Paramount+ streaming service launches internationally to compete with Netflix, Disney+ and others

With streaming services becoming popular during the pandemic, we have seen our fair share of them. There's Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and now Paramount is the latest player to join in the game. The group just recently launched Paramount+ and here's what you need to know.

As expected, Paramount+ is not available in Malaysia yet as it's launched in the US, Australia (as 10 All Access), Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East. There are actually a few pricing options starting from $5.99 (~RM24) per month where a user can view quite a large library of contents including CBS, CBS Sports, CBSN, movies by Paramount Pictures (such as the Mission Impossible series, Star Trek, Transformers and others), Comedy Central and more. There's also an ad-free package at $9.99 (~RM40).

Comparing with Disney+ and Netflix, Paramount Plus is considered the cheapest streaming service right now but only in terms of USD. For Malaysia, there's no sign of Disney+ yet and Netflix cost RM45 per month from the Standard package. Personally, there's a small chance that Paramount+ will enter Malaysia due to its wide variety of American content which the majority of Malaysians aren't that familiar with.

But what do you think? Should Paramount+ come to Malaysia? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Parents Unite for Online Safety programme launched by Celcom to ensure online safety further

Yang Berhormat Khairy Jamaluddin (second from left) envisions a safe digital environment for the future leaders, together with Azwan Khan Osman Khan,  Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Business Operations Celcom Axiata Berhad (left), Michael Kuehner, Chief Executive Officer, Celcom Axiata Berhad (third from left), and Zuraida Jamaluddin, Chief Corporate Officer, Celcom Axiata Berhad

As Celcom Axiata Berhad continues its on-going initiative for online safety with KidSafe app, a parental control tool for internet filtering that was introduced last September, the company has just launched a Parents Unite for Online Safety programme where a total of 175 ‘Pusat Internet 1Malaysia’ (PI1M) nationwide will be equipped with the KidSafe app.

In-line with Technology and Connectivity as one of the key trends of National Transformation 2050, Celcom's effort was witnessed and applauded by Yang Berhormat Brigadier General Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth and Sports, as he officiated the new phase of the programme, in Menara Celcom last week. Michael Kuehner, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad said they are honoured for the recognition and the company will continuously strive towards fighting our cause for a safe digital environment.

Furthermore, other programme partners are also joining the cause, including Brainy Bunch International Islamic Montessori, Protect and Save the Children, and Malaysians Against Pornography, a campaign by Kumpulan Wanita IKRAM.

For more information on KidSafe, kindly visit their official website right here www.celcom.com.my/personal/services/kidsafe


Acer Veriton Vero AIO desktop & Veriton Vero Mini Malaysia release: priced at RM4599 & RM3299 respectively

In addition to the Acer TravelMate Vero, Acer Malaysia also introduced two new products to the lineup - the Acer Veriton Vero Mini and Veriton Vero All-in-One (AIO) desktop. The price tags for these two products retail from RM3299 and RM4599 respectively.

As the name suggests, the Veriton Vero Mini is a compact CPU tower and made with 25% PCR plastic in its ventilated chassis and ships with a 100% recyclable box. Powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB M.2 SSD, the additional M.2 slot and DDR4 enable users to upgrade the PC according to their memory and storage needs.

As an option, users and technicians can easily access and configure functions via the keyboard or a pointing device like a mouse. All they have to do is use BIOS and there's an Acer System Health Indicator as well. The latter provides a dashboard overview status of each component and the indicator light on the power button will flash in red if any abnormality is detected.

On the other hand, the Veriton Vero AIO desktop consists of 30% PCR material and comes with a keyboard and mouse which are also made of PCR material. Shipped in 100% recyclable packaging, the desktop comes with a screwless back cover that can be easily removed for upgrades and maintenance.

The 24-inch FHD IPS desktop monitor is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of M.2 SSD that can be upgradeable. Also, there is an InfraRed (IR) scanner for facial recognition and integrated Tobii Aware smart technology, which will automatically blur when users step away from the device and lock the screen shortly.

If you are interested in getting either the Acer Veriton Vero Mini or Veriton Vero AIO desktop (or both), you can place your orders by emailing [email protected] You may also visit Acer Malaysia's Acer Day 2022 roadshow at Pavilion Bukit Jalil too. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Parody and fake account holders can be sued based on statement by MCMC

Based on a recent statement by MCMC, it seems that owners of parody, as well as fake accounts, are liable to be sued on the basis that these accounts are almost similar to well-known organisations which could potentially mislead the general public. But that’s not all, because the name looks very similar to the accounts they are parodying, it could potentially damage the original account’s reputation.

While MCMC managed to get in touch with both Twitter and Facebook, the social media platforms are a global company and some restrictions may not apply to them. With all that said, we, as the general public have to be more vigilant in parody, as well as fake accounts.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on parody and fake accounts on social media? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


(Part 1) Using the Apple TV 4K for the first time - Apple Music, great platform but...

In this modern age, streaming has already become a part of our lives. Gone are the days of trying to find a safe source to download your MP3s and movies online. Now, online streaming has lessened the burden and become accessible for millions of users globally. Spotify is a great example in the music streaming service category, and there's Apple Music too.

Before we get to Apple Music on the TV box, we have to talk about the Apple TV 4K. From my experience, not many Apple users actually have the Apple TV 4K. Heck, even I don't have one as a long-time iPhone user. My friends and family who use Apple products don't have it. And I only know 1-2 guys who own one in the entire Malaysian tech media industry. You have to take my word for it.

The rarity of the Apple TV (let alone 4K) makes it quite an odd device to use for Apple Music. One time, I told my friend (an iPhone user) about the TV box with Apple Music in it, and her interest faded away like an ice cube under the hot sun, and I can see why. But anyway, using Apple Music on the Apple TV 4K was quite an interesting experience (and it's also my first time using the TV box).

Launching Apple Music from the Apple TV 4K

Just checking out Jay Chou's newest album. Interestingly, all the Mandarin titles are automatically translated into English

Despite that, it has complete Mandarin lyrics!

The lyrics can actually catch up to Eminem's hit single - Godzilla

For starters, Apple Music on the Apple TV functions similarly on the iPhone, iPad and Mac. You get to view lyrics that are already available without having to search for them online, and you can enjoy existing albums on Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Obviously, those features work best if you have a pair of AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chipset. But how about using it on your Apple TV 4K? Well, you need to have a soundbar that supports at least Dolby Atmos support, and you're good to go.

Not only that, you get to view lots of music videos from a wide variety of artists, even Malaysian artists. The music video quality is exceptional, and you can find a sea of them on Apple Music. That said, you must have a 4K TV which shouldn't be a problem since it's so common to have one in a household. The colour contrast can be on point, depending on what music video you're watching. You could even have a music video marathon from certain artists. I must also mention that it's kind of weird for the music videos' volume to be louder than the song tracks on the Apple TV 4K.

Confession - I don't really know most of these artistes

As long as you have a 4K TV, the music videos from the Apple TV 4K should look great

Syncing my iPhone with the Apple TV 4K, only to find out that not all the songs are available in Apple Music (as seen with the blank album covers)

LOSSLESS AUDIO ON LINKIN PARK HYBRID THEORY ALBUM HELL YEAH

Fans can enjoy finding and binge all the songs and albums of a particular artist easily

If you're looking for specific playlists, Apple Music has a ton of them

Additionally, you can sync your iPhone's Apple Music to the Apple TV 4K and let it play from your song list instead! However, do keep in mind that if you happen to have songs that don't exist in the Apple Music library, the Apple TV 4K won't be able to play them. That's a bummer, but understandably so. Regardless, you can visit special sections in the streaming service to find new songs or any genre you're in the mood for.

Honestly, there isn't much to say about Apple Music. But it is a pretty good music streaming service for Malaysians at RM14.90 per month. Using it on the Apple TV 4K is quite an interesting experience due to the vast amount of artists available, including local ones. I would say its strongest point is the music videos available on the platform, but there's just one problem.

Is RM14.90 per month worth it? Depends on your needs

Well, if we are going to talk about music videos, Apple Music on the Apple TV 4K has one strong competitor - YouTube. YouTube also has a ton of music videos that are provided by official music production companies, plus fan-made tracks, remixes, song covers, and many more by other creators. Most Malaysians would rather not have to pay and just enjoy the same content on YouTube (albeit with ads playing in between).

I think if I was younger, I would have enjoyed using the current Apple Music platform on the Apple TV 4K. Unfortunately, I'm at an age (or phase) where I don't really bother catching up on what's new in the music industry anymore. But I can imagine a young music lover enjoying his or her favourite tracks from their Apple Music account on the Apple TV 4K, alone in the living room. The idea doesn't sound bad, not bad at all.

But do you have any experience using the Apple TV 4K for Apple Music? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more Apple TV 4K hands-on articles at TechNave.com.


(Part 2) Using the Apple TV 4K for the first time - Apple Arcade, good concept but...

