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Author: Jim O Brien/CEO
CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.
Mictic is the Swiss-made XR wearable that turns movements into sound. It doesn’t matter if users already have ten Grammys or have never picked up a musical instrument, with Mictic they’ll be expressing themselves the minute they put the wristbands on and connect via Bluetooth. Now Mictic is inviting the Kickstarter community to participate in the launch and become the first to get their hands on the product’s limited edition first run in September at special prices.
Mictic has worked with major label artists and professional dancers in every genre to get here. Centuries of Swiss engineering has inspired us: Our patented technology detects movement with supremely accurate sensors, and translates and transmits the music as sound to your smartphone within milliseconds.
And now we want to see what people will do with it out in the real world, with initial included instrument sounds like electric guitar, drums, cello, and genre-based soundscapes like EDM, Trap and Hip Hop. Users can even play with our sci-fi, Kung Fu and game experiences. More instruments and sounds will be available for download all the time, including in partnership with major artists. We’re not just another MIDI controller, like some other devices out there, but, yes, Mictic can work with your favorite digital audio workstation such as Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools, Garageband or 100s of other MIDI-compatible apps.
“Whether you perform on a stage, in a studio, or on TikTok, you’ll be able to incorporate Mictic into what you do before anyone else,” said Mictic CEO Mershad Javan. “The artist in you will love experimenting with this new musical tool with literally no rules, no one to tell you what you can’t do.”
Mictic has been featured in Billboard, BBC, Sky News, New Atlas and on Protocol (which called it “The wearable for dropping beats not pounds”). The product will launch worldwide in Q4 at a suggested retail price of $139 a pair.
Kickstarter premiums include price reductions on packages of controllers starting at $89 a pair– and the excitement of being the first to get the limited run before anyone else. The VIP package gets the supporter a professional video team flown to them, and a fully produced video using Mictic, along with massive social media support for their creative product.
Next in for review is the all new Hesh ANC and Indy ANC from Skullcandy so a little something for everyone. Both these are the latest on offer upgrading from the previous HESH 3 and INDY models we reviewed last year. As usual we take a first look and unboxing and any questions feel free to ask on the comments or our social channel and be sure to check out the full real hands on review later on.
With more people working from home and attending school remotely, Skullcandy’s newest headphone, Hesh ANC is making ANC technology accessible to everyone at an unbelievable price point. Hesh ANC is built for the long haul with listening time up to 22 hours with ANC on and Rapid Charge, getting 3 hours of battery with just a 10-minute charge. And when you need to be aware of your surroundings, Hesh ANC features an ambient mode that deactivates Active Noise Cancelling while still allowing you to hear your sound. Hesh ANC is available for £119.99 in True Black. Available in select retailers and at https://www.skullcandy.co.uk/hesh-anc-wireless-headphones
The enhanced fit of Indy ANC, as well as ambient listening mode, provides more comfort and convenience with the ability to use each bud solo, giving the user full control. With up to 19 hours of total battery life with ANC on, IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistance, Lag-Free Connection, Tile tracking and a wireless charging case, Indy ANC combines the best features of the previous Indy earbuds to create the pinnacle true wireless experience. Indy ANC is available for £99.99 in True Black. Available in selected retailers and at Skullcandy.co.uk
Marketing with text messages remains popular. It is an excellent way to reach out to new customers for your business. This blog will tell you everything you need to get your company started with SMS marketing.
What Is SMS Marketing?
SMS Marketing (Short Message Service) is a kind of mobile marketing that allows you to send messages to cell phones. It is sending text messages with information such as news, event notification, and service updates to any mobile device instantly. It functions as a medium for sending out information that could persuade customers into buying a product and/or service.
Which Category of People Use SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing is a great advertising channel to use for driving traffic and leads back to your business. SMS marketing can be used by small businesses or big business brands. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much capital, just like other digital marketing channels, many businesses have generated high cash flow from SMS text message marketing. It is a very convenient way of reaching your prospects and customers directly.
How Does SMS Marketing Work?
These days, people are more interested in engaging conversations than mundane and predictable automated messages. That is why text messaging marketing has helped businesses establish stronger connections with their customers.
However, many businesses do not know that SMS marketing is neither spam-like nor invasive to their clients. With SMS marketing, engagement can be generated by sending messages globally to your customers, which can lead to continuous patronage and brand loyalty in the long run. As SMS marketers help their clients build customer trust through sending helpful messages, they are allowed to send relevant notifications at certain touchpoints in the customer journey.
What Ways You Can Use SMS Marketing?
