ASUS’s Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced a partnership with IKEA to bring more gamer-centric furniture to complete your setup not too long ago. However, the partnership was exclusive to Taiwan and China until today. The ROG x IKEA gaming furniture is now available at IKEA outlets across Malaysia.
The collaboration comes in five new product ranges which IKEA dubs its gaming range: the UPPSPEL, LÅNESPELARE, MATCHSPEL, UTESPELARE and HUVUDSPELARE. The new product families have IKEA’s unique, minimalist approach with insights from ROG’s long relationship with gamers. The UPPSPEL, however, is a true co-developed product with ROG engineers working closely with IKEA product designers.
The new gaming range focuses on bringing ergonomic comfort to gamers while they work to take out their challengers and best their opponents. Gamers can choose from a wide range of furniture which covers a wide range of price ranges. IKEA is offering a choice of three gaming chairs which range from MYR299 to MYR699. While the ROGxIKEA gaming desk, UPPSPEL, will set you back MYR2,499. Each piece of furniture is designed while taking into consideration the unique needs of a gamer. IKEA and ROG have put thought into everything from ergonomics to ventilation for your gaming setup.
The partnership doesn’t simply cover gaming furniture. You’ll also be able to get accessories such as a mouse bungee, headset stand and mug to complete your epic setup. The best part is these items are all priced below MYR80. If you’re not looking to get a completely new set-up, these additions should be more than welcome.
As part of their launch, ROG and IKEA have set up vignettes and showrooms with ROG gaming PCs in IKEA outlets across Malaysia. The gaming rigs in the stores feature some of the best components from ROG paired with Kingston’s performance RAM and storage. The rigs are available for you to experience at IKEA Damansara, Cheras, Terbrau and Batu Kawan.
Foldables – that’s what seems to be driving a new wave that is set to change how our phones look and feel in the near future. Samsung seems to be banking hard on foldable with a shift in their release schedule and strategy. Their once cornerstone Note series has seemingly given way to their new Galaxy Z series while its parts and features make it to other devices.
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is one of the latest devices in the Galaxy Z series and takes a sharp focus on self-expression and style. This is most evident with the announcement of the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. However, unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip3 comes with flagship specifications and features to complement them.
That said, we still have big questions that need to be answered – Is it worth your time and money? Does it belong in your pocket or should you pass and wait for another? Is the Z Flip 3 a worthy successor to the Galaxy Note series?
Design
The focus of the Galaxy Z Flip3 is its style and design – there’s no hiding that. The changes Samsung made from the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G clearly show the direction that the smartphone is taking moving forward. To be very frank, it’s a direction that makes sense for the Z Flip lineup. We’ve all seen and experienced the twin technological flagships, in fact, we see that with most other companies in the mobile industry. The change in focus is a refreshing approach to a smartphone and one that seems to benefit the foldable – benefits we explore later in the review.
The first change you’ll notice on the Z Flip3 is that Samsung has done away with the rounded form factor of the original. It no longer tries to mimic a lady’s compact but instead looks more akin to a Galaxy flagship folded over. Its frame acts as a design accent which makes it look sleek, thin and stylish. It also highlights the design accents of the smartphone’s body.
The Galaxy Z Flip3 also makes one literal big change – the cover display. It changes the small, rather useless display of the original for a larger, more functional 1.9-inch display. This display is expertly blended into a large, black accent which also hides the dual camera setup on the new foldable. We will explore the functionality later in the review.
On the back, Samsung is using the same, but improved hinge we first saw in the Flip. It no longer occupies a prominent band on the back when the phone is unfolded. Instead, the hinge disappears seamlessly into the body of the phone when unfolded. The two halves meet in the middle leaving only a slimline where the hinge once was. The two halves are beautifully finished glass/glasstic with a glossy finish. When held the weight of the metal frame, glass panels and internals gives the Flip3 good weight while still remaining relatively light.
Where the design takes a departure from the run of the mill smartphone is when it’s neatly folded in half. The small, square form factor makes the phone easily pocketable. Samsung works to keep some functionality in the smartphone even in this form. That said, the smartphone seems like it’s only touching the tip of the iceberg when it’s in this form and, to be honest, those who are used to carrying a compact – will welcome the design and form factor.
Hardware
The hardware of the Galaxy Z Flip3 is a welcomed upgrade from the original. Instead of being a very public beta test, the new Flip3 feels well thought out and worthy of being a flagship. In fact, the hardware in the smartphone emphasizes the form over specifications approach that Samsung is taking with the line-up.
When it comes to the user interface, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is your run of the mill One UI interface. It does, however, have a big difference – its length. The foldable is slenderer and longer than your regular Samsung candy bar phones. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Samsung’s One UI has been adapted to the unique form factor as well as the many different modes that the unique fold form factor brings along with it.
The 9:22 aspect ratio is a unique form for Android. What Samsung has done is just scaled the UI to facilitate the added height. Unlike a regular smartphone, the grids that Android uses to align the widgets and icons are slightly elongated and rectangular on the Flip3. This gives One UI a more consistent feel even on the foldable. In fact, it behaves pretty much like a standard Android smartphone in this respect.
