Archive for the ‘Reference’ Category
Thursday, July 23rd, 2020
One of the impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic is the rise of hybrid working, the new normal for businesses and organisations around the world.
* The slides in this article are extracted from Poly’s new report on how hybrid working will be the new collaborative imperative.

What to expect in the new normal of hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.
Working from home had always languished as the catch phrase for businesses aspiring to provide employees with a better work-life balance whilst maintaining a high level of performance.
Even though the requisite technology has been around and available for years now, the main stumbling block to greater adoption of working from home has been predominantly a cultural issue.

Four technology trends enabling hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.
Companies are concerned that employees may not work as hard when left to their own devices at home, while employees worry that it is more difficult to get things done if they’re not physically working at the office.
(more…)
Tags:collaboration, COVID, COVID-19, Plantronics, Poly, Polycom, trends, work-from-home
Posted in audioVisual, Brief, Business IT, Commentary, Enterprise IT, Events, events, Figures, Infographic, infographics, Opinion, Plantronics, Polycom, Study, Trends | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020
The 3rd-gen gaming smartphone series ships with the latest Snapdragon 865 Plus, 144Hz / 1ms AMOLED display and huge 6000mAh battery. Prices below.
Update (18 Sep, 2020):
The 12GB/512GB version of the ASUS ROG Phone 3 has debuted in Singapore today, at S$1,598.
Find out more about the one-year ROG Accidental Damage Protection Plan that’s exclusive to Singapore.

Featuring the uprated GameCool 3 cooling system, the ROG Phone 3 is engineered to deliver non-stop, ultrasmooth performance for the ultimate mobile gaming experience.
The series includes the flagship ROG Phone 3 and the ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition.
The ROG Phone 3 is the most powerful ROG Phone ever, using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform with advanced 5G mobile communications and Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming capabilities.
Prices and more details below from the press release.
(more…)
Tags:Asus, gaming, new arrivals, ROG, smartphones, Snapdragon, Strix
Posted in Announce, Asus, Entertainment, Events, Gadgets, gadgets, Gaming, Gaming, Launch, newArrivals, Phones, Press Release, Prices, ROG, smartphones, Specifications, Sports | 5 Comments »
Thursday, July 16th, 2020
Priced at S$1,299, the Ruark R3 will be available in Singapore in Rich Walnut and Soft Grey colours from mid-August 2020 onwards.

Ruark Audio R3: stylish and compact music system with expansive sound.
Equipped with a high-fidelity two-channel Class A-B amplifier and enclosed in hand-crafted wood cabinets, the R3 promises a dynamic performance akin to larger sound systems while doubling as a modern piece of furniture for the home.
The R3 all-in-one music system joins Ruark Audio’s luxury sound systems – the R7, R5, MR1 and MRx – which were launched in Singapore earlier this year.
More details below from the press release.
(more…)
Tags:audio, AV, HiFi, launch, music, new arrivals, prices, Ruark, Singapore
Posted in Audio, audioVisual, Entertainment, Events, events, Gadgets, Launch, newArrivals, players, Press Release, Prices, speakers | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2020
Xiaomi today announced new additions to their IoT-connected smart hardware range. The global online launch also included the presentation of Redmi 9, Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C.

The Mi Smart Band 5 is part of the slew of new smart IoT gadgets that Xiaomi launched globally.
The new smart products launched by Xiaomi include the following.
- Mi Smart Band 5
- Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2
- Mi Electric Scooter 1S
- Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic
- its first-ever Mi TV Stick
- Mi Curved Gaming Monitor 34”
The local sales info and prices in Singapore of these smart devices will be announced when those products are available.
More details below from the press release.
(more…)
Tags:earphones, IoT, launch, Mi, monitors, Redmi, scooters, Singapore, smartphones, TV, wearables, Xiaomi
Posted in Accessories, Announce, audioVisual, earphones, Events, events, fitness watches, Gadgets, gadgets, IoT, Launch, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, Redmi, Smart TV, smartphones, Technology, TV, Watches, Xiaomi | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 14th, 2020
The new Huawei flagship notebook – MateBook X Pro (S$2,698) – will be available for pre-orders in Singapore from 18 – 24 July. Promotions below.

