Category Archives: Accessories

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse Review – Ergonomics at a Cost But It’s Worth It

July 28, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

We use a mouse nearly every day now. Whether it’s cause you’re designing something or simply working with numbers. The mouse has become an essential part of our workflow whether we like it or not. More and more, we look for mouses – mice? – that are more feature-packed and comfortable to use. In the past few years, we’ve learnt that the design of the mouse and how we use it had serious implications on our joint health – particularly when it comes to our wrists. That’s exactly where the new Logitech Lift comes in.

Editor’s Note: We chose to use the term “mouses” instead of mice in the article as the term mouse for computers is actually an acronym M.O.U.S.E. which stands for Manually Operated User Selection Equipment.

The Logitech Lift is a new entry into a space which is looking to our utilitarian approach to mouses for a more thoughtful, ergonomic design. It feels like a device that puts function over form or aesthetics but it doesn’t, it puts the user before all else. We’re taking a deep dive into the Logitech Lift to see if the new paradigm in mouse design is actually something to consider for the long term.

Design

Design is truly where you will notice the Logitech Lift. Its design is “interesting” at first glance. While not all things described as “interesting” are necessarily good, we only use the word to describe the Lift because of convention; We’re so used to seeing mouses that are designed to be flat or cradle the wrist in a way that is comfortable and ergonomic. The Lift, however, takes that and turns it on its side – both literally and figuratively.

The first thing that will leave an impression is how tall the Logitech Lift is. The mouse is literally the tallest one you will find in Logitech’s lineup of mouses. It’s got good reason to be though. The tall form factor allows you to hold it in a more ergonomic way which reduces strain on your wrist long term. This is because unlike with conventional mouses, you will be moving the Lift on the same axes as your wrist. In addition, you are also not resting your wrist on the table. Instead, it remains floating as you hold and use the mouse. You will also realise, that the mouse isn’t at a 90° angle, Logitech has a more natural 55° angle which allows the wrist to rest in a neutral position.

Together with its overall design, the Lift also comes with a slightly different design when it comes to buttons. It still comes with the same number of buttons we expect to see in an everyday mouse, but Logitech has tweaked the design to accommodate the more vertical orientation. The right and left mouse buttons are on the right side of the mouse with the Smart Wheel and DPI Switch. On the left, are two buttons that usually correspond to the forward and back buttons on browsers. Keep in mind, that we had a right-handed one for review.

The tall mouse is slender up top and a little bit wider on the bottom. It’s about the same size as any mouse when it comes to the bottom perhaps, just ever so slightly slimmer. The wider, egg-shaped base does provide a little bit better stability; but, more importantly, it helps cradle your hand as you use the Lift. It’s also where you’ll find your function button to switch between connected Bluetooth devices and also where the battery and Logotech Bolt receiver is nestled. These items are nestled inside a magnetic cover which is opened by simply pressing down on the indention – one of the best design choices on the mouse.

Overall, it does feel like Logitech did put ergonomics front and centre when it comes to designing the Lift. The company has made it very easy to hold and comfortable to use while keeping all the functionality we expect from a mouse.

Features

The Logitech Lift isn’t anaemic in design or functionality. Logitech has packed the mouse with more features than any other Logitech mouse we’ve used to date. In fact, they’ve brought some of the features that we’re used to seeing in other Logitech devices like the K380 keyboard and their Logitech G line up to the Lift which enhances the experience and functionality of the mouse tremendously.

Multi-device Connectivity

You’ll be able to connect up to three devices on the Logitech Lift at any one time. They can be connected via Bluetooth or through the Logi Bolt. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can control all three at the same time. However, it gives you the freedom to jump from your desktop to your laptop to your tablet by simply clicking a button.

The multi-device button is located on the bottom of the mouse. Clicking it will change the device you’re connected to while long pressing sends it into pairing mode. Of course, it will automatically be toggled into pairing mode when you turn it on for the first time. Pairing with the Bolt will need you to plug in the Logi Bolt before turning the mouse on. Bluetooth connectivity will also work for mobile devices like a tablet (i.e. iPad) or mobile phones.

Having the flexibility of connecting to multiple devices gave a lot of flexibility when it came to keeping quick connectivity for the Lift. Of course, given the fact that we do tend to have multiple devices with us for review at the same time, it also made it easier for us to jump from one device to the other or from the review device to our personal devices.

Extended Functionality through Logi Options+

While having a quick connection with multiple devices is cool. The Logitech Lift shines when it comes to its extended functionality which comes with the Logi Options+ application which you can install on your devices. Note that we say CAN and not need. Logitech has given users the flexibility of using the mouse without the need to install the Options+ application. However, when you install it, you get access to a whole load of new features that allow the mouse to serve you better.

The first thing that you’ll see when you launch the Logi Options+ application is a quick walkthrough of all the features that you have with your Logitech mouse. For the Logitech Lift, it highlights the ability to customise your mouse sensitivity. The sensor in the Logitech Lift has a sensitivity of 400 dpi to 4000 dpi. Out of the box, it looks like it’s set to 2000dpi (50% in the app). We’re assuming these values as the app gives it to us in percentage and not dpi. In the app. You can set up 2 sensitivities to toggle between with the button next to the Smart Wheel. On the main device screen, you’ll be able to see all your connection methods and battery life as well as your customizations. You will also be updating your firmware from the app.

