Category Archives: News

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

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.

Android Auto Now Gives You Weather Updates

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.

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

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.

USB-C Comes to the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro

USB-C isn’t just on the iPhone 15, it’s also coming to the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro. Oh, don’t forget, it’s got MagSafe too.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) comes with enhanced sound quality and double the Active Noise Cancellation of the previous model. This means you can immerse yourself in your music or calls like never before, without being disrupted by external noise. The advanced Transparency mode also lets you stay connected to your surroundings when needed.

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It also comes with Spatial Audio technology which gives a three-dimensional soundstage that makes movies, music, and games come to life. While immersive audio is nice, it would be lost without the best fit when it comes to the AirPods itself. The new AirPods Pro come with an expanded range of ear tip sizes to ensure the perfect fit for every user. The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be compatible with the Apple Vision Pro that is set to debut early next year in the U.S. This combination unlocks 20-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency.

No need for lightning anymore when you have a USB‑C connector to the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Now, you can use a single cable to charge multiple devices, from your Mac and iPad to your AirPods and iPhone 15 series. USB-C isn’t the only thing new on the 2nd Generation AirPods with USB-C. It’s also got an IP54 rating for both the earbuds and case.

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They incorporate recycled materials, such as 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 100% recycled gold in printed circuit boards. The packaging is redesigned to reduce waste, aligning with Apple’s goal to eliminate plastic from packaging entirely by 2025.

Pricing and Availability

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) will be available for USD$249 or MYR1,099.

For added personalization, these AirPods can be engraved for free, offering a mix of emoji, names, initials, and numbers.

The Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2 Unleashed with 100% Carbon Neutrality

Apple is pushing the boundaries with their new lineup of Apple Watches with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The latest additions bring along with them several new features including a new processor – the S9 SiP, enhanced Siri capabilities, Precision Finding for iPhone with UWB and a brand new double tap gesture.

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Source: Apple

At the heart of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 lies the custom Apple silicon in the S9 SiP, representing Apple’s most advanced watch chip to date. This chip not only boosts overall performance but introduces novel features like the double tap gesture and on-device Siri with secure health data access. The Series 9 also incorporates a 4-core Neural Engine, capable of processing machine learning tasks twice as fast as its predecessor while maintaining an 18-hour battery life.

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Source: Apple

Navigating the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 has become even more intuitive with the introduction of the double tap gesture. By tapping the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice, users can perform a range of actions with ease. This includes stopping timers, controlling music playback, answering phone calls, and even capturing photos using the Camera Remote. The gesture, enabled by the faster Neural Engine, will be available in a forthcoming software update.

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Source: Apple

Apple has pushed the display capabilities further, increasing the maximum brightness of the Series 9 to 2000nits, double that of its predecessor. The Ultra 2, on the other hand, has a higher 3000 nits brightness. This should mean that the two watch models should be legible even in bright sunlight, and the display can dim to just one nit in low-light environments.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces the Modular Ultra watch face that takes full advantage of the larger display. It provides real-time data, including seconds, altitude, or depth, and offers an unprecedented level of customization for outdoor activities, sports, and water adventures.

Siri can now process requests directly on the device, eliminating the need for internet connectivity for certain tasks. This not only results in faster and more reliable responses but also maintains privacy. Siri can also access and log health data from the Health app, offering users more control over their health and fitness inquiries.

Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 come with a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that enables Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family which comes with the same chip. Your Apple Watch can literally guide you to your iPhone 15 with its visual, haptic and audio guidance.

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Source: Apple

The Ultra 2 continues to be the more rugged Apple Watch. Complete with an app ecosystem to support it, the Ultra 2 will be able to handle high altitudes and deep waters.

100% Carbon Neutral – If you choose correctly

Of course, as Apple progresses towards its 2030 environmental goal, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 now come with carbon-neutral options for straps. In fact, with these two models, the right pairing of the Watch and strap will mean that your Apple Watch is 100% Carbon Neutral.

This is thanks to a 78% reduction in emissions when it comes to transport and production as well as a sleeker, more compact box that allows for more Apple Watches to be transported. Apple has also empowered its partners to work towards being carbon neutral. As such, certain bands, like the new sports band are made completely of Carbon neutral and eco-friendly materials.

Apple Watch SE

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Source: Apple

Also along for the ride is the new Apple Watch SE which continues to offer core Apple Watch features at an affordable price. This year, the Apple Watch SE is being updated with support for low heart rate notifications, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and watchOS 10.

Pricing and Availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE are available on the official website and Apple Store app. The Series 9 starts at USD$399 or MYR1,899, and the SE begins at USD$249 or RM1,199.

The Apple Watch will be priced at USD$799 RM3,799. It is available in a sleek 49mm size and becomes carbon neutral when paired with the new Trail Loop or Alpine Loop bands. These bands are available in various colours, offering both style and sustainability.

The Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series are Here! USB Type-C Finally!

Believe it or not, Apple’s Lightning connection has been with us since the Apple iPhone 5 was introduced in 2012. The Lightning cable and port had not changed in shape and look until last year’s iPhone 14 series. While it was understandable for Apple to work with the Lightning standard in 2012, where Micro-USB was still the mainstream standard, USB Type-C has brought an evolution to mobile connectivity and has done more for laptops and smartphones than even USB 3.0 standard. To be fair, we only saw one smartphone sporting the USB 3.0 port, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, to not very much success. In that sense, there are no good reasons for Apple to keep the Lightning connection with their top-of-the-line smartphone since Apple themselves have updated their iPad Pro and iPad Air series with USB Type-C ports. They must at least see some value on USB type-C in that case.

The European Union (EU) forced Apple’s hands last year before their launch of the iPhone 14 series. Apple had to start developing their iPhones with USB Type-C port instead of their traditional and rather iconic lightning port. That is the first big difference between the previous iPhone and the upcoming iPhone 15 series. That is not what they highlighted in their launch gambit though.

Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

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There is not much of a surprise with Apple’s latest regular iPhone 15 series. Most of the features are trickled down from Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro devices of last year. The Apple Silicon A16 Bionic, for example, is the same chip you find on the previous iPhone 14 Pro. The “island bar” as well, is a feature introduced in the Apple iPhone 14 Pro, now accessible for the more accessible Apple iPhone 15.

In a lot of ways, we see this Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as sort of the Apple iPhone 14 Pro series with USB type-C port. They share the same size as the previous iPhone 14 series as well at 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch respectively. They pack more pixels than before though since they are technically the iPhone 14 series devices at Super Retina XDR resolution. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus now also gets the updated 48-Megapixel main camera alongside a 24-Megapixel 2x Telephoto lens. No third lens here, as expected from a regular iPhone.

Other than the USB type-C connection, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus sports slightly differing visuals from before in terms of colours too. There is the usual black option, as expected. There are now Blue, Green, Yellow, and even Pink to consider for the iPhone 15 series. Of course, there will be a RED edition later.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

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The pinnacle of the iPhone has to be their Pro series models. The new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max takes everything the iPhone 14 Pro series had and turned them up to 11. This is the most advanced Apple iPhone ever. You might want to take a pinch of salt though when it comes to expecting big changes.

Apple A17 Pro – Advanced Does Not Begin to Describe it

The biggest change, other than the USB type-C port now found at the bottom of the device is its integrated chip. It is now called the Apple A17 Pro, no more ‘Bionic’ in their namesake. It is also the first 3nm chip that is commercially available on a smartphone device featuring 19 billion transistors in a single chip. There are two performance cores and four efficiency cores that power the iOS 17 device. They have also made the neural engine bigger at 16-cores just for on-device AI implementations that includes predictive texts, certain Siri functions, and more. They have update the GPU as well with new hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing cores with MetalFX support for the best-in-class graphics processing available on a smartphone. They even announced that Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a game made for the current generation gaming consoles, will be available on the iPhone when they are available. PlayStation Studios are also adapting Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 into the iPhone which will be available later in the year. On top of all of that, the A17 Pro features a new ProRes codec for ProRes file processing and editing, Pro Display Engine for even better display experience on either the 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, and AV1 decoder. The A17 Pro even features a USB 3 controller that allows the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max to take full advantage of USB type-C.

Bigger, Better, More Lenses than You Need

While you cannot see the upgrade, Apple claims that the main camera features a larger sensor than before. It is still a 48-Megapixel sensor though underneath what they claim to be multiple lenses on the main camera. They claim that you can choose between 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm lenses for different feel and look for your photos. You can even set whichever focal lengths as your default length just so that it will get back to your preferred focal length when you launch the camera app. Instead of a 3x telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max now offers a 5x 24-Megapixel telephoto camera at 120mm focal length, the longest focal length featured on an iPhone ever. They also improved their 12-Megapixel ultra-wide camera at 13mm to also allow users to capture macro photos. In terms of software, the new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max cameras offer a new Smart HDR engine that allows for a more true-to-life photo to be captured with brighter highlights, rich midtones, and deep shadows. Thanks to LiDAR technology and the A17 Pro’s neural engine, low-light photos have never looked better on the iPhone.

It is not just photography that gets some needed boost though. You can now capture proper ProRes videos and connect the iPhone to an external recording device or medium via USB type-C. They also now allow you to capture videos with log encoding for even more flexibility in colour grading or correction. Most of all, you can now capture videos at 4K 60p for brilliant slow-motion videos in post editing. If you have an Apple Vision Pro or have ordered one, you will be delighted that the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max can capture something they call a Spatial video that you can use only specifically with Apple Vision Pro. We assume it is sort of an AR type 3D video that is captured by both the main camera and ultra-wide camera to be stitched into a single 3D video for that nifty augmented reality experience.

