Telegram is still one of the most popular messengers in the world alongside WhatsApp and Signal. It is simple to use, you can have access to a single account via multiple smartphones or even PC devices at the same time, and you do not even have to back your data up periodically. Telegram automatically saves your chat via the cloud and allows you to access it instantaneously when you sign into your account from anywhere in the world, as long as you can remember the phone number you signed up with Telegram. WhatsApp only allows you to hold your account on a single device at a time. Your WhatsApp back up data is strictly stored inside your smartphone, Google Drive, or Apple Cloud; even WhatsApp cannot access your data, apparently.
There is a common denominator when it comes to the popular messengers you see across the globe too. For all the major platforms, you need to share your phone number to get an account. Telegram sees that as one point of failure in terms of your privacy and cyber security, so they look to do away with phone number.
Telegram’s more recent updates has done away with just that. Recently Telegram has started auctioning and selling off rare usernames for their new platform based on the TON Blockchain. TON also features their own cryptocurrency, the Toncoins. Buying the unique username allows users to sign up to an anonymous account without ever giving away your phone number. You can even do that yourself on Fragment. You get your verification code on Fragment as well, of course.
You are not getting something as unique as a codename or the regular usernames though. You are getting a bunch of random numbers that resemble a phone number. That unique number will be tied to your Fragment account so any verification that is needed for your Telegram sign ins will go to Fragment. This also eliminates the need for you to sign up and use Telegram via your own phone number to make it even more secure, and more anonymous in some sense.
The new update also brings a whole host of improvements largely aimed to make Telegram more secure and private. Users should already be familiar with self-destruct messages, where users can delete their messages without leaving so much as a trace in their chats. They can set a delete timer for their chats or messages too on the platform. Telegram is now expanding the feature from 2013 and give you more control over your digital footprint.
You can now automatically delete your messages in all your new chats with any user, regardless of who starts the chat. In some ways, it allows you to keep your inbox tidy by keeping it up to date. In private groups, users who have the authorization can also set timers to their messages to be deleted after some time.
Telegram also allows you to sort your messages and groups using via Topics. Instead of looking for names or specific chat groups, you can sort your messages on Telegrams like you see forums. Now it is more powerful than before because you can sort out messages from groups with more than 100 members. They also added a new two column mode for the feature for an even more streamlined navigation than before allowing you to quickly go from one topic to another.
They even updated the anti-spam filter to be even more aggressive than before allowing your chats and groups to be a lot cleaner than before. If you do not feel comfortable giving away your phone number to other people to add you on Telegram, they have included a temporary QR code generator for you to show to others, when you need it. The people adding you will not even get to see your phone number. If you want to know how Telegram uses your smartphone’s storage, there is an even more detailed view of it now on Telegram itself.
On top of these security updates, Telegram also added a few new features that has to do with emojis. Users of Telegram Premium gets access to new interactive emoji with full screen effects and everything. All Telegram users get access to all the security features that Telegram has introduced so far though, so if you have not spent a single dime on Telegram, you still do not have to. Telegram is available for free on Google’s Play Store and Apple App Store. For more information on Telegram’s update, you can visit their website.
Apple launched their most expensive wearable item back in September alongside their Apple iPhone 14 devices. They launched the new Apple Watch Ultra, which was made with space age technology and is built to endure the most extreme conditions you can subject your body to. One of them is to go down to depths you will only go as a scuba diver.
According to Apple, the Watch Ultra can go in depths up to 40 meters. While there are dive watches and computers that can go deeper than that, you want to remember that the Apple Watch Ultra is no bigger than the regular watch and is also built as a watch and fitness tracker you can take anywhere with you. In that sense, the Apple Watch Ultra is a feat on its own.
While it was able to go down to 40 meters under water, and into the ocean for that matter, you could only get basic information from it like a regular watch. It did not have the right tools to record your depth, or how much air you have left, or how long you’ve dived. Until now, that is, with the Oceanic+ app.
Source: Apple
The app was also announced when they launched the Apple Watch Ultra, so it should not come as a surprise. The app is not an in-house developed one (developed by Huish Outdoors in collaboration with Apple), that could also be why it launched later than the Watch Ultra itself. It is still 2022 though, so it is not like we had to wait years for it.
The Oceanic+ app basically turns your Apple Watch Ultra into a rather comprehensive dive computer. They say that the app allows the Watch Ultra to act as an advanced dive computer and robust dive planner. Of course, you can review all information post-dive as well.
Source: Apple
The dive computer on the Apple Watch Ultra may not be similar to other dive computers you might have come across. They say that they have built the interface to be as intuitive as possible to be used on the Apple Watch platform. The interface is designed to allow users to quickly get information from the watch and dive stress free without making mental calculations during their dive. That also means that they need to cram and simplify as much information as they can into the tiny display that is the Apple Watch Ultra. It even gives users some form of directive to ensure their safety during the dive with “Stop”, “Go Up”, and even “Go Down”.
