What happened to HTC?

More than 10 years ago, HTC was one of the largest smartphone brands going against tech giants like Samsung and Apple, releasing notable smartphones like the Google Nexus One, HTC One series, and the HTC Dream. However, in just a few years, they went from being one of the most popular brands to not even being listed in Canalys’ top 5 smartphone brands in the past few years.

Today, it seems that HTC is putting a lot more effort into developing virtual reality headsets instead of solely focusing on manufacturing smartphones. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at HTC to see what caused its massive drop in popularity. Let's take a look at what happened, shall we?

HTC was one of the most respected smartphone brands because they were offering affordable smartphones with respectable hardware. As a result, HTC phones were the go-to phones if you wanted the most optimal Android user experience possible.

On top of that, HTC was the first manufacturer to include a customised Android skin on top of the Android operating system with the HTC Hero smartphone which was launched in 2009. When it came to cameras, the company was the first to launch a phone that’s equipped with a dual rear camera setup with the HTC One M8.

They also had many choices to choose from, which was great for consumers because they could pick the best HTC smartphone to suit their needs. They were also one of the first to equip their smartphone with the 3.5mm audio jack, which was a big deal at the time.

Also, before the introduction of the Pixel, Google collaborated with HTC to produce the Google Nexus One. It was one of the most popular phones that HTC had ever developed because it ran the stock Android operating system, which was relatively uncommon at that time.

Other than that, they released several smartphones equipped with many features that were unique back then. For example, HTC released the HTC U11 Plus, which has a transparent back, allowing the user to peek into the smartphone’s internal hardware. Additionally, there’s also the Edge Sense feature, which was first spotted on the HTC U11 that lets the user launch an app simply by squeezing the smartphone.

Here are some of the phones released in 2011

In 2011, HTC saw a huge decline in market share as many consumers were just overwhelmed by the number of phones being released by the brand. To elaborate further, HTC released more than 24 smartphones like the HTC DROID Incredible 2, EVO 3D, Merge, and more during that 1 year.

In 2012, they released around the same number of phones as well, including the Titan 2, One XL, and many more. While there were many HTC smartphones that could suit different consumer’s needs, releasing more than 24 phones in a year and how they were naming their phones led to a lot of confusion.

Moreover, HTC’s confusing naming schemes further added to the confusion as it did not convey the smartphone’s strengths. Other companies, such as Huawei, designated their P-series as their photography-focused lineup while the Mate-series focuses more on productivity.

Their attempts at collaborating with Facebook to release a couple of Facebook-centric phones called the HTC ChaCha, and HTC First did not work out and were phased out quite quickly after launch. Furthermore, many were dissatisfied that HTC was packing more and more bloatware into their smartphones, which was strange because HTC was initially praised for equipping their phones with the stock Android operating system.

Samsung and Apple were also giving HTC a run for their money as they were releasing smartphones that were quite well received, such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5. Unlike HTC, both the brands mentioned did not carpet bomb the market with more than 20 smartphones that weren't every different from each other.

While they did find some success with the HTC One series, namely the One M7 and M8, the M9 did not impress the market as the improvements were so minor they did not justify the upgrade. Aside from that, HTC were not as active in marketing their products which caused them to dip under the radar when Samsung and Apple took centre stage with the war between iOS and Android users.

After releasing a few more smartphones like the HTC One series, HTC unveiled the HTC Vive VR headset in collaboration with Valve in 2016. In 2017, Google acquired around 2000 of HTC’s employees that worked on design and research to work on the Google Pixel smartphone, allowing Google to develop all their future smartphones in house.

Towards the end of 2017, HTC announced that they would be focusing more on upcoming technologies like augmented and virtual reality products. These products included the HTC Vive Pro and their Vive Focus all-in-one virtual reality headset that does not need to be tethered to a computer.

HTC still releases a few smartphones now and then, like the HTC Exodus cryptophone, and the HTC Desire series. But compared to last time, it’s clear that smartphones aren’t really their main focus anymore. Unfortunately for us Malaysians, it is improbable that any of their smartphones will be available for purchase locally anytime soon.

What happened to HTC was a great example of “too much of something is not good” because they’ve released so many smartphones that it was hard for consumers to keep up. Sometimes, having a few well-built smartphones is better than saturating the market.

But one thing’s for sure, HTC showed that the Android operating system has what it takes to go against Apple’s iOS. That said, it's great that HTC managed to find a market outside of the smartphone industry that they’re able to flourish in.

What was the last HTC smartphone you have ever used? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


What happened to Nokia?

Before 2010, Nokia was the world’s largest phone manufacturer who made iconic phones such as the legendary Nokia 3310, Nokia N-Gage, Nokia 5300 and more. But today, Nokia is not as popular as it once was, let alone ranked in the top 5 most popular smartphone brands. But why is that?

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at Nokia and see what exactly caused their popularity to dip drastically. So with all that out of the way, let’s dive into it, shall we?

First of all, we should touch on what Nokia was doing right. In 1998, Nokia overtook Motorola and became the largest phone brand globally as it sold around 41 million units of the Nokia 6100. Its spike in popularity was because Nokia catered their devices to the youths and fashion-oriented market by producing fashionable and fun-to-use mobile phones.

The Nokia phones at that time were not only colourful, but they came with popular games such as the classic Snake and Space Impact, which is a shoot-em-up side-scroller game. Furthermore, Nokia also co-founded Symbian Ltd, which developed the Symbian Operating System, effectively making them the largest hardware and software manufacturers of its time.

With Symbian pre-installed, Nokia phones were equipped with significantly more features, better memory management (less wasted resources), the ability to install apps and play much higher quality games. Because of that, the popularity of Nokia phones skyrocketed, essentially increasing the company’s sales by around 5 times from 6.5 billion Euros to 31 billion Euros.

A few years after the development of Symbian, Nokia released their N series devices which won multiple “best mobile imaging awards” for multiple years. But, unfortunately, their mobile gaming phone called N-Gage did not manage to impress the mobile gaming market that Nintendo dominated at that time.

Other than the battery issues that plagued Nokia phones released in 2007, Nokia’s profits dropped by 30% when Google released Android 1.0 in 2008. Software developers noted that applications on Symbian OS were much more difficult to make compared to iOS and Android.

Instead of opting to go with Google’s Android operating system, Nokia instead signed a strategic partnership with Microsoft to “stand out from the market”. Because of that, the Symbian OS market share dwindled even more as consumers and developers realised that future Nokia phones would come with the Windows Phone 7 operating system instead.

Nokia X didn't have the Google Play Store, which is a huge bummer

They’ve even created an “Android OS” clone for the Nokia X by heavily customising an open-source version of Android, which did not include the Google Play Store. Instead, it only had a small number of curated apps for the user to choose from, which vastly limits the capabilities of their smartphone, making it one of the reasons why the phone flopped as soon as it was unveiled.

Nokia recuperated their losses with the launch of the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710, which both sold over a million units. Still, it was not enough to return them to their former glory as they continued to cut jobs which affected around 10000 employees.

HMD Global acquired Nokia in 2016, and they released the Nokia 6 that was the first Nokia phone to come with the stock Android operating system pre-installed.  Other Android-powered devices such as the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 were also unveiled during the Mobile World Congress that come with the same operating system.

HMD Global also released a re-imagining of the Nokia 3310, which has much better tech specs, 3G support, dual-SIM support, and many new colours to choose from. The device sold out in many markets even though it received mixed reviews, likely due to its nostalgia factor.

HMD Global released the reimagined Nokia 3310!

Since its acquisition, Nokia jumped from 335th place to 188th place on Brand Finance’s list primarily due to the new mobile phones they’ve been producing under HMD Global. Not only that, but it seems that a study done by Counterpoint Research hinted that 96% of Nokia are compatible with the latest Android version at that time compared to their competitors, where only around 80% of their phones were able to receive the update.

Nokia announced that NASA had contracted them to build a 4G mobile network on the moon, which astronauts will use while on the moon. Not only that, but they’re also collaborating with Flipkart in India to produce Nokia-branded electronics, including products such as smart TVs, laptops, and more.

HMD Global released the new Nokia X, Nokia G, and Nokia C series smartphones not too long ago

With all that being said, Nokia is still kicking it in the smartphone market releasing several new Nokia X, Nokia G, and Nokia C series devices. Sure, they’re not as big as they once were. It is still a lot better than not being in the market at all. Furthermore, Nokia’s downfall became a case study on how not to adapt to the market’s ever-growing demands.

The case study also shows how the reluctance to change and the refusal to address the issue (mostly due to organisational fear, also known as "I'm afraid of getting fired") can drastically affect the company. Having said all that, what are your thoughts about Nokia? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


What is Among Us and how does it destroy friendships?

Among Us, which is a game developed by InnerSloth, recently picked up in popularity due to its simplistic gameplay and the fact that it can be run on virtually any PC, Android, or iOS device. Not only that but content creators such as Pewdiepie, DisguisedToast, Shroud, and many more also picked up the game and have created many entertaining videos that got well over a million views.

I bet some of you are wondering what exactly is Among Us and how do you play it? In this article, we'll be giving you guys a brief summary of what the game is about, as well as a bunch of tips and tricks in order to get the upper hand.

Among Us is a social deduction game where the Crewmates are required to do various tasks in order to win, while the Imposters have to stop the Crewmates from winning by killing them. What makes the game exciting is that none of the players are aware of who are the Imposters or Crewmates, which means that the Crewmates need to find out who are the killers before all of them are wiped out.

