Should you get an Inkjet or Laser printer?

Printers are probably one of the most overlooked tools when working from home, largely because we're so used to having reliable printers at the office. Now that most of us are stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, I'm pretty sure some of us have considered getting a printer for your home office so that you don't have to head back to the office just to get something printed.

With that being said, there might be some of you who are unsure whether you should get a printer for yourself, which is the best printer for you, or whether to go for a laser or inkjet printer. In this article, we'll be going into more detail on whether you should be getting your own printer, as well as how to choose between a laser and inkjet printer.

To determine whether you need a printer for your home, you should consider how many documents you need to print daily. This should be common sense, but if you only need to print a few documents every few weeks, it might be better to head over to the closest printing shop instead of investing in a printer for your home.

However, if your workload requires you to print stuff every day, getting a printer might be a worthwhile investment. That way, you won't have to drive around that often, which is a waste of time and petrol. Keep in mind that there are extra expenses to consider when getting a printer, such as maintenance or repair cost if you run into problems with the printer, as well as the refills like ink cartridges or toner (depending on which type of printer you buy).

Inkjet printers are by far the most common printers found in most households, as they are the cheapest to purchase and the upkeep is generally quite cheap. The way these printers work is by spraying microscopic ink from the ink reservoir onto the paper via a print head.

The biggest drawback for an inkjet printer is the speed at which the printer can print. It's also common for the ink to clog on the print head if the printer isn't used for a while. On top of that, the user must also use the built-in software to realign the print head after a few prints to ensure that the printed documents are not blurry.

The laser printer, while more expensive than Inkjet printers, are generally a lot more reliable and durable because it utilises a toner (filled with powdered ink), so it's less likely to clog up as compared to liquid ink. But that's not all, laser printers can print documents at a much faster rate of around 20 pages per minute or more, while your average inkjet printer can only print around 13 pages per minute.

Because of the higher reliability and printing speed, laser printers are generally preferred over Inkjet printer in larger enterprises. This is because they are better options when there are many people who need to print documents daily. However, the cost of a laser printer is significantly higher than an inkjet printer. In particular, a colour laser printer would be even more expensive.

Do you need something that's reliable and fast? Then you might want to consider getting a laser printer, as they require a lot less maintenance compared to Inkjet printers. However, if you need to print a large number of documents with colours, an inkjet printer might be the way to go as they're much cheaper. Of course, that's as long as you're constantly printing to keep the ink from drying on the print head.

With all that said, would you settle for a laser printer or an inkjet printer? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Should you get an S Pen for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?

Initially, the S Pen's compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was a rumour floating around online. When Samsung announced that it indeed can be used, it turned out to be a surprise for many viewers. However, it begs the question - is it any different from the Galaxy Note series? And what about its performance?

To answer these questions, we had to test how the S Pen's writing and drawing experience on the Galaxy S21 Ultra. This includes latency speed and other compatible usages. If you've been thinking about whether to get the extra S Pen for your Galaxy S21 Ultra, read on below to find out more.

Like any S Pen stylus, the pressure sensitivity on the Galaxy S21 Ultra works fine. The new S Pen - specifically made for Samsung's latest flagship - has 4096 pressure levels and a 0.7mm tip to deliver the closest writing experience possible. This is the same as the S Pen for the Galaxy Note 20 series, so you can technically use that S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The only difference is that you can't use Bluetooth commands with it. On the bright side, this also means you won't need to recharge it.

Although you can't conjure any wizardry with Bluetooth gestures, you still get access to simple commands and features. Clicking the S Pen's button brings up apps like Samsung Notes and Live Message, which you can then use to write notes or draw. With this in mind, those familiar with the S Pen on the Galaxy Note 20 series (check our review here) would find that the experience is identical.

On paper, we would say yes since the two S Pens have the same number of pressure points. Even if you use the new S Pen on the relatively older Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, you should have the same experience. But from our tests, we do feel the Galaxy S21 Ultra has better sensitivity because the phone is brand new.

By the way, not only do you get the usual Create Note, Screen Write and others. But you can also use the S Pen to edit your photos and videos to your liking. Moreover, any drawings in the hands of an artist will undoubtedly look amazing.

Before we end this article - you ought to know that there isn't a port for the S Pen to slot in on the Galaxy S21 Ultra. So where can you put it? Not to worry, there's a separated phone cover for that called the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smart Clear View Cover (with S Pen). Besides that, there are various phone covers on discount now for the Galaxy S21 series. You can refer and pick any of the below according to your preference and needs.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen

Priced from RM3499 to RM5899, any customers who purchase a Galaxy S21 series device will also get a free Galaxy Fit2, SmartTag and Wireless Charger Trio worth a total of RM697 (promotion ends on 31 March 2021). From today to 30 April 2021, selected Samsung accessories will also be 50% off with the purchase of any Galaxy S21 series smartphone. Of course, do note that there terms and conditions and stocks are limited.

To learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can visit the company's official online store page right over here. Stay tuned for more tech review articles at TechNave.com.


Should you get the Samsung Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition?

Once in awhile, special edition smartphones appear online here and there, and most of the time, we usually aren't able to get our hands on them because those smartphone brands usually won't import them into Malaysia.

Thankfully, Samsung Malaysia is one of the few exceptions and has regularly brought in several special edition smartphones for Malaysian fans. On top of the Samsung Galaxy A80 BlackPink Edition last year, the Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition is coming to us real soon. But should you get the Samsung Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition? Let's take a closer look.

Despite this being a special edition device, it's not just about the branding as it also offers flagship-tier tech specs. As mentioned from our review, the Galaxy S20+ one of the practical flagships we tested. Running on a flagship Exynos 990 chipset, it has plenty of memory with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage, as well as a still huge 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (which is great for video playback) and a 4500mAh battery with fast-charging support.

Although it doesn't have a 108MP camera like the ultra variant, the Galaxy S20+ quad rear camera setup is still impressive. The device sports a respectable 12MP (ultrawide) + 12MP (main) + 64MP (telephoto) + DepthVision, whereas the front camera cranks it up a notch for selfies at 10MP. Let's also not forget that the camera software supports a 3x hybrid optical zoom, SuperSteady video mode and a digital zoom up to 30x for any camera situation life can throw at you!

Okay, so the tech specs on paper are good but can it perform? Sure it can, once again from our review, the flagship scored flying colours on AnTuTu and 3DMark benchmark testing, but I suppose you're more interested in the camera performance? Rest assured, it didn't let us down. You can see the photos below and judge them by yourself.

Miniature photography is not a problem too

Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition (left) and Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition (right)

From the promotion, pre-ordering the Galaxy S20+ BTS model will allow you to purchase the wireless earbuds at just half price! The recommended retail price is RM899 but with the discount, you can get it for just RM449.50.

On top of that, it's also worth mentioning that if you're looking for a pair of new wireless earbuds, you can actually get the Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition separately (worth RM899). With each purchase, each customer will bring home a free Wireless Charger BTS Edition! That wireless charger is worth RM199 by the way, so it's quite a deal stealer if you ask me!

Last but not least, the ultimate reason to get this BTS phone edition is none other than the fact that it's decorated with an official BTS-themed user interface! Coming in a dreamy Haze Purple coating on the back of the phone, the BTS logo is positioned below the Samsung brand complete with a BTS live wallpaper and lock screen.

If that's not enough for the BTS Army, you will also get 7 collectable BTS photo cards based on each member as well as those purple heart stickers that are synonymous with Korean culture. What more can a BTS fan ask for?

So even with just five of these reasons why you should consider the Samsung Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition, this almost seems like a no-brainer for the premium BTS fan. The pre-order is currently on-going and the official sale will start soon on 9 July 2020 so if this is just what you need, you can head over to their official website here to pre-order or the nearest Samsung Experience Store for the official launch. The phone is on sale for RM4399 and with every purchase of the Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition, you get free Wireless Charger Pad BTS Edition (worth RM199).

That's all, folks. Give some love to Samsung Malaysia for importing this BTS edition earlier than expected! Saranghaeyo!


Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 or Galaxy Z Flip?

While more and more mid-range phones are picking up high-end tier features from flagships, perhaps Samsung foresaw this and decided something new, something unthinkable - releasing the first foldable smartphone back in 2019. While it wasn't perfect at first, the company set the path to making foldable phones more mainstream. Samsung Malaysia is currently one of few brands that have viable foldable devices available in Malaysia.

A flagship is often something very much desired by smartphone enthusiasts because it offers the best features. Back then, the Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Flip were something special but for a high price. But in case you missed it, both of these foldable phones prices have dropped permanently and now consumers can enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience foldable smartphone.

Let's start with the successor of the first commercial foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold2, which proved to be a good upgrade. While both the Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Fold look similar, the front display is the thing that sets them apart. For the unaware, the Galaxy Fold came with a 7.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display (unfolded) and a 4.6-inch AMOLED display (folded). On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold2 featured a larger 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display (unfolded) and a significantly improved 6.2-inch AMOLED display (folded).

The difference in screen size between the Galaxy Fold (left) and Galaxy Z Fold2 (right)

The second most improved feature is the hinge. From our experience with the two foldable phones, we can confirm that the Galaxy Z Fold2 feels studier. Thanks to the double CAM mechanism, the hinge is flexible and secure enough to hold a 45-degree fold when required. With that level of durability and its premium look, the Galaxy Z Fold2 certainly makes for a desirable foldable phone.

