Huddly makes smart cameras for new Google Meet Series One room kits from Lenovo
Yamaha CS-700 Video Sound Bar Now Available With Promethean Collaboration Tool
Glory Star Helps Businesses Safely Reopen With Contactless TAURI Temperature Check Tablet
Innovation uses ‘stethoscope’ to monitor machine quality, functionality
New Line of HD Webcams Launched, Geared to Work at Home Market at a Low Price
HID Global Collaborates with Fidesmo to Expand the Use of Wearables for Access Control and a Wide Range of New Applications
Zoom Certifies Yamaha UC CS-700 Video Sound Bar
Barstool Sports Forms Unique Technology and Marketing Partnership With Yamaha UC
Telent and Tait Communications Enable Improved Firefighter Safety on the Ground for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
Capture One Update Brings First Fujifilm X-T4 Support
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Idemitsu Kosan and Toray Create TADF and Red Fluorescent OLED Device Delivering World’s Best Luminous Efficiency and Lifetime
Tokyo, Japan, November 25, 2019 – Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd., and Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that they have jointly developed an organic electroluminescent (EL) device offering the world’s highest luminous efficiency, with a near practical range of 46 cd/A. The new device employs thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF, see note 1) and red fluorescent materials. This new technology could help reduce the costs and energy consumption of organic EL displays while enabling wide color gamuts. It is the result of combining Idemitsu Kosan’s development of TADF material, offering an exceptional luminous efficiency and lifespan, and Toray’s development of new red fluorescent material with a narrower emission spectrum (see note 2) compared to conventional counterparts, which provides high color purity. Organic EL displays comprise red, green, and blue light-emitting components. The devices emitting red light mainly employ phosphorescent materials. These materials can convert 100% of electricity to light and enhance luminous efficiency. The downside is that they are expensive because they incorporate rare metals and suffer from low color purity due to wide emission spectra. Those drawbacks have spurred interest in TADF materials in recent years. Technologies employing TADF materials can convert all power to light, as do phosphorescent ones. Another advantage is that they can attain high color purity when used in combination with fluorescent materials, which have narrow emission spectra. TADF materials also are free of rare metals, so they can help to reduce costs. Both companies concluded a technical alliance for organic EL materials on September 26, 2017. They have since collaborated in developing new materials by drawing on each other’s organic EL materials, technologies and expertise. The red organic EL device employing TADF materials that the companies developed together attains the same results as mainstream red phosphorescent devices and represents significant progress towards a swiftly materializing new technology. The two companies plan to drive forward to secure adoption of their materials and technologies in mobile and television applications. Idemitsu Kosan and Toray plan to present the results of their work on the new device during the 26th International Display Workshops at the Sapporo Convention Center on November 27.
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LucidSound and Sony DADC Announce European Distribution Partnership
SAN DIEGO, CA – October 29, 2019 – Sony DADC and LucidSound, the fastest growing gaming headset brand, announced today a strategic partnership where Sony DADC now oversees European operations for LucidSound, creating streamlined channels for distribution, sales and marketing support. Sony DADC is the leading end-to-end services provider for the entertainment industry and beyond, offering world-class digital and physical supply chain solutions and optical media replication services. “We have a growing product line and increasing demand in Europe and Sony DADC is a great partner to help meet our needs in the channel,” said Chris Von Huben, CEO of LucidSound. “We look forward to working with Sony DADC as we bring our signature headsets to more consumers worldwide. The timing makes a lot of sense as we have new headsets coming which includes the Limited-Edition Snoop Dogg LS50X, the recent launch of the Rose Gold LS35X, LS1, LS10 and the planned release of our LS50X.” “We are thrilled to partner with LucidSound and bring their headsets to the European market. We are confident that we will provide each of their products the marketing, sales and distribution support they deserve,” said Chris Spearing, Vice President - Consumer Sales at Sony DADC Europe. “LucidSound is known for its quality, design and signature features, that will appeal broadly to European gamers.”
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eFuzion: Innovative Technology for a Sustainable Future
Back in April, Yanmar unveiled its innovative and original, new concept construction equipment vehicle “eFuzion” at BAUMA 2019 to excited crowds of media, dealers, customers and construction equipment aficionados. Packed with innovative technology, the eFuzion concept demonstrates the depth and breadth of Yanmar’s global R&D, investing effort in developing and implementing innovative technologies to inspire creativity and unleash future possibilities. The eFuzion concept, primarily developed by Yanmar’s robotics research team, is a working demonstration of a precision machine with a robot arm that shows the possibilities of autonomous construction machinery of the future. Y Media caught up with Marta Niccolini, the lead researcher on the project and Jemylia Raimbault, Head of Marketing for Yanmar Compact Equipment – who has over 12 years in Global Marketing and Strategy positions in the Energy and Electricity industry - to find out about the a little more about the background to the eFuzion and learn some more about Yanmar’s robotics research. YMEDIA: Thanks for your time today Marta. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Marta Niccolini: I'm 37 years old, I'm Italian and I'm a control and robotics engineer. I have a lot of interest in robotics, also in my personal life. So I do a lot of robotics projects in my free time but I also like to make home-brewed beer, and in the winter I go snowboarding. I've worked in Yanmar for 6 years now. YMEDIA: How did you become interested in robotics? MN: When I was a child, I was always curious about how things worked, and I used to disassemble a lot of my mother's things, like the vacuum cleaner and so on. Then when I was a 15 or 16, I started developing some electronics by myself and programming microcontrollers and that's what got me interested in robotics and mechatronics - to get mechanical things to move but with some intelligence provided by the electronics, the sensors and so on. YMEDIA: So, did your mother get angry at you when you took the vacuum cleaner apart? MN: Yes, sometimes! Because I disassembled it and I tried to put it back together, but there were always some parts left over (laughs). YMEDIA: How did you come to work at Yanmar? MN: At high school, I started to study to become a teacher. Basically, I didn't like studying, but my parents forced me to at least do that much. But then when I got older, I discovered that I liked math and physics much more than psychology or philosophy. So, I decided to start computer engineering, and then I specialized in control and robotics engineering. I went on to do my PhD. at the University of Pisa for 3 years and then I switched to a doctoral position in medical robotics at a research center. YMEDIA: Then this is your first company position after your doctorate? MN: Yes, the first one. I decided to join Yanmar because it gave me with the chance to continue doing research but in a more applied way, on real products. That's why I decided to switch from an academic career to one based on working at a company. YMEDIA: What advice would you want to give to a student who might want to follow in your footsteps and have a similar career? MN: Basically, one has to follow the passion they have because otherwise this could become quite hard work