START FROM SCRATCH – Pioneer DJ workshops set to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces an upcoming series of workshops to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community. Throughout the months of June, July, and August, aspiring DJs and producers from the LGBTQI+ community will have the chance to learn new skills and gain insight into effective ways to pursue a career in music at the in-person workshops in the UK.

Workshop topics include: An Introduction to DJing, An Introduction to Scratching, and an Introduction to Production, and there will be some special community events held in London. Participants will learn to use Pioneer DJ equipment under the guidance of DJ schools, Pioneer DJ product experts, and international artists including Kanedo, Klaranov, Eka Scratch, and more.

The first workshop will take place on 11th June 2022 at On The Rise DJ Academy in London, with more scheduled throughout the summer in both London and Manchester. Check out all the dates, times, and locations for the workshops and sign up here.

Special thanks go to our incredible partners for supporting this celebratory moment and facilitating workshops and training: Make Me A DJ, Boxpark Wembley, On The Rise, Reason Studios, Point Blank, Amplify Academy and Vibra Music School. For more information, head to www.pioneerdj.com

WATCH VIDEOS

https://youtube.com/shorts/QUiRRE-hedE 

https://youtu.be/Lpn-19SOAPM 

 

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces ROG Phone 6: For Those Who Dare Virtual Launch Event

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the ROG Phone 6: For Those Who Dare virtual event, which will unveil the latest generation ROG Phone 6 series, and a new lineup of gaming accessories and gaming headphones. The event will also include an exclusive and exciting live gaming show match, featuring well-known influencers competing to win on the new ROG Phone 6 series. The online-only event will take place on July 5, 2022 at 20:00 p.m. CST.

At the event, ROG will announce the much-anticipated ROG Phone 6, featuring the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 5G Platform and a Samsung AMOLED display. When combined with exclusive ROG tuning technology, the ROG Phone 6 achieves an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, introducing a new era for gaming smartphone performance, and giving gamers the competitive edge. The ROG Phone 6 also features an exciting space-inspired new look, unique features, an impressive ecosystem of accessories, and an exciting array of gaming headphones. Working in concert with the impressive raw performance of the ROG Phone 6 series, a new cooling system offers unmatched capabilities for those who dare to win.

The ROG Phone 6: For Those Who Dare virtual event will introduce new technologies, faster speeds, and a large ecosystem of products and accessories to create the most immersive gaming experiences. To see the ROG Phone 6 series in action, attendees can stay after the show for an exclusive gaming show match featuring well-known influencers. Join in online as ROG unveils the new ROG Phone 6 series at https: https://rog.asus.com/uk/event/ROG-Phone-6/.

Fnatic partners with BMW to open brand new Esports Performance Facility in Berlin

Fnatic, the London-based esports performance brand, in partnership with German motoring manufacturer BMW, have today unveiled a brand new Esports Performance Facility based in Berlin. The BMW x Fnatic Esports Performance Facility will feature an array of solutions designed to cater to the needs of esports professionals competing at the highest level, setting a new standard for European esports training centres.

The purpose built training centre is equipped ultra-fast broadband with top range internal networking systems and has a range of high-spec features including; an in-house gym, fully serviced kitchen with appliances supplied by Hisense, changing rooms, a relaxation and recreation area, two gaming performance rooms, a content studio, a match review room, changing rooms, BMW sim racing rig and dedicated office space.

The facility will be used extensively by the Fnatic League of Legends team as they compete in the upcoming League of Legends European Championship (LEC) Summer Season. With qualifying spots for the League of Legends World Championship on the line, Fnatic will be looking to the increased capabilities of their Esports Performance Facility to raise their game and return to the top of the LEC.

Jens Hofer, Director of Fnatic’s High Performance Unit, said: “The BMW x Fnatic Esports Performance Facility has been specifically designed to support our League of Legends players as they strive for excellence in the upcoming LEC Summer Season. We’re so excited to finally be opening the unit alongside BMW and setting a new standard for esports facilities in Europe. This facility is another step forward for our HPU as we plan our return to the top of European League of Legends”.

