SHANGHAI, Jan. 25, 2021 — CooTek (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: CTK) ("CooTek" or the "Company"), a fast-growing global mobile internet company, today announced that it entered into a combined financing package with YA II PN, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership managed by Yorkville Advisor Global, LP (the "Purchaser"), including (1) a securities purchase agreement and a convertible note (the "Note") dated January 19, 2021, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold a Note in an aggregate principal amount of US$10.0 million to the Purchaser, and (2) a standby equity distribution agreement (the "SEDA") dated January 22, 2021, pursuant to which the Company would be able to sell up to US$20.0 million of its ADSs solely at the Company’s request any time during the 36 months following the date of the SEDA.
The Note bears interest at a rate of 5% per year, and will mature upon the one-year anniversary of the issuance date, being January 19, 2022 (the "Maturity Date"), unless redeemed or converted in accordance with its terms prior to such date. The principal amount and accrued interest shall be convertible into the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, which may be further converted into American depositary shares of the Company (the "ADSs"). Subject to and upon compliance with the terms of the Note, the Purchaser has the right to convert all or any portion of the outstanding amount under the Note at its option at any time prior to the Maturity Date. The conversion price shall be the lower of (1) US$4.20 per ADS, or (22) 88% of the lowest daily volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s ADSs during the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the conversion date or other date of determination, but not lower than the floor price as prescribed in the Note, subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Note. The purchaser’s right to convert any portion of the Note or otherwise receive ADSs or Class A ordinary shares thereunder is subject to certain ownership limitations as provided under the Note. Pursuant to the Note, the Purchaser shall not sell such number of ADSs in any calendar month that would result in gross proceeds received by it in excess of the greater of (1) 30% of the dollar trading volume during such calendar month or (2) US$1,700,000, which shall not apply with respect to any sales of the ADSs at prices greater than or equal to US$4.20 per ADS. The Purchaser has also agreed under the securities purchase agreement that it shall not directly or indirectly, engage in any short sales involving the Company’s securities during the period commencing on the date thereof and ending when no convertible note remains outstanding.
Pursuant to the SEDA, the ADSs would be purchased at 90% of the market price, which is defined as the lowest daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s ADSs during the five consecutive trading days commencing on the trading day following the date the Company submits an advance notice to the Purchaser. For each advance notice, the maximum advance amount would be 100% of the average daily value traded of the ADSs during the ten trading days immediately prior to the date of each advance notice, or such other amount as may be agreed by the parties. The purchase would be subject to certain ownership limitations as provided under the SEDA. The Purchaser has agreed that, during the term of the SEDA, neither the Investor nor its affiliates will engage in any short sales or hedging transactions with respect to the Company’s Class A ordinary shares or ADSs.
CooTek intends to use the proceeds from the offering of the Note and the potential offering of the ADSs pursuant to the SEDA for the development of online literature products and for general corporate purposes.
About CooTek (Cayman) Inc.
CooTek is a fast-growing mobile internet company with a global vision. The mission of CooTek is to empower everyone to enjoy relevant content seamlessly. The Company’s user-centric and data-driven approach has enabled it to release appealing products to capture mobile internet users’ ever-evolving content needs and helps it rapidly attract targeted users. CooTek has developed and brought to market content-rich mobile applications, focusing on three categories: online literature, scenario-based content and casual games. For details, please visit: https://ir.cootek.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. CooTek may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about CooTek’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: CooTek’s mission and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the mobile internet industry and mobile advertising industry; the expected growth of mobile advertising; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; competition in mobile application and advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry and the development and impacts of COVID-19. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and CooTek does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required under applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
For investor enquiries, please contact:
CooTek (Cayman) Inc. Mr. Robert Yi Cui Email: IR@cootek.com
ICA (Institutional Capital Advisory) Mr. Kevin Yang Phone: +86-021-8028-6033 E-mail: cootek@icaasia.com
MindMaster allows users to create mind maps, concept maps, timelines, and fishbone diagrams with a rich gallery of examples and templates.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 25, 2021 — Wondershare MindMaster has recently released its 8.5 version. The new version offers a faster loading speed of its online platform, more languages, and more advanced designing features such as the table insert and number bubble.
Wondershare MindMaster 8.5: Shape Mind Maps with Endless Possibilities
"The new updates are expected to resolve the growing mind mapping needs of our customers and help MindMaster generate more leads," said Edwin Wang, Product Director of Wondershare MindMaster. "We have integrated the advanced Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) technology to make MindMaster’s cloud-based processing faster than ever."
MindMaster 8.5 version brings the following major updates:
Faster loading speed: With the integration of CEF technology, the loading speed of cloud documents and community pages has improved and is now 40% faster.
Table integration: In MindMaster 8.5, users can directly insert tables to their mind maps and customize their data display.
New themes and clipart: Users can also browse a wide range of newly added themes and clipart images to draw stunning mind maps like a pro.
Number bubble: To simplify complex mind maps, the new version supports a number bubble feature, which can collapse the sub-topics and depict the number of branches instead.
Support in other languages: Apart from English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, and Italian, the 8.5 version added Korean and traditional Chinese to its offer, which makes a total of 10 supported languages.
As a full-featured collaborative mind mapping and brainstorming tool, Wondershare MindMaster includes various themes and multiple functions such as brainstorming, project management, knowledge management, business presentation, etc.
Users can work online or offline, any time and from anywhere with any device; MindMaster provides a completely flexible solution and has been recognized by many users and enterprises.
Compatibility and Pricing
Wondershare MindMaster is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and as a web-based platform, and the pricing starts from $59 USD for an annual plan.
