Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
Sunday, September 29th, 2019
It’s World Heart Day today, and Philips is highlighting the importance of early detection of heart disease with its heart health quiz to increase individual awareness of risk factors and early symptoms to encourage early detection and preventive care.
* This story first appeared on Haleness Me.

I like how the quiz provided immediate tips based on each of the 14 questions, based on its relevance to heart health. At the end of the quiz, you get an overall assessment of the state of your heart health.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death globally. Unfortunately it is also a clinically silent disease.
Take this
one-minute quiz here to learn more about the early detection of heart disease – early symptoms, risk factors and lifestyle habits – and share with your loved ones this World Heart Day.
Findings from Philips’ Annual Future Health Index 2019 unveiled how healthcare practitioners are recommending the use of digital health technology to track health data, just as patients are seeking greater access to data for better empowerment of their health.
More details below on the findings of the Future Health Index 2019.
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Tags:healthtech, heart, MedTech, Philips, surveys
Posted in Healthcare, Philips, Study | No Comments »
Saturday, September 28th, 2019
How can technology help in the fight against zoonisis? Aspiring vet, Erin Tan, did some research on the topic and shares what she thinks in this second article in a two-part series.
* This article first appeared in HalenessMe.

The web-based app Supramap uses genomic data to track the global movement of avian influenza virus.
Emerging technology can help in mainly two ways.
Firstly, through harnessing the power of Big Data, information from previous outbreaks, and studies conducted independently around the world, can be collated to help predict where a deadly zoonotic virus will strike next.
About The Author
Erin Tan is an aspiring Veterinarian.
She will be reading Veterinary Medicine at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge.
The vast availability of health data today means that data must be intelligently handled, using the right tools to derive helpful trends.
For instance, Google Flu Trends collated data from users’ searches to estimate influenza activity, and was found to show strong correlation with official data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the 2009 flu pandemic.
The web-based app Supramap uses genomic data to track the global movement of avian influenza virus.

Google Flu Trends collated data from users’ searches to estimate influenza activity.
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Tags:analytics, Big Data, healthtech, medicine, MedTech, Tech Focus, technology, veterinary medicine
Posted in Big Data, Brief, Healthcare, Opinion, Tech Focus, Technology | No Comments »
Thursday, September 26th, 2019
Philips launches its new range of fully automated espresso machines for homes in Singapore. Prices below.
The new Philips coffee machines promise high-quality coffee experience with a simple process, giving consumers a bean-to-cup experience with speed, convenience and freshness.
The range of coffee makers includes Philips 2200 Series, Philips 3100 Series, Philips 3200 Series, Philips 5000 Series and the PicoBaristo.
Prices and more details below from the press release.
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Tags:Chye Seng Huat, coffee, LatteGo, Philips, PicoBaristo, Singapore
Posted in Appliances, Coffee Makers, Dine & Wine, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, Lifestyle, newArrivals, Philips, Press Release, Prices | No Comments »
Saturday, September 21st, 2019
The word ‘zoonosis’ is not one that is popular in the common lexicon, and yet it is something that can affect our lives profoundly. Aspiring vet med student, Erin Tan, did some research on the topic and shares what she thinks in this two-part story.
* This article first appeared in HalenessMe.

Zoonoses. Source: GAO.
A zoonosis is a disease which can be transferred from animals to humans, and there are many examples of zoonoses which many are familiar with.
About the Author
Erin Tan is an aspiring Veterinary Medicine student.
She has been offered a place to study Vet Med at the University of Cambridge, the Royal Veterinary College in London, and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
She is still deciding which of these places to take up.
One has only to recall the SARS outbreak of 2003 to recognise the destructive potential of zoonoses.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a disease which originated from viruses in bats that jumped to palm civets and then to humans, severely impacted countries like Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and even Canada.
774 lives were claimed globally by this never-before-seen disease.
Stories of doctors, nurses and other health workers who had perished saving the lives of SARS patients filled the papers.
International travel to affected areas dropped sharply by 50-70%, resulting in the closure of many tourism-related businesses.

