Malaysian mobile users who value customization and control over their data plans will soon bid farewell to a familiar brand. Yoodo, the popular digital telco known for its unique approach to mobile services, has announced it will cease operations on August 29th, 2024.
Yoodo’s departure marks a significant change in the Malaysian telecommunications landscape. Launched in 2018, the brand carved a niche for itself by offering users complete control over building their mobile plans. Users could choose their desired data allocation, voice minutes, and SMS bundles, tailoring their plans to their specific needs. This level of customization resonated with a tech-savvy demographic seeking to avoid the often-restrictive nature of traditional mobile contracts.
The reasons behind Yoodo’s discontinuation stem from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) requirements following the merger of Celcom and Digi. As a subsidiary of Celcom, Yoodo was required to be divested within 18 months of the merger’s completion to address concerns about reduced competition in the market.
Existing Yoodo customers can breathe a sigh of relief. Yoodo assures users that their current data, voice, and SMS services will continue uninterrupted on the CelcomDigi network until further notice. Furthermore, customers will have the option to port their numbers to another mobile operator of their choice. Yoodo will provide further details and support during the transition period leading up to August 29th.
The discontinuation of Yoodo raises questions about the future of customizable mobile plans in Malaysia. While CelcomDigi has not announced specific plans regarding Yoodo’s user base or the potential for similar customizable options within their existing offerings, it’s a situation worth monitoring.
Sony isn’t just releasing a flagship smartphone this round, it’s also bringing a new entry into its midrange lineup. The new Xperia 10 VI is built for creators on a more affordable scale coming with a two-day battery life and the Video Creator app which Sony debuted with the Xperia 5 V.
The Xperia 10 VI is built to be a compact, durable smartphone coming in at only 164g. The lightweight smartphone measures only 155mm x 68mm and comes complete with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. That said, the smartphone is packed to the brim with power – most literally – with its 5000mAh battery.
Under the hood, the Xperia 10 VI comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 mobile compute platform that is built for affordable performance. This is complemented by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Like its bigger sibling, the Xperia 1 VI, it also supports up to 1.5TB of extra memory through a microSD card slot. It comes with a 6.1-inch OLED display that Sony is calling Triluminous Display for mobile. This display supports a 60HZ refresh rate and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
On the camera front, the Xperia 10 VI comes with a dual sensor set-up. The main sensor is a 48-megapixel Exmor RS for mobile sensor. This is complemented by an 8-megapixel sensor. The sensors support shooting at 26 mm and 52mm focal length equivalents and 16mm focal length equivalents respectively. The camera setup also supports 2x optical zoom. It also comes with optical image stabilization for both still image and video shooting with Optical SteadyShot technology. Up front is an 8-megapixel sensor.
Complementing the camera setup is Sony’s Video Creator app. Using this app, users will be able to seamlessly generate captivating videos from their still and video shots in less than a minute. Sony is promising three major OS updates and 4 years of security updates for the Xperia 10 VI.
Pricing & Availability
The Sony Xperia 10 VI will be available starting in August 2024 in Malaysia. For the rest of the world, Sony indicates that availability will start in the coming weeks. You can register your interest in the Xperia 10 VI on the Sony website now.
The smartphone will be available in three colours: Blue, Black and White. In Malaysia, it looks like we’ll be getting the Black and Blue versions only. No official pricing has been announced yet.
The landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) has witnessed a significant leap forward with the recent launch of OpenAI’s GPT-4o. This next-generation large language model (LLM) transcends the capabilities of its predecessors, boasting significant advancements in text, audio, and vision processing.
Going Beyond Text
While previous iterations of GPT excelled at text generation and manipulation, GPT-4o pushes the boundaries further. This multimodal LLM incorporates audio and visual inputs into its repertoire, allowing for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the world around it. Imagine seamlessly interacting with a language model that can not only understand your written instructions but can also interpret visual cues on your screen or respond in real time to your voice commands.
OpenAI claims that GPT-4o maintains its predecessor’s exceptional text processing capabilities, even demonstrating improvements in non-English languages. This refined performance in text generation, translation, and code writing paves the way for more efficient communication and collaboration across diverse linguistic backgrounds.
