Samsung recently gave us a closer look at the massive 55-inch Odyssey Ark curved gaming monitor!
Samsung Odyssey Ark Gaming Monitor : A Quick Look!
The Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor is truly a gamer’s dream come true – a massive 55-inch display with a 1000R curvature, and a 165 Hz refresh rate!
It is now just a large gaming display, it’s chockfull of gaming-specific features like:
4K display resolution, with 1 million to 1 contrast ratio, and HDR 10+ support
Up to 165 Hz refresh rate, with 1 ms (GTG) response time
Variable refresh rate support with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Quantum Mini-LED panel for next-generation colour depth and picture quality
sAGAR (Super Anti-Glare, Anti-Reflection) film reduces glare
Neural Quantum Processor Ultra automatically analyses each frame to improve image quality
Dolby Atmos with Sound Dome technology for immersive surround sound
Four corner speakers with two central woofers for a 60 watt 2.2.2 channel audio
It also comes with an exclusive Ark Dial that lets you quickly adjust screen size and ratio, to enjoy multiple content sources at the same time!
Even though it’s so large, the Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor can be rotated clockwise to Cockpit Mode. It is not motorised but it’s not difficult to rotate the monitor.
In both vertical and horizontal orientations, its Multi View capability lets you take full advantage of its massive display by splitting it into sections.
You can add up to four screens in the standard landscape mode, and three screens in the vertical Cockpit Mode, allowing you to easily multitask. You can simultaneously game, while chatting on social media, or watching YouTube videos, all on the same display!
The 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor (LS55BG970NEXXS) is available with immediate effect, at these price points:
United States : $2,999
United Kingdom : £2,599
Malaysia : RM13,999
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Did a man using Bluetooth earphones get electrocuted by the high tension power cable of an electric train?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : Man Using Bluetooth Got Electrocuted Near Electric Train!
A video showing a man getting electrocuted and falling onto train tracks has gone viral, together with a message that claims that it happened because he was using Bluetooth earphones too close to the train tracks!
As the Bluetooth was activated on the mobile phone, the current came from the high tension cable of the track and reached the brain through the ear phones
And what happened next? See it yourself
Avoid using Bluetooth on the railway platform while travelling and standing “close to the train track” on the platform. 16/12/22
Truth : Man Near Electric Train Was Not Electrocuted Using Bluetooth!
This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Incident Happened On 7 December 2022
First, let me just confirm that the video is genuine, and was recorded by a CCTV camera at the Kharagpur railway station in West Bengal, India, on 7 December 2022.
It did not happen on 16 December 2022, as the fake viral message claimed.
Fact #2 : Man Was A Train Ticket Inspector
The man was not a train passenger wearing Bluetooth earphones. He was a ticket inspector – a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) to be precise.
There was no mention of the ticket inspector wearing headphones or earphones of any kind in the incident report. As he was working on the job, he would not have been wearing any earphones, much less Bluetooth earphones.
Fact #3 : He Was Hit By A Falling Live Wire
While the ticket inspector was speaking to another person, an electrical cable that was in contact with the Overhead Equipment (OHE) live cable fell on him.
He was electrocuted by that loose cable, with sparks coming off his shoes and head. The ticket inspector fell backwards onto the rail tracks as the other person ran away in fright.
Fortunately, there were no passing trains, and after a few seconds, onlookers (who were probably stunned) came to help him. Miraculously, the man was taken to the hospital, and survived with only burn injuries!
If you look carefully at the video, you can see the cable when it sparks up on touching the ticket inspector’s head.
Fact #4 : Railway Official Confirmed Live Wire As The Cause
Chennai railway official, Ananth Rupanagudi, confirmed the incident, and explained that it was a freak accident that occurred because a long piece of cable fell on the man’s head.
A freak accident – a long piece of loose cable, taken by a bird somehow came in contact with the OHE wire and the other end came down and touched a TTE’s head. He suffered burn injuries but is out of danger and under treatment – at Kharagpur station yesterday afternoon! #Accident
He also revealed that the cable was very long – about 6 to 8 metres in length, and it was touching the OHE live cable on the other end.
Fact #5 : Incident Had Nothing To Do With Location / Bluetooth
To be clear, this incident had nothing to do with the man “standing close to the train track”. It also had nothing to do with using Bluetooth earphones.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology. It is simply not possible for anyone using Bluetooth devices to get electrocuted by nearby power cables, even if they are exposed.
Now that you know the truth, please help to SHARE this fact check article so other people won’t be fooled by this fake news!
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Did MySJ Trace stop working, even with Bluetooth enabled?
Find out what’s going on, and the solution to this problem!
MySJ Trace Won’t Work, Even With Bluetooth On!
Recently, you may have noticed that MySJ Trace stopped working, even with Bluetooth enabled!
You will be asked to setup MySJ Trace again, but clicking on the Allow button does nothing, and Bluetooth is listed as turned off, even when it is actually enabled.
Why MySJ Trace Won’t Work With Bluetooth On
Some people assumed / claimed that it was a bug in the new MySejahtera version that allowed 5-11 year-old children to be registered for COVID-19 vaccination.
That’s not really the case. It is really because you recently updated your smartphone to Android 12. For example, many Samsung users recently received the upgrade to One UI 4, which is based on Android 12.
Google has been introducing new privacy features in every iteration of Android, limiting the amount of data apps have access to.
In earlier versions of Android, the ability to scan for nearby Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices was tied to the Location permission. That’s why the Android version of MySejahtera requires Location permission, while the iOS version does not.
This led to (false) accusations that contact tracing apps like MySejahtera were tracking people’s movements.
To fix that problem for good, Google added two new Bluetooth permissions to Android 12 – BLUETOOTH_SCAN and BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, that are separate from the Location permission.
These two new Bluetooth permissions allow your smartphone to detect Nearby devices without the need to enable Location.
Unfortunately, this Nearby devices permission is disabled by default, so when you upgrade to Android 12, MySejahtera automatically loses the ability to check for nearby devices.
How To Get MySJ Trace Working Again In Android 12
Here is what you need to do to get MySJ Trace working again with Android 12 devices:
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Nearby devices option under the list of Not allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on the Allow option.
If you have already setup MySJ Trace earlier, it will now work without further action.
I hope you found this guide useful. Please SHARE it with your family and friends!
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Here is our UPDATED video + pictorial guide on how to ENABLE and DISABLE MySJ Trace in MySejahtera!
Updated @ 2022-01-24 : Added a solution for MySJ Trace not working on Android 12 devices.
Updated @ 2022-01-06 : Added two solutions for people who cannot enable MySJ Trace.
Updated @ 2022-01-02 : Added a new method on disabling MySJ Trace, and a new video guide.
Updated @ 2021-12-30 : Added two methods on disabling MySJ Trace, and a new video guide.
Originally posted @ 2021-12-29
Why Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
MySJ Trace is a new MySejahtera feature, which allows for more accurate contact tracing, and removes the need to manually check out from locations.
Once enabled, your phone will use Bluetooth to communicate with other phones that have MySJ Trace enabled, to determine the distance and length of contact. This eliminates the need to manually check-out.
The proximity data it collects allows Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) to accurately determine if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
Obviously, this feature only works if everyone has MySJ Trace enabled, so please enable it!
Others are worried about the battery life that the persistent Bluetooth connection will consume. As it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, the power consumption is very low.
Even so, the battery consumption is a valid concern for some users, especially those who are using smartphones with very small or ageing batteries.
However, I highly recommend you try MySJ Trace before turning it off and on like that. From my personal experience, it really uses very little power.
How To Enable + Disable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera!
I created this video to show you how to enable and disable MySJ Trace in MySejahtera.
Note : This is the extended version, which includes the method to permanently disable MySJ Trace.
For those who prefer a step-by-step guide with pictures, please skip to the next section.
How To Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
MySJ Trace is (currently) NOT mandatory and is an opt-in feature, so you actually have to manually enable it, if you want to participate.
Step 1 : Update to the MySejahtera version that has MySJ Trace.
Step 2 : Open MySejahtera, and you will see a black MySJ Trace section in the default Check-in screen.
Step 3 : Tap on Setup MySJ Trace to begin the setup process.
Step 4 : Tap on the Start button in the initial explainer screen.
Step 5 : Tap the I agree button to consent to give your “interaction information” for the past 14 days to the Malaysia Ministry of Health for “contact tracing purposes”.
Step 6 : In the App Permissions screen, tap on the Allow button.
Step 7 : First, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to access your smartphone’s location. Tap on While using the app.
Step 8 : Next, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to detect your location all the time. Tap on Allow all the time.
Step 9 : Now, you will be asked to enable Bluetooth, if it is not already enabled.
Step 10 : Once all necessary permissions have been enabled, just tap on the Close button.
That’s it! You have now activated MySJ Trace in MySejahtera.
What If You Can’t Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
Quite a few people have reported to us that tapping on the Allow button doesn’t do anything (Step 6). Here are some solutions…
iOS Devices : Manually Turn On Bluetooth
In your iOS device, there are two ways to turn on Bluetooth :
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and tap on the toggle to turn it on
Pull down the Notification Center, and tap on the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
After turning on Bluetooth manually, set up MySJ Trace again from Step 3. It should now work.
Android Devices : Manually Turn On Bluetooth + Location
In your Android device, there are two ways to turn on Bluetooth :
Go to Settings > Connections, and tap on the Bluetooth toggle to turn it on
Pull down the notification tray, and tap on the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
After turning on Bluetooth manually, you should also manually enable Location permission :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Location option under the list of Allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on Allow All the time.
After this, set up MySJ Trace again from Step 3. It should now work.
Android 12 Devices : Enable Nearby Devices
MySJ Trace may stop working once your device is upgraded to Android 12.
Here is what you need to do to get MySJ Trace working again with Android 12 devices:
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Nearby devices option under the list of Not allowed permissions.
MySejahtera does not offer any option to turn off MySJ Trace once you set it up, but if you prefer to turn off MySJ Trace to “protect your privacy“, or to save a little power, there is an easy way to do it.
All you have to do is disable Bluetooth connectivity, and MySJ Trace is immediately disabled. That’s because MySJ Trace relies on Bluetooth to determine your proximity to other users.
You can do that by pulling down the notification tray in your smartphone, and tapping on the active Bluetooth icon to disable it. Alternatively, you can disable it in your device settings.
Once disabled, the MySJ Trace section in the MySejahtera check-in screen will now ask you to setup again. But there is no need to set it up again.
Whenever you want to re-enable MySJ Trace, all you have to do is re-enable Bluetooth, and MySJ Trace will immediately start working again. Essentially, your smartphone’s Bluetooth connectivity now acts as a toggle for MySJ Trace.
Permanently Disable MySJ Trace
For those who want to permanently disable MySJ Trace, without disabling Bluetooth, reinstalling MySejahtera works for both Android and iOS devices. This is the only known solution for iOS devices.
Android devices, on the other hand, have two alternatives – disabling location permission, or clearing app data.
Option A : Disable Location Permission
Here are the steps to disable Location Permission for MySejahtera in your Android device :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Location option under the list of Allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on Allow only while using the app or Deny.
That’s it! Once you go out, MySJ Trace will be permanently disabled in MySejahtera.
Credit : I would like to thank Kyle Hudsons for pointing this out to us.
Option B : Clear MySejahtera App Data
Here are the steps to clear the MySejahtera app data in your Android device :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Storage.
Step 2 : Tap on Clear data. You will be warned that this will remove your MySejahtera account information and database.
Please be warned that if you proceed, your MySejahtera account information will be cleared, together with your past contact history.
Your COVID-19 vaccination history and certificate are stored in the cloud and remain safe, but you will need to log into your MySejahtera account again.
So please do NOT proceed unless you remember your MySJ ID and password!
Step 3 : If you are sure, tap on the OK option to clear the MySejahtera data.
Step 4 : Launch MySejahtera, and log into MySejahtera using your MySJ ID (either your mobile number or email address), and your password.
After you log in, you will see that MySJ Trace has been disabled. You will need to setup MySJ Trace (again) to enable it.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Ever since the MySejahtera team launched the MySJ Trace feature, many questions were raised by people over its security, privacy, and usability.
