Samsung’s Galaxy Buds line up has evolved over the years. What started off as the IconX has now become an essential part of the Galaxy ecosystem. The Galaxy Buds+ already impressed us previously with its battery life and iterative improvements, the Galaxy Buds Live takes Samsung’s truly wireless earbuds in to a whole new territory.
The Buds Live may look a little funky, but the design of the Buds Live is purposeful. It’s unique bean design allows Samsung to include a larger 12mm driver. It doesn’t just stop at a larger driver either, the iconic design, as Samsung puts it, allows Samsung to include a bass duct. This creates deeper, fuller sound within the confines of a true wireless form factor. The Galaxy Buds Live comes with, the now signature, AKG tuned audio.
The Galaxy Buds Live is also the first true wireless earphone from Samsung to come with three microphones which allow for better ambient sound technology and also better noise cancelling. That’s right, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is the first earbuds from Samsung with Active noise cancelling. This allows you to tune out the world while you tune in to your audiobook or playlist. That said, the microphones also help with vocal pickup and noise cancellation during calls. They work in tandem with the built in Voice Pick up unit for better voice quality. In fact, with the Galaxy Note20 series, users can even use the Buds Live as a Bluetooth audio source to help when you’re creating that awesome video.
The Galaxy Buds Live also has support for multidevice connectivity which allows you to connect to more than one device at the same time.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live will be available starting on 6 September, 2020 for USD$169.99 (MYR713.07). In Malaysia, it will retail for MYR699. It will be available in Bronze, White and Black.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note series has always been one of the foremost series when it comes to productivity and creativity. With its signature S-Pen and its large display, the series was responsible for revolutionising the smartphone space – the effects of which we still feel until today. This year, the company is looking to do more of the same when it comes to the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note20 series.
The Galaxy Note20 series will consists of only two devices: the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the regular Galaxy Note; unlike the Galaxy S20 series. However, the gap between the two new flagships is a little more pronounced. The Note 20 Ultra builds on the series’ legacy while the Note20 serves as an entry point for people looking to explore the Note series for the first time.
Swifter Response, More Natural Writing
The new Galaxy Note series comes with a more fortified S Pen. The new S Pen on the Galaxy Note20 comes with a 9ms response time compared to the 42ms in the Galaxy Note10 series. The improved S Pen response time is supposed to provide a more natural writing experience on the smartphone. The higher response time will translate into a more seamless experience and the stroke appearing on the screen as soon as S pen hits the surface. This would also mean that it would be even more natural taking notes and creatives will definitely revel in the feel when their creating on the Note.
That said, the S Pen doesn’t just gain a faster response rate, it also turns into your navigation tool. The new S Pen gains more Air Actions to help with navigation and quick actions. The new Air Actions allows you navigate the Android UI with the S Pen. Gestures like scribbling to cover the screen will trigger a screenshot. It’s hard to describe all of them but it seems like there will be a lot more wizards appearing with Notes in their pockets.
More Features on Samsung Notes and DeX Untethered
Samsung’s Notes app gets a little boost too with the updated Galaxy Note series. It gains the ability to annoted PDFs and even PowerPoint files. Of course, if you’re already a Galaxy Note user, you’d know this functionality is already there with Samsung’s Write on PDF app. However, with the Note20, it comes baked into the Samsung Notes app and users will also be able to export their files to PDF and PowerPoint formats for easy editing.
The productivity features on the Note20 series also get a boost with a new improvement to Samsung’s DeX – it’s now wireless. The untethered DeX experience not only brings the full DeX experience to any capable wireless screen, it also allows your phone to be used as a second screen. This allows you to project and share while keeping items like your messages to yourself. This feature will be compatible with all
The Note20 series also introduces what Samsung is calling Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology. The new tech comes as Android’s – yep, you read that right, ANDROID’s – answer to AirDrop. The new tech is now being used as a means to quickly and seamlessly share files between phones and has been in development for a while now. The technology is pioneered by a partnership between Google and Samsung. That said, the most interesting feature that we got to see was the Point to Share feature which allows you to share files by simply pointing and tapping on the detected phone. Samsung is looking to use this technology as to develop access keys and more in the future.
Augmented Camera features for a better Creator Experience
Last year, Samsung explored the Note series’ prowess when it came to creator experiences. This year, the series take another leap with more creator focused features primarily focused on the camera.
