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HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro Now Official in Saudi Arabia

HONOR has officially launch the HONOR 200 Series in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to kick things up, Honor is offering preorder gifts for those who will preorder the smartphone from July 17th to July 24th.

The free gifts are HONOR Choice Watch Black worth SAR 249.00 and a 12-month Screen Protection Service (1 time) that’s valued at SAR 599.00. Aside from the free preorder gifts, you can also avail of big discounts if you will also buy HONOR Choice wearables like the Earbuds and Smartwatch.

Here are the official pricing for the HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro;

HONOR 200

  • 12GB+256GB- SAR 1,699.00
  • 12GB+512GB- SAR 1,999.00

HONOR 200 Pro

  • 12GB+512GB- SAR 2,699.00

Here are the full specs of HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro;

HONOR 200 HONOR 200 Pro
Display 6.7   inches FHD+ AMOLED Display with 2664×1200 resolution, 1.07 billion colors,   Equal-Depth Quad-Curved Screen, Aluminosilicate glass 6.78   inches FHD+ AMOLED Display with 2700×1224 resolution, 1.07 billion colors,   Quad-Curved Floating Screen, Aluminosilicate glass
Processor Snapdragon   7 Gen 3 Octa-core Cortex-A715 2.63GHz Snapdragon   8s Gen 3 Octa-core Cortex-X4 3.0GHz with RF Enhanced Chip HONOR C1+
GPU Adreno 720 Adreno 735
RAM 12   GB 12   GB
Storage 256 GB, 512 GB 512   GB
OS MagicOS 8.0   (Based on Android 14) MagicOS 8.0   (Based on Android 14)
Rear Camera 50MP Wide   Camera(f/1.95 aperture, OIS 50MP Wide   Camera (f/1.9 aperture, OIS)
50MP   Telephoto Camera (f/2.4 aperture, OIS) 50MP Telephoto   Camera (f/2.4 aperture, OIS)
12MP   Ultra Wide Camera (f/2.2 aperture) 12MP Ultra   Wide Camera(f/2.2 aperture)
Support for 4K (3840×2160) video recording,   Digital zoom 50x, 8192×6144 pixels Image Resolution, Rear single LED flash,   EIS+OIS Support   for 4K (3840×2160) video recording, Digital zoom 50x, 8192×6144 pixels Image   Resolution, Rear single LED flash, EIS+OIS
Front Camera 50MP Front   Camera(f/2.1 aperture) with 4k support 50MP Front   Camera(f/2.1 aperture) with 4k support
8192×6144 pixels Image Resolution, Support for   4K (3840×2160) video recording, Supported 2D face unlock 8192×6144   pixels Image Resolution, Support for 4K (3840×2160) video recording,   Supported 2D face unlock
Battery 5200 mAh   Lithium polymer battery with HONOR 100W SuperCharge, supports up to 20V/5A   SuperCharge, compatible with 11V/6A,10V/4A 5200 mAh   Lithium polymer battery with HONOR 100W SuperCharge, supports up to 20V/5A   SuperCharge, compatible with 11V/6A,10V/4A with supports up to max 66W   Wireless SuperCharge
Sensor Gravity   Sensor, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyroscope, Compass, NFC,   Ambient Light and Proximity Sensor. Gravity   Sensor, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyroscope, Compass, NFC,   Ambient Light and Proximity Sensor.
Cellular 5G   (NR), 4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD), 3G (WCDMA), 2G (GSM), dual SIM Support (Nano and   eSIM) 5G   (NR), 4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD), 3G (WCDMA), 2G (GSM), dual SIM Support (Nano and   eSIM)
Network and Connectivity Wifi   802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2×2 MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot,   Bluetooth 5.3, Infrared, GPS /AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, Wifi   802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2×2 MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot,   Bluetooth 5.3, Infrared, PC Data Sync, GPS /AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, OTG   Support
Dimension 161.5   mm x 74.6 mm x 7.7 mm (H x W x D) 163.3   mm x 75.2 mm x 8.2 mm (H x W x D)
Weight Approx. 187 g Approx. 199 g
Color Moonlight   White,Emerald Green,Black Ocean   Cyan,Moonlight White,Black

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 Now Available in the Philippines