Founded in 2003, Wondershare is a global leader in software development and a pioneer in the field of digital creativity. With powerful technology, the solutions we provide are simple and convenient, making Wondershare trusted by millions of people in more than 150 countries worldwide. We help our users pursue their passions so that, together, we can build a more creative world. www.wondershare.com
HONG KONG, Jan. 25, 2021 — UCLOUDLINK GROUP INC. ("uCloudlink") (NASDAQ: UCL), the world’s first and leading mobile data traffic sharing marketplace, and Vision Inc.("Vision"), a Japan-based public company principally engaged in the global Wi-Fi business, have strengthened their partnership to enable more users to enjoy superior mobile data connectivity. Vision will now integrate network resources into its existing data services using uCloudlink’s PaaS and SaaS platform, in order to improve resource management and user experience.
uCloudlink and Vision entered a strategic partnership in 2017, with Vision’s leveraging uCloudlink’s terminal Wi-Fi devices and associated data services to provide reliable, cost-effective mobile data connectivity for its businesses and end-users across Japan. As the nation seeks to restructure and reform its regulations to build a digital society, Vision and uCloudlink will support this transformation with enhanced telecommunications services powered by uCloudlink’s Cloud SIM technology.
uCloudlink’s Cloud SIM technology supports a massive number of terminals and users by intelligently choosing the best-performing network in domestic and international markets. uCloudlink’s PaaS and SaaS platform is ideal for business partners that have their own business operation, such as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and mobile network operators (MNOs) and portable Wi-Fi rental companies, etc. Further, such platform is also ideal for business partners that require a full suite of solutions including customer management and billing, data package design and sales, traffic supply and demand analysis, and multiple payment methods.
By leveraging uCloudlink’s PaaS and SaaS platform on top of its existing cooperation, Vision will be able to provide stable, fast and reliable mobile data connectivity to even more businesses and end-users in Japan, with the potential to expand its offering to other countries and regions globally. In addition to providing a superior user’s experience, this enhanced connectivity is an important enabler as Japan continues its pursuit of regulatory reform geared to digitalization.
As one of Japan’s leading information and communications providers, Vision offers a variety of telecommunication services, including fixed-line telecom, wireless telecom and Wi-Fi services. The company operates in two segments: its Global Wi-Fi segment, which is engaged in the rental of mobile Wi-Fi routers in Japan and overseas; and the Information and Communication Services segment, which is engaged in the fixed communication services business, the sale of mobile communication equipment and office automation equipment, and the creation of homepages. Vision Inc has harnessed uCloudlink’s terminal equipment and data services to provide its users with a superior data connectivity experience.
This expanded partnership is an important step in uCloudlink’s business development efforts in Japanese market. Over the years, uCloudlink has established various strategic alliances with the nation’s leading mobile network providers as part of its local business expansion. uCloudlink is dedicated to assisting MNOs and MVNOs and business partners to improve coverage and service quality and elevating their users’ experience during the 5G era.
About UCLOUDLINK GROUP INC.
uCloudlink is the world’s first and leading mobile data traffic sharing marketplace, pioneering the sharing economy business model for the telecommunications industry. The Company’s products and services deliver unique value propositions to mobile data users, handset and smart-hardware companies, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and mobile network operators (MNOs). Leveraging its innovative CloudSIM technology and architecture, the Company has redefined the mobile data connectivity experience by allowing users to gain access to mobile data traffic allowance shared by network operators on its marketplace, while providing reliable connectivity, high speeds and competitive pricing.
TAOYUAN, Taiwan, Jan. 25, 2021 — Moldintel is currently an incubatee of Industry Accelerator & Incubation Center of Chung Yuan University (IAIC), which is dedicated to industry-academia collaboration and professional counseling and awarded the UBI Global Enterprise Incubator & Accelerator Best Challenge Award (2019). IAIC provides incubatees with international links and entrepreneurial resources, and all the incubatees have high potential, one example being Moldintel, which specializes in smart injection manufacturing solution.
moldintel
Moldintel is a smart manufacturing solution provider for the injection molding industry which is a solution platform with multiple easy-subscription manufacturing service modules for different processing demands. Smart injection molding solution is a cloud-based molding condition guidance and optimizer which serves as a virtual master operator to empower the factory productability and systematically digitize production know-how.
In tradition, the highly labor-based processing relies on the master operator to execute factory production and even molding experience preservation. However, the retirement of the master operator and the long training process for a young operator are serious risk for not only a factory, but the whole industry. To free from the issue of talent shortage and know-how losing, the rule-based smart injection molding solution initiated by theoretical algorism with scientific molding experience to be a molding process expert system.
The solution platform, which covers the whole molding process, features the cost-saving from mold trial to the stability of mass production, and further connecting with injection molding machine as a machine brain by IoT technology to achieve the fully smart automatic injection molding process.
About Moldintel
"Moldintel" is a start-up company located in Taiwan. It is a group of R&D teams focused on advanced manufacturing technologies for injection molding. In response to the new generation of Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing wave, Moldintel have created the world’s leading cloud injection molding solution with innovative thinking. Moldintel is one of the few global suppliers dedicated to cross-brand injection molding intelligent solutions and won 2020 IAIC Best Startup Company.
If there is one thing I want to complain about, when it comes to modern notebook PCs, is that we still have to rely on WiFi. We are in 2021 now, and we still have to rely on WiFi to get our work going on-the-go. We live in 2021, where the world is turning itself upside down, and where work is not just in the office anymore. We live in a world where work is mobile.
So why do we still rely on WiFi to get our work on? Sure, the easy cure is to use your smartphone as a hotspot device. That is, while a small hassle, still an extra thing to work with. Turning on hotspot on your smartphone for extended periods also means that you are draining your smartphone battery even faster. In slightly older devices, your data network cuts off the moment you pick up a call or make a call. It feels like you are going back to the Dial-Up days, but outside and wirelessly now.
