Category Archives: News

Zenly Lets You Track People and It’s Blowing Up on TikTok

It’s not every day that we see an app blow up because of a social media trend. However, it looks like Zenly is experiencing a spike in popularity thanks to a growing trend on TikTok. The app has seen a 121% growth in active users since the trend gained popularity.

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Source: Zenly

Zenly is an app that allows you to track other people. The app began to see a spike when the trend of showing screen recordings of your loved ones moving on the map in real-time started to gain popularity. The screen recording is accompanied by the song “Segala” by Mohd Mentor. According to Zenly, the trend helped highlight one of the app’s key features which is to allow users to “look out for loved ones and know what they are up to and ensure they are safe”. In fact, the team at Zenly confirmed that the app is frequently used by couples. Some other demographics using the app include best friends, siblings, roommates, and colleagues.

If you recognise the app’s interface, don’t be too surprised. Zenly is part of the Snap Inc family so you probably recognise the interface from the Snapchat app. The app is popular in countries like Japan, Russia, Indonesia and France.

Android is FINALLY Optimizing for Larger Screens with Android 12L

Android tablets have long been a sore spot for the ecosystem. In fact, Android as an ecosystem has hardly made any progress to make the operating system more usable on tablets and larger displays. Currently, these devices use a supersized version of regular Android. Some manufacturers such as Samsung have added some software features to their tablets to further optimise the experience.

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Source: Google

You may be wondering, “Didn’t Google introduce optimisations with Android Honeycomb?”. The short answer – yes they did. That said, since then, many of these changes have been rolled back. Years after the fact, it looks like Google is finally addressing the issue at a root OS level.

Mid-life Update for Android 12

Android 12L is an upcoming update that will introduce changes that will optimise the operating system for tablets and foldable devices. Android 12L will be rolled out as a mid-life update for Android 12. L, of course, stands for Large. That said, the update to Android 12L is also bringing an update when it comes to SDK. The current Android 12 SDK is known to developers as API Level 32. The new API level brings significant changes in how Android deals with and recognises large screens and foldables.

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The new API level brings a focus on multitasking and maximising the additional forms and display space that comes with larger devices. The biggest change in the SDK is apps defaulting to multitasking mode for apps to help with compatibility and scalability. Google is also streamlining scalability. “WindowMetics” and “WindowSizeClasses” APIs will address developers’ woes in developing for the wide variety of different sizes present on Android devices. The new APIs will provide information and guides or “opinionated layout breakpoints” which will allow devs to better optimise and adapt.

Visually Improved and Geared for Productivity

With the introduction of better app adaptability with “WindowsSizeClasses”, it comes as no surprise that Android 12L will come with graphical changes that help with multitasking. The biggest change comes in the system menus and UI elements. These have been updated to support two columns graphically. We’ve seen this layout previously in devices like the iPad and also Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 series. The two columns allow more actionable content to be shown at a glance making it easier to get to options. The new layout defaults also make their way to the notification shade allowing users to see and access more on larger screens.

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12L is also bringing along a new taskbar. The taskbar is akin to the one Android had in Honeycomb but brings a sharper focus on multitasking. The new taskbar will allow users to drag apps into split-screen and multiwindow mode seamlessly. Apps across the board will be able to do this regardless of optimisations. Devs will need to optimise for the best compatibility. However, if the app isn’t updated, it will be forced into compatibility mode. In addition to behaving more like Windows and macOS taskbar, the navigation on larger screens will be relegated to the corner of the taskbar for more ergonomic accessibility.

Better App Visibility on the Google Play Store

In addition to the visual changes and software optimisation, Google is also finally addressing the app situation on the Google Play Store. Using some of the optimisation and new APIs available in Android 12L, Google will be surfacing apps better optimised for tablets and larger screens more efficiently. The Google Play Store itself is getting a visual update to better utilise large screens. Users will be able to have better access to different pages and options at a glance.

Google will also be introducing new checks to assess large-screen apps. These checks will allow Google to better surface properly optimised apps. In addition, they are introducing large-screen specific app ratings. Larger screen devices will also be prompted when apps are ill-optimised.

