Rumours: new Apple iPhone 7 render features Super AMOLED display and waterproof design wishlist?

While we're about six to seven months away from the actual official release of the Apple iPhone 7, the wishfully thinking designers have already come out with their own renders. A new one recently surfaced showing off a Super AMOLED display, ceramic back, waterproof design, A10 processor and no 3.5mm headphone jack. The overall design remains the same though, retaining the rounded metal frame from the Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

The no headphone jack feature certainly seems likely indicating a thinner iPhone 7 but the rest seem very much like wishful thinking to us. While this cycle of the iPhone iteration should result in a differently designed smartphone, Apple have never made any waterproof smartphone to date, so there is no reason for them to start now. As usual of such rumours, do take it with a good pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but stay tuned for more details.


Rumours: new Honor 6X appears at TENAA with dual rear cameras?

Just like the Honor 5A which replaces the Honor 4A here in Malaysia, it looks like a new Honor 6X could be coming to replace the Honor 5X as it recently made an appearance at China's TENAA with a metal body, fingerprint sensor and dual rear cameras. Previously, the Honor 6X made an appearance at TENAA back in 2014 but when it arrived in Malaysia it was announced as the Honor 6 Plus.

This time around, TENAA did not confirm any tech specs but we expect the new 6X to have at least a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 or perhaps a Kirin 655 processor with 2GB / 3GB RAM and 16GB / 32GB storage. We also expect a 5.5-inch full HD display and dual-SIM 4G LTE but there are as yet no confirmed Malaysia release dates or pricing details so stay tuned to TechNave.com and we'll keep you updated.


Rumours: next Apple iPad front frame leaks, indicates thinner tablet?

The next Apple iPhone isn't the only device rumours are swirling about as the front panel for the what could be the next Apple iPad has leaked. This has happened before apparently as the previous leak showed that the Apple iPad Air would follow the iPad mini's design. This new leak doesn't differ that much from the current front panel but it does show that it will be glued to the rear of the frame, making it both thinner and a lot harder to take apart or put back together for repairs. Tech specs and features for the next Apple iPad have yet to be confirmed but rumours say that it will be powered by a 64-bit A8 processor and have an Apple Touch ID along with an 8MP rear camera upgrade. As always with such leaks and rumours, it could very well be the front panel for a different tablet altogether, so take this rumour with a healthy dose of salt.


Rumours: next Samsung Galaxy A7 and A5 leaked with tech specs

The next generation Samsung Galaxy A7 (left) and Samsung Galaxy A5 (right)

So according to the supposed Android Marshmallow update for next year,  the next versions for the Samsung Galaxy A5 and Samsung Galaxy A7 are expected to be released next year. We just got some leaked pictures from China (again) and some unofficial tech specs too:-

No Malaysia release dates or pricing details on them yet, but as always do take a pinch of salt with such rumours. We will continue to keep you all in the loop.


Rumours: next-gen Samsung Galaxy A7’s scores in AnTuTu reveal Exynos 7580?

AnTuTu has revealed some next-generation Samsung Galaxy A7 tech specs and it looks pretty good so far, but these are only leaks however so take it with a pinch of salt.

Along with the Exynos 7580 chipset, the image teased that the A7 will also be powered by 3GB RAM, has 16GB worth of storage, a 5.5-inch display with full HD 1080p resolution, a 13MP main camera plus a 5MP front camera and an Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS.

The benchmark reveals the Exynos 7580 chipset is confirmed for the A710F, A710S and A710K. This shares the same traits with the Samsung Galaxy J7 which also has the 7589. If this is true then the A7 will likely be a mid range type smartphone.

With the next-gen A7 being tested on AnTuTu, don’t be surprised if the next-gen A5 will be leaked too. Both of these devices are likely to appear next year, so sit tight and we will continue to keep you in the loop.


Rumours: premium Samsung Galaxy Tab S tech specs leaked?

The image above is of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0

Rumours indicate that we could soon get to see a new line of premium Galaxy Tab tablets from Samsung called the Samsung Galaxy Tab S. Coming courtesy of SamMobile, the rumours seem to be credible but do take it with a good pinch of salt as they have missed sometimes as well. According to them, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S will come out first with two models, one with an 8.4-inch display and another with a 10.5-inch display. Both displays will be AMOLED and offer 2K or 2560 x 1600 pixel resolutions. Other notable tech specs and features include fingerprint sensors embedded in the home button like the Samsung Galaxy S5 complete with Fingerprint unlock and other related features.

Other tech specs include an octa-core Samsung Exynos 5420 processor, a hexa-core Mali T628 graphics processor, 3GB of LPDDR3e RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 2.1MP front camera. They will likely come with WiFi and LTE versions with SamMobile also providing what look to be AnTuTu benchmarks, which at 35268 is very impressive indeed. Design-wise, the Samsung Galaxy Tab s should look more or less like your standard Samsung tablet but may be slimmer (perhaps thinner and slimmer bezels) with colours that include white and gray. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing but with these tech specs we expect the Samsung Galaxy Tab S to be premiumly priced.[Source]


Among Us set for Xbox and PlayStation release on 14 Dec 2021

Remember the popular social deduction game called Among Us? The hype surrounding the game has died down and not many people talk about it here. But maybe what the game needs is a fresh influx of console players to bring back the hype, which is what Innersloth is doing.

Yesterday, the company announced that Among Us will launch on Xbox and PlayStation on 14 December 2021. The game will be playable on Microsoft's Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X, as well as Sony's PS4 and PS5. It will also be available via the Xbox Game Pass. On top of that, the console versions will support cross-play with other versions of the game. However, it doesn't seem to be free as the developer mentioned a fee of USD4.99 (~RM21).

The company will also be releasing some physical versions to go with the game's console launch. One of them is the USD29.99 (~RM125) Crewmate Edition, which comes with a poster of the Skeld map, some stickers, and holographic cards. There's also the Imposter Edition for USD49.99 (~RM208) that comes with a crewmate plushie, as well as the Ejected Edition for USD89.99 (~RM374) that even has a beanie and a blanket.

Do you still play Among Us? If you are, do you think you would enjoy it more when it's on a console? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Rumours: round Huawei smart watch coming with 4G LTE?

A few weeks back, Huawei had confirmed a new Android Wear smartwatch for 2015. This was from a teaser image which leaked the company's product road map for this year.  Now, the company has released a new teaser image on Weibo, which could hint at this upcoming smartwatch. Huawei released two different images via its Weibo account yesterday, both showing off a crescent shape with a little something at the end. In the first image, it looks like the company is trying to show a strap of the watch. The second image could hint at the watch's time piece. Huawei has left it to its readers to unravel this puzzle and find out what's coming next. This could be the teaser for the company's new smartwatch because both images come with the punch line, "Next is here". A smartwatch is a logical upgrade for Hauwei since it launched a smart band last year. Another feature revealed by the image is 4G LTE. This new device will feature the high speed 4G LTE network which probably means it could be a standalone smartwatch which directly competes with the Samsung Gear S watch. Huawei has announced that it will reveal the device at MWC 2015, which is just a few days away.


Rumours roundup: Everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Note20 series so far

It's been a while since we made a rumours roundup news but in case you missed it, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 series will be officially unveiled on 5 August 2020 and it will be a livestream event. Along the past few weeks, we have read many rumours here and there so with that, we have decided to compile all of them together. Here's the roundup of all the rumours about the Samsung Galaxy Note20 series.

Thanks to leaksters like @jimmyispromo and @UniverseIce, the most featured phone is none other than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. At first glance, the flagship design didn't stray far from the Galaxy S20 series as the thick camera module is positioned at the back. Compared with the predecessor, the S Pen slot and speaker switched from the right to the left (when facing the display) and it seems that the S Pen can go into either one seamlessly.

According to the leaked Note20 Ultra, I made a Note20 Ultra rendering. (Ignore some details, but bezel is real) pic.twitter.com/LRDYbUm5Ty

Jimmy also claimed that the Galaxy Note20 Ultra's camera bump is bigger than the S20 Ultra, even though it looks the same to us but we shall see when the time comes. Also, both Jimmy and our little anonymous bird are claiming that there would be only two variants - the vanilla Galaxy Note20 and the ultra variant which we just mentioned.

Next, rumours suggest that the S Pen would be getting some new upgrades. According to our trusted source, he said that the S Pen on the Galaxy Note20 series is getting more functions than before which is good for presentations and shortcuts. We think that this description matches Jimmy's discovery of finding out the stylus can function as a "pointer", from his photo, users can select different colours and icons for this.

S Pen can now act as a Pointer. Select your color and select icons on the screen, navigate around. Also can highlight an area. #Note20 #GalaxyNote20Ultra ps.. Subscribe to my channel for more pic.twitter.com/ZNaxR4lEpo

Besides that, we expect the S Pen's pressure sensitivity to be enhanced as well. Our trusted source gave us a tip that the stylus now lets the user draw and take down notes easier as if it's a real pen/pencil. Should this be true, this is good news for Galaxy Note fans who use the stylus often.

Now for the internal tech specs, many speculations point that the Galaxy Note20 series should be carrying a Snapdragon 865 chipset but for our local market, we are probably getting the Exynos 990 chipset. Another interesting one is that the camera's digital zoom could only reach 50x instead of 100x. It may sound like a downgrade but if the 50x digital zoom quality is better, then we have no problem with it.

On top of that, the Galaxy Note20 series should be sporting up to 16GB of RAM, 512GB storage, a 4500mAh battery, and a 6.9-inch Super AMOLED QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Oh yeah, the main camera should also use a 108MP ISOCELL image sensor.

So these are what we know about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note20 series so far, however, since most of these are still rumours, do take them with a grain of salt. But what do you think? Are you excited about it? You can get yourself registered and get first-hand information about the next Galaxy Unpacked livestream here at 10PM. Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Rumours state that Gojek and Grab might merge into 1 entity?