Where the UI shines on the Galaxy Z Flip3 is when you use apps that are compatible with the multiple angles the phone can fold. This includes the camera app, YouTube and a handful of other apps which have been developed together with Samsung. However, we expect that to change soon with Google releasing Android 12L. The optimised apps immediately scale or rearrange to maximise productivity. For instance, in the YouTube app, when you place the Flip3 at an angle, the video plays on the top half of the phone while chat and/or comments run in the lower half. Similarly, the camera app will optimise to have the viewfinder on the top half while the trigger is on the bottom.
Samsung has also made the front display a lot more actionable with the addition of widgets made specifically for the front display. At the time of review, there weren’t many third-party widgets for this. However, with widgets like calendar, voice recorder, stopwatch and more, you could get essential functionality literally at the touch of the small screen.
Aside from this, some hallmark features of One UI make it to the Z Flip3 including the sidebar and gesture navigation. The sidebar feels a little bit unnatural and awkward on the Flip3 due to the raised bezel that protects the screen. However, it doesn’t take away from the functionality that it brings such as quick access to apps and app pairs. Gesture navigation allows you to have even more screen real estate. It gives back the space which would otherwise be used to house the navigation buttons. However, since the active area for navigation is slightly larger than the sidebar, it actually felt pretty natural and ergonomic.
Performance
The Z Flip3 has graduated to one of Samsung’s main flagships this year. It comes as no surprise that they chose to go with the Snapdragon 888 5G processor, unlike the more experimental Z Flip. The SoC puts an octa-core processor with a capable GPU at the disposal of the Flip3. We all know by now, that it’s not about the hardware but how optimised it is to extract every ounce of performance. It’s also paired with 8GB of RAM and, in our review unit, 128GB of storage.
Multitasking & Productivity
It comes as no surprise to us that Samsung has vastly optimised the experience. Overall, the foldable is even more powerful than the original Flip. It’s able to handle multitasking better. The one thing that we loved in the original Flip was the ability to get things done – whether it be by disconnecting from the world or with the multitasking features of the smartphone.
The Flip3 continues this legacy by adding more features to the cover screen. The new widgets allow us to get more things done without opening the phone. This includes adding appointments to calendars, replying to messages and even taking pictures if the need arises. However, the more capable processor also allowed us to multitask more efficiently with split-screen multitasking. There was little to no slow down when using apps like Microsoft Excel and Samsung Email in split-screen. Even using Google Keep and Chrome in the same multitasking mode was a breeze.
Call Quality & Connectivity
It should come as no surprise that call quality and connectivity on the Flip3 is good. The smartphone comes with pretty much all the connectivity options you could need including the added futureproofing of 5G. Unfortunately, Malaysia hasn’t rolled out 5G, so we couldn’t really put that to the test.
However, aside from 5G, it comes with Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi 6 (AX) and 4G LTE. The connectivity options were robust enough that there were hardly any instances where we were offline. Bluetooth connectivity was stable on the Galaxy Buds Pro and even on the Sony WF-1000MX4. In fact, it seemed to be more stable and reliable than a few of the other review devices we had in-house and even my personal Galaxy Note10+. I could leave the smartphone in my room and walk a good 10 to 20 meters outside to the hall – mind you this also meant that the signal had to pass through a concrete wall. Even walking to the second floor of my house didn’t have the regular signal degradation. That said, once I was outside about 25 meters, connectivity started becoming spotty and weak.
Over WiFi and 4G, the Flip3 performed admirably. It had no issues when it came to connectivity. In fact, similar to the Bluetooth experience, the foldable seemed to have better connectivity than a few other smartphones. It was able to connect to 4G where other devices dropped to 3G. Even speeds over 4G networks was a little faster on the Flip3. When it came to WiFi, the Flip’s WiFi6 support allowed it to have better, faster connectivity.
Gaming
The only area where I would say the Flip3 has a few issues was with gaming – but it’s not for lack of performance capabilities. The elongated, hinged form factor was the main reason we had issues with the smartphone. The atypical aspect ratio meant that games were ill optimised to the screen. This was exacerbated by touch controls which took up more screen real estate than usual. In addition, the fact that you typically play in landscape made me even more aware of the hinge as there was always a lurking fear that being too engrossed in the game would make me accidentally overstrain the hinge – but that’s something that faded away the more I used the smartphone.
Performance-wise, gaming was a breeze on the Flip3. Games like Genshin Impact had little to no issue running on the phone. In fact, even Pokémon UNITE played smoothly on the smartphone. There weren’t many instances where screen tearing occurring and load times in Pokémon UNITE were quicker than the Switch. Touch controls were responsive and the sound experience from the smartphone was surprisingly good. However, with prolonged gaming sessions, the phone does tend to get a little warm.
