NewsBytes #32 - New Logitech & Sony gadgets, buy a house on Lazada, Realme store opens, Shopee Seller Awards, Canon & LG CSR and more

Ho ho ho, it's December already! There isn't much news to talk about over the past week, though, news are getting quieter by the days and all we got was just some rumours here and there about next year's smartphone. Well, okay, there are two products which look pretty cool - the DJI Osmo Pocket and Nubia Red Magic Mars gaming smartphone.

Just when you thought the current Osmo mobile gimbal handheld device is already an ingenius creation, DJI decided to do something more amazing. The Osmo Pocket is as small as it looks and perfect for those who often go an adventure. One of the best things about it is that the small camera is able to capture great images and videos (according to the video teaser), as well as accompanied by a 3-axis stabilizer mechanism that gets rid of shakiness. Converting from its USA pricing, it's around ~RM1463 in our local currency and this is a really good deal.

On the other hand, Nubia may have just made the perfect gaming smartphone (on paper) because the Red Magic Mars features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipet, memory capacity up to 10GB of RAM and 256Gb storage, a 6-inches display in 1080p, 3800mAh battery pack, a dual heat pipe and convection cooling system called ICE, and even has an RGB LED strip behind along with Mars Triggers which serve as an additional buttons for gamers. All in all, it's pretty much like the ROG Phone which we love. The starting price is ~RM1932 but we aren't sure if the Red Magic Mars can take off in Malaysia, as Nubia is not really popular here, but maybe it will do well in China.

Anyway, onward to this week's NewsBytes!

If you're a Marvel fanboy, you might want to consider Logitech's newest M238 MARVEL Wireless Collection. There are four versions of it and cost RM89 each which comprises of Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther or Spider-Man. The M238 Wireless Mouse is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux, and the nano USB receiver lets you roam from up to 33 feet away. It's said to be able to last up 12 months of usage.

Another new gadget that tech fans (particularly the audiophiles) should get excited is the Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones. It's the third generation noise cancelling headgear and it's now available from Sony Stores and authorized retailers for RM1599.

So what are the improvements? Well, the 1000XM3 features a newly developed HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, which has approximately four times greater performance than the previous processor, as well as negating daily background sounds, such as street noise and human voices. It also features Dual Noise Sensor technology that captures ambient noise with dual microphones and then passes the sound data to the processor to cancel the noise.

You can also bet that its sound quality is good coming from Sony, but most importantly, the third generation WH still allows you to detect your physical situation and adjusts to changes with Adaptive Sound Control, to hear ambient sounds when travelling, as well as listening to your surroundings with Quick Attention which has been the trademark of the series. You can find out more about it over here.

Some of you have probably heard of this news already, but it's true - Mah Sing Group Berhad and Lazada Malaysia will be working together and make home online purchase a reality for the first time ever on the upcoming 12.12. Held at Ruyi & Lyn in Bangsar Shopping Centre, it was officiated by Datuk Ho Hon Sang, Mah Sing Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Christophe Lejeune, Chief Executive Officer, Lazada Malaysia, and witnessed by Yang Berhormat Tan Kok Wai, Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China and Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Leong Hoy Kum, Mah Sing’s Group Managing Director.

So how does this work? According to the press conference, those who shop for Mah Sing properties on Lazada will receive an exclusive 5% Lazada Incentive, worth between RM20,000-RM30,00 on a first-come-first-serve basis. Mah Sing projects that will be listed on Lazada for 12.12 include M Vertica, Cheras; M Centura, Sentul; Sensa [email protected] City, KL South; M Aruna, Rawang; M Vista, Penang; and Meridin East, Johor. Interested buyers can preview homes beginning 28 November 2018 and can add to cart and purchase from 10 to 12 December 2018.

Furthermore, interested buyers are also encouraged to contact their banks to check for loan eligibility before booking their unit on the Mah Sing Flagship Store on LazMall during the campaign period. Booking fees are fully refundable if the homebuyer decides not to proceed with the purchase. Once the unit selection, documentation and loan application are finalised, buyers can sign their Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and the new home is theirs.

Then on 24 November 2018, IT Gadgets, Vivid Telecommunication Sdn Bhd., celebrated its Realme Image Store Grand Opening in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, as well as starting the first offline sales of Realme 2 Pro at the same day.

Initially only available via online sites such as Shopee and Lazada, fans excitedly tested and purchased their Realme smartphones at the 500 authorized locations that offered the devices in-store across Malaysia. The following Realme smartphones at the following prices are:

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Muez bin Abd Aziz, Deputy Secretary General of Consumerism and Management [Second from left] together with Mr. Chew Soi Ping, Executive Director, Sales Nestle Malaysia Berhad [first from left], Mr. Joshua Zhu, Head of E-commerce & NDG Nestle Malaysia Berhad [third from left] and Mr Ian Ho, Regional Managing Director of Shopee [fourth from left] taking away the Shopee Seller of the Year Award for Shopee Mall Category

Meanwhile, Shopee hosted a Shopee Seller Awards 2018 recently on 24 November 2018 with the attendance of YB Datuk Muez bin Abd Aziz, Deputy Secretary General of Consumerism and Management, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Pos Laju, and celebrities such as Nora Danish and Zoey Rahman. The ceremony was to thank sellers, brands, and partners for the tremendous success of Shopee 11.11 Big Sale.

A total of 14 accolades were given out at Shopee Seller Awards 2018 to honour the best sellers across various store categories. Nestlé and Mono Digital were the biggest winners on the night, taking home the Shopee Seller of the Year Award for Mall and Marketplace respectively. Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza also won the People’s Celebrity Award, named by Shopee users for her official store SimplySiti on Shopee Celebrity Squad. Below is the complete list of winners:

MBSA presents a plaque of appreciation to Canon for their continued efforts in greening Shah Alam through the One Canon One Tree initiative in support of the Shah Alam Trees for Life programme. (From left) Papparaidu Veraman, Chairman of Shah Alam Trees for Life programme, Chris Martin, President & COO, Canon Mailcom Malaysia, Andrew Koh, President and CEO of Canon Marketing Malaysia, Haji Rosli Bakar, Deputy Secretary of MBSA, Kamarudzaman Sanusi, Council Member of MBSA

On the community service news, Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. carried out its ‘One Canon One Tree’ greening initiative over the weekend at the Kawasan Hijau Seksyen 4 area of Taman Tasik Shah Alam. This marks its third consecutive year in partnership with Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) brought the total number of trees planted by Canon to over 6,000 over the last three years in Shah Alam neighbourhoods. The ‘One Canon One Tree’ initiative is part of Canon’s commitment in creating a greener environment for the community and is also in line with MBSA’s ‘Shah Alam Trees Life 2018’ programme which aims to make Shah Alam into a greener city and work towards achieving a Low Carbon City status.

Elsewhere in India, LG Electronics partnered up with Rehabilitation International Korea (RI Korea) to host the 8th Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities, from 9 – 11 November at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. The event, co-hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment drew participation across 18 countries, including the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan.

Okay, so what? Well, Malaysian students have emerged first place winners in the e-Contents Challenge! They are Haris Ezani, Shahzan Ny bin Solihin, Noufah binti Abdullah Hajibilang and Mohammad Nizamudin bin Ismail. Securing first place in the e-Tool Challenge, under the individual category is Mohammad Nizamudin bin Ismail. So congratulations!

Western Union has launched online money transfers in Malaysia via the Western Union mobile app and westernunion.com. If you're one frequent traveller, this can really help you in your spending overseas with a few clicks, 24/7, to almost anywhere in the world.

On top of that, Western Union has announced a launch transfer fee of RM0.99 per transaction for sending through the Western Union mobile app and westernunion.com. Customers can send up to RM3000 per day and fund their transactions online from their local internet banking accounts with FPX (Financial Process Exchange) participating banks. For more information, you may head over to the official website right here.

Finally, there will be a new benchmark for gamers in 3DMark and it will be called Port Royal. Port Royal will be the world's first dedicated real-time ray tracing benchmark, as a test to compare any graphics card that supports Microsoft DirectX Raytracing. It's set to schedule on January 2019 but no release date nor price are made publicly yet.  Developed with input from AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and other leading technology companies, Port Royal uses DirectX Raytracing to enhance reflections, shadows, and other effects that are difficult to achieve with traditional rendering techniques. This is particularly useful in upcoming games that are running at 2560 × 1440 resolution. You can check out the official teaser page about it here.

That's all, folks! Stay tuned for more NewsBytes at TechNave.com.


NewsBytes #33 - The Making of the Samsung Galaxy A Series, YouTube Rewind 2018, OPPO investing 5G, JomStudi and DoctorOnCall

What's up, TechNavers. So as usual with the seasonal December period, the news is slow as ever but there are some interesting ones. Qualcomm has revealed the Snapdragon 855 so expect that to be featured on flagships a lot next year, new telco plans were also announced such as the Unlimited Hero P139 postpaid plan which is pretty awesome, same goes to the flexible Hotlink Postpaid Flex Plus plan. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 is already up on Shopee but no price tag yet, and the amount of 12.12 Promotion Sales You Should Check Out that's just around the corner!

So there's nothing much for me to rant actually, but when writing the NewsBytes this week, Google Malaysia sent us the YouTube Rewind 2018 and I thought, "Oh, this should be interesting." But alas, it wasn't impressive and to be honest, the video was pretty bad and even makes YouTube Rewind 2017 look good (which was also bad). Don't get me wrong, I understand the direction they are going, it's great seeing more YouTubers all around the world making their debut but it just seems out of touch, when did YouTube Rewind become a video to please sponsors from starting out as a meme reference video?