Release & Development

With the announcement of Android 12L, it comes as no surprise that we are eager to see these optimisations make their way to larger devices soon. According to the announcement, there will be a developer preview with three betas before the final release in Q1 2022. The developer preview is currently available for the Lenovo Tab P2 and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold3.

HUAWEI MateBook 14s Launches in Malaysia from MYR 4,999 – HUAWEI Says It Is the New Way to Work

We live in a weird time. We live in a time where buying a laptop from a smartphone manufacturer is normal. If you think about it, it was not so long ago too that HUAWEI decided that they want a slice of the mobile computing market.

Meet the HUAWEI MateBook series, premium notebook PCs made with the HUAWEI ecosystem in mind. They were designed to be the perfect companion for HUAWEI’s range of smartphone and tablet products. They were made to be the best type of laptop to work with if you own a HUAWEI device. They were the only products that did not get the axe from American companies in the dram that was the United States trade ban debacle.

Fast forward to 2021, nothing much has changed. There are some changes in the world around HUAWEI though. There is a brand-new Intel processor, an 11th generation wonder of a mobile chip. It also seems like there is going to be a new Microsoft Windows version just around the corner, and the new hardware is primed to take up the new Operating System (OS). HUAWEI needed to get modern to be in the world of workplace laptops. They did with the new HUAWEI MateBook 14s.

The HUAWEI MateBook 14s follows the philosophy of HUAWEI’s premium line-up of laptops. It is an ultra-thin, and ultra-light notebook PC for the working professionals. It is an ultrabook for the road warrior, or the person who has been working from home for the past two years and is continuing to work from home now.

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Source: HUAWEI

The new MateBook 14s is powered by Intel’s latest 11th Generation Core processor. You get to spec it up with up to the Core i7-11370H processor. The latest processors are considered to be Intel’s most efficient one yet. 

Intel did not certify the HUAWEI MateBook 14s as an Intel EVO laptop, but it has everything that you could want from an Intel EVO platform, if you are looking for that sort of thing. It has Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics to handle a high-resolution display and any of its requirements. It also has up to 16GB of RAM, ample amount for a work laptop. You even get up to 1TB in SSD storage, if you wish for it. With WiFi 6 in tow, you really wonder with the HUAWEI MateBook 14s does not come packing Intel EVO’s sticker.

You get all sorts of I/O with this Matebook 14s as well to make it the perfect work mate. There are two USB type-C ports that supports charging and Thunderbolt 4 capabilities (only Core i7 version, 2nd USB Type-C port). You also get a full HDMI port alongside a USB 3.2 Gen1 type-A port on the HUAWEI MateBook 14s. It is as versatile as it looks. It even has a fingerprint sensor with Windows Hello for protection. Thankfully as well, the webcam has been shifted up to the top of the display instead of being hidden in one of the keycaps.

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The 14-inch display is a stunning one too at 90Hz. It is a 2.5K display instead of a Full HD unit though. That also means that you get vibrant and beautiful looking images on the laptop. You can easily enjoy movies and YouTube videos in high-resolution goodness on this thing. Its 60Wh battery is also large enough that it should carry your laptop the entire day. If that is not enough the HUAWEI MateBook 14s comes with 90W charging capabilities and a charger to match for a quick plug and dash.

Price and Availability

The HUAWEI MateBook 14s is available for pre-order from the 28th of October 2021 onward. Before the 6th of November 2021, you can pre-order your unit from HUAWEI Store Online, HUAWEI’s official stores on Shopee, and Lazada, or even on HUAWEI’s official app, My HUAWEI App. As per the title, the HUAWEI MateBook 14s starts at MYR 4,999. More information on the HUAWEI MateBook 14s can be found on their website.

BlizzCon Not Happening – But There’s a Silver Lining

Blizzard’s BlizzCon is arguably one of the biggest gaming events of the year. However, in light of the pandemic, the gaming conference has evolved into BlizzConline for its past iteration into an online BlizzConline. In fact, earlier this year, the game developer announced a new approach for BlizzCon which would span both online and offline, in-person experiences. However, it looks like that may not be happening after all.

