As we step forward into 2022 let's take a look back at the Top trending gadgets in Malaysia for Q4 on TechNave. As usual, this list shows the Top 5 devices for Q4 and were based entirely on our Story Hits, searches and tech comparisons from our users and readers across TechNave.com, cn.TechNave.com and bm.TechNave.com. So, these gadgets were chosen by TechNavers for TechNavers.

See for yourself what the top devices that TechNavers like yourself have been searching for or are looking to buy soon this year. As usual,  if you’d like to see the whole list and just the list then feel free to scroll all the way down for our Top trending gadgets in Malaysia for Q4 2021 on TechNave list. But if you’d like to know more about each one, pick out an individual category below and check it out for yourself.

Here's the quick list links for each category, or you can just jump straight to the Top trending gadgets in Malaysia for Q4 2021 on TechNave via the list below:

Maybe because Christmas was in Q4 2021 and everyone was searching for the best Christmas tech gift, but Apple’s largest and most powerful iPhone 13 Pro Max got #1 in our ranking of Top Trending Gadgets for Q4 on TechNave. Featuring an Apple A15 Bionic Chipset and the largest 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED ProMotion 120Hz display in the iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 13 Pro Max comes in from a cool RM5299.

It also offered the best photography features and functions with its 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF 3D Lidar scanner quad rear cameras and Cinematic mode. While we didn’t have it on hand to check it out, we have reviewed the iPhone 13 Pro which is almost identical in terms of functions and features, but just isn’t as large, so do check that out if you’re interested in the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s photography functions.

Coming in at #2 is the Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G which comes with a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz display featuring P3 Wide colour gamut, HDR10+, DisplayMate A+ and more. Other tech specs included a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, 8/12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and 108MP + 8MP + 5MP triple rear cameras.

Despite all that, the killer feature here is the long lasting 5000 mAh battery with 120W fast charging, all for just RM2099. The 16MP front camera also allows it to be a good selfie smartphone while the Harman Kardon speakers make it sound good at the same time. Check out our review of it if you need to know more.

Building upon the foundation of the Samsung Galaxy A52, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G takes #3 for Q4 2021 with a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 778 5G chipset but nearly all the rest of the tech specs are the same. This includes 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM, 6.5-inch FHD 120Hz display along with a 32MP punch hole front-facing selfie camera.

Combined with the 4500mAh battery which supports up to 25W fast charging, 64MP with OIS + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro + 5MP depth rear cameras and more makes it a flagship choice in the midrange. Priced at RM1899 (which is the same as the Galaxy A52) the A52s makes for the more worthy device to get if you’re looking for a midrange device from Samsung. For more details check out our review.

Recently launched in November 2021, the realme GT Neo 2 made a fairly big splash due to its RM1999 initial price tag for some fairly flagship tech specs. These included 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, 5000mAh battery, a 64MP Triple Camera setup, a 6.62-inch 120Hz E4 AMOLED display and even a cooling system.

Other tech specs included a 65W SuperDart charge technology for 100% charge in just 36 minutes along with Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers and up to 7GB worth of virtual RAM. The promotion price has of course ended, but it is still fairly affordable at RM2099.

Moving down from #4 to #5 is the OPPO Reno 6 Pro 5G that’s priced from RM2999. Another device with a 32MP front-facing selfie camera, the Reno 6 Pro 5G is still one of the better devices to go for if you’re a selfie enthusiast. This is because it also comes with a 50MP + 13MP + 16MP + 2MP rear camera with AI capabilities to help optimise the pictures taken by the rear camera sensors.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset remains fairly flagship though while other tech specs are similarly high. This includes 12GB of RAM with a virtual RAM expansion feature that allows you to boost up to 7GB RAM using the storage space. The battery pack is still fairly large at 4500mAh with 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 which can fully charge the phone in 31 minutes. OPPO also integrated an ultra-large vapour chamber cooling system.

Just like the #1 smartphone above, we think the #1 tablet of Q4 is in that position because of it being considered as a Christmas tech gift. That tablet is the Xiaomi Pad 5 coming in at just RM1399. Featuring flagship-level features like an 11-inch 120Hz WQHD+ Display, Snapdragon 860 chipset, 6GB RAM, and a huge 8720mAh battery that supports up to 33W fast charging, the Xiaomi Pad 5 sounds like the perfect tech gift you’d get for your gaming friends or children.

In addition to that, it also supports the Xiaomi Smart Pen that allows the user to quickly write down notes or sketch during a meeting. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a great tablet if you’re looking for something that’s a little more value-focused but probably isn't the best device for productivity due to the lack of any productivity interfaces. You can still use it for work, but you’ll have to get used to the Android-based MIUI interface.

Coming in at #2, we have the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE (Fan Edition for those who are wondering) at the price of RM1899. Designed to take the major features of the higher-end Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, the tablet features a large 12.4-inch display with a thickness of 6.3mm and a huge 10090mAh battery, the weight of the tablet is relatively light at just 608g.

Equipped with the upper midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, 4GB of RAM, and S-Pen support, it’s more than capable of running most mobile games and productivity apps without lagging. Check out our review of the tablet if you want to find out more.

Falling down to #3 is the value-oriented Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, with an 8.7-inch display, 4GB RAM, and 64GB ROM for just RM699. Unlike most budget-oriented tablets out there in the market, the tab comes with features typically found on more expensive tablets such as a USB Type-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, and dual stereo speakers.

While the tablet doesn’t have the best performance because it only comes with a MediaTek Helio P22T chipset and 4GB of RAM, it’s more than enough if you often multitask between your apps or are looking for a portable device for learning from home. You can check out our review to see how it performs and see whether it’s the right tablet for you.

Coming in at #4 is the Apple iPad 10.2 2021 which is just priced at RM1499. While it may use the slightly older A13 Bionic chipset, it is more than fast enough to handle most Apple games and even some serious work. Available in Space Grey and Silver storage is 64GB though, so space could be limited.

Fully compatible with Apple Pencil (which you’ll have to buy separately), you can use the iPad 10.2 2021 for sketching and drawing too. If you add on a keyboard cover and a mouse, you can also use it for Learning-from-home like any other laptop. You can also top it up to RM2119 for a 4G LTE version as well.

Maintaining our #5 spot in the trending TechNave tablet rankings for Q4 2021, we have the Huawei MatePad 11 which has the most expensive initial pricing out of all the tablets on this list at RM1999. However, it comes with high-end hardware like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, 6GB RAM, and a 2560 x 1600 pixel 10.95-inch 120Hz display.

While it only has a 7250mAh battery which supports up to 22.5W fast charging, the tablet synergises well with other Huawei products like Huawei smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more. Have a look at our review of the Huawei MatePad 11 if you need more details.

Maintaining its position at #1 as the most searched wearable for Q4 2021 on our list is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. Available from the price of RM899 for the 40mm variant, the main highlight of this smartwatch is the Samsung BioActive Sensor, which includes sensors for Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

It also has IP68 water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810G drop and shock certification, and it’s able to withstand up to 5ATM, making it suitable for those who indulge in watersports or more rugged situations. If you’re looking for something to help you stay on top of your health, the Galaxy Watch 4 would make a great candidate.

Coming in at #2 is the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum which is lighter, bigger and tougher with IP6X dust resistance so it is certified for those more rugged situations. Other features include the new WatchOS 8, ECG, fall detection, blood oxygen monitoring, cycling mode and a full QWERTY keyboard for faster text input.

Available from RM1749, it can go up to RM3399 depending on the material or strap you’re getting. However, this means that you have a choice between stainless steel, leather and more types of straps to choose from. Colours include Silver, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Green, Gold, Graphite and (PRODUCT)RED.

Not only is it in its third iteration or generation, the Huawei Watch GT 3 is also #3 on our list for Q4 of 2021 and it more or less retains all of the features of its predecessors. This includes about 14 days of battery life, a premium look and build and it can track SpO2 and heart rates with ease.

This time around you can now install apps onto the Watch GT 3 directly so you can do some navigation via Petal Maps or even play a game or two. The screen is slightly larger while the chassis is also thinner and lighter so it is a definite improvement over the previous Huawei Watch as well. Priced at RM1099, you can check out our review for more details.

Dropping down to #4 is the Xiaomi Mi Watch at the value price of RM469. While this smartwatch only comes with a single variant that has a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, it still offers two buttons on the side which are the home button and the sport button so that you can quickly access the sport mode.

Featuring up to 110 exercise modes which include running, hiking, swimming, cycling, and more, this smartwatch is obviously good for fitness. In addition, it is able to last up to 22 days on a single charge, with more than 100 watch faces to choose from. Check out our review about it.

Despite being a bit long in the tooth due to its May 2021 release, the realme Watch 2 Pro managed to place in at #5 in our list for the Top Trending Gadgets of Q4 2021. Featuring a larger, more rectangular 1.75-inch display with rounded corners, the Watch 2 Pro is only priced at RM299.

It still supports up to 90 sports modes and realme says that the 390mAh battery lets it last for up to 14 days. Other features include a GPS, Blood Oxygen and heart rate monitoring and an IP68 water resistance rating.

Huawei’s latest laptop, the MateBook 14s makes it to #1 in our ranking for Q4 2021. Featuring a 14-inch 2.5K FullView display with 90 Hz refresh rate and a 3:2 aspect ratio, the MateBook 14s offers a smoother, more detailed display along with an aspect ratio well suited for both work and play.

Powered by 11th Gen Intel Core H-series processors and Iris Xe graphics, the MateBook 14s pricing starts from RM4999. Like most other Huawei devices it has plenty of extra features that work better with Huawei smartphones, which includes faster wireless transfer and collaboration tools.

Priced from RM4399, the thinner and lighter Apple MacBook Air now uses Apple’s own M1 chipset for longer battery life, better overall performance and a quieter experience. Available in Space Gray, Gold and Silver, this 13-inch display laptop also offers up to 512GB in storage (but at a higher price tag).