Toyota Motor Philippines quietly release the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 in the country. No no launch event, no press release and no social media post, Toyota Ph just remove the old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado from its website then replace it with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 in the Philippines features a different looking vertical grilles, which is different from the one being offered in Saudi and in the United States. Also, Toyota Philippines will only offer one variants of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024, which is the LAND CRUISER PRADO 2.4 TURBO A/T. This model features a 4-Cylinder, In-Line, 16-Valve DOHC, Chain Drive, Turbo Engine (Gasoline), with 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with 2b-inches lack alloy wheels (265/60 R20 Alloy) and it supports both Apple Carplay & Android Auto. Of course, the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 offers all the bells and whistles of a modern SUV, you can checkout the specs here for more information on the specs.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 starts at Php 4.8M and if you prefer the White Pearl Mica color, you will need to add another Php 15K.

Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 in Saudi Arabia

Samsung official announced the AI powered Galaxy Flip6 and Galaxy Fold6 and if you are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, these two new folding smartphones from Samsung are now available for preorder and below are the price;

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

Samsung Galaxy Flip6

  • 12GB RAM + 256 GB Storage – SAR 4,399.00
  • 12GB RAM + 512 GB Storage – SAR 4,899.00
  • Preorders will include 1 Year Samsung Care+, Clear Case with Ring and 15% off Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Samsung Galaxy Fold6

  • 12GB RAM + 256 GB Storage – SAR 7,299.00
  • 12GB RAM + 512 GB Storage – SAR 7,799.00
  • 12GB RAM + 1 TB Storage – SAR 8,799.00
  • Preorders will include 1 Year Samsung Care+, Slim S-Pen Case and 15% off Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds

For specs and other details
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

HONOR 200 Series launch in Saudi Arabia this July 17th

HONOR KSA will be launching the HONOR 200 smartphone Series in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made via their social media accounts as well as the official website of HONOR Saudi Arabia.

HONOR 200 Series is composed of the HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro, both have virtually identical specs like the display, RAM, storage and, rear and front camera system. The main difference between the two is that the HONOR 200 using the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while the HONOR 200 Pro will be using Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

The HONOR 200 Pro is only available in 512GB storage model, while the HONOR 200 will be available in 256GB and 512GB storage config. Both the HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro will have 12 GB RAM. You can checkout the full specs of the HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro in the table below.

HONOR 200 HONOR 200 Pro
Display 6.7   inches FHD+ AMOLED Display with 2664×1200 resolution, 1.07 billion colors,   Equal-Depth Quad-Curved Screen, Aluminosilicate glass 6.78   inches FHD+ AMOLED Display with 2700×1224 resolution, 1.07 billion colors,   Quad-Curved Floating Screen, Aluminosilicate glass
Processor Snapdragon   7 Gen 3 Octa-core Cortex-A715 2.63GHz Snapdragon   8s Gen 3 Octa-core Cortex-X4 3.0GHz with RF Enhanced Chip HONOR C1+
GPU Adreno 720 Adreno 735
RAM 12   GB 12   GB
Storage 256 GB, 512 GB 512   GB
OS MagicOS 8.0   (Based on Android 14) MagicOS 8.0   (Based on Android 14)
Rear Camera 50MP Wide   Camera(f/1.95 aperture, OIS 50MP Wide   Camera (f/1.9 aperture, OIS)
50MP   Telephoto Camera (f/2.4 aperture, OIS) 50MP Telephoto   Camera (f/2.4 aperture, OIS)
12MP   Ultra Wide Camera (f/2.2 aperture) 12MP Ultra   Wide Camera(f/2.2 aperture)
Support for 4K (3840×2160) video recording,   Digital zoom 50x, 8192×6144 pixels Image Resolution, Rear single LED flash,   EIS+OIS Support   for 4K (3840×2160) video recording, Digital zoom 50x, 8192×6144 pixels Image   Resolution, Rear single LED flash, EIS+OIS
Front Camera 50MP Front   Camera(f/2.1 aperture) with 4k support 50MP Front   Camera(f/2.1 aperture) with 4k support
8192×6144 pixels Image Resolution, Support for   4K (3840×2160) video recording, Supported 2D face unlock 8192×6144   pixels Image Resolution, Support for 4K (3840×2160) video recording,   Supported 2D face unlock
Battery 5200 mAh   Lithium polymer battery with HONOR 100W SuperCharge, supports up to 20V/5A   SuperCharge, compatible with 11V/6A,10V/4A 5200 mAh   Lithium polymer battery with HONOR 100W SuperCharge, supports up to 20V/5A   SuperCharge, compatible with 11V/6A,10V/4A with supports up to max 66W   Wireless SuperCharge
Sensor Gravity   Sensor, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyroscope, Compass, NFC,   Ambient Light and Proximity Sensor. Gravity   Sensor, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyroscope, Compass, NFC,   Ambient Light and Proximity Sensor.
Cellular 5G   (NR), 4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD), 3G (WCDMA), 2G (GSM), dual SIM Support (Nano and   eSIM) 5G   (NR), 4G (LTE TDD/LTE FDD), 3G (WCDMA), 2G (GSM), dual SIM Support (Nano and   eSIM)
Network and Connectivity Wifi   802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2×2 MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot,   Bluetooth 5.3, Infrared, GPS /AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, Wifi   802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2×2 MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot,   Bluetooth 5.3, Infrared, PC Data Sync, GPS /AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, OTG   Support
Dimension 161.5   mm x 74.6 mm x 7.7 mm (H x W x D) 163.3   mm x 75.2 mm x 8.2 mm (H x W x D)
Weight Approx. 187 g Approx. 199 g
Color Moonlight   White,Emerald Green,Black Ocean   Cyan,Moonlight White,Black

