The film making industry is bigger now than ever. It is also now more accessible than ever as independent filmmakers are starting to make their marks on social media and eventually the bigger screens. Camera technology has gotten so good these days that we never really stopped to think; what if a manufacturer like Sony, Canon, or even Arri could make the perfect cinema camera in a package no larger than their current line-up of cinema cameras.
The idea is not that far fetched if you think about it. Cameras are getting more powerful as technology progresses. At the same time, sizes of cameras continue to shrink. Stabilisation technologies are also constantly improving by leaps and bounds. A cinema camera that can do everything including proper stabilisation in a package is a dream.
Source: DJI
That dream is just about realised by DJI though. They released something called the Ronin 4D. No, it is not 4D camera. It is not a 3D camera as well. It is a normal camera. In fact, it packs DJI’s very own ZenMuse X9 Full-Frame camera that shoots at up to 8K resolution into Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW. Of course, the ZenMuse X9 also features DJI’s own DL mount interchangeable lens system.
As mentioned, the DJI Ronin 4D’s ZenMuse X9 camera system is mounted on a gimbal that is built into the cinema camera body as well. While most electronic gimbal system stops at 3-axis, the DJI Ronin 4D adds a fourth Z-axis that eliminates just about any shake you can introduce to your camera. You can run, walk, stumble around with the DJI Ronin 4D and it will look like you are shooting with a dolly. Mind you, you are shooting everything free handed. With the right tools as well, you are the one pulling focus on your, and even controlling the camera angles.
Source: DJI
Focus pulling with cinema cameras can be a pain in different situations. When you change lenses, you need to re-calibrate your focus pulling settings and test it out again and again in a set. Autofocus helps with a lot of the focus pulling problems you might have, but you do not have control over it. On the DJI Ronin 4D, it is as simple as turning a knob that connects to either your DJI Ronin 4D or a remote viewer/controller.
In a lot of times as well, focus pulling is a lot of guess work. Not on the DJI Ronin 4D though. Thanks to LiDAR technology, you can visualise your subject in a 3D space, understand where your subjects are within range, and just pull the focus on your desired object at the right distance every time. You do not need multiple shots of a single take just because you messed up your focus pulling.
Speaking of remote controls, the DJI Ronin 4D employs their drone know how in extending the Full HD feed range on a 7-inch monitor and reduce its latency to the point it is negligible and you can pull focus from anywhere within 6KM of the camera. You can monitor your shoots remotely with your camera moving around you too. If you need to, the remote monitor supports a MicroSD card input for proxy footage recording.
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
You can record your films in three different types of storage. Out of the three (USB SSD, CFExpress Type-B, DJI PROSSD 1TB) of course DJI’s own native solution might work best. But for those who are already running on one or the other storage solutions, you are in luck. At the same time, there is a 2-channel 24-bit audio mic that is built-in directly into the camera body. It also packs a 3.5mm jack and two XLR ports for audio input and output options. Of course, it is all powered by a DJI proprietary TB50 battery that is supposed to last up to 2.5 hours in continuous shoot time.
It sounds like a perfect filmmaker’s tool, and it is, in theory. It packs everything that a filmmaker want in a compact cinema camera. It does come with a price though. If you are opting for a 6K version of the DJI Ronin 4D, you will have to fork out US$ 7,199 (MYR 29,965*). You get the main body attached to a ZenMuse X9-6K camera and its gimbal, a LiDAR range finder, main monitor, hand grips, a top handle, and the TB50 battery within a DJI carrying case. For US$ 3,300 (MYR 13,736*) more though, you get a ZenMuse X9-8K, and an extra PROSSD 1TB. The 4D Video Transmitter, the High-Bright Remote Monitor and PROSSD 1TB can be bought separately. More information on the DJI Ronin 4D is available on their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 21/10/2021
Samsung’s Bespoke brand was initially announced earlier this year for customised home appliances that blended in your decor. It looks like Samsung’s Bespoke branding is now making it to its mobile devices. The first to get it? The Galaxy Z Flip3! Yep – Samsung’s compact foldable just got a little bit more interesting with a level of personalization we’ve never seen in Samsung smartphones before.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is already one of the more interesting devices available in the market right now. In fact, it’s also one with the widest range of colours available at launch. However, Samsung is also looking to make it one of the most personable devices with a selection of 49 possible colour combinations with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. It also lines up perfectly with the company’s initial push to make the Flip3 a smartphone for self-expression.
Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from a selection of five available colours for the panels of their Flip3: Blue, Yellow, Pink, White and Black. In addition, you will also be able to choose your frame colour from the available Silver and Black. You will be able to choose colours for your front and back colours independently allowing you to mix and match the colours as you like.
