August 06, 2020
Portuguese artist Artur Bordalo who goes
Portuguese artist Artur Bordalo who goes by the artistic name Bordalo II poses
in his studio in Lisbon on May 3, 2018. Lisbon to Los Vegas Born in Lisbon in
1987, he took his first steps as an artist in the studio of his grandfather, a
painter known for his watercolours of Lisbon who died last year. The message he
wishes to convey though is always the same. "Lisbon is one of the first world
capitals to have created a legal framework that allows artists to paint on
walls," said Pedro Farinha, of Estrela dAlva Tours, which has since 2014 staged
tours of the citys street art. The problem is going to be finding time!" the
artist said, smiling. "My productions depend a lot on wherever in the world I
find myself," said Bordalo II, whose works have decorated streets in Berlin,
Paris, Las Vegas and Baku in Azerbaijan. He uses materials in his work that are
harmful to animals to raise awareness, he said, in an interview with AFP at his
Lisbon studio, as he hand drilled a paw out of plastic cut from a rubbish bin
lid for a rodent sculpture. (Photo: AFP) LISBON: Broken crates and worn pipes
pile up in the studio of Portuguese artist Bordalo II, who uses rubbish to
create surprising animal sculptures to warn about the dangers of pollution. "One
day I started to assemble objects I had put aside to create a stand to paint on
and then I realised I could use these objects to create something aesthetically
interesting, while giving them meaning," he said. Bordalo II said Lisbon
"understands that urban art is a plus for the city.Bordalo II is part of a
growing group of artists such as Vhils and Pantonio who have used Lisbons
streets to display their works, thanks to municipal policies that favour street
art. He said he got the idea to make sculptures from trash while doing graffiti.
Bordalo II went on to study art at the University of Lisbon but he decided to
focus on his passion -- graffiti. Art in public spaces is an ideal way to change
mentalities because "it has the power to mark spirits," he added. Related
StoriesMonet sister paintings reunited in US for first timeRobots help artist
bring fine bison hair to pricey paintingsPaintings celebrate union between
humans & nature. "Animals are the characters which the public can identify
most easily with when I want to show the ravages of our society on nature," said
Artur Bordalo, who prefers the artistic name Bordalo II, a tribute to his late
grandfather, painter Artur Real Bordalo. The statue of
Plastic
Fruit Containers Manufacturers a bear and her cub "draws attention to the
ecological damage we are leaving to future generations," said the museums
spokeswoman, Ines Rapazote.Plus for city In a sign of Bordalo IIs mainstream
success as an artist, Lisbons prestigious Gulbenkian Foundation, one of Europes
richest collections, is displaying one of his works in its garden until the end
of the month. When he is not travelling abroad, he works on his sculptures in
his tiny studio on the ground floor of a building in a working class northern
Lisbon neighbourhood while listening to electronic music.The bearded 31-year-old
has decorated the Portuguese capital and other cities around the world with his
colourful foxes, owls, monkeys and chameleons. Bordalo II, who wore a grey
hoodie and jogging pants that revealed his tattooed calves, collects the trash
he uses to make his sculptures from Lisbons rubbish dumps and curbsides. In
Lisbon, one of his best-known works is a four-metre (13-foot) high raccoon
assembled from old tyres, car bumpers and electronic components that gazes down
on pedestrians in the riverside Belem district.He uses materials in his work
that are harmful to animals to raise awareness. "I have a busy schedule for the
next few years."Grey walls have nothing to tell," he added. "We must be
interested above all in the state of the world and nature," he said
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July 24, 2020
Traditionally, they cant take part in politics
Traditionally, they cant take part in politics, the rules are very clearly
demarcated between male and female," she told AFP. "The composition of the
melody comes from the bottom of my heart," mother-of-three Pyndaplin Shabong
told AFP. The traditions days may be numbered, though, as the modern world
creeps into Kongthong in the shape of televisions and mobile phones. The birds,
so many animals, they have ways of calling each other.Kongthong has long been
cut off from the rest of the world. Everyone in the village, inhabited by the
Khasi people, will then address the person with this individual little tune --
and for a lifetime. Days are spent foraging in the jungle for broom grass -- the
main source of revenue -- leaving the village all but deserted, except for a few
kids. Harmony with natureKongthong has long been cut off from the rest of the
world, several hours of tough trek from the nearest town. Its people calling out
to each other in music -- an extraordinary tradition that may even be unique."We
are living in far-flung villages, we are surrounded by the dense forest, by the
hills. Statecraft and all that is (a) male function." The custom is known as
"jingrwai lawbei", meaning "song of the clans first woman", a reference to the
Khasi peoples mythical original mother. And youngsters are increasingly going
off singing out their friends melodic names, preferring instead to phone them.
So we are in touch with nature, we are in touch with all the gracious living
things that God has created," says Khongsit. "It expresses my joy and love for
my baby," the 31-year-old said, her youngest daughter, two and a half years old,
on her knee. To walk along the main road in this village of wooden huts with
corrugated tin roofs, perched on a ridge miles from anywhere, is to walk through
a symphony of hoots and toots. (Photo: AFP) KONGTHONG, India: Curious whistles
and chirrups echo through the jungle around Kongthong, a remote Indian village,
but this is no birdsong. A mother looks after a family, after the inheritance we
get from our ancestors," Khongsit said. To call out to each other while in the
forest, the villagers would use a long version lasting around 30 seconds of each
others musical "name", inspired by the sounds of nature all around. On one side
a mother calls out to her son to come home for supper, elsewhere children play
and at the other end friends mess about -- all in an unusual, musical language
of their own.Women "dont have decision-making powers. "But if my son has done
something wrong, if Im angry with him, he broke my heart, at that moment I will
call him by his actual name," rather than singing lovingly, said Rothell
Khongsit, a community leader. Modern worldBut according to anthropologist Tiplut
Nongbri, a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi, it is
something of a "disguised patriarchy". "Creatures have their own identity."The
origin of "jingrwai lawbei" isnt known, but locals think it is as old as the
village, which has existed for as long as five centuries. Electricity arrived
only in 2000, and the dirt road in 2013. Property and land are passed down from
mother to daughter, while a husband moves in with his wife and takes her name.
end-of Tags: kongthong, india, culture, tradition, meghalay Related
StoriesEffect of British rule destroyed our pride in our cultureTraditional
TalesSpiritual detox. "Taking care of the children, thats the womens
responsibility. Some of the newer melodic names are inspired by Bollywood songs.