Customer Polls
Customer polls are a great idea if you’re trying to gather feedback from your customers. The results you will get from these polls can help you improve your business and also know what kind of offers and promotions to offer the customer.
For Group Creation
There are different kinds of categories you can use for marketing campaigns. One is a direct group. This is the most common type. It has one or more keywords and specific instructions on what to do with anyone that responds. The other kind of group, an interactive group, is best used for surveys, polls, and other types of interactions that require multiple responses.
Sweepstakes Contests
Signing up is simple, and customers don’t have to drop a lot of information before entering. After all, it’s just a contest text. There’s no ongoing commitment to receive text messages. This is a great way for businesses to engage with their customers and offer them something in exchange for their contact information.
Drip Campaigns
There are many ways that you can use SMS marketing to your advantage. The easiest way is to send coupons or deals to customers. You can target the promotions by location, how much they have spent, and other factors.
Location-based Marketing
Send different content to people from various areas or locations. Send specific information about the latest offers and news to the customers who are interested in it. This process can also be used with SMS API integration, by getting the location of users based on their devices.
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Marketing
MMS differs in that the messages come with images and can hold videos of up to 30 seconds in length. This can be extremely helpful if you’re looking to provide some sort of visual assistance for a complicated task or something to help explain your product or service.
Benefits of SMS Marketing
Improve communication.
Fast and Effective.
Cost-Effective.
Build Loyal Customers.
Before Running an SMS Marketing Campaign, Know These
Permission is Required: To send an SMS message, you need permission from the mobile subscriber. Nobody wants to get spammed, or worse, charged for something they don’t want. While it is possible to send a single SMS without having the necessary permissions in place, this could give your marketing campaign a bad reputation before you even get started!
Compliance is Key: This means that you must understand the difference between a consumer’s opt-in and opt-out rights as well as know how you are going to get each customer’s contact information to properly process their opt-in request before they can start receiving your messaging.
Timing is Everything: Timing is a huge factor in SMS marketing. It’s the most important part of running an SMS campaign. If you send a text message too early or at the wrong time in a consumer’s day, your campaign could get lost in the shuffle and not deliver results.
Consistency is Key: To run a successful SMS marketing campaign, you need to maintain consistency. As long as your customers know exactly what to expect from you, they are more likely to follow through with your request.
Starting a new business, improving your existing one, is not always easy. But sometimes, you need something different. Something that doesn’t cost you a dime (and even pays you with a nice return on investment). And if you want something like that, then look no further than SMS marketing.
Air conditioning technicians regularly work with cooling systems and may have expertise in handling heating and ventilation systems. Basic knowledge of how to properly dispose-off coolants as well as a good understanding of state-specific regulations is a prerequisite for this job. As a technician, you can either be self-employed or work for public or private institutions.
What AC Technicians Do
Your job as an air conditioning contractor typically involves installing, maintaining, and repairing the electrical equipment, the ductwork, and the controls found in residential and industrial cooling systems.
Depending on the problem you have been called to address, your job may be indoor or outdoor based. As an air conditioning technician, you might need to travel to perform on-site repairs in warm or cold environments.
However, before you go long into the AC technician profession, bear in mind that the operation of the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems comes with its own high health risks and injury.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career requirements needed to work as an AC technician includes:
Post-secondary education or training with the evidence of a certificate, associate degree, or apprenticeship in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
2 years experience in the field of HVAC
Mandatory refrigerant handling certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
State-mandated licensing and other voluntary professional certification
Possession of skills such as physical strength, good hand-eye coordination, customer service, troubleshooting, time management, ability to use specialized HVAC equipment like power tools, air gauges, refrigerants, pressure meters, power hacksaws, and voltage meters
While apprenticeship is a basic requirement to becoming an AC technician, a lot of other requirements are obviously needed and are paramount to securing those HVAC and Refrigeration Training.
Take a look at the 6 basic steps you must follow to becoming a successful AC technician:
Step I: Complete A Formal Training in HVAC
As earlier stated, to have an edge in the AC engineer’s workspace, you will need to have completed some form of formal training; be it apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, or associate degree programs.
It is incomplete to simply have extensive work experience in HVAC operations without going through any of the formal programs.
While you could still be employed without them depending on the company, there is every chance you will be dropped once a person who has all matching criteria submits an application. Within 3 to 5 years, an HVAC apprenticeship should have been completed. Certificate programs require a year of full-time study whereas associate degree programs will take you about 2 years to complete. Some of the courses you’ll be studying include basic electricity, control wiring, sheet metal fabrication, and refrigeration.
