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GOOGLE – Need a better night’s sleep? Meet the new Nest Hub

GOOGLE – Need a better night’s sleep? Meet the new Nest Hub

A little over two years ago, I was part of the team that created Nest Hub, Google’s first smart display. Since then, we’ve been exploring ways to make these devices even more helpful. We know people already come to Google for information and tools to help them live healthier, happier lives, and we’ve specifically noticed more and more questions about sleep, exercise and health. So we decided to bring these kinds of solutions to our second-generation Nest Hub, while also improving what people already love about it.

Ashton Udall
Product Manager, Google Nest

Published Mar 16, 2021

The Nest Hub you love, but better

The new Nest Hub’s speaker is based on the same audio technology as Nest Audio and has 50 percent more bass than the original Hub. Fill any room with music, podcasts or audiobooks from services like YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora — or enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies with a subscription from providers like Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube TV. With Quick Gestures, you can pause or play content at any time by tapping the air in front of your display.

Nest Hub has all the smarts and helpfulness of Google Assistant. And similar to Nest Mini and Nest Audio, it now comes with a dedicated on-device machine learning chip which moves some Assistant experiences from our data centers directly onto the device, so responses to common commands become faster over time (U.S. only).

The new Nest Hub also shows all your compatible connected devices in one place. And with a built-in Thread radio, Nest Hub will work with the new connectivity standard being created by the Project Connected Home over IP working group, making it even simpler to control your connected home.

New sleep features for better rest

The Nest Hub has always helped you tackle the day; now, it can help you rest well at night. Many of us don’t get enough sleep, which comes with some real risks.

As a father of two young kids, I’m especially passionate about sleep. I know I’m much more able to show up and connect with my family and the people in my life after a healthy amount of rest. In recent years, sleep trackers have become a popular solution. But we wanted to offer an alternative way for people who may not want to wear something to bed to understand their sleep.

We knew people felt comfortable with Nest Hub at their bedsides thanks to its camera-free design, so we went to work. The result is Sleep Sensing, an opt-in feature to help you understand and improve your sleep:

Understand your sleep: Sleep Sensing uses Motion Sense (powered by Soli low-energy radar technology) to analyze how the person closest to the display is sleeping, based on their movement and breathing — all without a camera or wearable. Sleep Sensing can also detect sleep disturbances like coughing and snoring or the light and temperature changes in the room with Nest Hub’s built-in microphones and ambient light and temperature sensors, so you can better understand what’s impacting your sleep.

Every morning you’ll receive a personalized sleep summary on your display, or you can view your sleep data anytime on the Nest Hub by asking, “Hey Google, how did I sleep?” Sleep Sensing can also connect to your Google Fit app on Android and iOS devices, so you can see your sleep summary alongside your other health and wellness information.

Get help for better sleep: Understanding your sleep is an important first step, but you may still have questions about what you can do to get better sleep. Sleep Sensing provides tailored bedtime schedules and personalized suggestions developed by a team of sleep scientists and using guidance from organizations like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Compiled after several nights of analysis, these suggestions point out notable aspects of your sleep, educate you on why they’re important and provide suggestions to improve.

Built with your privacy in mind: Sleep Sensing is completely optional with privacy safeguards in place so you’re in control: You choose if you want to enable it and there’s a visual indicator on the display to let you know when it’s on. Motion Sense only detects motion, not specific bodies or faces, and your coughing and snoring audio data is only processed on the device — it isn’t sent to Google servers. You have multiple controls to disable Sleep Sensing features, including a hardware switch that physically disables the microphone. You can review or delete your sleep data at any time, and consistent with our privacy commitments, it isn’t used for personalized ads.

Sleep Sensing on the second-gen Nest Hub is available as a free preview until next year. We’ll also be looking for ways to work with Fitbit’s sleep-tracking features in the future.

Even if you don’t enable Sleep Sensing, you can still fall asleep and wake up easier with Nest Hub. The display dims to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly, and the “Your evening” page helps you wind down at night with relaxing sounds. When it’s time to wake up, Nest Hub’s Sunrise Alarm gradually brightens the display and increases the alarm volume. If you need a few more ZZZs, use Motion Sense to wave your hand and snooze the alarm.

