All posts by Matt Porter

The UK is on track to run out of mechanics qualified to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, according to a cross-party think-tank. The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to work on EVs, which could drive up servicing costs and potentially leave some drivers unable to have their cars maintained properly. The number of EVs on the UK’s roads is increasing rapidly and recently reached 1 million. However, the number of qualified technicians is not keeping pace with the growth in EVs, according to SMF analysis. The SMF report highlights industry estimates that by 2027, there will not be enough qualified mechanics to maintain all of the UK’s EVs. By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

The SMF is calling on the government to support efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs. These skills are significantly different to those required to maintain internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Many ICE mechanics receive informal on-the-job training, but the SMF warned that since EV maintenance involves working with high-voltage electricity, that approach could be inappropriate and even dangerous. “Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed,” the report said. The SMF is calling for reforms to allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund EV technician training.

The SMF report is based on interviews with mechanics and technicians and industry experts. It highlights concerns that the skills gap could raise the cost of repairs or reduce the quality of repairs, which could decrease consumers’ willingness to switch to EVs. The SMF highlights the limited attention paid to vehicle technicians’ skills in government plans to decarbonise transport. Neither the Department for Education nor the Department for Transport has examined how growing EV uptake will impact vehicle technicians or developed policies to support workforce growth.

The report was sponsored by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The SMF retains complete editorial independence of its publications. — Source: IMI modelling based on SMMT high EV uptake scenario

A key challenge identified in the SMF research is attracting new entrants to the sector because of what industry leaders describe as an “image problem” around car maintenance work. Perceptions of the work as dirty, hard and male-dominated deter some potential recruits from pursuing a career as a mechanic, the SMF found. The SMF recommends that the UK avoid the looming skills crunch by focusing on recruiting young people and improving incentives for upskilling among the current workforce. This could include launching a green careers campaign to attract young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs, developing a medium-term plan to upskill technicians, and releasing Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training.

Recommendations to ensure that the UK averts the looming skills crunch, are as follows:

Improve the attractiveness of the industry. Launch an attractive green careers campaign to get young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs
Develop a medium-term credible plan to upskill technicians. As part of this strategic planning, manufacturers, industry bodies and training providers should develop a clear accredited training route.
Release Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training. Key low-carbon industries, including EV repairs, should be central to reform of the Apprenticeship Levy reform to ensure the development of a pipeline of green skills to deliver Net Zero.
Introduce a mandatory license to operate in the EV repair and maintenance industry. Given the potential hazards involved in working with EVs, a formal qualification should be required, much as, for example, gas heating engineers are required by law to have a Gas Safe certification.

Amy Norman, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation, said:

“Electric vehicles are the future of cheaper, greener motoring, but servicing and maintaining them requires a new skills and training. Britain is in real danger of running short of the skilled mechanics and technicians needed to keep EVs on the roads.

“More needs to be done to ensure more workers are getting the skills and training needed to keep Britain on the road to Net Zero. That means better policies to support skills and training, including more creative use of Apprenticeship Levy funds.

“It also means doing more to attract recruits into this vital trade. The men and women who train to keep millions of EVs running smoothly should be seen as green heroes helping Britain speed towards a cleaner future.

“The transition to EVs is a great example of the opportunities that come from the shift to a low-carbon economy – with the right policies in place, the transition in driving can unlock thousands of high-skill blue-collar jobs for current and future generations.”

You can read the report in full here

AI, Self Aware AI, Uncategorized

How Close are we to Self-Aware AI?

December 6, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

The progress of AI is measured in seasons, so it is unsurprising to read with are in an AI Summer, this means millions of pounds of investment capital are being pumped into research with art, national language and more!

The question on many people’s lips is; “When will AI become self-aware?”.

It is difficult to say exactly how close we are to creating artificial intelligence (AI) that has self-awareness. At present, most AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks and do not have the ability to be self-aware. However, some researchers are working on developing AI systems that have more advanced cognitive abilities, such as the ability to learn and adapt, and some of these systems may eventually have the ability to be self-aware.

