POCO M3 With 6000mAh Battery And 48MP Triple Camera Launched From RM599

POCO Global has today officially announce the arrival of the new POCO M3, an entry-level smartphone that packs a huge 6000mAh battery and 48MP triple camera setup.
POCO M3 launches in Malaysia

The POCO M3 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset. In terms of memory, it packs 4GB RAM that’s paired with either 64GB or 128GB internal storage.

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As we’ve mentioned earlier, the device packs a big 6000mAh battery under the hood and you can charge the battery with the 22.5W fast charger that’s included right out of the box. It should be noted that the device supports up to 18W fast charge however.
Other than that, it sports a 6.53-inch FHD+ Dot Drop display with 2340 x 1080 resolution. Then we head to the cameras. It sports a triple camera setup at the back that consists of a 48MP main camera, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor. As for the front, it comes with a 8MP selfie shooter.
You got the lovable 3.5mm headphone jack, dual speakers and it is Hi-Res Audio certified. Running on MIUI 12 for POCO, the POCO M3 is priced at RM599 for the 4GB/64GB variant and RM699 for the higher 4GB/128GB model.
Think that’s a bit high of a price? Well great news. You can get the devices at early bird prices of RM499 for the 64GB variant and RM599 for the 128GB variant, while stocks last on their Official Online Store Global on Lazada. In addition to that, those who purchase the POCO M3 on the 27th of November will receive a free Mi In-Ear Headphones Basic Piston Earphone, while stocks last.
Pokdepinion: That’s quite the price. If you’re wondering if you should get the smartphone, worry not. We will review the phone and let you know of our full thoughts so stay tuned for that!
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Meet Cooler Master’s New MP860 Dual Surface RGB Gaming Mousepad

Cooler Master has recently introduced their latest dual sided RGB gaming mousepad, the MP860. It is the first piece from the company’s M800 series to launch.

The Cooler Master MP860 boasts dual surfaces allowing you to switch from blazing speed on its cloth surface to precise control on its anodized aluminum surface. It comes with 19 LEDs around the mousepad, where you can customize up to 16.7 million color options and choose from an array of lighting effects to suit your style. You can also synchronize it with selected Cooler Master peripherals.

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Cooler Master MP860 is now available for purchase. You can get the gaming mousepad at the price tag of RM299.
Pokdepinion: Coming with aluminum, the price of the MP860 certainly seems worth it. You know you’ve got to complete your gaming setup with all of them RGBs and that includes your mousepad :P
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Genshin Impact 2.2 Leak Reveals Kokomi 4-Star Banners and Weapons

If you’re planning out your Primogem expenditure in Genshin Impact, then this would be important to take note of. The 4-star characters coming as part of the Kokomi banner, along with the weapons, have allegedly been revealed in the latest leak.
Genshin Impact: Kokomi 4-Star Banners and Weapons

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According to a recent leak, the 4-star characters that will be coming as part of the Kokomi banner, which is a 5-star Hydro character, will be Hydro-sword user Xianqiu, Cryo-polearm user Rosaria, and Electro-claymore user Beidou. This also potentially points towards the possibility of Noelle and Barbara being a part of the next banner for the 4-star characters.
As for weapon banners, we will be getting Everlasting Moonglow, Primordial Jade Cutter, and The Stringless, among other weapons. This may be a bit of a disappointment compared to the characters as not many gamers fancy the Everlasting Moonglow. As such, I wouldn’t be surprised to see many gamers skip out on it again.
Genshin Impact is currently available for free on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and PC. A Nintendo Switch port of the game coming in the near future.
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Pokdepinion: I can already hear my friends screaming in excitement for the character banners. It would be pretty funny if they ended up wasting their Primogems but hey, at least I’ll be there to comfort them…and laugh at them afterwards.
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Xiaomi Mi 11 First Sale Available On 20 March 2021

Meaning to get your hands on the brand new Xiaomi Mi 11 but didn’t managed to pre-order the flagship device? Well the folks at Xiaomi Malaysia has revealed that the device can be purchased starting from the 20th of March 2021, which isn’t far away from now.
Xiaomi Mi 11 first sale in Malaysia
Coming with a Snapdragon 888 chipset, the Mi 11 comes equipped with a 108MP triple camera setup at the back, cinematic audio, as well as 50W wireless charging support. It sports a 6.81-inch AMOLED DotDisplay which offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. To make things sweeter, it offers WQHD+ resolution with 10-bit colour technology for clearer and smoother transitions.
The company has said that the device will be available at the Xiaomi official store on Lazada as well as offline at Authorized Mi Stores and other official retailers in Malaysia for RM2,999 for the 8GB+256GB variant where it will be available in Midnight Gray or Horizon Blue.

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You might want to get it quickly as the first 100 customers who register their purchase receipt and take a selfie with your brand new Mi 11 will receive an exclusive AIoT premium pack that’s worth RM1,356. The offer is only valid for the date itself, 20 March 2021. To enter, you can register by attaching a selfie taken with your Mi 11 while also showing your purchase receipt at the link right here. Additionally, 3500 units of Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic 2 that’s worth RM139 will be given to customers for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’ve been looking for the 8GB+128GB variant, Xiaomi Malaysia has said that they will announce the availability of the variant at a later date. Want to learn more on the Xiaomi Mi 11? Do check out our full review of the Mi 11 right here.
Pokdepinion: Better act quickly if you plan on getting the device for that special freebie!
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Ghost Of Tsushima Developers Chosen As Ambassadors Of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima was a major hit with PlayStation gamers, adding to the platform’s list of epic titles. Now it seems that it is so good that the mayor of real-life Tsushima wants to award them the role of ambassadors of the island.
Sucker Punch appointed ambassadors of Tsushima

Both Nate Fox and Jason Connel, directors for Ghost of Tsushima has been picked by the island in becoming tourism ambassadors. The ceremony will be held online, which is understandable given the pandemic that we are in right now.

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Fox and Connell spread the name and history of Tsushima to the whole world in such a wonderful way. Even a lot of Japanese people do not know the history of the Gen-ko period. When it comes to the world, the name and location of Tsushima is literally unknown, so I cannot thank them enough for telling our story with such phenomenal graphics and profound stories.
Hiroki Hitakatsu, Mayor of Tsushima
Aside from that, the mayor has also revealed that they plan on working together with Sony to create a tourism campaign that’s based on the video game, helping tourists to learn more on the island.
Once the pandemic sees an end, Hitakatsu has said that the city plans on inviting both of them plus the entire Sucker Punch team to the island as a form of thank you to them.
In case you’ve haven’t heard about the game or missed out on our full thoughts on the game, do check out our Ghost of Tsushima review right here. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
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Pokdepinion: When I first heard about the game, I actually googled the island to see whether it was real. So, Sucker Punch really did announce Tsushima to the world. It’s good to see that they are acknowledging the work too.
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New Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Expected to Ship in 2023

Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C port instead of the Lightning port. According to analyst Ming Chi-Kuo, the new earphones could ship between Q2-Q3 2023.
New AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Port Set to Arrive in 2023, Says Ming Chi-Kuo

Apple may be releasing a new version of the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C connectivity, according to a recent iOS 16.4 release candidate for developers. The update includes references to new AirPods with model code A3048 and a new AirPods case bearing model designation A2968. These are believed to be the USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2, which were launched last year with a Lightning port.

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Famous analyst Ming Chi-Kuo claims that the new AirPods will be shipped between the second and third quarters of this year. However, there are no other details on the USB-C version of AirPods Pro 2, and it’s unclear whether there will be any other hardware changes besides the charging case.
Apple is also expected to release the iPhone 15 lineup this year with a USB-C port instead of the Lightning port. Kuo claims that there are no plans for USB-C versions of AirPods 2 and 3, which means the AirPods Pro 2 will be the first truly wireless earphones from Apple to switch from the Lightning port to USB-C.
While the lack of information about the USB-C version of Apple’s latest earbuds may leave Apple enthusiasts wondering what to expect, it’s still exciting news for those who are eagerly waiting for the next iteration of Apple’s TWS earphones.
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Pokdepinion: I’m not expecting much difference in the new iteration aside from the USB-C implementation but if there is any, it would be a welcome one. By default, it’s already a solid choice that you can’t go wrong with if you’re already within the Apple ecosystem.
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One hour was all it took to sell 11 000 realme Buds Airs

realme has just launched the realme Buds Air in India, and they broke the Indian sales record with 11 000 units sold in just an hour. This is despite this being realme’s very first true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones.
The realme Buds Air is offered in the regular white and black color options, as well as the realme signature yellow. The styling of the realme Buds Air are heavily inspired by a certain other popular pair of earphones, and will inherit the same ergonomics as well, fitting right into your ear canals.

Powering the realme Buds Air are the custom R1 chips with Bluetooth 5.0 support. Aside from pumping music to your ears, the realme Buds Air come with intelligent touch controls for everything from answering and ending calls to activating your realme smartphone’s performance mode.

