Find out why your eMADANI application may be rejected, and how to appeal!
6.5 Million Malaysians Received Free RM100 eMADANI Credit!
On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit under the eMADANI programme.
The eMADANI programme kicked off on 4 December 2023, giving 10 million Malaysian citizens the opportunity to receive the RM100 eWallet credit.
As of Wednesday, 6 December 2023, some 6.5 million people have had their eMADANI applications approved. According to the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, another 1.8 million eMADANI applications are being processed.
However, many reported they failed to get the free RM100 eWallet credit. Find out why your eMADANI application may be rejected, and how to appeal!
Those who do not meet those qualifications won’t be able to receive the free RM100 eWallet credit.
You Received eBeliaRahmah
Those who received the eBeliaRahmah assistance earlier are automatically disqualified for the eMADANI programme, because they have already received eWallet cash to promote the use of cashless payments amongst the youth.
You Did Not Submit Your Tax Return
Unfortunately, the eMADANI programme is using your LHDN tax return for the 2022 assessment year to determine your income level, if you are not receiving the Rahmah Cash Assistance.
People who did not file a 2022 tax return will, unfortunately, not qualify for the free RM100 eWallet credit, even if they earned too little to require filing taxes with LHDN.
After applying for eMADANI, your application will be approved and rejected within 1-5 days. Unfortunately, if your application is rejected, the notification will not tell you WHY it was rejected.
The good news is – there is a dispute process. Sort of.
Contact The eWallet Service Provider
The first thing you can try is to reach out to the eWallet service provider you registered with, to find out why your application was rejected.
It is possible that you may need to submit additional information, or documents, like a copy of your identification card for verification.
If you are using the Shopee app, you can raise a dispute with their customer service.
Select eMadani Claimants as your user type.
Select “eMadani Unable to claim“
Fill in your personal details.
Upload any necessary photos or screenshots.
Contact The Ministry Of Finance
If you cannot resolve the problem through the eWallet service providers, you can try contacting the Ministry of Finance through these dedicated channels of eMADANI:
Email : emadani@treasury.gov.my
Telephone : 03-8882-4565
Toll-free : 1 800 88 2747
If you found this article useful, please SHARE it with your family and friends!
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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.
Be warned – your eWallet account may be blocked, if you attempt to transfer your free RM100 eMADANI credit! Here is what you need to know…
eMADANI : 10 Million Malaysian Citizens To Get Free RM100!
On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit.
On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, the government announced that the eMADANI programme will benefit some 10 million Malaysian citizens and 2 million businesses, with a total budget of RM 1 billion.
The eMADANI programme is a new initiative that is designed to stimulate the micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), as well as promote cashless payments, and alleviate inflationary pressures on the rakyat.
From 4 December 2023 until 20 February 2024, eligible Malaysians can register and receive RM100 in one of these four eWallets:
MAE
Setel
ShopeePay, and
Touch ‘n Go eWallet
Please note that these four eWallet providers will also be offering additional incentives in the form of vouchers, cashbacks, discounts, reward points, and coins. So be sure to “shop around” for the best offers, before deciding on which eWallet to use!
eWallet May Be Blocked If eMADANI Credit Is Transferred!
On Monday, 4 December 2023, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance issued a statement warning that your eWallet may be blocked if you attempt to transfer your free RM100 eMADANI credit out!
This is partly because the eMADANI programme is meant to promote the digital economy, and the use of cashless payments in Malaysia.
The RM100 eWallet credit must be spent physically in retail stores and businesses using the the eWallet of your choice, except:
peer-to-peer transfers
cash redemptions
bill payments through the eWallet
government fee payments through the eWallet
telco postpaid payments and prepaid reloads through the eWallet
game payments through the eWallet
parking and toll payments
investment activities through the eWallet
e-commerce or online transactions
On top of that, the Ministry is aware of online scams offering “cash out” services to people. To avoid people being tricked into transferring their eMADANI credit out, the Malaysian government may order the blocking of eWallet accounts used in such activities, as well as the eMADANI credit involved.
So please make sure you do not transfer your RM100 eMADANI credit out of your eWallet. Do not fall for scams offering you the option to “cash out” the money. Instead, use the eMADANI credit to purchase at retail stores.
Please SHARE this article out, to warn 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)
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.
Ten million Malaysian citizens will soon receive a special RM100 eWallet credit through the eMADANI programme! Here is what you need to know!
eMADANI : 10 Million Malaysian Citizens To Get Free RM100!
On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit.
On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, the government announced that the eMADANI programme will benefit some 10 million Malaysian citizens and 2 million businesses, with a total budget of RM 1 billion.
The eMADANI programme is a new initiative that is designed to stimulate the micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), as well as promote cashless payments, and alleviate inflationary pressures on the rakyat.
Here is what you need to know about the eMADANI programme, and the one-off RM100 eWallet credit…
Here is what you need to know about the eMADANI programme, and how to get the free RM100 eWallet credit:
Who Qualifies For eMADANI RM100 Free Credit?
The eMADANI programme, and the free RM100 eWallet credit, is open to Malaysian citizens who are 21 years and older as of 1 January 2023; and have either:
have an annual income of RM100,000 or less, based on LHDN records as of 15 July 2023
However, those who received the eBeliaRahmah contribution earlier will not qualify for the eMADANI programme, as they have already received eWallet cash to promote the use of cashless payments amongst the youth.
The government estimates that 10 million Malaysians will qualify for the eMADANI free RM100 eWallet credit.
When Can You Redeem The RM100 eWallet Credit?
Those who qualify for the RM100 eWallet credit will be able to redeem it through selected eWallets (see below) from 8 AM on 4 December 2023 until 11:59 PM on 20 February 2024.
Which eWallets Do You Need?
You will need one of these four eWallets to receive the free RM100 credit through the eMADANI programme:
MAE
Setel
ShopeePay, and
Touch ‘n Go eWallet
Please note that these four eWallet providers will also be offering additional incentives in the form of vouchers, cashbacks, discounts, reward points, and coins. So be sure to “shop around” for the best offers, before deciding on which eWallet to use!
To obtain the free RM100 eWallet credit, follow these steps:
Download the eWallet of your choice (from the list of four above) from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or HUAWEI AppGallery.
If you have not registered and verified your eWallet account, please do so first.
In the eWallet of your choice, tap on the eMADANI redemption link.
Key in the required information in the eMADANI redemption page, and tap on the Send button.
You will be informed if your application is successful.
If successful, the RM100 will be credited into the eWallet, and you can use the money immediately.
Please note that you can only redeem the RM100 eWallet credit from one eWallet provider.
Where Can You Spend The RM100?
The RM100 eWallet credit must be spent physically in retail stores and businesses using the the eWallet of your choice, except:
peer-to-peer transfers
cash redemptions
bill payments through the eWallet
government fee payments through the eWallet
telco postpaid payments and prepaid reloads through the eWallet
game payments through the eWallet
parking and toll payments
investment activities through the eWallet
e-commerce or online transactions
When Must You Spend The RM100?
Please note that the RM100 eWallet credit must be spent by 11:59 PM on 29 February 2024.
From 1 March 2024 onwards, any unspent eMADANI credit will automatically expire, and be removed from the eWallet.
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.
Please watch out for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones scam! Take a look at the scam, and find out what the facts really are!
Marshall Minor III Wireless Earphones Scam Alert!
Scammers are running Facebook ads that promote an awesome discount for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones! Here is one recent example:
😣”Frustrating” 😣I had to queue for 5 hours at IOI City Mall to buy MARSHALL MINOR III wireless headphones for only RM179 (original price RM596), I was surprised because I thought they only sold directly I heard it’s open for sale online in 2 more days https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms And also get the same discount as buying at the store. Free shipping nationwide.
But the 4 hours of queuing was worth it. As a Marshall fan, I was very excited when I heard the news that the Minor III series was coming out. And don’t waste your time waiting, the design is very beautiful, more stylish than the old version 💯 Great sound quality. Clear bus, fast Bluetooth connection, suitable for all types of devices, super battery life, 5 hours of continuous use and 25 hours with charging box, waterproof. The best thing about these headphones is the close-to-ear design. Comfortable, can play sports without worrying about falling. If you don’t buy it, you will be very disappointed.
I let my colleagues borrow it to play games because it sounded so realistic. There is no delay in movement. Many people ask me if the store still has promotions? I just saw information that the store has a discount in the next 2 days. Order quickly. At the end of the promotion, the price will return to the original price of RM596. I leave the purchase link here for those who want to buy: https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms
This is yet another example of SCAMS circulating on Facebook, and here are there reasons why…
Fact #1 : Marshall Minor III Price Absurdly Low
The first thing about scams involving electronics, is that they often promise ridiculous great deals. If it’s too good to be true, it often is just a scam.
In this particular scam, scammers are offering the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones for just RM179 (US$39). That’s absurd, as the Marshall Minor II wireless earphones has an official retail price of $159 (approximately RM699)!
Marshall is a high-end audiophile brand, and its electronics are never cheap. Even if they offer a discount, it wouldn’t be anything like 70% to 75%. That’s just ridiculous.
For your safety, here are legit purchase options online for the Marshall Minor III earbuds :
Fact #4 : IOI City Mall Does Not Have A Marshall Outlet
The claim by these scammers that Alvinn Chong queued up for 5 hours at the IOI City Mall to buy the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones is easily debunked.
If you check the IOI City Mall tenant listing, you will quickly discover that it does not have a Marshall outlet.
Fact #5 : Queue Photos Are From Vietnam
The two photos which claim to show long queues for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones were not taken in Malaysia. They were actually taken in Vietnam.
This photo does not show people in IOI City Mall queueing up outside a Marshall outlet. It actually shows people queuing up for the opening of the 15th Pandora store at the Long Bien Aeon Mall, on 28 April 2022.
Incidentally, Pandora is a Danish jewellery brand, and does not sell Marshall audio products…
The second queue photo is also from Vietnam, but taken many years ago on 11 November 2017. It does not show people queuing up to buy any Marshall products either.
They were actually queuing up at Royal City Shopping Center in Hanoi, for the opening ceremony of the second H&M store in Vietnam.
Fact #6 : Scam Website Not Affiliated With ASH Asia
ASH Asia is an authorised distributor of Marshall products in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
However, the scam page (https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms) has nothing to do with ASH Asia, whose official Marshall Minor III page is https://ash-asia.com/ms.
On top of that, ASH Asia does not sell the Marshall Minor III directly (like the scam page). Instead, ASH Asia sells the wireless earphones through Shopee and Lazada.
In fact, if you check the main domain itself, you will get an error message, stating:
Your domain name has been successfully pointed!Please publish a Landing Page with the above domain name to use the service.Thank you!
This not only gives it away as a scam website, it also suggests that the scammers are operating out of Vietnam.
Fact #7 : Scam Website Admits Selling Fake Marshall Minor III
Ironically, the scam website itself has a disclaimer, warning potential buyers that it is not selling genuine Marshall Minor III wireless earphones, but a replica instead…
Most people won’t notice it because if you click to order, the website is designed to skip past this warning.
To assure you that this is safe, the scammers say that you only need to pay on delivery. Sounds good, doesn’t it? That guarantees that you will at least receive the item, doesn’t it?
Not quite, as one person who claimed to have purchased from this scam website explained…
I was attracted and clicked in, filling in my address and phone number.Three days later, I got a call saying that my package would arrive through DHL-COD, and asked me to make sure I was home.
I started looking forward to it, but when I thought about it, I became more suspicious.Since when does DHL provide Cash On Delivery service? I can’t believe they would dare to pay for first-class service without any payment from me.I figured it might be a scam!