So with help from Dr. Mahesh Appannan, the Head of Data at the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) of the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM), here are the answers to some of your frequently asked questions about MySJ Trace!
These answers supplement the original frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the MySJ Trace feature, which you can read in the next section.
Question #1 : Why Does MySJ Lists Interactions Even At Home?
The interactions refers to Bluetooth devices (with MySJ Trace enabled) that your MySejahtera app detected.
MySJ Trace can detect Bluetooth signals from as far as 10 metres away, but can be reduced by barriers (walls, your body, other electronics, etc.)
It will not only detect the smartphones of your family members (with MySJ Trace enabled), but also your neighbours, who can be in the floor above, below, or next to your home.
There is nothing to worry about these “interactions”. It just means you came within 10 metres of people who have MySJ Trace enabled.
Question #2 : Does Interactions Mean Casual / Close Contacts?
No, not all interactions are flagged as casual / close contacts, if you become COVID-19 positive.
The algorithm takes into account the signal strength (RSSI – Received Signal Strength Indicator) that your phone detects, and your exposure time.
The parameters used to classify casual or close contacts are refined over time for maximum accuracy. For example, if the Omicron variant becomes widespread, the exposure time will be shortened, and the distance extended, for someone to be considered a casual / close contact.
Question #3 : Why Do People In The Same Family Have Different Number Of Interactions?
Even if your family goes out together, you may all have different number of interactions, because it depends on a variety of facts :
your individual proximity to other people,
anything that blocks Bluetooth signals – their bodies, other electronics, electronic keys, etc.
whether you are holding the phone, or it is in your pocket, etc.
Question #4 : Does MySJ Trace Transmit My Data With Each Interaction?
No. There is no handshake or exchange of information with each interaction.
MySJ Trace detects the Bluetooth signal of other phones, and logs when that “interaction” occurred, and the signal strength.
It’s like listening to the radio – the broadcaster does not receive anything in return.
Question #5 : Does MySJ Trace Transmit My Data?
No. MySJ Trace stores all of the recorded data in your phone, and does not automatically upload it.
Only if you are COVID-19 positive, are you asked to upload your contact history for the last 14 days, so that people who were your close contact can be notified.
MySJ Trace requires your explicit consent to transmit your data to the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM).
Question #6 : How Long Does MySJ Trace Store Data?
MySJ Trace only stores data for the last 14 days, on a First-In, First-Out basis.
All data older than the most recent 14 days are automatically purged.
Question #7 : Why Do You Still Need To Check In Using QR Code?
First – not everyone is using MySJ Trace, so there still needs to be an alternative contact tracing method.
The QR code check-in function also gives KKM data to undertake faster contact tracing, especially involving a major cluster.
Question #8 : What’s The Difference Between MySJ Trace And QR Code Check-In?
MySJ Trace allows for automatic contact tracing, while QR code check-in gives KKM critical data. In addition :
MySJ Trace algorithm is based on time and distance (Bluetooth signal strength), while
Check-In algorithm is based only on time
Question #9 : Does MySJ Trace Use A Lot Of Battery Power?
MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which consumes significantly lower power than standard Bluetooth wireless communications. The impact on battery life is minimal.
Question #10 : Why Does MySJ Trace Not Use Exposure Notification By Google / Apple?
By Google and Apple standards, an Exposure Notification (EN) app must maintain user anonymity, and record proximity data anonymously. It cannot contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
The MySejahtera app necessarily contains your identity, vaccination status and certificates, and so on. Therefore, it cannot comply with Google and Apple’s requirements for an Exposure Notification app.
MySJ Trace : Official Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the official answers to the MySJ Trace frequently-asked questions (FAQ):
1. What is MySJ Trace?
MySJ Trace is a contact tracing application developed by the Government of Malaysia.
It adopts a community-driven approach where participating devices exchange proximity information whenever an app detects another device with MySJ Trace app installed.
This application allows the identification of people who were in close proximity to COVID-19 infected individual
2. What is the difference between MySJ Trace and MySejahtera?
MySejahtera & MySJ Trace are used by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
MySejahtera allows users to perform quick health-self assessment and for the Ministry of Health (MOH) to monitor users’ health condition and take immediate actions in providing treatments.
Meanwhile, MySJ Trace further complements MySejahtera by detecting and tracing the individuals who are in close contact with the COVID-19 positive patients.
MySJ Trace was developed through a strategic cooperation between government agencies of Malaysia :
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
Ministry of Health (KKM)
Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU)
Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS)
4. Who are the users of MySJ Trace?
All Malaysian citizens and residents of Malaysia.
5. Where can I download MySJ Trace?
Users only need to update the MySejahtera application to the latest version.
6. How does MySJ Trace function?
MySJ Trace enables participating devices to exchange proximity information whenever the app detects another device with the same app installed. Data collected will be stored and processed only by the MOH officers.
When a user is identified to be COVID-19 positive, the user will initiate a process to upload the data from the user’s smartphone to a secured database managed by the MOH.
7. What is contact tracing?
Contact tracing is an identification process of individuals who may have come into close contact with an infected COVID-19 patient.
It enables the MOH to further trace and contact the individuals and organize a follow-up action.
8. If I have been identified as a close contact, how will I be contacted?
The user will receive an SMS, and a notification in the MySejahtera app.
9. What data are collected by MySJ Trace?
Only these data are collected :
Unique User ID (UUID) that is created by the MySejahtera app.
Operating system version (Android or iOS)
Time of contact
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
10. Are my personal information that is stored in the app safe?
MySejahtera and MySJ Trace are owned and operated entirely by the Malaysian government. The government guarantees that all information collected and used in the app comply with the information security standards of the government of Malaysia.
11. Does MySJ Trace require Internet connectivity after activation?
Yes, Internet connectivity is required when you first update the MySejahtera app, and during the data uploading process.
12. What devices support MySJ Trace?
MySJ Trace is supported by smartphones that use the Android or iOS operating systems :
Android : Version 8.0 and above – Non-sleep mode must be set, so MySJ Trace will remain active in both foreground and background modes.
iOS : Version 10 and above
– The phone must be active at all times while the app needs to be in the foreground mode.
13. Must Bluetooth be activated at all times?
Yes, Bluetooth must be activated at all times for MySJ Trace to work properly.
14. Will Bluetooth usage cause high battery usage?
Unlike using Bluetooth to stream music or to a wireless headphone continuously, MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth to only transmit its presence periodically. As such, it uses significantly less power.
15. Will the app use significant battery power if MySJ Trace is left running all the time?
MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to minimise battery usage. Therefore, the app does not use significant amounts of battery power to collect persistent contact tracing information.
16. Will MySJ Trace Bluetooth usage affect my other Bluetooth accessories?
MySJ Trace does not affect the use or performance of other Bluetooth accessories like wireless speakers, wireless earphones or headphones, or smartwatches.
17. Why must I allow location permission for the Android version?
Android requires location permission to be granted for any app to access Bluetooth features. However, geolocation data will not be collected.
For iOS, only the Bluetooth function needs to be enabled.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Should you enable the new MySJ Trace feature in MySejahtera, or should you disable it?
Let’s take a look at people’s deepest fears about MySJ Trace, and find out what the facts really are!
MySJ Trace : Should You Enable Or Disable?
MySejahtera just introduced a new MySJ Trace feature, which uses Bluetooth technology to track your close contacts.
The proximity data it collects allows Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) to accurately determine if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
KKM has been strongly urging people to turn it on, but many people are offering conflicting advice on whether to enable or disable it.
Let’s take at what people are saying, and find out what the facts really are!
Should You Enable MySJ Trace?
There are several good reasons to enable MySJ in MySejahtera :
MySJ Trace allows for more accurate contact tracing. If you test positive for COVID-19, the data it collects lets KKM accurately identify your close contacts, and inform them.
MySJ Trace automatically tracks your close contacts. All you have to do is turn it on, and forget about it.
MySJ Trace removes the need to manually check out from locations, which was tedious and easy to forget.
Those who use MySJ Trace will avoid being wrongly identified as casual or close contacts, due to the inaccuracy of using check-in and check-out times.
MySJ Trace gets more accurate and more useful, when more people use it. So KKM is strongly encouraging everyone to use it.
Plus, when enough people start using it, we will all enjoy an additional benefit :
When enough people use MySJ Trace, we will no longer need to check-in at every location!
MySJ Trace also does not transmit data, unless we consent. In fact, we are only asked to transmit MySJ Trace data if we test positive for COVID-19.
Claim #2 : MySJ Trace Not Useful Because No One Is Using It Verdict : False
Some people are discouraging people from using MySJ Trace because “not many people are using it yet“.
Switching to MySJ Trace immediately helps you by removing the need to check-out of locations. Isn’t that useful?
For healthcare professionals who need to quickly and accurately trace close contacts of infected individuals, MySJ Trace works better when more people use it, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely useless when few people use it.
Claim #3 : Old Check-In, Check-Out System Is More Accurate
Verdict : False
Some people claim that the old method of checking in and out of locations is more accurate than MySJ Trace.
That may be true in the early days, when very few people are using it, but that is no longe true once many of your close contacts are using it.
MySJ Trace not only automatically determines who comes into close contact with you, it also logs how long they are in close contact, and their proximity (distance) to you.
The manual check-in and check-out system is unable to determine time of contact, and distance of contact; and can easily lead to false positives – people wrongly identified as casual or close contacts.
Claim #4 : MySJ Trace Uses A Lot Of Battery Life
Verdict : False
This is a real concern for many people as MySJ Trace requires Bluetooth to be turned on all the time. However, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology, which uses very little power.
I had earlier tested MySJ Trace on an old Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone, and did not notice any noticeable drain on its battery life.
For people who have strong concerns over this aspect, it is possible to temporarily turn off MySJ Trace while you are at home, and only turn it on when you go out.
Claim #5 : Bluetooth Increases Risk Of Hacking
Verdict : Misleading
It is possible for criminals to hack your smartphone using Bluetooth, and it is good cybersecurity practice to turn off wireless connections that you are not using.
However, it is far more difficult to hack you through your Bluetooth connection, than your Wi-Fi connection.
After all, Bluetooth only has a range of 10 metres! The hacker will have to remain in close proximity to hack you.
Claim #6 : Hackers Can Grab Our Personal Information Verdict : False
Some people are claiming that hackers can hack into MySJ Trace and use it to trawl for personal information of people nearby.
That’s nonsense, because MySJ Trace will only record the following information :
Unique User ID (UUID) that is created by the MySejahtera app.
Operating system version (Android or iOS)
Time of contact
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
There is no personal information that would be useful to hackers, even if they grab these information.
The UUID, for example, is useless as an identification number without access to the KKM database of MySejahtera users and their personal information.
Claim #7 : MySJ Trace Continuously Uses Internet Data Verdict : False
Some people are falsely claiming that MySJ Trace continuously uses Internet data, which is extremely limited for some users.
That’s not true. MySJ Trace does not require Internet connectivity, except :
when you first download and install MySejahtera,
whenever you update MySejahtera
when you consent to upload your MySJ Trace data to KKM
Since those are all optional, you can do it when you have access to a Wi-Fi network. You can use MySJ Trace without mobile Internet.
I hope that clarifies the reasons why you should enable or disable MySJ Trace. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask us.
Meanwhile, I hope you can share this article with your family and friends, and encourage them to turn on MySJ Trace.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
People are claiming that the government can use it to track your movements 24/7. Here is one example :
so the govt can trace our exact location at any given moment. great.
Though I guess there is probably several other apps or with the telcos help that they can already do exactly that.
Although surprisingly the police have been totally unable to locate the ex husband of Indira Gandhi or her children that the ex husband abducted, despite the court ordering the police to do so.
That’s really a typical response to any new MySejahtera feature – the government is introducing it to snoop on us. Our privacy is gone! They will know where we are!
Truth :No One Can Use MySJ Trace To Track You 24/7
The truth is – this is yet another example of FAKE NEWS being shared on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why it’s not possible for anyone to use it to track you 24/7…
Fact #1 : MySJ Trace Only Tracks Your Proximity
MySJ Trace does not actually detect your location, which is why you still need to check into locations manually.