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realme will be entering the Internet of Things (IoT) segment with full strength in 2020, and the realme Buds Air is proof that realme is not just a smartphone brand, but a brand that will bring a smart fun life for the young.
Pokdepinion: I wonder how much will they cost here in Malaysia…
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First xR Stage Launches In Malaysia

3Particle Solution Sdn Bhd announced today the launch of Malaysia’s first xR Virtual Production using Unreal Engine and Extended Reality Technology, in collaboration with educational partner Giochi Academy, managed by Giochi Technologies Sdn Bhd. This joint venture aims to provide a higher level of virtual production to the Malaysian market and attract and nurture more talented students into the event/film/broadcast industries.
First xR stage is now in Malaysia

And, in partnership with a group of collaborators that includes professionals in sound, light, video, and LED solutions, Cine/Broadcast specialist and in-house cinematography studio, led by 3Particle x Giochi as the heart, will provide a full xR Virtual Production solution to all companies, event or creative agencies, as well as broadcast or film production in Malaysia and internationally.

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Extended reality is a technology that combines virtual and physical worlds in live production environments to create completely interactive experiences using Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). It’s a cutting-edge method for film, television, and live event productions. Camera tracking and real-time rendering are combined in xR to create an immersive virtual world that can be used live on set and captured directly in-camera. If the audience is live or virtual, immersive xR content will engage them like never before.

At the same time, 3Particle Solution Sdn Bhd is bringing you Malaysia’s first owned xR Level, a virtual production studio dedicated to xR, located near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Sunway Subang Business Park. The xR Stage is the first in the Malaysian industry, according to disguise. In the disguise community, there are 65 xR stages in the APAC area, out of a total of 282 worldwide.
This Malaysia-based xR stage studio facility has received a multi-million Ringgit Malaysia investment in both resources and talented staff to kick start, study, grow and create a talent pool, and it is ready for virtual production on any scale from live broadcast/event to commercial/feature film. For more information on the new xR stage and the technology behind it, do check out the website right here.
Pokdepinion: This technology is awesome! I remember seeing something similar when I watched the behind-the-scenes look at The Mandalorian and my mind just exploded. This just opens up so many possibilities with modern filmmaking.
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Silicon Motion has put plans for next-gen PCIe 5.0 controllers in motion

PCIe 4.0 storage is still far from mainstream, with most of the PCIe 4.0 drives in the market being prohibitively pricey. Then there’s also the fact that most PCIe 3.0 drives are also fast enough to deliver a great user experience. With all that said, Silicon Motion has already started working on PCIe 5.0 SSD controllers.
PCIe 5.0 will bring double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, which means that a PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD should be capable of up to 16GB/s read and write speeds. It is worth mentioning that Silicon Motion announced that they are working on enterprise-grade SSD controllers set for a 2022 release.

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On the consumer end, we can probably expect PCIe 5.0 SSDs with Silicon Motion controllers in 2023. Both Intel and AMD reportedly working on consumer-oriented platforms that support both DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. Intel might be the first to bring PCIe 5.0 to the table, with the 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake processors slated to come with support for the faster interface as early as September.
As usual with all new standards, do expect early PCIe 5.0 drives to be exorbitantly priced, at least until the standard becomes more mainstream.
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Pokdepinion: And here I am, using a SATA SSD in my desktop…
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Black Shark 4 Has The Best Audio On A Smartphone According TO DXOMARK

DXOMARK has just published their audio review of the Black Shark 4 and looks to be quite impressed by it. After putting the upcoming gaming phone through multiple tests, DXOMARK has crowned the new Black Shark phone as the best sounding smartphone on their smartphone audio charts.
Get the best audio with the Black Shark 4
This comes just mere weeks after the Mi 10S toppled the ROG Phone 5 on the benchmarking website’s smartphone audio charts as the best sounding smartphone. The Black Shark 4 scored 81 points, beating the Mi 10S by just one point and beating the ROG Phone 5 by two points.
Image credit: DXOMARK
According to the benchmarking website, the Black Shark 4’s dual speakers perform very well during audio playbacks. The audio performance of the dual speakers are very consistent and are superb for watching movies, listening to music as well as playing games. Though the BS4 performs worse than the Mi 10S in terms of recording with the complaints generally revolve around its poor distortions. You can check out the full report right here.

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The Black Shark 4 will be launching on 23 March and will feature top-tier specs such as a Snapdragon 888 SoC, a 6.67-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,500mAh battery, as well as 120W fast charging. The gaming smartphone also includes the glorious 3.5mm headphone jack.
Pokdepinion: I’m getting really curious about the new BS4. Looking forward to its launch coming soon.
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Hideo Kojima Reportedly Developing New Horror Game

Image source: The New Yorker

After Death Stranding, many were wondering what’s next for Hideo Kojima. While there were reports of a non-game project being worked on, it appears that he might be working on a new horror game.
New Horror Game by Hideo Kojima?

According to Junji Ito at Comic-Con 2020, he has been in contact with Hideo Kojima on a potential horror game. Due to the use of non-commital language however, it’s a bit hard to say whether the game is officially in the works, still in early stages of planning, or might have even been scrapped altogether.

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I do know director Kojima and we have been in conversation that he may have a horror-based game that he may be doing, and so he has invited me to work on that, but there are no details on it yet.
Junji Ito
If it is indeed true, it would be an interesting prospect as the last time the man himself has worked on a horror game, it was when he was still in Konami working on Silent Hills P.T. which happened to also star Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead fame.
Given how popular P.T. became, I’m sure many of us would want to experience a full-length horror game by Hideo Kojima. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
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Pokdepinion: I hope it’s a proper horror game like how P.T. turned out. That really scared the pants outta me.
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Listen To Spotify Tracks Directly From The Facebook App Via New Miniplayer

Spotify has just announced a new miniplayer that lets users listen to music tracks and podcasts directly from the Facebook app. This eliminates the need for users to switch apps back and forth in order to listen to tracks or podcasts shared on their Facebook News Feed.
One less reason to leave the Facebook app with Spotify’s new miniplayer

Starting today in select markets including Malaysia, Spotify Premium users can discover and experience songs and episodes with full playback directly from Spotify inside the Facebook app on iOS and Android. Spotify Free users can enjoy the same great experience via shuffle mode with accompanying ads from Spotify. Moreover, fans will be able to play songs via the miniplayer from selected verified artists’ tweets, as well as from user-uploaded videos on Facebook that include licensed music, in addition to Spotify shares to Facebook News Feed.

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For those worried about privacy concerns, Facebook will only have limited access to user data from the miniplayer’s integration with the app and the advertisements will come straight from Spotify themselves. Check out the video below to see Spotify’s miniplayer in action.

Pokdepinion: This is actually a pretty useful addition and I am sincerely glad Spotify and Facebook decided to add this in.
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Your Windows Laptop’s Touchpad Can Do Great Things You May Not Know

For a pointing device, touchpads don’t get the same amount of attention like mice do. Most people focuses on its size and sometimes, clicking feel – but not much beyond that. Though it’s worth mentioning that just a few years ago, most laptop touchpads are handled by a company called Synaptics so the features do differ between each laptop (and features get somewhat fragmented as a result).
That’s a non-issue these days since virtually all touchpads are managed by Windows Precision Touchpad (which happens to be co-developed with Synaptics too), so every touchpad on Windows laptop functions exactly the same across different sizes and shapes. That being said, there’s quite a few more gestures that you may not be aware of, on top of what is given by default on every laptop – so here’s a few examples that you can take advantage of. (Note: Windows 10 used as demonstration – similar steps apply for Windows 11.)

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Head to Settings, then Devices > Touchpad. Scroll down and you’ll see this section: by default, the ‘Swipes’ setting is set as ‘Switch apps and show desktop’, however you can pick other presets from here based on your usage preference. Those who are heavy on media consumption may prefer the ‘Change audio and volume’ option, which essentially turns your touchpad into a volume wheel with three-finger vertical scroll.
There’s another option as ‘Switch desktops and show desktop’, however this preset is fairly redundant as there are more efficient ways to perform the same action. At this point you can also change how the three-finger tap and four-finger tap behaves, but for now – leave these options aside first, as you may need to use it to complement the advanced controls that we’ll talk about in a second (and you can still set it in the next page). FYI – the current configuration is what I personally use on a daily basis.
Now, the real secret of this feature is Custom – as seen above. To enable custom mapping, the page is hidden in probably the worst spot there is – “Advanced gesture configuration” on the right side of the window under the “Related Settings” section. (Windows 11 should have this section of the setting more visible.)

You’ll be greeted with the new page that lists all the controls you can remap, like these images below:

Here, the settings allows for huge amounts of customization on how your swipe behaves on each direction – you can remap up to 10 functions in total (tap, swipe left, swipe right, swipe up, swipe down in three-finger mode and four-finger mode). At this point I suggest you experiment with each one of them and see which one suits best to your way of navigating through Windows.
In my case, I pick ‘Switch apps’ on three-finger swipe up which brings Alt+Tab interface when I pull three fingers, and you can nudge one finger to select which window you want to land on. Simply release the fingers and it’ll immediately jump to the selected window – much faster than actually pressing Alt and Tab together and cycle through each one of them by pressing Tab repeatedly.