Sustainable design that matches any room

The new Nest Hub comes in a variety of colors to complement any room in the house: Chalk, Charcoal, Sand and the new Mist. It features an edgeless glass display that’s easy to clean and functions as a beautiful digital photo frame. And continuing our commitment to sustainability, Nest Hub is designed with recycled materials with its plastic mechanical parts containing 54 percent recycled post-consumer plastic.

The second-generation Nest Hub is $99.99 USD. It can be preordered online in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France and Australia at the Google Store and other retailers starting today.

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LEVEL TOUCH – SMART LOCK

LEVEL TOUCH – SMART LOCK

It does all the things you expect from a smart lock — except look like one. Level’s new Touch lock hides all the necessary technology inside a traditional lock footprint, letting it blend seamlessly into any decor. As the name suggests, it can open with just a touch, as well as with a key card, traditional physical key, or via an app. HomeKit integration allows for remote operation and control, and simple installation instructions mean it can be set up using nothing more than a simple screwdriver.

Smart lock company Level, which made its name with the Level Bolt that fits most doors and doesn’t look like a smart lock, has added a new device to its lineup that takes the existing benefits of the Bolt and adds a key new one: capacitive touch. Despite that addition, the Level Touch still doesn’t resemble a smart lock. There’s no obvious place you need to touch, nor is there a keypad or other tell-tale sign this is no ordinary lock — once set up, users just touch a fingertip to the edge of the lock to unlock or lock it. The lock uses low energy Bluetooth to confirm that the person touching it also has an authenticated smartphone on their person.

The Level Touch also supports all of the other access methods you’d expect from a smart lock, including hotel-style programmable access cards, a smartphone app (Android or iOS), geo-fencing, and the ability to share timed access with people remotely. It’s that deep feature set, along with the understated design that offers no clues to the smartness contained within to the casual observer that goes some way to justifying the hefty price tag of $329.

That might be hard to stomach if you live alone in an apartment block, but could seem like decent value if you’ve got a big family, frequent visitors, or want to use the Level Touch for an Airbnb property.

SECRETLY SMART — Fingerprint support at this sort of price point is increasingly common in smart locks, but Level’s job of hiding its smartness is its unique selling point. Having a smart lock that makes it clear to anyone who cares to look that it’s a smart lock makes it more likely someone will try to meddle with it. By looking like a regular lock, the Level Touch is almost certainly more secure. To help it match your existing fixtures the smart lock is available in chrome, brass, nickel, or black.

Power comes from a CR2 battery that lives in the deadbolt, and that Level reckons ought to last a year between changes. You’ll be warned well in advance of the battery dying, and if it does, there’s always the option to go old school and, you know, use a physical key in the lock. Installation shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, and though you’ll likely be able to do it yourself, Level had partnered with a company called HelloTech that’ll assist for a fee if necessary.

In addition to geofencing that’ll trigger the lock when you or family members are a certain distance away, there’s also the option to set an auto-lock function after a pre-determined delay. The only problem with that is there’s no way of telling if the door’s accidentally been left ajar. Depending on your abode and housemates / family, that may not be a problem. Despite having no visible spring or other mechanism to thank / blame, for instance, my apartment’s door closes by itself if left to its own devices. I suspect it’s hung ever so slightly skew and gravity is to thank.

AT LEAST SOMEONE LOVES SIRI Our other concern with Level’s Touch (and the Bolt that preceded it, for that matter) is that though it offers support for voice commands and scheduled actions, these features are only supported for Apple’s HomeKit smart home platform, not for Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. Most functionality is available via the Android app, but with the smart home platform market having settled on the three aforementioned purveyors, it’s frustrating that only Apple’s is supported.

