News
Internet speeds have reduced worldwide substantially due to Coronavirus
You’re not the only one who’s experiencing this
The surge in internet usage has slowed down internet speeds globally. According to a report, 88 out of the top 200 most populous American cities have experienced slower internet connections. In a handful of cities, the drop has been as huge as 40 percent.
It seems like everything happening or changing around us is due to just one factor — Coronavirus. Authorities across the globe have urged citizens to remain indoors and self-quarantine themselves. What do you do when you’re usually home? Probably browse social media, watch a few videos, read the news, or chat with friends.
But, when you’re stuck indoors for an extended period of time, you’ll switch to streaming movies or shows on services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and many more. At the same time, there are many folks who’re working from home because companies have shut down office complexes to prevent the spread of the virus.
Ultimately, this has led to a massive surge in internet usage, occupying more data bandwidth than ever. In turn, this also leads to slower internet speeds because too many people are consuming huge quantities of data at a given point in time.
Services like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams have experienced a heavy inflow of users since work from home has become a norm in many countries due to a lockdown. Similarly, there are reports of internet slowdown in many regions and telecom operators are struggling to upgrade their local infrastructure in an ultra-short period of time.
Netflix was among the first to announce a reduction in video quality from high definition (HD) to standard definition (SD). The move radically helps in reducing data consumption by 25 percent. An hour of SD video uses about 1GB of data, while HD can use up to 3GB an hour.
Services operating in India have unanimously decided to reduce video delivery quality as well. This includes Netflix India, YouTube India, Prime Video, and other local operators like Hotstar, Zee5, ALT Balaji, Voot, and MX Player. However, users don’t need to worry since the change in quality won’t be considerable and you’ll still be able to enjoy all the content without a hitch.
The pandemic turned facemasks into a fashion trend. While most brands fought over who could present the most stylish way to protect yourself from the virus, tech companies rushed to pack the most features into a light wearable. Because the pandemic introduced health risks that the world barely understood, most of these products aren’t the safest around. Now, years after introducing its RGB-infused mask, Razer finds itself in trouble over disproven claims.
In 2021, Razer introduced the Zephyr. It was cyberpunk-looking facemask that supposedly carried N95 filters. Over the years, the company failed to have its claims certified. What’s worse, critics analyzed the product and found that the filters did not, in fact, keep 95 percent of particles away. (That’s why an N95 mask is named as such.)
Today, the Federal Trade Commission is asking over US$ 1.1 million in refunds to customers who purchased a Zephyr in the past. According to the proposal, Razer misled consumers by claiming the mask had N95 filters. The company also never submitted the product for testing. Though Razer eventually removed the claims, it wasn’t enough.
Additionally, the proposal is seeking US$ 100,000 in damages and a ban on Razer from selling and marketing any further health-inspired products in the future.
The DJI Avata 2 is now available in the Philippines. It is priced at PhP 47,900 for the single battery variant and PhP 55,900 for the three battery configuration. Customers may purchase at DJI Experience Stores, as well as online via DJI’s official Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop stores.
Your ticket to breathtaking aerial adventures
Designed for content creators and even production professionals, the DJI Avata 2 provides an adrenaline-pumping FPV drone experience with improvements in imaging, safety, and battery life.
The Avata 2 has a 1/1.3-inch sensor that covers a 155-degree field of view and can film up to 4K @ 60fps. Its imaging produces results that have brilliant clarity and vibrant colors. The drone also has dual RockSteady and HorizonSteady stabilization technologies for smooth footage.
For quick sharing, the Avata 2 also supports Wi-Fi for media transfer and livestreaming. The DJI Fly app also lets users take advantage of more features and help them with device management.
Battery life has also been upgraded for a total flight time of 23 minutes. When needing a recharge, PD fast charging can fuel the battery back up to 80% in just 18 minutes.
Immersive flight
The Avata 2 is equipped with the new DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3, allowing users to experience the “flight” real-time in an immersive way. The Goggles 3 features micro-OLED HD displays and low-latency transmission, allowing users to observe surroundings without removing the wearable.
Creativity, control, safety
The Avata 2 also includes an Easy ACRO mode, which is ideal for beginners. This mode lets users perform maneuvers with ease for them to capture stunning footage. Moreover, the drone has an improved propeller guard and new sensors for advanced positioning.
Users may also utilize the Return to Home function. And with Turtle Mode, the Avata 2 can also flip back itself automatically into its original position should it turn upside down at times.
ASUS Philippines has announced the availability of the new Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304MA) refresh model. This sleek and powerful laptop comes with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel AI Boost NPU, offering professionals topnotch performance and efficiency.
The new Zenbook S 13 OLED model retails starting at PhP 87,995 and is available at authorized ASUS stores. This particular variant comes in gray and has a configuration of 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of PCie 4.0 SSD storage.
Slim, powerful
The Zenbook S 13 OLED is just a centimeter thin and only a kilogram light, making it an ultraportable powerhouse. The device is powered by an Intel Core ultra 7 155U processor (12 cores, 14 threads). With up to 4.8GHz of processing power, the laptop can handle even the most demanding tasks smoothly and seamlessly. It includes an assortment of ports, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm jack, and 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A.
Moreover, the laptop is pre-installed Windows 11 Home and Office Home & Student 2021 lifetime license. Users will also get a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key to help with their productivity. And with a long-lasting 63Wh battery for up to 15 hours of use, it suits users on the go, without having to worry about charging it when outdoors.
Vibrant colors, crisp details
The laptop also boasts of a 13.3-inch 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display. That’s a little higher resolution than previous variants which display up to 2.8K content. This 16:10 panel delivers vibrant colors and crisp details for an enhanced viewing experience for both work and entertainment. It also has ample maximum brightness should you be using it outdoors or where there is lots of natural light.
Safety ensured
Lastly, customers getting this model will benefit from ASUS’ 4A Quality and Service Warranty. This package includes a standard two-year international warranty, preventive maintenance service, and one-time coverage for customer-induced damages.
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