Other than that, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage, and a 4500mAh battery pack. You can also find a triple rear camera setup with a 12MP sensor for each camera, whereas the front camera is 10MP. This device's original recommended retail price was RM7999, but it's now RM6999 permanently. Nice!

Next, we have the Galaxy Z Flip, which is also one of a kind. If you lived through the '90s, flip phones were the trend, and Samsung brought it back with a twist. Calling it the Flex Mode (which the Galaxy Z Fold2 has too), the Galaxy Z Flip can surprisingly 'flex' a couple of ways.

For one, you can fold it halfway so you can take selfies or record vlogs without a tripod. Since the Galaxy Z Flip can 'stand' on its own, you can also take photos or videos (like taking a Hyperlapse video) without needing to use your hands. It's also useful for watching videos or attending online meetings when you're not at your computer. Oh yeah, one more thing - when folded, you can actually see a tiny secondary display on the outside that shows incoming calls, notifications, and a preview of the camera. Now that's what we call convenience.

In terms of tech specs, the Galaxy Z Flip comes with the Snapdragon 855+ chipset. It's still a powerful chipset, despite being two years old. On top of that, the device has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of UFS 3.0 internal storage, and a 3300mAh battery. It also packs a Dynamic AMOLED display that measures 6.7-inches, plus a dual 12MP camera module at the back. The current price tag for this is now RM3999, which is quite a good deal since the original price was RM5888.

Granted, the Galaxy Z Fold2 or Galaxy Z Flip aren't for everyone but with the price drop, it could be your time now. If either one of the foldable devices is within your budget and it's what you've always wanted, by all means - go for it! Have you tried using the Galaxy Z Fold2 or Galaxy Z Flip yet? Let us know in the comments below!

To learn more about foldable phones, you can visit Samsung Malaysia's official webpage here and here respectively. Stay tuned for more local trending tech gadget deals at TechNave.com.


Show off your creative side and win up to a Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

Samsung has officially announced the #PowerofKreatif contest, where you could stand a chance to win up to a Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Buds Live, and UV Sterilizer with Wireless Charger worth RM6197. It is best to note that the contest runs from 5 October until 1 November 2020, so do act fast if you are interested in taking part in the aforementioned contest.

If you’re interested in taking part in the contest, all you need to do is post your doodle image and video on Instagram, include the hashtag #PowerOfKreatif, tag 2 friends and drop a follow on Samsung Malaysia’s official Instagram page. If you want to find out more information such as the contest mechanics as well as what prize is there to be won, head over to Samsung Malaysia’s official website.

With all that said, would you be interested in taking part in Samsung’s #PowerOfKreatif contest? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Show off your creativity with the large Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and S-Pen combo

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 equipped with such a large screen, paired along with the S-Pen with up to 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, makes the device a great canvas for conveying ideas and showcasing your creativity no matter the situation. Here’s a not-so-serious video on how you could utilize it, courtesy of TechNave of course.

For the tech specs, the aforementioned device is running on the Exynos 9810 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 512GB of internal storage, 12MP + 12MP rear camera, 8MP front-facing selfie camera, 6.4-inch display with a screen resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels and it is powered by a 4000mAh non-removable battery.


Show off your smartphone photography skills in Huawei's NEXT Image Awards and win ~RM82328

Smartphone photography has always been on the rise. Clearly the skills to take a great photo with your smartphone differs greatly to a camera. Ifyou call yourself a smartphone photography enthusiast, why not show off your smartphone photography skills in Huawei’s “NEXT Image awards” contest?

Joining the contest is extremely straight forward. Simply use any Huawei smartphone to capture your best moment with the watermark enabled. Next, upload the photo onto your social media platforms with the correct hashtags. Make sure that your photo is correctly submitted into one of the categories below:

This competition is held in collaboration with The Star, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, Sin Chew and the Daily Oriental News. Each media will have their very own criteria and hashtags for their photos so do check out their social media platforms to learn more. Here’s the full list of participating media as well as their hashtags and social media platforms:

Contest information as well as steps to redeem your RM50 voucher

The deadline for photo submissions is on the 31st of July so you still have plenty of time to capture your favourite moments with your Huawei devices. Each submission is eligible to redeem a RM50 to be used at the Huawei store. The winner for the contest will be announced mid-September and they will go home USD$20000 (~RM82328) richer. Besides that, there are other goodies up for grabs as well such as the HUAWEI P30 Pro, HUAWEI nova 4, and HUAWEI WATCH GT (46mm Edition), and more. For more information, do check out Huawei’s Facebook page or their official website. So will you be rewriting the rules of photography? Keep up with the latest Huawei updates at TechNave.com!


Show your Vivo smartphone and get a free SongTea drink

Great news for all bubble tea and Vivo fans, Vivo Malaysia has just announced that all Vivo smartphone users will get to enjoy one FREE Boba Milk Tea or Fruit Tea by SongTea this August from 11AM to 11PM.

As an exclusive promotion until the end of the month, it is only eligible for the branch that is in Kepong and the steps are pretty simple to redeem your free drink. When you reach the destination, you just need to present your Vivo smartphone and purchase any milk or fruit tea. After that, you will need to share your selfie on Facebook as public with the hashtag #vivoSongtea. Also, remember to like SongTea's Facebook page and you're good to go!

For your information, the SongTea Kepong's address is No 41, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 1, Taman Usahawan Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur. Now if you'd excuse me, Imma go hunt that shop now.

Stay tuned for more Vivo news at TechNave.com.


40 locations in Malacca expected to get 5G coverage in Sep 2022

At the start of the year, many of us were hoping to get 5G access by the middle of the year. However, progress stalled as local telcos clamoured to have a piece of the pie. Now, it looks like things are finally proceeding so we could enjoy 5G soon. In fact, Malacca should be able to have decent 5G coverage by next month.

According to Bernama, 40 out of 133 locations in Malacca will gain access to 5G by the end of September 2022. These locations are all part of the phase 1 implementation and are centred around Ayer Keroh and Bandar Melaka. Datuk Rais Yasin, Malacca's EXCO for State Education and Technology, confirmed that the locations were selected based on high population density or focused on industry, tourism, and higher education institutions.

In other words, the 5G coverage isn't just for us to enjoy fast mobile Internet. Datuk Rais also mentioned that it would enable applications like AI surveillance and IoT sensors. These 5G systems will be used to increase security or improve transportation. These sensors will be "integrated through the smart lamppost infrastructure that houses the 5G network", said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

Industry experts claim that up to 30% of populated areas in Malaysia would get 5G access by mid-September. That's just about 3 weeks to go, so it might be a good time to start looking for a new 5G smartphone. Which model would you get to enjoy 5G? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Apple Beats Studio Buds silently appeared on Apple Malaysia website, priced at RM629

We were just talking about the Apple Beats Studio Buds yesterday with price speculation. Well, turned out that we didn't need to wait that long for the wireless earbuds to arrive because it's also now in Malaysia. It appeared quietly on the Apple Malaysia website at the price of RM629.

As the rumours suggest, the Beats Studio Buds are available in white, black and red. Then for the functions, Active Noise Cancellation is on board as expected, alongside others such as turning on Transparency mode, IPX4-rated sweat and water-resistant wireless earbuds, up to 8 hours of listening time, and even has three pairs of ear-tip sizes inside the box.

The Beats Studio Buds are compatible with most Apple products including an iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and the iPod Touch (7th Gen). Of course, you can still pair them with an Android device too but if you were wondering if it can support the Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio with Dolby Atmos from Apple Music or not, they can't. This is because most Bluetooth wireless audio products aren't compatible in the first place.

Delivery for the Apple Beats Studio Buds aren't available yet either but it's nice to know that they are set to launch in the Malaysian market soon. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech gadget deals at TechNave.com.


Show your creativity and love for Malaysia with OPPO Renographer

In this trying times, it’s all the more important to find activities that can keep the stress away. That’s why things like contests are great as they help keep things positive. And that’s the likely goal here with OPPO Malaysia’s RENOgrapher contest.

In partnership with Tourism Malaysia, the Be A RENOgrapher Photography Contest is back to give Malaysians a platform to showcase their skills in mobile photography. The contest will run from 18 November to 20 December. In that time, you will be able to submit photos entries to win amazing prizes worth up to RM129000. With the intro out of the way, let’s take a look at what this event is all about!

First, the contest is not limited to just OPPO smartphone users. All Malaysians are welcome to participate and send in the best moments they’ve captured. There are a total of four different categories available and you're free to participate in any of them. In fact, you could submit as many entries as you can to all four categories to maximise your chance to win. How you want to do it is entirely up to you! Moving on, below is a short summary of what exactly these categories are.

The first category is Clearly Your Best Night (#RenoNightMoment), which as the name suggests can be a scene of friends meeting up at a mamak stall or a view of the city as it lights up at night. Next one is Clearly Your Best Portrait (#RenoPortraitMoment), where you submit pictures of a person that you find interesting or inspiring. Then there's Clearly Your Best Creativity (#RenoCreativeMoment), the category that's all about being creative with what's around you and the features on your phone. And last but not least, there's Clearly Your Best Landscape (#RenoLandscapeMoment) that wants you to send in photos of the wonderful sights and scenes within our country.

Pictures like these go under Clearly Your Best Portrait

Shots like these would be under Clearly Your Best Creativity

So, which platform should the photos be submitted to? Well, OPPO has decided to go with Instagram for the contest. Here a list of steps you need to take:

During the contest period, 1 photo from each group will be selected as the weekly winner. There will also be prizes for Ultimate Award, overall winner of each category, and a variety of other prizes. If you’re confident in your mobile photography skills, you should definitely participate since there are plenty of prizes to be won! The results will also be announced on our Facebook page, so make sure to like and follow us there too.

