Category Archives: News

Android, Mobile, News

Samsung’s Galaxy A Series Gains Two New Options in Malaysia

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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.

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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.

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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).

Android, Mobile, News

OPPO Reveals Special Photographer Edition of Find X3 Pro & ECG Equipped Watch 2

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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.

OPPO Find X3 Pro Photography Edition
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.

OPPO Watch2 ECG
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).

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

The Xiaomi Pad 5 – The Android Tablet That We Want?

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Xiaomi launched something we thought we might never see from any other Android manufacturer in their launch event two days ago. They launched a tablet, and not just any tablet. They launched an 11-inch tablet that is set to take on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 series and even HUAWEI’s MatePad series. If you consider its size, it competes directly with the Apple iPad Pro too.

Xiaomi is not a new player in the Android space. They have overtaken Apple to be the second largest brand globally in terms of shipped smartphones. All this while not having a major presence in the United States market. At one point, they were third globally without even hitting most of the European market. This is also a testament that Xiaomi really knows what they are doing in the smartphone space.

The tablet space is a little different though. The Android tablet market space is a sparse one. The only viable player in the Android tablet space is Samsung with their Galaxy Tab S7 series. HUAWEI is out of the picture, since their devices do not and cannot support Google Play Store and Google’s mobile framework. Even we would admit that Apple’s iPad has offered the best tablet experience so far.

The Xiaomi Pad 5 then is a peculiar product. While we liked the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 very much, we still think that the Android tablet experience has a lot to be left desired if compared to the Apple iPad devices. While the Apple iPad goes all the way to the pro version with M1 chipset and endless potential in its applications, the same cannot be said for Android tablets, even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. So, what then can the Xiaomi Pad 5 offer that Samsung cannot, and what does it have that might sway you away from just buying the shiny new iPad?

The Power of Xiaomi Pad 5

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Source: Xiaomi

Firstly, we have to look at its internals to understand what this tablet can offer. It is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (Snapdragon 870 for Pro variant) that keeps the Android 11 with MIUI 12.5 tablet trundling along. It is no Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which is a slight disappointment. While it makes little to no practical difference, its direct competitor is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 System on a Chip (SoC). It also packs less RAM at 6GB compared to its Android competitor.

Within the aluminium and glass constructed body though is a large 8,720mAh battery with 33W charging speeds. Most tablets have batteries that can go on for days on a single charge though, so that would not be all that special anyway. Like its competitor also it packs four speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning.

Stunning Display

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Source: Xiaomi

Where it holds a slight lead though is on the panel that lies under the glass protection out-front. It is an 11-inch IPS display instead of the regular TFT LCD display from the Samsung. It offers the same WQHD+ (1,60 x 2,560 pixels) resolution as well, meaning the display should look just a tad better in terms of colour reproduction and contrast, especially with HDR contents. Dolby Vision is also built-into this display for the best entertainment experience possible on a tablet device. Of course, it refreshes at 120Hz, that is quite mandatory in devices today.

Productivity Suite

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Source: Xiaomi

Like most Android tablets (we say most because we still regard the HUAWEI MatePad Pro to be a variant of an Android tablet), the Xiaomi Pad 5 comes with a stylus. They call it the Xiaomi Smart Pen (seriously, can anyone come up with better names for styli?) and it is a good pen, on paper anyway. It offers 4,096 pressure points which also means that it is as sensitive as it gets when it comes to stylus technology. With 240Hz of sampling rate, the Smart Pen is also as responsive as it can get today. It is an active pen with smart programmable buttons on its side. That also means that you need to keep it charged by attaching the Smart Pen to the side of the device. It charges from flat to full in 18 minutes and should be able to keep you writing, drawing, and scribbling for as long as 8 hours non-stop.

No Other Accessories So Far

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Source: Xiaomi

Everything that has been stated above and in the launch points to a very capable tablet device. It is a highly compelling device that could even be just a little better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. On paper, these two offer practically the same things at different price points. The Xiaomi Pad 5 starts at MYR 1,499 or approximately while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 starts at MYR 3,299.

