Month: February 2023

OPPO Launches Find N2 Flip Globally

OPPO has unveiled its first foldable smartphone for international users, the OPPO Find N2 Flip. With this flip device, OPPO is officially expanding the foldable product line to overseas markets after the great success of the OPPO Find N and OPPO Find N2 series in China.

Combining the largest cover screen on any flip phone with all-day battery life and SUPERVOOC flash charging, the OPPO Find N2 Flip takes foldables from the fringes to the forefront in a compact, sleek way.

The new OPPO Find N2 Flip puts an industry-leading cover screen into palms and pockets, challenging what users have come to expect from small form-factor foldables. Together with its light weight and pocketable size, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s vertical cover screen turns the company’s debut flip phone into an incredible photography tool. The large cover screen also features powerful widgets that help users stay on top of up to six notifications at a time and handle other simple tasks without needing to open the phone.

Empowered by world-class hardware, a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds, the OPPO Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for OPPO’s foldable product portfolio and flip phones on the whole.

Redefining the Cover Screen

Measuring at 3.26 inches, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s cover screen is the largest of any flip phone on the market. Its generous size makes everything easier to do whether taking selfies or checking notifications.

The vertical orientation is a game changer, allowing the Cover Screen to display up to six notifications in one view, which is industry-leading. Quickly reply to messages in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more – all without opening your phone.

Balancing useful features with fun, playful moments, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s cover screen lets you customise your home screen in interactive ways. Pet lovers can choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster, or rabbit, and you’ll have company whenever you fire it up. From playful to laugh-out-loud, set a GIF as your cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop, and if you’re a Bitmoji fan, your sticker pack can be your AOD (always-on display). In addition to Bitmoji, the AOD also displays helpful insights including the time, date, power status, and notifications.

Rather than creating a loud, attention-grabbing aesthetic for the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s design, OPPO went for a sleek look, so the phone’s style acts as a backdrop for the cover screen to shine.

With polished aluminum sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, Find N2 Flip has a simplified design, which feels premium in the hand and is available in two colours: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.

Weighing just 191g and measuring only 7.45mm in thickness, the OPPO Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it is a comfortable fit in your hand, whether open or closed.

It’s the immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is picture perfect, with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Viewability is excellent in different environments thanks to an advanced anti-reflection film and up to 1600 nits of peak brightness.

The Best Flip Phone Camera

The OPPO Find N2 Flip’s flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens – a strong foundation for incredible imaging.

See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives you the clearest selfie preview available. And if you’re taking a photo or video of someone else, fire up Dual Preview so they can see how they look.

The OPPO Find N2 Flip’s 17:9 aspect ratio cover screen is the same vertical orientation as your phone’s camera sensor, keeping cropping to a minimum for maximum detail.

Unlock even more creativity with FlexForm Mode, made possible by the second-generation Flexion Hinge, as the OPPO Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45-110 degrees for waist-level dynamic angles and evocative 4K time-lapse video.

FlexForm Mode also turns your flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture – perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.

Co-developed with legendary camera manufacturer Hasselblad, the OPPO Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colours, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame.

Much more than just a photography champion, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light, and you can also hold the phone part-folded and sideways, just like a camcorder for a steadier grip.

Tested to Over 400,000 Folds

Much of what makes the OPPO Find N2 Flip outstanding is its second-generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease.

The hinge’s miniaturised design is made up of fewer components than the first-generation Flexion Hinge used on the OPPO Find N, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The second-generation Flexion Hinge is more compact than ever, creating extra space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.

Just as with the OPPO Find N and OPPO Find N2, there is no hinge gap when you close the OPPO Find N2 Flip, so it keeps dust out to better protect the inner display. The phone has also been independently certified by TÜV Rhineland to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature. That’s equivalent to opening and closing the phone around 100 times a day for more than ten years, and it’s also tested up to 100,000 times at 50 degrees Celsius and 95 per cent humidity, and at -20 degrees Celsius.

OPPO iterated its second-generation Flexion Hinge to guide the screen into the gentlest folding angle possible, creating a waterdrop-shaped fold that results in a significantly shallower, narrower crease than other flip phones when unfolded. In addition to being incredibly subtle to the eye, it also feels virtually imperceptible to the touch for an uninterrupted flat-screen experience.

