ASUS RT-AC86U Wireless-AC2900 Review – featuring AiMesh for Ultimate Network Simplicity

You know what mesmerizes me the most when it comes to wireless networking? The fact that there are waves of data passing between the wireless router and your device, it’s there, yet so eloquently imperceptible to our senses. This mysterious world of wireless waves solves much of our mobility issues but at the same time makes it tough to physically identify certain parameters that affect the overall performance of the wireless network. Which is why, it is hard to convince anyone about the advantages of a powerful wireless router. We can’t blame them either. These devices are expensive and for a technology that is not visible to the naked eye, it sounds a lot like a gamble. This is not the same as purchasing a smartphone that will clearly project its prowess from the moment it’s switched on.
Today, we have a pretty interesting networking hardware in our lab. It’s the ASUS RT-AC86U which is a wireless-AC2900 dual band gigabit router. This is a tame version of the wild beast ASUS RT-AC5300 which we use as our daily networking hardware but don’t get me wrong, if a tiger has fangs, a bull has its horns too. In fact, the RT-AC86U is a no-nonsense superweapon you could have to complete your networking hunger both at home or at office. Let’s see.
Unboxing ASUS RT-AC86U Wireless-AC2900

We have created this unboxing video to give you a clearer view of the external façade and the contents within. Enjoy. And here’s what the contents hold.

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Appearance
The one thing I have always been a huge fan about ASUS products is their design language. There are various things that we can agree to disagree about different brands, but when it comes to design, ASUS just make some of the best-looking products. Period. The RT-AC86U is no exception. If you are familiar with ASUS networking line-up, you would find similarities in the RT-AC86U with the RT-AC87U. This is the “standing” version of its predecessor and it’s up to you to decide which one sits better.

The front side looks like a hood of a sports car. Three creases give it a diamond look and the embossed red vent-like design gives it the attitude that it needs. After all, you are earning some bragging rights here. The ASUS emblem gracefully sits at the top of this side and right across it, at the bottom, you can see the indicators for each LAN port, WAN connectivity status, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and Wi-Fi 5GHz statuses and power. These LEDs flash in white when everything is fine and red when it needs attention. If it bugs you too much, you can turn them off with just a press of a button at the back.

Which leads us there. The back is well designed and organized too. The vertical symmetrical lines hide invisible vents behind them to keep the beast cooled down when its running on endurance which is what its good at. In between these lines, somewhere at the bottom left, sits the reset button to show it who is the boss when things get rowdy.

At the bottom part of this side, from left, you can see the power button right above its adapter socket, followed by one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports which are located just before the WAN RJ45 cable port.

On the right side are four LAN ports out of which, one of the ports can be dedicated to your Internet TV that may be bundled with your ISP. The port varies based on different ISPs but ASUS has made it rather easy to identify from the admin panel.

Right between these ports, in the middle is an LED on/off button that trigger the front LEDs I was talking about earlier.
The side has two buttons that enable WPS and turn on/off Wi-Fi which, let’s face it, you would never use anyway.

The top section holds three antennas that extends the range of the wireless router without which, the internal 3dBi antenna would be too short of a range for your crib. The antenna provided are flexible so if you are planning to use beam-forming it makes setting up rather simple. That’s all that is to the appearance of the RT-AC86U. Now let’s set this baby up.

Specifications

Network Standard
IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IPv4, IPv6

Data Rate
802.11a : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps
802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps
802.11g : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps
802.11n : up to 450 Mbps
802.11ac : up to 1734 Mbps
1024QAM (2.4GHz) : up to 750 Mbps
1024QAM (5GHz) : up to2167 Mbps

Antenna
External antenna x 3
Internal 3dBi antenna x 1 for Wi-Fi

Transmit/Receive
MIMO technology
2.4 GHz 3 x 3
5 GHz 4 x 4

Processor
1.8 GHz dual-core processor

Memory
256 MB Flash
512 MB RAM

Wi-Fi Technology
Beamforming: standard-based and universal
1024-QAM high data rate
20/40/80 MHz bandwidth

Operating Frequency
2.4 GHz / 5 GHz

Encryption
64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Enterprise , WPA2-Enterprise , WPS support

Firewall & Access Control
Access control：Parental control, Network service filter, URL filter, Port filter

Management
UPnP, IGMP v1/v2/v3, DNS Proxy, DHCP, NTP Client, DDNS, Port Trigger, Port Forwarding, DMZ, System Event Log

VPN Support
IPSec Pass-Through
PPTP Pass-Through
L2TP Pass-Through
PPTP server
OpenVPN server
PPTP client
L2TP client
OpenVPN client

WAN Connection Type
Internet connection type : Automatic IP, Static IP, PPPoE(MPPE supported), PPTP, L2TP

Ports
RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for 10/100/1000/Gigabits BaseT for LAN x 4
USB 2.0 x 1
USB 3.0 x 1

Buttons
WPS Button, Reset Button, Power Button, Wireless on/off Button, LED on/off Button

Features
MU-MIMO
Traffic Analyzer
Adaptive QoS
WTFast Gamers Private Network
AiProtection
Parental Control
Guest Network : 2.4 GHz x 3, 5 GHz x 3
Mac OS Backup
Enhanced media server (AiPlayer app compatible)
– Image : Jpeg
– Audio : mp3, wma, wav, pcm, mp4, lpcm, ogg
– Video : asf, avi, divx, mpeg, mpg, ts, vob, wmv, mkv, mov
AiCloud personal cloud service
3G/4G data sharing
Printer Server
– Multifunctional printer support (Windows only)
– LPR protocol support
Download Master
– Support bt, nzb, http, ed2k
– Support encryption, DHT, PEX and magnet link
– Upload and download bandwidth control
– Download scheduling
AiDisk file server
– Samba and FTP server with account management
IPTV support
Roaming Assist

LED Indicator
Power x 1
Wi-Fi x 2
WAN x 1
WPS x 1
LAN x 4

Power Supply
AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz)
DC Output : 19 V with max. 1.75 A current

Dimensions
220 x 160 x 83.3 ~ mm (WxHxD)

Weight
872 g

Operation mode
Wireless router mode
Access point mode
Media bridge mode
AiMesh Node

Setting up the RT-AC86U and Configuration
The best practise when setting up a router from scratch is to setup a fixed IP on your local machine based on the base IP of the router and using LAN cable hooked to one of the LAN ports of the router. However, most routers today have matured and the competition is on-going on who makes it as dumb-friendly as possible. In the case of ASUS, you could find the default SSIDs and the PIN to connect to these bands behind the router. If you can’t find the SSIDs or if they’re not the same as the one specified at the back, just hit the reset button for 5 – 10 seconds and it will just reset. Now look for the Wi-Fi band, use the PIN as authentication method, and you’re ready to configure it.

The first thing that the router will ask you to do, is to change the admin username and password; which is an excellent practise. This is then followed by your ISP configuration. Being in Malaysia, we use PPPoE to authenticate with our ISPs. If you are using Unifi Home or Business, or Maxis Home of Business, select the special ISP requirements and choose from the dropdown respectively. If you’re using Time Fibre, you can just proceed without selecting the special ISP requirements box. What this will do is automatically set the IVRs of the respective ISPs and configure the LAN port for the Internet TV service that comes with your ISP. If you’re adventurous, you can also set custom settings which will then allow you to select your preferred port instead of being forced to use the one defined by default.

That’s it! Once you’re done with the wizard, you will be taken to the router’s dashboard. While I’m not a fond of the colour scheme of this dashboard, from the UI/UX perspective, this is probably one of the easiest to use dashboard compared to any routers in the market. The essentials are there, very easily identified and if something is not working the way it should, it shows it right at the point where it is happening. By now, you would have noticed that there are no dual 5GHz bands which is probably the only one functionality the RT-AC86U doesn’t have compared to the RT-AC5300. If you are familiar with ASUS routers, you could also see that there’s a new thing called AiMesh Node at the bottom of the clients counter which we will explain later on.
Guest Network Setup

Moving on, the guest network mode allows you to setup network for, well, your guests. In fact, you can isolate different SSIDs for different type of guests with different parameters. For example, you can limit the bandwidth to 5Mbps and disable authentication if you are feeling generous for your neighbours. You would want to disable local intranet access for this band obviously. Next, you can add another SSID for the guests that actually visit your house and probably will be staying for a while. You can set unlimited bandwidth and setup authentication for this SSID. Whether you need to grant local network access is up to you. Point is, all in all, you can have 8 SSIDs including 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at home or office by just using this one router.
AiProtection

This part is so important and yet most people overlook it. Security for your network is probably the highest thing that you should consider when getting a high-performance router. The AiProtection suite under the hood of the RT-AC86U is provided by Trend Micro. I myself have been an avid fan of Trend Micro for over a decade now, so to me, I’m a happy camper here. Among the features provided in the AiProtection suite are router security assessment, malicious sites blocking, two-way Intrusion Prevention System for anti-DDoS and anti-botnet. While your browser already serves as the first layer of security against most of these threats, the router provides a holistic solution with higher efficiency and statistics that can be viewed by the administrator. The basic tests passed with flying colours here, so unless an exploit occurs, we are heavily safeguarded.

Simulating a test environment, we attempt to download a safe virus to see how well does it work and it seems to do its job pretty decently. But the good thing here is how neatly the RT-AC86U reports the events.

