Foldables are the new black. A sleek foldable device is turning out to be the best companion you can have when it comes to smartphones. OPPO‘s Find N series of foldable devices is upping the ante with the latest OPPO Find N3 Flip. The N3 Flip is the first foldable smartphone to come with three camera modules.
Source: OPPO
The New OPPO Find N3 Flip comes in a clam shell form factor and has the rectangular 3.26-inch outer display on the front. This time, the N3 Flip comes with a raised circle which houses the triple sensor camera setup complete with Hasselblad branding. The triple camera setup comes with 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 32-megapixel sensor for selfies.
The new foldable runs on the MediaTek Dimentsity 9200 processor with 12GBof RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Inside, the N3 Flip comes with a 6.8-inch flexible LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The N3 Flip is powered by a 4,300mAh which supports 44W fast charging. Also featured are WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and USB-C.
Pricing & Availability
The OPPO Find N3 Flip will be retailing at CNY6,799 (MYR4,347.55/USD$934.28) for the version with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal memory. The 512GB version will be retailing for CNY7,599 (MYR4,845.30/USD$1,044.21).
Source: OPPO
While the device has only just been announced in China, OPPO has already announced that the N3 Flip will be making its way to markets around the world in the near future.
Sony’s α7C (Alpha 7C) launched in 2020 was something we liked. The idea of having a full frame camera in a body no larger than a standard APS-C DSLR was appealing. It makes plenty of sense especially for the travelling photographer to still have the power of a full frame sensor for all your creator needs while travelling.
As of 2022 though, the brilliant α7C went out of production. While we expected Sony to come up with a replacement or follow-up to the compact full frame shooter, it looked bleak since Sony kept that information rather privy. To be fair, the world is still recovering from the constraint that is the product of the world’s chip shortage.
Finally in 2023, the α7C has a replacement device. It is not just one camera that Sony announced though. They launched two cameras – the α7C II, and the α7CR.
Sony α7C II (Alpha 7C Mark II)
Source: Sony
Sony’s direct replacement for the α7C is the new α7C II. Where the original α7C shares similarities with the α7 III, the α7C II shares similarities with the full frame mirrorless camera that replaced the α7 III, the α7 IV. That is a good thing.
For starters it packs the same 33-Megapixel Exmor T CMOS sensor as the α7 IV (Alpha 7 Mark IV). That means you also get the same Advanced BIONZ XR image processor that the powerful α7 IV packs alongside a clever AI processor that offers more accurate subject recognition than before. This results in the same advanced Eye-AF system that the α7 IV benefit from as well offering one of the best, if not the best, autofocus systems found in a mirrorless camera this size.
Like the α7 IV, the new α7C II is also capable of recording videos at 4K at up to 60p. If you wish to record videos at 120p, you do have to push it down to 1080p Full HD resolution. You also want to take note that 4K 60p recording can only be done in super 35 crop mode, which means you are not technically fully utilizing the entirety of the full frame sensor when you record at those speeds. Still, being able to shoot in 10-bit 4:2:2 is a huge bonus for video recorders and color grading purposes. You have the option to shoot in S-Log3 or S-Cinetone with custom LUTs for even better-looking videos.
Sony α7CR (Alpha 7CR)
Source: Sony
Then there is the other camera that came as quite a surprise, the α7CR. To be fair, this is very much like the full-sized counterpart to the α7 series. As per the ‘R’ moniker suggests, the α7CR is made for photography prowess in a small form-factor body. It shares similarities with the Sony α7R V.
It packs the same high-resolution 61-Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor like the bigger α7R V. It also packs the BIONZ XR image processor for the most advanced image processing capabilities available to full frame cameras of this stature. This full frame sensor is also capable of recording videos at 10-bit 4.2.2 colour space and in 4K resolution at a maximum of 60p.