The Longest Lasting and Fastest Charging Flip Phone

The OPPO Find N2 Flip fits a large 4,300mAh battery in its compact body. This is the biggest battery in any flip phone by a huge margin, resulting in reliable all-day battery life.

OPPO worked closely with MediaTek to create an optimised version of its flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset for the OPPO Find N2 Flip. These efforts have resulted in over one hour of video calling, more than two hours of social media and five hours of music streaming.

The OPPO Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge – resolving one of the most critical pain points among existing and potential users of flip smartphones.

OPPO has included the fastest charging of any flip phone in the OPPO Find N2 Flip – 44W SUPERVOOC – taking the battery from nearly empty to 50% in just 23 minutes and up to 100%in less than one hour.

ColorOS 13 with the longest OS and security support in Android phones

In addition to world-class hardware, the OPPO Find N2 Flip is a huge step forward with the software experience for flip smartphones. It runs OPPO’s latest ColorOS 13 specifically optimized for the new form factor, taking full advantage of the large cover screen, Flexform Mode and a lot more. It is also OPPO’s first phone to offer four years of major ColorOS updates and five years of security updates, joining the ranks of the longest support in any Android phone.

In summary, the OPPO Find N2 Flip breaks through barriers with the largest cover screen on any flip phone. With it, world-class selfies and flagship photography experiences are made possible.

Robust enough for over a decade of folding, and with all-day battery life and fast charging, durability and battery anxiety will be a distant memory as the OPPO Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones.

Price and Availability

The OPPO Find N2 Flip will be available in Ireland later this year. Stay tuned for more information on available colours, pricing and further details but you can still buy from the UK from March 2nd  if you do not want to wait.

Top 5 NFT Projects You Can Invest Today

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that exist on the blockchain. These tokens represent ownership of a particular asset, and they can be used to certify proof of ownership or provide access rights. They differ from traditional forms of digital currency because they cannot be interchanged or exchanged for other currencies or goods in the same way that Bitcoin or Ethereum can. Instead, each token is designed to be completely unique and have specific properties associated with it. This makes them ideal for use cases such as trading collectibles, provably rare artworks, and gaming items, verifying physical property, issuing crypto-tokens backed by real-world assets like cars, and much more. 

With NFTs becoming increasingly popular and versatile, there are endless possibilities for what can be done with them. From providing new forms of digital ownership, to opening up new markets and applications, NFTs are revolutionizing the way we think about ownership rights on the blockchain. They allow us to create unprecedented types of property rights that were never before possible. This makes it an exciting time for anyone interested in exploring the potential of this revolutionary technology.

At its core, a Non-Fungible Token is a unique piece of code that run on a blockchain network like Ethereum or EOS. It contains information such as ownership records and asset details, which can then be used to carry out certain transactions or access certain resources depending on how it is programmed. Unlike traditional digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, NFTs are not meant to be exchanged or traded for other tokens or goods. Instead, each token is treated as a unique piece of digital property. This means that the owners have full control over how it is used, stored, and transferred.

The possibilities presented by Non-Fungible Tokens are seemingly limitless – from asset backing to providing access rights and certifying ownership records. It is an exciting time for anyone interested in exploring the potential of this revolutionary technology. As more developers explore the capabilities of NFTs, we expect to see more applications being developed that utilize their unique properties and open up new markets. With its ability to provide digital scarcity and immutable proof of ownership, NFTs have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about ownership rights on the blockchain.

It is no wonder that Non-Fungible Tokens are quickly becoming one of the hottest trends in the blockchain industry. With its ability to provide digital scarcity, proof of ownership and a new form of digital asset class, NFTs offer great potential for both users and developers alike. As more people become aware of this revolutionary technology, we can expect to see Non-Fungible Tokens become even more popular and versatile in the near future.

If you’re looking to invest in some NFTs, here are five of the best ones you can buy today:

1. CryptoPunks 

CryptoPunks are rare digital characters created by Larva Labs and released on Ethereum in 2017. They feature unique designs and attributes that give them their own individual personalities. Each punk is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated, making them highly sought after by investors.

2. Decentraland 

Decentraland is an Ethereum-based virtual world where users can purchase land parcels, build structures, collaborate with other players, and create art pieces using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Players also have the ability to host events such as competitions or music festivals within the game’s 3D environment.

