Category Archives: Lifestyle

Panasonic Unveils New Lineup of Smart TVs in Malaysia; Priced from MYR2,699

Panasonic Malaysia is making a comeback and they’re trying to make it big! The company was once renowned for its cutting-edge TVs that were built to last. Now, the company is announcing its latest range of six cutting-edge TVs that are set to redefine your home entertainment experience.

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These new TVs are designed to meet the demands of today’s high-resolution entertainment needs. Panasonic is looking to bring cinema-level experiences into your living room and turn it into your entertainment utopia.

Panasonic’s new lineup of TVs is built for everyone. The company isn’t bringing one or two models to market, instead, it’s coming with a complete lineup offering four different series with a diverse set of features.

The Panasonic MZ2000 Flagship OLED series

Leading the four new series is the MZ200 – Panasonic’s flagship OLED TV for this year. The series will be available in 65-inch (TH-65MZ2000K) and 77-inch (TH-77MZ2000K) sizes.

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Panasonic touts this as the ultimate home theatre experience. It comes equipped with Panasonic’s new custom module Master OLED Ultimate. The new module allows the TV to achieve a remarkable increase in brightness, offering a peak brightness boost of around 150%. This is thanks to the Micro Lens Array and multi-layer cooling that Panasonic has developed that allows for more efficient cooling. The HCX Pro AI Processor ensures accurate colours, striking contrast, and exceptional clarity. It can even intelligently optimise the colours based on the genre of content on screen.

Filmmaker Mode in the MZ2000 ensures content is viewed as intended, regardless of the lighting conditions. Gamers will appreciate its NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility for tear- and stutter-free gaming. True Game Mode brings colour accuracy features used in the movie industry into gaming, delivering lifelike visuals.

Sound matters too! The MZ2000 offers the Bass Booster algorithm and Panasonic’s 360° Soundscape all-in-one TV audio package tuned by Technics, with Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive sound experience.

The MX940 & MX950 LED TVs

Up next is Panasonic’s LED TVs. This year’s offerings come in two flavours the flagship MX950 Mini LED series and the MX940 Full Array LED Series. The Flagship MX950 Mini LED series comes with options of 65-inch (TH-65MX950K) and 75-inch (TH-75MX950K).

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Under the MX950 series, Panasonic’s flagship 4K LED TV features a Mini LED panel for brighter pictures and stunning contrast. Local Dimming Ultra eliminates the common “halo effect” in images while HDR brings more detail with a wider colour gamut. Integrated speakers and a built-in woofer create a Dynamic Theatre Sound, immersing you in the movie.

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The MX940 Full Array LED series comes with a single 50-inch (TH-50MX940K) option under this series. The lower-end LED series offers a more affordable option for those looking for LED TVs with most of the benefits seen in the MX950 Series.

The Panasonic MX800 4K Google TV

The 85-inch MX800 4K Google TV brings together your favourite movies and shows from various streaming services into one place. It offers easy access to over 10,000 apps and personalized entertainment through curated recommendations. Features like Google Assistant, Chromecast, Google TV app, and video calls make it a versatile addition to your home.

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All these new TV series support a wide range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, 4K Fine Remaster, and Dynamic HDR Effect.

Pricing and Availability

Starting from September 2023, these new TVs will be available for purchase at Panasonic authorized dealers. Prices begin at MYR2,699.

Samsung Unleashes the First Fan Edition Galaxy Buds

The Samsung Galaxy Buds lineup is getting a new Fan Edition to its lineup. These earbuds mark the first Fan Edition in Samsung‘s Galaxy Buds family, and they aim to deliver what users love about Galaxy Buds, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), in a budget-friendly package priced at just $99.

The Galaxy Buds FE features a single-driver setup. The single-driver setup distinguishes it from the dual-driver configuration found in the Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. They offer Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with support for AAC, SBC, and SSC codecs. Like the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Pro, these earbuds can seamlessly switch between various Galaxy devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, depending on your active usage. The inclusion of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and Ambient Sound ensures that you can enjoy your audio experience undisturbed.

For clear voice calls, each earbud boasts three microphones. These mics are touted to be able to pick up voice even in the noisiest environments. Like its siblings, these earbuds are smart. They can automatically pause your music when you remove them from your ears and they have touch-sensitive controls. The charging case follows the design language of recent Galaxy Buds, with a rounded square layout.