It only detects and logs the Bluetooth signals of nearby smartphones with MySJ Trace enabled, to determine how close they are and how long they remain in proximity.
MySJ Trace also broadcasts itself to nearby devices, so that they can log its presence, distance and length of contact.
Fact #2 : MySJ Trace Does Not Collect Location Data
MySJ Trace does not collect geolocation data, only these data:
Unique User ID (UUID) that is created by the MySejahtera app.
Frankly, most of us are not that interesting to the government. They are not interested in where you live or travel to, what you eat or buy, or even who you are sleeping with.
All that data is interesting and useful to corporations, but not the Malaysian government. Please remember – you are living in Malaysia, not China or North Korea.
Why would the government want to know where you are, or where you have gone, or who you have met?
Fact #7 : There Are Easier Ways To Find You…
Finally, the “fear” of the government using MySJ Trace to track where you are at all times is frankly, ludicrous because there are far easier ways to do it.
The truth is – our geolocation data is readily available to your mobile service provider, as well as cloud and social media service providers (Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.)
If the government really wants to know where you are, they can simply get a court order to force your mobile service provider to tell them where you are right now.
They don’t have to rely on an opt-in feature in the MySejahtera app, and wait until you submit your own proximity data…
Now that you know the facts, please TURN ON MySJ Trace, to improve contact tracing!
And please SHARE this fact check with your family and friends!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Keep MySJ Trace disabled, and forget about the Check-Out function.
MySJ Trace is currently optional, and you can continue to use MySejahtera to check into locations, without using MySJ Trace. You just cannot check out anymore.
If you opt to keep MySJ Trace disabled, please note that you run the risk of being wrongly identified as a Casual Contact or a Close Contact. To avoid that, I strongly advise you to enable MySJ Trace.
Don’t worry about power consumption – it uses Bluetooth Low Energy, and uses very little power.
Don’t worry about the government tracking you – your proximity data is only submitted with your consent.
What Went Wrong With MySejahtera Check-Out Function
MySejahtera introduced a Check-Out function in September 2021, allowing you to check-out from locations to improve contact tracing.
Using this Check-Out function lets contact tracers eliminate you as a casual or close contact, by determining when you left a certain location where a COVID-19 positive person was present.
However, it was a tedious manual process, because checking in and out of locations do not happen in a linear fashion. So many people ended up not checking out sometimes, or not at all.
This led some people to be wrongly identified as a Casual Contact, or even a Close Contact, of a COVID-19 positive person.
To avoid that problem, and to improve contact tracing, we need a better solution. And that solution is MySJ Trace, which uses Bluetooth technology to determine your close contacts, how close they were and how long you were in close contact.
So please enable MySJ Trace, and keep it running, at least while you are out in public. It will accurately monitor and record your close contacts, so you can help KKM trace them if you get infected with COVID-19.
It will also prevent you from being misidentified as a casual or close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
The new MySejahtera with support for MySJ Trace is now available for all Android and iOS devices!
Here is what you need to know!
MySJ Trace : A New MySejahtera Feature!
MySJ Trace is a new MySejahtera feature, which allows for more accurate contact tracing using Bluetooth technology. It also removes the need to manually check out from the locations you checked in earlier.
Once enabled, your phone will automatically communicate with other phones that have MySJ Trace enabled as well, to determine the distance and length of contact. This eliminates the need to manually check-out.
This allows Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) to more accurately determine if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
Obviously, this feature only works if everyone has MySJ Trace enabled, so its effectiveness will depend greatly on how many people activate it.
MySJ Trace is (currently) NOT mandatory and is an opt-in feature, so you actually have to manually enable it, if you want to participate.
Step 1 : Update to the MySejahtera version that has MySJ Trace.
Step 2 : Open MySejahtera, and you will see a black MySJ Trace section in the default Check-in screen.
Step 3 : Tap on Setup MySJ Trace to begin the setup process.
Step 4 : Tap on the Start button in the initial explainer screen.
Step 5 : Tap the I agree button to consent to give your “interaction information” for the past 14 days to the Malaysia Ministry of Health for “contact tracing purposes”.
Step 6 : In the App Permissions screen, tap on the Allow button.
Step 7 : First, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to access your smartphone’s location. Tap on While using the app.
Step 8 : Next, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to detect your location all the time. Tap on Allow all the time.
Step 9 : Now, you will be asked to enable Bluetooth, if it is not already enabled.
Step 10 : Once all necessary permissions have been enabled, just tap on the Close button.
That’s it! You have now activated MySJ Trace in MySejahtera.
If at any time you do not wish to temporarily deactivate it, you can simply disable Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth back on again when you need it.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
The Galaxy Buds 2 is the latest AKG-tuned TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation from Samsung!
Find out just how good it really is, and why it offers such great bang for your buck!
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 : What’s In The Box?
First, let’s take a quick look at what’s inside the box.
Samsung kindly provided us with a better unboxing video than we could have done ourselves.
Inside, you will find the following items :
A pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 storage + charging case
Guide Start Guide
USB-A to USB-C charging cable
Extra ear tips (small and large)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 : Key Features
The Galaxy Buds 2 is the latest AKG-tuned TWS earbuds from Samsung, and the lightest pair they ever made.
Despite its name, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is not really a second-generation Buds, but a more affordable version of the ultra-premium Galaxy Buds Pro.
Comfort
These are really the lightest and smallest earbuds I ever tried. Each earbud weighs just 5 grams, and if you fit them right – you can hardly feel them.
They come with three sets of ear tips – small, medium and large, allowing you to fit them snugly.
But please note that the Galaxy Buds 2 are not IPX7 water-resistant like the Buds Pro. These earbuds are only IPX2 sweat-resistant, so you should avoid wearing them in the rain.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 has two microphones to constantly monitor ambient noise, 98% of which Samsung says will be cancelled by its Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Its noise cancelling performance is good, delivering much clearer audio while driving (haven’t been flying lately!) and in noisier surroundings. However, don’t expect the same level of noise cancellation as premium over-ear ANC headphones like Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45.
If you need to listen to someone speak, it has an Ambient mode (with 3 levels) that temporarily disable ANC and lets you listen to the outside world.
And when you take out one ear bud, the Buds 2 cleverly switches to Ambient mode so you don’t get disorientated, and switches back to ANC when you put the ear bud back on.
Audio Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 has decidedly better audio quality than the original Galaxy Buds, but I suspect audiophiles will say that it lacks the refinement and richness of more premium earbuds like the Buds Pro or Sony’s WF-1000MX4.
That would not be a fair comparison, and it doesn’t really matter unless you are comparing them side-by-side. The Buds 2 sounds great, and you can further adjust it to suit your proclivities using its equaliser setting.
Instead of worrying about how it compares against its far more expensive competitors, it’s best to learn how to get the best fit possible for the best sound and active noise cancelling.
Connectivity
The Galaxy Buds 2 connects wirelessly to your devices using Bluetooth 5.2, with support for AAC, SBC and Samsung’s proprietary Scalable codecs, but not aptX.
The earbuds support automatic switching between Samsung Galaxy devices, but does not offer true Bluetooth multipoint connectivity – switching from your phone to your computer, for example.
Battery Life
There is a downside of the reduced weight though – a battery life of 5 hours with ANC enabled, and up to 7.5 hours with ANC disabled.
That may seem a little short for some, but it’s really not so bad because the ear buds support quick charging – popping them into the charging case for 5 minutes gets you another hour of use.
The charging case, incidentally, has enough juice for three full charges. That’s 20 hours of battery life in your pocket.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 : Our Verdict
The Galaxy Buds 2 is the cheapest and lightest pair of TWS earbuds from Samsung, and it boasts many of the best features from the far more expensive Galaxy Buds Pro.
Unless you have plenty of cash to splash, the decision is simple – just get the Galaxy Buds 2 and enjoy it!
Battery life is shorter and it’s not water-resistant, but the Buds 2 has a better fit and is both lighter in weight and on your wallet!
For those reasons, I think it deserves no less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Frankly speaking, the Buds2 will kill a lot of budget TWS earbuds. Why settle for less when you can get an affordable pair of AKG-tuned ultra-light earbuds from Samsung?
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 : Where To Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is priced at RM499 / S$248 / US$149.99 / £139 / A$219.
Here are some online purchase options (prices accurate as of 28 October 2021) :
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
vivo just introduced the TWS 2 ANC and TWS 2e true wireless stereo earbuds that offer studio quality audio!
Find out if the new TWS earbuds are what you have been looking for!
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : All You Need To Know!
vivo just introduced two new true wireless stereo earbuds – the TWS 2e and the TWS 2 ANC with active noise cancellation!
They both come with 12.2 mm speakers offering super strong bass, in a pair of feather-light earbuds.
Here is what you need to know about the new vivo TWS 2 series earbuds…
Comfortable Fit
Both vivo TWS 2 ANC and TWS 2e earbuds are ultra-light at just 4.7 grams. But more importantly, they were designed with a G3 curvature that conforms to the contours of your ears.
They also feature an innovative vent design, with front and rear chamber flow to help equalise pressure. You will hardly remember they are there!
Super Strong Bass
Both vivo TWS 2 models come with a large 12.2 mm speaker, which features a carbon fibre composite diaphragm to deliver powerful bass, with crisp mids and highs.
Active Noise Cancellation
The vivo TWS 2 ANC can continuously monitor and cancel the background sound, eliminating up to 40 dB of noise!
You can rely on its smart noise algorithm to intelligently adjust the degree of noise cancellation, or manually choose from three levels – high, normal and low.
It doesn’t matter how loud traffic gets – you will always hear every song and conversation crystal clear!
And a single tap activates the Transparency Mode which lets you clearly hear outside sounds, letting you hear announcements and chat with people as if you were not wearing the earbuds at all.
Microphone Noise Cancellation
Both models come with two external beam forming microphones to eliminate background noise while picking up your voice.
Their duct design also improves wind noise reduction by an astounding 148%, so your voice will always be clear even if you are running or cycling.
The TWS 2 ANC model has an additional microphone hidden within the earbud. This microphone has a high SNR to help pick up your voice even in the noisiest environment.
Multipoint Connection
Both vivo TWS 2 models can simultaneously connect to two devices, and switch seamlessly between them – like your vivo X70 smartphone and a laptop, for example.
If you receive a call on your phone while watching a video on your laptop, the earbuds will automatically stream the call and switch back to the video after you hang up.
Ultra-Low Latency
Both models have been enhanced with vivo’s dual-coupled antennas to reduce wireless latency, which is critical for online games.
The TWS 2e has a wireless latency of just 117 ms, while the TWS 2 ANC goes as low as 88 ms!
Battery Life
Both models have a battery life of about 7 hours, and 29-30 hours when used with the charging case.
With active noise cancellation enabled, the TWS 2 ANC has a 4 hour battery life on a single charge.
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : Specifications
To make it easier for you to decide between the two models, we created this table to compare their key specifications :
Specifications
TWS 2 ANC
TWS 2e
Design
In-Ear Earbuds
IP Rating
IP54
Speaker Unit
12.2 mm voice coil
Frequency Range
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Active Noise Cancellation
Yes
No
Microphones
3
2
Voice Call Noise Cancellation
Yes, 3-Mic
Yes, 2-Mic
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.2
Dual-Channel Transmission 2.0
Wireless Latency
88 ms (min.)
117 ms (min.)
Wireless Codec
aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC
AAC / SBC
Wear Detection
Two capacitive sensors
None
Google Fast Pair
Yes
Controls
Pressure +
Touch
None
Battery
45 mAh (each earbud)
505 mAh (charging case)
Battery Life
(Noise Cancellation Off)
7.3 Hours
7.6 Hours
Battery Life
(Noise Cancellation On)
4.1 Hours
–
Charging Time
60 minutes (earbuds)
110 minutes (charging case)
Charging Port
USB Type C
Earbud Dimensions
23.8 x 22.2 x 30.2 mm
Charging Case Dimensions
60.0 x 24.3 x 45.4 mm
Earbud Weight
4.7 g per earbud
Charging Case Weight
41.9 g
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : Price + Pre-Order Deals
The vivo TWS 2e is priced at RM269 – approximately US$64 / £47 / A$88 / S$87.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Qualcomm just introduced the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 – a new compute platform for entry-level laptops!