The Mini α7 Line-Up
The new cameras are pretty much a miniaturized version of the α7 IV and α7R V counterparts. They pack everything the larger, full-sized cameras they are based on and offer almost all the sorts of photography and video recording power their full-sized counterparts offer. There is a small compromise though. Since the body is a little smaller, the battery they come with is also smaller than their full-sized counterparts. The cameras also do not support CF Express cards and therefore does not have the recording speeds that the full frame cameras are capable of.
Availability
Sony Malaysia has not announced the official pricing for both the products just yet. They have confirmed that the new α7C II and α7CR will be available in Malaysia by the end of November 2023. In markets where the α7C II and α7CR are already available, prices are at US$ 2,199.99 (MYR 10,210*) and US$ 2,999.95 (MYR 13,922*) respectively.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.64 as of 30/08/2023 on xe.com
In a bid to simplify the integration of generative AI, Nutanix, a multi-cloud computing company, has unveiled its latest offering, the Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box solution. The company said that the solution is designed to make it easy for businesses to get started with generative AI, even if they do not have a lot of technical expertise.
What is Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box?
The Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box is a generative AI platform. It provides services that assist organisations in configuring hardware and software infrastructure suitable for deploying large language models (LLMs). These models, like generative pre-trained transformers (GPT), are vital for various AI applications.
If you are not very familiar with Generative AI, it is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, or music. Generative AI is used in different industries such as customer service, healthcare, marketing and more.
How does it work?
Many organisations and businesses are eager to harness the power of AI but face challenges around data privacy, governance, and the cost of AI infrastructure. Nutanix aims to simplify this process with their GPT-in-a-Box™ solution. It offers a pre-configured environment where businesses can develop and fine-tune AI models while keeping their data secure. Data scientists and administrators can easily work with these models, and the platform can be used for other GPT models.
For businesses looking to adopt generative AI, the Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box solution can be a good option to consider. To learn more about the Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box solution, please visit the Nutanix website.
KONAMI recently kicked off the excitement for their latest football gaming update, eFootball™ 2024 at an exclusive media event in Kuala Lumpur. For those unfamiliar with this game, it is a football simulation video game that allows players to control virtual football teams and compete in various game modes. Another game that is highly popular in this category is FIFA.
KONAMI stated that the eFootball™ will begin its transition to eFootball™ 2024 (v3.0.0) update. This update, scheduled for 4 September 2023 till 7 September 2023, aims to refresh emblems, strips, and player data for Authentic Teams in accordance with licensing agreements.
Alongside these updates, they will be conducting an in-game asset and data carryover process.
Certain In-game Assets Eligible For Carryover
The assets eligible for carryover encompass eFootball™ Coins, eFootball™ Points, GP, Base Team, Nominating Contracts, Chance Deals, Contract Renewals (60 Days), Contract Renewals (10 Days), Players, Managers, Training Programs, Skill Training Programs, Objectives, and various in-game settings. eFootball™ Coins and eFootball™ Points will carry over, but be mindful of expiration, especially if your account is linked to Japan.
GP and Base Team may see changes, and players can select new Base Teams if needed. Nominating Contracts, Chance Deals, and Contracts will be carried over, but remember potential expiration. Training and Skill Training Programs, Special Strips, and Standard Player Tickets will also carry over.
Regarding your Avatar and settings, they will carry over if available in v3.0.0; otherwise, they will be reset to default. Your username, country/region, date of birth, and login bonuses will carry over. Records in your Balance Sheet will be partially reset, with only the past year’s records available. Match History will be reset entirely.
Team Playstyle Level Will Be Removed
However, there will be changes in the gameplay mechanics. Team Playstyle Level will no longer be a factor, and Abilities will not be influenced by it. Players who invested Progression Points in Team Playstyle Proficiency will see these points returned. The status of Players and Managers depends on Live Updates, with Standard Players experiencing updates to affiliations and data changes.
So, gamers, if you would like to learn more about KONAMI’s large-scale maintenance to facilitate these updates, check out more details on eFootball™ official website.
Over the weekend, word started spreading that ASUS was in the process of downscaling its operations in Taiwan and Mainland China amidst a massive restructuring of the company. According to the report from TechNews Taiwan, the Zenfone department was an unfortunate casualty of the restructuring.