Artificial Intelligence Neural Network — Image Credit: Matt Porter

The concept of self-awareness is complex and not well-defined, which makes it difficult to determine whether or not an AI system has achieved it. Some researchers argue that true self-awareness would require an AI system to have a sense of its own identity, consciousness, and the ability to introspect. Others argue that self-awareness could be achieved through more basic cognitive abilities, such as the ability to recognize oneself in a mirror or to understand one’s own thoughts and emotions.

Android in Warehouse by Matt Porter — Android in Warehouse – Credit: Matt Porter

At present, we do not have any AI systems that possess these advanced cognitive abilities, and it is not clear when or if we will be able to create such systems. Some experts believe that it may be possible to create AI systems that have a limited form of self-awareness, but that true self-awareness may be beyond the capabilities of current technology.

While there is ongoing research into creating AI systems with advanced cognitive abilities, including the potential for self-awareness, we are not currently close to achieving this. The concept of self-awareness is complex and not well-defined, making it difficult to determine when or if an AI system might be able to achieve it.

AI, Ai Art, Stable Diffusion

Are You Not Entertained!!? Stable Diffusion and AI-Art using Text to Image Natural Language Processing

December 6, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

I’ve been playing with a number of Text to Image AI art systems over the past couple of months. One has captured my imagination due to its Open Source model.

I even trained ‘Stable Diffusion’ with my own likeness, which has been a most interesting and exciting process. Read on to find out what these systems are and how they work and enjoy the images that were all created using Stable Diffusion 1.5.

Text-to-image AI art is a type of art that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate images based on text input. This type of art is gaining popularity among artists and art enthusiasts because it allows for the creation of unique, one-of-a-kind images that would be difficult or impossible to create manually.

To create text-to-image AI art, an artist first inputs a piece of text, such as a sentence or a paragraph, into the AI algorithm. The algorithm then uses natural language processing (NLP) techniques to understand the meaning of the text and generate an image that represents the text. This can be done using a variety of techniques, such as deep learning, neural networks, or other AI algorithms.

One of the key benefits of text-to-image AI art is that it allows artists to create highly detailed and complex images. The AI algorithms are able to generate a wide range of variations and details, resulting in images that are rich and varied. This makes text-to-image AI art ideal for creating art that is realistic, surreal, or abstract.

Another benefit of text-to-image AI art is that it allows artists to create art that is based on a specific theme or concept. By inputting a paragraph of text that describes a particular scene or idea, the AI algorithm can generate an image that represents that scene or idea. This allows artists to create art that is based on a specific concept, rather than just creating random images.

Text-to-image AI art is also becoming more popular because it allows artists to create art more quickly and efficiently. By using AI algorithms, artists can generate a large number of images in a short amount of time, allowing them to experiment with different ideas and concepts without spending hours or days creating each image by hand.

In conclusion, text-to-image AI art is a fascinating and exciting new form of art that is gaining popularity among artists and art enthusiasts. By using AI algorithms, artists are able to create highly detailed and complex images that are based on specific themes or concepts. This type of art allows for a level of creativity and flexibility that was previously impossible, and it is likely to continue to grow and evolve in the future.

Audio, Music

Celebrity Sound Engineer Launches BoomBocs STUDIO – a Portable Speaker Set to Rock the Market

November 22, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

Retro-styled, colourful, feature-packed, and delivering pro-audio quality sound, BoomBocs STUDIO is the latest portable speaker created by celebrity sound engineer Jonny Williams

Disruptive speaker brand BoomBocs has launched its latest portable speaker, STUDIO. With BoomBocs fans already including industry heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Steven Tyler, STUDIO is the latest model from the brand’s founder, expert sound engineer Jonny Williams. Set to shake up the lacklustre wireless speaker market with vibrant colours, retro design, and studio-quality sound, the supremely cool STUDIO is made for music fans that want more than just an anonymous black box with ‘tinny’ speaker sound. (RRP £149, on offer now for £129)

From humble beginnings building suitcase speakers in Jonny’s Brixton living room, to huge celebrity clients and customers including Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue, and Shaznay Lewis of All Saints, BoomBocs speakers encompass everything artists and consumers love about the British music scene with the brand’s stand-out retro design and studio-grade quality sound. Custom Fender ‘tweed’ wrapped versions of the original BoomBocs speaker have appeared on stage at London’s Hyde Park with Tom Petty, and GRAMMY Award Winning Lady Gaga took delivery of 11 customised BoomBocs’ for herself and her team, including her parents.