What’s the scam? You may not have any doubts when you receive the package. When I open it immediately and take a look, then I realized it was full of garbage. [Unfortunately] I had already paid the delivery person, who ran away.
If true, the scam involves giving you an empty package filled with trash to receive your cash payment. After which, you have no recourse.
Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!
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.
Samsung is making all four main colours options, as well as the four exclusive online colours, available for purchase at launch, at these price points :
As a Samsung ultra-premium smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes in a premium black box, with these items inside :
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone
Set of documents – quick start guide in two languages, and a warranty card
USB Type C to Type C cable
SIM card extractor pin
As the unboxing video shows, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does not come with any charger, or earphones. Not even a TPU case to hold you over until you get a better case.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts the same large 6.7-inch Infinity Flex display as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4. This foldable display has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that has a 120 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels.
The difference this year lies in its No-Gap Flex Hinge and improved Ultra Thin Glass with a droplet fold, allowing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to fold completely flat.
In case you are wondering – the crease is still visible if you view it from an angle, and you can feel it if you run your finger over it. But after using it some time – you will forget it’s even there.
The display is large and really beautiful – with excellent resolution, colour gamut and brightness. And it folds into a really compact device about the size of a pager – if you are old enough to remember what that is!
Like previous Flip models, its foldable display comes with a protective film made from stretchable PET, so you should never stick any screen protector on it!
If you are new to foldable phones, you will be really tentative about folding it. But over time, it will become really natural – you won’t even think twice about folding it before shoving it down your pocket.
The Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) is rated for at least 200,000 folds, so even if you fold it 100 times a day, it should last at least 5.5 years!
But while the display can withstand a lot of folding, you must still take care not to SCRATCH it. Avoid putting it together in your pocket or handbag with hard objects like coins, another phone, etc.
3.4-inch Cover Display
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5’s biggest upgrade is, arguably, the much larger 3.4-inch front display, which is now called the Flex Window, instead of the cover screen.
Thanks to its 3.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels, the new Flex Window is much more useful. Not only can you check notifications, and send quick replies to text messages, it comes with 14 essential widgets out of the box!
You can customise the Flex Window with widgets, video wallpapers, clock faces and styles. And the larger display makes it so much easier to take selfies with its awesome rear cameras!
Performance + Storage
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 runs on the most powerful mobile SoC available for Android devices – the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a specially-binned and slightly-overclocked version that Qualcomm created for Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphones.
Fabricated on the latest 4nm TSMC process technology, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy boasts a powerful Adreno 740 GPU, as well as eight processor cores in a quad-cluster architecture :
a Cortex-X3 prime core running at up to 3.36 GHz (instead of 3.2 GHz),
two Cortex-A715 cores running at up to 2.8 GHz,
two Cortex-A710 cores running at up to 2.8 GHz, and
three Cortex-A510 cores running at up to 2.0 GHz.
Our review sample came with 8 GB of memory, and 256 GB of fast UFS 3.1 storage. It is also available with 512 GB of storage. There is no option to increase storage, but generally 256 GB of storage is more than enough for most people.
Dual SIM Support
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a SIM card tray that supports a single nano SIM card. It also supports an eSIM, so technically, you can use up to two SIMs at the same time.
Buttons
The only buttons you will find are on the upper right side of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 – the Volume control buttons and the Power button, which doubles as the fingerprint sensor.
Pressing the Power button twice activates the Quick Shot mode, which lets you take selfies using the rear cameras with the Flex Window for preview and control.
Only One Port
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a USB Type C port, which supports USB 3.2 connectivity. It does not come with a 3.5 mm audio jack, or a USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter in the box.
Protection
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is water-resistant in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, but is not dust-resistant due to its foldable display and folding mechanism. Hence, it is IPX8-rated.
In addition, its chassis is made with Armor Aluminium, and the Flex Window is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Its Dual Pixel main camera is also protected by Gorilla Glass with DX.
Powering all that is a 3,700 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, which supports 25 watt fast charging, and 10 watt wireless charging. It can even wireless recharge other devices, albeit at just 4.5 watts.
However, it does not come with an in-box charger. So you will have to use your old charger, or buy a new one.
Samsung flagship smartphones are notable for featuring cutting-edge cameras, but the Galaxy Z Flip 5 stayed with older cameras, albeit slightly enhanced.
In the front, it uses a 10 MP punch hole camera, built around the Samsung ISOCELL 3J1 (S5K3J1) sensor, which has a 1.22 µm pixel size. This isn’t a new sensor though, being first used in the Galaxy S20 series.
This camera now has a slightly wider f/2.2 aperture, so you can expect it to perform slightly better in low-light conditions. This camera can also record video at up to 4K resolution at 60 fps.
In most cases though, you will end up using this selfie camera only for video calls, and use the better cameras at the back for your “selfies”!
Dual Cameras At The Back
In the back, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a dual-camera system, which consists of :
a 12 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with 123° field of view, and f/2.2 aperture
The main camera is built around the Samsung ISOCELL 2LD (S5K2LD) sensor, which dates back to the Galaxy S20 series as well. This sensor, however, boasts a large pixel size of 1.8 µm, and it has a 24 mm lens with a wide f/1.8 aperture.
The ultra-wide angle camera is built around the Sony IMX258 sensor, which dates back to 2017. It also has rather small 1.12 µm pixels.
Most Galaxy Z Flip 5 users will eventually realise that it’s better to use these two 12 MP cameras for better selfies. Just double-press the Power button with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 folded to activate these cameras.
These cameras are still good, but I really wish Samsung would have at least upgraded their sensors.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : Photo Samples
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5’s rear cameras may be dated, but they are still excellent cameras with good low-light performance, thanks to the wide f/1.8 and f/2.2 apertures. But the wide aperture also creates creates a narrow depth-of-field, so there is the risk of ending up with an out-of-focus photo.
When used in the selfie mode, the rear cameras deliver Instagram-friendly square 9 MP photos with a resolution of 2992 x 2992 pixels, and a file size of about 1.3 MB (HEIC format).
When used unfolded, the rear cameras deliver can be used to take 12 MP photos with a resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels, and a file size of about 3 MB (HEIC format).
Here are eight unedited photo samples for you to check out.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a relatively small 3,700 mAh battery, which is the same size as last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 4.
To test its battery life, we turned off Automatic Brightness, fix the brightness level, and make sure the screen brightness does not change as the ambient brightness changes.
We also set its display brightness to 50%, which is slightly higher than the average indoor brightness level of 40% during the day.
We then ran the PCMark Work 3.0 battery life test until its battery capacity dropped to 20% several times, and this was the best result we obtained with the Standard and Adaptive refresh rates :
With the same battery capacity, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 had the same battery life of just over 9 hours using its default Adaptive refresh mode, like the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
But when we switched to the Standard refresh mode, it surprisingly delivered over 11 hours of battery life – 49 minutes longer than the Galaxy Z Flip 4!
Let’s compare its battery life at 60 Hz and 120 Hz, against the Z Flip 4, S23 Ultra, and S22 Ultra smartphones.
Standard Refresh Rate (60 Hz)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 naturally has the best battery life with the refresh rate set to 60 Hz (Standard) – lasting just over 11 hours.
But what’s really important to note here is that it is about 5% more power-efficient than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and about 7.5% more power-efficient than the Z Flip 4.
Work 3.0
S23 Ultra
S22 Ultra
Z Flip 5
Z Flip 4
Battery Capacity
5,000 mAh
5,000 mAh
3,700 mAh
3,700 mAh
Battery Life
15 hrs 18 mins
14 hrs 15 mins
11 hrs 4 mins
10 hrs 14 mins
Utilisation
per min.
4.36 mAh
4.68 mAh
4.46 mAh
4.82 mAh
Adaptive Refresh Rate (120 Hz)
Even with the same battery size, and fundamentally the same foldable display, we expected the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to deliver a slight improvement in battery life due to its more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and it pretty much delivered the same battery life of just over 9 hours.
What this means is that if you don’t need smoother graphics, it is worth turning off the Adaptive refresh rate to reduce power consumption by a very significant 21% / 2 hours!
Work 3.0
S23 Ultra
S22 Ultra
Z Flip 4
Z Flip 5
Battery Capacity
5,000 mAh
5,000 mAh
3,700 mAh
3,700 mAh
Battery Life
13 hrs
0 mins
10 hrs
38 mins
9 hrs
12 mins
9 hrs 9 mins
Utilisation
per min.
5.13 mAh
6.27 mAh
5.36 mAh
5.39 mAh
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Battery Recharging Speed!
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 supports up to 25 watts of wired fast charging, but unfortunately, does not come with the charger in-the-box.
So we tested it using the standard 15 watt Samsung fast charger that shipped with their previous smartphones, which is what we believe most users will end up doing.
Work 3.0
S22 Ultra
S23 Ultra
Z Flip 4
Z Flip 5
Battery Capacity
3,300 mAh
5,000 mAh
3,700 mAh
3,700 mAh
Charger Output
15 watts
15 watts
15 watts
15 watts
Battery Life
64.5 minutes
88.8 minutes
98.75 minutes
129.5 minutes
Recharging Speed
(per minute)
62.0 mAh
45.0 mAh
30.0 mAh
22.9 mAh
As we reported earlier, Samsung appears to intentionally reduce the charging speed for their foldable Z Flip 3 and Z Flip 4 smartphones, probably to avoid producing excessive heat. That’s why they both recharge twice as slowly as the S22 Ultra, even using the same 15 watt charger!
But this is a bit of a shocker – the Galaxy Z Flip 5 recharged even slower – it took more than 2 hours to fully recharge it from 20%! That’s a whopping 31% slower than the Z Flip 4, with the same battery!
That gives us a battery life to recharging time ratio of about 4.24:1, which is rather dismal. You get about an hour’s worth of battery life for every 14 minutes you recharge.
Perhaps Samsung is now trying to encourage users to purchase its optional 25 watt USB-C super fast charger…
We first tested the Galaxy Z Flip 5 using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Work 3.0
S23 Ultra
Z Flip 5
Z Flip 4
Z Flip 3
S22 Ultra
Mobile Platform
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8+
Gen 1
SD
888
SD 8
Gen 1
Performance Score
16408
14655
14429
13317
12860
Web Browsing
15680
11404
12097
11637
10442
Video Editing
7879
7943
7387
7762
7444
Writing
22257
19525
17593
15316
15471
Photo Editing
35533
324420
31762
25357
30177
Data Manipulation
12171
11788
12523
11938
9691
Interesting, isn’t it? The Galaxy Z Flip 5 uses the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it is 12% slower.
I should point out that these are peak performance results. You are unlikely to be able to actually feel the difference between the two in normal usage. In fact, these benchmark results really surprised me!
What likely happened is that the Galaxy S23 Ultra has better cooling, and is thus, better able to maintain the processor’s peak performance for longer. But if you are upgrading from a Galaxy Z Flip 4, and hoping for a performance boost, you are out of luck.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 : Storage Performance
PCMark also has an Android Storage 2.0 benchmark that measures the smartphone’s storage I/O performance.
Storage 2.0
Z Flip 5
S23 Ultra
S22 Ultra
Z Flip 4
Mobile Platform
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 1
SD 8+
Gen 1
Storage Score
48435
41647
27808
27271
Sequential Read (MB/s)
2676.53
2592.42
1457.68
1350.51
Random Read (MB/s)
49.95
38.25
37.73
33.94
Sequential Write (MB/s)
2631.38
603.29
856.21
256.81
Random Write (MB/s)
76.66
81.44
47.20
50.29
Will you look at that! The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 received a very big boost in sequential write performance for its internal flash storage!
