Author: Sharil Abdul Rahman

Microsoft Introduces The Next Stage of Computing: The Surface Neo And Surface Duo

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Previously thought as just vaporware and whisperings of the tech underground, Microsoft shared with the world two new concepts for 2020 at the Surface event – the Surface Neo and the Surface Duo.

Riding on the current obsession of folding devices, the Surface Neo is a two-screened device that runs Windows 10 X, a new Windows fork designed for multi-screen portable devices. The Neo is said to run on Intel’s upcoming Lakefield processor, which one model features the combination of Atom and Sunny Cove CPU cores – essentially a big.LITTLE architecture on x86. The dual screen can be flipped 360 degrees – sort like Lenovo’s YOGA series.

A cool feature is the optional Bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard can be attached magnetically onto the back of the Neo, and then flipped onto one of the screens to turn it into a mini laptop. The Neo also works with Microsoft’s latest Surface Slim Stylus – it magnetically attaches to the top of the Neo, and also charges itself using wireless charging.

The Surfarce Duo meanwhile is the return of Microsoft to the smartphone game. It shares the same design as the Neo – only smaller. It runs Android, and from the teaser video, it is using Microsoft’s Launcher (which is available for any Android device currently). One feature looks to be omitted on the Duo are cameras – the only camera seen is for video calling/selfies.

The two devices are slated to be out by the holiday season…of 2020. Yes, Microsoft announced the devices a year early. This is no doubt to deter any leaks or speculations. Plus it can help spur its partners to create something similar for the ecosystem as well.

Microsoft Surface ProX is the Next Generation Surface Refined

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Apart from the Surface 7 and Laptop 3, Microsoft also announced a new Surface model. The ProX is the company’s slimmest Surface yet, and it runs Windows 10 on ARM.

It shares the general 3:2 display inherited from the Surface 2 formfactor, but it is now light. How light? The tablet itself is only about 750 grams. When you add on the type-cover, it goes up to almost a kilo. Almost.

The new Type-cover for the ProX hides a special gimmick – at the fold, the new slim Surface pen lives and wirelessly charges. The keys on type-cover is the same as the one we love.

Inside of the ProX is Microsoft’s own cipset – the SQ1. It was co-developed with Snapdragon, and may include elements from the Snapdragon 8cx. The 13-inch screen is the same Pixel Sense screen tech as other surfaces, so the display quality will be good.

As it is running on ARM, expect good battery life on the ProX. Plus it is running Windows 10, so productivity will be great for users. Additionally, users can upgrade the storage of the ProX easily through an access panel located under the kickstand. Two USB Type-C completes the package.

The Microsoft Surface ProX will start from USD 999 (~RM 4187) when it ships in mid November.

Microsoft Surface 7 and Laptop 3 Upgrades The Family With USB Type-C

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Microsoft announced the update to the Surface lineup in an event in New York. The new Surface 7 and Surface Laptop 3 sees updates in design and features – but the overall look fo the two devices are generally the same as their predecessors.

First of the bat is the Surface 7. It has the same general size, and look as the previous generation. What is different is mainly underneath the skin. It features the new tenth-generation Intel Core processors, ranging from the i3 to the i7. The biggest difference is the inclusion of a USB Type-C port for high-speed data transfers. You still have the single USB Type-A to complement the new port.

Next, the Surface Laptop 3 now comes in two new sizes. The 13-inch model is a logical upgrade to last year’s model, with newer Intel tenth-generation processors but maintains generally the same as per last year’s model. What is new is the larger 15-inch device. It is the first Surface with AMD Ryzen, a Microsoft Surface edition designed specifically for the 15-inch device. Yes, there will be Vega cores on the chip (9 or 11), so you can game on the Surface Laptop 3.

Better still, the new Laptop 3 15 now comes with a new finish – machined aluminium. Yes, there is more than just Alcantara for the Laptop line.

Both devices will have touchscreens, USB Type-C and larger touchpads for better gestures on the go. The Surface 7, Laptop 3 13 and Laptop 4 15 is now available for preorder in the US and will ship sometime at the end of the month of October.

Vivo V17 Pro Now Available In Malaysia with 6 Cameras On Board

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Vivo has officially announced the V17 Pro availability in Malaysia. The smartphone comes with a mid-range processor, 6 cameras and an affordable price point of RM1,699.

Optics wise, the Vivo V17 Pro sports 6 sensors. The two on the front is in a pop-up module, with one sensor a 32MP wide-angle shooter and the other being a 2MP depth sensor. Meanwhile, on the back you get 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP quad camera combo.

The chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, paired to 8GB of RAM, 128GB internal storage and a 4100mAh battery for a full day’s use. The screen is a 6.44-inch Full HD+ display (with no notches or punch holes).

Vivo is pricing the V17 Pro at RM 1,699 and is available starting from today.

Logitech New PRO X Mechanical Keyboard Allows Both Switch And Keycap Swap At Will

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Logitech’s new keyboard may interest customizers. The PRO X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features hot-swappable mechanical switches on the fly, perfect for those who wants multiple switches on their keyboard.

Three different mechanical switches can be purchased – tactile GX Brown, linear Red GX and clicky Blue GX switches. The three switches is said to be similar to its Cherry counterparts in action.

The keyboard itself is a ten-keyless design, with full RGB colour support. As the GX switches are Cherry-MX compatible, users can also swap the keys with Cherry MX switches, or other switches that uses the blade-pin for connection to the keyboard.

The PRO X Mechanical Gaming keyboard is priced at USD 149.99 (~RM628), while a model with permanent Blue switches will be priced at USD 129.99 (~RM 544). Logitech’s replacement keys (92 pieces) sells at USD 50 (~RM 210) a pop. Pricey, but gives you complete customization on how your keyboard feels in game.

