Category Archives: Mobile

Android, Mobile, News

HUAWEI Mate Xs is Out to Play Today for MYR 11,111!

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No, please do not get the title wrong. The HUAWEI Mate Xs still does not have Google Play Store out of the box. Now that we got that out of the way, let us get right to it; HUAWEI’s very anticipated foldable smartphone is available for purchase in Malaysia today onward.

For the price of MYR 11,111, you are getting a piece of engineering marvel that is the HUAWEI Mate Xs starting from today. There is a problem, however. We are not technically allowed out of our homes to buy a smartphone. Even if do get outside, the shops are not even open. So, what is HUAWEI on about? How are they selling their new smartphones?

Source: HUAWEI

Online is the word. Of course, selling smartphones online is nothing new to HUAWEI. They have been doing it for years with their sister brand HONOR. Of course, they have their own curated web store as well.

Obviously at this state, where no one can be out and about doing their regular shopping, HUAWEI can only put the HUAWEI Mate Xs on sale on the web store. So here it is, no launch gambit, no fancy roadshows; just a simple product put online. A little underwhelming for the Mate Xs? Yes. Necessary? Yes as well.

The HUAWEI Mate Xs – As Weird as Interstellar

The HUAWEI Mate Xs comes only in one colour option; that is Interstellar Blue. As you can see in our hands-on video, with poor lighting, the device does actually look quite good. If you must ask as well (of course, you would) it really feels like a quality product like no other. The folding mechanism gives you a load of confidence with the device, it has a solid resistance that gives you a sense that this thing is meant to be folded in and out for a lifetime. Even the crease is barely noticeable on the HUAWEI Mate Xs, less pronounced than, let us say a Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Still, it is quite a different interpretation of what a foldable smartphone should look like. We like that about the HUAWEI Mate Xs. We also like the fact that it has a tonne of power and 5G connectivity thanks to the ultra-powerful HiSilicon Kirin 990 System on a Chip (SoC) with 8G of RAM and 512GB of storage. We like that the EMUI 10 (based on Android 10, by the way) that is on the device is optimised for multiwindow functionality.

HUAWEI Mate Xs Hands On

We also like the fact that the device only features one display (8-inch to 6-inch), which is technically cheaper and simpler to maintain. Although, at this point, it is difficult to say thanks to the more ‘robust’ folding mechanism. Also, not too sure about the battery life because it only has 4,500 mAh squeezed into its tight body. We are not saying that this is not impressive; it is an impressive feat still.

As we mentioned before in our launch article as well, you only get a single array of cameras that you use for both main camera shots and selfies. That is, in our books, great as well; less things to worry about and you get a single camera quality instead of two different results on two different fronts. The HUAWEI Mate Xs has a main 40-Megapixel camera, a 16-Megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, an 8-Megapixel telephoto lens, and a Time of Flight sensor for even more stellar portraits and better auto focusing.

So, you can get your hands on the HUAWEI Mate Xs today for MYR 11,111 from HUAWEI’s one and only web store. With that purchase you get a free HUAWEI Freebuds 3 worth MYR 679. You also get an Envelope Leather Case for the device worth MYR 299. In the box itself you get a sort of shell to cover the sides of your new smartphone and a pair of USB Type-C earphones. Oh right, this thing does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also get HUAWEI’s three months warranty on your display, just in case. That warranty covers everything from drops to whatever sort of accidental collisions the device might face within the three months. It does not cover water damage though, and this is not an IP rated device, so keep it away from coffee, or even rain.

HUAWEI VIP Home Delivery Service

Beyond that, you get to choose on the method of your receipt of the device. Yes, you get to choose. You can be optimistic and tell the web store that you will collect your HUAWEI Mate Xs at your preferred HUAWEI Store. That is if you can find one that is open, or if you can wait until April for the device. If not, you can choose for the HUAWEI Mate Xs to be delivered right to your doorstep. They call it the HUAWEI VIP Home Delivery Service.

You can expect a man in tuxedos to arrive at your doorstep, mask ready of course (health and safety requirement), and gloves. They would ring your doorbell, and you answer the door greeted by an English accent and your smartphone on a silver tray. They will sanitise the device in front of you as well, just to add to the drama and show. Then you pick it up and feel like the most important man in the world.

