Second shipment of Acer Revo One Hello Kitty Edition now available in Malaysia for RM1499

Did you know that ever since Acer Revo One Hello Kitty edition was unveiled, it was snapped up by fans within days? In such a good response, Acer Malaysia has managed to secure a shipment of another 300 units for the Malaysian fans. It comes packaged with a matching Acer exclusive keyboard and mouse and is available at select Acer resellers at a starting price of RM1499 including 6% GST.

Don't be so quick to look down on the device too, aside from being adorable looking, it has a powerful 7.1 surround sound system, HD resolution and a huge storage space, also measuring in just 106.5 (W) x 106.5 (D) x 155 (H) mm, making it an ideal companion for digital entertainment and multimedia sharing that gives high quality audio and video.

The two model options are made available which are - Intel CoreTM i3 processor or Intel Celeron processor and the corresponding 1TB or 500GB storage which is paired with an upgradable 4GB DDR3L RAM. Overall, it offers the same functionality as the award-winning Acer Revo One, including the Acer Revo One Suite app which turns any Android phone or device into a remote control for this lightweight home PC.

Furthermore, it also boasts an additional SATA HDD expansion via easy Hot Swapping, well equipped with various connectivity standards and connector ports, including wireless networking of 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n for the Intel CoreTM i3 model, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, card reader, LAN port, audio jack, two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, as well as supported by its dual display (HDMI and Mini Display Port) feature.

For more information, please visit Acer Malaysia’s Facebook or call Acer Product Infoline at 1800-88- 1288 (9am – 6pm, Mondays to Fridays).


Second-wave of Samsung Galaxy Fold pre-order will start on 18 October 2019

Samsung Malaysia has officially announced that pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Fold will be back on the 18 October 2019. However, it is only available in limited quantities at all participating Samsung stores, as well as partnering retailers across Malaysia for the price of RM8388.

Furthermore, you can head to selected local Samsung stores to experience the foldable smartphone before purchasing it. In terms of the colour options available, the device will come in either Cosmos Black or Space Silver. Do pay Samsung’s official website a visit, if you are keen on finding out more about the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Would you be pre-ordering the Galaxy Fold on 18 October 2019? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Secure Digital Association lists out new SD Card specification for app use on memory cards

As the latest Android now supports Adoptable storage – external storage that can extend the size of the internal storage – and even some integration SD cards into the phone itself – the Secure Digital Association, the body that governs the SD Card standard, has announced a new specification called SD 5.1 that introduces the Application Performance Class.

This specification is important if you use your SD card to install apps. The new rating guarantees that an SD card can maintain a minimum amount of constant input-output accesses per second. The new and only Class A1 rating sets a standard for read rates of 1,500 IOPS, write rates of 500 IOPS and sequential streams of at least 10MB/s. More ratings will be created as cards and requirements become faster.

We will definitely see more cards with this new standard in the market real soon. So stay tuned to TechNave as we bring more news on the new specification from the SD association.


Apple AirPods Pro firmware update brings Conversation Boost

As you know, Apple released iOS 15 recently, which introduced some new features. Not a lot of people have upgraded to the new version yet, as users might not consider it worth upgrading to. But the new upgrade for the AirPods Pro could be useful for some people.

According to MacRumors, the firmware update for the AirPods Pro has brought a useful feature to the earbuds - Conversation Boost. As the name hints, Conversation Boost helps the AirPods Pro focus on the person speaking in front of you. This means it's easier to hear them during conversations. It doesn't sound impressive, but this can be useful for those with hearing problems or if you're in a noisy environment.

However, there's no simple toggle for the feature. To enable Conversation Boost, follow these steps: Settings > Accessibility > Audio Visual > Headphone Accommodation. Once there, select Transparency Mode and enable Conversation Boost. Of course, your AirPods Pro has to be updated to firmware version 4A400.

As you can tell, the new upgrade could make the AirPods Pro a useful product for people with mild hearing loss. It'll be cheaper than getting professional hearing aids too. But what do you think about that? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Security agencies from the US are debating whether to ban HONOR

HONOR is now doing great after leaving HUAWEI. Not only the brand has made it into the top smartphone rank in China, but its laptop division is also performing well by getting more market share. However, it seems like that the company could return to the old days as the US is considering banning it.

According to The Washington Post, staff members of the Pentagon and Energy Department want the company to be on the entity list, which is the list that bans HUAWEI from trading with US companies. However, the Commerce Department and State Department opposed, claiming that it would only hurt the US economy more than China.

The brand is now owned by Zhixin New Information Technology, a company formed by two state-backed investors, tied to the Shenzhen municipal government. Since HONOR does not make nuclear materials or components, nor its devices are sold in the US, the opposing side claims that it makes zero sense to go against the brand.

HONOR hasn't made any statements regarding the matter yet, but we hope that the company is able to be free from this mess. What do you think about the news? Leave a comment to let us know and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech report.


Security experts say get Nexus or Samsung phones for a secure experience

Having a secure mobile experience is crucial these days, as many unscrupulous people will want to get their grubby little fingers into your account. Hence why a secure mobile phone is important. A security analyst said that the best phones to have now are the Nexus devices, and phones from Samsung.

Gal Beniamini, a respected security expert and member of Qualcomm’s Product Security Hall of Fame, demonstrated a serious security vulnerability affecting all devices that had not yet received May’s monthly security patch. Since 57 percent of smartphones in the Android ecosystem have yet to receive that patch, this means that the majority of devices are vulnerable to this particular exploit.

Only Nexus and Samsung devices were spared from the exploit. Hence they advise everyone to get their smartphones from these two brands. Of course if more companies release the security update quickly, more brands will be spared from this exploit, and be saved from trouble.


Security researcher created a zero-day malware with ChatGPT

Chatbots are doing increasingly more these days. They can answer questions, write articles to a certain extend, and apparently code programmes. In fact, platforms like ChatGPT could even code malware, despite existing protections.

According to Digital Trends, a researcher named Aaron Mulgrew managed to create a zero-day malware using ChatGPT. For your info, a zero-day malware refers to a malware that exploits a vulnerability that hasn't been detected by the software developer yet. Such malware has the potential to cause a lot of damage, depending on the severity of the vulnerability.

A prompt to ChatGPT for coding to find PNG files

Originally, this shouldn't have happened because OpenAI has protections that prevent users from developing malicious software code. However, Mulgrew was able to bypass the restriction by prompting the chatbot to create the functions for the malware individually. Within hours, the Forcepoint security researcher made a malware that disguises itself as a screensaver to steal data. If you want the details, you can check out the researcher's blog post.

This proves that ChatGPT could be as dangerous as it is useful, so OpenAI will have to seriously improve the security for its platform to prevent this. But what do you think, should we be concerned about how else ChatGPT can be misused? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news.


Security researchers say iPhone users who cares about privacy should delete the Facebook app

While technology is getting more convenient for us, our online privacy is also something that we should be concerned about. According to security researchers, iPhone users who take this seriously should just delete Facebook because of how the company collects your data.

What's even worst is that security researchers discovered that even if you don't allow the app to gather your data information, Facebook somehow managed to find a way to continue tracking in the latest iOS update. How it was discovered is that Facebook is using the iPhone's accelerometer to constantly monitor your movement.

In other words, no matter where you are with your iPhone and even the data in the photos you take such as location and time, Facebook will always know where you are. As you can see from the video above, Facebook groups up the data from your iPhone's accelerometer with the data gather around you.

Besides Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are doing the same thing too although not as bad as the former. iPhone users can still disable the tracking in WhatsApp and Instagram, but only if the latter has the DM opened. As human beings, it's natural to take our privacy seriously but the problem is Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are widely used around the world so it's hard to switch to an alternative.

But what do you think? Would you still use Facebook? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


See Nokia's Internal Torture Tests!

Last time we got a peek at Samsung's internal testing for their smartphones, so this time around we have some internal testing and quality control from Nokia. Like all the other smartphone makers Nokia does tumbler testing, heat testing, water testing and other forms of endurance testing. Check it out for yourself below but do note that the testing is only for Nokia Asha phones so if you're hoping for a Lumia torture test you're out of luck.


See Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 benchmark test results

When the Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 tablet first appeared, all it had going for it seemed to be an Exynos 5 Octa chipset with a 2K (2560 x 1600 pixel) display. Recently, what appears to be benchmarks of the device under the model name of SM-P905 appeared showing that it could be packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and processor. This was proven when the device got an AnTuTu score of 35901 which is so far, the realm of Snapdragon 800 powered devices. In a comparison between the Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) which uses the Exynos 5420 chipset the rumoured Note 12.2 showed marked differences in performance, again proving that it isn't using Exynos 5 hardware. We're quite impressed with the overall AnTuTu score of 35901 though, as it means there probably won't be any lag despite the onboard 2K display. No news on pricing or Malaysia release dates but we'll keep you posted.


See how the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 Plus looks like in black

If you happen to be one of those people who thought how would a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and 7 Plus look like in black, well you’re not the only one. Turns out some aren’t fans of the combination of white and red, and one dude decided to do some surgical operation to see how it looks like.

Danny Winget, a YouTuber who did the make over changed the body of the 7 Plus and replaced it with a Jet Black 7 Plus. Not only did he change the body, but the logic board as well so that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor can work. Below are some of the hands-on pictures that Danny took.

So what do you think? Still think it looks better than the original white and red? Do you think Apple should try other colours? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more Apple news at TechNave.com.


See how the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 gets tear down

A new tear down guide on the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is online, but it’s not from iFixit.com but rather some folks from MyFixGuide.com who made the entry.