There is a problem here though. The Xiaomi Pad 5 does not come with the accessory support that the Samsung tablet has. There is a keyboard case and another magnetic case that is made for the tablet. Along with the Smart Pen, there is no other accessory for it. Then again, this is the same problem that Samsung has with their tablet line-up compared to the Apple iPad.

The basic Apple iPad starts at MYR 1,499 though, the same price as the base model of the Xiaomi tablet. The same priced Apple iPad does not come with an Apple Pencil, or a keyboard case too, which makes the Apple iPad a more expensive device compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5.

The Android Tablet That Makes A lot of Sense

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Source: Xiaomi

Here is the thing, the Apple iPad Pro with M1 wins the tablet market hands down. There are two things that holds it back though despite its processing prowess. The iPad Pro is held back by its price and the limitations of iPadOS itself. The iPadOS experience is something that is constantly evolving though, which also means that the next iteration of iPadOS might start taking advantage of the M1 chips.

The Xiaomi Pad 5 is never really designed to compete with the Apple iPad Pro line-up though. It is meant to compete with the humbler regular iPad, and in that we think it excels. At MYR 1,499, the Xiaomi Pad 5 comes in with a reasonable price tag that plenty can swallow. It is a perfect Android device that is targeted squarely at users who are thinking of buying an iPad and not willing to spend much more for a tablet. More information on the Xiaomi Pad 5 is available on their website.

Gaming, News

Bluetooth Audio Comes to the Nintendo Switch

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The Nintendo Switch is still one of the most popular gaming consoles even after four years on the market. What started as one of the world’s first hybrid consoles, flourished into the most popular console in Nintendo’s history. However, the console isn’t without its own issues.

One of the longest-standing issues was the lack of Bluetooth connectivity. The issue was at its peak when Nintendo release their popular multiplayer game: Splatoon. it also baffled the Switch community as the Joycons utilise Bluetooth for their functions. However, it looks like that issue is coming to an end with the latest update to the console.

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  • Nintendo Switch BT Audio

The latest update (ver. 13.0.0) enables the ability to pair Bluetooth audio devices directly to the console. However, there are caveats to the support. Firstly, there is still no support for microphones over Bluetooth. In addition, using a Bluetooth audio device with the Nintendo Switch will limit the number of controllers you can use to a maximum of two. You also can’t use the Bluetooth when you use local wireless communication.

While it may seem like there update is a little limiting, it is a very welcomed update. Nintendo Switch users have resorted to buying additional accessories that enable Bluetooth connectivity. With this update, that should be a secondary concern.

The Nintendo Switch community also has more reason to celebrate as it seems like there is price revision happening in the wake of the availability of the Nintendo Switch OLED. Prices in Europe have seen a drop of about 10%. The console is currently going at £259.99 in the UK where it was going for £279.99. In other parts of Europe, the console has seen price revisions from its original pricing of €330 to about €300. No word yet on whether these revisions will affect other regions.

Health, Lifestyle, News

Fitbit Introduces Snore Detection for the Fitbit Sense & Versa 3

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Fitbit’s dominance as a fitness band and platform is becoming more and more apparent as the company continues to bolster its offerings. While the company hasn’t yet released a Wear OS-powered wearable, they are extending the functionality of two of their smartwatches. The latest feature that is making its way to the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Fitbit Sense is noise and snore detection.

The new feature will take advantage of the microphones in the Sense and Versa 3 to detect snoring and ambient noises during sleep. It will also be measuring the intensity or loudness of snoring. The data will be collected and compiled into a “Snore report” which is accessible on the Fitbit app. However, detection will not be able to discern between the user and any other person in proximity. So, if you have a partner who does snore, it will be reflected in your snore report as well.

Fitbit noted that the feature will more battery intensive than others. It is recommended that the Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense be charged to 40% when using the feature. This is most likely due to the activation of the mic every few seconds. This will happen once the Fitbit detects that you’ve fallen asleep.