Furthermore, Imposters have the Sabotage ability which lets them turn off the lights, overload the reactor, or deplete the oxygen which forces the Crewmates to separate, which makes them easier for the Imposters to take out. Not only that, but there are also vents scattered around the space ship or the planet itself that let the Imposters quickly travel between rooms without being detected. Also, it's best to add that all players are required to remain silent except during the discussion phase.

In order to trigger the discussion phase, a player would have to report a body or hit the Emergency Button to call for an emergency meeting. After that, all the players would discuss and deduce who the killers are based on the evidence brought forth.

After that, everyone can choose to either vote for a player that's suspected to be the Imposter, or skip their vote if they're not sure who to vote for. However, it's best to take everybody's words with a grain of salt, because the Imposter can accuse other players while acting as a fellow Crewmate.

As the Imposter, utilise your Sabotage as often as possible in order to split crewmates up so that they can be picked off one by one. Sabotaging the lights can be a powerful move for Imposters as they will not get reduced vision compared to Crewmates, making them easier to kill even when they're beside someone else.

Sabotaging the Oxygen and Reactor is also usually a good idea if you're trying to force players to go from one side of the map to another, which is where you can kill an unlucky Crewmate that's left behind. When playing as a Crewmate, do your best to form a group of 3 and travel around the map together because you're less likely to die, and if one of you is an imposter, you can easily report the kill if a fellow Crewmate were to be murdered. (Unless both the members in your group are imposters, then you're screwed lol.)

As with every social deduction game, the Imposters must gain the trust of the Crewmate in order to not get caught. Which means you will have to lie to your friends, in order to make them easier for you to kill later in the game. We're not responsible for any broken friendships caused while playing the game.

With all that said, would you be interested in playing Among Us with your friends? Do you have any tips for Among Us? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


What is Clubhouse and why are people sending invites-only? Here's everything you need to know

If you have been seeing your friends on Facebook talking about Clubhouse, chances are you probably stroll passed it or got curious. The buzz is that you would see exclusive invites and not anyone can simply join the app too. So what is Clubhouse and what does it do? We are here to tell you everything about it.

Clubhouse seems to be a social app platform available on the Apple App Store only. It's also interesting to know that instead of another typical social messaging app, it uses voice messages to chat or broadcast your message across. Clubhouse was first launched in 2020 by Alpha Exploration Co., it was relatively unknown until Elon Musk (yes, him again) endorsed it.

So put it simply, Clubhouse is sort of like Twitter but you send out voice messages. From our experience, you can either put your audio conversation out to the public or friends-only. There are no pictures, no videos, just profile pics of the users which you can join and listen to whatever they have to say or participate by raising your hand icon, but it's up to the host to permit you to speak.

We mentioned earlier than it's not as simple as downloading Clubhouse and signing up, you need to be invited by an existing Clubhouse user, you see. But here's the kicker - a new Clubhouse user can only get two invites and the more he or she uses the app, such as joining a forum of a certain topic, more invites will be given. You can download the app on the iPad although it's not fully optimised and the Android version is in development.

Upon signing up, you only need to fill in your phone number and name. You will get to register your username too if you want. If you send the invitation to a friend, you only need their phone number. By the way, you can even link your Twitter account to Clubhouse so it will use your existing Twitter profile pic instead of having to start over.

According to sources, the developers record none of the voice conversations online. Because once the forum ends, the original poster can just close the room and open another. However, keep in mind that users can still find a way to record voice chats. What comes online, stays online.

At the moment, the Clubhouse user can create any topic and it ranges from tech to religion. You can host a room and have up to 5000 people there listening to you. It's quite an interesting way for people to get into conversations online or discuss a topic, as well as definitely a platform for people who love talking instead of typing. Besides Elon Musk, other notable celebrities like Kevin Hart, Drake, Chris Rock, Ashton Kutcher and many more using the app already.

So that's pretty much you need to know about Clubhouse. But what do you think? And have you started using Clubhouse yet? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


What is the Samsung FlexCam on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4??

We all know how the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 lookss like and how does it works from inside out. But do you really know what is the new FlexCam feature all about and how can you uitilize it? Check out this video and we will show you how you can use it creatively with your daily lifestyle.Samsung is also partnering with Meta to optimise FlexCam for Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook. Users can do more with the Galaxy Z Flip4 by taking high-quality selfies right from the Cover Screen by leveraging the main camera with the upgraded Quick Shot. For example, you can start high-quality video recording in Quick Shot mode and then seamlessly switch to Flex mode to continue recording hands-free without stopping the video. Moreover, users are now able to take selfies in Portrait Mode and see preview in actual photo ratio when using Quick Shot.


What is the best 13-inch laptop to get for around RM5K in Malaysia?

As more and more premium laptops flood the Malaysian market, it gets increasingly more difficult to find the best premium laptop for your needs even when your price range is around RM5000 or RM5K. While 15-inch display laptops offer a bit more in terms of display real estate, the 13-inch display premium laptops are the more serious workhorse devices you'd probably need to work and play on the go.

For that purpose we've put together a list of some of the best 13-inch display laptops for around RM5K that you can get or will soon be available in Malaysia. There's a whole bunch to choose from, so let's get to it!

Starting off with Huawei's latest notebook is the MateBook X Pro, it has a quite the firepower in the memory capacity with 16GB of RAM and a huge 512GB SSD. The processor goes up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U, the battery life can stand up to at least 12 hours and it has a nice yet unique 3K FullView 13.9-inch touchscreen display. You can opt for an NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 2GB GDDR5 graphics card or the onboard Intel UHD 620 and there are 4 Dolby Atmos speakers along with 4 microphones. There's also plenty of USB ports (1x USB-C, 1x USB-C + Thunderbolt 3, 1x USB-A) are around but unfortunately, there's no SD card slot.

The MateBook X Pro looks like a premium all-rounder for the masses, especially since initial price estimates actually put it below RM5K (before tax of course). It has enough horsepower for both work and entertainment (movie marathon, anyone?). While it isn't a dedicated gaming laptop, its portability and ultra features give it plenty of value. It's worth noting that the security it has on it is a nice touch, such as the fingerprint sensor on the power button and the Recessed Camera that we talked about (the world's first, check it out here). It should be coming to Malaysia soon.

We have mentioned about the Apple MacBook Pro before, as it has a strong fanbase in the ultraportable category. To refresh your memory, the Apple laptop features up to an Intel Core i9 chipset (six-core), 8GB of RAM, 256GB storage, a FHD 13-inch display (2880 x 1800 resolution), Radeon Pro 560X GPU graphics, four USB-C ports and a Turbo Boost that can push its default 2.9GHz to 4.8GHz. The battery life is 10 hours.

Every video editor knows that Apple MacBooks (or iMacs in general) are "the tool" for editing photos and videos, the laptop imports and exports videos really fast (including 4K ones), it syncs with your iPhone automatically, there are Siri and TouchID, it handles heavy programs like Adobe and Final Cut Pro easily, and has Turbo Boost when needed. Furthermore, MacBooks are known to last super long too and keep getting updated with macOS every year via OTA.

While there are no touchscreen capabilities, there is the OLED touch bar above the keyboard which allows you to control certain features like brightness, sound and others. Not everything is perfect on the MacBook Pro, though, as it doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack for some reason and the only ports it has are four USB-C ports, forcing you to get an adapter(s). Also, the MacBook Pro is expensive as heck as even the lowest-end version goes for well above RM5K and it's not for everyone (don't even think about getting it for gaming).

Finally, we have come to the Dell XPS 13 which is quite expensive too starting from RM6.3K according to Dell Malaysia's website. For what it's worth and depending on which model you're getting, this machine carries powerful specifications with 8th Gen Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPUs with 2.2-GHz, up to a total of 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, a battery life of 19 hours (when using Word, lol), a 13-inch display (starts from 1920 x 1080 resolution), a USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, a SD card reader and... it has a 3.5mm headphone jack (yes, we know the Matebook X Pro has it too)!

This is one beastly machine, though. Its InfinityEdge technology allows it to jump to 4K (depending on model) but the website didn't specifically mention its graphics card, so we will have to assume that it's not really meant for gaming. However, Dell Cinema allows the user to adjust the best colour, sound and streaming too so that's nice. There's even a thermal cooler installed inside to keep the laptop from overheating.

That said, the website claims the battery life can stay as long as 19 hours on Word but we think constant 4K video playback will definitely drain it. Like the MateBook X Pro, its webcam is also located on the keyboard surface but is not hidden or recessed.

So those are our top 3 picks of the best 13-inch premium laptops to get or look forward to in Malaysia. While not all of them are currently available for purchase yet, when the Huawei MateBook X Pro lands on our shores, it could well disrupt the 13-inch premium laptop market even further due to its value price tag. Until then, stay tuned for more tech comparisons at TechNave.com.


Apple iPad Pro + Smart Keyboard + Pencil Stylus and iPad mini 4 officially announced

Apple also officially announced their business-targeted Apple iPad Pro tablet complete with a Microsoft Surface like keyboard and Pencil stylus. The iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch display with 2732 x 2048 pixel resolution. Other known tech specs include an Apple A9x processor and four speakers. The Keyboard has a magnetic Smart Connector that provides both power and data but comes separately at $169 (RM711.07). The Apple Pencil stylus also comes separately at $99 (RM416.54) but there is no place for you to slot it in on the tablet. Looking much like a 6.9mm thin iPad Air 2, the iPad Pro offers up to 10 hours battery life and is fully optimized for use with Microsoft Office and Adobe Apps. No Malaysia release dates yet but the iPad Pro is expected to arrive in November (which means Malaysia could see it next year).