“It is crucial to be able to offer our players a great 360º experience that covers all their needs. That combined with the right staff in all meaningful areas like sport psychology and performance, in-game knowledge, management and content, gives our players the resources they need to be able to get to their best version.” added LOL Team Director Javier Zafra

The BMW x Fnatic Esports Performance Facility supports Fnatic’s wider esports performance strategy, which is based on eight different performance pillars. These include health, research, technology and software, in-game performance, processes and operations, youth structure, infrastructure and education. The ambition of the unit is to consistently improve the capabilities of Fnatic players by making marginal performance gains and improving results, starting with the Fnatic League of Legends team based in Berlin.

Pia Schörner, BMW Group Head of Gaming and Sponsoring, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Fnatic, one of our successful United in Rivalry teams, on the new BMW x Fnatic Esports Performance Facility. It will cover all aspects needed for a team to be able to compete at the highest level of Esports. The broad approach, ranging from players’ physical and mental health over content creation to in-game performance, is reflecting the philosophy of BMW when it comes to Esports. In addition, the facility provides the perfect stage to showcase BMW Group innovations that we will provide to support Fnatic and their players to further increase their performance. We’ll bring some exciting projects to life in the future.”

For more information about Fnatic’s High Performance Unit, visit: https://fnatic.com/esports/hpu.

ZTE’s Latest Flagship Axon 40 Ultra Available Globally on June 21, 2022, Starting From$799/ €829/ £709

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ) has officially announced today the global launch of Axon 40 Ultra, a masterpiece of a smartphone that boasts a significant upgrade in Under-Display Camera (UDC) technology and a pioneer in multi-camera computational photography. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers an excellent experience for users in relation to display capability, imagery, and performance. It comes equipped with the all-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Sales for ZTE Axon 40 Ultra will kick off on June 21, 2022, starting from $799/ €829/ £709. Additionally, there will be a pre-order discount, allowing customers to pay $1.99/ €1.99/ £1.99 for a coupon in order to save $50/ €50/ £40, from June 8, 2022 till June 21, 2022. 

New Generation UDC Technology Offers Spectacular Images In Every Glance 

With a persistent focus on developing Under-Display Camera technology, ZTE is continuously leading the evolution of the full-screen trend. As the third-generation commercial product with advanced UDC technology, Axon 40 Ultra inherits everything from its predecessor while bringing innovative breakthroughs in creating a fully integrated screen.

Axon 40 Ultra comes standard with 400 PPI density and a blue diamond pixel arrangement to provide more detailed imagery. It also offers an industry-first independent pixel drive technology as well as distributed transparent wiring adopted for the circuit which eliminates the aggregation of circuits on the edge of the screen of the UDC area. These elements work together to provide smoother images and a clearer screen display. 

Integrating the MRC algorithm upgrade, intelligent pixel improvement, and intelligent display optimization technology into the UDC Pro screen display chip, creates a more

precise and synchronized display. With its newly enhanced full screen, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is able to create more immersive experiences and offer spectacular imagery at every turn. 

Moreover, the front camera image quality has also been vastly improved. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is equipped with a 16-megapixel front UDC, which can reach up to a 2.24μmlarge pixel infusion effect, generating increased light sensitivity for the UDCarea. The use of in-depth learning AI technology helps improve Selfie Algorithm 3.0 to minimize noise. Real-time calibration of images is also possible under variedlight environments such as intelligently defogging or using anti-glare, to significantly improve image clarity and transparency. Furthermore, the Smart Makeup function further enhances the image quality of facial shots. 

