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New H3 Digital T-Shirts
Wit and Wirut modelling our new T-Shirts
Our work in Chiang Mai involves installing the latest in sound systems, audio visual and Smart IT networking into villas for our customers. This visit has seen us install Nuvo's wireless music system with P200's powering Nuvo's in-ceiling and outdoor speakers at this villa in Nam Phrae, Hang Dong. Also we've fitted a Sonos multi room system and Sonos Playbar into another villa towards Doi Saket way, that also features a Flexson wall mount for the TV so that the SOundbar fits snugly underneath and directs audio exactly where it should be.
By the end of 2017 work should be well underway on our new Chiang Mai office in Namphrae, Hang Dong. Our new HQ in Phuket should be finished shortly after, we think by Feb 2018 - there's not that much left to do but we've got a busy schedule over the next 6 months so it's finding the time to allocate.
Amazon looking at Alexa Glasses (maybe)
Amazon is working on Alexa-enabled 'smart glasses' to take on Siri and Google Assistant.
The new device is said to appear like a regular pair of specs with hidden high tech features, The glasses will pair with your smartphone to let you speak to and hear Alexa
Sounds are sent directly to your auditory system without the need for earpieces
Google Glass founder Babak Parviz is said to be directing Amazon's efforts
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move.
The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report.
If they prove popular, they could allow the shopping firm to take on rivals Siri and Google Assistant, which are already both available in mobile voice activated form.
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move. The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report (artist's impression) +4
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move. The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report (artist's impression)
This is not the first time in recent days that Amazon's plans to make Alexa more mobile have been revealed.
On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time.
Until now, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned on Amazon tablets and other mobile devices when a wake button was pressed or the Alexa app launched.
The hands-free version of the assistant has been included in the new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, which will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150).
Reports of the development of the device were first made in an article on the Financial Times.
The yet unnamed project will see the glasses to pair with your smartphone, presumably via Bluetooth.
This will allow you to both hear and speak to the Alexa voice assistant.
The smart glasses are going to use a type of headphone that can send sounds directly to your auditory system without the need for earpieces, according to sources familiar with the matter.
These bone-conduction audio systems transmit vibrations through the bones of your inner ear straight to your cochlea, where they are sent down the auditory nerve and to your brain.
Babak Parviz the founder of Google's ill-fated Glass, the first major attempt to popularise smart glasses, is rumoured to be directing Amazon's efforts..
Their device is unlikely to replicate the heads up display of the Google Glass and its onboard camera, however. While this might seem to limit the smart glasses potential, it may in fact avoid the pitfalls of the Google predecessor.
By not including these additions, this could dramatically improve battery life and make the device's primary function.
This is not the first time in recent days that Amazon's plans to make Alexa more mobile have been revealed. On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time.
Until recently, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned when a wake button was pressed on devices like the Echo or the Alexa app was launched
On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time. The new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150)
Babak Parviz the founder of Google's ill-fated Glass, the first major attempt to popularise smart glasses, is rumoured to be directing Amazon's efforts. In 2015, Google rolled out this secretive new version of Glass dubbed Enterprise Edition
Until now, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned on Amazon tablets and other mobile devices when a wake button was pressed or the Alexa app launched.
The hands-free version of the assistant has been included in the new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, which will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150).
Kevin Keith from the firm's devices business said: 'For less than £150, the all-new Fire HD 10 offers a beautiful 1080p full HD display, plus faster performance, more storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
'We're also excited to introduce Alexa hands-free for the first time on a Fire tablet.
'Now, you can ask Alexa to control video playback, show you your calendar, dim the lights, and much more - all without lifting a finger.'
H3 Digital Office - Home Cinema Room
Our new Phuket HQ Office is still under construction, our new office is going to give us much more room to show and store our home cinema, audio and light systems.
Currently underway is our custom home cinema demo room, this will feature a 120" screen, 4k projector and a fantastic surround system with 2 subwoofers all automated with mood lighting and voice control, courtesy of Alexa, Google Home and Apple's HomeKit. We are looking forward to it.
On top of the cinema will be our meeting table, here we will sit down with our customers to discuss the amazing music systems, home theatre and lighting control that we can bring their homes to life with.
Sony Launches new 4k HDR Projectors.
Sony is expanding its home cinema projector range with three brand new 4K HDR models announced at IFA 2017.
The new projectors feature our favourite projector technology, SXRD (JVC calls their version of this D-ILA). This technology otherwise known as LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is basically LCD on steroids. Brighter and with a less discernable grid structure, Home Cinemas powered by these projectors look smoother and there is no visible pixel structure on screen.
