HTC was one of the largest competitors in the smartphone space back in the 2010s, however, the company abruptly turned heels in 2018. Its last true, international flagship was the U11 which was released in 2017. That said, the company seems to be gearing up to release another flagship smartphone this June.
HTC Taiwan released a teaser on their Facebook and Twitter pages teasing a new smartphone coming on the 28th of June 2022. Of course, the company’s recent focus on VR and their Metaverse competitor, Viverse, isn’t left behind. It looks like the upcoming smartphone is going to play an integral part in the Viverse. The teaser comes as quite the surprise as the company’s MWC 2022 promises seemed to have hit a snag shortly after.
The teaser doesn’t reveal much, however. The poster just shows a rectangular outline with some perspective as other rectangles fade into the largest one. However, if you look close enough, you can see two indentations in the rectangle which many are suspecting might be an indication of some of the upcoming phone’s I/O features. There are two visible on the poster, one on the right side which looks like a side-mounted fingerprint reader and another up in the top right corner which could indicate a 3.5mm jack.
Other than this, there isn’t really much on the upcoming HTC phone. Given their focus on the Viverse, we wouldn’t be surprised if the smartphone is a true HTC flagship with top-of-the-line specifications. We are hoping that HTC brings a powerful, capable smartphone to give some competition internationally to companies like Samsung and Apple. We specify internationally because, as of last year, HTC has been releasing a few new smartphones within the Taiwan market.
We’ve seen some indication that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 could be powering the smartphone. However, there hasn’t been any confirmation from HTC themselves just yet. Guess we’ll just have to wait for 28th June 2022.
In the midst of chaos and controversy, the Diablo franchise is teasing the next instalment. Blizzard used the XBOX and Bethesda Showcase to announce that Diablo IV will be making its official debut in 2023. Of course, in typical Blizzard style, no specific dates were given.
However, Blizzard didn’t just leave us hanging without a morsel to nibble on. With the release year (hopefully), Blizzard also unveiled the final class featured in Diablo IV – the necromancer. The Necromancer is returning to Sanctuary for the fourth time. The class has been a mainstay in the series since Diablo 2. This time the Necromancer will be joining the Druid, Crusader, Monk and Rogue in their battle against Lilith.
Source: Blizzard
The developers also gave a little more insight into what we can expect when we return to Sanctuary this round. A completely open world map is one of the most intriguing changes coming to Sanctuary. Unlike the past Diablo games, players will be able to roam the world of Sanctuary unhindered. You’ll be able to travel from the dunes of Kehjistan to the snowy peaks of Mount Arreat to the sombre remains of Tristram without needing to leave an act. While exploring the vast open world with close to 150 dungeons, you’ll come across Strongholds where the forces of Hell have taken root. You will need to clear these Strongholds to be rewarded with riches or set towns free.
You will also face even more terrifying hordes of demons and undead as you venture into Diablo IV. Demons Lords and hordes of all sizes are making a return to the franchise in Diablo IV. You will be encountering towering demons and gigantic ones that will definitely strike terror in your hearts. You don’t need to take them down alone anymore though; your friends will be able to join your adventure. Blizzard has revamped the partying system in the game allowing you to form spontaneous parties during your adventure. You’ll be able to collaborate and party with your friends regardless of the platform they are on – PS4, PS5, PC, XBOX One. Character progression also occurs across all platforms. On console, you’ll even be able to have couch co-op.
In addition, Mephisto’s influence has created areas in Sanctuary where players can attack other players. These areas will see the best players duke it out. Be wary, as you reap victories, you’ll also become a target for everyone. Diablo IV is also bringing back an open skill tree which will allow you even deeper customisation of your character. This comes in addition to the extensive aesthetic customisations that you’ll be able to undertake as you adventure in Diablo IV. This continues further as you progess after you complete the main game. As you max out your level, you’ll unlock the Paragon Board which will allow you to unlock hundreds of optional paths for your characters.
With everything that has been revealed to-date, Diablo IV is shaping out to be a return to form after Diablo III’s shortfalls. We’ll be patiently waiting to see what Sanctuary brings us in 2023.
Apple’s iPad ecosystem is one of, if not the most successful tablet line-up in the entire world. Even though we have always been fans of the Android ecosystem, even we must admit that the Android tablet experience pales in comparison to the modern iPad, especially when you consider the iPad Pro line-up. Sure, the Android tablet experience have improved tremendously over the years with more choices popping up at the same time. Even then, the basic iPad will still be our tablet of choice, if a decent basic tablet is what you are looking for.
