Category Archives: Android

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Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Fold4 Unpacked With More Productivity-Focused Features

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It would seem like the Galaxy Note needed to step aside to make way for the ultimate powerhouse productivity series. What exactly is it? The Galaxy Z Fold series of course. Samsung is packing even more features into its Galaxy Z Fold series to gear it up for even better productivity. The Galaxy Z Fold4 is a step in that direction.

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The new Galaxy Z Fold4 doesn’t bring a lot of changes in terms of design. However, it brings updated specifications that make it more in line with Samsung’s flagship smartphones than ever before. Samsung has also made design optimisations which have resulted in thinner bezels and a slimmer hinge as well.

First Foldable with Android L-Based OneUI 4.1.1 with a Productivity Power-up

Under the hood, the Z Fold4 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. In addition to the capable processor and ample RAM and storage, the Galaxy Z Fold4 will be the first device to ship with OneUI 4.1.1 based on Android 12L. The new version of Android brings Android optimisations for large displays which include better app scaling, optimised display layouts and also performance optimisations.

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Of course, Samsung has also added features to the mix which bring a new level of productivity. The new OneUI interface brings a Taskbar to the interface akin to the one you’re used to on your PCs. This taskbar will house your favourite and recent apps. It will allow you to switch between them with a single interaction. The Fold4 also brings new swipe gestures which allow you to multitask even easier. You’ll be able to resize full-screen apps into the windowed mode or split-screen mode with a single swipe.

In addition, Samsung has partnered with Google and Microsoft for better app compatibility. Google apps will have drag-and-drop functionality on the Fold4. You will be able to quickly drag and drop links, photos and more from one app to the other. Microsoft’s Office suite and Outlook will now also take full advantage of the foldable’s 7.6-inch QXGA and 6.2-inch HD+ displays. The apps have been optimised to take advantage of the foldable display. Increasing the amount of information shows accordingly.

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The Fold4 also continues to support the S Pen. However, it doesn’t have a dedicated slot like the S22 Ultra. Samsung has opted to continue supporting S Pen stowage with dedicated accessories and a Fold Edition of the S Pen. The Fold4 will support both the updated S Pen and also previous editions of the S Pen.

Flagship Class Cameras with Nightography

Samsung is also infusing the Galaxy Z Fold4 with its flagship DNA. This includes the camera setup on the foldable. The Z Fold4 will have 30X Space Zoom this year which puts it on par with the Galaxy S22 and S22+.

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The Fold4 will adopt a similar camera setup with a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor as the main sensor. This is complemented by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. This is essentially the same camera setup as the S22 and S22+ complete with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical image stabilization. On the front cover, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera while the main display continues to have a 4-megapixel under-display camera (UDC). Samsung claims that the UDC has been updated and functions better compared to the Fold3.

Of course, Samsung is also bringing all the bells and whistles which come with the camera setup. This includes Nightography.

Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy Fold4 will be available in Gray Green, Beige and Phantom Black. It will be available off the shelf with 256GB and 512GB of storage for MYR6,799 and MYR7,299 respectively.

There is also an exclusive Burgundy colour which will be available only on Samsung’s official website as well as a 1TB version which will retail at MYR8,299.

Android, Mobile, News

Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Flip4 Launches with BESPOKE Customization

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is arguably the most popular foldable smartphone series to date. With the introduction of the Z Flip3 last year, the smartphone saw an increased adoption worldwide. Even in Malaysia, the foldable has found its space in the hands of users.

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The Galaxy Z Flip4 builds on the successes of the Flip3; making smaller, minute changes to optimise durability and use features. The smartphone has a smaller footprint thanks mostly to its slimmer hinge and bezels. Aside from that, it would seem like the smartphone is the exact same device from last year. However, the smaller bezels and hinge contribute to a better in-hand feel and a more immersive user experience.

Flagship Class Specifications

This year’s Z Flip4 also comes with a top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Like previous entries into the Z Flip series, the Z Flip 4 will not be supporting additional memory with a microSD card.

When it comes to displays, the smartphone comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate. The Infinity Flex Display comes with an FHD+ resolution of 2640×1080 pixels in a 22:9 aspect ratio. On the front cover, the display is a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED Display with a 260×512 pixel display.