Source: Samsung
Customization and personalization don’t end there. Samsung is also introducing the Samsung Bespoke Upgrade Care. The new care plan allows Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition users to change their smartphone colours to match their style over the course of a year. That said, the plan does not allow you to change your frame colour – for obvious reasons. There is also an additional charge for changing colours.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Edition
In addition to the Flip3, the Galaxy Watch4 is also getting a Bespoke edition. Similar to the Flip3, you will be able to customise your Galaxy Watch4 in more ways than ever before. Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from multiple watch bodies, watch faces and straps. You will also get access to some unique, limited edition straps that will be exclusively available on the Bespoke Studio.
Availability
The Bespoke Editions of the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4 will be available exclusively via Samsung.com. It will be available in Korea, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Australia starting October 20th.
BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2021 — A news report by China.org.cn on how science helps karst-based Shuicheng district inChina’sGuizhou province to harness advantages and characteristics in order to reduce poverty and achieve rural vitalization.
 
Shuicheng district locates in Guizhou province’s Liupanshui city. It is a typically karst region and has historically suffered from high levels of poverty. In 2012, the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (WBGCAS) harnessed its humid subtropical climate and fertile soil resources to grow red kiwifruit and develop the local fruit industry. This initiative went on to transform the lives of poor households in the area. In fact, development of the local red kiwifruit industry has helped to drastically reduce poverty rate in Shuicheng, which fell from 28.86 percent in 2014 to 1.15 percent in 2020. The WBGCAS staff provided practical support and conducted professional training for local farmers, which has improved the industrial level of planting, and significantly increased yields and profits.
Shuicheng’s science-driven poverty alleviation model is bolstered by its rural resource transformation, a process that optimized the use of resources and funds and transformed the local farmers into company shareholders. Zhang Rongquan, who works as a senior agronomist of the Management Committee of the Eastern Agricultural Industrial Park in Shuicheng, commented on this achievement: "This rural resource transformation strategy originated in the Miluo Township of Shuicheng. It was first implemented at Miluo’s local red kiwifruit industrial base. The reform strategy was initiated by the local government in an effort to increase the incomes of villagers. This was achieved by making the best use of land resources, helping locals enhance their social capital and creating jobs for the unemployed in rural areas."
Yan Tingyin is one of the many villagers who have benefited from the development of the red kiwifruit industry. He told a china.org.cn reporter, "Our industry has achieved more output with the help of the CAS, and we’re earning more and leading a better life. I hope that when I can finally plant kiwifruit in my hometown, my kids will have a better education and achieve good grades. We need to strengthen our kiwifruit sector. We have all agreed that our kiwifruit industry is lucrative."
China succeeded in eradicating absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in 2020, and the country is now more committed than ever to realizing its rural vitalization agenda. Many people believe that rural industrial development can build a bridge between poverty alleviation and rural vitalization. Zhong Caihong, who works as director of the research team on kiwifruit resources and breeding at the WBGCAS, is one of them. Since 2012, Zhong and her team have been conducting a field study in Shuicheng, which has helped to draw up a plan for developing a sustainable kiwifruit industry. "After much discussion and analysis, our research team soon realized that this area was crying out for experts to come up with a concrete solution [to rural underdevelopment and poverty]. In areas with suitable conditions for kiwifruit cultivation, we helped farmers lay out a plan for the establishment of an agricultural industrial park, and provided detailed training and on-site direction. We have since introduced a new variety of red kiwifruit called Donghong, which has CAS patent coverage," Zhong said.
"We have increased fruit varieties, grown more resilient fruit, and trained a number of farmers and local technicians who mainly came from municipal and county-level agriculture bureaus. A big part of our work is training staff from local enterprises. In recent years, we have established demonstration and pilot zones to train villagers, which has helped realize human resources development," Zhong added.
The introduction of new varieties and provision of training have resulted in positive outcomes. Such achievements were echoed by Chen Meiyan, a researcher from WBGCAS, who commented, "Many people have benefited from the kiwifruit industry. In order to benefit more villagers, we aim to expand planting areas. We now intend to increase our planting altitude by another 300 meters and introduce new fruit varieties. This will allow more locals to benefit [from rural development and vitalization]. Our next step is to help reduce labor production costs by experimenting with some new cultivation models. Our goal is to achieve high-quality growth across the entire industry and bring our industrial benefits to a new level."
However, the path to rural vitalization is not that easy. To combat challenges along the way, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has been continuously providing Shuicheng with scientific and practical assistance. In the phase of development, the WBGCAS plans to enhance locals’ planting skills by rolling out more universal training and building more demonstration sites.