"We consider the mother the goddess of the family. Here in the lush, rolling
hills of the northeastern state of Meghalaya, mothers from Kongthong and a few
other local villages compose a special melody for each child. They have
conventional "real" names too, but they are rarely used.
Plastic
clamshell packaging boxes Factory This photo taken on July 12, 2018 shows
Indian villagers returning from a day working in nearby fields in Kongthong
village, in East Khasi Hills district in India's eastern Meghalaya state. And
unusually for India, this is a matrilineal society
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July 16, 2020
Blood-soaked bodies lay crumpled underneath
Blood-soaked bodies lay crumpled underneath tables of food and other goods, as
men gathered around wounded people.The deaths came as top diplomats from 17
countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, met for
Fruit
clamshells the first time in Vienna to seek a political path out of the
conflict.More than 250,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in
March 2011.A regular targetThe market's corrugated metal rooftops had been
twisted and blown apart in the attack, left dangling over mangled bicycles and
shredded signs.The Douma Coordination Committee, a local activist group,
published a gruesome video of what it said was the aftermath of more than a
dozen rockets smashing into the market.According to Abdel Rahman, "Douma is one
of the areas in Syria where there are the highest number of deaths since the
beginning of the war.Douma, in Syria, has witnessed highest number of deaths
since the beginning of war A Syrian army tank fires during fighting in Jobar,
Damascus (Photo: AP) Douma, in Syria, has witnessed highest number of deaths
since the beginning of war Beirut: Forty people, including a child, were killed
on Friday when rockets fired by Syrian government forces crashed into a market
in a rebel-held area outside Damascus, a monitor said. Throughout Syria's brutal
war, both the government and opposition forces have been condemned by rights
groups for indiscriminate fire on civilian areas.Rebel-held Douma lies in
Eastern Ghouta, the largest opposition stronghold in Damascus province."
Government forces regularly target the region with rocket fire, shelling and
aerial raids, while opposition groups there also launch rockets into the
capital. He said the latest attack took place as residents gathered at the
market, leaving corpses piled on top of each other. "Since your father was
killed in the last massacre, your mother has been telling you to stop working in
the market. A young boy in a sky-blue sweater stood on the sidelines, looking
stunned. "There is still heavy fire now, with both rockets and mortars," he
said, adding that the toll was expected to rise as people were still being
pulled out of damaged buildings.In August, 117 people were killed in a single
day of air strikes in the town, causing a global outcry.He added that one child
was among the dead. Why did you go Why " he cried. An AFP photographer at the
scene said on Thursday's attack had wounded hospital staff, limiting the
treatment available for the wounded on Friday."There were 40 people killed and
at least 100 wounded in the centre of Douma," a town on the eastern edges of the
Syrian capital, Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights, said.In the chaotic aftermath, a man in his thirties cried over the body
of a young boy killed in the attack.Government air strikes on Thursday also hit
a Douma market and a hospital, killing at least nine people, the Observatory
said
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July 09, 2020
This is one of the key features of sustainable
A traveller interacts with locals during one of Antara’s tripsThe World Tourism
Organisation (UNWTO) defines sustainable tourism as "Tourism that takes full
account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts,
addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host
communities", while The Global Development Research Center, an independent
non-profit think tank, describes it as being "an industry which attempts to make
a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate
income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems". It’s a marketing
or advertising gimmick and makes it very difficult for the consumer to be able
to differentiate between what is really environmentally friendly and what is
just a commercial gimmick," she says and points out how very often elephant
riding is promoted as an eco-friendly activity when it’s not. However, Sushma
does her bit to preserve the environments she is in. "I never carry plastic to
the mountains, or chemically-saturated products like shampoos and lotions.A bird
spotted on one of the birding trails on Farm of HappinessEthical tourismWhile
travellers are doing their bit to keep their travel plans sustainable, there are
also those within the travel industry who are championing sustainable tourism,
encouraging travellers to explore the ecology and biodiversity of a place, but
in a responsible fashion. The community itself became the watchdogs. I brief the
people in terms of what the culture is like and what we need to take care of.
You can create awareness about different communities. To become a part of them,
you have to leave your ego behind," she says.Akanksha’s travel enterprise does
something similar, but focusses on international experiences.This is one of the
key features of sustainable tourism, where the focus lies on promoting local
economies through community-based initiatives. Depleting natural resources,
excessive commercialisation, unmanageable waste output had dented the
environment and these are serious concerns in most tourist spots across India.
Their eco-lodge, which is situated on a certified organic farm in Kodagu (Coorg)
in southern Karnataka, invites conscious travellers to not only explore the
flora and fauna of the Western Ghats and tropical forests, but also learn about
biodiversity conservation and organic farming through workshops and forest
ecology trails. It makes them realize that anything they do relating to the
environment and their carbon footprints can go a long way in their own lives and
not necessarily only when they travel. "As a policy, we don’t hire anybody apart
from the local villagers. But as travellers evolve, they hope to acquire a
deeper insight and want their experiences to be more inclusive and sustainable.