Of course, every story today has a humble beginning. For the iPad, it started out as an oversized iPhone that runs on iOS. The iOS that was on the iPad evolved to become iPadOS though, and it started differentiating itself from the iPhone counterpart pretty much from the get-go. Now with iOS 16, we have iPadOS 16.
To be fair, the iPadOS 16 is not the 16th generation of iPadOS. The iPadOS was an adaptation of the iOS for much larger screen formats, hence its confusing yet dignified naming scheme. Still, the iPadOS 16 is most likely the most significant iPadOS that Apple has ever developed for modern Apple iPad devices.
The whole idea behind the iPadOS 16 is making use of the Apple M1 chips you can now find on the Apple iPad Pro devices from 2021. Since the iPadOS can take advantage of the bigger display of the iPad devices anyway, it is built with more multitasking functions than ever. To make the iPad more of a productivity beast than ever before, there are more collaboration tools and capabilities built into the interface too.
Messaging, but Even Better
Source: Apple
Messaging on the iPadOS should be a little more distinctive even compared to the regular messaging app you can find on iOS. On the iPadOS 16’s messaging app, you can edit or recall messages that are recently sent. If you have mistakenly deleted a message, you can even quickly recover them. In case you need to save your messages for later, you can even mark them as unread to remind yourself to come back to it later.
Work And Collaborate, but Smarter than Ever
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Apple introduces Freeform, a new collaboration tool that gives users the ability to see, share, and collaborate within a single space and with full support for Apple Pencil. You can contribute to the board and edit the contents of the board at any given time, in real-time. You can even create and start a board right from FaceTime and see real-time updates in your messages thread.
Mail is even better too. Like the iOS version of the Mail app, messages can be recalled and cancelled before it reaches the recipient’s inbox. You can even schedule emails to be sent at your desired time. If you so wish to, you can even set your emails in your inbox folder to ‘Remind Later’ just so you can look at it again at a more appropriate time. If you need to pull up older messages, the new search algorithm also ensures that you can easily find your older emails quickly and accurately.
Check the Weather on iPad, Finally
The weather app for the iPad is now here and is much better than before. Well, it is a weather app, there is no running from its basic functions of telling you the current weather and other weather predictions. Instead of a plain image or background though, the weather app tells you weather with interactive animations that changes according to the current weather and weather predictions. Users who live in high-risk areas can even get notified if a severe weather alert is issued for their area. At the same time, users can even check the air quality in a particular area with easy to read, color-coded scale.
Professionally Adapted
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The iPad Pro can now become another rather useful tool in a content creator’s arsenal. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro comes with a brilliant Liquid Retina XDR display that is rather wasted if not properly utilized. With iPadOS 16, users can now use the 12.9-inch display of the iPad Pro as a reference display for colour grading purposes and even compositing images.
There is also something called Display Zoom. It allows users to increase the pixel density of their display so that they can see more in their apps. When needed, Virtual Memory Swap can also adapt the iPad’s storage to expand available memory for differing application (up to 16GB) depending on their demands.
Apple also introduced Stage Manager, an iPadOS exclusive feature. It is a unique multitasking interface that automatically organizes apps and windows on top of one another so that users can easily and quickly switch between tasks. Windows can be stacked and overlapped atop one another in a single view too for more versatility in multitasking. Apps can also be grouped together if needed so that they can be quickly accessed when needed. Stage manager can also be used with external displays thanks to the power of Apple’s M1 chip.
More Mac Like that iOS Like
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The biggest thing we think that Apple did not elaborate on with the Apple iPadOS16 is the fact that you can now run desktop, Mac class apps on M1 powered iPads. While there has not been too many examples or apps that is meant to run on the iPadOS and iPad devices, the potential of having a full desktop app like Adobe’s suite or even their own Final Cut Pro is a huge deal, considering that many are looking to replacing their current laptops and desktops with an iPad Pro.
Let us talk about Apple’s first foray into the silicon market – the Apple M1 chip. It was a somewhat successful endeavor. The M1 powered MacBooks proved to be rather popular among fans and even to new users. It is also the first successful implementation of a System on a Chip (SoC) solution for a major computing device with a desktop interface that is the MacOS in this case.
Of course, the success of the M1 chip also has something to do with the fact that Apple has somehow engineered the MacOS around the integrated silicon. But it also has something to do with the Apple M1’s specific build to optimise and be optimized with apps designed for MacOS.
Of course, while we expected Apple to come up with more powerful versions of their silicon last year, we were a little wrong to expect the second-generation of Apple’s silicon to be announced then. Instead, Apple launched variants of the M1 chip. You get larger footprints of the M1 that also comes with a lot more grunt from the SoC. Everything changes for 2022 though with Apple’s M2.