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AXIS COMMUNICATION – How IP intercoms can enhance video surveillance systems

How IP intercoms can enhance video surveillance systems

 |  | Customer attitudes and demands have continued to shape the security sector, driving ongoing market and industry changes. As a result, new use cases have emerged for security and safety, related to building access, communication and control across a variety of sectors. These have set the scene for security professionals to rethink how intercom technology is being used, taking advantage of advanced capabilities to help intelligently support end users and system owners. This would span automated monitoring and remote management to convenient, safe and secure ways to grant access to premises.

Smart intercoms deliver value

IP intercoms continue to grow in popularity, due to the increased functionality they support. This is true for all segments of the market, from advanced enterprise level security systems to private residential properties. Integrating technology into IP intercoms ensures that organizations have the flexibility to incorporate the functions they need for their business, especially when it comes to remote access.

Contactless methods (for example, QR codes or Bluetooth) are becoming more popular due to concerns around health and hygiene. These also simplify operations by allowing the distribution of temporary access rights digitally, in contrast to manually handling physical keys or access cards, which can be time consuming and costly for security personnel.

Implementing intelligent video or audio analytics capabilities can further support security teams by detecting incidents and triggering actions. For example, if an unauthorized person enters a restricted area or loud voices (or even gun shots) are detected, the intercom can automatically alert security staff, start a video recording and play a deterring message.

When integrated with an access control system, a similar response can be triggered when someone has been denied access. This can be done directly from the intercom, provided it has a built-in camera. If additional identity verification is needed (for example, if an access card has been stolen and the individual is attempting to use it), then this can be done by visual inspection.

Improving efficiency and security for both residential and commercial premises

Security managers are tasked with monitoring multiple entrances to a premise and controlling entry, regardless of the type of property. This can be difficult to achieve manually, but IP intercoms allow security teams to manage visitors and maintain safety from a centralized location, which may even be off-premise.

For residential properties, IP intercoms can offer improved convenience through remote unlocking of doors for known visitors, such as couriers. Calls from visitors can be received on a dedicated answering unit in an apartment, on a tablet when sitting in the sofa or on your mobile device when at work, whatever is most convenient at the time.

It’s a similar scenario in professional environments, where it can also be integrated with the corporate phone system and answered on the normal reception phone, or even in the video management system on the screens in the security office.

Thinking beyond traditional applications

Outside of the more common door access role, organizations are becoming more aware of the benefits of IP intercoms. New cases are arising in a number of sectors, which require technology to support staff in remote monitoring and communication.

In the healthcare sector, patient monitoring can be challenging from both a staffing and personal safety point of view. This is especially true for busy medical facilities, where multiple patients may require intensive care by a reduced number of staff. IP intercoms can support medical professionals by allowing them to reliably monitor and communicate with more patients, using high-res imaging and bi-directional audio capabilities. In addition, this type of technology helps reduce patient contact, thereby mitigating exposure to infectious diseases and helping to conserve on personal protective equipment (PPE).

This remote approach is also seen in other sectors. For retailers, deliveries are always coming and going. Controlling building access can be time-consuming and inefficient for store staff, IP intercoms allow them to control access for visitors – especially delivery drivers needing to access loading bays – without interfering with or distracting from other tasks taking place during the working day.

In recent times, many organizations have changed their routines when it comes to working remotely or on-site. For schools, offices and industrial companies, keeping track of who is entering premises is more important than ever, when it comes to protecting assets and people, but also from a liability perspective. An intercom can allow organizations to handle and manage visitor access and can be an important tool for tracking activities and events should an incident occur.

Investing in IP intercom solutions yields rewards

As security and safety demands change, organizations are continuing to look for technology solutions which are intelligent and integrated. IP intercoms offer many functionalities, especially when incorporated with video surveillance, access control and audio capabilities. The flexibility that these systems offer allow organizations to use them in a way that suits their needs and specific use cases – even outside of traditional applications. Ultimately, implementing IP intercoms will help support different types of staff in a number of scenarios, allowing them to perform at a higher standard, while improving efficiencies.

Want to find out more about Axis’ network intercoms solutions?

