BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 — OPPO, the world’s leading smart device manufacturers and innovators, officially launched the first 6G AI Competition on December 24, 2021 (Beijing time) on DataFountain (a leading Big Data & AI competition platform).
The deep integration of wireless communication and artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important direction for the construction of future wireless communication systems. At present, many researches with good results on AI solutions for specific modularization problems of 5G wireless communication systems have been carried out in academia and industry. At the same time, with the evolution from 5G to 6G, researchers have once again obtained the opportunity to ponder, define and build a new generation of wireless communication systems. In this process, many constraints in current system can be relaxed, and the direction and depth of the integration for 6G and AI can further be expanded.
Based on the above background, OPPO launched the "6G AI Competition", which aims to combine the strengths of all parties and the promotion of the competition to systematically and comprehensively study the impact of AI on the future wireless communication system and the solutions for key issues. In the first stage of the competition design, from the perspective of methodological innovation, they introduce some common problems that AI-based solutions need to face, and will comprehensively promote the technological breakthrough and industrial landing of smart 6G.
The competition is open to all the people around the world, regardless of age or nationality. All colleges and universities, scientific research institutions, enterprises, maker teams, individuals, etc. can log on to the official website to register for the competition.
Competition Task: Task Name: AI based Channel Modeling and Generating The task considers utilizing AI based method to realize the big set of wireless channel data generation which is seeded from a small set of real channel data. The similarity and diversity of the generated data are jointly used to perform the evaluation.
Competition Time 24th December, 2021 – 11thMarch, 2022
Bonus Golden Prize: 300,000 RMB for 1 team Silver Prize: 50,000 RMB (per team) for 2 teams Bronze Prize: 20,000 RMB (per team) for 3 teams Winning Prize: 10,000 RMB (per team) for 4 teams
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2022 — Smoosat, an up-and-coming scooter brand dedicated to providing the greatest scooter-riding experiences for everyone, has officially launched its E9 PRO Electric Scooter for Kids on Amazon. Since launching at the end of 2021, the Smoosat E9 PRO has already gained widespread traction amongst customers and shot to Top 3 on Amazon’s hot new releases list.
With its vibrant rainbow light display and adjustable height and speed settings, Smoosat’s E9 PRO is perfect for children of all ages, making it a popular gift option and a creator of happy moments for families. The 5-color flashing rainbow LED lights along the deck of the scooter give kids the freedom to switch between different colors and create unforgettable memories, while three adjustable height settings make the E9 PRO suitable for children as small as 3’9” to teens as tall as 5’3”. During the ride, kids can quickly move between three speeds — 5mph, 8mph and 10mph — with a single press of the button, and check their battery level and riding speed via the LED display, a first-of-its-kind design on the market.
"Here at Smoosat, we make scooters because we simply love scooters. Over the past year, we have completed comprehensive upgrades to our technology and product portfolio based on independent R&D, as we seek to bring enjoyable green travel solutions to families worldwide. A Smoosat scooter is not just a commuting tool or a short-lived toy, but an all-ages-loved-and-trusted companion that embodies the spirit of smooth and joyful travel. We have seen so many families step away from screens and answer the call of wild with Smoosat scooters — forming stronger family bonds in the process!" said Laura Leonard, General Manager of Smoosat.
On top of its eye-catching appearance and versatile settings, the E9 PRO gives parents greater peace of mind with its safe and durable design. Thanks to its 130W brushless motor and 21.6V rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the scooter lasts up to 5 miles on a single charge. The E9 PRO also features a rear foot brake for a smooth and safe stop, as well as a lightweight foldable design for easy transportation and assembly.
The E9 PRO is the first of its kind to be released by Smoosat, an up-and-coming scooter brand that wants to bring the joy of smoothly sliding to everyone. With its genius engineering, a keen eye for design, and sincere customer service, Smoosat provides high-quality and safe products for all members of the family — all at an affordable price.
The Smoosat E9 PRO (Black) is priced at $219.97 and is available for purchase now on Amazon. In addition, the scooter will be available as a Lightning Deal on Amazon on January 8, with 99 scooters up for grabs at a discounted price of $179.97. To order a black Smoosat E9 PRO, please visit https://amzn.to/3sYpanS; or visit https://amzn.to/3f1zbbv for a Pink one, or search Electric Scooter for Kids on Amazon.
In addition to the E9 PRO, Smoosat has also released the new Smoosat MAX adult electric scooter and Smoosat S8 kick scooter in green and silver.
About Smoosat
Smoosat is dedicated to providing the greatest scooter-riding experience to everyone, no matter how young or old. Smoosat scooters are not just a commuting tool or a short-lived toy, but an all-ages-loved and family-trusted companion that embodies the spirit of smooth and joyful gliding.
Smoosat’s products combine genius engineering with slick design and sincere customer service, in order to deliver high-quality family-friendly products at a Real price for Real fun. Smoosat’s current portfolio includes the E9 PRO electric scooter for kids, MAX adult electric scooter, and S8 kick scooter. For more information, please visit https://ismoosat.com/.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2022 — As a leader in the IoT sector, global IoT development platform service provider Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA) is also showcasing a number of brand-new security-related products and solutions at CES 2022. These offerings aim not only help developers launch products with high efficiency, but also reduce their worries about product safety.