There’s a concept called ‘greenwashing’ which unfortunately happens not just in
tourism, but in other areas as well, like organic food, where the marketeers
will say something is organic or natural or ‘eco’, but it’s not."Travellers
collect mangoes on the Farm of Happiness. It helps one be open to new
experiences in a responsible way and look at other aspects, including nature, in
the same manner we look at our families. We also forbid our guests from using
plastic bottles and encourage them to not leave behind any plastic waste," says
the botanist. Also, we make it clear that we’re looking for authenticity rather
than ‘touristy attractions’. This makes you compassionate about both — the
environment and the communities that live there. You will automatically become a
vigilant traveller and see to it that your actions are sustainable.
Alternatively, her team works on setting up culturally significant properties
such as small museums that preserve artefacts, folklore and become a permanent
cultural asset for a village. And that’s the way sustainable tourism is going to
be," says Akanksha. It also means asking whether the money being spent by you is
going back into the economy or to a multi-national office located in another
city. "They are the first people to be stopped from entering, despite being
dependent on the natural resource for generations. She says, "It’s true that
travel is a super competitive industry, but it can also work in another way,
where people co-operate and work with each other," which seems to be the spirit
that guides sustainable tourism. She tied up with a Roma gypsy she met on one of
her previous travels to facilitate staying options and community interactions.
So, while travelling, you’re not just having a good time, but also giving back.
The goal is to boost local economies and share the spotlight with local partners
to draw attention to them.Travellers are opting for sustainable travel options
and immersive experiences that also protects the interests of local communities.
"Monetarily, it might benefit the locals, but I wonder if we’re exposing them to
urbanised comforts and desires. And that’s where sustainable tourism comes into
the picture. Antara, who in her previous corporate job got a chance to engage in
rehabilitation activities in Uttarakhand right after the 2013 floods,
understands well the impact community-first tourism can have on local economies.
We can’t afford to not be responsible anymore. She says, "It’s all about empathy
and compassion towards everyone and the places you visit. "The point is to
promote a cultural exchange so that communities can learn from each other. Rahul
and his wife set up the traditional Konkani homestay in 2014, when the duo
decided to take to farming to feel closer to nature. Conscious travellers have
thus altered their choice of destination to opt for nature-based, eco-friendly
and community-based tourism. It is local experiences that help you learn more
about a place and make you concerned about its wellbeing as well," she opines.
There is always a wall between you and what you’re viewing and this makes you
feel disconnected and uncompassionate towards anyone or anything other than
yourself.However, there are some in the space who are going the extra mile to
walk the talk.A traveller tries her hand at weaving using sustainably-produced
yarnGreen with empathyIn 2018, the residents of Shimla made a plea to tourists
to skip the much-favoured summer destination. I want to evoke, empathy,
compassion and conversation," she explains. "This is a farmer’s opportunity to
enlighten people about his daily struggles and let the consumer connect to his
own food," he says. However, the very fact that you’re asking these questions
means that you’ve taken the first step in the right direction," concludes
Mariellen. So, we are in the space of supplementing rural livelihood," says
Antara. Even Rahul Kulkarni’s ‘Farm of Happiness’, located in the
biodiversity-rich Konkan region, is a similar sustainable destination that
facilitates ecotourism, while encouraging guests to feel closer to nature.
Today, it’s more experiential. So, you must engage with nature and those who
inhabit the place. However, founder of the award-winning travel blog
‘Breathedreamgo’, Mariellen Ward underscores how the term ‘ecotourism’ has been
misused as well.Antara believes that travel organisers like herself too can help
change attitudes of travellers, so that they truly connect with a place and act
responsibly. Such journeys encourage deep diving into a locality’s ecosystem,
while also bolstering local habitats and economies. Though the eco-lodge invites
human beings to take a closer look at the Western Ghats, Sujata says that they
try their best to reduce the traveller’s carbon footprint by introducing
sustainable initiatives on the lodge and farm. "We use solar energy for lighting
and heating purposes, biogas for cooking, compost for farming, practice
rainwater harvesting and recycle waste. Also, there is no waste as the leftovers
are passed through the animal house; the rest is used for biogas," informs
Rahul. You never get a chance to interact with the locals, except for maybe, the
people working there. However, Rahul too ensures that his agro-eco tourism
initiative doesn’t defile the environment.For the community, by the
communityDespite impressive growth in the tourism industry in the last few
decades, local communities did not have much role in tourism development.This
thought is echoed by Shikha Bala, a photographer who confesses taking multiple
trips in a year. Indian tourists have forever explored each destination with the
spirit of conquerors, hopeful of ticking off a laundry-list of attractions.
Botanist Dr Sujata Goel, who runs ‘Rainforest Retreat at Mojo Plantation’, a
unique project that combines ecotourism with sustainable agriculture and
environmental education, along with her husband Anurag, says that awareness
about the Earth’s fragile state is driving responsible travellers to explore
ecotourism. Also, I never expect lavishness when it comes to the stay or any of
the facilities. "The impact on the local environment and culture is the crucial
consideration. Often, it resulted in conflicts between the community and the
industry. The tourism industry is still unorganised in India, yet for many
states, it is the biggest source of revenue. As the growing breed of ‘conscious’
travellers opt for pristine, lush green destinations, or to connect with
secluded communities, one wonders if it can negatively impact the area and the
locals. And so, while visitors are taken on treks and boat rides and birding
trails to view more than a 100 species that abound in the lush landscape, they
are also given a tour of his organic farm, encouraging them to participate in
any or all of the farming activities. Marginalized communities, no matter where
they live, do have serious, often similar issues, so there’s great possibility
of learning from each other. You have to go in as an equal; you don’t go in as a
‘visitor to the zoo’. Also, visiting offbeat places puts them on the map, and
that leads to more people visiting them. "When I engage with people from the
place, I develop a relationship with the place and this makes me want to be
cautious about the way I dispose my garbage, refrain from using and throwing
plastic items and opt for homestays rather than five-star properties. So, we
have to put them first by training them to earn a livelihood by conducting
ecotourism activities like birding, trekking, setting up homestays and allied
businesses. The hilly capital of Himachal Pradesh was facing an acute shortage
of water and the peak tourist season was contributing to its woes. It is because
we ask for lavishness that big hotels come up and ruin ecologically sensitive
spaces," she avers. They should not be employed for our experience, but be the
owners of our experience," she insists. "We’re very conscious that it’s a
partnership model. For her recent trip, she invited city-dwellers to live with
Romanian gypsies so that they could get a feel of the community and their lives.