Welcome to the Apple M2 silicon, supposedly an evolution of the M1 chip. Obviously, it will be more powerful than the regular M1 chip. As with the M1 chip as well, the M2 will start out its life in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Why Should You Care?
Source: Apple
PC users might snicker at the thought of an SoC running their Windows system. It is not too far-fetched of an idea though. Windows 11 seems to be more SoC friendly, and Qualcomm is working on a solution for that as we write this piece.
But the M1 is prove that an SoC can power a desktop class computing solution. The M2 just solidifies that position for Apple as the only manufacturer that dare to go beyond conventions. While Apple did point out that the M2 can game better with Metal accelerator, it still will not game like Windows PC can.
Instead, the M2 is tailor built to ensure that the MacOS is fully optimized and runs as fast as it can. The M2 chip is designed specifically to ensure that the MacOS and its apps are getting enough processing power in all the right places to ensure smooth, snappy experience. It just does everything that the M1 does, but better.
Bigger, Badder, Better
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Footprint wise, the M2 is slightly larger than the M1 chip. It is built with he second-generation 5nm technology, technically the current most advanced transistor technology. The new construction allows Apple to push the envelope a little bit with the M2.
It is supposed to be about 18% faster than the M1 in terms of CPU performance. In terms of GPU performance, it is supposed to 35% better than the older chip. The M2 is also supposed to pack a dedicated Neural Engine that is about 40% faster than before. While the M1 tops out at 16GB of memory bandwidth, the basic M2 can support up to 24GB in unified memory. You can find all 24GB powering the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The larger footprint can be contributed to the fact that Apple has squeezed 25% more transistors than the M1. More transistors also means that the chip can deliver up to 100GB/s in memory bandwidth with the speedy unified memory. At the same time, with a larger cache, the M2 does not require any more power than the M1 demanded. At the same maximum power consumption. The M2 still beats out the M1 in all processor aspects.
Faster Workflow = Better Productivity
Source: Apple
The result of all that can be seen in all the Apple silicon optimized apps. Thanks to the wider bandwidth, the M2 supports up to 8K H.264 and HEVC video encoding. It is supposed to also be able to stream more 4K and 8K videos on more displays, if you can find enough dongles or displays to plug the MacBook Air or the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
At the same time, while not spoken at length, the M2 features better security all around. Apple’s Secure Enclave ensures that your data is locally stored and protected instead of it being uploaded to iCloud. Of course, to fully take advantage of the chip’s power, you need Apple’s latest MacOS Ventura.
The MacBook Air – Now a Proper Baby MacBook?
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
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Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
For the first time ever, the MacBook Air got a redesign. Instead of the wedge-shaped aluminium slate, it now looks like a thinner version of the regular MacBook. It is not a bad thing.
It now features a more updated “MacBook” look in a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with the weird notch in the top middle section of the display. That notch houses an 1080p Full HD FaceTime camera and other sensors.
The US 1,199 (starting from) device now looks a little more up to par to a regular MacBook too, at least on paper. It now features dour speakers and MagSafe charging has made its way back into the thinnest and lightest version of the MacBook family. There are still no fans in the notebook for any significant cooling performance, but the M2 is an SoC that does not really need a dedicate cooling fan. The MacBook Air also comes in four different colour finishes now instead of the usual two that was offered before.
Every year at WWDC, Apple always says that their latest update to iOS is the biggest one ever. To be fair, iOS has come a long way since we first saw it in the first Apple iPhone. It got an App Store a few generations later and never looked back. But the modern iOS is more than its app store, it is the updates that Apple has added to the iOS that makes it such a versatile interface we know today.
Apple is not technically wrong to say that the iOS 16 update is the biggest ever for the iOS interface. In terms of visuals at least, iOS 16’s interface could be the most visually distinct iOS ever. It also seems like Apple is finally going into a completely different direction with making the iOS better than ever. The update, technically, is the most feature packed major update ever.
Lock Screen – Not Just a Screen Anymore
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Lock screens have always been the most plain looking part of the iOS experience. It is basically a transitional screen before you get to your main home screen. Most of the time, you probably use it as a sort of clock or watch replacement too, a quick glance to tell you the time of day and date.
The thing is, there is a lot more you can do with the lock screen. It is technically a blank canvas for quick glances. That is what they implemented on the iOS 16.
They say that it is an inspiration from the Apple Watch. The home screen is now an information throve but designed in such a way that you can absorb everything by just quickly glancing through it. It now updates you on your next calendar agenda, battery levels, the weather, upcoming alarms, time zones, and even your activity ring progress. Of course, your essential time and date information will always be the front and center of your lock screen notification center. Of course, there is only a limited amount of space for information as well, so you get to choose which widgets go on your lock screen.
