Some shipped iPhone 7 reported to generate hissing sound under heavy load

Apparently the new Apple iPhone 7 is not all rainbows and cupcakes. Early users that received units of the latest Cupertino smartphone are reporting that their smartphone are hissing when it is under heavy app loads.

The iPhone 7 seems to make a noticeable hissing sound while under heavy load. Hackett uploaded a video to YouTube with a recording of the sound, which is similar to that of white noise or the hiss you get a poorly connected speaker.

Most people are commenting that the sound is from the new Apple A10 Fusion processor, as the sound only appears when the phone is under heavy load.

While this problem is only seen in a select few units, this is not a good sign for the new Apple A10 Fusion chip, as it may indicate a leak in construction somewhere – and Apple can’t blame the now gone 3.5mm jack. Stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the Apple iPhone 7 problem.


Some specs and features of Google Sabrina Android TV revealed

Are you looking to add Android TV capabilities to your 4K TV without having to replace it with a smart TV? Then maybe the next Google Android TV device could fit your needs. Code-named 'Sabrina', this device is expected to have several great features, including a remote controller that allegedly has a programmable button.

According to XDA Developers, the marketing video that appeared earlier in June contained a few more details such as the specs. The Sabrina Android TV will come with an Amlogic S905X2 chipset and 2GB of RAM. In the chipset, there's a total of four Cortex-A53 CPU cores and a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It was also pointed out that the S905X2 chipset is commonly used in Android TVs, including the unifi TV Plus Box by Telekom Malaysia.

Besides the specs, some features that will be available in an app called "SabrinaService" were also uncovered. One of it is Auto Low Latency Mode that will make the connected TV avoid post-processing functions that will add to the latency to the display signal. This is seen as useful for gaming, implying that the Sabrina Android TV could be made compatible with Google Stadia. Another feature is the 'GlobalKeyReceiver', which some people believe could be a programmable button.

Since these details are found in a pre-release firmware, the specs listed may not be final. The info on the features isn't very reliable either, as they're speculative at best. Having said that, what do you think about having a programmable button for an Android TV remote? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Some specs for Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus and Pad Pro revealed

Earlier this month, Lenovo posted some images of its upcoming tablets and provided some details on them. The new tablets are expected to launch on 25 May 2021 (coming Tuesday), but some new info has already been released. Specifically, some specs for the Xiaoxin Pad Plus and Pad Pro.

According to Gizmochina, Lenovo has confirmed that the Xiaoxin Pad Pro will use the Snapdragon 870 chipset, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage. It's also going to have an 11.5-inch OLED screen (2560x1600) with a 90Hz refresh rate and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. That's already impressive enough, but there's more. The company's flagship tablet is also expected to come with four JBL speakers, a large 8600mAh battery, and dual-camera setups for the front and back.

The Xiaoxin Pad Plus isn't much smaller at 11-inches. But overall, its specs are a lot more modest. This model will come with a Snapdragon 750G chipset, a 7700mAh battery, and only two cameras - one for the front and another for the back. The screen is a basic LCD (2000x1200), though it is still TUV Rheinland-certified like the Xiaoxin Pad Pro. It also supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, so it should be great for sketching with a stylus.

Both models will ship with Lenovo's ZUI 12.5 UI (Android 11), which will probably come with plenty of bloatware (something Lenovo is known for). However, it's interesting to see that more brands are still willing to make tablets, so we'll definitely keep an eye on Lenovo's new models. Until then, stay tuned to TechNave for further updates.


Some students are already selling their Peranti Siswa tablets

Recently, those students who applied for the Peranti Siswa tablets received their brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablets with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and built-in 4G LTE connectivity tech specs. Unfortunately, there are already listings to sell these tablets on some online marketplaces.

For those who don’t know, these Peranti Siswa tablets were recently distributed to B40 and other students who applied for the program. 450 million ringgit was allocated for this program and according to the Peranti Siswa FAQ, they were targeted at an estimated 350000 students. While they were initially supposed to be for loan, these tablets are now free but with certain conditions.

As written in the Peranti Siswa terms and conditions, it is illegal for students who have received these tablets to sell them. However, the site is unclear as to what exactly the legal consequences are for these students, just that they will be penalized by the Program Administrators.

While morally incorrect (these are tablets bought with Malaysian taxpayers money), so far, there are no legal consequences if you were to buy these Peranti Siswa tablets. It’s just that the Peranti Siswa loading screen is a dead giveaway that you’re using these tablets and not something you bought through more official means.

We’ve reached out to the Peranti Siswa program administrators for further clarification on this, so stay tuned to this space if you’d like to be updated. We’ll keep you guys posted as soon as we get an answer.

While we did mention the Peranti Siswa loading screen (perhaps you could ask the seller to show you the tablet loading as proof that it’s working?) the tech specs are also a dead giveaway. Most commercially available Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablets do not have 4GB of RAM and 4G LTE built-in as these are generally available through B2B channels or Peranti Siswa.

In general, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablet with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and 4G LTE built-in is priced around RM1300 or so. If the seller is offering it for lower than this, it could be a red flag for you but what do you think? Would you buy a Peranti Siswa tablet? Should these sellers sell their Peranti Siswa Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablets? Let us know in our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave for further tech updates.


Some useful Samsung Galaxy Note 9 features you probably didn’t know about

By now, you should have seen what the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 can do for entertainment, travelling and photography, but surprise, surprise, there’s still some useful Samsung Galaxy Note 9 features you probably didn’t know about. While we can’t cover all of them (Seriously, there’s so many) we have highlighted the ones that stood out the most for us below in no particular order.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 actually has a hidden video editor which you can access from the Gallery when you select edit. This Samsung Story Video Editor also automatically makes a video compiled of the videos you’ve taken for that day. This should appear as Stories in your Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Gallery app automatically as well.

The Samsung Story video editor is built into the Gallery app

While it isn’t a full fledged video editor you can still choose to quickly trim each video segment, add in animated stickers or text, include music and even apply a whole new style to it. It should be more than enough for most users while more professional videographers can use it to trim videos and add in effects if in a pinch.

Sure, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 seems to have replaced the Slow Motion feature in the Samsung Camera with Super Slow-mo, but you can in fact reactivate it. There’s also the Food filter as well, but this is a bit redundant as the Scene Recognition does the colour processing automatically anyway.

To reactivate Slow Motion go to Camera > Settings > Edit Camera modes. At the Rear camera tick “Slow motion” and when you load up your Camera app again, Slow Motion should be available to choose after Hyperlapse.

Yep, capacitive screens don’t work so well underwater, so even though the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has IP68 water resistance and can take photos underwater using the volume keys, how do you take video? For most smartphones, the common way is to start recording before it goes underwater, but for the Galaxy Note 9 you can actually assign the volume keys to record video instead of taking photos.

Now you can take videos underwater by pressing the volume buttons

To assign Video recording for these volume keys and take videos underwater go to Camera > Settings. Scroll down to “Press Volume key to” and choose “Record video”. Now, when you go underwater with the camera app on, you can press the volume keys to record video.

On top of the usual pattern, password, pin, Iris scan, Face Unlock, fingerprint scanner and Intelligent Scan to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Note 9, you can also unlock using Direction Lock. This lets you unlock your phone with a sequence of 6 or 8 swipes.

Want another way to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Note 9?

To unlock your phone with Direction Lock go to Settings > Accessibility and select Direction Lock. You can then turn it on and customize vibration and sound feedback, show directions and so forth.

Just bought that super strong but somewhat thick screen protector for your Samsung Galaxy Note 9? No bubbles but now the screen isn’t so responsive anymore? Well, you can now settle this by increasing the sensitivity of the display.

Screen protector too thick? Increase the sensitivity

Just go to Settings> Advanced Features and turn on “Touch Sensitivity”. Now your screen will be more responsive and still work well despite the thicker screen protector.

Looking to focus on something but worried you might not hear the baby or the door? Samsung has you covered there as well with the Galaxy Note 9 as it will listen for those things and notify you when or if it detects such things.

Your Samsung Galaxy Note 9 can detect the doorbell or a crying baby

To activate it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing and select “Sound detectors”. Then choose Baby crying detector or Doorbell detector and activate them. The disclaimers say you’re not supposed to leave a Baby unattended though but it does help to have someone else keep an ear out.

Samsung have also included an SOS message function which you can use undetected. Once it is activated, just press the power button quickly 3 times in a row to either send the message, take and attach pictures using the front and rear camera or attach a 5 second audio recording to the emergency contacts of your choice.

To activate this, go to Settings > Advanced Settings and select “Send SOS Messages”. Turn it on and choose to customize it accordingly, then you can call for help even when your phone is in your pocket or bag.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has a ton of features, many of which have been deactivated by default so that you don’t get overwhelmed. However, once you dig deeper past all the menus, there’s a lot more things you can do, such as Transcribe text with Bixby Vision, Take pictures with your voice and so forth.

So, explore your new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 fully and deeply. You may just find it has the feature you’ve always been wanting in a phone, or if you haven’t got one yet, you can get it with an RM400 cash rebate promotion (due to end on 28 October!) and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech articles.


Somehow the Samsung Galaxy S8 is already being sold in Malaysia for RM1088, prank or not!?

While it hasn't even been officially announced or even teased yet, it appears that someone is selling the Samsung Galaxy S8 in Malaysia for RM1088. The seller, afiq, who is selling it on mudah.my says that it is a new set, has a free casing, extra cable, tempered glass and 1 year warranty also says that the price is still negotiable so we can't help but wonder, is this a prank? Even if it isn't (or is some refurbished Galaxy S7 edge) or is some copycat model from China, we DON'T recommend you take this guy up at all as it very likely isn't the real thing.


Someone came up with another way to install Google apps on Huawei and Honor devices

After the Huawei Mate 40 series got unveiled last week, there was no denying that the features are technically impressive. However, the global market is still concerned about its software as it lacks Google Mobile Service (GMS) and APK installation doesn't cut it for casual users. Thankfully, folks at XDA-developers came up with an unofficial GMS installer.

