Yearly Archives: 2021

PR Newswire

Deltek Vantagepoint Sees Significant Momentum Proving It’s a Solution Leader in the A&E and Consulting Industries

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HERNDON, Va., April 28, 2021 — Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, announced it has gained significant momentum with its Deltek Vantagepoint solution, now used by more than 400 companies to power project success. In 2021, Deltek released a new and innovative update, Vantagepoint 4.0, in addition to earning several designations as a solution leader on G2, a peer review platform.

Built specifically for professional services firms including A&E firms and Consulting firms, Vantagepoint helps firms improve productivity, boost collaboration and increase profitability. Since its initial release, Vantagepoint has undergone significant enhancements including interactive dashboards, visual project scheduling, streamlined invoicing and billing, intelligent character recognition (ICR) for expenses, simplified approvals, a Deltek personal virtual assistant and much more.

In the latest release, Vantagepoint 4.0, the focus is on business insight and business process improvement with advanced business intelligence, improved project status visibility and digital mark up for draft invoices.

"We are excited about bringing this new release of Vantagepoint to the market," said Bret Tushaus, Vice President of Product Management at Deltek. "From expanded analytics with our Vantagepoint Intelligence module, to more intelligent banking processes due to ICR matching on credit card charges, to smarter mobile apps – Vantagepoint 4.0 is designed to empower every user."

"Dashboards are my favorite part of Vantagepoint," said Colleen Frolich, Manager of Information Systems at McCormick Taylor – a full service civil engineering firm that uses Deltek Vantagepoint. "We can use them to control what type of information is delivered to help project managers focus on the information important to them – and the dashboard filters make it even easier."

Vantagepoint user Jacqui Smith, ERP Operations Manager at A&E firm Galloway & Company, Inc. added, "We are very excited about the digital markup for draft invoices. The addition of digital markups and annotations will significantly improve coordination between our billers and project managers, improving the overall flow of our invoicing process."

In March 2021, Vantagepoint received three of the highest product designations from G2 in its Spring Reports – Leader, Mid-Market Leader and Momentum Leader – as well as the Users Love Us badge. G2 is a trusted buyer discovery platform that publishes reviews on software and services. Companies like Deltek are reviewed by users, covering everything from setup and ease of use to security and support.

To find out more about Deltek Vantagepoint visit Deltek.com or subscribe to a blog here.

About Deltek
Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management, and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com.

Deltek Contact
Lauran Cacciatori
VP, Strategic Communications
LauranCacciatori@Deltek.com

Related Links :

http://www.deltek.com

Android, Mobile, News

vivo Unveils the V21 Series – For a More Discerning Selfie

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Have you ever thought; “hmmm, my selfie camera is not powerful enough; I cannot get a good self portrait and therefore my social media is incomplete”? What vivo launched in Malaysia last night might be your answer to great looking selfies with superb details. They launched the new V21 series smartphone.

The new vivo V21 series packs a very powerful camera system. Out the back is a powerful 64-Megapixel main camera that is flanked by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-Megapixel Macro shooter. The highlight though is the 44-Megapixel front-facing camera that you can find on above the display in small notch.

The 44-megapixel camera also comes with its own Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) combined with Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) technology to produce selfies like you’ve never seen on a smartphone before. There is also AI Night Portrait mode to ensure that your photos look detailed and noiseless even in low-light conditions combined with f/2.0 aperture for even more light to be captured. If there is still not enough light around you, there are the Dual Selfie Spotlight to light your face combined with the screen’s soft light feature.

Source: vivo

The high-resolution cameras also means that both the front and the back cameras of the vivo V21 can shoot videos at 4K resolution. That also means you can rely on the front camera to even do your own vlogs with the vivo V21. Either that or shoot great looking TikTok videos or Instagram Reels.

You need some power to get smooth 4K video recording experience though. Some power is also needed to keep both the front and back cameras happy and shooting quickly. That power is found in the form of a powerhouse that is the MediaTek Dimensity 800U (Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G for V21e) System on a Chip (SoC). The powerful processor is supported by an 8GB RAM for all kinds of multitasking needs and 128GB of storage to ensure all your photos has somewhere to go.

