Facemoji Keyboard Launches 2023 Global State of Emoji Report

Report reveals the classic emoji remains a beloved means of creative self-expression as well as the rising trend of animated emoji stickers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Facemoji Keyboard today published its 2023 State of Emoji Report to celebrate World Emoji Day on July 17. The report highlights a notable change in the No. 1 most-used emoji and for the first time includes Argentina’s flag among the top 20.

Key findings about emoji usage include:

  • The Loudly Crying Face overtook the long-time favorite Face with Tears of Joy as the most-used emoji globally.
  • Lionel Messi finally taking home the gold in the 2022 World Cup was a moment felt around the world, and it pushed Argentina’s flag all the way into the top 20.
  • European countries such as Spain, France, the U.K., Italy and Russia all have the Partying Face in their top 10, suggesting a return to a festive mood post-pandemic.
  • The Face with Tears of Joy, the Loudly Crying Face, the Red Heart, the Rolling on the Floor Laughing, and the Pleading Face all remained in the top five this year, proving that while we all appreciate options, we always end up going back to our favorites.
  • Whether crying from laughter or straight up crying, the top three emoji all featured tears. 
  • Canada was the only country to have a piece of clothing in its top 10 – with the pants emoji coming in at .
  • The Skull ranks among the top 10 in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. – all English-speaking countries.

With emoji becoming a popular fixture in messaging, the more creative users started looking for new avenues to infuse even more joy and excitement into their messaging, specifically with emoji stickers which bring emoji to life with animation.

“Emoji are a staple in our digital and cultural landscape,” said Natalia Lin, product lead at Facemoji Keyboard. “Our State of Emoji Report reveals how emoji have become a beloved form of creative self-expression for individuals worldwide. They continue inspiring us to create fun emoji-centric content.”

The data in this report covers global emoji usage habits of Facemoji Keyboard’s Android and iOS users between June 2022 and June 2023. Emoji rankings in this report reflect global overall emoji usage frequency by app and by country – displaying data from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Thailand, and the United States. 

To read the full State of Emoji Report 2023, click here.

About Facemoji Keyboard  

Facemoji Keyboard is the world’s first content-creation keyboard that allows users to find, design or invent the trendiest and smartest ways to express themselves. With Facemoji, users can fully customize their keyboard and create and share unique expressive designs, so every user can be a modern trendsetter in content creation.  

NetEase Cloud Music and RYCE Entertainment Form Strategic Partnership

HANGZHOU, China, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Cloud Music Inc. (HKEX: 9899, “NetEase Cloud Music” or the “Company”), a well-known online music platform featuring a vibrant content community, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement (the “Agreement”) with RYCE Entertainment, one of China’s leading music and entertainment companies, to further expand the Company’s sweeping music content library.

Beyond the extension of previous cooperation, NetEase Cloud Music is now able to access an expanding portfolio of RYCE Entertainment’s music catalog in China with 30-day initial launch rights to distribute new additions to the catalog under the latest terms of the Agreement. The two companies will collaborate to promote RYCE Entertainment’s prominent artists and music catalog in China through the synergies of extensive music production and distribution prowess. 

Since its founding in 2021, RYCE Entertainment has been devoted to creating and distributing critically acclaimed music to a global audience, and its music catalogue boasts works from a diverse roaster of talented artists, including Jackson Wang, Amber Liu, Tablo, PSY.P, Caelan Moriaty, Oscar Wang, AnsrJ and Renyu Zheng, among others.

As one of China’s leading online music platforms, NetEase Cloud Music is a preferred online destination for younger generations to enjoy music across a wide variety of genres from artists both at home and abroad. The platform boasts a unique music community atmosphere, highly interactive user base and impressive user stickiness. In 2022, NetEase Cloud Music hosted 189 million monthly active users who showcased vigorous average daily music listening trends and interactions with other users in the community. Together, these features underpin NetEase Cloud Music’s robust capabilities in efficiently promoting music content and enhancing the interactions between artists and their fan base.

As a forerunner in China’s online music industry, NetEase Cloud Music continues to partner with leading entertainment companies around the globe. Earlier in 2023, the Company further extended its portfolio of C-pop music and other popular genres through partnerships with other iconic production companies including Rock Records and B’in Music. With a powerful and growing portfolio of music from major labels that span a wide range of genres and geographies, NetEase Cloud Music is known for incubating independent musicians and fostering emerging musicians as it continues to grow its production capabilities and loyal Gen Z community of dedicated music fans.

About RYCE ENTERTAINMENT

RYCE is an innovative global music and entertainment company which operates in three main business sectors: music, artist management, and IP development.