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 was about 6% slower than the Galaxy S23 Ultra in random write performance, but was an astounding 4.4X faster in sequential write!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 : Gaming Performance
For gaming, we tested the Galaxy Z Flip 5 using 3DMark, with these results :
3DMark
Z Flip 5
S23 Ultra
Z Flip 4
S22
Ultra
Z Flip 3
Device
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8+
Gen 1
SD 8
Gen 1
SD 888
Sling Shot Unlimited
16661
16344
10690
11094
9248
Wild Life Unlimited
14823
14554
11144
9106
3952
Wild Life
Extreme
Unlimited
3705
3814
2636
2220
1174
When it comes to less strenuous games (Sling Shot), the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was surprisingly faster than the Galaxy S23 Ultra, even though they both use the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and the S23 Ultra has better cooling.
Even in the more strenuous game (Wild Life), the Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues to surpass the Galaxy S23 Ultra at lower resolutions.
It was only with the Wild Life Extreme 4K benchmark where the Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s better cooling performance allowed it to beat the Z Flip 5 by 3%.
Simply put – you don’t really need expensive “gaming smartphones”. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will easily handle any game you want to play.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : Overall Performance
We then tested the Galaxy Z Flip 5 using AnTuTu, yielding these results :
AnTuTu
S23 Ultra
Z Flip 5
S22 Ultra
Z Flip 4
Z Flip 3
Device
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 2
SD 8
Gen 1
SD 8+
Gen 1
SD
888
AnTuTu Score
1212174
1187296
889167
856357
696767
CPU
261886
393404
203090
205939
206228
GPU
538823
282780
402617
362669
242573
Memory
236163
291048
146002
135707
133586
UX
175302
220064
137458
152042
114380
The AnTuTu benchmark tells a slightly different story. According to its tests, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is about 38% faster than the Galaxy Z Flip 4. A very nice boost in performance.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is slightly slower – just 2%, than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. But note that its temperature jumped by over 12°C! At peak performance, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can get quite toasty!
Let’s do a quick wrap of what I really like, and don’t like, about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5.
It Now Folds Completely
The 6.7-inch foldable display finally closes completely. This may seem like a minor point, but a complete closure helps prevent things slipping in between the display to damage it while it’s in your pocket or handbag.
Large Flex Window
The 3.4-inch Flex Window is so much better for taking selfies, and much more functional! You can realistically do a lot more with this display, including shooting off quick replies to messages.
Great Performance
Even though it looks real sleek, it is powered by the incredibly powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile SoC.
It will easily handle EVERYTHING you throw at it – even graphics-intensive games. It gets toasty when you game, but hey, at least it doesn’t feel like a brick!
Decent Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cameras are good but unremarkable frankly. Samsung obviously wants mobile photographers to focus on the Galaxy S23 Ultra instead.
That is most unfortunate, especially for selfie-lovers. I like how the large Flex Window lets you easily use the rear cameras for really good selfies.
Slower Charging
Unfortunately, Samsung did not manage to improve the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s battery life at 120 Hz. It has longer battery life at 60 Hz, but I don’t think anyone who paid a premium for 120 Hz would want to stick to 60 Hz…
It doesn’t help that it recharges slower than the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with a standard 15 watt charger… and don’t get me started on the lack of an in-box charger!
Zilch In-Box Freebies
For a premium product, it comes with zilch freebies in-the-box. As mentioned before, there is no fast charger.
There is also no USB-C to 3.5 mm audio jack, not even a pair of USB-C earphones. Neither did Samsung provide even a cheap TPU case.
Incredible New Price Point
On the other hand, Samsung kept the price at highly-attractive price points:
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an incredibly great deal for a foldable smartphone. I fully expect to see it flying off the shelves.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : My Verdict + Award
It must be said that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is more than just a smartphone. It is a fashion statement – a sleek, light smartphone that catches eyes, and folds away to fit even small pockets!
Granted, it still has a short battery life with the 120 Hz refresh rate, and a slow recharging speed. And Samsung did not equip it with new cameras.
However, it is much more usable now, thanks to the large 3.4-inch Flex Window; and it now folds completely flat. Think of it as an improved Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 it is an incredibly good deal for a flagship smartphone, with a large foldable 120 Hz display and a top-of-the-line processor!
This is why we believe it deserves nothing less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Great job, Samsung!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 : Where To Buy
Here are some online per-order and purchase options for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 :
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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.
Samsung just launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone in four main colour options, and four online exclusive colours!
Take a look at all four main colour options, and tell us which YOU prefer!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : A Quick Primer!
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone builds upon the excellent Galaxy Z Flip 4 from last year, offering a more powerful processor and a much larger front display.
It also features an improved No-Gap Flex Hinge with Ultra Thin Glass that finally folds completely flat, making the Galaxy Z Flip 5 even more compact.
But everything else is pretty much the same – from its large 6.7-inch Infinity Flex display, to its dual 12 MP main cameras.
Samsung is offering the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in four main colour options. Two are legacy colours from the Galaxy Z Flip 4, and two are new colours for the Z Flip 5:
Graphite – legacy colour
Lavender – similar to Bora Purple, their signature colour for the Z Flip 4
Mint – new colour
Cream – new colour
I was amongst the few to get an early hands-on look at all four Galaxy Z Flip 5 colour options, and here is my colour comparison video. Do let me know which colour YOU prefer!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : No Bespoke, 4 Online Colours
Samsung will not offer the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in the Bespoke Edition, which will be replaced by the new NFC-enabled Flipsuit Case.
In addition, Samsung will offer these four colours exclusively on their online store:
Gray
Blue
Green
Yellow
Unfortunately, Samsung did not make those exclusive online colours available to us…
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : Colour Options + Price List
Samsung is making all four main colours options, as well as the four exclusive online colours, available for purchase at launch, at these price points :
Just in case you are wondering, the launch prices for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 only went up by RM100 (~US$22 / £17 / A$33 / S$29) over the launch prices for the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Here are some online per-order and purchase options for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 :
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.
Samsung just launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and here is my hands-on experience of its latest compact foldable smartphone in all four colours!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : My Hands-On Experience!
I was one of the few who had the rare opportunity to get my hands on not one, but four Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphones, which allowed us to do a proper colour comparison.
And now, I present to you – my own hands-on experience with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone… in all four main colours!
I apologise for the shaky video – Samsung still insists that I do not take photos or record videos with a smartphone, even though it’s their own Galaxy S22 Ultra!
Samsung maintained the same design from last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 4, so you may not be able to distinguish between the two models… until you turn it on.
Then you will realise that it has a much larger 3.4-inch front display, which is now called the Flex Window, instead of the Cover Screen. It is now much more useful. Not only can you check notifications, and send quick replies to text messages, it comes with 14 essential widgets out of the box!
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has the same large 6.7-inch foldable display as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which supports a Full HD+ resolution, and a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The difference this year lies in its No-Gap Flex Hinge and improved Ultra Thin Glass with a droplet fold, allowing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to fold completely flat.
Like the previous models, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is IPX8 water-resistant, even though it is still not dust-resistant due to its hinge mechanism. It is protected on all sides by a tough Armour Aluminium frame, and on the back by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
On the left side, you will find the SIM card tray, which only supports a single nano SIM card. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 also supports an eSIM, so you can use up to a total of two SIMs.
At the bottom, you will find the USB port, as well as the speaker and microphone ports. On the right side are the Power button with a built-in fingerprint sensor, and the Volume control buttons.
In the front, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a punch hole camera hidden at the top of its foldable display. This is the same 10 MP camera from Galaxy Z Flip 4, albeit with a slightly larger f/2.2 aperture. So you can expect it to perform slightly better in low-light conditions.
At the back are the same two 12 MP cameras from the Galaxy Z Flip 4 – a main camera with f/1.8 aperture, and an ultra-wide angle camera with a 123° field of view, and f/2.2 aperture.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 also comes with the same 3,700 mAh dual battery as the Galaxy Z Flip 4. But it now supports 25 watt fast wired charging, with a suitable charger.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : Specifications
Here are the key specifications for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone :
Just in case you are wondering, the launch prices for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 only went up by RM100 (~US$22 / £17 / A$33 / S$29) over the launch prices for the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Here are some online per-order and purchase options for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 :
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.
HP just launched its new 2023 Smart Tank and LaserJet printers targeted at home / hybrid workers, and enterprises!
2023 HP Smart Tank 580 / 520 Printers
HP just unveiled a new line of budget-friendly 2023 Smart Tank printers to cater to home- and office-based hybrid workers.
The 2023 HP Smart Tank 580 and 520 printers offer an intuitive setup process, with smart features and better connectivity, including self-healing Wi-Fi, and Smart App and Smart Advance capabilities.
They also offer low printing costs with a pre-filled ink supply that can print up to 6,000 black or colour pages. Assuming a monthly output of 150 pages a month, that’s almost 3 years of printing from the start!
Smart Experience
HP Smart App helps to guide you through everyday tasks like print, scan, copy and fax.
Automatically detects IDs, and prints with the ID copy button
Comes with self-healing Wi-Fi and better mobility with Smart App and Smart Advance.
Protected by HP Wolf Essential Security to protect sensitive information.
Affordable Cost
Engineered for high-volume printing with cost-effective colour and monochrome printing
Up to 6,000 pages of black or colour from ink bottles provided in-box
Easy monitoring of ink levels with integrated ink sensors
Sustainably Designed
Sustainably manufactured using 45% post-consumer recycled content.
HP also introduced new laser printers – the LaserJet Managed E800 and E700 series printers, which are intelligent solutions to streamline enterprise workflows.
The new HP LaserJet Managed E800 / E700 series offers enterprises centralised control with HP Web Jetadmi, and HP Workpath for personalised, integrated digital workflow.
Customisable design – they come with five colour panels, to match your office decor, and HP Speed Licence for flexible configurations to meet different business needs
Comprehensive workflow solutions with new Flow 2.0 features, including the ability to make edits directly to the content on the control panel (highlight, redact, even sign) as customised shortcuts.
Reverse and Retry technology which detects and resolves double feed issues and paper jams.
Better performance with up to 70 ppm print speed, and 300 ipm duplex scan, powered by HP’s custom-designed quad-core processor.
Auto-sensing technology to save time with tone and colour management, two sided document detection, and automatic job separation features.
Protected by HP Wolf Enterprise Security, the HP LaserJet Management E800 / E700 series protects, detects, and self-recovers. They also come with Memory Shield, which helps to detect malicious attacks on the printers, and automatically self-heals if detected. Memory Shield uses a hardware-protected solution called Runtime Intrusion Detection to actively scan memory for anomalies, and Guard CFI from Karamba to monitor the execution flow of the printer firmware to help prevent zero-day attacks.
HP is giving away a RM50 e-wallet rebate for the Smart Tank 580, and a RM100 e-wallet rebate for the Smart Tank 520. And if you purchase any of these printers from now until 30 April, you will get an extra black ink bottle.
Here are online purchase options for your convenience:
HP did not reveal the prices for the LaserJet Managed E800 or E700 series printers, but they are available for sale to interested enterprise customers.
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.
Roborock just launched its S8 series of AI-powered robot vacuum cleaners! Here is what you need to know!
Roborock S8 Series Robot Vacuum Cleaners Launched!
On Thursday, 23 March 2023, Roborock launched its Roborock S8 series of AI-powered robot cleaners in Malaysia. The Roborock S8 vacuum cleaner series consists of three models:
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Roborock S8+ (S8 Plus)
Roborock S8
All three Roborock S8 models feature a new cleaning system with two rubber roller brushes, instead of just a single brush in previous models. The dual roller brushes improves its dust pickup, while more effectively tackling matter hair.
