Chinese brand Xiaomi has been called the “Apple of China”. Founded in 2010, the brand ranks as the one of the world’s top smartphone makers.
The Xiaomi Mi 10 5G launched in Feburary 2020. I tested the device in Berlin at Fonschmiede Centre, Friedrichshain. My first impressions, a polished statement for those looking for an Android alternative to Samsung.
Radu and Sven from Fonschmiede
Sharp Display
Tech Associates Radu Muncelean, Sven Birkhahn, and I went over the specs. The sharp display and cameras standout. The smooth body finish gives the Mi 10 a premium look.
At around $600, the bang for buck mobile gadget is worth it.
How did it fare with battery life? I cannot comment on this because I used the Mi 10 for a few hours. But I was assured by Radu and Sven the battery holds up well. Also, I checked the other tech review sights, the 4500 mAh pack got good marks. Additionally, the battery charges from 0 to 40% quickly.
Thanks to Fonschmiede and Vodafone Ring Centre Berlin.
As the world stays home these days, being connected is important. What do I think of these Jabra headphones? Hint: they have become my work horse devices. This Jabra headset delivers.
What did Steve think of the affordable Monolith Headphones?
The Monolith Headsets kit on display.
First, the Monolith M300 Planar Headphone set is sumptuously packaged in a deluxe black box that slides out to reveal a leather case with Velcro closure containing a heavy duty plastic headphone with long nylon cable, and metal adaptor. There are also different size plastic ear hooks included which offer adaptability to the user. However, they’re not so flexible. The pieces have a sense of breaking easily which could lead to the trouble of finding more durable replacements. Also included are no less than four sets of ear plugs for added comfort. Overall, the aesthetic is not exactly state of the art. Instead going more for endurance against wear and tear (despite the ear hooks) as opposed to a trend-setting look. The latter could have been easily achieved, perhaps Monolith is looking for an alternative appeal in the market.
The sound performance, ultimately the most important aspect, is where the M300 Planar is at its most competitive. Whether it is on the Laptop, Smart Phone or Amplifier. There is a definitively balanced, detailed and spacious stereo soundscape clarity which elevates it to the level of a practical choice at mid-price level and should ensure customer satisfaction. Compared to other headphones in its price range there is a conspicuously louder and more balanced sound, layered in its frequency while very harmonious on the ear. Overall, if its sound first and foremost the user is looking for, then the M300 Planar does well against its competitors.
Where the headsets falter is the heavy black nylon cable with bolt-like adaptor. This is reminiscent of an old electric guitar lead. It might not be everyone’s choice, particularly to youth buyers.
Part 2 of the Black and Paper exclusive interview with Tamy Ribeiro on the future of mobility.
I decided to shift the conversation from the challenges faced as a woman in the field, to ask her expert opinions on the future of mobility and our interaction with cars.
We met at the Shift Automotive Conference during IFA Berlin. How will Driverless Cars transform society? Will driving become more leisurely?
Personally owned cars sit idle 95% of the time. There are pain points for insurance, licensing, parking, etc. With self-driving mobility as a service, people will have transportation at their fingertips with zero friction points. This will transform many aspects of our lives in a positive way. Not to mention the fact that reduced time spent behind the wheel frees up a lot of time for entertainment, news, radio, reading a book or anything else a passenger might feel like doing when they don’t have to focus on the road. So in that way, driving will absolutely become more leisurely.
Tamy Ribeiro
Out With the Old
Cars will have to be designed differently.
Absolutely. When it comes to transportation as we know it today, there is huge potential to improve transportation with their current design. However, autonomous vehicles will bring new mobility services to the ecosystem, and in this case, new concepts will be developed.
The design of a car will no longer be about making life easy for the driver, but rather for the passenger. Which is what we’ll all become when we no longer have the need to have our hands on the steering wheel. That means extra focus can be given to comfort and entertainment, making being in the car a more leisure activity.
Driverless cars have been a part of Sci Fi Films. Reality seems trickier.