Having integrated top management and production teams from across the industry, RYCE presents a strong lineup of talent, backed with vast copyright and media resources, industry access and networks. The company continues to develop creative business models to produce entertainment content that adapts to new media trends and is committed to creating a diversified and contemporary entertainment company.

About Cloud Music Inc.

Launched in 2013 by NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES; HKEX: 9999), Cloud Music Inc. (HKEX: 9899) is a well-known online music platform featuring a vibrant content community. Dedicated to providing an elevated user experience, Cloud Music Inc. provides precise, personalised recommendations, promotes user interaction and creates a strong social community. Its focus on discovering and promoting emerging musicians has made Cloud Music Inc. a destination of choice for exploring new and independent music among music enthusiasts in China. The platform has been recognised as the most popular entertainment app among China’s vibrant Generation Z community.

Please see http://ir.music.163.com/ for more information.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the business outlook, estimates of financial performance, forecast business plans and growth strategies of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are stated herein on the basis of the outlook at the time of this press release. They are based on certain expectations, assumptions and premises, some of which are subjective or beyond our control. These forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and may not be realised in the future. Underlying these forward-looking statements are a lot of risks and uncertainties. In light of the risks and uncertainties, the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this press release should not be regarded as representations by the Board or the Company that the plans and objectives will be achieved, and investors should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Investor Enquiries:

Angela Xu
Cloud Music Inc.
music.ir@service.netease.com

Media Enquiries:

Zhang Mengqi
NetEase, Inc.
globalpr@service.netease.com

Source: NetEase, Inc.

WiMi Proposes A Vehicular Networks-based Consensus Algorithm to Improve Data Security And Response Speed

BEIJING, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc. (NASDAQ: WIMI) (“WiMi” or the “Company”), a leading global Hologram Augmented Reality (“AR”) Technology provider, today announced the proposal of a custom vehicular networks-based consensus algorithm (VBCA) to secure data across the network. The algorithm uses a blockchain to maintain a secure pool of confirmed information exchanged in the network. Based on a consortium chain, the solution optimizes transmission efficiency, reduces average data exchange latency, and increases the magnitude of confirmed data exchanges decentralized without compromising data integrity and security.

In recent years, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have attracted significant attention as an evolving technology for intelligent transportation systems (ITS). These vehicles usually have various onboard resources, such as sensors, radar, cameras, storage devices, event recorders, etc. These devices perform different operations, such as object detection, congestion monitoring, pathfinding, etc. Self-driving vehicles will capture large amounts of data for analysis and make real-time intelligent decisions based on surrounding events. AVs equipped with sensors can capture gigabytes of data, which needs to be processed using complex machine-learning algorithms to infer logical outcomes. For communication efficiency, storage, and high-end processing, 5G and 6G technologies and roadside units (RSUs) connected to a Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) server can be used to receive all the data sent by the vehicle, where the MEC server runs machine learning techniques to generate useful predictions.

WiMi’s VBCA solution, a lightweight decentralized ledger system, allows easy integration of recent blocks with existing P2P networks. It aims to provide a network for physical layer vehicles and devices that can share information efficiently and reliably. The solution reduces communication latency by combining blockchain with P2P networks, enabling the network to combine all active blocks into a lightweight blockchain. The scheme uses a hierarchical architecture to achieve an efficient consensus mechanism. Fixed nodes are responsible for attaching blocks to the blockchain, and all fixed nodes store copies of the blockchain. The scheme design estimates the number of active and inactive blocks in the network and maintains only active blocks instead of full blocks to improve the lightweight property.

In WiMi’s VBCA scheme, the system architecture nodes are divided into two node types: fixed nodes and mobile nodes. Fixed nodes are RSUs that provide geographic coverage for specific areas on the map by connecting to high-power edge servers and are interconnected via backhaul links. Mobile nodes use their sensors to capture event data and send it to the nearest fixed node. Through P2P networks, vehicles can use DSRC to connect more reliably to nearby RSUs, thereby reducing communication latency.

