Category Archives: News

No Proper Mic? That is Okay, Adobe’s Got You with Enhance Speech.

Content creators that deal with videos and audio know the struggle. The struggle to get good audio is universal for almost any modern content creator. In most cases, while most might not realise it, bad audio can break your immersion or a good video. Think about it, imagine watching The Conjuring on mute. You will find that it is way less scary than it is.

Good audio is not just limited to the music, or sound effects though. In the world of radio, YouTube personalities, and podcasts, great audio usually means great vocals. We understand that struggle because we produce our very own podcast (available on Spotify, coming back in 2023). We had to spend a little bit of money to get a set of gears for the office and home ready and going for our Podcast series, Tech & Tonic, just to get that crisp and smooth radio voice.

Thing is, we do have to spend a bit of our own money to get better audio even at home. Getting at least a dedicated USB mic was the only way to get quality audio for our podcasts during the pandemic. But what if you do not or do not have that money to spend on a mic? What if your regular built-in mic on your laptop or headphone is enough to create your own podcasts? It is possible today with Adobe’s latest free tool.

Adobe, as one of the most widely used content creation suite, has been researching on ways to improve creative workflow using AI for years. Their AI tool has helped make Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and even Rush even more efficient and way cleverer than before. They have also been messing about with AI in audio processing with Project Sasha, recently rebranded to Adobe Podcast.

As part of the project, they came up with something called Enhance Speech. The tool is free at this time, only requiring you to have an Adobe account to begin with, even without any subscription plans. The tool also works best with a desktop web browser, so you do want to get on at least a Chromebook to get it working. MP3 and WAV file format works best with the tool currently and the upload limit is 1GB.

Once you do that, the tool uses some form of deep learning algorithm to transform your audio from a slightly noisy recording to sounding like its recorded in an isolated professional studio. There have been reports that the tool does not work too well in extremely noisy scenarios though, so you do want to ensure that you are still doing as much as you can to keep your recording environment as quiet as possible. Of course, description only goes so far. You ought to experience the tool yourself, since it is free.

Our sample is a voice recording using the Samsung Galaxy Note9, one recorded with the mic right up near the mouth, and one placed on the table. We did not make too much effort in isolating the recording environment. We have some traffic noise, construction nearby, and even the MRT going about in our recording environment.

https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Enhance-Speech-1.mp3
Original Mic Close to Mouth
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Enhance Mic Close to Mouth
https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Enhance-Speech-2-Far.mp3
Original Mic on Table
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Enhance Mic on Table

You can hear that a lot of the pop peaks have been cancelled out. While there is not much in terms of noise, the resulting audio sounds much cleaner and contains some of those radio like quality in the voice. Wind noise and echo is reduced to the point where you do not hear them too. If you are looking to start a podcast or improve your audio without spending extra money, you might want to give this tool a whirl on their website.

Crypto and NFTs outlawed on GTA Online servers

Cryptocurrencies and NFTs have been banned from the unlikeliest of trading grounds – the role-playing servers of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) Online.

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Crypto and NFTs now a crime on everyone’s favorite crime simulator. Image source: Rockstar via Kotaku.

New regulations bar trading of crypto, virtual currency and loot boxes

An update on developer Rockstar support page outlined new regulations on their role-playing servers, aligning with publisher Take-Two’s legal enforcement policy. Rockstar specifically mentions enforcement actions against “commercial exploitation”, which include sale of loot boxes or virtual currencies, generation of revenue via corporate sponsorships and use of cryptocurrency and crypto assets e.g. NFTs. This regulation, in line with existing rules for single player mods, will apply to all facets of Grand Theft Auto across all platforms. It will also extend to Rockstar’s other albeit less popular online game, Red Dead online.

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All dealings in hard-earned virtual cash only. Image source: Rockstar

So, what does this new set of rules mean for the game? Rockstar has assured that the existing experience of role-play servers will not be affected, including third party servers. Unlike the typical story-driven missions of a GTA game, the role-playing servers focus more on community-driven experiences. These are living and breathing worlds with all members having their own careers and personal lives. As you would expect in any online world, there is a thriving trading community. Unfortunately, some members have taken to selling some “less than savory” things to the developer’s distaste. These include licensed music and sponsorship deals, in-game currency to the much-maligned loot boxes.

