Samsung’s Fan Edition isn’t just for the Galaxy S23 FE this year, it’s expanding beyond just its smartphone. This year, the Galaxy Tab S9 and Galaxy Buds lineups are also getting affordable, scaled-back Goldilocks versions under the ‘FE’ moniker. The Galaxy Tab S9 is getting a little bit of special treatment with two devices getting the FE treatment – the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+. Where the “+” plays a significant part in how the devices have been designed and optimised.
The Galaxy Tab S9 series takes the baton from the Tab S7 FE. The new series of tablets brings some of the features from the recently announced Galaxy Tab S9 series to a more affordable price point. It’s also upping the ante from its predecessor. While the tablets don’t come with the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it comes with the capable Exynos 1380 chipset.
Both tablets in the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series bring substantial improvements in the display department. The Tab S9 FE boasts a 10.9-inch TFT LCD panel, while the Tab S9 FE+ steps it up with a larger 12.4-inch TFT LCD panel. Yes, these sizes are on par with the Tab S9 and S9+. However, they only come with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz and an FHD+ resolution. The tablets also come with Samsung’s Vision Booster technology that enhances outdoor visibility by optimizing colour and contrast, making the tablets usable even in challenging lighting conditions.
These tablets aren’t just about performance; they also focus on sustainability. Both the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the Tab S9 FE+ are crafted from recycled materials, including pre-consumer recycled aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastics. While they might not be used in 100% of the tablets, they are prominent in select components. Both models, along with the included S Pen, boast an IP68 rating, ensuring dust resistance and the ability to withstand accidental water exposure.
Samsung has also upped its game in the camera department. The FE features an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera. In contrast, the FE+ comes equipped with a dual camera setup on the back with an 8-megapixel main sensor complemented with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide rear camera and the same 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera. These cameras come with the same software features we’ve seen in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series including auto-framing.
Battery capacity in the FE+ is impressive, with a 10,090mAh unit that can last up to 20 hours of video playback on a single charge. The Tab S9 FE, although slightly smaller in size, still packs a decent 8,000mAh battery. Samsung claims that the battery can go from 0% to 100% in just 90 minutes.
The tablets come with two storage options: 128GB or 256GB. These tablets come with the option to expand storage up to 1TB using a microSD card. When it comes to RAM they come with either 6GB, 8GB or 12GB.
Both tablets support 5G, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth. They will also be running on Android 13 and One UI 5. Samsung promises four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. When it comes to apps, they come with support for a range of creative tools and apps, including Goodnotes, LumaFusion, and Clip Studio Paint.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE series will be priced from USD$449 (MYR2,128.97) or €529 (MYR2,633.45) internationally. Both tablets will be available for purchase starting October 10 in Mint, Grey, Lavender and Silver.
In Malaysia, the tablet will be priced from MYR2,099. Both tablets will be available in Malaysia from October 10, 2023. Detailed pricing is listed below.
After over a year’s hiatus, the latest addition to the Fan Edition (FE) series, the Galaxy S23 FE is finally here. It looks like a worthy successor to the Samsung S21 FE which preceded it. Taking its cues from Samsung’s preceding smartphones this year. It comes in a clean, single-slab design with a coloured back and a metallic frame.
Source: Samsung
The Galaxy S23 FE boasts an “Advanced 4nm Processing,” which should translate to either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chip, depending on your location. While it departs from the “for Galaxy” chips of 2023 phones, it’s still a major step up from the Galaxy S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100. Plus, this year’s base model offers 8GB of RAM, showing up the previous 6GB option.
When it comes to storage, options include 128GB or 256GB, with no microSD expansion. Although 256GB should satisfy most users, it’s worth noting that these options align with the capacities available for the S23 and S23+.
One of the standout improvements is the main camera, which is now a 50MP sensor. This is a significant jump from the S21 FE’s 12-megapixel main sensor. However, the ultrawide, a 10-megapixel sensor with a 123° field of view, and telephoto, an 8-megapixel sensor with 3x optical zoom, cameras remain at lower resolutions comparatively. Surprisingly, Samsung has opted for a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the Galaxy S23 FE, a downgrade from the 32-megapixel sensor of its predecessor.