Source: HUAWEI

No, we are kidding. The face mask and sanitation procedures are true though. Still, I would imagine that if you bought your smartphone you would not be able to wait for it to get a first glimpse and hands-on with it. I suggest you go for the delivery service, all you have to do is provide them with your contact and delivery details anyway.

The HUAWEI Mate Xs is now on sale at HUAWEI’s online web store. The highly anticipated smartphone will set you back MYR 11,111. The free gifts mentioned are available for all purchases of the HUAWEI Mate Xs until further noticed by HUAWEI. More information on their device can be found on HUAWEI’s Website.

Android, Mobile, News

The New Nokia 8.3 Makes 5G More Affordable Than Ever

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Nokia’s brand has a long history in the telecommunications space. After a successful relaunch into the mobile industry a few years ago, HMD Global, is looking to up the ante with their first 5G device – the Nokia 8.3 5G. The company touts the Nokia 8.3 as their future-proof 5G smartphone.

The Nokia 8.3 will come packing the new Snapdragon 765G modular platform which allows for high performance that won’t break the bank. To this end, HMD has taken advantage the chip’s unique offerings to push Nokia devices forward. The new Nokia 8.3 is one of the first smartphones that will be equipped with the new Snapdragon 765G and will be 5G capable. In fact, it will support more bands across the TDD and FDD spectrum than any other devices.

The processor will be paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. It will also be able to support more memory through the use of microSD cards. It will come with a 6.81-inch IPS LCD display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. It will retain the usual 20:9 aspect ratio with a pixel density of about 386 pixels per inch.

On the camera end, the Nokia 8.3 will be coming with a quad camera setup on the back. We’ve been hearing about it’s “Captain America Shield” design. It looks like that is the case with ZEISS branding in the middle. The Quad camera setup comes with a 64-megapixel main sensor. The sensor is a wide angled sensor with an f/1.89 aperture. The 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor is equipped with an f/2.2 aperture. These sensors are complemented by a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. All of these are, of course, ZEISS optics. HMD was also touting Log mode video capture on the 8.3 which will be able to bring cinema quality video to the smartphone. On the front, the 8.3 is equipped with a 24-megapixel selfie camera.

HMD Global talked about enhancing the camera experience on the Nokia 8.3 with new features. One of which is the new action cam mode which is similar to the super steady feature we’ve seen in other manufacturers. Of course, being a Nokia device, the smartphone is also capable of recording OZO audio which will support directional sound recording.

The Nokia 8.3 will be powered by a 4,500 mAh lithium polymer battery. HMD is confident the battery and software optimisations will allow the 8.3 to deliver on its “all day battery” promise. It also supports 18W fast charging. The 8.3 will be launching with Android 10 out of the box with the promise of 2 alphabet updates.

Pricing & Availability

The Nokia 8.3 is expected to be available sometime in March or early April in selected markets. It will be available in Polar Night, a deep shade of blue. Prices for the device will start at €599 (MYR 2,822.77).

Android, Mobile, News

5 Things You Still Can Buy From OPPO For Lock Down

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If you have not known yet, Malaysia is on lock down from the 18th March 2020 all the way to the end of the month on the 31st March 2020. Well, some may argue that it is not technically a lock down, rather a restricted movement order. Whatever it is, the government has put their hammer down and asks everyone that is not essential to the country’s main functions to stay at home. We have stayed in for two days.

While the news for COVID-19 remains as bleak as ever, there are still some that aims to cheer the people up. Life goes on as well for everyone, HUAWEI is soon releasing their foldable Mate Xs still into the market, despite the lock down. HMD and Xiaomi is still going ahead with their global smartphone launch; although this has nothing to do with Malaysia’s lock down. Stores are still operating in full capacity. Except, everyone is online now.

OPPO is one such brand that is still doing business as usual online. They are soon releasing the OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G on the 21st of March 2020. They have also just launched their new entry-level smartphone, the OPPO A91 into the market with the help of Lazada and Shopee; their online marketplace partners. They are not stopping there though. For the period of the lock down (19th March 2020 – 31st March 2020) they are giving out massive discounts in their own web store.

Considering that, it would be quite selfish of us to not share what they have in store for you. Here are the five things we thought you might want to buy for the lock down. Keep in mind there are no particular standings to the listed items.

