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Bang & Olufsen introduces Beolab 28 an advanced connceted stero speaker

Bang & Olufsen introduces Beolab 28 an advanced connceted stero speaker

Bang & Olufsen today introduces Beolab 28, an adaptive, wireless speaker that combines advanced acoustical innovations with convenient smart speaker features to create an exceptional experience right out of the box. Beolab 28 can be positioned anywhere in the home thanks to its slim design, stream anything instantly and provides immersive, powerful studio-grade sound that automatically adapts to its space, designed for longevity.

“Beolab 28 is our most advanced connected speaker to date, providing powerful sound and flexible placement options due to its slim shape and small footprint. Beolab 28 includes cutting-edge, wireless connectivity and streaming features that allow you to enjoy your music exactly the way you want”, says Christoffer Poulsen, Senior Vice President and Head of Product Management at Bang & Olufsen.

ADAPTIVE STUDIO-GRADE SOUND

Bang & Olufsen’s sound philosophy is exemplified by Beolab 28 which delivers a powerful sound experience. The listener can physically feel the bass achieved by the built-in subwoofer based on a custom-made 6.5″ driver. The driver features a large excursion to obtain a powerful and precise bass. Bang & Olufsen’s latest generation Active Room Compensation adapts the bass response to the room, allowing the speakers to be placed anywhere.

Using three 3” full range drivers placed on the front and one on each side, and a 1” tweeter on the front for optimal treble quality, it is possible to create a uniform directivity throughout the meaningful frequency range. The full range drivers and the tweeter have exceptionally high sensitivity and were developed specifically for Beolab 28 to create a clear midrange quality even at very loud levels, as well as a precise and dynamic treble reproduction.

Thanks to Beam Width Control, Beolab 28 ensures the best listening experience for any situation. In ‘narrow mode’, music reaches the ear directly and unaltered, minimising the interference of side wall reflections and proving the ultimate sweet spot listening. In ‘wide mode’, the beam diffuses more sound all around the loudspeakers, maintaining a natural tonal balance even when sitting or walking away from the optimal listening area in front of the speakers.

AN EXCEPTIONAL AND EASY EXPERIENCE Beolab 28 redefines the notion of an all-in-one speaker where simplicity is celebrated. The integrated, down-firing subwoofer amplifies enough bass capability to fill even larger rooms without the need to add an external subwoofer. This provides the best listening experience whilst minimising clutter to give more freedom when designing an interior space. Beolab 28 can also be wall-mounted so that it does not take up floorspace. Set-up is easy, quick and cableless thanks to wireless connectivity, offering synchronisation of speakers at 24bits/48kHz within microseconds. Built-in music streaming allows listeners to pick up their phone and stream directly to the speakers. Users can listen to music in the living room or throughout the home via Airplay 2 or Chromecast, the B&O app and Bluetooth. The speakers will be made compatible with Beolink Multiroom in autumn 2021 through an automatic software update. Beolab 28 can also be paired with a Bang & Olufsen TV using Powerlink or Wireless Powerlink.

A simple touch user interface has been created on top of Beolab 28 which lights up when approached thanks to built in proximity sensors, visually inviting the user to interact with the product. The elegant user interface allows listeners to pause/play, skip and turn the volume up or down. The incorporation of 4 favourite buttons allows listeners to easily access their favourite radio station using the built-in Bang & Olufsen Radio or Spotify playlist. Customers can choose to operate the speakers in multiple ways, either directly via the user interface, using a Bang & Olufsen remote or directly via the Smartphone.

STAND OUT DESIGN THAT SUITS ANYWHERE

Elegant and with a slender silhouette, Beolab 28 is a versatile speaker that can be placed anywhere in the living room, whether standing on the floor or hanging on the wall. Choose from Natural Silver, Black Anthracite or Bronze Tone aluminium, and combine with speaker covers in high quality knitted fabric or solid wood to suit any interior setting. The fabric covers are available in two tones: grey and grey mélange. The wooden covers are available in light oak, oak, smoked oak and walnut.

The design of Beolab 28 consists of a column speaker with a round curvature in the lower end, followed by a conical shape that contains the woofer. The speaker is held together by a backbone which hides cable wires and gives the impression that the speaker is floating on air.

Known for its mechanical movements, Beolab 28 incorporates curtains that magically open when the speaker is switched on or move when the sound beam is adjusted, indicating whether the speaker is in narrow or wide mode. This stages the listening experience and creates an engaging ritual for the user.

THE FINEST MATERIALS, BUILT TO LAST

Beolab 28 is designed for longevity and created in Bang & Olufsen’s legendary Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark. The anodised, aluminium cylinder is formed using a spinning technique whilst dually being pressed into shape. To reach the conical shape of the foot, the aluminium component is carefully formed using expanding and reducing techniques to secure an unusual and surprising shape. The wooden covers are made at Bjerrum Nielsen, a supplier Bang & Olufsen has worked with since 1949 due to their shared values in prioritizing craftmanship and every piece is inspected by eye to ensure the best quality.


Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to longevity also applies to technology where the speaker includes Bang & Olufsen’s new replaceable connectivity module. This has been frontloaded with enough processing power and connectivity technology to receive new performance updates and features for years to come. If the connectivity and streaming technology ever becomes outdated, the module can be replaced with the latest technology updates, future proofing the speaker for generations to come.

Beolab 28 is inspired by the iconic column shape used on Beolab Penta, Beolab 6000 and Beolab 8000 which are still being serviced by Bang & Olufsen today, showcasing the company’s commitment to timeless design and unrivalled sound.