The display of the Galaxy S23 FE is a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with an FHD+ resolution. It also sports a 120Hz refresh rate which can dynamically adapt to on-screen content. It’s a smartphone that has a Goldilocks size fitting comfortably between the S23 and S23+. In terms of dimensions, it’s slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor but feels solid with an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The 4,500mAh battery capacity remains unchanged from the Galaxy S23 FE’s predecessor. It also supports wired charging at 25W significantly less than the 45W of the S23 and S23+. However, Samsung promises a 50% charge with 30 minutes of charging. It also supports wireless charging. Like its predecessors, the Galaxy S23 FE offers IP68 dust and water resistance.
When it comes to software support, it’s in line with other high-end Samsung devices, promising four OS updates and five years of security patches. Out of the box, it runs One UI 5.1 on top of Android 13. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is taking it a step further with a body constructed from recycled materials including an aluminium frame made from recycled aluminium. It also incorporates pre-consumer glass and post-consumer plastics sourced from items like fishing nets and PET bottles.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy S23 FE is priced from USD$599.99 (MYR2,838.89) for the 128GB model. That’s a significant $100 drop compared to the Galaxy S21 FE’s launch price and USD$200 less than the price of the Galaxy S23.
In Malaysia, the Galaxy S23 FE will officially be priced at MYR2,999 for the 128GB version and MYR3,299 for the 256GB version.
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
It will be available in Mint, Graphite, Purple and Cream with Tangerine and Indigo available exclusively on Samsung.com.
It’s expected to hit the market on October 10th in Malaysia and October 26th in the US. Like all Samsung devices, it will be available through various carriers and retailers.
No one has a bigger bone to pick with the affordable segment than Honor. Where it was once an indelible mark is now an arena where it has to prove its prowess. The Honor 90 is another try to prove that the company knows what people want at the astounding prices that they’re used to getting Honor smartphones.
On paper, the Honor 90 seems to check all the boxes when it comes to specifications with a large camera sensor, the latest version of Android and Magic OS and even battery life that is touted to last “All day”. Do these features make the perfect smartphone? Is it worth forking out the money for? We’re about to answer these questions in our in-depth review.
Design
Thin. Light. Durable. That’s the three words that come to mind when describing the Honor 90’s design. While the smartphone is for all intents and purposes a run-of-the-mill midrange smartphone when it comes to design, Honor has injected some of its design influences into it.
The slim form factor is very much appreciated at a time when smartphones, particularly in the mid-range, are opting for chunkier bodies. The Honor 90 isn’t just slim, it’s somehow ergonomic. Holding it in your hand is comfortable. The dual curved edges don’t dig into your hands like you would expect it to. Instead, it’s comfortably curved and gives you a little bit more grip when holding the phone.
The back of the phone is textured. The version we have has a matte texture that gives it a lot more traction when you use it. Honor has also given it a metallic finish which makes it look a little bit more premium. The two camera humps also have a halo that gives it a pretty finish and makes the protruding a little bit more acceptable.
Hardware
When it comes to hardware, the Honor 90 doesn’t shy away from being a mid-range smartphone. Instead, it embraces it. In fact, it’s showing the industry that the company knows how to strike a balance between performance and price that is not only acceptable, it’s applauded.
The Honor 90 continues to use Honor’s MagicOS. Like the Magic5 Pro, the interface has come leaps and bounds not only from its roots under Huawei but also when it comes to stability, performance and even optimisations.
The optimisations that Honor brings to its midrange smartphone more or less mirror those on its flagships like the Magic5 Pro. It has a very light layer on top of Android 13 with a clean, near-minimalistic take on Android and its Material UI. It does away with the opacity and density of colour that is now the signature Android 13 and puts on a light layer of effortless simplicity that makes the OS easier on the eyes and simpler to interact with.
