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Kabayandaily

Toyota Prado 2024 now available in Saudi Arabia

After teasing motorist for the past months, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Toyota Saudi Arabia’s parent company, officially announce that the Toyota Prado 2024 now available in the Kingdom.

The Toyota Prado 2024 will have a starting price of SAR 193,775.00 (around Php 3,037,494.51) for its TX-1 model and could cost up to SAR 284,625.00 (Php 4,461,601.73) for its top of the line ADV FIRST EDITION. Toyota Prado 2024 with a diesel engine is also available.

First announced last August 2023 and here’s how Toyota describe the new Toyota Prado 2024;

Built on the TNGA-F global truck platform, the new Land Cruiser is designed, engineered, and tested to survive in the harshest of environments. For this new generation, Land Cruiser is exclusively available with the range-topping i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s slightly smaller and narrower than the outgoing 200 Series model, making it nimbler on the trails, and Land Cruiser features off-road tech that has debuted on the newest generation of Toyota trucks. Limited to 5,000 units for the first two months of production, Land Cruiser will be offered in a First Edition grade that includes two new two-tone paint colors and additional off-road equipment.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba concludes with the Infinity Castle Film Trilogy

Following the conclusion of Season 4 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or also known as the Hashira Training Arc in Japan, Crunchyroll announced a three-part film project titled “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle.” This trilogy will adapt the Infinity Castle arc (chapters 137-183) and the Sunrise Countdown arc (chapters 184-205) of the beloved manga into an anime film.

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment also announced that they had acquired the trilogy of movies for a global theatrical release excluding select Asian territories and Japan. No release date was confirmed at the time of reporting.

Together with the announcement of the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle film trilogy” the official movie posters and, a two and a half minute trailer was release.

Movie Poster

Official Trailer

Apple Vision Pro now available in China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore

Apple’s highly anticipated spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, has finally arrived in key Asian markets. After launching in the US back in February, the device is now available for purchase in Apple Stores across China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

The Vision Pro promises a seamless blend of the digital and physical worlds, offering users a variety of transformative experiences. From work and collaboration to entertainment and reliving memories, the headset boasts a wide range of capabilities. Apple is heavily emphasizing the guided in-store demo experience, allowing potential customers to explore the full potential of spatial computing.

This launch comes amidst reports of slowing sales in the US, where the $3,499 price tag may have deterred some consumers. By entering these new markets, Apple is targeting regions with a strong tech presence and potentially more receptive audiences.

Checking the Apple Online Store in Singapore, the new Apple Vision Pro retails for S$5,299 (around Php 228,171.46) and its limited to just two units per customer.

Source: Apple

Huawei MatePad 11.5 S now in Saudi Arabia

First announced in May 2024, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is now available in Saudi Arabia, a tablet designed for productivity and entertainment with its sleek design and powerful features.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S features a 11.5-inch 2.8K (2800 × 1840) display. With up to 144Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are incredibly smooth. The display also features a PaperMatte 2.0 finish that reduces glare and offers a more pen-on-paper-like writing experience.

The MatePad 11.5 S runs on the Huawei Kirin 9000 Octa-core processor, offering capable performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. Huawei’s Harmony OS 4.2 will be running the device right out of the box. The tablet will feature a 13 MP f/1.8 aperture with autofocus (AF) rear camera and a 8 MP f/2.0 aperture with fixed focus (FF) front camera. It will have 8GB RAM and 256 storage.

The MatePad 11.5 S will support Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2 × 2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2, NearLink and USB Type-C, USB 3.0 connectivity.

Design-wise, the MatePad 11.5 S boasts a slim and lightweight design with a metal unibody construction that’s just 6.2mm thin and weighs only 510g, and comes in three colors: Space Grey, Silver Frost and Violet. The 8800mAh battery offers long battery life on a single charge.

Here’s the pricing for the new Huawei MatePad 11.5 S;
8GB RAM + 256GB storage (without keyboard) – SAR 1,699
8GB RAM + 256GB storage (with keyboard) – SAR 1,899

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is available for preorder on the Huawei website and local retailers like Jarir and Extra.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S is available for preorder on the Huawei website and local retailers like Jarir and Extra. Customers who preorder the MatePad 11.5 S will receive free gifts worth SAR 1,446: 3rd-Gen HUAWEI M-Pencil White, HUAWEI Stylish Backpack (Olive Green), MatePad Folio Cover Compatible with HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S Black and Wireless Mouse (Space Gray).

List of iPhones supported by iOS 18

Now that the WWC is in the books and with the announcement of the iOS 18, you may be wondering if your iPhone can run the upcoming iOS 18 when it comes out later this year. Well, if you are using the 2nd gen iPhone SE or the later version, then you can rest easy since your device can update to iOS 18 when it becomes available.

Below are the list of iPhones that’s supported by the new iOS 18.

  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Not all features of the new iOS will be supported by older devices.

  • Messages via satellite will be available in iOS 18 along with Apple’s existing satellite features in the U.S. on iPhone 14 and later.
  • Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Features are subject to change. Some features are not available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices.

If you want to try out the new iOS 18, you can download the developer beta version at developer.apple.com or wait for the public beta this fall.

