The Life's Way: October 2020

Friday, 30 October 2020

Introducing #LinkimalsSA Llama - Lights and Colours #FisherPriceSA @FisherPrice

Hi Friends,

Fisher-Price has been the world leader in providing great toys to keep our kids entertained and when they also learn something new, nothing like that. I came across these Linkimals and really love this colourful representation of some 5 not so known animals to kids as generally the books are filled with Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Rhino and Cow etc. The animals chosen by Fisher-Price for this Linkimals range of products is Sloth, Otter, Moose, Hedgehog and Llama. I really appreciate the fact that these were new to me too as earlier in my life, I have never seen toys based on these animals. The basic idea behind these Linkimals is that these toys come with the motto of "We Link, We Sync, We Play and Learn Together".

Introducing #LinkimalsSA Llama - Lights and Colours #FisherPriceSA @FisherPrice

The toy my kids received was Llama - Lights and Colours which teaches Stacking and Colours to kids from 9 months onwards. My little one started saying open open open as soon as he saw what's inside the box delivered by the courier. Stacking was something new to my 2 and half-year-old child and this one really played beautiful songs every time you place or take out these ascending sized plastic doughnuts or rings on the stacking pillar. The stacking exercise really brought fun sounds, lights and encouraging phrases as my son figured out how to drop the rings around their Llama. Also, Llama has more than 25 songs, sounds, tunes and phrases (like Hello; Let's Play; Hello Friends; How are you today?; Peek-a-boo!; Llama; Keep Stacking).

Coming to the second function of the toy is Colours. When you press the Llama's head, the kids will get a round of colourful lights and songs including one about colours also. Plus, when Llama recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! so you can definitely all of them to your collection every season for your kid. So these are the 5 toys in the range and each performing a different learning experience for your kids and babies ages 9 months and older.

Sloth - Smooth Moves - R750

Otter - A to Z -

Moose - Musical - R300

Hedgehog - Happy Shapes - R650

Llama - Lights and Colour - R450

Koala - Counting - R700 ( I found this on ToysRus Website)

All these toys definitely bring about a great learning experience as it engages your baby's developing visual, auditory, and tactile senses. Also, it develops their Curiosity & Wonder as the baby discovers the fun of cause and effect as they press the various button to activate music and lights. The Llama works on 3 AA batteries (included in the package) and has a power on-off along with 2 volume settings to control the audio.

Linkimals: https://www.fisher-price.com/en-us/shop/brands/linkimals

They are available in SA already at all leading retailers: https://www.toysrus.co.za/fisher-price-linkimals-musical-moose-interactive-toy-with-music-lights-and-learning-content

Cheers!!!

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Thursday, 29 October 2020

Charging Change in Safety with Technology @Uber_RSA #Tech4Safety

Hi Friends,

Key highlights from Uber’s Tech for Safety Summit

Returning as master of ceremonies, Redi Tlhabi together with Sub Saharan Africa’s finest industry specialists, start-ups and innovators came together on 22 October for Uber’s second annual Tech for Safety summit to unpack and critically discuss how technology may be leveraged to create innovative safety solutions.

The summit, which had an in-person element, followed all COVID-19 protocols necessary to ensure the safety of its guests, was for the first time available virtually. Thousands of individuals now had access to the summit, being able to partake live and engage with the panels and speakers.

Charging change in safety with technology @Uber_RSA #Tech4Safety

Catalysing constructive conversation

As the pandemic continues to unravel at both corporate and citizen safety, each summit panel provided a platform for critical conversation around the threats towards employment, health, travel, business and personal safety.

Given Africa’s growing infrastructure and developing road network, the first panel spoke through how technology has enhanced safer more affordable travel. Key insights uncovered include the importance of using data to identify key insights into what puts commuters at risk, especially the youth who are most vulnerable to vehicle accidents.

Learning to adjust to the new normal requires everyday technology to become a way of life. The summit’s second panel unpacked the challenges and opportunities that come with this new normal. UJ’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tshilidzi Marsala says that the university spends in access of R6 million per month on just data to ensure students remain connected, however, Gretchen Wilson-Prangley (Co-founder and CEO of Play Africa) emphasized how this allowed for immediate collaborative learning that connected students irrespective of distance.

The panel further explained how a lack of basic care when active online allowed for phishing emails to be among the top courses for cyber-attacks while having an online presence helped Africa Management Institute assist more than 10 000 start-ups who were previously inaccessible.

Regarding community and personal safety, A21 reported a 1000% increase in vetting jobs available locally to reduce the risk of human trafficking and that feeling safe alone was consistently infringed on according to Safer Spaces. Community surveillance, facial recognition and connecting local biometrics to a nationwide ID database were among tech-driven solutions that can help create a safer society, according to Nigeria’s Sihle Owoka of Smile Identity.