and quite stressful. But if you have a lot of passion, if you like what you do, it becomes like a hobby. Also, I think you should always believe in what you do. Even if at first you think that something is impossible, it may become possible, and you might be able to realize it if you believe in it. YMEDIA: Okay, pretty good advice. Thank you. YMEDIA: Does Italy have a dynamic robotics community? MN: There are companies doing robotics but most activity takes place at the academic level, and one of the problems that Italy is facing is the lack of research from companies. That's why in my opinion, Yanmar was unique from this point of view. YMEDIA: What are some of the challenges of "field robotics"? MN: Yes sure. Well, many jobs in construction are made for humans, even when you consider the materials. For example, bricks are made for the human hand. But also, the processes that are behind construction are generally designed to be done by humans. So, if you want to introduce robots at all, you need to change a lot of parts; both the components and the processes involved. YMEDIA: Many people don't have a clear idea about the line between mechanization and robotics. So, is there a line? How do you define those things differently? MN: The main difference between the robotics and mechanization is that mechanization provides the tools to do a job that was previously done by hand. But in this case, the human is 100% responsible for all of the movements and activities that the machine is doing. A robot is a little different, because the robot, in my opinion, has a perception of what's happening around it, so it can understand what's happening and can make a decision and can act autonomously. Sometimes there is a need for a human operator to make it to move the right way or take decisions, but the main difference is that in a mechanized tool, 100% is of the control is human, while in robotics, the machine itself understands the situation and takes a decision or undertakes some autonomous action. YMEDIA: It seems that robots are in the news quite a lot these days and when you think back about five years or 10 years, I mean I think there really wasn't very much in the way of robots in society, perhaps in car factory and some other areas, yes, but not in general society... What's changed? Why has this become much more of a common everyday occurrence do you think? MN: Yeah basically, I think what is driving this progression is certainly improvement in the performance of sensors and batteries and also size. There is also the issue of computational power of the CPU. In the last year we have a very, very, small electronic component with a very high computational power which allows the robots to reason. Also, there are new algorithms and technologies that allow a robot to recognize its surrounding environment, for example by means of vision and artificial intelligence. There is also another factor in my opinion that is driving this very fast development of autonomy, and that is the very large community in robotics. There is a lot of sharing of tools and code between universities and also companies. Jemylia Raimbault: So, the pace of development is increased because there is a sort of a Uberization of the capacities all over the community. MN: Yes, and this is very important because it allows very fast development of new technologies without having to starting from zero. YMEDIA: Interesting, so there is quite a large robotics community? MN: Yes, it's a large community which makes available a great many tools and algorithms that are already developed and tested. JR: For me, what I see is that we have more and more robots around us, but we're not really paying attention to them. Whether it's your cooking robot or whether it is your Roomba that is cleaning your house or wiping the floor etc., it is there and it's more convenient. So what has happened is that as the technology has improved, as Marta said, with the battery price and performance improving and greater computational capacity and more, people realize that as the technology has improved it is now more affordable and people can now outsource to robots these low added value or repetitive tasks that a human would once have done. These tasks are put out to robots so that humans can enjoy better quality time in a society that is becoming more and more hectic. I think this is reflected the spirit, if you will, of today's society. If you look at say, generations X, Y or Z, the Y and the Z generation are not interested in working long hours for the sake of it but are keen to have more fun and enjoy their life, beyond the working environment. So, they have no issue doing anything they can to minimize laborious tasks or externalize them to robots. YMEDIA: So changes in society are driving this too JR: I think it's a change in mentality. Generation Y ("digital natives" as we can call them) or the Generation Z (also called the C generation for Communication, Collaboration, Connection and Creativity) are more open to welcoming robots because they were born with these technologies: with the internet, with connections, with things being done by computers or robots. I think it shows how some segments of society are more open to a world with greater robotization. YMEDIA: We touched on this before, but field robotics is something that is not so well known. Can you tell us about some of the differences between field robotics and say, the autonomous vehicles we have on the road, and what are some of the special challenges you have in that area? MN: Sure, yes. Basically, one of the main differences between field robotics and autonomous vehicles is that field robotics need to take some action on the environment. Now, if you think of the example of an excavator that needs to dig a hole, you can see that this is not as easy as it seems. It needs to interact with the ground. And this activity seems to be quite easy but in reality, the expertise of the operator that is actually doing the work is a very important factor in the final result. So, one of the main differences is the interaction with the environment. I think another challenge, especially for the mini excavator, is that the mini excavator is used for a lot of jobs. So sometimes the excavator will be carrying a load. Another time it will be demolishing something. If you want to introduce autonomous technology in that situation, you need to make it flexible enough to perform the same jobs they're doing today. They are used for a lot of different tasks so it's quite difficult to make a completely autonomous machine to handle all those tasks. YMEDIA: Is there more autonomy and robotics coming into construction equipment now, and if so, why is that? JR: I think, and Marta again correct me if I'm wrong, from what we have seen at BAUMA, there is more and more electrification of machinery, but not necessarily much in the way of robots or autonomous machines. There are some attempts at remote control for safety reasons and convenience, but not so much actual robotization. You can have assistance, you can have connected machines, but not yet robotization. And this is where with Bauma and the eFuzion we really made a great leap. The understanding today in construction is that with or without legislation, with or without the rules of the European law changing, there's a strong grassroots movement towards zero emissions and because of that companies have no other choice but to follow the pace. But in terms of robots I don't see any robotization yet. Certainly, electrification... yes. And again, this is really where the eFuzion machine stood out. Not only does it implement electrification, but also the robotization with full autonomy. YMEDIA: What do you mean when you say "assist technology" or "assistance" in the context of robotics? MN: By assistance, I mean for example a grading assistant. The machine can help the operator to perform some maneuvers. If you consider the job of grading, you need to move many joints at the same time. We now have a situation where we have a lack of expert operators that can do that job easily. They need a lot of training to perform that job and synchronize the movements of all the joints of the machine. As we saw at Bauma, some companies are working on a tool that allows the operator to just use a joystick to move