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.

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.

Apple Watch Health Upgrades Rumoured To Include Blood-Pressure Monitoring, Fertility Planning

In the not-too-distant future, you may be able to use your Apple Watch to constantly monitor your health. Sources who claim to have access to internal Apple documents told the Wall Street Journal that the tech company is planning to add various new health features to the Apple Watch. These features may include blood pressure trends, a thermometer for fertility and sleep tracking, sleep apnea detection, and diabetes detection, as well as a few updates for existing models.

The sources claim that the aforementioned temperature sensor might be coming to a new Apple Watch as early as next year. This contradicts an earlier report by Bloomberg which expected Apple to add the thermometer and glucose sensor in this year’s model. The sensor is said to assist in fertility planning based on ovulation cycle tracking and improved detection of sleep patterns, with hopes that it could someday be used to detect fevers.

Apple is also developing a blood-pressure sensor that would do away with the usual inflatable cuffs, which will be able to highlight the presence of hypertension. The system works by using said sensor to measure the speed of the heartbeat, through a user’s arteries. However, Apple employees have reportedly been skeptical of the usefulness of the feature, since it would not be able to provide a baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurement.

Last year’s Series 6 watches launched with a blood-oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen saturation level within the user’s blood. Apple has plans to use this sensor to monitor sleep apnea but encountered a stumbling block when the required number of readings for it to be effective would quickly drain the watch’s battery. The company’s ambitions to have a non-invasive glucose monitor also appeared to hit a snag and they are apparently working with the National University of Singapore to research lifestyle coaching for pre-diabetic people who use regular blood-glucose monitoring devices.

It should be emphasized that the report also warns that most of these new features are currently being studied, and may not even make it to consumers’ hands. On a separate note, Apple seems to be requesting FDA clearance to expand the use of existing Apple Watch models. These include heart rhythm tracking for people with atrial fibrillation and alerts for drops in blood oxygen levels.

Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition OnePlus Watch Launching In China

Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that was unexpectedly met with infamy from both gamers and critics due to its constant delays, troubled launch, and disappointingly unpolished release. Despite its mixed reception, it appears that certain brands are still banking on the CD Projekt Red-developed game to market limited edition products to consumers. One such brand is none other than Chinese tech company OnePlus.

After launching a special edition of the OnePlus 8T last year, the company has announced that it will be releasing another Cyberpunk 2077-themed product in China next week. This time around, the device in question is confirmed to be a limited edition of its first ever smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch.

Much like the smartphone, this version of the wearable also comes with similar design elements such as the neon yellow stripes, black on black lines, and the game’s branding. However, these are only limited to the straps. Its main body, on the other hand, is presented in the same gun metal black as the regular version of the smartwatch, which is somewhat disappointing.

OnePlus did not provide any details regarding the limited edition’s hardware, but it is believed that the specifications will be no different from the original. As a quick refresher, the OnePlus Watch features a 1.39-inch OLED display, 1GB RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and a battery that is capable of lasting up to two weeks. It comes with a rating of IP68 in terms of dust and water resistance. Unique to the limited edition is the onboard Cyberpunk 2077-themed watch face and user interface.

Last but not least, the Cyberpunk 2077 limited edition OnePlus Watch also comes with a display stand that is modeled after Johnny Silverhand’s, well, hand. It wasn’t revealed if the accessory would feature some form of charging capability, or is merely just for decoration.

Pricing for the smartwatch will only be confirmed by the brand when it launches in China next week on 24 May 2021. Whether OnePlus is planning to have the device see an international release after this is not known at this time. But seeing that the OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition did eventually make its way to Malaysia in December of last year, there’s a chance that we might see this version of the wearable released locally as well.

realme Announces Watch S Master Edition; To Be Available On 8 May For RM429

Over the weekend, realme Malaysia announced a wide range of products which it puts under its AIoT umbrella. Among them is the realme Watch S Master Edition.