The company has taken online to announce to the community that the upcoming BlizzCon planned for February 2022 will not be happening. In their statement, the company states that, “we would also like to take the time to reimagine what a BlizzCon event of the future could look like”. That said, it was the same words used earlier this year in their announcement for the 2022 BlizzCon. The event is one of the company’s crowning achievements that have allowed fans of game franchises like Warcraft, Diablo and Starcraft to rally and feel part of the Blizzard experience. The absence of the convention, in any form, could prove to be more a quandry for Blizzard.

Source: Blizzard

However, Blizzard isn’t leaving fans without updates and announcements. In their update, the company states, “One more thing we wanted to make clear: even though we aren’t holding BlizzConline in February, we’ll still be making announcements and updates for our games. We’re proud of our teams and the progress they’ve made across our games. We have a lot of exciting upcoming news and releases to share with you.”. Fans will have lots to look forward to come February 2022 by the sounds of it.

The cancellation of Blizzard’s annual BlizzCon seems to be one of the latest casualties in their unfolding legal saga. Blizzard has recently come under fire for a myriad of reasons including employer misconduct and sexual harassment. BlizzCon was ground zero for some of the most egregious sexual harassment allegations thanks to the “Cosby Suite”. Since then the allegations and issues that have arisen have become a hot topic in the gaming industry which is currently undergoing a renaissance.

The DJI Action 2 Takes Things at the Next Level

You might have not heard of the DJI Action. That is because there was no such product. It sounded like a DJI action camera though. That existed.

They called it the DJI Osmo Action and it looked almost like any other action camera that was popular at its launch. It was launched in 2019 and it was designed after the gold standard in action cameras for the longest time. It was modelled after the GoPro cameras that was so popular at the time. Say what you will, the GoPro cameras were the most popular for good reasons.

With DJI’s knowhow in making cameras on stabilisers, gimbals, drones, and even innovative film cameras, the Osmo Action was made to really take on the GoPro cameras and beat them. It shot at 4K 60p. It has two displays, one at the back and one in front making it a clever vlogging camera as well. It featured DJI’s know how in stabilising footages. It also featured slow motion modes. The only thing that GoPro had it beat was in its sheer namesake and pedigree in action cameras.

Two years on and we sort of thought DJI might have forgotten about the action camera market completely. We thought that DJI might have given up on the idea. Last week as well DJI just redefined the film maker industry with a brand-new camera on a 4-axis gimbal in a cinema camera body and guise. It was remarkable and it really will change the entire film industry.

They did not give up on the action camera market though. In fact, they just launched a brand-new action camera to replace the Osmo Action. This time also, they went with a slightly different philosophy over the old one. This time, they went modular.

The Tiny DJI Action 2

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They call it the DJI Action 2, and they did not bother introducing their latest action camera to the world through a launch event though. Rather they introduce the Action 2 to the world with a three-minute video on YouTube. We kind of think that this is the shortest launch gambit we have ever experienced. Short, but impactful.

It weighs only 56 grams, which is really nothing in the world of cameras. When we say it is modular, it means that you can attach the little camera cube to almost anything, anywhere. Of course, you need some help in the form of attachment struts, straps, and magnets that is suitable for whatever surface you want to attach it to. It also has other attachments that allows the camera to work as a vlogging camera as well, with added battery life.

It also has a small 1.79-inch OLED display at the back of the camera so that you still know what you are shooting even without using your smartphone to monitor your camera. The square display is also a touch sensitive display, which also means you can do all your set-up on the DJI Action 2 itself. The vlogging attachment also comes with its own 1.79-inch touch-sensitive square display as well.

The main bit of the DJI Action 2 shoots at 4K resolution. You also get up to 120fps in ultra-wide frame goodness for that beautiful slow-mo videos when it matters. It has something DJI calls the HorizonSteady technology that allows the camera to keep a level frame throughout the shot. With RockSteady 2.0, your shots are even more stable than before. For vlogging purposes, the Action 2 packs three microphones to record video from every direction. You can immerse it in up to 10m of water too, just so that you can even take videos when you go scuba diving.