At the same time, users get to work with multilayered effects to really personalize their lock screen. You can artfully choose a lock screen image and iOS can cleverly layer your clock and widgets behind the art subject to create this rather interesting 3D layering of your lock screen. It is not really a Live Wallpaper kind of thing, but it is still rather interesting to work with.
Focusing on the Important Stuff
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Not much here, but Apple have claimed that they have improved Focus on the new iOS 16. To activate different focus modes, all you need to do is to swipe to differing lock screens you have on your iPhone. Different focus modes can also be customized to notify and show different notifications to ensure that users are given relevant information at whatever focus mode they choose to work with at any time.
A Shared Library
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
With the power of iCloud, you can now share your photo library with your family. The Shared Photo Library feature gives users the ability to collaborate or share the library with up to five other people. Each user can also share photos from their own personal library to be included in the shared library. Each user in the library can also add, delete, edit, and favourite their photos or videos in the library.
Unsend Stuff on Messages
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Usually, when you send messages, once it gets through, you can hardly retrieve it. With the introduction of new messenger apps like Telegram, you can now unsend messages that you sent to unintended parties. WhatsApp also recently introduced the same “delete message” feature with a certain time limit to it. Now the feature to unsend a message is available of the iOS native messaging app. They did not stop there/
You can now mark messages as unread, just so that it still can appear on your message list as unread, just so you can come back to it later. You can also recover recently deleted messages if you accidentally delete an important message. SharePlay is also new on iOS Messages. You get to enjoy synced movies or songs and even control their playback all while through messaging via Messages.
Mail Better
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
With the Mail app, you can now schedule your emails ahead of time, just so that you have a lot more control over your working time. Just in case, the Mail app gives you time to cancel the delivery of emails before it hits the recipient’s inbox. With Remind Later and Follow Up features, Mail can remind users to follow up on emails they might have missed after a while. Search is also now better on the Mail app than ever. Apple claims that the Mail app’s search algorithm is much more accurate and relevant compared to its predecessors to help you find older emails.
More Intelligent, Even On-the-Go
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Live text is now cleverer than before. You can use the feature in videos now by just pausing the video and interact with texts within the image or frame. You can even use Live texts as your personal translator or currency converter.
Beyond that though, Visual Look Up is also now improved. Instead of just recognizing a subject, users can now duplicate the subject and place it in other messenger apps. It also now recognizes birds, insects, and statues.
Apple’s Pay app is also improved at least in the United States (U.S.). They just introduced their very own microfinancing service in Apple Pay Later. If you have used Grab’s Pay Later wallet, it works very similarly there. The Pay Later feature also allows you to pay for your items in monthly instalments with no additional charges for now.
CarPlay is also improved with new features that makes it a powerful and versatile interface for in-car infotainment systems. CarPlay can now provide for multiple screens in a car to ensure that the CarPlay experience is consistent throughout a vehicle. There is more integration as well with CarPlay. Other than climate controls, CarPlay can also provide readings from multiple sensors in the car like fuel level, engine temperature, and even speed. Users can completely change what they see on their dash as well, if they choose to do so.
And more …
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
There are plenty of minor updates and improvements done on Safari, Apple maps, Siri, and even the Fitness app. For example, the Fitness App no longer requires users to own an Apple Watch to track their fitness goals. Apple News also now has My Sports section to allow users to easily follow their favourite sports teams in their favourite games. Spatial Audio is also improved on the iOS 16 to allow for a more precise and immersive audio with TrueDepth camera for a more personally tuned experience.
Availability
Apple’s iOS 16 is now available as a preview for members of Apple’s Developer Program. You can find it on their developer website. A public beta of the iOS will be available in the coming month. iOS 16 and its features will be available for iPhone 8 and later. For more information on iOS 16, you can visit their microsite for it.
Samsung’s 2022 Neo QLED TVs are finally making their way to Malaysia after their announcement in January at CES 2022. The new lineup brings an extensive list of enhancements focused on enhancing the entertainment experience as well as adapting one of the most ubiquitous screens to your lifestyle.