Based on a statement by rnggt.com, it seems that there could be a possibility that Grab and Gojek might merge into a single entity. While not much is known in regards to when the merge might happen, a report by Bloomberg mentioned that a discussion is currently ongoing between the two companies.

However, even if both the entities were to merge, they will apparently continue their respective operations in their respective countries. Do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Grab, as well as Gojek, has yet to provide an official statement on the report.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on the potential merger between Grab and Gojek? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Rumours states that Samsung will be unveiling 4 foldable smartphones in 2021

Based on a statement by etnews.com, it seems that there could be a possibility that Samsung will be unveiling up to 4 foldable smartphones in the year 2021. While not much is known in regards to the exact release dates of all 4 of the smartphones, we do know that the phones will most likely be 2 variants the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, as well as 2 variants of the Galaxy Z Flip 2.

In addition to that, most of the foldable smartphones mentioned above will also most likely come equipped with the S-Pen, due to the fact that Samsung plans to discontinue the Galaxy Note series next year. With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the rumours.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the exact tech specs and local pricing of all the smartphones listed above. Would you be interested in getting any of the foldable Galaxy devices as soon as it is available in the Malaysian market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Rumours suggest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 may have smaller secondary display

Last week, Samsung officially reduced the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G. This normally happens when brands are ready to launch a new model. In fact, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could launch in July, so rumours have already started to pop up.

A leak on Twitter shows that Samsung's next foldable could have a 5.4-inch secondary display. For your information, that's much smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 2's secondary 6.23-inch display. Interestingly, the leak claims that the main display will be a 7.7-inch LTPO panel that folds to 6.23-inch.

I have doubts about Fold3's data. pic.twitter.com/FQLhn0lQIk

The leak may not be accurate, so take it with a pinch of salt

Since the main display is larger, it's only reasonable that the secondary display would be larger for the new model, not smaller. In fact, you'll notice that the resolution is listed as 816x2260, which is the same as that for the Galaxy Z Fold 2. If we're not wrong, this 5.4-inch is a typo here and it should be 6.4-inch instead.

If we're not wrong, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 should already be in the mass production phase, so expect more leaks to appear in the coming weeks. Are you planning to get one of them? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates.


Rumours suggest a total of 3 tablets between OPPO and vivo

As smartphone displays grew larger, fewer people felt the need to get a tablet. But with the kind of tech specs, features, and apps available these days, more people are considering tablets again. In fact, more brands like vivo and OPPO are releasing tablets this year.

According to Digital Chat Station, the "blue factory" (vivo) has been working on two tablets, while the "green factory" (OPPO) will also be launching one this year. This rumour corroborates with previous ones, which did suggest that OPPO and vivo would launch tablets this year.

But unlike the already confirmed realme Pad, there aren't any official news or leaks about OPPO and vivo's tablets. All that has been mentioned is that the two companies will be using their respective Android skins - OriginOS and ColorOS. But if vivo is working on two models, there might at least be one that's flagship-class.

It's really interesting to see so many brands releasing tablets this year. Is it really what consumers would want these days? Let us know what you think in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


Rumours suggests Sony PS5 Pro could launch by 2024

The Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) isn't as widely accessible as the PS4. This is largely due to the pandemic, which has affected shipments and supplies. It's why we're always getting new "pre-order" batches from Sony Malaysia. Despite that lack of availability, sources think that Sony is already working on the PS5 Pro.

According to YouTube video, a Sony PS5 Pro is in the works and could be available as early as the end of 2023. However, nobody knows what Sony plans to do with this refresh. Some believe that the company could go for a big upgrade and make it capable of 8K gaming, while others think that Sony would want to improve on the PS5 and possibly make it cheaper.

In the video, the YouTuber explained how 8K gaming makes no sense to the majority of gamers. 8K TVs are already available, but they're unlikely to be affordable even by 2024. Also, a console this powerful could easily cost more than USD600 (~RM2489) and that's quite expensive. In my opinion, a 10-15% improvement while being cheaper would be the better strategy for the PS5 Pro.

What do you think, is Sony really planning to make a PS5 Pro? And if they are, what do they plan to do with it? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates on this.


Rumours: upcoming Gionee Elife S7 leaked as world's next thinnest phone?

Gionee was one of the first manufacturers to actually start a war for the slimmest smartphone in the market. The company's Gionee Elife S5.1 even made it to the Guinness Book of World record last year for the slimmest smartphone in the world. Later, however, manufacturers like OPPO and Vivo managed to release even slimmer smartphones than the S5.1. Now, according to the latest rumors, the company is all set to claim its title back. Come MWC 2015, Gionee will release the world's thinnest smartphone in existence called the Gionee Elife S7. Going by the naming scheme, S7 should indicate a 7mm thickness; however, the photos leaked reveal that the Gionee S7 will be in fact just 4.6mm thin. This will make it the thinnest smartphone in the world, beating the 4.75mm and 4.8mm Vivo X5 Max and OPPO R5 espectively. From the images, the phone does look extremely thin, however whether it would live up to the claim will only be known after it's revealed at MWC 2015. The images also show a glass back and a design profile much similar to the ones from the Elife S series lineup. Expect more information at the MWC event to be held in March but as with all rumours and leaks, do take this one with a pinch of salt.


Rumours: vivo V5s price listed in Lazada for RM1299?

The vivo V5s is coming tomorrow in Malaysia, but before that, Mr Anonymous sent us the price tag that got leaked in Lazada and it will be on sale for RM1299. This seems to be a reasonable price, as the original price of the V5 is RM1299 RM1199 (promotion) and a rough estimation after conversion of its Indian Rupee counterpart to Malaysia Ringgit is around RM1285.

To recap the specifications, the trademark 20MP front camera (using Sony IMX376 sensor) makes a return with the same f/2.0 aperture and Softlight technology that eliminates the low light environment easily. On the other hand, the 13MP main camera is still the same but with a phase detection autofocus as well. Other changes include the 64GB storage, expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card, a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, and running on Funtouch OS 3.0.

Besides that, the MediaTek MTK6750 chipset, 4GB of RAM, fingerprint sensor, 3000 mAh, and hybrid dual SIM card, remains the same just like the V5.

For colours, there are Matte Black and Crown Gold option for India and we hope to see the same colours in Malaysia too. Stay tuned for next week as we will be covering the launch day at TechNave.com and thanks Mr Anonymous!


Rumours: vivo Y67 seen on TEENA with 4GB of RAM, 16-megapixel Selfie shooter

A new phone model is coming from vivo, and while it looks like a mid-ranger, it looks like the specs list on this device is nothing to be scoffed at. The model number us the vivo Y67, and it is a phone that is destined to be labelled as a selfie machine, thanks to its 16-megapixel front camera.

The new phone is set to have a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, and perhaps surprisingly a 16 MP front-facing camera. That's the same resolution as the selfie unit inside the vivo X7 and X7 Plus. Running the show is MediaTek's MT6750 chipset, which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It has 4G LTE support and a 2,930 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its dimensions are 153.8 x 75.5 x 7.55 mm, and it weighs 154g. It is fully metal, and has a fingerprint sensor on the front of the phone.

This looks to be a good mid-range phone coming from vivo, and we do not know yet if the phone is coming to Malaysia anytime soon. We will update everyone, so stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the vivo Y67.


4 OxygenOS facts you probably didn't know about on the OnePlus Nord

Recently, OnePlus launched the OnePlus Nord which is equipped with notable tech specs such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset and up to 12GB RAM, starting from the price of RM1799. While the smartphone offers amazing value for money when it comes to the tech specs, the OxygenOS is what makes the OnePlus Nord really stand out. Let's have a closer look at the functionality the operating system provides.

First and foremost, OxygenOS is able to intelligently switch between 5G and non-5G networks to save battery life. But that’s not all, it can also help increase stability and download speed by utilizing both WLAN and mobile networks without you having to lift a finger.

Due to the fact that OxygenOS is built on top of the Android operating system, it comes with over 50 new features such as Smart Reply, Focus mode, and Live caption. In addition to that, OnePlus Nord’s operating system introduced up to 280 software optimizations in order to provide the fastest and seamless user experience possible.

Furthermore, there are also full-screen gestures which you can take advantage of to quickly access the home screen, open up recently closed apps, or go back in just a few swipes. Also, there are numerous customization options you can play around with so that apps are easily accessible to you.

Other than what was mentioned above, OxygenOS comes with various features such as Live Wallpapers and Dark Theme, which makes the OnePlus Nord very pleasing to look at. To go into more detail, Live Wallpaper intelligently tweaks the hue based on your current weather while Dark Theme darkens most UI elements so that it’s less strenuous to the eyes when using the smartphone in a dark environment.

Lastly, OnePlus included a bunch of other features like the OxygenOS gallery to securely store your photos, even help you look for a memorable picture you took a few years back. There also the Zen Mode which helps minimize distractions, while still being able to receive phone calls as well as make emergency calls when needed.

With all that said, if you’re interested in getting the OnePlus Nord, the 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant can be purchased from 22 August 2020 onwards at all OnePlus authorized dealers across Malaysia starting from the price of RM1799. If you're interested in getting the 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM variant, you can get the OnePlus Nord Infinity Joy Bundle set where you can get the smartphone, along with the OnePlus Buds (worth RM399) for the price of RM2399.

Once you’ve purchased the smartphone, migrating your data such as photos, contacts and more is simple with the help of the OnePlus Switch. Have a look at the video below, if you are keen to find out how the OnePlus Switch works.

Would you get the OnePlus Nord or any other OnePlus smartphone because of the OxygenOS? Be sure to follow OnePlus Nord's Instagram account if you want to stay updated on the latest news from OnePlus and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates like this.


Among Us wins the Best Mobile and Multiplayer Game at The Games Award 2020

Today, the Game Awards 2020 was live-streamed this morning and handed out many video game awards to some well-known ones. That said, Among Us, the game that had a breakthrough during the pandemic just net two big wins.

