Category Archives: News

Lifestyle, News

Samsung’s 2023 Smart Monitor Lineup Focuses on Personalisation & Productivity

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Samsung’s Smart Monitor lineup created quite a stir when it was announced in 2020. The new monitors delivered a remote work experience that was seamless and did away with the need for bulky desktop setups. It brought a new approach with a sleek, self-contained environment that was able to run crucial apps like Microsoft 365 and the Google Productivity Suite. Albeit, the latter was run via Samsung’s DeX feature. However, these monitors made us rethink the monitor and how we’re using them.

Smart Monitor PR dl5 M8
Source: Samsung

Running on Samsung’s Tizen OS – just like their Smart TV counterparts – the Smart Monitors brought a suite of ready-to-go apps that not only made the need for laptops moot, it also made sure that work from home was a viable reality in the midst of chaotic times. They also allowed space-restricted quarters to become more efficiently used with built-in entertainment apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Samsung TV+, Amazon Prime Video and more.

This year, Samsung is looking to refine their approach even more with a refreshed line up of Smart Monitors. All three of the models that make up their lineip – the M5 (M50C), M7 (M70C), and M8 (M80C) are being refreshed with better specifications and wide connectivity options.

Smart Monitor PR dl4 M8
Source: Samsung

The new models up the maximum resolution to 3,840×2,160 pixels (4K UHD). This appears in both the 32-inch and 27-inch models of the M8 and M7 models while the M5 model comes with a 1,920×1080 (FHD) resolution. All of them come with in the 16:9 aspect ratio and come with built-in speakers.

The Smart Monitor M8 and M7 have adopted a new Iconic Slim Design. They sport super slim builds that measure 11.39mm at the thinnest point. They also sport a chic herringbone pattern on the back. The biggest difference, however, is the inclusion of a height-adjustable stand with tilt support on both models. Both still support 99% of the sRGB color gamut.

Smart Monitor PR dl7 M8
Source: Samsung

That said, the M8 has a slight edge over the other monitors with a bump to 4K UHD resolution with support for HDR10+ and 400 nits brightness. In regions where its supported, Samsung’s Gaming Hub is also available on the Smart Monitors. The M8 also comes with a SlimFit camera which attaches magnetically in the box. This camera supports FHD resolution and creates a standalone video conferencing experience. You will be able to use apps like Google Meet and Zoom seamlessly with the camera and leverage the auto framing feature to ensure you’re always front and center for your online meetings.

Mouse and Keyboard support have also been baked into multiple apps with the launch of the 2023 lineup of Smart Monitors including SmartThings and Smart Hub. The monitors also come with remote controls which charge via USB-C in the box. The Microsoft 365 and the Browser apps are now able to be used simultaneously in splitscreen view to reduce window switching thanks to an upgraded Multi View experience.

The monitors are also able to connect seamlessly to an in-home IoT setip with SmartThings. Samsung has also built-in support for platforms like Zigbee and Thread. The M8 and M7 support voice assistants including Amazon Alexa and Bixby. They also support far field voice with a built-in mic that allows users to speak directly to the monitors. Together with this, Samsung is also introducing a new My Contents features which allows users to quickly access helpful information. It can even connect to a verified smartphone in standby mode via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and lights up with the users pictures in the smartphone. Once the smartphone is out of range, the monitor goes back into standby.

Smart Monitor PR dl9 M8
Source: Samsung

The monitos come in a brand new range of colours that allow you to make it blend in or stand out in your room. With options for Warm White, Sunset Pink, Daylight Blue and Spring Green on the M8; Warm White on the M7 and Black and White for M5, users are free to choose a colour and model that fits their needs and personality.

Pricing & Availability

The new 2023 line of Smart Monitors will be available in stages starting in June 2023. No local Malaysian price has been announced yet. However, in the U.S., prices are as follows:

ModelSizePrice
M8 (M80C)32-inchUSD$699.99
M8 (M80C)27-inchUSD$649.99
M7 (M70C)32-inchUSD$599.99
M7 (M70C)27-inchUSD$549.99
M5 (M50C)32-inchUSD$299.99
M5 (M50C)27-inchUSD$279.99

Official Specifications

Screenshot 2023 05 30 at 18 24 33 Samsung Introduces 2023 Smart Monitor Line with New Enhancements for Work Learning and Entertainment at Home
Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

[Computex 2023] Acer Expands the Predator Triton Line-Up with Predator Triton 16

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What do you get when you cross a thin-and-light laptop concept and gaming laptops together? In Acer’s case, you get the Predator Triton line-up of gaming notebook PCs, their most premium gaming laptop line-up that is powerful enough to tear through time and space and remain portable enough to be operated anywhere and anytime. We are exaggerating on the whole time and space thing though, but you get the picture, Acer’s Predator Triton line-up is some of the most powerful gaming laptops you can find in the industry.

