The two brands are bringing the unique experience to Malaysia this time. This, following the success of familiar campaigns in China, Taiwan, and Japan.

There will be a lot of physical manifestation of the collaboration at Pizza Hut Malaysia stores; three flagship stores will be transformed into Genshin Impact-themed scenery to become the perfect haven for fans.

Exclusive fan events will be held at these three stores on the following dates:

• Pizza Hut Sunway Pyramid: July 8
• Pizza Hut Queensbay Mall (Penang): July 15
• Pizza Hut Midvalley Southkey (Johor Bahru): July 22

Tickets to the event are priced at MYR 60, inclusive of a MyBox Melts Genshin Impact Premium meal set worth MYR 47.90, a limited-edition merchandise, and in-game inspired beverage.

The Pizza Hut x Genshin Impact merchandise will release in three phases to allow players to collect items featuring specific characters:

• July 5 to 18: Ningguang
• July 19 to August 1: Yelan
• August 2 to 15: Xiangling

Fans may choose from two MyBox Melts collaboration combo packages:

• Standard Meal Set: MYR 27.90 + photocards + sticker packs
• Premium Meal Set: MYR 47.90 + photocard + sticker pack + notebook

The post Pizza Hut Malaysia, Genshin Impact collaborate appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Well, a recent iPrice study, “Highly Connected, But Highly Priced: Smartphones Out of Reach for Many in SEA”, revealed that when it comes to smartphone affordability, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia lag behind considerably.

The study took into account the salaries of workers in the three countries, and found out that mid-range smartphones cost twice an employee’s monthly salary on average.

In the same countries, high-end smartphones come as expensive investments, as they cost anywhere between about three to six times the monthly average salary of workers.

And as if adding insult to injury, the prices of phones top brands like Apple, OPPO, vivo, and Samsung are generally higher in the Philippines and Indonesia compared to other countries in the region.

This leads to consumers opting for postpaid plans from telecom providers, capitalizing on the free device in exchange of a two-year lock-in period.

The finding is a stark contrast to the same smartphones’ affordability in Singapore and Malaysia. In those two peninsular countries, phones cost only about a third of an employee’s monthly average salary.

The main takeaway from the study is: average monthly salaries do not only differ from one ASEAN country to another; for some reason, products and services in countries with less spending power also cost more. Life is unfair, isn’t it?

The post Study: Smartphones least affordable in Philippines, Vietnam appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Luckily, we have all the details for you. God of War: Ragnarok will come in Standard Edition, Launch Edition, Collector’s Edition, and the premium Jotnar Edition.

Watch this unboxing to see what each Edition has to offer:

Of course, the pricier the edition you pre-order starting on July 15, the more extra premium items you’ll be able to enjoy with the full copy of the game.

For now, here are the prices for the physical and digital packages of the game for Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia:

Singapore

Physical

• Standard Physical Edition (PS5): SG$ 97.90
• Standard Physical Edition (PS4): SG$ 79.90
• Collector’s Edition: SG$ 279
• Jötnar Edition: SG$ 359

Digital

• Standard Digital Edition (PS5): SG$ 97.90
• Standard Digital Edition (PS4): SG$ 79.90
• Digital Deluxe Edition: SG$ 109

Philippines

Physical

• Standard Physical Edition (PS5):PHP 3,490
• Standard Physical Edition (PS4): PHP 2,990
• Collector’s Edition: PHP 9,990
• Jötnar Edition: PHP 12,990

Digital

• Standard Digital Edition (PS5): PHP 3,490
• Standard Digital Edition (PS4): PHP 2,990
• Digital Deluxe Edition: SG$ 109

Malaysia

Physical

• Standard Physical Edition (PS5): MYR 299
• Standard Physical Edition (PS4): MYR 249
• Collector’s Edition: MYR 839
• Jötnar Edition: MYR 1,099

Digital

• Standard Digital Edition (PS5): MYR 299
• Standard Digital Edition (PS4): MYR 249
• Digital Deluxe Edition: MYR 339

The post God of War: Ragnarok price and availability appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Garena has announced the return of Garena Masters II – Redemption, wherein 16 teams from Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia will battle it out for a US$ 25,000 prize pool and championship title. 

There will be nine teams from the Philippines, three teams from Singapore and Malaysia, and four finalists from the CODM Garena Masters to compete in the new battlegrounds.

Fans and CODM players also stand a chance to win in-game items when they tune in to matches. 

New gameplay for Wild Dogs

Garena also introduced an immersive new game play experience for its latest season, Wild Dogs.

There will be new maps, weapons, rewards, and modes, and players can also travel back in time to ancient Egypt, endure challenges, and compete to find the fallen spy satellite.

CODM is one of the largest FPS games in history, with over 200 million active players to date.

The popular mobile game also won Best Mobile Game back in The Games Awards 2019 and Mobile Game of the Year in the 16th British Academy Games Awards.

The post Call of Duty Mobile: Garena Masters II, Wild Dogs new gameplay announced appeared first on GadgetMatch.

PlayStation didn’t specify on their blog why Asia is getting it first. But we speculate it’s likely because it’s easier to implement a download only option tiers versus the ones that include cloud streaming.

If you will recall, Asian markets won’t get the streaming option. And instead of the highest tier being called PlayStation Plus Premium, the region is instead getting PlayStation Plus Deluxe. With the primary difference being the lack of streaming option, which also means no access to PS3 titles.

There are still no concrete dates on when the all-new PlayStation Plus will hit other markets. But they did share target dates. They are as follows:

• Japan — targeting June 1, 2022
• Americas — targeting June 13, 2022
•  Europe — targeting June 22, 2022

How will this affect my current subscription?

If you’re an existing PlayStation Plus subscriber and don’t really feel like upgrading then you can just stand pat. Your service will just be renamed PlayStation Plus Essential but will still get all the same benefits. No changes will be applied to your existing subscription unless: 1) You make any changes yourself, 2) Your subscription expires.

What if you want to upgrade? You can do that any time. You only need to pay he difference between your current plan and your new plan, adjusted for the remaining time of your subscription.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe

If you do decide to upgrade, here’s a brief look at what you’re getting:

PlayStation Plus Extra

Provides all the benefits from the Essential tier plus a catalogue1 of up to 400 of the most enjoyable PS4 and PS5 games, including:

• Death Stranding
• God of War
• Mortal Kombat 11
• Returnal
• Marvel’s Spider-Man
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

PlayStation Plus Deluxe

Provides all the benefits from Essential and Extra tiers.

Adds a catalogue of beloved classic games available to download from the original PlayStation, PS2 and PSP generations.

Time-limited game trials will also be offered in this tier, so customers can try select games before they buy.

For the full details and pricing read here.

The post All-new PlayStation Plus coming to Asia on May 23 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The exclusive package includes three opuses: Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelation wherein players play the iconic Master Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

As an added bonus, two short films are also included in the compilation: Assassin’s Creed Lineage and Assassin’s Creed Embers.

The compilation is also suited for the capabilities of Nintendo Switch, with enhanced features such as Handheld Mode, HD Rumble, Touch Screen Interface, and Optimized HUD.

Pricing and availability

The Ezio Collection is now available on Ubisoft’s Official Shops on Shopee in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In addition, to celebrate the launch of the Ezio Collection on Nintendo Switch, players can enjoy up to 60 percent off on titles under the Assassin’s Creed franchise from 17 February to 28 only on the official Ubisoft Shopee Shops.

The post Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection now available on Nintendo Switch appeared first on GadgetMatch.

In partnership with One World Rental, Wizards of the Coast will gather 83 artists who drew the world of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. It is also set to release the same day the virtual gathering will open to the public on Friday.

A special promo giving participants a chance to bring home a signed poster from Tetsuo Hara, the artist of the “Fist of the North Star”, also awaits.

Interactive art exhibition from home

The gathering will be an interactive art exhibition viewers can enjoy right from their homes. They can actively enjoy the art through VR and gameplay elements.

It will allow viewers to experience the wonder art of Magic with a VR viewing experience. The exhibition may also be enjoyed on a Windows PC via https://mtg-kamigawa-vr.art. 

The VR Exhibition will be available in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand in Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores from February 18 to 24, 2022.

Among the works on display will be cards drawn by Tetsuo Hara of “Fist of the North Star” fame, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Art Director, and Kamen Rider W character designer Katsuya Terada.

Special tricks, content in store for viewers

There is a total of 134 pieces of card art from 83 artists. Visitors will witness the beauty and power of Magic art five enjoying different content features for them to enjoy the Magic world.

Aside from an interactive viewing world, special tricks also await those who will participate in the exhibition.

For instance, one’s avatar will evolve according to the cards they get, depending on how successful they are at capturing one.

Special content such as 3D characters appearing from cards — including summoning the legendary Dragon Spirit — characters appearing to multiple people at a time. Taking virtual photos are also possible.

Make new friends, win prizes

In the Octagonal Pavilion, viewers may come together and interact with each other while gathering a variety of Magic-related information.

The event also has a promotional campaign where five winners will receive a B2 size poster signed by Tetsuo Hara, the artist of the “Fist of the North Star”.

The winners will be chosen at random. The requirement would be to view all 134 cards during the February 18 to 24 period.

After viewing them, fill out the necessary information on the form at the special campaign website, which is available via https://mtg-kamigawa-vr.art.

Winners will be contacted by the organizers.

The post Magic: The Gathering goes VR appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The X-Hub is a seamless online-to-offline (O2O) experiential retail experience for tech consumers.

The physical store in Malaysia is combined with an integrated O2O platform to create a seamless omnichannel commerce journey across six Southeast Asian countries.

More immersive retail experience

The Experience Hub unifies the retail experience across the Southeast Asia region, connecting the Kuala Lumpur flagship store to 82 online stores spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, with Thailand and Vietnam to follow in March 2022.

Online consumers may be able to personally interact with HP Live Advisors, a team of dedicated experts based on the X-Hub via real-time video calls and chat functions.

These will be made available in preferred local languages, while live streams on the latest HP products is also made possible via the HP Virtual Showroom.

This way, consumers will be able to continue shopping without having to be in Malaysia physically.

Interactive ‘Test Drive’ stations

As for customers who want to visit the physical store in Malaysia, there are interactive ‘Test Drive’ stations to experience all of HP’s technology.

These stations include:

• Premium (High-end consumer devices)
• Gaming (Laptops, desktops, and monitors)
• Commercial (Business-grade devices)
• Print (Home and office printing)

Visitors can also access personalization services such as custom engraving and printing, or connect to in-store or online HP Live Advisors for real-time inquiries.

Location

The HP X-Hub flagship store in Malaysia is located at Pavilion Bukit Jalil (level 4) in Kuala Lumpur.