The consensus algorithm runs on the edge server and appends the verified protocol information to the blockchain stored on the edge server. Since vehicles are equipped with different types of sensors, e.g., self-driving cars can be equipped with cameras, radar, etc., the edge server will receive a large amount of data. Based on the collected data, various statistical and machine-learning tools can be applied to train models that generate multiple predictions for different applications. For example, a predictive learning-based approach can predict the expected load on numerous parts of the traffic network during a specific time window. The prediction information can be stored in a separate blockchain and shared among all fixed nodes through which vehicles can query the information. The system is built based on a network of vehicles and edge servers for managing traffic data and predicting traffic flow. The system works in five layers: application layer, contract layer, consensus layer, network layer, and data layer. The application layer provides the user interface that allows end users (vehicles) to perform general input/output operations. The contract layer verifies the authentication of vehicles and fixed nodes and deploys intelligent contracts. The consensus layer uses custom consensus algorithms to establish trust between nodes in the network. The network layer connects all nodes in a hybrid P2P fashion, with each node using a discovery protocol to find nearest neighbor RSUs to establish links and exchange messages. The data layer manages the protocols and blocks in the ledger, using tools such as hash functions, timestamps, and Merkle trees to ensure data integrity and security.

Furthermore, intelligent contracts ensure decentralization in the framework by allowing multiple fixed nodes to attach a block to the ledger. This algorithm technology significantly increases throughput and the number of blocks created by each node while ensuring decentralization. In addition, transaction latency is reduced by separating the protocol confirmation and block creation processes.

WiMi has several technologies used in autonomous driving, intelligent transportation systems, and smart cars. With the development of autonomous driving and intelligent transportation systems, vehicular networks are becoming increasingly important. The global market size for autonomous driving and intelligent transportation systems is expanding and is expected to grow in the coming years. This provides a broad market space for WiMi’s VBCA technology. In addition, with the development and popularization of 5G and 6G technologies, vehicular network data transmission speed and stability will be further improved, further promoting the application and development of consensus algorithm technology based on vehicular networks.

About WIMI Hologram Cloud

WIMI Hologram Cloud, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIMI) is a holographic cloud comprehensive technical solution provider that focuses on professional areas including holographic AR automotive HUD software, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR, head-mounted light field holographic equipment, holographic semiconductor, holographic cloud software, holographic car navigation and others. Its services and holographic AR technologies include holographic AR automotive application, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR technology, holographic vision semiconductor technology, holographic software development, holographic AR advertising technology, holographic AR entertainment technology, holographic ARSDK payment, interactive holographic communication and other holographic AR technologies.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s strategic and operational plans contain forward−looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward−looking statements in its periodic reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Forms 20−F and 6−K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases, and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward−looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development, financial condition, and results of operations; the expected growth of the AR holographic industry; and the Company’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services.

Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F and the current report on Form 6-K and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required under applicable laws.

Source: WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc.

Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023

Aesthetic design with a motif of placenta jar and lotus, reflecting the brand’s origin as a secret method of royal family

SEOUL, South Korea, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Goongbe, Korea’s representative kid brand, has won in the beauty and healthcare category for packaging at iF Design Award 2023, a global design award.

Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023
Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023

The award-winning product, Pri-mmune, which belongs to Goongbe’s baby line, was designed with a motif of placental jar (a jar used to store umbilical cords) and lotus. In the Joseon dynasty, the placental jar symbolized the health and longevity of prince, while the lotus represented the strength of life that blooms immaculately even in muddy conditions. The design received high acclaim for effectively conveying the aspiration for the health of babies.

Goongbe began from a secret method employed by the royal family in the Joseon dynasty, where babies were bathed on the third day of birth in water brewed with peach tree, apricot tree, and mulberry. Patented ingredient Royal Oji Complex™[1], a blend of ceramide, amino acid and polyphenol, provides hydration, enhances the skin’s barrier function, and offers soothing benefits.

The product is made without any allergens designated by the FDA and the EU. It features a fragrance that is registered with the FEMA of the US and has passed a stringent skin irritation test.

Goongbe officials said, “With Pri-mmune, we intended to deliver the brand philosophy of cherishing all babies as those in the royal family.”

Goongbe has won at Korea’s National Brand Award for five consecutive years and at Korea’s no.1 beauty app award in 2022 for three times, speaking volumes about its market position in the K-kid skincare market.

Its premium image and remarkable product capability are gaining popularity in international markets, as well. It won the “new brand award’[2] at Tmall Global, China’s largest e-commerce platform, and ranks first[3] in the kid sunscreen category at Tmall Brand Zone, leading the kid sunscreen category. At SASA Hongkong, the largest H&B store in Asia, it ranked first[4] in the entire baby sunscreen category. The eight items of Pri-mmune Baby are registered with National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA) as kid skincare cosmetics, with proven expertise and safety as kid skincare products.