Recently, in their Next@Acer 2023 event, they launched the Predator Triton 14 gaming laptop and the Triton 17X portable desktop replacement. The Predator Triton 14 is made to be the perfect balance between portable productivity and top-notch gaming. On the other end of the spectrum for extreme performance portable workstation is the Triton 17X that packs Intel’s most powerful CPU and NVIDIA’s most powerful GPU packed into a body no thicker than a textbook. There was nothing in between though, nothing to fill the gap between the 17-inch powerhouse and 14-inch compact champion; until now.

The Predator Triton 16, as per the photos and renders provided, can be seen as the larger Predator Triton 14. That much is true, at least for how it looks. The Predator Triton 16 is a different beast altogether though.

Power, Power, Power

  • PREDATOR TRITON 16 PT16 51 03
    Source: Acer
  • PREDATOR TRITON 16 PT16 51 04
    Source: Acer

The Triton 16 comes packing a very powerful 13th Generation Intel Core i9 (up to) CPU that can clock up to 5.4GHz (turbo). The very powerful CPU is paired with NVIDIA’s potent GeForce RTX 4070 Max-Q GPU for mobile platforms with DLSS 3 and latest ray tracing capabilities. You also get 32GB (up to) of DDR5 RAM for good measure and to ensure that AAA games play as smooth as butter on the 16-inch display. There is also a 2TB (up to) SSD in RAID 0 configuration for the fastest access to your humungous game library.

True to its name, the Triton 16 has a 16-inch display. You get 2,560 by 1,600 pixels out of the 16:10 aspect ratio IPS panel with up to 240Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC support for that extra smooth feel to your games. In case you need to get working in brighter lit areas, the IPS display also offers up to 500 nits in peak brightness. For the content creators, the display also boasts an accurate and rich 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage and support for NVIDIA Advanced Optimus to save on some power when it can.

Keeping Cool

  • PREDATOR TRITON 16 PT16 51 01
    Source: Acer
  • PREDATOR TRITON 16 PT16 51 02
    Source: Acer

Of course, getting the most out of the high-resolution and speedy 16-inch display requires the CPU and GPU to work overtime. This also means that the internals can get hot very quickly if not cooled properly. That should not be too much of a problem for Predator’s proprietary 5th Generation AeroBlade 3D metal fans with their Vortex Flow technology though. On top of all of these, the thermals in the Predator Triton 16 should be a large improvement over previous generation laptops with the metal thermal grease on the CPU offering better heat dissipation and spread.

All of these are packaged into a metal chassis combination that measures less than 2cm (19.9mm). The silver finish of the chassis keeps the Predator Triton 16 looking clean and professional enough to fit into any board room.

Of course, this is an Acer Predator product. It comes with two extra buttons for easy access to Acer Predator’s magic to work on the Triton 16. You get a Turbo button that cleverly maxes out and overclocks the system as per Acer Predator’s optimum settings. There is also the PredatorSense button for you to quickly access, well, PredatorSense app. The app interface controls everything from the RGB of the laptop, to the maximum performance of the Predator Triton 16. WiFi comes in the form of an Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro WiFi 6E adapter built into the laptop for extra stable and fast connectivity experience. For expansion you can use the HDMI 2.1 port and a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support to connect with up to two extra 4K displays.

Price and Availability

The Predator Triton 16 will be available in the North American regions in September 2023 onward for US$ 1,799.99 (MYR 8,295) onward. There are no colour options for this one, just the signature silver that has been the staple for Predator Triton laptops in the past couple of years. There is yet an announcement on the Acer Predator Triton’s availability in Malaysia at this point. Obviously, there are no official pricing just yet for the country. For more information on Acer Predator and their latest products announced in Computex 2023, you can visit their website.

Lifestyle, News

GWM Doubles Down on its New Energy Strategy; Showcases NEVs from HAVAL, ORA & More

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Great Wall Motors (GWM) has been at the forefront of championing new energy vehicles (NEVs) by combining its technological prowess with engineering know-how. The company and its brands like HAVAL and ORA have been actively releasing, researching and developing products that push boundaries when it comes to NEVs.