Bang Olufsen revela el impresionante televisor Beovision Harmony de 88 pulgadas

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JETOPTERA J-2000 FLYING CAR
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JETOPTERA J-2000 FLYING CAR

JETOPTERA J-2000 FLYING CAR

Jetoptera was recently awarded two 2021 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts from the USAF to further characterize the noise of its patented Fluidic Propulsive System (FPS™) in an anechoic chamber wind tunnel and to prove that the FPS™ used with an Upper Surface Blown Wing (USB) configuration will produce specific lift force levels similar to those of a rotor-wing aircraft, yet without moving parts.

For the first contract, Jetoptera has partnered with the University of Notre Dame (Professor Scott Morris) to employ the anechoic wind tunnel in their Turbomachinery Labs and characterize the aero performance and acoustics signature of the FPS™ and compare it to similar thrust propulsors currently employed in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concepts.

“We will compare the FPS™ and three other propulsion technologies that are the legacy propulsors for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs and UAM vehicles using a similar power supply for each. Having already established our FPS™ lower noise emissions potential versus a propeller under another program, this time we will be using an anechoic chamber and a different measurement system, with the goal of confirming the advantages of the propulsion technology we have invented” said Dr. Andrei Evulet, CEO of Jetoptera, Inc.

Jetoptera has also partnered with the University of Washington (Professor Alberto Aliseda) to employ the Kirsten Wind Tunnel to demonstrate feasibility of lift and thrust augmentation by a wing-integrated Fluidic Propulsion System via the Boundary Layer Ingestion and Upper Blown Surface Jet Mechanisms. Our goal is to find the maximum vertical lift produced with this combination and demonstrate that by distributing the FPS™ along a wing we can produce a specific lift force (lbf/hp) similar to a low disk load rotor employed by rotary wing aircraft. “We will investigate and find the optimal architecture for the use of the wing for VTOL in conjunction with the FPS™ and how it could match the performance of a rotor, by using the same power, but without the large, noisy, moving parts,” said Dr. Evulet.

“We are on the technological design path to demonstrate that an aircraft using the FPS™ is quieter, faster, simpler, more compact and less expensive than a rotor or propeller driven aircraft. Combined with FPS™’ agnosticism to energy sources – it can be powered by jet fuels, Diesel, SAF, hydrogen or electric – we are confident about the superiority of our propulsion solution as noise, safety and performance continue to be major challenges in unmanned and manned aviation,” added Dr. Evulet.

The period of performance is six months for each contract.

In July 2018, Jetoptera finished propulsion tests, triggering an issuing of $1.5 million in equity. In September 2018, Jetoptera and GE Aviation announced that they were cooperating “to jointly demonstrate a 500-pound-force (lbf) class Fluidic Propulsion System leveraging a gas generator based on GE Aviation’s H-Series turboprop engine. This is the first step towards a fully customized gas generator which will lead to a Jetoptera 500 VTOL full flight demonstrator.”

A 50 kg (110 lbs) subscale propulsion system test rig completed a tethered flight in October of 2018, and the company states that the fluid propulsion system met their standards in the “production of stable, repeatable and reliable thrust”. The company reported that it was awarded a patent for their fluid propulsion system in April 2019, and announced in December that additional patents for “Fluidic Propulsion System“, “Configuration for Vertical Takeoff and Landing System for Aerial Vehicles“, and “Flying Car” had also been issued. In this announcement the company made the updated claim that their fluid propulsion System would allow their high-speed configuration of the aircraft to reach speeds between 200 and 400 mph, a revision to the earlier claim that the craft was only capable of speeds up to 200 mph.

A quarter scale model of the J2000 was reported to have flown in May 2019, and during the initial flight the demonstrator reached a top speed of 90mph. In July 2019, this demonstrator completed a successful cargo-delivery demonstration, and in August Jetoptera claimed that the flight testing campaign that utilized the model had successfully demonstrated several key characteristics of the aircraft, including:

  • Fully autonomous VTOL to wingborne missions; the missions were fully preprogramed to execute VTOL and high speed flight and they can be customized using simple interfaces such as a tablet.
  • Hovering and maneuverability in flight, per mission input or manually.
  • Transitions from and to hovering from speeds exceeding 100 mph.
  • Dynamic characteristics of aircraft in hover and wingborne modes for further analyses.

This model was fully electric, employing batteries as a source of power and electric fans as the means of propulsion. The company reports plans to use thrusters and a turbo-compressor for later models, but has taken meaningful strides in demonstrating their claim that the J200 is capable of fully electric flight.

In January 2020, Jetoptera reported a partnership with Honeywell aimed at the adoption of fluid propulsion systems in the defense market, and in March of 2021 the company was awarded contracts from the U.S. Air Force to test the noise characteristics of the aircraft and prove that their fluid propulsion system was capable of producing “specific lift force levels similar to those of a rotor-wing aircraft, yet without moving parts”.

About Jetoptera

Jetoptera’s vision is to create a world where aerial mobility is commonplace for both cargo and people. We have developed a unique propulsion system integrated with a novel airframe. This allows us to create lighter, more efficient, and less complex aircraft. Our technology enables vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), high speeds, sizable payloads and range, and maneuverability.

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Sennheiser releases special Anniversary Edition of acclaimed HD 800 S headphones
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Sennheiser releases special Anniversary Edition of acclaimed HD 800 S headphones

Wedemark, September 2020 – Since its formation in 1945, Sennheiser has shaped the future of audio. Its innovative products and audio solutions create outstanding sound experiences for customers the world over. A shining example is Sennheiser’s audiophile reference model HD 800 S, cherished by audio enthusiasts for its brilliant sound reproduction and impressive spatiality. To celebrate 75 years of audio history, Sennheiser releases a collector’s edition limited to 750 units worldwide. The HD 800 S Anniversary Edition comes in an exclusive matte gold colorway, each unit made truly unique by a laser engraving with the individual serial number on the headband.