All three models also come with higher suction power – up to 6,000 Pa, for a superior cleaning performance. They also feature the Roborock Carpet Boost+ System, which boasts 30% better hair pick-up rate by identifying carpets using ultrasound so the vacuum lifts itself over them and increases suction power for better cleaning.
These robot vacuums also used 3D structured light and infra-red imaging technology to identify and avoid potential hazards on the floor, whether it’s bright or dark.
The top-of-the-line S8 Pro Ultra comes with the new RockDock Ultra system, which delivers automatic mop cleaning, dust emptying and refilling, and self-cleaning.
When the S8 Pro Ultra is in the mopping mode, its dual brush system automatically raises 6 mm to prevent cross-contamination when it returns to the docking station. In addition, it uses warm air drying to prevent mould and odours developing on the mop pad and dock.
The VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System is available on the S8 Pro Ultra and the S8+ models, vibrating at 3,000 times per minute to remove stains from floors. The S8 Pro Ultra comes with two vibration modes for the best possible cleaning in different situations.
Roborock S8 Series Robot Vacuum Cleaners : Price + Availability
These new Roborock vacuum cleaners is available for purchase, at these official launch prices:
Here in Malaysia, these Roborock robot vacuum cleaners are available at AiHome stores in IOI City Mall, One Utama, Mid Valley Megamall, Setapak Central Mall, Sunway Velocity, and iGadgets Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
Online, you can find these Roborock vacuum cleaners at these official stores:
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.
The Malaysian government will implement a new 10% sales tax on cheap import, starting 1 April 2023!
Here is what you need to know about the new sales tax on low value goods that are imported into Malaysia!
New 10% Sales Tax On Cheap Imports In April 2023!
From 1 April 2023 onwards, the Royal Malaysia Customs Department (RMCD) will start collecting a new 10% sales tax on all low value goods (LVG) worth less than RM 500 that are sold online, and delivered from overseas to customers in Malaysia, except:
duty-free islands like Labuan, Langkawi, Tioman and Pangkor
designated duty-free zones in airports, etc.
The 10% sales tax will apply only on overseas low-value goods (worth less than RM 500) purchased online from 1 April 2023 onwards. It will not be imposed on delivery charges or insurance paid to import the item.
For example, if you purchase an item that costs RM 450 from an online shopping portal, with a delivery charge of RM 15.
Before 1 April 2023, you will pay only RM 465 (RM 450 for the item + RM 15 for the delivery costs).
From 1 April 2023 onwards, you will need to pay RM 510 (RM 450 for the item + RM 45 for the new 10% sales tax + RM 15 for the delivery costs).
The online shopping portal will add the new sales tax, so you are aware of the final price before purchasing the item from 1 April 2023 onwards.
Even though the sales tax does not apply to delivery charges or insurance fees, you should expect to pay close to 9%-10% extra for imported low-value goods purchased online.
It should also be noted that Malaysia implemented a 6% service tax on delivery services (except for food and beverages) in July 2022.
Question : If you are a LVG seller, must you register with the RMCD?
The Royal Malaysia Customs Department (RMCD) only requires such sellers to register with them:
sell low value goods (worth less than RM500) online,
that are delivered from overseas,
with more than RM500,000 in total sale value of low-value goods brought into Malaysia in 12 months (defined as the immediate past 12 months before registration, or the current month and the next 11 months)
The RMCD structured it this way so that only large online shops or e-commerce platforms need to register with it, to help collect the new sales tax.
If you are selling your low-value goods through an e-commerce platform like Shopee or Lazada, they will handle the sales tax on your behalf.
Question : How does the sales tax system work for sellers?
Sellers who must register with the RMCD, should do so through the MyLVG online system, using the LVG-01 form. Registration is open from 1 January 2023 onwards.
The seller is required to declare the collected sales tax to the RMCD every three months through the MyLVG system using the LVG-02 form, and pay the collected tax to the RMCD by the last day of the next month.
For example, the ABC e-commerce platform collected RM 1 million in sales tax from April to June 2023.
It must submit its LVG-02 form and pay the collected RM 1 million by 31 July 2023.
If the seller makes a mistake and overpaid the collected tax, it can apply for a refund using the LVG-03 form.
The seller can also cancel its registration using the MyLVG system, if it no longer sells low-value goods, or if the total sales value of LVG in 12 months does not exceed RM 500,000.
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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.
Sea Limited – the parent company of Shopee – appears to be in dire straits, pulling out of markets, slashing costs and salaries!
Parent Company Of Shopee Slashes Costs + Salaries!
Singapore-based Sea Limited – Shopee’s parent company – appears to be in dire straits, pulling out of markets, slashing costs and salaries!
In March 2022, Shopee shut down its France operations less than 6 months after kicking off its “European conquest” in October 2021.
Then in early September 2022, Shopee exited Argentina, and shut down its local operations in Chile, Colombia and Mexico. Sea Limited’s Garena gaming unit also laid off hundreds of employees in Shanghai.
Today (September 15, 2022), Bloomberg reported that Sea Limited’s top management staff will forgo their salaries, and the company will tighten its expenses.
In a 1,000-word internal memo to Sea Limited staff, CEO Forrest Li said that the leadership team will not take any cash compensation “until the company reaches self-sufficiency”, as well as these additional measures :
business travel is restricted to economy class flights,
travel meal expenses are limited to US$30 a day,
hotel stays for business trips are limited to US$150 a night
reimbursements for meals and entertainment bills will be removed
Sea Limited + Shopee Have Been Struggling In 2022
Li noted that Sea Limited has been struggling against rising interest rates, accelerating inflation, and a volatile market – conditions that he foresees will likely persist into the medium term.
He stressed that the company’s primary objective for the next 12-18 months will be to achieve positive cashflow as soon as possible.
With investors fleeing for ‘safe haven’ investments, we do not anticipate being able to raise funds in the market.
The only way for us to free ourselves from relying on external capital is to become self-sufficient, generating enough cash for all our own needs and projects.
Li’s comments mirrors the “tough times” concerns recently expressed by HUAWEI CEO Ren Zhengfe.
Sea Limited saw its market value soar to more than US$200 billion in October 2021, but its share prices tumbled 85%, reducing its market value to just US$27 billion.
Last month, Sea announced that its net loss in the second quarter of 2022 widened to US$931.20 million from US$433.7 million last year. Its total adjusted loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation for that quarter also jumped to US$506.3 minion from US$24.1 million.
This was despite a 29% increase in total revenue to US$2.9 billion, from US$2.3 billion in the second quarter of last year.
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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.
Multiple leaks confirm that Apple Pay is launching soon in Malaysia! Here is what you need to know…
Leaks Confirm Apple Pay Is Launching Soon In Malaysia!
Multiple leaks have more or less let the cat out of the bag – that Apple Pay is launching soon in Malaysia!
This would make Malaysia the second country in Southeast Asia to support Apple Pay, and the 10th territory in Asia, after Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand and Singapore.
AmBank Sent Apple Pay SMS
The first to leak was AmBank, when they sent out an SMS to their customers in July 2022, prematurely telling them that they can now use Apple Pay.
It appeared to have been a test run that ran awry, as their Apple Pay website was not yet ready. But it alerted everyone to the fact that Apple Pay is coming to Malaysia.
Shopee Added Apple Pay As Payment Option
The second to leak was Shopee, which released an Apple Pay option in version 2.91.28 of their app on 2 August 2022.
If you tap on it, you will simply be asked to “ensure there’s an active card in your Apple Pay wallet to proceed“.
Of course, you can’t actually add any credit / debit card to your Apple Pay wallet yet, but you can see that it is listed as a payment option.
Maxis Accidentally Promotes Apple Pay As Payment Option
On 5 August 2022, a Maxis Centre accidentally put out a cardboard sign announcing “Apple Pay accepted here“.
The tweet was deleted by its poster, but the cardboard sign was traced to the Sri Muda Maxis Centre in Shah Alam.
sorry guys had to delete the tweets atas permintaan pihak tertentu. but don’t worry cuz apple pay is coming soon to Malaysia!
AmBank Released Their Apple Pay Portal!
On 8 August 2022, AmBank (accidentally?) released their Apple Pay portal, confirming that the contactless payment system is ready to launch in Malaysia!
The AmBank Apple Pay portal has now been removed, but here are some of the details it revealed :
There is no transaction limit for Apple Pay, as opposed to a transaction limit of RM250 per purchase, with a RM750 daily limit, for other contactless payment platforms.
There is also no transaction limit for online purchases using Apple Pay through your iPhone, iPad or Mac computer.
AmBank also offered some promotions, including cash back for the first purchase using Apple Pay.
There were two unlisted YouTube videos (now removed) showing how to pay for your purchases using Apple Pay. Basically:
a) Look for the Apple Pay and EMV contactless payment logos at the retailer
b) Simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the credit card terminal to pay
c) Use either Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode to verify the payment
Apple Pay Is Now Available In Malaysia!
You would have thought that AmBank would have learned from their July 2022 SMS mistake, but no… they didn’t.
Then again, they may have “accidentally” leaked the Apple Pay website to drum up some hype ahead of the official launch.
Most likely, Apple will roll it out in Malaysia with the next iOS update – probably iOS 15.6.1.
Currently iOS 15.6 does not support Apple Pay in Malaysia. When you try to add a debit / credit card to the Wallet app, you get this pop-up :
To add cards, keys, tickets and passes to Wallet, look for the Add to Wallet button in apps, emails and websites.
Until Apple adds this functionality through an iOS update for Malaysia, there is simply no way to add any card to the Wallet app.
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.
Indonesia just banned a number of major websites including Steam, Epic Games, PayPal and Battle.net!
Here is what you need to know!
Indonesia Banned Steam, PayPal, Epic Games + More!
On 30 July 2022, Indonesians woke up to the shocking discovery that a number of gaming platforms like Steam, Epic Games, Origin, Ubisoft and Battle.net are now banned!
Not only were gaming platforms banned, Indonesia also banned major websites and digital services like PayPal and Waze.
Indonesian netizens have started sharing tips on how to bypass this sudden ban – by using VPN, or changing their DNS servers, to bypass what appears to be an IP block.
Why Indonesia Banned Steam, PayPal, Epic Games, Etc!
There was no official announcement by the Indonesian government, but it is likely that Indonesia banned Steam, PayPal, Epic Games and a bunch of other websites and digital platforms because they failed to register as an Electronics System Provider / Penyelenggara Sistem Elektronik (PSE).
On November 24, 2020, the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) imposed a new regulation calling for all local and international digital services to register with them for cybersecurity and user protection purposes.
Failure to comply with that regulation would subject the digital service to being banned / blocked in Indonesia.
Here is a partial list of major websites, platforms and digital services registered with the Indonesian government, and those that have not been registered, or are known to be blocked.
Those on the unregistered list are likely to be blocked, if not already blocked. Interestingly, Telegram is listed as registered, but is currently inaccessible (blocked) in Indonesia.
Registered
Unregistered
Blocked
LINE
WhatsApp
TikTok
Google
Google Classroom
Google Drive
Gmail
Google Cloud
YouTube
Amazon AWS
Facebook
Telegram
Twitter
Instagram
Discord
Zoom
Gojek
Spotify
Shopee
Lazada
Traveloka
Netflix
Disney+ Hotstar
Zenius
Mobile Legends
LinkedIn
Roblox
Vidio
FB Messenger
Wikipedia
Deezer
Waze
Brainly
Notion
Pinterest
SoundCloud
PayPal
EA
Nintendo
Ubisoft
Mangaku
MediaFire
GitHub
GitLab
Bitbucket
CloudFlare
MS Azure
Amazon
Reddit
DuckDuckGo
Twitch
IMDb
MS Office
Yahoo
IMDb
Patreon
Epic Games
Steam
Uplay
Battle.net
Origin
On July 15 – just 2 weeks earlier – Kominfo warned that digital service providers will be banned in Indonesia on July 21, 2022 if they refused to register.