Speaking of prizes you can win, OPPO users who are selected as winners of each category can snag themselves an OPPO Reno4 smartphone. This is a good upper mid-range smartphone that launched back in August 2020, with the aim to provide great mobile photography capabilities, decent battery life, and a sizable battery with support for 65W fast-charging. If you want to know more about it, you can check out our review of the Reno 4 Pro – the two models are fairly similar – for more details. For those who are non-OPPO smartphone users, you can win a pair of Enco W31 TWS earbuds instead.

Those of you who are interested, please visit the website for more info on the contest. Also, do share your favourite mobile photography tips with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Show your love 3000 with the new Digi Postpaid Family Plan

Being a parent is no easy task, there's no guideline on how to be one and usually they become the breadwinner for the family. Providing food on the table, driving the family around, paying expenses, more expenses, and more expenses, more often than not at the personal expense of the parent but thats what every good parent does.

Speaking of expenses, what if we told you that there's a new Digi Postpaid Family Plan that offers equal benefits for your family members? Like having the same exact Internet data and calls at the lowest cost? Check it out below!

Just as a parent shares the same amount of love for each family member, each supplementary line can get the same Internet Quota and Unlimited Calls to all networks as the parent's main line. For example, if the parent is using Digi Postpaid 120, the supplementary line will also get the same 40GB Internet data and Unlimited Calls.

You probably noticed about the GBoost in the chart as well, if you don't know what's that, this is what it does - GBoost offers an extra 10GB and a humongous 100GB Internet data for YouTube for an additional RM10/month. It's only applicable on the Digi Postpaid Plan 80 (optional) so this is perfect for those who binge watch on YouTube a lot.

Not exactly 3000, but more to 3 supplement lines at most. With this principle, the higher your plan the better because each supplementary line from the Digi Postpaid 190 will get 100GB Internet data and Unlimited Calls!

As parents who would always try to make their family life easier no matter the cost, with the new upgraded Digi Postpaid Plan, each supplementary line is just RM38 per month regardless of any Postpaid Plan, making this cost the most affordable price any parent could pay. In addition, this applies to all 4 plans - Digi Postpaid 80, Digi Postpaid 120, Digi Postpaid 160 and Digi Postpaid 190 so you can pay exactly what you afford.

So that's it! If you're a parent and looking to ease your Postpaid payment for the whole family, look no further than Digi's new Postpaid Plan supplementary line upgrade! To find out more information, you can check it out at their Family Line webpage here. Spread the love!


Showing Off the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV: Sound Shot, Group Play and S Translator

While the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV remains the king of the hill to beat in the smartphone market (especially the still as of now unbeaten Exynos Octa versions) its main focus has always been about making life easier, or at least that is what Samsung's marketing machine wants you to believe. Samsung's introductory video for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV highlighted many of these "life companion" S features and now they're showing them off one by one. Check out the videos below for a sometimes heartwarming and heartpumping look at the Sound Shot, Group Play and S Translator in action for real-life situations. Expect more to come, but for now my favourite remains the S Translator (imagine the unfair advantage you could get with it on shows like the Amazing Race ;) ).

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV as your life companion!

The Sound Shot feature captures a couple of seconds of sound at the moment the picture is taken and when viewed, plays back this sound capturing more than just an image.

Group Play allows you to share your music, media and even games almost instantly

Speak to your Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV with its S Translator and have it translate your words into another language, perfect for breaking down barriers due to language.


Side pop-up camera from OPPO might be the new standard to hide selfie camera

Nowadays, smartphone manufacturers are brainstorming ways to hide the front-facing cameras to bring beautiful bezel-less screens to their consumers. As time goes by, the ideas that are used to hide the selfie cameras are becoming bolder and more interesting. Just today, patents from OPPO have revealed side pop-up front-facing camera that looks amazing!

The patent found in the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) database gave us a first look at the side-mounted pop-up camera on an OPPO smartphone. It looks like the camera will be retracted to be with other rear cameras and the flashlight when not in use. This helps to hide the pop-up camera as it doesn’t look like an extra space is needed for the placement of the front-facing camera.

More than that, the patent also revealed some other details on the design of the smartphone. Those details including a power button on the right side, volume rockers and sim slot at the left, and a speaker, Type-C connector with a headphone jack at the bottom. It is unsure that the smartphone will be released at all, as manufacturers normally don’t make all of their patents into real devices.

Let us know what you think about this side pop-up camera from OPPO on our Facebook page! For more smartphone news, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sigma Releases DC HSM Art lens with world's first constant f/1.8 aperture

Sigma recently announced the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens for APS-C sensor bodies. This new zoom lens is the world's first to offer a contant aperture of f/1.8 whereas previously the widest aperture possible for a zoom lens through the entire zoom range was f/2.8. Thanks to its focal range of 27-52.5mm (35mm equivalent)m the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens can be used as a multi-purpose lens for landscapes, portraits and casual photography.

It's internal focusing and zooming mechanisms allow the size of the zoom lens to remain fixed allowing filters like the circular polarizers to be used as the front part of the lens does not rotate. In addition to this, the zoom lens also uses a nine-blade, rounded diaphragm for round bokey and multi-layer coating to help reduce ghosting and flare. Other specs include the following:

While the price and date of release have yet to be detailed, Sigma have said that the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens will be available for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts.[Source]


Sign up for Celcom Home Wireless to stand a chance to win 1-Year FREE subscription

So apparently, Celcom has just started a new promotion on their Celcom Home Wireless. For a limited time only, customers stand a chance to win a 1-Year FREE subscription for the service up to 1000GB Internet data worth up to RM1800 for the whole family.

Starting today (11 July) onwards until 9 August 2019, anyone who signs up within this time period will qualify for the 1-Year free subscription instantly. However, only the current Celcom Prepaid and Celcom Postpaid customers age 16 years old and above are eligible for this promotion and only through its Celcom Online Shop, as well as Home Wireless subscription (not Home Fibre). Weekly winners will be announced at this webpage on the following dates shown below:

That's all, folks! For more information, kindly head over to the Celcom webpage here. Stay tuned for more Celcom news at TechNave.com.


Sign up for Digi's Internet Freedom which bundles Postpaid Plan and Home Fibre with price up to 20% cheaper

Digi has officially announced the Digi Internet Freedom which bundles both Digi Postpaid Plan, as well as Home Fibre for a lower price start from as RM130 a month, not including the postpaid plan. In addition to that, depending on which Internet Freedom package you pick, you could get discounts on your postpaid plan by up to 20%.

Currently, the new bundle by Digi is available in selected areas around the Klang Valley, Penang, as well as Sabah. While customers will be required to sign a 24-month contract, Digi will throw in free installation within 48 hours, a router, as well as 6 months worth of Amazon Prime Video worth RM162 for free.

Head over to their website, if you are interested in finding out more information. With all that said, are you interested in signing up for Digi’s new Internet Freedom plan? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sign up for LenovoPRO and small businesses get early access to the biggest 7.7 sales ever with prices up to 47% off

For small businesses in Malaysia, it's important to squeeze out the best deals you can get for your company. This applies even when shopping for computers for your company, where the right deal and support can go a long way. Large corporate companies usually get better deals due to purchasing in bulk, but what about smaller companies?

With Lenovo you can sign up for LenovoPRO now and get early access to the biggest 7.7 sale of Lenovo products! There will be laptops at affordable prices, daily flash deals, and special offers available. Today, let's take a look at what Lenovo has in store for us and why you would want to sign up for LenovoPRO.

If you sign up for LenovoPRO, you won't have to wait for 7 July 2020 to benefit from the 7.7 sales. LenovoPRO will give small businesses early access to the sale and there's a lot of things you'll want to look out for. As mentioned, there will be everyday laptops at affordable prices starting as low as RM1000. There will also be daily flash sales that offer incredible discounts of up to 47%, as well as incredible purchase with purchase (PWP) offers.

For example, if you buy the new Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (from RM5219) you'll get a whopping 50% discount on monitors. This laptop is one of the highlights of the 7.7 sales. It's a 14-inch laptop that's slim and light, ideal for business workers who are always on the go. Additionally, it has some useful features like the Call-control keys, Modern Standby, and Wake on Voice.

Of course, LenovoPRO is not just good for providing you with early access to the 7.7 sales but also for any other discounts. Signing up for the membership programme also means you get to enjoy other member-only pricing, exclusive offers, and more. Furthermore, the rewards and savings you get will increase as your business expands and you start making more use of LenovoPRO. Best of all, you can join LenovoPRO without having to pay any upfront fee, as it's free!

Besides the great offers, those who are LenovoPRO members will receive a variety of benefits. One of them is business-grade financing, which would allow you to pay off your product purchases on credit. Lenovo also lets you do contra payment, create custom catalogues for your internal staff, and monitor your purchases via an admin account. Members will also enjoy premium one-on-one support, which you can directly reach through call or online chat.

So, what do you think about LenovoPRO? Those of you who want to access Lenovo's great deals before anyone else on 7 July 2020 can sign up for the membership programme now. Lenovo Malaysia will also be giving away RM40 Grab vouchers to the first 100 TechNave readers who register for the programme. If you're interested in LenovoPRO, you can find out more about it on the website.

With all that said, what would you like to see more of with business membership programmes like this? Is it the exclusive deals, discounts, or some aftersales service that you find the most important? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news on the latest PCs and gadgets.