Price and Availability

The DJI Action 2 will be available globally on the 2nd of November 2021 onward. It will set you back US$ 519 (MYR 2,156*). That package comes with the Front Touchscreen Module for you to work with it as a vlogging camera. It also comes with a slew of attachments for more mounting options. There will be a Power Combo that will come later in November. The Power Combo will retail at US$ 399 (MYR 1,657*) and will include the camera itself, a Power Module, Magnetic Lanyard, and Magnetic Adpated Mount. For more information on the DJI Action 2 action camera, you can visit DJI’s website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.15 on xe.com as of 28/10/2021

Sony Launches the Sony Xperia PRO-I – Camera Smartphone Redefined

Every now and then there will be an event so significant, it changes history. In the modern world, that moment happens way too often that it is no longer special. There are one or two rare innovations in today’s world though that makes you turn your heads. Today’s innovation is one of them.

The innovation comes in the form of a Sony Xperia smartphone. That might not sound too special. After all, the Sony Xperia smartphone, at some point, was responsible for Sony’s near exit from the smartphone business. While they pioneered and ushered in the era of water-resistant smartphones, they could not innovate fast enough or even make compelling enough products to compete with their rivals. The Sony Xperia has been reborn in 2018 though and is a completely different beast today. The Xperia PRO-I, this one is not in the same league as the Xperia flagship you know and love.

The Flagship

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Source: Sony

We start with the boring stuff. It comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 platform, which is expected anyway. It also comes with 512GB in storage and up to 12GB in RAM. You can slot up to a 1TB MicroSD card into the Xperia PRO-I for good measure. You want to if you are planning to use its camera a lot. Of course, you get WiFi 6 capabilities from the Xperia PRO-I. To keep everything running nicely is a 4,500mAh battery that can charge up to 50% within just 30 minutes.

On the front is a staple 4K display for the Xperia flagship. 4K HDR OLED display refreshes at 120Hz and measures at 6.5-inch. Protecting the panel is a Gorilla Glass Victus. It is not the biggest display you can find in the market, but it is certainly one of the most gorgeous.

To be fair, none of that are new for a smartphone. What is new is what protrudes out the back of the device. The innovation is all in the camera.

The Best Camera on a Smartphone Ever

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Source: Sony

This is not some boring innovation in the camera though. It is not some Megapixel addition, because Sony understands that with mobile photography, it is all about the sensor size more than anything else. That is why they fitted a Type-1.0 Exmor RS image sensor with phase detection autofocus mechanism within the compact body of the Xperia PRO-I. To process the photos out of the device, you get a dedicated Bionz X image processor that overrides the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888’s admittedly impressive image processing.

It is the same exact sensor you get from a Sony RX 100 VII. That also means you are getting 20.2-Megpixel of Sony’s Alpha goodness in the Xperia smartphone. The sensor under the 24mm Zeiss Tessar T* lens is capable of capturing images at RAW 12-bit colour depth as well for the best camera experience you can ever have on your smartphone. At the same time, it is Sony’s first smartphone to feature Eye AF that is so common in DSLR and mirrorless cameras these days.

The camera is even able to capture videos at 4K 120fps thanks to the very powerful imaging sensor. With up to 315 of autofocus points, you are going to keep track of your subjects for a long time in your videos and even your photos. For high-speed burst shots, you get to shoot at up to 20fps.

The Xperia PRO-I can do more than just allowing you to capture photos and videos from behind the camera though. It is also made as the perfect vlogging tool. You can pair it to an optional 3.5-inch LCD HD Vlog Monitor and the Xperia PRO-I turns into your vlogging companion without any additional heft in your bag. If you have an external microphone, the 3.5mm combo mic for you to plug in your mic to.

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Price and Availability

The Sony Xperia PRO-I will be available in Malaysia December 2021 onward. It will be available only through selected retailers and online stores though. There is no confirmed price just yet for the Sony Xperia PRO-I though but Sony says they will announce it on a later date.