Two years on from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, CES 2022 is coming back to Las Vegas in person, enabled by heightened safety measures adopted by the event organizers. In the face of the continued pandemic, technology firms, industry experts and journalists are all coming together both online and offline to a different tech landscape, forever changed by COVID-19.
One of the major impacts of the pandemic on IoT and smart devices has been the rise of global network security issues, that have been further amplified by consumer needs and behaviors during the pandemic. According to a 2021 report from IoT Analytics, the number of connected IoT devices are expected to hit 12.3 billion active endpoints globally by the end of 2021 and grow to over 27 billion IoT connections by 2025. Coupled with increased remote work after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are more exposed than ever to online attacks. According to Akamai’s annual state of the internet security report, remote work and increased connectivity contributed to a spike in cyber-attacks, while web application attacks tripled in 2021, from what was already a record year in 2020.
At this year’s CES, network security has become a topic of concern for all major players in the industry. Among the issues, IoT security has risen a key focus for many manufacturers, developers and suppliers to exhibit their forward-looking vision and R&D capabilities, as there are particular challenges for IoT that differ from those of traditional network security. Throughout CES, posters and videos promoting network security solutions can abound and security-related hardware products are in pride of place at many booths.
At Tuya Smart’s CES booth, the company’s new IoT security module WBR3N, exhibited in physical form and available for virtual tour online, has drawn the attention of many journalists and industry professionals. This industry-leading security module is the first IoT module of its kind with a built-in secure element (SE) to hold a Common Criteria (CC) EAL6+ certificate.
Commanding comprehensively robust security guarantee, the module realizes mutual certificate authentication and device activation authentication between the device and the cloud, in addition to the Elliptical Curve Cryptography (ECC) security certificate and device certification information that is built into the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) block during the production process. In terms of communication, WBR3N uses TLS1.2 two-way strong verified communication based on security authentication, which represents the highest level of communication security in the industry.
In terms of security protection of device data, WBR3N uses built-in independent SE to execute the data encryption and decryption process, therefore fully safeguarding data security. At the same time, the module provides SE-based independent physical security storage, and has a built-in root of trust (RoT), through which storage is performed. The core codes also enjoy protection by the built-in SE, while OTA ensures process safety through a secure communication process and firmware verification.
Overall, WBR3N comes with multiple logical and physical protection layers such as metal shielding, end-to-end encryption, memory encryption, and tampering detection, able to effectively fend off various advanced attack methods such as power analysis and fault attack.
Aside from enhanced hardware security capabilities, Tuya Smart has also announced the release of Tuya Sage, an IoT security operation platform, at CES 2022. The solution is designed to help developers identify and eliminate potential security risks of the IoT system, and ensure security and compliance during system operations.
Shared security responsibility is the fundamental principle of IoT security. Shared security means that cloud providers are responsible for protecting cloud security, while developers are responsible for the security of the applications, data, and resources that use and access the cloud. In practice, many developers lack a holistic sense of the security and compliance status of global smart terminals, a challenge that industry experts are looking for solutions to address.
With Tuya Sage, developers have an oversight of all protected devices, including their basic security information and risk status. Once a device encounters an attack, the developer can complete the risk interception in just one click. Through real-time threat intelligence, Tuya Sage is able to identify local vulnerabilities in smart terminals in a timely and effective manner, allowing developers to fully understand the security and privacy compliance status of the terminal, as well as whether there is any non-compliant user data flow so that it can be rapidly addressed.
In recent years, Tuya Smart has spared no effort in advancing platform and technology-related security and compliance, and proactively conducting third-party data security certifications to meet the varying security needs of customers around the globe. This unique ability to meet the varying security needs of customers around the world puts Tuya Smart in a unique position as a leading global IoT development platform service provider.
According to the public information, Tuya Smart has obtained a number of third-party data security certifications, including BSI’s ISO27001 standard for information security system, ISO27017 standard for cloud security management system, ISO27701 standard for cloud platform privacy and security, and the CSA STAR cloud security certification. In terms of regional compliance, Tuya Smart has passed Ernst & Young’s SOC 2 Audit as well as TrustArc’s GDPR and CCPA’s regional compliance validation. The company is also a recipient and member of TrustArc’s Enterprise Privacy Certificate (EPC).
When it comes to product safety standards, Tuya Smart has passed TÜV SÜD’s EU ETSI standard for cybersecurity in IoT, as well as the ioXt Alliance’s hardware safety certification in 2021. The company has also been partnering with Rapid7, wizlynx group, ScienceSoft, UnderDefense and Kaspersky to vigorously carrying out tests of platform service security.
In the long list, names like TrustArc and Ernst & Young are regarded as the most credible third-party organizations in validating or auditing security and compliance. With the proactive approach to certification and security cooperation, it is safe to say that Tuya Smart is a firm that attaches the greatest importance to safety and compliance.
At this year’s CES, manufacturers, developers and suppliers are all eager to present fresh electronics. But as consumers look to new electronics to bring into their homes, one of the features they will increasingly look for is trust and security assurance. It cannot be ignored that security is the guardian and foundation for all software and hardware products. This year the new offerings from Tuya Smart are a solid contribution to security for the IoT industry.
