Category: TECH & GADGETS

The best ideas on how contingent workforce can improve business agility

Old woman laptop work

Business agility is extremely important in today’s day and age. This principle helps businesses stay afloat, as they successfully adapt to the market changes and fluctuations. One of the easiest ways to make sure that your business is agile is using a contingent workforce, especially for work that doesn’t require strict commitment. However, finding the best people might be tricky, especially if the talent pool and/or the industry itself are already too saturated. So for that reason, here are some tips and ideas that will improve your business agility through proper contingent workforce application and management.  It’s all about the job ad Employing remote workers means that seeing them face-to-face is quite unlikely. Therefore, you should make sure to post a job ad that will be clear, concise, and easy to understand. In return, that will ensure the best candidates. Also, if the business is hiring remotely, that means that the number of applications will be higher, and in that case, a well-written job ad will help you find the right people. If that’s not enough to sell the concept of agility and how to write it up, then check out this post. The selection process plays an enormous role  The selection process exists to ensure that only the best candidates get the job. This process is also demanding, which is why it’s essential to have an effective, yet easy selection process. An extensive and prolonged way that includes multiple rounds and interviews might seem practical, but in reality, it’s too time-consuming. Therefore, a simple task… Read More

Huawei launches new wearables in response to healthier lifestyles

Huawei wearables launch

For many of us, the pandemic has changed the way we think about our health and physical activity, pivoting towards a healthier way of life. Recent findings have revealed Australians have had a rethink about their behaviours towards their health, with four in 10 Aussies claiming they are prioritising their health now more than they did before COVID-19.  In response to this health trend, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) has announced its newest wearables to its globally renowned portfolio offering a seamless combination of sleek designs and health-tracking benefits, which will be available in Australia from June 18.  Recent statistics show nearly three-quarters (72.8%) of people over 15 years of age don’t meet the Australian Government’s physical activity guidelines.  Nearly half of employed people aged 18 to 64 years described their workday as mostly sedentary.  With the launch of Huawei’s new wearables, now is the perfect time to kickstart the health journey with the brand’s newest products that are made with the best in cutting-edge technology boasting a range of features; from blood pressure monitoring to a built-in animated fitness coach.  The four new wearables include: HUAWEI WATCH D is an innovative wrist-type blood pressure monitoring device – a significant breakthrough in technology. It also has an array of other health-tracking features.  RRP: $799. Launch offer: 18 June 2022 – 17 July 2022: $150 retail gift card when purchased from Bing Lee, JB HI-FI, Mobileciti and Huawei Authorised Experience Stores. Customers can choose from $150 retail gift card or gift with the purchase of HUAWEI… Read More

Acer’s helping the planet with digital art by Andy Thomas

7.8MB The Three Sisters Acer x Andy Thomas Aspire Vero 2

Acer has got a new computer: fully post-consumer recyclable plastic (PCR) integration into the laptop device.  It’s purposeful, sustainable design saves around 21% in CO2 emissions and is made to be easily repaired, upgraded and recycled.    It’s all a part of their new effort to be more green, after they released a report, the Acer Plastic Pandemic Report – which reveals over half the adult population (55%) are unaware of the severity of the plastic pandemic that we are facing and nearly 6 in 10 (58%) people do not understand the difference between virgin plastics and recycled plastics. The shocking reality is over 3.4 million tonnes of plastics are used in Australia every year, with less than 10% being recycled or reprocessed for re-use. The impact that plastic waste has on our environment is devastating – most ends up in landfill or our oceans, contributing to climate change, contaminating our soil, and negatively affecting our natural landscapes and wildlife.  We spoke to digital artist Andy Thomas about some work he’s created using the new tech… You recently collaborated with Acer on the release of their new ‘Green PC’ the Aspire Vero, tell usmore about the collaboration? The collaboration between myself and Acer was a really great fit. I have always been interested innature and recreating nature with my computers and 3D software. There was a real serendipity withthis project on multiple levels which was super satisfying and fun. I had a blast creating this workfrom start to finish. What inspired the LIFECYCLES series? The inspiration for the LIFECYCLES series… Read More

Turns out aromatherapy’s still a thing – but you need the right gear

360 diffuser pink

After the last moment in history we all endured, there’d be no surprises if you’re a bit stressed, tense, anxious, generally in need of a chill. And before turning to the bottle, or staying the tried-and-true path of the yogis, why not try aromatherapy? Renowned around the Western world as being an aid in relaxation and decompression, aromatherapy harnesses the power of the olfactory to alleviate tension and promote feelings of peace, serenity and a worldly disconnection. In Essence knows this and their latest range of 360 Diffusers are all about making those dreams of a life without pressure a reality. Australian owned and designed, the portable and rechargeable diffusers can be placed in any room – ours lives next to the bath – when you’re in need of some full-on, scented zen. As the name would suggest, aromas are dispersed all around the touch-pad, ambient lit piece of tech, offering a complete room takeover of relaxation. And now the only question is, which scents will really do it for you? Find out more about the In Essence 260 Diffuser at the website.