The flagship store was created in partnership with Thunder Match Technology Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s largest tech retailer. HP also partnered with Shopee and Lazada. Both of which support the online experience.

The post HP unveils Experience Hub flagship store in Malaysia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Pricing are as follows:

PS5 Standard Edition — PhP 3,490 / SG$ 97.90 / MYR 299 / THB 2,290
PS4 Standard Edition — PhP 2,990 / SG$ 79.90 / MYR 249 / THB 1,990
25th Anniversary Edition PS5/PS4 — PhP 4,490 / SG$ 123 / MYR 379 / THB 2,890

All pre-orders include the following:

• 100,000 CR (in-game credit)
• Three-car pack, including:
  • MAZDA RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT Stealth Model
  • Porsche 917 LIVING LEGEND ’14
  • Toyota Supra GT500 ’97 (Castrol TOM’S)

All Physical Pre-orders include a Metal and Leather Keychain. Those who pre-order the 25th Anniversary Edition will get the following bonuses:

• “Gran Turismo 7” PS5 Disc with PS4 Game Voucher*2
• Exclusive SteelBook case
• 1,000,000 CR (in-game credit)
• FIA Gran Turismo Championships World Series Model – Toyota GR Yaris with country-specific livery
• 30 manufacturer & partner PSN Avatars
• The Music of Gran Turismo Official Soundtrack

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo is a staple racing game for the PlayStation. Whether you’re a competitive or casual racer, collector, tuner, livery designer, or photographer, you’ll find something to like on Gran Turismo 7.

The new game brings back GT Simulation Mode where you can buy, tune, race and sell your way through a rewarding solo campaign as you unlock new cars and challenges. If you love going head-to-head with others, hone your skills and compete in the GT Sport Mode.

The post Gran Turismo 7 physical edition pre-order starts Jan 7 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Here are the pricing for the Physical Edition:

PS5 — PhP 3,490 | SG$ 97.90 | MYR 299
PS4 — PhP 2,990 | SG$ 79.90 | MYR 249

Customers who pre-order any edition of Horizon Forbidden West Blu-ray Disc Version will receive the Nora Legacy Outfit and Spear to use in the game which can be redeemed via PlayStation Store (PS Store).

Additionally, physical pre-order customers will stand a chance to get one of the three (3) different physical pre-order incentives: “Focus Keychain”, Horizon Forbidden West Cap or “Tremortusk 3D Puzzle”. Check with local retailers for details of the physical pre-order mechanic.

Pre-order here: Philippines | Singapore | Malaysia

Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to the 2017 hit Horizon Zero Dawn. The new game will continue the story of Aloy. There will also be plenty of new enemies to test your mettle against. Here’s the latest trailer showcased on The Game Awards 2021.

The post Horizon Forbidden West Physical Edition Pre-order starts Dec 14 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The interactive festival shall be held in six countries: Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The annual celebration will allow for fellow players to finally convene and meet each other off their screens and in real life, allowing for an opportunity to relive memorable, happy, and touching moments in the game together.

Gaming world-themed cafés

All HoYo FEST-related events will be held at collaboration cafés themed after Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Genshin Impact between November 5 and December 14.

These specific cafés will offer special set menus on dine-in, takeout, and delivery options. Ordering via takeout and delivery also gives customers an additional printed tote bag and cup sleeve.

The interiors will be furnished in the styles of Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Genshin Impact in order, which is accompanied by photography zones.

That way, fans and players will be able to enjoy exquisite foods and immerse themselves in a real-life feel of the game worlds while bonding with new friends they’ve only previously met in-game.

Mystery gifts and exciting merchandise

Ordering collaboration combos or spending a certain amount of money at a café also entitles guests to an exciting mystery gift box.

The pop-up stores found only at specific cafés will also sell a variety of exclusive Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Genshin Impact merchandise, to be distributed only by the staff of the collaboration cafés.

Preparations for the celebration are underway, so Captains, Travelers, and Attorneys should brace themselves for upcoming surprises.

Festival Schedule

• Honkai Impact 3rd: November 5 to November 16
• Tears of Themis: November 19 to November 30
• Genshin Impact: December 3 to December 14

Collaboration Cafés

• Singapore: Aniplus Cafe
• Malaysia: my Burger Lab
• Thailand: NANA Coffee Roasters Ari
• Philippines: Moon Rabbit Café + Restaurant
• Indonesia: Warung Koffie Batavia
• Vietnam: To Be Announced

For more event details and pandemic precautions, please visit the miHoYo official website: https://mhy.link/686SLBA6.

The post Players finally meet as HoYo FEST kicks off in SEA this November appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Much like the DualSense controller, the headset will also come in Midnight Black. Other than this, everything else is pretty much the same for the Pulse 3D Headset. In essence, it still gives you deeper, more immersive 3D sounds to games that fully take advantage of this. It’s just that now, you have other color options to choose from. Whether or not this also comes in Cosmic Red, Sony has yet to announce that.

It’s worth noting that included in the PS5’s second major update is an equalizer for the 3D Pulse. It adds another layer of control for players. This lets them enjoy the game precisely the way they want to. But if tweaking isn’t your thing, there are also three presets: Standard, Bass Boost, or Shooter.

The Pulse 3D Wireless Headset in Midnight Black will be available on October 29 for PhP 5,590/ SG$ 149 / MYR 469/ DR1,699,000 / THB3,490 / VND2,699,000.

SEE ALSO: How to use the DualSense controller with PC, Mac

The post The Pulse 3D Wireless Headset now sports Midnight Black appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Sony has its successor — the Sony-WF-1000XM4. But a lot has changed since then.

Apple now has the AirPods Pro which also boasts noise cancellation. There’s the Beats Studio Buds, QuietComfort Earbuds by Bose, Google even has their own Pixel buds, and pretty much every other smartphone manufacturer came out with their own earbuds.

Suddenly, the true wireless (TWS) earbuds scene is more crowded than ever.

A reputation of excellence

But Sony has a reputation to live up to. Their flagship WH-1000XM4 over-the-ear headphones is widely regarded as the best wireless headphones in the market. Even more than the nearly double-priced Apple Airpods Max. In fact, the only thing most reviewers could really find wrong with them (us included), was the annoying naming scheme Sony uses.

So when we saw the brand new Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds announced — we really had our hopes up. How you do improve upon what was already one of the best all-round TWS earbuds?

Sony went right back to the drawing board to design a pair of earbuds that look quite different from their predecessors. The Sony WF-1000XM4 has an all new design and charging case that are much smaller, a new V1 chip audio processor for even better noise cancellation and audio quality, IPX4 water and sweat resistance, and they even have a new memory foam-like eartip material. All of these makes Sony’s offering the best pair of true wireless earbuds on the market, once again.

While we still have an annoying model name to deal with, the Sony WF-1000XM4 manages to stand out because of great audio quality, solid noise cancellation, along with being one of the most feature-packed and user-friendly wireless earbuds around.

Design and Build Quality

Our first impressions of the XM4 begin with the box. Sony switched to a new, very compact rectangular box that uses recycled packaging. It is plastic-free and made from a special blend of paper.

We aren’t fans of all the plastics we waste on larger packaging and were happy to see Sony switch to this more sustainable solution. It doesn’t give you the premium feeling you get when you purchase a high-end item. But once you move on to the actual earbuds themselves, things get much better.

We got the black model to review, though the XM4 also comes in a nicer silver (light grey) color as well.

First up you’ll notice the new, smaller charging case that is 40 percent smaller than its predecessor. Much smaller than what we’ve seen with the Bose Earbuds. There’s a tiny status indicator light that lies right at the opening and glows green, orange, or red to indicate charge level.

At the top, you’ll just see that classic Sony branding printed in gold.

Flip to the back and you’ll see the hinge for the lid. The USB Type-C port is here which you’ll use to charge the case (which charges the earbuds).

Coming to the bottom, you’ll see the model information and various regulatory information along with the fact that these are made right here in Malaysia! Hooray!

The entire case is made out of this really nice, matte finish hard plastic that feels quite premium and well built. Once you flip open the magnetic case, you’ll see the brand new, smaller earbud design of the Sony WF-1000XM4. The earbuds snap into the case magnetically and are held very securely in it.

Better fit

According to Sony, they went over customer feedback on the predecessor XM3. With research on the human ear and its various shapes and sizes, they created a round shape for the earbuds that sit more inside your ears.

You’ll see that same premium-feeling matte black finish on each earbud as well. It has these tiny hits of bronze accents around the microphone, the rear sensor, the SONY logo, and the charging pins.

There’s this tiny pinhole for the microphones on the inside of the earbuds, next to what looks like it might be the bone conductor sensor or a tiny proximity sensor which detects whenever you take your earbuds off or put it on, and will automatically pause or play your music respectively.

The earbuds also have a L and R marking so that you know which is the left side earbud and which is the right side.

New eartips

Apart from that, the XM4 also boasts new eartips. It’s made from a memory-foam like polyurethane material., which sort of feels like a combination of the classic silicone tips we’re used to, and a new foam like material.

This material also apparently has tiny bubbles which are supposed to help dissipate and reduce noise. Sony says these will help secure a more stable, tighter fit that will ensure the earbuds stay in your ears and form a perfect seal for better audio quality and noise cancellation.

The only downside to this new eartip is that, unlike the XM3 which had six different ear-tip options, here you only get a set of small, medium, and large sized tips. These tips should last you a few years but Sony says you can purchase extra tips from them in case you lose one, or they wear out.

When you find the right eartip size for you, you’ll see how they are quite comfortable even over a long listening sessions.

Fit test

To help you make sure that you have the perfect fitting eartips, Sony has a new “air tightness test” available in their Headphones Connect app (iOS and Android). It plays a test tone to test out the seal with the foam in your ears, and reports back on whether you should move to a larger or smaller ear-tip.

Just like the AirPods Pro, it is recommended to run this test when you first connect the XM4 to your phone. This waytyou can avoid wearing the wrong sized eartips which might allow for outside noises to leak in, or make the bass feel less powerful.

Quick controls

Just like its bigger, over-the-ears model, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is incredibly feature-packed, as you would expect for a pair of true wireless earbuds in this price range.

The circular surface on the outside of each earbud are touchpads. You can use taps or short/long presses to control volume, playback, or switch between noise-cancelling or ambient sound modes.

You can customize these gestures using Sony’s Headphones Connect app (iOS & Android), and the earbuds are quick to respond to each gesture.

Speak-to-chat

There’s also support for Sony’s “Speak-to-Chat” feature which will automatically turn down the volume and noise cancellation whenever you start to talk, so that you can effortlessly have conversations without having to take off the earbuds.

