More highlights from IFA 20.
Satisfyer App 
Satisfyer Toys
Eccov Bike 
Fauna Audio Glasses 
Mystery Vibe 
Deep One Audio 
Opening IFA 
Stay Tuned for the videos. We produced a few.
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IFA 20
Tag: tech news
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IFA 20
Tech is Back
“Tech is Back” the message to IFA 2020 tech attendees for a year in upheaval. As with everything in our present reality, Covid-19 hangs over events big and small. When the Messe Berlin team announced in May the plan to go ahead with the fair, I had of surprised reaction. This years Mobile World held in Barcelona got cancelled. Many industry brands pulled out due to health concerns.
Skepticism ran high, the continent is registering uptakes with infections, unplanned quarantines coming from certain countries. Planning normal travel can be difficult, but these days it goes beyond challenging. Attending my first big event in the “New Normal” gave me anxiety. I had many expectations. As days rolled closer to the opening of IFA on September 3rd. I waited for an email reading “Cancelled”. None came.
On the first day of the 3 day IFA 20, the difference from past years was apparent, fewer people. I walked in, no crowd, no hassle. I walked in the media and press hall furnished socially distanced low back chairs. Without exhibitor stands, these halls are massive. Event press conferences were a mix of digital and live presentations. Shift and NEXT Innovations held in The Cube was more intimate. The present trend in technology, not a hard guess. Connections and gadgets for making home stays more comfortable.
Highlights
Discovered higlights at IFA 20 Special edition.
The tech sector cannot fault the IFA team for trying this year. #Thisyearisdifferent. Trying to get back to “normal” is easer said than done.
Bob, a mini dishwasher requiring 3 liters of water for washing 4 place settings in 20 minutes while using UVA disinfecting technology. Designed by D.A.A.N. Tech from France.
Cardi B’s summer hit song “WAP” places female needs to an in the front and center. Women want to get their groove on. Satisfyer adult toys come in many shapes and sizes. Plus, they connect to Spotify.
Fitbit released new gear. I saw the watch but I have never used the brands device. Hopefully, in the future I will have a review.
The future of social interaction without being there, GoBe Robots has a solution, a smiling face while practicing social distancing. Mobile digital screens putting the user at the center of meetings.
Because we couldn’t have hands on experience with devices introduced digitally. I decided to skip writing about those gadgets.
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Tech August-Xiaomi Mi
A quick first impression of the Xiaomi 10 5G Smartphone. A high-end feel, sharp screen, lightweight Android power device packing great features. Stay Tuned for more details.
From the Vodafone Ring Centre and Fonschmiede Berlin.
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Tech August
Every August I feature the latest gadgets. Devices I like or want to have. This year is no different.
I am going out on a limb here. Mystery Vibe deliver simple or high tech pleasure.
Stay Tuned for the story.
Mystery Vibe Sex Toy
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The Future of Getting There
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.
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A Female Voice
At IFA 2019, I met Tamy Ribeiro at the Shift Automotive Conference. Tamy spoke on the subject of the changing automotive field. New technologies have risen challenging the classic models of transportation. As an expert on topics and trends shaping mobility today and in the future, her opinion is valued in an ever changing industry.
What peaked my curiosity was the fact a female executive talking about both technology and automotive subjects. Both industries are highly male driven with only a few women getting a corner office. After a chat, I asked if she could answer a few questions on the obstacles a woman faces in these worlds. Mrs. Ribeiro said, “Yes”.
The Interview-Part One
Women are speaking out in other fields, has the tech area been slow to respond?
I think this is a very broad issue, and sexism is prevalent in almost every industry on the planet. It’s common knowledge the tech industry has been dominated by men essentially since its inception. It does bother me to know companies like Amazon rarely offer information on how female employees are treated at the workplace or how many are in leadership positions. I believe that transparency is the first step towards a fairer future.
Nevertheless, progress is being made. It’s my job to spread awareness for the tech company I work for. I’ve made a career for myself in a male-dominated industry. I’d love to see more women doing the same in the future, and it’s going to take a team effort for us to get there!
A Presence in 2 Fields
Why did you choose both tech and automotive as a career field?
My journey into mobility was not the traditional path. First, I started my career in travel and then after over a decade of work I had a mid-life crisis and I decided that it was the best time to start my life over again by moving to Germany to raise my kids. I joined Wunder in 2016 to do a one-month internship and conclude a course without expecting a long-term contract – I was actually enjoying going back to this student life. I planned to keep studying after concluding it.
However, I fell in love with the company and its mission. Moreover, I saw a great opportunity to learn by doing. I had the support of my leadership team to gain the experience and skill sets I desired. Luckily, I had the chance to grow with the company and see it expand its portfolio and presence worldwide. Both industries are challenging for women, but to be honest, that’s why I loved it since day one.
Advice
What advice would you share with a woman starting in this field?
Always believe in yourself, even when it seems impossible. You are more capable than people would have you think. Your opinions are valid, and you are just as smart and knowledgeable as the other men on the team. Don’t let their bravado fool you! Often it’s the ones who talk the loudest who know the least. Don’t be afraid to speak up and have your voice heard.
Do you get asked certain “woman” questions?
