ASUS ZenFone AR review (ZS571KL); the smartphone that plays with your reality

Introduction

In the world of technology, the worst thing that can happen for us as consumers is stagnation. Iterative upgrades year over year, promising small worthless increases each time. But that’s just the way things work. At the rate smartphones are launched, manufacturers are hard pressed to even design a unique device, much less throw in mind blowing innovations. With that said, we have here the ASUS ZenFone AR, the first smartphone to support both Google Daydream VR AND Tango AR, while also holding the title of being the first smartphone to feature 8GB RAM. Being first is nice and all, but is it good at what it does? Let’s take a look.
Unboxing
The ASUS ZenFone AR definitely comes with a lot of stuff, as you can see for yourself in the video. It comes with the standard set of accessories, including a QuickCharge 3.0 (18W) charger, USB Type-C cable, some protection in the form of a clear plastic case and a tempered glass screen protector and also a pair of ASUS ZenEar S IEMs with support for Hi-Res audio. Much less standard is the inclusion of VR glasses right in the top half of the packaging. A great way of ensuring that you get to use VR functionality right out of the box. An exclusive package is also available, which at the time of writing will not be marketed in Malaysia.

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Design

The ASUS ZenFone AR is the second smartphone from ASUS to feature a fingerprint sensor that doubles as the home button. The first was the ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra, which was rather difficult to manage with its 6.8″ display. The ASUS ZenFone AR is decidedly smaller with a 5.7″ display, making the front fingerprint sensor a lot easier to reach and tap on. Two backlit capacitive buttons flank the home button. A glaring omission here is 2.5D curved glass. The last time I handled a device without a 2.5D curved glass panel was when I owned my trusty old ASUS Padfone S. That was some two years back, and this is now 2017. Thankfully the bezels are minimal, which makes the missing 2.5D curvature at the edges a little more bearable.

The back is finished in burnished leather, a finish which ASUS has borrowed from its past generation’s ASUS ZenFone Zoom. Leather is a great material for grip as well as a unique premium feel, but it definitely remains to be seen how well will it withstand our moist environments and wet hands. The back curves ever so gently into the sides, offering a comfortable hold. The chunk of brushed stainless steel sticking out of the leather back like a sore thumb is where you will find all the camera hardware as well as the necessary sensors to feed Tango the information it needs to build an AR environment. Definitely a lot neater than what resulted from Google’s first partnership to produce the first commercial Tango smartphone. Fans of Nokia device may see this as homage to the Nokia N8, the camera king of yore.

Over on the bottom we find an increasingly endangered item, the 3.5mm jack, as well as the future proof USB Type C with support for DisplayPort over USB. The lonely loudspeaker finds itself here too, as does the primary microphone. Oddly enough ASUS did not make the antennae on the ASUS ZenFone AR invisible as they did on the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe and Ultra, so we have nice plastic lines breaking up the monotony of the dark grey metal band wrapping around the sides of the device. The lines are polished in, so they are seamless to the touch unlike the ASUS ZenFone 3‘s antenna lines.

Nothing much to see here at the top, with the secondary microphone making itself at home here. Two more antenna lines are visible here, for a total of four antenna lines, two on the bottom and two at the top. The NFC sticker marks where the NFC chip in the ASUS ZenFone AR will be, so you gotta touch that part of the device to pair/sync/connect with the other NFC device. While the offset position here near the top puzzles me a bit when I am used to having them closer to the center of the device, at least this is better than having it on the front of the device.

The right side of the device is home to the power button and volume rocker, both finished in a fancy concentric circle pattern. Note the chamfered edges too, running along the front and back edges of the metal frame, a great job by ASUS here. Over on the left we will find the SIM tray. Overall, the ASUS ZenFone AR looks good with nicely chamfered edges, unique back design with a nice chunk of brushed metal standing out like an island in a stream of leather, but the missing 2.5D curved glass knocks off a point from what could have been a superb design.
Specifications

CPU/Chipset:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2 x Kryo @ 2.34 GHz, 2 x Kryo @ 2.19 GHz)

GPU:
Adreno 530 @ 653 MHz

RAM:
8GB LPDDR4

Display:
5.7″, WQHD (1440p) Super AMOLED display, 79% screen-to-body ratio, Tru2Life technology, over 100% NTSC color gamut coverage, Corning Gorilla Glass 4

Storage:
128GB UFS2.0 (expandable with microSD up to 2TB)

Camera:
Main Camera
23MP f/2.0, 1/2.6″ IMX 318, 27mm (35mm equiv.) 6P lens, TriTech AF, RGB sensor, OIS + EIS, 92MP Super Resolution, dual LED flash
Front Camera
8MP f/2.0, 1/4″ OV 8856, screen flash, Beautify Mode

OS:
Android 7.0 Nougat with ASUS ZenUI 3.0

Connectivity:
Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, AptX
NFC
Cat.11 3CA 600 Mbps (DL) and 75 Mbps (UL) LTE

SIM:
Dual nanoSIM (one nanoSIM slot doubles as microSD slot)

Battery:
Li-ion 3300 mAh

Performance
The Snapdragon 821 is no longer the fastest horse in Qualcomm’s stable, but it is still a great deal beefier than a lot of SoCs in the market. The four custom Kryo cores were designed in-house, and are clocked to a lofty 2.34 GHz for its “performance” cores and 2.19 GHz for the “efficient” cores. The Adreno 530 is a monstrous GPU with strong compute and graphics performance. Paired together, the Snapdragon 821 is still going to be one of the best performing smartphones out there. We will run our usual suite of benchmarks, so sit tight as we go through the numbers.

Starting off with the standard Antutu tests, the ASUS ZenFone AR performs really well, topping most of the other devices we have tested. It fails to best the latest Samsung Galaxy S8 though, but that’s understandable considering the faster GPU and CPU, as well as the fact that the Exynos 8895 has eight cores instead of the four in the Snapdragon 821.

The ASUS ZenFone AR scores well in 3DMark too, especially in the Ice Storm Unlimited test where its within range of the Galaxy S8. Surprisingly, it lags behind the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe by a slight bit. With all that said, it is still the top three in our GPU benchmark chart. Long story short, the ASUS ZenFone AR will not leave you wanting in terms of graphics performance, that’s for sure.

The CPU performance of the ASUS ZenFone AR is very good too, with strong numbers in single and multi core tests. It bests every device other than the Galaxy S8 here, which shows what kind of a beast the Snapdragon 821 is.

Work performance is great, besting even the Samsung Galaxy S8 by a sizeable margin. This shows that despite the fact that the Snapdragon 821 may be last year’s news, it is still capable of duking it out with the new kids on the block.

Battery life is a sore point for the ASUS ZenFone AR. With a large WQHD SuperAMOLED display with white used heavily throughout the benchmark run, four very powerful and equally hungry cores, the ASUS ZenFone AR only manages 6 hours and 20 minutes before the battery bar hit 20%.
An interesting thing to note is that the ASUS ZenFone AR features an “Advanced Vapor Cooling System” that seems to effectively cool the Snapdragon 821 in the ASUS ZenFone AR, stopping it from literally breathing fire. It remained relatively cool throughout our benchmarks, with 3DMark and PCMark reporting that the device never broke 40°C in any of the benchmark runs. Gaming was also a comfortable experience as the device didn’t really heat up drastically in games like Asphalt 8 and Iron Blade. Then again, coming from a brand that has the ability to design cooling solutions capable of keeping massive GPUs and CPUs cool under heavy loads, this is really not surprising.

In real world usage, the battery life is not great either, but apparently the extra 300 mAh manages to make up for the increase in screen resolution, giving me some identical endurance figures as compared to the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe. I squeezed out 16 hours away from the plug with 3 hours and 14 minutes of on screen time. During this period the cameras were used frequently for selfies and photos, with my usual use of Whatsapp, Facebook and Messenger on WiFi and mobile data. Mi Fit was running in the background too. I wouldn’t call these battery life figures impressive, but I have yet to have a day where I left home with a full charge and had to resort to using my powerbank to keep the ASUS ZenFone AR alive.
User Experience

Well, guess what I found when I first switched over to the ASUS ZenFone AR. We are off to a bad start with a plastic SIM tray. While the rest of the device was truly premium, this is downright cheaping out. The plastic is flexible too, making it flex a bit too much and causing the cards to dislodge from the tray and causing the entire process of inserting my cards into the device more troublesome.

