JBL Bar 1000 review - A high-end soundbar with great Dolby Atmos + 3D Sound

Choosing a soundbar for your living room and TV can be quite a daunting task. What model should I go for? Which type should I get? What is my budget? Do I really need detachable speakers? There are a lot of things to consider before making your decision.

Did I mention detachable speakers? Yes, that's the case with the new JBL Bar 1000. It looks nice, it's big, and it cost RM4999. It sounds like a hefty investment, so if you're wondering if it's worth it, read below to find out what I like (and didn't like) about the JBL Bar 1000 in this review.

If you bought yourself a JBL Bar 1000, it's going to take a while for you to set up everything. The box is huge, with the main soundbar, sub-woofer, necessary tools, manual book, accessories and detachable speakers all packed inside. You can mount the speakers onto a wall if you like, as it shouldn't be too hard if you know what you're doing.

An intriguing choice for the subwoofer speaker to be placed below

The soundbar, sans the detachable rear speakers

Aside from manually installing the soundbar, you will need the JBL One app on your mobile device. Like setting up the soundbar and sub-woofer, pairing it with the JBL One app is a piece of cake. However, you will have to perform some sound tests (called calibration in the app) before using it. This is so the soundbar can optimise the sound profile to best suit your living space and environment.

Doing this takes a few minutes, so you need to be patient while it calibrates. For the best sound optimisation, you have to stay extremely quiet. Moreover, you have to place the detachable rear speakers in the best spots you want for the calibration process. Honestly, it's quite a hassle, but you'll be all set once it's done.

Before we get to the sound performance, let's talk a bit about the JBL One app. It's where you set the equaliser, redo the calibration sound test, control the detachable rear speakers' volume, and more. The app supports some Music Services. But unfortunately, the ones supported aren't very popular with the Malaysian crowd. If anything, TIDAL would be used more, but only by a small percentage of audiophiles. Overall, the selection of available Music Services is very American-based.

Left: Calibrate the soundbar immediately after pairing; Right: More options here

Most of the music services aren't popular in Malaysia

Although you can use Spotify Connect and AirPlay, you have to manually set it up via the Product Settings page. Other than that, there aren't many things to do on the app aside from re-calibrating your speakers again if you want. The Equaliser offers the bare minimum of customisation, and the 'Moment' feature can only be utilised with the Music Services mentioned earlier.

Now that we have gotten the app out of the way, it's time to talk about the JBL Bar 1000 performance. The soundbar features a 7.1.4-channel with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies, which is totally good stuff for audiophiles. Suffice it to say the sound quality is what you would expect. This is great, but what about the detachable rear speakers?

I think it's safe to say that most customers would be sceptical of the detachable rear speakers. How much difference can they make? Well, you may not hear that much if you're not paying attention. But they do produce additional sound, and you can actually feel the subtle 3D surround sound effect. From my experience, they're not as loud as I would like them to be. But if I put the rear speakers elsewhere when watching a movie or playing games, I would feel that something is missing.

JBL provides covers for the rear speakers

The rear speakers can be charged at the soundbar (approx. 3 hours for full charge)

This was where I placed the rear speakers, lol

If you're the type who loves listening to your favourite songs in your living room, I think you would enjoy the JBL Bar 1000. There were a couple of times I would rest on my couch listening to acoustic pieces feeling relaxed as if a live band was playing live in front of me. Speaking of live, the soundbar should also elevate your listening experience when watching a football match or a live event/concert.

Not all is perfect, though. Sometimes, the bass overlaps the vocals or dialogues, especially in movies or TV series. Just imagine watching an action movie with epic background music. It sounds really good, but sometimes I have a hard time hearing what the characters are saying. The good thing is that this doesn't happen very often, thanks to the PureVoice technology by Harman. You can also lower the bass volume in the app to avoid this minor issue, although I couldn't really find a good balance (or it's probably just me).

Gaming with 3D surround sound effects - nice +1

Watching movies with the rear speakers paired with the soundbar - nice +3

Personally, I feel the JBL Bar 1000 is a good option for customers or new audiophiles who are just starting to explore or build their sound theatre setup for their living rooms. For the price, you get top-class True Dolby Atmos sound across all kinds of entertainment with 3D surround sound effects. If there's only one thing I didn't like, it's how frequently I have to recharge the rear speakers. I eventually got to the point where I got lazy and just stopped detaching them.

Pros - A great high-end soundbar speaker with Dolby Atmos, good-enough 3D surround sound effects, and easy to set up

Cons - Frequent charging on the rear speakers can be quite a hassle

Conclusion - Most people will enjoy the JBL Bar 1000's sound quality in music, movies, and games


JBL Malaysia is back with over 30 new JBL lifestyle audio products, all now available for purchase

Today, JBL Malaysia held its first-ever virtual event in Malaysia for the media and partners with a wide variety of new audio products. All in all, over 30 new JBL lifestyle audio products across the category of headphones, Bluetooth speakers, Party Box series, JBL Quantum Gaming series, soundbars, true wireless earphones, were introduced in the virtual event today.

Among the audio products, the notable ones include JBL PartyBox On-The-Go (RM1899), Flip 5 (RM649), UA True Wireless Flash X (RM999), JBL QuantumSPHERE 360 (RM1199), JBL's first Dolby Atmos True Wireless Soundbar (RM4499) and many more. Just so you know, you can now visit their official website www.jbl.com.my, as well as their new online stores at both Lazada and Shopee.

On top of that, many of their new audio products will be available in several physical stores. Also starting from today onwards (31 March), all JBL products will be on a 10% discount for a limited period. Below are the official stores:

In addition to the product unveil, JBL Malaysia also announced new partnerships with local brands such as Tropicana Corporation Berhad, Babel and artists such as Mustang Dance Academy under the new campaign initiative namely #JBLPeople. Their partnership mission is to build a JBL community in Malaysia and enable a wider group audience to have the opportunity to experience JBL products through various avenues. JBL has also announced the partnership with ESL for ESL Mobile Open: League of Legends: Wild Rift SEA Icon Series Malaysia Summer Season 2021.

Are you a JBL fan? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more JBL news at TechNave.com.


JBL Reflect Eternal aims to provide an eternity of music playback

When it comes to wireless devices, battery life can be a big concern. You don't want it to run out while on a long commute, for example, since that means you won't be able to enjoy audio for the duration of your trip. In comes the JBL Reflect Eternal, a new wireless headphone that runs on solar power.

JBL's new headphone is the result of a successful crowdfunding campaign, which began on 14th December 2019. In just 3 days, it has already reached and surpassed the funding goal. However, the campaign will continue to run till 14th January 2020 and you can still get one of these for yourself before the due date for 99 USD (~RM410).

But what is the Reflect Eternal all about? Like we've mentioned, it's JBL's new concept for supposedly unlimited listening. Strictly speaking, it's more like the impressive estimated playtime and special charging method allows you listen to it for hours on end. To do that, it uses a material called Powerfoyle (from Swedish company Exeger), which can gather direct and indirect light to use as a power source.

JBL claims that spending about 1.5 hours outdoors will be enough to give you about 68 hours of playtime. But this number could vary, depending on the lighting and your usage. And if you have to plug it in, a 15-min charge is supposed to be enough for 2 hours of playtime.

Currently, the product is in the prototype phase, so we don't have full details or tech specs aside from what's shown on the Indiegogo campaign page. The complete product is expected to start shipping in October 2020.

What do you think of this concept, do you fancy having to be outdoors to charge the headphone? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


JBL Tour ONE Malaysia release: Hi-Res Audio, Adaptive ANC, voice controls, and 50-hour music playback for RM1699

Recently, JBL celebrated its 75th anniversary as a company. It's one of the oldest audio brands in existence and has plenty of excellent products today. For its anniversary, the company also launched the new JBL Tour ONE headphone.

The JBL Tour ONE is a wireless headphone that comes with 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver JBL Pro Sound. With a frequency range of 10Hz to 22kHz (or up to 40kHz), this headphone is Hi-Res Audio certified. It also offers True Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology with its 4-mic system, which enhances your voice and eliminates background noise.

Besides the above, the Tour ONE has Harman Kardon's Smart Audio/Video mode that can pause audio playback if you take the headphone off. There's also voice control for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. As for the battery life, it can last about 25 hours with noise cancellation and Bluetooth enabled. But if disable the noise cancellation, it can last up to 50 hours.

The JBL Tour ONE retails for RM1699, which makes it more of a high-tier premium model. Would you be interested in getting one? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 review - Slim, thin and light value-priced laptop for the masses

Most of the time, when you buy a laptop based on value and price you end up with a thick brick of a device with limited features. However, the ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 is not only value-priced from RM2899, you also get a slim and thin laptop featuring a 15.6-inch FHD display with extremely slim 5.7mm bezels, a fingerprint sensor, 512GB SSD, plenty of ports and more. Find out if the ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 is the slim and light laptop for you in our review below.

Available in Slate Grey, Peacock Blue and Coral Crush (or black, blue and red), the ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 weighs in at just 1.95kg with a battery. It is big enough to accommodate a full backlit chiclet keyboard complete with a numeric keypad and large touchpad with a built-in fingerprint sensor.

As mentioned earlier, the bezels around the 15.6-inch FHD display are super thin at just 5.7mm with just enough room for a HD webcam on the top, so the laptop is quite compact. The ergo-lift hinge nicely lifts up the laptop when you push back the display, allowing the ASUS SonicMaster speakers to play better while increasing air circulation and making the keyboard more comfortable to type on.

In terms of tech specs, the Vivobook Ultra A512 comes with an Intel Core i5 8265U processor, 4GB of DDR4 2400 RAM (expandable up to 12GB + 16GB) and a fast 512GB SSD. The 15.6-inch display is Full HD or 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution with an NVIDIA MX250 graphics with 2GB of VRAM.