Together with the launch announcement, the company also said that customers can preorder on July 17th as well. The HONOR 200 Series will in retail store and can be purchase online on the 25th of July.

There will be 3 variants for the HONOR 200 Series;

HONOR 200

  • 12 GB + 256 GB
  • 12 GB + 512 GB

HONOR 200 Pro

  • 12 GB + 512 GB

Details about the pricing have not been announced, since the company is currently running a contest to guess the price and win HONOR 200 Series smartphone. I guess, we will know after 2 days on the pricing of the phones.

Saudi Arabia to host the first Olympic Esports Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) have announced a 12-year partnership to host the Olympic Esports Games.

The Esports Games will be held regularly, but details like specific timing, game titles, qualification process, and venue selection are still under discussion by the IOC Session.

Saudi Arabia is currenting hosting the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh Boulevard City. The Esports World Cup will be 8 week event the started last July 10th.

You can read the full text of IOC press announcement here.

Samsung announces the new Galaxy Z Flip6

Together with the Galaxy Z Fold6, Samsung officially announce the Galaxy Z Flip6.

Unlike the Galaxy Fold6, which is a tablet that folds into a smartphone, the Galaxy Flip6 is a 6.7-inch smartphone that folds like a clamshell phone and will sport a 3.4-inch display with a dual camera setup where the main camera is a 50MP Wide-angle Camera with a 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera. The selfie camera is a 10MP Selfie Camera.

S Pen support is also available with the Galaxy Fold6. It will also have a 12 GB RAM and up to 512 storage. It will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. It will have a smaller 4,000mAh battery. It is IP48 water resistance up to 5 ft. of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.

Just like the Galaxy Z Fold6, the Z Flip6 will be running Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 (Android 14) and will also come in 6 colors: Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint, Crafted Black, White and Peach.

You can checkout the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 below;

Galaxy Z Flip6
Display Main Screen 6.7-inch FHD+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
120Hz Adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)
Infinity Flex Display (2640 x 1080, 22:9)
Cover Screen 3.4-inch Super AMOLED 60Hz Display
720 x 748
306 PPI
Dimension & Weight Folded 71.9 x 85.1 x 14.9mm
Unfolded 71.9 x 165.1 x 6.9mm
Weight 187g
Camera Front Camera 10MP Selfie Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Rear Dual Camera 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
50MP Wide-angle Camera
Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 85˚
AP Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy
Memory & Storage 12GB Memory with 512GB internal storage
12GB Memory with 256GB internal storage
Battery 4,000mAh (typical) dual battery
Charging Wired Charging*: Up to 50% charge in around 30min. with 25W Adapter and 3A USB-C cable
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless PowerShare
Water Resistance IP48
OS Android 14
One UI 6.1.1
Network & Connectivity 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth® v5.3
Sensors Capacitive Fingerprint sensor (side), Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor
Security Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault
SIM Card One Nano SIM and Multi eSIM
Colors Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint
Crafted Black, White, Peach

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is also available for preorder and will be have general availability starting July 24th.