The Apple iPad mini 4 was also officially announced with a slimmer 6.1mm thin case (compared to the iPad mini 3 at 7.5mm) with a zero-gap screen and still 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution Retina display. Other tech specs and features will include an Apple A8 processor, 8MP rear camera and 1.2MP front camera while everything else remains the same. Unfortunately, there is no rose gold option for the iPad mini 4 but it will have a preorder starting from 11 September 2015 with shipping on 25 September 2015. No Malaysia pricing details yet but the 16GB storage iPad mini 4 will be priced as below. Like certain Apple iPhones in Malaysia, the pricing of Apple iPads have also been increased and the iPad mini 3 has been removed from the site.


What is the best computer? We find out with this video

In this day and age where the computers in our pockets are becoming more and more powerful, we ask the question "What is the best computer?". Our answer is: "The one you have with you.". We find out what you can do with the AI-driven Kirin 970 processor powered Huawei Mate 10 or Mate 10 Pro as the best computer to have with you in the video below.


What is the reason behind "Remove China Apps" being so popular on Google's Play Store?

Does the country of origin of an app that you're using matter? These days, the apps that you're using are made by the genius from all over the world and they're pretty harmless to use. However, there are also some apps that would steal your private information and use it for who knows what. Therefore, we still need to be cautious when come across certain suspicious apps. Recently, an app called Remove China Apps has suddenly made it to the top of India's Google Play Store, claiming that it helps users to remove apps made by China.

The app, Remove China Apps, is developed by an Indian startup named OneTouch AppLabs and it already has over 1 million downloads in just two weeks after debut. According to its description, the app helps to identify the apps that are made in China based on market research, and it does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. To remove the apps suggested by it, users will have to decide themselves as it won't automatically delete the apps after scanning.

While using it, the app was able to detect apps like Xiaomi’s Mi Remote app and TikTok as China-based apps, but couldn't identify the PUBG Mobile as one (game developed by Tencent). Therefore, it isn't that accurate after all. It is unsure why the Indian users are so keen to remove the apps made by Chinese developers, as TikTok has almost 120 million active users in India.

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


What makes the Huawei P30 Pro a camera beast?

Over the years, it has become apparent that Huawei loves making its position in the DxO Mark ranking. Often snatching the top spot, its latest P30 Pro has even beaten its own other flagship, the Mate 20 Pro by 3 points (112 vs 109)!

On paper, the camera setup configuration between the two is not that far off but the P30 Pro does have a new periscope lens allowing it to zoom in up to 50x via digital zoom as well as a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor. Is it possible for these two lenses to make a difference? Let's analyze what makes the P30 Pro a camera beast.

Starting with the basics, the P30 Pro sports a 40MP (wide-angle) + 20MP (ultra wide-angle) + 8MP (telephoto lens) and a ToF sensor. With this configuration, the P30 Pro is able to jump from 0.6x to 50x effortlessly, along with a 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and a 50x digital zoom.

In addition to that, the main camera and telephoto lens are equipped with an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) and Artificial Image Stabilizer (AIS). Combining with the 4D Predictive Focus feature (from the P20 Pro), there's nothing much to worry about taking blurred photos while standing still, even if you zoom in up to 50x (although the pixels will still break out a bit).

Taking night shots is never an easy task for smartphones, even the ones that have a night mode feature. So how did Huawei solve this? Well, instead of relying on dual pixel technology enhancement or having a bigger aperture (it's f/1.6 now), they utilized an entirely new RYYB (red, yellow, yellow, blue) sensor to capture better night shots. But why yellow? Well, if you still remember your art lessons, yellow is the result of combining red and green. On top of that, yellow is easily picked up in terms of brightness and increases the light volume for the P30 Pro by 40% (according to Huawei).

Huawei didn't stop there, though. They also increased the maximum ISO value up to 409,600! This may sound crazy, but the phone can really take a super low-light shot and make it as if like it was taken during the day. This feature is pretty close and similar to the current colour night vision that some DSLR lens have.

There is a right amount of light and shadow in this night shot

While Huawei is not the first to come up with a ToF sensor, it's certainly gearing up to be a trend for smartphones. Previously, smartphone manufacturers would (and still) use a secondary 2MP - 16MP camera to assist the main camera for a portrait shot or bokeh effect. But in Huawei's case, having a ToF does more than capturing the depth of field, but also for virtual reality simulation, 3D scanning and AR emojis.

You may or may not remember, but there was a time where an "invisible shield" would appear when taking a portrait mode shot. With the ToF in hand, the "invisible shield" is no longer an issue as the camera software is able to assimilate the background with the subject naturally. Here's another roll of photo samples taken in Paris!

So these are the three points that make the P30 Pro a camera beast, and coincidentally, also three points ahead of the Mate 20 Pro in the DxO Mark ranking. The P30 Series will officially be on sale in Malaysia on 6 April and if you're interested to learn more about the special launch sale, you can check it out right here or go to Huawei's official website to learn more.

Stay tuned for more tech analysis articles only at TechNave.com.


What products to expect during the Huawei Mate 40 series launch?

Based on a statement by Huawei’s official Twitter, it seems that Huawei will be announcing the Huawei Mate 40 series smartphone on 22 October 2020. With that said, here’s a short rundown on what gadgets we can expect Huawei to launch during the event which is happening in less than 2 weeks.

As the launch event suggests, the Huawei Mate 40 series, consisting of the usual suspects such as the Mate 40, and the Mate 40 Pro,  will be making its debut during the date mentioned above. However, it seems that there might be a Mate 40 Plus, Mate 40 Pro Plus, as well as the Porsche Design variant as well. But that’s not all, we won’t be surprised if Huawei ends up unveiling accessories or something completely different during the launch event as well.

Let's make it clear•October 12 is next Monday, warm-up starts then•October 22 is actual launch date of Mate 40 series ( pre sale start in China)•October 30 is China's launch date. (Global sales start are unclear)#HuaweiMate40Series #PorscheDesign pic.twitter.com/CMVNP6Yydp

However, 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 some of the details mentioned in this article. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for the smartphones for now.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting the Huawei Mate 40 series as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


What's behind the scenes of OPPO Malaysia's customer-centric service in its 3rd Anniversary celebration?

Most brands tend to have an exclusive membership to cater to loyal fans and customers. In celebrating its 3rd Anniversary, OPPO Malaysia is offering promotions to its My OPPO App members. But what do they usually offer besides promotions? Read on below to find out more.

Since its launch three years ago, My OPPO App already has over 2 million users in Malaysia. From time to time, Members’ Day celebrations with amazing rewards will happen from the 16th to the 18th of every month. Once you register as a My OPPO App member, you can unlock new levels and privileges by earning experience points through product purchases. A variety of gifts and coupons are prepared such as Birthday Reward, Exclusive Discounts on Repair Costs, Food & Beverage Vouchers and so much more.

My OPPO App also connects members via exclusive O-Time experiences. These engagements are closed-door events that facilitate in-depth interaction between members and brands. This includes First-hand Experience with the latest products, Experiential Lifestyle Workshops such as Cooking and Baking Classes, Product Knowledge Sharing and Interactive Sessions, which allow members to grow with OPPO.

Being an OPPO customer, you are entitled to enjoy a wealth of free services such as send-in repair service, labour cost, service day discount, disinfection service, software upgrade and 1-hour flash fix on a general basis. According to OPPO Malaysia, their Net Promoter Score (NPS), also known as Customer Satisfaction Rate is rated 94%.

On top of that, to enhance the transparency of the services provided, OPPO Malaysia has been gradually integrating its after-sales services into stores since November 2019. There are now 17 My OPPO Spaces, 2 Service Centers and 1 Send-in Repair Service Center around Malaysia, ensuring every customer’s issue can be resolved in the shortest amount of time.

To know more and join the OPPO Members community, as well as celebrate the My OPPO 3rd Anniversary with fantastic deals and offers right now, you can visit the official webpage right here.


What's new with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Cameras?

Now that the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has been revealed, many seem to love it due to the surprisingly sold out pre-order here in Malaysia. However, if we look at the specification sheet, one of the things that caught our attention is how the phablet borrows the exact same camera specs from the Galaxy S9+, but with an additional Scene Optimizer. That said, is there any difference between the two? There's only one way to find out.

Before we start comparing and showcase the photos, both the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S9+ feature a 12MP (Dual Aperture, f/1.5 - f/2.4) + 12MP (f/2.4, 2x optical zoom) dual rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization and Dual Pixel technology, whereas the front is using an 8MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.7. In addition, Samsung has also joined the fray with their own Scene Optimizer feature. Just like those "AI" image enhancer on other smartphones nowadays, it helps to user to reduce, increase or match the overall brightness and colour "feel" of a particular subject, like a sunrise or sunset.

It's also worth mentioning the Flaw Detection Intelligent Camera feature on the Galaxy Note 9 is improved too, which not only it can detect smudged lens now, but as well as if a person blinked, blurry movement and a strong backlight. Now let's check out the photo comparisons below:

Wide shot, auto - Galaxy S9+ (left) vs Galaxy Note 9 (right), can you spot the colour contrast strength?

