I came across a meaningful project this week – an international non-profit organisation named CyArk is actively capturing digital images and physical dimensions of historical sites and structures to create photorealistic 3D models for archival.
Editor’s note:
I’m really happy that such meaningful work is being carried out by organisations such as CyArk, founded by Iraqi civil engineer Ben Kacyra.
It is a great example of how technology is being harnessed in a positive way for the benefit of humanity.
It’s also fantastic that CyArk enjoys recognition and support from the public and large corporations such as Seagate, Google and Autodesk.
Bravo!
This is so that future generations can reference these resources even if the actual archeological sites are damaged – through war, natural disasters, or age – or completely destroyed.
They have been at it since 2003 and are supported by corporations such as Seagate which began their partnership with CyArk in 2015 by providing its data storage solutions both in the field and in the office.
Since 2003, CyArk has amassed high-tech digital records of over 200 heritage sites in 40 countries, including Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
In recent years, CyArk has upped the ante by capturing additional photos that can be used to render interactive virtual reality (VR) content for users to enjoy an immersive experience when “visiting” these historical sites in the virtual realm.
Singapore speaker maker Xmi redesigns iconic capsule speaker and expands X-mini range of products across bigger sizes and price ranges. Available end June. Prices below.
Xmi launched the 7 new X-mini wireless Bluetooth speakers at the Tippling Club in Singapore.
Xmi launched seven new speakers in Singapore today.
X-mini CLICK 2: S$39.90
X-mini XOUNDBAR: S$49.90
X-mini KAI X1: S$69.90
X-mini KAI X2: S$99.90
X-mini KAI X3: S$129.90
X-mini SUPA: S$209.90
X-mini INFINITI: S$569.90
Purchases can be made directly from www.x-mini.com or any X-mini or authorised resellers, Best Denki, Courts, Challenger, Gain City, Harvey Norman and Popular from end June 2017.
The photos taken can be digitally edited on the camera for brightness and contrast, with the addition of 10 Instagram-like filters and a vignette effect before printing. The SQ10 sports a 3-inch TFT colour LCD monitor with approximately 460k dots.
The SQ10 has 3.5 megapixels (1920 x 1920) and has a fixed aperture (F2.4) and focal length 28.5mm (35mm format equivalent).
The photos can be transferred via the microSD card – each gigabyte of memory stores up to 1000 photos.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset features an integrated premium Apogee A/D Converter built into the remote control.
Sennheiser has designed the AMBEO Smart Headset to be an intuitive, compact and mobile binaural recording headset.
First showcased at the CES 2017, the AMBEO Smart Headset captures immersive 3D audio with the simplicity of a mobile device.
“With this new headset you can use your iOS device’s camera to record, experience and relive the same balance of three dimensional sound and 180° visual perspective that we as human beings are accustomed to in our perception of the world,” explains Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, co-CEO Sennheiser.
The binaural audio recordings created with the AMBEO Smart Headset offer a stunning 3D experience – placing the listener inside the soundscape and playing back the direction of sounds and natural spatial characteristics of a location.
To create this headset, Sennheiser partnered with Apogee, the manufacturer of professional audio device, and an industry leader of digital audio recording.
The AMBEO Smart Headset produces detailed and realistic recording via two omni-directional microphones integrated in the ear pieces that work alongside a premium A/D converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit from Apogee.
The two microphones capture the subtle differences in timing, volume and timbre that occur as sounds from different directions reach each ear.
Samsung kicks off huge publicity campaign in Singapore with pop up Galaxy Studio to showcase the Galaxy Plus ecosystem surrounding its newly launched Galaxy S8 & Galaxy S8+ flagship smartphones.
Galaxy Studio showcases the new line-up of device and service additions to the Galaxy ecosystem that puts the newly launched Galaxy S8 and S8+ at its heart.
“At Samsung, we remain committed to building an ecosystem of devices that will not only redefine, but also complement consumer lifestyles. The latest Galaxy S8 and S8+ are at the centre of this ecosystem, and we present Galaxy Plus so our customers can fulfil more and get more from their mobile experiences,” said Eugene Goh, Vice President, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore.
The Galaxy Studio consumer event is held in celebration of the recent launch of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, and will be held at Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City, from tomorrow till 29 June.
