Yearly Archives: 2024

PR Newswire

Yura Co.,Ltd signs MOU with Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle for Electrical Design Innovation

Leave a comment

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Yura Co.,Ltd (CEO Dae Yeol Ohm) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co.,Ltd (CEO BangShin Kim) to introduce Yura’s advanced e-CAD system, ‘CADvizor,’ for wiring harness design. Through this strategic partnership, Yura Co.,Ltd aims to significantly enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Tata Daewoo’s wiring harness design process, marking a crucial turning point for the sustainable growth of Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co.,Ltd.

[From left: Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle R&D Director (Myungsik Seo), YURA Co.,Ltd Head of IT Business Division (Jungtae Kang) during the signing ceremony]
[From left: Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle R&D Director (Myungsik Seo), YURA Co.,Ltd Head of IT Business Division (Jungtae Kang) during the signing ceremony]

CADvizor is an advanced Electrical CAD software tailored for electrical design, offering specialized libraries and design services essential for creating wiring harness diagrams, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). This software will elevate the precision and efficiency of Tata Daewoo’s electrical design tasks. Moreover, CADvizor’s diverse modules are designed to innovate and streamline the wiring harness design process, leading to substantial gains in overall efficiency.

This MOU further solidifies the collaboration between Yura Co.,Ltd and Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co.,Ltd, as both companies combine their technological expertise to develop more innovative and competitive products. Yura Co.,Ltd anticipates that this partnership will lead to significant advancements in the field of electrical design, allowing the company to deliver even greater value to its customers.

PR Newswire

THE FUTURE OF NON-TERRESTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: SCEYE DEMONSTRATES BREAKTHROUGH DIURNAL FLIGHT IN THE STRATOSPHERE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY

Leave a comment

ROSWELL, N.M., Aug. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sceye, an aerospace company with a background in material science and manufacturer of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), announced today that it completed a full diurnal flight in the stratosphere while staying over an area of operation. This is a critical milestone towards long-duration flights of months or years by using of solar power through daylight hours, and battery capacity enabling overnight flight through solar recharge the next morning. The HAPS launched at 7:36 AM MST on August 15th from the company’s New Mexico facility and landed at 12:21 PM MST the following day after the flight test points were completed.

THE FUTURE OF NON-TERRESTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: SCEYE DEMONSTRATES BREAKTHROUGH DIURNAL FLIGHT IN THE STRATOSPHERE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
THE FUTURE OF NON-TERRESTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: SCEYE DEMONSTRATES BREAKTHROUGH DIURNAL FLIGHT IN THE STRATOSPHERE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY

“This is a significant milestone for the Sceye team, towards opening up vast opportunities in the stratosphere, building an entirely new layer of infrastructure between drones and satellites,” said Sceye CEO and Founder, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen. The ability to stay in the stratosphere for long durations over an area of operation offers a unique vantage point for detecting climate disasters in real time like wildfires and methane leaks, as well as connectivity to the billions of unconnected which conventional infrastructures cannot serve.

Today’s launch furthered all key stratospheric objectives of the Sceye 2024 test program, including demonstrating diurnal flight, controlled relocation, and the ability to stay over an area of operation. The completion of these objectives will allow Sceye to initiate commercial use cases.

“The flight was an important demonstration of our platform’s performance and resilience. I’m looking forward to seeing the growth and capabilities scale with each and every flight that follows,” said Stephanie Luongo, Sceye Chief of Mission Operations.

Sceye has completed twenty test flights, with two additional test flights planned for 2024, further maturing the platform in preparation for commercialization.

The flight carried an advanced payload suite consisting of instruments for addressing some of humanity’s  most critical issues : stereo-optical cameras, for creating precise elevation models used to understand disasters such as floodings and earthquakes and how to mitigate them; infrared cameras to allow for prediction and detection of wildfires and to detect methane leaks in real time, representing two significant sources of global warming. The payload also included synthetic aperture radar that allows the platform to see through clouds and observe the planet’s most vital systems in any weather and time of day.