Apple Arcade is not uncommon among iPhone users, but not many friends and family that I know of actually subscribe to it. And what about playing it on the Apple TV 4K? I think that's even rarer than a shiny Pokemon. In part 2 of our first impressions of the Apple TV 4K, I'll be talking mainly about the Apple Arcade. For the uninitiated, Apple Arcade is a mobile gaming subscription service by Apple that is priced at RM19.90/month. Is it worth it?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the impact of mobile gaming globally, particularly in Asian countries such as Malaysia. But does Apple Arcade on the Apple TV 4K give a gaming console feeling like the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch? Well, I have played with it for a week so here are my findings.

Just like the Apple Arcade UI on the iPhone but in TV format

Lots of recommended Apple Arcade games that you can try out!

As usual, you can boot up Apple Arcade Games immediately on the home screen of Apple TV 4K. For most newbies (like me), the interface is quite user-friendly, as it is easy enough for you to browse through all the top arcade games in different categories with no real issues. In many ways, Apple Arcade on the Apple TV 4K is quite similar to the iPhone but with one major difference - the lack of game compatibility.

While there are a few exclusive mobile games that are available for the Apple TV 4K, you can literally browse through the entire game library there in one night. However, there are some old games that aren't updated yet. Case in point - I find it odd that Asphalt 8: Airborne+ is still there but not Asphalt 9: Legends. Furthermore, a lot of games in the Apple TV 4K require a controller to play which makes sense since you're playing it on a smartTV.

Gotta have a controller before playing this

With the latest tvOS 11 update, the Nintendo Switch Controller can now be paired

This was a hassle when I wanted to switch between the PS5 and Apple TV 4K with the DualSense controller

Some games allow you to use the Apple TV remote to play but not many

At first glance, the Apple Arcade on the Apple TV 4K seems to be doing the opposite of accessibility because many games require a controller. I would also argue that the PlayStation, Switch and even the Xbox Series X/S are not that accessible either. But I think the general consensus for most casual gamers is that - "If I already purchased the Apple TV 4K and am paying a monthly subscription for Apple Arcade, why do I have to get an extra controller to play?". I can share that sentiment. For your information, a new controller from either one of the big three easily costs more than RM300.

If you do have a controller then that's great. But I also found it as a hassle to switch the controller between the PlayStation, Switch or Xbox gaming console. For example, I have a PS5 and only one DualSense controller. After pairing it with the Apple TV 4K, I wasn't able to use it for the PS5 automatically because it's already in sync with the former. So to use it again for the PS5, I had to disconnect the controller and vice versa for the Apple TV 4K.

Also, do manage your expectations on the graphics

Like really, don't expect graphics-intensive games on the Apple TV 4K

However, some games such as Rayman look quite good

Oceanhorn 2 graphics were quite impressive

A blast from the past on some updated retro games like Castlevania

There are a few popular ones such as Gear.Club Stradale, Oceanhorn 2, NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition, the Lego series, and many more. Graphics-wise, you shouldn't really expect too much since the Apple TV 4K doesn't have the hardware. A few of them did look quite good. Particularly the platform and scroller type of games that I find the most fun to play.

Of course, you can sync your game save files on the Apple TV 4K to your iPhone seamlessly via iCloud. However, if you have run out of space on your iCloud, then you won't be able to continue where you left off. You can upgrade your iCloud space up to 50GB for RM3.50 (which is super cheap) but if you have too much data on your iPhone, you may need to top up a bit more on top of the Apple Arcade subscription fee.

Honestly speaking, most of the games on Apple Arcade are much better off played on your iPhone instead of on the Apple TV 4K. Don't get me wrong, I can still see some good usage of it. For instance, you could take the TV box with you overseas and play it in a hotel or Airbnb room. We must also remember that the quality of the games there is really casual nothing too intense as seen in Castlevania, Jetpack 2, Rayman and others.

So, is the Apple Arcade worth it on the Apple TV 4K? Well, that really depends on your gaming lifestyle. As a gamer who already has a Switch, PS5 and a gaming laptop, there is little motivation for me to play them on a TV box. But for a casual user who wants to get dive fully into the Apple Arcade on the Apple TV 4K, be prepared to spend a bit more than you originally budgeted.

Apple Arcade is a good concept for the Apple TV 4K but... surprisingly for Apple, it is not executed well

For what it is worth, Apple Arcade does get rid of all the micro-transaction in-game items, as well as offers an ads-free gaming experience which is great compared to those free mobile games that constantly shove ads in your face. I also admit that there are some fun casual games that I do enjoy, such as What The Golf but all in all, Apple Arcade is just not for me. Maybe, it could be for you?

If you want to check out my Part 1 of using the Apple TV 4K for the first time, you can visit the link here. But what do you think? Are you using Apple Arcade? Do you disagree with us? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Apple TV 4K hands-on articles at TechNave.com.


(Part 3) Using the Apple TV 4K for the first time - Apple Fitness+ is better than ever, but...

When it comes to Apple Fitness+, most consumers and fitness enthusiasts would automatically think of the Apple Watch series. Fitness+ is the essential go-to app for users who are serious about their healthy lifestyle. However, it used to be restricted to the Apple Watch until recently, when Apple rolled out tvOS 16.1 for the Apple TV 4K.

For the uninitiated, tvOS 16.1 finally allowed users to exercise and use Fitness+ without an Apple Watch. That's right, IT WAS ABOUT TIME. Thinking back, this update could have been the saving grace for us stuck at home during the pandemic. But better late than never, I guess. Anyway, I've been using it for a month so read below about my experience.

So how was the Fitness+ experience on the Apple TV 4K? Well, entering the app is straightforward as it's already on the home menu, alongside Apple Arcade and Music. As the saying goes - there's no such thing as free lunch. Even though you don't need an Apple Watch for Fitness+, you still need to subscribe to it to have full access. If you don't, only some parts are free to use.

Fitness+ is just on the right side of the home menu

tvOS 16.1 allows you to use Fitness+ without an Apple Watch

For the long term, the annual plan is more cost-efficient

Before using Fitness+, you have to choose between Fitness+ Annual or Monthly. Comparing both prices, the former is probably better for the long term and costs less than most gym membership fees. If you want to try it, Apple is gracious enough to let you check it out on a 1-month free trial.

After pairing Fitness+ on the Apple TV 4K with either your iPhone or Apple Watch, you would immediately be presented with a wide range of workouts, as well as a main headline at the top. From meditation to simple running exercises, there is something for everyone, depending on their focus. You can also find some celebrity fitness coaches and selected artist spotlight playlists.

The home page of Fitness+ on the Apple TV 4K

You can follow your favourite trainers or even dance your way

There are workouts for everyone regardless of level

If you're a newbie, don't be overwhelmed by the load of choices there. As mentioned, there's something for everyone. And I must say, the Fitness+ home menu is quite well thought out, as it's easy to navigate. Just look for the ones you want to do or check out the "Workouts for beginners", and you're pretty much set.

It goes without saying, but in case you didn't think about it, you would need to prepare an exercise or yoga mat because some of the workouts are intensive enough to hurt some parts of your body. In my case, I didn't have any, so I chose an exercise workout that required standing up more. Even though the workout was just 10 minutes, it was still quite intense and made me realise how unfit I became after my honeymoon.

You may add certain workout sessions to your library

Always have an exercise mat if you're gonna workout at home

The workout videos are quite intense, honestly

After your workout, the result page will appear and show you the approximate calories burned, just like how the Apple Watch does it. You may repeat the same workout, and if you really like it, add it to your library, so you have an easier time finding it again later. The results will be shared across your iPhone and Apple Watch so you can monitor them anytime, anywhere, away from your Apple TV 4K.

I won't go too deep into each workout since they are more or less the same. But I can tell you that each video session was produced with quality and care. The background music, the coach motivating you, the timer, even the calorie burn counter. I was compelled to keep going even when my body was half dead, so I think you would too.

There is another feature that I want to touch on, and that's the Artist Spotlight that I mentioned earlier. There are many artists to check out, such as BTS, J.Lo and even ABBA. If you only want to listen to that specific artist, you can do so easily. One of the latest Artist Spotlight series was Taylor Swift's latest album "Midnight". What this does is allow some of her songs to be played (legally) while you're working out with other fitness coaches.

This looks ideal for a busy working adult

Honestly, if it wasn't for tvOS 16.1, I think most Apple users won't be using Fitness+ on the Apple TV 4K. Now that you don't exactly need an Apple Watch to use it (though it does help with fitness monitoring), Fitness+ is one of the best features on the Apple TV 4K if you don't want to go out to a gym. It has plenty of workout options, excellent video production value for motivation, and a cheaper annual fee than most local gyms.

That being said, not everyone would be on board with Apple TV 4K's Fitness+. I told my wife all the cool things about it, and she just looked me in the eye and said YouTube has the same thing. True enough, she showed me a plethora of fitness gurus online showing similar things. It's also free, so I can't really argue or convince her.

By the way, if you're interested in parts 1 and 2 of using the Apple TV 4K for the first time, you can check out the links below. Stay tuned for our Part 4 finale soon, which is just about the Apple TV+ streaming service, only at TechNave.com.


Participate in Lenovo Legion of Champions to win your share of more than RM370000 in prizes

Lenovo has recently announced the Legion of Champions esports tournament happening from 5 November 2019 until 27 January 2020, and it will have a combined prize pool of up to USD89100(~RM372687). For this year, Legion of Champions will include esports titles such as PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUND as well as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

But that’s not all, Lenovo will also be hosting an all-female tournament called League of Valkyries in conjunction with the tournament mentioned above. The top teams from each region will participate in the grand finals which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on the 26 and 27 January 2020.

