According to a Counterpoint market research, OPPO achieved a 94% year-on-year growth in Europe during the first quarter of 2021. By doubling its sales share over a year, the company now ranks as the 4th largest smartphone vendor in the region.
Maggie Xue, President of OPPO Western Europe, commented: “Since the launch of Find X3 Series, we have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive response from our customers and communities, which has been reflected in the impressive demand for our new devices. Compared with the Find X2 Series last year, the pre-sales have increased by over 400% year-on-year.”
As a consumer-centric company, OPPO puts customers at the core of all our decisions. This fundamental value has fueled the passion for delivering excellence with each iteration of products, and becoming one of the leading manufacturers in the world.
With more innovation and product launches to come in 2021, OPPO will continue to move forward to bring the best product experiences to customers in WEU.
It’s no exaggeration to say that we live our lives online. We’ve come a long way from the early days of the Internet when we used it to research high school book reports and email. These days, you can shop for clothes, buy your groceries, become an influencer with millions of followers on social media, or watch a live event with billions around the world.
We’ve learned and grown with the Internet, but it is learning too, about us.
Every site you visit online has cookies that collect information about you. The last ten years have been filled with frightening reports of data breaches at companies we give our banking information to. We also cannot forget scandals like Cambridge Analytica, which was an eye opening demonstration of the potential for misuse of data collected about us online.
Is Big Brother a reality of modern life that we just have to accept? While you may not be able to completely eliminate all forms of data collection, there are ways you can protect yourself and limit the reach of collection tools.
1. Consider switching search engines and browsers
Google has become such an unavoidable part of our lives it’s joined the English Language as a verb, complete with a dictionary definition. You can now be “googled” or searched. As much as we like the search engine and browser, the fact is Google is one of the biggest collectors of data online. Google records every single search item and site you visit. Moreover, information about your online activity is surprisingly detailed and stretches back over several years.
You can have this information deleted. You can also prevent it from being collected in the first place. Use alternative search engines that do not keep records. DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Qwant are privacy first search engines that offer varying degrees of freedom from tracking and collection. For alternative browsing, try Microsoft Edge or Safari.
2. Get an ad blocker
Most people see online ads as a necessary, if annoying, tradeoff we engage in for the content we love on the Internet. They can also be quite harmful. What most of us don’t know is that these ads are connected by a vast web of servers that allow you to be tracked once you click on them.
This is one way information is “stolen” from you through ads, as a profile of your interests, age, location among other things is built based on the ads you view.
The other is through the inclusion of malware and spyware on ad links. You can click on an ad and find yourself directed to a seemingly legitimate product website that prompts you to enter your financial information, only to have the data stolen and used by hackers.
An ad blocker will significantly limit the number of these “ads” you’ll be exposed to.
3. Install anti virus
To use your personal computer on the Internet without having anti-virus software installed on it is asking for trouble.
Viruses being released today are capable of causing far more damage to your machine and irrecoverable loss than any other time in the Internet’s history. Beyond that, the average user is dealing with sophisticated spyware and malware, software designed to spy and track on the user or cause the computer to behave in ways that are detrimental to it and the user.
Ransomware crimes have also become a significant problem. This is where the data on your device is encrypted and is not released back to you until the money is paid to the attacker. Having a backup of your data would help if this happens to you.
Backing up your data to the cloud is one method available to you. Therefore, it’s highly important to learn what is cloud security to find out how you can add an extra layer of security when you go online. You can never be too prepared or too protected online these days.
4. Take precautions when using public Wi-Fi
This one is for users of public wifi networks. In these quarantine times, it is especially good to get out and into the open, so you might take your laptop down to the local coffee shop. What you may not know is that your data can be stolen over these public networks. To stop this, you can install a VPN or Virtual Private Network.
This allows you to hide your IP address and block ads, which reduces the number of ways you can be tracked.