1. OPPO Enco Free True Wireless Earbuds (IoT, MYR 599)

Source: OPPO

A little about the history of OPPO. They did not really start with manufacturing smartphones. They were initially a digital audio company. They started life as OPPO Electronics making high-end earphones, amps, and speakers. They were good at that too. They made the iconic OPPO PM-1. (PM for Planar Magentic) headphones. In MYR, they were worth more than 10,000. Sadly they went out of production.

Still, the legacy of their audio expertise live on with the OPPO Enco Free True Wireless earphones. The OPPO Enco Free TWS earphones is worth MYR 599. With the battery case, it offers up to 25 hours of music playback. The earphones itself gives you 5 hours of music playback, which also means the little, compact case gives you five four extra charges.

With Binaural Bluetooth transmission on top of the Bluetooth 5.0, OPPO’s Enco Free ensures that you have a constant and stable feed of music from your connected smartphone. Yes, it does sound good too with a large (for an in-ear earphone) 13.4mm driver stuck within its slim body. The stems are also touch buttons that supports slide gestures or even touch gestures. Plus, the interchangeable silicon tips ensure that you get a good fit and that your Enco Free does not drop off. Of course, it makes a great wireless earpiece too.

2. The OPPO Find X2 Series (Smartphone, MYR 3,699 – 4,599)

Source: OPPO

In this case, we did not mention a specific model. There is a reason for that. The reason is that it is quite difficult to choose, for us anyway.

The OPPO Find X2 series is a flagship series that is two years in waiting. The pro version is only coming on the 21st of March 2020. But that does not mean that you should not get the regular OPPO Find X2.  The differences, though can be quite an upgrade in experience, is minute enough that you can consider saving MYR 600 and get the OPPO Find X2. You only get one different lens, a battery that is 60mAh smaller, and a smaller memory module.

Both devices are great devices though. Both supports 5G connectivity so you have the option to upgrade to a 5G SIM card once its available. Both pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 for good measure. Both are ultra-smooth operators with 6.7-inch AMOLED QHD+ display that refreshes at 120Hz and samples at 240Hz. Both have the same great 48-Megapixel main shooter. What more could you want from a flagship?

3. Coros Pace (Wearables, MYR 899)

Source: Coros

It is important to keep yourself active and find ways to exercise at home in the lock down period. These two weeks at home can make a person lazy very fast. There are tonnes of home exercises you can do as well. There are tonnes of them you can find online. That is easy enough then.

What is difficult is keeping your progress in check. You need a fitness tracker for that one. But what is the use of a fitness tracker that you only use for two weeks? You should get one that would last you even longer than two weeks. You should get one that you can take even up the mountains when you go for a hike. You should get the Coros Pace from OPPO’s web store.

The Coros Pace is hardly a smartwatch. There is no Bluetooth connectivity on it either. It does have GPS/GLONASs though. That means that the watch can trace your steps to form a running or cycling map for you. Like any fitness tracker too, you get an accurate heart rate monitor. It will also go deep into the water with you with 5 ATM water resistance rating. Of course, it tells time. What is amazing about this fitness tracker is that it will last you up to 50 days (in UltraMax GPS mode, up to 30 days in regular use).

4. WeLoop XH3 Smartwatch (Wearables, MYR 369)

Source: WeLoop

Regular fitness trackers are not your thing? No problem, you go for the WeLoop XH3 smartwatch.  One big plus side; it is cheaper than the Coros Pace, a whole lot cheaper.

Cheap does not mean bad though. The square face displays everything that you need. It is even a touch screen so interaction with it is simple. Being a smartwatch, you can connect it to your smartphone and work as your notifier with vibrations and what not.

Of course, this works as your fitness tracker too. It has a heart rate monitor on its back, it has got all the right motion sensors to keep your movements recorded and decoded correctly, it connects to all the popular fitness apps you can find on your smartphone, and for good measure you can take it swimming too. Beyond all that, it can last you up to 40 days on a single charge. That eliminates the need of plugging it into a charge constantly or every night. A watch should not have to be kept on a charger, it should be worn, and this is designed to be worn

5. Various Data and Charging Cables

Source: Olike

OPPO has a accessories arm called Olike. They make things like powerbank, TWS earphones, and Bluetooth Headphones and even regular earphones. They also make cables, good cables.

One thing that all of us in the tech industry can agree on is that you can never have too many spare cables. There is pain in looking for the right cables when you need a charge of your powerbank or even your friend’s powerbank. Even when you want to leech off your friend’s PC for more juice, you always need a cable.

