Latest news with #Yeah
Phone Arena
4 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Yes, you all love your iPhones and Galaxies, but here's why you shouldn't sleep on the competition
Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra . | Image credit – PhoneArena Xiaomi and its 2.55% – underrated tech giant that's doing a lot right Despite being one of the biggest smartphone makers globally, Xiaomi landed at the very bottom of the poll. I didn't see that coming. Maybe people still see Xiaomi as a budget brand or think of it as more of a tech lifestyle company because of all the other products it makes – but trust me, this brand is way more than that. Receive the latest editorials Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Xiaomi built its name on high specs for low prices and it still sticks to that. Whether you are looking at budget Redmi phones or mid-range Poco models, you are always getting killer value. They constantly pack in way more hardware than competitors at similar price points. The company just celebrated its 15th anniversary, and of course, Yeah, in our poll, it took the crown for "least best brand," but I still think Xiaomi shines in a few key areas, especially when it comes to cameras and charging – two things that seriously matter for daily use. Take the Despite being one of the biggest smartphone makers globally, Xiaomi landed at the very bottom of the poll. I didn't see that coming. Maybe people still see Xiaomi as a budget brand or think of it as more of a tech lifestyle company because of all the other products it makes – but trust me, this brand is way more than built its name on high specs for low prices and it still sticks to that. Whether you are looking at budget Redmi phones or mid-range Poco models, you are always getting killer value. They constantly pack in way more hardware than competitors at similar price company just celebrated its 15th anniversary, and of course, it launched some new stuff to mark the occasion – including the Xiaomi 15S Pro and the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra. What makes them special? They are powered by Xiaomi's own chip, the Xring O1 . The company is really stepping up its game lately and offering something for everyone – flagships, mid-rangers and budget in our poll, it took the crown for "least best brand," but I still think Xiaomi shines in a few key areas, especially when it comes to cameras and charging – two things that seriously matter for daily the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for example. It is tied for the number one spot in our camera rankings right alongside the Galaxy S25 Ultra . That is no small feat. A lot of that camera magic comes from Xiaomi's partnership with Leica – and if you've ever been into photography, you definitely know that name. Xiaomi's camera app is also loaded with features. It can be as simple or as advanced as you want. The pro mode gives you full control over both photos and videos, which makes sense given the phone's camera-focused design. And let's not forget: Xiaomi is one of the fastest brands out there when it comes to charging. If you are always in a rush (and who isn't?), this matters. Phones like the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the Xiaomi's camera app is also loaded with features. It can be as simple or as advanced as you want. The pro mode gives you full control over both photos and videos, which makes sense given the phone's camera-focused let's not forget: Xiaomi is one of the fastest brands out there when it comes to charging. If you are always in a rush (and who isn't?), this matters. Phones like the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G and even the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ are crushing it in our charging tests . That alone makes them worth considering. Motorola (2.73%) – the clean Android champ with a nostalgic touch Now, this one also caught me off guard. Motorola barely got any votes and I really don't think that's fair. Yeah, the company's software update policy could use some improvement, but that can't be the only reason people are passing it over. The brand has been around forever and still manages to crank out some really unique and stylish phones. Motorola devices have a look – even the budget ones. Take the new Now, this one also caught me off guard. Motorola barely got any votes and I really don't think that's fair. Yeah, the company's software update policy could use some improvement, but that can't be the only reason people are passing it over. The brand has been around forever and still manages to crank out some really unique and stylish devices have a look – even the budget ones. Take the new Edge 60 Fusion, for example. It stands out. And if you are into foldables, Motorola's Razr series is one of the best-looking out there. The Razr Ultra (2025) blends retro vibes with cutting-edge display