Thankfully, most of what comes next is good. Holding the ASUS ZenFone AR is a great experience, which can be considered a given with the burnished leather back providing an excellent feel in hand. Putting on the clear case mars the experience, so if you want to enjoy the ASUS ZenFone AR to the max, live on the edge and go naked. I mean the phone, not you. As you can see here, the display colors are still very usable despite me using it in sunlight. We aren’t talking about direct sunlight here, although I would say the ASUS ZenFone AR’s display holds up really well under bright lighting. Colors are typical of Super AMOLED panels, so you get punchy, vivid colors.

If you need the fastest fingerprint sensors in the world, I am sure the one in the ASUS ZenFone AR can rank highly in your shortlist. However the home button is not the more recent solid state kind, but instead is of the conventional tactile variety. Also, ASUS needs you to actually wake the device before the fingerprint sensor will scan your finger. Resting your thumb on the button when the device is asleep will do absolutely nothing until you press down on the home key. The ASUS ZenFone AR wakes up quickly, so basically this is just a minor grouse I have with the device, and absolutely does not affect the device’s usability at all. I wish ASUS went with a solid state home button here though, as they will definitely prove more durable than the kind we have here. The fingerprint sensor is not protected by glass, and it collected quite a number of scratches over the time I used it. The flanking capacitive keys are backlit here, so anyone who were grieved by the fact ASUS forgot to add backlighting to their ASUS ZenFone 3 and ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom‘s capacitive keys will be pleased with this device. They are as sensitive to the touch as anyone can wish for too.

ASUS ZenUI 3.0 has been updated to Android 7.0 Nougat recently, and luckily the ASUS ZenFone AR comes with sweet Nougat out of the box. It’s not the latest Android 7.1.1, but at least we are seeing ASUS is dedicating some effort to release updates for their devices. I first noticed the dark translucent background behind the quick settings icons when I pulled down the notification shade, a major step up from the stark white background in Marshmallow. The icons themselves are still a little too cartoonish for such a premium device,so feel free to customize the look with the various themes available in the aptly named Themes app. You can even create your own theme with your own favorite colors, so the potential is there.

Bloatware is now officially a problem of the past, as ASUS has finally listened to their users and omitted their usual suite of bloatware that finds their way out of my phone as soon as I set it up as my daily driver. They decided to hide the nifty AudioWizard and Splendid apps which are used to customize the sound and display of the device in the settings menu too, which is a step backwards to me. Now I have to tap a few more times to reach the options in the above apps. Not cool, ASUS. The other included apps are retained, with a heavy reliance on Google’s apps instead of developing their own. If this can help them push updates faster, I am all for it. Not like I have much use for homegrown apps since I change devices pretty frequently and would rather have everything synced on Google’s apps.

So, it’s time to talk about the hump on the back of the ASUS ZenFone AR. We have the large lens which is the motion tracking camera, the smaller one which is the actual imaging sensor, the laser autofocusing system beside the dual LED flash and RGB sensor for more accurate colors and also the two dark windows below the cameras are for depth sensing, consisting of an IR projector and a receiver. The large lens is actually for Tango, so no joy for those hoping to see a wide angle lens from ASUS…yet. Basically we have here a similar camera setup as the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe, all the way down to the sensor itself. We have PDAF, Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) and both optical and electronic image stabilization promising up to 4 stops of stabilization. This is coupled with the laser autofocusing system and continuous autofocus which are all part of the TriTech AF technology which ASUS claims to provide focus acquisition in 0.03 seconds. Nice and fancy jargon thrown all over the place here, but how does it perform when it comes down to the actually taking photos?

Hold on for a moment as we take a look at the camera UI and features offered. The camera UI has not seen much change since the time of the ASUS ZenFone 2, but then why fix something that isn’t broken? Most features are available within a tap like the real-time HDR modes, video recording and manual mode switch, with others probably a mere touch or two away. Super Resolution uses some software magic gives you massive 92MP shots to allow you to zoom and crop to your heart’s content, while Low Light does the direct opposite, and uses software magic to reduce noise in low light conditions, giving you stunningly clean 5MP images in poor lighting. HDR Pro does exactly what it says on the box, giving you enhanced HDR beyond what the real-time HDR can offer. There’s even a Depth of Field mode to add fake bokeh, which is all the rage right now.

Finally, let’s talk about the image quality. The software must have been optimized over time, as it definitely feels like the ASUS ZenFone AR can deliver better shots despite featuring similar hardware. The experience was also better, with the entire device feeling snappier when taking photos. Videos are also not a problem, with support for 1080p60 and 4K30 videos. With videos, your choice of storage becomes much more important. The UFS 2.0 built-in storage works flawlessly, but my Sandisk Ultra Class 10 microSD definitely choked when  I recorded 1080p60 videos. All in all, despite the 1.0µm pixel pitch of the IMX 318 sensor, I am impressed by the output of the ASUS ZenFone AR. In auto the shots are impressive, and if you can play around with the manual settings or even shoot in RAW for greater freedom in post processing, the ASUS ZenFone AR will give you even more control over the camera output, with better flexibility in post processing. While I am very happy with the output now, I am not saying ASUS couldn’t have done better with a sensor with bigger pixels.
It is definitely not without it’s flaws though. The RGB sensor while proving its worth in most conditions, can occasionally be fooled to report a false white balance if an image features a single color predominantly throughout the frame. HDR Pro yields images that can look slightly overdone, with the real-time HDR picking up most of the slack, providing fast HDR shots with consistent results. HDR Pro does deliver better dynamic range, with the aforementioned drawback every once in a while as well as needing slightly more time to process than real time HDR.

A perk of having a Super AMOLED display is the ability to turn on pixels individually to save energy. This allows for displays with infinite contrast ratios, or always on displays showing you your notifications, but ASUS’ implementation is still very lacking. The Always-on Panel feature on the ASUS ZenFone AR still does not show any other notifications, and you are stuck with missed calls and unread SMS counters and a battery meter. This can easily be solved by a software update, so here’s hoping that ASUS does it right with the Android 7.1.1 Nougat for the ASUS ZenFone AR.

Audio wise, the ASUS ZenFone AR is about as good as it gets. AudioWizard allowed me to tune the sound of Bluetooth audio devices, including my Sudio Vasa Bla something few other brands can boast with their built-in audio enhancers.Support for the AptX codec is also available, promising better quality with wireless audio devices that support the standard. You also get DTS Headphone:X if you want to use more conventional wired 3.5mm headphones, which was something I believed was sorely missed in the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe. For louder audio through the mono loudspeaker, there is the Outdoor Mode toggle, easily accessible via the drop down volume slider. It boosts the mids and higher frequencies, for a louder perceived sound. It works for any kind of audio output, making it great for boosting your notification tone’s volume in noisy environments. The loudspeaker isn’t particularly loud so this feature definitely helps. Quality wise I would not recommend using it for listening to music, as it is quite hollow sounding.
AR and VR

The ASUS ZenFone AR is named after one single feature supported by the device: Augmented Reality. Augmented reality basically adds objects to your view of your surroundings, making for gaming opportunities like shooting stuff in the real world through your phone, adding furniture to your room to see if they fit your existing decor or just explore a car’s interior in the middle of nowhere.
Yep, I parked a BMW i3 in the KLCC park.
There are a handful of gaming applications that make use of AR like Towers for Tango and Slingshot Island, but I have yet to see the practicality of the games. Especially when the device immediately heats up once you fire up any Tango applications. AR applications heat up the device quite quickly, which means you can’t play around in your false reality for long at all before the Snapdragon 821 reaches its thermal limits and throttles to maintain safe operating temperatures. This is surprising as the ASUS ZenFone AR barely broke a sweat running through our benchmark suite, with the device barely getting warm at all.
Pardon the messiness, but hey, this table really matches the floor finishing eh?
Sure, adding furniture virtually won’t be the last we see of AR, but as of now, there aren’t really that many stuff to play around with yet.