In the Best Mobile Game category, Among Us was up against two other big contenders which were Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact, and the game came out as the winner. However, the deal-breaker was winning Best Multiplayer Game because of other big players such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Warzone, Fall Guys and Valorant. Yes, we are just as surprised as you.

A huge milestone for Innersloth, the makers of Among Us, they were literally in tears while delivering their speech. In case you didn't know, the game started with just three members and it was released two years ago quietly. Thanks to the pandemic, people found the game and it became one of the best games to play with friends online.

AND BEST MOBILE GAME! thank you thank you thank you. we're just speechless. and much love to all the other nominees, you're all wonderful https://t.co/92MfZSjM04

By the way, a new map called The Airship is scheduled to be released in early 2021. It's the biggest map to date which has two floors so it should be a fun experience. Congrats to Innersloth for the big win and to read the rest of the winners, you may visit the link here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Rumours: vivo strongly hinting a front button-less fingerprint sensor

On 28 June 2017, there will be another MWC 2017 event held in Shanghai and vivo was quick to release to teaser with a tagline that reads “Unlock the Future”. What could that mean? Well, we have two guesses about it.

Obviously, the word unlock is referring to the fingerprint sensor. What’s more, even the logo was designed to have that fingerprint-ish feel. We are quite confident that it has something to do with the so called "black technology" which we mentioned last week, as they hinted that they have found a way to integrate it under the button-less front display.

The phone that could be using this feature is the X11, since it was also hinted at one of the Weibo forums. The X11 is said to have a nearly bezel-less display and this fits the bill with the “black technology”. Also following the footsteps of Samsung with a 18:5:9 screen-to-body ratio.

We are nearly at the end of June so everything will be revealed then, stay tuned for more vivo news at TechNave.com.


Rumours: will ZTE Apollo be the first 64-bit Android smartphone?

After the Apple iPhone 5S made mobile device history with it's A7 64-bit processor, there has been a race of sorts to see who will come out with the first 64-bit Android smartphone. Qualcomm has already announced 64-bit Snapdragon processors, but it seems that rumours are indicating that the first 64-bit Android smartphone will be the ZTE Apollo. The still unreleased and unannounced smartphone will supposedly be using either the Snapdragon 808 or the Snadragon 810 processor, both of which are 64-bit. However, other sources indicate that the ZTE Apollo could be coming this year, which means it would have to settle for the lower-end but still powerful and 64-bit ready Snapdragon 610 or 615 processors. The Snapdragon 808 and 810 processors are expected in 2015. Mediatek and other budget processor makers have yet to announce any 64-bit chips but we expect them to come out with their versions very soon.[Source]


Running Chrome side by side is now possible by Android N Developer Preview

Always wanted to have the ability to run apps side by side? Well, ever since the introduction of Android N, Google did just that but they could only do that if they have already installed a separated browser alongside Chrome to do that. Now, Android N Developer Preview 3 has fixed that.

As you can see in the screenshot above, there's a new option in the Chrome menu which you can move the tab to the space next to the current window. This allows the user to create another instance, and use it to open other tabs and the OS can remember your instances; even if you exit from the multi-window mode. So when you go back to the previously closed multi-windowed mode, you can get back the original two instances of Chrome in the multitasking (or Overview) mode.

For now, only Chrome can do such thing but this doesn't mean that the mutli-window feature is limited to a single app. Develops are currently planning that for other apps as well such as Microsoft for Office apps. Stay tuned for more news at Technave.com.


Running Man star will join ‘LOVE 11’ celebration by 11street in Malaysia

11street have announced “LOVE 11” day on 11 November 2015 in Malaysia to showcase their appreciation and give back to their loyal supporters over the past months. The date 11 November (that number lol) is chosen because in South Korea, it is known as Pepero Day; a day where one shows their affection to loved ones. In other words, a Korean version of Valentine’s Day.

Hoseok Kim, CEO of 11street will be the spokesperson on the day itself. As he will be announcing the plans to reward their customers by announcing future plans that includes mobile apps and “Shocking Deals” updates. While that certainly seems attractive, but it cannot be more exciting than German born Korean entertainer, co-host of South Korea’s popular TV show Running Man, HaHa will make an appearance performing songs and doing interviews on stage. So if you’re a big fan of Running Man and HaHa, this is your perfect chance to attend the event and get lucky to have your questions answered by him!

Besides HaHa, Korean superstar Lee Min Ho and upcoming actress Emily Chan, and attendees of the event will be the first in Malaysia to view an exclusive premiere of 11street’s Thematic TV commercial video (which will be officially on air on 16 Nov). Asides from that, RM1.1 million worth of prizes, gifts and shopping coupons will be given away to the public on the day itself.

Also the three shoppers that joined the 11street Genie campaign before will have their wishes granted on the day with RM 50,000 worth of prizes respectively. And an exclusive video message from Lee Min Ho. 11street is currently ranked as the one of the top 40 websites in Malaysia - an impressive feat in just eight months.


Russia could be the first country to get the HONOR X series from ~RM958

Based on a statement by gsmarena, it seems that HONOR could be unveiling a new HONOR X series smartphone in Russia starting from the price of RUB18000 (~RM958). While there is no official information in regards to the Malaysia release date, based on previous experience we can safely assume that the aforementioned smartphone will be available here within a few weeks after the global launch.

In terms of the tech specs, there is no much known in regards to the upcoming HONOR X smartphone other than it will come with a 6.67-inch display, 48MP and a 5000mAh internal battery. With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that HONOR has yet to provide an official statement on the leaked info.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on exact tech specs, as well as local pricing for now. Would you be interested in getting the upcoming X series as soon as it is available in the Malaysian market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


S Pen Pro will be coming to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Based on a statement by androidauthority.com, it seems that Samsung could be equipping their upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 with the S Pen Pro. While not much is exactly known in regards to what standout feature the S Pen Pro might come with, our source did mention that it will most likely have Bluetooth LE with Air Actions support.

Unlike existing S Pens, the Pro variant does not support internal charging. Instead, the user will be required to plug in a USB Type-C cable which will charge up the stylus using 0.5W wired charging. Also, there’s no information on the battery life of the stylus for now.

With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the leak. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now.

What are your thoughts regarding Samsung’s S Pen Pro? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


S Pen for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to be priced around ~RM196, appeared alongside a carrying case

Today, Samsung has finally confirmed that their highly-anticipated Galaxy S21 series will be launching on 14 January with Galaxy Fit2 as a pre-register gift. Before that happens, the leaks will continue to surface giving us more looks at the upcoming series. Now, we get to know how the S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra will look like as its image has been spotted online.

From the image, the S Pen for Galaxy S21 Ultra looks nothing special but the same as the Galaxy Note series' S Pen. WinFuture reports that the stylus which is sold separately could be priced around 49 USD (~RM196). Alongside the S Pen, an image of a case that is made for carrying the S Pen has also been discovered. As the Galaxy S21 Ultra reportedly won't have any slot for the S Pen, users might need something to keep it.

To recap, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is rumoured to have a 6.8-inch 120Hz display and a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. Besides S Pens support, the Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera setup is also expected to feature two telephoto cameras and a 108MP camera as well compared to the other models from the series. Now, let's sit still and wait for the launch to happen on 14 January!

Let us know what you think about the S Pen for Galaxy S21 Ultra on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more latest smartphone leaks.


S for Selfie Xiaomi Redmi S2 officially announced with 16MP front camera from ~RM629

Xiaomi have recently announced their latest Redmi S2 smartphone for 999 CNY (~RM629) with 3GB RAM + 32GB storage and 1299 CNY (~RM808) with 4GB RAM + 64GB storage. Featuring a 16MP front camera with AI or Smart selfie and an LED flash, it uses the tried and true Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 with a 12MP + 5MP dual rear camera on the back.

Available in gold, rose gold and silver, the Redmi S2 supports a microSD slot, 5.99-inch HD+ fullview display and a rear fingerprint sensor. Design seems somewhat generic with a metal body and clear top and bottom antenna bands but at least the phone looks slim and easy to grip. Other tech specs include a microUSB port, dedicated dual SIM and microSD slots, 3.5mm audio jack and IR blaster.

According to Xiaomi, the Redmi S2 is part of their new affordable selfie centric series but no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet. Considering how many selfie lovers we have here, it wouldn't be surprising if it does come to Malaysia but what do you think? How much would you pay for it (especially in our soon-to-be-GST-free Malaysia)?


SCAND.A projector smartphone revealed today with high-tech projector technology for RM2488

Today, a new device called the SCAND.A projector smartphone has been launched locally by Y.T.M. Raja Dato' Seri Eleena Binti Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah. SCAND.A is a new brand that is not focusing on manufacturing smartphones but rather a technology company that wants to make gadgets that benefits social interaction. It is currently priced at RM2488, there is a RM400 discount for those who pre-order it on their offical website (pre-order page to be updated soon) and a 1-month warranty. The phone will officially be on sale starting the first week of March 2018. Below is the specification list:

Developed as a mini projector gadget, it's not really your typical commercial smartphone. It has all the basic needs and tech-specs for a smartphone, but with an addtional in-built 80 lumens, high definition projector with regards to micro projection technology inside the device. It is also equipped with German OSRAM LED for projection light source with 20,000 hours lifespan.

5.5-inch display and the fingerprint sensor on the home button

On the back, it features a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 grade and it's really shiny

The projector is located on top together with the infrared laser and headphone jack

Volume rockers, power button. The SIM card tray is on the other side and yes, this is really thick

This is the capability that it can project onto the wall

So what do you think of the phone? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more tech news at TechNave.com.


SD888 equipped Huawei P50 series phone launching on 29 July 2021?

