Category Archives: Lifestyle

[next@acer] Acer’s Vero Line-Up – Made for Humanity, Made for Sustainability

Sustainable is a bigger thing today than ever before. The drive to consciously limit your carbon footprint. It is more than just about reducing your own carbon footprint though. It is also about making decisions to use products and from brands that are limiting their carbon footprint. In the world of electronics though, waste is almost inevitable.

But living sustainably and responsibly goes further than just buying products that creates a smaller carbon footprint also. It is about understanding a cycle. It is about understanding that each item you use will produce waste. It is about understanding where these waste items go to or reusing the waste in a different form. In the case of the Acer Vero line-up, it is about using one of the largest and most damaging waste items since the World War II era and repurposing the materials in new products that looks like no other.

Aspire Vero

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The Aspire line-up is Acer’s staple notebook line-up that is created for casual users. It is especially popular with students and the budget conscious buyers. At the same time, it is one of the more feature packed laptops in the market. Now, it is also sustainable with chassis made from recycled plastics (30% recycled plastics on chassis, 50% recycled plastics on keycaps).

The Aspire Vero packs a lot of power still with up to an 11th generation Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor. You get to spec it up with up to 16GB of RAM too for good measure. For maximum flexibility, you get 1TB (up to) of SSD storage too.

For all kinds of graphical needs on Windows 11, the Aspire Vero has Intel’s Xe Graphics (up to). The integrated GPU powers a 15.6-inch IPS display. The substantial display size allows the laptop to fit a large battery that can last up to 9.5 hours of typical use.

The benefit of using mostly plastics for its construction is weight, or rather, the lack of it. The Aspire Vero weighs only 1.8kg. Its included packaging can also be repurposed as a laptop stand. At the same time, the lightweight high-quality recycled plastic body is designed to be easily removed for future serviceability and repair.

Acer TravelMate Vero

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One of the most popular business laptops out there has been Acer’s TravelMate series. Because reliability is important in the business world, the TravelMate is made to be as reliable as possible. Of course, It has to be secure as well, since some of the most sensitive documents from your company might be housed in the PC. Again, the Vero variant will come with just more than just security and reliability. It comes with sustainability.

Like the Aspire Vero, 30% of the TraveMate Vero’s chassis is made of recycled plastics. 50% of its keycaps are also made of the same material. It also features a reusable packaging. You can turn the packaging into a laptop stand for example.

It comes with Intel’s 11th Generation Core i7-1195G7 processor paired with an Intel Iris Xe Graphics for power. The Windows 11 device packs up to 1TB in SSD storage and also up to 16GB in RAM to handle all sorts of multitasking and storage needs. It also boasts a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with Acer’s ComfyView to ensure that your eyes are well protected in extended working conditions.

The 1.8kg package also comes with up 9.5 hours in battery life. Of course, it comes with an enterprise level TPM for security while working on-the-go. At the same time, for the most flexible centralised enterprise system set-up, the Acer TravelMate Vero also comes with their Commercial type BIOS. The enterprise level BIOS can also be locked and reversed should there be a security breach or any concerns of a cyberattack on the TravelMate Vero.

Acer Veriton Vero Mini

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Who said your desktop PC tower has to be a 100% metal chassis? Acer does not think so with the new Veriton Vero Mini. The Veriton series are made to be industrial machines to be placed less than ideal situations while remaining as reliable as possible.

The Veriton Vero Mini is designed to be placed in environments where space is an absolute premium as well. At the same time, it is designed to blend with any environment it is put into and still remain functional at the same time.

For that, the Windows 11 mini PC comes with Intel’s latest Core vPro processors to ensure that the Veriton Vero Mini is capable of handling all sorts of workloads you might require of it. You can spec it with up to 64GB in RAM too to ensure that your multitask workflow remains smooth and reliable. It is not meant to handle 3D workloads though, since it is only relying on Intel’s integrated graphics platform. You can opt for up to 2TB in HDD storage, or up to 1TB in SSD space, or both. At the same time, you get Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity with the Veriton Vero Mini for maximum flexibility in its placement.