There are too many things missing in the video such as Do You Know De Wae, Pewdiepie (no, I'm not a fan. But I find it hilarious about his fans actions), Karma's a bitch video, "I don't feel so good", Yanny or Lauriel, heck, even throwing in Paul Logan's stupid forest video would be funny. Also, K-POP IS SO A DECADE AGO, IT'S NOT EVEN NEW YOU ANG MO PEOPLE. Ang mo means Westerners, by the way. Anyway, over to this week's NewsBytes.

If you are an observant gadget fan, you'd noticed that the Samsung Galaxy A series has been getting some cooler features than its Galaxy S and Note series, particularly this year. This includes the latest Galaxy A7 (2018) and Galaxy A9 (2018), carrying a triple camera and world's first quadruple camera setup. So why's that and what's the story behind? Well, this is where Global Product Planning Group–product planners Minseung Baik, Kwangsub Bong, and Sunmoek Jung come in.

(From left) Minseung Baik, Kwangsub Bong, and Sunmoek Jung of the Global Product Planning Group

“The motivations for the new product came from the behavior of millennials who like to use social networking services, vlogs and other multimedia systems for communication,” Jung said. This makes sense, as this the modern era now and how people are behaving, giving the younger generation various ways to express themselves through the different lenses.

If you want to read the whole interview, you can check it out at Samsung's newsroom right over here.

As we come to the end of 2018, the annual YouTube Rewind is back with another bunch of YouTubers with a surprise appearing of Will Smith (yes, apparently he started his own YouTube channel) and other international YouTubers from other parts of the world which you can check out on the video above. Besides that, YouTube has also released the 10 Top Trending Videos of 2018:

Somewhere in China, Tony Chen, the Founder and the CEO of OPPO has announced an increase of amount to its Research and Development (R&D) with RMB 10 Billion. That's roughly about RM6 Billion cash right there and the reason being is the company wants to leverage its AI development to a range of smart devices, including smart watches and smart home technologies to explore the rigid demands of consumers in the age of Internet of Things (IoT).

“5G is a trend OPPO must embrace. In addition to striving to become the first manufacturer to launch 5G smartphones, OPPO’s exploration of application opportunities in the 5G+ era will ultimately determine the value of 5G,” Tony Chen stressed. “OPPO will fully integrate 5G with applications and user insights, and continuously innovate to provide users with revolutionary, necessary, convenient and seamless experiences,” said Tony.

Yes, sir. Well said. Although we don't exactly have a country that's running on 5G on full steam just yet, we will get there. If you want to read the full report, check it out over here.

Working together to bring quality education content with JomStudi: (from left) Putri Yasmin Megat Zaharuddin, Astro’s Vice President of GenNext; Albern Murty, Digi’s Chief Executive Officer; YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia; Datuk Kamal Khalid, Media Prima’s Group Managing Director and Nor Faizah Othman, MDEC’s Chief Financial Officer

Meanwhile, Astro Malaysia is now working with Digi and Media Prima to introduce JomStudi (yup, 'Study'). The initiative is supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and it serves as a digital learning hub providing educational content and accessibility to all students especially those in the underserved areas. Since it's online, that means students can access into it anytime and anywhere with reward learning experiences.

To read more about this gesture of goodwill, you can check it out over here.

Wait, how does a virtual doctor work? Well, promptly called as DoctorOnCall, it's Malaysia's first on-demand online clinic by Tune Protect Berhad and they have just announced a new partnership with AirAsia. With this, customers can now travel with it to any destination locally or internationally with a wide range of medical assistance services via web chat, video and phone call.

Sounds pretty convenient, isn't it? If you feel the need to be safe than being sorry for yourself, you can check out more information right here.

That's all for today, folks. Stay tuned for more NewsBytes at TechNave.com.


NewsBytes #34 - Wiko Holiday Season promotion, HP Spectre x360 13 laptop, Canon Mini Photo Printer, Grab opens 7th R&D centre in KL, Ibadat app, and more

How are my TechNavers doing? Welcome to another edition of NewsBytes and we got some news here and there. HONOR has confirmed the existence of the HONOR View20 and will make its debut in Paris, France on January 2019. vivo NEX Dual Display also got revealed in China with a rather intriguing dual display feature (hence the name, duh) with no front camera. Then ASUS Republic of Gamers has finally released their thinnest gaming laptop, ROG Zephyrus S in Malaysia for a hefty price but besides that, they are also rolling into the fashion segment with ROG Collection T-Shirts and Ranger Backpacks too.

Speaking of ASUS, the Taiwan tech company has also released the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 as the latest budget gaming smartphone for the South East Asia market, as well as India. In my opinion, the tech specs are definitely better than the predecessor but I think they are a bit too "gan chiong" of other brands in the mid-range category. The predecessor was only released back in July 2018 and that's way too fast to release another model. It was as if the first one was a guinea pig to test the waters. Oh well, we are still in the midst of reviewing so do stay tuned for our review soon. Now onto the Newsbytes.

12.12 is over but that doesn't mean the promotions are gone. French smartphone brand manufacturer, Wiko will have its own starting now until 6 January 2019 with four devices - the Tommy3, Tommy3 Plus, Sunny3 Plus, Sunny2 Plus.

Did I mention that there are also different freebies for each smartphone? Best to get them while stocks last and if this is what you're looking for, you can refer to the list below for reference:

To check out the full tech specs, you can do so at the official website and promotion page right over here.

Then on the laptop segment, HP Malaysia unveiled a new HP Spectre x360 13 as a premium laptop offering users an all-new Poseidon Blue design, security and performance featuring:

For more information, you can check it at HP Malaysia's official website here.

Meanwhile, Canon Marketing Malaysia has just recently launched a super small and light photo printer called the Canon Mini Photo Printer. Why in the world would they do that? Well, it's a pretty compact device to carry, not to mention - convenient for printing moments on-the-go. For just RM499, the price doesn't seem too shabby.

The Canon Mini Photo Printer uses ZINK Zero Ink Technology from ZINK which is a revolutionary dry-printing technology that enables printing in colour without the use of ink cartridges. In addition, you can connect to it via Bluetooth with your smartphone to print out your photo within seconds. It also solely relies on a built-in battery.

(L-R) From Canon Marketing Malaysia, Joanne Wong, Marketing Manager of Consumer Products (CSP) Division, Andrew Koh, President and CEO and Sandy Lee, Head of CSP Division

The Canon Mini Photo Printer is available in Slate Grey, Rose Gold and Mint Green and each unit include a starter pack of ten sheets of photo paper and a charging cable. You can check it out more at its online store on Lazada here.

Moving away from the gadgets, Grab just launched a new Research and Development (R&D) centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company plans to hire 100 tech employees for its Kuala Lumpur R&D centre in its first year of operations, including software engineers, data scientists and data analysts to focus on developing and enhancing real-time communications features such as VOIP calls via GrabChat, building new web products for Grab, as well as improving and developing new safety measures through machine learning.

One such example of how Grab uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance safety is its Driver Fatigue feature. It calculates a “fatigue score” based on factors like how long the driver has been on the road, time of day, rest between shifts and even his or her age and profile. When a driver hits a high fatigue threshold, they will be sent a notification to take a break. That's pretty cool.

To cater to the Malays, a new Ibadat app by Digi is now available and it serves to provide Muslims with an easy way to fulfil their daily religious responsibilities with accurate and exact Salat (prayer) time together with the direction of Kiblah. It even includes a Holy Quran complete with audio, as well as the location of mosques nearest to where the users are.

Should Digi customers go for a more premium package, they just need to pay RM0.50 per week or RM1.50 per month to access other features like Azan Alert, a collection of relevant doas or prayers, Islamic calendar including Muslim holidays, Zakat calculator, daily inspirational quotes, Ramadan calendar complete with the timing for Iftar amongst many others.

Ibadat can be downloaded on Android devices via the Google Play Store and the iOS version will be made available soon.

Finally, in Celcom's latest financial report, the company is proud to announce that their consistent drive in focusing on customer experience has resulted in a sustainable market growth. With that, they have recorded a good increase of its Average Revenue Per User YTD from RM83 to RM88 on the postpaid category.

For the same period, Celcom’s revenue grew 3.0% on the back of a 2.1% increase in service revenue, driven by growth in prepaid and postpaid business with a blended ARPU from RM46 to RM49. YTD Total Revenue in the observed quarter increased, from RM4.845 billion to RM4.992 billion. Celcom’s network coverage with LTE population at 90% and LTE-A at 78% has driven the increase in average data usage, as the observed quarter recorded a 14.9% increase at 13.1GB data usage per subscriber.

Celcom has also been getting award recognition for its customer experience by several organizations such as SIRIM QAS International, Open Signal and Frost & Sullivan. To read more about the report, you can head over to their financial report over here.

That's all for NewsBytes. Until then, stay tuned for more at TechNave.com.


NewsBytes #35 - New Canon mini projector, Fitbit OS 3.0, Joke Factory on Shopee, Sony & Maxis CSR, Digi Connected Cars and more

What's up, TechNavers? Are you all ready for Christmas? I am SO READY but before we go off to our holidays, there is a couple of news this week. Huawei Malaysia has announced a new Mate 20 Pro 8GB + 256GB model for RM3999, as well as a new Nova 4 with an O-cutout camera on the display in China. Meanwhile, we also got to have a first good look on the HONOR 10 Lite and it's scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on 8 January 2019. Also, Lenovo just went wild by releasing a 12GB RAM smartphone with a Snapdragon 855 chipset called Z5 Pro which doesn't matter because Lenovo smartphone segment is dead in Malaysia.

Oh but you know what was the hot news? The so-called CIMB hacking that happened over the weekend. Now I'm not pointing any fingers, but Malaysians are just quick to spread the news without checking the facts. The captcha function at login along with longer passwords for better security is a nice touch, but it was a blooper at the execution without informing its customers beforehand. Also about the Paypal issue, it seems to be another type of issue that's not related to the "hacking". Well, perhaps it's still best to set a new password just to be safe.