Sign up for one of Digi Postpaid Bundles to get a vivo V7+ or Y53 phone for free

Today, Digi has announced that the vivo V7+ and Y53 are now avaiSign lable in their Digi Postpaid Bundle and get this - if you sign up to either one of the plans, you can actually bring home a free vivo smartphone but at two conditions, which are porting into Digi from another network or subscribing to a new Digi Postpaid number. Check out the table below for more details.

This promotion is available now and will run until the end of the year at all available via Digi Centre and Digi Exclusive Partners. Sounds good? Then go get it!


Sign up to a new MaxisONE plan, and get a smartphone for free – which includes the Huawei P9!

Just in time for Hari Raya season, Maxis is pushing their MaxisOne plans for those who are looking to get a new smartphone in time for the festive season. Many phones are  being offered free with new sign-up, with models such as the Honor 5X, Samsung Galaxy J3 and even the Huawei P9 up for grabs!

The free phones are offered as part of any new or newly port-in MaxisOne accounts, so current subscribers are not eligible for this promotion. Phones from many brands like ASUS, OPPO and Samsung are available online. Additionally, by picking up a MaxisONE Plan, you can also enjoy the goodies that come with it such as free calls, SMS, free video streaming and even a free Spotify Premium subscription.

The Raya FREE phone program is available now until the 31st of July, and people can head on to the nearest Maxis Centre to sign up for a 24-month contract. Terms and conditions applies.


Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple is investing in augmented reality after the success of Pokémon Go

A few hours ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook has told investors that Apple is interested in investing augmented reality (AR) and they have already been in developing and is "high on AR in the long run". This happened after he was asked about his thoughts on Pokémon Go that has stormed the world as the most downloaded app in history.

Adding more to his comments, Tim further states that the app is a "testament to what happens to innovative apps" and proving AR has a lot of potential in commercial opportunity for the developers, as well as consumers for having to "press a button" in great simplicity.

"AR can be really great. We have been and continue to invest a lot in this. We're high on AR in the long run and we think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity. The number one thing is to make sure that our products work well with other developer's products like Pokéman (this is not a typo, he seriously said that), and that's why you see so many iPhones in the wild chasing Pokémans (you can listen to the audio record in the first Source link below) . We'll see whether it's the next platform, regardless, it will be huge." he said

Apple is not a stranger in this AR or VR (virtual reality) segment, rumours have it that the company secretly composed a research team working on such technology and investigate how Apple could embrace both AR and VR in the future. What's more, they also made some acquisitions by purchasing companies who are working on AR such as Metaoi, Faceshift, and Flyby Media.

We don't really know exactly how Apple might incorporate AR into its products, but there are possibilities that Apple Map and Photos could get a taste of it. We will just have to wait and see, stay tuned for more news at Technave.com.


Sign up to become a Grab driver now to get bonus and subsidies totalling RM800

If you've been thinking about becoming a Grab driver, now is probably a good time. Grab Malaysia has announced that those who sign up to become a new Grab driver-partner before 31 March 2020 will be awarded up to RM800 in bonus and subsidies. Details of it are now up on Grab Malaysia's sign-up page.

According to Grab, RM500 will be given in the form of driving credits, which are then added into your account's credit wallet. You can cash out this amount of transfer it to a bank, as its purpose is to help new drivers offset the cost of commissions. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, it's basically what gets deducted from a Grab driver's credit wallet when they do bookings. Having the RM500 as a buffer means they get to earn more.

The coverage of the up to RM300 subsidies is a bit vague but there are a few things we know. From the sign-up page, we know that the subsidy will cover up to RM100 for the training to get a PSV license, while the regulations page mentions that the company will cover RM70 for PUSPAKOM inspection (if your car is more than 3-years-old), and provide other benefits like fuel rebates or vehicle maintenance.

So, is there anyone who is interested in becoming a new Grab driver-partner and are these new bonuses enough to convince you to be one? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Sign up to either Digi or Celcom Postpaid Plans and own the vivo V7+ from as low as RM138

Starting on 27 October 2017, both Digi and Celcom are launching the vivo V7+ smartphone on their postpaid plans. If you sign up for either one of the Digi or Celcom postpaid plans with its device bundle package, you could actually own the device at a lower price than RM1499.

On Digi postpaid offering, the V7+ is now listed in the Digi Postpaid 78 / 108 / 138 plans with a contract for 24 months. You can even opt to either purchase the selfie snapper from them from as low as RM229 (really!) or go through 0% easy payment plan. On the other hand, you can also own the V7+ from as low as RM138 by subscribing to Celcom FIRST Postpaid Plans. Below is the table sample from Digi and Celcom.

The V7+ is the only smartphone in the Malaysia market right now with a huge 24MP front camera, featuring a newly improved Face Beauty 7.0, Portrait Mode and the company's first 18:9 screen-to-body FullView 5.99-inch display. To check out Digi and Celcom's V7+ bundle, kindly visit their respective website below.


Signal app experiencing massive sign ups after Elon Musk told everyone to switch from WhatsApp

Some of you might have already gotten a new message ping from WhatsApp about the new privacy policy which will be shared with Facebook. While they claimed it's for marketing and ads purpose, many see this as an intrusion to their privacy and Elon Musk is telling everyone to switch to Signal.

For those who don't know, Signal is another messaging app which Elon Musk tweeted last week. In just two words ("Use Signal"), it seems that the company's server is experiencing verification codes delay with a sudden spike of new users. They are currently working with several carriers to solve this issue as soon as possible.

Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.

With that said, Signal has indirectly become a new competitor for WhatsApp. However, it won't be easy for current WhatsApp users to transition to Signal or other apps especially in Malaysia. Many friends and family chat groups, as well as for work and small businesses are already there for a long time.

Would you switch from WhatsApp to Signal? Or are you already using other messaging apps? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Signify introduces the Philips Hue experience through wireless and smart lighting

Through wireless connectivity and and smart lighting system, Signify, also known as Philips Hue helps personalise the home lighting experience as well as include various custom lighting settings for the user to personalise and customise to their liking. Not only that, the software also is also scalable to ensure that Signify will stay relevant in the lighting industry. Feature wise it is able to program timers to help manage daily schedules, and also timers modes such as Ambience, Feel Secure, Wake up, and Go to Sleep Naturally as well as entertainment. It has features several preset lighting modes to help you relax, read, concentrate or even energize.

There is also the Philips Hue Sync software which syncs the light with audio from music, movie or even videogames to help immerse the user in the content they are consuming. The starter pack for this product is available on Lazada, Philips Authorised dealers, Apple resellers as well as selected IT stores across Malaysia for the price of RM849.


Silence Unknown Callers & Privacy Checkup are now available in WhatsApp

It's not common to be annoyed or puzzled whenever you get an unknown number calling or messaging you on WhatsApp. So to improve privacy further, the WhatsApp team added two new updates - Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup.

These two new features are in the new WhatsApp update and are available to users now. As the name suggests, Silence Unknown Callers will let you automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people. Should any stranger call you on WhatsApp, the app will not ring but it will be visible in the Call list.

In addition, Privacy Checkup helps to guide you choose the right level of protection. For starters, you can select 'Start Checkup' in the privacy settings to go through multiple privacy layers to strengthen your messages, calls and personal information security.

As aforementioned, you should update your WhatsApp in your Apple App and Google Play Store to access these two new privacy features. Stay safe and stay updated on official news at TechNave.com.


Since it's doing so well, Shopee wants to reward you with a free voucher for the Samsung Galaxy M20

The Samsung Galaxy M20 recently got revealed as a Shopee exclusive for RM799 and it's been doing so well with sales of 60 units in just 1 second that they want to reward our loyal TechNavers. As such, if you're looking to pick up the value-busting Galaxy M20 you can get it at RM25 off on Shopee from 9AM on 22 and 27 March 2019 (just scroll down to the bottom of this post).

For a refresher, the Galaxy M20 is Samsung's new value buster with a massive 5000 mAh battery that has 15W fast charging, Face Unlock, a 6.3-inch FHD+ Samsung Infinity-V display and USB Type-C, all features you'd normally not see for any Samsung smartphone below RM1000. Other tech specs include a Samsung Exynos 7904 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 13MP+5MP dual rear cameras, an 8MP front camera and rear fingerprint sensor. The galaxy M20 comes in Charcoal Black and Ocean Blue.

As Samsung Malaysia’s first online exclusive only partnership with Shopee, Samsung Malaysia and Shopee will be adding plenty of freebies. These include special gifts such as a JBL headphones and Logitech X50 wireless bluetooth speakers along with more vouchers.

If you want a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy M20, check out our hands-on pics but for you loyal TechNavers, you can pick up an additional RM25 discount by entering the voucher code 25TECHNAVE when you checkout the Galaxy M20 at the official store on the Shopee app for 22 and 27 March 2019 (while stocks last). Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more deals on tech.


Singapore could have flying taxi service by 2023

Flying cars used to be something that many envisioned for 2020. While that hasn't happened, there are companies around the world actively developing this type of technology. In fact, it seems that kind of flying transport could be coming soon, at least for Singaporeans.

According to The Business Times, Volocopter is aiming to launch an air taxi service in Singapore by 2023. This vehicle is a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle that is autonomous and can carry up to two passengers. On top of that, the German aviation startup claimed that it would be emission-free, which means that it relies entirely on battery power. The machine has nine battery packs inside (for redundancy and extended capacity), but how long the batteries can last has not been disclosed yet.

