As we move into 2024, what better way than to start the first weekend with some new games.
For those who want to save on some cash after the festive sales, exploring demos on steam is the perfect solution. Besides, this is a perfect way to try out new games and different genres to see if the vibes match.
In this article we will be listing 5 entertaining and diverse game demos on steam that you should check out. If we miss any great demos on Steam do feel free to write in the comments below.
Prepare to fight off other players in this Tetris style fantasy inventory management autobattler game. Similar in mechanics to Backpack Hero, you will be buying items and strategically place them in your back to fight other real players to climb the ladder. With different styles of plays and heroes, this demo is constantly being tweaked and updated. A nice little strategy game to fill up your weekend.
Recently released Nov, 2023, Bopl is a fun couch/online battler similarish to Smash Bros. Have fun with changing the environment you can manipulate to literally crush your foes. Choose to attach rockets to fly islands away or set things on fire. The choices are many and they are all yours as you find new combos to use with or against your friends. There are no bots so bring a friend to play, Bopl supports up to 4 players.
Released earlier last year in May, 2023, Bread & Fred is a cute co-op platformer game. Playing as two penguins, your goal is to help navigate them up the top of the snowy summit. You will be timing your jumps and swinging each other across gaps hoping not to fall down the mountain. This game is great for playing with your significant partner or potential partner as the New Year starts off.
If you don’t have anyone to play with, there is a single player mode available. You get to play with Jeff, a pet rock. Only issue is you can’t blame Jeff if you fall, this climb is all on you.
Released recently in Oct, 2023, dotAGE is a fun survival roguelite turn based city builder. For those who love board games and resource management, this game should be right up your alley. Take on the role of the villager elder as you navigate and plan around Doom and Prophecies of the Apocalypse to save your village. As a bonus this works well on Steam Deck and has an active single developer happy to fix bugs in this game of passion 9 years into the making.
Releasing soon on 26 Jan, 2024, TEKKEN 8 will soon be fighting it out with Street Fighter 6 for the attention of all fighter game players. In the demo you will be able to test out Story Mode, Arcade Quest, Super Ghost Battle, Player vs. Player, Player vs CPU, and Gallery Mode. You will have access to 3 stages, Urban Square (Evening), Yakushima, and Sanctum while playing with popular characters Paul Phoenix, Jin Kazama, Lazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams. Also there has been talks on the web that is might be possible to unlock the other characters to try out on the PC version of the demo.
Dell’s XPS lineup has been at the forefront of the company’s portfolio for the better part of two decades. The line has always been about pushing boundaries when it comes to performance, work and design. This year is no different, the XPS lineup continues its legacy as one of the best laptops that Dell has to offer.
XPS Expanded and Better than Ever
The new Dell XPS line is expanded. Where we had the XPS and XPS 15, there are now 3 entries: the XPS 13, XPS 14 and the XPS 16. Each laptop takes Dell’s thin and light flagship and caters it to different needs. However, they do share a similar design – one that Dell debuted with the XPS 13 Plus. The sleek design consists of tone-on-tone colours and CNC-machined aluminium. The biggest change is the inclusion of touch-enabled function buttons which line the top of the haptic trackpad. These buttons seamlessly switch between media and function keys when needed. The keyboard on the laptops is also larger with larger keycaps for a more coherent and comfortable typing experience.
Source: Dell Technologies
The XPS lineup continues to feature the InfinityEdge panels with options for OLED touch, variable refresh rate and high resolution. This year brings improvements to the audio experience with a new quad speaker design that supports Dolby Atmos, and 3D stereo surround from MaxxAudio Pro by Waves. The XPS lineup will also feature a 1080p FHD webcam.
New Intel Processors with a Focus on Bringing AI Mainstream
The New XPS lineup will be coming fully equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. These processors features an additional NPU (neural processing unit) that Dell is leveraging to bring impactful AI-powered features to its XPS line up. That isn’t the only thing that’s changing with the NPU; these laptops will be able to leverage the NPU to speed up features that rely on AI. This also frees up CPU and GPU resources which can be better mobilised to undertake non-AI focused tasks.
In addition, the XPS line up will be coming with configurations supporting the Intel Core Ultra 7 on the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 14. While the XPS 16 supports configurations with up to the Intel Core Ultra 9. These configurations are supplemented with up to 64GB of RAM across the board and up to 4TB of PCIe 4 SSD memory. This combination alone should give you enough performance on the go for most tasks.