MagicOS 7.1 continues to imitate the look and feel of iOS but is beginning to slowly differentiate itself. While some of the styles of the icons and interface may mimic iOS, Honor is focusing on making the interface fluid and dynamic. It is one of the better Android-based operating systems out there. The interface is responsive, easy to navigate and very fluid. Everything is accessible with one click. This includes, for better or worse, the control centre that feels like a spaceship control panel. But this also means that, unlike other Android interfaces, the notifications and controls are separated. Definitely a welcomed convenience but is handicapped by the need to remember which side to swipe down on. Swiping further to the right brings down the control centre but if you wanted to bring down the notifications shade, you won’t be able to. Instead, you’ll have to back out of the control centre and swipe to the left of the screen.
Cards which made its debut with MagicOS 7, continues to be included with the Honor 90’s version of MagicOS 7.1. While they are a welcomed addition and layer to the convenience that the OS affords, it’s still remains rather handicapped with limited 3rd party support. I still found myself going back to regular widgets to get the functionality I was looking for.
Again, like in the Magic5 Pro, customization continues to be limited to font packs, icon packs and themes. At this point, with the increasing amount of customization offered by stock Android, it feels like Honor needs to up the ante and embrace it. Allow users to further customize their experience with coloured accents in addition to those already available. This, of course, excludes the highly customizable always-on-display (AOD).
Overall, when it comes to user interface, it feels like the Honor 90 brings a consistency we haven’t seen in many mid-range smartphones when it comes to feature sets. Nearly all the flagship software experiences are accessible on the Honor 90, unlike a majority of the competition who choose to limit lower-end software experiences.
Performance
The Honor 90 is laced with features that allow it to squeeze every bit of performance from a processor that can be seen as a little dated. That said, it also proves that not all smartphones need to be on the latest and greatest to provide an experience that is comparable to any flagship. Honor has tweaked and optimised the processor and software to deliver a very high-performing phone that doesn’t break the bank.
Multitasking & Productivity
The Honor 90 gave me a welcomed surprise when it handled multitasking without a hitch. I was, of course, expecting that the phone would be sluggish or, at least have noticeable slowdowns when multitasking. But that really wasn’t the case.
In fact, the phone excelled; especially when it came to doing tasks like split-screen multitasking. I was able to work on a Google document while referencing a website with ease. This was also the case even when I was using a split screen with YouTube. There was nearly no instance where the smartphone slowed down enough that it was unusable.
Multitasking was a breeze, to say the least. But it seems like the phone was made for it to be honest. The optimisations that were made to the software make it really easy to jump in and out of tasks and documents with features like split screen and pop-up window.
Call Quality & Connectivity
Being a mid-range phone, I expected to have some concessions in hardware that would affect call quality. However, the Honor 90 pleasantly surprised me with pretty good call audio. The tone was warm, crisp and clear. Unlike a lot of the competition in its range, the audio lacked a lot of the tinny resonance we’ve come to expect with lower-end smartphones.
It’s also got all the bells and whistles when it comes to connectivity. The Honor 90 has 5G connectivity which should serve you well when it comes to your carrier. The higher speeds – which was gotten thanks to YTL communication’s Yes 5G – did come in handy when downloading big files off emails and also streaming my shows off Amazon Prime and Netflix. Support for WiFi 6 also came in clutch with streaming.
There were minor hiccups with connectivity – particularly with WiFi 6 and 5G. With the former, it had issues maintaining a connection with my WiFi 6 router. However, the issue was resolved after an update for the OS itself. The 5G connectivity problems seem to be stemming from the network itself. I had more stable data connectivity on 4G LTE. Of course, data speeds were not as impressive but a more stable connection does provide a better overall experience. However, since the 5G issues were verified to not be connected to the phone, it didn’t factor into our overall rating.
Overall, when it comes to call quality and connectivity, the Honor 90 really shows up the competition. It’s getting the basics right – and then some.
Gaming
When it comes to gaming, the Honor 90 didn’t have that many hiccups. During the review period, we tested the smartphone with games like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9: Legends, Pokémon UNITE and Diablo Immortal. The smartphone was able to perform pretty well across the board. However, it’s not unexpected given the class in which the Honor 90 punches.