Other tech specs include 8GB of RAM but the MacBook Air remains the standard when it comes to thin and light laptops. Again, just like our #1 laptop contender, this MacBook Air also works best with other devices of the same brand, so if you also use an Apple iPhone or watch Apple TV, then getting the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is a no brainer.

The #3 in our Top trending gadgets of Q4 2021 is perhaps one of the better value-buster laptops in our list, which is the ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED M513. Priced from RM3199 yet still offering a 15.6-inch FHD OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, this laptop offers a better viewing experience than most other laptops in this price range.

The other tech specs may not be as impressive, but an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD are still fairly good features for the price it’s going for. It’s also one of the more up-to-date laptops in the market with support for WiFi 6, a built-in fingerprint sensor and plenty of ports (1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack and a Micro SD card reader).

Following in the footsteps of #3 is the nearly similar MSI Modern 15 at #4. Featuring a 15.6-inch FHD display, it is notably lighter at 1.6kg and is 16.9mm thin. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 4600U processor, it also has 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

Available in Carbon Gray it is still a fairly portable laptop despite the 15.6-inch display. As usual of MSI laptops, build quality should be solid and would be a good basic laptop for students and working professionals.

Going a step higher with a 16.1-inch full HD display but a rank lower at #5 of our Top trending gadgets of Q4 2021 is the Acer Swift 3 (SF316-51). Another thin and light laptop but with a larger than average display, this Acer Swift 3 is powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors, 8GB of RAM and has a 512GB SSD.

Weighing in at just 1.7kg, this laptop can also be portable but the size may be an issue for some people. It does make for a good desktop replacement unit though, especially if your needs don’t involve content creation or video and photo editing.

Top TechNave Trending Smartphones of Q4 2021

Top TechNave Trending Tablets of Q4 2021

Top TechNave Trending Smartwatches of Q4 2021

Top TechNave Trending Laptops of Q4 2021


Top-ups from credit cards are now non-transferable funds in ShopeePay

What are non-transferable funds? Well, it's a new function for ShopeePay users which seems to prevent credit card top-ups as a safety measure for financial scams. Read on below to know more.

According to Shopee Malaysia, the FAQ section said that any top-ups made from credit cards are non-transferable. As long as the top-ups are made from funds such as a debit card, online banking, cash and P2P transfer, they are transferable. Moreover, non-transferable balances can only be used for offline and online checkouts, but cannot be used for P2P transfers or withdrawals.

To view your transferable and non-transferable balance, you can simply go to the ShopeePay in the Shopee app, then go to Transfer and choose any recipient that you want to transfer. After that, you should be able to see a note below the Transfer Amount indicating if it's eligible or not. Tapping on the tiny question mark would allow you to see your transferable and non-transferable balance overview.

It looks like a good safety measure to prevent scammers to take your funds from your credit cards. That said, you won't be able to transfer the credit out if you want to put it back in your bank account, so be wise about what you want to spend.


Torrent data reveals most pirated Marvel shows in 2021

2021 has been a year filled with Marvel movies and TV shows, thanks to Disney+'s strategy to promote the new streaming platform. Although it had attracted Marvel fans to whip out their wallets to pay for the service, there were still some who might be unwilling to do so. Therefore, it leads me to write this article to tell you which Marvel shows are the most pirated this year.

According to data published by TorrentFreak, WandaVision gets the top spot for the most popular TV series among pirates. The show got followed by Loki (#2), The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (#4), Hawkeye (#5), and What If…? (#6). It's worth mentioning that the data is based on BitTorrent downloads for 2021.

However, the ranking doesn't reflect the numbers from illegal streaming websites. It means there might be more people watching the shows through means that Disney+ will not like. Personally, I think it's best to pay for the shows others have worked hard to create, especially Marvel shows because those visual effects do look expensive!

Share with us which Marvel show is your favourite for this year by dropping a comment! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Toshiba Announces 3 New Excite Tablets

Taking another plunge into the now nearly saturated tablet market, Toshiba are trying their luck with a trio of Excite tablets. Going under the names of the Excite Pure, Excite Pro and Excite Write, all three models share the same overall plastic feel, the same 10-inch design, ports and Android 4.2 operating system. The differences between the three are in the tech specs.

The tech specs for the Excite Pure for example includes:

The Toshiba Excite Pro on the other hand has the following tech specs:

The Toshiba Excite Write shares the same tech specs as the Toshiba Excite Pro but also comes with a Wacom digitizer offering 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity built into the 2K display. All three models can be used with the optional keyboard cover or dock. The Excite Pure will feature at an MSRP of $299, while the Excite Pro will go at $499. The Excite Write is just a bit higher at $599. All three models are expected to be available on 25 June 2013 for online and major retailers.


Toshiba Encore 7 is revealed as a 7-inch Windows 8.1 tablet

Toshiba has revealed the Toshiba Encore 7, a 7-inch display tablet running Windows 8.1. While it isn't the first such tablet in the market it is one of the first of such tablets from a fairly major tablet maker brand. Tech specs for the Encore 7 are not very high end but they are enough to get by with an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM and 7-inch display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution. The price is estimated to be below $200 (RM646) which is quite competitive, but there are other tablets with better tech specs from similarly large brand names coming out here in Computex as well, including Toshiba themselves. No news yet on Malaysia release dates but stay tuned for more information.[Source]


Toshiba Encore announced, 8-inch Windows 8 tablet at $330 (RM1096)

The Toshiba Encore is probably the 2nd touchscreen tablet in the first wave of 8-inch Windows 8 tablets and devices below or around $300. Toshiba recently announced the Encore with features that include Windows 8.1 and the free Microsoft Office package. Other tech specs include dual microphones, a 2MP front camera certified by Skype, an 8-inch HFFS display with multi-touch and 1280 x 800 pixel resolutions, a quad-core Intel Atom Bay Trail processor and 32GB worth of storage. Connection-wise the tablet packs in a Micro USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI port, dual-band WiFi and a GPS. No exact Malaysia release dates were available but it is expected globally in November 2013 for $329.99 (RM1096). The tech specs make the Toshiba Encore a very tempting device, but we'll hold off judgement until we see what sort of keyboard and other accessories the tablet will be packing.


Toshiba Encore joins ranks of other 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets in Malaysia

While you can count the number different of 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets on one hand still, this market is one with a lot of potential to grow. Joining the ranks of the Acer Iconia W4 and others is the Toshiba Encore. Tech specs and features for the tablet include the 1.3GHz Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core Bay Trail processor, 2GB RAM, 64GB eMMC flash storage, 8-inch HFFS display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. The Malaysia pricing is a bit higher at RM1499 (RM400 more than the $330 (RM1096) international price) but most of the features are a bit higher-end compared to the other tablets in this class. For more information check out the Toshiba site. Hopefully it comes with a good matching keyboard combo (which we didn't see on the site).


Toshiba Excite Go, Encore 8 and 10 tablets officially announced from $110 (RM354)

The 7-inch Toshiba Excite Go will feature Android 4.4 out of the box

Toshiba recently announced three new tablets for the masses at 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch display form factors. The 7-inch tablet will be known as the Toshiba Excite Go and priced at a very low $110 (RM354) while the 8-inch Toshiba Encore 8 is priced at $200 (RM643). The 10-inch tablet is named the Toshiba Encore 10 and will be priced at $270 (RM868). Tech specs and features for the Toshiba Excite Go, Encore 8 and Encore 10 are listed below:

The 8-inch Toshiba Encore 8 looks to be one of the most affordable Windows 8 tablets around

The Toshiba Encore 10 tablet also runs Windows 8.1 but offers a larger 10-inch dsiplay

No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but the tech specs and features listed above make these tablets very tempting Android 4.4 and Windows 8.1 tablets at below RM900 price tags. Hopefully, the pricing won't change much when it reaches Malaysia. [Source]


Toshiba Regza AT200 Review - The World's Thinnest & Lightest 10.1" Tablet

The Toshiba Regza AT200 aims to do for tablets what the MacBook Air did for laptops, that is be the thinnest and lightest tablet within it's class and range. At 535g and just 7.7mm thick it remains much thinner and lighter than the current Apple iPad. Does it measure up in other aspects? Read on to find out.

At 535g and 7.7mm thick, the Toshiba Regza AT200 is indeed lighter and thinner than the Apple iPad. It is also thinner than most other 10.1-inch tablets within its class although not lighter than some of the smaller tablets. Going for a completely flat look, the back plate has no curves and if you lay the AT200 on its back it gets a bit difficult to pick up again unless you have a good grip. The design is definitely premium though as the back plate is brushed metal while the side bezels are made from the same similar thin magnesium alloy. This does make it seem a bit tougher but it doesn't feel as tough as an aluminum unibody. From the front the 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel IPS screen looks nice from all angles and the Corning Gorilla Glass cover keeps it relatively safe. However, it probably won't turn heads from the front very much, it will turn heads from the side and the rear though.

The IPS display covers all the angles nicely and the colours are accurately displayed. The screen is capacitive with a 10-finger multitouch support so you can play a piano app on it quite well. It has 2 cameras, one 5MP rear camera (with 720p video recording) and a 2MP front camera. It also has support for GPS and Bluetooth along with SRS built-in speakers that actually sound okay. The 32GB worth of storage is enough for most users. It also has a micro HDMI port, so you can hook it up to a larger HDTV display. While it does have a Micro USB port, it means you're probably going to have to get an adaptor dongle to insert your USB flash memory devices.

The 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB worth of DDR2 RAM on the Toshiba Regza AT200 are just enough to handle most apps and applications. It can handle most business situations such as email, browsing and some document work with no lag. It can also handle the odd game or two but may not be able to take more intensive stuff like multimedia editing or programming very well. The cameras work well enough and should satisfy most needs. The Toshiba Regza AT200 has a solid 8.5 hours performance which means you can use it for a normal working day. While the Android 3.2 or Honeycomb OS it comes with isn't the latest Android available, both are more or less similar.