It seems that a statement by mydrivers.com, it seems that Huawei could release a Huawei P50 series phone that’s equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset on 29 July 2021. While not much is known in regards to the Malaysia release date, it does give us a better idea of what to expect from the company in the near future.

Other than that, the smartphone will most likely come equipped with largely the same tech specs as the P50 series that’s equipped with Kirin chipset. However, the variant that’s equipped with the Snapdragon chipset will most likely not come with 5G support.

Do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Huawei has yet to provide an official statement on the leaked info. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the local pricing and exact tech specs for now.

What are your thoughts on the Huawei P50 coming with a Snapdragon 888 chipset? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


An AI Assistant and "screen-sound technology" for vivo NEX

Here's another vivo NEX teaser promo, the new one may seem like it's nothing new but this is not just any AI feature - this time around, it seems that vivo is finally implementing its AI Assistant on board and if you know your vivo stuff, the AI Assistant's name is called Jovi and will probably be installed on NEX S as the premium phone.

Speaking of NEX S, the biggest brother of the three models is also packing some serious specifications according to vivo's official website in China, claiming that it will be carrying an 8GB + 128GB memory instead of 256GB. However, there is a leaked picture of a promo fillet below and from there, you can clearly see that there will be a 256GB model somehow. Along with that, the display size is going to be a huge 6.59-inch with no notch, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and a "screen-sound technology"! Also, you can see the pop-up front camera there.

Oh yeah, the dual rear camera is 12MP + 5MP

Are you excited about the new vivo NEX series? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more vivo news at TechNave.com.


SEA Forum 2017: Family Hub 2.0 comes with improved user interface and voice command

Elaine Soh, Director Corporate Marketing Samsung Malaysia with the new Family Hub 2.0 beside her

Today, Samsung’s Family Hub makes a return as Family Hub 2.0. Initially shown at Malaysia last year, the new 2.0 version is the next-generation featuring a much-improved user interface with enhanced app integration and diverse new app partners.

The top with the 21.5-inch LED touch screen

With the basic functionality of food management, users will be able to determine which food item needs to be restocked, as always the built-in cameras can help the users to check without having to go to the fridge via View Inside app from their smartphone. Not only that, food items can be added to the shopping list feature and ordered online through websites and mobile apps. It can even be your virtual recipe guide, with access from various countries all around the world.

Built-in camera, there are three of them

But the main focus of the Family Hub 2.0 is family communication, allowing up to 6 members to create their own profile using avatars or their own personal pictures, which can be used on the 21.5-inch LED touch-screen serves as an interactive digital bulletin board. Through there, the family can share photos, access updated calendars, handwrite memos in real time, and post memos from anywhere.

Voice technology is integrated as well and can be commanded by the user to learn about the weather and time, manage to-do-lists, calendar schedules, and control various other apps.

It’s not known yet when the product will arrive in Malaysia, stay tuned for that and while you’re at it, below are some of the other Samsung products that were showcased today, click either one of the links to check them out:


SEA Forum 2017: New Samsung Quantum dot curved gaming monitor unveiled

Today, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled its new CH711 Quantum dot curved monitor at the 2017 Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum, by reinforcing their curved display portfolio with the previously-released CFG70 and CF791 Quantum dot gaming monitors, which was shown in Malaysia last month, the CH711 is available in 27 and 31.5-inch.

Obviously designed for gamers, the new gaming monitor features a 1800R curvature and an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle, its ergonomic design also allows viewers to adjust the monitor’s horizontal and vertical positioning for their comfort. Along with the combination of 125% sRGB color coverage and 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution, the CH711 sets a new standard for detailed color appearance at any distance.

The designers also made the monitor to be sleek, with the 360-degree design complementing any desktop or decor. The three-sided boundless design also neatly hides its power and HDMI cables out of sight inside the stand’s neck. Overall, it's similar to the CFG70 (check out how it looks like here), just better tech-specs.

Entertainment connoisseurs throughout the region will be able to purchase the CH711 in April 2017, and below are some of the other Samsung products that were showcased today, click either one of the links to check them out:


SEA Forum 2017: Samsung Electronics ushers in a new era of home entertainment with QLED TV

Today, Samsung Electronics is proud to present their highlight product of the day of three new QLED TV line-up - the Q7, Q8, and Q9 - at the 2017 Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum in Singapore, marking a new frontier in the home entertainment industry. So what’s the difference with their SUHD TV? Find out below.

By improving the colour performance further, the DCI-P3 colour space within the QLED TV is able to reproduce 100% color volume. This means the TV can express all colors at any level of brightness with even the subtlest differences visible at the QLED’s peak luminance, between 1500 and 2000 nits. It should be noted that this is a first for Samsung to do so.

With this, comparing with other conventional LED TVs, a left on a QLED TV can be perceived as different colours, from yellow-green to turquoise, depending on the brightness of light. So to speak, the QLED TV can capture even the subtlest differences in color pertaining to brightness, even for snow displayed on the screen.

Another highlight is the design features, QLED TV series now include a single, transparent “Invisible Connection” cable, through which all of the peripheral devices can be gathered and connected to the TV. But perhaps the most impressive on is the “No Gap Wall-Mount” which makes it easy to place the TV against the wall like a picture, but should the consumers prefer having a TV stand; there’s also the “Samsung Studio Stand” and “Samsung Gravity Stand” to their liking.

Not forgetting as well, consumers can control most connected TV devices from a single source with the enhanced Samsung One Remote; and the “Smart Hub” interface has also been extended to smartphones through Samsung’s new and improved “Smart View” app, which now provides consumers to use their mobile device to select and start their favorite live TV programs and video-on-demand services on their TV.

Below are some of the other Samsung products that were showcased today, click either one of the links to check them out:


SEA Forum 2017: Samsung introduces a smarter and slimmer POWERbot VR7000 robot vacuum

Today, a new robot cleaner was presented at the 2017 Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum in Singapore by Samsung Electronics. Dubbed as the VR7000 (note - not the virtual reality VR). What sets this robot cleaner apart from others is featuring a more powerful suction and a slim design, measuring at a height of 97mm, is 28% slimmer than previous Samsung robot vacuums.

With the new design, the POWERbot VR7000 only generates up to 20 watts of suction power while covering areas that hand-operated vacuum cleaners miss, however the most impressive feature is the Edge Clean Master feature which enables the unit to come within 15mm of the wall, then by lacing the unit’s wide 288mm brush to reach the wall and gather the dust and hair.

In addition, it also has a Self-Cleaning Brush System that reduces the amount of dust and hair that gets trapped in the bristles. All it needs to do is collect the debris in the centre of the brush, then transfer them into the dustbin and thereby cutting down on regular maintenance.

Like most robot cleaners, the VR7000 is equipped with Visionary Mapping Plus and FullView Sensor 2.0 to navigate itself around the environment, as well as an Intelligent Power Control feature that automatically adjusts the level of suction power, optimizing cleaning functions according to surface type (floor, carpet, rug, etc), and can be fully controlled remotely by a Samsung Smart Home app.

For more Samsung products that were showcased today, check out the links provided below:


SEA Forum 2017: Samsung launches FlexWash laundry machine with two washers and one dryer

Today, a new successor of the popular AddWash laundry machine called the Flexwash making its appearance at the SEA Forum 2017 in Singapore. What makes it different from the predecessor is that Samsung has integrated not one but two washers and a dryer into one appliance. The popular AddWash Door also makes a return, designed to cut laundry time in half while providing a higher level of care for clothes to make them last longer.

Equipped with 21kg of capacity to handle the loads, the washer can convert into a dryer after it finishes washing, giving the flexibility to start the dry cycle without moving the clothes. The top-loader is intended for washing small loads dark items that require extra care, and features Samsung’s AirWash technology, which refreshes heat-sensitive clothing with air. Both loaders can be operated at the same time or separately.

The all-in-one laundry solution also uses three core Samsung laundry technologies: EcoBubble, Bubble Soak, and Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT). EcoBubble uses air and water to dissolve detergent, cleaning that is 40 times more effective. Bubble Soak thoroughly soaks clothes in active bubbles after the normal wash cycle for an extra round of powerful cleaning, while VRT reduces noise and vibrations during high speed spins.

Finally, it can be fully controlled  by Samsung Smart Home App anytime and anywhere with their smartphones. For more Samsung products that were showcased today, check out the links provided below:


SEGA Forever classic games are now free on your iOS and Android devices

Remember the days of the SEGA era? I sure do, but get this - SEGA has launched SEGA Forever which comprise “nearly every SEGA game ever released from every console era”, this includes the Master System, Genesis/Mega Drive, Dreamcast and more. Delivering them to the Apple Store and Google Play Store FOR FREE.

But there’s a catch, though. There will be some advertisements once in awhile in those free games, but there is an option to pay for a subscription to get rid of them. Anyway, aside from being able to play the SEGA games for free, players can save their game progress as usual, compete with friends on the leaderboard, play offline, and perhaps the most retro of all - the games also support fully integrated wireless Bluetooth controller.

So far, SEGA has released five games today and new games will be added to collection every month. The five games are:

To search for the games, simply search “sega” and find the titles that are mentioned above. Which of these old school games are your favourite? Let us know in the comments below and have fun!


SEL shows off 8.7-inch flexible OLED touchscreen with Full HD 1080p resolution

It seems Samsung and LG aren't the only ones to have flexible touchscreen technology as Semiconductor Energy Laboratory (SEL) recently showed off an 8.7-inch Super AMOLED display that can be folded into three parts. Featuring a full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, the touchscreen can be bent up to a 2mm to 4mm radius and is durable up to 100000 times of being bent. SEL also showed off a smaller 5.9-inch flexible display but this one only offered 720p HD resolutions and is not a touchscreen. The company have not revealed when this flexible technology could come to tablets or smartphones of the future but it does seem to indicate that flexible display devices could be coming in 2015.


