New Year Resolutions - Week 13 Achievements & Failures in 2023 #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys,

Week 13 also went strongly into watching many movies and web series on a mission as if I have to complete them on a priority. I did this sometimes to complete which have been pending to be watched and then don't care anything for the next few months. I don't have the discipline to watch a single episode per day and make a schedule, but this can be my goal in the coming months. 

1. Entertainment - I started with John Wick 4 that I really loved and had to go through the storyline once again to understand the same. I also watched United Kacche Season 1 starring Sunil Grover and totally loved the same. It's definitely a watch if you want to enjoy some comedy. Then I went on to watch Pop Kaun Season 1 starring Kunal Khemu, Nupur Sanon and all the biggest stars of Bollywood comedy. It's also the last web series of Late Sh Satish Kaushik who died just before the release of this web series on Disney+ Hotstar. It was a difficult series to watch as there was no logic in the story as they kept running from one end to another in search of the father of the lead character. 

2. Thank You - This week I progressed really well on the count I started from 11500 to reach the 61000 mark to finish this week. I am sure that you are also following this habit. The more powerful exercise is to do the affirmations on a daily basis. 

3. No Salary - This is the first time in the last many years that I have not received my monthly salary. This has been a little bit difficult as now you have to dig into your savings if any towards doing all the expenses for the month. I could have saved a lot of tension if I could have planned the closure of the bank account better. I have closed on all my regular bills that I really don't want that are not adding to my life. There is a lot of dependence on the monthly salary and it really makes your risk-taking capability less and puts you into a comfort zone. I definitely need to come out of my comfort zone for sure in the coming days. May Almighty Lord Shiva grant me the courage to break away. Aum Namah Shivay! Har Har Mahadev!

4. Events - I attended Homefair Expo, Buy Local Summit as well as a YouTube Shorts virtual event. This is really a nice thing as I get to meet a lot of new people and get new opportunities to review products that I have never done on my Youtube channel. This is going to be good as my channel will have diverse videos so that people can know about some of the brands that I was also not aware of. 

5. Brands - There are millions of brands in the markets around Planet Earth and it's not possible to know them all. We all know some of the local brands around our city or country and some of the expensive ones that we aspire to own or dream about. I have now tried to acquire some of the items that I have never received earlier. I am now introducing all those brands in my unboxing videos or doing some of their product reviews with a little bit of history about the brand. 

The first 3 months of the year 2023 are already finished this week. Whatever you intend to do this year, start your engines firing towards them for sure. I am looking forward to the same as well so that I can achieve what I thought about my goals and dreams. I am sure with the power of my dreams I can too fly towards them. Har Har Mahadev!

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

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New Year Resolutions - Week 12 Achievements & Failures in 2023 #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys,

I felt great and rejuvenated as I say this after completing the trip to Clarens and Golden Gate National Park. I felt good that I did white river rafting as well as Quad biking for the first time in Clarens. 

1. Thank You - I started again from zero to reach 11500 in total this week. I have also closed my bank account to save on the monthly fees but it will subsequently lead to a long battle with my employer in the coming days and months. 

2. Holidays - I totally loved the trip from Sat 18-Mar to 21-Mar in Clarens and totally loved the relaxed weather and the surroundings. The Golden Gate National Park now has been developed to have some points that are maintained and points where people can take some photographs. 

3. Entertainment - I watched Pathaan again on TV as it came on the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. I totally loved it watching with my daughter who has not seen it. I was also invited the premier event of Dungeons and Dragons - Honor Among Thieves movie at Mall of Africa. It was such a lovely experience to throw an axe which I wanted to do the first time I saw it on Netflix series on marriage proposals by an Indian Aunty. The movie is really a nice watch and I totally loved watching it. I also then went on to watch an OTT release of Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga starring Yami Gautam and Sunny Kaushal. 

4. Daily Yoga - The best benefit of doing Yoga daily for the last month in Feb-23 was when during the white river rafting out raft went turtle and I went underwater for some seconds. During the course of the same, my mind could follow the instructions told earlier by the raft master and was not afraid at all as well. I came back on the top in the next 30 seconds without drinking any river water or being afraid despite being a non-swimmer and another raft took me in. Definitely, all the calmness that was inside me when I was drowning is due to the after-effects of pranayam and daily yoga practice. I was so happy that I got enrolled for 3 months in one go starting Apr-Jun 2023. 