Source: ASUS.com
However, that doesn’t seem to be the case as ASUS has officially commented on the issue and denied it flat out. In fact, it would be fair to say the official statement rubbished the claims. The company reiterated its commitment to the phone business. It highlighted the recent Q2 earnings call as proof thereof. The recent earnings call showed a marked growth in their revenue from the mobile phone segment; growing from under 1% to around 2% in the past quarter. While it’s still a minute segment of their overall revenue, ASUS sees it as enough of a justification to continue. ASUS even teases its upcoming 2024 product lineup.
Source: ASUS Press Room
The statement, issued through the company’s official press room, is pretty clear and direct with the company’s direction when it comes to mobile phones. “We will continue our two main phone business product lines, the ROG Phone and the Zenfone.”. It’s pretty clear that ASUS will continue to push their ROG Phone and Zenfone lineups moving forward.
However, as mentioned in our previous article, Malaysia hasn’t seen a Zenfone launch since the Zenfone 5 series. On the other hand, the Zenfone 10 is poised for release in countries like the United States of America in the coming weeks. It’ll be a welcomed addition to have the Zenfone series be announced for the Malaysian market once again.
If you pay attention to the Steam’s charts and survey, you will find that Full HD resolution is still the most common and popular gaming resolution available. While there are plenty of 4K resolution displays on offer, Full HD and 1440p gaming still offer the best value for the gaming community. While the biggest chunk of gamers; more than 60% of Steam users in fact, games at 1080p Full HD resolution, there are also more players moving on to the 1440p platform due to the decreasing costs of high-resolution monitors. We also think that 1440p resolution is quite perfect for PC gaming.
The thing is for you to game at 1440p resolution smoothly, you cannot rely on one of those entry-level GPU. Before you go off buying the highest end GPU for your PC though, you also want to take note that 1440p does not require you to spend that kind of fortune either. You can do more than enough with mid-range GPUs these days. That is the whole purpose of AMD’s latest Radeon RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT anyway.
The new AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT are made to replace the aging AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT and RX 6800 XT with their own sets of improvements. While the older Radeon RX 6000 GPUs are proven to be capable mid-range to high-end GPUs for immersive 1440p gaming, they are based on old RDNA 2 technology announced in 2020. It is 2023, it is time to modernize.
AMD’s Radeon RX 7000 series GPU is not exactly new, but it was limited to the highest end GPU they have so far, the RX 7900 XT and RX 7900 XTX GPUs. These new RDNA 3 GPUs are made mostly for 4K resolution gaming, a little overkill for 1440p gaming. The new RDNA 3 GPU series GPUs do come with some practical benefits to gamers for the modern age though. HDMI 2.1 for example for high resolution and speedy displays. They also include AV1 transcoding capabilities for more multifaceted functions like high-speed, low-latency streaming.
Those technologies now trickle down to AMD’s mid-range GPUs in the RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT. Of course, the new GPUs also come with other improvements to make 1440p gaming better than ever before.
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Other than AMD’s RDNA 3 technology, and the HDMI 2.1 ports, and AV1 transcoding capabilities, the RX 7800 XT comes strangely with less compute cores than before at 60 compared to 72 units from the RX 6800 XT before. There are also 60 ray tracing accelerators on the new GPU compared to the 72 from its predecessor. There is now 120 AI cores on the GPU for even better upscaling performance with AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 (FSR 3 for short). With FSR 3, you can technically use the RX 7800 XT for 4K gaming too at up to 120 fps if you have a capable resolution.
Despite the lower core count, the Radeon RX 7800 XT’s 60 compute cores are capable of higher clocks. The GPU clocks at a minimum of 2,124 MHz over the 2,015 MHz of the older GPU. At boost, the RX 7800 XT clocks at 2,430 MHz over the 2,250 MHz of its predecessor. You get the same 16GB GDDR6 memory as before though, which means you will not get the benefit of a faster GDDR6X memory. Still, the faster clock speed from the GPU also means that it performs better than before at least according to AMD’s own tests.