Source: vivo

Viewing your photos before you post them are very important too. That is why vivo has fitted the V21 with a 6.44-inch AMOLED display. The display boasts Full HD in resolution with 90Hz refresh rate to give you that really smooth feel while scrolling through the interface. 90Hz is great for gaming too, of course.

To keep the device running all day is a 4,000mAh battery kept within the slim and svelte 7.29mm (7.39mm for V21e) glass and aluminium body. It even charges at 33W too, in case you need a quick charge before you leave home or the office. The 33W FlashCharge technology is of course delivered via the USB Type-C port of the device.

  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo
  • Source: vivo

The vivo V21 series is now available for pre-order (until 4th may 2021) via vivo’s own E-Store, authorized dealers, vivo concept stores, and vivo flagship stores on Shopee and Lazada. The new selfie focused smartphone will be available in Dusk Blue and Sunset Dazzle (Roman Black and Diamond Flare for V21e). The vivo V21 will set you back MYR 1,399 and the V21e will set you back MYR 1,299. If you do pre-order a unit of the vivo V21 or the V21e, you are eligible for a 1-year extended warranty, 1-year screen crack protection, an MYR 50 instant rebate, and an exclusive gift that amounts to MYR 699 and MYR 599 in total value respectively. For more information on the vivo V21 series, you can head over to vivo’s website.

Computers, News

Work From Anywhere with the new Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable

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Work from home has become an undeniable fact given the current realities of the world we live in. Dell has been one of the companies that have been active innovating when it comes to creating solutions that they believe cater to the new niche that has been emerging. The latest device to make it into the Dell line up: the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.

The new Dell Latitude Detachable brings the tablet with detachable keyboard design to Dell’s professional line up. The new form factor brings more processing power with Intel’s latest generation vPro processors in a body that weighs less than 1kg.

The slim and light laptop packs a punch when it comes to features as well. The Dell Latitude Detachable comes with options such as a 5-megapixel, 1080p web cam with support for 30fps video and dual array microphones which should help with video calls. It also has options for mobile connectivity with support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon X20 LTE modem. If you need a more tactile experience, the Latitude comes with support for styli as well.

Of course, a Dell PC wouldn’t be complete without support for the many innovations that Dell has created to make their laptops one of the most stable and reliable. This includes Dell’s SafeBIOS and Dell’s remote support solutions. Companies looking to deploy the Latitude Detachable can deploy the laptop complete with their necessary software direct from the manufacturer.

When it comes to connectivity and graphics, the Latitude Detachable comes with the Intel IRIS Xe integrated graphics. On the connectivity side of things, it supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) in addition to the standard WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Bluetooth 5.1 and Thunderbolt 4 are also supported.

Pricing & Availability

The Dell Latitude Detachable will be available starting April 27, 2021 in the U.S. with prices starting at USD$1,549 (MYR6,354.54).

In Malaysia, the Dell Latitude Detachable will be available starting on April 27, 2021. The Latitude will be available with specifications starting with the Intel Core i5-1130G7 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD memory. Prices will start from MYR8,362.43.

PR Newswire

Ascensia Rolls Out The On@Pro Online Educational Platform for Healthcare Professionals in Collaboration With the Tumaini Institute

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BASEL, Switzerland, April 28, 2021 — Ascensia Diabetes Care, a leading global diabetes care company, has announced today that it has rolled out an online educational platform for continuous personal learning aimed at healthcare professionals working with people with diabetes. The On@Pro tool, which was originally piloted in September 2020, has been developed in partnership with the TUMAINI Institute in Germany, through a collaboration with Professor Peter Schwarz, a globally renowned diabetes expert.

Ascensia Diabetes Care has rolled out an online educational platform for continuous personal learning aimed at healthcare professionals working with people with diabetes
Ascensia Diabetes Care has rolled out an online educational platform for continuous personal learning aimed at healthcare professionals working with people with diabetes

On@Pro is currently available in 13 countries, including the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and the UAE), South Africa, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Singapore, China Hong Kong, the Philippines and Nepal, and there are plans to add additional markets over the course of 2021. It can be accessed via Android, Microsoft and iOS enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets and PCs, through a personal access code which can be obtained from Ascensia in countries where the tool is currently being offered. Access is free of charge to ensure access for as many healthcare professionals as possible.