5. First Time - It's really good to do stuff that you have never done before. I always thought that Quad-bike will be saying as it's just a small 4-wheel car but the experience to handle it totally different. It's balanced but it's more like a motorbike. You need to balance it using the handle which can make it turtle as well. Also, your feet keep going to the ground and can hit or can get injured so you need to take care. The right kind of acceleration is needed that you will learn sooner than later as you start trusting the bike on the demo run. I totally love this exhilarating experience. 

What I learned from this week is that you should always keep an open mind and attitude to explore, meet new people and venture into the unknown. Never let anyone define your boundaries, you expand them and keep expanding them to the places where you walk on Planet Earth. Always showcase your unique self to the world and I used to do so wherever I travelled but now for many years, I am not doing so. Starting today I will express my unique self to the world and accommodate each and everyone into my life. Thanks!!!

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

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How Galaxy Became the Ultimate Gamer’s Smartphone? @SamsungMobileSA #GalaxySseries

Hi Guys,

As the gaming world gathers at the Game Developers Conference to celebrate and discuss the latest and best innovations, learn more about Galaxy’s vision for creating the best mobile gaming smartphone on the market.

Since the days of the first Galaxy S, mobile gaming has transformed beyond recognition. The most popular games all used to be basic tap-and-swipe titles, but now mobile gaming offers so much more. As the mobile gaming market grows at 1.7 times the rate of the rest of the gaming world, innovation is in high demand.

The line between mobile gaming and PC or console gaming is blurring, and Samsung engineers have been working to obliterate it entirely. With the Galaxy S23, Samsung aimed to set a new standard for what a premium mobile device can do.

Well, mission accomplished.

With improved hardware, software, processing and more, the newest Galaxy smartphone comprehensively advances every aspect of the device. Galaxy has even optimized the games themselves through open collaboration with developers. The result: a world-class gaming experience with performance elevated in every area.

Creating the Ultimate Gamer’s Smartphone

At the heart of the Galaxy S23 series is the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. As the most powerful chipset ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, it’s what gives gamers an edge they won’t find on other smartphones. It makes graphics smoother, with more stable frame rates. And it’s more power-efficient compared to previous models.

That’s increasingly important as mobile games become more demanding. Graphics on mobile titles are getting closer to what’s possible at home. Processors have more 3D rendering challenges. More textures and objects in a scene, plus higher frame rates and increasing resolutions.

The Galaxy S23 handles all this with ease. Samsung worked closely with Qualcomm to optimize the chipset for Galaxy. When development began, the priority was to ensure early GPU compatibility, reliability and optimized performance.

The result is a GPU about 41% faster and designed to keep up with the demands of power users. The new CPU structure also boosts the processing abilities of the Galaxy S23 series by about 30% compared to the Galaxy S22 series.

Supporting all this is a key innovation empowering our gaming mission: Galaxy’s vapor cooling chamber. An overheated chipset may have to limit resources to protect both the user and the device. This causes game performance downgrades such as framerate drops. The vapor cooling chamber made larger on the Galaxy S23 Ultra and brought to the S23+ and S23 models, reinforces gaming performance as it dissipates heat.

All these advancements help address one of the latest gaming challenges – cross-platform gaming. This is when mobile, console and desktop versions of a game need to share data across devices. This results in higher CPU and GPU loads than conventional games, which is a lot to handle. Good resource management is critical, as is the intelligence to balance performance and power.

Making the Future of Gaming More Mobile

To excel at handling increasingly demanding workloads, a smartphone needs excellent hardware and software — and precise optimization to get the most out of both.

The Galaxy S23 delivers the fastest mobile graphics of any Galaxy device. But more importantly, it can now sustain intense gaming performance for longer periods of time than on previous the S series. This was one of the biggest gaps between static and mobile gaming, and Galaxy is closing it.

Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy is also designed to support new technologies such as ray tracing. Capable of handling light source effects such as shadows and reflection, the Galaxy S23 series could serve as the first platform for game developers to apply ray tracing effects on mainstream mobile games. But Samsung is not just ahead of the industry now. Engineers are already working on more future-ready advancements so Galaxy smartphones can handle even more complex effects.

While plenty of smartphones can play games well on the go, Galaxy is striving for something extraordinary. Something like the Galaxy S23 series. Or as we like to think of it, the ultimate gamer’s smartphone — that’s only going to keep getting better.

