Teardown of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip reveals glass but it’s in the wrong place

One of the main upgrades that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip touted was the transition from a soft plastic screen to Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). It was rather unfortunate though that you aren’t exactly going to touch the glass, but rather the plastic layer. From a user experience standpoint, you will get the same experience as you would have if you were using a Galaxy Fold, i.e. you get the same easily scratched plastic “protective layer” as the outermost layer on the display.

Samsung’s efforts to make glass bend at will is still a commendable one, but unfortunately it’s probably hindered by their decision to use a protective plastic layer on top. Now, with the Galaxy Z Flip, you get all the brittleness of glass, as it has proven that it can crack pretty easily too, and yet it succumbs to scratches just like regular plastic.

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Now, if you scratch the plastic protective layer, you can’t remove it like you would on a normal smartphone with a screen protector. The plastic is an integral part of the display, and removing it kills the display, just like what it did to the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Samsung has promised that they will be offering a one-time free application of a screen protector for the Galaxy Z Flip, so there’s a layer that you can remove when it gets all scuffed up.

I must say that the Galaxy Z Flip is a step in the right direction for Samsung, with flexible glass and all that, but it is probably still some time before Samsung is brave enough to let the glass layer be what you are touching. In the mean time, if you are interested in the Galaxy Z Flip, exercise the same caution as you would with a plastic screen: there’s glass, but it’s not exactly where it needs to be.
It actually sounds pretty similar to the LG G5’s case, where the Korean company claimed that the LG G5 has an all metal body, but upon JerryRigEverything’s teardown he revealed that there was a plastic layer on top of the aluminium frame. You are touching plastic rather than metal, even though there’s actually metal underneath.
Pokdepinion: Perhaps the Galaxy Fold 2 will let you touch the glass directly with Ultra Thin Glass 2?
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Save up to RM628 with 0% EPP on the Galaxy Note 8 — get 2 months of free installments!

Samsung Malaysia has just announced of a new plan specially catered to those who want to get their hands on their Galaxy Note8 and save 2-months of free installment.
Get Galaxy Note8 Through New EPP

Starting from today, the 8th of June 2018 until the 8th of July 2018, Galaxy Note fans are in for a treat as they can own the Note 8 through the 0% Easy Payment Plan (EPP) and enjoy 2 months of FREE installments.

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The monthly installment plans range from as low as RM262 for the 12-month plan and there’s the RM131 for the 24-month plan.
The Galaxy Note8 is available at all Samsung Stores and selected Samsung authorized dealers in the country. For more details on the deal, you can head on over here.
Pokdepinion: Hmm, I don’t want to say much on it cause I’m not really a Note fan. To be honest, is there people still looking for a Note8? I’d think they would wait to see what Samsung has to offer this time around since it’s already halfway through the year already.
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SK Hynix Gold P31 is the world’s first 128-layer 3D NAND SSD

SK Hynix has just announced the SK Hynix Gold P31 NVMe SSD, the world’s first NVMe SSD to feature 128-layer 3D NAND. This not only allows them to boast of excellent performance, but also really good bang for buck due to the increased density of the 3D NAND.
As it stands, they are boasting of up to 3500MB/s read and 3200MB/s write speeds. Those figures are right up there with the upper echelon like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus. However pricing is a lot more competitive with what most of us can afford, at $75 (~RM313) for the 500GB capacity and $135 (~RM563) for the 1TB variant.
The random write speeds are still pretty significantly slower than the Samsung 970 EVO Plus, but that’s probably of little concern when the SK Hynix Gold P31 costs less than half the price of the Samsung drive. SK Hynix also touts better endurance at 750TBW for the 1TB capacity, when Samsung only promises 600TBW for their 1TB 970 EVO Plus.

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Unlike most SSD manufacturers, SK Hynix uses their own components across the board, with the DRAM cache, 3D NAND and even the controller developed in-house. That probably also allowed SK Hynix to target a more competitive price tag, as they do not need to buy their components from other chipmakers.

The SK Hynix Gold P31 is a PCIe 3.0 x4 drive which might raise some eyebrows considering that PCIe 4.0 is about to go mainstream really soon when Intel releases Rocket Lake, but hey, I doubt we need much faster speeds than this.
Source
Pokdepinion: Finally, some competition for Samsung’s SSDs. But their PCIe 4.0 SSD is just around the corner…
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Sony Malaysia Teaches the Ladies All About Photography with the Alpha Girlfriends Workshop

The first ever ladies photography gathering by Sony Malaysia – The Alpha Girlfriend Workshop
When you want to get the best pictures out, people tend to lean on their smartphones and I can’t blame them for it. It’s easy to use and it’s always with us…unless we accidentally lose it of course. Using a DSLR or a mirrorless camera can seem very scary for the average person, especially with so many dials and settings to consider.
But you can’t deny the capabilities of an actual camera as opposed to a smartphone in terms of imaging quality if you get things right. In a bid to empower the ladies with more photography skills, Sony Malaysia launched the Alpha Girlfriends Workshop.

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Sony Malaysia Presents the Alpha Girlfriends Workshop

On 4th December 2016, Sony Malaysia ran the Alpha Girlfriend Workshop, the first ever ladies photography gathering that allows the participants to learn about the art of photography and hone their skills in portraiture and food styling. Of course, you’d need a professional photographer to actually teach this kind of thing, and that’s where Mr. Wong Mun Hoo, Mr. Shaiful Baker, and Mr. Michael Chee comes in.

That’s right, Sony Malaysia brought in professional photographers from various fields to share their expertise and teach the ladies a thing or two on photography. The participants, armed with the Sony A6000 and Sony A5100 mirrorless cameras, got some hands-on experience via several activities including Henna & Mesmerizing Portraiture, Fun Decoration with Macarons and Food Styling, and Photography.

How did it feel like to be one of the few only guys to attend the workshop? A little scary at first as I honestly thought I would’ve been kicked out but thank god everyone was friendly. It was interesting to see how the professional photographers made their photography teachings, from shutter speed to playing around with the angles, so simple and easy to understand. You didn’t have to be too tech savvy to understand what was going on, and they were open to questions if you got confused.

Of course, this isn’t the only thing Sony is organizing. For the month of December itself, Sony Malaysia will be doing various digital imaging workshops, from photography like the Alpha Girlfriend Workshop to a videography sharing which is happening this Sunday. These events are open for everyone so if you’re interested, you can refer to the schedule below here:

Digital Imaging Workshops 2016

Date
Time
Venue
Activities
Remarks

10.12.2016 (Saturday)
1:30PM
(3 hours)

Sony Store, KLCC
Kuala Lumpur
Click here to get the location.

ILCE-6500 & DSC-RX100M5 & ILCA-99M2 Touch & Try session
1:30PM – Registration
2.00pm – Trainer’s Introduction
2.05pm – Product Explanation
3.00pm – Product Hands-on
4.30pm – Q&A session
5.00pm – End

Course level: Open to all.

11.12.2016 (Sunday)
1:30PM
(3 hours)

YMCA Pulau Pinang
Pulau Pinang
Click here to get the location.

ILCE-6500 & DSC-RX100M5 & ILCA-99M2 Touch & Try session
1:30PM – Registration
2.00pm – Trainer’s Introduction
2.05pm – Product Explanation
3.00pm – Product Hands-on
4.30pm – Q&A session
5.00pm – End

Course level: Open to all.

11.12.2016 (Sunday)
2:00PM
(2 hours)

Sony Store, The Curve
Petaling Jaya
Click here to get the location.

Videography Sharing by Sony KOL Mr Rosli Mohamed
1:45PM – Registration Start
2:00PM – Videography Sharing using by Sony Alpha Camera
3:00PM – Q & A Session
3:30PM – End

Course level: Open to all.

18.12.2016 (Sunday)
11:00AM
(4 hours)

District 21, IOI City Mall
Putrajaya
Click here to get the location.

ActionCam Experience Event
Experience The New B.O.SS of the Action Cameras.
A touch and try session for you to discover the products at the right location to the fullest!
This is one major occasion that is not to be missed
10:30 AM – Registration
11:00 AM – Briefing and Tutorial
12:00 PM – Hands-on Experiential
02:00 PM – Lunch
03:00 PM – Free & Easy
Course level: Open to all.

If you’re interested in participating for any of these digital imaging workshops (except for the ones that have already passed of course), click here and head to the appropriate section to register.
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Did you know about this feature on Chrome?

Chrome has apparently added a Send to your devices back in September. Yes, yes, you can post all the Slowpoke memes you want in the comments section. But it’s really rather nifty.
So how it works is that you can now send the current URL in Chrome from your mobile device to your PC or vice versa, depending on whether you want to continue reading it on the go, or just want to read it on a much larger screen.

From an Android device, here’s what you need to do:

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Tap the URL at the top of the screenTap on the Share iconPick “Send to your devices”Select the device you want to view it on???Profit

From a Windows PC, these are the steps:
Click on the URL in the navigation barClick on the little icon that appears beside the bookmark iconSelect the device you want to view it on???Profit
It seems like the device naming is still a bit of an issue though. The naming of my Android smartphones didn’t carry through, although my Windows PC is named correctly. So if you have smartphones like the ones I am using right now, you will have to remember their codenames as well.
Pokdepinion: How did this feature slip by under my nose?!
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AMD FAD 2020: a glimpse into AMD’s future for AMD CPUs and GPUs

AMD hasn’t hosted a Financial Analyst Day (FAD) since their last one in 2017, and they definitely had a lot to share today. Especially since their financial situation is so much better since 2017 anyways. They also took this opportunity to share their plans for their consumer CPU and GPUs, as well as their datacenter products. Let’s start with the consumer products, shall we?
AMD RDNA 2 – the GPU architecture for PCs and consoles
RDNA 2 is the evolution of the first generation of the RDNA architecture, which was announced at Computex 2019. The first clients to use GPUs from the RDNA 2 family would probably be the upcoming Xbox and PlayStation consoles. It’s worth noting that this isn’t exactly “Big Navi”, as they will be doing more than just slapping on more CUs to deliver better performance.