The Logi Options+ app also allows you to set up application-specific profiles. So you can set up the mouse to have specific functions with different apps. When you first launch the app, it will automatically set up profiles for known programs like the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Teams and even Zoom. The customizations for Zoom and Microsoft Teams are of particular interest. Logitech makes it easy to mute yourself as well as quickly toggle your camera in these apps. The back and forward buttons are remapped to accommodate these functions. Of course, this is only a start when it comes to custom mapping functions. You can even make it easier to copy and paste in applications like Microsoft Word or even toggle Windows features like screen capture or even switching apps.

In addition to the increased customizability, the Logi Options+ app also allows you to copy and paste between different devices where you have it installed. Yes, you’ll be able to copy a file from one laptop to the other without a USB drive. Logitech calls this the Logi Flow. You will need to be on the same network and use the same Logitech mouse to use it. This came in very useful for us when it came to jumping PCs. Of course, if you have OneDrive or Dropbox set up on your devices, it would already sync, but the added convenience of having this as an option is definitely a big plus.

Performance

When it comes to the performance of the Logitech Lift, it performed as well as any other everyday mouse. Movements were registered sufficiently, and the response was near seamless. However, it did suffer from a few nagging issues which a small design update could solve.

The Lift moves on surfaces pretty well. However, there was some added friction especially if you have a desk mat that isn’t made of synthetic fibres. In our case, we were using it on a textured faux-leather desk mat and movement on this surface felt strained. While it’s a simple fix of putting an additional mouse pad on the desk, we were expecting a little better from the design as we’ve used other Logitech mouses on the surface without much hassle.

That aside, the sensor on the Logitech Lift is able to register movement exceptionally well, it feels very responsive and quick when moving around the screen. Of course, this is nothing when compared to more robust gaming mouses. However, it contributes significantly to the user experience.

The Logitech Lift comes with a significant learning curve. That said, it’s a curve that’s there only because we have grown too used to conventional mouse design. It took us about 3 to 4 hours to get used to using the mouse in the new orientation. Once we were over this hump, it felt like any other mouse. In fact, we were able to seamlessly adapt between the Lift and a gaming mouse without much hassle.

There’s another aspect of performance that comes into play with the Logitech Lift – ergonomics and wrist health. Personally, I suffer from De Quervain’s tenosynovitis which is a condition where the tendon which connects to the thumb can become inflamed. The condition flares up every once in a while, when I forget to check on the ergonomics of my workspace. With the Logitech Lift, these flare-ups were significantly reduced. In fact, my wrist felt less strained overall. This is mostly due to the more natural position that the Lift puts your hand into when using it. It helped put the wrist into a more relaxed position and also forces you to use the mouse on a more natural axis. You bend your wrist according to the angle of the bone joint and do not cause it to strain through overexertion through side-to-side movements.

SILENCIO! The Mouse Is Mushy

Speaking of convention, we’re so used to hearing clicking sounds when we use our mouses. When it comes to the Logitech Lift, it was a little bizarre how silent it is. The mouse is more silent than a live mouse! Click and clack all you want, you won’t hear the clicking of the mouse. While this is a very welcomed change, it felt a little bit unnatural to not have the click when pressing down on the left and right mouse buttons.

Logitech has definitely hit the mark when it comes to soundproofing on the Lift. However, the soundproofing may also be the reason the mouse is a little mushy when you click. This was a jarring flaw to us. The lack of feedback when clicking down on the mouse buttons made it feel like we were pushing down on plastic on a pillow. Initially, this feeling led to pressing down pretty hard on the buttons which led to extra fatigue. However, after a little while of getting used to it, it became a welcomed addition to having a mouse that is so silent.

Rethinking Convention for Better Ergonomics at a Price but for Better Long-Term Health

In a nutshell, the Logitech Lift is everything you can expect a mouse to be. Of course, there are a few flaws here and there but it’s definitely not something that Logitech can’t fix with some design updates. The unique 55° angle at which they have designed the mouse makes it one of the least straining experiences with a mouse. We highly recommend it to anyone who is dealing with wrist issues including tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Of course, there are concessions to the added advantage of having healthier wrists. However, in the long term, these concessions are minor ones. The mushy clicks are balanced out by tactile buttons and smooth scrolling. We’re confident that if a majority of users do feel the mush, Logitech will update the design sooner or later to give it a more satisfying tactility than is currently available.

That said, it is a little bit more pricey than a normal mouse with the same feature set. Compared to the MYR69 of the Logitech Signature M650, the Logitech Lift is pretty pricey. It comes in at MYR299. That said, for some of us, it’s a necessity for better productivity and wrist movement. So, it ultimately boils down to what we’re looking for when we choose a mouse.

Accessories, Computers, eSports, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

The Razer Deathstalker V2 – Razer’s Ultimate Low-Profile Keyboard Comes for Round 2

July 27, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Razer’s gaming peripherals are some of the most highly acclaimed products in the world of gaming. Sure, there are some products that is plagued with build quality issues. Razer as a brand is always associated with premium gaming peripherals though.

One of the most highly acclaimed peripherals in their stables is their Razer Deathstalker keyboard. It is a low-profile keyboard with chiclet style keys that struck well with Razer’s fans. The low-profile keyboard is designed to be as comfortable as possible to game on and to work with.

The first Deathstalker rolled out in 2014. The Deathstalker is now about eight years old now. Time for an upgrade, a version 2.

The Deathstalker V2 line-up, as Razer calls it, is the evolution of the concept that was the original Deathstalker. It is still a low-profile keyboard, like the original. Except, the Deathstalker V2 line-up is also choke full of Razer’s eight years’ worth of R&D.

One of the new innovations packed into the latest Razer Deathstalker is also Razer’s latest. With the Deathstalker V2, Razer introduces their new low-profile optical switches. It still works like their original optical switches. It relies on an infra-red beam within the switches to register the keypresses at lightspeeds. The technology ensures that the keyboard is as responsive as it can be in gaming applications and even better typing experience.