To dive deeper into Galaxy’s future-ready gaming innovations, including ray tracing, read the latest from developers here.

*Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

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The Galaxy Enhance-X App Is Now Available on @SamsungMobileSA Premium Smartphones #GalaxyEnhanceX

Hi Guys,

Expanded from its beta phase as seen on the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung’s Galaxy Enhance-X app is now available for a wide range of premium Galaxy smartphones via the Galaxy Store. This new image editing app lets users freely customize and remaster their photos, especially in those moments when an unwanted stray shadow, a lens distortion or a lighting imbalance nearly ruins an otherwise great shot.

Powered by AI, Galaxy Enhance-X offers comprehensive one-tap image enhancement as well as the flexibility to adjust specific features, including HDR and Moiré effect. This flexibility allows users to bring out the best in all of their photos.

Powerful and Precise Photo Editing

For those times when you feel your photo needs a more general, all-around lift, Galaxy Enhance-X’s Magic feature is a one-stop solution able to make comprehensive yet intuitive enhancements to your picture. With just a tap, the Magic feature will leverage deep learning and AI to automatically refine any visual noise, blur and low details, significantly improving the image quality — instantly.

Galaxy Enhance-X also provides users with a broad range of tools with which they can customize their images. HDR, for example, analyzes highlights, shading, brightness and contrast, expanding the dynamic range of the image and making its lighting richer without sacrificing quality. Like many of Galaxy Enhance-X’s features, it also offers different levels of intensity — from 0 to 4 in HDR’s case. Furthermore, the images we receive via social media or other messaging apps often come to us compressed after having been uploaded online. For such cases, the Upscale tool boosts the resolution of images under 1MP by up to four times for consistent, sharp detail.

To target specific areas with precision, Galaxy Enhance-X has functions like Fix Moiré and Remove Shadows. With Fix Moiré, users can smooth out the repetitive, wavy patterns that often occur when taking photos of laptop, TV or monitor displays, and, because shadows can sometimes find their way into photos even in well-lit, indoor environments, Remove Shadows isolates and removes them for bright, bold images free of intrusive silhouettes.

Galaxy Enhance-X’s capabilities don’t just stop at those pictures taken within the past 10 minutes. The Old Photo tool harnesses generative AI to restore and bring extra clarity to old or damaged photos. While optimizing, Old Photo is also sure to maintain any face details, such as expressions, exactly as they were in the original photo, so the resulting shot is clearer and more accurate.

Other leading Galaxy Enhance-X editing functions include Brighten, Fix Blur, Sharpen, Remove Reflection and Fix Lens Distortion, while the Portrait and Face feature help specifically optimize the lighting and balance of portrait shots.

Even Better Image Editing Control at Users’ Fingertips

With Galaxy Enhance-X, users have the freedom to choose the precise changes they make, resulting in ideal images made possible through new levels of customizability. Furthermore, the app’s powerful AI tools can perfect previously-taken or downloaded images on top of those captured with the native Galaxy camera app.

Launching officially on June 20 for a range of premium Samsung Galaxy smartphones1, Galaxy Enhance-X is a new level of image innovation that brings personalized customization to every user as well as any photo.

Download the Galaxy Enhance-X app by following this link.

1 Available on Galaxy S23 series, S22 series, S21 series, S20 series, Note20 series, Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Z Fold3, Z Flip3, Z Fold2, Z Flip 5G and Z Flip LTE devices operating on One UI 5.1 or above. Support for Galaxy Enhance-X on Galaxy A series, Galaxy M series and Galaxy tablets will be available at a later date.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

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itel Brings Five New Smartphones to South Africa @itel_SA #itelMobileSA #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys, 

itel unlocks great value for South Africans with new P40, A60S, A60, A04, and A18 smartphones

The itel P40 touched down in South Africa recently, looking to disrupt the budget phone market. Despite costing only R1,999 (recommended retail price), the itel P40 packs useful tech in its sleek, stylish design. This includes a giant 6000mAh battery, one of the biggest batteries in any phone; 18W fast-charging for when the juice does run low; and a 6.6-inch display, larger than other affordable phone options.

All these, combined with the other features and specs of the device, make the itel P40 the smart choice for those looking for a reliable, long-lasting, great-value-for-money phone.

Alongside the itel P40, a further four smartphones are available or will be available in the near future in South Africa. itel is on a mission to help everyone, no matter their needs or budget, live a better life by having access to helpful, top-quality technology at a price that won’t empty their wallets.