The platform currently offers a total of 32 modules[1], all in English language, relating to various aspects of diabetes care and management. Each module includes a 3-4 minute introductory video, a set of educational slides and an assessment tool that enables the user to receive certification[2]. In certain markets, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and UAE, the tool has been accredited and completion of modules can lead to CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits.

Rob Schumm, President at Ascensia Diabetes Care commented: "Through our conversations with healthcare professionals, we became aware of a strong desire for a more comprehensive education platform in diabetes. As part of our ongoing commitment to the diabetes community, one of our priorities is to provide free educational resources to healthcare professionals that can build a greater understanding of diabetes and its management. We believe this will equip HCPs, including GPs, nurses and pharmacists, with the knowledge needed to advise and support people to more effectively self-manage their condition. The On@Pro platform is easily accessible and offers bite-size modules for effective and efficient continuous learning. Alongside On@Pro, we have developed other educational initiatives such as the EMEA Nurse Symposium and virtual courses for pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders in North America. We believe that widespread education can empower healthcare professionals to help improve and simplify the lives of people living with diabetes."

"We wanted to provide an attractive and unique educational portal covering the different aspects of diabetes care relevant to healthcare professionals via a state-of-the-art platform. This tool enables personal continuous medical education that results in a CME certificate for the successful completion of the education program," concluded Prof. Dr. med. habil. Peter Schwarz, at the TUMAINI Institute. 

The modules are split into basic, advanced and add-on modules, and each one takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The 18 basic modules cover topics relating to diabetes prevention, diabetes-related complications, diabetes in daily living and diabetes management, including nutrition and activity, self-monitoring of blood glucose, oral antidiabetic drugs, and insulin dosing. The nine advanced modules cover specific types of diabetes sub-groups or diabetes in specific scenarios – in pregnancy, in the elderly population, or in adolescents and children. They also look at accuracy in specific situations, such as low blood glucose ranges, gestational diabetes and among CGM and FGM users. Finally the four add-on modules cover e-health in diabetes, diabetes in Ramadan and blood glucose awareness training.

1. The content of the modules has been prepared by Prof. Peter Schwarz and the TUMAINI Institute and reflects their respective personal scientific views. Ascensia has no influence over the content of specific modules.
2. Certification granted by the University of Dresden and TUMAINI Institute, Germany.

 

Related Links :

https://www.ascensia.com

PR Newswire

D-Link Scores Two iF Design Awards for Product Design Excellence

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D-Link’s DCS-8635LH and DCS-8302LH cameras received the distinguished iF Design Award 2021

TAIPEI, April 28, 2021 — D-Link Corporation today announced that their DCS-8635LH 2K QHD Pan & Zoom Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera and DCS-8302LH Full HD Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera were winners of this year’s iF Design Award, the world-renowned design prize. D-Link’s DCS-8635LH is an IP65 weather resistant camera with 360-degree field of view in 1440P 2K QHD resolution.  Along with AI-based features such as person detection, vehicle detection, and auto-person detection, the DCS-8635LH provides the high-quality surveillance to protect the home. D-Link’s DCS-8302LH is also a weather resistant surveillance camera that allows users to easily monitor their home. Delivering Full HD resolution with 135 field-of-view and AI-based person detection, the DCS-8302LH is the intelligent solution for keeping the home safe.

"We are honored to be recognized with two prestigious iF Design Awards this year and for our smart home cameras to stand out among thousands of entries," expressed Mark Chen, President of D-Link. "This achievement gives us the confidence to continue creating products of outstanding design quality."

About the iF DESIGN AWARD

For 67 years, the iF DESIGN AWARD has been recognized as an arbiter of quality for exceptional design. The world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, organizes the iF Design Award. This year, a 98-member jury reviewed almost 10,000 entries submitted from 52 countries. Submissions are awarded in the following disciplines: Product, Packaging, Communication and Service Design, Architecture and Interior Architecture as well as Professional Concept, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI).