The XPS 14 and XPS 16, however, come with NVIDIA’s RTX Studio certification. The XPS 14 comes with a configuration supporting the NVIDIA RTX 4050. On the other hand, the XPS 16 continues to be the powerhouse of the line up with configurations supporting the RTX 4060 and RTX 4080 as well as the RTX 4050. These laptops come with support for NVIDIA’s Studio drivers out of the box and are primed for content creation on the go. They can even handle 3D rendering when you’re out and about.
Specc’d to Kill
The XPS series continues its legacy of being a top performer with more than just processors though. The line up comes with a bevvy of displays including high resolution touch displays. The XPS 13 caps out at a 3K OLED touch display while the XPS 14 pushes the boundaries a little bit more with a 3.2K OLED touch display. The XPS 16, on the other hand, caps out at a 4K OLED touch display.
Source: Dell Technologies
Of course, connectivity on the go is important for the XPS line up. Dell has decided to leverage WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on the XPS 13 and XPS 16 while the XPS 14 has WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Pricing & Availability
The XPS lineup will be available starting in Q1 2024. Malaysia, in particular, will see the laptops in stores starting end of February 2024.
Model
Base Specifications
Pricing (US)
Pricing (MY)
Dell XPS 13
Intel Ultra 5 / 16GB / 512GB / 13.4” FHD+ / Intel RPL-P P28 UMA (Iris Xe) UMA
The brand will preview its upcoming Gesture Control feature, which leverages advanced computer vision to control the camera with arm movements
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Zero Zero Robotics, experts in user-friendly devices featuring machine vision and precise control systems, is excited to announce its participation at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They are set to showcase their best-selling HOVERAir X1 pocket-sized 2.7K self-flying camera at the Venetian Expo Halls A-D, Global Pavilions, booth no. 55745 from January 9 – 12, 2024. Attendees will get a first look at the camera’s new Gesture Control feature, a breakthrough in user interaction that utilizes advanced computer vision to direct the camera through simple arm movements.
Fun-Filled Flight, Zero Zero at CES 2024
2023 marked a significant milestone for HOVERAIR X1, with the initial Indiegogo campaign generating overwhelming support, attracting over 5,000 backers and raising $1.8M USD. This success was followed by a robust direct sales launch, and subsequent introductions on Amazon USA, Canada, and Australia. To date, the HOVERAIR X1 has sold tens of thousands of units across nearly 40 countries.
Meet HOVERAir in Real Life
Weighing a mere 125g, HOVERAir X1 is a lightweight device that frees users from the hassles of registration in most parts of the US, thanks to its compact design. The HOVERAir X1 epitomizes the fusion of fun, portability, and performance. Launching effortlessly from the palm within seconds, it offers a suite of autonomous flight modes, ensuring crisp visuals, stabilized recordings, and uniquely, outstanding audio clarity, all housed within a safety-first, cage-like design.
“We’re excited to bring HOVERAir X1 to CES this year and introduce our new Gesture Control feature which levels up the ability of users to easily and intuitively create unique and creative videos,” said MQ Wang, Founder & CEO of Zero Zero. “This new technology is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries, enhancing the user experience, and opening up new creative possibilities.”
The device boasts a rapid 3-second launch and landing protocol, springing to action from the palm and returning with equal ease. Its enclosed design prioritizes user safety, while the recording specs, ranging from 2.7K@30fps to 1080P HDR, offer a plethora of high-definition filming options. Features like Burst mode and hybrid stabilization promise fluid, high-quality footage. Its sleek, foldable design makes it the perfect travel companion, fitting seamlessly into pockets or purses.
An array of five cinematic flight modes (Hover, Follow, Zoom Out, Orbit, Bird’s Eye) offer unique perspectives and are easily activated with a single touch. For those desiring finer control, a dedicated app allows for real-time composition adjustments, editing, and instant sharing on social platforms. The device’s cutting-edge computer vision and robust tracking capabilities allow it to follow users at speeds over 15mph. Utilizing Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) technology and a ToF laser altitude system, it ensures centimeter-level precision, facilitating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments.