About Tuya Smart
Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA) is a leading technology company focused on making our lives smarter. Tuya does this through offering a cloud platform that connects a range of devices via the IoT. By building interconnectivity standards, Tuya bridges the intelligent needs of brands, OEMs, developers, and retail chains across a broad range of smart devices and industries. Tuya solutions empower partners and customers by improving the value of their products while making consumers’ lives more convenient through the application of technology. Through its growing commercial SaaS business, Tuya offers intelligent business solutions for a wide range of verticals. The Company’s platform is backed by industry-leading technology complete with rigorous data protection and security. Tuya partners with leading Fortune 500 companies from around the world to make things smarter, including Philips, Schneider Electric, Lenovo and many others.
Acer’s Swift X lineup debuted last year with a unique combination of both performance and power in a sleek, lightweight package. This year, it seems like the new lineup is here to stay with more sizes and even more power. Their AIO Aspire C lineup has been a budget offering that’s been delivering consistently when it comes to a one size fits all package. This year, they get all new processors.
Acer Swift X Makes A Bigger, More Powerful Return
Acer’s ultra-portable Swift lineup has always been one of the go-to laptops when looking for a thin and light laptop. Last year, the company supercharged its thin and light offerings with the Swift X and this year, they’re taking it a step further. The Swift X isn’t just getting its insides upgraded, it’s getting a bigger sized variant for those who are looking for even more screen real estate without compromising on form.
The new Swift X will be available in 14-inch and 16-inch versions. The former weighs a meagre 1.4kgs packing the latest, 12 generation Intel Core i processors with up to 12 cores and NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU. The 16-inch version of the Swift X also comes with the 12th Generation Intel Core i Processors, however, it doesn’t sport an NVIDIA GPU instead, the laptop has the honour of being one of the first laptops with Intel’s ARC discreet GPU.
Both come with up to16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe SSD storage. They also come with an IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The 14-inch version has a 2240×1400 pixel resolution while the larger 16-inch version has a WQXGA resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. Both come with narrow bezels and have 92.22% screen to body ratio and 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut and up to 400 nits brightness.
When it comes to connectivity, the Swift X comes with Intel WiFi 6E and a full array of ports including USB Type-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A Gen 3.2 ports with an HDMI 2.0 port. It also supports Windows Hello with a built-in fingerprint reader.
Acer Aspire C27 and C24 AiOs
Acer’s AiO lineup is also getting a taste of the latest and greatest internals. The new Aspire C27 and C24 will be shipping with the latest 12th generation Intel Core i processors with configurations supporting up to the Core i7. It will also ship with the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU. These configurations will also support up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage and 1TB of HDD storage.
The AiOs will come with a full array of ports and sport either a 24-inch (C24) or 27-inch (C27) display. Together with this, it comes with a 5.0-megapixel webcam and support for WiFi 6E. It also has support for Bluetooth 5.2 and Thunderbolt 4.
Pricing & Availability
No pricing or availability for either the Swift X or Aspire AiO has been announced at the time of writing.
Acer has been busy creating new experiences for gamers and also catering to every niche they can think of. When it comes to their gaming offerings they have two distinct lineups – the Predator lineup which has different models and the Nitro lineup which consists of one laptop with two variants. Over the past years, their gaming offerings have become fine-tuned and refined so you can see a distinct difference between them. This year is no different with the Nitro getting an updated design and the Predator Triton 500 blurring the lines between gamer and professional. In addition to these design updates, the gaming lineup is being supercharged with the latest and greatest from Intel, AMD and NVIDIA.
Predator Triton 500 SE
The biggest update comes in the new “special edition” Predator Triton 500. The laptop sheds the design queues we’re used to seeing in the Helios lineup and adopts a more subdued aesthetic that allows it to marry both the professional and gamer in its users. The hard angles and throughways of the classic predator designs are replaced by a sleek and thin exterior that belies its insides. If you looked from afar, you wouldn’t think that this was a gaming laptop.
When we say belies its gaming prowess, we mean it. The Triton 500 SE comes with specifications of up to a 12th generation Intel Core i9 processor. Yep – that’s right, a Core i9. This is paired with the NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 storage. It also comes with Acer’s newest and best when it comes to cooling. It’s equipped with a triple-fan system with two 5th Generation AeroBlade 3D fans that have 89 metal blades each to maximise airflow and cooling. It also has a 99.8Wh battery which promises better battery life even on the highest specifications.
It comes with a large 16-inch WQXGA display with a 2560×1600 pixel resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The 16:10 aspect ratio gives even more visual real estate and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology allows for smoother gameplay while the 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut provides some colour accuracy.
The Triton 500 SE comes with a full range of ports including two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and even an SD card reader. It also has an Intel Killer E3100G 2.5G Ethernet controller and WiFi 6E support for seamless online play.
Acer Nitro 5
Together with the Predator Triton 500 SE, the Acer Nitro 5 also got a significant facelift. It’s now edgier. The once cumbersome top of the Nitro is now sleek and accented by angled reflective lines that give it that gamer’s aesthetic without being too overt and loud. It still retains the bottom half of the older design but replaces its red accents with a black and silver colourway which gives it a rather “grown-up” aesthetic.