If you’re a browser-heavy user, this next one should make navigating between tabs a lot quicker. We know that Ctrl+Tab and Ctrl+Shift+Tab switches to next and previous tab, respectively (tip: it works in most apps that contain tab elements). But switching between tabs are technically not a native feature on Windows (with the exception of Microsoft Edge working around this by presenting each tab as a ‘window’ when you access Alt+Tab window switcher), so to get this to work we’ll need to set what is essentially a macro key.
To do that, simply pick the method you prefer (I recommend three-finger swipe left/right, but you can do four-finger swipe if you prefer it that way), then on the drop down select ‘Custom shortcut’. Here, you’ll be asked to set a custom shortcut key to execute when performing the swipe action – click ‘Start recording’, then press Ctrl+Tab on your keyboard, and click Stop recording. Do the same on the other direction, this time with Ctrl+Shift+Tab instead.
When this is done, you can simply swipe with three or four fingers to rapidly scroll through multiple tabs, or just between the two. Pro tip: this works best when you have multiple windows, and have a separate mouse (with side buttons) with a dedicated macro set as Alt+Tab to switch between browser windows, that way you can peek through multiple tabs quickly – useful if you need to keep a close eye on multiple live feeds – or if you’re just a heavy social media user.
Do the same for four-finger swipes – you can set whichever you like based on what you use most. In my case, I went with media controls (and have the four-finger tap set as Play/pause), so I don’t need to switch to media player in order to call the next track. Some laptops that do not come with dedicated media keys will probably find this extremely useful (my ROG STRIX G17 happens to be one of them, somehow).
And you’re set! There’s plenty of options here to choose, so don’t be afraid to try out each of them to see what fits your workflow best. Now your humble touchpad should be able to do a lot more things – and improve your productivity too, if you can harness the feature properly.
Info source: Ars Technica
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Rockstar Games Confirm GTA 6 Leak Is Indeed Real

Recently, alleged leaks of GTA 6 has apparently made its way online. Now, Rockstar Games has basically confirmed that it is indeed real, and here’s what you need to know.
The GTA 6 Leak is Real After All

Recently, there were a good number of leaks on the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, which reveals the game’s setting, gameplay, and protagonists. While it’s hard to determine its authenticity, a Bloomberg reporter has cited sources from within the company itself which claims that the leaks were indeed legitimate.

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With this, it makes GTA 6 the biggest leak that Rockstar Games has experienced thus far, with sources mentioning that the gameplay footage may have been from an early build of the game, though how early is unknown. Parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has begun taking down the leaks that are circulating on YouTube and Twitter.
The hacker who leaked it claims to have access to the source code of GTA 5 alongside a test build of GTA 6. It has been reported that the hacker is negotiating with Take-Two Interactive to reach a deal so no more information will be leaked out on both games.

A potential, unfortunate circumstance of the leak could mean that there will be less remote work on GTA 6 as a means of strengthening security surrounding the development of the game. However, this may also cause the game to be delayed as it would affect the time needed to develop it.
In case you missed, GTA 6 will be taking place in Vice City, with the protagonists apparently being a couple going by the name Jason and Lucia. The game hasn’t been officially announced but Rockstar Games did confirm that they are working on an entry in the franchise. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
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Pokdepinion: Seems promising but I wouldn’t expect the game to come out until at least 2024 at the rate we’re going. I would be even more worried if it somehow launched next year as it might end up being a buggy mess.
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1MORE Malaysia Offers 11% Off On Their Products This 11.11

We’ve reported previously that 1MORE has landed in Malaysia, offering several of their audio products to the market. Well now they’ve announced of their first-ever 11.11 promotional campaign on Lazada.
1MORE Malaysia 11.11 promo

Starting from today till the 13th of November 2020, 1MORE is giving customers the chance to purchase through Lazada vouchers at 11% off with a minimum spend of RM250. This applies for three of their latest models; 1MORE True Wireless ANC In-Ear Headphones, 1MORE Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless Headphones, and 1MORE ColorBuds True Wireless In-Ear Headphones. The voucher can be claimed at their official store on Lazada.
In case you’re wondering, we’ve previously reviewed the 1MORE True Wireless ANC In-Ear Headphones. Do check the link to find out more on the product.

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Pokdepinion: If you’re the type of person who enjoys bass, you definitely would want to check out their offerings. Who would say no to discounts, right?
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VISA Cardholders To Get Google Wallet via Android and WearOS Devices

VISA has announced the launch of Google Wallet for its cardholders on both Android and WearOS devices. Hong Leong Bank (credit card) and Public Bank (credit and debit card) is now available to make purchases through Google Wallet – with HSBC, HSBC Amanah credit card holders set to receive this feature in the coming months.

Per 2021 Consumer Payment Attitudes report from VISA, contactless payment solutions has increased by 60% among Malaysians; citing health safety and convenience as the factors in usage as opposed to cash payments, due to the pandemic. Among 70% of all transactions were made contactless, highlighting the increased interest among Malaysians.

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“The impact COVID-19 had on the mobile payment landscape saw shifts in preference for digital payments, with more Malaysians opting for safer and more convenient payment solutions and having an overall positive attitude towards new payment trends,” said Ng Kong Boon, Country Manager for VISA Malaysia. “The introduction of Google Wallet will enable more Visa
cardholders to make seamless and secure payments both online and face-to-face, propelling the country into becoming a cashless society.”
How does Google Wallet work? It process payments by generating tokens from actual account numbers – which is done as soon as you add a card into the Google Pay or any other respective banking apps. The tokens is then used to process any payments – this way, the card information is not exposed to third-party when a user performs a transaction, keeping the sensitive info safe.
VISA cardholders will be also able to perform transactions on WearOS or Android devices running Android 5.2 or later and download the Google Wallet app from the Play Store.
Pokdepinion: A welcome addition – I have already seen some merchants stopping cash payments altogether so this is certainly the next step up.
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Google Photos Can Now Recognize Your Face, Even When Facing Backwards

We’ll let you decide if this lands on the uncanny valley spot – but Google now has the capability to tag faces even when they’re completely facing opposite to the camera. As Android Authority’s Rita El Khoury found out, the Photos app now silently gained the feature to recognize faces even from just the back, and tags them correctly for the most part.
As the writer noted, Google Photos simply does not tag person from such images before the feature came into play – because there simply is no face to begin with. That all changed recently as she found out many of the photos (even before the feature was added) taken from the backside has been figured out by Google. While this is almost dark magic, there may be a few potential explanations.

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The most obvious would be AI (or ML, machine learning) – as it is all the rage these days – and Google presumably has trained its model for such scenarios for the intention to recognize faces with off-center angles (side profile, tilted, wearing masks, or even just warped by camera perspective). It perhaps got so good that the app managed to figure out the person in question simply by looking at the back of someone’s head, which is nothing short of impressive… and probably a small bit of uncanny-ness in it too.

While this is indeed wild, it looks like the app isn’t 100% confident, so it instead tells the user there are “face available to add”. Not entirely automated, but still plenty useful when it’s not expected that AI is powerful enough to do this. That said, some edge cases apply: including photos where it’s a close-up side angle of face, which the app didn’t know a face is there, a wider zoom with the same angle, however, has been figured out by the app. The writer noted around “80-85%” success rate among the photos taken from behind or in partial angles.
Google has yet to comment on this, nor there seem to be any information regarding updates to face recognition definitions. Good news for those who often tag photos, though at this point you might ask: is AI getting too smart?
Pokdepinion: Artificial intelligence can be really powerful on some applications, that’s for sure.
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Google Services Experienced A Massive Outage – Affected YouTube, Gmail And Others

Nope, you were not the only one having issues reloading YouTube as it seems that the whole of Google Services was affected by a massive outage just now. We’re not sure what the cause is as of yet but services such as YouTube and Gmail went pretty much offline. It affected both the respective websites as well as their apps. Even apps that use Google Services were down.
Google Services went out

It seems that services are starting to slowly recover at the time of writing. Though there are reports on social media of people still having issues reconnecting to Google Services. Some are even reporting that they were logged out of certain apps. So do check if you’re affected by that.

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We will provide updates as soon as we have more information.
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Hacknet Is Now Free On Humble Bundle – Get it now!

Now you can call yourself #GengHackerz

Ah Humble Bundle. What would ever do without you? Where else can we find a platform that offers such interesting free games as frequent as these guys? Nowhere. And speaking of free games, to promote it’s upcoming spring sale Humble Bundle is currently offering Hacknet for free over at their store. You will also be getting the Hacknet official soundtrack together with the game.

For those of you who are in the dark as to what Hacknet is all about, it’s a hacking simulator. Here’s a more detailed summary of what the game is all about (via Steam).
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports. Using old school command prompts and real hacking processes, you’ll solve the mystery with minimal hand-holding and a rich world full of secrets to explore.
Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive security system on the planet, is dead. When he fails to reconnect to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As that user, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and ensure that Hacknet-OS doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Exploring the volatile nature of personal privacy, the prevalence of corporate greed, and the hidden powers of hackers on the internet, Hacknet delivers a true hacking simulation, while offering a support system that allows total beginners get a grasp of the real-world applications and commands found throughout the game.
I have to admit that prior to Humble Bundle giving this game out for free that I wasn’t even aware of this game’s existence. Though that’s what I love about the free games Humble Bundle puts out, more often than none it’s never mainstream games that people out there can instantly recognise. It’s always those hidden gems which for me as a gamer, appreciate immensely as it opens my eyes to more obscure games that need just a little bit of love.

