Could Electronic Arts’ withdrawal from football’s governing body have lasting consequences?

2023 is a significant year as it signals the last time that Electronic Arts and football’s international governing body will be doing business together. The decision was made after the developers failed to meet FIFA’s asking price to carry on collaborating in the future. 

Show me the money

It was a seismic announcement in the tech industry given that these two companies first began a working relationship in 1993.

In truth, it has been a hugely successful partnership and a blueprint on how to succeed in business.

Having broken so many records, and enjoyed rave reviews, whilst being one of the most dependable collaborators that fans could rely on to produce high-quality products, it appears to be a surprise that the two parties failed to reach an agreement.

However, on closer inspection, it makes complete sense for the innovative developers to decide to go alone after the unmeetable financial demands they encountered in terms of renewing their existing deal.

The badly needed context here is that football’s rule-makers have made a string of questionable business choices over the last ten years which has led to profound change at the top of their organization in a bid to reverse the course they were going down. 

However, it seems as if a new broom doesn’t necessarily always sweep clean given that football’s global think tank has continued to put profit above anything else, as proposed to focusing on the long term by investing in people they have stood side by side with for three decades. 

Their decision in 2021 to part ways with their trusted partner after pricing the company out of the market is a prime example of this. Especially as the current president, Gianni Infantino had been head of the organization since 2016, five years before this agreement was ended. 

The more things change, the more they stay the same 

In essence, Infantino’s appointment was meant to serve as a powerful breath of fresh air that would blow through the dated corridors of the institution’s headquarters in Switzerland but instead, meaningful progress hasn’t been as forthcoming as people might have hoped it would. 

The crucial point to make here is that it should be said that there has been a pioneering attitude adopted to matters on the field of play, with one of the most significant changes under Infantino being a World Cup that is set to feature 48 nations instead of the previous 32. 

It is, all things considered, a staggering decision that will mean an eye-watering 104 matches at the event in 2026. With such drastic changes, naturally comes uncertainty about what to expect and indeed who could win, even if Betway has, as of the 16th of March, priced Brazil as the outright favourites at odds of 6/1. The truth is that no one knows what Infantino’s new format in North America will realistically look like or how well the tournament will be received.

In essence, this isn’t necessarily the type of change that people have been asking for with the organization continuing to act in a way that perhaps could be best described as serving their own interests instead of the greater good. 

Electronic Arts left high and dry 

Essentially, the broader point is that their decision to terminate their long-standing collaboration with Electronic Arts is a change of direction, yes, but it is one that a vast amount of people would have been against. In this sense, the company is making changes but ones that could be detrimental to its reputation. 

Additionally, it does speak volumes that there was seemingly little room for negotiation when the request was to find some middle ground in order to preserve one of the most iconic partnerships in the world of technology. 

But it is the terminology that the institution used in the parting statement that reveals how little awareness there seemingly is of how they are perceived globally after they said: “it is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights.”

In other words, to imply that a group of developers are the ones guilty of trying to seek absolute power is ironic, and given that they have now, albeit reluctantly, had to walk away, a light will be shone on how Infantino’s company treats its established partners which will hopefully inspire genuine change going forward. 

The all new Jabra Elite 4 – feature-packed entry earbuds for both work and play

Jabra, a leader in personal sound and hybrid work solutions, is launching the Elite 4 earbuds, the latest addition to its unique Elite lineup. Following in the footsteps of the entry-level Elite 3, these affordable true wireless earbuds are a step up from its predecessor, ideal for the modern earbud user. At the push of a button, users can escape from a busy day by immersing themselves in media or connecting with colleagues, friends or family.  

The Elite 4 has been tailored to cover earbud essentials, such as comfort, optimal sound and convenience, all at a very reasonable price. For users that need to connect to two different devices simultaneously, the Jabra Elite 4 offers Bluetooth® Multipoint, facilitating smooth and stress-free switching, without skipping a beat. Even the initial pairing of earbuds to a device is simple, with Fast Pair connecting instantly to a mobile device and Swift Pair linking straight to a laptop or computer.  