They have managed to integrate things like surface time, depth, and gas capacity into an interface that would be familiar to any Apple Watch user. On top of that, the dive planner gives you extra information like tides, water temperatures, weather updates, currents, and updated information uploaded by other users. It even tracks your GPS location, so you know where you are in your dives. You can even tell if you have a notification from the Apple Watch Ultra in the water with the Watch vibrating. They say you can even feel the vibration through a 7mm thick wetsuit. Haptic feedback, according to the developers, is a better way for your watch to communicate with you under water.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The Oceanic+ app is now available for the Apple Watch Ultra via the App Store. Of course, there is a companion app for your iPhone as well where you can view all sorts of information from your Apple Watch post-dive. The Apple Watch Ultra will set you back from MYR 3,799 onward, which is a lot of money for an Apple Watch. Then again, a dive computer will set you back just as much or more.
EVs in Malaysia is not necessarily a new idea. Industry players like BMW was keen in introducing their i3 and even i8 models into Malaysia. To be fair, the i3 and i8 were hybrid vehicles. They introduced the 13s later, which went full electric. BMW also had their wildly popular 330e, and 530e hybrid models. Mercedes-Benz had limited success when they introduced their C350e, and E350e plug-in hybrid models later. Even Volvo enjoyed some success with their top-of-the-line XC90 plug-in hybrid. Not to mention, Nissan kick-started the whole electric journey with their Nissan Leaf, officially available in Malaysia.
In any case, it seems like Malaysia is ready for another EV. At least that is what GWM (Great Wall Motors) thinks with their latest ORA GOOD CAT. It is, in the current state of writing, also the most affordable EV you can find in Malaysia today.
When we say it is the most affordable in Malaysia, you do want to take it with a pinch of salt still. It will still set you back MYR 139,800 onward. That starting price undercuts Nissan’s offering by about MYR 40,000. Even at the top, it still sits MYR 10,000 less than the Nissan Leaf.
What you get for the money though is rather impressive. You get up to 500km in range if you go for the 500 Ultra model. For MYR 30,000 less you get up to 400km in range, which is still an impressive feat in an electric car. Both are also more than what you get from a Nissan Leaf, its closest competition in our opinions.
The motor still gives you up to 143PS, which is plenty for Malaysian commuting. That silent powertrain will get the ORA GOOD CAT going at a top speed of 152km/h, still well over the national speed limit. They did not quote its 0-100km/h time though.
Still, you get to choose between Normal, Sport, Eco, Eco+, and Auto driving modes to suit your driving style and moods. It is not all about driving dynamics either with the ORA GOOD CAT. You get intelligent parking system to assist you in three types of parking modes. To ensure that you are always safe on the road, GWM put cameras at every corner of the vehicle for 360-degree coverage and wisdom dodge system that detects large vehicles and even assist in avoiding them. It also offers auto emergency braking system, just for an added layer of safety.
Inside, it feels more like a laptop than a car. There is a 7-inch cluster display that greets you when you enter the car. That 7-inch cluster is extended to meet a 10.25-inch touch sensitive display that controls the vehicle’s multimedia systems that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead of a gear lever, you select your drive using a rotary knob in the center console. It even has an electronically controlled panoramic sunroof for even more interior light and that spacious feel. At the rear, your leather seats can be folded down to extend its storage to 858 liters.
The biggest problem with current EV technology is its ‘refueling’ or charging periods. With a regular AC port at your home, you can charge your car in about 8 -10 hours, depending on the size of your battery. With a fast charger, you get to charge your car fully within 2 hours, neat.
Being tech savvy does not mean that you must sacrifice sense when buying a car this high-tech. For its price, GWM has you covered extensively. If you get your ORA GOOD CAT in a package, GWM offers up to 150,000 km or 5 years warranty. Your battery is covered separately with up to 8 years or 180,000 km. While EVs are nearly free of extra maintenance services required by internal combustion engines, GWM offers your ORA GOOD CAT with five times free service labour for when maintenance is required. At the same time, GWM is even giving away a portable charger and home charger for your car.
The ORA GOOD CAT is now available in Malaysia, as mentioned, starts at MYR 139,800 for the 400 Pro option and MYR 169,800 for the 500 Ultra variant. The car has been in pre-order period for the past 3 weeks and is now officially launched. You can expect to see one on the roads soon as they are already shipping the EV to owners. You can request for a test-drive the ORA GOOD CAT at any GWM dealerships near you. More information on the ORA GOOD CAT is available on their website.
In the couple of years Samsung’s Galaxy foldables existed alongside HUAWEI’s own iteration of foldable devices, there has been plenty of interest from other manufacturers in producing similar devices. Microsoft has their Surface Duo Android smartphone, though they do not feature folding displays. OPPO launched their Find N (not in Malaysia, unfortunately). Google is even considering a foldable Pixel at more accessible price ranges. Then there is HONOR and their new Magic Vs.