3. SuperRare 

SuperRare is a marketplace for artists and collectors to buy, sell, and discover unique digital artworks created using blockchain technology. It allows users to easily purchase limited edition works from talented creators around the world using NFTs.

4. Axie Infinity  

Axie Infinity is a fantasy collectible game built on the Ethereum blockchain where players buy, breed, battle, and raise adorable creatures called “Axies”. These collectible creatures are stored as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain and can be traded within the game or sold on secondary marketplaces such as OpenSea or Rarible.

5. NBA Top Shot 

NBA Top Shot is an official trading card marketplace powered by the Flow blockchain where fans can purchase officially licensed highlights from their favorite basketball games in packs or single cards individually known as “moments” which are stored as crypto collectibles called NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Moments range from personal player milestones to once-in-a-lifetime events between rival teams from past seasons that can now be shared with fellow collectors everywhere!

Key Takeaway

In conclusion, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are gaining popularity as digital assets that can be used to store and trade value. There are a variety of NFTs available on the market, from CryptoPunks and Decentraland to SuperRare, Axie Infinity, and NBA Top Shot. Each of these projects has its own distinct characteristics that make it an attractive investment option for those looking to expand their crypto portfolio. Ultimately, choosing which NFTs you want to invest in is up to your personal preferences and financial goals. With proper research and due diligence, you can find the right NFT investments for you!

Got an NFT project that you want to promote? Fracas Digital can build your brand and community for you! Contact us for more info.   

 

F-Secure launches new Total cyber security package

Cyber security provider F-Secure today releases a new version of its premium cyber security service Total. Total now enables users to protect themselves from complex cyber threats with one simple solution. Integrating previously separate F-Secure SAFE, FREEDOME and ID PROTECTION into a single easy-to-use app, Total offers users the very best in online protection. 

Recent F-Secure research found that 60% of people find managing security of all connected devices impossible. By launching one app that offers complete security and privacy on desktops, phones and tablets, with no complicated set-up and jargon free, F-Secure is making security simpler for their customers.

What’s new?

  • Same app for every family member adapts to individual protection needs

  • Optimised child user experience (including own UI scheme)

  • Family rules enhanced with VPN

  • People & Devices for easy license, user and Family Rules management 

  • New iOS Safari extension for browsing protection

  • On Windows Banking Protection prevents untrusted network connections from happening during the online banking session 

  • New remote Access Protection blocks use of remote access tools during banking session 

The launch of Total comes alongside a new look F-Secure as it sets its sights on simplifying cyber security for consumers who face confusion around what protection they need for their devices.

Getting started with F-Secure Total is easy. Thanks to the online management portal (my.f-secure.com) or the People & Devices view inside the Total app, users can have all their devices protected in a matter of minutes without the hassle of multiple installations, license keys and credentials. 

F-Secure Total provides: 

Malware Protection – Offering award-winning Malware protection, Total is built on the same antivirus protection technology as SAFE. It protects devices against viruses, trojans, ransomware and other harmful apps that may collect, steal or lock personal data, credit card numbers, banking credentials and other valuable information. Total brings the fastest response times to new threats with a combination of the new behaviour-based protection technology, DeepGuard, and the latest AI-enhanced cloud technologies (Windows and Mac).

Browsing Protection – Browsing Protection allows users to browse the internet safely, automatically keeping them away from malware and phishing sites.

Banking Protection – Banking Protection gives users added security for online shopping and banking. It      prevents access to known malware and phishing sites and a VPN encrypts all internet traffic to protect security and privacy. 

Privacy VPN – Privacy VPN enables online security and privacy even on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks such as hotels, restaurants and airports, encrypting all data traffic to the internet and keeping online activities safe from hackers and trackers. 

Family Rules – F-Secure Total has been designed to protect the whole family, from small children to adults, adjusting to individual protection needs. Total lets parents set healthy boundaries for children’s device use without forgetting the core online security and privacy. With Total, children can explore the internet, install apps and communicate with family and friends safely. 

The Time Limit feature helps in setting boundaries for screen time and bedtime whilst a content filter prevents access to unsuitable online content. Family Rules can be managed through parent’s Android or iOS app or through the online management portal. 

