Category Archives: News

Lifestyle, News

Bose Unleashes New QuietComfort Lineup with new Bose Immersive Audio Technology

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Bose has unveiled a trio of new audio products set to redefine the listening experience: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and QuietComfort Headphones. These devices maintain Bose’s signature sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort while introducing a significant innovation—Bose Immersive Audio.

Bose Immersive Audio

Bose’s Immersive Audio is the company’s take on directional audio. Unlike its competitors, the technology doesn’t use AI to approximate audio direction – particularly when it comes to headphones. Instead, it generates a wider, more spacious soundstage that allows for layered, multidimensional sound. The best part? It’s platform agnostic – meaning that it’s done on the headphones itself. The onboard IMU and Bose’s proprietary digital signal processing software allows for a live concert-like experience, even with audio sources that don’t natively support spatial audio.

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It comes with two modes: Still and Motion. “Still” mode keeps audio stationery for a consistent experience, while “Motion” mode, adapts sound according to your position and movements.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

These headphones replace the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 as Bose’s top-tier over-ear headphones. They address a common concern by folding it down for easy storage. The headphones introduce Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, along with CustomTune audio calibration. They provide clear calls, accurate voice assistant responses, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

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The new QuietComfort Ultra headphones feature a completely re-engineered system with proprietary signal processing, advanced microphones and a robust chipset. These technologies enable improved noise cancellation and CustomTune while supporting Bose’s Aware mode with ActiveSense and improved voice pickup.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Building on the success of the QC Earbuds II, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer noise cancellation, CustomTune calibration, responsive touch controls, and now Immersive Audio. Improved call quality is achieved through adaptive filters and dynamic microphone mixing. It also comes with an IPX4 water and dust resistance rating. They provide up to six hours of battery life, with an optional case for wireless charging.

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Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Replacing the QuietComfort 45 Headphones, these offer high-fidelity audio and noise cancellation. Users can customize noise cancellation levels and modes. They provide up to 24 hours of battery life, support multipoint Bluetooth 5.1, and include a Spotify Tap button for convenience.

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Compatibility and Connectivity

All three products support Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, including Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec for audio streaming. They are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and feature Google Fast Pair for Android devices. They are also compatible with Bose SimpleSync technology, allowing personalized pairing with select soundbars and speakers.

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for these products are now open.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced at GBP£449 (MYR2,610.17) while the Earbuds will cost GBP£299 (MYR1,738.21). Both will be available starting in early October in Black and White Smoke.

The QuietComfort Headphones will be available on September 21, 2023, in Black and White Smoke. There will also be a limited-edition Cypress Green colour. It will be priced at GBP£349 (MYR2,028.89).

The wireless charging case which is compatible with both the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the QC Earbuds II will be on sale for GBP£49.95 (MYR290.38).

There isn’t any word yet on when these products will be available in Malaysia. However, you can still purchase it on the Bose website.

Business, Mobile, News

HMD Global Charts a New Path with Independent Smartphone Brand

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HMD Global, the Finnish company renowned for resurrecting the Nokia brand, is embarking on a transformative journey. It intends to introduce smartphones under its very own HMD brand, diversifying its portfolio while continuing to develop Nokia phones.

The announcement comes directly from Jean-Francois Baril, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of HMD Global. According to his LinkedIn post, both HMD and Nokia phones will coexist, ensuring that consumers can still expect new Nokia devices. However, this bold move shows that HMD Global is ready to establish itself as an independent player in the telecommunications market.

HMD logo

The decision to venture into smartphones under its own brand might be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it’s indicative of the changing dynamics in the smartphone industry, where competition is fierce, and market trends are ever-evolving. By introducing its own brand, HMD Global aims to carve out a distinct identity and cater to the evolving needs of consumers.

Moreover, this strategic shift could be related to the forthcoming expiration of HMD’s licensing agreement with Nokia, which was initially inked in 2016. The agreement allowed HMD Global to reintroduce Nokia-branded devices to the market. With the expiration date approaching in 2026, HMD Global may be preparing for a future beyond Nokia-branded devices.

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Source: HMD Global

The move to establish its own brand is not a sudden decision. HMD Global has been diligently building its brand for years with consistent filings with the EUIPO office. However, recent global challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, seem to have accelerated its quest to establish a unique identity in the industry.

