Casio Edifice Sospensione Initial D x MF Ghost Watch Now In Malaysia For RM2,399

It may have been more than 27 years since the first chapter of Initial D was released in the Weekly Young Magazine but the popular manga and anime series continues to have a massive impact on automotive and pop culture today. Its legacy lives on through another manga series called MF GHOST and both titles have recently been honoured by Casio through a specially-themed Edifice Sospensione ECB-2000 watch that has just made its way to Malaysia.

The new watch was made possible through a collaboration with Shuichi Shigeno who was the creator of both highly acclaimed motorsports-themed series. For starters, the special edition Casio Edifice Sospensione ECB-2000MFG-1A is draped in the same red-black colourway as per the Toyota 86 GT that was driven by the main characters of MF GHOST, Kanata Rivington.

In addition to that, the name of the racing courses from MF Ghost is featured on the upper side of the Cordura-based watch band. Casio has also added the famed Fujiwara Tofu Shop name in Japanese on one of the band’s underside sections in the exact same font used on the Takumi Fujiwara’s Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86, the hero car from Initial D.

On the other underside section of the band as well as the background of the watch face, there is also a set of Japanese characters “ギャァア” that is a common view inside the manga of both series and is meant to represent the sound made by tyre screeching during corners. In addition to that, the watch’s metal band loop has also been laser-engraved with a tyre track, to further represent the motorsport vibes from Initial D and MF GHOST.

Furthermore, the Casio Sospensione ECB-2000 itself already featured a suspension arm design that was inspired by the suspension system on open-wheeled racing cars which further highlights the watch’s motorsport inspiration. Last but not least, the logo of both series has also been etched on the watch’s IP black case back.

When it comes to functional features, this watch features Tough Solar charging capability, a double LED Super Illuminator, and a sapphire crystal cover with anti-reflective coating, It also supports Casio Watches mobile app via the Bluetooth-based Smartphone Link functionality which allows users to perform several actions including automated time syncing, transfer stopwatch data, and locate their phone.

Price-wise, the Casio Edifice Sospensione Initial D x MF GHOST model carries a price tag of RM2,399. Being a special edition release, it can only be obtained at selected G-Factory, G-Shock Store, and Casio Authorized Dealers in Klang Valley, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kuantan, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak that are listed here.

Mercedes EQS 450+ EV Goes Official In Malaysia For RM 699K

Mercedes-Benz has officially launched the fully-electric Mercedes EQS saloon in Malaysia today. It is the second EQ model to be made available here, just three months after the company marked the arrival of the fully-electric Mercedes EQ sub-brand in Malaysia by launching the EQA SUV.

Unlike EQA which was generally derived from the ICE-based GLA, the EQS was conceived using a modular architecture that is designed exclusively for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. In fact, EQS is the first model that is based on the EV-specific platform.

Globally, the fully-electric saloon can be obtained in several variants but in Malaysia, it is only available in the form of EQS 450+ for the time being. Fully imported (CBU) from Germany, this particular variant has a rear-wheel drive setup and features a 245kW motor that can deliver around 333hp of power and maximum torque of 565Nm of torque alongside a top speed of 210 km/h.

Equipped with a 107.8kWh battery which provides the car with enough juice to travel between 631 km to 782 km according to WLTP standard, the EQS 450+ supports AC charging of up to 11kW while it is also capable of supporting DC chargers with a power rating of up to 200kW. When it comes to charging time, the car takes around 10 hours to reach from 10% to 100% when charged using an 11kW AC charger.

On the other hand, a 200kW DC charger can charge its battery from 10% to 80% within 31 minutes. The EQS 450+ relies on Type 2 / CCS2 combo port for charging and each owner will be provided with a 5m Type 2 charging cable.

As you can tell from the third letter in its name, EQS models are on the same level as per Mercedes S-Class line-up. This means that the EQS 450+ is part of the company’s top-of-the-line releases which is why the luxury saloon is filled with plenty of features inside and outside.

For example, the Malaysian-spec EQS 450+ comes standard with AMG Line exterior and body styling alongside 21-inch light-alloy AMG wheels. There are plenty of other items that were optional extras in other markets but made standard for the release in Malaysia such as the rear axle steering, the curved tri-display MBUX Hyperscreen, MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation, head-up display, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, and 15-speakers 710 watts Burmester surround sound system.

Driving Assistance Plus Package is also a standard for the Malaysian-spec EQS 450+ which covers safety technologies such as Active Distance Assists DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, 360-degree camera, Active Parking Assist, and DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps.

Given how S-Class models are also commonly used as chauffeur vehicles, things are no different with the EQS 450+ too. Aside from the luxurious interior all around which has draped in Nappa leather, rear passengers of the new EV are provided with their own infotainment displays and there is another detachable tablet that they can pull out from the centre armrest.