Endless hours of use

itel P40’s 6000mAh battery translates to three days of use from a single charge with standard use. If you use your phone more sparingly, preferring instead to occupy your time with other important things, then the phone can last for over two weeks on standby mode.

Not only is the battery larger than ones found in other phones in the same price segment, but it’s larger than ones you’ll find in some flagship phones, meaning you could spend ten times the price of the itel P40 on a flagship model and still get worse performing battery life.

And when the battery level is getting low, 18W fast-charging means you can top it back up in no time whenever you need to. Just a 10-minute charge is enough to give you hours of phone usage back.

Super smooth performance and a crystal-clear display

The 6.6-inch screen size of the itel P40 is one of the largest you will find in a budget phone, making it the perfect option no matter if you use your phone for work, to watch videos, or to scroll through social media. A detailed HD+ resolution means plenty of detail, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures silky-smooth performance. This performance can be further boosted by the phone’s Memory Fusion Technology, which speeds up performance for multi-tasking, and loading apps, and stabilises the phone’s systems for more sustainable performance and longer battery life.

Other features

Storage isn’t a problem with the itel P40, with plenty of space for all your apps, photos and videos. Unbelievably, you can store up to 26 000 photos or 18 000 short videos with the 64GB ROM + 4GB RAM (2GB + 2GB extended) configuration. You can also expand the storage by up to 512GB with the memory card slot.

A 13MP rear camera, which delivers crisp and clear image details, is accompanied by an 8MP front-facing camera to capture all your selfies.

itel A04 and itel A18 also arrive in South Africa

Another two options for itel fans to consider are the new A04 or A18 smartphones. Launched at the same time as the itel P40 in the country, these very affordable phones also bring useful tech to make your life more convenient and fun.

The key features of the itel A04 include a 6.3-inch FW+ Waterdrop display, which brings an exceptional viewing experience; a long-lasting 4,000mAh battery; and large 2GB + 32GB memory for all your needs. In addition, the phone has a 5MP dual camera to take clear shots with ease and record all your moments, and fingerprint and facial recognition technology to safeguard your privacy and keep your data secure. All this, and much more for the unbelievable price of only R1,299.

The itel A18 is designed with the extremely budget conscious in mind but also packs some impressive tech. For a recommended retail price of only R899, you get large 32GB ROM storage (one of the highest of any in this price range), a 5-inch display, 5MP front camera and 2MP rear camera, and a dual sim setup on 4G.

Still to come, itel A60S and itel A60

Following hot on the heels of the three aforementioned devices, two more from itel, A60S and A60, will also soon be available in South Africa.

Both these smartphones boast a 6.6-inch HD+ Waterdrop display, a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, 4GB RAM (2GB + 2GB extended) with 64GB ROM (itel A60S) and 32GB ROM (itel A60), and 8MP dual rear camera.

No matter your needs or your budget, one of these new itel smartphones will suit your requirements!

Availability

The itel P40, itel A04, and itel A18 are available from select retail partners, including Mr Price and PEP (availability varies per store and while stocks last), and are priced at R1,999, R1,299, and R899 (recommended retail prices) respectively.

Itel A60S and itel A60 will be available in South Africa from July onward priced at R1,699 and R1,499 respectively.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

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New Year Resolutions - Week 11 Achievements & Failures in 2023 #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys,

The week still reminded me of the heartbreak when I wanted to win the GK contest but missed it due to my mistakes only. The nostalgia continued and it was so difficult to move on. 

1. Entertainment - The week started with the continuation of Prison Break Season 5 and finally finished the whole series again after a gap of around 12-13 years. I still felt that it is one of the well-made series and you are glued to your seats despite watching it and knowing the story as well. I moved to the National Treasure Season 1 on Disney Plus which is really a nice spin-off from the famous Nicolas Cage movies. I also watched the Gulmohar movie starring Sharmila Tagore, Simran and Manoj Vajpayee. It's really a nice heart-touching movie with the family getting separated and the link being the old house made by grandparents. Finally, I started watching the second season of The Rocket Boys and this one is the best we can see this year for sure. I am surely in love with the acting of Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh and Regina Cassandra. If you have not seen this web series on Sony Liv you should definitely go and watch it. Regina was looking so beautiful in season 1 and has this background music being played to make it easy to fall in love with her. Jim Sarbh is indeed a great actor and the way he played the role of Dr. Homi Bhabha is exceptional to the level that can fetch him Oscars. 