Jean-Francois Baril emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and affordability, reflecting the company’s vision to offer high-quality yet affordable mobile devices to consumers worldwide. HMD Global takes pride in its position as one of the fastest-growing 5G smartphone manufacturers, showcasing its resilience in adapting to changing market dynamics.

With an extensive global distribution network, operational capabilities, and a robust in-house software development team, HMD Global appears well-prepared to make a significant impact in the consumer smartphone market. The company’s growth trajectory and sustainability efforts are key indicators of its readiness for this transformation.

The news of HMD Global’s independent smartphone brand has sparked various discussions among internet commentators. Speculation has arisen regarding the future of the Nokia brand, particularly amid rumours of its potential licensing to other companies, including Huawei. However, these discussions remain speculative.

Business, News

[Google Cloud Next] Google’s Duet AI Here to Help Boost Productivity in Google Workspace

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Google’s Generative AI, Duet is here to lend a hand when you use apps in Google Workspace. Duet has just entered general availability and is poised to transform how you work with Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Gmail.

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Duet AI’s integration into Google Workspace is such that it’s your digital collaborator. It doesn’t replace you. As the name suggests, it works together with you; simplifying tasks and streamlining your workflow. Its capabilities are nothing short of remarkable, allowing you to harness the power of AI to improve your productivity and efficiency. Here’s a closer look at what Duet AI brings to the table:

1. Summarize with Ease: Imagine being able to instantly generate summaries on topics you’ve saved, like your business’s quarterly performance. Duet AI can do just that. It scours through your Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets to craft comprehensive summaries, saving you precious time.

2. Fact-Checking Made Simple: Duet AI is committed to transparency. When it compiles information, it provides links to the sources, empowering you to fact-check and verify data accuracy. It’s a handy feature that ensures the reliability of your work.

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3. Presentation Perfection: Need to create a compelling presentation? Duet AI has you covered. It can generate presentations complete with relevant text, charts, and images sourced from your Drive. This feature streamlines the presentation creation process, making your work more visually engaging.

4. Gmail Assistance: In Gmail, Duet AI builds on the Smart Reply feature. With a click, you can access various options to help you compose emails effortlessly. You can instruct Duet AI to draft messages of specific types, refine tones, make drafts more elaborate or concise, or even opt for some creative fun with the “I’m feeling lucky” option.

5. Smarter Document Creation: Google Docs users will appreciate the AI’s prowess in generating documents. You can instruct Duet AI to craft drafts with different tones, create summaries for sections or entire documents, employ bullet points, or even use custom instructions to fine-tune generated content.

6. User-Friendly Interface: The “help me write” feature in Docs offers access to Smart Canvas features, enhancing your document creation experience.

Google is continuing to commit to transparency and responsible AI usage with Duet AI. The company reassures users that Duet will respect the privacy of their data, ensuring that their inputs and code remain theirs. Any data in private clouds, Google Drive and Google Workspace remain private and aren’t used for training shared models or product development.

While Duet AI is currently available for Google Workspace Enterprise users, Google has plans to roll it out to small- and medium-sized businesses and consumers in the near future. The pricing details for these expanded offerings are yet to be revealed.

iOS, Mobile, News

Bye Bye iPhone 13 mini – Officially Discontinued by Apple

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In the wake of Apple’s grand unveiling of the iPhone 15 family, a familiar but bittersweet ritual has taken place – the discontinuation of older iPhone models to make way for the new. While this is an expected part of the annual iPhone event, there was one unexpected twist: the demise of the beloved iPhone 13 mini, marking the end of an era for compact smartphones.

The iPhone 13 mini joins the ranks of discontinued models, alongside the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the aging iPhone 12. However, the absence of a compact iPhone in Apple’s current lineup is a poignant shift. The 5.4-inch iPhone category, once represented by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, has now vanished.

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Photo by Douglas Mendes on Pexels.com

The decision is a testament to market dynamics, as these compact models struggled to find widespread appeal compared to their larger counterparts. With the iPhone 13 mini’s departure, users favouring more petite smartphones will face a dwindling selection.

While Apple’s official sales channels may cease offering the iPhone 13 mini, it’s possible that some retailers may continue to carry limited stock. Additionally, online marketplaces like eBay might provide a lifeline for those determined to secure one of the last 5.4-inch iPhones.