Close-up, auto - Galaxy S9+ (left) vs Galaxy Note 9 (right), this one is an obvious one

Another auto close-up shot, Galaxy S9+ (left) vs Galaxy Note 9 (right). Clearly, the Scene Optimizer made the doll's fur sharper and more detailed

Using Live Focus with max background blur effect, even with the backlight, Jim's black shirt on the Galaxy Note 9 (right) is much better than the Galaxy S9+ (left)

Selfie mode, Galaxy S9+ (left) vs Galaxy Note 9 (right), this one is really hard to differentiate on the desktop

Looking at the photo samples above, the first three photos are quite similar but the Scene Optimizer improves the image with better colour contrast compared to the Galaxy S9+. Even the selfie, which has no Scene Optimizer also looks better with the Galaxy Note 9 as well as the walls behind are whiter (well, slightly if you're reading this from your mobile). So yes, while the Galaxy Note 9 does have better image results overall, the Galaxy S9+ is still very capable of taking great photos, from day to night, macro to landscape shots and other kinds of stuff you want to take.

Anyway, our boy Jim managed to take some photo samples of the Galaxy Note 9 in Melaka. Here are some of them before we release our full review, enjoy!

Random shot of a rock, background blur is fine

Selective focus also works well with the Galaxy Note 9

It was quite a hazy day but you can see the skies are tainted with some orange-ness by the sunset

Evening shot, it was supposed to be darker than this

Night photography, the Galaxy Note 9 still nails it

Details on the subject will show as long as there is good lighting

So there you have it, this is what's new with the Galaxy Note 9 cameras. Clearly, the company is still in the game of mobile photography and Scene Optimizer just made it better. Stay tuned for our review in the near future at TechNave.com.


What to do when saving your phone from water?

While there are waterproofed smartphones, most smartphones don't perform very well when splashed or dropped into water or other liquids. However, people get careless and there are now just as many of us bringing our smartphones into the bathroom with us for some light reading or media consumption. While taking your smartphone apart and drying it out may result in a working smartphone the next day other solutions like shaking it about or using a hair dryer (or worse) to evaporate the water may end up being the cause of permanent damage rather than the water itself. The Infographic below shows some facts, solutions and tips when dealing with smartphones and water damage.


What vivo phone was Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza holding behind the scenes?

Previously, we posted news about Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza returning as a brand ambassador once again for vivo Malaysia. We also speculated about which vivo phone she will be representing and since we got some behind the scenes photo shots of her, let's turn on our CSI mode and investigate.

On vivo Malaysia's Facebook page, they posted four pictures of her with the caption "Let the photos speak for themselves." which obviously hints it as a selfie-focused smartphone. Based on vivo's smartphone lineup, the V series is the one that targeted towards the selfie lovers which brings to our attention of the V15 Pro that's coming soon on 20 February 2019 (the same date as the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10 series, COINCIDENCE? I DON'T THINK SO).

The behind the scenes photos from Facebook

Initially, we thought it was the vivo APEX 2019 but it turns out to be a concept device so we are scrapping that idea off. Furthermore, when we were zooming into the unknown vivo phone, the camera setup on the rear looks rather long which matches the leaked photos of the protective casing. It's a bit weird that there's no pop-up camera when she was taking a selfie too but that would give away a big hint if they do that. Moreover, from the two behind the scenes photos, it seems there are also two confirmed colours which are gold and black.

The V15 Pro is also rumoured to have a mega 32MP front camera as well so that's something to look forward to. But what vivo phone do you all think she was holding? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for the official vivo news at TechNave.com.


What will the triple rear cameras of the Huawei P20 Pro offer? Super Slow motion? Variable Aperture?

After images of the Huawei P20 Pro leaked via @evleaks, the triple rear camera setup and Leica Vario-Summilux-H1:1.6-2.4/27-80 ASPH lens were clearly visible. This likely means dual variable aperture cameras with F/1.6 and F/2.4 apertures along with a 27-80mm optical zoom with one of them being a monochrome sensor. Thanks to teaser videos revealed by Huawei themselves this could mean:

We expect existing camera features like the monochrome mode with wide aperture bokeh and light painting to remain along with the A. I. Scene detection but it would be nice if there's a Pro mode for the A. I. Scene detection that is based on the artistic photos of professional photographers, so we can take similarly awesome looking shots. What camera mode do you want? What are you expecting from the Huawei P20 or Huawei P20 Pro cameras? Discuss on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com


What you can expect at the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus roadshows

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus was officially launched yesterday in Malaysia but the roadshows will be starting today at Sunway Pyramid (Klang Valley), Queensbay Mall (Penang), Sutera Mall (Johor Bahru). As a reminder, you will be able to purchase the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus with a Limited Edition Starter Kit, get a 50% off retail price on the RM499 Gear VR with controller and RM999 Gear 360. However, here’s a bit of a preview on what you can expect at these roadshows asides from the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.

Priced at RM499 (RM249 with the 50% off purchase-with-purchase discount), the new Gear 360 is a compact device that captures images and up to 4K video or even broadcast live if you want. Front and back CMOS 8.4MP x2 / F2.2 lens cameras records video in MP4 (H.265) for up to 130 minutes at 2560 x 1280 / 30fps.

The Samsung Gear VR on the other hand, turns your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus phones into a Virtual Reality headset complete with a wireless motion detecting controller. There’s a whole bunch of apps and games to try out and our experience with the device was both smooth and awesome. It is also on a 50% purchase-with-purchase discount with the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus for RM459.

The star of the roadshow after the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus remains the Samsung DeX priced at RM459 which is a flip-up charging dock that literally turns your phone into a desktop PC. The DeX connects the phone via the USB Type-C port but connects to a TV or monitor using the HDMI cable. The DeX desktop is a full fledged windows based operating system complete with the ability to handle multiple apps in multiple windows while accessing the same data on your phone. You can then control this using a Bluetooth Mouse and keyboard. When it arrives here in June it should offer another option for mobile road warriors.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus phones come with various cases and accessories which are also on display at the roadshow. No news yet on when these will be available but you can check them out and see which might be the best fit for your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus style.


Apple iPad Pro release: M2 chip with up to 2TB storage, starting from RM3899

Besides the new 10th Gen iPad, Apple also introduced the next-gen iPad Pro with the M2 chipset. Although there's no availability yet, the local price has been announced starting from RM3899. There are a couple of new features too so read on below to find out.

It was only a matter of time before the iPad Pro got an upgrade and that's none other than the M2 chipset. To refresh your memory, the M2 has an 8-core CPU + 10-core GPU which are 15% faster in performance and 35% faster in graphics performance than the predecessor. Combining it with 16GB of RAM, the 16-core Neural Engine is 40% faster and can process 15.8 trillion operations per second.

The M2 chip also features 100GB/s of unified memory bandwidth — 50% more than M1 — and supports up to 16GB of fast unified memory. Obviously, this allows the iPad Pro to do more demanding work such as HD photo editing on the spot, 3D designing, healthcare analysis as well as mobile gaming. The M2 also extends to the new media engine and the image signal processor, which combined with the advanced cameras, enable users to capture ProRes video for the first time and transcode ProRes footage up to 3x faster.

The 2nd Gen Apple Pencil can now detect up to 12mm above the display. With Scribble, text fields automatically expand when the pencil gets near the screen, and handwriting converts to text even faster. In terms of connectivity, the new iPad Pro supports WiFi 6E with downloads up to 2.4Gb/s, as well as Wi-Fi + Cellular models with 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave).

iPadOS 16 is set to be released on 24 October 2022 and will bring new updates for compatible iPads, such as new Mail and Safari tools. iPad users can look forward to the new Stage Manager, Weather app, photo and video interaction with Live Text and Visual Look Up, and others. There are several variants based on the display size and storage, so here it goes:

For more information, you can visit the official Apple Malaysia website right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Calls beta now rolling out for WhatsApp Web/Desktop users

Throughout this period, Zoom is probably the most popular platform for people to make online meetings and conference calls. That status might change in the future, as WABetainfo.com just found out that the WhatsApp team is developing Beta Calls on the WhatsApp Web/Desktop version as we speak.

Promptly called WhatsApp Calls, the beta program will be rolling out to selected users randomly. This makes sense because with the number of people working from home, many have also downloaded WhatsApp Web/Desktop to communicate easier instead of having to refer to their phones. From the screenshot, the new features will appear on top of the chat with the video and call icon.

Sources report that if you accept an incoming voice or call on WhatsApp Web/Desktop, a new small window will pop-up and have an online conversation there. As aforementioned, the beta is rolling out now and only a few people can get to try it out. We expect this feature to be official once WhatsApp Calls is ready.

So what do you think of this? This is definitely a convenient way for users who don't have an official Zoom membership and they can just use WhatsApp Calls for free. Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Chat now in beta, functions as a help system for users

As you may know, WhatsApp can be accessed on a PC without a smartphone. The desktop version is still considered in beta, with new features being added as time goes on. And it seems WhatsApp wants to keep users informed in a more official way.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will be adding an official WhatsApp chat account to WhatsApp Desktop. This verified account delivers tips for the desktop app, official announcements, and shoutouts for the latest features. Messages from this account will be read-only, so you can't respond to them with your queries. However, you can block or mute them if you want to.