Less compute scores also means that the Radeon RX 7800 XT consumes less power than its predecessor though. Instead of the 300W before, the new GPU consumes 263W, at least 10% less than before, meaning you can save a little bit on your monthly electricity bills. While DisplayPort 1.4a was a good and capable port, AMD also replaced it with DisplayPort 2.1 interface for future-proofing.
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
The AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT gets all the technologies that the RX 7800 XT. You get the HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, RDNA 3, and AV1 transcoding capability as the more premium GPU. The Radeon RX 7700 XT is a cheaper GPU though, so there are some trade-offs to settle with.
There are less compute units at 54 units instead of 60. It is more than the 40 units from the previous GPU though. There are more RT accelerators than before too at 54 compared to 40 of the RX 6700 XT. While that means a much more capable GPU over the older Radeon RX 6700 XT, the new RX 7700 XT picks up more power than before at 245W power consumption over the 230W from before.
There is still the same 12GB of GDDR6 RAM than you see on the previous RX 6700 XT, which is not entirely surprising. The slightly odd thing is that the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT’s RDNA 3 compute units are clocked slightly slower than before at 2,171 MHz at base and up to 2,544 MHz at boost. Still, the extra cores should help the GPU trundle things along nicely.
Availability
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
AMD did not mention the exact pricing of the newly announced GPUs. They also did not mention anything about producing reference cards on their own. They mentioned that the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT GPUs will be available from board partners like ASRock, ASUS, Biostar, Gigabyte, PowerColor, Sapphire, Vastarmor, XFX, and Yeston from the 6th of September 2023 onward. More information the new GPUs can be found on AMD’s website.
Occupop, a leading recruitment software provider for Small and medium businesses, has introduced a new feature in its software of the same name. The groundbreaking new feature – ‘ChatGPT Prompt Library for Recruitment’ – aims to enhance and incorporate AI adoption in talent acquisition. This is done by simplifying integration by eliminating the need for extensive prompt creation with ready-to-use prompts which allows users to deploy AI tools, boosting efficiency and effectiveness.
This novel resource is tailor-made for talent acquisition professionals seeking to streamline their recruitment and HR activities. This is done through AI-generated prompts which access a library of HR and recruitment resources. The library boasts a curated collection of over 100 prompts, sourced from experienced recruiters and hiring managers, offering a versatile toolkit for integrating AI seamlessly.
Source: Occupop.com
“We know the effectiveness of AI tools, including ChatGPT, hinges on the quality of prompts employed. However, crafting these prompts can be a resource-intensive task. With the ‘ChatGPT Prompt Library for Recruitment’, our intent is to encourage the talent acquisition community to embrace AI tools without the need for extensive prompt crafting. This enables the user to quickly familiarise themselves with AI tools and strengthen their future endeavours.”
Orla Doyle, Marketing Director at Occupop
This innovative platform equips hiring managers with an expert-approved resource, elevating their AI-powered recruitment strategies. The library covers diverse aspects such as hiring strategies, recruitment marketing, and candidate sourcing and assessment. The introduction of the ‘Ultimate ChatGPT Prompt Library for Recruitment’ signifies a milestone in the convergence of AI and recruitment.
Gaming is quickly growing to become one of the largest industries in the world. However, gaming itself is on the verge of a revolution that could change the way we enjoy our blockbuster AAA games forever with Cloud Gaming. While not many companies have offerings, companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft are looking to cash in early with services like XBOX‘s GamePass and NVIDIA‘s GeForce NOW. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW is about to get a little bit more interesting with XBOX’s GamePass in a new collaboration.
NVIDIA and Microsoft are further accelerating this trend with a groundbreaking partnership that extends access to Xbox’s PC Game Pass and select Microsoft Store titles to the GeForce NOW streaming platform. This partnership will bring AAA titles to a myriad of devices including Android smartphones and tablets.