GWM NEV showcase KA

More recently, the company showcased its “Go with More” proposition and its commitment to electrification at a global experience event in Baoding, China. The event saw participants from over 60 countries, from various regions, experience the latest products from GWM’s sub-brands at the company’s state-of-the-art testing ground. The testing ground, lauded as one of the most advanced in Asia, provided a diverse testing environment which could put these vehicles to task. From high-speed rings and dynamic squares to test hills, GWM’s offerings were put to the test in every terrain.

GWM showcased various models from its sub-brands including HAVAL’s new energy SUV, the HAVAL H6 PHEV, the GWM TANK500 PHEV, the POER HEV and the ORA LIGHTNING CAT.

GWM NEV Showcase 4
Source: Great Wall Motors (GWM)

GWM showcased its new energy SUV from HAVAL – codenamed B07 – which was only recently announced as the “Fierce Dragon MAX” for the Mainland Chinese Market. The “Fierce Dragon MAX” is one of the first GWM vehicles to boast its proprietary Hi4 (Hybrid intelligent 4WD) technology. This technology allows the large, spacious SUV to strike a balance between high performance and low fuel consumption.

GWM NEV Showcase 2
Source: Great Wall Motors (GWM)

ORA’s LIGHTNING CAT reimagines the coupe class with its fastback design; bringing together sporty aesthetics and fashionable style. It also checks the box for being even more green with its eco-friendly interior which provides not only comfort but a stylish, delicate experience for both the driver and passengers.

Throughout the showcase, GWM highlighted its commitment to driving NEVs while showcasing the quality, performance and innovation in its wide range of vehicles available and launching worldwide. Their comprehensive lineup of NEVs, including HEV, PHEV and EV models, garnered much praise from those in attendance.

The company has made significant investments in R&D with an approach that prioritises “precise input in pursuit of leadership”. To date, GWM has invested a total of CNY12.181 billion (MYR7.922 billion/USD$1.717 billion) in 2022 and is projected to invest over CNY100 billion(MYR65.023billion/USD$14.098 billion) by 2025.

Computers, News

Dell Empowers Collaboration & Remote Work in APAC with New Commercial Lineup

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Remote work and hybrid work are fast becoming commonplace after the pandemic. More and more of us are finding ourselves working in places other than our offices and it has slowly but surely changed what we need and look for in our devices. Dell is well ahead of the curve in delivering purpose-built devices for any price point. However, the shift in paradigm has also led to Dell rethinking and reconceptualising its approach to designing its solutions.

Dell Commercial Lineup Penang 2
[Source: Dell Technologies] (from left) Paul Carter, Vice President – Client Solutions Group Sales, Asia Pacific, Japan (APJ); Rakesh Mandal, Senior Director & General Manager – Client Solutions, South Asia & Asia Emerging Markets Dell Technologies; Sudip Saha, Sr. Director and Head of Marketing – South Asia & Asian Emerging Markets (B2B and B2C).

“It’s not about the work, it’s about how we get it done,” were the words of Paul Carter, Dell Technologies’ Vice President of Client Solutions Group Sales for Asia Pacific, Japan (APJ) at the APJ launch of their new commercial line up of devices. He outlined the fundamental shift in Dell’s approach to creating its commercial solutions. The change has influenced the features and form factors offered by the refreshed Latitude, Optiplex and Precision lineups. This change is also ever present in the accessories and monitors that expand its commercial offerings. Dell’s approach caters to four personas shaped by their work and the nature of their functions: the builder, the connector, the producer and the specialist.

Devices for the Builders & Connectors in Organisations

Builders are people focused on building the business primarily dealing with people and company strategy while connectors bring people together and optimize outcomes by balancing collaboration and team interests. These workers need to be nimble and productive requiring devices that not only serve as productivity tools but also tools for presentations but more importantly, these tools need to be as portable and light as they need to be on their feet.

Dell Commercial Lineup Penang 3
Source: Dell Technologies

Dell has created multiple devices across their Precision and Latitude lineups with multimode productivity. Laptops like Dell’s new Ultra-Premium Latitude 9440 are built with the power, portability and design that is not only meant to empower productivity but bring the prestige that comes with being a C-Suite and manager. However, for those needing something even more portable, Dell has the Latitude 7340 and Latitude 7440 ultralight that puts portability front and center.