Besides that, WhatsApp is also working on a few other features for the desktop app. One of them is the ability to share contact cards with other people. The update is already available via the Microsoft Store, albeit limited to selected users. In addition, users will soon be able to create polls with up to 12 options.

We can expect WhatsApp to add more features in the coming months, but is there one that you feel the app needs to prioritise now? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


WhatsApp Companion beta now available for Android users to link up to 4 devices at once

We have talked about WhatsApp Companion mode before and according to a new update from a source, the feature is currently in WhatsApp Beta for Android. Not only that but we also learn that this mode allows a single account to link up to four devices at the same time.

As an extension of multi-device support, only an Android phone or tablet is allowed as a second device. So even if you are using an iPhone as a primary WhatsApp device, you can still link to a second Android device. Of course, this is currently in beta so it's just a heads-up for all WhatsApp beta users.

Using WhatsApp Companion will allow other linked devices to sync all your chat history. However, some features like managing broadcast lists and posting an update status aren't available yet for beta testers. The source also said despite linking more than two devices, all messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted.

This is a pretty good update for Android WhatsApp users in the future. As for iOS WhatsApp users, they would have to wait a bit longer for WhatsApp Companion. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Companion mode in development that will allow you to link two phones at the same time

Previously, we reported that WhatsApp was developing a second version of the multi-device function. The team seems to have settled on a name called WhatsApp Companion that allows to you link a secondary device to your current WhatsApp account.

While this device has not been released yet, this means that you can use the same WhatsApp account on two devices at the same time. Do note that this is slightly different from using a smartphone and a desktop at the same time, but with two smartphones that are not possible at this moment.

From the screenshot, it's also mentioned that your current WhatsApp account will be logged out on your primary phone if you successfully link the secondary phone. However, that will only happen if you have two different WhatsApp accounts. Moreover, the linking will erase all locally stores messages and media files which can be backed up via Google Drive.

No testing has begun on iOS yet so this is only available on Android for now. Of course, iOS users will get to have it one day in the future. That's all we know for now. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Desktop now allows users to video and voice call others

It looks like this week we'll be getting two nice WhatsApp features. After introducing a mute button for videos that are about to be shared, the chat platform is now bringing the most wanted feature to the desktop version. It is announced that video and voice call features will now be offered on the bigger screen.

According to WhatsApp through the announcement, video and voice call services have been used more often during the pandemic as family or friends are trying to maintain social distance. Therefore, WhatsApp "wants conversations on the platform to feel as close to in-person as possible, regardless of where you are in the world or the tech you’re using," and it looks like the way to achieve it is to bring the features to the desktop version.

Functionality-wise, WhatsApp's voice and video call for desktop work in both portrait and landscape orientation. It can also appear as standalone windows for users to resize and set to always appear on top of other open applications. Furthermore, only one-on-one end-to-end encrypted calls are available currently to ensure they'll work perfectly on the desktop version. It is promised that it will be expanded to group calls in the future.

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


WhatsApp Multi-Device 2.0 update could be ready soon

The Multi-Device feature for WhatsApp is perhaps the most useful feature the app has. Of course, the feature does have some limitations. Case in point, it doesn't allow you to link multiple mobile devices. But sources indicate that this could change in the coming weeks.

According to WABetaInfo, a new version of Multi-Device is in the works. This update has been in development since September 2021. Long story short, the update would allow WhatsApp users to link a second mobile device to their account. This update is great for those who use two smartphones (personal+work) or own a smartphone and a tablet. It's an update that ensures you're always connected, so you can see how convenient it can be.

Besides that, the update is expected to improve Multi-Device and bring some fixes. The source didn't provide any details on that but did say that WhatsApp is working on adding missing features and providing more improvements to Multi-Device. This includes its ability to create link previews, faster login, end-to-end encryption, and more.

The release date for this update hasn't been confirmed, but we're expecting more info to show up in the coming weeks. Until then, stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


WhatsApp Multi-Device feature is now available on Android and iOS as a beta run

Two months ago, the WhatsApp team was working on Multi-Device support and it's finally available. Well, sort of - although the function has been rolled out to both Android and iOS devices, the Multi-Device is still labelled as a beta in the WhatsApp settings.

Anyway, in case you missed out on what is this Multi-Device feature, it is a new way for a WhatsApp user to link up to four devices without needing to be connected via a smartphone. If you enable it, you can send and receive messages with the WhatsApp desktop app or web-based service and your phone doesn't even need to stay online. However, it's not possible to delete a message or conversation through this.

On top of that, if your WhatsApp on your phone is outdated, you won't be able to use it. The WhatsApp team also ensures all personal calls and messages through the Multi-Device feature remain end-to-end encrypted. It's also noted that your linked devices will be disconnected if you don't use your phone within 14 days.

Since the Multi-Device is still in beta, there may be still some performance bugs or whatnot. If you would like to try it out, you just need to enter the Settings page -> Linked Devices -> Multi-Device Beta -> Join Beta. You can always leave the beta anytime.

An iPad version is in the works too so we should be expecting to see that feature one day. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Multi-Device feature will only work with Desktop, out beta for multi-device access

Earlier this month, Mark Zuckerberg hinted that multi-device access could be coming to WhatsApp soon. The company had allegedly solved some related technical issues and planned to release the feature soon. Now, we have some more details on it.

As the name suggests, Multi-Device lets you use your WhatsApp account on multiple devices, even if there's no Internet connection on your phone. According to WABetaInfo, the first beta version of the feature will only be available on WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Desktop, and Facebook Portal. In other words, you can't use it on a second smartphone or tablet - at least not yet.

There are also few more things worth pointing out. First, you can only link up to four devices to one account. In other words, you can have combinations like one smartphone and three PCs. Also, you won't be able to call or send messages through your linked devices to people with outdated versions of the app. And while left unsaid, you'll definitely have to accept the new data privacy policy.

Since Multi-Device is in the beta testing phase, we might be able to get the feature really soon. It's really useful for people who work on multiple devices, so I'm looking forward to it. Are there any other features you would like to see added to WhatsApp? Share your ideas in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates.


WhatsApp Multi-device could allow for two mobile devices soon

For a lot of Malaysians, WhatsApp is the chat messaging app of choice. It's a user-friendly app and has useful features like Multi-device. The public beta was made available to Malaysians just recently, but an update is already in development.

If you recall, Multi-device allows users to link their WhatsApp account to up to four computers via WhatsApp Desktop/Web without needing their phone to be connected. And now WhatsApp wants to make this feature better with Multi-device 2.0. According to WABetaInfo, version 2.0 will allow users to link to a second mobile device. When you connect to the second mobile device that you linked, it will sync and download all messages.

The second mobile device will download your messages from a server

This is possible because everything is now linked to a server, though WhatsApp promises that security is there with end-to-end encryption. From personal experience, WhatsApp's Multi-device feature is useful for work. For instance, you could Photoshop an image on your iMac and send it to someone. Then receive responses normally on your Windows laptop while you're away on your lunch break.

Being able to connect to a second mobile device might not be as useful. But in what scenario would you find it good to have? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


WhatsApp Multi-device now entering public beta

If you use multiple devices, it's useful if your apps can connect across devices. That's what WhatsApp has been working on in the last few months. An update last month suggested that the Multi-device feature is coming soon, and we have an update on that.

As announced by Facebook, Multi-device support for WhatsApp is taking a big step towards full release with its first public beta. Multi-device allows WhatsApp users to use the app on one phone and four other devices. For example, you could have it on your phone, a Windows PC, and a Mac PC. With this feature, you don't have to worry about losing access to WhatsApp if your phone's battery runs out.

All devices connected to your WhatsApp account will still have end-to-end encryption applied to them. On top of that, it will sync your data across all connected devices. This includes your contacts' names, chat archives, starred messages, and more. But it does have some limitations, such as the inability to call someone on their sub-devices. In other words, if their phone is switched off, the call won't go through.

Are any of you in WhatsApp's beta program? If yes, have you been able to test Multi-device yet? Let us know what you think about it so far! For more updates on the feature, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Apple iPad Review

I want to share with you some pros and cons about the Apple first generation iPad. The Apple iPad is more or less a device that is going to fill the void between the iPod touch and laptops. If your looking for a full fledged laptop encompassed in this little device your going to be disappointed. However if your in search of a lightweight web browser, music player and a game portal you're going to be blown away. Even though there is still alot of speculation over the iPad, I'm going to list some of the pros and cons so you can make an educated decision on your own!

The iPad only weighs 1.5lbs, gives you a display of 9.56 in (24.3 cm) × 7.47 in (19.0 cm)  and is only 0.5 inches thick. These dimensios couldn't be any handier and puts the iPad in a class of its own.

Straight out of the box the Apple iPad has over 140,000 apps that you can download and use. On the bigger screen these apps are much easier to use and read. there is also going to be an enormous number of Apps that are specifically designed for this fantastic little creature.

This is going to be one of the major components of this device. You'll be able to download your favorite books at half the cost with the tap of a finger. They have a bookshelf that is personally catered to your liking. As always, in Apple style, with a tiny tap the book will open up for you.

Bigger, Better, and Faster Photo Viewing

What's even more amazing is you can do everything with photos that you can do with an iPhone touch with a much larger canvas.

The virtual keyboard is as big as a real one. Some people are totally against virtual keyboards therefore Apple has integrated an optional wireless keyboard to those that are more comfortable using it. This does make it a bit less portable but for many it's mandatory.

