Category Archives: News

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

No Budget, No Worries – Acer’s Nitro QG0 Gaming Monitors Starts at MYR 379 

Leave a comment

Buying a gaming PC set-up is an exciting thing. You tend to get excited though. You tend to spend the bulk of your money on the tower for your gaming PC, which is not wrong. You do want to spend most of your budget getting a PC set-up that will last you the next few years and fit within your budget. The problem is when you spend nearly all your money there, you do not have much left to spend on other things that will make your gaming set-up work.  

In those cases, your budget only allows you to buy a cheap monitor that is not designed for gaming, a regular mouse, and a regular keyboard. Here is the thing though, if you have MYR 400 set aside for your monitor, you still can get a gaming monitor. For MYR 379, you can get an Acer Nitro QG0 series gaming monitor. 

The Acer Nitro QG0 series is not just any regular poor quality gaming monitor for the masses. It is designed with budget in mind, yes; it is also built with enjoyment and gamers in mind. Of course, you want to tamper your expectations a little bit. 

You have two sizes to choose from – 27-inch and 24-inch. You do not get an IPS panel at this price, you instead get VA panels on the monitors. Still, that is not exactly a bad thing.  

Across the three monitors they just introduced for 2023, the QG0 series monitors all offer 95% in sRGB colour gamut. While you do not get the vivid colour quality from IPS or OLED panels, you still get rather saturated and somewhat accurate colours from the monitor. In that case, games and movies will still look acceptably good on whichever Ntiro QG0 monitors you choose.  

They are all fast panels too. The 27-inchQG270S3 and 24-inch QG240YS3 offer 1ms in response time. The QG240YH3 is a little slower at 4ms, but it is no slouch either at that speed. They also offer 180Hz and 100Hz refresh rates respectively, faster than the more premium Nitro VG270 E monitor. All the Nitro QG0 monitors comes with HDR10 certification too. All of them also comes with AMD’s FreeSync feature allowing for tear-free gaming.  

While all of them only offer an old-school Full HD resolution, they include a DisplayPort on top of an HDMI port to fit more modern gaming set-ups. They also have an audio pass through feature via an Audio-Out 3.5mm jack. If you need something to fit your old system, the QG240YH3 comes with a VGA port rather than a DisplayPort.  

  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 Front
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG240YH3 01
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG240YH3 3
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG240YH3 Left
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 1
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 Left
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 2
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 3
    Source: Acer
  • Nitro QG270S3 QG240YS3 Right
    Source: Acer

The Acer Nitro QG0 series is now available in Malaysia. You can get your hands on one from Acer stores, authorised partners, their online store, and even their online retaile partners like Shopee and Lazada. The VG240YH3 24-inch 100Hz monitor starts at MYR 379. If you prefer higher refresh rates, the 24-inch QG240YS3 will retail fro MYR 499, and the 27-inch QG270S3 will be priced at MYR 589. For more information on the new Acer Nitro monitors, you can head over to their website.  

Lifestyle, News

Experience Nightography at the Samsung Galaxy Space APW Bangsar

Leave a comment

Samsung is bringing a new experiential experience to Malaysia to celebrate the launch of their new Galaxy S23 series in Malaysia. The Samsung Galaxy Space will be open from 3 March until 12 March 2023 at A Place Where (APW), Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.

Samsung Galaxy Space 8

The Samsung Galaxy Space brings together a total of four experiential areas: The Alley, The Ballie, The Escape and Splash Art which aim to showcase the photography features of the S23 series. The Alley brings brilliant, colourful lightscapes in a recreation of a late 80s to 90s alleyway cafe. The brilliant lights and props allow you to express your creativity while immortalising your perfect shot with the new Galaxy S23 series. You’ll be able to become a child again in the gigantic ball pit that makes up the Ballie while The Escape will transport you to Kuala Lumpur’s most stunning nightscapes – from the bustling city centre to the serene nightscapes of urban Malaysia. Express yourself and paint the walls of Splash Art with brilliant neon colours as you wrap your journey through Galaxy Spaces. Even if you don’t have a Galaxy 23 series smartphone, you’ll be able to loan one at the door of the Samsung Galaxy Space.