[1] 2020. 04~2021. 03

[2] 2020. 04~2021. 03

[3] 2020.02~06, 2020.08~09, 2020.11, 2021.03~04, 2021.06, 2021.08, 2021.09~11

[4] 2020.02~06, 2020.08~09, 2020.11, 2021.03~04, 2021.06, 2021.08, 2021.09~11

Google Bard is Now Available in 40 Over Languages with More Responses

Google I/O in May 2023 saw them launching a sort of experimental open-sourced AI platform that is the Google Bard. In our write-up, we theorized that Google Bard is a direct response to ChatGPT, or rather, an attempt to compete with or replicate the technology that is ChatGPT-4. Before you get confused, again, Google’s Bard is not the result of their DeepMind AI project. It is not exactly Google Assistant as well, though sharing plenty of similarities.

At its launch, Google’s Bard was only available in English, Japanese, and Korean. Despite only working in three languages, the experiment was made available in 180 countries at launch. It is also important to know that the Google Bard you see in May’s Google I/O 2023 is not in its first iteration.

A few months on and Google is updating Bard to be more relevant to plenty more users around the world. The latest update to Bard makes it now available in over 40 languages, including the ones it started with. They also made it available in more than the original 180 countries including countries in the European region and Brazil. Of course, this is not where Google will stop with Bard. They are still planning to bring their Bard service to more regions in the future, but they are also doing it in stages in accordance with regulatory bodies, policy makers, and experts in the different regions they are expanding to. They also say that they are taking privacy and data into consideration when taking steps in expanding their services.

Language is also not the only thing that is being updated in Google Bard. Google has also updated Bard to improve its ability to customize its responses even more. Instead of just written responses, Google Bard can even read out its own response with correct pronunciation in case you are wondering how to say certain words. This is also available in 40 languages in the new update, which makes Bard super useful when you go travel too. You can even customize the responses from Bard by telling it to respond in five different options: simple, long, short, professional, or casual. Like ChatGPT, you can even ask Google Bard to create listings or postings for various things on various platforms. For now, this one is only available in English though. Obviously, the feature will be available in more languages as Google Bard collects more contextual data in different languages and regions.

Like your browser history, your interaction with Bard should not only last for that short minute you interact with the platform. The platform makes it easier for you to revisit conversations and topics you might have dropped off from with Bard. You can now pin your conversations and rename them so that you can archive it and bring it up on a later date when you have the time or whenever necessary. They have also improved Bard’s coding capabilities by now offering the ability to export Python codes to Replit and Google Colab to make coding much easier and faster. You can even share your Bard conversations with your friends and have them see the ideas you have thought of with the help of Bard. Google Lens is also now integrated into Bard. That means you can either take a photo or upload images with prompts or requests and Bard will analyze the photo to help with its responses.

Modernising Philanthropy: Kidney Dialysis Foundation Embraces Technology with over 50 GivePlease Donation Terminals Islandwide for Flag Day Fundraising


Changing the fundraising landscape, one donation terminal at a time.  

SINGAPORE, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) is set to revolutionise its annual Flag Day event on 15 July 2023 by introducing over 50 cutting-edge GivePlease donation terminals alongside traditional donation tins. This initiative demonstrates KDF’s commitment to embracing technology and providing a seamless, convenient, and secure donation experience for donors.

Figure 1: An example of a KDF GivePlease Donation Terminal that will be held by KDF staff and volunteers stationed islandwide on Flag Day. Photo courtesy of Kidney Dialysis Foundation.
Figure 1: An example of a KDF GivePlease Donation Terminal that will be held by KDF staff and volunteers stationed islandwide on Flag Day. Photo courtesy of Kidney Dialysis Foundation.

Flag Day holds immense significance for KDF, with volunteers and donors traditionally contributing through donation tins. While KDF recognises the enduring impact of these traditional methods, the foundation is taking a leap forward to meet the evolving preferences of donors, particularly the tech-savvy audience, by incorporating GivePlease donation terminals into the event. 

GivePlease donation terminals provide a modern and intuitive platform, designed specifically for donors who prefer seamless digital transactions. Developed with a built-in secure payment engine and innovative integration to GovTech Singpass, donors can effortlessly submit their particulars via Singpass QR code scanning and receive tax deduction benefits after giving to KDF. These state-of-the-art terminals will be strategically placed at various locations, making it easier than ever for individuals to contribute to KDF’s cause.

Mr. Raymond Lim, General Manager of the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “The introduction of GivePlease donation terminals during Flag Day signifies our unwavering commitment to innovation and exploring new avenues for fundraising.”

“This initiative reflects our commitment to embrace innovation and cater to the evolving preferences of our supporters. By blending technology with tradition, we are transforming the way people donate and ensuring that every contribution makes a meaningful difference in the lives of kidney patients,” he added.