these multiple joints of the machine. The machine performs the grading movement and the operator can do this by just moving one lever. JR: You also have now a number of companies both in Europe and Japan that are all working around the construction machine to give it this kind of assistance capability. This can help you, for example, to visualize underground pipes in 3D, whereas before, you could only do your best with maps or plans. They will assist you in knowing, for example, if the machine has been working without being switched off. Rental companies will be able to know in detail and in real-time about the operating conditions of their equipment. This is all a kind of assistance from geo-localization to feedback on how the machine is performing or allowing you to do a better job with better knowledge about the environment. This is what we called making the machine smarter or what I call it: making the machine more intelligent. This is I guess what Marta is telling you by providing more assistance. MN: Another good point about introducing robots in construction is that now building plans and even construction site plans are made digitally. So before, all drawings were made on paper and for a robot it was quite difficult to reason based on a paper drawing. Now everything is 3D, is on the cloud, so all the stakeholders in the construction field can work according to the same digital drawing. The machine can also be connected to this digital drawing, and this helps the machine work with a perception of the environment, as in the example that Jemylia was describing about the pipes. JR: This is the BIM data we also used with eFuzion. MN: Another thing regarding assistance is augmented reality. You have digital drawings and there are some tools, for example the Hololens from Microsoft, that you can provide to the operator, and then your operator can see the real environment while simultaneously seeing a digital version of the same environment. YMEDIA: I know that the eFuzion is a concept and a technology demonstrator, but what do you see is the future of construction robotics if you look at the long term? MN: Yes, I believe that in years to come, robots will become a part of building and construction. However, at this time, if we consider the building and construction site, maybe the only robot operating - if we can call it a robot, because sometimes it is teleoperated, is a small robot that makes holes in the ceiling. So, at this time, we don't see very many robots in this field. I think things will change, first of all thanks to this BIM technology but also thanks to new advances in robotics. MN: In our research, we visited a lot of construction sites, especially sites for tall buildings. What makes these worksites suitable for robotization is that these tall buildings are expensive and there is a lot of work that can be considered repetitive, compared to the construction of small buildings. The machine that we have developed here also has precision characteristics, so one field that we would like to investigate is how to use this machine and in an indoor environment. Since it's fully electric, it can work indoors, and it has precision capabilities that allow it to be used for many kinds of precision work in construction. Furthermore, it's connected to BIM, so we can instruct the machine to carry out repetitive tasks and keep a precise positioning of where the components should go, directly from the planning drawings. JR: One thing many companies are looking at, is how various types of equipment can be integrated into the smart grid of the urban environment of the future. This includes power companies, transportation, as well as a lot of players who have not traditionally been involved in urban planning and construction. One example is where you have large IT companies are starting to become active in this area as they are heavy consumers of power from the grid, and therefore have a large interest in energy resources, even though they are not traditional players in the industry. The eFuzion is an example of equipment that could possibly in the future, plug into and be part of this smart urban grid, and I have heard some interest in informal discussions with energy companies. Certainly, there will be disruption of these industries. YMEDIA: Very interesting. Thank you both for your time.
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LucidSound Partners With ESTV esports Network as Official Headset Sponsor
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 – LucidSound, the fastest growing gaming headset brand designed for the gaming lifestyle, announced today a new partnership with ESTV, as the official headset partner for first ever dedicated channel for esports and gaming personalities. The partnership kicks off with ESTV’s Battle of Branches that will be hosted on October 5, at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington State, where all prize packages will include a variety of LucidSound headsets. “ESTV is all about high performance eSports athletes which aligns perfectly with our advanced headset technology,” said, Chris Von Huben, CEO, LucidSound. “Our design and control scheme centers around performance and comfort, something very important to esports competitors, making this partnership a natural fit for the LucidSound brand.” LucidSound recently announced their product lineup for Holiday 2019, with its latest headset the Rose Gold LS35X ($179.99), an Xbox Wireless headset available exclusively in Best Buy stores nationwide. LucidSound also has its chat gaming headset, the LS1 ($24.99) and its stereo gaming headset the LS10 ($59.99) coming to Target in October. “As a channel dedicated to esports it is very important for us to use the best quality products so that players can focus on the competition, and I love that LucidSound creates headsets that seamlessly mesh style with comfort, functionality and performance,” says, Ahman Green, director of business development for ESTV. “We are excited for this partnership that will continue to bring fans a great experience watching, playing and listening to videogames." ESTV provides round the clock coverage of esports athletes and gaming franchises from an insider perspective. ESTV’s coverage of hardcore gaming, competitive gaming, casual mainstream gaming, events, and syndicated late night is seen around the world.
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AI-powered camera compatible with Raspberry Pi improves ability through every click
(Shanghai, August 19th)--Robotics and open source hardware provider DFRobot announced the company surpassing its crowdfunding goal by 300% of HuskyLens, an easy-to-use, powerful artificial intelligence vision sensor compatible with microcontrollers including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, LattePanda, and micro:bit. HuskyLens is driven by the power of image processing algorithms and is constantly learning new objects, faces, and colours at the click of a button. It is based on the Kendryte K210 SoC with a dual-core RISC-V 64-bit processor designed with AI applications in mind. The AI camera continuously learns and improves its abilities with each click of the button and has an algorithmic processing speed that is 1,000 times faster than most similar products on the market, reading up to 30 frames per second. Unlike other similar products on the market, HuskyLens is a time-saving device with several built-in algorithms that allow creators to make projects without previous algorithmic knowledge. HuskyLens is equipped with algorithms of facial recognition, object recognition, object tracking, line following, colour detection, and tag detection. Users can also switch between algorithms with one single click. The HuskyLens team indicated that the main framework of the HuskyLens will be licensed under LGPL-2.1. The repository of the project will have multiple licenses. There will be a file in each algorithm folder indicating the original author and its license type. HuskyLens is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with pledges starting at around $20 for the standard early bird version, and approximately $50 for an enhanced version with a 5-megapixel camera. Other options can be found on its KickStarter page and it is available for backing till September 7th.