There’s plenty of ports including 1x USB3.1 Type-A, 2x USB2.0 Type-A, 1x USB3.0 Type-C, 1x combo audio jack, 1x HDMI port and 1x microSD card reader. It measures in at 357.2 x 230.4 x 19.9mm so it should work well as both a desktop replacement unit or a big but light laptop you can bring on the go. It also offers 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity and is powered by Windows 10.

Performance-wise, the Vivobook Ultra A512 is good for nearly everything, as long as you don’t raise the game settings or your expectations too high. You can still play games such as DOTA 2 and League of Legends on lower to medium settings and we certainly loved the clear SonicMaster speakers.

Unfortunately, while the build quality is very good, the plastic chassis + metal top means that it is a bit flimsy while the tight hinge means you’ll have to open it with both hands. It’s a bit of a smudge magnet too and the placement of the power button takes a bit getting used to. The battery life is also a bit more than an hour unplugged. Apart from that, the laptop doesn’t get very hot thanks to the ergolift hinge while the big FHD display and clear speakers are good for movies.

In conclusion, the ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 offers plenty of features in a slim and thin package that should suit most desktop replacement purposes like a student or professional (perhaps an accountant who likes fingerprint security and a built-in numeric keypad?). That being said, it isn’t really that premium, not suited for road warriors due to the short battery life or for the more hardcore gamers.

However, at RM2899, there’s not many other contenders with the same features and tech specs. The closest we can think of would be the Huawei Matebook D (RM2999), the Acer Aspire 3 (RM2299) and Aspire 5 (RM2549) but the 512GB SSD and other features really offer plenty of bang for your buck on the ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512.

ASUS Vivobook Ultra A512 Tech Specs and Features list:

Pros - At below RM3K pricing there's not many thin and light laptops of the same 15.6-inch FHD display size that offer a 512GB SSD. In addition, the laptop can be upgraded for up to 16GB RAM and it also has many ports to support it too.

Cons - The plastic body does not feel as premium, while the thin metal top display can be a bit fragile, so you may have to be a bit more careful with it. The thin body also means a smaller battery for less time unplugged and you only get 4GB RAM initially (which is just enough).

Summary - Large yet compact 15.6-inch value buster laptop from ASUS.


JBL Tour Pro 2 arrives with a touchscreen on its charging case

JBL always gets creative by bringing innovative solutions for its audio gadgets. Previously, the brand launched the world's first pair of transformative earbuds, and we totally like the idea. A few days ago, it presented another unique earbuds idea, which charging case gets a touchscreen on the side.

The JBL Tour Pro 2 is a pair of high-end true wireless earbuds, offering features including active noise cancelling (ANC), switch to ambient mode, and even swapping between different EQ settings. In addition to a custom EQ, you can use the company's improved Personi-Fi test to tune the buds to match your hearing, including compensating for any hearing loss.

However, the most interesting part of the earbuds would be the 1.45-inch LED touchscreen embedded in the charging case. One of the reasons that the company did that is most people don't interact with the options much beyond the initial setup, as it could be troublesome to open the app sometimes. Therefore, with customisable controls on the case, users can decide which settings they need quick access to without picking up the phone. Other than that, some might still want to use the features when connected to a PC, and the JBL Tour Pro 2 still provides full control of your ANC and other options when users are not using it on their smartphones.

Although it sounds good to have a touchscreen on the charging case, there's a restriction on this one. JBL mentions that there's no way for users to use their own wallpapers on the touchscreen for now. Nevertheless, users could still change it using a selection of JBL-approved wallpapers. JBL blames this on problems with scaling for the low resolution of the screen, but look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip's cover screen!

What do you think about the JBL Tour Pro 2? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


JBL launches new JBL Bar soundbars with detachable wireless surround speakers and more from RM2399

JBL Malaysia recently launched their new JBL Bar series which includes the JBL Bar 1300 (RM7999), JBL Bar 1000 (RM4999), JBL Bar 800 (RM3999), JBL Bar 500 (RM2999), and JBL Bar 300 (RM2399. The soundbars feature Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X 3D surround sound, detachable wireless surround speakers and subwoofers, Harman’s PureVoice technology and more.

All of the soundbars in the JBL Bar series support voice assistant control with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. They also support AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM, and Chromecast built-in™. You can check out the JBL 1300 at the the “JBL® Own Your Sound Experiential Roadshow” from 17 to 21 May at IOI City Mall in collaboration with All IT Hypermarket.

The JBL Bar series is available for purchase at Lazada, Shopee, and all leading retailers. The JBL Bar 1300 is available exclusively at Harvey Norman. Check out their site for more details and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech deals.


JBL presents Tune Flex as the world's first pair of transformable wireless earbuds

When getting a pair of true wireless earbuds, some may find it troubling to decide between an 'open design' or a 'closed design'. Open design basically refers to those that sit just above your aural opening, while the closed design allows you to fit them closely with the tips to block out outside noise. If you're still struggling to make up your mind, JBL has a new offering that serves both experiences.

The new transformable JBL Tune Flex sports an open design but still comes with ear-sealing tips for passive noise cancellation, with the company calling it Sound Fit technology. Not just passive isolation, but the pair also comes equipped with six levels of active noise cancellation (ANC). You can also use it with the tips removed, though sound quality might differ.

Other features of the JBL Tune Flex include eight hours of battery life plus an extra 24 hours from the charging case, and that's with ANC off. There is also an IPX4 splash-resistant rating, Google Assistant support for hands-free controls, with three finishes plus three 'Ghost' special edition colour options. It will be available from September for £90 (~RM410), which is a good price point.

What do you think about the JBL Tune Flex earbuds? Drop a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget news.


JDI reveals “Full Active” bezel-less LCD display

Japan Display Inc, (JDI), one of the major smartphone display supplier in the world, just announced their new display technology called “Full Active” panel. The new design boasts it can reduce the width of the bottom bezel down to as narrow as the other three sides, potentially reducing the size of smartphones using this display type.

To coincide with the announcement, the company introduced a 5.5-inch 1080p LCD display for smartphones built on this technology. JDI says that it has managed to decrease the bezel requirements for its new display by adopting a new high-density wiring layout, along with new processing and module assembly technologies.

Will we see more smartphones with little to no bezel next year? JDI said that they are aiming to start production by the end of March 2017, so we can expect flagships to feature this display next year.


JENDELA Map for Malaysians to check their internet area coverage released

Yup, you can now check out your area if the signal strength is strong enough thanks to the newly launched JENDELA Map. By visiting the official webpage here, you can now go anywhere on the map and even make reports on the spot.

The JENDELA Map is pretty straightforward. As you can see on the user interface, you can simply type in the location address at the search bar on the left and let it search for the service provides. After that, there is a pop-up box at the bottom left showing which service provider has signal coverage. This includes cellular service, wireless broadband service and Free To Air TV.

Besides that, you can also check out other features such as the service provider's 4G coverage area so feel free to play around with the settings. You may also access other features such as News and even chat with someone in a chatbox on the bottom right-hand side.

At the time of posting, it seems that the webpage has gone offline for unknown reasons but it's back online. However, we think it may happen from time to time due to traffic so do check consistently. But what do you think of this service? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


JKJAV advised everyone to ignore scam vaccination registration messages on WhatsApp

In this short news, it seems that troublemakers have been trying to scam Malaysians from registering on fake websites regarding vaccination registrations. For one, they have been appearing on WhatsApp lately and here's a warning for those reading this news.

According to the official Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses (JKJAV) Twitter page, they strongly advise those who had received the messages on their WhatsApp to ignore them. It's important to note that the JKJAV will never send their official message on WhatsApp or any unofficial channels. It's a common tactic for scammers to gain your personal data.

Sila abaikan sebarang borang pendaftaran vaksinasi yang disebarkan di WhatsApp atau mana-mana saluran tidak rasmi. Lindungi data peribadi anda daripada disalah guna. Rujuk saluran rasmi JKJAV untuk sebarang maklumat tentang vaksin COVID-19#LindungDiriLindungSemua pic.twitter.com/lK1buwQnwz

As a friendly reminder, you must refer to the official JKJAV website here or call the official number 1800-888-828 for any information on the COVID-19 vaccine. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


JOI Book 100 now available in Malaysia for RM1299 + free gifts until 15 July 2018

Today, JOI Book 100 has arrived in Malaysia at Intel Geek Week @ Low Yat Concourse Area. Slated for just RM1299 only, the Gold and Grey laptop will have a nice promotion sale starting today onward (12 July 2018) until 15 July 2018. Customers who purchase it during the promo period will get a free Anti-Theft Bag, an Intel 128GB SSD and a wireless mouse.

On top of that, there also a Purchase with Purchase offer with the laptop including an Office 365 Personal (RM99) and a Seagate Back Up Plus 1TB (RM169). The JOI Book is also available through its online retail store at GLOO Online Store or Lazada. Again as a friendly reminder, these premium free gifts are valid until 15 July 2018 only and has a 1-Year warranty.

On the specifications side, it's not really a powerhouse but it's good enough to get by for work. The JOI Book 100 features an Intel Celeron N3450 Processor on Windows 10 Home, a 14.1-inch Full HD IPS screen panel with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 4GB of RAM, 32GB eMMC storage, 6-8 working hours battery life on standby, 1x M.2 SATA SSD (2280) bay, 1x MicroSD card slot (up to 64GB), 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x Micro HDMI, supports WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and a 2MP webcam camera.

Here's how the gold one looks like, the bezels are actualyl quite thin for a laptop

Top view with the simple JOI brand logo on it

Apparently, you can unlock the SSD at the bottom right and insert a 512GB memory storage by yourself

The keyboard and touchpad, nothing unusual there

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


JOI Book SK3000 review - Zippy, compact and long lasting SD850 Windows 10 Pro laptop for Malaysians

Qualcomm recently revealed a number of Windows over Snapdragon chipsets for laptops and probably the first to arrive in Malaysia is the JOI Book SK3000. Utilizing a 12.5-inch FHD display, this ultra-compact laptop not only runs Microsoft Windows 10 Pro but also uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset. Curious how it handles? Find out more in our full review of the JOI Book SK3000.