This feature works pretty well, but only triggers about a second after you start talking. So, in case you’d rather switch off the voice trigger, Sony allows you to use a similar “Quick Attention” gesture feature which uses a manual long-press on the left earbud instead.

Similarly, turning off the voice trigger is recommended in case you have a tendency to break into a spontaneous private karaoke session when you’re listening to a song while working from home.

Audio quality improvements

But there’s even more tech to impress you within the XM4. These include a new integrated “V1” processor unit which powers an improved DAC, and analogue amplifier, which Sony claims allows for clearer sound, and much better noise-cancellation than its predecessor. And from my experience, that claim is absolutely true.

There’s also Sony’s DSEE Extreme audio engine with “Edge-AI”, which magically allows the earbuds to upscale low-bitrate audio files to much better sounding hi-res quality. We first saw this used on the flagship Sony WH-1000XM4 earlier this year.

While there’s no aptX HD support this time, the XM4 does support Sony’s LDAC format instead, which allows hi-res audio files up to 24-bit/96kHz to be streamed over Bluetooth at data rates of up to 990kbps, provided its coming from a compatible source. Sadly, this does not include the iPhone.

Call quality

The XM4 also boasts clearer call quality with features like a new bone conductor sensor that stops the microphone from picking up any random ambient sounds while you’re talking or moving around. There’s also Sony’s new beamforming advanced speech reinforcement technology and an automatic wind noise reduction mode. These are all thanks to Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology, which we first saw on the over-the-ear type WH-1000XM4.

As a result, the XM4 actually does a pretty decent job at handling call quality, and blocking outside noise or interferences so that only your voice filters through loud and clear for the person on the other end of the line.

That being said, people we called said we sounded a little muffled vs when we used the AirPods Pro which might be because the XM4 doesn’t have those stems for the microphones that the AirPods do. So maybe, these aren’t as great for calls as the AirPods are, but there’s a chance Sony could improve these ever so slightly via software updates.

Pairing

In terms of pairing, if you have an Android phone you’ll be happy to know that that the XM4 supports Fast Pair so connecting them to your phone happens in a matter of seconds. You’ll even be able to see battery information whenever they’re switched on.

Unsurprisingly, the experience on iOS is a bit different. Pairing happens the old fashioned way of manually going into your bluetooth settings and connecting to the earbuds.

Unfortunately Sony did not include bluetooth multi-point support on the WF-1000XM4, so you can’t connect to two different devices simultaneously which is a bummer if you plan on using these with multiple devices like your laptop and your smartphone or tablet. You can still switch between them manually, of course, but its a bit inconvenient. Hopefully Sony manages to bring it in with a software update in the coming months.

360 Reality Audio, other features

There’s support for Sony’s 360 Reality Audio as well for compatible streaming services like Tidal and Deezer. Setting it up is a tiny bit tedious because you need to take a photo of each ear in the headphones app which Sony will use to “optimize” the sound.

We used the XM4s with a OnePlus 9, an iPhone 11 Pro, and a Macbook Pro and the connection was always stable with no dropouts or interferences.

In terms of tech specs, the XM4 uses Bluetooth 5.2, and supports voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. No Siri support here “officially” but you can still trigger it on an iPhone by just tap-and-holding the right earbud.

Lastly, if you were thinking about using these for running or at the gym, you’ll be happy to know that the XM4 boasts an IPX4 rating. This means they are sweat and water resistant — something that was missing from its predecessor, and is hugely appreciated.

While we do feel like these are overkill for using as running earbuds, if you’re going to pay this much for a pair of earphones you might as well use them as much as possible, right?

Audio Quality

The Sony WF-1000XM4 boasts a 6mm driver used inside, which is similar in size to its predecessor. But in this generation, it is made from an entirely new material and uses a larger magnet. Sony claims these help improve the overall audio quality and noise cancellation capabilities of the earphones especially in regard to lower frequencies.

And honestly, audio quality on the XM4s is glorious.

Starting with the way the earphones handle bass, there’s an immense level of audio detail with stunning audio quality and clarity at low frequencies. By comparison the Bose QC Earbuds almost sounded muffled.

For any kind of music

We listened to a wide range of music from Doja Cat to LANY to Daft Punk to The Rolling Stones to Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, and everything in between.

Even the most bass heavy tracks sounded fantastic, with each note and each beat coming in nice and clear. You can hear every element and intricacy of each note and every pulse of the bassline. Its a clarity that we didn’t realize we were missing out on, with our AirPods Pro.

But its not just all about the bass here. There’s clear audio across all frequencies of a music track. The XM4 can switch paces to handle any type of music effortlessly. Even a slower song with mainly vocals like “Its Oh So Quiet” by Bjork, will still allow these earbuds to completely captivate you. Sony has just done an amazing job here.

Better than the competition

Compared to its predecessor, the XM4 is a definite huge step up. If you’re happy with the older XM3 there’s no major reason apart from better audio clarity with clearer details and better battery life to switch to these.

But if you’re on the market for the best sounding, noise cancelling true wireless earbuds, the Sony XM4 is pretty much it. Compared to the Bose QC Earbuds and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, the Sony XM4 boasts a more refined sound with better defined bass notes and overall just a better, more balanced audio experience.

Equalizer on the app

If all of that wasn’t enough, the Sony Headphones Connect app also does have an equalizer built-in, in case you want to try customizing your sound even more. The great noise cancellation is yet another major advantage for the XM4, managing an experience that is close to Sony’s Over-the-ear XM4s.

That is pretty much excellence across the board. There’s just no better audio and noise cancellation on a pair of true wireless earbuds right now.

This is also due to the memory foam-like material Sony is using in the ear-tips here which forms a great seal with your ear canal, so that the isolation blocks out most noises before the XM4’s ANC unit even has to.

Of course if the Active Noise Cancellation feels a bit suffocating, you can tap to turn it off, or switch to the “ambient noise” mode which will allow some environmental sounds to filter through.

Sony’s Headphones Connect app will even learn your locations and how you use your earphones so that it can switch on active noise cancellation while you’re commuting to work, but can switch to ambient noise mode at work or at home.

Battery Life and Charging

The case for the Sony XM4s charges via USB Type-C and also supports wireless charging as well (for the first time with Sony headphones) as long as you have a compatible Qi charging pad.

Battery life is something you’ll honestly never have to worry about much with the XM4. While the case is smaller and more portable, battery life has improved even more vs the older XM3.

You can now get up to eight hours of music playback with noise cancellation switched on, and the case can supply an additional 16 hours of battery life via charging.

That means the Sony WF-1000XM4 has the best battery life in the segment, vs its competitors like the AirPods Pro (up to 5 hours), the Bose QC Earbuds (up to 6 hours), and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless (up to 6.5 hours). Honestly, how Sony managed to do it, is just pure wizardry.

Of course, if you want even better battery life out of the XM4s, you can switch off the noise-cancellation which will give you up to 12 hours of audio on a single charge, and up to 24 hours with the charging case. Sony’s also stated that a quick five-minute charge will give you about one hour of music playback too, which is awesome for those urgent situations.

While we were incredibly impressed with the audio quality and the noise cancellation, the fantastic battery life is just the piece de resistance on top of everything else.

Monitoring battery life

You can monitor the battery life remaining in the case and the buds via Sony’s Headphones Connect app, which will also alert you if the case drops below 30 percent charge. This is the only slight inconvenience you’ll have, if you’re an iPhone user. With the AirPods pro you could always just open the case to see a pop-up on remaining battery life on your iPhone. To get around this, you could always add the battery widget for iOS which will show you the remaining battery life on the XM4.

On an Android smartphone, things are the usual as with any other pair of earbuds.

Overall, battery life on the Sony WF-1000XM4 is fantastic. On a really music-and-call intensive day, it was still easily able to give us about an entire day of battery life.

Price and availability

The “1000XM_” models are Sony’s most premium headphones, so its not surprising that the WF-1000XM4 lies at the more premiumly priced side of the market.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 is priced at US$ 280 in the US, SG$ 379 in Singapore, and MYR 1099 here in Malaysia.

That puts them in the same price range as the Apple AirPods Pro (US$ 250), Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (US$ 280), and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 (US$ 299).

Is the Sony WF-1000XM4 your GadgetMatch?

Sony has absolutely done a fantastic job here. Not only are the XM4s smaller, lighter and have better battery life than its predecessor, but the new features and better audio quality makes you wonder what could Sony possibly improve upon with the next successor.

The XM4 delivers an incredibly satisfying experience, with stunning sound, some of the best noise cancelling you’ll hear in the segment, and the longest battery life in true wireless earbuds so far.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 not only raises the bar for true wireless earbuds to become the new benchmark, they are also the most versatile premium earphones from Sony yet. A reminder from Sony that there’s a reason that they’ve been in the audio industry for decades.

Whether it’s going on a run, blocking out the terrible music at the gym, your daily commute, or taking a flight,  the new SONY WF-1000XM4 can effortlessly handle all of it

So are they worth the price tag? Well, it’s a lot of money, but consider it an investment into what will be the best noise cancelling earbuds you can find right now.

If you’re not a fan of true wireless earbuds and you prefer over-the-ear type headphones instead, there’s still the Sony WH-1000XM4 which remains the best noise cancelling headphones in the market. But if you’re looking for the best true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is it.

Definitely deserves the GadgetMatch seal of approval.

The post Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Simply the best appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The game was initially released in September 2020 on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switched and immediately gained acclaim both from critics and players alike. Gaming publications IGN and Polygon even named it their 2020 Game of the Year.

Fast forward to nearly a year later and Hades is set to coming to more consoles. Specifically the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The official release date is on Aug 13, 2021but we got a bit of early access and are here to share what you’re in for.

What is Hades?

The game has you controlling Zagreus, the son of Hades. Your main objective is to escape the Underworld and make your way to Mount Olympus. Seems simple, right? Except, it isn’t.

The areas of the Underworld are ever-changing and death is inevitable — such is the case with most roguelike games. Hope, however, isn’t all lost. Aiding you in your getaway are the gods of Mount Olympus. After every death, you’ll gain power-ups from the gods. Each with its own unique effect. Of course, you lose these boosts each time you die.

There are permanent skill boosts acquired as you playthrough. After your first few deaths, you’ll also be introduced to a renovating mechanic that lets you unlock various things including being able to recover previously unlocked items as you progress through the game.

PlayStation 5 improvements 

I did play Hades on PC but just sparingly. Being mostly a console gamer, I thoroughly enjoyed playing a bigger screen and while using a DualSense controller.

The PlayStation 5 version of the game promises 4K at 60 frames per second and after a few hours of playing, and checking the numbers on the TV, I was indeed consistently getting 4K and 60fps. That’s been the case with most PS5 games I’ve played so far this year.