“Through HOVERAir X1, we aim to redefine the way people capture and share their moments,” continued Wang. “Gesture Control is just the beginning of a series of new capabilities we plan to introduce, revolutionizing personal photography and content creation.”
The HOVERAir X1 defines what a flying camera is—no controller, no app, just intuitive, hands-free operation. With its light frame, enclosed design, and versatile flight modes, this camera is an indispensable tool for capturing life’s fleeting moments.
Media wishing to experience a live demo of HOVERAir X1 at CES or interview Zero Zero’s personnel should contact PR agency representative Borjana Slipicevic.
About Zero Zero
Zero Zero was co-founded in 2014 by Stanford Phds, MQ Wang and Tony Zhang. Zero Zero specializes in embedded AI technology to create intelligent devices characterized by machine vision and high-precision control systems. Zero Zero’s team members are dreamers, engineers, inventors, and builders hailing from top universities and research institutions around the world. Its investors include IDG, ZhenFund, and other top US investors. Zero Zero holds more than 120 core patents and has pioneered new technologies, such as fully enclosed portable propeller design and bi-copter design.
The Vivo X100 series made its debut late last November in China. The new X100 series is the next edition of Vivo’s ambitions to be the go-to camera smartphone for the masses. The new X100 series comes with the latest imaging technology from both Vivo and its partner – ZEISS.
Powerfully Similar With Minute Differences
Vivo is touting the X100 series as its most powerful flagship to date. Both the X100 Pro and the vanilla X100 run on the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 processor. This processor marks a change in architecture that focuses on supercharging smartphone performance. Previously, smartphone processors came with a combination of performance and efficiency cores. With the Dimensity 9300, this paradigm shifts to only performance cores. However, that doesn’t mean that power efficiency is taking a backseat.
When it comes to the silicon, both smartphones differ only in their image processing chip; the X100 comes with the Vivo V2 which debuted last year while the X100 Pro comes with the brand new Vivo V3. The Vivo V3 comes with updated fabrication technology and supports more complex imaging features like multi-concurrent AI-ISP architecture and second-generation Frame Info Tunneling (FIT) technology. Both the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal memory. No lower variants or the 1TB variant have been indicated at this time.
The X100 comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W Dual-Cell FlashCharge. The Vivo X100 Pro, on the other hand, comes with a larger 5,400mAh battery with support for wireless FlashCharge and 100W Dual-Cell FlashCharge. Both versions of the X100 come with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
ZEISS Co-engineered Cameras with Improved Features
The Vivo X100 series also carries forward the partnership between ZEISS and Vivo when it comes to camera technology. The new X100 Pro comes packed with some of the latest innovations when it comes to smartphone photography. That said both versions of the X100 come with formidable setups.
The vanilla X100 comes with a triple camera setup with a 50-megapixel VCS True Colour sensor for the main camera. This is complemented by a 64-megapixel ZEISS Telephoto sensor and a 50-megapixel super wide-angle camera. Meanwhile, the X100 Pro ups the ante with a 1-inch, 50-megapixel ZEISS sensor as its main camera. This is complemented by a 50-megapixel ZEISS APO Floating Telephoto sensor and a 50-megapixel Super wide-angle camera. The 50-megapixel ZEISS APO Floating telephoto sensor comes with the new Vario-Apo-Sonnar standard from ZEISS. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to take more detailed and vibrant close-up and long-distance shots even at 6X and 10X zoom. Both of the smartphones come with the ZEISS T* coating.
Pricing & Availability
The Vivo X100 will be retailing for RM3,499 while the X100 Pro will be priced at RM4,599. Both variants will be available in two colours: Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue.
The Vivo X100 series is available for pre-orders online starting on 4 January 2024. Physical pre-orders will start on 6 January 2024. During the pre-order period, purchases of the X100 will come with complimentary 180-day screen protection valued at RM300 and vivo TWS air earbuds free. Pre-orders of the X100 Pro will come with the same 180-day screen protection, a vivo TWS 2e earbuds and a vivo selection smartwatch.
Regarding phones, Xiaomi is never far behind in its release, be it their flagship series like the recently released Xiaomi 13T and Xiaomi 14T (China only). Xiaomi always has something that keeps their customers on their toes. This time around they released the Redmi 13C, which goes just slightly above the norms of budgeted phones. The Redmi 13C comes in 4 vibrant colours: Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Glacier White and Clover Green. Priced at RM499.00 on their official store. The unit I received for review was the Navy-Blue Variant.
