Archive for the ‘IoT’ Category

Tech Focus – How Non-Terrestrial Networks Boost 5G Mobile

Friday, January 26th, 2024

5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) are on the verge of dramatically improving global connectivity. Dylan MGrath from Keysight Technologies shares his enthusiasm for 5G NTNs and their powerful use-cases for broadband and IoT applications.

How do non-terrestrial networks boost mobile networks?

How do non-terrestrial networks boost mobile networks?

Patchy coverage, dropped calls, voice distortions, and inconsistent data speeds are some common problems with current 4G and 5G networks.

Some of these issues are due to the inherent problems of terrestrial networks.

About the Author: Dylan McGrath is the industry solutions manager for 5G at Keysight Technologies. Prior to joining Keysight, Dylan spent more than 20 years in technology journalism and marketing. He spent more than 10 years as an editor at EE Times, including several years as editor-in-chief of the 50-year-old electronics industry trade publication. His career has also included stints at Electronic News, IHS Markit, and the Hoffman Agency.

About the Author: Dylan McGrath is the industry solutions manager for 5G at Keysight Technologies. Prior to joining Keysight, Dylan spent more than 20 years in technology journalism and marketing. He spent more than 10 years as an editor at EE Times, including several years as editor-in-chief of the 50-year-old electronics industry trade publication. His career has also included stints at Electronic News, IHS Markit, and the Hoffman Agency.

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) can not only alleviate these problems but also potentially expand 5G coverage to the entire planet.

While NTN technologies use satellite systems or airborne platforms to provide telecommunication services in remote areas that are impractical for traditional terrestrial networks, a drawback of current NTNs is that they’re incompatible with traditional terrestrial networks.

For example, SpaceX’s Starlink is an NTN that provides internet access to millions of users around the world through its satellite constellation.

But even if users have smartphones and tablets equipped with perfectly capable radio transceivers, they still need an additional gateway device for Starlink internet access.

Fortunately, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the organisation that creates mobile communication standards, is addressing this incompatibility by bringing the NTN ecosystem under the umbrella of the 5G standards.

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Tech Focus – All about automotive lidar

Friday, December 22nd, 2023

From its use in metrology and topography, lidar (light detection and ranging) technology has come a long way to quickly become one of the key technologies in autonomous vehicle (AV) advancements. Chaimaa Aarab from Keysight Technologies gives you the lowdown on lidar for AVs.

As automakers progress with real-world testing, it's clear that next-generation sensors offer intriguing features but differ from the silver bullet many thought they'd be at first.

As automakers progress with real-world testing, it’s clear that next-generation sensors offer intriguing features but differ from the silver bullet many thought they’d be at first.

Without driver/human inputs, AVs require sensors and computers to work together to read the road and surrounding environment.

Most advanced driver aids in the world today use a combination of radar (microwave) and sonar (sound) to warn about unseen threats and help stop a vehicle before a collision occurs.

About the Author: Chaimaa Aarab is a market initiative manager at Keysight Technologies

About the Author: Chaimaa Aarab is a market initiative manager at Keysight Technologies.

Lidar can perform similar functions, developing an image of the environment around it while still representing the best option for AVs to see the light.

Lidar technology in automotive

The automotive industry is undergoing an existential transformation with autonomous driving (AV) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

To achieve a fully autonomous driving experience, sensor fusion is positioning itself as the key enabler in the automotive industry.

While sensor fusion focuses on software algorithms combining the data collected from cameras, radar, and lidar to obtain meaningful decision-making information, data quality is paramount.

While there’s still a long way to go in mimicking the human senses and brain for level 5 driving automation, sensor fusion is a further step in that direction.

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New Arrival: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 in Singapore

Friday, October 6th, 2023

The new Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 (S$38) will hit the shelves in Singapore on 20 October 2023.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 will be available in Black or White and will be available from local telecommunication operators, Samsung Online Store, Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Official Store on Lazada and Shopee, and major consumer electronics & IT stores.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 will be available in Black or White and will be available from local telecommunication operators, Samsung Online Store, Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Official Store on Lazada and Shopee, and major consumer electronics & IT stores.

