Apple has accelerated its plans to leave Zhengzhou in China, where the massive iPhone City manufacturing zone is located!
Apple To Move MORE iPhone Production Out Of China!
As anti-government protests continue across China, Apple is accelerating its plans to leave Zhengzhou – where the massive iPhone City manufacturing zone is located!
Apple CEO Tim Cook is now eyeing Vietnam and India as new manufacturing hubs to replace Zhengzhou, where Foxconn workers earlier fled amidst repeated protests.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple now plans to move to 45% of iPhone production to factories in India, and ramp up production of its MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirPods in Vietnam.
Those moves come with serious challenges as Apple faces having to deal with different regional government bureaucracies in India.
Meanwhile, Vietnam only has 10% of China’s population, and can only handle a 60,000 person factory – far smaller than the 300,000 person “iPhone City” in Zhengzhou.
So Apple is still considering switching to other suppliers in China – Luxshare Precision Industry Co. and Wingtech Technology Co., although these alternate plans may be jeopardised by the Chinese government’s persistence with its Zero COVID policy.
Apple Earlier Planned To Move iPhone Production Out Of China!
While Apple had been planning the move for months due to the Chinese government’s insistence on Zero COVID policy, the recent uprisings at its Zhengzhou manufacturing hub has accelerated those plans.
In November, iPhone City in Zhengzhou erupted in violent protests by Foxconn employees over strict Zero COVID policies and pay disputes, prompting a lockdown.
This forced Foxconn to offer $1,400 to quit their jobs, and later, a $1,800 bonus to stay. Even so, manufacturing at Zhengzhou is down to about 20% of its capacity.
Foxconn has tried to shift some of its production to its Shenzhen factory, but it cannot make up the shortfall, which is reported to be as much as 6 million iPhone Pro smartphones.
Things got so bad the Chinese government even called on military veterans and CCP members to work at the iPhone City factories as volunteers!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is the latest AKG-tuned TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation from Samsung!
Find out just how good it really is, and why its 24-bit audio support is something audiophiles will love!
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro : What’s In The Box?
First, let’s take a quick look at what’s inside the box.
Samsung kindly provided us with a better unboxing video than we could have done ourselves.
Inside, you will find the following items :
A pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro storage + charging case
Guide Start Guide
USB-C to USB-C charging cable
Two sets of extra ear tips (small and large)
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro : Key Features
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is the latest AKG-tuned TWS earbuds from Samsung, with a slew of improvements.
Despite its name, it is the second generation version of the ultra-premium Galaxy Buds Pro, and not an improved version of the Galaxy Buds2 we reviewed last year.
Comfort
These are amongst the lightest and smallest earbuds I ever tried. Each earbud weighs just 5.5 grams and are 15% smaller.
They feel less intrusive, and are also more discreet than the last generation Buds Pro – fitting snugly into your ear.
The earbuds come with medium ear tips fitted, but the package includes small and large ear tips, allowing you to swap them out for a snug fit.
IPX7 Water Resistant
Unlike the Galaxy Buds2, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro are IPX7 water-resistant, so you can carry on using them even in the rain!
While they are officially rated to withstand submersion in up to 1 metre of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, Samsung do not advise you use them at the beach or in the pool.
I should also point out that the charging case itself is NOT water-resistant, so please make sure you keep it dry. In addition, you must dry the Galaxy Buds2 Pro before you put them back into the charging case.
Even so, water-resistance is one of the things I love about Samsung wearables and smartphones. As a rather clumsy person, I’ve dropped my fair share of gadgets, and more often than not – into pools of rainwater, or even swimming pools!
Active Noise Cancellation
Budget ANC earbuds use one microphone, with mid-range ANC earbuds like the Galaxy Buds2 use up to two microphones to receive ambient noise for cancellation.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro uses three microphones with high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio to expand the amount of ambient noise it can cancel, and you can tell the difference. Its ANC performance is markedly improved from the last generation.
I managed to test them out on two turboprop flights which are noticeably louder than your typical airliner, and they worked great! The noise outside the planes was greatly muted, and once onboard, it’s like you are in your own oasis of peace and quiet.
If you need to listen to someone speak, there is an Ambient mode that temporarily disables ANC and lets you listen to the outside world. When you take out one earbud, the other earbud cleverly switches to Ambient mode so you don’t get disorientated, and switches back to ANC when you put the earbud back on.
You don’t even have to turn Ambient mode manually like with the Galaxy Buds2. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro comes with the Voice Detect feature, which automatically activates Ambient mode when you start talking! Just make sure you enable it in your Galaxy Wearable app first!
24-bit Audio
If you are an audiophile, you will love the 24-bit audio support in the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
24-bit audio has been around for a while, offering higher audio resolution and fidelity. However, adoption has been limited so far to expensive music players and audio devices.
After all, the entire chain – from the music file to the music player (software or hardware) and the earphones / headphones, plus the connectivity between them – must support 24-bit audio.
So it’s great to see Samsung driving the 24-bit audio effort forward by making sure that its mobile devices support 24-bit audio. Just make sure you upgrade to the One UI 4.0 or higher, to enable its proprietary Samsung Seamless Hi-Fi codec.
Built on the Scalable Codec it introduced several years ago, the Samsung Seamless codec is able to encode full 24-bit audio to transmit to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro wirelessly.
The only downside is that it’s proprietary, and will only work with Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or higher.
360 Audio
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro also supports 360 Audio, which is basically their version of the spatial audio feature in Apple AirPods. It’s not enabled by default, because you may not want to turn it on all the time.
The 360 Audio feature only works with apps and content that support Dolby Atmos surround sound. When enabled, it delivers a 360-degree surround sound effect for a more immersive experience.
On top of that, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro supports head tracking, so the 360 audio you hear will actually change with your head movement!
While it doesn’t do much for music (very few are encoded for Dolby Atmos), you should enable it for movies and games.
Connectivity
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro connects wirelessly to your devices using Bluetooth 5.3, with support for AAC, SBC and Samsung’s new Seamless codec, but not aptX, LDAC or LHDC. Again, please note that the Samsung Seamless codec is proprietary, and will only work with their devices running on One UI 4.0 and above.
These earbuds do not offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means they can only be connected to one device at any one time.
They support automatic switching between Samsung Galaxy devices using the same Samsung account, but if you want to switch from your Samsung Galaxy smartphone to your laptops you need to manually switch using the Bluetooth menu.
Battery Life
The biggest problem I have with the Buds2 Pro though is its short battery life of about 5 hours with ANC enabled. I can get about 8 hours with ANC disabled, but that’s still on the low side for premium earbuds.
This is really a trade off – a larger battery (and consequently, longer battery life) would mean a heavier and more obtrusive earbuds. There is only so much Samsung can squeeze out of the tiny 61 mAh battery in each earbud.
The charging case with an internal 515 mAh battery provides another 13 hours of extra battery life (ANC enabled), or 21 hours (ANC disabled) – roughly 2.5 full charges.
They support quick charging though – a 5 minute charge will get you about an hour of battery life.
Pro Tip : Get into the habit of popping these earbuds into their case whenever you are not using, and you will never run out of battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro : Our Verdict
If you want the very best TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation technology from Samsung, there can be no doubt – the Galaxy Buds2 Pro is it.
It is amazing that such a small package comes with so many great features – 24-bit audio with 360 Audio, active noise cancellation with three SNR microphones, and IPX7 water resistance.
While the Galaxy Buds2 Pro is not cheap, those features do really make a real difference in the enjoyment of your music, videos and games.
For those reasons, I think it deserves no less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Just be aware of its relatively short battery life, lack of Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and reliance on a proprietary codec which limits 24-bit audio to Samsung devices.
If you are in the Samsung ecosystem and would like to enjoy 24-bit audio and/or surround sound, you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
But if you are not using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, or do not need 24-bit audio support, then these are not the earbuds you are looking for. You are better off buying the cheaper Galaxy Buds2!
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro : Where To Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is priced at RM899 / S$328 / US$229 / £189 / A$349.
Here are some online purchase options (prices accurate as of 11 November 2022) :
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 is offering three different Galaxy Watch5 + Watch5 Pro models, so which should YOU buy?
Galaxy Watch5 vs. Watch5 Pro : How Different Are They?
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch5 series on August 10, and they have already made waves as their most durable and feature-packed watches yet!
In this article, I will go through their key features, so you can find out which Galaxy Watch5 model is best for you!
Three Sizes, Two Case Types, One Strap Size
Samsung offers three different Galaxy Watch5 models, each with a different case sizes, but fortunately – the same 20 mm strap size.
The size difference between the three models does not “look” significant, but they feel different and have different capabilities.
I highly recommend that you visit a Samsung Experience Store to try out the fit first, because how it feels and looks on your wrist is important.
