrist bands, OPPO selfie sticks as well as Shopee and Lazada vouchers.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

You can join the contest by scanning the barcode or clicking on the link to the Realme Malaysia’s Angpau For You game (once it releases) and play the game to win instant prizes. Each player only gets one chance to participate in the lucky draw.
Not to forget, you are needed to like the official Realme Malaysia Facebook page and share the post for weekly prizes on social media as well as stand a chance to win the prize of the week. Additionally, you need to share the thread on your social media with the hashtags #RealmeCNY #RealmeAngpau.
Four winners will be selected each week. So be prepared to slash your angpau to unlock Realme’s offering this Chinese New Year.
Pokdepinion: Be sure to join the contest. Who knows, you might win. Besides, it’s free to enter anyways :D
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini Launched At RM259

The folks at Razer has just launched the new Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini gaming mouse, the latest addition to the DeathAdder series.
Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini now available in Malaysia

Yeap that’s right, the iconic DeathAdder is now in a smaller and lightweight form factor with the Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini. It weighs only 62 gram and it is designed to compliment both ‘Palm’ and ‘Claw’ grip style gamers.
With a durability of up to 70 million clicks, the Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini comes with 8500 DPI Optical Sensor as well as six programmable buttons, on-board memory as well as 100% PTFE Mouse Feet for smoother glides.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Aside from that, it comes with a set of sweat-absorbent anti-slip Razer Mouse Grip Tape, which you can apply onto the top mouse buttons and sides for better handling in your gaming sessions.
Needless to say, the mouse features Razer Chroma RGB lighting. Interested in purchasing the Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini? You can get it for the retail price of RM259 at both their online store as well as authorized retailers.
If you are a fan of mini gaming mouse, do check out our previous review of the Razer Viper Mini and see what’s it all about.
Pokdepinion: I actually wouldn’t mind having a go at the mouse. It’s been some time since I’ve touched a DeathAdder.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Mayor Intends On Combating Students’ Smartphone Addiction…By Giving Out Chicks

Over in Indonesia, smartphone addiction is a serious matter, where hundreds of East Javenese students were hospitalized for it. It seems that the mayor of Bandung, has a solution for it; chicks.
Oded M. Danial, the mayor of Bandung is planning to give primary school students chicks . The reason behind it? Well he thinks that it is something to take their eyes off from playing their smart devices and make them less dependent on gadgets. Here’s what he has to say on the matter:
In my program, I will give every child a chick to raise for free, so they can busy themselves with other activities than playing with their gadgets. First, we will train the children on how to raise the chicks, including how to feed and care for them. I expect that this activity will reduce their dependence on gadgets.Oded M. Danial, mayor of Bandung
It seems that the idea will be implemented on roughly 30 students across 30 regencies in Bandung. Should it prove to be fruitful, every primary school student in Bandung will be receiving a chick.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Aside from making them get away from smartphones, Danial hopes that with the program, it will help them in developing their entrepreneurial spirit, love for animals as well as some kind of biology lesson.
The best part is that should a student raises a chick successfully, they will then be rewarded by getting 3 new chicks and the added responsibility of taking care of chilli plants (sounds rewarding, right?!). But that’s not all, the student who raises the heaviest chicken at the end of the year will be getting a brand new bicycle.
Pokdepinion: I don’t think technology is the issue here. Proper guidance and a watchful eye is needed. Though, it’s kind of cute when you think about the idea of raising chicks.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


After a long wait, the God of War PC port has finally launched. A lot of PC ports didn’t turn out well in the past but could this be the exception? Let’s find out.
Is The God of War PC Port Great or a Poor Mess?

First things first, you need to know that the God of War PC port has some extra features over the console version. The most popular one is ultrawide support, letting you enjoy the game in 21:9 aspect ratio displays naturally for a more cinematic gaming experience.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The next one is NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex support. The former will help you get higher frame rates in the game without compromising the video quality whereas the latter is a low-latency technology that will let you execute and react to the action faster.