SHARP Mobile Malaysia launches 2 midranger smartphones for RM1199 and RM899

After quite some time out of Malaysian markets, SHARP Mobile Malaysia is now launching some new smartphones for Malaysia in collaboration with their distributor Commtiva Technology. The smartphones they are bringing to market include the SHARP Z2 for RM1199 and the SHARP M1 for RM899.

Both will be available from early November 2016 with the SHARP Z2 coming in gold and silver while the SHARP M1 will be available in Hanayome White and Pure Pink. The 2 devices will be bundled with a tempered glass screen protector and cover worth RM69 for free.


SHARP officially revealed dual camera Aquos S2 smartphone in a tri-bezel design from ~RM1792

As previously reported, SHARP will officially launch a new full-screen smartphone called the Sharp Aquos S2 on 14 August 2017 and they have revealed the device in its full glory. Turns out that there will be two variants but both are categorized as mid-range after looking at the tech-specs. Check them out below:

So obviously, the company is jumping on the bezel-less design bandwagon but the phone actually looks kinda good. This design is known as the "tri-bezel" because of how the top looks like, with both sides removed making way for the screen, leaving the front camera alone there. According to SHARP, this makes the whole screen-to-body ratio up to 17:9 and 87.5%.

For the dual rear cameras, it wasn't specified if the phone was gearing towards to monochrome, telephoto or depth of field function. We will have to assume that it will be the latter, to add on to that - it's also using Dual Pixel technology with 1.4µm which can pick up a lot of light in low light environments.

Because of its 5-surface single-piece 3D glass wrapping the phone, the colour choices look great too in crystal black, glazed white, blue, and mint green.

The Snapdragon 660 and 6GB + 128GB model will cost ¥3499 (~RM2240) while the Snapdragon 630 and 4GB + 64GB is ¥2799 (~RM1792). Do you think Sharp Mobile Malaysia will bring in these two to Malaysia? God knows, stay tuned for more SHARP news at TechNave.com.


SHARP to officially launch the full-screen smartphone, the SHARP AQUOS S2 on 14 August 2017

Japanese electronics giants SHARP intends to jump into the world of bezel-less smartphones with their upcoming smartphone, the SHARP AQUOS S2. The official announcement will be made on the 8 August 2017 and will be promptly launched right after around 14 August 2017 according to PR Newswire.

The SHARP AQUOS Crystal with it's near full-screen display

The SHARP AQUOS S2 is the company’s latest attempt at their quest for a full-screen device, following up from their previous full-screen attempt, the SHARP AQUOS Crystal. The Crystal looks to be near full-screen with only the bottom bezel which houses the microphone and a front facing camera. The SHARP AQUOS S2 is tipped to improve from there.

The smartphone will be featuring the highest screen to body ratio of any smartphone so far, with 84.95% screen to body ratio. No specs has been spotted just yet but the company has tipped that the AQUOS S2 will have a 5.5-inch screen but feel like a 5-inch device.

SHARP has not really made an impression in our Malaysian market yet but maybe with this beauty of a device, heads may start to turn in their favor.

As for the official Malaysian release and prices, no news yet folks but make sure to stay to TechNave.com to be the first to find out.


An AI robot has been cast in a ~RM299 million sci-fi movie

With technology getting more and more advanced, we do know that some of the human works are starting to be replaced by robots. However, it is surprising to find out that actors can be replaced by robots as well. A sci-fi movie named 'b' is going to be the first to cast an AI robot to perform on the silver screen.

The AI robot goes by the name 'Erica'. It is a humanoid robot created by the hands of Japanese scientists Hiroshi Ishiguro and Kohei Ogawa. Shockingly, the AI robot has been cast in a 70 million USD (~RM299 million) picture that tells the story of a scientist helping a robot to flee a lab. It is also mentioned that the producer of the movie Sam Khoze had to simulate her motions and emotions through one-on-one sessions, as it's different for actors who will involve their life experiences to act.

The movie isn't actually the first production that nominates Erica to be one of the roles. Earlier, American History X was supposed to be the movie Erica debuts in but due to scheduling conflicts the project was dropped. However, things are not going smoothy for 'b' as well. Until now, no director and other human co-stars have been announced, but the producers have shot some footages and it is believed the rest of the shooting will resume in June 2021.

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


SIRIM Database shows Xiaomi Redmi 1S coming to Malaysia

While Xiaomi Malaysia have knocked down the price of their Xiaomi Mi-3 smartphone down to RM769, it looks like the smartphone a step below the Mi-3 could be coming to Malaysia soon. This smartphone is the Xiaomi Redmi 1S, which Xiaomi Malaysia have said will be coming in June but didn't say much about when exactly. While it may be a step below, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S is no slouch and offers tech specs and features which include:

No news yet on the Xiaomi Redmi Note or the Xiaomi MiPad tablet yet. Neither is there any information on the exact pricing for the Xiaomi Redmi 1S but we expect it to be below RM500 as it is currently priced at 799 Yuan (RM413).


SIRIM listing suggests that the iPhone 12 series and MagSafe Charger will be launched in Malaysia very soon

It seems that the iPhone 12 series, as well as the MagSafe charger, may have been spotted on SIRIM, hinting that it will most likely be unveiled in Malaysia very soon. For those who are not aware, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 series, as well as the MagSafe charger accessory last week during the online launch.

While not much is known in regards to the exact release date of the iPhone 12, there is no release date for the other iPhones in the series as well. However, there is a high chance that the entire series will be unveiled at the same time, due to the fact that all the iPhone 12 variants have been spotted on SIRIM.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting the iPhone 12 as soon as it is available for purchase in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


SIRIM lists the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 series and POCO X3. Launch happening very soon?

It seems that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 series, as well as the POCO X3 Pro, might have been spotted on SIRIM, hinting that the devices will most likely be unveiled in the Malaysian market very soon. While not much is known in regards to the exact Malaysia release date, it does give us a better idea on what to expect when it is available in the local market.

In terms of the tech specs, the seems that the Xiaomi Redmi 10 series will most likely come equipped with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM while the POCO X3 Pro remains largely unknown. With all that said do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Xiaomi has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now. Would you be interested in getting any of the smartphones mentioned above as soon as it is available for purchase? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


SK Telecom Negotiating LTE-A Apple iPhone 5S

As owners of the first LTE-A network in the world, SK Telecom have approached Apple with the intention of having LTE-A support in an Apple iPhone device. Since the next iPhone to come out from Apple would be the iPhone 5S it would make it the next smartphone to have LTE-A support (and offer SK Telecom another LTE-A device for those LTE-A users who don't like the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A). Traditionally, Apple usually don't include major changes in hardware for their 'S' iPhone versions, but then Apple seems to be more ready to embrace change these days than before. Earlier declarations stating that they'd never have a cheaper iPhone looks to be changing as there are already colourful plastic casing images being leaked. If Apple are willing to go back on their word about this who is to say they wouldn't bend for SK Telecom as well. Again, only time will tell.


SKYWORTH is the official platinum partner and exclusive electronics sponsor of the 30th Southeast Asian Games 2019!

SKYWORTH is a pioneer in big-screen Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and a leading global television brand who is a vehement supporter in promoting sports such as the sponsorship for the French Federation of Basketball (FFBB). This year, the company’s commitment in elevating sports entertainment has been resonated by being the Official Platinum Partner and Exclusive Consumer Electronics Sponsor of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) 2019 in Manila, Philippines!

The Spokesperson of SKYWORTH has stated that they are honored to have played a vital role in the SEA Games 2019 and hope that this opportunity can bring exciting sports competition moments to the audience through the best-in-class televisions. As a celebration for being the sponsors, the company has launched the latest 4K Smart TV, UB7500 that provides users with a comprehensive smart living experience through its AIoT ecosystem.

The SKYWORTH UB7500 4K smart TV has an ultra-thin bezel screen that comes in four sizes, 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch and also 65-inch that provides an immersive watching experience. Besides, it also runs on the latest Android TV 9.0 Pie which allows users to have a comprehensive smart living experience by controlling other smart furniture through voice commands.

Brushed Silver Trim Polycarbonate Base and Metal Feet

Voice control through the microphone on the remote

Also, the included remote control also comes with the shortcut buttons for Netflix, Youtube, Google Play, Media Player and Google Assistant. This makes navigation through the TV so much easier as these are the most used features. Besides that, it also added a microphone on it so users are able to activate the Google Assistant through the microphone to check the competition results, schedules and also the players’ information while watching the SEA Games 2019 live.

The Director of Overseas Brand Management also mentioned that SKYWORTH may plan to open an official concept store in Malaysia but there are no specific dates on it. Nevertheless, don’t forget to support our fellow Malaysians in the SEA Games 2019 as well! So stay tuned for more news updates on TechNave.com!


SMEs can sign up for Celcom's Business Suite and get 3 months waived off

As time passes by, the pandemic has crippled many local businesses, especially impacting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). With this in mind, many individuals have taken the matter into their own hands such as the White Flag movement and other corporations as well. This includes Celcom in collaboration with other brands.

According to Celcom, they are currently working closely with Microsoft Malaysia, Moduleight Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Payroll Panda Sdn. Bhd., Zimperium, and Vigilant Asia (M) Sdn. Bhd, to assist local SMEs during this period. For starters, Celcom is waiving the first three months subscription for its Celcom Business Suite and SMEs can enjoy savings of 30% for one year under the SME Digital Matching Grant. The SME Digital Matching Grant is introduced by the Malaysian government through the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA).

For those who don't know, the Celcom Business Suite has been enhanced with Celcom Business Suite Productivity Pack where business owners can continue to manage and operate their businesses smoothly, at an affordable price of only RM58 per month. The package also offers Celcom InternetGO mobile internet of 15GB, Microsoft Office 365 Business Basic application and unlimited Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and Webex quota.

