https://www.scmp.com/rss/328811/feed Chris Chang is a video producer with Abacus. When Chris was in high school, he set up a blog called M.I.C. Gadget to write about gadgets made in China. He reported cheap iPhone knockoffs to the rise of Chinese smartphones, and he made the world’s first Steve Jobs action figure that got banned by Apple. At his age of 20, he decided to pursue a career where all he does is filmmaking and photography. He spent seven years to work on portrait films, documentaries, and branding films. Today, he is at... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the global aviation industry. With many flights grounded, demand for in-flight meals has dropped significantly leaving companies that supply airlines with meals scrambling to survive. To cope, Hong Kong airline caterer Gate Gourmet has changed its business model to provide meals for people in hotel quarantines, and even to prepare “airline food” for delivery to homes. https://www.scmp.com/business/hong-kong-airline-caterer-shifts-making-hotel-quarantine-meals-and-lunchboxes-during-pandemic/article/3124512?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/hong-kong-airline-caterer-shifts-making-hotel-quarantine-meals-and-lunchboxes-during-pandemic/article/3124512?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Mar 2021 10:08:17 +0000 The Communist Party of China has been the dominant political entity running the nation since 1949. During that time, the body also known as the Chinese Communist Party has led the country from a poor, insular existence to a role as a global economic powerhouse. But along the way, the party has kept a tight grip on power and quashed any form of dissent. The Post explains how the Communist Party works and how it runs China. https://www.scmp.com/china/how-does-chinese-communist-party-operate/article/3123864?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china/how-does-chinese-communist-party-operate/article/3123864?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Mar 2021 10:31:01 +0000 The Apple HomePod mini is marketed as having Chinese language recognition ability that sets it apart from other smart speakers. The device is said to be able to support Mandarin and Cantonese dialects. So we put the HomePod mini to the test to see if Siri can understand different Chinese accents as well as dialects. https://www.scmp.com/tech/homepod-mini-can-apples-smart-speaker-handle-chinese-accents-and-dialects/article/3109673?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/homepod-mini-can-apples-smart-speaker-handle-chinese-accents-and-dialects/article/3109673?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:40:37 +0000 For the last three months, I’ve been using three of Apple’s latest iPhones: iPhone SE, iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. The phones are remarkable for their similarities, making the iPhone SE a great value.   But the most conspicuous difference between each of these handsets are the camera options. What you want to accomplish with a smartphone camera could be the deciding factor for which iPhone you’ll want to pick up. So this guide will go through what you can do with each phone and the camera... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/article/3094450/iphone-se-iphone-11-or-iphone-11-pro-which-camera-right-you?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/article/3094450/iphone-se-iphone-11-or-iphone-11-pro-which-camera-right-you?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2020 03:15:06 +0000 If you love Nintendo and retro gaming, then there’s a new gadget for your Switch that you might love. The Switch Fighter is an accessory that turns the Nintendo’s latest console into a mini arcade cabinet. It features a full-scale arcade joystick and buttons for playing classic games like Street Fighter II and Pac-Man. It’s currently only available through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. But my colleague Thomas and I got a chance to try out the Switch Fighter recently, and we have some... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3092547/turn-your-nintendo-switch-retro-arcade-cabinet-new-gadget?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3092547/turn-your-nintendo-switch-retro-arcade-cabinet-new-gadget?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:12:40 +0000 One of the perks of owning an iPhone is the great camera that comes with it. As we’ve demonstrated before, the iPhone 11 Pro is capable of shooting great-looking cinematic videos. But what if you don’t have US$1,000 to spend on a phone? Fortunately, you don’t have to. The recently launched iPhone SE starts at just US$400. Unlike its Pro sibling, the SE only has one lens. But it still shoots high-quality video. So in this guide, I’ll tell you the best tips and tricks for shooting cinematic video... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/china-survival-guide/article/3090777/guide-shooting-high-end-cinematic-video-apples-cheap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/china-survival-guide/article/3090777/guide-shooting-high-end-cinematic-video-apples-cheap?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:00:09 +0000 The Mi 10 Pro is Xiaomi’s most expensive Mi phone to date and the company’s latest flagship smartphone. The €999 (US$1,125) price tag gets you pretty much what you’d expect from a high-end mobile device in 2020. It’s all there: A Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, a large 4,500mAh battery, a 108-megapixel camera that shoots 8K video, and a high-refresh display -- albeit at 90Hz instead of 120Hz, as has become increasingly common. But is all of this worth a price that approaches premium brands... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3089679/mi-10-pro-xiaomis-most-powerful-flagship-yet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3089679/mi-10-pro-xiaomis-most-powerful-flagship-yet?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jun 2020 21:00:21 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Oppo released a unique version of one of its newest high-end phones in China. There are only 10,000 units of the Oppo Ace2 Evangelion Limited Edition available, and I was able to pick one up and spend some quality hands-on time with it. While themed smartphones can sometimes seem gimmicky, I’m blown away by the amount of detail on the packaging and the phone itself. The phone’s... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087798/oppos-wild-anime-phone-will-excite-any-evangelion-fan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087798/oppos-wild-anime-phone-will-excite-any-evangelion-fan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 12:59:56 +0000 In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Oppo released a unique version of one of its newest high-end phones in China. There are only 10,000 units of the Oppo Ace2 Evangelion Limited Edition available, and I was able to pick one up and spend some quality hands-on time with it. While themed smartphones can sometimes seem gimmicky, I’m blown away by the amount of detail on the packaging and the phone itself. The phone’s release also comes before the release of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/oppos-wild-anime-phone-will-excite-any-evangelion-fan/article/3087761?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/oppos-wild-anime-phone-will-excite-any-evangelion-fan/article/3087761?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 12:59:53 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When Samsung started touting the 100x zoom on the new Galaxy S20 Ultra, it probably sounded like an amazing feature to a lot of people. But the reality is quite different. The S20 Ultra only has an optical zoom lens up to 4x. Anything more than that results in degraded image quality. The camera app still offers other preset zoom options, though, including 10x and 30x. How do these compare to the 100x zoom, and is there any reason to use these... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3085209/zooming-100x-samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-isnt-cool-it-sounds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3085209/zooming-100x-samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-isnt-cool-it-sounds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2020 04:11:26 +0000 When Samsung started touting the 100x zoom on the new Galaxy S20 Ultra, it probably sounded like an amazing feature to a lot of people. But the reality is quite different. The S20 Ultra only has an optical zoom lens up to 4x. Anything more than that results in degraded image quality. The camera app still offers other preset zoom options, though, including 10x and 30x. How do these compare to the 100x zoom, and is there any reason to use these lower-quality digital zoom options? We have some... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/zooming-100x-samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-isnt-cool-it-sounds/article/3084214?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/zooming-100x-samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-isnt-cool-it-sounds/article/3084214?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2020 04:11:23 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The new Motorola Razr foldable smartphone generated a lot of buzz when it was announced late last year. A smartphone with the looks of the original Razr V3 flip phone seems to have elicited a lot of nostalgia. After spending some time with the phone, I think it does have some benefits when compared with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, a similar style of foldable phone that I also tested. But the new Razr also has a fatal flaw: A squeaky hinge that will annoy... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3083224/motorola-razr-overpriced-flip-phone-underperforming-specs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3083224/motorola-razr-overpriced-flip-phone-underperforming-specs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2020 21:00:13 +0000 The new Motorola Razr foldable smartphone generated a lot of buzz when it was announced late last year. A smartphone with the looks of the original Razr V3 flip phone seems to have elicited a lot of nostalgia. After spending some time with the phone, I think it does have some benefits when compared with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, a similar style of foldable phone that I also tested. But the new Razr also has a fatal flaw: A squeaky hinge that will annoy you every time you use it. WHAT I... https://www.scmp.com/tech/motorola-razr-overpriced-flip-phone-underperforming-specs/article/3083148?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/motorola-razr-overpriced-flip-phone-underperforming-specs/article/3083148?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2020 21:00:10 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Samsung is back with a new foldable phone: The Galaxy Z Flip. And unlike the Galaxy Fold, Samsung’s first foldable that we reviewed nearly six months ago, the Z Flip isn’t a foldable tablet. Instead, this smaller phone folds down like the new Motorola Razr. After getting to use this phone for a while, I can say that this is Samsung’s best foldable phone. But it’s still not worth the money. FOLDING THE Z FLIP Folding and unfolding the Galaxy Z Flip is... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3082554/samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-best-foldable-phone-you-shouldnt-buy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3082554/samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-best-foldable-phone-you-shouldnt-buy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2020 21:00:20 +0000 Samsung is back with a new foldable phone: The Galaxy Z Flip. And unlike the Galaxy Fold, Samsung’s first foldable that we reviewed nearly six months ago, the Z Flip isn’t a foldable tablet. Instead, this smaller phone folds vertically like the new Motorola Razr. After getting to use this phone for a while, I can say that this is Samsung’s best foldable phone. But it’s still not worth the money. FOLDING THE Z FLIP Folding and unfolding the Galaxy Z Flip is very easy. The clamshell design that... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-best-foldable-phone-you-shouldnt-buy/article/3080503?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-best-foldable-phone-you-shouldnt-buy/article/3080503?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2020 21:00:15 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The new iPhone SE is finally here. It’s been four years since the original was released in 2016 sporting the design of the iPhone 5s. Now it’s getting a significant update using the design of the iPhone 8, starting at just US$399 for the 64GB model. This is Apple’s most affordable iPhone to date. And more importantly, there’s no compromise on power. After trying it out for 12 hours, I’m completely sold on upgrading from my old iPhone SE. If you’re like... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3081522/iphone-se-everything-you-need-phone-us400?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3081522/iphone-se-everything-you-need-phone-us400?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:00:17 +0000 The new iPhone SE is finally here. It’s been four years since the original was released in 2016 sporting the design of the iPhone 5s. Now it’s getting a significant update using the design of the iPhone 8, starting at just US$399 for the 64GB model. This is Apple’s most affordable iPhone to date. And more importantly, there’s no compromise on power. After trying it out for 12 hours, I’m completely sold on upgrading from my old iPhone SE. If you’re like me and actually like old iPhones with... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/iphone-se-everything-you-need-phone-us400/article/3081511?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/iphone-se-everything-you-need-phone-us400/article/3081511?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:00:15 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is a spec monster. Samsung’s newest foldable phone runs the latest Snapdragon 865 processor, supports 5G, offers up to 16GB of RAM, includes a huge 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, and has an ample 5,000mAh battery. Even the cameras look great on paper: It has a 108-megapixel sensor, 100x zoom and 8K video recording. The beefy specs and new camera tech make the S20 Ultra look very impressive. But if you’re considering spending the... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3080626/galaxy-s20-ultra-has-lots-features-look-better-paper?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3080626/galaxy-s20-ultra-has-lots-features-look-better-paper?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:00:22 +0000 The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is a spec monster. Samsung’s newest foldable phone runs the latest Snapdragon 865 processor, supports 5G, offers up to 16GB of RAM, includes a huge 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, and has an ample 5,000mAh battery. Even the cameras look great on paper: It has a 108-megapixel sensor, 100x zoom and 8K video recording. The beefy specs and new camera tech make the S20 Ultra look very impressive. But if you’re considering spending the US$1,400 to pick one up, you might want to... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/galaxy-s20-ultra-has-lots-features-look-better-paper/article/3076201?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/galaxy-s20-ultra-has-lots-features-look-better-paper/article/3076201?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:00:14 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When it comes to choosing a mid-range phone, there are three necessities everyone should look for. First, the phone should have good specs for the price. Second, the camera should have a good selection of features without a huge difference in quality with flagship phones. Third, it should have solid build quality. Fortunately for Oppo, the Reno 3 Pro satisfies all three. SIZE AND WEIGHT For a phone that costs less than US$500, I’m amazed at how light... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3075473/oppo-reno-3-pro-feature-rich-mid-range-phone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3075473/oppo-reno-3-pro-feature-rich-mid-range-phone?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2020 21:00:18 +0000 When it comes to choosing a mid-range phone, there are three necessities everyone should look for. First, the phone should have good specs for the price. Second, the camera should have a good selection of features without a huge difference in quality with flagship phones. Third, it should have solid build quality. Fortunately for Oppo, the Reno 3 Pro satisfies all three. SIZE AND WEIGHT For a phone that costs less than US$500, I’m amazed at how light and thin the Reno 3 Pro feels.  I like a... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/oppo-reno-3-pro-feature-rich-mid-range-phone/article/3075372?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/oppo-reno-3-pro-feature-rich-mid-range-phone/article/3075372?