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Hacknet is available to download nor for free for a limited time only. Click on the link below to get your very own copy!
Click here to get Hacknet for FREE
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Dying Light 2 Was Announced ‘Too Early’ Says Developer

It seems that it’s been forever that we’ve been talking about Dying Light 2. Well now it seems that the folks behind the game, Techland, has said that they’ve announced the game way before they should have.
Dying Light 2 announced too early

The game was revealed at E3 2018 and the developers has said that they should’ve probably never announce it that early. It was rumored that they were facing “development hell” where it was the reason behind them to be unable to release the game just yet. In response, here’s what they’ve said on their official Twitter account:

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AFAIK the definition of a dev hell requires the game to not make any development progress, while DL2 keeps moving forward, we announced the game too early but it’s far from being in a dev hell
While we all know that the pandemic didn’t help as everyone would be working from the safety of homes, it seems that anonymous workers have reportedly revealed that the company’s CEO has made it more difficult for their work to be done. This led to delays as well as interruptions, reportedly.
If rumours are to be true, Dying Light 2 is to be released “before summer 2021” and the game will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source
Pokdepinion: It’s been a long time since they’ve revealed the game.. I for one don’t mind to play the waiting game, as long as the game is as good or even better than the original title. Hopefully the reports of them having issues in the company isn’t true and the game comes out sooner rather than later.
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Get Good iPhone 14 Deals with Ease at iTworld and GLOO

With the launch of the new Apple iPhone 14 series, iTworld and GLOO has rebates, gift cards, same day delivery options and more for you to enjoy. Here’s what you need to know.
Apple iPhone 14 Promo at iTworld

Reputable Apple authorized reseller iTworld is currently running a promotion, where you can pre-order the latest Apple iPhone 14 series devices with ease and enjoy some perks. You can purchase the new colour variants for all the aforementioned devices and get it delivered to you in 4 easy ways:

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Same day delivery for selected areas in Ipoh, Klang Valley, Penang and Kelantan (pre-order cutoff time at 12PM on 21st September 2022)
Standard delivery via courier (shipping charge applicable)
Buy online pickup in-store (BOPIS) at SNS Network HQ at Ipoh, 14 GLOO outlets and 13 iTworld outlets (pre-order cutoff time at 12PM on 22nd September 2022)
Buy at Shopee and enjoy Shopee In-Store Pick Up at iTworld Mid Valley, iTworld Starling Mall & SNS Network HQ at Ipoh.

RM200 deposit is required during pre-orders, with the remaining balance to be paid during pick up in store. For those of you who opt for Same Day Delivery & Standard Delivery, the full payment will be required during the pre-order process.
iTworld Exclusive Offers

For those of you who want an easier time to get your hands on the new devices, there are two purchase options for you to consider at iTworld. The first option is Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) with 2 different payment options; Atome and PAYLATER Malaysia.
With Atome, the debit card limit can be extended up to RM5,099. Furthermore, you will be eligible for an RM100 PWP voucher (RM300 minimum spend) for your next purchase upon a minimum purchase of RM3,500 when buying the iPhone 14 or 14 Pro series. A similar RM100 PWP voucher (RM899 minimum spend) will be given to PAYLATER Malaysia users as well with a minimum spend of RM4,199 for an iPhone 14 or 14 Pro series.
The second option is for a long-term instalment plan with up to 48 months repayment period and 0% interest rate. The benefits you get will be dependent on which bank you’re servicing:

For Standard Chartered Bank users, enjoy up to 48 months instalment with 0% interest rate
For UOB users, get RM150 e-cash voucher
For HSBC users, get RM100 e-cash voucher

Voucher redemption is based on a first come, first serve basis, with limited quantities available. Terms and conditions apply.

By purchasing from iTworld, you will be entitled to a number of perks, including:

Complimentary Year 2 warranty for every iPhone 14 series purchase
3-month premium access PIXLR gift card
RM100 e-cash voucher for customers who redeemed during the GLOO Rewards voucher giveaways
Screen crack protection plan at a special price of RM189
RM200 additional rebate when trading in eligible models of the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
Discounts for Apple original accessories, including Apple AirPods Pro at RM849
Accessories package promotion consisting of SwitchEasy phone case and screen protector at RM129 and a PWP offer for Aukey 20W charger at RM50

If you’re looking to trade in your old device, iTworld can give up to 50% on all iPhone 13 and 13 Pro series models, and it’s valid until 31st December 2022 exclusively at their physical retail stores.
GLOO @ AEON Exclusive Offers

By purchasing from GLOO, you will be entitled to a number of perks, including:

Complimentary Year 2 warranty for every iPhone 14 series purchase
3-month premium access PIXLR gift card
RM100 e-cash voucher for customers who redeemed during the GLOO Rewards voucher giveaways
Up to 36 months instalment for successful AEON Easy Payment Plan applicants
Accessories package promotion consisting of SwitchEasy phone case and screen protector at RM129 and a PWP offer for Aukey 20W charger at RM50

In case you want to see the terms and conditions for all the offers mentioned above, click right here.
Pokdepinion: My hands are already itching for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. I think it’s about time I get an upgrade, especially since I would prefer a bigger screen.
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Dual GPU Cloud Gaming PS5 Allegedly In Development at Sony

A mid-lifecycle upgrade for game consoles isn’t a rarity in today’s world, as we’ve seen Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony do it before. In the case of the latter, there is a dual cloud gaming PS5 console variant allegedly in the works. Here’s what you need to know.
Dual GPU Cloud Gaming PS5 In The Works?

UPDATED Went Live 8th December 2021:
“A device may be run in a timing testing mode in which the device is configured to disrupt timing of processing that takes place on the one or more processors while running an application with the one or more processors. The application https://t.co/Yjp2KsK6DK
— @Zuby_Tech (@Zuby_Tech) December 12, 2021

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Renowned gaming insider @Zuby_Tech on Twitter found a new patent by Sony, which suggests that they are working on a new PS5 console. To be precise, it’s a scalable game console CPU / GPU design for home console and cloud gaming.
The scalable aspect of this goes hand in hand with the patent design, which reveals two APUs within the console. This alone would suggest a much stronger variant of the console, potentially within the realms of a PS5 Pro, like how the PS4 Pro was in the previous generation.
That’s not all as the cloud gaming aspect of the patent is quite intriguing. In case you weren’t aware, previous Sony backwards compatibility patents were updated together with this. It potentially points toward cloud gaming technology being used to add backwards compatibility to the console.
With that being said, do take all this information with a grain of salt. After all, a patent is just a patent and there’s no guarantee something will ever come out of it. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: This would be one way to address a big weakness of the PS5, but the idea of having dual GPUs on a console is certainly astounding. Hopefully, this is a future Pro variant that we can look forward to.
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Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay Shows Game’s New Combat, Equipment And Graphics

Sony’s recent State of Play presented a lot of new and upcoming titles from Sony’s games catalogue which includes Horizon Forbidden West. The sequel to Guerrilla Games’ critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn showed off a new gameplay trailer that features new gameplay elements like the game’s combat mechanics as well as new equipment. The trailer also showcased the game’s graphical improvements over the previous game.
Horizon Forbidden West looks damn good

Horizon Forbidden West looks to have made huge strides in the graphics. The trailer opens with a scene of Aloy tending to a soldier wounded during an ambush which then leads her to run off to get to the bottom of the ambush. The lush greenery and beach setting surrounding Aloy as she moves showcases the kind of graphical upgrades made by Guerrilla Games have made compared to the first game. Also, Aloy looks to be a lot more expressive in this game as she was a little dull at times in Horizon Zero Dawn.

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The combat system has also been given an update with new elements such as Aloy using her environments to her advantage when confronting an enemy. The first combat scene sees Aloy surrounded and outnumbered by new machines called Clawstriders. There we see her use a smoke bomb to kick up sand in an effort to blind her enemies and escape. This ability, which was was not present in the first game, should give players more choices during combat in-game.

The Horizon Forbidden West gameplay trailer also shows Aloy underwater as well as the environment underwater, further highlighting the game’s incredible-looking graphics. Further in another combat situation, you can see also see that Aloy can now modify her spear on the fly which gives her an upper hand against her opponent.

Moreover, the trailer shows off a new zip line tool called the Pullcaster as well paraglider type of equipment called a Shieldwing that allows Aloy to glide from a high point safely to another point on the ground. These two new pieces of equipment can also be used during combat which makes for some cool moves when facing Aloy’s opponents. The previous game’s stealth mechanics makes a return here as well as the ability to hack and take over a machine for Aloy to utilise.

Apart from the new updates, Horizon Forbidden West’s combat system seems largely the same as Horizon Zero Dawn’s with Aloy utilising her Hawkeye-like trick arrows to target highlighted weak points of her opponent. She also has other weapons in her arsenal such as a slingshot that shoots adhesive grenades to give her an edge in battle.

Furthermore, the developers explained that there are many more weapons in the game that Aloy can use in combat. They also stated that there are a variety of enemies that not only occupies the land but also the sky and in the water so players will need to use all combat options offered in-game.

