July 30th, 2015
Rémy Martin and Selinko are the first to introduce the “connected bottle” with high-security NFC technology to the spirits market, starting with China.
The RÉMY MARTIN CLUB CONNECTED BOTTLE experience powered by Rémy Martin is accessible on Android smartphones.
Connected through High-Security NFC technology, the RÉMY MARTIN CLUB CONNECTED BOTTLE will be available in China this fall and will provide advanced functionalities such as secure authentication, opening detection and an integrated consumer engagement program.
Authentication and security
Rémy Martin is the first Wines and Spirits brand to bring to market a connected bottle with the most highly secure opening detection technology; integrating a unique, tamper proof NFC tag into the capsule.
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Tags: alcohol, Android, Apps, China, NFC, Remy Martin, Selinko, spirits, tags, wine
Posted in Accessories, Android, Announce, App, Apps, Dine & Wine, Entertainment, Gadgets, gadgets, newArrivals, Security, smartphones, Software | No Comments »
July 29th, 2015
Sony has launched worldwide its flagship camera – the α7R II full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, with 42.4-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, in-camera 5-axis image stabilisation, internal 4K video recording, silent shooting and fast hybrid AF.
Available in Singapore from August onwards at S$4,099 (body only).
Sony boasts that the newly-developed 42.4-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor is the most advanced, versatile and highest-resolution full-frame image sensor that Sony has ever created, allowing the α7R II to reach new levels of quality, sensitivity and response speed.
Sony, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced the new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the α7R II.
The impressive video credentials of Sony’s new α7R II camera include the ability to record movies in 4K quality (QFHD 3840×2160) in either Super 35mm crop mode or full-frame mode.
The new α7R II features the world’s first back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, which realises high-resolution (approximately 42.4 effective megapixels), high-sensitivity (expandable up to ISO 102400) and high-speed AF response up to 40 per cent faster than the original α7R, thanks to 399 focal plane phase-detection AF points.
The camera also includes a 5-axis image stabilisation system borrowed from the α7 II model, and has the ability to shoot and record 4K videos in multiple formats including Super 35mm (without pixel binning) and full-frame format, a world’s first for digital cameras.
Additionally, it has a newly refined XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with the world’s highest (0.78x) viewfinder magnification.
More details from the press release below.
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Tags: Alpha, cameras, flagship, fullframe, launch, MIL, mirrorless, photography, prices, Singapore, Sony
Posted in A7, Cameras, cameras, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, MIL, newArrivals, Prices, Sony, Specifications | No Comments »
July 28th, 2015
Linksys has launched the world’s first MU-MIMO enabled wireless router. Available from 4 August at Challenger and subsequently at other retail stores and online for S$399.
The new Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (EA8500). RRP in Singapore: S$399.
The new Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (EA8500) leverages the 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple Output) technology, which helps ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity to all the devices in the home and function as if multiple devices have their own dedicated router.
“MU-MIMO technology revolutionises the wireless experience in the home. The average home has more than 8 devices connecting to the Internet, and they’re not used for just sending emails and tweets. We’re streaming movies and TV shows in high definition, we’re video chatting with our friends and family, and we’re playing video games against competitors around the globe, all on different devices and often at the same time,” said Mike Chen, vice president of product management, Linksys.
With MU-MIMO, the entire household can stream movies, play video games, listen to music, shop, check email and more – all at the same time.
The Linksys EA8500 router incorporates Qualcomm® MU | EFX MU-MIMO technology+, which helps to provide up to 3x faster speeds* compared to current W-Fi.
The combined 2.53 Gbps Wi-Fi speeds (up to 1733 Mbps for 5 GHz and 800 Mbps for 2.4 GHz‡) help minimise buffering and enable faster downloads.
A supercharged 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU and four Gigabit ports offer blazing-fast speeds perfect for heavy-bandwidth wired gaming.
Users can attach devices to the USB 3.0 port and a combo USB 2.0/eSATA port for uninterrupted personal cloud content streaming or to share data across their network.
The four removable external antennas are adjustable for maximum coverage, while beamforming technology concentrates the Wi-Fi signal to each device for stronger, better performance and increased mobile speed and range.
MU-MIMO, or Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multi-Output. Having a MU-MIMO router is like having an individual router dedicated to multiple devices in your home.