OpenAI showcased the versatility of GPT-4o during its launch demo. The model’s ability to respond to audio inputs with a human-like response time opens doors for innovative voice assistant applications. Furthermore, GPT-4o demonstrated the potential to generate short videos based on textual descriptions, hinting at its ability to participate in creative storytelling processes.
Taking It Into High Gear with More Integrations
The launch of GPT-4o intensifies the ongoing competition within the AI research community. With Google’s LaMDA remaining a prominent contender, the race to develop the most advanced and versatile LLM continues. This competitive landscape serves as a catalyst for rapid innovation, ultimately benefitting the field of AI as a whole.
Reports suggest that GPT-4o might possess the capability to analyze visual information displayed on a user’s screen. While the full extent of this feature remains unclear, it opens doors for a variety of potential applications. Imagine a language model that can not only understand written instructions but can also adapt its responses based on the visual context on your screen. This level of integration could revolutionize the way we interact with computers and leverage AI for tasks requiring a deeper understanding of the user’s intent.
The implications of GPT-4o extend far beyond the realm of technical specifications. This multimodal LLM has the potential to redefine the way we interact with technology. Imagine AI assistants that understand not just our words but also our nonverbal cues, or creative tools that can collaborate with humans on artistic endeavors. While the full impact of GPT-4o remains to be seen, its launch signifies a significant step forward on the path towards more natural and intuitive interactions between humans and machines.
Malaysians are increasingly turning to digital rewards programs for savings and convenience, as revealed by data from the Senheng App. This trend highlights a shift in consumer behaviour, with Malaysians seeking to maximize their purchasing power in a challenging economic climate.
Senheng App Goes Beyond Electronics
The Senheng App is evolving beyond simply bridging the gap between its physical stores and customers. It’s transforming into a powerful competitor to established e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee. While electronics remain a core focus, the app now offers a wider product range, including groceries and movie tickets, catering to a broader range of everyday needs.
Data from the Senheng App paints a clear picture: App downloads have more than doubled between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, and Senheng PlusOne Membership registrations have tripled in the same period. This growth signifies a strong consumer desire for online convenience and rewarding experiences. Furthermore, the continued app adoption and membership growth despite economic uncertainties showcase loyalty programs’ enduring appeal.
S-Coin: Fueling Your Savings
Looking closer at the data, it’s evident that S-Coin adoption goes beyond mere transactions. Malaysians are using S-Coin, a digital rewards currency exclusive to Senheng’s PlusOne members, as a way to enrich their lives – from groceries to gadgets, they’re leveraging this program to stretch their dollar and enjoy greater convenience.
The 23% increase in S-Coin collection through the Senheng App from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024 demonstrates a clear preference for loyalty programs that help offset rising costs. The 60% increase in active S-Coin users during the same period further emphasizes the program’s growing value in daily life for Malaysian households.
How S-Coin Works
Earned through eligible purchases via the Senheng App, Senheng stores, and partner platforms, S-Coin can be redeemed for discounts on a wide variety of products and services within the Senheng ecosystem. In a world where financial prudence is essential, the rise of digital rewards programs like S-Coin offers a valuable tool for Malaysians. By embracing loyalty programs, consumers can take control of their finances and unlock a more rewarding lifestyle.
Empowering Malaysians Through Savings and Convenience
“At Senheng, we’re committed to empowering Malaysians to make the most of their hard-earned money,” said Lew Wai Hoong, General Manager of Senheng App. “The surge in S-Coin adoption reflects a broader shift towards digital rewards and convenience. The Senheng App is not just a shopping platform; it’s a tool that allows Malaysians to make every ringgit count, ultimately enhancing their lifestyles.”
Huawei’s latest smartwatch is about to launch in Malaysia on May 13, 2024. The recently unveiled HUAWEI Watch Fit 3 wearable merges cutting-edge technology with a unique square design.
Designed with a minimalist aesthetic, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 offers a variety of strap options including fluoroelastomer, nylon, and leather. This allows users to personalize their look for any occasion. Available in a spectrum of colours including Black, White, Green, Pink, Grey, and White Leather, the Watch Fit 3 seamlessly complements diverse wardrobes.
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 supports over 100 workout modes, and it caters to a wide range of fitness routines, from yoga enthusiasts to high-intensity interval training athletes. Huawei’s next-generation health monitoring technology ensures accurate heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, and comprehensive sleep analysis. It also has menstrual cycle tracking, stress management monitoring, and sleep quality assessments.