Thing is, the mobile PC platform is the perfect platform to be always connected wherever you are. Your notebooks now are more essential than ever. Your work is no longer stationary. Although, with the pandemic, you are mostly stuck within the confines of your home. Still, within your home, you might move around for a change of environment, in certain parts of your home, WiFi may not be great. There is also chance that you might not even have a dedicated internet plan for home.
Welcome to what seems to be the first modern Windows device that comes with Cellular connectivity. Welcome to the JOI Book SK3000. Welcome to the future-ish.
Design
If you have not heard of JOI, do not worry. Thy are not some Chinese based OEM that sells some subpar product. However, they are also not from Taiwan, or United States, or some European country. They are, in fact, home grown. They stem from SNS Network. This is a topic for another day though. We go back to the JOI Book SK3000.
When you buy any notebook, the first thing that you see is not really the laptop. You actually see the box first, its packaging. In fact, this is true for almost any device you buy today.
The SK3000 comes in a relatively small cardboard box. To be fair, most notebooks come packaged in a cardboard box and the notebook is suspended inside with two foam inserts. The difference is that the box that this JOI Book SK3000 comes in a coloured box rather than a plain brown box that we are so used to with big brand manufacturers.
Pull the device out of the box though, and our first impression of the notebook was surprisingly a good one. They were not lying when they said that this 12.5-incher comes in an all-metal body. That partly means that the device is quite sturdy. It is also quite cold to the touch.
We were also impressed by its thickness, or lack of thereof. They say that this is less than 15mm thick, we believe them. Of course, this is mostly thanks to the fan-less design that the Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform allows.
The lack of thickness also means that you are sacrificing a few things on the Notebook though. The JOI Book SK3000 only comes with a USB Type-C port on the left and a 3.5mm AUX jack on the right side. No, the USB Type-C is not a Thunderbolt port either, that is an Intel exclusive. Still, the USB Type-C can be used with a multipurpose hub for HDMI extensions and such. The only issue now is to buy a USB Type-C hub.
There are no speaker grilles placed outside the shell of the notebook. Instead, underneath the notebook is a screwed in cap that allows you to install a SIM card and MicroSD card for cellular connectivity and memory expansion. As far as we are currently concerned, the MicroSD slot is the only way to expand the device’s internal memory. This thing is just like a smartphone in a notebook shell.
Open it up and the IPS Full HD display greets you alongside its keyboard. Top of the bottom clam is still aluminium with some cut outs for the dual top firing speakers on the unit. The display does not have super-thin bezels, but they are thin enough for its body size. Then there is the fact that the whole display panel is under a flush glass panel to complete the premium look. Hard to fathom the MYR 2,199 asking price when you look at the JOI Book SK3000. It looks and feels properly premium.
The combination of glass material and aluminium on the shell makes the notebook is a little top heavy. When you put your device on the table, while the display will not open flat parallel to the keyboard surface, it feels like the notebook is tipping to its display a little bit. You still can use the notebook at full tilt on the table though, the notebook will not actually tip over unless you push the display a little bit.
All these materials are good too. It makes for a very solid notebook with none of the display flex that we are used to from big brand notebooks. This is also true for the keyboard surface. The only thing that might give away its competitive pricing is the key caps on the keyboard itself. It feels a little hollow and cheap. We will talk about the keyboard more later.
All-aluminium metal body also means that the notebook comes in at a little bit of heft. They claim 1.05kg on this notebook. Weirdly though it feels quite a little bit heavier compared to the Acer Swift 5 that weighs just under 1kg. That notebook has a fan and touch sensitive 14-inch display mind you. The Acer is also more than double the price of the JOI Book SK3000 though.
Overall, we quite like the build quality and look of the notebook. At first glance, it does not look like something that would fit your budget of MYR 2,500 on a notebook. That is a good thing.
Hardware
Under the svelte Aluminium body you will find none of the regular notebook components that you are used to. For one, you will not find a dan underneath the hood You will not even find a dedicated GPU. Instead, you will what seems to be smartphone board components. Then again, not much difference between a smartphone and notebook in terms of components.
You will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute platform sitting under the hood to run the PC though. There is no Intel or NVIDIA trickery in the notebook. Thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform though, fan-less design is possible. Which also means that this notebook is as quiet as your smartphone.
If there is one thing I want to complain about, when it comes to modern notebook PCs, is that we still have to rely on WiFi. We are in 2021 now, and we still have to rely on WiFi to get our work going on-the-go. We live in 2021, where the world is turning itself upside down, and where work is not just in the office anymore. We live in a world where work is mobile.
So why do we still rely on WiFi to get our work on? Sure, the easy cure is to use your smartphone as a hotspot device. That is, while a small hassle, still an extra thing to work with. Turning on hotspot on your smartphone for extended periods also means that you are draining your smartphone battery even faster. In slightly older devices, your data network cuts off the moment you pick up a call or make a call. It feels like you are going back to the Dial-Up days, but outside and wirelessly now.
Thing is, the mobile PC platform is the perfect platform to be always connected wherever you are. Your notebooks now are more essential than ever. Your work is no longer stationary. Although, with the pandemic, you are mostly stuck within the confines of your home. Still, within your home, you might move around for a change of environment, in certain parts of your home, WiFi may not be great. There is also chance that you might not even have a dedicated internet plan for home.
Welcome to what seems to be the first modern Windows device that comes with Cellular connectivity. Welcome to the JOI Book SK3000. Welcome to the future-ish.
Design
If you have not heard of JOI, do not worry. Thy are not some Chinese based OEM that sells some subpar product. However, they are also not from Taiwan, or United States, or some European country. They are, in fact, home grown. They stem from SNS Network. This is a topic for another day though. We go back to the JOI Book SK3000.
When you buy any notebook, the first thing that you see is not really the laptop. You actually see the box first, its packaging. In fact, this is true for almost any device you buy today.
The SK3000 comes in a relatively small cardboard box. To be fair, most notebooks come packaged in a cardboard box and the notebook is suspended inside with two foam inserts. The difference is that the box that this JOI Book SK3000 comes in a coloured box rather than a plain brown box that we are so used to with big brand manufacturers.