The only thing we thought could have made the gaming experience more a little better would have been the optimisation of games to make use of the folded form factor. A few emulators were able to do this but mainstream games haven’t yet cooked up the feature. Hopefully, that changes with Android 12L coming soon.
Battery Life
Samsung has steadily been improving on their battery life when it comes to devices in general. That rings true for the Galaxy Flip3. It is one of the smartphones from Samsung with the longest battery life yet. The main contributor to this would be the fact that during my time with it, I hardly found myself opening the smartphone to use the screen. The cover display was where I was interacting most with the smartphone.
However, even with that, the longest active time I got with the smartphone was about 6 hours; This was with a little bit of word processing, social media and some light reading on Google Chrome. When gaming, this was significantly shorter, coming in at only about 3 to 4 hours; at the absolute maximum, it lasted about 5 hours.
Display
The Flip3 comes with a foldable AMOLED 2X display panel with an FHD+ resolution. As mentioned earlier in the review, the display comes with a rather odd 22:9 aspect ratio. That said, the display continues Samsung’s legacy of having pretty decent displays with good colour reproduction. While the Galaxy Z Flip3 does share the tendency of oversaturating reds, using it in natural settings does dial back the saturation. That said if you want more control over the colour reproduction on the phone the advanced mode under the “Vivid” option allows you to get into the nitty-gritty of the colour calibration. The added HDR10+ compatibility gives the screen a better colour range and accuracy with deeper blacks and more vibrant colours with compatible content.
That aside, the display’s odd aspect ratio does mean that you will have to contend with black bars in most cases. Even with the more cinematic 16:10 aspect ratio, the phone will compensate with two black bars flanking on either side of the content. While it’s not as jarring, it can be disruptive when watching older 4:3 format shows.
The display’s 120Hz refresh rate is noticeable when using the phone for games and scrolling through documents. The high refresh rate also lends itself to a more fluid experience with the phone’s UI overall. By default, the screen is set to an adaptive mode where the screen will dynamically adapt to the content on the screen. Samsung’s implementation of this is one of the better ones in the market. You hardly see the stutter when the refresh rate is increased or decreased as it adapts to content.
Cameras
Unlike its other flagships, Samsung has opted to not equip the Galaxy Z Flip3 with triple or quadruple-camera sensors. Instead, the Flip3 comes with 2 sensors and, in all honesty, you’re not really missing out when it comes to camera performance. The company still manages to make the setup one that’s feature-packed and pretty complete. In fact, it might just disprove the convention that more sensors make a better camera experience.
Up in the front, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is equipped with a 10-megapixel sensor. The sensor makes the most sense for the Flip given that I found myself defaulting to the main sensors. The selfie sensor was only my go-to when it came to video calls. This was mostly because of the convenience the folding allowed me when using it. It allowed the phone itself to become like a tripod and freed up my hands to do other things. That said, the images from the selfie camera were still pretty sharp and detailed.
The main camera setup is an unusual combination of two 12-megapixel sensors – a wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an ultrawide one with an f/2.2 aperture. Samsung didn’t even include its variable aperture technology. However, the combination gave relatively good photos. The colours were bright and popped. It wasn’t too overly saturated either. In fact, it felt a little bit more tuned than the S21 and S21 Ultra.
That aside, the camera combination allowed the Flip to be a little more versatile than other dual-camera smartphones. While the lack of a telephoto meant that there’s no optical zoom, the limited digital zoom allowed for good zoomed-in photos. However, don’t expect the quality to be anything like other smartphones with optical zoom. In fact, pictures beyond 2x or 3x zoom become grainy and unusable. Zoom aside, the phone was still able to adapt with portrait mode and was even able to take close up shots. The versatility proved to be quite useful during our review period, but it still is no replacement for a DSLR.
The main camera paired with the cover screen is also a winning combination. The fact that you’re getting stunning selfies thanks to the main sensors is a win in our books. What’s more, you don’t even need to flip the phone open to use them. However, the size does limit the versatility of the cameras. Although, that’s not really a deal-breaker considering you technically can just flip the phone open to use the cameras fully.
A New way to Think of Flagships – a Trend Setter making way for more possibilities
When it comes down to it, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is an iterative update – a finetuning of a formula that we know Samsung is going to be iterating on. However, the improvements made the phone a lot more useful and utilitarian than its predecessor. In fact, it would be my go-to for a phone if it weren’t for the lack of an S-Pen. Samsung has made the Z Flip3 a contender for phone of the year by focusing on what matters with any smartphone – its user experience.
To date, we haven’t seen any other smartphone which brings the optimisations and thoughtful iteration that the Z Flip3 brings. Each update and upgrade of the design and software was done with purpose and enhances the overall experience of the smartphone. It’s both stunning visually and conveniently utilitarian.
Of course, if Samsung’s focus was simply on style, it’s done quite a bit when it comes down to it. The Z Flip3 is gorgeous. The sleek exterior belies its true capabilities and performance. In fact, it’s impressed us so much we’re giving it an editor’s choice award. The Galaxy Z Flip3 strikes a unique balance between function and form that makes it an undeniable trend setter.