About Sceye

Sceye is an aerospace company founded in 2014 to unleash the possibilities in the stratosphere by uplifting and connecting all people and protecting our planet. The company is leading the industry of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) to provide universal and equitable connectivity, improve climate change monitoring, natural resource stewardship, wildfire detection and better detect and contain disasters before they spiral out of control.

Press Inquiries:
Kristian Ullum Vind
press@sceye.com

PR Newswire

HYPERLIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND SUNSTRONG ENTERTAINMENT FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO ELEVATE EVENTS AND NURTURE TALENT

Leave a comment

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia, Aug. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HyperLive Entertainment and SunStrong Entertainment are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership that aims to elevate events to new heights, providing incredible opportunities for talented individuals to shine and build their personal brands. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the entertainment industry, uniting two powerhouses dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences and nurturing emerging talent.


This partnership presents individuals with passion, talent, and drive an exceptional chance to become the next star in the entertainment industry. With numerous upcoming events, emerging talents will have ample opportunities to be discovered and begin their journeys in entertainment. Audiences and aspiring artists alike should stay tuned for the exciting projects on the horizon.

HyperLive Entertainment, owner of the licensed Over-The-Top (OTT) platform HyperLive TV, is at the forefront of digital and live entertainment, known for its cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences. Specializing in live streaming and interactive media, HyperLive connects talent with global audiences, creating unforgettable moments and opportunities for rising stars.

SunStrong Entertainment, founded by entrepreneur, Mr. Jment Lim, is renowned for its innovative productions and dedication to nurturing talent. With a diverse portfolio spanning music, film, and live events, SunStrong consistently delivers top-tier entertainment experiences to audiences worldwide.

The synergy between HyperLive Entertainment and SunStrong Entertainment promises to revolutionize show production and talent development. This partnership will provide regional platforms for influencers, beauty queens, and performing arts talents to gain significant exposure and opportunities to build their personal brands.


As the Major Supporting Partner of the recently completed Miss World Beauty With A Purpose Tour in Sabah, SunStrong Entertainment played a crucial role in supporting various charity activities. These activities were participated in by Mrs. Julia Morley CBE, CEO and Chairman of the Miss World Organization, the reigning Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszkova, and Miss World Malaysia 2023 Saroop Roshi, and were aimed at aiding underprivileged individuals, children in need, and disadvantaged families. Committed to the mission, SunStrong generously donated RM 50,000 to support Yayasan Nur Jauhar’s charity initiatives. The cheque presentation ceremony was held at the Sabah State Palace, with Guest of Honour Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Norlidah Binti Tan Sri R.M Jasni, The Consort of The Head of State of Sabah and Adviser to Nur Jauhar Foundation, along with Brig Gen Datuk Haji Al Hambra Tun Juhar, Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative House and Chairman of Nur Jauhar’s Foundation.

Upcoming collaborative events include the Miss Grand Malaysia 2024 Grand Finals, co-organized by both companies and scheduled for 22 August 2024 at the Galaxy Banquet Hall, HGH Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The event will feature the reigning Miss Grand International 2023, Luciana Fuster, as a special guest, elevating the pageant to new heights and attracting global attention.

Later this year, HyperLive Entertainment will host its inaugural HyperLive TV Influencer Festival and Awards in Sabah. This event will bring together content creators and influencers from across Asia, featuring a phygital livestream festival, networking sessions, influencer workshops, and an awards ceremony. As the Main Presenter, SunStrong Entertainment will work with HyperLive to nurture talent and connect businesses with regional content creators and livestreamers.

Towards the end of the year, HyperLive Entertainment will produce the highly anticipated Miss World Malaysia Grand Finals in Sabah. This event will be produced as a six-episode reality series, showcasing the finalists’ talents. SunStrong Entertainment will again be the Main Presenter, providing new opportunities for the beauty queens to venture into the entertainment industry.

Dr. Sean Wong, CEO of HyperLive Entertainment, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with SunStrong Entertainment to bring our events to greater heights. This collaboration will open doors for countless talented individuals, providing them with platforms to shine and make a significant impact. Together, we will nurture the next generation of stars.”