GoPro Hero8 Adds New Features: Digital Lenses, Better Stabilization, Media Mod Housing And More

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Action camera fans, heads up. The new GoPro Hero8 is now officially launched, and it brings a whole new package of features to the action camera scene.

First of all, the body. It shares the same design as the Hero7, but with minor updates here and there. It still takes 4K30p video, and now features Hypersmooth 2.0, GoPro’s second-generation stabilization technology that features a ‘Boost’ mode and an auto horizon levelling mode.

New to the Hero8 are ‘Digital Lenses’. This is a selection of presets that help crop the source of the video into four set presets – Narrow, Linear, Wide and Superview, mimicking some DLSR lens combo. There are also other included presets to help start recording right away – the ‘Cinematic’ preset the Hero8 Black will shoot 4K/30p video, in ‘Activity’ it will shoot 2.7K/60p video and in ‘Slo-Mo’ it will shoot 1080/240p video.

Lastly, the Hero8 now supports the Media Mod. This is basically a housing that users can add-on to the Hero8 to add functionalities. This includes a 1.9-inch flip-up screen Display Mod, a shotgun mic, external mic and more coming soon.

The GoPro Hero8 is now available for pre-order for USD399.99 (~RM1675) from 15 October onwards. The Media Mod will be priced at USD80 (~RM 335) and the Light Mod priced at USD50 (~RM210) available December onwards.

GoPro Max is A Second-gen 360 Degree Action Camera with Updated Features

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GoPro has unveiled new models in its action camera lineup. The GoPro Max is a successor to the GoPro Fusion, offering 360-degree capture capability in an action-camera body.

The Max features two cameras on either side of its rounded cuboid design. What is added to the model is a touchscreen on the other side of the bigger screen. GoPro has also managed to shrink the Max as it is smaller than the Fusion, and now works with a single microSD card.

The sensors on the Max can capture 16.6-megapixel still images (5760 x 2880 pixels) and capture full 360-degree video at up to 5K (4992 x 2496 pixels). Videos are recorded as MP4s via H.264/AVC. It can also live-stream HD video. Other modes includes modes for framing, hyperlapse and image stabilization technology in the form of Max HyperSmooth, Max TimeWarp, and ‘Digital Lenses.’ 

The built-in six microphone offers 360-degree audio capture. For added value, the camera can perform multiple functions: a standard Hero action cam, a vlogging camera (thanks to the front-facing LCD display) and a 360-degree camera. It connects to the PC through a USB-C port that transfers data and power, and a micro-HDMI port for direct viewing from the camera.

The GoPro Hero Max is available to pre-order in the USA for USD499.99 (~RM2093). It’s expected to ship October 24th with in-store availability starting on the 25th. No Malaysian availability has been announced just as yet.

Possible Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite In The Pipeline

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After launching the latest entry into the Note 10 series, Samsung is said to be readying a new model in the family. The Note 10 Lite could be the mid-ranger Note rather than a lower-end flagship.

The news of a Note Lite first came with SamMobile spotting the model number SM-N770F. The N prefix is always associated with the Note series, and N7 was first used by the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo back in the days.

Of course this model number may just be a placeholder or even a smokescreen for upcoming Samsung models, but with the currently Note 10 currently priced at very high level, the market is becoming a bit more tired over devices over RM4000. Perhaps with a lower-cost Note, it can reinvigorate the smartphone market, where manufacturers are obsessed over high-priced devices.

Sony Playstation To Receive Possible AI-powered Digital Assistant

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A new patent surfaced online hints that Sony is possibly developing a personal assistant for its Playstation of devices. Called PlayStation Assist, the digital assistant is geared towards gamers on the PSN platform.

First tweeted by Daniel Ahmed (@ZhugeEx), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent was granted to Sony recently. Using voice, the digital assistant can help players to get info, details or even specifics on a game with ease. Plus, it can even help set and arrange playtime with friends in the PSN platform.

Better yet, the digital assistant is touted to be usable in-game as well. It is unconfirmed which games will be usable with the digital assistant as of yet, or will it be backwards compatible, but players can ask the assistant for game-specific enquiries such as location of healthpacks or even tips to complete the game.

Additionally, the patent states that there should be a companion app to be used with the assistant, which could be the main screen of interaction for PlayStation Assist. As this is only a patent, no confirmation if it will ever be made into reality – but if it does, it could spell the start of a whole new level of interaction with games.

New Surface Devices Leaked Online

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Our favourite leaker, EvanBlass (@evleaks), has just shared a few new images of the upcoming Surface products from Microsoft. Two tablets and two laptops are set to be launched soon by Microsoft to the world.

The Surface 7 is the headline of the four devices. It retains the classic Surface design, with the infinitely adjustable kickstand and a 3:2 display on the front. An addition that we all have been asking for is finally available on the Surface 7 – a USB Type-C port. It also retains the original USB Type-A port as well as the Surface port for charging and/or dock. No news if the USB Type-C is data only, data + power or data + power + display.

Next are two additions to the Surface laptop lineup. Available in two models – 13 and 15 inches – Microsoft looks have omitted the Alcantara covering. Pictures shown by Evan shows the keyboard, similar in design to the previous device. The only visibly port is the Surface port, so it is unknown what other connectivity the laptops will have for users.

Lastly is the ARM-powered Surface device. This this-and-light device comes with two USB Type-C ports, the Surface connector and a new type-cover is a bit bulkier than the typical Microsoft type-cover. This Surface may sport a Snapdragon chip for processing power. The Microsoft event is set to launch sometime in the next few days, so we should get more info on the devices by then. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on the design of the new Surface devices.