THE EMBODIMENT OF 75 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SOUND

Sennheiser releases special Anniversary Edition of acclaimed HD 800 S headphones

“Our 75-year history has not only been shaped by exceptional ideas and innovations, by taking on challenging projects and achieving numerous successes – above all, we are celebrating an enduring passion for great sound this year,” said Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, co-CEO of Sennheiser, who alongside his brother Daniel Sennheiser is the third generation of the family to manage the company. “Our reference headphones HD 800 S are a testament to this passion that has been driving us for 75 years. They are cherished by audiophiles all over the world, so we wanted to celebrate our anniversary with a collector’s edition of this very special model,” added Daniel Sennheiser, co-CEO.

Hearing the difference in every detail

Brilliant trebles, precise bass reproduction and a particularly clear sound image combined with a frequency range of 4 to 51,000 Hz make the HD 800 S a firm favorite among the audiophile community. The diaphragm of the headphones’ 56-mm transducer is made of Sennheiser’s patented duofol-transducer material to ensure exact music reproduction and reduction of resonances, keeping total harmonic distortion to less than 0.02 percent. Additionally, Sennheiser’s innovative absorber technology reduces the so called “masking effect”, an acoustic phenomenon that arises as the human ear is unable to perceive higher-pitched sounds that have low-volumes, while significantly louder sounds in a lower frequency range occur. The patented technology neutralizes the energy of the resonances, thus preventing any unwanted peaks in the frequency response and ensuring that even the finest nuances of music remain audible across the entire frequency range. The circum-aural earcups were developed with meticulous attention to detail as well, as the design directs the sound waves to the ears at a slight angle, thus creating an impressively natural and spatial sound experience.

Sennheiser releases special Anniversary Edition of acclaimed HD 800 S headphones

Sennheiser releases special Anniversary Edition of acclaimed HD 800 S headphones

The HD 800 S Anniversary Edition delivers the same natural and spatial acoustics found in the acclaimed HD 800 S

Luxurious design for luxurious sound

The HD 800 S Anniversary Edition is handcrafted at the audio specialist’s headquarters in Wedemark, Germany. Sennheiser uses glass-fiber strengthened plastic, a material valued in the aerospace industry, for the headphones’ housing, making them particularly durable yet lightweight. The earpads are made from a soft vegan velour material for optimal wearing comfort, while the grid and grills have been crafted from a stainless-steel mesh. The matte gold yoke, decor ring and shell ring give the HD 800 S Anniversary Edition a uniquely elegant look that is every bit as exceptional as their sound. Each of the 750 units in the collector’s edition has its serial number laser-engraved on the headband.

The HD 800 S Anniversary Edition will be avaible from September 22 for 1,599 EUR at the Sennheiser webshop, Sennheiser stores and at selected retail partners.

About Sennheiser

Founded in 1945, Sennheiser is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Shaping the future of audio and creating unique sound experiences for customers – this aim unites Sennheiser employees and partners worldwide. The independent family company, which is managed in thehttps://en-us.sennheiser.com/hd-800-s-anniversary third generation by Dr. Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser, is today one of the world’s leading manufacturers of headphones, loudspeakers, microphones and wireless transmission systems. In 2019, the Sennheiser Group generated turnover totaling €756.7 million. www.sennheiser.com

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KRYON AUDIO X BRABHAM AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEM

Kyron and Brabham Automotive – two companies driven to create ultimate performance through engineering, design and passion.

A collaboration of two world leaders in their respective fields striving to push the future of immersive experiences to new heights. From Brabham Automotive inspired versions of our music systems, to high end audio in car sound, the synergy allows both companies to combine their strengths and continue to innovate, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Hand Crafted in Australia

Each Kyron music system is built by hand to order and can take 6 months or more to build depending on the specialist skills required for the bespoke options chosen.

Our systems include amplifiers, cables and everything needed and our expert installation service will ensure that everything is performing perfectly.

Brabham Automotive is the brainchild of a team of automotive industry experts and technicians headed by David Brabham, son of legendary Australian racing car champion driver Sir Jack Brabham. David Brabham himself is a champion, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours Class three times. David Brabham has driven for the Peugeot and Aston Martin teams, winning GT1 with the latter. While Brabham Automotive is, of course, in a total different category, we wonder what opportunities the closure of Australia’s Ford and Holden manufacturing may present in terms of personnel in engineering and fabrication and production hardware.

Kyron Audio’s co-founder and Lead Designer Lee Gray told SoundStage! Australia, “Just as a Brabham changes your perception of what a supercar can do, enjoying music via the Kyron Audio system is a mind-changing, immersive experience. We are proud to share Brabham’s passion for performance and dynamics and look forward to creating outstanding experiences for our shared clientele.”

Dan Marks, CEO of Brabham Automotive expounded, “Brabham partners with brands which have the same focus on quality, customer engagement and which strive for excellence in their field. Kyron Audio, a fellow Adelaide-based company, fits that mould, making a premier product for the world stage. Kyron’s dedication to design, engineering and performance matches our own, offering Brabham customers an outstanding lifestyle choice.”

Kyron Audio’s ‘Brabham’ editions are available via special order to Brabham Automotive customers. We’d guess lessons learnt via the partnership, in terms of construction techniques and the adoption of new materials, will eventually trickle down to Kyron Audio products available to music lovers at large and those who seek the best in high-end audio.