Gaming Mode – Gaming Mode optimises many security and Windows settings and functionalities for optimised and uninterrupted gaming. In Gaming Mode, Total updates are paused to save bandwidth and CPU load, prompts, notifications and PUSH messages are not shown, and automatic or scheduled antivirus scans are not started. Total PC has been optimised for the best gaming performance. 

Password Vault – Good password practice lowers the risk of personal information falling into the hands of criminals. Password Vault enables easy creation of strong and unique passwords and synchronises them across all devices. Password analysis pinpoints improvement areas like use of common, weak or even re-used passwords while autofill of passwords simplifies daily use of the vault. 

ID Monitoring – F-Secure comes with integrated ID MONITORING which helps to respond to account takeover and identity theft threats. It relies on F-Secure’s breach detection and underground web monitoring. If personal information is found among breached or leaked data, users will receive a warning email. Instructions on what to do next are available in the app. 

Cyber Help – The Cyber Help service aids with user’s online identity related concerns and in case of an identity theft incident, will help with remediation.

F-Secure Total is available from www.f-secure.com now with prices starting from £44.99.

Tile Takes Aim at Bluetooth Tracker Industry’s Theft and Stalking Measures with Launch of Anti-Theft Mode

Tile, a Life360 company and the pioneer in finding technology, today announces the launch of Anti-Theft Mode—a feature designed to protect valuables from theft by increasing the chances of recovery. This is accomplished by making Tile Bluetooth trackers operating in Anti-Theft Mode undetectable by Scan and Secure, an in-app feature that allows both iPhone and Android users to scan for and detect nearby Tiles and Tile-enabled devices. Tile users can activate Anti-Theft Mode on any Tile tracker in use now, including Tile-enabled partner products. Anti-Theft Mode will begin rolling out to Tile users today and be available to all users in the coming weeks.

Tile’s new feature is designed to protect users’ valuables and has been developed in response to customer demand and following a period when theft rates have increased (by 20% in the UK in the year ending September 2022), with economic uncertainty likely to drive robbery rates even higher. Anti-Theft Mode makes it easier to recover stolen valuables by making it harder for thieves to know an item is being tracked.

Unlike other Bluetooth trackers on the market, namely AirTags, Tile does not notify nearby smartphone users when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is travelling with them. These proactive notifications can communicate to thieves that a tracker is on the stolen item, allowing them to remove it and making recovering the item less likely. Some competitor products go as far as to issue an audible beep once the tracker has been separated from its owner, making it clear that a tracker is present and enabling thieves to find it with precision. The proactive notifications found in the Bluetooth tracker industry were designed to prevent stalking; however, these anti-stalking measures have been criticised for being insufficient for victim protection. Instead, these alerts have the possibility of making Bluetooth trackers easily identifiable by thieves.

Users can choose to activate Anti-Theft Mode on any Tile, rendering the tracker invisible on Scan and Secure. This feature, in addition to Tile’s existing lack of proactive alerts to nearby smartphones about a tracker in the vicinity, makes it much harder for thieves to locate Tile trackers on stolen goods.

“Anti-Theft Mode is the only solution in the Bluetooth finding category designed to make it harder for thieves to get away with valuables,” said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Life360 Chris Hulls. “We know that families don’t have time to misplace their items and certainly don’t have the time or money to replace belongings when they get stolen. We’re giving our users a solution that empowers them with a choice. The choice to make their devices invisible to Scan and Secure if they wish, and sleep a little easier at night knowing Tile is doing everything we can to protect their valuables.”

To activate Anti-Theft Mode, users must submit and apply for an advanced ID verification process that includes a biometric scan to accurately detect fake IDs. Once ID verification is complete, the user will be registered with Tile, and Anti-Theft Mode will be activated across all of the user’s Tile Bluetooth trackers. Syncing a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driving license, with a Tile user’s account is a proactive measure to deter the feature from being used for nefarious purposes, such as stalking. Anonymity is directly linked with abusive behaviour both in person and online so Tile is eliminating anonymity and bringing in the latest ID verification technology to its Anti-Theft Mode offering.

In addition, the company is taking a highly collaborative stance with the police and Anti-Theft Mode users must acknowledge that personal information can and will be shared with them at Tile’s discretion, to aid in the investigation and prosecution of suspected stalking.

Anti-Theft Mode’s strict usage terms and verification process are progressive safety measures at the product level to protect against unintended uses, like stalking, by holding bad actors accountable and providing victims with actionable resources against their stalkers. Multi-factor ID verification, defined consequences and clearly established cooperation with police forces are crucial steps in deterring stalking—as well as halting unwanted future conduct5.

