Gadgets
ASUS Launches the Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402)
ASUS has announced the all-new Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402), a powerful, elegant and lightweight 14-inch laptop that introduces a completely new and modern look to the pioneering Zenbook series. It’s the new benchmark for portable perfection.
Designed to deliver a cinematic audiovisual experience, Zenbook 14 OLED features an expansive 16:10 2.8K 90Hz OLED NanoEdge 550-nit PANTONE Validated 90Hz display with a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut. It’s DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified for deep blacks and is also TÜV Rheinland certified for eye care. The Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos sound system uses a smart amplifier to deliver powerful spatial sound.
Zenbook 14 OLED delivers excellent performance, powered by the latest 12th Generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, with up to 16 GB RAM, ultrafast PCIe 4.0 SSDs, the latest WiFi 6E connectivity, and ensures maximum life from the high-capacity 75 Wh battery. Despite its compact size — a mere 16.9 mm thin and 1.39 kg light — the all-aluminium Zenbook 14 OLED includes a full set of I/O ports, including two Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, a microSD card reader and an audio combo jack.
The Zenbook 14 OLED offers users an enhanced audiovisual experience, with an expansive 16:10 2.8K OLED NanoEdge 600-nit 90Hz touchscreen that delivers incredibly detailed visuals with ultra-vivid colours. The NanoEdge design has ultra-slim bezels and a 90% screen-to-body ratio, which in turn gives Zenbook 14 OLED a svelte and compact form factor. For superb colour accuracy, the display is PANTONE Validated, and the DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification means it displays the deepest possible blacks. It also cares for eyes during long screen sessions, with low blue-light levels that are certified by both SGS and TÜV Rheinland.
Immersive audio is delivered by the powerful and crystal-clear Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos stereo sound system, which uses a smart amplifier that uses special algorithms to boost loudness levels by up to 350% without distortion. Dolby Atmos delivers a new spatial sound experience for all types of audio, for breathtaking realism in music, movies and videos.
Whatever the user needs to do, Zenbook 14 OLED is primed and ready, featuring all the multitasking power of up to the latest 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16 GB RAM, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and an ultrafast up to 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD for storage, while allowing all-day battery life from the 75 Wh battery. Designed for a sublime on-the-go experience, Zenbook 14 OLED packs this premium specification into a compact, slim and lightweight all-aluminium chassis that’s ready to go anywhere.
It’s just 16.9 mm thin and weighs a mere 1.39 kg, yet it’s packed with a full set of I/O ports for easy device and peripheral connectivity. The latest ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports support fast charging, 4K UHD external displays and up to 40 Gbps data transfers, and there’s also an HDMI port and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port alongside a microSD card reader. Communications and audio I/O are taken care of by the convenient audio combo jack.
Zenbook 14 OLED introduces a breathtaking new interpretation of the signature Zenbook design that’s timelessly elegant yet totally modern. The bold new lid design is based around our new monogram ‘A’ logo — first seen in the 30th Anniversary Edition Zenbook — that’s delicately carved in shining metal to produce a pattern inspired by Japanese Kintsugi craftsmanship. An echo of the iconic spun-metal Zenbook finish, with its Zen-inspired concentric circles — can be seen on the end caps of the hinges. Zenbook 14 OLED is available in two fresh new colours: Ponder Blue and Aqua Celadon.
Giving users the best experiences is something we really care about. That’s why Zenbook 14 OLED is packed with thoughtful design features, such as the 180° ErgoLift hinge that makes it easy to share and collaborate, ASUS NumberPad 2.0 for easy data entry, and a fingerprint sensor on the power button for single-touch login with Windows Hello.
This laptop also features the new full-size ErgoSense keyboard and touchpad for the most comfortable typing experience ever. Its 19.05 mm key pitch is the same as a desktop keyboard, for superb typing comfort and accuracy. The 0.2 mm key-cap dish matches the shape of fingertips, and the long 1.4 mm key travel lets use type with optimal force. The special hydrophobic coating on the ErgoSense touchpad provides smoother, silk-like touch feedback for every scrolling movement, and there’s also a tough, easy-to-clean anti-fingerprint coating.
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402) will be available on 11th August 2022 in UAE from Virgin Megastore, Sharaf DG, Jumbo, Emax, ECITY, Noon, Amazon, Computronic, Al Ershad and ASUS e-shop. Pricing starts from AED 5,299.
Gadgets
Huawei to Launch Next-Generation Foldable Smartphone at Dubai Launch Event
Huawei is set to host a highly anticipated launch event in Dubai this December, where the company will unveil several innovative products that promise to redefine the tech landscape. The event marks a pivotal moment for the brand, unveiling groundbreaking products like the HUAWEI Mate X6, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4, and HUAWEI nova 13 Series. The new products will set new benchmarks for design, functionality, and user experience in the mobile and audio markets.
