Category Archives: Editorial

HUAWEI Y6P In-Depth Review – Another Missed Opportunity

November 6, 2020 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

It has been more than a year since the United States of America vs. HUAWEI debacle. That issue has affected the smartphone industry a major way. HUAWEI is not just banned from the United States of America (U.S.A.), but vendors from the country are not allowed to deal with HUAWEI. That also means that HUAWEI loses the majority of their suppliers and clients alike. The lose important partners like Google. That loss of support also means that modern HUAWEI devices for 2020 does not come with Google’s Play Store.

It started with the HUAWEI Mate 30 series introduced last year, the HUAWEI AppGallery. That app aggregator is supposed to replace the missing Google Play Store on HUAWEI devices, a sort of filling for a hole left by Google. AppGallery was not perfect though, far from it. It is still only the third biggest app ecosystem in the world at this point. While that may not seem to be entirely a bad thing, you have to remember that there were two major superpowers in the app ecosystem, and they are leading in the region of billions of apps available to users. The HUAWEI AppGallery, in contrast, has not even hit 100,000, in app population.

This also means that all HUAWEI devices are a little crippled when it comes out of the box. Surprisingly though, Malaysia holds itself as HUAWEI’s biggest market outside of China. Proof? The HUAWEI Mate 30 series’ first batch to Malaysia sold out within the first day.

Those are flagships with very compelling hardware to go though, the Mate 30 devices. They embody the best of HUAWEI and the latest of their innovations in almost every aspect. What about the more budget options? What about a HUAWEI Y6P, for example?

The HUAWEI Y6P is an MYR 559 package that seems basic enough to be a secondary smartphone. It is even wallet friendly enough that it could be your kids’ first smartphone. But is this a better buy than, let us say, a Xiaomi Redmi 9 for example? Is it a good buy at all, since you still do not get Google Play Store on the device? We delve in and find out.

Design

By now, if you are a regular, you should know that we like to start by looking at the entirety of the device and see if it is anywhere near attractive enough to make it into our pockets or not. In reality, smartphones look pretty much the same most of the times now. The HUAWEI Y6P is two slabs of thin and ultra-strong glass panels stuck together with nothing more than glue on what seems to be its aluminium chassis.

At least it looks modern with bezels so thin, you could get a papercut (not really, but you get the point). The lip bezel at the bottom of the device seems to be a little thicker to suggest that the display is perhaps not as high-end as you want it to be. It is a budget package that costs well under MYR 1,000 after all.

You pull your gaze further up the display and everything looks sublime until you reach the top of the device. You spot an old school notch that houses a front-facing camera. While the front-facing camera notch is not something from a decade ago, it still feels a little old compared to modern smartphones of today; a little old-fashioned.

Not that it is a bad thing though. The little notch is a still an elegant and valid solution to the near bezel-less displays of today. Still, we are never huge fans of notched displays or punch-hole displays.

You move to the back, and you see pretty much what you can expect from a modern smartphone. You see a multi-camera set up surrounded by the usual glass or plastic material. In the case of the HUAWEI Y6P, you see a triple-camera set-up surrounded by glass.

There is another old-fashioned feature on the device too, at the back. There is a proper, physical dip for a fingerprint sensor. These days you get plenty of devices with their fingerprint sensor under their displays. In our opinion, the old physical fingerprint sensors are still the best to work with. They are still more accurate and faster compared to the modern under-display fingerprint readers.

Thing is, while this looks like a device that is a whole lot older than modern flagships, the design cues on the device is common in a non-flagship that sets you back less than MYR 1,000. The traditional fingerprint sensor out the back of the device, the notched display, and the fat bottom lip of the bezel are not that old as well. In fact, we saw these designs two years ago at most. Most of these design decisions were also made to counter one or two problems with trending designs at the time if you think about it.

Underneath the glass at the back is a unique design that looks like a wave under the lights. Again, this is the sort of design you can expect from smartphones from last year and two years ago maybe. That does not mean that it does not look good though.

The unit we have is a Phantom Purple variant, and we quite like the patterns from the glass back of the device. We think that some flagships should come with these kinds of backing instead of entry-level or mid-range devices. Still, we suspect that this kind of look might not age well.

Overall, there is nothing really that stands out for the device. It looks plain and simple enough to pass as a smartphone. It looks perfectly fitting as a secondary smartphone, a spare smartphone, or your kids’ first smartphone. The price fits too.

Hardware

Unlike its more premium siblings, the HUAWEI Y6P has to make do with a MediaTek MT6762R System on a Chip (SoC). It is still an octa-core processor though, which means it should still be a capable machine. Multi-core also means that this should be able to run most mobile made apps and processes smoothly and quickly enough. Of course, again, it will not be perfect. It only packs 4GB in RAM and its display is not even a Full HD+ panel.

Specifications

Processor	Mediatek MT6763R Helio P22 Octa-core 12nm 4x Cortex A53@ 1.5GHz 4x Cortex A53 @ 2.0GHz
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	PowerVR GE8320
RAM	4GB
Memory (as tested)	64GB MicroSDXC slot
Display	IPS LCD 6.3-inch 1,600 x 720 pixels ~278ppi
Operating System	ColorOS 7.1 based on Android 10
Battery	Non-Removable Li-Po 5,000mAh Fast Charging 10W
Connectivity	Dual SIM Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP Bluetooth 5.0 LE OTG Support MicroUSB
Camera (s)	REAR: 13-Megapixel (f/1.8, wide angle) 5-Megapixel (f/2.2, ultra-wide angle) 2-Megapixel (f/2.4, depth sensor) HDR Full HD 1080p video recording (30fps) FRONT: 8-Megapixel (f/2.0) Full HD video recording (30fps)
Sensors	Accelerometer Proximity Fingerprint Ambient Light Gyroscope Face Unlock Compass

User Interface

Nope, it does not run HUAWEI’s proprietary operating system (OS). It is still the very familiar EMUI 10.1 that is based on Android 10. There is no word yet on EMUI 11 that should be based on Android 11. Still, Android 10 is still a very capable OS by Google.

Again, sadly there is no Google Play Store available here. You cannot even install Google Play Services and Framework for that matter. Which also means that while it is an Android device, it is devoid of plenty of apps and functions that makes an Android device an Android device.

HUAWEI AppGallery – an Improvement, But Not Google Play Store Replacement

We have to give it to HUAWEI and the team that is responsible in responding to the whole issue with not having Google Play Store. They have been doing a good job maintaining a straight face in the whole crisis and developed the HUAWEI AppGallery anyway. Like EMUI, the app marketplace has gone from strength to strength and has become a unique app marketplace on its own.

Of course, they like to point out that the AppGallery is now the third largest app marketplace there is in the world. Take it with a pinch of salt though. They are currently not up against huge players in the market. There are only two other large names in the field of distributing mobile apps to the world. Those two names are, of course, Google and Apple.

Still, that claim to third should not be discounted too much though. The AppGallery is growing consistently. We do not think that it will ever reach the heights and the sizes that are the Google Play store and Apple App Store in the next five years. We even hope that a change in the U.S.A. political conditions might allow Googe’s Play Store to find its way back to HUAWEI’s devices.

That is not to say that AppGallery is not a pleasant space to be though. There are apps that you are used to that will not be there, and there are apps that you will not normally use recommended to you. There is also something they call QuickApps within the app.

You can have WhatsApp on your smartphone and even Facebook on the HUAWEI Y6P via the AppGallery. They are not exactly on the app though. They are still the official download links on the official app, so you are quite safe. On the AppGallery as well, you can find iflix as well, if you want, or Viu, if you prefer that. You can download and get Netflix to work, but not via AppGallery, so you are using the app at your own risk as well.

Most importantly though you still can find shopping apps like Shopee and Lazada on the AppGallery, and almost all the banking apps in Malaysia. This is important because that also means that there is some localisation going on here.

EMUI 10.1 – The HUAWEI Ecosystem, on the Front Page

It is not all bad though. EMUI 10.1 is still and Android based OS. You see the marks of Android on it too like widgets and folders. It is the familiar EMUI that you know from before too (if you are familiar with EMUI). It does not feature an app menu tray, and it never will.

Like any modern Android, EMUI 10.1 feels smooth, snappy, and easy. You can get it to work with gestures from the beginning if you want to. That also means that there are no visible buttons to work with. Instead you swipe from the left or right to go ‘back’, swipe up to quickly go back to ‘home’, and hold after you swipe up for ‘recent apps’.

What that does is make your home screen looks much cleaner and a lot more expansive. But a device with no clear buttons might be confusing to some people, trust me plenty of friends gets confused on how an Android works these days. We do think that gesture control is still the way to go though.

The EMUI 10.1 on this device is a little different from the EMUI 10.1 of a flagship device though. Of course, that is to accommodate for the hardware present on the device. At the same time too, of course you are not going to get the full EMUI experience with this one, it is a sub MYR 1,000 device.

Some of things missing from EMUI on this device is things like HUAWEI Share and Multi-Screen Collaboration. Oh yes, it does not get Meetime as well, sadly. Or even air gesture controls like the HUAWEI P40 series.