However, it's interesting to note that Volocopter will assemble a team consisting of 50 pilots, engineers, operation specialists, and business managers before the launch of air taxi service. This indicates that there is a need for actual pilots, perhaps for larger vehicles that fly longer distances or trickier routes. This team will be employed under Volocopter Asia Holding, which will be helmed by Hon Lung Chu.

If this project is successful, Volocopter could extend its services to other major cities in SEA. Of course, whether we can afford such luxuries is another story. Having said that, would you pay for the kind of premium such a service would entail? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news.


Singapore sets up a new central body to regulate gambling, including loot boxes in online video games

Singapore recently inaugurated a new central body to regulate a sweeping range of gambling services, including loot boxes in online video games. Called the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), the central body seeks to stay ahead amidst shifting trends and a blurring of the line between gambling and gaming.

As reported by the Straits Times, GRA will be taking over from Casino Regulatory Authority and is touted as an important step by the country’s Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo given how the landscape will be very different in five years. Teo, who is also Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information said that technological advancements have made it easier for people to gamble anytime and anywhere, widening the scale and scope of online gambling.

She further alluded to how an SGD100 prize cap on mystery boxes, previously proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), may come into effect as early as 2023 in the country. The cap is meant to prevent the inducement effect of high-value items and the normalisation of gambling among youth.

So, what do you guys think of this move to regulate loot boxes in video games by Singapore? Should Malaysia follow suit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news such as this.


Singapore will become first country to use facial verification

In an age when identity theft is possible, it's not a surprise to see that security is taken seriously. So important that the Singapore government plans to do it on a national level. Specifically, our friends from the Lion City are about to have facial verification rolled out nationwide.

According to the BBC, Singapore will become the first country in the world to use facial verification for its national identity scheme. To be exact, it plans to use the new biometric security method when it comes to private and government services, which includes the SingPass national digital ID. The reason for the change is that it's seen as vital for the country's digital economy. Unlike facial recognition, facial verification requires the user to consent to the verification process.

Developed by UK company iProov, the technology was successfully trialled at a major Singapore bank and is now being rolled out across the country. With it, private and government services can not only identify a person but know if the person is present. An example of how this works is if a person's face doesn't match with a bank's database, they will be denied services.

With that said, what do you think about this kind of biometric security on a national level? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Single Token Program featuring facial recognition check-in and boarding now live in KLIA

A few hours ago, MAS Airlines have posted on their Facebook page about a new way for passengers to check-in and boarding. Embarking on to being a smart airport, the new SITA Smart Path facility has just begun in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and it allows passengers to use 'Single Token' to pass through all touchpoints effortlessly.

According to the official Single Token website, it seems that the facility is only available at counters H5 - H8 only. This is the flight to Japan which means that it's available on Malaysian Airlines' flight, MH070 and MH052 to Narita International Airport and Kansai Internation Airport respectively.

The self-check-in is slightly different from the ones that are already functioning in foreign countries, as this one seems to rely on facial recognition more. All the passenger has to do is sign up for the Single Token during the check-in, then just proceed to all the designated checkpoints for security purpose via facial recognition and voila, you will be in the plane faster than usual.

It will take a while for these facilities to go mainstream for all the counters in the future, but what do you think? And have you tried it before? If so, you can actually give your feedback on this page to let the officials know if any improvement is needed. Stay tuned for more tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Android has "47 times more malware" than iOS

During the VivaTech 2021 conference held in Paris, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that Android has more malware than iOS as the former allows "sideloading" apps. The statement is also one of the reasons that the Cupertino-based company oppose the proposed European Law, Digital Markets Act (DMA).

According to Cook, Android has "47 times more malware" compared to his company's operating system by allowing users to sideload apps. The meaning of sideloading here is installing apps from the internet instead of doing it through the operating system's app store. It is said that the iOS has been designed in a way that there's one app store and all the apps are reviewed, hence provides stronger security.

The DMA is proposed to prevent the big tech companies from monopolising their position in the market. If it was enacted, strong players in the industry like Google, Amazon, and Apple itself would have to open up their platforms to competitors to build a fairer business environment for enterprises and individuals.

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


Singles day is tomorrow and Honor, Flash and Mi Malaysia have deals for you

Ahead of "Singles Day" on 11 November 2016, Honor Malaysia, Flash and Mi Malaysia are all having deals for you. The details for the Honor Malaysia deals were already included in their Honor Gala 2016 announcement, while Flash is offering an RM100 discount for the Flash Plus 2 at Lazada tomorrow. Also at Lazada is Xiaomi or Mi Malaysia with the following deals:

Officially, Lazada will be holding their Online Revolution promotion until 13 November 2016 but we fully expect other online marketplaces like Gearbest and 11street to also offer such deals, so go check them out tomorrow.


Singtel users from Singapore experienced the best roaming speed on Maxis network, according to Opensignal

In this latest Opensignal report, we have been given a new look at how well do Singaporeans experienced roaming during their stay in Malaysia. The company were analyzing 3 categories - Download Speed Experience, Upload Speed Experience and Latency Experience - and discovered some interesting details of Singaporean's choice of telco operators during 2019.

If you look at the first chart below, it shows that Singtel users got the best experience in all 3 categories effortlessly, whereas M1 and Starhub users have a similar score. In addition, the same chart also tells us that Singtel users rely on Maxis as the main host, followed by M1 roaming on Celcom's network, then StarHub users riding on Celcom, Digi and Maxis.

Upon studying the chart further, you will also see Malaysian users' experience in 4G download speeds. For some reason, Singtel roamers have a slightly higher score of 24.3Mbps compared to Maxis users' score of 22.6Mbps. But if you look at M1 roamers and Celcom users, the download speed experience favours the latter better with 18.1Mbps (vs 14.7Mbps). Opensignal thinks there could be several factors contributing to this, it could be because of the international connectivity between the two telcos, roaming agreement, or speed limitation.

Speaking of factors, Opensignal also shared how international roaming works between two telco operations (see image above). As expected, smartphones play an important role and most mobile experience works best in metro areas. Lastly, relaying the information between the host and home core networks and back to the content delivery network depends on the infrastructure and system quality.

If you would like to read the full report, you can visit the page here to check it out. Stay tuned for more interesting tech articles at TechNave.com.


Sinovac recipents will have a "Partially Vaccinated" status in MySejahtera app from 1 April 2022

Just a few hours ago, there was an important announcement by the MySejahtera Facebook page and the Ministry of Health Malaysia regarding those who had taken the Sinovac vaccination. Starting from 1 April 2022, the vaccination status will be "Partially Vaccinated".

In the announcement, the recipients that are age 18 and above who got Sinovac as the primary vaccine will receive this issue. Not only that but so are those who are age 60 and above who received all kinds of vaccines as well. Furthermore, the "Partially Vaccinated" status will remain if there's no booster dose.

Additionally, the post also urges the primary Sinovac recipients to get a booster dose appointment as soon as possible before 1 April 2022. A QR code is given inside the image announcement so there are just four days left before the deadline. Those who got Pfizer, AstraZeneca and CanSino won't get the said status.

Personally, this announcement was quite amusing because it's forcing everyone to rush and get a booster dose appointment. Either way, stay safe and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sinovac recipients without booster shots to lose 'fully vaccinated' status on MySejahtera by 1 March

Starting from 1 March, Sinovac recipients aged 18 and above, plus haven't received a booster shot will lose the 'Fully Vaccinated' status on the MySejahtera app. Although it was previously mentioned, the Ministry of Health is here to inform the public once again.

"We urge individuals aged 60 and above as well as Sinovac recipients aged 18 and above to get their booster shots as soon as possible. The ministry would like to reiterate that Sinovac recipients aged 18 and above to get their booster shots by March 1 or risk their MySejahtera 'fully vaccinated' status", said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

According to the latest information, 3.5 million Sinovac vaccine recipients have yet to receive a booster dose, making them vulnerable to the Omicron variant spreading rapidly in the country. Currently, Sinovac vaccine recipients can also opt for the Sinovac booster dose, but it's still recommended to take Pfizer or AZ vaccines for better immunity.

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


Six models of iPhones are found on the top 10 globally best-selling smartphone list for January

According to a new report, six iPhone models were some of the top 10 best-selling smartphones globally in January. Not only that, four of them including iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 11 were placed on the top of the chart.

The research is done by Counterpoint Research and it claims that one-third of the sales of the iPhone were contributed by the US. Besides that, due to the pent-up demand for 5G upgrades within the iOS base along with strong carrier promotions, the sales of the iPhone 12 series went even stronger.

Besides the latest iPhones, old models including iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2020 were also able to gain a place in the chart. Samsung's effort in promoting the A series has also been fruitful with the Galaxy A21S and A31 appearing in it. Meanwhile, the other brand that made it is Redmi with devices including Redmi 9A and Redmi 9.

Let us know what you think about this chart on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest smartphone report.


Six new Motorola smartphones could show up at MWC 2018

Now that the CES 2018 news is over, we are just waiting for the upcoming MWC 2018 that will be held at the end of February 2018. There are reports that Motorola is preparing a new lineup of the Moto family, namely the Moto Z3, Z3 Play, G6, G6 Plus and the G6 Play. That's a lot to take in, but let's take a look what are these phones bringing.

So because this is the first we heard of the new Moto phone rumours, there aren't much information but sources report that the Moto Z3 and Z3 Play will be switching its design to even thinner bezels (as if the bezels aren't thin enough already) and use a 6-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio in 1080p. You can also see the so-called render concept above of the Z3 has a dual curved edge screen.