First Impressions and Unboxing
The box has a set of double-point charger heads, a USB Type-C cable, and a user manual. The unwrapping experience is still enjoyable as it was seamless and easy to open with the general kit you would normally see. I would like to say that I was happily pleased with the inclusion of a charger head as not many phones supply the charger heads anymore. Besides that, my first impression of the phone surprised me. At first glance, it looked polished and nearer to the high-end looks, thanks to its sleek and clean design and larger screen. This is one of its main highlights that I like.
Design
Xiaomi made a bold move by updating the Redmi 13C with a more refined and modern look. Minimal bezels and a U-shaped notch house the 8MP front camera, while the 6.74-inch LCD screen takes centre stage. The back has a matte coating that hides fingerprints and gives the device a shiny, clean appearance to appreciate. However, the back material makes it very smooth and, in my experience, makes it very slippery on certain surfaces and even when holding it in my hand.
Besides the slippery backside, the phone has a lightweight design and is decently sturdy. This phone provides a pleasant experience for any user. It also has a separate microSD slot for expandable storage, which can go up to 1TB. A 3.5mm headphone jack and a side fingerprint sensor, thoughtfully placed on the phone, all of which contribute to its user-friendliness. However, note that while using the phone, the side buttons feel incredibly flat against the surface. While some will take that as a plus, I found it a bit of a worry as the power button, which is also where the finger sensor is located, is so flattened that I worry if usage of pressing the power button can have it stuck down or wear it down to the point you can’t click it which is something to look out for long-term use.
Display
With a 90Hz refresh rate, the 6.74-inch LCD screen of the Redmi 13C has an immersive viewing feeling that most users will enjoy without any issue. However, during my phone use, there was an annoying glare from the display in certain positions or from certain viewing angle. It shouldn’t be much of an issue for most standard smartphone users in daily use. The display and screen are equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring scratch resistance and long-lasting protection. The display’s mix of colour accuracy and vibrancy makes for a great everyday experience.
With a peak brightness of 600 nits, it tackles outside visibility and decently holds itself even in dark or low-lighting areas. Besides that, to ensure users’ eyes are always protected, the display also has reading and dark modes, which can easily be turned on or off with a tap. It’s also to note that the brightness display and control is quite unorthodox to me as it was longer than standard brightness control bars, but it gives more minute control to users, that’s for sure, on how bright or dim they wish it to be.
Performance
The Media Tek Helio G85 processor allows the Redmi 13C to breeze through regular chores. With 128 or 256 GB of storage and a choice of 4, 6 or 8 RAM, you can multitask with ease and speed. According to benchmark ratings, this smartphone performs admirably compared to others in its price range. But I wouldn’t recommend it for long gaming periods as the phone can overheat pretty decently and has a warning system. Besides that, the phone, thanks to its processor, can hold up decently with most heavy base games like Mobile Legends, and if you can tweak it a bit, it can even run to play heavy-duty games like PUBG or even Call of Duty. Still, it won’t be as smooth or visually pleasing compared to more expensive phones.
Redmi 13C also comes installed with MIUI 14.0.1, which improves the software experience and is based on Android 13. But some features are missing from this phone, such as the floating or minimised screen feature. If you used this function a lot on your previous phones, it’s sad to say you will not get it here. Kinda feels like a small nifty feature that would make this phone easily better.
Camera
The Redmi 13C has a 50MP primary camera, a 2MP macro camera, and an 8 MP selfie camera. Good and Standard results are achieved in daylight photography, while low-light performance is decent enough. Still, overall, when taking photos using the back camera, it seems reasonable and can keep up with most standard users who don’t have a lot of needs for their photography. Despite its 2MP resolution, the macro lens makes close-up photography quite lovely. While it doesn’t have many features compared to more expensive phones, the features include Portrait Mode, Night mode, Macro mode and 50mp mode. Besides that, when it comes to video recording, the quality is decent at 1080p, and it also has a nice time-lapse feature.
Charging and Battery Life
During my use of the phone, the most appealing part of it is its excellent battery life, lasting over two days for moderate users (when not using intensively or using it heavily), which is due to its large 5000mAh battery but when used for daily be it as a student or a working adult, the phone can easily last all day.