“Location sharing and finding have become a part of our daily fabric, and it’s not going anywhere. We develop products for the vast majority of people who use them as intended, and for those who do not, we are committed to cooperating fully with the police,” said Hulls. “To meaningfully address stalking with technology, we must implement safeguards like ID registration of all location-enabled devices that are small enough to be planted on a person so police forces have information to pursue justice for victims. In the meantime, we’ll do what we can at the product level to keep people safe from the outlying cases of bad actors while increasing the likelihood of recovering stolen items with Tile to help people live more relaxed lives.”

Users wanting to keep track of valuables in an under-the-radar manner can choose to activate Anti-Theft Mode for any Tile in the brand’s product line of Bluetooth trackers. Tile products come in various shapes, sizes and styles, including the Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker. Users must be 18+ to activate Anti-Theft Mode.

For more information about Tile’s Anti-Theft Mode, approach to theft, and stance against stalking, visit tile.com/blog/tile-anti-theft-mode.

/e/OS adds private search engine Mojeek to their list of search options

The latest release of /e/OS, the deGoogled and pro-privacy smartphone operating system (OS) includes the privacy-focused independent search engine Mojeek, offering customers concerned about privacy more options to search online without being tracked.
As two human-centric independent technology products, Mojeek and /e/OS are both excited about the new ways in which this combination can help those looking to leave the surveillance-heavy walled gardens of Silicon Valley far behind.
The founders of these two alternative tech projects, Gaël Duval and Marc Smith (of /e/OS and Mojeek respectively) have built sustainable businesses which are competing with Big Tech and providing people with real choice.
With the coming of the latest update of /e/OS 1.8, Mojeek search engine can now be found among the list of other privacy search options in the /e/OS Browser app.
Individuals with smartphones running /e/OS can change the default search engine, in the Browser app, by clicking on the three-dots button (top right corner) then navigating to Settings > Search engine.
/e/OS is a deGoogled mobile operating system which goes to great lengths to remove all of the unnecessary and privacy-invasive aspects of Google’s long-running mobile platform. Through this work, Gaël and his team have made the move to privacy as simple as possible for the end-user.
Whereas with most similar operating systems you have to have sufficient technological knowledge to unlock and re-flash your previously Android-running device, with their trading arm users can buy Murena smartphones, including Murena One, with the /e/OS operating system already running on them out of the box. On top of this, pre-flashed /e/OS smartphone models include the anti e-waste electronics manufacturer Fairphone, offering an ethical and environmentally-friendly smartphone alternative.
Mojeek is a non-tracking search engine that is truly and transparently independent, unlike most allegedly “alternative” search engines which still continue to source results from either Google or Microsoft’s Bing.
Started in 2004, Mojeek now has a web search index of over 6.5 billion webpages. After becoming the first ever private search engine back in 2006, Mojeek has grown sustainably by leveraging the investments of committed private investors who believe in Mojeek’s aims. Their team has also grown steadily, bringing in individuals that share its values of privacy and support for human rights. This includes experienced tech entrepreneur, Colin Hayhurst, who stepped into the role of CEO in 2020.
Gaël Duval – /e/OS and Murena
“It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Mojeek to bring their pro-privacy search engine to Murena users. It brings a lot of value, and shows that working together, we can build a strong and new proposal for users. Like the organic food market became real in the 2000s, together we are pioneering this emerging and super dynamic ‘fair-IT’ market, that offers a real answer to consumers who are seeking products that offer guarantees for their privacy, and are more sustainable.”
Colin Hayhurst – Mojeek
“People and businesses should be able to search and then navigate the web without having their tracks followed or data harvested. Mojeek search results are provided based on the search query you enter, only on settings you control, and can even be customised without any cookies. To provide that we built our search infrastructure, index and algorithms from the ground-up. Our mobile users want a platform from an entity that practices similar principles, and is an alternative to Big Tech companies like Google, Apple and Huawei. Murena and e/OS/ is the ideal complementary smartphone platform for using Mojeek.