The graphical intensity of Genshin Impact really did make the Honor 90 sweat. Putting the game on max settings made the phone go warm. However, it also limited the frame rate and made the game unplayable in my honest opinion. Taking the settings down a notch changed the experience totally. The game performed well with optimised settings. The Honor 90’s cooling system kept the phone cool, but it still did warm up after a while. While it’s not very surprising, it was more surprising to go an hour or two without the phone getting any warmer.
Diablo Immortal, on the other hand, gave the Honor 90 a proper challenge. As always, this was most apparent with demon mobs. Just as my character was being overwhelmed by the mob, so too was the phone. It began stuttering and lagging just a tad. It’s not unexpected as the game does give higher-end devices some problems too. With the 90, this happened when there was about 60 to 80 monsters on the screen at the same time. Adding AoE attacks to the mix did slow it down a little more but the phone quickly rebounded once the animations were over.
Overall, if you’re gaming on the Honor 90, you’re not going to be facing many hiccups thanks to the enhanced version of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Aside from these two instances, other games like Pokémon UNITE and Asphalt 9: Legends had little to no issues.
Battery Life
Honor brings its signature battery life to the Honor 90. This smartphone really does give claims of “all day” battery life a run for their money. The battery on the Honor 90 was able to last at least 36 hours on a single charge with mixed-use. However, more often than not, I found myself charging the Honor 90 only after 2 days of regular use. This included using the phone for shooting, emails, messaging and calls.
On average, I was getting at least 36 hours of battery on a single charge. When it was actively being used, the smartphone was able to last about 3 hours on a full charge. At 15% with battery saving mode, I was able to get another 2 to 2.5 hours depending on usage during the time. On standby, this time went well over 4 days of battery life. This was without mobile connectivity and with minimal screen time.
Display
The display on the Honor 90 is one of the better ones in its price range. The AMOLED panel reproduced colours pretty accurately. When it comes to brightness, the screen is able to achieve a blinding 1,600 nits peak brightness. That means it was more than just legible even under direct sunlight.
While the display is just FHD+ in resolution, the Honor 90 does support HDR10+. This addition means that the display can reproduce intricate details in dark visuals. Viewing and editing video on the go on this screen was amazing thanks to HDR as well. The screen’s high refresh rate made transitions were buttery smooth.
The Honor 90 had one of the best reading experiences on a smartphone in its class. This is primarily due to the TUV Rheinland Certified blue light reduction for eye protection, and also reading modes. My eyes weren’t tired even after about 2 hours of reading an ebook and my comics. The ebook mode made reading less strenuous on the eyes but I still haven’t gotten used to it yet. So, I found myself reading using normal screen modes with blue light reduction and eye comfort turned on.
Cameras
The Honor 90 comes with a triple camera setup with a massive 200-megapixel sensor. However, Honor is allowing the hardware to be the only hero when it comes to the camera. The company has been developing its own algorithm to augment the quality of pictures taken with the smartphone. It seems like the Honor 90 is the first of many in a game of striking the best balance between hardware and software with Honor’s midrange. The smartphone continues to employ pixel binning to get the most out of the sensors it comes with but with the extra light and information, it’s able to create sharper, crisper edges in its pictures.
Honor’s AI enhancements overall are a little bit aggressive for me. However, it does produce pretty detailed and vibrant pictures from the sensors. That said, I found myself turning AI off to get the shot I wanted in most situations. That said, without AI, the cameras performed pretty well even in point-and-shoot (Auto) mode.
Photos taken with the Honor 90’s camera were vibrant and detailed in good lighting. However, its performance under low lighting was less than stellar. Often, pictures were overblown to compensate for the lack of light. While quality degradation is expected, we expected a little more from the Honor 90 camera. Photos in low light were noisy and some were ruined by overcompensation. That said, kicking it into Pro mode is a saving grace. It allows you to get results that are closer to what you want.