The Galaxy Buds FE comes with quite an impressive battery life claim. With ANC turned off, these earbuds are touted to last an impressive 8.5 hours on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. Even with ANC active, you can still enjoy up to 6 hours of playback on the earbuds alone, extending to 21 hours with the charging case.

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Source: Samsung

Samsung continues looking at sustainability with the new Galaxy Buds FE. It incorporates post-consumer recycled plastics, sourced from discarded fishing nets and water barrels, into the construction of these earbuds.

Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy Buds FE will be available starting on October 5, 2023. It will be available in two colours – Graphite and White. It will be priced at USD$99.99 (MYR473.06) in the U.S.

In Malaysia, the Galaxy Buds FE will be priced at MYR399 and will be available starting on October 10, 2023.

AirAsia Superapp Will Now Be airasia move

Capital A’s digital arm, airasia Digital, is set to transform into MOVE Digital. This rebranding also marks a restructuring of airasia Digital’s business which will now encompass both the airasia Superapp and BigPay. As part of the change, the airasia Superapp, will also undergo a comprehensive rebranding, morphing into ‘airasia move’ in the near future.

Airasia Move

As part of the restructuring and rebranding of airasia Digital, co-founder of AirAsia and the CEO of Capital A, Tony Fernandes, will assume the mantle of Executive Chairman of MOVE. He will be overseeing the synergy between airasia move and BigPay.

Tony Fernandes, Executive Chairman of MOVE, expressed, “The name MOVE embodies our essence as the digital arm of Capital A, reinforcing our commitment to propel people, ideas, and innovation in the realm of travel. Imagine having seamless access to travel and financial services on a single platform, complete with integrated financial features like balance display, top-ups, and payments from BigPay. This strengthens airasia move’s position as the go-to travel app. My role as Executive Chairman of MOVE will be to enhance synergy between both businesses. With this transition, users can anticipate an enriched experience and deeper integration of BigPay features within airasia Superapp, soon to be airasia move.”

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[From left] – Nadia Omer, the incoming CEO of airasia Superapp (now airasia move), Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, and Executive Chairman of MOVE together with Zubin Rada Krishnan, CEO of BigPay during the unveiling of MOVE Digital today.

Nadia Omer will be heading MOVE as its Chief Executive Officer starting on the 26 October 2023. Her primary task will be driving airasia move’s vision of being a low cost travel platform with high conversion rates. She will be taking over from Mohamad Hafidz, the acting CEO. She will also be working closely with Zubin Rada Krishnan, head of BigPay as the MOVE ushers in a new era of travel innovation with airasia move and BigPay as their focus.

The airasia Superapp, soon to be airasia move, has rapidly evolved into a one-stop travel hub, offering seamless end-to-end booking experiences over the past two years. On the other front, BigPay has carved a niche as an innovative fintech provider empowering Southeast Asians with superior financial management tools.

Both of Capital A’s digital entities have made remarkable strides, with airasia Superapp (soon to be airasia move) registering a record-breaking Monthly Active Users (MAU) of 15 million by the end of the second quarter. Simultaneously, BigPay has witnessed a remarkable 16% Year-on-Year growth in its carded users during the same period. This rebranding initiative sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead in the digital travel and finance landscape.

Logitech Unveils the Logitech Reach – A Webcam Built For Online Sharing

Logitech has just unveiled a rather unique webcam – the Logitech Reach. The new webcam features a flexible, articulating arm that can redefine how we share non-digital content during presentations, classes, conference calls, and live streams.

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Source: Logitech

The inspiration behind the Logitech Reach stemmed from a simple observation. People were encountering difficulties when sharing non-digital content, often settling for less-than-ideal setups, a combination of various products, or complex production tools. Logitech set out to eliminate these challenges, enabling a seamless and interactive “show and tell” experience.

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Source: Logitech

The Logitech Reach boasts a range of features designed to make sharing content easier and more engaging. The camera offers 1080p video quality at 60fps with glass optics, 4.3x lossless zoom and smart autofocus. Users can effortlessly move the camera along the horizontal plane using a simple gesture, ensuring content is displayed cleanly and smoothly. Built-in guidance indicators maintain the image’s orientation throughout and a pivoting camera head.

