Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Microsoft to partner with Samsung over HoloLens 3 development

    Microsoft to partner with Samsung over HoloLens 3 development

    This summer, Samsung has apparently entered into a partnership with Microsoft over its HoloLens augmented reality project, and the two companies are expected to work on the next generation of the VR headgear for at least two years.

    Microsoft already has a strong partnership with Samsung over preinstalled Office Mobile and other apps on the handsets of the world’s largest phone maker, so taking advantage of its hardware expertise could only be beneficial, too.

    Back in March, Samsung reportedly assembled a task force to probe the viability of the HoloLens partnership, involving multiple departments and has subsequently been given the green light to take on the challenge to be Microsoft’s AT/VR gear maker.

    Commercialization of Microsoft’s HoloLens wearable that takes advantage of Samsung’s engineering prowess will happen after the end of the development contract, in 2024, report the insiders. Samsung’s purchase of AR company DigiLens, along with its display expertise may be what prompted Microsoft to partner with it over the next HoloLens endeavor.

    DigiLens was known for its waveguide technology “used to bend the light from the video playing on a display to the glasses, which is transparent in AR display devices as users need to see the real surrounding around them simultaneously with the virtual items on display.”

    This strongly suggests that the HoloLens 3 may be conceived as a direct answer to the purported Apple Glasses AR/VR headset which is expected to land as soon as next year. Microsoft sold about 200,000 HoloLens 2 devices this year, and it will have to pour a lot of resources to make the third edition stand out as not only Apple, but also Facebook’s Meta, are expected to release their own augmented reality contraptions very soon.

  • Innocn portable monitors: easy second screen, DeX, gaming on the go

    Innocn portable monitors: easy second screen, DeX, gaming on the go

    We live in a time where users demand more and more portability. Smartphones have spoiled us this way — we are so used to having supercomputers in our pockets that, sometimes, it feels jarring that we can’t take our PlayStations with us.

    However, a new type of product is currently on the rise that will enhance a digital nomad’s life even more — portable monitors!

    Here we have the Innocn N1F-Pro — a display that is so thin and light that you might think it’s a prop. But it is, in fact, a very functional, convenient, energy-efficient, and portable device that can make your life much easier — whether you are on the go, or setting up a small work corner at home.

    The N1F-Pro is the value-priced offering from Innocn, but the company also offers portable screens that come with their own batteries and much sharper resolutions! Be sure to check them out below and use the codes Innocn kindly provided for some great discounts!

  • Waze survey: more than 50% of Americans would quit their jobs for a shorter commute

    Waze survey: more than 50% of Americans would quit their jobs for a shorter commute

    Waze’s days of being just a simple navigation app are long gone. Today’s Waze is a fully automated companion for drivers all around the globe that not only provides navigational directions, but also entertainment (in many forms). And since there are so many people using Waze while driving, wouldn’t be interesting to know what they’re using the app for?

    Today, Waze released its first-ever Year in Rear View survey, which puts US driving behaviors from 2021 under the spotlight. Using first- and third-party data, the navigation app is taking a look back at its year in travel to see the places where Waze users drove the most, the books and music that were listened to the most, as well as other interesting habits.

    The full survey includes data from Waze users in the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Israel, Brazil, and Mexico, but we’re going to take a look at how US drivers made use of the app throughout the year.

    What behaviors, trends or quirky habits did drivers showcase in 2021?

    • 60% of global respondents are happy drivers, rating themselves 8 or above (out of 10). Drivers in Brazil and Mexico were ranked the happiest drivers, while drivers in the U.S. scored 7. In the US, 35–44-year-olds are the happiest drivers
    • Brits are known for being polite, so it’s no surprise 60% would wait patiently if a car ahead of them wasn’t moving. Meanwhile, 35% of Americans are more likely to honk their horns to get moving!
    • Shopping was the main reason 43% of Americans used their cars in 2021, with visiting family (36%) and commuting to and from work (36%) following behind
    • Older Americans are more confident parallel parkers: while 33% of 18–24-year-olds refused to parallel park, only 8% of those 65 and over said they wouldn’t

    As far as entertainment goes, the results are totally unsurprising, especially when it comes to drivers in the United States.

    What kept drivers entertained this year?