The DualSense controller is utilized although still not as much as I would have liked. Granted, this is pretty much a re-release and the changes added were enough to make you feel the game more.

Hitting certain things around each area is where you’ll mostly feel the effects of the DualSense. Perhaps more subtly, the DualSense also reacts to certain power boosts you gain throughout your playthrough.

Superb presentation

The gameplay may seem daunting, and it can be, but it’s all balanced by the wonderful overall presentation of the game. The art style is unique and lends plenty of identity to the game. It’s even highlighted by the conversations you have as the detailed art of each character is showcased during dialogue exchanges.

Speaking of dialogue, the voice acting in the game is superb and breathes life into the game that, at first glance, seems to have no right to come off this good. Rounding it up is the music. The score in this game is a hit every step of the way.

Why buy the Physical version?

The new boxed versions of Hades [Xbox, PS4, and PS5] all come with a complimentary download code for the Hades Original Soundtrack — that’s two and half hours of music composed by Darren Korb.

You also get a 32-page full-color character compendium booklet with artwork from the game by Jen Zee. Its first pressing appears on the box covers of the physical versions of the game.

Price and availability

As mentioned earlier, Hades is coming to the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on August 13. Pricing for the PS4/PS5 are as follows:

• Philippines — PhP 1,580
• Singapore — SG$ 43.90
• Malaysia — MYR 135
• Indonesia — IDR 399,000
• Thailand — THB 990

The post Hades on PlayStation 5 is a damn good time appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The time span of this investment would be three years and will benefit early startups covered by the investments. Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand are one of the beneficiaries of Huawei. Additionally, Huawei also accounted for the inclusion of Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam!

With the aim of covering almost 1,000 startups and turning 100 of them into scale-ups.  Huawei also launched its Cloud-plus-Cloud collaboration.

There are three additional initiatives under the Asia Pacific Spark Program. Namely, the Spark Developer program, Spark Pitstop program, and the Spark Innovation Program. With these types of initiatives, Huawei is capable of supporting new and developing startups. With more startups pushing for an end-to-end digitalization, Huawei steps us its efforts to push for development with their claimed one billion users.

As of 2021, there are 170 countries who are relying on HMS (Huawei Mobile Services).

The post Huawei wants to help scale-up startups in Asia Pacific appeared first on GadgetMatch.

What you’re getting with Spotify Premium Mini

Ad-free individual music listening on mobile with unlimited skips — Listeners can access over 70 million music tracks and over 2.9 million podcast titles on the world’s largest audio streaming service

Download and play up to 30 songs offline on one mobile device — This allows a user to be on-the-go and stay connected to their favorite artists and creators without the need to connect to WiFi or tap into their mobile data.

Flexibility at its best –– Whether it’s for a morning exercise or simply seeking a motivational podcast to kick start the week, users have the option to immediately subscribe for just a day or a week at any given moment.

Hassle-free and seamless payment methods — Beyond the credit card option, users can choose to make payment through Carrier Billing or via digital wallets (GCash, PayMaya in the Philippines)

Better together — Premium Mini Listeners also have the ability to tune in to the same playlist or podcast with up to five friends via Group Session in beta.

How to sign-up?

1. Download Spotify’s mobile app or head over to Spotify’s website on desktop.
2. Click the ‘Premium’ section at the top right of the website or at the bottom right of the Spotify app.
3. Choose ‘Get Mini’ and choose ‘daily’ or ‘weekly’ plan. This is a prepaid offering.
4. Choose payment methods
5. Register or log in to the Spotify account.
6. Users can start enjoying Spotify’s Premium Mini experience for the day or week.

Here are the the rates:

Philippines — PhP 7/day and PhP 26/week
Malaysya — MYR 1/day and MYR 3.90/week

The post Spotify Premium Mini launches, removes ads with limited downloads appeared first on GadgetMatch.

In this expansion of Valhalla, Eivor will explore new settlements in the vast land of Frankia. This new adventure will set our main protagonist on a dangerous quest across the Frankish countryside. Along the way, players will gain access to new weapons, abilities, gear, and skills as new kinds of enemies are afoot.

Along with the new expansion, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will also feature a new season starting July 27. Known as the Sigrblot Festival, the new season includes new quests, mini-games, and exclusive rewards, items, and weapons. Like the previous seasons, you must reach England, complete one of the first narrative arcs, and upgrade your settlement to Level 2.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris is available for free through the Season Pass. For non-Season Pass owners, you can purchase the major expansion. Pricing are as follows:

PhP 900| SG$ 32.90 | US$ 18.49 | MYR 79 | IDR 259,000

SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla review: Home in unfamiliar territory

The post Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris releases on August 12 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut will come to both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 will arrive in August 20, 2021. This new version will feature graphic improvements, PS5-specific features, and most importantly new content featuring Iki Island.

Iki Island

According to the PlayStation blog, the neighboring island of Iki was also invaded at the same period Tsushima was. The additional story will have Jin Sakai travel to the island to investigate rumors of a Mongol presence.

This new content, along with corresponding Trophies to unlock, is available for both PS5 and PS4.

PS5 improvements

The PS5 version addresses plenty of requests from fans of the game as well as a few other noteworthy ones.

• Lyp sync for Japanese voice over
• Haptic Feedback and adaptive triggers
• 3D audio enhancements
• Drastically improved loading times
• 4K 60fps

Other new updates will also come to those who previously purchased Ghost of Tsushima

Will my saves be transferred?

Yes. Ghost of Tsushima PS4 save files can be transferred. New players will be able to access the Iki Island content in the beginning of Act 2 after making your way to the Toyotama region.

Pre-orders and upgrades

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut will launch on August 20. Pricing are as follows:

PS5 — SG$ 97.90 / PhP3,490 / US$ 69.99 / MYR 299 / IDR 1,029,000 / THB 2,290
PS4 — SG$ 79.90 / PhP2,990 / US$ 59.99/ MYR 249 / IDR 879,000 / THB 1,990

Inclusions are: Digital mini soundtrack with tracks from the original Ghost of Tsushima, Two new songs from Iki Island, a digital art book featuring a selection of art from Ghost of Tsushima, and 10 new pieces of Iki Island concept art.

For Ghost of Tsushima owners

You can pre-order an upgrade to Director’s Cut on PS4 for SG$ 26.90 / MYR 89 / IDR 289,000 / THB690 /US$ 19.99 for PS4. This upgrade will become available starting on August 20.

If you bought Director’s Cut PS4, you’ll be able to upgrade to Director’s Cut PS5 at any time for SG$18 / US$ 9.99 / MYR50 / IDR150,000 / THB300

You can also upgrade directly (from original Ghost of Tsushima PS4) to Director’s Cut on PS5 for SG$ 40.90 / US$ 29.99 / MYR 129 / IDR 439,000 / THB 990

The post Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut coming to PS5, PS4 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

It’s a buildable LEGO brick model that also maybe counts as part of your sneaker collection. The LEGO Superstar sneaker in adult sizing features a classic white and black leather construction

Just like the real thing, this LEGO version includes the iconic adidas Originals Superstar sneaker graphics, shell toe shape, trefoil logo and serrated 3 stripes mark.

The model measures over 12 cm high, 27 cm long and 9 cm wide and with a display stand and plaque. It was made for adidas diehard collectors as well as LEGO fans. You also get to choose whether you want the right or left shoe. And if you feel like splurging, might as well get a pair.

The set includes 17 extra LEGO elements so you can choose to build either the right-foot or left-foot sneaker. For extra realism, it even has shoelaces and comes in an authentic shoe box.

#RebuiltByOriginals

LEGO also tapped six creatives to give their own take on the adidas Superstar LEGO Edition. Each one put their own spin on the LEGO Edition sneaker and are encouraging you to do the same.

You can check out what sneakerheads Aida Kiraya (@afrokickz), Tom Yoo (@tommyoo23), Hanna Helsøe (@helsoe), Leta Sobierajski (@sobierajski), Nicolai Sclater (@ornamentalconifer) and Coffee Boy (@178kz_boy) came up with here.

Price and availability

The LEGO adidas Originals Superstar 10282 model launches on July 1st and will be exclusively available at LEGO Certified Stores, adidas Original Pavilion, Brand Centre Sunway Pyramid and adidas Malaysia Online.

It will then be available at LEGO Official Store on Lazada, Shopee, as well as major retailers and department stores in Malaysia in September.

The recommended retail price is MYR 449.90.

The post LEGO just made an adidas Superstar LEGO edition appeared first on GadgetMatch.

What are you getting?

The company is positioning it as being able to enjoy your entire Huawei Video library on a larger screen. The said library provides users access to content from the likes of BBC Studios, Paramount Pictures, as well as local productions like Astro and Media Prima.

As part of their seamless connection strategy, you will be able to jump from one Huawei device to another without missing a beat. It lets you pick up from where you left off in the previous device. Huawei is also promising lossless music by playing it through the Huawei Music TV app on the Huawei Vision S.

HUAWEI Vision S Series with HUAWEI Video

Smartphone functions on the TV

In an effort to bring more than just your regular TV experience, the Huawei Vision S is equipped with some nifty features. First is access to the AppGallery. Compatible apps will be shown right away. In Malaysia, this includes Kaodim along with other food and recipes portals.

The whole TV is also powered by Huawei’s own Petal Search. The Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) native search engine will scour the web for video, music, and whatever else that could keep you entertained. It also comes with a magnetic camera that allows you to use Huawei’s video calling app MeeTime.

Price and availability

The Huawei Vision S comes in two sizes: 55″ and 65″. Pre-order period is from April 28 to May 12. Interested buyers can pre-order from the Huawei Online Store, Lazada, and Shopee. Pricing are as follows:

• Huawei Vision S 55″ — MYR 2,999 (Available starting May 13)
• Huawei Vision S 65″ — MYR 3,999 (Available starting May 3)

The post Huawei Vision S series now official in Malaysia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Here’s the release date trailer to get you hyped.

What is Tales of ARISE?

The game will follow the story of Rena — the star that has been ruling the Dahna planet with an iron fist for the past 300 years. Renans have been depleting Dahna of its natural resources, enslaving most of the planet’s population in order to do so.

This tale follows the fight to free Dahnans of their fate and will be experienced through the eyes of Alphen, an iron-masked Dahnan fighting to free his people, and Shionne, a girl from Rena, who’s on the run from her countrymen. They will be joined through their journey by characters like Rinwell and Law that will help them in their fight for freedom.

Southeast Asia Game Editions

All pre-orders and Day-1 retail package version will receive a new costume for Alphen and Shionne, as well as outfits accessories and new cooking recipes and ingredients.

