Archive for the ‘audioVisual’ Category

New arrivals: Jabra Storm wireless Bluetooth mono-headset

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

New Jabra Storm features advanced Noise Blackout which cancels outdoor noisy situations and offers 10 hours of clear conversation on the go. Available in Singapore for S$128.

South Korean Rock music songwriter - Go Younha - wearing the new Jabra Storm.

South Korean Rock music songwriter – Go Younha – wearing the new Jabra Storm.

Noise Blackout uses dual microphones and DSP technology to reduce background noise.

The sleek and stylish Jabra Storm.

The sleek and stylish Jabra Storm.

The stylish but discreet behind-the-ear Jabra Storm also features microPOWER battery and Wind Noise Blackout (different from Noise Blackout) technology.

microPOWER technology reduces battery size and boosts battery efficiency, while Wind Noise Blackout reduces wind noise.

The A2DP-enabled Jabra Storm weighs only 7.9g and boasts a standby time of 10 days.

The Jabra Storm is now available in Singapore from Apple premium resellers, Challenger stores, Harvey Norman and other authorised resellers.

Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear VR, Gear S and Gear Circle

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Samsung has announced the new Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge smartphone, the Gear VR mobile VR headset, as well as the Gear S smartwatch and Gear Circle earphones at the Unpacked Episode 2 press conference in Berlin, Germany.

Update (18 September, 2014):

Samsung showcased in Singapore today most of the new devices it unveiled during IFA 2014 in a media preview.

It also displayed accessories that Montblanc has specially designed for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in “Charcoal Black,” “Frost White,” “Bronze Gold,” and “Blossom Pink” in global markets starting in October.

The Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge are the latest additions to the Galaxy Note family.

Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge Android smartphones

The Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display and sports the Multi Window feature for multi-tasking.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

It ships with a 16-megapixel rear camera with Smart Optical Image Stabilizer, and a 3.7-megapixel front camera with f1.9 lens with 120 degrees wide angle.

The Note 4 also has a Fingerprint Scanner and a UV sensor.

The Galaxy Note Edge has a 5.6-inch screen that wraps around the right side of the device.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Gear VR mobile headset

Samsung and Oculus has collaborated to create the mobile VR headset optimised for the Galaxy Note 4.

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Guvera launches its music streaming service in Singapore

Thursday, August 21st, 2014

Guvera has officially launched in Singapore offering users free, unlimited access to millions of tracks from local and international artists. Guvera’s app is available for both iOS and Android devices, as well as on its website via a browser.

Guvera is now officially launched in Singapore, alongside competitors Spotify and Deezer.

Guvera is now officially launched in Singapore, alongside competitors Spotify and Deezer.

Users can search and discover music on Guvera, as well as manage and share their own playlists.

It also has integrated social features that allow users to follow friends and celebrities and access their playlists.

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POTD: Cavalia the equestrian extravaganza in Singapore

Sunday, August 17th, 2014

Photo of the Day: Cavalia is an equestrian theatrical performance that leverages innovative multimedia displays and multi-disciplinary performances. It is now running in Singapore from 12 August to 14 September 2014.

* All the photos in this article (except the portrait of Alain Gaulthier) were taken with a Sony A7R full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with a 55-210mm E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

This pretty lady kept looking in my direction, so I took a portrait for her.

This pretty lady kept looking in my direction, so I took a portrait for her.

The production was created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil.

Hailing from Montreal in Canada, the lavish production involves 50 horses and 46 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians from all over the world.

Since the show’s debut in 2003, some 4 million people from North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East have watched the show.

Cast and dancers of Cavalia at the end of the show. I love how the lady's face lit up when she turned around and smiled at her fellow dancer.

Cast and dancers of Cavalia at the end of the show. I love how the lady’s face lit up when she turned around and smiled at her fellow dancer.

There has been more than 2,400 performances over the course of ten years. The 50 horses in Cavalia comprises 11 different breeds.

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New arrivals: Jabra Step Wireless earbuds in Singapore now

Friday, August 15th, 2014

The new Jabra Step Wireless earbuds is priced at an affordable entry-level S$108 and is available now in subtle black at Apple premium resellers, Challenger stores, Harvey Norman, POPULAR bookstores and other authorised Jabra resellers.