As from the title, the unofficial GMS installer is called Googlefier and an XDA senior member provided a step-by-step guide installation. Apparently, it also works on HONOR devices and you don't need to hook it up with a PC. Should you be interested, you can visit the APK download link here and install at your own risk. Remember to also give permission to the APK and just follow the steps below.

XDA said that the entire process takes about 5-7 minutes but if you followed the instructions carefully, the APK will also install some basic services and more instructions will pop-up. Huawei users will be able to install the Google Play store and other Google apps that you need with your Google account. Googlefier works on the P40 Pro and MatePad Pro so far, but do note that it doesn't work on EMUI 11 OS.

If you decide that you want to revert back to the device's original state, Googlefier will allow you to do so. Make sure your phone is clean too (as in, not installed with other Google apps from a different way) before installing it for a smooth process. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Someone created a website that lets you put the Evergreen ship anywhere on the map

Last week, news about the ship called Evergreen somehow got itself stuck in the Suez Canal and it's still there after a week. While the authorities are working on a solution and digging part of the dirt to set it free, Garrett Dash Nelson created a website that lets you put the ship wherever and however big you want on the map for fun.

Called Ever Given Ever Ywhere, you can find the website right over here to get yourself started. Nelson first posted his version on his Twitter account just yesterday and immediately got noticed and shared everywhere. The user interface on the website is super straightforward, there are tools available to make the ship bigger or smaller according to your preference. You can also find any country in the world and place it there for fun.

According to Nelson, it only took him 10 minutes to create a @glitchapp. He is also the curator of maps as well as the Director of Geographic Scholarship at the Leventhal Map & Education Center. Anyway, that's about it so go and have fun! Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple Event going live on 21 April at 1AM in Malaysia, here's what to expect

A couple of hours ago, Siri apparently gave away an upcoming livestream date for the next Apple Event on 20 April. It was only a matter of time where Apple would send out an official announcement and they did. Scheduled live on the said date, the livestream time is 10 AM (PDT) which is 1 AM in our local time zone on the 21st.

So what can we expect from this? Well, sources say that Apple could unveil a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a mini LED display. There should be a new chipset as well which is said to be on par with the M1 processor and we might see other computer-related stuff. Moreover, we might also see new AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2 and the long-awaited Apple AirTags that was supposed to be released last year.

Are you looking forward to the Apple Event? Let us know in the comments below and we will be staying up to check it out as usual. Stay tuned for the official news at TechNave.com.


Someone decided to do a real-life crash detection test with the iPhone 14 Pro

Many times, whenever a brand claims that a device just went through extreme durability or drop test, most reviewers won't dare to try it out (you know...just in case). One YouTube tech channel decided to go YOLO, though, to have a real car crash to test how responsive the iPhone 14 Pro's crash detection is.

In TechRax's video, they simply put the iPhone 14 Pro inside a blue car to crash into a destroyed car on a field. They also installed a GoPro cam inside to record the insides, as well as a trigger to drive the car automatically. However, the test itself doesn't seem like a good one because the destroyed car is just there like a sitting duck.

With that, the team ramped up the number of destroyed cars. After the blue car effectively crashed one of the vehicles like a real-life scenario would, the iPhone 14 Pro didn't respond at first but then suddenly signalled a 10-second countdown. The team did another test just to make sure and it really worked.

As Apple said before, the crash detection function will trigger and call your emergency contacts. How it works is the new dual-core accelerometer and high dynamic range gyroscope inside the iPhone 14 Pro (and 14 Pro Max) that is capable is detecting G-Force measurements of up to 256Gs. The microphones can also recognize loud noises that sound like a car crash.

In a real-world life scenario, a formula one car crash would typically reach more than 100Gs so having 256Gs seems like overkill. Nonetheless, crash detection is definitely a useful feature to have and we pray and hope that none of you would have to use it ever. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Someone found a notchless iPhone 12 schematic diagram inside the iOS 14 coding

The idea of not having a notch nor a cutout front camera is a dream that many smartphone fans are looking forward to, but until now no company have been able to achieve this. However, there is one company that might break the chain and is none other than Apple. Let's see what are the rumours this time.

Actually, the rumour about a notchless iPhone has been happening since last year but not that frequent. In fact, right after the iPhone 11 series reveal, we got some news about how the next iPhone will go notchless then it went quiet. The rumour resurfaced again back in March, and now this latest one is getting quite consistent.

According to svetapple.sk, they found a schematic diagram inside iOS 14's developer coding which matches the first rumour piece we wrote last year. If true, Apple has somehow figured out a way to minimize the front camera and other sensors on the top bezels. From left to right, there lies an infrared camera, flood illuminator, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, top speaker, microphone, front camera and a dot projector.

Image render based on the schematic design

Image render of the notchless iPhone based on the schematic design

Here you go, internet. pic.twitter.com/REfSw28KSX

Should have some iPhone SE Plus news for you soon.

On the other hand, we also have another rumour leak by @jon_prosser about the iPhone 12 having a smaller notch featuring the front camera and other sensors. We have no idea where he got his leak from and he's actually quite reliable. Also, he tweeted about a possible iPhone SE Plus news coming soon so that's cool. But as always, do take this news with a grain of salt.

What do you think of a notchless iPhone 12? We really hope Apple is going for this direction. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Someone found a way to turn Death Stranding into a literal walking simulator

YouTube is truly the home to many bizarre and fun videos. In a new video, YouTuber Allen Pan had the bright idea of jerry-rigging a Sony DualShock 4 (DS4) controller to a threadmill so he can use it for the movement controls in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding game. The result were pretty amusing.

Pan is a YouTuber who's quite the engineer and has uploaded numerous videos where he recreates different things from movies or games, often with help from friends. For Death Stranding, he decided to turn the game into the walking simulator it is clearly meant to be. By using a custom relay chip, an Arduino motherboard, and a digital potentiometer that is connected to a DS4 controller, he was able to make it so that running on the threadmill caused Sam to start walking or running in the game.

Although it work, the control scheme lacked fine controls and wouldn't let him stop or do other actions. In fact, almost immediately after he started testing his rig the character stumbled with no way to stop falling without using the DS4. And as much as Death Stranding is mostly walking, there's still quite a few other gameplay features so the controller is still necessary.

As you may imagine, this is a very impractical and exhausting way to play the game. Nevertheless, it was quite a fun and interesting piece of work. That said, if there's a rig like this for you, would you mind getting a workout while you game? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news in tech and gaming.


Someone found a way to use Google services, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other apps on the Huawei Mate 30 series

The Huawei Mate 30 series certainly got a buzz over the news, not because of its entry in the Malaysia market but the concerns of Google apps usage. The US and China government are still in a rocky relationship, but someone might have found a way to install the missing apps.

According to this YouTube guy, 大马机哥 (a.k.a. Mr Gadget), all you need to do is use the Phone Clone app which is a default app for Huawei smartphones, and it can be found in the Google Play and Apple App Store. After following the steps and scanning the QR code, the data transfer to the Mate 30 or Mate 30 Pro should be complete and all set to go. Or is it that simple?

Most of the apps transferred from the old phone can still function properly including re-login back your social accounts, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, WAZE, PUBG Mobile and more. Mr Gadget even showed us that the apps mentioned still can be used, this is because these apps don't rely on the GMS Core application framework. That said - Google services such as Google Play, YouTube and Gmail still can't function due to the lack of GMS core.

Turns out a lot of apps don't use GMS core lol

These are the apps (and many more) you can transfer

Despite that, Google Maps is usable on the Mate 30 series because it doesn't rely on GMS core (we were surprised too). And let's also remember that you can actually still surf YouTube and other Google related service (Google Drive, Google Photos, etc) on the Huawei Browser, just that the user interface won't be as user-friendly as the app version. For Gmail, you can use the default email app to sync your account.

This is a pretty good discovery, but we also have to keep in mind that even though most of the non-GMS core apps are usable, we won't be able to update them in the future as they aren't available on the AppGallery store just yet. Also, only current Huawei Mate users are eligible to purchase the new Mate 30 series...so yeah.

So what do you think of this method? Remember to like our page on Facebook and share this news to those who bought the Mate 30 series! Stay tuned for more Huawei news at TechNave.com.


Someone has already unboxed the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE!

By now, fans no longer doubt the existence of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. The phone is real enough, as we've seen leaked official posters and leaked photos of it. Samsung is expected to finally reveal the phone in January 2022, but a reviewer has received the phone and unboxed it in advance.

An unboxing video for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE by HDBlog was spotted yesterday. It provides the Internet at large with a 360-degree glimpse of the device, which has a matte graphite (black) body. The phone should also be available in white, olive green, and lavender colours. As you can see, it has a triple camera at the back and one punch-hole selfie camera.

In terms of tech specs, it has the Snapdragon 888 chipset, 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The phone is also expected to have a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 4500mAh battery, and possibly IP67 water resistance. As for the cameras, the emphasis seems to be on selfies as the front camera is a 32MP sensor, while the three rear cameras are all 12MP sensors.

Mind you, there's still no confirmation on whether the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE would be available in Malaysia. Sources claim that it will be available in selected countries only, such as the US and Europe. If that's true, it would be disappointing. But we'll keep an eye out for updates on that, so stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Someone is selling the Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G for ~RM16,321 on eBay

The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G has been released for a few days now since early September 2019, and while it cost a 'limb' to get one, there are some buyers who got the phone and are reselling it again on eBay for nearly 5 million won. That's a rough ~RM17,575 from direct conversion, by the way.

Reason being for the ridiculous price hike is due to the shortage of Galaxy Fold units. During the first official pre-order sales, the units were sold out within 10 minutes and it was speculated that there were only 3000 - 4000 of them, including the South Korean telecommunication companies. Furthermore, Samsung Electronics plans to sell about 20,000 - 30,000 units in Korea and launch the Galaxy Fold in limited quantities in over 20 countries.

With that, someone on eBay last week was selling two Galaxy Folds for $3900 each (~RM16,321), and the ones that are not unboxed yet was at least $4,500 (~RM18,828). Now that's what I call a ransom.