The latest product, BoomBocs STUDIO, is the ultimate portable speaker offering all the BoomBocs quality and style in a smaller, more affordable design with some nifty new features. STUDIO features built-in streaming services including Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music to free up your phone, internet radio, wireless connectivity, and a dedicated app. The efficient built-in amplifier and stereo full-range speakers are tuned by Jonny to deliver true pro-audio sound quality, wherever you are. With a battery life of up to 15 hours, that can be in the home, at the park, or at an all-night rave with friends.

STUDIO comes in five fantastically stand-out colours – pink, orange, green, black, and white – that make most wireless speakers look like anonymous monotone boxes. Like all BoomBocs speakers, STUDIO plays homage to retro portable speakers of the past, with its large, stereo speaker drivers on full show. The drivers use aluminium cones for their high-power handling and better moisture/impact resistance than cheaper paper cones.

Founder Jonny, who is currently on tour with pop sensation Anastacia, knows music – he has worked as a sound engineer for some of the biggest names in the industry including Stormzy, Rita Ora, James Arthur, Wu-Tang Clan, Kylie, Thundercat, Jessie Ware, Maribou State and Pendulum among many more. His expert hands-on knowledge has helped him to create the BoomBocs signature sound, and cram that performance into the most compact, affordable, and technically advanced BoomBocs to date.

“BoomBocs has always done things differently and design has played a big part in that,” says Jonny. “For the STUDIO speaker, I was tired of seeing portable and Bluetooth speakers which all looked the same – black boxes with grills on – and sounded rubbish. STUDIO completely breaks that mould, bringing the retro style and big-speaker performance of previous BoomBocs models to a smaller, more affordable design. BoomBocs is all about delivering exceptional sound quality and a stand-out style which looks great in your home or while you are out and about.”

Jonny’s passion for music and creativity was passed down from his grandfather who played the trumpet. From a young age, Jonny knew music was what he wanted to pursue, beginning to play the drums at age seven and teaching himself to play a vast array of other instruments thereafter. Fascinated by how science and music work together, Jonny studied at university in his native country, Wales. He was touring and mixing arena-sized concerts by the time he was 22, starting out on world tours with Queen and Pink Floyd tribute bands.

Jonny soon became a sought-after name in the pop music scene, working with huge names like Kylie Minogue and All Saints for many years.

Jonny says: “I have a specific style when it comes to being a sound engineer and I like to mix everything to deliver an AC/DC style sound; driving drums and percussive instruments to deliver real energy and passion. Artists like my style of mixing as it really ups the ante when they play live, and I have tried to distil that balance and all of the passion into the sound tuning of STUDIO.”

STUDIO is a compact portable speaker with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0 connectivity, and a host of streaming services built-in so you don’t need to keep your phone tethered to play music. These include Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Internet Radio, all controlled via the top panel buttons and the built-in LCD display or through the slick, UNDOK app (iOS & Android). The app expands the number of presets available to tune the sound as well as offers seamless music playback control across services. STUDIO also offers a 3.5mm AUX input for legacy sources at home, and USB Type-A for playback of music on portable drives.

Other features include access to 50k internet radio stations, podcasts from various services, a rechargeable battery lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge, and an alarm clock and sleep timer making it the ideal rock n roll bedroom partner.

https://boombocs.com/

Bitcoin, Crypto Currency, GenZ

Gen Z and Cryptocurrency

November 3, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

Cryptocurrency has, in the past twelve years, completely revolutionized the financial industry. Millions of people from all over the world have started looking into and invest in digital currency, and even more impressively, a high percentage of them are including cryptocurrency into their financial plans for the future.