Source: Apple

Players who got drafted in the Second Round of the 2024 NBA Draft

The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft has concluded, making the entire 2024 NBA Draft complete. The second round went by rather quietly, with the biggest story being Bronny James being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. This marks a historic moment, as LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny James, are now officially teammates.

Aside from Bronny, there were two other noteworthy storylines. First, Kyle Filipowski’s fall to the second round surprised many, as both agents and GMs projected him as a first-round pick. Second, Cam Spencer, drafted by the LA Clippers, joins his brother who was drafted by the LA Lakers two years ago.

Here’s the complete list of the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft;

  1. Raptors draft Jonathan Mogbo (San Francisco)
  2. Jazz draft Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
  3. Bucks draft Tyler Smith (G League Ignite)
  4. Trail Blazers draft Tyler Kolek (Marquette) — Traded to Knicks
  5. Spurs draft Johnny Furphy (Kansas) — Traded to Pacers
  6. Pacers draft Juan Nunez (Ratiopharm Ulm) — Traded to Spurs
  7. Timberwolves draft Bobi Klintman (Cairns) — Reportedly traded to Pistons
  8. Knicks draft Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara) — Traded to Thunder
  9. Grizzlies draft Jaylen Wells (Washington State)
  10. Trail Blazers draft Oso Ighodaro (Marquette) — Traded to Suns (via Knicks)
  11. 76ers draft Adem Bona (UCLA)
  12. Hornets draft KJ Simpson (Colorado)
  13. Heat draft Nikola Djurisic (KK Mega Basket) — Traded to Hawks (via Heat)
  14. Rockets draft Pelle Larsson (Arizona) — Traded to Heat (via Rockets)
  15. Kings draft Jamal Shead (Houston) — Reportedly traded to Raptors
  16. Clippers draft Cam Christie (Minnesota)
  17. Magic draft Antonio Reeves (Kentucky) — Traded to Pelicans
  18. Spurs draft Harrison Ingram (North Carolina)
  19. Pacers draft Tristen Newton (Connecticut)
  20. Pacers draft Enrique Freeman (Akron)
  21. Knicks draft Melvin Ajinca (Saint-Quentin Basketball) — Traded to Mavericks
  22. Warriors draft Quinten Post (Boston College) — Traded to Thunder, then to Blazers, then to Warriors
  23. Pistons draft Cam Spencer (Connecticut) — Reportedly traded to Grizzlies (via Timberwolves)
  24. Celtics draft Anton Watson (Gonzaga)
  25. Lakers draft Bronny James (USC)
  26. Suns draft Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas) — Traded to Knicks
  27. Grizzlies draft Ulrich Chomche (NBA Academy Africa) — Reportedly traded to Raptors (via Timberwolves)
  28. Mavericks draft Ariel Hukporti (MHP Riesen) — Traded to Knicks
  • Suns and 76ers each lost a 2024 Draft second-round pick due to League penalty.

Source: NBA

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will be this July 10th 2024

Samsung just announced that the second of their biannual event Galaxy Unpacked will be this July 10th 2024. Just like the rest of the tech industry, the company will be announcing their AI powered devices particularly with their smartphones (Galaxy Z series) and the company’s entire Galaxy ecosystem. We may even see new Galaxy fold devices in the event.

Samsung Electronics will host the Galaxy Unpacked event in the City of Lights, Paris, and will be broadcast live on Samsung.com, the Samsung Middle East Newsroom and the Samsung YouTube channel starting at 4pm Saudi time.

Who Got Drafted? A Look at the First Round of the 2024 NBA Draft

The first day of the 2024 NBA Draft is in the books, and the Lakers did not draft Bronny James, instead they got what can be considered the biggest steal of the draft at #17 – Dalton Knecht, from the University of Tennessee and lead the team producing “21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.6 3s per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from deep.”

For those who were not able to follow the live broadcast here’s the complete list of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft;

  1. Hawks draft Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg-en-Bresse)
  2. Wizards draft Alex Sarr (Perth)
  3. Rockets draft Reed Sheppard (Kentucky)
  4. Spurs draft Stephon Castle (Connecticut)
  5. Pistons draft Ron Holland II (G League Ignite)
  6. Hornets draft Tidjane Salaun (Cholet Basket)
  7. Trail Blazers draft Donovan Clingan (Connecticut)
  8. Spurs draft Rob Dillingham (Kentucky) — Traded to Timberwolves
  9. Grizzlies draft Zach Edey (Purdue)
  10. Jazz draft Cody Williams (Colorado)
  11. Bulls draft Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite)
  12. Thunder draft Nikola Topic (KK Crvena Zvezda)
  13. Kings draft Devin Carter (Providence)
  14. Trail Blazers draft Bub Carrington (Pittsburgh) — Traded to Wizards
  15. Heat draft Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
  16. 76ers draft Jared McCain (Duke)
  17. Lakers draft Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)
  18. Magic draft Tristan da Silva (Colorado)
  19. Raptors draft Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)
  20. Cavaliers draft Jaylon Tyson (Cal)
  21. Pelicans draft Yves Missi (Baylor)
  22. Suns draft DaRon Holmes II (Dayton) — Traded to Nuggets
  23. Bucks draft AJ Johnson (Illawarra)
  24. Knicks draft Kyshawn George (Miami) — Traded to Wizards
  25. Knicks draft Pacome Dadiet (Ratiopharm Ulm)
  26. Wizards draft Dillon Jones (Weber State) — Traded to Thunder (via Knicks)
  27. Timberwolves draft Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
  28. Nuggets draft Ryan Dunn (Virginia) — Traded to Suns
  29. Jazz draft Isaiah Collier (USC)
  30. Celtics draft Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)

Second day/round of the draft will be tomorrow, Thurs., June 27 at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.