The new Note20 series will be the first Samsung device to have an improved Pro Video mode which gives creators better control of the camera when they are creating. The new pro video mode brings granular sound control; allowing creators to play with volume levels and also choose their sound source. This will allow users to choose between the device mics as well as Bluetooth devices such as the Galaxy Buds Active. The camera also has variable zoom speed just in case you need that extra splash of drama.
The camera also comes with the capability to shoot 8K video with support for lower resolutions. Users can select frame rates of up to 120fps for resolutions below 4K. You can even use DisplayPort over USB-C or USB-C to HDMI for video out.
Powerful Specs that Allow You to Get More Done
As always, the Galaxy Note series comes supped specifications to keep you ever at the ready. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra come with top of the line processors capable of 5G connectivity. They will be coming with either the Exynos 990 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ depending on your region. This will be complemented by either 8GB or 12 GB of RAM and a minimum of 256GB onboard memory. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will have expandable memory via microSD card slot while the Note20 will not.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be coming with a 6.9-inch, curved Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Quad HD+ resolution of 3088×1440 pixels. The Galaxy Note20, on the other hand, will be coming with a 6.7-inch flat Super AMOLED+ display with Full HD+ resolution of 2400×1080 pixels. They will both come with the signature S Pen with all its bells and whistles as well.
On the camera front, the Note20 Ultra comes with a triple camera setup which has a 108-megapixel main sensor complemented with a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The Note 20 comes with a similar setup replacing the 108-megapixel sensor with a 12-megapixel main sensor and the 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with a 64-megapixel telephoto sensor. The Note series ditches the 100X Space Zoom for a more sensible 50X Space Zoom on the Ultra while the regular Note20 has 30X Space Zoom. The front camera is a 10-megapixel wide sensor. Both smartphones come with Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), however, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra comes with Laser Autofocus.
The Galaxy Note20 series will be 5G capable with 4G connectivity being the standard across all regions. The phones will support both the Sub6 and mmWave bandwidths for 5G – support for actual 5G connectivity will depend on your carrier/telco. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra will also support WiFi 6 (802.11 ax). This comes in addition to normal WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. The smartphones will also have Bluetooth 5.0 LE and GPS connectivity.
The Note20 will be powered by a 4,300mAh battery while the Ultra will have a larger 4,500mAh battery. Both will support fast charging. This includes wireless fast charging. They will also be capable of Wireless PowerShare as well.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Note20 will be available for pre-order starting September 6, 2020 for USD$999.99 (MYR4,194.84) internationally. In Malaysia, prices will be starting at MYR3,899 for the Note20 and MYR4,299 for the Note20 5G. It will be available in Mystic Green, Mystic Grey and Mystic Bronze.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be available starting at USD$1,299.99 (MYR5,453.30) internationally. In Malaysia, it will be retailing at MYR5,199. It will be available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White.
Pre-orders for Malaysia kick off on 6 August, 2020. Pre-orders of the Note20 Ultra will be entitled to a free pair of Galaxy Buds Live worth MYR699 while Note20 pre-orders will be entitled to a free of Galaxy Buds+ worth MYR599.
Outsourcers integrate advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve the customer journey and agent experience, finds Frost & Sullivan
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 — Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020, reveals that outsourcers are increasingly relying on advanced technologies to meet client requirements in the customer experience (CX) outsourcing services industry. The European market is mature and characterized by demands for specific languages, cultural affinity, and nearshoring. COVID-19 has adversely affected the industry in 2020 and Frost & Sullivan expects total market revenue to reach €16.23 billion, a 7.5% decline. Outsourcers, however, display exceptional agility and flexibility when meeting the business continuity challenge. Assuming a reversal of fortune in the next 3 to 4 months, Frost & Sullivan expectsthe market to recover to €20.03 billion by 2024. To stay relevant in the rapidly evolving market, outsourcers must develop new tools to address digitally native customers, cybersecurity challenges, and business continuity as a service.
"By integrating advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, outsourcers transform the customer journey. Offering customized, automated, and self-service solutions, outsourcers have moved beyond cost and labor arbitrage to instead focus on seamless, omni-channel, value-added experiences," said Deepali Sathe, Information & Communication TechnologiesSenior Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Customers have evolved and expect intelligent interactions and immediate responses. True partnerships developing between clients and outsourcers will enhance the agent experience, mitigate complexity, and encourage empathy."