Calvert Yap (Head of TV, Audio Visual, Samsung Malaysia), Jimmy Tan (Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Malaysia), Edward Han (President, Samsung Malaysia) and Sunghwan Joo (Director of Audio Visual Division, Samsung Malaysia) at the launch gambit of the Neo QLED 8K TV
The new Neo QLED TVs come with a new Neo QLED 8K processor which ups the ante when it comes to image quality. The new Neural Quantum Processor 8K has been enhanced with a new algorithm called the Real Depth Enhancer. This dynamically scans the screen and maximizes the contrast between the object and the background of the scene making the object pop. It also adds a level of clarity and makes the image more realistic in a natural way. Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs are using also a lot more dynamic and reactive as the screens are able to create localised dark zones with the Mini LED technology. The increased precision allows for better, more realistic details and a more natural image as contrast and back-lighting is controlled on a per pixel basis. This year’s QLED TVs are also the first to be PANTONE verified for colour accuracy.
Together with the enhanced technology of the Neo QLED TVS, Samsung is also introducing features that will allow the TV to adapt to its users seamlessly. The TVs now come with features that will not only allow you to be more immersed in your content but also adapt to your work environment. The new line up of Samsung Neo QLED TVs come with features such as Google Duo which will allow you to take and make video calls from the TV with a webcam. In addition to that, DeX is also making its big screen debut and will allow you to use you screen as desktop for remote work. It will also bring a seamless second display experience that will help you get things done more efficiently.
Jimmy Tan (Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Malaysia) and Edward Han (President, Samsung Malaysia) showcasing the Neo QLED 8K Flagship TV
With accessories like the webcam, the new Neo QLED TVs are here to help you get in better shape. Samsung is bringing even more features that will help you exercise and get fit with your TV. In fact, you’ll be able to get tips on how to improve your form straight from the TV as you workout. Of course, sometimes we prefer working out while watching our favourite shows, with Multiview, you’ll be able to watch up to 4 screens at the same time. So, you’ll be able to watch your stocks, Netflix, workout and be on the video call all at the same time.
There’s a whole lot of improvements that have been baked into the new 2022 Samsung QLED TV lineup – you’ll be able to get the full breakdown in our coverage of the CES announcement.
Pricing and Availability
Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs are already available in Malaysia together with the updated versions of their lifestyle TVs: The Frame, The Serif and The Sero.
PlayStation’s State of Play just happened. The company has announced so many things in its supercut of trailers, gameplay and announcements. The 29-minute supercut brought exciting new announcements as well as updates to games announced at the previous State of Play. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC.
Final Fantasy XVI Coming to PS5 in Summer 2023
Final Fantasy XVI has entered the final leg of development as Square Enix announces a summer 2023 release window for the much-anticipated game.
The new entry into the Final Fantasy franchise thrusts players into the world of Valisthea where the delicate balance between six factions teethers as a malady called the Blight continues to spread.
In its latest update, Square Enix introduces us to Eikons, the summons of Valisthea and the Dominants of the Eikons Titan and Garuda. These characters join a growing cast that is set to capture the heart of Final Fantasy fans. Like all the other entries, XVI promises to throw players into a story driven adventure where they will learn about Ifrit, Ramuh, and Bahamut and uncover the intricacies of the conflict in Valisthea. Of course, you’ll be able to learn more about the world at the official Final Fantasy XVI site as we wait for Summer 2023 to arrive.
Street Fighter 6 Brings Classic Fighters to the Modern Era
Teased earlier this year, Street Fighter 6 expands the world of Street Fighter further with new faces and a whole new Drive System. The game also brings new modes for gameplay including new Battle Hub and World Tour modes. The former is an expansive online multiplayer mode while the latter allows players to carve their own story in Street Fighter 6. Capcom promises more information on these modes in the near future.
The game is built using Capcom’s RE Engine which the company used for Resident Evil 7 and Devil May Cry 5. The new engine brings the fighter classic into the new era with amazingly detailed character design and realistic details. The RE engine also allows a new, versatile Drive System which allows players to perform parries, dashes and super moves that will bring more spice to gameplay.
Capcom also unveiled a few characters from the roster in Street Fighter 6. A new character, Jamie, joins the universe. Jamie is a character that uses the Drunken master style of battle and powers up with every drink he takes during battle. There are returning characters from Street Fighter 5 as well. Luke was the only one revealed at State of Play. Of course, no Street Fighter game would be complete with classics like Ryu and Chun-Li who sport updated designs and new moves.
Street Fighter 6 is set to debut in 2023. No specific date has been announced just yet but more information is coming soon.
Resident Evil 4 Remake Coming in 2023
It seems like the Resident Evil franchise is rife for the remakes. After the much praised release of Resident Evil 3 Remake back in 2020, the fourth installation is looking to get the same treatment. The game which was first released back in 2005 will debut again come 2023.
The game is being updated with state of the art graphics and mechanics that will bring the classic back to life for a second time. Like other remakes, Resident Evil 4 will see some liberties taken to update and reimagine some elements of the story and gameplay.
