Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category

Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 Wows with AI Tensor G3

Thursday, October 12th, 2023

The new Google Pixel 8 Pro (S$1,549) and Pixel 8 (S$1,099) hit the shelves in Singapore today. Here are the main features that we’ve tried out thus far. Check out also the differences in specs between the two phones.

Google’s latest flagship phones - Pixel 8 (left) and Pixel 8 Pro.

Google’s latest flagship phones – Pixel 8 (left) and Pixel 8 Pro.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the flagship model from Google sporting the new Google Tensor G3 processor to put Google AI in the center of everything that happens in the phone.

It has a stunning 6.7-inch Super Actua display which is brighter than previous Pixels and makes images and videos more vivid and pleasing to the eyes.

Google Pixel 8 Pro in comparison with the Pixel 7 Pro.

Google Pixel 8 Pro in comparison with the Pixel 7 Pro.

It intelligently adjusts from as low as one to 120Hz to juggle between performance during gaming and power efficiency when a high update rate is not needed.

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Review: Roborock Q Revo Do-it-all Value Robot Vacuum Mop

Saturday, September 30th, 2023

The Roborock Q Revo offers EVERYTHING that a robot vacuum mop can do on the market today but at an affordable price level – ideal for the user looking for both performance and value-for-money.

The Roborock Q Revo robot vacuum mop retails in Singapore at S$1,299.90 on its official stores on Lazada and Shopee. Purchase during online promotions to enjoy substantial discounts of the RRP.

The Roborock Q Revo robot vacuum mop retails in Singapore at S$1,299.90 on its official stores on Lazada and Shopee. Purchase during online promotions to enjoy substantial discounts of the RRP. Dog & plant not included.

So robot home cleaners started out as just autonomous vacuum cleaners which do the basic task of being able to cover the entire floor area of wherever it has been put to work – to suck up dust and dirt into the dustbin onboard the robot.

Then a mop cloth was slapped on with a water dispenser to keep the cloth wet, so that the robot could mop the floor surface.

 

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Roborock Q Revo freshly unboxed.

Robot vacuum mops were simple, usually round, devices with a charging dock.

In these early days, some didn’t vacuum too well while others didn’t mop too cleanly, they got easily stuck and many weren’t able to cover the entire floor area properly.

Overtime, these basic performances improved while new features were added, mainly to the dock station.

Their price tags also escalated correspondingly.

Roborock Q Revo with top cover opened and dustbin out. The docking station is to the right.

Roborock Q Revo with top cover opened and dustbin out. The docking station is to the right.

Today, docking stations can automatically refill the water container onboard the robot, wash the mop cloths, and empty the dustbin onboard during a cleaning session and at the end of it.

The latest trend is the ability of the dock to dry the mop cloth after each mopping session.

I’ve been using the Q Revo from Roborock for a while now – it does ALL of the things described above and does them well – all at a price lower than the arm-and-a-leg that other flagship models on the market today cost.

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Review: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W

Tuesday, September 19th, 2023

tech4travel: Tech enthusiast and Apple fan, Dylan, got himself the latest Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019). He was pleased that the charging pad “encompassed both power and convenience in one sleek package”.

Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019bt) comes in black or white (UP S$139) on Belkin Lazada Mall and Shopee Mall, as well as Challenger stores, Challenger.sg.

Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019bt) comes in black or white (UP S$139) on Belkin Lazada Mall and Shopee Mall, as well as Challenger stores, Challenger.sg.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for products that combine innovation, functionality, and style seamlessly.

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad certainly ticks all the right boxes, offering an impressive array of features for charging, portability, and consumer guarantee.

Freshly unboxed: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019).

Freshly unboxed: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019).

Let’s delve into what makes this charging pad a must-have accessory.

Charging Powerhouse

One of the standout features of the BoostCharge Pro is its ability to wirelessly charge your iPhone 15/14/13/12 and AirPods (including Pro and 2nd gen) SIMULTANEOUSLY.

This two-in-one convenience eliminates the need for multiple cables and chargers cluttering your workspace or luggage.

For those with the latest iPhones, the BoostCharge Pro offers fast charging at up to 15W with a seamless MagSafe wireless charging experience.

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Tech Focus: Non-Terrestrial Networks and the Era of Democratised Connectivity

Monday, September 18th, 2023

Dylan McGrath from Keysight Technologies shares how non-terrestrial networks (NTN) represent an exciting new frontier in communications because they extend the reach of 5G into regions lacking terrestrial infrastructure.