For those who are interested in taking part in either the Legion of Champions or Legion of Valkyries can sign up at their official website. Would you be interested in taking part in the tournaments hosted by Lenovo? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Participate in the Huawei Snowy Christmas Photo Challenge to win a free Christmas dinner

In this coming Christmas, Huawei Malaysia is planning to give back to its fans with an exclusive Christmas Dinner on 20 December 2018 at Poseidon’s Reserve Caviar & Oyster Bar in Kuala Lumpur. We have mentioned this news a couple of days ago, so this will be a final call and invitation for those would like to join, as lucky fans can get to participate as long as they complete two challenges.

So to recap, first there is the Huawei Snowy Christmas Photo Challenge. As long as you take a photo of yourself at any of Huawei's snowfall locations, upload it on your Facebook account with the #huaweisnowychristmas and Huawei watermark. The top 10 most-liked photo will win an invitation to the Huawei Christmas Night. Add on to that, frequent users of Mate 20 series, P20 series, Nova 3 series of the Huawei VIP app will randomly be chosen as one of the lucky winners. Initially, this applies the same to the AppGallery users who purchase and download any apps but the due date has already passed on 14 December 2018.

All guests will be presented with exclusive door gifts and lucky draw prizes courtesy of Huawei brand partners – Aerocentric, Palm Garden Golf Club, Poseidon’s Reserve Caviar & Oyster Bar, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur and Viu. Stay tuned for more Huawei news at TechNave.com.


Participate in the OPPO Reno 2 Festive Night Run and win an OPPO Reno 2 smartphone + RM1500 in prizes

OPPO has recently announced that they will be hosting the Festive Night Run, where participants could stand a chance to win an OPPO Reno 2 worth RM2299 as well as prizes worth up to RM1500. In terms of the dates, the Festive Night Run will be held on 21 December 2019.

There will be a 5km as well as a 10km marathon where you can participate and experience the various Festive Christmas decorations and vibrant lights at night. But that's not all, there will be a DJ there to dropping sick beats as you get covered in "snow" during the event. Head over to their official website, if you are keen on taking part in the aforementioned run.

Would you be interested in taking part in the OPPO Reno Festive Night Run? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Participate in the "Snap & Win" contest to win a vivo smartphone

In conjunction with the upcoming year-end celebrations, vivo has announced that they will be working together with Big Camp Group to host the 2020VYOU party which will be held at the Mega Star Arena, VIVA MALL. With that said, they also added that you could stand a chance to win a vivo smartphone via their “Snap & Win” contest.

The steps to participate are very simple, all you need to do is drop a like on Big Camp Group’s Facebook Page as well as on their Instagram. Upload a picture on your Facebook account, tag @BigCamppppp on their post and include the hashtag #VIVO #BigCamp. After that, get as many likes on the post as you can to have a higher chance at winning the vivo smartphone.

With all that said, would you be interested in participating in the vivo “Snap & Win” contest? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patent hints that OPPO to produce a game controller in the future?

It seems that a patent from OPPO might have been spotted on ithome.com, hinting that OPPO could be producing a game controller that’s meant to be used with smartphones. While not much is known in regards to when it will be unveiled, it does give us a better idea of what to expect from the smartphone manufacturing company in the near future.

Based on the patent, it seems that the controller comes with a mount where you can attach the smartphone to the device. Not only that, but it seems that the controller also seems to have a similar layout to the Xbox controllers.

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

Would you be interested in getting the OPPO game controller as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patent hints that the Sony Playstation 5 Pro will come with dual graphic processing units

It seems that a patent from Sony has recently been spotted which hints that the upcoming Sony PlayStation 5 Pro, will most likely come equipped with dual graphic processing unit inside. With that being said, there could be a possibility that the PlayStation 5 Pro could be physically larger than the current variant of the console due to the additional hardware.

With an additional graphics processing unit, we can expect the PlayStation 5 Pro to render graphical assets up to 2 times faster, which could mean that it’s capable of running games at a much higher resolution along with higher framerates. Not only that, but depending on the release date of the PlayStation 5 Pro, it could come with a next-generation CPU which could further increase the performance of the upcoming console.

However, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that the developers of the PlayStation console have yet to provide an official statement regarding the patent. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the local release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs of the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro for now.

What are your thoughts on the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro potentially coming equipped with two graphic processing units? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Acer also unveiled several new gaming monitors, PCs, laptops, 2-in-1 air purifier, and an AI translator

Other than the laptops we’ve mentioned in the previous article, Acer also unveiled a bunch of new products including gaming monitors, PCs, laptops, 2-in-1 air purifiers, as well as an AI translator for gamers. Unfortunately, there is no official Malaysia release date and local pricing, so you might want to check back with us as soon as we received an update from Acer Malaysia.

Onto the products, Acer unveiled the Predator XB273U NV which is a 27-inch QHD monitor which is capable of achieving up to 170Hz refresh rate as well as 95% DCI-P3 colour spectrum coverage and Delta E<1 rating. Other than that, there’s also the XB253Q GW which is only a 24.5-inch FHD display, but it’s capable of achieving up to 280Hz refresh rate, as well as integrated RGB LightSense to make the monitor look much more aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Last but not least for the Predator line-up, there’s the XB323U which boasts a 32-inch QHD panel, 270Hz refresh rate, as well as 99% AdobeRGB coverage which is perfect for individuals who are both content creators and gamers. As for the Nitro line-up of gaming monitors, there’s the Nitro XV272U KV and XV272U LV which are both 27-inch gaming monitors with QHD and FHD resolution that are both Eyesafe-certified to reduce eye fatigue, as well as increase viewing comfort.

Onto to ConceptD, Acer unveiled the ConceptD 300 that’s specifically designed for content creation as well as intense CAD workloads thanks to the fact that it has up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to an RTX3070 graphics card, as well as up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM. In addition to that, the ConceptD 7 and ConceptD 7 Pro laptops have also been unveiled that comes with up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to an Nvidia RTX 5000 graphics processor, 15.6-inch UHD IPS Pantone Validated display as well as 100% Adobe RGB colour space Delta E<2 colour precision.

Last but not least for laptops, Acer also unveiled 3 new TravelMate Notebook series which are equipped with 11th Gen Intel Core processors with Iris X graphics or even an optional Nvidia GeForce MX350 GPU. Surprisingly, it seems that Acer also unveiled a 2-in-1 air circulator and purifier which utilizes a 3-in-1 HEPA filter to remove pollutants in the air to ensure the best breathing experience for the user.

Last but not least, there’s the SigridWave, which is an In-Game Live AI Translator which helps gamers communicate with other gamers who don’t speak the same language. With all that said, what are your thoughts on all the products unveiled during the Global Press Conference? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patent hints you could control Apple Glasses using your eyes

Based on a patent spotted on 9to5mac, it seems that there is a patent relating to the Apple Glasses hinting that it is possible to control the wearable device with nothing more than just your eyes. With that said, it could make augmented reality content much more immersible due to the fact that the content will follow the movement of your eyes.

However, Apple did not specify what kind of use cases the Apple Glasses will be suitable for now. With all that said, do take some of the information mentioned with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Apple 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 features the aforementioned wearable comes with. Would you be interested in getting the new wearable by Apple as soon as it is available for purchase? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patent of OPPO true wireless stereo earbuds found on CNIPA

The competition in the true wireless stereo (TWS) space is fierce these days, as more brands continue to join the fray. For OPPO, there are the Enco series audio devices that were launch in recent months. But sources hint that a new OPPO TWS earbuds could already be in the works.

According to 91Mobiles, a new OPPO TWS earbuds was patented on the Chinese Patent Office (CNIPA). Images of the new earbuds were revealed and you can see that it's very different from what OPPO has so far. If you compare it to the other two models from OPPO, the Enco W31 and Enco Free, you can see that it's significant thicker and has a shorter stem.

There wasn't anything revealed on specs or features, but we can speculate a few things based on the design. First, the larger body could house a larger driver unit inside, which would result in better audio quality. Secondly, the grille on the sides should be microphones to detect sound from outside. This could mean that this model will support active noise cancelling.

Of course, we can't confirm whether these speculations are accurate, so do take them with a grain of salt. With that said, what do you think about the design of this OPPO TWS earbuds? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Patent of Samsung Galaxy smartphone with 6 cameras appears online

If it's not the pixel count, then it's the number of cameras. Smartphone brands can get rather competitive when it comes to camera specs these days and Samsung wants to get a leg up on the competition. Allegedly, the patent for a new Galaxy smartphone was found and it featured 6 cameras at the back.

According to LetsGoDigital (in Dutch), Samsung was granted a patent by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) for a smartphone that featured five wide-angle lenses and one zoom lens. This could help create better photos or larger ones that are combined into an array configuration via software algorithm.

The patent also mentioned moving camera sensors, which could deliver some interesting features. For example, users could extend the focal length of the cameras and get panoramic shots with a "pano-bokeh effect". But sensors that need to move would require battery and space, meaning that the phone will be larger and have higher power consumption. It'll also increase the manufacturing cost, so don't expect such a smartphone soon.