Ready for travelling or commuting, the feedforward Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in these earbuds filters out unwanted sounds, so distractions fade into a thing of the past. It doesn’t end there, as the Elite 4 are engineered for crystal-clear sound with 4-microphone call technology and 6mm speakers, so users can be rest assured that they too will be heard loud and clear. For those seeking tailored listening experiences, the Jabra music equaliser and intuitive Sound+ app lets users customise the sound to suit their individual tastes. Personalisation like this is key to creating an earbud experience that feels seamless.  

The Elite 4 last for 5.5 hours of play time on your chosen device, and 22 hours with the sleek case (28 hours with ANC off) – all while providing all-day wearing comfort with its Danish ergonomic acoustic engineering. The earbuds are made with premium durable materials that offer an IP55 durability rating against dust and water and come in four classic colors: Dark Gray, Navy, Lilac and Light Beige. 

Calum MacDougall, SVP at Jabra, said: “The modern earbud user is looking for tech that’s ready for work and play at their fingertips, whilst not compromising on key features. The Elite 4 offer a solution to this and is the perfect all-rounder, designed to help users to concentrate, connect, and call without distractions. It is the ideal companion to balance work and life.”    

Key features of the Elite 4:  

·                     Bluetooth® Multipoint means seamless switching between calls and apps 

·                     Fast Pair and Swift Pair* ensure instant connections to laptops/phones 

·                     Active Noise Cancellation blocks out background noise 

·                     Comfortable fit for all-day wearing 

·                     4-microphone technology for optimised call clarity 

·                     Up to 22 hours total battery with ANC on (28 hours ANC off) 

·                     Go solo feature to use either earbud for listening or taking calls while the other charges 

·                     Spotify Tap playback 

·                     Qualcomm® aptXä unlike competitors 

·                     IP55-rated rainproof protection, plus 2-year warranty** 

The Jabra Elite 4 is available in selected retailers, MSRP £99.99 / €99,99 

 Find out more about Jabra Elite 4 at www.jabra.co.uk/elite4 

VRWorkout Launches a Future-of-Fitness Experience

XRWorkout, an extended reality company company, announces the launch of the VRWorkout fitness experience in the Meta Quest store. Using first-of-its-kind controller-free gameplay, VRWorkout builds on Meta Quest hand-tracking to unlock true bodyweight exercises like pushups, crunches, planks and burpees. The result is a high-intensity calisthenics workout, different from other VR fitness apps which focus mainly on cardio.

VRWorkout is designed to be a safe and balancing experience by engaging the user in a wide range of movements, while keeping them centered in a fixed location. The app uses a unique combination of immersive virtual worlds and the player’s immediate surroundings. Leveraging “passthrough” technology, VRWorkout creates a Mixed Reality fitness space that gives players presence in their real world while being fully engaged in the game. The app features arcade-style futuristic environments, as well as a strong song library for its debut launch.

A core value of VRWorkout is the community aspect of fitness, with a unique way for people to workout together across the globe in multiplayer group workouts. This enables a social fitness experience from the safety of players’ homes.

VR is the most effective way to guide people into following certain movements short of physically touching them. Compared to traditional 2D content it shows the players expected movements from their own vantage point. Minimizing the gap between instructions and action reduces mental stress by inviting a kind of “paint by numbers” training for health and fitness. VRWorkout users state they often ‘zone out’ and really enjoy the fun of the workout, without worrying about what to do next.

Designed as a fitness-first experience, VRWorkout offers user-level adapted workout routines every day. Even if the players repeat the same song multiple times, the in-workout performance adjusts the difficulty as well as changes sequence of movements for a VRWorkout that feels fresh every time.

As a fitness first experience, VRWorkout players always win even if they are not always “on beat”. Regular post launch updates like heart rate controlled exercise, an ever expanding workout catalog and continuous integration of cutting edge developments in the XR space give users the confidence that VRWorkout is leveraging the best of what digital innovation offers for optimized exercise.

VRWorkout is a global physical movement initiative, with a co-founding team that represents Europe, Asia and the US.

Co-founding CEO Alex Azzi steers the venture towards positively impacting humanity at scale. A serial entrepreneur in VR, software, and health and wellness with two exits, Azzi is responsible for leading the team and evangelizing the product.