tech and it looks slick while doing it. Another thing I love? Motorola doesn't mess too much with Android. Its phones run a near-stock version of the OS, which a lot of people say they prefer. Our poll actually showed that clean Android is still a big deal for users, so it is surprising that Motorola isn't getting more attention for offering exactly that. The brand isn't flashy about it, but it is quietly doing a lot right. I really think Motorola deserves more credit than it is getting right now. Another thing I love? Motorola doesn't mess too much with Android. Its phones run a near-stock version of the OS, which a lot of people say they prefer. Our poll actually showed that clean Android is still a big deal for users, so it is surprising that Motorola isn't getting more attention for offering exactly brand isn't flashy about it, but it is quietly doing a lot right. I really think Motorola deserves more credit than it is getting right now. Vivo (3.28%) – a design-driven camera powerhouse that's easy to miss Vivo is a huge name in Asia, but it still hasn't broken through in a big way elsewhere – and that showed in the poll. But Vivo is no slouch. It is one of the most innovative brands in the photography space and it is doing some really cool stuff with phone design, too. Thanks to its partnership with Zeiss – yeah, the same legendary German optics company – Vivo's phones are packed with pro-level camera tech. If taking great photos is your thing, the vivo X200 Pro should be on your radar. But Vivo isn't just about cameras. Its phones also look amazing. The V and X series models especially are slim, stylish and use premium materials. The company experiments with textures, colors and finishes that make its phones feel a little more special than the average glass slab. Huawei (4.19%) – still pushing boundaries despite the odds Video credit – PhoneArena Huawei's struggles in Western markets are well-known, especially after losing access to Google Mobile Services. That hit hard. But here's the thing – Huawei never stopped innovating. In fact, it might be one of the boldest brands out there right now. Case in point: the new Mate XT Ultimate. It's the world's first triple But Vivo isn't just about cameras. Its phones also look amazing. The V and X series models especially are slim, stylish and use premium materials. The company experiments with textures, colors and finishes that make its phones feel a little more special than the average glass struggles in Western markets are well-known, especially after losing access to Google Mobile Services. That hit hard. But here's the thing – Huawei never stopped innovating. In fact, it might be one of the boldest brands out there right in point: the new Mate XT Ultimate. It's the world's first triple foldable phone . Not just another foldable – a tri-fold. That means it can unfold into a massive screen for work or watching content, then fold back down to pocket size. Huawei also just launched a foldable laptop . That's next-level stuff. Despite all the challenges, Huawei keeps showing us what is possible. It is easy to overlook them because of political and ecosystem limitations, but from a pure tech perspective, they are still killing it. So yeah, there's a ton of innovation happening just outside the spotlight. So maybe next time, don't just go for the obvious choices (that is if you are not locked in a certain ecosystem, of course). You might find your perfect phone in a place you weren't even looking. Despite all the challenges, Huawei keeps showing us what is possible. It is easy to overlook them because of political and ecosystem limitations, but from a pure tech perspective, they are still killing yeah, there's a ton of innovation happening just outside the spotlight. So maybe next time, don't just go for the obvious choices (that is if you are not locked in a certain ecosystem, of course). You might find your perfect phone in a place you weren't even looking. But what really stood out to me were the brands barely getting any love in the poll. Some really popular ones – and ones I think deserve more recognition – are sitting at the Xiaomi is officially the least favorite, which honestly shocked me. Right behind it are Motorola vivo and Huawei . All four of these are doing some pretty amazing things, but clearly, they are still flying under the radar for a lot of I want to give them a little spotlight here – because I believe their low votes aren't about quality but visibility.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