As you can see, the earlier test that I ran has been recorded in the event as Malicious Site Blocking and depending on how much malicious activity is happening on the router, this page will present the data accordingly. The RT-AC86U also comes with Two-Way Intrusion Prevention System that prevents spam network spam or DDOS attacks on any device that is connected within the network, along with any malicious incoming packets that could harm any device.

Adaptive QoS

What’s a good router without QoS? The RT-AC86U comes with adaptive QoS that ensures inbound and outbound bandwidth on all connected devices are prioritized by applications. There are three types of QoS; Adaptive QoS, Traditional QoS and bandwidth limiter combined with which, you could let the router decide the ports and settings or manually define it yourself. Because we use this router in our office, we prioritize web surfing over other modes, in other words, putting port 80 on the highest priority. As much as I want to elaborate on QoS, there is no practical way to test out how well the QoS is doing its job without using very expensive equipment. But when you have well over 20 devices on a 10Mbps connection, you can pretty much feel the difference in intensive modes like gaming. I must say, the QoS on ASUS routers aren’t the best around. They do work, but there are routers out there that can do the job much better. Then again, if you’re using under 30 devices and have a connectivity above 100Mbps, trust me, it wouldn’t matter.

Network Range & Signal Strength
One of the key differences that the RT-AC86U has against the RT-AC5300 is the fact that the former comes with 3 antennas and dual band Wi-Fi while the latter has 8 antennas and triple bands with 2 5GHz bands that can function as one via the Smart Connect. It doesn’t put the RT-AC86U any inferior though, because it does support 1024-QAM high data rate and has MIMO technology with 2.4GHz (3 x 3) and 5GHz (4 x 4) transmission and receiving capabilities. However, theoretically, the range would differ by a minor difference, let’s do a comparison.

On the 2.4GHz band, the RT-AC5300 managed to beam the wi-fi signal at about -45dBM while the RT-AC86U managed to transmit at about -55dBM at the same location. This is the further point in our office from the router with no interruption in the line of path of the network.

On the 5GHz band, the RT-AC5300 projects two beams on 5170MHz and 5815MHz that are distributed across 35 – 50 channels and 148 – 162 channels respectively. At 5170MHz, it projects about -55dBm signal strength while at 5815 MHz, it projects around -54dBm strength. In comparison to that, the RT-AC86U only delivers 5GHz band on 5170MHz across 34 – 50 channels and peaks out at -58dBm.
The difference here is very minimal, but if your premise happens is large, every single juice of signal strength matters especially with walls getting in the way. But I will say, this router does deliver promising network range. I mean, we are comparing it against one of the best wireless routers in the world, which is a very tough competition to throw at it, and it manages to stand out pretty well!
Moving to the awesome part

As you can tell, I’ve narrowed down my review to only the most important aspects of the router. Most of the configurations are standard and we have discussed them before so I don’t want to repeat myself on that. Of course, if you have any questions about this router, you can leave a message in the comments section and I will be more than glad to answer them – for as long as I have the router that is. So far I’ve highlighted the things that I know you guys would be asking otherwise. Now I want to move on to one of the most innovative features that ASUS has brought to the world of networking.
AiMesh
AiMesh is ASUS’ innovation in making networking as extended as possible, yet retaining its simplicity. Basically, any devices that support AiMesh are eligible to participate in this cluster. So what is AiMesh? AiMesh combines more than one ASUS routers and forms a network mesh that provides whole-premise coverage with a centralized management. Too much to digest? Let me break it down with diagrams and example instead.
Every AiMesh router is called a “node” and all of these nodes interact with each other with standard protocols. One of the main node becomes the “master node” where this will become the central management console for all nodes. In AiMesh, the SSIDs and their passwords remain the same throughout the whole network mesh. And your devices will switch between different nodes without you realizing it as you move between different nodes. This can be elongated as far as you want as long as all nodes are inter-connected and none of the devices are down or turned off. But AiMesh is much more than just that.
Regardless of which node you are connected to, when you try to login to that node’s admin console, you will be redirected to the master nodes’ management console. In fact, you actually manage the rest of the nodes from within the master nodes’ administration panel. All these AiMesh nodes are built in a way that makes it very easy to setup too. You want to know how easy? Check this out.
So we set our RT-AC5300 as the master node and reset the RT-AC86U to factory default settings. We turn on the RT-AC86U router and just leave it unattached from any device. On the RT-AC5300 dashboard, we click on the AiMesh icon right at the bottom.

That will present to you the AiMesh option, to which you could hit the search button. Note that we have not done anything on the RT-AC86U yet.

And just like that, you suddenly see our RT-AC86U router in the list. This couldn’t have been easier! Now let’s click on it.

That’s really all that it will ask. You hit apply and you’re done.

It will automatically configure everything by itself. Let the node initialize to 100% and the RT-AC86U becomes the next node.

In fact, once it’s built the mesh, you can even opt to hardwire the nodes. Just plug an RJ45 cable from the LAN port of the maser node to the WAN port of the extending node and you have a wired network instead. You still do not need to configure anything on the extending node. The master node takes care of this itself. If you want to repeat this with the next node, you can just plug another RJ45 cable from the LAN port of the extending node to another extending node (that’s of course, if you do not want to use Wi-Fi for connectivity). This goes on and on until your premise has no blind spots left.

You can name the nodes to whatever you desire or use a preset from dropdown list.

Why not, right? :P

You can view more details about every node too, check its MAC address, set a priority to it, or even check the firmware version. Nifty, eh? Now, here’s the magical part. This setup actually happened very quickly. You probably realized that there were no device connected to the extended node. Because by the time I reached this step, it was barely under a minute. Then suddenly, this happened.

We have about 20 wireless devices in our office and the ones that were closest started to connect to the extended node. Without the device owners realizing it. I plugged my desktop (Phoenix) to the node and it appears in the extended node, working perfectly fine too. Because the J7 Prime and the Note 8 were closer to the extended node, they immediately switched to it while the rest of the devices were closer to the master node still.

You might think that this is just a simulation of wireless extenders, and while its very close to that, ASUS has actually added some Ai of sorts here. It’s called AiMesh for a reason afterall, no? I realized that if you are connected to one of the nodes and you’re running a stream or playing games (in other words, using UDP packets), if the extending node is strong enough, it doesn’t switch to the next node because it will give you a “jig” or a short network latency and that’s not good. However, if you are only running TCP packets, the switch happens very quickly and almost instantly. I would like to test this extensively, and I have the ASUS Lyra for that, but the Lyra has yet to receive the AiMesh update at time of writing. Once we get the update, we shall do a round of extensive testing on this. On two nodes, the experience was remarkable. We shall extend to 5 nodes in our next review and see what we pattern do we get out of it.
Conclusion
Well, there you go. The ASUS RT-AC86U with wireless-AC2900 dual band gigabit router review. The price of the router is RM1569 which is definitely not your average router’s price but considering the heavy load of features that it carries, it’s definitely worth the money spent. This router is what a performance router needs to be. It’s practical, it’s decent looking, and the AiMesh support is a huge bonus for it. It lacks the features like dual 5GHz band and 8 antennas that I only consider as “unnecessary luxury”. If you still believe your standard ISP router stands a chance against this monster, I dare to put a head-to-head fight for it.
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OPPO F11 Coming This 16th April 2019 As A Shopee Exclusive

OPPO Malaysia has revealed today that they will be launching their OPPO F11 smartphone and it will be exclusively available on Shopee.
OPPO F11 Shopee exclusive
The OPPO F11 comes with a 6.5-inch Waterdrop screen and it packs 4GB RAM that’s paired with 128GB of internal storage. One of the main highlights of the OPPO F11 is its 48MP where they claim you are able to take brilliant portraits in low light. The lens is accompanied by a secondary 5MP camera at the back and as for selfies, there’s the 16MP front shooter. There’s also the VOOC Flash Charge 3.0 and Hyper Boost acceleration technology to make your gaming experience better.
The OPPO F11 runs on ColorOS 6.0 (based on Android 9 Pie) and under the hood is a 4020mAh battery. Additionally, the phone uses a Mediatek Helio P70 chipset to power it up.

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As mentioned earlier, the OPPO F1 will be available exclusively on Shopee. In the same time, you can enjoy exciting contest with Shopee Coins to be won. You can check out the official OPPO Store on Shopee by clicking on the link right here.
Pokdepinion: If you are wondering on what is the difference between the OPPO F11 and the F11 Pro, it is the pop-up selfie camera on the F11 Pro. So if you could live by the notched display, F11 seems like a decent choice.
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[E3 2019] New Battletoads Game Officially Confirmed

This is no prank, ladies and gentleman. The legendary Battletoads game from the past is making a return…somewhat. Well, it’s not a port of the old game but rather, a new version of the popular game which was announced at the Microsoft E3 2019 press conference.
According to the trailer posted by Microsoft, the game will feature Zitz Pimple and Rash as they return to “Morph Attach their way through an all new action-packed adventure.” Some good news is peppered in, specifically that the game will have couch co-op, it is developed by Rare and D La LA Studios, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass.
The trailer is action-packed with some beat ’em up action, noting that players will need to race, solve puzzles, and do much more than just fight.