Apple claims that you can run the iPad for 10 hours straight without a charge. We'll have to see how true that is, especially when it comes to gaming.

Flash files make things a bit slower and they do have limits. This is understandable with the smaller iPhone but for the iPad it' should be better. The blue question mark when there is no flash players is annoying for anyone. Honestly, nobody can have a great Web surfing experience without Flash. Apple needs to sort this out with Adobe ASAP or find an alternative with iPad 2.0 sooner than later.

Your not able to multi task. iPads have raised our expectations and multi tasking is a must for everyone these days. With such a powerful processor, apple should have been able to incorporate multitasking on iPads easily. You can't listen to music while surfing the web unless the station is streaming on Safari. We can put up with the battery life getting shorter, but definitely not without multitasking.

There isn't any wireless or  HDTV connection to a TV. I have no idea why Apple hasn't thought of connecting the two most important appliances that everyone needs. Undoubtedly these features will have to be added in the 2nd generation iPads or this device will be left on the shelves.

There is no camera. This seems foolish especially with the great photo options this machine has. A camera will make it very popular with every generation. I'm sure it has to do with the price but a camera option is a must, period.

You can tap on a movie to see it in either fullscreen or widescreen. It is not as wide as most widescreen formats, but it doesn't make a big difference watching movies either way you view it.

We all know that there is no device that is perfect with it's first generation release and it is surely likely to improve and have added features on the wish-list. Overall the iPad rocks and I plan on making it my best friend, especially for books.


WhatsApp Multi-device now in open beta for Android and iOS

Yesterday, many of us found the PCs linked to our WhatsApp account suddenly unlinked. Well, that's because the company finally made an update to the Linked Devices feature. That's right, by now you've probably noticed that Multi-device is finally available to us.

If you go to the settings (3 ellipses on the top-right corner) of WhatsApp now, you'll notice that Linked Devices was updated. The app will ask if you'd want to access the public beta for Multi-device directly through the app. Yup, you don't need to sign up for the beta version of WhatsApp on Android or TestFlight. You can also opt-out of the beta if the feature is too buggy for you.

Left - You can opt-out anytime; Right - You can link to WhatsApp Desktop or WhatsApp Web

Facebook announced the first public beta for the feature back in July, so it's great to see that it's now finally here. As you can see from the screenshot, this feature allows you up to 4 other devices to connect to your WhatsApp account. This works even if your phone isn't connected to the Internet. Personally, I've linked my desktop at home and office laptop with no issue. You can't use it on a tablet though unless it's via a browser.

For more details on Multi-device, check the FAQ. Anyway, how many of you have gotten access to WhatsApp's Multi-device and how is it working for you so far? Share your experiences in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


WhatsApp Premium now in beta, offers special features to business users

For many Malaysians, WhatsApp is part of life and a popular communication tool. It's so widely used that even local businesses use it to talk to customers. If you're in that gang, you should be interested in what WhatsApp Premium has to offer.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp Premium is being rolled out to WhatsApp Beta on Android and iOS. As you can tell from the word 'premium', this is an optional subscription plan that's designed to provide special features to business accounts. WhatsApp Premium allows businesses to create a unique custom business link, which can direct customers to a landing page and initiate chat sessions.

For example, instead of memorising a phone number, customers can contact the business via a link like https://wa.me/mybusiness. As you can see, this is much more recognisable than a string of numbers. Premium subscribers can also link their business accounts to as many as 10 devices. That means businesses can have multiple customer service officers manage conversations with customers.

WhatsApp has yet to announce the subscription fee, so we'll have to wait for the beta to be completed. But what do you think about this premium service, would you subscribe to it? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


WhatsApp Reactions now available and it's rolling out today on Android and iOS

Just a few hours ago, the CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg just posted that reactions on WhatsApp will start rolling out today. Although we haven't got them yet, we just have to wait patiently for this exciting function to appear soon.

At the moment, the reactions available are the same as on Facebook, which are the Like, Love, LOL, Wow, Sad and Praying/Thankful reactions. On top of that, Zuckerberg also said that more reactions will be added in the near future when they are ready. As long as you update your WhatsApp to the latest version on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, you should be able to react to certain messages accordingly.

WhatsApp Reactions is one of the "Communities" functions that the company has been working on for a long time. Besides that, the other recent update that we got was the upgraded video call group with up to 32 people at the same time. WhatsApp also said that you may now send files up to 2GB in size as well and there's a plan to upgrade the group chat to add up to 512 people.

Right now, the only update left is the Admin delete whereby the admin of a group has the power to remove an errant or problematic message completely. We assume that this means the "Message has been deleted" won't even appear after deletion. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp Web could have fingerprint authentication soon

Have you ever wonder if someone would hijack your PC to use your WhatsApp Web to troll others? Well, WhatsApp has been thinking about it too and may have a solution for that. The company has seemingly been testing a new security function.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has been testing fingerprint authentification for WhatsApp Web. Specifically, you'll be required to use the fingerprint sensor on your phone to authenticate new web sessions via the WhatsApp mobile app on your phone. Currently, users have to scan the QR code that appears in the WhatsApp web UI for the mobile app to be 'linked' to your PC.

It's reported that the new fingerprint authentication is also used for creating new WhatsApp Web sessions. We're not sure if you have to authenticate every time you restart your session, though we hope it's the latter so that it would be more secure. The current version allows you to uncheck a setting so you log out after a session, but that's not a very convenient feature.

What do you think, should WhatsApp make it so that you have to scan your fingerprint every time you login into WhatsApp Web? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for further updates on this.


WhatsApp Web on the desktop FINALLY supports dark mode!

Frequent users of WhatsApp Web on the desktop will be pleased to know that the website finally supports dark mode. In order to turn on the feature, simply log into your account on WhatsApp web, click on Menu (the three dots on the right of your profile picture) and select “Settings”.

Then, click on “Theme” and select the “Dark” option in order to switch from default to dark mode. With all that said, what are your thought on WhatsApp Web on the desktop finally having the dark mode feature? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp announces Android to iOS chat migration feature is now live

WhatsApp has rolled out another most-requested feature, allowing Android users to transfer their chats to iOS devices. Migrating chat data from iOS to Android was made possible with the release of the iPhone-to-Android chat migration tool about a year ago. Therefore, we're glad that the platform finally figured out how to let the users do it the other way around.

Moving data between devices with the same operating system is as easy as ABC. However, when it comes to cross-platform, it raises the difficulty to another level, which could be why we're only getting the feature today. Furthermore, users will also need to satisfy the requirements before transferring the chats, which can be found in the support document, so it's definitely more complicated.

A new way to keep the chats that mean the most Today, you’ll have the ability to transfer your entire chat history from Android to iOS and vice versa. Now you have the freedom to switch to and from your preferred devices.

It's worth mentioning that peer payment messages and WhatsApp call history won't get migrated, but the old Android device will still have the data after the migration. If the device no longer belongs to you as you're selling it or for other reasons, you'll want to erase the data by performing a factory reset.

We believe this would make many people's lives easier, what do you think? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


WhatsApp announces new upcoming security features

WhatsApp have announced that they will be rolling out several new security features in the coming months. This includes, Account Protect, Device Verification and Automatic Security Codes.

First of all, Account Protect is used when you switch your WhatsApp account to a new device. It will then ask you to verify that it’s really you using your old device first, to avoid any unauthorized attempts at moving your WhatsApp account.

Device Verification on the other hand includes additional checks to authenticate your account while the Automatic Security Codes checks if you’re actually talking to the correct contact. This is done by manually checking the encryption tab under a contact’s info, to make sure that the conversation is secure.

WhatsApp has not given any specific Malaysia release dates for these extra security features but they did say the “next few months”. So, just be patient and wait for the rollout. Would these features be enough to convince you about WhatsApp’s security? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com


WhatsApp begins beta testing for reaction with all emojis and GIFs

Not sure about you, but we've been enjoying using the emoji reactions on WhatsApp. If you're not, it's probably because you can't find your favourite emojis from the limited six options. Soon, you might love it as not only you can react with all the emojis but also GIFs.

According to WaBetaInfo, the update is already available for beta users on iOS and Android. It adds a 'plus' icon to the pop-up when you long click on a message. After that, you can select any emoji you like or go further with the GIFs. It's worth mentioning that other messaging platforms such as iMessage and WeChat only let you use stickers as reactions instead of emojis, so the thing WhatsApp does here is quite impressive.

WhatsApp has been bringing updates that some of us actually want. These include adding waveforms to the voice notes to skip the silence or letting users leave a group quietly. The messaging segment is fierce with Apple, Telegram, WeChat, and even Facebook Messenger plus Instagram from WhatsApp's parent company. Therefore, it's no doubt that WhatsApp has to keep up to keep its users.

What do you think about this feature? Drop a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


WhatsApp beta now has split view mode for Android tablets

If you've ever worked on tablets, you would realise that some mobile apps aren't optimised for larger screens. Some developers don't make tablet versions of their apps, so they just end up looking like larger versions of their smartphone counterparts. Well, WhatsApp is looking to fix that.

According to WABetaInfo, the Android version of WhatsApp beta has received a new update that's relevant for tablet users. This enables a split view on tablets, so you can have the menu or chat groups on one side and conversations on the other. In other words, it works more like WhatsApp desktop instead of the regular mobile interface.