Mr. Jment Lim, Founder of SunStrong Entertainment, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “SunStrong Entertainment is excited to join forces with HyperLive Entertainment. Our shared vision of supporting and developing talent aligns perfectly, and we look forward to making a positive difference in the entertainment industry. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to inspire, uplift, and provide unparalleled opportunities for emerging talents.”

Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects. For more information, please visit their official websites:

HyperLive Entertainment – www.hyperlive.tv 

SunStrong Entertainment – www.sunstrongentertainment.com 

PR Newswire

LILYSILK Partners with Leading Nonprofits to Celebrate National Nonprofit Day, Empowering Communities and Promoting Sustainability

Leave a comment

NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LILYSILK celebrates its 14th anniversary and Brand Month this August and proudly commemorates National Nonprofit Day on August 17 by announcing two new partnerships with the World Woman Foundation and I Support The Girls. Additionally, LILYSILK continues its collaboration with longstanding partners, including National Breast Cancer Foundation®, Baby2Baby, and One Tree Planted, demonstrating a sustained commitment to community support and environmental sustainability.

National Nonprofit Day serves as a reminder of the collective efforts of individuals and organizations to create a more equitable and compassionate world, highlighting the critical role in addressing societal issues, promoting social justice, and providing essential services to those in need.

Credit: I Support The Girls
Credit: I Support The Girls

LILYSILK is thrilled to partner with the World Woman Foundation as their sustainable fashion partner. This collaboration aims to empower women across North America and Europe by promoting sustainability and leadership through the use of sustainable silk products.

“We are thrilled to partner with LILYSILK, a brand that shares our commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment,” said Rupa Dash, CEO of the World Woman Foundation. “This partnership is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future while uplifting women worldwide.”

LILYSILK proudly supports I Support The Girls (ISTG) by donating over US$8,000 worth of bras to promote dignity for all. Dana Marlowe, founder and Executive Director of ISTG, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “LILYSILK’s generous donation enables us to support hundreds of individuals in need.” ISTG collects and distributes essential items to women experiencing homelessness and distress, fostering dignity and confidence.

Since 2022, LILYSILK has been a steadfast supporter of National Breast Cancer Foundation®, contributing over US$5,000 and US$43,000 worth of eye masks to aid women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

LILYSILK continues its support for Baby2Baby, helping the organization continue to provide essential items like diapers. In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, LILYSILK helped Baby2Baby distribute 250,000 diapers to mothers and their babies. Additionally, in 2023, LILYSILK partnered with One Tree Planted to plant 35,000 trees in Brazil and Mexico, reaffirming their commitment to sustainability and reforestation efforts.

“We express our deepest gratitude to our nonprofit partners who enable us to make a positive impact,” said David Wang, CEO of LILYSILK. “By collaborating with nonprofits, we underscore our commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.”

PR Newswire

ViewSonic Unveils New M1X & M1S Projectors: Achieve Perfect Projection Anywhere with Ease

Leave a comment

BREA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ViewSonic Corp., a leading global visual solutions provider, has announced the launch of the latest M1X and M1S portable projectors. Building on the signature designs of the ViewSonic M1 series, the new M1X and M1S projectors feature a patented 3-in-1 smart stand, enabling 360-degree vertical projection. These projectors also come upgraded with comprehensive horizontal & vertical keystone correction, allowing for side projection and enhanced setup flexibility. With Harman Kardon speakers and a built-in battery, these models ensure continuous entertainment experiences in both indoor and outdoor environments. 


ViewSonic M1X & M1S | Portable LED Projector | Surprises at Every Turn

“We’ve observed consumers’ evolving lifestyles, with a greater demand for dynamic visual experiences and on-the-go convenience,” said Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. “When we launched the first-generation M1 in 2019, we’ve consistently received positive feedback from the market. Now, as part of our commitment to innovation and user focus, we’re excited to launch the new M1X and M1S projectors. Designed with user convenience in mind, these new models enhance setup possibilities with upgraded features, delivering a more versatile audiovisual experience for entertainment anywhere.”