Logitech Reach: A 'show & tell' camera experience

The Reach offers a hassle-free plug-and-play experience via USB for extensive compatibility with most computers and conferencing or streaming platforms. It can be used in full desktop mode on a table or in a compact stowed mode, paired with the low-profile edge clamp, making it adaptable to any workspace.

Early Access and Campaign

Logitech recognizes the diverse range of use cases for the Logitech Reach and is offering early access to this revolutionary device through the Indiegogo Enterprise platform. Early adopters can enjoy a discounted price, and their valuable insights will help shape the future of Logitech Reach across various environments. No exact pricing has been announced so far.

Your Commute Can’t Get Any Cuter Than with Touch ‘n Go’s The Furry Series: Rabbit Charm

In a heartwarming tribute to the cherished bond Malaysians share with their four-legged friends, Touch ‘n Go has unveiled a delightful addition to their lineup – The Furry Series: Rabbit Charm. This charming accessory not only celebrates the unique connection between humans and their pets but also seamlessly integrates convenience and style into your daily commute.

This innovative charm, adorned with a lovable rabbit design, is not your ordinary trinket. It comes equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which essentially makes it your enhanced Touch ‘n Go card. The Rabbit Charm represents Touch ‘n Go’s commitment to offering inventive, unique products that not only simplify daily transactions but also resonate with the younger generation’s tastes and preferences.

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The Rabbit Charm operates much like an enhanced Touch ‘n Go card, making it incredibly versatile for various everyday needs. Whether you’re paying tolls, hopping on a train or bus, or parking your vehicle, this charming accessory has got you covered. And the best part? Reloading your charm is a breeze! Simply use the Touch ‘n Go eWallet via your NFC-enabled smartphone, and you’re all set for your next adventure.

What sets this Rabbit Charm apart is its portability and visual appeal. Attach it effortlessly to your bag or wallet, and you’ll have a fluffy companion with you wherever you go. Animal lovers, in particular, will be smitten by this adorable collectable. Priced at just RM30.00, it’s an affordable way to infuse a touch of cuteness into your daily routine.

The Rabbit Charm is available for purchase at Touch ‘n Go Service and Sales Centres located in NU Sentral and Bangsar South. But that’s not all – starting from 24th August 2023, you can also snag one online at the official Touch ‘n Go Shopee Store.

WhatsApp Channels for Everyone!

Where last week saw WhatsApp releasing a new Beta version that tells of things to come, this week sees WhatsApp releasing a new feature into their app to offer even more communication avenue and flexibility for its users. They call the new feature Channels, and it allows users to create a one-to-many communication channel. That allows corporate users or even celebrities and influencers to create a single messaging platform for brand-specific messages to all their subscribers, fans, and customers.

To be fair, the feature is not technically brand-new. The feature has been tested and piloted successfully in Colombia and Singapore. Following the success, WhatsApp thinks it is ready for primetime in 150 countries.

While it is designed for brands, organizations, and even celebrities to directly reach out to other their fans, customers, and communities without the clout of input from participants in the channel, WhatsApp is working to making the feature available and accessible to all WhatsApp users which might mean that you can try creating a channel on your own in the future. Participants in channels can also react with emoji rather than having access to the message board, which also means that user interaction within the channel is not completely culled.

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Source: WhatsApp

There are concerns that it might be confusing for users to distinguish between a channel communication and regular chat since they will look similar through the interface. WhatsApp will be adding a new section just for Channels though, allowing you to quickly separate Channels communication and regular chats with your friends. That does not mean that you cannot use any messaging from Channels in your daily regular chats though. You still can forward messages from Channels to your friends or groups if you feel like you want to share some news. It might also encourage the larger adoption of Channels this way.

The WhatsApp Channels update should be coming to most users by the end of today (19th September 2023), at least according to the WhatsApp team from Meta. If you have not received the update or have not seen the update, you might want to check if your WhatsApp has been updated to the latest version or not via your Google Play Store or Apple App Store. For more information WhatsApp’s latest feature, you can head out to their blog.