Stock Image Snoring
Source: Adobe Stock

The feature could very well be one of the most important features that Fitbit has introduced in the past year; aside from the ECG that is. It will allow doctors and users to detect the early signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea but it can also occur simply cause of fatigue. In cases related to OSA, it could indicate a more serious problem that should be dealt with. With the condition becoming more common, the feature will be a welcomed addition to a doctor’s toolkit.

The new snore detection feature is accessible through the Fitbit app’s sleep tracking function. However, the feature isn’t included in the basic subscription which comes when you purchase a tracker. Instead, it’s been bundled in Fitbit’s Premium subscription which will set you back MYR34.99 a month.

Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro Launches with Impressive Charging Speeds

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Xiaomi’s launch event last night was a huge one. They launched a lot of products, including their first ever Android tablet with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 System on a Chip (SoC). The star of the show though was none other than their Xiaomi 11T and Xiaomi 11T Pro.

While they sound like completely different devices, these are technically spiritual successors to the Xiaomi Mi 11 series. This is also Xiaomi’s first flagship devices that does not come with the ‘Mi’ moniker. No matter though, the most important thing in a flagship is that the manufacturers do not skim on its internals instead.

Xiaomi 11T Pro

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Source: Xiaomi

In the Xiaomi 11T Pro, you get the best that Xiaomi has to offer currently. It does not come with Qualcomm’s slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ SoC though. It is still a very potent Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G SoC that you will have a hard time complaining about still.

At the same time, you are still getting up to 12GB in RAM set up and 256GB in memory over the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The internals are also kept alive for days with a 5,000 mAh battery on board. The Xiaomi 11T Pro is still an Android 11 device, since Android 12 has not officially dropped into devices just yet.

At the same time, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is a smaller device compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The display now measures at 6.67-inch instead of 6.81-inch. You get less resolution from the Xiaomi 11T Pro too at Full HD+ resolution. It is still a Dolby Vision AMOLED display with 10-bit colours though. Your little punch hole camera is also moved to the top-mid section of the display instead of top left corner of the display.

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Source: Xiaomi

It is still an upgrade though over the older device. You now get 108-Megapixel ISOCELL sensor developed by Samsung for its main camera. With twice the pixel, you also get to record videos at 8K resolution with the main camera.

There are also two other cameras to support that high-resolution camera. The usual ultra-wide photos are handled by an 8-Megapixel sensor. To zoom in a little better, there is the 5-Megapixel telephoto lens. Selfies are handled by a 16-Megapixel sensor out front.

The biggest change to the device though is the speed the new Xiaomi 11T Pro charges at. Xiaomi cleverly splits the battery into two smaller battery packs laid separately within the device. Of course, this is not a new construction method. We have seen similar implementation in the Lenovo Legion Phone. In the Xiaomi flagship, each battery bank charges at 60W speeds. That totals to a whopping 120W of charging speed and a 100% charge in just 17 minutes. Splitting the batteries also puts less stress on each of the battery pack itself, which also means that it is a much safer implementation in fast charging. They call it the 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology.

Xiaomi 11T

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Source: Xiaomi

As expected, the Xiaomi 11T will not be more powerful than the Xiaomi 11T Pro. It is still a shining star is Xiaomi’s “Cinemagic” product line up though. It technically is everything the Xiaomi 11T Pro is. It has the same display, same camera layout, same design, same cameras even. The only difference is that the Xiaomi 11T gets MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200 5G treatment instead. While it is not as powerful as Qulacomm’s offering, the Dimensity chip is still plenty powerful for aspiring content creators, so you are not losing out on much in terms of raw power still. You do not get 120W charging too. At 67W charging speeds, you still can get the device ready to go at 100% from flat in less than 40 minutes.