    • Sweets and candy were the top snack of choice for drivers across the globe, except in the U.S. where drivers prefer fast food as their favorite snack
    • U.S. drivers felt that “Easy on Me” by Adele, “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic, and “Peaches” by Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon best reflected their year on the road
    • Podcasts are a more popular option for younger American drivers with 45% of 25–34-year-olds choosing this entertainment, compared to 20% of 55-64-year-olds
    • Globally, those listening to podcasts used their time to stay informed with NPR News Now, The Daily, ABC News Briefing, Times News Briefing and Sur Le Fil ranked as the top podcasts drivers listened to on Spotify via Waze
    • 45% of 18–24-year-olds in the U.S. would give up their phones if it meant a year with no traffic; while 38% of 65-year-olds and over wouldn’t give up anything to avoid traffic

    Most Waze drivers would have Elon Musk ride with them

    The survey also reveals that James Bonds’ Aston Martin was the top car of choice for North American drivers with 32% of users choosing the muscle car. Jennifer Lopez and Elon Musk were the top female and male celebs who made headlines this year that drivers across the globe would most like to have in their passenger seat, yet US drivers would rather have Beyonce and Elon Musk or Joe Biden riding with them.

    Here is something very interesting though: more than 50% of US residents would quit or change their jobs just to benefit from a shorter commute. Also, carpooling remains the best option to avoid traffic with Americans (39%) more likely to share their journey with a friend or colleague to avoid traffic than drivers in other countries.

    Finally, Waze’s survey also contains data bout US cities where the app’s users drove the most this summer: New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, and Nashville.

  • Infiniti Teases Electric Concepts, Commits To Being EV First By 2030

    Infiniti Teases Electric Concepts, Commits To Being EV First By 2030

    Infiniti has joined the pantheon of US-based automakers which have pledged to transition mostly to electric powertrains by 2030. In its video, Infiniti also hinted that it will be also be leveraging hybrid powertrains, “we will not let the size of our battery alone define us, but rather, empower customers to choose the power source that fits their lifestyle,” said the company in its video.

    In the video, Infiniti shows off three unnamed vehicles, one of which is a crossover, though it is not known that these cars have some flow over with Nissan’s out concept vehicles. Of course, Infiniti is owned by Nissan, which has for years pushed electric cars along with Renault.

    The concept cars shown off are low-slung and even have a tachometer which means these are likely hybrid cars. Infiniti now joins the likes of many muscle and sports car brands that have pushed electric and hybrid powertrains. Recently, we have heard from the likes of Dodge which has also hinted that it will be going all-electric and will be retiring its iconic hellcat motors.

  • Arrival Building Battery Plant In North America

    Arrival Building Battery Plant In North America

    EV startup Arrival which has also a partnership with Uber has announced that it is building a high capacity and high voltage battery plant in North Carolina in the US. The battery plant will deliver 350k modules a year and will cost an investment of $11.5 million that will add 150 jobs in the city.

    Arrival has been a specialist for EVs and electric buses and is one of the few EV startups which has designed its own components and software stack alongside assembly techniques. It even has its own automated driving system as well as proprietary battery modules and this latest announcement is part of achieving scale with its own technology.

    Aside from the battery plant, it also has a facility that produces the Arrival Bus. “By bringing the assembly of our proprietary High Voltage Battery Modules in-house, we’re striving to be as vertically integrated as possible. This will enable us to have even greater control over the functionality and cost of our products and pass those cost savings on to the customer while also working toward our goal of zero waste production. We’re excited to add another facility in Charlotte, as we prepare to open our new North American headquarters building just down the road and continue to work in tandem with the city to develop solutions for their electrification and sustainability goals. This is a big milestone for Arrival as we ramp up operations in the region in advance of production starting in Rock Hill in Q2 next year,” said Mike Ableson, its CEO.

    The assembly plant is a follow-up to the news of Arrival outlining an agreement with Li-Cycle which is one of the leading lithium-ion battery recyclers in North America. This partnership will help Arrival create a virtuous cycle of battery supply chain for both Europe and the US.

    The city of Charlotte in North Carolina is also working to ensure all car fleets and facilities are fueled by zero-carbon sources by 2030 which makes it a hotbed for EV startups. Arrival is working with the city for this project.

  • Elon Musk Says Tesla Bot Can Solve Labour Shortage, But Has No Timeline

    Elon Musk Says Tesla Bot Can Solve Labour Shortage, But Has No Timeline

    Elon Musk is at it again and this time around he has said something that will ruffle many feathers considering technologies like AI and automation are displacing many regular jobs. He has claimed that the Tesla Bot which was unveiled earlier this year can solve the labour shortage problem. The Tesla Bot which was showcased earlier this year will allegedly pack in artificial intelligence capabilities aimed at completing general-purpose repetitive tasks.