Having said that, what do you think about the concept? Would it revolutionise mobile photography? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Patent revealed that Apple could bring the Force Touch sensors to future MacBook Pro Touch Bar

Rumour has it that Apple will release a new lineup of MacBooks with a new look and the M1 chips in H2 2021. Although it's still a long time to go, a new leak might be giving us a peek beforehand at a feature that the new MacBooks might have. The leak suggests that the future MacBook Pro could have its Touch Bar upgraded with a Force Touch sensor for more interactions.

According to a patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office, the Force Touch that has been on other Apple products could be arriving on the future MacBook Pro. The patent filed in 2019 revealed that Force Touch circuitry will be added to surround the touch-sensitive OLED strip to implement the force-sensing technology.

Apple's Force Touch was first introduced on the Apple Watch and later expanded to the iPhone 6s as 3D Touch in 2015. On iPhones, the technology provides features like Peek and Pop gestures for users to have quick access to the contents of an app. The Force Touch sensing technology was also brought to the MacBook Pro trackpad in the same year.

Let us know what you think of Force Touch coming to the MacBook Pro Touch Bar on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more latest Apple updates.


Patent showing design of new vivo phone with penta camera setup allegedly found

It's never dull in the smartphone scene, not as long as patents get leaked all the time. This time around, an image showing the patented design of a supposed vivo smartphone was found. The device shows a Penta camera setup at the back and a single front camera within a punch-hole.

Leakster Sudhanshu posted the image on Twitter, though he did not provide his source. Some speculate that this could be the NEX 4. But it's hard to imagine that vivo would revert to a design with a hole on the front, considering how the NEX 3 was built. If you ask us, it's more likely that this patent shows the successor to the S1 Pro. Of course, that's just our speculation. And since there are no official announcements on this yet, it's best to take this news with a grain of salt.

#Vivo patents a phone Penta Camera setup & Single Punch-Hole display.Could this be the NEX 5? pic.twitter.com/WOZA6fKBUy

That being said, how do you find the design shown here? Like it, or think it should look different? Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for potential updates on this.


Patents filed by Sony revealed the possible design of their next wireless earphones

Sony is one of the companies that is leading audio products to a higher level by introducing many high-quality audio gadgets to the market since forever. The Japanese company has also been working hard to bring even more innovative designs or the latest technologies to their audio products. Now, Sony has been spotted with patented wireless earphones that is suitable for athletes and also people who wear helmets frequently.

Wireless earphones can be big and bulky to fit well while you're wearing a helmet. Sony has adopted a flat and futuristic design to the wireless earphones which is shown in the patents. On both sides, there will be two flat pads that are built for controls through touching. There are also small microphone holes being seen on them that are used to make clearer phone calls.

The design patents were actually filed by Sony with Japanese patent agency JPO back in 2019. Until last month, the patents were finally published and revealed the cool design that we might see on Sony's next wireless earphones. Other than the design, the features and technical details are not known at the moment. We hope that we can see technologies like noise-cancelling being featured by the earphones as well.

Let us know what you think about the design patents filed by Sony on our Facebook. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more cool tech news.


Patents from LG hints that they might manufacture a rollable 17-inch display equipped laptop

Based on a statement by rootmygalaxy.net, it seems that a patent has recently been spotted, hinting that LG might be working on a laptop that’s equipped with a rollable 17-inch display. While there is no news on the exact release date of the laptop, the patent gives us a better idea on what to expect when the laptop is officially available globally.

Based on the patent, it seems that there will be a 13-inch, as well as a 17-inch display variant that is rollable, and they both come equipped with a webcam at the top of the display. With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that LG has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now. Would you be interested in getting a laptop with a rollable display? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patents from OPPO hints that they're working on a phone that can be folded into different configurations

It seems that a bunch of patent regarding an OPPO foldable smartphone may have been spotted, hinting that the company is currently working on a phone that’s capable of folding into different configurations. While there is no official information in regards to the exact release date of the aforementioned smartphone, the leaked patents give us an idea on how the device could potentially look like.

However, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that OPPO has yet to provide an official statement on the leak. That’s not all, there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs of the smartphone in question for now.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on the OPPO foldable smartphone shown in the patent? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patents hint that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will come with health tracking features

A report by LetsGoDigital.com seems to hint that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will come equipped with various health monitoring features such as ECG, as well as a blood pressure sensor. While not much is known in regards to the Malaysia release date, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is available in the local market.

To go into more detail, the patent hints that the user can scan their blood pressure simply by pressing their finger onto a location on the smartphone. Not only that, but it will also give various bio information such as vascular age, arterial stiffness, aortic pressure, vascular compliance, stress index, as well as fatigue level.

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

What are your thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 coming equipped with various health monitoring features? Let us know no our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Patents regarding Apple's iPhone with MagSafe Charging Port spotted!

It seems that a patent posted on patentlyapple.com seems to hint that Apple’s upcoming iPhone could come equipped with the MagSafe Charging port, which could replace Lightning Ports located at the bottom of most current generation iPhones. While not much is known in regards to which smartphones will come equipped with the MagSafe Charging port, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is officially launched in the near future.

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

What are your thoughts on the upcoming iPhones coming equipped with a MagSafe Charging Port? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Acer and OPPO also announce flood relief programs to help repair devices

The flood last week has affected many Malaysians. Some lost their homes while others who were more fortunate may have lost only their belongings or found them damaged. But replacing or repairing items like electronics isn't easy, so local companies have been offering flood relief programs.

Acer is the next with a flood relief program to help flood victims. If you have any Acer product that was damaged by the flood, you can repair it for free even if it's out of warranty. Acer Malaysia will also accept non-Acer devices, but a repair fee will be charged. Furthermore, if the device can't be repaired, Acer will offer a 20% discount so you can buy an Acer desktop/laptop from the Acer Malaysia e-store. This deal is valid till 31 December 2022, though some terms and conditions apply.

Besides that, OPPO Malaysia also has a flood relief program now. The company is offering 30% discounts on selected spare parts for OPPO smartphones. There will also be a 20% discount for courier service, for those who applied online for the send-in repair service. These two offers are available from 26 December 2021 to 31 January 2022.

As you can tell, many companies are looking to provide aid, so we can expect more of these to appear in the coming days. We'll keep an eye out for more of these, so do stay tuned to TechNave!


Patting and feeding a Pokémon with your own hands may not be a dream anymore

Niantic has announced that a feature called “Buddy Adventure” will be added into its huge AR game, Pokémon Go. “Buddy Adventure” allows you to feed berries to your Pokémon and pat them virtually on their heads with your own hands.

The feature is said to be focusing on improving Niantic’s AR technology. As some of the mobile cameras nowadays are able to detect depth, they are able to integrate the ToF cameras with AR technology to make the game more exciting for the users of Pokémon Go. The users will also get to see their Pokémon interact with the surrounding such as breaking the wall and gliding on the floor.

Apart from that, “Buddy Adventure” will let you to see your friends’ Pokémon through the camera. You and your friends will be able to interact with each other’s Pokémon using own mobile cameras within one frame. In Photo Mode, you are able to take pictures with your friends and all their Pokémon at the same location. However, how many Pokémon can appear in it has not been confirmed yet as it is a feature designed for only small group of people.

Niantic didn’t share with us that whether the actions such as feeding and patting the Pokémon will gain any points to level up. It could just be another feature to let users interact more with the game. After all, this new function focuses on AR experiences at its core.

There’s no news on the release date of the feature yet but surely it is coming soon. Let us know what you think about this new feature on Pokémon Go! Stay tuned for more cool tech news on TechNave.com.


Pavo Communications introduces new Mcalls Y33 prepaid SIM package worth RM30, MMSpot mobile wallet app, and more

Today, Pavo Communications has launched their second mobility product called Mcalls along with a prepaid SIM package called Y33 SIM. The product is targeted towards Malaysian youth ages 15 to 35 and they are also introducing a new redemption mobile app called MMSpot, a brand new Digital Lifestyle Experience store, and a Mcalls K-Wave music festival featuring international Kpop bands.

The Y33 prepaid SIM package is priced at RM30 and offers a contract-free annual subscription model for 12 months, meaning that once you've subscribed to it - you will be billed automatically, but you can also choose to cancel it without any penalty. Other than that, the prepaid also offers 5GB worth of internet data, free 33 minutes of voice calling, and free 33 SMS to all local networks.

On top of that, the company has also decided to give all new subscribers a one-time RM8 worth of freeload for the Mcalls MMSpot mobile apps (available on Apple and Google Play Store). How MMSpot works is like a mobile wallet from your respective credit/debit card, with this, all Y33 subscribers may access to over 1200 business alliance partners, providing subscribers access on product purchases through earned reward points.

M-Airtime balance is from your respective banks

Also, to celebrate and introduce Mcalls first Digital Lifestyle Experience store, it is located at Sunway Pyramid mall (LG2.141, Orange Atrium). This store will act as customer servicing centre and there will be a four-day familiarisation roadshow following the store launch introducing Mcalls and the Y33 prepaid SIM package.