CTO Michael Gschwandtner, PhD, based in Vienna, is the technical co-founder and a Software Engineer and Computer Scientist in the field of computer vision whose research and innovations include obstacle avoidance for self-driving trains, a popular LIDAR simulation toolbox and research on optical document security. He personally developed the basis of the app as a self-motivational tool for his own exercise routine.

Co-founder and Head of Global Partnerships, April Swando Hu, MBA, based in Singapore, is a Yale and Stanford-alumna, and steers VRWorkouts global strategy for both consumer, enterprise and government applications. Having dedicated her career to increasing access to global education and wellness programs, Hu’s main focus is promoting physical well-being at a personal and societal level.

Co-Founder Rachid Akiki, MD, MBA is a healthcare entrepreneur with a mission to decentralize the industry with his medicine expertise and people-management talent.

“Our mission at VRWorkout is to form a movement, driving the future of fitness, enabling happier, healthier and longevity“ says Azzi. “We are excited to be at the forefront of fitness on the exponentially growing platform of spatial computing, the next computing paradigm after mobile. We Are Movement!”

Find VRWorkout at XRworkout.io

Tech Review – Soundpeats AIR3 deluxe HS

The Soundpeats AIR3 deluxe HS is another pair of the latest from the company to drop in for testing and these are your typical pencil styled earbuds with no tips to contend with and are stylish and discreet in comparison to others out there which have long stems and look stupid in my opinion however the trend seems to have that style disappearing now due to technology advancing requiring a smaller footprint to house what goes on inside.

These fit well despite having no tips but one thing with the likes of these earbuds is the lack on good ANC as it is a one size fits all approach so they are not for everyone and you will note there is no ANC present with these anyway due to their design etc however if ANC is not a feature you are too pushed on and want excellent sound well then stay put because these deliver on sound regardless as excepted from the brand who delivers affordable audio products at great prices.

These earbuds have plenty of features plus access to their app which must be said is pretty damn good after trying it out several times with different products from the brand and this enhances the users experience overall for a great price. The earbuds have 14.2mm Bio-diaphragm Drivers which packs a punch with volume and sound giving a great overall audio experience at a fraction of the cost of other similar offerings.

During my usual test run the audio was crisp and clear no overlapping with highs lows or mids and in general for movies and music they delivered on all aspects and again having that app access really helps these shine for the price. You also have ear detection built in which again not often seen at this price along with an app. Battery life is decent but slightly under par with the standard of today and near on par with their claims but this will be different for every user depending on what set-up they use and volume level.

The charging case also is another pebble styled case that will fit in any pocket but has no wireless charging which is no big deal given I do prefer having an earbuds case with it like the previous model we reviewed the Mini Pro HS.

For those who want to use their earbuds for gaming  you have that option here too which stops lag latency and none was noted during testing the music end of things either overall giving a well priced pair of earbuds to suit both those who want great audio for music and gaming and not forgetting the LDAC and high res audio built in. Check the video review for more and what to expect.

The AppFeatures:

Hi-Res Audio Certification & LDAC Codec Tech

14.2mm Driver & Four Microphones
In-Ear Detection & 20 Hours of Playtime

Low Latency Game Mode & App Control

Buy at the links below:
UK Amazon: https://bit.ly/Air3DeluxeHS-UK
US Amazon: https://bit.ly/Air3DeluxeHSUS ( 22% off coupon +10% off Code:  NI6VXZF8 )

Video Review

AdTech Company Kargo announces 25 new jobs for the South East

Kargoa private advertising technology company has chosen Waterford City for its first European R&D hub creating approximately 25 data science and software engineering jobs over the next three years.

Employing approximately 500 people across 11 global sites, the New-York HQ, Kargo is a  next-generation full funnel addressable advertising platform which delivers exclusive advertising and content experiences across mobile, social, video, CTV  and commerce, providing differentiated design forward, attention grabbing formats driving extraordinary outcomes.

The team at this R&D hub will seek to develop proprietary IP in applied Machine Learning and process automation in the open web cookieless digital advertising industry. The company is recruiting across the areas of data science, engineering, analytics and product management.   To explore opportunities at Kargo, visit – kargo.com/careers

“Kargo is thrilled to be branching out into new technologies and our focus on R&D efforts is a top priority that will help meet the challenges ahead,” said Kartal Goksel, Chief Technology Officer. “Waterford has demonstrated the skills and has built a reputation for talent in our community, and we are happy to be investing in key resources for continued expansion.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Simon Coveney TD said: “I am really pleased to hear that Kargo have announced plans to open their European R&D Hub in Waterford. This investment of €10m includes the creation of 25 highly skilled data science jobs over the next three years. The new facility will provide a Hub for exciting new innovations in technology to be undertaken. The announcement will also create will be a welcome boost to the South East, and the Government is hugely supportive of all regional investment. Best of luck to all at Kargo and congratulations on the new Office.”

“This investment from Kargo is a big vote of confidence in the existing team and the south-east region,” said Mick O’ Brien, Senior Director of Engineering, Kargo, Waterford. “With a vibrant cluster of tech companies, a highly skilled talent pool and excellent programmes available from SETU, Kargo has recognised the fantastic opportunity available here and is making a key investment for the future.

Mary Buckley, Interim CEO, IDA Ireland said: Kargo’s decision to choose Waterford as the location of its European R&D hub is really good news. The company is a welcome addition to the South East region’s growing Technology cluster. I’d like to wish Mick and his team every success with this new investment.”

AWS – Harnessing the power of plants to decarbonise our data centres

In January 2023, Amazon Web Services (AWS) started transitioning to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to power backup generators at its data centre sites in Europe, with sites in Ireland and Sweden among the first to make the switch. Backup generators are used at data centre sites to provide back up power in the very rare instances when the main source of power is interrupted.

HVO is a renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic fuel that can be made from waste cooking oil, or vegetable, plant and residue oils. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% over the fuel’s lifecycle when compared with fossil diesel. HVO and other renewable diesels are proven to be more compatible with industrial machinery than biodiesel as they don’t require any modification to the fuel systems and can remain stable even in the coldest winter temperatures. This versatility allows AWS to fill the tanks of its backup generators with HVO without any operational changes and use it across different regions and colder climates.

In the future, AWS aims to use HVO at all its data centre sites across Europe, certified through AWS certification. But for this to happen there has to be an accessible, steady, and sustainable supply of HVO. That’s why AWS is helping to develop a global supply chain, working with local organisations like Certa in Ireland, and is investing in the procurement of HVO that only comes from renewable sources, with raw materials that are traceable to their origins and not derived from sources that would impact highly biodiverse areas.

Andrew Graham, Managing Director of Certa Ireland said: “We’re excited to be working with AWS to help drive their renewable energy transition through the supply of our HVO. At Certa, our mission is to connect our customers with the most progressive energy solutions available, and as a straight drop-in replacement for conventional diesel, our HVO Bio Fuel provides up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions instantly with no generator retrofitting required. We look forward to continuing the energy transition journey alongside AWS.”

Neil Morris, Director of Infrastructure Operations, Northern Europe, at AWS said: “At AWS, we’re committed to and invested in sustainability because it’s a win all around—it’s good for the planet, for business, for our customers, and for our communities. Transitioning to HVO is just one of the many ways we’re improving the sustainability of our data centres, decarbonising our operations, and working towards Amazon’s company-wide goal to meet net-zero carbon by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. By making this commitment to using sustainably-sourced HVO at our data centres sites, we hope to pave the way for other businesses, and help establish a global supply chain that will accelerate change across Europe working in collaboration with other organisations.”

Our commitment to meet net-zero carbon by 2040

The move is a part of Amazon’s commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040—10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement – and as outlined in The Climate Pledge, which the company co-founded in 2019. The Pledge now has over 400 signatories, including Best Buy, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Siemens, Unilever, Verizon, and Visa. As part of this Pledge, Amazon is on a path to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of its initial 2030 target. Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy—a position it’s held since 2020 according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and the company now has 401 projects globally, including 164 wind farms and solar farms, and 237 rooftop solar projects on Amazon facilities.