Below is the pricing for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6;

12GB + 256 GB – $1,099.99
12GB + 512 GB – $1,219.99

Samsung is giving those who preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 a big discount.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Announced

Samsung officially announced its all-new Galaxy Z Fold6 at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris. The Galaxy Z Fold6 is one of the devices that will be powered by Galaxy AI, unveiled earlier this year.

The Galaxy Z Fold6 unfolds into a 7.6-inch tablet and folds in half to become a 6.3-inch smartphone. It supports the S Pen and boasts a five-camera system, including three “rear” cameras, a 10MP selfie camera, and a 4MP under-display camera. The Galaxy Z Fold6 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. It comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage.

Despite its size and multiple screens, the Z Fold6 packs a 4,400mAh dual battery and supports Samsung’s Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. It includes a 25W adapter and a 3A USB-C cable in the box.

The Galaxy Z Fold6 runs the company’s One UI 6.1.1 (Android 14) and comes in 6 colors: Silver Shadow, Pink, Navy, Crafted Black, and White.

Here’s the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6;

Galaxy Z Fold6
Display Main Screen 7.6-inch QXGA+*
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Infinity Flex Display (2160 x 1856, 20.9:18), 374ppi
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)
Cover Screen 6.3-inch HD+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
(2376 x 968, 22.1:9), 410ppi
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)
Dimension & Weight Folded 68.1 x 153.5 x 12.1mm
Unfolded 132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm
Weight 239g
Camera Cover Camera 10MP Selfie Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Under Display Camera 4MP Under Display Camera
F1.8, Pixel size: 2.0μm, FOV: 85˚
Rear Triple Camera 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
50MP Wide-angle Camera
Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 85˚
10MP Telephoto Camera
PDAF, OIS, F2.4, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 36˚, 3X optical zoom
AP Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy
Memory & Storage 12GB Memory with 1TB internal storage
12GB Memory with 512GB internal storage
12GB Memory with 256GB internal storage
Battery 4,400mAh (typical) dual battery
Charging Wired Charging*: Up to 50% charge in around 30 min. with 25W Adapter** and 3A USB-C cable***
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0****
Wireless PowerShare*****
Network & Connectivity 5G*, LTE**, Wi-Fi 6E***, Bluetooth® v5.3
Sensors Capacitive Fingerprint sensor (side), Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor
Security Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault
SIM Card Up to two Nano SIM* and Multi eSIM**
Up to two Nano SIM* and Multi eSIM**
Colors Silver Shadow, Pink, Navy*
Crafted Black, White**

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is now available for preorder and will be have general availability starting July 24th.

Below is the pricing for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6;

  • 12GB + 256 GB – $1899.99
  • 12GB + 512 GB – $2019.99
  • 12GB + 1 TB – $2259.99

Samsung is giving those who preorder the new Galaxy Z Fold6 a big discount.

POCO F6 Series now in Saudi Arabia

Xiaomi fans in Saudi Arabia rejoice! Xiaomi’s POCO brand has just introduced the F6 series in the Kingdom. Both the standard F6 and the feature-packed F6 Pro are currently available for preorder on Jarir Bookstore and Noon.

The POCO F6 boasts a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the F6 Pro offers a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. As for the display, both models come equipped with a smooth 120Hz, 6.67-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass for added durability.

The distinction between the two models starts with storage and RAM. The F6 offers up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, while the F6 Pro boasts a maximum of 16GB of RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage.

The camera systems also differ. The F6 features a dual rear camera system with a 50MP main camera powered by the Sony IMX882 sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide camera (IMX355). The F6 Pro upgrades to a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main camera using the Light Fusion 800 image sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The F6 also sports a 20MP front-facing camera, while the F6 Pro features a 16MP front camera.

The POCO F6 and F6 Pro share similar specifications for battery, security, sensors, audio, network, and connectivity. You can check out the detailed specs below for additional information.