2. Thank You - I did some 18000 Thank You for this week. It's really nice when I do this and take the counts towards the monthly goal of 100k. This habit shall be adopted by everyone even if you don't feel grateful you will soon have it in your consciousness. 

3. Youtube - I received one of the YouTube Shorts gifts from the YouTube team. I totally loved the same and it is always awesome to be getting something or the other from the team. I feel special and I am special too, it's just that I need to have some belief in myself. 

4. Holidays - This week went into planning the upcoming holidays next week or rather starting this coming Saturday to Clarens and Golden Gate National Park. I will be going with some families with whom I have never travelled earlier. 

5. Yoga - This month I didn't enrol for the daily classes thinking that I will be able to do it myself using strong willpower and discipline but both are missing in me now. I did it randomly but not as a whole 1-hour class that I generally take every weekday. 

I am sure there is potential in all of us so every day of our lives should be to realize it to do something that challenges our mental capacity and courage. Courage is something that you should not let rust ever. Take risks and move forward to new opportunities and do say what you have to say to the world. You are unique and your voice needs to be heard. 

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

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Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 10 Years!

SA youth: Accessing the Heart of this Powerful Buying Market #Nokia105 #NokiaT20

Hi Guys, 

South Africa’s youth today is a very progressive and powerful buying market, who value authenticity, a balance between working, living and making a difference in their immediate and greater worlds. They are also very particular about which products and experiences they engage with – which will be heavily influenced by these core values.

When researching a brand, this younger buying market makes a point of seeing if a brand’s products, ways of doing business, and/or company values, are kind to the planet, and not just the pocket. They actively seek out brands that care as much as they do.

While very ambitious – wanting to build a life that is comfortable and holds space for adventure, experiences, and personal growth – SA youth see the brands/companies/products/services that they engage with as an extension of themselves, and as such should hold the same core values as the individual.

Brands with hearts stand apart

Brands that stand apart from others in the eyes of this buying market have initiatives that support the sustainability of natural resources, as well as having as little impact on the planet as possible in the process of production, operation, and disposal.

This extends to their mobile devices too – how they are manufactured, the eco-friendliness of replaceable (such as batteries, charging cables, etc), and the care of people as much as the planet.

So when a brand achieves a high sustainability ranking, as did HMD Global, the Home of Nokia phones, this younger and very aware buying market stands up and takes note. HMD has a powerful mission to lower its carbon footprint on the planet, including extending the longevity of its products so that they last longer without losing operational capability, requiring less production of new products. This is highly attractive to this market.

Authenticity is gold

A brand that is transparent, personal, honest and “real” with its audience will capture their hearts – and that share of the market.

The younger SA buying market is very shrewd consumers that aren’t attracted to “fluff” created around a brand and its offerings. They want a brand partner that tells it like it is, that listens to what their consumers want, and that cuts through the clutter of marketing noise with an offer that is simple and “real”.

Feeding into the SA youth market’s priorities

This is why HMD has reduced the noise and clutter, bringing phones and tablets to the youth market that support them in what is important to them in life.

Nostalgia

SA youth don’t “do” overcomplicated, and in a world where things are becoming more and more complicated, they are leaning decidedly towards the simplicity of older times, and the comfort and “escape” that these bring.

Because this market is prone to worry, they are looking at removing things from around them that fuel the worry – like overcomplicated processes, products and features. They want things that are easy to use, dependable, that last, and that give them exactly what they need, as opposed to handfuls of other things that they will have to wade through.

A simple phone like the Nokia 105, for example, offers calling and messaging, a torch, some games, FM radio and a very-long-lasting battery. And this young market is seeing a device like this as taking them back to that safe and simple past and stripping them away from an overcomplicated lifestyle.

Work meets life

Supporting a balanced lifestyle is also a very important consideration for SA youth. As much as they want the comfort and stability of a good income, they also want to be able to save money to travel; experience and own things that interest and excite them and bring emotional value to their lives.

A brand that supports this holistic approach to life is one that this market wants to be associated with. And one that has a bouquet of products to choose from, with each product having a specific collection of features that talks to this market’s priorities, will gain additional traction in their esteem.

The Nokia T20 tablet, for example, talks to the young working SA professional who need long-lasting battery time to cater for online meetings, the ability to stream movies and good sound for quality listening. Because quality is also desired for the holistic experience. 

