Month: August 2023

Artisse launches AI-enhanced photography app

Artisse Interactive, a trailblazing technology company founded by William Wu, has announced the launch of its mobile application, Artisse, which is described as the photography industry’s largest disruption in over a decade.

The last major advancement in the photography industry dates to 2011 when mobile editing apps were initially released. Fast forward to 2023, Artisse is part of the explosion of AI-generated apps, dubbed the “AI generative era.”

The application operates as a generative image platform used to create hyper realistic self-photos in any setting, posture, or expression.

It is thoughtfully crafted to cater to diverse users, seamlessly meeting the needs of individuals seeking to create stunning, professional-grade photos for their social media profiles, and providing businesses with expertly crafted advertisement images.

Changing lives

Unlike other giants of the industry, Artisse is a proud bootstrap operation and independent venture built from the ground up with a highly diverse team. It has a strong female presence across the team, including an all-female team in China. A tribute to this plucky company’s success is that it has spread around the world, covering every continent and major language region.

This incredible team has made sure the app embodies the personal stories of people everywhere. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit the pyramids of Egypt or travel to a tropical island for a corporate retreat.

Now, however, people can be the authors of their personal stories. Become the adventurer you always wanted to be. Swim with dolphins, trek across the arctic circle, or dance among the rings of Saturn. All from the comfort of your own home.

Use cases like these resonate deeply with the team at Artisse and fuel their desire to enhance lives through the power of AI photography.

CEO William Wu says, “Personal photos serve as life’s most cherished language – a universal way to preserve moments, express our unique perspectives, and help us stay connected and make friends. Every day, we take more than 2.3 billion photos across the globe. Yet, the process of capturing the perfect shot remains complex, time-consuming, and out of reach for many. We want to make beautiful photography accessible to everyone.”

Global localization 

Artisse has localized language support for 35 languages covering all major geographies including major Asian languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, areas where AI-powered photo applications have already experienced substantial adoption.

Get on Android  Get on iOS

Tech Review – OneOdio Focus A10 headphones

OneOdio is a brand we have been testing product from some time now and the company offers affordable Audio products to the masses, they have several types of headphones aimed at more than one demographic but the latest on offer is the Focus A10 that comes with ANC of course at an affordable price.

The presentation this time around is great and they come with a nice hard shell carry case and the cables required in the box and when not in use these hard shell cases are ideal to store the product when not in use or if travelling..

The build quality is excellent here to and a departure from some of their older models which were mainly plastic and looked on the cheap side in some instances but not this time around, the headband is cosy as too are the earcups which alone do a decent job keeping much of the outside world at bay.

Battery life is great at around 50-Hour playtime and quick charge a 10-minute charge gives you another 5.5 hours however with ANC on expect less as always with this feature as it is a big power drain you are talking around 1-1.5 hours less but the fast charge is a win here.

There is no app again and this is where these headphones could have shined even more however it is not all bad at all and they performed well with the ANC/transparency/normal mode switch that is located on the left cup, the rest of the controls are on the right side which is voice control skip and reverse tracks play and pause so all the requirements are there including call control.

The sound is what we want to know about overall and it is decent for the money, nice and loud good ANC when its turned on of course and that’s indoors and outdoors, you will hear some outdoor noise but not much. For non audiophiles these overall done a great job for me with a nice bass level to them with no lag latency and felt more center stage and not bright like most cheap headphones can. Calls where fine though sounded on the deep side which is fine for me and lets not forget you can connect two devices at once here which worked well with my laptop and phone as this is my usual set up.

Features 

Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling: The noise reduction depth reaches 35dB. Advanced noise canceling technology blocks out up to 95% of low and mid-range frequency noises

Transparency Mode: With Unique Talk-in through technology, you can not miss any flight/train information while waiting for planes and cars at airports and stations. Transparent mode is to reduce the music in the headphones while amplifying the human voice

Hi-Res Audio & Deep Bass: The Hi-Res logo represents exceptional audio quality, Separate low, mid, and high frequency transmission to provide hyper pure and clear sound.

Ergonomic Design with Comfort. With earpads equipped with true protein memory foam, A10 is flexible over-ear headphones that can be naturally adjusted to fit any sized head

Check out the video review below for more.