Perfect and Effortless Projection in Any Setting

The M1X and M1S portable projectors feature a patented 3-in-1 smart stand, along with auto vertical keystone correction, enabling users to effortlessly project content onto ceilings, walls, or any other surface, offering 360-degree projection possibilities. With the newly added horizontal keystone correction and 4-corner adjustment, users can project perfectly shaped images even when the projector is positioned at a side angle. Whether placing the projector on the nightstand beside your bed or near the patio in the backyard, the M1X and M1S can easily provide cinematic enjoyment anywhere.

On-the-Go Entertainment with Reliable Audiovisual Performance 

Thanks to the integrated Harman Kardon speakers, users can enjoy high-quality, room-filling audio with the palm-sized projector for an immersive experience. The projectors also come with Cinema SuperColor+ technology, delivering a 125% Rec.709 color gamut for vivid and lifelike visuals. With a lightweight design of less than 1 kg, the projectors feature an embedded battery and power bank compatibility. This enables users to take them anywhere and easily transform any indoor or outdoor space into a big-screen entertainment hub.

Seamless Connectivity with Your Favorite Streaming Devices   

Whether you’re gaming on a Nintendo Switch or making FaceTime calls on the latest iPhone, the M1X and M1S projectors provide seamless connectivity with a wide range of devices via USB-C. They are also compatible with popular streaming devices like Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku players, adding convenience. The USB-A port allows for charging streaming sticks, eliminating the need for separate power adapters.

The M1X goes further with smart features like Wi-Fi screen mirroring and Bluetooth-enabled audio options, providing ultimate flexibility and convenience for all projection needs.

To learn more about ViewSonic’s latest M1X and M1S portable projectors, please visit: 

About ViewSonic

Founded in 1987 in California, ViewSonic is a leading global visual solutions provider with a presence in over 100 countries. The company leverages over 35 years of expertise in visual technology to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software, content, and services. ViewSonic offers a wide range of products, with screen sizes spanning from 5 inches to a massive 760 inches. This includes interactive displays, large format displays, LED displays, pen displays, monitors, projectors, SaaS, AI services, interactive content, and more. This innovative ecosystem empowers education, workplaces, and individuals to foster creativity, collaboration, and seamless learning. ViewSonic focuses on designing products that deliver optimal performance and customer satisfaction while integrating sustainable production practices and upholding comprehensive environmental, social, and governance standards. The company’s goal is to enable customers to “See the Difference”. Learn more at www.viewsonic.com. 

ViewSonic Unveils New M1X & M1S Projectors: Achieve Perfect Projection Anywhere with Ease
ViewSonic Unveils New M1X & M1S Projectors: Achieve Perfect Projection Anywhere with Ease

Source: ViewSonic Corp.

PR Newswire

Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, and ABB Take the Lead in ABI Research’s Robotics Offline Programming Software Competitive Ranking

Leave a comment

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Offline Programming (OLP) software is the key to unlocking the value of automation across all industrial market verticals. The new Competitive Assessment by global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has evaluated and ranked the software offerings of the 13 major software vendors within the robotics offline programming space to accurately judge software’s capabilities for supporting industrial robot deployments.

“The robotics industry relies on offline programming software to democratize automation while enabling dynamic workflows to allow decision makers to rapidly re-task robots for managing the production of heterogeneous products. Analytics and optimization features of software offerings both maximize productivity and create transparency, enabling broad stakeholder tie-ins. Further, intuitive interfaces allow workers to program robots without prior coding knowledge,” explains George Chowdhury, Robotics Industry Analyst at ABI Research.