Frans Hiemstra, GM for Uber SSA & MOC Redi Tlhabi

Focused on start-ups

A major focus for the summit this year was to empower start-ups across Africa. Venture capitalist, Michael Jordaan delivered the keynote address highlighting how passion, need fulfilment and skill are the mandatory requirements for a successful start-up. Start small and scale suitably are among his best advice, telling the audience that research is essential for relevance and brand longevity.

This year, the Pitching Den returned providing start-ups with the opportunity to pitch their ‘Tech for Safety’ ideas to a panel of accomplished judges and potential investors. Driven by Innovate Durban, the winner Keletso Lekwakwe creator of Password Kid, a South African start-up, wins a 1-year fully-immersive support programme with Innovate Durban.

Commitment to change

The well-being of its users continues to be a top priority for Uber, including road, health and interpersonal safety. The app which offers over 20 enhanced safety features, having Uber’s Head of Product Management, Akankshu Dhawan announce at the summit that the app had completed over 100 million successful face mask verifications during the pandemic globally.

“We’ve set out to create a platform that encourages engagement and feedback, to expand on our conversation around how technology and infrastructure may collaborate to create safer communities across Africa,” says Frans Hiemstra, General Manager of Uber Sub Saharan Africa.

A continent on the nexus of its greatest technology evolution deserves a platform worthy of its potential. Uber’s Tech for Safety Summit, provides just this, to empower, enrich and further commit to the locals of Africa.

As the goodies bag, I received an amazing phone stand which is going to last long due to its thick plywood built as well as some amazing breakfast muffins and lunch and evening tea and snacks from Uber Eats.

Cheers!!!

Monday, 26 October 2020

@FujiFilm_SA X-T30 #NewLittleGiant #XT30 Mirrorless Camera #ProductReview

Hi Friends,

Mirrorless Cameras is the new future though I have been using one from the house of Samsung called NX300 from 2014 or so but the new range of mirrorless cameras from several brands have revived their camera business also. Fujifilm has been the pioneers in this category for a very long time and recently I got to use their new value mirrorless camera for review purposes.

#TheLifesWayReviews @FujiFilm_SA X-T30 #NewLittleGiant #XT30 Mirrorless Camera #ProductReview

Even before I got to start on the features on this wonderful camera is to take care of the review stuff by previous reviewers as when I got this camera the lens was having a circular scratch right in the middle which really created this white spot in all the photographs. I don't know who did it and who all reviewed it because I generally get the products when it's almost out of the review cycle. It annoys me a lot but I think it's due to the fact that I take a lot of time to write and post the pictures etc. The same is going to go as I now want to post them as soon as possible without wasting my time thinking a lot about the product and building a story. From now onwards, it will be to get in quick and write it as fast as I can covering all the features tested during the small-time to use the devices.

Directly coming to the configurations of this new little giant mirrorless camera as mentioned in the specification table is 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor; X-Trans CMOS 4 and X-Processor 4; 1080p at 120 fps; 3.69m-Dot Electronics Viewfinder; 3inch 1.04m-Dot Tilt LCD; Touchscreen operation and focus lever; 4K/30P 200MB; 425-point Intelligent Hybrid AF to the entire frame; Wireless communication with Bluetooth; Extended ISO 80-51200; 30 fps Shooting Blackout Free; UHS-I SD Card Slot; 16x Film Simulation modes with Film Grain Effect Function; Advanced SR AUTO Mode; 383g compact and lightweight body; Firmware Ver.1.01. So as you can see this small compact camera has powerful features built into the body that's why it got the motto of the NEW Little GIANT!

As I received the review camera without any kind of packaging as a camera unit and the battery charger so I am not at all aware of the package contents but most probably it will be the camera, lens, strap, battery, battery charger, and some other accessories and instructions manuals. I didn't watch any videos on youtube also to find out as I was not seeking the camera for life or so, you only invest time when you are interested in the product.

The first feature that came to my notice is the traditional and vintage look on this Fujifilm X-T30 and came in this black colour. The camera is fitted with the kit lens of 15-50mm which is really a good lens to start with. The camera can't be used as a vlogger camera as the display doesn't turn towards sideways or upwards fully but only goes up to 90% of the screens for easy capturing the low angles without making your neck and head pain a lot.

Another feature that comes to the notice is the dials that are there to control a lot of camera features like Shutter Speed, EV, Flash, Camera Modes amongst other functions that can be customized. All the pictures posted here are taken using the X-T30 camera and there is a video also for your viewing pleasure in Hindi! I am so grateful to FujiFilm for sending the same for review and I really loved using the camera.

It was so difficult to use this camera for me as I have never used the Fujifilm range of cameras so the modes were a little different from the regular ones in Canon or Nikon cameras. The review unit didn't come with the manual but it would have been better if I would have received one for easy use.

Cheers!!!