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is touted to deliver an impressive 10 days of battery life on a single charge. This, coupled with its fast-charging technology, ensures the watch remains operational throughout your day, providing uninterrupted health tracking and connectivity no matter your schedule.
Malaysians can now pre-order the new Watch Fit 3. When you do, you will receive an RM30 discount coupon to apply to your final purchase. All you have to do is place your order on the official Huawei website, the Huawei Official Store on Shopee, or the HUAWEI Flagship Store on Lazada between May 8th, 2024 and May 17th, 2024, to secure the discount. This offer is valid for a limited time only. Keep in mind that this is a blind pre-order and the official price of the device has not been announced.
Huawei is set to expand its technological offerings in Malaysia with the upcoming launch of two innovative products – the Huawei MateBook X Pro laptop and the Huawei Watch Fit 3 smartwatch – scheduled for May 13th, 2024. This launch underscores Huawei’s focus on integrating advanced technology with user-centric design, catering specifically to the Malaysian market.
Sleek Performance Coming Soon with the MateBook X Pro
First unveiled at a global event in Dubai, the Huawei MateBook X Pro pushes the boundaries of laptop design. The ultra-lightweight magnesium alloy chassis, measuring only 13.5mm thin and weighing under 1kg, prioritizes portability with little compromise on durability. The near-borderless Flexible OLED display boasts exceptional visuals with vivid colours and brightness for better immersion.
Powering this sleek device is the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor, complemented by up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage. This combination promises smooth operation and responsiveness, even for demanding tasks. The MateBook X Pro further enhances user experience with its Super Device capabilities, allowing for seamless integration and collaboration with other Huawei devices. Additionally, the 90W Huawei SuperCharge technology facilitates rapid charging to keep users productive throughout the day.
Stylish Fitness Coming with the Huawei Watch Fit 3
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is the latest wearable from Huawei that looks to strike a balance between stylish aesthetics and comprehensive health and fitness tracking features. It comes with a sleek, elegant square design and some of the most advanced health monitoring technology promising to keep health-conscious users fashion-forward.
Like other Huawei fitness devices, the Watch Fit 3 comes with over 100 workout modes, menstrual cycle tracking for women, and comprehensive sleep monitoring. It is geared to be a go-to device for fitness enthusiasts and lifestyle-focused individuals alike. The device features next-generation Huawei health monitoring technology, delivering precise heart rate and SpO2 tracking. This robust functionality is backed by a long-lasting battery that promises up to 10 days of use on a single charge.
Early Bird Offers Ahead of the Grand Launch on May 13 2024
Huawei is offering attractive early-bird promotions for Malaysian consumers. Customers who place a deposit of just RM70 for the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro between May 8th and 12th will receive freebies valued at up to RM4,582.
Similarly, early adopters of the Watch Fit 3 can benefit from an exclusive RM30 early bird voucher valid from today until May 17th, 2024. Additionally, they will receive a gift package worth RM89.
Apple Silicon has made waves when it comes to SoCs (Systems on a Chip). It has created a standard for power efficiency and performance that the industry lacked. Now, with its fourth generation, the Apple M4 is looking to create an even larger gap with improved GPU architecture and the fastest Neural Engine in the company’s repertoire.
The Apple M4 chip is built using the company’s second generation 3nm architecture. It comes with a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU and the fastest Neural engine that Apple has created yet. The M4 consists of 28 billion transistors built with 3nm technology that allows for better power efficiency.
The 10-core CPU consists of four performance cores and six efficiency cores that help forge a delicate balance between performance and power efficiency. These cores are able to process higher workloads and better predict branches and have a wider decode and execution engines. Also featured on both cores are next-generation Machine Learning (ML) accelerators. Thanks to this, the M4 is able to deliver 1.5x the performance of the M2.
The M4’s 10-core GPU is built on the next-generation graphics architecture that was first featured in the M3. This architecture gives a significant boost to performance through Dynamic Caching. This process allocates memory dynamically in hardware and in real time resulting in an substantial increase in GPU utilisation. The new GPU also enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing, a first on the iPad line up. This enables more realistic shadows and reflections in games like Diablo Immortal as well as other graphically rich experiences. The GPU is also able to better process and reproduce graphically intense scene and workloads thank to hardware-accelerated mesh shading. The performance of the GPU is increased by up to four times on apps like Octane.