For those not in the know, cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency which relies on cryptography and blockchains to provide proof of ownership, and make it nearly impossible to counterfeit. Most cryptocurrencies are decentralized, which means they are not under the authority of any bank system or central authority. This means that purchases made with cryptocurrency are not beholden to banking fees, allowing for greater user autonomy.

The most popular cryptocurrencies on the current market are Ethereum (ETC), which is worth over $2000, the stablecoin Tether, which is worth $1, Litecoin (LTC) worth $132, and of course, the most respected, first, and highly-priced cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $30,000 on the current market.

Cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold on apps or sites called crypto trading sites. They provide a user-friendly interface, place importance on security, safety, and anonymity, and employ brand new artificial intelligence technology to predict market fluctuations and maximize the profits of their users and investors. All these benefits mean that these apps make crypto trading a lot easier, and newbie friendly.

It is perhaps for this reason, that in recent years, it has been shown that younger and younger people are more readily using trading sites, like the ones found here, that have proven successful with hundreds of users who vouch for its success.

Younger Generations and Cryptocurrency

As stated, there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of young people willing to invest in cryptocurrency and other digital assets, like NFTs. Surveys have shown that millennials and Gen Z are far more trusting of cryptocurrency, and all the technologies and developments associated with it than previous generations.

A survey done recently showed that nearly half of millennial millionaires have a quarter of their wealth invested in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, despite the volatility of the market. Furthermore, it is estimated that a large number of them also own non-fungible tokens as well. Some of these young millionaires owe their entire wealth to crypto trading and investing as well. This information has resulted in a massive shift in wealth management, as private banks and brokers are learning to appeal to a clientele of crypto users.

The question that arises then is, what sparked this interest in cryptocurrency and crypto trading among the younger generations of today? The answer is simple. Many young people who have the means to invest have simply lost faith in more traditional investment methods. As with most young people, the younger generations of today value independence, individuality and would prefer to rely on their own research and knowledge, than depend on legacy firms, financial advisers, and other, more traditional institutions.

The Future of Cryptocurrency

However, it isn’t just Gen Z and millennials who are embracing cryptocurrencies. Studies show that the percent of adults in the US who own Bitcoin is 17%, with that number increasing when including different cryptocurrencies in the mix. Not only that, but three-fourths of Americans admit to having an interest in Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies, and a willingness to learn more about the phenomenon sweeping the world.

On top of individual interest in Bitcoin increasing, an increasing number of companies are opting to accept Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies as viable payment methods. Starbucks, Paypal, Whole Foods, Home Depot, etc. are just a few of the many companies who have decided to accept payments made with cryptocurrency. This decision bodes well for the future of the crypto market.

With all of this in mind, the increasing interest in cryptocurrency among both older and newer generations, not to mention the disillusionment with orthodox investment paths, the future of cryptocurrency and crypto trading seems bright indeed. This reflects in the price increases in the most popular cryptocurrencies in the past few years.

Some Final Thoughts

The cryptocurrency market is booming in 2022. Thanks to the embracing of cryptocurrency by popular culture and media, many more people are discovering what it actually means to invest in the crypto market. And with Gen Z-ers just entering their adult years, they are the prime audience for investing in cryptocurrency.

There is a bit of trouble here as well. Surveys have shown that Gen Z-ers are more eco-conscious than any other generation before them. So, many of them say they would invest in crypto, if crypto was a bit greener. Lucky for those people, some strides are being made in the crypto world in an attempt to make cryptocurrency more echo friendly. Hopefully, by 2025, the damaging effects crypto has will be completely eliminated.

Helpful Articles, Helpful Guides, Useful Articles

A Quick Guide to Creating a Productive Mobile Workforce By Leveraging Technology

October 25, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

The modern workplace is evolving. With the advent of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, more and more employees are working from home or on the go. This presents a unique challenge for business owners: how can you create a productive mobile workforce without sacrificing security or efficiency? This blog post will explore ways to leverage technology to help your employees work productively from anywhere.

