High Jinx: Are drones a soaring scourge or a helpful hoverer?

Three months ago, right in the middle of the peak Christmas travel period, London’s Gatwick Airport underwent a forced three-day shutdown when an unidentified drone continuously encroached on its airspace. Almost a thousand flights were diverted or cancelled and over 120,000 understandably irate passengers were affected as a result of what the airport’s chief operating officer dubbed a ‘highly targeted’ attack aimed at causing ‘maximum disruption’.

While certainly the most high-profile instance of drone-related mayhem, it’s hardly the only time these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have interfered with flight operations. Thankfully, to date, Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok Airport has largely been spared such miscreant behaviour.

However, there are laws in place aimed at curbing any future transgressions. The Airport Authority Bylaw states that should any UAV activity affect the airport’s operations, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) – the government body under whose jurisdiction UAV activities fall – will immediately be alerted, with the responsible party then likely to face ‘suitable arrangements’ (there is, however, no indication as to just how egregious the said arrangements may prove to be).

Far less vague, however, are the CAD’s guidelines as to exactly how Hongkongers should be using their unmanned flying devices. A long, long list issued by the department includes such strictures as no flight over an altitude of 300m, no usage after dark and maintaining a distance of at least 50m from members of the public. There’s also a series of specified no-fly zones within the city which, including the airport.

Despite such clear instructions, though, local drone flyers have caused problems by flouting these restrictions. In fact, many unsuspecting members of the public have ended up having unwelcome encounters with these hovering botherers. According to the CAD, the number of complaints lodged against drones has surged in recent years, more than doubling over 2015-2017. Overall, two-thirds of the cases involved flights in restricted areas, while many of the remainder related to privacy issues.

To be fair to drones, their poor PR of late has actively obscured many of their good deeds. Indeed, in some aspects of Hong Kong life, UAVs are actually making a very creditable contribution. In the case of CLP, for instance, the electricity company is now using a fleet of drones to help maintain its Castle Peak Power Station in Tuen Mun. This has seen it commission several US$10,000-a-piece flying operatives to help inspect otherwise inaccessible parts of the facility. This has both slashed costs and taken a potentially perilous task out of human hands.

In an even more dramatic vote of confidence, the Hong Kong government has been looking at using drones as part of its ongoing bid to counter the pollution caused by container ships. Cited as the single-largest source of pollution in and around the city, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)’s 2016 study showed that shipping pumped more than 1,480 tonnes of PM2.5 particles into the local environment, as well as high levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

As part of moves to tackle this, in January this year, HKSAR authorities enacted a new regulation limiting all vessels in Hong Kong waters to using only fuels that contain a sulphur level of 0.5 percent or below. Taking a page out of CLP’s playbook, they now hope to use drones to help monitor compliance with this new ruling.

In order to make this a technical reality, the EPD commissioned the University of Science and Technology’s Division of Environment and Sustainability to undertake a HK$1.1 million research initiative aimed at developing new-gen UAV sensors capable of detecting air pollution and emissions remotely. Fresh off the bench, Ning’s prototypes are now being trialled over local waters, with their full deployment expected later this year.

So, hounders of holidaymakers, a rampant runaway scourge on runways or the saviours of hard-pressed maintenance men and potential environmental guardians with an ever-watchful eye on mid-Pacific polluters? As ever, technology is a double-edged sword, which is probably what social commentators have been saying pretty much ever since double-edged swords were created (around 2,700 years ago).

There is nothing that man can create that someone somewhere won’t seek to subvert for darker purposes – from atomic energy to webcams. And the humble drone is no exception. Hopefully, when such things are ultimately tallied, the doings of the good drones will far outweigh those of their rogue counterparts.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Nuraloop: Upcoming smart headphones could offer perfect audio experience

The makers of the Nuraphone – an innovative headset that personalises its audio experience to suit an individual’s unique traits – are back again with an all-new design, the Nuraloop. Aimed at reducing bulk while still retaining the self-same customisable audio technology that made its over-ear predecessor such a success, this new gadget was designed to be a discrete accessory for on-the-go audiophiles.

The upcoming Nuraloop in-ear headphones, which made its debut at the CES 2019 electronic fair last month, is the latest device from Melbourne-based audio specialist Nura. As with the brand’s first offering, the new design utilises a self-learning algorithm that studies listening patterns and adjusts its output based on your responses to low, mid and high tones.

“A person’s hearing is as unique as their face, fingerprint or voice,” said Nura co-founder and CEO Dragan Petrović when introducing the Nuraloop. “That’s why trying to design a perfect sound-system without taking into account the listener’s hearing system would be like trying to make glasses without asking ‘Who is going to be wearing them?'”

In addition to the just-for-you experience, these headphones are said to be water resistant – a handy feature should you suddenly get caught in the rain or spill your coffee – while also featuring a Bluetooth 5-actived noise cancelling system as well as a TouchDial function that allows you to adjust volume and answer calls. In another deft move to cater to day-to-day travel, a special in-built Social+ feature can be used to allow ambient sounds to penetrate without ever having to remove the ear buds. So far, there’s no word on the pricing and release date of this upcoming gadget, but if it works as well as its predecessor, there’s no doubt it’ll be in hot demand.