Rahul Kulkarni, owner of ‘Farm of Happiness’, an agro-eco tourism destination
says, "Tourism norms in India are changing a lot. Thirty-two-year-old Akanksha
Pundir, an avid traveller with a travel enterprise of her own called ‘Grass on
the Hill’, foregoes the jargon and describes sustainable tourism in a manner
that’s relatable and inspiring. So, though I enjoy my trips, it’s not entirely
guilt free," says Sushma Hegde who
plastic Tray
container Factory often makes trips to the Himalayas. "Many times, a term is
used just for marketing purposes.Antara also focusses on setting up workshops
that connect city-based women with their rural counterpart so that both groups
can share knowledge and experiences with each other. Our team is also strictly
local," avers Rahul. "We curate experiences by identifying local communities and
organisations already working in their respective regions and then partner with
them through workshops and other activities. I don’t like staying in hotels
because it’s too impersonal. Ankit Sood, founder member of ‘Sunshine Himalayan
Adventures’ who motivated locals around the ‘Great Himalayan National Park’, now
a World Heritage Site, to take up eco-tourism believes it is important to
empower locals as they are the ones most affected wherever ecologically
sensitive areas are converted into wildlife sanctuaries or national parks.
Therefore, it is essential to involve locals and boost the local economy. We
cook using biogas made on the farm; our meals too are derived from farm
produce.And it is introspection and empathy that makes one act responsibly and
sustainably.And so, her travel initiative ties up with local partners to help
them find a footing in the tourism industry. We don’t want local communities to
be ‘putting up a performance’ for us.While individuals like Rahul and Ankit are
helping boost local economies through ecotourism activities, there are also
sustainable tourism initiatives like Antara Chatterjee’s ‘The Little Local’, a
two-and-a-half-year-old travel company that puts local communities completely in
charge of tourism in their respective areas. You stay in your comfort zone of
being a ‘tourist’ and look at the animals cordoned off by enclosures. I bring
back all my non-compostable waste and dispose it in the correct manner after I
reach the city. Earlier, it used to be about sightseeing. We can’t allow big
tourism companies and hotels to siphon away these opportunities," he says. "If
you’re truly concerned about where the world is going, you’ll be a vigilant
traveller yourself. Unfortunately, there’s no way of getting the perfect answers
even if you do a lot of research. So travellers should ask themselves how their
journey is impacting the local environment, the culture, and the community.
"Ecotourism makes a person aware about the ecology of the place.Right thoughts,
right deedsIt is this spirit of cooperation, understanding and empathy that,
experts believe, will prevent the sustainable tourism industry from succumbing
to the problems the ecotourism industry encountered. In fact, they hope to
contribute towards its conservation and proliferation. "The farm is working
towards being a sustainable system in itself. So, if a community doesn’t have a
traditional dance, it’s fine. Travellers are interested in stepping into
someone’s shoes to get an insight into their way of life.A city-based traveller
enjoys a game with a local womanThe sustainable travel enthusiast says, "I was
sick of the tick-mark kind of tourism, because, to use an analogy, it makes you
feel like a visitor to a zoo. She too believes that engaging with local
communities fosters sustainable travel practices."Conscious travellers have thus
altered their choice of destination to opt for nature-based, eco-friendly and
community-based tourism." Akanksha recalls the shift she has seen in her own
travel patterns, as the desire to establish a deeper connect with the
environment and the people of the place takes precedence. A ridiculously cheap
hiking company was banned in Ladakh for behaving irresponsibly in the area.
"Having a context or expectation setting session at the beginning of the trip is
extremely important, because this helps travellers to understand the local
communities they will be visiting, better. In a quest to explore the unexplored,
responsible and eco-conscious travellers today choose to explore every
destination without proving to be a threat to the locality, community or
habitat. Darting from one ‘touristy’ landmark to the next, most of these
touch-and-go visits offered only a cursory glimpse. We want to draw people
outside concrete confinements and make them aware of the habitats we are
losing," shares Sujata." Akanksha echoes this view when she says, "‘Immerse’ is
an important word, because when you immerse yourself in a place, you will behave
in a manner the community is used to when you’re with them
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June 22, 2020
For tracking the heart rate and blood
For tracking the heart rate and blood pressure, there’s an Osram SFH7070 optical
sensor placed at the bottom of the tracker.The Sonic V08 sports a Nordic 52832
processor that powers a KX023-1025 sensor.0 app on your smartphone. Nonetheless,
the H Band 2. While we noticed that when new, the tracker snaps in well, but
over time, we could see the plastic notch that holds the tracker in, possibly
wearing off.The tracker, when in Bluetooth earphone mode, can either playback
music or answer calls. You have got the latest and best from one of the spectrum
in the form of Apple’s Watch, whereas there are a bunch of functional ones
available for dirt cheap prices from brands such as Xiaomi and others. At first
use, we did not need the silicone ear tips as we preferred using it similar to
how Apples earphones are used. Probably a huge drawback for a fitness band, but
since this has a Bluetooth earphone functionality which forces it to lose out on
the IPX rating. The convenience of a health tracker fused into a Bluetooth
earpiece makes it one of the most exciting products in its category. Everything
needs to be done from the smartphone itself. Soulfit should work on a robust
release mechanism, ensuring that the tracker only comes out of the slot when the
user demands.The weight of the earpiece is well balanced, ensuring a comfortable
fit.With inputs from Francis DSa, Editor, TechnologyAlso published on Deccan
Chronicle You can get one for Rs 9,999 — a price that pushes it pretty much into
the Fitbit territory.0 app provides the user with a lot of options to tinker
around with various parameters, such as setup auto heart rate and blood pressure
tracking, alarms and even locate the smartphone.Nonetheless, if you are looking
for a fitness tracker that does more than simply track/record your health data,
then the Soulfit Sonic V08 is definitely a must buy. It would have been nice if
the tracker could use the touch sensor with a series of gestures to help with
volume, track, pause/play and alike. The earbud resembles Apple’s EarPods with
the design almost identical to the bud. However, the tracker release mechanism
is easily its biggest weakness, requiring Soulfit to polish up on the design.