The companies featured in this ranking range from century-old manufacturing giants to innovative upstarts:

Market Leaders: Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, ABB
Mainstream: Cenit, EKS InTec, MathWorks
Followers: Artiminds, Hexagon, RoboDK, KUKA, Robotmaster, FANUC

“Perhaps counterintuitively, software is the most important facet of robotics,” Chowdhury says. “Offline programming is the technology that will drive robotics uptake across many new industries. Software is also a vital aspect of industrial manufacturing. Robotics OLP software can be seen as the vehicle for innovation in manufacturing verticals—well-established manufacturing industries are generally wary of letting nascent technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) loose on their industrial robots. Simulation in the form of programming software assuages stakeholder concern by demonstrating and quantifying the value of innovation prior to deployment.”

Quantified metrics include an investigation into product features, including Flexibility and Ease of Use; Compatible Data Formats for import and export; Interfacing Capabilities and software and hardware interoperability; Post-Sale Support and PLM; ease of deployment; time to value; and the inclusion of advanced features such as AI and Virtual Reality (VR). Some of the most advanced innovators in the space were ABB and Dassault Systèmes.

ABB’s offering, RobotStudio, demonstrates AI augmentation and cloud collaboration capabilities for industrial robots. Dassault Systèmes—controlling a comprehensive software portfolio—provides unmatched dynamic and flexible PLM for creating versatile automated workflows ideal for the manufacture of high-mix goods.

Siemens’ powerful implementation capabilities earned it the top implementer spot in the competitive ranking.  Siemens leverages deep systems integration knowledge for solutions, focusing on virtual commissioning and the streamlined deployment and monitoring of robots for industrial applications.

Understanding of the simulation market that supports robot deployments is critical to achieving further uptake and greater market penetration for robotics stakeholders. “Supporting digital infrastructure that streamlines automation deployments and optimization while furthering accessibility to emerging technology will play an increasingly important role in the decades ahead. All automation stakeholders would do well to understand vendor offerings and the advantages they confer thoroughly,” Chowdhury concludes.

These findings are from ABI Research’s Offline Programming for Robotics Software in Industrial Manufacturing competitive ranking report. This report is part of the company’s Industrial, Collaborative & Commercial Robotics research service, which includes research, data, and ABI Insights. Competitive Ranking reports offer a comprehensive analysis of implementation and innovation strategies to provide unparalleled insight into a company’s performance and standing compared to its competitors.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

ABI Research是一家全球性的技术情报公司，拥有得天独厚的优势，充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁，通过提供独家研究和专业性指导，推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略，无缝连接这两大主体。

For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info: 

Global
Deborah Petrara
Tel: +1.516.624.2558
pr@abiresearch.com

News

Capture Your Reaction, Win a Music Frame: Samsung’s Portrait Studio Contest Heats Up

Leave a comment

Did you use Samsung’s Portrait Studio feature to capture stunning portraits? Here’s a chance to see your picture on a giant billboard AND win a cool prize!

Stand a Chance to Win a Personalised Samsung Music Frame with Your Reaction to Your Portrait Studio Picture! KV

Samsung Malaysia is running a unique contest called the “Made with Portrait Studio Reaction Campaign.” The campaign celebrates the artistic capabilities of the Portrait Studio feature and gives you a chance to win a Samsung Music Frame.

What is Portrait Studio?

Portrait Studio is a built-in feature on many Samsung Galaxy smartphones including the recently announced Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 as part of the growing features of Galaxy AI. It utilizes AI technology to enhance your portraits, creating professional-looking photos with various lighting effects and background blur options.

What is the Samsung Music Frame?

The Samsung Music Frame is a stylish and innovative device that blends seamlessly into your home decor. It doubles as a digital photo frame and a music player. You can display your favourite pictures, including your Portrait Studio creations, and enjoy your music library with high-quality sound.

How to Join the Competition:

The contest is open to all residents of Malaysia. Here’s how you can participate:

  1. Spot Your Portrait: Keep an eye out for Samsung billboards across major Malaysian cities. These billboards will showcase some of the best Portrait Studio pictures captured by Galaxy users.
  2. React and Record: If you see your picture on a billboard, it’s time to capture your reaction! Record a video of your surprise, excitement, or simply how amazing your photo looks on the big screen.
  3. Share on Social Media: Post your reaction video on Facebook, Instagram (Feed or Reels), Twitter (formerly known as X), or TikTok. Remember to tag @SamsungMalaysia and include the hashtags and . Make sure your social media profile is set to public so Samsung can see your entry.