The deadline for all PSE registration – both domestic and foreign – was set at July 20, 2022. After that, Kominfo would start banning unregistered apps and services.
At that time, Kominfo reported that many major brands and companies have yet to register with them, like Google (which owns YouTube, Google Drive, Gmail, etc.), Meta (which owns WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook), Twitter, Netflix, PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends.
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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.
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.
The HUAWEI nova 9 and WATCH GT 3 are great devices on their own, but when used together – they offer synergistic interconnectivity!
HUAWEI nova 9 + WATCH GT 3 : What Do They Offer?
The HUAWEI nova 9 and WATCH GT 3 are here, offering a great set of features at highly-affordable price points!
HUAWEI nova 9
The HUAWEI nova 9 smartphone is targeted at millennials who love taking photos and videos, and enjoy creating content and vlogging too!
To cater to photo + video enthusiasts, the nova 9 comes with a 50 MP RYYB Ultra Vision Camera and a 32 MP selfie camera with ultra slow-mo capability, and a slew of other cool features.
It also has a large, beautiful 6.57-inch 120 Hz OLED display, which boasts a P3 colour gamut with ΔE < 1 colour accuracy.
On top of that, it has a large 4,300 map battery that supports 66W SuperCharge technology for super-fast charging.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 3
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 is designed to be an elegant technological masterpiece, with 3D curved glass and a modern body design.
It now lasts for days between charges, and comes with all-day SpO2 and heart rate monitoring, as well as a bevy of workout modes with a personal AI running coach built-in!
It also lets you keep connected through Bluetooth calling, and is ATM 5 water-resistant so feel free to take it for a swim!
HUAWEI nova 9 + WATCH GT 3 : Synergistic Interconnectivity!
Both the HUAWEI nova 9 and WATCH GT 3 are sophisticated devices in their own right, but you may not be aware that there is a synergistic interconnectivity when they are used together!
Keep Connected
Once you pair the WATCH GT 3 to your HUAWEI nova 9 smartphone, you will never miss another call even if you accidentally set your phone to silent.
Not only can you receive calls and text messages on your WATCH GT 3, you can also make calls using only voice commands! There is no need to dig out your phone to make the call.
Remote Camera Shutter
Did you know that the WATCH GT 3 can function as a remote camera shutter for your nova 9 smartphone?
This is an incredibly useful feature for solo travellers and photographers, who may not be able to get great shots even with a selfie stick.
All you have to do is set up your nova 9 smartphone at a suitable distance and angle. Then, you are free to snap as many poses as you wish, using the WATCH GT 3 to trigger each shot!
Music Player Controls
While you are out for a jog, or travelling to work, it may not be convenient to use your phone to control the music you are listening to.
Whether it is just to adjust the volume, or to switch to a different track, simply pair the WATCH GT 3 with your nova 9 smartphone, and use it to control your music player!
HUAWEI nova 9 + WATCH GT 3 : Where To Buy?
The HUAWEI nova 9 retails for just RM1,999 at these online and offline stores in Malaysia :
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes; and retails for RM1,099 with a leather strap, and RM999 with a fluoroelastomer strap. You can buy it at these online and offline stores in Malaysia :
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.
Was a Lazada delivery man caught licking and spitting on a package?
Find out what happened, and decide for yourself if he really did lick or spit on that package!
Claim : Lazada Delivery Guy Caught Licking Package!
This Facebook post, and similar variants, have gone viral on social media and WhatsApp, showing what appears to be a Lazada delivery man licking and spitting on a package.
Please sanitize your Lazada packages today! This is what we saw from our CCTV.
Let’s continue to be vigilant. This CCTV footage was taken at the house of our friend in AAV only today.
They often have Lazada and Shopee deliveries so they already setup a drop off / sanitation table in their garage.
The CCTV footage shows 2 Lazada delivery guys with masks on their chin and one of them rubbed his face on the package then spat on it.
PLEASE PLEASE be careful with your deliveries. Sanitize and sanitize again!
There are evil people!
Lazada Delivery Guy Caught Licking Package? Not So Fast…
This Facebook post appears to be genuine, but has been disputed by the Lazada delivery man caught in the images above.
Here is what we know so far…
Fact #1 : The Incident Happened On 3 December 2020
In social media, the posts are often shared stating that “it happened today”, or “this just happened”, or left unsaid.
The original post appears to have been removed, but based on our investigations, the incident happened at around 5:30 PM on 3 December 2020.
Fact #2 : The Incident Happened In Manila
You may have seen people claiming that this happened “locally”, but that lacks context.
The incident did not happen in Singapore or Malaysia or even Thailand.
It happened outside a home in Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila in the Philippines.
Fact #3 : The Lazada Delivery Man Disputed The Claim
The Lazada delivery man, Justine Rainer Israel of Pasay City, publicly disputed the claim.
In a Facebook post (now removed), he accused the OP (Original Poster) of discrimination, saying that rich people like them look down on poor people like him.
Here is the rough English translation, please correct us if we are wrong :
I am the one in the picture. Yes, I stuck my face on it but I did not lick or spit on your item or parcel.
You are rich, we are poor like that. You will do it, you will see something wrong.
I waited for more than 20 to 30 minutes at your gate in Ayala Alabang in the middle of the heat.
I sat down because it was tiring to wait for you rich people to collect your item, but why are you so judgemental?
I AM NOT CRAZY TO DO THAT. YES, I WORK TO EARN A LIVING. SUFFERING IN THE HEAT EVEN WHEN HUNGRY, JUST TO DELIVER THE ITEM YOU NEED, RIGHT?
JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY. YOU ARE RICH. THAT”S WHAT YOU DO TO THOSE OF US WHO WORK FOR A LIVING.
I used your item to cover my face to protect from the heat because you took so long to come out. God bless to all of you wherever you are. I hope you will be happy forever!
Fact #4 : Netizens Dispute His Explanation
While some netizens commiserated with the Lazada delivery man, other netizens pointed out that :
it was wrong to remove the face mask and place the package against his face and mouth
the Lazada delivery team was only there for less than 6 minutes
he was seen in the CCTV footage swinging the package and hitting it against his leg
Lazada Delivery Guy Licking Package : Should You Be Worried?
Should you be worried if your local Lazada delivery guy, or any other delivery guy for the matter, licks your packages, or spits on them?
Other than the fact that it is highly unsanitary, the risk of catching COVID-19 from packages is practically nil, although it had been considered a possible mode of transmission.
So far, there has been no record of anyone getting infected by COVID-19 through fomites – contaminated objects like that package. That said, there’s no harm in wiping down any parcel or package you receive.
What’s more important though is maintaining good hand hygiene by washing your handswith soap, or using a hand sanitiser, after handling such packages.
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.
Acer just launched the Aspire Vero – a new green laptop for environmentally-conscious consumers and companies!
Take a look at the 2021 Acer Aspire Vero, and find out how it differs from other laptops!
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Green Laptop With 30% PCR Chassis
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero is a new laptop, designed to meet the discerning requirements of environmentally-conscious consumers and companies.
Its chassis is made from 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, while its keycaps contain 50% PCR plastic. This allows the Aspire Vero to save about 21% in CO2 emissions.
The Acer Aspire Vero is also designed to eliminate electronic waste by making it easy to disassemble, repair or upgrade – a far cry from some other brands.
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero also ships in a box made from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and it swaps plastic bags for paper sleeves instead.
The single piece of plastic in the box – a thin protective sheet between the keyboard and screen – is made from 100% industrial recycled plastic.
All graphics on the box are also printed with soy ink, and Acer did away with any printing on the laptop chassis. On top of that, users can convert the 100% recyclable packaging into a DIY laptop stand!
The laptop comes with a 99% recyclable 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, and is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 or Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
For greater energy efficiency and longer battery life, you can switch on the Eco+ mode in the Acer VeroSense software.
It features the latest connectivity capabilities – Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5.1, and even an RJ-45 ethernet port, as well as two USB Type A ports, a USB Type C port, a HDMI port and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero runs on Windows 11, and comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Specifications
Acer is offering two variants of the Aspire Vero laptop in 2021. For your convenience, I prepared this table comparing their key specifications :
Specifications
Acer Aspire Vero
(Core i5)
Acer Aspire Vero
(Core i7)
Model
AV15-51-522W
AV15-51-75SA
Display
15.6-inch IPS display
Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080)
OS
Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Processor
Intel Core i5-1155G7
Intel Core i7-1195G7
Memory
8 GB LPDDR4X
16 GB LPDDR4X
Graphics
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage
512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Networking
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201
Bluetooth 5.1 RJ-45 Ethernet Port
Connectivity
1 x HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A (with power-off USB charging)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
Type C
1 x 3.5 mm audio jack
Webcam
Acer HD webcam (1280 x 720)
Battery Life
Up to 7 hours
Dimensions
363.4 mm wide
238.5 mm deep
17.9 mm thick
Weight
1.8 kg
Price
RM3,399
RM4,299
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Price + Availability
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero is available for purchase with immediate effect, with these official launch prices :
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.
The Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus robot vacuum is really, REALLY AWESOME!
Find out why every home should have a little ROIDMI Eve Plus running around!
Why Xiaomi’s ROIDMI Eve Plus Is So Awesome!
One of the hottest gadgets for homeowners is a robot vacuum, which can be incredibly useful or a real pain in the ass.
What most homeowners in the market for a robot vacuum don’t understand is that many models don’t clean well, and are a hassle to maintain.
That’s why Xiaomi’s ROIDMI Eve Plus robot vacuum is so awesome – it is not only a cleaning powerhouse, it does away with almost all of the maintenance hassle!
Self-Emptying System
One of the biggest hassle in maintaining a robot vacuum is the constant need to empty the dust box.
This limitation prevents ordinary robot vacuums from automatically and continuously cleaning your house for days on end.
This is not a problem for the ROIDMI Eve Plus. When it returns to its base station to recharge its battery, its dust box is automatically emptied into the base station!
This allows the Eve Plus to continuously recharge and empty its dust box, and clean your house for weeks on end!
The base station’s large 3L dust bag can hold enough dust for 60 days, before you need to clear it.
Self-Sanitising System
The ROIDMI Eve Plus not only comes with a HEPA filter – a common feature in robot vacuums, it boasts a pioneering Deodorizing Particle Generator in the base station.
The Deodorizing Particle Generator uses Active Oxygen technology to sterilise the collected dust, eliminating dust mites as well as microbes and mold like E. coli, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.
It can also eliminate toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene and TVOC, as well as remove the smell of cigarettes and perfume.
4th Generation Super-Sensing LDS Sensor
The ROIDMI Eve Plus comes with their 4th generation laser distance sensor, which allows for highly-precise scanning of its environment.
It is constantly scanning for obstacles, so it will quickly detect people or pets nearby and avoid them.
AI Smart Room Mapping
The ROIDMI Eve Plus can precisely map and later remember every room in your house, across multiple levels!
Its built-in AI mapping and path planning algorithms allow it to better and faster clean the rooms, and resume its cleaning duties after charging or emptying its dust box.
The room maps it generates also allows you to demarcate forbidden areas, or schedule more frequent cleaning for certain rooms.
Separate maps can be saved for each floor, and the settings are automatically matched and switched, when switching floors.
4+ Hours Of Vacuum + Mopping!
The ROIDMI Eve Plus has a powerful digital brushless vacuum with 2,700 Pa of suction power, with side brushes and a flexible inlet that adjusts to the floor condition.