Click here

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FLIR Systems Expands Quasar Visible Security Camera Offering with Premium Mini-Dome and Bullet Series

FLIR Systems Expands Quasar Visible Security Camera Offering with Premium Mini-Dome and Bullet Series

FLIR Systems today announced the availability of two premium visible-camera options as part of its full lineup of Quasar™ security cameras. Designed for use in demanding indoor and outdoor environments, the new FLIR Quasar Premium Mini-Dome and Quasar Premium Bullet deliver the forensic image quality, tight integration, and advanced cybersecurity features required for critical infrastructure sites, remote facilities, or large areas requiring close monitoring.

The new Quasar Premium lineup offers the highest quality video surveillance in the product family, delivering optimal performance for forensic review. The FLIR Quasar Premium Mini-Dome is available with 5MP HD or 4K Ultra-HD resolutions and the FLIR Quasar Premium Bullet series is available with 4MP Quad HD and 4K Ultra-HD resolutions, coupled with a variety of lens options for extended range performance for perimeter security. Both cameras have an SD-card for on-edge recording and redundancy, while also meeting the H.265 video compression standard to minimize network bandwidth and storage space.

Discreet Monitoring with FLIR Quasar Premium Mini-Dome Series

The versatile FLIR Quasar Premium Mini-Dome series is IP66 rated for dust and waterproof protection and can be ceiling- or wall-mounted in minutes. In no-light conditions, the unit can provide up to 40 meters of visibility via on-board near-infrared illumination. Improved three-shutter wide dynamic range (WDR) (130db) offers optimal light balance in scenarios with both light and dark spots. The camera has an IK10 vandal-proof rating and is available with an optional smoke bubble accessory used to obscure camera position.

FLIR Quasar Premium Bullet Series Provides Longer Range in Rugged Conditions

The FLIR Quasar™ Premium Bullet series is also IK10 vandal-proof and designed to be permanently installed, typically pole-mounted, for video surveillance. It covers up to 60 meters of visibility via on-board near-infrared Illumination and also features three-shutter WDR (130db).  The camera is IP67 rated for dustproof and waterproof protection, while offering extended operating temperature range from -40 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for use in extreme conditions.

Improved Security Without Sacrificing Flexibility

Similar to other Quasar products, the Quasar Premium Bullet and Premium Mini-Dome editions are National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant and include industry standard security protocols and additional cybersecurity enhancements. These features include unique protection from log-in attacks, hardware and software authentication, and encrypted communication to help keep facilities safe from cyber threats. They maintain open platform compatibility and can be used with a large variety of third-party VMS solutions or FLIR United VMS. They also include bi-directional audio and operator control of input/output devices for remote monitoring and responding to events.

To further lower the cost of ownership and ease of installation, the cameras include the FLIR accessory and mounting ecosystem. The cameras support the 1G network for better streaming and reduced bandwidth issues. Both cameras also include customized video flow options for live and recorded video, including frames-per-second output adjustment and encoding for extra streams.

The Quasar Premium Bullet and Quasar Premium Dome editions are available for purchase globally from FLIR or authorized distributors. Visit www.flir.com/visible-security for more details about the new series along with the complete lineup of FLIR visible surveillance and perimeter intrusion detection products.

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Intelligent Smart Home systems for the building owners of tomorrow, networked by specialist partners

Intelligent Smart Home systems for the building owners of tomorrow, networked by specialist partners

Are you looking to enter the Smart Home market and are you seeking up-to-date solutions that can be easily adapted to your customers’ individual requirements? Gira Smart Home products can fulfil these requirements. Smart home networking offers the electrical trade the opportunity to make its customers’ households fit for the future, while at the same time opening up new customer potential.

Gira Smart Home boasts the following features:

Can be personalised

Can be extended at a later date

Available as a wireless system or as a cable-connected KNX solution

Solutions available for new and old buildings

Professional system integrators offer installation support

Gira Smart Home will increase your sales. Reap the benefits of this future-proof system and successfully enter a lucrative growth market.