Samsung Galaxy Space 2
Samsung Galaxy Space 1
Samsung Galaxy Space 5
Samsung Galaxy Space 3
Samsung Galaxy Space 4
Samsung Galaxy Space 9
Samsung Galaxy Space 7

The Samsung Galaxy Space happening at APW Bangsar is also a collaboration between Samsung Malaysia and Pingmin market, the latest trending cultural and creative market. As part of the collaboration, the Samsung Galaxy Space will also have merchants and artisans plying and selling their wares. There will also be workshops, buskers and activities happening throughout. On 4th March 2023, visitors will also be able to meet renowned Sarawakian cosplayer – Hakken – from 2 PM.

The Galaxy Space will be open from 7 – 10 PM on March 3, 2023, 12- 10 PM on Friday to Sunday and 2 PM – 10 PM on Monday to Thursday from 4th March 2023 to 12th March 2023. Visitors at Samsung Galaxy Space can redeem an MYR20 Tounch N’ Go E-Wallet by scanning a QR code at the event space.

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

OPPO Launches the Find N2 Flip in Malaysia at MYR 3,999

Leave a comment

If you want to buy a smartphone that folds, you have a very simple choice. To be fair, there was not too many choices to begin with. In Malaysia at least, you could only get your hands on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip smartphone. Not anymore though, now you can get one from OPPO.

They call it the OPPO Find N2 Flip smartphone. Yes, it shares nearly the same name as the foldable candybar that is the OPPO Find N2. It is smaller than the Find N2 though, and it folds differently.

At MYR 3,999, the Find N2 Flip not what you want to call accessible. It is also priced the same as its competition. At this time too, it is the most expensive OPPO smartphone you can get your money on.

  • 05 OPPO Find N2 Flip Moonlit Purple Astral Black
    Source: OPPO
  • 03 OPPO Find N2 Flip Astral Black
    Source: OPPO
  • 09 OPPO Find N2 Flip Astral Black
    Source: OPPO
  • 10 OPPO Find N2 Flip Moonlit Purple
    Source: OPPO
  • 06 OPPO Find N2 Flip Dual Preview
    Source: OPPO
  • 07 OPPO Find N2 Flip Hinge
    Source: OPPO
  • 08 OPPO Find N2 Flip Battery
    Source: OPPO
  • 04 OPPO Find N2 Flip Cover Screen Widgets
    Source: OPPO

Flagship Power

For that money, you are paying for a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ system on a chip (SoC). Before you dismiss the OPPO Find N2 Flip as an overpriced mid-range smartphone, we can assure you that the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ is designed to be a powerful flagship class smartphone processor. The SoC even offers dual-SIM 5G capabilities. At the same time, the SoC allows OPPO to work with its best-in-class SUPERVOOC battery charging speeds at 44W. Alongside the powerful SoC, you get 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM for super-fast operations and smooth multitasking. You also get up to 256GB in storage, which you will want to ensure you have enough storage space for all your photos.

50MP Camera Co-Engineered with Hasselblad

You need 256GB of space because the camera fitted to the Find N2 Flip can take 50-Megapixel photos with some Hasselblad magic. There is also an 8-Megapixel shooter for ultra-wide angle photos. Out the top of the internal display is a 32-Megapixel selfie camera. Of course, the cameras all work with OPPO’s in-house built MariSilicon X image processor to enhance low-light photos and even videos.

Two Displays, One Smartphone

03 OPPO Find N2 Flip Astral Black
Source: OPPO

Before you get to the large internal display, you are met with a large external display that is more than functional enough for you to work with. The 3.26-inch acts as your sort of mirror or secondary monitor when you are taking photos or videos. Your subject can even look at how they will eventually look in the photo and give you directions if they need to. The large display also allows you to get more info from apps from bespoke widgets. You can even control some of the apps directly from the external display without unfolding the entire device. Always-on-display mode allows you to get even more information from your smartphone without even picking your device up from the table.