Despite the name, the realme Watch S Master Edition is a special edition version of the base Watch S. You are paying a RM60 premium for the special look, but beyond that, it is effectively the very same smartwatch. So you can expect features like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, a well as Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

In addition to the special edition Watch S, realme Malaysia also announced the Watch 2. This comes with a 1.4-inch display, which has a 30Hz refresh rate. And it has a 315mAh battery, which the company claims can keep it alive for up to 12 days. It also has, as the company claims, 90 sports modes. And to better fit the outdoors, it has an IP68 rating.

The realme Watch S Master Edition and Watch 2 are priced at RM429 and RM229, respectively. The former will be made available on 8 May, but the company did not say when it will be making the latter available.

In addition to these watches, realme Malaysia also announced the Buds Air 2 Neo, and the Buds Q2. Their prices are RM169 and RM129, respectively, with release dates of 5 May and 11 May. Adding to the list of products announced is the Cobble Bluetooth speaker and Motion Activated Night Light. Both are priced at RM99 and will be available on 5 May.

Keeping the strangest item for last, we have the realme alkaline batteries. These come in packs of 10, with AAA batteries costing RM24, and AA being priced at RM29. No availability dates for these yet.

Google Earth’s New Timelapse Feature Allows You To Watch As Malaysian Cities Grow, Change

Google Earth has a nifty new feature called “Timelapse” that can give you a bird’s eye view (or really, a satellite’s eye view) of cities and other places as they change across time.

The tech giant calls it the biggest update to Google Earth since 2017, incorporating 20 million satellite photos from the last 37 years. So you just type in a place you want to see (say “Kuala Lumpur” or “Johor Bahru”) and you can watch it change across nearly four decades.

It’s pretty cool, we have to admit – especially when applied to a city or town that you’ve grown up in. To begin, you can simply click here and use the search bar to find the place you want to see.

For example, here’s a view of Kuala Lumpur from 1984 to 2020.

If you prefer a more guided tour, you can open Google Earth and click on the ship’s wheel to find Timelapse in Google Earth’s storytelling platform, Voyager. While there, you can click on “Warming Planet”, for example, and watch the melting of an Alaskan glacier as the years pass – a worrying reminder of climate change.

Google has also helpfully uploaded a whole bunch of timelapse videos on this webpage and on YouTube. You’ll find videos of Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Segamat along with predictable inclusions like New York and London.

Amazfit T-Rex Pro Rugged Fitness Watch Coming To Malaysia For RM 659

Amazfit has recently unveiled a new model called T-Rex Pro which is built upon the foundation of its T-Rex watch that the well-known wearable company launched at CES 2020. At a glance, the new watch may even look almost similar to its 2020 sibling but it appears to be even more durable.

According to Amazfit, the new T-Rex Pro has passed 15 military-grade endurance tests which are three more than last year’s T-Rex. Even the company didn’t clearly list down the exact tests that the watch has gone through, T-Rex Pro is apparently able to withstand 70C to -40C and has humidity as well as salt spray resistance level of 240 hours and 96 hours, respectively.

Equipped with a 1.3-inch AMOLED display, the T-Rex Pro also offers a water-resistance rating of 10 ATM which means that it can withstand a water depth of up to 100 meters. In addition to having a heart rate sensor, the watch also comes with plenty of other sensors including blood oxygen (SpO2), accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic (compass), ambient light, and barometric altimeter.

Amazfit also said that the T-Rex Pro can support four satellite navigation services including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. In terms of workout tracking, the watch which works in hand with the analytical algorithm from the world-famous FirstBeat is apparently able to cover more than 100 types of workouts while the company’s own ExerSense algorithm can also detect and record eight types of workout automatically including running, walking, and swimming.

Another major attraction of the T-Rex Pro is its long-lasting battery life which can go up to 18 days as well as 40 hours of continuous GPS usage. In terms of availability, the Amazfit T-Rex Pro is now already available for pre-order in Malaysia through the company’s official Shopee store for RM 659.