Pull the device out of the box though, and our first impression of the notebook was surprisingly a good one. They were not lying when they said that this 12.5-incher comes in an all-metal body. That partly means that the device is quite sturdy. It is also quite cold to the touch.
We were also impressed by its thickness, or lack of thereof. They say that this is less than 15mm thick, we believe them. Of course, this is mostly thanks to the fan-less design that the Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform allows.
Features
At MYR 2,199, the JOI Book SK3000 seems like a basic notebook PC. It does not look like it has anything more to offer compared to its competitors. Just take a look at the ASUS VivoBook variants for example. For a little bit more money, you get a larger display, and a little more in terms of I/O ports.
The JOI Book SK3000 though is not just a basic, Plain Jane notebook PC though. There is more underneath the skin that should make it more attractive to anyone looking for an ultra-portable workhorse. Just do not expect it to perform miracles for you, and you should be fine.
Ma Look, No Fans
Like we said earlier, the JOI Book SK3000 features no fans inside the all-metal chassis. While this might seem odd when you put it beside a regular PC, it is not for the platform that the device works with. It does not have any fans mostly thanks to the Processor, or rather the System on a Chip (SoC) that this device is based on.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC is not technically a new flagship class SoC for the smartphone market. It is no slouch either though. While it is a few generations out of the current smartphone market, it is still a very powerful platform. Powerful enough to power Windows 10 Pro on a 12.5-inch display in the case of the JOI Book SK3000.
The Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform is largely based on their smartphone counterparts anyway, which also means that a fan is hardly necessary. The platform has been tested time and time again and is optimised for a smartphone platform that is usually void of any sort of active cooling solutions. All you need is a couple of copper heat pipes that spreads the heat around and you have yourself a running SoC.
While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 does heat up a little bit in certain workloads on your smartphone, it hardly ever does on the JOI Book SK3000. Then again, you have to remember that you cannot expect the JOI Book SK3000 to be your main gaming PC. Then again, the PC runs on S mode by default, so you technically cannot install apps from sources other than the Windows Marketplace. More on that later.
The major benefit when you have a device with no fans though is its quietness. You do not need to be wary of the device’s fan suddenly spooling when you sit in a library or in a quiet café somewhere. You do not need to worry about being the one that spoils the peace in a quiet environment. If you leave your Windows Pro on S mode, you never really have to worry about getting the heat up too much on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850.
Always Connected with 4G LTE
Another benefit of using Qualcomm’s Mobile Compute platform like the Snapdragon 850 SoC is its integrated modem that is ready to take on cellular network bands. That benefit translates to a state of readiness of the JOI Book SK3000. Wherever you are, as long as you have a SIM card pushed into the SIM slot with an active data plan, you are going to have internet no matter where you go.
According to SNS network, the SIM tray can take on SIM cards from any of the major carriers in Malaysia. We have only tested the JOI Book SK3000 with YES 4G LTE network and we are happy to report that it works. That also means that where signal is available, the notebook becomes our core work PC and even a hotspot device if needed.
Of course, the device still features WiFi connectivity. But it also switches out of WiFi into cellular very seamlessly. The moment WiFi signals are too weak or cuts, cellular network cuts in immediately, very much like your smartphone. This is kudos not only to the manufacturer though, but this is also thanks to the current iteration of Windows 10 Pro that is ready for mobile usage.
This also means that you do not necessarily have to turn on your smartphone’s hotspot and drain its battery in the process. You save time, and battery. It adds a layer of convenience at work with less battery anxiety and more productivity. Of course, you might still want to think about the JOI Book SK3000’s battery.
The only thing you cannot do with the JOI Book SK3000 is make a phone call directly from your notebook. But why would you make a phone call from your notebook? You have a smartphone for that.
Another downside is that you have no excuse to not work even if there are no WiFi available now. If your boss tells you to check your email while you are out and about, you cannot tell your boss that you do not have an active internet connection for your laptop. You can tell your boss that your battery has ran out. But if your boss provides the data plan for your JOI Book SK3000, you cannot tell him that you have no internet connection, especially at home.
MicroSD Expansion
Like a smartphone too, the JOI Book SK3000 uses a MicroSD slot for its memory expansion. That also means that upgrading the storage on the device is cheaper and easier than you expect. Rather than taking out the whole notebook bottom case to lift its hood to install an SSD, you only need to unscrew a very small door on the underside of the notebook to reveal a SIM slot and a MicroSD slot.
You might want to consider getting a MicroSD card to expand your JOI Book SK3000’s small 128GB memory though. Technically 128GB is not small when you put it in a smartphone context. It is small for a Windows notebook PC though. You might want to think about getting another 128GB of MicroSD card or go up all the way to 512GB in that case.
Given that the notebook only comes in one configuration, having that extra expansion slot is always great. While the slot is a hot swap slot, unless you leave the protective door open, you are not going to access the MicroSD card in anyway. We do think that there is another space for MicroSD cards too for the PC though. Still, you can add that capability via a USB Type-C hub anyway.
Windows 10 Pro
This is a notebook PC, so it runs on Windows 10. It is no regular Windows 10 that we have here though. This is Windows 10 Pro that we are getting here. That also means that you get a few extra features that is missing from the Windows 10 Home you get on your regular notebooks.
You can set password protected partition on your hard disk if you want to. It is also technically more secure than regular Windows 10 Home. But as far as usage is concerned, they technically make nearly zero difference. They are all Windows 10 after all.
This also means that you get a regular Windows 10 experience from the JOI Book SK3000. What surprises us though is how smooth Windows is running on top of a smartphone processor. It feels like a regular PC and probably better than some entry-level stuff in the market.