Only recently, an online server started by rapper Lil Durk called “The Trenches” was shutdown by Rockstar for just this reason. As reported by Ars Technica, the role-playing server actively integrated real word gaming brands and a “Trenches Pass” NFT drop to access specific on-server content. Less than 3 months since its launch, the server was instructed to be shutdown by both Rockstar and TakeTwo. This event appeared to be the precursor of the new crackdown on crypto.

Safety of the community and the experience first

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Safety of the community and their bank accounts first. Image source: Steam Workshop

The new regulations also mention enforcement actions against misuse of Rockstar Games trademarks or game intellectual property (IP), importation of these IP or trademarks and interference with online multiplayer and online servers of both GTA and Red Dead. It appears Rockstar and Take-Two intend to safeguard their assets from misuse and the community experience in role-playing servers. The barring of loot boxes and the barely predictable cryptocurrencies and crypto assets safeguard finances too.

However, a final regulation also specifies enforcement actions on “making new games, stories, missions, or maps”. Although not elaborated on, both developer and publisher assure the existence of third-party role-playing servers are not affected. Will there be an impact on server content or community creativity? That remains to be seen.

Sources: Kotaku, ArsTechnica

OPPO Launches the Find N2 – the Other 2022 Foldable

If you are in the market for a foldable smartphone today, you will find about two eligible devices that suits your fancy. If its compact you are looking for, you have the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. For the larger form factor that features a larger, tablet like display, you have Samsung as well with their Galaxy Z Fold 4, and HUAWEI with their Mate Xs 2. We mentioned three devices but if practical is what you are looking for, you are probably going to end up with either the compact Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Now though you might have a proper third choice. You now can choose between a Samsung, or an OPPO. To be fair, there is no practical competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 at this point of time. The new OPPO Find N2 that they just launched is more of a Galaxy Z Fold 4 competitor instead.

The OPPO Find N2 is really as successor to the very interesting OPPO Find N that was launched very late in 2021 as well. In some sense, we want to consider the Find N2 a 2023 device. At the same time, the OPPO Find N2 packs hardware more comparable to 2022 flagship devices, hence.

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Source: OPPO

Inside, you find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 powering the Android 13 based ColorOS 13 user interface (UI). You have up to 16GB of RAM to play around with, so the device will never feel slow even if you max out your tab limit on Google Chrome or have more than 20 apps open at the same time. With the larger display, you might want to have a few apps open in multiple windows too. At the same time, if you are counting on the Find N2 to be productive, you get up to 512GB of storage to work with for all sorts of documents and even photos.

Folded, the device features an expansive and rather regular factored display that is a 120hz 5.54-inch AMOLED display with 18:9 aspect ratio. It offers Full HD+ in resolution and up to 1350 nits brightness for when you want to work with it under the sun. Unfold it and you will find a large 7.1-inch LTPO AMOLED display greeting you. It is smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 7.4-inch display, but hey it is a little more sensible in your hands. It also offers up to 120Hz in refresh rate, HDR10+ colours, and up to 1550 nits in peak brightness which, in any way you look at it, is really bright. It is smaller and more modest compared to its Samsung competitor with only 1,792 by 1,920 pixels packed in.

Out the back, you will find a 50-Megapixel shooter. That main shooter is backed up by a 32-Megapixel telephoto shooter and a 48-Megapixel ultrawide camera. You also get the clever Hasselblad calibration, obvious with a large Hasselblad branding at the camera bump this time. What they did not brand on the device is the MariSilicon X they put into the device for image processing. Of course, the camera can also do 4K video recording, which should not be a surprise anyway. Out the front, when folded, you find a 32-Megapixel front facing camera on the cover display. Inside, you find another 32-Megapixel camera.

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Source: OPPO

It packs a 4,520 mAh battery to keep everything running for the day. It is larger than its competitor’s, but not by so much that it gets a significant advantage in battery life. Still, you can charge it at 67W with OPPO’s clever SUPERVOOC technology, which is a clear advantage over Samsung’s charging implementation. There is no wireless charging though, bummer.

What separates the OPPO Find N2 and its competitors apart is something you can hardly see. They call it a Flexion Hinge technology. Its aim? To minimize the display crease that is infamous with foldable devices today. It is also designed to be lighter than before with less moving parts for added reliability.

