A week of special coverage begins January 11, with a 30-minute program airing January 17-18
HONG KONG, Jan. 14, 2021 — This month, CNN profiles five incredible Japanese athletes whose stories of strength, ambition and sporting glory define what it means to be a ‘Local Hero.’ In this brand-new 30-minute program, CNN sports anchor and correspondent Coy Wire looks ahead to the Tokyo Olympics and asks these competitors to reflect on what this moment means to them.
CNN’s ‘Local Hero’ meets five iconic Japanese athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympics
In 2019, Kanoa Igarashi became the first Japanese surfer to claim a World Surf League championship tour event – a feat which launched him to an impressive sixth place global ranking. CNN joins him as he trains for the Tokyo Games, where he’ll represent Japan and the sport of surfing in its Olympic debut.
Like surfing, the sport of skateboarding will also be making its Olympic debut. CNN catches up with Aori Nishimura, a professional skateboarder and a favorite in the Tokyo Games. Nishimura says she has noticed a growing interest in her sport in Japan over the years, particularly among women, and hopes her performance on the Olympic stage will encourage more people to take up the board.
In 2017, Takuma Sato became the first Asian driver to win the Indy 500. Just three years later, he won his second. Despite having conquered one of racing’s most prestigious competitions twice, the 43-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Sato reflects on his career and achievements, and looks to the next generation to make an even bigger impact on the world of motorsport.
Baseball has become one of Japan’s most popular sports, producing legendary players like Koji Uehara. Not only did he play for Japan’s Yomiura Giants and transfer to Major League Baseball in the U.S., but he also competed twice for Japan in the Olympics. After two decades as a professional baseball pitcher, Uehara retired in 2019 – but he stays connected to the sport through his work as a commentator.
Finally, CNN meets former judo champion Kaori Matsumoto, who made a name for herself as one of the top female judokas in the world – winning gold at the London Olympics in 2012 and bronze at the Rio Games in 2016. These days, she’s pivoted to an entirely different passion: making healthy ice cream in Tokyo.
Airtimes for 30-minute special: Sunday, January 17 at 1:30am and 7:00pm HKT Monday, January 18 at 7:00am 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.
MUMBAI, India, Jan. 14, 2021 — The Indian Army has signed an approximately $20 million contract for undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude variant of ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV which will be delivered over a period of 1 year. ideaForge has been awarded this contract after it emerged as the only vendor that qualified the operational requirements in an evaluation done in real-world conditions, for a fast-track procurement. The contract marks a strategic shift in the Indian defence procurement process as the Indian Army goes on an aggressive modernization drive. It has also cemented ideaForge’s position as India’s largest manufacturer of drones for defence, homeland security and industrial applications.
Indian Army signs a $20 million contract with ideaForge to procure SWITCH UAV
SWITCH UAV is an indigenous system built to cater for the most demanding surveillance operations of the Indian Forces. This Fixed Wing VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) UAV can be deployed at high altitude and harsh environments for day and night surveillance in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It is man-portable and has the highest time on target compared to any other UAV in its class.
Speaking on the development, ideaForge CEO, Ankit Mehta said, "SWITCH UAV is the culmination of insights and knowledge we have gained over years of experience in helping the Indian Forces operationalize UAVs in their ranks. The trials saw about a dozen national and global players compete to meet the operational requirements. SWITCH UAV is the only product that cleared the Indian Army’s stringent product trials and surpassed expectations. It is a testimony of the fact that our systems are built like a bird and tested like a tank. Our systems are fully ready to serve nations that seek to protect their territorial sovereignty."
"A combination of world-class technology and a deep understanding of customer requirements has resulted in ideaForge bagging this contract against global competition. With the backing of reputed institutional investors such as WRVI, Infosys and Qualcomm, ideaForge is all set to grow rapidly. We plan to work with like-minded investors and partners to achieve our vision of premier drone company serving enterprise, security and surveillance market globally," said Ganapathy Subramaniam, Partner – WRVI Venture Capital who also serves as Executive Chairman – ideaForge.