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On the camera front, the Galaxy Z Flip4 comes with a dual camera setup for its main shooter. This comes with a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for its main sensor. This sensor has an f/1.8 aperture, 83˚ field of view and a 1.8μm pixel size. It is also equipped with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical image stabilization. This is complemented by a 12-megapixel Ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, 123˚ field of view and a 1.8μm pixel size. On the front is a 10-megapixel Selfie camera with an f2.4, 1.22μm pixel size and an 80˚ field of view.

The smartphone runs on a 3,700mAh battery which supports 25W super fast charging. Samsung is touting a 50% charge in 30 minutes. It also supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless Power Share. Similar to the Galaxy Z Fold4, the Z Flip4 comes with IPX8 water and dust resistance and has Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.

Software and Features That Up the Ante

Of course, when it comes to the Z Flip4, it cannot only be about the specifications. Samsung has baked in a whole lot of features into the software this time around. Many of these features made their debut with the Galaxy S22 series and continue to be included in the Z Flip4’s OneUI 4.1.1.

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One such feature is Nightography. The feature, powered by Galaxy AI brings a whole new meaning to night photography on Samsung devices. It allows stunning photos to be taken in dark, low-light situations. Galaxy AI takes multiple exposures and composites them into a stunning final image.

Together with that hallmark camera feature, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is also introducing FlexCam. FlexCam allows users to use the camera in multiple different orientations and angles thanks to the hinge of the Z Flip4. In addition, users are also able to hold the smartphone like a handicam for better angles and control while shooting. It also allows you to take photos and videos hands-free.

Personalise Your Own BESPOKE Edition Galaxy Z Flip4

After what looks to be a successful staged introduction of their BESPOKE edition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 will launch with BESPOKE customisation in select countries. For the first time, it will be available in Malaysia as well.

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The Galaxy Z Flip4 BESPOKE Edition will offer custom designs of the smartphone. Users will be able to choose from a selection of glass backs, fronts and frame options. Users will be able to choose from Black, Silver, or Gold frames and Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki or Red face and back plates depending on your region. There are a total of 75 combinations available for the BESPOKE Edition.

Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip4 will be available in four colours off the shelf: Bora Purple, Blue, Pink Gold and Graphite. Users will be able to t choose between 128GB, 256GB and 512GB versions. The BESPOKE Edition will only be available in 256GB. Prices are as follows:

ModelRRP
Galaxy Z Flip4 (128GB)RM4,099
Galaxy Z Flip4 (256GB)RM4,399
Galaxy Z Flip4 (512GB)RM4,899
Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition[1] (256GB)RM4,599

[1] Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition is exclusively available on samsung.com/my  

Android, Mobile, News

HONOR X8 5G Available in Malaysia for MYR999

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HONOR is adding yet another affordable option to its stable of devices in Malaysia. This time the company is expanding its mid-range offerings with the HONOR X8 5G. The new smartphone comes in both 4G and 5G flavours. Both of which are running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile.

The HONOR X8 4G will be equipped with the Qualcom Snapdragon 680 processor; while the 5G version will be running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+. The former is fabricated using Qualcomm’s 6nm process while the latter uses Qualcomm’s 8nm process. As we’ve seen in the past, the newer 6nm process has better battery efficiency. That said, both are Octa-core processors with the power efficient big.LITTLE architecture. Both versions are complemented with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The HONOR X8 4G does not support microSD card memory expansion however the HONOR X8 5G does.

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The camera setup on both are also slightly different. The 4G version comes with a quad camera setup with a 64-megapixel main camera. This sensor comes with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and is complemented by a 5-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel macro and a second 2-megapixel depth sensor. The HONOR X8 5G comes with a triple camera setup with a 48-megapixel main sensor complete with PDAF. The setup is complemented by two 2-megapixel sensors for depth and macro. On the front the X8 5G comes with aan 8-megapixel sensor while the 4G comes with a 16-megapixel sensor.

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Source: HONOR

The 4G HONOR X8 also comes with a larger 6.7-inch FHD+ display while the 5G version has a 6.5-inch HD+ display. The 5G version comes with a TFT-LCD panel while the 4G version is equipped with a IPS-LCD panel. The latter also has a 90Hz refresh rate. No official note on the refresh rate of the 5G version is available. They also have different sized batteries with the 4G version coming with a smaller 4,000mAh battery while the 5G version has a 5,000mAh one.