Inevitably the HONOR Magic Vs is going to be compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, the current most popular foldable device out there. It is a slightly larger device offering a 7.9-inch foldable OLED display over Samsung’s 7.6-inch. In terms of resolution, it is also closer to the Galaxy Z Fold4 than the OPPO Find N at 1,984 by 2,272 pixels, which is also technically more than the Samsung. Its refresh rate is only at 90Hz though, the Samsung offers 120Hz. Still, it features HDR10+ colours and up to 800 nits of maximum brightness, which is still something.
Source: Honor
When you fold up the larger display, you can still use the device with its 6.45-inch OLED display that offers Full HD+ resolution. You get 120Hz refresh rate with this one for the smooth UI feel. It also offers up to 1200 nits in brightness, which could be useful under intense sun light.
They really are targeting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 with this Magic Vs. Underneath the expansive display, you can find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the same one you find on Samsung’s latest and most powerful foldable smartphone. The system on a chip (SoC) gets paired with up to 12GB of RAM for the best Android 12 experience you can find on modern devices. You get up to 512GB in storage with the device too, just in case you need all that space to store movies, audio files, work files, and even photos.
You would want that much space for photos with the MagicOS 7.0 device. Out the back is a triple camera set up that is headlined by a 54-Megapixel shooter. Alongside that is an 8-Megapixel telephoto lens and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold4, the HONOR foldable only features one selfie 16-Megapixel camera that is lodged in the punch hole of the external display. That also means you get all uninterrupted foldable display.
Keeping everything running an entire day is a large 5,000mAh battery. If you need a quick charge before you leave the house, the 66W HONOR SuperCharge technology can fully charge the device within 46 minutes.
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
Source: Honor
The HONOR Magic Vs has launched in China and is now taking pre-orders that are expected to ship out by November 30th. It come in three colours – Orange, Cyan, and Black. There are also apparently two other colour options for their highest specced model – Black and Gold. At launch, the HONOR Magic Vs is priced from CN¥ 7,499 (US$ 1,050/MYR 4,736*) all the way to CN¥ 10,888 (US$ 1,520/MYR 6,876*). There are no confirmed dates or official pricing for the local market just yet. We are expecting HONOR to launch the device sometime soon though, if they are launching the device here at all. They also mentioned that this will be their first international foldable smartphone, which makes its local launch all the more likely. More information on the HONOR Magic Vs can be found on their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of CN¥ 10 = MYR 6.32 as of 24/11/2022 on xe.com
In the world of fast-paced First Person Shooter (FPS) games, resolution is not everything. You want a display that responds as fast as you can move, you want everything to be fluid and clear as you pan your mouse everywhere to get your targets and still be precise. Since your opponents will be moving, a sharp image while you move is crucial for you to get the kill and be as accurate as possible. Of course, you want a fast-responding display too, one with the least input lag possible.
Source: BenQ
The XL2566K is BenQ’s latest ZOWIE gaming monitor made specifically with competitive FPS gamers and the big stage in mind. It is their flagship esports monitor which will no doubt find its way to competitive stages around the world. It packs 360Hz, which also means that CS:GO players can be even sharper than before with up to 360 frames every second projecting on their display.
Then there is DyAc+ technology that is proprietary to ZOWIE. It offers an added clarity in fast motions. Often, just refresh rate alone is not enough to ensure that your image is crystal clear and razor sharp in fast movements. You need a clever sharpening technology like DyAC+ to clean out your image and offer you extra details in the image. The result is a sharper image all around even when your target is at a distance.
It is not an IPS display though, instead you get the less premium TN and there is good reason for that. IPS displays can hit 360Hz in refresh rate, but there are disadvantages to IPS displays. Firstly, it’s response time is slower than that of TN panels. TN panels are also cheaper to produce, making the ZOWIE monitor a little more accessible. Secondly, TN panels offer a better and more reliable response times to IPS displays. The expense? Your picture quality and colours suffer a little bit. But this is the world of competitive FPS gaming. That means that your picture quality matters less, and performance is what you want.
Source: BenQ
Source: BenQ
Source: BenQ
Source: BenQ
Source: BenQ
Source: BenQ
They have also put a lot of thought in designing the product to be as ergonomic as possible for FPS gamers. The 24.5-inch display features a sturdy base that is optimally shaped to allow for a tighter mouse configuration. That not only allow FPS gamers to have a tighter set up for more precision, you take up less space on your desk too. Of course, the stand is height adjustable with tilt adjustment too. You can swivel it a little bit to create more room for your mousepad. It also comes with two side shield panels to ensure that you minimize glare from other light sources.