In addition, the Dell Latitude lineup is also imbued with 2-in-1 laptops for the Latitude 7340 and Latitude 7440 which allow them to be tools for on-the-go presentation. The Latitude 9440 2-in-1 brings this feature set with the premium build and design fit for higher management.

Catering to the Producer and Specialist – A group that Needs More Power for Productivity

Dell has also identified a group called Producers who work on delivering outcomes and focuses on accomplishing tasks and productivity. This group works closely with the specialists in any organisation. Specialists perform detail oriented work and work on solving problems, delivering products, analyzing data and even creating content. These groups of people require machines that are packed to the brim with power to churn large amounts of data or render heavy graphical loads.

Dell Commercial Lineup Penang 4
Source: Dell Technologies

The Precision lineup brings the required power with top of the line graphics powered by NVIDIA’s RTX Ada generation graphics. These setups range from mobile, portable laptops like the Precision Mobile Workstation 5480 that packs the powerful internals needed for detail oriented work into a slim, portable body to the Precision 7960 Tower that brings the power in a more convention desktop as well as the Precision 7960 Rack which brings the specifications to servers allowing remote access with data security.

Bringing Diversity & Sustainability to the Forefront

Dell’s Optiplex line up, on the other hand, falls squarely into the spaces between these personas bringing productivity focused machines into compact, space saving form factors. They allow users to stay productive without sacrificing desk space. The Optiplex line up also packs enough power for these workers to get a more diverse range of work done. Things from repetitive admin work to processing spreadsheets.

Dell Commercial Lineup Penang
Source: Dell Technologies

That said, Dell’s solutions across the board are guided by the company’s many sustainability goals and moonshot goals. It comes as no surprise that all of these devices come with a substantial amount of optimisations and materials which reduce the environmental impact of the company and devices. Dell has incorporated things like Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics, sustainably sourced metals and components made of recycled materials.

Dell has also brought some of their ideas and learnings from their many concept devices like Concept Luna to their new devices. They haven’t even more sustainability plans in the works which will make their debuts with future products.

Lifestyle, News

Samsung WOWs Malaysia with New Neo QLED TVs

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Samsung only recently made their global WOW announcement promising even deeper immersion and a wider range of experiences with their new Neo QLED televisions. The new Neo QLED TVs are also joined by a new lineup of soundbars and QLED TVs.

IMG 20230525 WA0024

The new lineup of Neo QLED TVs comes with Samsung’s Infinity Edge design which minimizes the bezel of the display to insane levels. In fact, this year’s Neo QLED TVs don’t have a bezel at all. You literally see only screen from edge to edge sitting in front of the TVs. The bezels are so minimal – only visible at the bottom where Samsung has packed the sensors.

Both QLED and Neo QLED TVs come with Samsung’s Q Symphony technology which creates an immersive audio experience with Samsung’s Q series soundbars. This is achieved by using the TV’s built-in speakers in symphony with the Q series soundbars creating a wide, Dolby Atmos-certified soundscape that takes the viewer deeper into the content that they’re consuming. This feature is now available even with entry-level Neo QLED TVs.

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IMG 20230525 WA0024

Together with this, Samsung TVs continue to bring its TizenOS-based operating system. This OS runs on the latest generation of Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K. The software, paired with the processor brings intelligent, AI-enhanced features that bring even more detail and an even more immersive experience. This includes intelligent upscaling of any content to take advantage of the 8K resolution of the TV. They also come with an AI-enhanced Gaming mode that not only detects when you turn on your console but also changes to the appropriate input and unlocks performance mode with a 120Hz refresh rate on compatible models. With apps like Samsung Health, you’ll be able to access workouts and exercise programs that you can do right from the comfort of your living room.

IMG 20230525 WA0023

Samsung’s SmartThings also takes center stage on the new lineup of Neo QLED and QLED TVs. Not only does it appear on your SmartThings app, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of your larger screen to control and customize your other SmartThings compatible devices. With the recent integration with Matter, you’ll be able to connect devices across multiple brands on the larger screen of the TVs. What’s more, if you’re setting up the TV from a Samsung smartphone, you’ll simply need to sign in with your SmartThings or Samsung account and you’ll have your settings seamlessly installed and synced.

Pricing & Availability

Samsung’s 2023 lineup of Neo QLED TV lineup is currently available at Samsung stores and at retail partner stores.