Other than that the two versions share mostly the same specifications supporting A-GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO for GPS. Both support Bluetooth LE and A2DP with the 5G version supporting the more current Bluetooth 5.1. Both charge via USB Type-C port with support for 22.5W fast charging. They also feature side-mounted fingerprint sensors.

Pricing & Availability

The HONOR X8 is currently available at MYR899. It’s available in three colours: Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue and Midnight Black.

The HONOR 8X 5G is available in Midnight Black and Ocean Blue at MYR999. Purchases of the 8X 5G are also entitled to a year’s extended warranty.

Android, Business, Computers, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Google Duo Meets Google Meet 

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Google is rather funny, if not indecisive. If you remembered, Google launched a few of their own services that seemed like a great idea. Google+ for example, seemed like a good idea for a Google social media platform. It failed miserably though, even though it comes with Google account as standard. Then there is Google Workspace, which was a rather great implementation of a collaboration platform that is like Trello. They axed the project a little later though.  

A little while ago, Google had something called Hangouts, a video calling platform available to users for free. It is now known as Google Meet, but there is also a separate app called Google Chats as well. But there is also another video calling app from Google called Google Duo. Google Duo did not really take off though, despite being a mobile first app. It will also be known as Google Meet soon. 

In some sense, you can say that this is Google consolidating their video calling apps into one. In the coming months, Google’s blue coloured Duo icon will replaced by the colourful Google Meet logo. Which also means that you might have two Google Meet on your smartphone in the future.  

The Google Duo app will still be constantly updated for the time being, which means you should not be too alarmed about not being able to enjoy the Google Duo app any longer. New users should be downloading the new Google Meet app with Duo integrated into the app though. There is a possibility of an app overlap, in this case, but you may not have to worry about that entirely with the new updates. 

The move to integrate Duo into Meet is not a surprise move by Google. Google has announced that their Google Duo app is meant to be integrated into Google Meet in the coming months since June 2022. Consolidating these apps are essentially the best way for Google to single-handedly manage their apps. Managing a single app will also proof much more viable and straightforward for Google. Users can expect to see their Google Duo app turn intot Google Meet in September 2022.  

Android, Mobile, News

OnePlus Announces the OnePlus 10T 5G Without the Notification Slider But With 15 Antennae

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OnePlus seems to be returning to its “Never Settle” roots with the announcement of its latest flagship – the OnePlus 10T 5G. The new smartphone is poised to be one of the most affordable flagships this year and focuses on top-notch performance – even in extreme temperatures.

Never Settle with Flagship Specifications

The OnePlus 10T comes equipped with the latest from Qualcomm – the Snapdragon 8+Gen 1. Complementing this is the highest amount of RAM to be on a OnePlus smartphone – 16GB. The 10T also features RAM expansion which allows you to get a further 7GB of RAM for buttery smooth performance. This comes in addition to the new software enhancements that come in OxygenOS 12.1. OnePlus is touting that these enhancements and the RAM allow the smartphone to perform even with 35 apps suspended in the background.

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That said, the OnePlus 10T isn’t just about processing. It comes with a 6.7-inch, Fluid AMOLED display capable of 120Hz refresh rates, a 720Hz response rate and HDR10+. It also has adaptive refresh rate technology which allows the display to adapt the refresh rate to suit your content. Higher refresh rates will be used when doing things like gaming while battery performance will be prioritised when doing things like reading with lower refresh rates.

The one big omission in the OnePlus 10T is the notification slider which was the company’s signature. However, OnePlus is making up for that with better connectivity. The 10T comes with 15 antennae and AI enhancements that allow it to have better connectivity and network performance.

1-100% in 19 Minutes with SuperVOOC Endurance Edition

Speaking of battery life, the OnePlus 10T comes with a 4,800mAh battery which charges via the USB-C 2.0 port on the phone. It supports SuperVOOC Charging of up to 150W. With SuperVOOV Endurance Edition, the 10T can get a day’s battery life with 10 minutes of charging. A full charge from 1-100% will only take 19 minutes.

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With the growing concern of fast charging affecting battery health, OnePlus is bringing what they call the Battery Health Engine to the 10T. This system will work to ensure the best battery performance with minimal loss in battery capacity. The OnePlus 10T is also equipped with two charging pumps instead of the conventional single pump. This allows the phone to charge at faster speeds more efficiently with reduced heat and greater safety.