Zhong Caihong believes that it is crucial for villagers to see and benefit from the positive outcomes of these demonstration sites. "Rural vitalization is, in its essence, industrial revitalization. Recent successes show that local prosperity can be achieved through renovating villages and improving rural infrastructure," she said.
"The seed industry is the agricultural lifeline of our country. We, as scientific and technological workers, must first succeed in developing the seed industry. We also need to do a good job of research in the industry to help with the creation and cultivation of new varieties. I also hope to train a large number of young people [in the future]. I am really happy to see that many graduate students have started to work for our kiwifruit industry in recent years. I am very happy to see young people join in and help invigorate the industry,” Zhong smiled as she recalled.
Shuicheng’s science-driven resource transformation model prompts rural development revolution
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 — Leading EV and autonomous vehicle cybersecurity provider AUTOCRYPT, announced today that for the second year running, it has been named "Automotive Cybersecurity Company of the Year" in the 2021 AutoTech Breakthrough Awards, making it the only company to have won this title to date. Run by the Tech Breakthrough group, AutoTech Breakthrough is a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global automotive and transportation technology markets today.
AUTOCRYPT is the only automotive cybersecurity provider in the world that offers a complete security package for the entire mobility ecosystem. From securing in-vehicle systems and V2X communications to EV charging and fleet management, AUTOCRYPT provides a custom-built end-to-end solution for each client looking to integrate cybersecurity with functional safety, eliminating the complexity of searching for different providers. With branches and subsidiaries in Asia, North America, and Europe, AUTOCRYPT works closely with its clients based on regional needs.
"We are thrilled to be recognized by AutoTech Breakthrough for this award again this year. This back-to-back recognition is a strong indication that we have done things right, yet also encourages us to continue refining our products and solutions to exceed customer expectations," said Daniel ES Kim, AUTOCRYPT’s Co-Founder and CEO. "With the industry’s most capable R&D professionals holding decades of experience in IT and vehicular cybersecurity prior to our spinoff, we truly understand the challenges of OEMs and infrastructure developers and aim to tackle them at the individual level."
This year’s AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program attracted more than 1,400 nominations from over 15 different countries across the globe, with categories including Connected Car, Electric Vehicles, Engine Tech, Automotive Cybersecurity, Sensor Technology, Traffic Tech, and many more.
"As Plug&Charge (PnC) rolls out for EVs, simply plugging the car into the charging station involves the exchange of payment, driver, and vehicle information, making cybersecurity essential. AUTOCRYPT’s dedication to cybersecurity has allowed it to not only overcome today’s challenges but to shape the future of mobility with all industry partners by breaking through technical and regulatory barriers," said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. "Congratulations to AUTOCRYPT, once again this year, for being our choice for ‘Automotive Cybersecurity Company of the Year.’"
Having opened its German office in Munich earlier this year, AUTOCRYPT is now working closely with European OEMs on in-vehicle and V2X security solutions. To find out more about AUTOCRYPT’s comprehensive mobility security solutions, contact global@autocrypt.io.
About AUTOCRYPT
AUTOCRYPT is the leading player in automotive and smart mobility security technologies, paving the way for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and autonomous driving through a multi-layered, holistic approach. Through security solutions for V2X, V2G (including PnC security), in-vehicle security, and fleet management systems, AUTOCRYPT ensures that security is prioritized and optimized before vehicles hit the road.
The Google Pixel series has always been a much-loved series of devices. Google’s decision to move out of the flagship hardware space and into the mid-range segment was met with a lot of glee. Not because it was a funny decision, it was a decision that gave a lot of people access to what Google deems as the standard for their smartphones.
In the four iteration of the Google Pixel smartphone range, Google has always been relying on Qualcomm to supply their processing chips. While Google may not be able to complain much in terms of power, there are a few things that even today’s most powerful System on a Chip cannot solve. Google understands that and wants to solve that with their Pixel series. It starts with the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with what Google calls the Google Tensor System on a Chip (SoC).
We will talk about the Google Tensor chip as more information on it becomes more available, we promise. For now, we do want to focus more on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices. They are what you are here for, correct?
Still, if you must ask, Google Tensor is something that Google had been working on for a few years. It is nothing like the Qualcomm Snapdragons or Samsung Exynos chips that we have seen in other smartphones. It is specifically made for Google, with Google’s input, in solving real world problems that Google sees fit – linguistic programming.
Android 12
Source: Google
Of course, we have to start with Google’s latest and greatest in terms of operating system. We are not going to elaborate too much on Android 12 though because we have covered it before, and you can read all about it here. Google’s Android 12 is very much built for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and you can tell. Material You on the Pixel 6 devices are meant to look natural and has even more functions than your average Android 12 devices. For security, the Pixel 6 series will pack Google’s own developed Titan M2 chip for best-in-class hardware level security. That also allows google to support the device for up to five years.