About ideaForge
Built on a strong foundation of interdisciplinary engineering, ideaForge has become a global leader in UAV technology. Its drones offer class-leading performance and reliability, and have been widely adopted for defence, homeland security and enterprise applications. In India, ideaForge has by far the largest market share in the security, surveillance and industrial market of drones. Its customers include Indian Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces, and have conducted over 150,000 missions using its drones. ideaForge has a diverse list of industrial customers as well in sectors such as geospatial surveying, oil & gas, mining and many more. For more information, visit www.ideaforge.co.in
Marketing analytics and attribution specialist integrates with leading app commerce software platform to help retailers unlock the power of mobile campaign data
LONDON, Jan. 14, 2021 — Native SaaS retail mobile app platform, Poq, today announces the beta launch of its standard integration with mobile analytics and attribution provider, AppsFlyer.
The integration is the result of a partnership between the two companies that will enable Poq mobile app clients to rapidly scale their app commerce marketing efforts and drive more effective customer acquisition and retention campaigns for their apps.
Developing, delivering and measuring app marketing campaigns can be challenging for retailers, where visibility of downloads and in-app interactivity attribution is limited. In addition, the ability to ‘deep link’ customers straight back into the app from any channel can be resource-intensive to maintain.
By integrating the AppsFlyer software development kit (SDK) onto the Poq platform, joint clients will gain greater insights into how their mobile apps are performing and driving growth, in comparison to other channels such as mobile web. Beyond measurement and attribution, the AppsFlyer platform is able to offer clients a number of other valuable features, such as ad fraud protection, audience management and uninstall attribution measurement.
Poq’s partnership with AppsFlyer comes at a vital time for retailers, where app shopping growth is forecast to outstrip web-based channels as a result of an accelerated shift to digital in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also comes as Poq released a number of complimentary ad-tech solutions last year that have allowed its clients to effectively run customer acquisition and retention campaigns on Apple Search Ads, Google App Campaigns and Facebook.
This standard platform integration will enable all Poq customers to use the AppsFlyer deep-linking solution (OneLink) and its Smart Banner Feature, as well as kickstart attribution campaigns. As retail mobile app marketing strategies develop in sophistication, Poq customers will also have the ability to add paid-for additional features to their pricing plan at any time.
Sheenu Aggarwal, App Marketing Specialist, Poq said: "AppsFlyer is a great partner and, like Poq, has proven success with a number of retailers globally. So, this partnership presents our clients with a massive opportunity to really grow their app commerce business and accurately attribute that success to their apps. The partnership we’re launching is vital for integrating what are becoming increasingly lucrative apps into the overall digital mix and optimising the customer journey for our retailers."
Russell Burden, Director of Partner Development, AppsFlyer added: With the retail industry changing rapidly, it’s never been more important for marketers to have the tools and data needed to make accurate, better-informed strategic decisions around their mobile marketing campaigns. Through this partnership, we’re able to offer just that, giving retailers the opportunity to quickly and easily get up and running with mobile marketing campaigns, attribution measurement and other insights."
All Poq customers will have access to the benefits and solution of this partnership from early 2021, following the beta launch. Please contact Poq to find out more.
About Poq
Poq is a Software-as-a-Service app platform that empowers retailers to create highly-effective and fully-customized mobile apps that provide a superior shopping experience. These apps allow retailers to build stronger brands, sell more products, deepen customer loyalty and deliver highly relevant content, communications and rewards. Poq clients include global brands and retailers such as; Belk, Holland & Barrett, Feelunique, Missguided, Hotel Chocolat, Kurt Geiger, M&Co and more.
AppsFlyer, the global attribution and marketing analytics leader, empowers marketers to grow their business and innovate with a suite of comprehensive measurement solutions. Built around privacy by design, AppsFlyer takes a customer-centric approach to help 12,000+ brands and its marketplace of 8,000+ technology partners make better business decisions every day, while delighting their end-users.
GUILDFORD, England, Jan. 14, 2021 — ITM Power ("ITM Power" or "the Company") (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the sale to Linde of a 24MW electrolyser to be installed at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany. The full text of the Linde announcement is set out below.
Linde to Build, Own and Operate World’s Largest PEM Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen
Linde today announced it will build, own and operate the world’s largest PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer plant at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany.