5. Use unique passwords for every online account
Having the same password for your online accounts may be convenient and easy to remember but it’s also dangerous. If hackers gain access to one of your accounts and try your password at the others, there are likely to be other security breaches. Consider getting a password manager, which will store all of your passwords.
6. Use two-factor authentication
This is another security measure that can add an extra layer of protection when you are online. Typically, two-factor authentication asks for a code, sent to a device only you have access to, along with a password. This way, even if someone steals your password, they can’t get into your accounts, as they don’t possess the code.
7. Password protect your phone
We tend to forget to password protect our phone, even though we are on it more often than our laptop or desktop throughout the day. This is like leaving your wallet on a public bus filled with cash. Think of someone having access to all of your contacts, your photos, your DMs, your social media accounts, all with the swipe of a finger.
Use the option to set up a password that comes with your phone, or take advantage of several security apps that do this as well.
8. Clear cache
Your browser knows you much better than you would like to think. Unfortunately, it can also help people looking to steal information about your buying habits or financial details because it stores so much information about what you do online. Clear your browser’s cache regularly to prevent this.
You won’t be able to completely eliminate online data threats, but you can significantly reduce them by taking these steps.
Mobi Earbuds: The Hybrid ANC Headphones Powered by Artificial Intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to take over the world. But first, it might be taking over your music collection. And after trying the Mobi next-gen hybrid ANC earbuds, we’re warming up to the robo-apocalypse!
These brand new earbuds feature a new kind of hybrid ANC technology that cancels the full range of audio frequency. That means you can listen to your music in total silence even when you’re out and about.
The headphones also have AI-powered features that keep you safer and more aware while you’re on the go. Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything below. If you want to see Mobi for yourself, you can check them out here. You can get a pair for nearly 60% off if you pre-order!
Here’s what you need to know about the new Mobi Earbuds.
Key Features
Here’s a breakdown of the features of these premium earbuds.
Next-gen hybrid ANC
AI-powered Transparency Mode
12 mm speaker drivers
100-hour battery life
IPX6 waterproof
Ergonomic fit
Bluetooth 5.2
Quad-beamforming mic (with AI-boosted calling)
Digital assistant access (Siri, Google, etc.)
Wireless charging
Touch controls
Mobi delivers some features we’ve seen before and some we haven’t. Below, we’ll go into more detail on what Mobi does better than the competition.
Next-gen Hybrid ANC
Next-gen hybrid active noise cancelling (ANC) sounds cool, but what is it? Mobi’s new version of hybrid ANC is like standard hybrid ANC but with an extra microphone. This allows the ANC program to detect movement and distance with much more precision than before (think of it like having two eyes instead of one).
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s brush up on hybrid ANC tech. Here’s a quick recap.
Hybrid ANC uses one feedforward mic on the exterior of the earbud and one feedback mic on the interior to cancel more noise than just one mic could do. The exterior mic captures sounds from your environment, and the interior mic listens to what you hear from the speakers to correct the sound neutralisation or cancel additional noise.
Mobi’s hybrid ANC has an extra feedforward mic, so it can better detect and cancel a broader range of noises from your environment. This is how Mobi is able to offer full-frequency ANC—from high pitches like conversations and car breaks to low ones like motors and fans.
The AI-assisted feedback mic listens to your music with you, further correcting the ANC until all you hear is your music. The AI is so precise that it can even cancel the noises made by the earbuds when they shift in your ears.
Mobi’s 30 dB of ANC power is much stronger than competitors’. Apple’s AirPods Pro only have 20 dB ANC, or 50% less.
The Power of AI
We already spoke a bit about Mobi’s AI and how it assists the hybrid ANC. But, it has another ANC mode all its own.
Mobi’s AI Transparency Mode is an ANC feature you can turn on and off when you need it. It selectively filters sounds from your environment through the ANC barrier to keep you aware when you need to be.