Price and Availability

The Xiaomi 11T will come in three colour options – Meteorite Gray, Moonlight White, and Celestial Blue. You get up to 8GB in RAM and 256GB in storage. The Xioami 11T starts at EU€ 499 (MYR 2,450*).

The Xiaomi 11T Pro also comes in the same three colour options, which also means that both devices will be visually similar. You can choose between an 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, and 12GB+256GB configurations. The new Xiaomi flagship will set you back EU€ 649 (MYR3,186*) onward.

More information on the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of EU€ 1 = MYR on xe.com as of 16/09/2021

iOS, Mobile, News

Apple’s Most Popular iPad Gets Refresh for 2021/2022

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Apple’s September 2021 event has just concluded yesterday. They kick it off with the 9th generation Apple iPad. While it is not the most powerful Apple iPad available in Apple’s tablet line-up, it is technically the most accessible and the most popular Apple tablet ever.

The new 9th generation Apple iPad is a much-improved Apple iPad even compared to the 8th generation they introduced last year though. For starters, the latest Apple iPad comes with a powerful A13 Bionic chip that is even more powerful than the chip that came before while offering an extended battery life. The new A13 Bionic chip also allows the iPad to be an even more powerful learning and productivity tool than ever.

The 10.2-inch Retina display now packs True Tone technology that ensures that you get the best viewing experience in any lighting conditions. It still supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil for more intuitive note taking. You can pair it to Apple’s Smart Keyboard too for productivity purposes.

The front-facing camera is now a 12-Megapixel ultrawide shooter that works with Center Stage. Center Stage on the new iPad engages the A13 Bionic’s neural engine to automatically recognise faces through your front-facing camera and optimises the camera angle and frame to fit a single subject or multiple subjects. Center Stage is now supported by Zoom, Webex, and Bluejeans. Of course, you get the same functionalities on FaceTime.

The new iPadOS 15 powered iPad also comes with at least double the storage compared to the previous generation iPad at 64GB. There is also a larger 256GB storage option if you really need the space.

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The Apple iPad starts at US$ 329 (MYR 1,499*). There is also a WiFi + Cellular variant with prices starting from US$459 (MYR 2,119*). The new Apple iPad will come in either the silver or space grey finishes. The new Apple tablets will be shipping to customers in 28 countries and regions, including the United States (US), from the 24th of September 2021. Pre-orders has not started for Malaysia just yet though. You can find more information on the new Apple iPad on their website.

*Official Malaysia pricing.  

iOS, Mobile, News

The new Apple iPad mini is a Smaller, More Powerful iPad Air for US$ 499

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Apple’s iPad Air that was launched in 2020 was a game changer for the Apple iPad. It marked a shift for Apple’s product direction. It is Apple’s first mobile based device that features a USB Type-C port instead of the regular Lightning port.

The move to USB Type-C is a welcome change for users. It is also another door for whole new possibilities for the Apple iPad ecosystem. The availability of USB Type-C now allows Apple to develop even faster charging devices too for the Apple iPad ecosystem. But before the Apple event launch yesterday, the only Apple mobile device that sports the USB Type-C port is only the Apple iPad Air.

There is a new USB Type-C device in Apple’s stables though. The new iPad mini is finally refreshed and is a lot more powerful than before. It features the highly requested USB Type-C port.

Apple iPad mini hero 09142021
Source: Apple

The iPad mini share plenty of similarities to the iPad Air launched in 2020 though. It is void of any physical button on the display plane, for example. The Touch ID button is now integrated with its power button on the top right corner of the device. That also allows the display to occupy a larger real estate on the device.

The 8.3-inch display is a Liquid Retina panel that boasts 500 nits in brightness. It is also a highly accurate display with P3 wide colour gamut coverage. To ensure that you get the best experience in any lighting conditions, True Tone technology on the display will adjust its colour profile based on the lighting conditions in your environment.

The Apple iPad mini now supports Apple’s 2nd generation Pencil which attaches to the iPad Mini magnetically. At the same time, the Apple Pencil will be wirelessly charged while attached to the iPad mini. Of course, with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, the iPad Mini becomes a completely different workhorse.