So, what you are getting here is not really the full EMUI 10.1 that you get on flagship devices. Instead, it is the simplified version, the basic version that does just what you need a regular smartphone needs to do. It texts, it calls, and it plays videos, and that is just about it.

But it is not just because HUAWEI wants to encourage you to spend more money on your smartphones for all these features though. It is because they want you to buy this device as your secondary device, or just simplify it enough that it can truly be your first smartphone experience. That is why EMUI is simplified, for a simple device.

It does not have NFC, so why do you need HUAWEI Share? You might not need to use it on your PC or tablet, since it is a secondary device, so multi-collaboration is not needed. Air gesture would be clever and useful, but the hardware requirements will make it a lot more expensive that it is, so no. Camera? As an added bonus, the software will not be the bottleneck of the device, which also means you still get a smooth Android experience without spending an arm and a leg for it.

In that sense, the HUAWEI Y6P has done EMUI right. Our experience with the HUAWEI Y6P has been a smooth one. There are some noticeable lags here and there and plenty of apps open slower than what you can expect from flagship device. That is quite expected though, coming from a budget device. In that case, if you rely on your device for work that much and need to load a custom app quickly, maybe you want to consider using that app on your daily carry instead. We are quite confident that it will still run okay without any issues if you give it time though.

Sure, there are plenty of things that you might not be able to do with the HUAWEI Y6P over more expensive HUAWEI devices. Again, this is a budget device that is designed for a completely different market in mind. Expecting this to perform like a flagship device is quite unrealistic to begin with. The only drawback is that you do not have Google Play Store with it. But there are workarounds for that as well, if you are willing to take some risks and go through a little bit of hassle. Of course, you cannot be using any Google apps, since most Google apps need Google Framework installed, and this device does not have Google Framework installed within the system.

Performance

Of course, as we mentioned within the UI segment, you cannot expect magic to come out of the HUAWEI Y6P. It packs a MediaTek MT6762R SoC, which is not the most sophisticated or the most powerful SoC available for Android devices currently. While it is not the most powerful, it is good value and keeps the prices of the devices it powers cheap. It still has eight cores within the construction with four high-power cores and four low-power cores, the normal Big Little architecture that we see plenty of in today’s smartphone market.

It only packs 4GB in RAM as well, with 64GB in memory, to keep the device as budget friendly as possible. The amount of memory that the device has access to is also a good indication of how much processes it might be able to run at the same time. 4GB, while plenty for a mobile device, may not be adequate for high-load applications. Though, whether 4GB of RAM is enough really depends on how you work with your device.

We are not able to run any regular benchmarks for the HUAWEI Y6P because the regular apps we use for benchmarking a device does not exist on AppGallery. Downloading the apps via a third-party app aggregator works, but there is no guarantee that it works the same or is the most updated version. In that case we skip the benchmarks and continue the experience of the device.

Call Quality and Connectivity

We used the HUAWEI Y6P as our main driver. We stuck to Maxis because we are Maxis customers anyway. The device supports dual SIM capabilities, but we did not have a secondary SIM card to put into the device. It could also take a MicroSD card on the three-card slot tray, we stuck a 32GB MicroSD card in the device.

A three-card slot tray also means that you can have two SIM cards and a MicroSD card together in the device without compromise. We always thought that a flagship device should also include this kind of SIM tray, but none of the major flagships has gone this route yet. In that sense, we thought that his arrangement is the best there is.

The HUAWEI Y6P does not yet support 5G though. So, if you are trying to purchase a secondary smartphone or even a main driver that supports 5G; bad news, turn around, save up a little bit more. But 5G is not the point of this HUAWEI Y6P. 5G is not even commercially available in Malaysia just yet.

Making a call on the HUAWEI Y6P is as straightforward as making a call with any other smartphones. The layout of the buttons has never changed, the icon even looks somewhat the same with everything else in the market. That also means that it should come as a second nature to you at this point.

Of course, as a secondary device, you might want to use it for work mostly. That also means that you need to be making a lot of calls or even receive them. You are going to use this for your prime work conversation device. You will need good data signal too, to ensure you get all the messages in immediately and quickly reply.

In those departments, the HUAWEI Y6P excels as expected from a modern smartphone. Conversations are crisp and clear when you hear it from the earpiece. Unless the other person is on speakerphone, calls should not sound muddled or muted. But all those also depends on their environments.

On the other end, calls are reported to be mostly clear when there is a strong enough signal (at least one bar). Of course, with poor signal, you might get some dropped calls. In most cases in Kuala Lumpur though, you are going to be alright. The only times where signals are dropped is when you enter some basement parking areas, elevators, or known ‘black’ spots. Other than those, signals are usually more than 2 bars at a time. Of course, the other thing that you have to give credit to in modern smartphones are their dual mic configurations for noise cancellation.

If you are going to have a meeting with the device, the speakers might be loud enough that the crowd in a tiny meeting room can hear it. But not necessarily everyone in the room could have a proper conversation with the person on the other end of the line. You might want to be closer to the mics on the HUAWEI Y6P for that or get a wireless Speaker with Mic combination for conference calls.

Gaming

The HUAWEI AppGallery does not actually contain a lot of games that we play. Games like PUBG: Mobile, or Call of Duty Mobile is not available on the AppGallery, so you would have to download it via a third-party app aggregator. There is a problem with that though, you do not have Google Play Games on the device, which also means that if your progress is tied to your Google account, you have start from scratch.

If not though, you can technically get some of these games to work on the device and get your progress back with whatever you registered your accounts with. That may work for PUBG: Mobile or AOV since you can choose to use your Facebook account to save your progress with. Games like Brawl Stars, or Sky Force: Reloaded can work, but you will not have your previous progress.

When we do get them to work though, graphics are not impressive. All these things are quite expected from a device with 720p display though. PUBG also optimizes itself on difference devices, and that is why it reduced its graphical detail to ensure you get the best experience on the HUAWEI Y6P.

The thing is the device is not really made for these things. It is not made as a gaming device, not even a budget gaming device for that matter. It is made to be a value-for-money all-rounder. In that mindset, games are not on the priority list for the device.

Battery Life

This is probably the device’s best feature, considering everything else on the device is nothing to shout about. The HUAWEI Y6P packs a 5,000mAh battery. That is a larger battery size than any of the modern flagships currently. No doubt we will start seeing 5,000mAh battery packs in flagships in a few years’ time.

Still, there are no flagship at this point that packs a 5,000mAh juice pack within the device. Without a SIM card, the device could be on standby for nearly a month from a single charge. With a SIM card, you could leave it for about three days and still have enough battery to make a phone call and reply messages. You might even be able to look through your emails for a while before the battery dies. If you leave the device purely on standby with your SIM card plugged in and kept it in a WiFi environment, we believe it could even last for a whole week.

In normal use case, where we reply a few WhatsApp messages, Telegram messages, make or receive one or two phone calls, have one Whatsapp video call with a friend later in the day, and more Facebook and Instagram scrolls than anything, the device could last you about two days. The ultra-long battery life though is not only thanks to the low-powered processor that consumes little power for processes. Thanks to a lower resolution display at 720p as well, the battery life can be preserved even longer.

Display

As mentioned earlier, this only packs an HD+ 720p display, not even Full HD. That also means that when you put it against its competitors, the display of the other devices will look better and sharper. You cannot even compare them in terms of colour accuracy and aesthetics.

On its own though, you might not notice a difference between your HUAWEI Y6P and other devices at its price. Sure, there is only 1,600 by 720 pixels on board, but the 720p still looks decent. Colours are at least still sharp enough that you can enjoy YouTube (via the browser) videos on it. You can of course, enjoy Netlfix videos on the display but you cannot expect contrasts to be that great.

Of course, it is not an OLED display. While colours are sharp, they can look a little dull and washed out. Blacks are not truly black either, because this is not an OLED display. Again, nothing impressive in this department.

There is a good side to all this though. We did say the lower resolution helps in battery consumption, and that is true. Thanks to the lower power consumption in total, the device could last a little longer than its competition from a single charge. Of course, again, you might not be able to enjoy or appreciate details as much. Then again, this is not exactly an entertainment powerhouse is it?

Camera

The HUAWEI Y6P packs a 13-Megapixel main shooter supported by one 5-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter and one 2-Megapixel depth sensor. On the front is an 8-Megapixel shooter that sits pretty in the notch of the 6.3-inch display. Considering what most 12-Megapixel shooters can do today, 13-Megapixel as its main camera does not sound like a bad thing.

The thing is, the HUAWEI Y6P does not pack the same processor as its more premium siblings. The HUAWEI Y6P is also sort of a testament to the importance of processors for image processing and image quality. What you see from the 13-Megapixel sensor from the HUAWEI Y6P might shock your initial expectations to what photos should look like.

We tested it out first in a slightly darker conditions to be fair. In that sense lighting is at a premium and photos with most devices might not look good anyway. What we did not expect is how grainy and washed out the photos turn out. This is with HUAWEI’s clever AI turned on.

When there is enough lighting on your photos, they look fine. Not stellar, not breathtaking, simply fine. There is nothing to really shout about with the photos. They are not the most detailed photos or sharpest photos you can get from a smartphone. They are still useable though, and enough for Social Media use. We let the photos tell their own story though.