Nikon Z6III Announced

Nikon Middle East officially announce the Z6III, its new high-performance camera model that inherits the signature features of the Z9 and Z8, delivering high performance and exceptional specs in the full-frame mid-range class. The Nikon Z6III features the world-first partially-stacked CMOS sensor paired with the lightning-fast EXPEED 7 processor, making it a dream for both photographers and videographers.

The Nikon Z6III is a third-gen full-frame mirrorless camera with a 24MP sensor for better autofocus and video. It shoots fast at 14fps (mechanical shutter) and 20fps (electronic), and can capture up to 1000 images. It has good image stabilization and a high-resolution viewfinder. For video, it offers resolutions up to 6K and features like pre-capture and high-resolution mode for photos. You can checkout the press release below for more information.

The new Nikon Z6III will initially be available in the United States in late June for a suggested retail price of $2,499.95 (body-only), or with the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 lens for $3,099.95. The MB-N14 power battery pack will be available this summer for a suggested retail price of $359.95. No word yet as to when it will be release in Middle East, but you can be sure that we will post the price once announced.

Here’s a 4 minutes product tour of the Nikon Z6 III;

Press Release:

New Z6III Offers Exceptional Specs For Full-Frame Mid-Range Class Models

The new Nikon camera developed with the Z9 and Z8 spirit delivers high performance with specs exceeding others in the same class.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA – Nikon Middle East FZE. has introduced the Z6III, its new high-performance camera model that inherits the signature features of the Z9 and Z8, delivering high performance and exceptional specs in the full-frame mid-range class.

“Designed to ignite the creativity of content creators and enthusiasts, the new Z6III embraces the spirit of our Z series, and embodies the build and functionality of the award-winning Z8 and Z9 cameras. By integrating innovative technology, such as the partially-stacked sensor and the brightest EVF, it elevates Nikon’s dedication to deliver unrivalled functionality and performance.” said Narendra Menon, Managing Director, Nikon Middle East FZE.

Z6III Primary Features

Incorporating The Latest Technologies
The Z6III adopts the world’s first partially-stacked CMOS sensor1, which allows for 3.5x faster readouts than the Z6II. This sensor allows for high-speed continuous shooting that enables Pre-Release Capture at up to 120 fps in DX format.2 The camera also provides an additional option of shooting at 60 fps in FX format with 24 MP.

High Performance And Functionality Inherited From Top-Tier Model
The Z6III is further enhanced with a bright, high-res EVF of 4000 cd/m2 and 5760k dots with a wide colour gamut, allowing smooth EVF views to confirm shooting opportunities for moving subjects accredited to fast data readout from the partially-stacked CMOS sensor and Nikon’s EXPEED 7’s quick processing. The EVF refresh rate provides displays at 60 fps during 20 fps high-speed continuous shooting when the shutter button is fully pressed.

For high-resolution video production, the latest Nikon model allows Full HD/240p3 for up to 10x slow-motion video creation, offering flexibility in both speed and colour grading with its ability to record in 10-bit H.265.

The Z6III inherits the performance and functionality of the Nikon Z9 and Z8 models, including the camera’s operability and customisation. With almost the same dials and button layouts as the Z8, the Z6III also offers extensive custom settings, including the assignment of different AF-area mode.

Nikon’s latest model also acquires the Z9 and Z8’s AF detection range to -10 EV4, making it easy to take photos of static objects in low-light conditions. The inherited superior AF performance allows the subject detection of 9 types of subjects, brilliant autofocus (AF) performance in backlit scenes, better detection of human faces, and shortened shooting time in various scenes. The Z6III’s AF speed has also been upgraded to be approximately 20 percent faster than the Z6II.5

Complementing the Z6III as a reliable workhorse, the new MB-N14 Power Battery Pack is also introduced as an optional boost of power capacity.

Climate-Resistant And Better Heat Dissipation
The Z6III suits the needs of photographers who capture landscapes and wildlife in winter. Consisting of Sereebo® P series carbon fibre, magnesium alloy, and effective sealing, this robust and cold-resistant camera can be used in temperatures reaching -10 degrees Celsius.

The camera is also convenient for shooting events such as weddings, live concerts, and interviews due to enhancements of the heat dissipation structure and power efficiency, which enable recording for up to 125 minutes6 in 4K UHD/60p (8-bit) format. The Z6III also provides the flexibility for videographers to shoot videos in 12-bit ProRes RAW HQ and N-RAW formats, covering resolution up to 6K.

