Solutions that break down data help FSIs build a more collaborative and successful business, finds Frost & Sullivan
LONDON, Sept. 15, 2021 — The surge in cloud adoption in the UK has caused a simultaneous increase in the incidence of cyberattacks. The financial service industry (FSI), one of the leading adopters of cloud and new digital technologies, has often been a target for cybersecurity threat actors due to the sensitive nature of its data. To survive the waves of increasingly sophisticated attacks, FSI businesses turn to third-party cloud experts with integrated solutions that can offer them deep and wide-ranging visibility into their networks and devices.
Frost & Sullivan’s latest white paper, Modernising Operations and Customer Interactions in the UK Financial Services Industry, analyzes the opportunities and challenges inherent in FSIs’ recent migration to the cloud. It explores how the right solution provider can ensure successful outcomes.
To download the complimentary white paper, please visit: http://frost.ly/64h
"FSI businesses need to work with partners that understand the industry’s requirement for secure, compliant solutions and provide the right tools for data storage and management. Such tools can help avert costly repatriation, security challenges, and keep costs manageable," said Roberta Gamble, Partner & Vice President at Frost & Sullivan. "Advanced cloud solution providers such as NetApp are ideally positioned to address FSIs’ direct needs, creating greater organizational visibility through a ‘single pane of glass’ offering."
"FSI is a heavily regulated industry with significant internal compliance, so any solution deployed must ensure these requirements are met, while still providing all the value of moving to the Cloud, such as greater agility, accelerated modernisation and the increased ability to innovate. NetApp provides both solutions and expertise to thousands of FSIs looking to deploy a Hybrid, Multi-cloud environment," said Steve Rackham, Senior Solutions Engineering Manager – FSI at NetApp.
With the right security solution, FSIs can be sure that:
The data is fully protected yet fully accessible wherever it resides.
The full benefits of cloud are realized while limiting risks.
They are compliant with all industry regulations.
Data backup and recovery from the cloud are optimal.
The management of a multi-cloud environment will be easy.
About Frost & Sullivan
For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.
Startups have become the norm nowadays. They’ve become a hallmark for not just the tech industry but also a thriving economy. However, when it comes down to it, the startup arena can also become one of the most brutal, unforgiving arenas any founder or individual can find themselves. The world has its eyes on Southeast Asia – Malaysia included – as its startup ecosystem teeters on the verge of another boom. The start-up arena has become one of the largest spaces for investment in the region, attracting some USD$1.48 billion in just Q1 of 2021 alone according to CB Insights. A significant chunk of 40.6% of this investment is driven by early-stage deals.
So, the big question is, what do we do with this data? We’ve heard tonnes of startup stories – so, we’re offering a slightly different perspective. Let’s talk about the tech. Yes, not every startup is an app or tech-related. However, with the rapidly changing needs and challenges now, it has become even more important for startups to be able to adapt and react accordingly – in a word – AGILE. Again, it’s a term we’ve heard or read countless times. That said, it’s become even more important now that they do – it could be the difference between survival and disappearing into the ether.
Fail Efficiently, Innovate Quickly
Like a wise woman once sang – “Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start…”. The world as we know it has changed over the past few decades. In fact, it’s changed in the past few years! The costs of starting a startup have reduced from USD$5 million in 1999 to just over USD$50,000 in 2010 and continue to decline.
The biggest difference? The Cloud. Cloud computing has significantly reduced the capital needed to start-up enterprises and it will continue to do so. Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) are enabling agility and cost-efficiency. They are enabling startups to take off with no upfront costs but most importantly they encourage startups to experiment and fail fast – allowing them to move forward with innovating their next approach. Each failure allows startups to learn, optimise and eventually succeed.
“The great thing about startups is the ability to start small and learn as you go. So long as you get the foundations right – such as ensuring you are secure by design from the outset – it won’t matter so much if you make the odd misstep along the way, because the consequences will be small.”