The Myths, The Legends - Now backed by Science #ADCOCBD

Hi Friends,

For over 6 000 years, the cannabis plant has been widely used for various medicinal purposes1 and the health benefits have been fiercely debated for decades, with many claims dismissed along the way. Thankfully, science stepped in, and cannabis myths and legends are now backed by research.

The benefits without the ‘highs’

The cannabis plant contains cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).2 While the latter (THC) is the psychoactive (‘high’ inducing) component of cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive and has been proven to be beneficial in treating a number of symptoms and medical conditions. These include anxiety, pain, inflammatory disease, epilepsy, depression, nausea, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.3

The words ‘stress’ and ‘pain’ seem to be synonymous with life in the 21st century. Whenever one asks how someone else is doing, phrases like ‘stressed out’ and ‘tension headache’ frequently creep into conversations. While there has been a growing awareness around stress symptoms and coping mechanisms, as well as around ways of reducing chronic pain, sufferers are constantly searching for the ‘next big thing’ in pain and stress relief. And if it is available from a trusted and reliable source, all the better!

The Myths, The Legends - Now backed by Science #ADCOCBD

Introducing ADCO CBD

This ground-breaking research into the benefits of CBD led pharmaceutical company, Adcock Ingram, to launch the ADCO CBD range of products. The range comprises ADCO CBD STRESS and ADCO CBD DAILY products, available in drops and capsule format. The ADCO CBD PAIN products are produced in drops, capsule and gel format. All products are laboratory tested, quality controlled, and do not contain sugar or tartrazine.

All pain? No gain

Typically caused by illness or injury, pain can wreak havoc on one’s quality of life. Chronic pain is usually associated with long-term illnesses like osteoarthritis and can be the result of tissue or nerve damage. Sadly, chronic pain can become resistant to conventional medical treatment, with 7 out of 10 people experiencing breakthrough pain even when they’re regularly taking their pain medication.4 CBD has been shown to relieve inflammatory, tissue, muscle, joint and neuropathic pain.5 It controls inflammation and pain without creating tolerance,6 is not psychoactive,7 and can be used on its own or added to pain medication.8

Highly topical: relief is at hand!

When muscle pains and sprains strike, topical CBD relief can be heaven-sent! ADCO CBD PAIN GEL may assist with symptomatic relief of muscle pain and inflammation, back pain, arthritis, and minor sprains and strains. The product’s 3-in-1 activity offers topical anti-inflammatory action, numbing the pain and reducing bruising. A clever formulation, ADCO CBD PAIN GEL contains CBD isolate with arnica oil, MSM, menthol and essential oils.9

Treating stress before it takes over

CBD has been shown to provide relief to those experiencing symptoms like anxiety, muscular tension, restlessness, fatigue and poor concentration.3 ADCO CBD STRESS capsules and oil may assist with the relief of symptoms associated with stress.10

Daily help within your reach

Countless South Africans are discovering the benefit of ADCO CBD DAILY, for possible maintenance of general health and well-being. It may assist in reducing anxiety, stress and pain, and is available in capsule or oil format. The drops may be mixed with milk, water, or juice, or maybe taken as is.11

Trusted, reliable, reputable ADCO CBD products are now available from selected Clicks and Dis-Chem stores, as well as selected independent pharmacies and online stores.

Recommended retail pricing (incl. VAT) is as follows: ADCO CBD PAIN 200 mg Drops 15 ml: R344.99. ADCO CBD PAIN 600 mg Drops 30 ml: R595.99. ADCO CBD PAIN 20 mg Capsules (30): R595.99. ADCO CBD PAIN Gel 50 ml: R349.95. ADCO CBD STRESS 200 mg Drops 15 ml: R344.99. ADCO CBD STRESS 600 mg Drops 30 ml: R595.99. ADCO CBD STRESS 20 mg Capsules (30): R595.99. ADCO CBD DAILY 200 ml Drops 15 ml: R344.95. ADCO CBD DAILY 600 mg Drops 30 ml: R595.99. ADCO CBD DAILY Capsules (30): R595.99.

For more information visit: www.adcocbd.co.za and join the conversation on Facebook.

References :

1. Hand, A. & Blake, Alexia & Kerrigan, Paul & Samuel, P. & Friedberg, Jeremy. (2016). History of medical cannabis.

2. Morales P, Hurst DP, Reggio PH. Molecular targets of the phytocannabinoids – a complex picture. Prog Chem Org Nat Prod 2017;103 103–131.

3. Pisanti S, Malfitano AM, Ciaglia E, et al. Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. Pharmacol Ther 2017;175:133-150.

4. Wheeler T. Pain types and classifications. WebMD, 2019. [cited 2019 Dec 04]; Available at: https:// www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-types-and-classifications? print=true.