Screen configuration at the flagship level amplifies the excitement. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is equipped with a 6.8-inch AMOLED large screen that supports 1116*2480resolution FHD+, with a peak brightness up to 1500 nits, 100% coverage of DCI-P3 wide color gamut, 10 bit color depth, and 1.07 billion color extreme display. The result is a powerful, immersive display that offers superb image quality and stunning color display. The 6.8-inch AMOLED display supports 120Hz high refresh rate and 360Hztouch sampling rate. Combined with TUV Rheinland low-blue-light Eyes afe certification, the 1440 Hz high-frequency Pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming function efficiently reduces screen flicker in dark scenes, which gives the highest level of eye protection. 

Three-Primary-Camera Trinity System Offers Spectacular Shots at Every Angle

While the full screen allows users to “see the spectacular”, the primary cameras of ZTE Axon 40 Ultra have been completely upgraded to the best triple-camera system“trinity” in the industry, consisting of a 64-megapixel humanity camera, a64- megapixel ultra-wide-angle primary camera, and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto primary camera. The triple primary camera, powered by a powerful processor, enables ZTE Axon 40 Ultra to capture imagery in spectacular fashion. 

The 64-megapixel humanity primary camera and ultra-wide-angle primary camera on ZTE Axon 40 are equipped with two Sony IMX787 sensors, a first for the industry. This configuration can achieve dual full-pixel omnidirectional focus, enabling faster and more precise focus. In particular, the 64-megapixel humanity camera utilizes a 35mm equivalent focal length, a 7P lens and a large aperture of f/1.6 to provide an optical blur effect at hardware-level. Combining wide-angle and macro features, the ultra-wide-angle primary camera utilizes a 16mm equivalent focal length with a 4cm AF macro to achieve ultra-low distortion on curved surfaces. The periscope telephoto primary camera adopts a 91mm equivalent focal length with a 5.7x optical zoom function from wide-angle to telephoto. With Steadicam-level full-system image stabilization, OIS optical image stabilization + EIS image stabilization, every photo is produced in outstanding quality. 

Further advancements are made in computational photography. ZTE Axon 40 Ultraisthe only smartphone in the industry that supports 8k ultra-high-definition recording. It is also the only three-primary-camera smartphone in the industry equipped with a snapshot function, allowing it to capture objects in motion with its Customized Adaptive Shutter Algorithm. Last but not least, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the only three- primary-camera smartphone in the industry that supports preset focusing with all of the primary cameras, allowing users to manually preset the focus distance before shooting and thus significantly reducing the focus time. 

Additionally, the super night scene video function has been improved significantly. The unique AI videography algorithm can enhance image brightness and resolution when shooting videos in low-light areas. It also reduces noise and provides true-to life picture quality. If that’s not enough, multiple night sky photography feature modes such as Smart Moon, Star Photography Algorithm, and AI constellation are also added to the mix, giving users access to superior night photography capabilities. In addition to the humanistic image color system, and rich humanistic filters suchasBresson black and white filter, film filter, etc., users can experience a ton of fun photo shooting with a variety of photography and videography scenarios with ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. 

High-capacity Battery Offers Spectacular Power at Every Moment 

ZTE equips Axon 40 Ultra with an upgraded 5000mAh battery that supports 65W super-fast charging, which provides users with more power to last for days on end. 

Hardcore Performance and Magnificent Aesthetic Offers A Spectacle for Every Second 

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is equipped with the flagship configuration of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, UFS3.1, and LPDDR5 RAM, and is designed to deliver exceptional performance. This flagship device also features VC liquid cooling technology for better and enhanced performance. The total heat dissipation area of the nine-layer heat dissipation structure can reach 36,356mm²; with the aid of the new dual-channel enhanced VC liquid-cooled vaporizer, the thermal conductivity of the waterfall-typefast heat conduction design can be greatly increased by 400%; the heat absorption capacity of the Aerospace-grade micro-nano-cavity graphene phase-change vapor chamber has been increased by 140%, and its thermal conductivity.

For the ultimate gaming experience, Snapdragon Sound, DTS audio stereo dual speakers, X-axis linear motor, and 90/120 high frame rate are incorporated to provide users with superior sound quality and a gaming experience like no other. On top of that, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra fully supports hardware encryption and incorporates an independent safety chip to enhance system safety. 

