Netflix seems to be testing the waters with a new subscription plan in Kenya. The popular content streaming service is offering a new, free subscription tier in the African country. The new subscription will allow access to all of Netflix’s features including profiles and kids mode.
However, the free subscription does come with some limitations. The first being that the subscription is only available for Android phones. Users on the free subscription will also not have access to Netflix’s full library. Instead, they will only be able to access a fourth of the expansive library. In addition, features like screencasting and downloading shows will not be accessible.
Source: Netflix
The subscription will be available only in Kenya for now. Netflix has indicated that, as of now, there are no plans to expand the availability. Would-be subscribers will only need an email address and proof that they are above 18 years of age to subscribe. The plan will be rolled out in Kenya over the next few weeks. Netflix has indicated that it sees the free plan as a means of gathering new subscribers to the service.
Pokémon UNITE was released earlier this year on the Nintendo Switch. The game marks the titular franchise’s first ventured into the MOBA realm. The unique gameplay and fast-paced gaming allowed the game to catch on pretty quickly on the Nintendo Switch.
Now, months after Pokémon UNITE’s Nintendo Switch debut, the game is finally on mobile. It’s available starting September 22, 2021, worldwide on iOS and Android. The mobile version of UNITE will be able to cross-play with the Nintendo Switch version. Trainers who have already been playing on the Switch will simply have to link their Pokémon Trainer Club or Nintendo account when playing.
Pikachu & Zeraora Join the Celebration of Pokémon UNITE on Mobile
To celebrate the launch of Pokémon UNITE on mobile, the Pokémon Company is giving away a special holowear Pikachu. The Pikachu giveaway also celebrates the game getting over 5 million pre-registrations ahead of the official launch. To get it, you simply have to log in to the mobile version of the game by October 31 2021 at 14:59 UTC. If you do, you’ll receive 1,000 Aeos tickets, a Pikachu Unite License and Festival Style: Pikachu Holowear.
In addition to Pikachu, new players can easily get one of the most powerful Pokémon available in UNITE to date – Zeraora – by completing special missions. All you have to do is win a total of 32 battles in Pokémon UNITE. Zeraora was initially given away as a launch freebie during the game’s Nintendo Switch launch.
New Battle Pass & Unite Squads Also Join the Game
Together with the iOS and Android launch, Pokémon UNITE will be kicking off a new battle pass. The space-themed Galactic Ghost 094 battle pass features a cutesy space-themed holowear for Gengar. Of course, as with all battle passes before, it comes with goodies for all players. However, if you want to maximise your winnings, you will have to pay for the pass.
Starting on September 22, 2021, you’ll be able to form Unite Squads with your favourite battle comrades. You’ll be able to interact and chat with squad members directly! There isn’t any indication if voice chat will be a part of this feature.
All-in-one PCs has always been very pretty to look at. They are very pretty, but they are usually not the most functional devices to have at home. There is a reason for that though. All-in-one PCs are made with both aesthetics and simplicity in mind. It is built to ensure that your table is as clean as possible with as little things in the way as possible.
But the potential of all-in-one desktop PCs are quite a lot still. The Apple iMac with M1 that was recently launched at least showed a glimpse of what an all-in-one desktop can do. But the Apple iMac is not a purpose-built PC that is made for high-performance gaming or full-time content creation. The new HP Envy all-in-one PC though is a purpose-built machine that is an all-in-one PC that could be in every content creator’s wet dream.
It still features the same clean aesthetics that is fitting of the best-looking all-in-one desktop PCs you can find in the market. The minimalist look is matched with super thin and minimal looking peripherals from HP too. The stealth and slim silhouette of the HP Envy all-in-one PC hides a very powerful internal that you would not find in any other all-in-one.
The new HP ENVY 34-inch All-in-One is an imposing machine with an ultra-wide 34-inch display upfront. Upfront is a 5K display (up to), which is highly suitable for photo editors and video editors alike. Even for crucial colour correction work the HP ENVY’s 34-inch displays up to 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut on its 21:9 screen ratio display.
The HP ENVY 34-inch All-in-One desktop PC also comes with a 16-Megapixel webcam that you can place anywhere on your display. You can even hang it off the side of the device to point to a drawing pad on your desk. While magnetic webcams are not new, it is kind of a first for HP or even an All-in-One PC device. Additionally, the base of the HP ENVY 34-inch All-in-One is also a wireless charging pad.