Expansion Of Possibilities For Imaging Expression Through New Functions
Gain better control over your creative photography with Flexible Color Picture Control for use with the NX Studio7 – Nikon’s image browsing, processing, and editing software. This exciting new option allows users greater freedom of expression for users with the support of Colour Blender and Colour Grading features, enabling the intuitive adjustment of light and colours to match your intent. Users can then export the combinations of configured settings from the NX Studio to the Z6III and register these as Custom Picture Controls, applicable at any time while shooting and reflected on the live display, for real-time preview of the results.

Further, Z6III works in tandem with Nikon’s new cloud service, Nikon Imaging Cloud8 with support for new Imaging Recipes9 to expand possibilities for imaging expression. The Z6III firmware can be updated without the need for a computer or a smart device, with images captured by the camera to be uploaded automatically to Nikon Imaging Cloud as soon as it connects via Wi-Fi and transferred to pre-configured third-party cloud storage services, making the storage and sharing of images even more convenient10.

High-Sensitivity Performance
The latest Nikon camera can also capture stunning low light scenes up to ISO 64000 for photos and ISO 51200 for video. Thanks to the EXPEED 7 high-speed image-processing engine, it surpasses the Z6II in noise reduction, preserving the intricate textures in your photographs. The Z6III also achieves one of the highest in-camera Vibration Reduction (VR) in the Nikon Z series cameras with an 8.0-stop11.

Adopting the same algorithm as the Zf, the Z6III expands handheld shooting opportunities in low-light situations such as indoor scenes and nightscapes. This new model is equipped with focus point VR12 that reduces blurring in focused areas, which suits the purpose of enlargement and trimming peripheries around your photo subject.

It is also equipped with electronic VR for more effective image stabilisation during video recording.

Nikon Imaging Cloud Primary Features

Nikon Imaging Cloud is Nikon’s new cloud service that brings fun and convenient functions that support the user’s imaging experience with a direct connection to the camera13. This service offers curated Imaging Recipes that allow users to download Picture Controls created from these recipes, and to save their adjustments to hue, brightness, contrast, and so on to be saved as Custom Picture Controls. Imaging Recipes provided by Nikon Imaging Cloud have been suggested by Nikon or supervised by creators and allow users to experience new imaging styles they have never attempted before. When the camera is connected to Nikon Imaging Cloud via Wi-Fi, still images captured with the camera can be automatically uploaded directly to the service or pre-configured third-party cloud storage services, greatly reducing the work involved with data transfer. In addition, camera firmware updates can be performed automatically at a specified time by enabling auto updates on the camera14. In addition to eliminating the hassle of using a computer, smartphone, or memory card to update firmware, this feature ensures the camera is always up-to-date.

Availability

For more information on the new Z6III and other Nikon products, please visit https://nikon-mea.com.

Source: Nikon USA, Nikon Middle East

Former Senator Leila de Lima Cleared in all of her Drug Cases

Former Senator Leila de Lima has been cleared of all drug charges filed against her during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 granted De Lima demurrer to evidence on June 24, 2024. This is the same court that granted her bail last November 2023 and set her free after almost seven years in detention.

This is what Former Senator Leila de Lima said about her acquittal;

This dismissal effectively cleared her third and final drug case. De Lima, a Philippine opposition figure and one of the staunchest critics of then President Duterte, had faced allegations related to conspiracy to commit drug trading during the Duterte administration. Her acquittal marks the end of a long legal battle that spanned several years, making her a free woman.

Source: Rappler, CNN, Inquirer

ICYMI: Boston Celtics Win 2024 NBA Championship

After a dominant season, the Boston Celtics are back on top of the NBA mountain. With a convincing 4-1 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals, the Celtics secured their 18th championship title, etching their name in history as the winningest franchise in NBA history.

Jayson Tatum, finally hoisting his first Larry O’Brien trophy, delivered a masterful performance throughout the playoffs, culminating in a phenomenal 31-point, 11-assist and 8 rebounds in the clinching Game 5. Tatum wasn’t alone. Jaylen Brown, the newly crowned Finals MVP, proved himself to be an unstoppable force on both ends of the court, averaging over 23.9 points per game in the Finals series. Then there’s Jrue Holiday, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Center Kristaps Porzingis who provided the emotional anchor after missing the game 3 and 4 because of a dislocated tendon in his left ankle, he chipped-in five points in 17 minutes.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla deserves all the respects for his leadership throughout the season. After receiving most of the criticism last season due to his lack of coaching experience on the NBA’s biggest stage, this championship win is a remarkable turnaround.

Here are some of the highlights for the Boston Celtics celebrations;

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics now Official

After being leaked a couple of days ago, the official roster for the Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics have been officially announced.

As previously leaked and now official, below are the official roster of Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics;

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve with the assistance of Kara Lawson, Joni Taylor and Mike Thibault.

Here is what USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti said in the official statement;

“On behalf of USA Basketball, I’m excited to announce the 2024 USA Women’s National Team, We have selected a team that we are confident will represent our country to the highest standard in Paris. Basketball in the United States boasts unparalleled depth, making this a challenging and competitive process. The commitment these athletes have shown to USA Basketball is unmatched and I look forward to watching them take on the World in Paris.”

This is what USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve said regarding the roster;

“This roster features some of the best basketball talent our country has to offer and I’m excited to lead this team with the goal of winning an eighth straight Olympic gold medal in Paris, I’m looking forward to getting together in Phoenix and starting the journey to Paris.”