However, you can also set up the tracker to keep a tab on the heart rate and
notify you if there’s a sudden bump in the readings. This, indirectly means that
the tracker is meant or designed by the company for those who will wear it on
the left hand.
China
Plastic Fruit Containers The Soulfit Sonic V08 is one of the best concepts
we have seen, in the wearable category, in a while.
Not using the silicon eartip
makes the tracker unit fit loosely into the strap, and if your release button is
accidentally pressed, the tracker will definitely fall off without the user
knowing it. And when it comes to charging the device, the Sonic V08 thankfully
doesn’t sport any micro USB port or a power jack — there’s a charging dock that
uses POGO pins to charge the onboard battery, similar to the Pebble or Mi Band.
Rating: Smart wearables are dime a dozen in the market these days.The earpiece
is designed for the right ear only and does not turn around the other way.
Therefore, does it justify itself as being good at both the functionalities of a
health band as well as a Bluetooth earpiece?The Sonic V08 looks like any other
health tracker at first glance. The Sonic V08 can track steps, calories, heart
rate, blood pressure, sleep and features additional basic functions such as
notifications, alerts, alarms and a few more.98-inch display manages to show
content from supported apps and messages very well. Lastly, the release
mechanism is made from plastic, which could see a wear and tear earlier than
usual as this tracker will also continuously be used as a earphone. In short,
this tracker is not meant for music but has a USP only meant for phone calls.
The company should think about those users who prefer using a health band on
their right too. However, the tiny form factor and the dual-device function does
deserve some raised eyebrows. We found the manual connection setup a bit
annoying, considering that most other fitness bands connect to smartphones once
the Bluetooth has been switched on. There’s also a camera mode in the app that
allows the band to act as a remote Bluetooth shutter button for snapping photos
without shakes — a feature that was very interesting and well thought of.
However, we have been using the device since two weeks and arent as sure till
further exhaustive use of the tracker. The eartip will also give you a snug fit
when in the ear canal apart from adding to the grip when being used. the
microphones sensitivity is also very good and voice calls are absolutely no
problems.The Soulfit Sonic V08 is one of the best concepts we have seen, in the
wearable category, in a while. This is why their Sonic V08 health band doubles
up as a Bluetooth earpiece for taking calls on the move. As for calls, the touch
sensor will allow receiving the call, but not hang up.However, Soulfit believes
that health bands can actually be more than simply a tracker resting on your
wrist all day. There’s a pebble-shaped tracker unit sitting neatly into the
strap. The steps and calories are tracked on their own. The H Band 2. Soulfit
claims that the product has been tested for such conditions and assured us that
the release mechanism will not fail or wear off as easily as we thought. The
tracker houses a 0. Most of them, apart from the new Apple/Android stables
basically do the same, albeit in different forms and function — track steps and
heart rate, show notifications and act as a controller for your smartphone, and
so on. The ones that qualify as health bands simply constrain themselves to the
basics. As a result, there have been multiple moments when we almost lost the
tracker while outdoors. One can even choose from three watch faces for the puny
display, which is a nice touch.The Sonic V08 doubles up as Bluetooth earpiece,
making the fitness band almost inseparable. The straps slot has a low-powered
magnet on one end and the tracker has a magnetic sensor which helps in answering
or disconnecting a call. Soulfit also bundles along two silicon ear tips meant
to increase the comfort while wearing (and keep the tracker intact within the
strap — more on that later). This feature will monitor your heartbeat
continuously and periodically to ensure you are alerted accordingly, but will
sacrifice on battery life in the bargain.For the tracker part, it works well —
the tracking is mostly accurate.The audio quality is very good for calls and
basic music playback; however, there’s noticeable distortion at higher volume.