It is always a good idea to take elective courses in computer science and electronics as AC technicians who are skilled in working with complex electronics and computer systems are always a hot-cake in the HVAC job market.
Courses covering topics like micro processing, industrial electronics, digital circuitry, and engineering mathematics would be a plus.
Step II: Earn Your EPA Certification
You will be needing the EPA certification in order to operate as an AC technician. The federal law necessitates AC contractors who work with refrigerants to undertake certification exams that are specially prepared to ensure that the AC expert can safely handle these materials.
Exam topics would usually include shipping and disposal for high-pressure refrigerants, low-pressure refrigerants, or small appliances, refrigerant recovery as well as recycling.
There are a number of EPA-approved technical schools and colleges that easily provide such certification exams.
Step III: Acquire Work Experience
Different employers have different requirements in terms of your years of experience in HVAC operations. Basically, most employers won’t be looking for anything less than 2 years.
Many states also require you to provide your work experience as a prerequisite for obtaining a state license. Where some states are okay with 2 years, others may request for up to 7 years of work experience especially for those who didn’t undergo or who didn’t complete a formal training program.
To meet this kind of requirement, it is usual for would-be AC technicians to get an entry-level job working alongside already established technicians with a popular company name.
Step IV: Get Your License
Different states will often ask that certain criteria be met for licenses to be given. Such criteria are unique to each state, but all of them would always require that air conditioning technicians pass a licensing exam after they must have provided a satisfactory work experience.
Some states mandate that you undergo and pass criminal background checks and also require that you have liability insurance or performance bonds. Minimum age requirements are also checked.
Some state licensing panels require that air conditioning technicians complete 4 hours of continuing education before a license renewal is approved. You may need to check requirements peculiar to your state.
Step V: Advance Your Career by Earning Professional Certification
Getting more professional certification is necessary for boosting your career opportunities and employability as an AC technician.
Professional associations, such as the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and HVAC Excellence, give much-needed credentials to AC technicians who are able to meet work experience requirements and get acceptable scores in their specialized exams.
Step VI: Build On Your Skills
You’re an air conditioning technician and have been fully trained to install, repair, and maintain the ductwork, electrical equipment, and controls found in cooling systems.
You most likely already have post-secondary training, EPA certificates, and state-mandated licenses. However, you haven’t gotten there yet. Like every other profession, you are expected to build on your skills to make you a better operator. You’re expected to be strong, with good customer service skills and the ability to handle and use the latest tools that are relevant to fixing faults or installing HVAC systems.
Getting the most out of your career path is essential to fulfilling your dreams and have the feeling of achievement. Hence, always strive to get the latest info and updates that will keep you one step ahead.
FUJIFILM Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of its new instax mini 40 instant camera. Alongside today’s debut of instax mini 40, Fujifilm is also launching a new mini film variety, “Contact Sheet”, which mimics the look of a classic film contact sheet and adds a new twist to the popular instax mini film series.
“With its classic, chic styling, the new instax mini 40 is for anyone who loves to take and share photos.” said Toshi lida, President, FUJIFILM Europe. “Designed to be easily portable, instax mini 40 is finished with a high-quality texture that comfortably fits in one hand. The lustrous black camera body is accented with silver touches, resulting in a sophisticated, timeless look, synonymous with Fujifilm’s iconic approach to camera design.”
instax mini 40 key features include:
Automatic Exposure function for better pictures any time of the day
The Automatic Exposure function automatically senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, and optimizes the shutter speed and flash output according to the scene. It allows even beginner instax users to take photos that are automatically exposed properly regardless of interior or exterior conditions, producing high-quality photo prints on-the-spot.
Selfie Mode for quicker and easier selfies
Users can activate the Selfie Mode, perfect for taking selfies and close-up shots, by simply pulling out the front-end edge of the lens after powering the camera on. This makes it easier than ever before to take selfies and close-up pictures.
“Contact Sheet” instant mini film
Also accompanying the launch of instax mini 40 is “Contact Sheet” instant mini film. In a homage to classic film photography, “Contact Sheet” simulates the look of a photographer’s contact sheet when processed film strips are ‘contact’ printed. As with all instax film, “Contact Sheet” will be available with 10 exposures per cartridge. instax mini 40 joins a fun and versatile lineup of instax instant cameras and smartphone printers.
Fujifilm’s instax mini 40 instant camera will be available at a SRP of €100.00 and will be available to purchase at FUJIFILM stockists nationwide from 21st April 2021. instax “Contact Sheet” mini film will have a suggested retail price of €11.50 and will also be available at FUJIFLIM stockists nationwide from 21st April 2021. Checkout the first look and unboxing below.