• Tales of Arise retail package version is only available for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in Southeast Asia.
• The package version includes pre-order digital bonus only for the first production. The number of initial production is limited and will end as soon as it runs out.

Digital Platforms

On Digital platforms, a Deluxe and an Ultimate edition will be available. The Deluxe edition will have the following items:

• Premium Item Pack, containing gold, cooking items and Boosts
• Premium Costume Pack, including 8 full costumes and 6 accessories
• Premium Travel Pack, allowing for better cooking and crafting abilities as well as discounts in shops

The Ultimate Edition will have all the content from the Deluxe Edition as well as new costumes for the characters including special costumes in collaboration with other BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment games.

A physical Collector Edition will be available and include the same content as the Ultimate Edition, along with an exclusive figurine, a Steelbook, an Artbook and the game’s Soundtrack. This edition can be purchased at participating retailers in Southeast Asia.

A special Hootle Edition will be available exclusively and in limited quantities on the BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Asia store at a later date. This edition will include, in addition to the base game, a metal case, an Artbook, the Soundtrack, a 15 cm Hootle plush along with 4 accessories, Hootle DLC for the game as well as stickers and 3 art prints.

The post Tales of ARISE releases on Sept 9 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

This option is available to players in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Just follow these steps:

• Simply go to codashop.com
• Enter unique Genshin Impact user ID on Codashop
• Select the server where you play
• Choose payment method

The Genesis Crystals will be immediately credited to the account after completing the payment.

By making a single API connection to Codashop, miHoYo has made it possible for gamers to pay using 45 popular local payment methods and for some of the biggest brands in Southeast Asia, including GoPay, OVO, ShopeePay, LinkAja, Indosat, Tri in Indonesia, Globe, Smart, PayMaya, GCash in Philippines, and TNG, U Mobile, Boost, Celcom in Malaysia to contribute to the game’s continued success by promoting it to their users.

Genshin Impact launched in September 2020 as a cross-platform game that can be played on mobile, PC, and console. It was also recognized in December 2020 by Apple as the iPhone Game of the Year. The game is free-to-play, and players can unlock premium features by purchasing Genesis Crystals.

SEE ALSO: Should you play Genshin Impact?

The post Genshin Impact players can now buy Genesis Crystals at Codashop appeared first on GadgetMatch.

We’ve got the low down for you in this video.

But if you don’t feel like watching, here’s a quick rundown of everything that’s coming to Malaysia.

Galaxy A32 and Galaxy A32 5G

The Galaxy A32 5G shares components and specs comparable to flagships from the past with some features from flagships of the present. It’s rocking a 6.5inch HD+ PLS TFC LCD display with a 60Hz refresh rate. Housed inside its Infinity-V display is a 13MP f/2.2 selfie shooter.

On the back it’s rocking a quad-camera setup: 48MP f/1.8 main, 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 5MP f/2.4 macro, and 2MP f/2.4 depth. It goes up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage that’s expandable up to 1TB.  Supporting all these is a 5,000mAh battery.

Galaxy A52

The Galaxy A52 carries the legacy of the Galaxy A51 — one of Samsung’s best-selling handsets in 2020. It stays true to its earworm of a song which says it has an awesome screen (6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz), awesome camera (Front: 32MP f/2.2, Rear: 64MP f/1.8 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 5MP f/2.4 macro, and 5MP f/2.4 depth), and long-lasting battery life (4,500mAh battery with power optimization via ONE UI 3).

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy A52 First look: Awesome and affordable?

Galaxy A72

The Galaxy A72 follows much of the same beats as the A52 with its awesomeness with a few different specs. It’s rocking a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a quad camera setup. That’s 64MP f/1.8 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 8MP f/2.4 telephoto, and a 5MP f/2.4 macro lens.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy A72 First look: Stepping up

Pricing and availability

Galaxy A72 (8GB+256GB)

• MYR 1,899
• Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black
• Freebie: Clear Standing Cover (worth MYR 109)

Galaxy A52 (8GB+256GB)

• MYR 1,499
• Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black
• Freebie: Clear Standing Cover (worth MYR 109)

Galaxy A32 5G (8GB+128GB)

• MYR 1,199
• Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black
• Freebie: Soft Clear Cover (worth MYR 39)

Galaxy A32 (8GB+128GB)

• MYR 1,099
• Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black
• Freebie: Soft Clear Cover (worth MYR 39)

The post Samsung Galaxy A-Series makes its way to Malaysia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The Ultraboost 21 boasts a new redesigned torsion system, which includes LEP (“Linear Energy Push”) that makes the shoe even more responsive, along with an updated design, sustainably sourced materials, and more Boost in the midsole, all to create a shoe that’s even more comfortable, with even more energy return.

The dramatic heel curve of the midsole boasts 6 percent more Boost used, which should make the Ultraboost 21 even more comfortable than the UltraBoost 20 we reviewed last year.

Additionally, there’s a new Primenit+ upper, which has a more precisely designed knit to give enhanced support and movement. The upper is also created from adidas Primeblue, a recycled material of at least 50 percent Parley Ocean Plastic. adidas has a long history with Parley and we’re happy to see sustainably made materials being used in such a high-profile sneaker!

Lastly, there’s the new redesigned ‘Linear Energy Push’ torsion system with stiffer, reinforced material in the midsole to provide runners with less flex in the forefoot and increased responsiveness.

Announcing the new shoe, adidas Running‘s Senior Design Director Footwear Moritz Hollmüller said, “In creating the adidas Ultraboost 21, we have developed our most holistic running shoe ever, that is the ultimate expression of comfort and responsiveness. Ultraboost 21 takes all the aesthetic ingredients that were part of the original shoe’s DNA and fuses them with the latest technology, such as adidas LEP, to create a shoe that combines all of these great design features with incredible comfort, support and energy return.”

The Ultraboost 21 will release in a white and “Fluorescent Yellow” colorway this January 28, though some buyers will have early access to purchase the shoe via the adidas Store App in Malaysia and other parts of APAC.

In Malaysia, the Ultraboost 21 is priced at MYR 779. Other colorways will follow globally on February 4, 2021.

The post adidas Ultraboost 21 now official, has even more Boost appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Going with a fresh design, the phone has a significantly large POCO branding on the rear. It gets a side-mounted physical fingerprint scanner along with a large camera module on the rear. POCO says the rear is designed to be anti-fingerprint, so you don’t have to worry about smudges.

The POCO M3 sports a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a water-drop notch, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Powering the phone is an octa-core Snapdragon 662 processor with 4GB RAM. Storage options include 64GB and 128GB, along with a microSD card option for expansion.

On the rear is a triple camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front is an 8-megapixel camera for selfies. Software options include portrait mode, night mode, and 120fps slo-mo.

Backing these internals is a massive 6000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. The phone comes bundled with a 22.5W fast charging brick and the phone will be available in Cool Blue, POCO Yellow, and Power Black color options. It runs MIUI 12 out-of-the-box and is based on Android 10.

Pricing and availability

USA

• 4GB+64GB — US$ 149
• 4GB+128GB — US$ 169

Special Black Friday pricing are as follows: US$ 129 for 4GB+64GB and US$ 149 for 4GB+128GB

Philippines

• 4GB+64GB — PhP 6,990
• 4GB+128GB — PhP 7,990

As part of the first sale in The Philippines, a 48-hour deal for both variants will be available on November 27 and 28 at early bird prices of PhP 5,990 (4GB+64GB) and PhP 6,990 (4GB+128GB).

In addition, those who purchase POCO M3 on November 27 from 12AM-2AM will receive a free gift — the Mi In-Ear Headphones Basic Piston Earphone, while stocks last.

Malaysia

• 4GB+64GB — MYR 599
• 4GB+128GB — MYR 699

The post POCO M3 launches with Snapdragon 662, triple rear cameras appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The 2020 Reebok EVZN is an evolution of the original Reebok Evasion, which was apparently a running shoe a long long time ago.

This version, however, is a lifestyle everyday casual wear shoe instead, in the popular chunky Dad shoe style. It’s priced at US$ 75 is the USA, or MYR 329 here in Malaysia.

And in the theme of everything 2020, the shoes are inspired by escapism and how fashion can be an escape from reality. I’m sure everyone wants to just escape this year, right?

Multiple colorways 

We have the chalk-white-and-green colorway. It’s a more vintage style but the other colorways of the 2020 EVZN are inspired by the original. It comes in black with a light grey Reebok logo here in Malaysia.

There are also more colorways depending on your region. There’s a white-blue-and-red colorway which is my personal favorite, but there’s also a white-and-black colorway, a yellow-black-and-white, and a really funky neon-pink-and-blue one that I just can’t describe in words.

There’s also a really, really nice beige brown leather colorway that I can’t seem to find anywhere. But Dayum.

Depending on the colorway, this is a really nice looking shoe.

Design and materials

Coming to the shoe itself, and starting with the toe box, you’ll see this black mesh material at the top. It allows the shoe to be a little breathable. It’s surrounded by layers of chalk white synthetic leather panels that wrap around it.

You’ll notice this leather panel at the top which extends upwards and around the shoe. The leather panel at the top forms these loops, which the white rope laces weave through.

I love that they included rope laces here. It really elevates the shoe and makes it look more premium, in my opinion.

Underneath those rope laces, there’s a green nylon tongue, which is well padded so that it feels comfortable on the top of your feet.

Moving upwards, you’ll see the classic Reebok vector logo on a chalk white badge towards the top of the tongue.

One little detail I absolutely loved here is that the Reebok logo on the badge is also in a black and green color, just like the logo on the side of the shoe.

Speaking of which, along the side of the shoe, you’ll see the deconstructed Reebok Vector logo made out of green and black synthetic leather panels with this white mesh at the bottom below it, and this black mesh fabric above it.

The chalk white leather panel extends around the back of the shoe, forming a heel cage. Meanwhile, the black leather panel that’s part of the vector logo also extends around the back on to the other side of the shoe.

Moving to the back of the shoe, you’ll see this green nylon fabric at the top, with the Reebok branding and vector logo debossed in black and green into the white leather.

Coming to the inside of the shoe, you have this green sockliner around the ankle that has a lot of great padding in this area. Apart from that, your foot is up against the mesh material towards the front and sides of the shoe, other than the nylon material of the padded tongue.

At the bottom is a usual Reebok insole in black with, curiously, no branding at all.

Moving on, that entire gorgeous intricate upper sits on a chunky, etched EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning.

You can see from the design that the midsole is sculpted to add more drama to the shoe. It definitely looks pretty cool, especially this extra lip at the back where the outsole kinda extends out.

Lastly, coming to the bottom of the shoe, you have a black rubber non-marking outsole. Again, It’s in a pretty dramatic design, with the Reebok vector logo towards the top.