Performance
We do not really expect big things from the Qualcomm powered JOI Book. Thing is, the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 is a powerful piece of kit. We are just not sure if it is optimised for Microsoft Windows or vice versa.
All You Need in an Aluminium Chassis
We are not saying that the Qualcomm based notebook is not good. Windows 10 Pro technically runs fine on the platform. Because Windows knows that it is running atop of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute though, there are certain limitations to it.
Microsoft Office, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Google Chrome is not one of those limitations though. You still can enjoy Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, and Tidal on this notebook too. It is not all that bad.
On those programs though, the JOI Book SK3000 works well. Then again, the apps listed are quite basic for any PC. The only app you might want to avoid using in the list is Google Chrome. Google Chrome is a huge RAM hog, which also means it will slow down other things too.
We have always said that you need at least 8GB in RAM to get Windows 10 to run properly. The JOI Book SK3000 is a prove that we are quite wrong. At least on the listed apps, you can have multiple windows open and still work on it with no issues at all. Sure, there might be some lags and stutters from time to time, but they are not so bad that they are irksome.
If you are going to install third party apps like Steam and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite though, be sure to opt out of ‘S Mode’. ‘S Mode’ will not allow you to install any third-party apps to keep Windows streamlined, secure and smooth. if you are content with running apps from the Microsoft app marketplace though, you should be fine in ‘S Mode’.
Gaming – Sort Of
We installed Left 4 Dead 2 and Dota2 to the JOI Book SK3000. We are happy to report that they run though. Obviously, we had to try gaming on the JOI Book SK3000. We are not going to let Full HD 1080p IPS goodness go to waste despite the Adreno based GPU on the Snapdragon 850 SoC.
Left 4 Dead 2 is not exactly a current title. It was not even a AAA title at launch. That also means that its graphical requirements should not be too taxing for modern PCs or even modern processing chips, including a smartphone optimised chip. We managed to get about 24 fps out of the JOI Book SK3000 on the game too, just to prove a point. But there are quite a few shocks and bumps that sends the frame rates crashing down.
We are quite confident that the game could low-key run titles like The Sims 4, and even Two Point Hospital. Cities: Skylines? Forget it. Windows will not allow you to install Minecraft: Dungeons via Microsoft app store though. That also means that Windows think that the JOI Book SK3000 does not even meet the minimum required specifications of the game. We are quite confident still that the JOI Book SK3000 might be able to run Minecraft Dungeons with little issues at about 24fps though. Again, we do not know because we could not even install the game.
If you are planning to play Dota2 competitively on this JOI Book SK3000, you might want to forget it. Yes, Dota2 runs. But it does not run as smooth as you want it to run. You do not want your team mates to rely on you while you are gaming with the JOI Book SK3000.
The good thing is that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 works the same on battery and while you plug it in. That also means that if you are planning to game on battery, you can. You just have to keep in mind that the battery might run out before you finish a session.
Only Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Creative Cloud can be installed on the JOI Book SK3000. There is only one app that is available for this platform though. As per the subheading suggests, you can only work with Adobe Lightroom in full.
If you go on Microsoft’s app marketplace though, you can get Photoshop Express to work with the JOI Book SK3000 too. It is no Photoshop for desktop, but it works. None of the regular video editing apps would install correctly on the JOI Book SK3000 too. Even Adobe’s Premiere Pro refuses to download. Nope, no Adobe Acrobat Reader to download too, sadly.
Keyboard Love Hate
To be fair, the typing experience is not half as bad as plenty of the entry level notebook PCs you can find in the market. There is enough key travel on the keyboard that you feel like you are actually hitting buttons rather than punching a wall with your fingers. There is enough feedback from the keyboard too to make your typing experience a smooth and comfortable one.
What we are not sure of is the plastic finish and material quality that comes with the JOI Book SK3000. The plastic buttons do feel a little hollow to the touch. The textured caps, while does provide a little extra grip, feels a little old school.
While the typing experience borders excellence, the JOI Book SK3000’s keyboard feels a little cheap and hollow. It is not loud. No, it is quite far from that. The keyboard is quite silent to work with. It is technically the loudest thing on the notebook apart from its speakers though.
It is not the fitment of the keyboard as well, because that is actually quite excellent. There is no play on each of the island key caps. They feel secure and nicely fitting. From a glance too, they look like they belong.
Then again, we are sort of nit picking on the keyboard when we say that it feels less premium. It is a perfectly fine keyboard for a notebook. Keys are big and defined too, so any hands can get comfortable with the keyboard. We are just a little irked by the material choice.
Battery Life
One of the biggest benefits, other than quietness, from the Qualcomm Mobile compute platform is its battery life. You only get 4,500mAh in the sleek body of the JOI Book SK3000. While that means about 8 hours of battery life from a regular Intel or AMD mobile processor, it can mean days of battery life for the Qualcomm processor.
True enough, even if you leave the notebook on standby, the JOI Book SK3000 can last you a whole week without charging. Of course, it will not go on forever while remaining always on. But that is definitely more than plenty of notebooks in the same price range.
The beauty of a smartphone optimised computing platform is the application of the Big Small architecture in their processing chips. That also means that the SoC can call for more power when it needs it, and sips energy when it does not. That translates to up to 10 hours of continuous usage of the JOI Book SK3000, and even longer run time while on standby.
Of course, if you do game and run other heavy application on the JOI Book SK3000, you can expect a shorter battery life. If you plan to run Adobe Lightroom for extended periods or even game for extended periods, you might want to consider finding a charging point.
This notebook charges its 4,500mAh battery quite quickly too though. Thanks to Qualcomm’s Fast Charging know how, the notebook can charge at up to 30W. That means you are up and running again within 2 hours of charging your JOI Book SK3000. Because the included charger is also a USB Type-C charger with fast charging capabilities, you can use it to charge your smartphones as well. That, or any other USB Type-C device you might find in your gear bag. In other words, you may not need to carry any other chargers with you.
