4 Sleek new tech gadgets that were released in February 2024

Welcome back to another edition of the BURO Gadget Guide where we take you through all the need-to-know tech drops of the month. In this instalment, we get acquainted with the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pros, Bose’s groundbreaking Ultra Open Earbuds, a refreshed PlayStation 5, and the latest Huawei Matebook D16. 

APPLE VISION PRO

By now, you’ve probably seen footage of people seemingly prodding and swiping through thin air while wearing the Apple Vision Pro. Looking straight out of the sci-fi movies we grew up watching, the ambitious headset made waves not only in the tech scene, but around the world before it was even officially on the market. Its release also marked Apple’s first foray into the virtual reality and augmented reality headset world, promising an immersive experience like no other as it seamlessly brings the digital world into the physical. 

Powered by revolutionary dual-chip technology, the Apple Vision Pro simultaneously runs on an M2 chip and a brand-new R1 chip that processes input from the cameras, sensors, and microphones. Its custom micro‑OLED display system has 23 million pixels and offers 4K image resolution with 5,000 nits of brightness. To control it, you simply use your eye movements, your hands—with gestures we’re already familiar with—and your voice. 

Dubbed a “spatial computer” by Apple, the headset’s UI/UX is highly customisable, as you can arrange your apps, display sizes, and more to your liking. Not only can you use it as a virtual monitor, you can also make it your very own personal movie theatre and immersive gaming headset. Spatial Audio will also have you hearing the crispest of sounds, fully transforming your physical space into your own virtual tech haven. 

With the Apple Vision Pro, your camera roll is also getting a major upgrade as the headset is the brand’s first-ever 3D camera. This feature allows you to take stunning photos and videos in 3D and view them at incredible depth, connecting you with the moment you captured. Not to mention, panoramic photos wrap around you when viewing them, fully encapsulating you in the scene. Speaking of being connected, FaceTime is also taken to the next level as video tiles can appear life-sized and can also hover alongside other apps as you multitask. 

Design-wise, the headset doesn’t stray too far from Apple’s signature white and grey design language with smooth curves and comfort at the forefront. The optical surface is a three-dimensionally formed laminated glass that is wrapped with an aluminium alloy frame that also houses the Light Seal. The Solo Knit Band wraps around your head, providing cushioning and breathability, whereas the Fit Dial allows you to adjust the overall feel and—you guessed it—fit of the headset. Its battery can last up to two hours of general active use and up to two and a half hours of video playback. 

Price: Starts at US$3,499 (about RM16,540)

Availability: TBA

Learn more about the Apple Vision Pro here. 

BOSE ULTRA OPEN EARBUDS

These earbuds completely redefine what we know about earphones and sound tech. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are open-ear wireless earphones that you can wear without sealing your hearing off from the world. Utilising Bose’s OpenAudio technology, these earbuds direct sound towards your ears while reducing sound leakage into the “outside world”. 

Comfort and wearability are also major key features when it comes to these earbuds. Instead of going into your ears, they clip around your ears like a cuff and stay put by way of a flexible silicon joint with a comfortable yet solid grip. Such a fit makes the earbuds perfect for all-day wear as they aren’t shoved into your ear and blast music directly into your eardrums. It also makes for great workout earbuds as they don’t fall out easily.

As for audio quality, you can count on Bose’s uncompromising dedication to ensuring the richest sounds.  With these earbuds, your music will be projected towards your ears instead of into them. You can also turn on Immersive Audio for spatial audio that will fully engulf you in your music. Auto Volume is another neat feature that changes the volume of your music as the sounds around you change. 

For access to settings and more features, you can connect to Bose’s app similar to how you would with other products from the brand. With each charge, you’ll get up to seven and a half hours of play time, though that number decreases to about four and a half if you’re using Immersive Audio. On standby, the earbuds can last up to 48 hours with an extra 19.5 hours of battery life packed up in the charging case. 

Price: US$299 (about RM1,428.32)

Availability: TBA 

More information on the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can be found here. 

HUAWEI MATEBOOK D 16

Weighing in at just 1.68 kilograms, the Huawei Matebook D 16 is the brand’s latest addition to its laptop lineup. The laptop adopts the FullView Display design with a 90 per cent screen-to-body ratio. It features narrow 4.6-millimetre bezels on both sides, letting the 16-inch screen and its 16:10 aspect ratio do all the talking. Coupled with its light weight, this laptop makes a great companion for both work and play.

Powering the flagship model is a 13th Gen High Performance Intel Core i9 Processor, known for its multi-tasking capabilities and stable computing. Other models come with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H Processor or a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H Processor. On the model with the highest specs, you’ll also find sharper graphics produced by Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics. On top of that, its ultra-long-distance Huawei Metaline Antenna boosts and sustains connectivity while its 70Wh battery keeps the laptop powered throughout the day. 

This laptop is also the first to obtain the SGS five-star wifi signal capability certification, so you can count on it to stay connected up to 270 metres away from your source and complete downloads faster than ever. Its auto-adjusting AI-backed camera is also a plus as it maintains your position in the centre of the screen during video calls. Also supported by artificial intelligence is the laptop’s Mobile Personal Voice Enhancement, which cancels out background noises when using a wireless Bluetooth headset on calls. 

Price: RM5,299 (13th Gen Intel Core i9 Processor 16GB+1TB)

Availability: Available at all Huawei Experience Stores, the Huawei Official Website, the Huawei Official Store on Shopee, and the Huawei Flagship Store on Lazada

For more information, visit the official Huawei website.

PLAYSTATION 5

In response to the developments in gaming and the demands of its users, PlayStation has announced its refreshed PlayStation 5 (PS5) console. In this release, there are two versions of the console: PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and PS5 Digital Edition.

Both consoles have been reduced in both volume (by 30 per cent) and weight with the full-feature console down by 18 per cent and the Digital Edition by 24 per cent. The PS5 with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive comes with a 1TB SSD to increase internal storage. Those who purchase the Digital Edition can still purchase the attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 down the line. A horizontal stand is automatically included in your order, but you may purchase a vertical stand separately. 

Price: RM2,499 (PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive) | RM2,069 (PS5 Digital Edition) | RM529 (Ultra HD Blu-ray-Disc Drive)

Availability: Available for purchase at local retailers 

Find out more about the refreshed PlayStation 5 here. 

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