News
MediaTek awards the best devices for 2023
In the first Expect Incredible Awards
The end of the year is always the perfect time to recognize the best of the best this past year. If you’re looking at the world of technology, there are so many devices to choose from and debate over. MediaTek, a capable company on its own, has sifted through this year’s devices and awarded the best MediaTek-based ones in its new Expect Incredible Awards.
If you look under your favorite devices, there’s a fairly decent chance that a MediaTek chip is keeping everything together. Every year, there are new devices touting the company’s components. There are a lot of good ones to choose from every year. Given the sheer number of choices available, let’s run through the devices that MediaTek chose for this year:
Best in mobile: OPPO Find Flip N2
Let’s start things off with a bang. This year, the OPPO Find N2 Flip showcased a worthy addition to the burgeoning clamshell market. The Galaxy Z Flip series now has some serious competition. Touting a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, the foldable smartphone is more than just a looker; it’s a performer.
Runner-up: vivo X90 Pro
Best in smart home: Amazon Echo Show 5
The smart home market is an odd one. While the technology is already prevalent especially for those who are actively seeking for it, the usual suspect is still leading the charge. With its MediaTek MT8169 B chipset, the Amazon Echo Show 5 melds a smart display with a handy hub for your smart home.
Runner-up: Bosche Smart Kitchen Dock
Best in entertainment: Sony PlayStation VR2
Arguably, the market for virtual reality is still relatively niche. This year, the Sony PlayStation VR2 does a great job of making the segment much more accessible for casual users. Armed with a custom MediaTek chip, the wearable improves image quality, wearability, and control in virtual reality.
Runner-up: XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector
Best in computing: OnePlus Pad
The OnePlus Pad is the brand’s first foray into the world of tablets. More than just a larger screen for your content, the new tablet offers enough to compete in a market saturated by the iPad, especially while rocking its Dimensity 9000 under the hood.
Runner-up: Acer Chromebook Spin 513
Best in connectivity: Motorola Defy Satellite Link
Cool and sleek devices aren’t the only thing in MediaTek’s wheelhouse. The Motorola Defy Satellite Link showcases an emerging technology currently being popularized by Apple’s Emergency SOS. Armed with a MediaTek MT6825, the device allows users to connect to a network of satellites on any smartphone.
Runner-up: TPLink Archer BE805
Best in enterprise: Logitech Sight
While Zoom rightfully popularized teleconferencing technology a few years ago, Logitech is pushing the segment to new heights. With a custom MediaTek chipset, the device captures the entirety of a room — sights and sounds — and broadcasts it for hybrid attendees.
Runner-up: Logitech Rally Bar Huddle
Overall winner
Among all these devices, MediaTek has chosen the Motorola Defy Satellite Link as the overall winner for 2023. At least for its mainstream counterparts, the technology is still in its infancy. However, Motorola’s efforts to make the service available for both Android and iOS users have ensured that the technology will last, especially for outdoorspeople who need an emergency lifeline on their adventures.
Watch our video here:
Apps
Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts
TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.
Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.
Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.
According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.
Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.
Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.
SEE ALSO: Live NBA action on Disney Plus now available in the Philippines
Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.
In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.
In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.
Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.
Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.
SEE ALSO: Google Maps is finally getting a power saving mode
Entertainment
KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel
Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans will return to write and direct.
This feels like a formality at this point. Netflix and Sony have officially confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel.
If you feel like you’ve read this exact title before, then you’re not alone. Since its massive success last year, the hit animated film constantly spawned talks of a potential franchise. It probably helped that the title quickly became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time. From the last we’ve heard of the rumors, Netflix was reportedly eyeing a 2029 premiere for the sequel.
Now, it’s official. As posted by Netflix itself, KPop Demon Hunters will get a sequel soon. Even better, the follow-up will be written and directed by the same duo, Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans.
Kang, who celebrated the first movie’s ability to tell a Korean story, says that there’s a lot more to explore in the film’s universe. “There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning,” she said.
Right now, the plot’s sequel is still unknown, especially since the Saja Boys were defeated in the first film.
Given how big the original movie got, the sequel is no surprise. Besides bagging the top spot on Netflix’s charts, the film also got an eventual release in theaters. KPop Demon Hunters is up for a potential Oscars win after it was nominated for Best Animated Feature. Its hit song, “Golden,” is also nominated for Best Original Song.
SEE ALSO: KPop Demon Hunters is now Netflix’s most-watched movie
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