New Bigger, Better Camera
Source: Google
One of the biggest improvements on the Google Pixel though is in its camera. Where others have been struggling to find new ways to innovate, Google found a different path. Instead of piling on more Megapixel and more hardware power on the issue of photography, Google uses their know how of machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve the complex problems that comes with photography.
That said, it is not like Google did not improve the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sensors. They now get a 50-Megapixel sensor that measures in at 1/1.3-inch. Its larger size also means that it can absorb 150% more light than before. Certain things just cannot be solved with software alone, and this is one of them; it simply is just a physics problem. More light also means that the photos you get comes with more detail and better colours.
Where the Pixel 6 stops at a 12-Megapixel Ultrawide camera, the Pixel 6 Pro comes with an additional 48-Megapixel telephoto camera. Both devices shoot videos at 4K 60fps of course. The Pixel 6 Pro sports an 11.1-Megapixel front camera that is also capable of shooting videos at 4K 30fps though.
Again, Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s camera improvements are more than just a hardware update. Thanks to Tensor, the camera on the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is in a class of its own. One of the updates comes in the form of an improved Super Res Zoom that allows you to get up to a 20x zoom photo with little loss to detail, even if it is captured by using a 4x zoom lens.
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Then there is Magic Eraser. It is exactly what it sounds like, an eraser for your photos, and it is magic. You no longer need to go to a single site, take a lot of photos, load those photos on to Adobe Photoshop and combine them to create a photo with no human subjects, or to erase a certain object in the photo. Instead, you simply take a photo with your Google Pixel, tap on the subjects you do not want in your photo, and voila. The only other device that is known to do that is HUAWEI’s Mate 40 series. This is possible though, thanks to Tensor.
There is also a Motion Mode for more artistic Action Pan and Long Exposure photos, but without the hassle, hardware, or even skill. You simply take a photo of your subject, be it a fast-moving car, bicycle, or even your friend against a busy street or train station. The camera app cleverly understands your environment and subject, and then creates a stylish blurred background to simulate motion which adds an artistic flair to your photos, all without needing any extra gear or time.
The most important improvement in the Google Pixel camera though is in its Real Tone. The improvement in the colour science in smartphones comes a long way. That also means that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can reproduce much better and more accurate skin tones, especially with coloured skins. Thanks to Machine Learning as well, the improvements of recognising various skin tones also spreads to Google Photos.
Language Barrier? Not a Problem
Source: Google
Of course, Google has not forgotten that the smartphone is mainly a communication tool. The smartphone started its life as a regular mobile phone device that is used to make calls remotely and untethered. It was a revolutionary tool that brough people closer together, without being physically close. The next step is to bridge the gap between people of different cultures and languages.
The Google Pixel 6 series’s Live Translate now encompasses everything within the smartphone. It now allows you to text in different languages without even knowing the language. For example, you could type your message on your chat apps like WhatsApp in English and have it translated to Japanese, or Italian, or French, or even German. You do not even need to jump between Google Translate app and your messaging app just to figure out the right word. All of this is done on-site too, so you are not even relying on your network data, nothing leaves your device in all these processing.
In situations where conversing with someone is key and is of the essence, the Pixel 6 series is really your best friend. The device has something called an interpreter mode and you just need to activate Google’s Assistant and say, “Be my interpreter”. It allows you to converse in up to 48 languages without knowing the language. The next time you travel, you know what to do.
Its speech recognition goes beyond that though. The Google Pixel 6 device now understands that when you say ‘send’, or ‘clear’, or ‘accept’, or ‘decline’, you are referring to commands rather than words. In that sense, you do not have to say, “Hey Google,” whenever you want to pick up your smartphone. Your message does not have to say, “Hey, shall we arrange for a night out? Clear,” or “Are you coming home for dinner? Send”. You can even ‘stop’ and ‘snooze’ your alarms without even touching your device.
Annoying Answering Machine? Not a Problem Too, just Direct My Call
Source: Google
Google’s transcribing algorithm is also now implemented throughout the Pixel 6 device. They call it Direct My Call and that allows you to make calls to businesses and not feel the pain of interacting with the answering machine the regular way. Instead, Google Assistant now transcribes your call and displays your options in real-time on your screen for you to see. You can even select your next steps on your screen instead of pressing a number on your keypad.
Nothing is more annoying than having to wait endlessly for your call to get through when you need to speak to a representative though. That is when Wait Times and Direct My Call cleverly tells you the expected waiting time for when you make calls at each hour. Wait Times also allows you to see that particular data for the rest of the week, just so that you can plan your time better when you need to make the calls to the business line. The only downside is that all these technologies is only available in the United States (U.S.) and in English for now.