The Jabra Step Wireless entry-level earbuds is available in Singapore now at S$108.

The Jabra Step Wireless entry-level earbuds is available in Singapore now at S$108.

Tired of tangled wires and cords from your headphones and earbuds?

The Jabra Step Wireless sets you free from entangled cables.

The Jabra Step Wireless sets you free from entangled cables.

The new Jabra Step Wireless frees you from tripping over wires and allows you to connect to music playing devices up to 10m away.

Weighing in at a mere 16.5g and fitted with 10mm dynamic speakers, the Jabra Step Wireless is IP52-certified rain- and dust-resistant.

The soft, flexible over-the-ear gelhooks are angled to fit naturally into the ears, with the earbuds locking in immersive, stereo sound.

There is a choice of three sizes of eargels.

The Jabra Step Wireless promises a battery life of up to 4 straight hours of music/talk time on a single charge and 6 days standby time.

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Fuji Xerox presents Cavalia in Singapore from 12 Aug – 14 Sep

Tuesday, August 12th, 2014

Cavalia is an equestrian theatrical extravaganza that leverages innovative multimedia displays and multi-disciplinary performances.

The production was created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil.

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Cavalia Inc. is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows for audiences of all ages.

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Cavalia Inc. is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows for audiences of all ages.

A huge White Theatre Tent has been set up at Bayfront Avenue, beside the Sands Expo and Convention Centre (see map below), to stage the performance, and to house the stable for the horses when they are off-duty.

“Fuji Xerox is proud to be the presenting sponsor of Cavalia as the show is built on a passion for perfection and originality that resonate with Fuji Xerox’s core belief in continuous innovations for the benefits of our customers,” said Masashi Honda, president and chief executive officer of Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific.

Fuji-Xerox is the presenting sponsor for Cavalia.

Fuji Xerox has selected to sponsor Cavalia as the show leverages cutting-edge technology to uniquely weave real-life demonstration of horsemanship with virtual imagery built upon state-of-the-art multimedia to give the audience a breathtaking hybrid experience.

It echoes Fuji Xerox’s continuous innovation in its technologies to create values for its customers while maintaining harmony with the environment

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Friday night out at the Alive Museum Singapore at Suntec

Sunday, August 10th, 2014

Last Friday, I brought the two kids to the Alive Museum Singapore at the Suntec City Mall.

* All photos (apart from the first photo) were taken with the Sony A7R full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Full-frame E-mount Prime Lens.

Fun Friday night out at Alive Museum Singapore.

Fun Friday night out at Alive Museum Singapore. Photo taken with Samsung GALAXY S5.

Although the estimated time needed to cover every exhibit was around one-and-a-half hours, we lingered for two-and-a-half and ended up with 250 photos.

More importantly, we had oodles of fun and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

“Can I join the ballerinas in the painting?”

The Alive Museum was opened in 2009 in South Korea and debuted in Singapore on 12 June this year.

Taken from the right perspective, this exhibit gives the illusion that sea water and penguins were flooding out of the painting.

Taken from the right perspective, this exhibit gives the illusion that sea water and penguins were flooding out of the painting.

The 3D visual illusion museum aims to serve as a fun and unique treat for the whole family, locals and tourists alike.

It offers a sensory experience that tricks one’s visual, physical and environmental perceptions, bringing fantasy to reality.

Not only can you touch and feel the exhibits, you can also hop into the frame and become a part of the art masterpieces that play on optical illusions.

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N.E.mation! 9 call for entry – to win a trip to USA

Friday, August 8th, 2014

N.E.mation! 9 has begun. Registration is now open and all it takes are three simple steps to start your journey that may win yourself and your team a trip to USA. Deadline for call for entry: 15 August 2014.

Are you feeling excited? Then take action now and register online at https://nemation.sg/.

Are you feeling excited? Then take action now and register online at https://nemation.sg/.

The central idea for this year’s N.E.mation! is “Because We Believe”. Below is the synopsis.

“Singapore is what it is today because our pioneers believed in Singapore and were united by a determination to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation. As we mark Singapore’s 50th year, it is a good time to reflect on the values, principles and convictions that will continue to shape the nation and the home that we want for Singapore and our future generations.”