Leonardo Sampieri, Information & Communication Technologies Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, added, "Sectors such as telecom, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), and travel and hospitality will see the most changes and will need service providers to help them drive a digital transformation in CX. Healthcare is an area of fast growth, and with COVID-19, the vertical is expected to see rapid growth across Europe that significantly affects outsourcers."
Some of the other areas of focus that can help outsourcers gain competitive advantage are:
Cybersecurity and customer trust: European customers in particular are more concerned about data privacy. To enhance CX, companies need to strike a balance between user friendliness and effectiveness.
Personalization: Utilize technology and expertise to enhance CX outcomes with customization. CX reflects the effectiveness of operational excellence and outsourcers must integrate technologies that enable better management of customer sentiments.
Partnerships: Focus heavily on partnering and expanding the ecosystem. Thinking beyond products and services to identify other important parameters to differentiate in a rapidly commoditizing market will require a flexible and innovative strategy.
Portfolio diversification: Outsourcers that cater to the diverse requirements of specific verticals will enjoy immense growth prospects, as it adds another dimension to the overall value proposition and extends ease of deployment.
European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan’s Information & Communication Technologies research and analysis available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organizations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future.
About Frost & Sullivan
For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action. This results in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.
European Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Market, 2020 K473-65
BEIJING, Aug. 5, 2020 — iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company"), an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 after the U.S. market closes on August 13, 2020.
iQIYI’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 PM on August 13, 2020, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 AM on August 14, 2020, Beijing Time).
Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID by email.
It will automatically direct you to the registration page of "iQIYI Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call", where you may fill in your details for RSVP. If it requires you to enter a participant conference ID, please enter "5968936".
In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial-in number(s), Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID) provided in the confirmation email that you have received following your pre-registration.
A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through August 21, 2020.
Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows:
International Dial-in
+61 2 8199 0299
Passcode:
5968936
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.iqiyi.com/.
About iQIYI, Inc.
iQIYI, Inc. is an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China. Its corporate DNA combines creative talent with technology, fostering an environment for continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content. iQIYI’s platform features highly popular original content, as well as a comprehensive library of other professionally-produced content, professional user generated content and user-generated content. The Company distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data analytics and other core proprietary technologies. iQIYI attracts a massive user base with tremendous user engagement, and has developed a diversified monetization model including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, online games, live broadcasting, IP licensing, talent agency, online literature and e-commerce etc.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations iQIYI, Inc. +86-10-8264-6585 ir@qiyi.com
NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 — Color Star Technology Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq CM: HHT) (the "Company"," we", or "HHT") is pleased to announce that multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa will perform at "Fearless, Color World," an online concert presented by Color China Entertainment and Color Star Technology. The special online event will take place September 9th.
The "Fearless, Color World" online concert featured on the Color World app is a new type of concert launched by Color Star Technology which provides innovative training and educational services in the arts. The concert has invited many world-class artists to perform, hoping to make the audience feel the peace of the world and eternal love.
Biao (Luke) Lu, CEO says it’s all about "Colorful music, colorful life, and a colorful world. With warmth and hope, we celebrate our own lives and the hopes of the world. Let music run through our hearts and let us become a family. The world is unified, only love is eternal. The ‘Fearless, Color World’ online concert will bring to hundreds of millions of audiences around the world not only to the wonderful performances from the world’s top artists, but also the dazzling technology and sound. All of our content will use the SQ lossless quality versions. It will be broadcast, so that the audience can feel the shock like a live concert. We believe that this online concert will definitely bring billions of people around the world a brand-new online concert experience, this September we will go through the world together."
About Color Star Technology Co., Ltd.
Color Star Technology Co, Ltd. (Nasdaq: HHT) offers online and offline innovative education services for the music and entertainment industries globally. Its business operations are conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Color China Entertainment Ltd. and CACM Group NY, Inc. The Company’s online education is provided through its Color World music and entertainment education platform. The Company also offers after-school entertainment tutoring in New York via its joint venture entity Baytao LLC.