The future is smart: Intelligent Smart Home systems from Gira are revolutionising building technology

With Gira Smart Home products the desire for a networked home can be easily fulfilled. Whether your customers are planning a new build or living in an old building: Both wired and wireless solutions can be used to combine lighting, heating, blinds and audio control in a single system in almost any property. Two options are available for networking rooms:

The Gira eNet SMART HOME system

A stable, reliable and secure wireless system for existing and new buildings

Blinds, lighting, heating and timers can be individually configured, together with if-then rules

Future-proof wireless system based on manufacturer-independent industry standard

The Gira KNX system

Enables networking in accordance with the KNX standard for building automation

Flexible extension and an almost endless range of programming possibilities

Integrates, among other things, blinds, lighting, heating, door intercoms, cameras, alarm and audio systems and systems for sanitary, kitchen and entertainment areas

www.gira.com
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Integrated Systems Europe
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MIKE BLACKMAN: ISE REMAINS SCHEDULED FOR 1-4 JUNE

MIKE BLACKMAN: ISE REMAINS SCHEDULED FOR 1-4 JUNE

ISE MD Mike Blackman responds to the announcement by AVIXA that the InfoComm 2021 show is set to take place in Orlando in October 2021.

Dear ISE community,

Following today’s announcement that the InfoComm 2021 show will now take place in Orlando in October 2021, we want to confirm that Integrated Systems Europe, remains scheduled to open live and online on 1-4 June 2021 in its new home at the Fira Barcelona.

Whilst we recognise there continue to be challenges ahead, we are in touch with government and the relevant health authorities to constantly monitor the situation. None of us can predict how the situation will look in June, but we are hopeful that by the second quarter of 2021 we will see the world return to a new ‘normal’ with vaccines being rapidly delivered in many countries around the world.

We understand our exhibitors and partners need to make commitments that will incur cost and we do not wish to burden them unnecessarily. For this reason, if circumstances impact our ability to host an in-person event and we are forced to cancel this element of ISE, we will make this decision by 1 March.

With the backdrop of the global pandemic, our priority in recent months has been devising the means to deliver a safe and secure event for all exhibitors and visitors and we have been working closely with the City of Barcelona, the venue and relevant authorities.

In early January, Fira de Barcelona received the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, an internationally recognised endorsement from the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC), developed in collaboration with the specialist risk management consultancy Aon and the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

ISE has also published A Guide to Safe Visiting, outlining the safe practice protocols that have been put in place with the Fira Gran Vía to ensure that the visitor experience is safe and secure. The guide can be located here.

Looking ahead to June, we can confirm that today, over 37,000 sqm of space is signed up with just under 700 exhibitors confirmed and new companies continuing to book their place on the floorplan.

Next week sees online visitor registration open, coming at a time when we realise the industry is keen to ‘get back to work’ in the second half of the year. Feedback from our recent customer research shows that the industry is looking forward to meeting as soon as the situation allows and we are currently updating the research to measure current sentiment amongst both our exhibitors and visitors.

In a time where many of our industry colleagues are suffering financially or have lost their jobs or businesses, we at ISE are striving to do everything we can to contribute to the industry getting back on its feet.

I would personally like to thank all our customers, partners and colleagues within the industry which we serve and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Thank you,

Mike Blackman
Managing Director
Integrated Systems Europe

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How hard should it be to design a surveillance system?
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How hard should it be to design a surveillance system?

How hard should it be to design a surveillance system?

System integrators and designers are creating complete network surveillance solutions, using only Axis hardware and software. It’s an approach that improves efficiency and reliability in the design stage, as well as simplifying purchasing and installation.

A surveillance solution from Axis can be anything from a simple six camera set-up to a multi-site operation with hundreds of cameras and accessories. Whether it’s a small system or a big one, the designers are likely to be individuals with strong technical knowledge. And more often than not, they just want their tools to do their job as efficiently as possible.

As Business Development Manager at Axis, Mitch Mershon spends enough time with system integrators and designers to have a good idea of what they want. Most of the time it’s fairly straightforward: to be able to get on with their job.

“More experienced system integrators have really latched on to AXIS Site Designer, because it makes them more efficient. Instead of moving from website to website, finding the right equipment and checking their compatibility, they can get everything from one place – cameras, software, recorders, accessories, everything. For a lot of people, it means that they can design two sites a day when previously they might only have done one.”