5. Mbvundula EC, Rainsford KD, Bunning AD. Cannabinoids in pain and inflammation. Inflammopharmacology 2004;12(2):99-114.

6. Xiong W, Cui T, Cheng K, et al. Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. J Exp Med 2012;209(6):1121-1134.

7. MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. Eur J Int Med 2018;49:12-19.

8. Fine PG, Rosenfeld MJ. Cannabinoids for neuropathic pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2014;18:451.

9. AdcoCBDPainGelPI. T030662 02.2020 BP.pdf

10. AdcoCBDStressPI.7739 10.2019 PP.pdf

11. ADCOCBDDailyDropsPI&PIL 7901.01 10.2019. 06.2020 PP

Cheers!!!

Monday, 19 October 2020

@HUAWEIza #WatchFIT: Giving You All The Fitness Motivation #FetchYourBody2020

Hi Friends,

As we all know, striving to achieve one’s fitness goals can often be filled with frustration, impatience and disappointment. Whether it’s a lack of dedication or motivation, the process is often hindered either by the feeling that we are having to complete these journeys on our own. Naturally, a lot of us do have to embark on these fitness expeditions on our own, as we can’t all afford to pay a personal trainer every week.

While these hurdles can sometimes seem overwhelming, you may want to consider the increasingly popular solution of a smart fitness watch. Recently Huawei launched the brand new HUAWEI WATCH FIT, proving its relentless innovation in the wearable technology space. This latest addition to the company’s product offering is specifically designed to give consumers all the motivation and information they need to excel in their fitness endeavors.

Everything you need at the touch of a button

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT boasts over 11 professional workout modes that include running, walking, cycling, swimming, elliptical machine and rowing machine. It also offers 85 workout modes, including fitness training, dancing, ball games, water sports, winter sports, and extreme sports. These expansive offerings and features give users direct access to information that will assist them in performing optimally in whatever exercise they choose, thereby providing them with unwavering confidence in their daily exercise routines.

@HUAWEIza #WatchFIT: Giving You All The Fitness Motivation #FetchYourBody2020

Further equipping users with the information they need to succeed, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT is also able to track almost all elements of your health. This is achieved through the device’s smart sensors that can intelligently detect patterns like heart rate, heart rate zone, calories, exercise time and other data during exercise. The device goes even further than that and is able to record your daily activities including steps, medium and high-intensity exercises, and the hours of standing to measure activity level. After that, the device is able to provide a progress chart to encourage user’s to keep active, and keep moving.

Many fitness novices’ biggest fears are injuring themselves by doing exercises incorrectly. In this regard, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT’s animated personal trainer provides you with over 40 different posture demonstrations, empowering you with a visual illustration of the exact form you should be following to avoid any injury or over-exertion. During a workout, the device works just as hard as you do, and compiles accurate health and fitness data, including VO2max, training effect, and recovery time through GPS’ moving speed and HUAWEI TruSeen™4.0. When you have completed your workout, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT generates valuable data, including speed per kilometer and heart rate distribution to help improve future workouts and performance

Optimal recovery with intelligent sleep monitoring

Sleep is almost as important for your overall health as going for a run or lifting weights. The reason behind this is simple – it ensures your body and muscles are getting sufficient time to recover and you don’t get unwanted side effects like sustained physical fatigue, a lack of motivation, as well as impaired immune system functioning.

Here, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT offers a tool that can assist users in avoiding any of the above-mentioned issues – scientific sleep stage tracking. This feature is achieved through HUAWEI’s TruSleep™ 2.0, which is deeply optimized to track sleep stage monitoring, real-time heart rate monitoring, sleep respiration quality and big data analysis to score sleep quality. The device then provides scientific suggestions on how to address the identified sleep issue, such as early waking or light sleep.

You can purchase the HUAWEI WATCH FIT for just R2,999 on www.huaweistore.co.za and at the following stores: Huawei Store, Vodacom, MTN, Total Sports, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cape Union Mart, Takealot, Incredible Connection, TFG American Swiss, Sterns, Hirsch’s, Makro (online only), HiStore and Game (online only)

Cheers!!!

The Story Behind the Galaxy Z Fold2’s Multifaceted Design @SamsungMobileSA #GalaxyZFold2

Hi Friends,

If the concept of ‘ability’ is about having the capacity to accomplish something, ‘attitude’ is the mind-set that makes that accomplishment a reality. When it comes down to it, the attitude of the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G can be summed up as a combination of three elements: determination (to redefine what smartphone users can do with their device), flexibility (to seamlessly alternate between work and play), and last but not least, the confidence to stand out.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G was designed to empower users to be just as determined, flexible and confident as the smartphone itself. Samsung’s latest flagship device unfolds an entirely new way of life – one that transcends the limitations of yesterday, makes it easier to juggle more roles than ever, and allows you to focus on being yourself.

Follow along as we examine each fascinating facet of the Galaxy Z Fold2’s design.