This new 24 megawatt electrolyzer will produce green hydrogen to supply Linde’s industrial customers through the company’s existing pipeline network. In addition, Linde will distribute liquefied green hydrogen to refueling stations and other industrial customers in the region. The total green hydrogen being produced can fuel approximately six hundred fuel cell buses driving 40 million kilometers and saving up to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions per year.
The electrolyzer will be built by ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH, a joint venture between Linde and ITM Power, using high-efficiency PEM technology. The plant is due to start production in the second half of 2022.
"Clean hydrogen is a cornerstone of the German and EU strategies to address the challenge of climate change. It is part of the solution to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions across many industries, including chemicals and refining," said Jens Waldeck, President Region Europe West, Linde. "This project shows that electrolyzer capacity continues to scale up and it is a stepping stone towards even larger plants."
Linde is a global leader in the production, processing, storage and distribution of hydrogen. It has the largest liquid hydrogen capacity and distribution system in the world. The company also operates the world’s first high-purity hydrogen storage cavern, coupled with an unrivaled pipeline network of approximately 1,000 kilometers to reliably supply its customers. Linde is at the forefront in the transition to clean hydrogen and has installed close to 200 hydrogen fueling stations and 80 hydrogen electrolysis plants worldwide. The company offers the latest electrolysis technology through its joint venture ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH.
Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, said: "This is the first sale via our joint venture with Linde and is currently the world’s largest announced PEM electrolyser. This is a significant addition to our sales pipeline and illustrates how the capacity and efficiency of our new factory allows us to tender for much larger scale projects. It demonstrates the growing commitment by industry to use green hydrogen produced by electrolysis to decarbonise production processes. We look forward to working closely with Linde to deliver this exciting project."
Andreas Rupieper, MD ILE GmbH said: "ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH is delighted to have received this order for the world’s largest PEM electrolyser from Linde plc. The close working relationship between the ITM Power engineering team and Linde Engineering in Dresden is driving forward our industrial scale offering to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions. Because we have well-engineered and integrated turn key solutions available today for customers, we feel confident that this important 24MW project is just the beginning of our journey together."
For further information please visit www.itm-power.com or contact: ITM Power plc James Collins, Head of IR +44 (0)114 263 7646 ir@itm-power.com
Investec Bank plc (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Jeremy Ellis / Chris Sim / Ben Griffiths +44 (0)20 7597 5970
Tavistock (Financial PR) Simon Hudson / Edward Lee / Tim Pearson +44 (0)20 7920 3150
About ITM Power plc:
ITM Power plc manufactures integrated hydrogen energy solutions for grid balancing, energy storage and the production of renewable hydrogen for transport, renewable heat and chemicals. ITM Power plc was admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2004. In October 2019, the Company announced the completion of a £58.8 million fundraising, including an investment by Linde of £38 million, together with the formation of a joint venture with Linde to focus on delivering renewable hydrogen to large-scale industrial projects worldwide. In November 2020, ITM Power completed a £172m fundraising, including a £30m investment by Snam, one of the world’s leading energy infrastructure operators. ITM Power signed a forecourt siting agreement with Shell for hydrogen refuelling stations in September 2015 (which was extended in May 2019 to include buses, trucks, trains and ships), and in January 2018 a deal to deploy a 10MW electrolyser at Shell’s Rhineland refinery. ITM Power announced the lease of the world’s largest electrolyser factory in Sheffield with a capacity of 1GW (1,000MW) per annum in July 2019. Customers and partners include Sumitomo, Ørsted, Phillips 66, Siemens Gamesa, National Grid, Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, Gasunie, RWE, Engie, BOC Linde, National Express, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Optimal and Anglo American among others.
About Linde
Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2019 sales of $28 billion (€25 billion). We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet.