Then we have support for keyboard and mouse gameplay, with the game allowing you to remap buttons so you can play exactly as you wish. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you can make use of DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers to have an experience closer to the original while still retaining the ability to remap the buttons.
Lastly, you can enjoy the game with up to 4K UHD resolution and unlocked frame rates for the best visual experience with the game. You also have a number of graphical options to make use of to further boost that. With that being said, it’s dependent on your PC.
To see how well your PC can run, we’ve included the system requirements for the God of War PC port right below here:
God of War System Requirements

720p 30FPS
Full HD 30FPS
Full HD 60FPS
1440p 60FPS
4K UHD 60FPS

Settings
Low
Original
Original
High
Ultra

CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K
AMD Ryzen 3 1200
Intel Core i5-6600K
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
Intel Core i7-4770K
AMD Ryzen 7 2700
Intel Core i7-7700K
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Intel Core i9-9900K
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
AMD Radeon R9 290X
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
AMD Radeon RX 570
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
AMD Radeon RX 5600XT
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
AMD Radeon RX 5700XT
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
AMD Radeon RX 6800XT

RAM
4GB
4-6GB
6-8GB
8GB
16GB

Storage
70GB
70GB
70GB
70GB
70GB

Just to give you an idea, we will be running the God of War PC port on the Alienware m15 R3 gaming laptop, with specifications capable of running the game at least on 1440p 60FPS based on the system requirements. For a deeper look at the laptop’s specifications, check it out right below here:
PC Specs to Run God of War

CPU
Intel Core i7-10750H (6C / 12T @ up to 5 GHz), 12M Cache, 45W TDP, 14nm

RAM
32GB 2666 MHz DDR4

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB GDDR6

Storage
1TB (2 x 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0

Display
15.6″ FHD (1920 X 1080) 144Hz 7ms display with 300 nits brightness, 72% NTSC, NVIDIA G-SYNC optional

Keyboard
Per-key AlienFX RGB keyboard

Connectivity
Wireless:
802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi (Dual Band 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz)
KILLER Wi-Fi6 1650i 2×2
Bluetooth 5.0
I/O:
1 x Thunderbolt 3 (Supports USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps, 40Gbps Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort 1.2)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A with Powershare
1 x Alienware Graphics Amplifier
1 x RJ45 LAN (KILLER Ethernet E3000)
1 x HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2
1 x miniDisplayPort 1.4
1 x Wedge lock slot
1 x UHS-II card reader
1 x Proprietary Charging Port

Audio
2-way Stereo Speaker Design with Discrete Smart Amp Woofer
1 x Combo Audio Jack
Dual Array Digital Microphones

Power
86 Wh, 6-cell Battery with Alienware Battery Defender
240W Power Adapter

Dimensions
360.3 x 276 x 20.5 mm (W x D x H)

Weight
2.11 kg

Gameplay

From my own experience with the God of War PC port, the most notable difference is in graphical quality. What is being displayed in my game is 4K but I make use of DLSS, so the actual rendered resolution can be as low as 720p HD for Ultra Performance, Full HD for performance, or slightly higher for Balanced. The latter seems to show the best results.
For instance, the shadows are more defined compared to the PS4 version, and the landscape looks more rounded as opposed to looking more jagged and less detailed. This is especially impressive considering that I’m playing the game with DLSS enabled, which will render less pixels but it indeed runs buttery smooth without any notable frame drops with the exception of moving the camera too fast at certain times.

General elements from characters to the environment look sharper even at a distance, which is notably less defined on the PS4 until you get close enough. Also, camera angles seem to be more tamed and feel more proper on the PC port, but that might be subjective.
It’s worth noting that God of War is GPU-heavy as it’s rather light on CPU usage. If you have trouble running the game smoothly, you may want to consider a graphics card upgrade. At the same time, if you want to experience the game as close to the PS4 version as possible, they have an “Original” graphics preset just for that, which is relatively light to run given today’s standards.

Playing God of War with mouse and keyboard feels natural and doesn’t feel bizarre despite me already playing the game on the PS4 with a controller. It’s also easy to transition over to controller since Steam brings native support for them. Either way you choose to play, you just can’t go wrong.
My biggest surprise with the game is the fact that I’ve yet to find any major bugs / glitches so far. Horizon Zero Dawn’s PC port had a number of issues at first, although not major. This one seems to be well-optimized, which is a surprise since it’s rare to experience a modern day PC game like that nowadays, even from major companies.

Overall, the God of War PC port is certainly something that will be pleasing for everyone, especially for those who have yet to experience the new story. It also sets a good tone for the sequel, Ragnarok. If you’re interested to buy the game, it’s RM209 on Steam.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Win Yourself A Brand New vivo V21 With vivo’s #LightUpYourStyle OOTD Contest

vivo Malaysia has launched its #LightUpYourStyle OOTD contest, encouraging Malaysians to capture their best moments and share their innovative outfit of the day (OOTD) shots for a chance to win the new selfie smartphone, the vivo V21, as well as other exciting prizes.
Join the #LightUpYourStyle OOTD contest and win a vivo V21!