Alongside its powerful performance, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra features a sleek and aesthetic integrated design that embodies the spirit of elegance. It is designed with a 71-degree super-curved waterfall surface design, alongside a 3.9mm super-deep bending degree, making it more comfortable to hold. The rear features an industry first frameless glass design that houses the triple camera, while also concealing the metal platform surface. 

Price and Availability 

Sales for Axon 40 Ultra will begin on June 21, 2022, on the ZTE website. Pricing starts from $799/ €829/ £709 for the 8GB+128GB version and $899/ €949/ £809 for the 12GB+256GB version. 

Countries and regions for open-sales include: 

North America: Canada, United States (56 of 62 states – American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands not included) Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (50 of 52 provinces), Sweden, United Kingdom Middle East: Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates Asia Pacific: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam Africa: South Africa (8 of 9 provinces)

Dublin Bus partners with Voi – First of its kind pilot project in Ireland

Dublin Bus, the State’s largest public transport provider, joined with Europe’s largest micromobility company, Voi Technology (Voi) to launch an innovative new pilot project. From today Dublin Bus employees will be able to access a special fleet of Voi e-bikes to enable them to travel between the eight depots which house the 1,000 bus fleet of Dublin Bus. 

The new initiative, a pilot project to run for 12 months, will give Voi and Dublin Bus real time insights into micromobility in the capital. Part of a wider range of projects that Dublin Bus is pioneering to support sustainable transport, the e-bike usage data will provide invaluable insights to help Dublin Bus support customers in choosing how to journey on their first or last mile. The pilot programme will include 20 Voi bikes and all bikes will be co-branded in the unique Dublin Bus and the distinct Voi colour schemes. The bikes come equipped with all safety mechanisms and will be charged up and maintained at Dublin Bus depots across the city.  

With a focus on bringing world class solutions to consumers, Dublin Bus first began exploring the Voi solution 18 months ago. A special project task force led by Robert Lynn of Dublin Bus examined a broad range of options and technologies to use as part of this trial.  The options were examined for items like versatility, ease of use, user experience in booking, and supplier expertise. Voi, Europe’s leading micromobility operator was selected after an exhaustive process. 

Speaking about the initiative, Ray Coyne, Chief Executive of Dublin Bus said: “New technology is changing the way everything is done and transport services are no different.  We’ve always prided ourselves on how we help Dublin thrive and this new technology is part of that and is also enabling new ways of doing things in Dublin Bus. 

“We’ve been examining the area of mobility within the transport sector over the last 18 months and exploring markets in the UK and major European cities. During this process we have spoken to many local authorities, local operators, and IT suppliers to gain insight into emerging trends and gain an insight into operational lessons learned as various services are launched in various locations. This has resulted in the company being presented with a number of opportunities in different areas of mobility and we’re delighted today to launch this pilot project.”

Fredrik Hjelm, Co-founder and CEO at Voi said: We are delighted to partner with such a reputable transport provider and give their employees an opportunity to use our e-bikes to travel around this fabulous city in a sustainable way.

“Integrating public transport with green transport modes such as scooters or e-bikes is fundamental to the decarbonisation of our cities and towns, and we couldn’t be more excited about working with Dublin Bus to bring our vision of creating better cities to live into the Irish capital.”

Technical elements

E-bikes: Starting with a fleet of 20 of our latest e-bikes. All vehicles GPS tracked and capable of speed and zone restrictions (as required)

Using the bikes: Unlimited access exclusively for Dublin Bus Employees. Free unlocking and riding for all employees via the Voi app

Data: Dashboard set up for Dublin Bus management to monitor usage and manage fleet.

Repairs: Inventory of spare parts to be held at Dublin Bus depots – supplied free of charge.

Short-term: Repairs to be conducted by Dublin Bus following training.