We are not particularly good with selfies. That is one reason why we did not upload a selfie photo for the review. The other reason is that the selfie camera is not particularly great as well. Photos look extremely washed out and cheap. They look like they are taken with a cheap polaroid with wrong the wrong colour contrast settings. Images from the 8-Megapixel sensor look soft on the edges.

Gallery

The HUAWEI Y6P – A Flawed Contender

The subheading might lead you to believe that the HUAWEI Y6P is a bad device. Let us get that out of the way first. We are not saying that it is a bad device. The HUAWEI Y6P does everything right, technically. We may not like its camera too much, but we do not expect this to replace our daily carry or even a DSLR anytime soon. It works just as it is intended.

There is nearly nothing wrong with the UI too, it is smooth and consistent. We never had anything against the UI because it is genuinely responsive. We only found that the lack of Google Play Store a little crippling.

Then there is the price. At MYR 559 (official price from HUAWEI’s Online Store), it is not expensive. If you put other devices of its class side by side though, it actually seems like a reasonable smartphone to work with. The Xiaomi Redmi 9, for example will set you back MYR 599 (equivalent spec). The OPPO A53 too is about MYR 699. Even Realme’s best offering that closely matches this device is MYR 150 more expensive. The closes thing to it is an HONOR 9CA that is MYR 549. You get 1GB less in RAM size though with the HONOR device.

We think that the HUAWEI Y6P should not be your first Android smartphone, just because it is so crippled by the lack of proper Google Play Store support. But we do think that as a second device the HUAWEI Y6P shines. Then again, you might still want Google Play Store support. In that case, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 seems like a good option.

Editorial, Gaming

5 Titles You’ll Definitely Want on Your PlayStation 5

November 3, 2020 Jimmy Chua Leave a comment

The era of the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) is finally here and it brings with variety of exciting gaming titles to look forward to. In this new generation, Sony’s iconic gaming console series is said to deliver the most immersive experience to date, thanks to its impressive specifications and the DualSense controller. We already know this console is going to be epic and probably the best line up for the console ever.

With tons of PS5 games confirmed for arrival, we are summing up 5 of the most promising games coming to the new console.

1. Marvel’s Spider-man: Miles Morales

Following the success of 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man which followed Peter Parker, Sony and Marvel are now zooming in on one of Marvel’s most popular Spider-Men: Miles Morales. What was initially supposed to be a piece of added content for the original game is now a full sequel to the game akin to Uncharted: Log Legacy.

The sequel will have all the action packed gameplay that made the original Spider-Man one of the best titles on the PS4 but it will take it to a whole new level with better graphics, more immersive gaming and even some surprises for players. Marvel’s story telling will, of course, take center stage as they unfold a new chapter of the Spiderverse. The game is expected to launch on November 12, 2020 and will be a launch title for the PS5.

2. God of War: Ragnarök

It’s hard to deny that 2018’s God of War from Sony is still one of the best games on the PlayStation 4; so it comes as no surprise that Sony unveiled the next chapter in Kratos’ story just recently. The new chapter, God of War: Ragnarok, will continue two years after where God of War left off; telling the story that is unfolding as Kratos and his son, Atreus.

Although not much has been revealed of the game, we do know that this time, Kratos will be facing Ragnarök – the supposed end of the world according to Norse mythology. Seeing as how the tales of God of War has always seen Kratos’ going after a pantheon of Gods, it would be a surprise to see Kratos and Thor clash. The bar is set pretty high for this installation as God of War brought an action packed, open world adventure to the PS4 like no other. There is no actual date for the game released but we do know that it will be coming in 2021.

3. Cyberpunk 2077

The new open-world, role playing game from CD Projekt Red looks like it’s going to be an immediate hit thanks to it’s gigantic, open world. Being a CD Projekt Red title, it will undoubtedly come littered with side quests and immersive story missions. Cyberpunk 2077 is set in a futuristic world where humans and technology have converged. It will feature extensive character customisations, vehicles and character choice driven story-lines.

The stories will began as you choose your own life path. You’re able to choose from three paths: Street kid, Nomad or Corpo. Cyberpunk 2077’s story will revolve around V, the protagonist which the player controls while you explore the dystopian Night City. While not much else is known about the game, one thing is certain – you’ll be meeting Keeanu Reeves in your Cyberpunk 2077 exploits.

Cyberpunk 2077 was initially set to debut on 19 November 2020 as part of the PlayStation 5 launch title line up but CD Projekt Red made the announcement in a Tweet that the title will be delayed. The new release date is set for 10 December, 2020 – just in time to binge over Christmas. I

4. Far Cry 6

The Far Cry series is well known for several factors: its well-designed, expansive worlds, and a first-person immersion experience like no other. Far Cry 6 is the latest installment of the franchise.

In Far Cry 6, you take on the role as the revolutionary leader, Dani Rojas, a revolutionary in the thick of a battle for the future of Yara, a fictional Caribbean island. The country is divided and protests are taking over the place opposing the ongoing dictatorship of Anton Castillo, the antagonist of the title.

The title was initially set for release on 18 February 2021 for the PlayStation 5. However, Ubisoft has since pushed the release with a release window of between April 2021 and March 2022.

5. Final Fantasy XVI

A PlayStation generation would be incomplete without a Final Fantasy release. Final Fantasy XVI is an upcoming action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix. The upcoming title has received a provisional rating of PEGI 18, the most mature that any Final Fantasy game has received.

The new epic in the Final Fantasy story will be taking place in the world of Valisthea – a land blessed in the Light of the Mothercrystals. However, the world is divided into six factions. The latest entry could be a continuation in the Fabula Nova Crystallis with the ethos centered around the crystals.

Final Fantasy XVI will feature a more robust combat system and will also feature the return of summons, known this time as Eikons. We’ve already seen Phoenix and Ifrit in the trailer. There is no actual date for Final Fantasy XVI released, but it is expected to launch at early of 2022. The title will be a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 5

Editorial, Reviews

24 Hours with The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ – The Best Tablet Yet?

November 3, 2020 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The biggest conundrum when it comes to the Android ecosystem has always been the tablet. Initially, the approach that a lot of Android manufacturers took was to just supersize the mobile experience. However, it has slowly become more evident that the tablet isn’t just a supersized screen. In fact, it has become a required commodity for some to keep productive. That behaviour change is what has led to the tablets becoming what they are now – productivity devices.

Samsung’s latest attempt at this is the Galaxy Tab S7 series which takes a more holistic view in how to empower productivity. It brings a whole bunch of new improvements and brand new features that make working on the go with it that much more enjoyable, accessible and effective. That said, let’s walkthrough some of the first impressions you get from the tablet.

Initial Setup

Like any other Samsung or Android device, the tablet turns on pretty fast. The first thing you’re going to see is the setup interface asking you to sign in to your WiFi or to all the different accounts you want to have on your tablet. If you’ve got a version capable of mobile connectivity, it will ask you to insert and unlock your SIM.

Samsung SmartSwitch

Setup was a breeze and, if you’re coming from another tablet, the Tab S7+ will prompt you to use Samsung’s SmartSwitch to seamlessly transfer your data over to the new tablet. This includes all your settings such as WiFi and your accounts.

However, we chose to set it up as a new device. It took less than 10 minutes to get my essentials like WiFi, Google Account and more setup. Then it was on to setting up our apps which was simple enough. We downloaded apps such as Microsoft Office, Any.Do and more. We tried to make sure we got the apps which Samsung was touting as optimised for the Tab S7+.

Premium Finish with Heft

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ gives a pretty first impression. It’s design is clean with clean, rounded edges and screen that covers nearly the whole face of the tablet. On the back you have a pristine machined aluminium body with a brushed finish. The camera is emblazoned with a black, reflective bar which also acts as an indicator as to where the magnets for the S Pen are.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the one of the most premium feeling tablets I have had the pleasure of using from Samsung. The angular design and rounded edges give the tablet a more premium feel. I was pretty impressed with the initial feel of the device as well, it had a good amount of heft and the build itself felt sturdy and well-built. The Mystic Black colour makes it look even more premium and gives it a sleek, timeless look.

The S Pen Mightier than Before

The S Pen of the Tab S7+ brings along with it a whole array of new features but more importantly, it has been redesigned to feel so much more natural in hand. The smooth, rounded body of the S Pen make it more ergonomic and the positioning of the button this round is in a place that feels a lot more natural – even clicking the button some how feels more satisfying.

The new S Pen features bring a layer of productivity that hasn’t been around in previous entries. However, the biggest improvement that comes to mind is the amount of apps that can now effectively take advantage of it – from apps like Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator to the Microsoft Office suite, the level of integration and compatibility of the S Pen puts it on par with it’s largest competition – the iPad.

First Impressions After 24 Hours

The Galaxy Tab S7+ leaves an impression alright. The first 24 hours of using the tab felt a lot like using and setting up a new laptop. The keyboard, which comes together with the Tab S7 series in Malaysia, allows a sense of freedom to be productive answering emails and even typing out articles. To be very frank, it was hard to not try to do everything on the tablet.