The Neural Engine on the Apple M4 is able to process 38 trillion operations a second. That’s 60 times faster than the A11 Bionic which featured the first generation Neural Engine. This combined with the ML accelerators, the CPU and the GPU make this processor Apple’s best processor for AI workloads. This is utilised in iPadOS with features like Live Captions which can generate captions in real time or visual look up that help identify items in videos or pictures.
The M4 also brings hardware acceleration for Apple’s AV1 code to the iPad for the first time. The media engine of the M4 also supports codecs like H.264, HEVC and ProRes.
Apple’s highest-end iPad has gotten a full refresh with a slimmer design, more powerful insides, cutting-edge display technology and a bevvy of new accessories to make it one of the most compelling tablets available. The new iPad Pro is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes striking the balance between portability and productivity.
More Svelt & Touting the First Ultra Retina XDR Display
The new iPad Pro will be touting Apple’s new Ultra Retina XDR display. The new display comes with what Apple calls “tandem OLED” technology which allows for more precise and true-to-life colours and better visual performance. The new display has a peak brightness of 1000 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits. Its performance is driven by the next-generation GPU of the Apple M4 Chip. The display also comes with a nano-texture which produces less glare thanks to precision etching that doesn’t compromise visual quality and responsiveness.
Together with new display technology, the new iPad Pro also features a new, slimmer design. This design has resulted in lighter weight and a svelt appearance. The new tablets come in at just 5.3mm thin on the 11-inch model and a slimmer 5.1mm on the 13-inch model. Apple claims that the durability of the tablets remains unchanged even with the slimmer profiles. The tablet’s enclosures are also made of 100% recycled aluminium.
Debuting with Apple’s Next Generation Silicon – the M4 Chip
The new M4 chip from Apple delivers improvements not only when it comes to performance, but also in battery efficiency. The M4 silicon is built on Apple’s second-generation 3nm process that delivers better performance with higher power savings. The chip features four performance cores and six efficiency cores. It also leverages new machine learning (ML) accelerators to deliver a touted 50% increase in CPU performance compared to the M2 processor.
Building on the GPU architecture of the M3, the M4 features a whopping 10-core GPU that features Dynamic Caching. This allows for features like hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. Both are featured on the iPad lineup for the first time in the new iPad Pro. The Neural Engine of the M4 is Apple’s most powerful to date. It’s capable of 38 trillion operations a second which is 60x faster than the A11 Bionic, Apple’s first chip featuring a Neural Engine.
Updated Cameras & Connectivity
The iPad Pro also comes with an updated camera setup. It features four studio-quality mics complemented by the 12-megapixel back camera. This setup can capture Smart HDR images and high-quality videos even in low light. The camera also comes with a True Tone flash that delivers excellent performance. Scanning documents with the camera is even easier thanks to the flash and intelligent processing by the M4 that delivers high-quality scans. Upfront, the 12-megapixel camera with an ultra-wide viewing angle delivers an updated experience when video calling. Center Stage augments the experience further especially when paired with the Magic Keyboard or Smart Folio.
The iPad Pro comes with a USB-C connector that supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB4. This enables high-speed wired connectivity of up to 40Gbps. With Thunderbolt 3 you can even hook the iPad up to a 6K display and high-speed external storage. It also supports WiFi 6E and 5G for the fastest wireless data connectivity available.
New iPad Pro, New Accessories
The new iPad Pro will also be accompanied by a bevvy of new accessories. Of note are the new Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. The new Apple Pencil Pro comes with a new sensor that allows users to squeeze the stylus for added functionality. Complementing this is a haptic motor that provides feedback when squeezed or when certain actions are performed. Using a gyroscope, Apple is looking to deliver a more realistic experience with the Apple Pencil Pro allowing users to change the orientation of the shaped pen and brush tools. Users are able to see these changes with a hover that previews the orientation.
The Magic Keyboard has also been updated with a slimmer profile and lighter weight. It now comes with a function row that gives quick access to key settings and features of the iPad and keyboard. It also comes with a larger trackpad with haptic feedback and an aluminium palm rest. Lastly, Apple also announced a new Smart Folio for the iPad Pro that features more viewing angles.