Low-profile does not mean that the keyboard must feel less stellar than regular switches. It still features up to 1.2mm actuation point and 2.8mm of total travel. The two options, the Linear and Clicky variants of the switches also offer super light actuation force for speedy responses in intense gaming battles. The Linear actuates at 45 grams, while the Clicky variant actuates at 50 grams at 1.5mm actuation point. Razer also says that the switches can last up to 70 million key presses, supposedly 40% better than their competitors.

While the older Deathstalker comes with an attached wrist rest that cannot be removed. The new one does not. It is a low-profile keyboard designed to ensure that users do not need a wrist rest even in extended usage conditions. To ensure that the keyboard lasts a long time, the plate is made from 5052 aluminium material. It is there for that ‘thock’ as well, of course.

Topping everything off is a rather unique keycap. Of course, they have to be low-profile keycaps, just to fit the whole ‘low-profile’ look and feel. The keycaps are laser etched caps with a special coating to ensure that it is fade and scratch resistant, even more so than doubleshot PBT keycaps, according to Razer.

Of course, thanks to huge advancements in wireless technology, the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro and Deathstalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless comes with Razer’s Hyperspeed Wireless technology. Razer’s proprietary wireless technology ensures that the keyboard offers the lowest latencies even in wireless mode for a cable-like experience without the fuss of cable managing. If not, it offers Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity as well for low latency and extra stable connections with up to 3 devices at once.

The Deathstalker V2 Pro offers up to 40 hours of battery life. The Tenkeyless version offers even more battery life at 50 hours. No need to replace the batteries, they are both charge via a USB Type-C port. Of course, the Type-C cable can also be used as the main connection to your PC as well. Of course, the Deathstalker V2 line-up also comes with Razer’s Chroma RGB controllable via their Razer Synapse 3 software on the PC.

Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer

The Razer Deathstalker V2 line-up starts at MYR 799. There are no colour options for they keyboard, just plain ol’ black. If you are looking for the Tenkeyless version of the keyboard, you will want the Deathstalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless variant at MYR 929. The full-sized keyboard with Razer’s Hyperspeed technology, the Deathstalker V2 Pro will set you back MYR 999 from the 26^th of August 2022 onward. The other variants of the flagship low-profile keyboard will be available in a later unspecified date. You can head over to Razer’s local online retail partners on Shopee and Lazada to get your hands on one. For more information on the Razer Deathstalker V2 line-up, you can head over to their website.

Accessories, News

Canon Announces the CanonSELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer

July 19, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Capturing photos on the go is a breeze nowadays. However, when it comes to sharing and immortalising them in print, we tend to be stuck. Canon is looking to make that a little less hassle with the Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer.

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a really compact device coming in at 182.2mm x 57.6mm x 133.0mm and it weighs only 850g. It sports a 3.5-inch TFT LCD colour monitor so you can view what you’re printing before actually printing it. It’s able to print in three sizes: card (54x86mm), L size and Postcard (100x148mm). These are standard sizes which are available for purchase separately from Canon. It prints pretty quickly too taking only 41 seconds per postcard size – the largest format it supports.

SELPHY CP1500 BK FrontSlantLeft Body Cassette Postcard 1

The built-in display will allow you to make some minor adjustments before printing your images. However, if you want to add more customisation to your prints you can do so using the SELPHY Photo Layout app on your smartphone. You can even connect directly via WiFi and print your pictures from your laptop or PC. It also supports printing over USB-C. The SELPHY CP1500 also allows you to print directly from an SD, SDHC and SDXC card. If you want to print from a microSD card, you can with an adapter.

The SELPHY CP1500 comes with a battery pack which allows it to print up to 72 postcard size prints with a single charge.

Pricing & Availability

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 will be available in retail outlets soon. Canon Malaysia has yet to announce the local pricing for the SELPHY CP1500.

However, the printer is available for pre-order in the UK for £124.99 (MYR668.29) with availability scheduled for September 2022.

Official Specifications

Model	SELPHY CP1500
Colours	Black / White
LCD Monitor	3.5” TFT LCD colour monitor (approx. 230,000 dots)
Print Speed	Postcard size: Approx. 41 sec L size: Approx. 35 sec Card size: Approx. 23 sec Measured conditions: Room temperature, print speed measured from start of yellow printing to ejection of paper. With print finish set to “glossy”.
Image Effects	Image Optimize, Brightness (±3 steps), Colour Adjustment (7 x 7 steps), Filter, Smooth Skin, Red-Eye Correction
More Print Options	Bookmark printing, 2-up fixed size print, Index print, DPOF Print, Reprint
Wi-Fi Compatible	Yes (Wi-Fi router/Direct Connection/SELPHY Photo Layout app)
AirPrint/ Mopria Compatible	Yes
Supported Memory Cards	SD card, SDHC card, SDXC card
Supported Memory Cards (with adapter)	miniSD card, miniSDHC card, microSD card, microSDHC card, microSDXC card
Supported Language	18 languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic, Korean, Thai, Hindi, Vietnamese, Malay, Japanese, Ukrainian(New))
Accessories (included)	PCPL-CP400 (Paper Cassettes)
Power Supply	Compact Power Adapter CA-CP300 B
Battery Pack	NB-CP2LI / NB-CP2LH
Dimensions	Approx. 182.2 x 57.6 x 133.0 mm
Weight	Approx. 850g

Accessories, Camera, News

More Mirrorless Goodness from Canon with new RF Lenses

July 12, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Sony is no longer the only choice in mirrorless cameras. While the Japanese electronics manufacturer have been at it for a long time, its compatriots have also started betting into the technology in recent years. Canon, for one, has been rather active in pushing out new mirrorless cameras and lenses in the recent years to not just compete against Sony. They want their throne as the largest camera manufacturer in the world, and they want the top spot in mirrorless cameras too.