This poses a poignant change in Apple’s mobile strategy. However, on the other side of the fence, we’ve seen Android phones like the ASUS Zenfone lineup do particularly well despite its compact size. Do you believe there is still a place for compact smartphones in today’s world dominated by larger screens? Share your thoughts on this farewell to the iPhone 13 mini and the compact phone era.

News

Unity Offices Close Amidst ‘Credible Threats’ After Pricing Change

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Unity Technologies has temporarily closed two of its offices in response to what it describes as “credible threats” to employee safety. This decision follows the recent announcement of a highly contentious fee structure for the Unity Engine, a move that has sparked outrage within the game development community.

Reports about the office closures began circulating on social media, with Unity employees sharing concerns about “safety threats” directed at the company’s San Francisco and Austin, Texas, offices. Unity Product Manager Utsav Jamwal expressed his shock, noting, “Surprising how far people are willing to go in today’s age.”

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Source: Unity

Unity swiftly responded by closing the at-risk offices and collaborating closely with law enforcement to investigate the threats. A spokesperson for Unity stated, “We have taken immediate and proactive measures to ensure the safety of our employees, which is our top priority. We are closing our offices today and tomorrow that could be potential targets for this threat.”

Bloomberg reported that these closures resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled employee town hall meeting led by Unity’s CEO, John Riccitiello.

The cause of these threats appears to be Unity’s recent controversial pricing changes. The company announced a new fee structure that will take effect on January 1, 2024. Under this model, developers will be charged fees, sometimes as high as $0.20 per install, after certain revenue and install thresholds are reached. This change has incited widespread anger within the gaming industry, as Unity had long prided itself on being a royalty-free game engine option.

Many developers, including Mega Crit Games, the creators of “Slay the Spire,” have expressed their frustration, with some pledging to migrate their projects to alternative engines unless Unity reverses its decision and establishes safeguards in its terms of service.

Garry Newman, the developer behind “Garry’s Mod” and Unity-based “Rust,” also declared that “Rust 2 definitely won’t be a Unity game” due to the erosion of trust caused by the recent pricing changes.

These developments underscore the seismic impact that Unity’s decision has had on the industry, sparking not only outrage but also genuine concerns for the safety of its employees. Unity, a publicly traded company since 2020, has faced significant challenges in recent years including stock price fluctuations and layoffs.

Gaming, News

Make Your PlayStation 5 Pop with The New “Deep Earth Collection”

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Sony has just announced a new collection of Plates for the PlayStation 5 they’re calling the “Deep Earth Collection”. This premium range of accessories features a smooth metallic finish and introduces three captivating colours to customise your PlayStation 5 – Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. The new plates draw inspiration from the breathtaking and powerful hues found deep within our planet, the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ adds a touch of sophistication to your gaming setup.

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Source: PlayStation

Volcanic Red, with its rich and blazing red tone, promises to be a vibrant and captivating change to your DualSense controllers or console. Cobalt Blue, on the other hand, offers a deep shade of blue with intriguing hints of purple, creating a truly mesmerizing aesthetic. Lastly, Sterling Silver showcases a classic aesthetic with a subtle blue undertone, adding a touch of elegance to your gaming setup.

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Together with the plates, Sony is also launching a series of controllers that come with the same finish as the plates. The new “Deep Earth” DualSense Controllers will be complementing your “Deep Earth” plates or simply inject some character into your most used controllers. It’ll definitely be turning heads with the pop of colour.

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Source: PlayStation

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ begin on October 4, with the Volcanic Red and Cobalt Blue colourways launching on November 3. Sterling Silver accessories will arrive on January 26, allowing you to start the new year in style.

The ‘Deep Earth DualSense controllers’ will be available for a recommended retail price (RRP) of USD$74.99/JPY¥9,980/EUR€74.99/GBP£64.99. Meanwhile, the Deep Earth PS5 console covers will be priced at USD$59.99/JPY¥7,980/EUR€59.99/GBP£49.99. Keep in mind that the exact launch date and availability of these accessories may vary by region.