Stormind Games, the development studio specialized in premium video games with intense stories for PC and consoles, today announced their newborn partnership with Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, to integrate Razer Chroma RGB lighting into the studio’s brand new IP, Batora: Lost Haven.
Batora: Lost Haven – the isometric action-RPG announced in January – will integrate Razer Chroma, the world’s largest RGB ecosystem, to let players truly immerse themselves in the game’s Retro Sci-Fi atmosphere and unique gameplay: thanks to this partnership, all gamers who will play it will get to enjoy the immersive lighting experiences that Razer allows to create for all their Chroma-enabled devices.
As Batora: Lost Haven’s main feature is the duality between physical and mental requiring players to switch to the correct mode to keep their powers and health bars balanced; Stormind Games’ programmers are integrating commands for Chroma-enabled devices with the game’s events and mechanics, so the implementation of Chroma’s RGB lighting customization will give players immediate visual feedback of the mode they’re in, immersing them into the gaming experience and helping them “visualize” their powers by associating them to specific colors and effects.
“We’re really excited to partner with Stormind Games to bring an immersive experience to Batora: Lost Haven via Razer Chroma RGB.” Says Kushal Tandon, Director of Marketing and Business development at Razer. “Gamers can watch all their Chroma enabled peripherals, smart lighting and connected devices come to life and react dynamically when playing Batora”
“At Stormind Games, we pride ourselves on developing intense stories,” asserts Antonio Cannata, CEO at Stormind Games. “We want our games to give players compelling adventures, and Batora: Lost Haven, an action-RPG with a rich and moving storyline, is the perfect example of that focus. Partnering with Razer and integrating their Chroma devices into Batora, we believe will add an even more profound level of immersion that will really make a difference in the way they experience the game”.
To register interest in Batora: Lost Haven, please click here
Google Nest today announces that the second-generation Nest Hub is launching in twelve more countries around the world: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
“We know people already come to Google for information and tools to help them live healthier, happier lives, and we’ve specifically noticed more and more questions about sleep, exercise and health. So we decided to bring these kinds of solutions to our second-generation Nest Hub, while also improving what people already love about it” said Ashton Udall, Product Manager at Google Nest.
The Nest Hub you love, but better
The new Nest Hub’s speaker is based on the same audio technology as Nest Audio and has 50 percent more bass than the original Hub. Fill any room with music, podcasts or audiobooks from services like YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music — or enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies with a subscription from providers like Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube. With Quick Gestures, you can pause or play content at any time by tapping the air in front of your display.
The new Nest Hub also shows all your compatible connected devices in one place. And with a built-in Thread radio, Nest Hub will work with the new connectivity standard being created by the Project Connected Home over IP working group, making it even simpler to control your connected home.
New sleep features for better rest
The Nest Hub has always helped you tackle the day; now, it can help you rest well at night. Many of us don’t get enough sleep, which comes with some real risks.
In recent years, sleep trackers have become a popular solution. But we wanted to offer an alternative way for people who may not want to wear something to bed to understand their sleep. And we knew people felt comfortable with Nest Hub at their bedsides thanks to its camera-free design, so we went to work. The result is Sleep Sensing, an opt-in feature to help you understand and improve your sleep:
Understand your sleep: Sleep Sensing uses Motion Sense (powered by Soli low-energy radar technology) to analyze how the person closest to the display is sleeping, based on their movement and breathing — all without a camera or wearable. Sleep Sensing can also detect sleep disturbances like coughing and snoring or the light and temperature changes in the room with Nest Hub’s built-in microphones and ambient light and temperature sensors, so you can better understand what’s impacting your sleep.
Every morning you’ll receive a personalized sleep summary on your display, or you can view your sleep data anytime on the Nest Hub by asking, “Hey Google, how did I sleep?” Sleep Sensing can also connect to your Google Fit app on Android and iOS devices, so you can see your sleep summary alongside your other health and wellness information on your phone.
Get help for better sleep: Understanding your sleep is an important first step, but you may still have questions about what else you can do to get a better night’s sleep. Sleep Sensing helps by providing tailored bedtime schedules and personalized suggestions for improvement, developed by a team of sleep scientists and using guidance from organizations like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Compiled after several nights of analysis, these suggestions point you to notable aspects of your sleep, educate you on why those areas are important and provide suggestions to improve.