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The Navi 2X GPUs will feature support for raytracing, bringing it to parity with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX offerings. Interestingly, AMD is also promising a further 50% increase in performance-per-watt over the first generation RDNA GPUs, which will be very interesting to see. Will we finally see RDNA 2-based APUs?

AMD has yet to share the full details of AMD RDNA 2, but they did hint at microarchitectural improvements to deliver improved IPC, increased clock speeds and also logic enhancements which reduce complexity and switching power, all to deliver the 50% gains in perf-per-watt.
Navi 2X is expected to still be made on the 7nm node, although AMD noted an “enhanced 7nm” process.
AMD Zen 3 (4th Gen AMD Ryzen) is on track

AMD shared that they are reportedly still on track to deliver Zen 3 later this year, but unlike with Navi 2X, they are still pretty quiet about the upcoming 4th Gen AMD Ryzen processors. All we know is that AMD will be using an improved 7nm process that’s might be either TSMC’s N7+ (EUV) or N7P (DUV) processes.
Focusing on datacenters with AMD EPYC and AMD CDNA architecture
The datacenter segment is extremely profitable, much more so than the consumer market. And AMD has the advantage of using the chiplet design which allowed them to use the exact same CPU dies used in the consumer Ryzen processors in their AMD EPYC processors as well, but they are going to take it even further.

It probably comes as no surprise that AMD will be bringing in the next generation of AMD EPYC processors, based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan. It is slated to arrive late 2020 too, which hints at when we will see the 4th Generation AMD Ryzen processors. But AMD didn’t stop at just that, and they hinted at the next generation 4th Gen EPYC processors, Genoa, as well. Before it is even available, the US Department of Energy has already picked the 4th Gen AMD EPYC CPU to power its upcoming 2 exaflop El Capitan supercomputer.

But what’s more interesting is probably their GPUs. AMD has previously shared the same architecture for both gaming and server GPUs. This allowed them to save on development costs, but it also meant that their GPUs weren’t exactly optimized for either purpose, with gamers getting the short end of the stick more often than not. Enter the AMD CDNA GPU architecture, which stands for Compute DNA.

AMD CDNA is optimized for machine learning and high performance computing. It will also support AMD’s upcoming 3rd Generation AMD Infinity Architecture which will see up to 8-way GPU communications with coherent connectivity, further improving multi-GPU and multi-CPU communication in AMD’s goals of heterogenous computing. The 3rd Gen AMD Infinity Architecture delivers over double the CPU-GPU bandwidth of PCIe 4.0.
“X3D” packaging?

AMD meteoric rise with the AMD Ryzen processors can be largely attributed to their use of chiplets in their processors which allowed them to pack more cores for less money than the competition. AMD is already exploring what they call “X3D” packaging which is a hybrid of 2.5D and 3D stacking which AMD claims is capable of deliver over 10x higher bandwidth density than today’s chiplet design in AMD CPUs.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if we will hear more about Zen 3 at Computex 2020, or at least around that time frame.
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AMD A620 Chipset Specs Leaked – Supports RAM Overclocking, No PCIe 5.0 & CPU Overclocking

The chipset meant for budget-level motherboards will not support PCIe 5.0, but should offer reasonable capabilities.

AMD A620 chipset vs B650. CPU overclocking is not supported on A620. pic.twitter.com/LT4TKnJM3m
— chi11eddog (@g01d3nm4ng0) February 1, 2023

This leak is courtesy of leaker @chi11eddog – who claimed that the AMD A620 chipset, meant for budget Ryzen 7000 systems, will not support PCIe 5.0. Instead, all 28 lanes are dedicated to PCIe 4.0 – which by today’s standards is still plenty for GPUs and SSDs, even more so considering the level of performance of the parts at this budget level. Chipset lanes also gets a drop in specs, whereas B650 gets PCIe 4.0 x4 link, A620 will only get PCIe 3.0 x4 and spread out to various I/O ports.
Leaked AMD A620 specs. Image: @chi11eddog (Twitter)
Speaking of I/O, the USB support is at maximum a 2+2+6 configuration (optional 2x 3.2 Gen2 + 2x 3.2 Gen 1 + 6x 2.0) whereas B650 gets 6x USB 2.0 plus either 1+4 or 0+6 ports for 3.2 Gen2x2 and 3.2 Gen2 respectively. In terms of overclocking: no CPU overclocking, but RAM overclocking is available. That being said, it may still be possible to overclock CPU by adjusting BCLK, but this is mostly not recommended in most use cases.

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AMD targets the AM5 motherboards to have prices going as low as $125 (~RM530), but so far none of the B650 motherboard has reached that point yet. AMD A620 models may realize that, however.
Source: Videocardz
Pokdepinion: 28x PCIe 4.0 is still a lot of bandwidth to work with – I doubt it’ll get saturated anytime soon.
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New HUAWEI nova 8i, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, HUAWEI MateView Coming July 6

HUAWEI has just announced that the HUAWEI nova 8i, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, HUAWEI MateView and HUAWEI MateView GT will be launching in Malaysia next month on July 6. Ranging from smartphones, audio to monitors, the latest addition to the HUAWEI Product Family will come with incredible and upgraded features to bring a seamless AI life to consumers.
The HUAWEI nova 8i, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, HUAWEI MateView and HUAWEI MateView GT is coming
HUAWEI nova 8i

The HUAWEI nova 8i makes its exclusive premiere in Malaysia. The HUAWEI nova 8i comes with strong features including a 64MP AI Quad camera with bigger sensors that produce beautiful high-quality images and movies, as well as Super Camera, Super Charge, and Super Screen.

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The HUAWEI nova 8i also comes equipped with a 6.67-inch HUAWEI Edgeless Display, a 94.7% screen-to-body ratio as well as being the first nova series smartphone that is powered with 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge.
HUAWEI FreeBuds 4

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is equipped with Open-fit Active Noise Cancellation technology, which improves the accuracy of ambient noise and provides users with a new way to hear the world. The ergonomic Air-Light Comfort Design of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 makes it comfortable to use on a daily basis. Furthermore, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 employs dynamic drivers with a frequency response of up to 40kHz for High Resolution Sound Quality, providing consumers with a crystal-clear audio experience.
HUAWEI MateView

The HUAWEI MateView is the company’s first standalone display, boasting a 28.2-inch 4K Ultra-HD display and a 94% screen-to-body ratio. The stand-alone display comes with an integrated height-adjustable and tiltable mount to give the best viewing experience for customers. Consumers may experience utmost efficiency in performing their day-to-day chores thanks to the inclusion of both wired and wireless connections.
It also comes with OneHop Projection, which allows users to launch Desktop Mode wirelessly for fast file transfer by just dragging and transferring files onto their HUAWEI devices.
HUAWEI MateView GT

The HUAWEI MateView GT is HUAWEI’s first gaming desktop monitor and has a curved 34-inch ultrawide display with a refresh rate of 165Hz and TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification. The HUAWEI MateView GT also comes with an Integrated Soundbar and an RGB touch panel for customisable lighting effects and easy volume adjustment through simple touch gestures.
HUAWEI will also be showcasing the new My HUAWEI App an updated version of the HUAWEI Support app for HUAWEI users. Its goal is to bring HUAWEI users closer together through a community area and to help them locate official after-sales support all in one app. The app is available for download here.
Lastly, HUAWEI will be organising a special giveaway by simply joining the new HUAWEI Community Malaysia and simply uploading your best night view photo in the Gallery by 15 July. Current users will be able to join selected events and access the complete range of advantages by simply signing up with their existing HUAWEI ID on the HUAWEI Community Malaysia website. You may learn more about the community by visiting their website here.
Stay tuned to the official livestream on HUAWEI Malaysia’s Facebook page at 7PM on 6 July.
Pokdepinion: Looking forward to checking out the HUAWEI nova 8i when it launches. Stay tuned for a review of that (if we actually get the device, that is).
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Samsung Malaysia To Launch Neo QLED With Special Freebies

Back in January of this year, Samsung has unveiled their latest Neo QLED TVs. Now it seems that their new lineup will be arriving here to the country as revealed by Samsung Malaysia.
Samsung Malaysia Neo QLED TV launch

So not only are they launching the Neo QLED TVs but also their Lifestyle TVs and soundbars as well. You can check out their offerings as well as freebie below:

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Model
RRP
Freebie
Freebie Value

65″ QN900A Neo QLED 8K
RM24,999
Q700A Q-Soundbar
RM3,399

75″ QN800A Neo QLED 8K
RM24,999
Q800A Q-Soundbar
RM3,999

75″ QN90A Neo QLED
RM19,999
Q700A Q-Soundbar
RM3,399

65″ QN90A Neo QLED
RM13,999
A650 Soundbar
RM1,499

85″ QN85A Neo QLED
RM22,999
Q700A Q-Soundbar
RM3,999

75″ QN85A Neo QLED
RM16,999
Q600A Q-Soundbar
RM2,599

55″ QN85A Neo QLED
RM8,499
A450 Soundbar
RM799

65″ The Frame
RM9,499
S60A Lifestyle Soundbar
RM1,399

55″ The Frame
RM6,999
A450 Soundbar
RM799

The Premiere 4K Triple Laser Projector
RM39,999
50″ The Frame
RM5,799

The Premiere 4K Laser Projector
RM24,999
32″ The Frame
RM2,999

You can find the pre-launch promotion to be available starting from today, 15th March till the 28th of March 2021. If you’re interested in pre-ordering their brand new lineup, you may do so by heading to the link right here.
For more of the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: They’re not cheap to say the least, but hey, if you have the money and planned on getting them, the freebies do look tempting. Will you be getting one of their Neo QLED TVs?
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OPPO Watch running Wear OS announced from just RM899

If you in the market for a new smartwatch, OPPO’s new aptly named OPPO Watch might just fit the bill. Unlike most of the smartwatches in the market, the OPPO Watch runs Wear OS by Google instead of proprietary wearable OSes that are significantly more limited in their feature set.
You can download apps from the Play Store, with a library of over 4000 apps available. To ensure that you can enjoy all the apps with fluid performance, there’s the Snapdragon 3100 Wear chipset mated to 1GB RAM. OPPO also threw in a more efficient Ambiq Micro Apollo3 SoC to deliver better battery life than conventional Snapdragon 3100-based smartwatches.