The company serves a variety of end markets including chemicals & refining, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing and primary metals. Linde’s industrial gases are used in countless applications, from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity & specialty gases for electronics manufacturing, hydrogen for clean fuels and much more. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2021 — The 5th Caohejing Hi-Tech Carnival kicked off on the morning of January 12 with this year’s focus on chip design and fintech to explore how urban digitalization in Shanghai empowers the integrated circuit (IC) industry through financial innovation. In his opening speech, Lv Ming, President of Shanghai Lingang Group, discussed how Caohejing Hi-Tech Park has taken the lead in developing the digital economy by utilizing the well-developed electronic information industry.
the 5th Caohejing Hi-Tech Carnival
In the process, Caohejing Hi-Tech Park brought together many leading enterprises in integrated circuits, AI technology, cloud computing, big data and internet-related service industries to promote integrative development. With the aim of forming industrial clusters and building an industrial ecology, it is now one of the largest hubs of the digital economy in Shanghai as well as a hub of innovation, service, headquarters and flow-based open economy.
This Year’s Hi-Tech Carnival
Integrated circuits are the cornerstone of the digital economy, of which fintech plays an important role. A forum themed "Finance Improves Chips: Capital Innovation Empowers the Future of the Semiconductor Industry" was held as part of the event. Investors, scholars and other industry leaders were invited to share the insights. Meanwhile, featured guests discussed the topic of "who will lead industrial innovation" from a capital and IC industry perspective and shared thoughts on urban digitalization and digital economy.
In his remarks, Lv Ming also noted that Lingang Group is now focusing efforts on building the "Oriental ChiPort" featuring integrated circuits and the "Information Flying Fish" global digital economy innovation island, which enjoys strong similarities with and complements Caohejing Hi-Tech Park. Lv said: "In the future, the event will join hands with the World Laureates Forum, "Star of Lingang" contest and other major events to create a favorable environment for innovation."
The carnival also marked the celebratory launch ceremony for the 10th anniversary of Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone. Hou Jin, Deputy Director of Shanghai Office for the Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation Center, said that he hoped that in the context of comprehensive urban digitalization, Caohejing Hi-Tech Park will persist in increasing the park’s scale and achieving a larger economic aggregate and increased innovation.
The event was sponsored by Shanghai Lingang Group and organized by Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park Development Corp and Assets Management Co., Ltd of Shanghai Lingang Group, under the guidance of the Shanghai Office for the Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation Center, Xuhui District People’s Government and Minhang District People’s Government of Shanghai.
Delivering fast and reliable machine learning business solutions
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, Jan. 13, 2021 — ElectrifAi, one of the world’s leading companies in practical artificial intelligence (AI) and pre-built machine learning (ML) models, today announced expanded offerings of pre-built and pre-structured ML models for Amazon SageMaker, including models available from the Computer Vision and Image Analytics collections. Amazon SageMaker is a ML service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that helps data scientists and developers to prepare, build, train and deploy high-quality ML models quickly by bringing together a broad set of capabilities purpose-built for ML.
ElectrifAi has now published 58 machine learning models.
The new set of Computer Vision models can work on cameras, enabling new types of applications, and solving novel sets of challenges. For instance, cameras mounted to drones can be used to track people, vehicles and animals, even as the camera and item of interest moves rapidly. Audio analytics capabilities can also be added to enrich the overall solution.
Examples of ElectrifAi’s Computer Vision use cases:
The Image Analytics models can detect, segment, and annotate medical anomalies with precision for Amazon SageMaker—allowing one to track the progress of a disease or the success or failure of a treatment protocol. The model can also identify a wide range of skin conditions almost instantly from a picture taken on a regular smartphone.
Examples of ElectrifAi Image Analytics use cases:
Can be used at entry/exit points
Can be deployed anywhere with the aid of portable X-ray devices
Rapid tracking of individuals
Objective measurement of the effectiveness of treatment protocols over time
Can be used to help in visualizing internal anatomical features, disease identifier markers or other respiratory conditions
"Computer Vision on the edge is emerging as a game-changer in AI. We’re excited about how these new models will quickly enable new applications," said Jim McGowan, ElectrifAi’s SVP of Cloud Partners and Head of Product. "These models hide all of the complexity behind a straightforward interface, simplifying the process of building all kinds of new tools."
The ML models in AWS Marketplace are available worldwide. Please click here to access our pre-trained models and our associated services to help accelerate ML adoption within your organization.