So to start off with this week's NewsBytes, Canon Malaysia announced a RAYO S1 mini projector in Malaysia. Oddly enough, this was actually released back in June 2018 but anyway, the RAYO S1 is available at a recommended retail price of RM1599 at the Canon Official Store on Lazada, or any Canon Image Square and major IT retailers.

The device is targeted at both the business and consumer segments. It's compact, it's lightweight, this projector redefines versatility in offering a host of portable features. Weighing only 235 grams, it features wireless connection with a wide variety of smart devices and can stay store 4GB of data. It also sports a 3800mAh battery with 120-minute play time, an RGB LED light source rated at 100 lumens of brightness and image quality at a 16:9 aspect ratio.

The RAYO S1 is available at a recommended retail price of RM 1,599.00 at the Canon Official Store on Lazada, or any Canon Image Square and major IT retailers. More details are available at the official webpage here.

Then in the world of fitness, Fitbit has announced new Fitbit OS 3.0 features and user experience for Fitbit Ionic, Fitbit Ionic: Adidas edition and Fitbit Versa smartwatches, offering even more personal data at-a-glance, including sleep and expanded exercise view, plus adds quick logging for weight and water intake, so it’s easier than ever to take action based on data. It includes:

For more information, you can visit the website here.

In the topic of fitness, Samsung Malaysia is still promoting the Samsung Galaxy Watch and just recently did an exercise programme together with Épique+ Fitness. Presented by Lululemon Malaysia, the programme consisted of 3 classes customized for the boys to get in shape - FIGHT, HIIT, and BRO-GA (BRO YOGA) which involved using the Galaxy Watch to monitor heartbeat, calories burned, and steps taken.

To recap, the wearable sports a 472mAh (46mm)/270mAh (42mm) battery, a new stress management tracker, advanced sleep tracker, 21 new indoor exercises, tracking a total of 39 workouts that allow users to customize and change up their routines. Also, it's available in 3 colour options – rose gold and black in 42mm and silver in 46mm.

Do you love stand-up comedies? We know we do and it has been brought to our attention that The Joke Factory by Harith Iskander is now available on Shopee as an official store on the platform. At this moment, they can choose one gift card out of three choices starting from RM100 for any daily shows with food and drinks. The store will soon sell merchandise as well as food packages.

The show tickets will be available starting from 20 December 2018 onwards for upcoming shows in 2019 as the shows this year have already ended. To grab special deals in conjunction with the launch, Shopee users will stand to enjoy a 30% off, capped at RM20, on show tickets from 20 December to 27 December 2018. Just enter the promo code HARITH20 before making the payment; limited to one code per user. You can check out the official store right here.

In the spirit of giving and spreading the joy of New Year to the less privileged, Sony Malaysia initiated its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and donation drive through the collaboration with Malaysian celebrity Jack Lim, Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur Elite and Astro Yayasan Kasih. Together, they have reached out to two different communities, a total of 9 homes; bringing festive cheers to the underprivileged children and the elderly. The most recent visit was one of the 9 homes at Tong Sim Senior Citizens Centre, a non-profit home set up for the 65 elders who were abandoned in hospitals by their family members.

“Embarking on this charitable deeds with Sony Malaysia is part of our on-going effort to further advance our CSR initiatives. Also, with the support of the Astro NJOI from Astro Yayasan Kasih and the arrangement by Lions Clubs KL Elite, the underprivileged kids and elderly are able to enjoy the brand new Sony Bravia TV during leisure time,” Jack Lim, Bravia OLED ambassador added.

Continuing on spreading the Christmas joy, Maxis was working with a Bidayuh community at Kampung Quop in Samarahan, Sarawak as part of its festive charity initiative. A total of 30 volunteers from Maxis’ regional office and Kuala Lumpur were on the ground to conduct digital literacy workshops at the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) owned Pusat Internet (PI) at Kg Quop, one of 52 PI run by Maxis in Sarawak.

VIPs (centre) and the group of entrepreneurs that attended the digital marketing workshop, posing with their goodie bags

During their one-day stay, the volunteers participated in a digital marketing workshop to coach 30 entrepreneurs to optimise their business using social media, content creation and photography. This includes writing attractive captions and shooting Insta-worthy photos and videos to market their products on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress. At the same time, 60 eKelas students from Kg. Quop and Kg. Taiee took part in a digital literacy workshop, which teaches students how to distinguish between fake and real news, be aware of online scams, respond to cyberbullying, create secure passwords and more.

That's sweet of Maxis, hope the participates remember well from the lessons.

Then onto Digi, the yellow telco just introduced a new Digi Connected Cars with AXA FlexiDrive. This program is designed to help and encourage Malaysians to drive safe on the road, as well as rewarding them for good driving behaviour (hahaha, what??). So yes, this is actually the first time that a company is doing this via AXA FlexiDrive mobile app by offering a safe driving discount (SDD) up to 20% and monitoring their driving behaviour as well as 24/7 vehicle security.

Private vehicle owners can find out more and register their interest for the Digi Connected Cars with AXA FlexiDrive product at any Digi Store nationwide starting today.

In other news, cashless payment is progressing quite well and with that, UKM has reported a steady boost in online payment collection by 60% each year since 2014 when MOLPay and 7-Eleven Malaysia announced MOLPay Cash. According to Mokhsin Tumin, Finance Manager of UKM, he said,

“Thanks to the partnership between UKM and MOLPay, our payment system is now updated in real-time which helps to ease payment updates upon receiving notice of payment. Students are also more assured that digital payment updates are immediate, so they won’t have to worry about any potential disruptions or delays to their education.”

Yeah, cool story bro. For more information about MOLPay, please visit www.molpay.com.

Stay tuned for more NewsBytes at TechNave.com, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


ASUS announces Terima Kasih Malaysians promo, spend & win RM600 cash back!

Here's another Merdeka promotion, ASUS Malaysia has announced a new "Terima Kasih Malaysians" campaign and get this - starting now until the end of October 2017, anyone who purchases any ASUS networking products (RM200 and above) can be rewarded with RM600 cash back!

Why that's generous of ASUS. What's the catch? There isn't. They are doing this because of the recent award of the Readers' Choice from PCMag, thanks to the support of ASUS loyal customers, they managed to win the award for the sixth time in a row. That's quite a feat.

Only selected ASUS routers are eligible for this promotion, check it out below:

On top of that, the selected ASUS routers above have AiProtection enabled in them; providing comprehensive security with a 14-point inspection of the network’s critical security settings. According to Trend Micro Smart Home Network solution, over 3 million potentially vulnerable connections were blocked by AiProtection in 2016. Also just last August, ASUS launched several new networking series; ASUS Lyra, ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 and Blue Cave. Both the ASUS Lyra and ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 will be available in the local market beginning from September 1st 2017 onwards.

Malaysians can head down to Plaza Lowyat and Digital Mall or to the nearest ASUS Authorized Dealers’ store to purchase ASUS routers. To redeem and for more event details, visit here to check it out.


NewsBytes #8 - Samsung PyeongChang 2018, Bixby rewards & deals, new Huawei Malaysia CEO, U Mobile prepaid plans and more

Samsung recently announced their Samsung Galaxy Note 8 PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition featuring a PyeongChang themed launcher and logo on the back. Samsung will deliver over 4,000 devices to all Olympians as well as the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic family, including IOC and POCOG staff but for more details check out the site.

Razer recently announced that their Razer Phone is the first device to support HDR10 and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 with supported content from Netflix. The feature is available to new and existing Razer Phone owners but we've yet to get any official sales or support here in Malaysia so if this floats your boat, keep an eye on third-party sellers.

Samsung recently announced their Joy of Prosperity campaign for various deals on home electronics with gifts worth up to RM26000. This includes Samsung QLED TVs, FlexWash and refrigerators with gifts from Samsung and Ogawa. Available until 28 February, if you're interested go check it out at their Samsung Malaysia site.

Huawei recently appointed Baker Zhou as the CEO or Chief Executive Officer for Huawei Malaysia. With over 18 years of experience in the ICT industry and Huawei Indonesia, Huawei Bangladesh and others, he will oversee strategic growth, operations and overall development while strengthening local bonds here in Malaysia.

U Mobile recently announced 2 new prepaid Interrnet plans (UMI 36, UMI 26) featuring a free 30-day JOOX VIP subscription, unlimited data for WhatsApp and WeChat along with unlimited data for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter when paired with the Unlimited Power Prepaid pack. For more details, check out the U Mobile site.

Samsung have announced that Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8 users can now earn points for Samsung Rewards by using the Bixby Voice assistant until 15 April 2018. Register and earn experience points every time you ask Bixby Voice for help, give feedback and teach Bixby new phrases or responses. Check out the site for more details.

U Mobile has extended their partnership with Ericsson to 2022, enhancing their Business Support System. The solution will provide management of real-time promotions, notifications, real-time cost control, subscriber personalization and flexible mobile wallets, hinting at what U Mobile subscribers may be getting soon in the future.


NewsBytes #9 - Maxis HuatAR, Samsung Grab MoU, Celcom OlaBola and more

After the previous money packets that could be grown or showed holograms, Maxis continues to innovate with a Maxis Huat AR angpow packet for this Chinese New Year which with the Maxis app lets you see, feed and dance with an Augmented Reality or AR Chinese Lion. You can get them by making a purchase at any Maxis Centre or from Maxis Exclusive Partners (MEPs).