Titanium – Same As the Mars Rover

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Source: Apple

One of the more interesting parts of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is the way it is built though. While featuring the same sort of look as the iPhone 14 Pro, it is made from a different material that also offers slightly different colour options and look. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max is now made of Titanium, a lightweight alloy with higher tensile strength than any metal material at its weight. That means that the new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the lightest iPhone Pro models ever to grace our hands. While it is still an alloy product, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max still comes with MagSafe and Wi2 wireless charging support. They now come in a choice of black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium colour options.

Prices and Availability

Apple’s iPhone 15 series and iPhone 15 Pro series will be available for pre-orders from the 22nd of September 2023 onward and will ship out just a week after that on the 29th of September 2023 onward. The iPhone 15 will set you back from MRY 4,399 onward while the iPhone 15 Plus will set you back at least MYR 4,899. If you are opting for the more premium iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, they start at MYR 5,499 and MYR 6,499 respectively. For more information on the new Apple iPhone 15 series and iPhone 15 Pro series, you can head out to their website.

YouTube Is Going to Have Fewer Ad Breaks on TVs But They’ll Be Longer

For avid YouTube users, the platform’s abundance of ads during video playback, especially on smart TVs, can sometimes be more than a minor annoyance. YouTube appears to be listening to its viewers and is testing a new approach to ad delivery that could provide a more seamless watching experience, albeit with longer ad breaks.

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Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Less Frequent, Longer Ads

YouTube is recognizing that how we watch content is evolving. With more viewers enjoying longer videos on their smart TVs, the current frequency of ad interruptions might not align with the viewing experience. In response, YouTube is experimenting with reducing the number of ads shown but extending their duration.

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Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

For many viewers of long-form content on TV screens, having ads scattered throughout a video can be disruptive. Google’s research reveals that 79% of viewers prefer ads that are grouped together rather than spread out in smaller interruptions. To cater to this preference, YouTube is exploring options to provide fewer but longer ad breaks, creating a more seamless viewing experience on larger screens.

Improved Transparency

In addition to fewer, longer ad breaks, YouTube is considering enhancing the transparency of its ad experience. This may include providing viewers with better information about the duration of ad breaks, allowing users to prepare for more extended interruptions.

While these changes are currently experimental, YouTube tends to introduce them if they prove successful and enhance the viewer experience. So, if you’re a regular YouTube viewer on a smart TV, you can look forward to a potentially improved ad experience in the near future. However, if longer ad breaks are not your preference, YouTube Premium remains an ad-free alternative worth considering.

YouTube’s efforts to strike a balance between ads and content are in response to evolving viewer habits. As the platform continues to lead in streaming watch time on connected TVs, it aims to provide an experience that aligns better with the expectations of its audience.

Logitech Introduces the Colourful Pebble 2 Collection

Logitech has unveiled the Pebble 2 Collection, a modern, minimalist duo, designed to match your unique aesthetic preferences. This collection features the new Pebble Keys 2 K380s keyboard and Pebble Mouse 2 M350s mouse. It also brings upgrades to the Logitech K380 and Pebble models.

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Pebble Keys 2 K380s Keyboard

The Pebble Keys 2 K380s, Logitech brings you “feel-good typing” with rounded, slightly indented keys that mimic the tactile sensation of a laptop keyboard. What sets this keyboard apart is its near-silent operation, thanks to Logitech’s Silent Touch Technology. While gamers might miss the familiar clickety-clack, this keyboard is tailored for those who prefer peace and quiet during work or study sessions.

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New additions to the Pebble Keys 2 include a set of Fn shortcut keys at the top. These provide quick access to search engines, screen capture tools, and even an emoji menu. The best part? You can customize these shortcuts via the Logi Options+ app, allowing you to launch your most-used desktop apps with ease.

Pebble Mouse 2 M350s

The Pebble Mouse 2 M350s shares the same silent touch technology, reducing click noise by a whopping 90%. This feature makes it a great companion for students hitting the library or anyone who values a noise-free environment.

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What’s more, the middle mouse button on the Pebble Mouse 2 is fully customizable through the Logi Options+ app. You can assign shortcuts for your favourite apps or perform everyday actions like hiding your desktop – all at the press of a button.

Seamless Multi-device Connectivity & Environmentally Responsible

Both the Pebble Keys 2 and Pebble Mouse 2 connect seamlessly to Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS, and Android devices via Bluetooth. Thanks to the Easy-Switch buttons, you can effortlessly switch between multiple devices.