    Tesla has already started hiring for this Bot and at the Wall Street Journal Conference this year, he revealed, technologies that Tesla has developed for the sake of its self-driving capability is now being adapted to this bot.

    “With the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, I think we are creating the most advanced practical AI for navigating the real-world and you can also think of Tesla as the world’s biggest robot company – or semi-sentient robot company. The car is like a robot on 4-wheels. We can probably take that same technology and put in a humanoid robot – and have that robot be useful. Essentially, to have the humanoid part, we need to develop some custom actuators and sensors – and essentially use the Tesla Full Self-Driving and Autopilot or generally speaking real-world navigation AI in the humanoid robot,” said the world’s richest man.

    He added, ” I think this can be quite profound. I don’t know exactly when we can get this right but we will get it right.”

    Musk believes this could be a real solution to the labor shortage issue. Already in many countries, population growth is declining – Japan and China being at the forefront and even in India, the growth of the population has slowed down.

    “It has the potential to be a general substitute for human labor over time. The foundation of the economy is labor. Capital equipment is essentially distilled labour. I asked a friend of mine what should we optimize for and he said “gross profit per employee” – fully considered so you got to include the supply chain in that. The fundamental constraint is labor. There are not enough people. I can’t emphasize this enough. There are not enough people. I think one of the biggest risks to civilization is the low and rapidly declining birth rate,” he said.

    Many robotics and artificial intelligence experts have shown a sense of skepticism towards Tesla’s Bot project considering robotics leaders like Boston Dynamics haven’t managed to commercialize their technology which has been in development for years.

  • eBikeGo To Manufacture Muvi Electric Scooter In India

    eBikeGo To Manufacture Muvi Electric Scooter In India

    eBikeGo, one of India’s largest electric two-wheeler mobility platforms has acquired the product license rights to manufacture the Muvi brand of electric vehicles of Spanish automotive company Torrot in India. The Muvi electric scooter will be manufactured in India, to be sold in India as well as across the world. eBikeGo intends to capture 5 percent of the worldwide two-wheeled electric vehicles market with its manufacturing, the company said in a statement. With Muvi, eBikeGo is optimistic about influencing the adoption of EVs in India.

    Muvi is an IoT and AI-enabled electric scooter with well-connected features and can be easily controlled and monitored via a smartphone. It has a switching battery, allowing consumers to use swapping stations. Designed in Europe, Muvi is accepted by 14 e-commerce and shared mobility companies.

    “We are extremely happy to have acquired the license of manufacturing Muvi, one of the leading electric vehicles from renowned international automotive company Torrot in India. Muvi, being a technologically advanced vehicle and already operating in 12 countries, does not require any homologation to supply in these markets, opening ways for global presence,” said Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder & CEO of eBikeGo.

    The Muvi electric two-wheeler is lightweight, weighing only 83 kg. It has a power of 4.1 CV (3 kW) which is equivalent to 125 cc. The Muvi electric scooter can go up to 100 km on a single charge in Eco mode, and has a top speed of 60 kmph.

  • Samsung has invested nearly $18 bln in Vietnam

    Samsung has invested nearly $18 bln in Vietnam

    Samsung has invested $17.74 billion in Vietnam in the last 24 years, 29 percent of it in the last five.

    With eight manufacturing and research facilities in the country, the South Korean electronics giant achieved revenues of nearly $60.5 billion in the first 10 months of this year, Samsung Vietnam CEO Choi Joo Ho told Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai at a meeting in Hanoi Monday.

    It marked a 15 percent year-on-year rise despite the challenges to keeping factories going and sourcing parts amid Covid-19, he said.

    Exports accounted for nearly 89 percent of the revenues, he added.

    The company is building a $220-million research and development center in Hanoi, the first of its kind outside of its home country.

  • Apple Music Voice Plan to go live in iOS 15.2

    Apple Music Voice Plan to go live in iOS 15.2

    Designed exclusively for Siri, Apple Music’s Voice Plan is likely to be available for users in the United States this month, after being officially unveiled back in October. The new subscription service for Apple Music offers access to a catalog of 90 million songs, thousands of playlists, and Apple Music Radio via Siri for $4.99.

    The Voice Plan is so integrated with Siri that even the subscribing process must can be done through Apple’s voice assistant. Those who wish to subscribe to the Apple Music Voice Plan must say “Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial.” Of course, another option would be to simply sign up through the Apple Music app.

    The service allows users to request music be played across all Siri-enable devices, including HomePod mini, AirPods, iPhone, or any other Apple device, and even when using CarPlay.