Wiz Khalifa Biography
Multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa burst onto the scene with mainstream success with the release of his first major label debut album, ROLLING PAPERS in 2011. ROLLING PAPERS spawned the hugely successful hits "Black and Yellow," "Roll Up," and "No Sleep" and gave Wiz the platform to win the award for "Best New Artist" at the 2011 BET Awards and "Top New Artist" at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. As a follow up to ROLLING PAPERS, Wiz Released O.N.I.F.C. in 2012. This album featured tracks "Work Hard, Play Hard" and "Remember You" featuring The Weeknd. His third studio album released in 2014, BLACC HOLLYWOOD, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart and included hit single "We DemBoyz." Soon after, Wiz’s track, "See You Again," off the FURIOUS 7 soundtrack, catapulted to the top of the charts across 95 countries. Holding the #1 spot for 12 consecutive weeks, "See You Again" broke records by being Spotify’s most-streamed track in a single day in the United States and in a single week in 26 countries. In addition to winning 3 Teen Choice Awards in 2015, "See You Again" continued its success by winning a Critics’ Choice Award in the "Best Song" category, winning two Billboard Music Awards in the categories "Top Hot 100 Song" and "Top Rap Song," earning three Grammy Award nominations in the categories "Song of the Year," "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance," and "Best Song Written for Visual Media," and a Golden Globe nomination in the category "Best Original Song – Motion Picture." Wiz released his album, KHALIFA, in February 2016 as a thank you to fans which included the tracks "Bake Sale" featuring Travis Scott and "Elevated." In June of the same year, Wiz collaborated with Juicy J and TM88 to debut TGOD MAFIA PRESENTS: RUDE AWAKENING and embarked on his co-headlining "The High Road Summer Tour" with Snoop Dogg. On April 20th, 2017, Wiz launched his mobile app, Wiz Khalifa’s Weed Farm, which has garnered over 10.1 million downloads and is currently being played in over eight countries and six languages. Later that year, Wiz’s mixtape, LAUGH NOW, FLY LATER, was released in November and featured the chart topping hit, "Letterman." His latest studio album, ROLLING PAPERS 2, which is certified gold, was released in July 2018. Following the release, Wiz and rap duo Rae Sremmurd hit the road for their "Dazed and Blazed Tour" throughout summer 2018. In February 2018, Wiz partnered with Sovereign Brands to create McQueen and the Violet Fog, an Award winning gin and rated by the NY Times as the "Best Gin". In April of 2019, Wiz released his 5-part docuseries with Apple Music, "Wiz Khalifa: Behind the Cam," which gives viewers an exclusive look into his life and career. In the summer of 2019, Wiz went on his "Decent Exposure Summer Tour" with French Montana, Moneybagg Yo, Chevy Woods, and DJ Drama. In November 2019, Wiz starred in Apple TV+’s "Dickinson," as the character of Death alongside Hailee Steinfeld. Wiz is also a series regular in Fox’s animated sitcom, "Duncanville" which premiered February 2020 with a second season coming soon. Most recently, Wiz released his latest project, The Saga of Wiz Khalifa, which features his track, "Contact".
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of the parties following the completion of the acquisition, and HHT’s estimated and future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment and potential growth opportunities. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, our actual results may differ materially from our expectations or projections. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: there is uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it will have on HHT’s operations, the demand for the HHT’s products and services, global supply chains and economic activity in general. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in the other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by HHT. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact our expectations and projections will be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. HHT’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. HHT disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Color Star Technology Co., Ltd. Contact: Investor Relations FinancialBuzzIR™ info@FinancialBuzzIR.com Tele: +1-877-601-1879
SHANGHAI, Aug. 5, 2020 — As one of the organizers, Messe Duesseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. announces that All in Print China 2020, one ofthe largest comprehensive printing exhibition across the world this year, will be held as scheduled on October 12-16th, 2020 in Shanghai. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, manypeople cannot visit the show on site. Thus, the organizers create a brand-new online platform – All in Print Cloud – which will remain open until the end of the offline exhibition as a value-added service to these visitors. It is also a warm-up of All in Print China 2020. The opening ceremony of All in Print Cloud will be held grandly on August 10th, 2020.
All in Print Cloud aims to bring more business opportunities to enterprises by overcoming communication barriers and integrating online and offline services. It is made up of two parts: Virtual Expo and Live Broadcast.