Source: HP
Source: HP
Source: HP
Source: HP
Inside the svelte body is a very powerful 8-core 11th generation Intel Core i9-S series processor (up to). This is also a first in an all-in-one PC market. The powerful processor is also paired to an equally powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU (up to). That also means that the HP ENVY is also a decent gaming rig in a tightly packed body that is also your display case.
HP says that the HP 34-inch All-in-One Desktop PC will be available from HP.com starting in October 2021. That is not including Malaysia currently though. When it is available, you can get your hands on one of these for US$ 1,999 (MYR 8,368*).
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.19 on xe.com as of 22/09/2021
If you’re a fan of live-streamed content, LIVIT shouldn’t be alien to you. After amassing quite the user base since its launch in 2015, the app is undergoing a change in identity. However, it has also, unwittingly created a fractured identity.
Hirofumi Ono, Global CEO of 17LIVE announcing the streamlining of the apps (Source: 17LIVE)
Having launched initially in Taiwan in 2015, the app launched as 17Live, pronounced “one seven live”. When said in Mandarin – 一七LIVE （yi qi LIVE) – becomes a homonym of 一起LIVE which means Live Together or Together Live. However, as the app grew and began to gain popularity in countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore among others across seven continents, the app’s identity began to splinter. English markets were familiar with LIVIT while the Indonesian market was familiar with WAVE. Other markets, however, knew the same app as 17LIVE.
In honour of its humble origins, the app is now being streamlined as 17LIVE. The rebranding not only gives the app a unified identity but also aligns both the company and app identities. One Seven Live will continue to offer the same experience in their apps which will now be rebranded with a new icon, logo and name. However, the experience in the app will remain familiar.
The Pokémon franchise has grown leaps and bounds since its debut more than a decade ago. Not only has it successfully ventured into the MOBA genre, but it’s also revived its core RPG game with new game features and its upcoming release of the much-anticipated title: Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
You can add another revival to that list with their latest announcement. The franchise is revamping the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s digital experience. The game which is already available as Pokémon TCG online is getting a much-needed update both aesthetically and in gameplay. The new app called “Pokémon Trading Card Game Live” will be released on Android, iOS, PC and Mac.
The new online experience visually revamps the game bringing it into the future. The biggest, most obvious update is the visual updates which are in the new Pokémon Trading Card Game Live app. Avatars have been updated with more customizability and are in 3D. You’ll be able to customise everything from your skin colour to your eyes and even your clothes. The avatars are also more like Microsoft’s avatars rather than Nintendo’s Miis.
Screenshots of Pokémon Trading Card Game Live on Desktop (Source: The Pokémon Company)
In addition to the revamped graphics, the battle arena is now more interactive and dynamic. It changes when attacks are performed or when arena effects come into play. The interface is also simplified and optimised for the best experience across platforms. Unlike the older Pokémon TCG Online, the layout has been condensed while keeping the focus on your active Pokémon.
Speaking of the older Pokémon TCG Online game, it looks like The Pokémon Company will be sunsetting the older app when Pokémon Trading Card Game Live. However, you don’t have to fret as you can migrate your profile from TCG Online to Live. When you do this, you will take over your collections to the new app but be sure to unpack any boosters you have. It looks like cards from the HeartGold&SoulSilver series and older may not make the cut with the update. However, everything from the Black & White series onwards will be playable eventually. At launch, only packs after the Lost Thunder set will be playable.
Screenshots of Pokémon Trading Card Game Live on Mobile (Source: The Pokémon Company)
Of course, being a free-to-play app, Pokémon Trading Card Game Live will have monetisation aspects to it like Pokémon UNITE. In fact, the monetisation format is so similar, it feels like your seeing double. There will be three in-game currencies: Coins, Credits and Crystals. Coins and Credits will be obtainable in-game. The former will be used for booster packs, decks and aesthetics; while the latter will be initially obtained when moving from TCG Online to Live. After which, it will be awarded as you complete certain milestones in-game. Crystals are where you will have to fork out cash for items. These crystals will be used to buy booster packs, promo cards and more in the shop. It will also be used when you buy the battle pass.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Live will be soft-launched in Canada later this year with a global rollout for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac devices to follow.