About ElectrifAi ElectrifAi is a global leader in business-ready machine learning models. ElectrifAi’s mission is to help organizations change the way they work through machine learning: driving cost reduction as well as profit and performance improvement. Founded in 2004, ElectrifAi boasts seasoned industry leadership, a global team of domain experts, and a proven record of transforming structured and unstructured data at scale. A large library of Ai-based products reaches across business functions, data systems, and teams to drive superior results in record time. ElectrifAi has approximately 200 data scientists, software engineers and employees with a proven record of dealing with over 2,000 customer implementations, mostly for Fortune 500 companies. At the heart of ElectrifAi’s mission is a commitment to making Ai and machine learning more understandable, practical and profitable for businesses and industries across the globe. ElectrifAi is headquartered in Jersey City, with offices located in Shanghai and New Delhi.
The television isn’t just a screen to consume content anymore. Over the years, the screen has become more of a multi-dimensional surface which isn’t just about multimedia. Some use it to keep in touch, some use it to escape the world while others use it as a statement piece in their homes. So what happens when a company invests more time and effort into making a screen that doesn’t only serve it’s interactive purposes but also helps users create that statement piece to pull a room together? Well, in short: you have the Samsung Serif.
The Serif joins a line up of Smart TVs that occupy a unique niche they’ve come to call “Lifestyle TVs”. This line up with initially started with Samsung’s The Frame TVs is now populated by The Serif, The Sero and The Frame – each built with a unique feature to set them apart.
So, how does The Serif set itself apart? Is it worth an investment? Should you even care about it? Those are some of the questions we’re looking at with the in-depth review of The Serif.
Design
When it comes to design, The Serif is bound to turn heads. Samsung worked with renown design brothers, Ronan and Ewan Bouroullec. The Bouroullec brothers brought a fresh, innovative take on the TV and how it can be used in any room as a statement piece. It takes the drab, reflective rectangle and breathes new life with a unique, head turning design.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Samsung Serif, is its side profile, which, like its name suggests highlights the features of the “I” in serif. The curved top and bottom portions of the TV not only act as design accents but also provide some functionality – as a sturdy base in the case of the bottom, and as a surface for your trinkets in the case of the top. In addition, the design accents actually provide some relief from glare resulting from light sources in the room.
That said, the Serif is designed to stand out. Its unique “I” design is complemented with a heavy, and I mean HEAVY, base. This allows you to stand it anywhere – a feature we delve into further later in the review. It goes without saying that the overall design language of the Serif will make it stand out no matter which room it is in. We got to review a white coloured Serif – the only colour available in Malaysia at the moment and it was the first thing that caught your eye as soon as you walked into the room. The TV is available in Black and Red in other countries.
The unique, understated design of the Serif creates a sense of drama which is apt for an entertainment surface. However, it is also designed in a way that you’re not hard pressed to place the TV against a wall. It has a cohesive design which leaves no port exposed thanks to a panel on the back which ensures that there are no exposed surfaces which are jarring to the eye.
Features
Stand anywhere & hide cables away
As mentioned earlier, the design of the Serif allows you to stand it anywhere. The bottom surface of TV is weighted with a heavy, thick metal base to provide stability. In fact, the TV is stable enough that even a sudden, hard jerk to the TV won’t send it toppling over. It’s thanks to this stability and weight that the Serif is able to be placed on any surface independently.
However, if you don’t want to place it on a table or mantle, you can also stand the TV independently. The Serif also comes with stilt legs which can be screwed into the base. This allows you to stand it independently.
In addition to being able to stand alone, the Serif also comes with a built-in cable management system. This starts with the back of the Serif where a backplate made of plastic and covered in fabric hides the HDMI, USB, Antenna port and more. These cables are then channelled through a hole in either end of the Serif. Through this hole, the cables are run along the nearest stilt leg with a plastic clip; keeping the mangle of cables clean and managed.
While convenient, Samsung’s approach to cabling and wire management in the Serif seems counter intuitive and dated. In fact, it is contrary to the approach Samsung has been pushing in its own QLED flagships with the single cable and connectivity box. The biggest gripe we had with the design of the cable management is the fact that the design tucks away the ports of the Serif, making them inaccessible – particularly the USB port which you are likely to use most often for pictures and other multimedia. To access this port, you need to pry open the back panel and replace it. Not too tedious but if you place it against a wall, this would mean that you have to move the whole TV to access the ports.