ZOWIE’s XL2566K is now available on BenQ’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. You can get your hands on one as well at BenQ’s authorized resellers across the nation. It will set you back MYR 2,949, which is pretty steep for a Full HD monitor understandably. It is a rather niche display though, if you think about it. It serves a very specific purpose, that is to ensure that you are competitive. More information n the new ZOWIE XL2566K TN 360Hz DyAc+ monitor can be found on their website.
When Sony announced and released the WH-1000XM4, or the fourth generation of their most premium noise-cancelling headphones, we were excited about it. It featured the same design as before, nothing wrong with the folding design, it is perfect for travelling. It is a more comfortable headphone to work with. Thanks to the improved processor, noise cancellation is better than ever, and sound quality improved. We liked the WH-1000XM4.
Then there is their fifth-generation premium noise cancelling headphones. The architecture of the headphone has changed alongside new materials. There is a new driver, which is lighter and smaller than before. There are now two processors within the headset, one more than before. All this should make Sony WH-1000XM5 the best noise cancelling headphones money can buy today.
Is it though? Is it worth MYR 1,799? Should you buy the older one instead? We find out.
Design
The new WH-1000X flagship headphone looks different from before. There is no more folding the headphone to fit a more pocketable case or shape. The adjustable headband is now smooth and quiet. It is slimmer now than before, which is good. They also made it longer to relief some clamping pressure.
The ear cups are also larger than before. They say there are eight mics on the headphone, four on each ear cup. We could identify six of them by a quick visual inspection. We suspect the other mics are inside the ear cups.
The WH-1000XM5 feels like a much larger headphone compared to its predecessor. The larger ear cups wrap your ears and seals them better. Strangely, it is lighter than before.
The carrying case is also larger now. Inspired by Japanese origami, it can be folded flat for storage. It is oddly shaped, like a flattened bell. We think that the older headphone package is easier to pack since it takes up less space in your bag compared to the new one.
Because there is more space in the case, packing the cables and airplane adapter is rather simple. You can simply put everything in the magnetically sealed compartment within the case.
The Most Comfortable WH-1000X Headphone Ever
There is a benefit to its size. Since it weighs no more than the older headphone, and with less clamping force, you can wear it for longer periods of time. They say that they used more composite materials to make it even lighter than before.
The cushions on the ear cups are a little thicker than before, but somehow airier too. The larger ear cups also mean better passive noise cancelling. Of course, you might want to think about using it indoors where there is active cooling.
Hardware
While the overall size of the headphones is larger, the drivers are smaller than before. The driver in each cup is now 30mm, 10mm smaller than before. It is made with carbon fiber composite to ensure they still offer powerful bass.
Bluetooth 5.2 Active Noise Cancelling DSEE Extreme Beamforming Mic Adaptive Sound 360 Reality Audio 360 Spatial Sound Dolby Atmos Multipoint Connection Speak-to-chat
Features
Sony spares no expense at equipping their flagship noise cancelling headphones with even more features this time. These features can prove useful in a lot of situations too.
Two Devices, One Headphone
There is a caveat, as per warned by the Sony Headphones app when turn on multipoint Bluetooth connection. Choosing to connect your headphone to two devices at once voids LDAC support, but you can still prioritize sound quality. You also might not be able to tell the difference unless you concentrate hard
Speak-to-Chat
On the WH-1000XM5, activation delay is much better than before. You get a little ping to tell you that it has detected your voice and cut the music. The headphone goes into ambient mode almost immediately when you start a conversation. Once it activates, it will stay on for 15 seconds by default.
Via the app as well you can change how sensitive the algorithm works according to how it works for you. You can extend it to 30 seconds, indefinitely, or reduce it to 5 seconds. We find that 15 seconds and normal sensitivity on the function is good enough for our use case in most cases.
Touch Control and Quick Control
Like before, the right side is where all the touch sensitive controls are. Your music controls start with a double tap to pause or play music, then swiping left (forward) or right (backward) to go back and forth between your favourite songs. To control volumes, you swipe up and down. A double finger tap-and-hold switches the Speak-to-Chat function on or off. A single button tap-and-hold brings you to voice assistant of your choice via the Headphones App. Every input comes with a ping so you know the headphone registers them. There is an additional Noise Cancelling Ambient button that can also be programmed to respond to double or triple taps that you can set up yourself via the app.
To quickly get into Ambient Noise mode temporarily without speaking, you simply place your palm over the right ear cup for a quick conversation. If not, just take off your headphone to pause the music. Once you put it back on, your music starts again.
Sony Headphone App
We always maintained that the Sony Headphone App is one of the best control apps for wireless headphones. The interface is still familiar to any users of Sony Headphones. For the WH-1000XM5, there is now a “Services” tab that allows the headphone to connect to a variety of apps and add certain functionality for the app. For now, that service is limited to quickly launch Spotify.
The app is also how you update your headphone. Once the headphone gets connected and app launches, the firmware gets updated. You can also choose not to update your headphone immediately.