Mobi’s AI recognizes 6000+ different ambient sounds, and with Transparency Mode active, it will pass certain sounds through the speakers to your ears. These sounds include sirens, alarms, digital assistance like Alexa and voices speaking to you. This will keep you safer when you’re on the go, especially if you listen to music while you cycle or run. It’s also helpful for commuters on foot.
Another perk is that you won’t have to turn off your music or take out your earbuds to have a conversation. Mobi’s AI will detect the voice speaking to you and pass it through the earbuds’ speakers. When it does this, the volume of your music will lower automatically.
Bigger Speakers for Better Sound
The easiest way to find out if your headphones have high-quality audio is to check the driver size. Bigger drivers almost always mean better sound. That’s because larger speakers reverberate more air molecules to produce bigger, body-hugging audio.
This is an important distinguishing factor in true wireless earbuds because the speakers inside them are tiny. Most earbuds contain speakers between 4-8 mm in diameter.
Mobi’s are 12 mm. These oversized drivers make the earbuds look a bit bulkier. But the improvement in sound quality is well worth it. These giant drivers make Mobi sound like over-ear headphones. They have that surround-sound-esque quality that you only get from nice studio headphones.
Mobi excels at bass tones. The bass actually shakes your body like it’s coming from an external speaker! I’m not sure how good it is for your ears, but if you’re into electronic music, Mobi are the earbuds you want.
Waterproof and Durable
I don’t know about you, but if I can’t wear a pair of headphones in the rain, I won’t buy them. Mobi pass my durability tests on all counts. IPX5 waterproofing is all you need for the weather we get in Ireland, and Mobi has an IPX6 rating.
This is more than enough for any type of weather, and as an added bonus, you can wear them in the shower or the sauna.
Besides waterproofing, Mobi are sealed and reinforced to prevent the entry of debris. You can wear them to sandy or dusty places without anything getting lodged inside.
An Industry-topping Battery
Mobi’s 100-hour battery seemed too good to be true. But it’s the real deal. Mobi earbuds can go 10 hours on a charge, and there are 90 more hours of power in the carrying case.
Mobi’s battery lasts so long thanks to a little help from artificial intelligence. The AI-powered ANC doesn’t put up a wall of ANC like other headphones do. It targets each sound and uses only the necessary amount of power to cancel it. This makes the ANC much more energy-efficient.
When the earbuds are ready for a charge, they can power up to 6 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge in the carrying case. The case itself charges in just 2 hours. And, it can charge via USB-C or Qi wireless charging.
Clearer Calls from More Mics
If you make a lot of hands-free calls, you’ll want to switch to Mobi. All those feedforward mics used for the ANC do double-time as beamforming mics when you make calls. They make a sort of quad-beamforming mic for much more accurate voice and movement detection.
Mobi’s mics can isolate your voice even when you’re moving quickly or in a noisy environment. The person or people you’re calling will hear nothing from your surroundings, which can be helpful if you’re taking important meetings in the car or at the gym.
The AI will also work during calls to cancel any noises based on what it hears from the feedback mic.
Your Own World of Music
I don’t know what sort of world AI will make for us in the future. But with Mobi, you can enjoy your own world of music right now. The hybrid ANC cancels all noise for a studio-quality listen. And the oversized drivers make your music feel like it’s all around you.
If you’re a hardcore over-ear headphone fan, Mobi may be the earbuds to change your mind. And why not pick up a pair? If you pre-order, you can get Mobi earbuds for about €60. That’s an unbelievably low price for a pair of premium earbuds. Let me remind you that Mobi’s oversized drivers, ANC tech and battery life run circles round €200+ earbuds by Apple, Bose and Sony.
This price is only available for another week or so during Mobi’s pre-sale. Make sure you click the link above or head to mobiearbuds.com to get yours!