The competition, which runs from now until May 31 and is themed “Light,” allows participants to show off their best artistic interpretation by styling their light and breezy outfits. vivo Malaysia will introduce exclusive co-branded products inspired by the vivo V21 series as part of the contest reward. T-shirts, cross-body bags, oversized shirts, and bucket hats are among the limited edition co-branded pieces, which were conceptualised and produced by local fashion labels KitWoo, Eversince, Neonate, and Cassey Gan, respectively.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Here’s how you can join the #LightUpYourStyle OOTD contest. Just follow these four steps below to be in the running:

Style up and take an OOTD photo.
Go to the “Light Up Your Style” OOTD contest post on vivo Malaysia’s Facebook page and upload the photo in the comment section.
Include hashtag #vivoV21Series #LightUpYourStyle #ForYourBestMoments.
Share the Facebook post.

A total of four winners will be chosen from this online contest, which has its own set of rules. The winner will be announced on June 3. The vivo V21 5G version, a new addition to vivo’s recently released V21 series, one of the slimmest selfie smartphones with just 7.29mm thickness, will be available in Malaysia on May 27. The V21 series also includes a 44MP OIS front camera and Dual Selfie Spotlight, making it the first of its kind in the world. You can check out our review of the original vivo V21 right here.
Pokdepinion: I know a few friends who would love to join vivo’s #LightUpYourStyle OOTD contest. They’ve got really great fashion sense.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint Update Introduces New AI Teammate Experience

Ubisoft recently announced that Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint Title Update 4.0.0 will include an all-new AI Teammate Experience update which will be available for free to all players on May 25. The AI Teammate Experience update will include a brand-new progression loop that allows players to better their AI teammates, gain exclusive rewards and complete challenges.
Players can now level up their AI teammates, unlocking tactical improvements and better preparing them for combat.
New AI Teammate Experience update coming to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

Teammates can now share a shared Team Level and a common XP bar known as Team XP, which can be levelled up simply by playing the game with AI teammates enabled or by completing Teammate Challenges. A new advancement bar at the top of the screen displays XP earned, Nomad’s level gauge, and teammates’ level gauges, allowing players to keep track of their teammates’ progress.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Additionally, an animation will appear on screen after teammates have levelled up, reminding players of newly unlocked upgrades. Players will also be given 14 new tasks to complete, each of which will award Team XP as well as cosmetic rewards.

Players will be able to upgrade and customise teammates by navigating a dedicated menu that displays teammate level XP, improvements, and challenges. Players will be able to unlock 14 AI Teammate upgrades, including:

Three Active Abilities unique to each teammate including Piercing Shot, Scan and Combat Drone
Two Active Abilities shared across teammates including Extra Revival and Fragmentation Grenades
Nine Passive Abilities for increased damage or resilience

More than only the levelling system will be introduced in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint Title Update 4.0.0. Players will be able to customise their squad with one, two, or three teammates, customise Rainbow teammates, and hide AI teammates’ secondary weapon, among other things.
The first of two title updates revealed as part of Ghost Recon Breakpoint’s Year 2 Roadmap is Title Update 4.0.0. For more information about what’s to come, visit the official Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint website here.
Pokdepinion: Truth be told, I have yet to play Ghost Recon Breakpoint but I have heard good things about it. You can check out our review of the game right here.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


This Gadget Allows You To Use Voice Commands Without Even Speaking

In today’s world, voice assistant is quite common.. but what if you had one that you didn’t even need to say a word to use it? Well that’s exactly what Arnav Kapur, a student from MIT Media Lab has introduced.

The wearable is called AlterEgo. It isn’t some gadget that reads your mind but simply, it allows you to ask questions while being silent. You’d then get an answer through some bone-conduction technology. In other words, the feedback from AlterEgo can only be heard from the wearer. It’s also worth noting that it is still a prototype.
Arnav has said “My goal with AlterEgo is to enable people with speech pathologies to communicate in real time, the rates at which I speak. He added “My current work with the system is working with a variety of patients and optimizing and engineering the system to enable communication”.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

It is not available commercially but it is said that Arvav gained his $15,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for his work on it. We’re pretty sure that if he did sell the technology, well he’s set for life.
Pokdepinion: Now this is certainly a cool tech that we’re talking about. It would probably look nicer if it was a little bit more discreet though. Then again, I’m sure it’s designed that way to detect the muscle movement of the face..
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Setting a Strong Precedent

Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Box

Let’s kickoff the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review with the unboxing. Inside the box of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, you can find the following items:
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Box content

Quick start guide
USB-C cable
Spare ear tips
Charging case
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds themselves