And thanks to its large 5,200 mAh battery, it can keep on cleaning for over 4 hours (250 minutes) before it needs to return to the base station!
If you like squeaky clean floors, the Eve Plus has a mopping module and a 250 ml water tank, to give you just that.
It simulates hand-mopping with its 3-stage Y-route (not available in the US) or U-route mopping
Obstacle Avoidance
The ROIDMI Eve Plus will never get stuck under your bed, sofa or cabinets, because it can automatically sense their height.
It is also smart enough to detect low obstacles like door strips or cables (up to 2 cm in height) and crawl over them.
It can also sense and climb up ramps with slopes of up to 20°, which lesser robot vacuums will balk at.
Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus : What’s Inside The Box?
The Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus comes in two separate boxes – one for the robot vacuum cleaner, and the other for its base station.
In this video, we take a look at what’s inside both boxes!
Premium 1 Year Warranty : RM1,988 (1 to 1 Exchange)
In addition, you can save more by purchasing these Add-on Deals :
Replacement parts like dust bag, mop wipes, roller brush, side brush, filter, etc.
Extended 1 year warranty on the battery
But on 11/11, the ROIDMI Eve Plus goes on sale at only RM1,458 for just TWO HOURS – from 12 AM until 2 AM!
So don’t miss this offer. Grab it during those two hours!
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.
The awesome self-emptying, self-sterilising Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus robot vacuum is going on sale this 11/11!
Take a look at the 11/11 offer and find out why you should get it!
Why You Must Not Miss The Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus 11/11 Offer!
Robot vacuums are incredible little helpers, effortlessly keeping our homes clean. But we still need to manually empty them once in a while or they stop working.
That’s why many homeowners are now looking for self-emptying robot vacuums that automatically dispose of their waste, and keep cleaning without constant monitoring.
This is not a problem for the Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus. When it returns to its base station to recharge its battery, its dust box is automatically emptied into the base station!
This allows the Eve Plus to continuously recharge and empty its dust box, and clean your house for weeks on end, thanks to its large 3L dust bag that can hold enough dust for 60 days.
The Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus robot vacuum also comes with a self-sanitising system that combines a HEPA filter with a pioneering Deodorizing Particle Generator with Active Oxygen technology.
This unique self-sanitising system eliminates not only dust mites, microbes and mold, but also toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, as well as the smell of cigarettes and perfume.
The Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus is also smart and powerful. It uses its 4th generation laser distance sensor to precisely map and remember its surroundings, even across multiple levels!
Its built-in AI mapping and path planning algorithms then use that map to automatically clean your rooms, self-empty itself and return to its cleaning duties – without any input!
Its built-in digital brushless motor delivers 2,700 Pa of suction power, while its 5,200 mAh battery lets it clean for over 4 hours before it needs to return to its base station for charging.
If you want a robot vacuum cleaner that helps you keep your house clean without constant maintenance, you can’t go wrong with the ROIDMI Eve Plus!
Don’t Miss This Xiaomi ROIDMI Eve Plus Offer On 11/11!
The ROIDMI Eve Plus + dust collector base station kit is really affordable. You can already purchase the full ROIDMI Eve Plus set in Malaysia at these incredible prices :
Premium 1 Year Warranty : RM1,988 (1 to 1 Exchange)
But on 11/11, the ROIDMI Eve Plus goes on sale at only RM1,458 for just TWO HOURS – from 12 AM until 2 AM!
So don’t miss this offer. Grab it during those two hours!
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.
Find out why you should only use genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks, and how to identify the real deal!
And don’t forget to WARN your family and friends about counterfeit disinfectant sticks!
Why You Should Only Buy Genuine Dr Clo Disinfectant Sticks!
There are many chlorine dioxide products in the market, but Dr Clo disinfectant sticks have superseded them to become the market leader.
Unfortunately, that has led to a proliferation of counterfeit disinfectant sticks that could put your life at risk, so Dr Clo Malaysia reached out to us for help to warn you all.
Here are some reasons why you should only buy genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks :
Reason #1 : Guaranteed Safe ClO2 Concentration
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks have been designed to emit chlorine dioxide at just 0.01-0.02 ppm, which is 10X below the ClO2 exposure limits set by NIOSH and OSHA in the United States.
They are able to do this by emitting chlorine dioxide through their special porous body, instead of a single hole like counterfeit products.
Dr Clo even shared with us a document on their internal measurement of chlorine dioxide, showing ClO2 readings of 0.01 ppm and 0.02 ppm.
Counterfeit disinfectant sticks cannot deliver this safe rate of chlorine dioxide emission, because they have a regular plastic body with a large hole to emit the chlorine dioxide.
Not only do they not provide even emission of ClO2, they have to emit much larger concentration from their single exit hole to achieve the same coverage.
Reason #2 : Long Lifespan
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks are filled with enough chlorine dioxide to deliver up to 50 days of non-stop coverage (without exposure to direct sunlight or high temperature).
Even in direct sunlight or in high temperature conditions, they will last at least 30-40 days.
In a perfect environment – like a fridge where it is enclosed and cool with no exposure to sunlight – they can even last up to 3 months!
Counterfeit disinfectant sticks certainly do not last as long. In fact, there’s no way to know how long they actually last!
Reason #3 : Built-In Indicator
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks have a built-in indicator that tells you when they empty.
Once activated, the indicator will gradually turn yellowish to show that it’s actively emitting ClO2. Once it becomes transparent again, this indicates that it is starting to run low.
You can replace it immediately, but the stick will still emit ClO2 for another 7-10 days, giving you time to purchase replacements.
Counterfeit disinfectant sticks lack this indicator, so it is virtually impossible to know when they run out!
Reason #4 : Korean Quality
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks are all manufactured in South Korea, and subject to stringent quality controls by the NON Corporation.
Counterfeit disinfectant sticks may look like the real deal, but do you really know what they contain?
Reason #5 : Product Liability Insurance
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks are all covered by a Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance product liability insurance (82013139323) worth KRW 500,000,000 – about US$432 thousand or RM 1.8 million!
Counterfeits and copies are, of course, not covered by such liability insurance – yet another reason to stay far away from them!
Now that you know WHY you must only buy genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks, find out HOW to identify the real deal!
How To Identify Genuine Dr Clo Disinfectant Sticks!
If you purchase Dr Clo disinfectant sticks online, make sure you check the box. Every genuine Dr Clo disinfectant stick sold online will have a unique QR code sticker.
If you don’t see this QR code sticker, then this is a counterfeit disinfectant stick.
But please note that Dr Clo disinfectant sticks sold at big chain retailers and pharmacies like Watson’s may lack these QR codes, but are all genuine.
Make sure you check the QR code using any QR code scanner. If it is a genuine Dr Clo disinfectant stick, you will be directed to a page that confirms it’s a genuine product :
Dr Clo disinfectant sticks are also ALL made in Korea by NON, and will usually have its US FDA registration and international patent number printed on the box.
If you come across a disinfectant stick that’s made by a different manufacturer, or a different country – that’s a sure sign that it’s a counterfeit or a copy.
Finally, only genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks will come with a built-in indicator. This is not only important to let you know when it runs out, it is a sure sign you have a genuine disinfectant stick.
Counterfeit or copies of the Dr Clo disinfectant sticks do NOT have this indicator. Make sure you steer clear of them!
Now that you know HOW to identify genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks, find out WHERE to buy the real deal!
Where To Buy Genuine Dr Clo Disinfectant Sticks!
Here in Malaysia, you can buy genuine Dr Clo disinfectant sticks from these authorised retailers :
The Acer Day 2021 bonanza is here! Check out the awesome deals that Acer Malaysia is offering this month!
Acer Day 2021 : Time For Great Deals!
Acer Day is an annual celebration of their success, kicking off a virtual bonanza of deals and giveaways.
Acer Day 2021 is now conducted online, with the theme “Live Your World”, to encourage all of us to make the best of the situation we are in.
Acer Day 2021 Sale : Check Out These Awesome Deals!
Special Acer Day 2021 Sale On Shopee
Acer Day will kick off with two days of special sales on Shopee – 3 and 4 August 2021.
Up to 60% or RM500 off for a wide range of Acer products
Store vouchers of up to RM200 to collect and apply during checkout.
The top 10 spends from select Acer Stores on Shopee (see below) will be able to bring home a Predator Gaming chair worth RM1,299!
100 units of Predator Gaming Chair will be sold at only RM359 once the Acer Malaysia Shopee Store hits 30,000 followers!
Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC Bank credit card holders will be able to stack vouchers worth up to RM300 when they checkout Acer products in their shopping cart!
Acer Day 2021 Limited Time Deals
Don’t miss the special Limited Time Deals to grab these selected Acer laptops and products at special prices!
Acer Helios 300 (PH315-53-58U0) : Only RM4,399!
Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-57-78PJ) : Only RM5,399!
Acer Swift 3 (SF314-43-R6WW / R5AD) : Only RM3,099!
Acer XC340CKP : Only RM1,529!
Acer T272HL : Only RM1,269!
Acer XZ270X : Only RM879!
They are only available at three time periods on the 3rd and 4th August, at select Acer Stores on Shopee (see below).
Acer Day 2021 Free Gifts
From 1 August until 30 September 2021, every purchase will entitle you to free gifts such as the Acer Yoga Mat, Predator Mousepad, Gateway Pro Wireless Headset or eWallet vouchers worth up to RM250!
In addition, you will stand a chance to win Acer products worth RM10,000.
Finally, Acer will donate up to RM50 to World Vision, for every purchase of select devices!
Acer Day 2021 Shops On Shopee
To grab these great Acer Day 2021 deals and freebies, please make sure you buy from these authorised Acer stores on Shopee :
Did the Ministry of Health shut down the Shopee warehouse after 50 employees were infected with COVID-19?
Take a look at the COVID-19 rumour that went viral, and find out what happened!
Claim : Shopee Warehouse Closed After 50 COVID-19 Cases!
This short warning, which came with two photos, went viral on WhatsApp.
It suggested that the Shopee warehouse was shut down by the Ministry of Health, after 50 employees tested positive for COVID-19!
50 Shopee’s employees infected. Please spray your parcels with disinfectant when you receive them.
Shopee Warehouse Closed, Not Because Of COVID-19 Cases?
The notice of closure by the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) is genuine, but Shopee claims that they are unrelated to the allegations of COVID-19 cases.
Here is what we know so far…
Fact #1 : Shopee Denies Warehouse Closure Due To COVID-19 Cases
On 10 July 2021, Shopee claimed that the closure of their warehouse has “nothing to do with the alleged COVID-19 cases“.
They did not confirm or deny the alleged COVID-19 cases, or whether any of their employees recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Fact #2 : Pictures Of Police From Earlier Inspection
The pictures that were shared with the rumour was not from 9 July 2021, but a week earlier.
On 3 July 2021, Shah Alam district police officers inspected the Shopee warehouse to check for EMCO SOP compliance.
During that inspection, they identified an issue at the Shopee warehouse involving the registration of daily part-time workers in the COVID Intelligent Management System (CIMS).
Due to a misunderstanding of the SOP, Shopee was fined RM10,000.
The 9 July 2021 closure of the Shopee warehouse was unrelated to this 3 July incident.
Fact #3 : Shopee Warehouse Closed To Implement New SOPs
According to Shopee, they received guidance on additional SOP from KKM to implement in their Shah Alam warehouse, because Shah Alam is under EMCO restrictions.
They claimed that the guidance was very helpful, and thus their “warehouse will be closed temporarily to implement these added SOPs as quickly as possible“.