Samsung Electronics and Grab recently signed an MoU or Memorandum of Understanding to drive digital inclusion. While this could mean more in the future, for now, Grab users, drivers and business partners will be able to access Samsung’s enterprise mobile security solution, Knox and Samsung will support micro-financing for new devices for Grab drivers across Southeast Asia. Samsung devices will also be featured at GrabKiosks and GrabBooths as well as used as infotainment within Grab vehicles. Check out the Samsung pressroom for more details.

Celcom Axiata and Enfiniti recently collaborated to deliver OlaBola The Musical. It showcased technology such as 3D Projection mapping, 360 degree surround sound and lighting technology. The musical will be staged at Istana Budaya from 8 February 2018 till 11 March 2018 with tickets priced from RM50 to RM350 while Celcom customers can get a 20% discount on the first 500 tickets. Check out the site for more details.

iflix and Football Malaysia LLP recently announced that you can now live stream every Liga Super, Piala Malaysia and marquee Piala Fa matches exclusively on the all new ‘Football Malaysia on iflix’ channel. All new feature content is free.

Lenovo recently announced that Malaysia won the the second runner-up spot at the Lenovo Legion of Champion Series II finals in Bangkok. The winning team received a cash prize of 50000 THB (~RM6183).


Next AMD event date announced with next gen Zen 4, Ryzen 7000 series & more

This is it, AMD just announced its next event and we should be seeing new AMD Zen 4 architecture and Ryzen 7000 processors hardware soon. There's going to be a livestream event at 7 PM ET on 29 August, which is 7 AM on 30 August 2022 in Malaysia's timezone.

Under the theme "together we advance_PCs", the livestream will be hosted by none other than Chairwoman and CEO Dr Lisa Su, CTO Mark Papermaster, and other AMD executives. From AMD's official news portal, the company will not only showcase the Zen 4 and Ryzen 7000 series but as well as the new AM5 platform, DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

According to sources, the Ryzen 7000 series is built on a 5nm process and is the first desktop to clock past 5GHz. It is also said that the Ryzen 7000 series would be for both gaming and ultra-compact laptops next year. Also, it should be compatible with desktops as well since the Ryzen 5000 series.

If you want to watch the livestream, you can visit AMD's YouTube channel right over here and wait for the day. Stay tuned for more trending tech news and our official news coverage only at TechNave.com.


Next ASUS ZenFone model spotted on GFX benchmark database with a MediaTek processor

Thanks to the GFX Benchmark database, we have some details about an upcoming ASUS ZenFone model. The device with the model number ASUS X002 was recently found in the database with a MediaTek processor. This marks a shift from the usual Intel processors found inside all the ZenFone models to date namely the ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6. Tech specs include a 64-bit quad-core Mediatek MT6732 processor along with Mali-T670 GPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage which is expandable up to 32GB and a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. An 8MP rear camera at the back seems to confirm that it is a ZenFone 5 variant but this one also comes with a 5MP front camera marking it possibly as a selfie camera (other ZenFones pack in a 2MP front camera). It also supports a single SIM card slot and 4G LTE connectivity. It is expected in CES 2015 next year with a Malaysia release a few months later, sometime around April. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but we expect a drop in price considering the MediaTek processor.


Next Apple TV and HomePod could have extra features like FaceTime

Plenty of room for a camera, to be honest

If you recall, there was a rumour claiming that Apple is developing new HomePods. The new models are expected to feature a screen and a camera. Well, we may just have an idea what these would be used for in the latest tvOS update.

According to Wccftech, the latest beta for tvOS 14.5 contained references to FaceTime and iMessage. For those who are unaware, Apple is actually using tvOS as the base for the HomePod's software UI. This means that the new features in tvOS could affect not just the Apple TV but also the HomePod.

Back to the topic, the two features are being referenced coding for image capturing. This suggests that Apple could be working on getting image recognition to work with Apple TV and HomePod. In other words, the alleged camera on the HomePod-in-development could indeed be meant for FaceTime.

Obviously, this alone wouldn't help Apple gain more fans for the HomePod. Siri would definitely have to improve first, but what other features do you think could make the HomePod great? Share your thoughts in the comments below and for more news like this, stay tuned to TechNave.


Next Apple TV to pack major performance upgrade to better support Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is already available on Apple TV

Recently, Apple TV 4K finally got an update that lets it play YouTube videos in 4K. In that article, we wondered if Apple could make it so that it could do so in 60 fps and with HDR. Well, looks like the next Apple TV would have more than enough juice to deal with such high settings and also play higher-end games.

According to @choco_bit (via TechRadar), the upcoming new Apple TV models will come with the A12Z Bionic chipset that this year's iPad Pro has. There could also be a model that comes with the variant of the A14 Bionic chipset that will be used for the new iPad Air. The reason for this big upgrade is so that Apple can better support flagship games on its Apple Arcade platform.

Apple Arcade is getting BIG money poured into it. There are currently titles in the works that are aiming to rival the likes of Breath of the Wild, which is why new A12X/Z AppleTV, "A14X-like" AppleTV, and Controller are in the works.Some games will require A13 and up to run

It's rumoured that games aiming to "rival Breath of the Wild" will be added to the platform in the future. To run these games, newer devices will need to have chipsets like the ones mentioned above to handle them. It should be noted that Nintendo games aren't really that hardware intensive, considering that they run on 720p at most. But it won't be surprising if the current Apple TV isn't equipped to handle such games.

Mind you, the above is an unconfirmed rumour, so do take it with a grain of salt. But having said that, if the Apple TV is capable of playing such games, would you sign up for Apple Arcade? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for further updates.


Next Apple iPad Pro could launch in March 2021

Back in September, it was rumoured that the next iPad Pro would come with a mini LED screen. Now, it looks like the launch window for this iPad Pro has been decided. Apple could unveil its next flagship tablet in March 2021.

That's not the first time we've heard about mini LED screens, but the new iPad Pro could be the first Apple product to feature this panel. According to CNBeta (in Chinese), there could also be a new 16-inch MacBook Pro and 27-inch iMac computer next year that comes with a mini LED screen. It was reported that Apple has already begun to manufacture mini LED components, but production has been affected due to yield issues, meaning there could be a defect in the production process.

As the term suggests, mini LEDs panels use a panel full of tiny 0.2mm diodes for the lighting. Due to the smaller size, mini LED panels are capable of superior local dimming, so you avoid black scenes looking washed out. Generally, you can expect mini LED panels to deliver blacks and contrast on the level of an OLED panel, but at a lower manufacturing cost.

It seems like most sources believe that the next iPad Pro will indeed come with a mini LED screen, so that's something to look forward to. What do you think, would an improved display be a good incentive for you? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates on this.


Next HONOR flagship phone could come with Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset

Looks like a post by Digital Chat Station on weibo hinted that HONOR’s upcoming flagship smartphone could come equipped with the unreleased Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset. Similar to the previous Snapdragon Plus variants, the chipset is expected to have higher performance compared to the base non-Plus variant.

Unfortunately, there is no other information in regards to the smartphone that’s coming with the Snapdragon 888 Plus, exact release date, and local pricing. Not only that, but do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that HONOR has yet to provide an official statement on the leaks.

With that all being said, what are your thoughts on HONOR releasing a Snapdragon 888 equipped smartphone? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next HTC flagship smartphone confirmed for 25 March 2014

It seems to be a trend that big brands are confirming rumours as HTC has officially confirmed that their next flagship device will be revealed on 25 March 2014. So far, all indications point towards the HTC M8, or more commonly known as the HTC One 2 or One+. HTC have yet to come up with a name, but tech specs are estimated to include a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, dual rear cameras with two tone LED flash and a 5-inch full HD display. No news yet on Malaysia pricing or release dates but with the reveal date set to 25 March 2014 it shouldn't take too long to wait.


Next Samsung Galaxy Fold may use an Ultra-Thin Glass display

We've been getting a lot of news of the alleged Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 lately and it certainly indicates that it's coming sooner than later. The next piece of news we got says that the device could be using a new type of glass for its display called Ultra-Thin Glass.

According to GSMArena, a new patent submitted to the EUIPO (European Intellectual Property Office) confirms the existence of the Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG). This new display is supposed to be a type of thin glass that's flexible, which is why it could be used for the display of the upcoming Galaxy Fold 2. It's also expected to be a more scratch-resistant material compared to the flexible plastic used for the first generation Galaxy Fold.

Not much else is known at the moment, though we can assume that this type of glass will be expensive to manufacture. Having said that, would you consider the Galaxy Fold 2 should it launch here in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook page and for more news like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


ASUS announces Transformer Book V, 3-in-1 tablet-phone-notebook with Android 4.4 and Windows 8.1

Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman presenting the new ASUS Transformer Book V at Computex 2014

ASUS recently announced their new Transformer Book V, which at first seems like a normal tablet + keyboard convertible, but upon a closer at the back, also comes with a 5-inch smartphone. The device works in all modes, either as a notebook computer, tablet or smartphone. While the smartphone does dock into the back of the tablet, both devices are separate. In notebook computer mode, the system offers an Intel Core processor and 1TB of storage to complement the 12.5-inch display. While each device can be stand-alone, they can be synced to share data, allowing you to pick and choose the form factor you want for the device you need.

In tablet mode, the 12.5-inch display detaches and offers 128GB worth of storage. You can switch between Windows 8.1 or Android 4.4 with the phone attached. However, when you take off the smartphone, the smartphone is a purely Android 4.4 device with tech specs that include a 5-inch display, quad-core Intel Atom processor and 4G LTE connectivity. In essence, you have three separate systems with the Transformer Book V and while other features still have not been revealed, it looks to be a very premiumly priced product. No news on Malaysia release dates either, but stay tuned and we'll find out.


Next Samsung Galaxy Note series device to be launched in 2022 instead?

