Category Archives: News

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Meet the New Predators – The new Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 has Landed in Malaysia with Prices from MYR 8,999

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Acer’s Predator Helios series of laptops are, in their own rights, some of the most powerful gaming laptops you can buy today. The Helios 300 platform with Intel’s 12th Generation Core processors alongside NVIDIA’s finest in the form of the GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs are some of the most potent combinations for gaming laptops. That was in 2022 though.

It is 2023, Intel and NVIDIA have moved on from their 12th generation and GeForce RTX 30 series components respectively. Intel have launched their even more powerful 13th Generation of mobile computing chips. NVIDIA have also announced their new GPU platform for mobile computers, the GeForce RTX 40 series. The Predator Helios 300 then, is outdated.

No matter though, Acer has just launched their latest Predator flagship laptop in Malaysia. The Helios name stays, but it is a little different. Welcome to the Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18.

Dropping off the 300 or 500 or 700 moniker, in our opinions, is a step toward the right direction in streamlining their products. Instead, the numbers behind now represents the laptop’s screen size. In the case of the Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 then, you get a 16-inch and 18-inch Helios gaming laptops.

Predator Helios 18

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We start with the big one, literally, the Predator Helios 18, the 18-inch full fat variant of the Predator Helios flagship. It is meant to be a desktop replacement though, so you should not stress about bringing it about. Yes, it is heavy at 3.16kg.

With a larger body though, comes more real estate for cooling systems. As with any other Predator product, the Helios 18 packs their 5th Generation 3D Aeroblade aluminium fan that keeps your gaming laptop cool in intense gaming conditions as well as ensuring that dust build up is not a problem. The cooling solution ensures that the 13th generation Intel Core i9 (up to) runs optimally even at high loads. It also keeps the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (up to) Ada Lovelace chips as cool as they can be in this package. Alongside the powerful CPU and GPU, you can opt for up to 32GB in DDR5 memory paired with up to 2TB of speedy storage.

You get a beautiful 18-inch IPS display too to enjoy all kinds of AAA games you might want to play on the Helios 18. It fits in the body of a traditional 17-inch notebook thanks to the clever 16:10 aspect ratio. No, you are not getting a measly Full HD resolution display either.  It is now a WQXGA display (2560 x 1600 pixels), which is just a little more than 1440p. The display even boasts a 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, meaning you are getting very lifelike colours and graphics offering an immersive experience like no colour. On top of that, you get up to 240Hz to ensure that you can keep up with the best in competitive titles. With up to 500 nits in brightness, you do not even have to dim your room to game.

The keyboard is a step up from before too. You now get mini-LED backlighting that offers more efficient backlight system. It is not the plain ol’ 4-zone RGB backlighting system too. Instead, it is a per-key RGB system that allows you to completely customize your keyboard to your heart’s content.

To control all of this, you have the new PredatorSense 4 control software. The new PredatorSense is designed to be more streamlined and cleverer than ever before. The software also allows you to store multiple profiles for different lighting setups for different games too. Moreover, NVIDIA’s clever Advanced Optimus offers the Predator Helios 18 even longer battery life by switching between integrated graphics and discrete GPU whichever is required at different times.

Predator Helios 16

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The Predator Helios 16 may be small, but it is still no slouch compared to the Helios 18. You get to choose and opt for all the hardware the Helios 18 gets. That means you still get the power of the 24-core 13th generation Intel Core i9 (up to). You also get to enjoy the full might of a modern NVIDIA GPU in the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (up to) all in a smaller, more portable body.

You compromise a little on the display though. Instead of 18-inch, you get 16 inches of IPS goodness. It still refreshes at 240hz and boasts WQXGA resolution at 16:10 aspect ratio. All of this just so that it fits in a laptop body that traditionally fits 15-inch displays.

Price and Availability

The new Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 are both available for pre-order from now to the end of April 2023. The Helios 16 starts at 8,999 while the Helios 18 will set you back from MYR 9,999 onward. If you do pre-order your Predator Helios laptop, you are entitled to a free gift package worth MYR 1,627 in total. That package includes a 175hz refresh rate gaming monitor from Acer’s Nitro stables, the XV272U gaming monitor. For more information on Predator’s latest gaming laptops, you can visit their website.