Huawei Unveils the MatePad SE 11 A Bigger and Better Budget Friendly Tablet

Succeeding the original MatePad SE, Huawei introduces the MatePad SE 11 with a larger 11-inch display, improved design, and a larger 7700 mAh battery, all at an attractive price point.

The MatePad SE 11 takes center stage with its expansive 11-inch LCD display. The Full HD+ resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels) with 207 ppi and a 16:10 aspect ratio with an 85% screen-to-body ratio delivers crisp visuals for entertainment and productivity. With a peak brightness of 400 nits and 100% sRGB color coverage, the display offers a vibrant and comfortable viewing experience.

The MatePad SE 11 features a sleek and slim design with a metal unibody construction. Measuring just 6.9mm thin and weighing 475 grams, it comes in two stylish colors: Nebula Gray and Crystal Blue. The MatePad SE 11 will be available with up to 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.

The tablet features an 8MP rear camera with an image resolution of 3264 x 2448. It can record videos at 1920 x 1080 resolution. The front shooter is a 5MP camera with f/2.2 aperture and a fixed focal length. It supports 2560 × 1920 image resolution while recording videos at 1280 × 720 pixels.

Under the hood, the MatePad SE 11 runs on a Kirin 710A or a Snapdragon 680 chipset (depending on the region) and HarmonyOS 2.0 that supports multi-window, multi-screen collaboration, seamless data transfer, and screen sharing.

The MatePad SE 11 also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 with USB Type-C 2.0.

Pricing and Availability

The Huawei MatePad SE 11 is now available for the Saudi Arabian market with the following pricing:

  • 4GB RAM + 128 GB storage: SAR 799.00
  • 6GB RAM + 128 GB storage: SAR 849.00
  • 8GB RAM + 128 GB storage: SAR 999.00

You can buy the new MatePad SE 11 directly from the Huawei Online Store or any authorized retailers in the Kingdom. Ordering the tablet now includes a free Huawei M-Pen lite, Huawei Backpack Swift, and Huawei MatePad SE 11 Folio Cover, valued at SAR 497.00.

Source: GSM Arena, Yugatech

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 6s Gen 3: Modest Bump for the Mid-Range

Qualcomm has quietly introduced the latest addition to its mid-range mobile processor lineup, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. While positioned as a new generation chip, it appears to be more of an iterative upgrade than a ground-up redesign.

The focus of the 6s Gen 3 seems to be on providing performance boost over its predecessors, the Snapdragon 695. This is achieved through a modestly overclocked CPU. The new chip utilizes two Kryo CPU clusters: a pair of Cortex-A78 cores reaching up to 2.3 GHz and a cluster of six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz.

Beyond the CPU bump, details are a bit sparse. Qualcomm mentions an Adreno GPU but hasn’t confirmed any specific improvements. The 6s Gen 3 utilizes a 6nm manufacturing process, ensuring decent power efficiency alongside its performance gains.

The chip supports global 5G connectivity with Sub-6 and mmWave support, making it a great option for upcoming mid-range smartphones. It also boasts the Qualcomm® Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engine for enhanced AI capabilities and a FastConnect 6200 modem for improved connectivity.

However, a potential weak spot lies in the camera capabilities. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 reportedly only supports up to 1080p@60fps video capture, which might be underwhelming considering most flagship phones have moved on to higher resolutions.

Overall, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 seems like a competent mid-range processor offering a slight performance improvement over previous options. While it delivers the expected features like 5G and AI capabilities, the decent camera support might be a point of consideration for smartphone manufacturers. While there’s no official word yet on which smartphones will sport this chip, we’ll keep you posted as soon as we have more information.

Caitlin Clark reacts to being left off the USA Women’s Basketball Roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics

ookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever finally ended the discussion regarding the reported USA Women’s Basketball Roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After practice with the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Caitlin Clark spoke about being left off the final Team USA roster for the Paris Olympics.

“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team. I know it’s the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way, me being on the team, me not being on the team. So I’m excited for them. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so, yeah, it’ll be fun to watch them.

When asked if she was disappointed to be left off the roster, Clark added “Honestly, no disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that and hopefully in four years… I can be there.

Indiana Fever Head Coach Christie Sides also answered questions regarding the topic of Caitlin Clark not making the USA Women’s Basketball Roster.

You can watch the full video below;

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Leaked sans Caitlin Clark – Shams Charania

The roster for the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team have been leaked. In a tweet, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that “Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics”

Charania then added and named the 12 players in the roster. Except for Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum and Alyssa Thomas. All other players have Olympic experience. Fans also pointed out that rookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is missing from the roster. Despite receiving an invitation to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp last April, Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark couldn’t attend due to her team’s Final Four run.

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

The final USA Women’s Basketball roster and list of potential alternates must be submitted to FIBA by June 24th. While no official announcement has been made by the USA Basketball on their official website or social media accounts.

Disney releases Teaser Trailer for Moana 2

Moana and Maui are back🐚🌊🪝
Watch the new trailer for Disney’s #Moana2 now and see the movie only in theaters November 27, 2024!