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As a result, the OPPO Watch 46mm promises a battery life of up to 21 days, while the OPPO Watch 41mm is capable of up to 14 days of battery life. They both support Watch VOOC Flash Charging, which provides a full charge in just 75 minutes, or a day’s battery life in just 15 minutes.
OPPO Watch 46mm
On top of the access to a wide library of apps on the Play Store, OPPO baked in your usual fitness features into the OPPO Watch such as heart-rate monitoring and sleep tracking via the Hey Tap Health App, as well as GPS+GLONASS tracking on your outdoor activities. Since it runs Wear OS, it also supports Google Fit to offer an even wider range of supported exercises.
OPPO Watch 41mm
On the design end, the OPPO Watch 46mm sports a 3D curved AMOLED display that covers the full DCI P3 gamut. The OPPO Watch 41mm settles for a flat display. The aluminum alloy frame undergoes a 19-step polishing process to get that lustrous shine that just screams premium. For the 46mm version, the display measures in at 1.91″, while the 41mm version packs a 1.6″ screen.
OPPO Watch Specs

OPPO Watch 46mm
OPPO Watch 41mm

Processor
Snapdragon Wear 3100 + Ambiq Micro Apollo3

RAM
1GB

Storage
8GB

Display
1.91″ Dual-Curved Flexible AMOLED display
402 x 476 (326 PPI)
1.6″ AMOLED display
320 x 360 (301 PPI)

Construction
Aluminium alloy watch frame
Ceramic + plastic bottom frame
Aluminium alloy watch frame
Plastic bottom frame

Battery
430mAh
Watch VOOC Flash Charging
300mAh
Watch VOOC Flash Charging

Weight
39.3g
30.1g

Ingress protection
5ATM
3ATM

Price
RM1299
RM899

The OPPO Watch will be available for pre-orders starting today until 2nd October, with sales starting from 3rd October onwards. Customers who pre-order the OPPO Watch will receive two watch straps worth RM199, while the first 50 customers in the Klang Valley get an even better deal. They can collect their OPPO Watch with a custom wristband by Katun at the OPPO Flagship Store on 3rd October.
OPPO Find X2 Pro | OPPO Watch Green Vegan Leather Edition bundle

For those who want an even more uber-premium experience, OPPO will also be offering the OPPO Find X2 Pro Green Vegan Leather Edition in a special bundle with the OPPO Watch. The OPPO Find X2 Pro | OPPO Watch Green Vegan Leather Edition bundle will be available during the pre-order period for just RM5399 instead of the usual price of RM6097. The bundle offers the OPPO Watch 46mm along with a matching Green Vegan Leather watch strap worth RM159. You can read all about the OPPO Find X2 Pro in our review here.
Pokdepinion: The OPPO Watch does seem interesting although I do think a Snapdragon Wear 4100 would have been better for battery life…
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Breaking Down the MSI GE76 Raider with New GeForce RTX 30-Series GPU

The MSI GE76 Raider is one of the most visually striking gaming laptops around given its emphasis on RGB lighting. Now, it has been reborn with the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series GPU. If you’re wondering what makes this machine great, then let’s break down the machine and see what’s up.
New MSI GE76 Raider: Performance

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When it comes to gaming laptops, the first thing most people look at is the performance. The new MSI GE76 Raider will be powered by the 10th Gen Intel Core CPU, up to an Intel Core i7-10870H, which provides much better performance compared to the previous generation CPU. This isn’t new but the biggest highlight here is the debut of the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series GPU.

For those of you who aren’t aware, the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series GPUs are powered by the new Ampere architecture with new RT Cores, Tensor Cores, and streaming multiprocessors for a much more improved ray traced graphics and AI technology. Even general performance has seen a dramatic improvement over the previous generation GPUs, with the NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 Laptop GPU easily outclassing the top of the line RTX 2080 SUPER, allowing more people to experience high end visuals.
With real time ray tracing, you have a new motion blur technology which improves efficiency by eight-fold and gives you a more cinematic experience. DLSS has been further improved which results in even higher FPS while still maintaining the image quality. The new GPU will also allow the CPU to have full access to the VRAM, which will inevitably boost the overall performance. Moreover, Dynamic Boost 2.0 will intelligently balance the power between the CPU and GPU for better efficiency, resulting in more battery life and less heat. Lastly NVIDIA Reflex helps to reduce system latency, ensuring that you can respond optimally in games without needless delays.

Another way MSI gets more performance out of the machine is the Resizable Bar feature. With game assets growing larger than ever, your gaming machine can slow down as it tries to transfer textures, shaders, and geometry from CPU to GPU. The feature will allow for the CPU to access to whole GPU frame buffer and request in-game assets as needed and sent in full for better efficiency. In fact, multiple requests can happen simultaneously instead of being queued up, so everything will load up in a more synchronized manner.
It’s worth noting that the MSI GE66 Raider and GS66 Stealth has new versions running an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 and higher depending on your chosen variant.
New MSI GE76 Raider: Audio Visual

Having all the power but not the display to show its prowess is a waste, and that’s why they made sure to include a breathtaking audio visual experience here. The MSI GE76 Raider uses a 17.3-inch Full HD IPS-level display with up to 240Hz refresh rate. Together with True Color 3.0 and 1+3 Matrix Display, you will get to see visuals with more depth and clarity than ever before while still retaining the fidelity that’s demanded by today’s generation of competitive Esports gamers. You also get the MSI Duet Display feature which sets the screen capture on your second screen while the main display remains undisturbed. It also lets you use your iOS device as the secondary display if you wish.

On the audio side, you get the world-class Dynaudio sound system consisting of 2-sided Duo Wave Speaker by MSI. To be precise, it’s two 1W speakers and two 2W speakers to create a more immersive experience. Not only that, it comes with Nahimic Audio, which can optimize the listening experience further, even with your favourite pair of headphones. It lets you enjoy premium sound quality with high resolution audio. Not to forget the gamers, Nahimic 3D Audio lets you enjoy a 3D surround sound field so you know exactly what’s happening in games and identify where your enemies are coming from.
Apart from that, you also get a built-in Full HD webcam and MSI AI Noise Cancellation. This is especially helpful for those who need to use their laptop for conference calls and streaming games for their fans. It’s an easier way to get an overall better experience with minimal distractions.
New MSI GE76 Raider: Design

One of the many reasons why gamers are so taken by the MSI GE76 Raider is its design. For starters, you get the Panoramic Aurora Lighting, which is the RGB light bar towards the front of the machine capable of showing up to 16.7 million colours. Furthermore, you have the iconic Dragon Armor Carving, obligue angle for the laptop’s build, and the use of aluminum for the chassis.

Of course, a gaming laptop wouldn’t be complete without an RGB gaming keyboard, and this one comes with per-key RGB lighting. With the help of SteelSeries Engine 3, you can freely customize each key’s backlighting or even let it react accordingly with what’s happening in game if you like. All of these combined together gives it a design that is both alluring and practical as it sets the perfect ambience for gaming, all without sacrificing on its portability.
New MSI GE76 Raider: Others

Apart from everything that has been said, there are still a number of interesting things with the MSI GE76 Raider. In this machine, you get the new Wi-Fi 6E standard. Compared to Wi-Fi 5 and 6, you get access to wider lanes and unlimited speed. It’s also capable of taking advantage of additional Wi-Fi spectrums, which inevitably means that you can connect to Wi-Fi that is uncrowded and get the most out of it. To take this a step further, it also comes with Killer Gaming LAN, which helps to protect and prioritize networking traffic while preventing lag spikes. If you’re very particular about devoting bandwidth to specific applications, especially for livestreams, this will indeed come in handy.
You also get one of the most robust port offerings in a gaming laptop. In case you’re wondering, here’s exactly what you’re getting on each side:
Left Side

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack

Rear Side

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports DisplayPort 1.4)
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4
1 x RJ45 LAN
1 x Proprietary charging port

Right Side

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x Full-sized UHS-II SD card reader

Lastly, the battery capacity has seen a significant increase over the previous generation, nearly twice the capacity even. To be precise, the MSI GE76 Raider has a whopping 99.9Whr battey capacity, which is the highest legal limit allowed to be brought on an airplane. This way, you can be sure that the beastly machine will be able to last for a long time if you don’t have a power outlet nearby to keep it powered up.
All of these shape up to make the MSI GE76 Raider a force to be reckoned with. If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop, keep your eyes out on this as it might be the one that will serve you well for years to come.
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PC Gamers Rejoice! Square Enix Holiday Surprise Box Returns; 7 Games for a VERY LOW Price

Cheap, high quality games? By Square Enix?!
If you’re a gamer like me, then you know how expensive the hobby can be. The hardware itself can cost thousands, more so if you’re looking at a high end PC, and the games itself can cost quite a bit of cash. Every so often, we rely on sales and bundle packs to get our games at a low price.
Well, if you’re a big fan of Square Enix, you’re going to be happy to know about this.