Prices and Availability
The new Google Pixel 6 series starts its pre-orders today in the U.S. and wills start at US$ 599 (MYR 2,490*). The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$ 899 (MYR 3,737*) but it will come with an extra camera sensor, a larger display, bigger RAM, and more storage. Google is expecting the first devices to hit the shelves in the U.S. on the 28th of October 2021.
You can also get the Google Pixel 6 with Pixel Pass. For US$ 45 (MYR 187*) a month, you get a Google Pixel 6 and subscriptions to Google One, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and Google Play Pass and Preferred Care. The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$55 (MYR 229*) a month. Again, there are no confirmation on whether the Google Pixel 6 series will ever make it to Malaysia. We are hopeful though, but not entirely optimistic about its official Malaysian presence.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 20, 2021 — Today, the 7th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF2021) is opened in Dubai. In the agenda of the first day, Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei’s Optical Product Line, delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out that in addition to benefits in energy saving and rate improvement, all-optical target networks also accelerate the digital transformation of various industries, bring premium service experience, and generate higher business values.
Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei Optical Product Line, delivering a keynote speech
Global operators continuously increase investment in optical fibers, improve broadband quality, and develop services such as FTTR and OTN premium private lines to increase the revenue from fixed networks. As a fundamental element of green and smart cities, all-optical target networks have gradually become an industry consensus.
However, in the process of building all-optical target networks for smart cities, operators still face difficulties such as high costs, slow service provisioning, and difficult management in FTTH ODN construction. In addition, device deployment, network evolution, and new service development also represent pressing concerns.
Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei’s Optical Product Line, said: “To solve these problems, Huawei has released the DQ ODN and Edge OTN series products. These products have been designed to help operators quickly build all-optical target networks that are visible and manageable from end to end, greatly reduce operator O&M costs, and provide a high-speed entrance to the digital world for various industries and households. They can help operators expand the enterprise market, improve home broadband experience, reduce costs, and increase revenue.
DQ ODN is a solution that implements plug-and-play, scanning for resource visualization, and one-click O&M through pre-connection, intelligent image recognition, and optical iris technologies. With this solution, operators can quickly build an all-optical target network that is visible and manageable from end to end. Specifically, the solution has the following features:
The pre-connection technology with low insertion loss is used to adapt to multiple outdoor and indoor network solutions. It supports all-scenario network construction without splicing, greatly reducing the ODN construction difficulty, improving the construction efficiency by 70%, reducing the TTM by 30%, and reducing the TCO by 15%.
Intelligent image recognition and the industry’s first optical iris technology are used to automatically identify key feature changes of optical signals after they pass through ODN links, and perform big data modeling and analysis on the network management platform. In this way, the ODN link topology and resources can be accurately managed in a visualized manner, and the long-term resource accuracy can reach 100%. In addition, this solution can work with Huawei’s service provisioning and fault locating platform to implement fast service provisioning and accurate fault locating, greatly reducing O&M costs for operators.
Edge OTN is a full-scenario and full-service integrated bearer platform. It supports indoor and outdoor cabinets and OLT/BBU co-cabinet deployment, adapts to installation in all cabinets, and meets the requirements of high-speed energy-saving transmission at integrated access sites.
Blade-OXC based on LCoS optical switching enhancement supports one slot for one optical direction, reducing space usage by 75%. The products are compact and flexible, and can be deployed in various scenarios.
Thanks to the silicon photonics technology, the size and power consumption are reduced by more than 60%. In addition, the capacity is increased by five times.
The Liquid OTN technology is used to support OSU slicing, 2M to 100G service access, on-demand hitless bandwidth adjustment, and ultra-low latency, providing premium connections for various industries.
Highly integrated edge OTN devices can be easily co-sited with OLTs, extending premium optical connections to each organization. Large enterprises can use the OTN P2P private line solution to achieve premium E2E connections. For a large number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Huawei launches the innovative OTN P2MP solution to help them quickly improve connection quality. The solution also helps operators expand the private line market space.
In his speech, Bill Wang also said that all-optical networks can be further applied to industries to promote digital transformation and build a secure, efficient, and experience-guaranteed all-optical base for smart cities. Optical fibers can be extended to factories and machines. All-optical networks can provide premium connections with anti-interference, high bandwidth, and low latency. When used in hospitals, optical networks can ensure massive data transmission to support telemedicine.
Finally, Bill Wang said that all-optical networks are the main contributor to the growth of home broadband and enterprise service revenue. All-optical networks will further enrich our life and work and promote digital transformation. Ubiquitous optical connections will bring infinite possibilities.
