Technology has changed the world. Everyone has a device these days. We cover the tech world with news and interviews on the latest gadgets.
Looking forward to IFA16, the world’s biggest consumer tech show, in Berlin we decided to produce a spontaneous shoot at the NHow Hotel Berlin. Technology is a part of everyday life. How did we survive without it? These are the basic necessities of life.
Images by Gita Kurdpoor shot at the NHow Hotel on a sunny day by the Spree River.
A tech, style, and fashion accessory in the form of the elegant Micro Fiber Zip Tablet Case for iPad is functional as well as practical for carrying your favorite personal or professional hardware. Included with the ABS shell is a versatile 360 degree swivel for rotating a technical device or placing it in a upright kickstand position. Idea for a business setting, I used it on my travel to the beach and on train for casual reading and Internet surfing.
Filofax has made an affordable, smart tech accessory for those of us on the go.
Microfiber Zip Tablet Case (Grey), £38
For more information go to Filofax.com
As a run up to IFA Berlin keep checking for more tech articles.
Parrot Bebop Drone
We had a good time testing our first drone, The Bebop Drone by taking baby steps. Nothing too fancy or daring only a run in our local parks. It is easy to operate by downloading the app to a smartphone then connecting to the device with WIFI. Maneuverable with 4 three blade propellers enables a top horizontal speed of 37mph. The drone also has a fish eye -vertical stabilizing camera lens in front capable of live streaming. On a fully charged lithium battery the flight time can be 25 minutes.
The Bebop control interface is simple to use on screen, just a tilt to direct the movement of the drone or touch the button to bring it down safely.
Being the first time using a drone we decided not to push it to the limits but only do the basic ups and downs. Conclusion: A cool device, people noticed. It is for kid in us who liked electric trains.
Parrot Zik 3
Soft croc leather headphones, stylish, hi tech with sharp, brilliant sound, the Parrot Zik 3 headsets is collaboration between the brand and designer Philippe Starck. Offering many elements from touch sensitive controls on the ear pieces, noise cancellation, with a replaceable battery this is the most advanced headset I have used. Comfortable over the ears fit, wireless, mean a premium listening experience. I went into my own world, the headphones do all the work by adjusting based on the noise levels in the surrounding environment.
The design aspects attracted me to the brand a distinctive look that looked high quality, sleek without the overt branding of other headphones. The devices design style is the brand, making it more individualistic tech piece.
Downloadable App for smartphones for the control panel is available. Using the app allows the user to monitor sound levels and other features. Wireless with an optional cord for connecting to a device, a rechargeable battery Li-lon are included.
Recommendation: Yes, these headphones are worth the price if you are looking for best of the best.
For more information go to:Parrot.com
As in past posts, I review tech devices that are consumer friendly. I tend to run from appointment to appointment, place to place, so I favor small, portable devices that can deliver because depending on the situation I will either need pictures or videos.
I used the Canon Legria HFG30 HD camcorder during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The camcorder was easy to handle and flexible in my hand. I used the recorder for producing behind the scenes images of shows and impromptu interviews with designers. During Fashion Week I adapt a Guerilla Maker film style of handheld shooting because I never know what will happen or where is action is taking place.
The control buttons were conveniently placed for fast operation of all the features. There is a 3.5in OLED touch screen monitor for viewing with a touchscreen; there is an optional view finder. Equipped with Wi-Fi for fast uploads to social media outlets. I decided to review my footage from the SD Card (comes with two SD Card Slots) on my PC before channeling videos online.
On the top panel there is a camera and media playback button for recording and effects. Secondly, there is an Auto and Cinema button for filters and special effects. The digital zoom optics are smooth, the color accuracy is superior making it easy to capture good images. There are two inputs for microphone and headphone usage. For the series videographers there is a shoe on top for adding accessories.
I did find when turning on the camera the interface/software was a bit slow at the beginning. Secondly, for some reason viewing directly was not possible from the card. When I was transferring content from the SD-Card to the Mac there was an additional step of searching for images or videos using Photo.