According to MyFixGuide.com, the Mi Max 2 parts are quite modular so they can be replaced independently. Removing the back cover was easy for them since the middle frame is not like those high-end body glass or metal material, so as the battery by using super sticky tape. Inside the body, the motherboard, battery, and most of the components are replaceable and repairable.

Still, we recommend that you don’t mess with the Mi Max 2 if you’re really a pro in it. Anyway, if you want to see the full step-by-step pictures and guides, you can click at the source below. Stay tuned for more Xiaomi news at TechNave.com.


See how to use the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 video through pop-up book

While the previous Samsung Galaxy Note 3 video ad didn't really help sell the phablet with it's rather weird puppetry, Samsung have come out with another promotional video that shows off the features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 along with some mention of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, this time through a stop-motion pop-up book. We think that it is quite creative and helps highlight features like Air Command, the new S Pen, and all of the Air Command functions such as Scrapbook and S Finder. Check out the video for yourself:


See how unbelievably far the Huawei P30 series can zoom in and why they're worth the wait

Anyone who has tried taking photos with their smartphones from the back in a dark concert hall will tell you, most of the time, pictures don't end up very well. However, leaked camera samples from what appears to be their upcoming Huawei P30 series, have revealed just how powerful their zoom is from a normal seat at a Blue concert. The pictures seem to be composites of three pictures, one in normal, one in the highest lossless zoom and one in the maximum zoom (probably using digital).

Clearly you can see that the lossless zoom or middle pictures showcase some really powerful zoom, maybe even more than the current 10x periscope zoom recently reported being seen on the Huawei P30 Pro. Going all the way to the maximum with digital zoom (we're assuming it’s probably 15x) and the camera samples show that you can even take portrait shots of the band members.

While the maximum digital zoom shots are obviously not as clear as the lossless optical zoom images, what strikes us is that they even managed to get a shot at all, as most zoom shots at 15x usually end up a blurry mess. This seems to indicate that Huawei have included some much improved stabilization as well, at least enough to take fairly clear shots of the band from the back, at a normal seat in a dark concert hall.

What do you think? Well, we won't have long to wait as the upcoming Huawei P30 series is set to be launched in Paris on 26 March 2019 and we will probably be there to check it out, so stay tuned to TechNave.com. In the meantime, check out the shots below.


Apple AirPods Pro is official with Active Noise Cancellation, coming to Malaysia for RM1099

Today, the much-rumoured Apple AirPods Pro has been announced and it will be arriving soon in Malaysia through the official website and the Apple Store app. Priced for RM1099, the new AirPods Pro will require Apple devices running on the latest iOS 13.2 update, as well as iPadOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, tvOS 13.2, or macOS Catalina 10.15. On top of the pricing, Malaysia customers will be able to customize a personal engraving on the AirPods Pro, AirPods with Charging Case and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case for free as well, so that's cool. Speaking of charging cases, the AirPods with Charging and Wireless Charging Case is available for RM699 and RM879 respectively. Customers can also order the standalone Wireless Charging Case for RM439.

In case you're wondering about the difference between this and its predecessor, the obvious one would be the all-new design with a new earbud for each side and has three different sizes. the shape is more oval this time and it has a sweat and water-resistant grade. Also, Apple integrated Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with two microphones for removing the background noise back and forth.

How this works is that the AirPods Pro will detect the background noise and create an equivalent anti-noise that cancels it out on the outward first microphone, and likewise for the second inward-facing microphone. It's said that the noise cancellation continuously adapts the sound signal 200 times per second. The first microphone is outward-facing and detects external sound to analyse environmental noise. AirPods Pro then create an equivalent anti-noise that cancels out background noise before it reaches the listener’s ear. A second inward-facing microphone listens toward the ear, and AirPods Pro cancel remaining noise detected by the microphone. Noise cancellation continuously adapts the sound signal 200 times per second. Besides the ANC, there's also a Transparency Mode for users to listen to their songs and the environment around them by using a pressure-equalising vent system and software that leaves just the right amount of noise cancellation active. This mode can be switched in between with a force sensor which can be done by pressing hold the AirPod Pro stem below the outward microphone. This also works for controlling music and calls.

You can even share a song, podcast or other audio streams between two sets of AirPods with Audio Sharing

For performance, it is sporting an Apple-designed H1 chip which has 10 audio cores that can create extremely low audio processing latency of H1 enables real-time noise cancellation. And for battery life, it can deliver up to four and a half hours of listening time and up to three and a half hours of talk time on a single charge, as well as over 24 hours of listening time or over 18 hours of talk time via Wireless Charging Casing.

This is certainly a big jump compared with the predecessor, are you going to get one? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Apple news at TechNave.com.


See the ASU Cast 1 Projector wearable in action

Apparently we missed some things from CES 2016 and the ASU Cast 1 Projector wearable is one of them. Featuring a mini detachable laser projector with a touchscreen, the ASU Projector can be worn on your wrist where it projects the time, music playback details and notifications and even receives calls on the back of your hand. Or you can prop it on a tripod or mount to show voice command directions, full colour 720p movies or even browse the Internet. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but you can check their site for more information.

ASU Cast 1 Projector tech specs include:


See the Huawei P30 capture even more details of Fasha Sandha's Rizman Ruzaini wedding dress

Just a day or so more until the official launch of the Huawei P30 series and here's another look at the finer details it can capture with its powerful zoom-in capabilities. Previously capturing Fasha Sandha's pre-wedding photos with similar zoom-in capabilities, this time around we can see the finer details of a Rizman Ruzaini wedding dress, right down to the facets of each sequin on the veil via the super close up shot.

Rumoured to possess a maximum 50x digital zoom, 10x hybrid lossless zoom and 5x optical zoom, the Huawei P30 or P30 Pro used to capture this image certainly is impressive. Even more so, is if it does come with a Time-of-Flight or ToF sensor it would be the first quad rear camera done right. No news yet on what wonders this ToF sensor can add on to the P30 camera capabilities yet, but we should be able to see it soon as it is expected to be launched on 26 March 2019 in Paris but you can catch it yourselves on YouTube or here.

Building off of the Huawei Mate 20 series, other tech specs that we expect to be featured in the Huawei P30 include the dual NPU Kirin 980 chipset, 8GB to 12GB of RAM, 128GB to 512GB of storage and more awesomely coloured bodies. Rumoured to arrive in Malaysia on 6 April 2019, it could also come included with freebies such as a Huawei Watch GT Active Edition, JBL Clip 2 Bluetooth speaker and a Huawei Backup dual charger + 1TB external hard disk drive. For now, stay tuned to TechNave.com as we bring you all the latest in tech.


See the Sony Action Cam in action with these sample videos

The Sony Action Cam offers those who take videos on the move a quick and easy method of recording high quality videos at smooth frame rates. Priced from RM1699 and coming with a variety of accessories (including the wrist mounted Live View video remote controller) we took the Sony Action Cam for a spin recently, trying out its low light, GPS and on the move performance in the various sample videos below. Stay tuned for the full review and check them out for yourself.

Sony Action Cam: SMART tunnel 4x speed with GPS


See what Samsung does so you can fold the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 100 times a day

Samsung’s latest foldable display smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 feature a tougher, stronger hinge that they say can be folded 100 times a day for 5 years, or about 200,001 times during that same time period. We’ve tested and reviewed both and we can safely say that they are the toughest foldable display devices with IPX8 water resistance from Samsung yet.

Just to make sure though, Samsung did a behind the scenes video on how they actually test (or to put it more accurately... torture test) their Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 smartphones. While there’s no drop test, the tests do put the phones through water resistance, folding, S Pen usage and more, but you can check it out for yourself below.


See what the next mobile phone from Lenovo may look like

While many companies are trying to manufacture foldable or bendable phone designs, Lenovo is actually the first to show a working prototype. At their Lenovo Tech World event where they announced the Moto Z and Lenovo Phab2 family, they also showcased working foldable smartphones to the public.

One design sees a long-ish smartphone that is actually bendable. One mode sees it as a normal smartphone, while the other allows it to be wrapped around your wrist like a bracelet. The UI of the phone also changes between the normal mode and the bracelet mode – giving it a tremendous advantage for this type of design.

The other is a basic tablet design that can be folder in half to change from a full-sized tablet to a phablet phone. The UI also will morph depending on the form factor of the device. While the two devices are still in prototype stage, it shows tremendous potential in smartphone design, and we at TechNave look forward to see what the future holds from Lenovo.


Sega announces Sega Mega Drive Console Anniversary Edition, for fans of nostalgia

After Nintendo with their Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System, its Sega’s turn to ride on the nostalgia bandwagon, with their Sega Mega Drive Console Anniversary Edition. Like the Nintendo’s product, it is a full-blown console. Unlike them however, this still accepts Sega Mega Drive cartridges.

This Sega Mega Drive release is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog game, and it will come in two different forms – one is a home console, the other a portable one. The home console version comes with the console itself, and two controllers to play the 80 built-in games that includes the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star 2 & 3, and three Mortal Kombat games. The home console can accept original Sega Mega Drive cartridges, allowing players to play their old games.

For the portable console version, the same 80 games are loaded on the device, and players can load legally obtained ROMs into SD cards, which can be read by the portable console. If you are inclined to get one for yourself, it can be yours for a preorder price of USD 65.62 (~RM 267) for both versions, and it will be available sometime in October.


Sega might reboot Crazy Taxi as one of the titles under Super Game project

Sega is preparing for something like the Nintendo 64 on the Nintendo Switch Online by presenting all its classic games under one package. The company is reportedly throwing a big budget into rebooting the classic titles through the Super Game project, and one of them might be Crazy Taxi.