“This release has for the first time combined a web search engine and operating system with both being truly alternative pro-privacy products. With both projects having aspects of their offerings which are environmentally-friendly (Mojeek being a green search engine, /e/OS being available on the Fairphone 3 and 4) and both having been built outside of the assumed home of software, Silicon Valley, this is a completely unique opportunity for people to take back their privacy and support alternatives. After years of domination by US business and venture capital, two dynamic European companies are showing the world that they still have a choice when it comes to their tech.”

Audioscenic Kicks Off 2023 With Series a Round Investment and Industry Recognition at CES

Audioscenic, developers of innovative 3D audio beamforming technology, has completed its Series A investment round led by Foresight Ventures and including Hostplus, IP Group, and FWT. The announcement, on the back of the launch of the first consumer product featuring the brand’s technology at CES, the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar, signals a promising year ahead for the company as it continues to explore consumer applications for its forward-thinking approach to spatial audio. 

 

Left, David Monteith. Right, Marcos Simon

 

“We would like to welcome our new investors to Audioscenic and would also like to say a huge thank you to our existing investors for their past and continued support,” said Audioscenic’s CEO David Monteith. “The completion of our A round positions us perfectly to drive the adoption of Audioscenic’s technology into multiple markets in parallel. The value of the company has already grown by more than ten times since it started operations in 2019, and we are very excited to be in a position to share the implications of this technology with the world in the form of accessible, consumer-focused products that will redefine how we experience spatial audio.”

“The team at Audioscenic has made tremendous progress in the last twelve months, culminating in the successful launch of the Razer product at CES 2023,” said Managing Director of Foresight Ventures Richard Lewis. “We are delighted to support Audioscenic in the current Series A round and we look forward to working with David and the team in the coming years.”

The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro is the first product on the market to implement Audioscenic’s unique 3D audio beamforming technology and captured 12 ‘Best of CES’ awards from publications such as The Verge, Engadget, TechRadar, and PC Gamer among others. The soundbar is but the first in a series of planned implementations of the technology that will add a new dimension of audio experience, to otherwise commonly available audio sources, including laptops and car audio systems. 

“Previous attempts to bring spatial audio to everyday consumers have often come with a high price tag and large amounts of supporting equipment that aren’t practical,” said Dr Marcos Simon, Audioscenic’s CTO and Co-Founder. “Our 3D audio beamforming technology can be implemented in form factors that are familiar to consumers – soundbars, laptops, built-in speakers, etc – while still giving an elevated level of experience that was not previously achievable. The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro is a crucial first step for Audioscenic, and we’re eager to take more of them in the coming years as we explore different product applications for our technology.”

For more information about Audioscenic, please click here. 

Tech Review – ZHIYUN FIVERAY F100 stick light

Last year you might remember the FR100C from Zhiyun which is a really cool light to have at your disposal and you can check out the review of that here, this time around we have their new FIVERAY F100 stick light which is similar but has more on offer this time around when it comes to features and so on and comes in a really cool travel case too so for those who need portability you have got it and not only that you keep the device protected and out of harms way.

ZHIYUN’s FIVERAY F100 is the second professional lighting stick in its FIVERAY product range, bringing power, portability and accurate colour rendition in one versatile tool. Weighing just 950g, F100 is designed for one-handed control and comfort, offering a pro lighting solution without the need for complicated set-up or setting adjustment. The lighting tool reaches 20,708 lux at its 100W maximum power. Embedded with 5 times more LED chips, F100 gives you ultra-bright output compared to similar-sized lights. F100 offers six creative lighting effects that help build up the atmosphere easily when inspiration strikes.

The unit is a solid well built product and has barn doors this time around and an additional filter and cap to add to the mix and the brand is all about professional tech here for filming and vlogging etc and they have all the tools required for such people and from testing these products ourselves we can easily recommend them for your needs and the lates tkit is no different,perhaps a bit of an overkill for my set-up but it does enhance the game and gives me the opportunity to do better things and the same applies to others doing similar.

Again it is a simple product to use with no app and a simple control wheel to change the lighting experience which offers a wide range of colours and tones to work with making it the right tool for the job in any situation. There is also an app coming soon for this which will make it even more interesting, check out the video below for a full walkthrough of all the features and what to expect.