Galaxy SmartTag2’s brand-new Lost Mode allows users to input their contact information via a message.

Anyone who discovers an item with a Galaxy SmartTag2 attached can use their smartphone to scan the tag and see the owners’ message and contact information.

This means a Galaxy SmartTag2 attached to a pet’s collar is now a convenient way to ensure the pet owner’s phone number is always there, in most places where the pet might wander.

Lost Mode works with any mobile device with NFC reader and web browser.

Galaxy SmartTag2 now provides an improved Compass View feature, enhancing the user experience by providing arrows to show the direction and distance of the Galaxy SmartTag2 in relation to the user.

This mode is available on any UWB-supported Galaxy smartphone, such as the Galaxy Z Fold5.

The SmartThings Find app has also been upgraded, with newly registered Galaxy SmartTags that now installs a shortcut to the app on the user’s smartphone, allowing users to launch SmartThings Find more quickly.

Additionally, the app now features a full screen map view and an intuitive interface, making the user experience even more seamless.

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New Arrival: Arlo Pro 5 2K Wire-Free Home Security Camera

Thursday, July 20th, 2023

The new Arlo Pro 5 2K Security Camera is now available in Singapore at S$329.

“The Arlo Pro 5 is one of the most secure and reliable security cameras Arlo has engineered to date. Integrating two wireless technologies into one extremely compact form factor ensures users are better equipped to ‘protect their everything’,” said Bradley Little, Arlo Vice President of Sales — APAC.

“The Arlo Pro 5 is one of the most secure and reliable security cameras Arlo has engineered to date. Integrating two wireless technologies into one extremely compact form factor ensures users are better equipped to ‘protect their everything’,” said Bradley Little, Arlo Vice President of Sales — APAC.

The latest addition to the Pro series, the Arlo Pro 5 2K Security Camera operates off Dual-Band Wi-Fi support, with 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz connections allowing users to enjoy faster video loading, and less buffering, so they can see what is happening faster.

“Supporting the overall Pro 5 experience, is the intuitive Arlo Secure app that ensures frictionless access to the most comprehensive monitoring tools available,” said Bradley Little, Arlo Vice President of Sales — APAC.

Users will also welcome significant battery life improvements, with the Pro 5 offering up to 30% longer battery life than the Arlo Pro 4 Security Camera.

Through a paid Arlo Secure subscription (not included), users can take their security to the next level with time-saving automations that can be programmed to trigger events such as geo-fencing, mode changes, schedules, alarms and more.

More details below from the press release.

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HomeTech Review: Roborock S8 Robot Vacuum Mop

Friday, June 23rd, 2023

If you’re looking for a house-warming gift (with a budget of roughly S$800) to help a friend keep the home clean, get him/her a Roborock S8.

The Roborock S8 robot vacuum mop is priced at S$799 in Singapore but you can get discounts if you wait for the monthly online sales from their official store on Shopee.

The Roborock S8 robot vacuum mop is priced at S$799 in Singapore but you can get discounts if you wait for the monthly online sales from their official store on Shopee.

The Roborock S8 series is the latest flagship lineup of robot vacuum mops for cleaning homes.

It comprises the basic S8 vacuum mop, the S8+ (with dustbin auto-emptying dock), and the top end S8 Pro Ultra (with auto-emptying, mop auto-washing, water tank auto-refiling, mop-cloth auto-drying dock).

 

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Roborock S8 robot vacuum mop freshly unboxed.

I’ve been trying out the S8 robot vacuum mop and it’s a good basic robot cleaner with no frills which keeps the home dust and dirt free.

The following key highlights of the S8 makes it a more effective and intelligent floor cleaner.