Visitors can enjoy following services from All in Print Cloud:
After registering All in Print China (AIP 2020), visitors will have their own registration ID. Though Virtual Expo platform, visitors can get the information of all exhibitors of AIP 2020 they are interested in and the products.
From August 10th, on Live Broadcast platform, visitors can learn the exhibitors’ services and products more directly by watching their introduction videos.
Visitors can also communicate with exhibitors in real time and inquire on All in Print Cloud.
After pre-registration, visitors can make appointment with exhibitors to book the meeting date and time during offline All in Print China.
All in all, All in Print Cloud integrates presentations, matchmaking and industry exchanges functions for printing and packaging industry, and provides exhibitors and professional buyers with video/live streaming promotions, supplier-buyer matchmaking, real-time communication and online inquiries.
On August 10th, the organizers of All in Print China, local and international industry associations, enterprise representatives will participate in the opening ceremony of All in Print Cloud in the Live Broadcast. They will give more detailed introduction of this platform, and share the show highlights, the latest industry trend with the audience as well.
The opening ceremony of All in Print Cloud will be held at 10 a.m. (Beijing time) on August 10th, visit http://live.shangzhibo.tv/HplqvWxUx for live streaming.
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 5, 2020 — Pearl Abyss announced today that Path of Glory, a brand-new combat mode, is now available in BlackDesert Mobile. This tower defense-esque mode will help Adventurers grow all of their characters in their Families. The Field of Valor has also made a welcomed return this week to offer more combat opportunities for those looking for a challenge.
New Combat Mode Path of Glory Arrives in Black Desert Mobile Thai
In Path of Glory, Adventurers will be tasked to defend a castle gate against an onslaught of enemies that increase in strength with each wave. Up to six characters from one Family can participate in this mode, and the required Combat Points to enter will be different for each difficulty level. Adventurers can get Emblems as rewards, which will increase Attack and Defense Points of all characters in the Family.
One of Adventurers’ favorite modes, Field of Valor, has also returned to Black Desert Mobile. Now featuring the Highlands, a series of new battlefields lets a party of 5 Adventurers take part in 30-minute battles against a wide range of monsters.
As both combat modes have arrived in Black Desert Mobile, Adventurers can take this opportunity to level up their characters and Families faster than before. Visit Black Desert Mobile‘s official website for more information about this update.
About Black Desert
Black Desert is Pearl Abyss’ open-world action MMORPG with cutting-edge visuals and skill-based combat that redefines the genre. With the most developed character customization system of any game currently on the market, users can break out of the norm and make unique characters that truly represent themselves. Its intuitive controls, beautifully designed world, and extensive lore will excite both newcomers and veterans of MMO games and action RPGs.
About Pearl Abyss
Best known for the MMORPG franchise Black Desert, Pearl Abyss is a leading developer in the game industry. Established in 2010, Pearl Abyss has since developed Black Desert for PC, mobile, and console, and Shadow Arena for PC and console. All of Pearl Abyss’ games are built on the company’s own proprietary engine and are renowned for their cutting-edge graphics. The company is also developing Crimson Desert, DokeV, and PLAN 8 and is poised to continue its growth through 2020 and maintain its position as one of Asia’s leaders in game development. More information about Pearl Abyss is available at: www.pearlabyss.com.
The next era of console gaming is here! Oh wait, we are not in December 2020 yet; my bad. We got a little carried away with some of the interesting things that Sony promises with their upcoming PlayStation 5 (PS5) console gamer. We are not expecting to see the console until we are closer to December 2020 though.
While the gaming console is not yet coming, it does not hurt to prepare for its arrival. As per Sony’s claims, the next generation Zen 2 gaming console from the Japanese firm will support 8K resolution gaming or even 4K resolution at 120 frames every second. Right out of the box, there is a small issue with those numbers.
Source: Sony
Most Televisions(TV) you can buy in the market today does not have the grunt to take full advantage of the power that the Sony PS5 boasts. The only TV that sort of came to mind that might take full advantage of Sony’s new console gamer is Samsung’s 8K Television which was launched last year. It is no Sony though, so it is not necessarily turned and made for PS5.
Of course, it only makes sense then that Sony makes TVs that would be fitting of the next generation gaming console. Sony launching TVs with this kind of power should not come as a surprise though. Still, what amazing devices they are.