Having your own cable also means that it is one less thing to worry about when you need power. Plus, when you take a photo and need to offload it for post processing on your PC, it is always good to know you have a cable somewhere in your bag.

Olike cables are reasonably priced and they work well too. We especially like their braided cables because they feel like they can last forever. They support all kinds of fast charging too, so even if you are using a Qualcomm Fast Charge 3.0, or OPPO’s VOOC charging, you are safe with Olike cables.

Codes Codes Codes

Source: OPPO

What was the point of all this again? Oh yes, OPPO is giving out discounts in their own web store. The discounts are not reflected on the store though unless you have a discount code. What discount codes?

Code Voucher Worth (MYR) Limitations
TechENTIOT50 50 Enco Q1 & Enco Free
TechENTOPPO20 20 Phones below RM600
TechENTOPPO50 50 Phones from RM600 to RM999
TechENTOPPO100 100 Phones from RM1000 to RM1999
TechENTOPPO200 200 Phones RM2000 and above
TechENTxOPPOFindX2 250 FindX2 and Find X2 Pro

We have you covered. Now you can go shop. More information on products can be found on OPPO’s website.

Computers, Mobile, News

Apple’s New iPad Pro Has LiDAR & TrackPad Support

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The iPad Pro turned heads when it was first launched back in June 2017. Many were asking where this large tablet would sit in the continuum of devices that is available to the consumer. However, the iPad Pro became one of the most revered devices for creatives and those looking to be productive on the go.

The 2020 iPad Pro ups the ante with Apple’s new A12Z Bionic chip. The A12Z succeeds the A12X SoC (System on a Chip) which Apple introduced with the previous generation iPad Pro. The new processor comes with 8-cores; 4 of which are optimized for performance while another 4 are optimized for efficiency. Apple touts that this processor makes the new iPad Pro “faster and more powerful than most Windows PC laptops”.

The new iPad Pro is, once again, made for creatives looking to work on the go. Apple’s A12Z Bionic chip makes it possible to edit 4K video and design 3D models on the iPad. According to Apple, the chip also comes with enhanced thermal architecture and fine-tuned performance which allows it to handle larger workloads than previous iPads. The performance of the iPad Pro 2020 is enhanced further with the Neural Engine of the A12Z which allows next generation apps to run.

The display on the iPad Pro 2020 is a near bezelless Liquid Retina display. Both the 11-inch and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will come with Apple’s most advanced display yet. The new display has support for the DCI-P3 gamut which makes colour reproduction more accurate than ever. This is enhanced with ProMotion technology which automatically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and better responsiveness.

The camera module on the new iPad Pro comes with a dual sensor setup. It is equipped with 12-megapixel, wide angle sensor with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 10- megapixel, ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and 125° field of view. The camera setup supports up to 5x Zoom, Smart HDR, Auto image stabilization and 4K video recording at up to 60 fps.

The biggest change on the new iPad is the inclusion of a LiDAR Scanner module. This module allows the iPad to measure the distance between it and surrounding objects for up to 5 meters. This will work both indoors and outdoors. The LiDAR sensor works in tandem with the cameras and motion sensor to enable a whole new level of AR experiences. Apple has announced that apps developed on its ARKit technology will automatically be able to make use of the sensors when the ARKit updates.

Apple also brings the iPad Pro one step closer as the rival to the Surface Pro from Microsoft with the addition of trackpad support. The support comes with an updated iPadOS and likely will make its way to older iPads. However, the new iPad Pro is the only iPad with a Magic Keyboard. The new Magic Keyboard has a unique floating design which allows the iPad to shine. It also comes with USB-C pass-through for charging. Like the Magic keyboard on the recently announced MacBook Air, the magic Keyboard comes with 1mm travel for a better overall typing experience.

Pricing & Availability

The new iPad Pro will be available in Space Gray and Silver starting today on Apple’s website. It will be available in stores starting next week in 30 countries including the United States.

The 11-inch iPad Pro will be retailing for USD$799 for the WiFi only model and USD$949 for the WiFi and cellular version. These prices are for the 128GB version of the iPad, there are options for 256GB (USD$899 WiFi; USD$1,049 WiFi + Cellular), 512GB (USD$1099 WiFi; USD$1,249 WiFi + Cellular ) and 1TB (USD$1,299 WiFi; USD$1,449 WiFi + Cellular ) of storage.