Use an MDM Solution and Implement 2-Factor Authentication:

A mobile device management solution will allow you to manage and control employee mobile devices remotely. This can be useful for a number of reasons, including enforcing security policies, managing apps and content, and remotely wiping data in the event that a device is lost or stolen.

A Quick Guide to Creating a Productive Mobile Workforce By Leveraging Technology

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that can be used to protect sensitive data. With 2FA, employees must provide two different pieces of information in order to access corporate data. This could include a password and a one-time code generated by an app on their phone.

Invest in Servers and Use Encryption:

Investing in server infrastructure can be expensive, but it is worth it to maintain security and control over corporate data, so start finding affordable computer server sales. By having your own servers, you can more easily monitor and manage access to sensitive data. Additionally, you can encrypt data at rest and in transit to further protect it from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

A virtual private network (VPN) can be used to create a secure connection between an employee’s device and the corporate network. This is useful for ensuring that sensitive data is not intercepted when it is being transmitted over the internet. Additionally, a VPN can be used to give employees access to internal resources that they would not otherwise have access to, such as file servers and printers.

Use Collaboration Tools:

There are a number of collaboration tools available that can be used to improve communication and productivity among employees. These tools include video conferencing, chat apps, and project management software.

Video conferencing can be used for meetings, training, and other events. It is a great way to stay connected with employees who are working remotely. Chat apps can be used for real-time communication and collaboration. They are typically less formal than email and can be useful for quickly sharing ideas or files. Project management software can be used to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and assigned employees.

Provide Flexible Work Arrangements:

One of the best ways to support a productive mobile workforce is to provide flexible work arrangements. This could include allowing employees to work from home on certain days, providing them with flexible hours, or giving them the ability to take breaks when they need to. Flexible work arrangements can help employees feel more engaged and productive. They also provide a number of benefits for businesses, such as reduced absenteeism and improved morale.

There are a number of ways to leverage technology to create a productive mobile workforce. By investing in the right tools and solutions, you can improve communication, collaboration, and overall productivity. Additionally, by providing flexible work arrangements, you can further support your employees’ productivity.

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Midjourney

Some of my creations using Midjourney Artificial Intelligence Art Program

September 25, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

Some examples of images created using Midjourney artificial intelligence program that creates images from textual descriptions.

the haywain painted by John Constable - Midjourney / Matt Porter — the haywain painted by John Constable – Midjourney / Matt Porter

humanity standing over the destruction of the planet in ultra high definition octane rendered - Midjourney / Matt Porter — humanity standing over the destruction of the planet in ultra high definition octane rendered – Midjourney / Matt Porter

the dawn of life in high definition in 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter — the dawn of life in high definition in 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter

Oliver Twist in 22nd century - Midjourney / Matt Porter — Oliver Twist in 22nd century – Midjourney / Matt Porter

a sailing ship floating in a mug of tea - Midjourney / Matt Porter — a sailing ship floating in a mug of tea – Midjourney / Matt Porter

Johnny Rotten as a Wild West wanted poster - Midjourney / Matt Porter — Johnny Rotten as a Wild West wanted poster – Midjourney / Matt Porter

The Kray Twins 1962 civil war portrait in black and white - Midjourney / Matt Porter — The Kray Twins 1962 civil war portrait in black and white – Midjourney / Matt Porter

facial portrait of lee van cleef looking straight at the camera in very high definition photorealistic 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter — facial portrait of lee van cleef looking straight at the camera in very high definition photorealistic 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter

mankind observed its demise realistic photo octane 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter — mankind observed its demise realistic photo octane 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter

humanity celebrates the launch of the DVLA website. Made hysteria. Celebration. Hyperrealism 8k octane cinematic - Midjourney / Matt Porter — humanity celebrates the launch of the DVLA website. Made hysteria. Celebration. Hyperrealism 8k octane cinematic – Midjourney / Matt Porter

photorealistic image of too many cooks spoiling the broth - Midjourney / Matt Porter — photorealistic image of too many cooks spoiling the broth – Midjourney / Matt Porter