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Review: Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box for Immersive Surround Lighting

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Having jazzed up my home entertainment space with smart accented lighting by two Philips Hue Play light bars, I decided to up the ante to sync the lighting effects with the movies that I was watching on my TV, as well as my music and gaming – to achieve a more immersive experience.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is a fantastic way to liven up your entertainment space for movies, gaming and music. Before (bottom) and After (top). Note how the corresponding coloured light leaps off the TV onto the surroundings.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is a fantastic way to liven up your entertainment space for movies, gaming and music. Before (bottom) and After (top). Note how the corresponding coloured light leaps off the TV onto the surroundings.

We are all familiar with surround sound, where the sound is expanded beyond a mono or stereo speakers to encapsulate the listener for a more immersive audio experience.

Signify is offering surround lighting with its Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box (RRP: S$419) – extending the visual experience from the confines of the television (or computer monitor) to beyond the display itself to the surroundings.

What you’ll need to set up a synchronised surround lighting from scratch (sold separately): Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, Philips Hue Play light bars, Philips Hue Bridge. You’ll also need the free Philips Hue app and Philips Hue Sync apps to set up and program the lights and synchronisation.

What you’ll need to set up a synchronised surround lighting from scratch (sold separately): Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, Philips Hue Play light bars, Philips Hue Bridge. You’ll also need the free Philips Hue app and Philips Hue Sync apps to set up and program the lights and synchronisation.

You can set this up by emplacing Philips Hue smart lights around the TV and then syncing the colours and intensities of these lights to whatever is displayed on the TV screen.

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New Arrival: Signify Launches WiZ Smart Lighting in Singapore

Friday, July 8th, 2022

Signify, formerly known as Philips Lighting, is launching in Singapore a new smart lighting product line under the brand WiZ.

 

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WiZ is a new line of plug-and-play smart lighting system that Signify is introducing into the Singapore market.

Based on Wi-Fi connectivity, the WiZ platform is in addition to the existing Zigbee-based Philips Hue smart light ecosystem.

“When people think smart homes, they think smart lighting. Lighting is the top device that they want to control with voice. With the intuitive, relevant and accessible WiZ product range, Signify is making it effortless for consumers to get started on their smart home adventure and ushering them into new realms of connectivity, control and convenience,” said Jitender Khurana, Country Head and Managing Director, Signify Singapore.

The plug-and-play WiZ Connected portfolio comprises modern bulbs, portable lights, ceiling lights, downlighters, lightstrips and accessories, enabling users to easily inject smart, connected lighting to every corner of their home.

Designed for hassle-free set-up over Bluetooth and connectivity over existing Wi-Fi networks, WiZ comes with multiple control options including the WiZ app, voice control, smart switches and motion sensors to make daily living smarter, easier and more comfortable.

It is a multi-protocol smart lighting system built on an open Internet of Things (IoT) platform to give users the ultimate smart lighting experience.

More details below from the press release.

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Event: Huawei Launches Mate Xs 2 & Health/Fitness Wearables

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022

Huawei has launched online the new Mate Xs 2 folding phablet, as well as a slew of health and fitness wearables.

The new Huawei Mate Xs 2 folding phablet has a 7.8-inch True-Chroma foldable display and weighs only 255g.

The new Huawei Mate Xs 2 folding phablet has a 7.8-inch True-Chroma foldable display and weighs only 255g.

The following new products were launched by Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group.

  1. Huawei Mate Xs 2
  2. Huawei Watch GT3 Pro
  3. Huawei Watch Fit 2
  4. Huawei Band 7
  5. Huawei Watch D
  6. Huawei S-Tag

A sneak peek of the four health and fitness wearables in the list were showcased to select media earlier this month.

Which of the six gadgets launched today will be available in Singapore?

A slew of new devices from Huawei, from the Mate Xs 2 folding phablet to a range of health/fitness wearables.

A slew of new devices from Huawei, from the Mate Xs 2 folding phablet to a range of health/fitness wearables.

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