Kyron Audio Brabham Special Edition
Kyron Audio
+61 3 9016 2585
www.kyronaudio.com.au

Brabham Automotive
www.brabhamautomotive.com

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SOFTTEK Launches New Digital Sales Services

End-to-end services help retailers rapidly boost sales and enhance customer journey through an easy pay-per-transaction model

DALLAS – August 10, 2020 – Softtek, a global company dedicated to helping organizations evolve through digital technology, announced today that it has launched Digital Sales Services to help retail organizations optimize the sales cycle through a robust set of digital tools that delivers optimal customer experience and boost financial performance.

Softtek Launches New Digital Sales Services

“The pandemic has accelerated digital commerce, the focus on reducing costs, and has heightened the power of the consumer,” stated Miguel Saldivar, industry managing director for the Retail sector at Softtek.  “We are encouraged by the opportunity to bring mid-size and large enterprises a set of solutions to help them enhance their digital channels and create a much more efficient end-to-end customer journey, from search and discovery, to order fulfilment, logistics and payment processing.”

According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, the grocery sector has seen an increase of about 20% in online shopping over the past several months, with a disruption in customer loyalty in part due to a greater preference for availability and affordability.

As retailers continue investing in a shopping experience that is easier, safer, and more efficient, Softtek’s modular end-to-end services are helping companies to rapidly enhance customer journeys, from the discovery of the brand to the delivery of products and services. By covering the full spectrum of digital commerce—from demand generation, to an eCommerce platform, backend logistics, last mile delivery, payments and analytics—Softtek helps clients rapidly evolve with a state-of-the-art solution for digital retail.

“Each retailer faces a unique set of challenges, which is why designing a modular solution was very important to us”, added Saldivar. “Having the ability to address their specific challenges, one at a time, with the added flexibility of pay-per-transaction while retaining full ownership of their data was a top of mind for our clients.”

In December 2019, Softtek announced its acquisition of Europe-based Vector ITC, strengthening its digital capabilities and consulting practice and adding nearly 3,000 professionals to its global presence. For more information about Softtek’s Digital Sales Services and to review case studies, visit https://www2.softtek.com/digital-sales-services.

About Softtek
Founded in 1982, Softtek is a global company and the largest provider of IT services from Latin America. With a broad portfolio of business-transforming products and solutions, Softtek helps Global 2000 organizations evolve their digital capabilities constantly and seamlessly, from ideation and development to execution.  Learn how Softtek creates value through technology at www.softtek.com and connect with @Softtek in social media.

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Sennheiser HD 820 & HDV 820 A legendary combination
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Sennheiser HD 820 & HDV 820 A legendary combination

In honor of Sennheiser’s 75th anniversary, enjoy this limited time offer for the renowned closed dynamic HD 820 headphones bundled with Sennheiser’s HDV 820, the next generation digital headphone amplifier. Upgrade your audio experience and complement your amplifier with its high-end audiophile headphone for ultimate acoustic performance.

Sennheiser

HD 820 & HDV 820
A legendary combination

Into the great wide open

Made in Germany, the HD 820 stands apart because of it’s extraordinary attention to detail: From the extra comfortable handcrafted ear pads that insulate the listener from ambient noise, to the silver coated OFC cables and gold-plated plugs, to the robust metal headband with an inner damping element.
The sound field of the HD 820 is wide open: can explore and rediscover your music in absolute reference-class quality without intruding on the aural comfort zone of others. The HD 820 not only opens up the sound field, but it also creates new places and opportunities for you to enjoy your music.

The sound: Making great headphones show all their class

In a category of its own, the HDV 820 will deliver – virtually anything – to your headphones. The different timbres of two otherwise identical instruments, the distance between the musicians of an orchestra, the tension before a singer delivers the first note. It is all there, for you to discover through its world class sound.

An all-star team of excellent components

This package offers an unparalleled listening experience, which can even be improved by the Sennheiser HDV 820 amplifier for dynamic headphones – the perfect companion to the HD 820.

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Tom Oldham, United Kingdom
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2020 Sony World Photography Awards: Category winners announced: Professional, Open, Student and Youth

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR and LATIN AMERICA PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNER

Pablo Albarenga, Uruguay

Nantu is an indigenous young man from the Achuar Nation of Ecuador who leads a project of solar-powered river boats for collective transport. By installing solar panels on a specially designed boat’s roof, he is working to end Achuar’s dependence on petrol. Left: On his land, Nantu lies dressed with traditional Achuar clothing. Right: the pristine rainforest from the Achuar territory. Sharamentsa, Pastaza, Ecuador. Photo-composition: Pablo Albarenga
Nantu is an indigenous young man from the Achuar Nation of Ecuador who leads a project of solar-powered river boats for collective transport. By installing solar panels on a specially designed boat’s roof, he is working to end Achuar’s dependence on petrol. Left: On his land, Nantu lies dressed with traditional Achuar clothing. Right: the pristine rainforest from the Achuar territory. Sharamentsa, Pastaza, Ecuador. Photo-composition: Pablo Albarenga

2020 Sony World Photography Awards: Category winners announced: Professional, Open, Student and Youth

© Pablo Albarenga, Uruguay, Photographer of the Year, Sony World Photography Awards 2020

Seeds of Resistance is a body of work that pairs photographs of landscapes and territories in danger from mining and agribusinesses with portraits of the activists fighting to conserve them. Pablo explores the bond between the defenders and their lands – a sacred area in which hundreds of generations of their ancestors rest. In the photographs, the main characters in the stories are seen from above, as though they are laying down their lives for their territory. Pablo wins $25,000 and is the inaugual winner of the Latin America Professional Award. See his full series here. Enjoy Pablo’s full portfolio on his website, here.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION CATEGORY WINNERS 

The Professional competition represents the importance of the series and breaking new ground in the photographic medium. Asking artists to submit a body of work interpreting one of the ten thematic categories, each entry is rigorously judged in its narrative excellence, technical skill and ability in exploring creativity in new and exciting ways. Enjoy our ten category winners’ acceptance videos here.