Built for Broadening Horizons

The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G has been optimised, inside and out, to take the foldable smartphone experience to the next level.

The Story Behind the Galaxy Z Fold2’s Multifaceted Design @SamsungMobileSA #GalaxyZFold2

The device’s delicately refined UI elevates the quality of the overall user experience, while its expanded Cover Screen further enhances usability. The Cover Screen itself has been made larger, measuring a full 6.2 inches, and its bezels have been made thinner. The combination of a 6.2-inch Cover Screen and a 7.6-inch Main Screen makes the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G similar in size to a typical smartphone when folded, and a small tablet when opened. When viewing content, the thinner bezels and notch-less Infinity-O Display maximise immersion, allowing users to enjoy the full benefits that come with a bigger screen.

The smartphone’s expanded Cover Screen unlocks a variety of convenient experiences. Now, users can do just as much on the Galaxy Z Fold2’s Cover Screen as they could on a typical smartphone’s screen. When folded, the display makes it easy to do everything from viewing content to taking pictures or replying to messages. When unfolded, the device’s Main Screen is handy for capturing and viewing photos and videos.

The Galaxy Z Fold2’s enhanced UI offers users a variety of ways to divide the Main Screen for seamless multitasking. When texting with friends, attaching photos is as simple as dragging an image from one window to another. Thanks to a newly introduced feature, users also have the option to utilise a single app in multiple windows. This means that you can load an article in a browser in one window, and search for more info on the subject of the article in another. You can also save your split screen configurations to the Multi-Window tray as an App Pair, so you won’t need to go through the hassle of setting up separate windows each time you’d like to launch your apps.

In these uncertain times, more individuals are learning to accept change and broaden their horizons. The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G is the embodiment of this kind of progression, designed for those who are constantly defying limitations, seeking out new experiences, and boldly facing the challenges of tomorrow.

The Freedom of Flexibility

The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G adds a bold new chapter to a category that Samsung pioneered with the launch of the original Galaxy Fold. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G was designed with an emphasis on flexibility and versatility. It adjusts its form to suit the task at hand, perfectly complementing the many roles that users juggle throughout their daily lives. App compatibility with Flex mode may vary.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G can be used at a variety of angles to suit users’ needs – opened wide, opened just enough for comfort, or even standing upright in a folded position. The available Aramid Standing Cover takes this convenience a step further by enabling you to prop up your Galaxy Z Fold2 5G like a picture frame, in addition to allowing you to use your device at any angle you desire. When taking pictures or recording videos, you can fold the device so the camera meets your eye level and view a preview of your shot using the top part of the screen, which gives you a wider field of vision for a much more comfortable experience.

The key here is the Galaxy Z Fold2’s convenient Flex mode, which automatically splits the Main Screen into two sections, allowing you to comfortably view content on the top half and control it on the bottom. The smartphone can also be held upright when partially folded, freeing your hands to handle other things. That’s the beauty of the Galaxy Z Fold2’s flexible design: it offers complete freedom to multitask. This includes everything from displaying videos while folded to enabling users to execute video calls on one side of their screen while taking notes on the other.

We live in a time in which people wear many different hats, as the saying goes, and identify with various personas. Our behaviours and attitudes can vary depending on whether we’re working, resting or having fun, and we may express ourselves differently in our everyday lives and on social media. The fact that our characters and behaviours are so multifaceted and nuanced underscores the idea that none of us can be easily defined with a single identity. The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G and its many forms and functions cater to modern users’ many personas, offering the perfect tool for tackling the wide range of tasks that we manage every day.

The Confidence To Be Different

With its simple form, consisting of straight lines, and colours that exemplify modern elegance, the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G exudes a kind of confident and premium style that captures the attention of everyone around it.

The smartphone comes in a choice of two colours that are sure to strike a chord with all kinds of users. The sensational Mystic Bronze radiates confidence with its alluring and textured haze effect, while Mystic Black features an elegant hue that’s designed to recall the atmosphere of the city.

The Galaxy Z Fold2’s refined form is neat and composed, and characterised by seamless lines coming together to create a whole. Its body and hinge share the same texture and hue, enhancing the device’s unified design – a design that’s not only slim, sturdy and appealing to the eye, but also fits comfortably into your hands for an exceptional tactile experience.

The Tools to Conquer What’s To Come

At the end of the day, our self-worth should not be defined by others, but by ourselves. We all want to stand out from the crowd, but there is a difference between meeting the standards of others and meeting our own. The confidence that comes from knowing who we are and being positive enhances our sense of worth and adds conviction to our every move. Going forward, those who possess a strong sense of identity will be the ones who endure – who navigate evolving trends, and boldly announce their presence.