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Source: Apple

Power comes in the form of Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, the same one you find on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. That also means you get a combination of two high-performance cores and four low-power cores for a total of six cores from the 5nm system on a Chip (SoC). With five dedicated GPU cores, the new A15 Bionic delivers 80% more graphical performance compared to the older iPad mini the 2021 variant replaces. At the same time, the dedicated 16-core Neural Engine and new Machine Learning (ML) accelerators offers twice the ML performance of the older iPad mini. That also means that Siri on the Apple iPad mini is more powerful than ever.

The rear camera is now a 12-Megapixel sensor. No, it ends there. There is only one camera out the back of the iPad mini that is paired to a True Tone LED flash. Clearly the iPad mini is not made for photography.

It is made to be a productive machine that you can work remotely with though. The compact iPad features a 12-Megapixel ultra-wide sensor out the front of the device. That allows Apple to inherit the Center Stage technology from the iPad Pro devices. The ultra-wide sensor allows for a larger frame, but at the same time, with the clever AI engine on the A15 Bionic SoC, the camera can cleverly focus on you, zoom in and out of scenes to include more users to be in the frame, and even for users to scale in and out of video calls. The feature is also now supported on Zoom, BlueJeans, and Cisco’s Webex apps.

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    Source: Apple
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    Source: Apple
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The iPadOS 15 powered Apple iPad mini for 2021 will be available in 28 countries, including the United States (US) from 24th September 2021. The iPad mini for 2021/2022 should be available in Malaysia October 2021 onward. it will be available in two storage options – 64GB and 256GB options. You can choose between Space Grey, Pink, Purple, and Starlight colour options. The Apple iPad mini will set you back US$ 499 (MYR 2,299*) onward for the WiFi only version and US$ 649 (MYR 2,949*) onward for the WiFi + Cellular variant. More on the Apple iPad mini for 2021/2022 can be found on their website.

* Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 16/09/2021

Health, Lifestyle, News

Apple Ups the Ante with New Apple Watch & Fitness+ Expansion

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The Apple Watch has become one of the most popular fitness wearables since its launch. This year, we’re seeing Apple bring some of the most requested features to the smartwatch as well as expanding its fitness offerings with Fitness+.

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The Apple Watch Series 7 drops all the vanities for functional upgrades this year. Unlike the version circulating in rumors, the Series 7 continues to have its familiar design with one big difference. It now sports even slimmer bezels and a larger display. Coming at a minute 1.7mm, the bezels on the Apple Watch Series 7 are the slimmest to date – 40% slimmer than the Series 6. The always-on display is also 70% brighter than the series 6 making it easier to see without waking the screen.

To take advantage of the larger display space, Apple is also enabling a full QWERTY keyboard on the Apple Watch. To ease typing the keyboard will take advantage of QuickPath which will allow input by swiping with a single finger. There are also two additional larger font sizes.

In addition, the Apple Watch Series 7 is also coming with new enhancements that are not only more environmentally kind but also more durable. Cupertino is claiming that this is their most durable watch yet. The front of the watch is now made of thicker crystal with, what they say is, a stronger more robust geometry and is 50% thicker than the series 6. It’s more crack-resistant as well. It’s also IP6X dust resistant and maintains its WR50 water resistance rating.

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The Apple Watch Series 7 marks a milestone in watch OS as it brings new software features. This time, watch OS 8 brings features that enhanced features that take advantage of the new, hardier build. Apple has enhanced its watch OS algorithms to make tracking cycling more reliable. Using the GPS, heart rate, accelerometer and gyroscope the Apple watch is now able to detect when you start, stop and even have a tumble while cycling. It is also able to detect pedal assist on e-bikes.

Apple Fitness+ Gets More Interactive and Expanded Availability

Together with the new Apple Watch Series 7, Apple is also expanding the availability of their Apple Watch-centered fitness service: Fitness+. Apple Fitness+ will be making its way to 15 new countries including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, and Mexico among others.