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UPDATED for Malaysian Gamers at the Bottom

The Square Enix Holiday Surprise Box for $10

Square Enix announced today that they will once again offer the Square Enix Holiday Surprise Box on their Online Store. For only USD $10 (RM44.14), players will get 7 PC games from them that are worth over $80 (RM353.16) to sink their teeth in for the holiday season. Not only that, players will also be entitled to purchase another special Square Enix Store promotion bundle.
You might be thinking that this is too good to be true but there’s a catch of course. There’s no way of knowing exactly what games will be included in this Holday Surprise Box. Even that other promotion bundle seems to be interesting as Square Enix has been quoted as saying that it is “too good to miss out on”.

This special bundle will be available from today until 4AM PST on December 19th 2016, which is about 8pm on December 19th 2016 for us Malaysians. The games that will be included in this surprise box will be announced on December 20th, 4AM PST, which is 8pm on that same date for Malaysia.
Square Enix ran this same promotion last year, and it netted players the following:

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
Thief
Final Fantasy XIII
Life is Strange Episode 1
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
10% off Life is Strange episodes 2-5
10% off Just Cause 3 (all editions)

If you feel like getting a special surprise this holiday season, head on over to the Square Enix Online Store. Or I suppose, you can click here to head there immediately.

Update

If you’re from Malaysia or in a country that’s not listed in the shipping countries list, don’t lose hope, you can still buy it. The NA Square Enix team has shared with us that you need to head over to the EU Square Enix Online Store to purchase. To do that, click here.

Pokdepinion: While the idea of paying for something that we wouldn’t know what we would get until it’s too late sounds frightening, paying around RM40-50 for 7 Square Enix games sounds very enticing, especially since they’ve made a bunch of good games. Sure, the surprise pack most likely won’t include the more recent games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided but I doubt it would be anything too disappointing.
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Nokia Relaunches Their Remade Nokia 3310 – Now With 3G!

When Nokia 3310 was relaunched back in early May of this year, many fans of the retro phone were thrilled to see it come back again. In terms of mobile phone terms, the Nokia 3310 was one of the most iconic models.
Nokia 3310 With 3G
Not only is the iconic phone well known for its durability, it was also famous for its long battery capability. So with the initial launch being of a success, HMD, the manufacturer of the new line up of Nokia smartphones, are adding internet capabilities to the Nokia 3310 with 3G capability.
Some might ask, what for? If you wanted a smartphone that can access the internet, there are better options right? At the end of the day, it all comes down to user preference. There are those around us that reminisce at the sight of the Nokia 3310. Wouldn’t be of a surprised to see that’s the reason why the sale of the Nokia 3310 was a success at the relaunch.

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 The addition of 3G to the newer model will definitely have an affect to its battery life, which was one of the device’s key features. Despite that, even with the addition of 3G, the phone is still capable of nearly 7 hours of talk time and a highly impressive two week battery time while being idle. It should be noted that the new edition will NOT include Wi-Fi. While the exclusion may be a nuisance to some, having it is a big battery drain.
The remake model is due to come out in October of this year. While it hasn’t have a official retail price just of yet, it shouldn’t be too far off from the previous model’s price of RM239.
Pokdepinion: I know some out there who just loves the Nokia 3310, both young and old. Wouldn’t mind getting me one.

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Just an hour ago, we reported about their latest flagship series in its full glory. It consists of the Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Now, we have the official retail prices for the devices in Malaysia.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Malaysia Price Officially Revealed

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At some point during Galaxy Unpacked 2021, Samsung Malaysia has opened up new pages dedicated to their latest flagship series of smartphones on their official website. This also includes the prices for each of the device in Malaysia, including free gifts for a limited time with every pre-order. In case you’re wondering, we’ve listed them right below here:

Samsung Galaxy S21 = RM3,699 (free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy SmartTag, and YouTube Premium)
Samsung Galaxy S21+ = RM4,299 (free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy SmartTag, and YouTube Premium)
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra = RM5,299 (free Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy SmartTag, and YouTube Premium)

Keep in mind that inside the retail box, it will only include a USB-C to USB-C cable, SIM Ejector tool, and the smartphone itself. There will be no earphones or chargers included here. As a result, the box is also noticeably thinner compared to its predecessor.
If you’d like to see all the new products revealed at Galaxy Unpacked 2021, check out our earlier report by clicking here.
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Pokdepinion: Can’t wait to review the new smartphones. I’m quite excited to see how the new SoC performs.
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PS4 Pro gains a Boost Mode, available in the latest 4.50 system update

If you have the latest PlayStation 4 Pro, and desired some extra performance, especially in older games, Sony may have the solution for you. They have added a Boost Mode into the latest System Software Update 4.50 beta, promising better performance in PS4 games that were released before the PS4 Pro’s launch. This mode is only available for PS4 Pro users, so PS4 owners will not get a free performance boost here.
The Boost Mode works by increasing the clock speed of the CPU and GPU in the PS4 Pro. This is pretty basic knowledge for PC enthusiasts, but gaming consoles have locked firmwares which doesn’t allow users to overclock their consoles themselves. The Boost Mode should allow older PS4 games to run faster on a PS4 Pro, with increased frame rates and possible quicker loading times.
Sony doesn’t guarantee every game will enjoy these benefits though, and is also quick to mention that certain games may not work as intended with Boost Mode enabled. Overclocking also usually brings increased thermal output, so it would also be wise to pay attention to your console’s temperature.

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Pokdepinion: I find it weird that the PS4 Pro is already marketed as the world’s most powerful console yet needs further overclocking for a better gameplay experience. Also, why didn’t Sony launch the console with the higher clock speeds in the first place?
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Epic Games Store Adds Spotify So You Can Game While Enjoy Music

It’s been two years since the Epic Games Store launcher was released. While it’s more known for offering games (especially free ones), it seems that Epic Games has decided to offer Spotify on the platform.
Spotify now on Epic Games Store launcher

You’ll find the app at the store under the name “Spotify Music”. It’s likely that you know about the app already but in case you’re not, the Spotify app will allow you access your curated playlist of music as well as podcasts, even when you’re playing your games.

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Epic has said that the addition is the first of several of non-game applications that will be added to the Epic Games library of content, so you can expect more in the near future.
Here’s what they had to say about the matter:
We’ll continue to work with partners to continue to grow the store’s offerings for our players and create a more robust platform for developers
Epic Games
In case you’ve missed the news, Epic Games is offering a total of 15 free games to celebrate the festive season. For more details, you can read up on our previous coverage right here.
Pokdepinion: While the addition of Spotify is nice, I just wished that they would make the launcher smoother.. Another thing that would be nice is that if they can use currencies for different countries instead of just US Dollar.
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Acer Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) Headset and motion controllers review — a bright blue portal into the virtual world

Introduction

VR is probably the next frontier of your PC experience, but the high price point of most headsets does put it out of most people’s reach. The Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) platform has been around to somewhat change that, with more affordable headsets to make it easier for everyone to enjoy what Microsoft has in store for the virtual reality space. You also don’t need nearly as much space as you don’t need to install sensors around your play area to track your motion, as the sensors to track the position of the controllers are in the headset itself.
With that in mind, we got ourselves one of Acer’s Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headset, complete with the controllers which work with it. Well, actually I was just addicted to Beat Saber and needed a way to play it without spending more than RM2000. So let’s see what does it offer.
Unboxing

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The box is very minimalistic, with just the right amount of metallic blue offset against the black background. It’s quite a large one though, but that’s somewhat expected when you have to stash a full-sized headset AND controllers in the box.

So here’s everything in the box. You get the Acer WMR headset, two controllers, and some masks to let you share your headset with your friends without getting their gunk on your headset and of course, the usual documentation that you will ignore.
Appearance

The Acer WMR headset definitely looks toyish with its blue-black aesthetics. If a darker shade of blue was used, perhaps it would have been better. As it is, it definitely looks a lot less premium than what the incumbents are offering, and even against its Windows MR cousins, it is probably the most immature looking one out there. I won’t say it looks bad, as I find it quite refreshing from the rest of my gear that comes in all shades of monochrome, but there is that niggling feeling that Acer could have done better here.

I have to mention that I changed the original pads to these pleather ones very quickly. The original ones are soft foam, so you can pretty much guess what happened with them once you sweat. They absorb them, and as any person with an inkling about hygiene would do, I washed them. In less than 5 washes, the foam separated from the velcro backing that held it to the headset. RIP Original Sponge Pads. Here you can see the Fresnel lenses, and they do not have any hardware adjustments for interpupillary distance (IPD), which we will talk more about in a moment.

The cute little controllers come packed with controls, and I do like their looks. The round thing looks like a UFO attached to the controllers, and they look even more like alien spaceships when you turn them on. The LEDs are bright but it’s not like you will see them anyway since your eyes will be staring at the displays in the headset.
Specifications

Maximum resolution
2880 x 1440 (1440 x 1440 per eye)

Display type
2.89″ LCD panel (706 ppi)

Maximum refresh rate
90 Hz

Field of view (FoV)
100°

Maximum interpupilliary distance
63 mm

Tracking
Inside-out tracking
Visible light constellation LED on controller
6 degrees of freedom (DoF) tracking (within HMD camera FoV)

Connections
HDMI 2.0
USB 3.0
Bluetooth (for controllers)
3.5mm audio output

Size
74 x 195.5 x 10.9 mm (headset)
152.7 x 119.1 x 119.1mm (controllers)

Weight
848 g (headset)
171 g (controllers)

User Experience
Setting up the Acer WMR headset was very simple. Since the platform is developed by Windows, as soon as you connect the USB and HDMI cables, Windows 10 will begin downloading the necessary files and fire up Mixed Reality Portal. Microsoft’s minimum requirements for the WMR headsets are surprisingly low, but I used my ROG Strix GL504GS throughout my testing.