The civet cat is closely associated with the outbreak of SARS in Asia.
Clearly, while the containment of SARS – especially in Singapore – is generally hailed as a success story, the outbreak did result in significant social and economic drawbacks.
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Tags:healthtech, medicine, MedTech, Tech Focus, technology, veterinary medicine
Posted in Brief, Healthcare, infographics, Opinion, Tech Focus | No Comments »
Friday, September 20th, 2019
The new LG Puricare Air Purifier (S$1,099) offers fresh indoor air and protects against the harmful effects of haze. Available now in Best Denki, Courts and Harvey Norman.

The new LG PuriCare Air Purifier (AS60GDWV0) features 360-degree purification capability and a 6-step filtration system.
The new LG PuriCare Air Purifier (AS60GDWV0) removes invisible air pollutants of up to PM 1.0, enabling homeowners to enjoy fresh indoor air.
With connectivity options through Google Assistant, users can connect the air purifier to the LG SmartThinQ® app, using voice commands to check on the indoor air quality and change the air purification mode at home.
The air purifier offers the following features.
- 360-degree purification: absorbing pollutants wherever it is placed.
- A wider reach with Clean Booster.
- Six-step filtration system that removes six types of pollutants.
- Smart Indicator for keeping track of air quality.
More details below from the press release.
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Tags:Air Purifier, appliances, haze, LG, PuriCare, Singapore
Posted in Air Purifiers, Announce, Appliances, Gadgets, gadgets, Healthcare, Launch, LG, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
Saturday, September 14th, 2019
The new 65-inch monitor from ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) offers big-screen gaming experience with fast, smooth and responsive performance. RRP S$6,599 in October.

The new ASUS ROG Swift PG65UQ BFGD.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG65UQ BFGD displays high-resolution 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) content at a 144Hz refresh rate for fast gaming performance.
“The ASUS ROG Swift PG65UQ BFGD with NVIDIA G-SYNC is a great option for PC gaming on a big screen. Gamers will appreciate the impressive video quality, brightness and high resolution that BFGD provides,” said Matt Wuebbling, head of GeForce Marketing at NVIDIA.
Its NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate supports the latest G-SYNC processors for the best HDR gaming experiences, for smooth and sharp big-screen gaming.
The gaming display supports variable refresh rates (VRR) via an HDMI connection for smooth, big-screen console gaming, working seamlessly with Xbox One.
For movies and entertainment, it promises visual clarity and immersive sound with Ultra HD Premium certification and 15W speakers.
More details below from the press release.
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Tags:Asus, BFGD, displays, gaming, monitors, ROG
Posted in Announce, Asus, audioVisual, Entertainment, Gadgets, gadgets, Gaming, Gaming, Monitors, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, ROG, Specifications | No Comments »
Thursday, August 29th, 2019
Fitbit has launched the Versa 2 smartwatch and Aria Air Bluetooth scale in Singapore. Price and availability below.

Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatches.
The two new devices join the existing Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Aria.
“At Fitbit, we believe that health belongs to everyone and that people should not be priced out of having access to devices and features that can help them improve their health. That’s why we’ve designed Versa 2 to be a premium, full-featured and easy-to-use smartwatch at an accessible price point. Building on the success of our original best-selling Versa smartwatch, we believe the added value and innovation in Versa 2 with new features like Alexa, a Spotify app and advanced in-app and on-device sleep features, will bring more users into the smartwatch category, allowing them to unlock the benefits of better health,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit.
The new Fitbit Versa 2 is swimproof and includes sleep features like Sleep Score and smart wake, together with advanced health, fitness and smart feature.
The Versa 2 debuts an on-device microphone, which enables Fitbit’s first Alexa smartwatch experience, along with a Spotify app that allows users to control their music and podcasts, and Fitbit Pay on all models.
Coupled with even faster performance, thousands of apps and clock faces and a brighter, crisper display with an optional always-on mode, the Versa 2 wants to be your 24/7 health and wellness companion.
With 5+ days battery life, the Versa 2 has the same price tag as the Versa when the latter was launched last April.
The latest Fitbit Aria Air is an affordable Bluetooth scale that tracks weight and syncs with the Fitbit app to calculate BMI, providing a comprehensive view of your trends over time alongside your activity, heart rate, sleep and nutrition data within the Fitbit app.