Here is what you need to know about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2!
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 For Entry-Level Laptops!
On 24 May 2021, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. launched their Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 – their second-generation entry-level compute platform!
This new computer platform will allow brands to introduce always-on, always-connected Windows PCs and Chromebooks with enhanced camera and audio capabilities, integrated LTE connectivity, AI acceleration and more!
Always On, Always Connected!
Devices powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 are Always On, Always Connected, just like your smartphone.
Its power-efficiency allows the device to stay in connected standby mode for weeks, keeping you connected whether for work, school or entertainment.
Improved Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 delivers up to 10% faster system performance over “most competing platforms”, with up to twice the battery life of those platforms – up to 19 or more hours of continuous use!
Built-In Artificial Intelligence
The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 comes with the fifth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine built-in, to accelerate security applications and more accurate voice recognition, amongst other uses.
Enhanced Camera + Audio
This new Qualcomm compute platform is also designed to enhance camera and audio quality, with virtual surround sound, echo cancellation and noise suppression.
Enterprise-Grade Security
Windows devices powered by this new compute platform are Microsoft Secured-Core PCs, with support for Windows 10 Hypervisor.
Its always connected LTE capability also allows faster manageability for IT administrators managing enterprise and education laptops.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 : Key Specifications
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen features eight Kryo 468 CPU cores, running at up to 2.55 GHz; with support for two LPDDR4x memory channels (up to 2133 MHz).
It comes with the Qualcomm Spectra 255 image signal processor, the Qualcomm Hexagon 692 DSP, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X15 LTE modem built-in.
It supports 4G LTE, as well as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 : Availability
Devices based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 are expected to be commercially available this summer 2021.
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vivo just introduced a new pair of neckband headphones – the Wireless Sport Lite!
Here is what you need to know about the new vivo Wireless Sport Lite!
vivo Wireless Sport Lite : What You Need To Know!
The new vivo Wireless Sport Lite was introduced together with the new vivo V21 series smartphones on 28 April 2021.
While designed to complement the new V21 and V21 smartphones, they will work well with other smartphones too.
Golden Ear Acoustics
The vivo Wireless Sport Lite boasts an 11.2 mm moving coil for a strong bass, and a high polymer diaphragm for a more powerful bass and to balance the different frequencies.
Its Daikoku aluminium-coated bronze coil also produces more crisp higher frequencies, to match the powerful bass.
It also comes with a double-layered sound chamber, with front and back vents that enable you to feel the music, as well as hear it.
The Wireless Sport Lite was tuned by the renowned Golden Ears acoustics team, to deliver the best possible audio quality.
Ergonomic Design
The vivo Wireless Sport Lite is very light at just 23.9 grams, so you will barely remember it’s there!
For maximum comfort, you can choose from three sizes of soft ear tips to find the perfect fit.
Its neckband is designed to contour comfortably around your neck, and has a flexible memory metal wire that bounces back to shape even after being coiled up.
Low Latency
If you are a gamer or like to watch movies on your phone, you may be worried about the Bluetooth latency.
vivo says that the earphone to smartphone full loop latency was brought down to as low as 80 ms in the Wireless Sport Lite.
This means better gaming audio performance, and no syncing issues with your movies!
Active Noise Cancellation
The vivo Wireless Sport Lite also supports active noise cancellation (ANC)!
It will cancel out ambient noise, so that you can clearly hear your fellow gamers during a gaming session.
It also makes for clear voice and video calls with your family and friends, no matter where you are.
Long Lasting + Tough
The vivo Wireless Sport boasts a long battery life of 18 hours. It also supports fast charging, giving you 5 hours of playback time after just 10 minutes of charging.
It is also IPX4 rated, which makes it splash-proof, allowing you to use it outdoors – in both rain and shine!
vivo Wireless Sport Lite : Price + Availability
The vivo Wireless Sport Lite neckband earphones come in two colour options – Blue and Black.
They are both priced at RM 159 (about US$39 / £28 / A$50 / S$51).
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Together with the Galaxy S21 smartphones, Samsung also introduced their Galaxy SmartTag Bluetooth tracker!
Take a look at the new Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, and find out what exactly it does!
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag : Hands-On Preview!
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is a Bluetooth tracker, which you can attach to keys, bags, or anything important you want to keep track of.
It emits a Bluetooth Low Energy signal, which lets your Galaxy devices locate the tracker, and thus the attached item.
Just tap the Ring button in the Samsung SmartThings app, and the SmartTag will emit a piercing tone, at up to 89 dB.
You can also find your Samsung Galaxy smartphone using the SmartTag. Press its button twice, and your smartphone will ring!
In case its tone is too soft or muffled, the SmartThings app will give you its signal strength, letting you pretend that you are tracking Aliens, albeit without direction.
And even if it’s out of range, nearby Galaxy devices will pick up its signal and transmit it to you through the Galaxy Find Network.
It can also act as a remote control for IoT routines. You can program its button to trigger different IoT devices like turning on the smart lights and the thermostat in your home.
However, the Galaxy SmartTag only works with Samsung Galaxy devices. So you can forget about using it with non-Samsung devices, or an iPhone.
The SmartTag is powered by a single CR2032 battery, and is IP53-rated, which means it is not waterproof but can withstand water splashes (like raindrops).
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ : UWB Coming Soon!
While there were rumours that it would support UWB (Ultra Wideband), that capability will only be introduced in a future Galaxy SmartTag+ tracker.
The UWB capability of SmartTag+ will allow you to see on a map the direction of the tracker, making it easier to locate than the Bluetooth version.
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Improving on last year’s Galaxy Buds, it boasts a new 2-way speaker design by AKG, and an adaptive 3-microphone system.
Announced together with the Galaxy Note20 smartphones, the Galaxy Buds Live extends that with active noise cancellation (ANC), and a more spacious soundscape.
This is the first time ANC is offered on an open type TWS earbuds by Samsung. It also boasts 12 mm speakers by AKG, with a large driver and bass duct.
It has a 6 hour battery life, which is extended to 21 hours with its charging case.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | Galaxy Buds+ : Malaysia Deals For Oct-Nov!
Here is the official price list for both TWS earbuds in Malaysia :
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Jabra is introducing a FREE ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) upgrade for all Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds!
Jabra Elite 75t + Elite Active 75t Get FREE ANC Upgrade!
On 21 October 2020, Jabra announced a FREE ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) upgrade for all Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds!
By taking advantage of the superior Qualcomm digital audio processor already built-into the Elite 75t, Jabra is able to introduce this free ANC upgrade via a firmware update in the Jabra Sound+ app.
The Jabra Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t with ANC as standard will be available for purchase in October 2020.
Jabra Elite 75t + Elite Active 75t : Now With ANC
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is their fourth-generation wireless earbuds, offering two key improvements over last year’s Elite 65t.
Improved Comfort + Secure Fit
Jabra used thousands of ear scans from all over the world, to create a profile of the most optimal 3D shape and size for the Elite 75t.
They promise that they will offer an improved fit that is more comfortable and secure, allowing you to use them for long hours, and without fear of them falling out.
Better Battery + Charging Capabilities
Jabra extended the Elite 75t’s battery life by 50%, from 5 hours to 7.5 hours. They also extended its charging case’s battery capacity, allowing the Elite 75t to offer a total battery life of 28 hours, versus 15 hours for the 65t.
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) also has fast charging capability – a quick 15 minutes charge in its charging case will give you an hour of battery life.
Incidentally, Jabra will offer an Elite 75t variant in Q2 2020 that will have a charging case with wireless charging capability, in addition to USB Type C wired charging.
MyControl + MySound (Coming In Q2 2020)
Jabra will introduce two new features through a future firmware update – MyControl and MySound.
MyControl lets you personalise the touch controls, with the option of using either left or right earbud by itself. Otherwise, you can only use the right earbud independently.
MySound lets you create and use a personalised hearing profile using a series of audio tests. This will offer you a significant improvement in audio quality.
4-Microphone Technology
Like the Elite 65t, the Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) comes with four microphones for clearer voice pickups and better wind noise reduction.
Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports Bluetooth 5.0, which allows for lower-latency audio with lower power consumption. That means longer battery life without the fear of audio dropouts!
IP55 / IP57 Dust + Water Resistance
The Jabra Elite 75t is IP55-rated for dust and water resistance. That means it is sweat- and splash- resistant, but not waterproof. Do NOT take it for a swim!
The Jabra Elite Active 75t, on the other hand, is IP57-rated, which allows for water submersion up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
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If you are a BTS fan, here are the key features and an unboxing video of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition True Wireless Stereo earphones!
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition : Unboxing!
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition is a limited edition version of the Galaxy Buds Plus True Wireless Stereo earphones in the unique purple and black colour scheme.
It is only available for pre-order (details below), but Samsung shared with us their official unboxing video, which we “improved” and shared with you here :
2-Way Dynamic Speaker System by AKG
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition features a new 2-way dynamic speaker system, tuned by AKG. It combines a tweeter with a woofer, to deliver both clear high notes and a rich and powerful bass.
Adaptive 3-Microphone System
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition also comes with an adaptive 3 microphone system to make sure background noises will never drown out your voice.
You can also use it to tune out ambient noise while listening to your music, or whenever you just want some peace and quiet.
Better Battery + Wireless Charging!
The Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition can last 11 hours, with an additional 11 hours of battery life in its battery case! That means you get a total of 22 hours of battery lifeon-the-go!
They also feature 3X faster wireless recharging speed – it now takes just 3 minutes of charging to get you an hour of playback time.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition has an official RRP of RM 899 (about $211 / £170 / A$307 / S$294), which is RM 300 (50%) more expensive than the regular Galaxy Buds Plus.
To sweeten the deal, Samsung is offering a FREE Wireless Charger Pad BTS Edition worth RM 199 (about $47 / £38 / A$68 / S$65) with every pre-order!
The Galaxy Buds Plus BTS Edition pre-order deal will last from 19 June 2020 until 5 July 2020. You can either collect your pre-ordered earphones on 9th July 2020, or have them delivered directly to you.
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Acer just unveiled the 2020 Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM, designed for professional gamers and eSports enthusiasts!
Let’s take our first look at the new Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM, and its key features and specifications!
Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM : Have A Massage While You Game!
The 2020 Acer Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM is an ergonomic gaming chair with built-in OSIM massage features, so you can enjoy a relaxing massage while you game!
OSIM V-Hand Massage Technology
The built-in OSIM V-Hand Massage Technology emulates the agile hands of a professional masseuse on your neck and shoulders.
Together with other massage techniques such as knead, press, roll and tap that cover the entire back, the 2020 Acer Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM gaming chair promises to decrease tension and optimise physical comfort during or after gameplay.
You can use the buttons on the right arm rest to control two sets of rollers that mimic a pair of agile hands tracing the curve of your spine.
Three automatic massage programs (Neck & Shoulders, Lumbar and Energize) are available, designed by a massage expert to target the neck, shoulder and lumbar regions — all common pain points for gamers due to prolonged periods spent sitting.
Adjustable Ergonomics
The 2020 Acer Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM gaming chair is highly adjustable, with a recline of up to 145 degrees.
You can adjust the chair’s rollers to suit six different shoulder positions for different heights, as well as the roller width to massage exactly the right spot, regardless of your body width.
Sporty + Professional Look
The 2020 Acer Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM gaming chair is covered in PVC leather, with a black carbon fibre pattern and metallic dark grey and teal accents.
Built-In Bluetooth Speakers
For a more immersive gaming experience, you can connect your gaming computer to its two built-in Bluetooth speakers.
Located directly in the headrest, the two Bluetooth speakers will deliver dynamic sound effects, letting you enjoy your games without a headset!
68 cm long
64 cm wide
121 cm high (lowest position)
Dimensions (Reclined)
138 cm long
64 cm wide
85.5 cm high (lowest position)
Weight
27.3 kg
Package Contents
Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM
Headrest Pad
Backrest Pad
M8 x 20mm screws and washers
(4 pcs)
M5 x 10mm screws
(2 pcs)
Screw cap (2 pcs)
Allen key
Adaptor
Warranty Booklet + Quick Start Guide
Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM : Price + Availability
There is currently no indication of the 2020 Acer Predator Gaming Chair x OSIM’s price and availability. We will update this article when we know more.