Besides that, WhatsApp has other changes on the way. One of them is a redesign for the chat attachment menu for the iOS version, which should make the app more intuitive experience and easier to navigate. The company is also working on a way for users to silence all calls from unknown numbers. This could be super handy for us Malaysians, as there are more spam calls via WhatsApp these days.

So, what do you think about the upcoming changes above? Is there a feature you think WhatsApp should be implemented? Share your ideas on our Facebook page!


WhatsApp bringing 'view once' to text messages

WhatsApp users are allowed to send view-once photos to others. Soon, they'll also be able to send view-once messages. WABetaInfo discovered that the feature is currently in beta testing and could make its way to the global audience in the coming weeks.

Works just like view-once photos, recipients of the view-once messages can only access them once. After that, the messages will be gone. Besides that, there's also another feature called 'Disappearing messages'. It allows users to choose when the messages will be deleted after a time limit.

It's said that these features are to get rid of some privacy concerns. Sometimes, you would want to send something that is a 'one-off'. Therefore, these features would come in handy when you want to do so. Since they're in beta testing, it's believed they're about to roll out in the near future.

What do you think about view-once messages on WhatsApp? Leave a comment to share your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


11.11 Shopee Super Sale starting from today, daily Spin to Win giveaways, RM11 deals and more

After the 9.9 Mobile Shopping day, Shopee Malaysia have kicked off their 11.11 Shopee Super Sale starting from 1 to 11 November offering RM11 deals, free shipping, daily giveaways, the Spin to Win game and more. With more than 3000 brands offering discounts up to 90% off and the Shopee Lowest Price Guarantee (if any buyer finds a lower price for the same item on another platform, Shopee will refund them 120% of the price difference) in effect. Drop by www.shopee.com.my/1111 for more details.


5 Rewards you can expect from buying the Huawei Nova 5T tomorrow

We've been talking about the Huawei Nova 5T for some time now and tomorrow (7 September) is finally the day of the official sales launch. At RM1599, there are more than a few reasons to purchase this phone with flagship performance specs, 5 AI cameras, sleek design, and hidden features like the One Tap Share and Video Ringtone.

If you've missed out the pre-order sales, no worries! The sales launch will have additional rewards worth up to RM1127! Without further ado, below is the list of 5 Rewards you can expect to get from buying the Huawei Nova 5T!

Exclusively made for Huawei users, the Member Center app offers a lot of attractive deals and promotions. If you're a new owner of the Nova 5T, well, you're in luck because of rewards worth up to RM1000!

Among the many promotions, one of the outstanding ones is the popular Korean drama streaming service - Viu and if you're a fan of this, you'll be granted 3 months of premium subscription vouchers! In addition, you can also save up to RM120 when you have a minimum purchase of RM400, as well as a 37% discount on Sunway Lagoon tickets.

On top of that, there are also dahmakan, Celebrity Fitness, American Tourister, GSC, Photobook Malaysia, Baskin-Robbins and more!

Another perk of purchasing the Nova 5T is that instead of having just a 1-year warranty, Huawei Malaysia will offer an extra 1-year extended warranty. That's a total of 2 years and it will be valid for every unit until 30 September 2019!

Of course, the Nova 5T comes with an exclusive gift. Customers who purchase the devive will be able to get the SuperCharge car charger which is super useful if you're on the go and need a fast charge on your Nova 5T. If you've been looking to get one of these, now is a good time so you better hurry up while it lasts!

If you're looking to trade-in your Nova phone, that's viable as well! Introducing the Level-up Program, you can 'level-up' your Nova series with a discount of up to RM905!

The Level-up Program will be available from 7 September 2019 onwards at HUAWEI Stores. If you're a Huawei Nova user then this is the time to get an instant boost up to what is currently the top Nova device in the series!

Last but not least, the last 'reward' for purchasing the Nova 5T is the phone itself! As we mentioned before, this device sports cool specs such as the 5 AI Cameras that play a role in your daily life for any kind of shots you need, from a wide-shot of nature to hipster portrait shots.

The 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor can take near professional-quality shots with AIS Super Night Mode embedded. If you need a beautiful ultra-wide shot, the 16MP Super Wide Angle lens has got you covered. The 2MP Depth Assist lens is more than enough for any OOTD shots in portrait mode with a blurry background, while the same goes to the 2MP Macro lens to discover the little things up close, and finally, the 32MP front-facing camera for your selfie or Instagramable moments.

Nothing can go wrong with the trendy design either. Available in MidSummer Purple, Crush Blue and Black, the shining effect is intended for the young generation fashion sense with a gradient colour body and minimalist logo design. On top of that, you also get flagship tier specs with the likes of the Kirin 980 chipset and GPU Turbo 3.0 for your gaming experience.

In conjunction with the Nova 5T official sales launch, the MediaPad M5 Lite will also be on sale as well! For RM1299, the 10.1-inch tablet sports multiple eye protection and Harman Kardon certificated sound system with a Full HD IPS display, supported by a 7500mAh battery. Customers purchasing the tablet will also get a free mini speaker while stocks last.

So what are you waiting for? You may purchase the Nova 5T or the MediaPad M5 Lite on their official website or your nearest Huawei store during the weekend! Enjoy the additional rewards worth up to RM1127 including the rewards from Member Center and also a free HUAWEI SuperCharge Car Charger (worth RM127), the additional rewards are eligible for pre-order customers too!

Stay tuned for more local deals at TechNave.com.


Apple iPad and iPad Mini release: USB Type-C port, 5G connectivity, 2nd-gen Apple Pencil support from RM1499

Today, Apple has officially announced the new iPad, and, after 4 long years, the iPad Mini, starting from the price of RM1499 and  RM2299 respectively. The new iPads come equipped with various new features including the second-generation Apple Pencil, USB Type-C port, and the new iPadOS.

If you're interested in getting the cellular variant, it will be available starting from the price of RM2119 for the new iPad while cellular variant for the iPad mini starts from RM2949. Do note that the Apple Pencils are sold seperately with the first generation is priced at RM419 and RM549 for the second generation Apple Pencil.

To go into detail, the new iPad comes with the A13 Bionic chipset, which performs up to 20% fast compared to its predecessor. The aforementioned tablet has a 10.2-inch Retina display, ultra-wide-angle selfie camera with up to 122-degree field of view while the back has an 8MP camera, and it supports the first generation Apple pencil that lets you quickly sketch and take notes.

Other than that, Apple also finally unveiled the new iPad Mini that’s equipped with an 8.3-inch Retina display, A15 Bionic chipset, stereo speakers, and USB Type-C port, allowing it to support most USB Type-C accessories available on the market. Furthermore, the new iPad Mini also supports 5G connectivity, allowing it to achieve up to 3.5Gbps download speeds, which is significantly faster compared to its predecessor.

Last but not least, it’ll also support Apple’s second-generation Apple Pencil which can be attached to the side of the iPad Mini for increased portability. Unfortunately, there’s no information on the Malaysia release date, for now.

With all that said, what are your thoughts regarding the new iPad and iPad Mini? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp chat history can now be transferred from iOS to Samsung phones

A few weeks back, we got the news that WhatsApp was working on a new iOS-to-Android feature. It wanted to make it possible for users to transfer their chat history from one platform to another. This would be useful if you plan to migrate to Android.

Soon after, Samsung confirmed that it would get the feature on their Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. In its latest blog post, WhatsApp has announced that the feature is officially available. Specifically, those who have Samsung devices running Android 10 or higher. There are also a few other requirements to note, including the obvious need for a USB-C to Lightning cable.

You just need to follow the Samsung Smart Switch setup process

Anyway, what do you need to do to start? To export your chat history from your iOS device to your Android one, connect the two devices via the cable. The Android device also needs to be a fresh one in factory settings. Next, follow the Samsung Smart Switch to import your data. You can get the step-by-step on the FAQ page.

Now that this feature is starting to roll out, would you be looking to convert from using an iOS phone to an Android one? Which phone do you wish would be the next to receive this chat history transfer feature? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


WhatsApp client for the PC might be available in the near future

Based on a statement by wabetainfo.com, it seems that the developers of WhatsApp might be planning on developing a fully-fledged WhatsApp client for the PC very soon. While not much is known in regards to the release date of the feature, it does give us a better idea on what to expect as soon as it is globally available.

According to what was seen on our source’s website, it seems that the PC client might not need the main device to have an internet connection. However, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that the developers of WhatsApp have yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

What are your thoughts on the developers working on a PC client for WhatsApp? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp continues to improve with a new "disappearing messages" feature

After the WhatsApp team brought a new storage management tool to their messaging app a few days ago, they are not stopping to improve the app that has two billion users by again releasing a new feature today. From now on, users can now set their messages to disappear after a certain time.

The disappearing messages feature is now starting to roll out to Android and iOS users. For now, users of the app can only set seven days for the messages to disappear. A spokesperson stated that seven days "feels like a nice balance between the utility you need for global text-based conversations and the feeling of things not sticking around forever.” However, the team will keep an eye for feedbacks to decide whether to include more options in the future.

One of the purposes of making the messages disappear is to avoid some personal messages from staying for too long regarding privacy concerns. It can also make group chats more manageable by eliminating the messages that are sent ages ago. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the messages will disappear no matter that the person has read it or not.

Let us know what you think about this new WhatsApp feature on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more interesting app updates.