On the other hand, Celcom's Business Suite Booster Pack allows SMEs to operate their businesses digitally with digital solutions such as Mesinkira Basic, a lite contactless Point of Sales (POS) that manages inventories, transaction records and integrated with digital payment services like e-wallets, credit, and debit cards. The Booster Pack at only RM227 per month which includes Celcom Business Wireless with a 150GB data quota, and Enterprise Bulk Messaging to allow SMEs to reach a wider market via SMS broadcast services.

In addition, Celcom also offers mobile plans for SMEs with Flexi Pack, offering huge data allocation that is paired with Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Business Standard applications. Flexi Pack comes with unlimited data for Whatsapp and Wechat. The all-new Celcom Business Suite SME bundles also offer business owners the flexibility to choose and customise add-on services such as cybersecurity protection with Cyber Guard, Celcom HR Biz Suite with 10 employee licenses and Mesinkira Standard.

The Celcom Business Suite has a FREE 3-month subscription offer until 22 October 2021. Existing Celcom Business Suite subscribers may also opt-in for the enhanced SME bundle to enjoy the 30% PENJANA digitalization grant. For more information on Celcom’s Business Suite offerings and solutions, visit the official website here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


SMS OTPs begone! All Maybank online banking services now only use Secure2u

Maybank today announced that it has completed the migration from SMS OTPs to Secure2u for its online banking services. These include bill payments and DuitNow, FPX and IBG transactions.

In a press release, Maybank said that it is fully supportive of and has completed the implementation of the key measures to combat financial scams, as announced by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). In case you’re not familiar, Secure2u is the bank’s secure authentication method which customers use to easily and securely approve all online banking transactions and activities as well as update their personal information such as mobile number and address.

Maybank also binds one Secure2u device per customer account, meaning that the possibility of scammers performing unauthorised transactions via another device is minimised. Besides that, the bank also announced that it has implemented other key measures ahead of time, which include:

Furthermore, starting 1 July 2023, all Secure2u authorisation will be moved to the MAE App to ensure a safer banking experience for customers. Accordingly, the bank urges customers who have yet to download the MAE App to do so immediately, in order to avoid any disruption to their online banking experience.

Awesome! So, what do you guys think of Maybank’s full migration to Secure2u and its other measures to combat scams and fraud? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


SNES Classic Edition just announced for about RM343 with 21 bundled games

Nintendo has just announced their Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition for $79.99 (~ RM343). Slated for release on 29 September 2017, the fist-sized SNES Classic Edition comes with 21 classic games including Super Mario Kart, Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Megaman X, Final Fantasy III and more.

There's also an until now never before seen StarFox 2. A pair of wired Super NES Classic Controllers are also included. A pair of wired Super NES Classic Controllers are also included.

No news yet if new game packs can be downloaded into the SNES Classic Edition but it would be great if we could. No Malaysia release dates, but we could see it being sold by third-party sellers soon.


SNK confirms new Metal Slug games heading for console and mobile in 2020

Fans of classic side-scrolling shooters would probably remember the Metal Slug series, which we haven't heard of it a long time. But there's some good news on that end as it has been confirmed that new Metal Slug games are in development. Sources have claimed that SNK Interactive is working on two titles to add to the Metal Slug series, one for game consoles and the other for mobile devices.

According to Inven (via Siliconera), the two new games being developed by SNK are expected to launch within 2020. One of the titles will be a mobile game, a 2D side-scroller with card elements to it. This mobile game is 80% complete, so we can probably expect it on Android and iOS devices soon. The other game for consoles will be an action shooter, which is what the Metal Slug series is famous for. It's also expected to be launched within 2020, but there was no confirmation on the state of the game so we can't gauge how close it is to completion.

So, are you as excited for a new Metal Slug game as I am? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


SNS Network and Intel collaborate for full JOI Tablet range

(from left to right) The JOI 8, JOI 8i, JOI 7 and JOI 10 Flip tablets are all priced below RM1K

SNS Network initially released the JOI 8 Windows 8.1 tablet powered by an Intel processor last year but soon followed up with the larger keyboard equipped JOI 10 Flip. They have recently added more models to the JOI Tablet family with the 3G enabled JOI 8i and the more compact JOI 7 tablets. All of the tablets feature Intel Atom processors at below RM1K pricing, making it even easier for Malaysians to get their hands on an affordable computer device for both work and play. Other new additions to the range include the JOI Docking Station and other tablet variations. All of the tablets and devices are currently available via SNS GLOO retail outlets or third-party sellers. Check out what they had to say about it, the full price list and tech specs below:

“Our first Windows tablet was a hit, which led us to design more tablets to meet the different needs of all our consumers. Today I am proud to launch our new range of JOI tablets – the JOI 7, JOI 8i with 3G, and JOI 10 Flip. For work or for play, at home or on the go – our tablets are now available in various sizes for everyone!” Ko Yun Hung, Managing Director, SNS Network

“We’re proud to work together with SNS Network to bring to Malaysians these amazing tablets. With our Atom processors inside these tablets, users can expect an experience as sleek as the device they hold in their hands. We look forward to supporting local companies like SNS Network in creating more local tablets with world class experiences in the future,” Sumner Lemon, Country Manager, Intel Malaysia and Singapore


An Apple MacBook competitor that has the innards of an Apple MacBook Pro – meet the ASUS ZenBook 3

Starting their new computex launch series, ASUS announced the trio of Zenfone 3, but they also announced a bevy of computing devices. The ASUS ZenBook 3 is the company’s volley into the Apple Macbook market, but with way beefier processing power and capabilities.

Weighing in less than 1 KG, and 11.9mm thick, the ZenBook 3 is lighter and thinner than the Cupertino rival, and yet it managed to cram in a faster processor than the competitor. Inside, you will get a full Core i7 CPU, and up to 16GB of RAM. You will also get up to 1TB of SSD Storage, a USB Type C connector port and powerful quad-speaker audio by Harman Kardon.

For display, it comes with a 12.5 inch panel that has an 82% body to screen ratio. It will also feature a 9-hour battery life, and a fast charging technology that will give it 60% battery in just 49 minutes.

ASUS Malaysia is set to bring the device to market in Malaysia by quarter 3 this year, so look out for more news of the ZenBook 3 line-up soon.


SNS Network announces JOI 11, its new productivity 2-in-1 tablet

At the launch of the JOI 11 Tablet: [L-R] Raja Azureen Eleena, previous TV host for Mahligai Cintam and Mr. Ko Yun Hung, Managing Director of SNS Network Sdn Bhd; (upper L – R) Kelvin Pah, Sales & Marketing Director of SNS Network Sdn. Bhd, Bruce Howe, General Manager of Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd, and Jonathan Ong, Intel Corporation's Director of Retail & Sales Southeast Asia

SNS Network recently announced the availability of a refreshed JOI 11, which is their latest 2-in-1 tablet, which boots Android as well as Windows 10.

The JOI 11 (2017) is a 10.8-inch tablet with Full HD (1080p) IPS display that offers users a choice of using Android 5.1 Lollipop, or the full Microsoft Windows 10 Home experience. It is powered by a Quad-Core Intel Atom x5 processor paired with 4GB of RAM as well as 32GB of expandable storage. The tablet has a metal build, packing a 8400mAh battery that offers up to 8 hours of battery life while remaining slender at only 8.8mm thick. Being a productivity tablet, the JOI 11 comes with a full range of connectivity ports, namely USB Type-C, Micro USB, and HDMI. There’s also a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera for imaging needs.

While the tablet is sold without a keyboard, there are 2 optional keyboard accessories that users can choose from. Both includes a touchpad, but both differs in terms of overall functionality as well as built material. The metal keyboard adds two additional USB ports, while the leather keyboard offers full body protection to the tablet that also works as a stand while in use. There is also another optional accessory, which is called the Active Pen. It is a rechargeable stylus that pairs automatically to the tablet.

The JOI 11 (2017) is readily available thru various channels for RM899. As for its accessories, the metal and leather keyboard as well as active pen are priced at RM249, RM199 and RM99 respectively.

For those of you who prefer to order online, you can purchase it via GLOO Website or the GLOO Store on 11Street. For a limited time, buyers will receive a complimentary Kingston 32GB MicroSD for the first 50 buyers.


SNS Network ready to go public by signing underwriting agreement with M&A Securities

SNS Network has signed an Underwriting Agreement with M&A Securities for its initial public offering (IPO) exercise to be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, announced in a public statement. The IPO involves underwriting 129 million new shares of a Public Issue of 362.9 million new shares, representing 22.5% of SNS' enlarged share capital.

Besides that, the deal also comes with an offer for sale of 48.4 million existing shares to selected investors by way of the private placement. From the 362.9 million new shares, 80.6 million will be made available to the Malaysian public via balloting; 48.4 million for its eligible Directors, employees and persons who have contributed to the success of SNS Group under the Pink Form Allocations; 201.6 million are reserved for private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia. Meanwhile, the remaining 32.3 million new shares will be given to selected investors.

"The listing is timely for our Group as it will enable us to tap into the equity capital market to raise funds to accelerate the growth of our core business activities. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 had led to the imposition of movement restrictions by the Government to curb the spread of the virus. This has boosted the demand for ICT products and services due to working from home arrangements and online classes for students," said Ko Yun Hung, Managing Director of SNS.

If you're not familiar with what SNS Network does, it basically sells ICT products comprising hardware, devices, and related peripherals for third party brands and JOI via its physical stores and online and commercial channels. It also provides device repair and related services for Apple with sale of broadband services for Telekom Malaysia, Celcom and Maxis.

What do you think about the news? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


SNS Network to ride on the digital transformation wave in Malaysia

Information and communications technology (ICT) system and solutions provider SNS Network Technology Berhad is well-positioned to benefit from the digital transformation of corporate Malaysia, government agencies and educational institutions in the new post-pandemic normal. In a statement today, the company foresees rising spending of businesses, government agencies and educational institutions on upgrading IT platforms as part of their digitalisation plan to provide support for hybrid working arrangements and e-learning options.