Fact #4 : KKM Ordered Shopee Warehouse Closure
However, the KKM notice tells a different story. It is an official Notis Perintah Tutup Premis (Notice of Premise Closure Order).
That was not a suggestion or guidance by KKM. It was an order to close the Shopee warehouse at the Mapletree Logistics Hub, from 9 July until 16 July 2021.
However, this does not mean that the rumours of 50 infected Shopee employees are true. It merely tells us that the closure of the Shopee warehouse was mandatory, not a suggestion.
Fact #5 : Warehouse Parcel Deliveries Will Be Delayed
While Shopee is assuring everyone that their platform is “operating per business as usual”, they admitted that there will be delays “for deliveries via our warehouse”.
They said that buyers whose orders are affected will receive an alert via push notifications in their Shopee account.
This is further evidence that the warehouse closure was not a suggestion, but an order that must be complied with.
Shopee Statement On Warehouse Closure Over COVID-19 Concerns
This is the 10 July 2021 statement by Shopee on their warehouse closure over COVID-19 concerns/
Dear valued Shopee users,
Shopee is cooperating very closely with the authorities who are working hard to fight Covid-19 in the country. On 9 July 2021,we received some guidance from the Ministry of Health (MOH) on additional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) they suggested for us to implement at our Shah Alam warehouse. This is because Shah Alam has been placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order. It has nothing to do with the alleged Covid-19 cases, and the inspection is separate from the one conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on 3 July.
The guidance is very helpful and our warehouse will be closed temporarily to implement these added SOPs as quickly as possible.
To clarify, the Shopee platform is operating per business as usual and deliveries made by Shopee Express and all our other delivery partners are not affected. Some delays may occur and only for deliveries via our warehouse, which are a small portion of overall orders. Buyers whose orders are affected will also receive an alert via push notifications in their Shopee account.
Rest assured it does not impact our overall platform operations and we continue to provide Shopee users with all your needs.
We seek your patience and understanding as this is a national matter and we all have a part to play in the fight against Covid-19. Thank you for all your support and we will provide updates on the situation via our official social media accounts.
Thank you.
#ShopeeMY
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Name : Adrian Wong
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Is ivermectin prophylaxis against COVID-19 really cheap, as its proponents claim?
Take a look at the ivermectin prophylaxis protocol that FLCCC is advocating, and find out what it really costs!
FLCCC Ivermectin Prophylaxis Against COVID-19
Dr. Paul E. Marik of the FLCCC is advocating that health authorities use his I-MASK+ protocol to prevent and treat COVID-19.
For prevention of COVID-19, Dr. Paul Marik is recommending that we take these medication :
Ivermectin : 0.2 mg/kg on day 1, day 3 and then every 4 weeks
Vitamin D3 : 1,000 to 3,000 IU every day
Vitamin C : 2,000 mg every day
Quercetin : 250 mg every day
Zinc : 50 mg every day
Melatonin : 6 mg every night
For early treatment of COVID-19, the doses go way up :
Ivermectin : 0.2 mg/kg on day 1 and day 3
Vitamin D3 : 4,000 IU every day
Vitamin C : 4,000 to 6,000 mg every day
Quercetin : 500 mg every day
Zinc : 100 mg every day
Melatonin : 10 mg every night
Aspirin : 325 mg every day
The standard dose of ivermectin is 0.2 mg/kg, so that is not actually controversial. An adult of 60 kg would therefore require a dose of 12 mg of ivermectin.
Ivermectin Prophylaxis : How Cheap Is It?
Ivermectin proponents insist that its use is being suppressed because its patent ran out, and so Big Pharma does not benefit from its sale.
That is not really true, because all pharmaceutical companies that make ivermectin will make money off it. Even Merck, whose patent ran out in 1996, still makes money off ivermectin.
So let’s ignore the argument about patents. Let’s just look at the cost of the ivermectin prophylaxis protocol that FLCCC is promoting.
Ivermectin is not sold over the counter in many countries, as it is only used in animals. So it is often sold at inflated prices online.
Here is an example I found on Shopee earlier this month. A strip of 10 tablets cost RM150 (US$36). That’s RM15 (US$3.60) per 12 mg tablet.
There may also been reports that some doctors were illegally selling ivermectin at RM35 per tablet (US$8.45), and RM150 (US$36) per strip.
But the good news is FLCCC’s ivermectin prophylaxis actually uses very little ivermectin! You only take it once a month!
Now Foods Melatonin (3 mg, 180 capsules) : US$9.92
Based on those prices, here is my comparison of the COST of the I-MASK+ prophylaxis protocol versus a selection of COVID-19 vaccines :
Prophylaxis
US Price
FLACC I-MASK+
$1.03 per day $31 per month $375 per year
AstraZeneca Vaccine (2 doses)
$8
J&J Vaccine (1 dose)
$10
Moderna Vaccine (2 doses)
$30
Pfizer Vaccine (2 doses)
$39
As you can see, the ivermectin prophylaxis that FLCCC is promoting costs more than COVID-19 vaccines after just 1 month!
So it really doesn’t make financial sense to choose the FLCCC ivermectin prophylaxis over COVID-19 vaccines.
In fact, the table above shows that it is not the pharmaceutical companies making the big bucks through vaccines, but the SUPPLEMENT INDUSTRY making big bucks from the FLCCC ivermectin prophylaxis!
There is no doubt that the FLCCC ivermectin prophylaxis is ridiculously expensive, and only serves to line the pockets of the supplement industry.
Ivermectin Prophylaxis : Other Issues…
There are other issues with the ivermectin prophylaxis that FLCCC and their supporters are advocating.
Taking Pills Every Day…
The FLCCC calls for people to take ivermectin like a monthly supplement, together with large amounts of vitamin D3, vitamin C and other supplements every single day!
And for how long does FLCCC expect people to pop these pills? Until the pandemic is over? That could be months!
How long do you think people can keep up with the daily regime of popping 5 to 6 pills? What if they forget?
It would be far EASIER for people to simply get vaccinated. Most COVID-19 vaccines require two doses, but some require only one dose.
Would you prefer to just get one or two injections, or consume 5 to 6 pills every single day, until the pandemic is over?
Ivermectin Not Proven To Prevent COVID-19…
The biggest problem with the ivermectin prophylaxis that FLCCC is advocating is that – it hasn’t actually been proven to prevent COVID-19.
This February 2021 study that was also published in The Lancet showed that ivermectin did NOT reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Even more troubling – neither Dr. Marik nor the FLCCC has actually run any clinical trial to test and confirm the efficacy of their ivermectin prophylaxis protocol!
FLCCC Uses Very Little Ivermectin…
What’s even more surprising is how little ivermectin FLCCC is actually using in their ivermectin prophylaxis against COVID-19.
They are not only using the standard ivermectin dose, it is only taken once every 4 weeks! Even if you were exposed, you only take ivermectin for two days!
The bulk of their ivermectin prophylaxis protocol involves eating lots of supplements on a daily basis.
If ivermectin really works against COVID-19, why is it used so little in the FLCCC ivermectin protocol?
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Name : Adrian Wong
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HUAWEI just officially launched their Vision S, powered by their own HarmonyOS operating system!
Here is what you need to know about the new HUAWEI Vision S 4K smart TV!
HUAWEI Vision S : HarmonyOS Smart TV
Powered by HarmonyOS, the HUAWEI Vision S comes in two sizes – 65-inch and 55-inch, both offering smart features like :
interconnectivity,
interactive capabilities,
multi-device collaboration, and
of course, multimedia prowess
Let’s take a quick look at what you need to know about this new smart TV!
HUAWEI Vision S : Specifications
To make it easy for you to compare the two models, here is a table comparing their key specifications :
Specifications
HUAWEI
Vision S
65-inch
HUAWEI
Vision S
55-inch
Size
65-inches
55-inches
Resolution
4K UHD
3840 x 2160 pixels
Colour Gamut
92% DCI-P3
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Brightness
350 nits
Contrast Ratio
5000:1
Backlight Type
Direct LED
Operating System
HUAWEI HarmonyOS
Memory
3 GB
Storage
32 GB
Camera
13 MP magnetic camera
Speakers
2 x 10 W full frequency
2 x 10 W tweeters
Voice Input
6 microphones
Far-field voice pickup
Remote Control
Bluetooth voice remote control
OneHop Projection (NFC)
Connectivity
Wi-Fi : 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
3 x HDMI 2.0 ports
1 x AV-in port
1 x USB 3.0 port
1 x SPDIF (coaxial) port
Power Consumption
230 watts
190 watts
Display Only Size
1449.3 mm wide
837.2 mm high
72.1 mm thick
1230.1 mm wide
714.1 mm high
73.0 mm thick
Display + Base Size
1449.3 mm wide
876.4 mm high
336.7 mm thick
1449.3 mm wide
753.6 mm high
258.0 mm thick
Display Only Weight
19.5 kg
14.2 kg
Display + Base Weight
20 kg
14.7 kg
HUAWEI Vision S : Key Features
Double Refresh Rate, Double Speakers!
Its 120 Hz display, coupled with Advanced Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation (MEMC) promises to offer much more immersive and smoother visuals.
On top of that, it is fitted with twice as many speakers than other smart TVs – two Full Frequency Speakers and two High Frequency Speakers, with a 1 litre sound cavity!
1080p HUAWEI MeeTime Calls!
The HUAWEI Vision S supports MeeTime calls, letting you engage in high-definition video calls at up to 1080p resolution without being connected to a HUAWEI smartphone!
All you need to do is set the Vision S to use your HUAWEI ID during the installation process, and you can make 1080p MeeTime calls directly on it!
OneHop Projection!
The HUAWEI Vision S comes with OneHop Projection built-in, activate with a tap of your HUAWEI smartphone on the HUAWEI Share icon on its remote control!
You will be able to project your smartphone contents onto the display, and navigate by simply swiping left and right on your smartphone!
Mirror Control
The Mirror Control capability turns your smartphone into a touchpad for the Vision S.
This gives you handy touch controls for easier input, without worrying about the remote again.
HUAWEI Vision S : Price + Deals!
The HUAWEI Malaysia Vision S will be available in two sizes, at these price points :
If you pre-order one, you will receive these free gifts!
Vision S 65-inch
Pre-order period : Now until 2 May 2021
Free gifts : HUAWEI WiFi AX3 router + HUAWEI FreeLace Pro *
* only on the HUAWEI Lazada Store + HUAWEI Online Store
Vision S 55-inch
Pre-order period : Now until 12 May 2021
Free gifts : RM200 instant rebate **
** only on the HUAWEI Shopee Store + HUAWEI Online Store
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Acer just introduced the 2021 Nitro 5 gaming laptop, powered by Ryzen 9 and GeForce RTX 3080!
Here is what you need to know about this new super-fast Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop!
2021 Acer Nitro 5 : Ryzen 9 + RTX 3080 FTW!
The 2021 Acer Nitro 5 just got a MASSIVE upgrade! You can now opt for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX mobile processor, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics!
It even comes with two DDR4-3200 slots with up to 32 GB memory, and two M.2 slots of PCIe NVMe SSDs! On top of that, it comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Killer Ethernet E2600 connectivity built-in.
The 2021 Nitro 5 boasts a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 165 Hz refresh rate with a QHD resolution, or a stupendously fast 360 Hz refresh rate with a FHD resolution. Both options offer a 3 ms response time for minimal ghosting.
To ensure the 2021 Nitro 5 can withstand even the most intense gaming sessions, it features a revamped thermal system with dual fans and four exhaust fans. On top of that, Acer CoolBoost and NitroSense lets you monitor fan speed, and increase it when you need that extra performance.