Sony BRAVIA X90H
They have launched two new BRAVIA TVs to really take advantage of Sony’s PS5. The Sony Z8H and X90H TVs. The Z series, being the higher-end model will sport 8K resolution while capable of downscaling itself to 4K 120Hz resolution and refresh rate. You get up to 85-inch too for both models for the perfect immersion at home, even when you are not necessarily gaming.
Source: Sony
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Source: Sony
We start with the X90H series of TVs. At the smallest, it measures at 55-inch. In that case, you get to choose between four sizes for the high-end TV at 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch. All of them sport 4K resolution with HDR as well, so you are still not missing out even if your home may not have as large a space. The best part is that it refreshes at 120Hz still to take full advantage of the upcoming PS5’s 4K 120fps capability. All this is thanks to the new 4K X-Reality processor that Sony put into this thin TV.
Sound from the X90H is handled by Sony’s always brilliant X-Balanced speakers for superior sound quality. The speakers are even Dolby Atmos certified. That also means a highly immersive sound from an amazingly small package. Couple that with Dolby Vision on the TV and you get full immersion without needing an extra speaker system set. That also means you save some money there.
Sony BRAVIA Z8H
Since every other TV maker is getting to 8K resolution, Sony cannot be missing out. They are one of the biggest and more successful TV manufacturers to date after all. That gap is now filled with the Sony BRAVIA Z8H TV.
8K from the Z8H is amazingly rich. To fully take advantage of the many pixels you need a large display. You can appreciate the Full Array LED panel that stretches 85-inch.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
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At 8K though, you are limited up to 60Hz in refresh rate, which also means you cannot play games at 120Hz at full resolution. That is okay though, even the PS5 can only do 8K in limited fps. Turn it down to 4K though and you can harness a full 120hz and therefore run your PS5 at 120fps and still enjoy great images. The refresh rate advantage alone is already an advantage for the Sony against other TVs.
It is not a regular HDR that we have here though on the 8K display. It is an Extended Dynamic Range (XDR), instead of High Dynamic Range that we are talking about. That means even more details in the dark, and even better contrasts from your pictures. This is only possible with Sony’s X1 Ultimate processor fitted into the TV. Of course, this being Sony’s highest end TV, it is Dolby Vision certified too.
Source: Sony
That is not all this TV is capable of though. It has S-Force speakers which also means that sound comes from multiple parts of the TV. This is quite expected from Sony’s highest end TVs though.
The S-Force speakers means that the Z8H produces sound like no other TVs in the market. Without a full array of speaker sets, the TV itself can produce a true Dolby Atmos experience with virtual surround sound, including the low frequencies. If you have a speaker system, this would be the center firing speaker. In some sense though, if you want your TV space to look clean, you may not even need a soundbar or other speakers for this.
Android TV + Apple AirPlay
Source: Sony
Since both the BRAVIA X90H and Z8H TVs are Sony’s line of Smart TVs, they pack Android out-of-the-box for your enjoyment. Sony has been on the Android TV platform exclusively for a while now. That also means that you get to enjoy Netflix, Amazon Prime and even use Spotify on Sony’s amazing speakers built-in with the TV without needing an extra TV box. This is nothing new though.
What is new is the AirPlay compatibility that the new TV comes with. Apple AirPlay, before this, is a feature exclusive to Apple TV Boxes. There were only a handful of TVs in the market that supports the feature. Sony will now fully embrace the Apple ecosystem with AirPlay. This also means you can watch Apple TV and Apple TV+ programs on your TV without an Apple TV Box. You just need to have your Apple iPhone or iPad.
Full Array LED
What is new is Sony adopting Full Array LED panels instead of the usual direct lit OLED panels of the new high-end TVs. While they look similar, there are differences. Bear with us as we get a little bit technical.
Sony’s BRAVIA TVs are known for championing OLED technology even when other manufacturers are moving away from OLED. There is a very good reason for their adamance to their stubbornness though. No, it is not because they are Japanese.
OLED is very expensive, more so than IPS. The price alone is a small reason to other manufacturers choosing to go on a different route to their TVs. The high price is partly due to the limited amount of production in OLED panels.