Appearance
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Earbuds rear
Let’s take a look at the earbuds first. As you can see, we have the Phantom Violet colour variant, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro looks like the Galaxy Buds Live with the addition of the in-ear portion. On the back, you have two microphone holes and a touch pad in between. It has a rather glossy look, which contrasts the matte finish of the charging case itself.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Earbuds front

Moving to the front, you can see the charging contacts, touch-sensitive sensors, and the in-ear piece itself. As you may have expected, you can change the ear tips to something that fits you better if the default one doesn’t do the job for you, and it will be colour-coordinated.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Charging case

As for the charging case, it has a matte finish in Phantom Violet, with the Samsung logo and the text “Sound by AKG” on the top of the lid. In case you were wondering, the charging port can be found in the rear, and it’s USB Type-C. The LED indicator is located on the front, right below the opening of the charging case. Open up the charging case and you have slots to place and charge the earbuds, and yes, it’s magnetic. There’s also an LED indicator located in between the two slots.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is an aesthetically-pleasing pair of TWS earbuds. The colours are clearly designed after the flagship smartphones that it launched alongside with, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, and it looks great. It’s also very compact as the charging case matches the Galaxy Buds Live’s case exactly in size, making it convenient to bring around. The fact that its build consists of recycled plastic and Post Consumer Material makes it rather environmentally-friendly
Specifications

Drivers
2-way Speaker11mm Woofer6.5mm Tweeter

Microphone
High SNR Mic + Voice Pickup Unit + Windshield Chamber and Mesh

Frequency Response
20Hz – 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling)

Headphone Type
In-ear

Connector
Wired USB-C Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, AAC, and Samsung Scalable codec

Wireless Range
10m

Noise-cancelling
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)2 Adjustable Levels with 4 Ambient Sound levelsVoice Detect

Battery
Earphones 61mAhCharging Case 472mAh

Dimensions
Earphones 19.5 x 20.5 x 20.8 mm6.3g x 2 Charging Case 50.0 x 50.2 x 27.8mm 44.9g

Colour
Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, and Phantom Silver

Ingress Protection
IPX7

User Experience
Pairing

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Galaxy Wearable

Pairing the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro to your smartphone is very easy. All you have to do is take it out of the charging case, activate Bluetooth on your smartphone, find the device, and connect to it. It’s a simple process that shouldn’t cause trouble for anyone. On Bluetooth-compatible Windows 10 devices, the process is similar. With Bluetooth Multipoint, I don’t have to go through the hassle of re-pairing and easily switch between my PC and smartphone.
For Android and iOS users, you can make use of the Galaxy Wearable app. With it, you can adjust your listening experience, toggle ANC, check the battery life, and more. Essentially, you have a bit of customization options you can play with to get the most out of your experience.
It’s worth noting that iOS users will not have access to certain features like direct Spotify access and notification readouts. As for Bixby access, you need to be using a Samsung smartphone for that. On other devices like Windows 10 PCs, you will need to rely on whatever software you can find to optimize it.
Sound
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review
When it comes to sound quality, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro has a very wholesome sound profile for the most part. You mostly get a balanced sound quality that doesn’t lean too heavily on either bass or treble. It also has a narrower soundstage that sounds more isolated, but still gives you a satisfying listening experience. It’s clearly not something for audiophiles, but this should set a precedent of what you should get from TWS earbuds. You can always toy around with the equalizer to get one that suits your listening preference for a better experience.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is present and it works noticeably better than the Galaxy Buds Live. It does cut out the low-frequency noise in the environment but don’t expect a truly silent experience. On the other hand, the passthrough audio which takes in audio from your surroundings and amplifies it by about 20dB, works great if you need to be aware of your environment, like train or flight announcements. It’s not the best ANC experience but Samsung still did a good job with it.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review

One thing that’s worth noting is that the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro lacks high quality audio codecs. It doesn’t have aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC. It only has SBC, AAC, and Samsung Scalable codec. It’s not bad still but if you’re gunning for high quality sound or accurate sound, this might not be the one for you. With that being said however, the Samsung Scalable codec does provide with a reliable wireless listening experience so you’d only have a few, if any, stutters.
Using the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for voice calls have been satisfactory. On my end, I can hear the other person perfectly fine and the other person can hear me clearly as well. Unless wind is particularly strong, so far, there has been no issues for people to hear me speak. Compared to the built-in mic on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, it’s not as clear, but it’s more than enough.
If you want to compare it with the Galaxy Buds Live, click right here for our review.
Comfort
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review
As far as in-ear modules go, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is one of the more comfortable ones I’ve used so far. I use this mostly for when I’m jogging, for online calls, and for entertainment, and I could use this for 2 hours straight with only a little fatigue in my ears at best. If it doesn’t feel as comfortable for you, try changing out the ear tips as a different size might help you more.
Speaking of jogging, I can use this work workouts and physical activities without issues as it has an IPX7 resistance rating, which means waterproof when submerged in water at a depth of one meter, for 30 minutes. I would still recommend you to wipe it down after each use if you were to sweat while wearing them not just for hygienic purposes, but also to avoid any potential damage.
As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro does have touch-sensitive controls on the back of the earbuds. It works fast and well enough, but you might need a bit of time to familiarize yourself with it. Once you do, it’s very convenient to use. For the full list of touch-sensitive controls, I’ve listed it right below here for your convenience:
Single Tap