To unseat the current king of mirrorless cameras though, Canon needs to offer more than just a few cameras and select popular lenses. They need to cater to a much larger market. They need to create a larger support system for their EOS R line-up of products. That is why they have introduced their new RF24mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lenses.

While it is only two lenses that they are introducing currently, they now have 30 lenses in their collection of lenses for the EOS R system. The RF lenses, in numbers, still pale in comparison to Sony’s current offerings. Canon is catching up fast though, at this rate anyway.

RF24mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM

As its single focal length suggests, it is another prime lens made for the EOS R series mirrorless cameras from Canon. It completes the range of affordable prime lens collection in Canon’s RF stables. The 24mm adds to Canon’s current 16mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses. It is not just a regular wide-angle prime lens though.

Canon says that this is a sort of dual-purpose prime lens. It is still a wide-angle lens at 24mm, at which focal length, is perfect for landscape shots and even close-up portraits if you like. But it is also developed as a macro lens with only 0.14m in focusing distance from your selected subject. The ultra-short focusing distance will allow you to capture things like food, flowers, small animals, and even toys in rather immaculate detail up-close. At f/1.8 aperture too, you can capture all of these and even portraits with beautiful bokeh on your photos.

The 24mm is also not a very hefty lens to carry around, making it the perfect lens for travelling. At 270g, the prime lens is not what you would call back breaking. Yet, it still packs Canon’s rather clever Image Stabilisation hardware with up to 6.5 stops to ensure that you are capturing the best possible photos without wobbles. It contains 9 aperture blades so that your bokeh comes as round as they can be.

RF15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

If you need versatility from your lens, a zoom lens should always be the preferred option. Zoom lenses give you a sort of flexibility no prime lenses can give you. If you need one lens to do it all, you want to go for a Zoom lens.

The RF15-30mm with f/4.5-6.3mm is a budget lens. With aperture as high as f/6.3mm, you may not get depth effect as good as the one you get on the prime lens. It is a small trade-off for the versatility in range you get from 15mm to 30mm though. At 15mm, you get a wider angle from the 24mm to capture more landscape goodness in your travels. At 30mm, you can just zoom in enough to cut out whatever you might not want in your photo but still get a good wide-angle shot anyway. At 30mm too, you are getting a rather natural perspective, very close to what you can see with your natural human eyes.

While it is not exactly a macro lens, its 0.28m focal distance puts it close enough for you to work with if you still want to capture macro images. Of course, to get even more detail on your subject, you want to get a good zoom in. It sacrifices some of the lens opening with up to f/6.3 aperture, but with good enough lighting, you should be able to come up with something beautiful still.

At 390g, it is heavier than the budget prime lens Canon introduced alongside this lens. It is also slightly bulkier than the prime lens, which is sort of a given with more elements introduced for the lens to zoom in and out. It still packs Canon’s legendary image stabilization at 7 stops for ultra-steady and crisp images out-of-the-box. It features 7 aperture blades, 2 less than the prime lens. But you can still capture rather interesting photos with the RF zoom lens.

Availability

There are no confirmations on when the new RF lenses will make it to Malaysia. Although, you can already find more information on the new lenses on their website. If you do head over there, you would have noticed that there is no pricing just yet too. There are no clear indications how much Canon would be pricing both these budget lenses. Based on what we have seen on the market though, the 24mmm lens should set you back anywhere between MYR 2,000 to MYR 3,000. The zoom 15mm-35mm should go anywhere between MYR 2,500-3,500. Take it with a pinch of salt though, we could be wrong.

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Health, Lifestyle, News

Roborock Releases the Self-Cleaning G10

July 8, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Robot vacuum cleaners are the best thing that happened to humanity after the broom, mop, and regular vacuum cleaners. Why? While it is not 100%, robot vacuum cleaners save you a lot of cleaning time in your house. Sure, you might need to use a supplementary handheld vacuum cleaner to ensure that you can clean the nooks and crannies in your home. If you are not too particular, modern robot vacuum cleaners does at least 85% of the job well enough. They can even mop your floor at the same time, saving you even more time.

There is a small problem here though. The robot vacuums are rather tiny in most cases, which also limits its waste tank capacity. If you have a mop function, the water tank would have to be rather small, and it takes up even more tank capacity, making the waste tank even smaller. While it does save some cleaning time, you would have to empty and refill the tank rather regularly. There is also the problem of cleaning the vacuum cleaner itself. Not with Roborock’s latest creation though.

705b0a0e1ca53c257ac030100575dcf9 — Source: Roborock

They call it the G10, and it will set you back MYR 3,999. It is also one of the most sophisticated, if not the most, in the vacuum cleaning market. Yes, it comes with a rather tall dock for not just emptying its waste tank, it also cleans the robot’s mop if you want it to.

We start with the robot unit first though. It is Roborock’s most powerful robot vacuum cleaner to date. It features 2,500 Pa of suction to ensure that all sorts of dirt and debris gets lifted, even in carpets. They have also upgraded the main brush to hug the floor better to ensure that whatever dirt that might get stuck on the floor gets unstuck too.