Specifications
Watch5
40mm
Watch5
44mm
Watch5
Pro
Model
SM-R900
SM-R910
SM-R920
Body Size
40 mm
44 mm
45 mm
Body Material
Armor Aluminum
Titanium
Strap Band Width
20 mm
Dimensions
40.4 x 39.3 mm
9.8 mm thick
44.4 x 43.3 mm
9.8 mm thick
45.4 x 45.4 mm
10.5 mm thick
Weight
28.7 grams
33.5 grams
45.6 grams
All Models : Full Load Of Sensors
First, let me point out that regardless of which Galaxy Watch5 model you choose, you can rest assured that you will have access to the full load of sensors, including:
an improved BioActive sensor, with an increased surface area and more direct contact with your wrist.
accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor
The BioActive Sensor incidentally is a unique Samsung chip that combines 3 sensors – Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart (ECG) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, to monitor and track heart rate, blood oxygen level, and even your stress level.
All Models : Same Performance + Connectivity
You will also be glad to know that Samsung did not skimp on the performance in any Galaxy Watch5 model.
All three Galaxy Watch5 models come with Samsung Exynos W920 system-on-chip, built on the 5 nm process technology. It features:
two Arm Cortex-A55 processor cores running at 1.18 GHz
an Arm Mali-G68 graphics processor
1.5 GB RAM
16 GB internal storage, with 7.5 GB of available storage
All three models also support the same connectivity capabilities – dual-band WiFi-N with Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC with support for Samsung Pay.
They also support all of the main location systems – GPS, Glonass, Beidou and Galileo
All Models : Same Durability
Samsung also did not cheap out on durability. All three Galaxy Watch5 models are similarly tough, boasting a rugged military-grade case that is certified to withstand up to 5 bars of water pressure.
All three models are MIL-STD-810H certified, with dust and water resistance of IP68 and 5ATM. That means you can take them diving at up to 50 metres of depth!
On top of that, the Super AMOLED display of all three Galaxy Watch5 models are protected by Sapphire crystal, which is 1.6 times harder than Gorilla Glass with DX+.
44mm Watch5 | Watch5 Pro : Larger Display
The 44 mm Watch5 model, and the Watch5 Pro come with a larger 1.4-inch display, with a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels.
The 40 mm Watch5 model, on the other hand, comes with a smaller 1.2-inch display, with a resolution of 396 x 396 pixels.
I prefer the larger display, but this is really a personal preference. To really appreciate the difference, I recommend you check out the three models at a Samsung Experience Store.
Galaxy Watch5 Pro : Higher Corrosion Resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 has an Armor Aluminum case, while the Watch5 Pro has a titanium case. They are both tough and have excellent corrosion resistance.
However, titanium is more corrosion-resistant than aluminium, and is best suited for those who intend to put their watch through the toughest environments.
Galaxy Watch5 Pro : Route Workout + Track Back
As part of its health monitoring capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 series can track your sleep, and check your body composition.
But fitness enthusiasts will love the additional Route Workout and Track Back features in the Galaxy Watch5 Pro:
The all-new Route workout feature lets you import GPX format workout routes from your smartphone to your watch, syncing your route list.
Go the distance, then use Track Back to return right back where you started. Staying on track is easy thanks to voice or vibration-guided turn-by-turn navigation for cyclists and hikers.
All Models : Different Battery Lives, Same Fast Charging
More significant is the difference in battery life between the three Galaxy Watch5 models. They all have different battery sizes, with different battery lives:
Specifications
Watch5
40mm
Watch5
44mm
Watch5
Pro
Battery Size
284 mAh
410 mAh
590 mAh
Battery Life
Up to 40 hours
Up to 80 hours
Charging
10 watt Qi wireless charging
I’m not sure how the Watch5 Small is able to match the battery life of the Watch5 Large, since it has a 30.7% smaller battery. But the smaller display would help, and it is possible that Samsung may have down-clocked its processor.
But there is no doubt that if you want the longest possible battery life in your watch, the Watch5 Pro is what you are looking for, with its rated battery life of up to 80 hours – just over 3 days!
All three models support Qi fast wireless charging, which will allow you to quickly recharge them. The Watch5 only needs 30 minutes to recharge from 0% to 45%.
All Models : Different Colour Options
What is also important to note is that all three models come in different colour options, which I summarised in this table:
Colour Options
Watch5 (40mm)
Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold
Watch5 (44mm)
Graphite, Silver, Sapphire
Watch5 Pro
Grey Titanium, Black Titanium
The Galaxy Watch5 Small and Large models offer a conservative Graphite option, with two “fun” colour options.
The Pro version, on the other hand, is limited to a conservative Black Titanium option, and a cool Grey Titanium colour option.
Again, you need to physically examine these colour options, and try them out on your wrist at a Samsung Experience Store, to decide which looks best on your wrist.
Galaxy Watch5 vs. Watch5 Pro : Which To Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is geared towards adventurers and fitness enthusiasts, who will love its Route Workout and Track Back features.
Its titanium case will easily handle years of acid rain to salt water immersion, while its long battery life will be helpful for long outdoor excursions and field trips.
So if you are an outdoorsman, or someone who dives or goes on long treks, there is no doubt – get the Galaxy Watch5 Pro.
Both the Small (40mm) and Large (44mm) versions of the Galaxy Watch5 are targeted at “the rest of us” – people who want a digital exercise or healthcare companion.
It will help us monitor our health vitals, and track our exercises; while looking stylish enough to go clubbing with, or to attend black tie dinner parties.
If you don’t do triathlons like IRONMAN, or go into the wilderness, try on both the Small and Large versions of the Galaxy Watch5, and buy the one that feels and looks best on your wrist!
Galaxy Watch5 + Watch5 Pro : Where To Buy?
Here are online purchase options where you can buy the Galaxy Watch5 series (prices accurate as of Oct 14):
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.
An Apple Watch Series 7 exploded recently, and Apple tried to cover it up. Maybe that’s why there’s not much uproar over it!
Apple Watch Explodes, Apple Tries To Cover It Up!
An Apple Watch Series 7 user recently reported to 9to5Mac that his smartwatch overheated, started smoking and eventually exploded!
The user recently noticed that his smartwatch was getting much hotter than usual, and that the back of the Apple Watch Series 7 had cracked.
watchOS also started showing a warning about needing to shut down due to the high temperature. This happened while he was in his own home where the temperature was just over 70°F / 21°C.
He immediately called Apple Support, and his call got escalated through multiple levels, eventually landing in the hands of a manager who told him not to touch the watch until he heard back from them.
The next morning, the Apple Watch was even hotter to the touch, and the heat actually shattered its display!
When he picked it up to take photos to send to Apple Support, it started making “crackling sounds” and “exploded” just as he threw it out the window.
The exploding Apple Watch Series 7 left burn marks on his couch, and he visited the hospital emergency room out of an abundance of caution over the potential of lead poisoning from the burning Apple Watch.
When he reached out to Apple, he was told that his case was a “top priority”, and that he would receive an update by the “following Monday”. Apparently, it wasn’t top priority enough to deal on a weekend…
Eventually, he waited until Wednesday, October 5, 2022, to hear back from Apple – it arranged to pick up the Apple Watch for further tests in its labs.
Apple also sent him a document asking him to agree not to share his experience with anyone. Fortunately, the Apple Watch user declined to sign the document, so he could share his story. Otherwise, we would never have known about an Apple Watch Series 7 exploding!
Apple Watch Explodes vs. Samsung Phone Batteries Bloating
It is inevitable that comparisons will be made between this story of an Apple Watch actually exploding, and the recent complaints by influencers that their Samsung phone batteries were bloating.
First, let me point out that in both cases, we cannot determine cause and effect merely from a few cases (in the saga of bloating Samsung batteries) or one case (this example of an exploding Apple Watch).
Apple sold over 100 million Apple Watch models since December 2020, and Samsung sells over 270 million smartphones every year. So it is important to frame both incidences in that context.
While exploding or bloating batteries are a real danger that we must all be aware of, it is an unavoidable risk of using lithium-ion battery technology.
When the drama over bloating Samsung batteries first exploded (pun intended!), many people asked me for my opinion as I too have many smartphones that I keep for comparison tests.
I shared that so far, the only Samsung phone to bloat was an old Galaxy S7 edge from 2017, and many other smartphones from ASUS, Xiaomi, etc. have bloated on me. In fact, a realme smartphone is slowly splitting itself in two from a battery bloat in front of me right now.
So it isn’t exactly a “brand problem”. In fact, the worst brand for battery bloating in my personal experience is Apple. My 15-inch MacBook Pro suffered no less than THREE (3) sets of bloated batteries in just 3 years. So Apple fans really should not laugh at other brands over battery issues.
All lithium-ion batteries have an innate risk of bloating, catching fire, or even exploding. That is something we must all acknowledge.
Of course, better design decisions and stringent quality control can greatly reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of such dangerous incidences. When hundreds of millions of lithium-powered devices are being manufactured every year, it is inevitable that many of them will bloat after some time, and a few will catch fire and may even explode.
That is why airlines forbid travellers from storing lithium-ion batteries, or devices with lithium-ion batteries, in their check-in luggage. That’s to ensure that if a fire does break out, it would be noticeable to the cabin crew, and can be tackled quickly.