In terms of design the SK3000 is one of the thinnest laptops we’ve seen coming in at less than 15mm at it’s thinnest point. While it only weighs in at 1.05kg, it sports a solid metal chassis and build quality is better than we expected. Bezels are super slim and while the keys and trackpad feel a bit loose, they are quite responsive.

The JOI Book SK3000 has a shiny metal chassis

The JOI Book SK3000 is less than 15mm at it's thinnest point! It comes with a USB Type C port

All you need to open the panel is a standard phillips head screwdriver

Standard but comfortable keyboard and quite a wide trackpad on the JOI Book SK3000

Everything that is in the box, including the very compact charger

Dual speakers are placed right above the keyboard next to the power button for loud but somewhat tinny audio. Right above that on the bottom part of the screen is the webcam which is a location you don’t often see webcams. Thankfully, the screen does go back enough for the webcam to capture you, so it should be fine for most online meetings.

On the sides, there’s only one USB Type C port for both power and data transfer along with a 3.5mm audio jack. A JOI brand logo is on the cover and if you flip it over, you’ll see a removable panel (you’ll need a small phillips head screwdriver to open it) for the 4G LTE nanoSIM card and microSD card. The whole SK3000 laptop should fit quite easily into most backpacks along with the compact charger.

Geekbench 5 scores for the JOI Book SK3000

In terms of performance most of our usual benchmarks didn’t work all that well, perhaps due to them not being optimized for ARM chipsets but for Geekbench 5, the SK3000 got a single core score of 502 and a multi-core score of 1900 which is quite close to the performance of an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor powered laptop in the same range. The major difference here is that throughout our testing, the SK3000 did not get hot and there was no fan noise at all.

Despite packing in just a 4500 mAh battery, the SK3000 managed to work unplugged for 36 hours and still have about 30% or so left on Wifi. Considering that most laptops can only last about 5 to 10 hours unplugged, this is crazy long despite the similar AMD Ryzen 5 3500U comparable performance, so it’s definitely not a netbook that needs time to chug. Recharging back to 100% took about 2 hours or so.

Roblox was quite smooth on the JOI Book SK3000 (this video was made using the JOI Book SK3000)

Gaming is unfortunately restricted to Candy Crush and undemanding casual games though. You can play Minecraft or Roblox quite smoothly, with the Adreno 630 graphics doing much better than say an Intel HD integrated gpu on an Intel Core i3 processor.

You can also do basic image and video editing as well. So far, we didn’t find any jarring app or application compatibility issues (Microsoft Office, GIMP, Google Chrome, Google Docs and Video Editor all worked fine) asides from the PCMark and 3DMark benchmarks that didn’t run or stopped halfway. This review and a number of other articles were also written using the SK3000 so it’s a proven workhorse machine.

The video editor also worked fine on the JOI Book SK3000

Wifi connectivity is fine and stable while the option to add in a 4G LTE nanoSIM card also means you can make a portable hotspot. Movie watching was clear and detailed indoors but isn’t that clear in direct sunlight. It would have been nice if the display was also a touchscreen, but the SK3000 does fine without it.

Overall, the JOI Book SK3000 is an excellent laptop for both productivity and basic tasks (basic image editing, basic video editing, basic gaming, etc). Thanks to comparable if not better performance from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset, at RM2199, the nearly silent and longer lasting SK3000 is a laptop that you should definitely consider compared to other laptops in the same RM2000 to RM2300 price range.

The JOI Book SK3000 is very portable at just 1.05kg

We would have liked it better if the price was lower but since you only need about RM60 or so to expand storage up to 256GB, we think that this isn’t such a big deal. The only niggling issue remains the limited amount of ports (which plagues most other ultra-compact laptops) but this is an easy fix with a standard USB Type C hub (yes, HDMI and USB Type A works just fine).

The SK3000 may not be the best presentation laptop due to the sound but for productivity or as a silent yet long-lasting workhorse, it does make for a good starter machine for most users like office workers and students. It definitely opens up our eyes about JOI and other local laptop makers as we’ll be looking forward to the other Qualcomm chipset powered JOI laptops in the future as well.

Here are the tech specs and features for the JOI Book SK3000:

Pros: Silent, more than 2x battery life yet comparable performance to a similarly priced laptop. Easily expandable storage and 4G LTE connectivity. 3.5mm audio jack.

Cons: Tinny audio and just 128GB storage. No touchscreen and limited ports.

Summary: Above average Qualcomm Snapdragon 850-based Windows 10 Pro laptop that lasts more than 36 hours for just around RM2K.


JOI Phone 5 and JOI 7 Lite are first Intel Atom x3 devices due in Malaysia on 26 June 2015

SNS Network and Intel Malaysia recently sent out the invites for the launch of the first smartphone in the JOI series, the JOI Phone 5 and the JOI 7 Lite tablet. Both devices will be powered by the Intel Atom x3 processor and marks the first devices in Malaysia to carry the new processors formerly known as SoFIA. According to the invite, the launch will happen on 26 June 2015 but there are little to no tech specs or features provided. Based on the JOI naming convention, we expect the JOI Phone 5 to have a 5-inch display while the JOI 7 Lite will have a 7-inch display. Depending on which Intel Atom x3 processor that gets used, the display could offer 1280 x 800 pixel resolutions to 1920 x 1080 pixel resolutions with either 3G or 4G LTE connectivity (the JOI 7 Lite could have just WiFi connectivity). All of them are 64-bit and we expect the JOI 7 Lite tablet to be another Windows 8.1 device while the Phone 5 will be an Android powered smartphone. No news yet on a specific Malaysia release date or pricing details but we'll be on hand shortly to offer up all the details, so stay tuned for that.


JOIBOOK 5115 Touch, a sleek and neat laptop for your everyday task! | Unboxing & Hands-On!

If you're looking for a new laptop for your work or assignments, you might want to put this new JOIBOOK 5115 in your shopping list. The all new JOIBOOK 5115 comes with a few variants, one of it will be the JOIBOOK 5115 touch that comes with a touch screen panel. Selling at a price of RM4899, is it worth the price?In terms of tech specs, it is powered by an Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 processor, Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics, 8GB Dual-Channel LPDDR4X-4266 MHz RAM and a 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. It also has a 15.6" Narrow Bezel 60Hz touch display and weighs in only 1.65kg. Check out the unboxing video for a closer look on how practical it is.


ASUS ZenBo voice-controlled robot butler also announced for $599 (RM2472) with ASUS Smart Home

Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman with the ASUS ZenBo

Apart from launching their ASUS ZenFone 3, ASUS also announced their voice-controlled robot butler, the ASUS ZenBo. Priced for just $599 (RM2472) the wheeled robot looks to be the main hub in ASUS's Smart Home technologies as it can allow you to control the lights, lock or open the door and more, while also dancing, reciting a recipe, reading books to your kids and monitoring the elderly.

No real specific tech specs or features were mentioned but we assume that it is powered by Intel but you can see ZenBo and a whole bunch of ASUS Smart Home devices in action in the video below or check out the site:

I hope it has a cup holder or vacuum attachment


JOOX launches the JOOX Originals in Malaysia

Earlier today, JOOX Malaysia unveiled the JOOX Originals which not only shows their commitment towards the local music scene, but also introduces exclusive crossover music content to avid music listeners. Furthermore, JOOX also showcased their roadmap as part of their 5th year anniversary in Malaysia.

Based on research done by Statista, it seems that JOOX has grown more 223% since their initial launch in Malaysia 5 years ago. Not only that, but the study also shows that Malaysians like to listen to English pop music the most followed by Malay, Korean, then Chinese.

JOOX Originals will include several notable local artists such as Faizal Tahir, Dayang Nurfaizah, and DeFam. With all that said, would you be interested in listening to any of the local artists on JOOX? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


JPJ adds various security features and improvements to the MyJPJ app

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) today announced that several security features and overall user-friendliness features have been added to the MyJPJ app and its public portal. JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim said that the features can be accessed gradually starting today.

According to Bernama, the improvements include a new third-level security feature using the last 8 characters on the back of users’ driver’s licenses for online JPJeID registration. This is on top of the existing 2-level security feature of password and TAC code.

Besides that, JPJ also added an ‘email reset’ feature for users who have forgotten the email they used or need to update their email. There’s also a new function that allows users to retrieve their account using the last 8 characters of their driver’s license.

The latter was added in response to the issue of some new users who can’t register an account after being notified that they have already registered. JPJ clarified that the issue was caused by users having an existing account on a JPJ strategic partner portal that integrates with the JPJ system.

So, what do you guys think of these security improvements to the MyJPJ app? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news from Malaysia and beyond.


JPJ announced that the automated driving test will kick start in April

In 2022, we are still not getting flying cars, but we will get an automated driving test (also driving-related, haha). Road Transport Department (JPJ) has announced that the new system will deploy at 232 driving schools nationwide starting from April. Read on to find out how it works!

According to director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim, the system is currently undergoing trials. Through the system, those taking their driving test will get their results immediately as the tests are conducted in real-time, compared to the previous two-week timeline. Not only that, but it will also help to reduce the need for JPJ personnel from around seven to just three JPJ officers.

The system will only apply to circuit sessions that involve parking, driving uphill and making a three-point turn. These tests will get carried out through simulations rather than having the officers evaluate the drivers on the spot. The system had been adopted in countries like South Korea and Japan, so it's nice that our country is bringing the technology in as well.

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


JPJ confirms driver's license renewal now available through MyEG

In this day and age, it only makes sense for more processes to go online. Having to skip going to a government office and queue up saves a lot of time, so it's great to see that the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) Malaysia making such a move. Specifically, the JPJ has announced that we'll soon be able to renew our driver's license on MyEG.

On its Facebook page, the JPJ has confirmed that a few processes will be available through MyEG. Firstly, starting from 9 October 2020, motorcycle owners will be able to renew their road tax through the platform. And the biggest news is that you can also renew your driver's license on the website beginning 16 October 2020. In case you didn't know, car owners can renew their car road tax on the website too, a feature that was added a few years ago.