Geotagging
Through your smartphone, the headphone detects your location and sets its Noise Cancelling/Ambient Noise levels to your preference, turns speak-to-chat on or off, and even changes its equalizer to your liking in different geotagged areas. Via the app you can add locations and set up your headphone however you like in all your saved locations.
Fast Pair but No NFC – Wait What? Why?
We love that new Bluetooth devices now come with Fast Pair and Quick Connect. We only need to turn the headphone on and our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra picks it up immediately and prompts the pairing sequence. Everything was done within a few seconds, and we can use it immediately after. To tailor our experience, we took a few extra minutes fiddling through the Headphones app. No NFC to be found on the headphone though, bummer.
You Might Want to Keep it Dry
The WH-1000XM5 does not come with any IP rating or any assurance from Sony that it is water resistant. In that case, you might want to refrain from getting it too wet in any situations. We think that the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphone is mostly made to be used in the likes of airports and malls or even at home.
Performance
While improvements are made everywhere else, the most important part of a headphone is how it sounds.
Picking up the Phone
The WH-1000XM5 offers crisp and clean voice in calls. At the same time, because there are more mics than ever now and thanks to Sony’s clever voice pick up technology, we are reported to sound better than ever in calls.
Sound Quality
As expected from Sony, the maker of some of the best audio gears in the industry, the WH-1000XM5 is still one of the best sounding headphones in its class. The bass response is deep on the WH-1000XM5. The low-frequencies pack a lot of details and punch, but it also feels like the mid-range and high-end frequencies are slightly muddled compared to its predecessor. You still get clean high-end frequencies and detailed mid-range tones, albeit a little on the warm side.
Thing is, we still prefer the audio reproduction on the WH-1000XM4 over this pair. The WH-1000XM4 somehow sounds a little more balanced and just a tad cleaner. Again, this is something you’d only pick up if you pay enough attention.
Noise Cancelling with Two Processors
Instead of just using one QN1 processor to handle both audio and noise cancelling work, the new headphone features two processors. You get the QN1, and you also get a V1 integrated processor from the WF-1000XM4 earbuds.
The WH-1000XM5 has something they call Auto NC optimizer that is supposed to adapt the noise cancelling algorithm to suite your environments better. They also say that the new algorithm and added microphones are supposed to cancel mid and high-frequency sounds better than ever.
With eight mics for working together with the processors, you get arguably the best noise cancelling experience from a Sony headphone. The WH-1000XM5 seems to filter noise a little better than before all-around. Even in a crowded café, putting on the headphone is like transporting yourself into a different place. You still hear some noise, but it is a lot less. Even the coffee machine is less intrusive.
Ambient Noise mode
One of the biggest improvements on the WH-1000XM5, we think, is its ambient noise mode. We find that extremely useful even on the previous headphones when someone is trying to get your attention to have a quick conversation with you. It responds much faster and accurately now.
You can turn it on by pressing the NC mode button also on the right earcup or cover it with your palm. That button can also turn of your Noise Cancelling/Ambient Noise functions completely. If you turned your Speak-to-Chat function on, it turns on the moment it detects your voice.
Ambient noise mode on the WH-1000XM5 does not sound natural. But it is closer than ever, we think. Having conversations with the headphone on feels more natural than before and voices are picked up a little better, if you prioritize voice.
Out and about, having the ambient noise mode on is important to at ensure spatial awareness. We recommend having ambient noise mode on in the public for your own safety. Of course, in the airports or train stations, you want to be able to hear announcements with ambient noise mode.
DSEE Extreme
DSEE Extreme is simply audio upscaling technology that upscales regular audio from the likes of Spotify. It turns your regular Spotify quality to CD quality by filling details due to compressions.
The result, if you pay attention, is quite a significant boost in details in your music. There are plenty of added details in music you listen to, very comparable to what you are get from CDs if you can remember. You get a better result if you are working with Spotify, though Tidal and Deezer offers better audio experiences.
360 Reality Audio
The only way to really experience 360 Reality Audio without spending a fortune on a Sony Bravia XR TV is to get a subscription to Tidal. We do not own a Bravia XR TV. In that case, we have to put a disclaimer here that our 360 Reality Audio experience will not be representative to what you get from a Sony Bravia XR TV.
On Tidal, 360 Reality Audio works only on songs that are produced specifically with 360 Reality Audio in mind. You want to keep in mind that 360 Reality Audio is not Spatial Audio. It is a music-first proprietary technology that supports up to 64 audio channels aimed to put you in the middle of a concert hall or recording studio.
Listening to audio with 360 Reality Audio changes your music listening experience. Most of the time, you really feel like you are listening to music being recorded right in the middle of the studio with instruments and singers all around you. We recommend you listening to Alicia Keys’ “3 Hour Drive” featuring Sampha and compare it to the regular “Master” version.