Overall, the Toshiba Regza AT200 looks like an awesome premium touchscreen tablet, especially if you like to carry it naked or with a minimal cover or casing. It's performance is  above average and it's 8.5-hour battery life makes it great for general, business and trendy circles. The price tag in Malaysia has dropped somewhat to below RM1400 from the initial price of RM1699 (below RM1200 in some other places) so it should be quite attractive for those who place an emphasis on looks over performance. The price tag, looks and performance make it a good business laptop replacement unit but it's definitely not something we'd buy for the kids. Perhaps as a big boy toy, so long as he isn't a gamer or designer himself.

Please check out the Toshiba Regza Tablet AT200 info and specifications.


Toshiba TT301 announced for business users with a 24-inch 1080p display

While large tablets are slowly gaining popularity, Toshiba has taken things to an entirely new level with it's Toshiba TT301, a 24 inch tablet aimed at business users. This massive device, called the 'Shared Tablet' can also double as a screen for a television or desktop computer. For this purpose, the company has incorporated features like HDMI and Miracast. To give you a perspective about its size, the TT301 is two times larger than the Surface Pro 3 and more than 3 times larger than the Nexus 7. Asides from the massive screen, other tech specs are rather disappointing as there is only a 1GHz dual-core processor with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The 24-inch display features a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and is aimed at showcasing a presentation, especially with the built-in stand and a hook to hang it up on the wall. However, it weighs more than 3.9kgso it isn't that portable. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an IR blaster and 2W integrated speakers. The tablet runs on Android 4.2.1 Jellybean with special functions like multi-window support. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but Toshiba will first release the device in Japan and perhaps will go international later on.


Apple customers have to experience longer wait times for the iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone 14 Pro Max now

Yup, the global logistics issue continues and instead of laptops being limited during the pandemic, it's now Apple's turn this time. In fact, the company released a press statement about the situation.

As the title implies, those who have ordered the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will have to wait a bit longer than usual. This is due to the recent COVID-19 restrictions in one of the factory facilities in Zhengzhou, China. With that, the conditions have affected the mass production capacity.

As Apple prioritizes the health and safety of the workers, the shipments for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will not reach the customers' doorsteps in time. The company has no answer to how long they have to wait as well, so don't expect the item's arrival anytime soon.

Upon visiting Apple Malaysia's website, you would have to wait for more than a month if you were to purchase one right now. On that note, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus would arrive quicker in a week's time. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Toshiba Thrive 7 Malaysia Review

Toshiba today unveiled the Toshiba Thrive 7 - the newest addition to its Thrive family of tablets. This compact model has nothing to do with the slimline, 10.1-inch AT200 tablet that the company showed at the IFA trade show in Berlin in September 2011, but it does underscore how quickly technologies and designs in the tablet market are evolving. This 7-inch model is due out in December 2011.

The Toshiba Thrive 7 -- yes, the 7” appears to be part of its official name for now--is the first truly 7-inch model announced with a high-resolution, 1280-by-800-pixel display, offering 225 pixels per inch. Samsung already announced at IFA that its Galaxy Tab 7.7 would have the same resolution, but that model has a 7.7-inch display. For some perspective, consider that this is also the resolution currently available on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1--but because the new Toshiba model packs the pixels into a smaller display, the pixels-per-inch figure is higher, which eliminates the dot-matrix effect that often plagues Android tablets.

Pixels clearly matter. When I tried a preproduction unit in advance of Toshiba's announcement, the Toshiba Thrive 7 had the sharpest, cleanest text I've seen yet on an Android tablet. The text rendering--something I've frequently cited as a weakness of Android 3.x Honeycomb tablets--appeared smooth. Google's operating system may play some part in what I perceive as poor text rendering in other Android tablets, or maybe earlier tablet displays simply weren't of a sufficiently high pixel depth to achieve the smooth text I crave.  Like the 10.1-inch Thrive before it, the 7-inch model uses Toshiba's Adaptive Display and Resolution+ technology, which is supposed to help boost image quality, as well.

I immediately noticed that the display on the preproduction Toshiba Thrive 7 looked vastly improved compared with that of the original Thrive--the new model had bright, vibrant colors. Toshiba has dispatched the noticeably large air gap between the glass and the LCD beneath, reducing glare to a minimum and increasing the perceived viewing angle. Toshiba also says that it has placed a coating on the screen to help with glare, but the company declines to get any more specific than that.

The preproduction Toshiba Thrive 7 felt surprisingly lightweight, as well. When I held the 0.47-inch-thick tablet in one hand, it reminded me of holding a first-generation Kindle e-reader: It was mostly comfortable, but it still had room to slim down further. What struck me was how balanced the Toshiba Thrive 7 seemed--it felt as if it weighed less than its listed 0.88 pound, and it felt lighter than the first-generation 7-inch Galaxy Tab, which weighed 0.86 pound. The upcoming Galaxy Tab 7.7 will weigh even less at 0.75 pound, though, so while the Toshiba Thrive 7 is light, it isn't breaking any new ground in that respect.

What the new Toshiba Thrive 7 has that the Galaxy Tab 7.7 lacks is ports galore. You won't find full-size ports here, though (as you do on its larger Thrive sibling). Under a single, neat flap are Micro-USB and Micro HDMI ports, and a MicroSD card slot.

The rest of the specs are par for the course for Android tablets. The Toshiba Thrive 7 runs Android 3.2, a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 CPU, and 1GB of memory, and it comes in either 16GB or 32GB configurations. It has two cameras: a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, with LED flash. The new tablet also sports gyroscope and GPS functionality.

With a removable battery and full USB functionality, the Toshiba Thrive is better outfitted for business than most Honeycomb tablets, but its bulkiness is bound to be a turn-off for some.


Toshiba announces UHS-II SD cards with World's Fastest Write speed

Toshiba has recently announced new UHS-II SD cards in the form of the Exceria and Exceria Pro product line-ups. They follow the new UHS-II standard for currently the world's fastest write speed of 240MB per second for the Exceria Pro and 120MB per second for the Exceria. Both Exceria Pro and Exceria cards have a maximum read speed of 260MB per second. Faster read and write speeds are important for photographers who need a nearly instantaneous response from their digital camera and don't want to be slowed down by a memory card.As a point of perspective the UHS-II standard can go up to 312MB per second when used with compatible devices, while UHS-I cards have a maximum of 104MB per second. The Exceria Pro cards will be available in October 2013 for 16GB and 32GB storage capacities. If you can wait a little while longer, the Exceria cards will be available in November 2013 for 32GB and 64GB storage capacities. No definite news when it would be available in Malaysia or for what price, but stay tuned and we'll keep you updated.


Toshiba drops out of PC market, will sell laptop business to Sharp

In an ever-competitive PC market, Japanese companies have found it hard to match up and have been dropping out of the race. Sony did so a few years ago when it sold its Vaio business and now another company is following suit. Toshiba officially made the announcement last week, confirming that it has sold all its remaining Dynabook stakes to Sharp.

According to the press release, Toshiba has transferred the rest of its remaining 19.9% shares on the Dynabook business to Sharp. This is part of the initial purchase agreement made between the two companies in June 2018, a clause that allowed Sharp the rights to initiate the purchase of the remaining stakes in June 2020. Sharp now fully owns the Dynabook brand, which mostly consists of business laptops.

A modern-day Dynabook PC looks like any regular laptop

While the company has over 3 decades of history in the PC business, it has largely been irrelevant outside of Japan. Its decline could be attributed to many factors, such as Toshiba's decision to bet on its HD DVD technology over Blu-ray, poor laptop designs, and a shrinking PC market. Sharp hasn't made any big splashes with the brand either, so it's hard to say if it'll ever flourish again.

Incidentally, I remember using a Dynabook desktop PCs in a school computer lab way back in the 90s. But has any of you ever used a Dynabook PC or laptop? Do let us know in the comments on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


Toshiba dual camera modules coming soon to smartphones

Rehashing an old concept with new tech, Toshiba is coming out with dual camera modules which may soon offer smartphones the Lytro-like ability to refocus after the shot while maintaining sharp image clarity. The dual camera module uses two 5MP cameras that records both depth and image information at the same time, creating a 'deep focus' effect and a resulting 13MP image. The camera module works a lot like the Pelican Imaging camera array but unfortunately Toshiba have said that they expect it to reach mass production by April 2014, so we may only see smartphones with these Toshiba dual camera modules after that date. No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet, but it could mean that next year's smartphones will have the same capabilities as the current batch of photo-binning cameraphones, like the Nokia Lumia 1020.


Toshiba unveils the first Project ARA camera modules

Google's Project ARA is probably one of the most revolutionary projects undertaken in the smartphone industry to date. Last year, Google had shown off a prototype device and now, at MWC 2015, the company is expected to show a better working prototype along with some of the Project ARA modules at the event to be held in Barcelona. Toshiba has also announced three new modules for this innovative project, which may even be showcased at MWC this year. The company announced a 2MP front facing camera along with two other rear facing camera modules. Out of the two, one will feature a 5MP 1.4um sensor and the other will come with a 13MP 1.12um sensor.  Toshiba plans to put these modules into mass production and finally release it to the public sometime later next year. This could be in line with the wide scale release of the modular smartphone project expected in 2016. This year, Google has decided to test out the project first in a limited area, specifically Puerto Rico. The company has not shown off the real life performance of these modules, but has released a video of the 5MP camera module in action which we have added below. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but we should know more soon.


Total War: Shogun 2 now free to claim on Steam

It was only yesterday that we reported that Alien: Isolation is now on a crazy discount for RM3.75 only. This time, popular real-time and turn-based strategy game, Total War: Shogun 2 will be free to claim starting from today onwards until 2 May (1AM, Malaysia time). You may get it now on your Steam account while you can.

By the way, if you want Total War: Shogun 2's DLC packs - they aren't free. However, they are on a huge discount now with a 75% discount. Purchasing all 8 DLCs will only cost you RM11 and that's super cheap. In addition, there are also other Total War series on discount, including Shogun Collection, Rome II - Emperor Edition, Fall of the Samurai, Napoleon, Empire, and others going as low as RM6.50.