The interface is smooth and feels more optimised than before. There’s sense of refinement in the overall experience – at least in the first 24 hours compared to the tablets before. Things felt cleaner, more organised and built for productivity. The best part of the tab is that every thing is in reach – the tablet, the keyboard and the S Pen; making it easy to seamlessly transition from answering emails to sketching to reading and highlighting.

When it comes to tablets, Android has had the shorter end of the stick – particularly when it comes to optimisation and overall usability. However, Samsung has steadily been imbuing their approach to tablets with more and more features and software enhancements that have steadily made their Tab S one of the best Android tablets out there. This year, with their Galaxy Tab S7+, they’ve created one that gave me one of the best first impressions I’ve had from an Android Tablet.

Editorial, Lifestyle

5 Shows to Binge During the Lockdown/CMCO on Netflix

November 2, 2020 Leeden Tang Leave a comment

With Malaysia and other countries going into another lockdown or, as Malaysia’s government puts it CMCO, we have a feeling a lot of us are going to need some suggestions to keep us busy and entertained. Of course, the one thing that most countries have is Netflix – so here’s our list of 5 series you can binge during the lock down. It goes without saying that the availability of the shows are based on Netflix’s Malaysian library as we are based here. However, you should be able to get these shows on one or more streaming services in your respective countries.

1. Breaking Bad

Named the “highest-rated TV series” by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2013, it is an American neo-Western crime drama produced by Vince Giligan. The drama consists of five seasons with a total of 62 episodes. This is a story about an underpaid and dispirited high school chemistry teacher (Walter White) who is struggling with stage-three lung cancer. Walter White turns to a life of crime, where he partners with his former student, Jesse Pinkman, by producing and distributing crystallized methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s finances before he dies, while navigating the dangers of the criminal underworld.

2. Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones seen at the ‘Black Mirror’ panel Q&A at the FYSee exhibit space on Friday, May 19, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Blair Raughley/Invision for Netflix/AP Images)

A British dystopian science anthology television series with five seasons created by Charlie Brooker. This show focuses on modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies on how it may affect our future. This show can be interesting as it might inspire you to take a break from using your phone all day long. The episodes are standalone, and are usually set in an alternative present or the near future, often with a dark and satirical tone.

Black Mirror | Welcome to the Darkness | Netflix

3. Shameless

A story that might make you appreciate your family more. Shameless is
a story of a family of six kids with their drunk and selfish father. Fiona, being the
eldest sister, has to raise the rest of the family on her own. Staying with a father
that takes everything and offers nothing, they had no choice but to steal food and
money for a living.

4. Grey’s Anatomy

An American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27 2005. 15 seasons are available online on Netflix while the 16th season is currently airing on ABC. This is a fictional series that focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents and attendings as they develop into seasoned doctors while balancing their personal and professional relationships.

The series recently became the longest running medical drama beating previous title holder, ER. Produced by Shonda Rhimes, it is bound to give you hours of emotional ups and downs and keep you on the edge of your seats.

5. Parks and Recreation.

A TV show with 7 seasons. This is a story of protagonist, Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in an Indiana Parks and Recreation Department. The protagonist was hoping to beautify the town and at the same time boost her own career by helping the local nurse, Ann Perkins, to turn an abandoned construction site into a community park. Nevertheless, it seems to be a simple project but the protagonist has been facing ups and downs where she was being interfered by oafish bureaucrats, selfish neighbors, governmental red tape and a myriad of other challenges.

https://youtu.be/9djCOPHOvOw

Consumer Electronics, Editorial, Reviews

Haier LE50K6600UG Android TV In-depth Review: A Well-Rounded Smart TV With All The Essentials

October 26, 2020 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The television is usually the centre of the living room and the main source of entertainment in a household. As the centre it holds a unique position of being the only item that not only has to look good, it needs to be able to seamless fit into any design. However, this centre piece is slowly finding its way into bedrooms and boardrooms.

This shift is prompted by the additional use cases it has acquired over the years thanks to the internet and the advent of Wi-Fi and streaming. Nowadays, we use the television a complementary screen in addition to our media centre. It connects to laptops, desktops and smartphones seamlessly but, more importantly, it’s become a tool that everyone for work and play.

It has, therefore, become more important that we make an informed choice when it comes to purchasing a television. This is increasingly true with the myriad of choices that we are seeing in the market. There is now a television for every price point. The subject of this review, the HAIER LE550K6600GU, comes in a slither under MYR2,500. Is the MYR2,399 you pay for it worth it? Does it stand up to the competition? Should you go a tier higher for better performance? Those are the questions we’re looking to answer in this review.

Design

The HAIER LE50K6600UG is one of the sleekest television sets we’ve seen in a while. That especially rings true when it come to the sub MYR2,500 price point. HAIER didn’t hold back much when it comes to the design of the TV. It has one of the slimmest bezels for a television of its price-point and its minimalistic design allows it to blend seamlessly into any room setup.

Keep in mind, the HAIER Smart TV isn’t a small one either. It’s 50-inches; while it’s on the smaller end of the spectrum nowadays, it’s still pretty substantial when you put it in the middle of a room. The slim, near bezel-less design allows its to standout while blending in. It may sound a little oxymoronic, but the television is able to blend into any setup thanks to the large, black screen but it also has a panel which is bright enough to make it stand out. It’s built-in Chromecast feature also gives it beautiful pictures to cycle through when not in use. Even when the screen is blank, the surface of the black screen is mattified to minimise its reflectivity. You don’t get much distractions even with the screen off.

The overall footprint of the HAIER LE50K6600UG is also smaller and sleeker than its competition. At its thickest it measures just about 3cm; at its thinnest it’s about 0.5cm. This means that mounting it or even standing it shouldn’t be too much of a space issue. However, the legs provided to stand the TV on a console is about 15cm in width. While the design of the stand is sleek, it’s basically two slim throngs which are in an inversed V.

The one blemish on the sleek design of the HAIER LE50K6600UG is the infrared receiver for the remote control. I mean, it’s a literal blemish on the lower left corner of the TV. The odd bump also glows an ominous red when the television is off. Perhaps the main reason I call it a blemish is the odd brown colouring of the rather large casing for the receiver. It’s about a centimetre thick. However, HAIER placed it in a position that doesn’t take much away from the overall façade of the TV itself.

Features

Android TV

The HAIER LE50K6600UG is one of HAIER’s new Android TV touting smart TVs. It runs Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. However, HAIER couldn’t confirm if there would be upgrades to Android 10 later on. They mentioned that it heavily depended on the hardware requirements of Android 10 for TVs. If the hardware requirements are still met in the LE50K6600UG, it is likely that it will get the update.

However, being an Android powered TV, the HAIER LE50K6600UG is able to access a wide variety of TV optimised apps from the Google Play Store. Apps like TubiTV, Amazon Prime TV and more can be downloaded from the Play Store to optimise your viewing experience. Netflix and YouTube come pre-loaded with a dedicated button on the remote. The wide variety of apps also extends the multipurpose nature of the TV. During our time we had remote streaming apps and even apps for productivity installed.

Android TV’s interface has also been optimised with introduction of Android 9 Pie. The new interface streamlines your frequently accessed apps and has quick access to your most frequently used apps. For example, recommended programs on Netflix are placed front and centre in a widgetised version of the app called channels. This quick access ribbons can be customised and personalised in the settings of the TV.

That said, there is a big flaw when it comes to HAIER’s implementation of Android TV on the LE50K6600UG: pressing the power button on the remote control as you usually would doesn’t turn off the TV. Instead, it sends it into sleep mode. This keeps the processor and graphics processor of the TV running even when the screen is off. However, the most detrimental effect of this is that the TV can get sluggish after a day or two. That said, sending the TV into sleep mode speeds up the boot time of the TV significantly.

AI, Chromecast, & Bluetooth remote control

The remote control of the HAIER LE50K6600UG is not just a standard infrared remote. It comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity as well. The Bluetooth connectivity of the remote control is setup with a simple button combination during setup. After setting up the Bluetooth, you’ll be able to control the TV without pointing the remote at the tv itself. This also means that if you’re trying to mute the volume or turn the TV off in a hurry, you won’t be stumbling to point the remote control at the TV. That said, this functionality doesn’t work when you shut down the TV properly. It will only kick in after the TV has booted the next time.

Aside from that, the LE50K6600UG comes with AI built in. The AI automatically adjusts and optimises the display settings depending on the surroundings of the TV. It works most of the time. However, I found the optimisations to be a tad bit too minute and too focused on the brightness of the display. It rarely adjusted the saturation, gamma or contrast of the display. I’m also pretty certain that the AI could be contributing to the slowdown of the TV’s performance when its not shutdown. However, it’s a simple fix for HAIER with a software update.

The HAIER LE50K6600UG is a 4K UHD TV. It has a resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels. That said, the picture quality of the HAIER LE50K6600UG is passable. It’s not overly saturated like some of its competition. However, when it comes to the colour reproduction, the colours seem a little washed out and heavy on blues. This could be due to HAIER’s configuration of the individual pixels of the panel. There may be more white pixels to compensate for brightness.

