At IFA Berlin there is always new devices and gadgets to find among the twenty-eight halls, some from big brands, some from start ups
More tech news and reviews coming soon.
More gadgets and devices from IFA Berlin’s 100th edition.
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IFA Berlin is celebrating 100 years in 2024. The trend is AI and sustainability, but I found some some products that will make impacts in their own way.
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IFA Berlin 2023 closed on September 5th. The annual technology event is a go to not only for seeing the latest gadgets but also for tech trends. The 99th edition shook off the post Covid malaise from the previous year. 130,000 square meters were sold out with brands and companies from around the world. Since 1924 IFA has been about the latest consumer devices.
This time around, the word “innovation” came across as diluted. Nothing on display in the 26 halls felt as a “must have” product or service. Instead, there were improvements and new features added to appliances, cameras inside of ovens, apps for operating washing machines, lights on vacuums,
while not Earth shattering, connivence comes to mind.
I missed the memo on these: Robot cleaners, solar panels and batteries were front and center. It’s startling the number of companies producing the same products. Some displayed side by side.
Many big consumer electronic names were missing this year the attention turned to lesser known if not obscure labels. A big takeaway from this IFA, Chinese OEM’s on a mission to becoming brands. In the past they were regulated to just making products, no longer, brand building is on the agenda at lower prices with products ranging from headphones to washing machines.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Many top brands at IFA had to have felt being the Belle of the Ball. It is one thing to copy but a level of disrespect to come to a hall with power point list and brazenly check over a product, even using a tape measure. Even placing a head and camera in an oven to make video of the interior. Maybe it is time for a professional code of conduct at trade fairs.Intellectual Property means nothing in some regions but for companies spending on research and development and IP is a valued asset.
I had the feeling “App overkill” is a reality for household appliances. Some features I found useless. Do consumers really need a control to operate an appliance while driving to work?
Brands have decided to champion sustainability by making some parts available to third parties for repair. Consumers grown used to a disposable technology may not be ready to wait for a repair man. Extending device life cycles was an interesting if not, contradictory topic. Technology sales are based on volume for profitability. How can companies marry less consumption with high sales?
IFA 2023 showed a consumer goods world in flux. Technology has winners and losers. Picking the winning side has gotten harder.
Nokia was once the undisputed king of the mobile phone market, with a market share of over 50% in 2008. However, the company was slow to adapt to the rise of smartphones, and by 2013, its market share had fallen to just 3%.
In 2014, Nokia sold its handset business to Microsoft. HMD Global, a Finnish company, then acquired the rights to use the Nokia brand on smartphones. HMD has since released a number of Nokia-branded smartphones, but they have yet to make a significant impact on buyers.
The G60 5G is Nokia’s mid price smartphone packed with premium qualities.
The specs are:
6.58 inch display
128 GB internal storage
Android Operating System
Front and rear cameras
Pros:
Cons:
As far as the user experience, fine, reactive and smooth. Downloading and using apps was instant without complications. Battery life is good. I was able to recharge quickly.
Camera quality is good not great in the auto mode, it took a few times to get the proper focus. In challenging light situations I needed patients. There is a pro-mode gives the user more control but takes too much time to configure for a fast shot. Portrait mode, take it on leave it.
Being a Nordic company, Nokia designed and produced the device with strong sustainability credentials. Many parts of the G60 are made from recycled parts. The packaging is all from recycled materials.
On the “cool factor” not so much of a reaction from friends and family. The ubiquitous rectangular candy bar shaped smartphone is a far cry from the Nokia’s glorious past design philosophy when models had strong character. Today the company is about functionality and sturdy devices over distinctive looks.
Overall, I think the Nokia G60 5G is a good phone for the price. It has a few drawbacks, but it also has a lot on the table. If you are looking for an affordable 5G phone with good sustainability credentials, then I would recommend considering this one.
IFA 2023, check out all our coverage and news from the big tech event here.
Once a the dominate name in mobile phones NOKIA has fallen far from it’s heyday. I have been using the Finnish brand’s G60 5G. Is the mid level device worth it? Find out in my coming review.
Stay Tuned for my IFA 2023 Coverage.
Recently I needed a new pair of earbuds. As a regular gym goer , time goes by faster, tuned into my own music. Another reason, I keep loosing my sound devices. This time my criteria was price, nothing over 50 euros, decent quality and hopefully long life. A journey to the local Media Market, telling the sales person, she recommended Redmi Buds 4 Lite from Xiaomi.
My take on the budget buds after a month usage, yes they are well worth the 20 euros price. Sound quality is fine, easy to pair with devices. The touch control functions are responsive, just tap on the bud.
The Redmi Buds do not have noise cancellation, which could be a bummer in a fitness studio, however, the sound quality and volume were limited but not a deal killer. The in-ear buds fit is snug, I had no problems with a piece falling out during two hour works. The connection was solid, never lost the Bluetooth signal.
Battery life has been reported a five-hour duration. The sound cues tell the user when to recharge in the small case. Also, the smartphone connection indicated the amount of charge on each bud.
I only used the microphone once, passable for connected conversations.
If a buyer thinks the low price means cheap, far from the truth, consider it twenty euros well spent.
Final Words: Redmi Buds 4 Lite are WORTH A BUY
For all the latest news and reviews from IFA 2023 starting August 30th, keep checking here.
Once upon time there was a major American department store named “Sears”. The Chicago based chain covered the retail landscape coast to coast from big cities to small towns offering everything from toys, clothes and household goods. What made Sears special? The once mighty retailer had Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances. Those two labels had a reputation of durability and quality. So well made, they came with life warranties and repairs. The process was easy, a buyer could take a tool back or call for a hassle free, at times no charge, service repair covered by the warranty. Modern appliance companies could take a cue from this vintage customer service template.
As the world shifts to pressing concerns and priorities, from AI, geo-political forces, energy shortages, supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns and Inflation Living Crisis, new models will have to develop.
Will the consumer appliances embrace the circular economy? What about Technologies Planned Obsolescence model? The Innovation Media Briefing for IFA 2023 came together to discuss upcoming trends in technology and consumer appliances. Will the consumer appliance brands embrace the circular economy? What about technologies Planned Obsolescence model? One of the major topics, developing a repairing and service economy for electronic goods. The EU is in the process of passing a right to repair laws, giving consumers a claim to repair electronic goods with access to spare parts.
As the consumers want more goods with a sustainable footprint, the buy now and throw away model is coming under scrutiny. When was the last time anyone had a display repaired? High cost and lack of repair professionals make it easier to buy another. Should I wait for a repairman when it would take me under fifteen minutes to work to electronic store? There are more barriers to fixing tech devices; companies control their supplies and services training.
Are buyers willing to spend money on the latest gadget during these times? Doubtful, in Berlin we face high energy bills this winter. More buyers are delaying unnecessary purchase in face of increasing basic living costs, keeping their old tech longer.
The technology industry after years of soaring above the clouds is dropping back to Earth in 2023, however, they are finding the world is a disparate place.
IFA 2023 starts August 31st.
What I liked about the LG Connected Home display at IFA. It presented style along with a distinctive comfort. Many tech brands show being connected as cold and sterile lacking warmth. LG decided on a more human feel. Designer Moooi gave the pieces splashes of prints and colors combined with statement elements.
Does this mean I will connect my home? The verdict is still out.