Unibody Design with 3 Cameras

The OnePlus 10T comes with a unibody design. The phone has been designed to be ergonomic and feels good in the hand. The rounded edges on the back make it easy to hold and manoeuvre the flat display with one hand. OnePlus has also given the smartphone a signature Jade Green colourway which is accented with a punch of deep metallic green.

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Within the deep green portion lies the smartphone’s triple camera setup. Yep – triple camera. The new triple camera setup consists of a wide, ultrawide and macro sensor. The main sensor of the 10T is the 50–megapixel Sony IMX766 which comes equipped with optical image stabilization and improved HDR performance. This main sensor is complemented by an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. On the front is a 16-megapixel sensor for selfies.

Pricing & Availability

The OnePlus 10T will be available in Jade Green and Moonstone Black globally. For now, it looks like only the Jade Green version of the smartphone will be making its way to Malaysia.

It will be available in three variants: 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, 12GB RAM with 256GB of storage and 16GB RAM with 256GB of storage. The 12GB version seems to be exclusive to India. Early access starts on 3rd August 2022 on OnePlus.com. It will be available in stages across different regions starting with Europe.

Pre-orders in Europe start today, 3rd August with general availability on the 25th of August. In the U.S. pre-orders will begin on 1 September 2022 with general availability on 29th September. It will be available in Malaysia starting on 1 September 2022.

No official pricing for Malaysia has been announced just yet. However, prices in other regions are as follows:

VariantPrice (USD)Price (Europe)Price (UK)Price (India)
8GB + 128GB $649
[MYR2892.59]		€699
[MYR3164.51]		£629
[MYR3406.48]		₹49,999
[MYR2817.61]
12GB + 256GB–––₹54,999
[MYR3099.38]
16GB + 256GB$749
[MYR3338.29]		€799
[MYR3617.23]		£729
[MYR3948.05]		₹55,999
[MYR3155.73]
Android, Mobile, News

Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 Rumour Round-Up

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The Samsung Galaxy Flip 3 was arguably the tipping point for consumers when it came to foldables. It was more accessible and also provided features and experiences that made sense to consumers. This year, with the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4, we’re expecting Samsung to bring a more tailored experience while maintaining the familiar form factor of the Flip series.

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    Source: 91mobiles.com
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With the increasing popularity, it comes as no surprise that Samsung is looking to make their foldables more mainstream and give each model its own identity. To that end, it looks like the Galaxy Z moniker will be laid to rest. The newest generation of foldables is seemingly being rebranded as the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 and the Galaxy Fold 4 with no “Z”s in sight.

Same, Same But Different

It looks like the Galaxy Flip 4 will be retaining the design of the Flip 3 with minor tweaks. This isn’t new when it comes to Samsung. They’ve already done this with the S22 and even their new Galaxy A series. It seems to be their MO at the moment releasing a smartphone with a new design every few years and tweaking it for the following. This tick-tock strategy may help in the long term as more people become more familiar not only with the brand but also each line’s design cues.

The Galaxy Flip 4 will be retaining the dual coloured design of the Flip 3. However, there will be minor differences that adapt to the updated tech in the smartphone. The most obvious is apparently the redesigned, slimmer hinge. While it doesn’t look like Samsung is making major changes to the hinge, according to Ice Universe on Twitter, the hinge is now significantly narrower than the Flip 3.

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Source: Evan Blass (@evleaks) via 91mobiles.com

Rumours also point to the Galaxy Flip 4 being launched with four colour options: Bora purple, Light Blue, Gray and Gold. The colours are a welcomed update to the colours of the Flip 3 but there are also inklings that there will be a Bespoke edition which will allow for more than 70 colour combinations.

Better Tech. A True Flagship.

While the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 3 were flagships in their own right, their insides left a lot of enthusiasts wanting. The Z Flip, in particular, came with a dated processor and specifications that left us scratching our heads. That seems to be changing with the Flip 4. The Galaxy Flip 4 is rumoured to be coming equipped with the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. That’s a major upgrade which puts it on par with other flagships that have just been released in the past few months.