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Poly G7500 Delivers All-in-One Content and Video Conferencing Solution for Limitless Potential to Collaborate
Plantronics, Inc. ("Poly" -- formerly Plantronics and Polycom) (NYSE: PLT), a global communications company that powers meaningful human connection and collaboration, today announced the Poly G7500, a video device that combines content collaboration and video conferencing capabilities in one device. The G7500 integrates advanced audio features, wireless content sharing and Ultra HD 4K video, creating an immersive audio and video experience for mid- to large-sized conference rooms. "Not only are we spending more time in meetings than just a few years ago, we're collaborating in different ways than before with the rise of remote workers, open office floor plans and increasingly global workforces," said Chris Thorson, senior director of global solutions marketing, Poly. "All of these factors are generating demand for video conferencing solutions that make meetings more productive and are as real as face-to-face. Poly developed G7500 with these factors in mind -- simplicity, clarity and limitless possibility. Your focus stays on the meeting, while our technology steps quietly into the background." The G7500 places 4K content and collaboration at the center of the experience with a customizable interface for both touch and non-touch displays as well as secure and guest network capabilities for all connected devices. The G7500 also features infinite whiteboarding, where users can write over content, use the screen as a whiteboard space, and capture for later use. By combining video conferencing and content sharing in one solution, the G7500 empowers multiple attendees to share content -- from any device -- to make meetings more productive. The G7500 also helps teams share ideas and express themselves clearly with rich visuals and detailed audio that allow users to feel like they're together in the same room. Ultra HD 4K video promises four times the quality in video calls and beyond. "The advancements and capabilities of the G7500 will dramatically improve the quality of our surgical education and training program," said professor Dr. Wilko Grolman, an otolaryngologist based in the Netherlands. "With 4K resolution, we are one step closer to viewing the procedure as though it's through the surgeon's eyes." Poly-exclusive innovations such as NoiseBlock and Acoustic Fence ensure minimal audio distractions such as background noise and side conversations while stereo audio provides a premium in-room experience at a distance. The G7500 incorporates an interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate, and a deployment-friendly architecture makes it simple and cost-effective to install. The G7500 is intended for users including but not limited to business leaders, IT and facilities managers, AV specialists and healthcare professionals. Support for industry standards gives G7500 the flexibility to connect to any cloud-based video platform or ecosystem (such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business) through Polycom's RealConnect Service. "The global video conferencing market is booming. It was valued at $6.43 Billion in 2016 and is anticipated to reach $13.42 Billion by 2023", explains Roopam Jain, Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan's Connected Work practice. "Enterprises around the world are rapidly investing in video conferencing tools that improve collaboration and productivity for today's digital workers. With the release of G7500, Poly is bringing its expertise in high-quality video, audio and content collaboration to offer a secure and flexible next-generation solution for medium and large conference rooms at a compelling price." The G7500 is the next generation of meeting solutions from Poly designed to deliver powerful video and content-driven experiences for the modern-day workplace. Poly's latest suite of solutions, helping to drive collaboration, include the Poly G7500, the new EagleEye Cube, Polycom Studio and Microsoft Teams on Polycom Trio. The G7500 is now available in Singapore and will be available in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines later this year.
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Audeze's Bluetooth iSINE Headphone Now Available
Audeze is pleased to announce the release of their new Bluetooth iSINE in-ear headphones. The CIPHER Bluetooth Modules will also be available as a detachable, lightweight device that will turn any Audeze existing iSINE headphone into a fully mobile Bluetooth headset. Customers will finally be able to enjoy the peerless audio quality of Audeze’s critically acclaimed in-ear headphones coupled with the utility of next generation Bluetooth technology. Boasting a Bluetooth 5.0 chipset with support for aptX and aptX HD, Audeze’s CIPHER Bluetooth Module offers 24-bit high resolution audio quality with low latency, custom DSP programming and seamless compatibility with the latest and greatest Bluetooth devices. The CIPHER Bluetooth Module also comes with a built-in high performance microphone capable of delivering crystal clear call quality. Along with a high-capacity lithium battery allowing for up to 8 hours of continuous play, this product will afford users a high degree of functionality and freedom, making it a perfect companion to Audeze’s iSINE in-ear line. The iSINE series of in-ear headphones, the choice for artists and audiophiles worldwide, combines innovative technology and avant-garde design to deliver an immersive, dynamic music experience unlike any other in-ear. The CIPHER Bluetooth Module can be purchased as a bundle with the iSINE20, iSINE10, and iSINE LX for $599, $399, and $259 respectively on www.audeze.com/products/isine-series/audeze-cipher-bluetooth-module Additionally, the CIPHER Bluetooth Module is available for purchase as a stand-alone accessory for $99 USD and will work with all existing iSINE headphones.