Neo QLED 8K TVs

ModelPrice (MYR)Launch Promo
85-inch Neo QLED 8K QN900C43,699Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q990C) worth MYR6,499
75-inch Neo QLED 8K QN900C28,699Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q930C) worth MYR4,999
65-inch Neo QLED 8K QN900C21,699Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q930C) worth MYR4,999
85-inch Neo QLED 8K QN800C32,699Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q8000C) worth MYR3,999
75-inch Neo QLED 8K QN700C18,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q700C) worth MYR2,999
65-inch Neo QLED 8K QN700C15,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q700C) worth MYR2,999

Neo QLED 4K TVs

ModelPrice (MYR)Launch Promo
85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN95C24,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
75-inch Neo QLED 4K QN95C19,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
65-inchNeo QLED 4K QN95C13,399Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
55-inch Neo QLED 4K QN95C11,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN85C18,599Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
75-inch Neo QLED 4K QN85C13,599Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
65-inch Neo QLED 4K QN85C9,599Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-Q600C) worth MYR2,599
85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN80C15,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-B650) worth MYR1,499
75-inch Neo QLED 4K QN80C11,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-B650) worth MYR1,499
65-inch Neo QLED 4K QN80C7,199Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-B650) worth MYR1,499
55-inch Neo QLED 4K QN80C5,999Free Q-Series Soundbar (HW-B650) worth MYR1,499
Camera, Lifestyle, News

Canon EOS R100 is Launched – Could be Your First Mirrorless Experience

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Canon has announced quietly that they are going to be focusing more on the mirrorless market segment than the traditional DSLR. While this does not mean that the DSLR format is dead, it is a significant sign that the photography and film making industry is moving forward and championing mirrorless technology, after many years in the making that is. It is also quite hard to believe that Canon, the largest camera brand that has championed DSLR and made countless lenses for the market, would move to mirrorless systems completely. The newly launched Canon EOS R100 should make you believe that Canon is really moving toward the mirrorless direction.

Unlike their higher end EOS R series of cameras, the EOS R100 is an APS-C format camera and is meant to be one of the more compact options in their mirrorless line-up. It is, in effect, Canon’s lightest camera at merely 356g (body only). Unlike their old M-series of mirrorless cameras, the EOS R100 is compatible with Canon’s latest RF and RF-S lenses, which also means that this camera will have plenty of future support still. Of course, you can still adapt it to older EF lenses with the EF-EOS R mount adapter if you already have some EF mount lenses on hand.

EOS R100 smallest, lightest, and most affordable EOS R system camera to date
Source: Canon

The APS-C CMOS sensor found in the EOS R100 is a 24.2-Megapixel unit that is also capable of shooting videos at 4K (24p) resolution and up to 120p Full HD high speed videos. The new EOS R100 also offers Eye and Face Detection even in video recording mode to ensure that your subject is always in focus. With compatible lenses, you also get the highly acclaimed in-body stabilization features for both your videos and photos. While there is a high-resolution EVF and a 1.04 million dot LCD for you to work with, the built-in LCD display is fixed in its place, meaning that you might want to think about getting a secondary monitor when it comes to video work. It is also not a touch sensitive display, which means you do not get touch focus functions here.

Content creators might enjoy the EOS R100 still though. There is a Hybrid Auto mode that puts together a bunch of your phones and video snippets into an easy to digest movie of the day of some sorts. There is also a 4K Timelapse video mode for you to quickly and easily shoot a timelapse video with pre-determined intervals for a smooth looking, high-resolution timelapse video that usually takes hours to stitch together. On top of all of that, the camera offers plenty of Creative Assist modes that offers you things like ‘background blur’ for that desired portrait effect. You can even quickly change your ‘brightness’ and ‘saturation’ settings without messing about with things like ISO, shutter speeds, and aperture; the camera does it for you. If not, there is Scene modes and Scene Intelligent Auto that automatically adjusts your camera to whatever it thinks is best for your frame. To complete the look, there are Creative filters for you to play around with too.

Price and Availability

Currently, at US$ 480 (MYR 2,379*) onward, the Canon EOS R100 is Canon’s most affordable mirrorless EOS R series to date. There are no mentions of any other colour option currently except for black, as usual. They are also no mentions of the official arrival of the camera in Malaysia currently. Based on the quoted official price in Malaysia though, we can expect the camera to be coming to Malaysia soon. More on the Canon EOS R100 can be found on their website.

*Official pricing as confirmed by Lowyat.net

Computers, Gaming, News

AMD’s Radeon RX 7600 is Here! 1080p Gamers, Rejoice!