Now unlike some of the fancier VR headsets, the Acer WMR headset straps onto your noggin pretty easily. You can also flip up the display if you want to take a peek into the real world just to assure yourself that the world is still the same after immersing yourself in the virtual world. There’s only one dial at the back which you will use to adjust the fit of the entire headset. The good thing is that throughout my entire use I never had any discomfort from the well-padded band, but more vigorous movement like bobbing my head along to the music in Beat Saber can cause it to slide a bit.

Some freeplay is probably acceptable if the sweet spot was a bit wider. Due to the use of Fresnel lens, you will be looking at a small sweet spot, where everything is clear. One slight nudge in any direction from the sweet spot is enough to make your whole world blurry. That’s worsened by the fact that there is no adjustments possible for the interpupilliary distance (IPD). There’s the ability to adjust it in software, but it doesn’t seem to fix anything. I managed to get most of my field of view clear, but the periphery of my vision was noticeably fuzzier than what I experienced with a HTC Vive.

While certain reviews did state that there was some ghosting in fast-paced scenes, I did try to get it by moving around more during my Beat Saber sessions, and I didn’t encounter any of it. Speaking of moving around, you have the option of setting up the Acer WMR headset to work with you in a static spot, or map out your play area. I didn’t have enough room, as the Windows Mixed Reality Portal will require at least 1.5 x 2.1 m of space. Yes, our office is actually quite small. On the bright side, this means that you can just bring your headset and controllers with you and experience VR anywhere you want. There’s no need for calibrating base stations and motion trackers, as all the motion tracking will be handled by the headset and controllers.

Now that we are on the topic of software, you can use the Acer WMR headset with games or applications that might call for the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. Playing around in the Windows Mixed Reality’s Cliff House was pretty fun, and I did try browsing Pokde.net with Microsoft Edge and typing out messages to my mates in the virtual version of my office. Kinda novel at first but then it gets annoying. Nothing beats a physical keyboard for typing. Moving around is also pretty simple, as all you needed to do was move the joystick and you will be teleporting around your pad.

The controllers work via Bluetooth, and these controllers connect quite flawlessly to my ROG Strix GL504GS. Tracking is good as long as you are keep them in the 180° or so FoV of the headset in front of yourself. Go behind your head or swing your hands out to your sides and tracking may get wonky. I say may because it tracked pretty well in the beginning, before the weaker batteries caused it to lose tracking increasingly often whenever I swung my hands out to my sides.

The included batteries gave me around 11 hours of playtime. I know it said it was in low battery for quite some time, but it still worked fine for most of my slashing in Beat Saber, or my random mucking around in the Cliff House. I switched over to some new batteries around the 12-hour mark. Pretty good showing, but if you intend to use these more frequently, you might want to look into investing in some rechargeable AA batteries.
Conclusion
Is the Acer Windows Mixed Reality headset for you? Well it definitely seems like some sort of an experiment for Acer and also all the other brands involved in Microsoft’s WMR platform. The funky colors push me further in that direction, but as it stands, it is a pretty affordable way to experience VR. RM1700 is what counts as affordable, by the way.

One thing to note is that all my issues with the Acer Windows Mixed Reality has already been addressed with the Acer OJO 500 WMR headset. Down to the part where they replaced the sponge with washable padding, as well as adding physical adjustments for IPD. We have no idea how much it will cost here in Malaysia, but if you want a great experience with a WMR headset, you should probably wait for that. Meanwhile, do try out the Acer WMR headset first to see if your eyes actually fit the fixed IPD before spending on it. Third-party pads can be gotten for very cheap online, but if your eyes are either set too far apart or too close to each other with respect to the fixed IPD in the Acer WMR headset, you might find the experience a lot less satisfactory.
It’s a good headset if you find the fixed IPD acceptable, as most of the shortcomings like the short-lived padding around the eyes can be overcome quite easily. The fit might be an issue if you are planning on some vigorous motions in the virtual world, but if you are going to use it for games like Beat Saber, you aren’t going to face too big of a problem. Overall, i would say not bad for something that costs just a bit more than half the price of a HTC Vive headset.
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Get Free Chicken McNuggets With Mobile Legends’ Collab With McDonald’s McDelivery

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Malaysia and McDelivery have joined hands to deliver an epic feast! Through this collaboration, fans will get the chance to score some sweet in-game treats and exciting giveaways worth up to USD11,000 (RM45,147.13).
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang x McDonald’s McDelivery

To join in the giveaways all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for announcements on McDonald’s social platforms. Among the things offered during the giveaway are time-limited skins and USD11,000 (RM45,147.13) worth of in-game prizes. Think you know everything about Mobile Legends: Bang Bang? Put your knowledge to the test by participating in simple puzzles, Q&As, or mini-contests on McDonald’s Instagram page to win attractive rewards.

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Furthermore, MVPs in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia Playoffs will win one year’s supply of McDonald’s meal vouchers which includes best caster, who will be entitled to RM1,000 worth of coupons. McDonald’s will also offer free 6pcs Chicken McNuggets with the promo code “MPLNUGGETS” during checkout via McDelivery from 14th to 31st May. This promotion is only applicable for orders above RM50 in a single receipt.

You can catch the tournament live on 28, 29 and 30 May over at the official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang YouTube channel. The top ten teams from MPL Malaysia Season 7 will compete for a prize pool of USD100,000 (RM412,050). For Malaysian contenders, this is the first standalone MPL tournament with a new format update. MPL Malaysia’s Top Two will represent the country in the upcoming Southeast Asia championship, MSC 2021, which will take place in early June.
You can head over to the official Mobile Legends website or the Mcdonald’s website for more information regarding the partnership.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if this sort of partnership will ever result in a special burger of some sorts? Maybe the flavour of each burger or any other food item be based on a specific game character? I think that would be cool.
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Genshin Impact players are currently enjoying the 1.4 update as it brought quite a bit of new content. Next up, we have update 1.5 to look forward in about 3 weeks time but with this new leak, we can look way beyond that as we have the release date for string of new, upcoming characters.
Genshin Impact: Launch Date for Inazuma, Dendro Baizhu, Yaoyao, and More Leaked

🍃Yao Yao🍃
(Footage is from the first Genshin Closed Beta and does not represent any upcoming content.)
Very special thanks to @dimbreathjr for this :)#GenshinImpact #原神 #YaoYao pic.twitter.com/DeZoHhfPdl
— Lumie (@lumie_lumie) March 15, 2021

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If you’re familiar with Genshin Impact, then I’m sure you’re excited to see Dendro characters in the game as there’s a severe lack of it. It has been speculated that Yaoyao and Baizhu will be the first two Dendro characters for the game and they are going to be launched in the future.
According to a recent leak, Dendro will be coming in any of the upcoming updates as it will be linked with Chasm, which is expected to come after update 1.8. This would most likely mean that we can expect to see it update 2.0 for the game.
As for the Inazuma region, we expect that to pop up earlier in either update 1.6, 1.7, or 1.8. Kazuha and Yoimiya will be the first two banners arriving as part of the update, alongside Inazuma’s two islands and Inazuma City. The former two areas is expected to come as part of update 1.6 whereas the latter will launch in update 1.7.
For now, there is no official confirmation just yet and it is subjected to change. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned for that.
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Pokdepinion: On one hand, you have quite a bit of things to look forward to now but on the other hand, it kind of kill the excitement of figuring out what’s coming next. Well, I doubt it will hurt the game’s popularity in the long run so this should be fine. They should still be careful about these things in case there might be some big secrets they would like to keep in their sleeves until the release.
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Insurgency is FREE for PC Gamers – Claim It Before It’s Too Late

A wonderful surprise has suddenly popped up for PC gamers as Insurgency is suddenly free of charge. However, you have a limited time to claim the game.
Insurgency is FREE for PC Gamers

🔹 GIVEAWAY! 🔹 Add Insurgency to your Steam account in the next 48hrs and keep it forever!https://t.co/uuc0yfIPuR#SteamDeals @insurgencygame pic.twitter.com/v0EknIE1lA
— Steam (@steam_games) August 13, 2018

It looks like we got ourselves a wonderful surprise all of a sudden, particularly for PC gamers. Insurgency will be free for 48 hours, and if you claim the game before the time limit is up, it will be yours permanently.

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For those of you who aren’t aware, Insurgency is a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter game. It is considered a successor to Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat, the fan-made mod for Valve’s Source engine.
Insurgency Synopsis via Steam
Take to the streets for intense close quarters combat, where a team’s survival depends upon securing crucial strongholds and destroying enemy supply in this multiplayer and cooperative Source Engine based experience. The follow-up game to the award-winning Source mod, Insurgency is highly competitive and unforgivably lethal, striking a balance between one-life gameplay and prolonged action.
In order to claim the game, all you have to do is head on over to the Steam Store, find the game, and add it to your library. It’s that simple. To make things even easier for you, you can click right here to head on straight to the game’s Steam page.
You have 48 hours, or less depending on when you read this article. It will end at 1:59AM ON 16th August 2018 for those of you in Malaysia and those in the GMT+8 timezone. Well, what are you waiting for? Go claim the game.
Pokdepinion: Clicked and saved. Now I have another game in my library and if more people do that, we might have ourselves a fun multiplayer experience for free.
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PUBG Might Become A Free-To-Play Title Soon

PUBG or PlayerUnknown’s Battleground is said to become a free-to-play game in the future according to reports.
PUBG soon to be free?