Malaysia’s largest satellite TV provider, Astro, is undergoing a humungous change. It seems like their paradigm on entertainment is changing to be more embracing and forward-thinking. Only recently, the company announced that they will be changing their traditional decoders to the new Ulti Box and the Ultra Box; now Astro is taking a leap forward to turn their set-top box into a living room essential.
Launch event Hosted by Astro
While they are still staying true to linear programming with the hundreds of channels already under their belt, Astro is also embracing partnerships with streaming platforms. We already saw the inklings of this with their partnership with Disney+ Hotstar. With their latest announcement, they are embracing even more platforms and giving one of the largest streaming platforms a home on their set-top box. Netflix will now be natively available on Ultra and Ulti boxes with a new software update. The new update is the first to bring native apps to Astro’s platform. They are teasing the availability of more native apps from their partners like iQIYI and Disney+ in the near future.
New Packs and Bundles with App
However, that is only the tip of the iceberg. Together with their big shift, Astro is also revamping their packages. Users don’t have to deal with the confusing mixing and matching that they once had to with Astro’s Superpacks. Instead, the company has revealed more streamlined packages which also include subscriptions to some of the most popular streaming apps.
At the top of the selections, Astro is introducing a new Platinum Pack which will include most of the linear channels available on Astro and subscriptions to Astro Go, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and HBO GO. The package is priced at MYR219.99. Additional charges apply for Asian Favourites which include Chinese, Indonesian and Indian channels at MYR14.99 for each sub-pack.
Source: Astro
Below this tier, there is the Entertainment Plus Pack which includes 110 channels covering Korean, Kids, Variety, Horror and Astro Go. It also includes access to Netflix. However, like the Platinum Pack, you will need to top up MYR14.99 for the Asian Favourites sub packs on top of the MYR144.99 cost of the Entertainment Plus Pack. In addition, you can add on other channels including your sports and movie channels for an additional fee starting at MYR14.99 monthly. The Entertainment Pack is a step below with 105 channels covering only the Variety and Kids sub packs without access to Netflix. This is priced at MYR104.99.
Astro’s barebones package is now the Primary Pack which comes with some 90 channels and access to Astro Go for MYR74.99 a month. They also have two combos with the movies and sports sub packs which cost MYR109.99 and MYR104.99 respectively.
Beware the Fineprint
It’s worth noting that aside from Disney+ Hotstar and HBO GO which comes bundled with the Movie Pack, complimentary access to Netflix is limited to the basic HD package of the streaming service. This limits your content to HD resolution with only 2 simultaneous connections. Upgrading to the premium package with Astro will be an addition MYR9.43. Access to the TVB Anywhere+ app is also linked to a subscription to the Chinese sub pack and is limited to HD resolution across 2 simultaneous devices. Access to the iQIYI VIP app is also available for Astro subscribers for an additional fee.
Launch Promos
Astro is having launch promos that bring up to MYR25 in discounts for monthly subscriptions.
Source: Astro
A New Satelite-less Experience
Astro wasn’t done with the announcements just yet. It also announced a new plug and play version of the Ultra and Ulti boxes. The new experience removes the need for Astro subscribers to have the now signature satellite dish on their homes. Instead, it will connect to the internet and allow users to have seamless, uninterrupted access to their content – rain or shine.
A big change is coming to YouTube – one that has seemingly broken the internet. The Google owned streaming platform has announced a change that may just change how we interact with videos on the platform. Starting 10 November 2021, the public dislike count will be going away. Yep- it looks like dislike bombing may not be a thing anymore. However, the dislike button is here to stay.
Source: YouTube (Twitter)
YouTube is looking to make the platform a little less toxic and a little more empowering – particularly for new content creators. They highlight that they have realised over the past year that dislikes were essentially being weaponised by bad actors to bully and put down content creators. Swathes of users and bots would target dislike buttons not because of the content being put out; but rather due to the stances that creators take and, in other cases, simply because they don’t like the creator.
👍👎 In response to creator feedback around well-being and targeted dislike campaigns, we're testing a few new designs that don't show the public dislike count. If you're part of this small experiment, you might spot one of these designs in the coming weeks (example below!). pic.twitter.com/aemrIcnrbx
That said, the dislike button isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the number of dislikes isn’t going away either. It simply will not be shown publicly. Creators will still see the metric in their creator studio dashboard and analytics. However, YouTube believes that this will allow them to not feel publicly shamed when a piece of content doesn’t resonate or garners more dislikes than likes. In addition, the dislike button will also help optimise YouTube’s algorithm to surface more of the content that you like.
That said, the company is saying that they are staying true to their mission of giving everyone a voice with the change. They say the change will help empower more small creators and allow a healthy, continued discourse on their platform.
