ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has recently announced its collaboration with the hit anime series Evangelion, centred around the iconic EVA-02 and pilot Asuka.
This collaboration introduces a range of premium PC gaming components and peripherals with striking red and orange colour schemes, including Evangelion-themed decals and art.
For instance, the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard features EVA-02’s signature colours and patterns, supporting 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and DDR5 memory for top-tier performance.
Source: ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG)
ASUS also boasts exceptional performance with the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 EVA-02 Edition graphics cards. They come with advanced cooling features and an EVA-02 colour theme, accompanied by Asuka art on the backplate.
The ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB EVA-02 Edition AIO cooler combines efficient cooling capabilities with Asuka-inspired artwork. The LED screen can display various Evangelion-themed animations.
Next up, we have the ROG Hyperion EVA-02 Edition chassis, a premium gaming case with an EVA-02-themed lighting panel. It has been designed to match the aesthetics of EVA-02 and house other ROG x Evangelion components.
Source: ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG)
As for fans and gamers seeking an ergonomic and high-performance keyboard, the ROG Strix Scope RX EVA-02 Edition may just tick the boxes. This keyboard spots an EVA-02-themed keycap, a red-and-orange aluminium case, as well as ROG RX optical mechanical switches for reliable and responsive keystrokes.
The last item in the ASUS ROG Evangelion lineup is the ROG Gladius III Wireless AimPoint EVA-02 Edition mouse. The brand claims that the mouse can provide precision and accuracy with its 36,000 dpi. ROG also offers Evangelion-themed mouse grip tapes for added customization.
At the time of writing this article, ASUS has not announced the official release date for the Evangelion lineup. If you are a big fan of New Evangelion, be sure to stick around to find out more!
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series is getting much-needed housekeeping and streamlining with the introduction of the Galaxy Tab S9 series. Samsung has removed a lot of the confusion and mess that was present in the previous iterations of the Tab S series. Every variant from the base Galaxy Tab S9 to the Tab S9 Ultra has the same design ethos and features unifying the experience across the board.
The Tab S9 series is the first tablet to have an IP68 rating making it water and dust resistant. This also means that you will be able to use Samsung’s latest tablet come rain or shine. The tablet also comes with support for the S Pen. This time, you won’t need to worry about the orientation of the S Pen when attaching it to the back of the tablet to charge it. Samsung has made the charging mechanism for the S Pen orientation independent allowing you to charge it in any orientation. Samsung also announced a special Creator Edition S Pen which comes with better tactility and a wider tilt angle for drawing.
All the variants of the Tab S9 series come with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The base Tab S9 comes with a 11-inch display while the Tab S9+ comes with a 12.4-inch display and the Ultra tops the series out with a 14.6-inch display. The media experience of the Tab S series is rounded off with a quad-speaker setup that is professionally tuned by AKG. The speakers are 20% larger than the previous Tab S and also support Dolby Atmos.
The Galaxy Tab S9 series comes with all the software features we’ve come to expect when it comes to a large-screen experience with Samsung devices. Multiwindow gets an improvement with support for up to 3 simultaneous apps in an organised grid. DeX is also making a comeback on the Tab S9 series bringing a desktop experience to the tablet.
The Tab S9 series comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This is complemented by up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. On the camera end of things, the front camera on the S9 and S9+ is a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera while the S9 Ultra comes with a dual 12-megapixel setup. On the back, the base S9 comes with a single 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor while the S9+ and the S9 Ultra come with a dual sensor setup with a 13-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
Samsung is also partnering with apps to bring them exclusively to the Galaxy Tab S9 series. Popular video editing app LumaFusion, note-taking app GoodNotes and CAD and design application ArcSite will be available exclusively on the Tab S9 series with special offers for users with the Tab S9.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Tab S9 series will be available in two colours – Graphite and Beige. In Malaysia, prices for the Galaxy Tab S9 series will start from MYR3,699 while it will retail internationally with prices starting at USD$999. Detailed pricing is in the table below.