Play a track on the default music player
Pause

Double Tap

Play the next song
Answer / end calls
Place current call on hold and answer second incoming call
Switch between current call and a call placed on hold

Triple Tap

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

Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review – Battery

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro has a pretty solid battery life. For music playback, I get about 5 to 5 and half hours with ANC enabled whereas for calls, I tend to get just a little less than 5 hours. With ANC disabled, the listening time boosts up to 7 hours, which is great. As for the charging case, it can give me a little more than 3 full charges before I need to charge the case itself, which is adequate for me.
Did you know that Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G pre-order customers will get the Galaxy Buds Live for free? Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G by clicking right here.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Verdict

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is a good choice for most consumers out there. With Galaxy S21 Ultra pre-order customers getting it for free, it’s a pretty solid free gift. You get good sound quality, reliable touch-based controls, comfortable to use, good battery life, easy to bring around, has ANC, has an IPX7 resistance rating, and it works well enough for calls.
The only issue I have with this is that ANC performance could be better and the lack of high-quality audio codecs like aptX. Compared to the Galaxy Buds Live, this is definitely a safer choice as it can fit more people easier given that these are proper in-ear modules. Moreover, it’s just RM100 more as it retails at RM799. If you’re a Samsung user, it’s definitely one that you’d want to consider.
At the end of our Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review, I award the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro with our Gold Pokdeward.

Big thanks to Samsung Malaysia for giving us this earbuds for the purposes of this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Attack on Titan 2 Release Platform Confirmed; English Version Coming

With Koei Tecmo’s official announcement, Attack on Titan 2 is definitely getting a western release, and the platforms for the game has also been confirmed.
Attack on Titan 2 Release Platform Confirmed

Koei Tecmo has officially announced the specific platforms on which the upcoming Attack on Titan sequel, aptly named Attack on Titan 2, will be released on via a press release. There will also be a western release, meaning that there will indeed be an English version of the game.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The game will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. As many expected, it’s skipping the PS Vita version coming only to Japan, since Koei Tecmo appears to consider the platform pretty much dead in the west. They’re not wrong on that end, and it’s a wise move by them.

On top of the announcement, we also get to see quite a few new screenshots, including titan-killing action, the creepy titans themselves, interaction with the rich cast of the anime/manga, and story cutscenes.

We also hear once more that the game includes improved omnidirectional mobility gear gameplay that offers better targeting precision and freedom of movement to counter the titans, that also had their moves improved.
There will be more advanced RPG elements, and deeper character interaction will help the player gain better insight in the relationships and motivations of their fellow squad-mates.
Right in the butt!
Attack on Titan 2 ‘s release date or release window hasn’t been announced yet. However, we are told that information about that will be up in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Pokdepinion: Well, the first Attack on Titan game was just okay for me. It felt kind of like a simplistic Dynasty Warriors game with giants and some aerial scaling in the game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the series but I expected something a bit more. I don’t mind the lack of gore as that would make it tougher to get the game to sell but would be cool if we could get those as well.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro and P20 Pro start receiving EMUI 9.0 update — Android 9.0 Pie and GPU Turbo 2.0 has come to HUAWEI’s older flagships!

HUAWEI probably doesn’t rank too highly when it comes to delivering timely updates to their slew of flagships, but it seems like they just might this time. Apparently, the EMUI 9.0 based on Android 9.0 Pie updates are rolling out to the HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro and HUAWEI P20 Pro in some parts of Europe.