News

Dell’s New PowerEdge Portfolio Puts Sustainability Front & Center without Sacrificing Performance

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Servers are becoming commonplace for businesses as more of them navigate their journey to the cloud. From on-premises servers to the cloud, data storage, remote workloads, and automation have slowly become necessary for businesses to function. Dell has long been a hardware partner and provider for businesses and service providers. The PowerEdge portfolio has become integral to some of the largest, most resilient cloud service providers and on-premises servers for businesses.

Delivering Optimized, Sustainable Power with AI-enabled technology & Optimised Design

Dell is upping the ante when it comes to hardware and compatibility with purpose-built servers in their new PowerEdge portfolio. The new servers come in multiple form factors including 1U and 2U slices. They also come fully equipped with the latest server processors from AMD and Intel. These specifications and the myriad of form factors allow Dell to cater to any workload. The new Dell PowerEdge portfolio also comes with models that are able to accommodate multi-GPU servers for AI and ML workloads.

Dell PowerEdge NEXT Coverage

The new PowerEdge portfolio isn’t just about power, it’s also about sustainability. Dell Technologies has made their new offerings more power efficient with better cooling and AI. The new servers have been optimised from the chassis to their internals to provide better cooling and airflow. Paired with Dell’s AI-enabled CouldIQ, the new PowerEdge lineup is poised to provide customers with lower overheads and greener operations.

With Dell’s Smart Flow design, servers are able to cool more efficiently with up to a 52% reduction in fan power. They are also empowering customers to be more sustainable with the OpenManage Enterprise Power Manager 3.0 software which allows customers to better manage their operations efficiency. It also them to actively monitor carbon emissions and set power caps up to 82% faster. All these features come in addition to the insights it gives on server use, virtual machines and facility energy consumption and leak detection for liquid-cooled systems. It goes without saying that there are even more features built in. Dell’s new lineup also comes with EPEAT ecolabel.

A Server for Every Need

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[Source: Dell Technologies] Complete lineup of Next Generation PowerEdge Server Portfolio

Optimised Cloud Service Provider Solutions

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Dell PowerEdge HS5620

Dell’s new portfolio isn’t just for businesses. They’re also looking as cloud service providers with the Dell PowerEdge HS5610 and HS5620. These servers deliver services that are optimised and tailored to cloud service providers. Coming in 1U and 2U form factors, these two-socket servers are looking to provide cloud service providers with a new edge. They are even cold aisle serviceable. Dell has also equipped these systems with Dell Open Server Manager which simplifies multi-vendor fleet management.

Powerful Simplicity

Dell’s PowerEdge servers are looking to take conventional servers and turn them into efficient powerhouses. With offerings like the Dell PowerEdge R760, the company is able to deliver up to 2.9x greater AI inferencing with Intel’s 4th Generation Xeon processors. Intel’s Deep Learning Boost and Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions are key in delivering the performance boost. The R760 is able to accommodate up to 20% more VDI users than previous generations and over 50% more SAP Sales & Distribution users in a single server. It can be further enhanced with NVIDIA’ Bluefield-2 data processing units to provide additional power for private, hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

AI & High-Performance Compute

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[Source: Dell Technologies] Dell PowerEdge R760 rack unit

Dell’s PowerEdge XE9680, XE9640 and XE8640 are all built and optimised for AI and HPC workloads. Designed in close collaboration with Intel and NVIDIA, the servers are built to enable AI for model training, HPC modelling and simulation, core-to-edge inferencing and data visualisation. Coming with power specifications like the NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core or NVIDIA GPUs the systems are able to train and deploy machine learning models for automation and analysis. The new designs also allow for higher rack density with PowerEdge.

EPYC Performance

It isn’t just a one-sided thing with Dell. PowerEdge also embraces AMD’s EPYC technology. The increasingly power-efficient performance of AMD’s EPYC processors has allowed Dell to design PowerEdge systems that create the backbone of data centres. With 1U and 2U form factors, these PowerEdge servers are designed to enable data storage and performance computing with better power efficiency.

Easy Deployment for Scalability and Zero Trust

The PowerEdge servers are also built with security in mind. They empower Zero Trust deployments in any given organisation. Everything from hardware to software is fortified for better data security. Dell’s Secure Component Verification (SCV) works in tandem with silicon-based hardware root of trust to verify supply chain security from design to delivery.

In addition, Dell’s PowerEdge offerings are being deployed not only as hardware purchases which fall under CapEx. Instead, Dell is also deploying them in an “as-a-service” offering which allows companies to better optimise CapEx spending with OpEx flexibility.