The Veriton Vero Mini’s chassis is made of 25% recycled plastics too, which explains its unique design. Because of the plastic construction also, it only weighs 1.3 kg, which would mean that you can mount it almost anywhere without a fuss.

Acer Vero BR277

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Source: Acer

Of course, any work environment with the Acer Veriton Vero Mini is not complete without a monitor to match. The display must be on theme as well with the Veriton Vero. It must be made of the same materials to match the unique look that only the Vero series can offer. That is the Acer Vero BR277.

The Acer Vero BR277 is Acer’s first sustainable market monitor. It is also probably most sustainable product from Acer. Half its chassis is made of recycled plastics. That is pretty amazing considering that the Full HD monitor can offer the same motions as the regular monitors. You can tilt it, swivel it, adjust its heights to a comfortable level, and pivot it to your heart’s content, or rather your preferred use case. All that while remaining mostly plastic.

27-inch IPS panel boasts 4ms in response time and 75Hz in refresh rate. It clearly is not a gaming monitor for the power users. It does offer 72% NTSC colour gamut though, which is accurate enough in most use cases. While it does not offer more than 6-bit (16.7 million colours), it will still be a good enough monitor in most industrial use cases too.

Macaron Vero Mouse

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Source: Acer

It is not Acer’s special dessert. The Macaron Vero Mouse is an actual electronic mouse that is meant to be used with your PC products. Of course, because it is a Vero product, it is made of sustainable materials. It is mostly made of recycled plastic that also contributes to its unique look.

The Vero mouse is also made to complete the look and feel of the Vero series. It is made to match the Vero laptops and even the Veriton Vero Mini if you want it to. It is just a regular wireless mouse that is made to complete the whole Vero look though.

[next@acer] Complete Your Gaming Setup with The Predator Gaming Desk

Acer has been busy creating a new image for Predator with some products that are out of the left-field like the Predator Shot. However, their expansion into the gamer lifestyle space also includes collaborations like the Predator Gaming Chair. This time Acer is completing your setup with their new Predator Gaming Desk.

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Source: Acer

The Predator Gaming Desk is a large 55-inch gaming desk that is available in two finishes. The first is a custom Predator mouse pad finish which provides a resilient surface. The finish makes it easy for you to use your gaming mouses. The second option is a carbon fibre finish which is not only durable but easy to maintain and clean.

The gaming desk is kitted out with two cable management cutouts making it easy for you to channel your cables. It allows you to maintain your clean, minimalist set-up easily. It also has a cup holder so you won’t have to battle watermarks when you’re battling the orcs and demons. You’ll also be able to stow away knick-knacks in the built-in storage tray. Your headphones will also have a hook to call home on the new Gaming Desk.

The frame of the Gaming Desk is made to be sturdy. The steel structure should be able to weather pretty much anything. It’s able to hold 120kgs on the top. However, if you’re looking for something height-adjustable, it’s the only feature that hasn’t made it to the Predator Gaming Desk. However, if you have the Predator Gaming Chair, it’s the last piece to complete your gaming set-up.

Pricing & Availability

The Predator Gaming Desk will be available in two finishes: Carbon Fiber and the customer Predator Mouse Pad surface.

The Gaming Desk will be available in Europe, Middle East and Asian regions starting in December 2021. Prices will start at €UR229 (MYR1101.67).

BenQ Launches the MOBIUZ Ultrawide – Everything a Gamer Needs in One MYR 4,688 Monitor!

If you have been looking for a gaming monitor or even a secondary monitor for your gaming or work from home set up, BenQ will be one of those names that should come up quite often. This brand is one of the most recognisable names in the display market. They are known not only for their value offerings though. They also make very high-end displays that is regarded to be some of the best for the competitive gaming scene. Their Zowie series monitors have been a staple in Counter Strike: Global Offensive international stages, for example.

But some might say that the Zowie series has been built to cater to a niche market segment. In that sense, the Zowie is too purpose built for some. To be fair, it is marketed as such as well with its various technologies that gives its users an added advantage. What if competitive gaming is not what you are looking for. What if you are a casual gamer that enjoys the occasional competitive online gaming, but also enjoys the vast openness of single-player games like the Tomb Raider series? What if you are willing to trade some refresh rate performance for some added features that would save you the trouble of getting extra gear?