Digbijoy Shukla, Business Development Lead, Startup Business Development ASEAN, AWS
These flexibilities are key in startups as it goes without saying – the road to their success is how fast they are able to present and prove their concept. The ability to provision and decommission servers and technological resources quickly and efficiently will help these start-ups further optimise and conserve resources. With this inherent efficiency built in it falls to start-ups and their management to take advantage of the tools at their fingertips to enhance their offering, evolve their approach and embrace the insights they are privy to.
Source: Adobe Stock
The Right Cloud Computing Partners can determine the Success of Startups
The ability to fail fast and experiment comes secondary to the tools any startup has at its disposal. Cloud computing continues to be a necessity simply because of its robust offerings. Going digital is no more about changing typewriters to desktops, it’s about a set of tools that allow you to create, adapt and react to ensure that the company is meeting its clients’ and customers’ needs.
“It’s critical to align yourself with the right partners and support as early as possible. Folks like 500 Startups and AWS aren’t here to be new and trendy, we’ve been part of the core ecosystem infrastructure since the early days.”
Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Startups
Choosing the right cloud, then, is an essential part of a start-up’s success. It’s like choosing the right business partner, you need someone who believes in your vision and complements your skills with the correct tools. With the number of Cloud providers continually increasing, start-ups are forced to make a choice based on the needs and skill level of their organisation.
In our session with AWS, Khailee Ng, Managing Partner at 500 Startups, stressed that getting the right partner can be akin to getting that first investment. Programs like AWS Activate enable startups to continue experimenting and functioning while upskilling and adapting. It creates a simultaneous process in which founders, staff and enablers are continually interacting and improving. In fact, programmes like AWS Activate essentially provide startups with an infusion of not just credits for experimentation and setting up, it provides a platform for startups to learn and implement the relevant knowledge for their success. AWS also provides technical support which allows non-technical founders to also benefit.
Scale, Pivot and React with Actionable Insights from the Cloud
Being on the Cloud is not always about cost or efficiency. It’s about the amount of data that will be available from the experimentation and even day to day usage of services and products. The data and insights that it gives will invariably determine the direction in which the startup can grow. In fact, if utilised properly, this data can even provide insights into new niches and services that can grow the startup’s user base and open new markets.
In the initial six months, we were a car listings site. We pivoted the business in 2016, based on the data. We then extended our sales online, with customer benefits such as five days money back guarantee. Our (sales) pickup rate became much stronger, as we saw the same level of sales (as what we experienced) before the lockdowns. It’s really all about navigating successfully through this crisis.”
Eric Cheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Carsome, an integrated car e-commerce platform
Source: Adobe Stock
Take, for instance, Malaysian born startup – Carsome which started as a platform for searching for second-hand cars. The company ended up pivoting to complement its pre-existing service. They expanded to include the sales and purchase of these vehicles based on insights derived from the data generated by their users. They were able to gain insights that highlighted a niche that they could occupy; more importantly, it complemented their existing product. With these insights, they were quickly able to adapt, react and develop an offering that enhanced their product and led to exponential growth. They continue to use this data to enhance their service and ensure user happiness.
Of course, the Cloud doesn’t just provide for actionable insights and agility. It’s also about offloading mundane tasks and leveraging offerings like AWS Sagemaker. Implementing AI and Machine Learning in taking over tasks that can and should be automated will allow startups to focus their workforce on more pertinent tasks that will allow them to differentiate themselves further. Focusing on what is important will allow startups to eventually be able to scale. Of course, this doesn’t mean that vital tasks are offloaded, but it does mean that startups are able to maximise efficiency and optimise their workforce allowing them to flourish.
The Cloud Is Not the Future, It is Now
We keep hearing that the Cloud is the future. In truth, startups and companies that fail to adopt and adapt are bound to be held back by their own inefficiencies and stigmas. It is crucial that we realise that the Cloud is now – it’s not the future; at least, not anymore. Leveraging the Cloud and its many tools is a pivotal skill that startups need to develop. In fact, it would not be unfounded to say that it is a skill that all organisations should already be developing.
We are at a stage in the world where technology has already proliferated every aspect of our lives; from our entertainment to our work and even in our day-to-day lives. Why then are we hesitant to adopt it at scale to increase our own efficiencies and productivity? Why are we hesitant to put technology – already available – to use to increase profitability?