Zooming in to take pictures on the Honor 90 can be a little bit of a hit or miss. This is pretty expected given the lack of a telescopic sensor in the phone’s camera setup. However, images and video are pretty crisp and detailed as long as you don’t go beyond 3x zoom. Going any higher than that or even maxing out at 10x resulted in grainy, blurry pictures. The Honor 90 comes with the same AI stabilization as the Magic5 Pro. It’s still as mind-blowing as it was with the Magic5 Pro.
Videos taken with the main camera setup are pretty good. We used it to do a few of our video content on social media (let us know if you find them). The results with good lighting are close to DSLR quality. Of course, we can’t get 100% of the intricacies of a DSLR with the smartphone. It’s perfect for capturing memories but falls a little short when it comes to being a video production powerhouse./
I feel like the Honor 90 puts most flagships to shame with its front-facing camera. Although, I feel like it does come with a caveat that it’s enhanced with AI features. With the right lighting, the pictures are vivid, colourful and detailed. The large 50-megapixel sensor allows for amazing quality. Even under low light, the results were better than a lot of the other options out there. But this may be cause we’re so used to low-quality selfies in this price range.
Overall, the Honor 90 has a power-packed camera setup. The robustness of the software and the versatility of the triple camera setup make it a good starter option for aspiring content creators. It’s also one of the best that we’ve used when it comes to video footage. Honor is definitely honing its software and hardware balance.
A Power packed Offering with Little to Lose with a Delicate Balancing Act between Software and Hardware for the Best Value
The Honor 90 is walking a delicate tightrope of features and price points. The performance of its software makes it a top contender for anyone looking for a value-for-money option for a smartphone. Extra emphasis on the value for money as the Honor 90 breaks a price point that other mid-range flagships dismiss readily. Its feature-packed software and selectively outstanding hardware make it worth every penny spent. You’ll be able to game on more intense games, create content capture memories and even multitask without breaking the RM2,500 price point. We’re comfortable calling this an unbeatable value smartphone.
Xiaomi just unveiled its latest Xiaomi 13T Series smartphones, and they’re all about helping you take your photography and videography to the next level. Co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 13T Series is touted to deliver stunning images and videos with authentic Leica colours and style.
Camera Technology Co-Engineered with Leica
The Xiaomi 13T Series features a triple camera setup with Summicron lenses from Leica. The main camera is a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens with a 24mm equivalent focal length and a 7P aspherical lens that captures more light and detail. There’s also a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with a 50mm equivalent focal length for close-up shots and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens for landscapes and group photos.
Xiaomi’s new Custom photographic styles feature in Pro mode lets you adjust Tone, Tonality, and Texture at the preset stage, so you can retain more details and colours for post-processing. You can also save your favourite presets for your own unique look.
With the Xiaomi 13T Pro, you can shoot videos in 10-bit LOG 4:2:0 H.265. This format gives you more control over colour and detail in post-production. The pre-installed Rec.709 LUT gives you an added professional touch for better colour accuracy and visual depth. You can also import your own LUT styles. The camera is also capable of 8K video recording, you can capture every memory in more detail than ever.
Long Battery Life, Crisp Visuals and Dolby Atmos
The Xiaomi 13T Series features a 6.67-inch CrystalRes Display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution (2712 x 1220 pixels). The display is also incredibly bright, with a peak brightness of 2600 nits. With 100% DCI-P3 gamut coverage and support for 68 billion colours, you’ll get stunning visuals with accurate colours and vibrant contrast. Completing the media experience is the built-in dual speakers that has Dolby Atmos support.
The Xiaomi 13T Series is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset in the Pro model and the MediaTek Dimensity 8200-Ultra in the standard model. Both chipsets should offer excellent performance and power efficiency. Powering this is a 5000mAh battery that supports Xiaomi’s 120W HyperCharge. This allows you to get 100% charge in under 20 minutes on the 13t Pro. The regular Xiaomi 13T, on the other hand, comes with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging.