What is most concerning though what happens when companies are made aware of battery issues. Do they take you seriously and treat you right? Or do they try to shut you up, to protect their reputation and sales?
What Samsung did was assuring, but probably only because they learned their lesson from the Galaxy Note7 battery saga. Apple did not suffer through such a traumatic event, and it shows.
Perhaps they should go through a similarly traumatic experience. Then maybe they will treat their customers a little better. The way they treated me when I reported my MacBook Pro’s bloated batteries is why I steadfastly refuse to ever consider buying an iPhone.
And trying to cover up this case of an Apple Watch exploding? That’s just not right…
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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.
It’s official – the EU has ordered all brands to standardise on the USB-C connector for all mobile chargers, including Apple!
EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!
On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the European Parliament voted decisively in favour of adopting the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.
The directive passed with an overwhelming vote of 602 MEPs in favour, and just 13 against (with 8 abstentions), and now heads to the EU Council for the formality of a final approval.
Once the Council signs off on the directive, it will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the new directive, and another 12 months after that transposition period, to apply the new rules.
Once these new rules are enforced, consumers will be able to use and share chargers since all portable devices use the same charging port.
The EU expects the directive to greatly reduce e-waste, and help consumers save up to €250 million a year on purchasing chargers of different standards.
In the EU, chargers alone account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. So this directive will help to cut down on the environmental impact of disposing of so many old or unused chargers.
Details Of EU Directive On USB-C Standardisation
Here is my quick round-up of the new EU directive on standardising portable devices and laptops on the USB Type C charging port.
All Devices Must Come With USB-C Charging Port
What this means is that by the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB Type C charging port.
Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
Small devices like smartwatches and health trackers that cannot fit a USB-C port are exempted from this requirement.
This directive is more or less directed at Apple which persists in using its own proprietary Lighting connector for its devices – everything from iPhone, iPad, AirPods and even its wireless keyboard and mouse.
The only way for Apple to get around this is to switch their new devices to wireless charging before the end of 2024.
All Devices Must Support USB-C Fast Charging Standards
Also important is the fact that the EU is going to force all brands to adopt USB-C fast charging standards.
While the legislation won’t stop manufacturers from implementing special fast charging capabilities, it will ensure that their chargers and devices support USB-C fast charging standards as a minimum.
All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.
USB-C Mandate To Extend To Laptops In 2026
On top of that, the directive also requires laptops to standardise on the USB Type C charging port by spring 2026.
This new directive will not please Apple MacBook users who just celebrated the return of the MagSafe connector, but it will be a great advantage for consumers.
Once enforced, everyone will be able to use their laptop’s USB-C charger to also recharge their other devices, because they all have the same USB Type port!
Dedicated Labels
The directive also requires brands to use dedicated labels to help consumers decide if their existing chargers will support their new devices, or if they need to purchase a new charger.
This will hopefully prevent consumers from being hoodwinked into purchasing a new charger with every new device, when their existing chargers will work just as well.
Dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible.
Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product.
Wireless Charging To Be Standardised Too
The directive also commanded the European Commission to tackle wireless charging interoperability by the end of 2024.
It highlighted the risk of brands using proprietary wireless charging technologies to “lock in” users, replicating what Apple did with its Lightning connector for wired charging.
Like with wired charging, the EU wants wireless charging to be interoperable as well.
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.
Apple did not announce anything official, but Apple Pay is now available in Malaysia!
Here is what you need to know, and how you can start using Apple Pay in Malaysia!
Apple Pay Is Now Available In Malaysia!
Apple Pay was first launched way back in September 2014, together with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, its global availability was slow and some would say, tortuous.
For years, Apple fans in Malaysia have requested for Apple Pay to be introduced in Malaysia, and could only look at Singapore in envy, when Apple Pay was introduced there more than six years ago in April 2016!
But the wait is over! The steady drip of leaks has finally culminated in actual confirmation that yes, Apple Pay is now available in Malaysia!
Apple did not announce anything, but you can now add your debit / credit cards to Apple Pay and start using it in Malaysia!
This makes Malaysia only the second country in Southeast Asia to support Apple Pay. The first was Singapore in April 2016.
Malaysia is also only the 10th territory in Asia to support Apple Pay, after Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand and Singapore.
What Banks Currently Support Apple Pay In Malaysia?
Right off the bat, I have to warn you that support for Apple Pay is still pretty limited in Malaysia, to just three banks as far as I can tell.
Banks In Malaysia That Support Apple Pay
You will be able to register debit and credit cards issued by these banks :
AmBank
Maybank
Standard Chartered Bank
Banks In Malaysia That Do Not Support Apple Pay
You won’t be able to add debit or credit cards from these banks :
CIMB
Citibank
UOB
OCBC
I will update this article as and when I find out what other banks in Malaysia support, or don’t support, Apple Pay.
To help you register your debit / credit card with Apple Pay, here is my step-by-step guide :
Step 1 : Open the Wallet app in your iPhone.
Step 2 : Tap on the Add button to “Add a credit or debit card to get started using Apple Pay”.
Step 3 : In the next screen, tap on the Continue button.
Step 4 : You will now be asked to “scan” your debit / credit card using your iPhone camera, positioning it within the frame.
Step 5 : The Wallet app will try to pick up important details of your credit card like :
Name
Credit card number
Expiry date
If nothing happens, that means it cannot read the details off the card. Then you will need to tap on the Enter Card Details Manually option at the bottom.
Step 6 : Whether your card details are detected or not, verify the key card details required by Apple Pay :
Name
Card Number
Expiry Date
Security Code
If the detected details are wrong, edit them to make sure they match your debit / credit card.
Step 7 : You will need to key in the Security Code, which is a 3-digit or 4-digit CSC (Card Security Code) / CVV (Card Verification Value) / CVC (Card Verification Code) usually printed on the back of your debit / credit card.
Step 8 : If your credit card is not supported, you will get a pop-up message saying :
Your Issuer Does Not Yet Offer Support for This Card
Ask your issuer if they offer cards that support Apple Pay.
If your card is supported, you will see a list of Terms and Conditions. You will need to tap on Agree to continue.
Step 9 : The screen show details of your credit card while the Wallet app sets it up for Apple Pay. Just wait for a few seconds.
Step 10 : You will now be asked to verify your card for Apple Pay, usually through Text Message. Tap Next to continue with the verification process.
Step 11 : You will receive an SMS with a 6-digit One Time Password (OTP). You need to key that in within 2 minutes :
Card enrolment OTP for your digital wallet is XXXXXX. It will expire after 2 mins. If you have not performed this, please contact the bank.
Step 12 : Tap Next after keying in the OTP, and you should see the Card Activated notice.
That’s it! Your credit card is now ready for Apple Pay. When you open your Wallet, you should see that debit / credit card listed.
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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)
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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 is set to reveal the new Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 foldable smartphones at the Galaxy Unpacked event on August 10, 2022!
Samsung To Reveal Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4 On 10 Aug 2022!
It’s official – Samsung will hold its Galaxy Unpacked event for foldable smartphones on 10 August 2022!
The teaser invitation cannot be clearer about their foldable intentions, using the side profile of what looks like the upcoming Galaxy Fold 4 smartphone mimicking the “greater than” symbol (>).
Innovation isn’t just about radical ideas; it’s about unlocking new experiences that transform our daily lives for the better. Meaningful innovations go beyond the technical and provide a platform upon which our everyday lives become richer and more versatile — opening us up to greater possibilities than ever before.
While you won’t get the full details until the Galaxy Unpacked event on 10 August 2022, the teaser invitation photo suggests that the Galaxy Flip 4 will at least look like the Galaxy Flip 3.
It would have the same shape, a dual camera module at the back, and side-mounted power button with an integrated fingerprint reader.
We can also expect two new smartwatches from Samsung – a smaller Galaxy Watch 5, and a larger Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (would have been called Classic). But if leaks are true – Samsung will be dropping the unique and incredibly useful rotating bezel.
Samsung is also expected to launch the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, offering a step-up in wireless audio to pair with their new foldable smartphones.
Register To Receive Discounts On Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4 + More!
From now until 10 August 2022, you can register your interest to receive an e-voucher discount which you can use to pre-order the next Galaxy foldable smartphone!
Whether you are planning to view the Galaxy Unpacked on 10 August 2022 or not, I highly recommend that you just “register your interest” to grab those e-vouchers first.
You never know if Samsung may pique your interest with whatever they launch that day!
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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.
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.
Known for its sturdy yet lightweight body, HUAWEI MateBook D14 comes in a sleek and stylish design with a 14-inch FullView Display that boasts screen-to-body ratio of 84%.
The HUAWEI MateBook D14 has a large 56Wh battery that can serve you to last throughout the day, and a built-in fingerprint sensor that lets you quickly and securely log in.
Its support for HUAWEI’s Multi-Screen Collaboration feature lets you interact seamlessly between between your laptop and smartphone. It also allows you to take control of your smartphone using your laptop, allowing for greater productivity!