Pricing & Availabilty
The Apple iPad Pro (2024) will be available for pre-order starting May 7, 2024. Store availability will start on 15 May 2024.
The iPad will be available in 13-inch size with WiFi and Cellular options. Pricing for the 13-inch model starts at USD$1,299/RM6,799 for the WiFi model and USD$1,499/RM7,799 for the WiFi+Cellular model. The smaller 11-inch model will be priced at USD$999/RM5,299 for the WiFi model and USD$1,199/RM6,299 for the WiFi+Cellular model. Both versions will be available in Space Black and Silver.
The Apple Pencil Pro will be available for USD$129/RM599.
The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is priced at USD$299/RM1,479 while the 13-inch version is priced at USD$349/RM1,699. It will be available in Black and White.
The Smart Folio will be available in Denim, Black and White and will cost USD$79/RM379 for the 11-inch version and USD$99/RM479 for the 13-inch version.
Apple’s iPad line up have long been the front runners when it comes to tablets. The new generation iPad Air is looking to reinforce that with an updated design, slimmer profile and the Apple M2 chip. The new iPad Air will also be the first iPad Air model to be available in two sizes.
The new iPad Air has been supercharged and updated with some of the hallmark features of the iPad series. It comes with slimmer bezels, a better Liquid Retina Display and is more versatile. It comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes that strike a balance between portability and visual real estate.
Also updated in the new Air is camera which has been updated with a 12-megapixel sensor. It’s also got a landscape 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage support. This will allow the camera to ensure that you are center frame when you’re using the table. The new tablet also comes with landscape stereo audio making your media consumption experience more immersive. It also comes with Touch ID and features an enclosure made of recycled aluminium.
Under the hood, the new tablet comes with the Apple M2 Chip. This processor, while not the latest, brings a huge leap in performance for the Air. Compared to the iPad Air with the A12 Bionic, Apple touts 3x life in speed. Compared to the M1 touting Air, Apple is boasting a 50% increase in performance. The new iPad Air is also now 5G enabled and supports up to 1TB of internal storage. It will also support the newly announced Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
Pricing & Availability
The new iPad Air will be available in four colours: blue, purple, starlight and space gray. Prices for the 11-inch iPad Air will start at USD$599/RM2,999 for the WiFi model and USD$749/RM3,749 for the WiFi+Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air will be priced from USD$799/RM3,999 for the WiFi model and USD$949/RM4,749 for the WiFi+Cellular model.
It looks like Spotify’s road to lossless audio is long and full of hurdles. It’s been about three years since the streaming giant first announced it would be adding lossless audio to its offerings, but we’ve yet to see it materialise. However, Spotify does seem to like to tease us with leaks and “updates” to its apps.
In the latest leaks that have surfaced thanks to Reddit user OhItsTom, we finally get a glimpse of some of the features and app interfaces for “Lossless” on Spotify. The screenshots of the desktop app show that Spotify might be considering ditching the “HiFi” branding and sticking to “Lossless”. It also gives us a glimpse of the quality that Spotify is gunning for with Lossless and it’s an impressive 2117kbps. That said, it looks like a majority of the offerings will be 24-bit audio FLAC files. The interface also indicates that audio files could be as large as 15.9MB a minute. That’s a HUGE file! A typical song would be between 65MB to 80MB which isn’t too bad considering ripping lossless tracks from a CD can sometimes go larger than that.
In addition to this, it looks like Spotify will be including a whole bunch on introductory screens for Lossless when it finally launches. It does suggest using Spotify Connect over Bluetooth for a better listening experience for lossless. It will also come with a compatibility checker for Spotify Lossless that will let you know if your device can support Lossless audio.
These screenshots are the latest in leaks that have been teasing the upcoming release of Spotify’s Lossless Audio support. However, it comes after more rumours pointed to Spotify introducing a brand new tier – Supremium – to its offerings. The Supremium tier would set you back USD$20 a month. This is about USD$5 more than the Premium tier which is priced at USD$16.99. There is also no indication if this tier would be supported in the Family plan. Currently, Spotify Premium is priced at RM15.90 a month in Malaysia while the Family Plan is priced at RM24.90 a month.