Validated solutions

This efficiency comes, in part, from reliability. The combinations that can be put together on AXIS Site Designer have all been tested and validated to make sure that they work together. That means that system integrators don’t have to waste time checking compatibility, or even worse, purchasing unsuitable components.

“Even the most experienced system integrators will occasionally use a new product for the first time,” Mitch says. “AXIS Site Designer’s great in those situations because it removes any doubts about whether that product will work alongside the rest of the software and hardware. Even something as simple as a mount for a camera – AXIS Site Designer tells you if they’re going to fit together and takes any guesswork out of the equation.”

One device, one license…that’s all you need to know

At the heart of any good surveillance system you’ll find reliable video management software (VMS). AXIS Companion and AXIS Camera Station are easy-to-operate VMS options that bring together surveillance systems and get the most out of every component. One of the things that makes these VMS platforms so straightforward throughout the design, installation and operation stages, is their licensing structure.

“From a licensing perspective, we’ve made it just about as simple as it’s possible to make it,” explains Mitch. “You need one license per device, and that’s really all you need to know. We don’t use tiered pricing to limit functionality, so from day one, your license gets you access to everything. There’s no recurring fees or upgrade fees – our licenses are perpetual and will stay in place for as long as your system keeps going. The end-users appreciate having access to every function and application like this, and it definitely makes life a lot easier for site designers.”

Gather and share all information in one place

Devising an end-to-end solution in this way also makes it easy to produce all the documentation that system integrators need. On the customer side, AXIS Site Designer auto-generates everything from quotes to maps to bandwidth storage estimates. These can be important for the customer once their system is installed, but they can also be great sales tools, helping potential customers to visualize the coverage their new system will provide.

AXIS Site Designer’s documentation also makes purchasing more efficient. It automatically creates a bill of materials that can be exported and sent to the distributor, cutting out a process where errors might otherwise take place.

“It might sound like a small thing,” Mitch explains, “but purchasing can be a pain. If you have to produce a bill of materials with a long list of products, all with long product names, it’s really easy to make a few typing mistakes along the way. AXIS Site Designer just takes that task out of your hands, so the whole purchasing process becomes a lot smoother.”

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LG WATER heater delivers ultra efficient eco friendly performance with award Winning Design

LG WATER HEATER DELIVERS ULTRA EFFICIENT, ECO-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE WITH AWARD-WINNING DESIGN

Inverter Compressor Boosts Heating Performance and Lowers Energy Consumption While Smart Features Deliver Enhanced Convenience

SEOUL, Dec, 2020 — LG Electronics (LG) will be presenting its advanced, energy-saving Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater at CES® 2021. A CES Innovation Award-winner, the new model is powered by LG’s renowned DUAL Inverter Compressor, which promotes fast and effective water heating, all the while delivering lower electricity consumption and running costs. What’s more, the highly efficient and durable smart appliance is compatible with the LG ThinQ™ app for convenient control from inside or outside the home.

LG’s DUAL Inverter Compressor heats water using condensation heat generated in the process of compressing and circulating refrigerant. The result is a water heater that uses up to 74 percent less energy to operate annually than a conventional electric water heater.1 The new product will be available in 200-liter and 270-liter capacity versions, featuring impressive energy efficiency ratings of A+ and A++, respectively.2 What’s more, the highly durable compressor and water tank are covered by a 10-year warranty. LG’s efficient system utilizes heat from the air to further reduce electricity usage, while its two internal heat sources – heat pump and heater – ensure that users will never have to go without hot water even in times of heavy use.

The smart Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater is Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing it to work seamlessly with LG’s mobile ThinQ app, available on both Android and iOS devices.3 With the app, home

owners can manage and monitor the system remotely, receive regular maintenance reminders and diagnose certain issues without having to call customer service. Users can also check the water temperature in real-time and use the scheduling function to set the time and duration of operation.