Just like these individuals, the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G dares to write its own story and forge its own path. It will do so by offering users as much flexibility as possible, and by enabling them to discover an inner self that’s more confident than yesterday, and possesses the courage to conquer what’s to come.

Cheers!!!

@SamsungMobileSA #GalaxyS20FE Competing For Best Phone Of 2020

Hi Friends,

Samsung South Africa has released the highly anticipated Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE), the newest member of the Galaxy S20 series. It features a pro-grade triple camera, first-in-category innovations such as a 120Hz display, a super-smooth scrolling 6.5” display, with an advanced chipset for premium performance, and a host of curated premium innovations selected from the Galaxy S20. Its innovations and affordability, places it, in the running for the best value phone of 2020.

“This is a device created directly from the feedback of Galaxy fans. We listened and created a flagship phone that leaves compromise behind. So whether you’re a fan of photography, gaming, or filling your feed with all that inspires you, we put together the ultimate combination of S20 innovation. This now a device that is seamlessly accessible to more people,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa.

@SamsungMobileSA #GalaxyS20FE Competing For Best Phone Of 2020

Galaxy S20 FE is a premium flagship smartphone that includes innovations Galaxy fans said they loved most, made available in a range of stunning, new colors. Those who buy now from Samsung’s online store will receive a complimentary UV smartphone sterilizer with wireless charging worth R999 and the peace of mind of accidental damage repair with 24 months of Samsung Care+ available at R499 – valued at R1999*. The limited launch gift is available while stocks last from 16th October to 30th November 2020. The device is available in Cloud Lavender, Cloud Navy, Cloud Mint and Cloud Red. Customers can also trade in their older device and get up to R14 000 back per device to buy the Galaxy S20 FE. This incredible smartphone is now available at a surprising recommended retail price of R17995.

The S20 FE is an extension of the Galaxy S20 family and is the start of a new way to bring meaningful innovation to even more people to let them do the things they love with the best of Galaxy. Samsung took select features of the Galaxy S20 series, such as the 30x Space Zoom, an AI-powered camera, hyper-fast connectivity, all-day battery, with the 4500mAh battery. Expandable storage with 128GB built-in and the ability to store up to 1TB more on a microSD card. Plus a streamlined premium design, in order to create the all-new Galaxy S20 FE. This has already garnered immensely popular reviews such as Android Police’s view that “This could be the best phone of 2020”**

SAMSUNG CARE+

Experience total peace of mind and get the most from the new Galaxy S20 FE with Samsung Care+. Enjoy a personal set-up session with a Samsung Care+ Pro, dedicated support via phone or chat, discounted screen repair, an extended warranty and coverage for accidental damage. Add Samsung Care+ at checkout on Samsung.com.

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com//za/smartphones/galaxy-s20/galaxy-s20-fe/

Cheers!!!

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

@ORICO_Official #2588US3 2.5" HDD Enclosure #ProductReview

Hi Friends,

I went to Incredible Connection with a friend who wanted to buy one of the ACER's SWIFT or ASPIRE series of laptops and wanted my opinion and we together were able to find a great deal for him from the Sandton City store. As I was browsing the store, I found that these Orico 2.5inch HDD and SSD enclosures in 4 colors - Blue, Black, Red, and Yellow. The price difference was there on the same devices with 2 tags one mentioning R189 and the other R249 with no visible difference which I even asked the sales agent. I wanted one in Yellow color but that was coming in higher price range so I chose the RED version as it looked great. I immediately transferred my Toshiba HDD from Astrum 2.0 case bought for R150 from Fordsburg to Orico 3.0 case and data transfer speed saw a huge difference. It's as easy as just inserting the hard disk into the slot and then closing the case and carry it wherever you want. I have made this specific drive for all the knowledge material, video, lessons, lectures I need to go through in my spare time.

#TheLifesWayReviews @ORICO_Official #2588US3 2.5" HDD Enclosure #ProductReview

I totally fell in love with the enclosure and here is a video showcasing the same too. I am still not sure about the price difference on the same models inside a store but maybe Syntech can tell more who is the distributor of these devices in South Africa as per my knowledge.

Overall at the price of R189, it's worth it as even if I ordered it from Takealot.com where it would have been a little bit cheaper but will charge me around R50-70 for the courier fees, it would have cost me much more than R189. So this is the first time, I thought that an actual buy from the store is cheap as compared to the online version. Thanks to Orico for making the same.

Cheers!!!

