Month: September 2021

Dropbox Introduces New Capabilities – Dropbox Capture, Dropbox Replay, Dropbox Shop

The sudden shift to remote work accelerated existing trends like the rise of the creator and freelancer economies, expansion of distributed teams and the increased use of rich media and video files. As more work is done in more places using more types of files, distributed teams and creatives need solutions that allow them to work anytime, from anywhere, across all their workflows. That’s why we’re introducing three new product experiences that help you do more with your content in Dropbox.*

Communicate clearly and save time with Dropbox Capture

For many, remote work has meant endless hours of video meetings, constant chat messages, and long emails in place of the kind of dynamic communication that comes from being in the same room. Customers who work across time zones have told us they need new ways to provide context for their content without adding more meetings and emails.
Dropbox Capture is an all-in-one visual communication tool that helps team members share their work and ideas asynchronously.
  • Replace lengthy emails and documents with short video messages to communicate with your team in less time
  • Bring clarity to your message by visually presenting your work through easy-to-take screen recordings, GIFs, and screenshots
  • Convey context and connect more deeply with personalized messages
  • Free up your calendar and avoid impossible meeting scheduling across timezones by recording and sharing status updates and work-in-progress with your team
Today, Capture is in beta across personal and business plans and can be accessed at dropbox.com/capture [LINK to https://www.dropbox.com/capture]
“I often struggle with time zones at my company because we operate internationally. It’s hard to share ideas, because there’s only so much you can get across over written messages. With Dropbox Capture, you can actually show the person what you’re looking at, point things out, and convey it with your own voice. This is so important in the workplace, where it’s easy to misunderstand text.”—Mackenzie Davis, a Dropbox customer in the consulting industry

Simplify video feedback with Dropbox Replay

Over the past two years, we’ve communicated over video more than ever. Billions of video files are added to Dropbox each year. And between 2019 and 2020, there was a nearly 50% increase in the number of video editing files added to Dropbox.
Meanwhile, getting sign off on video content has become more difficult when collaborators are working remotely. Large files, different video formats, and low bandwidth all add to the complexity. Teams tell us they need a tool to gather actionable feedback in one place so they can respond faster.
Dropbox Replay is a video collaboration tool that makes it easier to collect, manage, and respond to feedback, all in one place.
  • Easily share videos with your teammates so they don’t need to download the video or take separate notes in an email or a doc to provide feedback
  • Leave frame-accurate comments and annotations, even if you don’t have a Dropbox account
  • Avoid having to search email and chat threads from different collaborators—all feedback is documented in Replay
  • Bring the viewing room experience to life virtually through the Live Review feature, and bypass choppy playback on video calls
  • Confidently manage and track progress on all video projects
Replay is coming in beta soon. To join the waitlist, apply by signing up at experience.dropbox.com/form/replay-sign-up. [LINK to https://experience.dropbox.com/form/replay-sign-up]

Sell your digital content with Dropbox Shop

For years, content creators have relied on Dropbox to make remote collaboration easier. With the rise of the creator economy and new platforms for monetizing content, there’s even more opportunity for us to support the work of creators. If you have content you’re creating for a side hustle, hobby, or potential new business, why not take the first step and put it out there for sale?
Dropbox Shop lets you sell digital content creations you have stored in Dropbox.
  • Easily create product listings in three clicks. Add content directly from Dropbox or your computer, set a custom image, audio, or video preview, and determine your price
  • Automatically deliver content upon payment so you don’t have to manage facilitating payments and delivering content with customers
  • Share product listings directly with customers or via social media and maintain 100% ownership over your customer base
  • Keep your content safe with required customer email validation for additional downloads
  • Evaluate your listings with aggregate-level sales, views, and revenue analytics
Shop is coming in beta soon. To join the waitlist, apply by signing up at experience.dropbox.com/form/shop-sign-up. [LINK to https://experience.dropbox.com/form/shop-sign-up]

Groov-e adds the Jazz Buds to its affordable true wireless range

Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today adds the Jazz Buds to its range of affordable true wireless earphones. Perfect for daily use, the Jazz Buds allow users to stay connected and enjoy up to 25 hours of their favourite music in true stereo sound quality anywhere, anytime. Featuring the latest tech without the high price tag, the Jazz Buds are available now for £29.99 from Tesco or www.groov-e.co.uk.