To give you some motivation, here’s a video featuring the trip of last season’s champion to the USA visiting some renowned animation studios and famous attractions.

Not sure how to start crafting a winning story? No worries, here are some resources to help you get your creative juice flowing – view the free online Story Workshop.

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Review: LG 79UB980T ULTRA HD (4K) TV with intuitive webOS UI

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

LG goes back to basics with new webOS user interface, marrying intuitive ease-of-use with good image quality. The LG 79UB980T has an RRP of S$14,999.

The LG 79UB980T uses a 3840 x 2160 resolution In-Plane Switching (IPS) 4K panel that reproduce vivid and accurate colors. Its wide viewing angle offers a good viewing from nearly any vantage point.

The LG 79UB980T uses a 3840 x 2160 resolution In-Plane Switching (IPS) 4K panel that reproduce vivid and accurate colors. Its wide viewing angle offers a good viewing from nearly any vantage point.

First launched in Singapore back in end May as part of LG’s 2014 ULTRA HD (4K) TV lineup, the 79UB980T offers stunning display and easy connectivity, yet keeps it simple for users to watch the content that they desire – be it live TV, Blu-ray movies, 4K or upscaled 4K content, YouTube videos, and game consoles.

You can Skype using the 8-megapixel built-in camera.

The LG 79UB980T user interface uses the webOS platform that the Korean company bought from HP in March last year.

The webOS platform simplifies the TV experience, making it easy to search, navigate and view content, connect with other devices, and also makes the the initial setup process smoother for users unfamiliar with their new TV.

The first time the user turns on the webOS-enabled LG Smart+ TV, an animated character named BeanBird appears onscreen to help users get connected and walk them through the setup process.

The first time the user turns on the webOS-enabled LG Smart+ TV, an animated character named BeanBird appears onscreen to help users get connected and walk them through the setup process.

You control and interact with the UI using the LG Magic Remote, which enables you to scroll, point, click, or activate voice control.

webOS introduces the new content Launcher is a left-to-right scrollable menu that runs along the lower portion of the screen.

Making smart simple

TVs nowadays are getting more and more sophisticated and are no longer the single-function appliances used to watch live TV and pre-recorded movies from VHS/CD/VCD/DVD/Blu-ray media.

The Internet and broadband connectivity has brought a wealth of content sources to the modern digital life – including videos shared on YouTube and social media, as well as movie websites.

The contemporary consumer also wants to use their TVs with games consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation, and even Skype and surf the Web from the comfort of the living room.

The latest lineup of TVs from the most manufacturers offer these, but usually involve a steep learning curve to wrap the head around user interfaces that tend to get overly complicated as there are so many content sources and options available.

It is therefore refreshing to see LG’s new webOS-based UI, which makes it simple and intuitive for the user to get the content they want on screen – conveniently and speedily.

Seems like LG has succeeded in making smart simple for the user, unlocking the wealth of content available without making it too complicated.

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New arrivals: Sony PXW-X70 camcorder in end-Sep 2014

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

Sony has launched a new, compact member of the XDCAM family to deliver benefits of 1.0-type sensor technology and XAVC in a handheld professional camcorder. 4K recording capability will be available in a future update.

Update (13 August, 2014):

Sony’s PXW-X70 will be available in Asia Pacific from the end of September 2014, with a retail price of S$3,000.

Light and compact entry-level professional camcorder.

Light and compact entry-level professional camcorder.

The 4K recording capability should be available via a firmware update by the end of the year.

Pricing for the update has not been announced yet, but it’s in the hundreds – less than $1,000 for those who want it.

I had a hands-on with the entry level professional camcorder today.

It’s more compact than others and definitely lighter.

For videographers currently using a DSLR to shoot short videos and thinking of taking their craft a notch higher, this would be a shoe-in as it offers features that are not available in the top-end DSLRs.

The versatile new PXW-X70 camcorder features a sensor more than eight times the size of a conventional 1/3 single chip sensor, providing strong sensitivity and low light performance.

The versatile new PXW-X70 camcorder features a sensor more than eight times the size of a conventional 1/3 single chip sensor, providing strong sensitivity and low light performance.

Sony has launched the 4K-ready PXW-X70, the first compact XDCAM professional camcorder ever produced.

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