Latest from Ben Sin
The cult Japanese game plays centre stage in this thinly disguised tribute to the Final Fantasy franchise. The film cuts between live action and CGI and despite the cheesy melodrama, it is fun to watch.
The cult Japanese game plays centre stage in this thinly disguised tribute to the Final Fantasy franchise. The film cuts between live action and CGI and despite the cheesy melodrama, it is fun to watch.
Cameras, battery life and design are the best on the market, but US export ban that means there’s no official Google apps support makes the phone useless for many. Don’t buy one until the Google issue is resolved.
Cameras, battery life and design are the best on the market, but US export ban that means there’s no official Google apps support makes the phone useless for many. Don’t buy one until the Google issue is resolved.
A predictable plot, terrible CGI and shaky camera work mar this sci-fi thriller. Smith’s CGI double is reminiscent of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but without the charisma.
A predictable plot, terrible CGI and shaky camera work mar this sci-fi thriller. Smith’s CGI double is reminiscent of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but without the charisma.
The US$199 Fitbit Versa 2 fixes many of its predecessors’ shortcomings, boasts a best-in-class five-day battery life and is spot on with its fitness tracking. There are some minor performance quibbles, though.
The US$199 Fitbit Versa 2 fixes many of its predecessors’ shortcomings, boasts a best-in-class five-day battery life and is spot on with its fitness tracking. There are some minor performance quibbles, though.
One of the few significant changes Apple has made from its Series 4 smartwatches is an ‘always-on display’ – but we don’t find much use for it; if you have a Series 4, don’t bother upgrading.
One of the few significant changes Apple has made from its Series 4 smartwatches is an ‘always-on display’ – but we don’t find much use for it; if you have a Series 4, don’t bother upgrading.
Foldable phone may be one of the small number of handsets that, like the iPhone, changes the direction of smartphone design; folded up its screen is small, but open it and you have a 7.3-inch display that’s great for multitasking.
Foldable phone may be one of the small number of handsets that, like the iPhone, changes the direction of smartphone design; folded up its screen is small, but open it and you have a 7.3-inch display that’s great for multitasking.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has three 12-megapixel lenses for general, wide-angle and telephoto shots with consistent image quality. In a first for Apple phones, it comes with a battery that can endure a whole day of heavy use.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has three 12-megapixel lenses for general, wide-angle and telephoto shots with consistent image quality. In a first for Apple phones, it comes with a battery that can endure a whole day of heavy use.
With its huge 6.9-inch ‘waterfall screen’, triple camera and huge, fast charging battery, the Nex 3 is very good value for money. It lacks wireless charging, waterproofing and stereo speakers, but is cheaper than many high-end phones.
With its huge 6.9-inch ‘waterfall screen’, triple camera and huge, fast charging battery, the Nex 3 is very good value for money. It lacks wireless charging, waterproofing and stereo speakers, but is cheaper than many high-end phones.
Possibly the world’s smallest action camera, the Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is probably smaller than your thumb. There’s no other camera on the market of this size that can capture better videos.
Possibly the world’s smallest action camera, the Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is probably smaller than your thumb. There’s no other camera on the market of this size that can capture better videos.
The G8X ThinQ Dual Screen comes with a detachable second screen attachment that brings functionality not available elsewhere on the market – and is likely to be cheaper than a Samsung Fold or Huawei Mate X.
The G8X ThinQ Dual Screen comes with a detachable second screen attachment that brings functionality not available elsewhere on the market – and is likely to be cheaper than a Samsung Fold or Huawei Mate X.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is strong and more manageable than just about any other smartphone three-axis gimbal – it’s the smallest of its kind and its clever arm design allows it to shoot wide-angle camera modes without obstruction.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is strong and more manageable than just about any other smartphone three-axis gimbal – it’s the smallest of its kind and its clever arm design allows it to shoot wide-angle camera modes without obstruction.
Hardware compromises mean the six-inch OLED screen has a resolution of just 720p, and it runs on an old processor, with only 4GB of RAM. But battery life is good and video recording in 1080p mode impressive.
Hardware compromises mean the six-inch OLED screen has a resolution of just 720p, and it runs on an old processor, with only 4GB of RAM. But battery life is good and video recording in 1080p mode impressive.
The latest smartphone from Asus is marketed as a gamer’s phone and it lives up to the claim. The screen refreshes twice as quickly as iPhones and Samsung handsets and there are plenty of game-centric options.
The latest smartphone from Asus is marketed as a gamer’s phone and it lives up to the claim. The screen refreshes twice as quickly as iPhones and Samsung handsets and there are plenty of game-centric options.
Chan, who has previously acted alongside Donnie Yen and Max Zhang, plays the femme-fatale bodyguard of a triad boss in Wu Assassins, a role she considers unique given most ‘top enforcer’ characters in films are men.
Chan, who has previously acted alongside Donnie Yen and Max Zhang, plays the femme-fatale bodyguard of a triad boss in Wu Assassins, a role she considers unique given most ‘top enforcer’ characters in films are men.
Chinese company Royole makes history releasing FlexPai, the first foldable device that can be used as a tablet and a smartphone. Be warned, the camera is terrible and Google apps cannot run on the device, though.
Chinese company Royole makes history releasing FlexPai, the first foldable device that can be used as a tablet and a smartphone. Be warned, the camera is terrible and Google apps cannot run on the device, though.
Samsung has given its A80 a daring design, but the camera is not up to standard and the fingerprint sensor is slow. It has dropped the annoying Bixby digital assistant button and has a camera that rotates to face the front or back.