I recommend the Canon Legria HFG30. I had a lot of fun with it. The price is a bit steep but worth it.
For more information go to Canon.
BMW Cruise M Bike Limited Edition
Just in time for the summer, BMW introduces its newest high performance mode of transportation, The Cruise M Bike Limited Edition. With a Long Beach Blue metallic color frame made from hydro aluminum with “bullneck” shape makes it looks like a single piece of metal, the bike is striking. The technical aspects are equally potent: 28 inch wheels, carbon seat post, 30 gear system, and hydraulic brakes mean a self-assured ride on any bike lane.
Each of the only 1500 produced BMW Cruise M Bike Limited Edition Bikes will come with its own specially made plaque.
Images from the Film Festival
Kicking off the Berlinale for 2016 with Jury Head Meryl Streep lead a light effervescent press conference introducing fellow jurors including: Actors Clive Owen and Lars Eidinger, Actress Alba Rohrwacher, Director Małgorzata Szumowska, Noted photographer Brigitte Lacombe, and esteemed film critic Nick James. The jury is made up of 4 women and 3 men this year reflecting what Streep said as “inclusion.” She gave her jurors instructions not to see any of the films or do research before arriving to Berlin as to make them very susceptible.
There are 22 films in the Competition Section this year:
24 Weeks, Alone in Berlin,Things to Come, Boris without Beatrice, Letters from War, Crosscurrent, Chi-Raq, A Dragon Arrives, Fire at Sea, and Genius, A Luulaby to the Sorrowful Mystery, Hedi, The Commune, The Patriarch, Midnight Special, News from the Planet Mars, Being 17, Saint Amour, Death in Sarajevo, Soy Nero, Zero Days, United States of Love.
I kept it simple today so I went to only 2 locations in one day during Berlin Fashion Week. First stop, Premium and then to Karl Lagerfeld Store for a book signing by Stacey Caldwel and Ajiri A. Aki in the Mitte Store.
The Age of Wearable Technology is upon us. REALLY?!
Wearable Technology, also known as wearables and wearable tech, is a mobile, non-stationary computing device fitted for the body providing communication, interaction, and information to the user. The two main categories of wearables are smartwatches and smart clothing. Wearable technology will affect our appearance as well as public interaction. The potential market for wearable technology is massive but questions remain: Is there a real need for wearable technology or is it just the latest tech hype looking for the next Big Thing? Are wearables a form of futurism that may never come? As of 2016 wearable tech feels more like concepts or unfinished blueprints rather than solid products. In order for wearable devices to become successful brands should consider combing the wearer’s needs, desires, social status, and usefulness instead of focusing on technical possibilities or the next killer application compatibility aspects. So far tech and style are still struggling to meet the challenges of personalisation, obtrusive size, wearer needs, and the strange user public interaction.
Reasons for Doubt
Technology is accepted for two reasons, first, they create a new need. Secondly, the performance of the device is overwhelmingly better than others. So far, neither of these criteria’s have been met in the wearable fields. Better, faster, and smaller are the ethics for devices.The continued miniaturization of technology means smart devices, in particular smartwatches, will get smaller but usage issues remains. Who can forget the image of Apple Watch user holding his device to his ear or Google Glasses required the wearer to blink or motion the head for a command a function. In public these interactions look embarrassing. Wearable Technology involving direct connection to the body, biological upgrading with technology of blending physical with digital will connect all. Man and machine interfacing as one. Motion detected clothing reacting to movements and gestures as well as data collection to make the wearer a more efficient person are new possibilities with intelligent fabrics that change colors and patterns are also on the horizon. Big tech companies are aspiring for looks integrating technology with clothing. Results have not been positive. Buyers appear hesitant, a lack of excitement. Their expectations and desires have not been met by what is currently available. Could wearable technology become the next Betamax or Segway? Time, design, style, and consumer taste will tell.
The authors of this article do not suffer from techophobia nor are they anti-wearable, just two people waiting for a compelling reason to buy something wearable.