The feature isn't new on the platform but was previously removed

However, the above only applies to renewals. You'll still have to go to the JPJ for first-time applications. JPJ mentioned that the reason for the two processes being renewable on MyEG is because counters at the JPJ offices have had to close lately, due to the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

While renewing a driver's license isn't something you have to do often, it's good to see that we don't have to take a few hours off just to get it done now. What other government processes would you like to see go online? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


JPJ has set up a WhatsApp channel to report traffic offenses

Traffic accidents seem to be synonymous with the long trek back to hometowns and kampung so JPJ has set up a WhatsApp number (011-51115252) so you can report traffic offenses. While this is definitely useful for reporting those emergency lane drivers, do remember that any picture or video reported to the number should be done by a passenger and not the driver. Also, make sure you get a visible license plate if you want it to be effective.


JPJ may soon reward those that use its e-Aduan app to report traffic offences

Previously, we reported on the [email protected] app by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) which received a total of 245 traffic violation reports during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period. Now, it looks like the app has been quite popular with Malaysians, to the point that JPJ is mulling giving appreciation to those that have used it to channel information of road offences.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, the matter has been discussed by JPJ at the department level so as to encourage the public to help in detecting traffic violations on the road. JPJ deputy director-general (management) M. Janagarajan said that since its introduction, over 1000 reports were received nationwide.

Hence, JPJ intends to reward members of the public who channel information via the app to show the department’s appreciation. However, the form of reward being discussed was not revealed by the JPJ deputy director-general.

Launched back in April and a week prior to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the app is part of the JPJ Info app available on the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store. With it, the public can report on traffic offences that they have witnessed, whereby users can upload photos and videos as proof of such offences.

Moreover, the [email protected] app uses your device’s GPS signal to automatically detect where the offence happened. Speaking of the effectiveness of the app, M. Janagarajan said that JPJ intends for cooperation of the community to be the department’s ‘eyes’ on the road.

So, what do you guys think of this initiative by JPJ and the [email protected] app in general? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


JPJ requires e-hailing drivers such as Grab to register for PSV license starting 1 April 2019

No, this isn’t an early April Fools joke. JPJ now requires all e-hailing drivers such as Grab to register for a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) license, starting from the first of April 2019. The PSV training module would cost a maximum of RM200, and it requires up to 6 hours to complete. Once the training has been completed, the driver required to display a designated e-hailing sticker on their vehicle as per the orders of JPJ.

But that’s not all, all vehicles over the age of 3 years are required to have their vehicles inspected by Puspakom to make sure that their vehicle is eligible for use as a public transport vehicle. By 12 July 2019, e-hailing drivers who do not have the proper documents by 12 July 2019 will have action taken against them.

This could improve the overall experience of all e-hailing services in Malaysia, as only serious drivers will be interested in applying for such a license. That being said, it would be inevitable to see a steep decline in the overall number of drivers in Malaysia.


JPJ & the police begin enforcing prohibition of electric scooters & other micro-mobility vehicles on the road in Malaysia

Today, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia just released a statement about the usage of micro-mobility vehicles. It appears that certain micro-mobility vehicles such as electric scooters are already banned on the road.

The statements referenced the recent controversial Mat Lajak case which has tightened the ban further as a means to reduce the danger for road users. Under the Road Traffic Rules 2021, the ban was already effective since 17 December 2021 (not that we knew about) and has listed out the types of micro-mobility vehicles that are banned.

According to Datuk Seri IR. DR. Wee Ka Siong, mopeds, personal mobility aids and personal mobility devices (electric scooters, internal combustion engine power or human power) are not allowed on the road. Bicycle riders must also abide by the regulations under the 1987 Road Transport Act (Act 333) and under the 1959 Road Traffic Rules.

However, electric bicycles that fulfil the MS2514: Electric Bicycles (Electric Pedal Assisted Bicycles) Specification can be used on the road. That being said, the Transport Minister also mentioned that local authorities can plan and construct road infrastructure for micro-mobility vehicles (like bicycle lanes) that steers clear away from the main road.

The Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the police will begin enforcing the ban starting today onwards. Those who are spotted using micro-mobility vehicles on the main roads can be prosecuted under Act 333. Stay safe and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


JPJ will use GoPro Max 360 cameras to record and catch traffic offenders this festive season

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has revealed that a total of 128 GoPro Max 360 cameras will be used by its motorcycle enforcement unit during this festive period. The GoPro cameras will be used to detect offences committed by road users throughout the nation.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, these cameras would be used to detect traffic offenders, including:

JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim said that based on the recordings, the vehicle owners would be called for questioning before action is taken against them. Moreover, the motorcycle enforcement unit will conduct patrol in areas identified as ‘hotspots’.

The focus of the unit would be on 9 main offences that were identified as the main cause of fatal road accidents. Zailani further asserted that roadblocks will be mounted nationwide as the volume of vehicles increased, with monitoring being done by the aforementioned members equipped with GoPro cameras.

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


JVC HA-XC50T & HA-XC90T release: 12mm driver with 45-hour battery life, starts from ~RM412

JVC has changed the game of the truly wireless earbud (TWS) industry with two of their new ones being launched today. One of them is named HA-XC90T, a premium model, and another one is named HA-XC50T as a more affordable one. The amazing part about the earbuds is that the HA-XC90T is able to last up to 45 hours, becoming a pair of TWS earbuds for those who care a lot about battery life.

The HA-XC90T features 12mm driver units housed in an independent acoustic chamber. It also comes with JVC's Extreme Deep Bass Ports and tornado shaped ducts that control the diaphragm movement, making the pair a great one for bass heads. Not to mention that the level of bass is adjustable by delivering an even more "low-frequency punch."

For connectivity, the JVC HA-XC90T is compatible with Qualcomm's TrueWireless Stereo Plus (TWS Plus) technology. Therefore, users can enjoy a low-latency and low battery consumption connection between the source device and the earbuds. The pair also has Qualcomm's Clear Voice Capture noise cancellation technology that promises noise isolation for clearer voice calls.

Coming to the star feature which is the battery, the buds can offer 15 hours of playback time with just a single charge. Meanwhile, the case will be able to supply power to the earbuds twice, bringing a total of 45 hours of battery life. Other than that, the large battery doesn't require a long charging time as it supports fast charging. It only takes 10 minutes of charging to offer 90 minutes of playback time.

For the more affordable model HA-XC50T, it features smaller 5.8mm driver units and packs a smaller battery as well with only 14 hours of usage time. Both the premium model and affordable model feature the company's Triple Proof rugged design by being rated IP55 for sweat, water, and dust resistance. For the price, the JVC HA-XC50T is at 99.95 USD (~RM412) while the HA-XC90T is at 199.95 USD (~RM825).

Let us know what you think about these pairs of new JVC earbuds on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more audio gadget launches.


ASUS ZenBook 13/14 Malaysia release: 10th Gen Intel Core & NumberPad 2.0 starting from RM3999

Last month, the ASUS ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 were supposed to arrive in Malaysia but due to the current circumstances, the laptops got delayed until last night. The laptop models - ZenBook 13 (UX325) and Zenbook 14 (UX425) - are the new generation and are even lighter than before. Coming with two variants for each based on the processor, the starting price is RM3999 (Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor) whereas the highest costs RM4699 (Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor) for both models.

The tech specs and design didn't change much from the predecessor but if you must know, the laptops are powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core processors, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs. The NanoEdge displays are still present with a 90% screen-to-body ratio, alongside an updated ASUS NumberPad 2.0, ErgoLift hinge, and IR cameras for face-unlock. The battery life is still as impressive as ever, working up to 22 hours (but depends on your usage).

Despite its small size measuring at 13.9mm thin and weighing at 1.07kg, the laptops still feature a full-size HDMI, USB Type-A port, Thunderbolt 3 USB-C x2 and a microSD card reader. On top of that, the durability is also commendable as they feature MIL-STD-810G U.S. military standard (ASUS Perfect Warranty is also included). They are available in Pine Grey and Lilac Mist too that looks cool.

To kick off the ZenBook 13 and 14 official launch, ASUS Malaysia is giving away RM100 discount rebate at their online store in Shopee. Only the first 20 customers of either one of the laptop are eligible as long as they apply the voucher code ASUSZB100 upon checkout and the promo ends today (12 August). There's also a "Say It" Review Campaign where customers can give a review rating of any ASUS product online to redeem Grab Food Gift Card worth RM40, while stocks last.

To learn more about the laptops, you can visit the links below to get started. Stay tuned for more trending gadget news at TechNave.com.


Jabra Elite 2 review - Quality Short-range TWS for below RM300

Jabra recently came out with their new generation of TWS and the Jabra Elite 2 is one of their entry-level devices. At RM299, it offers noise isolation (passive), dual mics and a comfortable fit. Is that enough for you? Find out in our review of the Jabra Elite 2 below.

The Elite 2 earpieces fit snugly and comfortably in my ears for some reasonable passive noise isolation. Once you fit them in and give them a slight twist, they don’t jut out or feel like falling out at all. While it may look like they are touch controls, there are actually buttons hidden underneath the Jabra logo on each Elite 2 earpiece. There are also extra silicone earbuds in various sizes to get the best fit.

Pairing was easy. Just take them both out and the prompt to pair the Jabra Elite 2 appeared on my Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. Press connect and that's it. However, we have to say that plug and play performance before setting up the Elite 2 with its app is barely above average.

When it has been set up with the Jabra Sound+ app, you can proceed to set it up for either a voice assistant or for Spotify. There’s also presets to boost bass, treble and so forth. Trying it out for bass, this boost offers a bit more than before but only about half of that of a TWS with native Extra Bass. Overall audio performance was still fairly clear.

The presets can be used for most situations

You can use Amazon Alexa and Spotify with the Jabra Sound+ app

Stability in connectivity wasn't very good, especially with walls and other objects in the way as the signal broke up repeatedly. Quite obviously, the Elite 2 didn't do very well in our bathroom test. However, the Elite 2 is just fine within line of sight with the phone it's connected to. This makes me think that the Elite 2 is more of a short range device.