The mop function has been updated too. It is now what Roborock calls Sonic Moppping that vibrates the mop at up to 3,000 times a minute to ensure that even the most stubborn of dirt gets wiped cleanly off the floor. The Ultrasonic sensor on the unit ensures that the robot recognises carpets more accurately in mopping mode to avoid wetting the carpets. To prevent hair from tangling within the brushes, it is fitted with Roborock’s rubber brushes that is also more durable than regular brushes.

Source: Roborock
Source: Roborock
Source: Roborock
Source: Roborock

Of course, it is a smart little gadget you can control with your smartphone, as expected. It packs Roborock’s rather proven 3D mapping technology that recognises your room and maps it out. This allows rooms to be cleaned more efficiently and effectively. You can now also add furniture and floor material information to create a more accurate map of your house. That way also the robot can also cleverly determine its own cleaning functions according to floor types and furniture placements.

Then there is its dock that also cleans the Roborock G10. Roborock designed the dock ramp to automatically clean its brushes of course. The dock also houses a larger tank that allows the robot to ultimately empty its own tank and reduces the need for you to keep maintaining the robot vacuum cleaner itself. At the same time, the dock has a cleaning module made to specifically clean the mop module of the G10. There is a brush that rotates at 600 rpm to completely clean the mop off dirty water, keeping the mop clean and ready to go for its next round of cleaning session. There is also a large water tank in the dock to ensure that your robot G10 is filled with clean water for its next mop.

The Roborock G10 is now available for pre-order. It retails at MYR 3,999 and you can get it from its official store exclusively on Shopee. For more information on the Roborock G10, you can head over to their website.

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

beyerdynamic Finally Gave into Peer Pressure – Introducing the Free BYRD TWS headphones

July 8, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Wireless earphones are all the rage these days. We do not think it is the first time we start an article with that. We doubt it will be the last time too.

It is a true statement though. Most smartphone owners today will, at some point, have owned a wireless audio solution. Most of them will have at least experienced truly wireless (TWS) headsets at least once by now. Most of them will succumb to the convenience of one and own at least one in their lifetime.

There are also reasons why plenty of high-end audio gear manufacturers avoid offering TWS type headsets though. One of which is the fact that there will be some compromises with audio quality. Latency can also be an issue with TWS type headphones.

Still, manufacturers can no longer ignore the appeal of one. beyerdynamic finally gave into that pressure as well. Welcome to the Free BYRD. Yes, it comes with a few tricks from Beyerdynamic that is meant to elevate the TWS headset experience.

The beyerdynamic Free BYRD is their first TWS type audio gear, which is why they are pulling all the stops to make this as good as they can make it. It packs a 10mm driver, which is rather large considering that even the likes of Sony have reduced their driver sizes to about 6mm with the new WH-1000XM4. A larger driver has its advantages though. Because it is bigger than the regular drivers found in similar devices, it can push more air and drive more air pressure into your ears for punchier and more detailed bass notes.

The Free BYRD also features the latest aptX adaptive codec alongside AAC support. These codecs should work together with the 10mm drivers to produce sounds as they are intended and probably even better. beyerdynamic also introduces something they call MOSAYC. It is what they call “Attention to Detail with Mimi Sound Personalisation” to really elevate your listening experience. It automatically tunes the drivers to the listeners ears to create a more optimised listening profile. In that case, no two Free BYRD should sound completely the same. To customize the listening experience even more, there is the equalizer within the proprietary MIY app on Android and iOS.

beyerdynamic Free BYRD man — Source: beyerdynamic

Of course, there is active noise cancelling (ANC) baked into the TWS earbuds. The hybrid ANC should really ensure that users block the world out. For the best experience, you want to find the best fitting ear tips for yourself. beyerdynamics includes five sets of differently sized silicone ear tips and three additional memory foam earpieces for use in sporting activities. In those cases, you can be sure that the Free BYRD can withstand all kinds of grimes and sweat with IPX4 certification.

The Bluetooth 5.2 device with Google Fast Pair headphones offers Qualcomm’s dual 2-mic cVc technology. The new technology with four mics in total should offer highly natural phone calls with excellent pick-up. Obviously, the mics should also be excellent for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and even Apple’s Siri.

In terms of battery life, the Free BYRD offers up to 11 hours of battery life from a single charge in total. You can wirelessly charge the Free BYRD if you have a wireless charging pad. Of course, it is also charged via USB Type-C. A quick 10-minute plug-in can also give you up to 70 minutes in music playback time, if you are in a rush.

Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic
Source: beyerdynamic

The beyerdynamic Free BYRD is available in most of Europe via their official store on Amazon.com. It is available in Black and Gray colour options. It will set you back EUR€ 229, which is about MYR 1,029* or US$ 232**. The price range puts it squarely as a competitor of the Sony WF-1000XM4. Sadly, there is no word on its availability in Malaysia. Chances are, if you really want one, you have to get it from Amazon Europe and get someone to ship it to Malaysia for you. More information on the beyerdynamics Free BYRD can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of EUR€ 1 = MYR 4.49 as of 08/07/2022 on xe.com

**Approximately based on exchange rate of EUR€ 1 = US$ 1.01 as of 08/07/2022 on xe.com

Accessories, Health, Lifestyle, News

Garmin Releases the Edge 1040 Solar in Malaysia for MYR 3,699 – Unfortunately it Does Still Need Charging in Malaysia

July 7, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

In the climate that is Malaysia, you get sunlight all year round. That also means that Malaysia is rather prime for solar technology. We kind of think that every gadget in Malaysia should include an option for solar charging.

While it is rather hot in Malaysia, outdoor activities are also rather popular in Malaysia. Well, we do have to live with it most of the time. It is either hot clear skies, or the rain, and we do prefer the former when we want to have outdoor activities.