Charging batteries: To be conducted locally by Dublin Bus. Charging kits to be supplied by Voi.

Safety: training to be provided for employees to promote safe adoption.

Support: Relationship Manager to be assigned to Dublin Bus to ensure all needs are serviced.

Term: 12-month trial, after which we can review and discuss longer term installations

Locations:

  1. Broadstone
  2. Conyngham Road
  3. Clontarf
  4. Donnybrook
  5. Harristown
  6. Phibsboro
  7. Ringsend
  8. Summerhill
  9. O’Connell Street (Dublin Bus Head Office)

Ember Launches 6oz Ember Cup

Ideal for espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos, cortados, and flat whites, the new Ember Cup, 6 oz, offers a premium coffee experience that does more than just keep your coffee hot. Our smart mug allows you to set your preferred drinking temperature, so you can enjoy your expertly crafted hot drink — just the way you like it — from the first sip to the last drop.
Ember Cup’s built-in battery maintains your precise drinking temperature for up to 1.5 hours or all day with the included
charging coaster.

Available at: Ember.com and select fine retailers
Details & Care:
• Capacity: 6 fl oz (178 ml)
• Built-in battery to maintain your personal drinking
temperature
• Battery life: 1.5 hours, or all day on included charging coaster
• Ember Cup Charging Coaster included
• Pairs with the Ember app. iOS and Android compatible
• Temperature range: 120°F – 145°F (50°C – 62.5°C)
• Ember Cup is safe to hand wash and submersible up to 1
meter in water
• Available in Black and Copper
• Do not microwave

Gramrphone Integrations Help Creators Stream Live Audio to the Biggest Platforms

Since winning the Next Stage Challenge, participating at Wallifornia and being used by John Legend, London-based live audio streaming startup, Gramrphone, have been busy building integrations with some of the biggest streaming platforms in the world, positioning themselves as the first ‘live music distribution service’ in the industry. 

Providing an all-in-one alternative to OBS Studio that has been optimized for musicians and driven by their mission to help creators reach their fans in high fidelity audio, Gramrphone have taken their breakthrough audio streaming technology and scaled to a B2B environment, recently announcing a groundbreaking partnership to deliver live music to Boomplay in Africa. 

This integration is enabling artists like Wurld from Nigeria and Bomb$hell Grenade from Zambia, to stream live listening parties and performances of new projects, directly from their home studio to their fans, via the Africa’s biggest DSP. All delivered in crystal clear audio.

This is hot off the back of being featured as an official Patrion partner, and building integrations with household names including YouTube, Twitch and Mixcloud and indie-favourite Bandcamp. All of these integrations work towards achieving Gramrphone’s north star – making it instantly simple for creators to distribute professional quality live music to the biggest platforms. 

Graham Allen, CoFounder, Gramrphone, comments: “We’re super excited to be delivering live music into global music platforms like Boomplay. It creates huge opportunity for creators to drive release campaigns, for platforms to spotlight editorial placements and for fans to experience live music no matter where they are.” 

Gramrphone are part of a booming live audio streaming renaissance driven by Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces and recently Amazon’s AMP platform.  

Their success in emerging markets has been driven by this audio focus, lowering the barrier to entry for fans with restricted internet access unable to join video streams. Gramrphone have spent the last two years in this space, with a key focus in India – recently partnering with distributors OK listen to stream COVID-relief fundraiser concerts and it’s a trend they are looking to continue with the Boomplay integration.

Allen continues: We’re always listening to creators, wherever there’s a platform they want to stream live music to and engage their fans, we’re on it. Whether that’s DSPs, gaming platforms or the Web 3 Metaverse.” 

Gramrphone launched an integration into Facebook. Which provides access for creators to stream live audio into Facebook’s rumored Metaverse. Bandcamp’s recent acquisition by Epic, also opens the door for creators to stream live audio into Fortnite, with the existing Gramrphone – Bandcamp integration already being used by indie acts Boyish, Medusa and Laroie. 