OPEN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Tom Oldham, United Kingdom

© Tom Oldham, United Kingdom, Open Photographer of the Year, Sony World Photography Awards 2020

Black Francis is a black & white portrait of Pixies frontman Charles Thompson (aka Black Francis), originally taken for MOJO Magazine. Asked by Tom to acknowledge his frustration with photoshoots, Francis offered a perfect gesture of exasperation by digging his hands into his face. The result was an expressive photograph which ran as the lead image for the article. Tom wins $5,000. Enjoy Tom’s full portfolio on his website here.

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Ioanna Sakellaraki, Greece

© Ioanna Sakellaraki, Royal College of Art, Student Photographer of the Year, 2020 Sony World Photography Awards

Aeiforia presents night-time photographs of solar panels, wind turbines and battery farms used across the small island of Tilos in Greece which is the first in the Mediterranean to run almost entirely on renewable energy. Ioanna wins €30,000 of Sony digital imaging kit for her institution. See Ioanna’s full series here. Enjoy Ioanna’s full portfolio on her website here.

 

ALPHA FEMALE AWARD WINNER 

Lily Dawson-Punshon

01 - © Lily Dawson-Punshon, United Kingdom, None, Open competition, Portraiture, 2020 Sony World Photography Awards
01 – © Lily Dawson-Punshon, United Kingdom, None, Open competition, Portraiture, 2020 Sony World Photography Awards
© Lily Dawson-Punshon, United Kingdom, Alpha Female Award winner, Sony World Photography Awards 2020

Lily’s portrait references historical paintings, particularly Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring, but she has brought in an 21st-century twist. Lily explains how her photograph aims to explore the relationship between the past and the present, and how both contrast and support each other.

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 

Hsien-Pang Hsieh, Taiwan, 19 years old

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR  Hsien-Pang Hsieh, Taiwan, 19 years old
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Hsien-Pang Hsieh, Taiwan, 19 years old
© Hsien-Pang Hsieh, Taiwan, Youth Photographer of the Year,Sony World Photography Awards 2020

Hurry, features a street performer who is seemingly walking in a hurry but is in fact standing still. Inspired by his experience as a newly arrived student in Germany, Hsien-Pang sees the image as his comment on the intensive pace of life and a reminder others to slow down. Enjoy Roger’s Instagram feed here.

The World Photography Organization is pleased to announce the global winners of the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards. The Photographer of the Year award and the accompanying cash prize of $ 25,000 went to Pablo Albarenga (Uruguay) for his Seeds of Resistance series. . The winners of the ten categories of the Professional contest have also been announced along with the winners of the second and third places of each one, as well as the winners of the Open, Student and Youth contests.

Seeds of Resistance is a work that combines photographs of landscapes and territories endangered by mining and agribusiness, with portraits of activists who fight to conserve them. In 2017, at least 207 environmental leaders and defenders were killed while protecting their communities from projects that threatened their territories. According to a report published in 2018 by Global Witness, the majority of these cases occurred in Brazil where 57 murders were recorded, 80% of which were against people who defended the Amazon.

Albarenga’s works explore the link between the defenders and their lands, a sacred area where the remains of hundreds of generations rest. In the photographs, the main characters of the stories are seen from above, as if they were offering their lives for their territory.

Mike Trow, president of the Professional 2020 contest reports: “This year’s winner comes from the Creative category and consists of a brilliant set of images that offers a powerful visual record of how deforestation goes hand in hand with the destruction of communities and towns. . The work of the jury this year has been very complex: There were a number of extraordinary stories and image sets that could have won the grand prize, but Seeds of Resistance really stood out from the crowd. Pablo is from Uruguay and this project is a very personal work for him as a photographer. The effort required to imagine, produce and photograph this series of images is commendable in every way. “

When asked about his award, Albarenga said: “With this important award I achieve two victories: first, to be able to tell the stories of the traditional communities of the Amazon highlighting people who are still fighting not only for their future, but for the future. of all. We need to see beyond the trees, the oxygen and the “undiscovered” species of the rain forest. Second, I get the photographer of the year award to Latin America, a continent historically told through the eyes of foreigners. I hope that many other photographers in our region will continue to spread our own stories, thus strengthening the incredible community of Latin American storytellers. ”

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY WINNERS

The winning photographers in the Professional contest were chosen by a panel of expert judges after presenting an excellent work of between five and ten images, ranging from personal topics and observations to news headlines and little-known but critical topics. This year’s winners are:

ARCHITECTURE

WINNER: Sandra Herber (Canada) for her Ice Fishing Huts series, Lake Winnipeg

Finalists: 2nd place Jonathan Walland (United Kingdom); 3rd place José De Rocco (Argentina)

CREATIVE

WINNER: Pablo Albarenga (Uruguay) for his Seeds of Resistance series

Finalists: 2nd placeDione Roach (Italy); 3rd place Luke Watson (United Kingdom)

DISCOVERY

WINNER: Maria Kokunova (Russian Federation) for her series The Cave

Finalists: 2nd place Hashem Shakeri (Islamic Republic of Iran); 3rd place Hugh Kinsella Cunningham (United Kingdom)