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    Source: 91mobiles.com
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That said, the Flip 4 seems to be a little more conservative when it comes to RAM and storage. Rumours indicate that the foldable will be coming with a max of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It looks like there will be no support for microSD cards. The lack of microSD card support seems to be an industry standard with smartphones anyways. While there are some rumours that point to a larger 512GB version being available, nothing has been corroborated yet.

The Flip 4 is also rumoured to get a bump in battery capacity as well. While there isn’t anything solid at the moment, it looks like the battery capacity will be rated at about 3,400mAh. However, there are rumours that it may be a larger 3,700mAh. Samsung also looks to be using the same approach to battery technology as the previous Flip smartphones with the battery comprising of two units.

More Cover Display, Same Cameras?

The cover display is also getting a small upgrade. It will be a tad larger at 2.1-inches compared to the 1.5-inches previously. However, the cover display has always depended on its software not its size when it comes to functionality.

On the camera end of things, it looks like Samsung is keeping to the status quo with the dual camera setup we’ve become accustomed to on the Flip. It seems like they will also remain at 12-megapixels with a wide and ultra wide sensor. On the front, we may see the same 10-megapixel sensor or maybe a bump to a larger 32-megapixels as we’ve seen in other Samsung flagships. It also looks like the fingerprint sensor will continue to be integrated into the power button with the Flip 4.

More Affordable? More Premium?

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Source: 91mobiles.com

The Galaxy Flip has historically become more affordable with each iteration. The Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G came at such a premium that it wasn’t the most appealing foldable. However, Samsung changed that with the Z Flip 3. With the Galaxy Flip 4, rumours point to the price getting even more affordable with prices starting at about GBP£900 (MYR4,885.79). That said, more recent rumours indicate a price increase in Europe. We’ll have to wait and see.

Availability

The latest editions of these smartphones are expected to be unveiled later this month on 10 August 2022 during Samsung’s Fall Unpacked press conference. If history is any indication, we can expect pre-orders to follow immediately after the announcement. In fact, Samsung is giving customers an MYR200 voucher to put towards their purchase of the Flip 4 or Fold 4 if you register your interest for the device at Samsung.com.

We’re expecting that the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 will be commercially available towards the end of August; probably around the 25th of August. This is based on previous announcements of the Galaxy S22 and Fold3.

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Audio Switching on Android, Coming Soon by Google 

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Bluetooth, we think, is a gift to the world. It is the alternative to Wi-Fi. In its current Bluetooth 5.0 generation, the technology is better than it has even been. Over a short distance, it is one of the best ways to transfer large amounts of data. It allows multiple devices to be connected simultaneously. It is also the most stable type of short-range connection you can get in your mobile devices today at ultra-low latency. 

That is why it is the preferred connection when it comes to your portable and wireless audio gear. Microsoft and Google have made it a point to allow for certified Bluetooth devices to connect to their devices much quicker and easier. The Quick Pair and Fast Pair functions saves us users a lot of time in connecting our Bluetooth gear. 

There is a problem with all these conveniences however, or rather, an inconvenience. Especially since multi-device connectivity is available on Bluetooth earphones, getting your devices or audio coming out from the right devices seems to be an issue today. For you to switch audio input from one device to the other is still a manual labour, no more inconvenient that just completely switching your Bluetooth earphone’s input source.  

Google Audio Switching 

According to Google’s blog post, their audio switching technology works on top of their Fast Pair algorithm. That also means that you do need to have a Bluetooth device that supports Google Fast Pair for it to work. Most new Bluetooth enabled wireless headphones today, save for Apple’s offerings, features Fast Pair anyway. 

They explained that using contextual information on what you are listening to, the algorithm automatically switches your audio input based on your actions. The algorithm is also highly dependent on audio prioritization to determine which audio source should be prioritized over which. For example, if your headset is connected to both your tablet and your smartphone and you are listening to music on your tablet and you received a simple notification on your smartphone, your gear should not be switching sources. When you get a call on your phone, for example, only then your audio source should prioritize the phone call and switch its source to your smartphone immediately. 

While there is a default priority setting to what your Bluetooth device prioritizes, Google is also giving users the ability to select and customize the experience on their own. At the same time, the experience will not only be limited to Fast Pair enabled Bluetooth audio gear connected to Android or Google devices only. The feature will also be available for all devices that support Bluetooth multipoint connection allowing you to have the convenience of quickly switching audio sources from your smartphone to your Windows laptop and vice versa.  