Stylish with Substance
The Xiaomi 13T Series features a sleek and contemporary design. The Alpine Blue model has a premium Xiaomi BioComfort vegan leather back panel with a soft and delicate texture. Also along for the ride are the Meadow Green and Black models that come with glossy finishes. Both smartphones are tough and durable complete with IP68 water and dust resistance.
Together with a tough, stylish build. The Xiaomi 13T series comes with a guarantee for security and Android updates. Xiaomi is committed to providing four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 13T Series will be available for pre-order from September 27 to October 6, 2023. The Xiaomi 13T Pro price starts at MYR2,499, while the Xiaomi 13T starts at RM1,799.
Those who purchase a Xiaomi 13T series smartphone during the pre-order will get a premium package. This consists of free screen replacement (within six months upon purchase) worth RM 299; 100GB cloud storage on Google One for 6 months, and 1+1 years of extended warranty.
In addition to this, purchases made in-store or through Xiaomi’s online stores will be getting some freebies. The freebies are listed in the table below with the available variants and pricing for each.
Apple has just expanded its iCloud+ plans. Starting today, users have the option to pick from two new iCloud+ plans: 6TB for $29.99 per month and 12TB for $59.99 per month.
These plans come hot on the heels of Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro launch event, where the focus was on the impressive 48MP Main cameras, designed to deliver exceptional photo and video quality. With iCloud+, users can safely store extensive collections of high-resolution photos and videos in the cloud. This makes them accessible seamlessly across all their Apple devices and on the web. iCloud+ also helps you optimize space usage on your iPhones by automatically preserving beautiful, optimized versions of their media in the cloud while freeing up space.
Source: Apple
But that’s not all; iCloud+ offers a range of premium features like Private Relay that safeguards your Safari browsing, ensuring privacy from network providers, websites, and even Apple itself, all without compromising your browsing experience. It also comes with Hide My Email which allows users to generate unique, random email addresses whenever needed that can be used to sign up for newsletters and more without revealing your own email allowing you to sign up for newsletters, offers, and more without revealing your personal email address. You’ll also be able to access HomeKit Secure Video which stores home security videos with end-to-end encryption.
iCloud+ plans can be shared with up to five family members.
Qualcomm has just unveiled the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. This latest addition to the Snapdragon family brings a performance-centred processor built for midrange and entry-level devices.
Built on the 4nm process technology, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is geared to be a go-to choice for smartphone manufacturers aiming to strike the perfect balance between power and affordability. It opens up the market bringing more performance to a mid-range segment that is gaining momentum the world over.
Source: Xiaomi on Weibo
Now, you might be wondering about the peculiar name. To clear the air, there was no first-gen 7s, and it’s not a successor to the Snapdragon 7 either. The “s” remains a mystery, but it’s essentially a sign of streamlined specifications. Under the hood, the octa-core system on a chip comes with four high-performance cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four power-efficient cores humming at 1.95 GHz.
While the specifics of the Adreno GPU remain under wraps, it’s more than capable, supporting FHD+ resolution at 144 Hz. However, it’s worth noting that the FastConnect 6700 connectivity platform takes a step down compared to the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, with peak download speeds of 2.9 Gbps and Bluetooth support capped at 5.2. However, that doesn’t rule out low-energy audio needs.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 isn’t too shabby in the imaging department. Its Spectra ISP can handle cameras with resolutions of up to 200 MP and 4K video capture at 30 fps. Memory-wise, it supports up to LPDDR5 clocked at 3200 MHz. Other features include USB-C 3.1 and Quick Charge 4+.
Source: Xiaomi on Weibo
Xiaomi has unveiled that their upcoming Redmi Note 13 Pro will be one of the first smartphones sporting the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 system on a chip. The smartphone is the latest edition to Xiaomi’s renowned Redmi Note line which has always struck an enticing balance between performance and affordability. It will be truly exciting to see the chipset at work in the upcoming smartphone.
Where last week saw WhatsApp releasing a new Beta version that tells of things to come, this week sees WhatsApp releasing a new feature into their app to offer even more communication avenue and flexibility for its users. They call the new feature Channels, and it allows users to create a one-to-many communication channel. That allows corporate users or even celebrities and influencers to create a single messaging platform for brand-specific messages to all their subscribers, fans, and customers.