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A few days ago, NVIDIA released their GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti to cater to gamers who are playing games on Full HD 1080p resolution. At US$ 299 (MYR 1,381*), they are still rather expensive to upgrade to. There are of course the benefits that come with an NVIDIA GPU like Ray Tracing engine, DLSS, and a myriad of support from NVIDIA. But what if US$ 299 is still a little rich for you? What if you want to spend a little bit less on your GPUs to get more bang out of the buck for your Full HD gaming rig? We offer you the AMD Radeon RX 7600.

Yes, this is the official replacement for the AMD Radeon RX 6600. Being a Radeon RX 7000 class GPU, the RX 7600 comes with RDNA 3 architecture as standard. That not only means improved GPU performance, but also improved ray tracing and upscaling (FidelityFX Super Resolution) engines. There is also an AI core in there somewhere that is not being utilized as of now, but that may come handy later. The new GPU also comes with AMD’s clever second-generation Infinity Cache technology that should prove useful in gaming and content creation situations.

It is designed to play games at Full HD, and better at that than the older GPU (obviously). At that, AMD claims a 29% performance bump over the Radeon RX 6600 on average. They also claim that the RX 7600 performs about 34% better than the older NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB on average. With the new RDNA 3 architecture, they also claim that the GPU can push past 100fps in esports titles on Full HD resolution. You also have the advantage of AV1 support for better streaming experiences and DisplayPort 2.1 support for higher resolution displays. Then again, you might want to stick with Full HD resolution for this one.

At the heart of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 are 32 compute units with RDNA 3 technology. That is 4 compute units more than the older RX 6600 with RDNA 2. It still only comes with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which they claim is enough for high-fidelity Full HD gaming and even upscaling to 1440p. The compute units are also clocked higher at 2.25GHz compared to the 2.04GHz from before. While that guarantees the bump in performance, it also means that the GPU draws more power than before at 165W TGP.

Price and Availability

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is said to be available from AMD and their board partners today onward. AMD suggests a retail price of US$ 269 (MYR 1,243*) onward, but the prices will vary across manufacturers. Of course, you can expect manufacturers like ASUS and ASRock to come up with their “overclocked” versions of the GPU soon after. There are no indications on a 16GB variant anytime soon too, so if you are holding out for a 16GB AMD entry-level GPU, you might want to hold out a little bit longer for either their RX 7700 or RX 7800 to come out. More on AMD’s Radeon RX 7600 GPU can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.62 as of 25/05/2023 on xe.com

Camera, Lifestyle, News

The New Sony ZV-1 II is not a ZV-1 Replacement, More like ZV-1 EVO for MYR 3,999

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Sony’s ZV-1 was something we thought was rather clever for content creators to work with. It was compact, offered 4K video recording, and all the clever features that any content creators could enjoy and appreciate. Now, you can get your hands on one Sony ZV-1 camera at MYR 2,599, which is not too unreasonable.

There is a new kid on the block, just launched by Sony last night. The new kid is the sort of follow up to the ZV-1 compact shooter, the ZV-1 II (Mk. II, M2). No, it is not quite a replacement to the ZV-1, at least not according to Sony. They say that they have made some improvements based on the feedback from their community and users, but it is not meant to replace the ZV-1. They will still be selling the ZV-1 alongside this Mk. II.

  • Sony ZV 1 IMG (3)
    Source: Sony
  • Sony ZV 1 IMG (2)
    Source: Sony
  • Sony ZV 1 IMG (1)
    Source: Sony
  • Sony ZV 1 IMG (6)
    Source: Sony
  • Sony ZV 1 IMG (5)
    Source: Sony

The design of the camera has not changed very much. You would be forgiven for mistaking the ZV-1 II for the ZV-1 when you put them together. They both come in the same colour options too, which does not help in telling the cameras apart. The price tag is a little different though, we will get into that later.

The difference is really more than skin deep. Instead of 24-70mm, you get a much wider viewpoint with the widest shot at 18mm and zooming up to 50mm. The 18-50mm lens is fast too with a variable aperture from F1.8-4.0. The wider lens also offers more shooting flexibility and creative avenues for landscapes and even selfies. You do not need to stretch your hands all that much anymore or find a selfie stick to work with. You can just have your natural arm’s length to get a good frame for yourself and even others to join you even without the help of selfie sticks. You still can get your hands on Sony’s clever remote camera grip though, if you want to.