F6 F6 Pro
Display 6.67″ CrystalRes 1.5K Flow AMOLED DotDisplay, 2400 nits (peak brightness), 2712 x 1220 resolution @446 ppi, Up to 120Hz refresh rate 6.67″ WQHD+ Flow AMOLED DotDisplay, 3200×1440 resolution @526 ppi, 4000 nits at peak brightness, Up to 120Hz refresh rate
Processor Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Octa-core processor up to 3.0 GHz
Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Octa-core processor up to 3.0 GHz
GPU Adreno Adreno
AI Qualcomm AI Engine
RAM 8GB , 12 GB (LPDDR5X) 12 GB , 16 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage 256 GB, 512 GB (UFS 4.0) 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB (UFS 4.0)
OS Xiaomi HyperOS Xiaomi HyperOS
Rear Camera 50MP main camera (Sony IMX882f/1.59)
8MP ultra-wide camera (IMX355)
50MP main camera (Light Fusion 800 image sensor), f/1.6
8MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2
2MP macro camera, f/2.4
Front Camera 20MP front camera (OV20B -1/4″ sensor size) 16MP front camera
Battery 5000 mAh with 90W turbo charging (USB-C) 5000 mAh with 90W turbo charging (USB-C)
Security In-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock In-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock
Sensor NFC support, GPS L1, GLONASS G1, Beidou B1, Galileo E1, QZSS L1, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass, IR blaster, Gyroscope, X-axis linear vibration motor NFC support, Proximity sensor, 360° Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass, Gyroscope, IR blaster, Flicker sensor, Beidou, GPS , Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, NavIC, Data network, Wireless network, Sensor Assisted Positioning
Network and Connectivity Dual SIM support, 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Dual SIM support, 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Audio Dual speakers Stereo Dual speakers
Dimension 160.5mm x 74.4mm x 7.8mm (HxWxT) 160.86mm x 74.95mm x 8.21mm (HxWxT)
Weight 179g 209g
Color Black, Green and Titanium White and Black

For those interested in preordering from Jarir, here are the prices;
POCO F6
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 1,799

POCO F6 Pro
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 2,199

For additional variations, you can checkout to Xiaomi’s Store in Noon;
POCO F6
– 12GB + 512GB – SAR 1,799.00

POCO F6 Pro
– 12GB+512GB – SAR 2,199
– 16GB+1TB – SAR 2,599.00

Netflix refreshes iconic classic game Minesweeper

Netflix is adding one of the icons of Windows computing and bringing a modern spin to the classic Minesweeper. You can now play the game through the Netflix’s app.

Netflix’s take on the Minesweeper will feature an international setting and giving player the goal to clear underwater mines with rewards. Game still have that usual interface of numbers and flags over vibrant pictures of waterways from around the world.

Since Netflix Games is included with your Netflix membership, as the trailer below promises: “No ads. No extra fees. No in-app purchases.”

Minesweeper can be downloaded and played on mobile devices – Android devices and iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Google Translate expands to 110 new languages, including 5 from the Philippines

Google just announced that they are adding 110 new languages to Google Translate, this includes 5 languages from the Philippines namely: Bikol, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Waray.

Google explains that the expansion was possible with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) paired with PaLM 2 large language model.

In addition to the 5 languages from the Philippines, Google translate also added support for the following;

  • Afar which is spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
  • Cantonese, which Google says “one of the most requested languages for Google Translate.”
  • Manx is the Celtic language of the Isle of Man. sands of speakers.
  • NKo a standardized form of the West African Manding languages that unifies many dialects into a common language.
  • Punjabi (Shahmukhi) is the variety of Punjabi written in Perso-Arabic script (Shahmukhi), and is the most spoken language in Pakistan.
  • Tamazight (Amazigh) is a Berber language spoken across North Africa.
  • Tok Pisin is an English-based creole and the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea.

With the additional 110 new languages, Google Translate now supports 243 languages. You can find the full list of newly supported languages on Google Translate here.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their Intellectual Property Dispute

Riot Games finally withdrew all lawsuits against Moonton for alleged copyright infringement.

History

The first time Riot Games filed a lawsuit against Mobile Legends was in 2017, for the supposed copyright infringement of their assets, in addition to stylistic similarities. Prior to this, Riot Games had reached out to Google to remove Mobile Legends from the Play Store. However, Moonton relaunched as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang before Google could take action. The court dismissed the copyright infringement lawsuit in 2017. Tencent, which is currently the parent company for Riot Games, again filed a case against Moonton CEO Xu Zhenhua for allegedly violating the non-compete clause in his contract. The lawsuit settled for $2.7 million. Despite Tencent’s win against Moonton, the case details never revealed if Xu Zhenhua did in fact infringe on copyright. Riot Games still filed lawsuits against Moonton in the following years for a variety of reasons, including title card similarities – the Mobile Legends Bang Bang title card was updated the following year as League of Legends released its new logo in 2019.