 

Microsoft launches their new Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Microsoft have today launched the next evolution of Surface Laptop with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 available now on pre-order. The device offers a modern design with a vibrant 12.4” PixelSense™ touchscreen, comfortable keyboard and large, precision trackpad to help with navigating, scrolling, and selecting with ease.

Equipped with Windows 11 and the Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, Surface Laptop Go 2 provides all-day battery life and the device weighs only 2.48 pounds. Additionally, the device offers a clear video and rich sound for music, movies and shows, connection over video calls with an improved HD camera, and connection to other devices and accessories via a range of ports.

Pete Kyriacou, CVP, Microsoft Devices said: “We’re delighted to announce Surface Laptop Go 2. This product has been meticulously crafted to deliver our Surface signature premium design and features in an ultra-portable format.

While fashioning a beautiful product we are also committed to sustainability. In addition to SSD, replaceable components now include the C-Cover (Keyset and Trackpad), AB Cover (Display) and battery  and Surflink cable helping to extend the use of your device.

Beneath the sleek exterior, Surface Laptop Go 2 is the first Intel-based secured-core PC from Surface. With innovation from chip to cloud, customers at home or work can enjoy new levels of security. Whether deploying for a large-scale enterprise or your home business, Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a lightweight, manageable and functional device for any employee.”

See more HERE

Skullcandy Reveals ‘Inequality Crusher’ headphones

Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in Stereo Headphones and True Wireless Earbuds under $100, announced today its latest collaboration with ongoing partner To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. The limited-edition Inequality Crusher headphones feature an aesthetic dedicated to celebrating all love, all the time — not just for Pride Month.

The Skullcandy x To Write Love on Her Arms Inequality Crusher Evo wireless headphones will begin selling June 1, exclusively on Skullcandy.co.uk. A portion of proceeds will help To Write Love on Her Arms fund
LGBTQIA+ mental health programs.

“The LGBTQIA+ community faces higher-than-average rates of depression, PTSD and anxiety disorder. This reality, coupled with Skullcandy’s support of equal rights for all, is why this collaboration with To Write Love on Her Arms is so important to us,” said Jessica Klodnicki, Chief Marketing Officer, Skullcandy. “The limited-edition Inequality Crusher celebrates all love, all year. We’re proud to do our part by raising awareness, enabling resources and expressing unconditional love and support for the
LGBTQIA+ community.”

 

Skullcandy Inequality crusher

As part of its year-long “Find Your Frequency” brand campaign, Skullcandy will spotlight “expression” as June’s frequency, celebrated by Alice Longyu Gao, a Chinese born multidisciplinary emerging artist, singer-songwriter, performer and DJ. Gao is a vocal champion in the LGBTQIA+ community and Skullcandy will feature exclusive content and music performances from her featuring Inequality Crusher. The Inequality Crusher headphones are offered in a unique Rainbow Pride colorway which features an eye-catching full-spectrum gradient highlighted by the Progress Flag and an “All Love’’ inscription, representing and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. This limited-edition colorway celebrates individuality and uniqueness, just like every color in the rainbow. Tech specs tied to each of the Skullcandy x To Write Love on Her Arms Inequality Crusher headphones collab include:

• 40 hours total battery + Rapid Charge
• Crusher adjustable Sensory Bass
• Personal Sound via Skullcandy App
• Call, track and volume control via touch controls
• Built-in Tile Finding Technology
• Flat-folding and collapsible

To Write Love on Her Arms exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment
and recovery. For more information, please visit twloha.com.

To see the collaboration unfold, visit The Workshop — the home of custom, limited-edition audio products
at Skullcandy headquarters in Park City, Utah. Each Workshop run is designed by artists and partners,
then hand-printed by a small group of craftspeople using state-of-the-art digital technology and a personal
touch.

Skullcandy x To Write Love on Her Arms Inequality Crusher Evo Wireless Headphones – £179.99 MSRP: