I used the Deebot to clean my floor. My review is online.
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Category: Technology
Technology has changed the world. Everyone has a device these days. We cover the tech world with news and interviews on the latest gadgets.
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One Less Chore!
I am searching for a new Robot Vacuum, a gadget to help me with the housework. The one I have is reliable but becoming a bit slow. As a person on the go, a device that can perform housework is a convenient time saver. During IFA 2017 I checked out the brands offering new robot vacs from the least complicated to the pricier models with accessories.
The sleek Ecovacs Deebot M88 looked interesting so I decided to give it a test, the verdict? This is a robot vacuum worth its $350 price.
With a stylish circular design, the Deebot is equipped with frontal side sweeping brushes and cloths for dry and wet cleaning.
The remote control is handy. While I was working on the PC I used the remote to go over a particular spot two times. My open studio apartment was not a particular challenge for the device in regards to navigation because all is one level with the wall to wall wooden surface with a few corners. The reason I like a vacuum robot is because while I am out of the flat I let it run.
The Ecovacs App is easy to use for controlling the vacuum from your smartphone, available for downloading on Google Play and iTune Store. I used the Android App, simple to use, with no fuss.
The charging dock is small, able to fit in a small corner in any room. I cannot comment on the battery life because it cleaned the flat only charging twice.
There are other robot vacuums in the higher end and lower end of the market but I liked the Ecovacs Deebot M88. It moved quietly and quickly around the floor, and low maintenance. When it comes to doing one less household chore, it is the perfect fit!
Video Coming Soon.
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Tech and Health Gadget
Getting in shape for summer 2017, it is all about eating healthy, 60% diet, and 40% workout. Incorporating a smoothie diet in a workout and meal regimen is a good basis for solid results while lowering caloric intake while offering safe dosage of vitamins, proteins and other nutrients. If you are going start a Smoothie based diet, the right blender is important, daily use will only cease functioning the motor in 6 months. Secondly, cheap blenders tend to mix the ingredients poorly.
During IFA 2016, Philips introduced a new blender for the health conscience crowd. The Innergizer Blender is quite a kitchen appliance, able to breakdown and mix fruits, vegetables, and nuts with a motor speed up to 45000 RPM. Equipped a silent dome and “quieter operating function” for minimizing noise, for those of you who workout in the morning, this is a blessing for a pre-gym drink without the grating sounds of blender. Besides being an advanced kitchen device, The Innergizer is compatible with the “Philips Healthy Drinks App” with over 100 smoothie and healthy drink recipes.
At IFA 2016 Black and Paper got a demonstration of the Philips Innergizer Blender.
Note: We have not tested the kitchen appliance. We thought it was interesting being smoothie enthusiasts.
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MIPTV
MIPTV April 2017
Dramas and Virtual Reality are dominating the television landscape at the world’s biggest television fair in Cannes. Is there another Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones on the horizon? A program from Germany has caught the eye of fair, Berlin Babylon, a period crime, mystery period piece set in the Wilmar Republic years of the city. An ambitious 16 episode series production with a large budget, the show centers on the corruption, decadence, and moral decay of 1929 proceeding Hitler’s raise to absolute power told from the point of view of drug addicted Police Inspector Roth played German actor by Volker Bruch.
Babylon Berlin won the Screenings Grand Jury Prize.
Is Virtual Reality the future of entertainment? Tech companies seem to think so. After attending a press event co-chaired by Google I learned Google has a platform for VR content titled Google Daydream. A place where produces can upload new material but mostly geared towards professional makers.
There are two types of immersive VR content; interactive and passive form of entertainment where the viewer is experiences the technology as a virtual voyeur.
I repeat, is VR Technology the future? Although the potential is there, the compelling reason and consumer desire is not. After all, these companies told us wearables are the future. Is anyone out there bragging about their iWatch? Remember Google Glasses? These items have passed into the realm of tech ill relevance.
The equipment is still bulky and expensive. The resolution is not so sharp. Early adapters and tech geeks may love it but the general public may look at this like a hula hoop. VR has been the great could be for decades but never caught the wave. It feels like a product still waiting for the surf that will never come.
Black and Paper at MIP TV Cannes, stay tuned for more reports.
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Berlinale with Arri
Arri is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The famed camera maker is a leading technology firm in the motion picture industry.
The new Trinity Mount is a new tool to produce films offering great flexibility. For those of you in film production you understand the time used for setting up shots. With this device, time is saved because the director and Cinematography do not lose time setting up shots.
When I watch movies I am always curious about the production of the film. I ask myself how did the team set up a certain shot? What lighting style or lens was employed? How was the camera choreographed for movement. I have watched Rope and Touch of Evil many times just for the tracking shots and long takes. Imagine what Hitchcock or Welles would have done with the Arri Trinity?
A BIG THANK YOU to the Arri team for the demonstration during the Berlinale.
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Hasselblad Review
Hasselblad X1D Review
How did you start as a photographer?
I became a photographer by chance. I was studying International Relations in Paris, then panning to go to London to study law but as fate would have it I had a good friend who was a photographer. I began assisting him then fell in love with the camera and photography. That is how I started my career.
What camera do you normally use?
I have always used Nikon cameras, usually I work with the D750 and the D810.