In addition, there will be three new G6 smartphones as aforementioned. Moto G6 is the low-tier one among the bunch, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, up to 64GB internal storage, the display is kind of big for a low-tier phone, as measured at 5.7-inch FHD+ display (18:9 aspect ratio) and has 3000mAh battery.

If you think that's big, the Moto G6 Plus is even bigger at 5.93-inch FHD+ display using the same screen-to-body ratio. This will be at the mid-range tier using a Snapdragon 630 processor, and a possible 6GB of RAM on board with 64GB internal storage. Both the G6 and G6 Plus are using the same dual rear camera module, 12MP + 5MP while the front is a 16MP selfie sensor. Its battery is bigger too at 3200mAh.

Lastly, there's not much information on the G6 Play except that it's also sporting a 5.7-inch HD display but has an even bigger battery pack than the other two - a 4000mAh battery. And that's about it.

Are you looking forward to the new Moto G6 family lineup? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Motorola news at TechNave.com.


Sketches for realme 9 Pro leaked, confirms AMOLED display and custom Sony image sensor

Last year, it was rumoured that the realme 9 series would be launching in February 2022. Details of the new series have been sparse, but there were some specs for the realme 9 Pro+. Now, there's also some news about the realme 9 Pro.

Thanks to @OnLeaks (via SmartPrix), we now have an idea of what the realme 9 Pro could look like. The tipster leaked 2D pencil sketches of the phone's design. As you can see, the model comes with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display and a triple-camera setup at the back. In addition, the main camera would be using a customised Sony image sensor. For the front camera, it's still using a punch-hole on the top-left.

Here comes your very first glimpse at the #Realme9Pro Series through sketches revealing the design as well as a few details... #FutureSquadOn behalf of new Partner @Smartprix -> https://t.co/qM42SkGKav pic.twitter.com/ABNoPomlyR

At a glance, the phone looks similar to the realme 8 Pro from the front. But there are a few notable differences besides the rear camera module. First, the volume buttons have been moved to the left side. Also, the big "Dare to leap" slogan at the back seemed to have been removed.

Personally, the design for the realme 9 Pro looks better than the realme 8 Pro. But what do you think? Is there a phone design you consider your favourite in recent months? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sketches revealed that HONOR's gaming laptop series will be called 'Hunter'

Earlier this month, HONOR has launched a few laptops including the MagicBook 14/15 and the MagicBook Pro 2020 Ryzen Edition. Now, it looks like the Chinese brand will not only be making standard laptops to suit general needs, but they will also be making their steps into the gaming laptop field. Today, sketches of their gaming laptop have been leaked and revealed that the series will be called 'Hunter'.

Just like other brands including ASUS Predator, Dell Alienware, and HP Omen, HONOR will be using 'Hunter' for their gaming product series. This is actually not the first time we see the name as the HONOR Hunter Gaming Router has appeared last year alongside the HONOR V30 series.

Other than the naming and a logo, the sketches are also showing some of the designs that could end up being seen on the final products. One of them would be a supercar-like vent for better heat dissipation. At the moment, not much information has been given regarding the tech specs of HONOR's gaming laptop. However, we can expect the products to feature Ryzen processors with dedicated NVIDIA GPUs as they have announced a partnership with AMD a while ago.

Let us know what you think about the HONOR's gaming laptop on our Facebook page. Be sure to stay tuned to TechNave.com for more exciting gaming products news.


Skiing activities caused over 900 false Crash Detection alarms during the holiday season

It wasn't that long ago that we reported there were many false Crash Detection alarms. In just Minnesota, USA alone in 2022, there are already 700 false alarms. Meanwhile, several Japanese emergency service units got a total of 919 false calls within a month.

According to sources, this is due to the holiday season whereby one of the fire departments of the Kita-Alps received 134 false calls between 16 December 2022 and 23 January 2023 from skiers. The skier's iPhone 14 Crash Detection was activated numerous times when they went down the ski slopes.

Like the rollercoaster cases in the US, skiing activities have triggered Crash Detections thanks to the high speed and impacts made. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the system would confuse skiing as car accidents. However, the iPhone 14 usually would begin a countdown before calling the emergency service units but the users probably didn't hear the siren when skiing.

From these false alarms, Apple has been working with many local emergency services, collecting their feedback to minimize the issue. However, it's not to say that Crash Detection didn't have any success. A passenger's iPhone 14 phone alerted responders in a fatal car crash, a man was lost and found in Alaska, and two women stranded in the wilderness got rescued.

Apple has responded to this issue of false alarms before, as "there's no silver bullet" for Crash Detection due to the complicated software and algorithm calculation. Well, we think the best way to deal with it is to turn off the Crash Detection SOS emergency feature but then again, not many people are inclined to switch it back on after their activity.


Skype reveals Meet Now, a new feature allows for anyone to hold conference calls

Now that many of us are working from home, communication software is seeing an exponential spike in usage. But the popular option now, Zoom, has been getting a lot of backlash for privacy issues. To provide you with alternatives, we introduced eight other similar software last week. Now there's a new alternative through Skype, which has just joined the free video conferencing gang with a new feature called Meet Now.

Meet Now is a new feature that allows people to create video conference meetings easily. The difference with what the software already offers is that nobody is required to have the program to join a meeting. Skype's website states that calls are free and easy to access, as you don't need to sign up for a service or download the program. All the user needs to do is to generate the link for the meeting and forward it to the intended call recipients. This can be done directly through the Meet Now feature page on Skype's website.  In this way, it functions just like Zoom meetings.

Introducing a simple, hassle-free way to connect with the important people in your life on #Skype, no sign-ups or downloads required. Learn about Meet Now: https://t.co/yOw6oBlFxx

Microsoft did mention that you will need either the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser for it to work. But Chrome is a widely used browser, so this shouldn't be an issue for most people. For those who have Skype installed, clicking on the link should let them join the meeting through the app. The meeting would be accessible even if you're not signed in to your Skype account.

And there you have it, another alternative for all of you who are concerned about Zoom's privacy issues and 'Zoombombing'. Having said that, would you give Skype's Meet Now a try or is there a different service that you prefer to use? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Apple CEO claims that Android is more dominant globally

“It just works,” said Apple’s founder Steve Jobs back then, now the quote was repeated by current CEO Tim Cook during the antitrust lawsuit hearing to the House Judiciary Committee. Besides that, he also said that Google (Android) is the most dominant operating system around the world when asked about Apple’s monopoly in the smartphone industry.

During his testimony, Cook continued to defend his company that they have nothing to do with monopolizing the market. However, he does believe that Apple products have stimulated and developed the mobile software market, as well as citing the company’s founder, Steve Job’s vision and philosophy. Hence the quote, “It just works”.

Despite the fact that there are more Android users than Apple users, Cook did seem to ignore the fact that Apple is “abusing” some business areas. For example, Cook didn’t admit that the Apple App Store enforces strict rules onto the app developers to comply and remain silent, as well as removing some Arcade games because they weren’t engaging enough. Moreover, Apple users are kind of “forced” to purchase Apple accessories to complement Apple devices.

So are you Team Apple or Team Android? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com


Slate Gray OnePlus 5 will soon be available with 8GB RAM/128GB memory option

Remember when you wanted a Slate Gray OnePlus 5 with the 8GB RAM and 128GB memory option but couldn’t because that option was only available in Midnight Black? Well, that will be the case no longer!

OnePlus has finally provided the option of choosing your desired colour for the 8GB/128GB version of the OnePlus 5 along with the new snazzy upcoming Soft Gold colour scheme. The prices for the phones based on specs will still be exactly the same regardless of the colour options it seems.

If you were still sitting on the fence to buy this phone because of the limited colour scheme, then maybe this is the time to reconsider.

Some heads up though guys, the guys at PhoneArena did mention that this option may be available to all regions including Asia, but there’s no official confirmation that it will come to Malaysia anytime soon. So keep your chins up Malaysians, and wait for some official word (and the Soft Gold option for Malaysia).

Remember to stay tuned to TechNave.com for more of the latest scoops.


Sleeker full HD ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME572CL now available in Malaysia for RM999

ASUS Malaysia have also confirmed that the full HD ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME572CL is also now available in Malaysia for RM999. The tablet features a sleeker, more stylish design with top-notch tech specs like a full HD 7-inch display, 4G LTE Cat4 connectivity and a 64-bit Intel Atom Z3560 processor. Check out the full tech specs list and video below:


Slim Samsung Galaxy A3 appears at TENAA

It appears that the other variants in the Samsung Galaxy Alpha family are coming soon as what appears to be the Samsung Galaxy A3 has come up at China's TENAA. The photos reveal a fairly slim Samsung smartphone with slightly smaller display listed as a 4.52-inch AMOLED with 540 x 960 pixel resolution. It will also have tech specs and features that include a 64-bit 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB memory, support for microSD, an 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP front camera and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It measures in at 130.1 x 65.5 x 6.9mm and weighs in at 112g, making it suitable for the compact midrange smartphone market. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but we expect it to be within this year of 2014.[Source]


Slime Isekai Memories now out for Android and iOS

Do you like anime and mobile games? Well, there are plenty of mobile games that are based on famous anime like Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Fate/Stay Night, and more. The latest one of that category would be Slime Isekai Memories.

The game is based on That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, which is a rather popular anime series in Japan. It's a 3D mobile RPG published by Bandai Namco, and it's now available on Android and iOS. Unlike many anime mobile games, Slime Isekai Memories has an original storyline that's penned by Fuse, who is the original light novel author.