If by “woman” questions you mean things relating to my appearance or how I could possibly juggle all my work with motherhood, I’ve been fortunate – most people just leave me alone about that. When and if it happens, I think them so insignificant and I feel so embarrassed for the person that I don’t waste my time feeling bad, I feel sorry. Instead of putting myself in the victim position, I feel privileged for having more clarity and access to information than the person who is asking me the question.
Sexism is Real
Sexism, how would you explain the experiences?
I consider myself strong and well prepared to deal with sexism. One of the reasons is because tough challenges are key to my personal motivation. There is nothing more rewarding than listening to a sexist comment and proving with numbers and facts that the person is wrong afterwards. I’m not saying that it doesn’t affect me – I had several moments in which I smiled at the situation then turned to the next page and kept working. But afterwards, I had to hide myself to get my breath back.
However, when you start seeing it as a challenge to overcome and you end up accomplishing what you had in mind, no words are necessary. Nothing makes me prouder as a woman than looking back and seeing how many sexist voices I could shut up by simply continuing to achieve my goals – I truly believe that this is the most effective way to make them notice their failures and reconsider their way of thinking.
Melissa Myer and Meg Whitman made it to the top of big tech companies. Can they be used as examples of the tech field being diverse?
Melissa Myer and Meg Whitmann are both hard-working, highly intelligent women who deserve to be in the positions they’re in. Nevertheless, I would be careful of using them as “examples”, seeing as how they’re both white women from privileged backgrounds. The tech field is not diverse – to say anything to the contrary would be sort of ridiculous. Women make up 59% of the total workforce, but they only make 30% of the workforce in tech companies. To make matters worse, of the 41 Fortune 500 tech companies, only five of them have a female CEO. So while I applaud Melissa and Meg for their contribution to the industry, I don’t think they signify diversity in tech.
Tamy Ribeiro is Chief Mobility Evangelist & Head of Partnerships for Wunder Mobility based in Hamburg, Germany
Part 2 of the interview Coming Soon
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.
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 Berlin continues until Sept .
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IFA 2019 Coming Soon
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.
Apple has entered the content business in the form of a new streaming service. Apple’s TV+ is the Cupertino’s answer to household name “Netflix”. No one can accuse the tech giant of being cheap. With an open check book, Tim Cook went to Hollywood to get the biggest names in show business. Spielberg, Oprah, Jennifer Anniston, J.J. Abrams to name a few were onstage introducing new shows.
Better late than never but there are many entrenched players. HBO/AT&T has a head-start while super content owner Disney has brand titles to insure a competitive advantage for its soon to be launched service. What type of content chances will the service take? Getting the attention of Millennial Apple users may prove difficult. These viewers tune into edgier programs by YouTubers. Let’s face facts, Apple is not the same tech juggernaut it was 3 years ago. Sales of iPhones have slowed. Currently, there are no buzz worthy products in the pipeline.
Money Does Not Always Buy The Best
The film business has been luring deep pockets investors with stars in their eyes for decades. Many came in with enthusiasm, many left humbled. Kennedy patriarch and father of a President, Joseph, at RKO Radio Pictures sold his interest in the always unstable studio in the early 1930’s. Insurance giant Transamerica became the parent company of United Artists only to sell after the “Heaven’s Gate” crash. Coca Cola’s tumultuous seven year ownership of Columbia Pictures resulted in “Ishtar”. Matsushita’s foray with Universal made a case study of corporate culture clashes leading up to the “Waterworld” nightmare. Apple’s advantage is its relationships to talent but it could take time to generate a program on the cultural level of “Game of Thrones”.
My concern, could Apple loose its creative edge to focus on a business segment that can be fickle. Merging, talent, software, and hardware is not an easy feat. Sony has been trying for 30 years with little to show.
Success in a crowded field will be built around the company’s $250 billion in the bank. This could be good or bad. Time will tell.
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Small but GREAT
A Good Camera
As a person who is not a photographer but I take pictures at many events like fashion weeks, film festivals, and trade shows. I attended Pitti Uomo and Milan Fashion Week Men recently. Two events where I needed to make a lot of images and videos.
I wanted an SLR camera with many capabilities: external mic, able to shoot in all lighting conditions. Imagine my surprise seeing a point and shoot in the mail.
For YouTube
I got the SX740 HS point and shoot from Canon for a test. At first I was not sure if the camera would fit my needs. I wanted to send it back. To my surprise, the little image maker device worked well, easy to use, and convenient. 4K video feature is excellent, fantastic picture quality. I would say any YouTubber content producer would be happy to have this as their main production camera. It captures details. The flip 3.0” LCD screen is good for selfie lovers. I placed the camera on a tripod, then flipped up the screen for one man production.
The sound quality was my biggest concern because of the loud background noises. Normally I use an external microphone during interviews and commentaries. I made my first video commentary from Pitti Uomo using the Canon SX740 HS The sound quality was fine, good for YouTube and other social media channels.
I liked the portable aspect of the camera. I just popped the camera in and out of my jacket pocket at a moments notice. As I said, I am far from a professional photographer. My strategy for taking pictures, point a shoot, hope I get the right light and composition. I was not afraid to play with the camera control dial. I switched form one setting to another, experimenting with speed and opening.
Shooting in close quarter, I did not use the 40x optical zoom but not as much as I would have liked. I shot a few model on the runway pics without problems.
I did not use the built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features that enable connection to mobile devices. I do not carry a smartphone.
Overall
Canon has built a powerful camera in a small package. I am not just saying that. Check out other reviews as well.