Freeing users completely from wires or neckbands the Jazz Buds are the latest addition to Groov-e’s true wireless range.  Compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and audio players, they deliver high quality clear sound with powerful bass.

Touch control enables users to play and pause music, skip forward and back through tracks and alter the volume just by gently pushing on the earbuds. Voice-assistant enabled, users can even activate Siri or Google without removing their device from a bag or pocket. The Jazz Buds also feature a built-in mic for clear hands-free calls.

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Featuring a modern yet ergonomic design, the Jazz Buds are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time whether working or out and about. To pair, simply take the Jazz Buds out of the charging case and they will automatically connect to the selected smart device (after being paired the first time).

The Jazz Buds come with a portable intelligent charging case which means they can provide up to four hours of music playback per charge and up to an additional 21 hours using the charging case. A Type-C USB charging cable is also included in the box.

Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “The true wireless market has exploded over the last few years and consumers are certainly spoiled for choice where entirely wireless earbuds are concerned. With our range we’ve shown that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get a decent pair of true wireless earphones. Our latest edition, Jazz Buds, delivers quality audio and useful extra features for just £29.99, making them perfect for those looking for more affordable, truly wireless headphones.” 

 

Choose your own adventure with A Little Golf Journey from Okidokico and Playtonic Friends

A relaxed, playful experience built around a stripped back version of the game of golf, A Little Golf Journey is all about the journey, not the driver.  Explore diverse biomes, uncover each course’s secrets and tee off on the most relaxing round you’ve ever experienced.

A Little Golf Journey will be launching on Steam for PC, GOG and Nintendo Switch on 14th October and just like the real game, you can take your time to soak in the natural beauty of the course, spend all your time out of bounds – but who knows what you might discover – or shoot straight for the hole!

Born from a desire to break away from the hyper-specialisation of AAA game development, A Little Golf Journey took the team at Okidokico on their own journey as they had to master all the disciplines to create their take on Golf whilst creating a relaxing, intriguing narrative with puzzles a plenty and flexibility in play which allows you, the player, to chart your own course through the world.

Wish lists are open right now on Steam and the Nintendo eShop will go live later this week.

DTS and Vestel Bring DTS:X Immersive Audio to New Generation of Televisions

DTS  a global leader in next-generation audio, imaging and sensing technology and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xperi Holding Corporation  today announced Vestel, the leading Turkish electronic company, has gained DTS:X certification for their new range of televisions.

DTS:X for TV is a comprehensive immersive audio solution designed for single and dual-core TV SoC architectures and is fully backward compatible with all existing DTS-encoded content, including DTS:X and DTS-HD® Master Audio Blu-ray Discs and DTS Digital Surround. The solution also features the latest high-efficiency DTS:X immersive streaming decoder for streaming content from OTT services.

“We are proud to be one of the first European TV manufacturers certified for DTS:X” said Barış Altınkaya, deputy general manager of marketing and product management, Vestel. “At Vestel, we continuously strive to enhance TV sound quality, and with DTS:X, we can now further push the boundaries of what is possible to deliver a transformational, multi-dimensional surround sound experience, straight from the TVs themselves.”

“Bringing DTS:X to a mainstream television audience through our collaboration with Vestel is a landmark moment for immersive TV audio in Europe,” said Gabriel Cosgrave, general manager, EMEA, Xperi. “Millions more consumers now have the ability to experience fully immersive audio directly from their TV, meaning their home entertainment experience can truly come to life.”

Televisions featuring DTS:X are compatible with any DTS content connected to the TV from HDMI, USB and OTT streaming services. The solution includes a DTS:X transcoder capable of outputting DTS Digital Surround over S/PDIF and ARC (audio return channel) and can output a DTS:X lossless bitstream via eARC (enhanced audio return channel) to connected devices such as DTS:X-enabled A/V receivers or sound bars for a seamless DTS home entertainment experience. The DTS:X solution for TV is a must-have for the IMAX Enhanced program, and it has also been adopted in the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) spec for Europe. DTS:X for TV is compatible with the DTS® Virtual:X™ audio post-processing solution to deliver the best possible audio experience from immersive content played over a TV’s internal speakers.

Belfast Start-Up selected by Global accelerator Techstars – Developing ‘ebay’ Style Platform to Manage & Sell Criminal Assets Creating New Jobs

Asset Reality, founded by Belfast man Aidan Larkin, is one of just 12 companies in the world selected for the prestigious 2021 international Techstars Programme. Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed.  Less than 1% of applicants get accepted onto the programme putting the company in line for a major $1m dollar investment with the world’s largest tech accelerator.