They have improved the microphone too. It is now a 3-capsule unit that captures audio from all directions. It is clever too; the ZV-1 II can quickly switch its recording direction when it detects human faces in its frame allowing you to shoot your vlogs without needing another mic attachment. You can also select its shooting direction manually, your options are front, rear, and all directions. There is an included windscreen too for you to use in the great outdoors. If you still prefer to shoot with a mic attachment, you can get an assortment from Sony’s own stables that works with the Multi Interface shoe mounting or get a generic one and connect them to the camera via the 3.5mm mic jack.

Sony ZV 1 IMG (2)
Source: Sony

It is still a 1.0 type CMOS sensor with Sony’s Exmor RS image processor that boasts about 21-Megapixel. You get a lot more shooting options with the ZV-1 II over the previous camera though. You get a CInematic Vlog settings that you might like, if your main medium is YouTube. The settings offer you a very cinematic CinemaScope 2.35:1 video aspect ratio and 24fps for your videos for that cinema look. You do not get to shoot in Sony’s famous colour gamut Logs, but the camera still can cleverly offer you five looks and four different moods to your video that also enables you to create content more quickly than ever.

Even for photography, you get to work with up to 10 preset looks allowing you to shoot in different creative styles without post processing. That means your contents get from the camera to social media channels much faster than before especially when you pair it to Sony’s Creator’s mobile app.

Sony ZV 1 IMG (6)
Source: Sony

For a better and more seamless shoot experience, the ZV-1 II offers Face Priority AE and Soft Skin effects for natural and better-looking skin tones in whatever lighting conditions that you subject the camera to. Its Fast Hyubrid autofocus system will ensure that the camera locks and tracks its subjects accurately without too much focus hunting for better looking videos even without a shooting assistant. Its Eye AF can also now lock on to animals’ eyes in both video and photopgraphy mode for even more shooting flexibility than before. For the reviewers, the ZV-1 II offers a clever Product Shwocase mode that you can activate to ensure that the device priortises intended subjects instead of the face or human being in the frame and then transitioning smoothly from face to product and vice versa.

Its S&Q mode also now offers up to 5x slow motion video recording or 60x quick motion video recordings to add flavour to your videos. With a dedicated S&Q mode, you can have complete control over the ZV-1 II’s shooting parameters on a single screen too. With up to ISO12800 (from ISO125), the camera is capable of shooting clear stills and videos in low-light conditions. Even when you are moving while shooting, the ZV-1’s Active Mode stabilisation should keep things smooth and shake free. It even includes its own built-in ND filter for outdoor shoots.

Price and Availability

The Sony ZV-1 II will be coming to Malaysia in July 2023. Sony have also confirmed that the ZV-1 II will be available for MYR 3,999 onward. It is MYR 1,400 more than the current ZV-1. There is no other way to put it, it is expensive. Still, if you want the best vlogging camera money can buy, this is probably it. Like the ZV-1, you can have it in Black or White. More on the Sony ZV-1 II can be found on their website.

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti is Finally Here – Better Late Than Never!

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NVIDIA launched their Ada Lovelave architecture technology last year with the rather humungous NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 flagship class GPUs. That brought high-end 4K and 8K gaming to the hands of consumers who could afford them. For the ones that could not, they had to be content with the existing NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series set-up. They had to settle for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or RTX 3070, since the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 were still sold at incredibly high prices at the time. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti came rather late to the Ada Lovelace party, but it was still a welcome addition to the RTX 40 series line-up since that means that Ada Lovelace is becoming a little more accessible to normal people. The RTX 4070 Ti is still, by no means, a cheap or affordable GPU to start with though, for those looking to game on a budget, they still must go for NVIDIA’s outdated GeForce RTX 3060. Not anymore.

NVIDIA has just announced that the NVIDIDA GeForce RTX 4060 family is finally seeing the light. This includes the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti variant of the GPU. Alongside the announcement of the latest entry-level RTX 40 series GPU, NVIDIA announces that over 300 games now support DLSS 3 upscaling technology for better gaming performance at higher graphics quality.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

The regular NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 comes with 3,072 CUDA cores that clocks in at 2.46 GHz, which is curiously less cores than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 that came before it. The GPU is clocked higher than before though, and with Ada Lovelace architecture, should prove to be an improvement over the RTX 3060. Obviously, the GeForce RTX 4060 also comes with NVIDIA’s 3rd generation Ray Tracing cores that also supports DLSS 3.0 and 4th Generation Tensor cores that should prove to perform better than the older 60 class GPU.