On an average, the Sonic V08 managed to last for up to three days, where we kept
it connected to our smartphone and attended most of the calls using the
earpiece, while the device additionally did the job of health tracking. Yes, a
health band that can do all the usual tracking stuff and also receive calls when
required. There are absolutely no controls on the unit for answering or
disconnecting the call or to even increase the volume or changing
tracks.Connectivity was a bit of a trouble. Like most other fitness trackers,
you can tap on the touch button and go to the desired tracking mode for manually
tracking the data for the heart rate and blood pressure.96-inch OLED display
with a touch button below it, which is the sole medium of interaction. It’s
smart as well — it shows notifications and provides convenient ways to interact
with your smartphone (summoning the voice assistants).However, when you consider
the earpiece part, you will find the Sonic V08 very useful — simply plug out the
tracker when a call comes in and use it as a Bluetooth receiver. Almost. The
trackers release mechanism has a slight design flaw. The release button is prone
to accidental bumps and brushes when in a crowded area, thereby accidentally
releasing the tracker from the slot even when you don’t need it. There’s also a
physical button or release mechanism on the strap, which releases the tracker
from the strap when you need to use it as a Bluetooth earpiece. In order to keep
the tracker from falling off, even if the release mechanism is accidentally
triggered, the user will have to use the silicon ear tips to ensure a snug fit
into the strap and prevent it from falling. To receive a call, simply press the
release mechanisms button, and the tracker pops out of the strap. For that, you
will have to install the H Band 2. As for disconnecting, you simply place it
back into the strap and the call disconnects.0 app is necessary to connect the
band to your smartphone and record all vital data. Though the trackers
functionality has this brilliant feature, raising our expectations from all
health trackers from other established manufacturers, theres not all good here.
Put it in your ear to take the call — no need to press any buttons for answering
as the tracker senses that you have removed it from the strap and automatically
answers the call. Lastly, the tracker is made of durable plastic too, but does
not feature water-resistance. It’s also surprising that the 0. The strap
comprises entirely of rubber, and the tracker slot is made from plastic — all of
it ensures an irritation-free wear experience. However, when in a noisy area,
the microphone also picks up the ambient sound, causing a disturbance to the
person on the other end of the call. Lastly, as for music, the audio quality is
average but not as enjoyable as you would find on stereo headphones. This being
a continuously tracking health band-cum-Bluetooth earpiece, the battery life on
the Soulfit is decently good. What seems to be the main USP of the Sonic V08 is
possibly one of its biggest drawbacks, almost. The one area where Soulfit has
nailed it is the battery.Keeping aside the release mechanism design issue, the
tracker is a great gadget as an overall
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June 18, 2020
When Olympic sailors compete in Rio the cameras
When Olympic sailors compete in Rio the cameras will show a
made-for-television scene of sparkling tropical waters and mountains.Her brother
Marco, who is also in the Brazilian sailing team, said all competitors run the
same risks, where a simple plastic bag around a centerboard or rudder could ruin
a race.When the races start, the floating garbage collectors will be out in
force.So, chances are that the contests will pass off without incident. Another
body part washed up on Copacabana beach, just outside Guanabara, in June. But I
am very optimistic that we can guarantee a fair regatta.Surveying the scene,
Rio's state secretary for the environment, said eco-barriers are enough to
ensure a trouble-free Olympics -- or almost."Unthinkable:Martine Grael, daughter
of five times Olympic medalist Torben Grael, is an outspoken critic of the
pollution failure.All competitors run the same risks, where a simple plastic bag
around a centerboard or rudder could ruin a race.Having completely failed to
deliver, Rio opted for emergency measures. At best only half the sewage they
produce is treated before it pours into the city's watery heart. These are nets
placed across 17 rivers entering Guanabara -- rivers used by millions of people
as garbage dumps and open sewers."It could happen," he told AFP."We've found
dead dogs, rats, cats, everything," recalled one of the workers, who said he
makes only 1,400 reais a month ($432) and works nine hour days.A fleet of 12
trash-collecting boats called "eco-barcos" have spent months patrolling the bay,
China Blister
packaging Factory plucking an average of 45 tons of rubbish a month -- about
one and a half tons daily -- from the water, according to officials.The New York
Times published a picture this week of a bloated human body in the
bay.Incredibly, the fact that sailors will compete in a giant cesspit -- which
Brazilian researchers say contains drug-resistant superbacteria -- is not their
main worry." end-of."The sailors' best ally will be mother nature: tidal streams
keep areas picked for the contests relatively clean, while the dry August
weather means less rain to wash garbage downstream. Luckily, the billions of
viewers won't catch the revolting stink.More than nine million people live in
Rio and towns around the rest of Guanabara Bay."It's shameful," Kunze told AFP.
It is a dirty, potentially dangerous job performed amid the choking stench of
raw sewage, some of which comes from a favela slum next door. "It's not
something I even like to think about.The first lines of defense, though, are
so-called eco-barriers.Because garbage collection in greater Rio is no better
than the sewage treatment, the bay brims with plastic bags, bottles, discarded
furniture and dead animals.Each day, labourers go out in a small aluminum boat,
scooping up some pieces and pushing the rest towards the bank, where a digger is
used to shovel the debris into a dumpster."Is there a chance we'll have some
problem " he asked.It's the big, floating stuff capable of snaring or even
damaging boats and medal dreams that keep athletes like Kahena Kunze and her
49er crewmate Martine Grael up at night.jpeg All competitors run the same risks,
where a simple plastic bag around a centerboard or rudder could ruin a race."We
were hoping for something better" from the Olympics, he said sadly.At a an
eco-barrier on the River Meriti in the Duque de Caxias neighborhood, there was a
soup of plastic, car tires, children's toys and household appliances including a
microwave and a fridge.Emergency measures:As part of its winning 2009 bid to
host the Olympics, Rio promised to treat 80 percent of the pollution, a task
requiring enormous, expensive infrastructure improvements. aa gARBAGE CLEANING.