Model
RRP
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra 5G with keyboard(512GB)
RM7,149
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra 5G with keyboard (256GB)
RM6,649
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with keyboard (512GB)
RM6,499
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with keyboard (256GB)
RM5,999
Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G with keyboard (512GB)
RM5,849
Galaxy Tab S9+ with keyboard (512GB)
RM5,199
Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G (256GB)
RM5,249
Galaxy Tab S9+ (256GB)
RM4,599
Galaxy Tab S9 5G with keyboard (256GB)
RM4,849
Galaxy Tab S9 with keyboard (256GB)
RM4,199
Galaxy Tab S9 5G (128GB)
RM4,349
Galaxy Tab S9 (128GB)
RM3,699
Preorders for the Tab S9 series start today and end on the 17 of August 2023. Preorders are entitled to a free double storage upgrade worth MYR600, 50% off the Book Cover Keyboard and a free 12-month subscription to Viu. If you buy from the Samsung Online Store you’ll be able to get an MYR100 e-voucher for your next purchase.
Samsung’s foldable devices were one of the first devices to make it on the scene. This year, the company is working on refining the smartphone experience with new software enhancements and features as well as fine-tuning the design with meaningful updates. The new Galaxy Z Flip5 is leading the charge with an even bigger cover display – now known as the FlexWindow and a refined hinge.
The cover display of the Galaxy Z Flip5 has been supersized and replaced with a 3.4-inch display which covers the whole top cover of the smartphone. The new FlexWindow comes with a totally revamped experience with more functional widgets and a whole new user experience. Like its predecessors, the FlexWindow will still support features like using it for epic selfies with FlexCam and glancing notifications. Using gestures, you’ll be able to access features like Samsung Wallet to access IDs, boarding passes and payment cards as well as widgets from your favourite apps.
The second biggest change is the hinge that the Galaxy Z Flip5 uses. Samsung has reduced the number of moving parts in the new Flex hinge. This has not only reduced the thickness of the Flip5 by about 2mm but has also eliminated the gap on the smartphone when closed. Yes – there is no gap in the hinge when closed.
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This is complemented by up to 512GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM. The Z Flip5 comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover display is a Super AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
The main camera of the Flip5 is a dual camera setup with a 12-megapixel wide sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. On the front, is a 10-megapixel selfie camera. The new foldable’s cameras come with Nightography which Samsung has been pushing with their flagship Galaxy S23 series and Galaxy A series. It also comes with auto-framing to help enhance the hands-free camera experience with Flex Mode.
This year’s Galaxy Z Flip5 will also be foregoing the BESPOKE edition we’ve come to expect from the Flip line up. Instead, Samsung is introducing the FlipSuit Case which allows you to customise your Flip5 without the hefty price of a new phone. All you have to do is pop on the case and use one of the NFC enabled plates and it will seamlessly synchronise your FlexWindow with the design of the case. Samsung informs us that there will be new designs and exclusive partnerships coming at a later date.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip5 will be available in Mint, Graphite, Lavender and Cream at launch. Additional colours like Yellow, Green, Gray and Blue are available exclusively on Samsung.com.
In Malaysia, the Flip5 will be retailing at MYR4,499 for the 256GB version and MYR4,999 for the 512GB version. Internationally, it will be available starting at USD$999.
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 start today and end on August 17 2023. Pre-orders will be entitled to a free double storage upgrade worth MYR500 and up to 40% off purchase-with-purchase on Samsung accessories, Samsung Care+, Galaxy Tablets, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds series. If you pre-order from the Samsung Online Store, you’ll be able to get an e-voucher worth up to MYR600 on your next purchase.
During the pre-order period, trade-ins of older devices will be entitled to an additional rebate of up to MYR600 under the Enhanced Trade-in Program.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 is looking to further the company’s approach to larger display foldable devices. It keeps a lot of the best of the Z Fold lineup while improving where its predecessors lacked. The new Z Fold5 is 2.4mm slimmer when folded and has a sturdier hinge.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 comes with Samsung’s new Flex Hinge. The new hinge comes with fewer moving parts and a slimmer, more seamless profile. It also helps prevent creasing on the display by keeping it in a waterdrop shape. The hinge is also sturdier and can fold at more angles than before allowing you to get more functionality from FlexMode. It’s also water resistant this year with an IPX8 rating.
The cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold5 is a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HD+ resolution. The main screen is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with a QXGA resultion of 2176×1812 pixels. Both screens have a 120Hz refresh rate. The Z Fold5 cotninues to support the S Pen. In fact, Samsung has redesigned the S Pen for Fold and made it slimmer and sleeker. The new S Pen case also integrates the S Pen silo seamlessly without added bulk.
The Z Fold5 comes with the same camera setup as the Fold4. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel wide Dual Pixel sensor with Phase dectection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is complemented with a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, on the cover display, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera while under the flexible display, there’s a 4-megapixel selfie camera.
