Could This Be The First Look At Apple Store TRX?

There are five Apple Stores in Southeast Asia with three of them being in Singapore and two in Bangkok, Thailand. It goes without saying that Apple users felt a little bit left out and it has been rumoured for quite some time that an Apple Store will be opened in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.

According to the last major update regarding the rumour last April, it was estimated that Apple Store TRX could be opening its doors in 2022. As the year is going to end in less than three weeks with The Exchange TRX is not exactly ready for the public just yet, you can generally take that estimation out of the equation.

But, not the rumour itself though. As shown above, this particular image which claimed to be the first glimpse of Apple Store TRX has made its way to the Klang Valley Shopping Malls thread on the Skyscraper City forum. Unfortunately, the image has since been deleted although it has since spread like a wildfire.

The deletion may have strengthened its authenticity but it is still rather hard to verify whether the image was really taken at TRX since we were not able to see the view outside the scaffoldings. The resolution of the image is also not high enough for us to zoom in to check the logo on the safety jackets worn by the workers.

Naturally, we have also tried reverse search the image but didn’t receive any good results. So, do take this image with a grain of salt, if you must.

Meanwhile, the Project Director for The Exchange TRX, Mitch Wilson has recently stated that the area is currently scheduled to be open sometime in Q4 2023. The statement also noted that there will be more than 400 stores and 100 dining outlets throughout its four retail levels.

He also revealed some of the confirmed tenants which include Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), a Seibu department store, and a supermarket by Hong Kong’s Dairy Farm Group. The Exchange TRX will also feature a 10-acre public park on its rooftop.

This Is The Registry Hack That Lets You Install Windows 11 On Unsupported PC

Four months after it was first unveiled to the world, Microsoft unleashed Windows 11 to end users earlier this week. As you may know, the minimum system requirements for the new operating system are not only much higher than its predecessor but is also more stringent, down to the mandatory TPM 2.0 chip and specific lists of supported processors.

Interesting enough, there is a way to bypass the TPM and CPU check and believe it or not, this came directly from Microsoft. All you need to do is add a registry key value into your machine.

If you decide to do this, do make sure to be careful as your machine could turn haywire if you did something wrong in the Registry Editor. So, here are the steps:

1. Press the Windows button, type Registry Editor, and click on the search result once the program appears. Alternatively, press Windows + R to open the Run command window, type regedit, and press OK.
2. Press Yes when User Account Control pops up.
3. Find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.
4. Right-click on the right-hand panel and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) value.
5. Type AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU as the Value name.
6. Type 1 as the Value data. Leave the Base as Hexadecimal.
7. Press Ok and close the Registry Editor.

Do note that you still need a TPM 1.2 chip to be present and enabled in your machine before you can install Windows 11. Furthermore, Microsoft has said that unsupported PC will not be entitled to updates and that also include security updates.

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.

This App Tests The Water Resistance Of Android Phones

You may remember the Apple slogan (that the company trademarked) that goes “there’s an app for that”. Now, there is one that can actually test for a phone’s water resistance. Though ironically in the context of this paragraph, the app is only available for Android phones.

The app in question is simply called Water Resistance Tester by Ray W. The test is also pretty simple. All you have to do is run the app, leave it alone for awhile, then press down on two parts of your phone’s screen when prompted.

The way it works is by using the barometer that some phones have, to help track vertical location. If the phone is sealed well enough for water resistance, this will build up pressure inside the phone, which the app will tell you about.

Ray W also has a post on Reddit detailing a number of scenarios where it will be useful. Most notably, if you’ve sent your phone for servicing or repair, you can use the app to check if the people doing that sealed the phone back up properly. If you have an old phone and suspect it’s no longer water resistant, the Water Resistance Tester app will also let you know.

All that being said, because it is a third party app, don’t expect it to be something you can use to get a warranty claim if your supposedly waterproof phone drowns. Even if phone makers these days tout their devices as waterproof, these have generally not been covered by warranty ever since Sony reversed its waterproof stance with the Xperia Z3 back in the day.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti And RTX 3070 Ti Now Official; Both Arriving This Month

After months of speculation and rumours, NVIDIA has finally let the cat out of the bag on its new GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3070 Ti graphics cards. Announced during its Computex 2021 keynote earlier, the two cards serve as a step-up to the currently existing RTX 3080 and RTX 3070 graphics cards.