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BenQ Korea Hosted Demonstration of W1700 4K UHD HDR CineHome Projector
On January 18, 2018, BenQ Korea held a demonstration introducing the performance of its products to media, partners and bloggers ahead of the launch of the W1700, a cinehome beam projector that supports 4K UHD resolution and HDR. The event at Guro Best Western Premier Hotel, Seoul, was attended by So Yoon-seok, branch manager of BenQ Korea, Ericsson Huang, senior manager of BenQ Projector Product Development Team, Dumas Chen, Director of BenQ Asia Pacific Business, and Director Choi Ik-hwan, a professor of Film Arts major at Soongsil University. ▲ BenQ introduced the 'W1700' model to Korea under the banner of distributing 4K projector. Participants were presented with a description of the 4K HDR projector implementation, a welcome speech on the importance of accurate color representation intended by the film director, an introduction and demonstration of the W1700 product, and a Q & A session. So Yoon-seok, Branch Manager of BenQ Korea stated his feelings. “The W1700 extends digital cinema technology of BenQ to the 4K UHD area. Now, it became possible to easily enjoy the magnificent screen like the theater at home with 4K UHD resolution.” In particular, at this day's demonstration, Ericsson Huang, senior manager of BenQ, emphasized color matching technology that translates HDR contents to be optimized to projection method and the ability to adapt to various conditions changes such as image size, gain value of screen, and brightness decrease of lamp for implementing outstanding HDR screen at the display with projection method. He said, “BenQ has been researching technology that implements better HDR screen on a projector than other companies for a long time and adopts unique technology such as auto color rendering technology and HDR film optimization technology to realize a more natural HDR screen.” ▲ So Yoon-seok, Branch Manager of BenQ Korea delivered a welcoming speech. ▲ Director Choi Ik-hwan, a professor of Film Arts major at Soongsil University, commented on the device as a producer. ▲ Ericsson Huang, Senior Manager of BenQ explained about technological contents about the device. Introduced at this demonstration, BenQ's W1700 uses a 0.47-inch single DMD chipset and enhanced XPR technology to make it smaller and slimmer than traditional 4K UHD projectors. The optical system optimized for 4K resolution and implements clear images with minimizes chromatic aberration. In addition, it supports HDR (HDR10) to reproduce the brightness and contrast ratio of the image to the same level as the actual image, and it is possible to play various types of 3D contents with 3D function. The W1700 supports dual RGB color wheels and unique CinematicColor technology to express more accurate and vivid colors. Its light weight of 4.2kg and slim design increase the installation convenience. The automatic vertical keystone and 1.2x zoom reduced spatial constraints. Currently, it is optimized for watching movies. If technology development becomes more innovative, 4K devices will be available as full HD standard products such as 'game mode'. ▲ The W1700 model is a projector that has been positioned as a leading edge of 4K popularization beyond the medium and large base area. BenQ's W1700 will be available in both domestic and offline shopping malls from mid-February, and its price is 1,990,000 won. Given that existing 4K projectors, including its high-end models, are priced between 3,000,000 won and 10,000,000 won, it is an aggressive pricing policy that lowers barriers to entry into 4K projectors. Jo Jung-hwan, general manager of BenQ Korea Projector PM, said, “The W1700 is a low-cost product that delivers 4K UHD resolution with superior picture quality to more homes. With the W1700 as the starting point, BenQ will be able to take the lead in popularizing the 4K HDR era by bringing a highly productive and innovative product to market.”
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Philips Korea Launches 'Sonicare DiamondClean Smart'
Philips Korea held a press conference at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of January 16th, 2018. The press conference was organized to inform the launch of ‘DiamondClean Smart’, a new product of Sonicare, an electric toothbrushes brand of Philips, and to introduce the features of the product. The officials, including Vice President Seo Hong-pyo of Philips Korea Personal Health Business Department, Global Director Dr. Maha Yakob of Philips Oral Healthcare, attended the event. Vice President Seo Hong-pyo said, “The next most common illness after a recent cold is periodontitis. Periodontitis is not just a dental disease, but it is also linked to many other diseases, and if you can prevent periodontitis properly, you can escape from threats of many diseases. Philips Sonicare is a new product that combines the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence and the Internet of things, to help correct bad brushing habits. We hope that the efforts of Philips Sonicare to inform you about the importance of proper brushing habits will become well known, and I would like to ask for your attention.” ▲ Philips Korea’s 'Sonicare DiamondClean Smart' launching press conference was held. ▲ Vice President Seo Hong-pyo said, “We hope that the efforts of Philips Sonicare to inform you about the importance of proper brushing habits will become well known.” According to the announcement, 'DiamondClean Smart' is a smart toothbrush that is linked to the Sonicare app via Bluetooth. It also keeps track of brushing habits with connected and sensor technology, and informs the user about a proper brushing habit. A location sensor, scrubbing sensor, and pressure sensor of 'DiamondClean Smart' reconstruct the inside of mouth into a 3D map to monitor movement of the toothbrush, location and pressure to analyze brushing habits, and inform excessive pressure that causes tooth wear and damage during brushing through the LED and vibration of pressure-sensitive sensor ring located at the bottom of the main unit. In particular, the location sensor divides the oral cavity into 12 sections and minutely tracks the position of the toothbrush. The smart bristle that comes with the body consists of Premium Plaque Defense, Premium White, Premium Gum Care, and Tongue Cleaner+, each with RFID. 'DiamondClean Smart' has 5 cleaning modes, general cleaning, white+, deep clean+, gum care, and tongue clean, and 3 levels of strength adjustment. The optimum mode and the intensity are automatically set by recognizing RFID of the equipping bristle. It also analyzes the period of use of the bristles and the applied pressure, and informs the user of the appropriate replacement time at the bottom of the main unit and the app. 'Diamond Clean Smart' is available for three weeks when fully charged, and it is provided with a wireless charging cup that is automatically charged when the toothbrush body is lifted, and a carrying case with a USB cable charger. The color of the product is black, white, and pink. The price is set at 435,000 won. ▲ This product is a smart toothbrush that is linked with the management app via Bluetooth. At the event, Dr. Maha Yakob announced the results of a clinical trial conducted to check the effectiveness of Sonicare products in preventing periodontal disease. The experiment was conducted to measure the effects of Philips Sonicare 'DiamondClean' products and general manual toothbrushes on gingivitis, gum bleeding, and surface plaque when used for four weeks at home. In this study comparing the gingivitis reduction and plaque removal of Philips Sonicare 'DiamondClean' products and general manual toothbrushes, 141 healthy adults (average age 42.1 years) aged 18 to 70 years were randomized, parallel designed, and single blind studied. The subjects of the clinical study were divided into two groups, each given with ‘DiamondClean’ products or general manual toothbrushes to brush their teeth twice a day. As a result, compared to 4 weeks ago, the users of conventional manual toothbrushes showed a reduction of gingivitis by 19.1%, gingival bleeding by 31.4% and plaque by 8.0%, while DiamondClean product users reported reduction of gingivitis by 25.5%, gum bleeding by 57.4%, plaque by 34.9%, respectively.
