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When we think of smart homes, we tend to think of smart speakers and personal digital assistants like the Google Home, as well as IP cameras. In the wireless IP camera segment, there are plenty of options–from super affordable to full-fledged security systems that costs thousands or tens of thousands.
It’s incredible how much the semiconductor space, specifically in desktop computing, has changed over the past few years. Intel has been a dominant player for the better part, until AMD’s Zen and subsequently Zen 2 architecture came into the picture. For the longest time, quad-core processors ruled the roost. Now we’re talking six, eight, ten cores, and more. Most importantly, prices have been driven down to the benefit of consumers.
I believe that just like coffee, you can never have too much storage. As it is, I’m already running out of storage on my PC rig which I use for work and gaming. Those Steam installs and 4K video files, they fill up fast. Western Digital Malaysia recently dropped my their mainstream WD Blue SN550 NVMe m.2 SSD for review. It’s super affordable. But is it good? Read on.
After turning heads in 2018 as the world’s first FullView notebook, the second-generation Huawei MateBook X Pro made an entry in Malaysia in May. The refined, powerful notebook touts a 3K resolution display, latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processing power, and a host of handy connectivity features. I had the new flagship notebook for a couple of weeks to test, here’s my review.
The Apple Watch continues to flex its muscle as the leading smartwatch, primarily in the premium market. However, that hardly means there is a dearth of alternatives nor lack of options out there. In fact, things are pretty crowded in the mid- and entry-level market.
When it comes to personal (digital) storage, there are many options you can consider, depending on what you plan to use it for. Do you go for cloud storage or on-premise? Do you need an internal storage solution or an external, on-the-go option? Those options can be broken down even further– traditional hard drives, flash storage such as SSD or m.2 NVMe, or even USB thumbdrives and microSD cards. Do you want a tethered solution or perhaps even a network attached storage (NAS)? The options are dizzying. Assuming that you’re looking for an external, portal solution, here is one to consider—the LaCie Mobile Drive.
The smartwatch market continues to grow year after year, with shipment volume totalling USD47.34 million in 2019. This number is expected to reach USD117.51 million by 2025. Increase in health awareness has spurred demand for wearables, with fitness trackers and smartwatches doing everything from tracking your heart rate, sleep quality, nervous system, activity; even notifying users in an emergency. Since its debut in 2017, the Apple Watch has emerged as a clear winner and continues to lead the market with a dominating market share (~45 percent). That’s not to say that there is a lack of choice out there. One such alternative to consider is the Honor MagicWatch 2.
“Touch ‘n Go, boleh?” I asked the cashier. “Boleh,” she replied as she pointed the payment terminal towards my phone screen that was plastered with a QR code. A beep confirmed the transaction and my purchase. This has become a norm for me—firing up an e-wallet app, in this case, the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app, clicking on “Pay” and making a purchase. I believe life can be simple, fast, easy; a two-click process.
Huawei isn’t a brand traditionally known for making computers, but who’s to say it can’t try. Its foray into the segment began in 2016 with the Huawei MateBook, a 2-in-1 convertible taking on the Microsoft Surface. It went on to make a couple more including the critically-acclaimed flagship MateBook X Pro, MateBook D and MateBook 13. The latest to come from the Huawei stable is the MateBook D 15, an entry-level, stylish workhorse that sold like hot cakes on its debut in China. Thanks to Huawei Malaysia, I’ve gotten my hands on a review unit, just in time for it to hit stores over the last weekend.
E-wallets and going cashless seem to be the conversation topics of the moment, thanks in part to the government’s ongoing e-Tunai Rakyat programme that aims to spur e-wallet adoption in the country. GrabPay, one of the leading e-wallets in Malaysia, has been growing from strength to strength since its introduction in 2018. It continues to expand its merchant footprint and use cases, making it easier for you and me to go cashless. So, can one go completely cashless? Well, Grab threw me a challenge to do just that recently.