“The new LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater reflects our commitment to offering high- performance products that have less impact on household energy expenses and on the planet,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to develop environmentally-responsible solutions that make daily life more comfortable for consumers worldwide.”

A winner of every major product design award – iF Design, Red Dot, IDEA – this product has a sleek, modern style in line with LG’s latest premium home appliances and is easy to install as well. The LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater will be available in markets throughout Europe and North America beginning in the first quarter of 2021 and will be on display in LG’s CES 2021 virtual exhibition booth starting January 11.

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1 Based on internal simulation data of daily electricity consumption under EU-average climate conditions, annual electricity consumption was 74 percent lower with the 270-liter LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater when compared to a C-class general electric water heater.

2 Energy efficiency was tested in a non-heated space at 15 degrees Celsius according to EN16147 with load profile L.

3 LG ThinQ app compatibility not available in all markets.

 

www.lg.com

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Samsung MicroLED Opens a New Era of Breathtaking Picture Quality and Design

Samsung MicroLED Opens a New Era of Breathtaking Picture Quality and Design

The next generation of television display technology is ready for the home out of the box with the unveil of Samsung’s 110’’ MicroLED in Korea

Samsung Electronics announced the launch and pre-sale of the groundbreaking 110” Samsung MicroLED beginning today in Korea. Unlike any other displays currently available on the market, Samsung MicroLED delivers astonishing color vibrancy and brightness with self-emissive LED display technology.

In 2018, Samsung’s first MicroLED display was introduced in the form of “The Wall”— a system of configurable modules that could be installed professionally. With the new 110” MicroLED, Samsung is delivering the MicroLED experience in a traditional TV form for the first time. Unlike its modular counterpart, installation and calibration is streamlined since the new 110” MicroLED model is prefabricated — offering stunning video, audio, and smart capabilities out of the box.

In the past year, consumer interest and demand for large screen TVs has continued to grow rapidly. With the launch of the 110’’ MicroLED, Samsung offers a breathtaking visual experience on an ultra-large next-generation TV display.

“As consumers rely on their televisions for more functions than ever, we are incredibly excited to bring the 110” MicroLED to the commercial market,” said Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung MicroLED is going to redefine what premium at-home experiences mean for consumers around the world.

Innovative Engineering Delivers Next-Level Picture Quality

Ultra-large screen enthusiasts want excellent picture quality with vibrant colors and stunning resolution. With Samsung’s latest engineering innovations, the 110’’ MicroLED uses micrometer-sized LED lights to eliminate the backlight and color filters utilized in conventional displays. Instead, it is self-illuminating—producing light and color from its own pixel structures. It expresses 100% of the DCI and Adobe RGB color gamut, and accurately delivers wide color gamut images taken with high-end DSLR cameras. This results in stunning, lifelike colors and accurate brightness from the display’s 4K resolution and 8 million pixels.

The 110’’ MicroLED also has a processor powerful enough to live up to its display capabilities. Its all-new Micro AI Processor delivers stunning 4K HDR content — resulting in bright, vivid, realistic picture quality that is optimized to each scene.

What’s more, the 110” MicroLED makes that stunning picture quality last for the long term. MicroLEDs are made of inorganic materials which are long-lasting and durable — allowing a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours, or over a decade.

Previously, mass-producing a MicroLED screen as small as 110’’ for simple home installation wasn’t possible. But Samsung innovated to make it a reality by developing cutting-edge surface mount technology — along with a new production process derived from its semiconductor business — making MicroLED technology easier to manufacture, deliver, and install. These same innovations will allow Samsung to produce even smaller MicroLED models in the future, so even more consumers can enjoy the breathtaking MicroLED experience.

Immersive Design and Premium Audio

When you turn on the 110’’ MicroLED, you are treated to a spectacularly immersive experience thanks to its 99.99% screen-to-body ratio. The black matrix and bezel have been completely removed from the display — leaving only the screen, delivering consumers the most immersive content experience.

