BenQ interactive flat panel makes education, collaboration a breeze

BenQ, the global brand in digital light processing (DLP) and interactive displays, is offering a new interactive flat panel (IFP) that combines a 4K Ultra HD whiteboard, annotation, and collaboration solution into a single platform.

With the RP750K, BenQ has created an interactive flat screen display that taps into the dynamic possibilities of classroom or commercial training and collaboration scenarios. A Germ-Resistant Screen protects users, while preinstalled annotation tools encourage participation.

The RP750K Germ-Resistant Screen is infused with a multilayer coating of durable, non-toxic nano-ionic silver. This coating kills most germs that can accumulate on screen surfaces, preventing cross-infection. The ionic silver’s antimicrobial ability remains effective even after thorough cleaning and long periods of use.

The 75" IFP’s health-conscious design features continue with Smart Eye-Care for a smooth and comfortable viewing experience. An embedded motion sensor automatically activates flicker-free and low blue light features when movement is detected near the screen. Daren Low, Senior Product Manager, BenQ Singapore, said the blue light control results in displays which are gentler on the eye while the nano-ionic silver on the glass disrupts the cell division mechanism of most bacteria and viruses. The panel also features an anti-glare treatment to reduce eyestrain and offer more legible content.

The Android-based panel comes with proprietary BenQ software that increases productivity. Instructional tools include the EZWrite 4.0 whiteboard solution with handwriting recognition. EZWrite supports scribbling and will also recognise characters and shapes. Ideal for educational and team-building applications, EZWrite has a stopwatch, scoreboard for multiple teams and support for a buzzer that gives the floor to the 'first responder', said Low.

The InstaQShare collaboration solution allows participants to share information and collaborate on the fly through wireless mirroring between the display and devices. A mobile device may take control of the IFP while the screen can be broadcast to up to 16 other mobile devices, if the network permits it.

“BYOD is quite mature nowadays. It's very practical in a commercial environment,” Low said.

The IFP also supports video recording, Microsoft Office, a floating toolbar, and Data-to-Go, a feature which saves annotations as images and allows the images to be shared for review material. The content can be accessed by QR code, email, or as a hard copy and appears electronically in PDF form.

The stylus accessory, called the NFCPen, works through near field communications (NFC) technology and does not need a battery. Two are included with each IFP. A swipe of the palm will erase what's on the screen.

The RP750K is germ-resistant, eye-friendly and anti-glare.

Interested?

The RP750K costs S$9,999.

Watch the Instavideo of the NFCPen in action

Watch the Instavideo of screen mirroring in action

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about BenQ's new digital laser projectors, which were launched at the same time. BenQ also unveiled a world-first 4K UHD LED home cinema projector during the event, the BenQ X12000

Epson rolls out new 3LCD interactive projector family

Source: Epson website; The EB-696Ui.

Epson has launched a new series of 3LCD interactive projectors, the EB-600 series*, featuring beyond full HD ultra short throw projection, PC-less interactivity and for the first time, seamless interactivity across dual screens among other innovative features.

Ideal for education and corporate environments, the new EB-600 series projectors - the EB-696Ui, EB-695Wi2, EB-685Wi, EB-685W3 and EB-680 projectors - deliver a dynamic viewing experience.

The series features WUXGA resolution of 1,920 x 1,200, which is beyond full HD, and with an increased brightness of 3,800 lumens. With a throw ratio of 0.27, the ultra short throw projector series needs a gap of just 47cm to project an 80" screen, reducing shadow interference for uninterrupted presentations.

With the new series, users can save on total cost of ownership with 10,000 hours of lamp hours in ECO mode, while still enjoying a bright projection of 2,900 lumens using this energy-saving feature. Other ecofriendly features include auto-brightness adjustment, where a luminance sensor detects and automatically adjusts the projector’s brightness levels for lower energy consumption.

For the first time, Epson interactive projectors enable seamless interactivity across dual screens to create an ultra-wide interactive screen for the classroom or boardroom. The EB-600 series bring finger-touch interactivity to a panoramic screen, enabling users to write or move objects seamlessly across the screens to deliver an engaging, larger-than-life interactive presentation.

With Epson’s Easy Interactive Tools 4.20 software, the projector supports up to six fingers and dual interactive pens simultaneously, enabling multiple users to write on the board at the same time for increased collaboration and participation. Users are able to select, swipe, pinch in/out and rotate images with fingers, even with wireless projection. Additionally, multi-PC projection enables up to 50 laptops and mobile devices to connect to a single projector with a host PC as moderator for sharing of content.

Another innovation with the EB-600 series is its PC-less interactive functionality, enabling users to write and draw on any image projected from a non-PC source such as smart devices, document cameras, Blu-ray players and others. Photo slideshows can also be loaded from a USB memory key and controlled in PC-free mode.