These new projectors from Sony are their native 4K SXRD technology, which Sony say delivers “high-contrast” and “detail-packed” images in combination with Sony’s Reality Creation resolution processing technology.
“All of these models are designed with Sony’s commitment in mind to bring the most ‘true to reality’ images to our customers,” said Anna Tan, Product Manager – Display, Sony ANZ.
“All three feature-packed 4K HDR projectors, from the cost-effective VPL-VW260ES to the premium VPL-VW760ES, have breathtakingly-real picture quality. So, whether viewers are watching the latest action film or a sporting event they’ll feel truly immersed in the experience,” Tan said.
The VPL-VW760ES laser light source projector features 2,000 lumens of brightness, Motionflow technology for stabilising fast moving scenes, and Triluminos technology for a broader colour range than standard projectors according to Sony.
As the projector uses a laser light source, no lamp changes are required and expendable parts are said to last about 20,000 hours before needing replacement. Sony also said it had reduced the depth of the projector by 40% on the existing laser light source model to make it easier to install or mount.
Sony’s “versatile” projector model, the VPL-VW360ES, features 1,500 lumens of brightness and an Advanced Iris for 200,000:1 dunamic contrast. The projector is also able to use picture positioning memory to adjust to a content’s aspect ratio.
Then there is the “affordable” VPL-VW260ES which rounds out the new projector range, with “great value-to-cost performance” featureing 1,500 lumens of brightness, available in black and white colours.
LG to double investment in Smart Home Technology by 2020
LG (Lucky Goldstar) is a South Korean multinational electronics company with sales of nearly 60 billion US$ per year. At the recent IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin, LG's commitment to home technology and in particular Smart Home technology was solidified with a commitment to double it's industry investment in home automation and AI by the year 2020.
"BERLIN -- As part of efforts to expand its smart home business, LG Electronics will double its investment by 2020 including mergers and acquisitions of promising artificial intelligence tech firms, said Song Dae-hyun, head of the company’s home appliance and air solutions division Saturday.
At a press conference held at a hotel in Berlin, Song said LG would spare no efforts to boost its smart home business and continue investing to acquire AI and Internet of Things technologies. “As for the AI business, inorganic growth would be more effective,” Song said. “LG officially seeks to acquire some AI companies. But so far, many acquisition projects fell apart due to market conditions.”“LG is aggressively looking for a good AI company,” he added.Song visited the German capital to meet with major European clients and check out latest tech trends at the IFA 2017. “LG was the first to add Wi-Fi to all of the home appliance lineups this year,” he said. “Based on connectivity, the company will try to bring value to consumers by establishing a smart home ecosystem pivoting on AI, IoT and robotic technologies.”
Recently, LG has been increasing partnerships with Google and Amazon to apply the two IT moguls’ voice recognition platforms to LG products for global consumers. “We do have our exclusive voice technology, but we apply the Google and Amazon technologies in order to allow consumers to conveniently use LG products with what they prefer to use,” Song said. “We are now working with Google to take advantage of its database accumulated through its search engine. But we are also continuing to develop our DeepThinQ AI platform at the same time.” The CEO added robots would be a major pillar of the smart home business.“We are nearing commercialization of robots,” he said. “We receive orders for robots from various industries, such as shopping malls and libraries.” "
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Startup_and_IT/30325678
Congratulations to Wirut our Installation Director
Wirut our Installation Director has been with us since day one, so that's 15 years we've been part of the same team. Wirut also has a few hobbies outside of Smart Homes including his love for animals and running.
He's also pretty good at it, he just placed 15th in Thanyapura's King of The Mountain Phuket Trail race.
The King of the Mountain Run consists of 15 kilometres along steep hilly terrain and amid the beautiful waterfalls of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. We're all very proud of him here at H3 and want to share his success. Well Done Wirut!
Google adds Z-Wave to Google Home
Google is making important strides in the reach of it's home virtual assistant with the Google Home now importantly being able to integrate with Z-Wave via voice. Home automation based around voice control is becoming more and more common in today's Smart Home. CNet reports
"Google Home expands its smart home reach with Z-Wave
Z-Wave shows off upgraded firmware at IFA in Berlin allowing you to control devices with your voice through Google.
Soon, you can build your own Google-controlled smart home.
At IFA, Berlin's annual tech showcase, Z-Wave is showing off a module that will allow you to upgrade your smart home with voice controls through the Google Assistant. Soon, if you have a Raspberry Mini Computer, a Western Digital MyCloud Smart Home System, or a Popp Hub Control Center, you'll be able to control synced devices with a voice command to your Google Home or Google Pixel.