The company first announced the plan back in early 2021. Besides that, a rebooted Jet Set Radio could also be under development. Although not much was revealed regarding the project, the former PlayStation executive leading the project, Shuji Utsumi, tipped that it would involve a series of AAA titles leveraging cloud gaming. Furthermore, the project has something to do with NFTs as well.

In the beginning, Sega had mentioned its Silver Age blockbusters, including Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon and Virtua Fighter. Therefore, these titles are what we assume could make it into the final products. However, since the company hasn't announced anything formally, it's still better not to get your hopes high at the moment.

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


Sega now owns the Angry Birds franchise after purchasing Rovio for ~RM3.42 billion

Japanese global holding company and video game giant Sega Sammy Holdings (Sega) is now the owner of the popular Angry Birds video games franchise. This is after Sega bought Rovio Entertainment, the Finland-based company behind Angry Birds for EUR706 million or ~RM3.42 billion.

As reported by the BBC, Sega said that the decision to buy Rovio was driven by the need to “strengthen its position” in the global gaming market. The Japanese company said that the percentage of mobile gaming is expected to increase to 56 per cent by 2026.

Angry Birds was the first mobile game to be downloaded over one billion times. Furthermore, the franchise is popular in pop culture too, with Rovio already producing two Angry Birds movies.

Sega Sammy Holdings is the result of a 2004 merger between Sega and Sammy Corporation, with the former famous for its video game franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, while the latter develops and sells amusement arcade machines. A potential Sonic and Angry Birds crossover in the near future maybe?

Well, we just have to wait and see what happens. Until then, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!


Sega unveils the Game Gear Micro in conjunction with their 60th anniversary

In conjunction with Sega’s 60th anniversary, they have officially unveiled the Sega Game Gear Micro at the price of only 4980 Yen (~RM195). Due to the fact that there are 4 variants of the aforementioned handheld console, it’s possible to get all of them in a bundle for the price of 27255 Yen (~RM1068).

But that’s not all, you’ll also get the Big Window Micro lens which makes it easier to view the 1.5-inch display the Game Gear Micro comes with. It is best to note that each of the colour variants comes preloaded with different games such as Sonic The Hedgehog, Gunstar Heroes, Columns and more.

「#ゲームギアミクロ」10月6日発売決定！セガのカラー携帯ハードがミニを超えるミクロサイズに。4色のカラーにそれぞれ異なる４タイトルを収録。4色同時購入で特典「ビッグウィンドーミクロ」も登場！https://t.co/hXC36mF1qh#GOSEGA　#SEGA60th pic.twitter.com/0ZzPDygbwW

While the handheld console is available mostly in Japan, there is no official information on the Malaysia release date and local pricing for now. Would you be interested in getting the Sega Game Gear Micro 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.


Selangor Government to subsidize RM20 per month for the B40 group in using SIM Internet data and more

Today, the Selangor State Government just announced a new Selangor Internet Data programme. As part of the Kita Selangor 2.0 Package, this initiative's mission is to offer unlimited SIM card subsidies and internet facilities to 70,000 people in the B40 group category.

Originally, the programme was available at RM35 per month but the subsidy assistance is now RM20 per month for the next 12 months so that the recipients can have better internet access. In other words, the B40 group will just have to pay RM15 per month during the period.

As for the M40 group, the Selangor government also launched the Selangor Internet Scheme Category M40. This helps to provide subscription subsidies for in-house internet packages that are worth between RM10 to RM30 per month. Overall, the state government has allocated RM17.5 million for the Internet data of Selangor.

Other than that, they also announced a bunch of other financial assistance to the B40 and M40 group category. You can check out the rest of the summary on their official Facebook post right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple AirPods Studio could be delayed due to production problem

For Apple fans, the upcoming AirPods Studio is surely one of the products they're looking forward to. We've seen what looks like it could be the final product, but it looks like the launch is still a ways to go. In a new rumour, it's said that this new wireless headphone is going to be delayed.

According to Jon Prosser, Apple may have run into an issue with the production of the AirPods Studio. Allegedly, this resulted in a need to cut a few features from the final product, which is why production has been delayed. While there's still a chance that it could be announced and launched by December this year, it's also likely the headphone won't be out till March 2021. Also, note that there isn't any detail on what features were cut.

Technically, this means that (if everything goes smoothly and no further issues arise) they could still announce in November and ship in December.But it’s also just as likely that B515 (AirPods Studio) don’t see release until March 2021.I’ll do my best to keep you updated.

Besides that, Prosser also mentions that Apple could launch the AirTags soon. It's expected to launch when iOS 14.3, the version that will have features related to AirTags, is ready to launch in November 2020. Since Apple is already beta testing iOS 14.2, this timeline for iOS 14.3 seems more or less accurate.

Remember though, the info above is still considered rumours, so do take them with a pinch of salt. Having said that, are you interested in getting the AirTags or AirPods Studio when they are launched? Do let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Selangor Immigration Department introduces MyOnline Passport Kiosk for eligible walk-in applicants

The Selangor Immigration Department (JIM) has announced the introduction of MyOnline Passport Kiosk at the Shah Alam Urban transformation Centre (UTC). Aimed at facilitating the process and application of obtaining a passport, the initiative is a proactive approach by the department to help walk-in applicants to its office at UTC, especially during peak hours.

In an official Facebook post, Selangor JIM shared that the state have 2900 Malaysian International Passport (PMA) applications per day and almost 60,000 applications per month. As such makes Selangor JIM one of the highest PMA-producing offices in Malaysia.

Hence, the introduction of these kiosks will make the process smoother and allows for customers to obtain a PMA more easily and quickly. The department further elaborated that those that are eligible to use the kiosk facilities include applicants aged 13 years and above and not from the new PMA application category, the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwD), renewal of lost and damaged PMAs and students aged 21 and below who wish to continue their studies abroad.

Speaking of the kiosks, Selangor JIM also hoped that such an initiative can be expanded nationwide. For now, it is only available in Selangor.

So, what do you guys think of the MyOnline Passport Kiosk by Selangor JIM? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion situated in Masjid India are now on lockdown!

The government has announced that Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, which is situated in Masjid India to put under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) making it the fourth location after 2 Simpang Renggam areas, 7 Villages in Hulu Langat and Menara One City were put into EMCO.Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob mentioned the decision was made after 15 Covid-19 positive cases had been detected at both premises by the Ministry of Health’s (MOH). The EMCO for these two buildings involves 6,000 residents in 365 residential and commercial units which mostly are foreigners. All were sealed to prohibit residents and visitors from exiting and entering the area.

Current Status of Covid-19 in Malaysia since 7 April 2020

This order takes effect from 7 April until all residents have been screened while the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Civil Defense Force, the Kuala Lumpur City Council, and RELA will be stationed in the area to ensure full compliance from the residents. Other than that, Ismail Sabri also said that the new zone-based MCO standard procedure (SOP) will be announced by the Home Minister(KDN) and the National Security Council (MKN) this coming Thursday.

With that said, there have been 170 new confirmed cases yesterday in Malaysia so please do not let loose of your hygiene and just stay at home unless you need to buy your essentials. Stay tuned for more local news updates on TechNave.com!


Selangor announces the implementation of "Digital ID" in 2023

Selangor people could be moving one step forward in the digital era. The Selangor government has announced a new initiative called "Digital ID" in the Selangor Budget 2023, a digital identity system that can be used to access various public services.

With a Selangor Digital ID, residents can access services provided by the state government. It doesn't require them to register for different digital IDs for various services, as one is enough. As of now, it's still unknown how helpful it would be for the residents.

The implementation of this digital identity system is expected to start in 2023. It would be the first plan that gets carried out to ensure that Selangor continues to progress in various service implementations and operate efficiently by 2025.

What do you think about such a system? Drop a comment to let us know your opinion, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech news.


Selangor forms cyber response team to combat cybercrime

In Malaysia, cybersecurity remains something that few are well-versed in. There are reports of Malaysians who got their online accounts hacked, or even their credit card info stolen via websites. This is an area the Selangor state government wants to improve in its state budget for 2023.

According to Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (Selangor Menteri Besar), Selangor will be forming a Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) in a bid to improve the state's cybersecurity measures. CERT has been tasked to protect, detect, and respond to any cyber attack, as outlined by the Malaysian Cyber Security Strategy 2021-2024. As you might have guessed, the goal is to reduce the risks of cyber theft or exploitation/misuse of the data belonging to people in Selangor.

The minister has confirmed that the team will have at least five members. A budget of RM20 million will be provided to the team throughout a duration of five years, with RM2 million to be allocated in 2023 to jumpstart the project. For your info, cybercrime is a real problem in Malaysia with Selangor alone recording losses of up to RM98.2 million as of September 2022.

Now that there's a precedent, perhaps we might see a similar setup on the national level. With that said, will this response team prove successful? What else do you think our government can do to improve cybersecurity? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news.


Selangor launches ‘Go Selangor’ app to boost tourism, costs RM3 million to develop

The Selangor state government via Tourism Selangor yesterday launched the ‘Go Selangor’, a mobile app that provides tourists full access to tourism products in the state. The only state tourism app available in Malaysia, it is hoped that the platform can help boost the economy in Selangor.

State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman, Hee Loy Sian said the app will serve as a 'one-stop centre' for various merchants comprising of operators and traders to encourage tourists to explore the interesting locations in Selangor. He further stressed that the launch was in line with his team's efforts in digitising the tourism industry in Selangor.

The development of the app was announced by Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari on 26 November last year. Since then, the app was developed in partnership with Tourplus Technology, a local startup company for an estimated cost of RM3 million.

As reported by Selangorkini, Loy Sian said that the Go Selangor app is very convenient, whereby tourists can easily purchase tickets, book hotels, chalets, homestays, transportation and various others through it. So far, there are over 300 merchants registered on the app with the team targeting 100,000 merchant registration by the end of 2022.