Samsung has innovated and optimized its Smart TV features to take advantage of the 110” MicroLED’s massive screen. For example, consumers can use the Multi View feature to comfortably watch up to four sources of content simultaneously on up to 55’’ sized split screens. When using this feature, the viewers can connect multiple external devices and enjoy watching news, movies, and other apps simultaneously on one screen — so they can keep up with multiple sports at once, or stream a walkthrough while playing a video game, all in stunning quality and size.

Plus, the 110’’ MicroLED’s dynamic audio experience is just as immersive as its visuals. It includes an embedded Majestic Sound System that delivers breathtaking 5.1 channel sound with no external speaker—transforming any room into a luxurious home theater. And its Object Tracking Sound Pro feature identifies objects moving on screen, and projects the sound to follow the action — so when you are watching an action movie and an airplane flies overhead, it will feel like its engines are roaring above you.

The 110’’ MicroLED will be available globally in the first quarter of next year following today’s unveiling in Korea. For more information about the 110’’ MicroLED, please visit: www.samsung.com.

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BUGATTI ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH TIDAL AUDIO FOR PERFECTION WITHOUT LIMITS IN HOME AUDIO

BUGATTI ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH TIDAL AUDIO FOR PERFECTION WITHOUT LIMITS IN HOME AUDIO

INTRODUCING THE BUGATTI OF HOME AUDIO

BUGATTI and TIDAL Audio are united in a shared philosophy: to strive for perfection without limits in order to perform with exceptional design, effort and uncompromising spirit. The two companies, leading in their respective fields of exclusive luxury automotive design and premium audio systems, will set a new standard for home music systems – introducing ‘the BUGATTI of home audio’. The two companies will work to establish a new category of sound systems, underpinned by unrivalled exclusivity and high quality like no other.

The partnership between BUGATTI and TIDAL Audio begins with the “Royale” range of speakers that lead the way for luxury in the home audio sector. Technical avant-garde meets a passion for design, the perfect finish and outstanding results – with the visual promise of the breathtaking performance that follows. Just as the engine of a Bugatti hyper sports car releases power and emotions, this unrivaled sound impresses with its finest definition and incredible power.

The superlative quality becomes its own metaphor and redefines the parameters of audio equipment design. Just as the BUGATTI models on four wheels give an almost infinite number of possibilities for customization, the options list for this new standard of home audio is equally as unique. As for the design there are two main themes: Monocoque and Duotone. One can select between piano finishes or avant-garde color and material combinations. Each “Royale” loudspeaker pair can be customized with carbon fiber, fabrics, leather, polished stainless steel, dark aluminum or precious metal surfaces.

The front of the speakers show the BUGATTI logo plaque, finished in polished stainless steel and curved to accommodate the shape of the unit up to the brand’s qualities for personalization and performance – every set of speakers by TIDAL for BUGATTI is subject to a very personal bespoke ordering process, allowing the customer to share their precise vision of the best audio system in the world. And the plaque at the backside, branded ‘TIDAL for BUGATTI’, underlines the exclusive cooperation.

The “Royale” is deploying four subwoofer drivers per speaker and a 3-way front unit with a midrange-driver and tweeter with diamond diaphragms. The diamond diaphragm tweeter can be also found in our cars. The Royale is an active speaker with housing extremely powerful amplifier channels inside. The matching music controller allows to connect to all kinds of sources, including music streaming services and TV and can be controlled with smart devices.

The start of the partnership manifests itself in the ‘Edition Noir’ and ‘Edition Blanc’, each limited to only 15 pairs.

About TIDAL Audio:
TIDAL Audio was founded in Germany 1999 by entrepreneur and music enthusiast Jörn Janczak with a clear vision of building the finest audio systems in the world. From the beginning TIDAL Audio pursued single-mindedly the ambition to redefine quality in the sphere of sound systems. TIDAL Audio systems are a combination of passion and professionalism never sparing any efforts to reach new heights in audio quality and design aspirations. TIDAL Audio serves prestigious clients around the world and has received multiple awards from leading reviewers and magazines.

Contact:
TIDAL Audio GmbH
Immendorfer Str.1
50354 Hürth
Germany
www.tidal-audio.com
+49 2233 9669225
contact@tidal-audio.com

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