Welcome to the MOBIUZ series from BenQ. The BenQ MOBIUZ is really pretty much something made of dreams. The latest EX3415R especially, packs everything that a gamer wants in their AAA gaming PC.

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Source: BenQ

If you cannot tell by its codename yet, the MOBIUZ EX3415R is a 34-inch display. It is also an ultra-wide monitor with 21:9 aspect ratio. It boasts 3,440 x 1,440 (WQHD) from its ultrawide panel. Of course, ultrawide also means it must be a little curved for your convenience. It has a pretty shallow 1900R curve, but it is enough for a good immersion for yourself.

At the same time, the IPS panel boasts 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. This is not just a gaming monitor anymore; it is a content creator’s dream set-up. It boasts HDR10 at 1000:1 contrast ratio and VESA DisplayHDR 400 at up to 400nits standards too, which also means that colour grading videos on the MOBIUZ EX3415R should be a piece of cake.

Of course, colour accuracy in a gaming monitor is really more of a bonus feature than its selling point. For a gaming monitor to be a gaming monitor you really want at least 120Hz in refresh rate. This has 144Hz.

You also want it to be a fast-reacting display for not just the best competitive advantage, but for the best immersion as well. The lower the numbers are here, the better. The BenQ Mobiuz EX3415R boasts 1ms MPRT and 2ms Gray-to-Gray response times. That also means that the display reacts almost instantly to any move you make on your joystick or mouse and keyboard. All of that, on top of a tear-free experience that is the AMD FreeSync technology.

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Source: BenQ

For it to be an all-rounder, it now needs a powerful speaker set-up and be a USB hub. This does both of that too. It has two additional USB 3.0 ports so that you can plug in whatever USB devices to it. It also a BenQ treVolo set-up with dual 2W speakers with an additional 5W subwoofer for the widest possible dynamic range and sound staging from a monitor. In that sense, you do not need a headphone or additional speakers for the monitor.

The BenQ MOBIUZ EX3415R 34-inch ultrawide monitor with HDRi will be available for MYR 4,688. You can get your hands on one from their own official online store, Shopee, and Lazada. The eCommerce site quotes a shipping delay of 2-9 days after you order your unit though, so be patient. For this kind of money, you might be able to get yourself a decent TV. The gaming experience that you get from the MOBIUZ EX3415R is unlike any large 4K TVs though.

Sony Launches the SRS-NS7, a Personal Dolby Atmos Experience

What do you do when you want to have a personal audio experience at home? What if you think that soundbars are a little too much? What if you do not want to have a headphone weighing down your head? You have the Sony SRS-NS7 wearable wireless speaker.

The SRS-NS7 wearable speaker is a unique way of enjoying entertainment at home though. It is pretty much a sound bar you wear around your neck. With its wireless transmitter, you simply connect it to your TV or whatever media source you would like to experience with the SRS-NS7.

The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter that comes with the SRS-NS7 does not only work with the speaker though. It also works with select headphones to achieve the same experience you would get from the SRS-NS7.

The SRS-NS7 is in a class of its own though paired to the WLA-NS7 and paired to Sony’s BRAVIA XR TVs. With Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, the SRS-NS7 can deliver Dolby Atmos experience to your ears from the neck. The combination of the Sony BRAVIA TV, wireless transmitter, and SRS-NS7 neck speaker you get access to Sony’s 360 Reality audio for some Spatial awareness, virtual surround sound if you haven’t understood yet. Of course, 360 Reality Audio also works with music form Deezer, and TIDAL when connected to your smartphone.

While it is not a headphone unit, the neck speaker unit allows you the immersive experience comparable to Sony’s soundbars without disturbing anyone else at home or filling the entire room with noise. The upward facing speaker is optimised to deliver rich immersive audio without the frills of disturbing your neighbours or even your loved ones in the other room.

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The wireless nature of the SRS-NS7 also allows you to enjoy immersive audio experience around the house without needing bulky and complex speaker set ups. At the same time, with IPX4 splash-proof design, you can take the Sony neck speakers anywhere around the house or out of it without worrying about water damage.

The Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7 in Malaysia January 2021 onward. The SRS-NS7 will be available for MYR 1,249. The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter will be available at MYR 269. To know more about the Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7, you can check out Sony’s website.

Dual Screen, Wear OS-powered Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X Arrives in China

Mobvoi has created a name for itself producing some of the better Wear OS-powered smartwatches out there. It looks like the company isn’t slowing down yet. It’s introduced it’s latest offering the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X in China. The new smartwatch isn’t revolutionary but it packs specifications and features that many smartwatch users are looking for.

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The TicWatch Pro X is running on the Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The smartwatch will be using Wear OS as its operating system. However, if you’re looking for Wear OS 3, you might have to wait for an update from Mobvoi.

That aside, the TicWatch Pro X seems to share a lot with the TicWatch 3 until you take a closer look. The Pro X may look like a run-of-the-mill smartwatch but it comes with what is essentially two displays. It has an AMOLED screen and also an FSTN display. The FSTN display allows the TicWatch Pro X to have an even longer battery life. The 1.39-inch AMOLED screen serves as the main display where you’ll be able interact with Wear OS and all its features. The FSTN screen will kick in when you’re not actively interacting showing you all the data you want without draining the battery.

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The watch comes with a 595maAh battery. In Smart mode, the watch will be able to run for 4 days on a single charge. However, if you kick it into “durable” mode, the watch will be able to last for a whopping 45-days.

Aside from that, the TicWatch Pro X is able to track over 20 sports routines. This includes yoga, walking, running, mountain climbing, cycling and more. It also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance which means you can take full advantage of its ability to track swimming as well. In addition, the Pro X comes with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor and even reminds you to get moving if you’re too sedentary.

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It comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and also supports 4G LTE. It’s equipped with eSIM support, so you will also be able to take calls directly on the watch. The smartwatch also touts VoLTE support.

Pricing & Availability

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X is available for pre-order in China on JD.com (Jingdong) for ¥1,999 (MYR1,296.28). After pre-order, it will be priced at ¥2,399 (MYR1,555.32).

There is no word yet if the smartwatch will be available in more markets. However, do keep an eye on Shopee and Lazada.

Twitch Has Been Breached – Here’s What You Need to Know

Big tech and data breaches are becoming inseparable. We’ve been getting news of breach after breach since early this year. Nearly every tech space from Facebook to Neopets has been breached in the recent past. The latest platform added to that list is the popular streaming platform – Twitch.

Twitch’s data breach could be one of the largest to date. A whopping 125GB of data was uploaded to a (now removed) thread on 4Chan by an anonymous user. The data contained within the files date back to the early beginnings of Twitch. Everything from the platforms source code to their most recent Git commits has been uploaded. Together with this, payout information to the platform’s largest creators since 2019 have also been uploaded.

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Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

In addition to this data, the leak also contains data on Twitch’s network backbone which runs on AWS. It apparently contains some proprietary SDKs (Software Development Kits) and also information on “Every other property that Twitch owns” including IGDB and CurseForge. It seems like an unannounced competitor to Steam called Vapor for Amazon Game Studios is also contained within the files. Basically, it seems like everything and anything related to Twitch is within the 125GB.

Some users who have been looking through the data have also found that encrypted passwords and user information. So, it goes without saying that you should change your Twitch password if you have an account and activate two-factor authentication. You can do this in the privacy settings on Twitch itself.

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Source: Ars Technica

The leaker made their motives crystal clear in their post. Noting, “Their community is also a disgusting toxic cesspool, so to foster more disruption and competition in the online video streaming space, we have completely pwned them.” The hackers also ended the post with #DoBetterTwitch. More worryingly, the 125GB of data was labelled as “part one” which indicates there could be more incoming.

It’s probably apt to mention that the leak comes in the wake of the #ADayOffTwitch protest by creators who are trying to get the platform to take hate raids more seriously. The platform has been plagued by users who have used the Raid and tags features to actively harass others. While Twitch has been trying to be proactive, the most it has done is provide streamers with tools to try to control raids and even sue perpetrators.

The breach has since been confirmed by Twitch itself on Twitter.