Now You Can Pin Links in Your Clubhouse Rooms

No matter what you say or whichever platform you say is better as a social voice chat platform, Clubhouse will still be ranked on top in terms of popularity and utilisation. It is also one of the platforms that consistently innovates in its space, even compared to the likes of Spotify Greenroom, or Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms. That is why, from time to time, Clubhouse introduces a new update that changes the way or expands the way you use clubhouse and interact with your friends on the platform.

With the most recent update, Clubhouse is making it possible for users to share external links. While this does not directly allow on-platform monetisation, it does allow some form of monetisation for plenty of users. For example, users now can pin Patreon links. There is even a possibility of linking Kickstarter and Indiegogo project links to the Clubhouse rooms that users create to talk about their latest projects, or pain points for example. For a lot of content creators, it is now possible to include their YouTube channel links, Podcast links, their own curated website, news portals, and even news articles.

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Source: Clubhouse

There are of course limitations to what sort of links you can pin on the top of the room. Obviously, porn is frowned upon, so you cannot post links to porn websites to any rooms, even if you are talking about explicit subjects or the likes. Obviously as well, OnlyFans is one of those sites that are banned from Clubhouse link pinning feature.

As far as transactions that happens within the links, Clubhouse claims that they will not be taking any cuts or commissions from them. With that, Clubhouse is saying that they are working on multiple things to allow content creators on the platform to monetise their own contents on the app itself. The feature will be available soon on iOS and Android versions of the app. Clubhouse is available for free on both iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store respectively. For more information on Pinned Links feature on Clubhouse, you can find out more on their blog.

Sony’s ALPHA 7 IV (α7 IV) Redefines the ‘Basic’ Necessities of a Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

The Sony ALPHA 7, or rather the α7 marks Sony’s first foray into the high-end camera market with a full-frame DSLR that is a lot smaller and lighter than regular DSLR devices. While it is smaller and lighter than the regular full-frame body, it comes with its own sets of limitations, one of them is battery life. Ergonomics for the first α7 was not the best either with Sony placing more focus on making the camera as compact as possible. Because there is less space on the body for buttons, there is only so much Sony can do to give users a sense of finer control with physical knob and buttons.

The ALPHA 7 platform is a popular choice among content creators though. The third iteration was everything you could ever need from a mirrorless camera. It had sophisticated Autofocus system that was a lot more reliable than before, it had features that reduces the rolling shutter effect that plagued previous Sony α7 cameras, it was also bigger than the first iteration with better ergonomics and much longer battery life.

Sony just announced a replacement model though, its fourth iteration of the ‘Basic’ full-frame mirrorless camera. If you know Sony’s existing line-up of ALPHA 7 cameras though, you will not call them ‘basic’. The new one is even better.

The New ‘Basic’

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Source: Sony

The ALPHA 7 IV, as they know it, is Sony’s interpretation to what the new ‘basic’ standard is for an entry-level full-frame camera. Apparently ‘basic’ means 33-Megapixel on the Exmor R CMOS full-frame sensor. That 33-Megapixel sensor packs sensitivity of up to ISO 204800 at its highest and ISO 50 at its lowest for 15-stops in dynamic range. That should mean that the Sony ALPHA 7 IV is an admirable performer in low-light conditions.

BIONZ XR Advantage

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The impressive new sensor is assisted by a Sony’s latest BIONZ XR imaging chip, the same one you find on Sony’s range topping ALPHA 1 mirrorless camera. It allows the Sony ALPHA 7 IV to shoot at up to 10fps with AF/AE tracking. Thanks to BIONZ XR as well the camera has up to 759 phase-detection Autofocus (AF) points that covers up to 94% of the image area and tracks subjects in Real-Time Tracking as accurately as you can get cameras to track subjects. Of course, there is Real-time Eye AF function as well that now tracks birds and animal eyes in both photo and movie modes.