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2020 21:00:15 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The Smartisan Nut Pro 3 -- or the TikTok phone, as some like to call it -- is the brand’s first smartphone since being taken over by TikTok maker ByteDance. But it’s more than just a phone that comes with Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. It also has a solid build quality and an affordable price tag with flagship specs.  It’s a recipe we’re used to seeing from Chinese companies at this point. But after spending some time with the Nut Pro 3, I... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviews/article/3062780/tiktok-phone-solid-budget-handset-flagship-specs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviews/article/3062780/tiktok-phone-solid-budget-handset-flagship-specs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:00:11 +0000 The Smartisan Nut Pro 3 -- or the TikTok phone, as some like to call it -- is the brand’s first smartphone since being taken over by TikTok maker ByteDance. But it’s more than just a phone that comes with Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. It also has a solid build quality and an affordable price tag with flagship specs.  It’s a recipe we’re used to seeing from Chinese companies at this point. But after spending some time with the Nut Pro 3, I think this so-called TikTok phone is worth a... https://www.scmp.com/tried-tested/tiktok-phone-solid-budget-handset-flagship-specs/article/3051843?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tried-tested/tiktok-phone-solid-budget-handset-flagship-specs/article/3051843?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:00:08 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS With the Mi Note 10, Xiaomi has released the first 108-megapixel smartphone camera. Having such a high-resolution camera in your pocket at all times can be useful, but there’s more to picture quality than just how many pixels it has.  What’s it really like to shoot with this super high resolution camera on the go? And do you really need a 108-megapixel camera? Here’s my experience. CROPPING The biggest advantage of 108-megapixel photos is the... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviews/article/3045549/what-its-shoot-108-megapixel-photos-xiaomi-mi-note-10?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviews/article/3045549/what-its-shoot-108-megapixel-photos-xiaomi-mi-note-10?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jan 2020 08:24:47 +0000 With the Mi Note 10, Xiaomi has released the first 108-megapixel smartphone camera. Having such a high-resolution camera in your pocket at all times can be useful, but there’s more to picture quality than just how many pixels it has.  What’s it really like to shoot with this super high resolution camera on the go? And do you really need a 108-megapixel camera? Here’s my experience. CROPPING The biggest advantage of 108-megapixel photos is the flexibility you have with cropping the image later.... https://www.scmp.com/tried-tested/what-its-shoot-108-megapixel-photos-xiaomi-mi-note-10/article/3045419?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tried-tested/what-its-shoot-108-megapixel-photos-xiaomi-mi-note-10/article/3045419?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jan 2020 08:24:46 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS DJI Osmo Action The DJI Osmo Action is my favorite gadget of the year. This action camera has screens on the front and the back, making it useful for previewing photos and videos on the camera itself instead of a smartphone. It can also shoot smooth 4K videos with RockSteady, which delivers great results even when I use it as a handheld camera.  The Osmo Action also allows for HDR video, making it great for backlit shots. Best of all? I took it diving,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3043465/dji-osmo-action-robomaster-s1-and-roborock-s6-our-favorite-gadgets-2019?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3043465/dji-osmo-action-robomaster-s1-and-roborock-s6-our-favorite-gadgets-2019?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2019 02:00:10 +0000 DJI Osmo Action The DJI Osmo Action is my favorite gadget of the year. This action camera has screens on the front and the back, making it useful for previewing photos and videos on the camera itself instead of a smartphone. It can also shoot smooth 4K videos with RockSteady, which delivers great results even when I use it as a handheld camera.  The Osmo Action also allows for HDR video, making it great for backlit shots. Best of all? I took it diving, and it's waterproof up to 11 meters... https://www.scmp.com/tech/dji-osmo-action-robomaster-s1-and-roborock-s6-our-favorite-gadgets-2019/article/3042577?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/dji-osmo-action-robomaster-s1-and-roborock-s6-our-favorite-gadgets-2019/article/3042577?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2019 02:00:08 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS After reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Fold, I finally got a chance to try out its biggest competitor coming out of China: The Huawei Mate X. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the folding screen of the Mate X is on the outside of the device. This means it looks like a relatively normal smartphone when it’s folded, putting it in stark contrast with the Galaxy Fold's small display on the front.  The downside of this design, though, is that the foldable screen is always... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042532/huawei-mate-x-foldable-phone-looks-better-it-feels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042532/huawei-mate-x-foldable-phone-looks-better-it-feels?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Dec 2019 02:00:19 +0000 After reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Fold, I finally got a chance to try out its biggest competitor coming out of China: The Huawei Mate X. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the folding screen of the Mate X is on the outside of the device. This means it looks like a relatively normal smartphone when it’s folded, putting it in stark contrast with the Galaxy Fold's small display on the front.  The downside of this design, though, is that the foldable screen is always exposed, potentially making it more prone... https://www.scmp.com/tech/huawei-mate-x-foldable-phone-looks-better-it-feels/article/3042480?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/huawei-mate-x-foldable-phone-looks-better-it-feels/article/3042480?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Dec 2019 02:00:17 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS I was infatuated with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold when I first tried it out briefly in September. But now that I finally got a chance to use the US$2,000 phone for a full week and see how it performs in the real world, I have some new revelations.  While I still think the form factor looks incredibly cool, there are some drawbacks that really got on my nerves once I started using it every day. So here are three things I like about the Galaxy Fold and three... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3041184/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-lot-love-and-lot-hate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3041184/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-lot-love-and-lot-hate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:00:20 +0000 I was infatuated with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold when I first tried it out briefly in September. But now that I finally got a chance to use the US$2,000 phone for a full week and see how it performs in the real world, I have some new revelations.  While I still think the form factor looks incredibly cool, there are some drawbacks that really got on my nerves once I started using it every day. So here are three things I like about the Galaxy Fold and three things I don’t. DISLIKE: FOLDING Yes, the... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-lot-love-and-lot-hate/article/3040882?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-lot-love-and-lot-hate/article/3040882?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:00:17 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS   You don't need an expensive rig to shoot cinematic video. All you need is a smartphone and a gimbal, and I'm going to show you how. The goal of this article and accompanying video is to show you some shooting techniques and important gimbal moves that could help you capture some awesome cinematic footage. I used an iPhone 11 Pro and a DJI Osmo Mobile 3. But simply putting your smartphone on a gimbal won’t magically turn you into a master... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3039157/shooting-cinematic-video-iphone-11-pro-and-dji-osmo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3039157/shooting-cinematic-video-iphone-11-pro-and-dji-osmo?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Nov 2019 02:00:15 +0000 You don't need an expensive rig to shoot cinematic video. All you need is a smartphone and a gimbal, and I'm going to show you how. The goal of this article and accompanying video is to show you some shooting techniques and important gimbal moves that could help you capture some awesome cinematic footage. I used an iPhone 11 Pro and a DJI Osmo Mobile 3. But simply putting your smartphone on a gimbal won’t magically turn you into a master videographer. That’s why you should check out the video... https://www.scmp.com/china-survival-guide/shooting-cinematic-video-iphone-11-pro-and-dji-osmo-mobile-3/article/3038363?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-survival-guide/shooting-cinematic-video-iphone-11-pro-and-dji-osmo-mobile-3/article/3038363?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Nov 2019 02:00:13 +0000 The Vivo NEX 3 is definitely a handset that catches the eye. But the thing that makes the NEX 3 stand out is also its least impressive feature. Vivo always tries something new with the NEX line. The first one had a pop-up camera. The next one had a second screen on the back. This time around, Vivo says it has a “Waterfall FullView Display” -- which basically means the 6.9” OLED screen curves around the side of the phone. The problem is I just don’t see the benefit of it. The screen curves so... https://www.scmp.com/tech/vivo-nex-3s-curved-screen-eye-catching-useless/article/3029999?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/vivo-nex-3s-curved-screen-eye-catching-useless/article/3029999?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Sep 2019 15:23:07 +0000 I'll say it: The Samsung Galaxy Fold is not just a gimmick. I spent 30 minutes with the phone, finally released after months of controversy, and now I really want to buy one. Before this, I didn't want to buy one. I didn’t know how a foldable phone would be significantly different from the Galaxy S10 5G I already own. If I need a tablet experience, I can always just use my iPad mini. On top of that, the phone is really expensive. But my opinion changed once I got to spend some time with the... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/using-samsung-galaxy-fold-will-change-your-opinion-foldable-phones/article/3027183?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/using-samsung-galaxy-fold-will-change-your-opinion-foldable-phones/article/3027183?