The National Transport Authority has released the Leap Top-Up App on the Apple App Store, letting TFI Leap Card users with Apple devices check their balance, top-up on the go and collect pre-purchased tickets, including TaxSaver tickets. Finally says iOS users…
Transport for Ireland (TFI) Leap Card users with iPhone 7 or newer can now download the Leap Top-Up App from the Apple App Store and will no longer have to detour to a shop or ticket machine to load credit or ticket products bought earlier online.
While most Android users have been able to top-up using the app since 2016, it was not until October 2019 that Apple unlocked the ability for third party apps to access the on-board NFC for iPhone 7 and newer devices, with the release of iOS 13.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham said: “It has always been our ambition to make the TFI Leap Card Top-Up App available to a wider cohort of public transport users. I am delighted that we are now in a position to expand this service to Apple devices.
“We expect that the Apple app will be just as popular as the Android app. At the moment Android top-ups account for 30% of all TFI Leap Card top-ups. Based on these figures this additional service should result in 60% of all TFI Leap Card users topping up via a mobile app.
“In light of Covid-19, the ability to top-up from anywhere at any time from the comfort of your own home, will be a welcomed function for public transport user across the TFI network. Paying for your fare using the TFI Leap Card continues to be the safest way to complete your journey as restrictions are eased”.
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan said: “It is great to see the launch of the iOS Leap Top-Up App today. The TFI Leap Card along with the top-up app has made journeys across the TFI network more convenient for everyone.
PIC JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY TFI Leap Card Top-Up App now available on Apple devices: The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, joined CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, as the NTA released the Leap Top-Up App on the Apple App Store, letting TFI Leap Card users with Apple devices check their balance, top-up on the go and collect pre-purchased tickets, including TaxSaver tickets.
“This additional feature for Apple device users will make public transport a more attractive option to people. TFI Leap customers are already making significant savings of up to 31% compared to cash payments.
“I look forward to seeing public transport users throughout the country availing of this hassle-free way of topping up their TFI Leap Card. I’d like to acknowledge the work that NTA has been doing in responding to customers’ needs by rolling out innovative products like this using the latest smartphone technology”.
To use the app, you simply touch the TFI Leap Card against your phone.
The iOS app has been in real-live customer testing for the last number of months and the National Transport Authority (NTA) says that the feedback has been very positive so far.
The Leap Top-Up App can be downloaded from the Apple and Android App store and further information on how you can use the feature can be found here.
Poly today announced Alexa for Business for Zoom Rooms, to provide customers with a hands-free, voice-activated, control experience for new wave meeting collaboration. This new offering enables Poly customers to set up Alexa for Business with just a few clicks. Once enabled, Zoom Rooms’ users can ask Alexa to join meetings and book rooms, without having to purchase additional Alexa-enabled devices. With this integration, Poly, Zoom and Alexa for Business are simplifying the enablement and management of Alexa for Business by building it directly into the Zoom Management Portal.
As companies plan for a return to the office and strategize how to safely bring employees back into shared spaces and meeting rooms, touchless voice control has never played a more critical role. Alexa for Business improves the overall meeting experience, for rooms of any size, by offering customers the ability to start a Zoom Rooms meeting using voice commands. Poly Zoom Room users can ask Alexa to assist with tasks like starting their online meeting, booking a meeting room, and alerting participants with end-of-meeting reminders to keep everyone on task.
Installation takes just a few clicks, and once installed, a Poly Zoom Rooms device can detect an employee’s voice to jumpstart the meeting experience. Poly’s lineup of pro-grade devices are certified Zoom Room Appliances, and feature advanced speaker tracking, Acoustic Fence and NoiseBlockAI, so you can crush every meeting, while blocking out distracting background noise.
“Our goal is to bring peace of mind as employees begin to return to the office, through integrative technologies designed to minimise contact with high-touch surface areas,” said Beau Wilder, vice president and general manager of video collaboration at Poly.“We continue to see the need for highly-imaginative applications of AI, especially when it comes to voice-activated commands like Alexa for Business, and further enable employees to remain agile, with the ability to easily connect, so they can do their best work from anywhere.”