Google Daydream support is yet another great addition to the ASUS ZenFone AR, opening up the opportunity to use the very comfortable Daydream headset to enjoy VR content. However with similar heating issues and slightly more but still unimpressive number of interesting apps to play around with, I don’t think that support for Daydream nor Tango will make the ASUS ZenFone AR fly off the shelves. The fact that Samsung has their own take at VR with their Gear VR also makes for a fragmented market. Apps that support Gear VR are not cross-compatible with Daydream VR, so developers will have to choose sides. Daydream VR does have more potential though given that it is Google’s own standard, and even Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8+ support it. Also worth noting that the Daydream headset is not available here in Malaysia, at least not officially yet.
Conclusion
The ASUS ZenFone AR is an amazing device, but I would consider it both ahead of its time and also a little too late. ASUS decided to work with a Snapdragon 821 as it was the most powerful SoC they could get their hands on when designing the ASUS ZenFone AR to optimize the AR and VR functionalities. No doubt this is a well thought out device, unlike the first Tango device which looks like Lenovo slapped on a few extra sensors and called it a day. But it is already too late to the market, with the Snapdragon 835 making its mark at the top of benchmark charts. While AR and VR features are nice to have, I believe that it is still too early to really make it a solid selling point. By the time AR truly takes off, the Snapdragon 821 may not even support the latest features which might be added in the future.
I strongly feel the ASUS ZenFone AR is what the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe should have been, and it could have been a lot more appealing if it was launched back then when the Snapdragon 821 was still the top dog, rather than now. The lofty RM3799 asking price is also doing it no favors, placing it in the company of more popular devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and the iPhone 7 Plus. If you are looking forward to be one of the pioneers to experience and maybe develop AR applications, the ASUS ZenFone AR is the best you can get right now. Otherwise, you may want to consider waiting for a while, as ASUS’ next generation of beasts are about to be unleashed. As it stands, the ASUS ZenFone AR is worthy of our Silver Pokdeward.

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The MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Lightning Z’s design is finally revealed!

The MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Lightning Z was caught on HWBot with a ridiculously high overclock of 2.45 GHz before it was promptly removed. Then PCB shots were shared online, showing off the 19-phase VRM and also the triple 8-pin PCIe power connectors.

これが何だと思いますか？
最高に強力なグラフィックスカードが最高に耐久性の高い強力なカーボンファイバーをひっさげて登場です。
乞うご期待！続報を待て！#MSI #TrueGaming #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/SClZcL2rMx
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Then MSI Japan posted a teaser, showing off the carbon fiber textured backplate. It further built up the hype for MSI’s top-of-the-line graphics card. But until now, no one knew what the cooler looked like.

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Well finally we do. It features a good dose of carbon fiber, gold brushed metal accents and also a triple fan design. MSI spared no expense for the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Lightning Z despite already implementing such a premium design, and slapped on RGB fans as well. If it were up to me, I would probably run the cooler with the RGB lighting off though. If you know how much I love RGB, you will know that this is the highest of compliments I can give to a graphics card’s design.

What do you think of the card? Yay or nay? Let us know!
Pokdepinion: It is just so beautiful! Now time to see benchmarks!
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The upcoming expansion for Bungie’s Destiny 2 has been revealed. It will be known as Forsaken, and is expected to have some additional story content, raids, game tweaks and a whole lot more.
Upcoming Destiny 2 Expansion “Forsaken” Revealed

Introducing, Destiny 2: Forsaken.
Explore new regions, awaken new powers, earn a wealth of new weapons, and uncover long lost Awoken secrets.
Learn more: https://t.co/W36PyE5sts pic.twitter.com/kADaiA4lqP
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Since its release, Destiny 2 has also seen a notable number of updates and new content from its recently-released expansions like “Warmind”. We now have some cool new details about the latest expansion to hit the game, and it will be known as “Forsaken”

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Over on Twitter, Bungie has released a new video for the next major expansion for Destiny 2, and has also revealed that the expansion now has an official title and will be called “Forsaken.” It is rather detailed so it should give you some good ideas as to what we can expect from it.
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Another interesting feature is the “Collections” an “Triumphs” which track everything you have collected and achieved in the game, for the achievers out there.
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Destiny 2 is available now for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Battle.net.
Pokdepinion: Well, it’s no secret that many people lost interest in Destiny 2 for multiple reasons. It seems like the community is more divided compared to the previous game even. Would you be playing the game again when the Forsaken expansion comes out? I myself am not sure.
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vivo X21 Launched

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vivo X21 Specifications

CPU/Chipset:
Snapdragon 660 Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Kryo 260 & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260)

GPU:
Adreno 512

RAM:
6GB LPDDR4

Display:
6.28″ Super AMOLED (2160 x 1080) 19:9 ratio

Storage:
128GB (expandable with microSD up to 256GB)

Camera:
Main Camera(s) Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 1/2.5″, 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF) + 5 MP (f/2.4), phase detection autofocus, LED flash Front Camera 12 MP, f/2.0

OS:
Android 8.1 Oreo (Funtouch OS 4.0)

Connectivity:
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0

SIM:
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Battery:
Li-ion 3200 mAh (non-removable), fast charging

Pokdepinion: Hmm, it seems to be a bit of pricey…. despite that, it seems okay since it offers an in-display fingerprint sensor. What do you think? Will you be getting the device?
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[E3 2017] Super Mario Odyssey Gets Release Date
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After going through a wild adventure with Nintendo’s Link on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the other big Nintendo mascot will finally get his chance on a big Switch adventure with the upcoming Super Mario Odyssey, as shown with a new trailer from E3 2017.
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Pokdepinion: Wow, Mario now has the ability to literally become any of his enemies. It’s funny to see some of these enemies like the Goombas with Mario’s signature moustache. The trailer blew me away and I’m looking forward to seeing the final product.
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The new Razer Opto-Mechanical Switch sports an interesting metal key-stabilizer bar that runs across the switch for a more precise keypress. With a 45g actuation force, it’s lighter to press than the Razer Green switches which are rated at 50g. The 1.5mm actuation point also enables faster actuation than Razer’s other switches, making the Razer Opto-Mechanical Switch their fastest switch yet. With less moving parts involved in the actuation process, Razer actually rates these switches to endure up to 100 million clicks.

To experience the latest Razer Opto-Mechanical Switches, be prepared to shell out RM649 for the Razer Huntsman, or RM949 for the Razer Huntsman Elite. That’s quite a hefty premium for a few extra features…
Pokdepinion: There are actually a lot of keyboards offering optical switches for a lot less money…
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Foldable Samsung Galaxy X Might Launch Soon – Already certified in South Korea

Ultimate game changer?

According to reports, a Samsung device with model number SM-G888N0 has been certified in South Korea. The Samsung device which has been dubbed the Samsung Galaxy X, first popped up a few months ago when it was certified by Bluetooth SIG, a certification body for Bluetooth devices. More recently it has been spotted in South Korea’s Korean National Radio Research Agency (NRRA). First discovered by Dutch language website LetsGoDigital, who also said that when this sort of certification is passed the device’s first introduction won’t be too far away. Furthermore, the model number SM-G888N0 doesn’t match with any other existing Samsung device to date so the general consensus is that this could be Samsung long awaited foldable phone.

Samsung making a device with a foldable screen is something that was first brought up way back in 2011 when Samsung showed off a prototype device with a foldable display and another prototype with a flexible screen that they demonstrated in 2013 called the Youm. They have been experimenting with their screens ever since. Case in point, the curved screen on the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge all the way up to their latest Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

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Samsung already has two different concept patents for a foldable phone design, here is one of them which you can check out right here. Here’s another piece of news that lends a bit of weight to whether or not Samsung really is coming out with a foldable Samsung Galaxy X.

If recent reports are to be believed, just before the iPhone X launched, CEO of Samsung Mobile, DJ Koh indeed confirmed that they will be releasing a foldable device next year but only when they’ve overcome the last of the device’s problems.
Ultimately we still don’t know how the Samsung Galaxy X will look like or what specifications will it be rocking. We can only speculate at the moment. Let’s if Samsung indeed releases the Samsung Galaxy X in 2018. Until then we’ll keep you updated as soon as more information is available.
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Call of Duty Mobile Now Available To Play

Garena has launched the highly anticipated Call of Duty Mobile last night, where it is now available on both Android and iOS devices.

The game is published by Garena, in partnership with Activision as well as Tencent’s TiMi Studios. Call of Duty Mobile has been tested across regions in the world for several months (beta) with useful feedback and now gamers can now enjoy the game fully.
It features maps such as Crash and Crossfire from Modern Warfare as well as Nuketown and Hijacked from Black Ops. Adding to that, you will see several iconic characters from the series such as Ghost, Soap, Captain Price, and Alex Mason.