On the inside, the Nitro 5 comes with configurations supporting either the 12-generation Intel Core i processors or the recently announced AMD Ryzen 6000 series APUs. The former comes with configurations supporting up to a Core i7. These processors are complemented with configurations with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX3070 Ti Laptop GPU. When it comes to RAM, the Intel configuration supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM while the AMD one supports up to 32GB of DD5 RAM. It also comes with up to 2TB of SSD memory.
The Nitro 5 comes with either an FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate or a QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate. Both options are able to advantage of AMD FreeSync technology for smoother gameplay. When it comes to connectivity, the laptop comes with support for WiFi 6 and comes with an Intel Killer WiFi 6 AX1650i card and Killer Ethernet E2600. It also has a full range of ports including an HDMI 2.1 port and Thunderbolt 4.
Predator Helios 300
Joining its siblings, the Helios 300 is also getting a bump to the latest 12th Generation Intel Core i processors with configurations supporting up to a Core i7. This is complemented with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU and up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
Display-wise it comes with options for a QHD IPS display with a 165 Hz refresh rate or an FHD display with either a 144 Hz or a 165 Hz refresh rate. The latter options are available on the 17.3-inch model of the Helio 300. Aside from this, it comes with similar specifications as the Nitro 5 apart from its per-key RGB and support for Killer DoubleShot Pro (E2600+1675i) and WiFi 6E connectivity.
Pricing & Availability
The laptops will start making their way to market starting in February 2022. Details in the table below
Laptop
Availability
Pricing
Predator Triton 500 SE
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$2299.99 EMEA – EUR3499 China – RMB24999
Acer Nitro 5 (Intel) – 15-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1049.99 EMEA – EUR1549 China – RMB9499
Acer Nitro 5 (Intel) – 17-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1099.99 EMEA – EUR1649 China – RMB9499
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD) – 15-inch
North America – April 2022 EMEA – April 2022 China – March 2022
North America – USD$1099.99 EMEA – EUR1599 China – RMB8999
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD) – 17-inch
North America – May 2022 EMEA – April 2022 China – March 2022
North America – USD$1149.99 EMEA – EUR1649 China – RMB8999
Predator Helios 300 – 15-inch
North America – May 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1649.99 EMEA – EUR2299 China – RMB11999
Predator Helios 300 – 17-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1749.99 EMEA – EUR2399 China – RMB11999
Acer’s gaming lineup has been one of the most complete offerings on the market. From formidable gaming laptops like the Predator and Nitro to the Orion Desktops, the company has thought of nearly every use case and budget. This year, they are refreshing their offerings with the latest and greatest from Intel for better performance.
Predator Orion Desktops
Acer’s Predator Orion desktops have consistently been performers both in design and specifications. The ready-built options bring some of the sleekest, most functional designs that are available on the market. This year, the Predator Orion 5000 and Predator Orion 3000 are getting a much-needed upgrade to the 12th Generation Intel Core processors. The new architecture in Intel’s new processors not only bring nearly 28% more performance power but also allow the machines to run smoother and cooler.
In addition to the new processors, the Predator Orion 5000 and Predator Orion 3000 are getting a design update. The new versions of the desktops do away with the unique, angular designs of yesteryear in favour for a more trippy, vanilla design. The new design adopts a more conventional rectangular shape. This could be a boon seeing as the size of desktop graphics cards are increasing. It also comes with even more RGB goodness with options for glass panels to show off your build.
The Orion 5000 desktop will be shipping with an Intel H670 chipset which will ship with up to an Intel Core i7 processor. The Orion 3000 desktop will have an Intel B660 chipset. The former will have specifications supporting up to an NVIDIA RTX3080 graphics card while the latter tops out at an NVIDIA RTX3070. Both have configurations supporting up to 64GB of 4,000MHz DDR5 RAM. They support for up to 2TB of internal SSD storage with up to an additional 6TB of total SATA HDD storage.
2 / 6
When it comes to connectivity, both have support for WiFi 6E. The Orion 5000 comes with a higher specc’d WiFi Killer E3100G module while the Orion 3000 comes with a WiFi Killer E2600 module. Both support 2×2 MU MIMO for WiFi 6E. They also come with the latest Predator FrostBlade 2.0 fans for cooling. Both are also coming with Windows 11 pre-installed.
Predator Gaming Monitors
Together with their new Predator Orion desktops, Acer is also bringing a refreshed lineup of gaming monitors to complete the Predator Gaming experience. The Predator X32 has already been recognised for it innovative design and features with the CES Innovation Award. Together with the Predator X32 FP gaming monitor, the X32 series is coming with an increased 160Hz refresh rate which can be overclocked to 165Hz. They are both UHD displays with a resolution of 3,840×2,160 pixels in a 32-inch form factor. The monitors come with VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification and feature a miniLED IPS panels with a ∆E of less than 2 and 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB gamut.
In addition to that, the Predator X32 supports high performance, ultra low latency thanks to its NVIDIA G-SYNC ULTIMATE support. The X32 FP comes with an HDMI 2.1 port which allows users to use the monitor for console gaming. It will allow consoles to take advantage of the 165Hz refresh rate and UHD resolution. It also has an additional USB Type-C port with support for 90W power delivery and supports AMD FreeSync Premium.