Leak:PUBG wants to go free-to-play.
They’re going to track player responses in a F2P week that’s happening next month.
Keep in mind, PUBG originally wanted to go F2P in 2019; but didn’t get the player response they wanted att from 2019’s F2P test.
— PlayerIGN (@PlayerIGN) July 24, 2021

The news was revealed by PlayerIGN where they claim that they wanted to make the game to be free to play but there are doubts on whether it would be viable.
According to the leak, the game is supposed to be free for a limited time in August of this year to see whether it will benefit the game or not and based on the outcome, they will decided on whether they would make it F2P.

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It is said that they actually tried to make the same move back in 2019 but player response at that time seemed like a bad move for the game.
PUBG was released back in 2017 and it is available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, as well as mobile devices. At the time of writing, the game is priced at RM74.99 on Steam. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
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Pokdepinion: I can’t really understand their logic of not having the game as a free title, seeing how PUBG Mobile is free anyways. Aside from that, its competitors such as Fortnite, COD Warzone, and Apex Legends are all free to play. With that said, I’m not really surprised that players have gone to other battle royale games.
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Xiaomi 13 Ultra Raises the Bar with Leica Camera Collaboration and Impressive Specs

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone has launched recently with Leica camera collaboration, featuring four back cameras and a range of impressive specs, including a 50MP 1-inch IMX989 sensor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging support.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Xiaomi has launched its latest smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which promises to set new standards in smartphone photography. The new device is equipped with four cameras and comes with a host of innovative features, including a partnership with Leica. Unlike the previous Xiaomi 12S Ultra, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is set to be released globally.

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The main camera boasts a 50MP 1-inch IMX989 sensor and a 23mm optically-stabilized lens with a physical, two-step aperture that allows for f/1.9 opening for the shallowest depth of field, and f/4.0 for a sharper image. The sensor bins 1.6µm pixels 4-to-1, resulting in 12.5MP images with 3.2µm individual pixels. The other three cameras use the new 50MP IMX858 sensor, measuring a respectable 1/2.51″. They include a 75mm f/1.8 OIS 3.2x mid-range zoom, a 5x 120mm camera with a new brighter f/3.0 lens, and a 12mm f/1.8 autofocusing ultrawide with 5cm macro focusing capabilities.
Additionally, the 13 Ultra comes with a 32MP f/2.0 front camera that has fixed focus and will bin pixels 4-to-1 for 8MP final shots. It also features two camera color science modes – Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic – and a new 50MP UltraRAW mode for the main camera, providing 14-bit DNG files with built-in multi-frame sharpening, noise reduction, and dynamic range adjustment for additional tweaking. There is also a Fast Shot mode for aspiring street photographers, which takes a shot in just 0.8s.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra comes with a camera-inspired design, a circular lens-like camera module, and a back panel clad in leather. It features a 6.73-inch 3200x1440px AMOLED screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and an up to 240Hz touch sampling rate, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging support, and is cooled by Xiaomi’s self-developed Loo LiquidCool tech, using an aerospace-grade toroidal cooling and a vapor chamber.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra will be available in Black, Olive Green, and White, starting in China from April 21, with prices ranging from CNY 5,999 to CNY 7,299. The device is set to launch globally in the coming months. With its innovative features and high-end specifications, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is poised to be a game-changer in smartphone photography.
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Pokdepinion: It looks impressive on paper but will it translate well for real life use? That’s what we’re interested to find out. Let’s see if we can get one for review.
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Vivo Malaysia teases the upcoming Vivo V5 Plus — the company’s first dual-front camera

At the end of the launch event of Vivo V5, the company has teased us about the upcoming Vivo V5 Plus. An upgraded version of the Vivo V5, it is set to be the company’s first smartphone to features dual-front camera. The main highlight of the phone is the dual-front camera, while much of the specifications remains unknown.

There is not much detail about the smartphone right now but rumors point to the Vivo V5 Plus packing similar specifications as the V5. The Vivo V5 Plus is said to equipped with the same processor, the MediaTek MT6750, an octa-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz. It will be paired with 4GB of RAM and for the storage it comes with 32GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card.

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It will also pack a better IPS display with a Full HD resolution as well as a bigger battery capacity at 3300mAh. It also will be using the Funtouch OS 2.6 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Vivo V5 during the launch event
Audio wise it will pack the same custom Hi-Fi audio chip the AK4376 for immersive audio experience. There’s no information when the phone will be available in the market but rumors mentioned that it will be coming at the end of this year.

Pokdepinion: Dual front camera setup for selfies, looks like selfie fanatics are given serious attention by smartphone manufacturers. On a side note, they should pick twin celebrities as the product ambassadors.
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Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller Review — Your Controller, Your Style

When we first got our hands on the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller, I was excited to try it out considering the amount of customizations that it boasts. Could this be the best PS4 controller to hit the market? Let’s find out.
Unboxing the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller

Here’s the box for the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller, which comes with a blue color-coded theme on top along with the PlayStation 4 logo.

Inside, you’ll find the following:

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The Thrustmaster eSwap Pro controller itselfBraided micro USB cableQuick start guideScrewdriverSleeve pouch
Appearance

On the front, you’ll find three modules that you can swap; both analog slots as well as the D-pad area. Other than that, the button layout of the controller is similar to what you’d find on a normal DualShock 4 controller.

Down below, you’ll find the 3.5mm audio jack right at the center, sandwiched between the mic mute button on the left, and the switch profile button on the opposite side.

At the top, you have your usual PlayStation shoulder buttons and triggers. There’s the Thrustmaster logo at the center here with the micro USB port sitting right below the logo.

Moving to the back, you have four programmable buttons. The side grips as seen here is actually swappable. You may also notice the screws on the L2 and R2 triggers here. These can also be swapped out.
User Experience
Comfort

The biggest selling point of this controller is its personalization. You can swap out three of the modules on the front. If you prefer the Xbox layout, you can freely swap the analog and D-pad modules, and it’s easy. For the analogs, you can simply pull them out whereas for the D-pad module, you can use the included screwdriver to pull it out. They are secured firmly with the magnet underneath the slots.
In terms of grip, it feels solid. I had no problems with it and I feel that in that matter, it just depends on your preference. If you like big controllers, this would definitely be right up your alley.
It’s worth noting that the thumb grip on the analogs are a bit too small. It’s even smaller than the ones on the standard DualShock 4 controller. Not to say that I can’t play with it, but it take a little bit of time to get used to the size. It would be better if it was just slightly bigger.
Another thing to note is that the controller can’t be used wirelessly. Some may think that’s a big downer but then again, Thrustmaster has provided a high-quality braided cable (and a long one to add to that). It also means that you don’t need to worry about your battery during your long gaming sessions.
Software

The Thrustmaster eSwap Pro controller can be used on both the PS4 and PC. There is one advantage compared to other gamepads out there, and that’s their own Thrustmapper software. In it, you’ll be able to customize the controller including button mapping, vibration, trigger sensitivity and changing the dead zones of your analogs.
Barring aside the sensitivity option, these settings will indeed offer you the customization to gain the upper hand in games, especially in first-person shooters if you enjoy them with controllers.
Personally, I’ve set my triggers to 50%. What exactly does that do? Well I would only need to press my R2 and L2 triggers halfway for them to be active, which in turn gives a faster reaction time. We all know how split second reaction can make a difference in fast-paced games.
As for the button mapping, I swapped out the lower two buttons at the back to be R3 and L3. This comes in handy when I play in Rainbow Six Siege as I’m peaking around in corners. It’s definitely faster compared to pressing my analog sticks.
The one thing that I’d complain is the limited button presets. I would’ve liked it if I could set two buttons for the extra buttons at the back as a shortcut. Pressing a single button to activate two would be handy.
Performance

Overall, the controller did improve my experience when it comes to first-person titles, thanks to the software. The buttons are clicky and just feels nice. I’ve noticed slight improvements for my own gameplay in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with more kills than usual.

Though it’s not the best for fighting games, it’s still better than your standard controller. It’s worth mentioning that they (Thrustmaster) also offer a ‘Fighting’ set, which unfortunately we didn’t get to test out. It would’ve been interesting to see how they feel though.
As for sports game such as FIFA 2020, I don’t feel like the controller gives you an edge over the competition. It would be more straightforward to use the standard DualShock 4 controller as there’s too many buttons here to make use of.
Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller Verdict

The Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller is by no means an affordable gamepad. It’s understandable that most gamers probably wouldn’t pay RM899 for a controller, especially for those who just play for ‘fun’. However, I feel that it’s something that you’d want to get if you simply want more out of your controller and gain any edge over the competition.
Did I enjoy myself with the controller? Yes, I did. Would I buy it if I had the money? Yes, I would. With a solid build and plenty of things to tinker around, I give the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller our very own Silver Pokdeward.

A big shoutout to the folks at Thrustmaster for providing the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller that was used in this review!
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Experience the 240Hz ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q monitor at ROG Brightstar Concept Store, the One and Only Unit showcased in KL!

If you believe that your monitor is not keeping up with your gaming performance, take the opportunity to head down to ROG Brightstar Concept Store at Plaza Low Yat this week to check out the stunning 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time complete with G SYNC technology, that the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q packs.

The ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q’s 240Hz is 4x as fast as the standard 60Hz garden variety monitor. It supports DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4 inputs and also offers 2 USB 3.0 passthrough ports. NVIDIA G SYNC technology gets rid of annoying screen tearing and stutter, while the ASUS Eye Care technology keeps you gaming by reducing eyestrain with the TUV Rheinland-certified blue light filter and flicker free backlighting.

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ASUS did not forget about the aesthetics of this monitor while they were packing it chock-full of performance features too. The monitor looks great with a refined ROG design and eye-catching air vent design. Slim bezels ensure that the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q will deliver a near-seamless view in your multi-monitor setup. The stand features a light projector to give you a light signature on your desktop surface. While previous iterations had a fixed ROG logo, the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q comes with three blank covers to let you customize what you want to project onto your desk.

If you want to have a first-hand experience with this sexy beast of a monitor, head over to  ROG Brightstar Concept Store, G023CA, Ground Floor, Plaza Low Yat from now until 7th May. See for yourself what 240Hz can do. Trust me, you won’t be going back to a normal monitor once you see this in action.
Pokdepinion: Must. Resist. Poison…
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Okami HD Remaster Officially Announced; Will Be On Multiple Platforms!

Okami fans rejoice! The Okami HD Remaster has been confirmed and it will be released outside of Japan as well. It’s also available for multiple platforms.

Okami HD Remaster Officially Announced

After an alleged leak from Famitsu earlier today, Capcom has officially announced the HD remastered version of Okami, which will be known from this point onwards as Okami HD. Alongside the announcement we get the first trailer, alongside some screenshots of the game.

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The game will launch for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in the United States and Europe on December 12th 2017, priced at a pretty affordable USD $19.99. Interestingly, both PS4 and Xbox One will also get a physical release on top of the digital launch, while the PC version will be available only on Steam.

The graphics have been updated to take advantage of modern resolutions, and 4K will be supported on PS4 Pro, Xbox One X and PC. Okami was originally released in 2006 for PS2, and then ported to Wii in 2008 and to PS3 in 2012.

The game, inspired by Japanese folklore and legends, tells the story of the goddess Amaterasu, who travels the land to dispel a curse cast by the eight-headed demon Orochi, accompanied by the artist Issun. It’s well known for its absolutely charming art style and for the unique gameplay based on the celestial brush mechanic.
In Okami HD players take on the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who inhabits the form of a legendary white wolf Shiranui on a quest to defeat Orochi, an eight-headed demon and tyrannical monster responsible for turning the world into a ruined wasteland.
Players must use Amaterasu’s magical abilities and arsenal of items, attacks and Celestial Brush techniques to restore the land of Nippon to its previous glory full of life and color. Along the way, Amaterasu will be called upon to help a cast of quirky and intriguing characters and defeat a bevy of brutal enemies to rid the land of Orochi’s curse.

Interestingly, it’ll be possible to toggle between widescreen format or the original release’s 4:3 aspect ratio. The Interactive loading screens from the original game on PS2 will also be included, allowing you to earn bonus demon fangs which you can trade for in-game items.

Pokdepinion: Just when you thought you needed to buy a PlayStation 4 to play Okami HD if it ever comes out, that’s no longer the case. Many gamers will surely be happy about this.
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DXRacer F Series Review – PC Gaming Chair ?

I’m sure you already familiar with these chairs, as you can spot them at any eSport event or any of the many IT events in Malaysia. DXRacer PC Gaming Chair is what it’s called, and what’s so special about this chair ? does it increase your gaming skill ?
The Formula Series is DXRacer’s answer to those seeking affordable luxury. The Formula Series’ high-density cold cure foam filling makes these chairs comfortable for extended use, even for 8 hours and longer. With a tubular steel frame and a metal star base, as well as comfortable 8-position armrests, the Formula Series offers superb stability. With an integrated headrest, adjustable lumbar support cushion, and a tilt-mechanism angling all back the way down to 180 degrees, you’re sure to be comfortable. The maximum load for this chair is 265lbs/120KG
Before i tell you how comfortable it was and do it really comes to the expectation of PC Gaming Chair lets take a look at the chair first .

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CONSTRUCTION
Frame of the chair is using Alloy Steel GB-15CrMo.

The Base of DXRacer F Series is using start base and made from thick aluminum

The control unit is also made from steel

ASSEMBLY
Well the assembly is pretty darn easy, what you need to is just follow the instructions in the manual, all you need is a pair of hands and a bit of strength because this chair is a bit heavier than your standard ergonomic chair .
this is what it look like after complete assembly

FEATURES AND DESIGN

Armrests are adjustable up or down , at the first glance you might probably think that the arm rests are made from hard plastic, but they feel soft to the touch. The material is Polyurethane which feels and looks like hard plastic but is actually soft to the touch.

For those who have a back problem , pain at the lower back when sitting, all DXRacer PC Gaming Chairs come with lumbar support, which will help ease your back pain and sit more comfortably

Adjustable backrest 170 limitless angle lock, meaning you can adjust and lock at any point you want.

FINAL THOUGHT

How much does it cost, you ask ? RM999 for the version wrapped PU Leather and RM889 for the version wrapped in fabric. Where to get it? there are a few authorized dealers in Malaysia which is Tech Armory , APES , Mod’N’Go or you can contact admin of this group: Game Like A Boss with DXRacer.
The reason it’s named DXRacer PC Gaming Chair: a little bit of history about DXRacer , originally the company made this chair as a Professional Racing Chair , later in 2003 they began to manufacture office chair with racing style, later on in 2008 they become a sponsor in WCG 2008 and that’s when DXRacer chair become popular among gamers and that’s also when the name DXRacer Gaming Chair was born , for your information there is also DXRacer Console Gaming Chair which shares the same design with PC Gaming Chair but shorter.
After a month of using the DXRacer PC Gaming Chair , my gaming skill did not not improve at all :-( , but it really does feel very comfortable and i can sit for more than 8 hour without getting up and stretching because of the ergonomic backrest design that will support your spine, so say goodbye to neck pain and back pain due to long time sitting without stretching your body.
The maximum weight F series can support is 120KG , and in case you do not know, my weight is 118KG . Usually in the case of a standard office chair or executive chair the hydraulic system will start to fail under my weight in just a week,  or the base support will crack, but with DXRacer chair I did not have to worry about that because the base is made of thick aluminum but while I still doubt the hydraulics, so far my DXRacer hydraulics is still in good condition as I did not hear any crack or problem with the hydraulic yet :-) .
Gaming chair is not a must-have item for every gamer , any chair will do but if you want a very comfy chair and premium feel, the DXRacer chair might be for you . About the price, yeah it’s a bit expensive , you can buy a premium executive chair below RM500 at IKEA , but it’s all about what you want, and if you have the money for it, why not ?

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Netflix and YouTube are lowering video quality to avoid overloading networks

Netflix and Chill may be a catchphrase that will be used a lot during the worldwide efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and for good reason too. However it does place a hefty toll on the internet infrastructure. Both YouTube and Netflix are experiencing unprecedented usage due to everyone staying at home and watching videos, and will thus be forced to lower the video quality to reduce the stress on the EU’s network infrastructure.
Both YouTube and Netflix will be lowering the streaming quality for 30 days, with Netflix expecting around 25% reduction in Netflix traffic on the EU’s networks, which is pretty significant. A Netflix spokesperson has told CNN Business that the reduction in quality may mean users will “see a reduction in perceptible video quality”, although some will not see any change. I do believe this has to do with them blocking or reducing the bitrate available to their Premium plan users, as that plan offers up to 4K streaming.

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The EU has pleaded streaming platforms and users to opt for lower quality streams to prevent overloading the network infrastructure in the region. Amazon is also looking into reducing the streaming bitrate for its Prime Video service to alleviate the load. Facebook has reported that they are seeing unusually high demands too, as everyone is forced to stay home and thus are staying connected via Facebook.
Users are recommended to not use livestreaming platforms at this point of time to avoid overloading network infrastructures as they are more demanding than video streaming, as video streaming allows for packets that can be buffered, unlike livestreaming where everything has to be instant.
Pokdepinion: Not sure if this affects Malaysia but I have been Netflix-ing recently without any reduction in quality.
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CES 2020: AMD brings Zen 2 to laptops with AMD Ryzen 4000 series

AMD has finally brought their latest CPU architecture to laptops with the AMD Ryzen 4000 series. The processors will bring up to eight cores to ultraportables from a TDP as low as 15W. The range consists of the AMD Ryzen 4000 U-series and the Ryzen 4000 H-series mobile processors. The naming convention is pretty similar to Intel’s with the U-series being the more efficient 15W TDP parts for integration into ultraportables while the H-series emphasizes performance with a 45W TDP.
Worth noting however is that the mobile AMD Ryzen 4000 series are based on the same 7nm Zen 2 cores as the desktop AMD Ryzen 3000 series, but sport some changes under the hood. For starters, the L3 cache is greatly reduced, with the eight-core parts packing just 8MB of L3 cache instead of the whopping 32MB the desktop parts have.
A part which requires active airflow on a desktop may be a poor fit for a mobile system.
There’s also no support for PCIe 4.0, as the mobile Ryzen 4000 series do not have the discrete I/O chip that the desktop AMD Ryzen 3000 processors have. The equally power hungry X570 chipset may have also been very unfit for deployment in a laptop, thus the decision to continue using PCIe 3.0 in the laptops.

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Over 2x better efficiency than AMD Ryzen 3000U processors!