To be fair, the feature is not technically brand-new. The feature has been tested and piloted successfully in Colombia and Singapore. Following the success, WhatsApp thinks it is ready for primetime in 150 countries.
While it is designed for brands, organizations, and even celebrities to directly reach out to other their fans, customers, and communities without the clout of input from participants in the channel, WhatsApp is working to making the feature available and accessible to all WhatsApp users which might mean that you can try creating a channel on your own in the future. Participants in channels can also react with emoji rather than having access to the message board, which also means that user interaction within the channel is not completely culled.
Source: WhatsApp
There are concerns that it might be confusing for users to distinguish between a channel communication and regular chat since they will look similar through the interface. WhatsApp will be adding a new section just for Channels though, allowing you to quickly separate Channels communication and regular chats with your friends. That does not mean that you cannot use any messaging from Channels in your daily regular chats though. You still can forward messages from Channels to your friends or groups if you feel like you want to share some news. It might also encourage the larger adoption of Channels this way.
The WhatsApp Channels update should be coming to most users by the end of today (19th September 2023), at least according to the WhatsApp team from Meta. If you have not received the update or have not seen the update, you might want to check if your WhatsApp has been updated to the latest version or not via your Google Play Store or Apple App Store. For more information WhatsApp’s latest feature, you can head out to their blog.
Motorola is adding to their mid-range lineups with the release of two new devices, the Moto G54 and its unique variants in three different regions as well as the G84.
China and India first to unique variations of the G54
Motorola initially announced the Moto G54 to be available in both China and India. However, both regions will be getting the same device with slightly different specifications. Both market variants do share the same key components. They are powered by a Snapdragon 695 processor with 8 GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage. They also have a 6.5-inch 120Hz display, 50MP rear camera and 16MP front camera.
For the China market, the Moto G54 comes with a 5000 mAh battery with 15W wired charging, is thinner at 8.04mm thickness and weighs 179.7 grams. The secondary camera module on the rear is a 2MP depth sensor. A unique feature is the finish on the back. The device comes with a vegan leather back available in 3 colors; blue, green and magenta. The Moto G54 is available in China today on Lenovo CN website for 1099 Yuan (~RM707).
The Moto G54 available to India has a slight edge in hardware. It comes with a larger 6000 mAh battery with faster 33W wired charging, charger bundled together too. There is an option for a larger memory variant of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Perhaps the biggest difference lies in the processor, where it debuts the Mediatek Dimensity 7020 chipset in the Indian market. Additionally, the secondary rear camera module is also improved, with an 8MP ultrawide sensor.
With all this extra power, the Indian market variant of the Moto G54 is both thicker at 8.89mm, and heavier at 192 grams than its Chinese counterpart. While it may not have the vegan leather back, the rear plate is plastic with a glass-like finish, available in three colors; Mint Green, Pearl Blue, and Midnight Blue. The device is available today on the official Motorola India website, with prices starting at ₹15,999 (~RM900) for the 8GB RAM/128GB variant.
Moto G54 releases in Europe alongside the G84
Europe sees the debut of two devices from Motorola, with the Moto G54 and G84. The G54 variant in Europe is rather similar to the Chinese market variant. Powering the device is the Dimensity 7020 chipset with 8 GB of RAM with 256 GB of storage. It retains the 6.5-inch 120Hz display, 5000 mAh battery with 15W wired charging, 50 MP main camera and 2 MP macro shooter. It is available for €179 in four colors; Mint Green, Midnight Blue, Indigo Blue, and Glacier Blue.
The Moto G84 comes in slightly ahead of the G54 in the mid-range bracket for Motorola. It sports a more vibrant 6.5-inch pOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 695nm chipset supplemented with more RAM, 12GB specifically with 256GB storage. While it retains the 5000 mAh battery, it does have faster 30W wired charging. Cameras remain a 50MP main module and an 8MP ultrawide module on the rear.