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With a plethora of game modes such as Team Deathmatch, Search & Destroy, and Domination, Garena has said that they will be bringing even more modes to the game soon like Gun Game, and Free For All.
Call of Duty’s scorestreak system is also available in the game where it will bring you extra back up such as drones or VTOL gunship.
Not forgetting, the game also comes with a Battle Royale mode, which of course you can tell how the game goes like.
Pokdepinion: Have you tried the game yet? I just hope that it won’t be filled with hackers and what not..
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Get the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 with RM1000 discount and RM507 worth of freebies

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is probably one of the most bespoke laptops in the market. How many other laptops can claim Alcantara palm rests among it list of features? That level of premium doesn’t come cheap, but the latest Ramadhan promo by Gloo here makes it just that bit more affordable with up to RM1000 slashed right off SRP.
Gloo is offering two variants of the Surface Laptop 2 at discounted prices from now until 30th May, with the only difference between the two being the storage capacity. Here are the promotional prices:

Surface Laptop 2 – 8GB RAM + 128GB: RM4299 (SRP: RM4829)
Surface Laptop 2 – 8GB RAM + 256GB: RM5199 (SRP: RM6199)

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In addition to the discounts, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 will also come with complimentary gifts worth a total of RM507. You will receive the following freebies when you get a new Surface Laptop 2 during the promotion period:

Microsoft Designer Mouse
Microsoft Office 365 Personal (1 year)
Shieldcare Extended Warranty (1 year)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 are powered by the 8th Generation Intel®Core™ i5 processors which promises strong performance, all day long with 14.5 hours of battery life on tap. All of that is very portable at just 1.25kg and less than 15mm thick, making it an easy addition to your everyday carry.

Oh and did we mention it has Alcantara around its keyboard? Visit your nearest Gloo store to find out more about the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 or this promotion!
Pokdepinion: If I could afford one, this would be at the top of my list…
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Facebook is collaborating with Yes to bring 1 Gbps to Penang with Terragraph

Penangites will be among the first to enjoy Terragraph, a wireless technology developed by Facebook to deliver Gigabit speeds without having to deploy expensive end-to-end fiber network infrastructure.

Terragraph uses the 60 GHz (V-band) spectrum to deliver the high speed connectivity. One of the main draws is the fact that its nodes can be mounted onto street poles or buildings to extend the range of connectivity. That removes the need for dedicated communication towers, which traditional cellular telcos will need to deliver their services.

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This also allows Terragraph to be deployed much quicker than traditional broadband infrastructure, at much less cost too. According to Terragraph’s landing page, it uses off-the-shelf WiGig components, and also uses the cloud for data processing and self-organization. Having ties to the cloud may raise some eyebrows, especially considering Facebook’s previous issues with privacy.
Facebook will be partnering up with Yes to launch Terragraph’s first large scale market trial in Penang this 18th February. In their earlier trials over in Hungary, Terragraph managed to deliver 650 Mbps to homes which were previously connected via 5 Mbps copper networks.
If anything, more options when it comes to high speed broadband is always good, so we do look forward to seeing Terragraph in Penang!
Source: SoyaCincau
Pokdepinion: Time to sell my soul to Facebook!
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honor To Host First Ever honor Fan Fest This 21st September 2018

honor Malaysia will soon host their first ever Fan Fest 2018 to celebrate and reward users of their two latest smartphones, the honor 10 and honor Play.
honor Fan Fest 2018
Users of the two phone models that were mentioned are able to access the event for absolutely free-of-charge. The event is set on the 21st of September 2018 at Glasshouse at Seputeh and will start at 7PM.
At the event, you will be able to hang out with celebrities such as Hunny Madu, Altimet, Nabila Razali and more. Well if you don’t own either two of the devices, fret not. You can also register here for free to be treated to one of the best visual and auditory simulation experiences of a lifetime, well at least that’s what the company has said.

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In the event, you can also stand a chance to win gifts such as a brand new honor Play smartphone by just capturing the most creative photo during the event and posting on your Instagram account along with the hashtag #HonorFanFestMalaysia. There’s also a lucky draw where you can win the honor 10 and also an additional honor Play.
Not to forget, members of the honor Club are up for a treat to win special gifts as honor will be rewarding the Most Loyal honor Malaysian fan, the Most Active honor Club Member, and also the Best Attire Award. So make sure you dress to impress on that day itself.
Pokdepinion: Well there you go honor fans. Head down to Glasshouse at Seputeh on the date and you might just win yourself some gifts as well as get to meet some famous celebrities.
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Adobe Photoshop Is The First Creative Cloud App To Get Firefly AI Integration

Announced two months ago – Adobe’s Firefly AI is making big promises on changing the ways creators work on their projects. Now, the generative AI is landing itself on Photoshop, featuring a new AI-powered Generative Fill feature that adds and removes elements on the image with simple text prompts, which the company claimed as a “world’s first”.
This isn’t the first time Adobe has dipped their toes into AI. In fact, the precursor of Firefly is Adobe Sensei, which already offers some degree of AI-powered features on certain workflows since its inception in 2017, such as Neural Filters in Photoshop, Content Aware Fill in After Effects, Liquid Mode in Acrobat and more. Adobe has noted that Firefly’s initial AI model is trained using publicly available datasets on Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content and public domain content which do not contain copyright limitations (meaning, it’s safe for commercial use).

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The Generative Fill feature works by modifying the image in non-destructive methods from text prompts, so users at any point can reverse the changes made with no impact on the original image. The tool is also available as a new module in Firefly beta for users to try out straight from the web.
Adobe has noted that Generative Fill is now available in the Photoshop beta on desktop versions; rollout is expected to complete in the second half of 2023.
Pokdepinion: Photoshopping is about to get a whole lot easier. Sky is the limit?
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Amazon AppStream 2.0 uses AMD Radeon Pro GPUs; delivers advanced graphics virtualization on the cloud

Enterprise applications are increasingly reliant on GPU-acceleration to perform at their best. From standard Windows productivity apps to design and engineering apps, the number of applications that can make use of graphics acceleration is on the rise.

To deliver these apps to users, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has put AMD Radeon Pro S7150x2 GPUs to work in their new Graphics Design instance type on Amazon AppStream 2.0. The GPUs are designed for virtualized graphics, with AMD Radeon Pro MxGPU (multiuser GPU) technology.
With AMD’s hardware and Amazon’s new Graphic Design instances, users can run graphics-accelerated applications by harnessing AMD’s technology while paying a fraction of the cost of obtaining a graphics workstation, and lowers the cost of streaming a graphics app on AppStream 2.0 by up to 50%.

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Security is of the utmost importance, and AMD’s hardware virtualization is near-impenetrable by prying eyes. Enjoy secure, cost-effective and efficient streaming of applications that rely on hardware acceleration of DirectX, OpenGL or OpenCL, all on the cloud via Amazon AppStream 2.0, powered by AMD Radeon Pro GPUs.
Pokdepinion: AMD is definitely the choice to go for if we are talking about GPU-acceleration considering their superior performance in compute.
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This New Genshin Impact Leaks More than Just Shinobu & Heizou

Genshin Impact Timeline for Future Updates Unveil Interesting Leaks
Image Credit: Genshin Impact

A latest leak by Twitter user, UBatcha has revealed to us two new unrevealed characters in the next few updates for Genshin Impact. The characters being unveiled in the 2.7 Update coming mid May will feature Yelan and Shinobu.
According to miHoYo’s update plan, the Genshin Impact 2.6 Update will arrive at the end of March and so, the 2.7 is the refresher due to arrive after that.
What can Genshin Impact fans Expect in the Next Few Updates?
Image Credit: Sportskeeda
The leak also states that Heizou, which is said to be the last character from the Inazuma region, is slated to arrive in the 2.8 Update (expected to be sometime towards the end of June or the start of July). If the leaks are to be believed, there is an even bigger surprise at the end of the road. After the release of the 2.8 Update, the next part lined up will be the highly anticipated Sumeru region where fans can expect Dendro characters’ arrival in-game.

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If you have been keeping up to date with the leaks for awhile, you would know that there were two Dendro characters, Baizhu and Yaoyao, leaked from the closed beta. These characters have generated much curiosity as to when they will be made playable.
It looks like Genshin Impact will go to 3.0 after the 2.8 Update, as it is something that has been suggested by leaks for a while now. Until then, we can enjoy the current updates for what it is as there are still quite some time before the 3.0. Genshin Impact is currently available for free on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and PC. A Nintendo Switch port of the game is coming sometime in the near future.
Source
Pokdepinion: It looks like miHoYo has quite a few things going on behind the scenes. I am the only person I know who doesn’t play Genshin but if even this news makes me excited for what to come, I can’t imagine how excited fans might feel.
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AMD FreeSync will dominate the adaptive sync game — Intel hops on board the standard!

Intel has just confirmed that they will be supporting VESA Adaptive-Sync, the industry standard that is based on AMD FreeSync technology. In fact, it is essentially the same technology, just not featuring the AMD branding. This technology will be a part of Intel’s upcoming graphics solutions.

Considering that VESA Adaptive-Sync-compliant monitors are much more affordable, and do not require a proprietary chip to deliver the same adaptive refresh rate, it is a pretty expected move. Obviously Intel would not submit themselves to a chokehold by NVIDIA, which has full control over the G-SYNC display controllers.