The EMUI 9.0 update is expected to roll-out globally after the HUAWEI Mate 20 is launched. Which is pretty soon anyway, so the wait isn’t too long. The new update not only brings the latest Android version the HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro and HUAWEI P20 Pro, but also comes with GPU Turbo 2.0, which adds support for more games.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Both devices share the same build number for the update, which is 9.0.0.108. It appears to be a somewhat early release, so any bug fixes should have been done by the time it rolls out globally.
Are you excited to get the EMUI 9.0 update? Let us know in the comments section!
Source: ITHome (1), ITHome (2)
Pokdepinion: Can’t wait until the update rolls out internationally and everyone gets to enjoy Pie on their HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro and P20 Pro!
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


HTC Desire 22 Pro with Snapdragon 695 Unveiled

HTC has finally introduced a new phone, the Desire 22 Pro. The popular Taiwanese manufacturer has recently moved its attention to VR in recent years and is now coming back to the smartphone sector.
The Desire 22 Pro is a mid-range smartphone featuring a 6.6-inch 120Hz LCD display, a Snapdragon 695 CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage, all powered by a 4,520 mAh battery with 18W wired and 15W wireless fast charging. The device can be increased up to 1TB using a microSD card and the phone also has NFC, WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.1 connection, as well as Android 12 out of the box.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The Desire 22 Pro features a triple camera setup which includes a 64MP f/1.8 main shooter, a 13MP f/2.4 ultrawide, and a 5MP f/2.4 depth sensor whereas on the front, a 32MP f/2.0 selfie camera is integrated to the phone.

The phone works with HTC’s Viverse ecosystem as well as the company’s VR devices such as the HTC Vive Flow headset, which is the big selling point of the device. The Viverse compatibility allows you to access virtual material from the Metaverse through the phone and a linked HTC VR headset. Furthermore, the Viverse Wallet allows you to manage digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs straight from the phone.
The HTC Desire 22 Pro will be available in Taiwan for TWD11,990 (RM1,776) on 1 July and in Europe for EUR459 (RM2,137) on 1 August. At this moment, the company has not stated if it would be distributed in markets other than the two areas.
Source , Source , Source
Pokdepinion: It has been a long time since HTC ever made a phone. It’s good to see them back in the game. I can’t wait to see what this phone would bring to the market as the specs look promising.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


OPPO Introduce Find X 5G Prototype

At the Chinese Mobile Global Partners Conference, OPPO has unveiled that they are working together with partners worldwide to develop a new 5G ecosystem.
Starting it off is their OPPO Find X 5G prototype, with it packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and X50 5G modem. At the event, they’ve demonstrated 5G data connectivity and application such as browsing, online video replay, and video calls using the device.
The company has also introduced the concept of 5G+, where they belief it will be an era where everything is connected and ‘experience is king’.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Despite the news, there’s no official launch date of the device. We shall keep you posted once the news is made available.
Pokdepinion: Sure 5G sounds promising to the ears, but in order the get the most out of it, I think Malaysia has to progress further in terms of connectivity here. Sometimes you just don’t get 3G at certain areas let alone 4G connection.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


AMD Radeon PRO W6000X series now available for Mac Pro

Mac Pro users wanting to get a taste of the latest AMD RDNA 2 architecture can now get the Radeon PRO W6000X series GPUs, featuring the Radeon PRO W6800X, Radeon PRO W6900X and Radeon PRO W6800X Duo.
As you might expect from workstation-oriented cards, the  Radeon PRO cards are slightly lower clocked as compared to their gaming counterparts. The Radeon PRO W6900X is based on the Navi 21 XTX GPU as the Radeon RX 6900 XT, while the Radeon PRO W6800X is based on the Radeon RX 6800’s Navi 21 XL GPU. The Radeon PRO W6800X Duo comprises of two Radeon PRO W6800X GPUs on one single card, interconnected via AMD’s Infinity Fabric.
One major difference that these cards have from their gaming counterparts are the amount of GDDR6 they pack. Each GPU is mated to 32GB of GDDR6 memory, which sees the AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo offer a whopping 64GB of GDDR6.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

For those looking to kit out their new Mac Pros with the Radeon PRO W6000X, the Radeon PRO W6800X is a whopping $2400 upgrade option from the base configuration that comes with a Radeon PRO 580X. The Radeon PRO W6900X is a $5600 upgrade, while the Radeon PRO W6800X Duo is a $4600 upgrade. And of course, you can opt to get two of each.
AMD Radeon PRO W6000X Series Specs
AMD Radeon PRO W6800XAMD Radeon PRO W6900XAMD Radeon PRO W6800X DuoCUs6080120Cores3840 Stream Processors
60 Ray Accelerations5120 Stream Processors
80 Ray Accelerators7680 Stream Processors
120 Ray AcceleratorsPeak Engine Clock208721711979Performance32.0TFlops (FP16)
16.0TFlops (FP32)44.4TFlops (FP16)
22.2TFlops (FP32)15.1TFlops (FP16) (per GPU)
30.2TFlops (FP32) (per GPU)Memory32GB GDDR6, 16Gbps32GB GDDR6, 16Gbps64GB GDDR6, 16Gbps (total)Infinity Cache128MB128MB256MB (total)Memory bus width256-bit256-bit256-bit (per GPU)TBP300W300W400W

The Radeon PRO W6800X, Radeon PRO W6900X and Radeon PRO W6800X Duo are ready to accelerate the professional workloads in Mac Pros, including video editing and 3D rendering.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if we will ever see dual-GPU gaming cards ever again…
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Razer To Acquire MOL Global Inc – What Does This Means To Gamers In The Region?