Galaxy Studio will be open from 14 April to 29 June, 11am to 9pm daily, with the exception of 22 April to 24 April, where it will be opened at 9.30am to 11pm.
Galaxy Studio will introduce the new “Galaxy Plus” ecosystem, offering options for consumers to get more out of their Galaxy S8 and S8+.
This includes the Samsung DeX Station, Gear VR with Controller, Gear 360 (2017) and the Mobile Photo Printer.
More details about Samsung Galaxy Plus from the press release is appended below.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars partnered with the local polytechnic to create virtual reality video clips to wow its customers considering its premium Bespoke service.
It’s great that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars extends its patronage to nurture young design talent in Nanyang Polytechnic.
This inaugural collaboration produced immersive 360-degree motion graphics video clips to wow customers of the super-luxury brand’s marques, and to impress them with the possibilities of the its bespoke programme.
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is renowned for Bespoke Luxury design and craftsmanship, and it is a privilege to have this pinnacle company implementing our output. But besides the accomplishment, this project clearly demonstrated processes, pressures and commercial realities that await us in our post-academic life. Thanks to NYP’s collaboration with a real-life global luxury brand, I feel more prepared to enter our workforce in the future,” says student Izz Irfan Sahlan, who worked on one of the selected VR videos.
From today, potential customers can dive into the virtual reality (VR) experiences at Rolls-Royce showrooms in Singapore by donning VR headsets available there.
Linksys Velop promises to deploy your home Wi-Fi network to the furthest corner and ensure there are no dead Wi-Fi zones. Available from 12 April in Singapore in 1-pack (S$349), 2-pack (S$599), and 3-pack (S$749) configurations.
Sick of poor Wi-Fi signal in your own home? Check this out!
Velop is a Tri-Band modular Wi-Fi system that can be installed in various mesh configurations, helping users to get the most out of their broadband subscription by promising 100% of their Internet speed to the edge of their network.
Cisco Spark is the company’s cloud-based, unified communications platform, while the Cisco Spark Board is an interactive electronic whiteboard for the future workplace. Prices below.
Cisco showcased its upgraded Cisco Spark – the company’s cloud-based, all-in-one messaging, meetings, calls and conferencing platform designed for the workplace of the future.
The new version of its flagship collaboration solution includes a simplified user interface, more features, and seamless linking to Cisco’s wide portfolio of corporate phone systems, WebEx meeting and video conferencing technologies.
The launch was held at the Impact Hub Singapore, a coworking community with over 670 members comprising both ideation stage startups to billion-dollar “Unicorn” ventures.
Cisco also launched for Asia its Cisco Spark Board, a new plug-and-play, all-in-one device for team collaboration that lets users wirelessly present, whiteboard, and video or audio conference whether you are in the physical conference room or not. (Prices below.)
For travellers that hate the bulkiness of the British 3-pin plug, the Flip plug allow the plug to be folded into a compact flat form factor for packing away into the luggage bag. Prices below.
The Flip comes in three designs to cater to varying power needs. From left: Flip Duo (S$39), Flip Quad (S$59), Flip Power (S$69).
The Flip is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign which raised £28,115 from 1,140 backers, exceeding their initial goal of £15,000.
Where to buy
The Flip Duo (S$39), Flip Quad (S$59) and Flip Power (S$69) plugs are now available at all Antė stores, EpiCentre, iStudio, Robinsons, TwoBros Lifestyle & Gadget Store and We the People.
Each purchase includes One (1) Year Limited Warranty.
Measuring in at a mere 18mm when folded, the Flip is only a third of the standard British plug’s thickness.
When folded, the pins are hidden away when not in use, protecting your devices and other items from scratches when stored together with the Flip.
To use, simply press the auto-release button, lock the pin and you are ready to go.
The Flip comes in three designs to cater to varying power needs.
The new slew of graphics tablets and stylus include the Bamboo Fineline Stylus, Bamboo Slate smartpad, Bamboo Folio smartpad, Intuos Pro and Cintiq Pro 13 & 16. Prices below.
Intuos Pro Paper Edition (medium: S$579, large: S$799)
<Not shown here – Intuos Pro (medium: S$499, large: S$709)>
Cintiq Pro 13 (S$1,499) & 16 (S$2,199)
The new lineup caters to a whole range of users, from professional graphics artists requiring high performance and precision, to the man in the street, looking for user-friendliness and enhanced productivity.