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In addition to the expanded availability, Apple Fitness+ will be introducing even more activities to get you moving. Joining the arsenal of fitness activities is guided meditation and pilates. Users can now get guided meditation sessions to help with mindfulness and stress as well as work on their core and body conditioning with trained experts on Fitness+.

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You don’t have to do kick off your fitness journey alone either. Apple Fitness+ is bringing group workouts. You’ll be able to work out with your friends and family thanks to SharePlay. Simply text or FaceTime to set up the session and work out together remotely. You will be able to see your friends’ milestones to celebrate together in group workouts. It will also contribute to your own progress as you work to close that ring!

Pricing & Availability

The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in 42mm and 45mm versions later this fall. It will be available in five new aluminum case colors: midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED. It will also be available in standard stainless steel as well. Prices start at USD$399 (MYR1,659.13).

Apple Fitness+will be available later this year priced at USD$9.99 (MYR41.54) per month or $79.99 (MYR332.63) per year. It’s also included as part of the Apple One Premier Plan which is available for USD$29.95 (MYR124.54). The Apple One Premier subscription also includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB of iCloud storage.

iOS, Mobile, News

Apple Launches the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini with Better Everything

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What is an Apple event without an Apple iPhone? We do not actually know the answer to that. Whatever though, because the new Apple iPhone for 2021/2022 is here; the Apple iPhone 13 and its Mini version is here.

You will now that you have the new Apple iPhone 13 though if you put it beside an iPhone 12. While most of its overall dimensions stays similar, the camera array on the Apple iPhone 13 is just a tiny bit different. It is distinct enough to notice though. Instead of the cameras arranged in a straight line down, it is now diagonally placed across each other. There is a reason for this, and we will talk about it later.

Apple iphone13 design 09142021
Source: Apple

Flip it to the front and the only differentiator between the 12 and 13 is the size of the notch that houses the Face ID sensor alongside 12-Megapixel front-facing camera. It is still the same Super Retina XDR OLED display that you get from before though at 5.4-inch on the Mini and 6.1-inch on the regular iPhone 13. Except they are now brighter at up to 1200 nits.

At the back are two 12-Megapixels that handles different jobs. The one at the bottom is the main 12-Megapixel sensor that features a larger sensor than before for even better looking low-light photos. The main sensor also features Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) for steady handheld shots whenever and wherever you are. The other camera is an Ultra-Wide sensor.

The cameras also features Photography Styles where users can choose between a collection of pre-set colour settings to really bring out their creativity in photos. At the same time, the camera is capable of shooting videos in Dolby Vision HDR at up to 4K 60p resolution. On top of that you also get Cinematic mode with Rack Focus effects on the Apple iPhone 13.

All the added features are possible thanks to the new Apple A15 Bionic System on a Chip (SoC). It is made with 5nm process, which is still the standard we are used to today. The most advanced chip from Apple is now a six-core SoC though with two of its cores being high-powered cores for the best-in-class processing performance. It also features a 4-core GPU which is powerful enough to drive the most demanding mobile games you can find on Apple’s App Store. With a 16-core Neural Engine, Siri on the iPhone 13 is more powerful than ever.

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  • Apple iphone13 design 09142021
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  • Apple iphone13 display 09142021
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The Apple iPhone 13 will be available for pre-orders starting from 17th of September 2021 onward. It will start shipping out in Apple’s major markets from the 24th of September 2021 onward. Unfortunately, Malaysia is not a part of the first markets to get the Apple iPhone. We do not have to wait for that long though since the Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will be available 1st of October 2021 onward. You get to choose from pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and RED colour options for both the iPhone models. Storage options start at 128GB and tops out at 512GB. The Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini starts at US$ 799 (MYR 3,899*) and US$ 699 (MYR 3,399*)respectively. You can find more information on Apple’s latest iPhone from their website.

*Official Malaysia pricing.