That said, it doesn’t affect the overall experience much unless you’re looking for cinema grade screens – which, to be very honest will never be in the price range of this TV. The viewing angles of the screen affects the crispness of the details on the screen which is a little weird. In our review period, anything above about 60° makes the characters and alphabets look a little fuzzy. However, like many of the flaws on the HAIER, you won’t notice it unless you are trying really hard to.

Another big plus for the TV is the built-in Chromecast functionality. This allows the TV to work as a second, complementary screen to your phone, tablet or laptop. You can easily use YouTube and other streaming apps which are able to take advantage of the Chromecast API. It also allows you to be able to project from your PC with ease, allowing you to use it to project presentations seamlessly. The Chromecast functionality is one of the biggest advantages the TV has over its competition.

Google Assistant & Connectivity

Of course, being an Android TV, the LE50K6600UG comes with Google Assistant. This allows you to give the TV commands with your voice. Keep in mind that you need to be signed in and have an active internet connection for it to work. The voice recognition is pretty accurate but only if you enunciate your words properly. That said, I found myself using the Google Assistant very sparingly. I found it more tedious than helpful especially when searching in apps. However, it did come in useful when I wanted to launch apps quickly. It allowed me to launch the apps without clicking into the app drawer and searching for the apps manually.

The HAIER Smart TV comes with a whole array of connectivity from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi. It has 1 ARC HDMI input, 3 HDMI inputs, 2 USB inputs, 1 LAN input, a microSD card slot, L/R out, 3.5mm out and a few more for your over the air television signals. That is a whole lot of inputs and output. That said, the TV is able to intelligently name and label the channels according to the device that is plugged in. However, when it came to the USB inputs, we noticed that it could only read USB 2.0 drives. When we tried USB 3.0 and higher, the TV was unable to detect the drive and its contents. We’re unsure if it is a software issue but it’s likely that it may be a fault with the software of the unit that we had for review.

Picture & Sound Quality

When it comes to sound, the quality is pretty good. In fact, I would go so far as to say that HAIER is a class above most of its similarly priced competition. While the sound isn’t full and rounded, it doesn’t take away from the experience of the TV unless, like a reviewer, you are looking for flaws. The sound coming out of the built-in speakers was rather hollow and tinny. This also made the sound feel a little too bassy. However, this is easily remedied with an inexpensive sound bar, if the sound quality is an essential for your TV.

An Option for Those Looking for a Well-rounded experience without breaking the bank

The HAIER Smart TV is one of the most well-rounded options in its price range. It provides a good picture quality, enough connectivity options and good sound quality. Overall, it has a complete package and provides a pretty commendable experience especially if you’re looking for a good overall experience without going broke.

At MYR2,399, it’s one of the most affordable 4K UHD TVs in the market. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable Android TVs in the market which is a big plus. Android TVs run a premium just because of the licensing that companies have to pay Google. However, HAIER has found a way to keep the TV affordable while equipping it with most of the sought-after features; making it a serious option for people who are looking for an easy, plug and play Smart TV to complete their rooms or home.

Computers, Editorial, Gaming, Health, Lifestyle, Mobile, Reviews

EVIS Smart Desk In-Depth Review: My Back is Happy

October 19, 2020 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

You can agree with us when we say we can never find a comfortable position on any desks. It seems that no matter what normal desk you function out of, you can almost never find the right height. This is why, when an interior designer designs your kitchen for you, they measure your height so that your kitchen counters can be tailored to your height. Of course, also to make sure you can reach the higher floating cabinets.

That is the kitchen though, not the working desks. You go to the office and most tables are at a standard height, and that is annoyingly uncomfortable sometimes. If you are anything taller than average height, the regular office tables are too short for you. Anything below the average height, the table is too tall for you.

Of course, with shorter statures, you can adjust the height of your chair most of the time to solve the problem. If you are just slightly taller than average, the regular office chairs are also just about adjustable enough to ensure that you have the right postures. But you cannot work standing up, in that case.

Bad seating and unsuitable table heights (even chairs, actually) will lead to bad posture which leads to plenty of problems in your body structure too. You get a bad back, because you are either hunched all the time, or you are just straining to look at your monitor. It can even lead to carpal tunnel syndrome because your wrists are resting at very awkward positions. In both cases, your productivity dips, because you are more often fatigued than not. That is just one of the reasons you want to ensure you have the right posture while you work.

You might not be able to change anything in your office at this point though. You cannot possibly ask your boss to buy a table just for you too, you may not own the company. If you are the owner of the company, you might be able to choose your own table. Still, it is quite unreasonable for you to change a table every time you feel uncomfortable, these are not exactly cheap stuff.

You are now working at home most of the time though, no thanks to the current pandemic situation. Your company also realises that your productivity does not change when you work from home. In fact, in some cases, you are more productive than ever. You do not need to brave through the morning traffic, which saves you an hour of sleep. You do not need to brave the traffic home, so you spend less time on the road, and save on fuel. You tend to eat right too, when you have a significant other, or when you live with your family. You are more relaxed at home, so your thought processes tend to be a little better.

You forgot one thing though, your table is still not the right height, and you tend to keep moving your workplace around the house. You tried working on the sofa, that is too comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time, productivity dips. Your dining table: you need to eat, and it still is not the right height. Your old office table; what old office table?

Time for you to buy a new working table at home. You need it to be perfect, and flexible enough so that you can work sitting, or standing. You need the EVIS Smart Desk.

Design

The EVIS Smart Desk is, well, a desk that looks like any other office desk. When we say an office desk, we are referring to the more modern interpretation of what an office desk should look like though. Just a plain wood surface with two or four legs. In the case of the EVIS desk, there are two rectangular stalks on each side they call legs, and two huge rectangular feet just slightly narrower than the surface. While traditional tables require up to four leges to hold the weight of the table on each corner, trust me this is as sturdy as it gets.

The unit we have for review is their standard Walnut top. The Walnut top feels like solid wood (it is MFC by the way), and that also means high-quality. On top of the table, in the bottom left corner, there is some white graphics to show you where to put your smartphone. That is the wireless charger built into the table, a nice touch considering most smartphones (flagships mostly) have wireless charging built-in there days. There is also a small latch on the table for your cables to come out of from.

If you buy the table from them too, you can opt for a tray that they put under the latch to hold an extension cord for the table. That extension will ensure that your wireless charger has power, and that you do not have to pull your cable and hair just to get power to your monitor, your PC, or desk lamp.

Of course, there are different colours for the top. You can even choose to get an L-shaped table. We are told also that you can customise the size and shape of the top if you really need. The motors can lift up to 120kg, they say.

The legs, as we mentioned are rectangular in shape, and steel in material with built-in motor. If you look underneath there is a rectangular bar that runs across the length of the table too, to connect the legs underneath and two bars that holds the width of the table to hold the four corners. You do There is a housing for the electronic motor and there is the controller that juts out of the bottom right corner of the table, away from your central seating position. Apparently, you can choose between white or black for the legs.

Work Sitting Down, or Standing Up – Whatever You Need

You can adjust the table from the minimum height of 660mm, which is perfect maybe for your kids, all the way to 1,310mm (1.31m) tall. There is no reason for you to put the table at that height unless you are working standing up as a 2-meter tall human being. You even see the exact height on the adjustment or control panel. You now know your perfect working table height.

What is nice about this kind of motorised movement is that there is no preset height built into the table, which also means you can fine tune the height just for yourself. Since there is a memory function via the control (store up to 4 custom height), you can even set your custom height and forget about it. Every time you get to the table, just press the preset number and you are ready to go. If you need to work standing up, just set the table to your preferred height, get the board to memorise it, forget, use it again the next round. Give it a few seconds, and you are ready to go.

Since there are four available custom preset memory too, you can either share the table with your significant other or have four different functions built to your table. In that case, if you only have room for one table in your house and you need the table to be your workspace, dining table, kitchen top, and even your bar table, the EVIS Smart Desk is perfect. Which also means that this EVIS Smart Desk will be perfect for a studio apartment, you might want to get a larger top though, so that you can comfortably seat four.

Finely Controlled

As mentioned, the controller or height adjustment board is placed on the bottom right corner of the table. It just out just slightly but not enough to be a distraction when you move in and out of your table. Thanks to the rounded corners as well, it should reduce the risks of wire snags or even tearing you a new hold on your shirt or pants. In that case, the module will not even hurt your skin.

While it is meek, it is quite a powerhouse in your hands. You cannot detach it from the table though, mind you. But that also means that there are less wires to worry about.

The buttons seem to be made of glossy plastic, which is technically fine by us. It looks quite premium when it is new and fresh. It smudges easily though thanks to the gloss finish. In this case, we might prefer a slightly more matte treatment to the plastic. While it may not look as premium, it might stand smudges and age better.

Still, under the plastic is also a digital display that tells you the specific height of the table at the time in mm. That information can be quite useless, but hey at least you can tell your office manager that you want the table at the exact height when you make it to the big leagues and they need to make a table for you. That, or when the office finally agrees to buy new table for you.