The only issue with have with the charging though is that not all USB Type-C chargers can work with the JOI Book SK3000. We tried plugging it to the 65W charging brick from Lenovo and it refuses to charge.
Display and Speakers
We have grouped these two categories into one because there is nothing really to shout about with the speakers. The speakers may not be the JOI Book’s greatest strength. We want to say that it could be the JOI Book SK3000’s worst trait too.
The dual speakers on the JOI Book SK3000 sounds super tinny with no clear definition at all. Bass is virtually non-existent on the JOI Book SK3000 too. Thank goodness you can either plug in your earphones into the 3.5mm jack or connect other earphones and headphones via Bluetooth. You are better off using earphones or headphones even for video calls with your team, or friends.
The display is quite gorgeous though. It is an IPS panel displaying at Full HD 1080p. You also get somewhat narrow bezels. Though we do think that they could make a 13-inch fit in this body if they cut down the bezels even more. They did not mention its colour accuracy specifications though.
Still, colours pop on IPS displays and this 12.5-incher is no exception. It is an excellent display to use for entertainment avenues like Netflix and Amazon Video Prime, even YouTube. Again, plug in your earphones for better audio experience. As we have said, you can sort of game on it too.
It may not be the most accurate IPS panel you can get on a notebook, but if you are not too fussy, you technically can use it to colour correct on Adobe Lightroom. You cannot install Adobe Premiere pro or Photoshop, so you can only work with Adobe Lightroom at this point. IPS panels are not typically found in notebooks that costs just above MYR 2,000 too. That also makes this a little bit of a steal.
The JOI Book SK3000 – The Best Compromise
SNS Network says that this particular notebook should appeal to students more than others. At MYR 2,199, the JOI Book SK3000 would definitely be placed in any student’s consideration. But the JOI Book SK3000 has more potential than that.
We think that anyone can benefit from the JOI Book SK3000. It is not exactly expensive to own or to run. For example, if all you need from your PC is to get through your emails, type out a few emails, access your company server remotely from time to time, create excel sheets and powerpoint slides, or even just simple internet browsing for research, this does all of those just as well as any other PC would.
It is not the lightest PC in the market, so you might say. But it is not exactly heavy either. Its charging package is just a little larger as your regular smartphone charger that it makes no difference. The JOI Book SK3000 itself is so compact that you can just get a small sling bag to work with. If you have a larger bag, good, you have more space for other stuff. The notebook will also last more than a full working day, that means your charger can be stuffed deep down in your bag and you will still be okay through the day.
The best part is that you are constantly connected to the internet no matter where you go. Well, technically wherever there is 4G network signal. While constant connectivity could be a bane for work, it could be bliss too.
For students, it will be a bliss for them when they need to get their work going anyway. Especially if you live in a house with no WiFi connection, you will rely on your smartphone for internet. You could, however go on YES 4G Kasi Up plan and work with up to 100GB of internet a month at not very much money. It is a possibility. This works the same even if you are not a student. You may not need to pay more than MYR 100 to get internet working for you.
In short, if you are looking for a PC that sits between the MYR 2,000 to MYR 2,500 price range, this should at least be in your consideration. For that money, you are getting a well-built product that is truly mobile. You do not even need to think about using your smartphone as a hotspot device anymore. It still does all your basic stuff too, what more do you need? Oh wait, product support.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 25, 2021 — Dada Group (Nasdaq: DADA) ("Dada" or the "Company"), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, is working with retailers and brands to provide safe, contactless on-demand delivery service in Shijiazhuang, HebeiProvince, to combat with the latest COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, thousands of Dada Now riders in Shijiazhuang worked flat out to ensure the stable supply of daily necessities to residents. Their efforts were reported by Chinese National TV, and other mainstream media across the country.
Dada Now riders in Shijiazhuang
According to National TV’s coverage, in accordance with the requirements of the local governments, Shijiazhuang’s supermarkets suspended offline operations and transferred to online business, which taking online orders and providing contactless delivery, to ensure the people’s daily necessities while staying home. During the lockdown period, riders of Dada Now, Dada Group’s on-demand delivery platform, were working to deliver daily necessities from supermarkets to the residents. Peng Sun is one of these Dada Now riders.
Since the latest COVID-19 ourbreak in Shijiazhuang, Peng Sun took a second nucleic acid test required by Dada Now platform. After receiving the healthy result on the second day, he started to deliver daily necessities to residents. As supermarket O2O business adopted by increasing number of consumers, delivery orders grew exponentially. He worked tirelessly to deliver products everyday: "I was on my way even at late 10 p.m. I am proud of myself, because I contribute to fight against COVID-19."
Dada Group is one of 51 necessities supply enterprises guaranteed and recommended by Shijiazhuang government. JDDJ and Dada Now have played a kay role in ensuring daily supply and safe delivery. On January 11, JDDJ collaborated with nearly 20 supermarket chains in Shijiazhuang, including Beiguo Supermarket, Yonghui Supermarket, CR Vanguard and Olé, as well as local pharmacies including Shiyao Pharmacy, HebeiLerentang Pharmacy and Shineway Pharmacy, to guarantee the daily supply of living products.
At the same time, Dada Now launched the emergency measures, opened a green channel for delivery riders to appeal abnormal situations, and extended the delivery time. The platform also launched its contactless delivery service and riders’ health code authentication, while arranging secondary nucleic acid testing for riders and providing them with disinfectant, masks and other epidemic prevention equipment to ensure the safety of riders, merchants and consumers. Besides, Dada Now also required riders to wear masks and disinfection protection during the delivery through the Dada Now’s Rider Application and the Wechat groups.
In January, Dada Group announced that Dada Now and JDDJ would stay open during Chinese New Year in February. And the two platforms will maintain safety measures to ensure stable and quick services.
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."