One of the standout features of this collection is its eco-friendliness. Made from 50% recycled plastic, these peripherals are not only lightweight but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

In terms of battery life, the Pebble Keys 2 impresses with up to 36 months of use on a single charge, 50% longer than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Pebble Mouse 2 boasts a maximum 24-month battery life.

Pricing & Availability

The Pebble 2 Collection is available now, with the Pebble Keys 2 K380s priced at USD$39.99 (MYR187.03)/GBP£49.99 (MYR291.80)/AUD$89.95 (MYR270.13) and the Pebble Mouse 2 M350s at USD$29.99 (MYR140.26) /GBP£24.99 (MYR145.87)/AUD$54.95 (MYR165.01). If you want both, the Pebble 2 Combo offers excellent value at USD$59.99 (MYR280.57)/GBP£69.99 (MYR408.50)/AUD$129.95 (MYR390.23).

It’s available in five fresh colours: Tonal Graphite, Tonal White, Tonal Rose, Tonal Sand, and Tonal Blue.

Touch n’ Go Group Introduces ParkInsure

Touch ‘n Go Group is bringing a new dimension to its services with ParkInsure, a first-of-its-kind Personal Accident insurance/takaful tailored for people who use their Touch ‘n Go card at parking facilities.

The new service, priced at just RM5 per month, offers a value-added layer of personal insurance/takaful coverage for users ensuring they have some peace of mind even if things go awry when parked in carparks. Users can seamlessly subscribe to ParkInsure via GOprotect, Touch ‘n Go eWallet’s digital insurance/takaful hub, with the choice of takaful from Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Berhad or conventional insurance from Allianz Malaysia Berhad.

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The benefits include reimbursement for permanent disablement or accidental death up to RM70,000, snatch theft inconvenience coverage up to RM1,500, and reimbursement for forcible car break-ins up to RM1,500. Users will also receive a key reimbursement fee of up to RM200 in case of lost or damaged car keys during the coverage period. Additional features include transport reimbursement fees, inconvenience benefits, and more. With over 1,350 Touch ‘n Go payment-enabled parking sites nationwide, ParkInsure offers a tailored and affordable solution to eWallet users. It also offers a layer of protection on top of car insurance policies which users no doubt already have.

Subscribing to ParkInsure is quick, taking less than 3 minutes through GOprotect, with a hassle-free claims process available through the insurers’ 24/7 claim hotline. Users can easily manage their policies and certificates via the “My Policies” tab on their eWallet app. ParkInsure provides a unique and budget-friendly way to ensure coverage against potential incidents within car park compounds, adding an extra layer of security to Touch ‘n Go card users.

Huawei Silently Introduces Mate X5: A Power-Packed Foldable

Following a series of surprise unveilings, they’ve added another gem to their repertoire – the Huawei Mate X5. Positioned as a direct successor to the Mate X3, the Mate X5 delivers significant under-the-hood upgrades while keeping its design largely intact.

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Source: Huawei

The Mate X5 has a massive 7.85-inch LTPO OLED main display, offering a crisp 2,224×2,496 pixel resolution. Complementing this is the 6.4-inch LTPO OLED cover display with a 1,080 x 2,504-pixel resolution, both are fortified with Kunlun Glass.

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Source: Huawei

While the exterior design maintains its essence, the camera island on the back has slight tweaks. The camera lineup, however, remains unchanged. The Mate X5 comes with a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by a 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide lens and a 12-megapixel f/3.4 periscope module with 5x optical zoom.

Under the hood, the Mate X5 packs up to 16GB of RAM and a capacious 1TB of storage. Although the official chipset details are unavailable, it is speculated to be the Kirin 9000s SoC, the same powerhouse that drives the recently launched Mate60 series. It’s a 5G-ready chip, made in China using SMIC’s 7nm process technology.

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What sets the Mate X5 apart is its all-new antenna design, which claims superior signal reception. Huawei’s Lingxi antenna harnesses AI algorithms to intelligently select the best network for optimal connectivity. Moreover, the antennas around the device’s frame feature dual-mode tuning technology, further elevating signal quality.

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In the battery department, the Mate X5 steps up its game with a larger 5,060mAh battery, supporting a speedy 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 7.5W reverse wireless charging. The device runs on HarmonyOS 4 and introduces innovative air gesture controls, enabling users to navigate videos, webpages, and images without touching the main display. Notably, the Mate X5 has IPX8 water resistance and offers two-way BeiDou satellite messaging in China.

Pricing & Availability

The Mate X5 is currently on pre-sale in China via VMall, with open sales expected to commence on September 15. The retail price of the Mate X5 has yet to be announced however, pre-sale indicates a CNY1,000 (MYR641.86) deposit.

The device is available in a new Phantom Purple colour, joining the existing Feather White, Feather Black, Feather Gold, and Green Mountain options.