Under the hood, the Fold5 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. It comes complemented by 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. Powering all of this is a 4,400mAh battery wwith support for Fast Charging and fast wireless charging 2.0.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Fold5 will be available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black and Cream. Additional colours like Gray and Blue will be available exclusively from the Samsung Online Store.
In Malaysia, the Fold5 will be available in three configurations. The 256GB version of the smartphone will cost MYR6,799; the 512GB version will cost MYR7,299; while the 1TB version will cost MYR8,299. Internationally, prices will start at USD$1,799.
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 start today and end on August 17 2023 together with the Flip5, Tab S9 series and Watch6 series. Pre-orders will be entitled to a free double storage upgrade worth MYR500 and up to 40% off purchase-with-purchase on Samsung accessories, Samsung Care+, Galaxy Tablets, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds series. If you pre-order from the Samsung Online Store, you’ll be able to get an e-voucher worth up to MYR600 on your next purchase.
During the pre-order period, trade-ins of older devices will be entitled to an additional rebate of up to MYR600 under the Enhanced Trade-in Program.
Google’s dessert-themed Android update has become stale. Well, not really. It’s just that Google Play is officially ending support for devices running Android 4.4 KitKat. This doesn’t come out of the blue as Google has been actively retiring support for older versions of the OS to ensure that the OS platform and the Play Store remain secure.
Source: Google
Android 4.4, aka Android KitKat, has been around for nearly 10 years already. The update was one of the most significant updates for the Android operating system at the time. The update brought an overhaul and standardization to the design language of Android at the time.
According to the latest breakdown of Android versions on the market, Android KitKat stood at 0.5% of devices currently available globally. It seems like it’s enough for Google to finally end support for the version on the Google Play Store. The same report also indicated that Android 5.0 and Android 6 are at 1.8% and 2.3% respectively.
It goes without saying, if you have a device running Android KitKat you may want to update it before August 2023 if you can. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use the Play Store anymore. If there’s no official updates, many Android smartphones and tablets are well supported by the community with more updated versions of the OS based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that you can sideload.
Alibaba Cloud has introduced its latest AI image generation model, Tongyi Wanxiang (‘Wanxiang’ means ‘tens of thousands of images’). This model is designed to help businesses improve their creativity by generating high-quality images across different art styles.
Text-to-image generation
The company states that Tongyi Wanxiang is able to generate detailed images in response to text prompts in both Chinese and English. This includes watercolours, oil paintings, sketches, animations, and more. Additionally, It can also transform existing images into new ones with similar styles and apply style transfers to create visually appealing compositions..
Tongyi Wanxiang is powered by Alibaba Cloud’s advanced technologies and leverages multilingual materials for enhanced training. This AI image generation model optimizes the high-resolution diffusion process to strike a balance between composition accuracy, detail sharpness, and clean backgrounds.
Alibaba Cloud developed it using Composer, the company’s proprietary large model that offers greater control over the final image output, including spatial layout and colour palette.
ModelScopeGPT Launched for Sophisticated AI Tasks
The company has also launched ModelScopeGPT, a versatile framework that utilizes Large Language Models (LLMs) to accomplish complex AI tasks across language, vision, and speech domains. ModelScopeGPT connects with an extensive array of domain-specific expert models, allowing businesses and developers to access and execute the best-suited models for sophisticated AI tasks. The platform is available for free and offers a rich Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystem.
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 that we reviewed last year was, in our opinion, one of the best, if not the best high-end noise cancelling earbuds your money can buy. Sony really knows how to make audio gear and thanks to their knowhow in active noise cancelling (ANC) technologies, you expect nothing less with their high-end noise cancelling audio gears. But that is also a problem in itself made by Sony for themselves. How do you top their best product? While the answer is simply; “make everything better”, it really is not as simple as that.
Of course, while Sony still holds the lead in active noise cancelling headphones, there are players in the industry who are catching up. Apple, for example, introduced their 2nd generation AirPods Pro to a success and with stellar reviews on its aural and noise cancelling performances. Sony cannot just be content with their WF-1000XM4. They do need to push the envelopes a little. They have with the WF-1000XM5.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Despite being the ‘mark 5’ in the bunch, this is not Sony’s 5th generation ANC earbuds. It is, in fact, their 4th generation high-end earbuds. The earbuds also do not look totally dissimilar with the ‘mark 4’. It is supposedly 25% smaller and 20% lighter than before though. We think that Sony is going for that signature timeless look with their higher-end earphones now, sort of like what they are doing with their Xperia smartphones line-up.