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Sep 2019 10:26:05 +0000 Two new gaming phones are targeting Chinese gamers, and they offer some great bang for the buck. I got to spend a little time trying out each of them. I’m not a serious gamer, but I’m seriously considering switching to one of these new phones. The new phones from Asus and Black Shark are the first two Android flagships to run on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor, which has a 2.96GHz CPU and 675MHz GPU, slightly faster than the original Snapdragon 855. Whereas past gaming phones... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/gaming-phone-shootout-rog-phone-ii-or-black-shark-2-pro/article/3021785?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/gaming-phone-shootout-rog-phone-ii-or-black-shark-2-pro/article/3021785?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Aug 2019 02:11:53 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS By now you’ve probably had time to comb through plenty of reviews of the OnePlus 7 Pro and decide if it’s really the smartphone for you. But what if what you’re really interested in that triple-camera set-up or the pop-up selfie camera? Those are things flagships like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Pixel don’t offer, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth making the switch. So I spent three days shooting pictures and 4K video around Hong Kong with the OnePlus 7... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3029513/oneplus-7-pro-camera-better-you-expect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3029513/oneplus-7-pro-camera-better-you-expect?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Aug 2019 02:44:17 +0000 By now you’ve probably had time to comb through plenty of reviews of the OnePlus 7 Pro and decide if it’s really the smartphone for you. But what if what you’re really interested in that triple-camera set-up or the pop-up selfie camera? Those are things flagships like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Pixel don’t offer, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth making the switch. So I spent three days shooting pictures and 4K video around Hong Kong with the OnePlus 7 Pro, putting it through its paces. For... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/oneplus-7-pro-camera-better-you-expect/article/3018056?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/oneplus-7-pro-camera-better-you-expect/article/3018056?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Aug 2019 02:44:17 +0000 The DJI Osmo Action is a rugged 4K action camera designed with vloggers in mind. The front-facing screen makes it unique among action cameras, and it stands up well against the competition.  I’ve spent the past several weeks using the Osmo Action, using it to shoot outdoor summer activities like diving and boat canoeing. This review will cover what I love about the device and its downsides, but I recommend you first check out the video above. Words can only do an action camera so much... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3019164/best-action-camera-vlogging-and-selfies-our-dji-osmo-action-review?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/reviewed/article/3019164/best-action-camera-vlogging-and-selfies-our-dji-osmo-action-review?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2019 23:00:13 +0000 I finally had a chance to try out the world’s first foldable phone -- the Royole FlexPai. Being able to fold a phone like this certainly feels super cool. But the cool factor here is negated by the FlexPai's awful design and buggy software. Let’s get some of the bad stuff out of the way first. The FlexPai is thick, big and plasticky. Even though the phone starts at US$1,312, it doesn’t feel premium at all. The thick bezels look awful, especially to the left of the display in tablet mode.... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3019154/foldable-royole-flexpai-worst-both-worlds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3019154/foldable-royole-flexpai-worst-both-worlds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2019 22:00:04 +0000 The DJI Osmo Action is a rugged 4K action camera designed with vloggers in mind. The front-facing screen makes it unique among action cameras, and it stands up well against the competition.  I’ve spent the past several weeks using the Osmo Action, using it to shoot outdoor summer activities like diving and boat canoeing. This review will cover what I love about the device and its downsides, but I recommend you first check out the video above. Words can only do an action camera so much... https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/best-action-camera-vlogging-and-selfies-our-dji-osmo-action-review/article/3016808?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/reviewed/best-action-camera-vlogging-and-selfies-our-dji-osmo-action-review/article/3016808?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:38:43 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Biking can be a wonderful way to explore China’s cities. Bike-sharing services are widely available and most of the time, a ride costs less than US$1 an hour. In this installment of the Abacus Tech Survival Guide, learn how to rent a Mobike as a foreign visitor. We picked Mobike over other Chinese bike-sharing apps for a couple of reasons: First, Mobike has global operations (albeit with a slowly shrinking footprint). It’s active in several European... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029431/how-travel-china-mobike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029431/how-travel-china-mobike?