And yes, the Moto G84 does come with the vegan leather back, this time with three color options; Midnight Blue, Marshmallow Blue and PANTONE™ Colour of the Year 2023 – Viva Magenta. The Moto G84 is available in Europe for a slightly higher price of €199 then the G54. Both the G54 and G84 are also now available in the UK for £179.99 and £249.99 respectively.
Blackmagic Design, the company behind the popular video editing software DaVinci Resolve, has just announced a new app: the “Blackmagic Camera” app for iPhones. What’s even more exciting? It’s absolutely free.
This app transforms your iPhone into a powerhouse for shooting professional-grade videos, giving you the feeling of working with top-tier camera equipment. The app brings powerful manual controls we’re used to seeing on high-end cameras to your fingertips.
So, what does this app bring to the table?
Blackmagic Camera empowers you with a plethora of manual controls, including shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and tint. You can even effortlessly switch between different lenses, frame rates, stabilization levels, and focus settings. The interface also houses essential features like recording parameters, histograms, focus peaking, levels, and more, making it a one-stop shop for videographers.
On top of that, the app brings the ability to record horizontal 16:9 video while holding your iPhone vertically. This discreet shooting option opens up new creative possibilities. Moreover, the app allows you to add metadata to simplify post-production tasks. If you’re an iPhone 15 Pro user, you’ll appreciate the compatibility with the new Log colour profile, ensuring top-notch video quality.
The app seamlessly integrates with DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Cloud. This means you can effortlessly sync your videos with these professional editing tools. However, you also have the flexibility to save your videos to the Photos app, share them with other apps, or store them on an external SSD.
Pricing & Availability
The Blackmagic Camera app is readily available for download on the App Store, and it won’t cost you a dime.
To unlock its full potential, all you need is an iPhone XR or a newer model running iOS 16 or later. It’s important to note that certain features, such as the Log colour profile, are exclusive to specific iPhone models due to hardware limitations.
HMD Global, the Finnish company renowned for resurrecting the Nokia brand, is embarking on a transformative journey. It intends to introduce smartphones under its very own HMD brand, diversifying its portfolio while continuing to develop Nokia phones.
The announcement comes directly from Jean-Francois Baril, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of HMD Global. According to his LinkedIn post, both HMD and Nokia phones will coexist, ensuring that consumers can still expect new Nokia devices. However, this bold move shows that HMD Global is ready to establish itself as an independent player in the telecommunications market.
The decision to venture into smartphones under its own brand might be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it’s indicative of the changing dynamics in the smartphone industry, where competition is fierce, and market trends are ever-evolving. By introducing its own brand, HMD Global aims to carve out a distinct identity and cater to the evolving needs of consumers.
Moreover, this strategic shift could be related to the forthcoming expiration of HMD’s licensing agreement with Nokia, which was initially inked in 2016. The agreement allowed HMD Global to reintroduce Nokia-branded devices to the market. With the expiration date approaching in 2026, HMD Global may be preparing for a future beyond Nokia-branded devices.
Source: HMD Global
The move to establish its own brand is not a sudden decision. HMD Global has been diligently building its brand for years with consistent filings with the EUIPO office. However, recent global challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, seem to have accelerated its quest to establish a unique identity in the industry.
Jean-Francois Baril emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and affordability, reflecting the company’s vision to offer high-quality yet affordable mobile devices to consumers worldwide. HMD Global takes pride in its position as one of the fastest-growing 5G smartphone manufacturers, showcasing its resilience in adapting to changing market dynamics.
With an extensive global distribution network, operational capabilities, and a robust in-house software development team, HMD Global appears well-prepared to make a significant impact in the consumer smartphone market. The company’s growth trajectory and sustainability efforts are key indicators of its readiness for this transformation.
The news of HMD Global’s independent smartphone brand has sparked various discussions among internet commentators. Speculation has arisen regarding the future of the Nokia brand, particularly amid rumours of its potential licensing to other companies, including Huawei. However, these discussions remain speculative.