Slime Isekai Memories is a turn-based RPG, so a lot of its combat mechanics are pretty simple. Of course, you also get to enjoy the story from the anime with the original story parts. But besides that, you also get to level a variety of characters from the game, forge equipment for them, build a town of your own, and more.

If you are a fan of the series, Slime Isekai Memories is worth checking out. With that said, what type of mobile games do you enjoy? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Slimmer Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 coming soon

Samsung's Lee Young Hee, Executive VP of the Mobile Division certainly likes to drop plenty of teasers for Samsung products in his quotes with this one concerning the next Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Confirming that the still unnamed smartwatch which could turn be named the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 would be unveiled with the Samsung Galaxy S5 by April, he said:

“When we release our S5 device, you can also expect a Gear successor with more advanced functions, and the bulky design will also be improved. Health-care related functions will be the most inherently tied functions to future wearables. We see a very big potential from there.”

From the quote it sounds like we could see the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 morph into a smartband rather than a smart watch as so many other wearable manufacturers are doing. However, rumours also indicate, that a smartwatch or smartband isn't the only thing Samsung could be planning for April, but also a smartglasses device like Google Glass. We reported earlier on this back in 2013 and if it does come, especially with a much lower price tag, it would definitely help Samsung stand out from all the other wearable makers.[Source]


Slimmer Xiaomi 5000 mAh Mi Power Bank now available for RM34 in Malaysia

Xiaomi Malaysia's official Facebook page has revealed the new 5000 mAh Xiaomi Mi Power Bank which will replace the existing 5200 mAh model. This particular upgrade was announced back in 2014 in China and will finally be available for purchase in the upcoming flash sale. The new power bank is much slimmer than the existing one (9.9mm thick to be precise) and will weigh about 1 gram more. Xiaomi has priced the device at RM34, which is the exact same price at which the current model was being sold in the market. Also, the output has been increased in the new model from 1.5A to 2.1A. There is a status button along with four LED lights to indicate the amount of energy on the device. Xiaomi also has another powerbank in the market measuring 16000 mAh. The company claims that this power bank can charge an Apple iPad Mini up to 2.5 times and an Apple iPhone 6 up to 5 times. The larger model features two microUSB ports and is available in Malaysia for RM79.


Small businesses can now open their stores on Facebook Shops for free

In just a few hours ago, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg officially announced that Facebook Shops will roll out on the platform today. According to his Facebook post, the initiative is to help SMEs to start a shop online and sell their things directly on Facebook. In other words, this will sort of work like Lazada and Shopee where customers can view the products, purchase, and even read the company's goals and vision.

According to Mark, he said creating Facebook Shops is easy (and free). Since Facebook Shops is directly on the platform, your shop will appear on your Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as on Messenger and WhatsApp too soon. Speaking of other accounts, Facebook plans to integrate a few features to help people discover SMEs such as a dedicated shopping tab on Instagram and a new Live Shopping features that lets you shop in real-time.

On top of that, Facebook Shops will also utilize their own AI and augmented reality (AR) technology to assist customers in their shopping experiences. For example, when customers click-through to purchase on things they like, Facebook Shops can automatically identify and tag products in their feeds. SMEs can also personalize their online stores and with the use of AR, customers can virtually try many products like sunglasses, household items, and others to see how they might look on you before purchasing.

Mark Zuckerberg hopes that with Facebook Shops, this will help some SMEs who are facing a tough economical time during this pandemic period. But what do you think? To learn more about Facebook Shops, you can read the full details here. Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Smallest 13-inch display in an 11-inch body Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 launched at Dell’s Consumer TechWeek

Dell recently launched their Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop, featuring 7th Gen Intel Core processors and thanks to an UltraSharp QHD+ with 5.7 million pixels InfinityEdge touch display, it is the smallest 13-inch display 2-in-1 laptop in an 11-inch body. Offering a tough metal body, 15 hours battery life and more the XPS 13 2-in-1 is priced from RM6699. It also got featured alongside the updated XPS 15, Inspiron 15 Gaming laptop and other Alienware and Dell devices.

The current Dell Consumer TechWeek (from 3 April 2017 till 9 April 2017) at Plaza Lowyat Concourse offers buyers a free Dell DA200 Adapter USB Type-C worth RM319 for every purchase of the XPS 13 2-in-1, XPS 13 or XPS 15. Those who do can also stand a chance to win a new Dell S2718D InfinityEdge monitor worth RM2999. Check out dell.com.my for more details.


Smart Beam Pico Projector for Any Smartphone

Pico Projectors are teeny tiny LED (usually) based projectors that are much easier to carry around than your average projector (which are about the size of a standard mini-tower desktop). While there are pico projectors for smartphones, most pico projectors of that kind only work for a certain type of smartphone. So far, only the Samsung Galaxy Beam and the Promate lumiTab are the only smartphone and tablet that have built-in pico projectors. Well, now with the Smart Beam (or otherwise known as the INNOIO INNOCUBE) cube you can get a pico projector that works with any smartphone.At 4.5cm and just 126g the Smart Beam pico projector is being offered by SK Telecom. It plugs in via an MHL port so it should work with most Samsung and HTC phones but it charges through microUSB. It also has a focusing dial and power switch with about 35 ANSI Lumens for two hours worth of VGA resolution projection. The Smart Beam pico projector is currently being sold for $300 (RM948.90). No news when it may be available here in Malaysia but if it does come it will probably be through an online seller.


Smart Tag lanes will be converted to RFID lanes on PLUS highways

It seems that PLUS Expressway Berhad has recently announced that they will be closing Smart Tag lanes at 9 tolls in the north and they’ll be converting these closed lanes into RFID lanes in the near future. But that’s not all, PLUS will also be giving away up to 1500 RFID fitments for those who who are interested in getting RFID for their car.

However, those who missed the free RFID fitment will be required to pay RM35 per vehicle at fitment centres available in selected areas. With all that said, there’s no information on whether PLUS will convert Smart Tag lanes to RFID lanes in the Klang Valley or other parts of Malaysia for now.

What are your thoughts on tolls not having Smart Tag lanes in the future? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Apple CEO confirms iPhones have been using Sony's camera sensors over the years

Apple doesn't usually specify the origins of the components in the iPhones. However, for the first time, CEO Tim Cook confirms that the company has partnered with Sony for many years "to create the world's leading camera sensors for iPhone."

The reveal comes from a tweet, accompanied by a picture of Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida showing Cook around the Kumamoto facility. Although it's not unbeknown to us that the iPhones have ties with Sony camera sensors, this is still a notable moment as it could lead to something bigger. Who knows?!

We’ve been partnering with Sony for over a decade to create the world’s leading camera sensors for iPhone. Thanks to Ken and everyone on the team for showing me around the cutting-edge facility in Kumamoto today. pic.twitter.com/462SEkUbhi

Furthermore, a recent report by Nikkei Asia offers some hints at what the companies are working on for future iPhones. According to it, Sony has developed a new image sensor that uses a new semiconductor architecture to capture more light and reduce over- and underexposure. The new sensor is suggested to get featured on next year's iPhones. Of course, other smartphone manufacturers are also likely to use it.

What do you think about the reveal? Leave a comment to share your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech report.


Smart Traffic Analytics and Recognition System pilot launched in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

VADS Lyfe and Cyberview Sdn Bhd recently launched the pilot of the Smart Traffic Analytics and Recognition System as part of Malaysia's Internet of Things initiative, particularly involving traffic. Imagine traffic lights that let the system know when they are broken and adaptive and intelligent traffic lights that change the sequence of traffic as or when traffic happens in real time. The system utilizes existing video camera systems with a few more additional cameras to make these decisions intelligently.

The solution will start with Cyberjaya for their first testing period in the hope of reducing the time it takes to travel on Malaysia's roads while improving safety, security and energy management. No specific release dates for when we might see this being rolled out to the rest of Malaysia but the effort may soon cut down peak traffic times through smart technology, but for now, this is mostly for those living in Cyberjaya.

Dato Faris Yahaya, Managing Director of Cyberview Sdn Bhd explaining the Smart Traffic Analytics and Recognition System


Smart bracelet device appears at Lenovo Tech World Summit

If you know your geek news, chances are you have already seen this online before but this is a different model. Called as the Lenovo Cplus concept phone, it has made its appearance once at the Lenovo Tech World Summit event (which is happening right now), with a bunch of other products and concept devices.

However, we can't say if this concept phone will see the light at the end of the day because most concept devices tend to get scrapped. Anyway, the Cplus is a very flexible phone (literally) as it can be wrapped around your wrist like an actual bracelet. It sports a 4.35 AMOLED display and uses leather on the back. It's also said to allow users to insert a SIM card into its ESIM, making it function like a smart bracelet.

In other news, there is other tech stuff at the event too. Such as CAVA, which is a new digital assistant that Lenovo has been working on, same goes to SmartCast+ that is a baby product of a projector and an A.I. smart speaker, a daystAR headset, and a SmartVest for collecting your exercising routine data.

Does the Cplus smart bracelet intrigue you? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Lenovo news at TechNave.com.


SmartThings Find app now out to help you find your Samsung devices

Have you ever left your phone somewhere in your house and completely forgot about it after? It can sometimes be hard to find it again, but having the right app can solve that problem. Thanks to a new mobile app from Samsung, you should be able to better locate any device you may have misplaced. Specifically, we're talking about the SmartThings Find mobile app that lets you locate your devices.