Well, can't say we are that surprised. Apple's first personal computer, the Apple 1, created by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 was auctioned off for $815,000 (~RM3,410,775) at a 2016 auction. That Macintosh was the first commercial graphics (GUI) computer from Apple in 1984.

Would you be willing to spend that much on a Galaxy Fold? And will we ever see it in Malaysia? Stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.


Someone just leaked the full OnePlus 8 Pro tech specs online, confirming 12GB of RAM, 120Hz Fluid display and more

As usual, smartphone tech specs tend to leak just before the official launch and someone just did that for the OnePlus 8 series. Discovered on a YouTube video, the user managed to get on hold of an OnePlus 8 Pro retail box showing all the major tech specs and design. Here's what we can probably expect.

As expected, the Snapdragon 865 chipset can be found on the flagship, so as the 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display that was already confirmed. Measuring 6.78-inches, the pro variant features 12GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage space (UFS 3.1). The quad rear camera setup also matches the rumours which are 48MP + 48MP + 8MP + 5MP, the main camera is said to be using a Sony IMX689 sensor while the ultrawide lens is Sony IMX586.

Besides that, the tech specs information below further shows that the flagship will run on Android 10 out of the box with their own customized user interface - the Hydrogen OS 10.5.2. Moreover, OnePlus already said the flagship will be supported with a 30W wireless charging so that's something to look forward to. The battery pack is 4510mAh and the phone will come in Onyx Black, Glacial Green and Ultramine Blue.

The official livestream will begin at 11PM Malaysia time tomorrow (14 April). Will you be staying up to catch the show? Because we will! Until then, stay tuned for our official OnePlus 8 series coverage at TechNave.com.


Someone just leaked the whole LG Q92 tech specs list

LG is one of the famous electronic companies in South Korea as they release a wide variety of gadgets and home appliances. In this latest news, the company could launch an affordable smartphone soon, which is the LG Q92 and it could be cheaper than the LG Velvet 5G.

According to the leaker Abhishek Yadav, the LG Q92 could weigh 193g and measure 166.54 x 77.3 x 8.49mm. There could be 3 colour variants which are Ceramic White, Mirror Titanium, and Mirror Red. Besides that, this device could feature a 6.7-inch punch-hole FHD+ display, a Snapdragon 765G chipset, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage.

LG Q92 Specifications & Image•6.7 inch FHD+ Punch Hole•Snapdragon 765G•6GB + 128GB Storage•48+8+5+2MP Rear Camera•32MP Front Camera•8.49mm Thickness & 193Grams•4000mAh Battery•Side Mounted FP•AI Sound Stereo Speaker•Ceramic White, Mirror Titanium, Mirror Red pic.twitter.com/Jdmym6sm0T

On the other hand, the device could come with a quad-camera setup, a 48MP (main camera) + 8MP (ultra-wide lens) + 5MP (depth lens) + 2MP (macro lens), whereas the selfie snapper is 32MP. Moreover, it could have a fingerprint scanner at the side, as well as supporting LG Pay via NFC and 4000mAh battery life with Fast Charging.

Furthermore, this phone could sport stereo speakers with AI sound features. Since this is just a leak, we should just take it with a pinch of salt and wait for the official announcement. It would be great if they could launch this in Malaysia. Be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


Someone just made an RTX 3080-inspired pair of shoes and we don't know why

Fancy branded shoes are produced once a while, but NZXT just took it to the next level. In case you didn't know, NZXT is a PC gaming market hardware manufacturer and they collaborated with RTKFT on this pair of RTX 3080-powered shoes (they are fake, ok lol). Why did they do that? We have no idea as well but here's what they say about it.

First found on Twitter, RTFKT posted the short clip and it was a surprise for NZXT at first which later confirmed about their partnership online. With the collaboration, they aim "to create the future of fashion and collectables" for the gaming community. But honestly, we don't really know how to make out of this shoe. What's its purpose? Just for flexing? Maybe that's the best-case scenario.

SNEAKERS MASTER RACE, @NZXT DRIP pic.twitter.com/OuNrEA6j4R

All in all, their partnership does sync well together in empowering their vision with crazy ideas. So I guess in this generation, we shouldn't be surprised in seeing more outrageous clothing ideas. The last one who did it was Razer with their Project Hazel smart mask with RGB lighting, it may look stupid but also futuristic as well.

What do you think of this RTX-inspired shoe? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Someone just revealed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 before the Unpacked event

Are you excited about the Samsung Galaxy Watch3? The company is going to launch it in the Unpacked event next week. However, a YouTuber managed to get this smartwatch and did an unboxing video before the event!

From the video, he was showing off the Galaxy Watch3 41mm design in bronze. He also compared the display size with the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Edition, Apple Watch Series 4, and the original Galaxy Watch. As for the interface, it is slightly different from the previous model and for the leather strap, he couldn’t tell if it’s genuine or purely vegan leather.

Besides that, we also found some more Galaxy Watch3 leaks. It may feature a SuperAMOLED display with 360p resolution, protected with the Gorilla Glass DX. Moreover, the smartwatch could come with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and running on Tizen OS 5.5.

As for the design, it could come with two sizes which are 41mm and 45mm. For the smaller design, it  come with a 1.2-inch display and a strap measuring 41 x 42.5 x 11.3mm. Then for the bigger smartwatch, it may come with a 1.4-inch display and a (leather?) strap in 45 x 46.2 x11.1mm.

The smartwatch is expected to launch in 3 colour variants which are black, gray, and bronze but the smaller design could launch in bronze only. Furthermore, the smartwatch might feature a heart rate monitor, sleeping monitor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS as well as common features such as messaging app and social networks.

So what do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Watch3? Will you buy it? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple Event in China, leaked video compares iPad 4 and iPad 5

Apple has released invitations for a possible reveal event on 10 September 2013 for the US, but has also released invitations for an event in China on 11 September 2013. Other invitations were also sent out for Japan and Germany. All invitations feature the same colourful dot design but rumours are that the China version event may show off the Apple iPad 5 as a new video showing off the iPad 5 parts compared to the Apple iPad 4 has surfaced. The video shows what we've been guessing for quite some time now, that the iPad 5 will feature a more iPad Mini look with narrower bezels and thinner design. Check out the video yourself below:


Someone leaked picture of a meeting about Xiaomi Mi Band X with a flexible display

The Xiaomi Mi Band is probably one of the best-selling fitness trackers in the market. Not only that it's affordable to many, but its features are also comprehensive enough to let users fall in love with the product. Now, it's reported that the Chinese company might expand the product line with Mi Band X that features a flexible display.

According to the source, the Mi Band X might be something that is similar to the Nubia Alpha which was launched two years ago. The idea of Nubia Alpha centered around being a hybrid of a watch and a smartphone on the wrist. However, the product didn't create a huge buzz back then, and we guess Xiaomi is trying to improvise the idea with the Mi Band X.

From the pictures taken by someone in a private meeting, we can see some of the features that Xiaomi will be focusing on with the product. Besides being light and thin, the Mi Band X will also bring a 360-degree curved screen and features a strapless design. Without a strap, the Mi Band X will be making use of a magnetic clasp by connecting the flexible display around the wrist.

For now, it's still unknown if the product will eventually see the light of day as it's still in an early stage of development. Share with us your opinion regarding the Mi Band X on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more exciting tech reports.


Someone leaked the full tech specs of the OnePlus 8 series

With the extension of the Movement Control Order, it seems more smartphone brands are fully embracing live stream events. But this doesn't really apply to OnePlus because they have always been doing their live stream annually. Anyway, 15 April 2020 is the date and we might just have our first full tech specs leak of the Oneplus 8 series thanks to @IshanAgarwal24 on Twitter.

Let's start with the OnePlus 8 Pro first. As expected, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset (with 5G) is on board and may have two memory variants - an 8GB + 128GB and 12GB + 256GB memory capacity (LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 version respectively). The Super AMOLED display itself is quite huge too with 6.78-inch (QHD+ resolution) and it's capable of reaching up to 120Hz refresh rate.

There will be a quad rear camera module too - 48MP + 48MP + 8MP + 5MP - while the front camera uses a 16MP sensor. The battery pack is 4510mAh and it's supported by a 30W Warp Charge 30T, 30W Wireless Fast Charging and 3W Reverse Wireless Charging (not sure if the 3W is a typo from his tweet).

*256GB Guys Sorry! Corrected table with it: pic.twitter.com/no8Tc7BkQX

Then for the OnePlus 8, this 6.55-inch FHD+ device has similar tech specs except for having a 48MP + 16MP + 2MP triple rear camera, a 4300mAh battery without wireless and reverse wireless charging feature, supports 90Hz refresh rate, and finally, it doesn't have any IP rating.

Even though OnePlus is no longer the flagship killer we know, but their devices are still on par with many flagships. So expect the prices to be more expensive than usual, and stay tuned for more OnePlus news at TechNave.com.


Someone managed to install Android OS on an iPhone 7 and it... sort of works

Few thought it possible but the people from Correlium have done it. Although there is an obvious risk involved, there is now a way for you to install the Android operating system to an Apple iPhone. This was made possible using an exploit to get access to the iPhone's bootloader, though the result leaves much to be desired.

According to 9to5Mac, this Android for iPhone hack nicknamed Project Sandcastle is still in the beta phase. It seems that it only works with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus at the moment. Additionally, a lot of functions don't work, including important ones like cellular connectivity, GPU, and camera. Furthermore, since you're required to jailbreak the device, there's always the risk of bricking your iPhone during the process.

Here is an iPhone 7 booting Android ! pic.twitter.com/cfCdSEzTbo

Honestly, while this could be something researchers might look into, it doesn't really have much practical use for the average Joe. After all, people buy iPhones because of iOS so it doesn't make much sense to install Android on it. If you can turn the phone into a dual-OS device, it might be useful for when iOS fails for some reason so you have a backup OS. But you definitely shouldn't try this if your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is your primary device.