Dell PowerEdge offerings will be available starting on 13 April 2023. Detailed availability is as follows:

  • Dell PowerEdge R760 is available starting 13 April 2023.
  • Dell PowerEdge HS5620, HS5610 are available globally in April 2023.
  • Dell PowerEdge XE9680, XE8640 and XE9640 availabilities are planned in the first half of 2023
  • Dell PowerEdge R7625, R7615, R6625 and R6615 are available starting 13 April 2023.
  • Additional next-generation Dell PowerEdge servers will be global availability throughout the first half of 2023.
  • ProDeploy Factory Configuration is globally available starting 13 April 2023.
Business, Computers, News

Malaysia’s First SSD, NEUBE, Enters the High-Performance SSD Market with Server On & PHISON Backing

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Malaysia has always had a complicated history with science and technology. While the country itself has never been seen at the forefront of the industries, its citizens are deeply entrenched in milestone achievements in the industries. One such milestone is the creation and mass production of USB flash drives. Dato’ Pua Khein-Seng, a Malaysian and one of the pioneers of solid state drives (SSDs) used in USBs is looking to change that in the near future.

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[Source: Server On & PHISON] Robert Wu, ServerOn Co-founder; Chan Wone-Hoe, ServerOn Co-founder; Dato Pua Khein-Seng, CEO of Phison Electronics Corp; Albert Kang, Phison Head of Business Development officiating the launch of NEUBE.

Dato’ Pua Khein Seng is looking to bring back some of the success he’s had overseas, particularly in Taiwan, to Malaysia. How? He’s embarking on creating Malaysia’s first enterprise SSD and we’re not talking just the fabrication and assembly. He envisions an SSD that is designed, engineered and fabricated in Malaysia. To achieve this, Dato’ Pua is partnering with ServerOn Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian distributor of enterprise and data center-grade hardware.

The partnership will see ServerOn partner with PHISON Electronics Corporation, a Taiwan-based company specialising in storage technologies. As CEO of PHISON, Dato’ Pua is looking to train Malaysian talent to eventually design and create SSDs. The new startup which will be incorporated as part of this partnership will recruit and create job opportunities for Malaysians to be involved in the design and creation of cutting-edge storage technologies.

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[Source: Server On & PHISON] Neube SSDs will be available in Q2 2023.

As a first step, ServerOn and PHISON are introducing the first-ever truly Malaysian SSD with NEUBE. Designed and engineered in Malaysia, NEUBE SSDs cater to high-demand workloads and data centres. NEUBE SSDs will be available in popular form factors including 2.5-inch, U.2, M.2 and E1.S. ServerOn will be using these SSDs as an option in their offerings when they come to market later in Q2 2023. Other retailers can also be part of this developing story by getting in touch with Server On.

“NEUBE’s SSDs are built with high-quality materials and advanced error correction technology, which can help prevent data loss and system crashes. This can lead to improved system stability and reduce downtime for the client’s business,” said Dato’ Pua Khein-Seng, CEO of Phison.

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[Source: Server On & PHISON] Dato Pua Khein-Seng addressing the media at the MoU signing and launch of NEUBE

That said, Dato’ Pua sees this as only the first step in creating a truly Malaysian product. While Server On and PHISON will collaborate further, he sees government policies and market demand as the biggest hurdles for NEUBE to be successful globally. He stressed, “The only way forward for Malaysia to become a leader in the technology space is for the government to empower the local startups and industry with the right policies. They should also be the pioneers in implementing these policies and adopting Malaysian products such as the newly launched NEUBE SSDs.”

Android, Mobile, News

iQOO Z7 & Z7x Brings Affordable Performance for as Low as MYR999

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vivo’s sub-brand iQOO is bringing high performance to a more affordable price with their new iQOO Z7 and Z7x. The two new phones bring Qualcomm’s best mid-range processors to smartphones that cater for those who need powerful devices on a budget.

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The iQOO Z7 spearheads the new lineup with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G. Qualcomm’s processor strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency. The 6nm process allows Qualcomm the leeway to combine both performance and power efficiency cores with Qualcomm’s Kryo technology. iQOO combines this processor with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage to complete their affordable performance smartphone. The Z7x makes the package even more affordable with the Snapdragon 695 5G. On the Z7x, this is paired with a maximum of 8GB of RAM with up to 256GB of internal storage.