Its Managing Director, Mr Ko Yun Hung asserted that SNS Network is set to ride on the growing demand for ICT products and services as there is no sign of a slowdown in spending from the public and private sectors to upgrade their IT system. He further elaborated that the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 had boosted the demand for ICT products and services due to movement restrictions imposed by the government.

In that sense, the pandemic has served as a catalyst for the rapid adoption and execution of digitalisation initiatives in businesses to adjust to the new normal for business sustainability. Therefore, with the increased reliance on ICT, the demand for ICT products and services is expected to remain strong moving forward.

Speaking to reporters after the company’s listing ceremony on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, Mr Ko said SNS Network will further expand its device-as-a-service (“DaaS”) subscription-based IT service after listing. He added that since the opening of all economic sectors, the company have seen a surge in demand for DaaS subscription-based IT service from the public and private sectors and in view of the potential growth from this segment, will further expand its DaaS subscription-based IT service offerings to more customers.

DaaS is a model for device leasing offered to customers based on monthly subscription payments. The service provides customers with the flexibility to adjust their usage according to their latest business and operational needs to avoid large capital expenditures for bulk purchases of ICT products. Since 2020 and up to 30 June 2022, SNS Network has entered into 82 DaaS subscriptions with a total subscription value of RM255.86 million and received 75 enquiries from governmental bodies and publicly listed companies.

From the above-mentioned enquiries, SNS Network has entered into contracts with 26 governmental bodies amounting to RM247.49 million and three publicly listed companies amounting to RM0.55 million.

Based on enquiries from potential customers, the SNS network will purchase ICT products such as desktops, laptops, interactive smartboards, workstations, digital signages, printers and servers to support the expansion of the service.

Under the listing exercise, SNS Network has raised RM90.72 million from its Public Issue of 362.88 million new shares at an issue price of RM0.25 per share.

The listing also includes an offer for the sale of 48.38 million existing shares to selected investors by way of a private placement. Of the total initial public offering (“IPO”) proceeds, RM33.40 million (36.9%) will be allocated for capital expenditure of which RM30.90 million will be used to expand its DaaS subscription-based IT service and RM2.50 million to set up 10 new retail stores in the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang.

A further RM18.00 million (19.8%) of the proceeds will be used to part finance the construction of the Company’s new Regional Hub in Petaling Jaya to support its nationwide expansion. The remainder of the proceeds will be used for the repayment of bank borrowings amounting to RM20.00 million (22.0%), RM13.12 million (14.5%) for general working capital, RM1.50 million (1.7%) to fund the marketing activities for JOI while the remaining RM4.70 million (5.1%) to defray the estimated listing expenses.

Based on the enlarged share capital of 1.61 billion shares, the total market capitalisation of SNS Network upon its listing would be RM403.19 million. M & A Securities Sdn Bhd is the Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter and Placement Agent for the IPO exercise.

So, what do you guys think of the statement by SNS Network? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


SNS Network to supply Apple products and accessories to Kumon Malaysia under collaboration agreement

SNS Network Technology Bhd through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SNS Network (M) Sdn Bhd has signed a collaboration agreement with Kumon Education (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the supply of Apple iPad products and accessories. The collaboration allows Kumon Malaysia to gain access to a range of Apple products and accessories offered by SNS in a seamless manner.

Moreover, SNS will also create and maintain a portal to be used by Kumon Malaysia’s parents and students for accessing and undertaking all services related to the supply of the aforementioned Apple products. SNS managing director Ko Yun Hung in a statement yesterday asserted that the dedicated portal would also allow the company to better serve and communicate with parents and students.

He further added that the Apple products will enrich students’ after-school learning experience. They will provide students access to tools to stimulate their minds and enables them to interact with each other.

Meanwhile, Kumon Malaysia general manager Atsushi Hasegawa lauded the collaboration, saying that it will encourage students to enjoy the learning process together online. He further elaborated that this is part of the Kumon Connect feature launched in January 2023.

So, what do you guys think of this collaboration agreement between SNS Network and Kumon Malaysia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


SNS Networks launches Intel-based JOI Phone 5 and 7 Lite for RM399 and RM299 for Malaysia today

Sumner Lemon, Country Manager, Intel Malaysia and Singapore and Ko Yun Hung, Managing Director, SNS Network Sdn Bhd with the JOI Phone 5 and JOI 7 Lite

Intel continues it's march into mobile devices with the official launch of the JOI Phone 5 smartphone and JOI 7 Lite tablet today. The JOI range of devices comes courtesy of local Malaysian company SNS Networks, with the two new devices joining their current line of JOI tablets. The two new devices will be using Intel's new Intel Atom x3-C3130 processor (SoFIA 3G) which integrates 3G connectivity, improving performance and reducing costs. The JOI Phone 5 features a 5-inch IPS HD display, (1280 x 720 pixel resolution) and 3G connectivity for RM399. The JOI 7 Lite on the other hand, features a 7-inch IPS display (1024 x 600 pixel resolution), 3G connectivity and call and SMS capabilities for RM299. Both come with stock Android 4.4 and suport dual SIM dual active slots. Both are also available now at all SNS Networks stores, selected AEON departmental stores, authorized distributors and online channels. Check out our hands-on pictures and tech specs below.

The JOI Phone 5 looks remarkably like another rather well-known smartphone, right down to the concentric circles design on the front lower panel and buttons on the side. The plastic back is matte with a 8MP protruding rear camera. While no target audience was mentioned we assume that users who watch movies will enoy the 5-inch IPS HD display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution.

The JOI 7 Lite tablet on the other hand is a metal backed tablet with plastic bezels. While the tech specs are a bit lower-end, the fact that it comes with dual SIM 3G connectivity and call and SMS capabilities makes it a very affordably priced phablet at just RM299. According to SNS Network, Android 5.0 updates are coming soon for both devices.


SNS rolls out affordable device deals for Malaysian students as schools adopt Hybrid Classrooms Pioneer Project

Today, SNS Network Technology Berhad (SNS) is pleased to announce the launch of a special device deal for students. This is especially for those who are increasingly learning in online classrooms and need the tools to facilitate access to online learning.

The special deals cover HP devices from as low as RM599 (RM400 saving) and Lenovo devices from as low as RM1,249 (RM200 saving). These 360º flexible rotating modern devices are compact, rugged, and powered by Intel Core processors.

Devices equipped with JOI are also going for as low as RM599 with savings of RM600. Besides the special deals, premium devices are also available such as iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Microsoft Surface. Other models available include AVITA and Huawei MatePad.

Starting in September 2022, 550 classrooms in 110 schools across the country will adopt the Hybrid Classrooms Pioneer Project. The initiative is part of initiatives by the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) to accelerate digitalisation and adopt information and communication technology (ICT) in the public education system.

MOE has also embarked on a three-phase RM1.3 billion programme to improve and replace ICT equipment and infrastructure including desktops and laptops, printers, projectors and charging ports, using the lease-to-use approach, in schools nationwide. The first phase involving RM411.8 million for 3,900 schools is almost complete, with the second phase to replace devices at 3,455 schools with an allocation of RM460.0 million will be completed by early 2023 while the third phase for 3,400 schools with an allocation of RM430.0 million is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.

For more information on the product offerings, visit https://www.gloo.com.my/education-store for online purchases or locate their retail stores for in-store purchases - https://www.itworld.com.my/about-us and www.gloo.com.my/about-us.


SOCAR Malaysia expanding to Penang officially from 1 February 2019

Today, SOCAR Malaysia has announced its service will be officially launching soon in Penang starting from 1 February 2019 onwards. There will be 50 cars available throughout Penang with 21 zones in both the mainland and the island. In addition, a one-way drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang will also be available.

To celebrate this new expansion, the company is giving away a promotion code for those who wish to go on a one-way adventure from KL to Penang. The promo code is just simply "PENANG" and it will end on 31 January 2019. SOCAR drivers will be required to drop the ride at any SOCAR parking zone in Queensbay Mall, Penang. Besides that, below is a table chart of other SOCAR Zones located around Penang.

In other news, SOCAR Malaysia is also proud to announce that they have reached a fleet of 1000 cars in Malaysia. With the addition of Penang, SOCAR is also available within Klang Valley and Johor Bahru with more than 15 car models and over 500 zones.

Are you looking forward to having your own ride to Penang from Kuala Lumpur? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more tech lifestyle news only at TechNave.com.


SOFTEC Asia 2013 Tests the Walk for ASEAN Regional CIOs

From left to right; Puan Azizah Hamzah, Director K-Economy, Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Prime Minister’s Department, Puan Mastura Abu Samah, President of Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB), Yang Berbahagia Senator Dato' Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Yang Berusaha En. K. Yogeesvaran, Deputy Director-general, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department and Encik Amiruddin Jaafar Sidek, Director, Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB)

Recently, the SOFTEC Asia 2013 was launched and will be held from 2 September 2013 to 5 September 2013 at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa. Hosted and sponsored by the Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB), this is the first SOFTEC event to go regional and focused on the sharing of knowledge amongst leading software test professionals within the ASEAN region. Following the theme "Test the Walk" the event covered various software testing conferences, talks and discussions along with some announcements. This included a roundtable discussions amongst CIOs or Chief Information Officers within the ASEAN region sharing information, challenges and solutions faced by CIOs in implementing smoothly working IT systems accross borders. The SOFTEC Asia 2013 event was officiated by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who also launched MSTB's Quality Software Product Certification Scheme.

“Countries within the region are having big differences in sophistication of IT configurations, user interfaces, back-end processes, mobile infrastructure, pricing and business rules. Such challenges result in regional CIOs having to spend a lot more time and attention on testing to make sure these challenges are managed and to ensure that the business is not impacted by failure in software functionality”, shared Mastura Abu Samah, President of MSTB“Furthermore, the rapid pace of change in mobile computing is also forcing CIOs to increase investments in testing to make sure the business software runs seamlessly across multiple platforms”, added Mastura.