With that said, would you even want to do something like this? What reason would there be for an iPhone user to want Android OS on the device? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


Someone modded his own Nintendo Joy-Con controllers and they look awesome

Want different looking Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch? Well, you're not alone. A modder has uploaded pictures of a pair of modded Joy-Con controllers on Twitter, similar in design to the ones for the old Nintendo GameCube console. And get this, they actually work!

Hardware enthusiast Shank uploaded the shots to his Twitter account recently and proved that the controllers are functional. Through subsequent posts, he showed how the controller worked with the Nintendo Switch by doing a demo using Smash Bros. He also released a video on YouTube to show how he made the mod.

However, Shank's project isn't one that can be easily replicated by anyone. From what has been shown, Shank's modded controllers take the electronics from a Joy-Con and transfer it into the shell of a GameCube WireBird controller. Essentially, it's a reskinned Joy-Con. Of course, it's not that simple as that sounds because this transferring process required him to do some rewiring work.

Would you create your own Joy-Con mod if you could and what design would you go for? Let us know on our Facebook page and remember to stay tuned to TechNave.com for more quirky news like this.


Someone modded the iPhone 14 Pro Max to include a Samsung Galaxy-like curved display

Sometimes, to get the perfect smartphone with our desired features, we simply have to do it ourselves. Take this latest fan-made Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max modification for example, which put a curved display on the device to turn it into an iPhone and Samsung Galaxy “love child”.

Made by @lipilipsi, a self-proclaimed aftermarket Apple device modification expert, the modded iPhone 14 Pro Max was shown off on Twitter with several images and a short video. In making the modification, the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s stainless steel frame was swapped out.

Moreover, the whole display was also removed and changed with the display with curved edges. Besides that, all of the device’s components remain the same and the display even retains the pill-shaped cutout for the device’s Dynamic Island feature.

So, what do you guys think of this mod by @lipilipsi? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Someone spent 9 years making a new Left 4 Dead 2 campaign mod "Chernobyl Chapter One" and it's now available

The Left 4 Dead series was regarded as one of the best FPS games in a zombie apocalypse setting. Although the franchise is quite old, there are still some gamers playing the game and it was only recently that there is a new campaign story mode released known as Chernobyl Chapter One. Keep in mind that this is not officially from Valve but from a super loyal fan named Av3ris.

According to sources, Av3ris spent nearly 9 years creating and modding this campaign by himself for Left 4 Dead 2. There are a total of 5 new maps and the story follows the main characters, Rochelle, Ellis, Coach and Nick crash landing in Chernobyl and must fight their way out. It's also said that there are a total of 400 new modules and 500 texture maps were used for this.

If you're still playing Left 4 Dead 2, you can actually download the campaign mod at the Steam forum (link below). Remember to download both "Chernobyl Chapter One" and "Part 1-7" for the mod to operate normally, this applies to multiplayer mode as well. Currently, there are 9 self-built servers, 3 of which are from Singapore itself which is great for us Malaysians.

For more information, you can check out the Steam forum right here. If you haven't got the game yet, Left 4 Dead 2 is only on sale for RM23.50 on Steam. Stay tuned for more gaming news at TechNave.com and GLHF!


Someone went fishing for Apple iPhone 12 Pro with a magnetic fishing rod

It looks like the Apple iPhone 12's MagSafe has multiple usages. Not only allows charging, but users can also utilize the magnet to retrieve their iPhone 12 if it falls into somewhere hard to reach. The "extra feature" is discovered by an app developer Frederick Riedel after his friend's iPhone fell into a muddy canal bottom.

According to the story told by Riedel on his Twitter account, he and his friend built a magnetic fishing rod and used it to locate an iPhone 12 Pro through 3 feet deep water. Luckily, the magnet that is used for MagSafe is strong enough to let the guys recover the iPhone under such circumstances. Therefore, if you accidentally drop your iPhone 12 in the future, don't panic and build a magnetic fishing rod (haha)!

This is not the first time we hear about such stories on rescuing the iPhones. Earlier, it was reported that a woman successfully got her functional iPhone 11 Pro back after it has been submerged in a lake for 30 days, thanks to the IP68 rating.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more interesting tech news.


Sonic the Hedgehog has the biggest box office opening compared to other video game movies

All the hard work has finally paid off! Paramount Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog took the crown by having the biggest box office opening compared to other movies that are based on video games. Although the movie had a ‘tough’ one after the first version of its trailer was released, the visual effect team still managed to make a comeback to prove they can right the wrong at the end.

The movie has pulled in 57 million USD (~RM219 million) after three days from its launch in the US, surpassing Detective Pikachu which previously held a record of 54.3 million USD (~RM225 million). Globally, the movie generated another 43 million USD (~RM178 million) which brings its opening total to 100 million USD (~~RM414 million), beating movies like Tomb Raider and Warcraft.

If you still remember, the movie was slammed by the Internet as the ‘re-imagined’ Sonic appeared to be rather creepy in the first trailer. After that, Paramount Pictures announced that they will take in the comments and redesign the character once again (applause for listening to what we want!). Now, the movie has come back hard and we’ll definitely go to the cinema to witness the glory.

Let us know what you think about this on our Facebook page! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more entertaining tech news.


SonicGear and Armageddon reveals brand new 4K 144Hz monitor for only RM1199

No, this isn’t a troll. These two brands have been known to release extremely wallet friendly peripherals for any gamer. Looking to crash into the esports scene, the two companies have collaborated to unveil PIXXEL+ Elite EFX 27UHD SWTX esports monitor (ain’t that a long name). The monitor is able to support a resolution at 4K 144Hz and is priced at only RM1199!

The price definitely took us by surprise as most monitors can be extremely pricey. The monitor supports AMD Free Sync and is G-sync compatible. The display measures at 27 inches with a UHD display. However, on UHD it only supports 60Hz and only on QHD it can go up to 144 frames. In addition, you’ll find 3 HDMI ports at the back of the display and 5ms response time.

Besides that, the PIXXEL+ line also comes with a variety of other monitors made for esports such as the Xtreme and Pro series. The Xtreme series adopts the curved screen measuring between 24 inches to 39 inches. The screens come with a maximum of 165Hz refresh rate and supports AMD’s Free sync and is G-sync compatible. Meanwhile, the Pro series only measures between 22 inches and 27 inches.

In the future, Armaggeddon is planning on launching their very own esports ready PCs and we bet they’d come with some incredible price tags as well based on their pricing trends. Would you hop onto the Armaggeddon hype train?

SonicGear has some products up their sleeves as well which is the SonicGear AirPhone ANC 3000 headset. It is a Bluetooth headset with a 24 hour battery life and ANC noise cancellation. Besides that, other headsets that were introduced include the AirPhone 3, AirPhone 5, AirPhone 7, and AirPhone ANC 2000 all of which comes with ANC functionalities.

Shopee also introduced their brand new sponsored esports team: Bosskurr. To celebrate, Shopee and Armaggeddon also launched a bunch of Bosskurr merchandise which include clothes, gaming peripherals and more. Are you excited about the brand new products on Shopee? You can check out these items for yourself on the SonicGear or Armageddon's pages on Shopee. Keep up with the latest tech news on TechNave.com!


Sonos Beam 2 review – Pricey but delivers top-notch sound and great bass

When you move to a new place, it's normal for people to get new stuff to renovate their homes. That would include things like a new TV or speakers. The idea would be to upgrade your home theatre experience, so video and audio are equally important!

In this review, we'll introduce you to a soundbar we got to try for a few weeks - the Sonos Beam Gen 2! Those who are audio enthusiasts are probably no strangers to Sonos, so what kind of audio experience will this product bring? Please keep reading below!

In terms of appearance, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 does not have a rounded design and lightweight body like other soundbars that are more accessible. It's quite heavy in fact, and looks like a steel bar. Moreover, it's not the smallest soundbar at 65cm in length, so you would need a considerable amount of space.

If you place it on the same table as the TV, you could even end up blocking the infrared sensor of the TV. In terms of colour options, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is available in black and white. As for the buttons, you'll find them on the top of the Sonos Beam Gen 2. The volume and play buttons are there, along with a light indicator.

Watch how you position it, as it could block the infrared receiver of your TV

Of course, there's a reason why it's heavy. The soundbar is packed with powerful hardware, resulting in superior audio quality. On the front of the speaker, you'll see four mid-woofers and a Sonos-optimised centre tweeter. Together, they deliver excellent bass performance. The audio is also crisp, with clear vocals and background sounds. Besides that, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 has five Class D amplifiers and three Passive Radiators that help boost low-end frequencies.

The space on the back of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 has everything you need, at least in terms of connections. This includes one HDMI eARC port, the power connector, a pairing/connect button, and a rare Ethernet port. The Sonos Beam 2 also supports wireless connectivity, so you can connect and control the soundbar via the Sonos S2 App. It also lets you adjust the sound profile and remote functions or play Spotify and YouTube from mobile phones.

The HDMI eARC port allows users to adjust the volume via the connected TV. Of course, the TV has to support this feature. Moreover, the eARC port lets the soundbar support a variety of audio formats. This includes Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos (Digital+ and TrueHD versions), Multi-frequency PCM and Dolby Multi-frequency PCM. Again, the video or music you play must support these formats

In terms of audio quality, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 performed well. This soundbar can deliver clear and deep audio in music, movies and games. Best of all, vocals and voices are easily discernible. You can adjust the bass and other settings too. Our writer loved the bass performance of the soundbar and found its max volume loud as well. If you are not careful, the sound might even be too loud.

Smart voice assistant and music playback software

Preset sound profiles and other settings

Overall, we loved the experience brought by the Sonos Beam Gen 2. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is priced at RM2699 in Malaysia, which is not cheap compared to most Sound Bars. It's also relatively more expensive in Malaysia (for some reason).

But if you have the budget and the need for good audio (also a soundproofed room while you're at it), this is a soundbar that might be worth considering. Of course, you could get decent sub-woofers and speakers with basic features for around RM150 that are not bad, but ultimately, the choice is yours.