The game takes place 6 years after the events in Racoon City and Leon finds himself as recruited as an agent reporting directly to the president. He is tasked to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the President of the United States.
Marvel’s Spider-Man is Heading to the PC
Both instalments of the critically acclaimed Spider-Man games: Spider-Man and Spider-Man Miles Morales are making their way to PC. The games have made a notable mark on both the PS4 and PS5. Spider-Man alone has sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
The PC versions of these games aren’t just your regular PC ports. The games are getting remastered and adapted to take full advantage of the perks that come with being on a PC. Insomniac Games is bringing a whole new level of detail when it comes to the graphics with features like ray-tracing and customisable render settings. The game will also have keyboard and mouse compatibility – HOORAY!
You’ll be able to jump into Peter Parker’s shoes once again come August 12, 2022, with the launch of Spider-Man Remastered. Spider-Man Miles Morales Remastered will be launching sometime in Fall 2022.
Stray Comes to PS4 & PS5 on July 19 via PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium
You’ll be able to become a cat as you explore the world of Stray – a brand new game coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It will also be part of the new PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscriptions come July 19, 2020.
Stray puts you in the paws of a cat as you try to find your way back home. The game throws you into a world populated by robots, machines and viruses as you control your protagonist cat. You will be exploring the vivid, colourful world as you try to find your way back to your family. As you explore, you will need to solve puzzles and even fend off enemies. You won’t be doing this alone as you have your trusty drone, B-12, that follows you everywhere and helps you interact with the world and its inhabitants.
Sci-Fi Horror makes a Comeback with Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol sees Dead Space creator, Glen Schofield, return to the sci-fi survival horror genre with his new studio, Striking Distance Studios. The game takes place in the 2320 on Jupiter’s Moon, Callisto. You play as Jacob Lee, an inmate at Black Iron Prison, who is caught fighting for survival as the a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos. You will need to fight Biophages – monstrous creatures that were once prison guards and inmates.
The game takes advantage of the PlayStation 5’s features such as 3D Audio and acoustic ray tracing to create a sense of horror and terror. Using the most advanced graphics and sound engineering to create tension and an atmosphere that will make you scream. The Callisto Protocol is set to debut on December 2, 2022, on both PS4 and PS5.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Big Update Goes Live
Together with the announcement of Horizon Call of the Moutain, Guerrilla Games also announced that Horizon Forbidden West is getting a massive, free update. The update is already available today.
The new update brings many quality of life updates as well as some that will change the way you experience the game. Two of the largest things that will be coming to the game are New Game+ and Ultra Hard Mode. These modes will allow you to replay Horizon Forbidden West in higher difficulties as well as 100% the game by unlocking achievements and hidden items you couldn’t get to initially.
In addition to this, players will also be able to customise their outfits further with the new transmog feature. The new feature allows players to cosmetically change their outfits to look like any other one that they already own. Respec will also allow players to freely reset their skill points to create a new paragon while playing. A new Herbalist vendor who sells animal parts is also part of the update.
The update also brings a revamp to Temporal Anti-aliasing that will improve the visual fidelity in Performance mode on the PS5 and rendering on the PS4 Pro.
Aside from the games we dove into here, there are also a number of other games that will be joining the PlayStation library. Of note, Tunic, an isometric action game released earlier this year, is making its debut on 27 September 2022. During the same period, you will also be able to get your hands on Season: A Letter to the Future. The game takes you on adventure of self discovery as the season comes to an end and the unknown future comes. Finally, there is also Rollerdrome, a game set in the not too distant future where a new blood sport has taken centerstage.
With all of these and more coming to PlayStation, what are you most excited for?
PlayStation’s State of Play just aired its latest edition earlier this morning. Like always, Sony presented their announcements back to back in spectacular fashion with a supercut of trailers, gameplay footage and announcements. Here’s the rundown of everything they announced for the PS VR2 in their 29-minute stream.
PlayStation’s PS VR2 is getting a whole load of new content. It starts with exclusive VR experiences from titles like Horizon and spans all the way to full games with titles like Resident Evil Village and No Man’s Sky.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain
Developed by Guerilla Games in collaboration with Firesprite, Horizon Call of the Moutain thrusts you into the shoes of Ryas, a former Shadow Carja Warrior looking for redemption. To do this, you will be investigating a new threat to the Sundom. As Ryas, you’re a master climber and archer, skills you’ll need as you take down machines like the massive Thunderjaw! You will come across old and new characters from the main Horizon game, including Aloy herself.
Together with the main game of Horizon Call of the Mountain, you’ll also be able to experience the world of Horizon in the immersive River Ride experience. Take in the sights of the world of Horizon while your friends join you on the PS VR2 and the connected display. But look out as you may encounter some uninvited guests along the way!