The 12.9-inch version starts at USD$999 for the WiFi only model and USD$1,149 for the WiFi and cellular model. As with its smaller sibling, the prices mentioned are for its 128GB version. There are also 256GB (USD$999 WiFi; USD$1,249 WiFi + Cellular), 512GB (USD$1,299 WiFi; USD$1,449 WiFi + Cellular) and 1TB (USD$1,499 WiFi; USD$1,649 WiFi + Cellular) versions.

In Malaysia, these Models are priced as follows:

iPad Pro (11-inch) (MYR)
  128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB
WiFi 3,499 3,949 4,849 5,749
WiFi + Cellular 4,149 4,599 5,499 6,399
iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (MYR)
  128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB
WiFi 4,399 4,849 5,749 6,649
WiFi + Cellular 5,049 5,499 6,399 7,299
Android, Mobile, News

OPPO A91 Launches in Malaysia – Back to Basics

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OPPO has been known for its budget friendly, value-for-money devices. Over the years also, they have been known as photography masters with their devices. Okay, they have not been topping the photography benchmarks until now with the OPPO Find X2 Pro. Still, we have always liked and OPPO budget smartphone. We like their entry-level and mid-range offers because they are actually quality products. They are well made, and they work well for what you are paying. They feel optimised.

Smartphones have gotten more expensive these days. This is also consistent with OPPO’s offerings over the years. Occasionally though, there is a device that just goes back to basics. For OPPO, that device is the OPPO A91 that is just launched today.

No, there is no big launch gambit. If you are not updated just yet, Malaysia is now under lock down order from the government. Non-essential services and businesses are supposed to be closed and we are all force to work from home. Thank goodness for the Internet.

Source: OPPO

The OPPO A91 is a basic entry-level device at MYR 999. Despite the price though, it looks like a premium OPPO device. It is finished on both sides with glass, so it will also feel premium. If other smartphones from OPPO is any indication, the OPPO A91 should be a quality hardware too.

There is nothing to shout about when it comes to its processing power, a MediaTek Helio P70 Octa-core System on a Chip (SoC). It is what you commonly find on budget smartphones. It is still an adequately powerful SoC though. You get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage too, which is quite plenty for the price you pay.

Those things power up the Android 9.1 based ColorOS 6.1 projected to a 6.4-inch display. No, not a 720P HD display. You get a Full HD+ AMOLED display protected underneath a Gorilla Glass 5. You even get an in-display fingerprint sensor. All of this is powered by a 4,025 mAh battery that also comes with VOOC 3.0 charging to fully charge your device from an empty battery to full in an hour.

Source: OPPO

The biggest upsell of the OPPO A91 though is its camera. You do not only get two lenses, not even three. You get four lenses point out the back of the device. It features a 48-Megapixel main shooter that is partnered with an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, 2-Megapixel monochrome sensor, and a 2-Megapixel depth sensor. No telephoto lens to be found here. The ultra-wide lens can focus and capture images from a minimum distance of 3cm.

The camera software packs the usual AI beauty mode or AI scenes for an optimised photo. You also get the Night Portrait mode in this device for all your low-light shoots. Video is steadier than ever with the built-in Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS).

The OPPO A91 entry-level smartphone is available now for MYR 999 on OPPO’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. From now to 26th of March, the OPPO A91 is now on sale for only MYR 899. Of course, terms and conditions apply.

Android, Mobile, News

OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G Is Coming to Your Doorstep (If You Pre-Order One, Obviously)

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Malaysia is on lock down order. Well, more like a partial lock down. All the paperwork calls it is a ‘restricted movement’ order. All non-essential services and businesses are order to close, or all its staff are supposed to work from home. This is fine for businesses like ours, with all our contents and services being digital and online. We can easily work from home. But businesses like car service centers, manufacturing of goods, shops, and even restaurants are going to be affected.

Well, in a broader sense, restaurants and food outlets can operate under the circumstance that it only does takeaway orders. Supermarkets, hospitals and clinics, broadcasting, police stations, and fire services are still open. Some of them on a limited capacity too (not hospitals, they are front lining the COVID-19 situation. To that, thank you to all doctors and nurses who are working tirelessly).

Still, live goes on and there are still things happening outside of home. The sale of the highly anticipated OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G is still happening. Not in a way you would imagine though.