The Hybrid Cinematic and Still Shooter

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Source: Sony

They call this a hybrid camera, a still and movie camera packed in one compact body. The ALPHA 7 IV now has S-Cinetone colour profile, something that was only reserved for Sony’s very famous Cinema cameras. That means you now get 10-bit 4:2:2 colour sampling for even better colours than before. It records at up to 4K 60 fps in Super 35mm mode, and up to 4K 30fps with 7K oversampling in full-frame mode. For the first time ever as well, the Sony ALPHA 7 IV features a new Focus Map that helps you with finding the right focus point while shooting videos. It also now features a Breathing Compensation feature to eliminate focus breathing and maintain a smooth, consistent focus change. You can turn off that feature too in case you want some focus breathing for creative contexts.

You still get Sony’s very famous 5-axis stabiliser built into the body of the compact mirrorless. The stabiliser allows for the camera to have up to 5.5 steps in shutter speed advantage. At the same time, the viewfinder is an even higher resolution one as well with 3.68 million dots compared to the ALPHA 7 III. For videos, content creators will appreciate the 3.0-inch vari-angle display.

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On its body as well, the Sony ALPHA 7 IV features a clever dual layer mode dial to allow you to quickly switch from pure photo mode to movie recording mode, and S& Q mode. The top layer is now reserved to Auto/P/A/S/M and Memory Recall mode. It records to either a CFexpress Type A card, or a regular SDXC card too for ultimate convenience in recording medium.

Better Workflow

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Source: Sony

The new camera is also much easier to work with than before. It now has 5GHz Wi-Fi for super-fast data transfers between the camera and your smartphone via Imaging Edge Mobile. You can even use Bluetooth for remote access this time. You can now use the Sony ALPHA 7 IV seamlessly with your PC as well as a Live Stream camera or use the PC as a remote. All these is done without using an additional software now and simply by connecting the ALPHA 7 IV via USB Type-C cable. In that case you can even make video calls with up to 4K 15p resolution, or even use the ALPHA 7 IV as an audio interface.

Pricing and Availability

Sony’s ALPHA 7 IV will be available in December 2021 onward. It will retail for about EUR€ 2,800 for its body only. If you opt for an ALPHA 7 IV with a kit lens, it will set you back EUR€ 3,000. It is not a bad kit lens though; it is a 28-70mm (SEL2870) lens. We can only speculate its pricing too at this point. More information on the Sony ALPHA 7 IV (α7 IV) can be found on Sony’s website.

The DJI Ronin 4D Launches and is a Filmmaker’s Wet Dream on Gimbals

The film making industry is bigger now than ever. It is also now more accessible than ever as independent filmmakers are starting to make their marks on social media and eventually the bigger screens. Camera technology has gotten so good these days that we never really stopped to think; what if a manufacturer like Sony, Canon, or even Arri could make the perfect cinema camera in a package no larger than their current line-up of cinema cameras.

The idea is not that far fetched if you think about it. Cameras are getting more powerful as technology progresses. At the same time, sizes of cameras continue to shrink. Stabilisation technologies are also constantly improving by leaps and bounds. A cinema camera that can do everything including proper stabilisation in a package is a dream.

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Source: DJI

That dream is just about realised by DJI though. They released something called the Ronin 4D. No, it is not 4D camera. It is not a 3D camera as well. It is a normal camera. In fact, it packs DJI’s very own ZenMuse X9 Full-Frame camera that shoots at up to 8K resolution into Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW. Of course, the ZenMuse X9 also features DJI’s own DL mount interchangeable lens system.

As mentioned, the DJI Ronin 4D’s ZenMuse X9 camera system is mounted on a gimbal that is built into the cinema camera body as well. While most electronic gimbal system stops at 3-axis, the DJI Ronin 4D adds a fourth Z-axis that eliminates just about any shake you can introduce to your camera. You can run, walk, stumble around with the DJI Ronin 4D and it will look like you are shooting with a dolly. Mind you, you are shooting everything free handed. With the right tools as well, you are the one pulling focus on your, and even controlling the camera angles.