WhatsApp could allow users to sign in to multiple devices at the same time in the future

Based on a statement by wabetainfo.com, it seems that WhatsApp could allow users to have their account signed in to up to 4 devices at the same time. While there is no news on when this feature will be available, this means that signing into another device will not sign the user out of the previous device they were using.

However, it is best to note that even if the multi-device feature were to be available to the public, chances are not all features might not be utilized right away. Not only that, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Facebook has yet to provide an official statement on the feature mentioned above.

Would you be interested in using the multi-device feature as soon as it is available in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp could allow you to send self-destructing pictures in the future

Based on a statement by wabetainfo.com, it seems that WhatsApp could soon have a feature called “Expiring media” sometime in the near future which could allow users to send pictures and video that expire after a certain duration. While not much is known in regards to when this feature will be rolled out to the masses, our source also mentioned that it might also notify the sender if the recipient were to screenshot the sent media.

Do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Facebook has yet to provide an official statement on the leaked info. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, as well as which operating system it’ll be available on.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on WhatsApp having the Expiring Media in the future? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp could be getting Facebook-like message reactions soon

When it comes to social media platforms, we're usually there to enjoy content from other users. And while we're at it, we often express our thoughts through different mechanics, such as the reactions in Facebook. Well, what if more platforms got reactions?

According to WABetaInfo, sources have found that WhatsApp might add message reactions to the platform in the future. If you recall, Facebook now owns WhatsApp, so the messaging app could be getting Facebook's message reactions. These reactions include 'Like', 'Haha', 'Angry', and more.

As a reminder, reactions are basically emojis that you can attach to a piece of content to express your... well, reactions. We're assuming that WhatsApp plans to have reactions to work across all types of content. That includes regular messages, images, and voice messages. Currently, the feature is being tested by a small group of beta users.

Personally, I love this idea. Sometimes you don't have anything to say, but want to show that you're paying attention to conversations. In such cases, message reactions would be a great substitute. But what do you think about this? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news.


WhatsApp could be getting animated stickers soon

The team developing WhatsApp has certainly been working hard this year. This year alone, the limit on group video calls was expanded, a dark mode was added, and more features are on the way. Recently, it was also revealed that animated stickers will be coming soon.

According to Gizchina (via Android Police), WhatsApp has started to test animated stickers in the latest beta version of the app. Currently, you're able to view animated stickers in the current beta version. However, the stickers only play once and won't loop properly, at least not yet. WhatsApp has yet to test the importing of stickers from third-party sites or downloading of them from the WhatsApp Store that is also still in development.

Besides the stickers, WhatsApp is also working on allowing users to share contact info via QR codes, make payments, and sync their WhatsApp account to multiple devices. All of these features are still in development, so we're not sure when they will be ready but we'll keep an eye out for updates. Until then, stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


WhatsApp could be used on multiple devices simultaneously in the future

Based on a tweet by @WABetainfo, WhatsApp could possibly come with a feature that allows it to be used on multiple devices simultaneously. While they have not given us an ETA of when this feature will be available, the new update gives users greater flexibility when it comes to communicating via WhatsApp.

While not much is known on how they are going to implement this feature, speculations have mentioned that Facebook might authenticate users similar to how iMessage verifies their users. With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt as Facebook has yet to comment on tweets.

And this is the iPad app that I talked about :-)I can tell that the iPad app is READY but WhatsApp will release it when the feature to use the app from more phones (at the same time) is ready.NO ETA! https://t.co/OhH73R7cKb

Would you be interested in utilizing WhatsApp on multiple devices? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp could have disappearing messages in the future

Based on a statement by AndroidAuthority, WhatsApp could be getting the disappearing messages feature in the future. To go into more detail, this feature lets the user determine how long the messages will stay visible before it deletes itself from both the sender and the recipient's device.

Based on the screenshot provided, the user can have the messages be visible anywhere from 5 seconds up to 1 hour. However, there is a big possibility that the user will have more options in terms of the duration in the future. As of now, there is no official information on the Malaysia release date of the feature and on which device it will be available to first.

With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt as there was no official statement made by the developers of WhatsApp for now. Would you be using the disappearing messages extensively as soon as it is available? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp could potentially stop users from taking a screenshot of their chats in the future

Based on a report by thestar.com.my, there will be a feature that will be included in a future called Authentication, which will stop users from taking screenshots of conversations that are determined by the user. That being said, if the other user does not enable the aforementioned feature, they will still be able to take screenshots of the the private chat.

I’m pretty sure once the feature has been finalized and ready for deployment, the feature will then block users from both ends from taking screenshots of their app. WaBetaInfo has yet to provide any information on when this feature will go public, and how it would affect us. For more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Apple iPad mini 6 could be launched in the second half of 2021

After launching the 2021 iPad Pro last month, Apple might be planning the launch of the 2021 iPad mini (a.k.a iPad mini 6) later this year. According to the same report released by reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo which talked about the foldable iPhone in 2023, it is mentioned that a touch-panel supplier will benefit from the release of the new iPad mini in the second half of 2021.

Previously, the analyst revealed that the upcoming iPad mini will feature a 9-inch display with a design that is similar to the iPad Air. If it's true, the iPad mini will feature smaller screen bezels and have its Touch ID button moved to the side. However, a Japanese media Macotakara suggested that it will feature an 8.4-inch display instead, still larger than the current 7.9-inch.

Besides a new iPad mini, the tech giant could also bring a refreshed standard iPad to the market. It is expected to arrive with a new processor alongside the iPad mini this fall. For now, we could only wait for more rumours or leaks to appear so that we can further confirm the existence of these Apple products.

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


WhatsApp dark mode currently in beta

It seems that Facebook is currently testing WhatsApp’s dark mode, which is good news because not only does it use less battery on certain smartphones, but it also strains the eyes a lot less as well. If you are interested in testing out the dark mode for yourself, you will have to download a beta version of WhatsApp which can be found on the Google Play Store.

Based on a statement by David Murphy on lifehacker.com, it is possible to sideload the beta version of WhatsApp Beta version 2.20.13 which is the version that has the dark mode feature. However, due to the fact that you will be downloading the app from third-party repository, the safety of your smartphone might be at risk.

Would you be keen on testing out the dark mode on WhatsApp Beta? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


WhatsApp explains their privacy policy is meant for marketing and advertising on Facebook and Instagram

After Elon Musk told his followers on Twitter to switch to Signal app from WhatsApp, there was a sudden spike in new registrations and verification code delays due to the number of new users. In case you missed it, WhatsApp recently updated their privacy policy on how they share your data with other Facebook-owned platforms, which got a lot of people feeling uneasy.

With that, the WhatsApp team just posted a message to address some of the false information that was published online. They claimed that they are still protecting your private messages with end-to-end encryption, so even Facebook nor themselves can see your private messages or hear your calls. Moreover, they also cannot see your shared location, share your contacts nor keep a log of who is messaging or calling.

All in all, WhatsApp's new privacy policy does not affect your messages with friends and family. However, that still sounds a bit contradicting because they do share data with Facebook-owned platforms as mentioned. In that regard, it's more to helping solution providers to "use all chats they receive to improve your experience on Facebook and Instagram with targeted advertisements." A solution provider is a tool for businesses which also have their own privacy practices.

In spite of that, some users still think it's uncool for ads to appear even if just talking about a product briefly without any intention of buying it. In our experience, it's still a scary thing to see the ads appearing right after a conversation with your friends and family. But what do you think? Will you give WhatsApp a second chance? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


WhatsApp finally brings end-to-end encryption for chat backups

One-to-one and group chats are secured with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on WhatsApp. However, the cloud backups of the chats were not until now. It's finally announced that the messaging platform will also offer E2EE on chat backups for users, which means literally no one can access your chats now without the encryption key.

Before this, the chat backups were stored in unencrypted format on respective cloud servers, and basically, anyone who has access to the backups can read the chats. Users could secure the backups with two-factor authentication (2FA), but it only happens when you try to restore them on your devices. However, it's sure that WhatsApp doesn't have access to the backups.

With an extra security layer added for the backups, users can now opt to enable the feature by manually storing the 64-digit encryption key or setting up a password. The former will need you to manually enter the key to decrypt your backups, while the latter allows you to set your own password to gain access to the encryption key. WhatsApp warns that it's important to remember the password as repeated unsuccessful attempts will lock you out of your backups permanently.

Are you glad that WhatsApp has added an extra security feature to the platform? Let us know your thoughts on this by leaving a comment. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech report.


WhatsApp finally releasing a new storage management tool to delete every photo and video spams

If you take a look at your smartphone's data storage, there's a good chance that WhatsApp is one of the highest storage space app hoggers, no thanks to the millions of photo and video spams sent by friends and family. Thankfully, the WhatsApp team have finally rolled out a new Storage Management Tool for better and easier file management.

We don't know when the update will arrive but we assume that it's currently rolling out globally as we speak. Clearing out your storage will be easier as demonstrated in the video, you just need to go into WhatsApp settings -> Data and Storage Usage -> Storage Usage. The new interface should look the same as the video and you should see "Forwarded many times", select all (if you wish) and poof, they shall be gone and more space for your phone.

By the way, to keep yourself from being spammed by photos, videos, audio and documents, you can turn off the media auto-download for each one to save you the trouble. On top of that, you can also still manually delete the files by going into the same Storage Usage and select a chat room of your choice to clear out the trash. Keep an eye out for the update and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.