Source: LG
The price is also still justified by the unparalleled colour contrast, brightness, and accuracy in the display industry. There is a reason why plenty of colour accurate monitors and reference displays still use OLED panels. The only panels that can achieve true black in the modern market are still OLED panels. That is what Sony wants, an unparalleled colour clarity and accuracy compared to any other TVs, while ensuring that you are not blinded.
There are downsides however, besides its high price point. It is not as durable as a regular LCD panel. While you can make OLED panels thinner than your exam papers, It may not last as long as a regular LCD panel. You might want to replace your TV or OLED panel in 3-5 years at a time, and that is just not as feasible in your home.
Source: Reddit
They call it LED burn in. This is also the reason why Sony did not include the always on function that Samsung has made popular in their wallpaper TVs. This happens especially when you leave an image on the panel for too long. You start seeing silhouettes of the image that is burned into the panel even when you want other images on your TV. This is an annoying and quite uncurable for OLED TVs.
To handle the problem, Sony has an LED ‘cleaner’ program built into their TVs. That does not completely eliminate the issue though. The program just extends the life of the panel a little bit with minimal loss of clarity and quality. The damage can be accalerated with leaving your display on for a long time without anything playing on it. It can be exaggerated with bright colours.
Source: Sony
This is where Full Array LED comes in though. If you look through Sony’s specification sheet for the new high-end TVs like the Z8H and X90H, you will notice that it is not an LED panel anymore that is stated in the display. Instead, you find an LCD panel with LED backlighting as its description.
No, it is not false advertising. Full Array LED panels are generaly LCD panels with LED backlight behind the LCD panels. The only difference between a regular LED backlit panel and Full Array LED panel is the amount of LEDs there are in the panel.
Full Array also means that each pixel is individually backlit as well by an LED array. There are plenty of benefits for this. Among which, a Full Array LED panel’s black is the closest to a direct lit OLED panel’s black so far. Though it may not be true black, as far as technicalities are concerned, it makes very negligible differences in a normal human eye.
Everything else is also pretty similar in terms of picture and colour quality. Sure, there is a little more colour bleeding from the edges of the image. That also means there might be a slight smear in the images. Again, they are very negligible to the naked eye. One thing for sure, these panels are cheaper than regular OLED panels to produce. That said, the new high-end TVs from Sony are not exactly on the affordable side.
Price and Availability
The more affordable Sony X90H that is ready to take on your Sony PS5 will set you back MYR 4,299 (starting from). Considering that there are not many TVs that would be boasting next-gen gaming console support, the price is somewhat acceptable. The X90H is now available from Sony’s retailers and Sony Centre’s across the nation.
The Z8H is a pill that is quite difficult to swallow. You would want to have a considerable space for the TV itself, thanks to its enormous size at 85-inch. You will need to spare another MR 79,999 for the TV though if you really want it. Yes, the price is quite similar to their competitor, Samsung’s, offering. You get 4K at 120Hz on this thing though. This is a testament of; “with money, anything is possible”. The high-end 8K TV will be available sometime this month as well, well before PS5 launches.
HONG KONG, Aug. 5, 2020 — This month, CNN launches a brand new cross-platform series which showcases life-changing technologies that are helping people overcome personal hurdles and take their passions to new heights.
CNN launches new series ‘Tech for Good’ showcasing the transformational power of technology
‘Tech For Good’ is a television and digital series which sees CNN anchor and correspondent Kristie Lu Stout share a collection of intimate, inspiring and transformative stories from every corner of the globe.
In the first of four 30-minute shows, CNN meets five incredible artists who have harnessed the power of tech for creative expression.
Lu Stout first speaks with South Korean percussionist Kyungho Jeon, whose blindness meant his dream of playing in an orchestra initially seemed out of reach. Jeon then co-created the haptic baton, a wearable device that converts movements into vibrations – allowing him to be led by a conductor and perform with an ensemble.
Based in the coastal town of Santa Cruz, California, artist Colleen Flanigan has seen first-hand the threats facing marine biodiversity. CNN learns how Flanigan has merged her two worlds of art and activism by using the Google Tilt Brush to design reef habitats for endangered organisms. The system allows users to create 3D imagery with a controller that mimics a paintbrush – bringing ideas to life, literally.
