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Finally! The iPad mini gets a much-needed refresh

With Apple Intelligence

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iPad min 7th gen

It was only a matter of time until the tiniest in the iPad lineup received an update. After all, it’s been three years since the iPad Mini got a refresh. With Apple’s entire lineup now getting Apple Intelligence, you could say a new iPad mini was inevitable.

To support Apple Intelligence, the new iPad mini (which you can technically call the iPad mini 7 but Apple would never), is equipped the A17 Pro chip. That’s the same one found on the iPhone 15 Pro from 2023.

With it comes a performance boost, a Neural Engine, and much more. The iPad mini now also supports the Apple Pencil Pro making it a quintessential tablet. It’s powerful, portable, and versatile.

A17 Pro: Powerful performance

The A17 Pro is a powerful chip that unlocks a number of improvements over the A15 Bionic in the previous-generation iPad mini. You get a 30 percent performance boost and 25 percent graphics performance boost.

The Pro chip also means gaining access to pro apps perfect for designers, pilots, doctors, and more. You get better photo editing, access to AR applications, and better gaming.

iPad min 7th gen

Zenless Zone Zero

Apple highlighted, in particular, how well it played HoYoverse’s Zenless Zone Zero.

Apple Intelligence

iPad min 7th gen

Most of the Apple Intelligence things present in the other new iPads are also present in this brand spanking new iPad mini. At the very least, they are coming later.

Writing Tools: users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.

Siri: now more deeply integrated into the system experience and gets a new design with an elegant glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen when active on iPad.

Communicating with Siri is more natural and flexible. with its richer language-understanding. Siri can follow along when users stumble over their words, can maintain context from one request to the next, and now, users can type to Siri. Siri also has extensive product knowledge to answer questions about features on iPad and other Apple devices.

In Photos, the Memories feature now enables users to create the movies they want to see by simply typing a description, and with the new Clean Up tool, they can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.

There’s also Image Playground, Image Wand, Genmoji, and even ChatGPT.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro expands what you can do with the iPad mini. It’s now a sketchbook that you can take anywhere.

Apple’s proprietary stylus can sense a user’s squeeze to bring up the tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process.

A custom haptic engine delivers a light tap that provides confirmation when users squeeze, double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape for a remarkably intuitive experience. Users can roll Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of the tool they’re using.

The iPad mini also supports Apple Pencil (USB-C), ideal for note taking, sketching, annotating, journalling, and more, at a great value.

Price and availability

The new iPad mini starts at SGD 699/ USD 499 for the Wi-Fi model and SGD 929/ USD 649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

It will begin arriving to customers and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, October 23. This includes Singapore, the US, and 28 more countries.

News

Sony revives classic Walkman headphones with USB-C MDR-3R

Iconic 1980s headphones

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Sony MDR-3R

Sony is bringing back one of its iconic Walkman-era headphones with the MDR-3R. The new wired headphones modernize the original MDR-3 with USB-C connectivity and updated features.

Introduced in 1979, the original Walkman and MDR-3 headphones helped popularize portable music listening. The MDR-3R carries that legacy forward with a familiar design and modern conveniences.

The headphones retain the original’s lightweight, open-ear construction. They also feature interchangeable blue and orange ear pads. Sony even gives the packaging and instruction manual a design inspired by the original model.

The MDR-3R connects to compatible smartphones and other devices through USB-C. Users can listen to music without charging, pairing, or installing updates. A built-in microphone and in-line remote also make calls and playback controls more convenient.

Sony equipped the headphones with the same 23mm driver units as the original MDR-3. The company also tuned them to closely reproduce the original’s sound signature. They deliver balanced audio, natural vocals, and the emotional richness associated with Sony headphones.

Sony MDR-3R gets a Stranger Things edition

Sony is also launching a special MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. The collaboration celebrates the 1980s inspiration shared by the Walkman era and Netflix’s popular series.

Inspired by Max’s signature headphone style and the mysterious Upside Down, the special edition features exclusive design details. These include an engraved Stranger Things logo and custom packaging.

Sony also considered environmental impact when developing the headphones. Approximately 25 percent of the plastic used in the product comes from recycled materials. The packaging is also plastic-free.

Price and availability

Sony has opened preorders for the MDR-3R and MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. Availability and pricing vary by market.

In the United States, the standard MDR-3R costs US$59.99, while the Stranger Things Edition costs US$79.99. The standard model is available through Sony and authorized retailers.

In Singapore, both models will launch in December 2026. The standard MDR-3R costs SG$89, while the Stranger Things Edition costs SG$129. Both are exclusive to Sony Stores and Sony Store Online.

In the Philippines, Sony has yet to announce local pricing and availability. Based on US pricing, the headphones would cost approximately PHP 3,500 for the standard edition and PHP 4,700 for the Stranger Things Edition, before local taxes and retail adjustments.

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Entertainment

The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila

The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.

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As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.

There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.

From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.

Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.

SEE ALSO: Kingdom Come devs are working on a Lord of the Rings RPG

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Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

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Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.

Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.

The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.

Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.

Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.

SEE ALSO: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is out now

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