Xiaomi May Introduce A New Extended RAM Feature For Its Smartphones

Those with Xiaomi smartphones with low-specced RAM configurations will be delighted to know that the company might be working on a way to upgrade its capacity. Thanks to a recent discovery by tipster Kacper Skrzpek on Twitter, a code to what appears to be an “extended RAM” feature was spotted on an unspecified version of Xiaomi’s MIUI system.

This concept isn’t actually entirely new and is quite similar to the Virtual Memory approach on PC operating systems such as Windows. What this feature does is allocate a certain amount of physical memory aka Read Only Memory (ROM) from the device’s storage, and converts it into Random Access Memory (RAM). This also means that after the conversion, the allocated ROM will be completely unusable for usual storage purposes – that is, until the user decides to reverse the action.

Xiaomi isn’t the first brand to introduce the extended RAM feature on smartphones, albeit allegedly. The honour belongs to fellow Chinese smartphone maker Vivo, who recently debuted it along with its latest handset in Malaysia: the Vivo V21. The latter’s device provides users the option to boost its onboard 8GB RAM up to 11GB by converting 3GB from its 128GB internal storage capacity.

If Skrzpek’s information is proven accurate, Xiaomi’s version functions somewhat similarly to that of Vivo’s. From the screenshots provided by the tipster, the former’s alleged feature is shown to be able to convert 1GB of storage into RAM – although it’s quite possible the amount may change depending on the memory configurations on different Xiaomi phones. Also provided that if the brand is planning to include this ability on all of its future or current devices.

There’s no word on when Xiaomi is planning to debut this feature on its MIUI system or smartphones. Nevertheless, it is going to be a very handy feature to improve multitasking and also gaming, especially for users who are on entry-level handsets from the company.

Facebook May Introduce Clubhouse-Like Broadcasting Feature To Messenger Rooms

It was rumoured back in February that Facebook is developing its own clone of Clubhouse, which would introduce a similar broadcasting service to its ecosystem. Thanks to a recent discovery by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, more details regarding the new feature have been revealed.

According to Paluzzi, the experimental version of the upcoming service was found as part of Facebook’s app code on Android, and is indicated to be a new addition to the social network’s Messenger Rooms feature. Rooms itself is considered to be the company’s answer to Zoom, enabling Facebook users to host and participate in virtual meetings or discussions – therefore, combining these elements together makes sense and eliminates the need to introduce a separate app just for broadcasting.

It is revealed that users are able to host different types of Rooms with this new feature; including Live Audio for broadcasting to listeners, and friends-only audio or video private sessions. In its current iteration, Messenger Rooms only allows for up to 50 people to participate in both audio and video sessions. The new Live Audio feature, on the other hand, will likely remove that limitation due to its broadcasting approach.

When approached by TechCrunch, Facebook confirmed that these new Messenger Rooms features are indeed part of its “exploratory audio efforts”. However, the social media giant did not provide an answer when asked regarding the expected rollout for these new additions. We just hope that the finalised version would not only feature Rooms occupied by nothing but Mark Zuckerberg clones as per the screenshots above.

As previously reported, Facebook isn’t the only one attempting to capitalise on the whole audio-only broadcasting fad. Also onboard are rival social media companies Twitter and TikTok owner ByteDance. The former had recently launched its own Clubhouse clone known as Twitter Spaces, while the latter is reportedly developing its own broadcasting platform.

KPDNHEP To Introduce Special Online Business Licence To Protect Consumers

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) is planning to introduce a special online business licence as a measure to protect consumers from potential scams or fraud. In 2020 alone, the number of complaints on online transactions have increased to a total of 11,510 compared to 5,414 in 2019, the ministry noted.

Deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said that online merchants will be subject to conditions via the new licence, which would enable consumers to make online purchases without worrying about the legitimacy and reputation of sellers. The special licence would be enforced after amendments are made to the Consumer Protection (eCommerce Transactions) Regulations 2012 under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, he added. Details regarding the expected conditions that will be introduced in this new license have not been disclosed at this time.

For the time being, Rosol is advising consumers to avoid potential scams by checking sellers’ bank account numbers before proceeding with any form of online transactions. For this purpose, he is recommending the public to utilise the PDRM Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s “Semak Mule CCID” website and application.

The minister also noted another similar mobile app known as Idenfic, developed by the National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) and 7echnology Sdn Bhd. The app is currently available on both Google Play and Apple App Store.

As most of us are aware by now, eCommerce has become the more preferred approach for consumers to purchase goods, thanks to the ongoing pandemic. Also riding along with its significant rise is the potential risk of scams and frauds. Needless to say, we strongly advise our readers to always stay vigilant when shopping online and always be wary of too-good-to-be-true and other questionable deals.

Malaysia Airlines To Introduce Digital Travel Health Pass Soon; Will Be Integrated Into Its App

Malaysian Airlines will be introducing the Digital Travel Health Pass in order to ease the travelling process for its passengers in the post-pandemic world. In general, the digital pass will help verify that passengers have met all the requirements that allowed them to travel safely.

According to the airline, the pass will be integrated directly into the Malaysia Airlines mobile app. Among the functions that will be enabled by the pass include the ability to schedule COVID-19 RT-PCR test with the airline’s medical partners.

Passengers will also be able to digitally store their COVID-19 vaccination certificate inside the app and they can also use it to verify their travel eligibility directly with the airline. Malaysia Airlines has also adopted some of the modules from the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass for its app, so that passengers can create a digital passport that includes all the necessary test and vaccination info that they can show to relevant authorities during their travels.

However, the exact rollout date of the Digital Travel Health Pass has not been revealed for the time being although we do know that IATA is planning to release the standalone version of its Travel Pass sometime in March. Malaysia Airlines said that more details will be revealed in due time, so do keep a look out for further updates from our country’s flag carrier soon.