The Prizes and Timeline:

The competition runs from August 9th, 2024, to September 8th, 2024. Three lucky winners will be chosen based on their creativity and engagement. Each winner will receive a Samsung Music Frame pre-loaded with their personalized Portrait Studio picture, valued at RM1,999. Winners will be announced on September 30th, 2024, and contacted via direct message on their social media platforms.

Computers

Lenovo YOGA Portal Packs Performance with A Small Footprint

Leave a comment

Lenovo has unveiled a compelling challenger to the Apple Mac Studio: the Yoga Portal. This high-performance mini PC boasts impressive desktop-grade components packed into a surprisingly small form factor, making it ideal for content creators, professionals, and gamers who value power without sacrificing space.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (2)

Mighty Specs in a Tiny Footprint

The Yoga Portal defies expectations by fitting powerful hardware into a compact design measuring just 19.5 x 19.1 x 10.8 cm and weighing 3.5 kg. Don’t be fooled by its size; the Yoga Portal packs a serious punch when it comes to performance.

Under the hood, the Yoga Portal features a desktop-class Intel Core i7-14700 processor, boasting 20 cores and 28 threads. This powerhouse CPU should pack enough performance for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and high-end gaming. The 5.4 GHz single-core boost clock promises smooth performance even under heavy workloads.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (3)

Complementing the processor is a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, a significant upgrade compared to the ThinkCentre Neo Ultra’s integrated graphics. This discrete GPU delivers exceptional graphics capabilities, allowing you to tackle demanding creative tasks and enjoy smooth gameplay at high resolutions.

Designed for Expansion and Upgradability

The Yoga Portal comes standard with 32GB of DDR5 memory, offering excellent multitasking capabilities and seamless application switching. Additionally, the memory is user-upgradeable, allowing you to further enhance performance as your needs evolve.

Storage is handled by a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, providing ample space for your files and applications. Similar to the memory, the SSD is also user-upgradeable, allowing you to expand storage capacity for larger projects and extensive media libraries. The Yoga Portal even offers a dedicated M.2 slot for adding an independent NPU card, potentially boosting AI performance for specific applications.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (1)

Comprehensive Connectivity

Despite its small size, the Yoga Portal comes with a comprehensive selection of ports to connect all your peripherals. The front panel features a 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports, and a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port for versatile connectivity.

The rear panel provides even more options, including two additional USB-A ports (one USB 10Gbps and one USB 3.2 Gen 1), an HDMI 1.4 TMDS port, an HDMI 2.1a FRL port, and four DisplayPort 1.4a ports. This extensive array of ports ensures compatibility with various displays, external storage solutions, and other peripherals. Additionally, the Yoga Portal comes equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for reliable wired network connectivity.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (1)

Pricing & Availability

The Lenovo Yoga Portal is currently available for pre-order in China, with a starting price of ¥17,999 (approximately USD $2,480). For Malaysian consumers, the converted price translates to roughly RM11,140, though official Malaysian pricing and availability haven’t been confirmed yet.

Android, Mobile, News

Google Wallet Gets Even More Useful with “Everything Else” Section

Leave a comment

Google Wallet, the digital hub for storing payment methods, IDs, and transit passes, has just received a significant upgrade. The introduction of a new “Everything Else” section expands its functionality, allowing users to manage a wider range of digital essentials in a single, convenient location.

Launched in 2022, Google Wallet has quickly become a popular solution for contactless payments and digital identification; partially due to Android’s wide user base and adoption. It was seamlessly integrated with existing Android Pay functionality, allowing users to use credit and debit cards for quick and secure transactions. Additionally, the platform incorporated support for storing boarding passes, loyalty cards, and vaccine passports, streamlining the experience when on the go.