So, what do you think of the Sonos Beam 2? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more reviews like this!

Pros: Crisp sound; excellent bass performance; supports mobile apps like Spotify and Youtube Music; and HDMI eARC supports higher sound quality specifications

Cons: Not something that most people can afford; and it requires the Sonos S2 App to operate

Conclusion: If money is no object, its clear sound, deep bass, and loud volume make it a soundbar worth considering


Apple Fitness+ adds new features, including Collections and Time to Run

For the Apple Watch users out there, do you use Apple Fitness+? The platform is Apple's fitness and wellness platform that interacts with a user's Apple Watch. Recently, Apple announced some new features for the service.

The first one is Collections, which is a curated series of activities from the Fitness+ library. These workouts and meditations are designed to help users reach their goals. Currently, there are six Collections available on Fitness+: 30-Day Core Challenge, Improve Your Posture with Pilates, Perfect Your Yoga Balance Poses, Run Your First 5K, Strengthen and Stretch Your Back and Hips, and Wind Down for a Better Bedtime.

Another new feature is Time to Run. As the name hints, this is an "audio running experience" that aims to help users improve their running. It consists of coaching videos led by Fitness+ trainers, and include motivational and energising music to get you going. Three episodes were released at launch - London, Brooklyn, and Miami Beach - each coached by a separate trainer.

So, what do you think about Apple Fitness+ so far? Is there a feature you would like to see added to the service? Share your ideas in the comments below! Also, stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sonos Era 300 and Era 100 smart speakers announced from RM1599

Sonos have announced their Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Era 100 smart speakers which will be available for Malaysia and other global markets from 28 March 2023. The Era 300 will be priced at RM2799 while the Era 100 will go for RM1599. Pre-orders will be available at their site from today or at the Sonos Concept Store at The Starhill from 8 March 2023.

Featuring six drivers with Dolby Atmos, the Era 300 delivers spatial sound in an elegant hourglass design. Fine tuned by experts in the music industry, you can pair two speakers with Arc or Beam (Gen 2) for surround sound. The Era 100 on the other hand builds upon the Sonos One with 2 angled tweeters and a larger midwoofer for crisp higher frequencies and solid bass. The Era 100 can also be paired for a surround sound system.

Made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, the Era 300 and Era 100 are designed to be sustainable and can connect using WiFi or Bluetooth or via auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter. Both smart speakers can be controlled using the Sonos app which is available to both Android and iOS users.

The Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 smart speakers


Sonos Ray Malaysia release: An all-in-one soundbar priced at RM1799

Today, Sonos Malaysia just announced another new soundbar called the Sonos Ray. While it looks relatively small for a soundbar, this audio device cost RM1799. Why is it so expensive? Well, let's find out below.

According to Sonos, the Sonos Ray is an all-in-one soundbar for watching movies/TV shows, listening to music as well as providing an immersive gaming experience. The company is also claiming that the sound system is fined-tuned by award-winning Hollywood sound engineers with speech enhancement. To complement this feature, the device has Speech Enhancement for that as well as Night Sound for reducing loud sound effects intensity.

The Sonos Ray can be connected to any TV and be controlled with any existing remote. Moreover, it can even be connected to a PC but must-have optical output support. Another function that's worth mentioning is the Trueplay tuning technology that adapts the sound around the area.

The pre-order of the Sonos Ray has already begun at the price of RM1799 as aforementioned. You can either get one in black or white too, whereby the device will officially launch in Malaysia by the end of June 2022.


Sonos Ray review - Good compact soundbar for small living rooms

At the end of 2021, our buddies from TechNave Chinese reviewed the Sonos Beam 2, which has an excellent sound and great bass performance. However, it wasn't something everyone could afford as it was priced at RM2699. As noted by our reviewer, it's relatively more expensive in Malaysia (for some reason) and not cheap compared to most soundbars.

But what if I told you that there is another affordable option that also offers great sound performance? Not only that, it's smaller and cheaper by almost a thousand Ringgit? Well, if that's what you are looking for, read below to check out what I have to say about the Sonos Ray.

Apart from white, there's a black variant too

The Sonos Ray just recently entered the Malaysian market in May, and you might be surprised to hear how powerful this little guy is. Compared to the standard soundbars, the Sonos Ray only measures 559 x 71 x 95mm and weighs less than 2kg! It's a pretty compact soundbar that you can bring around with ease. It can be mounted to a wall too (if you wish).

Like every other Sonos product, you will need to download the Sonos app from the Google Play and Apple App Store to activate it. Honestly, I don't really like it when I'm forced to use an app to use a product, even if it does make the installation and pairing process faster. As long as you follow the steps in the app, you will have Sonos Ray ready to play in no time.

However, I do have one major complaint during the installation. This only happens if you lend/borrow the Sonos Ray (or any other Sonos products) to/from a friend and family. If your friend or a family member has already paired it with their Sonos app, you won't be able to connect to the Sonos Ray at all. I was stuck for an hour trying to figure out what was wrong.

If already paired to another device, the Sonos Ray won't appear in the app unless you do a factory reset

There are no factory reset instructions lol

To give you an analogy, it's like when someone gives you a phone without doing a factory reset. But in Sonos Ray's case, you can't even detect it on the app, which is even worst. The most glaring mistake was that Sonos didn't include instructions on how to do a factory reset in the manual. These are the most basic of requirements, yet I had to Google to find a YouTube tutorial video to do so. Come on, Sonos, REALLY?

So anyway, that's my only major complaint about the Sonos Ray. Another minor complaint is not for the soundbar but rather the Sonos app. Just like when I first reviewed the Sonos Roam, I sometimes wonder why it exists, apart from setting a connection to the product. I still can't listen to any song after signing into my YouTube Music account or connect to my Apple Music app. And there are no local radio stations! I can't even initiate Tune Living Room with TruePlay properly despite following the instructions.

I followed the instructions, but it didn't work. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

Controlling the volume and settings in the app

You should be mindful of the types of setup for remotes too. If you're plugged in via the optical port, you can use IR (infrared) remotes to control the volumes. But if your remote is an RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth type, you need to perform some extra steps to make it work, or it probably won't work at all. According to the app, common RF and Bluetooth remotes like the ones from the Apple TV, Samsung One and F series, and the LG Magic Remote should work. That said, my PRISM+ TV remote couldn't work with the app, even though it's using an IR remote.

Thankfully, you don't really have to bother yourself with the Sonos app too much. The Sonos Ray is the highlight here, so let's get back on track. At first, I wasn't expecting much because of my poor pairing experience. But all that was swept away by the sound performance. The Sonos Ray features two mid-woofers and two tweeters rated as Class-D amplified. If you didn't know, those are usually found in HiFi speakers.

How do all the amplifiers balance each other out? According to Sonos, there is a Bass Reflex System that minimises distortion and rounds out the low-end frequencies. What makes Sonos Ray stand out is that it not only offers well-balanced sound. It also supports Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS Digital Surround. Unfortunately, Dolby Atmos isn't available, but I still appreciate how I had a somewhat mini theatre experience in my small living room.

All in all, I enjoyed listening to the Sonos Ray soundbar. It's great for both movies and games, thanks to its decent, immersive sound effects. I tend to listen to LoFi and other background songs when I'm in the kitchen or having my friends over. If you want, you can also set your sound preference in the Sonos app for the bass, treble and loudness. Personally, I recommend turning on Speech Enhancement and Loudness, as well as Bass +3 for the best balance.

So would I recommend the Sonos Ray? Aside from the bad installation experience (which won't happen to new users) and complicated remote control setup, the RM1799 price tag could be worth your buck if you intend to get it for music. The soundbar still costs more or less the same as many other branded soundbars from Sony, LG, and Samsun, but the lack of Dolby Atmos may make you think twice.

That said, the Sonos Ray may disappoint other users since it also lacks an HDMI and AUX port. In other words, this soundbar may benefit casual users more than audiophiles. Also, a smaller soundbar is more suitable for smaller living rooms, as it saves a lot of space on the TV stand without needing a big woofer box.

Pros: Good immersion and sound quality performance overall for movies, games and especially music

Cons: Obsessively requires the Sonos app to pair, no factory reset instructions (lol) if you need it, and the remote control volume setup is a bit complicated

Conclusion: If you like Sonos and want to save space on the TV table, go for it


Sonos Roam Malaysia release: IP67 rated and a 10-hour battery of music playback, priced at RM1099

Today, Sonos is introducing a new portable and compact sound speaker called the Sonos Roam. Priced at RM1099 in Shadow Black or Lunar White, it will be available across Malaysia from 21 April 2021 onwards. The official distributor is TC Acoustic.

Getting into the tech specs, you can connect the Sonos Roam on both WiFi and Bluetooth. If you have a Sonos app, it will allow you to group any of your Sonos speakers to Roam when streaming Bluetooth, as well as being compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, or directly from your favourite music service app. As a compact speaker, you can bring it around with you easily and it even has IP67 water and dust resistant rating.

Equipped to last 10 hours of music playback on a single charge, it can be charged on a custom Sonos magnetic wireless charger (or any Qi wireless charger) that is sold separately. Depending on your surrounding, the speaker uses Trueplay tuning to adapt to the environment as well as to whatever you're listening to with the best sound quality possible.

If you want to learn more, you can visit the official TC Acoustic website right over here. Are you a fan of Sonos? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sonos Roam review - A pricey but loud and clear compact sound speaker

Back in March, a new audio brand made its way to the Malaysian market - Sonos. This is an American brand with a reputation for audio products for multi-room usage. And if you know your stuff, you will know that Sonos is one of the well known (and loved) brands by audiophiles.

When Sonos made its official debut in Malaysia, we wondered what audio product it would introduce. Could it be one of those sophisticated living room audio system or a soundbar for TVs? No and no. Instead, what was revealed was the Sonos Roam, a compact sound speaker for RM1099.

So, let me start my review of the Sonos Roam. Actually, this would be my first time reviewing a compact sound speaker, especially one that's intended for outdoor parties. I love music, but I prefer to listen indoors. It made me realise that I had to lower my expectations of its audio quality. But before we get into that, let's talk about the design first.