About D-Link

D-Link is a global leader in connecting people, businesses, and cities with our computer networking solutions and technology. Our innovative products and services meet the needs of digital home consumers, small to medium sized businesses, enterprise environments, and service providers. D-Link implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate capabilities in switching, wireless, broadband, IP surveillance, and cloud-based network management. An award-winning designer, developer, and manufacturer for over 30 years, D-Link has grown from a group of friends in Taiwan into a global brand with over 2,000 employees in 60 countries.

For more information, visit https://www.dlink.com/.

PR Newswire

Registration Now Open for FIRST, Institute of Food Technologists’ New Digital Experience

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CHICAGO, April 28, 2021 — Registration is now open for Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology (FIRST), a new digital experience powered by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). Programming and presentations will take place virtually from July 19-21, 2021 while the Solution Exchange will be offered from July 19-23, 2021.

Trained chef, television personality, and author Carla Hall will serve as host for the three-day event. Keynote speakers are Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Founder and CEO of Food Systems for the Future and Dr. Lisa Dyson, Founder & CEO of Air Protein. Claire Schlemme, Founder and CEO of Renewal Mill and winner of IFT’s inaugural IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge pitch event, will host this year’s IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge.

"As a science of food and innovation community, IFT is uniquely positioned to convene global experts, entrepreneurs, and solution providers to collectively discuss and ignite new and innovative ways to solve our greatest food-related challenges," said IFT CEO Christie-Tarantino Dean. "While we can’t be physically together, IFT is excited to launch FIRST and provide attendees with a personalized, solution-packed forum to solve problems, share knowledge, and expand strategic connections."

New this year, FIRST will feature a robust matchmaking program called FIRST Solution Exchange, which will offer customized supplier recommendations, curate one-on-one meetings, and feature interactive showrooms. Extending this experience will be Solution Suites, a comprehensive virtual marketplace where participants can peruse supplier showrooms to learn and engage with experts about the latest products and services.

Other key aspects of the digital experience include:

  • Curated Scientific Program: The scientific programming will focus on answering the question "Zero Hunger: Will we get there?" Sessions will feature the latest insights, research, and industry solutions aimed at addressing the global hunger crisis.
  • Supplier Showcase: Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends, access valuable business resources, and make strategic connections through interactive and on-demand presentations and showcases from suppliers, all designed to further career and business opportunities.
  • Startup Central: Innovative startup companies from around the globe will showcase their products and services as part of Startup Central. Startup programming and networking opportunities will also be offered for anyone interested in furthering their food science and business acumen and expanding their professional ecosystem.

To learn more and register, please visit iftevent.org.

About IFT
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 12,000 individual members from 95 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. Our organization works to ensure that our members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. We believe that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

 

Related Links :

http://www.ift.org

PR Newswire

Hisense Becomes Official Sponsor of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022(TM)

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ZURICH, April 27, 2021 — Hisense, the world-renowned technology company, has entered into a partnership with FIFA to become an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ which will create an exclusive connection between the tournament’s worldwide audience in unique and compelling ways.

Hisense Becomes Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022(TM)
Hisense Becomes Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022(TM)

By joining the roster of Commercial Affiliates for the upcoming tournament, Hisense will be involved in a programme that will range from on-site engagement opportunities to logo visibility across various platforms to global advertising campaigns. The collaboration, which began in 2017, in advance of the FIFA World Cup™ in Russia, also includes the opportunity for Hisense to present specially created, video-on-demand programming to its customers using past FIFA World Cup content, delivered through its integrated VIDAA smart TV platform.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Hisense on board as an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, and we are delighted to partner with this internationally respected brand, which also has a growing presence in the sports market," said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. "FIFA and Hisense are both focused on technology, innovation and giving people the best possible experience. I am confident that this collaboration will support the global objectives of both organisations and contribute to the success of what is sure to be an amazing event next year."

"Continued investment in world-class sporting events represents Hisense’s determination to become a global brand," said Jia Shaoqian, the CEO of Hisense Group. "It helps Hisense build stronger relationships with its global consumers and accelerates the company’s globalisation process. It also creates a solid foundation for Hisense to compete with the world’s most innovative and leading brands in order to also become a premier global brand."