Poly Studio X series with TC8 touch interface, Poly G7500 video conferencing system, and Poly Trio C60 smart conference phone are the latest Zoom Room Appliances to support the Alexa for Business offering available now, in the United States. The Poly Studio X series and Poly G7500 are both certified Zoom Rooms Appliances, as are the Poly Trio 8500 and Poly Trio 8800 smart conference phones, which all feature Alexa for Business capabilities. Alexa can also help employees check the weather, stay up-to-date on the news or listen to their favourite podcast. Alexa has more than 100,000 skills to help make their lives easier, more meaningful and more fun by letting them voice-control their world. Poly is the only Zoom hardware provider and partner that delivers certified solutions across Zoom Rooms, Zoom Phone, and Zoom Personal Workspace.
“Voice assisted technology is stepping in to address new ways of working,” said Jeff Smith, head of Zoom Rooms at Zoom. “Zoom Rooms Appliances like the Poly Studio X series and Poly G7500 that support Alexa for Business are changing the game for organisations who are planning to return to the office safely, while also catering to employees who want to stay connected and join meetings quickly from home.”
HP Inc. today announced the expansion of HP+, the smartest printing system designed for consumers and small businesses. In a time when demand for printing is high (+6% NPD/GFK), driven by millions of people working and learning from home, HP+ is modernizing today’s printing experience. Powered by a new cloud-based ecosystem, HP+ makes printing more secure, productive, and sustainable than ever.
Smart Printer
Consumers and small businesses today have higher expectations on devices to meet their expanded needs. In addition, 70% of consumers believe smart tech makes life easier. With the new HP+ cloud ecosystem, consumers and small businesses are able to stay connected and secure with exclusive, new features:
New Cloud resiliency automatically detects and fixes connectivity issues
New Smart Security monitoring helps detect and prevent malware attacks
New Native in-OS printing enables printing from virtually anywhereon any device
New Private Pickup lets you hit print now and pick up later when you’re at the printer
New Smart Dashboard helps you manage your printer in one convenient place
New, one-year extra HP warranty
HP+ will first launch with the new HP LaserJet M200 Series, Red Dot design award winner, as well as HP OfficeJet Pro 8000e and 9000e Series, DeskJet 2700e and 4100e Series, and ENVY 6000e and 6400e Series.
To deliver HP’s highest quality, most reliable, and more sustainable printing experience, HP+ smart printers only work with Original HP ink and toner.
Smart Ink Subscription
In 2020, eCommerce sales grew by more than 16.5% worldwide accelerated not only by the need for contactless shopping, but also by the convenience consumers have grown to rely on. For HP Instant Ink, this expansion and reliance on the delivery economy drove more than 60% year-over-year growth, reaching more than nine million subscribers. With HP+, customers receive a six-month trial of ink or toner.
Subscribe and save up to 70% on superb-quality Original HP Ink or 50% percent on HP Original Toner, with print plans starting at €0.99 per month. New toner print plans are now available, starting at €1.99 per month.
Smart App
In addition to the need for cloud-based solutions and convenient subscriptions – consumers and small businesses have also grown to rely on mobile ubiquity. With the HP Smart App, which has more than 48M active monthly users, customers are able to enjoy the ability to print and scan from virtually anywhere.
With HP+, enjoy HP Smart Advance features such as advanced scanning, mobile fax, and productivity features for 24 months.
Easily access Google Drive, Dropbox, and more.
Smart for the Planet
Lastly, it’s clear – the planet matters to our customers; 3 out of 4 consumers consider sustainability important when purchasing a printer. With HP+, we are building on our commitment to a future that is forest positive promoting net zero-deforestation prints and closed loop cartridge recycling:
With our new Forest First feature, HP invests in the restoration and preservation of healthy forests.
HP recycles your used ink cartridges to help create new ones.