Unfortunately, Guerrilla Games did not reveal the release date of Horizon Forbidden West in the gameplay trailer. What we do know is the game is slated for release sometime this year barring any delays from the developer. The developers also revealed that there will be more reveals close to the game’s launch.
Pokdepinion: I loved Horizon Zero Dawn and the characters and lore the game introduced and can’t dive back in when Horizon Forbidden West launches. I’m going to have to find myself a PS5 first and foremost though.
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Finally Revealed

Fans of the original Space Marine game has been crying out for a sequel for so long and it seems that we’re getting just that as Space Marine 2 has been announced at The Game Awards 2021.
Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2

The game is being developed by Saber Interactive, who have worked on World War Z previously. You will see yourself playing as the main character from the original, Captain Titus.
In case you haven’t played the original title, the game is considered to be among the best 40K title from Games Workshop’s 40K universe where it is a third-person action shooter.

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We can see from the trailer that we’re up against Tyranids, one of the Xenos (alien) faction that’s in the universe.

Unfortunately there’s no announcement of a release date just yet but the game will be available for PC, PS5, and also Xbox Series X gaming platforms. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: I am speechless for words. Every 40k fan would be excited. I know I am. I just hope that the combat would be as satisfying as in the first. Fingers crossed that the game will be good.
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A Factory-Sealed iPhone Just Sold For $63,356.40 At Auction

The value of the original iPhone keeps increasing.
Image: LCG Auctions
Karen Green, the owner of this never-opened, 2007-model 8GB iPhone has finally put it up for auction which sold for $63,356.40 (~RM281,000) in an auction after 27 bids. The original auction price is estimated at $50,000 – far higher than the original retail price of this device which was $599 when released on June 29, 2007.
The story behind this iPhone comes down to this: she had been gifted this particular iPhone from her friend, but due to her using a different telecommunications provider, Verizon, she chose to put aside the iPhone, which only worked with another provider, AT&T – and moved on with her life.

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Image: LCG Auctions
She decided to finally sell it after 15 years as she started a new cosmetic tattoo studio business ever since – and the iPhone can provide some funding support. “The only reason why I am selling that phone is because I need to support this business,” she said in an interview with Business Insider.
This wasn’t the first original iPhone to be sold through auctions. Last year has seen another iPhone sold for $39,000 (~RM173,000); and even the relatively new iPhones – one iPhone X in particular with a modified USB-C port on it – sold for a much higher price of $86,001 (~RM381,200) back in 2021.
Source: PCMag
Pokdepinion: If you have an original iPhone right now, best keep it in good hands – you might see its value appreciate even more.
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[WWDC 2021] Apple is Letting You Use Siri Without Internet Connection

With security and privacy concerns growing ever so strongly, businesses have taken steps forward for improved transparency while also improving usability. Apple will soon let you use digital assistant Siri without the need for internet connection.
[WWDC 2021] Use Siri Without Internet Connection

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At the WWDC 2021 keynote, Apple has officially confirmed that users can make full use of the digital assistant Siri even if you have no internet connection. In fact, Siri will be processing audio on the device itself in iOS 15, which is said to also make it work faster than ever before.
The change to processing audio on-device for Siri will improve privacy as they don’t send the data to servers for data processing. As it is, Apple is known for implementing machine learning features on the device itself, and this move easily goes in line with their strategy.

With that being said however, there will be obvious limitations if you’re using Siri without an internet connection. For starters, you won’t be able to use it to look up anything on the internet. It will be able to assist you on other matters such as controlling music, using apps, setting alarms, and more. Essentially, they’re making it easier to use for everyone no matter where they are.
Pokdepinion: I’m sure they managed to improve the technology over the years based on how people have used the digital assistant. Now, they can comfortably implement the processing in the device itself and it should work just as good as before, if not better.
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ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Review — a truly revolutionary gaming laptop

Intel processors have long dominated the laptop segment, even as AMD has begun to conquer the desktop market. However with the AMD Ryzen 4000 series, that might change as AMD begin bringing their main advantage in the desktop space — high core counts — to laptops as well. And the ROG Zephyrus G14 is just the perfect example of it: with an eight-core, sixteen-thread AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS along with a GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q crammed into a chassis that rivals some of ASUS’ thin-and-light designs. It weighs a mere 1.6 kg and measures less than 18 mm thick. If you want a laptop powered by Intel’s 8-core parts, you would be looking at much bulkier laptops weighing well in excess of 2.0 kg. So, it’s light, it’s powerful, what’s not to love? Well, we will see if we can find anything…
What’s in the Box?

Right off the bat, the box is absolutely stunning. While I must say I have a soft spot for ROG products, this box takes the cake. It’s ridiculously beautiful, and no box has any right to be this beautiful as it would just make it more heartbreaking to do the right thing, i.e. recycle it.

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In the box we get a really small 180W charger, some usual documentation and of course, the laptop. Unfortunately for those who were looking forward to getting that complicated metal figurine thing that came with some of the more premium laptops of the previous generation, that is not included here with the ROG Zephyrus G14.
White Beauty

Our unit of the ROG Zephyrus G14 here comes in beautiful Moonlight White. So our unit doesn’t come with the fancy AniMe Matrix display, but I must say it still looks absolutely stunning. ASUS claims there are exactly 6536 perforations here, and I would take their word for it. While most of the Republic of Gamers have the unmistakable eye emblem, the ROG Zephyrus G14 goes for a much more subtle tag over on the bottom right corner of the lid.

This might also be the first time for a gaming-oriented machine from the Republic of Gamers to come with a white-silver design. The bottom panel here is fully silver, with matching grey feet. While they have stepped away from the edgy black-red aesthetic a few years back, they have only recently considered silver to be a worthy color for the ROG lineup with the Glacier Blue option.

And while ASUS are now exploring new color options for their ROG laptops, the ROG Zephyrus G14 doesn’t forget its gaming roots. The vents are very aggressive, although you won’t see them once you open up the laptop as the lid opens up over the vents with ErgoLift.
This is the first laptop from ROG with ErgoLift, probably as it is designed to straddle the line between a gaming laptop and a lifestyle notebook. So in addition to giving you a slightly more ergonomic typing position, it also raises the laptop’s bottom to give it more room to breathe from. Similar to the Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) that debuted in the first ROG Zephyrus, albeit a lot less complicated.

Once you open up the ROG Zephyrus G14, you will get to lay your eyes on the 14″ display. Once again, this is new territory for ASUS, but they didn’t stop at just bringing gaming-tier performance to a smaller form factor. The display here is a 120 Hz FHD panel, complete with Pantone Validated colors and Adaptive Sync. There are configurations which will let you get the ROG Zephyrus G14 with a higher resolution 1440p, although that tops out at 60 Hz.
Specifications

CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS @ 3.0 GHz (up to 4.3 GHz Boost), 8C/16T, 35W TDP, 7nm

RAM
16GB 3200 MHz DDR4 (8GB onboard + 1x 8GB SO-DIMM)

GPU
AMD Radeon Graphics (8 CU @ up to 1750 MHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q 6GB GDDR6

Storage
1TB Intel 660p PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD

Software
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
GeForce Game Ready Driver 442.74
Armoury Crate
GameFirst VI
GameVisual
MyASUS

Connectivity
Intel WiFi-6 AX200 (2×2 WiFi 6 up to 2.4 Gbps)
Bluetooth 5.0
2 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
1 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps) Type-C
1 x USB-C (USB 3.1 10 Gbps, DP 1.4, USB-PD charging)

Display
14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) 120 Hz IPS-level panel, LM140LF-1F01, Adaptive Sync, 100% sRGB, Pantone Validated
1 x HDMI 2.0b ([email protected])

Audio
2 x 2.5W speakers with Smart AMP technology
2 x 0.7W tweeters
1 x 3.5mm combo jack

Power
180W power adapter
76 WHr Li-Po battery
65W USB-PD charging

Dimensions
324 x 222 x 17.9 mm

Weight
1.6 kg

Performance
One of the highlights of the ROG Zephyrus G14 is of course the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS processor. These processors are specially binned processor developed in a partnership between AMD and ASUS for the optimal balance between performance and efficiency. That’s what allowed ASUS to make the ROG Zephyrus G14 so thin and portable.
Synthetic Benchmarks

But before we get to the CPU and GPU benchmarks, let’s take a look at the storage performance first. The Intel 660p is not the fastest SSD you can find in the market, but it is fast enough for all intents and purposes, with it booting up and loading games in mere seconds. ASUS was also gracious enough to drop a 1TB one in the ROG Zephyrus G14, so you get plenty of space to install everything on it. Unfortunately there’s only one M.2 bay in the ROG Zephyrus G14, so if you ever need to add more storage, it would mean replacing the existing drive.

The AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS is as close as you can get to a desktop processor in a laptop. It literally beats the desktop Core i7-9700K in both single-core and multi-core runs, and comes so close to the flagship mainstream processor from Intel that I think Intel are literally quaking in their boots right now. For some reason, it can actually boost to 4.4 GHz instead of the 4.3 GHz max according to AMD’s specifications.

The GPU performance on display here is really quite impressive, especially when you consider it outperforms certain non-Max-Q GeForce RTX 2060 laptops too.