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Yes. We are supporting Adaptive Sync. @gfxlisa explains more. pic.twitter.com/oWKcRurmbr
— Intel Graphics (@IntelGraphics) November 14, 2018

While this is a cool step forward, Intel still has much ground to cover to offer a graphics solution on par with NVIDIA and AMD’s outgoing GPUs. What we can expect is more laptops with adaptive sync displays for a more fluid user experience.
What do you think? Do you still believe in the claimed benefits of G-SYNC over FreeSync, or do you use G-SYNC simply because NVIDIA makes more powerful graphics cards? Let us know!
Pokdepinion: Well, I am glad that I have invested in FreeSync!
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Magus 600B ANC Headphones – Active Noise Cancelling for less than RM100

The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) function is something that’s becoming commonplace amongst mainstream headphones today. However, this particular is most of the time present in a more premium segment which isn’t really easily accessible to everyone. What if I told you that there is a pair of headphones that comes with this ANC feature and is very affordable?
Here’s our review of the Magus 600B ANC headphones.
Unboxing

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The Magus 600B ANC headphones come in a rather nice looking white box with red insides. At the front of the box, a picture of the headphone with the name and model at the top left. There are also mentions of Magus 600B’s highlighted functions written in both Chinese and English. At the back of the box, you can see almost nothing but text from top to bottom which features highlights of the Magus 600B’s various functions, again, written in both Chinese and English.

Opening the box you will find a black plastic tray that contains the headphone’s micro-USB charger, a 3.5mm aux flat cable with a built-in microphone, a splitter as well as a manual. Underneath the tray, you will find the Magus 600B ANC headphones themselves stored in a hard case.
Appearance

The Magus 600B is honestly not that bad looking. The design is quite easy on the eyes; sleek and not at all indicative of its retail price. The headphones is mostly made out of plastic, with faux leather material on the earcups and rubber padding situated underneath the top headband.

The headphones can be folded to fit in more compact spaces. The hinges above the earcups are made of metal. The insides of the headphones also feature metal bands that can slide out when extended.

There’s little by way of buttons and ports found on the Magus 600B headphones which are mostly situated at the headphones’ left earcup. You will find a slider to turn the Active Noise Cancellation function on and off with an indicator light that turns blue when ANC is turned on, a 3.5mm headphone jack to connect the aux cord to as well as a micro-USB charging port. You will also find the Magus brand on the sides of both earcups.
The disclaimer found on the Magus 600B’s Lazada post
In the original Lazada post, there’s a disclaimer present in the description letting users know that the headphones have a few defects which are mostly cosmetic such as mildew and even slight rusting. Mainly due to these headphones sitting in the warehouse for long periods.

My copy doesn’t seem to have any rusted parts (thankfully), however, there are a few cosmetic defects here and there particularly near the hinges and the earcups. There was also a slight musty smell that wafted out of the packaging. The same musty smell you get when you open something that has been in storage for a long time. So far, none of them has affected the performance of the headphones. As far as I can tell at least.
Magus 600B Specifications

Frequency Response
20-20KHz

Impedance
32 ohm

Sensitivity
105dB / MW

Headphone Type
Closed-back, over-ear, wired headset

Microphone
In-line Microphone

Connector
3.5mm

Cable Length
1.5m

Noise Cancelling
Active Noise Cancelling

Colour
White, Black

User Experience

In all honesty, I was a little sceptical at first with the Magus 660B ANC headphones. There was so little information that I could find in regards to the brand let alone this model. I could only find sales posts online such as on Lazada. Even the website stated on the box yields no results, which is pretty weird.
However, upon seeing the many positive reviews left by customers who bought the headphones, my curiosity won me over. I knew I had to at least give the Magus 600B a try. Even if it were a terrible product, at least it wouldn’t have been an expensive terrible product.
To my surprise, the Magus 600B ANC headphones did not suck. Sure it had all the defects and imperfections the sales post warned me about but it did not suck. It looked pretty decent, the ANC function worked well enough, it was comfortable to wear and the in-line microphone worked pretty well.
Let’s get one thing out of the way, the Magus 600B ANC headphones is not a wireless headset and it was not advertised as so. It comes with a 1.5m flat cable with an in-line microphone and controls that feels pretty robust and works well. My voice came out clear in both calls as well as in-game.

The Magus 600B is also very comfortable to wear as the headband comes with a soft rubbery material that rests comfortably on the head. The headphones’ clamping force is also pretty good as I can wear the headphones for long hours without triggering headaches. I have a pretty big head which makes it unbearably uncomfortable sometimes when I wear headphones, so this is a huge plus for me.
As for the Magus 600B sounds, I have to say it does sound pretty decent. There is a clear difference in sound when ANC is turned on and off as with other headphones that feature Active Noise Cancelling. The audio quality when the ANC is turned off is pretty bass heavy but not really in a good way as it sounds extremely muddy in places. Though I have to say the bass-heavy nature of this mode lends itself well when listening to bass-heavy music like electronic music.
The audio quality improves significantly when the ANC is turned on, however. No longer is the audio a muddy mess. The audio is now clear and punchy with the bass turned down and you can clearly hear the mids and trebles when listening to music. The audio is also amplified slightly when ANC is turned on. This makes the headphones quite enjoyable to use when listening to music or watching movies.

I am actually pretty impressed with the ANC function of the Magus 600B especially given the price point of the headphones. I was literally expecting the ANC function to be nothing more than a gimmick that doesn’t actually work to lure in unsuspecting consumers. So for them to actually work as advertised is a huge plus point for me. Sure they are not the best but they do manage to block almost all ambient noises. The ANC function also works without the audio cable connected.
Magus claims that the 600B headphones can last up to 40 hours with ANC turned on. So far I have gone about 30 hours in total before the indicator light started blinking of low battery. Even then it took another few hours of use for the battery to finally die out.
Gaming with the Magus 600B is a mixed bag for me. It serves itself pretty well with stereo audio working with no issues however, you don’t really get the satisfying sound that you get from standard gaming headphones. It’s a little difficult to tell which direction sounds are coming from in-game. It works pretty well for games that don’t really rely on directional audio like RPG games but for FPS games you are better off using other headphones or ear[hones.
The in-line microphone works pretty decently with voices sounding clear. I have used the headphones for many calls and so far no one on the other end of the calls has complained of unclear or fuzzy noises coming from my end. The headphones also come with a pretty compact and sturdy case which you can use to store the Magus 600B and its accessories. Something that I greatly appreciate.
Conclusion

The Magus 600B ANC headphones is a pleasant surprise for me. Not only does the ANC work as intended but the headphones themselves look good and sounds great. They are comfortable to wear for long periods too. All for a pretty cheap price at RM99.90 on Lazada. You can also find them on sale pretty often during Lazada’s Flash Sale which is where I got them and they cost me just RM39.90 excluding shipping.
Of course, there some negatives to be said about the Magus 600B ANC headphones. The ANC is not the best I’ve experienced but that can be looked past mainly due to the price the headphones are going for. Other main issues I have with the headphones is that the overall condition is not the best with stains and rust present on the headphones. I can definitely see these imperfections potentially deter many people.
Another huge negative I have with these headphones is that it comes with no warranty. So if there are any issues with the headphone, you are pretty much on your own.
With that, I award the Magus 600B ANC headphones a solid Silver Pokdeward.

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Big Dynasty Warriors 9 Update Released – It’s Easier to Unlock Officers Now

A big update has come to Dynasty Warriors 9, courtesy of the folks over at Koei Tecmo, and it has included a number of goodies and fixes.
Big Dynasty Warriors 9 Update Released

Koei Tecmo has released a brand new update for Dynasty Warriors 9 on PS4 and PC, numbered respectively 1.04 and 1.02.

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The update comes with quite a few goodies: It eases the conditions for unlocking officers and for sending them letters, and it improves the movement of soldiers and officers during battles since they often they tended to stop moving even when the way was clear.
On top of that, we get adjustments for the price of items, more watchtowers and waymarks to make fast traveling easier, and much more. You can check out the full list of changes below.
Dynasty Warriors 9 Update Changelog

Eased the conditions for unlocking officers.
Eased conditions for sending letters from Hideaways.
Improved the movement of soldiers and officers during battle.
Adjusted the price of items.
Adjusted the positioning of clusters.
Added Watchtowers and Waymarks.
Adjusted the hit points (HP) of gates, weapons, and buildings.
Corrected an issue that occured rarely in which parts of some models would break.
Corrected an issue in which unnatural weather occurrences would not revert to their original state.
Corrected an issue that occured rarely in which floodgates could not be opened during Chapter 4 “Reclaim Xiapi”.
Corrected an issue concerning the display of some rivers.
Corrected a number of other minor issues.