Upon opening the box, the first thing you see is the Sonos Roam inside a nice pouch. There's also an instruction manual, warranty note, and a USB-C cable for charging. My first impression of the Roam's design is that it certainly looks simple enough. It's also nice that you can make it stand or lay flat on the floor.

On the top, you can easily see the play/pause button, volume rockers, and the mic. The power button is at the back, and so is the USB-C port. At first glance, you would think that the skip and back button is missing, but it's actually hidden. You have to press the play/pause button twice to skip a track, and pressing it three times will play the previous one.

The Sonos Roam we got is in Lunar White colour, but there's also a Shadow Black model

The Roam is indeed a compact sound device like the name suggests. You could roam anywhere with this buddy because of how lightweight it is. It can also slip into a purse easily due to its compact size. I also like how creative the logo is. When you place it upside down, the Sonos logo always looks the same.

Setting up the Sonos is slightly different from other Bluetooth sound speakers, though. First, you will have to download a Sonos App on your iOS and Android. Sounds simple right? Well, the issue is you need to be connected to a WiFi connection first. Only then you can set up the Bluetooth connectivity. Compared with other speakers, the extra step for WiFi just to use Bluetooth doesn't make sense.

It's actually not a big deal at all, but what happens if you don't have any WiFi signal? Well, you will need to ask for a hotspot or just wait until you have WiFi. I see absolutely no reason for it to require a WiFi connection for setup since the Roam was meant for the outdoors. It's even worse when you try to pair this with an iPhone, as I got stuck at the NFC scanning part. Despite following every instruction given, it wouldn't pair. I had to use another manual method just to sync them. It was a rather tedious experience.

Using Bluetooth connection after finally setting up the WiFi pairing (left). Also, if you change your WiFi network, you can't access the Sonos app at all

Sonos app will detect any music services available on your phone and offers radio channels too. Unfortunately, I can't play a single YouTube Music track for some reason

OK, surely there has to be a reason for it to have a WiFi connection to access the Sonos App, right? After all, the app must have useful features if I had to go through the trouble. Well, it lets you view your Roam system (and other nearby Sonos products, if any), add other music accounts, or listen to a podcast. Unfortunately, I didn't find the app all that useful. Even though I synced up my YouTube Music account, I couldn't play a single song from my list. Like...why??

It's baffling that the app needs WiFi connectivity at all times. So if you try to access the app outside of your WiFi zone, then too bad, you're locked out. Even if you switched to a different WiFi from your original setup, the same thing happens. The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get, so let's just move on. If anything, perhaps the only thing it's useful for is to check the battery level or listen to online podcasts. However, most of those are American-based.

Luckily, the Roam doesn't depend on the app that much. After you have paired it with your iPhone or Android, you're pretty much free to use it anytime and anywhere you want. In terms of audio performance, I think the Roam does its job quite well. It can get real loud at max volume, but there's no distortion as the audio is controlled well without that feeling of breaking.

However, the Roam is not the type of audio device designed for high-quality audio. For example, the bass (guitar and drum) would often sound a bit off while the vocals can be high pitched, though not all the songs are like that. As mentioned, the Roam is clearly made for outdoor parties or activities, so you should just enjoy playing some music in the background. I also like that whenever your phone receives a notification, it won't interrupt the Roam at all.

Speaking of outdoor activities, the Roam sports IP67 water and dust resistance. It's also drop-resistant, and while I didn't try dropping it on purpose, but I can tell you that the Roam still functions even when submerged underwater! The sound will be a bit muffled after you take it out of the water, but it will get back in tune quickly. Also, the battery is truly a beast. Typically, it can last for two days on average usage. But even if it's continuous playback, it can last up to 10 hours.

The Roam charging up (left) and playing songs underwater (right). You can see the vibration surrounding it

Sonos also offers a wireless charger, but that's an optional accessory. However, you can use any Qi-certified charger to charge the Roam, so that's pretty convenient. You can also set up a Voice Assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri. However, those are more useful if you're in the US.

Leaving the tedious setup of the Sonos App aside, the Sonos Roam achieves what it was supposed to do - to bring the party sounds outdoors. It has a good punching sound, excellent battery life, and IP67 water and dust resistance. I've only used it for two weeks, but I think the Roam might also last quite long thanks to its good built quality.

However, the RM1099 price may not be enough to justify it. This is because Sony's Extra Bass speakers are quite popular in Malaysia and are significantly cheaper than the Sonos Roam. Currently, the most affordable one is the XB23 Extra Bass at RM449. Even the most expensive SRS-XB43 Extra Bass portable wireless speaker is just RM899. So...yeah.

Nonetheless, it's quite a good first effort for Sonos to enter the Malaysian market. I think Sonos can do better by focusing on its home audio systems or offer headsets to rival Sony. Anyway, what do you think of the Roam and have you experienced it? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more trending tech gadget reviews at TechNave.com.

Pros: Sound performance is loud and clear, IP67 rating, and lightweight body

Cons: Needs a WiFi connection first with the Sonos app before allowing Bluetooth connectivity (which is weird for a device used for outdoors), and there are other competitors around

Conclusion: It's a commendable compact sound speaker after setting up, but only if you have the budget for it


Sonos Sub Mini Malaysia pre-order: wireless subwoofer for RM2999

There is a new Sonos audio product in town and if you're looking for a compact subwoofer, you can check out the latest Sonos Sub Mini. Coming in black and white, it's priced at RM2999 and the pre-order is now available exclusively on trysonos.my from 13 September, 9 PM onwards.

The Sonos Sub Mini is wireless and features dual custom woofers and advanced processing generates deep, dynamic low-end bass. According to Sonos, both woofers face inward inside the acoustically sealed cabinet. This creates a force-cancelling effect that neutralises distortion. Moreover, the advanced digital signal processing maximises bass response and reproduces the full-toned low frequencies.

You can pair the Sonos Sub Mini with other Sonos products such as the Sonos Beam, Ray, One or One SL to focus on more mid-range and high frequencies. Of course, this requires the Sonos app to connect to the Sonos sound system. You may fine-tune the Sonos Sub Mini's sound with TruePlay. This detects and adapts the speaker’s sound for reflections off of walls and furniture, giving you the best listening experience for your room and setup.

If you prefer to wait for the official launch sales, you can purchase the Sonos Sub Mini through Sonos' official retail partners, Harvey Norman or Lazada Malaysia starting 6 October. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sonos acquired Dutch company Mayht and could launch a solar-powered speaker

Sonos might be planning to launch a solar-powered speaker in the future. According to the source, the speaker maker has acquired Dutch startup, Mayht, which had showcased the technology at the CES 2022.

Besides that, Mayht also has another impressive technology called Heartmotion that enables rich sound quality in smaller speakers. It is said to provide the same sound and bass output to speakers up to ten times smaller than the current models in the market. The company describes it as a new approach to audio transducers, which "are the foundational element within speakers that create sound."

The Dutch company is able to strike a deal of 100 million USD (~RM423 million) with Sonos just by having two of the mentioned technologies. Currently, it's still unknown whether Sonos will bring the Mayht team to its company or continue to let them work in the current location, which is the Netherlands. Not only that but Sonos is also rumoured to be working on home theatre speakers, and we can't wait to see what kind of products the company will be offering.

Do the speaker technologies sound cool to you? Leave a comment to let us know, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech news.


Sony 100mm F2.8 STF G Master, 85mm F1.8 Mid-telephoto prime lenses and radio-controlled Flash announced for Malaysia

Sony Malaysia recently announced 2 new lenses and a flash consisting of the 100mm F2.8 STF G Master™ (SEL100F28GM) with the highest ever quality bokeh for an α lens, new full-frame 85mm F1.8 (SEL85F18) Mid-telephoto prime lens and compact radio-controlled Flash (HVL-F45RM). No Malaysia pricing details yet but all 3 should be available here in March 2017.


Sony 2022 BRAVIA XR TV Series Malaysia release: XR Backlight Master Drive Tech from RM5899

Sony Malaysia today announced the release of its new BRAVIA XR TV Series in our country with a slew of new technologies and features. These include the X95K 4K Mini LED models, MASTER Series A80K 4K OLED models and the X90K 4K LED model.

The TV series feature Cognitive Processor XR, a unique XR Backlight Master Drive. Sony claims that this technology allows for the TVs to have unprecedented dynamic range with deep blacks, natural mid-tones and almost no flare or halos around highlights.

Furthermore, it can also precisely control the brightness in models that feature the latest generation Mini LED backlight such as the X95K series. In terms of audio, the latest BRAVIA XR series has enhanced Acoustic Surface Audio+ for OLED models and Acoustic Multi-Audio for LED models that precisely matches the position of the sound with the images on the screen for a truly immersive audio/visual experience.

Besides that, the TV series also includes a new Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode to match the content on screen with what the creators’ intended for. Similarly, the new BRAVIA CORE Calibrated Mode will also do the same for non-Netflix media such as films and television series.

For PlayStation 5 gamers out there, the TV series also has a designated ‘Perfect for PlayStation 5’ features, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode. Another new addition is an in-house developed camera device, BRAVIA CAM, which recognises where users are sitting and optimises the picture and sound accordingly, gesture controls, video chat and more.

Here are all the 2022 BRAVIA XR TV models and its respective price in our country:

For more information on the 2022 BRAVIA XR TV Series and other products by Sony Malaysia, visit the company’s official website here. As always, for more trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond, stay tuned to TechNave!


Sony 2023 BRAVIA XR TV lineup release - coming to Malaysia soon, starting price at RM10,699

A new lineup of the 2023 BRAVIA XR TV lineup has been announced by Sony and there are four new models - namely the X95L Mini LED, X90L Full Array LED, A95L and A80L OLED. All models are equipped with features to provide consumers with an immersive experience for watching movies, streaming apps, gaming and more.