With the adoption of GivePlease donation terminals, KDF aims to harness the power of technology and tap into the digital landscape to raise funds to help provide affordable and quality care for kidney patients. 

As Flag Day approaches, KDF invites individuals from all walks of life to participate in this remarkable event and contribute to the well-being of kidney patients in Singapore. Whether donors choose the convenience of the GivePlease donation terminals or the familiarity of the donation tins, every contribution counts and creates a significant impact on the lives of those affected by kidney disease.

The Flag Day event will be held on 15 July 2023, with a fundraising goal of $50,000 for needy kidney patients in Singapore. Funds raised will go into providing underprivileged kidney patients with treatments, medication, transport, and holistic care, as well as support the Foundation’s outreach efforts to increase awareness of kidney health. 

Members of the public can also contribute to this meaningful cause by visiting this link at
https://www.giving.sg/kidney-dialysis-foundation/kdffd23.

Appendix: GivePlease Donation Terminals

About Kidney Dialysis Foundation Singapore

Established in 1996, the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) is a company limited by guarantee. It is registered as a charity under the Charities Act 1994 and is governed and monitored by our Charity Sector Administrator, the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Commissioner of Charities. KDF is also an Institution of Public Character (IPC) charity organisation dedicated to providing subsidised dialysis treatments and holistic care to needy members of the community.

Kidney patients at KDF belong to the lowest 10% income group in Singapore, more than half of whom have a monthly per capita income (PCI) of $1,200 and below. Without subsidies, dialysis fees can set a patient back by more than $2,000 monthly. To date, KDF has served more than 950 patients, granting needy end-stage kidney patients a new lease of life through quality treatment and holistic care.

For more information about the Foundation, please visit https://www.kdf.org.sg/

About GivePlease

GivePlease is a leading Singapore-based fintech firm, at the forefront of seamless digital giving technology. With its ground-breaking on-demand donation platforms, GivePlease is transforming the experience of giving, combining digital and physical infrastructure to embed donation access points into people’s daily lives. By partnering with charities and religious organisations, GivePlease brings trust, transparency and a modernised donation experience that fosters increased generosity.

GivePlease builds technology for good and business for purpose. When donating is made easy and part of daily life, the world benefits and change is created. 

For more information, please visit www.giveplease.sg

For Media Enquiries,

Bellamy Leong (Mr.)
Donor Relations and Communications Executive
Kidney Dialysis Foundation
Tel: +65 98147598
Email: bellamy.leong@kdf.org.sg

Vincent Phua (Mr.)
Community and Partnerships Lead
GivePlease
Tel: +65 90406645        
Email: vincent.phua@giveplease.sg

42Gears SureMDM Expands Support to ChromeOS, Offering Enhanced Management Capabilities


BANGALORE, India, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — 42Gears, a leading provider of Mobile Device Management solutions, is excited to announce that SureMDM, its flagship world-class Mobile Device Management platform, now fully supports ChromeOS. With this expansion, 42Gears SureMDM now offers organizations a complete suite of management features to streamline ChromeOS device administration, ease application management, enhance security, and optimize productivity.

ChromeOS devices are popular among businesses and educational institutions for their simplicity, speed, and affordability. Recognizing the growing demand for ChromeOS device management solutions for educational institutions, 42Gears SureMDM is now compliant with Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool (HECVAT) Lite assessments, and the Cloud Broker Index (CBI) list. HECVAT is a security and privacy assessment toolkit designed specifically for higher education institutions to evaluate the risks associated with engaging third-party vendors and service providers. The HECVAT toolkit assists educational institutions in making informed decisions when selecting technology vendors and managing data privacy and security risks.

Here’s how 42Gears SureMDM ChromeOS support can help IT administrators and businesses:

  1. ChromeOS Apps and Extension Management: 42Gears SureMDM now fully supports apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Centralized Console Management: SureMDM empowers administrators with a higher level of visibility into their device ecosystem by enabling a single, centralized web console view of the entire fleet of managed devices.
  3. Enhanced Kiosk Management for both Applications and Web: With SureMDM, administrators can now provide a secure and productive environment for employees by restricting access to certain Chrome Applications and Extensions, and blocking access to malicious URLs.