Fit and sizing

These do seem to fit true to size. But if you have wide feet like I do, you might want to go up half a size. For example, I’m a size UK 11. But with these shoes I’d definitely go up half a size because otherwise it’s a bit snug.

If you have regular narrow feet though, you can go true to size here, no worries.

Cushioning

In terms of cushioning, it’s a standard EVA midsole here so it’s quite comfortable. It’s not as plush as an Adidas Boost midsole or Nike’s react foam. But it’s already pretty good for the price range.

Since these are meant as lifestyle everyday wear shoes, Reebok made sure that these are comfortable to wear — with all the padding all around, the mesh for breathability, and the EVA midsole, these are actually pretty great.

Admittedly, I did not expect too much from this shoe but for the price tag, if you’re looking for a pair of chunky lifestyle shoes, these are definitely something worth checking out.

Is this your SneakerMatch?

I know Reebok doesn’t get as much hype nowadays as back in the day but they sure pump out some awesome shoes. The Reebok EVZN is yet another example of this.

A lot of brands are bringing back their running shoes as chunky lifestyle shoes nowadays. The implementation here, with the combination of nylon, mesh and leather really makes these look way more expensive than they are. At US$ 75 (or MYR 329 here in Malaysia) these are absolute value for the price.

In fact, I’d even say that the styling here is more like those huge chunky Balenciaga and Gucci dad shoes. If you’re into that, this is something that’s much more approachable.

The post Reebok EVZN: Comfy everyday kicks appeared first on GadgetMatch.

It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragong 865 Plus SoC — the best in the business at the moment. It also comes with up to 16GB LPDRR5 RAM and a 512GB UFS 3.1 internal storage. It has a 6.65-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate with a 240Hz sampling rate that should bode well for all your mobile gaming needs.

The Legion Phone Duel supports 90W Turbo Power Charging. This can take you from 0 to 50 percent in just 10 minutes and straight up to 100 percent in only half an hour. You can charge the phone on either USB-C ports. Yes, there are two. One in the usual bottom of the phone, the other on its side — a perfect spot for charging while you’re gaming.

Read our Lenovo Legion Phone Duel review for a more comprehensive look at the phone.

Pricing and availability

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel comes in only two variants. Color, configuration, and pricing are as follows:

• Blazing Blue — (12GB+256GB) — MYR 3,399
• Vengeance Red — (16GB+512GB) — MYR 3,999

h/t: IGN SEA

The post Lenovo Legion Phone Duel price and availability in Malaysia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Inspired by Nike’s Space Hippie series of sneakers, this new iteration slightly updates the silhouette while retaining most of its heritage. It’s a move that apparently required feedback and work from over a hundred Converse employees.

The Converse All Star Crater sticks with the same classic high-top cut as the OG Chuck Taylor 70s. It also has similar pinstripes, collar badge and even the top cap. But the major change is the use of entirely different, sustainable recycled materials.

Sustainable kicks

Nike’s Move to Zero initiative made big headlines this year with the launch of the Space Hippie collection by the Swoosh. They then brought the same initiative to Jordan brand for the Jordan Crater and the Air Jordan 1 High Zoom Crater. These all boasted a similar use of recycled materials.

The midsole is made entirely out of Nike’s Crater foam — it’s made from 12% recycled rubber. That recycled rubber comes from Nike Grind, which is made from recycled surplus manufacturing materials.

Meanwhile the upper is made out of a new material called Morphlon. It combines recycled polyester with industrial textile waste scraps to create a material that feels like classic canvas. Along with this, there’s new stitching details on the heel, midfoot, and on the pull tab on the collar.

Converse’s popular Renew line has always been a personal favorite of mine in the way they used recycled materials. It gets a nice little jumpstart thanks to parent company Nike’s aforementioned Move to Zero initiative and the use of the new crater foam.

The fact that they managed to construct these Chuck Taylors out of 40% recycled material by weight is just awesome. It’s also much needed in the times we live in.

Pricing and availability

The Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Renew Crater will be available in Malaysia and Singapore on October 1. Pricing and where you can cop them are as follows:

Malaysia — MYR 299.90

KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama, Mid Valley Southkey, Gurney Plaza and Lazada Malaysia

Singapore — SG$ 129.90

All retail doors, Dover Street Market, Lazada Singapore.

The post New Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Renew Crater uses recycled materials appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Company teasers have already shown-off a quad-camera setup but we’re yet to know the nitty-gritty. The model listed on Geekbench is powered by a Snapdragon 720 SoC alongside 6GB of RAM. The phone shall ship with Android 10 out-of-the-box. The company has already confirmed it’ll support 33W fast charging.

According to the rumor mill, the POCO M2 Pro shall have a quad-camera setup on the rear. It’ll consist of a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel wide-angle sensor, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

This will be the first phone in the M-series and will play an essential role in framing the brand’s presence in the Indian market. So far, POCO has launched only two phones in India since its debut. However, at the beginning of this year, POCO parted ways from Xiaomi to operate as an independent brand.

Xiaomi already leads the market while OPPO and vivo have an extremely strong on0-ground presence. Samsung too has a considerable chunk due to its revered brand perception. Realme has consistently shown radical growth and it’s going after Xiaomi with all its might.

With an increasingly competitive market like this, POCO has a lot to accomplish. Currently, the brand only has the POCO X2 on sale.

The post POCO M2 Pro launching soon, specs listed on Geekbench appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The PS4 Pro in question also happens to look pretty damn sleek with only Ellie’s tattoo as the major discernible design along with the game’s title. Ellie, by the way, is now the lead in this PS4 Classic’s sequel.

The Last of Us Part II continues the story of zombie apocalypse survivors Joel and Ellie. Set five years after the events of the last game, Ellie is all grown up and set to embark on a revenge tour against aggressors still unintroduced.

Going back, launching alongside the PS4 Pro are the Limited Edition DualShock 4 controller and a Limited Edition Wireless Headset — everything pictured on top of this article in case you missed it.

Pricing are as follows:

The Last of Us Part II PS4 Pro will come with the game and the DualShock 4 controller. The Limited Edition DualShock 4 and Wireless Headset will also be sold separately. All items will be available when the game launches on June 19, 2020.

SEE ALSO: The Last of Us Part II Southeast Asia pricing and availability

The post Last of Us Part II has a Limited Edition PS4 Pro appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The Last of Us Part II continues the story of zombie apocalypse survivors Joel and Ellie. Set five years after the events of the last game, Ellie is all grown up and set to embark on a revenge tour against aggressors still unintroduced.

The game will come in several editions most notable of which is the Ellie edition. The standard edition which gives you a physical copy of the game will retail as follows:

• Philippines — PhP 2,990
• Singapore — SG$ 79.90
• Malaysia — MYR 239
• Indonesia — IDR 829,000
• Thailand — THB 1,890
• Vietnam — VND 1,390,000

There’s also a Digital Deluxe Edition which will net you the following: PS4 Dynamic Theme, Set of 6 PSN Avatars, Digital Soundtrack, Digital Mini ArtBook from DarkHorse.

Here’s a list of the price and what you’re getting for each one.

Special Edition

PhP 4,399 | SG$ 114.90 | MYR 249 | IDR 1,199,000 | THB 2,590 | VND 1,890,000

• Steel Book case with full game
• 48-page Mini Art Book from Dark Horse

Collector’s Edition

PhP 10,599 | SG$ 269.90 | MYR 839 | IDR 2,899,000 | THB 6,690 | VND 4,790,000

• Steel Book case with full game
• 12″ Ellie statue
• 48-page Mini Art Book from Dark Horse
• Replica of Ellie’s Bracelet
• Lithograph Art Print and Thank You Letter
• Set of 5 Stickers
• Set of 6 Enamel Pins

Ellie Edition

PhP 13,899 | SG$ 359.90 | MYR 1,099 | IDR 3,799,000 | THB 8,990 | VND 6,190,000

• Steel Book case with full game
• 12″ Ellie statue
• 48-page Mini Art Book from Dark Horse
• Replica of Ellie’s Backpack
• Replica of Ellie’s Bracelet
• The Last of Us II Logo Patch
• 7″ Vinyl Record featuring music from the original soundtrack
• Lithograph Art Print and Thank You Letter
• Set of 5 Stickers
• Set of 6 Enamel Pins

Pre-order starts May 4, 2020 with the official launch of the game on June 19, 2020. All pre-orders will come with a limited edition The Last of Us Part II T-shirt featuring Ellie’s tattoo printed on the back, while stocks last. Click here to find out where to pre-order.

SEE ALSO: New release dates for The Last of Us II, Ghost of Tsushima

The post The Last of Us Part II official pricing and availability appeared first on GadgetMatch.

All participants who have registered for the STAR WARS Virtual Run 2020 will be notified via their email address used during registration, and slots will remain valid during the rescheduled dates. Details on the shift in dates can also be found on the STAR WARS Virtual Run website and MOVE by LIV3LY app newsfeed. Individuals who have an queries can reach out to the organisers via email.

This article was first published on February 21, 2020.

If you bought any of the Star Wars running sneakers that came out in late 2019, this is the perfect time to put them to use and “Run with The Force” with Southeast Asia’s first-ever Star Wars virtual run.

The run is happening on Star Wars day, May 4 — a date derived from the iconic phrase “May the Force Be With You.” Registration is now open and interested participants can clock-in their run distance. Upon registration, you will be prompted to choose either the light side or the dark side. Runners may run on treadmills or any running path they choose.

This run is made possible in collaboration with Social Fitness app LIV3LY. The Star Wars Virtual Run is open to runners from the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Runners may opt to run solo in the 5.4km (Individual) or pair up with a friend in the 40km (Individual or Group of Two) where the distances can be completed all at once or over a period of time.

The distance needs to be completed by September 30, 2020 in order to be eligible for the Finisher Trophies. Finishers of the 40km distance will receive an additional The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Trophy.

Registration can be done through the MOVE by LIV3LY app. Participants will have to activate the MOVE Run Tracker in the app before they are able record their distances.

Limited edition merchandise will also be available for purchase through the app including a Star Wars Pass Holder and a Mobile Phone Stand. The merchandise on sale will be exclusive to Southeast Asia and available in limited quantity only. The Finisher Trophy and any purchased merchandise will be sent to the registered address of the participants upon completion and verification by LIV3LY

The post First-ever Star Wars virtual run re-scheduled to June 15 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

This PS4-exclusive samurai game was originally slated to be released on June 26, 2020. However,  due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release date has been moved to July 17, 2020.