Now there is a large downfall here. While its battery life can withstand extended usage, the charging is so slow. A standard charger of 10W can easily take up to 1 to 2 hours (depending on your phone percentage when you plug in to charge) to reach 100 per cent. But when a fast-charging wire or charger head is used, a full charge can be reached in under two hours, and the charging process takes approximately 40-50 minutes, depending on how low your battery percentage is. So, if you’re in a rush and the battery is low, I recommend a power bank on the go because even with fast charging, it isn’t so fast.
Conclusion
Overall, the Redmi 13C shines out from the rest thanks to its sturdy, upgraded design and good all-rounded performance. It can easily compete successfully in the budgeted smartphone market as it also supports 5G and has a feature-rich MIUI. This phone’s only major downfall was its slippery nature without a phone case and the prolonged charging. Besides that, the Redmi 13C is a budget and user-friendly phone with features that make it seem more than a regular budgeted phone and still has the class to it. Overall, my experience with the phone has been a positive one, and I would recommend this phone to those who want a phone that won’t burn a hole in their pocket and, overall, is able to hold up close to some of the more expensive phones in this bracket.
Hyundai Motor and Kia will link Samsung’s ‘SmartThings’ IoT (Internet of Things) platform to their connected car services
The three companies aim to break the boundaries between living spaces and mobility spaces, enhancing the time value of driving before, during and after — Car-to-Home service to provide remote and touch-based control of various home appliances through voice commands while driving — Home-to-Car service to check vehicle status, control functions and manage charging before and after driving
Customers can also experience seamless connectivity with OTA and USB-based updates
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed an agreement on January 3 with Samsung Electronics for a Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential and mobility spaces.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung Electronics for a service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential space and mobility space. Through this agreement, they plan to expand the Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services to overseas markets.
Under this agreement, Hyundai and Kia customers will be able to remotely control digital appliances via touch and voice commands through their cars’ in-car infotainment systems. Conversely, they will have remote vehicle control via AI speakers, TVs and smartphone apps to control various vehicle functions.
This is made possible through the organic integration of Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services and Samsung’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform, ‘SmartThings’. Customers are expected to use it in various ways in their daily lives, enjoying uninterrupted connectivity experiences.
– TTcare, the AI-assisted pet healthcare app and CES 2022, 2023 Innovation Award Honoree, will return to CES 2024
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AI FOR PET announced that it is presenting the AI technology-based pet healthcare solution TTcare adding the new feature for both pet parents and veterinarians at CES 2024. This AI-driven healthcare app service empowers pet parents to scan their pets for health abnormalities and receive real-time results. Veterinarians also can utilize the AI health data reference via the web. It has been awarded the CES 2022 and 2023 Innovation Award and has been featured on Forbes Asia and FOX.
TTcare. Pet parents can check their pet’s health condition and ask vets at home
Euna Huh, the co-founder and CEO of AI FOR PET said, “We’ve seen that pet access to veterinary clinics has been challenging due to lack of veterinarians. We’ve been hearing from U.S. veterinarians that they are suffering from excessive work. We believe that our patented AI solution solves the problems for pet parents and veterinarians.”
Eric Pai, the Director of the U.S. business development at AI FOR PET also quoted, “We aim for the end-to-end pet service. We already are participating in Shelters United’s Pet Adoption Gateway program and have tested the seamless connection service with seven(7) clinics in the U.S. We plan to add various pet services soon.”
In regards to participating in CES 2024, Euna highlighted “AI FOR PET is looking for partnerships with pet-related businesses and organizations, including but not limited to insurance companies, vet hospital chains, telehealth service, and mobile-vet service.”
About AI FOR PET:
AI FOR PET is a pet healthcare service development company based in Seoul, Korea and San Jose, California, USA. The company has attracted recognition by being selected for CES 2022 and 2023 Innovation Award, Google for Startups Global Alumni, Forbes Asia’s ‘100 to Watch’, and the Pet Innovation Award 2023.
AI FOR PET offers an AI technology-based healthcare app for pets, TTcare. Using TTcare, Pet parents can check their pets’ eye, skin, tooth and joint health anytime, anywhere and share the data AI analyzed with veterinarians. Veterinarians can also use this data to more accurately and quickly diagnose a client’s health conditions during telemedicine service.