MateBook X Pro: Huawei’s flagship laptop with FullView experience.
Made for productivity and mobility, the flagship Ultra FullView MateBook X Pro offers a borderless experience to consumers.
Huawei MateBook X Pro
- S$2,698
- 16G RAM+ 1THDD
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7 10510U
- Windows 10
The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a CNC machined metallic unibody with a premium sandblasted finish that gives the exterior a smooth hand-feel.
Huawei’s latest flagship notebook is portable at only 14.6mm thick and weighing 1.33kg.
With slim bezels on all sides, the Ultra FullView Display in 3K resolution gives an edge-to-edge, expansive viewing experience with 91 percent screen-to-body ratio.

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro in Space Gray is available to pre-order in Singapore from 18 – 24 July 2020 at all Huawei Concept Stores, online official stores in Lazada and Shopee. as well as authorised retailers. Each pre-order comes with a gift bundle worth S$1,161.
The display adopts an unconventional 3:2 aspect ratio targeted at productivity and content creation compared to mainstream widescreens.
(more…)
Tags:computers, flagships, Huawei, laptops, launch, MateBook, notebooks, pre-orders, prices, promotions, Singapore
Posted in Announce, Gadgets, Huawei, Launch, newArrivals, Notebooks, notebooks, Press Release, Prices, Specifications, Windows, Windows 10 | No Comments »
Thursday, July 9th, 2020
Canon has just launched two new full-frame mirrorless cameras in the EOS R lineup: the EOS R5 and EOS R6; as well as three RF-mount prime lens and its first super-telephoto L zoom lens. Price & Availability below.

Shoot high-resolution, professional-level still images and HDR PQ HEIF 10-bit video with the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6.
The EOS R5 and EOS R6 are aimed at advanced amateurs and professionals, and are designed to provide a high-quality, high-speed shooting experience.
The four RF-mounted lenses are:
- RF85mm f/2 IS STM
- RF600mm f/11 STM
- RF800mm f/11 IS STM
- RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
The three RF-mount prime lenses are fixed focal length lenses which will appeal to advanced amateurs, especially those focusing on wildlife or portrait photography.
The super-telephoto L zoom lens allows users to shoot even further with its focal length of 500mm.
Price & Availability below.
(more…)
Tags:accessories, availability, cameras, Canon, EOS, launch, lenses, mirrorless, prices, Singapore
Posted in Accessories, Announce, battery, cameras, Canon, EOS, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, MIL, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, July 8th, 2020
Redmi 9 will be available from July 10 for S$218 (4GB + 64GB), at official Xiaomi stores on Lazada, Shopee and Qoo10, as well as through online and offline stores of Singtel, Authorised Mi Stores and other official offline retailers in Singapore.

Redmi 9 will be available in three color variants: Carbon Grey, Ocean Green, and Sunset Purple
The entry-level Redmi 9 touts major upgrades from its predecessor, including an all-purpose AI quad-camera set up, 6.53’’ FHD+ Dot Drop display, powerful chipset and edgy design.
Xiaomi boasts that the Redmi 9 is the first entry-level Redmi smartphone to feature an all-purpose quad-camera setup – able to take a quick snap, wide-angle group shot, close-up with details or portrait photos.
More details below from the press release.
(more…)
Tags:Android, launch, prices, Redmi, Singapore, smartphones, Xiaomi
Posted in Android, Announce, Availability, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, newArrivals, Phones, Press Release, Prices, Redmi, smartphones, Specifications, Xiaomi | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020
The MHC-V83D, MHC-V73D, MHC-V43D and MHC-V13 will be available in Singapore at selected Sony Stores, Sony Store Online, Sony Centres, Sony’s flagship store on Lazada and selected authorised dealers from August 2020. Prices TBA.