Set in the late 13th Century, the game puts you in the shoes (geta??) of Jin — a samurai who survived the wrath of the Mongols. Having his world shattered over their defeat, Jin is faced with a tough choice: to honor the tradition and customs of his samurai upbringing and maintain a fight he cannot win, or deviate from his samurai path to protect the island and its people by any means necessary.

In this open-world action adventure game, you’ll be tasked to take on the Mongols to reclaim Tsushima. But to do so as Jin, you’ll have to learn new skills and tactics. The gameplay looks promising and coupled with its stunning visuals, this might be in the running to be one of 2020’s best games.

Pricing for Ghost of Tsushima are as follows:

SEE ALSO: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Review

The post Ghost of Tsushima Southeast Asia price and availability appeared first on GadgetMatch.

With the region accouting for 50 percent of the company’s global smartphone sales, it makes sense for its new central hub to be in the rising tech space of the region. This move is also part of OPPO’s “Think Globally, Act Locally” strategy — a move that many other companies have also been slowly adopting.

The company says its investing over US$ 7 billion to its research and development initiatives that involve 5G, 6G, AI, AR, and big data. A huge amount of resources will be poured into developing both software and hardware to go beyond the Internet of Things (IoT) and into “Intelligent Connectivity.”

Speaking of 5G, the company has already made it known that the OPPO Reno3 Pro will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765. That’s Qualcomm’s latest chip that comes with 5G integration.

The company also promised that its next flagship will also feature the more powerful Snapdragon 865 which also has support for 5G. The company’s primary 5G partner is telecommunications company Maxis.

New devices launched

To further show their commitment to 5G, OPPO launched the OPPO 5G CPE T1. It’s a connection hub built for both the home and the office. Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem, it is one of OPPO’s first devices that will help shore up its 5G efforts.

Also announced during the event is the OPPO Enco Free true wireless headphones. This, alongside the OPPO Enco Q1, means the company is broadening its product portfolio way beyond smartphones which is what they have been primarily known for in recent years.

The post OPPO going after 5G, IoT with new central hub in Malaysia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Some time in the middle of November, HMS users located in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand will be the first in the region to enjoy free 5GB storage of Huawei Mobile Cloud. You’ll just need to login using a Huawei ID.

In addition, Huawei and Honor users can enjoy one month of 50GB Mobile Cloud storage at a massive discounted price from today until December 31, 2019.

Exclusive deals for Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro users

Those who already own or who plan to own Huawei’s latest smartphones — the Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 pro are entitled to three months of free 50GB Huawei Mobile Cloud storage along with two years warranty and free screen replacement from Huawei HiCare.

They’re also incentivizing users who will download the Huawei Member Center app from the AppGallery. Users from the mentioned countries can redeem free Huawei Points and Lazada shopping vouchers available on the app. This will be available by the end of November 2019.

SEE ALSO: Huawei is building an ecosystem of connected devices

The post Huawei Mobile Cloud will have free storage for some users appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Game developers have more room for improvement because phones are getting extremely powerful. One such game that’s trending right now is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

The game’s developer Moonton has announced MLBB World Championship, also called “M1”. It’ll be held from November 15 to 17 at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The championship will have 16 professional MLBB teams from 14 countries, competing to win a US$ 250,000 total prize pool. Out of the 16, 8 teams will be directly selected and 8 will go through the qualification rounds.

Qualifier rounds will be held for teams from Brazil, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand and Laos, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, and the US.

You can visit and experience the championship live by purchasing tickets which are already up for sale.

The post First ever Mobile Legends championship is here appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The phone features a glass back design and will come in three colors: Midsummer Purple, Crush Blue and Black.

Nova 5T has flagship specs for a midrange phone

In terms of its display, the phone has a 6.26 inch FHD LCD display with a punch hole at the top left of the display. The punch hole houses the 32MP front-facing camera. Meanwhile, there are quad cameras on the back — consisting of a 48MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture wide-angle lens, a 16MP ultra-wide angle camera, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor.

Image by GadgetMatch

A side-mounted fingerprint sensor is included for secure unlocking.

Powering the device is the Kirin 980 processor. This chip can also be found on Huawei’s flagships like the Huawei P30 Pro and the Mate 20 Pro. Memory is generous with 8GB of RAM, and onboard storage is more than enough with 128GB.

It has a 3,750 mAh battery that can be topped up with a 22.5W SuperCharge fast charging technology.

Pricing and Availability

In Singapore, the Huawei nova 5T will go on sale starting September 14. Pricing will be announced September 5. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the phone will be available in stores on September 7 and will retail for MYR 1,599. In the Philippines, the phone will retail for PhP 18,990.

The post Huawei Nova 5T: ‘Fashionable’ and powerful appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Razer officially rolls out the Razer SEA Games eSports Bootcamp, a two-day training camp for eSports teams participating in the Dota 2 tournament for the SEA Games. The bootcamp will feature a series of mentorship sessions and practice games for all the competing teams from Singapore (Team X) , Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia (PG.Barracx), and the Philippines (Sibol). With the inclusion of eSports in this year’s SEA Games, Razer’s Global Sports Director David Tse hopes to “bring eSports to the next level.”

To guide these teams to success, Razer taps upon a global eSports powerhouse in the Evil Geniuses. EG’s Dota 2 coach, Sam “Bulba” Sosale will mentor the five participating teams to compete at the highest level for the upcoming tournament.

“Evil Geniuses is excited to help some of the best players in Southeast Asia prepare for it,” Sosale said. As of writing, members of the EG’s Dota 2 team are competing in the Upper Bracket semifinal round of The International 9 in Shanghai.

The Razer SEA Games eSports Bootcamp will run from September 2 to 3, 2019 in Singapore. As a treat, Evil Geniuses is hosting their first ever meet-and-greet in Southeast Asia on September 1. Fans will have a chance to get up close with members from EG’s Dota 2 team: Arteezy, SumaiL and s4, along with Bulba. Fans will also get a chance to win signed jerseys from their favorite players.

The post Razer holds first ever SEA Games bootcamp for esports teams appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The BLACKPINK edition package comes with the Galaxy A80 smartphone in either Angel Gold or Phantom Black along with the BLACKPINK case, charging stand, a photocard, and a mesh pouch for PHP 34,990 (US$ 685). The separate BlackPink Edition package is valued at PHP 5,999 (US$ 118) but buying online now will net you the package for free.

There’s also a free Nanofixit Screen Protection with 1 year screen cracking insurance warranty of up to PHP 5,000 (US$ 98) as well as a free Klook Voucher worth PHP 1,000 (US$ 20). This specific package is only currently available on July 14 via online purchase.

As an additional offer, you can trade in your old your old smartphone or tablet for the Galaxy A80 BLACKPINK Edition for some discounts as well as an additional PHP 4,000 (US$ 78) token.

Availability in other Southeast Asian countries

A similar package is available in Malaysia for MYR 2,499 (US$ 607.58). However, they have an additional color option which is ghost white and instead of the Nanofixit Screen Protection, the package comes with a Samsung Galaxy Fit worth MYR 369 (US$ 85). This package is only available to the first 1,000 buyers.

In Singapore, the package only includes the Galaxy A80 along with the BlackPink case, charging stand, and photocard. The suggested retail price is SG$ 898 US$ 662). The BLACKPINK merchandise is valued at SG$ 188 (US$ 139).

The Samsung Galaxy A80 BLACKPINK edition was first announced in Bangkok, Thailand and also goes on sale today starting at THB 21,990 (US$ 719). During the launch, we also saw the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Watch in BlackPink edition.

Samsung Galaxy A80

The Samsung Galaxy A80 was first launched in April, also in Bangkok, Thailand along with the Samsung Galaxy A70 which at the time already had a BLACKPINK Edition.

The Galaxy A80 sports a set of triple cameras, octa-core Snapdragon 730G chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 3700 mAh battery, and 4G LTE support. It also runs Android 9.0 out of the box.

This is Samsung’s unique answer to the “notch problem” with its rotating camera mechanism. It was announced early in April but didn’t hit certain markets right away.

SEE ALSO: GadgetMatch in BLACKPINK’s area thanks to A Galaxy Event

The post Buy the Samsung Galaxy A80 BLACKPINK edition now appeared first on GadgetMatch.

If you’ve been itching to get a PlayStation 4 (PS4), since we still don’t know exactly when the next generation PlayStation is coming, then you can’t go wrong with this limited edition. First thing you’ll notice on the Days of Play PS4 are the embossed PlayStation icons. It has a Steel Black color on top and dark gray at the bottom. It comes with a matching DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller.

Also included in the sale are PS4 exclusive titles like the recently released Days Gone, the ever-popular Marvel’s Spider-Man, and 2018 Game of the Year God of War.

Here are pricing details on what’s up for grabs in different markets in Southeast Asia.

Philippines:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 1TB – PHP 17,990
PS4Pro God of War Bundle (1TB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – PHP 23,990
PS4 NBA 2K19 Bundle (500GB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – PHP 20,490
PS4 DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – PHP 2,290 (normal SRP: PHP 2,990)
PS4 software titles from as low as PHP 829

Singapore:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 1TB – SGD 449
PS4 STARTER PACK (1TB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – SGD 479
PS4Pro (1TB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – SGD 599
PS4 DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – SGD 59.90 (normal SRP: SGD 79.90)
PS4 software titles from as low as SGD 21.90

Malaysia:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 (1TB) – MYR 1,349
PS4 software titles from as low as MYR 59

Indonesia:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 (1TB) – IDR 5,199,000
PS4 software titles from as low as IDR 229,000

Thailand:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 1TB – THB 11,990
PS4Pro God of War Bundle (1TB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – THB 14,990
PS4 PARTY BUNDLE (500GB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – THB 11,990 (normal SRP: THB 12,990)
PS4 HITS (500GB) with free DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – THB 11,990
PS VR BEAT SABER All-In-One Pack – THB 11,990
PS4 DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – THB 1,490 (normal SRP: THB 1,990)
PS4 software titles from as low as THB 590

Vietnam:

PS4 DAYS OF PLAY LIMITED EDITION 2019 1TB – VND 8,990,000
PS4 DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller – VND 1,090,000 (normal SRP: VND 1,390,000)

If you’re in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand and are not a PlayStation Plus subscriber yet, now’s a great time to become one. There’s a 30% discount on the PS store for three months and 12 months membership subscriptions. Customers can also get the 12 months PS Plus membership card from retail stores and get three extra months. Solid deal!

The post PlayStation Days of Play features limited edition console appeared first on GadgetMatch.

However, the smartphone’s recent release offers another timely opportunity for the brand. In just one to two weeks, the year’s most awaited movie, Avengers: Endgame, will open in theaters around the globe. As always, a new Marvel flick is a prime branding opportunity for a lot of companies. Like others, OPPO is capitalizing on the blockbuster opening.