Autonomous driving is one of the hardest challenges mankind has ever faced. It is a moonshot that needs to be worked on every day. Waymo, for example, is a leader in the market and has over 16M kilometers of driving on public roads and 16B kilometers of simulation. Still, they prioritize launching in regions where they can drive safely. For those that are not aware of the complexity of driverless cars, cities like New York or Berlin would be the first choice when analysing market potential. However, Waymo is currently operating in Phoenix to learn, while adding more capability and geographical reach each month. It’ll be decades before self-driving cars are all over the roads.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, Amy Ribeiro is the Chief Mobility Evangelist and Head of Partnerships for Wunder Mobility.
A very, very, busy at IFA to say the least. Is the hype around 5G real? I attended the Key Note Address by Qualcomm Head Cristiano Amon turned my head around on the subject. The informative talk gave me a lot of insight. A new industrial revolution could be at hand.
The other keynote address by Huawei’s Richard Yu showed the direction the tech giant brand is headed. The new Kirin Chip is small and fast. Additionally, the debut of new phones in pleasing colours showed the company is moving to challenge Samsung and Apple in the lifestyle tech area. The Freebuds 3 are similar in look to other earbuds. I will report on them later. According to Mr. Yu they are vastly superior.
Stay Tuned for more coverage. A bit overwhelmed by IFA 2019
Samsung showed off its technical prowess by unveiling its highly anticipated Galaxy Foldable Smartphone. A welecome design change to the market in my opionion. I saw the new phone from a far. The display counter was chalked full of tech press waiting to get their hands on it.
The Korean Brand also showed off a closet steamer for clothing care. As a fashion editor, I gave it a thumbs up.
IFA Berlin started today. The important consumer electronics fair kicked off in the capital city with the theme “Innovation”. Over 1800 exhibitors display gadgets and devices of all shapes and sizes spread over 27 halls.
The overall news in the tech sector is not positive. Sales of certain consumer electronics products have declined due to economic headwinds and market saturation. Smartphones and heavy appliances purchases have slipped. On the positive front, small appliances and gaming machines saw a big increase consumer buys.
A Connected KitchenCurry for Lunch Tech Housecleaner IFA BERLIN
On the lighter side, while having lunch I met an Argentine start-up head developing pastry pods. Over the next few days I hope to stop by the stand to try the chocolate recipe. Mr. Cordoba promised me the ingredients are natural and tasty. Baking time takes 10 minutes in a small oven. I am curious . Stay tuned for more on this subject.
IFA 2019 is around the corner. Our coverage starts September 4 from Berlin. 27 halls filled with A.I.,Virtual Reality, Connectivity, Headsets, and Automotive devices. All the latest news and trends from world’s most important consumer electronics show.
The IFA Innovation Media Briefing 2019 showed the world of connectivity is expanding. The emphasis was centered on lifestyle. New home appliances with features aimed at making life easier were shown. I was reminded of those 1950’s television commercials showing new microwave ovens to housewives
A.I. or Artificial Intelligence moves forward. But the subject is so large it felt we are seeing pieces not the whole picture. The moral implications as well as social aspects were examined.
Korean brand LG launched a new washer machine with the meaning “durable” as the center piece. (See Video) After seeing the demonstration I can say, “That is Durable”. A second piece of added technology is the steam function, making clothing less wrinkled after washing.
The Medisana droid is the Star Wars is here now moment. A robot with multiple cameras, screen, and self movement made for senior care monitoring. Soon, R2D2 will soon be a household appliance.
WMF Fondue Grill
Small appliance goods producer WMF introduced a few products for relaxing. A herbal pot with light, a wine chiller, and a table top fondue set for 8.
Tech giant Samsung is rolling out Bixby. A smart-home voice service challenge to Google Assistant and Alexa.
Karcher Steamer
I hate moping floors. The Karcher floor steamer maybe my life saver. The brand still produces in it’s home country, Germany.
The Inside Info
The side conversations at IMB were interesting. They are opportunities for learning inside information and getting real opinions.
Media Gathering Berlin Dome
Google Assistant and Amazon now dominate the home leaving Microsoft and Apple in the dust.
Will American technology dominate in the future in the face of Trade Wars?
I was a bit surprised by the lack of mobile phone technology this year.
Stay Tuned for full coverage of IFA 2019 starting September 6th. We will have the latest news and trends.
Drones bring out the geek in me. As a kid who played with toy airplanes, drones are the high tech evolution. During IFA 2018 while on my to an appointment I happen to pass the DJI Drone stand. I stopped to get a video.