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As of now, there is no official announcement on when the game will release or what consoles the game will come to, though Xbox One seems like an obvious inclusion. We will update you with more information as soon as we get it so stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Battletoads will be available soon for Xbox One. You can check out the new E3 gameplay trailer at the top of this post.
Pokdepinion: I wonder if it would be as rage-inducing as the original game. Not that I mind actually, it still gave me great memories.
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ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Officially Launched in Malaysia – World’s Thinnest Gaming Laptop is Here

ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Officially Launched in Malaysia

At a launch event in Bangsar today, the folks over at ASUS Malaysia has launched the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S gaming laptop in Malaysia. It is currently said to be the world’s thinnest gaming laptop around, measuring roughly 15mm thin. It utilizes a 15.6-inch Full HD 144Hz display with 100% sRGB coverage, packed into a 14.2-inch chassis.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S is powered by the Intel Core i7-8750H and the 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. It also has 16GBs of DDR4 RAM, and 512GBs NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD. It manages to pack all of these in a roughly 15mm thin all-metal chassis, and is 12% slimmer than the original Zephyrus (GX501), and complies with military-grade durability standards.

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On the cooling side of things, it has the Active Aerodynamic System (AAS), where a special vent opens underneath the chassis when the lid is lifted in order to let the laptop draw in more air. The AAS intake measures at 5mm which stretches across the entire back of the body to improve airflow by 22% compared to traditional laptop designs.
Inside the laptop itself, it has a total of five heat pipes which pulls heat away from the components as well as the VRM circuitry that feeds them power. Thermal energy is the channeled along the heat pipes to four heatsinks and exhaust vents at the rear corners. It is said to be twice as many as the original Zephyrus laptop.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S gaming laptop has a desktop-inspired 4-zone RGB keyboard with Aura Sync. The colours can be customized via the all-new Armoury Crate software, which effectively replaces the ROG Gaming Center software. With a new UI layout, you can customize RGB lighting, set up custom game profiles, overclock, adjust cooling, and more.
As for the network side of things, it has the 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi which connects to compatible wireless networks at “greater-than-gigabit” speeds. Just keep in mind that the speeds are very much dependent on your router.

For more details on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S, check it out right below here:
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Specifications

CPU
Intel Core i7-8750H (6C / 12T @ up to 4.1 GHz), 9M Cache, 45W TDP, 14nm

RAM
16GB 2666MHz DDR4

GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5

Storage
512GB PCIe G3X4 SSD

Display
15.6″ FHD (1920 X 1080) 144Hz IPS-level display (3ms response, 100% sRGB)

Keyboard
Desktop-style 4-Zone RGB keyboard with Aura Sync (NKRO)

Connectivity
Wireless:
Intel 802.11ac (2×2) Gigabit Wave 2 Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.0
I/O:
2 x Type-A USB 2.0
1 x Type-A USB 3.0
1 x Type-C Gen 1
1 x Type-C Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.2 and Power Delivery
1 x HDMI (supports 2.0)
1 x Kensington Lock
1 x Proprietary Charging Port

Audio
2 x Speakers (Stereo)
1 x Combo Audio Jack

Power
50Whr 4-cell Li-Polymer Battery

Dimensions
360 x 268 x 14.95~15.75 mm (W x D x H)

Weight
2.1kg

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S gaming laptop will be available from today onwards at every authorizes ASUS ROG dealers nationwide. It will be retailing for RM7,999. Purchasing it will also yield you the ROG Range 1500G backpack.

Purchasing selected gaming laptops will may also land you the ROG Phone for free. Be sure to ask if you plan on purchasing this or the SCAR II laptop.
If you’re wondering how this laptop performs, we have actually already unboxed and reviewed it. Check out the full, in-depth review by clicking right here.
Pokdepinion: If you’re a fan of slim gaming laptops, now you have something new to consider.
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Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) Officially Available In Malaysia – Featuring Dual Front Camera And IP68!

Samsung today has officially launch their new Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and the A8+ (2018) at their launch event in Kuala Lumpur.
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) & A8+ (2018)
The new Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018) features a dual front camera and they are rated at IP68, allows you to enjoy various types of adventures, from casual park strolls, to pool parties, without having the need to worry about water and dust damaging the smartphone.
With the device’s 16MP+8MP F1.9 dual front camera, which is made up of two separate cameras, you can choose to switch between the two to take the type of selfie of your preference. This ranges from close-ups to portrait shots with a clear background (bokeh effect).

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Taking features from their other flagship devices, the A8  and A8+ also will have Live Focus feature, which allows users to adjust the background blur (bokeh effect) before or even after you take the picture to create better quality images.
With its F1.9 and F1.7 aperture, it can help you capture sharper images, even if you’re in low-light conditions. To satisfy creators, Samsung’s new device allows you to customize your photos with several options, from adding stickers to your selfie or highlighting a culinary with Food Mode.
Taking videos comes with a breeze with the devices coming with stabilization. As expected, these device will also feature Always On Display, a feature that has been implemented in Samsung’s other flagship device, allowing users to glance through notifications without ever unlocking the device.
So if you’re wondering what the difference between the two models are, the Galaxy A8 (2018) features 4GB RAM with an internal memory of 32GB and has a 3,000mAh battery. On the other hand, the Galaxy A8+ (2018) has 6GB RAM paired with 64GB of internal memory and a 3,500mAh battery. Worth noting that the A8’s display is smaller than the A8+’s being at 5.6-inch, while the latter has a bigger 6.0-inch display.
Both Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ is now available in Malaysia at a recommended price of RM1,799 (A8) and RM2,499 (A8+). They are available in Black, Gold, and Orchid Gray color variants.
Pokdepinion: I’m kind of intrigued why the price difference between the two is quite substantial. What do you think? Do you think the price is okay? Let us know!
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Redmi Note 11 Series Roadshow Running Now Till The 27 February

It seems that the new Redmi Note 11 has sold over 6500 units in Malaysia within 24-hours last week as revealed by Xiaomi Malaysia. To bring the series closer to you, they are running the Redmi Note 11 Series roadshows from now till the 27th of February 2022.
Redmi Note 11 Series Roadshow

The three roadshows are located in Sunway Pyramid, QueensBay Mall, and finally AEON Tebrau City. From the roadshow, you can expect exclusive gifts worth RM457 which includes a RM100 Xiaomi AIoT voucher, a pair or Redmi Buds 3 Lite, a Mi Smart Scale 2, a canvas tote bag, and a pillow blanket with each of your purchase.

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It’s worth noting that the freebies are limited, so you might want to act quickly. Aside from that, they have prepped up some fun and experiential activities at the roadshow for all customers and mall shoppers to enjoy as well as prizes to be won.
We’ve recently reviewed the Redmi Note 11S from the series. You may head to the link right here to find out our thoughts on it. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: Be sure to make a visit to the roadshow if you’re near the area of their locations. I wonder what kind of activities that they have!
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This NSFW Nintendo Switch Game Has Been Pulled Back Due To A Weird Incident

Do Not Feed The Monkeys was scheduled to be released on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite. While it’s not common for a NSFW to be released, it seems that the game has been pulled back from stores for a weird incident.
Do Not Feed The Monkeys removed from online store

The reason that the game was removed from the Nintendo eShop? Well it appears that the game was released with an E-rating. In case you don’t know it, the rating means that the game is made for ‘Everyone’, which clearly is not as the game features sexual content that’s made for adults.
Not surprising that upon realizing the mistake, the game was taken down. It’s still unclear on whether Nintendo themselves or the developer of the game that took it out.

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Currently the game has been resent for a new rating and it’s not yet confirmed of the game’s new release date.
The game was released back in 2018 and in the game you watch strangers through a host of surveillance cameras, yeah that’s not creepy at all.
Source
Pokdepinion: I still don’t get how the error was made. I’d understand it if the game was entirely new but the game was out in 2018…
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Mass Effect: Andromeda available for FREE; if you are a EA/Origin Access subscriber, that is

If you are a fan of the Mass Effect franchise but have yet to pick up the latest addition to the series, Mass Effect: Andromeda has been added to the EA and Origin Access Vault. If you are an EA or Origin Access subscriber, you will get free access to the game on your Xbox One or PC.
The addition of Mass Effect: Andromeda to Origin Access was somewhat of a surprise from EA as it was announced to be added to the growing list of games that Origin Access subscribers can enjoy for free soon, but the date was not mentioned. Poof, and it’s available now. For those who are interested to subscribe to Origin Access, the fee is just $34.90 per year, with quite a few niceties thrown in to keep you paying.

Mass Effect: Andromeda was plagued with bugs at launch, leading to some a massive outburst of funny glitch videos on YouTube. Most of the bugs were quickly fixed in later patches but once a game is launched with these massive flaws, most people would be wary of paying for it. Well now it’s free for Origin Access subscriber.

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Go ahead and enjoy your new free game EA and Origin Access subscribers!
Source: GameSpot
Pokdepinion: More free games, even if they are buggy, are always good to see, especially when you are paying for subscriptions like Origin Access.
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Nintendo Switch to support AMD FSR

Image Credit: Nintendo

With the Nintendo Switch Sports game slated to debut on April 29th, a Twitter user by the name of NWPlayer123 has recently discovered that the Nintendo Switch might support AMD FSR, either at launch or at a later update.
FSR found in Nintendo Switch user agreement
She noted that the user agreement for Nintendo Switch has indicated the game features AMD FidelityFX and FidelityFX Super-Resolution license but does not explain how the FSR would be used in the game, unless on TV where high resolution is required (1080p).