It seems that there was a report by daily.co.kr which hints that Samsung might not be releasing a Galaxy Note series smartphone this year. Instead, there were hints that the series will be unveiled in the year 2022 due to shortages in chips which not only affected Samsung but also other industries as well.

While there is no exact release date for the smartphone in question, Samsung’s CEO did mention that they’re looking at a H2 2022 release. Also, there’s no news in terms of the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now.

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


Next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked to be held on 11 August 2021, 4 devices to be revealed

Back in May, it was rumoured that Samsung would be hosting its next Unpacked event in August 2021. Later on, a well-known leaker claimed that the exact date would be 3 August 2021. Well, now we're getting a different date from another source.

According to @Frontron, the next Samsung Unpacked will be held on 11 August 2021. The virtual event will be streamed at 10:00 AM EST (10:00 PM MYT) when Samsung will allegedly unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Buds 2, and Galaxy Watch 4. Tech specs and features of these devices have been leaked in recent weeks, so it won't be surprising if Samsung launches all four of them together.

Galaxy UNPACKED 2021 August 11, 2021 10am EST Live on https://t.co/gKMSfQVZiQ pic.twitter.com/Dpwo4bBvAg

Mind you, Samsung has not confirmed if the details above are true. While the source is quite well-known, the uploaded teaser seems too simple to be an official one. For all we know, one of the products in that list could be launched along with the Galaxy S21 FE instead, which is allegedly scheduled to launch in October 2021.

Anyway, it's best to take the news with a grain of salt. With that said, which device is the one you're most excited to see launched? Let us know in the comments below, and please stay tuned to TechNave for confirmation on the launch date.


Next Samsung wireless earbuds could be named Galaxy Buds Beyond

When Samsung first launched the Galaxy Buds, it was natural for many to think that the company will stick with numbers to differentiate future models. However, Samsung has decided to go with unique names for each model and the name for the next one may have been decided.

According to 9to5Google, Samsung's next wireless earbuds could be given the name "Galaxy Buds Beyond". The company has filed for the name to be trademarked at the USPTO. If we go solely by name, this could be the next flagship-class wireless earbuds for Samsung. In that case, we can expect this to be launched along with the Galaxy S21 series.

There's not much we can tell you at the moment, but just keep in mind that the name is probably accurate. With that said, what would you like to see from Samsung's next wireless earbuds in terms of features? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Next WhatsApp update will let you post video or picture status updates

WhatsApp recently revealed that the next update for the chat messaging app could allow you to put up a video or photo status instead of the usual available or busy text-only status. These images or videos are still encrypted and visible to your contacts only and is in conjunction with 24 February 2017, which is WhatsApp's 8th birthday. As of the time of writing, our own WhatsApp is still the text-only version but the update is still rolling out, so keep calm and get ready to post your next gym photo as your WhatsApp status.


Next-gen HONOR MagicBook could sport a new design that features thinner bezels

Other than smartphones, let's not forget that HONOR has a laptop business under it as well. After being sold to a new company, we also wonder how the laptop line will be treated in the future. Today, we have spotted a leak claiming that the next HONOR MagicBook might be getting a makeover.

According to a Weibo user, the laptop might be redesigned to feature a display that is surrounded by thin bezels. The bottom bezel of the display is going to be slightly larger to house the brand's logo. For the camera, it has been moved to the top center of the keyboard. We take a wild guess that it could be a pop-up camera. Lastly, the power button is to be located on the top right corner of the keyboard panel.

Other than the leaked sketch, not much information regarding the laptop's features or tech specs has been revealed at the moment. However, earlier rumours claimed that the laptop could opt for AMD's upcoming Ryzen 5000 series chips for performance. It is also likely that the laptop will arrive in a different version that comes with Intel processors, just like how the brand always does.

Let us know what you think about the new HONOR MagicBook design on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more interesting tech news.


Next-gen Micro LED Displays introduced at the Samsung Display Tech Summit 2022

Recently, Samsung Electronics just launched two new series of The Wall – Samsung’s cutting-edge Micro LED displays – in the Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region at the inaugural Samsung Display Tech Summit 2022. It was held in Bangkok, Thailand where the Summit hosted 230 enterprise customers, tech enthusiasts and pro-audio-visual partners.

Launched in the SEAO region at the Summit, The Wall All-in-One, also called the IAB Series, brings the ease of Micro LED installation to the next level. The IAB Series requires only two hours for two people to install as it comes with a pre-adjusted seam and pre-assembled frame kit, which includes an embedded media play S-box. The Wall All-in-One has a display thinness of just 49mm and is available in three models: 4K 146-inch, 2K 146-inch and 2K 110-inch.

Also unveiled at the Summit is The Wall IWB Series, which is available in 0.63 and 0.94-pixel pitches. At 0.63 pixel pitch, this model is the slimmest ever pixel pitch in The Wall lineup, delivering Samsung’s most detailed picture and dynamic range expansion with the screen’s 120Hz frame rate, HDR10/10+ and LED HDR. The Wall IWB Series also provides a variety of screen sizes, accommodating 4K movies for 110-inch and up to incredible 8K quality for 220-inch.

To sum up, all models in The Wall lineup feature:

On top of that, there are also new 2022 models of The Wall that are:

For more information on Samsung’s display solutions, you can check out https://displaysolutions.samsung.com.


Next-gen Qi2 wireless charging standard incorporates Apple's MagSafe technology, to debut later this year

Apple introduced MagSafe wireless charging with the release of the iPhone 12 series which utilises magnets to keep the charging puck in place. Now, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) is set to adopt the same functionality as it has announced that the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard will be built on MagSafe charging technology supplied by Apple.

In a statement today, WPC said that Qi2 will incorporate a Magnetic Power Profile, meaning that devices that adopt Qi2 in the future will use the same magnetic technology that is available in MagSafe devices. It further asserted that Qi2's Magnetic Power Profile will ensure that phones and other battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with chargers for improved energy efficiency and charging.

Furthermore, the consortium stressed that faster charging will be available for some devices and that Qi2 will lead to "significant future increases in wireless charging speeds". The new standard would also allow for new accessories that can't be charged using existing flat surface-to-flat surface devices. Qi2 standard will debut in late 2023 and will replace the existing Qi standard.

So, what do you guys think of the new Qi2 standard? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Next gen Samsung Galaxy S smartphone could be called the Galaxy S21

Based on a statement by techradar.com, it seems that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S smartphone could be called the Samsung Galaxy S21 instead. While not much is known in regards to the smartphone, @UniverseIce on Twitter did mention that the upcoming device could be called “Project U”.

Other than that, the Twitter user also mentioned that the aforementioned smartphone will come equipped with a newer generation 108MP image sensor. However, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Galaxy S21 Ultra，Still 108MP, the sensor is the successor to HM1

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now. What are your thoughts on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S smartphone to be called the Samsung Galaxy S21? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next-gen consoles may not be as expensive as some would expect, but prices for games could go up

Now that Sony has unveiled the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Microsoft the Xbox Series X, many have started to speculate on the price of the next-gen console. For example, it's believed that the PS5 will be priced at 499 Euros (~RM2406) or 399 Euros (~RM1924) for the variant without a Blu-ray drive. While people may be relieved that it's may not be priced higher, but some experts believe that prices of games could increase instead.

According to Gamesindustry.biz, game publishers may look to increase the price of games for both the Sony PS5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X. For example, 2K Games is looking to price the PS5 version of NBA 2K21 at USD 70 (~RM300), as compared to the USD 60 (~RM257) for the PS4 version. IDG Consulting's CEO Yoshio Osaki said that cost for developing next-gen console games have increased by 200 to 300%, so that could be why publishers would increase the cost.

The good news is that not all publishers will be going for a price hike, but Osaki said that consumers should be prepared for AAA games to command that kind of pricing. Allegedly, IDG Consulting has been checking in on game publishers and most are considering whether to impose an increase in pricing specifically for games published on next-gen consoles.

This isn't good news for those who are planning to upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but if you're sticking to current-gen you probably won't be affected. Having said that, what do you think about this news? Do publishers deserve getting paid more for AAA games? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Next gen vivo APEX to come with 248MP camera and SD875?

Based on a statement by toutiao.com, there is a possibility that vivo's APEX concept smartphone could come with up to a 248MP image sensor, up to 712GB internal storage and more. Furthermore, it seems the source has also mentioned that it might come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 875 which has not been released yet.

However, judging by the current market trend, the chipset and the upcoming vivo APEX smartphone could be unveiled next year. Other than that, the aforementioned smartphone could come with a whopping 7000mAh battery which supports the latest fast charging technology from vivo.

With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Vivo has yet to provide an official statement regarding the leaked info. Not only that, but there's no news on the Malaysia release date, full tech specs and local pricing for now.

Would you be interested in getting a smartphone which has a 248MP camera? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


ASUS announces Windows Mixed Reality Headset, ZenBook Flip 14, Flip 15 and Flip S with VivoBook Flip 14

For IFA 2017, ASUS have officially announced their standalone ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset featuring 3K resolution, 2 built-in cameras for position tracking and premium cushioned materials for €450 (~RM2286). ASUS also announced several notebook computers including the ASUS ZenBook Flip 14, ZenBook Flip 15, ZenBook Flip S and VivoBook Flip 14.

The Flip 14 and Flip 15 offer a 360 degree flippable screen as 2-in-1 laptops with 14-inch and 15.6-inch touchscreens and 8th generation Intel Core i7 processors. The Flip 15 stands apart with a 4K/FHD resolution display, Stylus support and an NVIDA GTX 1050 graphics card.

The Flip S maintains that 360 degree flippable display but ups the ante as the "world's thinnest" weighing in at 1.1kg with a 4K display touchscreen and stylus support along with an Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB SSD hard disk drive.