Z-Wave allows accessories to talk to each other and to the cloud without using much energy -- so small devices can survive for awhile without expending much battery life. Z-way is software that will enable devices that use Z-Wave to respond to Google.
You could already control quite a few smart home products with the Google Assistant -- the search giant's digital assistant akin to Siri or Alexa. The Z-Way firmware built into the hubs listed above should allow you expanded access to smaller accessories like sensors and plugs without needing to invest in a big-name smart home platform such as SmartThings.
Google's working on expanding the number of devices with the Google Assistant built-in at IFA (the company just announced three new third-party speakers with the Assistant), while Z-Wave is working on helping you use the Assistant to control more of your home. Z-Way already works with Amazon's assistant Alexa, so a DIY smart home is becoming ever easier to control with your voice. "
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-home-expands-its-smart-home-reach-with-z-wave/
Building Your Own Home Cinema Business
I was recently approached by Roland from SimpleHomeCinema.com and asked a few questions about setting up a Home Cinema business and how we did it, here in Thailand. Here is the interview, link is at the bottom.
"Ben Hobbs, Managing Director of H3 Digital kindly offered to do an interview for SimpleHomeCinema. I welcomed the idea as I believe in supporting each other in this line of business and our readers who may be passionate about starting their own business might well take encouragement to do the same. The interview has been printed below. Should you have any other questions for Ben, please use the comments area below the post and I’ll see if we can get Ben to help us answer them.
Ben Hobbs, Managing Director of H3 Digital
Another magazine feature about Home Cinema in Thailand from H3 Digital.
Roland: Ben, please tell us a bit about yourself so our readers can get to know you. Where are you from originally? Where did you grow up?
Ben: I’m from the UK originally, I was born in Brighton and then moved to Milton Keynes when I was young. I moved to Thailand when I was 26 years old.
Roland: What made you move to Thailand at 26? Is there much of an English community where you are?
Ben: I’m into technology and after the dotcom crash it just felt like there wasn’t going to be much growth in that sector in the UK for a while. Yes there is quite a big expat community of people from all over the world here, Thailand is a great place to live or holiday.
Roland: It does sound like an great place to live and work. Was audio-visual science and home cinema a passion for you from a young age or did you fall into it – so to speak – later on?
Ben: Yes, very much so. I keenly remember applying for a Student Loan when I was at University and spending more time, and being more excited by planning what HiFfi gear I was going to buy, than on my college work. (Sherwood CD Player, Sony Amp and Mission 732 speakers if anyone is curious). It was then that I knew I had the bug.
Roland: How and when did the idea of making a business out of it come to you?
Ben: It was always a hobby of mine, I had always had a very special interest in Home Cinema and Music – It wasn’t so much that I listened to music a lot or even saw a lot of movies, instead it was piecing it together that I enjoyed, planning it and hearing and seeing what amazing setups I could build. It never occurred to me that I could do this as a living.
Roland: That’s really awesome, Ben. It sounds like you share the same passion as me and some of our readers. How did you find your first paying client?
Ben: After the dot com bust in the UK I had a choice to make, either stay in the IT industry – I was in recruitment, pays well but not particularly fun – Or come to Asia, Thailand in particular. My Father lived in HK and some of his friends were building holiday homes in Phuket, the problem was there wasn’t any Technology expertise. My Brother and I came over and helped design intelligent cabling and systems into those holiday homes.
Roland: So it sounds like you kind of fell into it through connections that you had?
Ben: Going into business for yourself is a big life decision. We saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands, the safe thing would have been to stay back in the UK. Moving abroad and starting a company at the same time is fairly risky for anyone – it was useful that we had some insight into prospective work.
Roland: Were you successful straight away or did the business grow slowly?
Ben: We were always busy, that doesn’t necessarily mean success. We have had our ups and downs. So we grew slowly, then quickly, then shrank after the Global Financial Crisis and then grew again in a slower more measured manner.
Roland: What were some of the challenges you faced as you were growing the business?
Ben: At first when you start a company there is so much to do to get the ball rolling, then once you come up with the processes, products and have staff it’s all too easy to become complacent. You have to make sure you keep busy. Constantly find new ways to make yourself useful and relevant in such a fast moving industry.
Roland: Did you have to have much of a capital investment initially?
Ben: There was some outlay to get the company up and running, mainly involving getting the company started, work permits, vehicle, etc. We’ve always tried to keep it as organic as possible though. My advice here: be as sparing as possible with startup money – if you start with a big lump of cash it’s more than likely going to get wasted.
Roland: What were the critical success factors in getting the business where it is today?