The AI scanning app for dogs and cats will be showcased at CES 2024, Design and Source Hall (Westgate), Booth #1720.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As a manufacturer specializing in producing high-quality electric bikes, Heybike is excited to share with every rider the news that a new e-bike models, the Hauler, will be exhibited at CES 2024, along with other hot-selling e-bikes (Horizon, Mars 2.0, Ranger S, Tyson). Heybike slogan highlights “Heybike, Your Ride, Your Electric Future!” It is believed that these new e-bikes will bring riders a higher level of riding experience with their outstanding advantages.
Hauler E-bike – Fuel Your Ride: Carry More, Journey Further
Heybike Hauler e-bike is mainly designed for carrying cargos and daily utility. One of Hauler’s features is its dual-battery design (front battery 18Ah & rear battery 12.52Ah). With two powerful batteries installed on the bike frame, this electric bike delivers exceptional ranges. Riders can get rid of the concerns about running out of battery power outside. Apart from this, the Hauler e-bike has a 750W motor and it can quickly speed up to 28 mph.
This e-bike also has a customized DIY pegboard. It allows customers to attach some accessories or cargo holders for large carrying space. From carrying groceries to mounting additional lights or tools, the Hauler’s pegboard offers endless possibilities for riders’ customization.
It is easy and steady to carry heavy cargos with the Hauler e-bike, for it has a Shimano 7-speed gear system, 5 levels of pedal assistance, and two 20”*3.0” tires. The payload capacity of the whole bike is 440 lbs. The hydraulic disc brake and front fork suspension ensure a smooth and comfortable ride on all terrains. When riding at night, the automatic headlight and taillight keep the biker visible to secure safety. As for the recommended rider’s height for Hauler e-bike, Heybike suggests 5’3” to 6’3”.
Original Intention of Making the Hauler E-bike
Jason Fang, CEO of Heybike, once said: “Heybike aims to provide citizens with the ultimate solution to green transportation. We want our products to bring people convenience, and at the same time, help build a green planet.”
Heybike Hauler e-bike is made mainly for carrying groceries and traveling in long distance, based on the feedback from customers. With its dual batteries and large carrying space, it shows more possibilities for riding trips. Whether the rider has to deliver cargos or wants to travel freely in suburban areas, this e-bike has no problem meeting such needs.
Other E-bike Models to be Shown at CES 2024
Heybike will also exhibit other e-bike models, including Horizon, Mars 2.0, Ranger S and Tyson. They are hot-selling and popular among American customers, especially Horizon, a full-suspension e-bike highly praised by many Heybike riders. Apart from these e-bike models, Aaron, Director of Heybike R&D Department, implies that another e-bike, built with advanced new materials and a powerful motor, will be unveiled as well.
Heybike will showcase the above-mentioned e-bikes on Jan. 9-12, 2024 at CES. Come and have a look!
Heybike comes into being with the mission to provide everyone with the best riding experience and help create a greener planet. It puts forward an ultimate mode of transportation with two options for every rider: self-pedaling with the assistance of an electric motor, or setting your feet free by riding the e-bike with battery power.
Heybike is committed to bringing innovations to the marketplace and expanding product lines to meet the needs of its customers, fostering a lifestyle that brings people together and makes travel easy.
For more information on Heybike’s latest products and to stay up to date on the news from the company, visitwww.heybike.com and follow Heybike onFacebook, @heybikeofficial on Twitter, heybike_official on Instagram and YouTube. To have a test ride of Heybike e-bikes, you can visit its local dealers.
Infinix’s GT 10 Pro boldly steps into the realm of smartphone design with its striking Cyber-Mecha aesthetics which comes in two variants: Cyber Black (black with orange stripes) and Mirage Sliver (silver with white strips on its back). With its futuristic design, the phone has the perfect aesthetic for any hardcore or casual gamer. The variant that we received was the Mirage Silver variant.
Design and Aesthetics
Regarding design, Infinix’s GT 10 Pro is a bold departure from the essential standard phone back covers as it draws inspiration from a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic. One of its most fantastic features is the LED indicator positioned alongside the camera, creating an illusion of elements embedded in a transparent plastic back. The LED has a captivating 3D effect with multiple effects: Blinking, Breathing and Meteor, Flowing Light, GT Racing, and Helium Flash. The phone’s flat back houses a camera island accommodating three cameras and a LED indicator. Notably, the LED indicator lights up during gaming, notifications, calls, and charging.