Pricing and Availability
HP DeskJet 2700e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of €49.00
HP DeskJet Plus 4100e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of € 69.00
HP Envy 6000e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of €79.00
HP Envy 6400e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of €99.00
HP OfficeJet Pro 8000e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of €129.00
HP LaserJet M200e Series is expected to be available in May for a starting price of €149.99
More information on HP+, including pricing and more details on HP+ hardware (including functionality equivalent non-HP+ devices) can be found athp.com/plus.
The military offers a wide range of awesome careers to those willing to serve. Almost everyone is aware of the combat arms military occupational specialties. Pick a random action movie or a video game, and you’re likely to see military special forces involved in some sort of daring operation.
Army cybersecurity and IT teams aren’t breaching doors and bagging bad guys, but they are fighting in a completely different battlefield — a digital one. Here are 4 things you didn’t know about the Army’s IT Teams.
The Famed 25 Bravo
Information Technology Specialist 25B is the official title of the Army’s IT MOS. Soldiers working as IT specialists in the Army are tasked with many duties similar to those of a civilian IT specialist. Maintenance of computers and systems, network maintenance, troubleshooting of various computer-related issues, and programming are all part of the job.
However, what most people don’t know is that 25B can be deployed to the front lines. Modern warfare calls for the use of advanced computer systems in the proximity of active battlefields. Unit commanders rely on computers to build a complete picture of the battlefield using various ISR tools at their disposal.
A computer that is glitching, or a downed system can be incredibly disruptive and prevent field commanders from making critical real-time decisions. Every field command center is highly dependent on working computer networks and communications equipment.
In summary, being an Army IT specialist doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll spend your contract stateside.
USCYBERCOM
The United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) is a combatant command structure on the same level as the US Special Operations Command, STRATCOM, and all of the geographic combatant commands.
In other words, it’s an equal player in the overall structure of the US military command. Being an Army IT specialist has a much more proactive side to it. The 25B MOS we’ve mentioned earlier is just one of the IT-related MOS.
There is also the 17C, or Cyber Operations Specialist. Cyber operations specialists are trained to maintain cybersecurity over most critical military systems using high performance military grade controllers and equipment. Furthermore, they are constantly monitoring the network for any potential cyberattacks from state actors and third-party hostels that are constantly probing the US cyber defences.
USCYBERCOM isn’t alone in its fight against digital threats. This organization is working closely with the NSA and other cybersecurity elements. 17C and adjacent MOS will put you in the thick of the digital fight.
Secret Security Clearance Is A Must!
One of the lesser-known facts about US Army IT teams is that almost every individual working in this section of the Army has to be eligible for Secret clearance.
Not to be mistaken for a top-secret clearance, secret clearance means that the subject has passed a CSIS security check and is given access to classified information that could potentially inflict damage to the security and well-being of the United States of America.
If you’re wondering why an IT specialist would need a secret clearance, the answer is simple. As an IT specialist, you’ll be working on sensitive systems on sensitive sites. However, as your obligations increase, your clearance could increase as well.
Civilian Job Prospects
The IT industry is a massive one, and it keeps growing. Being a 25B won’t necessarily open all the doors in the Silicon Valley the moment you ETS from the Army. However, being a 25B puts you in a unique position to have your resume on top of the stack when you interview for your first job. How? Certification.
As a 25B or C17 for that matter, you can seek further education and get various certificates such as the CISSP, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification. Such certificates make former Army IT specialists a hot commodity in the civilian world, but also in the government contracting world. If you get all the right certs while you’re in, you can easily land six-figure jobs if your resume is up to snuff.
US Army IT Careers Are Worth It
Becoming an Army IT specialist is a great way to get into the world of information technologies, gain valuable experience, and most importantly, gain critical knowledge that will speed up your career growth in the civilian world.