Assistive technology is a rapidly growing industry. Lu Stout meets Sarah Ezekiel, whose ALS – a condition that has rendered her unable to speak or move – has not stopped her from creating. Ezekiel uses EyeGaze technology from Tobii Dynavox to paint with the movement of her eyes. She shares the artistic processes behind her artworks, and explains how the EyeGaze device has allowed her to take back control of her life.
For filmmaker Chase Burton, technology has provided a whole new way to experience music. CNN joins him working on a musical score, using a vibrating suit which stimulates parts of his body allowing him to feel, rather than hear the sounds – because Burton is deaf. He describes the technology not as compensatory, but as a gateway to an entirely new, holistic method for appreciating music – for both deaf and hearing audiences.
Finally, ‘Tech for Good’ catches up with Indian YouTube megastar, Gangavva. The farmer’s life was changed by technology when she started appearing in the video series ‘My Village Show’, which propelled her to internet stardom and has since attracted millions of views, subscribers, and generated a steady income for her entire village.
Saturday, August 8 at 1:30pm and 6:00pm HKT Sunday, August 9 at 10:00am and 1:00pm HKT Monday, August 10 at 1:00am HKT
About CNN International
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI’s non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a WarnerMedia company.
Put the needs of modern entrepreneurs and founders at the forefront
SINGAPORE, Aug. 5, 2020 — Osome, Singapore-based AI powered service for efficient business management, announced a partnership with Aspire, a Singapore-based fintech startup serving a new generation of digital-savvy businesses with a mobile-first digital business account. Together they will enable a same-day service of incorporating a company and opening a business account in Singapore fully online.
Osome uses artificial intelligence to take care of routine tasks like company incorporation, corporate secretarial work, accounting, taxation and payroll on their platform. Aspire provides business owners with an easy, fast, and simple way to manage their business finances within a single platform. The Aspire Business Account can be opened online within minutes and automatically comes with a Visa debit card that allows business owners to transact in over 40+ currencies at the real exchange rate. Through this partnership, directors and shareholders now do not need to be physically present in Singapore to sign paperwork at the time of opening an account for their business.
Excellent news for entrepreneurs and business owners around the world who want to start a new business in Singapore despite the current pandemic which has restricted business travel. In addition, this new service brought about by the partnership between Osome and Aspire is 16%cheaper than doing both processes separately on your own.
Furthering their vision to digitize the corporate management and banking industry, the partnership will bring more convenience, ease and speed for directors who want to open a business in Singapore. Osome will take care of the company constitution, company name reservation and filing for incorporation with ACRA, Singapore’s regulator of business entities. To start, business owners can simple show their interest by registering here: https://osome.com/sg/aspire/ or here https://sg.aspireapp.com/company-incorporation.
Under this partnership, Incorporation packages start from just S$294. The Incorporation and Corporate Secretary package is only S$504. The deal includes an Aspire Business Account which enables companies to send and receive payments, as well as apply for Aspire Credit Line, a simple and flexible access to working capital. Both services are integrated with Xero, which Osome is Platinum partner to.
"This partnership helps make the company set-up process a lot more seamless. Having a business account is essential to operate a company. Now, an entrepreneur can open a legal entity and a business account in one day, without travelling to Singapore or leaving the house at all," said Victor Lysenko, Osome CEO and founder.
"We are here to add value to entrepreneurs in any way we can. This partnership with Osome makes incorporation and account opening easy, fast, and transparent eliminating frictions and giving business owners their time back," said Andrea Baronchelli, Aspire CEO and co-founder.
About Osome
Osome, based in Singapore, was launched in January 2018 to facilitate business management for SMEs. Its suite of services includes business registration, corporate secretary services and payroll management. It uses automation tools and Artificial Intelligence to increase response time and accuracy, and to lower cost. It has market presence in Singapore, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Osome has also bagged $4.28m (US$3m) in funding November 2019, led by Target Global, with participation from Phystech Venture and AdFirst.
Aspire is a technology organization that serves small businesses with convenient & inclusive financial services, currently operating across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore. The company was founded in January 2018 by former Lazada founders and executives, the company graduated from Y Combinator Winter 2018 batch and it is part of Y Combinator growth program Winter 2020. With Aspire, business owners can have fast and simple access to financial services for their business operations anywhere and at any time through their mobile phones.