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Source: DJI

Focus pulling with cinema cameras can be a pain in different situations. When you change lenses, you need to re-calibrate your focus pulling settings and test it out again and again in a set. Autofocus helps with a lot of the focus pulling problems you might have, but you do not have control over it. On the DJI Ronin 4D, it is as simple as turning a knob that connects to either your DJI Ronin 4D or a remote viewer/controller.

In a lot of times as well, focus pulling is a lot of guess work. Not on the DJI Ronin 4D though. Thanks to LiDAR technology, you can visualise your subject in a 3D space, understand where your subjects are within range, and just pull the focus on your desired object at the right distance every time. You do not need multiple shots of a single take just because you messed up your focus pulling.

Speaking of remote controls, the DJI Ronin 4D employs their drone know how in extending the Full HD feed range on a 7-inch monitor and reduce its latency to the point it is negligible and you can pull focus from anywhere within 6KM of the camera. You can monitor your shoots remotely with your camera moving around you too. If you need to, the remote monitor supports a MicroSD card input for proxy footage recording.

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You can record your films in three different types of storage. Out of the three (USB SSD, CFExpress Type-B, DJI PROSSD 1TB) of course DJI’s own native solution might work best. But for those who are already running on one or the other storage solutions, you are in luck. At the same time, there is a 2-channel 24-bit audio mic that is built-in directly into the camera body. It also packs a 3.5mm jack and two XLR ports for audio input and output options. Of course, it is all powered by a DJI proprietary TB50 battery that is supposed to last up to 2.5 hours in continuous shoot time.

It sounds like a perfect filmmaker’s tool, and it is, in theory. It packs everything that a filmmaker want in a compact cinema camera. It does come with a price though. If you are opting for a 6K version of the DJI Ronin 4D, you will have to fork out US$ 7,199 (MYR 29,965*). You get the main body attached to a ZenMuse X9-6K camera and its gimbal, a LiDAR range finder, main monitor, hand grips, a top handle, and the TB50 battery within a DJI carrying case. For US$ 3,300 (MYR 13,736*) more though, you get a ZenMuse X9-8K, and an extra PROSSD 1TB. The 4D Video Transmitter, the High-Bright Remote Monitor and PROSSD 1TB can be bought separately. More information on the DJI Ronin 4D is available on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 21/10/2021

Samsung Brings Bespoke Customisation to the Galaxy Z Flip3 & the Galaxy Watch 4

Samsung’s Bespoke brand was initially announced earlier this year for customised home appliances that blended in your decor. It looks like Samsung’s Bespoke branding is now making it to its mobile devices. The first to get it? The Galaxy Z Flip3! Yep – Samsung’s compact foldable just got a little bit more interesting with a level of personalization we’ve never seen in Samsung smartphones before.

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Source: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition

The Galaxy Z Flip3 is already one of the more interesting devices available in the market right now. In fact, it’s also one with the widest range of colours available at launch. However, Samsung is also looking to make it one of the most personable devices with a selection of 49 possible colour combinations with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. It also lines up perfectly with the company’s initial push to make the Flip3 a smartphone for self-expression.

Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from a selection of five available colours for the panels of their Flip3: Blue, Yellow, Pink, White and Black. In addition, you will also be able to choose your frame colour from the available Silver and Black. You will be able to choose colours for your front and back colours independently allowing you to mix and match the colours as you like.

01 galaxy z flip3 bespoke edition group animated gif
Source: Samsung

Customization and personalization don’t end there. Samsung is also introducing the Samsung Bespoke Upgrade Care. The new care plan allows Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition users to change their smartphone colours to match their style over the course of a year. That said, the plan does not allow you to change your frame colour – for obvious reasons. There is also an additional charge for changing colours.

Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Edition

In addition to the Flip3, the Galaxy Watch4 is also getting a Bespoke edition. Similar to the Flip3, you will be able to customise your Galaxy Watch4 in more ways than ever before. Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from multiple watch bodies, watch faces and straps. You will also get access to some unique, limited edition straps that will be exclusively available on the Bespoke Studio.

Availability

The Bespoke Editions of the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4 will be available exclusively via Samsung.com. It will be available in Korea, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Australia starting October 20th.