Startups cannot wait to adopt Cloud computing anymore. In fact, they are setting themselves up for failure without the proper Cloud and the willingness to learn how to use it. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to put technology to work for you in this day.
MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 15, 2021 — Tonik, the Philippines’ first digital-only neobank, has launched a pioneering Quick Loanproduct on its platform. The launch of Quick Loan marks Tonik’s entry into the deeply underserved consumer lending market in the Philippines, in which it intends to establish itself as one of the market leaders. Tonik’s game-changing all-digital Quick Loan is designed to serve the vast unbanked and underbanked Filipino middle class with a quick and affordable bank credit proposition.
Mass Market Appeal. Tonik’s Quick Loan doesn’t require the client to have a prior credit history or a pre-existing bank account at another bank, relying instead on world-class alternative credit scoring technologies for credit decision.
Rapid Application and Credit Decision. The Quick Loan offers a market-leading rapid application path of under 15 minutes, based on an upload of only one ID and the latest pay slip. The credit decision is typically made within minutes through proprietary AI-driven underwriting.
Instant Disbursement. Once approved, the funds are instantly credited to the client’s Tonik Account. From there, the funds can be withdrawn through OTC partners Cebuana and MLhuillier, moved to client’s other bank or e-wallet account, or paid out through an ATM or merchant payment using the Tonik Debit Card.
Affordable and Convenient Repayment. By availing of up to 24 months loan duration, Quick Loan clients can comfortably spread up to P 50,000 of total loan principal across their monthly budgets. The clients can also set their own preferred monthly repayment dates, as well as save time and reduce their interest rate by linking their salary payroll ATM card.
Tonik enters consumer lending with a game-changing 15-minute Quick Loan
"Traditional banks require the applicant to have credit history to approve a loan while 80%+ of the Filipinos don’t have any credit history. As a result, the Filipino consumers are forced to borrow from friends and family or from payday loan providers at very high interest. This damages their long-term financial stability and undermines their future, and we think this is unfair. We estimate that there is USD 100 billion of potential market for consumer loans in the Philippines, which is currently 90% unserved. Our plan is to change this balance and make affordable loans accessible for majority of Filipinos," said Greg Krasnov, CEO and Founder of Tonik.
"We have already attracted close to USD 80 million of consumer deposits since our launch six months ago. This has validated our ability to rapidly scale our resources for lending, and therefore enables us to grow our loan book fast and without any reliance on third party wholesale funding. So, the Quick Loan is only the first in a range of all-digital consumer lending products that we will introduce over the coming months. Our plan is to use advanced digital technology to help solve financial inclusion in the country," said Krasnov.
Tonik is supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) through its own digital bank license, and deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). Its unique cloud-based solution is powered by global financial technology leaders such as Mastercard, Amazon Web Services, and Finastra.
Tonik is the first digital-only neobank in the Philippines, providing a full stack of Loan, Deposit, and Payment products to consumers on a highly secure digital banking platform. The neobank operates on the basis of its own bank license issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Tonik is led by a team of retail finance veterans who have previously built and scaled multiple retail banks and fintechs across the global emerging markets. It is backed by top international venture capital funds. Tonik operates out of hubs in Singapore (HQ), Manila, Chennai, and Kyiv.
What is an Apple event without an Apple iPhone? We do not actually know the answer to that. Whatever though, because the new Apple iPhone for 2021/2022 is here; the Apple iPhone 13 and its Mini version is here.
You will now that you have the new Apple iPhone 13 though if you put it beside an iPhone 12. While most of its overall dimensions stays similar, the camera array on the Apple iPhone 13 is just a tiny bit different. It is distinct enough to notice though. Instead of the cameras arranged in a straight line down, it is now diagonally placed across each other. There is a reason for this, and we will talk about it later.