In addition to transitioning to HVO, Amazon is investing in alternative fuel options to replace diesel and other fossil fuels to further decarbonise its operations. For example, Amazon has signed an agreement with Plug Power to supply green hydrogen for its transportation and building operations starting in 2025. Amazon also continues to transform its transportation network, including electrifying its delivery fleet. It currently has thousands of electric delivery vehicles from Rivian in more than 100 cities and regions in the U.S., thousands of electric vans delivering packages to customers in Europe, and several electric vehicle partnerships in APAC. In addition, the company is investing $2 billion in the development of decarbonising services and solutions through the Climate Pledge Fund.

Learn more about Amazon’s sustainability commitments here.

How To Find An Affordable Life Insurance Rate and Fit It Into Your Budget

Finding a life insurance policy that fits into your budget is easier than ever.

Life insurance is one of the best ways to find peace of mind in knowing that your family would be financially supported if you were to pass away. The money received by beneficiaries can help pay off any outstanding bills and debts, pay for final arrangements, and even act as an inheritance for your children. While the benefits are clear, if you have a tight budget, life insurance may feel like a luxury you cannot afford. But, if you shop around for the best rate possible and do a little bit of repositioning in your budget, you might be surprised at how affordable it can really be. 

4 Tips To Find Affordable Life Insurance Rates

Finding an affordable rate will make it easier to fit your premium into your budget

 

The first step in finding a life insurance policy that can work within your budget is to find an affordable rate in the first place. There are plenty of ways that you can save money while still finding a policy that gives you the coverage you want. 

1. Get Your Health In Order

Your health is one of the biggest determining factors when a life insurance company considers how much coverage you can get and how much you will have to pay for it. When you apply for a life insurance policy, you will be asked quite a few questions about your health, and you should do your best to provide as much information as possible. 

Specifically, your height and weight can play a big part in determining your premiums. Your body mass index (BMI) can make the difference between your rate class, so, if you have a higher BMI, you’re likely to pay more. On top of that, things like your blood pressure and your cholesterol can do the same to your rates. Add in any smoking habits, and you can say goodbye to affordable rates. If you have started to notice some issues with these health vitals or if you are a smoker, you may want to get these in check before applying for a life insurance policy. 

Let’s say that you need a life insurance policy sooner rather than later, but you don’t have the time to wait to work on your health. You might get locked into a higher premium rate at first, but there are still ways you can get a lower price. If you’ve quit smoking and have made major improvements to your health, you can always ask your life insurance policy carrier to re-evaluate your health to see if you can get a better rate. Normally, you have to provide some medical records to prove that you are not only in better health now, but you have also maintained better health for a certain period of time. If your carrier does not give you the opportunity for a rate re-evaluation, you can always shop around for a new policy. Chances are, you might find a policy elsewhere for a better price. 

2. Find The Right Type Of Coverage

When trying to get a life insurance policy for the most affordable rate possible, the type of insurance you get will have a big impact on how much you pay monthly. The two most popular types of life insurance are term and permanent, but you’ll pay a vastly different amount for each. 

Out of the top two, term life insurance tends to be the most affordable. This is because term life insurance is the most basic type of life insurance you can get, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great way to get coverage. Term life insurance covers you for an agreed-upon period of time for a certain amount of coverage. If the policyholder were to die within that time, then their beneficiaries would receive the death benefit. 

Nowadays, the internet has made it so much easier to find life insurance online. Whereas traditional approaches to life insurance policies require applicants to undergo a medical exam, you can now find great rates for life insurance without a medical exam through accelerated term life insurance. Not every company offers this type of insurance, but it has been popping up more and more in recent years. While you will still have to answer some questions about your medical history, you won’t need to take time out of your busy schedule to get a medical exam. Instead, companies use the information provided on your application and use algorithms to determine if they can approve you for coverage as well as how much you will pay for the coverage. All in all, it’s a much simpler and quicker process and you will still be able to get a great rate for the coverage you need. 

Permanent life insurance, on the other hand, covers a policyholder for their entire life rather than a certain period of time. The death benefit also has some additional benefits as well. As the policyholder pays their premium, that money accumulates and translates into a cash value that can be used while the policyholder is still alive to borrow against. With this added benefit of guaranteed coverage over the course of life as well as the cash value, permanent life insurance can be very appealing until someone sees the price tag. 