One of the many Mcalls-ready products for MMSpot online purchase

Last but not least, since the target segment is aimed at the youth. Mcalls has also teamed up with Galaxy Group Malaysia to bring an all-star cast of Kpop bands which are HIGHLIGHT, BTOB, APINK, B1A4, TEENTOP and VICTON to Malaysia for the music festival, which will be held on 5 August 2017, Saturday at 8pm at Surf Beach, Sunway Lagoon.

Pava Communications had previously launched the rebranded speakOUT and its speakOUT2Care mobile application in March 2016 last year. Mcalls will be making some exciting key announcements in the future, for more information on Mcalls and the K-Wave music festival, visit either one of the links below to get started.


Pawbo+ lets pet owners interact with their pets from afar

In case you didn't know, Pawbo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer, and they recently just revealed a new interactive wireless pet camera called the Pawbo+. Equipped with treat dispensing and laser pointing capabilities, the new product is an extension of Acer’s BeingWare initiative, as an integrated hardware, software, and service solution, and exemplifies the Acer Group’s mission to break barriers between people and technology.

Pawbo+ is designed for pet owners that have to leave their cats or small dogs at home alone throughout the day. Its internet-enabled wide-angle camera (130-degrees) and speaker/microphone combo let users check in on their pets visually and talk to them to provide comfort from afar. Such daily interactions can help to reduce pet anxiety caused by prolonged durations of being alone. With privacy in mind, the camera is designed to point slightly downward so that it only captures what pets are doing, while all communication is encrypted for added peace of mind.

Users can log in via from their iOS or Android smartphones and serve up a tasty treat stored in Pawbo+’s built-in storage tray, multiple ringtone notifications and treats can help train pets to respond and encourage pets’ good behaviors. Pawbo+ has an integrated laser pointer that can be activated remotely to give owners a fun way to interact with their pets and keep them active.

Up to 8 concurrent users can log in to view Pawbo+ live streams, and the device can also be integrated with Dropbox and Google Drive so users can save their precious videos on the cloud easily. The Pawbo+ app also allows seamless photo sharing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Pet owners can expand the capabilities of Pawbo+ with 4 soon-to-be available accessories, including Pawbo Flash (artificial lighting for camera), Pawbo Munch (additional treat dispenser), Pawbo Catch (cat teaser), and Pawbo Punch (whac-a-mole game).

Pawbo+ will be available for online pre-order on 1 September 2016 for customers in the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan at $169 (around RM690) with free shipping.


Pay RM68 per month for new MaxisONE Plan 68 for 5GB data, unlimited calls, SMS and more

Are you living in East Malaysia and a Maxis user at the same time? Maxis have just announced a fantastic deal for all Sabahans and Sarawakians, presenting the MaxisONE Plan 68, you can have 5GB data all day, unlimited midnight internet (1am – 7am), unlimited calls and SMS for only RM68 per month!

That's not all, MaxisOne Plan 98, 128 and 158 have upgraded their data by 4GB! Not to mention, signing up for either one of the plans grants you Maxis's Zerolution feature. Below is the chart for your reference.

Remember, this is only for East Malaysia and the promotion is on for a limited time. As always, you can search our other Maxis phone plan deals as well, but to learn more about this deal visit their official website to check it out.


Pay for your meals at McDonald's via Touch 'n Go eWallet to get RM5 cashback

In a collaboration between Touch ‘n Go eWallet and McDonalds, get RM5 cashback when you pay for your meals at McDonald’s via the Touch ‘n Go eWallet from 2 November until 31 December 2020. However, it is best to note that each user is entitled to 1 cashback throughout the duration of the campaign.

In addition to that, you must spend a minimum of RM25 in a single receipt at any McDonald’s Malaysia restaurants, Drive-Thru, or McDelivery in order to get the cashback mentioned above. If you want to find out more information in regards to the partnership, head over to either Touch ‘n Go’s official website, Facebook, or Instagram page.

With all that said, would you be interested in paying for your McDonald’s meals via the Touch ‘n Go eWallet? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Pebble Announces three new wearables, from only USD99 (RM406)

The company that truly started the mass acceptance of smartwatches has just launched their update to the original Pebble and Pebble Time, called the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2, and at the same time launching their first non-watch wearable called the Pebble Core. Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 builds on the original designs but with the expected updates. Pebble 2 now has a Corning Glass covering rather than plastic. Meanwhile Pebble Time 2 combines the build of the Pebble Steel and the colour screen of the Pebble Time into one sleek device. Plus it now comes with a larger screen – about 50% more screen than its predecessor. Both smartwatches comes with heartrate sensors built in for health tracking.

The Pebble Core on the other hand is the company’s first connected wearable device. It runs in Android OS, it has 3G and GPS built in for tracking during runs, streams Spotify out if the box, and has an emergency SOS function when needed.

The devices are now live on Kickstarter, the platform they originally debuted on, and they have met their funding goal of USD 1 million in under three hours, with a month to go in their funding campaign. Head on to their Kickstarter page if you want to be part of the early adopters.


Pebble Time Steel released from $250 (RM906)

While the sequal to the Pebble smartwatch, the Pebble Time has already been announced and successfully funded several times over, it is now the turn of the Pebble Time Steel version. Tech specs and features are mostly the same except for an increased 10-day battery life along with an extra leather strap. While it looks and works the same as the Pebble Time smartwatch, the Pebble Time Steel smartwatch sports a more premium metallic design. This is reflected in the amount of pledge it starts from, which is $250 (RM906). It is set for a retail price of $300 (RM1087) so you do get some savings and you can also upgrade from Pebble Time to Pebble Steel without losing your place in line. The Pebble Time Steel is available as an additional pledge for the original Pebble Time Kickstarter campaign. Check out the video for yourself below:


Pebble Time smartwatch launched, offers colour e-paper display and 7-day battery life

The Pebble Time smartwatch has been officially launched with a brand new Kickstarter campaign that has already reached it's funding goal of $500000 within minutes of being announced (as of the time of writing, the campaign has already reached $7.4 million). The most notable features of the Pebble Time smartwatch includes it's colour e-paper screen and a new user interface. Other differences include a thinner and lighter design at 9.5mm thin but it retains a 7-day battery life. The colour screen is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass while the underside is curved somewhat to fit the shape of your wrist. It is also water resistant enough for you to go swimming with it. While you can wait for it to appear at third-party sellers you can go to the Kickstarter campaign direct and pledge for a Pebble Time smartwatch from $179 (RM648) but bear in mind that there may be extra shipping fees. No Malaysia release dates but it should start shipping in May 2015. The regular retail price will be set at $199 (RM720) in the next 30 days so get a move on if you want one.

The new Pebble Time interface of past, present and future


Pebble smartwatch gets an important update, adds Android Wear notifications support

The Pebble watch has just received an important firmware update. Both the apps on the Android and iOS app store have been updated to the new version adding some interesting features to the watch. The smartwatch also received a firmware update to support these new features. The Android app has been upgraded to version 2.3 which now supports Android Wear notifications. So, users can now interact as well as reply to the notifications from various apps on the device. Also, the company has added support for pre-defined replies (up to 5 supported) for these notifications. Users can also reply via various Android compatible SMS apps. The watch face as well as app notifications will automatically update even when the screen is off in this new version. Apart from these new features, the update also fixes standard bugs on the smartwatch. It is necessary for the watch firmware to be updated version 2.9 to use these features. So, update the smartwatch before downloading the new Android app. The iOS app was also updated to version 2.6.4, however, apart from usual bug fixes, there were no important additions made to the app feature list.


Peer-to-peer ParkEasy app launches in Beta for Malaysia

Looking to solve the issue of finding vacant parking before you even arrive at your destination, Malaysian startup ParkEasy have launched their ParkEasy app in Beta mode. The app works peer-to-peer much like Uber with "Parkers" - those looking for parking being matched to "Leavers" - those about to leave their parking spots and then swapping spots.

"Leavers" will earn ParkEasy credits and "Parkers" will have to use them. No worries though, as you are automatically provided 10 credits when you install the app. The ParkEasy app is available for free download by PixelByte Sdn Bhd on the Google Play Store and the App Store. Check out their site or FaceBook page for more details. For now, the app is only available in a number of malls here in Malaysia but they hope to expand as the community grows.


Acer and Starbreeze announced first shipment of StarVR Headset

Back in early 2016, Acer was committed to delivering a small volume of units of StarVR HMDs this year with a mass production of the devices to commence in 2017. Now at IFA 2016, Acer and Starbreeze AB are proud to announce that they have started to ship StarVR Virtual Reality (VR) Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) to IMAX Corporation in preparation for the highly anticipated opening of the IMAX VR Center in Los Angeles, expected later this year, and others in the near future.

“With this shipment to as important a player in the entertainment industry as IMAX, we are absolutely thrilled that we are well on our way in bringing the virtual reality experience to the next level and to the world” said Jason Chen, President and CEO at Acer.

“The realization of the most premium VR experience ever offered isn’t just our dream, but one of an entire ecosystem that encompasses hardware makers, videogame developers, theater companies, filmmakers and many others.” Chen highlighted at the global press conference that movies and videogames have exceedingly become ever more closely entwined.

The lines are blurring between movies and videogames, and are moving beyond just two mediums that have traditionally only complemented one another. He said they were converging to become a more dynamic, immersive form of storytelling, and virtual reality would feature prominently in this development.