We see a similar scenario in Time Spy, with the ROG Zephyrus G14 exhibiting extremely good performance for a laptop with a cut-down Max-Q variant of the GeForce RTX 2060.

Port Royal tests the raytracing performance of the GPU, and once again it beats out the GeForce RTX 2060. ASUS did claim that the GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q here is augmented by ROG Boost to deliver 1298 MHz boost clocks at 65W. While I didn’t look too much into it, I guess ASUS weren’t just pulling fancy terminologies out of their behind.

As you might expect, it also offers good performance in the PCMark benchmark, which indicates excellent performance for everything you would want to do on your PC..
Gaming

…which will most probably be gaming, considering that this is, at its core, a gaming laptop. The ROG Zephyrus G14 does well in most games, with the GeForce RTX 2060 posting playable scores in most titles, although you might want to dial down the graphics in the likes of Metro Exodus and Borderlands 3. The latter puts a ridiculously high load on graphics cards, although the highest settings doesn’t give you much better looking visuals than some of its lower settings.
Battery life

The ROG Zephyrus G14 delivers some of the most impressive battery life numbers I have seen on a gaming laptop. Do note that the ROG Zephyrus G14 comes with a mere 76 WHr battery, as compared to the 94 WHr battery in the only laptop which bested it. With more cores, more threads and a beefier GPU, the ROG Zephyrus G14 is just mind-blowingly efficient. Do note that the display dims down to 200 nits by default thanks to AMD’s Vari-Bright technology, thus these rather ridiculously good figures. When calibrated to 300 nits, we clocked five hours and 15 minutes, which is still a decent showing, albeit one not as insanely good.
Thermals
The thermals of the ROG Zephyrus G14 is quite a bit more interesting than in any previous Intel-based laptop I have tested. While most of them throttled at around 100°C, the ROG Zephyrus G14 actually ran up to 102°C without any indication of throttling. So I decided to run Realbench to put the CPU cores to work and monitor what’s actually happening under the hood.

The pink line is the temperature graph while the pale blue one is the package power. You can see the Ryzen 9 4900HS hit a peak of 102°C for just one data point throughout the 30-minute run of Realbench’s stress test, and it maintains a boost with all the cores maintaining an average of 3.625 GHz for 120 seconds. During most of this period, the CPU was hitting around 94°C, aside from the two peaks which saw it hit in excess of 100°C.
After that, clocks dropped down to an average of 3.04 GHz until the end of the test. Thermals were a lot more manageable here, with random spikes here and there although the average was a decent 85°C. You can see that the graph is actually showing that the temperature is gradually rising, so it hints that the cooling system of the ROG Zephyrus G14 is actually being saturated by the heat output of the CPU and GPU. It’s not really being overwhelmed yet, and I must say that that alone is a momentous achievement considering that this laptops has more cores and threads than any 14″ laptop before it.
Meanwhile when it comes to power draw, the CPU power draw peaked at 64.867W according to HWiNFO, before tapering off to just a smidgen below 35W in the long straight area you can see in the graph. You can definitely run it off 65W USB-PD chargers if you aren’t trying to play games on it.

Moving on, let’s take a look at the GPU thermals. I only saw a peak of 72°C when running gaming benchmarks, with boosts figures that typically hover around 1440 ~ 1545 MHz. In Realbench we actually saw it boost to around 1650 MHz, although that’s not really representative of boost clocks possible in gaming, but rather when the CUDA cores are at work. 65W is the cap when it comes to power consumption, which is exactly in line with ASUS’ claims.
User Experience

The ROG Zephyrus G14 is definitely the lightest and smallest gaming laptop I have ever laid my hands on. While I received it during the RMO, I did carry it around my living space to get on various tasks, just because it is so light. I really didn’t mind the 1.6 kg weight and I do wish more gaming laptop can be like this. If SuperDaddy is reading this, I hope he will consider getting this for me as my work laptop as I absolutely love the mobility and also the seriously mind-blowing battery life.
One question that I have frequently asked gaming laptop manufacturers is why aren’t we getting fingerprint scanners in gaming laptops? Every major gaming laptop brand has a content creator-oriented lineup which do come with fingerprint scanners, so we know they have access to the technology. Well I guess ASUS got tired of that question and finally threw in a fingerprint scanner in the ROG Zephyrus G14. It’s not just any fingerprint scanner though, as it features Single Sign On (SSO) technology that caches your fingerprint from the time you press it to power the ROG Zephyrus G14 up until when Windows requests fingerprint authentication. Just press your registered finger firmly on the fingerprint scanner when turning on the laptop, and you would be logged in immediately.

I do have my concerns with security considering that it has a cache of your fingerprint, although I do believe the engineers at ASUS and Goodix has already worked on preventing misuse of the cache. In practice, it works well enough that Windows logged in without a hitch using my fingerprint, although I did have to make sure to press the power button a bit more firmly and for a moment longer than usual. You can also use it like a normal fingerprint scanner, putting your finger on to authenticate when you reach the lockscreen, although that somewhat defeats the purpose of ASUS investing in what should be a more costly solution. Well, at least ASUS has finally given me a fingerprint scanner in a gaming notebook.
Keyboard and Trackpad
For a 14″ laptop, the keyboard is relatively spacious. My main complaint would be the awkward positioning of the PrtSc key between the right Alt and Ctrl keys, which made me hunt for it a bit. Once I got over it, I had a pretty good experience typing on the ROG Zephyrus G14. I do wish the keyboard was a bit more tactile like my ROG Strix SCAR II, but travel length was sufficient and I do appreciate the slight tilt that the ErgoLift mechanism offered.

Meanwhile the touchpad here is of the frosted glass variety, which my fingertips smoothly glided on. Tracking is pretty accurate too, thanks to the Windows Touchpad Precision drivers, although I do prefer the clickers to be separate from the tracking area as I often use the touchpad with two fingers and tracking can get wonky when two fingers are moving around on the tracking surface. Now while we recorded some worrying temperatures, the palm rest area is relatively unaffected. With temperatures of around 32°C in the areas beside the touchpad, it was quite comfortable to work on even when crunching CPU-intensive workloads. The bottom side is a different story though, with a whopping 52°C recorded in the center of the underside. The center area above the keyboard near the vents are a rather toasty 42°C too.
Lights and Sound

Now, let’s take a closer look at the display. There are relatively minimal bezels around the 14″ panel, which help the ROG Zephyrus G14 maintain a very small footprint despite its impressive performance. The lower bezel is a bit thicker, just like all the slim-bezel laptops in the market. And since that the vents exhaust hot air directly at the screen area, having a thicker bezel here might also be for practical reasons. For those who are planning to use the ROG Zephyrus G14 for video conferencing, you would be quite disappointed as there’s no built-in webcam in the ROG Zephyrus G14. Not even a nose cam.
          94.3% sRGB coverage            71.1% DCI-P3 coverage            68.2% Adobe RGB coverage
The display itself offers good coverage of the sRGB gamut, with it also being PANTONE Validated to ensure more accurate colors. The whites are a bit cooler than the sRGB standard of 6500K though, with our Spyder5 measuring the whitepoint of this display to be at 7014K instead. Now in case you were wondering why ASUS claimed 100% sRGB when it doesn’t exactly hit 100% coverage, that’s probably because the gamut volume of the display is 101.2% sRGB, 71.7% DCI-P3 and 69.7% Adobe RGB.
And while the good color response is great for work, it also features Adaptive Sync which uses the iGPU in the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS to offer FreeSync capabilities to eliminate tearing in games. And you don’t even have to worry about turning off Adaptive Sync just to enjoy better battery life, as AMD’s iGPU is the one in control, unlike NVIDIA’s implementations which required you to turn off Optimus to use G-SYNC. This is truly an awesome advancement for the laptop industry and I am glad that I managed to try it out first hand here in the ROG Zephyrus G14.

Audio on the ROG Zephyrus G14 is actually than what you get on most laptops, thanks to two additional tweeters in the palm rest which deliver the highs directly at you, while the downward-firing speakers on the bottom of the laptop provide more depth to the sound. It goes very loud and I did find even bass-heavy music like U Got That by Halogen and Bitconnect EDM Remix by Dylan Locke to be rather enjoyable on the ROG Zephyrus G14’s speakers.
I/O Ports

There’s a nice selection of ports on the ROG Zephyrus G14, although more is always welcome in this area. On the left you get the charging port, a HDMI 2.0b port and the multipurpose USB-C port that also carries DisplayPort and USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gbps) signals as well as supporting USB-PD charging. And there’s the combo headphone jack.

Meanwhile over on the left we find another USB-C port, although this one is a bit less versatile with it only supporting USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gbps). This is accompanied by two USB 3.0 ports, just enough for you to plug in a mouse and a thumb drive. A SD card slot would have made the ROG Zephyrus G14 absolutely perfect although I can understand that there is very limited room in the 14″ form factor to offer more ports. The area to the left of the USB-C port looks empty from the outside, but inside, that space is occupied by the 76 WHr battery.
Pre-installed Software
One rather common complaint with ASUS devices, be it their smartphones or laptops, is the pre-installed software. ASUS has gradually reduced the amount of software they install from the factory, and the ROG Zephyrus G14 actually doesn’t come with that many. In fact, I miss the Sonic Studio suite that ASUS used to pre-install on their gaming laptops. You get the Armoury Crate and MyASUS, and that’s about it this time around.
Verdict: a true game changer
So I thought I have outgrown gaming laptops for quite some, and developed a preference for ultraportables instead. I blamed it on age. But the ROG Zephyrus G14 proved me entirely wrong. I have not outgrown gaming laptops, but I have merely outgrown heavy laptops. The ROG Zephyrus G14 is a perfect example of you getting your cake and eating it too, with it being as light as many ultraportables out there, offer just as much battery life, and yet, still give you the performance necessary when you want to kick back and enjoy some games.