Flip the device open and you get a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 21:9 aspect ratio. You get Full HD+ resolution out of it, nothing too extravagant here. You still get smooth 120Hz experience with it though. With up to 240Hz of sampling rate too, the device will feel snappy in your hands. Of course, the AMOLED panel sports 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut with vivid and realistic colour reproductions.

Big, Fast Battery

Keeping everything running an entire day and more is the biggest battery you can find in this kind of smartphones. You find a 4,300mAh battery feeding all the components for an entire at a time. The 44W SUPERVOOC charging ensures that you can get it up and running again in less than an hour when it is flat.

The New Generation Flexion Hinge – Teardrop Fold

  • 07 OPPO Find N2 Flip Hinge
    Source: OPPO
  • 08 OPPO Find N2 Flip Battery
    Source: OPPO

The bulk of the money, we feel, goes to the innovative hinge design that keeps crease on your main display at minimum. They call it the New Generation Flexion Hinge rather than Flexion Hinge 2, for some reason. Still, they say that the new hinge is much better and more robust than before. They claimed that the hinge is tested to more than 400,000 folds without failure.

The original Flexion hinge was a complex thing. The New Generation Flexion Hinge has been simplified to minimize moving parts and therefore increase reliability and durability. Less moving parts also means less things to go wrong and less wear on the components. Less components also means that the hinge is smaller than before.

The result is a compact hinge than can sit in a body tighter and slimmer than ever before. The innovative new hinge also allows the device to be folded in without a gap in between panels to better protect the display against dust and other contaminants when it is folded in. A smaller hinge module is also what allowed OPPO to fit larger battery and external display modules.

Price and Availability

The OPPO Find N2 Flip is now available for pre-order until the 10th of March 2023. You get to chose between two attractive colours – Astral Black and Moonlit Purple. As mentioned, it will set you back MYR 3,999. If you do pre-order your smartphone, you are eligible for exclusive free gifts like an extended warranty plan, an Enco Air3 wireless headphones, and case for your smartphone all amounting up to MYR 637 in value. You even get to top up MYR 299 for a OPPO Care Screen Protection Plan if you want, a 50% discount. You can pre-order your OPPO Find N2 Flip from My OPPO Space, OPPO brand stores, telco partners, OPPO’s own Official Online Store, their official stores on Shopee and Lazada, and all their retail partners across the nation.

Mobile, News

[MWC 2023] Qualcomm enhances IoT with iSIM, partnerships to leverage Snapdragon Spaces and Qualcomm Aware

Leave a comment

Qualcomm continues to drive innovation for IoT at MWC 2023, with a host of announcements for both their hardware and software platforms.

iSIM announced for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platforms

image 4
A huge step for IoT devices with iSIM available on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

The highlight of these announcements is the unveiling of Integrated SIM (iSIM) for their flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform. The iSIM is a highly desirable form factor for developers as it allows space saving in design, be it smartphones or even wearables, while also reducing supply chain costs. The iSIM saves space by eliminating the need for a separate component while also requiring significantly less power than eSIMs. Both of these traits are cornerstones for developing IoT devices.

Collaborating with French developer Thales, Qualcomm has also confirmed GSMA’s (Global Association for the Mobile Communications Industry) security certification for what would be the world’s first commercially deployable iSIM. This assures best-in-class security level while also being compliant with the GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning standard that Thales eSIM already offers. This form factor also complements existing SIM and eSIM designs, and research by Kaleido Intelligence suggests the market share to grow to 300 million by 2027.

Snapdragon Spaces to kick start AR experiences with global partners

image 3
7 global operators will leverage Snapdragon Spaces for new and exciting AR experiences.