Enhanced data visibility, scalability and transparency empowers PrimeCredit to fulfill its fast-growing business needs while maintaining stringent governance
HONG KONG, Nov. 11, 2021 — PrimeCredit, one of the leading non-bank consumer finance groups in Hong Kong, has selected and deployed SAP Concur Expense and Concur Invoice to accommodate its thriving business needs with digitalized and automated spend management. Leveraging on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the cloud-based SAP Concur solution enables PrimeCredit to customize its expense limit approval matrix for different types of expenses in order to meet its unique and stringent internal compliance needs.
This advanced solution also provides an integrated and comprehensive overview on spend categories, reimbursement and invoice status, delivering real-time data visibility to serve PrimeCredit’s business expansion needs while improving its transparency and credibility. With digitalization, the SAP Concur solution enables PrimeCredit to reroute manpower to valuable tasks, creating a highly productive and efficient workplace.
"In view of an ever-changing market and evolving regulatory environment, financial institutions have a pressing need to harness the power of technology for improving efficiency, optimizing cost and fulfilling their growing business needs. However, digital transformation entails a large degree of change to business processes and operating models, consequently creating immense barriers for financial institutions as they navigate the digitalization journey," said William Ng, Chief Financial Officer of PrimeCredit Limited. "The SAP Concur solution has been a key step in our digitalization strategy. It has helped us optimize our workload, which is instrumental in resource planning. We also have better data visibility and a deeper understanding of our various businesses and financial health for better-informed budgeting decisions."
Powered by AI and machine learning, the SAP Concur solution automatically triggers a specific approval matrix according to different expense types with embedded rules for expense limits. In case of any discrepancy between the input data and the assigned expense limit, the solution will generate alert messages spontaneously to the approvers and reviewers. This enables managers and supporting teams to review expenses more efficiently, as they no longer need to review individual amounts and related data on a recurring basis to search for errors. Given the intricate compliance needs of PrimeCredit, the SAP Concur solution simplifies the overall workflow of the finance team in terms of expense approval and budget prediction by virtue of its streamlined and optimized finance procedures, while demonstrably reducing errors and risk of fraud.
The cloud-based SAP Concur solution also offers data accuracy coupled with real-time visibility of daily expenses and invoices from a centralized system dashboard, allowing PrimeCredit to trace, retrieve and analyze data for expense control, profit and loss management and cash flow projection on a year-on-year trajectory without the need for manual forms. By streamlining the process from input through to review and approval, Concur Expense and Concur Invoice provide better data visibility over daily expenses and invoices and have proved instrumental for the company’s finance team to evaluate expense control strategically and plan for the coming year’s budget.
"Building a prospective and resilient business amid the pandemic is challenging, and technology has become a critical component in how well businesses adapt to emerging needs and stay ahead of the competition. It is encouraging to see how the SAP Concur solution has supported PrimeCredit, a key player in Hong Kong’s non-bank consumer finance groups, to unleash business potential with data and digitalization. At SAP Concur, we are committed to being the credible companion of local enterprises and financial institutions of all sizes, enabling them to thrive amid the pandemic and beyond, and supporting them along their digital transformation journey with our industry-leading automated spend management solutions," said Jeff Lam, General Manager, Greater China, SAP Concur.
About SAP Concur
SAP® Concur® is the world’s leading brand for integrated travel, expense, and invoice management solutions, driven by a relentless pursuit to simplify and automate these everyday processes. The highly-rated SAP Concur mobile app guides employees through business trips, charges are directly populated into expense reports, and invoice approvals are automated. By integrating near real-time data and using AI to analyze transactions, businesses can see what they’re spending, improve compliance, and avoid possible blind spots in the budget. SAP Concur solutions help eliminate yesterday’s tedious tasks, make today’s work easier, and support businesses to run at their best. Learn more at concur.com.hk.
About SAP
SAP’s strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 77% of the world’s transaction revenue touches an SAP system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want – without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people’s lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com/hk.
About PrimeCredit Limited
PrimeCredit, founded in 1977, is the biggest non-bank consumer finance group in Hong Kong. Its 26 branches widely distributed in Hong Kong mainly offer personal loans and credit cards. Rooted in Hong Kong for more than 40 years, its user base is over 300,000.
Money Lender’s Licence No.: 754/2021 Warning: You have to repay your loans. Don’t pay any intermediaries. Complaint Hotline: 2111 2999
Following up on its successful G5 flagship from last year, the smartphone maker pulls back the curtain on an all-new flagship series of smartphones.
DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2021 — This November, NUU will begin a new chapter of providing quality premium smartphones with the launch of the new B-series line up. As company growth accelerates, NUU will further our commitment to the research and design to offer customers a selection of electrifying devices at a simplified price.
The all new B-series of B15 and B10 from NUU.
"The B-series represents a key milestone for the direction we plan to take our latest flagships,” said Danny Sit, CEO of NUU, Inc. "It was very important we offered our customers a polished look and feel as well as premium features." The B-series is unlocked and ready to use with your preferred GSM carrier, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and any associated MVNOs using those networks in the US, so customers can be sure to stay connected with those who mean the most to them. (CDMA Networks like Verizon, Sprint, and Boost Mobile are not compatible.)