Source: Apple
Flip it to the front and the only differentiator between the 12 and 13 is the size of the notch that houses the Face ID sensor alongside 12-Megapixel front-facing camera. It is still the same Super Retina XDR OLED display that you get from before though at 5.4-inch on the Mini and 6.1-inch on the regular iPhone 13. Except they are now brighter at up to 1200 nits.
At the back are two 12-Megapixels that handles different jobs. The one at the bottom is the main 12-Megapixel sensor that features a larger sensor than before for even better looking low-light photos. The main sensor also features Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) for steady handheld shots whenever and wherever you are. The other camera is an Ultra-Wide sensor.
The cameras also features Photography Styles where users can choose between a collection of pre-set colour settings to really bring out their creativity in photos. At the same time, the camera is capable of shooting videos in Dolby Vision HDR at up to 4K 60p resolution. On top of that you also get Cinematic mode with Rack Focus effects on the Apple iPhone 13.
All the added features are possible thanks to the new Apple A15 Bionic System on a Chip (SoC). It is made with 5nm process, which is still the standard we are used to today. The most advanced chip from Apple is now a six-core SoC though with two of its cores being high-powered cores for the best-in-class processing performance. It also features a 4-core GPU which is powerful enough to drive the most demanding mobile games you can find on Apple’s App Store. With a 16-core Neural Engine, Siri on the iPhone 13 is more powerful than ever.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
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Source: Apple
Source: Apple
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Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The Apple iPhone 13 will be available for pre-orders starting from 17th of September 2021 onward. It will start shipping out in Apple’s major markets from the 24th of September 2021 onward. Unfortunately, Malaysia is not a part of the first markets to get the Apple iPhone. We do not have to wait for that long though since the Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will be available 1st of October 2021 onward. You get to choose from pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and RED colour options for both the iPhone models. Storage options start at 128GB and tops out at 512GB. The Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini starts at US$ 799 (MYR 3,899*) and US$ 699 (MYR 3,399*)respectively. You can find more information on Apple’s latest iPhone from their website.
Apple’s Event just happened, and of course, as expected, we are graced with Apple’s latest iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. For good measure, they keep the best for last. They launched the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max at the end of their show instead. It is the star of the show anyway, the most anticipated Apple device for the year 2021.
So, what changed? The design of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro series has not changed all that much compared to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro series. In fact, they feature the exact same dimensions that should also allow your iPhone 12 Pro cases to work with the newer Apple iPhone 13 Pro devices that was just launched. Even the camera module looks similar. There is no additional notches or dips on the device’s body itself that makes it stand out over the Apple iPhone 12 Pro series.
Put the devices side by side and you might notice a small difference on the forehead of the devices. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max now features a smaller notch compared to the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. The iconic notch has not changed in shape though. You get slightly more in terms of the display real estate in this case. They remain the same sizes though at 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch for respective model.
Source: Apple
The new ultimate Apple iPhone variants still feature the same Super Retina XDR display that you would find on the Apple iPhone 12 Pro models from before. Of course, the bigger displayed Pro Max will pack a bit more pixel on the 6.7-inch OLED display than the 6.1-inch OLED of the regular Pro device. They now come with something Apple calls ProMotion. To be fair, ProMotion is a fancier way of saying that the new device now features up to 120Hz (as low as 10Hz) in refresh rate. It is also a variable refresh rate that brings the display up to speed with other Android flagships.
You still get the usual HDR display with TrueTone technology on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. Of course, wide colour gamut coverage is still available on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, important since they sold the device as a content creator’s ultimate tool. The ceramic shielded display now can display at up to 1200 nits in brightness though, which is brighter than the iPhone that came before.
Within the IP68 rated body that is made with a combination of glass, stainless steel, and ceramic is a mighty Apple A15 bionic chip that boasts a new more powerful 16-core Neural Engine for an even more responsive Siri and cleverer camera functions. The A15 bionic chip also features a new 6-core 5nm process CPU block with 2 high-performance cores. It also features a 5-core GPU.
There is a relatively new camera system on both the Pro and Pro Max devices too. They are still boasting the same resolutions as before. The new most advanced Apple iPhone features a main camera with a slightly larger sensor with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) though. The direct result of that is supposedly better low-light performance from the camera.