Qualcomm has also furthered their commitment towards Extended Reality (XR) with plans to leverage Snapdragon Spaces with 7 leading global operators. These include a multi-year collaboration with Japan’s KDDI corporation focused on the expansion of XR use cases and creation of a developer program. The Snapdragon Space XR Developer Platform is a cross-device, open-ecosystem that provides developers with the tools to pioneer Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, with a focus on headworn AR devices. Just recently, Xiaomi has set things in motion with the recently announced Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses Discovery Edition, powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Platform. Oppo too has confirmed a new mixed reality (MR) device, the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 device to be approved as Snapdragon Spaces Ready.

Scaling digital transformation with Qualcomm Aware Platform

Qualcomm has also unveiled their Qualcomm Aware Platform, which aims to provide the resources necessary to simplify and scale digital transformation. These include a combination of industry-leading cloud and edge technologies, API-first architecture and developer-friendly tools.

image 2
Scaling digital transformation through the Qualcomm Aware platform

Qualcomm already offers industry-leading IoT modem chipsets, including the recently announced Qualcomm 216 IoT LTE Modem capable of speeds of up to 10 Mbps at ultra-low power. With the recent acquisitions of Skyhook Wireless, Inc. and the assets of PoLTE Corporation, new proprietary positioning techniques and a now global signal database allows Qualcomm Aware to deliver intelligent and ubiquitous location capabilities in an always-on, low-power manner.

Having the best silicon and global connectivity is not enough to guarantee IoT deployment success, so Qualcomm has worked hard to address a key challenge in this area; ecosystem fragmentation. Qualcomm Aware brings together an ecosystem of hardware and software partners to develop solutions for varied yet specific business needs. This has culminated with Qualcomm Aware Blueprints, which enable enterprises to quickly and efficiently roll-out pre-designed solutions, tailored to requirements.

image 5
A growing list of Qualcomm Aware Supporting Partners

With efficiency in mind, Qualcomm Aware also offers a highly customizable framework and implements standard APIs that interoperate seamlessly with private clouds, industry-specific application platforms, enterprise tools and softwares. These include enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management, inventory management and many more. One of the key integrations will be with Microsoft Dynamics 365, a major cloud-based business application that combines components of both ERP and customer relationship management (CRM) with additional AI tools and productivity applications.

Sources: Qualcomm1,2,3

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Sony Releases the HT-S2000 Soundbar with 3.1 Channel Dolby Atmos 

Leave a comment

If you ask us about buying a soundbar, we will always recommend a Sony soundbar first. They are one of the foremost brands in home entertainment currently, They also sell all soundbars and home theatre audio systems that fits all kinds of budget. You have the HT-A series, if you want top-of-the-line home theatre experience. You also have the HT-S series, that caters to the value seekers. That is the HT-S400, a 2.1 channel soundbar set that will set you back MYR 1,099. There is also the HT-S40R that is a 5.1 channel surround sound set. 

What if you want a budget friendlt soundbar that that is better than the HT-S400? What if you want something less clunky than the 5.1 channel HT-S40R? You have the HT-S2000 3.1 channel soundbar. 

The Sony HT-S2000 

  • IMG 20230302 160124 440
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160123 735
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160123 825 1
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160123 825
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160124 030
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160124 442
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160124 264
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160123 679
    Source: Sony
  • IMG 20230302 160123 874
    Source: Sony

The new soundbar, as mentioned, offers 3.1 channel surround sound audio. It does this without an accompanying subwoofer though. Sony has started offering their subwoofers separately, we think it is in a bid to make their soundbars more affordable and more attractive to high-density residence homeowners.  

Still, that should not be too much of an issue with Sony’s HT-S2000 soundbar. It is still programmed with a powerful but small woofer module built into the soundbar itself. If you do wish to get an accompanying subwoofer, you can pair it with Sony’s existing SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 subwoofers.  

Even without the subwoofer, the HT-S2000 offers Dolby Atmos surround sound experience for rich and immersive movies. It also offers DTS: X audio algorithm for clear and crisp audio experience. Sony has also fitted the soundbar with a Vertical Sound Engine and S-Force PRO technology. Both the technology combines and offers a rich, three-dimensional audio experience, even if you are playing contents with stereo audio.  