AMD’s jump to Zen 2 and 7nm has apparently yielded massive improvements for the mobile processors. So much so that they can now deliver over 2x efficiency in CPU workloads, and also pack fewer compute units while still delivering better performance in games thanks to the ability to push for higher frequencies on the GPUs
It’s clear that AMD is gunning for a bigger share of the laptop segment, as their AMD Ryzen 3000 series of mobile processors aren’t exactly outstanding, which was made even more clear with the release of Intel’s Ice Lake processors. The new AMD Ryzen processors promise better performance across the board versus Intel’s latest Core i7 1065G7, the blue camp’s top Ice Lake part.

It’s interesting that they didn’t compare the Ryzen 7 4800U versus the 6-core Comet Lake part Intel has, but it may be to illustrate the difference between AMD’s latest architecture versus Intel’s.
AMD Ryzen 4000 U-Series (15W TDP) Specs
Cores / ThreadsBoost Clocks / Base ClocksCacheiGPURyzen 7 4800U8C / 16T4.2 / 1.8 GHz12MB8 CU @ 1750 MHzRyzen 7 4700U8C / 8T4.1 / 2.0 GHz12MB7 CU @ 1600 MHzRyzen 5 4600U6C / 12T4.0 / 2.1 GHz11MB6 CU @ 1500 MHzRyzen 5 4500U6C / 6T4.0 / 2.3 GHz11MB6 CU @ 1500 MHzRyzen 3 4300U4C / 4T3.7 / 2.7 GHz6MB5 CU @ 1400 MHz
Need more power?
Meanwhile the beefier Ryzen 4000 H-series processors will offer higher performance levels with a higher TDP. Of course this would mean more heat, so you would generally see these in larger gaming laptops rather than the dinky ultraportables OEMs will put the Ryzen 4000 U-series processors into.

For the Ryzen 4000 H-series processors, AMD actually compared them against the likes of the Core i7 9700K, which is a desktop part. Once again, AMD shied away from comparing against Intel’s top of the line offering, with them not pitting it against the 8C/16T Intel Core i9 9980HK.
AMD will be lowering the integrated graphics’ clocks on these parts too, as there probably isn’t much use for them in gaming machines which will most probably feature dedicated graphics anyways. Regardless, you can still enjoy FreeSync on them, as in the case of the ROG Zephyrus G14.
AMD Ryzen 4000 H-series (45W TDP) Specs
Cores / ThreadsBase Clocks / Boost ClocksCacheiGPURyzen 7 4800H8C / 16T2.9 / 4.2 GHz12MB7 CU @ 1600 MHzRyzen 5 4600H6C / 12T3.0 / 4.0 GHz11MB6 CU @ 1500 MHz
It’s worth noting that ASUS has access to a specific bin of the Ryzen 7 4800H, named the Ryzen 7 4800HS. It’s a 35W TDP part with the exact same parameters as the Ryzen 7 4800H, which is pretty cool. Pun intended.

AMD’s mobile processors stack for 2020 is pretty interesting and hopefully we will see some interesting designs for them as well. The Ryzen 3000 mobile APUs have seen pretty huge adoption as well, and hopefully the momentum continues to put pressure on Intel. Competition is always good, right?
Meanwhile for the penny pinchers out there, AMD also brought the AMD Athlon series to laptops. The AMD Athlon Gold 3150U is a dual-core part with SMT enabled, and runs up to 3.3 GHz with 3 CUs in its iGPU. Meanwhile the AMD Athlon Silver 3050U also offers dual core but with SMT disabled. It runs up to 3.2 GHz with a 2 CU iGPU. These would directly compete with Intel’s Pentium/Celeron lines.
Pokdepinion: If these laptops packing 8 cores run cooler than Intel’s 6-core H-series I would give it an immediate win.
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BioWare’s Drew Karpyshyn Left the Company Again – Anthem’s Development Affected?

For the second time now, Anthem writer Drew Karpyshyn has left BioWare again. Would the development of the game be affected, or perhaps, already affected before he left?
BioWare’s Drew Karpyshyn Left the Company Again

Hardcore fans of BioWare are likely familiar with Drew Karpyshyn, who has served as one of the main writers on past titles like Mass Effect 2 and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. After leaving the studio a few years ago, Karpyshyn had returned to help write for BioWare’s newest project Anthem. This past week though, Karpyshyn announced that he has again departed from the studio.
In a post on his official website, Karpyshyn revealed that he had left Bioware on March 2. He made light of the decision by saying that this it probably sounded familiar as it is now the second time he has “retired” from the studio. Karpyshyn went on to say that the reason for his departure was so that he could, “pursue a number of other projects, including more original novels, an original sci-fi graphic novel I’m co-creating, and freelance gaming work.”
It’s important to note that Karpyshyn leaving Bioware by no means signals that Anthem is in dire straits. At this point in Anthem’s development, Karpyshyn has likely finished most of his duties on the project as the rest of the development team works towards polishing and finalizing the product before launch. Or rather, I’m hoping they properly polish the game prior to release.
Anthem was originally slated to release in 2018 but was recently delayed into early 2019. We should learn more about Bioware’s ambitious next title this June during EA Play in Los Angeles.
Source: Blog Post

Pokdepinion: I’ve had my doubts on Anthem, especially after their recent delay announcement. When I knew Drew Karpyshyn left, I got even more scared. But I think I should give them the benefit of a doubt and hope for the best for Anthem.
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Blizzard Finally Fixes Major Overwatch 2 Ranking System Bug

It appears that there was a bug plaguing the ranking system in Overwatch 2 after all, and it’s finally fixed. Now, you don’t have to stay stuck in Bronze anymore.
Overwatch 2 Rank Hell

Apparently, the Overwatch 2 ranking system has been failing to recognize player progression to some degree, making it rather difficult for a good number of players to rank up. This is why you hear online that some gamers to claimed to have won several games straight or had more wins than losses, but still their rank go down.

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Now, it has been fixed but unfortunately, the damage might have already been done. Many players have voiced their frustration since the launch of Overwatch 2, with a number of them quitting the game as well. Of course, there is always a chance they could come back but with other games like Warzone 2.0 and Apex Legends having a new map, it’s hard to say for sure.
In case you were wondering, the issue with the ranking system isn’t related to the player’s actual skill level but the system itself. Blizzard has kept mum about the issue until it got fixed, which certainly caused some frustration within the community for their lack of transparency.
With that out of the way now, hopefully we can see more proper ranked games in Overwatch 2. There will be no free boosts or anything of the kind so you will have to work your way up the hard way even if you got the short end of the stick from the bug. On the plus side, at least lower rank games should be easy to play.
Overwatch 2 is currently available for free on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
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Pokdepinion: Yeah, at one point, I had 5 straight wins, 1 loss, and 2 straight wins but found myself being stuck in Bronze 5. I’m not sure how that was logical given I was performing decently at worst but let’s see if it really has been fixed.
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HUAWEI AppGallery To Reward HUAWEI And HONOR Users This Christmas

In preparation for the festive period, HUAWEI has announced that they are holding the HUAWEI AppGallery Carnival to celebrate their HUAWEI and HONOR users. They are giving out rewards that’s worth RM100,000 and you can also stand a chance in winning a brand new HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro.
HUAWEI AppGallery Carnival
The HUAWEI AppGallery Carnival runs from now until the 31st of December 2018. Lucky fans will get exclusive invites to HUAWEI Christmas Night gathering on the 20th December 2018. All fans will receive exclusive door gifts and lucky draw prizes that’s prepared by the company’s brand partners, Aerocentric, Palm Garden Golf Club, Poseidon’s Reserve Caviar & Oyster Bar, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur as well as Viu.
All you need to do is simply purchase and download any app on the platform before the 14th of December 2018 and be in the running to be one of the lucky 10 winners.

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In addition, you can Lazada and Starbucks cash vouchers up to RM400 and stand a chance to win a new Mate 20 Pro with any in-app purchases on AppGallery Carnival collection. For those who download from the Carnival Themes collection on the HUAWEI Themes app will also be eligible for these treats.
Other than that, with the AppGallery, you can get rewards such as free movie tickets from TGV Cinemas, 20% off from Zalora, RM20 cashback bonus from Shopback, RM10 cash voucher from Eatigo to name a few during the period.
Pokdepinion: Sounds good, all you need to do is get a theme from the app and you can be a part of that Christmas Night gathering and also stand a chance for that Mate 20 Pro!

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AMD X570 chipset to come with PCI Express 4.0 support?

It seems that the PCI Express 4.0 standard is closer to prime time than we thought. The first consumer chipset to ever support the latest standard is expected to be the AMD X570 chipset, which will still be using the AM4 socket. Very interesting…

What’s even more interesting is that the AMD X570 chipset is expected to launch at Computex 2019, which is around 6 months away at this point. That should be plenty of time for AMD to produce their 7nm Zen 2 processors — Ryzen 3000-series? Yep, the naming will be confusing — as well as the much anticipated 7nm Navi or Vega GPUs. The latter is confirmed to support PCIe 4.0.

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What PCIe 4.0 brings to the board is double the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0. So a PCIe 4.0 x16 connector will deliver a whopping 31.5GB/s of bandwidth to your PCIe 4.0 graphics card. It probably won’t be all that beneficial to graphics cards, as we can even run the latest GPUs in PCIe 3.0 x8 without a major impact on the performance, but imagine the possibilities when it comes to PCIe storage…
While I would really love for the additional bandwidth to be used towards a better Multi-GPU experience with AMD, games just aren’t really supporting mGPU anymore. What would be an ideal use case for PCIe 4.0 for you?
Pokdepinion: I wonder if they will have PCIe 4.0 cards for running multiple M.2 PCIe 3.0×4 SSDs… Not that I have that many, but just imagine the ridiculous speeds we can achieve…
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