Speaking about the programme Aidan Larkin, Founder and CEO of Asset Reality said:

“Being selected for Techstars will accelerate our ability to drive investment and will mean new software development and create new roles across the UK & Ireland as the company grows and expands. The new normal of hybrid working allows us to draw on a wider talent pool of local and international recruits for our new offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Dublin and London as well as aiding our expansion into the US.

“The money raised from proceeds of crime sales gives law enforcement budgets to keep us safe, pays back victims of crime and funds charities and good causes.  Literally billions of pounds every year is wasted through inefficient systems and processes when dealing with complex seized assets.

“There is a major opportunity to build solutions to deal with seized cryptocurrency better, for example, and our platform will allow enforcement agencies around the world to recover, manage and sell their assets in one single platform.

“We were a little stunned when we got that email saying we’d been accepted onto the Techstars London programme. I’m incredibly proud of the company and our team and the fact that we are only the fifth company from the island of Ireland to be accepted onto this international programme, fills me with pride”.

Having an incredible network of mentors, alumni, investors, and the amazing team, led by Eamonn Carey, Aidan still thinks it all seems surreal.

“We are really excited for the future considering the company only launched this idea from a spare bedroom 18 months ago just as the pandemic started. To realise the scale of the opportunity, we have we look to our crypto partner Chainalysis, who also started off in Techstars in 2015, as a small start-up and have now grown to a $4 billion dollar company.

“Whilst my co-founders, Hugo Elliott & Nick Furneaux and I have our feet firmly on the ground, it’s wonderful to have that network that allows us to think big,” said Aidan.

Eamonn Carey, MD of Techstars London, says he is particularly excited with the inclusion of Asset Reality in this tenth anniversary intake.

“Law enforcement agencies have no IT solutions for effectively tracking, managing, and selling seized assets. Asset Reality’s platform will provide a combined case management solution and online asset manager tool to solve these problems and additionally give the public access to a new ‘ebay’ style marketplace to help save time and dramatically increase revenue from the sale of seized assets.

“We always talk about team, team, team, market, traction, idea as being the order in which we assess companies – and in this instance, Aidan and the team have unrivalled founder-market fit, alongside real business and technical nous. I’ve already heard from our mentors and investors about how excited they are about the opportunity in front of Asset Reality, and I look forward to supporting them over the coming weeks, months and years.”

Guide to driving theory practice apps

You wouldn’t expect to pass your driving test if you hadn’t practiced any of your manoeuvres. Well, the same applies for your theory test. The theory exam puts your knowledge of the highway code, road signs and your alertness to the test, along with many other things. 

Bad news is each time you fail your test, you’ll be required to pay to re-take it once more, so you’re going to want to prepare as best as you can to help you to pass first time. Once you’ve passed your theory test, you’ll be able to inform your driving instructor and think about booking your practical exam!

Thankfully, there are plenty of useful resources out there to help you practice for your theory test. There are even apps that will help you find driving test cancellations meaning you can take your test more quickly. You can now download some handy apps so that you can practice on the go, and here’s our guide to some of the best on the market.

Official DVSA Theory Test Kit

If you’re looking for that go-to app that will help you to ace your theory test, then this Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) app is for you. This is the official DVSA mobile resource and contains the Highway Code, interactive hazard perception videos and a multitude of tips to help you to revise. Unfortunately, the app isn’t free, but it could be the best £4.99 that you’ve spent in a while. 

2021 Driving Theory Test

This app is a great if you’re looking for a free resource to help you to study for your theory test. You can be rest-assured that the 2021 Driving Theory Test app contains the relevant information that you’ll need to pass, since it’s licensed by the DVSA. 

Just like the official DVSA app, this option provides you with hazard perception practice, road sign questions and mock testing. The beauty of this resource is that it is at your fingertips wherever you go, since you can use it even if your mobile device isn’t connected to the internet. Unfortunately, this app is currently only available for IOS users.

Driving Theory Test 4 in 1

If you need an app that will keep track of your progress to motivate you, then we recommend the Driving Theory Test 4 in 1 app. 