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapter 2: Retribution
After the success of the first entry of the Walking Dead’s PS VR game, Saints & Sinners is getting a direct sequel with Chapter 2: Retribution. You return as “The Tourist” to New Orleans in the world of the Walking Dead. While there aren’t many details on the story just yet, Skydance is promising a gripping storyline with more weapons and ways to put them zombies down once and for all. The sequel will bring new firearms like the SMG and sawed-off shotgun and even a chainsaw for all your undead needs.
Together with new weapons, you will also be facing all new enemies like the Axeman who was teased at the end of the first chapter’s Aftershocks expansion. While the main baddy is here to ruin your day and keep you on edge, you’ll also be facing even larger hordes of undead as you work to end the Axeman’s schemes and survive.
Resident Evil Village is Coming to PS VR2
While Resident Evil 4 is coming to the PS5, its most recent entry will be getting the VR treatment. Resident Evil Village will be coming to the PS VR2 when it’s released – hopefully later this year.
You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the Village as Capcom will be using everything that PS VR2 has to bring the game to life. The new PS VR2 headset brings 4K HDR displays with eye tracking and can even pair up with PS5’s 3D audio to put you in the thick of it all as you step into Ethan Winter’s shoes. You’ll be able to control everything in a natural way with the PS VR2’s Sense controllers. Feel everything in real time with PS VR2 when it launches.
No Man’s Sky is Coming to PS VR2
When it comes to games that got better with time, No Man’s Sky definitely takes the medal for it. The game which kicked off horrendously is now thriving with everything that was promised and more. The game has also successfully captured the attention of players both old and new with new campaigns with exclusive rewards. Now, it’s getting even better with a whole new experience coming to PS VR2.
Hello Games is upping the ante when it comes to space exploration with a whole new experience with the PS VR2. They are revamping everything from game menus to starship cockpits to give a more immersive experience to gamers. While this isn’t the game’s first outing on VR, Hello Games is looking to make the new experience even more immersive with the technology in the PS VR2 and its sense controllers.
That’s about it when it comes to announcements made for the PS VR and PS VR2 systems. Of course, there haven’t been any dates given for when these titles will be available but we’re expecting that Sony and the game devs have more to show before they reveal the exact dates. Keep in mind, that while the PS VR2 has been announced and will tentatively launch in 2022, there hasn’t been an official date as of yet. So, we will wait with bated breath for its release.
When HUAWEI and its sister brand started in the world of Windows PCs, we were quite curious. The dawn of smartphones and tablet devices were regarded by many experts as the beginning to the decline of bulky PCs. If you think about it as well, today we rely more on our smartphones than modern PCs.
The reality today is a large contrast to what the experts thought would happen many years ago. Smartphones thrived, which is largely in line with what was being said at the time. Oddly enough, Windows PC and Macs thrived too, there is even the Chromebooks now. All of which also points to the fact that PCs still have their place in the world today. In most cases, you tend to use both devices for differing functions. That is why Xiaomi also came up with the RedmiBook 15.
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
The RedmiBook 15, to be fair, looks like any other thin and light notebook that came out from any China manufacturers like HONOR and HUAWEI. They all have that same svelte and clean design with minimal branding. You can probably only see the branding on the cover of the laptop and the bottom of the display. Even the cover shell branding is rather subtle on the RedmiBook 15.
As its name suggests, it is a 15-incher notebook. Specifically, you get a 15.6-inch display that boasts up to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels in resolution. It is an anti-glare display with flicker-free technology to protect your eyes. Of course, sitting atop the display is a 720p webcam, nothing too special or surprising there.
The Microsoft Windows 11 machine is powered by Intel’s 11th Generation Core processors. There is no Core i7 model here though, you only get up to a Core i5. We presume that it is because they might want to keep costs low. Storage wise, you get up to 512GB in SSD storage paired with up to 8GB of DDR4 RAM. Graphics is handled by Intel’s UHD Graphics. All of these are kept running for up to 10 hours at a time with a 46Whr internal battery.
Yes, to be fair, there is nothing much to shout about here. Intel’s 12th Generation Core processors are gracing the field now. The UHD Graphics are also a little outdated at this point with Intel’s Iris Xe graphics going on every thin and light you can find in 2022. There is a reason why you might want to get your hands on one of these though, its cost.