Access 

Of vital importance to enter this market is access. Access to the internet; apps that support their need for inspiration, community, information and connectivity to peers and the workplace.

Access is what opens up this market’s world – from virtual travel and exploration, enhancing their education, to catching up with someone abroad. And they want their access to be immediate.

The world has become more fast-paced than ever, and this generation that wants their finger on the pulses of everything in their realm of interest wants it immediately with near-instant gratification.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

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Top 4 Virtual Games to play with your family from your phone without worrying about battery life #NokiaC21Plus

Hi Guys,

Distance has become far less limiting over the past few years, especially when it comes to connecting with family and friends. Video-calling a sibling from South Africa to Australia is as simple as a touch of a button. Even connecting with several family members at the same time is easy using group call functions.

While calling for a chat fills you in on the latest news, connecting with family members in a more engaging way is what brings you closer together. And one of the best ways to do that is to do fun things together, virtually.

HMD Global, the Home of Nokia phones, shares some original and super-fun things that families can do together on the virtual playground.

Charades

Have a blast playing Charades with your family, this incredibly entertaining and thrilling multi-activity allows participants to guess the word on the card that's on the screen of the person who’s got the phone to their head, based on clues from other participants’ performances (which could include dancing, singing, acting, or sketching) before time runs out.

Lip-Sync Battle

Fancy yourself a great rock star imitator? Challenge your family members to a Lip-Sync Battle, where each person has 30 seconds to show their stuff, lip-syncing their favourite music artist.

You can create a score sheet, where everyone judges each performance based on things like accuracy of lyrics, dramatism, flair, and believability.

Karaoke King

Or drop the lip-syncing and have a full-on karaoke competition. You can find instrumental versions of your favourite song on YouTube, Smule, KaraFun or Singa. Go live on your video call and show your family that you deserve to be on South Africa’s Got Talent!

Drawing Together

So we’ve done acting, singing (and mock singing) – how about some family drawing!

There are loads of online drawing sites that you can use, like Sketchbook or WeDraw where you can do anything from relaxing doodling to playing and learning how to draw step by step. Or go for the good old Pictionary, which is sure to ramp up the hilarity.

You’ll naturally need a screen that’s big enough to be able to see all these masterpieces, making the 6.5” screen of the Nokia C21 Plus perfect!

In It For The Long Run

With all these wonderful games you’ll be playing with your family, it’s easy to lose track of time. Luckily the C21 Plus has up to 3-day¹ battery life on a single charge! (Now that alone is worth the unbelievably affordable price of only R1,999, right?!)

What are you waiting for? Create that family WhatsApp group and get everyone ready and psyched up for the best fun together.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

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Winter doesn’t have to be a downer – Have a Social life, Stay fashion-conscious and Happy #Nokia105

Hi Guys, 

Winter isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, with the cold making people hesitant to step outdoors. The double-edged sword is that load shedding makes indoor activities like watching movies, or simply listening to music, hard as well.

Throw into the mix a lack of motivation to do physical exercise, lower mood due to a lack of vitamin D and serotonin, and being cooped up indoors because of low outdoor temperatures, and you could end up feeling rather blue about life.

The good news is that winter doesn’t have to be the let-down that it can be infamous for! HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, shares some tips on how to keep social, look fabulous, and feel on top of the world this winter.

Retro/vintage is powering the 2023 fashion scene

If you love the vintage look (and the wonderful nostalgia that it brings), 2023 is your year! Vintage is roaring ahead in fashion this year, with a notable spotlight on comfort and minimalism. Smaller handbags partner well with oversized sweaters and comfy cargo pants are just perfect for the compact Nokia 105 - which is a fashion statement in itself.

This neat phone takes you back to when you could just slip your phone into your compact bag or pocket - but brings with it all the features you need. FM radio, 15 hours of talk time, games to keep you entertained in the queue at the grocery store…and a bright torch for when load shedding tries to leave you in the dark.

Going retro can also help with mental wellness

Another way to support your mental wellness this winter is by taking a break from the “noise” of things like souped-up modern technology - which seems to be always on, and always shouting for your attention.

Going retro with certain things, like your mobile phone, can evoke a nostalgic feeling that takes you back emotionally to “simpler times”, when things were easier, less stressful, and less cluttered. This can have a powerful effect on your state of calm and improve your holistic mental well-being.