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:29:11 +0000 Biking can be a wonderful way to explore China’s cities. Bike-sharing services are widely available and most of the time, a ride costs less than US$1 an hour. In this installment of the Abacus Tech Survival Guide, learn how to rent a Mobike as a foreign visitor. We picked Mobike over other Chinese bike-sharing apps for a couple of reasons: First, Mobike has global operations (albeit with a slowly shrinking footprint). It’s active in several European countries, for instance, which means anyone... https://www.scmp.com/china-survival-guide/how-travel-china-mobike/article/3014008?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-survival-guide/how-travel-china-mobike/article/3014008?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:29:11 +0000 I spent a day at Computex 2019 looking at new gaming PCs, laptops, motherboards and graphics cards from Taiwanese manufacturers like Asus, MSI and Gigabyte. It was Asus that stole the show, though. Here’s a look at the best stuff the Taiwanese tech giant had on display: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo One product that really amazed me? The ZenBook Pro Duo from Asus. It’s a dual-screen laptop with a 15-inch, 4K, OLED, touchscreen display. (And for those who need it, the screen supports 100% DCI-P3 RGB... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/best-gadgets-i-saw-computex-2019/article/3012926?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/best-gadgets-i-saw-computex-2019/article/3012926?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:59:38 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS I spent a day at Computex 2019 looking at new gaming PCs, laptops, motherboards and graphics cards from Taiwanese manufacturers like Asus, MSI and Gigabyte. It was Asus that stole the show, though. Here’s a look at the best stuff the Taiwanese tech giant had on display: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo One product that really amazed me? The ZenBook Pro Duo from Asus. It’s a dual-screen laptop with a 15-inch, 4K, OLED, touchscreen display. (And for those who need... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029391/best-gadgets-i-saw-computex-2019?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029391/best-gadgets-i-saw-computex-2019?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:59:38 +0000 I finally had a chance to try out the world’s first foldable phone -- the Royole FlexPai. Being able to fold a phone like this certainly feels super cool. But the cool factor here is negated by the FlexPai's awful design and buggy software. Let’s get some of the bad stuff out of the way first. The FlexPai is thick, big and plasticky. Even though the phone starts at US$1,312, it doesn’t feel premium at all. The thick bezels look awful, especially to the left of the display in tablet mode.... https://www.scmp.com/start-ups/foldable-royole-flexpai-worst-both-worlds/article/3011280?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/start-ups/foldable-royole-flexpai-worst-both-worlds/article/3011280?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 May 2019 12:11:44 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS I finally had the chance to strap a very strange device to my wrist. It has a 4-inch flexible OLED display and a camera on the front for taking selfies. It can also make phone calls and respond to air gesture controls. The Nubia Alpha is either a wearable smartphone or a giant smartwatch, depending on how you look at it. The device comes from once-ZTE subsidiary Nubia, and it's safe to say there's nothing else like it. Check out Nubia Alpha on... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029295/nubia-alpha-smartphone-your-wrist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029295/nubia-alpha-smartphone-your-wrist?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Apr 2019 12:51:58 +0000 I finally had the chance to strap a very strange device to my wrist. It has a 4-inch flexible OLED display and a camera on the front for taking selfies. It can also make phone calls and respond to air gesture controls. The Nubia Alpha is either a wearable smartphone or a giant smartwatch, depending on how you look at it. The device comes from once-ZTE subsidiary Nubia, and it's safe to say there's nothing else like it. Check out Nubia Alpha on Amazon First, let’s discuss the specs. The watch... https://www.scmp.com/start-ups/nubia-alpha-smartphone-your-wrist/article/3006767?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/start-ups/nubia-alpha-smartphone-your-wrist/article/3006767?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Apr 2019 12:51:58 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS I have two main issues with supersized phones: They’re too big to fit in my pocket, and they can be uncomfortably heavy. The Samsung S10 5G solves both of these problems. I got the chance to go hands-on with Samsung's largest Galaxy S phone ever. The S10 5G is the first supersized phone I would enjoy using as an all-in-one entertainment device. The first thing that must be noted about the S10 5G is that its headlining feature remains just a promise for... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029274/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029274/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:50:03 +0000 I have two main issues with supersized phones: They’re too big to fit in my pocket, and they can be uncomfortably heavy. The Samsung S10 5G solves both of these problems. I got the chance to go hands-on with Samsung's largest Galaxy S phone ever. The S10 5G is the first supersized phone I would enjoy using as an all-in-one entertainment device. The first thing that must be noted about the S10 5G is that its headlining feature remains just a promise for most people right now. Samsung says... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras/article/3005429?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras/article/3005429?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:50:03 +0000