Arriving at the gates to heaven, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition - Midjourney / Matt Porter — Arriving at the gates to heaven, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition – Midjourney / Matt Porter

Arriving at the gates of Hell, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition - Midjourney / Matt Porter — Arriving at the gates of Hell, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition – Midjourney / Matt Porter

houses of parliament in the style of Thomas Gainsborough - Midjourney / Matt Porter — houses of parliament in the style of Thomas Gainsborough – Midjourney / Matt Porter

the houses of parliament in the style of gustav klimt - Midjourney / Matt Porter — the houses of parliament in the style of gustav klimt – Midjourney / Matt Porter

crowd of thousands celebrating in the style of a graphic novel - Midjourney / Matt Porter — crowd of thousands celebrating in the style of a graphic novel – Midjourney / Matt Porter

realistic image of a cat dressed as a yeoman warder standing to attention in london, portrait, hyperrealistic, incredible detail - Midjourney / Matt Porter — realistic image of a cat dressed as a yeoman warder standing to attention in london, portrait, hyperrealistic, incredible detail – Midjourney / Matt Porter

silver birch forest in the style of gustav klimt - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to buy — silver birch forest in the style of gustav klimt – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to buy

victorious young man, character design, in pencil drawing style - Available to Buy — victorious young man, character design, in pencil drawing style – Available to Buy

stunningly beautiful female British soldier, character design, in pencil drawing style - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy — stunningly beautiful female British soldier, character design, in pencil drawing style – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy

Mohammad Ali as heavyweight champion of the world standing in the boxing ring with adoring crowds cheering and clapping him - Midjourney / Matt Porter — Mohammad Ali as heavyweight champion of the world standing in the boxing ring with adoring crowds cheering and clapping him – Midjourney / Matt Porter

portrait of David Beckham, age 30, wearing england football kit, character design, painted in oil on canvas - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy — portrait of David Beckham, age 30, wearing england football kit, character design, painted in oil on canvas – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy

victorious young man, character design, in oil on canvas style - Midjourney / Matt Porter — victorious young man, character design, in oil on canvas style – Midjourney / Matt Porter

Epic cyberpunk portrait of Jimmy Cauty + detailed face + 1987 colours + retro cyberpunk lights + 4k symmetrical eyes + intricate details + zoomed out + extremely detailed + 4k + uhd + 3d + octane render + cinematic - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Purchase — Epic cyberpunk portrait of Jimmy Cauty + detailed face + 1987 colours + retro cyberpunk lights + 4k symmetrical eyes + intricate details + zoomed out + extremely detailed + 4k + uhd + 3d + octane render + cinematic – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Purchase

origami model of Donald Trump made from legal documents standing on a wooden table with global lighting + highly detailed + photo quality + octane + 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy — origami model of Donald Trump made from legal documents standing on a wooden table with global lighting + highly detailed + photo quality + octane + 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy

Audio, Casey Neistat, Microphones, Podcast

JOBY and Casey Neistat Raise the Volume with the Ultimate Creator Contest that Showcases the Wavo PRO Mic

September 18, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

JOBY, the go-to brand for content creator gear, announces its collaboration with the multimillion-subscriber YouTube personality and vlogging godfather, Casey Neistat, to shine a light on the JOBY Wavo PRO shotgun microphone. The new go-to, on-camera mic built for storytellers, filmmakers and expert content creators combines broadcast-level audio performance with superior voice intelligibility.

JOBY, being a brand that stands for creators, teamed up with world-renowned content creator Casey Neistat to launch the contest of a lifetime. The competition gives the next generation of storytellers around the globe the chance to achieve their dream of becoming the next top creator, thanks to the top prize being not only the chance to co-create a video with the one and only Neistat but to have it featured on his YouTube channel.