3. Ask About Discounts

You should always ask the carrier if they offer any types of discounts. In a lot of cases, there are ways that you can unlock even more savings. 

The most common way that people receive discounts on life insurance is by paying their premium payments in full for, let’s say, a year. If this is something you are financially able to do, your provider may offer anywhere from a 2-8% discount. Before you get a life insurance policy, ask to see if your carrier provides any discounts such as this one. On top of that, some carriers will provide a certain discount if you have a certain job or profession. So, if you are in the military or are a teacher, there could be even more saving opportunities. 

Now, another very popular way to save money on life insurance is to bundle it with other insurance you may need. Most commonly, people will bundle their life insurance with their home or auto insurance. Especially if you need these insurances, why pay a higher price to get your insurances separately when you can bundle and potentially save even more money?

4. Shop Around

The best way to get the most affordable life insurance rate possible is by doing your due diligence and shopping around. Luckily, the internet makes it so incredibly easy to get quotes from multiple providers, compare your offers, and pick the option that makes the most sense for you. Not all companies will give you the same rates for the same or similar coverage amounts, so it is always in your best interest to get a healthy amount of quotes to compare. It may be tempting to automatically select the policy with the lowest monthly premium price, but you should always weigh the coverage amount and the price so that you are getting the most for what you are paying. 

How To Adjust Your Budget To Fit Life Insurance Costs

Now that you’ve found a great rate, it’s time to re-evaluate your budget and make any necessary adjustments

 

With an affordable life insurance policy rate locked in, now it’s time to see how it plays into your budget. By reviewing your current budget and making some adjustments, you will have a better understanding of what you need to change about your spending habits in order to afford your rates. 

Review Your Budget

The first step in adjusting your budget to fit life insurance costs is to review your current budget. It’s good to do this from time to time anyway so you can make sure your budget still works for your needs. 

When reviewing your budget, first start by comparing your planned spending and your actual spending habits. Using a budgeting app or going through your bank statements, you can get a better idea of where you are aligned with your planned spending and where you may be missing the mark in actuality. 

With a better understanding of your spending habits in mind, you will next want to consider any new expenses. In the case of life insurance, you may want to test how your budget may change if you decide to pay your premiums in full for the year or if you decide to pay monthly. 

Looking at the bigger picture, keep your financial goals at the top of your mind as well. This may impact how much you need to modify your spending habits if you find that you don’t have enough room in your budget to realistically achieve your goals. 

Determine What You Can Cut In Your Budget

Now that you have a better idea of where you would like your money to go and how you have actually been spending, you can then start to modify your budget. If you have crunched the numbers and have determined that you can realistically fit your life insurance into your budget without needing to make any significant changes, then you may not need to modify your budget very much at all. Or, the solution may be to simply move planned spending budgets from category to category. 

However, if you have noticed that your financial priorities have changed and you don’t have the wiggle room to accomplish what you need, then cutting back on your unnecessary spending is a great place to start making changes. While this will look different for everyone depending on their own habits, some popular ways to cut back are as follows: 

  • Cut back on going out to eat.
  • Plan nights in rather than nights out. 
  • Audit your subscriptions and cut back where you can.

Even simple but consistent changes can add up and make room for your new financial priorities. 

 

Life insurance policies are a great way to ensure that your family will always be financially supported, even if you were to pass away. With that in mind, know that life insurance isn’t a luxury that only a few can afford. With a little bit of research and some adjustments in your budget, a life insurance policy is well within reach. 

 

Game changing ZHIYUN MOLUS G60 & X100 ultra-light film and photography lights simplify professional lighting

ZHIYUN, a pioneer and world leader in innovative gimbals and stabilisers for cameras and smartphones, has launched the MOLUS G60 and the MOLUS X100 professional pocket film lights for amateur and seasoned content creators alike. ZHIYUN’s launch of this compact yet powerful new range follows its recent entry into the professional lighting industry and follows its successful 2022 introduction of the FIVERAY lighting stable. With these new lightweight, one-man operational, powerful lights, ZHIYUN upends the notions of cumbersome, complicated, cinematic lighting products that require additional crew.