    The new tier subscription service was mentioned in release notes for the upcoming iOS 15.2 software update and seeing that Apple has just released the fifth iOS 15.2 beta software update, it’s very likely that the stable version will be made available in December.

    Unlike the standard Apple Music subscription tier that cost $9.99 per month, the Siri-controlled tier doesn’t allow subscribers to manage the service with the Music app. Also, Spatial Audio, lyrics, and the ability to save music offline aren’t supported by the Voice Plan. However, Apple Music subscribers have all the features offered by the Siri-oriented plan included.

  • Binance Asia Invests in Private Securities Exchange

    Binance Asia Invests in Private Securities Exchange

    Binance Asia Services, which operates Binance’s Singapore entity, has taken an 18-percent stake in Hg Exchange (HGX), a Singapore-based private securities exchange.

    Binance Singapore will work with HGX in enhancing offerings of products and services supported by blockchain technology, following its strategic investment in the platform, according to an announcement on Wednesday.

    HGX, founded by PhillipCapital, PrimePartners and powered by Zilliqa’s blockchain, aims to facilitate cross-border issuance and trading of securities. Earlier this year, the platform was granted a Recognised Market Operator license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

    HGX announced its first trades in September 2020. As of mid-2021, the exchange has listed 13 different products, with a total average monthly trading volume exceeding $500,000 in the first half of the year. In addition to shares in private companies, HGX is working to list alternative assets including wines, art and real estate.

  • Julius Baer Names Hong Kong Head of Fund Specialists

    Julius Baer Names Hong Kong Head of Fund Specialists

    Zurich-headquartered Julius Baer has bolstered its products unit in Hong Kong with the appointment of a new head of fund specialists in Hong Kong.

    Jeffrey Tam has elevated to become Julius Baer’s head of fund specialists Hong Kong, according to a statement, overseeing fund advisory for Greater China clients across traditional and alternative investments.

    Tam first joined Julius Baer in 2018 and was previously a fund specialist at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management with a particular specialization on hedge funds. He started his career at Citi Private Bank where he was a portfolio advisor for client investment.

    «We are pleased to announce that [Tam] has been promoted to take up the role of Head of Fund Specialists Hong Kong, which is a testimony to the depth of talent in our team,» Julius Baer’s Asia head of fund specialists Donald Rice.

  • Google TV gains 300 free live TV channels, offers Peacock Premium for free

    Google TV gains 300 free live TV channels, offers Peacock Premium for free

    Google made a surprising announcement early this week concerning its Google TV service in the United States. The Mountain View company teamed up with Pluto TV to offer Google TV users access to more than 300 free live TV channels.

    The new channels will be available via the Live tab, but Google TV users can also check out the Free Live TV recommendations in the For You tab. According to Google, the integration with Pluto TV will be accessible on all Google TV devices in the coming weeks.

    In other news, Google now offers six months of Peacock Premium at no extra cost. For a limited time, those who activate a new Google TV (or other Android TV OS device) in the United States will get the Peacock Premium service for free for six months. After the deal runs out, customers will have to pay $4.99 per month plus tax, but the subscription can be canceled at any time.

    If you’re a Google TV user, expect even more nice surprises next year, as Google plans to bring more ways to watch for free. Meanwhile, check out the new free live TV channels and enjoy the Peacock deal if you’re a new Google TV user.

  • Australia to Shake Up Digital Payment Regulations

    Australia to Shake Up Digital Payment Regulations

    Australian authorities will revamp the regulatory landscape for digital payments, broadening its remit on online transaction providers, cryptocurrency exchanges, and the possible creation of a central bank digital currency.

    On crypto exchanges, Australia will begin consultation early next year on establishing a licensing framework and regulations for businesses the hold crypto assets on behalf of consumers.

    It will also consult on the feasibility of a central bank digital currency with advice provided by the end of 2022.

    Online transaction providers and buy-now-pay-later providers will also effectively see the end of unregulated business as Australia will also broaden its payment laws to cover such payment players.

    If we do not reform the current framework, it will be Silicon Valley that determines the future of our payment system, according to a report citing notes by Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

    Australia must retain its sovereignty over our payment system.

  • Zarraffa’s launches biodegradable coffee capsules

    Zarraffa’s launches biodegradable coffee capsules

    It’s the moment coffee connoisseurs have been waiting for – Zarraffa’s Coffee is now offering a premium coffee experience at home, with the launch of their all-new look 100% biodegradable and compostable Okapi coffee capsules.

    Now made locally on the Gold Coast, the capsule range will now include Zarraffa’s signature house blend, African Masai, Decaf and the new Black Label Single Origin flavor, Ethiopian Djimmah.