During the contest, running from September 15^th to October 17^th across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and India, JOBY and Casey will invite the community to share their most creative and original video ever realized. The mechanics to participate are designed to reflect JOBY’s iconic simplicity: just a few simple steps to great creator possibility!

Step 1: Creators simply fill out a form on the contest landing page or JOBY social media channels
Step 2: Submit a link to their most creative and original video ever created
Step 3: Follow @JOBYinc on Instagram to stay up to date.
Step 4: Win endless prizes and the chance to co-create with Neistat

The top 5 winners will celebrate with an all-inclusive trip to a secret location in the United States for the ultimate creator experience: working alongside Casey to create a video with Wavo PRO and all its features. The video will be featured on Neistat’s YouTube page on November 23rd, reaching his current 12.4 million subscribers. To further connect creators with JOBY products, the next best 95 creators will win $100K worth of products and discounts to help them upgrade their content creation.

However, the prizes don’t stop there: together with the 100 winners that will be announced on October 28^th, JOBY will extract an additional four bonus winners for five consecutive Wednesdays, starting September 19th, for weekly prizes in order to help creators to level up their content right away.

As a brand, JOBY has always supported creators in uplifting their creativity thanks to the development of quality products that simplify workflow, make delivering content easy and ensure fun along the way. JOBY’s ‘born by listening to creators’ mantra, developed in the 2020 Song of Us Campaign, was equally leveraged in the newest JOBY Wavo mic lineup, enabling JOBY to further connect with its global community.

The flagship product of the JOBY Wavo lineup, released in January 2022, Wavo PRO, is the ultimate professional on-camera microphone for creators and filmmakers. The new audio range provides creators like Neistat with crisper and clearer sound for pro-level content.

The Wavo PRO is packed with features like Active Noise Reduction for clearer sound, built-in LEDs that monitor battery and audio levels in real-time, a second built-in mi input and more. The Wavo PRO is designed to equip creators like Neistat with top-notch quality gear for amazing content. Through the contest, JOBY aims to reach a wider creator audience, helping to uplift their content creator potential.

Beyond the flagship Wavo PRO, JOBY has microphones that can be used in a variety of scenarios by all creators – whether just starting out or already established.

The Wavo PRO DS is the perfect companion for those just starting out. This shotgun microphone shares most of the pro-grade components of the flagship Wavo PRO, but is designed to deliver high-quality audio with a more streamlined user experience.
The Wavo AIR is an ‘instant-pairing’ wireless microphone kit designed for creators who need freedom in front of the camera. From food vloggers to virtual fitness instructors, Wavo AIR is perfect for delivering tight, broadcast-quality sound – even at a distance.
Wavo POD is JOBY’s large-diaphragm, USB condenser microphone for audio streamers. The mic is designed for the everyday podcaster or game streamer, featuring the versatility of both cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns with 24bit/48kHz high-res sampling rates.
The Wavo Lav PRO is a pro-grade lavalier mic designed for big sound with a small footprint. The Wavo Lav PRO introduces a high-quality lavalier microphone with discreet capsule dimensions and sound fit for the Wavo PRO.
More microphones are set to come this year, so stay tuned!

To learn more about the competition and JOBY check out the campaign, now live.

Business, Useful Articles

How To Reduce Delays In Your Small Business

August 7, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

Let’s face it, delays suck. It’s vital that you do your best to avoid delays in your small business, as hits to productivity can lead to weakening customer satisfaction and potentially even damage to your reputation. There’s no time like the present to get started on working to reduce delays, and thankfully this guide has made it easier than ever to remain at the top of your game. So, if you’re ready to learn more, then simply read on!