The EB-600 series comes with improved connectivity, featuring three HDMI ports with one of them MHL-enabled for mirroring of Android mobile devices. With an optional USB wireless LAN adaptor for Wi-Fi connectivity, users can share and project images, texts and files from smart devices and laptops directly using Epson’s iProjection app. For ease and convenience, remote control support is also built into the iProjection app.

“Epson’s revolutionary interactive projector technology continues to make inroads in the education sector and corporate boardrooms for delivery of engaging and compelling presentations. We will continue to develop new interactive features to enhance the learning experience to meet the demands of today’s sophisticated users,” said Tan May Lin, Epson Singapore’s GM (Sales, Marketing & Customer Service Division).

Interested?

Retail prices for the EB-600 series range from S$2,599 to S$4,450. Contact Epson Singapore for more details on product availability.

View product video

*Only the EB-696Ui has beyond Full HD (WUXGA) resolution.

posted from Bloggeroid

Etihad releases VR film starring Nicole Kidman

Source: Etihad website. Kidman in the video.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has released a 360^o virtual reality (VR) film starring Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman. This marks the first time that a Hollywood actor has ever starred in a fully immersive virtual reality movie.

The five-minute feature, titled Reimagine, immerses viewers in an experiential journey following Kidman through one of its new Airbus A380s flying between New York and Abu Dhabi. The airline has used cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary mediums in the feature to bring to life its acclaimed guest experience and hospitality story by engaging the consumer in various sensory interactions onboard the virtual flight. Each scene in the film takes on a theme intended to stimulate the senses of light, sound, motion, and conversation.

Kidman, who is also Etihad Airways’ brand ambassador, said: “The film is a culmination of Etihad’s vision to tell the airline’s story in an extremely innovative way and a commitment to engaging with the public as has never been attempted by an airline before. It was a great challenge but one which has definitely paid off and it was great to be part of such an exciting project.”

Throughout the experience, the viewer meets and engages with a number of characters including the actress herself, her film director, an opera singer and even an Emirati guest with a falcon in First Class. The journey also provides personal interactions with the Savoy-trained Butler in The Residence, the airline’s luxurious private three room cabin, the in-flight Chef in First Class, the Food and Beverage Manager in Business Class, and the Flying Nanny, trained by the Norland College in the UK.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “We want to share Etihad’s story in a completely new way, using technology to make our consumers a part of the narrative and to experience an Etihad Airways A380 flight first-hand, from anywhere.

“The film demonstrates how, as an innovative brand, we continue to break down the barriers of convention and lead the way in intelligent communication and best practice not just within the aviation industry, but across the fields of marketing, communication and technology.”

The adventure takes the viewer through the twin-decked aircraft and covers its luxurious interiors including Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class, before concluding with a focus on Kidman enjoying The Residence.

Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Marketing, said: “In December 2014 we completely reimagined the travel experience with the launch of our new A380 fleet, setting a new standard in innovative design, service and technology. This was followed in 2015 by a tremendously successful adverting campaign starring Nicole Kidman.

“This immersive VR film is a massive step-change in the way we present the Etihad Airways brand and product to the consumer using highly innovative new mediums. Based on the success of our recent campaign with Nicole, the decision to take this partnership to the next level was an obvious one.”

The film, which took more than six months to produce, was filmed exclusively in Abu Dhabi. An Etihad Airways A380 was used for three days and fully customised prior to filming; overhead lockers, seats and other sections of the aircraft’s interior were removed to allow for the installation of Red Dragon cameras, which were used to perfectly capture the actress’ movement through the aircraft. Hundreds of individual lights were required to ensure smooth and uninterrupted shots.

Etihad Airways collaborated with the Barbarian Group, a subsidiary of Cheil Worldwide, and the creative digital production company MediaMonks to produce the film. The feature was directed by husband-and-wife directing duo Anthony Atanasio and Valerie Martinez. The film used pioneering filming techniques to ensure a seamless production with no warping or stitches, achieving unrivalled VR results.

Ola Björling, MediaMonks’ Global Director of VR, said: “As the most multidisciplinary medium there is, virtual reality relies more heavily on craft and execution than anything that has gone before it. We believe the display of artistry in every facet of this production is setting a new benchmark for live-action VR.”

Interested?

Watch Reimagine. An updated version in stereoscopic sound will be released on 17 June. To guarantee the full experience, download the Oculus VR app and view the film using a VR headset, such as Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard.

Tags: Etihad, aviation,marketing, VR, virtual, reality, interactive, video, celebrity, A380,Airbus,travel

Digital advertising measurement not up to par in Singapore

Source: IAB Singapore.