Shopee is expanding its offering to include food delivery in Malaysia. The popular e-commerce platform is bringing food delivery into its fold in stages starting with the Klang Valley on September 24 2021. ShopeeFood will allow more than 8 million Malaysians located in the Klang Valley to access their favourite food outlets via the Shopee App.
Source: Shopee
The service will launch with restaurants like Starbucks, A&W, BurgerKing, Nando’s as well as a number of local food stalls. As part of the launch of ShopeeFood, the company is giving users free delivery with no minimum spend as well as discount vouchers worth up to MYR8. Users will also be able to take advantage MYR10 meals which will be on offer in limited quantities from 24 to 28 September 2021. Shopee will be announcing more ShopeeFood deals on its Instagram throughout the launch.
Users will be able to access the ShopeeFood service via the Shopee App. The new service will appear as an icon on the main page of the Shopee App. Once inside, they will be able to order their food items from outlets in their vicinity. The interface should be familiar to anyone who uses other delivery apps like GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Source: Shopee
The announcement of ShopeeFood comes together with the platforms build-up to their upcoming 10.10 Brands Festival Day. The October iteration of their monthly sales campaign will see the platform offering even more discounts with their multiple brand partners. Users will also be able to win a Toyota Vios in their Tap and Win contest. As usual, Shopee will be offering Free Shipping Vouchers with a minimum spend of MYR10 and 50% off Big Brand Discounts.
Shopee will also be hosting a number of televised events on channels like Astro Ria, TV3 and its own Shopee Live platform during the sale period. The company has also introduced local celebrity and actor, Alif Satar, as the first of their Malaysian brand Ambassadors.
OnePlus started out very early on in its life as that one smartphone brand that was a little out of the norm. In its early days, they dubbed their first ever smartphone, the OnePlus One, the ‘flagship killer’. There is a good reason for that. The OnePlus One had killer specs, hardware that you can only find on flagship devices at the time. While remaining at the top of the food chain, they managed to keep prices low. The OnePlus One’s asking price was a fraction of what manufacturers at the time ask for their flagships.
They were a bit of a Cinderella story too, to be fair. The founders of OnePlus, according to legends, left the highly successful and progressive HTC at the time to start the brand. They had to figure out how to design a smartphone and manufacture the devices at ridiculously low prices within just a few months. They delivered the OnePlus One. But they were running off the production line of OPPO, which was understandable. They would not have had the time and money to build their own production line anyway.
OnePlus’ Reliance on OPPO
They have never moved to their own production facility though. That also means that they share the same part bin as OPPO. That is also why over the years, the OPPO flagship devices share plenty of similarities to OnePlus’ own. They usually share the same specs and hardware within their flagship line-up only to differ slightly in terms of how they look. Last year’s flagships were differentiated by Hasselblad’s involvement too.
While we are seeing more and more of OPPO in the other brand, both parties have remained steadfast and committed to staying distinct. They started out with offering CyanogenOS on their devices and later moved to their own OxygenOS. They have also remained distinct by having their own unique design languages. It is not clever for a manufacturing plant to be producing two completely different units of flagships though, so the devices share plenty of similar design cues too.
OnePlus 2.0
Source: OnePlus
It looks like the next phase for OPPO and OnePlus will not be a unique journey for each brand anymore though. OnePlus have announced their OnePlus 2.0 roadmap. The announcement basically entails that they are now a single entity with OPPO. That also means that while each brand may be selling devices with their own unique branding, the device that comes out of both may not be so unique.
The merge of both companies will cover the entirety of the engineering and development teams. That also means that OPPO and OnePlus will have access to the same patented technologies that may have been kept separate and unique from each brand. The merge will also cover OxygenOS and ColorOS though. According to the announcement, OPPO and OnePlus will be developing a single unified platform that is supposed to be the culmination of the best of both platforms. While the branding will remain separate, the platform’s underlying codes will be similar, which also means you should have similar experiences out of both brands, however they designed the platform. Of course, they are still Android based.
With the announcement also, OnePlus has also confirmed that there will be no new flagship smartphone from them this year. They will not be refreshing the OnePlus 9 in the 9T form. If you want to see a new OnePlus, you will have to wait until next year, in this case.