Get a discount 15% using the code Lucky15

Amazon Link

Website Link

Video Review

Ireland Tops Energy Efficiency in Euromonitor’s first-ever Global Energy Vulnerability Index

Market research company Euromonitor International has released its first-ever Global Energy Vulnerability Index, as part of its ‘New Economic Reality: Rising Energy Pressures’ report, revealing individual countries’ exposure to energy shocks.

The Global Energy Vulnerability Index 2023 is designed to help leaders and businesses assess and benchmark a country’s energy security, providing insights into potential risks, challenges and opportunities in the markets where they operate or plan to expand into in the future.

Euromonitor International used six groups of indicators to measure each country’s level of energy vulnerability:

  1. Energy self-sufficiency (30% of total score (TS)),
  2. Alternatives to fossils (35% TS),
  3. Energy reserves potential (10% TS),
  4. Energy accessibility (5% TS),
  5. Energy efficiency (10% TS), and
  6. Economic resilience (10% TS)

Ireland ranks highest globally in energy efficiency. Norway, Canada, Australia and the US rank at the top of the index due to their strong energy self-sufficiency, ample energy resources, diverse energy mix and high economic resilience.

At the other end of the table¸ Belarus and Lebanon rank at the bottom as both countries lack energy resources and struggle with poor energy efficiency and economic uncertainty.

Singapore and Hong Kong also rank among the bottom 10 performers because of heavy reliance on energy imports despite their good score in energy efficiency and economic stability. The smaller size of Singapore and Hong Kong also limits renewables capacity, adding to the city-states’ weaknesses.

 

Aleksandra Svidler, Consultant for Economies at Euromonitor International, said: “Understanding a country or a region’s vulnerability to energy shocks will inform business strategy and enable an optimal plan for energy sourcing, as well as help to identify the white spaces for investment.

“Overall, economies that are heavily reliant on imports, with low adoption of renewables, weak energy efficiency and economic instability are more vulnerable to energy risks.

“Many African countries continue to grapple with underdeveloped infrastructure, poor access to reliable and affordable energy and low investment while developing Asian economies continue to struggle with low self-sufficiency rates, high dependency on fossil fuels and limited access to capital.”

Svidler said that European countries also face challenges ahead. “Although many European countries are better positioned to weather disruptions due to the rising renewables adoption and better access to capital, the region’s high reliance on energy imports raises its exposure to energy shocks.”

Euromonitor International selected six groups of indicators to measure each country’s energy vulnerability known as pillars. Low energy self-sufficiency, due to the weak domestic energy production and high reliance on imports, raises the exposure of an economy to disruptions in energy supply, global price shocks and geopolitical risks. High reliance on a single external energy supplier particularly undermines an economy’s energy security.

 

Alternatives to fossils pillar reflects the diversification of an energy mix away from fossil fuels by investing in alternative sources, such as green renewables or nuclear power, which can help to raise energy security, reduce exposure to global energy price and supply shocks, and enhance sustainability.

Energy reserves potential helps to assess the future availability of energy resources at current production rates. Reserves of oil, gas and coal can play a key role in boosting energy self-sufficiency of a country. Yet, high resource potential does not necessarily guarantee sufficient future supply due to economical, technological and environmental constraints.

Energy accessibility pillar illustrates the reliability and adequacy of power supply in a country and points to the state of energy infrastructure. Lack of access to power and underdeveloped energy infrastructure can lead to significant social and economic challenges.

Energy efficiency indicates the amount of energy needed to provide goods and services. Higher energy efficiency can help to reduce energy consumption, and therefore reduce costs and reliance on imports, boost competitiveness and environmental benefits.

Countries with greater economic resilience are better equipped to withstand energy price and supply fluctuations, as available mechanisms and reserves allow them to manage energy market shocks. Meanwhile, higher economic freedom fosters investment in innovation and diversification.

For more information, please read the full Euromonitor International report ‘New Economic Reality: Rising Energy Pressures’.

Creative launches Zen Air DOT noise cancellation wireless earphones

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Creative Zen Air DOT, the latest true wireless earbuds designed to fit perfectly in the user’s palm while delivering a powerful audio punch that outshines both its compact form and wallet-friendly price point. Despite weighing only 33g, these earbuds offer more than meets the eye, with custom-tuned 13 mm Neodymium drivers, dual microphones with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, a long battery life of up to 24 hours, Bluetooth® 5.3 connectivity, and an IPX4 rating, making them the ideal audio companion fit for every user.