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The Nintendo Switch was built with the NVIDIA Tegra chip, which does not support Tensor-powered Deep Learning Super Sampling technology (NVIDIA DLSS). NVIDIA offers Image Sharpening (NIS) tech for PC users even though Nintendo developers have allegedly chosen a more sophisticated approach when designing the game despite both NIS and FSR being open-source now.
Yesterday, Valve enabled FSR for its Steam Deck, which will allow all games to be available through Gamescope. The Nintendo Switch was long rumoured to receive a hardware upgrade that would bring 4K DLSS output in TV mode but these rumours have been unfounded as the company had released an OLED model with nearly identical specs. The console would still rely on Tegra X1 SoC with 256 CUDA cores in Maxwell framework.
Nintendo Switch Sport is a set of curated games where players can play with Nintendo Joy-Con controllers in sports like Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton, Chambara (swordplay) and Golf (in fall update). The game has not yet been released but will soon begin its Online Play Test (February 19).
Source
Pokdepinion: The more I see this type of information on the Nintendo Switch, the more I feel like it needs a hardware upgrade. Perhaps a mid-life cycle upgrade that can play games in higher resolutions while the standard and OLED models handle the game at 720p or Full HD.
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4K Acer Gaming Monitors with HDMI 2.1 Coming to Malaysia

Apart from the new Acer Predator gaming laptops, Acer Malaysia also introduced a couple of new 4K gaming monitors that would make a good match for newer gaming technology as it features HDMI 2.1 support. Those are the 31.5-inch Acer Predator XB323QK NV and the 28-inch Acer Nitro XV282K KV with pre-order gifts for orders made before 6th October 2021.
Acer Predator XB323QK NV

The Acer Predator XB323QK NV is a 31.5-inch 144Hz 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS gaming monitor with Adaptive Sync and Agile-Splendor IPS panel. It’s said to offer 90% DCI-P3 Color Gamut, Delta E<1 color accuracy, and VESA DisplayHDR 400.

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Using the Ergostand, it allows this monitor to pivot, tilt, swivel, and adjust height so you can get the perfect viewing angle regardless of your setup. One of the main highlights here is HDMI 2.1 support, allowing you to enjoy 4K 120Hz on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The Acer Predator XB323QK NV will be open pre-order from today onwards at the Acer estore, Acer official online stores on Shopee and Lazada, and Authorized Predator Partners. It will be retailing for RM4,299 with pre-order gifts including the Predator Galea 311 headset, Predator Aethon 300 keyboard, and Predator Cestus 310 mouse.
Acer Nitro XV282K KV

The Acer Nitro XV282K KV gaming monitor is an interesting display as it’s designed with Xbox gamers in mind, even with a special green cable management hook. Part of the “Design For Xbox” programme, this monitor has a 4K UHD IPS panel with AMD FreeSync Premium support, 144 Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. It is said to offer 90% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR 400, and Agile-Splendor IPS technology.
The Acer Nitro XV282K KV will be open pre-order from today onwards at the Acer estore, Acer official online stores on Shopee and Lazada, and Authorized Predator Partners. It will be retailing for RM3,299 with pre-order gifts including the Predator Aethon 300 keyboard and Predator Cestus 310 mouse.
Pokdepinion: I’m quite tempted to get that 31.5-inch gaming monitor not just because of the size but also for HDMI 2.1 since I already have a PS5. Of course, finding a game that can support 4K 120FPS on the system is gonna be tough now but hey, it’s good for futureproofing.
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HUAWEI Watch GT 2 46mm Now Available In Malaysia At RM799

The folks at HUAWEI Malaysia has announce that the new HUAWEI Watch GT 2 46mm is now available in the country. You can now get it for the price of RM799.

HUAWEI has also prepared a special gift when you purchase the watch as they will also include a Watch GT 2 Strap, which is worth RM69 for free.
The HUAWEI Watch GT2 is powered by a Kirin A1 chipset and they’ve claimed that the 46mm series can operate continuously for up to two weeks, with both the intelligent heart rate monitor and call notification functions turned on, as well as 30 minutes of Bluetooth calls and music playbacks each.

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To learn more on the HUAWEI Watch GT2, do check out in our previous coverage here.
If you are eyeing to get one, you can find them at all HUAWEI Stores in the country now.
Pokdepinion: Not bad of a price though.. I don’t know if I should opt to get one now..
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[CES 2022] Dell XPS 13 Plus Reinvents Itself With New Touch Bar

At CES 2022, the Dell XPS 13 Plus was unveiled alongside the Dell UltraSharp 32″ 4K video conferencing monitor. What’s so great about these new products? Let’s find out.
Dell XPS 13 Plus

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The Dell XPS 13 Plus has some notable changes over the standard model. For starters, the row of function keys on the keyboard that sits close to the display is now a capacitive touch bar. While you can still retain the original row’s functions, it can now effectively double as media keys.
Apart from that, you also have an invisible glass touchpad which makes use of haptic vibration motors to simulate clicks. In theory, it should be similar to how the iPhone 8’s button is like but with a different feel. We can’t say much about how well it works until we’ve reviewed it ourselves.
The biggest change is, unsurprisingly, the components inside as it’s now powered by the 12th Gen Intel Core CPU with Intel Iris X GPU. It can handle up to 28W of power, almost double the capacity of the previous generation, so it can handle more intense tasks like video encoding better.

Keep in mind that you can’t upgrade the RAM on your own so you will need to decide on the memory configuration upon purchase. As for battery life, nothing was mentioned but it does include Express Charge 2.0, which is said to give up to 80% charge in just one hour. Dell will also be including a USB-C to USB-A adapter inside the box, and it’s made of 100% recyclable material.
Dell XPS 13 Plus specifications

OS
Windows 11

Display
13.4-inch 1,920 x 1,200 (FHD+) nontouch ~ 3,840 x 2,400 (4K UHD) touchscreen

Camera
HD (720p) webcam with Windows Hello

CPU
Intel Core i5-1240P (12 cores, up to 4.4GHz) ~ Core i7-1280P (14 cores, up to 4.8GHz)

GPU
Intel Iris X Graphics (integrated)

RAM
8GB (5,200MHz) ~ 32GB (5,200MHz); built-in

Storage
256GB PCIe ~ 2TB PCIe

Battery
55Whr battery (built-in)

Connectivity
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2Wired
2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); one USB-C to USB-A adapter included

Biometric authentication
Windows Hello via webcam or power button-embedded fingerprint reader

The Dell XPS 13 Plus will be available starting sometime in Spring 2022 with a retail price of USD $1,199. No word yet on pricing and availability in Malaysia but we will keep you posted so stay tuned for further information.
But wait, there’s more!
Dell UltraSharp 32″ 4K Video Conferencing Monitor

We also have the new Dell UltraSharp 32″ 4K video conferencing monitor, model U3223QZ. Just as the name implies, it’s a 32-inch 4K resolution monitor, and it can also function as a USB hub featuring 5 USB-A ports. As it’s catered to professionals, there is added attention given to colours, including accuracy.
It features VESA DisplayHDR 400, a contrast ratio of 2000:1, 100% sRGB, and 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut. In case you’re wondering, the response rate is said to be 5ms but it can only go up to 60Hz refresh rate, so gaming on it might not be the best.
What makes it interesting is the built-in 4K webcam inside. As you can see from the notable camera bump, it’s a pretty big webcam and we suspect that it uses a similar technology to the Dell UltraSharp webcam that was introduced last year. It’s expected to launch sometime in March 2022. No word yet on retail pricing, as well as availability in Malaysia but we will keep you posted.
Source
Pokdepinion: That might not be a gaming monitor but I kind of want one on the side. It looks to be pretty cool for work, and I’m also curious about that 4K webcam inside. One thing’s for sure, that Dell XPS 13 Plus looks to bring much welcomed changes.
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PS5 Price and New Games Expected To Unveil in August 2020 – Xbox Series X Too

With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X still being the hot topic in the gaming world, it’s no surprise that both Sony and Microsoft are slowly letting out new information so gamers can get excited about them. It looks like we might learn about the PS5 price and new games in the near future, and it’s the same case for the Xbox Series X.
Xbox Series X and PS5 Price Reveal Coming Soon?

In a recent Kinda Funny Gamescast, co-host Imran Khan said that he heard both Sony and Microsoft discussing hardware, which includes price and availability, sometime in August 2020. Moreover, it’s being said that both companies will have more games to show off for their respective next gen consoles, albeit it might be unveiled at a different time.

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Imran Khan added on by saying that both companies have some major game reveals coming up:
Oh s***, I can’t believe they are revealing that here. They are holding onto some things that I’m like really surprised they are holding onto and I wouldn’t be shocked if they showed them soon.