Gaming, News

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe & Animal Crossing: New Horizons Get New Bundles – Again – for the Holidays

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It’s that time of year again – new(ish) Nintendo Switch bundles are here. Starting from October 6, you can dive into the world of Super Mario with the Nintendo Switch™ Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe Bundle. This bundle includes a digital copy of the thrilling racing game and a three-month individual membership to Nintendo Switch Online, providing you with all the essentials to embark on your Super Mario adventures.

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However, one massive thing you have to take note of is that we’re not talking about the OLED version of the Nintendo Switch. We’re talking about the regular Switch which also means that the bundle is technically the same bundle that we’ve seen from Nintendo previously.

But that’s not all! October 6 also marks the arrival of two enchanting Nintendo Switch Lite system bundles. These bundles feature charming designs inspired by the beloved Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game and include a digital version of the game itself.

If you’re a fan of Animal Crossing, you’re in for a treat. The exclusive Nintendo Switch Lite bundles are inspired by the charming world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Here’s what you can expect:

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  • Nintendo Switch Lite Isabelle’s Aloha Edition – Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bundle (Target Exclusive): This bundle includes a coral-coloured system adorned with a leaf design on the front and a white leaf motif on the back.
  • Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition – Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bundle (Walmart Exclusive): Only available at Walmart, this exclusive bundle features a cool turquoise-coloured system with the same leaf-inspired design.

While these bundles are exclusive to the U.S., it wouldn’t surprise us to see these bundles come to Malaysia in stores like Impulse Gaming, Atlas Gamers and M4G.

It’s the perfect time to get your Switch or Switch Lite if you don’t already have one. Nintendo has had one of the best lineups for their hybrid console this year with games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Metroid Prime Remastered. Let’s not forget the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder game, set to launch on October 20.

Business, Gaming, News

Unity’s Controversial Per-Install Pricing Model Angers Game Developers

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Unity has been at the receiving end of ire from the Game development community and here’s what’s happening.

In a startling move that has left the game development community reeling, Unity, the company behind one of the most prolific game engines, has announced a new pricing model set to go live on January 1, 2024. Unlike Unity’s traditional royalty-free licensing structure, this change introduces a “per-install” fee, triggering outrage and concern among developers.

Breaking Down the New Pricing Structure

Unity’s “Runtime Fee” is poised to impact developers based on the number of game installations. The fee structure varies depending on the subscription tier:

  • Unity Personal: Developers under this tier will incur a $0.20 per-install fee after their game achieves $200,000 in annual revenue and 200,000 lifetime installs.
  • Unity Pro and Enterprise: These tiers will experience slightly lower per-install fees starting at $0.125 to $0.15 after a game reaches $1 million in annual revenue and 1 million total installs. Volume discounts will apply for heavily installed games, potentially going as low as $0.01 per install for games with 1 million monthly installations.

The new pricing model will affect certain countries, including the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In other countries, an “emerging markets rate” ranging from $0.005 to $0.02 will apply after meeting the minimum thresholds.

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Source: Unity Technologies

Developer Shock, Outrage & Concerns

Unity’s decision to switch to a per-install fee structure has sparked widespread anger within the game development community. This change fundamentally contradicts Unity’s previous approach, which allowed developers making under $100,000 per month to enjoy fee-free usage of the Unity engine. Larger developers, earning $200,000 or more monthly, paid only per-seat subscription fees for access to Unity’s full-featured Editor.

This shift has not only infuriated developers but has also cast a shadow on trust in Unity. Many developers are concerned about retroactive changes, as the new fee structure will apply to previously existing Unity games. Developers who invested significant time and resources into Unity based on its royalty-free structure now feel betrayed.

The outcry was loudest on X, formerly Twitter. Developers were up in arms as the changes in the pricing structure for Unity’s game engine could result in Unity charging more than the developer will ever make. This would create a very unsustainable development cycle for games. In a post on X, Gary Newman, founder of Facepunch – the company behind the hit game Rust, outlined that the new pricing policy not only increases the price of maintaining and developing games, it does so exponentially. In his post, he outlines what would have cost his company USD$410,000 over the lifetime of the game, it would cost the company USD$2,517 a month barring increases to the install base of Rust. In an interview with IGN, Newman has come out saying that Rust 2 would not be a Unity based game due to the changes.

Developer Aggro Crab also highlights that games on services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus would incur costs simply for access to the user base when they agree to list on these services. Let’s not forget massive games like Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact that use Unity’s development engine and are free to play would incur massive fees which could put companies like Hoyoverse and Aggro Crab out of business. Let’s not forget games like PokémonGO.