Both the iQOO Z7 and the iQOO Z7x come with a 6.64-inch LCD display with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. The display also comes with a 120Hz refresh rate for faster, smoother visual performance. Together with this, the phones come with NFC support and dual stereo speakers. The Z7 also comes with a 3.5mm combo audio jack and an infrared blaster. Both also run on Android 13 with vivo’s Funtouch OS.

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On the camera side of things, the Z7x comes with an 8-megapixel selfie camera while the Z7 comes with a 16-megapixel camera. The main camera setup is a dual sensor setup with a 64-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) on the iQOO Z7 while the Z7x comes with a 50-megapixel main camera. Both are complemented by a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

The two smartphones come with large-capacity batteries. The iQOO Z7 has a 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W dual-cell FlashCharge while the Z7x comes with a larger 6,000mAh battery with support for 80W FlashCharge.

Pricing & Availability

The iQOO Z7 is available in its signature Matrix Blue colour while the Z7x is available in a slightly different Tropical Blue as its signature colour. Both are also in Metallic Black. Prices for the devices and available variants are as below. Purchases of the smartphones

ModelVariantPrice (MYR)Free Gift Offer
iQOO Z712GB RAM + 256GB onboard storage1,499– 1-year extended warranty
– 1-year screen crack protection
– Free gifts worth RM248, including an iQOO backpack or a Marshall key
*Eligible for RM50 iQOO Student Discount programme voucher*
iQOO Z78GB RAM +128GB onboard storages1,299– 1-year extended warranty
– 1-year screen crack protection
– Free gifts worth RM248, including an iQOO backpack or a Marshall key
*Eligible for RM50 iQOO Student Discount programme voucher*
iQOO Z7x8GB RAM + 256GB onboard storage1,099– 1-year extended warranty
– 1-year screen crack protection
– Free gifts worth RM248, including an iQOO backpack or a Marshall key
*Eligible for RM50 iQOO Student Discount programme voucher*
iQOO Z7x8GB RAM +128GB onboard storage999– 1-year extended warranty
– 1-year screen crack protection
– Free gifts worth RM248, including an iQOO backpack or a Marshall key
*Eligible for RM50 iQOO Student Discount programme voucher*
Accessories, Business, News

Sony MDR-MV1 Open Back Headphones Comes to Set the New Standard for Monitoring Headphones

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Sony is a world-famous brand when it comes to audio gear. They make all sorts of audio solutions for all kinds of uses. They have the WH-1000X series of headphones for consumer level high-end noise-cancelling headphones. They make the MDR Z series headphones for audiophiles. If you prefer in-ear earphones, there is the WF-1000X series for consumers looking for the best truly wireless listening experience. You also have the IER series earphones if you prefer a wired audiophile solution. They do not stop at headphones though, they make vinyl players, portable media players, speakers, home theaters, recorders, and even microphones. They are also some of the biggest name in audio specific production work.

For years, the benchmark for studio and production monitoring has been Sony’s MDR-7506 over ear headphones. In fact, Sony’s MDR series monitoring headphones have been setting the standard in studio level monitoring equipment for more than three decades. Now, there is a new one – the MDR MV1.

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Unlike the MDR-7506, the MDR-MV1 offers an open-back design. That means you can expect more natural and cleaner audio response from the headphones, an advantage over closed back designs. Open back headphones also usually offer a more accurate sound reproduction with a wider sound stage, allowing for better and more accurate mixes. There is a small problem of ambient noise though, since there is nothing stopping noise from outside from coming in.

Apart from that accuracy, the MDR-MV1 also offers spatial sound capabilities. For Sony, their spatial sound algorithm is 360 Reality Audio. You can technically use the headphones to mix for Apple’s Spatial Audio and other surround sound implementations. With Hi-Res resolution compatibility, the MDR-MV1 offers a broad depth of monitoring capabilities allowing you to mix all kinds of music accurately. The headphones offer frequency responses between 5Hz all the way to 80kHz, which is more than wide enough for all kinds of sounds, even if you sit in a foley studio instead of a music recording studio.

Unlike older designed Sony MDR monitoring headphones, the MDR-MV1 offers a detachable AUX cable. You can technically use other similar cables, but why would you want to when Sony offers a highly durable high-quality cable with machined connectors. They also re-engineered their earpads with softer materials that is also lightweight so that you can work for much longer without taking off the headphones or hurting your neck and head.