Due to the fact that you have to push quite hard before the buttons activate, it might be a bit uncomfortable for some people as it feels like you’re pushing the earpiece deeper into the ear. Only the right earpiece works on it's own, so if you're used to using just the left earpiece like me you may feel a little put off, but that's just my preference.

The ergonomic shape of the Jabra Elite 2 fits comfortably into the ear

There's actually a button hidden underneath the Jabra logo

In terms of gaming performance, the Elite 2 sounds pretty good with an almost imperceptible lag. If you're not listening for it, you won't notice it. Trying out the dual mics with voice recording the Elite 2 delivered fairly clear mic performance with some background noise hum, but it should be good enough for most calls and online meetings.

Battery life is pretty good at 7 hours (earpieces) / 21 hours (charging case), lasting more than a week or so on intermittent usage. The compact case is easy to carry about and charges back to 100% in under 3 hours. Jabra says you can also get about 1 hour’s worth of use for just 10 minutes of fast charging. As for water resistance, the Elite 2 are rated at IP55 so they should be good enough for most gym exercises (just don't bring them into the pool).

The Jabra Elite 2 can last 21 hours of continuous usage with the charging case

The charging case is compact and portable

It should be small enough to fit most pockets

You can charge the case via the USB Type C port

Overall, I would say that the Jabra Elite 2 are pretty good True Wireless Sound devices as long as you don't mind keeping your phone or sound source close. For RM299 they tick most boxes except for range stability (and a few other things below) and are good enough for gaming as well.

They're also a fairly comfortable fit and don't stick out as much as some other TWS devices, but you should definitely set it up with its app to get the most out of it. It's a bit of a bummer that you can't customize the settings but the presets are applicable for most situations. I found the buttons to be a bit irritating though, because when you press inwards, it affects the sound and makes it uncomfortable.

The Jabra Elite 2 offers pretty good value for just RM299

If you don't mind those, then for its price, the Jabra Elite 2 is a good TWS choice. However, at this price point there are quite a few contenders, especially from Edifier or perhaps some of the TWS from various phone brands. Some provide extra bass or Active Noise Cancelling, so do consider your choices first before buying.

So, would you get the Jabra Elite 2? At what price point would you consider it to be a fair deal? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com.

Here are the tech specs and features for the Jabra Elite 2 TWS:

Pros: Good quality sound, comfortable hidden fit and long battery life.

Cons: Not very good range. Inward button controls.


Jabra Elite 3 & Elite 2 Malaysia release: Qualcomm aptX HD audio certified, starting price from RM299

Earlier, we wrote about a new Jabra Elite 7 series that is coming on the first day of October 2021. Now the company has also announced two more additional wireless earbuds which are the Jabra Elite 2 and Elite 3. Plus, they even announced the official Malaysian pricing.

Starting with the Jabra Elite 3, it is priced at RM389 only and comes in Dark Grey, Navy, Lilac and Light Beige. Fairly straightforward wireless earbuds, these pair of audio products feature 6nm speakers, 4-microphone call technology, noise isolation and HearThrough for being aware of the surrounding sounds. Music lovers should be satisfied with a Qualcomm aptX HD audio technology integration as well as a battery life of up to 7 hours (28 hours including the charging case).

As for the Jabra Elite 2, it cost RM299 only and is the most affordable audio product from the lineup. It also sports the same Qualcomm aptX HH audio but using a 2-mic call technology. Besides that, it supports Alexa voice assistant, one-touch Spotify playback (Android only), Google Fast Pair technology and IP55 rainproof protection. The Jabra Elite 2 earbuds come in grey and navy and offer 7 hours of battery life (21 hours including the charging case).

The Elite 2 and Elite 3, will be available from September, whilst the Elite 7 Pro and Elite 7 Active will be available in Q4 of 2021. All products will be available at selected retailers at and Jabra’s official e-stores at Lazada and Shopee. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Jabra Elite 3 review - A worthy TWS just for listening pleasure

The Jabra Elite 3 is the step up TWS in the entry-level Jabra Elite series. Priced at RM389, it offers a look at Jabra’s HearThrough feature, 4 mics and more. How does it perform? Find out in our full review of the Jabra Elite 3 below.

In terms of design, the Elite 3 fits snugly and comfortably into the ear and there are also extra silicon inserts if your ear canals are smaller or larger. The snug fit means that there’s pretty good noise isolation or passive noise cancelling and they don’t jut out from your ear.

The Jabra Elite 3 fit snugly into the ears for passive noise isolation

The control button is hidden underneath the Jabra logo

The earpieces have battery life of about 7 hours continuous usage

The control buttons are hidden beneath the Jabra logo which for me is a bit of a minus as a certain amount of pressure has to be applied before it responds. This presses the Elite 3 earbuds into your ears a bit, which can get a bit jarring if you have sensitive ears. Thankfully, this time around, the Elite 3 lets you use either earbud on its own.

Like other Jabra Elite devices, the Elite 3 goes for a compact case that comes with a built-in battery to recharge the earpieces. With the case, the 7 hour battery life of the earpieces gets extended all the way up to 21 hours, so that’s about 3 times worth of a 100% charge. The case also has fast charging through the USB Type C port on the side.

You can charge the case using the USB Type C port on the side

The Jabra Elite 3 case is compact and easy to carry about

The Jabra Elite 3 case gives the earpieces a total of 21 continuous hours of usage

Pairing is simple and fast but like other Jabra Elite devices, we’d definitely recommend you do so with the Jabra Sound+ app. This way, you get noticeably better audio and access to HearThrough and the audio presets. It’s still a shame that you can’t set the audio yourself, but there’s an audio preset for most use cases in the app so do take a look.

Jabra’s HearThrough is a bit of a hit or miss to be honest, it only makes it easier to hear outside noise or sounds like people speaking by a fraction less (perhaps a third?). It doesn’t work at all for noises behind you but you can hear a slight difference for those in front of you. If you really need to hear other people while you're listening to something just remove one earpiece.

Connectivity can get rather unstable when out of line of sight, so when a wall or obstacle is in the way, sometimes static can unexpectedly come up. This usually doesn’t happen in close range but if it does, just take them out and reconnect and usually this will fix it.

The various presets in the Jabra Audio+ app

When it does work, audio is clear and full with rich sound and bass for both soundtracks and songs. The bass boost does increase the bass a bit more than without it (perhaps about half?) but the speech preset doesn’t seem to do anything to improve its performance during an online meeting (the same problem of once-in-a-while static).

Testing out the 4 mics built into the 2 earpieces I have to say that they may need some more finetuning as they didn’t work that well as other people said they heard static when I spoke during online meetings. Similar results were recorded with voice recording as we could hear rather slight but constant static in the background.

Battery performance is good, for 7 hours of continuous usage and 21 hours total with the case. Fast charge gets you back to 100 percent in under 3 hours. Intermittent usage can easily get you about 1 weeks worth of playback on a single charge, depending on your listening. Trying it out on Asphalt 9: Legends, there’s no lag whatsoever, so they should be good for most gaming situations.

Overall, the Jabra Elite 3 are great sounding TWS with fairly long battery life. Lag free gaming performance should make them ideal for close range gaming. Their comfortable design means that they don’t stick out as much as some TWS but the hidden buttons and rather below average mic and HearThrough quality could be deal breakers for some users.

Priced at RM389, they’re the entry-level Jabra Elite TWS we’d go for if it’s just for the listening experience alone. In this range, there’s a good deal of competition especially from the smartphone brands like realme, OPPO and Huawei along with Edifier, some even offer ANC or better mics but if you’re a gamer and a music listener, then we think you should at least consider the Jabra Elite 3.

So, would you get the Jabra Elite 3? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com.

Here are the tech specs and features for the Jabra Elite 3 TWS:

Pros: Great sound, comfortable hidden fit and long battery life. Lag free gaming performance.

Cons: Works best when close or in line of sight. Inward button controls.

Summary: The entry-level Jabra Elite to get if you have a bit more budget.


Jabra Elite 4 Malaysia release: ANC, 6mm speakers and IP55 rating at RM529

Jabra has announced the release of the Jabra Elite 4 in Malaysia, the latest earbuds addition to its Elite lineup. Featuring several improvements from its predecessor, read on to find out more about the true wireless earbuds.

The Elite 4 is equipped with fine-tuned 6mm speakers for powerful sound and also has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Moreover, you can also customise your listening experience by using the Jabra music equalizer and Sound+ app.

Besides that, the earbuds feature 4 microphones for optimised call clarity. There’s also Bluetooth Multipoint for seamless switching between calls and apps, as well as Fast Pair and Swift Pair for instant connections to laptops or smartphones.

In terms of battery life, Jabra said that the Elite 4 can last for 5.5 hours of playtime with the earbuds. The battery life increases to 22 hours with ANC on and up to 28 hours with ANC off with the case.

Other notable specs include IP55 water and dust resistance, Qualcomm aptX support, Spotify Tap playback support (for Android) and colour options of Dark Gray, Navy, Lilac and Light Beige. In Malaysia, the Elite 4 is priced at RM529 and is available in selected authorised retailers nationwide and on Jabra’s Official Shopee and Lazada stores from the end of April 2023.

Consumers can find out more about the earbuds here or watch the official video here. As always, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news and releases such as this.


Jabra Elite 5 Malaysia release: Hybrid ANC, Qualcomm QCC3050 SoC and IP55 rating at RM699

Jabra Malaysia today released the Jabra Elite 5 for the local market, its latest addition to its true wireless earbuds lineup. Featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth multipoint as well as IP55 dust and water resistance.

The earbuds are powered by the Qualcomm QCC3050 Bluetooth SoC which enables the aforementioned Hybrid ANC feature. Moreover, the Hybrid ANC also incorporates feedback microphones within the ear and feedforward microphones on the exterior.

