Best Wireless Earphones in 2021 : NIO by SUDIO

Hello everyone, welcome back to another MCO. The severity of the pandemic in Malaysia is very alarming. 

We might have to consider to really adapt and get use with everything online by now. As a student, I'm joining my classes online since March 2020. It took me a while to set up my online learning equipment. Investments in technology is so important nowadays that it's best to save up money and invest in good products than just buying not so good products that can only last for few months. 

Prior to the pandemic, I was never a religious earphone user. Working from home and learning from home made me think that it's time to opt for earphones to avoid any disturbance or causing any disturbance to my family members.

So, I used wired earphones and it turned to torn wires after few months of using it. Not sure if this is normal for everyone but I had to throw out 2 wired earphones because of that problem. It's time to change to wireless earphone!

Lucky me, Sudio just launched their new wireless earphone, NIO on the 11th of January 2021. 

Have you guys ever heard of this brand, Sudio? Sudio is an audio technology company based in Stockholm, Sweden. This Swedish lifestyle brand specializes in wireless earphones that offers thoughtfully designed audio products which deliver captivating and immersive sound experiences. They have been featured in GQ, Vogue & Harpers Bazaar with such favourably positive feedbacks on their products.

These are their new range! NIO is available in these four colours. From left : White, Sand, Green and Black. 

Yes, you read that right. SAND. This is such an amazing surprise that with NIO, Sudio decided to launch their newest neutral hue : Sand! 

For someone who loves earth tones, blue and pink, I think you can guess which one would be my choice for NIO 

My own NIO SAND!

They have launched NIO Sand exclusively on the 18th of January 2021. 

If you ask me, I will definitely suggest you to get NIO Sand as well. Sand is solid, versatile, and light. You can create with it, or relax on it, perfectly representing Sudio Nio’s sound performance with flexibility and inclusivity.

Packaged in a simple white box complete with a carrying case that doubles as a charging dock. Along with it is an owner’s manual, a mini USB type C cable to power the case, a certificate of guarantee, and complimentary replacement 4pairs of ear wing tips of different sizes should you damage the pre-fitted ones.

Here are my thoughts on NIO by Sudio :

• Minimalist & Comfortable

At first glance, the Sudio Nio bears some resemblance to the Apple AirPods. The earbuds was placed inside a sleek looking and minimalist design charging case. NIO is available in 4 different colours and all of them are perfect for everyone. The green one looks amazing too but I'm a sucker for earthy tones! So, definitely sand for me. 

To me comfort is always the key, not just the design. The comfort that NIO has to offer is amazing with the wing tip came in 4 sizes. You can choose the one that fits you well without worrying that they will keep falling out and affects your listening experience. This is the determining factor for me when it comes to earphones especially considering that it can interrupt my presentation or classes if it keeps falling out. Even if I'm just listening to music while I'm doing my work or jog, it would definitely ruin the mood. 

Always go for comfort and with Sudio NIO, you get both! It's aesthetic and you will not experience any feeling of discomfort after long wear.

• Sweatproof

The NIO also comes with IPX4 rating which means that NIO can be use in daily activities including workouts where it's able to withstand sweat.

IPX4: Is resistant to water splashes from any direction.

IPX5: Can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray.

IPX6: Can resist high-pressure, heavy sprays of water.

• Battery Life

This is different than wired earphones where you don't have to worry about charging it but Sudio NIO boost a 5.5 hour playtime that can be extended to 20 hours with the charging case, which offers adequate amount of battery life for me throughout the day. 

My daily schedule would usually starts at 8am-5pm for classes and night discussions from 9pm-2am. 

Also, after each use, I can just placed the earbuds in the charging case and it'll automatically charged it, which I find super convenient as I tend to forget to charge it. Trust me, I always forget to charge my phone. Thus, the charging case really helps me here to always ensure my earbuds are fully charged. 

• Automatic Pairing

You just need to open the bluetooth function on your phone/laptop to pair it with Sudio NIO and once connected, it'll get automatically paired the next time you turn it on. It's compatible with both Android and IOS. It is also Siri & Google ready!