NFC tap to Play (Music) & Dynamic Wallpaper
One of the features that we ended up using most when reviewing the Serif was the Tap to Play feature. This NFC powered feature allows you to simply tap your NFC enabled device to connect wirelessly to the TV and play music from any of your installed apps. We mention music specifically cause it’s the only media you can use the feature with. You can’t play videos or project pictures using the Tap to Play function. That said, the Tap to Play function is also able to wake the TV. All you have to do is place your smartphone or tablet on the top of the Serif at a specific position. This is subtly marked for easy identification by an NFC logo.
In addition to this, the Serif comes with Dynamic Wallpapers which allow the screen to show you useful information when you’re not using it for entertainment. The default wallpaper comes with the date, weather, and clock. The dynamic wallpaper is also a key component of the Tap to Play function. It pulls up a wallpaper which response to the beats of the song you’re listening to. It also changes the visual ambience based on the genre you’re listening to.
Samsung’s Tizen OS, BixbY & SmartThings
Samsung’s continues to use its Tizen OS on the Serif. That said, they have optimised it to be less intrusive and more functional than ever. Of course, these improvements came with their flagship QLED TVs. However, it’s nice to see that even models like the Serif are getting the same software.
Tizen OS is lightweight and responsive on the Serif. It actually makes setting up the TV pretty easy with your smartphone through the SmartThings app. Simply connecting the TV on the SmartThings app and setting up the TV from your phone removes most of the tedious setup such as setting up WiFi. The SmartThings platform allows you to import your settings from your smartphone to the TV directly without needing to type your passwords on screen.
After setup, the SmartThings App also allows you to use an on-screen remote control on your smartphone to control the Serif. This control extends to Samsung’s own smart assistant, Bixby. While you need to hold down the voice control button when you use the remote control. If you’re on a Samsung device, a simple “Hey Bixby” allows you to get the Serif to launch your favourite apps or shows on screen.
The Serif also supports Apple AirPlay 2, so if you’re on a Apple device, you’ll be able to connect and access your content just as easily. Perhaps where Tizen OS shows Samsung’s focus on software compatibility is when it comes to Screen mirroring. It goes without saying that Samsung’s own devices are smooth as butter. However, when it comes to other brands such as Apple and the dreaded wireless mirroring on Windows, the Samsung Serif has been one of the most reliable and stable we’ve reviewed to date.
Picture & Sound Quality
The Serif comes with a 4K UHD QLED panel – one of Samsung’s forte’s when it comes to displays. It remains the same with the Serif. The panel that Samsung is using for the new lifestyle TV is bright, saturated and has good contrast. Blacks are deep and whites are bright but not jarring. That said, the panel did have a slightly darker tint compared to other QLED TVs we’ve seen before.
Just like in its flagship QLED TV line up, the Serif also comes with software enhancements for its picture quality. It has a smoothing feature which is supposedly able to make motion less jerky and fluid. This feature was pretty effective on animation content. When we watched show like Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away or Netflix’s Dragon Prince, motion was more fluid, and the viewing experience was more enjoyable. However, when it came to acted content such as The Resident or even The Hamilton Musical, movements were fluid but there was a significant amount of ghosting happening. Actors’ looked like they had their spirits leaving their bodies while they were moving. Of course, this is easily remedied by simply turning the functions off.
One of the best features on the Serif is Samsung’s intelligent mode for picture and sound. This function learns your viewing behaviours and adjusts the settings according to your preferences. In our review case, we were turning the brightness down in dark situations to reduce eye strain. Once the preferred brightness level was set, the Serif intelligently returned to it every time the sensors detected a drop in ambient light. It also helped compensate for levels between the default and preferred setups. The Serif does also come with an ambient sensor which helps with the intelligent setting.
When it comes to audio, the Serif has one of the better speaker setups built in. Unlike some other TVs, this TV has proper speakers built in. The speakers are clear and crisp for dialogue and have good frequency range. It was able to reproduce a good amount of low frequencies and high ones. This led to a rather enjoyable sound experience on its own. In fact, during our review period, the volume rarely went above 20.