12.12 Offer :RM1,199 (RRP : RM1,399) with FREE Smart Magnetic Keyboard worth RM399
The HUAWEI MatePad is a great option for those who are looking for a tablet at an affordable price. It even comes with a keyboard case that protects it when closed, and turns it into a laptop when open!
It is designed to offer studio-quality audio with its quad-speaker, Histen 6.1 3D stereo and quad-channel Harmon Kardon sound system. And it supports HUAWEI’s Multi-Screen Collaboration feature which lets you transfer, drag and drop files between devices, as well as screen sharing between tablet, smartphone and laptop!
The tablet comes with 64 GB of storage, which can be extended to 512GB storage through an optional microSD card. It also supports 4G LTE connectivity – all you need to do is insert a SIM card!
12.12 Offer :RM1,999with FREE M-Pencil and Smart Magnetic Keyboard worth RM998
Running on HarmonyOS 2, the MatePad 11 is the first HUAWEI tablet to feature a 10.95-inch FullView display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for a silky-smooth visual experience, and a DCI-P3 colour gamut for real-to-life colours!
The MatePad 11 comes with the 2nd Generation M-Pencil stylus, which boasts an almost imperceptible lag as low as 2 ms. It has 4,096 pressure levels and tilt sensitivity, giving you a natural writing and drawing experience.
The MatePad 11 is also a multimedia powerhouse, with quad-channel large amplitude quad-speaker system, tuned by Harman Kardon.
It is further enhanced with Histen 7.0 for greater bass and a new sound field enhancement algorithm, giving you that immersive cinema-like audio experience when you watch movies!
The HUAWEI MatePad T10 comes with an anti-glare screen that is TÜV Rheinland certified Eye Comfort. By reducing the amount of blue light significantly without affecting the screen colour tone with its true tone technology, it ensures that you have greater viewing pleasure while preventing eye strain.
Whether it’s for work, watching movies or social media, this is a highly-affordable tablet that offers better eye comfort for everyday use!
The HUAWEI WATCH GT2e lets you work out anywhere you want, inside and outside the gym with a tracker that supports precise positioning systems and delivers professional sports guidance.
It lets you easily monitor your heart rate with its accurate TruSeen 3.5 and a calorie counter that displays the amount you have burnt after each session.
The HUAWEI WATCH Fit offers you a total of 96 Effective Workout Modes to start your personal fitness training immediately.
It also delivers precise and real-time workout metrics for 11 professional sport modes, inclusive of running, swimming, and cycling. And it comes along with 85 more custom workout modes for a diverse fitness routine throughout the month.
Tthe HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i are active noise cancelling TWS earbuds, that lets you hear only what you want, while its dual-mic system comes with a slit-duct design that works to effectively reduce outdoor wind noise.
It also boasts an exclusive beamforming technology that uses AI noise reduction technology to pick up your voice with extra accuracy, maintaining its quality regardless of the environment you are in.
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.
vivo just introduced the TWS 2 ANC and TWS 2e true wireless stereo earbuds that offer studio quality audio!
Find out if the new TWS earbuds are what you have been looking for!
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : All You Need To Know!
vivo just introduced two new true wireless stereo earbuds – the TWS 2e and the TWS 2 ANC with active noise cancellation!
They both come with 12.2 mm speakers offering super strong bass, in a pair of feather-light earbuds.
Here is what you need to know about the new vivo TWS 2 series earbuds…
Comfortable Fit
Both vivo TWS 2 ANC and TWS 2e earbuds are ultra-light at just 4.7 grams. But more importantly, they were designed with a G3 curvature that conforms to the contours of your ears.
They also feature an innovative vent design, with front and rear chamber flow to help equalise pressure. You will hardly remember they are there!
Super Strong Bass
Both vivo TWS 2 models come with a large 12.2 mm speaker, which features a carbon fibre composite diaphragm to deliver powerful bass, with crisp mids and highs.
Active Noise Cancellation
The vivo TWS 2 ANC can continuously monitor and cancel the background sound, eliminating up to 40 dB of noise!
You can rely on its smart noise algorithm to intelligently adjust the degree of noise cancellation, or manually choose from three levels – high, normal and low.
It doesn’t matter how loud traffic gets – you will always hear every song and conversation crystal clear!
And a single tap activates the Transparency Mode which lets you clearly hear outside sounds, letting you hear announcements and chat with people as if you were not wearing the earbuds at all.
Microphone Noise Cancellation
Both models come with two external beam forming microphones to eliminate background noise while picking up your voice.
Their duct design also improves wind noise reduction by an astounding 148%, so your voice will always be clear even if you are running or cycling.
The TWS 2 ANC model has an additional microphone hidden within the earbud. This microphone has a high SNR to help pick up your voice even in the noisiest environment.
Multipoint Connection
Both vivo TWS 2 models can simultaneously connect to two devices, and switch seamlessly between them – like your vivo X70 smartphone and a laptop, for example.
If you receive a call on your phone while watching a video on your laptop, the earbuds will automatically stream the call and switch back to the video after you hang up.
Ultra-Low Latency
Both models have been enhanced with vivo’s dual-coupled antennas to reduce wireless latency, which is critical for online games.
The TWS 2e has a wireless latency of just 117 ms, while the TWS 2 ANC goes as low as 88 ms!
Battery Life
Both models have a battery life of about 7 hours, and 29-30 hours when used with the charging case.
With active noise cancellation enabled, the TWS 2 ANC has a 4 hour battery life on a single charge.
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : Specifications
To make it easier for you to decide between the two models, we created this table to compare their key specifications :
Specifications
TWS 2 ANC
TWS 2e
Design
In-Ear Earbuds
IP Rating
IP54
Speaker Unit
12.2 mm voice coil
Frequency Range
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Active Noise Cancellation
Yes
No
Microphones
3
2
Voice Call Noise Cancellation
Yes, 3-Mic
Yes, 2-Mic
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.2
Dual-Channel Transmission 2.0
Wireless Latency
88 ms (min.)
117 ms (min.)
Wireless Codec
aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC
AAC / SBC
Wear Detection
Two capacitive sensors
None
Google Fast Pair
Yes
Controls
Pressure +
Touch
None
Battery
45 mAh (each earbud)
505 mAh (charging case)
Battery Life
(Noise Cancellation Off)
7.3 Hours
7.6 Hours
Battery Life
(Noise Cancellation On)
4.1 Hours
–
Charging Time
60 minutes (earbuds)
110 minutes (charging case)
Charging Port
USB Type C
Earbud Dimensions
23.8 x 22.2 x 30.2 mm
Charging Case Dimensions
60.0 x 24.3 x 45.4 mm
Earbud Weight
4.7 g per earbud
Charging Case Weight
41.9 g
vivo TWS 2 ANC + TWS 2e Earbuds : Price + Pre-Order Deals
The vivo TWS 2e is priced at RM269 – approximately US$64 / £47 / A$88 / S$87.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 : Size + Colour Options In Malaysia
Samsung will offer the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic in two size options each, with different colour options :
40 mm Watch 4 : Black, Pink Gold, Silver
44 mm Watch 4 : Black, Green, Silver
42 mm Watch 4 Classic : Black, Silver
46 mm Watch 4 Classic : Black, Silver
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 : Everything You Need To Know!
On 11 August 2021, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, and here is everything you need to know!
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are the first smartwatches to feature the new Samsung Wear OS, built jointly with Google and featuring One UI Watch – Samsung’s most intuitive user interface.
Both smartwatches are built around the Exynos W920 – a 5 nm dual-core mobile SoC with 20% faster CPU performance and a GPU 10X faster than the last generation.
Samsung also increased the resolution of the display, up to 450 x 450 pixels, and double their memory to 1.5 GB of RAM.
It has 16 GB of built-in storage, which allows you to store your favourite apps, music and photos – all secured by the Samsung Knox security platform.
But arguably the most important thing is its new 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, which monitors your heart rate, heart electrical impulses and bioelectrical impedance.
It also comes with an all-new Body Composition measurement tool, to give you a deeper understanding of your general health and fitness, with key measurements like skeletal muscle, basal metabolic rate, body water and body fat percentage.
Both smartwatches offer up to 40 hours of battery life, with fast charging capability – 30 minutes of charging gives you up to 10 hours of battery life!
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 : Specifications In Malaysia
Specifications
Galaxy Watch 4
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
Model
NA
NA
Chassis
Aluminium
Stainless Steel
Display Size
44 mm : 1.4-inch, 450 x 450 pixels
40 mm : 1.2-inch, 396 x 396 pixels
46 mm : 1.4-inch, 450 x 450 pixels
42 mm : 1.2-inch, 396 x 396 pixels
Display
Full Color Always On Display
Super AMOLED panel
Gorilla Glass with DX+
OS
Wear OS with One UI Watch 3
Processor
Samsung Exynos W920
– two processor cores @ 1.18 GHz
Android 6.0 or higher, with more than 1.5 GB of RAM
Dimensions
44 mm : 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm
40 mm : 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm
46 mm : 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0 mm
42 mm : 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2 mm
Weight
44 mm : 30.3 g
40 mm : 25.9 g
46 mm : 52 g
42 mm : 46.5 g
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 Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are officially launched!