The Matter of the Merge
While it may not seem like a great thing for one brand, this merge is more beneficial to both OPPO and OnePlus than it may seem. The merger allows OnePlus to and OPPO to gain insights from each other. Both brands have served different market groups and have extensive knowledge on building formidable smartphones. While both brands offer highly distinctive smartphone experiences, they have the ability to offer similar experiences or merge to create a completely new one that could better serve new and old customers alike.
Of course, one cannot ignore the financial benefits that OPPO and OnePlus will be getting from the merger. More money for OnePlus means more development resources. The learnings from Hasselblad will also accelerate OPPO’s camera technology. Obviously, by merging two brands, they are hitting a larger group of audience and buyers.
While all that sounds like a great thing, especially in the battle for supremacy in the smartphone industry, it could easily backfire. Since both brands come from slightly different market segments, internal rife could happen. Engineers from both ends might not agree on how the device should be designed and its capabilities. On the User Interface (UI) end, how OPPO and OnePlus balance having the right features from their own platforms will also be crucial to the success of the merge.
Whatever it is though, it is definitely one of the most interesting development in the industry at this point. While we may not be seeing a smartphone coming out of this merger anytime soon, we can expect OPPO and OnePlus to be a lot more competitive in the flagship smartphone market. At least OPPO and OnePlus are optimistic about the merge, we should be too.
Samsung’s flagship lineups are being bolstered in Malaysia with the official launch of the Galaxy Z series and the Tab S7 FE. The company’s third-generation of foldable smartphones is finally becoming commercially available alongside the more affordable Galaxy Tab S7 FE in Malaysia.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 Arrive in Malaysia
Spearheading Samsung’s new lineup of devices is the two third-generation foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Z Flip3 and the Galaxy Z Fold3. The two new entries were announced internationally early last month. The Flip3 and Fold3 sold out their pre-order last week and are now making their way officially to shelves.
Source: Samsung
Of course, Samsung’s foldable smartphones aren’t just pretty, they come packed with the latest technology. The company has brought its S-Pen technology to the Galaxy Z Fold3 bolstering its capacity for productivity. The Z Flip3 on the other hand gains a larger cover display making it more functional when closed.
You can get a full rundown of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 in our coverage of their initial announcements.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 SE Brings Affordable Productivity to Tab Lineup
Samsung’s FE lineup continues to weave its magic. This time with the Galaxy Tab series. The new entry – the Galaxy Tab S7 SE – continues to stride the fine line between features and affordability.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 SE continues to bring the power many users crave when it comes to tablets. It packs a Snapdragon 750G processor which brings it top of the line connectivity and processing speeds. This is paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of onboard storage with support for a microSD card.
In addition, it comes with a WQXGA display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. It also has support for the S-Pen which is included in the box. The tablet also has support for Dolby Atmos with speakers that are tuned by AKG.
Of course, Samsung’s new approach to tablets isn’t all about media consumption. The Tab S7 FE continues this ethos with support for DeX and a myriad of other productivity centred tools.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z series will be available starting on 22 September 2021. They will be launching with a special promo which ends on 31 October 2021. Details are per the table below:
Model
Colours
RRP
Exclusive Gift(s)
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (512GB)
Phantom Black Phantom Green Phantom Silver
RM7,099
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM799 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM500
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (256GB)
Phantom Black Phantom Green Phantom Silver
RM6,699
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM799 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM500
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (256GB)
Phantom Black Cream Lavender Green
RM4,199
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM699 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM350
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (128GB)
Phantom Black Cream Lavender Green
RM3,999
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM699 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM350
In addition to the offers during the launch, Samsung is also offering a purchase with purchase promo for Galaxy Z series accessories. From 14th September until 31 October 2021, users who purchase a Samsung Galaxy Z series device will be entitled to a 30% discount on up to three accessories for their device.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is now available for purchase in Malaysia. It will be available in Black, Silver and Light Pink. There will be two variants on sale: the 4GB+64GB version which will retail at MYR1,899 and the 6GB+128GB version which will retail for MYR2,199.
From now until 31 October 2021, purchases of the Galaxy Tab S7 FE will be entitled to free gifts depending on the specification bought. The 6GB+64GB version will be entitled to a Book Cover while the 6GB+128GB version will be entitled to an additional Smart Keyboard Trio 500.