Additional functionalities and features included in 42Gears SureMDM ChromeOS support:

  • Configuration, Automation, and Application Management: With SureMDM, administrators can now offer profiles to configure user and device policies, and application management for deploying and controlling apps. These features enable administrators to efficiently manage ChromeOS devices, enforce policies, and maintain a secure computing environment.
  • User and Browser Policy: SureMDM enables administrators to configure network settings and define user-specific policies, granting precise control over user access, preferences, and settings. Additionally, browser policies offer comprehensive management of ChromeOS security settings and advanced configurations.
  • Device Policy: With SureMDM device policy management, organizations can enforce security measures, manage device permissions, define sign-in settings and enrollment access, and ensure compliance with company-wide policies. This feature empowers administrators with centralized control over ChromeOS devices, reducing potential security risks and ensuring uniformity across the fleet.
  • Apps and Extensions Policy: SureMDM allows IT teams to regulate the installation and usage of apps and extensions on ChromeOS devices. Administrators can manage and deploy Chrome Web Store applications across ChromeOS devices efficiently, and define policies to restrict or permit specific applications, ensuring a secure and productive environment while maintaining compatibility with organizational workflows.
  • Blocklist/Allowlist Apps: SureMDM offers the ability to create comprehensive blocklists and allowlists for apps, granting administrators granular control over the software ecosystem. This feature ensures that only authorized applications are installed and used on ChromeOS devices, reducing the risk of malware, unauthorized software, or productivity-draining distractions.

“We are excited to expand our mobile device management capabilities to include full support for ChromeOS,” said Onkar Singh, CEO of 42Gears. “Organizations can now look forward to improved management capabilities, security, and efficiency across ChromeOS devices. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive solution that empowers businesses and educational institutions to harness the power of ChromeOS while ensuring a secure and productive environment for their users.”

For more information about 42Gears Mobile Device Management’s ChromeOS support, please click here.

About 42Gears:

42Gears is a leader in enterprise mobility management, offering cutting-edge solutions that aim to transform the digital workplace. Delivered from the cloud and on-premise, 42Gears products support all major mobile and desktop operating systems, enabling IT and DevOps teams to improve frontline workforce productivity and the efficiency of software development teams. 42Gears products are used by over 18,000 customers across various industries in more than 115 countries, and are available for purchase through a global partner network. For more information, visit https://www.42gears.com  

LG Celebrates 10 Consecutive Years of Being on Top with Latest OLED TVs

When you think about getting an OLED TV, there are going to be a few names you start thinking about. Since they are so popular, one of those names is inevitably LG. To be fair, they have been on top of the OLED TV market for about 10 years now, as per their claims. Why not Samsung? Samsung has moved away from the OLED technology and introduced their own cutting edge QLED technology. The thing is, OLED TVs are still some of the best-selling TVs in the market for a good reason – they still offer some of the best colour contrast and saturation you can find today.

There is plenty to like about LG’s OLED TVs too. They have a clever remote that acts sort of like a ‘magic wand’. You just point to the things or contents you want via the remote, and then select the content via the button on your remote. Like other smart TV remotes, the LG TV remote also can work with voice command. There is the webOS User Interface (UI) too, which is still one of the best UI available for smart TVs today, in our opinion. It is, in our opinion, a little more polished than even Samsung’s TizenOS for TVs, and much better to work with compared to Google TV or Android TV interfaces. Part of the polished feel of the TV is thanks to some of the most advanced processors for TVs made in the industry found in their TVs. The processor is getting a little aged though and an update is in order.

Welcome to the latest line-up of LG OLED TVs made for modern entertainment. It comes ready with LG’s proven α9 processor, but it is upgraded to make the TVs some of the best money can buy in the market. They call it the α9 AI Processor 4K Gen6 and it is programmed with LG’s latest and improved AI algorithms for image upscaling and smoothing with AI help. It does not stop at images though, it also works well with audio to offer users not just immersive and lifelike images, but also top notch surround audio to go along with the action. The new processor also offers Brightness Booster Max technology (OLED Evo G3 series) to offer brighter, sharper, and more realistic images by controlling the brightness of individual pixels allowing 70% brighter images for realistic contrasts and background separation.

They have updated webOS too for 2023 that offers even more intuitive navigation for users. Ther is a new Quick Cards feature that allows users easy access to the contents and services they use most or most recently used. The cards are even organized and grouped under the different Gaming, Music, Sports, and other available categories to give that more sorted feel to the interface. Speaking of which, these new TVs are made with modern gaming experiences in mind. Thanks to a 0.1ms response time (on Boost), NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium support, this is the perfect large factor gaming monitor not just for your latest gaming consoles, but also for your gaming PCs. There is support for HDMI 2.1 and VRR for the latest GPUs and even the latest consoles.