GeForce NOW members will now notice a new Xbox button on supported PC games, enabling seamless launches of titles on different devices. This integration extends to those who have purchased standalone games through the Microsoft Store or hold active subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. However, it’s important to note that not all PC Game Pass titles will be immediately available on the NVIDIA streaming service. While the integration is live, the complete library of Game Pass titles will be gradually introduced to GeForce NOW over time.
The synergy between NVIDIA and Microsoft reflects a commitment to enhance cloud gaming options for enthusiasts. The integration comes after Microsoft and NVIDIA solidified a decade-long Xbox games licensing agreement in response to concerns arising from Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year.
Among the initial wave of titles available on the service are WrestleQuest, Jumplight Odyssey, Blasphemous 2, Crusader Kings III, and No Man’s Sky. As both companies collaborate to onboard and test each game, NVIDIA assures members of a smooth streaming experience across all supported platforms, albeit with a slight delay due to testing requirements.
As cloud gaming continues to flourish, the NVIDIA and Microsoft partnership brings the Xbox PC Game Pass closer to gamers, expanding the options for an enriched gaming journey. With new games set to be added each month, this collaboration signifies a compelling leap forward in the world of cloud gaming. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW was announced recently in Malaysia in partnership with YES 5G.
YTL Communications, better known by its telco name – YES, has revamped its 5G wireless broadband plans to bring faster, unfettered and affordable connectivity to the public. The mobile operator’s new plans redefine affordable connectivity with plans as low as MYR58. The new 5G wireless broadband plans have been simplified and streamlined into two offerings: “Gateway” and “Flexi”.
The “Gateway” plan brings YES 5G wireless connectivity to homes using the Infinite Gateway 5G WiFi 6 Router. This plan comes with unlimited 5G and uncapped 5G speeds. However, in places where there is no 5G coverage, users are able to use 4G connectivity which is capped at 150GB of data use. The Gateway plan comes with a 24-month commitment and contract. The plan is priced at MYR99 a month which is lower than the previous broadband plans that started at MYR148 a month for 120Mbps speeds.
The “Flexi” plan comes in at MYR58 a month with unlimited 5G data and speed. Similar to the Gateway plan, you will be able to fall back to uncapped 4G connectivity when outside the 5G network. However, the Flexi plan only comes with a SIM card. It doesn’t come with a router or a 24-month commitment and contract. You will need to get your own compatible CPE modem or a portable 5G modem to fully utilise the connectivity.
YES 5G‘s coverage is dependent on DNB’s current 5G network. Right now, that includes most urban areas in Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Putrajaya and selected areas in Selangor. You can check if your area is covered by the 5G network on the YES 5G website.
The ASUS Zenfone series of smartphones hasn’t really been a mainstay in the tech market. In fact, Malaysia hasn’t seen a Zenfone release since the Zenfone 5. However, the series has been making waves in recent years thanks to ASUS’s dedication to making it a rather compact flagship. That said, it looks like ASUS might be ending the Zenfone altogether.
According to a report from Technews.tw, the company has already inched closer to ending the Zenfone lineup with some internal restructuring. The internal restructuring has resulted in layoffs in the mobile phone department effectively shutting down the Zenfone division. The same report indicates that the mobile phone department is split into two divisions – ROG Phone and Zenfone. It seems like the ROG Phone lineup should stay its course for now. However, if reports of the shutdown of the department shutdown and layoffs are true, the recent Zenfone 10 from ASUS could mark the last Zenfone flagship ever.
In its heyday, the Zenfone series had more than just its numbered entries. ASUS had the Zenfone GO as an affordable option as well as the Zenfone Max and Zenfone Live for those who wanted the larger screen and live streaming respectively. The numbered Zenfone series rounded out the series with higher-end, flagship-class specifications. It was also one of the most experimental series with ASUS introducing features like the flip camera in the Zenfone Flip.
Source: ASUS Global
The Zenfone series seems to be a casualty of the ongoing restructuring at ASUS which was first reported sometime in June. While we are optimistic the company will come out better on the other end of it, it’s hard to say whether the Zenfone series will be the last casualty.