Speaking of which, there will be no charge for the first year for traders and operators that want to register as merchants on the app. An annual fee of RM300 will be enforced starting from the second year.

Android users can now download the Go Selangor app via Google Play Store. As for iPhone users, the app will only be available on the Apple App Store next month.

What do you guys think of the Go Selangor app? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for all latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Selangor lose RM120 million due to 613 illegal telco towers built in the state over the last decade

Selangor State Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Committee chairman, Ng Sze Han today revealed that a total of 613 illegal telecommunication towers were built in the state over the past decade. Speaking in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Ng said that action will be taken against the owners of these towers, including the issuance of demolition notice for the illegal structures by the end of March.

Furthermore, Ng, who is also the assemblyperson for Kinrara elaborated that the number was obtained from the Periodic Monitoring Operation and Site Audit report carried out in cooperation with Yakin Telesel Sdn Bhd (YTSB) last year. Ng was replying to a question by the Assemblyperson for Balakong, Wong Siew Ki who wanted to know the number of illegal telecommunication towers in Selangor, the effects on the state government’s revenue and actions taken about it.

According to a report by national news agency Bernama, the Selangor state government lost a revenue of RM1.2 million per year due to these illegal towers. Furthermore, Ng also asserted that most of the owners had built the towers without going through the proper process. These include seeking residents’ opinions and a technical review from the relevant departments.

The Kinrara Assemblyperson also clarified that no action were taken against the telecommunication companies previously because the state government must first ensure that telecommunication network in the area would not be affected. Moreover, the state government must also provide a suitable alternative before taking any action.

What do you guys think of this revelation by the Selangor state government? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and follow TechNave on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Selangor ramps up 5G connectivity in the state, set to build another 1553 network towers this year

The Menteri Besar of Selangor, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari today confirmed that the state would be building 1553 5G network transmitters in the state this year. He further elaborated that the installations will be done in four stages.

Speaking at the Selangor State Legislative Assmebly (DUN) today, Amirudin said that the 5G network is capable of providing fast internet of up to 10Gbps with 1ms latency. The network will also benefit up to 1 million devices per square kilometre.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, the Selangor Menteri Besar said that the towers are poised to be built at 5 of the state’s districts. These include Sepang (185 units), Petaling (560 units), Klang (272 units), Hulu Langat (345) and Gombak (191).

He further elaborated that out of the total 1553 towers, 361 would be built in the first quarter of 2022, 442 in the second quarter, 393 in the third quarter and 357 in the fourth quarter. Amirudin also confirmed that the state government through SMARTSEL Sdn Bhd is drafting a proposal for cooperation with Malaysia’s single wholesale network provider, Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

The Selangor Menteri Besar revealed these information in reply to a question by the Assemblyperson for Bukit Gasing, Rajiv Rishyakaran in the Selangor DUN today. Rajiv asked about the state government’s plan to ensure that the installation of the network towers did not disturb nearby communities.

If you're interested to know more about the current state of 5G networks in Malaysia currently, do check out our special report on the matter here. For more trending tech news such as this, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave and follow us on Facebook as well as Twitter.


Selangor’s new flood warning system with 7-day advance notice to be ready by end of March

Following the severe floods that plagued most of the state in December last year, the Selangor State Government has announced that a new flood warning system will be operational by the end of this month. The high-tech system will be able to predict floods 7 days in advance as well as areas in Selangor that will be affected.

The matter was announced yesterday by the Selangor State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Izham Hashim who believed that Selangor will soon be able to manage future floods more effectively with the new system in place. As reported by Malay Mail, Izham said that the 7 days advance notice will help to put rescue teams on alert to respond to any rise in water levels.

Izham further revealed that the severe floods last December led to the Selangor State Government reviewing its flood management system. Besides the new flood warning system, Selangor will also be installing automated system for waterway sluice gates which allows for more swift action when it floods.

He further elaborated that with an automated system for water gates, the authorities won’t have to send personnel to handle them manually on site. Furthermore, the State Government will also prepare more electricity generators for emergencies, especially since power stations are susceptible to shut down when it floods, such as what happened last week.

Let’s hope that these measures will help in mitigating the adverse effects of floods in Selangor in the future. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and as always, stay tuned to TechNave for all the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Selected Lenovo products will be the first in Malaysia to come with Microsoft Office pre-installed

Lenovo, in partnership with Microsoft, has announced that they will have Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 pre-installed at no extra cost on selected Lenovo products. These products include the Lenovo IdeaPad C340, S340, S540, L340, as well as the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO A340. The laptops currently goes for RM2799, RM2599, RM3499 and RM1799 respectively. The IdeaCentre AIO A340, on the other hand, is priced at RM2199.

The Microsoft Office suite will include essential software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, as well as the Onedrive Cloud storage for all your storage needs. If you are keen on finding out more about the products as well as the partnership with Microsoft, head over to any Lenovo Official Store across Malaysia.

What do you think the partnership between Lenovo and Microsoft? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Selected POCO phones are up for RM600 off on 12.12 Sale soon

Alongside Xiaomi Malaysia's year-end sale, POCO Malaysia will also have a one-day 12.12 Sale on 12 December 2022. Customers can look forward to this exclusive limited-time offer to save up to RM600 and receive shop vouchers for up to RM50.

Featuring the latest and popular products such as POCO F4 GT, POCO X4 GT, POCO F4 many more, POCO’s 12.12 sale is exclusively on Lazada and Shopee. POCO vouchers worth RM 20 and RM 50 with a minimum spend of RM 500 and RM 1,000 respectively are up for grabs too (terms and conditions apply, while stocks last).

You may refer to the table below for the full list of 12.12 special deals on POCO smartphones:

That's all, folks. Happy shopping and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple AirPods Studio spotted online and may have swappable earpads and headband

As Apple takes the spotlight this week with their recent Apple Event news (iPad Air and Apple Watch Series 6) and the release of the iOS 14 (and others), we got some news about Apple's upcoming AirPods Studio headphones that could appear alongside the iPhone 12 series next month. The headphones got spotted on Twitter and they look kinda retro.

According to @choco_bit, it seems that the AirPods Studio could come in black and white. There's even a cool pouch made just for the headphones to slot the earcups in instead of the whole case, although the new pouch doesn't cover everything. Apart from that, you can also see the cushion on the top and the earcups are box-shaped instead of the regular oval ones.

Probably Sport variant of Apples headphonesPersonally not impressed, looks too much like 2 Palm Pre's attached to 2 tuning forks :/ hard to unseeLooks a lot like what @markgurman described in April, but with homepod mesh pic.twitter.com/dzAufRRl7m

Watermark-less white. I did say they looked a bit worse IMO pic.twitter.com/AiYNMyfktR

Previously, other sources said that there could be two AirPods Studio headphones which are the premium and fitness type. From @choco_fit's leaked video, he thinks that the white headphone is the fitness type as the materials are quite light-weight. The design also matches the "retro-inspired" description by Bloomberg and rumoured to have swappable ear pads and headband pads.

There isn't a lot of features information but we expect Active Noise Cancellation to be part of it. There's still a month to go for the next Apple Event so until then, stay tuned for more trending gadget news at TechNave.com.


Selected ROG & TUF gaming series now offering 1 month free Xbox PC Game Pass

Microsoft's Xbox PC Game Pass has been getting a lot of attention lately in Malaysia. In an effort to promote the platform for Malaysian gamers, the company is collaborating with ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) to giveaway a free limited time for the Xbox PC Game with selected ROG and TUF gaming laptops.

Available for a month, ASUS Malaysia said that the redemption period is now available and will last until 30 June 2022. On top of that, Malaysian PC gamers who had already purchased any selected ROG and TUF gaming laptops from 1 January until 31 March 2022 are also qualified to redeem a one month Xbox PC Game Pass token.

To know which ROG and TUF gaming laptop is eligible for the token, you may visit the official web portal right over here. That's also the same page where you can fill in your details to redeem if you have already purchased one. For those who just bought it recently, you may activate it on your laptop to redeem.

We recently did an article on whether the Xbox PC Game Pass is worth subscribing in Malaysia, so you can check it out on the given hyperlink. Good luck have fun, and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Selected Samsung Galaxy products now come bundled with a pack of BTS photo cards

Yup, you read that right. The Malaysian BTS army is in for a treat because Samsung Malaysia will giveaway BTS photo cards for free. Of course, they would have to purchase selected Samsung Galaxy products first.

The promotion has already begun today and will end on 31 December 2020. Just so you know, the BTS photo cards won't be random and it package will include all the members - Jin, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, Suga, V, or Jungkook. On that note, this is also on a first-come-first-serve basis, while stocks last.

Anyway, below are the selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones and wearables that are eligible for this. You can also visit the official promotion page here to read the Terms and Conditions. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com!


Selected TMpoints in Green Zone will reopen for 3 days only from 4 May 2020 onwards

Based on a statement by malaymail.com, it seems that Telekom Malaysia will reopen their TMpoint outlets located at green zones on 4, 6, and 8 May 2020. As for the operational hours, the outlets will be accepting customers from 10AM until 4PM on the aforementioned dates.

Furthermore, those who are not wearing face masks and their temperature readings are above 37.5 degrees celsius will not be allowed to enter. As for the services available at the TMpoint outlet, you’ll be able to subscribe to new services, collect your SIM card, device collection, as well as operate the ™ payment kiosks that are available there.

With all that said, would you be heading to any of the selected TMpoint at green green zones across Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Selected U Mobile postpaid and prepaid plans are now available for 5G connection

As announced by U Mobile previously, its customers will be able to use 5G-ready postpaid and prepaid plans when using compatible devices today. Upon visiting the website, the company has already listed all the eligible postpaid and prepaid plans for 5G.