Dynasty Warriors 9 is currently available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. It was released on February 8th 2018, and it’s the series first on having an open-world concept. You might just see a review of Dynasty Warriors 9 on Pokde.net very soon.
Pokdepinion: I’m not gonna lie, i didn’t really enjoy Dynasty Warriors 9 as much as I thought I would as it was filled with glitches and gameplay elements that I felt were a step backwards in the series. I’m hoping this update will be able to change a number of things to make it better.
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Nokia G21 Introduced — First From The Series To Offer 90Hz Refresh Rate Plus 50MP Main Camera

The folks at HMD Global has recently unveiled their latest smartphone in the form of the Nokia G21 where it offers a 90Hz refresh rate display and 50MP main camera to name a few.
Nokia G21
One of the upgrade that the phone has received is a big 5050mAh battery under the hood, where they claim is able to last up to three days. The company has apparently made improvements on their power saving modes where it comes in two phases. In the first level, the battery will save at 20% and the second at 10%, both of which to prolong usage of the device.
It has the ability to charge up to 18W, with USB PD 3.0 support. Unfortunately, the charger that comes with the box is simply a 10W charger, so you’d need to fork out money to get a faster charger instead.

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For the display, it sports a 6.5-inch LCD panel which offers support of up to 90Hz refresh rate, which is new for the series.
Aside from that, it comes with a 50MP main camera, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor at the back. They opted to remove the ultrawide lens from the previous Nokia G20 in that sense. Powered by a Unisoc T606 chipset, the phone comes with 4GB RAM that’s mated with either 64GB or 128GB storage options.
The Nokia G21 is priced at €170 (~RM807) but sadly there’s no confirmation that it will be released here in Malaysia. Should there be news, we’ll be updating you accordingly. Till then, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source
Pokdepinion: I’m pretty sure this news is of a delight to some, especially Nokia fans. I don’t know what to comment on that charger offer however..
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HUAWEI Mate V may be HUAWEI’s answer to the Galaxy Z Flip

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is a true foldable phone, unlike the Galaxy Fold which was a foldable tablet instead. It had its quirks, but it does fold down into a much smaller package, which is reminiscent of the clamshell phones of yore. HUAWEI’s answer to those who want something similar might just be the HUAWEI Mate V, which is reportedly in the works featuring a similar design.
The patent for the HUAWEI Mate V’s design was reportedly submitted back in August 2019, before being granted yesterday. It looks pretty sleek, with a vertical camera configuration not unlike HUAWEI’s last-gen flagships. The larger cutout around the camera hump should house an external OLED display, similar to what the Galaxy Z Flip sports.

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From the looks of the renders, the HUAWEI Mate V will still sport a notch on its inner display, presumably to accommodate the loudspeaker, selfie camera and maybe a few other sensors. Hopefully they manage to cram the impressive 3D IR facial recognition hardware from the Mate 20 Pro and Mate 30 Pro in there as well, although I do have my doubts.
Besides the design, it is rumored that the HUAWEI Mate V will share another feature in common with the Galaxy Z Flip: the Ultra Thin Glass. HUAWEI has reportedly procured the controversial material for the HUAWEI Mate V, which should improve the user experience of the foldable clamshell over the polymer-based protective layer on the display of the HUAWEI Mate Xs.

What do you guys think? Do you find foldable tablets ala the HUAWEI Mate X or Galaxy Fold more enticing, or are clamshell phones more your thing? Let us know!
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Pokdepinion: I do think a clamshell phone has its perks… But honestly I don’t think I would enjoy having to flip open a phone just to scroll Instagram for a few moments.
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NVIDIA H100 GPU based on new NVIDIA Hopper architecture announced at GTC 2022

NVIDIA took the wraps off next-gen NVIDIA Hopper architecture at the recent GTC 2022, introducing the NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPU. NVIDIA is reportedly going to use NVIDIA Hopper only for their high-performance computing (HPC) products, while gaming GPUs will be based on a different Ada Lovelace architecture, but that’s probably a discussion for another day.
NVIDIA Hopper: 80 billion transistors, up to 16896 FP32 CUDA cores per GPU

NVIDIA will be making the GPUs on the TSMC 4nm node, versus the 7nm node used for the NVIDIA A100.  We are looking at a much beefier GPU this time around, weighing in at 80 billion transistors, the NVIDIA H100 packs up to 16896 FP32 CUDA cores per GPU, with up to 528 4th Gen Tensor cores. The new Tensor cores also support new FP8 to increase the raw computational power over the NVIDIA A100 by 2X.

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To further take advantage of the new FP8-capable Tensor cores, NVIDIA baked in the new Transformer Engine to manage and dynamically switch between FP8 and 16-bit calculations. New DPX instructions also accelerate dynamic programming algorithm by up to 7X over the last gen NVIDIA A100. FP64 and FP32 processing rates on the H100 are tripled versus A100, thanks to 2X faster clock-per-clock performance coupled with higher clocks, as well as higher core counts on the NVIDIA H100 GPU. Needless to say, the NVIDIA H100 is going to be a massive improvement over last-gen, which NVIDIA claims is at around 6X the peak throughput of the NVIDIA A100.
NVIDIA is also equipping the NVIDIA H100 with up to 50MB of L2 cache to reduce the number of trips to the HBM3 cache. Speaking of which, the HBM3 cache delivers up to 3TB/s of bandwidth, or nearly 2X the bandwidth that was available to the NVIDIA A100. Of course, we are only talking about a single GPU here, and the NVIDIA H100 isn’t intended to be used as a single, standalone GPU, and instead in massive servers with multiples of them.

To facilitate that, NVIDIA developed the 4th Gen NVLink with a new NVLink Switch system that can connect up to 256 GPUs to deliver up to 9X the bandwidth of previous-generation InfiniBand systems. NVIDIA will be shipping the NVIDIA H100-based systems in Q3 2022, with DGX H100 and DGX SuperPod servers, as well as servers from OEM partners featuring the GPUs. As the NVIDIA H100 supports PCIe 5.0, do expect to see next-gen CPUs in the NVIDIA DGX solutions.
Pokdepinion: Well, now I am just hoping to see what’s coming on the gaming end. Will get these fancy new SMs and Tensor cores?
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Enjoy Cashback with Acer Malaysia Products – If You’re Shopping Around, Use This

The folks over at Acer Malaysia has started a new promotion for a wide range of their products where customers can take advantage of some cashback with their purchase. If you’re gonna buy stuff anyway, be sure to take advantage of this.
Enjoy Cashback with Acer Malaysia Products

Today, Acer Malaysia announced that they will be celebrating with all Malaysians by giving customers 6% cashback on all Acer products. This promotion will be going on from now until 31st May 2018.

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The products that are eligible under this promotion includes all ranges of desktops, laptops, monitors, as well as accessories. If you were planning to buy anything from them, you can save some of your extra cash just by taking advantage of this deal.
To enjoy the 6% cashback, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:
How to Get The Acer Malaysia 6% Cashback

Purchase the Acer products as per the retail price.
Click on this link right here, and fill up the necessary details in that form.

The form will be asking you for your basic details as well as information on your purchase for verification purposes. Once everything has been verified, customers with have their 6% cashback banked in directly to their bank account. The redemption date will end on 8th June 2018. Simple, isn’t it?

If you’ve been eyeing for a particular Acer Predator gaming laptop, or perhaps a brand new monitor to get those high frame rates to really show, this would be a good time. This 6% cashback will matter even more if you’re going to make a big purchase so feel free to take advantage of this. Remember, this promotion ends on 31st May 2018.
Pokdepinion: With the recent announcement that GST will go down to 0%, many people will wait until then to make a purchase so I think Acer Malaysia decided to do this as a way of telling customers that they don’t have to wait. It’s still a good move nonetheless.
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HUAWEI’s New MediaPad M6 10.8-inch Now Available In Malaysia With Free Gifts Worth RM568

HUAWEI Malaysia has recently launched their new tablet, the HUAWEI MediaPad M6 10.8″ here in the country.
The new HUAWEI MediaPad M6 10.8″ comes with a quad-channel, quad speaker sound system as well as long-range amplitude speakers, tuned by Harman Kardon.
Coming with a 2K HD display, the MediaPad M6 10.8″ comes with an all-new exclusive HUAWEI ClariVu technology, creating a more cinematic audiovisual experience.