Despite the glossy surface, fingerprint smudges are not overly problematic, and the silver variant offers better resistance to such smudges and surprisingly cleans easily. The Infinix GT 10 Pro was very light and easy to hold as it was not as bulky nor heavy as your usual standard gaming phones. This makes the phone a big plus for those who want a gaming phone that won’t feel like a small brick in hand or something so bulky it has difficulties fitting in tight pockets.
But there is some downfall to this slim and sleek design. While everyone’s experience may vary, I found that I didn’t always have a good proper grip. I had to be constantly conscious of my grip when using the phone for daily tasks like calls or scrolling social media. Only the familiar landscape manner when playing games felt comfortable to me. I felt like it could easily slip through my grips when I am on the move while using the phone.
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has two side buttons on the right of the phone for power and volume. These are considerably thin and flat and may be easily mistaken for each other due to their proximity. Pressing the volume button instead of the power button was constant issue until muscle memory kicked in.
Material and Feature
The materials used for the GT 10 Pro primarily made from plastics, which initially felt fragile and not long lasting. I feel it I were to drop it by accident, it would most certainly chip. The plastic frame has a glossy texture which is quite notable. The phone’s right side houses the power and volume buttons, while the left side features a triple card tray that allows you to simultaneously use two SIM cards and a microSD card. The bottom of the device is home to the USB-C connector, one speaker grille, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Handling the GT 10 Pro is overall a reasonably comfortable experience despite the use of plastic. The shape of the phone makes it well-suited for gaming in landscape orientation. However, it can get annoying when your fingers curl around the camera island. It is slightly irritating to feel that slight texture and the eventual smudging of holding onto the camera subconsciously while playing. To have to consciously have to adjust to prevent camera smudging is not a fun experience.
Display
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has a 6.67-inch OLED panel with a centrally placed 32MP selfie camera. Thin side bezels contribute to the phone’s modern look, while the top and bottom bezels are slightly thicker. The display has a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a responsive and smooth user experience which is also great for gaming. While it falls somewhat short of the advertised 900 nits of brightness, it still delivers a good viewing experience, whether in the dark or outdoors.
Battery and Charging
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has a 5,000 mAh battery that performs great in gaming and all-day use when tested. It lasted from 100% from 8 am to 18% by 11 pm, and the device supports rapid charging with the included 45W charger. To charge fully from 1% to 100% will roughly take an hour. However, overall, the battery is long-lasting and performs dependably.
Audio Quality
The Infinix GT 10 Pro features a hybrid dual speaker setup, with the bottom speaker louder than the earpiece. Together, these speakers provide decent audio quality. However, when equipped with Bluetooth earbuds, the sound quality seems to diminish and sounds slightly off, but overall, it was pleasing to use and listen to.
Interface, Special Features and Customization
The device runs on Pure XOS 13, which is based on Android 13. Infinix’s software customisation features include the Magazine service on the lock screen, theming options, and extensive home screen customisation. However, the software does comes with pre-installed apps and customised UI elements, which may not be to everyone’s liking.
On the home screen, while there is the standard home screen, there is also an alphabetised app drawer with a search bar when you scroll from bottom to top, giving phone users more access to search for apps even if it’s not on the main screen. Like most smartphones, the notification and control centre can be accessed separately through the standard top-down swipe on either the left or the right to pull down the notification screen or the control centre. Besides that, it also comes with lighting multi-window, a floating app feature so you can have more than one screen at a time, and an intelligent panel, a side panel feature that pulls out when you long pull from either side of the phone. There are also multiple more features like Social Turbo, Game Mode, and even its gaming app, XArena, which will store/place your games automatically in one convenient location for easy access and can customise certain buttons to suit specific game mechanics or boost and optimise a game functions.
Gaming
A MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor powers the Infinix GT 10 Pro. It delivers reasonably good performance but may experience throttling under sustained loads. The device supports a high refresh rate control with multiple modes, including 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, along with an Auto Switch mode. It also comes with ample Storage of 256GB and 16 GB of RAM9( 8+8 RAM), ensuring this phone can withstand any games with ample storage needed and runs smoothly while playing. In contrast, the device does heat up when gaming or when recording. It wasn’t so hot that it had to be set down but is noticeable. The phone also has settings to ensure it does not overheat during gaming.