On the postpaid section, only the U Postpaid 38, 68 and 98 are 5G-ready. On the other hand, there are only two U Mobile prepaid plans for 5G - U25 and U35. It should be noted that the 5G connection on the prepaid plans is accessible through Speed Booster only, and it's only limited to an hour a day.

Yes, that's kinda weird but anyway, the U FamilyShare that's on the U Postpaid 98 would technically allow up to six lines to enjoy 5G connectivity as well. You will also need to check if your smartphone is compatible with 5G support as listed on U Mobile's webpage here.

The 5G expansion is slowly going around Malaysia. Initially, Digital Nasional Berhad's 5G single wholesale network started only in KL, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. As time passed, 5G is now available in Ipoh, Penang, Johor Bahru, Perak and others.

Have you tried 5G yet on your selected U Mobile plan? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Selected Xiaomi phones up to 29% discount and more found on Shopee

"Are you telling me there are more goodies to buy on Shopee?" Why yes, yes we are. In fact, we found more than just the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, there are other Xiaomi devices as well as some home appliances on promo sale from now until 21 July 2019 in this Shopee Mart promo period.

Electronics Mart by Shopee, the online vendor shop on Shopee that's selling all the products below, will be giving away a free voucher code SMLEMA5 which gives a RM5 rebate with minimum spending of RM100. It doesn't seem much but should be enough to get rid of the shipping fee. You can check out the table list below for your reference:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro (4GB RAM, 64GB ROM)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro (3GB RAM, 32GB ROM)

Khind RC918 Rice Cooker With Steamer 1.8L

Morgan Juicer Machine MJE-AA05W Large Feeding Tube Juice Extractor

In addition, Shopee has also launched a new Shopee24 Express Delivery service (which is on all the products mentioned above. As long as you put in your order by 2PM (excluding Sunday and public holidays, and only within Klang Valley), you can pretty much receive your products the next day. If this is what you're looking for, you can check them out in the hyperlinks in the table.

Stay tuned for more Shopee news at TechNave.com.


Selected vivo phones on limited-time promotions on Shopee starting from 27 June

Super Brand Day is coming back once again on Shopee and vivo Malaysia has something in store for their vivo fans and customers. Starting on 27 until 29 June 2021, shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to 77% with additional gifts and vouchers.

From the list, the latest vivo V21e will have a slight discount down to RM1249 as a limited-time flash deal. On top of that, customers who purchase the phone will enjoy a 1-year extended warranty, 1-year screen crack protection and a vivo sanitiser pouch but it's only exclusive on 29 June. ShopeePay users can enjoy up to RM77 rebate on their purchase when they checkout with ShopeePay as well as a limited add-on deal to purchase the vivo Wireless Sport Earphones and vivo Wireless Sport Earphones Lite at 77% off, limited to one purchase per user only with terms and conditions applied.

Shoppers can also enjoy up to 77% discounts on selected vivo products and limited-time RM 80* vouchers. You can refer to the table below:

Last but not least, vivo Malaysia is teaming up with Shopee Malaysia to host a vivo x Shopee Super Brand Day Instagram Filter Game. If you are interested, you can join and stand a chance to win exclusive vouchers and gifts from the Instagram story filter by vivo Malaysia. You just need to do the following steps below:

For more information about the vivo x Shopee Super Brand Day, please visit vivo’s official Shopee store or vivo Malaysia’s Official FB Page. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Selected vivo smartphones will be as low as RM299 on 11.11 Sale

At vivo Malaysia's corner, the company is putting up an 11.11 sales promotion on its online store in Shopee. This will be in conjunction with Shopee's 11.11 Big Sale which starts from 11 November 2020 and many of their budget-friendly gadgets are on a big discount.

Interested buyers who purchase the vivo Y91C, Y50 and S1 Pro smartphone are in for a treat because all three are now on a discount. Additionally, customers who purchase any vivo products on Shopee during the day will be entitled to claim exclusive vouchers. Each voucher can be worth up to RM70, with terms and conditions applied. Below are the details that you should know.

And...that's basically it! Enjoy your shopping and stay tuned for more trending tech sales news at TechNave.com.


Self-destructing images coming to WhatsApp in the near future

Based on a statement by @WABetaInfo on their Twitter account, it seems that the developers of WhatsApp could be working on giving users the ability to send an image that deletes itself after a few seconds. While not much is known in regards to when it will be available globally, it does give us a better idea of what to expect from WhatsApp in the near future.

If you look closely at the images, you’ll see that there’s a number at the button likely referring to the number of seconds before the picture deletes itself. However, do take every bit of 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.

WhatsApp is working on self-destructing photos in a future update for iOS and Android.• Self-destructing photos cannot be exported from WhatsApp.• WhatsApp didn't implement a screenshot detection for self-destructing photos yet.Same concept from Instagram Direct. pic.twitter.com/LLsezVL2Hj

With all that said, what are your thoughts on being able to send self-destructing pictures to another user? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Self-driving bus started trials in Singapore with fees of just ~RM0.60

It seems that Singapore has started a new 3-month trial for self-driving buses which can be booked via an app when you’re around the Singapore Science Park area. Based on what our source mentioned, while this isn’t the first time self-driving buses were tested in the city, it is the first of its kind to charge a fee of 0.20SGD (~RM0.60).

With all that said, what are your thoughts on the self-driving bus that’s currently under a 3-month trial in Singapore? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Selfie Sony Xperia C4 Dual pricing officially announced at RM1299

While it was announced for Malaysia last month, the pricing for the Sony Xperia C4 Dual was not officially announced at the time. Today, Sony Mobile Communications have set the price for the Xperia X4 Dual at RM1299 inclusive of GST. The Xperia C4 Dual is a selfie centric smartphone with a 5MP front camera and a front LED flash. The smartphone packs in Sony Exmor R camera sensors along with Dual SIM support and Sony 3D Surround Sound technology. It will be available in black, vibrant mint and white. Check out the full tech specs, features list and hands-on photos for the Sony Xperia C4 Dual below:


Apple AirPods are "Better Than Expected" according to first batch of users

The first batch of Apple AirPods have arrived in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and so far the users' experience and opinion on the wireless earpiece have been quite positive, particularly the Bluetooth connection range, recharge time, sound quality and others. Here's what they have to say about the AirPods below:

First, according to a Reddit user, he said that the Bluetooth signal is quite strong as he said: "so far I've been able to leave my phone plugged in in the kitchen and roam the whole house while getting clean Bluetooth audio the entire time.". Normally, being in some parts of the house is likely to affect the wireless earphone performance according to distance, but it seems that the AirPods have no problem in that.

In another case, a MacRumors forum member tested the AirPod by walking out of the house without bringing his iPhone, and the connection was still intact.

Apple's claim of recharging the earphone to 3 hours of music playback after just 15 minutes of charging is also accurate, as many users tested this. In fact, according to Redditor ChrisMorrisOrg, he was able to charge his AirPods from 30% to 100% fully in just 20 minutes.

To keep track of the Airpods battery level, users can add an iPhone battery widget details on the AirPods. As shown in the screenshot above, the left side shows the Airpods charging in the case, while the right side shows the Airpods being used without the case. Having the compact charging case around also means is easy to carry the earphones around, without having any fear of losing them.

In addition to that, one user found a "lifehack" when wanting to charge and making a call at the same time:

"PS: one nice touch: in a very long conversation when the battery of one of the Airpods was gone (after two sound notifications), I could keep one charging while using the reamining battery from the other. After 10 minutes, I could do the opposite with plenty of battery in the semicharged one. Call was never dropped and the other end didn't notice about these changes. Neat."

Next, perhaps sound quality is what most customers were most concern of, but believe it or not, the Airpods turn out "better than standard Apple EarPods" but only slightly. This is perhaps due to the lack of noise cancellation in the earpiece, as reviewed by ChrisMorrisOrg:

"Having used AirPods for a few hours today, I can say the audio quality is better than standard Apple EarPods, however, you do have a little bit of that ambient/white noise lingering around that you get with any Bluetooth earphones/headphones at low volume. Once you pass about the second notch on the volume, this disappears."

Another testimony from MacRumors reader Boardiesboi, also shared his sentiments: "They do sound a bit clearer and better than the standard EarPods. I'm no audiophile but I'm very happy with the sound quality."

"Have been using them with Facetime Audio for maybe 3 hours (until the initial charge of 65% they came with was gone). At the other end they could not identify I was using a headset or Airpods. This was in two different conversations. So I would say the quality of the microphones is indistinguishable from the one on the Phones and better than using the earpod's mic. I did speak in a quiet environment so can't asses about external noise, but the Airpods don't have active noise cancelation per se." he said.

In other cases, some users are experiencing some difficulty getting used to tapping the AirPods for Siri, as according to Redditor Portatort, he said: "double tap for Siri might require some getting used to. Most double taps don't seem to activate it. But I might not be tapping correctly.", as well as whether or not the product will stay firmly in their ears while exercising, but so far many felt that the AirPods makes quite a good exercise companion.

To sum it up, the AirPods "are better than expected." but have you read or heard anything about it from your friends and family? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Apple news at Technave.com.


Send e-Ang Pows this CNY with Boost e-Wallet app

The movement control order (MCO) stops us from visiting relatives this year, but it doesn't prevent you from sending Ang Pows. Yesterday, Maybank announced that you can send them via its MAE app. Today, Boost confirmed that its app will let you do the same.

Boost has enabled the e-Ang Pow feature for its e-Wallet app, allowing you to send them to your relatives even during MCO. You get to choose from 1 of 6 e-Ang Pow packet designs and can include a personal message before sending the Ang Pow. On top of that, you can designate up to 10 recipients to receive different amounts of e-Ang Pow money.