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A new software update for Samsung Galaxy Buds will introduce three new Buds+ features! Here are the details!
Samsung Galaxy Buds : Get Update For Buds+ Features!
Starting today (4 May 2020), you will be able to update your Galaxy Buds with three new features that were hitherto available only in the Galaxy Buds+.
Here are the three new features you can enjoy after updating your Samsung Galaxy Buds!
Microsoft Swift Pair
Microsoft Swift Pair lets you more easily pair your Galaxy Buds to your Windows 10 PC, so that you can use it for remote video meetings, or just listen to music while you work.
Like the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, your Galaxy Buds will also support the capability to pair with multiple devices, allowing you to use them across your mobile and PC devices.
Your PC must be running on Windows 10 version 1830 or above. Go to the Bluetooth & other devices menu under settings to pair your Galaxy Buds.
Samsung Easy Pair is used to quickly pair with mobile devices
Microsoft Switch Pair is used to quickly pair with Windows 10 PCs
Ambient Sound Capability
Ambient Sound lets you hear your surroundings and remain aware of the world around you, even while you are watching movies or listening to music.
You can also choose to experience Ambient Sound with one earbud in, giving you more options on how to tune in, or tune out, of your surrounding environment.
Ambient Sound can be pre-set and enabled through the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app.
Spotify Personalised Playlist
Using a simple ‘Tap & Hold’ gesture, you can launch Spotify and start listening to music wherever you left off.
Tap again, and Spotify will recommend a playlist just for you. This update lets Spotify offer you a personalised playlist with a single press!
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The Jabra Elite 75t – their 4th generation wireless earbuds – are here! Find out what Jabra has improved over last year’s Elite 65t, which are already impressive in their own right!
Jabra Elite 75t : Improved 4th Gen Wireless Earbuds!
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is their fourth-generation wireless earbuds, offering two key improvements over last year’s Elite 65t. Let’s start with the official tech briefing on the Jabra Elite 75t :
Improved Comfort + Secure Fit
Jabra used thousands of ear scans from all over the world, to create a profile of the most optimal 3D shape and size for the Elite 75t.
They promise that they will offer an improved fit that is more comfortable and secure, allowing you to use them for long hours, and without fear of them falling out.
Better Battery + Charging Capabilities
Jabra extended the Elite 75t’s battery life by 50%, from 5 hours to 7.5 hours. They also extended its charging case’s battery capacity, allowing the Elite 75t to offer a total battery life of 28 hours, versus 15 hours for the 65t.
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) also has fast charging capability – a quick 15 minutes charge in its charging case will give you an hour of battery life.
Incidentally, Jabra will offer an Elite 75t variant in Q2 2020 that will have a charging case with wireless charging capability, in addition to USB Type C wired charging.
MyControl + MySound (Coming In Q2 2020)
Jabra will introduce two new features through a future firmware update – MyControl and MySound.
MyControl lets you personalise the touch controls, with the option of using either left or right earbud by itself. Otherwise, you can only use the right earbud independently.
MySound lets you create and use a personalised hearing profile using a series of audio tests. This will offer you a significant improvement in audio quality.
4-Microphone Technology
Like the Elite 65t, the Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) comes with four microphones for clearer voice pickups and better wind noise reduction.
Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports Bluetooth 5.0, which allows for lower-latency audio with lower power consumption. That means longer battery life without the fear of audio dropouts!
IP55 Dust + Water Resistance
It is IP55-rated for dust and water resistance. That means it is sweat- and splash- resistant, but not waterproof. Do NOT take it for a swim!
Jabra Elite 75t Price + Availability
The Jabra Elite 75t is available in two colour options – Titanium Black and Gold Beige.
It is priced at USD 179.99 / €169.99 / A$297 / S$288 / RM 949.
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The new realme Buds Air TWS earphones look very similar to the Apple AirPods they are targeted at, but they are quite different internally.
Take a closer look at the realme Buds Air, and find out what it offers, and the great launch deal realme is offering!
realme Buds Air : AirPods Lookalike TWS Earphones!
After Apple introduced their AirPods, everyone wants to get into the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earphones game, including realme.
It is no coincidence that their Buds Air is designed to look very similar to the AirPods, right down to its charging case!
But while the realme Buds Air look superficially like identical twins of the Apple AirPods, they are quite different internally. Let’s take a look…
Custom R1 SoC
The realme Buds Air uses a custom R1 SoC (system-on-chip) that offers Bluetooth connectivity and smart controls.
Super Low Latency Gaming Mode
A long press on both earbuds will kick them into the Gaming Mode, which offers dual-channel transmission with super-low latencies.
Instant Auto Connection
Once paired with your smartphone, the realme Buds Air automatically reconnect whenever you open the case cover.
Smart In-ear Detection
The realme Buds Air uses an optical sensor to detect when they are in your ears. They will automatically pause music playback when you remove them, and start the music up again when you place them back.
Touch Controls
The realme Buds Air offers four touch controls :
Double tap : answer a call, play / pause music playback
Triple tap : skip to the next song
Long press on one side : launch voice assistance, end / decline a call
Long press on both sides : launch or exit Gaming Mode
Wireless Charging Case
The realme Buds Air’s charging case supports Qi wireless charging, in addition to USB-C wired charging.
Charging case
– adds 14 hours playback time
– supports Qi wireless charging
– supports USB-C wired charging
Dimensions
51.3 mm high
45.3 mm wide
25.3 mm deep
Weight
42.3 g
realme Buds Air Price + Availability + Deal!
The realme Buds Air will be available for purchase starting 21 January 2020, with a recommended retail price of RM 299 / S$99 / US$73 / £56 / A$106.
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It will come in three colour options – White, Yellow and Black. Initially, only White will be available, with Yellow and Black to follow at a later date.
But for one day only – on 21 January 2020, realme will offer it at an incredible price of just RM 199, at :
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The Edifier W860NB and W828NB are both active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, with an over-ear design.
In this article, we will compare both models to find out how they differ, and where they are similar. Find out which is the best option for you!
Edifier W860NB Primer
The Edifier W860NB is their first active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphone, targeted at the value premium market. Hence, it sports a premium design with touch controls.
It also has folding ear cups with neodymium drivers, NFC support and a complete set of accessories including a hard travel case.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : What’s The Difference?
The Edifier W860NB has a more refined design, while the W828NB has a sportier design.
They can both be folded for more compact storage, but the ear cups of the W860NB can further be tilted inwards to fit its hard travel case.
If touch controls are important, then obviously you will prefer the W860NB, but the W828NB has a BIG advantage – Bluetooth 5.0.
Bluetooth 5.0 is more than twice as fast as Bluetooth 4.1, letting the W828NB avoid audio synchronisation issues. It is also more power efficient, which means a longer battery life.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : Our Recommendations
If you prefer an all-in kit or a more premium build and arguably better audio and noise cancellation performance, you should definitely get the W860NB.
But if you want the best possible Bluetooth connectivity for better audio synchronisation and battery life, then get the W828NB.
One thing is for sure – they are both very affordable active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, and offer great value for your money.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : Specifications
Specifications
Edifier W860NB
Edifier W828NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Wireless : Bluetooth 5.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Touch Controls
Yes
No
NFC Support
Yes
No
Bluetooth Codecs
Qualcomm aptX
A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Qualcomm aptX
A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium Drivers
Not specified
Impedence
32 Ohms
24 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
100 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery (estimated)
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 80 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Price + Availability
The W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Apple AirPods Pro are a popular choice for those who want active noise cancelling earbuds, but there is actually a better alternative – the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3.
Don’t believe us? Find out why the FreeBuds 3 is a superior alternative to the AirPods Pro!
Why FreeBuds 3 Is The Best Alternative To AirPods Pro!
Reason #1 : Low Latency Bluetooth Connectivity
One of the biggest problems affecting Bluetooth earbuds is latency – the delay from when the audio data is transmitted to the earbuds, and when the sound emits from the speakers.
High latency causes the sounds and images of the movie you are watching to go out of sync. It is also a big problem in games, where audio cues can mean the difference between winning and losing!
Most TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds like the AirPods Pro uses a binaural single-channel connection, where the smartphone transmits the audio data to the primary earbud, which then forwards one of the channels to the secondary earbud.
This is simpler to implement, but results in greater latency and higher power consumption by the primary earbud.
A select few TWS earbuds use dual-channel transmissions to both earbuds simultaneously, which reduces latency but results in higher power consumption by both earbuds.
HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 avoids both issues because it uses their proprietary Isochronous Dual Channel Transmission technology to transmit the left and right channels to each earbud synchronously and separately.
This reduces latency to just 190 ms (lower than the AirPods Pro), ensuring accurate synchronisation, while reducing power consumption!
Reason #2 : Less Chance Of Interference
In public places, interference is a big issue because there is an abundance of both active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, and they are all using the same 2.4 GHz spectrum!
This may result in higher audio latencies, or even worse – a disconnection of one or both earbuds from your smartphone!
The HUAWEI Isochronous Dual Channel Transmission technology reduces the chance of interference from other Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
Reason #3 : Powerful Kirin A1 Chipset
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 is powered by the Kirin A1 – the world’s first Bluetooth 5.1 SoC, which supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 as well.
With an industry-leading 365 MHz audio processor, it is powerful enough to simultaneously perform real-time noise cancellation for both earbuds, as well as real-time 3A call noise cancellation, with automatic echo cancellation (AEC), automatic gain control (AGC) and adaptive noise reduction (ANR) for the microphones!
Reason #4 : More Comfortable Fit
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 is the world’s first active noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds with an open fit design. Because they won’t close up your ear canals, they are more comfortable to wear for long hours of use.
Its Dolphin Bionic Design is not just aesthetically-pleasing, it’s designed to ensure a more secure yet comfortable fit so you can run and jog without worry.
Reason #5 : Personalised Noise Cancellation
The open design is more complicated to handle because it lets more ambient noise leak in. To correct for that, HUAWEI generated 9 sets of noise reduction profiles, based on extensive research of real human ear canals of different ages, genders, ear sizes, etc.
This lets you optimise its active noise cancellation performance with a simple click in the HUAWEI AI Life app (available in Google Play Store and HUAWEI AppGallery). This gives it a leg up over its competitors that are based on standard ear models.
Reason #6 : Noise Reduction For Voice
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 reduce noise through two mechanisms. Its microphones are shielded by a wind noise reduction duct, so you can speak clearly even if you are running or cycling.
Whenever you speak, the FreeBuds 3 uses bone vibrations to distinguish your voice from background noise, ensuring you are clearly heard even in noisy environments.
Reason #7 : Super Fast Pairing!
Thanks to its support for Bluetooth 5.1, it connects much quicker to your smartphone than Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro.
It is also designed to automatically turn on and pair with your smartphone, whenever you open its charging case. It’s ready to use by the time you place it in your ears!
Finally, The FreeBuds 3 Is MUCH CHEAPER Than AirPods Pro!
The eight and final reason – the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is MUCH CHEAPER than the AirPods Pro!
With a retail price of RM 679 / ~US$163 / £139.99 / ~A$239.99 / S$219, you will get a better pair of wireless earphones with lower latency and better active noise cancellation for both voice and audio… at a steep discount!
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is available in two colour options – Carbon Black and Ceramic White, and you can purchase it directly from HUAWEI Malaysia here! For more information, see HUAWEI’s FB post!
Here are some online purchase links, with prices accurate as of 1 December 2019 :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The modern world is noisy, and that’s why so many people are turning to ANC earbuds like the new HUAWEI FreeBuds 3.
In this article, we will take a look at how HUAWEI Freebuds 3 delivers superior ANC for both voice and audio, giving it a leg-up over the competitors!
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
For decades, we have been relying on over-ear headphones to reduce external noise from disrupting our enjoyment of music and movies. The covering of our ears with padded ear cups is what’s called passive noise cancellation or reduction.
Some of us even resort to in-ear earphones, where the ear buds are inserted directly into the ear canals. Again, they serve to passively block noise from the outside.