Starting with the RTX 3080 Ti, as per the initial reports, the card comes with 12GB GDDR6X, 34 Shaders-TFLOPS, 67 RT-FLOPS, and 273 Tensor-TFLOPs. Additionally, the card also has 10240 CUDA Cores, a 19Gbps memory clock, as well as a 384-bit memory bus.

In terms of performance, NVIDIA says that the card is 1.5x more powerful and faster than its last generation RTX 2080 Ti. That power does come with a higher TGP consumption of 350W, which is 30W more than the RTX 3080. Elsewhere, the card has a boost clock of 1665MHz, 112 ROPs, and a memory bandwidth of 912GB/s.

The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti will be available from 3 June onwards, with an official SRP of US$1199 (~RM4946).

Next on the list is the RTX 3070 Ti. Aesthetically, the card’s cooler shroud definitely looks different from the RTX 3070; rather than use the same dual front-facing fan design, NVIDIA has opted to use the inverted dual-axis flow through design, originally introduced with the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090.

Specs-wise, there’s not a whole lot of detail about the RTX 3070 Ti besides what was showed on screen, but the card is definitely getting 8GB GDDR6X graphics memory, and not the standard GDDR6. Additionally, the card will have 22 Shader-TFLOPS, 42 RT-TFLOPS, and 174 Tensor-TFLOPs. In terms of performance, NVIDIA says the card is 1.5x more powerful than the RTX 2070 Super, and approximately 20% faster than the current RTX 3070.

As for availability, the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is slated for 10 June and will have an SRP of US$599 (~RM2471).

Steam Hinted To Port Games Over To Consoles Later This Year

 

There’s a chance that Steam, Valve’s popular digital storefront on PC, might be porting its exclusives to video game consoles later in 2021. This was hinted, albeit vaguely, by none other than the company’s president Gabe Newell a few days back during a talk at Sancta Maria College in Auckland, New Zealand.

“You will have a better idea of that by the end of this year,” Newell replied when asked by a student if Steam would be porting games to consoles. Seeing that the PlayStation 4 being the only console to feature virtual reality capabilities via its PSVR peripheral, it could be possible for Valve to port Half-Life: Alyx over to it. That, or to the PS5 since Sony had recently teased the next iteration of its virtual reality system for the new console.

It’s also worth noting that earlier in January, Newell revealed that several newer games are currently being worked on by his company. Although no further details were shared in regards to this, he did mention that Valve will announce them eventually. That being said, Newell’s response to the student’s question could be referring to these upcoming yet unannounced games, which may see a multi-platform release.

There’s also a long-shot speculation from others who believe that Valve might also bring its Steam digital storefront to consoles. However, such a move is quite unlikely and wouldn’t make sense as video game consoles feature their own closed stores such as Nintendo sShop, PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox consoles.

Regardless, we’ll only find out what Valve actually has in store for home video game consoles in late 2021.

Nothing Will Unveil Its Ear 1 True Wireless Earbuds This June

Nothing CEO Carl Pei has revealed that the brand will officially unveil the Ear 1 true wireless earbuds, its first ever product, later in June. Featured along with the announcement is an illustration of what appears to be the silhouettes of the device.

The supposed shape of the earbuds shown in the teaser does look pretty awkward. Basically at first glance, it looks as if it is intended to be an oblong-shaped earbud with what could be a circular light panel attached to a strangely large and lengthy stem.

But there’s a chance that we’re looking at it wrong.

Using the Concept 1 earbuds (shown above) that Nothing showcased back in March, it is possible that the silhouettes shown are just the visible interiors of the device. Meaning to say that the Ear 1 will feature a more traditional exterior shell, but made from transparent material. Nothing did note that the Concept 1 is an example of its product design language, in collaboration with Stockholm-based design firm Teenage Engineering.

“We believe the earphones market was begging for differentiation, a space where we can elevate design and deliver value from day one,” Carl Pei wrote in the blog, explaining Nothing’s decision to debut into the tech market with earbuds. That being said, the company did reveal previously that it plans to build up an ecosystem of interconnected devices, including smartphones. As you may recall from our earlier report in February, Pei’s new company had acquired the rights and patents of Andy Rubin’s Essential smartphone brand.