Note that basic Boost users can only receive e-Ang Pows. To send them, you will have to be a premium user. Also, you need to open the e-Ang Pow within 12 hours of receiving it or it is returned to the sender. Besides e-Ang Pows, you can also send e-donations this Chinese New Year. The app will allow you to send donations to NGOs and charities, which will be listed in the app.

There are a lot more deals going on with Boost, so do go through the app or website for more details. Having said that, what are your thoughts on e-Ang Pows? Do you like it or does it feel like it lacks a personal touch? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Send mail and parcels from home with Pos Malaysia's SendParcel service from RM50

One of the most annoying things to do is heading over to the post office just to have something mailed out. Finding the time to go was a hassle, looking for parking was a hassle and queueing was a hassle. Now, those days are gone thanks to Pos Malaysia’s new service, SendParcel.

SendParcel is an online shipping platform. It can book deliveries, generate shipping labels and make bulk orders online. It’s fairly simple to use as well. All users have to do is sign up, print out the consignment note once the booking is made and attach it to the parcel.

Packages for consumers are priced at RM50, RM100 and RM500. As for businesses, it comes with larger package options priced between RM1000 to RM20000 and comes with bonus credit. Credits can be used to make a delivery booking. These prices vary due to size, weight as well as the destination of the packages.

So far, the service is only available for domestic locations. Pickups can be arranged from either the user’s home or office as well to make things more convenient. What makes this service more convenient is the fact that users are able to get shipping rates instantly as well as tracking.

Now that we can shop online and send things through online portals, I guess at one point we truly never have to leave our homes to do anything. What do you think of this service? Keep up with the latest tech news in Malaysia on TechNave.com!


Senheng Offers Pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Senheng is really starting to surprise these days, especially with their recent slew of tablet and smartphone deals. This time around they have a pre-order registration for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. This 8-inch tablet sports S Pen support and should be available at Senheng or senQ stores in Malaysia starting from next week. According to the Senheng preorder, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 retails at RM1699 with 1 year warranty. The only extra perk that seems to come with this deal is that if you're a Senheng PlusOne member you also get another 1 year worth of warranty. While you can just as well wait till next week, this pre-order registration is just in case they run out of stock or something like that. So, if you'd like to make sure you get a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 by next week then do go to your nearest Senheng or senQ outlet to do the pre-order.


Senheng and senQ are offering the OPPO F9 for RM58.29 per month

As announced by OPPO Malaysia yesterday, they are currently giving out a RM999 lucky draw cash reward for those who are pre-ordering the latest mid-range OPPO F9 device. So if you're one of those who prefer a monthly instalment plan, it's applicable for the lucky draw too and OPPO's chain-store partners, Senheng and senQ are offering that.

Under a contract basis for 24 months, both Senheng and senQ are offering customers to obtain the F9 for just RM58.29 per month (with terms and conditions applied). That's also almost RM1399 (which is the original recommended retail price) when you calculate it and on top of that, a free gift box will also come together with the device after you pre-order online or offline from Senheng and senQ, which compromises of a limited edition F9 Tumbler, a Bluetooth speaker and a complimentary O-club Member card. Customers may collect their F9 from 30 August 2018 onwards.

To know more about the full tech-specs and whereabouts, you can check out our news coverage here. Stay tuned for more OPPO news at TechNave.com.


Senheng and senQ are offering the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ on pre-order with up to 4 years warranty + freebies and more

The Samsung Galaxy S10 series arrived with a bang and now Senheng and senQ are offering a special 6-day only pre-order deal on the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy S10+.  Officially available online and offline at your nearest Senheng and senQ store, it starts from RM3299 and RM3699 respectively from 22 to 28 February 2019. The pre-order will offer up to 4 years extended warranty along with extra benefits like instalment plans, complimentary gifts, trade-in and more.

Just like the official pre-order, the Senheng and senQ pre-order deal for the Galaxy S10 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM (RM3299) and Galaxy S10+ 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM (RM3699) will get you a complimentary Galaxy Tab A 7.0 + Galaxy Earbuds + 1 year Samsung Screen Crack Warranty worth up to RM1298. The Galaxy S10+ 8GB RAM + 512GB ROM will get a complimentary Galaxy Watch + 1 year Samsung Extended Warranty + 1 Year Samsung Screen Crack Warranty worth up to RM1479.

If you're a PlusOne member (it's just RM12 to sign up!) you get extra 1 year warranty on top of the Samsung warranty while PlusOne Citi member get extra 2 years warranty on top of the Samsung warranty. So if you're a PlusOne Citi member and you pre-order the Galaxy S10+ 8GB RAM + 512GB ROM smartphone, you'd get a total of 4 years of extended warranty!

In addition, if you pay an RM300 deposit with Boost e-wallet you can enjoy an extra RM30 Boost e-wallet Rebate along with a Sandisk OTG 16GB flash drive worth RM55. Even if you're not a Boost e-wallet user, you can still pay an RM300 deposit to lock the smartphone of your choice and pay the rest at your nearest Senheng or senQ outlet.

As usual, Senheng and senQ enables its members to pay in full or via instalments with 0% interest. If you choose the Extensive Instalment Option, you'll be able to pay through Maybank, Maybank AMEX, Public Bank, HSBC, CIMB and Hong Leong Bank and Citibank up to 24 months.

Maybe you'd like to trade up or trade-in instead? Senheng and senQ has that covered for you too. You can actually do a Trade Up Program with your old smartphone and get a rebate off up to RM2300. This is only applicable for those who make the purchase at any Senheng or senQ outlets though, but for more information, visit their website here to see how much you can get for your device.

Once you've done the payment, you can either pick a nationwide delivery (free shipping and East Malaysia gets it too) or store pick-up. If you choose store pick-up, you can just collect it at the nearest Senheng or senQ outlet at senheng.com.my and senq.com.my.

So that's all about the goodies and upgrade you can get from pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy S10+ at Senheng and senQ. If you want to know more, head on over to Senheng or senQ's website to check it out.


Senheng and senQ now offering Samsung Galaxy Note 9 + free 5000mAh power bank, SanDisk Dual Drive and more

The pre-order of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is already over and sold out even before the end of the period. But no worries, today (24 August 2018) marks the official sale in Malaysia and both Senheng and senQ will be launching the phablet for the same price starting from RM3699, with extra benefits such as instalment plans, complimentary gifts, trade up and more.

Just like the pre-order, the Galaxy Note 9 will be on sale for RM3699 in Ocean Blue, Midnight Black and Metallic Copper (all in 128GB). If you want the big one (512GB model), then only the Midnight Black has it for RM4599. Should you purchase either one of these models, the phablet will come with complimentary gifts including a 5000mAh battery power bank (RM69) and a SanDisk 16GB Dual Drive USB Type-C (RM55). Besides that, below are other benefits if you purchase from Senheng and senQ.

Senheng and senQ members should be familiar with this, if you're not then here are the options - you can opt to purchase the phablet at the full price with or without instalment plans. If you choose the Extensive Instalment Option, you'll be able to pay through Maybank, Maybank AMEX, Public Bank, HSBC, CIMB and Hong Leong Bank and Citibank up to 24 months. It is that simple!

Or perhaps you prefer to trade up? Senheng and senQ has that covered for you too. You can actually do a Trade Up Program with your old smartphone and get a rebate off up to RM3200. This is only applicable for those who make the purchase at any Senheng / senQ outlets. For more information, visit their website here to see how much you can get for your device.

Once you've done the payment, you can either pick a nationwide delivery (free shipping and East Malaysia gets it too) or store pick-up. If you choose store pick-up, you can just collect it at the nearest Senheng/senQ store and there will be a mystery gift given to you as well. Do note that the mystery gift is only applicable for those who opt for the store pick-up option to collect the phablet.

Do you have a PlusOne Membership card? What's in it for you? Well, there is a special benefit under that membership. For just RM12, you will be granted an extra 1-year warranty on top of Samsung's warranty after you purchase the Galaxy Note 9 which is nice. If you already have one, make sure you log in at senheng.com.my and senq.com.my then purchase it to be entitled.

So that's all about the goodies you can get from purchasing at Senheng and senQ. If you want to know more, head on over to Senheng or senQ's website to check it out.


Senheng and senQ offering Huawei P20 and P20 Pro with instalment plans, free bundle gifts and more

As of 3 April 2018, Huawei Malaysia officially announced that the latest Huawei P20 and P20 Pro devices will hit the stores on 6 April 2018. You can purchase it on the launching day from any Huawei concept store as well as authorized dealers such as Senheng and senQ, with an extra bundle gift, instalment plans and more. If this is what you're looking for, read the rest of the details below on what else they are offering.

First up, currently only Senheng and senQ are offering this bundle gift when you purchase the P20 or P20 Pro. The gift includes a Huawei Bluetooth Headset (worth RM198), a 10K mAh battery power bank, a car phone holder, a ring hook and a Type-C cable. That's a lot for a bundled gift set, but this is limited to the first 20 customers at Senheng Online, senQ Online, and the selected 19 senQ Stores that are listed below.

As always, you can rely on Senheng and senQ for 24-months instalment plan (0% interest!) or simply do a full payment (without instalment) for the P20 and P20 Pro for RM2599 and RM3299 respectively. If you choose the 24-months instalment plan, you can pay through Maybank, Maybank AMEX, Public Bank, HSBC, CIMB and Hong Leong Bank.

In addition, you also have the option to join the PlusOne membership at RM12 only. This will grant you an extra 1-year warranty on top of the Huawei P20 or P20 Pro warranty as well (nothing wrong with having an extra warranty, am I right?). For current PlusOne members, you can be entitled to the extra 1-year warranty upon purchasing after you log in your credentials at either senheng.com.my or senq.com.my.