From the words from Steam - "If you ever find yourself thinking about the political climate in 16th century Japan, now might be the time to find out how you’d fare as a clan leader fighting to become Shogun"! Good luck and have fun, stay home, and stay tuned for more free Steam game news at TechNave.com.


Touch ID could be making a comeback from iPhone 13 onwards

Based on a statement by Macrumors.com, it seems that Apple could be bringing back the Touch ID feature from iPhone 13 onwards. While not much is known in regards to the release date, pricing, and exact tech specs regarding the smartphone in question, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is available in the local market.

In terms of the functionality, it seems that there could be a possibility that the Touch ID will work in conjunction with Face ID for better security. Not only that, but there were also rumours floating around stating that Apple’s upcoming smartphones come with a much smaller display notch compared to previous generation iPhones.

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

What are your thoughts on Touch ID making a comeback in the iPhone 13? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Touch 'N Go Time Traveller watch officially announced for Malaysia at RM155 promo price

Syahrunizam Samsudin, Chief Executive Officer of TNGSB launching the Time Traveller watch

Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd (TNGSB) has just launched their Time Traveller e-payment watch featuring built-in contactless payment without the Touch 'N Go card. Instead, the Time Traveller watch is used just like your Touch 'N Go card so you can do contactless payment at Touch 'N Go merchants and business partners.

Currently going for a promotional price of RM155 with RM20 preloaded for the roadshow at IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Ground Floor, East Wing until 5 June 2016. The watch normally goes for a retail price of RM239 and will be available at Touch 'N Go Hubs at KL Sentral and Bangsar South as well as 11street.my and w2p.my.

The Time Traveller watch itself is a normal watch but with a sensor built into the bezel with a special slot for the Touch 'N Go chip which can be loaded with a value of RM10 to RM1500. Also launched was the TNG - CIMB Get Cash Campaign, which is a loan scheme for Touch 'N Go customers starting from RM2000 to RM100000. More merchants like food trucks and more Time Traveller watches are coming.

The TNG - CIMB Get Cash Campaign is available from 8 June to 31 August 2016 with monthly repayments as low as RM58 per month. Check out the Touch N' Go site for more information. 100 Time Traveller watches and 100 SmartTAG units are available for successful loan applicants.


Touch N' Go and EZ-Link to release the Combi Card, usable in both Malaysian and Singapore.

Touch N’ Go in collaboration with Singapore’s EZ-Link, has announced that they both have signed an agreement in which they will be partnering up to develop the Combi Card which enables the consumer to perform electronic payments to services such as tolls, parking, shopping as well as dining in both countries. The aforementioned card, is expected to be available to the consumer starting Q4 of 2019.

This will improve the quality-of-life for consumers to frequently travel between Malaysia and Singapore, especially via public transport. Not only that, but it would also reduce the bulk in your wallet as well! For more information about EZ-Link and Touch N' Go, do drop by their official websites and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Touch ‘n Go Group is working with United Voice to raise funds through art

Recently, the Touch ‘n Go Group announced its long-term collaboration with United Voice. By purchasing paintings from United Voice artists and incorporating the artwork on limited edition specially designed Touch ‘n Go cards, they plan to profile the talents of the artists raising funds for United Voice.

So far, Touch ‘n Go has purchased 10 paintings – 1 painting from each of 10 talented artists – which are featured on specially designed Touch ‘n Go cards. There are 4,000 pieces of each card design. The proceeds from the purchase of the paintings go directly to each artist whilst a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will be channelled to United Voice.

For your information, the funds will be spent on United Voice's daily operations and projects to drive new revenue and employment opportunities for its members. This includes mobile coffee carts, sewing workshops, and entrepreneurship programmes. Many of these artists have received awards for their art both locally and internationally, with their artwork sold to collectors from across the globe and many made their way into greeting cards, calendars, and hallways.

Touch ‘n Go is hosting the art exhibition from today till 5 October 2022, to showcase paintings from the United Voice artists. Besides displaying the paintings which were purchased by Touch ‘n Go for the limited-edition cards, other paintings by the 10 artists are also on exhibition with selected artwork up for sale to the public. Proceeds from the sale of these paintings also go directly to the artists.

The Touch ‘n Go collaboration with United Voice’s specially designed cards are priced at RM25 each and sold exclusively at the art exhibition. For more information and updates, visit www.touchngo.com.my.


5.9-inch LG G Pro 2 officially announced, includes 13MP OIS+ camera, Hi-fi audio and more Knocks

Taking over from the LG G Pro, the LG G Pro 2 was officially announced recently, offering even more features and the latest tech specs. It is the first LG smartphone to have a 13MP OIS+  (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) camera and adds a number of other features including 120 fps HD slow motion video recording, 4K Ultra HD video recording and other camera centric features. That's not all, as other features and tech specs for the LG G Pro 2 include:

The LG G Pro 2 also comes with LG's innovative flip case

On top of having louder and better Hifi  audio, one of the more recognizable features is the Knock Code, first seen in the LG G2. Featuring a more updated Knock system, you can unlock your LG G Pro 2 on any part of the screen with two to eight taps including up to 86367 Knock combinations. So far, there isn't any Malaysia pricing just yet, but the LG G Pro 2 should be available first in Korea in February 2014 with a Malaysia release date expected in March 2014. US and Europe are expected to get their roll-out afterwards.


Apple decides to not extend consultation contract with its former design chief Jony Ive

Former Apple design chief Jony Ive is no longer affiliated with Apple after the tech giant decided to not extend its consultation contract with his design firm, LoveFrom. Thus, both parties have now agreed to stop working together, ending a relationship that had lasted for over 30 years.

As reported by The New York Times, Apple signed a multiyear contract with Ive after his departure from Apple in June 2019. The tech giant then became one of LoveFrom’s primary clients, whereby Ive’s design firm was a consultant for Apple products, such as the 24-inch iMac and even gave guidance on the Apple Car design.

The multiyear contract with Ive was allegedly worth over ~RM443 million and restricted Ive from working with Apple’s competitors. Furthermore, the expensive contract allegedly caused ire from Apple executives, who also become frustrated after Apple designers left the tech company to join Ive’s design firm.

Ive was also rumoured to want freedom to choose his clients and not be restricted by the consultation contract with Apple, thus the mutual decision to not extend the contract occurred. Well, all good things must come to an end, I guess.

What do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news.


Touch 'n Go RFID Tag priced at RM35, here's how it works and where you can get one

Today, after Touch 'n Go Sdn. Bhd. (TNG)'s successful public pilot programme across 22 highways for the past 18 months, the company have officially announced a new TNG RFID Tag feature for Malaysians. The tags are said to be available quite soon on 15 February 2020 for RM35. Here's how it works and where to apply for one.

Similarly to our neighbouring country, Singapore, this new feature will enable Malaysian drivers to experience mobility technology which includes not just going through tolls, but as well as parking and pumping petrol. Since the beginning of 2020, RFID is already ready on open tolls and the company is planning to integrate it on closed tolls on 1 April. Parking (selected ones) and petrol stations will also have this year, which is planned on the third and fourth quarter of 2020.

To register for the new RFID Tag feature, there are three fixed fitment centres which are Kelana Jaya, Bangsar South (CEC), and Duke Highway, as well as other 81 mobile fitment centres across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor. Anyone can just walk-in and make sure you get yourself registered with the necessary personal and vehicle information on the TNG eWallet mobile app.

No car documents are needed as your NRIC is the only thing that is required, however, they might request an authorization letter if the eWallet user and vehicle owner is different. Of course, a SMS notification on RFID Tag activation will be sent at the end after the payment.

In conjunction with the launch, the company will be doing an Ultimate RFID Toll Pass promotion for 40 lucky winners. It will begin on 15 February until 15 April 2020, each winner will get RM2500 in his or her TNG eWallet.

It's about time that we get such a feature for our driving experience in Malaysia. For more information, you may visit rfid.touchngo.com.my to find out more. Stay tuned for more Touch 'n Go news at TehcNave.com.


Touch n' Go RFID system now comes with number plate recognition for some tolls

Not sure about you, but the radio frequency identification (RFID) tolls can be a nightmare to some of us who have gotten stuck before. However, things might get better soon as new RFID tolls along the Hutan Kampung route to Sungai Dua come equipped with a technology that enables a smoother RFID experience, compared to the previous version.

PLUS Malaysia announced that the RFID toll fare collection system now works with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system. With it, customers can safely and seamlessly pass through the RFID-equipped toll lane without interruption at speeds of up to 30 km/h, compared to speeds of up to 20 km/h when using SmartTag.

The integration consists of an ANPR with a toll validation centre (TVC) uses artificial intelligence and machine learning. There will also be high-resolution cameras set up at entry and exit lanes to enable smooth passage for RFID customers, said PLUS. The integrated systems will be able to detect, analyse and resolve most common RFID customer issues automatically in the background without interrupting the customer's journey experience in the lane, according to PLUS MD Datuk Azman Ismail.

What is your opinion on this article? You may also share your experience with Touch n' Go RFID by leaving a comment! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest local tech report.


Touch 'n Go Street Parking now available in three new areas

Touch 'n Go is probably one of the more commonly used e-wallet this year. Its Street Parking feature can be a very useful feature, though many lamented that it could only be used in certain Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan areas. That's going to change now that the company has announced more areas under three jurisdictions.

As you can see from the official page, Touch 'n Go has added Subang Jaya, Putrajaya, and Kuala Langat to the places where the Street Parking feature can be used. These areas correspond to the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya, Perbadanan Putrajaya, and Majlis Daerah Kuala Langat jurisdictions, respectively.

It's great to see more areas where Street Parking can be used and we hope to see more soon. What areas would you like to see this feature added to next? Let us know on our Facebook page! For other news like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go Visa Card design revealed, official launch could be imminent

Before Christmas, we reported that the Touch 'n Go (TNG) Visa Card is releasing soon and it looks like the company has started to roll out the application. It was first discovered in a Lowyat forum whereby a member could see the Visa Card logo on the TNG eWallet app.