Within the HT-S2000 soundbar, you can find Sony’s highly acclaimed X-balanced speaker units that offer soundstage like no other. You get clear trebles and mids with the speaker units. That also means that dialogues in movies are much cleaner and clearer than before. The driver units are also engineered to work with higher pressures for more punchy, detailed low-end sounds, even without a subwoofer. That means more boom without crackles.  

You want your soundbar to be easy to work with. With Sony’s Home Entertainment Connect app, the HT-S2000 is easier than ever to work with. The app takes you through the entire set up process without a fuss wirelessly. You can even control the soundbar completely with the app. The app offers full volume control, sound fields, and even the equaliser for you to fully customise your sound experience with the soundbar. Of coures, you can update your soundbar’s firmware via the app as well. 

Price and Availability

The Sony HT-S2000 will be available in Malaysia June 2023 onward. There are no colour options for the soundbar, as usual. It will set you back MYR 2,199 when it is available. For more information on the HT-S2000 soundbar, you can visit their website.  

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

The vivo V27e Comes with a Ring Light and Flagship Level 64-Megapixel Camera for Only MYR 1,299

Leave a comment

What choices do you have when you can only spend up to MYR 1,500 for a smartphone? Can you even get something decent for that kind of money? It turns out, you can with vivo’s latest MYR 1,299 V27e smartphone.

The vivo V27e’s price range places it squarely in the entry-level smartphone segment. What you get though, is a little more than entry-level.

For starters, you get a 64-Megapixel shooter out the back of the device. That main shooter also packs something vivo calls the Hybrid Image Stabilisation feature. That is buzzword for a combination of Optical Image Stabilisation and Electronic Image Stabilisation, a sort of mix for both physical and software defined stabilization to achieve better stability when taking photos and even videos. They call the 64-Megapixel sensor an ‘Ultra-Sensing’ sensor as well. vivo claims that the sensor offers more light exposure and that allows the sensor to capture 600% more light for even better detailing and photo quality than ever before, especially in low-light conditions. That main camera is paired with a 2-Megapixel macro camera and a 2-Megapixel depth sensor.

vivo V27e Launch 3

The 64-Megapixel shooter is also paired with something they call an Aura Light. It works together with portrait mode to create something they call the Aura Light Portrait. The LED flash out the back is shaped like a tiny right light. The arrangement also means that the light is diffused and softer on the skin allowing for ‘studio-level’ lighting effects for better and natural looking portraits.

Out the front is a 32-Megapixel camera sitting at the top section of the display. The vivo V27e can take advantage of the 32-Megapixel front-facing shooter with an array of different templates and shoot modes too.

Speaking of the front-facing camera, the display that it sits out of is impressive too. It is a 6.62-inch Full HD+ display. It is also an AMOLED display that offers colour contrasts and vividness like no other display can in its class. At the same time, you get 120Hz refresh rate out of the display, quite unheard of for smartphones in its price range.

Keeping Android 13 based Funtouch 13 running smoothly on the 120Hz AMOLED display is a MediaTek Helio G99 system on a chip (SoC). The processor is built upon the 6nm process technology for better efficiency and better power delivery. It is not a 5G chip unfortunately, meaning you do not get 5G connectivity out of the vivo V27e. The SoC gets up to 12GB of RAM to work with paired with up to 256GB of storage. To keep everything going for an entire day is a built-in 4,600mAh lithium battery that is capable of 66W charging speeds.

  • vivo V27e Launch 1
  • vivo V27e Launch 2
  • vivo V27e Launch 3
  • vivo V27e Launch 4
  • vivo V27e Launch 5

Price and Availability

The vivo V27e is now available in Malaysia via all vivo concept stores and authorised dealers across the nation. You can also get your hands on one from vivo’s own e-store, or vivo’s official stores on Shopee, Lazada, and even Tik Tok. You can choose between the pretty Lavender Purple, or the regular Glory Black. As mentioned, the vivo V27e will set you back MYR 1,299. If you get yours 4th March onward to the end of the month, you get a free smart tag, Bluetooth speaker, an extended warranty package, and also a 1-year screen protection plan for your vivo V27e. More on the smartphone can be found on their website.