3 Wireless Earbuds Below MYR50 That May Be Worth Your Buck

We’re always reviewing the latest and greatest in tech when it comes to our regular content. So we thought it’d be a nice change of pace to check out a few earbuds that are below MYR 50. Here are three that left an impression.

1. AWEI T60 TWS Wireless Bluetooth

Price: MYR39

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I’ve personally had experience with these earbuds. That’s why I’m putting them at the top of this list. They come with easy touch controls, a long-lasting battery and a fast-charging base that takes about 30 minutes to an hour for a full charge. It’s also a little flashy with cool breathing lights.

These have been my ride-or-die earbuds for a little bit now. It’s thanks to the decent sound quality and punchy bass. There may be a few glitches when it comes to Bluetooth stability and connection, however, overall it’s a pretty decent set of earbuds for the price.

The Awei T60 TWS Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are available on Shopee and Lazada.

2. Baseus Encok WM01 TWS Bluetooth Earphones 

Price: MYR45.60

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If you are one for style and aesthetics then I recommend this lovely pair – The Baseus Encok WM01. They come in 6 shades: Black, Yellow, Green, White, Pink, and Purple. It’s perfect for those who want to keep to their style, these earbuds have great sound and thanks to their noise reduction systems make listening to your tunes a breeze without the hassle of being disturbed.

It’s also pretty compact and fits snugly in your ear. It has a long-lasting battery of over 5 hours when fully charged and 25 hours with the charging case.

The Baseus Encok WM01 are available on Shopee and Lazada.

3. 【BACRAB】K55 Wireless Bluetooth 

Price: MYR37.50

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If you are looking for earbuds mainly for gaming you should check out the BACRAB K55. They’re decently powerful earphones that will not disturb or cause issues when used for games.

I’ve used it for a year myself and it didn’t have many issues. It also doesn’t affect game performance or connectivity on games like Mobile Legends or League of Legends Wild Rift.  On average, the K55 can last up to 3 hours while gaming. Listening to music alone would give you an added hour or 2 of use.

It’s got decent sound, and punchy bass allowing you to immerse yourself in your games and music. It’s also got that gamer aesthetic complete with touch controls.

The Bacrab K55 is available on Shopee and Lazada

Bose Unleashes New QuietComfort Lineup with new Bose Immersive Audio Technology

Bose has unveiled a trio of new audio products set to redefine the listening experience: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and QuietComfort Headphones. These devices maintain Bose’s signature sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort while introducing a significant innovation—Bose Immersive Audio.

Bose Immersive Audio

Bose’s Immersive Audio is the company’s take on directional audio. Unlike its competitors, the technology doesn’t use AI to approximate audio direction – particularly when it comes to headphones. Instead, it generates a wider, more spacious soundstage that allows for layered, multidimensional sound. The best part? It’s platform agnostic – meaning that it’s done on the headphones itself. The onboard IMU and Bose’s proprietary digital signal processing software allows for a live concert-like experience, even with audio sources that don’t natively support spatial audio.

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It comes with two modes: Still and Motion. “Still” mode keeps audio stationery for a consistent experience, while “Motion” mode, adapts sound according to your position and movements.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

These headphones replace the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 as Bose’s top-tier over-ear headphones. They address a common concern by folding it down for easy storage. The headphones introduce Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, along with CustomTune audio calibration. They provide clear calls, accurate voice assistant responses, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

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The new QuietComfort Ultra headphones feature a completely re-engineered system with proprietary signal processing, advanced microphones and a robust chipset. These technologies enable improved noise cancellation and CustomTune while supporting Bose’s Aware mode with ActiveSense and improved voice pickup.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Building on the success of the QC Earbuds II, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer noise cancellation, CustomTune calibration, responsive touch controls, and now Immersive Audio. Improved call quality is achieved through adaptive filters and dynamic microphone mixing. It also comes with an IPX4 water and dust resistance rating. They provide up to six hours of battery life, with an optional case for wireless charging.

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Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Replacing the QuietComfort 45 Headphones, these offer high-fidelity audio and noise cancellation. Users can customize noise cancellation levels and modes. They provide up to 24 hours of battery life, support multipoint Bluetooth 5.1, and include a Spotify Tap button for convenience.

Compatibility and Connectivity

All three products support Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, including Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec for audio streaming. They are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and feature Google Fast Pair for Android devices. They are also compatible with Bose SimpleSync technology, allowing personalized pairing with select soundbars and speakers.