Battery Life Champ
To be fair, there is nothing to shout about here. It still features the same battery life as before at 30 hours of music playback time despite working with two processors. If you want to use it for calls, it can for up to 24 hours, and you are not going to be on the phone for 24 hours at a time.
We have never used it beyond 20 hours without charging the headphones, so we will not be able to fully confirm its 30 hours battery life. But it does about 20 to 24 hours with little to no issue, and we take Sony’s word for it. We used the headphone mainly for music and connected to a single source, our smartphone with about 70% volume and Noise Cancelling all at all times.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 – Something is Missing
The WH-1000XM5 looks like a completely different product compared to its predecessors. We assure you that it is not though. It is still very much a Sony product; it feels like a quality product built to last. Instead of poorer build quality, the weight savings are obtained through new material sciences and innovative technologies.
There are a few things we feel that makes the WH-1000XM5 a small step back compared to the Sony-WH-1000XM4. The audio quality took a slight hit due to the smaller drivers. The WH-1000XM5 cannot be folded to be as compact as before, which is rather annoying since the package is rather bulky. It is also MYR 200 more than the previous headphones at MYR 1,799.
There are still a lot of positives on the WH-1000XM5. The headphone is more comfortable than before with a near perfect clamping force, allowing extended use cases. The lightweight construction also means that there is less strain to your neck too. The noise cancelling is better, and voice is picked up better, especially when you need to make calls. Functions like Speak-to-Chat also respond more accurately than before, which makes it a lot more intuitive.
It is hard to justify a purchase decision for this one. In terms of noise-cancelling capabilities, this is the best you can get your hands on currently, only marginally. With ANC, its predecessor sounds slightly more balanced too, albeit with a slightly less punchy bass. If sound quality is your focus, there are better sounding headphones too.
We think that the MYR 1,799 price tag is steep for the entire package. You are paying for some new interesting innovations on the headphone though. In our opinions, the slightly better sounding WH-1000XM4 is now a bargain. Sony’s headphones go on sale all the time too, so you can get your hands on Sony’s headphones for less than its retail price tag.
Is it worth replacing your WH-1000XM4 with this one? We do not think so. Although it is an upgrade everywhere, you also take minor hits in key areas. The trade-off is not enough to justify an upgrade from the already stellar WH-1000XM4. If you come from even older platforms, it is worth the upgrade.
Before LG releases their new LG monitor that you see here, the only manufacturer you could get a smart monitor that works like TV, but for PCs, is Samsung. If you have not known yet, Samsung’s SMART monitors for PCs work pretty much like their smart TVs. You get Tizen OS for smart TV, you can install all sorts of apps for the TV, and work it exactly like a TV, even without a PC connected to it.
While they are the only one producing monitors of this kind, we think that the product comes with a lot of potential for smaller working set-ups and even homes. The larger sized smart monitor at 32-inch offers 4K resolution and affordable entertainment option for those who are looking for a dual function display in a smaller space. You do not need to get a separate TV box or Chromecast for it, and that makes it a viable TV replacement at a much smaller and digestible form factor.
Samsung’s position as one of the biggest names in smart TVs is a big plus for the to produce PC monitors with their proprietary TV Operating System (OS) too. So comes the question, what about others? What about LG? LG answers with this one, the 32SQ780S.
Source: LG
The new SMART Monitor, as LG names it, is a new 32-inch monitor for the PC. Its 32-inch VA panel offers 4K UHD resolution, perfectly in line with the latest of smart TVs. Serving it natively is LG’s WebOS 22 that also powers LG’s latest large form factor TVs. The 32-inch 4K monitor also offers 90% in DCI-P3 colour gamut with HDR10 support for the best in-class entertainment experience. WebOS 22 gives you access to apps like Netflix and YouTube without even being connected to any PC or consoles. At the same time, the built-in 5-watt dual channel stereo speakers should be a good enough audio source for users.
With WebOS, the LG SMART Monitor is not just an entertainment hub too. It can be your smart home hub with ThinQ hub. You can control any compatible smart home appliances with no fuss. While it does not offer Chromecast natively, you can still project your smartphone to the display via MiraCast.
The best part of the LG SMART Monitor is the fact that the monitor comes with LG’s clever Ergo Stand that gives the LG monitor flexibility like no other for monitors in its class. With the stand, you not only save table space and real estate for a larger working surface and storage. You also get to put or orient your monitor in any way you like for your working or entertainment comfort.
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
The 32-inch 4K 32SQ780S UHG LG SMART Monitor will be available in early November 2022 in the United States first. They say that other markets should follow soon after, that includes Malaysia. There is no official pricing that has been provided yet at least for Malaysia. You can expect them to price the monitor at about the same price as Samsung’s offerings.
Running a business is difficult. In the current climate, there are plenty of opportunities to be explored. The current business climate also presents more challenges than before.