A cybersecurity firm, Acronis, has chimed in calling the breach “one of the most severe data breaches of late”. In fact, they say that there is, “a lot more damage now in store for Twitch”. Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research at Acronis, also noted that “While [it is] yet unclear how the breach happened, it’s already harming Twitch on all the fronts that count – revenue, operations, users, influencers, market positioning.” He also noted that Twitch could be at greater risk as the availability of the source code will make it easier for malicious actors to attack the site. More importantly, the company is advising that users be wary and change their passwords as well as activate two-factor authentication on their accounts.


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Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research, Acronis

“Leaked data could contain nearly the full digital footprint of Twitch, making it one of the most severe data breaches of late. The 125 GB of data leaked so far might just be the start, according to the comments of the attacker. Internal network plans and marketing plans for future products could now be misused by attackers or sold to competitors. If the source code is exposed, we will see a spike in vulnerabilities discovered in related software. Having access to the source code makes it easy to find weak spots.

Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research, Acronis


The Mac is On Track for M1X

Apple’s M1 System on A Chip (SoC) that powers their Mac products have been sensational. The Apple M1 chip that was launched late last year was all the rage for 2020 and most of 2021. The Apple M1 chip even found its way to the Apple iPad Pro for 2021. While it was a little undersold with the Apple iPad Pro series, it shows the world how versatile Apple’s M1 chip can be. At the same time, support for the integrated chip has increased over the year. It is now to a point that almost every conceivable app that is available on Apple’s MacOS are M1 optimised.

Apple’s M1 chip is nearly a year old though and that also means that it is time for a change. The new chip will not be called the M2 though. Instead, we will know it as the M1X SoC for the Mac ecosystem.

While rumoured and teased for most of 2021, there is not much that is known about Apple’s upcoming flagship MacBook Pro and its M1X processor. For those that have been waiting to get their hands on Apple’s silicon powering a MacBook though, their prayers might be answered with the new Apple MacBook line-up that is scheduled to appear in this month itself.

Rumours and reports all point to two variants of the Apple M1X chip. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg pointed out that the M1X will feature a 10-core processor within the chip. There is a choice of either 16-cores or 32-cores in the graphics department. There are also reports of higher-end SoCs that are developed for future MacBook series.

There are more rumoured changes to the MacBook Pro that is set to launch this month. Apple is reportedly bringing back full-sized HDMI and SD card slot into the new MacBook Pro line-up which is good news for content creators. The MacBook Pro is also expected to lose the Touch Bar that was introduced in 2016.

There might be other things that will be launched later in the year. We also must remember that Apple’s iPhone 13 launch did not see the launch of the third generation Apple AirPods. There is still plenty of unknown though. For now, we can only guess. Apple’s next launch event is expected to happen this month or early November 2021 at the latest.  

Razer Unveils the Kiyo X Webcam and Ripsaw X Capture Card – Streaming Does Not Have to be Expensive

The gaming industry is huge today. A part of that industry is also contents that you can watch and enjoy. That is the game streaming industry that is made popular by people like PewDiePie, and even Markiplier. As the eSports scene sees a huge surge in recent years, the game streaming industry also blew up. This leads to the creation of specialised hardware and accessories just for game streaming.

Webcams, for example, used to be telecommunication devices that you can use for video conferencing. Full HD webcams technically has existed forever, but never meant to be used for game streaming, although that is still possible. Capture cards was also a thing that was used by studios for both live production and regular production usage. With game streaming though, these once premium items were more in demand and more purpose built than ever. That does not mean that they become more accessible in price.

Introducing the Razer Kiyo X and Ripsaw X peripherals made for streaming. These are made specifically for streaming, but they are also made with budget in mind. These products are really designed for newer streamers who just got started in the streaming industry and looking to upgrade their gear without breaking their banks.

Razer Kiyo X

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The Razer Kiyo X is really a littler, more budget version of the Razer Kiyo. The ‘X’ moniker really gave it away as the more budget friendly companion in the line-up. It is capable of shooting videos at Full HD at 30fps to boot. If you want your videos to be extra smooth, you can get it to shoot at 60fps with a resolution penalty at 720p.

The USB plug and play webcam can be controlled via Razer’s Synapse software. While it does not come with its own right light, it still has something called The Razer Virtual Right Light software that goes along with it. In that case, the display becomes a light panel for the Razer Kiyo X for both video calls and streams.