Predator CG48 Gaming Monitor
Together with the Award winning X32, Acer is introducing the Predator CG48 gaming monitor – a monitor large enough to be your TV replacement. The 48-inch monitor comes with 4K resolution and 138Hz refresh rate. It supports HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4. The CG48 also has four USB 3.2 ports and an additional USB Type-C port. The OLED display of the CG48 comes with AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro technology with a response time of 0.1ms gray to gray (GtG). With AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro, it also supports variable refresh rates for a smoother gaming experience. It comes with a 135,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR10 support and covers 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Pricing & Availability
The Predator Orion desktops will be available in North America starting in February; in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) region starting in March and in China starting in January 2022. The Orion 5000 will have the recommended retail prices starting at USD$2,599 in North America, EUR1,999 in EMEA and RMB14,999 in China. The Orion 3000 retail prices start at USD$1,999 in North America, EUR1,299 in EMEA and RMB11,999 in China.
The Predator X32 monitor will be available starting in Q2 in China and Q3 elsewhere. It will be retailing at USD$1,999 in North America, EUR1,899 in EMEA and RMB12,999 in China.
The X32 FP will be available starting in March 2022 in China. EMEA and North America will see it sometime in Q2 2022. Prices will be starting at USD$1,799 in North America, EUR1,599 in EMEA and RMB10,999 in China.
The Predator CG48 will be available starting in Q2 2022 in China. It will be available in other regions starting in Q3 2022. It will be retailing for USD$2,499 in North America, EUR2199 in EMEA and RMB14,999 in China.
Chromebooks are growing in popularity thanks to their lightweight form factor and feature-packed ChromeOS. They’ve found a niche in education and work thanks to their easy to deploy, built-in security features and also their compatibility with Google’s Ecosystem. Acer has been one of the platforms ardent supporters releasing Chromebooks for nearly 5-years now. This year, Acer has streamlined and focused its offerings to cater to a niche that has emerged thanks to the realities we face as we adapt to a new normal.
Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Built to be your Kompanio-n
The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 comes in a sleek and svelte body built of durable aluminium. It runs on MediaTek’s system on chip (SoC) for Chromebooks – the MediaTek Kompanio 1380. The SoC comes with the now ubiquitous big.LITTLE microarchitecture that allows it to strike a balance between raw power and power efficiency. Acer claims that the Spin 513 will be able to withstand a full day capping out at about 10 hours of battery life.
It comes with a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and bezels that measure only 7.7mm. The display has a 2256×1504 pixel resolution. Given its Spin moniker, it’s not surprising that the Chromebook is able to convert from laptop to tablet or even display screen (in tent mode). It also comes certified with military specc’d durability with MIL-STD-810H certification. It also comes with DTS Audio for an immersive audio experience, WiFi 6 and a Type-C USB port.
Continuing Earthion with the Acer Chromebook 315 & Chromebook 314
Acer is no stranger to building laptops that have the environment front and centre. While the new Acer Chromebook 315 and 314 may not go the strides that is cousin, the Vero lineup does, the two new Chromebook offerings come with a unique touchpad that helps recycle ocean plastics. OceanGlass is a unique material made of ocean-bound plastic waste that has been recycled to give a glass-like feel. Using this material, Acer’s two new Chromebooks deliver a sleeker, more tactile experience with their touchpads while reducing plastics in our waterways and ecosystem.
Both the Chromebooks run on the latest Intel Pentium and Celeron processors for the best battery life and performance combo. They have support for WiFi 6 and feature a pair of USB Type-C ports for extendibility. Both also boast impressive 10-hour battery life and DTS Audio. The Chromebook 315 comes with additional connectivity options including a micro SD card slot.
On the display side of things, the 315 comes with a larger 15.6-inch display with an FHD resolution. It also features a dedicated Numpad keyboard and an HDR webcam with a wide field-of-view (FOV). The 314 comes with a smaller 14-inch display. Both Chromebooks come with an anti-glare coating making them a little more comfortable to use over long periods of time. They also come with options for multi-touch displays.
Pricing & Availability
The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 will make its way to North America in June 2022 with prices starting at USD$599.99 while the EMEA region will be seeing it in April 2022 priced starting from EUR649.
The Chromebook 315 and 314 will be available in North America in January 2022 and June 2022 respectively. Both will be priced starting from USD$299.99. The EMEA region will be getting them in late 2022 for the 315 and April 2022 for the 314. The 315 will be priced starting at EUR399 while the 314 will be EUR369.
BEIJING, Jan. 7, 2022 — ThunderSoft, the world leading intelligent operating system products and solutions provider, introduced its advanced parking technologies and solutions, ThunderSoft SmartParking, at CES 2022.
What makes ThunderSoft SmartParking different
ThunderSoft SmartParking leverages cutting-edge ultrasonic and visual algorithms, the advantages of cross-domain HPC (High Performance Computer), outstanding HMI designs, the latest generation ultrasonic sensor – AK2 and HDR surround camera to deliver seamless parking experiences in various scenarios with high efficiency. Besides, its extendible standardize interfaces, flexible deliver forms and completed product roadmap, that covers from AVM(Around View Monitor), APA(Auto Parking Assistant ), RPA(Remote Parking Assistant), HPA(Home Parking Assistant) to AVP (Autonomous Vehicle Parking) can meet diversified demands from clients worldwide, help them shorten time-to-market and reduce development costs.