Samsung has given its A80 a daring design, but the camera is not up to standard and the fingerprint sensor is slow. It has dropped the annoying Bixby digital assistant button and has a camera that rotates to face the front or back.
Android device’s 4G connectivity via eSIM is a given, its circular display houses two panels, it tracks your heart rate and steps, and lets you use chat apps. Easy to use and navigate, at US$300 it is expensive.
Android device’s 4G connectivity via eSIM is a given, its circular display houses two panels, it tracks your heart rate and steps, and lets you use chat apps. Easy to use and navigate, at US$300 it is expensive.
Chuwi LapBook Plus is a MacBook Air clone with a gorgeous 15.6-inch screen, full-size keyboard and large, responsive trackpad; best used to consume media or do basic office work, it’s not capable of graphic-intensive work.
Chuwi LapBook Plus is a MacBook Air clone with a gorgeous 15.6-inch screen, full-size keyboard and large, responsive trackpad; best used to consume media or do basic office work, it’s not capable of graphic-intensive work.
Smartphone’s 6.4-inch OLED display is uninterrupted thanks to pop-up selfie camera, its processor is second-tier but very capable, and its triple-lens rear camera performs well in daytime; at this price, it offers unbeatable value.
Smartphone’s 6.4-inch OLED display is uninterrupted thanks to pop-up selfie camera, its processor is second-tier but very capable, and its triple-lens rear camera performs well in daytime; at this price, it offers unbeatable value.
Ben Sin has spent a day testing the new iPhone operating system and is so far impressed, with dark mode, swipe typing, better maps, improved photo app and an overall speed boost the stand-out improvements.
Ben Sin has spent a day testing the new iPhone operating system and is so far impressed, with dark mode, swipe typing, better maps, improved photo app and an overall speed boost the stand-out improvements.
Apple’s new tablet software includes a bunch of new features designed to boost productivity, including a new storage system that lets users create folders, support for external storage and better multitasking functions.
Apple’s new tablet software includes a bunch of new features designed to boost productivity, including a new storage system that lets users create folders, support for external storage and better multitasking functions.
iTunes will be replaced by Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV when consumers upgrade their MacOS software to the latest version. But in 2003 it changed the way we bought songs and albums as the music business struggled with online piracy and file-sharing sites.
iTunes will be replaced by Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV when consumers upgrade their MacOS software to the latest version. But in 2003 it changed the way we bought songs and albums as the music business struggled with online piracy and file-sharing sites.
The Apple Worldwide Developer Conference had some shake-ups including its US$6,000 computer and the end of iTunes. There were other important announcements: an iPod update that makes it more of a computer, and a more independent Apple Watch.
The Apple Worldwide Developer Conference had some shake-ups including its US$6,000 computer and the end of iTunes. There were other important announcements: an iPod update that makes it more of a computer, and a more independent Apple Watch.
Its screen refresh rate is a game-changer, its resolution is top notch, and its Android OS is the best – making for a fast, fluid phone. Downsides include camera niggles, battery life, and a bland-looking case, but they are minor.
Its screen refresh rate is a game-changer, its resolution is top notch, and its Android OS is the best – making for a fast, fluid phone. Downsides include camera niggles, battery life, and a bland-looking case, but they are minor.
In its favour is its 6.7-inch display and wild gradient design on rear, but Vivo’s processor is low-powered and other features – all-screen display, pop-up selfie camera, in-display fingerprint scanner – are standard on recent Chinese phones.
In its favour is its 6.7-inch display and wild gradient design on rear, but Vivo’s processor is low-powered and other features – all-screen display, pop-up selfie camera, in-display fingerprint scanner – are standard on recent Chinese phones.
New handset has a lot in common with the Honor View 20, but adds useful telephoto and wide angle camera lenses; however, if Google won’t service phone because of US ban on Huawei, don’t buy it if you’re outside China.
New handset has a lot in common with the Honor View 20, but adds useful telephoto and wide angle camera lenses; however, if Google won’t service phone because of US ban on Huawei, don’t buy it if you’re outside China.
Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Oppo all offer superb smartphones for anyone who wants a top Android phone but who might be put off a Huawei after Google said it will stop supporting the Chinese firm.
Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Oppo all offer superb smartphones for anyone who wants a top Android phone but who might be put off a Huawei after Google said it will stop supporting the Chinese firm.
The DJI Osmo Action is a solid action camera with one game-changing feature: a secondary front-facing display that lets users see what they’re recording. Now extreme sport participants have more options than just GoPros.
The DJI Osmo Action is a solid action camera with one game-changing feature: a secondary front-facing display that lets users see what they’re recording. Now extreme sport participants have more options than just GoPros.
Chinese start-up’s WT2 Plus real-time interpreting earpieces provide free-flowing translation of a bilingual conversation, but with a short time lag. Its algorithm-based app handles colloquial Cantonese without difficulty.
Chinese start-up’s WT2 Plus real-time interpreting earpieces provide free-flowing translation of a bilingual conversation, but with a short time lag. Its algorithm-based app handles colloquial Cantonese without difficulty.
For those drawn to the prowess of the Huawei P30 Pro’s zoom lens but put off by its price – not far off that of an iPhone X – new Oppo handset is a great alternative. It looks clean and stylish, and the battery lasts all day.
For those drawn to the prowess of the Huawei P30 Pro’s zoom lens but put off by its price – not far off that of an iPhone X – new Oppo handset is a great alternative. It looks clean and stylish, and the battery lasts all day.