State of Play returns Thursday at 1:00pm Pacific!
What to expect:
▪ A focus on upcoming PS4 & PS VR games
▪ A few quick check-ins on third-party and indie games from June’s PS5 showcase
▪ No big PS5 announcements!
Tune-in details: https://t.co/kgrDFZsHd2 pic.twitter.com/9AIPFnh3CT
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) August 3, 2020

There were also rumours of Sony holding their next State of Play show in the first week of August. This rumour is echoed by several industry folks as well, lending some credibility to the rumour. This was announced to be real by the PlayStation Twitter account as seen above here. However, it’s interesting to note that they mentioned there being “no big PS5 announcements.”
For now, we will just have to wait and see. We at Pokde.net will be reporting on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: I really can’t wait to hear about the PS5 price. Mostly because I want to know how much I need to save up but either way, I can’t wait to see.
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Cooler Master Unveils HAF 500 Mid Tower Case

Cooler Master Launches HAF 500 Mid Tower Case For RM459

The HAF 500, the newest version of Cooler Master’s HAF line with greater airflow performance, was released today. The new HAF 500 frame will be offered in black or white, with a redesigned visual style and support for the newest hardware.
With the HAF 500, the iconic High Air Flow (HAF) series is making a powerful comeback, with more models expected early this year. The HAF 500 features dual 200mm ARGB fans and massive mesh intakes, which are essential to the HAF series’ brand and function.

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The mesh front panel and the removable top panel have large filtered intakes that allow airflow which keeps internal components at the right temperature. The top panel can be completely removed, allowing radiators and fans to be mounted externally and then reattached to the chassis for a more user-friendly construction.
For dedicated GPU cooling, the chassis has been modified with a rotatable 120mm SickleFlow fan to ensure maximum performance. The 120mm fan is mounted on top of the HDD cage and offers dedicated GPU cooling. Not only that, the GPU fan bracket may be rotated to fit different GPU sizes and setups.
The I/O panel has USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C support, which improves data transmission efficiency and versatility. Even the most demanding systems would not be held back because of the substantial space provided by the body, which can accommodate up to eight 120mm fans or dual 360mm radiators.
The screwless and tool-free tempered glass side panel design is held with pins for simple removal, allowing for tool-free access to the internals. To better fasten the tempered glass side panel, an extra screw can be inserted.
The Cooler Master HAF 500 will be available in Black and White, priced at RM459. For more information about the casing, feel free to visit Cooler Master’s official website.
Pokdepinion: The PC casing build looks sturdy and I like its clean design and compartments. I wonder will it be easy to arrange the wirings.
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vivo V23e Series First Sale Superday Roadshow Is Coming On 18 December

The vivo V23e series Superday Roadshow takes place tomorrow, 17 December, and the official First Sale day is on 18 December.
First Day sale of the vivo V23e series is coming this 18 December

The first 50 customers who purchase the latest V23e series at Pavilion Bukit Jalil will be able to acquire the vivo TWS 2e (RRP RM269) at a discounted price. In addition, consumers who purchase the V23e at the roadshow will receive additional unique goodies worth up to RM530, such as a backpack, 1-year extended warranty, 1-year screen crack protection, Mobile Legends Exclusive Skin Pack, and VIU TV 1-month premium membership card.

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Customers who purchase the V23e 5G will receive exclusive gifts worth up to RM589. These include an automated soap dispenser gift box, a 1-year extended warranty, a 1-year screen crack protection, a Mobile Legends Exclusive Skin Pack, and a VIU TV 1-month premium membership card.

The vivo V23e series is a new selfie smartphone series that is packed with features including an up to 50MP AF Front Camera with Ultra Stabilisation mode, elegant and slim design at only 7.36mm, 4050mAh battery capacity with 44W FlashCharge, Dual-mode 5G, and two colour options – Sunshine Coast and Moonlight Shadow, available at only RM1,399 for V23e, and RM1,599 for V23e 5G.
Alternatively, if users can not make it to the roadshow, they can purchase the V23e series here: vivo V23e and vivo V23e 5G.
Pokdepinion: Personally, if I were to get the V23e series I would just buy it online. Physical events still make me nervous sometimes especially since I have already contracted COVID-19 once before.
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Cuphead Has Sold 2 Million Copies; The Game’s Gone Double Platinum

What is known by many as the Dark Souls of indie run and gun platformer, Cuphead has sold over 2 million copies, giving it the Double Platinum status.
Cuphead Has Sold 2 Million Copies

Double Platinum! Thank you to the best fans in the world! https://t.co/ExnYtH7fZX pic.twitter.com/q0tdJz1wzZ
— Studio MDHR (@StudioMDHR) December 20, 2017

There’s no doubt that Cuphead is one of the most charming and stylish games that has released in 2017. As we have recently learned, the game’s unique art style and run-and-gun gameplay has seemed to resonate with a rather large number of gamers judging by some new sales numbers.

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Studio MDHR, the developer and publisher of Cuphead, recently revealed that their indie darling has gone double platinum, meaning that it has now surpassed two million in sales. These figures might not seem like much when compared to certain triple-A titles, but for a smaller project of Cuphead’s nature, it’s pretty astonishing.
Cuphead’s strong sales definitely make it one of the big winners of 2017 when considering how few people worked on the game. It seemed like Cuphead’s sales trajectory would be strong after it surpassed one million in sales just two weeks after releasing, but to now hit the two million marker before the end of the year solidifies its status as one of the most successful indie titles of the year.
If I were a betting man, I would say that we haven’t seen the last of Cuphead or Mugman when considering these impressive sales. While this is just conjecture, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a sequel or perhaps a DLC in the future. Considering how long Cuphead took to develop however, it might take some time to see this come to fruition.
If you feel like giving Cuphead a try or simply just want to find a reason to rage in a game, then you can pick it up for yourself on Xbox One or PC.

Pokdepinion: Well, I had plenty of fun playing Cuphead. I also wanted to slap my partner a lot in co-op but no matter. Kudos to Studio MDHR for the Double Platinum status on the game.
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HUAWEI to resume trading with US companies soon

The US administration has offered US companies licenses to deal with HUAWEI, although there has not been any licenses approved yet. The latest update is that Trump is now ready to allow approved US companies to sell “non-sensitive” goods to HUAWEI, whatever that means.
Having one of the licenses would allow US companies to essentially bypass the US ban on trading with HUAWEI. There’s no mention of which companies have been approved and which haven’t, although there has been reportedly more than 130 applications as of August.

With US companies also lobbying the US government to lift the ban, and if the meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping goes well, the ban may soon lift, allowing HUAWEI and HONOR to resume business as usual with US companies, such as Google. The latest HUAWEI Mate 30 series launched without Google Mobile Services, although the Chinese company has pledged to push it to the devices over one night if US lifts the ban.

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Pokdepinion: If HUAWEI gets to use GMS again, will they still continue pushing HMS forward?
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Xiaomi CC9 Pro matches HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro’s DxOMark scores at nearly half the price

The Xiaomi CC9 Pro does have the bragging rights of being the first 108MP smartphone that doesn’t cost more than an iPhone. But aside from a ridiculously high megapixel count, the Xiaomi CC9 Pro has another achievement up it sleeves: matching the HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro on DxOMark’s ladder.
Of course, that’s the Xiaomi CC9 Pro Premium Edition that DxOMark tested. The only difference is an 8-element lens instead of the regular variant’s 7-element optics. Aside from that, you get the same penta-camera setup on the Xiaomi CC9 Pro Premium Edition as you would on the regular one.

The penta-camera setup is probably the main highlight. Featuring a 108MP f/1.69 primary camera behind optically stabilized glass, the camera here blows past Xiaomi’s previous flagships. In addition to that, there’s a 12MP f/2.0 2x telephoto shooter and a 8MP f/2.0 10x hybrid zoom camera which goes all the way up to 50x zoom with digital zoom, a 20MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle camera that works together with the dedicated macro lens to focus from just 1.5cm. Just for good measure, there’s a 32MP f/2.0 selfie camera that supports what looks like a Night mode for selfies.

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 Aside from the absolutely ridiculous camera, the specifications aren’t anything out of the ordinary. There’s a Snapdragon 730G mated to up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The battery weighs in at an impressive 5260 mAh, with support for 30W charging. Thanks to the massive camera and battery, the CC9 Pro is really chonky at 9.67mm thick and 208g heavy.
Is the Xiaomi CC9 Pro the first mid-range with a curved display?
Xiaomi CC9 Pro Specs
Snapdragon 730G, octa-core up to 2.2 GHz, 8nmUp to 8GB RAMUp to 256GB storage6.47″ FHD+ AMOLED curved display108MP f/1.69 OIS + 12MP f/2.0 2x telephoto + 8MP f/2.0 10x hybrid zoom + 20MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle + macro camera32MP f/2.0 selfie camera5260 mAh battery, 30W fast charging6GB+128GB: 2799 CNY (~RM1654)8GB+256GB: CNY 3099 (~RM1831)8GB+256GB (Premium Edition): CNY 3499 (~RM2067)

How can you say no to the Xiaomi CC9 Pro and its awesome cameras? Sales will begin on 11th November in China, and it will be available in Midnight Black, Glacier White and Aurora Green. Meanwhile for the global market, stay tuned for the Mi Note 10.
Pokdepinion: I am definitely looking forward to trying out this phone…
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Here are the Radeon RX 6600 XT cards and their prices in Malaysia

So, you have read our review of the ROG Strix Radeon RX 6600 XT, and decided that the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is the card for you. These are the cards that we know are available in Malaysia, and their specifications and pricing. Although I have to note that by “available” we mean that they will be sold in Malaysia, not that you can easily get them. You might though, so good luck!
ASUS Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM2300

ASUS are bringing in two flavors of the Radeon RX 6600 XT, and both of them tout two fans, and come factory overclocked. As you would expect, ASUS clocked the ROG Strix Radeon RX 6600 XT OC Edition slightly higher than the ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6600 XT OC Edition. It seems that they are also equipping the ROG Strix card with four heatpipes, versus the DUAL’s three.