Hyping up a supposedly “revolutionary” design is one way of building excitement for a product. However, Nothing intends to sell earbuds – a device where practicality and function is key, while identifying defining elements such as design usually comes in second, or as a bonus. At this current time, the company has yet to detail the Ear 1’s specifications or whether its audio drivers are built in-house or otherwise.

Enthusiasts would agree that a pretty design is barely a silver lining to save any audio products that feature questionable or less than ideal sound capabilities. For Carl Pei’s sake, let’s just hope that the Nothing Ear 1 has more to offer than just aesthetics, especially in the audio department. Else, all of this hype building will all just come down to, well, nothing.

Self-Isolating During Hari Raya Aidilfitri? Try This Virtual “Open House” Concept

Hari Raya Aidilfitri has finally arrived. But much like in 2020, most of us will only be able to do so while practicing self-isolation. This is, of course, due the alarming number of local COVID-19 cases as well as the recently implemented nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO), which prohibits interdistrict and interstate travel and any form of gatherings – including Hari Raya open house activities.

Unfortunately for some (if not, most) of us, “balik kampung” is still something we can’t do. Especially for those who are working in different locations, away from our home towns or states.

Thanks to current technology, we could still celebrate Aidilfitri with distant loved ones through virtual means. These include via group-based video and voice calls, e-greeting cards, and even utilising virtual banking or e-payment for sending out duit raya. Just in case you missed it, you can refer to our previous article that was published last year on how to to celebrate Hari Raya digitally.

For this year, we would like to share with our readers another cool way to celebrate the occasion with your loved ones via video or voice conferencing, but with an “Open House” inspired twist. Similar to how it is done in real life, this concept allows you to create an open invitation to both family and friends, enabling them to “drop by” at anytime or at a preferred time during Hari Raya to catch up or to hang out.

So rather than visiting physically, these visits are done through apps such as Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, Skype, or Zoom. As most of us are aware by now, these applications allow users to organise multi-user video and voice sessions. But for this concept, rather than creating a session and directly inviting friends and family to join in, you’ll be relying on the “join/invite by URL” feature that are available on these apps.

Undoubtedly, I’m sure there are other applications and platforms that are capable of handling this as well. Just bear in mind that the three that I mentioned are just my personal recommendations, and are the best used to demonstrate this approach. It’s also worth pointing that these apps enable non-platform specific users to join in, sparing them from registering a new account just for the video/voice conferencing sessions. Due to the closed doors approach of Clubhouse, we won’t be including it or any similar apps in this article.

Moving on. Once you’ve created your session on one of the four aforementioned platforms, simply copy the URL and share it on your social media page (ie: Facebook) as an open invitation. For a more manageable virtual Open House, we highly recommend sharing your post to only close friends and family, and also set a preferred time frame for the session.

For example: “Doing an virtual Open House on <insert platform> from 2pm to 4pm! Feel free to drop and celebrate Aidilfitri together via this link: <your URL>!”

I’m sure you’re capable of coming up with a more exciting social media post than my cringe-worthy example, so do be creative. Accompanying your invitation with a Raya-themed photo or graphic would be a nice touch as well… as long as you’re not using Comic Sans as your typeface. Just don’t.

Whether you want to set your virtual open house session or your invite via social media to public is entirely up to you, especially if you don’t mingling with random strangers. But this is the digital age, and privacy as well as security threats are very real. So exercise caution if you still wish to do so.

Now, you may be wondering: why are we proposing this idea?

Well, firstly, there’s nothing wrong with direct calls to friends and family. This concept is to merely simulate the spirit of our country’s beloved Open House culture, even when we are unable to visit each other physically. The best part of an open house are often the surprise visits from friends or family, as well as introducing them to each other. We hope that this approach will be able to achieve that in a virtually way.

The only drawbacks, of course, are the lack of Hari Raya dishes for your virtual guests and the occasional lag that may hinder the overall experience. Unfortunately, there’s only so much that current technology is capable of doing, but at least it’s something.

Last but not least, if you are hosting a virtual open house or attending one, do dress up accordingly or nicely for it. It is for Hari Raya after all.