Samsung originally launched the SmartThings Find in selected countries but has now made it available globally. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) to find the Samsung devices may have been misplaced or stolen. It works not just for smartphones, but also smaller devices like Galaxy Buds Lives. As part of the process, technologies like Google's Find My Device and augmented reality are used along with a map to help you locate your things. You can refer to the video below for more details of how it works.

What's useful about this app is that you can locate your devices even if they are not connected to the Internet. In the event that your device is stolen and disconnected, it will start emitting a BLE signal that can be received by any nearby Samsung devices that have opt-in to the SmartThings Find service. The users can then send the location to the server, which will then notify the device's owner.

Of course, it's best if this never happens and all you use it for is to find which corner of your house it has fallen into. With that said, how often does that happen to you and would you find this app useful? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Smartphone industry sees 6% growth in Q1 2021, shipment of iPhones dip by 23%

In these current times, many of us are tightening the proverbial drawstrings on our wallets and avoiding spending. At the least, most people are being more careful with their spending. That's partly why sales of iPhones have dipped in Q1 2021 despite overall industry growth.

According to a report from Strategy Analytics (via Wccftech), shipments of 5G iPhones have dropped by 23% in Q1 2021. This is despite the relative popularity of the iPhone 12 series that Apple launched in October last year. However, the reason for this drop was not discussed. So is it because of the chip shortage? Maybe, maybe not.

Although that is still a problem, the smartphone market actually performed better in Q1 2021 with an estimated 6% growth compared to Q4 2020. This indicates that the industry is making a recovery from the huge slump last year. Other than a notable dip in Apple's sales, other companies like OPPO, vivo, Samsung, and Xiaomi have notable improvements to their sales volume.

Of course, the global chip shortage remains a problem and we could still see numbers drop in the coming months. But people are still willing to buy shiny new smartphones. How about you, have you bought a new phone within Q1 2021? Let us know which model it is in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the latest smartphones.


Smartphone sales are expected to drop by 200 million globally this year

Chinese chip manufacturing giant SMIC recently posted its earnings for the first quarter of 2022 which saw a whopping year-on-year increase of 62.6 percent. However, despite the company’s immense growth, SMIC is actually projecting a terrible year for smartphone sales worldwide, claiming that it will drop by some 200 million units.

SMIC Co-CEO, Zhao Haijun attributed this projection to the Ukraine war which has a significant impact on smartphone manufacturers. Sales in many regions are gravely affected, with Chinese smartphone brands likely to bear most of the loss.

As reported by IT Home, Zhaoi Haijun also revealed that the global chip shortage has also affected productions. In fact, chips used for power management, MCU, Wi-Fi and others are still in short supply today despite the Covid-19 pandemic not being as big of a factor than it was in 2020.

Hence, due to the factors mentioned, global smartphone sales are expected to have a sizeable decrease this year. Let’s hope that the overall manufacturing sector would recover and the chip shortage would be over soon.

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


Smartphone sales increases in Q12016 by 3.9%

With the global economy doom and gloom that is permeating the world right now, one would expect the consumer electronics market will suffer. No, not really. Smartphone sales are actually up by 3.9% when compared to the same time last year, according to Gartner.

The total sales went up 3.9% during the first three months this year to reach almost 350,000,000 devices sold, an impressive feat to say the least. The sale boost was helped by China and their new middle income market looking for new devices to own.

Samsung saw its market share decrease ever so slightly from the same period last year, but still retained the #1 spot with 23.2% of the market. Apple, on the other hand saw a significant decrease in units sold. Huawei and Oppo are perhaps the real winners here, with their sales having a major boost in the year separating the first quarters.

In operating system terms, Android rose about 5% in total market share, while the iOS platform sees a decrease. We may see a surge in Q2, as the iPhone SE sales tallied up by that time. What other big surprise will we see in the second quarter of the year?


Smartphone shipments predicted to rise up to 12% despite shortages of processors & chips

In the current circumstances, you would think that people would try to save more money for necessary things such as food. However, a new Canalys report says otherwise as the shipment of smartphones will grow by 12% this year. That's an estimated 1.4 billion units around the world, but why is that so?

According to Canalys, several countries are still under lockdown (such as Malaysia) and as you know, the tourist industry took a heavy blow over the past year. Case in point, the unavailability of travelling for a holiday allowed the consumers to spend on something else such as new gadgets. Also, since most of the new smartphones from 2020 have 5G connectivity, 5G phones account for 37% of the global shipment in Q1 2021 and it's expected to rise to 43% (610 million units) if the momentum continues.

Canalys also predicted that with the rolling out of 5G phones as the norm, phone brands may sacrifice some functions so that 5G can be integrated. 5G phones will also be a normal thing to have that cost less than $300 in the future, as many people are switching to it as we speak. Besides that, desktops, laptops and workstations shipment is increasing as well. To date, it has hit 82.7 million units of Q1 2021 which is a 55% increase from 2020.

While it looks good for business, this is not the case for semiconductors. In case you missed the news, the processors and chips shortage continues and brands may have to increase the price tag due to limitations. This is certainly challenging, especially for Malaysians who are price sensitive so brands must balance carefully at both quality and price. Otherwise, they could lose out since the competition is fierce.

If you would like to read the full report, you can visit Canalys' website right over here. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Smartphone with under-display selfie camera teased by realme

It seems that the realme executive has recently uploaded a picture of a smartphone on weibo, hinting that realme might be working on a smartphone equipped with an under-display selfie camera. While not much is known in regards to the release date of the aforementioned smartphone, we do know that it will most likely be unveiled sometime in the near future.

To go into more detail, it looks like the smartphone spotted in the picture is most likely the realme Q series which is equipped with a 6.5-inch display, up to 8GB RAM, up to 256GB ROM, as well as a 4900mAh internal battery. Camera-wise, it has a 48MP + 8MP + 2MP rear camera while the front has a 16MP under-display selfie camera.

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

Would you be interested in getting a realme smartphone that’s equipped with an under-display selfie camera? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Smartphones may soon be able to sniff how we smell

Smartphones have various sensors that let them detect gravity, speed and a whole bunch of other things, but a new type of sensor may soon allow our smartphones to sniff out smells. The sensor is based on a MEMS vacuum pump which is many times smaller than previous versions and works on the basis of spectrometers. It is being developed by Honeywell ACS Labs and involves the creation of many mini turbines on a circular platform smaller than the size of a penny or 1-cent coin. Developers are using it to detect chemical reactions for toxins in the air, allowing it to effectively smell dangerous substances or situations which we might not be aware of. Here's what the developers have to say about it:

"What we have done is create the world's smallest vacuum pump -- a unique enabler for a whole new class of analytic instruments. Many people have tried to downsize analytical instruments in recent years, but the vacuum pump was the last obstacle. Previously the smallest models were brick sized and consumed 100 watts, but ours is now penny sized and uses less than one watt.""One thing we are very excited about is putting these into smartphones, essentially adding a sense of smell that can sense everything from toxic chemicals to pollen to general air quality. They could keep a cumulative record of exposure for every person carrying one, noting when and where a user was exposed.""In the coming decade, this innovation is going to usher in all types of very sophisticated instrumentation for handheld mobile platforms," Honeywell's ACS Labs principal research scientist Wei Yang said.

Developers don't expect it to arrive soon though as even a commercial prototype still hasn't been created yet. Instead, they are projecting it to come to smartphones in the next couple of years. Whether or not it will eventually detect bad Body Odour is something else entirely.[Source]


Smartphones with IBM's 2nm chips could last up to four days with improved power efficiency

At the moment, the 5nm chip is the most advanced chip technology offered in the market. Although the chip makers are claiming that they are developing chips with measurements lower than that such as 3nm and 4nm, there is still some time to go before those chips get to see the light of day. Today, IBM has surprisingly announced that they have taken a huge leap by making the first 2nm chip.

The company said that it has successfully fitted 50 billion transistors onto a chip with the size of one's fingernail, helping it to deliver a 45 percent performance boost with the same amount of power as current 7nm-based chips. It is said that many 2nm-based processors are expected to deliver a balance of better performance and improved power efficiency.

Besides that, it is mentioned that mobile devices with 2nm-based processors could have up to four times the battery life compared with the ones with 7nm chipsets. With that said, IBM claims that you might only need to charge those handsets every four days. Other than mobile devices, the chip will also benefit the likes of laptops and autonomous vehicles. However, it is worth mentioning that this is only a test chip and the mass production could be very far away.

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


Apple CEO drops a surprise teaser hinting at imminent launch of new iPads

Big Apple news alert! At 8 pm today, Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a teaser on Twitter confirming the imminent arrival of new iPads. With the caption "The possibilities are endless" and the hashtag "TakeNote", Cook also shared a video showing fingers zooming in continuously on a painting displayed on a tablet-like device. In the end, Apple Pencil made an appearance too.

The products that we expect to see are a redesigned iPad and an M2-powered iPad Pro. According to a source, the 10th-generation iPad will reportedly see a much bigger change, with a larger 10.5-inch display, flat edges, and USB-C. However, there were conflicting rumours regarding it losing the Home button, but we guess we'll get to find out soon.

The possibilities are endless. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/msmJg865tr

On the other hand, the new iPad Pro could bring the same screen size options, including the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models. There are also rumours claiming that the new iPad Pros could feature wireless and MagSafe charging. It's still unknown exactly when the new iPads will arrive, but let's wait and see if we get something later.

Are you excited about the new iPads? Share how you feel by leaving a comment, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.