According to research around the event, the sponsorship of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ boosted awareness of Hisense TV in China by 12% and globally by 6%, with strong performances in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Russia, Spain and Japan.

Hisense currently has more than 90,000 employees worldwide, together with 16 industrial parks and 16 research and development centres, which comprise a multinational collaborative research and development system. Its business includes multimedia, home appliances, IT intelligent information systems and the modern service industry, while its products have been exported to over 160 countries and regions. According to an independent research and consultancy firm, Hisense remains the world’s fourth-largest TV maker in terms of unit shipments (per 2020 figures).

The FIFA World Cup is a celebration for global football and an essential opportunity for brands to showcase innovative technological achievements and enhance fans’ viewing experience. Hisense drives innovation to provide multiple solutions for the increasingly diverse needs of consumers and to boost industry development.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will take place from 21 November until 18 December 2022. For more information on the event, visit FIFA.com.

Podcast

Tech & Tonic S02E09 – The Apple iPad Pro and the Problem with Android Tablets

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Pre-order your Acer Nitro 5 gaming notebook with AMD’s Ryzen 7 5800H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU from Acer from the 27th to 29th April 2021!

Show Notes:

Apple’s iPad Pro launched last week and to everyone’s surprise, comes with Apple’s highly acclaimed M1 chip. The Apple M1 processor is the same M1 processor you can find on the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. This also makes Apple’s iPad Pro one of the most powerful tablets in the world sporting iPadOS. The true potential of a computing class processor in a mobile device is still yet unknown. We are suspecting that Apple will reveal the benefits and unlock the iPad Pro’s ultimate potential in the times to come. 

This brings us to the issue that is the current state of Android tablets though. There were only two tablets that could technically compete alongside the iPad Pro in its previous form. The two tablets are from Samsung, in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, and HUAWEI in the form of the HUAWEI MatePad Pro. With the new generation iPad Pro with M1 chip though, those two tablets now look like regular tablets that compete with the regular iPad. So what is the problem with Android tablets? We discuss this on the new episode of Tech & Tonic.

iOS, Mobile, News

iOS 14.5 is Out Now! What’s New?

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The latest iOS is out now and it is the biggest iOS update since iOS 14 launched. If you do not know yet, iOS is the thing that allows you to work with your iPhone. The iOS 14.5, as they call it, comes with a whole slew of improvements that could improve your quality of life with your Apple devices.

Unlock You iPhone, Now You Do Not Need Your Face

Source: Apple

Unlocking your devices with your face is great. You only need to look at your device when you turn it on, and you are ready to go within 2 seconds of your display turning on. For the Apple iPhone X and newer, Face ID is a blessing because none of those devices come with a fingerprint sensor.  Face ID, in the world of modern Apple iPhones, is the only way for you to unlock your Apple iPhone. Obviously that is a problem when you are wearing a mask in this time of pandemic.

Not anymore though. With iOS 14.5 paired to an Apple Watch with WatchOS 7.4, your iPhone can now be unlocked without you even looking into your iPhone. That also means you do not need to take off your mask in the public to unlock your device. Then again, you could just enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone. Using the Apple Watch to unlock is much faster and more elegant way to do it though. You can even require your Apple Watch to be on your wrist for your iPhone to instantly unlock, if you like.

Siri’s New Voices

Source: Apple

Siri has a signature voice. That default voice is recognized and loved by many, especially Apple iPhone users. But what if you are one of those that gets annoyed whenever Siri talks to you in its default voice. iOS 14.5 introduces new voices for Siri.

Users now can choose between up to four voices when they first set up their iOS 14.5 device in English. That way, you can choose the Siri that annoys you the least, or the one you like best. That way also your Siri is more “you”.

Siri also now supports Group FaceTime. That means you can ask Siri to initiate FaceTime with a few people at one go, or initiate a FaceTime call with a certain group you have in Messages. When you are using your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones Siri will announce incoming messages to you via your headphones. Siri also supports calling emergency contacts now in conditions where you cannot make calls or in emergency situations.

More Private

Source: Apple

There are also more controls over your privacy with iOS 14.5. App Tracking Transparency requires apps to obtain user’s permissions over different tracking requirements for the apps before any tracking is done. It also asks for user’s permission before sharing data across to data brokers or advertisers. You can change the tracking behavior of each app too in Settings.