DOCUMENTARY

WINNER: Chung Ming Ko (Hong Kong SAR) for his Wounds of Hong Kong series

Finalists: 2nd placeDidier Bizet (France); 3rd place Youqiong Zhang (Mainland China)

ENVIRONMENT

WINNER: Robin Hinsch (Germany) for his Wahala series

Finalists: 2nd place Álvaro Laiz (Spain); 3rd place Luca Locatelli (Italy)

LANDSCAPE

WINNER: Ronny Behnert (Germany) for his Torii series

Finalists: 2nd place Florian Ruiz (France); 3rd place Chang Kyun Kim (South Korea)

NATURAL WORLD & WILDLIFE:

WINNER: Brent Stirton (South Africa) for his Pangolins in Crisis series

Finalists: 2nd place Masahiro Hiroike (Japan); 3rd place Adalbert Mojrzisch (Germany)

PORTRAITURE

WINNER: Cesar Dezfuli (Spain) for his series Passengers

Finalists: 2nd place Denis Rouvre (France); 3rd place Sasha Maslov (Ukraine)

SPORT

WINNER: Ángel López Soto (Spain) for his Senegalese Wrestlers series

Finalists: 2nd place Lucas Barioulet (France); 3rd place Andrea Staccioli (Italy)

STILL LIFE

WINNER: Alessandro Gandolfi (Italy) for his series Immortality, Inc.

Finalists: 2nd place Elena Helfrecht (Germany); 3rd place Fangbin Chen (Mainland China)

For more information on this year’s winners and finalists projects, visit our online winners galleries.

OPEN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The Open contest celebrates the strength that a single image can have. The winning photographs have been selected for their ability to communicate great visual narrative combined with technical excellence. Selected among ten winners of the Open category, Tom Oldham (United Kingdom) wins the Open Photographer of the Year 2020 title and receives a prize of $ 5,000 for Black Francis.

The photograph is a black and white portrait of Pixies leader Charles Thompson (aka Black Francis) originally made for MOJO magazine. When asked by Oldham to acknowledge his frustration with the photo shoots, Francis offered him a perfect gesture of exasperation as he put his hands to his face. The result was a very expressive photograph that ended up on the cover of the article.

Commenting on his victory, Oldham stated: ‘It is an incredible compliment to be chosen for this, I am still looking forward to having entered this roster filled with so much talent from all over the world. I never dreamed that I could get anywhere in the Open contest since the bar was so high … it will take me some time to realize what I have accomplished. I want to thank Mojo magazine for the opportunity, my brilliant team and, of course, Charles for offering that special moment. I am amazed and delighted. ’

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Greek student Ioanna Sakellaraki was chosen as the Student Photographer of the Year 2020 for her Aeiforia series, created in response to the Sustainability Now commission that asked students to produce work related to environmental sustainability. In her series, Sakellaraki features nightly photographs of the solar panels, wind turbines, and battery farms used on the small island of Tilos in Greece, the first in the Mediterranean to run almost exclusively on renewable energy.

Sakellaraki represents the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom and has won € 30,000 in photographic equipment from Sony for her institution. Commenting on her victory, she said, “I am honored to have been awarded the title of Student Photographer of the Year. My Aeiforia series allowed me to share a good story about sustainability by capturing the landscape as a passage to the nightlife on the Greek island of Tilos. I hope that this great recognition will give me the opportunity to work on many more tasks of this type. I am also very grateful that the Royal College of Art has received all that excellent photographic equipment that Sony offers so generously, because with it other students will be able to carry out new projects. ”

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Selected among the seven winners in the category, Hsien-Pang Hsieh (Taiwan Region, 19 years old) has won the Youth Photographer of the Year 2020 for his Hurry image, which shows a street artist who apparently walks in a hurry but is actually stopped. Inspired by his experience as a newcomer to Germany, Hsien-Pang sees the image as his insight into the hectic pace of life and a reminder to the rest to slow down.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY

The Outstanding Contribution to Photography award has been presented to the printer and publisher Gerhard Steidl. It is the first time in the history of the Awards that Outstanding Contribution to Photography has not been awarded to a photographer. Established in 1968, the Steidl publishing house launched its own photobook program in 1996 and within a few years it became what it is today, the world’s largest list of contemporary photography. Its impressive catalog of photobooks features renowned artists such as Joel Sternfeld, Nan Goldin, Bruce Davidson, Robert Frank, Berenice Abbott, Robert Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Karl Lagerfeld, and Juergen Teller, to name a few. His publications span the entire history of photography, from the first masters to today’s leading photographers, and represent the diverse spectrum of photographic expression, from art and fashion to documentary and street photography.

All winning images will be promoted on World Photography Organization channels and online platforms using content such as videos, presentations, and live Q&A. A digital sample of this year’s winning projects and finalists is available on the page On Screen.

In response to recent events, the World Photography Organization has also launched the Stay Connected page, which features a diverse program of online initiatives, activities and resources aimed at supporting and inspiring audiences and photographers recognized at this year’s Awards.