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Tags: AC2600, broadband, EA8500, globalwebindex, IDC, Linksys, MU-MIMO, networking, routers, Singapore, SingTel, Wi-Fi
Posted in Announce, Availability, Figures, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, Linksys, Network, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, Router, Specifications, Study | No Comments »
July 26th, 2015
The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is in Little India off Jalan Besar in Singapore. * The information in this article was derived from Wikipedia’s article on the mosque.
The rear facade of the Masjid Abdul Gafoor is actually two stairs that ascend to the cupola at its rooftop. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
The area in which Masjid Abdul Gafoor was built is also known as Kampung Kapor, which was a centre of business activity for Indian merchants.
The mosque also served Muslims who worked at the old race course at Farrer Park.
The predecessor to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor at the location was an earlier mosque named Masjid Al-Abrar which was built in 1846 for the South Indian Muslim merchants and Baweanese syces and horse trainers living in the area.
The name of the mosque at the entrance. According to Wikipedia, “In 1881, a deed of assignment dated 14 November 1881 created the Dunlop Street Mosque Endowment or wakaf. The two trustees were Ismail Mansor and Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hydert. Abdul Gaffoor was the chief clerk at a legal firm. The wakaf was created for the building of a mosque for the Muslim community in Singapore. The deed of assignment also placed in trust several other properties including a Muslim burial ground and a house in Race Course Road. The burial ground was closed in 1921.” Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
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Tags: 5Ds, Canon, Canon EOS, Canon EOS 5Ds, CanonSG, EOS, EOS 5DS, festival, Hari Raya, heritage, Islam, Kampung Kapor, Muslims, photography, photos, potd, Puasa, Ramadan, SG50, Singapore
Posted in Cameras, cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Events, events, gadgets, Lens, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Reference, Singapore, Travel, Visits, Wiki | No Comments »
July 25th, 2015
The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is on Dunlop Street in the Kampung Kapor area of Singapore.
The visit to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor was part of an SG50 heritage photowalk organised by Canon Singapore, that also included visits to the Saint Joseph’s Church and Yueh Hai Ching Temple. I had the chance to try out the new EOS 5Ds and EOS M3 cameras. This photo was taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
Originally built in 1907, the mosque was restored in 2003.
Tags: 5Ds, Canon, Canon EOS, Canon EOS 5Ds, CanonSG, EOS, EOS 5DS, festival, Hari Raya, heritage, Islam, Kampung Kapor, Muslims, photography, photos, potd, Puasa, Ramadan, SG50, Singapore
Posted in cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Singapore, Travel, travel, Visits | No Comments »
July 23rd, 2015
The new Galaxy Tab S2 comes in 9.7-inch and 8-inch form factors as well as 4G+ and Wi-Fi configurations, with 32GB memory and microSD support up to 128GB.
Prices range from S$598 to S$798 (see below). Black available from 7 August while Gold will be in later August.
At just 5.6mm thin and weighing only 389g (9.7”) and 265g (8.0”), Samsung claims that the Galaxy Tab S2 is the thinnest and lightest tablet of its size in the market, and is packed with powerful performance features to offer enhanced usability, whether for productivity and multitasking, or simply enjoying immersive content anytime, anywhere.
Samsung is targeting users looking for a premium tablet for multimedia entertainment and personal use.
The 4G+ LTE Category 6 capability (for the 4G+ versions) promise users faster Internet access for browsing and downloading content.
Prices and detailed descriptions from the press release below.
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Tags: 4G, availability, Galaxy, Galaxy Tab, launch, prices, S2, Samsung, Singapore, tablets, Wi-Fi
Posted in Accessories, Android, App, Apps, Entertainment, Gadgets, gadgets, Galaxy, Launch, Press Release, Prices, Samsung, Specifications, Tablets, tablets | No Comments »
July 17th, 2015
Here’s wishing all Muslim friends: “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”!
Hari Raya ornaments for the home, on sale at the night bazaar prior to the actual day. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. It was so crowded you’ve got to keep moving. The fast 65-point autofocus of the 7D Mark II enabled many shots to be taken sharp despite the hurry. Photo credit: John Tan.
It’s Hari Raya Puasa today.
After a whole month of fasting during Ramadan, today is the day that our Muslim friends have been looking forward to.