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Powering the tablet up is a Kirin 980 chipset and a big 7500mAh battery under the hood. To charge it up, it comes with a 18W fast charging support.
The battery can last up to 11 hours on continuous 1080p HD local videos, according to them.
There’s also the M-Pen Lite, should you want to write down something. Not to forget, they’ve got the Kids Mode, where it offers a safe way for you children to utilize the tablet and still have fun.
You can get the HUAWEI MediaPad M6 10.8″ now, starting from the price of RM1,899. Purchases comes with free gifts like the M-Pen Lite, as well as a smart leather case with keyboard, worth RM568 (while stocks last).
Pokdepinion: I don’t really use tablets but seeing the specs, it sure does look like that it packs quite a punch.
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Call of Duty Mobile Battle Royale Mode Details Unveiled

Recently, we posted about Call of Duty Mobile going live for its beta stage and being available in selected countries. Now, we have more details on the mobile game’s battle royale mode which I’m sure many gamers are looking forward to play.
This wouldn’t be the first time that a Call of Duty would have a Battle Royale mode, and it seems like it’ll be very different than Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode. While the Mobile mode will share Blackout’s solo, duos, and quads features, as well as its player count of 100 players, this new mode will feature a brand new revive system, the ability to choose between 3rd and 1st person perspectives and locations from both the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series.

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Some examples of these locations include Estate from Modern Warfare 2, Crash from Modern Warfare 1, Diner from Black Ops II’s Zombies mode, and Launch from Black Ops 1. In what can be described as the biggest change from Blackout to Mobile’s Battle Royale, this version will have classes that allow you to spawn in with specific items. If you wanna read up more about the classes, click right here.
While the game currently doesn’t have a release date, its beta is currently ongoing in certain regions, so if you registered earlier in the year, you may have received an invite. It is expected to be officially released for Android and iOS sometime this Summer 2019.
Pokdepinion: I’m just hoping the game won’t lag like crazy and the servers will run fine.
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Sony X80H 4K Ultra HD LED TV Is Now Up for Pre-Order with Free Gifts

If you’re looking for a brand new TV for Netflix, gaming, or simply your viewing pleasure, then this would be good news for you. Sony Malaysia has officially announced that pre-orders for the Sony X80H 4K Ultra HD LED TV is now open, and you will get some free gifts with it.

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The Sony X80H comes in four different sizes; 75-inch, 65-inch, 55-inch, and 49-inch. Sony claims that it will give the most immersive viewing experience in its class with improved depth, textures, and natural colours thanks to the 4K HDR Processor X1. It is a Smart TV powered by Android 9.0 Pie, and it’s capable of easily connecting to most devices, including Apple AirPlay and HomeKit 4.
It is compatible with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Despite the slim body, it still managed to pack speakers inside known as the X-Balanced Speaker. For the pre-order prices of each model, we’ve listed them below here:
Sony X80H 4K Ultra HD LED TV Prices

75X8000H: RM9,699
65X8000H: RM5,399
55X8000H: RM3,799
49X8000H: RM3,099

You can pre-order any of the four models listed above at all Sony Stores online, KLCC, The Curve, and selected Sony Centres in Malaysia. Each pre-order will get you a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and RM100 Netflix gift card for free. Pre-orders will close on 31st March 2020.
What do you think of the TV? Join the discussion right below here:

For more details on the TV, click right here.
Pokdepinion: The prices are pretty okay if you’re targeting the bigger sizes. Just make sure you know the features you want are included in the TV before buying it.
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New Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories Sees AC Valhalla’s Eivor Meet AC Odyssey’s Kassandra

Ubisoft announced today that Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories starring Eivor and Kassandra are now accessible. Both storylines are free for owners of the respective base games, with one involving Eivor and Kassandra in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and one featuring Kassandra or Alexios in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
See Eivor meet Kassandra in Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories

Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories is the franchise’s first cross-game project, led by Ubisoft Quebec in partnership with Ubisoft Montreal. The content seeks to address the question “What happens when two Assassin’s Creed characters meet?” by allowing players to enhance their experience in the franchise and examining the relationships between the two games’ heroes, as well as offering new locales to explore and a compelling plot.

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A Fated Encounter, an Assassin’s Creed Valhalla crossover narrative, requires players to have reached Settlement Level 4 and finished the objective “A Wise Friend,” in which Eivor assists Valka in establishing herself in Ravensthorpe.

To access the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey crossover tale, Those Who Are Treasured, players must have completed Chapter 1 and arrived in Megaris, but it is advised that players complete the main game’s three story arcs (Family, Cult of Kosmos, and Mythology) to avoid spoilers.
As part of Ubisoft’s 35th Anniversary festivities, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will be available for free on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, and Windows PC via the Ubisoft Store and Steam from December 16 to December 19. During this time, fans will be able to purchase Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at up to 75% discounted and continue their weekend progress. Visit here for more information.

Pokdepinion: The concept of Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories is pretty cool. Kudos to Ubisoft for making it happen. AC Odyssey is not my favourite AC game but I really like Kassandra/Alexios. Haven’t had the chance to play AC Valhalla yet though so I don’t have a connection with the game’s protagonists.
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First Borderlands 3 DLC Expansion Teases the Return of Handsome Jack

"Ready to bring down the house, sugar?" Tune in for the reveal of #Borderlands3's first campaign DLC Wednesday, November 20 at 8am PT on https://t.co/qfFciTSVll!Learn more: https://t.co/Zu8nwBJgYy pic.twitter.com/WDXEl5Thtj— Borderlands 3 (@Borderlands) November 14, 2019

Despite some technical hiccups with the game, Borderlands 3 is a commercial success and is one of the best-selling games this year. There have been a few updates since the game launched in September 2019, including the Bloody Harvest event which ends on 5th December 2019. Now, we have received a teaser for the first DLC campaign expansion.
Gearbox Software released a short 30-second video on the game’s official Twitter account. It features the iconic Borderlands villain Handsome Jack as a hologram. The teaser did not feature any voice lines from Jack, but it does heavily tug at the idea that he will be making a return in some way or another.
We are expected to hear more about this DLC campaign expansion next week at “The Borderlands Show” on 20th November 2019. This will be the first of four DLC campaigns for Borderlands 3, as seen in the roadmap for the game. The next one that will be happening is the Maliwan Takedown event starting 21st November 2019.

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We’re uncertain as to when the DLC campaign expansion will be released. It may pop up as soon as December, after the Maliwan Takedown event is over, but that’s merely speculation on my end. We’ll just have to wait and see what they have to share with us at The Borderlands Show next week.
If you’re not sure whether the game is worth it or not, check out our review by clicking right here.
Pokdepinion: Borderlands 3 didn’t quite feel right for me without Handsome Jack, so I do hope it’s happening for real.
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5 Useful S Pen Features You Should Use With Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra marks the spiritual return of the Galaxy Note, as it we finally got back the S Pen with its own dedicated slot. It also means you get the full-fledged experience as well, complete with Air Gestures. If you’re unfamiliar with it, here are 5 useful S Pen features that you should make use of.
S Pen Unlock

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Like most modern Android smartphones today, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra can be unlocked through fingerprint scanning, face recognition, PIN code, and more. However, that might not be exactly intuitive when you’re already holding on to the S Pen. As it turns out, you can actually unlock the device with it.
In Settings > Advanced Features >S Pen, all you have to do is enable the feature and you can unlock the device by pressing the S Pen button. However, keep in mind that the first time you do so after enabling, it will ask for your PIN code / pattern / usual method of unlocking to confirm. Afterwards, you can unlock it with the press of a single button.
Smart Select

Smart Select is arguably one of the most useful features with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It essentially lets you take specific parts of a screenshot with ease instead of saving the entire thing.
All you have to do is remove the S Pen / tap on the Stylus Button on the display and tap on Smart Select. From there, you choose from shapes, from pre-defined ones or you can draw your own shape, and use it to save a specific part of what’s on display. You can even make a GIF out of it as well, which will record the animation specifically for the part you’re capturing.
Air View

To put it simply, Air View is a way for you to interact with your Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra without touching the screen. With the S Pen, all you have to do is hover over pictures, links, videos, and more and you get to preview them before tapping them. You can also use it to magnify or scroll through web pages if you wish, and it typically works best with Samsung’s own apps. Give it a try and experiment to see how it works with other apps.
Convert to Text

Are you bored of typing and would rather write? Now you can with the S Pen. All you have to do is head over to Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen and enable “S Pen to text”.  With this, you can write words and it will automatically turn them into text.