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

Playing with @Barbie Dolls Allows Children To Develop #Empathy & #SocialProcessing Skills

Hi Friends,

Barbie® and neuroscientists from Cardiff University have collaborated on a new study which for the first time uses neuroimaging as evidence to explore the effects of doll play

Evidence shows that doll play activates brain regions which are associated with social information processing and empathy, indicating that doll play enables children to rehearse, use and perform these skills even when playing on their own
Other findings show that doll play allows children to develop empathy and social processing skills more so than solo tablet play, even when playing by themselves
To understand the relevancy of the study, Barbie independently commissioned a global survey in 22 different countries questioning 15,000 parents which showed 91 percent of parents rank empathy as a key social skill they would like their child to develop, but only 26 percent were aware that doll play could help their child develop these skills
Today Barbie launches an online hub featuring resources for parents, caregivers, and children, to support them in their social processing skills which has been developed alongside leading empathy expert, writer, and educational psychologist, Dr. Michele Borba

Barbie®, and a team of neuroscientists from Cardiff University, announces findings of a new study conducted using neuroscience for the first time to explore the positive impact doll play has on children, bringing to light new evidence that doll play activates brain regions that allow children to develop empathy and social information processing skills, even when playing by themselves.

Over the past 18 months, senior lecturer Dr. Sarah Gerson and colleagues at Cardiff University’s Centre for Human Developmental Science have used neuroimaging technology to provide the first indications of the benefits of doll play at a brain level. Through monitoring the brain activity of 33 children* between the ages of 4 and 8, as they played with a range of Barbie dolls, the team found that the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), a region of the brain associated with social information processing such as empathy, was activated even when the child was playing on their own. These benefits of solo doll play were shown to be equal for both boys and girls.

Dr. Gerson explains: “This is a completely new finding. We use this area of the brain when we think about other people, especially when we think about another person’s thoughts or feelings. Dolls encourage them to create their own little imaginary worlds, as opposed to say, problem-solving or building games. They encourage children to think about other people and how they might interact with each other. The fact that we saw the pSTS to be active in our study shows that playing with dolls is helping them rehearse some of the social skills they will need in later life. Because this brain region has been shown to play a similar role in supporting empathy and social processing across six continents, these findings are likely to be country agnostic”.

Playing with @Barbie Dolls Allows Children To Develop #Empathy & #SocialProcessing Skills

To gather the data for the study, the children’s play was split into different sections so the Cardiff team could capture the brain activity relating to each other kind of play separately: playing with the dolls on their own; playing with the dolls together with another person (the research assistant); playing with the tablet game on their own and playing with the tablet game along with another person (the research assistant).

The dolls used included a diverse range of Barbie dolls and play sets, with all Barbie dolls and sets returned to starting positions before each child began their test to ensure consistency of experience. Tablet play was carried out using games that allow children to engage with open and creative play (rather than a rule or goal-based games) to provide a similar play experience to doll play.

The findings of the study show that when children played alone with dolls, they showed the same levels of activation of the pSTS as they do when playing with others. Another finding of the study is that when children were left to play tablet games on their own, there was far less activation of the pSTS, even though the games involved a considerable creative element.

To understand the relevancy of these neuroscience findings, Barbie independently commissioned a global survey** that asked more than 15,000 parents of children in 22 countries. Results of this showed 91 percent of parents ranked empathy as a key social skill they would like their child to develop, but only 26 percent were aware that doll play could help their child develop these skills. During this time at home, parents are increasingly worried about ensuring their child is developing social development skills, with more than two-thirds (70 percent) saying they are concerned about how this isolation might affect their child and how their child interacts with others. Similarly, 74 percent of parents are more likely to encourage their child to play with a toy if they knew it was proven to help their child develop social and emotional skills, like empathy.

“As leaders in the dolls category, we’ve always known that doll play has a positive impact on kids, but up until now, we have not had neuroscientific data that demonstrates these benefits,” says Lisa McKnight, SVP and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “The findings of this research highlights that playing with dolls, such as Barbie, offers positive benefits in preparing children for the future through nurturing social skills like empathy. As we continue to inspire the limitless potential in every child, we are proud to offer dolls that encourage skills we know are highly valued by parents and are determinants in children’s future emotional, academic, and social success.”

Barbie will be supporting these findings with an online hub, Barbie.com/Benefits, featuring resources for parents, caregivers, and children, to assist them in enhancing and applying their social processing skills. These resources have been developed alongside leading empathy expert, writer, and educational psychologist, Dr. Michele Borba.

Michele Borba says: “The latest scientific findings from Cardiff University and Barbie are extraordinary and so relevant to the times we are living, given the limited social interaction our children can have. It’s been shown that children who have developed empathy and social skills early in life can have better grades, stay in school longer and make healthier choices overall. Empathetic children might also be more likely to stand up for a child being bullied and try to engage and resolve the conflict. Understanding that kids can help develop these skills through playing with dolls like Barbie, is remarkable and a helpful tool for parents.”

The results of the study are published today in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience as ‘Exploring the Benefits of Doll Play through Neuroscience.’ Recognising that this study is a first step towards understanding the positive impact of doll play with further research required to build on these initial findings, Dr. Sarah Gerson and the Cardiff University team along with Mattel, have committed to further neuroscience studies in 2021.