Acer is big on Chromebooks, if you have not yet realised. They have one of the most complete line-ups of Chromebooks that are available for your money. With the most recent launch, they could very well be offering the most complete Chromebook line-ups you can find in the market today.
Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
The new Chromebook Spin 514 is a 14-incher that is also a touch sensitive display. The touch sensitive display can also be tilted all the way to the back for some convertible action. It is only a Full HD panel though, so do not get ahead of yourself too much.
You still get a powerful 11th generation Intel Core i7 with the Chromebook Spin 514, which is actually a lot more power than you actually need to run a Chromebook. At the same time there is an Enterprise variant for this notebook, so a powerful CPU should not be a surprise. Oddly enough though, they designed the Chromebook Spin 514 without a fan, so the Intel Core i7 might have been tuned down anyway to keep thermals at an optimum.
Still, you are getting quite a powerful workhorse here. You have two speakers that faces upward for crisp and clear DTS Audio quality sound. For the best-in-class voice call experiences, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 comes with two microphones as well. At the same time, the MIL-STD 810H certified construction will ensure that your Chromebook will work in any conditions and after it takes on some abuse.
Acer Chromebook 515
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
If a large display is what you need in a Chromebook, then there is Acer’s Chromebook 515 that comes with a 15.6-inch IPS display. The 15-incher comes with a Full HD panel that should be ideal in most working requirements.
It also packs Intel’s latest 11th generation Core i7 processors complete with Iris Xe Graphics to boot. With up to 512GB in storage and 16GB of RAM, you should not be wanting more from your Chromebook. Considering, this is a high-end set-up for a Chromebook as well.
Of course, you also get DTS Audio for high-quality audio for your audio conferencing needs. It also packs two microphones to make your video conferencing experience the best it can be on a Chromebook. If you need some privacy, there is a webcam shutter.
Of course, the Chromebook 515 comes with MIL-STD 810H build standards. It is powerful and durable. A Corning Gorilla Glass on the touchpad should also ensure that the Chromebook outlasts any abuse you can throw at it.
Acer Chromebook 514
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
The Chromebook are never meant to be ultra-powerful notebooks to take on the likes of the gaming PCs or MacBook Pros in the market. Not yet anyway. But they are made to be some of the most reliable notebooks in the market that can run on nearly anything, even a MediaTek integrated chip.
The Acer Chromebook 514 runs exactly on that. Specifically, the Chromebook 514 runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 828 octa-core processor made for computing platforms. This one is for the content creators out there, apparently.
The integrated chip also means that the 14-incher offers a battery life of up to 15 hours on a single charge. The battery can be quickly charged up to 50% within just 40 minutes. Because there is so little in the way of components, it only weighs about 1.3kg and is just below 17mm thick.
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
If you need a device at home for your kids to start their school with, you can consider the budget friendly Acer Chromebook Spin 314. It is not just budget friendly though, it is also made partly with sustainable materials. It features an OceanGlass touchpad, a sort of glass surface type of material that is made up of recycled plastic you pick up from the ocean.
It features Intel’s latest generation processors. That also means that it is still powerful enough to work with when your kids need it most. The 14-inch Full HD IPS display allows your kids to have enough screen real estate to work with when it comes to their schoolwork, and even video conferencing. With 10-hours in battery life, your kids would not have any excuse for missing class too.
Pricing and Availability
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in the North American region starting January 2022. It will retail for US$ 699.99 (MYR 2,920*). In EMEA region the Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in October 2021 onward with prices from EUR€ 799 (MYR 3,880**). The Enterprise variant will be available for US$ 899.99 (MYR 3,754**) and EUR€ 1,049 (MYR 5,094**)in respective regions.
The Acer Chromebook 515 will be available in EMEA region starting in October 2021 onward. When it is available, it will set you back EUR€ 499 (MYR 2,423**). The Enterprise variant of the Chromebook 515 will be available in North American region in January 2022 with prices starting from US$ 649.99 (MYR 2,711*). It will also be available in EMEA in October with prices starting at EUR€ 799.
The Acer Chromebook 514 will be available in North American region in December 2021 onward. In EMEA region, the Acer Chromebook 514 will be available in October. Prices start at US$ 399.99 (MYR 1,668*) and EUR€ 399 (MYR 1,938**) respectively.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 convertible will be available in the North American region November 2021 onward. It will be available in EMEA region this month itself too. Prices start at US$ 499.99 (MYR 2,086*) and EUR€ 449 (MYR 2,181**) in respective regions.