Apple May Have A Rugged Watch In The Works

The Apple Watch sort of has sports editions, but these rarely differ from the base model beyond a sportier strap. But it looks like the iPhone maker may be considering a rugged watch for the outdoorsy folk. More specifically, it will be one with a rugged enough case to survive extreme environments.

Bloomberg reports that Apple is considering releasing a rugged watch either in late 2021 or some time in 2022. The ruggedness will come in the form of an impact resistant shell. This will be similar to what you’ll find on Casio G-Shock watches. The rubber shell will allow it to survive more extreme mishaps than the current metal materials. And it might be something that would appeal to those into more extreme activities like hiking.

Though this isn’t the first time the company has thought of making such a watch. And like the previous times, sources to Bloomberg say Apple may ultimately decide against it one more time. After all, the current version is already pretty popular with athletes.

The rugged version of the Apple Watch is known internally as the Explorer Edition. And should the company decide to actually release it, it will be another option in addition to the base and SE models.

OnePlus Watch Now Official; Features Two Week Battery Life And IP68 Rating

OnePlus has officially unveiled its first ever smartwatch which debuted alongside the brand’s latest flagship smartphones, the OnePlus 9 series. Aptly named as the OnePlus Watch, the new wearable is offered with a circular face design, fitness and health tracking features and long lasting battery life, among other things. 

It comes in a stainless steel 46mm body, along with a circular 1.39-inch 326ppi OLED display and sapphire glass protection. Located on the right side are two physical buttons for user interaction. Under the hood, the new smartwatch is equipped with 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS support. As previously reported, it also comes with the brand’s proprietary Watch OS to manage its system.

The OnePlus Watch is designed with sports in mind, so water and dust resistance are included especially for activities such as swimming. Specifically, the wearable comes with an IP68 rating and is able to withstand depths of up to 5ATM.

Feature-wise, you can expect typical fitness and health tracking functions such as heart rate and blood oxygen saturation tracking, sleep and stress monitoring, as well as over 110 workout modes. Of course, there’s also the obligatory smartwatch functions including notifications, music playback control and so on.

In terms of battery life, the OnePlus Watch is claimed to be able to last up to two weeks with normal use. Charging is done through a proprietary 2 Pogo pin charger, and topping up to 100% charge is said to take only 20 minutes via onboard fast charging support (aka Warp Charge).

The new OnePlus Watch is available in silver and black colour options, and will retail at an attractive price of US$159 (~RM656). There’s also a Cobalt Limited Edition of the wearable, which is slated to arrive sometime later this year. Sales will begin on 14 April for certain regions, but its availability in Malaysia has not been confirmed at this time.

OnePlus Watch Teaser Hints Launch Date; May Debut Alongside OnePlus 9 Series

As promised by CEO Pete Lau back in December, OnePlus has confirmed that it will launch its first ever smartwatch very soon. As teased via the brand’s official Twitter account, the wearable is hinted to debut alongside its latest flagship smartphones, the OnePlus 9 series, later this month.

The tweet also provided brief glimpses of the upcoming watch – revealing what appears to be a circular watch face, among other things. Its specifications are not known at this time, but OnePlus hinted via its official forums that the wearable will come with the typical health, fitness and sleep tracking capabilities. Should the OnePlus Watch come with features unique to its own, we can safely expect the brand to only reveal them during the launch.

On a related note, there’s also a possibility that the upcoming device will launch in Malaysia around the same time as its global debut. According to PriceBaba, a listing of the OnePlus Watch (under its model name W310GB) has been spotted on the SIRIM eComM database and was recently approved by the organisation on 8 March 2021. However, after searching through the database ourselves in order to confirm this, it appears that the listing is nonexistent. That, or it may have been removed entirely.

OnePlus may debut its first ever smartwatch together with its upcoming OnePlus 9 flagship smartphones on 23 March. The launch event will be live streamed via the brand’s official website and social media channels at 10pm Malaysian time.