In fact, OPPO claims that they have reduced the number of moving parts within the hinge by 38 parts. There is now about 100 moving parts within the hinge. Less moving parts also means less things might go wrong. It is supposedly more rigid and stronger in construction too thanks to exotic materials like Carbon Fibre and high-strength alloy used in its construction. All these adds up to a weight saving of 42g over the older Find N.

The hinge also allows OPPO to reduce the stress on the folding display. Less stress also means less visible crease than before. OPPO claims that the visible crease has been narrowed by 67%, which sounds like a larger improvement, but we cannot confirm anything until we see the device ourselves.

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The OPPO Find N2 is currently only available in China. Prices starts at CN¥ 8,000 (MYR 5,072*) and tops out at CN¥ 9,000 (MYR 5,705*). If the current conversion rates are anything to go by, the OPPO Find N2 is priced at a much more accessible price range than its competition too. There are no confirmations on its availability and official price range in Malaysia just yet. More on the OPPO Find N2 can be found on their website. It is in Chinese though, since the device is currently only available in China.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of CN¥ 100 = MYR 63.40 as of 19/12/2022 on xe.com

WhatsApp Calls Improved with New Features

WhatsApp endeavors to improve its users call experience with an update bringing a host of new features.

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WhatsApp video calls now support up to 32 people, with notifications for new joinees. Image source: Meta

While it made its mark in the world of secure messaging, WhatsApp intends to attract more users to its voice and video call functions too. To kick things off, group video calls have gotten bigger with support for 32 persons in a single call. That is four times more than previously supported number of callers. If the calls get too chaotic, a new feature allows both direct messaging and muting of call participants. By long pressing on a participant, an enlarged interface appears to perform these functions without interrupting the call. Gathering users for a WhatsApp call is now easier with a new call link feature that can be shared to participants.

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Colourful waveforms with private message and mute features help manage large calls. Image source: Meta

Voice calls have received new features too. It is now easier to know who is talking in a large group call with colorful waveforms overlayed on the speaker. If someone pops into the group call, a notification now pops up to mark their arrival. iOS users will receive an exclusive, minimized in-call video screen feature. Users can now multitask on their devices without interrupting an ongoing video call. This feature is still currently under beta testing and will roll out in the new year.

Even with new features for WhatsApp calls, the commitment to privacy and security still remains. As always, the end-to-end encryption on all communication through the app by default remains in place. For more details on the new features, visit Improved Calling Features on WhatsApp | Meta (fb.com).

Mali GPU security gaps puts your device at risk

A known security vulnerability in Mali GPU could affect millions of Android devices as it remains unpatched as reported by Google.

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A known Mali GPU security vulnerability remains unpatched and puts your Android device at risk.
Image source: Forbes

As reported first by 9to5Google, Google Project Zero has highlighted a security vulnerability known as CVE-2022-33917 affecting only Mali GPUs. The platform is found on non-Snapdragon Android devices most notably Samsung Exynos chipsets, and Google’s Tensor chipsets. Mediatek Dimensity devices from OPPO, Xiaomi. According to developer ARM, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain access to freed memory. Google added that “…by forcing the kernel to reuse these pages as page tables, an attacker with native code execution in an app context could gain full access to the system…”.

ARM has already been informed of the vulnerability by Project Zero as early as July this year. On their official site, ARM has stated that they have already fixed the vulnerability on their end. However, security measures are yet to been taken by smartphone developers like Samsung, Google and the rest. A statement on 27th November by both Android and Pixel teams stated a fix is currently under testing. It was stated that the fix will be available to all “in the coming weeks”. Two weeks on since then, no further updates have been provided.

Source: 9to5Google, PhoneArena, SamMobile

ZTE announces the Voyage 40 Pro+ to succeed Axon 40 SE

ZTE announces the new Voyage 40 Pro+ in China, a device that improves upon the Axon 40 SE released in October.

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The Voyage 40 Pro+ improves upon the Axon 40 SE. Image source: GSMArena

ZTE has retained the key design elements and hardware of the mid-range Axon 40 SE and made some select improvements. Both phones share a similar appearance with the twin circular camera housing on the back and dimensions. They share the same 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution and 770 nit peak brightness. But that’s where the similarities end.