Creative Zen Air DOT is the perfect combination of portability and performance all in one small package

The Creative Zen Air DOT boasts custom-tuned 13 mm Neodymium drivers that deliver powerful and detailed audio with deep bass, clear mids, and highs, ensuring that users will experience great audio with every beat. Together with Bluetooth® 5.3 technology and a battery life of up to 24 hours (7 hours on a single charge), users can enjoy uninterrupted audio throughout the day, making them the perfect companion for daily commutes, workouts, or travel. Moreover, the IPX4 rating offers water protection, making them suitable for intense workouts and outdoor activities.

Fitted with dual microphones enhanced with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, these latest earbuds take call quality to the next level. The integrated microphones analyze and filter out unwanted background noise, providing crystal-clear voice input for better call quality, no matter the environment.

Lastly, the Creative Zen Air DOT also seamlessly integrates with popular third-party voice assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant, offering hands-free control and added convenience for a truly connected experience.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air DOT is priced at UK£29.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit creative.com/ZenAirDOT

New DHL sms scam

Being a person that gets many packages a week I guess I would be prone to these scams but no I am not the only one, this text message landed on myphone last night so I did the usual and tinker around with the messages and went through the process to see where we are at here.

As seen above you can basically enter anything into the fields above for your personal details and it will will allow you carry onto the payment section for a small value which remains at 0.95 this morning still, however when you begin to enter your personal card details these auto pop up if you have your phone selected to do so, again however you can place anything but note you are never asked to enter a tracking number in the process, nor will you get a text message with the code,again this is a scam and scammers just trying to get your credit card details with half looks like a DHL portal but again the URL on top should be the main giveaway.

Again beware and let your friends and family know.The last notification of a scam on their website is here which needs to be adjusted.m

Quick video on the scam 

EDIFIER Announces TWS1 Pro 2

Edifier International, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets announces an update to the popular TWS1 earbuds: the TWS1 Pro 2. The TWS1 Pro 2 is a pair of truly wireless in-earbuds which combine Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, Ambient Sound Mode and a Titanized Hybrid Diaphragm to provide you with the ultimate true wireless, musical experience.

The new Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 feature Active Noise cancellation with multiple ANC mode, the earbuds boast a noise cancellation performance of up to -42dB, furnishing users with an exclusive, quiet 

experience. Users can customize different levels of noise cancellation in the Edifier Connect App – eg – High or Low Noise Cancellation; Wind Reduction or even Noise Cancellation Off.

Thanks to the Ambient Sound Mode, users can always stay alert and aware of their surroundings. Simply tap the earbuds and turn on the Ambient Sound Mode for listening or communication and adjust the sound volume through the Edifier Connect App. 

The Edifier development and technology teams are continuously looking at how to improve their award-winning products. For the TWS1 Pro 2, the Edifier Acoustics Laboratory selected a Titanized composite diaphragm to improve sound quality and create richer and more delicate sounds. Featuring surging bass and crystal-clear mid-range and treble, the earbuds present CD-level original sounds. Gamers have also been thought of! With features like optimized audio transmission and reduced latency, the earbuds can handle all mobile games.

Phone calls are also clearer, thanks to the AI Call Noise Cancellation Technology where the earbuds can intelligently identify and eliminate environmental sounds, enhance voice quality and improve call experience.

The earbuds are equipped with an intelligent wearing detection function to identify the wearing state and its pause and play features allow users to enjoy every listening moment.  

The Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 feature a long battery life of up to 24 hours for your complete enjoyment. No running to charge at the last minute! A 10-minute charge gives an hour of use whilst a full charge gives 6 hours of playtime. Coupled with the charging case, the earbuds have a long battery life of up to 24 hours for you to lose yourself in wonderful, incredibly clear music.

Lightweight and ergonomically designed for a snug fit, the stylish low-profile true wireless earbuds carry an IP54 rated housing for dust and water resistance, making them perfect for use during a workout or on the go. The TWS1 Pro 2 is available in a range of 6 colours.

Main Features:

    • Long Battery Life. Around 4 hours music playtime with ANC ON with 12 hours charging case. A total 16 hours playtime. 
    • Active noise cancellation with 2 levels of ANC selection and multiple ANC modes is designed to reduce unwanted background noise in various environments. 
    • Clear call quality. Built-in microphone to ensure high quality calls.
    • Wear Detection. Music will pause automatically when taken out of your ear and will start playing once you place them back in. 
    • Ultra-low latency connection with seamless experience on gaming activities. 
    • Edifier Connect App. Unlock all the features through APP: customize control setting and EQ selection (Classic/POP/Classical/Rock).
  • Dust proof and splash proof for active wear. IP54 certified.