Sony C-80

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    Source: Sony
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Alongside the MDR-MV1 open back monitoring headphone Sony also launched a new microphone made mostly for home recording and podcasts, the Sony C-80.

Sony’s C-80 is not the first microphone Sony makes. They have the C-100 and C-800G, both are aimed at recording studios mostly. The C-80 is more made for prosumers and hobbyist looking to have a professional grade gear in their homes.

The C-80 offers the best of both the C-100 and C-800G microphones. The capsule is derived from the C-100 while the shock-proof two-part metallic body is derived from the C-800G. They also innovated with something they call “Noise Elimination Construction” that prevents the mic from picking up noise from the body’s vibration itself offering a much cleaner sound almost free of noise while recording.

The C-80, like the mics that came before, is made mostly for vocal recordings. That does not mean that you cannot use it for anything other than vocal recording. You can technically use it for recording instruments like guitars. It is also a condenser, so you want to make sure you have mixer with 48v power through its XLR port.

Price and Availability

The Sony MDR-MV1 will be available in May 2023, alongside the C-80. There are no colour options here, so personalizing your headphones and mics will have to come down to your own efforts. The MDR-MV1 will set you back MYR 1,690, which is a little way off from the older MDR-7506. It is supposed to offer a lot more in terms of monitoring and mixing capabilities though. The C-80 will retail at MYR 2,190. More on Sony’s latest MDR-MV1 can be found on their website.

Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Annotate, Read and Create with the New Kobo Elipsa 2E

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eReaders aren’t your run-of-the-mill tablets; what’s more, with a product like the Kobo Elipsa 2E, we’re talking about e-ink displays. These devices have, for the longest time been single-use devices for those who enjoy reading but don’t mind the absence of tactility in their experience. The flip side to the absence is the access to an endless, ever-growing library of literary adventures.

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Source: Kobo

However, Kobo is looking to change the experience with its new Kobo Elipsa 2E. The eReader comes with a 10.3-inch, E-Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen. This display comes equipped with a backlight and ComfortLight PRO which helps reduce blue light and eyestrain. The eReader is made specifically for longer reading sessions and maybe that hour or two to help you escape before going to bed. It’s also got 32GB of internal storage and a 2GHz processor.

The biggest difference with the Kobo Elipsa 2E is the new Kobo Stylus 2 which allows readers to actively annotate the eBooks that they are reading. It also comes with the built-in notebook feature which allows users to take notes independently as well. With the Kobo Elipsa 2E you’ll also be able to convert your handwriting into typed text if you to as well.

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This feature addresses a long-standing issue that non-fiction readers faced with eReaders. CEO of Kobo, Michael Tamblyn highlights, “For avid nonfiction readers, eBooks have historically been an imperfect medium because they couldn’t mark up the text and engage with the content as effectively as with a print book. With the introduction of Kobo Stylus, we have solved that and with Kobo Elipsa 2E and our upgraded Kobo Stylus 2, we have created a superior reading experience for nonfiction fans.”

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It’s not just about annotating either with this eReaders, you’ll be able to tap into Kobo’s vast library of audiobooks thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. Just pair your favourite pair of headphones and you’re all set for your next audiobook. With the Kobo Elipsa 2E, users can also rest at ease when it comes to their carbon footprint. The Elipsa 2E features a build that consists of over 85% recycled materials including ocean-bound plastics. The SleepCover for the Elipsa 2E is also made from recycled materials and ocean-bound plastics.

Pricing & Availability

The Elipsa 2E will retail for MYR2,019.00. It will be on sale complete with the Kobo Stylus 2. The eReader will be available in Malaysia via the Kobo Lazada and Shopee storefronts starting April 19, 2023.

Pre-orders kicked off on April 5 in Canada, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Turkey. Physical stores will have them on shelves starting April 19, 2023.

Android, Mobile, News

Google Play Saves Your Storage by Archiving Your Least-Used Apps Automatically

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Google just updated their policy just last week to ensure that users have more control over their own data on apps and account on their selected apps. This week, they are updating the app itself to add a little bit more automation on the app. While it may sound a little counter-intuitive especially with the whole initiative in giving users more control over their own smartphone and data, it is a good update for users.

Smartphones in the modern world allow you to have thousands of apps in your smartphone. In fact, you would install thousands of apps on your smartphone. All these takes up precious storage on your smartphone and when you find a new app you could use, you run out of storage space before you know it. To install the new app, you must clear up your storage by deleting things on your smartphone, uninstall apps. Thing is, you might want to keep those apps still because they could come in handy. You want to ensure that your app data is still in your smartphone in case you want to start running the app again. There is a way, thanks to Google’s latest update to Google Play.