Currently, the feature is not available on every TNG app yet. But the Visa Card logo should appear on the home page beside GOInvest or simply at the Financial Services when tapping into "More". The screenshot shows that the Visa Card tier is divided into three types - Lite, Pro and Premium- for differentiating annual and monthly transaction limits.

Finally, Touch n'go visa card Already available in the app#touchngo#tngo#tng#touchngovisacard#visacardtouchngo pic.twitter.com/ye3LA1FUyu

To apply for the TNG Visa Card, the user also informed sources that the application fee is RM10. The replacement card fee and the annual fee are RM10 and RM8 respectively, and you can cancel the Visa Card for free. That being said, the user who tried applying it only got charged RM5 and it happened with another user as well.

Sources also said it takes from seven to ten working days for the TNG Visa Card to reach the customer's address. Anyway, looking at the situation, the TNG Visa Card official announcement is bound to happen anytime soon. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch ’n Go Visa Card nears release as its FAQ was spotted on the company’s official website

Touch ’n Go (TnG) may be releasing a Touch ’n Go Visa Card soon as a frequently asked question (FAQ) regarding the card is currently up on the company’s official website. This development comes more than one year after TnG announced a strategic partnership with Visa.

Moreover, TnG also revealed that a TnG eWallet Visa Prepaid Debit Card was in the works during an event last month. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the upcoming Prepaid Debit Card is what the FAQ on the company’s website is alluding to.

First spotted by Amanz, the FAQ can be accessed here, though clicking on each question would redirect you to a login page for the company’s Careline Support. This probably means that the FAQ was unintentionally published by the company. Whoops!

Of course, it also means that the aforementioned TnG eWallet Visa Prepaid Debit Card is close to release. According to TnG’s statement last year regarding the partnership with Visa, the Prepaid Debit Card is expected to be available to TnG eWallet users in 2022.

The prepaid debit card is expected to function similarly to the card offered by BigPay. With the TnG Visa Card, users are expected to allow users to utilise the balance within their TnG eWallet and Go+ accounts for payments and ATM cash withdrawals.

Of course, do take this information with a grain of salt as it is still mere speculation. Well, we just have to wait until the official announcement by TnG then.

So, what do you guys think of the upcoming TnG Visa Prepaid Debit Card? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond.


Touch 'n Go eWallet app will undergo system maintenance very soon

Just a short public service announcement - Touch 'n Go eWallet just announced that there will be upcoming maintenance soon. It will be scheduled for 15 October 2022 but not during rush hours.

In the announcement, the Touch 'n Go eWallet system maintenance on the said date will happen from 2 AM until 6 AM. With this, every service in the app cannot be performed until the maintenance is over (duh). The services include reload, payment functions and a merchant dashboard for the merchants.

To avoid disruption at tolls on the highway and parking that requires Touch 'n Go eWallet, make sure you have already enabled PayDirect with enough eWallet balance before the maintenance. Share this with your friends and family too because we won't want any of them stuck at the tolls and parking.

That's all, folks. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch ’n Go eWallet collaborates with Yayasan Hijau Malaysia to plant 100 million trees by 2025

Touch ’n Go Group today announced that it is working together with Yayasan Hijau Malaysia via Touch ’n Go eWallet to launch the Mission GreenPossible: 100 Million Trees by 2025 campaign. As the name would suggest, the campaign seeks to plant 100 million trees by 2025 and aims to contribute towards environmental conservation through the foundation’s efforts in planting more trees.

Yayasan Hijau Malaysia is an agency under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and is under the purview of the lead agency, the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. Accordingly, through this collaboration, users can donate towards the cause in a seamless and paperless way by using the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app.

Those that donate towards the cause can view and track the campaign’s dedicated microsite, through the app or web in the form of a virtual tree. In fact,   for every 100% grown virtual tree, a batch of actual trees will be planted by Yayasan Hijau Malaysia.

Upon planting the first batch of actual trees, the virtual tree will then restart to allow users to grow more virtual trees, further driving the planting of more actual trees.  The mission is to get Malaysians to come forward together, donate and strive to conserve Mother Nature.

In this regard, Touch ‘n Go Group announced that it will also donate alongside the Malaysian public in its quest to ensure a greener Malaysia for future generations. Launched at the Glasshouse in Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur earlier today, it was officiated by Dato’ Indera Mohd Ridza Bin Awang, Director General, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Mr Alan Ni, Chief Executive Officer of TNG Digital Sdn Bhd and Encik Amin Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Hijau Malaysia.

Awesome! The Mission GreenPossible: 100 Million Trees by 2025 campaign is live today in the Touch ’n Go eWallet app. For more information and updates, do visit the campaign’s official website here.


Touch 'n Go eWallet has implemented the 5 new safety & security measures ahead of schedule

If you recall, Touch 'n Go eWallet announced that it will implement five new safety & security measures to combat scammers. Fast forward to today, the company is pleased to announce that it has successfully done it as imposed by the Bank Negara Malaysia.

During the press conference, Alan Ni, Chief Executive Officer of TNG Digital Sdn Bhd told the media that with the continuous rise of financial scams and security breaches involving eWallet and bank transactions, it has become vital to keep the users' online accounts safe and secure. Initially, the deadline for the implementation is June 2023 but the company did it ahead of schedule.

To recap the five new safety and security measures, read below to find out more:

1) Migration from using an SMS one-time password (OTP) to a more secure authentication method to face verification. When users log in to their eWallet app, they can change their eWallet PIN, perform transactions or make payments with the eWallet, and perform reloads

2) Fraud detection rules are tightened and will trigger the blocking of suspicious transactions. Transactions of a certain threshold or any abnormal activity and suspicious behaviour observed on a user's account will be limited or blocked. An email alert will be sent to the users if the transaction is over the set limit.

3) Authentication of electronic banking transactions is now restricted to one mobile device or secure device per account holder. TapSecure is now a mandatory one-tap approval function to authenticate users' transactions and ensures that only a user's linked device can be used for the approval of transactions within the user's eWallet account.

4) Verification and cooling-off period for first-time enrolment of services, secure device, or profile documents with a risk-based approach. Cooling-off means that when users log in to their eWallet from a new device with a less secure authentication method, it will trigger a set of risk-based conditions where the user will be limited for a certain amount of top-ups or payments up to 48 hours.

5) TNG eWallet also established a dedicated customer service channel or hotline for incident reports and suspicions of scams and fraud. Users may contact the hotline number at +603 5022 3888 and select "4" for Fraud to make a report.

For more information about Touch 'n Go eWallet's safety and security measures, you can visit the official webpage here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet introduces new Premium tier for users to keep up to RM20,000

Touch 'n Go eWallet has introduced a new Premium tier that allows an increased eWallet size of RM20,000 and an increased annual transaction limit of RM300,000. The users who usually reload or make transactions multiple times due to the limit must have waited long to have this new tier.

The addition of a new Premium tier leads to Touch 'n Go having three tiers now - Lite, Pro and Premium. A Lite tier user can only hold a maximum of RM200 for an unverified Touch 'n Go eWallet account. Meanwhile, Pro tier users can hold a maximum balance of RM5,000 with a monthly transaction limit of RM5,000 for a verified Electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) account.

To upgrade your eWallet tier to Premium, you can either make an investment in GO+ or purchase a CarInsure product with Touch 'n Go. It's worth mentioning that introducing the Premium tier has also made Touch 'n Go become one of the biggest among the popular eWallet players in Malaysia.

Let us know what you think about the new Touch 'n Go tier on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech reports.


Touch 'n Go eWallet is the first official cashless transaction service in Penang's key herritage streets!

Touch ‘n Go now brings cashless experience to Penang’s key heritage streets around Geroge Town, Penang.  It is the first official e-wallet transaction across the Penang merchants stalls with the support of Penang State Government such as Armenian Street, Nagore Street, Chowrasta Market, as well as areas in Pulau Tikus and Tanjung Tokong.

It strikes into Penang supporting the local economic growth and also eliminating the need for paper transactions or receipts. This movement is in line with the Penang State Government’s agenda  “Penang2030” that focuses on improving the liveability, economy, Green and Smart State.” The cashless community movement drives Penang to become a more connected and smarter city.

The company also established partnerships with Penang homegrown startup brands such as MULA and DeliverEat, which uses the eWallet as a mode of payment. Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow also mentioned that there will be more collaborations with TNG Digital such as LinkBike and eGovernment services. Touch ‘n Go eWallet is currently having 110,000 merchants nationwide with 7 million users and aiming to triple its merchant base in Penang within the coming year.

With that said, there will be no more worries about running out of cash when you travel to Penang for foods and local services with Touch ‘n Go eWallet transactions. Would you be utilizing your Touch ‘n Go eWallet on your next travel? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned for more local news updates on TechNave.com!


Apple denies Fortnite from returning to App Store, ban could last up to 5 years

Epic Games might have claimed that Fortnite wouldn't be returning to the Apple App Store, but that wouldn't be possible anyway. The company allegedly pledged to adhere to Apple's guidelines if its developer account was reactivated. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't have any intentions of doing so.

Documents between the two companies were leaked by Epic Game's CEO Tim Sweeney, who revealed that Apple refused to reinstate Epic Games' developer account until "the district court's judgment becomes final and non-appealable". This process could range from 3 years to as long as 5 years, meaning that Fortnite would be banned from the Apple App Store for just as long.

Late last night, Apple informed Epic that Fortnite will be blacklisted from the Apple ecosystem until the exhaustion of all court appeals, which could be as long as a 5-year process. pic.twitter.com/QCD7wogJef

5 years is a long time, especially in the tech and games industry. By the time the 5 years is up, battle royale as a game genre might not even be profitable anymore. And Fortnite could even be overtaken by new games that appear in the interim. This is why Epic Games intends to appeal the decision. For other developers, the relevant takeaway is that you probably shouldn't challenge Apple's terms of service, or you might not like the outcome.

But this brings back the debate many have on the Internet regarding this issue. Is the Apple App Store a monopoly and unfair to developers? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the latest mobile devices and apps.