She was famously pictured on a paddleboard in Guanabara pretending to watch a
television she'd just found."But the Games will go away and the pollution will
stay," said Torben Grael, who now coaches the Brazilian sailing team."That's not
going to happen. "It's not impossible
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June 04, 2020
This latest generation fan design was inspired
The products include the Triton 900, Triton 500, Helios 700, Helios 300- 17
inch, Helios 300- 15Inch.2 Gen 3 x4 PCIe SSDs using NVMe technology in RAID 0,
and up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM for superior gaming performance at a value. Acer
India also launched Nitro 7, Nitro 5 17-inch, Nitro 5 15-inch, and associated
accessories.6-inch display reproduces lifelike colors at a 144Hz1 refresh rate
with a 3ms response time for a tear-free gaming experience — crucial while in
the throes of battle.3 mm (0.78 inches) thin with a 78 percent screen-to-body
ratio and up to 8 hours of battery life. Users can optimize streaming
performance with an 8th Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ i7/i5 processor, up to 32GB of DDR4
RAM, 256GB SSD, and an integrated capture card. It features 1080p Full HD
Display, high refresh rate up to 144HZ and 1ms visual response time.Acer
Accessories: Nitro Stream specificationsAcer’s Nitro Stream is a dedicated,
plug-and-play Personal Streaming PC (PSPC) for PC and console game
broadcasters.9 mm (0. The slimmed-down Triton 500 can easily be slipped in a
backpack or briefcase, but once taken out and powered on, it becomes a gaming
powerhouse. Most critical at keeping the temperature low is a dual-fan cooling
system that includes one of Acer’s 4th Gen AeroBlade™ 3D Fans. Both the display
features 144Hz refresh rate and 3m response time or a tear-free, seamless gaming
experience.Predator Triton 900The Predator Triton 900 is a gaming notebook in a
robust futuristic convertible metal chassis wih innovative new design features.
It has a durable, all-metal chassis and narrow bezels measuring just 6. It
delivers eye-popping 4Kp60 gaming experience while streaming at 1080p with the
capture card’s Pass-Through feature.Both Predator Triton 900 and 500 receive
their gaming cred with Acers advanced cooling system that includes 4th Gen
AeroBladeâ„¢ 3D metal fans that increase airflow by 45 percent, and Coolboostâ„¢
technology that keeps the notebooks cool during extended gaming sessions and
while playing demanding AAA titles. With 9th Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ i9 processor, two
512GB 1M. The integrated card does the heavy lifting to capture, record, and
stream high-quality content and can enjoy smooth gameplay with no
China Blister
packaging services Factory lag between gaming and streaming displays.6-inch
Full HD gaming notebook sits at a mere 17. The AOPEN monitor also features
flicker-free and low blue light technology.
This latest generation fan design
was inspired by bionic silent owl flight mechanics that maximize airflow and
minimize noise. Keeping the notebook running cool and at peak performance is an
advanced and efficient thermal design that unlocks the true potential of the
Helios’s powerful hardware. To round out the package, both Triton 900 and Triton
500 features audio by Waves.HyperDrift for Enhanced CoolingThe all-new Predator
Helios 700 features a unique HyperDrift forward-sliding keyboard that helps
maximize airflow to keep the system running cool and enable gamers to push the
powerful components to their highest potential. All that power makes games roar
to life on the notebook’s 17-inch 144Hz FHD IPS display with 3ms response time
and NVIDIA G-SYNCâ„¢ technology.Predator Triton 500 The Predator Triton 500 is a
15.Nitro VG0 series- VG240Y IPS Gaming MonitorThe Acer Nitro VGO Series of
value-oriented gaming monitors aims to shake up the market with unique specs and
affordability. Its GPU is overclockable and VR-Ready, letting gamers enjoy the
latest cutting-edge gaming and VR experiences.Nitro 7 The Nitro7 gaming notebook
is for casual gamers looking to boost their gaming performance as they connect
with friends online and equip the tools to dominate the battlefield for the
ultimate gaming experience.Nitro 5Acer’s updated Nitro 5 laptop allows users to
enjoy their favorite games in exceptional detail with a Full HD IPS display in
either a 17.3-inch narrow bezel display or 15.AOPEN Monitor AOPEN HC1-32-inch
Gaming Monitor features a full curved 1800R display.75 mm (0. The laptop’s
gorgeous 17. The Acer Predator Helios 700. It comes with per-key RGB
backlighting, macro keys, and a switchable trackpad/Numpad. Users can also
connect supporting gadgets with an array of ports such as HDMI 2.9mm in
thickness and weighs approximately 2. Its twin fans push air out of the
back-right edge of the chassis, covering temperatures, fan speeds and more.