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Sony Korea Wireless Noise Cancelling Headset 1000X Series Domestic Announcement Press Conference
On September 20, Sony Korea held a press conference at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and announced that it will start selling three kinds of Wireless Noise Cancelling Headset 1000X series in Korea starting from September 21st. The 1000X series, which has been unveiled at the IFA 2017, includes three styles of fully wireless earphone WF-1000X, wireless neckband earphone WI-1000X and wireless headphone WH-1000XM2. The 1000X series features the industry's highest noise cancelling performance and wireless connectivity to enjoy the best outdoors music experience. In particular, through 'Sony Headphone Connect', a smart listening is possible and various functions of the headphones can be set easily on the smartphone. It supports 'adaptive sound control', which can set up 20-step of surround sound mode that optimizes music, 'noise cancelling optimization', which realizes ideal noise cancelling effect according to user's condition and situation' ambient noise, and 'headphone sound setting', which allows to control various sound effects. In adaptive sound control, 'noise cancelling' is activated when the vehicle or airplane is moving at a high speed. Also, 'Ambient sound (normal)' is activated when a user is walking so that the user can hear surround sound, and 'Ambient sound (voice)' is activated while the user is stationary so that the user can hear the voice. In the case of noise cancelling optimization, WI-1000X and WH-1000XM2 feature 'atmospheric pressure optimization' which analyzes the surround atmospheric pressure to further improve noise cancelling performance. Moreover, WH-1000XM2 also supports 'personal noise cancelling optimization' which analyzes the user's hair style and wearing glasses. ▲ At the conference, IU, promotion model of Sony Korea, showed up on the stage for a while. ▲ The new 1000X series is the product line continuing fame of the existing 'MDR-1000X'. Ryu Okuda, Senior Manager of Sony Asia, said that wireless headphones and earphones market in Asia grew 145% from last year, and wireless headphones and earphones account for 50% of the entire market. Also, Sony is the number one player in this market, and its market share is rising at the same time. In the domestic market, the survey results were introduced that Sony is in the top position in the total headphone and earphone market in terms of amount, and in the wireless headphone market, it is occupying 66% of the market thanks to the popularity of MDR-1000X. In addition, MDR-1000X single model alone reaches 31%. As a reason for the success of 1000X, Sony mentioned provision of new music sensibility experience such as the industry's highest level of noise cancelling performance, sense engine, quick attentions, and high-resolution sound quality such as LDAC support. Moreover, it is added that the noise cancelling performance of 1000X recorded the highest performance measured by JEITA standards. In addition to the wireless headphone WH-1000XM2, the new 1000X series emphasizes that it has expanded its style by introducing wireless earphone and wireless neckband earphone products. Kim Jae-min, Product Manager of Sony Korea, introduced about the new 1000X series that Sony has developed technologies from noise cancelling, supporting high-quality playback to supporting high-resolution audio and LDAC, and all of which are applied to 1000X. And the new 1000X series features Smart Listening through Sony Headphone Connect app with the industry's highest noise cancelling performance, wireless connectivity technology for high-resolution sound play. ▲ New 1000X series introduces noise cancelling, high-resolution audio and smart listening. ▲ Adaptive sound control adjusts the nature of noise cancelling for various situations. The new 1000X series is available with the ‘Sony Headphone Connect’ app for Smart Listening and allows you to easily set up the various functions of your headphones on your smartphone. It supports 'adaptive sound control', which can set up 20-step of surround sound mode that optimizes music, 'noise cancelling optimization', which realizes ideal noise cancelling effect according to user's condition and situation' ambient noise, and 'headphone sound setting', which allows to control various sound field (sound location control, surround, equalizer). Adaptive sound control recognizes four types of situations, including stationary, walking, running, and moving on vehicle, by accelerometer and GPS on smartphone and controls the features of noise cancelling function. 'Noise cancelling' is activated when the vehicle or airplane is moving at a high speed. 'Ambient sound (normal)' is activated when a user is walking so that the user can hear surround sound, and ' Ambient sound (voice)' is activated while the user is stationary so that the user can hear the voice. The intensity of noise cancelling can be controlled with 20 steps, and the preset values for each mode can be changed. In the case of noise cancelling optimization, WI-1000X and WH-1000XM2 feature ‘Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing' which analyzes the surround atmospheric pressure to further improve noise cancelling performance. Therefore, users who often use plane can experience much enhanced noise cancelling performance. Moreover, WH-1000XM2 also supports 'personal noise cancelling optimization' which analyzes the user's hair style and wearing glasses. Besides, surround function is added to the sound setting of the headphone, and sound location control function and equalizer that uses headphone's DSP are also included. ▲ WF-1000X realizes from micro-miniature, ultra-light to noise cancelling. ▲ WI-1000X, neckband-type earphone that realizes the best sound quality The fully wireless earphone WF-1000X with innovative size and stylish design supports industry-leading noise cancelling performance, despite its micro-miniature size and ultra-light design of 6.9g. Equipped with a 6mm driver unit, it offers excellent sound quality such as rich bass and soft high notes. It can be used up to 3 hours when fully charged, and its dedicated charging case can be fully charged twice so that it allows up to 9 hours of operation. It also supports quick charge function, so it can be used up to 70 minutes after 15 minutes of charge. As soon as the product is taken out from the case, the power is turned on and the device is automatically connected to the last paired device, so it enhanced user convenience. Sony WI-1000X is a neckband-type earphone that delivers the best sound quality on wireless. The hybrid configuration of a balanced amateur and dynamic driver allows the XBA-N3AP class of sound listening, and it supports high-quality performance on wireless through upscaling by S-MASTER HX digital amplifier and DSEE HX. Especially, it supports general-purpose codecs such as AAC, SBC, as well as LDAC and apt-X HD, which enables high-resolution listening of music on wireless. Noise cancelling of WI-1000X utilizes 'Dual Noise Cancelling', which uses broadband noise cancelling, 'Feed Forward', using an external microphone and bass noise cancelling, 'Feed Back', using an internal microphone at the same time. The operation time is up to 10 hours with the noise cancelling function turned on and up to 13 hours when it is turned off, making it suitable for workers who have a long commute time or frequent business trips. It can be used up to 70 minutes after 15 minutes of quick charge. ▲ WH-1000XM2, presented as Mk2 upgrade of MDR-1000X ▲ Second-generation product of h.ear was briefly introduced. WH-1000XM2, an upgraded version of MDR-1000X, supports industry-leading noise cancelling and smart listening as well as the best sound quality for the ultimate wireless music experience. In aspect of the noise cancelling system, through dual noise cancelling, which analyzes the noise of bass repeated inside and outside of the headphone by using two noise cancelling sensors, and Sony's dedicated processor and digital processing, a user can enjoy quiet music listening outdoors. In addition, the 40mm HD driver is composed of aluminum coated LCP diaphragm, expressing the touch of original sound, and also equipped with Sony's unique technologies, S-MASTER HX and DSEE HX. It also supports LDAC and apt-X HD codecs, which enables to enjoy high-resolution sound listening. It can be used up to 40 hours with a wired cable when fully charged, up to 30 hours when using a wireless Bluetooth connection. It also supports 'Quick Charge' function which up to 70 minutes with a 10-minute charge. Meanwhile, Sony also briefly introduced a second-generation product of h.ear. The unique 'colors' of second-generation product of h.ear have been adjusted to suit various fashion through saturation adjustments, and the colors includes Horizon Green, Twilight Red, Gracey Black, Pale Gold, and Moonlit Blue. The product family consists of five products, depending on the equipped features and forms. All of them support to high-resolution audio playback, and the wireless products support Bluetooth connectivity, LDAC and apt-x HD.