Last but not least is the ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 which is a thin and light 360 degree flipable notebook with a 14-inch FHD display but goes down to a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor. It makes up for it with a €400 (~RM2032) price tag. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet but maybe they'll probably come sometime in September 2017 or after.


Next iPad Pro could come have mini LED display

Brands have been looking into mini LED displays for the last few months, but we haven't been seeing a lot of them. Aside from the MSI Creator 17 that was launched last month, we don't have many examples to go on. However, sources claim that Apple is looking to accelerate the adoption of mini LED panels and may have a product with it sooner than later.

According to GSMArena, the well-known analyst Kuo Ming-Chi said that there will be six upcoming Apple products with mini LED panels and the first would be a new iPad. Specifically, it's going to be a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple's products are expected to get the upgrade to mini LED faster now, thanks to Sanan Optoelectronics signing up as a new mini LED supplier. Of course, the company will retain Epistar as its main supplier for mini LED panels.

In terms of tech specs, the new iPad Pro should also feature the new A14X Bionic chipset found in the new iPad Air and 8th-Gen iPad. As for the launch timing, it should launch within the first quarter of 2021 like the one launched this year. Mind you, that's just our speculation so do take it with a grain of salt.

With that said, what else do you hope to see improved in the next iPad Pro? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Next iPad Pro to feature A14X Bionic chipset and 5G support

Back in November 2020, it was rumoured that Apple's next iPad Pro could launch in March 2021. We've heard quite a bit about this device in recent months, like the possibility of it having a mini LED screen. Now, there are some rumours about the specs of the device too.

According to sources (via Wccftech), the upcoming iPad Pro will feature the 5nm Apple A14X Bionic chipset manufactured by TSMC. Some say that this is just the same Apple M1 chip used on the new Mac PCs. But it supposedly delivered around 26% performance increase over the A12Z Bionic used for last year's iPad Pro. It even outperformed an Intel Core i9 CPU, which is highly impressive.

The new model is also expected to come with support for 5G. Specifically, it will support both sub-6GHz and mmWave networks. Besides that, the tablet is expected to have 6GB of RAM, as well as a 12.9-inch display and thinner bezels. It's said that it might come with a LiDAR sensor too.

If you're on the hunt for a new high-performance tablet, you might want to wait for this. Having said that, do you think a powerful tablet is better than an average laptop? Let us know what you think in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for future updates about it.


Next major Windows 10 update to introduce new Start menu

Like it or hate it, Microsoft will continue to throw us Windows updates when we least want it. But today we're here to give you some early warning. Microsoft is starting to roll out the latest Windows 10 update and it's going to come with a few new features. Look out for it or your PC might restart when you don't expect it to!

According to the Microsoft blog post, the Windows 10 October 2020 update will come with a new look for the Start menu. In terms of the design, it's going to look more streamlined, the tiles will look more even, and it will support background transparency. You can also add colour accents to the Start menu, taskbar, and action center through the Windows settings.

The new update will also introduce a few features. For instance, you will be able to tweak the refresh rate for your monitor directly from the Windows settings, rather than your GPU's software. Moreover, notifications in the action center will now include the logos for the apps it comes from, so you can quickly see where it comes from. Microsoft Edge will have more integrations with the OS as well, allowing you to do things like pinning your favourite website to the taskbar.

If you want to know what else is new, do check out the blog post linked above. With that said, what are your thoughts on the new update? Is there anything that sticks out to you? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Next update for Google Lens will add new features like text-to-speech

Some Google apps are updated often, while others get new features once in a blue moon. Google Lens falls into the latter category, but the new features it's getting are handy for sure. The company yesterday announced three new features for the app and should already be available in a few regions.

First up is the ability to transfer scanned text from your phone to your computer. You can now scan written text with Google Lens, then press the "Copy to computer" button to do just that. This lets you transfer the selected text to a PC with a Chrome browser that is synced to your Google account. The function could be useful for scanning your handwritten notes or even materials like brochures.

Next up is a form of text-to-speech function. With the "Listen" button, Google Lens will now let you scan text in a language of your choice and enunciate what was written. It's a useful feature for those who may be learning a new language, as you can practice along when the app is reading the text out loud.

Lastly, Google Lens now has a feature that allows you to quickly search for words in scanned text. When you highlight words or terms in scanned text now, the relevant Google search results will pop-up. This seems useful if you want to quickly search for words or terms you don't understand.

Google announced that the in-line search and Copy to computer feature are already available, while the Listen feature is coming soon. But the Google Lens update either isn't available for our region or has been delayed. With that said, would you find these features useful? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Next year's ASUS ROG Phone 4 might come equipped with SD888 and Android 11

Based on a statement by mysmartprice.com, it seems that next year’s ASUS ROG Phone 4 might come equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset, as well as the Android 11 operating system. Other than what was mentioned, there is no information in regards to the exact tech specs, pricing, as well as release date for now.

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

What are your thoughts on the ASUS ROG Phone 4 potentially coming equipped with the Snapdragon 888 chipset? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's Apple iPhone SE 3 could come equipped with 5G support and Bionic A14 chipset

Based on a statement by Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it seems that the next year’s Apple iPhone SE 3 will most likely with an upgraded chipset, as well as 5G support. While not much is known in regards to the Malaysia release date, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is officially available in the local market.

Other than what was mentioned, the analyst also hinted that it might come with a 4.7-inch display which is quite small by today’s standards, as well as a display notch that houses the front-facing selfie camera. With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Apple has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now. Would you be interested in getting the iPhone SE 3 as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's HONOR smartphone might come equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset

Based on a statement by Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon, it seems the Qualcomm is currently working closely with HONOR most likely to release a new smartphone that’s equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset. Unfortunately, we will not be seeing the new smartphone from HONOR very soon as a previous report suggests that the upcoming HONOR smartphone, which is most likely the HONOR V40 series, will be unveiled somewhere around January 2021.

But that’s not all, our source mentioned that the V40 series might come with the Dimensity 1000+ instead of the Snapdragon 888 5G chipsets likely due to time constraints. However, you might want to take that info with a grain of salt, as HONOR, as well as Qualcomm, has yet to provide an official statement on the leaked info.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on HONOR potentially releasing a smartphone that’s equipped with the Snapdragon 888 5G chipset? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's Samsung Galaxy S21 might be much cheaper than Galaxy S20

Based on a statement by yeux1122 on the user’s blog, it seems that next year’s Samsung Galaxy S21 series could be much cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S20 series launched this year. While not much is known in regards to the Malaysia release date, we do know that it will most likely be unveiled worldwide somewhere around Q1 2021.

To go into more detail regarding the price, it seems that the Samsung Galaxy S21 will most likely start from the price of USD850 (~RM3464) while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra is priced from USD1050 (~RM4280) and USD1250 (~RM5095) respectively. However, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the exact tech specs, local release date, and pricing of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series for now. Would you be interested in getting the smartphone in question as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's iPad 9 could be priced much lower than the iPad 8

Based on a statement by @000leaker on Twitter, it seems that Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that next year’s Apple iPad 9 series could be priced much cheaper compared to the iPad 8. While not much is known in regards to the release date of the iPad 9 series, our source did state that it will most likely be unveiled somewhere around September to October of 2021.

In terms of the tech specs, speculations claim that it will most likely come equipped with an A13 Bionic chipset, 10.2-inch IPS LCD screen, and more. Other than that, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Apple has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Kuo expects a new low-priced iPad to launch in the second half of 2021 — presumably the ninth-generation iPad. & iPad Mini 6Launch: Sept/OctiPad 9th gen- 2 prototypes1: Air 32: Mix of Air 3&Air 4iPad Mini 6th genPrototype- iPad Air 4 MiniPrices: @AppleLeaksNew

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now. Would you be interested in getting the iPad 9 series as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's iPad series and MacBook Pro could come equipped with OLED displays

Based on a statement by DigiTimes, it seems that next year’s iPad, iPad Pro, as well as the MacBook Pro, could come equipped with a 10.9-inch, 12.9-inch, and 16-inch OLED display respectively. While not much is known in regards to the Malaysia release date, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is available in the local market.

However, not all variants of the Apple products mentioned above will come with an OLED display because previous reports did mention that the upcoming MacBooks could come with a Mini-LED display instead. Do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Apple has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs regarding all the Apple products mentioned above. What are your thoughts on future Apple iPad and MacBooks coming with an OLED display? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


ASUS announces ZenFone Go TV – first ASUS smartphone with built-in TV tuner

Standing out in the crowd is not easy. Having a unique selling point is important to make your product rise above the rest – especially in the crowded Android-powered smartphone market. Well, ASUS just launched a new smartphone in Taiwan that has that special sauce. It is called the ASUS ZenFone Go TV – and yes, you can watch TV on it.

The ZenFone Go TV is not the first Android smartphone with a TV tuner built into it – this type of device is famous especially in East Asia, Korea, and Japan where digital terrestrial TV broadcast is the norm, and people watch TV on the go. However this is the first model we have seen so far that comes without a built-in telescopic antenna, and is priced the cheapest among its peers.

It can receive DB-T, DB-T2, ISDB-T, and ISDB-Tmm TV signal, thanks to the Sony SMT-EW100 40716 tuner chip inside. It also comes with a 5.5-inch LCD screen (in 1080p resolution) covered in Gorilla Glass 3, a Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB/32GB of expandable storage, dual SIM LTE, 13MP and 5MP cameras, and a 3010 mAh battery.

In Taiwan, it is priced at NT$ 5490, which is about RM 670. Not bad for a TV you can bring along anywhere.


Next year's iPhones could come with 120Hz ProMotion display

Based on a statement by Gizchina, Apple might release an iPhone smartphone that is equipped with 120Hz ProMotion OLED next year. This means that next year’s iPhone will not only be visually smooth but also feel more responsive, due to the higher refresh rate on the display.