“We’re extremely proud to be able to show the first manufactured units of the StarVR headset produced in our collaboration with Acer. Since announcing the StarVR headset in 2015, we’re finally at a place where we can see the pieces of our vision coming together. From day one we’ve been convinced that we can deliver premium experiences with premium hardware. The search for great partners sharing the same vision was long, but we’re happy to be able to lay down these two fundamental parts in Starbreeze VR-ecosystem together with Acer and IMAX. We can’t wait for people to start experiencing world-class virtual reality in the StarVR HMD and at IMAX VR centers." said Bo Andersson Klint, Starbreeze CEO.

“We are looking forward to the launch of our first IMAX VR center and pleased with the progress demonstrated by the initial shipment of StarVR HMDs from Acer and Starbreeze, as this exciting industry continues to develop and grow," said Robert D. Lister, Chief Business Development Officer, IMAX Corp.

“IMAX is committed to delivering immerse, multi-dimensional virtual reality experiences, featuring some of the world’s best entertainment and gaming properties, to premium locations, including multiplexes, malls and other commercial destinations.”

Stay tuned for more IFA 2016 news at Technave.com.


Penang in line with government's 5G timeline, plans to become a Gigabit City by 2022

As announced by the government yesterday regarding the 5G movement, the Penang State Government's plan is also aligned with the timeline. They plan to turn Penang into a "Gigabit City" by 2022 and all industrial areas will be covered with 5G connectivity.

During the World Information Technology Conference 2020, Head of Penang, Mr Cao Guanyou said that Penang has already begun testing the 5G network and he is confident that the state's industrial sectors will be all equipped with 5G technology by 2022. The reason why the industrial sectors are prioritised with the technology is to enhance the overall competitiveness.

On the other hand, Mr Cao mentioned that the state government is working closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and local network providers on a blueprint. Somewhere along the lines, Penang plans to go fully cashless by the end of this year by 90% of all 56 markets. He ended his note on the importance of keeping up with the times, as technology is improving rapidly every day and it's possible to be in a state of no progress.

In case you missed it, the government is planning to launch 5G by the end of 2022 or early 2023. We hope that the progress goes smoothly to test out 5G connectivity in our future smartphone reviews. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Penang is now the most advanced broadband state in Malaysia thanks to Terragraph Network powered by YES

As promised by YTL Communications (YES) back in February 2019, the Terragraph network has been successfully installed offering free public WiFi across 50 locations. With this, this marks Penang to be the most advanced broadband state in Malaysia and they are definitely ready for 5G connectivity in the future.

According to trial users, there are a 93% positive rating and 65% return unique users (from 19K users) for the network's strong performance and quality of service provided. The company also recorded down that an average consumption per user for the free public WiFi is around 320MB per session, 9GB as the highest one for a single user, delivering peak speeds of 170Mbps download and 160Mbps uploads. Not surprisingly, the highest WiFi hotspot consumption comes from Love Lane, Chulia Street, Kapitan Kaling Mosque, Campbell Street, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Chulia Street Night Market and Armenian Street Art.

On top of that, 120 local businesses, NGOs and government offices in George Town also got their hands on the free WiFi services such as the next generation FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) powered by Terragraph. FWA trial users reported that speed has been improved up to 130GB. That's about 16x more compared to their current service providers.

Apart from this, YES also announced another technology, Gigawire, into the Terragraph trial in George Town. It's a new technology that allows legacy copper wire cables in buildings to deliver fibre level broadband performance, without having to rewire the buildings which cost a lot.

To learn more about Terragraphy Network powered by YES, you may visit the webpage here for the latest updates and information on the Terragraph trial and rollout including coverage locations.


Penang motorists can now use their Touch ‘n Go card for parking at the Gurney Paragon Mall

Just yesterday, the Touch ‘n Go Group just announced that all motorists in Penang can now use Touch ‘n Go card for parking at the Gurney Paragon Mall. This effectively makes Gurney Paragon be the first mall in the state to introduce and use Touch ‘n Go PayDirect, in which users can add their Touch ‘n Go card to their Touch ‘n Go eWallet to activate the PayDirect feature.

On top of that, users will also be able to enjoy a 20% cashback (capped at RM1.00) starting now until 30 April 2021 whenever they pay for parking using Touch ‘n Go PayDirect at Gurney Paragon Mall. This promotion is limited to one (1) cashback per user throughout the promotional period and is limited to the first 10,000 redemptions.

According to Khor Tze Ming, Group Executive Director of Hunza Properties Berhad, the company have been introducing cashless car park and ticketless parking since 15 September 2020. With this in mind, this means the users no longer need to hunt for the Touch ‘n Go kiosk to reload their card to pay for their parking fee. This also leads to less congestion at the entrance and exit especially during busy days or nearing mall closing hours.

By the way, the parking charges will then be deducted directly from the user’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet. It is that easy and will reduce the frequency for the card to be topped up physically. Stay tuned for trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Penang ready for 5G rollout this year, currently conducting pilot tests in 3 locations

The Penang State Government has reiterated that the state is ready for 5G connectivity rollout this year. In fact, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak even recently lauded the state’s telecommunications capabilities, saying that Penang is the second best state in Malaysia in terms of broadband coverage.

As reported by Malay Mail, Tun Ahmad Fuzi in his opening speech at the Penang State Legislative Assembly (DUN) asserted that the state has formulated the Penang Connectivity Master Plan with all telco companies for 5G broadband readiness. Furthermore, the state government, together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) have also drafted plans to implement 5G in Penang in 151 locations on the island.

Phase one of the 5G implementation plan will start this year and according to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the state has already started a pilot test to develop 5G broadband spectrum infrastructure. Speaking at the Penang DUN today, Chow said that the pilot test is currently being conducted at 3 locations in George Town.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, Chow further clarified that the pilot tests are being conducted due to the uncertainty on which company will actually operate the 5G network. This is in reference to the single wholesale 5G network agreement between DNB and other major telco companies in Malaysia that is yet to be finalised.

What do you guys think of the 5G infrastructure in Malaysia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Penang state and hair salon operators in Kuching say no to haircut services during MCO

Unless you haven't been paying attention at all, you should already know about the movement control order (MCO) being extended to 28 April 2020. Since another two weeks of closure could severely impact several industries, the government has allowed certain sectors to operate at this time. Strangely, haircut services were allowed, though it seems some people aren't keen on the idea.

According to the News Straits Times, the Penang state government refuses to allow haircut and hairdressing services to operate in Penang during the MCO. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow made the announcement earlier today and cited the difficulty for such services in maintaining social distancing. He also urged Putrajaya to reconsider this decision.

Penang isn't the only state that has taken this stance, as individual hair salon operators in Kuching have also decided not to open, wrote Borneo Post. One of them is Kuching-based hairdresser Chung Jian Ping, who pointed out the difficulty in giving haircuts while customers are wearing masks. He also said that sanitising the equipment and chairs after each customer is done would be difficult as well.

Most people would probably agree that it's hard to get a haircut without maintaining distance. However, some may believe that it's possible to do so as long as the right precautions are taken. What do all of you think about this? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Penang to be the first state to utilize Facial Detection System to track down criminals

Penang is now the first state in Malaysia to utilize the Facial Recognition System to detect criminals by utilizing any one of their 897 CCTV Cameras available on the island as well as on other locations. This will be beneficial to law enforcement units as they will receive notifications whenever a suspect is detected in the video feed. It will then relay relevant information such as time, date, as well as the location of the criminal to aid the police in their arrests.

With such a system implemented in the state of Penang, the privacy of the people will be of concern due to the fact that they are constantly monitored by the aforementioned CCTV cameras. It will definitely be interesting to know if the Facial Recognition System brought down the crime rates in Penang since its initial installation last October. For more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Penang to implement 100% cashless transactions in the state by 2030

The Penang State Government has annuonced that government services in the state will go 100 per cent cashless by the year 2030 in an effort to realise its digital transformation agenda. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow elaborated that the State Government would intensify efforts to introduce cashless initiative soon, especially in major tourist hotspots.

According to Bernama, Chow lauded how the implementation of the e-payment service can increase Penang’s revenue and serve as a catalyst for the economic development in the state as a whole. Moreover, the move will also attract foreign investors, hence the State Government hopes for the cooperation of all consumers and traders to support the cashless payment initiative and further increase competitiveness to make Penang a smart state.

Penang’s cashless payment initiative started back in April 2020 with a pilot project at Taman Tun Sardon Public Market. It was also meant to reduce contact between buyers and traders following the Covid-19 outbreak in our country back then.

Following the pilot project’s success, the Penang Chief Minister had invited 17 banking institutions and non-bank electronic money issuers to migrate e-payments at all public markets throughout the state.

Previously, a policy for the mandatory use of e-pyament services as a revenue collection platform for all state govenrmetn department and agencies in Penang was approved on 2 September 2020. This was following the positive feedback on the aforementioned initiative at Taman Tun Sardon Public Market.

So, what do you guys think of Penang’s plan to go completely cashless by 2030? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news from Malaysia and beyond.