Comparison of Art Styles

Stylized metallic gold logo "League of Legends" against black bacground
League of Legends new logo in 2019
Stylized metallic gold logo "Mobile Legends Bang Bang" on black background
Mobile Legends Bang Bang most recent logo receives ire for allegedly copying Riot Games

Moonton’s 515 Unite isn’t an exception to the similarities between the two franchises. It shares visual aesthetics with some sections of K/DA’s POP/STARS, and a closer examination reveals definite similarities in both the music and artistic style.

League of Legends’ virtual Kpop Group K/DA

Moonton’s 515 Unite

Just more recently, Moonton has released a new hero that closely resembles Riot Games’ Arcane character Vi. The new Mobile Legends hero Julian has been criticized by League fans as an amalgamation of League’s Sylas and Arcane’s Vi.

New Mobile Legends: Bang Bang hero Julian from Moonton
League’s Sylas official skin splash art from leagueoflegends.com
Vi from Riot’s Arcane

Moonton’s Guinevere Psion of Tomorrow skin also sparked comparisons, with its design having a striking resemblance to League of Legends’ K/DA Ahri skin.

K/DA Ahri’s official skin splash art from League of Legends
Guinevere from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang featuring Psion of Tomorrow skin with fox tails

Following ongoing legal disputes, Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their differences under undisclosed terms.

MSI Claw Gaming Console now for Preorder in Saudi Arabia

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is now in Saudi Arabia, their entry to the growing popularity of handheld gaming console category. The MSI Claw Gaming Console was first revealed in CES 2024 earlier this year, the MSI Claw is now available for preorder in Saudi Arabia. The MSI Claw Gaming Console will be competing with Asus, Lenovo and Steam.

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is said to be the world’s first gaming handheld powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor, Intel’s newest flagship CPU optimized for premium thin and powerful laptops (and handheld), that features 3D performance hybrid architecture, advanced AI capabilities, and available with built-in Intel Arc GPU. The Claw will be running Windows 11 Home right out of the box which can also be upgraded Windows 11 Pro and it features an Intel Arc Graphics card on a 7-inch touchscreen display with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It two 2W Hi-Res speakers, a 6 cell (53Whr) Li-Ion battery, a Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI port, a microSD slot, and features a fingerprint scanner built in to the power button for added security.

There will be 3 available variants of MSI Claw Gaming Console which is differentiated by the their CPU, CPU Speed and storage size but all other components will remain the same. You can head to specs page of the MSI Claw Gaming Console for more details.

In Saudi Arabia, the based model MSI Claw Handheld Gaming Console with Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and 512 GB storage is priced at SR 3,299, which is around Php 48,944.50, while a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 512 GB variant will be available at SR 3,799, that’s Php 56,362.58.

The availability of the MSI Claw Gaming Console in the Philippine market is yet to be announced.

Melai Cantiveros Bends into Netflix Philippines’ Avatar: The Last Airbender Promotion

The live action adaption of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is scheduled to be available tomorrow Feb 22, 2024 on Netflix, to help promote the series in the region, Netflix Philippines taps the services of Melai Cantiveros for their Appa Air video promo.

In a 3 mins video (embedded below), Melai who plays as the flight attendant of Appa Air provided a brief explainer of the coming series mixed with her comedic chops. It even featured the Philippines and a couple of its tourist spots like the Coron, Palawan for WATER, Chocolate Hills for EARTH, Mayon Volcano to represent Fire and the Bangui Wind Mills for AIR.

Mabuhay! Momshie Melai welcomes you aboard Appa Air. Now fasten your seatbelts and get ready for mindbending thrills and excitement in Avatar: The Last Airbender, ETA: tomorrow, only on Netflix ! ⬇️

Avatar: The Last Airbender will consist of eight episodes and will premier on Netflix tomorrow, Feb. 22th.

BMW launches the i5 in the Philippines

BMW has officially launches the BMW i5, an all-electric luxury sedan.