How ThunderSoft SmartParking works
ThunderSoft SmartParking supports multiple parking scenarios. Taking the vertical vision-only scenario as an example, its advanced around view technologies can identify parking lines and output available parking space, with the success rate reaching up to 98%. Even if the parking lines were blocked by other vehicles, ThunderSoft SmartParking could figure out reasonable parking spaces, thanks to its powerful real-time planning and correction ability, plus superior exploratory decision-making capability, which are based on the unparalleled ultrasonic and visual combined solutions.
Besides, ThunderSoft SmartParking can also realize contactless parking via mobile app, which can help driver out of troubles caused by narrow parking space and enjoy the innovative parking experience.
To explore and enjoy more intelligent technologies and solutions presented by ThunderSoft, please come and visit ThunderSoft’s booth at #6955 in West Hall, LVCC, from January 5-7.
About ThunderSoft:
ThunderSoft, the world leading intelligent operating system products and technologies provider, has been continuously accumulating and innovating in the operating system field, with its business expanding gradually from smart terminals to AIoT, smart vehicle and smart industries. It has been successfully listed in 2015, which leads it to be China’s first listed technical company specialized in the intelligent operating system. Till now, the branches, subsidiaries and R&D centers of ThunderSoft have covered 37 cities around the world, with a total of nearly 10,000 employees.
Partnership to support Hyundai’s vision of becoming a smart mobility solutions provider for an entirely new digital ecosystem
Metaverse-based digital-twin factory to optimize plant operation and allow virtual problem solving
HMGICS innovation hub, which will be completed at the end of 2022, to be the first facility to implement Hyundai’s Meta-Factory concept
LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 7, 2022 — Hyundai Motor Company, the global mobility innovator, and Unity (NYSE: U), the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content, today announced at CES 2022 a partnership to jointly design and build a new metaverse roadmap and platform for Meta-Factory.
Hyundai Motor Company, the global mobility innovator, and Unity (NYSE: U), the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content, today announced at CES 2022 a partnership to jointly design and build a new metaverse roadmap and platform for Meta-Factory.
The companies held a virtual MOU signing ceremony with Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, Hong Bum Jung, Senior Vice President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Global Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS), Jules Shumaker, Senior Vice President, Revenue, Create Solutions, Unity and Dave Rhodes, Senior Vice President of Digital Twin, Unity, participating.
Through this MOU, Unity becomes a strategic partner to Hyundai, supporting its vision of becoming the leader in future mobility solutions. The MOU pertains to the fields of smart manufacturing, AI training and study as well as autonomous driving simulation.
Hyundai Motor Company, the global mobility innovator, and Unity (NYSE: U), the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content, today announced at CES 2022 a partnership to jointly design and build a new metaverse roadmap and platform for Meta-Factory.
The partnership will realize Hyundai’s vision of becoming the first mobility innovator to build a Meta-Factory concept, a digital-twin of an actual factory, supported by a metaverse platform. The Meta-Factory will allow Hyundai to test-run a factory virtually in order to calculate the optimized plant operation, and enable plant managers to solve problems without having to physically visit the plant.
Hyundai plans to first apply the Meta-Factory concept to the HMGICS facility, supporting the Group’s initiative to create an open innovation hub for research and development.
"HMGICS will become a manufacturing innovation "game changer" through this world class Meta-Factory collaboration", said President Chi, "And HMGICS will lead the future innovation by introducing various technologies that will transform mobility paradigm through human-centered value chain innovation."
"Real-time digital twins will permanently change how we live, work, shop and make a positive impact on our planet, representing a significant component of what is often referred to as the metaverse," said John Riccitiello, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Unity. "Hyundai’s vision for the future, including the digital twin of factory operations, represents a significant technological step forward in manufacturing with unlimited potential in its efficiency."
For more information about Hyundai and Unitiy’s partnership, please visit: globalpr.hyundai.com
Sony’s Xperia 1 is a milestone for the Japanese electronics giant. It is not the most powerful smartphone in the market when it was launched, though it was one of the more powerful flagships. It also marks Sony’s departure from their old Xperia ways and their embracing of the new era of ultra-high-end smartphones.
The first Xperia 1 is also the first Sony Xperia device that was made in collaboration with Sony’s Alpha imaging division. That also means that the camera is now a lot more optimized than before. It now means that Sony has a reliable hardware paired to reliably impressive imaging hardware.
The Sony Xperia 1 marks a new era of Sony smartphones, an era where Sony stopped thinking about sales numbers and focus on a niche. That was three years ago though. In that case, you might be due for an upgrade. What about the new Sony Xperia 1 III (mk. lll)?
In its third iteration, is the Xperia 1 III worth the upgrade from the first generation Xperia 1? Is it worth the MYR 5,799 asking price? Can it still hold its own when Sony is launching another major flagship soon?
Design
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The Sony Xperia 1 III follows a design language that should be familiar to its fans. Not much has changed in terms of design language of the Sony Xperia smartphones. They have followed the same design language for years. You might not be able to tell apart one Sony Xperia 1 III to the first generation Xperia 1.
That said though, we are fans of the timeless design language. The device is full of flat surfaces with sharper angles compared to plenty of the regular flagships we are used to in 2021. It looks fresh, modern, and iconic in its skin. The only changes Sony has made between the differing versions of Sony’s Xperia devices are on certain materials used on the device itself.