Sega: Lost Judgment Not Coming To PC At This Time

Lost Judgment was announced just recently, and PC was not listed among its launch platforms. Not entirely surprising, since the first game didn’t make its way to PC either. But publisher Sega has confirmed that it won’t be available on PC, at least not for awhile.

Yakuza fan site Tojo Dojo spotted code in the Sega Japan website that suggested that the game was planned to some extent to be on Steam. At the very least, the mention of the Steam logo was found in the page’s code.

But whatever the initial plan was, it looks like it has been changed. In a statement to PC Gamer, a Sega representative said that the company “has no plans to bring Lost Judgment to PC at this time”. And that “at this time’ bit is a bit cruel to fans of the spin-off series.

While it took awhile, but the mainline Yakuza series finally has a strong PC presence. Even the latest entry, Like a Dragon, launched simultaneously on PC and consoles. So it’s a little strange that Judgment series isn’t getting the same treatment. But for whatever it’s worth, Sega did say “at this time”, so things may change in the coming years.

Pfizer COVID-19 Antiviral Pill Could Be Ready By The End of This Year

Pfizer’s new oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 could be made available by the end of this year according to its Chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla. The American pharma company has already begun the Phase 1 trial for the antiviral treatment in the United States since early this year.

Speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box, Albert pointed out that the oral medication which is currently being designated as antiviral candidate PF-07321332 could be used at home. This is unlike the traditional vaccine injection which needs to be administered at a hospital or a specially designated location.

Pfizer has previously noted that the new oral antiviral medication is essentially a protease inhibitor which is a type of drug that has also been used to treat HIV and hepatitis C virus. Designed to stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating itself, research has shown that the new medication not only has the potential to be used as COVID-19 treatment but also for future coronaviruses.

When asked whether the Malaysian government will procure the new COVID-19 antiviral pill from Pfizer, Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who is the coordinator of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme said during the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force’s media session yesterday that the government is constantly evaluating all new vaccine candidates. But for now, Malaysia already has enough vaccine to cover 110% of its population according to the minister.

LEGO Unveils An Updated Version Of Its Star Wars R2-D2 Kit; Available This May

The term “remastered” isn’t exclusive to video games and films, but to toys too. In a recent announcement, LEGO has revealed that it will be releasing a heavily updated version of its discontinued Star Wars R2-D2 kit that was originally released in 2013.

According to the Danish toy maker, the 2021 R2-D2 model now sports a more pronounced and near-screen accurate design. This time around, its head module features a smoother-looking dome, and the same can be said for its cylindrical body. Intricate details such as optics, vents, panels and leg battery hoses on the droid are shown to have received makeovers as well.

In terms of size, the new 2021 R2-D2 measures about a foot tall and appears just slightly larger than the original model. The kit is also revealed to feature a total of 2,314 pieces of LEGO, which exceeds the 2,127 brick count of its predecessor.

Of course, this new version of R2 will come with new playability features. LEGO says that it now comes with a hidden manipulator arm in its body, and a retractable periscope module on the head. Also, if you happen to be threatened to be thrown overboard from a floating sand barge, you’ll be pleased to know that the astromech droid comes with a hidden pop-out replica of Luke’s green lightsaber as well. Last but not least, included in the box is a display plaque and an R2-D2 LEGO minifigure.

Being a remaster of the original, it looks like the new Star Wars LEGO R2-D2 may be the droid that Star Wars fans are looking for. The kit is priced at US$180 (~RM740) and is set to be globally available at the beginning of next month – just in time for Star Wars Day on May 4th. LEGO Malaysia has yet to announce its local pricing and expected availability.

Fitbit Luxe: A Fashion-Oriented Fitness Tracker, Coming To Malaysia This June For RM 648

Fitbit has recently unveiled the latest addition to its fitness tracker line-up in the form of Fitbit Luxe. In general, this particular model combines Fitbit’s digital health and wellbeing expertise with a fashion-oriented design which apparently is a first for the Google subsidiary.

Right off the bat, you may notice that the Luxe’s physical design is closer to a bracelet rather than a traditional wearable design. This was mainly done through gentler and softer design lines alongside fashionable watch bands.