It includes:

  • Mock tests and quizzes
  • Multiple choice DVSA questions
  • Case study questions
  • 85 interactive Hazard Perception videos
  • Official DVSA advice/explanations
  • Customisable features — to help you focus on your weaker areas
  • Free support
  • A progress monitor

Coming in at £4.99, this app has all of the bells and whistles that any tech fan would appreciate. 

Gone are the days when you had to lug a heavy DVSA textbook around and head to your computer if you wanted to practice some hazard perception. Now, you can download some helpful, fun apps that will provide you with all the information and testing that you’ll need to help pass your theory exam. What’s more, since the majority of these apps don’t require an internet connection to work, you have no excuse not to practice!

What are you waiting for? Get practicing and get that test booked! 

When Do You Need a Bridging Loan and How to Apply for One?

Financial emergencies come unannounced. Short-term loans are great to meet your financial emergencies or when you are short of cash to meet your urgent needs like utility bills or other expenses. 

A bridging loan Singapore is a short-term loan or a gap financing arrangement used in different scenarios. Here are some financial scenarios when you need a bridge loan. 

Buying a Second Property

According to recent data, Singapore had around 1.08 million HDB units. The Housing and Development Board is a legal body that manages public housing. Many times people want to buy a second home and sell the existing one. 

However, a home sale is a lengthy process, and you have to wait for months to get the cash in hand. The seller of the second property might not be ready to wait for such a long time, and they may have other prospective buyers waiting in line who can close the sale early. 

In such a scenario, you can apply for a bridging loan in Singapore. The repayment term of a bridging loan is around 1 to 18 months, and you have to make full repayment of the loan before the loan term ends. 

A bridge loan can be helpful to purchase a second property while you are waiting for the closing of the sale of the existing property. The repayment tenure is enough to complete the sale of your existing property and make full loan repayment.

Your House Is Facing Foreclosure. 

According to a report published in This Week in Asia, the Singapore government findings have reported a worrying trend of house owners defaulting on mortgages. It has led to a sudden spike in the number of foreclosures. 

If you cannot keep up with mortgage payments and your house is facing foreclosure, you can apply for a bridging loan in Singapore. 

As per Singapore foreclosure laws, the mortgagor has an equitable title to the mortgaged party, and they can transfer the equitable title to the lender by agreement. You can take the loan amount to repay the pending mortgage payment and stop the foreclosure process.

For Business Operations

According to ACRA, Singapore has more than 400,000 registered business entities. Businesses that sell goods and services and receive payment only at the end can take bridge loans to meet their current business expenses. They can repay the loans after receiving payment from the customer.

Real Estate Companies

According to 2016 data, Singapore has around 5,981,000 businesses related to the construction industry. Construction companies need to infuse huge capital to construct the building, and they can sell and recover their costs after selling the property. 

Such companies can use bridge loans to meet business operation expenses and repay the loan after selling flats and commercial properties. 

How to Apply for Bridge Loans in Singapore?

Any individual in Singapore can apply for bridge loans provided they meet the eligibility criteria. To apply for a bridge loan, you need to be 21 years or older. The maximum age limit is 70 years. Also, the applicant needs to be the owner of the business or property.

Rate of Interest

Many Singapore lenders offer small amount bridge loans that can be useful to meet urgent financial needs. The rate of interest of bridge loans is in the range of 12% to 18%. The rate of interest varies with lenders. Hence, you need to be careful and check the interest rate before applying for a bridge loan with any lender.

Loan Tenure and Credit Score Check

Since it is a short-term loan, the average repayment tenure is 12 months. However, some lenders may offer longer loan payment tenures. The lender will verify your creditworthiness by checking your credit score. If you have a good score, you can ask for a lower interest rate. 

To sum up, if you need cash, you can apply for a bridge loan. Most lenders allow you to apply online, and the loan approval is also quick.

Skullcandy unveils Skull-iQ

Skullcandy, the US #1 selling brand in Stereo Headphones and True  Wireless Earbuds  under $100, announced today its all-new, voice-driven platform, Skull-iQ Smart Feature  Technology. Providing users with the ability to go completely hands-free, Skull-iQ debuts on Push Active True  Wireless Earbuds (£69.99 MSRP) which get smarter over time with over-the-air updates via the Skullcandy App.  Available from November at Skullcandy.co.uk and select retailers nationwide. 