It is also simple enough to work with, as we mentioned. You probably will only ever use the M button a handful of times in the lifetime of the Smart Desk. That is the memory trigger function, and a long press should trigger it to memorise the height, and all you need to do next is press one of the four buttons to store that height for future use. The table does take about 10 seconds to reach minimum to maximum height though, so you might want to keep that in mind if you are sharing the table with a toddler and you are over 2m in height.

Wireless Charging

We have to inform you at this point that not all EVIS Smart Desks come with Wireless Charging Ability out of the box. It is an optional extra that will set you back MYR 590 (including cable management option). To be fair, that is not a small amount of money on top of the MYR 3,499 that you are already spending on the table.

Look at it this way though. The cable management option comes with that tray that we talked about earlier and an extension cord to give you a sort of peace of mind. You see less cables hanging out of the table too, for a cleaner look. The tray itself is not a cheap aftermarket part in the stores, mind you. Then there is the wireless charger itself.

The 10W wireless charger is, admittedly, not the fastest wireless charger out in the market. You can get a decent fast charger in the market for probably less than the MYR 310 extra EVIS is asking for. But you are going to live with a charger that sits on top of the table, not one sitting within the flat surface of the table. Of course, you can install that wireless charger under the table on your own, but the amount of work that goes into that is quite mind boggling. You also risk destroying your find top.

An Investment for Your Work Set-up

Like we mentioned earlier, there is a chance that you might not be able to change the table in the office currently. If you have not started on a working at home set up though, now is the right time to do it. The EVIS Smart Desk in standard size (1,500mm x 750mm x 25mm), in full retail price will set you back MYR 3,499 at least. With the cable management and installation assistance, the table will set you back MYR 3,979. Add the Wireless charger and you are paying MYR 4,289 (cost of our review unit). For that money also you are getting a 3-year (frame, mechanical and electrical parts) warranty for the product.

If you want, you can make it a little bigger at 1,800mm x 800mm x 25mm for MYR 100 extra. If you need it to be moved around at home, you can add wheels to the legs at MYR 200. An extra year in warranty is another MYR 250. An L-shaped option is an MYR 500 extra, to compensate for the extra surface and extra leg (MYR 300 for wheels, also for extra leg).

For that same money too, you are getting an all-in-one table that can do it all. You are getting a work surface that can lift you to the ceiling to change a light bulb if you must (we are not encouraging this, though they guarantee this will lift 120kg easily). You are getting an elegant wireless charging solution. You are also getting great posture so you feel great and you can be even more productive.

Your boss will be happier since you are more productive. When you become more productive at work, you have more time to spend at home with the family or whoever you want to spend your time too. With great posture as well, you live a healthier life, with less back pains, or shoulder aches. You sleep better too, as a result of that. You spend less going to the Chiropractor to correct your posture, so you save some money in that too. Best of all, you get a desk that works for you, a custom desk that is made only for you, in whatever situation you want to work in. It is premium, yes. You deserve nothing less though.

You can buy the EVIS Smart Desk from EVIS’ own website, or you can head to their showroom in Ikon Connaught, Cheras. Of course, EVIS makes other office furniture like chairs and even monitor stands. You can find all that in their website.

Business, Computers, Editorial, News

[VMWorld 2020] WMware Tanzu Harnesses the Power of Kubernetes

October 9, 2020 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

VMWorld is happening now and coincidently, NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference is also happening. Both are happening online, obviously with the current pandemic situation. In NVIDIA’s most recent keynote, they made an announcement to tell the world that they have just formed a partnership with VMWare to enhance their virtualisation capabilities via NVIDIA’s new GPU based computing solutions.

Today’s start of the show though is not NVIDIA, although they have made some very interesting announcements and progress. Today sees VMWare embracing Kubernetes as a big part of their business. Today is the day of Tanzu.

Kubernetes

What is Kubernetes? First of all, no; this is not the first time we look into the technology. Secondly, the technology is nothing new, Google has been playing with Kubernetes for the longest time, and other solutions providers have hopped on to the technology for years now.

Kubernetes, in the words of Red Hat, is a container orchestration platform. The keyword, that I missed out on purpose, is Open Source. That also means that anyone has access to it, improve on it, and improvise it for their own use. It is a technology developed by Google engineers for Google’s own use at one point, but because Google is Google, they made it an open source platform.

In simpler words, Kubernetes group processes and application databases into cubes (or containers). These cubes can be called upon whenever an application requires a certain data or run certain processes. That also means that you do not need to necessarily store your application database with your application. It can be kept and shifted around anywhere, even on cloud. It is even clever enough to stack and unstack itself depending on requirements and loads on your hardware. If something fails, you do not lose all your data, because containers. This is the magic of Kubernetes, and it could benefit plenty of enterprises.

The VMware Tanzu

This is where VMware’s Tanzu comes in. The Tanzu portfolio is not exactly a pure Kubernetes workflow platform. It runs microservices, other sort of containers and Kubernetes as well. To put it plainly, it is an application breakdown tool. It breaks down a large application or database into smaller containers, run them as microservices or work with them as Kubernetes containers, and you get a service that is accessible not only in your office, but at the café down the road as well.

Yes, it sounds generally like what other container type application and tool does. Because it is exactly that but made native to VMWare’s tools. Tools like this allow companies to add capabilities to their applications and processes while keeping them running in tip top conditions. They call this DevOps.

The whole idea of running Tanzu on the VMware platform is to quickly deploy your applications on cloud. Because it is VMware as well, Tanzu is specifically built on Kubernetes to enhance their virtualisation solutions like vSphere and VMware Cloud Foundation. That also means that Tanzu is a cloud solution more than anything. It is also technically a Kubernetes management tool to simplify Kubernetes for users. So, it helps you, as VMware’s clients (if you are, when you are, whichever it may be) get started with Kubernetes nearly on the get go.

They may be a little late to the game of deploying Kubernetes and even fully harnessing the power of Kubernetes. They are also not going to be the last adopters of Kubernetes. In some sense too, they are simplifying Kubernetes by a factor of 10 for their customers.

In this case as well, customers might already have their own Kubernetes and container management tools in their workflow at this point. VMware says that customers still can benefit from Tanzu even if they have a Kubernetes workflow already. According to VMware, Tanzu does not just stop at Kubernetes. It is a suite of tools designed to ease workloads and centralise management efforts for customers. In that sense, integrating Tanzu into an existing Kubernetes workload and process is just a matter of matching what is required via Tanzu’s Mission Control platform.

Why Tanzu and Kubernetes?

Here is the thing though, how does this change our lives? How does VMware with Kubernetes power change our lives? After all, we are all just end-users.

If you work in a corporate environment, at this time of Pandemic, you would most likely be spending more time working remotely more than anything else. Imagine yourself, multiplied by more than a few hundred. There are hundreds, or even thousands of you and your colleagues trying to access your company’s intranet systems. You and your colleagues are going to be accessing the company’s systems to simply key in new data, or pull a previous data, or even share some work information with your colleagues 20KM away.

Imagine if you need to access the whole chunk of applications to do any of that. Imagine if all your colleagues need to access a single application server for all their minor processes too. That could slow down your entire workflow. Kubernetes and container platforms help spread that workload to ease load on a single server and ensure that everyone gets to do what they need to do without overloading your PC and the cloud platform.

Essentially, this is also kind of how your smartphone app works. Your smartphone apps access what you ask it to access when you need it. That way, it saves plenty of storage space in your smartphone, and ensure that millions of others can also access the app and its services when there is demand.

So, why is Tanzu important? It allows your company to do exactly whatever that we have just explained and described. Except that your organisation’s IT department can do it faster, from a single management platform instead of accessing a completely different system. With vSphere, the management can be done across multiple server sites too, thanks to VMware’s know how in machine virtualisation. All this, just so that you will not notice any difference when you work from home, and in the office.

To know more about VMware, their services and solutions, and Tanzu, you can head over to their website.

Business, Editorial

Digitization – The Key to Business Resilience During a Pandemic

October 9, 2020 Nur Jeevan 1 Comment

COVID-19 poses a unique challenge to businesses, forcing them to adopt practices which many only saw further down the road when it came to their digitization plans. In fact, we’ve seen the effects of the pandemic on many businesses who have failed to adapt or adopt plans to build in resilience in these unprecedented times. That said, the big question remains, “How can businesses be more resilient with the COVID-19 reality?”.

There are many factors that lend itself to a business’s resilience but one of the biggest factors is the company’s progress in their plans for digitization. Conor McNamara, Managing Director of ASEAN at Amazon Web Services (AWS), highlights that a company’s progress towards digitization, particularly in their adoption of cloud technologies, has been one of the determining factors of resilience during these times. He has also highlighted that the transition to the cloud isn’t simply a technological one, it’s a multifaceted one that builds in capacity, increases agility, changes mindsets, and transforms the culture of an organisation.