Here is everything you need to know about the new Samsung smartwatches!
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 : Everything You Need To Know!
On 11 August 2021, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, and here is everything you need to know!
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are the first smartwatches to feature the new Samsung Wear OS, built jointly with Google and featuring One UI Watch – Samsung’s most intuitive user interface.
Both smartwatches are built around the Exynos W920 – a 5 nm dual-core mobile SoC with 20% faster CPU performance and a GPU 10X faster than the last generation.
Samsung also increased the resolution of the display, up to 450 x 450 pixels, and double their memory to 1.5 GB of RAM.
It has 16 GB of built-in storage, which allows you to store your favourite apps, music and photos – all secured by the Samsung Knox security platform.
But arguably the most important thing is its new 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, which monitors your heart rate, heart electrical impulses and bioelectrical impedance.
It also comes with an all-new Body Composition measurement tool, to give you a deeper understanding of your general health and fitness, with key measurements like skeletal muscle, basal metabolic rate, body water and body fat percentage.
Both smartwatches offer up to 40 hours of battery life, with fast charging capability – 30 minutes of charging gives you up to 10 hours of battery life!
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 : Specifications
Specifications
Galaxy Watch 4
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
Model
NA
NA
Chassis
Aluminium
Stainless Steel
Display Size
44 mm : 1.4-inch, 450 x 450 pixels
40 mm : 1.2-inch, 396 x 396 pixels
46 mm : 1.4-inch, 450 x 450 pixels
42 mm : 1.2-inch, 396 x 396 pixels
Display
Full Color Always On Display
Super AMOLED panel
Gorilla Glass with DX+
OS
Wear OS with One UI Watch 3
Processor
Samsung Exynos W920
– two processor cores @ 1.18 GHz
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 has officially announced that Galaxy Unpacked 2021 will kick off on 11 August!
Here is what you can expect at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 virtual launch event!
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 : Where + When?
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event will be held virtually, and streamed on Samsung official websites, YouTube and Facebook.
The livestream starts on 11 August at these times globally :
Malaysia + Singapore : 10 PM (GMT+8)
US : 10 AM EDT / 7 AM PDT
UK : 3 PM
India : 7:30 PM IST
Australia : 12 AM AEST (12 August)
If you register your interest from now until 11 August, Samsung will give you an e-voucher worth RM300 / US$100 / SGD$100 or a complimentary Samsung Care+ (Australia), which you can use with the purchase of your next Galaxy device.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 : What To Expect?
Samsung is naturally short on details about their Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event, stating that :
We live in a time of accelerated change — from rapid shifts in work culture to the rise of cutting-edge communication technologies.
Now more than ever there is a need for flexible, versatile mobile devices that can keep up with the fast pace of our lives so we can maximize and enjoy every moment.
Whatever does that mean? We got you covered…
Here is what you can expect Samsung to announce during Galaxy Unpacked 2021 :
Two Foldable Smartphones
Samsung will likely introduce two foldable smartphones, with a more robust folding design and upgraded hardware :
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – available in Phantom Green, Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.
– 256 GB variant will be priced around €1,678.51 (before VAT).
– 512 GB variant will be priced around €1,783.10 (before VAT).
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
– available in Phantom Black, Dark Blue, Grey, White, Cream, Green, Light Pink and Lavender.
– 128 GB variant will be priced around €978.13 (before VAT).
– 256 GB variant will be priced around €1,029.20 (before VAT).
No Galaxy Note On The Horizon
We would normally expect Samsung to introduce a new Galaxy Note design, but this appears to be off the table in 2021.
However, you can expect Samsung to introduce t he Galaxy S21 FE as an affordable option for the new normal.
More Wearables, Of Course!
Look out for more wearables like Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 smartwatches, and Galaxy Buds 2 TWS earbuds.
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.
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!
Improving on last year’s Galaxy Buds, it boasts a new 2-way speaker design by AKG, and an adaptive 3-microphone system.
Announced together with the Galaxy Note20 smartphones, the Galaxy Buds Live extends that with active noise cancellation (ANC), and a more spacious soundscape.
This is the first time ANC is offered on an open type TWS earbuds by Samsung. It also boasts 12 mm speakers by AKG, with a large driver and bass duct.
It has a 6 hour battery life, which is extended to 21 hours with its charging case.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | Galaxy Buds+ : Malaysia Deals For Oct-Nov!
Here is the official price list for both TWS earbuds in Malaysia :
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!
Here is the latest official price list and the October-November deal for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 smartwatch in Malaysia!
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 : A New Premium Smartwatch!
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is their next-generation smartwatch, with a new slimmed-down rotating bezel.
Built with premium materials, it features the craftsmanship of a luxury timepiece, while remaining comfortable enough to wear all day and all night.
The new Samsung Health Monitor app offers cuff-less blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements.
You can also measure and track your oxygen saturation levels over time using its Blood Oxygen feature. And if you fall, your location can be sent immediately to pre-designated contacts.
The new Galaxy Watch 3 also features Running Analysis to help you run better, improve your form and prevent injuries.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 : Price + Deal For Malaysia In Oct-Nov!
Here in Malaysia, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is available in two sizes, with these colour options and SRP :
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!
Should YOU wear a face mask to protect yourself against COVID-19?
Some politicians insist it is useless. Some health authorities advise us to wear it only if you are sick. Others demand you wear one in public at all times.
What really is the evidence for, or against, wearing a face mask to protect against COVID-19?
This story was originally posted in April 2020, and has been updated due to second / third waves affecting many countries.
Face Mask : What Kind Do You Have?
When people say face mask, they generally mean the 3-ply surgical mask, although some may be talking about fashion masks, or even the N95 respirator.
Fashion masks are usually made from washable cotton and are reusable, but they often lack a filter. The N95 respirator, on the other hand, is designed to filter 95% of particles with a median diameter of 0.3 microns.
For the purpose of this article, we are going to talk exclusively about the 3-ply surgical / medical mask, which has three layers – each with very specific functions :
an outer hydrophobic layer, which repels water, blood and body fluids,
a middle filter layer that is designed to filter bacteria, and
an inner hydrophilic layer, which absorbs water, sweat and spit
The 3-ply surgical mask is the most common type of face mask used in China and most of Asia, to protect against SARS and now, COVID-19.
Is The Face Mask Effective Against COVID-19?
Now, to be clear – studies are still underway to determine if the humble 3-ply face mask is effective against COVID-19. But here is what we know so far…
COVID-19 Is Generally NOT Airborne
First, we should understand that COVID-19 is generallynot airborne, and primarily spreads by droplets, which are significantly larger than the virus itself and fall within 1-2 meters.
COVID-19 droplets can, therefore, be blocked by 3-ply masks or N95 respirators even though the virus itself is smaller than the filter holes!
Face Masks Prevent Face Touching
You can get infected by COVID-19 if you touch your face after touching a contaminated surface with your hand. Hand washing can prevent that, but people often forget to do it, and it is human nature to touch our own faces.
Wearing a face mask helps to prevent face touching, so even if we forget to wash our hands, there is less risk of infecting ourselves with COVID-19.
Face Masks Worked In Asia + Czech Republic
The evidence is strong in many Asian countries, including China, as well as the Czech Republic, that face masks are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The Czechs are so enthusiastic about their experience, they created this video to spread word that face masks work, even if they are not 3-ply!
Many Asian countries, including China, Singapore and Malaysia, require their citizens to wear one whenever they leave the house.
The Asian and Czech experiences are backed up by a CDC-sponsored study, which showed that surgical masks are as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza infections amongst healthcare workers.
This study is important because influenza is a similarly-sized respiratory virus that spreads by droplets too. So it makes sense that face masks would be similarly effective against COVID-19.
Why Did WHO / CDC Recommend Against Wearing Face Masks?
Certain health authorities like the WHO or CDC recommended against wearing face masks to protect against COVID-19, because they feared that :
people would gain a false sense of security, and not protect themselves adequately in other ways like washing hands and avoiding crowds.
There is also the consideration that when there is limited supply, 3-ply face masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers who have much greater need of them.
Should You Wear A Face Mask To Protect Against COVID-19?
That depends.
No Community Spread
If there is no community spread of COVID-19 in your country, there is NO NEED to wear a face mask.
As long as health authorities can quickly trace and isolate contacts for testing, the virus is “not in the wild”, and you are very unlikely to be infected.
Keep your face masks in reserve. Using them now could mean you run out of face masks when you actually need them.
There Is Community Spread
Once there is community spread, all bets are off. The COVID-19 coronavirus is problematic because patients are contagious long before they show symptoms.
ANYONE can be COVID-19 positive, even if they don’t have symptoms. That includes you and your family, not just strangers you meet on the street.
To protect everyone, this is the time to start wearing a face mask.
In fact, everyone should be forced to wear a face mask, because it would help prevent asymptomatic / presymptomatic persons from spreading the coronavirus.
During Home Quarantine
One way to reduce the need for face masks is a home quarantine / restricted movement / lockdown.