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HEVC Advance Announces Revised Royalty Rates for Lower-Priced Devices
HEVC Advance, today announced that it has added a discounted royalty rate category for lower-priced set-top boxes, surveillance cameras and certain other devices, and simplified its Patent License Agreement (PPL) to reduce costs for licensees. These discounted royalty rates are the result of HEVC Advance's continuous and active engagement with the marketplace and feedback from our existing and prospective licensees that reducing the cost of licensing for the lower-priced devices in these market segments will speed up their adoption of HEVC/H.265. The discounted royalty rates apply to devices covered under the Connected Home and Other Devices Category that are sold at or under $40 per unit. Current licensees will be able to execute the new simplified PPL to incorporate the new rate structure.
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Segway Asia-Pacific New Products Conference
On August 28th, Segway held the new products conference for Asia-Pacific region at the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Five new products, including Segway miniPLUS, were presented at the event, with agents from each Asia-Pacific region and overseas medias from Asia-Pacific region attending. Segway miniPLUS is equipped with a number of 'Black Technology', such as wireless location technology, and it can be used conveniently. In addition, it has a PTZ camera and can be operated for 35 kilometers for a single charge. Segway miniLite is a lightweight electric wheel for children aged 6 years and over. It focuses on safety and comfort, and features environmentally friendly protective equipment, safety devices and a mobile phone app. Segway KickScooter has improved the appearance, performance and safety from the existing Kickboard, and it is presented as a safe and practical electric kickboard with excellent cost performance and design. Moreover, Ninebot & Segway Kids Bike is designed to be fun, safe and comfortable with materials and designs that are designed to be like a big toy only for kids. Ninebot & Segway One Z series unicycle wheel, designed for unicycle electric wheel enthusiasts, satisfy the demand for design as well as thrill and safety. ▲ Zhao Zhongwei Segwey COO Zhao Zhongwei, the COO of Segway, introduced Segway that it has been doing B2B-centric business that supplies products to companies in tourism and security industries, but nowadays, there are many new generations who like Segway and it is widely used by individual users for moving. Tourists are also enjoying it through 'Segway Tour Service' in various countries. Additionally, she explained that Ninebot took over a 100% stake of Segway in 2015 and there was a change to the brand. Segway was popular in Korea last year with new products. According to the analysis of the behaviors of users around the world based on the Big Data system, it is found that users traveled 1.2 billion kilometers using Segway and more than 6 million people use Segway products and services every year. Moreover, Segway has a global business center in the United States, the Netherlands and China around the world, has developed business on each continent and has more than 700 key patents. Segway has been continuing its history for over 16 years, and, after merging with Ninebot, it has been trying to improve the B2B-based business, appearance and price, which were the three concerns initially pointed out. Furthermore, as the products are stylish in design and customer targeting, more people are now able to access and use the products. At the same time, it has been working on marketing activities in appropriate markets, participating as partners in various events such as the Beijing Olympics, and introducing 'Segway Tours' for tourists in sightseeing destinations with apps designed for individuals. ▲ The technology of Robotics part was treated as a quite significant part. In Segway's Robotics business, 'Loomo' robot that has been on the market since 2016 is representative and it is expected to be an important business area in the future. So far, two generations have been presented for two years. Moreover, Segway is building a collaborative platform for robot development, and not only famous companies such as BMW, Intel, Google, Amazon and Facebook, but also leading universities such as MIT and Stanford are participating in the platform. Segway has also introduced ‘Loomo go’ for the shipping industry, as well as models for schools, research, and the enterprise. Today, Segway's products are being delivered to consumers through more than 1,000 sales networks in 2016, and Segway is committed to continually expanding its network. In terms of partnership of distribution channels, there are nine main channels in the United States, and Alibaba, Jingdong and Xiaomi in China, and ‘11th Street’ and ‘didigo.com’ in Korea are mentioned as major channels. Besides, it is introduced that Segway is working with major channels in Asia Pacific and Europe. With the slogan 'Simply Moving', Segway has made a major mission to make things easier and more convenient for people and things, and to provide products and services to more than a billion people around the world. The Korean market is also included here and that it is expected to take an important part. Meanwhile, Segway's Asia-Pacific business is centered in Beijing with its service center in Singapore and production in China's Tianjin and Changzhou, all close to Korea. ▲ An upgraded type of Segway miniPRO, "Segway miniPLUS" ▲ As an interesting function, "Intelligent Follow Mode" that follows the remote control was mentioned. Based on the success of Segway miniPRO, which was launched at the end of 2015 and was purchased by more than 1 million people in the market as well as being shared by manias about its experiences, Segway miniPLUS reflected customers' main feedbacks including extending area of footrests, improving speed, and expanding intelligent functions. Segway miniPLUS is at the middle stage between the existing 'miniPRO' and a robot. It looks similar to miniPRO, but it is quite different, with 19% more extended footrest area, 17% higher chassis height, and 11-inch tires. In 'Mini Plus', with the lamps including taillight, the height of the headlamp for night driving was raised to 36cm, and the battery was installed with 329Wh based on LG Electronics' 18650 lithium battery, assuring 35km of travel distance. It also features a trunk space for storing accessories. In addition to this, new features such as "Intelligent Follow Mode," which follows the remote control by pressing a button on the remote control and moving with it, and "Stabilized Camera" function, which