Samsung is pushing their Galaxy A series further with more options that are both affordable and power-packed. The company has in the past week introduced two new entries in the Malaysian market: the Galaxy A52 5G and the Galaxy A03s. Each caters to different needs with Samsung bringing affordable 5G connectivity with the A52 5G and an affordable media powerhouse in the A03s.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Samsung’s regular Galaxy A52 was crowned “the most popular smartphone of 2020” not too long ago. Now the company is looking to up the ante with a new entry into the lineup with 5G connectivity in tow. The new Galaxy A52 5G is also equipped with a more capable Snapdragon 778G processor. The processor is not only more capable than the A52’s Snapdragon 720G it brings more power efficiency thanks to its 6nm technology.
The Malaysian version of the Galaxy A52 5G will be sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. In addition to this, the Galaxy A52 5G will also be sporting a 6.5-inch, Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The display retains the same 1080p, Full HD+ resolution of the original A52. It also has the same IP67 dust and water resistance rating.
Aside from this, the Galaxy A52 5G retains most of the specifications of the original Galaxy A52 launched earlier this year. The added 5G connectivity will be a boon for those looking to be a little more future-proof with their purchase as Malaysia moves to wind down 2G and 3G connectivity as the country adopts new 5G technology.
Samsung Galaxy A03s
Samsung isn’t just releasing another spec power-house into the Galaxy A series. Their budget lineup is also being bolstered by the addition of the new Galaxy A03s. The smartphone packs all the essentials you would need in a smartphone that doesn’t break the bank with its price.
The Galaxy A03s is a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display and carries an HD+ resolution. On the processor end, it will be running on the dated MediaTek Helio P35 processor and will have 4GB of RAM with 64GB of internal storage. It can support additional storage through a microSD card which caps out at 1TB.
On the camera front, it comes with a triple sensor setup for its main camera. The setup has a 13-megapixel wide sensor complemented by a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. On the front is a 5-megapixel sensor.
It has the basics when it comes to connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 and A-GPS with GLONASS and GALILEO and BDS. It charges via USB Type-C which supports 15W fast charging for its 5,0000mAh battery. It also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Pricing & Availability
Both the Galaxy A52 5G and the Galaxy A03s are currently available in retail stores and on Samsung’s Online Store.
The Galaxy A52 is available in Awesome Black and Awesome White. It is priced at MYR1,899 (USD$452.95). Purchases made until October 31 2021 will be entitled to a free clear standing cover worth MYR109.
The Galaxy A03s is available in Black, Blue and White. It is priced at MYR559 (USD$133.33).
OPPO’s Find X3 Pro series is expanding with a China-exclusive version of the flagship. The new addition to the lineup is focusing more on the smartphone’s camera prowess and adopting some iconic camera design cues. It’s also the first time that OPPO has done a specific special edition that focuses on photography.
The new OPPO Find X3 Pro Photography edition drops the all-glass exterior of the original for a design more reminiscent of the original Kodak 35 camera. It comes with what the company is calling “metallic glass”; it is essentially the iconic silver colouration of the Kodak 35 camera with the glossy glass finish we saw with the original Find X3 Pro. The new edition also has a black leather finish that mimics the Kodak.
Source: OPPO on Weibo
In addition to the aesthetic revamp, the Find X3 Pro Photography edition comes with the same specifications as we saw in the original Find X3 Pro. It comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Its screen is a large, 6.7-inch Quad HD Display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It retains the 4,500mAh battery with 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 flash charging.
Even when it comes to cameras, the setup remains the same. The Find X3 Pro Photography edition comes with a 32-megapixel selfie camera with a quad sensor setup on the back. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel wide sensor. The biggest change in the smartphone is the inclusion of 14 new filters for cityscape photography and the ability to shoot in super RAW format.
OPPO Watch 2 Gets ECG Update
Together with the Find X3 Photography edition, OPPO also announced an updated version of their Smartwatch – the OPPO Watch 2. Like the Find X3 Pro Photography edition, the OPPO Watch 2 is more of the same. However, it comes with an upgrade that now allows it to monitor heart rhythms.
Source: OPPO on Weibo
The new millisecond-level ECG detection allows users to take an ECG on the OPPO Watch 2. It also comes with a 24-hour irregular heart rhythm monitor. The Watch 2 also has a 316L stainless steel middle frame with a ceramic and sapphire back cover.
Pricing & Availability
The OPPO Find X3 Pro is available pre-order now in China. It will be available starting on September 22, 2021 for CN¥6,499 (USD$1005.10/MYR4213.90).
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