Digital advertising measurement levels in Singapore are below average say senior marketers in the country, according to a State of Digital Measurement in Singapore study released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Singapore.

The study found that senior marketers, on average, only rate the level of sophistication of digital measurement in Singapore at four out of 10, with 10 being on-par with most advanced markets. Measurement on mobile was highlighted as the biggest gap that needs to be addressed in the near future.

With the goal of developing a deeper understanding of digital measurement in this market, the IAB Singapore’s State of Digital Measurement study combined data from 25 in-depth interviews with leaders in the Singapore digital marketing industry with a quantitative online survey of 50 senior marketing professionals from brands, publishers and agencies.

Peter Hubert, Head of Insights APAC, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions and Co-Chair of the IAB Singapore Measurement and Standards Committee said, “Digital marketing is still relatively new in this region and with technology evolving as rapidly as it is, we’ve unfortunately fallen a little behind in tracking and measuring our efforts. In fact, 88% of survey respondents said that the metrics they used were not effective enough in measuring campaign performance against business objectives. This needs to change if we are to prove the value of digital in the boardroom – it is the medium of the now and the future, after all.”

The study also shows that there is a lack of understanding and engagement with key digital measurement techniques across the market, with 64% of marketers increasingly looking for help to improve their understanding and use of digital measurement and metrics.

Other key findings from the research include:

Marketers highlighted difficulty in capturing data, with 50% of online survey respondents complaining that it is difficult to get accurate results from existing measurement practices due to data being captured in silos and a lack of integration amongst existing data sources.

Marketers also said that they lack certain resources such as Singapore or Southeast specific case studies (76% respondents), benchmarks to provide context and gauge success (64%), and support to gain a better understanding of measurement and metrics (64%), all of which would help narrow their spending gap in digital.

Interestingly, despite the overall agreement that better technologies and standards are required to help the industry improve their understanding of mobile tracking, measurement and cross-platform attribution, there is a lack of urgency within the industry in seeking a resolution to the problem.

Hubert added: “The IAB Singapore’s role is to highlight the areas where the industry needs to focus their attention, and collaborate with members and stakeholders to soothe any pain points. Using the results of this study as baseline, over the next year our goal will be to help brands in Singapore establish a robust and sustainable digital measurement framework.”

Interested?

Download the State of Digital Measurement in Singapore study

Pocari SWEAT introduces keep-fit running app with incentives from 7-Eleven

Pocari SWEAT, a well-known isotonic beverage brand, has made its free Pocari Cross Run mobile app available for download in Singapore at the iOS App and Android Play stores respectively.

The app is designed to encourage Singaporeans to continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle, says the company. The application includes an element of gamification which is backed by the latest Beacon* technology. The Beacon technology, to be set up at all 7-Eleven stores in Singapore, will send area-specific content to the app depending on the distance a runner has completed.

The app can also make a run more interesting through generating customised running courses. 7-Eleven stores along the route will be represented as hydration points.

Additional bonus points, called participation points, can be accumulated when users tap on the Beacon devices at 7-Eleven cashier counters if they are on a run, complete a running course, or make a Pocari SWEAT purchase. The longer the running distance, the more points a user will receive. Users can also earn tokens and play games that involve visits to 7-Eleven stores as well.

"We chose 7-Eleven to roll out the BEACON technology as it is a recognised international brand which constantly emphasizes on excellent customer service delivery. We hope to leverage its extensive network of more than 500 stores and create the next level of customer interaction experience both in-store and on-street. There will be plans in the pipeline for BEACON to be extensively utilised for other promotions and campaigns by other companies after the launch of the Pocari SWEAT campaign," said Takamasa Tokumo, Executive Director of Asatsu-DK Singapore, an advertising agency that co-developed the app with digital production company AID-DCC and which also developed Beacon.

He added, "With consumers becoming more tech-savvy, this new technology will help create a revolutionary consumer experience - one that is fun and interactive, yet meaningful and adds value to the consumer, such as supporting them in achieving their healthy lifestyle goals in this case."

Pocari SWEAT's Singapore Country Manager Puspita Winawati commented, "We are extremely excited to be incorporating the latest technology in the way we interact with our customers and with the extensive network of the 7-Eleven stores here in Singapore, which serve as water points, runners will have the flexibility of enjoying the Pocari Cross Run app wherever they want. It is also our hope that through the launch of the Pocari Cross Run app, we can encourage more people to take up running as part of a healthy lifestyle."

*Beacon is the latest low-powered, cost efficient transmitter that is able to notify and connect to customised applications on mobile devices. The technology recognises devices running on the iOS7 and Android 4.3 operating system that are within close proximity. Specific messages or actions can be delivered when the devices are detected.