Fair Air: Portable Aromatherapy Air Purifier provides on-the-go air care

While outdoor pollution dominates media headlines as a leading cause of medical conditions and general non-wellbeing, harmful indoor airborne particles can be equally toxic and even more undiagnosed. What’s more, the enclosed spaces of homes and offices further exacerbate the effects of such particulate matters, be it the paint residue of new furniture and dust motes to the harmful chemicals given off by commonplace household cleaning products. Thankfully, there are a number of handy gadgets that can cleanse the air in your immediate vicinity to provide you with cleaner air. Perhaps the most notable newcomer in this particular market is the PURE Portable Aromatherapy Air Purifier.

Featuring a sleek, compact design, the Portable Aromatherapy Air Purifier is the latest hi-tech creation from The Pure Company, a Texas-based consumer electronics company. Using an innovative, filterless form of negative ion technology, it is said to combat allergens, pollutants and odors and leaves solely clean air in its wake. It also boasts a rather interesting aromatherapy feature that allows users to heighten their environs with their choice of essential oil-based odors for extra effect.

With its lightweight design and whisper-soft functionality, the PURE Portable Aromatherapy Air Purifier is also the perfect companion for today’s urban nomad, allowing for clean, breathable air whether you’re stuck neck-deep in traffic or just looking for a little scent of home in a hotel room. Check out the video below to find out more about this handy gadget.

Zygo Solo: Innovative headphones allow you to hear audio underwater

Whether it’s spilling coffee on your laptop or accidentally dropping your phone into the sink, it’s no secret that liquids are the bane of pretty much any electrical device. So if we were to tell you that you can now stream audio underwater, you’d be forgiven for looking askance at us. But that’s precisely what an upcoming new gadget – the Zygo Solo – promises to deliver.

Currently in its production stage with capital raised on crowdfunding website Indiegogo, the Zygo Solo headphones are said to be capable delivering crisp audio underwater. Unlike existing waterproof devices which require programmes to be pre-loaded in MP3 format, it comes equipped with a pioneering Bluetooth-radio frequency hybrid application that allows high-quality streaming from apps like Spotify or iTunes from your phone or other digital devices.

The Zygo Solo is a light-weight, wrap-around wireless headset that sits comfortably above your ears. Utilising bone-conducting technology – which transmits audio by vibrating against your skull directly into your inner ear – it leaves your ears open to your surroundings. An innovative grip design allows for tumbles and turns underwater without weighing down your head.

Billed as the perfect swim coaching aid, the accompanying transmitter (with a range of 50m underwater) acts as a one-way walkie-talkie, allowing the wearer to receive communications in real time and correct their position mid-stroke. Above water, meanwhile, the Zygo Solo has a range of over half a kilometre, which makes this versatile device an apt companion for a variety of other water sports, including surfing, sailing and wakeboarding. To preorder your own US$209 headset, visit this website now. To find out more about this upcoming gadget, check out the video below.

Travel Buddy: Innovative OVIS self-driving suitcase introduced at CES 2019

Navigating crowded airports and long security lines is enough of a hassle without having to deal with dragging a cumbersome carry-on along as you go. Thankfully, Chinese tech company Forward X Robotics has come up with a smart solution for this very problem in the form of its newly-launched Ovis luggage design.

Unveiled at the recent Consumer Electronics Showcase (CES) – the annual kick-off showcase for all things tech-related – the Ovis has been dubbed the world’s artificial intelligence-powered self-moving suitcase. Equipped with cutting-edge facial recognition software, high-def cameras and a unique movement tracking algorithm, this intelligent travel companion is said to be able to not only keep track of its owner, but also keep up with them at speeds of up to nearly 10km per hour.

As extra insurance, the Ovis is paired with a smart wristband that, when worn, vibrates to alert its owner when they are more than two metres away. In the unlikely scenario that it does go missing, a handy embedded GPS tracker will allow users to track down its precise location within seconds.

With the needs of today’s Digital Age travellers clearly understood by its makers, the Ovis suitcase comes further equipped with two USB ports and an in-built powerbank to give any dwindling phones or tablets an extra top-up on-the-go. Further burnished a patented durable-yet-lightweight shell, this US$799 smart suitcase is expected to become available within the next few months, so keep your eyes peeled.

Pedal Powered: Check out the One Soho hybrid bike by Coboc

What better way to take a well-deserved break from your hectic week than setting off on a sunny Saturday morning bike ride? Imagine pedalling around hitherto-unexplored corners of your home city or, better yet, wheeling along a water-fronted promenade while soaking up all that much-needed Vitamin D. Well, this is exactly what the One Soho bicycle offers, albeit with one typically tech-y twist…

*Despite its retro look, the One Soho bike is a modern machine*

On the surface, the One Soho seems somewhat retro in design, with its brushed brass accents conjuring up images of Swinging London back in the ’60s – at least if its website is to be believed. But actually, hidden within this smartbike’s compact 13.7kg aluminium frame lies a 250W electric motor, one capable of travelling up to 80km between charges. When paired with its accompanying bespoke Bluetooth app, you can even fine-tune the motor in line with your mood and muscular inclination.