If you manage to get a Comp Sci degree using your GI Bill, and several hot certs, you’ll be on the fast track to becoming an authority in the field of informational technologies, cybersecurity, or any of the adjacent occupations. It takes hard work, but this path is definitely worth it.
Colour is deeply rooted in human experience, with nature offering a rich spectrum of hues, tones and contrast. While many have celebrated nature’s diversity for thousands of years, some of its rarest species are currently at risk of extinction.
Together with storytelling partner National Geographic, OPPO embarked on a journey to capture nature in its true full-colour beauty with the help of its latest Find X3 Pro smartphone. Working with award-winning National Geographic photographers and leveraging its billion-colour camera, OPPO aims to capture nature in its truest form, highlighting and driving awareness to endangered species as well through two campaigns – “Endangered Colour” and “Out of This World Colours”
Endangered Colour
Endangered Colour is a campaign spearheaded by OPPO in collaboration with National Geographic and the National Geographic Society. Through a series of images and short films shot by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, all captured on OPPO Find X3 Pro, audiences can experience nature from a new perspective and discover a world full of unimaginable colour.
Each Endangered Colour episode focuses on a single colour – red, green, or blue, shedding light on nine species at risk of extinction. From the brilliant fur of the red panda to the bright blue skin of the poison dart frog, it is hard to imagine life without these spectacular colours.
Through raw and unfiltered, billion-colour footage, Endangered Colour brings the true colour and textures of nature to life with 100 percent accuracy, preserving them far into the future and raising awareness to endangered species around the world.
With the help of the Find X3 Pro, Joel Sartore chronicles biodiversity and the extinction crisis as part of a lifelong project created to document species from around the planet. As part of the Endangered Colour project, Joel captured the striking colours of endangered animals, such as the blue dart frog or the thick-billed parrot. By using the one-billion colour camera, he was able to showcase how breath-taking these hues and tones truly are, raising awareness to the dangerously fast disappearing beauty of nature.
Out of This World Colours
Further exploring the otherworldly beauty of Earth, OPPO also announced its “Out of This World Colours” campaign in partnership with National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski. This project aims to explore the Mojave Desert’s Mars-like landscapes, highlighting the stunning environment and bringing to life its earthy orange colours through one billion colour photography.
The campaign draws attention to nature’s unique beauty, encouraging a sense of curiosity and exploration, while driving awareness to people’s responsibility in preserving these wonders sustainably.
Taking action
Through capturing biodiversity and the extinction crisis through Photo Ark – a lifelong project created to document all captive species, helping people to connect with and care about our planet in inspiring ways, Joel Sartore invited viewers to visually consider the consequences of ignoring the beauty in nature most at risk.
OPPO supports National Geographic’s mission to protect the health of our planet.
As part of the Endangered Colour campaign, OPPO will donate USD $500,000 to National Geographic Society to help support the National Geographic Society’s wildlife conservation efforts at large including Photo Ark and the Photo Ark EDGE Fellowship.
Join OPPO and National Geographic Society in supporting wildlife conservation and protecting endangered colour for future generations: http://www.nationalgeographic.org/give/
Find out more about OPPO Find X3 Pro and its billion colour stories.
Spring has finally arrived, and for many this means the start of months of hardship as the pollen count rises. Hay fever is one of the most commonly known airborne allergies, which a range of plants can trigger, causing discomfort and asthma attacks. Chris Michael, Director of Meaco, the UK’s leading air purifier specialist, gives his advice on minimising suffering.
Understanding the symptoms and causes of hay fever is the first step to alleviating the problem. Hay fever is a common allergic reaction which occurs at particular times of the year, when the body makes antibodies in response to the pollen from grass, trees and weeds. Grass pollen is the most common allergen (May to July), but tree (February to June) and weed (June to September) pollens can also cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of hay fever include:
sneezing and coughing and a runny or blocked nose
itchy, red or watery eyes
itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
loss of smell
headaches, earaches and feeling tired
Asthma sufferers can be particularly adversely affected and might have a tight feeling in the chest, with a wheeze and cough
There is no cure for hay fever, which can last for weeks or months, but there are actions that can ease the symptoms.