Stay on top of the entertainment scene

While you’re chatting for hours with your friends (yes, HOURS – because the incredible battery life of the Nokia 105 gives you the power to talk for hours), it’s more than likely that the topic of what’s hot on the entertainment scene will come up.

Luckily, one of the upsides of staying indoors more often in winter means you’ll be able to binge-watch some of the latest series, so you’ll have no trouble commenting on all the drama happening in Young, Famous & African S2 – because you can stream them right to your phone (and watch for hours)!

Be the light of your own life

OK, let’s face it – load shedding on a freezing-cold, dark winter’s night is enough to bring anyone down. The Nokia 105 can give you a bright guiding light so you don’t stub your toe (which is always more painful when it’s cold), fall over the dog, or step on a Lego brick (if you’re a parent, you’ll know the pain – especially in winter).

Turn on that powerful torch and be your OWN guiding light to the bathroom – or the kitchen for some leftover shesa nyama because you need some kind of reward for getting up in the middle of a winter’s night (you won’t be able to heat it, but that’s OK – leftover shesa is great hot or cold).

Keep your mind healthy and happy during winter

An effective and easy way to help you work through those mental winter “blues” and feel happy and content. Music is one of them – especially if it’s music you really enjoy. Imagine cuddling under your blankets in your bed with a hot water bottle, listening to your favourite artists as you fall asleep. With the Nokia 105’s FM wireless radio, you can listen all night. And a good night’s sleep also sets you up to wake up feeling happy, refreshed, and ready to take on the day – which may be cold, but you’ve got some really cool tools to make them fabulous with!

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish

Thanks! Cheers!!!

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, stationery, product reviews

and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h

Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!

Light, Games and Chatting with friends – The Power is in your Hands when Load Shedding Hits #Nokia105

Hi Guys, 

With winter having taken a solid foothold in South Africa over the past few days, the demand for electricity is already seeing a major rise, putting our threatened power grid under more strain – with more load shedding to come.

And winter being what it is, people tend to spend more time at home and indoors where it’s warm and staying entertained with family. Until load shedding hits, that is.

Luckily, it’s not all bad news! HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, sheds light on a nifty little companion to lift the load-shedding blues.

When the lights go out

If you’re not prepared with a backup light, you stand the risk of some really eina accidents. Like stubbing your toe on the corner of the couch as you grapple for the emergency light or having your phone (the screen of which you’re using for light) knocked out of your hand to crash onto the floor as you try to navigate your way to a light source.

This is when you’ll be so grateful for your handy Nokia 105! With a built-in torch, you won’t have to worry about getting those nasty bumps and bruises, as the torch lights the way to your generator, inverter, or backup lights.

And if you do happen to have it knocked out of your hands while trying to get that generator going, it’s OK – built to take on everyday life, the scratch and bump-resistant exterior is built to last – and looks good doing it The Nokia 105’s compact shape is specially moulded to feel great in the hand and easily slip into your pocket when you’re on the go.

Boredom is so 2022

Some of us aren’t so fortunate to be able to have a generator or inverter in our homes for when load shedding hits. So, when the power is out and can’t feed the TV or laptop, how on earth do you stay entertained?!

Aside from reading your favourite book in the clear and strong light of your Nokia 105’s built-in torch, or going old-school with some fun board games, your Nokia 105 has a selection of 10 classic pre-loaded games for your enjoyment - including Snake!

Or use the time for some great catch-up calls with family and friends thanks to the Nokia 105’s all-day1 battery life, you can catch up on Sipho’s drama with his landlord, how Melanie’s first date went, and how your cousin’s new job is going in KZN.

Chill to the beats of local radio

But perhaps you just want to chill out and relax to some cool music, soak in a hot bath with the week’s top 20 hits or put your feet up and listen to the latest amapiano tracks.

Keep up with the football score or listen to your favourite radio shows together with friends and family on loudspeakers or plug in to enjoy music privately. Whatever you are in the mood for, the wireless FM radio gives you a choice.

So who really has the power?

With the Nokia 105 - it’s you! All thanks to the torch, pre-loaded games and great battery life!

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish 

Thanks! Cheers!!! 

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, stationery, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!

New Fujifilm X-S20 Makes Life Easy for vloggers & Travellers @fujifilmx_za #FujifilmXS20

Hi Guys, 

• X-S20 brings the latest auto-focus tech, Vlog mode and a larger battery to the compact body.
• Also, an ultra-wide lens coming to SA, with the new Fujifilm XApp app available for enhanced wireless image transfer.