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Aside from that, both cards harness Axial-tech fans with dual-ball bearings and are manufactured by the Auto-Extreme assembly technology which ensures optimal reliability.
ASUS Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6600 XT OC Edition
ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 6600 XT OC Edition

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2382MHz (+23MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
243 x 134 x 49 mm
243 x 134 x 52 mm

Warranty
3+1 year warranty

Price
RM2300
RM2650

PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM2299

PowerColor is bringing in two cards as well, the PowerColor Red Devil RX 6600 XT for those who like it red, and the PowerColor Hellhound RX 6600 XT for those who prefer a white build. Once again, both cards are dual-fan designs, a step down from their larger brethren which come with triple fan designs. It’s not going to be an issue, because the Radeon RX 6600 XT is a very efficient little GPU anyway.

Interestingly, PowerColor designed the Red Devil RX 6600 XT with a 8+6-pin power connector, and recommends a 600W power supply as the minimum. Meanwhile the Hellhound RX 6600 XT gets a single 8-pin power connector, and PowerColor recommends a 500W power supply with this.
PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

PowerColor Hellhound Radeon RX 6600 XT
PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600 XT

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2382MHz (+23MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2593MHz (+4MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin + 1 x 6-pin

Dimensions
220 x 132 x 45 mm
251.2 x 132.8 x 53.6 mm

Warranty
3-year warranty

Price
RM2299
RM2499

XFX Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM1999
XFX Speedster QICK 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming
XFX Malaysia appears to be the only brand to bring in triple-fan coolers for the Radeon RX 6600 XT. Of course, it’s not the number of fans, but how you use them that matters. Or more importantly, the design of the coolers. Jokes aside, the XFX Speedster QICK 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming and the XFX Speedster MERC 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming are both factory overclocked to the same speeds, and they are also the same size.
XFX Speedster MERC 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming
I literally can’t find what the difference aside from the aesthetics, but here you go, the specifications.
XFX Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

XFX Speedster QICK 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming
XFX Speedster MERC 308 AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Black Gaming

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
274 x 114 x 50 mm
274 x 114 x 50 mm

Warranty
2-year warranty

Price
RM1999
RM2149

SAPPHIRE Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM2299
SAPPHIRE Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
You might be noticing a pattern here. SAPPHIRE is also bringing in two of their Radeon RX 6600 XT cards, the SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT and the SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT. Both cards feature SAPPHIRE’s Dual-X Cooling Technology, with Hybrid Fan Blades fans that feature linked blades for enhanced static pressure and lowered noise levels.
SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
The difference between the SAPPHIRE PULSE and SAPPHIRE NITRO+ Radeon RX 6600 XT cards would mainly boil down to their aesthetics, as well as the factory overclock. The NITRO+ card offers dual BIOS functionality to quickly switch between Performance and Silent mode. There’s also a Software Switch Mode that allows you to switch between the modes from the TriXX software, without physically touching the card.
SAPPHIRE Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2382MHz (+23MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2593MHz (+4MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
240 x 119.85 x 44.75 mm
240 x 119.25 x 44.82 mm

Warranty
3-year warranty

Price
RM2299
RM2499

MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM2099
          MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X            MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT MECH OC
MSI’s duo of dual-fan Radeon RX 6600 XT cards are also probably the more affordable cards launched here in Malaysia. You get to choose between the Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X and Radeon RX 6600 XT MECH 2X OC. Both cards are factory overclocked, with the Gaming X offering marginally higher clocks. Cooling should be significantly better on the MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X though, given the newer TORX FAN 4.0 that promise higher static pressure and optimized fin design.
MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT MECH OC
MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2413MHz (+54MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2602MHz (+13MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
235 x 125 x 46 mm
277 x 130 x 51 mm

Warranty
3-year warranty

Price
RM2099
RM2169

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM2279
          GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming PRO OC            GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC          GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT EAGLE
GIGABYTE is bringing in three Radeon RX 6600 XT cards, with the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT EAGLE, GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC and the Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC PRO. It seems that GIGABYTE is really focusing on the cooling here, and even the reference-clocked Radeon RX 6600 XT EAGLE gets a triple-fan cooler.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC cooling system
And along the same theme, the main difference between the Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC and Gaming OC PRO is its cooling system. The latter has five heatpipes that run through its fin stack that exhausts out the sides, while the Gaming OC card has three heatpipes and a fin stack that runs longitudinally along the card.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming PRO OC cooling system
The Radeon RX 6600 XT is a pretty efficient GPU anyway, so it might not be necessary to get the pricier card. However the price difference is a mere RM40, so I don’t think many people will mind paying the slight extra for what should be significantly better cooling.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT EAGLE
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming OC
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming PRO OC

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2359MHz
Boost Clock: 2589MHz
Game Clock: TBC
Boost Clock: TBC
Game Clock: TBC
Boost Clock: TBC

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
282 x 113 x 41 mm
282 x 115 x 50 mm
282 x 115 x 50 mm

Warranty
3-year warranty

Price
RM2279
RM2359
RM2399

ASRock Radeon RX 6600 XT – from RM1999
          Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger Pro 8GB OC            Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger D 8GB OC
Another brand with three options to choose from is ASRock. You get the ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger D OC, ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger Pro OC and the ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Phantom Gaming D OC. As you might have deduced from their names, all three cards come with factory overclocks.
Radeon RX 6600 XT Phantom Gaming D 8GB OC
The Phantom Gaming card is the highest-end out of the trio, and thus has the aesthetics and clocks to speak for it. It has plenty of RGB, even a full RGB fan in the center, and the highest clocks of the trio.
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 XT Series Specs and Price in Malaysia

ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger D OC
ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Challenger Pro OC
ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Phantom Gaming D OC

GPU
AMD Navi 23 XT
7nm

Clocks
Game Clock: 2382MHz (+23MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2593MHz (+4MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2413MHz (+54MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2602MHz (+13MHz over ref.)
Game Clock: 2428MHz (+69MHz over ref.)
Boost Clock: 2607MHz (+18MHz over ref.)

Cores
2048 Stream Processors
32 Ray Accelerators

Infinity Cache
32MB

Memory
8GB GDDR6

Memory speed
16Gbps

Memory bus
128-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
1 x HDMI 2.1

Power connectors
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Dimensions
269 x 132 x 41 mm
303 x 131 x 45 mm
305 x 131 x 48 mm

Warranty
3-year warranty

Price
RM1999
RM2149
RM2259

The prices listed above are each card’s respective MSRP at launch. We will be updating this article as and when we get more information about the other cards that are announced in Malaysia, so stay tuned!
Pokdepinion: Interesting how the MSRP of the Radeon RX 6600 XT cards are exact matches to the MSRP of the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti cards last year…
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DualSense God Of War Ragnarok Edition Price and Availability in Malaysia Confirmed

The DualSense God of War Ragnarok Edition has been confirmed to arrive in Malaysia, and we have both pricing and availability for the limited edition PS5 controller right here.
DualSense God Of War Ragnarok Edition is Coming to Malaysia

The DualSense God of War Ragnarok Edition will indeed be coming to Malaysia, and it will be launching alongside the game itself on 9th November 2022. To our surprise, the price isn’t much different from the original controller itself but there won’t be a whole lot of units available to purchase.

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It will be retailing in Malaysia for RM369, which is just RM20 more than the standard white and Midnight Black versions of the DualSense controller. Given the theme of God of War Ragnarok, you get an ice-focused colour scheme with indigo sides and outline, along with a pair of wolf and bear prints on the touchpad. In case you’re confused, they are meant to represent the father-son duo of Atreus and Kratos.

In case you’re wondering, the changes are purely aesthetic and it will not function any different from the standard DualSense controller. If you’re a big fan of the game or just really like the design, make sure to get it quickly when it launches on 9th November 2022.
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Pokdepinion: The temptation to buy this is pretty high, especially since I’m looking to get another controller in case friends come over. Well, if I don’t get this, I’ll just wait for the Pro controller instead.
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Valve Has Finally Announced a New Half-Life Game

We’re excited to unveil Half-Life: Alyx, our flagship VR game, this Thursday at 10am Pacific Time.Can’t wait to share it with all of you! pic.twitter.com/BupFCxSrTw— Valve (@valvesoftware) November 18, 2019

Rumours started to swirl on a new Half-Life game in the works. Surprisingly from out of the blue, Valve officially announced a new entry in the series and it’s called Half-Life: Alyx.
From what we know thus far, Half-Life: Alyx is a VR game, and that it will be officially revealed on 21st November 2019 at 10AM PT / 22nd November 2019 at 2AM Malaysia time (GMT+8). Initial rumours suggest that we are to see the game at The Game Awards 2019 but with the reveal already set, we might be seeing another game reveal at the awards show.
There’s not much else known about the new Valve game, but it’s certainly causing a stir online. Fans are excited about the idea of a new Half-Life game after waiting for a new one to pop up since 2007 when Half-Life 2: Episode 2 landed. Of course, there are fans who are displeased as it’s a VR game and that it’s not Half-Life 3.