Source: Apple
The ultra-wide camera can not only take great looking ultra-wide photos. It can also act as a macro camera with a minimal focal distance of 2cm. Thanks to the A15 Bionic too, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max’s camera app now features new Photographic Styles that allows users to quickly set their iPhone up to shoot photos with distinct colour profiles that reflects the users’ preferences. Night mode is also now available for all three of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max’s camera app.
With better cameras and better neural programming, the video capabilities of the iPhone Pro models are extended. The most powerful iPhones can now shoot in ProRes format at 4K 30p resolution. You can also edit ProRes videos directly on the device. The most interesting addition to the video capabilities is Rack Focus via Cinematic mode on the. Rack Focus on Cinematic mode allows users or content creators to quickly change focus and add depth to films to force the viewers perspectives. The depth data is also built into the videos you shoot on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max so that you can go back to the video and choose your focus moments to the dot while editing the video on board.
While Apple never discloses their battery capacity information to the public, they say that they have made some breakthroughs with the battery life of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. They managed to make the new Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max last for 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours longer on average compared to their respective predecessors. The numbers are quite subjective though, meaning Apple did not really disclose the actual battery life of the devices.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
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Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max is available for pre-order in the United States this Friday onward and will be available from the 24th of September 2021. There is some good news for Malaysia though. The devices will be available in Malaysia on the 1st of October 2021 onward. Both the Apple iPhone 13 Pro devices will be available in four finishes – Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue. You also get to choose between 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and now 1TB storage options too for both models. The smaller Apple iPhone 13 Pro will set you back US$ 999 (MYR 4,899*) onward. The larger Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max will set you back US$ 1,099 (MYR 5,299*) onward. There are no confirmed prices for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max in Malaysia just yet. You can find more information on the most powerful Apple iPhones ever from their website.
WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 15, 2021 — ESR, the first company to release MagSafe-compatible wireless car chargers a year ago, today launched new HaloLock™ cases designed exclusively for the iPhone 13.
At its launch in June, the ESR HaloLock System included 12 unique accessories all designed to take full advantage of the iPhone 12’s MagSafe feature. HaloLock is now expanding to support the iPhone 13 with new cases that combine the convenience of MagSafe with military-grade protection.
"Our vision for the HaloLock System is to foster what we believe is an emergingMoT (magnetism of things)", said ESR CEO Tim Wu. "Having Amazon’s #1 MagSafe car charger is the result of finding a new use case for MagSafe that others had overlooked. Each HaloLock product seeks to do the same, and by adding new functionality to MagSafe, we’re giving users a more fluid and intuitive way of interacting with their phones."
Protection Made Easier
ESR’s new clear cases with HaloLock are all military-grade certified having survived 26 drops with zero damage to either phone or case, and offer industry-leading magnetic holding power (1,100 g) to ensure a secure lock with any MagSafe accessories.
For those looking for a splash of color, ESR’s smooth silicone CLOUD case and real leather METRO case also come in MagSafe versions.
Charging Made Easier
With HaloLock, whether using a car charger for navigation, a desk charger for a video conference call, or a kickstand charger that’s just as at home on the kitchen counter as it is in a coffee shop, iPhone 13 users have a wide variety of ways to enjoy MagSafe.
Founded in 2009, with a user base of over 100 million people worldwide, ESR is a market leader of mobile accessories that creates simple, effective, and innovative products. Integrating R&D, design, and production, ESR aims to make tech easier to use by giving people a better experience with technology in everyday life.
Canon launched the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 some time ago. Those two cameras came highly acclaimed by Canon to be the future in photography. It also marks Canon’s shift in their product direction. The EOS R5 was the first full-frame photography camera from Canon that shot videos at 8K resolutions. They were not Canon’s first ever mirrorless cameras though. For that honour, you have to look back at Canon’s EOS R launched a year before the Canon EOS R5 and R6 launched.