*Study was conducted with 42 children (20 x boys and 22 x girls) aged from 4-8 years old with full data captured from 33 children.
**Survey by OnePoll in July 2020 in 22 different countries questioning 15,000 parents of children aged from 3-10 years old.

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Gadgets I Own @SonyElectronics #SRSBTV5 Bluetooth Speaker #SonyAudio #ProductReview

Hi Friends,

When I was in India, I used to participate in a lot of twitter contests and used to win some of the great gadgets from time to time and one gadget which I won during that time in 2012 and still with me is this Sony Electronics SRS-BTV5 Bluetooth Speaker which is not only good looking but also has a great design and sound quality. I got this during a contest by Sony Pictures for Skyfall movie in the James Bond Series. Way back in 2012 also, it has the NFC feature which is now also not available in many audio products and also the call/microphone feature too built into it. I reviewed the same long ago on my blog The Life's Way which you can read here.

Gadgets I Own @SonyElectronics #SRSBTV5 Bluetooth Speaker #SonyAudio #ProductReview

As time has changed and more focus is on videos so I have created one and I am still learning to create and edit videos. If you like this one, please do like, share, and subscribe to my Youtube channel for more such videos. I am creating new content from all the gadgets and travels and launch events I have attended in South Africa.

I really love Sony Audio and Mobile Products and still remember that once I met the Country Manager of Sony Electronics in India at a launch event of Sony Headphones and he asked me for what all products I own from the brand and the next day I sent him the 3 photos of more than 25-30 Sony products from eBook-reader to Walkman to Noise-cancellation headphones and various other earphones I owned lying on my bed. He called me immediately and wanted to come to visit my home too. It was just before I traveled to South Africa and it could not ever happen and I missed a chance to get another product from Sony Audio Products he wanted to gift me. Thanks a lot to Sony for even thinking about it and you are welcome any day to my home in India.

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Unboxing @CanonRSA #CANONeosM50 Mirrorless #vLogging Camera #LiveForTheStory

Hi Friends,

I have been a die-hard Nikon fan for the most part of my life and never ever I saw towards any of the Canon products and when I came to South Africa 7 years back, I started going to the Canon Roadshow Events every year for the free goodies they used to distribute to the people attending the show. Over the time period, I thought of trying out at least one of the cameras and bought their Canon 100D entry-level DSLR camera (18-55mm kit lens) along with an extra Nifty-Fifty prime Lens (50mm) which really brought a lot of accolades from all my friends in the portraits. Most of them who know me have their photographs on Facebook pages and WhatsApp profile pictures all captured by me. I bought the Canon 100D in a Cyber sale when Dion Wired used to operate in South Africa way back in 2015-16.

#TheLifesWayReviews Unboxing @CanonRSA #CanonEOSm50 Mirrorless #vLogging Camera #ProductReview

I got this Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera which is my 3rd camera from Canon to start my vLogging side of things and thought it will be easy to do if I have the right resources available with me. Capturing yourself on the camera is the toughest thing as it takes some time to get used to the same and initially you forget what you have to say. I am still getting the hang of things and still not posted even a single video facing the camera to date but soon it will be shared on my youtube channel. The unboxing video is live on my channel in the Hindi language. From no camera of Canon to the third one from the house of Canon, it's been a great journey!

Thanks a lot for watching the same and if you like the same, please do like, share, and subscribe to the channel. I am posting a lot of videos from all the time I have enjoyed in the Rainbow Country, South Africa along with a lot of photographs on my Instagram handles.

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@AstrumAfrica #AstrumEN250 2.5" SATA HDD Enclosure #ProductReview

Hi Friends,

I had an extra 1TB HDD which I took out from the Asus VivoBook S15 as it was heating up the laptop from the left palm rest under the keyboard a lot, and got it replaced for a 1TB SSD by paying around R3300 and for which I was in the market for an HDD enclosure. I thought of buying one from the house of Astrum Peripherals as I reviewed one long ago with Powerbank and converting your normal HDD into Wi-Fi enabled device so I thought of buying the same one from Tech House in Fordsburg. Soon I got it home after paying the cash price for the enclosure with so many features but as soon as tries installing the Wi-Fi app - it was no longer available in the Google Playstore and neither there were any benefits of the power bank and my whole one case fits all kind of technology decisions failed quickly. I went back and returned the same and got this USB 2.0 enclosure as I thought I am not going to use the hard disk in day to day use much so it won't depend as there was a huge price difference between the 2.0 and 3.0 versions of the enclosures as you know it's difficult for the shopkeeper to return the money in cash so he increased the prices from the previous visit to the store.

#TheLifesWayReviews #Astrum 2.5" HDD Enclosure #EN250 #ProductReview

Finally, the review is online on my YouTube channel and you can watch the video -

Thanks a lot for watching and if you like the video, please do share and subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

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