NTNs use both satellites and high-altitude platforms such as balloons, airships and pilotless aerial systems in the stratosphere to ensure coverage and reliability in virtually any scenario. Photo by NASA on Unsplash.

NTNs use both satellites and high-altitude platforms such as balloons, airships and pilotless aerial systems in the stratosphere to ensure coverage and reliability in virtually any scenario. Photo by NASA on Unsplash.

Decreased costs and new capabilities in terrestrial 5G are combining to make NTNs increasingly viable, ushering in a new era of true global connectivity and a space-based IoT that will permanently change our perception of communication.

3GPP’s 5G standards recognise NTNs as a part of the 5G connectivity infrastructure.

One of the network’s chief benefits is multi-connectivity, as users connect through both terrestrial and satellite links, with the former handling low-latency traffic and satellites reserved for high-latency traffic.

There are a multitude of fascinating use cases to explore here, including the following.

  1. Augmentation of terrestrial networks
  2. Whole-world connectivity
  3. Remote pipeline monitoring
  4. Image Intelligence

1. Augmentation of terrestrial networks

5G NTNs will fill gaps in cellular coverage, allowing operators to enhance the latter without driving up costs.

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Travel: Visiting The Big Apple with a New York CityPASS

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

Catherine Zhang visited New York City this summer. During her time in the Big Apple, she used a New York CityPASS to visit five of the most popular sights in the City, saving some 40% in admissions.

The New York CityPASS provides great value-for-money for checking out the top attractions in the Big Apple.

The New York CityPASS provides great value-for-money for checking out the top attractions in the Big Apple.

For those planning to sightsee in New York City, there are three CityPASS tickets which cater to different budgets and itineraries:

  1. New York CityPASS
    • Adults: US$138
    • Child 6-17: US$118
  2. New York C3
    • Adults: US$96
    • Child 6-12: US$74
  3. New York C-All
    • Adults: US$194
    • Child 6-12: US$144

All three tickets are valid for nine days (starting from first use) and have a 365-day full refund policy (from date of purchase) for non-activated tickets in case travel plans change.

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Travel: First Visit to New York City – the City that Never Sleeps

Friday, September 15th, 2023

Who hasn’t dreamt of visiting New York City at least once in their lifetime? Catherine Zhang was in NYC for three days this summer. She shares with us her sojourn in the Big Apple.

Sunset view of New York City from the Empire State Building.

Sunset view of New York City from the Empire State Building.

The city might seem overwhelming at first, with the raging crowds, endless skyscrapers and the plethora of attractions you can visit.

Having only three days between my summer programme in Ithaca and volunteering at an animal sanctuary in the Amazon jungle in Peru, I was spoilt for choice on which sights to see on my first visit to NYC.

The Empire State Building

My favourite sight was the Empire State Building. An iconic feature of the NYC skyline, it towers over most of the other skyscrapers in Manhattan.

Despite its popularity, I was able to easily book a timeslot online to visit the building just the day before.

Night view of the Big Apple after nightfall, from the Empire State Building.

Night view of the Big Apple after nightfall, from the Empire State Building.

The first few floors feature a museum commemorating the cultural importance of the building, including a gallery of the various movies – from King Kong to Superman to Independence Day – which have featured the Empire State in one way or another.

However, the highlight of the building is easily the 86th floor observatory, where I was able to catch a beautiful view of NYC at sunset.

The thing is, you might forget how beautiful NYC is when you’re down on the ground jostling with hundreds of tourists and seeing the skyscrapers stretch out endlessly above. It is so easy to feel lost in a city so big and bustling with the stories of hundreds of other people.

But when you’re up high, looking down at the lights of the city that never sleeps, then it’s easy to see why so many singers, movie makers and artists have been captivated by its fast-paced charm and charisma.

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Tech Focus: Energising the Electric Vehicle (EV) Era

Friday, August 11th, 2023

The countdown for automotive players to meet greener energy deadlines is powering towards the end of the decade, when they come into play. In this thought leadership opinion piece, Thomas Goetzl from Keysight Technologies looks at the road ahead in terms of what smart energy must encompass to support the EV future.

Energising the road to the EV Era.

Energising the road to the EV Era.

Accelerating adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and meeting the mandates require significant and sustainable changes.

One area that needs more attention is how to energise the transition to an electric-powered future.

With the demand for electricity expected to grow nearly 20% by 2050 due to EVs and other clean tech initiatives, grids are under immense pressure.

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