Naturally, the EQS 450+ comes with an OTR price tag to match at RM698,888. Covered by a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty in addition to a separate EV battery-specific 10-years 250,000km warranty, delivery is taking place immediately.

Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max Now Available For Malaysia

Aside from the 3rd generation AirPods, the new MacBook Pro (MBP) with M1 Pro and M1 Max processors are now available from Apple Malaysia’s website as well. All these products were first introduced during the company’s Unleashed event last month.

For those who missed the launch, the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors are available for both MBP 14 and 16. In terms of CPU, the M1 Pro is available with 8 and 10-core options which is also inclusive of 14 and 16-core GPU respectively, alongside up to 32GB of unified memory.

On another hand, the M1 Max comes with a 10-core CPU as standard while you can choose to obtain it with either 24 or 32-core GPU together with up to 64GB unified memory. In addition to that, the chip also has double the memory bandwidth of M1 Pro at 4000GB/s.

Meanwhile, other new elements that Apple has introduced through the latest MBP 14 and 16 are thinner screen bezels as well as a notch on their ProMotion 120Hz displays which houses the new 1080p FaceTime HD. These new models also marked the return of MagSafe charging, SDXC reader, and HDMI 2.0 port although the company has also decided to remove the Touch Bar.

Depending on the exact specs that you choose, the price of M1 Pro-based MBP starts at RM8,799 and can go all the way to RM21,999. As for the M1 Max variants, the price ranges from RM12,399 to RM25,199 and all of them can be obtained through Apple Malaysia’s website right away.

Sony SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker Arriving In Malaysia This January

Sony has launched the SRS-NS7, the latest addition to its wireless neckband speaker series. According to its specs, the new device fits into the high-end category when compared to its sibling, the Sony SRS-NB10, which was unveiled earlier in July this year.

Like the aforementioned product, the new SRS-NS7 is also an IP4X-rated full range speaker that you can wear around your neck. What sets this particular model apart from its sibling is its larger X-Balanced speaker units, which emphasises on surround sound and clearer bass – giving you a more immersive experience when watching movies or listening to music. 

If you happen to own Sony’s Bravia XR TVs, you can take the wireless neckband speaker’s audio output capabilities a notch higher. Introduced alongside the SRS-NS7 is the WLA-NS7 Bluetooth transmitter, which is capable of transmitting low latency Dolby Atmos 360 spatial audio from the TV to the wearable speaker. The transmitter is sold separately and is only compatible with Bravia XR TVs.

Other than that, the Sony SRS-NS7 also comes with built-in microphones which enables you to use it for voice or video conference calls. Since it relies on Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, the wearable speaker can also be connected to other compatible devices such as smartphones, PCs, and so on. There’s also a multi-pair capability which allows you to connect the SRS-NS7 to two different devices at once.

In terms of battery life, Sony says the wearable speaker can last up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge. It also comes with 7.5W fast-charging capability via USB-C, which is claimed to top-up an hour’s worth of use in just 10 minutes.

The new Sony SRS-NS7 wireless neckband speaker and the WLA-NS7 Bluetooth transmitter are priced at RM1,249 and RM269 respectively. In terms of local availability, both devices are expected to arrive in Malaysia by January of next year. Meanwhile, the smaller SRS-NB7 will retail at RM599 and is also slated to be available locally at the same time as its high-end sibling.

Apple Watch Series 7 Receives General Release Date: Malaysia’s Status Still Unknown

Of all devices that were launched during the California Streaming event last month which also include iPhone 13 Series, iPhone 13 Pro Series, 6th generation iPad mini, and 9th generation iPad, there are still some mysterious elements regarding Apple Watch Series 7. For example, its actual rollout date was not revealed by Apple during the event but that has just changed this evening.

The company has announced that Series 7 will be made available in selected markets starting from 15 October onwards. Interesting enough, more than 50 countries and regions are part of the first-wave markets for the new smartwatch including the usual suspects such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and China.

Despite the large group of first-wave markets, it seems that Malaysia is not part of it though as Apple Malaysia’s website still listed the Series 7’s availability as “later this year” at the time this article is published. As a comparison, Apple websites for Singapore and Thailand have noted that customers will be able to order Series 7 through them starting from 8 October.

On another hand, Series 7 is not listed on Apple’s websites for Indonesia and Vietnam. We are now reaching out to Apple to find out more about the watch’s availability in Malaysia and will keep you posted once we receive further updates.

Acer Malaysia Launces Its First HDMI 2.1 Monitors: Nitro XV2 Xbox Edition and Predator XB3

Thanks to the increased bandwidth capacity, HDMI 2.1 provides a number of advantages over its predecessor including the support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and refresh rate as high as 120Hz at 4K resolution. Manufacturers everywhere have begun to incorporate the new standard into their products including Acer who has just launched two HDMI 2.1-based 4K gaming monitors in Malaysia.