Pre-Order Now For Exclusive Deals and Bundles
In the spirit of the holidays, NUU is offering limited-time exclusive discounts of $159.99 for the B15 and $129.99 for the B10, plus a 3-month extension on the warranty, from November 8th to the 17th. All devices come with a protective case to cushion against any accidental drops, a tempered glass protector to shield your screen from unwanted cracks and dust. Additionally, NUU’s partnership with payment gateway Klarna® allows nearly anyone to put a B15 or B10 in their hands for 4 smaller, spread-out payments.
Introducing Next Level Power in the B15
The all-new B15 flagship boasts a gaming-class MediaTek Helio G88 processor and fast 90Hz display refresh rate that combine to deliver a fluid gaming performance. With the expansive and high-resolution 6.78" FHD+ display, it’s an experience that’s positively immersive, not only for gaming, but even running all social media apps, streaming the latest shows, or even working.
Not to be outdone, the B15’s quad-camera system brings a big upgrade in performance over last year’s G5, starting with the ultra-resolution 48 megapixel main camera, capturing every last detail in your photos. It’s followed by an ultrawide-angle 5 megapixel sensor, a macro lens for super-close photography, and a bokeh sensors for portrait-styled photos. On the flipside, the 8 megapixel selfie camera boasts advanced functionality in the form of AI auto-calibration, beautification filters, and a professional photography mode.
Given the substantial performance of the B15, it’s all supported by a massive 5000mAh battery with 18W quick charge capabilities, allowing users to take their day head-on without charging concerns. It’s all secured through a sleek, side-mounted fingerprint reader, on a pure, stock version of the modern Android 11, and is available for just $199.99 (after the $159.99 pre-order promotion).
Expand Your View with the B10
Make way for the new B10, powered by MediaTek’s powerhouse Helio P60 octa-core chipset and triple camera imaging system. The B10 excels at making lag a thing of the past, for editing photos, doing work, playing games, or kicking back with the latest episode of a favorite TV show.
When no detail can be spared, take super-high resolution photos with the B10’s exceptional 48 megapixel rear main camera that allows an incredible amount of zooming into photos. For capturing more detail outside of the shot, there’s the powerful 8 megapixel ultra wide-angle camera, boasting a 127° field of view. If detail is needed close-up on a single object, the macro zoom camera and its 2.2mm focal length can handle that with ease.
Soak in a world beyond imagination with the B10’s deluxe high definition punch hole 6.55" display with an 87% screen to body ratio, making it perfect for browsing the web for the next big adventure without worrying about potential gaps in performance. Trimmed with an elegant sleek bezel as well as a deep ocean blue or white metallic finish, users can be sure to make a statement without saying a word.
With all that’s happening in the B10, it relies on a substantial 4,000mAh battery to provide all-day usage, and for securing one’s privacy, there’s the sleek side-mounted fingerprint sensor, conveniently located on the power key. The B10 is now available at just $149.99 (after the $129.99 pre-order promotion).
To learn more about the NUU B10 & B15, please visit: us.nuumobile.com
NUU is an advanced mobility brand founded in 2010, with the goal of democratizing smartphone technology and empowering consumers. Since our inception, we’ve been steadily growing our capabilities in product development and distribution to produce beautiful, reliable, premium-quality products that offer similar functionality to much more expensive brands. We are headquartered in Dallas, Texas and Hong Kong.
Disclaimer: Android and Google are registered trademarks of Google Inc.
We’ve been hearing and seeing more tech companies making strides to make technology greener and be more environmentally friendly. However, very few have followed through with grassroots efforts and tangible products which help them progress in their goals. At their recent next@acer, Acer announced a new sub-brand that would focus on driving their efforts in becoming a greener company – the Vero. The Acer Vero sub-brand is only one of their efforts in progressing what they call the Earthion (Earth Mission) of bettering the environment and producing technology more responsibly.
Source: Acer
Acer announced its new Aspire Vero in Malaysia today. However, before we talk about the tech, it would be remiss of us to not highlight their efforts in bringing their Earthion closer to fruition in Malaysia. The company has adopted 15 trees in the Taman Tugu – a green lung in the nation’s capital. However, it’s not just about adopting trees, Acer is also bringing their partners and collaborators into the fold. Five of the company’s partners including PIKOM, Team Lugiami, Microsoft and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia have pledged their support for Acer’s Earthion.
Creating the Opportunity to Choose Responsible Technology
The company views the Aspire Vero as a crucial part of achieving its Earthion. The new laptop affords consumers a more responsible choice when it comes to buying laptops. The Aspire Vero incorporates post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in its chassis and keycaps. In fact, the chassis is 30% PCR plastics while the keycaps are made of 50% PCR plastics. While it would have been nice to see Acer raise the bar higher, limitations on processes and technology when it comes to recycling these plastics force the company to still use virgin plastics for the sake of rigidity and sturdiness. However, Acer’s Aspire Vero accounts for a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during production. Each unit accounts for a 21% reduction. The packaging of the Acer Aspire Vero keeps in line with the environmentally cautious nature of the lineup being made of up to 85% recycled paper pulp and using soy ink exclusively for printing.