 

Features

  • 【Classic & Portable 】Weighted only 950g/2.1lb, the upgraded stick light packed with excellent features fits perfectly in your hand, offering lighting solutions without complicated settings and setups.
  • 【100W High Power & Innovative Cooling System】Embedded with 5 times more LED chips, F100 gives you ultra-bright output compared to the same-sized lights. Adopts inventive DynaVort Cooling System based on fluid dynamics and the dynamic algorithm.
  • 【CCT Mode and HSI Mode for Pro RGB】Offers precise adjustment of color temperature in CCT Mode via the intuitive dial. CCT Range: 2700K-6200K. Increased to 148 RGB chips and help improves the lighting effect two times brighter than the predecessor.
  • 【Inspiration Glows Non-Stop】6 built-in 2600mAh batteries ensure 1 hour 4 mins runtime at 50W working power. Supports Types-C charging. The adaptive charging technology satisfies PD power adapters of different power for both high power for both high power and long runtime scenarios.
  • 【Get Intuitive And Precise Control】Nail every shoot in various scenarios such as live streaming, interviewing,TVC, vlogging, and close-up portraits.

BUY HERE

Video Review

Revolut research finds that parents with children are thought to be most impacted by inflation

New research by Revolut, the global financial super app with more than 2 million customers in Ireland, has delved into the impacts of inflation. The majority of people in Ireland think prices will continue to go up this year, with parents with children being most impacted compared to other household types.

Revolut recently reported that the average consumer in Ireland is spending 17.8% more, year on year. However, the survey of 1,000 people in Ireland found that 56% of people think prices will go up even more this year. In contrast, 15% think prices will go down in 2023, with 18-24 year olds being the most optimistic with 31% thinking prices will go down. 45-54 year olds are the most pessimistic as 63% think prices will increase further this year.

When asked which types of households those polled think are most impacted by inflation and high prices, 69% of people said parents with children. Despite some expenses such as children’s clothing only increasing by 5.8% year on year, the number of customers paying for child care services has gone up 185%, year on year, likely due to the relaxation of covid restrictions.

Other answers of which households are most affected by inflation include retired people (36%), students living with roommates (30%), and singles (24%). As supermarket spending has increased 14.3%, price rises are impacting all walks of life.

Furthermore, salaries haven’t kept up with inflation according to the research, as only 10% said they had a pay rise last year to match inflation. Overall, 37% of people said their salary didn’t increase last year. 21% said their salary wasn’t increased and don’t think it will rise this year either. Only 5% of people said that although their salary didn’t increase last year, they will negotiate it this year, and 7% think their salary will increase this year. However, 3% said their salary decreased last year.

24% of those surveyed said their salary had increased, but below the rate of inflation. 10% said their salary was raised last year above the inflation rate. But, the data also shows women have been at a disadvantage as 16% of men said their salary was raised above the rate of inflation, but only 5% of women said this was also the case for them too.

The research, carried out by Dynata in January, found that Dublin led the way with salary increases, where 12.8% said their salary was increased above the inflation rate in the last year. However, 28.7% of people in Connaught said their salary was not increased, and don’t think it will be in 2023.

The survey revealed that if those polled were given an extra 10,000 EUR, 15% would spend it on essentials before prices go up further. 15% would save it, 13% would put it aside in a current account they have easy access to, and 11% would spend it on experiences such as travelling.

The average person in Ireland is spending 20.7% more on travel overall, year on year. In January, spending on hotels (35.8%) and airlines (55.5%) increased, year on year. Spending on cruises increased by 144.5% and saw a 39.9% increase in the number of customers making bookings.

The rise of inflation has meant that 38% of people in Ireland are looking to save more money for a rainy day. 36% feel the rise of inflation has taught them how to consume less overall, 13% are looking to focus their money on experiences rather than material goods.

Despite the rise in the cost of living, Revolut recently reported that consumers in Ireland have boosted their generosity. Donations to charity increased by 14.6%, and 8.9% more people gave to charity in January 2023, compared to January the previous year. The survey suggests these figures could grow further, as 18% of people plan to donate more this year than in previous years.

A Revolut spokesperson said: “Our research gives insights into how the rise in cost of living is affecting the priorities of consumers. People in Ireland are ensuring that essentials and saving take precedence. However, travel and experiences continue to be sought after by consumers, as people look to visit new destinations after a turbulent couple of years for the travel industry. It’s also positive to see that as inflation rises, the generosity of people increases as many look to donate more to charities this year to help those less fortunate.”