It is not just businesses that are being challenged though. It is everything from running a team in your organization, the government sector is being challenged to also keep up with the times, the banking industry had to evolve very quickly thanks to new threats. Thanks to the threat of the pandemic businesses, organizations, and governments are being forced to change and evolve.
The pandemic has caught many off-guard. The need to digitalize businesses, services, and even governmental functions was abrupt and very sudden. With nearly zero warning, businesses are forced to close their doors physically, government offices and functions must completely shut down, other forms of organizations must cut back on their on-site and physical services too. It was a nightmare for traditional organizations.
Digitalizing organizations became rather crucial in these few years, exaggerated by the pandemic. Organizations are forced to start digitalizing their workflows and business functions in less than a few months in order to survive. It is not just offices that has to adapt, traditional businesses like restaurants had to quickly adapt to digitalizing in order to survive the pandemic.
Accelerating Your Business
Celcom Business offers productivity tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, digital payment gateways like mPOS and POS. Whether managing task or projects for your business or simply completing your daily work, digital tools can make you more productive, collaborative, and consistent. Celcom Business offers business tools such as M365 and Google Workspace to allow you to collaborate seamlessly from any across any device wherever you are in despite time and location.
Digitalizing Your Processes
Remote working is not a new idea. Tech firms like Google have been championing remote collaboration and productivity outside of the formal work environment. In some ways also, the pandemic has forced companies to adopt remote working strategies and develop tools for it. While the pandemic has become the biggest test bed for remote working, it has also presented organizations a challenge in transforming their workplace and methods.
With Celcom Business, the transformation does not have to be as difficult as it sounds. All the same tools available from Celcom Business are available for corporations at various scales. Organizations can start with cloud services available from Celcom Business’ network, for example. Microsoft 365 that can be accessed through Celcom business also allows businesses to monitor its workforce and allow for more comprehensive collaboration. At the same time, Celcom Business offers comprehensive cyber defense tools and services for businesses.
A Smarter City
Source: Celcom
The idea of a Smart City has never been closer to reality than it has ever been. Celcom Business does not just stop at digitalizing businesses too. It is the beginning of a smarter, more digital city. But what is a smart city?
In this context, a smart city is a connected city. At the heart of a smart city lies a digitalized network that shares information and data across multiple services and systems. One of them could be in the area of securities where strategic partnerships between Celcom and the Malaysian Royal Police force (PDRM) allows the police force in Malaysia to have an integrated communication network that allows them to operate at an elevated efficiency and effectiveness level.
Beyond that, Celcom’s strategic partnership also offers traffic and fleet management capabilities like no other. With Celcom Business’ clever traffic monitoring and management, you can ensure your deliveries are alwayson time. It also allows you to ensure that your deliveries are done in the most economically efficient manner. At the same time, Celcom Business’ fleet management can help you keep track of every vehicle’s condition to ensure that you are always operating at an optimum state. All of this allows Celcom’s partner to develop unique technologies and tools for a more sustainable city.
To find out more about Celcom Business and how it can help you, you can head on to their website.
*DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertorial by Celcom Axiata Berhad. It does not reflect the opinions or views of the techENT editorial board or writers.*
As consumers, we’re being inundated with more content than ever in this day and age. We’ve also become even more discerning, particularly in advertising and branding. What’s more, with the rise of over-the-top (OTT) services like iQIYI, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, we’ve become even more selective of where we place our time when it comes to consuming media. Realising these trends, iQIYI has partnered with food delivery provider and app, foodpanda, to marry entertainment and branding with their latest series “Sorry Naik Lori”.
The new series is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between iQIYI and food panda in which the two companies worked from the bottom up to integrate foodpanda’s branding and app in the series. This process started with a collaboration between iQIYI, foodpanda and Universal McCann in developing the scripting and concept for the series. In the end, they produced a quintessentially Malaysian tale that tells the story of a husband and wife as they pursue two different versions of success.
“Sorry Naik Lori” follows the misadventures of Khairul, a young lorry driver living in Penang who is averse to Social Media and his wife, Nadia, who dreams of becoming a successful social media influencer. Nadia stumbles upon success when she becomes “ComelPasembur” when a NikNok video of her at her mother’s Pasembur restaurant goes viral. As her following grows, she is approached by a talent agency and decides to pursue her dreams against her husband’s wishes. This forces Khairul to learn to navigate the world of social media as he tries to keep his marriage alive while Nadia is forced to hide her marriage in pursuit of social media stardom.
The series also integrates a foodpanda rider, Talib, played by Tajul. The character not only plays a role in foodpanda’s brand integration into the series but also helps further the plot and misadventures in the slice-of-life rom-com.
The series is steeped in the Malay culture of Malaysia’s most popular island – Penang. Everything from the mannerisms and dialect used in “Sorry Naik Lori” is infused with typical Penangite flavours. The series stars Nizam Othman as Khairul and Ruhainies as Nadia. They are supported by a notable cast which includes local singer, Tajul, TikToker Ahmad Saffuan, Nafiz Muaz, Sheila Mambo and Asha Zainul.