INTERACTIVE: Malaysians have highest grocery bill in South-East Asia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are experiencing a heavy burden when it comes to rising food prices, with data showing that they spend more on groceries than any South-East Asian country. Data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service shows that Malaysia's consumer expenditure on food at home was highest in the region in 2023 at US$1,940 per person per year. The USDA figures are not adjusted for inflation or differences in living costs between countries. According to Bank Negara Malaysia's exchange rate in 2023, the US$1,940 figure for Malaysia is equivalent to RM8,848. However, at current exchange rates, it is equivalent to RM8,286. Singapore was second at US$1,831, followed by Thailand (US$1,108), Philippines (US$1,070) and Cambodia (US$898). Experts said several factors explain why Malaysians spend a relatively high amount on food at home compared to other countries in the region. They include a reliance on food imports, a weaker Ringgit and farm labour shortages. Other reasons include the rising cost of input in food production such as fertilise and animal feed, monopolies and oligopolies in food production, as well as low farm productivity. 'Malaysia's elevated food cost per person relative to its Asean counterparts points to the need for concerted efforts by the government and private sector to expand food production and raise farm productivity,' said Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng. He said other complementary actions include dismantling monopolies and liberalising food markets, reducing transport and storage costs and improving supply chain efficiencies to bring down food prices. He said Malaysia's higher food expenditure per person at home compared to Asean countries with lower per capita income can also be explained by its higher income level. 'However, despite income per capita that is in multiples that of Malaysia, Singapore's food expenditure per capita is about the same as Malaysia's during the 2017 to 2023 period, with the 2023 figure dipping below Malaysia's in 2023,' he said. While the data specifically does not take inflation into account, Yeah noted that the food component in Malaysia's consumer price index (CPI) basket has been experiencing higher inflation averaging 3.1% annually between 2020 and 2024 compared to the overall CPI inflation of 1.8%. Khazanah Research Institute's research associate Dr Teoh Ai Ni said the total amount spent on food consumed at home would vary depending on how frequently individuals spend eating at home. She said Malaysians also spend a larger portion of their monthly spending for food on food at home compared to Singaporeans. 'Data from the Household Expenditure Survey 2022 shows that Malaysian households spent about 48% of their total monthly food expenditure on food away from home, with 52% spent on food at home. 'In comparison, Singaporean households spent 68% of their food expenditure on food away from home.' 'This is why the consumer expenditures spent on food at home for Singapore is lower than that of Malaysia, and it does not imply that food in Malaysia is more expensive,' she said. She noted that the use of US dollar in USDA's data as the unit for comparison does not take into account the variations in the current strength or cost of living, nor does it equal purchasing power. Fellow research associate at KRI, Nik Syafiah Anis said Malaysia is also one of the more food import-dependent nations in Asean, which means its food system is vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and external price shocks. She said other Asean countries such as Thailand and Vietnam have transitioned into major agricultural powerhouses, with Vietnam's food exports surging more than 15-fold between 1995 and 2018, driven by rice, seafood, and coffee. She in comparison, Malaysia's food import bill reached RM75.6 billion in 2022 and it remains a net importer of essential food items, particularly animal or vegetable fats and oils, cereals, and dairy products. 'One key dimension of this dependency is the country's reliance on imported animal feed - particularly corn and soymeal, which are key inputs in poultry, livestock, and aquaculture production. 'For example, Malaysia imports around 95% of its corn needs, largely from Argentina, Brazil, and India. This includes corn for feed and food, seed, and industrial (FSI) use,' she said. She said over-reliance on imported feed has a trickle-down effect on domestic food prices. She added that with global disruptions such as geopolitical tensions or poor harvest due to climate change, feed prices can spike, leading to higher prices for chicken, eggs, fish and meat at the consumer level. Meanwhile, Teoh said the share of income spent on food depends on wages and food expenditure. Malaysians' portion of food spending is comparatively lower than most other countries in the region. 'The differences are attributable to a combination of factors, including income level, food prices and food consumption patterns. She said that as income rises, the share spent on basic necessities like food would likely decrease while the share of spending on discretionary items like entertainment and recreation would likely to rise.