Razer has announce of their intentions in buying MOL Global through the acquisition of around 65.1% of MOL Global’s share capital. The deal is worth approximately US$61 million.
Razer To Fully Own MOL Global
While last year we’ve reported on Razer utilizing MOL’s services with the introduction of zGold MOLPoints, now it seems like Razer is taking a step further and is going to acquire the company for their own.
The proposed Merger is subject to the approval of MOL Global’s shareholders. Despite that, Razer has already obtained irrevocable or finalized undertaking from other major shareholders to vote in favour of the Merger which in sense will add to the 34.9% that Razer already owns and that would be enough to approve the Merger.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Due to the low credit card penetration in Southeast Asia, MOL Global’s 1 million offline payment points, it makes it the largest virtual credits platform for gamers in the region. With the platform, it has allowed companies such as Sony PS Store SEA, Facebook Gameroom, Nexon and more to monetize their games and digital content in the region.
So what can be expected with the Merger? For one, Razer’s current zGold virtual credit business will be combined with MOL Global’s MOLPoints virtual credits business, making it one of the world’s biggest virtual credits platform for gamers.
This will also increase the service category withing Razer’s gaming ecosystem, allowing more games and media companies to further monetize games and contents.
Razer looks to seize the market potential here in Southeast Asia, ramping up their investments in the region.
Pokdepinion: Hopefully, with the merger, they will be able to provide better services to the people in the region. MOLPoints has been of a convenience, and now with Razer set to take over them, it can only mean easier accessibility for gamers, especially to those who use the Razer game store.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS Clinches Two Gold Awards at Putra Aria Brand Awards

The company wins the coveted award under two categories.

ASUS Malaysia has won two Gold Awards at the Putra Aria Brand Awards 2022, under the ‘Communications Devices’ and ‘Cameras, IT and ‘Office & Business Equipment’ category. The organization’s awards, endorsed by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and supported by the Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA), the Media Specialists Association (MSA) and the Malaysian Digital Association (MDA), is served as the recognition of businesses’ branding efforts in Malaysia.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

“We are honored to be recognized by all Malaysian consumers as the favorite brand in these two categories,” said Lenny Lin, Business Development Manager of ASUS Malaysia. “These awards serve as an indicator that we are on the right track, and we will continue our journey in search of incredible, to bring everyone even more exciting solutions.”
Pokdepinion: Congratulations for the award!
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Nintendo wasn’t kidding when they said that Super Smash Bros Ultimate will be the biggest one yet as there will be over 800 songs and 100 playable stages.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate to Have Over 800 Music Tracks and 100 Stages

More than 900 new and returning musical tracks will be in Super #SmashBros Ultimate! That’s over 28 hours of music! Want to listen to the OST on the go? You can use your #NintendoSwitch in handheld mode like a music player! pic.twitter.com/omno7YBk5z
— Nintendo Versus (@NintendoVS) August 8, 2018

It looks like we’re getting to know more and more about Super Smash Bros Ultimate and it’s starting to shape up pretty well so far. The series has been known to have some pretty good music in its soundtrack and the newest entry isn’t expected to pull any punches in that area.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

During today’s Nintendo Direct for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, series director Masahiro Sakurai gave some more insight into the music that players will be able to experience throughout the anticipated fighting game, and get your ears ready, because there is a ton of it.
Overall, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will feature over 800 music tracks (900 including menu sound effects and more) across all of the different franchises and games that are included, which totals up to about 28 hours altogether for the game’s soundtrack.
Likewise, Sakurai also revealed that the soundtrack is available to listen to through the in-game menus, but compared to past games that had the music organized by stages, the music is now collected according to the music’s accompanying series. Additionally, a neat new feature that Nintendo Switch owners can take advantage of is that players in handheld mode can use the Switch to listen to the game’s soundtrack on-the-go in a fashion similar to using an MP3 player.