When you want to buy a tracker for your outdoor activities, you want a Garmin, quite undoubtedly. Garmin does not just make plain ol’ fitness trackers. They make specific stuffs for all kinds of specific activities. They range from Golf, Running, Trekking, even driving. They also make cycling computers now. They make the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, made specifically for cyclists.

Technically, the Edge 1040 is not a wearable. Rather, you attach it to your bike, and it collects all kinds cycling specific data for your reference on Garmin Connect app as well. It collects navigation data to create or highlight trails. It even tells you if there are popular routes for you to take from data collected from other cyclists. Of course, the Garmin is still a navigation tool, so with GPS it will still help you navigate through routes and helps you by notifying you off sharp bends ahead. There are differing training modes as well that puts the VO2 Max data against your body’s response to help you determine how best to take on trails. The Edge 1040 can even collect elevation data with ClimbPro. If you are into mountain biking, the Edge 1040 can even collect data like jump count, jump distance, and even hang time.

Edge1040 Bundle HR 1000 — Source: Garmin

While it does add a little bit of weight to your bicycle, it can also act as your safety net. It allows its user to stay connected and tracked accurately via GPS. It features incident detection functions. Once detected, the Garmin Edge 1040 immediately sends for assistance. LiveTrack also allows your loved ones to keep cyclists tracked in real-time and even view their preplanned routes.

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar features a rather clever Power Glass that is also featured on Garmin’s more premium wearables. The Power Glass allows the device to be charged by sunlight, which is plenty in Malaysia. We are not saying that you do not have to charge the device ever though. The solar charging feature does allow the device to last up to 100 hours, a lot more than the regular Edge 1040 without solar charging.

Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin
Source: Garmin

The Garmin Edge 1040 series is now available in Malaysia. You can get your hands on one from Garmin’s official online stores on Shopee and Lazada. You can also get them directly from Garmin’s exclusive distributor AECO and all Garmin’s authorized dealers. The regular Garmin Edge 1040 will set you back MYR 3,450. You want the Solar variant though, for MYR 3,699. More information on the Garmin Edge 1040 cycling computer can be found on their website.

Accessories, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Samsung’s Freestyle is Now Available in Malaysia for MYR 4,999!

July 7, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Samsung, back in CES 2022, announced a bunch of very interesting products. One of them is a particularly odd-looking projector with rounded body and an odd foot. It certainly does not look like the typical traditional projector.

They call it the Freestyle, and it is not really a portable projector in any case. It does not pack a battery pack within the body. It is a regular projector that requires a power adapter plugged into a wall socket. It is not technically an LED projector either. So, the only thing that is unique about this product could be its striking visual.

Except, it is not just its odd visuals that could make this a projector you want at home. While it is not a portable projector with a battery packed in, it is still a rather light device. At 830 grams, it is one of the lightest, if not the lightest projector of its kind. That also means that if you have a wall socket nearby, you can take this projector and turn any room or space within your home into and entertainment hub. Either that, or just hop it up with an external USB power source capable of pushing 50W/20V output. If you have a powerbank that powerful, you essentially have a portable projector here.

my the freestyle lsp3b sp lsp3blaxxm 531007001 — Source: Samsung

Projection wise, you are getting a Full HD image out of the Freestyle, which is actually pretty good. You can get up to 100-inch of projection with no issue too with the Freestyle. With the 180^o articulation, even your ceiling can be your cinema display. At the same time, you can technically prop the Freestyle on any surface and its auto keystone function will automatically level your images. It even features its own Smart Calibration in case you are projecting on a wall that is not black or even white.

Surprisingly enough, you can still find a speaker on the compact projector. It packs a 5W 360-degree radiation speaker that should distribute audio evenly in the room. They say that the 5W speakers should also offer cinema-quality sound experience.

It is not just a plain projector that you have to connect your media source to. Even without connecting the projector via cables to your smartphone or PC, it is a smart projector that comes with the Tizen OS for TVs. That also means that you get access to the likes of Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and even Apple TV+. If not, you can always just mirror your smartphone’s contents on the projector wirelessly when you want. It also comes with Samsung’s Bixby smart assistant, so you technically may not need a remote for the Freestyle.

Once you are done with the Freestyle, you technically do not have to turn it off. You can use it to set the mood for your room with ambient mode. It can be an additional lighting source, or it can also display a scene and even become your large format photo frame if you want it to be. Of course, that is going to take up some of its lamp’s life.

Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung

The Samsung Freestyle is available now from Samsung’s Malaysia Online Store, Shopee, and Lazada. You can also find one in your nearest Samsung authorized resellers and concept stores nationwide. It will set you back MYR 4,999, which is a lot of money for a projector still. If you get the Freestyle before 31^st of July 2022 though, you are entitled to complementary accessories like the Freestyle Case (Dark Green) and Freestyle Skin (Forest Green) that is worth up to MYR 498 in total. More information on the Samsung Freestyle can be found on their website.

Accessories, Gaming, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

ASUS ROG Unleashes Latest Headsets with Dual-Mode Connectivity

July 6, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Before we go ahead with the report, we must give you a little bit of a disclaimer. Not all the new headsets that ASUS ROG just introduced are built with dual-mode connectivity. Among the four options, you only have two headphones that gives you two connectivity options.

We are talking about wireless headphones here, the trend of the decade. Ever since audio solution providers started working with speakers that can be connected to devices via Bluetooth, the demand for wireless audio gear has skyrocketed. The number of products that cater to variety of wireless audio needs have also has exponentially multiplied over the years.