Possible Misuse and Privacy Concerns

Developers fear the potential for abuse in a per-install fee model. Groups of gamers with a history of “review bombing” could theoretically engage in “install bombing” by repeatedly installing and deleting a game, incurring costs for the developer with each new installation. Pirated copies of games could also be factored into the fee calculations, adding costs for illicit downloads.

Initially, Unity stated that the per-install fee would apply even if a user deleted and re-installed a game. However, they later adjusted this stance to charge only for the initial installation on a single device with exceptions for secondary devices like the Steam Deck. In addition, the wording of the announcement and its terms and conditions indicate that fees would be incurred by the distributing entity. This would mean that platforms like Steam, Epic Game Store and App Store would be the ones who would incur the charge and not developers.

Developers also question Unity’s ability to accurately track installations, raising concerns about privacy and the accuracy of Unity’s counting methods. These concerns and the uproar at the change in pricing have resulted in a massive dip in Unity’s shares with the trend continuing today after some reprieve. What’s even more intriguing is the fact that the top brass in Unity divested a portion of their shares days before the announcement. CEO Jon Riccitiello alone sold 2,000 shares the week before the announcement according to Kotaku.

Impact on Game Business Models

Unity’s new fee structure could significantly impact the feasibility of various game business models. It may discourage developers from offering low-cost games due to the additional fee burden. Additionally, games distributed through subscription services like Microsoft’s Game Pass may face financial challenges due to per-install fees.

Some developers are urging players not to install their games in protest of the new fee. The overall sentiment among developers is one of frustration and distrust, with many questioning Unity’s commitment to its user base. Some developers are looking into delaying upcoming games to jump to another engine like Valve’s Unreal Engine. It’s worth noting that Unity was launched to “democratize game development” and now, it seems like the company wants to cash in in the most douchy way possible. Having only just gained prominence in recent years, the company is looking at a possible mass exodus of developers from its platform due to the pricing change that is due to come into effect in 2024.

Unity’s announcement has set off a firestorm of controversy, with developers clamouring for changes to restore trust and transparency in their relationship with the platform provider.

Accessories, Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Android Auto Now Gives You Weather Updates

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Google’s Android Auto has been getting constant updates for a while now and is getting the attention it finally deserves. Android Auto has been a blessing for plenty of Android users in their cars. With every update, they just get better, more useful, and even more relevant to drivers today than ever before. You can use Google Assistant seamlessly in your car, for example. You can also reply to text messages via Android Auto, obviously via voice activation. In one of their latest updates, the interface now allows you to spread the screen out in multiple windows with Google Maps or Waze taking up most of the real estate while allowing another app like YouTube Music, Tidal, or Spotify in a smaller window. Even your notification can get its own window in the latest interface.

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Source: Google

In their latest update, Google is looking to make Android Auto a better journey companion than before by bringing more apps into the Android Auto Ecosystem. For those that are always on-the-go but can never get away from their smartphones for work, Google is bringing Zoom and WebEx into Android Auto for a more seamless video call experience even when you are stuck in a terrible traffic jam. For the long-drawn-out standstill traffic, they are also bringing Prime Video into the fold. Best of all though, for better journey planning, they are bringing weather updates via The Weather Channel app into Android Auto.

The Weather Channel app has been the most popular weather prediction app on Android devices worldwide. It is only natural to start bringing the app into Android Auto for the purpose of journey planning. The Android Auto version of the app will operate a little differently from the smartphone app though. There are still some similarities like push weather updates, but now it is more catered toward your specific journeys. It updates the users of incoming bad weather, for example, just so that you can either plan around the traffic build up, or brace for extended journey times. The Android Auto app also can offer hourly forecasts, follow-me alerting, and Trip View radar that allows you to be your own F1 race engineer watching out for rain on your journey.

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Source: Google

The updates are being rolled out to Android Auto units by select manufacturers currently and will roll out to other users following the select manufacturers. They are also rolling out digital key support in select regions for select manufacturers and models. Of course, while that nifty feature allows you to lock and unlock your car via your smartphone, you want to keep in mind that it will only work if your care comes natively with Android Auto. More information on the latest updates on Android Auto can be found on their website.