Eater
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Bay Area's Hottest New Clubstaurant Is in This East Bay Strip Mall
Filipino restaurant Isla is a Bay Area favorite for dishes from the Pampangan region of the Philippines and across the archipelago. With locations in Newark and San Bruno, the restaurants regularly host large Filipino family gatherings, but the October 2024 flagship opening of Isla Grand Restaurant Bar & Banquet now brings live entertainment and a party atmosphere to the East Bay suburbs of Pleasant Hill. Turn into the shared parking lot of Isla Grand and a neighboring Lamps Plus store on a Saturday night, and you'll most likely see cars circling and vying for space. Some drivers will resign themselves to park in an overflow lot at an adjacent strip mall, while families and couples mingle outside the restaurant, all waiting for a table. It's a busy scene, and the inside is even more buzzy, as customers take up space in two huge dining rooms. The main restaurant space is a typical one, with tables outfitted for parties of four or more, but walk past the host stand and you'll find that this is where the action is: This side is outfitted with a bar, a stage, dizzyingly rotating rainbow club lights, a makeshift dance space, and tables packed with parties of eight (or more) — this crowd comes to wild out. Here's the scene at Isla Grand on a Saturday evening in May. The logistics: If you're looking to join the lively atmosphere, be smart or be prepared to wait. Rolling in to watch the live entertainment at 7 p.m. without a reservation means you'll wait. At this hour, the restaurant is packed to the gills, and the host quoted a two-hour seating time to get into the club, err, main room, and he meant it — glancing at a clipboard filled with names, there were plenty of others waiting to get in. The restaurant offers reservations the old-fashioned way, so be prepared to call in for a table ahead of time. You'll also most likely need to make reservations for groups over four, or to take part in their kamayan meal, also known as a boodle fight — a meal typically served over banana leaves and eaten by hand without utensils. And given that some of the restaurant's live entertainers hail from the Philippines (while others reside in the Bay Area), reserved seating can easily sell out depending on who's on the stage that day. Don't say you weren't warned. The vibe: Did we mention this is a party? There's a reason for that: The room is filled with families, friend groups, birthday parties, and, since it is May, graduation parties. Tables accommodating parties of eight crowd the main area of the room as the aforementioned lights swirl and keep the atmosphere lively. On this night, the live band covered a parade of hits, including 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder and 'Hotel California' by the Eagles, and the crowd loved it, singing along at various parts. During a break for the band, a DJ took over and kept the music thumping with '90s and '00s club hits like 'Yeah,' by Usher and 'Too Close,' by Next, and those songs proved powerful enough to move groups to start dancing at their tables and the dance floor in front of the stage area. The volume made ordering a challenge, but the food seemed to make its way to the tables just fine. Meanwhile, TVs spread across the room played an assortment of sports and cartoons (most likely for the kids in the room), as well as a TV dedicated to advertising the dishes of the restaurant itself, with customers giving 'Tasty-monials' (as the screen declared) of their meals. The menu: The selection of dishes at Isla is massive, a spiral-bound menu almost on par with the Cheesecake Factory bible. Sisig is a Pampangan specialty and a customer favorite, and it's often seen sizzling away on a cast-iron platter as it makes its way to tables. If you've ever been to a Filipino family party in the Bay, the restaurant has those classics, too: pork barbecue skewers, lumpia Shanghai, lechon, pancit, and different styles of adobo. Dig deeper and you're likely to find lesser-seen Filipino dishes, such as Gotong Batangas, a soup with beef and offal, or Bicol Pinakbet, an assortment of vegetables such as calabasa squash and eggplant simmered in coconut milk. With a group of friends, it's an excuse to try a variety of dishes in a family-style setting, with a pot of steaming white rice ready to soak up the sauces and flavors. As for drinks, the bar definitely skews toward club hits: A printed menu boasts Jägerbombs, Singapore Slings, and Long Islands, while the AMF very coolly sidesteps the awkwardness of ordering an Adios Motherfucker aloud, while still getting that sweet, electric blue multi-liquor drink into your hands. There are also wines and beers available, with the latter available in 88-ounce beer towers, which could be seen delivered to several tables throughout the night. Cue the Vengaboys. The verdict: Depending on how you view clubstaurants, and whether a raucous Filipino family party is your thing, there is a certain charm to Isla Grand. It has the vibes of drinking with your barkadas, pop hits playing in the background, with good food in a restaurant setting. And while that may not be for everyone, for this crowd, it sounds, tastes, and feels like home. Isla Grand Restaurant Bar & Banquet (548 Contra Costa Boulevard, Suite M, Pleasant Hill) is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Team Bieber rejects speculation about Justin and Diddy: Care about those 'genuinely harmed'