If you were to go out today and said you wanted a Bluetooth enabled headphone, you will be pressed for choices. There are too many out there to count from the budget options to the premium options. If you want the best of the best though, you had to have something like a Sony in mind. However, the current best-of-the-best from Sony is not really made for gaming.

In that case, you do want to turn to the gaming brands. You want to turn to the likes of ASUS’s ROG for example, the gaming skunkworks of the Taiwanese computing giant. They already make brilliant smartphones, the ROG Phone 6 is currently one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful smartphone in the world at launch. If they can do that, what about gaming headsets?

ROG Cetra True Wireless Pro & True Wireless

Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS

We start with the most unique one in their range of new audio solutions, the Cetra True Wireless Pro. Yes, this one is the one where you get dual-mode connectivity built into the device. It is also a True Wireless (TWS) earphone, the little in-ear ones, not over-ear headphones; that is why it is such a big deal.

At its most basic form, the Cetra True Wireless Pro works as a Bluetooth headset. To ensure that users get the best audio experience, there is a built in Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound chip that lowers latency. The chip also allows for a high-quality 24-bit, 96 kHz streams to get through via Bluetooth. If you put the earphones into gaming mode, the ultralow-latency hits 45ms to ensure that you get near instant feedback from your games. The chip also facilitates the multiple ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) modes that you can choose from with the headset.

Rather than being a pure True Wireless headset, you can use it via a USB Type-C connection as well. To eliminate latency, wired headsets are always preferred. With smartphones today though, 3.5mm AUX tips are no longer a good option. So, you go with USB Type-C, which also allows ROG to pack more features into the headphone via the cable.

Within the cable is a hi-f- grade ESS 9280 DAC. That also means that the bundled cable is good for lossless audio with rather rich detailing and even spatial sound. It can process up to 130dB signal-to-noise ratio to ensure that you are not only getting the most accurate sound representation of any media you are listening to, but it also allows you to really pinpoint where sounds are coming from in your games.

The Cetra True Wireless Pro’s mics can filter over 500 million types of background noise. Its integrated AI Noise-Cancelling Microphone reduces up to 95% of noise while still allowing you to have clear communication with your teammates. Additionally, there are microphones inside your ears on the headset too to make for better ANC experience.

With the ROG Cetra True Wireless, you get everything that the Cetra Wireless Pro gets, except for the USB Type-C cable and the dual-mode connectivity function. It is still a rather compelling option for mobile gamers though. You get to push it to low-latency mode too with Gaming mode. It still features Hybrid ANC technology to ensure that you are not distracted by what is happening outside your game time.

ROG Delta S Wireless

Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS

If you prefer something that is more wholesome, something you want to use at home, something that covers your entire ears for a more comfortable fit and better seal, you go for an over-ear headset. What if you hate cable managing? What if your PC is placed in an odd location and plugging your cables in and out of the thing is a hassle? What is your console is far away from you? You get an ROG Delta S Wireless gaming headset.

The ROG Delta S Wireless is also a dual-mode headset. Instead of giving you the option to either having a wireless or wired connection though, it is dual-mode wireless connection. It offers the low latency, near instant, highly stable 2.4GHz wireless connection. At the same time, it offers the convenience of Bluetooth connection for you to work with for smartphones, if you wish to.

The idea of using 2.4GHz connection for your audio gear with a dongle is not only for the PC gamers, but also for the console gamers. Since it is made to handle up to 25m in distance, there should be little worry about where you place the connected PC or console within your house.

It is a gaming headset, so there is naturally a built-in mic for team communications. It is not like any other mic that might feel like an afterthought in gaming headphones though. There are AI Beamforming mics that is hidden on the headphone that targets a good portion of area in front of the user’s mouth to pick up the user’s voice. The AI Noise Cancellation algorithm also ensures that the mics only pick up your voice and nothing of much else for clear team communications.

The Delta S Wireless packs a rather large driver too. At 50mm, it is larger than most regular over-ear headphones you can find in the market. There are 60mm drivers too, in the market to be fair. The ASUS Essence drivers, at 50mm, should be enough to deliver highly detailed and punchy low-frequency sounds though. They say also that the drivers should be able to facilitate highly detailed audios for all sorts of use case too with a 12^o tit on the drivers in an airtight chamber. At the same time, there is ROG’s Hyper-Grounding technology to ensure that there is as little electromagnetic interference as possible on the audio signals to ensure that noise is minimized.

ROG Delta S Core

Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS

Again, if you prefer something more regular, more grounded, more basic solution with the least latency, wired connections are the way to go. In that case, the ROG Delta S Core is the one for you. The Delta S Core offers a universal 3.5mm AUX tip that is compatible with PCs, major gaming consoles like the PlayStation, the Nintendo Switch, and even the Xbox.

It still features the same 50mm drivers you find in its wireless sibling. Because there is no battery to weigh it down, it weighs only 270g. The ergonomic D-shaped earcups that is designed to closely match the shape of regular ears also ensures that you can game for extended hours without feeling fatigued.

The wired connection also allows for the headphone to pack virtual 7.1 channel surround sound with Windows Sonic. With virtual surround sound too, you can accurately place your enemies or teammates within your game just via audio signals. At the same time, the built-in microphone that are Discord and TeamSpeak certified ensures that you always have a clear line of communications with your teammates.

Price and Availability

The ROG Cetra True Wireless Pro is not available now. Currently, there are no confirmations on when it will be available in Malaysia. There is no information on its official pricing for the region yet too. Its regular counterpart, the Cetra True Wireless headset will be available in Malaysia soon for MYR 515. The two Delta S series headphones that are just announced will also be making it to Malaysia soon. The ROG Delta S Wireless headphone with dual-mode wireless connectivity will be available for MYR 899. The ROG Delta S Core will be available for MYR 388. More information on ROG’s latest gaming headsets can be found on their website.