Camera
The Infinix GT 10 Pro’s camera system includes a 108MP primary camera, a macro shooter, and a depth sensor. The 108MP primary camera captures detail, boasting a large sensor with an f/1.8 aperture. The camera app provides various shooting modes and customisation options.
The camera performs admirably in well-lit conditions, delivering good detail and a wide dynamic range. Activating the AI mode enhances colour saturation, resulting in visually pleasing photos. However, the 2x zoom mode may fall short in low-light scenes.
The device supports 4K@30fps video recording, with the option for a Super Steady mode for stabilisation. In 4K video recording, the Infinix GT 10 Pro delivers good detail and colour quality. However, the Super Steady mode sacrifices resolution for stabilisation. These are some of the images taken with it.
Conclusion
The Infinix GT 10 Pro is impressive with its eye-catching Cyber-Mecha design and many appealing features, all at a decent price of RM999. While its performance may not meet the demands of the heavy real hardcore gaming, the device works wonderfully with its display, battery life, and camera system. While there are some drawbacks to the camera being slightly on the lower end compared to other cameras, the device and its other features make up for it. Overall, the phone is solid in all functions and great for most people who are not camera aficionados and are gamers.
Sony Alpha series of cameras are one of the most prolific when it comes to mirrorless cameras. The lineup has been taking both photography and videography worlds by storm and is responsible for creating a new standard for cameras in its wake. The α9 has been one of the hallmarks of the series supplementing the α7 with a more professional take on the full-frame mirrorless camera. This year, Sony is upping the ante by bringing game-changing features to the α9 III.
A Revolutionary Camera Imbued with Speed and AI
The new Sony α9 III comes equipped with a stacked CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.6-megapixels and built-in memory. The camera is also the first in the world to feature a global shutter on this sensor. This allows the camera to shoot up to 120 frames per second continuously with AF/AE tracking. The sensor is complemented with the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine and a designated AI processing unit. This combination allows the camera to recognise a wide variety of subjects. These features together allow seasoned photographers to take photographs that were not possible before.
The camera is able to hit shutter speeds of up to 1/80000 second or 1/16000 second in continuous shooting. Sony’s signature eye recognition complete real-time recognition autofocus and real-time tracking are also featured on the new α9 III. It also has 8.0 stops of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization. Sony is also introducing a pre-capture feature that allows users to go back up to 1 second and record the moment before shooting. Together with the large buffer memory and increased overall system speed, the α9 III can capture approximately 390 Fine JPEG images in one continuous 30fps burst.
No Crop 4K 120p Video with 6K Oversampling
The α9 III has enough speed that it’s able to shoot 4K footage in 120p. The best part? This is done without the crop that we’ve seen in other cameras. This allows videographers to capture what they see exactly. It’s also possible to shoot 4K 60p high-resolution videos with 6K oversampling.
The S-Cinetone image creation process on the α9 III is created through the development of the VENICE digital cinema camera for video production. This shooting profile allows human skin tones and subjects to stand out. However, if accuracy is what you’re looking for, the camera can shoot videos in S-Log3 in its Log shooting mode. It can also reflect and display the user’s favourite LUT. The α9 III is compatible with Sony’s “Monitor & Control” mobile app.
The G Master Telephoto Lens
Together with the Sony α9 III, Sony Malaysia also announced the availability of the SEL300F28GM telephoto lens. The new G master telephoto lens is only 1470g making it lightweight and balanced for better handling and less shakiness and fatigue when shooting without a tripod. It’s designed to have better weight distribution.
The SEL300F28GM comes with the detailed G master resolution. The lens’s optical design includes three Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements and an additional ED glass that helps subdue chromatic aberrations. It helps capture pictures with creamy bokeh and consistent contrast.
Pricing & Availability
The Sony α9 III will be retailing for RM29,299 and is available for pre-order now. Of course, this price is only for the camera’s body. Early purchasers in Malaysia will get a free 80GB Sony CEA-80T memory card worth RM989 and an additional NP-FZ100 battery for the camera worth RM402.
The SEL300F28GM is available for pre-order and will be retailing for RM29,899. Early purchasers who purchase the lens with a Sony α7c will be entitled to a free 160GB CF Express Type Card A worth RM1889.