For the modern home, you want a seamless and integrated look. The thinner the TVs, the easier it is for you to integrate into your living space. That is also why the 2023 line-up of LG OLED TVs are designed to be as thin as possible with a zero-gap mount design to blend into your walls. The ultra-thin bezels give the illusion that the images are painted directly on your wall, and with the most accurate black paint available for that matter. If you prefer your TVs to be your home’s centerpieces or statement pieces, there is the new LG OLED Posé Objet Collection. For your gaming set-up, you can have the best of both flat and curved displays with the OLED Flex 4K display.

  • IMAGE 2 LG OLED evo G3
  • IMAGE 3 LG OLED evo C3
  • IMAGE 5 LG OLED Posé
  • IMAGE 4 LG OLED A3

The new 2023 line-up of LG TVs is now available via LG’s authorized retailers across the nation. The new models are the LG OLED evo G3, LG OLED evo C3, and LG OLED A3. The LG OLED evo G3 starts at MYR 17,999 and is available in 65-icn and 77-inch sizes only. The LG OLED evo C3 will be available in sizes from 55-inch all the way to 83-inch with prices starting from MYR 10,999. Meanwhile, the budget option, the LG OLED A3 is available in 55-inch and 65-inch size variants at MYR 8,999 onward. If you are up for a good deal, you can visit their Perfect 10th, Perfect Black Roadshow happening now until the 16th of July 2023. If you do purchase any of their latest TVs from their roadshow, you are entitled to enjoy up to MYR 1,700 in TNG eWallet rebates, and even stand a chance to win a free 65-inch TV from LG. More on LG’s latest TVs can be found at their website.

Sony Finally Releases the α6700 APS-C Mirrorless Camera! The α6000 Series is Not Neglected After All.

Sony’s α6000 series is one of those line-ups of cameras that we can easily recommend to anyone who is looking to get into photography. Despite its price, we think that Sony’s mirrorless APS-C interchangeable lens camera line-up offers some of the best value for a camera. The older α6600 for example, offers 4K video recording with S-Log3, pretty much on par with the more premium α7 line-up of cameras when it comes to video work. While APS-C sensors are smaller than full-frame sensors, the α6600 is still a formidable photography tool that offers photo quality that is comparable to full-frame photos.

The α6600 is an aging platform though. It launched back in September 2019, which was nearly 4 years ago. Considering that the gap between the α7 III and α7 IV is also a little over 3 years old, the α6600 is due for an upgrade. Introducing the Sony α6700.

New Sensor

  • Sony a6700 Render 5
  • Sony a6700 Render 2

You still get an APS-C sensor on the Sony α6700, like its predecessor, which is also rather expected, since this is the compact camera line-up from Sony. It is an upgraded sensor though. It is now a 26-Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor alongside Sony’s most powerful BIONZ XR image processor that also powers Sony’s latest full-frame cameras.

New Processor

Sony a6700 Render 4
Source: Sony

The BIONZ XR processor allows the Sony α6700 to record 4K videos like the older α6600. But instead of the regular 60fps, you can record at 120fps this time. You can also record videos at S-Cinetone picture profile, which is the preferred profile for Sony’s filmmakers on their professional Cinema Line cameras. On top of that, you have the flexibility of shooting videos and photos from a standard ISO 100 all the way to ISO 32000 for both high-sensitivity and low-light shooting.

The new processor also contains a clever artificial intelligence (AI) engine first seen on Sony’s advanced α7R V platform. The AI engine allows the α6700 to cleverly recognize subjects accurately (Real-Time Recognition AF) and quickly focuses on the subject even if they are not human. Of course, that contributes to the speedy Eye-AF system that Sony pioneered.

Still Compact

Sony a6700 Render 1
Source: Sony

You get a familiar platform on the Sony α6700. You get the same compact design body with lightweight materials. It is a little over 100g lighter than the older α6600 too. While 100g may not sound a lot, it does make a difference when you need to work with it an entire day for both video and photography workflow. Thanks to the new swiveling vari-angle LCD monitor as well, the new α6700 offers even more flexibility in the types of shots you can get and monitor.

Price and Availability

The Sony α6700 will be available in Malaysia from September 2023 onward. No colour options here, just the regular black colour that we are used to with Sony’s cameras, or any other cameras for that matter. There are no mentions yet on its official pricing in Malaysia just yet. It is priced at US$ 1,398, which is about MYR 6,416*. In that case, we are expecting the new camera will be priced at about MYR 6,400 when it arrives in Malaysia. For more information on Sony’s latest α6700, you can head over to their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.59 as of 13/07/2023 on xe.com

China Daily: Fengtai employs host of methods to find and retain talent

BEIJING, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A talent acquisition campaign in Fengtai, one of Beijing’s six core districts, was launched in July, accompanied with a series of events such as a talent conference held on Monday.