Accessories, Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Sony Launches INZONE in Malaysia – Now PC Gamers Get to Enjoy Some Sony Audio Goodness Too!

July 5, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

If you ask for a recommendation for a personal listening gear; some sort of earphones or headphones for general purposes, more often than not we will tell you to go for Sony. There is a good reason for that. They make decent listening gear for all kinds of purpose in all kinds of price range. More importantly, if you have the budget to spare, they make some of the best personal listening solutions in the market.

Sony is also the maker of the most successful gaming console series the world has seen thus far. Technically, they are one of the biggest names in the modern gaming industry. They make some of the best gaming gears in the industry too. But that is only limited to their PlayStation gaming platform.

Because they have been so focused on releasing gears for their console platform, the PC gamer race have been quite neglected and left wanting. They could get their hands on Sony’s high-end Wh-1000X over-ear platform, to be fair. They do not get the taste of what Sony can really do for their games though. That stops now with Sony’s INZONE peripherals.

INZONE H9 – Wireless Gaming Headset at its Best

We want to compare this INZONE H9 to the Sony WH-1000XM5, but we realised that it is a completely different beast. It is a pure wireless gaming headset, which also means the only way you are going to get it to work is with either Bluetooth or an included USB dongle. The USB dongle even has a switch for you to switch between PC and PS5, depending on where you use your H9 on. Of course, for the best experience, you want to use the dongle.

Either way (Bluetooth or Dongle), you get access to the INZONE Hub PC software that gives you control over the INZONE H9 headset. You can control its eq, its noise cancellation levels, and more. Speaking of noise cancellation technology, you can expect the best-in-class noise cancelling experience with Sony’s knowhow in making the best noise cancelling headphones in the industry.

The INZONE Hub on your PC also activates Sony’s brilliant 360 Spatial Sound to precisely recreate environmental sound of any game. It is really like a virtual 3D audio or surround sound experience for your games. That way, you can precisely tell where your enemies are in within the game too, as per intended in most competitive games today.

The Sony INZONE H9 is also designed to ensure that you get the best audio experience you can get in whatever conditions. Its diaphragms are designed with a unique shape to accurately re-produce high-frequency sounds. Alongside the unique diaphragm is also some cleverly placed and designed portings to ensure you get highly accurate and powerful low-frequency sounds as well. The headset’s design should put you right in the center of the action.

It is also designed with comfort in mind obviously. Its soft cushions used on the earcups, and the headband is made with long hours in mind. To ensure that you can game with the headphones on for hours on end, the earpads are also designed to minimise clamping pressure on your head, just to ensure that you can game even longer than before. The INZONE H9 can last up to 32 hours on a single charge, you would want to have comfort on your side. You can even charge it while its being in use, just so that you can continue gaming even when the battery gets low.

Of course, it is always nice to game with your friends, it is always nice to chat with your friends during a gaming session. In intense situations, communication with your teammates becomes more important than ever. The H9 comes with a built-in mic that should allow you to communicate with your teammates seamlessly and precisely.

INZONE H7 – Long Battery Life, Precise Placement, Still Wireless

The INZONE H7 is everything its more premium brother, the H9 is. There are some things missing though. It does not come with dongle, for example. With Bluetooth 5.0 though, latency should be kept at a minimum, not wireless dongle minimum still though.

It also does not pack noise cancelling technology. Still, the passive noise cancellation should be good enough with clever synthetic materials that seals your ear properly, as long as you place it correctly but soft enough for you to game with for extended periods. It is the same material you can find on the INZONE H9.

It features even longer battery life than the H9. The INZONE H7 boasts 40 hours in battery life, longer than any other headphones of its kind in the industry. You can credit its rather long battery life to the fact that it does not have noise cancelling.

Still, you get the same drivers the high-end H9 does. With INZONE Hub on your PC, you also have access to Sony’s clever 360 Reality Audio algorithm to make your games as immersive as they can be. It also features the same sort of porting from the H9 to ensure that you get the most accurate low-frequencies as possible on the headphones for more precise placements of your opponents and teammates in the game.

INZONE H3 – The Wired Option

If you prefer something more traditional, with the least latency possible, you want to game with a wired headphone. INZONE has that solution in the H3 as well. With a wired connection, battery life is not an issue as well. There are some things that you must give up though.

First, there is the cable management you might have to do. Other than the cable mess that you might have to think about, the H3 does not feature noise cancelling like the H9. Because the headphone relies on its cables to power the drivers, you cannot use it with most smartphones today unless you get a dongle.

Still, it is a rather powerful set of headphones though with a 40mm Neodynum drivers contained within the earcups, the same ones you can find on the H7 and the H9. While it does not look like it, there are some clever porting on the headphones to ensure that your low frequencies are perfectly and precisely produced.

It still works with INZONE Hub too. With INZONE Hub on your PC active, you get to experience Sony’s 360 Reality Audio at a fraction of the cost o the H9 and even the H7. Again, it is not a wireless headset, so it is as simple as it gets.

Price and Availabiliity

The All the INZONE headphones comes in white colour option. There are no other colour options for the headphones, because Playstation. The INZONE H9 will set you back MYR 1,299. The INZONE H7 that does not come with noise cancelling technoly will set you back MYR 1,099, while the most budget friendly option of them all, the INZONE H3 will set you back MYR 439. You can get your hands on one from any of Sony’s authorised retailers and concept stores nationwide. More information on the INZONE headphones can be found on their website.

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