Both of these passive noise cancelling solutions help, but they only offer minimal noise reduction. And even worse – they are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) delivers far better noise cancellation, and it does this without using thick padding or requiring you to insert anything into your ear canals.
That’s why everyone wants active noise cancelling earphones – once you tried one, you will never go back!
HUAWEI FreeBuds 3
HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) offers active noise cancellation in an open fit in-ear design, which offers maximum comfort; with a Dolphin Bionic Design to ensure a better fit.
HUAWEI Kirin A1
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is powered by the Kirin A1 – the world’s first Bluetooth 5.1 SoC. This allows it deliver a stable and fast Bluetooth connection for accurate audio and video synchronisation.
The HUAWEI Isochronous Dual Channel Transmission technology transmits audio data to each ear bud synchronously and separately, to reduce latency and ensure accurate synchronisation.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Kirin A1 has a fast 356 MHz audio processor, which allows the FreeBuds 3 to capture and cancel background noise in real-time. This allows you to enjoy your music, or calls, even in noisy environments.
Tests have shown that ambient noise is reduced by half, even sudden loud noises like train brakes and car honks.
HUAWEI also allows you to adjust 9 different parameters to fine-tune its noise cancellation performance for more challenging environments.
Bone Conduction Sensor + Aerodynamic Mic Duct
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) does not just reduce noise to your ears, it also reduces noise when you speak!
Its microphones have an aerodynamic duct design to reduce wind noise, and it uses bone conduction voice sensors to pick up your voice vibrations.
When the ambient noise levels are too high, it uses your bone conduction vibrations to enhance the quality of your calls, making sure that your voice is clearly heard above hubbub around you!
14 mm Driver + Bass Tube
In addition to a 14 mm dynamic driver, each ear bud has a bass tube tucked right behind, delivering a louder and punchier bass.
AAC Coding
Unlike most earphones that use SBC or aptX, HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 uses AAC coding – the only Bluetooth audio codec that makes use of psychoacoustic modelling to compress the data.
AAC coding delivers significantly better audio quality with lower latency and power consumption. However, it is a processing-intensive codec.
Hence, HUAWEI advises that you pair the FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) with HUAWEI smartphones, because they are designed to encode audio using the AAC codec, instead of the more common SBC or aptX codecs.
Long Battery Life
Thanks to the highly-efficient Kirin A1 chip, the FreeBuds 3 can last 4 hours of non-stop music playbackwith active noise cancellation turned on.
Its carry case doubles as a portable charger, allowing you to recharge the FreeBuds 3 up to four times!
It even supports wireless charging, so you can use any smartphone that supports Qi wireless charging to recharge the FreeBuds 3 and its charging case!
Super Fast Pairing!
HUAWEI designed the FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) for easy and fast pairing. Even pairing them for the first time to a HUAWEI smartphone is as simple as tapping on the pop-up window to confirm the pairing!
Thereafter, your FreeBuds 3 will automatically turn on and pair with your HUAWEI smartphone when you open its charging case.
Watch how fast it turns on and connects to the HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro! Hint – it’s less than a second!
Charging Case : 1 hour (wired)
Ear Buds : 1 hour (in charging case)
Ear Bud Dimensions
41.5 mm x 20.4 mm x 17.8 mm
Charging Case Dimensions
60.9 mm x 60.9 mm x 21.8 mm
Weight
Ear Bud : 4.5 g (each)
Charging Case : 48 g
HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 Price + Availability
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is available in two colour options – Carbon Black and Ceramic White, with the recommended retail price of RM 679 / ~US$163 / £139.99 / ~A$239.99 / S$219.
You can purchase it directly from HUAWEI Malaysia here! For more information, see HUAWEI’s FB post!
Here are some online purchase links, with prices accurate as of 1 December 2019 :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W828NB is their latest Bluetooth headphones to offer active noise cancelling capabilities, at a very low price point.
Edifier seems to believe that everyone should be able to afford a decent pair of wireless active noise cancelling headphones, with the W828NB as a more affordable alternative to the excellent W860NB.
In this review, we will take a close look at the Edifier W828NB and share with you our tests of its noise cancelling capabilities. Find out if this is the wireless ANC headphones for you!
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability. Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
Passive noise cancellation using over-ear headphones or in-canal earphones may be sufficient for use in an office, but is quite useless on a flight. You can turn up the volume to hear through the noise, but that could damage your hearing.
The best way to listen to music or a conversation in a movie is to use active noise cancellation to literally “erase” the ambient noise. Then you can hear without actually turning up the volume!
Edifier W828NB Gold Specifications
Let’s kick this review off with a quick look at its key specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W828NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic
Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity
Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 5.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Touch Controls
None
NFC Support
No
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
Not specified
Impedence
24 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
100 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery (estimated)
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 80 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W828NB Price + Availability
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) comes in a large premium cardboard box. Let’s unbox it and see what we find inside!
Once you fully unbox it, this is what you will find inside :
One pair of Edifier W828NB active noise cancelling headphones
One Edifier W828NB user manual
One soft travel pouch
One USB Type A to micro-USB 2.0 charging cable
One 3.5 mm audio cable
The soft travel pouch is big enough to fit the Edifier W828NB headphones, as well as its cables.
Unfortunately, the package does not include a 3.5 mm aircraft plug adaptor, which means you won’t be able to connect it to the audio system of older airliners.
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The Edifier W828NB Up Close!
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is a sturdy-looking pair of wireless headphones. Designed for travel, it can be folded for compact storage inside its travel pouch.
If you are used to gaming headsets, you may find its ear cups on the small side, but that’s because they are designed to hug your ears.
The build quality is good, with a blend of quality plastics, metal and faux leather. We like the choice of a smooth matte finish that is fingerprint smear resistant. Overall, it feels like a premium pair of cans.
Unlike the excellent but more expensive Edifier W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY), the W828NB lacks touch controls or a hard travel case. On the other hand, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 and is 25% cheaper!
Let’s delve deeper and see what we find, shall we?
Edifier W828NB Controls
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) saves cost by doing without the W860NB‘s touch controls.
The ANC switch at the bottom of the left ear cup controls its active noise cancellation circuitry. You can actually turn on its ANC feature on without playing any music, if you just want some peace and quiet.
On the right ear cup, you will find the Power button which turns on its Bluetooth connectivity, and the Volume control buttons.
You can actually use the W828NB without “turning it on”, or if it runs out of battery power. Just plug in the provided 3.5 mm audio cable and you are good to go!
But note that the Volume control buttons only work when you are connected to your smartphone or music player using Bluetooth.
Edifier W828NB Audio + Charging Port
You will find the 3.5 mm audio port at the bottom of the left ear cup, which allows you to connect the W828NB directly to your smartphone or music player, or the airplane’s audio jack.
Unfortunately, while Edifier provides a long 3.5 mm audio cable, they did not include an aircraft port adaptor. You will need to purchase a separate adaptor, if you wish to connect to the audio systems of older airliners.
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is rated to last for 25 hours, with ANC turned on and music playing wirelessly through Bluetooth. You recharge its battery through this micro-USB port at the bottom of the right ear cup.
Edifier did not include a USB charger, only a USB cable which you can connect to your computer, your smartphone’s USB charger or even a power bank.
According to Edifier, it will fully recharge in 4 hours using a 5 watt USB charger or USB 3.0 port. If you are recharging it using an older USB 2.0 port though, it should take twice as long.
How Comfortable Is The W828NB?
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) has an adjustable headband that is padded at the top, and wrapped in soft faux leather.
The headband can be extended by 3 cm on each side, in 9 steps. When fully retracted, it is small enough to fit a child of about 8-9 years of age.
Its ear cups are amply padded and covered in faux leather. Being designed for travel, the ear cups are on the small side. The good news is that they hug your ears, preventing slippage even when you shake your head to the music.
On the other hand, faux leather does not breathe like real leather. So it will get humid inside the smaller space pretty quickly if you are wearing them in warmer weather.
The ear cups can be folded inwards, for a more compact form factor that allows it to fit into the soft travel pouch.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W828NB Active Noise Cancellation Capability
Active noise cancellation is conceptually simple. One or more microphones pick up ambient noise, which is used to generate opposing sound waves that cancel out the noise before it reaches the user’s ears.
However, it has not been easy or cheap to implement. For one thing – noise detection and the generation of its opposing sound waves happens in real-time.
It is complicated by the need to mix the noise-cancelling sound waves with the actual audio output (of your song or movie), and deliver the output without any noticeable lag.
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is one of the few affordable wireless headphones to boast active noise cancellation. It has an ANC microphone at the side of each ear cup, pointing backwards.
From what we can tell, the W828NB uses analogue negative feedback circuitry to generate its noise cancelling sound waves.
Analogue noise cancellation is simpler and cheaper to implement, but limits its active noise cancellation to the lower frequencies.
For active noise cancellation of higher frequencies, they would need to add a fast digital signal processor to handle the complex noise cancellation algorithms.
Edifier W828NB Noise Cancelling Performance
We tested the Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) on seven flights, recording its noise cancellation capability using a cardioid microphone, the best examples of which you can see in this video.
Before you watch the video, please keep in mind that it was quite impossible to fully isolate our microphone in the ear cup. So the actual effect is more pronounced than what you’ll hear in this video.
In the airplane cabin clip, you can distinctly hear how the W828NB cuts out the low-frequency rumble, but the higher-frequency sound of the air-conditioning is still audible.
Turning on active noise cancellation will markedly reduce low-frequency noise. This gives you a better appreciation of whatever you are listening to. However, this includes voices of people around you. In fact, airline announcements were clearer with ANC turned on, than turned off.
However, we noticed some static feedback whenever the plane landed. It always happened right after the plane touches down – it’s as if the static feedback is caused by the sound of the airplane’s tyres. It tapers off as the plane slows down.
Bluetooth 5.0
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) has a big advantage over the more premium Edifier W860NB – Bluetooth 5.0.
Its Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is more than twice as fast as the W860NB‘s Bluetooth 4.1, allowing it to deliver audio data at lower latencies. It also uses less power.
This should let the W828NB avoid audio synchronisation problems that sometimes affects Bluetooth 4.x devices.
It is also the reason why the W828NB can wirelessly play music for 80 hours (without ANC), compared to just 45 hours for the W860NB.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W828NB : Our Verdict
Anyone who has ever tried using headphones with active noise cancellation on a flight will appreciate what a difference they make.
They will also realise just how useful noise cancellation can be in other applications – better audio clarity at lower volumes, concentrating better in a noisy office, sleeping better, etc.
The key impediment for the widespread adoption of active noise cancellation can be summed in one word – COST.
Headphones with active noise cancellation are generally much more expensive than regular headphones, and some are prohibitively so. This is where the Edifier W828NB comes in.
Priced at just $89.99 / S$157 / A$119.99 / RM 399, it is incredibly affordable. In fact, you can equip a family of three with W828NB wireless headphones for the same price you would pay for a single pair of Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones!
But just how effective are its noise cancellation capabilities?
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is best at cancelling out low-frequency noise. At higher frequencies, it is limited to passive noise reduction courtesy of its over-ear design and padding.
That means it will effectively cut out most of the annoying rumble of jet engines and road noise; leaving voices quite audible.
If you really need to cut out the higher frequencies, then you need to splurge on headphones that perform digital noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM2 (US | UK | MY) or the latest Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones.
The ability to block voices may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. It may be nice to cut out annoying chatter and crying babies, but that may mean you won’t be able to hear important announcements or alerts.
We also noticed that it has a static feedback issue whenever a plane lands. Edifier should definitely look into this problem.
However, we love that the Edifier W828NB used Bluetooth 5.0, with a large battery with enough battery life to last even the longest flight and then some. We also like its classy matte finish, and excellent build quality.
Overall, the Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) offers a great combination of features, at a great price point. It really punches above its weight.
Edifier W828NB : Where To Buy?
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear is the first wearable collaboration between HUAWEI and GENTLE MONSTER, the South Korean eyewear brand.
Here are the full details of the first two HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear models – Eastmoon and Jackbye!
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear is part of the expanding range of Smart Life devices, which are designed to offer a life of the future at home and at work.