With the introduction of Canon’s EOS R series cameras, they also introduced their new lenses made for mirrorless cameras. Canon claims that because the flange is bigger, and that it can be placed closer to the sensor, the lenses can be made with higher quality materials with even bigger elements and bigger lens opening. It basically opens whole new possibilities for photographers and even film makers around the world.
Professionals could opt for the Canon EOS R5. It packs 45-Megapixel within its full frame sensor. It could shoot videos at 8K. It could even take burst photos at up to 20 frames a second. That is 20 45-Megapixel photos every second. It is as high end as a camera as it can be.
The thing is, there are photographers that shoots on the Canon EOS 1DX platform. The 1DX is technically Canon’s flagship full frame camera meant for professionals. It is the camera that shoots most of the photos in a football pitch. It is the camera of choice for plenty of photographers who are hired to take photos of the president of the United States in the White House. It is also the platform of choice for plenty of Formula 1 photographers, which says a lot on the Canon EOS 1DX’s pedigree.
The Canon EOS 1DX platform is an aging platform though, despite its prowess. Fans are now asking for a mirrorless platform too. A full frame mirrorless platform like the Canon EOS R5 has proven to be more versatile piece of kit without the heft and weight of a regular DSLR.
The Canon EOS R3 – The Replacement
Source: Canon
Source: Canon
Canon has answered though with the Canon EOS R3 that was just launched in Malaysia today. The Canon EOS R3 is the sum of Canon’s know how in the EOS R mirrorless technology. It is about combining the full power of high-resolution photography with speeds known only to the 1DX platform. It is built for the next-generation sports photography.
The Canon EOS R3 packs 24.1-Megapixel, half of the EOS R5. That allows the Canon EOS 1DX to be a better low-light shooter though. It still packs 20% more pixels than the EOS 1DX Mark III it replaces though. It shoots at a native ISO range of 100 to 102,400 and is expandable to up to 204,800. For videos, the ISO range is lower at 100 to 25,600. You still can extend that range to 102,400 though.
Speed is Everything
Source: Canon
Source: Canon
Speed is everything in sports photography. With the new DIGIC X engine, the Canon EOS R3 is an even faster shooter than the Canon EOS R5 too. It can shoot at up to 30fps with its silent electronic shutter. Even using the mechanical shutter, it shoots at up to 12 frames a second. Shutter speed can be as fast as 1/64,000 with electronic shutter for that ultra-sharp and highly detailed sports photo. You write all your photos into a super-high-speed CF-Express Type-B card too. For redundancy, there is an SD card slot capable of UHS-II speeds.
The Canon EOS R3 is an even cleverer shooter than its predecessors. It comes with the highly acclaimed Eye Control autofocus that tracks and focuses to the eye of your subjects. The function helps photographers shift focus even faster and even more seamlessly when the need arises. It is even more powerful than before with deep-learning technology allowing the camera to focus on the subject’s eye even if the face is partially covered or masked.
While they have also improved head tracking to ensure that athletes are tracked properly while wearing helmets, masks, or goggles, the most welcome autofocus feature that photographers might appreciate is Vehicle Priority AF mode. Automobiles and motorcycles are hard to photograph due to their high-speed nature. A quick and clever autofocus system would be required to take close-up shots of a speeding vehicle on the track. The new autofocus system is fast enough that it can even track the driver or rider’s head with Spot Detection enabled.
A Reliable Platform
Source: Canon
Source: Canon
The In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) on the Canon EOS R series has been touted as some of the best the camera world has ever seen. That same IBIS implementation is back in the Canon EOS R3. That also means that you can shoot impressive long-exposure photos even without the help of a tripod.
The IBIS also benefits in terms of free-handed video shots. On that front, the EOS R3 is capable of shooting videos at up to 6K resolution (60p). It does not have quite as much resolution as the 45-Megapixel R5. It is also still capable of shooting 4K videos at 120p and 10-bit colours though. If you must shoot at the very best quality, the EOS R3 is capable of oversampling 6K videos into 4K 60p videos. You want to use Canon Log 3 and HDR PQ with those settings for the best possible results on your videos.