So would I recommend the ROG Zephyrus G14? Well, ASUS Malaysia has yet to announce the local pricing of it here in Malaysia, with them also observing the Restricted Movement Order (RMO), but we have found it priced from $1449.99 in a Best Buy listing. That converts to around RM6308, which is a ridiculously good price for such a laptop. Of course after taxes and everything, the pricing may differ, but I do believe anything below RM7000 is already an insanely good price for this laptop, given the performance we saw. And I only mention a RM7000 price point because of the gaming performance, but if you consider the improved productivity with eight cores instead of six, the stunning design, the battery life, the sheer portability of it… Absolutely perfect.

Our thanks to ASUS Malaysia for sending us the ROG Zephyrus G14 for review.
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Microsoft Is Experimenting With New Volume Mixer UI For Windows 11

The audio settings gets decluttered and now kept under one roof.
Image: Microsoft
Microsoft has brought in a new change to the Windows 11 insider Dev Channel (Preview Build 25309), specifically targeting the audio volume mixer. The updated UI will allow users to adjust the volume of individual apps directly from Quick Settings as opposed to going all the way to Settings menu (or Volume Mixer) in the current official version of Windows, and the previous ones.
Aside from that, there’s a new shortcut key for power users in the form of Win+Ctrl+V to pop out the audio controls right away. Aside from master volume and per-app controls, the menu can access more advanced audio settings such as audio outputs (onboard speakers, headphones), as well as spatial audio mode (i.e. Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos).

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Expect some wait times before this lands onto a future Windows update, though. Microsoft says this feature isn’t even fully rolled out to the most restricted Dev Channel “just yet”, so there should be a lot more testing to be done before this gets passed down the development pipeline.
Source: The Verge
Pokdepinion: I’d welcome this change very much – changing audio settings in Windows right now isn’t the easiest for novices, let’s say. (Also makes it more convenient for us power users.)
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Western Digital launched WD Pro Series – My Passport Wireless Pro & My Cloud Pro Series

Western Digital today introduced the latest WD Pro Series: My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage and My Cloud Pro Series network attached storage (NAS). Designed specifically for the creative community, the WD Pro Series enables seamless transfer of content between devices, with classic WD reliability and speed, regardless of whether users are on a remote shoot, in the studio or editing at home.

The products use the My Cloud mobile app – the new version of the app which will be launched with the My Passport Wireless Pro and My Cloud Pro Series and be compatible with the Adobe Creative Cloud.  In addition, both the My Passport Wireless Pro and My Cloud Pro Series devices are also compatible with the Plex™ Media Server and My Cloud OS 3 software for easy editing, streaming and sharing of content.

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My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage
My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi lets creative professionals and enthusiasts leave the laptop behind when on a shoot. With direct AC wireless connection, creators can automatically backup files from compatible cameras, save, edit and transfer work seamlessly up to eight devices connected to the drive. Tethered connections are also available for faster transfers and include a built-in SD card reader as well as a USB 2.0 port.

Available in capacities up to 3TB, the My Passport Wireless Pro device features up to 10 hours of battery with the built-in 6400mAH battery pack which also can be used as a powerbank. My Passport Wireless Pro devices include compatibility with Adobe’s Creative Cloud for mobile photo and video editing, as well as compatibility with Plex Media Server, which is capable of playing up to four streams of content while on-the-go.

My Cloud Pro Series network attached storage
Offering up to 32TB of storage, the My Cloud Pro Series NAS are optimized to import from cameras/memory card readers and other USB storage with a simple one touch backup button. Simply as connect your cameras and compatible USB storage devices and press the backup button.

MY Cloud Pro powered with an Intel Pentium N3710 quad-core 1.6GHz processor with 4GB of RAM and a hardware-accelerated video processor. The video processor is used for transcoding stream content to and from popular formats, including 4K video. We’re also told that the video processor is capable to encode video content to another format that iOS devices could play, thus eliminating compatibility issue.

Pricing and Availability
My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage is available at select retailers in August with suggested retail price at RM 1,099.00 for 3TB. The My Passport Wireless Pro storage will offer a 2-year limited warranty.

My Cloud Pro Series NAS will also be available at select retailers in August with suggested retail price at RM 1,759.00 for the diskless My Cloud Pro 2-bay (PR2100) NAS, RM 2,699.00 for 4TB, RM 3,279.00 for 8TB, RM 4,229.00 for 12TB and RM 4,599.00 for 16TB

Meanwhile the suggested retail price for the My Cloud Pro 4-bay (PR4100) NAS is RM 2,589.00 for diskless, RM 4,159.00 for 8TB, RM 5,749.00 for 16TB, RM 7,699.00 for 24TB and RM 7,999.00 for 32TB. The My Cloud Pro Series will also offer a 2-year limited warranty for diskless models and 3-year limited warranty for populated models.

Pokdepinion: I’m more interested with the My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage. It could be convenient when we are going to any event as the whole team can utilize all the shared pictures to share with our fans. With this, it’s easy to manage all our social media accounts even if one of the team members is not at the event. It would better if they came with a diskless option too.
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vivo V7+ up for pre-orders in India; priced at just RM1442!

The vivo V7+ which has been teased over here in Malaysia has already been announced and available for pre-orders over in India. Through the announcement at India, we have a rough idea of what to expect in terms of specifications and pricing once it arrives here in Malaysia on the 26th of September.

The highlight of the vivo V7+ has got to be the FullView display, which is the 5.99″ 18:9 1440×720 18:9 IPS panel that takes up the front of the device. This allows vivo to join LG and Samsung with their extra-wide displays, albeit the screen packing a much lower resolution compared to those offered by the Korean brands.

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The octa-core Snapdragon 450 in the vivo V7+ is a good choice by vivo, as it is a pretty recent design manufactured on the 14nm FinFET process. This should ensure that the smartphone will feature pretty decent battery life with its 3225 mAh battery. Charging will be through a microUSB 2.0 port, an oddity considering that vivo has decided to use such a modern display here. You will also be getting 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage, rather standard stuff by now. The vivo V7+ runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box, but with vivo’s track record with updates, that might very well be the last Android version you are getting.

Camera wise, you will be getting a 16MP f/2.0 rear shooter featuring PDAF accompanied by a higher resolution 24MP f/2.0 front camera with soft LED flash. Despite featuring only a single camera, the vivo V7+ comes with a portrait mode to blur out your backgrounds, for better emphasis on your subjects.

The vivo V7+ will also carry on vivo’s focus on HiFi audio with a AK4376A DAC under the hood. Something which is often overlooked is the SIM tray configuration, which the vivo V7+ nails with the ability to accommodate two nanoSIMs and a microSD card, all at the same time. The vivo V7+ will measure 7.7mm thin, weigh 160g and be available in Matte Black and Champagne Gold in India. It is currently on pre-order priced at Rs 21990 (~RM1442), with availability by 15th September.
Pokdepinion: It’s nice to see vivo using Snapdragon chipsets once again. The design of the vivo V7+ may be rather derivative, but that is not something new for Chinese brands anyway. But more importantly, if the vivo V7+ arrives here in Malaysia with a sub-RM1500 price tag, we may see it sell faster than hot cakes.
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[Computex 2019] ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo ScreenPad Plus Detailed – Productivity will never be the same again

This article details the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo ScreenPad Plus only. If you would like to know about the rest of the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo features, click here.
Last year, ASUS introduced the innovative ScreenPad that brought a fresh breath to laptops turning the touch pad into a productivity secondary display. While ASUS has decided to make it into a mainstream feature this time around, this particular laptop, the ZenBook Pro Duo brings it to a whole new level.
You can combine both displays into one as you were expecting
The ScreenPad on the ZenBook Pro Duo is noted as the ScreenPad Plus, integrates with the primary display, much like a dual-screen display setup that we would have on our desktops, except this one being top and bottom configuration. The built-in ScreenXpert software includes a wide variety of apps, tools and utilities that make ScreenPad even more useful.

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The ZenBook Pro Duo features a 4K Ultra-HD (3840 x 2160) OLED touchscreen display which extends to the partially 4K- (3840 x 1100) ScreenPad Plus that gives you a wider real estate of viewable section on the laptop. In fact, one of the largest in this segment. The primary display itself is a frameless four-sided ASUS NanoEdge design with ultraslim bezels for immersive visuals with an ultracompact form factor.
Basically, the full-width, high-resolution 32:9 aspect-ratio touchscreen sits directly above the laptop’s physical keyboard and touchpad (yep, it has one of that too) enhancing the working area for improved productivity. It can be used just like any standard second display in Windows to display visual content, or use the extensive ScreenXpert control software to enhance your productivity. These include handy quick controls such as App Switcher, ViewMax and App Navigator that enable intuitive interactions and easy cross-screen referencing between the two displays. There is also Task group that lets you lock instantly into work mode by opening multiple tasks with a single touch.