• Touch Panel Control

You won't see any buttons on Sudio NIO because it offers touch panel control! It also has a built-in microphone. 

Here are some things you need to remember with it.

Music :

Single Tap to Play/Pause

Double Tap : Previous (Left), Forward (Right)

Triple Tap : Reduce Volume (Left), Increase Volume (Right)

Phone :

Single Tap : Answer Call

Double Tap : Decline Call

Triple Tap : End Call

For new wireless earphones users like me, don't worry you'll get use to it.  I had a hard time figuring it out at first but always always always read the manual especially when it's provided. 

You'll received the owner’s manual which you can always refer to in regards with the functions.

• Best Price, Free Worldwide Delivery & Warranty

Sudio Nio has been launched on 11th January 2021 (for white, black and green) and on 18th January (for sand). It retails at RM359 with free worldwide shipping and 3 years international warranty with Sudio Sphere. 

If you're looking for wireless earphones, Sudio NIO is a good option. In my one month of testing NIO as an average consumer, I'm very pleased with the overall quality, sound and build of the earphones. It's fairly price, has good aesthetics and are a comfortable pair of earbuds. 

“Nio bridges a wide gap in the earphone market” - Sudio CEO Johan Gawell. 

“The market has become very divided for the average consumer who values sound quality. Most true wireless earphones are simply out of reach, and Nio is designed to bridge this gap by providing an accessible listening experience. The beauty of Nio is its versatility, offering something to every segment of the audio market. Great sound, great fit, great price.” 

Do check out their website for more info and to purchase :

 NIO SAND,  NIO WHITE , NIO BLACK , NIO GREEN

If you wish to purchase, do not forget to key in the discount code : FARNIO

You'll be entitled to 15% discount with free worldwide delivery.

SUICIDE IS A CRIME?

We went through 2020 with full of uncertainties which put many under immense distress.

This leads to spike of suicide cases due to financial constraints, movement restrictions, loneliness, helplessness, drastic change in their plans and some could also be dealing with domestic violence. 

WHO estimated by the year of 2020, approximately 1.53 million people and that is nearly 3% of all world deaths would be due to suicide, and 10–20 times more people would attempt suicide worldwide. This shows on average one death every 20 seconds and one attempt every 1-2 seconds. [1]

It was also reported that 266 people committed suicide in Malaysia during the movement restrictions from Mar 18 to Oct 30 placed to curb Covid-19. [2] 

Malaysia is under another movement restrictions starting from 13th January 2021 and this will just put many more under distress. Some might be losing jobs, some might have a hard time finding one since last year and students are socially deprived from their friends, learning and sitting in front of their laptops or computers or some couldn't even have access to it at all. Not to mention, those who might succumbed to physical abuses or psychological abuses in their households. It's important to address the issue of mental illness but it's also important to decriminalize suicide. 

ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT SUICIDE IS A CRIME IN MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, attempting to commit suicide is a crime under Section 309 of Penal Code. This provision provides that whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to one year or with fine, or both.

It means that those who attempts to commit suicide and fail to do so can be charged under this provision. 

Our Penal Code is in pari materia with the Indian Penal Code. It was promulgated based on the British Common Law which repealed suicide attempt as a criminal offence in 1961 and has long since treated it as a health problem requiring professional psychological and/or psychiatric attention instead. 

However, Mental Healthcare Act 2017 was legislated in India where Section 115 of the Act provides that "Notwithstanding anything contained in section 309 of the Indian Penal Code any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code." Under that same provision, it emphasizes that "the Government shall have a duty to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to a person, having severe stress and who attempted to commit suicide, to reduce the risk of recurrence of attempt to commit suicide."

The president of Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) in Malaysia, Ms. Anita Abu Bakar had also voiced out that the law on suicide should be amended to differentiate between a criminal act or a cry for help. 

The question is why Malaysia still follows this archaic position when Britain itself has decriminalised attempted suicide and India has legislated Mental Healthcare Act to exclude those who are proven to have severe stress to be punished under the said provision?