So what's new? For starters, 2023 BRAVIA XR TVs have the updated Cognitive Processor XR, featuring the all-new XR Clear Image on select models, which improves noise reduction and clarity with motion, reducing blur and creating scenes with action. This feature also enables better backlight control for increased local dimming zones, increased brightness and decreased blooming.

Additionally, each model offers Acoustic Center Sync, which synchronizes the TV’s audio system with the centre channel of a compatible Sony soundbar turning it into the centre speaker for the best immersive at-home experience. For consumers looking for an even more immersive sound experience, each model also works with Sony soundbars to offer 360 Spatial Sound Mapping which generates phantom speakers and sound field optimization.

For gaming, the 2023 BRAVIA XR lineup also gamers to take their PlayStation 5 gaming to the next level with exclusive features, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode to optimise picture quality while gaming and streaming. Gamers can also quickly access the Game Menu to tailor their settings, such as turning on or off VRR or Motion Blur Reduction and many more.

In the announcement video, Sony also announced to keep its commitment to decreasing plastic usage through its Road to Zero initiative. To reduce environmental impact, Sony is working on multiple aspects of the product life cycle, such as reduction of virgin plastic use, improvement of transportation efficiency and reviewing energy consumption during use. That being said, all 2023 models have the new Eco Dashboard that allows users to easily customize energy-saving preferences and settings.

The new BRAVIA XR TV lineup will be available in Malaysia from June 2023 onwards with recommended retail pricing of RM10,699. For more information on new Sony television models, you can visit the BRAVIA XR website here to check them out.


Apple Fitness+ now available in Malaysia for RM19.90

Over a year ago, Apple launched the Apple One plan with its many services. This includes Apple Fitness+, which has a self-explanatory name. Last week, it was confirmed that Apple One Premier is coming to Malaysia, along with Apple Fitness+.

As announced by Apple, Apple Fitness+ is now available in 15 more countries including Malaysia. With this platform, you can obtain your workout metrics on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. There will also be trainers to guide users through workouts, meditation sessions, and more.

In terms of pricing, Apple Fitness+ costs RM19.90/month or RM119.90/year. You can also get it as a part of the new Apple One Premier plan, which is priced at RM69.90/month. This plan comes with Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Fitness+, and 2TB of iCloud+ storage. You can also share the plan among six family members, so it's a pretty good deal.

With that said, would you be interested in signing up for Apple Fitness+ or the Apple One Premier plan? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sony α7RIII & a new 24-105mm G-lens coming soon to Malaysia from RM6099 + hands-on picture samples

The α7RIII camera with the FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom lens attached

Today, Sony has unveiled the latest mirrorless alpha camera member - the α7RIII with 35mm full-frame image sensor and a new G lens - the FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom (model SEL24105G). Since this is the third entry edition, you sure can expect that the sensitivity, dynamic range, processing speed, and shooting response are further enhanced to greater heights. The α7RIII features a 42.4MP sensor, an ISO up to 32000 and can shoot 10fps of continuous shooting with doubled AF. Price is RM14,888 and Malaysia will be part of the first wave, starting from 13 December 2017, while the new G-Master lens is at RM6099 starting from 8 December 2017. Check out below for more details of the camera!

Comparison and improvement from its predecessor

Like all Sony cameras, the α7R III is equipped with an Exmor R sensor, a BIONZ X image processor and a new front-end LSI which enables the sensor to deliver up to 15-stop dynamic range at low ISO sensitivity for stills and better tonal expression. The standard ISO range has been extended to ISO 100-32000 (expandable up to ISO 50-102400), and noise has been reduced too. The favourite silencer shutter with AF/AE tracking is back as well and it's a great feature to have for shooting wildlife or in continuous mode.

Not much changes on the controls, but the handle did become bigger for easier handling

The ports are all on the left side, while the dual media slots support are on the right

Even with the eyes close, the camera can still detect and create a portrait photo

Furthermore, there are three new features on the mirrorless camera which are the Eye AF, Pixel Shift Multi Shooting and a new Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). The Eye AF, as the name suggests, focuses a lot on the subject's eye for an immediate, effective eye detection and tracking even when moving around. In short, this is like a Portrait Mode that's taken to another level. It's also thanks to the 5-axis in-camera image stabiliser that eliminates the shakiness when moving freely, the new and improved stabilisation unit/gyro sensors/algorithms effectively raise 5.5 stops. Meanwhile, the Pixel Shirt Multi Shoot is just a feature that reproduces the image into a "true-to-life" detail, texture, colour and overall atmosphere.

Advanced AF algorithms contribute to high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV-3, for more reliable autofocus in dark scenes

A demo of the model moving around, the camera can detect with its Eye AF and capture the shot regardless

Just one shot and it turned out like this, amazing quality

Another photo demo, keep in mind that the subjects were always moving during this shot

Meanwhile, the HLG feature is mainly to support video recording through its 4K movies or 5K (15MP) oversampling, what it does is supporting an instant HDR workflow without degrading the colour. So with this, all videos recorded in HLG picture mode will appear "true-to-life" with suppressed blocked shadows or blown highlights.

At the same time, a new full frame E-mount lens line up - the FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom is designed to be compact and be as lightweight as possible weighing 663g, the new lens is compatible with the alpha series for shooting landscape, portrait, wildlife, weddings and more in photography and videography. The hold button is customizable, along with a dust and moisture resistant design and a fluorine coating to minimize dust, water, oil and other contaminants.

Thanks to its new optical design featuring four aspherical lens elements, of which are a pair of high precision AA (advanced aspherical) lenses and three strategically located ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element that combines the lens elements to minimise the chromatic aberration for the best resolution possible.

It has a Nano AR coating too for minimising flare and ghosting, not to forget it's also supported by the minimal focus distance of 1.25ft to maintain the bokeh effect for all Sony G lens series. Even for moving subejcts, the new feature DDSSM (Direcr Drice SSM) is capable of rapid shooting capturing the moment with minimal noise.

Anyway, we took some hands-on picture with the new camera, check them out below!

For the full specification and overview of the features, head over to the Sony α7R III page right here. Stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.


Sony α7S II announced in Singapore for RM13499, 12.2 MP image sensor

Sony recently announced a new member of the α7 series with the Sony α7S II in Singapore for RM13499 (body only) equipped with a full frame 35mm 12.2MP image sensor and BIONZ X™ image processing engine. Malaysians can pre-order the new camera from 9 October - 25 October this month only from Sony Malaysia, the pre-order promotion also includes a bundling package to mark the arrival of the α7S II. Those who have placed their pre-order can bring home a 128GB memory card, an Artisan strap and a Think Tank case.

The α7S II offers photographers a greater picture and video shooting control with an ultra high sensitivity, wide dynamic range across the ISO range and 5-axis image stabilisation. This new cutting edge technology allows photographers to manually set whichever shutter speed to capture stunning quality images even in places that have difficult lighting conditions (in the brightest day or in darkest night, nothing shall escape its sight). It also hosts a pro-style movie function that has the ability to shoot a 4K video with full pixel readout. This is an attractive highlight for both photographers and videographers alike because this also means there is no pixel binning in full frame format.

As mentioned earlier, thanks to the combination of its 35mm full-frame 12.2MP 2 image sensor and BIONZ X™ image processing engine. Its light sensitivity range is from 50 - 4096001! This is possible due to the sensor capabilities that are maximized by the BIONZ X™ engine, as it produces as little noise as possible in the image and even video recording.

The Sony α7S II features include the following:

Overall, it's great for night photography and videography.


Sony A1 Series, World's First OLED 4K HDR TV without Speakers Announced in Singapore!

The Sony A1 Series was first announced at CES 2017, and it is now made it into south-east Asia market. Sony told us that the hype of Curve and 3d tv is dying now so they decided to put their efforts into something else.

Sony makes it possible to be ultra-thin in terms of form factors with the OLED technology. The A1 Series is pretty close to bezel-less and combining it with the kickstand behind, making viewing experience much focused. The new 4k HDR processor X1 Extreme. The processor incorporates three new technologies – object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR and Dual Database processing. It helps to produce a sharper image, darker blacks, and also a better balance between the highlight and shadow.

Because the A1 is super thin, so there's no place to put speakers. What Sony did was actually turning the OLED panel into their speakers. Mounting four audio actuators on the back of the panel The actuators deliver vibrations to the panel according to the visual action on screen, and the sound literally emanates from the display itself. Resulting in a crisp and loud output.

As for the size, the A1 Series comes in 65-inch and 55-inch models. There's still no pricing and release date details in Malaysia. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for upcoming updates.


Sony A1 release: 50.1MP, 8K video recording, and 240Hz OLED EVF for ~RM26281

It looks Sony has been working hard on the professional side of things. The company not only launch the Xperia Pro but also a new Sony A1 camera earlier today. Both products are high-end products catered towards professional photographers.

The Sony A1 (Alpha 1) is a full-frame mirrorless camera that packs a 50.1MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor. It offers up to 30fps shooting speeds (electronic shutter), fast phase-detection AF, and [email protected] or [email protected] video recording. It also has an all-new Bionz XR image processor that delivers an ISO range of 100–32000, which can be expanded to 50–102400.

In terms of features, the camera's electronic shutter has several benefits. It's silent, vibration-free and flicker-free, which is useful in various situations like wildlife and sports photography. On top of that, it has a 240Hz OLED EVF that refreshes fast enough to prevent blackouts when shooting in burst mode.

The Sony A1 has a retail price of USD 6498 (~RM26281) for the body only, so it's not exactly cheap. But it's definitely top-tier for professionals, so do check out the product page if you're interested. Let us know what you think of the camera in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more amazing gadgets.


Sony A6300 Hands On Review - User Experience, 4K Video Quality, Rolling Shutter!