Check out the new teaser trailer for Walt Disney Animated Studios’ “Moana 2.” Moana voyages back to the big screen this November in the all-new feature film starring Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as Moana and demigod Maui, respectively. A trailer, poster and images are now available to share with your readers.

Opening only in theaters Nov. 27, 2024, “Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foaʻi, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.

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#moana2

Watch Gatorade New Ad featuring WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson with NBA’s Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum Narrated by Michael Jordan

Gatorade just released its “It hasn’t changed” ad, which features WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, two-time Summer Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, and Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. The company’s first product endorser, Michael Jordan, narrates the ad.

The ad showcases current and rising stars across various sports, including Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, a two-time WNBA MVP and champion, alongside Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson. You can also see two-time Summer Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Buffalo Bills star QB Josh Allen, and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who are favorites to win the NBA Championship this year.

The ad features the tagline “It hasn’t changed,” a reference to the legendary “Is it in you?” slogan. The company also brought back the colored sweat, which can be seen in their past promotional materials.

via wikipedia;

Gatorade was created in 1965, by a team of scientists at the University of Florida College of Medicine, including Robert Cade, Dana Shires, Harry James Free, and Alejandro de Quesada. Following a request from Florida Gators football head coach Ray Graves, Gatorade was created to help athletes by acting as a replacement for body fluids lost during physical exertion.

Everything about the game has changed, except for the most important thing: what you have inside.
Narrated by Michael Jordan.

Fuel up with what drives the game at Gatorade.com

FE!N by Travis Scott (ft. Playboi Carti)

Youtube announces Playables

Youtube has announced the release of Playables — a collection of free games you can play directly on the platform, which you can find in the Explore menu of the main YouTube Home page, either on desktop (web) or the iOS and Android app. Youtube’s Playables have been available in select users for testing before becoming available to YouTube Premium subscribers last year.

There are more than 75 games now available to play directly on YouTube Playables – lightweight, entertaining games like Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask, and Trivia Crack.

Youtube is not the only company to add games in their service, Netflix in 2021 introduced Netflix games in their platform.

Timberwolves Claw Back Against Mavericks in Tight Game 4 Victory

The Minnesota Timberwolves are refusing to go down without a fight! After three straight heartbreaking losses to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves finally secured a crucial win on their home court, defeating the Mavs 105-100 in a nail-biting Game 4.

This victory keeps their season alive and forces a Game 5 back in Minneapolis. The series remains heavily in favor of Dallas, who lead 3-1, but the Timberwolves have shown they have the grit and determination to push this talented Mavericks team to the limit.

Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves’ star center, had faced criticism for his performance in the first three games. However, he bounced back in a big way for Game 4. Towns was allover the court, near 70% from the field, with 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. His improved play was a major factor in keeping Minnesota competitive throughout the game.

While Towns’ resurgence was important, the key to the Timberwolves’ win was their defense. After struggling to contain Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the previous games, Minnesota tightened up their rotations and made it specially difficult for Kyrie Irving to find his offensive groove. Irving is averaging 27.67 pts in the series, he just scored 16pts in game 4.

While the Timberwolves have shown they can compete, the challenge ahead remains daunting. Dallas still holds a commanding 3-1 series lead, and as history suggests, no professional sports team has overcome a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

However, this win has injected hope into the Minnesota fans. The Timberwolves have proven they can win in this series, and they’ll be looking to extend the series as they head back home for a crucial Game 5.

Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals will be at the Target Center this Thursday, 30th of May.

Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers to win the 2024 Eastern Conference Championship

The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals! They punched their ticket to the championship series after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in a tightly contested Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals (105-102).

The win capped off a dominant series sweep for the Celtics, showcasing their resilience and championship mettle. The Pacers, however, shouldn’t leave empty-handed. They pushed the Celtics to the limit, especially in a nail-biting fourth quarter of Game 4.

It was a close game, with both teams trading baskets and neither side able to establish a significant lead. The largest lead for either team was 9 points. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 26 points. Jalen Brown wins the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP. As for the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard had a monstrous double-double with 24 points and 10 assists with 6 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Pacers missed the services of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined by a left hamstring injury.

The final minutes of the game were a heart-stopping display of clutch plays. With the score tied and seconds remaining, Jalen Brown found Derek White for a 23-foot three-point jumper that sealed the win for Boston. The Pacers had a chance to respond, but their final shot attempt fell short.

With the series win, the Celtics return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. This is a much younger team compared to their previous championship run, but they’ve shown a maturity and composure beyond their years.

They’ll now await their opponent, who will be determined in the ongoing Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Larry Bird, Jabbar and Magic Posts on Bill Walton

Here are some but not all of the tributes and posts on Bill Walton, who passed away at 71, after prolonged battle with cancer.

NBA Legend Bill Walton Passes Away at 71

NBA Hall of Famer and Basketball legend Bill Walton, has passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Walton, a two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, died on Monday surrounded by family in a statement released by the NBA.

Bill Walton is a two-time NBA champion; 1976–77 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, also named Finals MVP, and 1984–85 season with Boston Celtics, earning the sixth man award. Walton is a member of both the NBA’s 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. For his college career, he is a two-time champion at UCLA and a three-time national player of the year.