Amid all of Casandra Ventura's troubling testimony this week about life with Sean "Diddy" Combs and his "freak-off" fetish, don't be troubled thinking about what might have happened between Combs and Justin Bieber, who was launched into the mogul's circle when he was a teen. Despite persistent speculation as footage of the two together has surfaced, Team Bieber said Thursday that nothing happened. Move along, nothing to see here. Read more: 'Horrible and disgusting': Cassie's graphic testimony of abuse leaves Sean 'Diddy' Combs' fate hanging in balance The speculation comes at a time when Bieber has been worrying fans with photos showing him smoking — a shot posted Thursday had the self-declared former substance abuser sitting with a bong quite obviously in his lap — and "It's a cult" rumors about the church he has been attending, Churchome in Beverly Hills. (Churchome pastor Judah Smith denies those rumors, by the way.) Bieber's decision in recent years to sell his catalog for $200 million is said to have been motivated by the pop star allegedly finding himself completely broke despite generating many millions for himself and others while touring. The new dad's marriage is rumored to be in trouble as well, though on Friday the Biebs tagged wife Hailey in an Instagram story showing a male lion lovingly caressing a female lion with its nose and teeth. Combs, of course, is on trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and more. This week in court has seen dramatic testimony from Combs' former girlfriend Cassie. But back to Bieber, who was discovered by Scooter Braun in 2008 and quickly signed to a label run by Braun and Usher. Usher was a Combs protégé who was sent by record executive and producer L.A. Reid to live with the mogul in the '90s and maybe learn a few things. The "Yeah" singer was 15 when he moved to New York. Combs became Usher's legal guardian. Read more: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie testifies at his trial about abuse and 'freak offs' Reid wrote in his 2016 tell-all memoir "Sing to Me," via Rolling Stone, "'Will you take this kid and teach him your swagger?' I said. 'Can you just give him some of your flavor?' And so I sent Usher to New York for what I called the 'Puffy Flavor Camp.'" He added, "I was turning him over to the wildest party guy in the country at an age when I still needed to get his mother's permission, but he went to New York for almost a year. I didn't know whether I was being irresponsible or having an epiphany." Usher would tell Howard Stern in 2016 that he "got a chance to see some things" while living with Combs. "I went there to see the lifestyle, and I saw it. I don't know if I could indulge and understand what I was even looking at," he said on Stern's show. "I had curiosity of my own. I just didn't understand it. It was pretty wild. It was crazy." Read more: Defense concedes Sean 'Diddy' Combs had violent outbursts but says no federal crimes occurred Usher said he was mostly focused on making music at the time, no matter what "curious" things might have gone on around him. So when Bieber and Usher connected, could a Combs meet be far behind? Combs and the "Baby" singer made news with an interview on Jimmy Kimmel's show after the "Justin Bieber's 48 Hrs with Diddy" video was posted on YouTube in November 2009. In the video, Combs showed Bieber a silver Lamborghini and told him, "The keys is yours, you know, when you hit 16." That was after Bieber pitched driving it right away with Combs in the passenger seat, because he had his permit. After staring at the kid for a moment, Combs simply said, "No." Then he promised him the mansion when he turned 18. Combs didn't have legal guardianship of Bieber like he did with Usher, he said, but they would be together for the next 48 hours. Read more: Sean 'Diddy' Combs case includes a charge steeped in racist history, attorneys argue "He knows better than to talk about the things that he's done with big brother Puff on national television," Combs said later in the Kimmel interview, adding, "Everything ain't for everybody." That was after he described Bieber as "a little brother" and "one of the greatest kids you could ever know" who could always call up and ask him for industry advice. The two would continue to cross paths, including at parties for Combs' vodka Ciroc, a brand the embattled mogul cut ties with in January 2024. Bieber's camp released a statement Thursday asserting that nothing untoward ever happened between the two. "Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him," a spokesperson for Bieber told TMZ. "Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve." The Times was unable to reach a Bieber representative Friday. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Team Bieber rejects speculation about Justin and Diddy: Care about those ‘genuinely harmed'