It also comes with a multitude of ports – a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port with power off charging capability, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Acer is introducing six variants, in three phases, and here are their key specifications :
2021 Acer Nitro 5 : Pre-Order Deals!
As part of their Zero to Nitro campaign, Acer Malaysia is offering these pre-order deals for the 2021 Nitro 5!
27 to 29 April 2021
Get RM 200 TNG e-Wallet top-up, a Predator Hybrid Backpack, a Predator Galea 350 gaming headset and a Predator Mousepad worth RM 967 when you purchase :
Get RM 200 TNG e-Wallet top-up, a Predator Utility Backpack, a Predator Galea 350 gaming headset and a Predator Mousepad worth RM 967 when you purchase :
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Epson just launched their EpiqVision Mini EF-12 portable laser projection TV!
Take a look at its key features, and find out if this is what you have been looking for!
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 : Portable Laser Projection TV!
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 is a compact and lightweight laser projector that allows you to enjoy a cinema experience at home, at up to 150-inches in display!
Built around the Epson 3LCD Technology, the EpiqVision Mini EF-12 offers Full HD resolution at 1000 lumens of brightness!
Low Maintenance Cost
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 uses a laser light source with a rated lifespan of 20,000 hours.
Epson says that with 5 hours of daily use, that gives you more than 10 years of enjoyment, with little to no maintenance costs.
Epson Online Meetings (Powered By Zoom)
The EpiqVision Mini EF-12 is Zoom-ready, allowing you to quickly conduct online video conferencing without additional software.
Android TV + Chromecast Built-In
With Android TV built-in, this laser projector lets you stream movies, shows and games from Google Play, YouTube and other sources.
You can also cast your favourite entertainment app or game using Chromecast from any Android or iOS device, Windows or Mac computer!
Bluetooth Yamaha Speaker
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 has a Yamaha speaker built-in, which also works as a standalone Bluetooth speaker for your mobile devices!
Automatic Setup
Thanks to its built-in camera, it automatically adjusts the necessary horizontal and vertical keystone correction, screen distortion and focus level!
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 : Price + Availability!
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12 is available in mid-April 2021, with a retail price of RM 4,980 (about US$1,202 / £873 / A$1,576 / S$1,617).
Here are online purchase options in other countries :
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!
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Key Features
Here is a quick run-through of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T’s key features.
6.53-inch FHD+ Dot Drop Display
The Redmi 9T sports a large 6.53-inch Dot Drop display, with a FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels.
This display has a pixel density of 395 ppi, and a maximum brightness of 400 nits.
It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and is TUV Rheinland-certified for low blue light.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
The Redmi 9T is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 – a mid-range mobile SoC released in early 2020.
It has an 8-core processor, with four high-speed Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.0 GHz, and four low-power Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.8 GHz.
In addition to the Qualcomm Adreno 610 GPU, and 3rd Generation Qualcomm AI Engine, it offers 4G LTE and WiFi-AC connectivity.
Memory + Storage Options
Xiaomi is offering two memory and storage options – 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage.
It also comes with a microSD card slot, in a triple card tray that also supports two nano SIM cards.
This is a big advantage for those who need additional storage, as well as the ability to support two SIM cards.
Five Cameras
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T has an 8 MP selfie camera, with a f/2.05 aperture, hidden in a teardrop notch. A decent front camera at this price point.
At the back, it has a camera system that consists of :
a 48 MP main camera, with f/1.79 aperture and 4-in-1 Super Pixel capability
an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
a 2 MP macro camera, with f/2.4 aperture, and
a 2 MP depth sensor, with f/2.4 aperture
a single LED flash
This is really a triple camera system since the depth sensor does not capture any images, only provides depth data for better software bokeh effects.
Fingerprint Sensor
While many entry-level smartphones do not come with a fingerprint sensor, Redmi 9T has one on the side – an FPC102x sensor.
It is actually built into the Power button, which is more useful than a rear sensor if you attach it to your car’s dashboard.
Power + Charging
Powering all that is a massive 6,000 mAh battery, which supports 18 watt fast charging.
Oddly enough, it comes with a 22.5 watt Xiaomi MDY-11-EP charger in the box, so that’s a nice “freebie”.
Audio Port + IR Emitter
Those who are still hanging onto their wired earphones will be happy to learn that the Redmi 9T comes with a 3.5 mm port at the top.
In addition, it also comes with an IR emitter that lets you use the Redmi 9T as a remote control.
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Camera Performance + Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T’s 48 MP main camera takes 12 MP photos by default, with a resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels.
The 48 MP sensor basically combines four pixels into one large “virtual pixel”, for better image quality and low-light performance.
The Redmi 9T produces pretty good photos with more than enough detail at 12 MP, unless you are planning to print large format photos.
There are three issues with this camera though, which we will go through below. In the meantime, take a look at three of the better photo samples we took.
Very Narrow Depth Of Field
First – its large f/1.79 aperture makes for better low-light performance, but has very narrow depth-of-field.
If you take a look at the these photos, you can see how only a small segment is in focus.
This is great for portraits, giving you a nice bokeh for the background. However, if you do not frame and focus properly, you will end up with an out-of-focus photo.
Long Minimum Focus
This camera has a rather long minimum focus, which makes for tricky close-up shots. It doesn’t help that the Redmi 9T won’t tell you when the camera cannot focus properly.
If you take pictures of close-up objects, you will more than likely end up with a bunch of out-of-focus photos.
Post Processing Issues
Finally – its AI post-processing sometimes can wipe out details.
If you look at this photo, you can’t really tell the yellow flower petals apart because the saturation boost just wiped out the detail and contrast.
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T comes with a massive 6,000 mAh battery.
To test its battery life, we turned off Automatic Brightness, and set its display brightness to 50%.
Why 50%? That is actually slightly higher than the average indoor brightness level of 40% during the day, and is what we usually use in all our mobile battery life tests.
It is important to fix the brightness level, to make sure the screen brightness does not change as the ambient brightness changes.
We then ran the PCMark Work 2.0 battery life test until its battery capacity dropped to 20% several times, and this was the best result we obtained :
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T may support 18 W charging, and even comes with a 22.5 watt fast charger, but it sure is slow at charging.
It takes over 3 hours to fully recharge its 6,000 mAh battery from 20% – almost twice as slow as the next slowest smartphone – the Black Shark 2 Pro!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Work Performance
We tested the Redmi 9T using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Work 2.0
Note20
Ultra
Galaxy
Note10+
BS 2 Pro
Galaxy
S10+
Redmi 9T
Mobile Platform
Exynos
990
Exynos
9825
SD
855+
Exynos
9820
SD 662
Performance Score
10523
8981
8384
7846
5986
Web Browsing
8865
8293
6768
8583
5844
Video Editing
6232
9166
5948
5524
3423
Writing
11112
9579
9226
9076
6657
Photo Editing
30789
19376
17595
10710
12031
Data Manipulation
6825
6155
6339
6450
4799
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 is a mid-range mobile SoC released in early 2020. So it isn’t surprising to see that it’s only about half as fast as a flagship SoC like the Exynos 990.
Even so, it offers pretty good work performance at this price point. Unless you are comparing smartphones side-by-side, you probably won’t notice the difference.
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Gaming Performance : 3DMark
For gaming, we first tested the Redmi 9T using 3DMark, with these results :
3DMark
Note20
Ultra
B Shark
2 Pro
Galaxy
Note10+
Galaxy
S10+
Redmi 9T
Device
Exynos
990
SD
855+
Exynos
9825
Exynos
9820
SD 662
Sling Shot Extreme (OpenGL)
6642
6258
5037
4470
1174
Sling Shot Extreme (Vulkan)
5722
5386
4794
4314
1098
Sling Shot
8128
8127
4883
4343
1844
Needless to say, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T is no speedy Gonzales, when it comes to games.
On average, it only offers about 20% the gaming performance of a flagship chip like the Exynos 990, which powers the Galaxy Note20.
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Overall Performance : AnTuTu
We then tested the Redmi 9T using AnTuTu, yielding these results :
AnTuTu
Note20
Ultra
B Shark
2 Pro
Galaxy
Note10+
Galaxy
S10+
Redmi 9T
Device
Exynos
990
SD
855+
Exynos
9825
Exynos
9820
SD 662
AnTuTu Score
522735
434168
348397
330549
173559
CPU
146783
126170
101187
100272
64505
GPU
215205
188158
156700
149930
31734
Memory
89376
65052
72051
68188
40377
UX
71371
54788
18459
12159
36943
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 has decent CPU and memory performance, but falls short in the graphics department.
It’s good enough for work and the average mobile game. But don’t count on it to push the envelope when it comes to gaming.
If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : A Quick Wrap
When we first received the Xiaomi Redmi 9T, we didn’t think much of it. But after a few weeks of trying it out, we came away pretty impressed with a few aspects.
But we also had some concerns, so let’s do a quick wrap…
Fantastic Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T has seriously great battery life. This is a smartphone you can count on for a full day’s work without a power bank.
We have actually gone 2 days without recharging, so most users will probably never have battery anxiety with this phone!
Nice Large Display
The large 6.53-inch IPS display is pretty nice, especially at this price point. You would expect a 720p display without protection, but no, this is a Full HD+ panel with Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
It is not particularly bright though, with 400 nits of maximum brightness. So don’t be disappointed if it appears a little washed out in bright sunlight.
Small Niceties
There are a couple of small features that could be very important, and yet are no longer available in other smartphones :
3.5 mm audio port
IR emitter
Triple card tray with microSD card slot
Pretty Decent Camera
Forget about the 48 MP marketing. It’s really a 12 MP camera. And it’s a nice camera at this price point.
Just watch out for the narrow depth-of-field, inability to take close-up photos and potential over-processing.
Not For Serious Gaming
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 is a pretty good processor at this price point, and offers decent work performance.
However, it has a rather weak GPU. Perfectly fine for those playing simple mobile games, but not for serious gamers.
Slow Charging
Xiaomi may quote a 18 watt charging capability, and even pack a 22.5 watt fast charger in the box. But this baby sure takes its time recharging.
Fortunately, its long battery life ensures that you really don’t need to keep it plugged more than once a day.
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Our Verdict + Award
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T offers a lot of decent features and a very long battery life, at a great price point.
There are very few smartphones at this price point that would offer you a large Full HD display, a decent processor and camera system, with a large battery.
This is why we believe it deserves nothing less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Where To Buy?
The Redmi 9T is available for purchase, in two variants :
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Keyboard : How Fast Can You Type On It?
To showcase how fast you can type on the Book Cover Keyboard, Samsung brought in expert stenographer Jongheon Im.
Stenographers are trained to type as fast as a person speaks, so they need to be very fast!
In this video, Im is asked to transcribe a minute of speech on two regular keyboards, and then on the Galaxy Tab S7+ with the Book Cover Keyboard.
While Im is most comfortable with the special stenography keyboard, she felt that it was more comfortable to type on the Book Cover Keyboard, than an actual laptop keyboard.
In the end, she managed to type at around 700 strokes per minute on the Book Cover Keyboard, compared to 670 strokes on a laptop keyboard.
Frankly, most of us would expect to type faster on a laptop keyboard than a tablet keyboard… but as our review pointed out – the Book Cover Keyboard is really nice to type on, especially with its 26% larger keycaps and 18.3 mm key pitch.
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The display refresh rate is the frequency at which the display refreshes the image on screen every second. Hence, it is measured and described in Hz.
The usual refresh rate of 60 Hz means the image on the display gets refreshed 60 times a second.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes with a Super AMOLED display that can refresh at up to 120 Hz – 120 times per second.
The higher refresh rate offers smoother visuals, and less motion blur. This gives you a better visual experience, whether you are gaming or browsing the web.
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