    Standard coffee capsules take between 150 to 500 years to break down in landfills and billions are dumped every year, making this sustainable option more appealing to consumers without having to sacrifice their morning brew.

    Pronounced oh-cop-ee, Zarraffa’s Okapi capsules are named after a rare relative of the Giraffe family and are created entirely from sugarcane and sugar beet. This means the whole capsule is made from plant materials and can be thrown in the bin guilt-free, breaking down and composting after 10 weeks.

    Capsules come in packs of 10, retailing at $9.95, and are compatible with original Nespresso coffee machines.

    Kenton Campbell, Zarraffa’s Coffee Founder, and Managing Director shares his excitement for the new launch.

    “This has been a long time in the making, and as an Aussie-owned coffee company, we’re excited to be able to offer a more environmentally friendly option that’s made locally on the Gold Coast for all of our coffee lovers at home,” he said.

    “It’s time that we get to share our new look Okapi capsules, now available at all Zarraffa’s stores and launching in line with our next Black Label Single Origin coffee flavor off the ranks – Ethiopian Djimmah.”

    Zarraffa’s Single Origin coffee is grown within a distinct geographic location, meaning either a single farm or one country.

    Influenced by specific natural attributes such as climate, landscape, and altitude, each bean delivers a bespoke flavor, creating a single distinguished coffee experience that doesn’t get lost in a blend.

    ‘Trade, not aid’ has long been Zarraffa’s ethos, with the specialty coffee retailer nurturing relationships with coffee-growing co-ops across the world.

    Ethiopian Djimmah beans originate from the Oromia region in southwestern Ethiopia by the Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative and are grown in altitudes of 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level.

    The coffee cherries are picked at peak ripeness and then laid in the sun, often directly on the earth to dry.

    As the region boasts nutrient-rich volcanic soils, this coffee has a great body and depth of flavor, with winey, earthy, chocolate notes that make up its flavor profile.

    “We’re an Aussie-owned coffee company who wants to craft a really good coffee, but also show you the origins of that coffee, not just where it came from but also who actually grew it.”

    “We don’t buy free trade, we are free trade and there’s so much meaning in that,” said Mr Campbell.

    This is Zarraffa’s second Single Origin flavor to launch this year, with Ethiopian Djimmah now available as an option to add to your favorite Zarraffa’s coffee from 60 cents per shot, or purchase as a 250g take-home coffee bean bag for $22.00, which can be ground in-store to match any style of the coffee machine.

    This bean exhibits flavors of earthy dark chocolate, rich cacao with subtle wine fruit notes. It is the perfect addition to beverages such as espresso, piccolo, cappuccino, flat white, latte or macchiato, but pairs perfectly with any favorite drink which its enhanced chocolate flavor.

    Handcrafted with over 25 years of coffee knowledge, experience the flavor of somewhere new with the Ethiopian Djimmah Black Label Single Origin beans and Zarraffa’s Coffee’s all-new Okapi capsules, now available at your closest Zarraffa’s Coffee.

  • Coles Plus adds extra benefits

    Coles Plus adds extra benefits

    Coles customers can now earn double Flybuys points on eligible products1every time they shop in Coles Supermarkets and Coles online, thanks to subscription-based service Coles Plus.

    Since launching in February, Coles Plus member numbers have grown rapidly and now Coles is offering members unlimited free delivery2, including free Same Day Delivery at select stores3, for all orders of $50 or more – down from the previous minimum of $100.

    The new offer means customers will be able to save up to $11 per home delivery in the lead up to Christmas.

    For just $19 a month, Coles Plus members also have exclusive access to a number of benefits including a Priority Customer Care line and unlimited use of Click&Collect Rapid, which allows Coles online customers to order and pick up their groceries in less than 90 minutes – a service priced at $5 per order for non-members.

    Coles General Manager Online Commercials Karen Donaldson said Coles was listening to customer feedback and responding to changing customer needs to tailor the benefits offered to Coles Plus members.

    “In the past year we’ve seen more customers adopting a hybrid approach by shopping both in-store and online, so it’s important we expand our subscription program to reward those customers in a meaningful way,” she said.

    “We continue to see significant growth in demand for online grocery shopping and we are investing in customer experience and capacity, which is having a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

    We recently launched our shoppable Coles App enabling customers to order through the app, view the catalog, or build their shopping list and then use it to map out their trip to the supermarket aisle-by-aisle.

    “By rewarding the loyalty of our digitally-engaged customers both in-store and online, it ensures Coles continues to lead anytime, anywhere, anyhow shopping.”