Source: Acer
So, what does an environmentally cautious laptop look like? Acer has intentionally made the Acer Aspire Vero take a very nature-inspired approach to texture and design. It makes the Vero both unique and functional. What’s more, the laptop isn’t sacrificing much when it comes to performance. It comes with a 15.6-inch IPS Display with Full HD resolution. The panel itself is 99% recyclable. It’s powered by Intel’s 11th generation Core processors and has up to 16GB of RAM. It also takes advantage of Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics making it capable of some graphical prowess. It comes with 512GB of storage.
Source: Acer
When it comes to connectivity, the Acer Aspire Vero comes with support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. It also has a full array of ports including an HDMI, two USB 3.2 ports, 1 USB Type-C, an Ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has an HD webcam and a claimed 7-hour battery life.
Pricing & Availability
The Acer Aspire Vero will be available starting 11th November 2021. The i5 version will be priced at MYR3,399 while the i7 version will be priced at MYR4,299.
In conjunction with the launch, early adopters will be entitled to freebies worth up to MYR500 with every purchase. In addition, MYR100 of each unit sold will be chanelled to fund more tree adoptions in Taman Tugu.
Rarely today you get a product that is leaps and bound from its previous generation product that it would replace. Then again, there is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX, the new 12th Generation Intel Core Alder Lake processors, and even AMD’s Ryzen processors. Maybe a huge generational gap is not that unique after all. This DJI Mavic 3 though, is a special one.
The DJI Mavic 3 is meant to replace the DJI Mavic 2 series of drones. If you remember, the DJI Mavic 2 came in two flavours; the Pro and Zoom. The Pro variant comes with a Hasselblad engineered camera module while the Zoom variant comes with a camera module with optical zoom lens, you get the idea. The DJI Mavic 3 does not follow the same path with the Mavic 2 series though. Instead, DJI introduced one Mavic 3, and one Mavic 3 Cine edition.
An Aerial Video Powerhouse
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
The Mavic 3 series has more in common with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro than the Zoom variant. It packs a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad engineered camera. The only traces of the Zoom variant is its 28x hybrid zoom capability.
The camera module, to be fair, is not that big of an improvement compared to the older Mavic 2 Pro to be fair. It records videos at up to 5.1K resolution at 50 fps. The biggest improvement is on its 4K resolution recording though. Now you can record 4K videos at 120fps for even better-looking slow-motion videos. This is where the Mavic 3 stops and where the Cine edition starts.
The Mavic 3 Cine edition is truly a special thing. It offers Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding for even higher quality videos for post processing. It is not RAW, but it is the first integrated drone system that can record at ProRes 422 HQ format. Of course, if you choose to record at that format, ou are going to run out of storage space pretty quickly if you use a humble SDXC memory card. The Cine edition has a 1TB internal SSD storage for all your recording needs though.
Longer, Smarter Flights
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
To ensure that your Mavic 3 does not get tumbled around mid-air, it has even more sensors than before too. It now packs omnidirectional sensors that can detect objects up to 200 meters away just so that it knows where and when to stop or how to avoid the obstacle. It is the easiest full-sized Mavic to fly. It is even cleverer too. It can track a subject, lose it if it goes out of frame, and pick it back up as soon as the subject comes back into the frame with ActiveTrack 5.0. It can even follow the subject wherever it moves. Of course, it also comes with the array of other precision sensors to ensure that it knows where it is at any given time. With the help of GPS, GLONASS< and BeiDou satellites too, it knows where to return to when you call it home or when its battery is running out.
It boasts 15km of remote range with DJI O3+. Even with interference, you are not going to lose remote signal or even clear video signal from 15km away. DJI boasts that this drone can transmit 1080p Full HD/60fps live feed over that distance without loss or lag. Of course, you might not fly the DJI Mavic 3 to that full range, but it is nice to know it can. What is more impressive is that DJI managed to extend the battery life of the Mavic 3 to up to 46 minutes instead of the mere 30 minutes the previous versions used to boast.
Price and Availability
The DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine edition is now available in Malaysia. You can get your hands on either from DJI’s authorised retailers across Malaysia or from DJI’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. The DJI Mavic 3 starts at MYR 9,799, which is quite a little bit more expensive compared to the Mavic 2 Pro. The Mavic 3 Cine edition however starts at MYR 22,899. For that money you are getting the drone itself with a few extra ND filters, two extra Intelligent Flight batteries, a charging hub, and a special carrying bag. For more information on the DJI Mavic 3, you can visit their website.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 10, 2021 — Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd ("Nisun International" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: NISN), a provider of innovative comprehensive solutions through the integration of technology, industry, and finance, today announced its unaudited operational results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Mr. Xiaoyun Huang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nisun International, commented, "We are pleased to announce a robust earnings quarter, with net income of approximately $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. As we continue to strengthen our core business, we will expand our overall capabilities to better serve our existing customers. At the same time, we will continue to actively expand our customer base and create long-term value for our shareholders."