On the Sony Xperia 1 III, Sony opted for what feels like aluminium for its backplate. While it feels like it is a single unit with the frames, it is not. We suspect that it is so that the Sony Xperia 1 III will be easier to disassemble and repaired. It also still features wireless charging, despite the aluminium. We like that Sony brought back the fingerprint sensor integrated power button.
The first thing that greets you when you take it out from the box is an elongated candy bar that boasts a 6.5-inch display that stretches to 21:9 in aspect ratio. The display may sound like it is a little smaller than most modern flagships. But because it is at 21:9 aspect ratio, the candy bar is longer than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It is much narrower though.
Still, the Xperia 1 III still features the signature camera button which doubles as a dual action shutter button that makes it work exactly like a compact camera. Additionally, there is also a Google Assistant button on the device this time. The Sony Xperia 1 III also features a 3.5mm combo jack, something of a feature today. As with any of the Xperia devices as well, you do not need a SIM tray removal tool for the Xperia 1 III.
There is a slight camera bump at the back of the device, which is quite expected on a modern smartphone. The bump is smaller than most modern flagship devices, though.
Sony did not bother with the whole edge-to-edge moniker with their expansive display. There is a small forehead and a tight chin on the device for earpiece and a front firing speaker, which is very traditional.
Hardware
The Sony Xperia 1 III is not Sony’s most premium device you can find in Sony’s smartphone line-up. Except for its cameras, the Sony Xperia 1 III is still one of the most powerful devices in the Xperia line-up.
OLED 6.5-inch 3,840 x 1,644 pixels ~643ppi 120Hz (up to)
Operating System
Android 11
Battery
Non-Removable Li-Po 4,500mAh Fast Charging 30W
Connectivity
Dual SIM Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP Bluetooth 5.2 LE OTG Support USB Type-C 3.1
Camera (s)
REAR: 12-Megapixel 24mm (f/1.7) 12-Megapixel 70mm (f/2.3, telephoto) 12-Megapixel 16mm (f/2.2, ultrawide) 0.3-Megapixel TOF depth sensor 4K video recording (120fps) LED flash FRONT: 8-Megapixel (f/2.0, 24mm) 1080p Full HD video recording (30fps)
Sensors
Accelerometer Proximity Fingerprint Sensor Ambient Light Gyroscope Face Unlock Compass
User Interface – Android 11 with Sony’s Xperia Touch
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You can expect nearly stock Android 11 experience on the Sony Xperia 1 III as well. When we say ‘Xperia Touch’, we mean some of Sony’s own apps on the device itself.
On the end of apps, there are a few of Sony’s own app installed in the device. They are not so much bloatware though. You do have to note that there are two different camera apps on the device though. There is the regular Sony camera app that you can easily launch with a long press of the shutter button. There is also a separate video camera app (Cinema Pro) on the device. We will talk about these two apps later.
Most of the User Interface has been kept untouched from Google’s intended look. Even the notification screens are pretty much stock. That also means that you get a device that remains smooth and snappy for longer. At the same time, because the interface does not put extra unnecessary stress on memory and processors, you get apps working properly and smoothly.
Performance
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The Sony Xperia 1 III is a powerhouse containing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 paired with 12GB of RAM. That also means that you can expect a lot of good things from the device.
Call Quality and Connectivity
Of course, making phone calls on a smartphone is the most regular thing you would do with it. It is, after all, the most basic function of a phone.
In that sense, making a phone call on the Xperia 1 III is pretty much like any other smartphone you can find today. You just need to pull up the Phone app and dial in your numbers, or type your friend’s name, or scroll through the contact list to make a call.
Connectivity for phone calls are quite excellent when you have enough signal strength to make the call. It also supports VoLTE, which is nothing to shout about for smartphones these days. But that also means you get crystal clear calls from the Sony Xperia 1 III. If you have a friend with networks that leverage VoLTE technology, you are going to have a good long chat with your friend on the phone without realizing that your friend is not even physically with you.
You hardly drop calls too unless you lose network signal on your device. You hardly lose network connectivity on the Sony Xperia 1 III. Of course, if you are going through an area known for weak signals, you are going to get some dropped calls.
Gaming
The display really shines when you game though. The 4K display is amazing to look at in games like Pokémon Unite. The problem is the real estate you get on the display.
The unique aspect ratio of the Sony Xperia 1 III’s display means that there is not a lot of space between the top and bottom of the display when you play games like PUBG Mobile or Mobile Legends Bang Bang. That means that your space for your navigation is limited. When you place your fingers on the display, you pretty much cover most of it.
That does not mean that you cannot enjoy the games though. They all look good on the 4K with plenty of details and with highly vivid colours. You do want to watch out for heat, though.
Multitasking and Productivity
With 12GB of RAM, there is no excuse to not perform. While the display is not optimized for multi-window experiences, you can load up tabs on your browser. That is what we did.
On the Sony Xperia 1 III, we have anywhere between 10-20 tabs open on Google Chrome. We often actively switch between 5 tabs most of the time. In that use case, the Sony Xperia 1 III copes very nicely.
We have also tried loading and actively switching between 4 different apps at the same time to stretch the device’s legs. One of the apps includes Google Chrome and multiple tabs on it. Even that did not trouble the Sony Xperia 1 III at all.