In a report by Top Gear Philippines, the BMW i5 eDrive40 will have a price-tag of P5.79 million, that comes with a five-year comprehensive BMW warranty, an additional six-year BMW Service inclusive package, an eigh-year high-voltage battery warranty, and a BMW Wallbox charger to be installed in the customer’s home by a BMW i partner.

To know more about the new BMW i5 Series and BMW 5 Series, you can checkout the 17-min video below;

This article was first published on electrified.blog

Moto Watch 40 announced

Motorola has announced the latest addition to their smartwatch family, the Moto Watch 40. The Moto Watch 40 follows the design of the Moto Watch 70 that was launched in May 2023. The Moto Watch 40 features a curved 1.57-inch LCD display with more than 85 watch faces. The watch is build using a zinc alloy casing and interchangeable silicone watch strap and is IP67 rated. The Moto Watch 40 will be running Moto Watch OS that supports supports notifications but does not support message replies or on-device calls.

It has a 24/7 heart rate monitor, a SpO2 tracking and, sleep and stress monitoring that is integrated with Google Fit. Moto Watch 40 is powered by a 240mAh battery that the company claims can last up to 10 days on a single full charge, it has fast charging support that can fully charge the watch in just 25 minutes using its two-pin magnetic charger.

Moto Watch 40 will available in two colors; Phantom Black and Rose Gold colors, and will retail for $65 from Motorola’s official website. No word yet for the global release of the Moto Watch 40.

Source: GSM Arena

CHERRY launches the Aqua Smartphones Series in the Philippines

Philippine-based smartphone company Cherry, previously known as Cherry Mobile, has announced their latest smartphone line – the Aqua Smartphones Series. The Cherry Aqua Smartphones series is composed of Aqua GR and the Aqua S11 Pro, with a retail price of Php 11,999 and Php 7,999, respectively.

The Cherry Aqua GR will have a 6.8-inches FHD+ Curved 120Hz display and a 4700 Mah battery that support 66W fast charging. The Cherry Aqua GR is marketed to mobile gamers with its 2.6GHz MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Octa-Core Processor, with 8 GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS), it supports 5G connectivity and a rear camera system that’s powered by a 108 MP camera and a 16 MP selfie camera.

The Aqua S11 Pro on the other hand will have a smaller 6.7-inches FHD+ 120Hz display, a 5000mAh Battery that supports 33W charging, it will be powered by Mediatek G99 2.2GHz Octa-core Processor, just like the Aqua GR, the S11 Pro have a 8GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS). The rear camera is a AI triple camera powered by its main 64MP camera. The front camera will also be a 16 MP selfie camera. Both the Aqua S11 and GR will support NFC.

Both the Cheery Aqua GR and Aqua S11 Pro are available in all CHERRY Retail stores nationwide and the official CHERRY online stores, Cherry Official Lazada and Cherry Official Shopee stores.

Source: Yugatech

Suzuki Philippines officially a launches the new Jimny 5-door

It’s official! The Jimny 5-door will be available in the Philippines, as Suzuki Philippines officially launch the New Jimny 5-door on January 25, 2024 at The Cove, Okada Manila.

The new Jimny 5-door is basically the 5-door version of the company 3-door Jinmy that we all know and love. The Jimny 5-door will have two variant; GL and the GLX, both have the same specs except that the GL will be sporting a 5-Speed Manual transmission, while the GLX will have 4-Speed Automatic transmission.

This is how Suzuki Philippines describe the new Jimny 5-door;

EXTERIOR

The New Jimny 5-door seamlessly incorporates all the practical and functional design elements of the Jimny. Its sturdy square body not only conveys off-road capability and durability but also contributes to the driver’s situational awareness. The upright A-pillars and flat clamshell bonnet improve visibility through the front windshield, while the dipped lines of the driver and passenger windows extend visibility from the side. The 5-door model boasts chrome accents on the front grille, a distinctive feature that accentuates the grille’s unique 5-slot design. Additionally, features such as the signature round headlamps and 15-inch dark-metallic alloy wheels further enhance the overall robust exterior styling.

INTERIOR

The theme of practicality and functionality extends seamlessly to the interior. Meticulously designed to balance aesthetics and functionality, the sleek black interior avoids unnecessary colors or decorations to minimize distractions, allowing the driver to focus on navigating the vehicle. Horizontal lines on the instrument panel and vertical lines in the meter cluster and center console panels assist the driver in gauging the vehicle’s angle, especially in challenging terrains such as rough or mountainous terrains.