You can now opt-in for Google Play’s new ‘auto-archive’ function. According to Google’s developer blog update, the function will help the user free up space on their smartphones without the need to manually uninstall apps from their smartphone. Google Play cleverly partially remove an app that you have not used for a long time on your smartphone to give way for newer and more functional apps. It is not really completely uninstalled though; the app’s data is still stored within the smartphone and you can re-download the app when you want to use it again as long as the app is still available on Google Play Store.

Of course, the function is not only an opt-in for the user, but also for developers. Their apps would have to have the function built into their app. They would also have to be using App Bundle to publish their apps on Google Play Store. Once their app enables the auto-archive function, the apps will be less likely to turn up on uninstall suggestions when users want to clear their smartphone’s storage.

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Source: Google Blog

For users to opt-in, a prompt will trigger when a user tries to install an app on their smartphone with full storage. The prompt will appear and ask if the user would like to enable auto-archive. Once the user enables auto-archive, Google Play will cleverly do its thing to archive apps you hardly use or have not been using for a long time to free up some storage space for the new app. No, you do not have to do much, just make sure your Google Play Store is up to date to get the function.

Camera, Lifestyle, News

FUJIFILM INSTAX mini 12 Launches – More of the Same Thing, But Just a Little Bit More for MYR 428

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FUJIFILM’s INSTAX series cameras have been the king of instant printing cameras, not like they had plenty in terms of competition anyway. Their first INSTAX mini camera was introduced back in 2016. Back then, the INSTAX mini was a curious little camera that looked out of place in the world of digital cameras. There were questions about its place in the modern photography world.

It was not made as a serious camera though. It was built and made for fun. It was made to be completely basic and very easy to use. Fast forward to 2023, they are introducing the 12th iteration of the INSTAX mini. To be fair, the recipe has been somewhat the same.

Press Release FUJIFILM Malaysia Launches INSTAX mini 12 Final1
Source: FUJIFILM

The INSTAX mini 12 draws pretty much from the INSTAX mini 11 introduced back in 2020. Yes, it has been nearly three years since FUJIFILM updated the INSTAX mini camera. To be fair, there is not too much to update in the first place.

The INSTAX mini 11 introduced a very clever Automatic Exposure function to the FUJIFILM INSTAX family. There is nothing much else to be improved for the INSTAX because it offers the sort of same instant film experience as the INSTAX before it. There is slightly new bodywork adding some flair and ergonomic function to the instant film camera on the mini 11. Apart from that and the new exposure control technology, there is not much else new on the mini 11.

The mini 12 offers the same Automatic Exposure as the older INSTAX mini 11. It offers largely the same body as the old one too. Now though there is a new control mechanism on the 12th iteration of the INSTAX mini. You now can rotate the lens. When you do that, the lens zooms in and goes to ‘Close-up Mode’. You can now use it to take proper selfies with the photo focusing right on your face. You can use the mirror right beside the lens too to get yourself in the right frame. It also prints faster than before, now at just five seconds after you hit the shutter.

Once you take your photo with the FUJIFILM INSTAX mini 12, you can keep it digitized with FUJIFILM’s latest smartphone app. With the ‘INSTAX UP!” app, you can take use your smartphone, take a photo of the film that was just printed by the INSTAX mini 12 and keep it digitally. You can even reproduce it in your own style with INSTAX printers. Either that, you can share the photos on your social media channels.

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    Source: FUJIFILM
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  • pic mini12 GREEN 03
    Source: FUJIFILM

The FUJIFILM INSTAX mini 12 will be available in new colours too – Mint Green, Blossom Pink, Pastel Blue, Lilac Purple, Clay White. The FUJIFILM INSTAX mini 12 will be available in Malaysia from the 13th of April 2023 onward from FUJIFILM’s authorised retailers, their official stores, and online across the nation. It will set you back MYR 428 and you also get two packs of film to get going. More on the FUJIFILM INSTAX mini 12 can be found on their website.