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The title suggests that the story will be centered around Gordon Freeman’s friend, Alyx Vance. Whether or not we play as Gordon Freeman himself or take control of Alyx is another thing. Based on rumours, we’re expected to play as Alyx.
We will be hearing more about the new Half-Life: Alyx on 21st November 2019.
Pokdepinion: Well, it ain’t Half-Life 3 but it’s still an entry in the series…I guess. I wonder how the game will actually play out.
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Edifier W830BT Review – The most value for money Bluetooth headset with aptX

The thing about headset reviews, there are too many parameters to consider before we can decide on. Our hearing levels are different, our choice of music is different, even the sizes of our ears are different. Every head gear tries to fit into as many of these parameters as possible, but more often than not, there will always be a group of users that will be left out, in which, you continue your pursuit of searching the ideal headset. I have pretty big ears and I listen to music at very loud volumes (highly not encouraged) and my choice of music genre is Melodic Death Metal which is really not easy to be satisfied in headsets. High pitches guitar riffs that require excellent highs, combined with punchy double pedal beats that need strong bass delivery, along with often growling and squealing that needs just enough amount of mids is very hard to get by. But that’s my taste and my reviews often revolve around these parameters, and that’s exactly the scenario that I’m taking the Edifier W830BT on.
Unboxing Edifier W830BT
As usual, here’s our unboxing video for your viewing pleasure. Huge thanks to Warner Music Malaysia for the background track permissions!

Appearance

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The Edifier W830BT looks sleek! It has a minimalist design and it’s pretty tough built too. It’s almost entirely built with tough plastic and covered with black and silver color finishing. And because it’s plastic mostly, it’s really lightweight – a very important factor to consider when buying headsets. If you think plastic is not tough, we have twisted and turned this headset, even laid it flat from the head band and it gets back into it’s form seamlessly. We’re off to a very good start here!

In case you’re wondering, the Edifier W830BT is a major upgrade from their older Edifier W800BT which we reviewed earlier this year. Unlike it’s predecessor, Edifier has put their branding on the broad head band and covered it with very soft leather. There’s articulation near the ear cups but it only allows you to twist them at 90° for easier storage. You can’t fold them.

The swivel also means that it can pretty much adjust to the shape of your head for a comfortable fit. While that’s a great feature right there, that’s not the best thing the Edifier W830BT has. I think the ear cups are worth highlighting the most here.

These ear cups are extremely plushy! The sponge is exceptionally soft and it easily forms into any shape that you squeeze it into! Wearing them on? We’ll talk about it later on.

Under the left ear cup, we have a Micro USB slot that is covered with a rubber notch for extra protection. Next to it we have the 3.5mm slot in case the Edifier W830BT runs out of battery.

On the right side, we have a multi-function button bonded to the volume keys. The multi-function is pretty much a single button that operates everything on the Edifier W830BT. Whether it’s turning it on, turning it off, pairing, or anything else, this will be the key. Next to it we have an LED indicator for mode status.

A little lower, you will find a microphone. Yes, you can actually use the Edifier W830BT with smartphones for making calls too.
  At the top of both ear cups, there’s a “breathing hole” for the speakers when things get exceptionally punchy.
Specifications

Drivers
40mm

Bluetooth
V4.1 supporting HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP

Processing Chip
CSR8645 with AAC and Qualcomm aptX decoding technology

Frequency Response
20Hz – 20KHz

SPL
96dB

Impedance
24Ω

Weight
274g

Battery Life
1500mAh battery for up to 95 hours continuous playback

Connectivity Interfaces
AUX, Bluetooth, NFC

User Experience

Edifier has always made things simple and the Edifier W830BT is no different. There are only three buttons for operating the Edifier W830BT. They’re pretty easy to use too once you get the hang of it. The first thing to do is pairing the Edifier W830BT with your device. I’m using the ASUS Zenfone AR for this purpose particularly because it has NFC and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 underneath it has aptX for just about what we need.
To turn it on, press the function key for 3 seconds and you will see blue LED flash 3 times, then another 3 times rapidly. It’s now switched ON. To turn it off, repeat it again by pressing the function key for 3 seconds. You will see the red LED flash three times, after which the Edifier W830BT will be switched OFF. This is crucial before we proceed to the pairing.
Pairing (Bluetooth / NFC)
To use the bluetooth technology, you have two options for pairing, either using the normal Bluetooth pairing mode, or the much easier method using NFC if your device supports it. Make sure you have fully charged the Edifier W830BT first before using the bluetooth mode. Now, make sure that your smartphone’s Bluetooth and NFC are turned ON. If you do not have NFC, make sure your Bluetooth is switched ON. Also, don’t forget to unlock your device from the lock screen.
Regardless of Bluetooth only or NFC pairing method, the first atep is to put the device in pairing mode. Turn OFF the Edifier W830BT if it’s not already. Now, press the function key for 5 seconds. You will first see the blue LED flash like how you switched it ON, but keep holding the function key longer. Eventually, you will see the LED flash between blue and red. It’s now in pairing mode. Until you don’t see, any attempts of pairing it will fail.

NFCBluetooth OnlyIf you are using the NFC method, touch the NFC sensor on your audio device to the LEFT ear cup where it shows the "NFC" icon. Keep it intact until the pairing is completed. You will be prompted on your device if you want to allow the NFC handshake to be initiated. Once you press YES, it will initiate pairing and automatically connect to the Edifier W830BT. Once this is done, you can remove the audio device from the Edifier W830BT. If you keep getting "connection failed", make sure your Bluetooth and NFC, BOTH are enabled.If you would like to use the bluetooth only method, you can now head to your smartphone's Bluetooth option and look for "Edifier WB830BT" and pair it. If it asks you for the password, enter "0000" and you're done.
Because the Edifier W830BT has Bluetooth V4.1, it allows connecting up to TWO devices. Once you have paired the first device, switch off the headset and enter pairing mode again using the steps above and connect to your second device. You can have BOTH of the devices connected simultaneously and switch audio and calls between the devices by just using the Edifier W830BT. Just keep in mind that when two smartphones with different OS are connected (eg: Android and iOS), certain cross-system operations might show some delay. For example, the song in smartphone A will pause while playing the song in smartphone B. This is normal behaviour for obvious reasons.

Now that the pairing is done, you can enjoy the Edifier W830BT over bluetooth audio. If you have an aptX compatible device, you will experience the marvel of wireless audio seamlessly. aptX is an audio decoding technology by Qualcomm which is a bit-rate efficient technology that ensures the highest possible sound quality from Bluetooth audio devices. The Edifier W830BT is a certified Qualcomm aptX device that means it allows high-performance, non-destructive compression and capabilities of delivering audio at 48KHz / 16-bit LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulated Audio) audio data. It also delivers audio at a latency of less than 130ms. Have you ever experienced “jigs” or “skips” in bluetooth audio before? aptX will dramatically reduce those as well.
Putting on the headset is VERY comfortable. The sponge softly rests around your ears and it’s ample in size, needless to say. I’ve used the Edifier W830BT for well over 5 hours at a time and I couldn’t feel like it’s hurting my ears at all. This, also, thanks to the lightweight materials used by Edifier that keeps the weight well under 300 grams.
In terms of the sound quality, I found a perfect balance in the mids and the highs. The highs account for very clear vocals with a very balanced warm pitch. The mids assist perfectly to deliver the melody when listening to instrument heavy tracks. The bass is really punchy, but only to the point where you do not overboost it. I always use Dub Music Player to test my audio because it has bass overboost and a rather perfect equalizer for various audio tests. Without overboosting the bass, you will find a pretty sweet spot between 8 – 13 points on the bass notch at 60Hz frequencies. Overblowing the bass will definitely flush away the vocals but that’s expected on this range of headsets (unlike extremely high-end headsets). Ultimately, I managed to get a perfect fidelity that I wanted from the Edifier W830BT. The 40mm drivers do deliver!

Speaking of which, the drivers are slightly tilted inside and the orientation perfectly channels the audio straight into the ears rather than having refraction of the audio waves around. This actually surprised me because most headsets in this range don’t really consider this much detail. As you can see in the image above, the side that has the ear cup removed is the Left side. When you are wearing the headset, the driver will be facing “inwards” into your earlobe. This is no placebo effect. Sound waves travel in a straight line in sinusoidal form and lesser refraction will reduce interference. That said, of course, the ear cups are interchange-able and are effortless to remove.

If wireless is not your flavour and you still want to use the 3.5mm audio jack, Edifier has included a 2.5m long auxiliary cord with gold plated 3.5mm pins for your wired audio pleasure.
It also comes with a very neat carrying case!
The battery life is really remarkable. When Edifier says that the Edifier W830BT is capable of running on batter continous for 95 hours, they really meant it! I have used the Edifier W830BT for well over a week without having to charge the battery while using it as my daily headset. Edifier also claims that it’s capable of running on standby for 60 days but I’m not testing that because I’m about to fire up some Arch Enemy on it.
Conclusion
Edifier really knows what they’re doing. The Edifier W830BT is a remarkable product and falls on their higher-tier among the line-up that they have offered. The design is neat, the weight is perfect and the sound is impressive. It was getting tougher for me to write this review as I was trying to find where Edifier has flawed it, but it just kept impressing me over and over again. And I don’t like that! I want to challenge it against something that I can have a winning hand on. Comfort? The ear cups are to fall in love with! Overboosted bass test? That’s obvious for this range headsets! What else? Price? Wait, I didn’t tell you that the Edifier W830BT is actually priced at only RM299? Sorry, my bad!