The four new one-box styled models of different sizes are suitable for a variety of occasions. From left: Sony MHC-V83D, MHC-V73D, MHC-V43D, and MHC-V13.
Sony’s four new additions to its High-Power Audio Systems range introduces powerful sound with the new Omnidirectional Party Sound and Omnidirectional Party Light to create “incredible” atmospheres.
The Sony MHC-V83D, MHC-V73D, MHC-V43D and MHC-V13 expand choices for party lovers as well as families who prefer one-box styled systems with a smaller footprint and portable design.
(more…)
Tags:audio, AV, HiFi, Singapore, Sony, speakers
Posted in Announce, Audio, audioVisual, Availability, Entertainment, Gadgets, newArrivals, Press Release, Sony, speakers | 2 Comments »
Monday, July 6th, 2020
The new portable Bluetooth speakers of the LG XBOOM Go PL series comprises models PL7 (S$299), PL5 (S$209) and PL2 (S$109) and is now available in Singapore at all authorised retailers.

Although compact in size, the portable Bluetooth speakers have long battery lives necessary for convenient use anywhere. From Left: LG XBOOM Go PL5, PL2, PL7 wireless Bluetooth speakers.
The three new speakers in the series boast well-balanced sound, enhanced usability and a stylish new design.
Where to Purchase
The LG XBOOM Go PL series is available in Singapore at all authorized retailers – Best Denki, Challenger, COURTS, Harvey Norman, NTUC and Popular.
Equipped with Meridian’s advanced audio technology, the XBOOM Go PL speakers promise high quality sound with deep bass, rich treble and clear vocals.
For a wider soundstage with detail across the higher frequencies, the PL7 employs dual tweeters, while all models promise good bass with the inclusion of Dual passive radiators.
More details below from the press release.
(more…)
Tags:audio, AV, Bluetooth, launch, LG, music, prices, Singapore, sound, speakers, specs, wireless, XBOOM
Posted in Announce, Audio, audioVisual, Entertainment, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, LG, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, speakers, Specifications | 3 Comments »
Friday, July 3rd, 2020
Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro will be available in Singapore on July 10 at S$899 for the 8GB+256GB variant.

Priced at S$899, the POCO F2 Pro ships with the Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform offering sustained peak performance, fast processing speeds, and a full-screen viewing experience.
Xiaomi is selling the POCO F2 Pro as “the Ultimate Flagship Killer” that’s tailored to tech enthusiasts, prioritising performance over frills.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 is currently the most powerful 5G processor on the market.

Fact sheet for the Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro. Click to enlarge.
Paired with a Kryo 585 octa-core chip processor and Adreno 650 GPU, both offer 25% improved performance over their predecessors, promising performance for constantly connected users.
The powerful SoC is complimented with ultra high-speed LPDDR5 RAM and the latest UFS 3.1 storage, fast read-and-write capabilities for smooth operations.
With LiquidCool Technology 2.0, POCO F2 Pro sports the largest vapor chamber available on the market, along with multiple stacks of graphite and graphene.
This solution keeps the device cool, especially the SoC and the surface of the phone, and sustains peak performance even under heavy activity loads.
(more…)
Tags:Android, flagship, launch, Poco, price, Singapore, smartphones, Snapdragon, Xiaomi
Posted in Android, Announce, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, newArrivals, Phones, Press Release, Prices, smartphones, Specifications, Xiaomi | 7 Comments »
Trends: COVID-19 Gives Impetus to Hybrid Working
Thursday, July 23rd, 2020One of the impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic is the rise of hybrid working, the new normal for businesses and organisations around the world.
* The slides in this article are extracted from Poly’s new report on how hybrid working will be the new collaborative imperative.
What to expect in the new normal of hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.
Working from home had always languished as the catch phrase for businesses aspiring to provide employees with a better work-life balance whilst maintaining a high level of performance.
Even though the requisite technology has been around and available for years now, the main stumbling block to greater adoption of working from home has been predominantly a cultural issue.
Four technology trends enabling hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.
Companies are concerned that employees may not work as hard when left to their own devices at home, while employees worry that it is more difficult to get things done if they’re not physically working at the office.
(more…)
Tags:collaboration, COVID, COVID-19, Plantronics, Poly, Polycom, trends, work-from-home
Posted in audioVisual, Brief, Business IT, Commentary, Enterprise IT, Events, events, Figures, Infographic, infographics, Opinion, Plantronics, Polycom, Study, Trends | 6 Comments »