You do NOT need to wear a face mask while you are sheltering at home with your family.
You only need to wear a face mask during the limited occasions you leave your home to purchase food and other essential supplies.
And you should certainly wear a face mask while accepting food deliveries or parcels from a delivery person.
Don’t Rely Solely On Your Face Mask Against COVID-19!
Now, opinions are definitely shifting towards the widespread adoption of face masks to protect against COVID-19. However, it is important to note that a face mask alone cannot protect you from COVID-19.
You still need to adopt safe practices that health authorities have been advocating to prevent COVID-19 :
Avoid suspected cases or disease hotpots, like hospitals, if possible!
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!
The HUAWEI Watch Fit comes in a nice white retail box, which we unboxed in this video.
Inside, you will find the following items :
HUAWEI Watch Fit smartwatch
Charging Cable + Dock
Quick Start Guide
HUAWEI Watch Fit : Hands-On Experience!
The HUAWEI Watch Fit seems designed to take on the new Apple Watch SE, offering a more rectangular design, at a fraction of the cost.
Its 1.64-inch AMOLED display is slightly smaller than the Apple Watch SE, with a slightly lower resolution of 280 x 456 pixels. But it has the same pixel density of 326 ppi as the Apple Watch SE.
HUAWEI does not state what protection they offer the display, only that it has a 2.5D curved glass cover. It also features a polymer fibre body, instead of an aluminium chassis.
But like the Watch SE, the Watch Fit is 5 ATM-rated (ISO 22810) for water-resistance. That means you can take it swimming, or a run in the rain.
Instead of a digital crown, it uses a single button on the right side. But it is mainly controlled by tapping and swiping on its touch display.
In addition to recording your daily steps, active hours and the intensity of your activities, the HUAWEI Watch Fit offers 24/7 real-time monitoring of your heart rate and stress levels.
It also offers the capability to measure your SpO2 blood oxygen saturation levels, as well as recording and tracking your sleep state for sleep quality analysis.
The HUAWEI Watch Fit is powered by the DK3.5+ST chipset, with a 180 mAh battery that delivers up to 10 days of battery life. That is significantly longer than the Apple Watch SE.
It offers Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, with built-in GPS. However, it does not support LTE or Wi-Fi connectivity or wireless charging, relying on a magnetic charging thimble design instead.
Now, you cannot answer calls on the Watch Fit, but it will provide you with notifications about incoming calls, messages, and calendar events.
It can also offers the ability to control your phone’s music player and trigger its camera shutter, or locate your phone.
HUAWEI Watch Fit : Our Verdict
The HUAWEI Watch Fit is no Apple Watch SE, that’s for sure. Even on paper, it is superior in many ways. But the question is – do you really need all those extra features?
The Watch Fit is really for those with the “good enough” philosophy. It does away with nice-to-have, but not necessary features, like Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, call and walkie-talkie capabilities, or NFC for mobile payments.
Instead, it just offers core features like fitness and health monitoring, 5 ATM water-resistance and a long battery life.
Now, we only got 5.5 days of battery life (continuous use) with Bluetooth connected, but that’s 7X longer than the Apple Watch SE’s paltry 18 hours.
That means sleep analysis and around-the-clock health monitoring is really possible with the Watch Fit. Not just something to check off the feature list.
One problem we encountered – try as we might, we can’t replace its default watch face with some pretty nice watch faces HUAWEI offers for free. Hope they fix that soon!
But overall, the value is pretty unbeatable – it costs less than half of the Apple Watch SE.
If you are not an Apple fan boy, and you don’t need those extra features the Watch SE offers, it’s worth considering the Watch Fit.
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!
Samsung is introducing 7 new features to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 through a new firmware update.
Check out what those 7 features are, and when they are coming to your Galaxy Watch Active 2!
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 : A Quick Primer
Introduced last year, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is an active lifestyle smartwatch, with a slew of healthcare and activity monitoring features.
It is 5 ATM and IP68-rated and comes in two sizes – 44 mm and 40 mm, and in two styles :
lightweight aluminium, with a casual Fluoroelastomer (FKM) band
premium solid stainless steel, with a leather strap
They can be further personalised with a range of stylish straps and watch face options.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 : 7 New Features Added!
Samsung is introducing 7 new features to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 through a new firmware update. Here is a quick look at what’s coming!
Running Analysis + VO2 max
The updated Galaxy Watch Active 2 will feature a new standalone Running Analysis feature that can provide metrics, to help you improve performance and reduce injury :
asymmetry
regularity
stiffness
vertical oscillation
ground contact time
You will also be able to measure VO2 max – an indicator of the maximum amount of oxygen you can utilise during intense exercise.
This is a common measurement used to determine your fitness and performance capacity. You can use it to track your training progress, and help improve your endurance.
When you select Running under the exercise feature in Samsung Health, your Galaxy Watch Active 2 will automatically perform both Running Analysis and measure your VO2 max.
For an accurate reading, you should only measure VO2 max while running outdoors at high intensity for at least 20 minutes.
Fall Detection
The new Fall Detection feature will help you care for yourself and your loved ones, even when you are apart during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When a potential fall is detected, you are immediately given the option to send an SOS notification to up to four pre-designated contacts. This ensures that help is never too far away!
Here are the steps to activate Fall Detection :
Open the Galaxy Wearable app
Select SOS
Turn on Detect falls
Add the contacts you want to receive your SOS notifications.
Chat History + Photo View
With the new update, you can now view emoticons and photos directly from your wrist with Photo View.
And with Smart Reply, you will be given a suggested response for both messages and images, based on advanced photo recognition technology, so you can send a reply!
Your Galaxy Watch Active 2 will also now show your chat history, instead of a single message, so you can understand the context of that message. No more switching to your phone to check out the full conversation!
You will also be able to send both AR Emoji Stickers and Bitmoji Stickers from your Galaxy Watch Active 2!
Seamless Music + Scroll Capture
The new firmware update will also give you instant access to your playlist on your phone, giving you a seamless music experience across your devices.
Finally, the updated Galaxy Watch Active2 will support a Scroll Capture feature, which lets you take a scrolling screen capture from your smartwatch that is automatically sent to your smartphone.
This lets you screen capture message threads, workout information and more, from your Galaxy Watch Active 2!
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 : Firmware Upgrade Availability
Samsung will start rolling out this Galaxy Watch Active 2 update starting today. Availability will vary by market and operator.
The update will initially be available for the Bluetooth version, and roll out to LTE versions shortly thereafter.
Please make sure you update your Galaxy Wearable app!
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!
Fitbit Sense is said to be the most advanced health smartwatch in 2020, featuring the world’s first EDA sensor in a smartwatch!
Find out what else is new about the Fitbit Sense, its key features, as well as its price and availability!
Fitbit Sense : World’s Most Advanced Health Smartwatch?
Unveiled today, 26 August 2020, the Fitbit Sense introduced the world’s first electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor in a smartwatch, to help manage stress.
On top of that, it comes with advanced heart rate tracking technology, a new ECG app and an on-wrist skin temperature sensor.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA) Sensor
The new EDA sensor in Fitbit Sense measures electrodermal activity responses, just by placing your palm over the watch face.
Measuring your EDA responses using the EDA Scan app can help you understand your body’s response to stressors, and help you manage stress.
You can also pair it with guided mindfulness sessions in the Fitbit app to see how your body’s EDA responses change with meditation and relaxation.
Track your EDA responses on a graph on-device, as well as in the mobile app, to gauge your progress over time.
Fitbit Stress Management Score
Fitbit is also introducing a new Stress Management Score, which is available in the new stress management tile in the Fitbit Sense.
Your Fitbit Sense can calculate how your body is responding to stress based on heart rate, sleep, and activity level data, giving you a Stress Management Score ranging from 1-100.
A higher score would indicate that your body is showing fewer physical signs fo stress. Fitbit Premium members will get a detailed breakdown on how the score is calculated based on over 10 biometric input :
exertion balance (impact of activity),
responsiveness (heart rate, heart rate variability and electrodermal activity), and
sleep patterns (sleep quality)
Improved Heart Care Technologies
Fitbit Sense is their first smartwatch to feature an ECG app to assess your heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation – a condition that affects more than 33.5 million people globally.
Simply hold your fingers on the corners of the stainless steel ring around the watch, and hold still for 30 seconds!
Fitbit Sense also comes with PurePulse 2.0 technology, with an all-new multi-path heart rate sensor, and updated algorithm.
This improved heart rate technology powers other critical heart health features like personalised, on-device high and low heart rate notifications.
With 24/7 continuous heart rate tracking, Fitbit Sense can detect and send a notification if your heart rate falls outside normal thresholds.
Design + Build
The Fitbit Sense are built to last, using aerospace-grade aluminium and stainless steel for that polished, high-tech look, and water resistance – at up to 50 meters.
It comes with a larger AMOLED display, which not only has a higher resolution but is also more responsive. It also comes with an integrated ambient light sensor to automatically dim the display for easier viewing in low light.