Jabra claims that the ANC performance is less sensitive to how users position the earbuds in the ear, hence ensuring a more reliable noise cancellation across a wider range of frequencies. In addition, the Elite 5 enable individuals to take calls with confidence thanks to its 6-microphone call technology with external mics that are active all the time.

In terms of sound quality, the earbuds are fitted with 6mm speakers, support Qualcomm aptX Audio, AAC and SBC codecs, as well as a customisable EQ. Jabra also teamed up with Spotify to offer users Spotify Tap Playback with the Elite 5.

As for its design, the earbuds offer a discreet, comfortable and compact fit. It’s also practical too with enhanced connectivity, including Bluetooth Multipoint, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift pair, Google Assistant and Alex  Built-In activated through voice.

Jabra claims that the Elite 5 can last up to 7 hours with ANC turned on and 28 hours with its case. Speaking of which, the charging case supports wireless charging. In Malaysia, the Elite 5 comes in either Titanium Black or Gold Beige and is priced at RM699.

It is now available in selected retailers nationwide and on Jabra’s Official Stores on Shopee and Lazada, as well as at authorised retailers. So, what do you guys think of the Elite 5? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!


Jabra Elite 5 release: 6nm speakers, hybrid ANC and Bluetooth Multipoint, priced at ~RM713

Jabra has launched its latest generation of true wireless (TWS) ANC earbuds, the Jabra Elite 5. The pair belongs to the mid-range segment but offers some premium features that some flagship earbuds don't even have. Now, let's continue reading to know more about the Elite 5 and find out if it's a pair of TWS earbuds you would like to own.

The Jabra Elite 5 packs 6mm speakers with customizable EQ for the sound output. It also gets powered by Qualcomm's QCC3050 Bluetooth SoC, allowing it to support Qualcomm aptX Audio for high-quality audio. For the ANC, it uses "feedback microphones on the inside and feedforward microphones on the outside" for more efficient results.

When calling, there's a six-microphone array with wind noise suppression for you to hear the voice clearly. Meanwhile, the external microphones listen to you all the time, as the Jabra Elite 5 comes with built-in Google Assistant and Alexa support for hands-free voice control. Besides that, the earbuds also support Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows users to connect to two devices simultaneously. There are Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair as well.

Longevity-wise, the Jabra Elite 5 last up to seven hours on a single charge with ANC turned on. The company claims the wireless charging case can supply three full charges to the buds. Therefore, users can get up to 28 hours of total battery life in total. Without ANC, it's a battery life of up to 36 hours. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, so they should be good to survive a sweaty workout session.

The Jabra Elite 5 gets priced at €149 (~RM713) in Europe and is available in Gold Beige and Titanium Black. It's unsure if it's coming to Malaysia, but we'll let you know once we receive the latest information. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget reports!


Jabra Elite 7 series will launch on 1 October 2021 from RM899

Update: Official price for Malaysia was confirmed to be RM899 and RM999 for the Elite 7 Active and Elite 7 Pro, respectively.

It may have been a rough year for many, but 2021 has plenty of new and exciting products. Interestingly, Jabra wants to provide something completely new too. The company is planning to release a new series of TWS earphones soon - the Elite 7 series.

According to Engadget, Jabra will launch the Elite 7 Pro on 1 October 2021. The Elite 7 Pro aims to deliver "ultimate call clarity", thanks to a bone conduction sensor, four microphones, and a feature called MultiSensor Voice. It's 16% smaller than the Elite 75t, which should make it more comfortable to wear too. On top of that, this model has active noise cancellation and up to 42 hours of battery life with the charging case.

Like its predecessor, this model also comes with a sporty version called Elite 7 Active. Its design will be identical to the Elite 7 Pro, and it will have most of the same features. The only difference is the lack of the MultiSensor Voice feature. In exchange, the Elite 7 Active uses a new liquid silicone rubber material. It will provide a better fit even if you're sweaty.

The Elite 7 Pro will retail for USD200 (~RM829), while the Elite 7 Active will cost USD180 (~RM746). Jabra has launched the Elite 75t and Elite 85t in Malaysia, so we're quite sure the new models will come here too. But what do you think of them so far? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


Jabra Elite 85H headphones review - Great sounding quality headphones that won't die on you

I’m kinda new to the world of wireless headphones and have been on the hunt for one with a decent price tag. What I’m looking for in mind is obviously great sound quality, great active noise cancelling (ANC), and super-long battery life for my long haul flights. The Jabra Elite 85H wireless noise-cancelling headphones seamlessly fit the bill and comes at a competitive RM1349 price tag. On average, it's much lower than other high-end competitors in the Bluetooth headphone field. The question now is, is it worth the price? Read on below for my review!

As the subtitle states, it’s a pair of headphones that looks normal, no wow factor the moment you look at it. That said, Jabra took a simple and back to basics design which I can appreciate.

The headphones are made of good quality solid plastic which is covered with textured cloth. Despite it being plastic, the headphones are very malleable, easily fitting any sized head without the feeling of breaking even when flexed to its limits. The sides come with a slider to adjust the size according to the user’s head which honestly, is very pleasing as it won’t clack hard and hurt your head when adjusting the size.

Here's what you get in the box: The headphones, a case (which is a little too bulky for my liking), a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 3.5mm headphone cable and a flight adapter

Here's how the headphones look like when unfolded

The casing and the material on the headphones are made from leatherette PU which looks good and feels good

Honestly, the most comfy part is the sponge which you can find on the headphone cups as well as underneath the plastic that rests on your head. Made from a material called leatherette PU, it remains quite cool even after long hours of wearing on your head. Also, did I mention how comfy the sponge feels against your head and ears? Due to the large size of the headphones, you won’t find your ears being squeezed against your head.

However, there is one downside. Wearing these headphones for too long eventually gave me a bit of a headache. The ear cups are a little too big for me (due to my tiny sized head) so and it does squeeze a little too tightly (due to trying to keep the noise out). This results in the back of my jaw being squished which lead to the headache. I can just kinda weather the pain because I do enjoy the headphones a lot, but taking some breaks in between wearing it for a long period of time does help (this shouldn't be an issue for people with normal sized heads).

Storing the headphones away is very convenient as well as you can easily fold the headphones before stowing it in the case. When you take it off your head and rest it around your neck, the headphones can fold sideways and rest flat on your chest so that it isn’t so annoying or obstructing.

Before we talk more about the features, here are the tech specs of the headphones:

These headphones easily connect to any smartphone be it iOS or Android. While it does recommend you to download the Jabra Sound+ app, I noticed that the headphones do still connect and worked fine without the app. The only downside is that you can’t enable ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) without it. Despite that, the headphones did pretty well at keeping out unwanted noise even without the ANC on. Also, you can connect the headphones to two different devices at once (perhaps if you'd like to share your music?).

The app does allow for SmartSound to be enabled as well. SmartSound is basically an AI that takes recordings of the user’s surroundings and adjusts the noise-cancelling level accordingly, allowing the user to still be aware of his or her surroundings. If you’re walking, travelling, sitting down and more, the AI will know and ensure that the user won't be fully blocked out of the noise-cancelling feature.

The equalizer comes with presets. You can enable SmartSound through here and check the battery life on your headphones as well

There is one downside to the app, though. The music equalizer presets aren’t that great, in my opinion. However, it is possible to customize the equalizer manually which is nice. Besides that, Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa can all be set up with the headphones as well to notify you when a call or text comes in. It can get annoying when you have a lot of chats coming in as it does interrupt your music, disabling the feature can be pretty confusing as well. Make sure you finish setting up your app and headphone pairings so that you can disable the in-voice notifications easier.

On the right side of the headphones are buttons to check the battery, pick up calls and the basic play/pause, volume adjustments. However, since you do have to actually press the buttons pretty hard, it feels like you’re shoving the headphones against your head which can be a little uncomfortable but it’s not too much of a big deal.

These headphones were definitely made for travel in mind. In the box, they provided a flight adapter so you can watch movies comfortably on long flights without having to worry about switching to those cheap plastic headphones airlines always give out. Also, there's probably no 36 hour flights around, so these headphones should last you for any flight and most long haul trips with no problems.

These headphones seem to excel in whatever they’re used for. Music and tunes sound crisp and I especially love listening to instrumental songs on the Jabra Elite 85H due to the fact that I can literally pick out each music instrument from the melody. The highs and lows are balanced nicely and it does come with some nice bass as well. Also, the vocals are clear to boot.

Watching movies on this was also a pleasure. I got to try these during my recent 7-hour flight to Japan and I watched some movies from rom-coms to action-packed movies. The noise-cancelling and incredible audio made my movie viewing experience more immersive.

I also got curious and decided to try these headphones out for gaming. I completely understand that these are not made for gaming so I plugged in these headphones onto my desktop via the 3.5mm jack cable provided with not much expectation. However, it completely blew me away. The game that I chose to test these headphones on was Destiny 2. The noise-cancelling made the game very immersive with the surround sound and I found myself more alert, especially during Crucible (the PvP mode) as the sounds of footsteps are more defined. I could easily pinpoint where the enemies were coming from just from the sounds of their movement. Also, getting headshots on the game felt crispier than usual, thanks to the great audio quality.

On the other hand, network calls didn’t do so well. On the receiver end (me), hearing the person on the other line was fine and clear. However, the caller on the other end would be bombarded with too much noise from my end, as though the mics were picking up all the noise around me. I definitely would not recommend taking calls on these if you’re in a noisy area.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a way to connect the headphones to my desktop or laptop wirelessly. So I am going to assume that these were made to be connected wirelessly to smart devices only instead of the traditional laptops and PCs (which is a shame). The 3.5mm jack cable provided was a little short though, which wasn’t very fun to plug into my PC for obvious reasons.

Priced at RM1349, it's quite a competitive price for a noise cancelling wireless headphones compared to other well-known brands out on the market, the Jabra Elite 85H definitely packs a punch. While it was created for users who commute and travel a lot, I honestly did not expect it to excel for gaming as well. Great noise cancelling, very comfy, comes with extremely long battery life and has amazing audio quality. What more can I ask for from a pair of wireless headphones?