“Sorry Naik Lori” premieres on 4th November 2022 on iQIYI. iQIYI’s freemium model allows you to enjoy the series for free with ads. However, if you want an uninterrupted viewing experience, you can just sign up for iQIYI’s VIP subscription for as low as MYR11.90.
If you are into video production, or if you are looking to start your own podcast and streaming career or hobby, you might be familiar with Rode. They are known currently to make some high-quality audio capture products for video and podcasting work at a fraction of the price of what you want to consider as “professional” grade gears. While they have been regarded also as some of the best and most sought-after brand in the world of audio capture for videos and podcasts, they feel like they have not tapped into one market: the gaming industry.
While this was not really a thing 10 years prior, streamers are a thing now. Where there are gamers, there will be streamers in the current video games industry. Of course, Rode must be part of that action. Introducing the Rode X line-up.
Unlike the usual Rode stuff, you get for your video cameras, the Rode X sub-brand does not offer you any regular audio capture hardware you might be used to. You do not get a mixer, or a mic with XLR output. You instead get a software solution to accompany USB connected mics for your PC.
In a way, this makes high-quality podcast type mics a lot more accessible to aspiring streamers. USB type connection also makes the technology a lot simpler to work with. Users do not need an inherent knowledge on operating the traditional audio capture gears like a mixing console, getting digital outputs to work with their PC, or even choosing between dynamic and condenser type mics. You simply plug the mics in, and you are ready to go, almost.
Instead of a physical mixing console, you get UNIFY, Rode’s proprietary software for the Rode X range of devices. Via UNIFY, users can fine tune their mics to their own desired qualities, make themselves sound good, or at least to levels and qualities they are happy with. There is a built-in high-pass filter mode, APHEX Aural Exciter, and Big Bottom within the software itself for you to have complete control over your voice.
They also say that the UNIFY PC app also simplifies audio routing, mixing, and processing. We are guessing that this could also mean that the app might be able to support multiple Rode X mic inputs at the same time on a single PC, which is always a blessing since Windows’ audio routing is rather frustrating with multiple inputs.
XCM-50 – Simply Plug, and Play
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
The simplest mic to work with in their stables is the XCM-50. While this is their entry-level product, Rode says that it still offers professional grade sound quality with features made for gamers and streamers. It is not just made for streaming purposes; it is also made for gamers that are looking to up their team chat quality.
It is a condenser type microphone, which also means it needs power. It gets it from the USB type-C port from the back of the device to be connected to a USB port on your PC. If you need to hear yourself, or even hear whatever you want to hear on your PC, there is a dedicated 3.5mm AUX jack for you to plug into. That also means that the condenser mic is not just your regular input mic, it is also your external DAC, sort of.
It is designed to pick up your voice and only your voice. The cardioid polar pattern can be quite narrow, and you need to be speaking directly into it for it to pick up. That also means that it is going to reject most of the noise that is around you to ensure that your teammates or audiences hear only you and not the noise your cat makes beside you. There is also an internal pop filter already so you do not need to get another that will get into your face.
XDM-100 – Professional and Natural
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
Source: Rode X
If you are more familiar with audio gear, and just want to have the best type of voice for your multiplayer gaming, streaming, and podcasting purposes, then you go for the more premium XDM-100. It is larger than the entry-level condenser, which is quite normal for a dynamic mic. You also get an input volume control knob alongside a 3.5mm AUX jack for your headphone output.
Because dynamic mics are passive mics, they tend to sound a lot more natural than condenser mics, and this holds true for the XDM-100. Since it tends to be less sensitive than condensers, you generally want the mic to be closer to you. That way, it naturally cancels out noise that is further out from its central pick-up area. It naturally rejects keyboard noises and mouse clicks, for example. With built in pop filter, you are going to sound good however you speak.
The mic has built-in pre-amp, which is rather necessary for dynamic mics. That also means that it offers high-quality 24-bit/48kHz audio for that crisp and natural radio voice. Of course, you also get high-pass filter, APHEX Aural Exciter, and Big Bottom like the XCM-50. The UNIFY app also allows you to set a noise gate just to make sure that your streams are free of noise.
Price and Availability
The Rode X XCM-50 and XDM-100 are now available for purchase, but only in select regions. There is no specific local availability (Malaysia) mentioned. The XCM-50 will set you back US$ 149 (MYR*) while the XDM-100 is available for US$ 249 (MYR*). They are not exactly cheap, but they are significantly more accessible than full-on professional-grade podcasting set-ups. While they are only available in select regions, we are also confident that you might be able to get your hands on one or pre-order one from your favourite resellers (audio and video gear stores) in Malaysia. More on the Rode X can be found on their website