Photographers will also appreciate that the Canon EOS R3 comes with a slew of networking options for seamless file transfers and even synchronisation options. It packs the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. There is also a standard GPS mode for even more convenience. It packs a full-sized LAN port though for an even faster data transfer speed without requiring additional accessories. For a quick mobile transfer, you can use a USB Type-C cable to connect your smartphones to the EOS R3. The USB Type-C port can also act as a charging port (via USB Power Adapter PD-E1) for the EOS R3 in case you need extra juice.
Availability
The Canon EOS R3 will be available in Malaysia November 2021 onward. Alongside the new Canon EOS R3 flagship camera, Canon also launches two new RF100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens and RF16mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens for the EOS R platform. Their prices are yet to be mentioned and should be announced closer to its availability dates. More information on the Canon EOS R3 and the new RF lenses can be found on their website.
Sonos has made a name for itself over the years with its offerings when it comes to wireless sound. The company has one of the largest portfolios when it comes to wireless audio products. Having only just released their new Sonos Roam not too long ago, the company is announcing their new, updated second-generation Sonos Beam.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a step forward when it comes to home entertainment and soundbars. The second-generation Beam shares some of the hallmark features of the first generation Sonos Beam including its compact size and iconic design. The minimalist design that has become the signature for any Sonos product is also along for the ride. However, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 brings an updated grille design to allow it to stand out in simplicity.
However, while the outsides remain iconic and about the same, the insides bring a leap forward when it comes to the sound experience. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the first to come equipped with Dolby Atmos support. It will bring a more immersive sound experience that puts viewers in the middle of their content with object-centered sound. This will allow viewers to immerse themselves as they listen to the sound as is intended by sound designers. Blasts from behind as they escape an explosion in their favorite game or whisper in the corner as danger approaches in the dark.
The soundbar also packs a faster, more capable processor which allows the soundbar to produce more realistic sound. It’s also equipped with upgraded speaker arrays which allows more complex interactions between the transducers allowing for a more spacious sound space and dialogue clarity.
The new generation Sonos Beam also supports a wider range of audio types with enhancements already in place for high-definition audio. It will be able to support Amazon Music’s Ultra High-Definition audio which will be launching later this year. With this support, the Sonos Beam will be one of the first in the market to support lossless audio with bitrates of up to 48kHz or 24-bit audio.
Together with higher fidelity audio, the Beam is also able to support more audio formats. It has HDMI eARC support and even supports DTS:X. Controlling and interacting with the Beam will be as easy as touching your phone to the soundbar with its NFC support. You will be able to seamlessly add it to your Sonos groups on the S2 platform. However, daisy-chaining multiple Beam units isn’t an option – yet.
Pricing & Availability
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) will be in stores in Malaysia starting October 6, 2021. It will be available in white and black and will cost MYR2,699.
If you can’t wait to get your own, it’s available for pre-order starting 14 September 2021 on the official Sonos Malaysia website starting at 9 pm.
LONDON, Sept. 14, 2021 — Appian (NASDAQ: APPN) today announced its 2021 International Partner Award Winners at Appian Europe, a low-code automation virtual conference. This annual award, now in its fourth year, recognizes top strategic partners that have successfully deployed solutions on the Appian Low-Code Automation Platform.
Appian’s 2021 International Partner Award Winners include the following:
Value Award – Wipro Wipro has been awarded the 2021 Value Award in recognition of their outstanding achievement in creating innovative solutions, solving client challenges, and delivering value on the Appian Low-Code Automation Platform. The Wipro team has collaborated with Appian seamlessly, worked tirelessly and shown exceptional commitment to our customers during a challenging year. The result of this close partnership is winning one of the largest deals in the region this past year at an international health organization.
Innovation Award – NextWave NextWave is the winner of the Innovation Award for creating and delivering innovative Finance of the Future and Model Risk Management solutions for some of the world’s largest banks, asset managers, and Fintechs on the Appian platform. NextWave has also expanded their Appian business with the addition of senior Finance industry experts leading major Appian programs and experienced Appian developers as trusted specialists in the Financial Services industry. NextWave’s groundbreaking ‘One4One’ programme has transformed the lives of 11 young people to date and marks them as an organization with an innovative social enterprise purpose beyond their core business.