• Religious Belief 

In 13th Century, English Law perceived suicide as an immoral act and it's an offence against God and the King. If proven, they were denied a Christian burial and they would be carried to a crossroads in the dead of night and dumped in a pit, a wooden stake hammered through the body pinning it in place. No prayers were offered. No mourners. Not just that, their family members would also be punished for the suicide where they were stripped of their belongings and they were handed to the Crown. [3]

In Malaysia, religion plays an important role in shaping the society. One of the religion is Islam and the view suicide and attempted suicide as sinful is deeply entrenched. Not just Islam, under Hinduism, it is also believed that death by suicide does not lead to the achievement of salvation (moksha). [4]

• Deterrent

Suicide law is claimed to deter those who attempted to commit suicide from doing it again. However, The World Health Organisation (WHO) clearly highlighted this over and over that rather than deterring people from attempting suicide, criminalisation only deters them from seeking treatment and increasing the risk of suicide rather than reducing it. [5]

The current pandemic has brought a big impact and drastic changes to our lives and not to forget the burden on some people. Instead of treating suicide as a crime, it should be treated as a tragedy. A tragedy that we fail to curb. A tragedy that we fail to address or help. 

It's important to talk to someone. Don't keep it to yourself. I would suggest you to talk to someone who you can trust.

If you're uncomfortable to talk to someone you know, here are just two out of many more mental health services in Malaysia that may be able to make you feel better during this tough period.

Befrienders : WEBSITE

They are available 24 hours everyday for emotional support. 

Call their hotline at : 03-7956 8145

or

Email them at : sam@befrienders.org.my

MALAYSIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (MMHA) : WEBSITE

They provide support via their phone line on any mental health issues. MMHA also consists of qualified mental health professionals ie. clinical psychologist, and counselors providing psychological support services.

Office hours: Mon - Sat (9 am – 5 pm)

Call their hotline at : 03-2780 6803

or

Email them at : 03-2780 6803

WHAT DOES CYBERBULLYING LOOKS LIKE?

 

The Internet is accessible anytime and anywhere. It is now a necessity and a way of life for many. It's as if it's a whole new world out there in the Internet. One can be so immersed with the Internet and completely disassociated with the reality. Technology is the future but this rapid advancement of technology is a contributing factor to the change in the behaviour of humans. It's a worrisome when it involves children. Children can be seen interacting less physically, but instead, they are seen constantly interacting via social networking sites, playing online games, watching movies or even surfing the Internet whether at home or elsewhere.

Malaysia ranked 6th among 28 countries in a survey on cyberbullying around the world in 2018 and 2nd among Asian countries, behind India. 

There are so many cases of cyberbullying in Malaysia that led to a fatal end. 

Here are just a few of them :

• May 2019 - 16 year old girl made an Instagram poll : “Really Important, Help Me Choose D/L”, and as many as 69% of her followers had reportedly voted for her to commit suicide.

• May 2020 -  20 year old woman committed suicide after TikTok video of her and a foreigner colleague was posted on Facebook page went viral and received overflowing nasty comments

These cases highlighted the importance of teaching manners to the Internet users. This is a serious issue as social media is now used in a manner that can endanger the lives of certain people. 

A minor should always be under adults' surveillance when it comes to the usage of the Internet. Not just to avoid our loved ones from becoming a victim of cyberbullying but also to curb from creating perpetrators of cyberbullying itself. One should always be aware and understand what constitute as cyberbullying. 

Other forms of cyberbullying includes :

• Flaming/Bashing : It is a hostile online interaction that involves insulting messages, or flames, between users.

• Outing : This is an act of openly revealing sensitive or personal information about someone without their consent for purposes of embarrassing or humiliating them. 

• Tricking : Tricking someone into revealing secret or embarrassing information, which is then shared online. This includes the element of element of deception. This method is where the bully will befriend their target and lull them into a false sense of security. Once the bully has gained their target’s trust, they abuse that trust and share the victim’s secrets and private information to a third party or multiple third parties.

Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures

Cyberbully Laws in Malaysia

No, there no specific legislation for cyberbullying. 

BUT 

There are several laws that governed the issue such as the Computer Crimes Act 1997, the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, the Penal Code 1950, Defamation Act 1957 and the Child Act 2001. This depends on the nature or severity of the case. 

Firstly, Malaysia relies on Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to prosecute cyber bullies. 

This section prohibits sharing contents that are obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person or initiates a communication using any applications service, whether continuously, repeatedly or otherwise with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person. 

This offence carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year or both. Also a further fine of RM1,000 for every day the offence continues after conviction.

If you're a victim, please lodge a complaint against the perpetrator or perpetrators to the operator of the social media platform (Facebook, Instagram and others) and the police so that action can be taken under Section 233 (1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Additionally, you can file a complaint to Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) : Cyber Consumer Complaint

Not just that, MCMC is also working very closely with social media platforms operators to remove the video recording from being viral and ensuring that the Internet is a safe place.

Is this sufficient?

Since this is a severe issue, there should be a specific legislation to address the issue. Last year, survey results shown that 71.6% of legal practitioners and 89.3% of the public wanted a cyberbullying act to be introduced. 

On the other hand, as Internet users, we should always educate ourselves and people around us. 

Explain to them their actions are cyberbullying (just in case if they are not aware of it), the impact of their actions to other people and the consequences they will face. 

Every single thing has its pros and cons. What made it different is our choices. Choose to be better. Be responsible with your actions especially on the Internet. 

For those who are experiencing cyberbullying, 

Do contact CyberSecurity Malaysia, Cyber999 via:

E-mail: cyber999@cybersecurity.my

SMS: CYBER999 REPORT to 15888

Tel: 1-300-88-2999

If you experienced cyberbullying and need someone to talk to :

Contact Befrienders via:

Tel: 03-7956 8145

E-mail: sam@befrienders.org.my

Available 24 hours every day, 7 days a week.

Calls from 8 local telcos are FREE.

New Year, New Goals?

It's almost a week in 2021 now. It feels different in a way with this ongoing pandemic. On top of that, floods happening in Malaysia especially in Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. My heart goes out for the them. Here's an instagram post where we might ease their burden by donating, please share around as well :

MERCY MALAYSIA FLOOD RESPONSE: MALAYSIA FLOOD RELIEF FUND

2021 might be even harder than 2020 where we might feel extremely tired with this exceptionally long period for this pandemic. The different starting point of 2021 where you stayed at home than attending New Year's Eve party should be a good start. You're prioritizing your health and your loved ones. Keep on practicing social distancing, wear your mask on and sanitize your hands everyday. 

This year, fill your resolution list with easy, good-for-you goals. Here are some things you should consider :

• Plan and organize your year.

Here's my post on planner to stay on track! 2021 Planner

When you have plan your days properly, you'll manage to squeeze some time for your mental and physical health. Try walk around the park, go for a run, gardening, cycling etc. Maybe you can even pick up a new hobby this year.

Key point is focus. List down what you need to do and 

• Spend more time with family and friends

With the ongoing pandemic, I'm sure all of us appreciate even more our time with our loved ones. Some people were separated for months from their loved ones in during the first 4 months of the pandemic in 2020. 

• Aim to be healthier 

Consider adopting a new and healthier lifestyle. Eat well and do work outs. Health is a long term investment. Your body will appreciate every steps you're taking now.

• Read more

Invest your time in reading. Invest your money in books if it's possible. Physical books are getting pricier day by day, you may opt for e-books. 

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one" - George R.R. Martin

•  Contribute to the society

It can be as simple as spreading health awareness to donating to those who are in need. You may also consider to volunteer in NGO's. This is not limited to helping humans but also animals and the environment. 

My new goal for 2021 is to share much as I can on my Legal Space! 

The aim is to share my experience and knowledge. I will soon share legal articles which I hope to be helpful for the general public at large. As for now, there are few postings portraying just a glimpse of my life as a law student. Feel free to share with me your suggestions or your curiosity on any legal issues.