Price and Availability
The Intel Core i3 variant of the Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 starts at MYR 2,399 which is not a lot of money to begin with for a Windows 11 machine. If you want to go for the more powerful Core i5 variant, it will set you back MYR 2,799. The Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 will be available 6th June, 2022 onward in all authorised Xiaomi stores nationwide (Malaysia) and on Xiaomi’s official online stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Whenever you go about choosing a camera system to buy for yourself. You are always stuck in a dilemma of some sorts. You must choose between the full frame format or the APS-C cropped sensor format. Generally, cropped sensor cameras are way cheaper because the sensor is smaller (hence, cropped sensor), and therefore the materials required to cocoon the sensors are less. There are differences and compromises for both APS-C sensors and full frame sensors, obviously, but we are not going to get into that for today.
There is plenty of reason why you want to go for an APS-C sensor other than its cost. Because they tend to be smaller and more compact, they are more versatile in different conditions. Even their lenses can be made smaller and more compact because APS-C sensors technically capture less light than full frame sensors. Thanks to that, APS-C specific lenses are cheaper to make and purchase as well. Of course, if you are into film making, the APS-C sensor size is perfect for Super 35mm film format.
There is a problem, however. Because everyone is so focused on bringing in more lenses for the full frame format option, the APS-C cameras get a little less attention. Sure, you can technically use full frame lenses with APS-C cameras, but they tend to get a little expensive. Sony has not forgotten that they offer a variety of APS-C mirrorless cameras too, thankfully. They have just announced three APS-C lenses that videographers and landscape photographers can enjoy.
E PZ 10-20mm F4 G
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Yes, it is a G Lens. How do you tell? There is a ‘G’ behind the name, obviously.
It is a very short lens though at 10mm-20mm. For photographers, this is quite perfect for wide-angle photography. It allows you to capture more in an environment than regular lenses, perfect for landscape photography. Sure, you can capture portraits too, you do have to move rather close to the subject though. That said, a good selfie never hurts anyone.
At 35mm, the lens becomes a sort of 15-30mm lens, which is still rather short and wide. For video work, this is the perfect lens when space is a constraint, and you need to move rather close to your subjects. It is also a perfect vlogger camera in a lot of sense. The short focal distance allows you to use the camera at an arm’s length and you still get to capture the large canvas behind you.
It is also the lightest lens of its kind in its class. It weighs just 178 grams, 20% lighter than the SEL1018 lens it replaced. Thanks to internal zoom and focus mechanisms, there should not be any focus breathing while the camera changes its focus too.
E 15mm F1.4 G
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The F4 offered by the 10-20mm zoom lens may not offer very deep ‘bokeh’ for your photos and videos. For that, you need a fast lens with large aperture. You need a 15mm F1.4 G lens.
Wide lenses are known to have some distortions on the outer edges of the images they capture. Sony’s know how in lens making though effectively compensates the distortion. At the same time, the three aspherical elements in their optics also allow the corners to be captured in detail reducing blurs and resolution loss at the corners.
Of course, F1.4 aperture allows photos to be taken with beautiful ‘bokeh’ in the background, especially in low-light photography or film making. With a focusing distance at just 170mm away from the subject, your ‘bokeh’ can really shine.
For video work, it is important that the focal length does not change even when the camera is focus hunting. Like the zoom lens, the internal focus mechanism allows the 15mm lens to focus hunt while eliminating focus breathing effects.
It is a heavier prime lens over the zoom 10-20mm. It weighs in at 219g, which is still technically not a lot of weight. It is still perfect for vlogging if you just want one focal length and be done with it. It is also wide enough for you to capture most of what you see in the background as well, so your vlogs get a little more flavour from the background.
E 11mm F1.8
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
If 15mm is not wide enough for you though, you can get your hands on an 11mm lens instead. It features all the same construction feature as the 15mm, which also means you get less focus breathing. The same aspherical elements also eliminate distortion and improve resolution in the corners of the photos taken with the 11mm lens.
At 35mm, you are shooting at 16.5mm focal length, which is still quite a perfect distance as a vlogging lens. At the same time, it is the perfect lens when space is an even bigger constraint in shoot locations. It is lighter than the 15mm as well at 181g, perfect for a quick ‘run-and-gun’ shoot condition.
While the aperture is not as large as the 15mm lens at F1.8, it is still quite a significant opening. The large opening allows the lens to capture plenty of light in low-light conditions and still produce beautiful looking ‘bokeh’. You can go even closer to your subject too at a minimal focus distance of 120mm.
Price and Availability
The three lenses that Sony has just announced are now available in Malaysia via Sony’s authorised retailers and concept stores nationwide. The E PZ 10-20mm F4 G will set you back MYR 3,299, the E 15mm F1.4 G will set you back MYR 3,299, while the E 11mm F1.8 will set you back MYR 2,399). More information on the new Sony lenses can be found on their website.