Razer Ripsaw X

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Another very important item for live streaming is the capture card. A capture card functions either as a platform to record and project your games into the streaming software. From there, the software broadcasts the image that is captured from the capture card. It is commonly used in a two PC configuration, or when you want to use a regular camera as the webcam.

The Razer Ripsaw X is also technically a smaller version of the Ripsaw. It is quite a little bit more powerful than the old Ripsaw though. Where the Ripsaw could only capture streams at Full HD at up to 60fps, the new Ripsaw X can capture videos at 4K resolution at up to 30fps with HDMI 2.0 and a USB 3.0 interface. The Ripsaw X is also supposed to offer near-zero latency, which also means you do not have to be doing a lot of guess and calculation work done for streams.

Price and availability

The Razer Kiyo X and Ripsaw X will be is now available from Razer.com in the United States, Europe, and Singapore. There is no word on its availability in Malaysia, but we are expecting them to hit shelves in Malaysia soon. The Razer Kiyo X will set you back US$ 79.99 (MYR 334*) when it is available. The Ripsaw X will be available oat US$ 139.99 (MYR 585*).

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = 4.18 on xe.com as of 02/10/2021

Withings ScanWatch Horizon Detects Sleep Apnea & Atrial Fibrillation

When it comes to wearables and health tracking, Withings isn’t necessarily the first name you would think of. However, the company is no stranger to health technology; in fact, they were once known as Nokia Health. They aren’t actually a brand new company and have a legacy in making clinically approved health technologies having launched their first smartwatch, the Withings Activite in 2014. This time around, Withings is flexing their prowess in making good looking, accurate and functional health technologies with their latest smartwatch the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.

Sophisticated Design with More than Meets the Eye

You wouldn’t know the watch was a smart watch if you saw it out in the wild. It’s a chic, well crafted piece of jewellery that looks nothing like a typical smartwatch. In fact, the watch looks like your regular luxury timepiece. At a glance, it could be mistaken for a diver watch from one of the larger luxury watch brands. It comes with a stainless steel rotating bezel with laser engraved markings; the analogue face design comes emblazoned with Luminova watch hands while the sapphire-glass casing adds the last touches for a luxurious feel.

However, when you take a closer look, you will see the technology that Withings has baked into the watch. The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is equipped with some of the latest health monitoring technology available in the market. It comes with with a multi-wavelength photoplethysmogram (PPG). This sensor allows it to detect heart rate and blood oxygenation (SpO2) using specific wavelengths of light. The ScanWatch Horizon is also equipped with three electrodes which allow it to take on demand electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs). Of course, it is also able to detect sleep and exercise activities as well.

Pushing the Horizon of Health Tracking

The Horizon does have an edge when it comes to monitoring though. The smartwatch is able to detect anomalies in heart rhythm – known as AFib or Atrial Fibrillation. This anomaly can be a sign of other more severe conditions and is often left undiagnosed. This is accomplished through proactive heart rate monitoring. The ScanWatch Horizon is able to monitor the heart rate of the user via its embedded PPG. If it detects an anomalous reading, it will prompt the user to do an ECG.

In addition to heart monitoring, the ScanWatch Horizon is also able to detect sleep disturbances – a common warning sign of sleep apnoea. Using an exclusive algorithm, the ScanWatch is able to use data from its embedded accelerometer and optical sensors to determine sleep disturbances. It will use blood oxygen levels, heart rate, movement and breathing frequency data as parameters in determining sleep disturbances. It can also monitor and analyse sleep patterns as well as wake its user up during the best time of their sleep cycle.

The ScanWatch also does what all smartwatches do. It is able to recognise 30 exercises automatically and also track steps, calories, elevation and workout routes. Workout routes and elevation are detected through the GPS on the user’s phone. However, it does take things a step further by estimating VO2 Max. This reading is an indication of the efficiency in which the body is able to utilize oxygen during exercise.

Like many other smartwatches, the ScanWatch Horizon doesn’t work alone. It pairs with the Withings Health Mate app where users are able to get insights and analyses of the data that is being collected. It also allows users to schedule activity reminders, set goals and manage achievements. The Health Mate app also plays nice with other health apps in the market. It is compatible with over 100 third-party applications including Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava and MyFitnessPal.