Currently, Google will be rolling out the new feature update to their own Pixel Buds Pro first. They say that they are rolling out the updates to their manufacturing partners like Sony and JBL over the next few weeks. From then on it is just a matter of time before the current line-up of Sony and JBL Bluetooth headsets get the update from the manufacturer’s end. You do not necessarily need an app to toggle audio switching as well, you just need to head into ‘Device details’ in the general Bluetooth settings page.  

Android, iOS, Mobile, News

Move to iPhone They Said, WhatsApp Can Moved There They Said – Wait, What?

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For the longest time, one of the biggest problems when it comes to moving from one smartphone platform to the other is data transfers and backup. To be fair, when you change from one Android manufacturer to the other, transferring your data can be as easy as setting up a Wi-Fi Direct connection with your older device today. It is a slightly different story when you shift from Android to an iPhone platform though. You tend to have to accept that most of your data will be gone and you must start building your own ecosystem from scratch. One of those databases that might be important to you is your messenger data, specifically WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is one of the only messengers currently active within both the Android and iOS ecosystem that relies on storing data locally. While that is better in terms of security, privacy, and encryption, it makes life a little difficult when you want to transfer your data between devices. For Android devices, WhatsApp can work with Google’s Drive platform to offer data backup and restoration. In iOS devices, WhatsApp relies on Apple’s iCloud service, which is a completely different platform entirely that has nothing to do with Google’s Drive cloud storage platform. That creates a problem when you shift from Android devices to iOS devices and vice versa.

Luckily, WhatsApp knows that this is a problem and has been working hard to rectify the issue, just so that users have more options in terms of choosing their next devices. Now, they have found a sort of solution. We say sort of because it currently only works one way and not the other.

WhatsApp has released an additional app that is available for free on the Google Play Store to make this shift happen. They call it the ‘Move to iOS’ app, which may be rather unoriginal, but straightforward. There are a few requirements to transferring your WhatsApp data from your old Android to your new iPhone though.

First, you need at least Android 5 installed on your device, which should not be too hard if you own a smartphone within the last 5 years. Second, you want to ensure that your new iPhone device packs iOS 15.5 and above, which also should not be too difficult if you go for the latest iPhone devices anyway. Of course, you need to install Move to iOS app as well on your Android device. WhatsApp must be updated too for this to work. You need at least WhatsApp version 2.22.7.74 for your Android device and WhatsApp version 2.22.10.70 for your iPhone. The iPhone device must also be a fresh unit or factory reset unit to pair with the Android app. Then you must ensure that both devices are being plugged in and charged, for some reason. Both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi umbrella, or the Android device must be connected to the receiving iPhone’s hotspot. Of course, the phone number used must be the same.

Once you tick all those boxes, you want to head to the Move to iOS app on your donor Android device and start the process. The process itself is rather straightforward and easy to follow. Once you get on your iPhone, you simply have to log into WhatsApp with your attached phone number and sign in to the messages and other medias waiting for you.

There are no cloud backups, uploads, or download process in this process. Everything is done through Wi-Fi Direct to your iPhone. There is technically no way to monitor the data transfer progress via WhatsApp as well currently. At the same time, like with any WhatsApp transfer, your data is not moved to the new device, it is merely copied. So, if you sign into your Android device after the transfer, you will still have everything in place. There is also a few things you cannot transfer from the Android to the iPhone; namely your personal messages, and peer to peer payment messages (Not like this works in Malaysia currently anyway).

Like we said, the migration is a one-way street currently. There is no easy way for you to transfer your WhatsApp messages and data from the iPhone to an Android device currently. Obviously, transferring WhatsApp data from an iOS to Android devices can be a little complex given the various Android devices you get from differing manufacturers with different standards of complexity as well. If WhatsApp can be transferred from an Android to iOS though, you can expect the reverse to come soon.

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

OnePlus Nord 2T 5G Hits Malaysian Shores for MYR 1,899 Onward! 

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In the early days of OnePlus, they have always adopted the moniker of a ‘flagship killer’. They were offering flagship level smartphones at a much lower price point. Over the years though, things have changed a little. While their flagships have gotten much better, as per flagships in the modern era, their price points have also gone higher than before. Their flagships smartphones can no longer be called ‘flagship killers’. They are just flagships now. 