Chipset, battery and cameras upgrades from the Axon 40 SE

The Voyage 40 Pro+ has hardware improvements all around, starting with the mobile platform it runs on. Powering the device is a Mediatek Dimensity 810 that offers improved core speeds and 5G connectivity. This a step up from the Unisoc T618 chipset seen in its predecessor. The memory configurations have been doubled from the Axon 40 SE, with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB storage. It still retains a microSD slot and has the option for further virtual RAM up to 6 GB. The battery also has a capacity increase to 4510mAh with significantly faster 66W charging, up from 4500mAh and 22.5W charging. The main shooter in the three camera setup has also improved, with 64MP sensor up from 50MP. The 5MP macro cam and 2MP depth sensor from its predecessor still remains. The front camera too is upgraded to a 16MP shooter from 8MP.

Voyage 40 Pro+ special edition and availability

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Available in two colors and a special Starry Night edition. Image source: GSMArena

The Voyage 40 Pro+ is now retailing in China, exclusively for the moment, retailing at an estimated RM1393 (2200 yuan). It is available in two colors; Sky Blue and Twilight Gray. Also available is the Starry Night edition, inspired by the van Gogh painting, retailing for the same price. For more details and availability in Malaysia, visit the official ZTE Malaysia website and follow ZTE Malaysia Facebook page.

Source: GSMArena

WIKO Buds 10 now available on Shopee

Wiko Malaysia has announced the release of their affordable earbuds, the Buds 10 in Malaysia.

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Lightweight and affordable, the Wiko Buds 10.

The French manufacturer’s latest entry into the budget true-wireless earbuds market features 12-mm bio-diaphragm dynamic drivers with copper-coated aluminium armature. This design results in lightweight earbuds, weighing at 4.2g, without compromising on audio quality. Wiko claims that the earbuds will fit snugly and users will barely feel them when in use. With Bluetooth 5.2, the buds offer stable connectivity and low latency, useful for gaming.

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Long battery life of up to 30 hours.

The lightweight design coupled with IPX4 rating makes these buds suitable for use outdoors and for exercise. Wiko claims a single playback charge will last up to 6 hours and 30 hours total with the charging case. There is also dual mic noise-cancelation for clearer calls, handy in noisy environments. The buds can also be controlled through touch via embedded smart sensors.

Currently, the Wiko Buds 10 is for sale in Malaysia exclusively through the official Wiko Shopee Store for RM129. For more information of the device and its features, visit the official Buds 10 product page and official Facebook page.

PICO celebrates with new store and Christmas VR bundles

With Christmas just around the corner, PICO has kick-started celebrations with the launch of its new VR store and game bundle to boot.

First VR Concept Store opens in Sunway Pyramid

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PICO opens its first Malaysian VR Concept Store in Sunway Pyramid.

PICO fans will now be able to try their favorite devices at the first PICO VR concept store in Malaysia. The new store opened its doors on the 10th of December, located in Sunway Pyramid. The store has four experiential zones for gaming, fitness, entertainment and social for customers to try out the VR headsets, especially the new PICO 4 All-In-One headset for themselves. There is also friendly, trained crew in-store to help customers with their retail or technical queries.

Apart from attracting new customers, PICO also aims to please their existing customers with a dedication to aftersales service. Their current warranty programme allows a one-for-one exchange for defective units that can be easily performed at the concept store.

Regional Director of PICO Southeast Asia, Allen An hopes that through the store, customers will enjoy experiencing the PICO 4 headset, and will be convinced to get one. With that in mind, the store had a Store Launch Promo where the first 10 customers to purchase a PICO 4 will also get a PICO Neo Link 3 (256 GB) unit for free. The next 20 customers to purchase a PICO 4 can purchase a second unit for just half price. And if you missed out on the opening day deals, fret not as PICO has more to offer.

#TheBestXmasGift for VR fans by PICO

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For fans of fitness, art, music and of course VR games, the PICO 4 has something for everyone.

With more games available, the PICO 4 All-In-One VR headset is proving to be a versatile gift for Christmas to satisfy fans of all genres. Gamers can enjoy the new archery game In Death: Unchained and zombie shooter After the fall. Stay fit with VR fitness classes in LesMills Bodycombat and All-In-One Sports VR, which features 11 different sports. Music lovers will enjoy Smash Drums, enhanced with the PICO 4’s binaural stereo speakers while art lovers can express themselves on the virtual canvas of MultiBrush.

Also on offer is a special bundle of games worth RM 476.93 for free with every purchase of the PICO 4 this holiday season. The Christmas Pack 4-game bundle consists of Superhot VR and In Death:Unchained for action games fans, LesMills Bodycombat for fitness and MultiBrush for art enthusiasts. These games are in addition to the standard Starter Pack bundle that comes with every PICO 4 purchase. Games included are All-in-One Sports VR, Down The Rabbit Hole, OhShape, and After The Fall, worth RM 440.00.