-On 1/25, BoDs of Kakao Page and Kakao M resolved to merge two companies into KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT
-KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT will have an unparalleled value chain which compromises of 50 subsidiaries and affiliates across all verticals of the entertainment industry
-The synergy of combined assets will set the ground for KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT’s global expansion
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 25, 2021 — The Board of Directors of Kakao Page Corp. (hereafter Kakao Page) and Kakao M Corp. (hereafter Kakao M) announced today that they resolved to merge the two companies into a new entity called KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT. The two companies will hold a general shareholders’ meeting on January 26 and expect to complete the merger on March 1, 2021.
Kakao Page Corp. and Kakao M Corp. combine in strategic merger to launch KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT
The combination of Kakao Page and Kakao M means the creation of a Korean entertainment giant which will generate over KRW 1 trillion in annual revenues. At a point where the global entertainment industry is going through hyper competition due to the appearance of new industry players, this strategic merger was resolved to give KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT a competitive edge in the market. This is also the first ever large-scale merger between the subsidiaries of Kakao Corp., the technology conglomerate behind Korea’s most popular messaging app Kakao Talk.
The merger of Kakao Page and Kakao M is expected to create a robust synergy effect given the respective companies’ capabilities in the content business and digital platforms and set the ground for KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT’s next stage of growth through global expansion.
Through the merger, KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT will have an unparalleled business portfolio and value chain including 50 subsidiaries and affiliates across all verticals of the entertainment industry. Kakao Page provides a specialized value chain optimized to produce original contents as well as a global platform network while Kakao M provides expertise in creating music, TV series, films, performances as well as a portfolio of Korea’s top creative talent.
With such foundation, KAKAO ENTERTAINMENT will expand its investment and strategic partnerships with industry leaders to grow into a global entertainment player. The company will not only diversify its business but also focus on producing blockbuster media franchises that can captivate global audiences and seek various ways to create synergies between combined assets.
Kakao Page commented, "The merger of Kakao Page and Kakao M is that of a strategic alliance to build a foundation to compete in the global entertainment industry. By combining the two companies’ business acumen, capabilities and value chain, we aim to disrupt the global entertainment industry."
Kakao M commented, "The decision to merge our expertise in contents and digital platforms was made so we can compete in the hyper-competitive global entertainment sector in earnest. Together we can accelerate and evolve into a global player."
About Kakao Page Corp.
Kakao Page Corp. specializes in creating compelling story IPs mainly in the form of webtoons and web novels. The company singlehandedly pioneered the Korea’s story entertainment industry through an innovative monetization model called ‘Wait or Pay’ in 2014. In addition to this growth model, the company’s active investment into 16 subsidiaries and affiliates paved the way for Kakao Page Corp. to retain the highest number of original titles in Korea (8,500 IPs). The company operates two digital platforms in Korea, the namesake ‘kakaopage’ platform as well as the world’s first webtoon platform called ‘Daum Webtoon.’ The company also has widespread global platform networks in Japan, North America, Greater China and ASEAN regions. Kakao Page Corp.’s original contents have been adapted into diverse derivative formats including TV series, films, games and is also loved in Japan, the world’s biggest comic market, and in North America regions.
About Kakao M Corp.
Kakao M Corp. has unrivaled content production capabilities in mobile, TV, screen and live platforms having 7 leading talent management subsidiaries, 4 music labels and diverse drama, film, performance production companies. Kakao M Corp. has significant market share in Korea’s music industry and annually produces over 1,200 titles. In addition, the company has 80 top creators, 150 celebrities as well as host of star producers within its talent portfolio. Kakao M also operates an in-house studio where Korea’s most wanted producers were recruited to create and operate a novel genre of experimental and witty mobile contents.
As we begin the new year and look back on 2020, it is undeniable that technology has played a crucial role in helping everyone, young or old, to stay connected with our loved ones as we experienced variations of lockdowns in the past year. However, are you aware that there are stark differences in people’s usage behaviours on social platforms, even between those who were born just a few years apart, such as millennials (currently aged 25 to 40 years old) and Gen Z (currently aged 24 or younger)?
Most millenials are digital immigrants, meaning we remember a time before mass technological adoption. This is different from Gen Zs, who are the first generation to be considered true digital natives. They were born into a world of vast technological advances, with the internet as an integral part of their day to day. They don’t know a world without smartphones and broadband internet. Hence, how they think, communicate, use and don’t use the internet is different from the generations before them.
Additionally, as people observe stay at home orders during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they are increasingly turning to indoor activities enabled by the internet; communication, commerce, entertainment, fitness, and learning now take place virtually. This will undoubtedly accelerate digital transformation across many businesses, which will in turn sustain the digital economy.
Gen Z is uniquely well-positioned to continue driving this transformation as they are digital natives familiar and comfortable with new technologies quickly. Digital technology has shaped them, and we should take a page out of the Gen Z book when it comes to some habits and practices.
Value the importance of authenticity
According to Snap Inc. and JWT Intelligence’s “Into Z Future” study, when asked to develop a slogan for their own generation, Gen Z respondents overwhelmingly suggest some variation of “be yourself” – such as “just be you”, “just be yourself”, and “do what makes you happy.” This is a positive mentality to have.
It is important that we value authenticity over ‘perfection,’ which takes courage and confidence. We should not fear judgement or being perceived negatively for being who we are, especially when we are among friends. Honesty is a value that the majority of Malaysians, regardless of their age group, want between themselves and their best friend. The 2019 Friendship Report found that Malaysians want their best friends to be more honest and open about their feelings.
Before we can demand honesty from our friends, we need to first be our true, honest, and authentic self! After all, friendship is a two-way street – Gen Zs seem to have figured that part out.