The result is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 performing about 1.7x better than the RTX 3060 on average. While you only get the choice of an 8GB GDDR6 memory option, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 should be a better all-around performer for Full HD 1080p gaming natively. Of course, if you want even better performance and higher frame rates, you can upscale your games with DLSS 3.0.

You still can output the GPU to an 8K display at up to 60Hz with either HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.0 on the Founder’s Edition GPUs. Whether or not we will see a combination of HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 on partner boards is a guess. Still, it can power up to 4 monitors simultaneously if you need that kind of set-up. It is a 60 class GPU, and it is not meant for higher power consumptions, and therefore it only draws up to 115W in TGP.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

For those who are looking to spend a little more on their GPU, but not RTX 4070 high, the RTX 4060 Ti should fit the bill nicely. It is technically more powerful than the RTX 4060. It also a large improvement over the GPU it replaces.

Again, Ada Lovelace architecture means that the new GeForce RTX 4060 Ti does not have to have larger amounts of CUDA cores within the GPU. It only has 4,352 CUDA cores over the 4,864 of the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. There is the 3rd Generation Ray Tracing cores and 4th Generation Tensor Cores too with AV1 support that is making the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti perform about 1.7x better than the old GPU it replaces. Like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, the RTX 4060 Ti is designed to crush games even better at Full HD resolutions.

You can also drive up to 4 displays with the 4 output ports from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti reference GPU. One of them would have to be plugged into the HDMI port, but it is HDMI 2.1 so you still can get 8K 60Hz output out from the GPU. Thanks to lower core counts, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is more efficient than ever with up to 165W TGP over the older 200W even with 16GB of GDDR6 memory on board.

Price and Availability

There is no mention on whether NVIDIA will offer the GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti with GDDR6X memory or not. With GDDR6X being available for the older GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti, we can assume that NVIDIA will be planning to bring the new 40 series entry-level GPUS with GDDR6X memory. For now, no other manufacturing partners have showcased their own version of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti GPUs. If you plan to get NVIDIA’s Founder’s Edition GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, prices start at US$ 299 (MYR 1,359*), which is not entirely unreasonable. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti starts at US$ 399 (MYR 1,813*) for the 8GB edition and the 16GB edition will set you back MYR US$ 499 (MYR 2,267*). More information on the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPUs can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.54 as of 22/05/2023 on xe.com

News

Samsung Pushes App Optimization for Foldables Malaysia

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The state of apps on tablets and foldables on Android has left users with a lot to be desired. That said, with Android 12L and the upcoming Android 14, these app experiences are becoming easier to optimize. In fact, it wouldn’t be to farfetched to say that they’ve been one of – if not the main – focus of Google’s Android. One of the pioneering heroes of these experiences has been Samsung with their Galaxy Z series.

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Samsung has been actively app optimization globally hand in hand with Google. It’s no different in Malaysia. Over the past few years, they have been actively collaborating with partners from various industries to create new and optimized app experiences when it comes to foldables – in particular for the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold smartphones.

Samsung and their pioneering cohort of partners showcased their apps and experiences for the first time this week. These partners include one of Malaysia’s banks, Ambank, global convenience store chain, FamilyMart, Malaysian telecommunications company, Maxis, Malaysian payment platform, Pay4U and Malaysian Coffee chain, ZUS Coffee. These partners have been developing and optimizing their app experiences in partnership with Samsung and Google.

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Each of these apps take advantage of the unique form factors of the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold as well as the additional display real estate on the latter. Each experience advances the customer and user experience of the apps allowing these partners to deliver more meaningful for users and catered uniquely to the Malaysian public. These new, optimized apps are rolling out to the Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Stores.

It’s worth noting that these apps are just the beginning of Samsung’s efforts in Malaysia. The company has already begun working with new partners such as Malaysian cinema chains, Golden Screen Cinemas and TGV Cinemas; Gigi Coffee and Zapp. These partners are expecting to roll their optimized apps in the second half of 2023. They are open to working with even more partners. In the words of Luke Au, Head of Product Marketing, Mobile experience at Samsung Malaysia, “We are passionate about making mobile innovation relevant to consumers… We invite local organisations to be part of this industry collaboration and deliver better experiences to their customers.”

In addition, the company also announced an upcoming hackathon catered for students of local universities and institutions of higher learning to develop new, unique experiences for foldable devices. Stay tuned to techENT as we will share more details on the hackathon as they become available.