Tributes are pouring in from across the basketball community. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Walton “truly one of a kind,” while former teammate Larry Bird described him as a “great friend” and “a thrill to play with.”

ICQ: A Messaging Pioneer Signs Off After 28 Years

The instant messaging (IM) platform ICQ, a name synonymous with early online communication, is set to shut down on June 26, 2024, after nearly three decades in operation. Originally developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis in 1996, the client was bought by AOL in 1998, and then by Mail.Ru Group (now VK) in 2010. ICQ predates giants like Yahoo Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger, making it a true pioneer in the realm of online chat.

ICQ, pronounced “I seek you,” offered a free service that allowed users to connect with others through unique identification numbers. The platform’s familiar bouncing ball notification system became a pop culture icon, signifying the presence of a waiting message.

While ICQ enjoyed immense popularity in its early days, it struggled to keep pace with the evolution of communication technologies. The rise of mobile messaging apps and social media platforms ultimately led to its decline.

The official ICQ website confirmed the impending shutdown and recommends visitors to try VK Messenger and VK WorkSpace, which belong to the ICQ’s current owners.

It’s the Conference Finals of the NBA 2024

It’s the semifinals of the NBA 2024 and it comes down to just 4 teams; the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves for the Western Conference, as for the East Conf. we have the Boston Celtics and the Indian Pacers.

Minnesota and Indiana advanced to the Conf. Finals after a grueling Game 7. Dallas needed 6 games to advanced, while Boston just took care of the business in just 5 games and have been waiting on the sideline.

  • Game 1 of the WCF between Minnesota and Dallas will be this Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 3:00 AM (Saudi time)
  • Game 1 of the ECF between Boston and Indiana will be on Thursday, May 23, 2024 3:30 AM (Saudi time)

USA Basketball officially announced the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team

The USA Basketball has officially announced the 12-man roster of the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team for this year’s Summer Olympic bound for Paris. The team was selected by USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.

  1. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
  2. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
  3. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
  4. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
  5. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
  6. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
  7. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
  8. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
  9. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
  10. Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)
  11. Kawhi Leonard (L.A. Clippers)
  12. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)

The 2024 USA Men’s National Team will be led by head coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), who is assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (L.A. Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat). Last summer, the quartet coached the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila.

The team boasts of 12 NBA All-Stars, four NBA MVPs and six NBA champions, as for their international experience, the team brings a combined 11 Olympic appearances and owns 10 Olympic gold medals as well as three FIBA World Cup titles. Talent-wise, we can say that the 2024 Dream team can be compared to the 1992 Dream Team, as for their performance, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

If you want to see the team in action, USA Basketball will commence training camp on July 6 in Las Vegas. Following the game vs. Canada, the Americans will embark on an international training window that begins when the USA hosts Australia and Serbia on July 15 and 17, respectively, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Australia and Serbia will also face off on July 18 in Abu Dhabi.

Source: USA Basketball

Watch the Official Trailer of Deadpool & Wolverine, will be in theaters this July 26th

The official trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine has finally arrived, but as always, it offers no clues about the film’s plot.

As explained by film’s Director, Shawn Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine is the 3rd Deadpool film but not Deadpool 3. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells. The film will star Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their role as Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively, alongside Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. Aaron Stanford will also return as Pyro, from the X-Men films and Jennifer Garner as Elektra Natchios.

Deadpool & Wolverine will be in theaters this July 26th.

New Ray-Bans with Meta’s AI are Coming Soon

Newest Ray Ban will be the next best AI Assistant
A report, mentioned that Meta’s Llama 3 model will be integrated into Ray Ban. This will be an improvement to Meta’s previous collaboration with Ray Ban’s smart glasses.

Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer

The previous Ray Ban smart glasses featured a 12 MP camera, touch sensors for volume, voice control, and live-streaming capabilities. The smart glasses are currently available in the US, UK and Canada.

The development in the new AI model is thanks to Yann Lecun.

Meta’s New AI Developments
Yann Lecun is Meta’s chief AI scientist. His team is currently working on a video-based learning model for AI. V-JEPA (or Video Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture) is a model that aims to replicate the real-world observational capabilities of humans. The new learning model will “train” AI to have a foundation to give way to reasoning capabilities.

Yann LeCun, Meta AI Chief from meta.com

In their blog, Meta says that V-JEPA is all about helping AI develop a sense of “perception” to help improve AI assistants. AI assistants in smart glasses like the Ray Ban help provide contextual information for users of said products.

Yann Lecun’s interview with Lex Friedman revealed interesting developments regarding the  competitor to the ChatGPT model. In the interview (in video below), Yann Lecun mentioned that the company is always developing models that will be integrated into consumer products.

People will be excited to know that Meta will release two smaller Llama 3 models in the next few weeks this April. Meta launched Llama 2 in July of 2023. This year, Meta plans to release their newest AI model around the same time.

Aside from the release date, an interesting take is that Meta’s Llama 3 will reportedly match ChatGPT 4’s capabilities. The company is in a race with OpenAI as more and more companies join the AI hype including Google and Bing.

There are no official dates yet for the release for the new model. Aside from the AR glasses, Meta plans to integrate their AI models into Whatsapp.