It is more than just a fashion statement – integrated into every HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear are connectivity features to help you keep connected… hands-free!
Protective + Protected Eyewear
The large frames and lenses are designed to protect your eyes, and it is itself dust- and water-resistant – rated at IP67.
So you need not worry about taking on the elements with the HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear!
Built-In Speakers + Microphones
Integrated into each temple (the arms that hook into your ears) is a dynamic speaker with a semi-open design, as well as a silicon microphone that is enhanced by AI speech noise reduction technology.
Wireless Charging On-The-Go
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear has a small internal battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours of music playback or voice calls.
It recharges wirelessly whenever you slip it back into its case, which has a 2,200 mAh battery built in for up to 8 hours of use.
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Models
HUAWEI is offering two models initially – Eastmoon and Jackbye. Here is a comparison of the two models :
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Specifications
And here is how the Eastmoon and Jackbye models compare :
Specifications
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER
Eastmoon-01
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER
Jackbye-01
Folded Dimensions
152.59 mm wide
56.86 mm tall
29.00 mm thick
155.13 mm wide
58.25 mm tall
29.00 mm thick
Weight
43.2 g
45.6 g
IP Rating
IP67
Speaker
One dynamic driver unit on each side
Microphone
Two silicon microphones on main frame temple support
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Price + Availability
Both Eastmoon and Jackbye models are available starting 15 November 2019, with the recommended retail price of RM 1,599 / ~US$385 / ~£299 / ~A$566 / ~S$524.
Here are some online purchase links, with prices accurate as of 14 November 2019 :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We managed to get our hands on the award-winning Edifier W860NB Bluetooth ANC headphones in both the regular Black colour, and the more exclusive Gold edition.
Check out our colour comparison of the Black and Gold colours, and let us know which you prefer!
The Edifier W860NB ANC Bluetooth Headphones
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability.
Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
The Edifier W860NB is one of the few affordable Bluetooth headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) capability.
Turning on its ANC feature literally “erases” ambient noise, letting you listen to music or the conversation in a movie without turning up the volume!
Edifier W860NB Specifications
The Edifier W860NB in both Black and Gold colour options have the same specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W860NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.1
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Bluetooth 4.1 with support for :
– Qualcomm aptX
– A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms
Impedence
32 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Colour Comparison
Let’s take a close look at both Black and Gold colour options, and compare them side-by-side :
Now that you have seen both Edifier W860NB models side-by-side, which colour do YOU prefer? Black or Gold?
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Edifier W860NB Black + Gold Colour Purchase Options
The Edifier W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Are you looking for an affordable pair of active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones? The Edifier W860NB Gold might just be what you are looking for.
It is one of the few Bluetooth headphones in the market that offers active noise cancellation capabilities at an affordable price point.
In our in-depth review of the W860NB Gold active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, we will show you why it won our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability. Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
Passive noise cancellation using over-ear headphones or in-canal earphones may be sufficient for use in an office, but is quite useless on a flight. You can turn up the volume to hear through the noise, but that could damage your hearing.
The best way to listen to music or a conversation in a movie is to use active noise cancellation to literally “erase” the ambient noise. Then you can hear without actually turning up the volume!
Edifier W860NB Gold Specifications
Let’s kick this review off with a quick look at its key specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W860NB Gold
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.1
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Bluetooth 4.1 with support for :
– Qualcomm aptX
– A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms
Impedence
32 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Gold Price + Availability
The Edifier W860NB Gold has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W860NB Gold Up Close!
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY)) is an elegant-looking pair of wireless headphones. We like how Edifier chose to use a very nice smooth matte surface that is fingerprint smear resistant.
The W860NB Gold is also very well-built, with a good blend of quality plastics, metal and faux leather. It has a good heft, and feels like a premium pair of cans.
Nestled in both ear cups are 40 mm neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms, designed to deliver strong bass with a wide soundstage.
Despite its modest price point, the W860NB Gold boasts touch controls, as well as a very nice and tough storage case and all the accessories you’ll ever need.
Overall – this is a nice hassle-free buy-and-enjoy package, but let’s delve deeper and see what we find, shall we?
Edifier W860NB Gold : Buttons + Touch Controls
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has two separate power controls on the right ear cup.
The Power button turns on its Bluetooth connectivity and touch controls, while the ANC switch turns on its active noise cancellation circuitry.
They actually work independently of each other. You can turn on the active noise cancellation capability without “turning on” the W860NB Gold.
In fact, you can also listen to music using the 3.5 mm audio cable without, yes, “turning it on” using the Power button. Similarly, you can turn on its Bluetooth connectivity and listen to music, without turning on ANC for a longer battery life.
Its touch controls are also on the right ear cup. But they only work when you are connected to your smartphone or music player using Bluetooth.
The touch controls allow you to change tracks and volume, or accept and end calls, without touching your smartphone or music player.
Just swipe right or left to skip ahead or backwards, and swipe up and down to control the volume. Tapping the centre twice pauses and resumes your music, or accepts and ends a phone call.
Edifier W860NB Gold : Audio + Charging Ports
On the left ear cup, you will find the 3.5 mm audio port. It allows you to connect the W860NB Gold directly to your smartphone or music player, or the airline’s audio jack, using the provided aircraft port adaptor.
Hidden under a rubber cover is a micro-USB port that serves as a charging port. Edifier did not include a USB charger, only a USB cable which you can connect to your computer, your smartphone’s USB charger or even a power bank.
They say that it will fully recharge in 4 hours using a 5 watt USB charger or USB 3.0 port. If you are recharging it using an older USB 2.0 port though, it should take twice as long.
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How Comfortable Is The W860NB Gold?
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has an adjustable headband that is padded at the top, and wrapped in soft faux leather.
The headband can be extended by 3 cm on each side, in 9 steps. When fully retracted, it is small enough to fit a child of about 8-9 years of age.
Its ear cups are also padded and covered in faux leather. Being designed for travel, the ear cups are on the small side. The good news is that they hug your ears, preventing slippage even when you shake your head to the music.
On the other hand, faux leather does not breathe like real leather. So it will get humid inside the smaller space pretty quickly if you are wearing them in warmer weather.
Incidentally, the ear cups can be folded inwards, for a more compact form factor if you prefer not to keep it in the hard case, which is admittedly quite bulky.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W860NB Gold’s Active Noise Cancellation Capability
Active noise cancellation is conceptually simple. One or more microphones pick up ambient noise, which is used to generate opposing sound waves that cancel out the noise before it reaches the user’s ears.
However, it has not been easy or cheap to implement. For one thing – noise detection and the generation of its opposing sound waves happens in real-time.
It is complicated by the need to mix the noise-cancelling sound waves with the actual audio output (of your song or movie), and deliver the output without any noticeable lag.
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is one of the few affordable wireless headphones to boast active noise cancellation. It has an ANC microphone at the side of each ear cup, pointing backwards.
From what we can tell, the W860NB uses analogue negative feedback circuitry to generate up to 97 dB of noise cancelling sound waves.
Analogue noise cancellation is simpler and cheaper to implement, but limits its active noise cancellation to the lower frequencies.
For active noise cancellation of higher frequencies, they would need to add a fast digital signal processor to handle the complex noise cancellation algorithms.
Its Noise Cancelling Performance
We tested the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) on eight flights, and many road trips. We tried to record the effect of its noise cancellation capability using a cardioid microphone, the best examples of which you can see in this video.
Before you watch it, please keep in mind that it was quite impossible to fully isolate our microphone in the ear cup. So the actual effect is more pronounced than what you’ll hear in this video.
In the airplane cabin clip, you can distinctly hear how the W860NB cuts out the low-frequency rumble, but the higher-frequency sound of the air-conditioning is still audible.
In the car cabin clip, when active noise cancellation is turned on, the low-frequency road noise is cut out. But you can still hear the higher-frequency wind noise, and even the radio music in the background.
Turning on active noise cancellation will markedly reduce low-frequency noise. This gives you a better appreciation of whatever you are listening to. However, this includes voices of people around you. In fact, airline announcements were clearer with ANC turned on, than turned off.
Edifier W860NB vs. Sony WH-1000XM2
This is a grossly unfair comparison, to be sure. But this is something quite a few of our readers will want to know – how does the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) compare against a premium ANC wireless headphone that costs 3X as much – the much vaunted Sony 1000XM2 (US | UK | MY)?
Based on our subjective tests using the awesome Sony ZX300 Walkman (US | UK | MY), here is how the W860NB Gold compares in active noise cancellation performance to the Sony 1000XM2, in our opinion :
about 80% as good in the lower frequencies, and
about 50% as good in the higher frequencies.
This is very good performance. Impressive actually, when you consider their large price difference.
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Qualcomm aptX Support
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports the proprietary Qualcomm aptX audio codec. When used with smartphones, music players and other devices that support aptX, it can deliver lower latencies and better audio quality.
The aptX audio codec is more efficient than the default SBC (Sub-Band Coding) Bluetooth audio codec, delivering a higher bit rate with lower latency. The lower latency is especially important when you watch a movie with wireless headphones, because nothing is more distracting than a movie with unsynchronised audio!
However, make sure you enable aptX on your smartphone or player, or you will end up using SBC. Most smartphones, for example, default to SBC, even if they officially support aptX. In fact, you may need to make the change in Developer Options.
The W860NB does not support the newer and more advanced aptX-HD, which delivers HD Audio over Bluetooth; or aptX Low Latency, which promises a very low latency for better video and gaming performance. This is something for Edifier to look into adding into the next version.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W860NB Gold : Our Verdict + Award
Anyone who has ever tried using headphones with active noise cancellation on a flight will appreciate what a difference they make.
They will also realise just how useful noise cancellation can be in other applications – better audio clarity at lower volumes, concentrating better in a noisy office, sleeping better, etc.
The key impediment for the widespread adoption of active noise cancellation can be summed in one word – COST.
Headphones with active noise cancellation are generally much more expensive than regular headphones, and some are prohibitively so.
This is how the W860NB Gold stands out above its competitors. Its affordable price point allows you to literally equip a family of three with W860NB wireless headphones for the same price you would pay for a single pair of Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones!
But just how effective are its noise cancellation capabilities?
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is best at cancelling out low-frequency noise. At higher frequencies, it is limited to passive noise reduction courtesy of its over-ear design and padding.
That means it will effectively cut out most of the annoying rumble of jet engines and road noise; leaving voices quite audible.
If you really need to cut out the higher frequencies, then you need to splurge on headphones that perform digital noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM2 (US | UK | MY) or the latest Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones.
The ability to block voices may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. It may be nice to cut out annoying chatter and crying babies, but that may mean you won’t be able to hear important announcements or alerts
The W860NB Gold also impressed us in other ways. it has very useful touch controls on its right ear cup, and a large battery with enough battery life to last even the longest flight and then some. We also like its classy matte finish, and excellent build quality.
Overall, the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) offers a great combination of features, at a great price point. It really punches above its weight.
We are so impressive with its value proposition, we gladly award it our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Great job, Edifier!
Where To Buy The W860NB Gold?
The Edifier W860NB Gold has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The AfterShokz Aeropex are Bluetooth bone conduction earphones designed to handle the harshest weather conditions, and even a dip in the pool!
Let’s take a closer look, and see how the AfterShokz Aeropex been improved from its predecessor, the AfterShokz Trekz Air!
AfterShokz Aeropex
AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) builds upon the popular AfterShokz Trekz Air, improving it with IP67 water-resistance, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Join our good friend Adam Lobo for his explanation of the key features of the AfterShokz Aeropex, as well as the standalone AfterShokz Xtrainerz.
New Bone Conduction Tranducers
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) features bone conduction transducers that are now angled at 30-degrees, for significantly reduced vibration and improved audio quality.
It has also enhanced with PremiumPitch 2.0+ technology for a dynamic bass and higher volume, with minimal vibration.
Longer Battery Life
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) has a longer battery life of 8 hours, letting you enjoy a whole day of music and calls without worrying about battery life.