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MSI Malaysia Offers Xmas Promotion For Their RTX 30 Series

If you’re on the lookout to get a brand new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series for your PC, well MSI Malaysia has prepped up something special for you to enjoy this festive season.
MSI Malaysia Xmas promo for RTX 30 series

In the promo period, you can grab MSI gaming gears worth RM499 when you purchase selected MSI GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. As you can see, the offer starts from their GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Fan OC up till the GeForce RTX 3090 SUPRIM X 24G.

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You’ll find the promotion to be available starting from tomorrow, 23rd of December until the 3rd of January 2021.
So if you’ve been eyeing to get one of their graphics card, you might want to do so during the promotion period to get your hands on some free gaming peripherals.
For the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: Well? Will you be upgrading your PC setup with MSI Malaysia’s offerings?
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Paper Mario: The Origami King Just Launched and Works Surprisingly Well on Emulator

Paper Mario: The Origami King launched on the Nintendo Switch on 17th July 2020. To many people’s surprise, it can actually be played on PC via a Nintendo Switch emulator, and it works surprisingly well.
Paper Mario: The Origami King on PC via Emulator
Videos have surfaced on YouTube showing Paper Mario: The Origami King running on two notable Nintendo Switch emulators PC, Yuzu and Ryujinx. For those of you who aren’t aware, it is an action-adventure RPG and the latest entry in the Paper Mario series where you control a paper version of Mario in a 3D world. There will be an assortment puzzles to solve, characters to meet, and a brand new storyline to enjoy.
The game seems to run particularly well on the Yuzu emulator at an average of 30FPS. It does work well on Ryujinx as well but seems to be faster on Yuzu thanks to its multi-core support. All you need to do to run the game is have the ROM for Paper Mario: The Origami King and either of those emulators.

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This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, as both Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition and Animal Crossing: New Horizons can be played on PC via emulator shortly after its release. Perhaps the games themselves are on the lighter side so it’s easier to emulate with existing systems.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is now out exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
While emulators aren’t inherently illegal, how you obtain the games to play on it is a different matter. You’re only legally allowed to have ROMs / ISOs of games that you personally own. We at Pokde.net do not condone piracy.
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Pokdepinion: It would be interesting to play the game on PC but I do wonder how stable the emulator can run the game.
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Genshin Impact 2.2 Leak Shows Off New Electro and Geo Enemies

In the latest Genshin Impact 2.2 leak, we get a glimpse of new Electro and Geo enemies that will be coming in the next major update. If you’re curious and want to learn more, read on ahead.
Genshin Impact 2.2 Leak: New Electro and Geo Enemies

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With the beta now underway, it’s only natural to expect more leaks to pop up sooner or later. In this particular Genshin Impact 2.2 leak, we get to see new Electro and Geo enemies coming in the next major update, courtesy of leaker Honey Impact and the popular Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Discord server.
There will be 4 new enemies from the Abyss Order family, and they are:

Riftstalker Whelp – Geo
Riftstalker Whelp – Electro
Riftstalker Hound – Geo
Riftstalker Hound – Electro

In case you may be uncertain, here is a description of the two enemies translated by Esperance from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor translation team:

Riftstalker Whelp: A magical being from another world, possessing the ability to corrode objects. The Riftstalker Whelp‘s attacks inflict the status of “corrosion” on its target. After receiving damage by a corresponding element, the Riftstalker Whelp enters a state of “demonic possession”, and becomes extremely aggressive at the cost of lowered elemental resistance.
Riftstalker Hound: The adult form of the Riftstalker Whelp… or so it should appear. But this magical being does not follow a natural cycle of growth, and its exact development pattern is still a mystery. The Riftstalker Hound‘s attacks inflict the status of “corrosion” on its target. After receiving damage by a corresponding element, the Riftstalker Hound enters a state of “demonic possession”, and becomes extremely aggressive at the cost of lowered elemental resistance.

Genshin Impact is currently available for free on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and PC. A Nintendo Switch port of the game coming in the near future.

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Pokdepinion: New enemies means new things to hit. Okay, that sounds a little abusive but coming from a game as grindy as this, I’m sure you know what I mean.
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Now There’s An Easier Way to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10

I’m sure many of you have found yourself in a situation where you have lost some files or deleted them and needed it back. Microsoft is aware of this issue and has added a new tool in Windows 10 for an easier way to recover deleted files, and it’s called Windows File Recovery.
Recover Deleted Files with Windows File Recovery on Windows 10

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The Windows File Recovery tool lets you recover deleted files on Windows 10. It is said to be capable of use with corrupted data and SD cards. The tool has support for a large number of documents and multimedia formats. It even has support for exFAT, FAT, NTFS, and ReFS file systems.
According to Microsoft:
Use this app to try to recover lost files that have been deleted from your local storage device (including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices) and can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin. Recovery on cloud storage and network file shares is not supported.
Windows File Recovery is compatible with Windows 10 Build 19041. Here’s how you can use the tool:
How to Use Windows File Recovery

Download and install it from the Microsoft Store
Run the app (either by clicking on the icon or looking it up on the search field)
Grant the necessary permissions for the app
In the Command Prompt window that pops up, type in “winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/switches]”. It should look something like “winfr C: D:\RecoveryDestination /x /y:PDF,JPEG”
Users can make use of the following modes: Signature (/r), Default, and Segment (/x).
The source and destination drives should be different to complete the task
Windows File Recovery will the generate a recovery folder on the destination drive

If you need to recover some lost files, this might just be something to try. Hopefully the guide above will help you with that.
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Pokdepinion: This is a pretty neat addition. I’m still wondering how effective it is as I’m sure it has its limitations.
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HUAWEI Service Day New Year Special — Runs Until 9th January 2019

HUAWEI has revealed at their official Facebook page on their special HUAWEI Service Day. During the period, which runs until the 9th of January 2019, you can send your HUAWEI devices and get free out of warranty labor charge, spare parts price reduction as well a lucky draw that the company has prepared.
There’s three specific HUAWEI Service Center that you can go to enjoy the service, namely the ones in Pavilion Elite, Sunway Pyramid, and Taman Molek, Johor.
For the promo, you can pay for spare parts price only, enjoy out of warranty repair at lower cost. As for the lucky draw, it is only applicable for walk-in end users only and the lucky draw gifts are subject to stock availability.

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For more information on HUAWEI Service Day, you can click on the link here to find out more at their official website.
Pokdepinion: Seems like a good move from the company. Labor fees these days are becoming more and more ridiculous. Nice to see them cut that out (although only for the promo period only).
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Apple Face Lawsuit As iPad Burns House Down

Over at the US, it seems that a lawsuit was filed against Apple as an iPad user claims that his house was burned down due to the device’s electrical and battery system.
Apple face lawsuit due to iPad burning down house

The lawsuit was filed by Michael Macaluso who’s from Pennsylvania, where Allstate Insurance paid more than $142,000 to repair his damaged home. He then subsequently hired a law firm to seek compensation from Apple. According to the lawsuit, it seems that Macaluso didn’t modify, misuse, or make any tweaks to his iPad that goes against Apple’s recommended use.

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This isn’t the first time that an iPad has caused problems as back in 2019, a similar lawsuit was filed by Julia Ireland Meo, where her father died in an apartment fire caused by a faulty iPad battery. It’s also worth noting that not only iPads are the only device from Apple to cause such damage as iPhones has had their fair share too.

The case happened quite recently on the 18th of March, where a 17-year old girl called Amy Hall has said that her iPhone charger caught fire and set her blanket on fire. She had left her phone to charge while she went to sleep and she noticed a flame right next to her, where she received a burn on her cheek.
As for Apple, they are investigating the cause of the issue but has recommended that users to not charge your devices in humid or poorly ventilated areas. They also advise that you check your accessories regularly for any form of damage.
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Pokdepinion: To see people losing even their loved ones, it’s a serious matter. This isn’t something that’s new with Apple. Based on their suggestion, it’s better not to buy their products if you live in humid countries?  Something needs to be done definitely.
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Multiple Game Pins Now Available For PUBGM At 7-Eleven

If you are a PUBGM gamer or a gamer on Steam and MyCard, you can now get direct access to pins in various denominations from 7-Eleven stores in the country.
Multiple game pins now available at 7-Eleven
Steam Wallet codes are available in six denominations, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, and RM200. As for PUBG Mobile codes, they are available in PUBG Mobile 300+25UC (RM22), 600+60UC (RM44), and 1500+300UC (RM110.10) respectively.
Finally there’s the MyCard reload code, available in six denominations at 150pts (RM21), 350pts (RM49), 400pts (RM56), 450pts (RM63), 500pts (RM70) and 1000pts (RM140).

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The pins are available at 7-Eleven stores near you. Should you wish to learn more on them, you may head to their website by heading to the link right here.
For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: These days, I rarely find the need to buy physical top-ups for online wallet or even prepaid codes. I guess it comes in handy for those who want to collect benefits from shopping from 7-Eleven directly.
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