A Functional, Well Designed, Functional Statement Piece for Any Room
The Samsung Serif is one of the more unique Smart TVs out there. It’s design allows you to accent any room with a statement piece which will undoubtedly become the focal point of the room. That said, the design of the Serif also allows it to seamlessly blend into room – if the design requires it. However, the smart TV’s design isn’t without its flaws particularly when it comes to port accessibility. Keeping them under a panel is aesthetically pleasing but when it comes to utilising them it becomes tedious. This is particularly true when it comes to the USB port.
That said, it does provide a unique overall package complete with good speakers, great picture quality and a bevvy of features. This creates a unique, compelling proposition looking for a smart TV that can double as a statement piece in any room. However, being slightly higher on the price side of things at MYR6,499, the Serif makes a tough proposition for those of us not looking for a design-centric TV. In fact, put side by side with Samsung’s flagship line up at the same price point it can seem a little anaemic and gimmicky when it comes to features. That said, the minimalist and functional design does win it some brownie points. Overall, it’s got us on the fence. It would be amazing if Samsung’s next Serif brings even more technical features to make it a more complete and compelling offering at its price point.
More Than 6,000 Electronics Stores Launched on JDDJ as of December 2020
Mobile Phones Become One of the Most Important Opportunities in On-Demand Retail
BEIJING, Jan. 13, 2021 — Dada Group (Nasdaq: DADA) ("Dada" or the "Company"), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, is pleased to announce that JDDJ’s Data Research Institute today released its 2020 White Paper, "On-demand Consumption of Mobile Phones." The White Paper states that as digital transformation brings new sales engines for electronics stores and establishes online service standards, mobile phones have become the category with the most potential in the field of on-demand retail, outside of fresh food and groceries.
JD Daojia ("JDDJ"), the local on-demand retail platform of Dada Group, collaborates with electronics stores to promote online purchases of mobile phones across the country. JDDJ achieved a new milestone at the end of 2020 with more than 6,000 online electronics stores and 150 partner dealers on the platform. As a result, the mobile phone category was the fastest-growing category for JDDJ in 2020.
Huijian He, the Vice President of Dada Group, said, "Mobile phones offer the most promising opportunities for growth in the age of on-demand retail. With the vision of ‘Bringing People Everything on Demand’, JDDJ has expanded its presence in lower-tier cities and seeks to collaborate with more electronics stores, bringing its convenient one-hour delivery service to a growing consumer base."
The White Paper notes that more than 90% of consumers choosing JDDJ are attracted by its one-hour delivery service. Consumers prefer JDDJ’s one-hour delivery rather than standard overnight or next day shipping options. To ensure the safety of high-value orders, Dada Now, the local on-demand delivery platform of Dada Group, selects specially qualified riders who have undergone training through the Dada Now smart logistics system.
Additionally, the average delivery time for mobile phones in 2020 was cut by 17% compared with 2019, with the fastest order was delivered in a mere 10 minutes. The combination of speed, security and steadily improved efficiency has resulted in high customer satisfaction, and 84% of consumers report being satisfied with the one-hour delivery service. The White Paper also notes that JDDJ has extended its mobile phone business to Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in the north;to Haikou, Hainan Province in the south; and to Lincang, Yunnan Provence in the west.
JDDJ and JD.com began their in-depth partnership to create an omni-channel fulfillment program in 2020, building an extensive online and offline retailing ecosystem for one-hour delivery. The partnership enables users who place an order on JD.com to receive the product from nearby stores on JDDJ’s platform and enjoy Dada Now’s home delivery service. The partnership has been successful so far, and according to JDDJ’s data, sales through JD’s omni-channel fulfillment program on 12.12 event were twice of that on 11.11 event in 2020.
"Dada Group is an important partner for JD’s omni-channel strategy," said Daniel Tan, President of JD Retail’s Mobile Business Unit. "JD Mobile and JDDJ have created a micro e-commerce shopping ecosystem that not only helps retailers improve their efficiency, but also gradually changes consumers’ online consumption habits. Together, we can harness the advantages of our combined supply chain logistics technologies and knowledge to get back to what’s most important in e-commerce: direct contact with consumers."
About Dada Group
Dada Group is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China’s largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company’s two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform. In June 2020, Dada Group began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the ticker symbol "DADA."