The Sense will last over 6 days on a single charge, with a new magnetic charger that is cross-compatible with the Fitbit Versa 3. A quick 12 minute charge will provide you with a full day of use.
Fitbit Premium
Every Fitbit Sense will come with 6 months of access to Fitbit Premium, which unlocks deeper analysis of your data and more personalised insights.
It also delivers advanced sleep tools, hundreds of workouts from brands like Aaptiv, barre3, Daily Burn, Down Dog, as well as trainers and influencers like Ayesha Curry, Charlee Atkins and Harley Pasternak.
Also launching today in the US is Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching, a new virtual one-on-one coaching service that gives you access to a certified health professional and a personalised plan using your Fitbit data – all through the Fitbit app.
You will have unlimited check-ins with your coach, a personalised action plan to help you stay on track, as well as all the benefits of Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit Sense : Price + Availability
The Fitbit Sense is available for pre-orders starting today (26 August 2020), with worldwide availability in October 2020.
It will be offered in two colour options – carbon / graphite stainless steel, and lunar white / soft gold stainless steel, at these price points :
Every Fitbit Sense will come with six months of Fitbit Premium, which can be extended after that here in Malaysia for RM39 per month or RM335 per year.
In the United States, Fitbit Premium is available for $9.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching is also available in the US for $54.99 per month.
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!
Fitbit just launched their Versa 3 smartwatch – now upgraded with built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes!
Find out what else is new about the Fitbit Versa 3, its key features, as well as its price and availability!
Fitbit Versa 3 : Now With GPS + Active Zone Minutes!
Unveiled today, 26 August 2020, the Fitbit Versa 3 now comes with built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes, as well as the ability to answer calls!
On top of that, it comes with an in-app workout intensity map and enhanced PurePulse 2.0 technology to help you stay on top of your fitness goals.
Motivation On Your Wrist
The Fitbit Versa 3 has built-in GPS, which gives you real-time pace and distance during your runs and rides – no phones necessary. And you can measure the intensity of your activity with Active Zone Minutes.
Let Music Move You
Download and play songs and podcasts from Pandora and Deezer, and control Spotify directly from your watch.
Stay Connected On-The-Go
You can receive call, text and smartphone app notifications directly on your wrist. And thanks to its built-in speaker and microphone, you can answer calls, or get quick answers from Google Assistant and Alexa!
Long Battery Life
The Fitbit Versa 3 will last over 6 days on a single charge, with a new magnetic charger that is cross-compatible with the Fitbit Sense. A quick 12 minute charge will provide you with a full day of use.
Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching
Also launching today in the US is Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching, a new virtual one-on-one coaching service that gives you access to a certified health professional and a personalised plan using your Fitbit data – all through the Fitbit app.
You will have unlimited check-ins with your coach, a personalised action plan to help you stay on track, as well as all the benefits of Fitbit Premium :
deeper analysis of your data and more personalised insights,
advanced sleep tools, and
workouts from brands like Aaptiv, barre3, Daily Burn, Down Dog, as well as trainers and influencers like Ayesha Curry, Charlee Atkins and Harley Pasternak.
Fitbit Versa 3 : Price + Availability
The Fitbit Versa 3 is available for pre-orders starting today (26 August 2020), with worldwide availability in October 2020.
It will be offered in three colour options – black / black aluminium, pink clay / soft gold aluminium and midnight / soft gold aluminium.
Here are the official launch prices for various countries around the world :
United States : $229
Canada : $299.95
Mexico : $6,499
Europe : €229.95
United Kingdom : £199.99
Australia : A$399.95
New Zealand : $449.95
Japan : ¥29,990
India : ₹25,999
Hong Kong : HK$1,980
Singapore : S$378
Malaysia : RM 1,148
In the United States, Fitbit Premium is available for $9.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching is also available in the US for $54.99 per month.
In Malaysia, Fitbit Premium is available for RM39 per month or RM335 per year.
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!
Fitbit just launched their Inspire 2 fitness tracker – with a 10 day battery life and a year of free access to Fitbit Premium!
Find out what else is new about the Fitbit Inspire 2, its key features, as well as its price and availability!
Fitbit Inspire 2 : Fitness Tracker With 10 Day Battery Life!
Unveiled today, 26 August 2020, the Fitbit Inspire 2 comes with a brighter and more vibrant display, with the longest battery life of any Fitbit device – 10 days!
On top of that, it comes with advanced features like Active Zone Minutes, 20+ goal-based exercise modes, advanced sleep tools, 24/7 heart rate tracking and many other fitness features.
24/7 Health Habit
The Fitbit Inspire 2 lets you track your activity and challenge yourself to do more with 24/7 heart rate tracking, and Active Zone Minutes.
You can also take advantage of Fitbit Premium’s step-by-step nutrition and fitness programs in the Fitbit app.
Sleep Better At Night
Track how well you sleep, and spot your nighttime trends with Sleep Score. Then view a detailed breakdown with Fitbit Premium so you can get more out of each night’s sleep.
Track ‘Em All
The Fitbit Inspire 2 lets you monitor your heart rate 24/7, track your menstrual health, and provide visibility of your food and hydration intake, along with your weight – right on your wrist.
Stay Motivated
With on-wrist celebrations and personalised insights from Fitbit Premium, you will be motivated to stay on track, as you reach for your health and fitness goals.
Long Battery Life
The Fitbit Inspire 2 has the longest battery life of any Fitbit device – over 10 days on a single charge!
Fitbit Premium
Every Fitbit Inspire 2 will come with 12 months of access to Fitbit Premium, which unlocks deeper analysis of your data and more personalised insights.
It also delivers advanced sleep tools, hundreds of workouts from brands like Aaptiv, barre3, Daily Burn, Down Dog, as well as trainers and influencers like Ayesha Curry, Charlee Atkins and Harley Pasternak.
Also launching today in the US is Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching, a new virtual one-on-one coaching service that gives you access to a certified health professional and a personalised plan using your Fitbit data – all through the Fitbit app.
You will have unlimited check-ins with your coach, a personalised action plan to help you stay on track, as well as all the benefits of Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit Inspire 2 : Price + Availability
The Fitbit Inspire 2 is available for pre-orders starting today (26 August 2020), with worldwide availability in October 2020.
It will be offered in three colour options – black, desert rose and lunar white (from left to right).
Here are the official launch prices for various countries around the world :
Every Fitbit Sense will come with 12 months of Fitbit Premium, which can be extended after that here in Malaysia for RM39 per month or RM335 per year.
In the United States, Fitbit Premium is available for $9.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. Fitbit Premium + Health Coaching is also available in the US for $54.99 per month.
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 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!
HONOR Malaysia just announced their Love Week 2020 campaign, offering discounts and deals for their whole range of smartphones and wearables!
Here is the full list of HONOR devices and their deals and bundles for HONOR Love Week 2020!
HONOR Love Week Deals 2020
The HONOR Love Week campaign kicks off today – 4 February 2020, and ends on 14 February 2020. The idea is to let you buy something nice at a discount for your boyfriend / girlfriend / boytoy / mistress / sugar boy / sugar baby.
HONOR is even offering smartwatch bundles, so you can both have matching watches! Only thing missing – the I’m With Her / Him t-shirts…
They’re also offering select deals on special days :
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!
HONOR just announced the MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown, which is powered by the Kirin A1 – the world’s first Bluetooth 5.1 mobile SoC!
Here is our quick primer on the new HONOR MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown, including its price and availability!
HONOR MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown
The HONOR MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown is their version of the HUAWEI Watch GT2, and runs on the same Kirin A1 mobile SoC.
Designed for the fitness buffs, it comes with 15 fitness modes for 8 outdoor and 7 indoor sports, like running, hiking, cycling, swimming, free training, etc.
It also comes with improved healthcare tracking capabilities. Its HUAWEI TruSleep 2.0 technology lets it track and diagnose 6 common types of sleep disorders, with over 200 suggestions on improving your sleep habit.
Its HUAWEI TruRelax technology detects your stress levels, and advises you on breathing exercises; while HUAWEI TruSeen keeps an eye on your heart rate 24/7, alerting you when it detects any abnormalities.
With water-resistance of up to 50 meters in depth, the HONOR MagicWatch 2 continues to monitor your heart rate underwater, as well as your SWOLF score, distance, speed and burned calories.
The HONOR MagicWatch 2 lets you make or receive Bluetooth calls on-the-go using earphones or through its built-in microphone and speaker. It also comes with 4 GB of internal storage, of which 2 GB is available for music storage – up to 500 songs can be stored!
HONOR MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown Specifications
Specifications
HONOR MagicWatch 2 Flax Brown
Display
1.39-inch AMOLED display
Display Resolution
454 x 454 pixels (326 ppi)
Build
Body : Metal + PlasticStrap : Fluoroelastomer / Leather
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!
HONOR has a new smartwatch – the MagicWatch 2, which is powered by the Kirin A1 – the world’s first Bluetooth 5.1 mobile SoC!
Here is our quick primer on the new HONOR MagicWatch 2, including its price and availability!