In related news, Malaysia's Q-Laboratory will soon achieve Level 5 certification by the TMMi Foundation. Upon official ratification of this certification, the advanced software testing facility will be the third software testing facility in the world to achieve this certification which is considered the highest under the Test Maturity Model integration (TMMi) model. The Q-Laboratory was assessed in Level 5 TMMi by UK TMMi assessor Experimentus LTD in August 2013. Q-Laboratory was initially launched under the MSTH initiative and is aimed at providing a new source in economic growth for Malaysia. National and regional-level SOFTEC events are expected to be held alternately after the current SOFTEC Asia 2013 event.


SONY Α7 II to receive a firmware update on 18 November for free

Sony Electronics have announced a future firmware update for the α7 II cameras for free on 18 November 2015. The update will include an uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capture, faster phase detection AF and a more precise AF with lenses designed for interchangeable-lens cameras, which is suitable for Sony’s α mount system.

A 117-point focal plane phase detection AF sensor on the α7 II will be updated on the firmware, this is for and can be utilized with Sony’s extensive collection of A-mount lenses including the LA-EA3 mount adapter. Besides that, a customizable button can now be assigned to the MOVIE button.

“We’re continuing to innovate, with a clear focus to ensure we are meeting the needs and demands of Sony α customers. The addition of Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW processing and the activation of phase detection AF brings a level of performance and versatility to the α7 II that is well beyond any camera in its class.” Neal Manowitz, Vice President for Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.

This will be the second time that Sony offers a fully-functional phase detection AF to A-mount lenses in addition to E-mount lenses along with the flagship α7R II. The new firmware (version 2.0) will be available on 18 November through Sony’s e-support site www.esupport.sony.com on the product page for model “ILCE-7M2”.


SONY FDR-AXP55 4K Handycam First Impression Hands-on !

Sony believes that memories are the same like a wine, the longer we keep, the more valuable it gets especially videos with the family. With the new SONY FDR-AXP55 4K HANDYCAM, recording quality 4k resolution family videos couldn't be easier, as it packs tech specs that include a large CMOS sensor, Zeiss Lens, 20x optical zoom, 30x clear image zoom, built-in projector and 5 axis image stabilisation with a balanced steady shot.

Check out our first impression hands-on video for the Sony AXP55 4k Handycam below:

Make sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel for the full review coming up very soon!


An Apple gaming Mac may be coming in 2020, could cost a whopping ~RM20462

Ignoring the many 'leaks' we see these days, a lot of rumours tend to be somewhat vague. In fact, news of Apple possibly designing a gaming Mac doesn't sound credible at all. But that's exactly what some have been claiming recently: A 5000 USD (~RM20462) gaming Mac is coming in 2020.

Why aren't gaming Mac machines a thing? It's not that people who game on Macs don't exist, but for the vast majority gaming on a Windows PC is more convenient. Yet, market reports indicate that Apple is building a gaming Mac for the e-sports audience, according to a source. A strange choice, considering that e-sports titles don't really require very powerful hardware.

Allegedly, sources within Apple's supply chain also claim that the machine would be an all-in-one PC or gaming laptop with a large screen. Since the iMac and Macbook do belong to those two form factors, the claim does have some grounds to stand on. With the addition of the Apple Arcade service launched a few weeks ago, it's not a stretch to believe that Apple really wants to expand into the gaming industry.

Of course, these are all speculation and we are unable to verify the validity of the claims. But what do you think, would you be interested in a high-end gaming Mac from Apple? Do let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


SONY XB650BT EXTRA BASS Bluetooth Headphones available in Malaysia for RM549

Recently Sony unveiled the XB650BT EXTRA BASS Bluetooth headphones at CES 2016. It is now available in Malaysia for RM549 based on their official website. As for color options, it comes in 3 different colors, red, blue and black. But only the black will be available in Malaysia.

For the user that prefers headphones with strong bass, this one might be the one for you. With the 30mm neodymium driver unit and bass booster technology, Sony claims to deliver a deep and punchy bass at 20Hz-20,000Hz frequency response. The bass booster can be turned on and off, so don't worry if you're listening to songs that are more soft and calm.

Since we're talking about a Bluetooth device, portability will always be our priority, and the XB650BT headphones have swivel ear cups and weigh just 190g, so it should be light enough to hang around your neck for long periods of time without feeling much pressure to the neck.

For connectivity, both Bluetooth and NFC are available for easy pairing. It also packs a battery that will last for 30 hours of playback and it can also be charged with a power bank via Micro-USB cable. If you'd like to know more about the XB650BT EXTRA BASS Bluetooth headphones check out the Sony site.


SONY Xperia Pro release: Snapdragon 865 chipset and 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display, priced at ~RM10106

SONY have released the latest device which is the Xperia Pro in the US market. This device is supporting 5G connectivity and comes with a price tag of 2500USD (~RM10106).

The device sport a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of internal storage. It also features a 6.5-inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED display and supports IP65/68 water and dust resistance.

As for the cameras, it comes with an 8MP selfie snapper, a triple rear camera setup (with 12MP for each sensor), and a 3D ToF sensor. On top of that, this device features a 4000mAh battery, micro-HDMI, and USB-C port.

Would you buy this device if it is launched in the Malaysian market? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


SST for handphones revealed at 5% while electronics go for 10% for slight price increase after 1 September 2018

A recently revealed SST (Sales and Service Tax) guidance list from MySST has revealed that smartphones and other handphones will get a 5% SST. While some said that previously before GST, handphones, tablets and laptops were exempted, this list also goes on to reveal that other electronics will get a 10% SST as well. SST is expected to be implemented starting from 1 September 2018 so there is at least a week to get a new smartphone or other electronics like cameras, laptops and audio equipment before we see any price increase due to SST.

Nonetheless, while this SST for handphones is seemingly close at 5% compared to the previous 6% GST it should be noted that the price increase from SST should not be as high as the previous 6% GST tax regime. This is mainly because the 5% SST is applied to manufacturers once while GST is applied to all levels of financial transactions including when we as consumers buy a new smartphone.


STEAM will be implementing the 6% digital service tax on 1st of January 2020!

The implementation of the digital tax towards the foreign-based online services has been announced to be implemented starting from 1 January 2020 since last year. Today, only two days left before it rolls out, there are only a few companies that revealed the impact of the tax on their services publicly.One of the companies is a popular digital distribution service for PC games, Steam from Valve. The implementation of the digital tax can be found in the Steamworks Documentation Tax FAQ section where it will be included directly in the game prices starting from 1 January 2020. The company also mentioned it will remit the tax to the authorities through a periodic period.

Either way, it is not clear if the new digital tax will increase the game price for Malaysian users in Steam but will you stop buying PC games if it happens? Let us know at our Facebook page and stay tuned for more local news updates on TechNave.com!


Sabah and Sarawak experienced the highest 4G network coverage under the JENDELA program

As many of you should know by now, our local telcos are shutting down 3G networks across the nation. This is in line with the National Digital Network (JENDELA) program that was launched by the Malaysian government in August last year.

In an effort to expand 4G (and 5G) services to more areas, Opensignal noted that Malaysians have access to 4G networks more than before. From the research company's report, the data said the number of users connected to a 4G network has increased by 2.8% since 1 August 2021 (compared with the same period in 2020) which was observed for 90 days.

The report also further stated that all the states have over 80% of 4G coverage areas while some have 90% coverage. However, some districts still rely on 3G networks to gain internet access. This includes East Malaysia where Sabah recorded 3G coverage of 17.4% whilst Sarawak at 17.1%. Meanwhile, Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan experienced the biggest 3G network drop, around 8.4% to 5.3%.

Despite having the most 3G coverage, both Sabah and Sarawak experience the highest 4G coverage areas with 15.4% and 12.5% respectively. In Semenanjung Malaysia, Terengganu experienced the highest 4G increase of 10.6%, whereas Kuala Lumpur experienced the least increase of 1.6%.

Opensignal concluded that the JENDELA initiative successfully provided 4G services to more people across the country, but there was still a significant communication gap between urban and rural areas. If you want to read the full report, you can visit the page here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sabah are not allowing two people in a car for grocery shopping during the MCO!

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced on allowing two family members from the same household for essential grocery shopping during the movement control order (MCO) yesterday. But the Sabah government has not decided on following this relaxed measure by the federal government.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie said they need to study its impact and discussed at the Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre before it could be implemented at the state level to ensure there are no adverse effects on it. He also added two people traveling in one vehicle would only be allowed for specific purposes.

As of now, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a total of 94 new Covid-19 cases with 72 of those were Malaysians returning from Indonesia and 22 new local cases which mark as the lowest since the MCO was implemented while 55 more Covid-19 patients were discharged and recovered. Malaysia has now a stands at a total number of 5,945 Covid-19 cases and 100 deaths.

With that said, the 4th phase of MCO getting some relaxed measure may hint as a low possibility of extending the MCO after 12 May. But do remember to continue to practice all precautionary measures and stay at home. Stay tuned for more local news updates on TechNave.com!


Sad that the GoPro Karma was recalled? Well, it's now back on shelves!

Three months after the troubled GoPro Karma drone was recalled, it is finally back on sale.

The GoPro Karma drone, which was officially announced back in September 2016 for $799.99 (RM3535), was withdrawn from the market in November 2016 due to an apparently design flaw, that causes some Karma units to experience power loss mid-flight.

While the new Karma drone looks exactly the same to the naked eye, GoPro had redesigned the battery latch, making sure that it would not fail and disconnect the battery in flight, effectively solving the issues plaguing the drone earlier on.

However, there's still no news of any Malaysia release dates or pricing details, despite the GoPro Karma being previewed during the GoPro Hero5 launch last year. Wouldn't it be great to be able to purchase it locally too?