The ‘flagship killer’ moniker did not die though with the introduction of the OnePlus’ Nord mid-range smartphone. The first Nord was through and through a mid-range smartphone. It offered a mid-range smartphone experience that is rather close or comparable to most flagships in the modern era though. It was also offered at a much lower price point.  

Of course, the first-generation Nord, however good it was, must be replaced with a new one. The latest one of the bunch is the Nord 2T 5G. Welcome to the flagship experience, but at a fraction of the price. 

Flagship Level Speeds 

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At MYR 1,899, it is not the cheapest mid-range smartphone you can find in the market. At the same time, on paper, it could be one of the most value packed smartphones you can find in its segment.  

For starters you get MediaTek’s Dimensity 1300 5G system on a chip (SoC). On paper at least, the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful SoC in its class. It also packs improved AI and imaging capabilities for improved photo and video processing. Thanks to the new SoC, videos can be taken in HDR as well. Working with Sony’s DOL-HDR technology brightness, colours, and even contrasts in videos are improved greatly for natural looking videos with accurate colours. You can also shoot videos at 960fps slow motion with the new processing power from the SoC. 

Alongside the 3GHz clocked SoC you may find a 12GB (up to) RAM for that smooth and snappy multitasking mode. When you need more, the clever Oxygen OS 12.1 can allocate up to 5GB of your 256GB (up to) storage as temporary RAM for even better experience. For more stable connectivity on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the device packs Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Hybrid 2.0 technology. 

Class-Topping Display 

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Displaying Oxygen OS 12.1 on top of Android 12 in all its glory is a large 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. The AMOLED panel refreshes at up to 90Hz for that extra smooth feel when scrolling through the interface. With HDR10+ support also, movies with HDR support should look better than good.  

Super Cameras 

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Out the back is the same 50-Megapixel shooter you can find on OnePlus’ falgship OnePlus 10 Pro. The Sony IMX766 features a large 1/1.56-inch sensor with optical image stabilisation that allows for more light to be captured for more natural looking and better detailed photos. On the side, there is an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide camera for when you need more things to fit into the display. Out the front is also the same 32-Megapixel shooter you can find on the OnePlus 10 Pro.  

Thanks to the Dimensity 1300 SoC’s improved camera AI performance, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G’s camera can shoot even better in low-light conditions. Of course, the fact that the larger 50-Megapixel sensor allows for 56% more light to be captured helps with low-light photography as well. 

Long Lasting, Fast Charging 

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To keep the Nord 2T 5G running an entire day and more is a large 4,500 mAh built-in battery. If that is not enough to keep you going, the device features SuperVOOC ultra-fast charging technology that charges the device at up to 80W. At that kind of speed, the device can be charged from nothing to 100% in a single 27-minute charge. It also supposedly takes only 15-minutes for a charge that lasts an entire day.  

Price and Availability 

The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G will be available at OnePlus authorised retailers, their own webstore, and their official online stores on Shopee and Lazada from the 19th of July 2022 onward. It comes in either Gray Shadow (only 12GB + 256GB) and Jade Fog (only 8GB + 128GB). The Nord 2T 5G will set you back MYR 2,099 and MYR 1,899 respectively. More on the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G can be found on their website.  

Android, Mobile, News

Much Ado About Nothing? Not Really… Meet the Nothing Phone (1)

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Carl Pei’s Nothing is at it again trying to redefine a smartphone. He successfully redefined the flagship smartphone while he helmed OnePlus. Now, he’s taking another go at it with the Nothing Phone (1). The new smartphone defies expectations and chooses to focus on the core user experiences instead of high powered hardware.

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Source: Nothing

That isn’t to say that the Nothing Phone (1) is packing a punch. It comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor. According to Carl Pei, the company opted for a more reliable processor instead of the latest and greatest on paper. This was influenced by their drive to build a smartphone with their instincts rather than the data. The Snapdragon 778G+ comes with a 6nm archiecture which brings the best of battery life and performance. The Octacore processor also brings 5G connectivity and also Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

When it comes to design, the Nothing Phone (1) is made of a combination of plastics, glass and aluminium. During the launch, Carl Pei highlighted that none of the surfaces with which a user interacts is made of plastic. In fact, the front and back of the smartphone is made with Gorilla Glass 5 while the frame and bezel are made of recycled aluminium. The Phone (1) is possibly one of the more ecofriendly phones out there with more than 50% of its plastics being bioplastics. Even the tin used for soldering is 100% recycled.