The PICO 4 All-In One VR Headset is retailing now at RM1699 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and RM1999 for the 256 GB variant. To get your, head to the PICO VR Concept Store or buy online at Lazada, Shopee or TikTok shop. For more information on more products and the store, visit https://www.picoxr.com/my.

YouTube ‘Add to Queue’ Button Coming Soon on Your Smartphone App

One of the best features that your streaming apps have added into their interface is the ‘Add to Queue’ function. It is also one of the most underrated and one of those functions you tend to take for granted because the function seems too sensible and natural not to have. You can create your own instantaneous playlist without going through the hassle of curating and naming an entire playlist just for that one moment; why would you not have the button? Your YouTube app on your Android and Apple devices does not have it though.

Do not get us wrong, YouTube has an ‘Add to Queue’ function when you go on YouTube on your PC. If you are accessing YouTube via your smartphones or tablet, you do not get that functionality for reasons we cannot understand. You cannot even access that function if you access YouTube via your smartphone’s web browser unless you switch it to desktop browsing mode. For some time now, we have been quite frustrated with the limitation because, if you think about it, most of your YouTube consumption will be on your smartphone or tablet devices via the app itself. It is probably one of the most quietly demanded functions on the YouTube app too, we think.

As the year is coming to a close, there is some good news from Google. YouTube is now testing the ‘Add to Queue’ function on both Apple and Android devices. At this time, the test looks like it will go on only for a limited time. We can only hope that after the limited time the function will go on as a default feature on the YouTube app on both Android and Apple devices.

Currently the tested feature is only available to YouTube Premium users on both platforms. If you are a YouTube Premium user and have not seen the function, you might want to try to get into your Profile settings and turn on ‘Try New Features’ to not only test that one function, but other functions they might bring to the YouTube app in the future. To see if you have the function available to you, you simply have to click on the three dots that appear on the top right of your video and click ‘Add to Queue’. You will have full control over your video playlist with a display menu at the bottom of the screen after enabling the ‘Add to Queue’ function and creating a temporary playlist.

According to sources, the test will only last until the 28th of January 2023. Keep in mind that the function does not extend to adding YouTube Shorts into the playlist. There is no clear indication on whether or not the function will officially be available for YouTube app users in the wider scheme of things, but we are betting that it would be not too long after testing period.

Source: 9To5Google

Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition Takes ZTE To The Stars

ZTE has unveiled in China, a souped-up version of their Axon 40 Ultra flagship with the new Space Edition.

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With memory options you can see from space, the Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition ups the flagship game.
Image source: GSMArena

Extra-large memory configurations and faster charging speeds

The major offering of this new edition is perhaps the largest configuration of memory and storage in the market. It is available in 12 GB RAM with 512GB storage or 18GB RAM with 1TB storage. This not the first time ZTE has done this, with its previous Axon Ultra 30 flagships offering the same in its Aerospace edition last year.

The Space edition shares mostly the same hardware with the Ultra 40 standard edition. It comes with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 platform, a 6.8-inch 120hz AMOLED display with 2480 x 1116 pixels resolution and 5000mAh battery. It also has the same dedicated security chip by ZTE that is claimed to have passed encryption testing and has three privacy and security certifications. However, no concrete details on specifications and functionality on this chip has been announced just yet. The camera setup is a triple 64MP sensor assembly with wide angle, ultra-wide angle and periscope capabilities respectively.

The hardware upgrades, apart from larger memory, is faster charging speeds of 80W from the base 65W. The design of the phone receives some changes for the better too. The back panel of the conventional Ultra 40 is replaced with ceramic material that is textured to give a more premium feel. The camera bump is now flush against the back panel, as opposed to the island design of the base unit.

Available only in China, ships with a bespoke box

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A bespoke box for a truly premium feel. Image source: GSMArena

The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is currently only available in China and comes with a bespoke box and protective case. Price estimates are RM3744 (5999 yuan) for the 12GB/512GB variant and RM4886 (7700 yuan) for the 18GB/1TB variant. For further details and availability in Malaysia, visit the official ZTE Malaysia website and follow ZTE Malaysia Facebook page.

Source: GSMArena