Pentax announces new DSLR – Pentax KP, capable of shooting at ISO 819000

For a photographer who is looking to shoot in the near-dark situations, the new Pentax KP may fit your bill. It has extreme low-light sensitivity, and five-axis stabilization to, well keep everything stabilized.

This is the brand’s first APS-C body with the five-axis stabilization, as well as "pixel shift resolution," giving you more resolution and color accuracy as long as your subject doesn't move around much. Other features include a 3-inch, vertical-tilt screen, AA-filter-free design, a removable and replaceable grip via an Allen key and customizable buttons. You get both dustproofing and weather resistant body in a compact body. It has 1080p video recording, 7fps shooting and a 27-point autofocus system.

If you want to get one, especially for its low-light capability at ISO 819000, check out the Pentax KP. The camera will be available from end of February, for USD1099 (~RM 4868).


People are actually buying an anti-5G USB stick that costs ~RM1,524

This is only just the beginning of 5G and the technology is loved by so many, but also hated by some. Earlier, there was a ridiculous conspiracy theory coming out of nowhere claiming that the technology is causing the Covid-19 pandemic, and resulted in a few 5G towers being burnt down. Now, the funny assumption is still not coming to an end as people are buying a fake USB stick that costs 350 USD (~RM1,524) to protect themselves against 5G (like what???!!!).

According to a BBC news report, the 5GBioShield, which is the product, has been recommended by a member of Glastonbury Town Council’s 5G Advisory Committee in England. The USB stick is claimed to be using “quantum holographic catalyzer technology” to protect a family home against 5G. Other than that, a user has also stated that he finds the device useful as he believes that 5G leads to flocks of birds dying, people getting nose bleeds, and suicide rates increasing.

After that, a security firm has ordered the USB stick and broke it apart to study it. It turns out that the device is just a 128MB USB stick that was made in China. However, the owner of the website distributing the fake anti-5G USB stick still claims that the device is not a fraud as they have done "plenty of historical research". Now, this is the kind of news that would make us question humanity.

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


Pepsi P1s smartphone now available in Malaysia

If you remember late last year, Pepsi launched their own smartphone – the Pepsi P1s to the surprise of the world market. Now, the site Satu Gadget is officially selling the phone in the Malaysian market, for RM 499.

As a recap, the specs of the Pepsi-branded phone are as follows:

The specs sheet of the phone looks decent, and the price of the phone is not bad as well. Would you buy this for your own, and have a drink of Pepsi with it?


Acer announces 7.9-inch aluminum A1-830 Android tablet for $149.99 (RM494)

It seems to be a trend in the tablet industry these days where someone takes the aluminum shell and display of the Apple iPad mini and deck it out with their own internal tech specs, features and branding. This time around we have the Acer A1-830 which predictably has a 7.9-inch display with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. While it does run on Android, the internal tech specs include a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The tablet has a front and rear camera (details of which Acer hasn't revealed but probably include a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera), dual speakers, 16GB of storage and microSD support. The tablet comes with an appropriately sized Acer Crunch keyboard cover and an Acer Crunch Cover. The Acer A1-830 will initially be available in the US and Canada starting from Q1 2014 but we should be able to expect a Malaysia release date sometime afterwards.


Pepsi’s own smartphone Pepsi Phone P1s

I know, we didn’t saw this coming too. It’s just weird to know Pepsi, a popular beverage company officially showing us the Pepsi Phone P1s but here it is. Anyway, here are the tech specs that we know:-

Not too bad for a start, the Phone P1s smartphone was manufactured in Shenzhen, China by Shenzhen Scooby Communication Equipment (lol scooby dooby doo! sorry I just had to do that). Priced for CNY 699 (RM 470.13) on www.JD.com, the device is currently on a limited offer for 1000 users only and it includes a charger, cable and a protective case. No news on any Malaysia release dates but it should make its way to third-party sellers eventually.


Perak to achieve 80% 5G network coverage by 2024, will build 106 new network sites by year’s end

The caretaker Menteri Besar of Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has announced that the state is expected to reach 80 per cent 5G network coverage by the year 2024. Furthermore, 106 new 5G network sites will also be built in Perak by the end of the year, complementing the existing 37 network sites in the state.

Stressing the importance of widespread 5G coverage, Saarani said that currently, Ipoh is the first city in Perak to have such coverage with speeds exceeding 1 gigabyte per second and an average of 620 megabytes per second. According to Bernama, the 5G network will be expanded to other districts including Manjung, Kuala Kangsar and Taiping soon.

The caretaker Menteri Besar was speaking to reporters after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) ceremony between Ipoh City Council (MBI) and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (Yes) on the implementation of 5G around Ipoh city last Friday (28 October 2022). Yes is the first local telco to offer 5G network coverage in Perak and nationwide to its customers, though end users of other telco companies can expect to access 5G network soon.

Today, several Malaysian telco companies announced that they will be offering 5G network access to their users following the signing of the subscription access agreement with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). As of the time of writing, these include U Mobile, Digi as well as Telekom Malaysia (TM).

So, are you excited about the future of 5G in Perak as well as the whole of Malaysia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Perfect Companion - Huawei P10

In this modern era, if you don't have a partner then a smartphone is your next best companion (it's ok, nothing to be ashamed of lol). We had fun producing the Perfect Companion - Huawei P10 video because we wanted to highlight what it can do as a "companion" with its many features such as the Portrait Mode, SuperCharging technology, 3D Facial recognition, and of course the Leica lens that are on the dual rear and front camera sensors. All in all, a perfect companion for a phoneographer.

That being said, which smartphone is your perfect companion? Let us know in the comments below and thanks for watching the video below, share with your friends and family!


Periscope zoom camera confirmed on the Huawei P30 Pro and may also come with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage

Leaked renders of the Huawei P30 series courtesy of @rquandt

The Huawei P30 series looks like it might just give the Samsung Galaxy S10 series a run for their money. The device is confirmed to feature a periscope zoom camera alongside alleged 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Huawei’s VP of Global Product Marketing, Clement Wong confirmed the news of the Huawei P30 Pro having a periscope zoom camera. To those of you unfamiliar, it is the camera sensor shaped like a square. However, it is unconfirmed if the device may come with 5x zoom or 10x zoom.

Photo samples with ultra-wide (top left), 1x (top right), 5x(bottom left) and 10x (bottom right) zoom from the alleged Huawei P30 Pro

Besides that, the upcoming P30 Pro may just be released with a cool 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage which is expandable with the nanoSD card. If you don’t feel like spending some extra dough on that, there may be other variants of the device with 256GB and 512GB of internal storage, according to popular leaker, @rquandt on Twitter.

As for the regular old Huawei P30 smartphone, you may be seeing it ship with only 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage. So far, it doesn’t seem like the device may come in other storage variants. However, do note that RAM and storage for these devices vary between different regions so Malaysia’s specs for this device may be entirely different.

tidbit #2:Huawei P30 6/128GBHuawei P30 Pro 8/128GB, 8/256GB, 8/512GB Disclaimer: Based on what I have seen so far (launch is still a while away, after all). Config depending on country and maybe even color. Other variants may well be possible.

Another interesting feature rumoured about the P30 and P30 Pro are the flat cut edges on the top and bottom of the device. The reasoning for that could be simple: To allow the device to stand upright on smooth surfaces. This would be the first flagship device to be able to stand on its own. The reason? It allows the device to stand upright to capture selfies and night shots without needing a tripod which is pretty ingenious if you ask me. Let’s just hope it’s pretty stable because I’d hate to see my phone drop forward or backward with a thunk.

Both the Huawei P30 Pro and P30 may be powered by the Kirin 980. The Huawei P30 Lite is speculated to have slightly lower tech specs with the Kirin 710. The P30 may come with 22.5W fast charging while the P30 Pro might come with the 40W Rapid Charging technology. If you’re a fan of the 3.5mm jack, you may want to opt for the P30 as the P30 Pro is ditching that port altogether.

However, no official announcements has been done so make sure you digest this info with a grain of salt. So what are you most excited to see on the Huawei P30 series? For the latest Huawei news, TechNave.com is where you should be looking at!


Perodua announced new price list with up to 6% rebate from SST exemption

To revitalise the economic status of our country, our government has announced that the sales tax for locally-assembled vehicles and 50 percent reduction for fully-imported cars will be fully waived. With that being said, there is no doubt that the local brand Perodua would come into our mind. Today, the updated on-the-road prices of all the Perodua models have been revealed, and the deduction will be effective starting from 15 June to 31 December.

The list shows us the prices of the models by comparing the one with SST applied and the one without. You can see the price drop ranges from 3 percent up to 6 percent. Savings from the SST exemption begin from RM723 for an Axia 1.0 E manual. The model will now cost RM23,367 compared to the initial price RM24,090, which is a 3 percent reduction. The highest 6 percent reduction is applied for both Aruz 1.5 X Auto and Aruz 1.5 Advance Auto.

With the RMCO just started today, many sectors slowly begin operation as usual. To ease the aftermath brought by the pandemic, our government has also announced several plans to boost the country's economy. The SST exemption will not only benefit the buyers, but the local automotive sector will also get to recover from the Covid-19 crisis.

Let us know what you think about the SST exemption for local automobiles on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local viral news.