Fitbit Aria Air smart Bluetooth scale.
When combined with Fitbit’s app and wearable devices, Aria Air provides access to added data, information and motivation to more effectively reach health and wellness goals.
Price and availability below.
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Tags:appliances, Aria, Fitbit, fitness, health, launch, prices, Singapore, sleep, smartwatches, Versa, wearables
Posted in Accessories, Announce, Appliances, Availability, Fitbit, Gadgets, gadgets, Healthcare, Internet of Things, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, smartwatches, Watches | No Comments »
Saturday, August 24th, 2019
Both Fitbit and HPB have clarified that media reports that the Singapore government is planning to give away one million free Fitbit devices are not correct.
* This story first appeared in Haleness Me.

The “free” Inspire Fitbit HR tracker for the 1 million Fitbit Premium service subscribers that Fitbit is targeting.
Both clarifications are very similarly worded and are appended below.
Essentially, the clarifications addresses two issues: who is actually giving out the free Inspire HR trackers, and whether other partners have been selected by HPB for other collaborations.
Below is Fitbit’s clarification.
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Tags:clarifications, correction, Fitbit, fitness, health, HPB, public health, Singapore, wishbe
Posted in Accessories, Announce, Big Data, Fitbit, fitness watches, Gadgets, gadgets, Healthcare, Internet of Things, IoT, News, Press Release, Singapore | No Comments »
Friday, August 23rd, 2019
Named “Live Healthy SG”, the population-based public health initiative with the Singapore Government is Fitbit’s first major integration of its digital health platform and wearables into a national public health program.
* This story first appeared in Haleness Me.

The landmark nationwide health initiative will be powered by Fitbit devices and its new Premium service designed to drive better health outcomes at scale.
Fitbit is collaborating with Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB) on the healthy population project in support of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative.
The HPB is Singapore’s government agency that implements policy and programs to improve the nation’s health.
Fitbit was identified through a competitive call for collaboration and various levels of competitive evaluation.
Participants who enroll in and commit to one year of Fitbit Premium service will receive a Fitbit Inspire HR at no cost.
“Live Healthy SG” was designed for Singapore by Fitbit to harness technology, behavior insights and analytics to help Singaporeans get healthier through meaningful and sustained behavior change.
Live Healthy SG will engage people of all ages and levels of health using Fitbit devices and its new Premium service, which is launching to consumers in select markets around the world this fall.
More details below from the press release.
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Tags:Fitbit, fitness, health, HPB, public health, Singapore
Posted in Accessories, Announce, Big Data, Fitbit, fitness watches, Gadgets, Healthcare, Internet of Things, News, Press Release, Singapore, Sports | No Comments »
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
Signify has launched the Philips Hue Play smart light bar which enables users to design and create the lighting effect and ambience of their desires within their living or work spaces. Prices below.

The Philips Hue Play is available in Singapore at Challenger, Courts, Gain City, SELFFIX, Telestation Go Wireless Gamepro and Tangs.
The light bars enable you to create an immersive lighting ambience by illuminating your living or work spaces based on the colours on your movies, the music you’re listening to, or the games you’re playing.
Philips Hue Play can provide a more immersive gaming experience with the light bars.
The keyword here is “immersive”.
So if you’re watching a movie, the Philips Hue Play light bars projects colours corresponding to the scenes on the TV screen so that it feels as if the colours on the screens are spilling out of the screen and lighting up the walls and surroundings.
Prices in Singapore
The Philips Hue Play is available in black either in a double pack (S$209) or in an extension pack (S$99).
Note that you’ll need a Philips Hue bridge (sold separately at S$89) which can control up to 50 Philips Hue bulbs and accessories.
If you’re listening to music, the light bars can translate the beats into light effects based on pre-canned translation algorithms or in whichever way you want to customise.
And if you’re playing games, especially if you’re using gear with the Razer Chroma RBG lighting – eg. laptops, keyboards, mice and mouse mats – you can sync the light bars to show matching lighting effects that change dynamically during gameplay.
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Tags:Hue, lighting, new arrivals, Philips, prices, Signify, Singapore, smart home
Posted in Accessories, audioVisual, Decor, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Internet of Things, IoT, Launch, newArrivals, Philips, Press Release, Prices, Singapore | No Comments »