The rear seat has undergone enhancements, featuring thicker seat cushions to provide better seating posture and comfortably accommodate two adults. Positioned directly above the rear passengers, the rear seat lamp ensures improved lighting, while the rear seat power window switches are conveniently located in both the rear doors and the front console box for easy control from both rows.

The extended wheelbase of the 5-door model has resulted in an expanded luggage area. Although the luggage box from the 3-door model has been removed, the lowered floor height and increased depth of the luggage area now offer a spacious 211L of luggage capacity (with the rear seatback raised). Enhancements include a luggage area lamp illuminating the entranceway for user-friendly access, and the removal of the toolbox for simplified loading and unloading of luggage. Similar to the 3-door model, the luggage area in the 5-door model comes equipped with an accessory socket.

SAFETY

Safety is paramount in the New Jimny 5-door GLX variant, featuring SRS front airbags for both the driver and seat passengers, as well as side airbag and curtain airbags for occupants in both the front and rear seats. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a reverse parking camera and sensors to enhance overall safety awareness.

PERFORMANCE

The Jimny 5-door features a powerful 1.5L engine, tuned for off-roading adventures. With a 340 mm longer wheelbase than the 3-door model, it maintains crucial off-roading features— ALLGRIP PRO, a sturdy ladder frame, exceptional approach, breakover, and departure angles, 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil spring and part-time 4WD with low-range transfer gear. Built for authentic off-road ruggedness and agile maneuverability, it serves as the ideal companion for global adventurers and wilderness professionals.

The New Jimny 5-door offers monotone color options for the GL and GLX variants, including Jungle Green, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Arctic White Pearl, and Granite Gray Metallic. The GLX Two-Tone variant, on the other hand, is available in Sizzling Red Metallic – Bluish Black Pearl and Chiffon Ivory Metallic – Bluish Black Pearl.

Price

The New Jimny 5-door is available in all Suzuki Auto Dealerships nationwide with the following SRP:

  • Jimny 5DR GL MT – ₱1,558,000
  • Jimny 5DR GLX AT – ₱1,698,000
  • Jimny 5DR GLX AT – TWO TONE – ₱1,708,000

New Instagram Feature to Urge Teens on Healthy App Usage

Instagram’s daily active users reach a whopping 2 billion people a month and it’s no surprise that Meta is rolling out an update to encourage people to use less of the app. While it may seem counterintuitive for the company to reduce app usage, this is part of their effort to make the popular social media platform less detrimental to its users.

In the new update, the Quiet Mode feature will give “nightime nudges” on Instagram Reels or on Direct messages when the app detects that it’s been active for ten minutes late at night. On their most recent blogpost under “Giving Teens and Parents More Ways to Manage Their Time on Our Apps” dated June 27, 2023, the post says:

Update on January 18, 2024 at 3:00AM PT:

Sleep is important, particularly for young people, so we’re launching new nighttime nudges that will show up when teens have spent more than 10 minutes on Instagram in places like Reels or Direct Messages late at night. They’ll remind teens that it’s late, and encourage them to close the app.

Most phones have built-in health and wellness features to reduce screen time and app usage. But this does not guarantee teens are putting their phones down. In a literature review done by Neza Stiglic and Russell M Viner, they found out that higher screen times are associated with obesity and depressive symptoms.

Not just for kids

The company also has made Quiet Mode available to adults. Meta’s approach to focusing on providing better experiences for its younger users also extends to adults. The feature turns on automatically for app users below an age threshold. For adults engaged in activities like driving or working, Quiet Mode shuts off all notifications. It also sends an automated reply in the Direct Messages.

If a person is in Quiet Mode, other users will be able to see it. The feature changes the activity status to let other users know that the person isn’t actively on Instagram. The feature may affect content creators’ ability to engage with their followers. However, users can turn off Quite Mode anytime in the app.

Instagram also packaged another feature with the recent update. Users can filter out certain topics or emojis to ensure a more streamlined app content experience.

In addition to the rollout, Instagram also updated Parental Controls, allowing parents to monitor the app usage of children. This update lets parents access account settings, including privacy settings. Parents will then be notified of any changes or updates that have been made by the user.