More Emoji

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

What is an iPhone without its funky emoji? Apple’s commitment to diversification and inclusiveness adds new emoji to iOS 14.5. iOS 14.5 now introduces new couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji with different skin tones. There are several new emoji as well including a woman with beard emoji.

Improve Apple Maps with Your Friends and Other Users

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

Apple Maps can be made better with user inputs now too. Users can now report incidents on the road quickly and safely. Users can just tell Siri that there is an accident up ahead or even reporting a pothole coming up. Apple Maps could even show if the incident has been cleared up. Of course, if you are a passenger, you can quickly report an incident by hitting the “Report an Issue” button in the app. You can also share your ETA when walking or cycling to let others know their arrival time. Users with Apple CarPlay can also access that function via Siri. Unfortunately, the “Report an Issue” function is now only available for Apple Maps users in US and China only.

And Plenty More

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

Apple Podcast on iOS 14.5 gets a redesign. The redesign allows for more intuitive navigation and even quicker access to your favourite podcasts on the app. You can now save and download episodes just in case you want to listen to your favourite podcasts when you travel. The downloaded podcast will be available in your Library for quicker access.

AirTag is also now supported on iOS 14.5. AirTags was just launched a week ago and it is one of the most convenient ways to keep track of your things, or your child if you want to. AirTags will help you find things like your keys, so it saves you a lot of time when you misplace it, or when it drops somewhere.

Apple News also gets a redesign. The News+ tab is redesigned for users to find, download, and manage magazine or newspaper issues. They have also redesigned Search for more relevant search experiences.

On iOS 14.5, users can also stream audio and video to AirPlay 2 enabled hardware with Apple Fitness+. You can now cast your fitness routine and guides to supported TVs instead of viewing them from the small display that is your iPhone. You can get loud and clear instructions via a wireless speaker rather than struggling with the speakers from the iPhone.

iOS 14.5 also include Dual SIM support for 5G connectivity. The new interface also improves data consumption to allow for a better and more efficient use of your monthly data quota. That is not all though, Smart Data Mode improves battery life and is supposed to allow for more stable data experience.

Android, iOS, Mobile, News, Social Media

Spotify Miniplayer Brings Audio Discovery to Facebook together with Price Hikes

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Looks like Spotify and Facebook are playing extra nice with the launch of a new feature which brings even more integration of the music platform to the Facebook app. Come across a song that’s caught your ear on Facebook? The new miniplayer feature will allow you to simply press play to get the beat going as you continue to browse your timeline. The new miniplayer feature will allow you to play music from videos with licensed music as well as other content on your Newsfeed.

The new Spotify feature on Facebook will require users to connect the apps. Upon connecting the apps, users will be able to play songs they come across on their Facebook Newsfeed as they browse. As always, the feature will be available to Spotify Premium users with full access in the miniplayer. Free users, however, will be able to access the feature with shuffle mode and ads from Spotify.

Spotify Miniplayer Video

The new feature is available in select countries including Malaysia, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay, and the U.S. The feature will continue to make its way to other markets soon.

New Features, Higher Prices

In addition to the new feature, it seems like Spotify is also revising its pricing. The music streaming platform seems to be rolling out pricing changes to a number of regions including the U.K. and Europe which have seen the price revisions officially announced through email notifications. The revised prices go into effect starting April 30, 2021. Existing users will have a month’s grace period to decide whether they will be continuing with the service.

Photo by Heidi Fin on Unsplash

Spotify users in Europe will be paying €5.99 (MYR29.62) for the student plan and €12.99 (MYR64.23) for the Duo plan; a €1 (MYR4.94) increase from the initial price. The family plan sees a €3 (MYR14.83) increase to €17.99 (MYR88.95). In the U.K., the price revisions are £5.99 (MYR34.07) for Student, £13.99 (MYR79.56) for Duo and £16.99 (MYR96.63) for family – an increase of £1 (MYR5.69) for the student and duo plans and a £2 (MYR11.38) increase for the family plan.

The price increase is expected to affect countries in Asia and South America as well. No indication of when though.