Make An Effort To Motivate Your Team

Without your team, your small business simply wouldn’t be where it is today, so it’s essential that you can take the opportunity to encourage your staff to reach their full potential every shift if you’re going to stand any chance of achieving success. One of the best ways to motivate your team is by implementing goals that, once passed, will be rewarded with something attractive like an extra day’s vacation or even a £50 voucher. Make sure that you use attractive rewards, as making the mistake of undervaluing your team’s contributions could have the opposite effect and cause them to feel uninterested and no longer committed to their work. A motivated team is a productive one, so delays will certainly be a thing of the past when your staff are more inspired than ever before!

Find Reliable Suppliers That You Can Trust

Another key step that you should certainly consider following if you want to reduce delays within your small business is to find reliable suppliers that you can trust. It can be so disappointing when your supplier lets you down, as this will no doubt have a knock-on effect that causes masses of delays that could have easily been avoided had you used a more responsible supplier. Fortunately, it can be easy to find an alternative option when you take the time to read reviews online, as you’ll be able to locate a great supplier that boasts lots of 5-star ratings for reliability that will put your mind at ease. Make sure they are implementing a good level of supply chain cyber security whenever you seek out a new supplier, as digital safety is another key feature when you’re seeking to minimise delays.

Make A Plan

Throwing yourself in at the deep end without any sense of direction will no doubt lead your small business into disarray, so it’s always a good idea to make a plan if you want to avoid delays and stay as productive as possible. Make a plan that includes key dates and deadlines that you need to stick to, along with any important tasks or commitments that either you or your team need to focus on in the coming days and weeks. Be sure to jot down anything important, as forgetting something vital will no doubt lead to unnecessary delays.

Reducing delays in your small business has never been so easy when you can utilise the tips and tricks detailed in this informative guide!

Cloud Storage, Datacentres, Helpful Articles, Helpful Guides

Why Data Centres Are Coming Under Fire From Environmental Activists

June 24, 2022 Matt Porter Leave a comment

There are pros and cons to almost any type of technology. Take social media, for example; it’s a fantastic tool to help people connect with others, but it also brings out the worst in people. You can apply this line of thinking to just about anything tech-related; it will have lots of pros, but also some cons.

Speaking of which, data centres are recently coming under fire from a lot of environmental activists. Indeed, governments are looking to clamp down on these centres because of the damage they are doing to the environment. On the one hand, data centres are excellent as they allow us to store lots of data and keep it protected. But, the flip side of this is that there are some ecological concerns…

Why Data Centres Are Coming Under Fire From Environmental Activists

Large greenhouse gas emissions

You associate greenhouse gasses with factories and manufacturing plants. But, did you know that data centres account for 2% of the total greenhouse gas emissions on the planet? That’s a massive amount and it all comes down to the sheer level of electricity produced every single day.

Think about it, there are hundreds, thousands of servers inside a data centre that all need to be powered at all times. This uses so much electricity, causing serious harm to the planet.

Big contributors to toxic waste

Another key reason these places are under fire is that they contribute to toxic waste. This is mainly via the sheer amount of e-waste generated by data centres. In fact, some reports suggest that e-waste is accountable for 70% of global toxic waste.

Again, it’s a significant issue that’s leading to loads of people demanding that action is taken!

What can be done to solve these tech problems?

Like all tech issues, the problems with data centres can be solved with some clever thinking. For starters, steps must be made to improve the efficiency of data centres. This begins with the databases themselves. The goal is to maximise each system to ensure that more items can be stored on one server at any given time. One way to do this is through things like MySQL Performance Tuning. Ideas like this are designed to tune database systems to make them more efficient, ensuring they use up less energy and fewer data servers are required in any given centre.

Performance tuning can also increase the longevity of servers within a data centre, meaning they last for longer before being thrown away. As such, less waste is generated in these facilities.

Another obvious move is to power these places with as much renewable energy as possible. Solar panels can be very helpful, subsidising non-renewable energy and keeping greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum.

It’s not hard to understand why people are getting angry about the environmental impact of technology, particularly in facilities like data centres. However, the good news is that steps can be made to address the issues. Thus, we get the benefit of data centres without worrying about what they do to the planet – everyone’s a winner!

Matt Porter, The Gadget Man – AI, Technology News and Reviews