Touch 'n Go eWallet launches GOprotect as a one-stop insurance platform for Malaysians

Today, Touch 'n Go Group, via TNG Digital has launched GOprotect. It's a new platform where TNG eWallet users can purchase various types of insurance offerings. Currently, GOprotect features six insurance products such as WalletSafe, SafeTrip, SafeHome, CarInsure, CI Insure and MotoInsure.

With GOprotect, TNG eWallet users can purchase an insurance plan easily. TNG said users are guaranteed a hassle-free claim process through the 24/7 insurers' claim hotline, as well as keeping track of the insurance policies through the "My Policies" tab in the app. The company even claimed that getting an insurance plan can be done in less than three minutes.

According to the company, there are additional benefits in purchasing insurance plans within the app. You can refer to each insurance plan as a brief summary:

Also, TNG announced that starting from now until 31 May 2023, TNG eWallet will award 100% cashback to six lucky winners daily when they purchase any insurance products through the eWallet. For more information about GOprotect, you can visit the official web portal here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet now available in Mid Valley and The Gardens Mall

[L - R] Michelle Yeoh, Shop Field Marketing Manager of General Mills; Bryan Yeow, Loob Holdings International Business Development Director; Mr Syahrunizam Samsudin, Chief Executive Officer of TNG Digital Sdn Bhd; Anthony Teng, Director of Jaya Grocer; Chin Chon Young, Head Trade Finance Transaction Banking Malaysia (CIMB) celebrating the partnership between Touch ‘n Go eWallet, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall at the launch event

Today, Touch 'n Go (TNG) Digital Sdn. Bhd. has announced a new collaboration with two popular shopping centres in Klang Valley - the Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall. Why? Well, you guessed it - customers can now use TNG eWallet for QR payments and there are a ton of attractive promotions taking place between 17 and 31 December 2018.

During the event, there will be several outlets joining the newly implemented TNG eWallet promotion where customers can enjoy exclusive deals with terms & conditions apply. Below is the official list of the promotions:

According to TNG Digital, the company aims to enable the cashless system at least 80% at all retail outlets in both Mid Valley and The Garden Malls in 2019. And on top of the promotion, shoppers can get their RM10 TNG eWallet reload pins through booths located at Level 3, Mid Valley Megamall (near Tealive) and Level 2 The Gardens Mall (near Starbucks). The reload pins are only applicable for first time eWallet users and there is no minimum purchase required.

In addition, the participating outlets joining the cashless system includes 4Fingers, Bath & Body Works, Boost Juice, Caring Pharmacy, Charles & Keith, Chillis, DOME Café, GNC, Haagen Dazs, Love & Co, Mou Tak Ding, MPH Bookstores, Pedro, Poh Kong, Popular Bookstore, Sacoor Brothers, Tealive, Tumi, Jaya Grocer, and many more.

Stay tuned for more local tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet now has GOpinjam where you can get a loan up to RM10,000

If you didn't notice, there is a new GOpinjam function in your Touch 'n Go (TnG) eWallet app. What might this do, you ask? Well, it's a new digital financial service to assist Malaysians with personal loaning online. As long as you have updated it to the latest version, GOpinjam offers personal loans from as low as RM100 to a maximum of RM10,000.

According to TnG Group, the repayment period for these loans can range from a week to a year, with no hidden fees of early settlement charged. To further promote the inclusion and accessibility of this launch, potential borrowers will require a minimum monthly income of only RM800 to gain access to GOpinjam.

On that note, GOpinjam is developed in partnership with CIMB Bank. This marks it as the first lending offering that would allow users to borrow from as low as RM100. This is done through CIMB Bank's e-Zi Tunai Personal Loan which has been approved by Bank Negara Malaysia.

All first-time users must submit either a one-month payslip or the latest EP statement along with basic information or the loan application. It doesn't take long for first-time users to know if they have been approved but if not, then it's the next business day upon full and accurate submission of the income documentation. After approval, the funds go into either the TnG eWallet app or the CIMB Bank account. Returning users can apply and get an instant loan disbursement without the submission process.

GOpinjam is available effective immediately to TnG eWallet users who are Malaysian citizens above 21 years old. For more information and updates about GOpinjam, you can visit www.touchngo.com.my and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet now supports cross-border payments in Japan

Once the Movement Control Order is lifted - and assuming it's not extended - many people could be looking to resume previous travel plans. For those of you who are doing so, you might want to look into using Touch 'n Go (TnG) eWallet during your trip. The company has just launched a cross-border payment service and it's going to be available first for Japan.

The service is powered by Alipay Connect and will gradually be rolled out to other countries besides Japan. With it, you'll be able to use TnG eWallet to make payments at all participating merchants in Japan. There are supposedly over 1 million participating stores, so you'll probably be able to enjoy a large portion of your trip without having to use cash.

To use the service, tap 'Pay' on the app and swipe up to activate Alipay Connect. A barcode and QR code would appear, which the merchant can then scan to collect the payment. Of course, you will need to make sure you have enough balance in your eWallet account, but it's a simple process.

Although there may not be many people that can use this service during this time, there's no denying how convenient this new service can be for travelling. With that said, what are your thoughts on this and which countries do you want to see added to the service? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Touch n' Go eWallet offering vouchers worth up to RM1,000 alongside RM150 eBelia credit

Yesterday marks the first day of the eBelia programme and many have rushed onto their desired platforms to claim the free RM150 e-wallet credit. For those who are eligible and haven't done so, you may want to consider Touch n' Go eWallet as it's also offering reward vouchers worth up to RM1,000.

Other than the RM150 eBelia credit, the eWallet platform is also offering up to RM600 worth of vouchers from its co-partner, Lazada and up to RM600 worth of bundled cashback and discount vouchers from over 250 brands, including online, retail, F&B and transportation. After reading this, we guess that some of you are rushing to your Touch n' Go eWallet app now (haha).

If you still have no clue about the eBelia programme, it is a government initiative that offers RM150 e-wallet credit to Malaysian youths aged 18 to 20 as well as full-time Malaysian students in Malaysia’s higher education institutes (IPT) on participating e-wallet platforms. The free credit will be claimable from 1 June 2021 until 22 July 2021 and must be utilised before 31 July 2021.

Let us know what you think about Touch n' Go eWallet's offer on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech news.


Touch 'n Go eWallet officially launches GO+ and here are 9 things you should know

By now, many Touch 'n Go eWallet app users should have spotted the new GO+ function inside. But if you're somehow still under the rock, GO+ is a new financial investment feature that allows the users to have a low-risk money market investment. Malaysians can invest as low as RM10.

To access GO+, make sure you have the latest app version on both iOS and Android. After that, you can see GO+ on the user interface easily and just tap into it. Once you have followed the instructions, you can put in as much cash up to RM5000 per day or RM9500 in total from your respective bank. The daily return rate may change from time to time and the returns will be credited daily.

There's also a Cash-Out feature that will allow the movement of funds seamlessly between the user’s eWallet and designated bank account. On top of that, the GO+ balances can be used for all eWallet payments as well. It should also be noted that only Malaysians above 18 years old and above can use GO+, below are some more things that you should know:

P.S. -  We also asked them when will we be able to top up our TnG card from the ewallet. They replied that in Q4 2021, there are plans for a new TnG card to be released for that purpose

The GO+ product is based on the Principal e-Cash Fund, a money market fund managed by Principal Asset Management (“Principal”), a leading ASEAN asset management company. To read more about GO+, you may visit the official page right here to learn more. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet server is down, but does that mean it's the most used eWallet by Malaysians?

Today, Malaysians everywhere are thrilled to redeem the RM30 from the e-Tunai Rakyat campaign. Ever since day 1 of 2020, Malaysians have already been notified about it on Grabpay, Boost and Touch 'n Go eWallet, and many have already got it except for Touch 'n Go eWallet due to server overload.

While some managed to redeem it, a majority of users (me) have already complained online about the issue and the company are already fixing it as we speak. The company has yet to make an official statement on the situation, though, but looking through the lens, there is a bigger picture here - is Touch 'n Go the most used eWallet for Malaysians?

Having servers overload on the launching day is actually quite normal, this goes the same for games as well just like when Pokemon Go was first launched. So when you think about it, it does make sense for Touch 'n Go eWallet servers to experience traffic for not being able to accommodate multiple users at once. Plus, Touch 'n Go is one of the main payments to use for tolling on the highway and a number of new partners are starting to adopt it, such as Jaya Grocer, myNEWs.com and others for convenient shopping. Heck, even hawker stalls in Seremban are using it (what are you waiting for, FamilyMart?)!

With such a big volume of not just Touch 'n Go eWallet, but as well as Grabpay, Boost and other cashless platform users as a whole in Malaysia, companies and businesses should not overlook this and certainly need to pay attention to this trend in formulating their business strategy this year. But that said since there are a few eWallet options, they must start innovating and make themselves distinct from each other so that it can cater to our inevitable futuristic lifestyle.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with the traditional way of using cash only but we are already in 2020. So get on with the times and stop living in the past because the future is now!

If you haven't redeemed your RM30 on Grabpay, Boost and Touch 'n Go eWallet and don't know how to, you can check out our online guide here. Which cashless platform is your most preferred one? Stay tuned for more tech articles at TechNave.com.


Touch ‘n Go eWallet to implement five new safety & security measures to combat scammers

These days, scammers are taking new levels to trick people out of sending them money. So as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance protection and security for its users’ accounts, Touch ‘n Go eWallet just announced that there will be five new measures to combat financial scams.

As recently imposed by Bank Negara Malaysia, Touch 'n Go eWallet has come forward to volunteer as the first and only eWallet in Malaysia to incorporate the new safety and security measures, ahead of the others. Touch ‘n Go eWallet will implement these five strategies by the first quarter of 2023.

According to the company, these are the five security and fraud prevention measurements:

Once in place, these security standards are expected to further reinforce safeguards against fraudulent transactions. On top of that, the Malaysian government has set up a National Scam Response Center to streamline coordination between agencies for a rapid response towards online financial scams. Touch ‘n Go eWallet is the first eWallet to be a part of the National Scam Response Center.