*The One Soho boasts an electric motor that can go 80km per charge*

Manufactured by German e-bike designer, Coboc, the One Soho also boasts a sporty, forward-leaning design, complete with bespoke Brooks touches and custom brake levers and pedals. While it may not quite have the capacity to propel you moonwards in epic ET style – or even get you across any terrain that is more than minimally hilly – it may just be perfect for those leisurely weekend rides, where the accent is most definitely on the ‘leisurely’ bit.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Digital Life Hacks: Top 4 tips to prolong your gadget’s battery life

As almost every user of digital gadgets already knows, every device from mobile phones and tablets to computers has a finite lifespan. After two or three years of constant recharging, the battery life dwindles, draining faster and taking longer to fill back up again. But don’t consign yourself to shelling out money for yet another new gadget though, there are ways to increase the life cycle of your electronics. Here are our top four tips to prolonging your gadget’s battery life.

Avoid full charges and discharges

As with everything in life, extremes are not your friend. Pushing your phone to a full 100 percent places stress on its battery life, causing it to become less efficient in the long run. On the flip side, letting it dwindle down to nothing and letting the battery die is also not recommended either. Instead, opt for short but frequent shallow charges and keep your device in that sweetspot between 50 percent to 90 percent.

Don’t leave your device plugged in

If you do like the safety of having a device fully charged – and let’s face it, many do – disconnect it immediately afterwards. Having the battery continually try to top itself up at full power levels causes its lifespan to shorten considerably.

Perform monthly battery maintenance

While shallow charges are the recommended norm, you should occasionally allow your battery life to deplete itself in order to maintain its ability to self-assess its productivity. This is what allows that useful “estimated battery time remaining” indicator to remain as accurate as possible.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Lithium ion batteries do not like extreme temperatures, so avoid leaving them out in direct sunlight, next to heaters or in chilly rooms. In particular, avoid charging your device in warm spaces, as it’s likely to cause overheating and a major sapping of your battery’s efficiency.

Moleskine Smart Writing Set is giving the notebook a digital makeover

While two-in-one laptop-cum-tablets are nothing new, there are plenty who still yearn for the old-school feel of putting pen to paper while jotting down your thoughts and sketches. For these writing fans, there may just be a 21st century solution waiting in the wings that perfectly blends the analogue feel of a written word with a digital-age convenience – the Moleskine Smart Writing Set.

Inside the package you’ll find one Paper Tablet (with actual sheets of paper dotted in a grid pattern), a smart pen and one ink refill. The smart pen comes equipped with an infrared camera that tracks your movement as you write on the Paper Tablet, transmitting it to your mobile device stroke for stroke via the companion app. From there, digitally editing, saving and sharing your notes are a breeze.

In terms of size, the paper tablet of the Moleskine Smart Writing Set is the same size as a standard notebook, although the paper pages may jut over the edge. Once they’re used up, you have to buy another of the brand’s proprietary Paper Tablet for US$29.95. It’s not cheap, but it’s the equivalent pricing of its analogue notebooks. The ink refills, thankfully, are standard from pen maker Zebra, and can be bought at almost any stationery shop.

Watch the video above to see how the Moleskine Smart Writing Set works. To purchase the US$199 package, visit this site.

L’Oréal’s UV Sense nail accessory doubles as sensor for harmful UV rays

A continuous slew of ever-more outlandish nail trends have been dominating the beauty industry over the past year. From reflective mirror-finishing to fur-covered stickers and even actual nail piercings, each fad seems more bizarre than the last. Thankfully, L’Oréal is bringing a bit of sanity back into the world of nail art with its newly unveiled UV Sense.

At first glance, UV Sense seems like a rather innocuous, almost unwieldy, nail accessory. But don’t let its looks fool you. This tiny 9mm-wide sticker is actually an innovative sensor that will help wearers monitor their exposure to harmful UV rays.

Built using the latest in miniature technology, UV Sense is touted as the world’s first battery-free wearable electronic sensor. The gadget can retain up to three months of data, which it transfers to the wearer’s mobile phone via Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. In common parlance, that means it can communicate with the dedicated app without requiring any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Users can then monitor how much of the harmful rays they’ve been exposed to, along with helpful tips like when to put on sun block, or which times to avoid being outdoors. All-in-all it looks to be an ideal personal UV monitor.

While it may seem strange for a beauty company to be dabbling in electronics, for L’Oréal, it’s the logical next step in its 80-year quest to promote sun safety, while remaining competitive in the market.

“Beauty trends show that adoption of wearable nail art accessories is on the rise, with an increase of over 65 percent in nail art trends over the last five years,” shares Guive Balooch, Global Vice President of L’Oréal’s Technology Incubator, “[UV Sense] taps into this growing trend, while illustrating our deep commitment to sun-save behaviour and protection.”

With UV Sense’s global release still one full year away, only time will tell if L’Oréal’s innovative melding of technology and beauty will be a viable commercial success. But something tells us it will quickly catch on…