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2021 — Anycubic, a leading 3D printer brand, is showcasing its new Mega SE and Wash & Cure Plus models at CES 2021, which will be available in May.
Anycubic showcases the Mega SE 3D Printer and Wash & Cure Plus at CES 2021
"The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of 3D printing. 3D printing technology significantly reduces time of production and saves cost from demand on expensive modeling in manufacturing. We are happy to see our products were widely used in production of facial masks and breathing valves in Europe," says James Ouyang, Vice President of R&D at Anycubic. "Moving forward, Anycubic will continue to invest in R&D and diverse partnerships to launch 3D printing equipment and solutions that are reliable, easily deployed, and in line with actual production needs."
Committed to propelling 3D printing technology so as to enable people from all walks of life to unleash their imagination and turn creativity into reality, Anycubic has been in pursuit of product innovation. The Mega SE, a beginner-friendly fused deposition modeling (FDM) machine, adopts a patented, glass lattice structure, which prevents warping, ensures sticking when heated, and is easily handled when cooled. The blue Capricorn high-temperature Teflon tube enables smooth material insertion, while the TMC2208 silent drive ensures a quiet printing environment. The high-performance, dual-gear extruder realizes excellent printing results, offering incredible innovation in the entry-level segment. Moreover, as a modular printer, it can be assembled in five easy steps, while its large leveling nut reduces leveling difficulty, easing the process for beginners.
The Wash & Cure Plus, which inherits the series’ signature features while offering a size upgrade, solves the post-processing needs faced by large-size, light curing models. It can be matched with Anycubic’s high-speed, resin 3D printer Mono X to realize cleaning and curing in just one step, serving as an extremely cost-effective solution that saves time, effort, and money.
Anycubic also presents Mono X which is one of its most popular models of 2020. Revolutionizing its category, it offers a monochrome LCD screen that prints up to 4 times faster and is 3 times more durable than a regular LCD screen, at an extremely competitive price of around USD700. The product has been widely used in biomedicine, education, scientific research, jewelry and parts production, and more, with its contribution widely felt across industries.
About Anycubic
Shenzhen Anycubic Technology Co., Ltd, known as Anycubic, is a high-tech 3D printer brand that covers R&D, production, and sales. Established in 2015, it has gone from a dynamic start-up to a 500-strong team. In line with its slogan – For Freedom to Make, Anycubic continues to expand its product range, serving different fields such as education, industrial design, jewelry, medical care, animation, Garage kit and more.
ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2021 — LexisNexis® Risk Solutions today announced that it has been recognized as the category winner for Financial Crime – Data in the Chartis Research RiskTech100®, an annual evaluation of the leading global risk technology providers. This is the third year in a row that Chartis recognized the company for the category award. LexisNexis Risk Solutions also ranked 17th in the RiskTech100®, the most comprehensive independent study of the world’s major players in risk and compliance technology.
"The category win by LexisNexis Risk Solutions for the third year running reflects the company’s depth in financial crime – and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) in particular," said Phil Mackenzie, Senior Research Specialist at Chartis-Research. "The company continues to be strong in financial crime data, which can help firms make better risk decisions."
LexisNexis Risk Solutions combines advanced analytics and global identity intelligence with innovative financial crime technologies to deliver precise perspectives on ever-changing risks. This multi-layered approach enables businesses to efficiently recognize relevant risk and complete critical compliance processes.
"As the threat environment and regulatory requirements constantly evolve, businesses need financial crime compliance data that is robust and highly-relevant," said Daniel Wager, vice president, global financial crime compliance strategy for LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Our ability to win this prestigious award for the third year in a row demonstrates our commitment to continuously update our comprehensive global risk intelligence to reflect the current global risk realities."
About LexisNexis Risk Solutions LexisNexis® Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com and www.relx.com.
About Chartis Research Chartis Research is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global market for risk technology. It is part of Infopro Digital, which owns market-leading brands such as Risk and WatersTechnology. Chartis’ goal is to support enterprises as they drive business performance through improved risk management, corporate governance and compliance, and to help clients make informed technology and business decisions by providing in-depth analysis and actionable advice on virtually all aspects of risk technology.