Pioneering technology with power and vintage-style poise

The ZHIYUN MOLUS G60 and ZHIYUN MOLUS X100 both offer bold retro styling without compromising on performance.

MOLUS G60 is as small as a Rubik’s Cube and is ultra portable at just 300g, offering up to 60W of power at its maximum output. The MOLUS G60 provides an excellent colour CCT (colour correlated temperature) range of 2700K – 6500K, which can be simply adjusted via an intuitive brightness knob. A colour rendering index (CRI) of ≥96, 2367 lux and a television light consistency index (TLCI) of ≥97 make for accurate rendition of the subject’s colours. For added convenience, the G60 can be charged with either an adaptive power supply system DC power adaptor, a PD fast charge method.

MOLUS X100, rivals heavier cinematic lights on the market, coming in at just 385g to provide 100W professional power output, as well as the simplest and most efficient set-up. Users can adjust the light’s colour temperature and brightness easily for the desired effect. The MOLUS X100’s CCT ranges from 2700K-6500K, 3881 lux; the CRI≥95, and the TLCI≥97. On the go content creators can minimise downtime with three ways to power up the light, choosing between the grip battery, DC adapter and the 100W PD fast charge.

Xiaozhuo Feng, Product Manager, ZHIYUN said:  “X100 is a portable and pocket-sized 100W COB light that is always ready-to-go in any scenario, thanks to its camera-like design. It breaks down the industry stereotypes of bulky COB lighting.”

DynaVort Cooling System™: uninterrupted silky-smooth illumination

Both the G60 and the X100 COB lighting tools adopt ZHIYUN’s patented DynaVort Cooling System™ which deploys gyroscope modelling heat sinks and field oriented control (FOC) fans. The disruptive technology is based on the fluid dynamics and an attitude control algorithm, significantly raising the cooling efficiency ability through intelligent control over airflow emissions – preventing overheating. This means content creators get 100% smooth illumination output without flickering. Supported by ZHIYUN self-developed discharge technology, the ZHIYUN MOLUS range can be relied on for 100% output to secure that all important shoot.

Unwieldy cinematic lighting, multi-crew set-up stereotypes shattered

G60 & X100 COB lights are small, powerful and versatile enough for excellent performance in multiple professional scenarios including live streaming and with the addition of the The ZY Mount ecosystem, for portrait and still-life photography, TV commercials, and interviews.

Yilun Liao, founder, ZHIYUN said:  “ZHIYUN is a brand that dares to think big and realise its boldest technical ideas. We do the hard work to make filming easy. The launch of the MOLUS X100 and G60 is no different. Whether you are a professional in the film industry, part of a small creative team, a freelance or amateur videographer, ZHIYUN’s innovative and convenient products offer something to inspire anyone passionate enough to turn their imagination into reality.”

Both products come with a convenient storage bag, facilitating a fast anytime, anywhere setup. MOLUS G60 and X100 feature a Live Mode to enable lights turning-on by group once connected to the power supply. The Bluetooth Mesh Efficient Remote Control feature of MOLUS G60 and MOLUS X100 allows for controlled and adjustable lighting at your fingertips.

ZHIYUN’s X100 in addition features Music Mode; a recording function that enables an automatic lighting control along with music accompaniment to create a special atmosphere. The Bluetooth Mesh For Remote Control simplifies the work flow with the bluetooth mesh to adjust the parameters by group, enhancing the lighting efficiency and convenience substantially.

ZHIYUN MOLUS G60 Combo comes with the following accessories:

  • Power supply accessories: DC power adapter + cable

  • Light modifiers: ZHIYUN Mini Softbox (ZY Mount), ZHIYUN Mini Reflector (ZY Mount), ZHIYUN Diffusion Dome

  • Extension accessories: Bowens Mount Adapter (ZY Mount)

  • Storage accessories: power adapter organiser bag, storage bag

  • Quick start guide, Tripod (M2)

*ZHIYUN G60: PD fast charge supports a maximum power input of 100W, and a minimum of 18W. The ordinary fast charge is also supported. You can check the current power on the screen. The maximum power output is 60W. *The data is gathered at the distance of 1.0m.