Camera, News

Sony Burano – 8K Run-and-Gun? No Problem!

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Sony’s camera division is on a roll. They just recently introduced the α(alpha)6700, α7CII and α7CR models for the budding hybrid content creators who are looking for premium and reliable hardware that is also accessible and offers flexibility and shooting capabilities like no other. The α6700, while being an APS-C mirrorless camera, is still a rather capable camera that offers 4K 60p video recording capabilities alongside the S-Log encoding Sony is known for. If you have a little more money to spare and wants the best shooting experience at a more compact body, the α7CII and α7CR are perfect mirrorless full-frame cameras that can get the job done as well as their full-sized counterparts.

These are Alpha cameras though. They are made for the pro-sumers and enthusiasts more than anything else. What if you are serious about your contents? What if you are a professional videographer that often takes out time for documentary type shoots? You need to go for the Sony FX30 or FX3, no wait; maybe the FX6 will do, what about the Venice 2? Too much? Maybe something in the middle, something like the brand-new BURANO.

Welcome to the Sony CineAlta line-up, specifically to the VENICE 2, Sony’s flagship video camera that is made to shoot at 8.6K resolution, higher than what Netflix requires for their 4K certified movies. Well, to be fair Sony launched their VENICE 2 camera a while ago, and this is not the camera you are here to see. It is important to know the VENICE 2 camera though, because Sony’s latest film camera is sporting Sony’s best and most powerful full-frame film sensor ever made.

8.6K Sensor with VENICE Colour Science

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Source: Sony

The BURANO sports an 8.6 full-frame sensor that is likened to the VENICE 2, except for a few missing features. You cannot record videos at the full 8.6K resolution, for example, but that is minor when you consider that the BURANO still records videos at 8K resolution at 30p. You can shoot at 60p, but you must dial it down to 6K. At 4K, the BURANO can record at a maximum of 120p for those impressive slow-mos. They are still more than what Netflix requires for their exclusive movies.

Perfect for Running About

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Source: Sony

So why would you opt for a dieled down edition of the brilliant VENICE 2 film camera then? For one, it comes down to the weight and size of the BURANO. The Sony BURANO is 32mm shorter and 1.4kg lighter than the VENICE 2, meaning that it is more portable, comfortable, and easier to work around when you are constantly moving or when you need to shoulder mount your camera. Its lightweight magnesium body construction also means that you can shoulder and operate the camera for longer periods of time.

The cuts in effective resolution, weight, and size does not make the BURANO a slouch. It still packs some of the best Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) mechanisms you can find on a film camera, which makes it all the more suitable for a run-and-gun type of shoot. With an included PL mount bracket for the Sony BURANO, you have the world’s first PL-mount digital cinema camera. Of course, it is still an E-mount camera so you can pair it to Sony’s wide lens selection or third-party lenses of your choice.

Does Everything The VENICE 2 Does

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Source: Sony

You still get variable ND filters built right into the camera body just so that you can trim your set-up down to a reasonable size and weight. With built-in ND filters too, you are able to quickly set-up for your shot to save on time.

Since this is a cinema camera with 8K recording capabilities, recording media is rather crucial here. The Sony BURANO supports up to two CF Express Type-B cards and VPG400 mediums for high bitrate writes especially with8K videos. You can even shoot at compressed RAW if you want even more control over colours and look. If course, you still can shoot at Sony’s S-Log3 or even S-Log.cine for the best-in-class log encoding and easy colour grading in post-editing processes. Since it offers the same colour science as the VENICE 2 camera, you can even use this BURANO as a secondary camera or back-up camera for your main driver, the VENICE 2 (if you are lucky enough to own a VENICE 2 anyway). But that is not all your camera can record in. To quicken your editing process and skip through the entire colour grading process, you can stick to the Warm, Cool, Vintage, Teal and Orange cinematic colour presets.

Price and Availability

Sony did not announce the Sony BURANO’s official pricing. It is a cinema camera though, so it is not technically a product that is sold publicly. They also have not mentioned any availability dates for the camera. If you are interested in procuring one, you might want to contact Sony. They are offering attendants to IBC 2023, Amsterdam a first look and feel of the BURANO though from the 15th to 18th of September 2023. If you wish to find out more about Sony’s latest BURANO cinema camera, you can head out to Sony’s website.