Inside is a completely different earbuds compared to the WF-1000XM4 though. We start with the new driver; they call it the Dynamic Driver X unit. The new Dynamic Driver X is almost similar in size to the previous driver, but is developed specifically for the latest generation WF-1000 earbuds. According to Sony, the driver design offers a combination of materials from the dome to the edge of the diaphragm structure. What this does, according to them, is to reduce distortion on both high-end and low-end frequencies allowing the engineers to pump more power into the driver to produce detailed highs and powerful bass. Of course, they have not forgotten that a balanced audio reproduction requires a balanced and detailed mid-tone too.
Unlike the older WF-1000XM4, the new WF-1000XM5 comes packing two processors. They have a brand-new Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e and Integrated Processor V2. The Integrated Processor V2 now enables the earbuds to process 24-bit audio and offers high-performance noise amplification for super rich audio unlike anything you might have experienced in a pair of wireless earbuds. Of course, you still get Hi-Res support thanks to LDAC and DSEE Extreme. Sony’s highly acclaimed 360 Reality Audio now also comes with head tracking technology that ensures that your sound moves accordingly creating an even higher immersion than ever before.
Source: Sony
Alongside three mics on each earbud, the dedicated noise cancelling processor delivers noise cancelling performance and ambient noise mode even better than you find on the WF-1000XM4. They say that thanks to the three-mic combo, ambient noise can be captured more accurately than before resulting in a much more natural feel of your surroundings. Because noise is picked up much more accurately as well, the noise cancelling algorithm is more precise and therefore works better in noisy environments. You also get Sony’s clever polyurethane foam materials that passively cancels noise in the environment for a better seal in your ears.
Sony also claims that the new WF-1000XM5 offers better call quality than ever before. You still get the beamforming mic that was first introduced in the previous earphones. They have employed cleverer AI algorithms in the new earphones based on Deep Neutral Network (DNN) processing working alongside new bone conduction sensors to accurately pick up your voice. The result should be a more natural sounding, cleaner, and clearer voice at least from your end during a call.
Despite being smaller, the IPX4 water-resistant body of the WF-1000XM5 contains a battery that offers up to 8 hours of continuous listening time on a single charge. Of course, the case carries extra charges for the earbuds for up to 24 hours of listening time. You can also charge the earbuds wirelessly, like its predecessor. Thanks to Multipoint Connect, you can pair the WF-1000XM5 with up to two devices simultaneously, though you might have to sacrifice LDAC capabilities.
Price and Availability
Sony’s WF-1000XM5 will be available in two colour options, just like before. You can get it in black or silver when it is available in August 2023 onward. It will set you back MYR 1,299, which is more expensive than the previous WF-1000XM4 that sold for MYR 1,099 at launch. More on the Sony WF-1000XM5 can be found on their website.
Samsung launched their updated ultimate gaming monitor back in CES 2023 in January. To be fair, CES 2023 saw Samsung showcasing several versions of their ultimate gaming monitor, the Odyssey G9. One of them was the Odyssey Neo G9 that packs dual UHD resolution on a 57-inch curved panel. While it does sound nice, only NVIDIA’s most powerful GeForce RTX 4090 seems to fit the bill for that display. You might even struggle getting the most out of the monitor even with NVIDIA’s most extreme GPU. The Odyssey Neo G9 is a little unrealistic then. But what about the other monitor Samsung introduced? What about the Odyssey OLED G9?
The Odyssey OLED G9 is not necessarily a new recipe from Samsung. Samsung already made the Odyssey G9 in the prior years. It is an out-of-this-world, hardware-pushing, borderline overkill of a gaming monitor that offers 49 inches of ultra-wide experience in dual QHD resolution at a curve. That also means you do not need to lean to one side of the display to see what is happening at the edge, simply turn your head and you are there. It was, in its day, the ultimate gaming monitor for the ultimate gamers. You want one, until. CES 2023 arrives, and Samsung says they can make this recipe even better.
Source: Samsung
It is a simple recipe; just add OLED into the mix. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is now born. While it is new in Malaysia, the product has seen the light of day in other regions, including South Korea and the United States. No matter though, that was a month ago and now it is officially arriving in Malaysia.