The HONOR MagicWatch 2
The HONOR MagicWatch 2 is their version of the HUAWEI Watch GT2, and runs on the same Kirin A1 mobile SoC.
Designed for the fitness buffs, it comes with 15 fitness modes for 8 outdoor and 7 indoor sports, like running, hiking, cycling, swimming, free training, etc.
It also comes with improved healthcare tracking capabilities. Its HUAWEI TruSleep 2.0 technology lets it track and diagnose 6 common types of sleep disorders, with over 200 suggestions on improving your sleep habit.
Its HUAWEI TruRelax technology detects your stress levels, and advises you on breathing exercises; while HUAWEI TruSeen keeps an eye on your heart rate 24/7, alerting you when it detects any abnormalities.
With water-resistance of up to 50 meters in depth, the HONOR MagicWatch 2 continues to monitor your heart rate underwater, as well as your SWOLF score, distance, speed and burned calories.
The HONOR MagicWatch 2 lets you make or receive Bluetooth calls on-the-go using earphones or through its built-in microphone and speaker. It also comes with 4 GB of internal storage, of which 2 GB is available for music storage – up to 500 songs can be stored!
HONOR MagicWatch 2 Specifications
Specifications
HONOR MagicWatch 2
Display
1.39-inch AMOLED display
Display Resolution
454 x 454 pixels (326 ppi)
Build
Body : Metal + Plastic
Strap : Fluoroelastomer / Leather
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear is the first wearable collaboration between HUAWEI and GENTLE MONSTER, the South Korean eyewear brand.
Here are the full details of the first two HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear models – Eastmoon and Jackbye!
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear is part of the expanding range of Smart Life devices, which are designed to offer a life of the future at home and at work.
It is more than just a fashion statement – integrated into every HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear are connectivity features to help you keep connected… hands-free!
Protective + Protected Eyewear
The large frames and lenses are designed to protect your eyes, and it is itself dust- and water-resistant – rated at IP67.
So you need not worry about taking on the elements with the HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear!
Built-In Speakers + Microphones
Integrated into each temple (the arms that hook into your ears) is a dynamic speaker with a semi-open design, as well as a silicon microphone that is enhanced by AI speech noise reduction technology.
Wireless Charging On-The-Go
The HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear has a small internal battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours of music playback or voice calls.
It recharges wirelessly whenever you slip it back into its case, which has a 2,200 mAh battery built in for up to 8 hours of use.
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Models
HUAWEI is offering two models initially – Eastmoon and Jackbye. Here is a comparison of the two models :
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Specifications
And here is how the Eastmoon and Jackbye models compare :
Specifications
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER
Eastmoon-01
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER
Jackbye-01
Folded Dimensions
152.59 mm wide
56.86 mm tall
29.00 mm thick
155.13 mm wide
58.25 mm tall
29.00 mm thick
Weight
43.2 g
45.6 g
IP Rating
IP67
Speaker
One dynamic driver unit on each side
Microphone
Two silicon microphones on main frame temple support
HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear Price + Availability
Both Eastmoon and Jackbye models are available starting 15 November 2019, with the recommended retail price of RM 1,599 / ~US$385 / ~£299 / ~A$566 / ~S$524.
Here are some online purchase links, with prices accurate as of 14 November 2019 :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
HUAWEI Smart Life devices are more than just convenient, they can actually give you a big productivity boost at work!
Find out how to use these HUAWEI Smart Life devices to greatly improve your productivity at work!
5 Ways How HUAWEI Smart Life Devices Boost Productivity!
HUAWEI created the Smart Life ecosystem to deliver the life of future, both at home and at work.
Here are five ways to leverage HUAWEI Smart Life devices to greatly improve your productivity!
Tip #1 : Eliminate All Dead Zones!
Digital natives are no longer chained to their desks, and the modern office offers a variety of working and collaboration spaces for people to work more effectively.
The HUAWEI WiFi Q2 Pro is designed to offer fast, reliable WiFi connectivity indoors and outdoors, even for the largest workspace! Just add satellite units whenever you need greater reach, without messy cables or setting up!
Thanks to its seamless roaming capability and automatic channel optimisations – it will intelligently switch WiFi channels and hotspots to ensure you get the best possible connectivity, even as you move about!
All you have to do is focus on your work. No matter where you go, the Q2 Pro will ensure you have the best possible connectivity!
Tip #2 : Easy Transfers For Quick Work!
Smartphones are great because they are always connected to the Internet, but they are not always the best platform to do serious work.
That’s where the HUAWEI Multi-Screen Collaboration feature comes in – it lets you get work done on both the Matebook 13 laptop and the Mate 30 or Mate 30 Pro smartphone simultaneously!
And with One Tap to Share technology, you can easily transfer files between your smartphone and the laptop with a simple drag-and-drop motion! Now that is truly how things should work in the life of the future!
Tip #3 : Tune Out The Noise!
One of the biggest problems people face at work is noise. Whether it’s from your colleagues’ keyboards, or their chit-chats, noise can really be distracting and even stressful.
But thanks to the HUAWEI Freebuds 3, you can literally tune out the noise with its Active Noise Cancellation technology. And if you need to call someone in a noisy environment, its Bone Sensor picks up your voice for clear conversations!
Tip #4 : Stay Healthy!
It is important to stay healthy, to maximise your productivity. That’s why the HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 will remind you to stand up and move around, so you don’t sit down for hours on end.
It even monitors your stress levels and blood pressure, and suggest breathing exercises to calm you down and lower your stress levels!
Because it has a 14-day battery life, you should wear it to sleep, so it can help to monitor your sleep patterns, and ensure you stay healthy 24/7.
It is also important to take good care of your eyes. The HUAWEI Matebook 13 comes with an Eye Comfort Mode that is designed to protect your retina and avoid eyestrain. This lets you work in optimal comfort for as long as you like!
Tip #5 : Keep Your Hands Free!
One way to greatly improve productivity is to leverage the advanced capabilities of HUAWEI Smart Life devices to keep both of your hands free!
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 and the HUAWEI x Gentle Monster Eyewear let you make and receive calls, letting you continue working even as you talk.
In addition to letting you make and receive calls, the HUAWEI Freebuds 3 can recognise your speech, and activate the Smart Assistant app for hands-free capabilities.
HUAWEI Smart Life Devices : More Information
For more information on the HUAWEI Smart Life devices mentioned here :
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!
Tip #1 : Stuck Somewhere? Transport Yourself Away!
If your flight or train ride gets delayed, or you are stuck in a long line, whip out your smartphone for some mobile gaming!
Stop fretting about the delay, and channel your frustrations into finishing off your virtual enemies!
It helps that HUAWEI smartphones are not only powerful gaming devices, they have long battery life for hours of mobile gaming!
In addition, the new HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro come with two virtual buttons on the edge of the screen – one on each side.
Use these buttons to gain an advantage over your opponents – move, scope, aim and shoot at the same time! Nothing beats stress more than winning a game!
Tip #2 : Staying Connected With Two Free Hands
The new HUAWEI x Gentle Monster Eyewear not only look great, they let you pick up calls and stay connected, and enjoy music on-the-go!
Best of all, you can do all that while keeping both hands free!
Tip #3 : Stay Healthy + Sweat It Out!
The life of the future does not mean getting stuck in faceless cubicles for hours on end. Being digitally connected means you get to break out of the office!
For digital natives, results matter more than physical presence. Take time off to sweat it out for a healthier and less stressful life!
Use the HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 to monitor your heart rate, and keep track of your jog or swim. It will help to keep you in tip-top shape!
Don’t forget to slip on the HUAWEI x Gentle Monster Eyewear so you can listen to music and chat with your friends, while you burn off the calories!
Tip #4 : Tune Out The Noise!
One of the biggest problems people face, whether at work or at play, is noise. It can really get on your nerves and ruin a great day.
But thanks to the HUAWEI Freebuds 3, you can literally tune out the noise with its Active Noise Cancellation technology. And if you need to call someone, its Bone Sensor picks up your voice for clear conversations!
Tip #5 : Easy Transfers For Quick Work!
Smartphones are great because they are always connected to the Internet, but it’s not always the best platform to do serious work.
That’s where the HUAWEI Multi-Screen Collaboration feature comes in – it lets you get work done on both the Matebook 13 laptop and the smartphone simultaneously!
And with One Tap to Share technology, you can easily transfer files between your smartphone and the laptop with a simple drag-and-drop motion! Now that is truly how things should work in the life of the future!
Tip #6 : Stay Connected Indoors + Outdoors!
Digital natives get agitated whenever we lose access to the Internet. So it is critical for many people that the WiFi connectivity should not only be fast, it should be stable and reliable.
The HUAWEI WiFi Q2 Pro is a great way of delivering fast, reliable WiFi connectivity indoors and outdoors, even through large buildings. Just add satellite units to extend coverage!
Best of all – it will intelligently switch WiFi channels and hotspots to ensure you get the best possible connectivity, even as you move about!
HUAWEI Smart Life Devices : More Information
For more information on the HUAWEI Smart Life devices mentioned here :
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!