There are other headphones that can compete with these in terms of performance which are the Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones (RM1599) and the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones (RM1559). However, in terms of battery life and price tag, the Jabra 85H Elite headphones win hands down. So what do you think of the Elite 85H headphones? Keep up with the latest tech releases and reviews in Malaysia on TechNave.com!


Jabra Elite 85h with up to 36 hours Active Noise Cancellation available from RM1349

Earlier today, Jabra has announced that the Jabra Elite 85h is officially available in Malaysia starting from RM1349 and it will be available for purchase at Jabra’s very own website as well as authorised distributors.

To give a little more detail regarding the Jabra Elite 85h, the main feature of the headset is the ability to listen to music with Active Noise Cancellation which utilizes 8 built-in microphones, together with SmartSound and audEERING technology to reduce ambient sound with up to 36 hours before needing to recharge. The Active Noise Cancellation is able to detect up to 6000 unique sound signatures and intelligently switch between different scene modes to provide the optimal listening experience.

Other than the headset mentioned, Jabra also released the Elite Active 45e with IP67 dust and water resistance rating as well as the Jabra Move Style for the price of RM379 and RM419 respectively, which could be bought on their official website as well. For more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Jabra Elite 85t In-depth Review & Giveaway!

Jabra Malaysia launched the Jabra Elite 85t on December last yeat with the price of RM1049 across the nation with a complimentary gift. So with that pricing, it has some new improvements such as Active Noise Cancelling feature and Wireless Qi charging. But is that all? Will it worth the upgrade from your older Jabra TWS?To recap, the Jabra Elite 85t has a long lasting battery life that can last up to 5.5 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 25 hours with the charging case with ANC turned on, as well as up to 7 hours battery on a single charge and 31 hours with ANC turned off. But how about the audio quality? Let's check out our in-depth review video now!

Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews on TechNave.com!


2020 set to be year of Qualcomm Snapdragon 865/765 devices, more than 10 brands listed

Earlier today, we saw Qualcomm announcing its latest Snapdragon 865 and 765 chipsets. At the same time, many brands have confirmed that they will be offering smartphones equipped with the new chipsets. Looks like 2020 will be a year filled with Qualcomm 5G-powered phones.

So far there are close to 20 brands that are set to have such devices. The ones we have confirmations on are Nokia, Motorola, OPPO (Reno 3 5G), and Xiaomi (Redmi K30 and Mi 10). Qualcomm also confirmed that Realme and vivo will have devices featuring the Snapdragon 765. According to 91mobiles, there are more to add to the list, including well-known brands like BlackShark, nubia RedMagic, OnePlus, ZTE, Lenovo and more.

Are you hyped for Snapdragon 865/765 devices, or are you planning to wait and see? Head over to our Facebook page to let us know. For further updates and tech news, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


ASUS ZenBook 13, 14 and 15 officially launched in Malaysia starting from RM4399

ASUS has officially announced the launch of the ASUS ZenBook 13, ASUS ZenBook 14 and ASUS ZenBook 15 in Malaysia for the price of RM4499, RM4399 and RM6099 respectively.

Fitted with up to an Intel Core i7 chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to a GTX 1050 Max-Q design, the laptop is considered one of the slimmest laptop manufactured by ASUS to date with the smallest being able to fit inside an A4 envelope, which was clearly showcased during the presentation.

Light enough to be carried in one hand comfortably

ASUS ZenBook 15, no touchpad + numpad combo

Not only that, the laptop also comes with a touchpad that doubles as a number pad with a touch of a open, effectively saving space making the laptop even smaller. However it is best to note that the touchpad and number pad combination is only limited to the ASUS ZenBook 13 and 14. Speaking of the ZenBook 13 and 14, both these laptops weighs at a rather light 1.19kg while the ZenBook 15 is only at 1.67kg.

All 3 laptops features the Ergolift design that elevates the laptop when opened to improve airflow which helps with the thermal management. Selected models will be available in Royal Blue, Icicle Silver as well as Burgundy Red. For more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Jabra Elite 85t Malaysia release: 31-hour battery life and ANC at RM1049

Jabra Malaysia has officially announced the Jabra Elite 85t wireless earbuds in Malaysia which comes equipped with 31 hours of battery life and Active Noise Cancellation at the price of RM1049. The aforementioned wireless earbuds will be available in Titanium Black from 4 December 2020 onwards while the Gold Beige and Grey colour schemes are available around Q1 2021.

But that’s not all, if you are one of the first customers to purchase the Jabra Elite 85t, you’ll be entitled to get a free Elite Active 45e worth RM379. If you’re interested in getting the aforementioned free gift, it is best to act fast as stocks are limited.

In terms of the features, the earbuds are IPX4 water and dust resistance, supports Qi wireless charging, as well as 2 microphones and 4 active noise cancelling microphones to ensure the most immersive listening experience possible. But that’s not all, it also comes with Alexa, Siri, as well as Google Assistant integration to ensure maximum accessibility regardless of the smartphone you are using.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting the Jabra Elite 85t 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.


Jabra Elite Active 65t is getting a 50% on 9 April 2020

When new models launch, old ones tend to become cheaper. And now that Jabra has launched the Elite 75t series in Malaysia and will launch the Elite Active 75t later this year, the Elite Active 65t is about to go on discount soon. In fact, Jabra is planning to hold a sale for it later this week.

The Elite Active 65t sale will be held at Jabra's official Lazada store on 9 April 2020, starting from midnight and ending at midnight the next day. You'll have 24 hours to get your hands on the earphones for RM449, down from its original retail price of RM899. That's a huge 50% discount, which is great if you want a good pair of earphones but has a tight budget.

Designed for active people, the Elite Active 65t comes with an IP56 rating. It's also got voice assistant support, so use your voice controls on your phone. In terms of battery life, you get 5 hours with a full charge and another 10 hours with the charging case. With the addition of ambient noise reduction, this model is ideal for use at the gym (even if we can't visit one now!)

Since it's going on sale, the Elite Active 65t will probably be limited in stock. In other words, it might sell out early so make sure to get it through the product page on Lazada if you want it. With that said, would you be interested in buying this at that price point? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Jabra Evolve2 30 Malaysia release: Professional grade productivity headset for RM480

Ever entered a video meeting and the host had a terrible mic? As video meetings become the norm, bad audio can mean you either don't hear others or can't be heard by others. That's why you should get a good headset and Jabra might just have something for us.

Earlier today, Jabra released the new Evolve 2 30 in Malaysia. This is a headset for office workers and is designed to be comfortable, even if worn for an entire day. It comes with a 2-microphone call technology that can clearly capture your voice. Moreover, it's capable of delivering excellent audio quality with its 28mm drivers.

Interestingly, Jabra has a Microsoft Teams certified variant for this headset. It comes with a dedicated button for the app, which allows you to join or disconnect from calls by pressing it. You can also mute or unmute yourself just by moving the boom mic. Besides that, the Evolve2 30 also comes with USB Type-A or Type-C cables, so you can use it with different devices.

This headset is available for RM480 or RM550 for the stereo variant, which is a relatively affordable price considering that it's professional grade. Having said that, would you spend that kind of money just for a better video meeting experience? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Jabra Evolve2 Buds Malaysia release: Adjustable ANC, 33 hours battery and in-case USB dongle from RM1640

Jabra has announced the release of its latest professional, pocketable true wireless earbuds, the Jabra Evolve2 Buds. Engineered for hybrid and remote working, the earbuds are designed to boost concentration and improve collaboration for professionals working on the go.

The Evolve2 Buds feature Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology which allows users to personalise the ANC to their listening preferences. It also sports a sealing test feature called MyFit, as well as SafeTone and PeakStop, which ensures enhanced hearing protection and the most optimal seal for the best, personalised ANC experience.

Another unique feature of the earbuds is the inclusion of an in-case dongle that can be plugged into users’ PC for extensive range and connectivity. The wireless range of the USB adapter is up to 20 metres, which far exceeds that of the usual Bluetooth connection.

Speaking of connections, the Evolve2 Buds also sport Advanced Multipoint connection which allows users to connect to two devices simultaneously. In terms of call quality, Jabra developed the earbuds to have high-quality conversations with Jabra MultiSensor Voice which utilises four microphones, bone conduction sensors and advanced algorithms to block out as much of the surrounding noise as possible.

Moreover, the earbuds are equipped with HearThrough and have single earbud use which allows users to hear surrounding sounds through the earbuds whilst hearing them. Other notable specs include certification for Microsoft Teams and leading UC platforms, up to 33 hours of battery life with the included case, which supports wireless charging.

In Malaysia, the Evolve2 Buds are now available for purchase at RM1640 for the USB-C UC and RM1860 for the USB-C UC with Wireless Charging Pad. For more information on the earbuds, visit Jabra’s official website here.

So, what do you guys think of the Evovle2 Buds? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech news and releases such as this.


Jabra Malaysia launches Evolve2 75 headset for hybrid workers from RM1950

According to Jabra, 68% of employees prefer to work in a hybrid work environment from both home and an office. Many of these workers have expected their companies to provide the equipment necessary to do so, but most enterprises don’t have the knowhow to choose the right equipment for these situations.

As such, Jabra have launched their 2nd generation Jabra Evolve2 75 headset for enterprise users. Featuring improvements in battery life, adjustable Active Noise Cancellation, new dual foam padding, dual device connectivity, 30 meter wireless range and a Premium Open Office, it will come in 2 variants and black and beige.

The MS Teams variant has a dedicated Microsoft Teams button while the Unified Communication variant is certified for Zoom and other major UC platforms. Both variants and colours will be available for business users starting from 12 November 2021 at RM1950. There’s also a bundle with a magnetic charging stand for RM2230 but this is only in black. Check out their site for more details.


Jabra announces Enhance Plus for people with mild hearing loss

Not everyone has the best hearing, especially people who are older. Since there are so many audio brands out there, it's not surprising to hear (heh) of one making products for hearing loss. Jabra is one such company and it has a new product in that range.