According to figures from Bursa Malaysia, losses from reported scams amounted to RM5.2bil over a two-year period during the Covid-19 pandemic. And there were many more that went unreported. For further information about Touch ‘n Go eWallet’s safety and security, please visit touchngo.com.my/policies/safetyandsecuritymeasures/.


Touch 'n Go eWallet unveils its first-ever numberless Visa Card, available for RM5 now


Touch 'n Go eWallet users can now claim free Lazada vouchers and cashback from Tealive

Today, Touch 'n Go eWallet just announced a new X'Mass Surprise for every user. They are teaming up with Lazada and Tealive for this campaign offering Malaysians #LebihBanyakEkstra rewards with discounts, cashbacks and others.

Starting now until Christmas, Touch 'n Go eWallet users can grab RM3 off when they go online shopping on the Lazada app or from the integrated Lazada shortcut on the eWallet app. For the RM3 voucher to be applicable, a minimum spending of RM15 in a single transaction must be performed. As for Tealive, every customer gets a RM3 cashback at participating Tealive outlets with a minimum spending of RM10 in a single transaction as well.

The campaign will end on 31 December 2020 and speaking of vouchers, the company just recently upgraded The Goal Hunter feature in the app. There are new 20 voucher rewards from BHP, 7Eleven, Digi, Tesco, The Chicken Rice Shop and more for the year-end celebration. Users can collect stamps when they transact with the eWallet anytime and activate their goal.

The Lazada vouchers from the compliments of Touch 'n Go Wallet can be claimed on Lazada here. If you happen to be a merchant that wants to be part of the Touch 'n Go eWallet program for the cashless payment system, you may visit this site to get yourself registered. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple design chief Jony Ive not sticking around for iPhone 12 after all

It has been confirmed that Jony Ive is no longer working at Apple. He first announced his decision to leave earlier in June this year, ending a long stint at America's biggest tech company. Apple has not announced any replacement for the Chief Design Officer position at this point in time.

Ive joined Apple in 1992 and has spent many years since then designing Apple products. His decision to leave has been widely speculated with some claiming that it had to do with the iPhone 11's design. However, Ive is not quite out of Apple's payroll. He now runs his own independent design firm called LoveFrom with long-time partner Marc Newson, with Apple one of the firm's clients.

What do you think about Jony Ive leaving Apple, do you think it'll impact the design of the iPhone 12? Head over to our Facebook page to let us know! Also, remember to stay tuned for more tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go eWallet users can now earn up to 15% cashback from Fave DuitNow QR

In case you didn't know, Fave and Touch 'n Go Digital (TNG Digital) have announced their new partnership. Launching the Fave Loyalty Programme within TNG eWallet, TNG eWallet users can now scan any Fave DuitNow QR, and earn up to 15 per cent cashback across 17,000 F&B outlets and retailers.

Designed to be easy, quick and rewarding, TNG eWallet users can earn cashback every time they pay for purchases by scanning the Fave-issued DuitNow QR code with a TNG eWallet scanner. Users will also be able to link their Fave account and import all cashback, view and use the cashback for their purchases.

From 7 January until 31 March 2023, TNG eWallet users who make a purchase by scanning a Fave DuitNow QR code with the Touch ‘n Go eWallet scanner will receive an additional 10% discount (capped at RM2) on top of the Fave Partner Cashback. Users can also collect TNG eWallet’s The Goal Hunter Campaign stamps for every transaction of RM10 and above throughout the campaign period.

With that, merchants will now have access to more than 18 million TNG eWallet users nationwide via the Fave DuitNow QR and extend their loyalty cashback to more customers, reconciling them under one FaveBiz platform. Above are just images of steps to earn Fave cashback and how to link an existing Fave account to the “Fave icon” in Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch ‘n Go eWallet users can now use the app to pay for transport in Singapore

Users of the Touch ‘n Go eWallet can now use the platform outside of Malaysia, specifically across the Causeway in Singapore. Announced by the Touch ‘n Go Group via TNG Digital Sdn Bhd today, the company is collaborating with Alipay+ in allowing for the eWallet to be used in paying for ComfortDelGro taxis in Singapore.

In case you didn’t know, Alipay+ is a suite of global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions operated by Ant Group, while ComfortDelGro is the operator of the largest taxi network in Singapore. The CEO of TNG Digital, Alan Ni in a statement today asserted that this is only the beginning of the platform’s expansion of payment services in the neighbouring country.

Alan then elaborated that it is the company’s goal to grow its expansion network and make payments throguh Touch ‘n Go eWallet seamless in Singapore as it is in Malaysia. Hence, the latest collaboration with Alipay+ will enable users to enjoy a hassle-free and seamless payment experience outside of Malaysia.

As part of the promotional campaign to commemorate this new collaboration, Touch ’n Go eWallet also announced that users can enjoy discounts to celebrate the launch. Users are entitled to an instant discount, from RM4 and RM6, off their total fare when they ride ComfortDelGro taxis on the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app until 25 June 2022. The discounts are varied at different weeks and capped at the first 300 transactions daily.

So, what do you guys think of this latest move by Touch ‘n Go eWallet? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond.


Touch 'n Go introduces GOinvest on eWallet app, and users can invest as low as RM10

Touch 'n Go Group has announced a new feature for the Touch 'n Go eWallet app. From now on, users can make investments in the app with GOinvest. TNG Digital CEO Alan Ni said that GOinvest would help all Malaysians to invest and not just be limited to those who can make huge investments.

The first investment product offered in GOinvest is the Principal Islamic Money Market Fund managed by Principal Asset Management Berhad. If you're interested, anyone aged 18 and above can start investing in this product for as little as RM10.

Furthermore, the investment has no lock-in period or cap on the investment balance. Users can also set their financial goals through the feature, such as marriage, vehicle, education or vacation. You may visit the Touch 'n Go website for more information about GOinvest or the Principal website for more information about the Principal Islamic Money Market Fund.

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


Touch 'n Go now features zero-fee reloading points closer to you on Waze!

Touch ‘n Go is the most used paying system in the highways by Malaysians and one common problem we often face is an insufficient amount of credits. Today, the company announced that the Touch ‘n Go zero-fee reload points are now available on Waze to make reloading easier for users during their journey on the road.

In order to locate the zero-fee reload points, you just need to turn your Waze app on and type in Touch ‘n Go on the search bar. The nearest location will appear on the top list as an ad to direct you to it.

Touch 'n Go zero-fee reload site on Waze

Touch ‘n Go mentioned this new option is to bring convenience to Malaysian road users allowing them to plan and ensure their Touch ‘n Go cards have enough balance for their trips. Also, Touch ‘n Go RFID fitment centers and surcharge-free parking location will be included in the near future.

So, be sure to always check your card balance whenever you go and just search your nearest zero-fee reloading points on your Waze app from today onwards. You can also find a full list of it here. Stay tuned for more local news updates on TechNave.com!


Touch 'n Go wants to ride the e-Tunai Rakyat wave, introduces extra promotions

Out of the three companies that are included in the e-Tunai Rakyat initiative, Touch 'n Go probably had the most people redeeming their RM30 through it yesterday, if the servers going down were any indication. To cash in on the hype and perhaps make up for yesterday, Touch 'n Go has announced new promotions for its e-wallet service.

The first deal of the bunch is an additional RM30 in cashbacks. Specifically, you get to claim RM5 cashbacks a maximum of 6 times whenever you spend a minimum of RM20. There's also a "Big 2 Million Weekly Draw" with RM2 million worth of prizes to win, and Chinese New Year e-Huat deal where you can get cashbacks by sending e-angpaos. For more details, you'll have to check out the promotions page.

Having said all that, have you managed to redeem your RM30 yet? If you haven't, we've detailed how you can do it in a previous article. Do let us know which platform you will be redeeming from on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for other news.


Touch n' Go will remove the 10% surcharge at parking spots soon

Another great news for every Malaysian driver - it was announced that Touch n' Go will be removing its 10% surcharge policy in the future. This statement came from the man himself, Chong Chieng Jen, who is the Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, at a Parliament meeting. It will be applicable for parking facilities and dual payment systems.

During the meeting, Mr Chong said that the company (TnG) will end the surcharge rate for future contractors and renewal of contractors. For the current contractors, "the surcharge rate will end in stages" along with the cease of the surcharge rate based on the merchant discount rate. To add on, he also said that out of the 11,168 locations, only 2880 of them did not impose the 50 cent surcharge, as well as carparks that only supports TnG payment system.

Mr Chong further mentioned that the 50 cent surcharge was not imposed by TnG, but rather by the outlet operators in certain petrol stations, shopping outlets, ATM machines and sundry shops. This also includes carpark operators with dual parking systems where there was a contractual obligation.

The matter was heard today when Ayer Hitam's Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong was asking Chong about the surcharge issue, as it was a burden to many Malaysians. Stay tuned for more local tech news at TechNave.com.


Touch 'n Go will soon launch NFC-enabled cards, and future tolls might allow other eWallet platforms

Getting through tolls on highways could soon be less of a hassle in the near future. Touch 'n Go (TnG) has finally announced the implementation of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for the TnG cards. Not only that, but the government has also stated that it will soon allow the public to pay using any digital payment provider, not just TnG.

TNG Digital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ignatius Ong mentioned that the new card would allow users to top up balance using an NFC-enabled port via the TnG eWallet application. It's worth mentioning that the platform currently doesn't allow users to directly top up the card using the eWallet app, as "it needs a specific card reader to actually do the transactions for security reasons," said Ong.

Furthermore, the government is also ready to implement a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system by 2025. MLFF is a barrier-free tolling system, without toll booths and dedicated lanes. "It will also be up to the public to use any digital mode of payment – whether you want to use Touch 'n Go eWallet, debit or credit card, or Visa or Mastercard or any kind of (electronic) payment system as long as there's a link available on a (particular) highway," said Works minister Fadillah Yusof.