Personal data of 1900 Signal users may have been compromised after a phishing attack incident

Encrypted messaging service Signal has revealed that the personal data of its users may have been compromised after its verification services provider, Twilio Inc fell victim to a phishing attack. In a blogpost yesterday, Signal said that the phone number of 1900 users could have been revealed by the incident.

Signal further elaborated that the breach also could have allowed the attacker access to SMS verification code used to register with Signal. However, message history, profile information and contact lists were not revealed.

The messaging service further asserted that the attacker could attempt to re-register the leaked numbers to another device or learned whether the numbers are registered on the Signal app. Twilio Inc has been working with Signal to help investigation on the phishing attack after disclosing of the incident earlier this month.

Signal has also since notified the 1900 users affected directly of the incident. Moreover, the company requests users to open the app on their phones and register their account again if the app prompts them to do so.

Signal also said that the best way to protect your account is to enable registration lock on the app’s Settings. In fact, the security feature was made to protect users against threats like the Twilio attack.

So, what do you guys think of the whole incident? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Personal data of Malaysian citizens from JPN are offered at ~RM35,000

Shockingly, it's reported that the personal data of millions of Malaysians by birth year from 1998 to 1979 have been leaked. According to an IT expert from Twitter, the data is currently on sale on a forum that can only be accessed using a virtual private network (VPN).

Those data are from Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) leaked from hasil.gov.my through myIDENTITY API, described by the seller. If you're not familiar with the term myIDENTITY, it is a government data-sharing platform that allows citizens to avoid repeatedly entering personal information when dealing with online forms of government agencies. Besides JPN, the Inland Revenue Department (LHDN), Election Commission (EC), Road Transport Department, Education Service Commission, Social Welfare Department, and more can also access the service.

The data sized a total of 32GB in 19 files are being offered for 0.2 bitcoin, which converts to about RM35,000 at the current cryptocurrency exchange rate. They come with details that include addresses, mobile numbers and photographs, as well as race, religion and MyKad identification numbers. The seller also provided a set of JSON text to prove the authenticity of the leaked data.

How do you feel after knowing that your personal data could be unsafe even with government agencies? Leave a comment to let us know and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local tech reports.


Personal information of 20 million Aptoide users now leaked

The problem with Android apps is that they can sometimes be geo-locked. For instance, some apps may not be available in the Malaysian Google Play Store. When that is the case, users have to turn to third-party to download the apps they want. But these third-party stores are not very secured since one of them was recently hacked.

According to ZDNet, the details of at least 20 million Aptoide users have been compromised by a hacker. The personal info of these users was then leaked to a hacking forum, allowing other hackers to get access to it. Specifically, the data that was leaked include email addresses, passwords, real name, sign-up date, sign-up IP address, device details, and date of birth.

The leaked data is in the form of a PostgreSQL export file

Users who registered to Aptoid between 21 July 2016 and 28 January 2018 have been affected, so if you're one of them make sure to go change your passwords now. If you use the same login credentials for multiple sites, you should change all of them to safeguard your accounts. Better safe than sorry, right?

Data breaches are reminders that our data isn't always 100% safe, more so when it comes to third-party platforms that may not have good security. It's best to always play it safe by changing passwords often or using a password manager. With that said, do you use third-party app stores like these and why? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam have been added to Touch 'n Go eWallet Street Parking Payment

In case you missed it, Touch 'n Go eWallet just announced that they have partnered with Smart Selangor Parking and Flexi Parking which means you can do cashless payment for parking now. Called as the Street Parking Payment, this feature is now available in Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam.

As the feature suggests, Touch 'n Go eWallet users can just use the eWallet balance to pay for the parking. On top of that, a reminder will be sent to notify you there are 15 minutes left and you can even extend your parking time via the app. All you have to do is tap into the "Parking" icon (it's a P letter) at the main menu and add your vehicle number and description.

After that, you will have to choose the parking location and set the parking duration then "Pay Parking Now". An OTP will be sent to you for confirmation (first-time users only) as well, then you should receive a payment confirmation. Below is the list of places that are available for Street Parking Payment:

For more information, you may visit the official page right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Pete Lau shoots down OnePlus 9 Pro design render leak

The OnePlus 9 Pro design has been leaking around online and we just wrote a piece of news just two days ago. Normally, smartphone brands would stay quiet on these rumours but Pete Lau, OnePlus CEO has something to say about the latest leak.

According to his tweet, he said: "No design is ever set in stone. Because if it were, it wouldn't be a very lightweight smartphone". What does it mean? Well, he's basically saying that the one that we saw is probably not going to look like that as the end result. His tweet also hinted that the OnePlus 9 Pro would be a lightweight device.

No design is ever set in stone. Because if it were, it wouldn't be a very lightweight smartphone.

Since the design is not final, it's a good bet that OnePlus is still experimenting with different designs for the next flagship. Previously, the company did a bunch of OnePlus Nord prototypes before settling on the usual vertical quad-rear camera setup. In terms of tech specs rumours, the flagship is rumoured to be featuring a Snapdragon 875 chipset and up to 65W fast charging technology.

Are you still excited about the next OnePlus flagship? Or have you moved on to other better and affordable flagship killers? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Acer announces Chromebook Vero 712 and 3 more Chromebook laptops for education

Acer recently announced their first Chromebook Vero 712 laptop featuring a sustainable design and 12th Gen Intel Core processors with a 12-inch 3:2 display. The other 3 Chromebook laptops include the Spin 512 with a 12-inch 3:2 display, Spin 511 with an 11.6-inch display and the Chromebook 511 with an 11.6-inch display,  Intel N-series processors and optional LTE connectivity.

All 4 Chromebooks feature MIL-STD810H (military standard for drop and shock resistance) and the Chrome Education Upgrade for easier management and deployment. On top of metal ports, the keyboards are spill resistant with moisture-resistant OceanGlass touchpads, so they are designed for students who don’t really take care of their laptops as much as adults might.

Like other Acer Vero products the Chromebook Vero 712 utilizes recycled materials like 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in the chassis. However, unlike the 12th Gen Intel Core powered Vero 712 the other Chromebooks use the Intel N100 and N200 processors for savings in costs and energy efficiency.

Both the new Spin Chromebook laptops also feature Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass touch displays but all the laptops support 720p webcams and faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 6E. As usual, no Malaysia release dates or pricing details, but you can check out the pricing and North America and EMEA prices and release dates below:


Petronas launches its first online store with Shopee offering fuel gift cards online & SEA Games merchandises at discounted rates

In a turn of events, Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) has announced that the company are entering the e-commerce industry and has launched its very first online store with Shopee. With this, Malaysians are now able to buy Petronas fuel gift cards online and exclusive SEA Games merchandises at discounted rates, including free shipping within Malaysia.

Sounds good? It gets better. On 9 September 2017, there will be a total of 3000 special edition Petronas x Shopee preloaded RM50 gift cards available online, priced at only RM45 (inclusive of free shipping). These cards are also available at 300 selected Petronas stations starting in October for RM50 each + RM5 Shopee voucher.

On top of that, in commemorating the 2017 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix final edition in Sepang this 29 September to 1 October, the official F1 merchandise will also be sold at a discount exclusively on Shopee.

To find out more about Petronas' offerings on Shopee, visit its online store right here or in Shopee app which can be downloaded for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.


Philips 7000 series 4K UHD Android TVs Malaysia release: 43-70-inch models with Ambilight, starting from RM1799

If you are looking for a smart TV aside from popular tech brands such as Sony, Samsung, and LG, you might want to consider Philips. Just today, it has been announced that the Philips 7000 series 4K UHD Android TVs are now available in Malaysia with sizes from 43-70-inch.

Like most smart TVs nowadays, the Philips 7906 Ambilight 4K UHD LED Android TV and Philips 7406 4K UHD LED Android TV are compatible with all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision. Low latency setting (ALLM) will automatically switch when connected to a gaming console and the models support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for fast-paced action gameplay.

Moreover, all major streaming services are supported such as Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime and Disney+. For the Ambilight TV model, its intelligent LED around the edge of the TV responds to the on-screen action and emit an immersive glow. You can think of it as its own RGB lighting.

Currently, there is an ongoing promotion price for the Philips 7906 Ambilight 4K UHD LED Android TV and Philips 7406 4K UHD LED Android TV. You can check out the prices below:

To learn more about the Philips 7906 Ambilight 4K UHD LED Android TV and Philips 7406 4K UHD LED Android TV, you can visit the hyperlinks given. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Philips 8200 series Malaysia release: 4K resolution, up to 70-inch display from RM2799

It seems that Philips Malaysia has officially unveiled the Philips 8200 series LED Android TVs that’s equipped with either 50-inch, 55-inch, and 70-inch display at the price of RM2799, RM3199, and RM6499 respectively. The aforementioned Android TVs will be available for purchase at all authorised Philips TV distributors across Malaysia starting from today onwards.

In terms of the specs, the TVs come with 4K LED screen powered by the P5 engine that’s capable of playing HDR10+ video format. In addition to that, it comes equipped with Twin 8W full-range speakers that provide up to 16W output power.

Last but not least, the TVs allow you to utilize Google Assistant to control your TV without you needing to lift a finger. If you’re keen on finding out more information, head over to Philips’ official website.

Would you be interested in getting the Philips 8200 series TVs? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.