The accuracy is dependent on how neat and clear your writing is, and it will only work with the Samsung Keyboard.
Translate with S Pen

Have you ever been somewhere with posters or signboard that you can’t understand as it’s using a different language? That will be a worry of the past as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra can help translate it for you with ease. Simply snap a picture of what you need translated, tap on the Stylus button on the display, and select Translate.
From here, all you have to do is hover over the word you want translated and it will show what the word means in your preferred language. This also works with other pictures, documents, web pages, and more. Basically, anything with text that is still clear enough for the AI software to recognize, so blurry pictures may result in inaccuracies.
In case you missed it, check out our Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review by clicking right here. If you’d rather get the Plus version, click here instead for that review.
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Meta to Build Its Own “Generative AI” Following Google and Microsoft

It appears that Meta wants to have something like ChatGPT and Google Bard for their social media platforms, focusing on generative AI.
Meta is Powering Up with Generative AI

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is reportedly building its own version of generative AI, similar to Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing AI. In a recent Facebook post, Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of a new top-level product group focused on generative AI. According to a Bloomberg report, this team will be led by Ahmad Al-Dahle, a machine learning and artificial intelligence executive who reports directly to Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox.

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While Zuckerberg’s post does not provide much detail about what users can expect from this new AI initiative, it is likely that the technology will eventually be integrated into Meta’s range of products, particularly chat apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. Zuckerberg also mentions the potential for generative AI to be used in Instagram’s creative filters and ad formats, as well as for video and multi-modal experiences.

However, Zuckerberg acknowledges that there is still a lot of foundational work to be done before the company can realize its futuristic experiences. This puts Meta behind its AI competition, with Microsoft already testing its own Bing AI for a limited number of users.
Despite this, the creation of a dedicated team for generative AI signals the company’s commitment to advancing this field. With Al-Dahle at the helm, they could potentially develop an AI that rivals the capabilities of ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing AI, providing users with more advanced and personalized experiences across its platforms.
Source
Pokdepinion: If we thought their social media platforms aren’t scary enough, it’s going to get even more “meta” when they’ve fully harnessed the power of AI. At that point, we really have to think what we can do to protect our privacy and security.
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TM Confirms Data Breach Affecting Over 250,000 Unifi Customers

Telekom Malaysia (TM) has confirmed that a data breach occurred recently, affecting over 250,000 Unifi customers in the country.
Telekom Malaysia (TM) Confirms Data Breach

It was recently discovered that a database containing the personal data of Unifi Mobile customers had been put up for sale on a database marketplace. The listing claimed that the database contained around 2.7 million entries, but telecommunications company TM, which owns Unifi Mobile, has stated that the number of customers affected by the data leak is actually 250,248.

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The leaked database included information such as full name, phone number, and email for both individual and small and medium-sized business customers. TM has confirmed that the data leak is legitimate and has released an official statement on the matter on the Unifi website.
TM has stated that all customers affected by the data leak have been notified and assured those who did not receive notification that they were not impacted by the leak. The company has implemented additional security measures without disrupting services and is conducting further assessments of the situation.
They have also reported the incident to various authorities, including the National Cyber Coordination & Command Centre (NC4), the Privacy & Data Protection Department (JPDP), and the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC). However, the statement did not provide any information on the cause of the leak or whether it was caused by internal / external parties.
Source
Pokdepinion: Not exactly a great way to end a year and start a new one but it is what it is. If you’re a customer, take any and every countermeasures you can to avoid or at least minimize potential issues down the road.
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A Number of PS5 Games Will Not Make It To the PS4 As It’s “Simply Impossible”

With the PlayStation 5 coming up, we know that a number of PS4 games are expected to be playable and enhanced on the next gen platform. At the same time, many gamers are expecting PS5 games to also make its way to the PlayStation 4 as not everyone will be jumping ship just yet. This piece of news will shed some light on what we can expect in the future.
A Lot of PS5 Games Simply Can’t Work With the PS4

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During the DualSense livestream with Geoff Keighley, Senior Vice President Marketing and Head of PlayStation Network Eric Lempel mentioned that they can’t bring PS5 games, at least a big number of them, to the PlayStation 4. The reason cited was because the games require new hardware and devices.
A big pillar of our company is innovation: it’s a pillar of Sony Corporation and it’s also a pillar of the PlayStation company. We are always trying to push the boundaries of play, we want to excite gamers and deliver new experiences. In many cases, we can’t take everyone with us from previous consoles because you need new hardware and devices.
Senior Vice President Marketing and Head of PlayStation Network Eric Lempel
It was also mentioned that they aren’t abandoning the PlayStation 4, just that some games like the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart can’t be made for the PS4. This isn’t necessarily because of the lack of CPU and GPU power but rather new features that are built into the DualSense controller.
In other words, some games will require stronger hardware to run whereas other PS5 games will take advantage of new features for a better gaming experience. In these cases, it’s simply impossible to be made for the PlayStation 4.
If you’re wondering what PS5 games are coming thus far, click right here.
Source
Pokdepinion: Well, can’t say I’m exactly surprised. If every next gen game could run on current gen hardware, it would limit the potential of next gen gaming as well. I just want all PS4 games to be compatible with the PS5 to make it worthwhile.
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Dark Souls Remastered for Nintendo Switch Delayed – PS4, Xbox, and PC Version Unaffected

Many are excited for gaming sessions filled with rage and salt overflow with the upcoming Dark Souls Remastered game. Unfortunately for Nintendo Switch gamers, the game has been delayed whereas for the other platforms, its release date will be unaffected.
Dark Souls Remastered for Nintendo Switch Delayed

The infamously difficult RPG classic is getting a long-awaited revival with the upcoming Dark Souls Remastered, and while the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC versions will still be coming out next month, Nintendo Switch owners unfortunately will have to wait just a little bit longer.

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The folks over at Bandai Namco has officially announced that the Nintendo Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered has been delayed from its original release date of May 25th 2018. The release date is now set to “later this summer,” alongside the upcoming Solaire of Astora Amiibo that will coincide with the release of the game.
Regarding the delay, Bandai Namco stated that “the new release timing gives the development team the time needed to make sure Nintendo Switch players can fully appreciate the true Dark Souls experience anytime and anywhere, thanks to the unique portable nature of the console.”

Bandai Namco also stated that the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC versions’ release will be unaffected by the delay and will still release next month as originally planned, with the delay specifically affecting only the Switch version.
Dark Souls Remastered will release for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on May 25th 2018, while the Nintendo Switch version will release sometime later this summer.
Pokdepinion: Well, looks like a bunch of us will be going back to the salt mine again. Don’t you worry, Nintendo Switch owners, you can use the extra time to build up some patience because you’re definitely gonna need it for fear of breaking your portable consoles.
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MSI announces exclusive partnership with WTFast GPN

MSI is ever at the forefront to bring the latest gamer-centric hardware and software to their fans, and this time it’s a exclusive partnership with WTFast GPN to offer 2 months of the premium version of the WTFast GPN for free. If you aren’t sure what is WTFast GPN, it is a gamer private network which essentially reroutes your data to the gamer servers along the shortest path possible, giving you the less latency and a more enjoyable online gaming experience.

Last month when we had issues with extremely high ping in Malaysia, a lot of gamers turned to WTFast GPN to enjoy their game in that trying time. WTFast is currently the best choice for online battle game optimized for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), such as Starcraft, Final Fantasy as well as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games. Through the global network of over 100 servers, WTFast built an exclusive gaming highway to reduce game-changing ping spikes and 70~90% bad router hops so as to enhance the network speed and quality for that added edge.

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For more information about this offer, head over to https://gaming.msi.com/promotion/wtfast.

Pokdepinion: In combination with the great Killer Networking hardware, WTFast stands to be a game changer for MSI gamers.
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Apple admits their MacBook Pros throttles excessively — releases software update to fix the issue

Apple’s latest 2018 MacBook Pros were hot news recently. The laptops throttled and had to be put into a freezer to extract more performance out of them, especially the top-of-the-line Core i9 variant. And Apple admits the issue, and has since released an update to fix the issue.

Tests performed by CNET revealed that the MacBook Pro is now capable of maintaining  more stable temperatures and clock speeds, as compared to before the update. Apparently there was a missing digital key in the firmware that affected the thermal management system. With the stabler thermals and clocks, the performance should also be better now.

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The issue was previously highlighted when performing heavier tasks like rendering videos with Adobe Premiere Pro. So, the MacBook Pro is finally Pro again? You can get the latest macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update here, or just wait for it to be pushed to your MacBook Pro.
Source: CNET
Pokdepinion: How did they miss out the digital key from the firmware in the first place?
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