The ProMotion technology is not new though, due to the fact that it is already available on the iPad Pro since 2017. With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt as there was no official statement by Apple in regards to the iPhone which is due to be released next year.

Would you be interested in getting am iPhone with 120Hz ProMotion capabilities? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's iPhones will come with up to a 48MP main camera but no iPhone Mini variant

Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently hinted that next year’s iPhones which will most likely be called the iPhone 14 (or 13A, if you’re superstitious), will come equipped with up to a 48MP main camera at the back. Not only that, but it seems that Apple might not manufacture the Mini variant due to poor reception iPhone 12 Mini reception last year.

However, the report did hint that there will definitely be two 6.1-inch variant, as well as two 6.7-inch variants to be unveiled. Other than that, next year’s iPhones will be getting an under-display front-facing selfie camera, essentially eliminating the notch at the top of the display.

With all that being said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Apple has yet to provide an official statement on the leak. Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs of the iPhones that are coming next year.

What are your thoughts on iPhones eventually coming with 48MP camera sensors? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Next year's redmi smartphone could come with SD888 chipset

Based on a statement by a user on weibo, it seems that next year’s upcoming Redmi smartphone could come equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. While not much is known in regards to the exact nature of the smartphone, it does give us a better idea on what to expect when it is officially available in the global market.

But that’s not all, there seems to be a hands-on picture of the smartphone showing that it will come equipped with a single front-facing selfie camera at the front while the back comes with a quad-camera setup. With all that said, do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Xiaomi has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs of the smartphone in question for now. Would you be interested in getting the upcoming Redmi smartphone as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Nexus 6 hits SIRIM database, coming to Malaysia soon

It's been a while since Google announced its brand new Nexus 6 phablet. Now, a recent entry from SIRIM database indicates that the most powerful Nexus is coming to Malaysia soon. The latest model upgrades every single feature found on its predecessor, the Nexus 5. In fact, the phone boosts the display size directly from 5-inches to 6-inches! Other tech specs of the phone are also high-end. The Nexus 6 comes with the latest 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor with 3GB RAM. For storage, there are two versions, 32GB and 64GB. The memory isn't expandable since it lacks a MicroSD expansion slot. Up front, the device features a large 5.96-inch Quad HD 2K pixel AMOLED display. At the back, there is a 13MP camera with OIS and ring flash illumination and at the front; there is a modest 2MP shooter. A large 3220 mAh battery powers the device which the company claims can provide up to 6 hours of run-time with just 15 minutes of charge. Other tech specs include stereo speakers and 4G LTE network support (1800MHz and 2600MHz bands). The device will most likely be sold by Brightstar in the country. As of now, there are no details on the Nexus 6 Malaysia release dates or pricing, but stay tuned for more updates.


Niantic and Hasbro collaborating to make Transformers AR game

Can't get enough of Pokemon Go? Maybe another augmented reality (AR) game is just what you need. After Pokemon Go and Harry Potter Wizards Unite, Niantic is ready to dip its leg into another big franchise. This time, it's going to be a Transformers game.

According to TechCrunch, Niantic is collaborating with Hasbro, TOMY, and Very Very Spaceship to develop a new AR game based on Transformers. The game is called Transformers: Heavy Metal, where players are members of the "Guardian Network" and must work with Autobots to fight against the Decepticons. Pretty classic plotline there.

There isn't much info on it for now, but the game is being built on the same engine that powers Pokemon Go and Harry Potter Wizards Unite. In that case, we can expect a lot of core gameplay in Transformers: Heavy Metal to be similar to those two games. A beta version of the game will be made available in selected countries soon, with the global release scheduled for later this year.

While not as popular as games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, there are plenty of Pokemon Go fans in Malaysia. Since it's such a big franchise, a Transformers AR game could do well too. But what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Niantic is making it more convenient to play their games at home

Although games like Pokemon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite were designed for people to get out and exercise, this isn't possible when we're all told to stay at home. Niantic had to rethink how its games can work if you're not able to walk long distances and to actual locations. With that line of thought, the company will implement some new measures for those stuck at home.

Niantic has announced ways that players can continue to play its titles even while indoors, at least in the weeks to come. For example, Adventure Sync will track your steps indoors as well, so you can use your treadmill to get some exercise and still make progress in the game. You'll also be able to do Raid Battles in Pokemon Go with your friends, despite not being able to meet up.

Additionally, Niantic will look into reworking how live events like Pokemon Go Fest would work. The developer has promised that there will be a new way for players to enjoy such events but didn't go into the details about it. We do know that Pokemon Go has been getting cheap bundles for Pokeballs since you can't go out and get them now. This is useful if you don't mind spending a bit of money in the game.

With that said, have your games been able to help keep the stress at bay during this time? Also, have you tried out any of the new changes for Niantic games yet? Let us know what you think of them on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news on tech and games.


Niantic outlines upcoming changes to Pokémon GO

You'd think that location-based AR games would suffer due to the pandemic, but Niantic made key changes to its games to keep them playable during this time. Pokémon GO is one of the games that has continued to thrive because of that, and now players can expect more updates soon.

The next big update for Pokémon GO has been named GO Beyond and it will be coming on 30 November 2020. As the name suggests, the theme for the update is to exceed the current limits in the game. Specifically, Niantic will be raising the level cap from 40 to 50, introducing Seasons to the game, and adding new Pokémon that were only available in Kalos region previously.

For those who haven't reached the current level cap, Niantic will also be making it easier for you to catch up by increasing the XP gain for catching Pokémon, hatching eggs, and more. With Seasons, the game will now rotate through winter, spring, summer, and autumn. What's interesting is that some Pokémon will appear more often in certain seasons. For more details on the upcoming changes, check the official blog post.

With that said, which of the new features or changes are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Niantic shows new AR proof-of-concept with Pokemon Go

If you're a big fan of AR games, this bit of news could be exciting for you. Microsoft recently hosted the Ignite 2021 event, where many companies showed new technologies. One of them was Niantic, which revealed a new tech that can bring AR games to 'life' with Microsoft hardware.

Niantic unveiled a new proof-of-concept at the event, showcasing how devices like the Microsoft Hololens 2 can improve the AR experience. Niantic used Pokemon Go in its demo, where Niantic's CEO John Hanke showed how you can talk and connect to virtual avatars with the Hololens 2, as well as interact with AR games like Pokemon Go.

We’re thrilled to collaborate with @microsoft & @hololens on new experiences that will weave together the digital and physical world. Check out this proof-of-concept demo, built on our planet-scale platform, and the amazing possibilities that could await. https://t.co/ig0bQUIQ8b pic.twitter.com/gGk5djVayC

Furthermore, Niantic announced that it will be partnering with Microsoft. From the description given, it would seem like the goal is to develop new technology to advance AR experiences. While Niantic said that its demo may not be for consumer use, it does offer "an early glimpse into the future".

It'll be interesting to see this type of tech in action, once it's out for general consumers. But what do you think, would you buy a Hololens 2 just to enhance your Pokemon Go experience? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Niantic teases in-house AR glasses, expected to be used for AR games

If you recall, Niantic showed off how you could play AR games in 'real life' using Microsoft hardware. Some would have thought that you'd need something like a HoloLens to play it, but now it's clear that Niantic plans to build its own AR glasses.

Earlier today, Niantic CEO John Hanke uploaded a teaser for a pair of Niantic-branded AR glasses. It's clearly an in-house project, which would mean that the company can better adjust the hardware to match its games. As you may know, Niantic develops AR games, so the AR glasses could be adapted to multiple games.

Exciting to see the progress we’re making to enable new kinds of devices that leverage our platform... pic.twitter.com/yYglk4q89G

The teaser image doesn't show us much, but it seems to come with built-in speakers. You can also vaguely see what could be a small projector over the lens. It's essentially the component that will display the game to the user. However, we'll have to wait for more info from Niantic to know more about its AR glasses.

Honestly, I still think that walking around with half your vision occupied by a virtual game is a bad idea. But what do you think about this? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! Also, stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Niantic temporarily pauses roll out of GO Battle League for Pokemon GO

For long-time fans of Pokemon GO, rejoice, for you will soon be able to battle other players in the game. Niantic first announced that the Go Battle League mode last year and confirmed that we will have it in 2020. The company has begun to slowly release the feature in different regions before it hit a snag.

The Pokemon GO team have announced that the feature will be made available to players based on their player (trainer) level, though the level requirement was not mentioned. Once you reach that level, you will be able to start conducting Pokemon battles against trainers in the preseason of the GO Battle League, with league seasons rotating between the Great League, Ultra League, and Master League. As you can imagine, this will function like a leaderboard and ranking well will earn you rewards.

Trainers, to ensure a smooth feature launch and prevent server issues, we have temporarily paused the rollout of GO Battle League. We will provide updates as soon as we are able.

However, right after the announcement, Niantic decided to pause the feature's rollout. According to the official Twitter post above, the decision was made in order to prevent server issues. From the description, Niantic may have either run into some bugs with the feature or are expecting a large number of returning players, who may cause the servers to overload.

This will certainly disappoint many fans who have been waiting for the feature. Hopefully, Niantic can resolve any issues soon and resume the rollout. With that said, how many of you will be returning to the game or trying it out for the first time just for GO Battle League? Do let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


ASUS announces Zenbo for Taiwan and ROG Join the Republic Grand Final

Those looking forward to the ASUS ZenBo, should be happy to know that the Mandarin edition of the smart home robot manager is available for pre-order in Taiwan starting 1 January 2017. No Malaysia release dates yet, but we expect things to move along shortly.

In related news, ROG will be holding their Grand final for their Join the Republic Community Challenge at the Dreamhack Monster Studios in Stockholm, swedent from 5 to 8 January 2017, featuring 8 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams. We won't be there but for those fans in the area, you could probably drop by and check them out.