As far as playable stages are concerned, Sakurai also announced that the game will have 103 playable stages. This is a pretty big amount given that it’s nearly double the amount from the previous game. However, keep in mind that each stage is capable of transforming into their Battlefield and Omega forms. If you consider this, then the number can technically be brought up to 309.
On the topic of new stages for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, we are only aware of New Donk City from Super Mario Odyssey. We already know of two stages themed after Breath of the Wild and Splatoon so in total, there’s at least 3 new stages that hasn’t appeared in previous games for now.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate will release exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on 7th December 2018.
Pokdepinion: Anybody gonna hit the gym with their Nintendo Switch and start blasting music from the game’s soundtrack or will I be the only one doing that?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Should You Use Original Chargers Or Third-Party Chargers?

We’ve all been there, buying cheap phone chargers at some random shop mostly for convenience or out of sheer necessity. Compared to original chargers, why are these significantly cheaper? What gives? Are these third-party chargers on par? Or are they a disaster that’s waiting to happen?
The Bad
No proper quality control
Third-party chargers, especially the cheap ones you find in phone accessory shops like Ni***Z are not recommended at all as some of them do not adhere to normal safety standards. And because they don’t adhere to normal safety standards, they are less likely to perform rigorous safety checks. This also partly explains why these manufacturers can get away with selling their chargers for dirt cheap. Some hybrid chargers, such as the ones that double as a power extension are also not advisable as some of these have been proven to be serious fire hazards!
Image credit: pulitzercenter.org

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Fire hazards
Subpar electronic components found in most of these cheap chargers can also cause unnecessary ghost touch issues on your device. In more serious cases they can cause the charger or even your battery to explode.

Lack of fast charging standards
Furthermore, not all third-party chargers support all brands’ fast charging standards, however. Standards like OPPO’s VOOC technology (by extension OnePlus’ Dash and Warp technology) are very rarely supported by third-party chargers so you will have to rely mostly on original OPPO chargers.

The Good
Cheaper than original chargers
Although, this is not to say that all third-party chargers aren’t good choices to use for your device. Chargers from brands like UGREEN have proven themselves to be more than adequate replacements or additions to original chargers. They provide cheaper alternatives to original accessories that work just as well.

Good quality
Third-party charges may have a bad rap when it comes to quality control but not all are like that. Some of these brands do put their chargers through rigorous safety checks and some of them do have the necessary safety features found on original chargers.

Easily available
They are also more readily available and easier to find compared to original chargers. More times than none, you will have to go over to the official stores just to get original chargers and these may not be easily accessible to some people.

Can charge multiple devices
Third-party chargers often have features where they are able to charge multiple devices ie smartphones, laptops, etc at the same time. They have multiple charging ports that can be used simultaneously and you don’t have to overly worry about fire hazards as good third-party chargers often comply with regular safety standards as well as employing their own safety features.

Compatible with multiple devices’ fast charging standards
While some fast charging standards like OPPO’s VOOC technology aren’t available on a lot of third-party chargers, most of the other charging standards are. This is useful as it means a single charger is able to charge multiple devices with different fast charging standards. Talk about major convenience.

Finally, fast charging may be extremely useful but recent findings have shown that continuous usage of fast charging will increase the degradation rate of your device’s battery. This is due to the fact that fast charging generates more heat compared to normal charging which in turn shortens the battery life span.
This might sound alarming to some but do not fret as the battery degradation does not happen instantly. It is more of a slow and gradual decline which is typical for a smartphone these days. By the time you notice that your phone has some serious battery issues, it might already be time to upgrade your device anyway.
Which third-party chargers we recommend
1. UGREEN PD Fast Charger

This 18W charger by UGREEN has PD support which means it can deliver fast charging to not only Android devices with Qualcomm Quick Charge support but also iPhones as well. Not only that, UGREEN states that this charger can also charge your Nintendo Switch too. You can purchase this charger from UGREEN’s official Lazada page right here.
2. UGREEN 36W Wall Charger

This charger has support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 as well as HUAWEI’s FCP fast charging standard. This means that this charger is able to deliver fast charging to HUAWEI devices in addition to other Android devices that have support for QC 3.0. It also has two USB ports so you can charge two devices at the same time. Purchase this charger from UGREEN’s official Lazada page right here.
3. UGREEN 65W GaN Charger

This charger has four USB slots so it can charge multiple devices at one time. It can fast charge Android devices, iPhones and HUAWEI devices as well as possessing the ability to fully charge a MacBook Pro 13″ in 1 and a half hours! The charger also features GaN power tech which helps charge devices more efficiently with less generated heat in a small form factor. You can find this charger on UGREEN’s official Lazada page right here.
We hope that this has helped you understand more about what fast charging really is. For more interesting stuff like this, do stay tuned to Pokde.net.

Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related