Computers, News

AMD’s Fastest Gaming CPUs with 3D V-Cache Are Here!

Leave a comment

AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 processors are regarded as some of the most powerful CPUs you can find in the world today. The latest processors come with AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture that is designed to make the processor respond much faster than before. Thanks to 5nm manufacturing process too, the Ryzen 7000 chips are some of the most efficient processing chips in the world. What could make the processors better? Slapping on 3D V-Cache on it, apparently.

What is 3D V-Cache? It is an important part of this CPU after all. 3D V-Cache makes the chip even faster than before by layering cache pools on top of the processing chiplets by increasing the the memory bandwidth of the CPU. You first see AMD applying the technology on their AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D to good effects.

Now that the new Ryzen 7000 series is here, it is also time for a refresh of the chip with 3D V-Cache technology. Welcome to the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, and Ryzen 9 7900X3D.

1131643 amd ryzen 7 5000 series 3D V Cache processor 1260x709 0
Source: AMD

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is technically based on the current Ryzen 9 7950X processor. It packs 16 cores in its heart, up to 32 threads, and is built upon Zen 4 and 5nm technology. With 3D V-Cache technology, it comes with 144MB of L2 and L3 cache combined. The chip is clocked at 4.2GHz (Base clock) and TDP is rated at 120W, 50W less than the standard Ryzen 9 7950X.

Then there is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D that is based on the Ryzen 9 7900X. It comes with 12 cores and 24 threads at that. The Zen 4 architecture processor also comes packing plenty of cache memory at 140 MB of L2 and L3 memory. It is also clocked a little slower than the standard processor at 4.4GHz with a similar TDP to the higher end Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 120W.

The AMD Ryzen 7000X3D series of processors are now available in Malaysia. You can get your hands on one via AMD’s authorized retailers across the nation. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D will set you back MYR 3,299 while the Ryzen 9 7900X3D costs MYR 2,799.

Lifestyle, News

[MWC 2023] Xiaomi Showcases Wireless AR Glasses at MWC 2023

Leave a comment

Xiaomi is bringing back the age of smart glasses when they unveiled their new wireless, augmented reality (AR) Glasses. Announced at the MWC 2023 conference in Barcelona, the device is currently at the concept stage and is called the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition.

Meet Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition

The start of a new smart glass generation, powered by Snapdragon

Xiaomi has revealed that this is their “…first wireless AR glasses to to utilize distributed computing, offering a retina-level adaptive display that adjusts to the lighting environment”. We can expect excellent connectivity with Snapdragon Spaces-ready smartphones and more importantly, is integrated with refined hand tracking. It is not a standalone device and needs to be paired with a Xiaomi 13 or other Snapdragon Spaces smartphones to fully function.

The Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses Discovery Edition will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 platform, most recently seen with the Meta Quest Pro. It will also feature Xiaomi’s proprietary low-latency communication link. This allows low wireless latency of 3ms through Snapdragon Spaces compatible devices and full link latency as low as 50ms, which is comparable to wired latency.

image
Xiaomi’s Wireless AR Glasses Discovery Edition is at the concept stage but packs a lot of promise.
Image source: GSMArena

Innovations in gesture control and retina-level display

Xiaomi has also featured their own self-developed micro gesture interaction that enables precise one-handed micro gestures based on the thumb, inner fingers and knuckles. The gestures allow functions such as selecting and opening apps, swiping through pages, and exiting apps without touching the paired smartphone. It also allows more advanced features such as text input with thumb tapping in the finger area, similar to the Chinese nine-key input method. Detecting these gestures is a low power-usage AON camera which also facilitates other features.