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for these products are now open.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced at GBP£449 (MYR2,610.17) while the Earbuds will cost GBP£299 (MYR1,738.21). Both will be available starting in early October in Black and White Smoke.

The QuietComfort Headphones will be available on September 21, 2023, in Black and White Smoke. There will also be a limited-edition Cypress Green colour. It will be priced at GBP£349 (MYR2,028.89).

The wireless charging case which is compatible with both the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the QC Earbuds II will be on sale for GBP£49.95 (MYR290.38).

There isn’t any word yet on when these products will be available in Malaysia. However, you can still purchase it on the Bose website.

Android Auto Now Gives You Weather Updates

Google’s Android Auto has been getting constant updates for a while now and is getting the attention it finally deserves. Android Auto has been a blessing for plenty of Android users in their cars. With every update, they just get better, more useful, and even more relevant to drivers today than ever before. You can use Google Assistant seamlessly in your car, for example. You can also reply to text messages via Android Auto, obviously via voice activation. In one of their latest updates, the interface now allows you to spread the screen out in multiple windows with Google Maps or Waze taking up most of the real estate while allowing another app like YouTube Music, Tidal, or Spotify in a smaller window. Even your notification can get its own window in the latest interface.

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Source: Google

In their latest update, Google is looking to make Android Auto a better journey companion than before by bringing more apps into the Android Auto Ecosystem. For those that are always on-the-go but can never get away from their smartphones for work, Google is bringing Zoom and WebEx into Android Auto for a more seamless video call experience even when you are stuck in a terrible traffic jam. For the long-drawn-out standstill traffic, they are also bringing Prime Video into the fold. Best of all though, for better journey planning, they are bringing weather updates via The Weather Channel app into Android Auto.

The Weather Channel app has been the most popular weather prediction app on Android devices worldwide. It is only natural to start bringing the app into Android Auto for the purpose of journey planning. The Android Auto version of the app will operate a little differently from the smartphone app though. There are still some similarities like push weather updates, but now it is more catered toward your specific journeys. It updates the users of incoming bad weather, for example, just so that you can either plan around the traffic build up, or brace for extended journey times. The Android Auto app also can offer hourly forecasts, follow-me alerting, and Trip View radar that allows you to be your own F1 race engineer watching out for rain on your journey.

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Source: Google

The updates are being rolled out to Android Auto units by select manufacturers currently and will roll out to other users following the select manufacturers. They are also rolling out digital key support in select regions for select manufacturers and models. Of course, while that nifty feature allows you to lock and unlock your car via your smartphone, you want to keep in mind that it will only work if your care comes natively with Android Auto. More information on the latest updates on Android Auto can be found on their website.

USB-C Comes to the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro

USB-C isn’t just on the iPhone 15, it’s also coming to the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro. Oh, don’t forget, it’s got MagSafe too.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) comes with enhanced sound quality and double the Active Noise Cancellation of the previous model. This means you can immerse yourself in your music or calls like never before, without being disrupted by external noise. The advanced Transparency mode also lets you stay connected to your surroundings when needed.

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It also comes with Spatial Audio technology which gives a three-dimensional soundstage that makes movies, music, and games come to life. While immersive audio is nice, it would be lost without the best fit when it comes to the AirPods itself. The new AirPods Pro come with an expanded range of ear tip sizes to ensure the perfect fit for every user. The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be compatible with the Apple Vision Pro that is set to debut early next year in the U.S. This combination unlocks 20-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency.

No need for lightning anymore when you have a USB‑C connector to the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Now, you can use a single cable to charge multiple devices, from your Mac and iPad to your AirPods and iPhone 15 series. USB-C isn’t the only thing new on the 2nd Generation AirPods with USB-C. It’s also got an IP54 rating for both the earbuds and case.

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They incorporate recycled materials, such as 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 100% recycled gold in printed circuit boards. The packaging is redesigned to reduce waste, aligning with Apple’s goal to eliminate plastic from packaging entirely by 2025.

Pricing and Availability

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) will be available for USD$249 or MYR1,099.

For added personalization, these AirPods can be engraved for free, offering a mix of emoji, names, initials, and numbers.