Price & Availability:

The Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 is available for £49.99 from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7L1KJRQ

Is The Office v Working From Home Battle Coming To An End?

Three years on from the first Covid lockdowns, is the on-going conflict between working from home and returning to the office, coming to an amicable end?

Global video conferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration feels peace might finally be on the horizon, as a clearer and more consistent picture begins to emerge.

Texas-based Boom Collaboration was founded by Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett in 2020, ironically right in the middle of the pandemic! The company initially saw an explosion in demand for USB home working devices but is now witnessing a 40% rise in office video bars plus a 32% growth in high performance PTZ cameras and expandable audio devices, this year.

Office real estate apocalypse

“Through these interesting, challenging and evolving times, from lockdowns to hybrid working, conferencing has been at the fulcrum of dramatic changes in daily and working life; how people interact and communicate, almost from anywhere,” Hulett explained.

“In many ways there’s no going back to how we were before in an increasingly AI-driven world.”

She says the impact on the office property market has been particularly hardest hit with the true costs yet to fully emerge.

“There are widespread reports of a $500 billion ‘office real estate apocalypse’ where the effect of remote working in the US is even worse than expected,” she highlighted. “But what is in little doubt is how offices around the world have had to restructure to the ‘new normal’ creating more huddle room facilities to accommodate more video meetings.”

Hörnkvist, who recently visited the UK, noted: “We know these trends are mirrored around the world with one in five Londoners estimated to be working remotely, while four out of ten balance working from home with going to the office. Three-quarters would leave their job if they were no longer able to work from home for some of the week, according to one recent study.”

But he feels ‘it’s a lot more complicated argument than just wanting to work from home’.

Mixed bag

“There’s still a ton of companies pushing hybrid and in person. Maybe the real estate crash will not be that bad. Time will tell.

“Some companies at first were looking to go full remote but now they have requested staff to come back. Some went full time whilst others prefer hybrid. Some will never go back. It’s kind of a mixed bag. The key is to be flexible to maintain their culture and retain a happy workforce.”

Going full remote can be difficult to achieve, according to Hulett. “Even here at Boom we are a relatively small team dispersed across many miles but we all value getting together in person on a regular basis when we can. There’s a balance. 

“Face-to-face meetings and direct human interaction on a regular basis matter and add value in so many ways. There’s social interaction as well as business benefits.

“However much some people want to work from home in terms of a work life balance, they still need to be face-to-face regularly, rather than just being isolated. Obviously high performance video technology offers a compelling alternative.”

She continued: “One of the main arguments I used to hear from friends is, what is the point of being in the office if my colleagues are not there so I end up on a video call anyway that I could have made from home?

“Regular patterns of behaviour are being formed with people in the office with key colleagues when they need to be, and working remotely too. This can boost business productivity and smooth any friction between departments.”

No war

Hulett concluded: “Over recent years there seems to have been a constant battle between the office or hybrid work. But it doesn’t need to be that way. There’s a benefit to both and that’s certainly the view of many of our customers around the world.

“Our portfolio is built with tomorrow’s meetings in mind. We offer future proof solutions with solid components and technology to stand the test of time. From all-in-one-systems to multiple video camera mixing controllers and full room solutions.

“We recognise quality makes a huge difference. It really matters. That’s why we went straight into 4K picture resolution for example. 4K is the future. It’s about continually raising the game and raising the bar. Our flexible technology covers all bases.

“Wherever people are working the latest video conferencing technology can help. The battle is over. There’s no war. Peace is being restored.”

The Top Features List: Choosing The Perfect ERP Software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is a platform that allows business owners to manage all aspects of business operations. The program undergoes continuous updates to facilitate daily operations by providing real-time data. ERP systems are common in different industries, including health-care, education, nonprofits, financial services, and utility industries. However, they are typically helpful for large companies with different departments or branches in different locations. The system provides a central source of information from various departments and facilitates daily operations. This piece will discuss a few things business owners should consider to choose a suitable ERP.