For starters, if you missed our CES 2023 coverage on Samsung’s ultimate gaming monitor, it offers 49 inches still at 1800R curvature. It still allows you to just swivel your head to see everything clearly and easily from a single spot. You still get the 32:9 dual QHD resolution from the older regular Odyssey G9. It even comes standard with 240Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth frame rates when possible, and 0.3ms gray-to-gray response time for ultra-fast and responsive gaming. It still comes with AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro for tear-free gaming and visual experience for even more immersion when you game. There is also a new CoreSync and Core Lighting+ that cleverly lights up in RGB and according to what you see on your display to add even more immersion to your games and movies. If you do not want a bulky speaker set-up to take up space on your desk, there are even two 5W speakers to work with.
The biggest change to it, and its party piece, is the OLED panel that this one comes with. It now offers a true HDR experience with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 standard. That also means that you are not just getting vivid colours, but an inky black that is more accurately represented than before. You can even start to appreciate the incredibly vivid and bright colours that the Odyssey OLED G9 can now offer thanks to the typical OLED colour reproduction.
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
It is not just games that will pop on the display. You can now opt for the Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) to come with TizenOS built right into the monitor to directly reach OTT services like Netflix or Prime Video. Since the display real estate is expansive enough, you can even opt to work with multiple views (Multi View) for the ultimate multitasking experience. It is modernized too, to take on the future world. It offers HDMI 2.1, Micro HDMI 2.1 and Display Port 1.4 inputs with Auto Source Switch+ so that you can work with multiple devices quickly. They redesigned the stands too, sturdier than ever while still allowing you to easily adjust its height and tilt.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is now available for MYR 9,499 (G93SC) onward. For MYR 500 on top of that (MYR 9,999), you can get the Odyssey OLED G9 with smart TV functionalities. You can head over to the nearest Samsung authorised dealer or Samsung official stores to get your hands on one of these gaming monitors. You can even head to their online stores to make a purchase. If you do get your monitor between now to 31st of August 2023 though, you get to buy your Odyssey OLED G9 for MYR 8,074 and MYR 8,499 respectively. For more information on Samsung’s latest Odyssey OLED G9, you can visit their website.
Razer has introduced its latest collection, Razer Xanthus, following the success of its previous in-house apparel collections such as Genesis, Unleashed, and Instinct.
Source: Razer
This collection features Razer’s iconic acid green colour and graphics. The collection offers various styling options and customization choices, such as detachable straps with the motto “For Gamers. By Gamers.” and logo patches.
The new Xanthus Collection includes an oversized tank, a tee, a double pocket oversized tee, short sleeve shirt, cargo shorts, a 6-panel cap, and a bucket hat. All are crafted from high-quality, breathable materials.
Also part of the Xanthus collection is a Crossbody Bag and a Tote Bag. These bags are waterproof, lightweight, and allow gamers like yourself to conveniently carry with ease.
Source: Razer
Pricing & Availability
The Xanthus collection is available for purchase via Razer.com, RazerStores, and selected retailers* starting on 11th July 2023. Check out the tables below for the prices.
The Nothing Phone (2) was only just announced last week. The smartphone made its Malaysian debut at the Nothing Drop on the 15th of July at Crossover in Mid Valley Megamall in Malaysia. The drop was sold out in a matter of hours. Now, the smartphone is becoming more accessible with a partnership with Yes 5G by YTL Communications.
Source: Yes 5G
The partnership will bring the Nothing Phone (2) to consumers at no cost – just a subscription to Yes 5G’s Infinite+ Ultra Plan for MYR178. The subscription comes with unlimited, unthrottled data on both 5G and 4G networks, 110GB data for hotspot and tethering, unlimited domestic calls, and – if you need it – supplementary lines at MYR20. Of course, to be eligible for the free Nothing Phone (2), you will need to sign a contract for 3 years.
That said if you don’t want to be on a contract for 3 years, you can opt to get the Nothing Phone (2) with their Yes Infinite Basic Plan at a discounted subscription price of MYR38. The plan comes with similar features as the Infinite+ Ultra plan with a more limited 20GB of data for tethering and hotspot. Subscribing to this plan with entitle you to a Nothing Phone (2) at MYR3,499. However, you do get an MYR20 rebate on the MYR58 plan for 12 months, giving you savings of MYR240.
Source: Yes 5G Online Store
The offer is available online from the Yes Online Store, Yes Exclusive Stores and at selected Yes Flagship stores starting on July 22, 2023. If you can’t wait until then, you can pre-register for Yes 5G’s open sale happening on July 22, 2023. The first 100 customers at the Yes Experience Store at Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur can purchase the Nothing Phone (2) with the exclusive Nothing Launch Edition set which comes bundles with the Ear (Stick), a 45W adapter and a case for the Phone (2).