Niantic will give Pokemon Go players a new way to do Raid Battles at home and more

Since the Movement Control Order will go on until 28 April (for now), Niantic is figuring out more ways to allow Pokemon Go players to stay at home and play. In this latest update, you will be able to access Raid Battles, receive Field Research bonus without PokeStop, and many more! Read on below on what you can do now in Pokemon Go.

To access into Raid Battles, you will need a Remote Raid Pass and this allows you to join any Raid Battle on your Nearby screen. Do note that only one Remote Raid Pass is for each raid you join, and only a total of 20 trainers can participate the same Raid Battle. Niantic didn't say how many you can carry, but do keep a lookout for that 1 PokéCoin bundle which features Remote Raid Passes at the shop (coming soon).

Moreover, the mechanic of the Raid Battle will be slightly changed. At the start of the battle, all trainers will have the same attack power as the trainers who are at the same raid location in person. Then over time, the trainer who is at the location in person will have a higher attack power than those who are battling remotely. Niantic said this mechanic is not finalized, as they will make adjustments over time.

On the other hand, trainers will be able to receive 1 daily bonus Field Research task at every midnight without having to spin the PokeStop. This will only work if you don't open a Field Research slot, as all 4 filed Field Research slots will deny the bonus task. To add on, your Buddy Pokemon will also bring you Gifts if you're running out of stocks. When you're running low on Gifts, your Buddy Pokemon will go to the nearest PokeStop to get more for you.

There are a bunch of other updates as well such as powering up your Pokemon fast, activating multiple Star Pieces, as well as a new Incense Day: Type Shuffle. You can read it up at the hyperlinks given here. Stay at home, stay safe and stay tuned for more mobile gaming news at TechNave.com.


Night photography outing with the vivo V11

Ah, night photography. This is probably one of the most tedious things to do for both professional and casual photographers, the best way to take one is to go in full manual mode but ain't nobody got time for that! (Actually, there is, but it's complicated). The smallest figure adjustment can sometimes give the best results you want, but it can also mess up the photo shoot and by the time you corrected the setting, the opportunity is gone with the wind.

Thankfully, most smartphone brand manufacturers are working on this to make night photography easier and accessible for everyone. Although it's not perfect as a DSLR, the technology is surely improving and vivo is one of the few brands that is trying to make it work. Our boy, Joshua recently made an impromptu vivo V11 night photography outing with local popular photographer, Gradient Lok (seriously, I'm not making this name up) in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, so below are some of the pictures that Joshua took.

While it's natural to think that it was taken in Pro Mode, those shots were actually taken in Auto Mode with AI Low Light Mode. We've mentioned this before in our review, this new AI Low Light Mode will only come out automatically when the scenery is dark enough. Thanks to the city lights in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the V11 was able to balance out the colour contrast and noise altogether. We would prefer it if the mode was toggleable but oh well, it's good enough and certainly gets a thumbs up from us.

A quick recap of the tech specs, the V11 features a 12MP + 5MP dual rear camera with Dual Pixel technology, a Snapdragon 660 processor, 6GB + 128GB memory capacity, 6.41-inch Super AMOLED display, a 3400mAh battery and more for just RM1699. We also found 11 Hidden Tricks about the vivo V11, which you can read about it.

Stay tuned for more tech articles at TechNave.com.


Nikon 1 AW1 announced as world's first waterproof camera with interchangeable lens

Nikon recently announced the Nikon 1 AW1, the first mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lens that is water proof. On top of that, it also comes with two waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof lense in the form of the Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm and Nikkor AW 10mm f/2.8. Both lens offer much flexibility and more options as the wide angle 10mm lens offers a wider aperture and shallow depth of field in low lighting conditions while the 11-27.5mm lens has a 2.5x zoom range. The AW1 camera itself can be submerged down to 49 feet, is shockproof up to 6.6 feet and freeze proof up to 14 degrees F. Features like the pop-up flash are also water proof and the 14.2MP CMOS sensor works well with the Nikon EXPEED 3A image processing engine to bring better imaging in a super rugged body. Other tech specs and features include ISO ranging from 160 to 6400, full HD 1080p video recording, slow motion video recording at 400fps or 1200 fps, built-in GPS and WU-1B wireless mobile adapter support. The Nikon AW1 is priced at $800 (RM2531) for a single lens kit and $1000 (RM3160) for the double-lens kit. You have a choice of black, silver and white with Malaysia release dates starting in or after October 2013.


Nikon 1 J4 unleashed with 18.4MP and 20fps burst mode

Nikon recently announced their new mirrorless interchangeable camera, the Nikon 1 J4. Featuring some really awesome tech specs and features, this compact sized camera uses the Expeed 4A imaging engine to enable a super fast 20fps burst mode. Other stand-out features and tech specs include an 18.4MP camera sensor and the ability to shoot 1080p video at 60fps or 720p video at 120fps. A 2-inch electrostatic touch screen helps move things along and the Nikon 1 J4 is actually smaller than the previous version at 99.5 x 60 x 28.5mm and weighing in at just 232g. The only downside is that you have to use microSD with it, instead of the usual SD card. So far, no Malaysia pricing or specific Malaysia release dates are available but it is expected to come in May 2014 with a choice of black, orange, silver and white.


Nikon Coolpix P900 has an incredible 83x zoom

Nikon has recently updated its Coolpix lineup with a new superzoom camera called the Nikon Coolpix P900. This particular device features 83x zoom putting almost every other high zoom point and shoot cameras to shame. The 83x zoom on the P900 has a range from 24mm up to 2000mm. It is a pretty impressive feat to incorporate such a high zoom on a compact point and shoot camera. You can even take things a bit further, by going up to 166x zoom with its digital Dynamic Fine Zoom feature. There will be a 16MP CMOS camera onboard which supports continuous shoot up to 7fps. The camera is even good for action shoot as it has a shutter lag time of just 0.12second at wide angle and 0.75 seconds at its maximum telephoto focal length. It's built-in Dual Detect Optical VR stabilization tech reduces blue via shake to a great extent. Other important features of the device include scene mode, filter mode, macro mode, 1080p video recording with stereo audio, zoom microphone etc. The new Nikon Coolpix P900 will be available for sale from April 2015 for a price tag of $600 (RM2178). No Malaysia release dates or pricing details have been revealed for now but we expect it to come soon.


Nikon Coolpix S6600 and Coolpix P7800 officially announced

Nikon recently announced their new Coolpix S6600 and Coolpix P7800 digital cameras. What makes the S6600 so notable is that it is the first Coolpix S-series to get a vari-angle monitor which is also available for the Coolpix P7800. The S6600 is more of a flexible consumer model but offers a Gesture Control function for self portrait shots. Other tech specs for the S6600 include a 16MP backside illumination CMOS image sensor, lens-shift vibration reduction, 12x optical zoom NIKKOR lens featuring 2cm macro and built-in WiFi for easy wireless transmission.

The more professional level P7800 offers full-scale manual shooting functions more commonly found in DSLR cameras along with the aforementioned 3-inch vari-angle TFT LCD screen. Tech specs for the P7800 include a 1/1.7-inch backside illumination CMOS sensor, 7.1x optical zoom NIKKOR lens, automatic 30 to 25fps switching and much more. It also supports external Speedlights, GPS, WiFi, Wireless remote controllers and compact LED Light modules. The Nikon Coolpix S6600 will be available in Black, Red and White and should be available if not now then soon in Malaysia for RM960 but release dates in Malaysia or pricing for the Nikon Coolpix P7800 were not available at the moment.


Nikon D4S officially announced, looks the same but with better tech specs

Nikon has officially announced their flagship Nikon D4S. While it initially made an appearance at CES 2014, at the time it was still in development. However, as we thought at the time, it looks like not much has changed, at least in terms of the design. Keeping the same frame and chassis as the Nikon D4, the Nikon D4S uses a faster EXPEED 4 processor, allowing for 30% shorter processing time, 11fps shots per second in burst mode with autofocus and autoexposure and 1080p video recording at 60 fps. Other notable tech specs and features include an ISO range of 409600 resulting in higher sensitivity for the lower ISO levels and a larger battery.

A new 16.2MP FX-format CMOS sensor and 51-point autofocus system with 15 cross-type sensors round up the features. A new RAW Size S pffers 12-bit uncompressed Nikon NEF files cut down the size of standard RAW files while Gigabit Ethernet lets you transfer these files faster. For playback, the D4S offers 1080p at 60 fps through a HDMI port while recording videos to the internal CF/XQD cards. Like the Apple iPhone 5S, the Nikon D4S is mostly an internal tech spec upgrade with the extra addition of an 'S' to the name. No news on specific Malaysia release dates but the Nikon D4S should be available from 6 March 2014 at $6499.95 (RM21293) for just the body.


Nikon D500 video showing 4K UHD recording

Nikon D500 will soon be released in USA first for $2000 (around RM8728) and a promotion video by Nikon showed up in their YouTube channel, highlighting its 4K UHD sample recording in the mountains.

As the first DSLR (along with the Nikon D5) to fully equip the 4K UHD recording capability at 380 x 2160 at 30p/25p/24p, the D500 also sports a 20.9MP camera which has an “advanced smart device capability” built-in that allows your smartphone and other gadgets to be compatible with the DSLR for convenience. It also has the EXPEED 5 image processor, 153-point AF system, video recording capability of shooting Ultra HD 4K (3840 x 2160), and an insane ISO range reaching 1640000.

For a much better viewing experience, perhaps it's best to set the video at the highest resolution (2160p) for your viewing pleasure. You can visit their website to learn more about it. We will let you photographers know if the camera will come to Malaysia or not, so stay tuned!