Operational Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
The following table presents an overview of the Company’s unaudited results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Revenue
$
106,784,001
Cost of revenue
73,703,349
Gross profit
33,080,652
Operating expenses
9,382,713
Income from operations
23,697,939
Other income, net
1,826,465
Income before income taxes
25,524,404
Income taxes
5,570,324
Net income
$
19,954,080
Net income per common share
$
0.97
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
20,555,768
Revenues
Total revenue was approximately $106.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Revenue generated from Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) financing solutions services was approximately $58.4 million, as the Company provided comprehensive financing solutions to SMEs in China seeking alternative financing solutions to bank financing.
Total supply chain transaction volume was approximately $329.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Revenue generated from sales of merchandise was approximately $44.2 million, attributable to the launch of the Company’s supply chain trading business after generating high-quality customers and resources through its supply chain solution business.
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
%
Revenue generated from service
Small and Medium Enterprise financing solutions
$
58,438,245
55
%
Supply chain financing solutions
4,184,441
4
%
Other financing solutions
582
0
%
Total revenue generated from service
62,623,268
59
%
Revenue generated from sales
Merchandise sales
44,160,733
41
%
Total revenue
$
106,784,001
100
%
Cost of Revenue
The cost of revenue was approximately $73.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which primarily comprised of approximately $43.9 million in cost of sales of merchandise sold, approximately $19.1 million in direct operational costs from SME financing solutions, and approximately $10.0 million in direct costs associated with staff who designed and managed SME financing solutions, supply chain solutions, and other financing solutions businesses.
Operating Expenses
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
%
Selling expenses
$
2,294,598
24
%
General and administrative expenses
6,195,402
66
%
Research and development expenses
892,713
10
%
Total cost of revenue
$
9,382,713
100
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised of indirect advertising and marketing costs, office rent and expenses, costs associated with staff and support personnel who manage the Company’s business activities, and professional fees paid to third parties.
Net income and net income per share
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had net income of approximately $20.0 million and net income per share of $0.97.
The Company did not compile quarterly information for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As such, comparative data is not available at this time.
About Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd
Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: NISN) is a technology-driven, integrated supply chain solutions provider focused on transforming the corporate finance industry. Leveraging its industry experience, Nisun is dedicated to providing professional supply chain solutions to Chinese and foreign enterprises and financial institutions. Through its subsidiaries, Nisun provides users with professional solutions for technology supply chain management, technology asset routing, and digital transformation of tech and finance institutions, enabling the industry to strengthen and grow. At the same time, Nisun continues to deepen the field of industry segmentation through industrial and financial integration, by cultivating/creating an ecosystem of openness and empowerment. Nisun has built a linked platform that incorporates supply chain, banking, securities, trust, insurance, funds, state-owned enterprises, among other businesses. Focusing on industry-finance linkages, Nisun aims to serve the upstream and downstream of the industrial supply chain while also assisting with supply-side sub-sector reform. For more information, please visit http://ir.nisun-international.com.
This press release contains information about Nisun’s view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with its ability to raise additional funding, its ability to maintain and grow its business, variability of operating results, its ability to maintain and enhance its brand, its development and introduction of new products and services, the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies and assets into its portfolio of products and services, marketing and other business development initiatives, competition in the industry, general government regulation, economic conditions, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract, hire and retain personnel who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients, and its ability to protect its intellectual property. Nisun encourages you to review other factors that may affect its future results in Nisun’s registration statements and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nisun assumes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.
Contacts:
Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd Investor Relations Tel: +86 (21) 2357-0055 Email: ir@cnisun.com
Big sporting events are about to get more interesting – particularly if you have an interest in eSports. It’s been a long time coming, but eSports is becoming more mainstream with the increasing number of events that are becoming recognised. A growing number of games are being included in large, global and regional sporting events. The Asian Games are the latest to join the foray.
eSports has long been sidelined by mainstream sports and athletics cause of their perceived lack of “training” and “athleticism”. But that’s been changing in recent years. With the establishment of international tournaments like “The International” (TI), The World Cyber Games (WCG) and the Electronic Sports League (ESL), there has been more awareness cultivated of how eSports athletes train and how intense and precise each match can be.
The industry has scored another big win with PUBG Mobile being recognised as a medalled event at the upcoming Asian Games. The event, held once every four years, is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the second largest event of its kind; only second to the Olympics itself. PUBG Mobile joins a list of elite games selected for the event.
Source: Tencent Games
PUBG Mobile has seen tremendous growth in the years since its launch. It has since spawned 14 new leagues and a cumulative prize pool of USD$15 million this year alone. It joins an exclusive list of games that have been recognised as medalled events for the upcoming Asian Games. As of now, the list consists of Arena of Valor Asian Games Version, DOTA 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games, Hearthstone, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V.
The Asian Games will be taking place in Hangzhou, China from 10th to 25th September 2022. The upcoming games will mark the 19th Asian Games and the first to have eSports as recognised, medalled events.