Skullcandy’s New Skull- iQ Earbuds have one big advantage over AirPods

Skullcandy earbuds

If ever you wanted an in-ear music experience that didn’t suck, then listen-up. Skullcandy’s all-new, intuitive voice-driven platform, Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology is providing users with the ability to go completely hands-free, Skull-iQ debuts on both the Push Active Sport True Wireless and Grind True Wireless Earbuds. Unlike earbuds with Siri and Google Assistant built-in, the Hey Skullcandy command works entirely offline and alongside ANY phone operating system. As long as the earbuds are connected to a phone and paired with the Skullcandy companion app, the ‘Hey Skullcandy’ command works even without an active data/Wi-Fi connection. So for the iPhone users out there, you can officially kiss your AirPods goodbye. Or even if you’re yet to make your way into the world of wireless, voice activated sound and musical ecstasy, then these make for a good kick-off. Push Active is for those seeking an adventure-ready, durable fit, designed specifically for high-intensity activities. Push Active True Wireless Sport Earbuds are the ultimate audio partner, offering flexible over-ear hooks and water/sweat resistance. Alternatively, the Grind, aptly named, is your go-to for everyday errands and work-life routine. Grind True Wireless Earbuds are your strong and stable in-ear solution to doing it all, water/sweat/dust resistant with a truly premium sound.  For more and to get yourself a pair, head to the Skullcandy website

NFTs, cars and how a vehicle designer’s combining the two + WIN your own NFT

Crypto Carz NFT 1

Before about a year ago, the term ‘NFT’ had almost never been head before. But combine the highest recorded price of Bitcoin ever, the emergence of countless trading platforms for Crypto and the emergence of equally as countless artists and designers discovering what it means to create and sell NFTs, there’s been a BOOM in activity in the space. But what is it and why should you care? NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are pieces of digital collateral that can really be anything (such as drawings, music, your brain downloaded and turned into an AI), but a lot of the current excitement is around using the tech to sell digital art. The Verge explains what they are and how they work really well. They matter because of a few different reasons, but none so much as that they’re fast becoming a new store of value and collectible item, namely in art. Which is where Mike Turner comes into it. He’s the designer we’re referring to in the headline and his speciality is cars – or we should say Crypto-Carz specifically. A vehicle designer with over 25 years’ experience, Mike has started producing clunky-but-cute stylised CAD versions of iconic road and race cars – inspired by early Low Poly (low polygon count) video game graphics from his youth. His work is light-hearted Automotive escapism – but harnesses the same professional skills and techniques he uses daily as a professional designer and digital image creator. What he create comes from the heart – inspired by vehicles, eras and legends… Read More

Go investment: The rise of on-the-go investment apps

Phone investing invest app

No longer do you need to engage a traditional broker to invest your money. Thanks to technology and everything going digital – and the rise of increasingly intelligent apps – it has never been easier to get your foot in the door. Many of the apps available use algorithms to help with the investments, which generally results in less fees and can still assist you in creating an individualised strategy that is low maintenance. So what are the options? Micro-investing apps Micro-investing apps, such as Raiz and Spaceship Voyager, can be used either by people who want to invest a lump sum of money, or by those who prefer to use it as a piggy bank. Both apps give you the option to round-up purchases to the nearest, meaning if you spend $2.40 using your allocated spending account, the app will invest 60 cents for you in your chosen portfolio. Micro-investing apps are great because people can dip their toe into the investing world for as little as $5, whereas many other investment platforms or brokers will require a minimum spend. Your money then gets invested with everyone else’s money, however, you can decide whether you would like to put your money onto modest/safe investments or higher risk/higher reward ones. Micro-investing apps are a great low fuss strategy that especially suits people who are not great at saving. It is also surprisingly effective over time when all of a sudden you have a fair bit of money in there. Another factor that increases traders’ satisfaction is the opportunity to improve their skills within a platform. For instance, a broker… Read More

Join up to invest in the Australian Stock Exchange on-the-go with Stake

Stake ASX option 1

You can officially kiss the big banks and hefty priced investment firms a hearty ‘goodbye’! The moment every Australian investor’s been waiting for is here, courtesy of Stake. As of today, the waitlist is open for you to join the first intake of investors in Stake’s new offering: the ability to invest in the Australian Stock exchange using your phone (or desktop, if you’re classic), with a $0 brokerage fee for those on the BETA version. If you’ve been looking to invest in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) but the standard $30-ish brokerage fee (the price brokers charge you to make trades) has been a put-off, then relax; Stake is the answer you’ve been hunting for. They’ll charge a tiny $3 brokerage per trade in 2022. Already know about Stake? Join up today with this VIP link If this sounds like the next move in your financial security, then head to the new ASX landing page is up and you can sign up to the waitlist! “We’ve kicked off already. People are trading on the ASX with Stake. We’re opening up thousands more spots, progressively, over the next couple of months. People atop our Beta waitlist will be taken on, which thousands have already signed up to,” said Stake founder and CEO Matt Leibowitz. “You jump ahead in the queue each time you refer a friend to the waitlist. Sign up, refer and climb, and you’ll be trading for free on the ASX until 2022.” It’s one helluva shake-up to the market long-dominated by only… Read More

Latest in men’s wearable tech to leave you wanting more

We Vibe Bond toy 2

Doesn’t matter what you put where; if you’re a man who has sex, then you need the newly-launched product by We-Vibe. They’ve launched Bond, the newest wearable tech for men, worn around the male erogenous zones, can be worn in public, and controlled with the app for undercover teasing. It’s all about extending foreplay and building anticipation but is not meant to bring you to climax. So for those who are after a kinky dinner out, playing in the cinema – while staying dressed – or long, erotic car drives (albeit dangerous!) then this is for you. With a remote control, you and any partner can be in control of your own arousal and pleasure, anywhere, any time. The result is an incredibly sexy feeling, made safe and discreet by We-Vibe Bond’s precision engineering, easy-on quick-release design and custom fit for any penis size. This wearable stimulation ring, controlled by app or remote, celebrates the bond between sexual partners, and emphasises the importance of curious, adventurous intimacy. Here are some of the highlights of the new tool: Custom fit Easy to put on and take off Remote control  Ergonomic shape  10 intensity levels  We-Connect app  Super-soft silicone  Waterproof (IPX7)  90 minutes charge   Up to 2 hours of play   Whisper quiet   Low power alert   Get your own for $149 from Amazon Australia