Source: OPPO

Instead of the whole mess of a launch gambit and roadshows all over Malaysia and its countless malls, OPPO is starting their first sale gambit with nothing but a simple service of delivering the devices right to your doorstep. Obviously, you would have to buy one of it to get the device sent to you.

The OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G, to recap, is one of OPPO’s flagships that is launched this year to replace the now two years old OPPO Find X. The OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G, as its name indicates, packs 5G readiness from its Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 System on a Chip (SoC). It is also OPPO’s most powerful device to date with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of on-board storage. Its camera is supposed to be the best camera ever on a smartphone, topping the charts of DX0Mark with its 48-Megapixel main camera flanked by a 48-Megapixel ultra-wide angle lens and a 13-Megapixel lens.

Source: OPPO Malaysia

Unlike the OPPO Find X, the X2 and X2 Pro does not have a motorised pop-up mechanism. That also means you are not getting a full edge-to-edge display like the FullView display of the OPPO Find X. Instead, you get something they call an O1 Ultra Vision display with a 32-Megapixel camera punch hole on the 6.7-inch AMOLED display. It pushes out QHD+ at up to 120Hz. That may take a toll on its 4,260 mAh battery. With 65W SuperVOOC charging though, there is nothing to fear, especially in this lockdown anyway.

The OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G is available for pre-order now for MYR 4,599 until 20rd March 2020. Devices should start shipping to customers the day after. The device will be available in two finishes – Ceramic Black and Vegan Leather Orange.

Source: OPPO Malaysia

All pre-order customers are entitled for a free VOOC powerbank, 1-year extended warranty, and 3 months of screen protection. Of course, you must make full payment before the 18th of April to secure their free gifts. If you made your full payment before the 23rd of March, you are also entitled to a free OPPO Enco Free True Wireless Earbuds worth MYR 599 (review coming soon). On top of all the free gifts, OPPO will be offering an MYR 200 voucher to be used in OPPO’s official web store. Of course, you have to spend more than MYR 200 to use the voucher. Additionally, if you have made your pre-order and committed the booking fee of MYR 300 at any OPPO’s offline store, you are entitled to an MYR 300 digital code to make your full payment; in other words you are getting MYR 300 off your OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G. Of course, terms and conditions apply. More information on OPPO’s website.

Mobile, News

Samsung Begins Production of the Fastest Mobile Storage eUFS 3.1

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Smartphones today, especially the flagships, are not what you would call slow. With the current generation of System on a Chip (SoC), RAM, and even eUFS 3.0 storage your smartphones can outperform some entry level notebook PCs. Of course at a price that is even higher than before.

Certain modern flagships, like Samsung’s very own Galaxy S20 line-up packs the latest eUFS 3.0 (embedded Universal Flash Storage). That also means that you get about 300-400MBps in write speed. That also means that if you transfer a 4GB movie file, you can get that done within 10 seconds. a 128GB memory can fill up within 6 minutes or so. Fast? Apparently not fast enough for Samsung.

Samsung is one of the world leaders in digital storage. They have previously broken the limits of what is possible with their 512GB eUFS 3.0 flash memory module. Just right after the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, Samsung broke their limitations again with their brand new eUFS 3.1 storage module at 512GB size.

Source: Samsung Newsroom

It does not sound like a major update, but the eUFS 3.1 can now write at triple the speeds of the previous eUFS 3.0. That also means that you get write speeds at up to 1,200MBps. That is more than 1GBps. That is also faster than any SATA based PC drives at 540MBps. Even your generic microSD card only writes at a maximum speed of 90MBps for crying out loud.

So why do we need a storage that can write faster than anything else you can find in the market? According to Samsung; 8K video capturing, processing, and production. We admit that the Samsung Galaxy S20 line-up’s ability to record videos at 8K resolution is impressive. There is not enough medium at this time that supports 8K contents though. Still, it might be nice to have 8K right in your hands. Even if your smartphone cannot even display at 8K resolution.

Samsung’s eUFS 3.1 will come in three sizes; 512GB, 256GB, 128GB. The flash memory module will begin production at Samsung’s new Xi’an, China production line. The production facility is also Samsung’s largest so far. We might see the eUFS 3.1 in action in Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 20 line-up – fingers crossed.