ZHIYUN MOLUS X100 Pro comes with the following accessories:

  • Power supply accessories:, X100 grip battery, 120W DC power adapter & cable

  • Light modifiers: ZHIYUN Mini Reflector (ZY Mount), ZHIYUN Bowen Mount Adapter (ZY Mount) ,ZHIYUN Mini Softbox (ZY Mount)

  • Storage accessories: power adapter organiser bag, storage bag, pocket light strap

  • Quick start guide

The X100 Combo package includes all the accessories in the Pro package except ZHIYUN Mini Softbox (ZY Mount) .

*ZHIYUN X100: It is recommended to use the DC adapter with input over 100W. The X100 grip battery weighs 440g and is not included in the standard package. The max input power of the battery is 30W. X100 can work for 30min at 100W. The data is gathered at a distance of 1.0m.

Available from 20 March 2023.

The ZHIYUN MOLUS X100 is available from the ZHIYUN and Amazon store.

Prices are as follows:

X100 = £269

X100 combo = £369

X100 pro = £419

The ZHIYUN MOLUS G60 is available from the ZHIYUN and Amazon store.

G60 = £219

G60 Combo = £269

Is a license necessary to operate in Estonia?

A notice of economic activity or business license application may be required for your firm. Before starting your Estonian company, you’ll need the right permits or notes.

Licenses and business activities are summarized by the Estonian State Office on Business Licensing. EMTAK Search can tell you if your planned job requires a business license or economic activity notice. After finding your field, press the right arrow to expand the Details portion.

In Estonia, there are a number of businesses that require licenses, among them:

 

  • Tourist businesses, such as trip companies and vacation bundle sellers
  • Banking, as well as the provision of virtual money services such as coins
  • Private institutions for further study or as a hobby
  • Activities like construction, planning, proprietor oversight, site inspections, and professional evaluations all fall under the umbrella of “construction-related activities.

 

It’s important to note that these are just the licenses and notifications that are most pertinent to the e-Residency group; there are many others that are needed for other types of company operations.

Economic Activities

In order to legally conduct business as a bank, exchange, virtual currency service provider (including cryptocurrency exchanges), trust and company service provider, pawnshop, or precious metals buyer/wholesaler, you will need to submit an application for the appropriate activity license. The registration procedure for these types of businesses is regulated by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

For example, you will need to obtain a crypto license in Estonia in order to engage in crypto trading or open a crypto exchange in Estonia.

Providers of virtual currency services (VCSs) must also adhere to additional requirements such as being physically located in Estonia, using an Estonian payment or e-money institution, having a share capital of at least €13,000, and disclosing information about the type of financial service or VCS being provided in their application. 

Even though it is not recognized as legal money in any nation, virtual currencies are increasingly being used as a means of exchange between buyers and sellers online. Cryptocurrencies and crypto coins are common synonyms for these. Remember that if you need help with obtaining a crypto license, you can turn to Fintech Harbor Consulting.

Estonian Financial Supervision Authority needs activity licenses from companies that operate in specific financial areas (FSA). Payment and electronic money institutions, insurance companies, investment firms, retirement or other investment funds, fund managers, credit agents, debtors, and credit institutions need authorizations.

Tourism

As a tour organizer, travel merchant, or business enabling the closing of contracts on linked travel arrangements, a travel venture deals with bundles and related travel arrangements for commercial or professional gain.

A number of details must be disclosed in the business activity notification.

Education

Specific teaching services require an educational or fitness license. General education, hobby schools, pre-schools, youth camps, and trade education facilities must be licensed.

Visit edu.ee and submit your details to the Ministry of Education and Research to apply for a license in the right educational field within the deadline. All required paperwork and verifications must be submitted when applying for an activity license.

Continuing education teachers in non-licensed groups can file a notice of economic activities instead of a license. State-sectoral, this notice grants the education leader special privileges and duties. State sector training and procurement are limited to Estonian Education Information System-registered training providers. They must also follow Adult Education Act rules