Fujifilm South Africa has announced the Fujifilm X-S20 mirrorless camera, the follow-up to the 2020s highly regarded X-S10. The X-S20 continues down the path set by its older brother, making it easy for both beginners and professional photographers alike, not forgetting about videographers and now also vloggers.

Quick and easy vlogging

For vloggers, Fujifilm has incorporated a new Vlog mode. It works by setting the Mode dial on the top panel to ‘Vlog’ in order to have the X-S20 ready for recording video in a second. Doing so activates the LCD monitor to display the live view alongside six important functions (such as Background Defocus mode, Product Priority mode and High-Speed Rec.), making it easy to adjust settings by simply touching the screen.

To make recording convenient, the X-S20 comes equipped with a 1.84-million-dot rear vari-angle LCD monitor to clearly view yourself when shooting video, while the camera can be also combined with Fujifilm’s innovative TG-BT1 tripod grip for enhanced vlog production.

By using a USB-Type C cable to connect the camera to a computer, vloggers can use the X-S20 as a webcam without having to install extra software. This allows them to continue to use Fujifilm’s innovative Film Simulation modes even during live streaming or an online meeting, and also able to adjust shooting settings on the fly.

As far as video capture capabilities, the X-S20 can record 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10-bit video internally, further supporting extensive video functions including 4K/60P and 1080/240P.

Improvements all around

First seen on the X-S10, the X-S20 features the signature large grip for stability, being further enhanced with a five-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) mechanism that offers up to a 7.0-stop advantage. Fujifilm also drastically improved battery life on the X-S20, with the newly adopted high-capacity NP-W235 battery capturing approx. 800 frames (more than double the X-S10), making it an ideal travel camera. This status is further confirmed by the weight of the camera, pulling the scales at only 491g.

The X-S20 is certainly no slouch, boasting the back-illuminated 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and the high-speed X-Processor 5 image processing engine to produce high-quality images and video. This is the same image processing engine found in Fujifilm’s flagship X-T5 camera and allows for a number of improvements including to the auto-focus (AF) system.

Importantly, Fujifilm brings its latest subject-detection AF technology to the X-S20, developed with Deep Learning technology. Now users can detect drones, cars, animals, birds, motorcycles, bicycles, aeroplanes, trains and insects, keeping them in focus for the perfect shot. In AUTO mode – advantageous for beginner photographers – the X-S20 automatically selects the optimum settings according to scenes, complemented by the new AUTO Subject Detection function.

Fujifilm X-S20 - local price and availability

A full all-rounder that caters to professionals, beginners and vloggers, the Fujifilm X-S20 should be available in South Africa in mid-June with a suggested retail price of R23 900 (incl. VAT), or R29 500 (incl. VAT) for X-S20 body alongside an 18-55mm lens.

Fujifilm’s widest lens yet - the XF8mmF3.5 R WR

Alongside the X-S20, Fujifilm has also launched its widest XF lens yet. The Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR is an ultra-wide angle (UWA) prime lens with a focal length of 8mm (equivalent to 12mm in the 35mm film format). It boasts a viewing angle of 121 degrees diagonally and 112 degrees horizontally, capturing information from an area about double the effective visual field that human vision can recognise. The compact and lightweight design makes it an ideal walkaround lens with a wide range of applications including landscape, architecture, snapshots and travel photography. Furthermore, the lens barrel is weather-sealed at ten locations to achieve dust- and weather resistance and is able to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C.

The Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR ultra-wide angle lens is expected in South Africa in mid-June with a suggested retail price standing at R16 500 (incl. VAT).

New XApp app brings stability to wireless image transfer

Last but certainly not least, Fujifilm is also releasing a new app to use with the GFX / X Series of digital cameras - the XApp. This app connects Fujifilm’s Wi-Fi-capable digital cameras with a smart device for remote shooting, image transfer and viewing. It offers improved wireless communication stability and speed over the previous app, allowing for smoother picture transfer and simplified operations. With the XApp, users can remotely operate a GFX / X Series camera from a connected smartphone/tablet while checking images in the Live View mode. There’s also a new ‘Timeline’ function which gathers and displays shooting information such as the camera and lens used, number of images taken, shooting location and more. The Fujifilm XApp is available for free to download from the most important app stores right now.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish 

Thanks! Cheers!!! 

https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, stationery, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!