A traditional henna tattoo being done on the hands of a gracious lady who accented to letting me capture the beautiful design on her hand. Photo taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II with M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
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Tags: 7D Mark II, bazaar, Canon, E-M5, EOS, festival, Geylang Serai, Hari Raya, holiday, Islam, lens, lights, markets, Muslims, night, Olympus, OM-D, OM-D E-M5, photography, photos, potd, Puasa, Ramadan, Singapore
Posted in Cameras, cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Food, Gadgets, gadgets, Holiday, Lens, MIL, Olympus, OM-D, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Shopping, Zuiko | No Comments »
July 14th, 2015
Readiris Corporate 15 is an advanced software solution for users in both small and large enterprises who need to digitise their paper information for easier archiving and sharing.
Automated document processing improves productivity, and work processes, while easy sharing of information increases mobility and efficiency in the workplace.
Canon, a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions, has unveiled its first IRIS offering in Singapore – Readiris Corporate 15.
An advanced optical character recognition (OCR) solution, Readiris aims to reinvent the way enterprises in Singapore work with paper, enabling them to now convert paper into digitised documents and images for users to seamlessly search, and share information in a smarter, more productive workplace.
More details from the press release below.
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Tags: Canon, OCR, Readiris, scanners, Singapore, smart documents, software
Posted in Announce, Canon, Enterprise IT, Gadgets, newArrivals, Press Release, Software, software | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2015
Both the compact RX100 IV (S$1,399 from 16 July) and high-zoom RX10 II (S$1,899 from 30 July) cameras boast the world’s first staked 1.0 Type CMOS sensor with a DRAM memory chip, 40x super slow motion capture (up to 960fps), 4K video recording and high-speed anti-distortion shutter (up to 1/32000s).
Pre-order the RX100 IV from 3 July (see below).
The two new models in the Sony Cyber-shot RX series feature the world’s first 1.0 type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with advanced signal processing and an attached DRAM memory chip.
The high speed signal processing and DRAM memory chip work together to enable more than five times the readout rate of image data and are responsible for a variety of features that have previously only been available in selected professional-level video cameras.
Breathtaking demo of the prowess of the new Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV (S$1,399). Taken with burst mode, these two shots show the water-filled balloon just before and just after it was burst. You can still see the “shape” of the water just after the rubber of the balloon burst, as well as the fine water spray emanating from the “water ball”.
These capabilities include 40x super slow motion video capture at up to 960fps, an ultra-fast Anti-Distortion Shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000 second, high-resolution 4K movie shooting and more.
Below are more details from the press release.
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Tags: cameras, compact, Cyber-shot, high speed, photography, RX, RX10, RX10 II, RX100, RX100 IV, Singapore, Sony, zoom
Posted in audioVisual, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Cyber-shot, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, Prices, Sony, Specifications | No Comments »
July 1st, 2015
Shaun Wormald, Senior Director of Unified Communications, InterCall Asia Pacific shares six ways to boost meeting productivity during video conferences. This guest blog was contributed by Wormald.
Shaun Wormald, Senior Director of Unified Communications, InterCall Asia Pacific.
The benefits of using video conferencing solutions from an organisational perspective is very clear – it helps businesses achieve their targets while being cost efficient.
While these bottom lines and costs may not directly concern you as an end user, video conferences can actually work to your advantage and help you accomplish tasks – if you know how to do them right.
Six tips to enhance video conferencing efficiency
- Be prepared
- Be early and test the application
- Join the video conference, then mute your microphone
- Speak clearly but don’t shout
- Make yourself presentable
- Focus
To help you realise how prevalent video conferences are in a business setting, a recent Research and Markets study reports that the global video conferencing market is expected to reach US$ 6.40 billion by 2020.
Asia Pacific also sees a similar trend.
While it’s tempting to join video meetings in a way that’s convenient for you, doing so affects not only your ability to contribute to the discussion, but also those of the other attendees.
This wastes what could have been a great opportunity to collaborate.
To make sure your next video conferences will be productive, may I share some tips with you below.
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Tags: byline, guest blog, InterCall, opinion, Shaun Wormald, UC, unified communications
Posted in audioVisual, Brief, Business IT, Enterprise IT, Interview, Opinion, Technology, Video | No Comments »
