The year 2022 is just a speck in the desert as you read this article. As is the tradition at the end of the year, a summary will be written about the year that was still badly hit by the pandemic. Below are our top 10 disappointments at this year that we hope won't happen again in 2022.
1. The selling price of devices is increasing in Malaysia
The selling price of electronic devices in Malaysia increased this year due to supply chain issues, the pandemic, factory closures and the plummeting value of the Ringgit. Xiaomi, which is famous for devices sold at affordable prices, is also affected by some new models that are much more expensive than the 2021 model.
More surprisingly there are some older models given a more expensive price adjustment at the end of the year. This as far as we can remember has never happened in the smartphone market in Malaysia before. The value of the Ringgit has improved over the past few weeks, hopefully this will help reduce the selling price of smart devices in 2023.
2. Social Media Fails to Prevent the Spread of Dangerous Fake News
In 2021, Facebook Paper became a viral topic that leaked various internal studies conducted by Meta that showed their platform had a negative impact on society, becoming the main platform for the spread of fake news that could damage society.
The Facebook Papers were leaked by Frances Haugen who is a former product manager at Facebook. As a result of the Facebook Papers, Meta immediately tightened their content filtering system in an enhanced effort to prevent outside forces from meddling in US national affairs.
This year it's TikTok's turn to be a platform with the same problem. The dissemination of provocative videos during and after GE15 became the talk of the town. Although the video has been deleted, the impact of TikTok's failure to censor content like this earlier is regrettable. TikTok was called to give an explanation to SKMM and the Ministry of Digital Communications with them giving a commitment to tighten the filtering system. Will they change like Facebook? Only time can give an answer.
3. 5G is here, 4G is miserable
The 5G network was officially launched in Malaysia last November after undergoing a test period through telecommunications company Yes. Now Digi, Celcom, TM and U Mobile are offering some of their packages in phases throughout Malaysia. Only Maxis is still doing tests in certain areas only. Other telcos are already running, they are still waiting.
We accept the reality that 5G is still in its early stages and it will take several years before it can be accessed in every corner of Malaysia. This happened during the previous introduction of 3G and 4G. What we cannot forgive is that since 5G was introduced and 3G has been switched off, the 4G network in Malaysia has also plummeted in quality like Dato Pandelela Rinong's plunge.
Areas that used to be able to get five bars of stable 4G LTE can now only display two bars. Areas that used to have only two bars of 4G LTE, now only offer Edge internet. Imagine Edge in 2022. It's very disappointing because now it's hard to live without a fast internet network. If you want to pay your brother at the roadside burger shop using DuitNow, it's easy!
4. Technology Terms Only Ajinamoto Sells Projects
Industrial Revolution 4.0, blockchain, crypto, internet, artificial intelligence, self-driving, Super App, machine learning, edge computing and NFT are the terms that are frequently used for various technology projects throughout 2022. But after we see for ourselves the announced projects, 90 % of it has absolutely nothing to do with the terms above.
Sell NFTs to raise funds to produce a film in the hope that it will have a high value in the future. There is no direct need for NFT here as the fundraising costs are the same as for the film Pendatangat this year. Vaccination information in the blockchain? More useless ideas are just buzzwords to get attention. Artificial intelligence is also another misused technology in smartphone camera systems.
The use of new technology terms may be able to lie to the old Minister but we in the technology world are tired of seeing it misused like ajinomoto to make projects look more palatable.
5. Android 13 Doesn't Bring Many Cool New Features
This year's Android 13 doesn't bring any exciting new features this year. Is it because Android is getting mature and complete that no new features can be introduced or Google has lost ideas. The lack of new features on Android this year is even more apparent when looking at iOS 16 which makes a lot of changes.
But we have to admit that the majority of the new features in iOS 16 already existed on Android at least five years ago. New on iPhone but not on Android. As an Android device owner, the technology gap that is as big as a gorge with iOS is now getting smaller. If the uniqueness of Android technology cannot be maintained, perhaps more and more people will move to iOS in the near future.
6. Use of 2MP Macro Camera
The main camera on the Android device can increase up to five including a 3D ToF sensor. But what frustrates us is that on lower mid-range devices, often the use of tri-cameras is just a cheap gimmick. We say cheap because the third sensor for macro is often only 2MP. The quality of the images captured by the 2MP sensor is not at all satisfactory similar to the device's camera 12 years ago.
We have already written an article giving reasons why the 2MP sensor used is a gimmick that harms the user. Just follow Apple's lead which only offers wide angle and ultra wide angle licenses on non-Pro models. It's more than adequate without being wasted on a camera system that's more gimmicky than functional.
7. The Tech Industry Is Laying Off Workers En masse
During the pandemic profits are reaped by technology companies because there is a demand for online services that is higher than before the pandemic. The pandemic is now coming to an end and the impact is that tech companies are now dumping workers who are no longer needed. Profits have fallen again and in some situations very sharply.
Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Twitter and SEA Ltd are among the technology companies that have announced drastic workforce reduction processes to reduce the company's operating costs.
8. Consoles Still Hard to Buy Two Years After Launch
PlayStation 5
It's been more than two years since PlayStation 5 was officially launched in Malaysia. Xbox Series S and Series X consoles have also been marketed in Malaysia although not officially for more than two years. Both still seem like unicorns that are hard to buy. Every time Sony officially offers it, users have to enter a lucky lottery. If you're lucky, you can get a PS5 at the recommended price. PS5 is not profitable, the blood-suffocating price is the only available option.
Never in the history of a console has it been so difficult for consumers to buy after two years of launch. Sony says supply chain issues will end by the 2022 festive season with consoles becoming more affordable by 2023. We can only see whether the promise will be kept or not.
9. Huawei is getting stressed
We put Huawei's fortunes on this list because just three years ago they nearly overtook Samsung as the world's largest smartphone manufacturer. Apple has been successfully cut off, only the Korean giant needs to be skipped to make history as the first Chinese manufacturer to dominate the world smartphone market. This was done not by producing a "chicken stamp" device but the P and Mate series which are full of innovation and amazing photographic capabilities.
This is achieved also with reasonable device sales compared to their two biggest competitors. Among technology enthusiasts, Huawei's innovations are highly anticipated every year. But the technology restrictions of the United States caused Huawei to be cut off at the knees. No more 5G, home-made chips, collaboration with Leica and official Google Mobile Services support. All this causes the devices they offer in Malaysia to be no longer competitive.
Disappointing as the Mate 50 Pro is a good device according to our review but should be more robust that none of the above can be returned. Huawei is the clearest case of how important true independence is in the technological age of the 21st century. If it wants to become a superpower, dependence on outside technology should be stopped immediately.
10. Online Scams Are Widespread, Many Are Still Victims
According to common sense, with Google the process of verifying investment plans online and identifying various types of leading scams should be accessible at the fingertips. But the opposite is happening with the number of online fraud cases in the form of investment, matchmaking, pornographic extortion, donkey accounts and cryptos continuing to rise.
The government has redoubled its efforts so that frauds such as the Macau Scam and IRB fines are disclosed to the public. Efforts seem to have been unsuccessful because every week there are reports of victims losing hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
The government can try but the people also need to be smarter. If what is promised seems too good it may be a scam. Use Google to the best of your ability because you are on the way to success rather than falling victim to scams.
2022 is not an annus horribilis year compared to 2020 and 2021. Worries about the future and deaths due to Covid-19 have decreased. However, there are many predictions that 2023 will be a more challenging year especially in terms of economy. Hopefully we can learn from this year's disappointment in preparation for 2023. Happy new year to all readers.