Source: Samsung Newsroom

Business, Computers, Contributed, Mobile

Coronavirus Puts Remote Work Security to the Test

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*This article is contributed by Kevin Reed, CISO, Acronis*

As authorities worldwide work to contain the deadly coronavirus and try to keep it from spreading, the travel restrictions put in place are causing many organizations to rethink their operations. Rather than traveling to a region where their return flight might be at risk of being quarantined, many are turning to videoconferencing, file sync and share, and other remote work solutions to keep their businesses going. In China, where the disease started and where remote work policies are historically uncommon, the remote collaboration tool Zoom saw a single-day increase in downloads of 15%.

Source: Acronis

Remote work can certainly benefit a company, encouraging more collaboration and knowledge sharing. That’s why its adoption has grown significantly in the last several years. In fact, the global enterprise file synchronization and sharing (EFSS) market is expected to reach $24.4 billion by 2027, up from $3.4 billion in 2018.

Yet the wrong solution can put organizations at risk if they don’t address data security and privacy. To combat this predicament, businesses need to implement secure file sync and share technologies so that employees can work from home while also being able to access and transfer data in a manner that is both secure and safe.

What is file sync and share?

File sync and share technology is designed with the modern professional landscape in mind; a landscape where workforces rely on multiple devices and location flexibility in order to maximize productivity. File sync and share gives organizations the power to share files across multiple devices and with multiple people using file synchronization – allowing files to be stored in any approved data repository and accessed remotely by employees from any of their IT provisioned devices.

Security risks associated with remote work

Historically, remote work policies have been a sensitive topic for organizations. While some employers might fear that remote work creates a dip in employee performance, the larger concern is actually securing the proprietary and business-critical data modern companies rely on.

On a corporate network, IT teams can easily secure employee devices, but this becomes much more difficult to do once an employee accesses the system from outside the network.

Outside of the corporate network, devices are easily susceptible to attacks from third parties and cybercriminals. Attacking these unsecured endpoints can reveal the employee’s login credentials to cybercriminals so they can access the company’s system, or even use ransomware to lock company data – which happened to the NextCloud service last fall.

Benefits of secure file sync and share

Solutions that are built to deliver secure file sync and share give organizations the flexibility to enable employee collaboration and productivity while giving the IT department control over the protection of company data. Here are some of the ways that secure file sync and share technology protects and empowers businesses:

  • Secure File Sharing – It’s well known that when a file sync and share solution isn’t provided, employees will often resort to using their own personal devices and tools. Because these tools and devices exist outside of the control of IT departments, they’re inherently not secure and put sensitive company data at risk. With secure file sync and share, employees can easily share and access company files while IT maintains the privacy and security of the data.
  • Easy Anywhere, Anytime Access ­– Organizations are beginning to see the workday less as a clock-in/clock-out office environment, and have adopted an environment that supports the various schedules and lifestyles of their employees. With secure file-sync and share, employees are no longer constrained to a single corporate-owned device to be productive.
  • Data Loss Prevention and Disaster Recovery – When corporate data is centrally stored, it’s better protected against data leakage. This includes data lost to a cyberattack, employee error, or a lost or stolen device. With an enterprise-grade file sync and share solution, sensitive corporate data is kept secure and protected.
  • Easy Collaboration – File sync and share services are adapting to not only protect company data but to aid in remote workplace collaboration. Some file sync and share tools now provide users with tools to preview and edit files in-browser, search and find specific company documents and versions, and keep all employees on the same version of a document.

Final Thought

While global emergencies such as the coronavirus outbreak may highlight the benefits of having a secure remote work policy in place, the use of secure collaborative tools should be understood as part of a larger cultural shift. As more organizations adopt remote work policies, the IT teams, and MSPs that service these companies should adopt secure file sync and share solutions.

To help organizations introduce remote work policies in a way that is safe and secure, MSPs can offer their business customers Acronis Cyber Files Cloud, a secure enterprise file sync and share solution that features end-to-end encryption, user controls, and an audit trail.

Similarly, organizations that do not rely on an MSP can choose Acronis Cyber Files Advanced, an easy, complete, and secure enterprise file sharing solution that makes users more productive and gives IT complete control over business content to ensure security, maintain compliance, and enable BYOD.

Android, Mobile, News

(Updated) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Makes It’s Malaysian Debut, Pre-orders available now!

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Update: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip’s pre-order is officially open to everyone. You don’t need to have a code anymore. You can now pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip at their official website. The new foldable will be on pre-order until 22 March, 2020.