The centerpiece of the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses is retina-level near-eye display found in the lenses. The lenses leverage a free-form optical module that houses a pair of MicroOLED displays. This optical module has light-guiding prisms that minimizes light loss and produces clear, bright display with a peak of 1200 nits. The lenses are also electrochromic to adapt to different lighting modes and comes with special modes including a blackout mode to enhance content viewing on YouTube and TikTok as well as a transparent mode that will enhance AR immersion.

image 1
An innovative free-form optical module with MicroOLED screens is the centerpiece.
Image source: GSMArena

Lightweight design without compromising toughness

Design-wise, the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses incorporates robust lightweight material such as magnesium-lithium alloy, carbon fiber parts, and a self-developed silicon-oxygen anode battery. Thought it appears to be on the bulkier side, it only weighs 126g, which should make it comfortable to wear for long periods. They will be available in titanium-colored shade, supports three-sizes of nosepieces for a precise fit and has an attachable myopic clip for nearsighted users.

From the prototype devices that were unveiled, it seems that Xiaomi has really brought out some innovative ideas and cutting-edge self-developed technology to the fore. Currently there is no indication of a release date but Xiaomi is working with their partners to expedite the process. While the history of smart glasses has not been great, especially with the demise of Google Glass, perhaps a new generation will be upon us soon with Xiaomi leading the way.

Sources: Xiaomi, PhoneArena, GSMArena

News, Social Media

TikTok Called Out in Malaysia for Politically Linked Content Moderator

Leave a comment

Social Media can create a dangerous echo chamber that supports our views. However, things can be even more dangerous when politically-linked individuals end up as content moderators at social media companies. That’s precisely why Tiktok is being called out for on its own platform by Yuwana TV.

Malaysia’s relationship with TikTok and social media has become a little bit strenuous after their previous General Elections. Like the U.S., social media became the battleground for votes particularly when it came to the younger generation of voters. In Malaysia, TikTok became ground zero for bipartisan and racist propaganda.

With that as our backdrop, it comes as no surprise that things are being stirred up once again as an individual linked to Malaysia’s opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), was working at TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, as a content moderator close to the elections. The fact was highlighted in a TikTok video uploaded by Yuwana TV to promote their Facebook Live session. The video cites a Forbes report alleging that employees engage in the practice of “heating” where they manually push content into FYPs to help them go viral. The report was written after seven sources verified the practice.

@yuwanatv Apa kaitan TikTok Malaysia dan Perikatan Nasional? #tiktok #tiktokmalaysia #tiktokmalaysia🇲🇾 #bytedance #perikatannasional #pasgombak #dppm #suffikamari #pembangkang #viral #kerajaanperpaduan #pakatanharapan ♬ original sound – Yuwana TV

In the video, one of the hosts highlights that the “For You” page (FYP) in TikTok is done by an algorithm. He also notes that content moderators are able to overwrite the algorithm and push their own content into the FYP of other users. This assertion was supported by @cikguseo on Twitter. Some of the denizens of Twitterjaya (Malaysia’s slang for netizens) have since attributed PN’s social media success during the elections to this.

Be that as it may, it seems like that may not be the case. TikTok has issued a statement addressing the issue. In a statement from Hafizin Tajudin, TikTok’s Head of Public Policy, the company asserts that the accusations are false. In fact, they refer to the individual implicated, Suffi Kamari, as a former employee. This is supported by a tweet by Kamari, himself, who is now the Head of Communications of the Gombak Youth Division at the Malaysian Pan-Islamic Party (PAS). In his tweet, Kamari clarifies that he had left ByteDance in June 2022 – about 5 months before the elections.

Tajudin also clarified that “moderators do not have any authority or access to any forms of promotional tools for content” and that “[TikTok has] a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure that the political or personal opinions of our employees do not affect their work quality and ethics, including when performing content moderation tasks. TikTok’s content moderation decisions are based on a set of clearly defined Community Guidelines and have layers of checks and balances including quality assurance and third-party fact-checkers, to uphold safety and ensure fairness in moderation.”