Pricing & Availability

The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is available starting from September 29, 2021. It is priced at €499.95 (MYR2,426.78) or £499.95 (MYR2,816.39).

It is available in Blue or Green with 43mm watch face. The ScanWatch comes with a 5 year guarantee. Users will have a stainless steel wristband and an FKM Strap in the box when purchasing a Withings ScanWatch Horizon.

[UPDATE] Sony Expands Audio Line-up with ANC WH-XB910N and WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds

UPDATE: The Sony WF-C500 will be available in Malaysia 18 October 2021 onward at MYR 449. It will be available in black, white, green, and orange. The WH-XB910N will be available in black and blue. It will arrive in the Malaysian shores in November 2021 and sets you back MYR 799.

Sony is probably best known for their high-end audio solutions catered to the home and personal audio market. They are world renown for their legendary sound bars, speakers, and even built-in speakers for their TV line-ups. They also make arguably the world’s most recognisable noise cancelling headphones for the audiophile market, the WH-1000X series. Their latest high-end noise cancelling personal audio device is the WF-1000XM4 true-wireless earbuds.

They do not just make high-end products that is mostly out of reach to more budget conscious consumers though. They make audio products for all kinds of market. Technically, Sony is also one of the largest audio solutions providers in the world, so them service all sorts of market should not come as a surprise. That said, Sony just launched the new WH-XB910N and the new WF-C500 headphones for the masses.

Sony WH-XB910N

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  • Sony WH XB910N accessories product image 1200w 674h.jpg

The Sony WH-XB910N replaces the older WH-XB900N. It also features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology. It is not the same ANC technology that you will find on Sony’s higher end WH-1000XM4 though. That also means that it will not work as well as the higher end headphone. Still, it should be an improvement over the older headphone it is replacing.

The WH-XB910N also comes with Adaptive Sound Control. The clever software defined noise cancelling program adapts your ANC program to your environment. Your ANC intensity is determined by not just your environment though, but also buy your movements in a designated area, or even where you are.

Of course, new products have to come with new technologies. The WH-XB910N packs Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC support for even more stable high-speed wireless connection with your smartphones or PC devices. You get up to 30 hours of playback in just a single charge.

Sony WF-C500

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  • Sony WF C500 accessories product image 1200w 674h.jpg

When it comes to truly wireless earbuds, Sony tends to stick to a single design language that cascades down from its highest end earbuds. This season is the season of the WF-1000XM4 and it shows on the WF-C500.

The Sony WF-C500 shares very similar design cues and language with its more premium brother. Other than the similar design cues though, the WF-C500 does not share a lot with its more premium WF-1000XM4 counterpart. Even its charging shell is a little different comparatively.

You get Bluetooth 5.0 still for reliable high-speed wireless networking between your smartphone and the earphones. Unlike the older generation Sony earbuds, the WF-C500 supports mono mode with either side of the earbuds. It also does not have touch sensitive buttons. They come with physical buttons instead, to control playback and digital assistant access.

The earbuds itself can last for 10 hours, that is a little longer than the WF-1000XM4. Of course, the Sony WF-1000XM4 features noise cancelling and the WF-C500 does not. The translucent charging case carries another 10 hours of battery life for the earbuds should you deplete its battery.

The IPX4 earbuds uses a Bluetooth chip that transmits audio to both sides of the earbuds at the same time for better latency between two ears. It also supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. You have to have services like Tidal or Deezer to experience Sony’s 360 Reality audio though.

Price and Availability

The products have not been announced or launched in Malaysia yet. That does not mean that they are not coming to Malaysia though. The mid-range audio market is a hot one in the region.

In the United States though, the Sony WH-XB910N is now available for pre-order alongside the Sony WF-C500. The Sony WH-XB910N will start at US$ 249.99 (MYR 1,046*) and comes in black, blue, and grey. The WF-C500 will start at US$ 99.99 (MYR 418*) and comes in black, white, green, and orange colour options.

*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1= MYR 4.18 on xe.com as of 30/09/2021