HP Engineers Extreme Performance with Z By HP

HP Inc. announced its new Z by HP high-performance workstation desktop lineup, engineered to change what is possible within complex, data rich workflows. HP is advancing hybrid workforce management with the HP Anyware Remote System Controller, a device that gives IT departments the management capabilities to support high performance devices from anywhere.

The complex workflows in industries spanning media and entertainment, data science, and engineering mean increased time pressure and the need for more compute power to deliver faster results. They also highlight a need to iterate with remote teams and push creative boundaries to deliver more accurate results. The new Z by HP Z4, Z6, Z8, and Z8 Fury desktops, powered by Intel®, deliver the scalable balance of CPU and GPU compute needed to fuel new levels of speed, accuracy, and creativity.

“Z by HP is dedicated to delivering the best possible computing experience to fuel new levels of speed, accuracy, and creativity,” said Jim Nottingham, Vice President and General Manager, Z by HP. “HP’s design engineering, together with the power of Intel and NVIDIA, provide the performance, scalability, and security our customers require to meet their evolving needs.”

“Intel® and Z by HP represent the future of high-performance workstation computing,” said Roger Chandler, Vice President and General Manager, Intel. “With Intel® Xeon® W, users can expect breakthrough performance, advanced security features, and the scalability they need to tackle the most demanding workloads.”

Extreme Workstation Performance

Z by HP innovations start with the customer to deliver the performance benefits needed whether it’s importing and working with large models and assemblies, running complex simulations, or training complex deep learning and machine learning models faster. The latest Z workstation desktops include up to 56 CPU cores and four high-end GPUs in the Z8 Fury G5. The Z4, Z6, Z8, and our all-new Z8 Fury, provide a variety of configurations to meet every workflow challenge for each of these segments. From our best-selling workhorse, the Z4, to the extreme performance of the Z8 Fury, Z by HP has the right workstation for every workflow.

The Z8 Fury G5 delivers powerful performance while staying cool and quiet under high-performance workflows with up to 56 cores in a single CPU[ii] and unleashing the power of four high-end double-wide GPUs with 2TB of DDR5 memory due to transformative single socket technology. Now you can breeze through even the most complex deep learning, virtual production, and VFX.

The HP Z4 G5 tackles advanced workflows from machine learning to advanced video editing with an evolutionary advancement of up to a 24-core CPU, two high-end GPUs, up to 512GB of RAM. The Z4 G5 accelerates a wide range of professional apps to advance intensive workflows and provides plenty of room to expand as workflows evolves.

The HP Z6 G5 accelerates graphics-intensive workflows with multiple GPUs based on the increased PCIe expandability of the latest Intel® Xeon® W-3400 processor architecture. With up to 36 processing cores, three high-end graphics cards, and 1TB of DDR5 memory, the Z6 G5 delivers significant performance for users demanding a machine that scales with their increased model and dataset complexity.

The HP Z8 G5 is designed for users who demand the most processing compute for CPU-intensive workflows to accelerate rendering with real-time ray tracing, data visualization, and model training while also providing plenty of room to expand as demands change. With a dual-socket workstation, designed to utilize 4th Gen Intel Xeon, it delivers up to 64 system cores in addition to supporting 2x high-end graphics cards with 1TB of DDR5 memory.

The Z8 Fury is designed for power users to experience a new echelon in high-performance. Based on the transformative single socket technology, the Z8 Fury G5 delivers extreme performance with up to 56 cores in a single CPU, while unleashing the power of 4 high-end GPUs

Consolidate Workstation Fleet Management

The HP Anyware Remote System Controller provides IT administrators a single dashboard with the ability to launch a kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) session and perform out-out-of-band management tasks such as pre-boot access, BIOS updates and re-imaging from anywhere.[iii] Through a single interface, IT administrators can now manage a fleet of devices, access secure system information like model numbers and BIOS versions, receive reports, and develop insights, to optimize their infrastructure to resolve issues before they affect users. [iv] HP is designing this hardware and software based on strong security industry standards, completing extensive testing, third-party reviews, and certifications to ensure maximum security.

Pricing and Availability

Product Ireland General Availability Month Starting Price
Z8 Fury G5 From 17 April From 2,800 Euro
Z8 From 20 March From 2,250 Euro
Z4 From 6 March From 1,500 Euro
Z6 From 17 April From 1,900 Euro