Thriving Businesses Have Used COVID-19 as an Impetus for Digitization

No one can deny it. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that companies and businesses need to operate. Research has shown that the new realities of the pandemic have led to an increase in demand for resources such as the internet. This is inevitably spurred by the increased adoption of work from home policies necessitated by lockdowns the world over – a clear indication that our business realities have changed. This is corroborated by AWS, which reported an increased uptake of services such as Amazon Chime, their web-conferencing platform, Amazon Workspaces and other productivity related services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of digital transformation across all industries. So far indications are that organizations, including those in ASEAN, have already adopted DX plans and/or accelerated their transformation plans have been known to have coped better with the crisis.”
Daphne Chung, Research Director, IDC Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) cloud services, and software research group

That said, digitization doesn’t happen overnight. Companies have to create an environment that allows and empowers staff and decision makers to adopt technologies such as AWS. The adoption of public and private cloud technologies have allowed many AWS customers to adapt to the new realities more seamlessly. In fact, Globe Telecom was able to spin up virtual call centers with Amazon Connect which allowed them to adapt to the new realities with ease and even increase staff productivity since the pandemic hit. What’s more, the company was able to affect this transition in 24 hours. Of course, the reality is that not many companies will be able to do this.

“Many businesses and organizations have now understood the importance of the cloud and are committed more than ever to get their business on the cloud. At AWS, we keep many organizations functioning, and allow them to adapt when a crisis such as the pandemic occurs.”
Conor McNamara, Managing Director of ASEAN at Amazon Web Services

The new realities of the pandemic have allowed companies to expedite their plans for digitization and cloud adoption. Those who have been successful in taking advantage of the new realities as an impetus for plans already in the pipeline are the ones who have most demonstrated the most resilience with the current situation.

Executive Driven Digitization Policies Spur Resilience

It’s always been said that digitization is a journey. Yet, we never think to ask who would be the best to guide and determine the course the company takes. Conor McNamara stresses that the business resilience of any given orgranisation is very dependent on the company’s executives. Decisions and policies made by CXOs are what will enable companies to maximize the opportunity that COVID-19 has presented to accelerate a company’s digital trajectory.

It’s pretty simple; when the decision to adopt cloud technologies and further advance the company’s digital journey comes from the level of CXOs, it naturally sets off a cascade which will allow companies to think differently. The CEO’s acceptance that the future of business is in the cloud sets off a cascade of events that start with the search for and upskilling of staff to meet the new needs of the business. The demand for skills that enable the company to be competitive and prepared for further advancements in their journey. It also creates a new mindset mired in the need to be agile and proactive to meet customer needs.

IDC sees an opportunity to manage the downturn better by using technology to minimize the impact of the current crisis and emerge on the other side of the curve resilient, more digitally fit and agile, and ultimately, better equipped to capture their share of the new opportunities as part of the “next normal”.
Daphne Chung, Research Director, IDC Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) cloud services, and software research group

This impetus prepares businesses to handle situations like the current pandemic. The skills, demands and needs of businesses literally changed overnight as countries began to lockdown. Brick and mortar businesses were forced to consider adopting digital and cloud technologies to keep their businesses viable. Businesses which were already making the shift to cloud and digital technologies with CXO driven policies have so far been the most resilient and adaptable.

In fact, the current realities have been used as an opportunity to upskill workforces. AWS shares that since the beginning of the lockdowns, there has been a sharp uptick in the demand for certification courses and trainings in their AWS Education platform.

It’s a People Related Change

Perhaps the most important quote we can share from Conor McNamara is this: “[Digital Transformation] is a People related change”. He said this while he was explaining some of the new realities AWS’s customers have been facing – and when it comes to it, it seems like the statement rings true in every aspect of a business’ digital transformation; every step of the way involves dealing with people.

The digital transformation journey is one that involves a major cultural change. A change that shifts the mindset of preparedness to deal with any given situation. Creating a culture of work which prepares staff for ambiguity and change. In some cases, these businesses have made failure a norm. They adopt providers such as AWS to minimise the cost of failure and continue to innovate. This is one of the hallmarks of a business which has been able to deal with the realities of the pandemic. These companies are ready or have already adopted cloud and are prepared for the new work from home norm; it wouldn’t be too farfetched to say that they may be the ones best prepared for the next norm post COVID.

Adopting cloud and shifting to digital usually has the connotation of being cold and impersonal. However, one take away from businesses that are showing resilience is that it couldn’t be further from the truth. These businesses have shifted their focus to their clients and customers building solutions catered to their needs. Perhaps more importantly, their digital transformation and shift to the cloud has made them more cognizant to the needs of their clients and customers.

Business Resilience is Built from the Top Down and Empowered by the right technologies

Essentially, business resilience is built from the top down with policies spearheaded by CXOs and CEOs that drive a cultural change in the company; one which prepares them for sudden and constant change, allowing businesses to be agile and adaptable. That said, these changes are empowered by companies such as AWS who provide the cost optimizations and technologies that allow this shift to happen. This has been tried and tested with the harsh realities of the pandemic.

Computers, Editorial, Reviews

Acer Swift 3 (AMD) Review – Productivity & Portability Made Unremarkably Affordable

September 28, 2020 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Thin and light and affordability don’t usually go hand in hand. However, Acer’s Swift 3 has always been one of the best value for money options when you’re looking at getting something affordable, thin and light. However, unlike previous years, the Swift 3 comes with an AMD Ryzen option which promises top notch performance while maintaining a lot of the features of the popular laptop.

We’re going to be asking the hard questions when it comes to the Swift 3 in this review – should you buy it? Is it worth your money? And does the Ryzen variant hold up to the hype AMD has built around their silicon offerings?

Design

Let’s start by taking a look at the overall design of the Swift 3. Overall, the design approach that Acer took to this laptop is more utilitarian compared to the rest of the Swift line up (barring the Swift 1). In fact, you’d be hard-pressed in finding any of the design finesse of the 5 or 7; which is, to be honest, expected at the price point that the Swift 3 sits at.

The laptop is a rectangular slab which tapers gradually from the hinge to the tip. That said, the larger, thicker back of the hinge area allows it a better, more stable footing when it is open. There were rarely times when the display ended up rocking back and forth on a rocky, uneven surface during the review period. The thickness also allows ample space for Acer to equip the Swift 3 with a full array of ports from HDMI to USB Type-C.

While this also means that the laptop lacks in design flair, it makes more utilitarian sense. Its ports are readily accessible while minimising its footprint. However, unlike its siblings, the Swift 3 is a whole lot heftier; coming in at 1.2kg. Yes, I did call 1.2kg hefty. Keep in mind, the rest of the Swift series come in at below 1kg. That said, Acer’s decision to have the Swift 3 in purple a touch of pizzaz that keeps the Swift 3 fresh. It’s also one of those colours that seems to grow on you.

Hardware

The Acer Swift 3 may be a little lacking on the design flair but it’s utilitarian approach to the thin and light has spurred the company to pack a formidable punch when it comes to the hardware. Coming with the Ryzen 5, the laptop is no slouch when it comes to performance. It clocks in a respectable 2.3Ghz with 6 cores for better multicore processing; enabling it to undertake more demanding tasks.

Specifications

Acer Swift 3 \| SF314-42-R43G	As tested
Processor (clock)	AMD Ryzen 5-4500U Hexa-core 2.3 GHz
GPU	AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics
Display	14-inch Full HD TFT LCD 1920×1080 pixels
Memory	8GB LPDDR4 SDRAM 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Networking and Connections	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.0 HDMI 1 USB 2.0 Type-A 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery	3-cell Lithium Ion 11 Hours battery life (claimed)
Operating System	Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Miscellaneous	Fingerprint Reader Backlit Keyboard Stereo Speakers Microphone DisplayPort over USB-C USB-C charging 5 V; 3 A DC-in port 19 V; 65 W

Features

While the Swift 3 may not be as feature packed as it’s siblings, the laptop comes with features that make sense and fit the utilitarian and functional approach that Acer has taken for it. The laptop comes with a full array of ports including a USB-C, a USB-A with support for USB2.0, a USB-A with support for USB3.1, an HDMI port and even a 3.5mm headphone jack which its competition seems to be missing. The full array of ports should ensure that users are well equipped to handle any connectivity hurdles that may come their way. However, like most laptops nowadays, the Swift 3 is powerless when it comes face to face with a dreaded VGA port; you will be resigned to the dongle life for VGA. In addition, the laptop also doesn’t come with an SD card reader.

Ports aside, the Swift 3 does have many other features. However, it does come with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The former allows the laptop to take advantage of the faster 802.11ax WiFi bandwidth which gives it an edge over other laptops in a similar price range. That said, not many networks use WiFi 6 just yet – but getting ready for the future is always a plus now, isn’t it. Bluetooth 5.0 allows you take advantage of wireless earbuds and other peripherals without sacrificing too much battery life.

However, the biggest advantage that the laptop over its competitors is the fact that it’s lightweight. The Swift 3 is definitely a contender for one of the lightest laptops in its price range. Coming in at slightly over 1kg, it will definitely be one of the go-to laptops for people looking for one which they can easily take on the go without worrying about overloading the bag or breaking your back from carrying it around.

Performance

Since the Swift 3 is so utilitarian and focused on keeping you productive, it comes as no surprise that Acer has chosen to offer an Ryzen 5-4500U processor option in the Swift 3. AMD’s new processors have outperformed its competition in benchmarks consistently over the past few years since the release of AMD’s Zen architecture. The same holds true for AMD’s mobile processors which is being used here in the Swift 3. However, benchmarks are only part of the story, we’re focusing on the overall user experience when it comes to using the laptop.