Ben: Not giving up. Running your own business can be really tough at times, sometimes you just want to roll over and give up – You can’t, so you make sure to fight through the hard times and you learn constantly through the whole process. We’ve tried to keep it as much fun as we can, I didn’t get into this industry to get rich, I do this job because I love it. That helps.
Roland: That is a great attitude to have, Ben. What is your business model? Do you charge clients for the man hours / consultancy or can you also make money on the equipment by getting wholesale prices? Did the business model change over the years?
Ben: We make some money on equipment and some on the installation, it’s probably around 50/50. Initially we started out by billing labour as a percentage of the equipment cost but later we moved over to a per unit install cost, where we charge a set integration price on equipment install, That way our customers are fairly charged according to our time rather on how expensive their equipment is.
Roland: How do you make sure the business can be sustained? How do you get new clients coming on board?
Ben: Easier to keep your current and past clients coming back than advertise and market for new ones constantly. We’ve done two or more properties for more than half of our clients now, sometimes the same property twice! When we first started iPhones weren’t even around so many customers have used us many times to keep their properties up to date.
To do that you must give good service, never cheat people and do your best to make your customers happy. As a company there has been quite a few times that we’ve ended up losing money on jobs, through no fault of our own – perhaps a supplier let us down or raised their prices. The customer though is our client, he is dealing with us and we have always been fair.
Roland: What are your plans for the business in the near and mid-term? How do you intend to grow it?
Ben: We are currently building a brand new office which will feature better demo facilities, a coffee shop, better staff facilities and more room for us to stock products. In addition to designing and installing home cinema, audio and lighting systems ourselves we also distribute some audio and cinema products to other companies. We hope to include great training facilities and warehousing for those products.
Going forward we are making sure we keep it fun, make sure our clients are happy and look forward to all the great new technology that will be coming out in the future.
Roland: Finally, is there any advice you’d like to give to our readers who would like to get into the business?
Ben: Do it! If you like home cinema and audio as a hobby, you will more than likely enjoy setting up big systems for others. Look into if there is a CEDIA in your country and try to get some certified training. Even if you don’t have experience, I think if you know your stuff and have a CEDIA qualification you could probably walk into a junior position in the industry.
I’d like to thank Ben for his time to answer my questions and I’d like to wish him – on behalf of all our readers – good luck with his business."
Spotify launches in Thailand
Spotify the music radio service that subscribers pay a monthly fee to access the music from just about every artist in the world, has just launched in Thailand. Those who use Sonos music systems in Thailand and other multi room audio systems may well be familiar with Spotify as the goto streaming service. Previously to use Sonos with Spotify you had to reset up the system and pretend you were from another country where Spotify is available (and you have an account). This makes it much easier to access all your favourite music all over your home.
"Spotify launches in Thailand to continue its Asia push. While talk of Spotify’s apparent upcoming IPO continues in the U.S., the music streaming service is furthering its coverage of Asia after it launched its service in Thailand.
Spotify Premium, which counts over 60 million paying users, will cost 129 THB in Thailand. That’s just over $4 and in line with its pricing across Asia. Customers in the U.S. and UK will be aware that it is substantially cheaper than what they pay, but Spotify has opted for local pricing worldwide.
Interestingly, Spotify will introduce daily and weekly packages to boost its potential in Thailand, where revenue from online music has actually declined by over 20 percent since 2012, Spotify Asia head Sunita Kaur told media at a press conference
The launch — which we reported was on the cards back in May — takes Spotify to 61 markets worldwide, and it is emblematic of the company’s recent focus on expanding its business in Asia.
Spotify first entered the region in 2013 with launches in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, it only added one new market over the next two years. It restarted its expansion plan in Asia last year when it launched its service in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s fourth largest population, and Japan, which is the world’s second most lucrative music market. Today’s launch takes it to seven countries in Asia, not including Australia and New Zealand when looking at the wider Asia Pacific area.
As we reported back in May, Vietnam is the next country in its sights, as evidenced by job listings and sources. India is a market that we understand Spotify has looked at seriously, but for now it has not committed to a launch.
Getting a solid position across Asia will help Spotify when it does finally go public. The latest reports suggest that will be via a direct listing, an unorthodox approach that involves going public without an IPO. Spotify is potentially missing out on hundreds of millions in proceeds from the IPO, but it could do a secondary offering to raise cash at a later date.
It’s also under pressure to compete with Apple Music, which is available worldwide. Spotify had an early head-start and it added 20 million paid subscribers in less than a year. It’s taken Apple Music more than a year and a half to make that progress. Spotify now has 60 million subscribers, compared to Apple Music’s 27 million, as of June."