Battery Life
One of the biggest benefits to stock interfaces is battery life. Custom interfaces tend to be less efficient than stock ones. Interestingly, you rarely have a battery management system on stock interfaces like the Sony Xperia 1 III.
You do want to keep in mind that there are apps that will drain the device’s battery, like the two camera apps. That said, even with extensive use of the camera apps, you can get a good working day of battery life. On typical days, you are working with a good day of battery life plus a few more hours in the next day, on a single charge.
Charging the device is fast enough. Like most flagships, you get to charge the device from empty to full in less than two hours. Unlike some flagships in the market as well, the Sony Xperia 1 III still ships with a wall charger.
Display
One of the big highlights of any Xperia 1 device is its one-of-a-kind display. The 6.5-inch 21:9 aspect ratio display packs 4K resolution. It is also a more powerful display compared to some 4K TVs you can find today.
This AMOLED display is the most advanced display you can find on a smartphone. You get 120Hz refresh rate on this 4K display. The Sony Xperia 1 series is also the only series of smartphones in the world that gets 4K resolution displays as standard. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a QHD+ display.
As if the 4K resolution is not impressive enough, the 6.5-inch panel also boasts HDR colours with 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. You even get 240Hz touch sampling rate for an almost instant response on your display. To reduce flicker in upscaling contents, the display boasts 240Hz in motion blur reduction.
Thing is, it is not a true 4K UHD display that you work with. Instead of 2,160 pixels in depth, it only features 1,644 pixels. You still get 3,840 on the side.
Still, that does not mean that the display is not impressive. It is a fantastic display to consume contents with. If you are planning to use it as an external monitor for your cameras, it works great too with Sony cameras.
Cameras
The other highlight of the new Sony Xperia 1 III is its camera. You get a humble 12-Megapixel sensor for its main shooter. Both its flanking cameras are also 12-Megapixel units. There is an 8-Megapixel shooter out the front, which is rather understated for a flagship.
Despite the ‘low’ Megapixel count, it is a fantastic camera. You get some Alpha touches, of course. It is also the most reliable camera app and unit you get from a Sony device so far.
The photos you get from the device are amazing to look at in terms of detail and colour. Of course, you may not get ultra-crisp details if you put it beside a Samsung Galaxy S21’s photo at 108-Megapixel, for example. But you do get fine enough details for stunning social media posts.
The selfie camera may not be the best you can find on a smartphone. We think that the selfie camera is more for video calls or facial recognition. Still, if you are in the mood for a selfie, it works.
The Camera App vs Cinema Pro
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There are two separate camera apps on the Sony Xperia 1 III as mentioned. Both works differently too, for different functions. The camera app is more of a general app that you can use for both regular photos and videos. The other app is more specific for videos though.
There is one Sony’s specific Alpha camera mode. You get more granular controls over your photos in that mode. If you are a Sony user, the interface is also very reminiscent and very familiar to Sony’s cameras. You also get to set your camera in modes that is closer to a regular camera over a smartphone.
You can put your camera in Auto, which is what we do most of the time, ‘M’ for Manual or ‘Pro’ mode, ‘A’ for Aperture priority, and ‘P’ for Programmable Auto. You get different outcomes and controls in different modesband your Sony Xperia 1 III turns into a point and shoot.
The Cinema Pro app is something you are really going to enjoy if you are planning to use your smartphone as the main content capturing device. It does all the usual thing for a smartphone video mode. You can set the resolution and how many frames it takes. But the Cinema Pro app does way more than that.
It allows you to have even more control over your videos over the regular camera app. You can play around with focus pulling on the Cinema Pro app, both manually and guided auto. You can even control things like ISO and Aperture if you are really getting as much manual control over your video as possible. You can even change the colour profile if you really need to.
Gallery
The Sony Xperia 1 III – The Best of Sony
The new Sony Xperia 1 III is even more expensive than the Sony Xperia 1 II that it replaced. For that money though you are the most powerful Sony Xperia 1 device to date.
The new Sony Xperia 1 III is also more expensive than most flagship smartphones you can find in the market today. The thing is, the Sony Xperia 1 III is marketed toward a very specific target market. They are selling the device to the content creator market, a market that knows what they want in a smartphone.
Of course, you can argue that these guys should maybe go for the Xperia Pro-I instead. The price difference between the two devices makes the Xperia 1 III the more sensible smartphone choice though. Other than the larger and more powerful camera, the Xperia 1 III and Xperia Pro-I shares the same hardware too.
MYR 5,799 is still a lot of money for a smartphone. A Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G at this point will set you back MYR 5,299 at retail price (12GB + 256GB). In that sense, there is not that much in terms of reasons to get the Sony Xperia 1 III. But there is a very good reason why you want one. This is a device created specifically with one target audience in mind. Its sole purpose is to do a job for a specific target group; very well at that.
If you are already working with Sony’s vast array of tools, the Sony Xperia 1 III is really an extension. It even shines as a standalone, if you like it to be. The camera is still a Sony Alpha developed tool made for the Xperia, which also means that you are getting a Sony camera that is better than ever. You can even get eye autofocus function working with it. For those alone, you should get the Sony Xperia 1 III.