Powered by the newest 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processors for premium performance
with the addition of the latest of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU with Max-Q
Design supported by a Turbo key for one-punch overclocking and Killer
DoubleShotâ„¢ Pro for fast and lag-free networking. Users can enjoy a hassle-free
solution for high-quality Full HD streaming, share gameplay, and interact with
friends and the gaming community thanks to its integrated hardware and software
built from the ground up for live streaming.Nitro VG1 series- VG271U IPS Gaming
MonitorWith an Eye on gamers, Acer new Nitro VG1 series comes with a fast 144HZ
refresh rate to prevent screen tearing. NVIDIA G-SYNC technology creates fluid
images as they zip across the screen while gaming or watching movies.The
Predator Triton 500 infused with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPUs with Max-Q design,
up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, NVMe PCIe RAID 0 SSDs, and up to 32GB
DDR4 memory. Additionally, the Monitor also features ZeroFrame Design, Radeon
FreeSync, Visual Response Boost (VRB) and Acer Ultra-Low Blue Light technology
that reduces the amount of harmful blue light emitted by LED panel. With up to
32GB of DDR4 2666MHz memory and up to two PCIe NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 plus a hard
drive, it’s the powerhouse gamers crave for playing today’s AAA games. The new
0.These exciting machines include the Triton 900, Triton 500, Helios 700, Helios
300- 17 inch, Helios 300- 15Inch. Streamers can free up valuable desk space with
this single compact device that can even attach to the back of a display with a
VESA mount.The most noticeable is the notebook’s cooling solution. The monitor
also comes with UHD 4K IPS panel with a resolution of 2560x1440 WQHD and support
for 95 percent of DCI-P3 wide color space. By simply sliding the keyboard
forward, two additional air intakes are uncovered above the keyboard and below
the display, giving the powerful heat-generating components extra airflow for
maximum cooling and unleashed overclocking. The new Nitro 7 gaming laptop will
turn heads with its sleek, mobile metal design measuring 19. It also allows for
fan speed monitoring and adjusting in real-time, so gamers can customize their
speed or set fans to the max when the heat is on. It also has ample storage,
with two slots available for M. Mechanical keyboards will help when it comes to
the comfort of typing and offers a better response rate compared to membrane
keys. Additionally, users can set up a power plan to achieve optimal power usage
in different scenarios, or access Acer TrueHarmony’s™ six sound modes, turn
sticky keys on or off and activate the LCD overdrive to bring the display
response time down to 3ms3. It effortlessly streams gameplay with Gigabit Wi-Fi
5 with 2x2 MU-MIMO technology. It’s also amazingly thin at just 23.0, USB Type-C
3. Acer unveiled a wide array of gaming laptops aimed at gaming enthusiasts
across segments at an event in Mumbai.These devices are ready to conquer the
gaming arena with the latest processors, integrated Pass-Through Feature,
cutting edge 3D Technology, 4th Gen AeroBladeâ„¢, Waves MaxxAudio® Suite + Waves
Nx® 3D Virtual Sound and much more to give the gamers an immersive gaming
experience, more powerful devices that combine technical prowess. It features a
CNC-machined Ezel Aero Hingeâ„¢ that flips, extends, or reclines the 17-inch
display. The laptop also comes with five speakers and a subwoofer to keep the
games immersive and engage with full and realistic audio.3-inch 4K IPS display
floats above the chassis.Users can monitor and manage the Nitro 7 and Nitro 5
with NitroSense, accessible with one touch of the NitroSense hot key.2 PCIe NVMe
SSDs in Raid 0, and up to 32GB DDR4 memory, gamers can power up the most
demanding games and expect smooth, tear-free gameplay with up to 5GHz1Turbo, 8
cores, 16 MB of smart cache, and great battery life.Users can switch between
four usage modes
isplay mode for sharing the screen with friends during gaming
sessions, Ezel mode for playing games on the touch screen, notebook mode for
traditional gaming scenarios, and stand mode — effectively turning the Triton
900 into a tablet for gaming or using creator tools.6-inch with an impressive 80
percent screen-to-body ratio. The 15. The Triton series 900’s trackpad is placed
beside the keyboard, giving users natural hand placement for gaming using both
the keyboard and trackpad. The monitor is an IPS display with a focus on
fast-paced gaming. And with up to 8-hours of battery life, users can play their
favorite titles on the road or with friends away from home.2 Gen 1, and more.
Waves Maxxâ„¢ delivers superior sound quality made immersive with Waves Nxâ„¢ with
head tracking for a 3D audio experience.Predator Helios 300 (15 inch and
17inch)The Predator Helios 300 gaming notebook comes with a new sophisticated
design that just got better with the addition of powerful technologies and
killer features.1mm-thin fan blades include a serrated edge, winglets along the
top and bottom, as well as a curved fin along the inner portion of each
blade.Also,the metal chassis now rocks the stylish teal blue accents and
keyboard backlighting found on other Predator notebooks.Predator Helios 700
Powering the uniquely designed Predator Helios 700 notebook is an all-new 9th
Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ i9 processor for the top of the line overclockable performance,
an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 or 2070 GPU, up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. The all-new
Nitro 7 packs with Next-Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ processor and the latest NVIDIA
GeForce® Graphics to ensure a seamless gaming experience. The monitor also
boasts a 4ms response time, 144 Hz refresh rate and AMD Radeon FreeSync
technology.Featuring the new NVIDIA® GeForce RTXâ„¢ 2080 GPU and a 4K IPS touch
display, the Predator Triton 900 brings gamers a great gaming experience. The
glass panel also provides a view of the notebook’s heat pipes.The Nitro 5
combines a 9th Gen Intel Core processor, the latest NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX
graphics, two M.1 kg, and is aimed for portability. TheMonitor also features
VESA- compatible mount and has VisionCare technology,Flickerless,
BlueLightShield, Comfyview and low dimming technologies to reduce eye strain
during long gaming sessions. The new Predator Helios 700 consists of two of
Acer’s custom-engineered Dual 4th Gen AeroBlade™ 3D Fans, five copper heat
pipes, a vapor chamber, and Acer CoolBoostâ„¢ Technology. This results in up to a
45 percent improvement in airflow.25 inches) for an impressive 81 percent
body-to-screen ratio.94 inches). A narrow bezel around the display and a
redesigned keyboard with contemporary looking Predator fonts give it a hip and
edgy look. Its high-resolution 15. In terms of connectivity options, the laptop
gets a Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX 1650 and E3000 adaptors delivering up to four times
more network capacity in dense environments than previous-generation wireless AC
networks. Coupled with strategically placed intake and exhaust vents and Acer
CoolBoostâ„¢ technology, the Helios 300 stays calm under pressure and handles
intense overclocked gaming sessions with ease.Last but not least is a completely
new keyboard featuring distinctive Predator fonts and 4-zone RGB lighting.2 Gen
3x4 PCIe SSDs using NVMe technology in RAID 0, and up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM with
up to 2TB of HDD storage.6-inch 300 nits IPS display brings games to life with
144Hz refresh rates in overdrive at 3ms. Usability and functionality are
improved with new PredatorSense and Turbo hotkeys, an enlarged spacebar, and
concave shaped, highlighted WASD keys, arrow keys, and hotkeys. It comes in two
displays sizes- 15 inch and 17 inch Full HD IPS display
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