As Huawei continues solidifying its position as a leader in the tech industry, this launch will underscore the company’s expanding influence in international markets. Huawei’s latest flagship foldable, the HUAWEI Mate X6, will be unveiled during the Dubai launch. The phone is expected to redefine the future of foldable smartphone technology. It is among the company’s most advanced foldables to date. The Mate X6 is expected to take mobile photography to new heights, building on Huawei’s legacy of pioneering smartphone cameras of the Mate Series.
Besides the Mate X6, Huawei will unveil its next-generation audio products, including the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4. These earbuds will be the first to feature HUAWEI SOUND, offering an immersive audio experience. They will also include AI-driven noise reduction technology, designed to isolate the wearer’s voice during calls while eliminating environmental noise. This feature significantly enhances call quality, particularly in noisy environments.
Consumers can also look forward to the launch of the HUAWEI nova 13 series, a new midrange smartphone that brings a unique interweaving design and an array of exciting features. The nova 13 series offers significant upgrades over its predecessors, including enhanced camera capabilities, a performance boost, and more. The new HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 will also deliver a paper-like experience, perfect for light office productivity, efficient learning, and everyday tasks.
The Dubai event, scheduled for the 12th of December, will mark the global unveiling of Huawei’s several innovative products. The MEA market is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions for technology, and Huawei is committed to strengthening its regional presence. By continuing to introduce groundbreaking products, Huawei is positioning itself to shape the future of mobile technology while reinforcing its role as a global tech powerhouse.
Gadgets
PS5 Anniversary Update Intros Retro Themes Celebrating Every PlayStation Generation
Sony has delighted gamers with a nostalgic surprise to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. In addition to retro hardware that quickly sold out, Sony has released a software update that adds classic boot screens and themes for each generation of PlayStation console. Upon launching the update, users will be prompted to select their favourite generation, with options ranging from the PS1 to the PS4.
This update changes the PS5 dashboard’s menu colours and sounds to match the chosen console’s user interface. Additionally, players can explore other themes through the new “PlayStation 30th Anniversary” item in the settings menu.
However, these themes are available only for a limited time. Sony has not specified when they will be removed, but the decision to make them temporary has raised some eyebrows. While creating a perception of scarcity or avoiding clutter in the settings menu might be strategic, it could be seen as a missed opportunity to let users permanently enjoy the nostalgic themes.
This isn’t the first time Sony has indulged in retro charm. A decade ago, during PlayStation’s 20th anniversary, a free theme transformed the PS4, PS3, and Vita to reflect the PS1’s look and startup sound. As Sony celebrates three decades of gaming excellence, fans are once again treated to a trip down memory lane.
Gadgets
Apple to Retain Titanium Frame for iPhone 17 Pro Series, Says Leaker
According to a recent leak from Weibo user “Instant Digital,” next year’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will retain their titanium chassis, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Apple might shift to aluminium for its 2025 lineup. The Information’s Wayne Ma had previously indicated that Apple’s flagship iPhone 17 Pro models could be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminium frame since the lineup’s split into Pro and non-Pro models.
Historically, high-end iPhone models used stainless steel frames until the iPhone 15 Pro introduced a titanium chassis, which was touted as a significant upgrade. However, Ma’s report suggested a return to aluminium for the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Instant Digital, however, disagrees, stating on Weibo (via machine translation), “Of course, the iPhone 17 Pro will still use titanium. Why would anyone believe it would switch to aluminium? Think about it — it’s just not possible. Looking back at recent iPhone models, Apple has consistently emphasized the premium frame materials of the Pro series as one of its key selling points, from ‘surgical-grade stainless steel’ to ‘titanium.’ If they switched to aluminium, how could they even market it?”
The Weibo leaker’s claims, however, lack verification from supply chain information, and Ma’s report details a significant design change involving an aluminium upper back with a rectangular camera bump made of aluminium instead of traditional 3D glass, while the bottom half would remain glass to support wireless charging. Apple has a history of introducing and then discontinuing breakthrough features in its iPhones. For example, the 3D Touch feature introduced with the iPhone 6s in 2015 was phased out with the iPhone 11 in 2019.
Despite Instant Digital’s mixed accuracy record with Apple rumours, the leaker has made some accurate predictions, such as the Yellow iPhone 14 launch in 2023, the frosted back glass on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the minor refresh for the Apple Watch Series 9, and other notable features. The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in the fall of 2025, featuring new display sizes, a rumoured ultra-thin model, and ProMotion displays across the lineup. As always, the anticipation for Apple’s latest innovations continues to build.
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