Built with your privacy in mind: Sleep Sensing is completely optional with privacy safeguards in place so you’re in control: You choose if you want to enable it and there’s a visual indicator on the display to let you know when it’s on. Motion Sense only detects motion, not specific bodies or faces, and your coughing and snoring audio data is only processed on the device — it isn’t sent to Google servers. You have multiple controls to disable Sleep Sensing features, including a hardware switch that physically disables the microphone. You can review or delete your sleep data at any time, and consistent with our privacy commitments, it isn’t used for personalized ads.
Sleep Sensing on the second-gen Nest Hub is available as a free preview until next year. We’ll also be looking for ways to integrate with Fitbit’s sleep tracking features to bring the best of both together in the future.
Even if you choose not to enable Sleep Sensing, you can still fall asleep and wake up easier with Nest Hub. The display dims to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly, and the “Your evening” page helps you wind down at night with relaxing sounds. When it’s time to wake up, Nest Hub’s Sunrise Alarm gradually brightens the display and increases the alarm volume. If you need a few more ZZZs, use Motion Sense to wave your hand and snooze the alarm.
Sustainable design that matches any room
The new Nest Hub comes in two colour options: Chalk and Charcoal. It features an edgeless glass display that’s easy to clean and makes your Nest Hub an even more beautiful digital photo frame. And continuing our commitment to sustainability, Nest Hub is designed with recycled materials with its plastic mechanical parts containing 54 percent recycled post-consumer plastic.
The second-generation Nest Hub will be available for €99.99 from the Google Store from the 4th May, 2021.
Following on from the success of the MagicBridge, Twelve South, an innovative Apple accessories designer, today introduces the MagicBridge Extended. Merging Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and Magic Trackpad 2 into a one-piece control surface, MagicBridge Extended tidies up your workspace and prevents your keyboard and trackpad from drifting apart.
MagicBridge Extended has a minimalist look in keeping with Apple’s iconic style and is available in black or white, to compliment Silver and Space Grey Magic Keyboards with Numeric Keypad. The polycarbonate material is feather light and therefore doesn’t block Bluetooth signals. Silicone feet on the underside protects any surface it sits on. It also has a precisely engineered grill to the rear which provides easy access to power switches and lightning power ports.
For users who like to work and play away from a desktop setup, it can also be used on one’s lap, providing a stable, unified base. Improving typing and swiping efficiency, the Magic Trackpad 2 can be placed either to the right or left of the keyboard, to please both left and right-handed users.
“The original MagicBridge has proven very popular with Apple users and we have been inundated with requests to make a model compatible with numeric keyboards,” says Andrew Green, Twelve South’s co-founder, “we are delighted that we have such a great relationship with our customers that we can release products based on their feedback and requirements.”
MagicBridge Extended is available now for £44.95 from Amazon.co.uk. For those who don’t have the extended Apple Keyboard, the MagicBridge is available for the smaller Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2.
With lockdown restrictions easing around the world and many workspaces reopening, Epson has launched two wireless presentation systems – the Let’s share ELPWP10 and ELPWP20 – for use in education and business environments.
The two solutions enable wireless connection to any flat panel or projector display via the wireless transmitters or Epson’s iProjection app or Miracast, from any source such as a laptop or mobile device. Security is ensured via AES-128 encryption.
The ELPWP10 connects any source device directly to a select range of Epson laser display solutions, with users simply plugging the wireless transmitter into their laptop, or using the iProjection app on their mobile device. With the ELPWP20, content can be shared securely from any device to any display via the bundled wireless receiver. Like with the ELPWP10, this is achieved using a wireless transmitter and plugging it into a laptop or connecting another mobile device via the iProjection app or via Miracast.
Both the ELPWP10 and the ELPWP20 also allow content to be displayed from four different devices simultaneously, making content sharing a seamless experience.
Simone Martorina, Business Manager for Visual Instruments, Epson UK, said: “How easily we can share our own work when joining a meeting is one of the main obstacles employees have had to overcome in the modern workspaces. Our new Wireless Presentation Systems were created with this in mind and together with our innovative display solutions, it is the perfect combination to share, see and collaborate using multiple content on a large display. Users can easily switch between multiple sources presenting simultaneously and our new system’s competitive price positioning makes this even more affordable.
“For both models, users can connect up to six transmitters and display up to four different sets of content at the same time. The quick and easy connection means no time is wasted fiddling with cables, which can often delay the start of a meeting or session. Instead, users can focus on delivering compelling content and easily sharing ideas. These devices could not have come at a better time as we head out of lockdown and back into the office and classroom.”