One of them is the 28-inch Nitro XV282K KV Xbox Edition which is an interesting choice given how Xbox is not being made available in Malaysia by Microsoft. For those who are wondering, no, this gaming monitor is not something that is made specially just for Microsoft’s gaming consoles despite being certified for them.

Plenty of features on this 28-inch gaming monitor which carries an Agile-Splendor IPS panel can be utilized by any PCs and gaming consoles that support them. Among them include refresh rate of up to 144Hz at 4K resolution, 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA DisplayHDR 400.

It is also equipped with a built-in KVM switch that allows users to switch between multiple PCs using just one set of keyboard and mouse. At the same time, you can easily differentiate this particular Xbox Edition model from other Nitro monitors by the green-coloured cable hook on its base.

Moving on, another HDMI 2.1-based 4K gaming monitor that Acer has brought into Malaysia is the Predator XB323QK NV which features an even larger 31.5-inch Agile-Splendor IPS panel. Unlike the Nitro XV282K KV, the Predator model is a universal Adaptive Sync product although it is still a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified monitor and has a native refresh rate of 144Hz.

The Predator XB323QK NV also features an RGB lighting strip on its back that can be customized using the Light Sense software in which gamers can set it to be in sync with their games, movies, and music. Acer has also integrated a KVM switch into this Predator gaming monitor as well.

In terms of pricing, the Nitro XV282K KV Xbox Edition goes for RM3,299 while the Predator XB323QK NV can be obtained for RM4,299. Both gaming monitors are now readily available for pre-orders until 6 October through Acer Malaysia’s own e-store and Authorized Predator Partners across the country as well as Acer Certified/Official Stores at Lazada and Shopee.

DHL Express Malaysia Announces Average 4.9 Percent Price Increase

DHL Express Malaysia today has announced a price increase by an average rate of 4.9%, while surcharge for overweight pieces and non-stackable pallets will be adjusted to RM410 per piece and RM840 per pallet. These adjustments are slated to be made effective by January 2022.

According to the company‘s official statement, the change is part of its annual price adjustments, which takes into account inflation and currency dynamics. It added that this also includes administrative costs related to regulatory and security measures that are regularly updated by national and international authorities in over 220 countries and territories that DHL Express serves.

“The annual price adjustment enables us to further develop our infrastructure while allowing us to apply state-of-the-art technologies and individual delivery processes to ensure best-in-class customer solutions,” said DHL Express Malaysia & Brunei Country Manager Julian Neo. “In response to the increased demand for logistics expertise due to rising item volumes in the e-commerce market, we have invested heavily in the renewal of our aircraft fleet as well as our global hub and gateway network.”

According to a comment to Bernama, Neo detailed that the company will use this opportunity to upgrade its fleet with the latest aircraft and vehicles, as well as expand its hubs and gateways. This would enable it to increase its overall capacity, as demands for the fastest possible cross-border shipping continues to grow.

FamilyMart Malaysia Rolls Out Its First Smart Kiosk

FamilyMart Malaysia has launched its first-ever smart kiosk which is called the FamilyMart Mini. Located at the Shell Karak Highway 2 in Gombak, the automated kiosk is already begun to serve customers recently.

FamilyMart Mini allows customers to purchase up to six items at one go, according to the pictures shared by FamilyMart Malaysia on its Facebook page. It is equipped with a large touch screen that displays the items that are available within the machine together with their price tag.

Based on the images shared by FamilyMart, it seemed that the items offered by the FamilyMart Mini at Shell Karak Highway 2 mainly consisted of the brand’s own food and drinks including onigiri, sandwiches, and bread. In terms of payment, the smart kiosk accepts credit and debit cards as well as selected e-wallets include Boost, GrabPay, Maybank QRPay, and Touch n Go eWallet.

Truth be told, smart kiosks and advanced vending machines are nothing new in our market. In the context of convenience store companies such as FamilyMart that also sell self-branded products, it may act as a way to expand their footprint in a cost-effective manner as opposed to having a full-scale store.

Meanwhile, FamilyMart Malaysia has yet to reveal the number of FamiyMart Mini that it plans to deploy. Given the reason we mentioned earlier though, we would not be surprised if it began to pop in other areas very soon though.

Porsche Assembly Plant In Malaysia To Be Operational In 2022

It is something that has been rumoured for quite some time but Porsche and Sime Darby have finally confirmed that they are working together to set up an assembly plant in Malaysia. The new endeavour is part of the German automaker’s effort to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia which has seen an increase of 9% in terms of deliveries last year despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sime Darby is currently Porsche’s exclusive importer and distributor in Malaysia although the relationship between both companies has been going on for more than 10 years. The company also has almost 40 years of experience in vehicle assembly and operates a facility in Kulim that assembles vehicles for Hyundai, BMW, Land Rover, MINI, and Mazda.