TikTok has tried to proactively address concerns such as these as they arose amidst the American elections in 2020 on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The company has adopted policies that try to limit the proliferation of misinformation and political rhetoric on the platform. In their statement, TikTok asserts that political ads on their platform. This is an assertion which is enshrined in their advertising policy. They have since introduced a policy for government, politician and political party accounts which prohibit monetization and promotion by these accounts.

In fact, their statement even addresses Forbes’s assertion of content “heating”. They do admit that they “do promote a small fraction of videos to help diversify the content experience and introduce celebrities and emerging creators to the TikTok community.” This does bring up the question of whether “heating” is a policy which needs to be revisited by TikTok. While it does help with creating platforms for emerging content creators, it makes us ask, “how are they vetting these creators?”. However, it can’t fall to the company to ensure that these creators are completely clean when they do promote content. We’ve all seen creators go off the deep end at some point in their careers.

solen feyissa 1S1w1c4 VyA unsplash
Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Be that as it may, the content that made PN relevant wasn’t from a political party or politician account; instead, it was rhetoric spread by regular users and influencers that were incentivised to do so. This issue highlights a growing concern of individuals, government and watchdogs about the role social media is playing when it comes to political rhetoric.

Is it then possible to actually snip movements like this in the bud as a social media company? Should they be allowed to police what is spread on their platforms? These are questions which continue to be asked in situations like these. Where does freedom of expression end and where does moral policing begin?

Android, News

[MWC 2023] Google Brings New Features to Android

Leave a comment

Google is bringing a few new features to Android and Chromebooks. Most of the new features will be making their way to Android devices starting today. These new features mainly bring more “Material You” to Android and its personalization features. However, there are a few updates in the list that improve productivity and accessibility.

Google Keep Gets A Widget & Wear OS Complication

For those looking to be more productive on their Android devices, Google Keep has got your back. The note-keeping and to-do list app is being improved with a widget that allows you to pin single notes to your home screen. The new widget is fully actionable; allowing you to check things off your checklist or even update notes. It will display reminders, background colours and images in the Keep notes and also syncs seamlessly with Google Keep and your smartwatch.

GMSQ1 031 Wear OS KeepComplications Note Realistic 1x1
070 KeepSingleNoteWidget Real 1x1

Speaking of smartwatches, if you have a Wear OS by Google smartwatch – this includes the new Samsung Galaxy Watch5 series – you’ll be able to use Google Keep on the go. Google is also introducing two new shortcuts for Wear OS that allows you to create notes and to-do lists from your Wear OS watch face.

In addition to this, Google is enabling direct editing and annotating of PDFs with a stylus or by touch in the Google Drive app. You’ll be able to use different strokes, the highlighter or even hide, undo, delete or save a new copy of the annotated document too.

Less Noise on Google Meet, More Seamless Integration with Chromebooks

Google Meet is getting noise cancellation during calls on more Android devices. This means you’ll be able to drown out the noise when you have to take a meeting on the go.

040 FastPair Real 1x1 v07

Being on the go means you’ll need your earbuds or headphones to take the call, thankfully, if you’re using a Chromebook, Google is bringing Fast Pair to Chromebooks. This will simplify connecting your Bluetooth audio devices to the Chromebook essentially making it a single click. What’s more, if you’ve paired the device on your Android smartphone before, it will seamlessly connect to your Chromebook as well.

Express Yourself

Android is getting more ways to express yourself as well. New emoji combinations will be able on Emoji Kitchen. You’ll be able to combine two or more emojis to better express yourself in chats with Gboard. In addition to this, you’ll also be able to customise Google Wallet’s pay animations. Google will be bringing things like playful penguins to Google Wallet.

050 EmojiKitchen Real 1x1 v07
020 Tap PayDoodles Real 1x1

Finally, Google Chrome will allow you to increase the size of the content you’re viewing in the browser with a simple slider. The slider will allow you to change things like the text, images, videos and interactive controls by up to 300% while preserving the page layout. You’ll even be able to save your preferences so you don’t have to keep resetting them every time. The feature is currently in Chrome Beta before it officially rolls out in March.