Google Wallet

Now, with the “Everything Else” section, Google Wallet takes another step towards becoming a one-stop shop for everyday needs. This new feature lets users scan and save a variety of documents, including event tickets, gym memberships, and even insurance cards. Google’s AI technology comes into play by automatically recognizing the type of document and suggesting relevant information for easy access and organization.

For users in Malaysia, Google Wallet is fully compatible, offering all the existing features including contactless payments, boarding passes, and digital IDs. The addition of the “Everything Else” section further enhances its usability, providing a central location to manage a wider range of important documents.

While the “Everything Else” section is currently limited to the US, users in Malaysia can still benefit from the existing features of Google Wallet. With its convenient organization and secure storage, Google Wallet continues to be a valuable tool for managing finances, identification, and other important digital items.

Business, Mobile, News

Patreon, Epic Games, & Spotify Push Back Against Apple’s App Store Fees

Leave a comment

Apple’s App Store fee structure has long been a contentious issue for developers. In fact, the company’s App Store Fees have come under intense scrutiny in Europe as the EU Commission has ruled against Apple’s policies and reopened an investigation into the company for malicious compliance. These recent developments have emboldened more developers to voice out their grievances in public. Most recently, Patreon, Epic Games, and Spotify have taken to the internet and this intensified the scrutiny.

Blue and White Logo Guessing Game
Photo by Brett Jordan

EU Commission Takes On Apple’s App Store

Let’s take a look back at how we got here. In a landmark decision, the EU Commission found Apple to be in breach of competition law due to its App Store practices. The Commission ruled that Apple’s requirement for developers to use its in-app purchase system and pay a commission on all digital goods and services sold within their apps was unfair and stifled competition.

This ruling has significant implications for Apple. It has forced the company to change its App Store policies and allow developers to offer alternative payment methods within their apps. Apple has been charging a 30% fee to developers for the use of its App Store platform. Since the landmark ruling, the company has “opened up” more options to developers. However, more recently, it has introduced a yearly 5% “Initial Acquisition Fee” and a 10% “Store Services Fee”.

Growing Push Back from Developers

The European Union’s ruling against Apple’s anti-competitive practices has emboldened developers to challenge the company’s new policies. Spotify, for instance, has been a vocal critic of the App Store’s in-app purchase system. The music streaming giant has devised strategies to direct users towards its website for subscription sign-ups, bypassing Apple’s fee structure.

EU Flag Swaying with the Wind
Photo by Dušan Cvetanović

Epic Games, known for its popular game Fortnite, has also been at odds with Apple over App Store policies. The company famously challenged Apple’s rules by offering in-app purchases outside the App Store, leading to Fortnite’s removal from the platform. While the case garnered significant attention, the outcome ultimately favoured Apple, underscoring the challenges developers face when challenging the company’s policies.

Both developers have been more vocal since Apple introduced these changes. Epic Games has been bolder than others and unphased by Apple’s initial removal of Fortnite from the App Store. However, we don’t see Apple budging from its stance with the new fee structure.

Current Developments: Patreon Faces A Tough Decision

Patreon, a platform for creators to connect with their supporters, is currently facing a similar predicament. Apple has mandated that Patreon use its in-app purchase system, which would result in a substantial portion of its revenue going to Apple. Patreon is facing a difficult decision: comply with Apple’s terms and potentially reduce creator earnings, or risk being removed from the App Store, losing access to a significant portion of its user base.

These developments underscore the power struggle between platform owners like Apple and app developers. While the EU’s ruling marks a significant step towards challenging Apple’s dominance, the company still holds considerable sway over the App Store ecosystem. The coming months will be crucial in determining how this battle unfolds and what impact it will have on the future of app distribution. It’s also worth noting that while Apple’s App Store is in the crosshairs, these practices are used in many app distribution platforms even the Google Play Store.

As the situation evolves, more developers will likely join the chorus of dissent against Apple’s App Store policies. The ultimate outcome of these challenges could have far-reaching implications for the entire app economy.