The Galaxy Z Flip makes it official Malaysian debut today. The new foldable device which made its international debut back during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in February. It’s also Samsung’s second official foldable with a new form factor to take on the other flip devices which will undoubtedly make its way into the market.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will be LTE only and will come with a hybrid SIM. It comes with a Snapdragon 855+ processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal memory and lacks support for a microSD card. It has a Dual cameras on the back which consisting of dual 12-megapixel sensors and a single 10-megapixel sensor in the front (when unfolded). It also has a side mounted fingerprint sensor and is powered by a 3,300mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging and wireless charging.

Pre-orders are now ongoing with a special one day only offer. Buyers will need to use the code “ZFLIPVIP” at checkout to place a pre-order on their official pre-order website. Keep in mind that pre-orders are a 12 hour only affair.

Using the code, pre-order customers will receive Samsung’s Galaxy Z Premier service which entitles you to 24/7 Premium Careline, free on-site pickup and delivery service support for 12 months from the date of purchase and access to the priority/express lane at Samsung Service Centers and a one (1) time screen replacement.

The new Galaxy Z Flip will be available for MYR5,888. That’s a steep discount from the Galaxy Fold. The new foldable will be available in Mirror Purple, Mirror Black and Mirror Gold. Pre-orders can also opt for 0% interest free installments when pre-ordering the new smartphone.

Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Series Announced in India!

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It was only a few months ago in September that Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 8 Pro. Now the all-new replacement has already been announced. New year, new phone am I right? So how much did it improved in just ten months? 

Xiaomi has announced its latest Redmi note 9 pro series consisting of two smartphones: the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. The phone has officially been announced in India. The Note 9 Pro and Pro Max is expected to be released on March 17 and March 25 respectively.

For starters, it has dropped the Helio G90T processor from MediaTek and now has adopted the new Snapdragon 720G from Qualcomm. The new Snapdragon 720G unfortunately does not support 5G connectivity, that said, 5G is a premium feature at this point. However, that doesn’t mean that Xiaomi is falling behind, in fact, there are already six phones at the market from Xiaomi and two more on the way that support 5G connectivity. 

In the memory department, there will be two variants for the Note 9 Pro and three variants for the Note 9 Pro Max. For the Redmi Note 9 Pro, it starts with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, and caps out with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, on the other hand, has three variants with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and 8GB with 128GB of internal storage. If that isn’t enough, users are able to add up to 1TB of additional memory through the microSD card slot. 

Next up, the camera. The Note 9 Pro and Note 9 Pro Max are equipped with a quad-camera system. The Redmi Note 9 Pro comes with a 48-megapixel main camera a slight bump down compared to the 64-megapixel camera that was on the Note 8 Pro. This is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The Note 9 Pro Max, comes with a similar set up to the Note 8 Pro with a 64-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide, a better 5-megapixel instead of the 2 megapixels used on the Note 8 Pro and the same 2-megapixel depth sensor. 

The selfie camera of the Note 9 Pro is a 16-megapixel camera while the Note 9 Pro Max gets a huge jump to a 32 megapixel instead. 

With the cameras out of the way, we move on to the display. The Note 9 Pro and Note 9 Pro Max come with the same size display at 6.67 inches with a screen-to-body ratio of 84.5%. It has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and a pixel density of 395 ppi. One disappointment, though, is that the display is still uses LCD technology.

Other goodies the phone includes such as a 3.5mm jack, an infrared sensor, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Apparently, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is now a new trend. Both phones come with a 5020 mAh battery with an 18W fast charging on the Note 9 Pro while the Note 9 Pro Max comes with an impressive 33W fast charging. There are three colour option of the phone, Aurora Blue, Glacier White, and Interstellar Black. 

Pricing and Availability

The Redmi Note 9 Pro will be available starting on March 17, 2020. As mentioned it will have 2 variants: 4GB RAM with 64GB of internal storage and 6GB RAM with 128GB internal storage. The former will retail for INR12,999 (MYR753.13) while the latter will retail at INR15,999 (MYR926.94).

The Redmi Note 9 Pro will be available starting March 25, 2020. It will have 3 variants. The 6GB RAM and 64GB storage variant will be retailing for INR14,999 (MYR869.37); the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version will be retailing for INR16,999 (MYR985.13); while the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version will retrail for INR18,999 (MYR1101.04).