Speaking of this year’s awards, Scott Gray, founder and CEO of the World Photography Organization, said: “The Sony World Photography Awards were established to help photographers receive the recognition they deserve, providing them with an important platform to share their I work with new audiences. Due to current restrictions due to the pandemic we were unable to hold this year’s exhibition, but we remain committed to promoting the winning images and projects and ensuring that the Awards recognize and appreciate the work of photographers. We are immensely fortunate to be able to work with Sony on its development. Sony shares our commitment to this medium and to individual photographers, and together we will continue to celebrate their work and raise the bar for photography as art. “

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a strong technology base. Through its divisions, ranging from video games and online services, through music, film, electronics, semiconductors and financial services, Sony’s goal is to feed the illusion thanks to the power of creativity and technology. More information can be found on Sony’s global website:

http://www.sony.net/

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YuJet begins sales for 24 mph electric surfboard with jet propulsion

No need to hit the beach to surf, you can make your own waves with the YuJet Surfer electric jetboard

A design team comprising pro surfers and engineers has revealed its first product aimed at having eco-friendly fun on the water. The YuJet Surfer is an electric surfboard that’s said to bring “the power of a jetski to a surfboard.”

YuJet Surfer electric jetboard promises 40 minute ride at up to 24 mph

Surfboards able to propel themselves are nothing new, but they’re still not a particularly common sight at beaches, lakes or rivers. If you want to make your own waves without polluting the local environment with noise and fumes, you could opt for even more rare all-electric boards. But it’ll cost you a pretty penny – the recently announced Rävik S, for example, could set you back almost US$19,000. A new e-surfer from YuJet washes up at almost half that.

“We’ve worked for years to create a product that can propel powered water sports forward,” said YuJet’s co-founder, Jeremy Schneiderman. “Our first product to market, the YuJet Surfer, is the culmination of our passion, our experience, and our vision for the future. We wanted to make a product that was easy to ride for every skill level and could deliver the thrill of surfing in just minutes. We cannot wait for everyone to experience the excitement of the ride.”
The YuJet Surfer electric jetboard can get up to 24 mph
YuJet

The YuJet Surfer, like the Rävik S, rocks a carbon fiber hull with Eva grips and neoprene handles that helps it tip the scales at 20 lb (9 kg), with the battery removed. That lithium-ion battery is reported waterproof and could keep you on the water for up to 40 minutes per charge. An electric motor drives a jetski-like water jet for up to 24 mph (38.6 km/h) of relatively quiet, local emissions-free e-surfing.

The wireless controller with variable speed trigger offers beginner and rider performance modes, and YuJet reckons that learners can be up and riding on the water in as little as five minutes.

And when it’s time to head home, the fins and battery can be removed without needing tools. The company has aimed for minimal maintenance too, with a quick spray down with clean water all that’s needed to keep the e-surfboard looking sharp. Optional accessories include a replacement battery, battery charger and wheel set (to help roll the board to waiting transport on land).

The YuJet Surfer is available from today for US$9,999, which ain’t cheap. But if you have the cash to splash, it does look like fun – as you can see in the short video below.

Source: YuJet

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galaxy z flip
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The Future Changes Shape: Express Yourself with Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung’s first foldable glass display, combined with a unique UX, offers a whole new mobile experience

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – 2020 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip, a new, statement-making foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Flip is bold and stylish – designed for those who see cutting-edge technology as a way to express themselves. Engineered with first-of-its-kind foldable glass, Galaxy Z Flip bends the laws of physics, and features a 6.7-inch display that folds into a stylish and compact form factor that fits in the palm of your hand1. Designed with an innovative Hideaway Hinge and custom-built UX, Galaxy Z Flip provides elegant new ways to capture, share and experience content. From its stylish design to its flexible camera experience, Galaxy Z Flip opens up a new decade of foldable mobile innovation.

The Future Changes Shape: Express Yourself with Galaxy Z Flip

 “At Samsung, we were encouraged by the excitement for the Galaxy Fold. Galaxy Z Flip is an important next step as we look to build the foldable category by bringing to consumers a new form factor, new display and most importantly, a new kind of mobile experience,” said Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “With Galaxy Z Flip’s unique foldable design and user experience, we’re redefining what a mobile device can be, and what it enables consumers to do.”

Foldable Heritage
The category-defining Galaxy Fold began the foldable era. Now, Galaxy Z Flip is shaping it for a new decade. As the first device in the Z series, Galaxy Z Flip introduces a new device portfolio that reaffirms Samsung’s commitment to leading the category, and leveraging technologies and form factors to create foldable experiences that will surprise and delight in the years ahead.

Fashion Meets Technology
Galaxy Z Flip’s compact, stylish design is created for those who see technology as a way to express themselves. And all of the innovations that go into Galaxy Z Flip ensure they can do so.

  • Style that Fits in Your Pocket – Designed for ultimate portability, Galaxy Z Flip folds into the size of a wallet, so you can easily fit it in your pocket or bag. When closed, it is a stylish, compact palm-sized device. When opened, its screen size nearly doubles to reveal a stunning 6.7-inch display2. With its stylish color palette, sleek rounded corners and forward fold that closes with a satisfying snap, Galaxy Z Flip is sure to turn heads.
  • Samsung’s First Foldable Glass Display – Galaxy Z Flip features an Infinity Flex Display with Samsung’s proprietary bendable Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), making it slimmer with a sleek, premium look and feel that has never been seen with a foldable device before. The centered in-display camera cutout at the top also means there’s no notch and no distractions, with Samsung’s first-ever 21.9:9 ratio, so you can enjoy even more of your favorite content such as cinema-ratio 21:9 shows and movies.
  • New Hideaway Hinge – Galaxy Z Flip’s Hideaway Hinge is a work of engineering art. It’s backed by a dual CAM mechanism – small but sophisticatedly designed to ensure every flip and fold is smooth and stable. Galaxy Z Flip can stay open at a range of angles, like a laptop screen. The Hideaway Hinge system also integrates Samsung’s new sweeper technology, which uses nylon fibers crafted by micro-height-cutting technology to repel dirt and dust.