There is no confirmation yet on when the new Chromebooks will be coming to Malaysia, there are no official pricing for the local market just yet too. For more information on Acer’s Chromebooks, you can access their website.
* Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = 4.17 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021
** Approximately based on exchange rate of EUR€ 1 = 4.86 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021
ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2021 — Disney+, a world-renowned streaming application, and VIDAA, a Linux-based smart TV operating system, announced that Disney+ will be coming soon to VIDAA Smart OS-powered Hisense and Toshiba smart televisions, with the latest firmware version.
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the new general entertainment content brand, Star. The service offers commercial-free streaming alongside an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. And through Star, it offers a robust catalog from 20th Century Studios, Disney Television Studios, FX, Searchlight Pictures, and more.
VIDAA Smart OS is a Linux-based open smart TV operating system. The independent company VIDAA USA was established in 2019, and it has – in just two years – become a strong global contender in the smart TV platform space. In 2020, VIDAA introduced a completely new and revamped user interface named 4.0, which puts users and their way of consuming content at the core of the design. As of May 2021, the most advanced version on the market is VIDAA U5, which saw further improvements in user experience by implementing Google Assistant capabilities, its own voice service, the new VIDAA remote control smartphone application, as well as advertising and billing services in select markets. For more information, visit www.vidaa.com and follow VIDAA on Facebook.com/vidaatv, Twitter, and Instagram at @vidaatv.
Hisense was founded in 1969 in Qingdao, China and for five decades has been committed to developing innovative consumer electronics products. Today, Hisense is the 3rd biggest TV brand worldwide and a market leader in China, South Africa and Australia and one of the largest manufacturers of white and brown goods, offering a complete home solution under one roof. The company has built 54 overseas companies. Hisense also has 20 R&D centers and 29 industrial parks worldwide with the sole aim of delivering first-rate and affordable products that improve the lives of consumers.
"Our cooperation with The Walt Disney Company is a major milestone for our organisation, "said Guy Edri, EVP of VIDAA USA. "Bringing Disney+ to the VIDAA platform globally is just the first step. We’re looking forward to working with Disney on ways to expand our collaboration and opportunities to bring their full suite of streaming services to our customers in the future. Today marks not only the launch of an amazing service on a state-of-the-art platform, but a start of a long-term relationship between two companies, each a leader in its industry."
The company continues to drive the future of at-line and in-line inspection solutions by unveiling a new model of MetraSCAN-R BLACK, a new edition of the software platform specifically designed for long-term support and a now fully customizable layout of the CUBE-R turnkey 3D scanning CMM to better serve the needs of QC in production.
LÉVIS, QC, Oct. 19, 2021 — Creaform, the worldwide leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and engineering services, announced today the latest additions to its R-Series lineup, including a new MetraSCAN-R BLACK | Elite HD with improved performance as well as a new edition of VXelements designed for long-term support (LTS). This state-of-the-art set of solutions also includes a new version of VXscan-R module specially made to accommodate custom automated 3D scanning cell layouts, while keeping the ease of use of its digital twin programming software.
Discover Creaform’s high speed and highly repeatable automated quality control solutions.
Speed and repeatability: MetraSCAN-R BLACK Ι Elite HD offers an optimized field of view for increased performance levels during challenging applications, such as 3D measurements on sheet metal parts.
Ideal for the automotive market: With its 69 laser lines and 3,000,000 measurements/s, this specialized 3D scanner is perfect for parts with many edges, trims, and boundaries.
Personalized solution: The intuitive VXscan-R software module makes it possible to include the custom features of your 3D scanning CMM (enclosure, robot base, turntable, etc.) for fast and easy programming.
Long-term support: Exclusive to the R-series products, the new VXelements LTS version extends the period of software maintenance while also increasing software robustness and dependability by limiting the number of new feature releases.
Operational simplicity: With its compatibility with major 3D metrology software, off-line programming, and seamless integration within any production workflow, the R-Series is accessible to all, regardless of the expertise or experience level.
"In the quest to gain efficiency, manufacturers require QC solutions that can adapt to their workflow and environment, while being easy to use. For better decision-making to get better quality parts, they also need fast and precise data," explains Jérôme-Alexandre Lavoie, Product Manager at Creaform. "With these latest innovations, there has never been a better time to easily move to automation."
About Creaform
Creaform develops, manufactures, and sells 3D portable and automated measurement technologies. The company offers innovative solutions for 3D scanning, reverse engineering, quality control, NDT, and product development. Its products cater to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer products, heavy industries, manufacturing, oil and gas, and power generation.
With headquarters and manufacturing operations in Lévis, Québec, Creaform operates innovation centers in Lévis, Grenoble, France, and Texas, with direct sales operations in Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Singapore. Creaform is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies, a division of AMETEK Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annualized sales of approximately $5.5 billion.
In the day and age where laptops are becoming a staple in the world of content creation and professional work requirements, there are two camps. On one camp is the one that supports the PC, on the other, the side that glorifies the MacBook Pro. There are a lot of obvious bonuses with the PC market before this. Get that, before this.
Apple introduced their Apple Silicon product, the M1 chip last year in 2020 and it broke the internet. Well, not really, but it did become a headline. It is Apple’s first step in stepping away from chip manufacturers like Intel, and obviously, AMD as well. The M1 chip in the MacBook line-up, especially the MacBook Pro was a popular choice though. Content creators that rely on their MacBook Pro with M1 chips swore by the performance of the chip on their tools. They managed to make the M1 chip equipped MacBook Pro even cheaper than what they could offer with and Intel badge.
The no brainer decision buys you into a platform that is still being tested though. It was an experimental platform at best with many developers still trying to adapt their apps to run natively on the M1 chip. You sometimes forget that the M1 chip architecture is so completely different compared to other processor’s construction that apps have to work with different command lines and codes to run natively on the M1 Chip.
A year on, and there are enough apps that runs on the M1 architecture. There are more apps being added in. There are also the new kids on the block, perfect timing.
Apple M1 Max/Pro
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Before we move on, this is a deeper coverage on the MacBook Pro devices. We will be separately talk about the new M1 chips in detail in the coming days.
The new chiplets are supposed to be bigger than the original M1 chip from last year though. That also means that the new chips pack more CPU and GPU cores. The M1 Max packs 10 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores. The M1 Pro packs the same 10 cores on its CPU end but only makes do with 16 cores in its GPU module.
The integrated architecture allows the M1 Max’s GPU and CPU to have direct access and enjoy 64GB of integrated RAM. The M1 Pro will only come with up to 32GB of integrated memory. All of these leads to a huge performance leap from the original M1 from 2020.
The Apple MacBook Pro
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
The Apple MacBook Pro is now available in two sizes, the 16-inch and 14-inch models. Both comes with either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max options of course. Both laptops feature a Full HD 1080p FaceTime HD camera. You also see the MagSafe 3 charging port making a comeback for magnetically attached chargers on a MacBook Pro. To be fair, it was one of the best features on a MacBook.
The MacBook Pro also packs an advanced six-speaker system with dual subwoofers for an audio experience on a laptop like no other. When people say Apple does not listen to its customers, the Apple MacBook Pro for the 2021 market proves them wrong. The annoying Touch Bar is now gone and replaced with tactile keys from a full-height magic keyboard that we are more used to.
Of course, there needs to be a lot of ports on what Apple calls a “pro notebook”. You have three Thunderbolt 4 pots on the Apple MacBook Pro. Two of them are USB Type-C ports. You also have one HDMI port on the MacBook Pro. That allows you to connect to up to four displays at a time for a five-monitor set up, as long as you have the space. You still have an SDXC card reader on the MacBook Pro too. If you have the money and space, the MacBook Pro is your best workflow powerhouse in this case.
Source: Apple
You get Retina XDR Mini LED panels on both the 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro. Of course, the MacBook Pro in 16-inch clad will feature more pixels than the 14-inch, Apple style. Both displays can project up to 10-billion colours (10-bit) on the panels though.
The added power of the new variants of the M1 chip allows the MacOS on the MacBook Pro to easily work with 4K ProRes videos or even 8K ProRes videos in Final Cut Pro with no hiccups. They say it is more powerful than the Mac Pro even with Afterburner. For the first time ever as well, users can colour grade in HDR on 8K ProRes 444 video formats, even on battery.
The Apple MacBook Pro is supposed to feature improved battery too. At 21 hours of video playback, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch trumps any pro-level notebook PC that you can find the market, on paper at least. The 14-inch is quoted to have up to 17 hours of video playback time too. If that is not enough, you can charge the MacBook Pro via MagSafe 3 and fast charge it up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Price and Availability
If you asked us a year ago about the MacBook Pro vs the PC laptops, we would have asked you to get the PC laptop. Right now, we are not so sure, we are tempted to get our hands on the M1 Max or M1 Pro versions of the MacBook Pro. If you are excited about it, you will be happy to know that the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inc and 14-inch will hit the shelves on the 26th of October 2021 onward. That is only the United States and selected countries though, so that is some bad news for some of us. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at US$ 1,999 (MYR 8,799*) while the 16-inch variant starts at US$ 2,499 (MYR 19,799*). There are no word on when the MacBook Pro will officially make its way to Malaysia, but we are guessing that it is pretty soon. More information on the MacBook Pro can be found on their website.