Android, Mobile, News

HONOR Launches the Magic5 Series with Millisecond Falcon Capture technology for MYR 3,499 Onward

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Ever since HONOR has stepped out as an independent smartphone manufacturer, the brand has gone from strength to strength. They have successfully launched their own smartphones packing their own MagicOS based on Android with Google Play Store access for a couple of years now. While they have not been able to completely shake off their HUAWEI ties or association, they do make respectable smartphones that are rather appealing too.

Their latest addition to the stable is the Magic5 series announced in MWC 2023. You get to choose between vanilla model or a Pro variant in this series. They also launched a rather interesting foldable, the Magic Vs alongside the Magic5, but we are going to focus on the Magic5 series here.

HONOR Magic5 Pro

Screenshot 2023 04 07 135743
Source: HONOR

The Magic5 Pro is built to be the true 2023 flagship for HONOR. They started out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 system on a chip (SoC), the fastest and most powerful processing chip for an Android smartphone to date. The octa-core chip is then paired to 12GB of RAM for good measure and to avoid bottlenecks in multitasking conditions. You get 512GB of storage too for good measure.

Part of the 512GB of storage holds the Android 13 based MagicOS 7.1 interface that shows on the large 6.82-inch display. The OLED panel offers 2,848 by 1,312 pixels, which is not quite QHD+, but more than Full HD+. It is a 10-bit display offering up to 1.07 billion colours and up to 1800nits in brightness though. It is also an LTPO panel that offers up to 120Hz in refresh rate for that extra smooth feel. The glass that protects the display also protects a 12-Megapixel front-facing camera supported by a 3-Megapixel depth sensor with up to 4K resolution video recording capabilities.

The HONOR Magic5 Pro’s party piece, the Falcon Triple Main Camera as HONOR puts it, is its main camera array at the back. Arranged in a familiar ‘halo’ design, the HONOR Magic5 Pro offers three 50-Megapixel sensors at the back. One is obviously a regular 24mm wide-angle shooter, the other is an ultra-wide shooter, and the last one is a telephoto lens capable of 3.5x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. All of them offer optical image stabilisation (OIS) too if you are worried about your clammy hands. Of course, the camera array supports video recording at 4K resolution. They say also that the camera is faster than ever before, hence the name Falcon.

Keeping everything running for an entire day and possibly more is a 5,100mAh battery pack within the glass and aluminium constructed body. It supports HONOR’s 66W Supercharge technology which will still allow you to get going with a full charge in just about an hour’s time. If you prefer to just leave your device on the table to get it wirelessly charging, the device is capable of a 50W charge wirelessly.

HONOR Magic5

Screenshot 2023 04 07 135724
Source: HONOR

The more premium Magic5 Pro may be appealing and can be recognised as the true flagship for HONOR. The vanilla is not too far behind though, in that case we think that the vanilla Magic5 is worth more than a look thanks to the value it offers. It is everything that is the Magic5 Pro with a few minor differences.

It packs the same SoC, for one. It also comes with the same amount of RAM. The storage is a little smaller though at 256GB. While the display is smaller at 6.73-inch, you still get an OLED panel that offers more than Full HD+ in resolution. You still get up to 120Hz in refresh rate and DCI-P3 colour gamut at up to 1600nits in brightness.

You lose one camera out in front. You also lose a little resolution the camera at only 12-Megapixel, but no matter, you still shoot videos at 4K resolution. Out the back is a more powerful main camera at 54-Megapixel. The ultra-wide camera remains the same at 50-Megapixel. The trade off is on the telephoto camera that offers 32-Megapixel and only up to 50x digital zoom.

It is still an Android 13 device offering MagicOS 7.1 interface though. Within the glass and aluminium construction is still a large 5,100mAh battery. It still charges at 66W but does not get wireless charging.

Price and Availability

HONOR Magic5 Pro Pre Order Starts
Source: HONOR

The HONOR Magic5 starts at MYR 3,499. You can get one in either Glacier Blue or Black colour. The vanilla HONOR Magic5 will go on sale starting 28th of April 2023. There are no pre-order programmes for this one.

The HONOR Magic5 Pro does have a pre-order programme. You can now pre-order your HONOR Magic5 Pro up until the 13th of April 2023. Shipping starts the day after that and you can pre-order your device from their own online stores, partner retailers, and even their official stores on Shopee and Lazada. Each pre-order entitles you to free gifts worth over MYR 1,200 while stocks last. The HONOR Magic5 Pro is available in Meadow Green and Black Colour options for MYR 4,299). For more information on HONOR’s Magic5 and Magic5 Pro, you can visit their website.