Medication
See your doctor before the season starts, usually between the months late March through to September, the main hay fever season. There are a variety of medication options and remedies available, the NHS online is a great place to explore.
Pollen forecasts
It’s worth making the effort to check the Met Office pollen forecast, which is available five days in advance. The site also offers in-depth pollen patterns helping you to plan for your day, week or month accordingly.
Outdoor drying
Whilst it’s tempting to make the most of warm weather, try to avoid drying clothes outdoors when the pollen count is high as the pollen in the air will no doubt stick to your clothes, and therefore will seep into your house afterwards.
Spring clean
Spring clean your house early. Dust and dust mites increase the onset of hay fever and similar allergies, so reducing and regularly removing dust all around your house in advance of the allergy season will ease the causes of allergies.
Clothes
When you come home change your clothes so that you are not wearing clothes with pollen, allowing the pollen to spread around the house.
Air purifiers
Consider investing in a HEPA based air purifier to clean the air and remove pollen. This will help breathing and aid the overall wellness of families who are spending more time indoors in close proximity to one another. Using a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom in particular can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and a hay fever disturbed night’s lack of sleep.
There are several considerations to make before buying, to ensure the product does the job. It is very important to buy an air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, matching the allergy to the filter, and ensuring it is the right size for a room. Meaco’s research has shown that air purifier selection often goes wrong as people buy a product that is too small for their room and cannot clean the air efficiently. The only way to reliably remove pollutants from the air is by circulating the entire volume of air in a room several times an hour, ensuring particles will enter the airflow of a filter, and the air will become cleaner. An air purifier should clean the air volume three times an hour for a mild allergy, five times an hour if you are on medication and eight times an hour if your allergy is serious.
So why should you use an air purifier with a HEPA filter? An air purifier works by removing allergens from the air. The best type of HEPA filter, a True HEPA filter, is made to strict international regulations, and traps most bacteria, pathogens, microbial spores, pollens, and some virus particles. Capturing harmful particles and circulating clean air throughout a room will help in keeping people healthy so their immune system is a tiny bit stronger to fight off any viruses.
Meaco has developed a next generation air purification range that includes the MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76×5 and MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47×5, offering bespoke multistage air purification to suit allergy and room size.
The MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76×5 is the first Meaco product to be Wi-Fi enabled, controlled via phone app. The app gives you control over keeping the air in your home clean and healthy. It can compare the level of pollen readings inside your home with external readings so you can see exactly how much healthier the air is that you’re breathing. A laser sensor reads the number of particles in the air and then shows on the display, so you can see how polluted a room is and watch the progress of the air being cleaned. All this can be done while out and about, so you can return to a home with unpolluted clean air.
The MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47×5 is a more advanced than many standard air purifiers, using True HEPA filters to remove pollen and viruses, along with activated charcoal to remove odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. It has a PCO (Photocatalytic Oxidation) system which is the most advanced anti-bacterial/virus system to date. PCO technology speeds up the reaction time to help kill bacteria and viruses. Another advantage of the MeacoClean is that the multiple filters cover the vast majority of allergens.
The MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76×5 is suitable for rooms up to 76m³, performing five air changes per hour, and its H11 HEPA filter removes more than 95% of the damaging particles from the air. The smaller MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47X5 works in rooms sixed between 29 and 78m³.
In the era of COVID-19 the UK Health and Safety Executive recommends using mechanical air cleaning and filtration units to make workplaces as safe as possible (HSE, 2021). To support this there is an option of purchasing a H13 HEPA filter for the MeacoClean 76×5 to increase cleaning to 99.97% of particles.) H13 HEPA filters are routinely used in laboratory and operating theatres to prevent infection from airborne bacteria and viruses.