The Lize Financial Business District in Fengtai district
The Lize Financial Business District in Fengtai district

August and September will see more activities featuring Fengtai interns, campus open days and alumni return days. A group of support facilities such as a youth entrepreneurship salon and youth entrepreneurship and employment service station will be rolled out.

Prior to this, some introducing activities have been ongoing, such as the “Students Returning Home” WeChat app and the opening of the “Students Returning Home” hotline, as well as the unveiling of 90 talent stations.

In recent days, people can see posters of “Welcome students back to Fengtai” on the streets of Beijing. At some bus stops, promotional videos are playing on electronic screens, which show the longing for talent and development in the district.

Faced with an accelerating pace of technological revolution and industrial transformation, economic and social development has a greater desire for talents than before. How to retain talents has become an important aspect for Fengtai to achieve high-quality development.

At the talent conference, 49 talent teams and 30 special talent teams were selected for the Fengze Plan. They will be given support in terms of career development, personal growth and social security service.

The selected talents come from various industries, including the four leading industries of finance, technology, culture and commerce in Fengtai district, as well as important public services such as education and medical care.

Ning Yupeng, head of Beijing Zhyu Technologies, has been involved in the field of commercial cryptography and internet of things-supported technologies for many years. The company officially settled in Fengtai in early 2021.

“I was attracted by the industrial structure and industrial clustering in Fengtai,” Ning said. For him, being selected for the Fengze Plan is not only an incentive but a validation of his decision to move the company to Fengtai.

The company is located in Lize Financial Business District, which is regarded as the capital’s second financial district. As of June 25, the number of settled enterprises in Lize reached 1,048. Financial and technology enterprises account for more than 70 percent of the total.

Ning learned that several enterprises in the field of commercial cryptography had settled here before his move and the industry has shown a trend of concentration. Moving the company here would make it easier for cooperation and the company’s growth.

“The policies of talent and tax rebates in Fengtai are particularly attractive. These industrial policies give companies more confidence in recruitment, employment and retention,” Ning said. He added that Fengtai’s investment promotion policies were inspiring and he could feel the pragmatic working style of government departments.

Creating value for young talents

As one of the series of activities under the campaign, on July 4, Fengtai district opened 90 talent stations, which provide services such as policy consultation, conference and exhibition space, leisure and entertainment, and business negotiations for enterprises and talents.

On the opening day, the station located in Zhongguancun Fengtai Science Park received the first group of students for a visit. With spacious and comfortable negotiation venues and rich and detailed policy displays, companies and talents in the park can make appointments to use the multifunctional conference area and guest lounge for negotiations.

This talent station is located centrally, making it convenient for companies in the park. The spacious area, expanding more than 1,000 square meters, has abundant natural light. The bright color scheme creates a relaxed atmosphere, which is suitable for business negotiations.

On July 3, the “Students Returning Home” mini-app was launched on WeChat. It collects talent’s needs such as recruitment, internships, housing, cooperation and investment. It integrates platforms for industry project cooperation, innovative entrepreneurship and investment matching, and the student volunteer service.

This year, the number of college graduates in China reached a record high of 11.58 million, raising the issue of graduate employment. During the graduation season, Fengtai district will organize innovative online and offline recruitment activities such as a “job fair night market and “livestreaming job introduction” to provide better services.

Fengtai district has signed cooperation agreements with eight universities — including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University — and six enterprises to establish innovation and practice bases, and cooperated with experts from nine key educational institutions to provide guidance for students.

In recent years, Fengtai district has provided comfortable and affordable housing for various talents through means such as guaranteed rental housing. Currently, more than 1,900 sets of housing have been allocated to key enterprises in the district.

Earlier this year, Fengtai district launched its first pilot housing project for new graduates. The complex has well-equipped facilities including a gym, communal kitchen, meeting room and reading area, meeting the needs of young people.

For foreign talents working in China, Fengtai district has designated a window in the government service center to provide an exclusive one-stop service point.

In April, Beijing Fengtai International Talent Development Group was established in the district. The group operates in a market-oriented manner and collaborates with government, institutions and enterprises to jointly promote talent policies.

Sun Yingqi, a graduate of Peking University, works in Fengtai. In her opinion, Fengtai is a place that encourages and protects innovation, and is full of vitality and energy.

After graduating from Renmin University of China, Liu Yingran came to work in Fengtai. She said that choosing Fengtai means she can integrate her dreams into the development layout of the region.

Contact (8610)63397070 to learn more about “Students Returning Home”.