The Swift 3 is definitely a capable power house when it comes to everyday tasks. Word processing, working with PowerPoint and even large excel files are definitely not a problem for the laptop. What did stand out was the laptop’s ability to edit 1080p video in Adobe Premiere with ease. In fact, it could even handle 4K video editing with limited overlays and additions. However, if you’re going to be doing massive video editing this isn’t the laptop for you. The Ryzen 5 is good, but it is let down by the limited RAM and lack of graphics processor in the laptop.

This was made pretty clear when we tried to game on the Swift 3. On older games, it was able to handle settings at medium. It ploughed through Diablo 3 without much noise but when it came to games like Overwatch or even No Straight Roads, the laptop ran a little hot and had quite a lot of stuttering and screen tearing to keep up. It could hardly keep 30fps even with low settings. This isn’t really surprising for us as the gaming capabilities of the laptop are severely limited even though there is the built in Radeon Vega 6 graphics. The laptop also performs well with multimedia. However, the audio experience on the laptop could use some polish as the speakers sound tinny and distorted when the volume is pushed. However, at lower volumes, the audio lacks body and is, to be frank, incredibly soft. You only start hearing it audibly after the indicator passes the 40% mark in Windows.

That said, the laptop isn’t really built for gaming. In fact, it’s built for productivity on the go and the Swift 3 comes with ample battery life. Acer claims 11 hours of battery life on the Swift 3. During our time with the laptop, we easily got about 13 hours of active use time. On standby, the laptop was able to last well over a day. In fact, when we opened it about 8 hours later, the laptop had slightly more than 40% battery remaining. Even editing 1080p video on battery, the Swift 3 lasted about 3-4 hours before it needed to be plugged in.

Display

When it comes to the display of the Swift 3, it has a pretty good one for it’s price point. It comes with a 13.5-inch, 1080p Full HD display which is more than enough for a laptop of its size. The screen is crisp and the colour is relatively accurate. While it doesn’t have a touch display like the Swift 5, the screen fulfils its purpose. It allows you enough display real estate to get things done without straining your eyes too much.

The display is also near bezel-less. There is about 1-3mm of bezel on either side of the display with about 5mm on the top and bottom. The slim bezels allowed for a pretty immersive visual experience. You don’t have much pulling you out of your work or multimedia.

An unremarkably affordable laptop that does only slightly more than the basics

Overall, the Swift 3 is an unremarkable device. It’s not a jack of all trades, but it’s a thin and light laptop for those on a budget. It packs as much performance it for the price point it’s at. That said, it is a device geared for productivity and it does deliver on its promise of keeping you productive on the go. In fact, I would say it excels in it given the extra feats it accomplished. Editing 1080p video on the Swift 5 was also a feat, to see the Swift 3 able to do it without much problem is a definite plus. However, we also have to keep in mind that the Swift 3 is playing in an arena which is quickly getting crowded with similarly spec’d devices. It needs to find a way to stand out from the crowd; and, in all honesty, if it boils down to the brand, Acer is looking at an uphill battle with the Swift 3. That said, the AMD powered Swift 3 holds a peg above the competition with its performance right now – whether this holds true in the near future; we’ll have to see. All-in-all, the Swift 3 delivers on all its promises and excels further than its competition on certain fronts. However, when considering this device, it would be prudent to see if other, more powerful devices with a dedicated graphics card could serve you better. That said, if you’re looking for a slim and light productivity machine for everyday tasks, you don’t have to look further for a package that’s both affordable and give you some really good value for the money you invest in it.

Editorial, Lifestyle

In Front of Your Screen for Long Hours? You May Be Suffering from Eye Fatigue & Strain

September 14, 2020 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Screen time, eye fatigue and eye strain are phrases that are becoming increasingly common nowadays; more-so since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to work remotely. The increased screen time has cause many of us to feel the effects of eye fatigue and eye strain more intensely as we try to stay afloat during the pandemic.

Our eyes are something we commonly take for granted. However, they are one of our more important organs; particularly when it comes to navigating and contributing in the world we live in. You may be thinking, why is a tech website talking about our eye health? Well, the truth is, we should be talking about it more as we are, inevitably, interacting with technology on a daily basis.

So, let’s get down to it. Growing up, many of our parents and grandparents used to tell us to not sit too close to the TV. Back then, this was because the resolution of the idiot boxes were so low that going too close would cause eye strain. Nowadays, we’re interacting with screens at every corner from smartphones to laptops, to desktops, to televisions, and even billboards. These high-resolution screens aren’t as bad as the old televisions, but they pose an even challenge for our eyes; they are sharp, highly contrasted and bright. This combination produces an even more strenuous environment for our eyes. What’s more, we subject our eyes to these conditions for prolonged hours on a daily basis.

Dealing with Blue Light and Protecting Your Circadian Rhythm

Our eyes perceive light on a wide spectrum of light. That said, some portions of these spectra can influence other bodily functions; for example, the “blue light” spectrum which ranges from 410 – 430nm. This portion of the spectrum not only allows screens to be brighter but it also affects our circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle.

You may have read or heard a lot of people talking about the “harmful” affects of blue light; this is what they’re talking about. However, as Dr. Mike Varshavski points out in his YouTube video, the amount of blue light needed to adversely affect our circadian rhythm is huge. That said, we have to take into consideration the prolonged duration of exposure, especially if you’re working a desk job. So, what exactly happens? Well, as Dr Mike, aptly points out, blue light affects the production of melatonin, a hormone needed for sleep regulation. In fact, blue light down regulates or suppresses the production of melatonin which will make us feel more awake. To deal with this, a Harvard Medical study actually recommends reducing blue light exposure particularly before bed.

One way we can reduce blue light exposure is through the use of screens that are certified to have reduced emission of this spectrum – more commonly known as “eye comfort”. You can identify these screens by keeping a look out for certification by TÜV Rheinland. However, you give your eyes even more protection by using protective eye wear. You may think, “But… I don’t need spectacles.” . However, lenses like Essilor’s Crizal® line-up of lenses provide blue light protection for your eyes reducing eye strain. Essilor goes a step further to ensure that while they filter out harmful ultraviolet and blue light, their lenses with Crizal® technology still allow beneficial blue light to pass through. This helps minimise the effect on your sleep-wake cycle and also helps elevate mood.

That said, the best practice, in addition to using protective eye wear, would still be to reduce the time you expose yourself to screens all together. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the 20/20/20 rule. The rule is pretty simple, for every 20 minutes you spend in front of a screen, you should look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This should not only reduce eye strain but help reduce your blue light exposure.

Reducing Eye Fatigue & Eye Strain

While it may seem like blue light is the one and only demon when it comes to protecting your eyes, the truth is that it’s not. We subject our eyes to a lot of strain over the course of our day. Think about it, your eyes are essentially muscles that are constantly contracting and relaxing on a constant basis to adapt to the ocular conditions so you can see. Even when you go to the gym, the repetitive movement of lifting weights causes fatigue, that is essentially what’s happening in your eyes.

This contraction and relaxation of your irises and ocular muscles is not something you can control. So, how can you be causing the strain? Well, for one, we’re constantly looking at things that are relatively close to our faces; monitors, smartphones and televisions are within 20 feet of our faces at any given time. In addition to proximity, these screens can have videos or pictures that have varying focal lengths or have items in them that require your eyes to refocus over and over and over again. This causes eye strain and fatigue. What’s more, when you go from looking at pictures or videos to reading, your eyes will need to readjust again. The same holds true when you’re driving.

Once again, the 20/20/20 rule is helpful here too. However, despite using these techniques, our eyes are still subject to quite a lot of strain. The best way to reduce the strain is to actually minimise our time doing activities that cause eye strain. However, in our modern world, we would be hard pressed to do so.

The question remains, how do we take better care? One way we can do it is to use eye wear with optimised lenses. While not all of us need to do so medically, wearing purpose-built eye wear is becoming increasingly common. Brands like MVMT and GUNNAR are some examples of these. Most of them use lenses like Essilor’s Eyezen™ or Crizal® which help reduce glare from bright screens and sources of light as well as reduce the need for your eyes to constantly correct its focus. The former is especially effective as it helps correct farsightedness and nearsightedness in a single lens. Transitions lenses help with glare particularly when moving between indoor and outdoor environments.

Generally, there is not much we can do to take better care of our eyes. But in the long run, small steps help preserve our ocular function and eyesight. Don’t wait until you need a pair of prescription glasses to take care of your eyes, take small steps including turning off screens 2 hours before sleep and following the 20/20/20 rule to help with ocular health. It’s something we need to start looking at everyday.

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Thriving Businesses Have Used COVID-19 as an Impetus for Digitization

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Business Resilience is Built from the Top Down and Empowered by the right technologies

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An unremarkably affordable laptop that does only slightly more than the basics

Dealing with Blue Light and Protecting Your Circadian Rhythm

Reducing Eye Fatigue & Eye Strain

Tech Your Way