Do these changes sound exciting to you? Leave a comment to let us know your opinion, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech reports.


Tough Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV on the way

While the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is probably the most feature-filled smartphone of its class it isn't able to match the Sony Xperia Z in one aspect, which is mainly its IP57 certification, or its ability to withstand water, dust and the elements. This may no longer be the case as Young Soo Kim, President of Samsung Gulf was recently quoted as saying that a tough, more rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is currently being developed.

This is good news for those of us with butterfingers who tend to drop our smartphones on a regular basis. Unfortunately he did not mention how this would be achieved, only that a water and dust resistant Samsung Galaxy S4 was already being developed and that it would be announced in a few more weeks. This also means that if you've been waiting for the official release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 (Tomorrow, 27 April 2013) and you have butterfingers as well, it may be good for you if you wait a while longer.

It would be great if this could be an optional casing that doesn't look like a transparent plastic box so that those with a normal Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV could instantly ruggedize their smartphone, but this is rarely the case with Samsung who like to come out with as many versions as possible. As usual, we'll keep you posted as to any developments.


Tough fingerprint sensor equipped LEAGOO M5 Plus available in Malaysia for RM549

LEAGOO Malaysia recently announced that their LEAGOO M5 Plus smartphone is available for RM549. Featuring a fast fingerprint sensor, 5.5-inch "bulletproof" display, 13MP Sony sensor rear camera and more, the phone looks to offer a bit more with it's entry-level price. You can get it online now (along with other LEAGOO accessories) or at authorized resellers nationwide.


Touring the streets of Shanghai with the Vivo V15 Pro

Bernard and Apple were at MWC 2019 in Shanghai not too long ago to report on various new tech and features, such as VIVO’s 120W Super FlashCharge technology which is capable of charging a 4000mAh smartphone to full in about 13 minutes and more.

That being said, what better way to spend the rest of the trip than to go around town and embrace the beautiful Shanghai culture with their trusty Vivo V15 Pro, which is equipped with a 48MP + 8MP + 5MP rear camera.

After looking through the pictures taken by our team in Shanghai, the camera performed well no matter the time of day. The images during the day were bright, colourful and full of detail while pictures taken at night did not exhibit any form of visual artefacts.

Want to take pictures like these? Why not purchase the Vivo V15 Pro in Malaysia starting from as low as RM1799 from all retail partners nationwide. Head over to our website for the review of the device and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com or our Facebook page.


Apple developing thinner OLED panels that could be used on its future foldable devices

Apple might be really planning to launch a foldable device after all. The latest information has come claiming that the tech giant has started developing thinner OLED panels that could be used for foldable displays in the future.

The Elec reports that Apple is developing OLED panels without polarizers, which will allow the screen to be less reflective under the lights, hence, improving the visibility. Not only that, but polarizer films tend to reduce the brightness, leading manufacturers to increase the power consumption for the display. However, doing so will only reduce the lifespan. Removing the polarizers will also make the panel significantly thinner and more optimal for foldable panels.

It's worth mentioning that Apple will not be the first company to use this technology, as Samsung has already applied it on the Galaxy Z Flip3. The Korean company uses the "Eco Square" technology that increases light transmittance while reducing power consumption.

What do you think about news? Do you believe that Apple is indeed working on a foldable device? Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Tourism Minister: Malaysians can claim hotel e-vouchers worth up to RM100 online via Shopee

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has announced another initiative under the Tourism Recovery Plan 2022 (PRE2.0), whereby Malaysians can get e-vouchers worth from RM50 to RM100 for booking domestic hotel rooms online. Made in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, the e-vouchers can be obtained when booking a hotel room through the Shopee application.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, the initiative is meant to boost domestic tourism. Among the accommodation involvedare hotels under the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO), Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) and Rangkaian Hotel Seri Malaysia (RHSM) Sdn Bhd.

Moreover, the e-vouchers are given at a first come first serve basis, with a redemption limit of 3 times for each MyKad owner from 15 July to 31 December 2022. Over 33,000 e-vouchers are up for grabs, with the applicable accommodation, minimum spend and value of e-vouchers are as per below:

Besides that, PRE2.0 also offers rebate of RM50 with a minimum purchase of RM170 (standard room) or MRm210 (family room) for the first 5970 buyers at its hotels. Unlike the e-vouchers mentioned previously, the rebate can be made by walk-in, email or telephone.

Previously, under the same PRE2.0 initiative, Malaysians can claim up to RM100 domestic flight e-vouchers through four airlines. You can find out how via our coverage of the initiative here.

So, what do you guys think of this initiative by the Tourism Ministry? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Toyota and Panasonic's new company will start making batteries for electric vehicles in April 2020

Many are looking to hybrid or fully electric vehicles (EV) for the future, as countries around the world all look to reduce carbon footprint. Toyota and Panasonic seem to have zeroed in on this space, as the two companies have recently announced the establishment of a joint company - Prime Planet Energy & Solutions.

According to Toyota, the aim of the new company is to develop and manufacture cost-effective batteries. About 5100 employees have or in the process of being recruited for the work that's set to begin in April 2020. The batteries will be provided not only to Toyota for its vehicles but also to other customers that may be interested. Whether that includes competing EV auto-makers has not been confirmed.

Toyota will need a lot of batteries for its upcoming EVs, like the RHOMBUS here

Moreover, the two companies will endeavour to work with industry partners to reduce the impact on the planet and to create "clean-broad-ranging, added-value solutions including and beyond the supply of energy in the form of batteries". This suggests that the company will look into the development of other forms of power generation, outside of batteries for electric vehicles.

There are a lot of details that were not given in the press statement. But given the manufacturing timeline, it's likely we'll see new Toyota hybrid or electric cars in the coming months. Is there one you already know of and are looking forward to? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Track your fitness with the 6-day battery life heartrate monitoring Huawei FIT smart watch

Asides from launching their Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9 and Huawei Mate 9, Huawei also launched their Huawei FIT smartwatch. Featuring a 1.04-inch memory LCD the FIT is water resistant up to 50 meters so you can bring it swimming and supposedly has a battery life of 6 days on normal usage. The watch measures in at 39.5 x 9.99mm and 35g and works with both iOS and Android phones. Connecting via Bluetooth 4.2, there is no Malaysia release date or pricing details yet but it is available for 199 euros (RM925).


Trade and rebate RM250 for the honor 6x!

So starting today (15 June) until 30 July 2017, honor Malaysia has just announced that customers can now trade in any of their smartphones with the honor 6X and receive a RM250 rebate! If that sounds great to you, here’s how you can get the honor 6X.

In addition, customers will also walk away with a gift worth RM99, provided if they have already liked the official honor Malaysia Facebook page. Gifts are limited, so better hurry up if you want it.

The honor 6X is officially RM1399 and it comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 12MP + 2MP dual rear camera for bokeh effect. We just did a review about the phone not too long ago, so head over here if you want to read it, and stay tuned for more honor news at TechNave.com.


Trade in and get a RM200 rebate from Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime or Galaxy J5 Prime

So it’s official, the previous leak from Mr Anonymous regarding the rebate and trade in of the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime and Galaxy J5 Prime is now official. From tomorrow on until 21 May 2017, Samsung Malaysia Electronics is allowing every Malaysian to trade in their old devices and a rebate entitlement for the J7 Prime and J5 Prime!

As previously mentioned, the rebate figure is RM200 for both devices so the J7 Prime can be purchased at an attractive offer of RM999, while the J5 Prime can be bought at RM699. This includes with the trade in of every used or old smartphone brought in to any participating outlets and Samsung Experience Stores. It should be noted that the phone must in be good working condition (no screen cracked), but subtle scratches is fine.

In case you’re wondering if you should get the J7 Prime and J5 Prime, we did a review on the J7 Prime last November so you can check that out. No J5 Prime review, though. Sorry lol.

For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/my/offer and stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.


Trade-in your iPhone 11 series to get the iPhone 12 at a much cheaper price with InstaCash

InstaCash, in collaboration with Switch, Machines, ITWorld, Mac City, Celcom, and Digi has announced that they will be offering Apple fans the opportunity to trade-in their iPhone 11 series smartphone to get up to 50% cashback in order to get the iPhone 12 at a cheaper price. However, if you do not own an iPhone 11 series smartphone, you can still trade-in smartphones from other manufacturers, as well as smartphones that are no longer functional.

If you’re interested in trading-in your smartphone in order to get the iPhone 12 at a cheaper price, all you need to do is download the InstaCash app on either the Google Play store or the Apple app store and follow the instructions shown on the app. If you’re keen on finding out how the app works, you can refer to the video shown below.

With all that said, would you be interested in trading-in your smartphone for an iPhone 12? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Trade-in your old TV with a rebate up to RM2K at Lazada x Senheng's 11.11 BigOne Campaign

Hey there, online shopper, you should be very excited about the upcoming 11.11 sales. Well, Senheng will be launching its own big sale too called 11.11 BigOne Campaign and this time they are teaming up with Lazada. Starting from 10 November 3PM until 14 December 2017, here is the promotion stuff you can get online from them!

LG 55" OLED 4K TV (left) and Samsung 65" Premium UHD 4K Curved Smart TV (right)

If you're looking for a brand new TV for your living room, Lazada x Senheng SIS are reducing the price tag on both the LG 55" OLED 4K TV (LG-55B7T) and a Samsung 65" Premium UHD 4K Curved Smart TV (SAM-UA65MU9000) for RM9999 and RM10,599 from RM12,999! This price slash is the result of trading in your old TV and you are able to rebate with a SMART 4K TV up to RM2000, which is pretty awesome and perfect for your shopping list.

In addition, a wide range of products (home appliances, digital gadgets, TVs & Audios, Kitchen Appliances, Personal & Beauty Care products) will have an additional discount up to 40% as well during the BigOne campaign. Anyone who makes a purchase on 11.11 BigOne Campaign will have free shipping but it's only for West Malaysia only.

To bookmark the pages for the big sale day, visit either one of the links below and happy shopping!