If that is not enough, you can even drag discrete apps, toolbars or menu onto ScreenPad Plus so your main display wouldn’t be too cluttered. If you are a creator, you can even dock tools like video previews, timeline controls, code windows or audio mixer panels onto ScreenPad Plus for improved workflow. Why switch windows when you can just drag and drop? Social apps placed on the ScreenPad Plus allows to keep up to date and respond instantly to messages while working.

To top that off, ASUS is also bringing adaptive functions to the ScreenPad Plus for enhanced workflow. ASUS is collaborating with developers including Corel to optimize adaptive ScreenPad tools for unrivaled productivity. That doesn’t mean that it’s limited to it though as the ScreenPad Plus can use any Windows app without the need for a ScreenPad Plus enabled version.

You thought we were done with the ScreenPad Plus? Bring in the bundled stylus (or any active stylus as a matter of fact) to take this to another level. Being on the flat surface rather than tilted, it makes a perfectly stable writing and drawing platform. There is a bundled deluxe palm rest that enhances the ErgoLift tilting providing a remarkable drawing and typing experience ever.
Pokdepinion: While I could still not get the last year’s Project PreCog out of my mind, the ZenBook Pro Duo is probably what I would want more than it. Review? YOU BET we will!
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Cooler Master Announces RGB Keyboards

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA – Cooler Master, a leader in design and manufacturing computer components and peripherals, announced a selection of keyboards for gamers to choose from at the recently concluded CES 2016. Minimalistic design meets brilliant illumination in Cooler Master’s first RGB mechanical keyboard series with Cherry MX switches. The MasterKeys Pro L is the full-size version, and those seeking a compact version can go with the MasterKeys Pro S, a tenkeyless design. For a more affordable option, the Devastator II is an LED gaming keyboard that comes with a mouse.

“The MasterKeys Pro offers multiple lighting modes. Presets include Color Wave, Breathing, and other responsive effects. You can choose between red, brown, or blue switches to match your tactile preference,” said Kevin Yang, Peripherals Product Manager. “The Devastator II is available in three colors – red, blue or green – which may vary according to regional availability.”

Best of Both Worlds with the MasterKeys Pro L and Pro S
Most RGB keyboards compromise with either bright LEDs or high-quality switches. But with the MasterKeys Pro L and Pro S, you get the best of both worlds: the brightest LEDs and the best tactile feeling that gamers have come to love. Cooler Master completely redesigned the interior to fit both Cherry MX switches and bigger, brighter LEDs that can radiate 16.7 million colors. The MasterKeys Pro L and S also support on-the-fly macros, profile support, and easy-to-use software – all in a sleek, minimalistic design.
Cooler Master Key Pro LCooler Master Key Pro L
Cooler Master Key Pro SCooler Master Key Pro S
Switch Up Your Game with the Devastator II
The Devastator II gives you two gaming devices at one affordable price. The keyboard feels mechanical, with each key providing a crisp, tactile feel thanks to Cooler Master’s new exclusive Mem-chanical switches. The mouse has side buttons, bright LED lights, and on-the-fly DPI adjustment. Whether you are new to PC gaming or a seasoned veteran, Devastator II delivers great performance for an incredible value.

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Cooler Master Devastator IICooler Master Devastator II
Availability:
Devastator II: February 2016
MasterKeys Pro L and Pro S: March 2016
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OnePlus 8 Series To Be Officially Unveiled This 14 April

If you’ve been waiting on the brand new OnePlus 8 series, well great news. The series is bound to be unveiled officially on the 14th of April 2020.
OnePlus 8 Series Official Launch
Beforehand we’ve posted on the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro leak and it seems that the launch will possibly include another model, the OnePlus Z.
OnePlus has said that they will unveil a “newly engineered display with an incredible 120Hz refresh rate”, which most likely to be feature in the Pro version.

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Other than that, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset is likely to be powering both models.
If you are interested on watching the livestream, you can do so either at their official website of even their YouTube channel on the date itself at 11pm (Malaysian time)
For more insights on the series, you can check out our previous post right here. Oh not to forget, you can check out the ‘Interstellar Glow’ OnePlus 8 here.
Source
Pokdepinion: I’m actually more curious on the OnePlus Z right now, seeing that it’s the more affordable phone out of the three (well hopefully..).
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How to Improve Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s PC Performance

Learn how to address the performance issues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PC with this comprehensive guide. A Reddit user discovered a viable workaround that has worked for many fans, resulting in significant performance improvements.
Improving Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s PC Performance

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s PC release was highly anticipated by fans of the series, but its performance issues were a major disappointment. However, a Reddit user has discovered a workaround that appears to solve the problem, resulting in significant improvements in game performance.

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The user, SpicyMemeSyndrome, initially experienced stuttering and low frame rates before applying the tweaks. However, after enabling NVIDIA’s Resizable BAR and anisotropic filtering in the NVIDIA control panel, as well as Super Sampling from 3D settings, the game’s performance improved significantly, running at 105 FPS in smaller areas and 80 FPS in larger areas.

To further improve performance, users can make the GameUserSettings.ini file read-only and set antialiasing to 0, as well as change screen height/width variables to display resolution and any fullscreen variables to 1. They should also set the desired screen height to True and other visual settings to 3. Finally, users should turn off usage sharing and the Origin/EA overlay for a better gaming experience.
While these tweaks may seem complicated, they are worth it for those who want to experience the game at its best. In addition, players can adjust motion blur, field of view, brightness, and other settings through the in-game options, and our own Emma Ward has provided tips on how to best adjust these settings in her latest dedicated guide.
Source
Pokdepinion: It might not be the best way to enjoy the game, but it will certainly make it more tolerable.
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Details of AMD Ryzen 2000 surface — Pinnacle Ridge is cheaper yet faster!

AMD’s upcoming CPUs have been leaked, and they look really impressive, offering higher performance for less money than the previous generation!
AMD Ryzen 2000 — the nail in Intel’s coffin?
AMD gave Intel a hard wake up call when they launched the AMD Ryzen CPUs, forcing them to rush out 6-core Coffee Lake CPUs. AMD’s second generation Ryzen CPUs, the aptly named Ryzen 2000 series are well on their way, but a certain Spanish website decides to jump the gun and leak out all the details of the upcoming CPU lineup from AMD. With everything from pricing to the clock speed of the CPUs, this is a pretty detailed look into AMD’s Ryzen 2000 CPUs.
Zen+ 12nm, enabling faster clocks at the same TDPs?
There are four Ryzen 2000 CPUs that will probably spearhead AMD’s new Pinnacle Ridge lineup. The Ryzen 7 2700X, Ryzen 7 2700, Ryzen 5 2600X and Ryzen 5 2600 feature just as many cores as their predecessors, while offering higher clock speeds.

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Ryzen 7 2700X
Zen+ 12nm
8C/16T
3.7 GHz – 4.35 GHz
105W
$369

Ryzen 7 2700
Zen+ 12nm
8C/16T
3.2 GHz – 4.1 GHz
65W
$299

Ryzen 5 2600X
Zen+ 12nm
6C/12T
3.6 GHz – 4.25 GHz
95W
$249

Ryzen 5 2600
Zen+ 12nm
6C/12T
3.3 GHz – 3.9 GHz
65W
$199

Aside from the Ryzen 7 2700X which has a higher TDP than the Ryzen 7 1700X that came before it, the rest hit the same TDP targets. The Ryzen 7 2700 is particularly interesting, with a 350 MHz gain in boost clocks while maintaining the same low 65W TDP.

Interestingly, the X variants feature Precision Boost Overdrive, which is only offered by newer motherboards with the X470 and B450 chipsets. XFR2 Enhanced is also available only on the newer AMD 400-series chipsets. So if you decide to go with the X CPUs, you may want to splurge on a new motherboard as well. The non-X variants, well, you are good with your current-gen motherboard.
5% faster than the Ryzen 7 1800X, 7.7% slower than the Core i7-8700K
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For gamers who are looking for the best performance, you may still want to look to the Blue camp. AMD is brave enough to admit that their Ryzen 7 2700X is going to be faster than the Ryzen 7 1800X, but is still going to slower by 7.7% when compared against the Core i7 8700K. Of course, we are looking at 1080p gaming, where strong single-core performance thanks to their superior clocks gives Intel the upper hand. We may see the gap close as we scale up in resolution, but probably AMD wants to keep expectations realistic this time around.
Motherboard compatibility?

The slides do point to 21 new X470 motherboards coming from their partners. The launch date is set for 19th April, which should be the time the AMD Ryzen 2000 CPUs hit the market. Older motherboards from ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI will receive updates to support Pinnacle Ridge by mid-March, while ASRock and BIOSTAR are apparently ready for Ryzen 2000 now.
Source: El Chapuzas Informatico
Pokdepinion: I am most interested in how much can these CPUs be overclocked. If the Ryzen 7 2700 can reliably be overclocked to 4.5 GHz or more, AMD will definitely have more fans than they already do now.
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