Growth Award – First Technology The Growth Award goes to First Technology for their success in winning new customers across key industries in banking, insurance, and transportation in the Netherlands. An Appian Partner since 2015, First Technology has also been proactive and successful in expanding opportunities in existing customer accounts in the Netherlands. These initiatives have enabled rapid growth and expansion of their business into the UK, Nordics, and DACH region beyond its home base.
Transformation Award – KPMG Belgium KPMG Belgium is the recipient of this year’s Transformation Award for their pre- and post-deal work with Appian over two years to secure a large deal with a leading insurance company, enabling the insurer to transform their processes, elevate their customer experience, and use Appian to its full innovation power. The close collaboration between KPMG and Appian has been instrumental to this success. It has set a high bar for future projects in the region and has opened other opportunities within the insurance industry and beyond.
EMEA Reseller of the Year – Procensol Procensol has been a trusted and valued Appian partner in the UK for over a decade. As the winner of the 2021 Appian EMEA Reseller of the Year Award, Procensol achieved the highest new software revenue contribution, expanded within existing accounts, and added new customers from Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.
"Our partners are instrumental to the continued growth of Appian and the success of our joint customers," said Erik de Haas, VP of Alliance for EMEA and APJ at Appian. "These award winners have delivered impactful business results for customers across key industries by delivering agile services and innovative solutions on the Appian Low-Code Automation Platform."
About Appian Appian helps organizations build apps and workflows rapidly, with a low-code automation platform. Combining people, technologies, and data in a single workflow, Appian can help companies maximize their resources and improve business results. Many of the world’s largest organizations use Appian applications to improve customer experience, achieve operational excellence, and simplify global risk management and compliance. For more information, go to www.appian.com.
BEIJING, Sept. 14, 2021 — iQIYI Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company"), an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, is pleased to announce that on September 14, the Company expands its existing strategic collaboration with Barça to develop a new premium membership program, "iBarça Membership". As Barça’s first certificated digital membership product launched in China, the "iBarça Membership" enables fans in China to watch all La Liga games in the 2021/22 season and enjoy a range of exclusive privileges.
iQIYI Sports Teams Up with Barça and Launches the “iBarça Membership”
iQIYI at present holds the rights to La Liga until 2029, and the "iBarça Membership" will be valid for the duration of the 2021/22 season. In addition to game viewing rights with multilingual commentary, subscribers will enjoy exclusive video content courtesy of Barça TV, available for the first time in Mandarin, giving fans in China access to hours of premier exclusive Club content that includes documentaries and interviews with players. Other privileges include one free ticket and additional half-priced tickets to the Barça Experience in Haikou, 10% off merchandise using Haikou Barça Experience WeChat mini-program, and discounted La Liga tickets at the Camp Nou. New subscribers will also receive a FC Barcelona merchandise from the Haikou Barça Mission Hills store as a welcome gift.
With its more than 120-year history, Barça is one of the most successful football clubs in Europe and has attracted a huge following in China. iQIYI Sports first entered a strategic collaboration with FC Barcelona in September 2020 to create the first FC Barcelona Official Channel in China. Shedding light on the lives of the players in and outside of their training, the new collaboration allows Barça fans in China an even deeper appreciation of the spirit of the team.
The innovative cooperation between iQIYI Sports and the world’s top football club demonstrates iQIYI’s commitment to premium content development. In the future, iQIYI Sports will continue to collaborate with various competition organizations and the world’s top football clubs to deliver more quality products to meet the ever-changing user demands.
About iQIYI, Inc.
iQIYI, Inc. is an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China. Its corporate DNA combines creative talent with technology, fostering an environment for continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content. iQIYI’s platform features highly popular original content, as well as a comprehensive library of other professionally-produced content, partner-generated content and user-generated content. The Company distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data analytics and other core proprietary technologies. iQIYI attracts a massive user base with tremendous user engagement, and has developed a diversified monetization model including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, live broadcasting, online games, IP licensing and online literature.