With a battery life of up to 5 days, Fitbit also said that the Luxe is its first tracker that is equipped with an AMOLED colour touch screen and is two times brighter than any other Fitbit trackers. It is also water-resistant up to a depth of 50m and comes with Swim Mode that allows users to track their time in the swimming pool or out in the ocean.

In terms of functionalities,  the Luxe provides call & text notification together with heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), steps, distance, calories, sleep, stress, and menstrual health tracking. Since it doesn’t come with built-in GPS, users do have to connect Luxe to their phone if they want accurate data for their runs, hiking, and bicycle rides.

Priced at RM 648, the Fitbit Luxe will be made available in Malaysia this June at All IT Hypermarket, Best Denki, Flash Gadgets, Harvey Norman, Thunder Match, and Timekeeper as well as Fitbit’s official store on Lazada and Shopee. Each unit will be accompanied by a 6-month Fitbit Premium trial subscription.

Customers can also opt for the Fitbit Luxe Special Edition which features a gold-coloured stainless steel Parker Link Bracelet made by the jewellery brand gorjana. Available for RM 928 in the same month at select retailers, it is also being accompanied by an extra silicone-based Classic Band in peony colourway.

Sony Unveils WH-1000XM4 Silent White Limited Edition; Available This May At RM 1799

Sony will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on 7 May 2021. In conjunction with the occasion, the brand has announced that it will release a new Silent White limited edition of its popular WH-1000XM4 ANC wireless headphones around the same time.

This version of the headphones retains the same design as before, but is now presented in a snowy white colour with striking gold accents. According to Sony, the finishing on the WH-1000XM4 Silent White comes with an additional coat of paint in order to retain its colour, as well as to increase its stain-resistance. Much like the releases, this version of the headphones also come with an assortment of cables and a carrying bag – also sporting the same Silent White colour scheme, of course.

No change in hardware specifications either – which is not a bad thing whatsoever, considering the WH-1000XM4’s top notch performance in audio, noise cancellation and other advanced features. For those who’ve missed it, you can check out our review of the Sony headphones.

Sony Malaysia has confirmed that the new WH-1000XM4 Silent White will be arriving in the country this May and available via its official stores in KLCC and The Curve, as well as its online store. The limited edition headphones is retailing at RM 1,799, which is a slight bump from the RM1,599 price tag of the original release.

Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar Outlets To Receive More Robot Waiters Later This Month

In a move to reduce physical contact during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, popular local franchise Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar has introduced robot waiters to help serve its customers. According to the restaurant’s owner and managing director Burhan Mohamed, the robots have been deployed at its SS2 and Citta Mall outlets, with more expected in the near future.

The robot waiter originally debuted at Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar’s Citta Mall restaurant earlier in March, he added. Due to positive reception from customers, the franchise had decided to order four more units – each costing around RM 43,000 per unit – from Secure Robotics which are expected to arrive in the middle of April this year. Burhan noted that the machines will not be used during peak hours as they could get in the way of customers and human waiters.

Based on the video uploaded on its official Facebook page, the franchise is utilising the popular PuduBot indoor delivery robot by Shenzhen-based Pudu Robotics, which is locally distributed by Secure Robotics. It is equipped with various advanced tech such as LIDAR and 3D vision sensors to help with positioning and obstacle avoidance. “PuduBot is a clever humanoid robot designed for restaurants, saving labor and increasing your efficiency,” wrote Secure Robotics on their official Facebook page.

On top of being programmable for table-to-table deliveries, the machine comes with a middle compartment for transporting large items and can also be customised to feature multiple levels of serving trays. The top portion of the robot is equipped with an LCD screen that displays different facial expressions, granting it a friendly personality.

If the Pudubot looks familiar, it is because the same model has been deployed by different restaurants in Malaysia as well. These include the KyoChon outlet at The Gardens Mall, JBorn Cafe & Bistro in Johor Bahru, Ah Kor Kopitiam in Melaka, and many others.

For your reference, the first ever Malaysian eatery to feature robot waiters belongs to CH Premier Restaurant in Kuching, Sarawak. Along with its initial opening back in October 2016, the premise debuted four robot waiters imported from Kunshan, China. These consisted of three Goddess models and one smaller robot known as Lolita, which are still in service to this day.