Moreover, if you don't have the time to collect your new P20 or P20 Pro, Senheng and senQ can deliver it to your house and it's applicable across the country, inclusive of Sabah and Sarawak with free shipping. You can also pick up the device by yourself at the nearest Senheng or senQ store, just remember to tick Store Pick-Up before completing the purchase but only for those who made a full payment purchase (for Peninsular Malaysia only).

Last but not least, customers can also trade in their old phone and get a rebate up to RM1700 (depending on model) to knock off the P20 or P20 Pro price. Of course, this is only for customers who make the purchase in-store and the old phones must be in good working condition. You can check out the list of selected phones that are eligible for the trade in via the two links below.

That's all folks, remember that this launching promotion date will end on 15 April 2018, so mark your calendar or hurry up! You can also bookmark the Senheng and senQ's P20 and P20 Pro page the launching date starts on 6 April 2018. Stay tuned for more local tech promotion and tech deals news at TechNave.com.


Senheng / senQ offering instalment plans, trade-in and more for Apple iPhone 8 | 8 Plus

With the launching of Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus , Senheng and senQ are back once again to offer Malaysians three colour variants (Space Grey, Silver and Gold) in 64GB and 256GB storage models. We understand that even though the starting price is RM3649, there are some good reasons to get it from Senheng and senQ like the one we wrote about their previous pre-order sale, and the best thing is that the benefits below apply until the end of the year. Check them out!

One of the reasons why people like Senheng and senQ is because of the PlusOne membership scheme. For those who don't know, joining the club will grant you an extra 1-Year warranty on any devices including the upcoming iPhone 8 and 8 Plus for just RM12, quite a bargain if you ask us because as far as we know, there's no official Apple branch store in Malaysia.

On a side note, existing members can still claim the extra 1-year warranty. All you have to do is simply login senheng.com.my and senq.com.my and make the purchase and you're set.

Next, you can opt to do a full payment or an instalment plan up to 24 months (also known as the Extensive Instalment Option) with 0% interest. The full price for each model is RM3649 (iPhone 8, 64GB), RM4399 (iPhone 8, 256GB), RM4149 (iPhone 8 Plus, 64GB) and RM4899 (iPhone 8 Plus, 256GB).

You can either do this online or offline. For online, you can pay through Maybank, Maybank AMEX, Public Bank, HSBC, CIMB and Hong Leong Bank (Citibank Coming Soon). While for the offline option, you can do so through Citibank, CIMB, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank, RHB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Ambank, Public Bank, UOB, HSBC & AEON.

Here's a new one, upon purchasing the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus, each customer can get a lightning cable and a surge adaptor at a discounted price of RM198. The original price was RM258 so that will save you RM50. Additionally, you can also pay RM8 for a ring holder and a 5000mAh battery power bank.

Last but not least, you are also able to do a trade-in with your old phone model (must be in good working condition) and get a rebate to knock off the price of the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus. To check if your old phone is eligible or not, you can go to www.senheng.com.my/trade-in-rebate to find out the latest trade-in value.

Senheng and senQ's iPhone 8 | 8 Plus launching event will start on 20 October until 22 October 2017 at various places including senQ 1 Utama, senQ Jusco Tebrau City, senQ Queensbay Mall, senQ Kompleks Karamunsing, senQ Viva City and senQ Ipoh Parade. Be sure to book your calendar and happy shopping!


Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless release: Up to 27-hour battery life and great audio quality for ~RM830

For fans of Sennheiser, the Momentum True Wireless 2 launched in March was the premium option to go for. But if your budget isn't as big, you might want to check out the company's latest offering. Sennheiser has announced the CX 400BT True Wireless yesterday, a more affordable True Wireless Stereo (TWS) model.

According to Sennheiser, the CX 400BT True Wireless will use the company's 7mm dynamic drivers that will deliver "deep bass, natural mids and clear, detailed treble". From the description, it should be the same drivers found in the Momentum True Wireless 2 have, so you can expect the audio quality to be comparable. Besides that, it's supposed to have 7-hour battery life with an extra 20-hours via the charging case.

In terms of features, Sennheiser's new TWS model will come with touch controls on each earbud, with the functions customisable via the Smart Control App. Speaking of the app, you can use it to adjust the audio output using an equaliser too. However, the new model lacks active noise cancelling, which was removed to lower the cost.

The CX 400BT True Wireless is expected to launch in the US on 15 September 2020 for USD 199.95 (~RM830). We don't know when it'll launch in Malaysia, however, so you'll have to wait for news. Having said that, would you prefer this model over others available on the market? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless release: ANC, Smart Pause, and 24-hour battery life for ~RM747

Back in February, Sennheiser announced its intention to sell its consumer electronics business. That actually happened in May, when the company officially sold to Sonova. But business is running as usual and the brand is back with a new pair of TWS earbuds.

Sennheiser has launched the new CX Plus True Wireless, which has a similar design to the Momentum True Wireless 2 and CX 400BT True Wireless. It's available in black or white colours for USD180 (~RM747), making it notably cheaper than its predecessors. However, it has the same 7mm TrueResponse Transducer drivers and Bass Boost, so the audio quality is not compromised.

The CX Plus True Wireless also comes with Sennheiser's version of adaptive noise cancellation called Transparent Hearing. On top of that, it has a handy Smart Pause feature, which automatically pauses music when you remove an earbud. Other features include the IPX4 water/dust resistance, low-latency audio, and up to 24-hour battery life.

Sennheiser will officially release the new model on 28 September 2021, though it might take a while for it to be available in Malaysia. Having said that, would you want one when it comes here? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Apple AirPods first impression hands-on

By now, you probably have seen a lot of jokes about the Apple AirPods on the internet. The AirPods is Apple's latest wireless earphones that can play 5 hours of music playback, also comes with a charging case that holds 24 hours of charge. Many media members at the Apple event have tried them on first hand, so let's see what do they have to say about the product.

First up, according to TechCrunch, if you thought you have to manually play and pause the songs on your phone, you don't need to. It was reported that the AirPods will automatically pause the song if the user takes them out of their ears, and will resume when they put them back in.

"It’s an interesting aesthetic choice, one that bucks the recent trend of fully wireless Bluetooth headphones, which are largely circular. These maintain the EarPods’ long tail, which actually goes a ways toward helping them fit better in the ear. As far as how well they’ll actually stay in there if you, say, go for a jog, it’s hard to say, though the buds could certainly benefit for some sort of anchoring system akin to what you get on sportsbuds from companies like JayBird."

Speaking of whether if the AirPods will stay in your ear or not, USA Today digital editor, Natalie Diblasio proved otherwise on her Twitter video testing how well do they stay in place after jumping and shaking around. After 9 seconds, the AirPods were still in place. But one wonders if they can stay put after a long jog with sweats touching the ears.

Alright, the Apple wireless Air Pods are in! Let's see how they do with some jumping and shaking. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/FZaReT24f4

CNET dubbed the new earphones as "game-changers", but whether or not Apple really delivered a "rich, high quality AAC audio" in the earphones is another story, as the showroom filled with loud music which made it difficult for many journalists to judge the headphones' sound quality. They also thought of what if the AirPods do not fit everyone as not all have the same average ear size.

"If they're as easy to pair with your phone and have as rock-solid a connection as Apple is saying they have, they're going to be game-changers. The fact is, once you go totally wireless, it's hard to go back to wires, and with Apple's backing behind this new type of headphone -- and a $159 price tag that's not too outrageous -- you may soon be looking at a lot people wearing the same white earbuds but with no wires between them."

The iPhone 7 and AirPods in the charging case

In addition, Wired were quite impressed of the wireless earphones, particularly in the hassle-free set-up process, they also AirPods were "much lighter" than other Bluetooth headphones, and they "nestled comfortably" in the ear.

"I hope that AirPods don’t scare everyone else off from trying to make Bluetooth headphones. I don’t think they will, because they don’t sound good enough. And these aren’t the ones that will ship in the box with your iPhone 7; you get the standard EarPods when you buy an iPhone, which connect over Lightning now. (There’s also an adapter.) But hopefully Apple has set the bar for how easy it should be to connect Bluetooth headphones, and how responsive they should be. If someone can copy that, and make something that looks and sounds better, we might not miss the headphone jack at all."

Aside from the media mentioned above, other media outlets have said similar things about the AirPods. If you're interested to read more opinions, check out The Verge, Telegraph, Engadget & Macworld's thoughts about it. Stay tuned for more news at Technave.com!


Sennheiser HD 560S is a more affordable audiophile class headphone for ~RM834

When it comes to headphones, a lot of people don't know how the good the expensive ones can sound without experiencing it. But Sennheiser looks to aiming to bring down that audiophile entry barrier. The company has unveiled its new HD 560S headphone, which is said to provide audiophile class quality for a lower price.

According to Sennheiser, the HD 560S was designed for "the analytical audio enthusiast". To be exact, its sound signature is tuned to deliver more natural sound that aims to be accurate to the source. You can tell from the description that it would be an affordable alternative for those who need to do recordings or mixes. For listening to music, you could always adjust the EQs to your personal preference.

In terms of specs, the HD 560S has a frequency range of 6Hz to 38kHz. That's an incredibly wide range that will cover low bass and high treble with greater accuracy. For comparison, most headphones you see have a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. It does have an impedance of 120 ohms, so you'll probably need an amplifier to drive the headphone.

Sennheiser's new headphone should be out by 29 September 2020 for USD 200 (~RM834). And since the company has a presence in Malaysia, it may make its way here too! With that said, would you be interested in getting one? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for updates on this.


Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 release: Active Noise Cancellation and 28 hours total battery life at ~RM1279

Sennheiser recently unveiled their Momentum True Wireless 2 which comes with Active Noise Cancellation, as well as up to 28 hours of total battery life. In terms of the pricing and availability, the aforementioned earbuds are available at 299USD(~RM1279) and it will be available in the US alongside Europe from April 2020 onwards.

To go into more detail, the Momentum True Wireless 2 are about 2mm smaller than the original True Wireless and it supports Bluetooth 5.1, AAC, and AptX standards. Not only that, but it is also IPX4 water-resistant which means it is able to withstand splashes of liquid and still function normally.

Unfortunately, Sennheiser has yet to provide an official statement whether the Momentum True Wireless 2 will be available in Malaysia and how much it will be priced at. With all that said, would you be interested in getting the earbuds mentioned above? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sennheiser could sell its consumer electronics division to concentrate on its professional businesses

When you talk about premium audio, Sennheiser would be one of the biggest brands around. Yet that company could be looking to sell its consumer electronics business, allowing another company to take over.

Yesterday, Sennheiser announced that it wants to focus its resources on its professional businesses. This refers to its Pro Audio, Business Communications, and Neumann (studio microphones) divisions. For Consumer Electronics, the company is hoping for a 'strong partner' to invest in it. Mind you, this might not mean that Sennheiser will sell all the stakes for the business.

Sennheiser also makes studio microphones

It could be a joint partnership where the partner provides the funds, while Sennheiser's engineering team designs the product. Allegedly, talks with potential partners will soon take place, but no candidates have been named yet. It's speculated that the Sennheiser's revenue in this aspect is not great, despite the quality of its headphones and soundbars.

A new partner could result in better or even cheaper Sennheiser headphones. Not likely to happen, but one can hope, right? Having said that, what do you think about another company potentially taking over? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


September 2020 smartphone launch compilation: Over 20 new mobile phones from Entry-level to Flagship!

Before we realised it, months went by and September has ended. So it's time to wake up (since September ended, geddit?) and join us in reviewing the smartphones that were launched in September 2020. There were a lot of mid-range devices this time, so maybe you'd find one you might be interested in!

Long battery life and great cameras, this is a good mid-range if those two are important criteria for you.

An entry-level that focuses on providing a big battery, not much else to say about it.

The first phone to feature an under-display camera and the novelty alone makes it worth noting.

A decent combination of specs, features, and pricing but doesn't have any real stand out feature.

This looks like it could be an excellent budget 5G device, but may not make its way to Malaysia.

A slightly less edgy design, improved performance, and better cooling - the ROG Phone 3 lives up to the hype.

The round camera module in the centre is different, which does help it stand out in the crowd of mid-range devices.

High refresh rate screen, big battery, and a very affordable price, what more can you ask for?

Massive improvements and a slightly lower price than its predecessor makes this one a big win.

The 90Hz refresh rate and big battery makes this quite good for an entry-level phone.

Motorola fixed a lot of the problems the first foldable Razr had, so it's quite a decent foldable.

The unique form factor alone makes this interesting, but time will tell if it has any practical use.

A phone that's great for consuming media content and taking photos.

A lower mid-range with decent specs that would be great if you have a small budget.

This mid-range seems to focus on delivering a powerful selfie camera.

If you want a basic smartphone, this is as cheap as it can get these days.

Another realme device that seems all too similar to its other counterparts...

A highly affordable entry-level, it easily overshadows the C17 above.

This upper mid-range smartphone has some great camera features, but that front notch is so 2018...

Nokia's new phones are quite good looking, but have nothing that makes us scream "I want that!"

A slight improvement over the Galaxy S20 and a variety of new colours to choose from, nice!

Another pair of realme mid-range devices? Let's just move on...

Quite similar to the other vivo V20 phones, except without the large main camera at the back.

This one has some good specs and that rear camera module really stands out.

And that's it for our September compilation of smartphones! Which one did you like most? Leave a comment below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more articles like this.


Serious Sam 4 launching in 2020 as timed-exclusive for Google Stadia and Steam

Some game franchises go on lengthy hiatuses and the Serious Sam series is one of them. Serious Sam 3 launched back in 2011 and since then developers Croteam have been rather quiet. It wasn't till 2015 that Croteam finally announced the development of Serious Sam 4. Now, the game is officially unveiled as the devs surprised many by announcing that the game is coming in 2020.

The newly released cinematic trailer confirms that Serious Sam 4 will be released in August 2020 on Stadia and Steam. If you want to, you can already pre-order the game on both platforms. This time around, there is a Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition that costs RM65 and RM80 respectively. In terms of game modes, 4-player online coop makes a comeback here, so you can shoot at hordes of Mentals with your friends once more. There will also be a new mode called the Legion System, which throws a LOT more enemies at you than the previous games used to.

According to Kotaku, publisher Devolver Digital also announced that the game will be a timed-exclusive on Google Stadia and Steam. In other words, console gamers won't be able to get it on the Xbox One or PlayStation 4, at least not until 2021 at the earliest. We weren't told when the exclusivity would end, but it's probably going to last at least 6 months, meaning that it won't be available on consoles until February 2021.

I'm quite eager for this game to launch but what about you all? Are there any old fans of the Serious Sam series excited for this? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


ServerDNA was even bigger this year with 2 floors full of booths

ServerDNA 4 which is a convention focused heavily on gaming and esports was recently held in Le Meridien Putrajaya, on 28 and 29 September 2019. For this first time, the convention had up to 2 floors filled with booths from international and local brands, as well as Malaysian gaming personalities.

Throughout the convention, the organisers, as well as the brands, would occasionally host giveaways consisting of items such as computer peripherals, accessories and so on. For more valuable items, they will have activities on stage where contestants would have to go against each other to prove that they are worthy of the prize.

In addition to that, there is also the lucky draw session where the convention attendees could take part in. However, they are required to scan the QR codes scattered throughout the convention hall in order to stand a chance to be one of the winners during the lucky draw.

With all that said, the most interesting part of ServerDNA would be the gamer-centric medical checkup, which checks various aspects of the gamer such as their psyche, sight, weight, eye-hand coordination and more. After the checkup, the medical professional would give them various advice on how to improve their physical and mental health.

Other than the booths, there were also talks given by industry professionals on various topic ranging from content creation, content streaming, the current state of the esports industry, tips and tricks and more. Were you there at ServerDNA 4 in Le Meridien Putrajaya? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Service disruptions for Maxis, Celcom & DiGi as spectrum reallocation exercise begins

If your calls and data service with your telco is spotty these days – don’t be too alarmed. It is mainly due to the current exercise of spectrum re-allocation between the major telecommunications companies in Malaysia. The telcos involved are Maxis, Celcom and Digi.

The whole exercise will take about seven months to complete, and involves the providers migrating their base stations from one spectrum band to another. Previously used for 2G communications, MCMC has announced earlier this year that the 900MHz and the 1800MHz will now be deployed for 4G services. The three companies have been allocated new shares of the spectrum, and the current exercise is the result of the reallocation.

We may be facing some dropped calls or data download disruptions in the next few months, but by July 2017, we can expect the service to be restored to normal, and we may see better services from all telcos by then. Stay tuned to TechNave for more news.


Setel Express introduced as a new delivery service that specializes in delivering within 24 hours

Today, Setel Malaysia just launched a new service called Setel Express. As the name implies, the company is also doing delivering services and claims to specialize in delivering items within 24 hours. Read on below to know more about Setel Express.

Users can start using Setel Express directly through the Setel app. As long as you pay a minimum of RM5 per parcel, you can transport any orders anytime. For now, it's only available in Peninsular Malaysia and you may even collect your items at selected Petronas stations.

Speaking of delivery, you can also opt for Point to Door which the delivery man can collect the item from one of the Setel Express hubs to a certain address. You may even ask them to deliver it to the hub or drop it off by yourself if it's convenient. All in all, Setel Express has the flexibility of delivering your items.

Setel Express initially started with four hubs in Klang Valley but has now expanded across Semenanjung. You can visit the website here to check for coverage or join the company's B2B services by registering here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Setel Lite is now official! The new, lighter way to pay for fuel at Petronas stations nationwide

Previously, we shared a preview of Setel Lite, which as the name would suggest, is the lighter version of the Setel app. Now, the Setel Lite app is official and available for download via the Google Play Store and HUAWEI AppGallery.

In a press release, Setel touted the Setel Lite app as the “new, lighter way to pay for fuel” and clarified that the app’s development was motivated by a long-term plan to innovate for inclusive mobility. Accordingly, Setel Lite comes with a small download size and works on Android devices with Android 4.4 or EMUI 3 and above.

Moreover, Setel Lite can also be used on slower internet connectivity such as EDGE, 2G and 3G. Users can use Setel Wallet to pay for fuel from their vehicle, earn up to 3x Mesra points with fuel payments and check their Mesra points through the app.

They can top up their Setel Wallet either with cash via e-vouchers which are available for purchase at PETRONAS stations nationwide or through online banking. Furthermore, Family Wallet users that are paying for fuel for family members can encourage them to use Setel Lite if a lightweight version of the Setel app is more suited towards their preferences and needs.

With a simplified interface, Setel Lite was designed with key functionalities like refuelling, earning and viewing Mesra points, and paying with Family Wallet maintained without the inclusion of any sophisticated features. Here are what Setel Lite has to offer:

Setel Lite is available for use at PETRONAS stations nationwide. Refuelling is the first feature that is introduced in this lightweight version of the Setel app, with more features to be rolled out progressively.

For more information on Setel, please visit https://setel.com/setel-lite. As always, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!