You tested the Hasselblad X1D, What where your initial feelings about the camera?
I was curious when the opportunity arose to see how the mirrorless medium format performed because I knew the reputation of the brand. When I have important commercial shoots and the budget allows I place Hasselblad on my wish list, great image quality. However, I was never hands-on with a camera because I let my assistants do all the necessary adjustments and settings.
Testing the X1D I was very hands-on. It feels great, light, the ergonomic grip is comfortable. Usually, I use a neck strap because I do not want to risk letting the camera drop out of my hand, especially one that costs 9400 euros.
I found the camera setting menu very well edited. It felt like I did not have to go through as many camera settings in the menu as I do with my Nikon.
I really enjoyed the touch screen for viewing and settings, very simple.
How fast can the X1D shoot images?
The camera is fast but focusing can be difficult. Maybe I was doing something wrong but the lens I was using (XCD 90mm f/3.5) only had one focal point. I had to focus on the model and then reframe the image while my finger was pressing the shutter button half way down. I am used to the Nikon focal multiple point system. I found this annoying because it resulted in unfocused pictures.
Using a Medium format camera was there a higher level of expectation?
Yes! The expectation was higher and I was not disappointed. The images were sharp.
Was the Camera Interface Intuitive?
Before reading the camera manual I wanted to see how intuitive the camera was for a new user. The camera interface is adaptable quick, ready to usage for a short period of time. I was able to make adjustments and began shooting. The manual was good for referencing, very complete.
The Auto Focus Mode
The Auto Focus was very fast, perhaps faster than my Nikon. I was shooting in low light but I had no problems with the setting.
ISO Mode
Shooting in low light I sometimes had to shoot as high as 6400 iso but I did not lose the image sharpness. The grain quality was acceptable when blowing up an image 100 times in Photoshop.
Battery Life
This was my biggest disappointment. I went through a fully charged battery after only shooting 500 images. Luckily there were extra batteries in the test kit. For outdoor shooting where there is no access to electricity the camera is a disadvantage.
The fashion production you shot with the X1D, how did the camera perform?
Overall I enjoyed shooting with the X1D. I could use high ISO settings in addition to opening the aperture to 3.5.
I was happy with the results I produce with the Hasselblad X1D.
Dale Grant is professional photographer, instructor, and Black and Paper contributor.
For more information: www.dalegrantphotography.com
Tech Q&A Review from Black and Paper
The AfterShockz Wireless Trekz Titanium Headphones are connected via Bluetooth to smartphones and other listening devices. They are good for running, and other exercise.
What did you like about the AfterShockz Wireless?
While I am riding my bike using the headsets I can hear everything around me, in traffic this is important for safety. I can use wear them with my helmet. Because the sound travels along the jawbone my ears are free. The headsets are easy to connect to different devices. I wore them around the house while doing other things they were very comfortable, the fit was snug.
When I was in the room I could listen to two different sources. I am the type of to have a conversation and listen to my audio book. I listened to football games while sitting on my terrace.
Was there a disadvantage with wireless technology?
The sound quality dropped a bit with music.
How was the battery charge?
Fine, I managed to listen to a hold game and then some on one charge.
Would you recommend AfterShockz Headset?
Yes, my work colleague asked me about it. He bought one for himself and his girlfriend.
On a scale of 1 to 10 what would you score the device? 8.5
AfterShockz Wireless Trekz Titanium Headphones are available in stores and online.
DxO One Camera
During IFA16 Week the Black and Paper caught with the founders of DxO One. Not an ordinary camera, the DxO One is a pocket size camera that connects with the iPhone. But do not let the size fool you. This is a powerful camera capable of producing professional images.
Designed around the philosophy of “The best camera is the camera you have with you” the DxO One delivers complex photo mechanics in a small frame. This is the first generation camera from the Paris/San Francisco based firm made up of engineers and photography enthusiasts.
As with other cameras in the category, the DxO One is compact making it easy to carry around but great lengths went into making it distinguished from other cameras in the small and light range.
Equipped with a 1 inch sensor and 20.2 megapixels means the camera can get details even in low light situations. The specially designed lens allows the user to play with depth of field and Brokeh effects of background and foreground blurring. Video Camera and Mic are included.
The iOS app is available for downloading on the iPhone along with updates. The touch control is simple to use. Overall the camera’s flexibility is advantageous for the user regardless of the situation from producing the perfect selfie to shooting videos at angles.
The DXO One has received raved reviews from Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Digital Photo to name a few.
I asked the developers when the camera will be available for Android users. The response was “it is in development”.
A Black and Paper creative colleague used the camera during IFA. She fell in love with the DxO One. Her first impression from using the camera was the sharp picture quality.
The DXO One is available in stores and online including at Colette Paris.
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Power in a Small Box
From IFA 2016. Christmas means a lot of new gadgets as gifts. All those new devices will need an added energy source. We recommend Xtorm power banks. They are stylish, reliable, lightweight, versatile, and powerful capable of recharging a MacBook.
This item is a part of the Black and Paper Christmas 2016 Gift List.
Black and Paper covers Formula 1 from Abu Dhabi for 2016. We are using the Hasselblad X1D camera to capture all the images.
A top of the line camera with so many features. It is an amazing device so I cannot wait to use it.