Interesting enough, the Malaysian facility will be the first Porsche’s assembly plant outside of Europe. Not only that, Porsche also has noted that the vehicles assembled there will be made available exclusively for Malaysia.

At the moment, Porsche and Sime Darby have not yet disclosed which models will be assembled at the new facility. Nevertheless, both companies have said that production at the plant will begin in 2022.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 To Retail In Malaysia At RM499

Joining the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3, Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4 series‘ expected arrival in Malaysia by late September 2021 is the newly launched Galaxy Buds2. Similarly, preorders for the earbuds will be open to customers this Thursday on 19 August as well.

As a quick recap, the new Galaxy Buds2 comes with active noise cancelling (ANC) – a much appreciated listening enhancement that was included in Samsung’s Buds Pro and Buds Live earbuds, but not the original 2019 model. Another newly introduced feature on the Buds2 is a machine learning-based solution that intelligently filters out unwanted noises from your voice during hands-free calls.

In terms of battery-life, Samsung claims that the new earbuds can last up to five hours of play time with ANC on, with an additional 15 hours of juice when topped up from the accompanying charging case. With the noise cancelling feature turned off, the Buds2 is said to be capable of lasting up to 7.5 hours on a full charge, with an additional 21.5 hours via its case.

The new Samsung Galaxy Buds2 is offered in either Graphite, White, Lavender, and Olive colour options, which also applies to the casing’s interior. Its exterior, on the other hand, will feature a white glossy finish regardless of which colourway you’ve chosen. Price-wise, the new earbuds will retail at RM 499, which is similar to its predecessor’s launch price when it arrived in Malaysia.

Malaysia Airports, Volocopter, and Skyports Are Looking Into Air Taxi’s Feasibility In Our Market

If you may recall, Volocopter last year had announced that it will be launching air taxi services in Singapore within the next few years. We have noted that the decision could have a spillover effect on our market given Malaysia’s proximity to the country and it turns out that could likely be the case indeed.

Malaysia Airports today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the German urban air mobility (UAM) company, as well as Skyports who is a designer and operator of “vertiport” which is essentially an airport specifically made for air taxis. Both of these companies have actually collaborated before to build VoloPorts in Singapore.

The first result of this MoU will be a feasibility study for the deployment of electric air taxi services at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) which is more fondly known to many of us as Subang Airport. Malaysia Airports are currently planning to turn the airport into a regional aerospace and business aviation hub within the next 5 years through the LTSAAS Regeneration Plan.

Malaysia Airports has also mentioned in the joint announcement that the study will also involve other locations throughout the country. However, don’t expect to be able to ride a Volocopter from Subang Airport anytime soon though because even if everything goes well, it is going to take years for that to become a reality.

Just take Singapore as an example: it actually took Volocopter around one year before the company were able to perform the first manned flight at Marina Bay and another year to officially announce its commitment to roll out air taxi services over there. As you may know, things are likely to be more challenging here in Malaysia but nevertheless, we will continue to closely monitor the development of this partnership as it progresses.

Samsung Galaxy A22 LTE Now Available For Pre-Order In Malaysia At RM899

Just weeks after releasing the 5G variant in our market, Samsung’s official stores on two popular local e-commerce platforms have since listed the Galaxy A22 LTE. While they might share the same name, there are some noteworthy differences between the LTE and 5G variants of the phone.

For example, the Galaxy A22 LTE is running on MediaTek Helio G80 while the 5G model is equipped with a slightly more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip. The LTE model also has a slightly smaller 6.4-inch HD+ screen as compared to the 5G variant which has a 6.6-inch FHD+ display but the A22 LTE does feature a 90Hz Super AMOLED panel while the A22 5G comes with an LCD TFT panel.

In Malaysia, both variants carry the same 128GB internal storage but memory-wise, the 5G has more RAM at 8GB while the LTE model is limited to 6GB. There is also a 48MP f/1.8 camera on both devices but the LTE model also offers optical image stabilisation which is something that is not available on the 5G model.

Even though both devices have a 2MP /f2.4 depth camera, the A22 LTE also has an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a dedicated 2MP macro camera while the A22 5G only has a 5MP ultra-wide camera. The 5G model also has a lower resolution 8MP selfie camera as opposed to the same camera on the LTE model which is equipped with a 16M sensor.

Regardless of your choice, both the A22 LTE and 5G come standard with a 5,000mAh battery alongside the support for 15W fast chargers. In terms of pricing, the Galaxy A22 LTE goes for RM899 which is RM100 less than the Galaxy A22 5G.

In conjunction with the phone’s release in Malaysia, Samsung will include a free soft case for each pre-order of Galaxy A22 LTE. Since the phone is not listed yet on Samsung Malaysia’s official website at the time this article was published, you may want to head on to Samsung’s official store on Lazada and Shopee instead.