The Sony α6300 is the company's mid-tier mirrorless camera that pack a tech specs of 24MP CMOS APS-C sensor with copper wiring, 425-point on-sensor phase-detection AF system, 11 fps continuous shooting (8fps continuous live view), 4K video capture up to 100 Mbps, Max ISO of 51200, and Phase-detect AF compatible with A-mount lenses via LA-EA3 adapter. It able to record a video up to 4K with its 20MP (6K) sensor that offers 2.4 oversampled 4K video with full pixel readout. Which Makes it 4K video beast for the price. The α6300 is now available to purchase in Malaysia at a retail price of RM 4999 body only and RM 5499 with 16-50mm kit lens. Check out the review video below for the pro and cons!


Sony A6500 Hands On Review - What's the differences versus A6300?

Couple months after the release of A6300 from Sony Malaysia, the company decided to announce an "upgraded" version with the A6500. Although the A6500 isn't marketed to replace the A6300, most of the user would struggle to choose between these two cameras. The A6500 is pretty much the same like the A6300 but with some improvements. It still uses the same 24 Megapixel APSC sensor, it shoots 4K video and the same 425 phase-detect AF point system.So what's the major upgrade that we get from the A6500? Check out the video below to know more.

The Sony A6500 is now available in Malaysia with a retail price of RM 6499 and the Sony A6300 is retail price at RM 4499 for body only. What do you guys think? It is worth paying the extra? Let us know in the comment section below! Stay tuned on TechNave for upcoming news!


Sony A7S III could launch in July, followed by a new full-frame camera in August

When it comes to mirrorless, Sony is easily one of the top brands to look out for and rumours hint at new models to come. Sources claim that Sony has started to show a new camera, believed to be a successor to the A7s II, to selected media and retail owners. It's said that Sony is gearing up for its launch in July, followed by a full-frame camera later.

According to Sony Alpha Rumors, Sony registered what could be the A7s III and an unknown full-frame camera in April and May 2020. However, the company held back from launching to wait for Canon to go first. Rumours claim that Canon is slated to launch its EOS R5 and R6 cameras in early July, which means the Sony A7s III could launch in the middle of July. Sony will then launch the new full-frame camera, expected to be part of the A5 series, around late August 2020.

But why would Sony hold back the launch for this long? Well, it's believed that Sony wants to be able to better position its products in terms of pricing. Perhaps Sony wanted to know more about what its competitor will be revealed so they can get an edge in marketing, or they may just want to undercut their competitor.

Regardless, these are still unconfirmed rumours so do take them with a pinch of salt. With that said, how excited are you for new Sony cameras? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for further updates on this.


Sony A9 and SEL100400GM revealed as groundbreaking mirrorless camera and super telephoto zoom lens

The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS Super Telephoto Zoom (left) and α9 (right)

Today, Sony has introduced two products in New York and London with two new revolutionary digital camera - α9 (model ILCE-9) and the latest E-mount lens, the FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS Super Telephoto Zoom (model SEL100400GM). The α9 interchangeable lens camera will be available in selected Asia Pacific countries from June 2017, while the availability of the Super Telephoto Zoom Lens in selected Asia Pacific countries will be announced at a later date.

The α9 offers many capabilities that are usually not possible with a modern digital SLR camera, this includs high-speed, blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 20fps, 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, a maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32,000 second and much more. These are made possible thanks to its 35mm full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor (the world’s first of its kind) which enables data speed processing at up to 20x faster than previous Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Additionally, the camera is equipped with a vibration free, fully electronic, completely silent anti-distortion shutter with absolutely no mechanical mirror or shutter noise. This makes it convenient for situations that demands quiet operation. And to ensure maximum usability and reliability, the camera features a new Z battery with approximately 2.2x the capacity of W batteries, as well as dual SD media card slots, including one that supports UHS-II cards. An Ethernet port (wired LAN terminal) is available as well, and there is a wide variety of new settings, controls and customisability options that are essential for working professionals.

On the other hand, the new FE 100-400mm GM model produces corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the lens’ zoom and focus ranges and beautiful rendered ‘bokeh’ or background defocus, ensuring the finest details are brought out in every subject and scene. It features a 22 lens elements configured in 16 different groups, including one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two ED glass elements, this helps to minimise chromatic aberration for the highest resolution captured possible. Even the lens has Nano AR coating, which is useful for shooting sports scenes or wildlife, as it reduces unwanted reflections.

It’s also compatible with both the 1.4x (model SEL14TC) and 2.0x (model SEL20TC) teleconverters, allowing photographers and videographers to shoot up to 800mm on full-frame cameras and approximately 1200mm (35mm full-frame equivalent) on APS-C cameras.  A replacement lens hood (model ALC-SH151) for the new lens will also be available.

To know more about the two new Sony products, visit either one of the links below to find out more.


Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V review - Tough and slim full HD action camera with WiFi, GPS and NFC

The Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V matches up to the value range of action cameras with it’s RM1599 price range along with a generous amount of pre-bundled accessories and features. This includes full HD video recording with image stabilization, various mounts, a wrist mounted Live view remote control and built in WiFi, GPS and NFC. Does it manage to deliver everywhere else? We find out in our review of the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V.

Slim and fairly lightweight, the Sony Action Cam AS200V is relatively easy to carry about without being too bulky. You can mount it on the side of your head or on the body or your bicycle or vehicle with the pre-bundled mounting straps and these are comfortable enough to use without getting in the way. Controls are relatively simple with rather mushy push buttons and a 1-inch LCD display. Check out the full tech specs and features below:

On its own, the HDR-AS200V is splashproof but with the bundled case it is waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. At 93g it is quite lightweight and portable. For the most part, the bundled mounting straps work well enough, but we had to use a little bluetack and ingenuity to mount it in the car. Features like GPS and wind-noise reduction work fine, but as with all GPS, the signal gets cut off once you enter a tunnel.

Normally, you’d think that with such simple controls and small display, the menu interface would also be simplified, unfortunately, you’ll have to go through quite a lot of menus to actually get any settings changed. Even more so when you’re trying to hook up to WiFi from the start. Fortunately the most important recording and playback controls are easy to use.

Pairing the HDR-AS200V with the Live View remote is fairly painless though thanks to NFC and the Playmemories app. While you can live-stream via WiFi and a mobile broadband mifi, Sony have also included a fully featured film editor, which lets you make clips easily, with or without music.

The Live View remote control even fits my XXXL sized wrist

The wrist mounted Live View provides a record and playback feature with built-in colour LCD that lets you control up to 5 different Action Cams at the same time via WiFi. It is waterproof up to a depth of 3 meters. The Live View remote does fit comfortably on the wrist (even my XXXL sized wrist) and is secure enough that you don’t have to worry too much about it.

Thankfully, there is an extra accessory which Sony Malaysia thoughtfully added on which can make taking hand-held videos a lot easier in the form of the AKA-LU1 hand-held grip. While it isn’t available on the Sony Malaysia site, it effectively changes your Action Cam into a hand-held camcorder, complete with swivel action colour LCD screen and easier to use controls.

Turn the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V into a camcorder

Testing out the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V with a hike up Broga Hill and in a drive through the SMART Tunnel we found that the HDR-AS200V performs very well and smoothly even in low-light conditions. The steadyshot stabilizer feature really helps the videos become less jarring, even when running or hiking or going over bumps. However, low-light shots are a bit grainy the darker it becomes but overall, colour reproduction is fairly accurate.

Our test subject geared up with the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V (Credits to HoeHoe)

In terms of overall comfort, the mounting straps are comfortable enough for a 40 minute run or so, but start getting a bit uncomfortable after that. Mounting and removing the HDR-AS200V is easy enough and the camera does not get hot with use. Our reviewer found the Live View remote control to be very easy to use even when on the move but just that he’d have liked it more if the straps were more comfortable and not so bouncy. Battery life is under or about 2 hours or so of continuous recording.

Sony Action Cam: SMART tunnel 4x speed with GPS

Overall, the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V is surprisingly easy to use as long as you stick to the basics, presenting great value to the action camera newbie. Utilizing the more advanced features like WiFi and Live streaming may take a bit more menu diving but for the most part, the other features and accessories for just RM1599 more than make up for it. Those looking for a 4K video capable action cam should probably look elsewhere (or at the HDR-AS200v’s bigger brother, the X1000VR 4K Action Cam) but if it is just ultra smooth full HD, then the HDR-AS200V should be more than enough to satisfy most needs.

*TechNave.com would like to thank Sony Malaysia for providing us with the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS200V for this review. It allowed us to do a more in-depth review and highlight more features.


Sony Action Cam unboxing video

The good folks at Sony Malaysia recently dropped by with their latest Sony Action Cam with features that include 4K video recording and more. Looking to compete against action cameras like the HTC Re and GoPro the Sony Action Cam comes complete with a Live View Remote wrist controller for an awesome pricing of just RM1699. Check out what else comes in the box with the basic Sony Action Cam set asides from the Live View Remote wrist controller below.


Apple Fitness+ will be available for every iPhone user, even without an Apple Watch

Just a month ago, Apple announced that both iOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1 were in beta testing to allow users to use Apple Fitness+ without an Apple Watch. Today, the company just confirmed that it's going to happen very soon on 24 October 2022.

On top of the free Fitness+ usage for iPhone users, customers can also receive three free months of Fitness+ with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. With iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1, Fitness+ will be fully integrated with the Fitness app and located in the middle tab, available in all 21 countries where the service is offered. This includes Malaysia as well since the Fitness app is available.

iPhone users will have access to the entire service featuring over 3,000 studio-style workouts and meditations, all led by a diverse and inclusive team of trainers. Users will also see onscreen trainer guidance and interval timing, and estimated calories burned will be used to make progress on their Move ring. Fitness+ subscribers without Apple TV can also use AirPlay to stream workouts or meditations on compatible third-party devices.

On the same released date, Fitness+ will also introduce a new Artist Spotlight series featuring music from Taylor Swift and her newly released songs from her album “Midnights,” out on 21 October. The app will also introduce a new workout program, Yoga for Every Runner, as well as three new Collections: Totally ’80s Cycling, Best Mindful Cooldowns for Athletes, and 14-Day HIIT and Strength Challenge.

If you want to know more stuff about Fitness+ and how you could make the best out of it without an Apple Watch, you can visit the official newsroom here to check it out. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.