Features and Functionality

When buying an ERP system, its modules, features, and functions is the first thing buyers should consider. Modern ERP systems can perform many tasks, but business owners should narrow their options to those optimized for the required functionality. The system should adapt to the businesses’ functions rather than the business adapting to the software functions. Business owners running financial services businesses, for example, should invest in an ERP system that supports accounting processes. It should have a general ledger, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and supply chain features. Therefore, large business owners need to get ERP software with features matching their routine functions. They can do so by comparing the available options and assessing the return on investment they would enjoy from each.

Integration Process

The next important consideration is how well the potential ERP software integrates with other business systems. Even if a business owner invests in an advanced ERP system, it might only enhance business operations if it can receive data from or send it to other software. So business owners who need reports from accounting or marketing departments must choose the ERP software that integrates with the programs used in those departments for easy access to relevant information.

Flexibility and Scalability

Although paying attention to current needs is crucial, future needs should also guide purchase decisions. Therefore, choose a flexible and scalable ERP software with features that adapt to relevant changes as the business expands. A reliable ERP system should support business growth for 5-10 years to avoid downtime associated with implementing new ERP software. An inflexible ERP software might hinder business growth or increase costs since business owners might need to spend more on customization. Therefore, business owners should consider the flexibility and scalability of an ERP system to ensure long-term use.

Vendor’s Reputation and Expertise

Nobody wants to deal with an unreliable software service provider because software challenges could affect business operations. Always pick a vendor with a reputation for providing reliable ERP systems and support. Consider visiting various review websites to determine what others think of a particular vendor. Although it is hard for any vendor to have positive reviews only, many positive reviews indicate that the vendor is reliable. The leading software vendors usually provide 27/7 support and ensure their programs function seamlessly.

Implementation Process and Long-term Costs

Some business owners focus on the current ERP implementation costs and overlook future costs. However, it is advisable to pay attention to the implementation and long-term costs associated with additional support or infrastructure. Remember that high cost does not always translate to high value. This means that business owners should choose affordable ERP systems with only the features they actually need to get value for money and a high return on investment.

ERP systems help manage business operations and enhance efficiency. However, since ERP programs are relatively expensive, business owners should choose one that matches their business needs. These simple considerations in this guide can be useful when choosing an ERP system.

Tech Review – XuperCable from mobfree 100W 3-in-1 Retractable & 360° Rotating Fast Charging Cable

Cables can be a messy thing around the home or office and we have over the years seen many ways to counter this problem and again mobfree has come up with another genius product to help alleviate cable management in one small gadget and this is no your typical solution that we have seen in other forms before either.

XuperCable now on Kickstarter is the latest 3 in 1 device to solve several issues at once and allowing you to charge up to three devices at once including laptops which is a crux of any other offering in the past I have seen before, so what we have here is a device that can rotate 360 degrees too which is great meaning it is not fixed so once placed on your table it can rotate unlike other offerings that are fixed in one spot making it more convenient for at home office or travel use. This means less cables to carry and one portable product that can be put into your pocket and of course your travel bag.

XuperCable uses MSC Technology for Safe Charging – Charge Three Devices Simultaneously so we have USB-C micro USB which will be soon phased out but there is a plethora of devices out there today that still uses it and of course lightning so you are covered from all angles here which is great via one small compact unit.

Check out the video below for more and what you can expect from this simple product and support them on Kickstarter

3-in-1 Design, One Cable for All Your Devices

XuperCable features three connectors (Lightning, Micro USB & USB-C). This 3-in-1 design works with all your modern tech devices from tablets to smartphones, Nintendo Switch, GoPro, earbuds, the list is endless.

100W Power Delivery Fast Charging, Charge Almost Any Laptops at Full Speed

With a built-in advanced E-Mark chip, XuperCable supports up to 100W Power Delivery, providing fast charging for almost any phone, tablet, USB-C laptop at full speed. MacBook Pro (13”) can be charged to 65% in 30 minutes (with a 100W PD charger).

Features 

Adjustable Lengths for Different Needs  – From 75cm to 175cm

Adhesive Base for Stable Connection – Stick it anywhere you like

360° Rotation for Ultra Convenience – Flexible charging angle

MSC Technology for Safe Charging – Charge Three Devices Simultaneously

Lightning output: 20W Max.
Type-C output: 100W Max.
Micro output: 18W
Micro+ilightning+Type-C: 3.5A Max

BUY

Video Review