Not everything is meant to be shared
According to Snap Inc.’s 2019 Friendship Report, millennials come out on top as the most “share happy” of the generations. Millennials are the least likely to say “I wouldn’t share that” across most categories surveyed including their love life, mental health issues, and money concerns. However, oversharing can have negative consequences, such as safety issues, loss of jobs, or risking personal reputation.
As digital natives, Gen Zs are likely to be more private, having learned from the mistakes made by the older generations. Gen Zs’ familiarity with these platforms means that they carefully choose how and where they share. They prefer ephemeral content that disappears, on social messaging platforms such as Snapchat. For example, they prefer to share details about their love life with their best friends over private messages as compared to millennials who would share about it on social media.
Gen Zs understand implicitly that just because we can share something with the world, it doesn’t mean that we should. This is a mindset that we should all adopt.
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to friendship circle
Gen Zs are adjusting their approach to friendship, which differs from millennials’ desire for a wide network. The former is looking for more closeness and intimacy with a smaller social circle, where they can be their unfiltered, authentic selves. In contrast, millennials are the most likely of any generation to want “as many friends as possible.”
This is the same in Malaysia, where older generations gravitate towards forming friendships with as many people as possible, while Gen Zs (37%) are selective over the people they let into their close circle of friends.
While we all know the positive benefits of having close friends in our lives, a larger pool is not always better. According to friendship experts, a larger group of friends can take a toll on a person because there is greater pressure to open up to many different people and invest in those relationships. It seems that this is a life lesson that Gen Zs have already learned. Based on the above, we can see that there are a lot to be learned from different mindsets, and generation gaps do not just have to be a woeful reminder of “the good old days.” Look at things in a new light and shed your preconceived notions
BEIJING, Jan. 23, 2021 — Huami Corporation ("Huami" or the "Company") (NYSE: HMI), today announced that it will hold its 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") at Huami Co., Ltd. Building B2, zhongguancun No.1, No.81 Beiqing road, Haidian District, Beijing, China P.C.100094, at 2:00 pm (Beijing Time) on February 25, 2021. The purpose of the AGM is for the Company’s shareholders to consider, and if thought fit, approve the change of the Company’s legal name from "Huami Corporation" to "Zepp Health Corporation", and the change of the Company’s trading symbol at the New York Stock Exchange from "HMI" to "ZEPP." The proposed name change and trading symbol change will not affect any rights of shareholders or the Company’s operations and financial position.
The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on January 22, 2021 as the record date (the "Record Date") in order to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the AGM or any adjourned or postponed meeting thereof.
Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares whose names are on the register of members of the Company at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company’s American depositary shares ("ADSs") who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying shares must act through Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the depositary of the Company’s ADS program.
Huami has filed its annual report on Form 20-F, including its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Huami’s Form 20-F can be accessed on the above-mentioned Company website, as well as on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may request a hard copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, by contacting Huami Corporation at ir@huami.com or by writing to Huami Corporation at Huami Global Innovation Center, Building B2, Zhong’an Chuanggu Technology Park, No.900 Wangjiang West Road, Hefei, China (230088), People’s Republic of China.
About Huami Corporation
Huami’s mission is to connect health with technology. Since its inception in 2013, Huami has developed a platform of proprietary technology including AI chips, biometric sensors, and data algorithms, which drive a broadening line of smart health products for consumers, and analytics services for industry. In 2019, Huami shipped 36.6 million units of smart watches and fitness bands, including its own Amazfit brand, and products developed and manufactured for Xiaomi, comprising 23% of global category shipments1. Huami Corporation is based in Hefei, China, with U.S. operations, Huami-USA, based in Cupertino, Calif. For more information, please visit https://www.huami.com/investor/pages/company-profile.
[1] IDC, Correcting and Replacing Shipments of Wearable Devices, 3/10/20
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China: Huami Corporation Grace Yujia Zhang E-mail: ir@huami.com
The Piacente Group, Inc. Yang Song Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 E-mail: huami@tpg-ir.com
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 23, 2021 — Datamine, a New Zealand based AI company, has created ëlarm: a personal early warning indicator for viral infection, including Coronavirus. The ëlarm system overcomes what is arguably our greatest obstacle – viral spread by asymptomatic people who do not know they are infectious. By developing personal baselines of biometric data from smartphones and other wearables (such as Fitbit, Apple Watch and Samsung), ëlarm detects changes to those individual baselines that fit COVID-19 patterns – changes that occur as the body begins fighting viral infection.
"With ëlarm, you can know you’re sick before you feel sick," says ëlarm CEO and founding director of Datamine, Paul O’Connor.
Operating in New Zealand since June 2020, the ëlarm system has been developed to detect Coronavirus cases up to three days before people know they have the lethal virus."Based on our New Zealand success and the extensive data we’ve gathered from clinicians around the world, ëlarm is an accurate predictor of viral symptoms," Mr O’Connor says.
While ëlarm is not a test and does not provide medical advice, the system alerts users to biometric changes that indicate viral infection and provides relevant World Health Organisation and CDC guidelines. This enables people to proactively get tested and self-isolate before any symptoms appear. This helps prevent the spread of viral infection to loved ones, communities, and workmates.
As opposed to developing technology based on specific smartwatches, ëlarm is ‘device agnostic.’ As a software service, ëlarm can use data from a growing list of wearable devices, and is available worldwide.
"When Covid-19 emerged, we had already created a vault where personal health and wearables data is safely stored and analyzed. We saw that we had the expertise and technology to make a substantial contribution in the fight against Coronavirus," Mr O’Connor explains. "With new Coronavirus strains and possible further mutations, the urgency is to slow the spread of the virus through our global population until a vaccine is available."
Professor Michael Baker, one of New Zealand’s leading epidemiologists, says there are many useful applications for this technology. "It’s very encouraging that New Zealand is producing exciting innovations of new surveillance tools for tracking people who are potentially infected by Coronavirus and other infectious agents."
ëlarm is available via the Apple Store and Google Play at www.elarm.health