enables FHD-level photography using an app, were introduced. Domestic price was announced as 988,000 won. ▲ "Segway miniLITE" for women and kids ▲ Optimized for size as well as motion algorithms Segway miniLITE is a small model that is based on the idea that the existing miniPRO is not suitable for use by women or kids. It is targeting kids aged 6 years or older and a female customer. With the knee bar is 74mm lower than the miniPRO, miniLITE starts operating at a minimum weight of 10kg and its weight is 12.5kg, which is the lightest of the current Segway models. It can also feature many functions with an application, and have training programs and a practice mode to give customers enough practice for their safety. This model is equipped with safety-optimized logic, allowing the user to adjust the safety assistant settings optimized for female users who do not perform high travel speeds, rapid breaks, and turns, or adjust acceleration control for active children. The maximum speed is 16km/h, the travel distance is about 18km, and there are three color cover accessories for the individual personality. The price was announced at 529,000 won. ▲ Ninebot Kick Scooter models has two versions, the standard version and the sports version. ▲ The difference between the standard model and the sports version is the difference in weight, output, and suspension configuration. Ninebot by Segway KickScooter features a simple, compact design that pursues minimalism, with a light weight of 11kg, which can be carried with one hand. By using a frame made of aluminum alloy grade for aircraft grade, it can withstand load of 700kg or more, and the battery is waterproofed by IPX7 grade so that improved stability in use environment. In addition to the 'one-push folding system', which can easily be folded and carried, when folding, it can be carried like a carrier by using wheels. Ninebot KickScooter established the braking distance of less than 4 meters with electronic and foot brake's dual braking system as well as high efficiency low noise motor, and the display attached to the bodywork shows the speed, battery level and Bluetooth connection state. By equipping additional auxiliary batteries, the maximum travel distance can be extended from 25km to 45km. Front and rear lights and brake lights provide safe night driving, and the ambient light on the footrests can be customized by the application. With the application, it is also possible to find other users, lock, limit the speed, and control the light and cruise. Ninebot KickScooter ES1 weighs 11kg and has an electric motor with a maximum output of 500W, with a maximum travel speed of 20km/h and a maximum travel distance of 25km. With an additional auxiliary battery, the maximum speed increases to 25 km/h and the travel distance to 45 km. The price was announced at 429,000 won. The high-performance version, the ES2, weighs 12kg and has a maximum output of 700W, with a maximum speed of 25km/h, a travel distance of 25km under normal conditions and up to 45km with an auxiliary battery. The ES2 also features a dual suspension. The price was introduced at 529,000 won. ▲ NineBot One Z series, whose motto is Batman, allows to travel freely on a variety of terrain. 'Ninebot Kids Bike' for kids has a combination of designs for boys and girls separately, a 14-inch and a 16-inch wheel, and three colors. It was introduced as a safe, affordable product for kids. The 14-inch wheel model weighs 8.8kg and the 16-inch wheel model weighs 10.8kg. The frame is based on aluminum, with reliable tires and ergonomic design. The price was announced at 179,000 won for the 14-inch model and 199,000 won for the 16-inch model. Meanwhile, Ninebot & Segway One Z series unicycle wheels for manias are aiming to make up for the shortages of the existing models and to be able to ride freely anytime and anywhere, and it emphasized 'redefinition of one-wheel'. In aspect of concepts such as design or ride, "Batman" is a motto for responding to various terrain. The product will be available in Asia beginning in early 2018 and will be available in conjunction with a new movie of Batman series.
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Goldmund Logos Satya Presentation Hosted by Audio Gallery
On January 28, Audio Gallery held a presentation of ‘Logos Satya,’ a collection of Goldmund’s technologies, at Goldmund Cheongdam flagship store. Goldmund Cheongdam flagship store where the event was held is the best listening space in domestic that has perfect facilities and environment to appreciate a masterpiece sound. It also has all the products from Goldmund including the most expensive products that were hard to be available due to limits of store’s space. ‘Logos Satya’ is a combination of recent trends such as various audio related technologies, verified at Goldmund flagship model ‘Apologue Anniversary’ in Goldmund Cheongdam flagship store, wireless and modular. (‘Logos Satya’ is a combination of various audio related technologies verified at Goldmund flagship model ‘Apologue Anniversary’ in Goldmund Cheongdam flagship store, and recent trends such as wireless and modular.) It serves as a following unit of ‘1N+2N’ model and it is also receiving attention from the audio industry as a model leading to generation cross. ▲ At the center of Goldmund Cheongdam flagship store, ‘Logos Satya’ is ready to be public. ▲ A classic mini concert, able to experience the level of a clear voice, was progressed as a prior event. ‘Logos Satya’ integrated with technologies developed over dozens of decades in Goldmund is a life-style wireless speaker that realizes high-end sound. ‘Satya’ in the product’s name means ‘fact, truth about enlightenment’ comes from Sanskrit, and also includes the meaning of ‘coincide with reality.’ It is a model considered to be showing the structure that one can totally experience Proteus-Leonardo technology by being produced with the same technology of Glodmund’s masterpieces ‘Apologue Anniversary’ and ‘Logos Anata,’ and integration of high technologies such as mechanical-grounding technology. It is no longer a simple stereo system, but has become an ideal main speaker at concert and even home cinema system. Its strong points are of course thrilled impression and being able to be installed clearly as it is wireless. It is distinctive as it can overdue prejudices that high-end audio is hard and complicated. It is priced at 150 million won which is similar to the price of ‘Logos 1N+2N’ 2015 Goldmund best-selling item. ▲ Audio Gallery representative, Sang-jun Na introduced ‘Logos Satya.’ ▲ ‘Logos Satya’ is in fact positioned at the top class as a standard household speaker set. ▲ Front/back design of ‘Logos Satya’
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