Why Eclipses Are Such a Big Deal?

Just hours earlier, the world had its first solar eclipse. This phenomenon is a natural occurrence where the moon occludes the sun’s light, casting a shadow that can be seen in parts of the world. In some areas, the sun completely blocks out the light, leaving only a halo of light called the corona. Other times, there’s a partial solar eclipse, leaving a crescent of light that evokes the mysterious.

Residents of Texas to Ohio and all the way up to Main will enjoy a full view of the total solar eclipse. The day completely turns dark as the moon and sun come together to become a celestial wonder.

Several videos on social media show the event. Luckily for those who see it in person, they will get to enjoy this and won’t see a total solar eclipse again for another 20 or more years.

But why are solar eclipses such a big deal? It’s mostly people’s appreciation of a cosmic event. It turns out some cultures in the world celebrate it for more than its rarity.

The Navajo tribe in North America view solar eclipses as a time of sacredness, rebirth, and renewal for the cosmic bodies. During this time, the Navajo people reflect quietly inside their homes. Some of them forego food, water, and all activities until the event is over.

For some religions, it’s either a bad omen or a good one. For the Hindu, the variety of beliefs surrounding eclipses result in different activities. Some Hindu either venerate the event, and some believe the eclipse brings negative energies.

It’s not only people and their traditions that change during a solar eclipse. Even animals have a change in behavior during an eclipse, especially if their environment is on the path of totality.

Studies that include anecdotal evidence have shown that the majority of the species of birds become quiet and stop feeding during the event. Other people have reported seeing increased activity from mosquitoes, and nocturnal animals come out of burrows to hunt. The same cannot be said for domesticated dogs and cats.

Whether you’re praying in a temple in India, or have flown to Dallas, or just staying at home with your pets, it’s always best to be safe. To truly appreciate the beauty of this cosmic union, make use of appropriate protective lenses.

Parasyte The Grey: An Adaptation Done Right

There’s a charm to anime that can’t be transferred over to other formats. One tragic example of this would be the 2009 Dragon Ball Evolution . People criticized the film for its confusing plot, the bad dialogue, bad acting, and a lot more. The movie was so bad, the director issued an apology for the film.

Artists have liberty to portray character’s expressions in a multitude of ways in anime. While there are actors who portray facial expressions with ease, it’s not easy to imitate one from a fictional character. This is where the transition from anime to film breaks.

Official poster of Dragon Ball Evolution, for the live action adaptation for Dragon Ball.

While the trend with live action adaptation is staying close to the source material, most adaptations still fall flat. Aside from the more animated facial expressions, we can attribute the difficulty in emulating fiction to the fantastical nature of anime.

In this case, it’s the directors’ and writers’ job to custom fit a plot to ensure it’s appropriate for a live action adaptation. How the creators of  Parasyte The Grey wrote it is an example of a custom fit.

Policewoman Choi Joon Kyung showing a demo of the custom-fit helmet to contain a parasite host.

It’s worth noting that this Netflix live action series isn’t the first to adapt the Parasyte anime. However, what sets it apart from the previous films is its entirely new plot. While the main plot device still focuses on the parasites, the series differs in that the main focus is not of a singular character.

In the original source material, Shinichi’s conflicts drive the plot forward. He has to come to terms with the fact that he is something more than a high school student. Shinichi has to survive by eliminating other parasites. In this new spin-off, the plot focuses on how the parasites systematically take over humanity in the form of an organization. This central conflict affects multiple characters, and the series does a good job in magnifying individual conflicts in the larger frame of the story.

A congregation of murderous parasites paints a darker picture of organized religion.

While the series may not be a frame-by-frame adaptation, Parasyte the Grey still pays homage to how exposition is used in anime. Spoiler alert: There’s this one scene where the main character explains something about transportation methods reducing combat potential. And this one scene was done just right. Not excessive, but in passing. 

Director Yeon Sang-ho did a good job with the series. Parasyte the Grey’s themes show influence from his past work, The Fake(2013), where the plot revolves around organized religion. Sang-ho’s audience tends to lean towards adults, hence the lack of excessive slasher-action cutscenes in the adaptation.

What the 2024 series did was develop an entirely new plot while staying thematically similar to the original source material. The anime did show lots of visceral fights, and the upfront violence of the murderous aliens. The show did a good job of reflecting this and includes how humanity is similarly capable of such violence.

The stark contrast of the supermarket’s slow pace prior to the car chase following it makes for effective portrayal of the theme of violence.

Building on thematic similarities may be the best step forward in terms of live anime adaptations. There are other techniques that make an adaptation successful. An example would be the 2017 Ghost in the Shell’s world building and environment. The setting was a successful recreation of the original’s dystopian sci-fi theme. 

Recreating the dystopian sci-fi environment helped Ghost in the Shell stand out from a long list of anime adaptations.

In short, Parasyte the Grey’s success may have been a combination of the right director, the right plot devices, a perfect casting, and overall, a well-written piece of fiction. Our suggestion? Go watch the series now.

Main casts of Parasyte – The Grey via asianwiki.com: Jeon So-nee / Koo Kyo-hwan / Lee Jung Hyun

You can stream season 1 of the Parasyte – The Grey on Netflix.