The Next Foldable Experience
Galaxy Z Flip is built for the modern, on-the-go lifestyle. Now you can do more, from multiple angles – hands-free. This unique foldable experience is unlike any other smartphone on the market today.

  • Do more – Hands-free – When Galaxy Z Flip unfolds, it can stay open at multiple angles, unlocking opportunities for selfies that show more of the world around you and expressive video chats with Google Duo – all hands-free.
  • Flex mode – Samsung worked closely with Google to design Flex mode – a custom-built user experience for Galaxy Z Flip’s unique forward folding form factor. When the device is free-standing, the display automatically splits into two 4-inch screens so you can easily view images, contents or videos on the top half of the display, and control them on the bottom half. Easily watch and navigate YouTube3 – stream on the top while searching for other videos, reading descriptions and writing comments on the bottom.
  • Game Changing Camera – Galaxy Z Flip literally stands on its own so that you can capture more, on-the-go – from timed group shots to vivid nighttime content. You can create content for your social media feeds from the best angle and enjoy video recording with a 16:9 ratio that’s perfect for uploads to social media platforms, hands-free – no tripod needed. Capture stunning Night Hyperlapse videos or vivid low light shots with Night mode – no flash needed. Just open your device and place it on a table. When closed, quickly capture one-handed high-quality selfies using the rear camera without unfolding.
  • Notifications on Your Terms – Whether Galaxy Z Flip is closed, standing upright or open, never miss a text, call or reminder. When closed, check the date, time and battery status at a glance on the cover display4. Get real time notifications so you can easily answer a call without unfolding or respond to a text by simply tapping the notification and unfolding your Galaxy Z Flip.
  • Multi-Active Window – Seamlessly multi-task with Multi-Active Window – simply open the Multi-Window Tray to drag and drop the apps you want to use. Scroll through an article on the latest fashion looks on the top half while shopping for your favorite pieces on the bottom5.

 Galaxy Foundation and Ecosystem
As a Galaxy device, Galaxy Z Flip brings the Galaxy ecosystem into its brand new foldable experience. It boasts flagship-level performance and features across camera, display, battery, security as well as services like Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, Samsung Knox and more6. Enjoy a versatile camera experience with 4K video capture, Live Focus and Super Steady recording7. Galaxy Z Flip features an optimized dual battery system that holds more power without taking up more space – wired or wirelessly quick charge, plus with Wireless PowerShare8, you can wirelessly charge up your Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch or even a friend’s device. Samsung Knox protects users and their device from the chip to the software level and receives monthly and quarterly security updates. Users also get services that enable secure payment options with Samsung Pay, health and wellness tracking and monitoring with Samsung Health, and access to more than 5,000 Samsung and partner smart products through SmartThings.

Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip will be available in limited quantities in Mirror Purple and Mirror Black, starting in select markets including the U.S. and Korea on February 14, 2020, followed by Mirror Gold in select countries. For more information about Galaxy Z Flip, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com, www.samsung.com/galaxy, news.samsung.com/galaxy, or www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-z-flip/.

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Electrocardiogram Monitoring Cleared for Galaxy Watch Active2 by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Electrocardiogram monitoring joins blood pressure measurement in receiving clearance, making the Galaxy Watch Active2 Samsung’s most informed and convenient health tracker yet

SEOUL, Korea – May 24, 2020 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today that the Electrocardiogram (ECG) function of the Samsung Health Monitor app has been cleared by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The ECG feature uses advanced sensor technology on the Galaxy Watch Active21, and will enable users to measure and analyze their heart rhythm for irregularities indicating Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)2.

Electrocardiogram Monitoring Cleared for Galaxy Watch Active2 by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

AFib is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, affecting an estimated 33.5 million people worldwide, with 5 million new patients diagnosed annually3. It can significantly increase the risk of complications, including blood clots, heart failure and stroke. Every year, over 16 million people will develop a stroke, of which AFib and high blood pressure (hypertension), are known to be the leading causes4.

The Samsung Health Monitor app also recently received MFDS clearance for blood pressure (BP) measurement, meaning users will be able to conveniently measure both ECG and BP, giving them a better picture of their overall health. Together, the ground-breaking ECG and BP technology will help users manage and improve their health by providing on-demand measurements.

“We’re delighted to announce that the ECG function has been cleared by MFDS,” said TaeJong Jay Yang, Corporate SVP and Head of Health Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “When you pair the advanced hardware of Galaxy watches with innovative software solutions, you can create unmatched experiences – such as in this case, convenient and accessible health check-ins for millions of users across the world. This marks just one way in which Samsung is pioneering to give everyone a simple, convenient and informed picture of their overall health and wellness.”

The ECG function works by analyzing the heart’s electrical activity via an ECG sensor on the Galaxy Watch Active2. Simply open the Samsung Health Monitor app when you are seated comfortably, and ensure the watch is fitted firmly to your wrist. Next, rest your forearm on a flat surface and lightly place a fingertip from the opposite hand on the top button on the Galaxy Watch Active2 for 30 seconds. The app will then measure your heart rate and rhythm, which will be classified as either a Sinus Rhythm (a normal, regular heartbeat) or AFib (when the heart beats irregularly)5.

This recording will provide insight into a user’s health, enabling them to share results with their doctor to help make more informed decisions and live healthier life, especially when combined with the BP measurement.

The Samsung Health Monitor app6 will be available on the Galaxy Watch Active2 within the third quarter and will progressively expand to upcoming Galaxy Watch devices.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

1 Requires Galaxy smartphone, running Android N OS or above and Galaxy Watch Active2 or upcoming Galaxy Watch device(s) to be paired.
2 The ECG recording or Samsung Health

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