Waterproof Design
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) is sweatproof and waterproof. Rated at IP67, you can submerge it under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Its magnetic charging port is designed to detect moisture and alert you, while preventing charging to avoid damage.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Rumours have been fast spreading on instant messengers and social media about the HUAWEI Trump ban, leading to a ton of misconceptions, misunderstandings and outright BS.
In this article, we will explain the HUAWEI Trump ban, and what it means to HUAWEI and to you, the customer.
The HUAWEI Trump Ban Timeline Updated!
The US government’s distrust of HUAWEI goes back many years, and only grew as HUAWEI became one of China’s biggest and arguably, most visible global companies with over $100 billion in revenue and over 180,000 employees worldwide.
Circa 2010 : US intelligence officers began claiming that HUAWEI was serving as a proxy for the Chinese government
2011 : The US government squelched HUAWEI’s attempt to acquire 3Leaf Systems, a US company that offers server virtualisation solutions.
2012-10-08 : The US House Intelligence Committee released a report about its investigations into HUAWEI and ZTE, which also questioned their dealings with Iran.
2018-08-13 : US President Trump banned the use of HUAWEI and ZTE products by US government agencies.
2018-12-01 :Meng Wanzhou, HUAWEI’s global chief financial officer and the daughter of its founder, Ren Zhengfei, is arrested by Canadian authorities at the request of the United States.
Photo Credit : Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press / PA Images
Early 2019 : The Trump government begins earnestly pressuring allies to stop using HUAWEI telecommunications equipment, particularly in building new 5G networks.
2019-05-10 : The US-Chinese trade talks failed, and President Trump immediately raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
2019-05-15 : President Trump signed an executive order barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment from sources that are “national security threats”. The US Commerce Department also added HUAWEI to the Entity List of US national security threats.
2019-05-16 : ARM issued a memo instructing their employees to suspend business with HUAWEI. Read our full report and analysis.
2019-05-19 : Google announced that it would suspend business with HUAWEI to comply with US law.
2019-05-20 : Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Micron and Western Digital announce that they will stop supplying HUAWEI. German chipmaker Infineon also stopped some shipments.
2019-05-20 : The Bureau of Industry and Security of the US Commerce Department announced a 90-day temporary licence to HUAWEI, partially restoring their access to US technology and suppliers.
2019-05-21 : FedEx in Singapore and Hong Kong withheld two HUAWEI packages for “delivery exception“. Read our full report and analysis.
2019-05-23 : Two packages from Japan bound for HUAWEI in China were diverted to the FedEx HQ in the United Stataes instead. Read our full report and analysis.
2019-05-25 : The SD Association removed HUAWEI as a member, but the NM Card gives an extra workaround. Read our full report.
2019-05-26 : The WiFi Alliance temporarily suspends HUAWEI, but this only affects future Wi-Fi standards. Read our full report and analysis.
2019-05-29 : HUAWEI announced a legal challenge on the constitutionality of the HUAWEI Trump ban, but it will be too late to help them. However, China has a Trump card!
2019-05-29 : Just as quietly as HUAWEI was removed as members of the the WiFi Alliance, the SD Association and the Bluetooth SIG, its membership was restored!
2019-05-29 : Malaysian Prime Minister (and the world’s OLDEST prime minister) Dr. Mahathir Mohammad said that Malaysia has no intention on shunning HUAWEI, and that they will “try to make use of their technology as much as possible“.
2019-05-29 : The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) told its editors to stop using HUAWEI scientists and engineers to review scientific papers for fear of “severe legal implications”.
2019-06-02 : The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) reversed their decision to ban HUAWEI scientists and engineers from reviewing scientific papers! Read our full report and analysis!
2019-06-12 : HUAWEI confirmed that they were postponing the launch of their refreshed MateBook laptop indefinitely, because they are unable to purchase the necessary components from US-based companies like Intel.
China’s Global Times reports that HUAWEI will instead launch a different laptop in July that will run Windows 10 on an ARM-based processor. Read our full report and analysis!
2019-06-14 : HONOR is moving ahead with the sale of the HONOR 20 smartphones, starting 21 June 2019. Read our full report!
At the same time, Broadcom slashed its annual revenue outlook by a whopping $2 billion, as a result of the HUAWEI Trump ban. Broadcom shares fell 6% as a result.
2019-06-17 : Microsoft starts selling HUAWEI MateBook laptops again, after removing them from the Microsoft Store when HUAWEI was added to the Entity List.
In their statement, they stated that “[Microsoft] will continue to respond to the many business, technical and regulatory complexities stemming from the recent addition of Huawei to the US Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations Entity List”
2019-06-23 : HUAWEI calls the repeated delivery mistakes by FedEx “a vendetta“. Read our full report!
2019-06-24 : Despite the HUAWEI Trump ban, HONOR reported that they sold their first batch of HONOR 20 smartphones in 3 hours in Malaysia, with over a million units in China in two weeks. Read our full report!
2019-06-25 : FedEx sued the Trump Administration to block trade restrictions (like the HUAWEI ban) that force it to act as enforcement agents. UPS declined to join the FedEx lawsuit.
2019-06-29 : President Trump stunned everyone by reversing the HUAWEI ban, stating that it was “no great national emergency”; and agreeing not to introduce more tariffs… all without a trade agreement with China. Read our full report and analysis!
2019-07-14 : Reuters reported that the US Commerce Department could start approving licences for US companies to start selling again to HUAWEI in a matter of weeks.
2019-07-22 : Impatient with the US Commerce Department, the CEOs of Google, Cisco, Intel, Broadcom, Micron and Western Digital pressured Donald Trump to force the US Commerce Department to issue licenses allowing them to sell to HUAWEI once again. Read our full report and analysis!
2019-08-19 : The US Commerce Department extended HUAWEI’s temporary general licence by a further 90 days. They also added 46 more HUAWEI affiliates to the Entity List. Read our full report and analysis!
Who Does The HUAWEI Trump Ban Affect?
The HUAWEI Trump ban covers both HUAWEI and its sub-brand, HONOR. As it so happens, HONOR is launching their HONOR 20 smartphone today.
Many pundits wrongly quoted Trump’s executive order as the basis for the Google and other US companies suspending supplies to HUAWEI. That is only partly true.
His executive order does not mention HUAWEI at all. In fact, it actually applies to every company listed in the US Entity List, which is over 270 pages long!
It basically prohibits “any acquisition, importation, transfer, installation, dealing in, or use of any information and communications technology or service (transaction)” by “any person… subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” to “persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary“.
It was really the US Commerce Department’s action of adding HUAWEI (and its 68 affiliates) to the Entity List that forced US companies to stop doing business with HUAWEI.
Even without Trump’s executive order, US companies are generally prohibited from doing business with companies listed in the Entity List. They will have to apply for a licence to export products to those entities.
The HUAWEI Trump Ban Effects
Google
Google rescinded HUAWEI’s Android licence, as well as access to Google Play services and the Play Store. But what does that mean?
Current HUAWEI and HONOR devices that run on Android and were launched on, or before 16 May 2019 will continue to have access to Google Play services, and the Google Play Store..
HUAWEI and HONOR devices launched from 17 May 2019 onwards will not have access to Android, Google Play services, or Google Play Store.
HUAWEI and HONOR will continue to receive Android software updates and patches until 19 August 2019.
In other words, if you own a HUAWEI or HONOR smartphone that was launched before 16 May 2019, you have nothing to worry about… at least until August 2019.
ARM
The suspension of business between ARM and HUAWEI has no real effect in the short to medium-term, because HUAWEI can continue to manufacture existing and completed designs.
HUAWEI has long worked on creating their own mobile SoCs, like their flagship-class Kirin 970 and Kirin 980. They have been pretty successful in this regard – all of their top smartphones run on Kirin processors.
They do not have a replacement for the Intel processors that power their MateBook laptops. However, they have apparently prepared for this eventuality by stockpiling 3 months worth of chips.
Memory Suppliers : Micron, Infineon
Fortunately for HUAWEI, most DRAM manufacturers are not US companies, or subject to US law. Whereas Micron (a US company) can no longer supply HUAWEI with memory chips, there are other DRAM companies that can make up the shortfall… including their competitor, Samsung.
Tech Organisations : WiFi, Bluetooth, SD New!
Initially, HUAWEI was quietly but unceremoniously booted from the Wi-Fi Alliance, the Bluetooth SIG and the SD Association. But two weeks later, their memberships were quietly restored. Read our full reports :
If you own a HUAWEI or HONOR smartphone sold on or before 16 May 2019, you have NOTHING to worry about.
Your HUAWEI or HONOR smartphone will continue to work normally
You will continue to have access to Google Play services, and the Google Play Store.
You will continue to receive updates and security patches
If you are planning to purchase a future HUAWEI or HONOR smartphone, you should wait and see.
Despite the ban, HUAWEI still has access to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
They can still produce smartphones that run on Android, but won’t be able to install Google Play services, the Google Play Store, or apps by US companies like YouTube and Facebook.
HUAWEI has been working on its own mobile operating system, HongMeng OS, which is said to be undergoing trials right now.
Future HUAWEI smartphones may run on HongMeng OS and their own slew of apps, but there will be a dearth of third-party apps, at least initially.
If the ban persists, HUAWEI will likely be forced to ship future smartphones with stock Android and HUAWEI apps to replace Google Play services.
What About New Devices?
The partial licence from the US Commerce Department only permits “service and support” for “existing” devices that were “available to the public on or before May 16, 2019“.
HUAWEI and its affiliates can create and sell new devices. However, they will not be covered by the temporary licence, and therefore…
they cannot have Google Play services or Play Store, or any US apps like YouTube and Instagram, installed
they are not entitled to Android software updates either
That said, US companies or companies that use substantial US technologies can apply to the US Commerce Department for special licences to sell to HUAWEI. As of July 2019, over 50 applications were submitted for consideration.
How Will This Affect HUAWEI’s Business?
This is, no doubt, a really serious problem for HUAWEI. Losing the ability to include Google services will be detrimental to the success of future devices.
The disruption of their supply chain will start to bite if the ban persists beyond three months – that’s when their stockpile runs out. They will also lose the ability to support existing customers with software patches.
However, the issuance of the temporary licence, just days after listing HUAWEI as a foreign adversary and a national security threat, signals that the HUAWEI Trump ban is just another bargaining chip in the US-China trade war.
In all likelihood, Trump is using the HUAWEI ban to force China to accept his terms for a trade deal. He badly needs a face-saving win after numerous failures in recent months.
Why This Is Bad For The Global Economy + Security
President Trump’s persistent pressure on HUAWEI is forcing a decoupling of the Chinese and American economies. This is bad for the global economy, as well as global security.
The intertwining of US and Chinese economies is a form of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) that was once guaranteed by nuclear weapons.
Photo Credit : News.com.au
But with an erratic US President cutting off supply to US products and technology essential for their companies, China will continue to turn inwards to insulate their economy, even adopting a form of economic Juche.
The more their economies decouple, the more the US loses the ability to engage China positively on a variety of geopolitical issues. In fact, it may eventually lead to an outright Cold War between the US and China, if not military confrontation.
Updated @ 2019-06-20 :Added details of the diverting of HUAWEI packages by FedEx (full report).
Updated @ 2019-06-17 :Added details of Microsoft’s decision to resume selling HUAWEI MateBook laptops.
Updated @ 2019-06-14 :Added details of the upcoming HUAWEI laptop that will run Windows 10 on ARM (full report), the upcoming sale of the HONOR 20 smartphone (full report), and the impact on Broadcom.
Updated @ 2019-06-03 :Added IEEE’s reversal of its earlier decision to ban HUAWEI employees from reviewing scientific papers (full report).
Updated @ 2019-05-31 :Added many updates, including what Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir said about maximising the use of HUAWEI technologies.
Updated @ 2019-05-29 :Added details of HUAWEI’s legal motion and Trump card (full report), as well as the restoration of their Bluetooth, WiFi, SD and Android Q rights (full report).
Updated @ 2019-05-26 :Added details of the HUAWEI WiFi Alliance suspension (full report)
Updated @ 2019-05-25 :Added how HUAWEI outsmarted the SD + microSD ban with their NM card (full report)
Updated @ 2019-05-23 :Added details about the HUAWEI ARM business suspension (full report)
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