Amid all of Casandra Ventura's troubling testimony this week about life with Sean 'Diddy' Combs and his 'freak-off' fetish, don't be troubled thinking about what might have happened between Combs and Justin Bieber, who was launched into the mogul's circle when he was a teen. Despite persistent speculation as footage of the two together has surfaced, Team Bieber said Thursday that nothing happened. Move along, nothing to see here. The speculation comes at a time when Bieber has been worrying fans with photos showing him smoking — a shot posted Thursday had the self-declared former substance abuser sitting with a bong quite obviously in his lap — and 'It's a cult' rumors about the church he has been attending, Churchome in Beverly Hills. (Churchome pastor Judah Smith denies those rumors, by the way.) Bieber's decision in recent years to sell his catalog for $200 million is said to have been motivated by the pop star allegedly finding himself completely broke despite generating many millions for himself and others while touring. The new dad's marriage is rumored to be in trouble as well, though on Friday the Biebs tagged wife Hailey in an Instagram story showing a male lion lovingly caressing a female lion with its nose and teeth. Combs, of course, is on trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and more. This week in court has seen dramatic testimony from Combs' former girlfriend Cassie. But back to Bieber, who was discovered by Scooter Braun in 2008 and quickly signed to a label run by Braun and Usher. Usher was a Combs protégé who was sent by record executive and producer L.A. Reid to live with the mogul in the '90s and maybe learn a few things. The 'Yeah' singer was 15 when he moved to New York. Combs became Usher's legal guardian. Reid wrote in his 2016 tell-all memoir 'Sing to Me,' via Rolling Stone, ''Will you take this kid and teach him your swagger?' I said. 'Can you just give him some of your flavor?' And so I sent Usher to New York for what I called the 'Puffy Flavor Camp.'' He added, 'I was turning him over to the wildest party guy in the country at an age when I still needed to get his mother's permission, but he went to New York for almost a year. I didn't know whether I was being irresponsible or having an epiphany.' Usher would tell Howard Stern in 2016 that he 'got a chance to see some things' while living with Combs. 'I went there to see the lifestyle, and I saw it. I don't know if I could indulge and understand what I was even looking at,' he said on Stern's show. 'I had curiosity of my own. I just didn't understand it. It was pretty wild. It was crazy.' Usher said he was mostly focused on making music at the time, no matter what 'curious' things might have gone on around him. So when Bieber and Usher connected, could a Combs meet be far behind? Combs and the 'Baby' singer made news with an interview on Jimmy Kimmel's show after the 'Justin Bieber's 48 Hrs with Diddy' video was posted on YouTube in November 2009. In the video, Combs showed Bieber a silver Lamborghini and told him, 'The keys is yours, you know, when you hit 16.' That was after Bieber pitched driving it right away with Combs in the passenger seat, because he had his permit. After staring at the kid for a moment, Combs simply said, 'No.' Then he promised him the mansion when he turned 18. Combs didn't have legal guardianship of Bieber like he did with Usher, he said, but they would be together for the next 48 hours. 'He knows better than to talk about the things that he's done with big brother Puff on national television,' Combs said later in the Kimmel interview, adding, 'Everything ain't for everybody.' That was after he described Bieber as 'a little brother' and 'one of the greatest kids you could ever know' who could always call up and ask him for industry advice. The two would continue to cross paths, including at parties for Combs' vodka Ciroc, a brand the embattled mogul cut ties with in January 2024. Bieber's camp released a statement Thursday asserting that nothing untoward ever happened between the two. 'Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,' a spokesperson for Bieber told TMZ. 'Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.' The Times was unable to reach a Bieber representative Friday.