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Source: Nothing

The Nothing Phone (1) is keeping to the utilitarian approach which the company is becoming known for. Its version of Android is barebones and brings the best features of Android. Like the processor, the company is looking to focus on stability and quality. They believe that their approach to software will give their users a better, more reliable software experience. Of course, they are bringing in features that allow the Phone (1) to play nice with their own Ear (1) earbuds. This takes the form of controls front and center in the dock for active noise cancellation and more. The company is also looking to the future by creating their own NFT widget which allows users to display their collection or view floor prices for NFTs. Nothing is also promising 3 years of major Android Updates and 4 years of security patch updates rolled out every 2 months.

Carl Pei
Source: Twitter

“At the beginning of the smartphone revolution, it felt like this amazing product category complete changed we lived, the way we communicate and, lately, it feels like – after a slew of more and more similar products, and more and more uninspiring products – that somehow the smartphone revolution has ended.“

Carl Pei, CEO and Co-Founder of Nothing

When it comes to cameras, the Phone (1) isn’t packing an extensive multi sensor setup. Instead, they are focusing on the essentials and looking to deliver a more consistent and well rounded experience with a dual 50-Megapixel setup. The main sensor is the Sony IMX766 bolstered with opitcal image stabilization and electronic image stabilization for better quality. This is complemented by the ultrawide Samsung JN1 with 114° field of view. The main camera setup is also capable of 4K recording at 30 frames per second. Up front is a 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 sensor with an f/2.5 aperture.

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Source: Nothing

The Phone (1) comes with a 6.55-inch, FHD+ OLED display. It has a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels and a 500 nits brightness. Peak brightness tops out at 1,200nits. The display on the Phone (1) is a little unique in that it’s a flexible OLED panel. No – the screen is not curved, it’s flat. However, the design team opted for a flexible panel to bring a sense of symmetry to the face of the phone. The flexible display allowed them to bend the connectors backwards which allowed the display to be more symmetrical. It has support for HDR+ with 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz sampling rate.

All of these specs are powered by a 4,500mAh battery which Nothing touts to provide more than a day’s battery life. It also supports 33W fast charging over USB-C with support for PowerDelivery 3.0. It also has support for 15W Qi wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging. According to Nothing, the Phone (1) will have a complete charge in 70 minutes with wired charging and in 120 minutes when charged wirelessly.

The Glyph Interface

The one feature which sets the Nothing Phone (1) apart from the competition is the Glyph Interface. The interface is essentially a series of LED lights which will illuminate according to different setting which the user can customise. The Glyph Interface is also Nothing’s approach to allowing users to know who’s contacting them even when in silent mode.

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Source: Nothing

For now, the Glyphs can be customised to flash to help identify specific contacts. It’s also a complement to the silent mode on the Phone (1). Simply flipping the phone over with glyphs up will put phone in silent mode. The Glyphs will then flash when calls come in and if the call comes from a user defined caller, the pattern of the flashing will follow the customized one.

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Nothing is touting this as the start of what can be done with the Glyph Interface. The company is building more features while working with its community.

Pricing & Availability

The Nothing Phone (1) will be available in both Black and White starting on 16th July 2022. From 16th July until 20 July, it will be available exclusively at the Nothing Kiosk in London in limited quantities. There will be partner drops from 18 July 2022 both online an in-store while open sales will begin on 21 July 2022.

The Phone (1) will be priced at GBP£399 (MYR2,110.74) for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage version. The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage version will be retailing for GBP£449 (MYR2,375.11) while a 12GB RAM + 256GB storage version will be retailing for GBP£499 (MYR2,639.60).

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Source: Nothing

It will be available in Malaysia on 18 July 2022 with an exclusive drop via Crossover on its online store and in-store. Starting on 1 August 2022, the Nothing Phone (1) will be available at all major electronics retailers including SenQ, Satu Gadget, DirectD, and TMT. It will also be available online on Nothing’s official LAZADA and Shopee stores. Prices in Malaysia are MYR 2,399 for the 8GB+256GB version and MYR2,699 for the 12GB+256GB version.

Official Specifications

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