Intuitive voice commands are the standout feature of Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology. Users can simply  say, “Hey Skullcandy” to initiate seamless voice control. They can then give commands to play or pause  content, accept or reject calls, turn on Stay-Aware Mode for enhanced safety and even launch Spotify. Through a  partnership with the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, Skullcandy is the first to provide  voice-activated Spotify Tap™ access. A simple, “Hey Skullcandy, Spotify” voice command enables the most  frictionless way to access music and podcasts, or users can press a button on their earbuds to activate. Skull-iQ also makes it easy to issue audio commands directly to a device’s personal voice assistant without any additional  setup. These game-changing convenience features are ideal for anyone seeking added flexibility, but especially  important for active lifestyle users engaged in activities like snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding and  more. 

“At Skullcandy, we live and breathe adventure in the same ways our consumers do and it’s our shared passions  that push us to innovate,” said Jeff Hutchings, Skullcandy Chief Product Officer. “Skull-iQ grants our fans the  freedom of hands-free voice control over their music, communications and more, allowing them to stay in the  action without missing a beat. We’re thrilled to bring these advancements to the masses with the value-packed  Push Active True Wireless Earbuds, offering affordable access to an ever-growing list of advanced features  thanks to over-the-air updates.” 

skullcandy skull-Q techbuzzireland

Skullcandy’s latest collection of true wireless earbuds is led by the new Push Active True Wireless Earbuds.  Serving as the ideal entry point to Skull-iQ hands-free voice control technology, Push Active is for those seeking  an adventure-ready, durable fit designed specifically for high-intensity activities. Push Active True Wireless Sport Earbuds are the ultimate audio partner, offering flexible over-ear hooks and water/sweat resistance.  

Additional details surrounding Push Active True Wireless Earbuds include: 

Push Active True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP. 

  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks,  adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more. • Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality  and added value. 
  • Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual  noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit. 
  • Up to 44 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 34 hours in the  charging case. 
  • USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life. • True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.2. 
  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used. 
  • IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat. 
  • Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app. 

For more information on Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology as well as Push Active True Wireless Earbuds,  visit http://www.skullcandy.co.uk

Why Dedicated Hosting Is An Apt Choice For Businesses

Choosing the correct hosting for your website can be challenging in many ways. You need to consider the cost, services, plans, and support web hosts offer, among other things. But while shared hosting may be among the most typical and preferred types of hosting, it may not be the appropriate option for everyone.

Browsing through Liquid Web reviews will show you that such hosting providers don’t offer shared hosting services. While they may have their reasons, the good thing is that they provide excellent dedicated hosting.

Several features make this type of hosting one of the most solid choices for businesses large and small. Here are some undeniable reasons for companies to try this hosting.

Exclusive server resources

One of the best reasons for trying such a hosting type is that there is no need to worry about sharing the server with various other websites or applications; you get a separate server all to yourself. You can enjoy the server’s bandwidth, disk space, and RAM without other web pages clogging them up.

Unique IP address

You will have a unique address when you use dedicated servers, as each server has its IP address. So, if the one next to yours happens to store pages or websites that may, unfortunately, get corrupted accidentally, it will not affect your server. Typically, eCommerce sites of all possible sizes prefer using such servers as there is little to no risk of the website crashing.

Higher security and performance

Excellent security is especially critical for companies that handle sensitive transactions using FTP – they are protected from potential spammers or malicious websites. Also, this is among the best hosting types for websites that regularly witness a vast amount of traffic. They provide stability and reliability, ensuring users expand their business efficiently. 

This kind of high-end hosting is one of the reasons that the global web hosting market is growing at a tremendous rate. It is expected to grow by over 15% by 2027.

Flexibility 

Unlike other types of hosting, these kinds of servers offer users the flexibility to customize their servers in any way they want. They can customize RAM, CPU, disk space, and software, among other things. Also, they can decide which site management tools and software to use, when to launch which application, etc. You will be able to enjoy this kind of total control when using these types of hosting servers.

No expense upfront

Self-hosting is not up everyone’s alley. It requires a considerable amount of patience, money, time, and skillset, among other things. This type of hosting is a cost-effective way to enjoy similar benefits, as the web hosting provider takes on a majority of the burden. In simple terms, you can enjoy complete access to the resources of a single server meant solely for you, while the web host takes care of the building cost, security issues, maintenance, etc.

Conclusion 

Making an informed web host choice becomes easier when you are aware of the benefits of using a dedicated hosting provider. However, before you finalize a web host, ensure to check their reputation, client support, reliability, and overall quality. Asking about their hardware quality will also make a difference.