In Malaysia, OPPO has announced the launch of a limited-edition variant for the F11 Pro. The Marvel’s Avengers Limited Edition sports a snazzy blue back with a red Avengers logo. The variant launched with a promotional video interspersed with shots from the movie’s trailers. Unfortunately, the video does not include the edition’s specifications or bundled accessories.

Very likely, the variant will carry the same specs as the regular F11 Pro. However, given the promotion, the device will likely come with Marvel-themed accessories.

Currently, OPPO is the only one offering an Avengers-themed device. However, more devices might pop up as we draw closer to the opening date. Last year, OnePlus and Acer both released limited editions of their own devices to promote Avengers: Infinity War.

The OPPO F11 Pro carries a Helio P70 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. The battery clocks in a capacity of 4000mAh. However, the Marvel’s Avengers Limited Edition will likely carry a more premium price tag.

SEE ALSO: OPPO F11 Pro: Price and availability in the Philippines

The post OPPO launches an Avengers-themed F11 Pro appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The full package consists of a case, a charging stand, and signed photocards of the popular K-Pop girl group. The full package will set you back around US$ 96.

If you don’t have that much cash to burn, you can opt for the individual packages. The A70 case plus photocards package cost US$ 40 while the charging stand and photocards package is priced at US$ 56.

The case will also automatically activate a BLACKPINK theme similar to how the Marvel cases work on the Samsung Galaxy S10+.

If you want to get your hands on these, you’re gonna have to get ’em in Southeast Asia. The Galaxy A70 BLACKPINK edition will be available in May only in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The post There’s a BLACKPINK edition of the Samsung Galaxy A70 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Without catching their breath, Huawei has started the hype train for the upcoming Mate 30 series. In a press event in Malaysia, a Huawei official has teased the premium series. According to the official, the company is already testing the Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro internally.

Likewise, the official revealed the series’ eventual launch — sometime in September or October. Last year, the Mate 20 launched in October. An October launch for the P30 series makes sense.

As for hardware, Huawei has not revealed any substantial information about the series. However, some rumors have speculated on an improved Kirin 985 chipset. Similarly, Huawei will likely install a 5G modem into the series.

Besides the Mate 30 series, Huawei has also unveiled the foldable Mate X. The company has introduced a lot of amazing features for the year. Based on existing rumors, Huawei will keep the hype going until the end of the year.

SEE ALSO: Huawei announced smart eyewear that looks like, well, eyewear

The post Huawei is already working on Mate 30 series appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Netflix is currently testing a more flexible pricing scheme in select territories. In India, the streaming company has introduced a mobile-only subscription plan worth half the price of the basic plan. India’s basic plan — one screen, standard definition — costs INR 500 (around US$ 7.23). Meanwhile, the mobile-only plan costs only INR 250 (around US$ 3.61).

In an interview with Variety, a Netflix spokesperson confirmed the possible options “where members can, for example, watch Netflix on their mobile device for a lower price and subscribe in shorter increments of time.”

Currently, all of Netflix plans are measured in months. Based on the statement, Netflix is potentially exploring weekly plans, besides a medium-oriented plan.

In terms of location, Netflix has trialed this new pricing scheme in Malaysia and India. Unfortunately, the company has not confirmed other territories for the future. However, given the location of the first two tests, the company will likely implement the scheme in mobile-centric countries in the Asian region. Currently, India is one of Asia’s hotspots for smartphone technology.

Given the trend, the Philippines will likely join India and Malaysia in the future. The country is also a developing hotspot for smartphones. As such, a Netflix mobile-only plan will likely find a lot of supporters in the country. For reference, the mobile-only plan will probably cost PhP 185 (half of the basic PhP 370 plan).

Of course, the only remaining problem will be the country’s abysmal data coverage.

SEE ALSO: Netflix knows what you want and lets you watch without buffering

The post Netflix is testing a new mobile-only subscription in Asia appeared first on GadgetMatch.

With success in the bag, Nokia has set its sights towards the future. In a recent interview with Neowin, Vijay Thangavelu, HMD Global’s country manager for Malaysia and Myanmar, described the company’s plans for future success.

Among others, Nokia’s plan includes a stronger dedication to its current market. Notably, the company earned back a lot of respect because of its current feature phone lineup. Rather than attack the lucrative premium phone market, Nokia injected a lot of volume into the budget-friendly market. The company created affordable but memorable feature phones across the two years.

Spotting this key strength, Nokia will reinforce this lineup in the future. “Our smartphones in the Android One family offer a high-quality software experience designed by Google,” Thangavelu said. “At this point in time, we are confident that the Android One programme will continue delivering the best user experience on a Nokia smartphone.”

Powered by Google, the Android One program punctually delivers the latest Android software experience to participating phones. Over time, the program has become synonymous with the vanilla Android experience. Throughout its recent success, Nokia has partnered with Android One frequently. Given Thangavelu’s statement, Nokia will still go all-in on more Android One phones in the future.

Unfortunately, Thangavelu declines to comment on other potential developments. When asked about the recent PureView acquisition and the penta-camera phone, he asks everyone to just “stay tuned.”

Regardless, his statements have shed some optimistic light on Nokia’s future. Prepare for more of Nokia’s Android Ones in the future.

SEE ALSO: Android 9 Pie finally available for Nokia 8 Sirocco

The post Nokia goes all-in on more Android One phones appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Filipino artist Caleb (@porkironandwine, whose work on Filipino mythology you may have seen around) saw an opportunity: to shine the spotlight on the oft-underrepresented diversity of talent from fellow artists in Southeast Asia.

His tweet blew up and now has more than five thousand retweets at the time of writing and nearly eight thousand likes — and the #ArtistsofSEA hashtag remains in full swing. Here are some of the amazing artists who shared their work using the tag.

Cambodia

Indonesia

Malaysia

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

Finding adequate appreciation and just pay for their work are struggles that all creatives can relate to. Hashtags such as #Inktober, #PortfolioDay, #ArtistsofSEA, and more work to not only help artists network and build community through mutual appreciation, but also connect them with work opportunities. Our Southeast Asian cultures provide an amazing base for inspiration. Supporting local artists can help them share that in their home countries and the wider world.

Here’s how we can help:

1. Buy their merchandise. Many artists sell prints, accessories, and wearable merchandise at local conventions. Some are stocked in specialty stores. Look out for events near you! Most of them also have online shops.
2. Pay for commissions. If you find an artist whose style you love, consider commissioning them. Artists price commissions depending on how elaborate the work is and how many elements are included; you can have a unique piece at any price point.
3. Hire them for projects. Whether it’s personal or for work, consider hiring local artists for bigger creative projects that last a longer term.
4. Pass their information on. You can also share the contact details and online accounts of artists you think fit other people’s projects if they’re seeking recommendations. Someone wants a statement piece for their home? Refer them to prints. A friend needs a graphic designer for their business? Share what you know.
5. Retweet their work — and NEVER repost without credit. For those on a budget, supporting local artists doesn’t always need money. Simply retweeting and sharing their work from their official accounts — NEVER repost without their permission and full credit — is enough to do your part to help widen their reach.

This list is definitely not exhaustive and represents only a portion of artists sharing their work. You can continue to follow it and see more over here. Happy browsing!

SEE ALSO: Local artists from the Philippines gather to tackle mental health stigma

The post #ArtistsofSEA: Celebrate the diversity of Southeast Asian art appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The announcement was made late last month, but what it didn’t mention was the list of video games included in the tournaments. Well, we now have the shortlist.

As of now, there’ll be five games to look forward to. For PC, we have Dota 2 and StarCraft II; on mobile, they’ll be Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Arena of Valor; finally, console gamers will see Tekken 7.

One more title will be inserted into the console lineup, which will be decided in the coming weeks. The games for PC and mobile seem to be locked.

A total of six medal events will be spread out — two for each platform. There’ll be no gender divisions, so male and female competitors will play for the same medals.

Because Razer is a major sponsor, chances are the mobile games will be played on the Razer Phone 2; the gaming company may also be providing systems for the PC division. The consoles will be either the PS4 or Xbox One X/S.

The 30th SEA Games will transpire in the Philippines in November 2019.

Update as of August 07, 2019: Hearthstone joins the list of playable titles on the upcoming SEA Games 2019.

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From December 22 until January 2 next year, everyone can get a new PS4 console or upgrade to a PS4 Pro at a discount. To make the gaming experience even better, Sony also includes the PS VR on the list.

Buyers can choose from different bundles like Party (includes two multiplayer games plus a second DualShock 4 controller), Hits (includes three best-rated titles), and the new NBA 2K19 bundle.

Sony’s generous deal is happening across Southeast Asia, so be sure to check with your local stores for the discounts. Here are the official discounted prices of the following PlayStation deals:

Singapore

Philippines

Malaysia

Indonesia

Introduced two years ago, both the PS4 (Slim) and PS4 Pro are still the latest and most current gaming consoles from Sony. We already have a hands-on video (of course!) about the two and it’s available for viewing here:

SEE ALSO: These 20 games are bundled with the PlayStation Classic

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As confirmed by numerous media outlets, esports will be an official sport for the SEA Games next year. The sport belongs under Category 3, which is dedicated mostly to regional sports or sports making their first appearance in the event. It’s in the same category as sports like arnis and jiu-jitsu, and the PSGOC will be awarding medals.

Esports made a mark in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia as a demonstration sport. Its success became one of the primary reasons for its inclusion in this year’s lineup for the SEA Games. To further strengthen the efforts, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan recently visited Manila to meet up with PSGOC Chairman Emeritus Alan Cayetano. Both the PSGOC and Razer hope to elevate the status of competitive esports in lieu of its inclusion in the 2022 Asian Games in Huangzou, China.

The PSGOC recently finished an ocular inspection of the competition venues in Clark, Pampanga. On Friday, the group will host the 11 participating countries, through their chefs de mission for the One Year Countdown Celebration. The celebration will kick off a series of activities and gatherings leading up to the opening of the 30th SEA Games in November 2019.

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We first reported about this back in April when the Razer Game Store arrived in Singapore. An expansion for the rest of the region was promised then, but we’re only seeing it come to fruition now.

Beginning November 11, which happens to be Singles’ Day and the start of Lazada’s major 11.11 sale, anyone with access to the online store in Malaysia and the Philippines can purchase from a wide selection of PC games.

This adds to the aforementioned Singapore store, as well as the one offered for Thailand, bringing the total in the region to four. Teaming up with Lazada means there are multiple ways to purchase the titles, minus the hassle of exchange rates and uncertainty with authenticity.

To celebrate, numerous games will be discounted up to 90 percent off. You can find the Malaysian and Philippine Razer Game Stores here and here, respectively.

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