According to Jabra, the Jabra Enhance Plus is a "miniaturised 3-in-1 earbud for hearing enhancement, music, and calls". This is effectively a pair of high-end TWS earbuds for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It's allegedly 50% smaller than the Jabra Elite 75t, which makes it more comfortable to wear too. Best of all, the design doesn't look like a typical hearing aid.

On the inside, the Jabra Enhance Plus comes with precision microphones to capture clear voice audio. It then uses an advanced noise reduction algorithm to reduce background noise. Of course, it can also function as a pair of normal TWS earbuds to listen to music or take calls. It even has up to 30 hours of battery (charging case included) and IP52 water/dust resistance.

Jabra hasn't announced the price and availability, but it should launch once the company gains the medical certifications for the product. Would you grab this for a family member with hearing issues? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Jabra officially unveiled the Elite 75t series from RM949 and Elite 45h in Malaysia

Earlier today, Jabra officially unveiled the Jabra Elite 75t true wireless earbuds which is priced from RM949. Other than that, Jabra also unveiled their lower end headphone called the Elite 45h as well as the Jabra Elite Active 75t which is expected to be available after Q2 2020 onwards.

In terms of the size, the Elite 75t is much smaller compared to the previous generation Elite 65t and it fit much more secure and comfortably into the wearer’s ear. Furthermore, the earbuds are able to last up to 7.5 hours on a single charge and up to 28 hours if you combine the battery reservoir in the charging case.

The earbuds also introduced several new features such as the MyControls and MySound which made their debut during CES 2020, which took place in Las Vegas several days ago. To go into more detail, the MyControls lets the user utilize one earbud at a time instead of both the earbuds.

MySound, on the other hand, lets the user tune their own sound profile to give them a much more optimized hearing experience. It is best to note that both the features mentioned, will only be available somewhere around Q2 2020.

The Elite 75t is available in both Titanium Black as well as Gold Beige, which can be purchased at their Jabra’s official store on LazMall or at selected Jabra retailers such as ALL IT, Harvey Norman and Foto Shangri-La. Would you be interested in purchasing any of the products mentioned above? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Jabra recently unveiled the Jabra Evolve2 85, Evolve2 65 and Evolve2 40 starting from the price of RM759

Jabra Malaysia has officially announced that they have unveiled several headsets called the Evolve2 in Malaysia and it will be available for purchase starting from June 2020 onwards. The Evolve2 headsets come in several variants including the Evolve2 85, Evolve2 65, as well as the Evolve2 40 which starts from RM2599, RM1699, and RM759 respectively.

The Evolve2 85 headset comes equipped with 40mm drivers, as well as the latest AAC codec in order to provide the best listening experience as possible. In addition to that, it also features a 37-hour battery which is more than enough to last you up to 3 days, Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation as well as a flexible boom arm which allows them to be tucked away when not in use.

Other than that, there’s also the Evolve2 65, which is largely the same headset except it doesn’t come with the Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation feature and a flexible mic arm. Last but not least, the Evolve2 40 which is basically a wired variant of the Evolve2 65. Also, both the Evolve2 65 and Evolve2 40 is also available in a mono configuration which are slightly cheaper.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting any of the products mentioned above? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Jabra rolls out Active Noise Cancellation upgrade for the Elite 75t series via Over-the-air update

Jabra has officially announced that the Over-the-air (OTA) update which comes with the Active Noise Cancellation upgrade for the Jabra Elite 75t is now officially available for download via the Jabra Sound+ app. If you’re interested in updating your Jabra Elite 75t, all you need to do is download the aforementioned app via the Google Play Store for Android smartphones or the Apple App Store if you’re using an Apple device.

However, if you do not own a Jabra Elite 75t, you can head over to any of their authorised resellers such as Harvey Norman, All IT Hypermarket, Jabra Malaysia retailers, as well as e-commerce websites such as Lazada and Shopee. As for the pricing, the Jabra Elite 75t is priced at RM949 while the Elite Active 75t and Elite Active 75t WLC, on the other hand, is priced at RM999 and RM1049 respectively.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting the Jabra Elite 75t series? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Japan charges Apple ~RM432 million in back taxes for bulk sales of iPhones to foreign tourists

Apple Japan has been charged JPY13 billion or ~RM432 million in additional taxes by the Japanese government for bulk sales of iPhones and other Apple devices to foreign tourists in the country. This is after these bulk purchases were incorrectly exempted from the nation’s consumption tax.

As reported by Reuters, Japan allows tourists staying less than six months to purchase items without paying the 10 per cent consumption tax. However, the tax exemption does not apply to purchases for the purpose of resale.

On Tuesday (20 December 2022), authorities detected bulk purchases of iPhones and other Apple devices by foreign shoppers at some Apple Stores in Japan which are believed to be for resale in other countries. At least one of the transactions involved an individual buying hundreds of iPhones at once.

Apple Japan has since filed an amended tax return to include these bulk purchases. Furthermore, in an email to Reuters, Apple Japan also announced that tax-exempted purchases at the Apple Stores in the country are currently unavailable.

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


ASUS ZenBook 13 & 14 coming to Malaysia in July 2020, comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and Thunderbolt support

ASUS is on a roll for laptops these days. Not long after it launched its new Intel-powered VivoBook S14 and S15 in Malaysia, the company confirmed that the ZenBook 13 (UX325) and ZenBook 14 (UX425) will be launching here around the end of July 2020.

The latest iteration of the ASUS ZenBook 13 and 14 are even slimmer than before. It's got a thickness of 13.9mm compared to the 17.9mm for last year's model, yet the two machines still sport one USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt support, a full-sized HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. Interestingly enough, ASUS made the bold decision of ditching the 3.5mm audio jack but included an adapter for those who haven't converted to using wireless audio headsets.

In terms of specs, both models come with up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU, up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and up to 512GB of SSD storage. It also has a rather beefy 67Wh battery that can last up to 22 hours on a full charge, as well as support for Intel WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0.Another interesting feature is the MyASUS integration, which provides useful functions like system diagnosis or mobile device linking for hands-free calls.

We did a quick check and found that ASUS has already listed the ZenBook 14 in Singapore. The Intel Core i5 variant costs SGD 1398 (~RM4301), while the Intel Core i7 variant is priced at SGD 1698 (~RM5224). Honestly, that's a rather good price and we hope it's around that ballpark range when it comes to Malaysia.

Having said that, would you be interested in the latest ASUS ZenBook laptops when it launches here? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Japan earthquakes will impact smartphones and camera makers worldwide

The two recent devastating earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture of Kyushu Island impacted not only the lives of the local residents, but also phone manufacturers from all corners of the world. Sony in particular indicated that their image sensor production plant in Kumamoto will remain closed until further notice. Their second plant in Nagasaki will also see partial suspension of production at the same time.

Production at the Nagasaki plant is important as the factory produces the CMOS sensor used by 45% of the smartphones brands on the market now, including Apple, Samsung and more. The Kumamoto plant produces sensors mainly for digital cameras. Currently Sony has yet to comment about possible supply line disruption, but the impact of the earthquake will definitely be felt in the industry.


Japan gets an exclusive LG phone – the V34 isai Beat

If you are looking forward to the LG V20, be envious of Japan, as they are getting a special version of the smartphone model, to be called the LG V34 isai Beat. It will be exclusive to Au Japan, and only for the Japan market.

The V34 shares many parts as its bigger brother - the secondary always on screen, the dual-camera on the back, the dual-FoV selfie cam, the quad-DAC setup, B&O branding, Android 7.0 Nougat on Snapdragon 820 with 4GB of RAM and 32GB storage.

What is different is the screen size - the screen is 5.2" big rather than 5.7" big. It also loses the removable battery gimmick, but gains waterproofing instead.

We wish this phone is heading outside of Japan – many people are looking for a smaller phone but with a flagship list of specification. In any case, stay tuned to TechNave for more news from LG.


Japan key tech players including Sony, Toshiba and others have stopped supplying tech components to Huawei

Huawei just can't seem to catch a break these days. First, it was the US government disallowing their devices to feature Google Mobile Services, then banning their affiliated companies and partners to receive tech components. Now, it's Sony's turn to suspend their camera supplies to Huawei.

But it's not just Sony alone, though. Other Japanese tech companies are taking action as well due to the uncertainty of Huawei's future. This includes flash memory, optical semiconductors, amplifiers, hard drives and others. Reports are also saying that Sony is considering a license to continue to supply Huawei their image sensors but there's no official statement about that. So do take it with a pinch of salt.

From the graph above, it seems that Japan plays a key role in supplying tech components to Huawei, earning as much as $10,4 billion in sales from 2019 alone (according to Omida). Furthermore, Sony is said to earn billions of dollars a year by selling CMOS to Huawei.

However true is this news, Huawei remains optimistic about their future from their recent HDC Together event. They recently unveiled HarmonyOS 2.0 and we are expecting it to appear on the upcoming Mate 40 series. Rumours are saying otherwise, though, as the flagship might not appear this year or have limited units instead. Stay tuned for more trending news at TechNave.com.


Japan to create Tokyo Olympic medals from discarded smartphones

Come 2020, we will be cheering once again for the world’s best athletes on the world stage that is the Olympics. Tokyo 2020 is expected to be one of the more technologically advanced Olympics, and their first step is to create the medals of the games out of discarded electronic devices.

Just as an info, the London 2012 Olympics saw about 9.6 KG of Gold, 1210 KG of Silver and 700 KG of copper turned into the medals that was presented to the winning athletes. While those numbers may be high, but in 2014 alone Japan recovered 143kg of gold, 1566kg of silver, and 1112 tons of copper from electronic waste. So Japan is already on their way to have the medals made from recycled materials.

This recycling and upcycling act that we will see from Tokyo 2020 is something applaudable and we would be rooting for everyone when 2020 comes around and Tokyo is set as the stage for the world’s athletes to go against each other to be the best of the very best.