Tuesday, 23 April 2024

Commemorate Each Day as Health Day with Samsung Galaxy Fit3

Hi Guys, 

Stay Fit & Enrich Your Life in Celebration of Global Health Awareness Day

In commemoration of World Health Day, Samsung is encouraging local consumers and fitness enthusiasts to enrich their lives and be at their best with the all-new Samsung Galaxy Fit3. Celebrated annually on 07 April, this Global Health Awareness Day draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

Samsung’s latest wearable, whose fitness and overall lifestyle wellness objectives complement those of World Health Day, boasts an aluminium body with a wider display, allowing users to keep track of their health and wellness data, from daily workouts to peaceful sleep — straight from their wrists, around the clock.

So, if you’re looking for style, affordability and peace of mind when it comes to your health, then this cost-effective Galaxy Fit3 that comes in a sleek, lightweight and premium design will help you lead a healthier - more connected lifestyle. This stylish, rectangular fitness tracker comes in beautiful colours: Pink Gold, Silver and Gray. Galaxy Fit3 users will also have access to an array of capabilities within the connected Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, for an enhanced wearable experience.

Commemorate Each Day as Health Day with Samsung Galaxy Fit3

Justin Hume, Vice President of MX Business at Samsung South Africa said: “As Samsung, we have always prioritised sleep for better wellness, this is to ensure that our local health enthusiasts are now empowered enough to understand their patterns and build healthier habits with advanced sleep monitoring tools. We are very proud of our latest fitness tracker because it can offer advanced health monitoring technology to all, inspiring everyone to feel their best and adopt a healthier lifestyle.”

The Galaxy Fit3 can give users an even deeper understanding of their overall health by delivering health metrics that include heart rate, stress levels and cycle tracking.

This latest innovative design in health and fitness can rest snugly on your wrist, silently monitoring your sleep patterns, even detecting snoring and monitoring blood oxygen levels throughout the night to provide more detailed measurements. It can track over 100 workouts and daily activities, including sleep.

Based on individual sleep patterns, the Galaxy Fit3 will now provide users with personalised Sleep Coaching with meaningful insights that help them more intuitively understand their sleep, leading them to make positive changes.

This incredible health and fitness device comes packed with the biggest battery for outdoor adventure, lasting up to 13 days on a single charge. Thanks to this long-lasting battery life, users can now incorporate the Galaxy Fit3 into their lifestyles with ease. So for road runners, Galaxy Fit3 can last long enough for you to measure both your heart rate and your distance. With Galaxy Fit3, Samsung has again created technology that blazes a new trail, enabling you to do what you didn’t think possible.

Availability
Samsung has taken local consumers’ concerns, when it comes to pricing and affordability, into consideration. Thus, this Galaxy Fit3 is reasonably priced at only R1299 and is available now at all participating Samsung retail stores nationwide.

Note - Press release as supplied by Samsung South Africa

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After 75 Years, Scrabble Unveils a New Way to Play The Classic Game - Scrabble Together Mode

Hi Guys, 
  • The way we use words is changing, and so is Scrabble the board game, which is why the brand is honoured to unveil a second side to the classic board game, with Scrabble Together Mode: A cooperative, faster-paced and more casual version that opens the iconic word game to a wider audience, just in time for National Scrabble Day on 13th April
  • The double-sided board allows fans to pick and choose their gameplay, either the new, collaborative Scrabble Together Mode or the much-loved Classic version so everyone can have fun with Scrabble
  • Now offering two games in one, the new Scrabble board game invites everyone to have fun beyond words.
The way we use words is changing, and so is Scrabble, which today unveils a second side to the classic gameboard, with Scrabble Together Mode: A cooperative, faster-paced and more casual version of the iconic word game, just in time for National Scrabble Day on 13th April. It’s the first time in its 75-year history that Scrabble has made such a significant change to its Classic game.

Get double the fun with two games in one: The new way of playing will now be included in every copy of the game. Simply flip the board over and pick up the deck of Goal cards included in the game to get started with the Scrabble Together Mode.

Designed with inclusivity and collaboration in mind, Scrabble Together Mode allows players to work as a team to complete goal cards at their chosen challenge level, with helper cards to encourage players throughout the game. Scrabble Together Mode also offers a quicker game with simple scoring. The double-sided board allows people to pick and choose their gameplay to suit, whether they want a speedy co-operative game, or would prefer to settle in and take the competition up a notch with the much-loved Classic version.
After 75 Years, Scrabble Unveils a New Way to Play The Classic Game - Scrabble Together Mode
From longstanding Scrabble brand fans who want to try an exciting new version of a game they know and love, to people completely new to word games, Scrabble Together Mode amps up the fun for families and friends, while also giving players the practice and confidence to give Classic Scrabble a go, if and when they want to.

Ray Adler, Vice President, Global Head of Games, Mattel, said: “Scrabble has truly stood the test of time as one of the most popular board games in history, and we want to ensure the game continues to be inclusive for all players. For anyone who’s ever thought, “word games aren’t for me”, or felt a little intimidated by the Classic game, Scrabble Together Mode is an ideal option. With team-based and faster gameplay, Scrabble Together Mode continues to celebrate the wonder of words just as the Classic version does, but thanks to its exciting new cooperative and dynamic gameplay, it’s more accessible and brings people together. Players who prefer the classic version will continue to have the classic board game”

Scrabble Together Mode is designed to help new generations fall in love with words, at a time when, according to Stats SA, the illiteracy rate from 2021 is 3,3%.

The new Scrabble Together Mode is available to purchase at leading retailers nationwide.

Note - Press release as supplied by Mattel South Africa

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Unu Health Launches As-You-Go App for Affordable Private Healthcare Access

Hi Guys, 

Unu Health launches a game-changing health app into the South African market with private healthcare from R179.

Unu Health is charting a new course in tech-driven healthcare with the launch of its innovative As-You-Go private healthcare app. This initiative, which blends cutting-edge technology with essential health services, is poised to transform the landscape of healthcare accessibility and affordability for South Africans.

Leveraging the power of digital platforms, Unu Health’s app serves as a central hub for medical services, directly accessible via smartphones. This approach addresses the significant challenges faced by many South Africans in accessing healthcare, primarily due to cost and convenience barriers. By bringing health solutions into the digital realm, Unu Health offers a forward-thinking solution to a critical national issue.

As the global community marks World Health Day this April, the timing of Unu Health’s app launch couldn't be more pertinent. Offering private healthcare services starting at just R179, the app caters to the needs of a diverse user base, ensuring that quality healthcare is within reach for all South Africans.

In a country where healthcare access is often limited and demands on individuals' time are high, Unu Health's As-You-Go offering represents a significant milestone in bridging gaps in healthcare accessibility and affordability. Unu Health aims to give the mass market a patient-centric experience that empowers users to prioritise their health and well-being amidst their busy schedules by offering flexible and on-demand healthcare services, such as an online doctor consultation within minutes. Having spoken to thousands of users and testers in the past two years, Unu Health understands the needs and gaps and has designed an app to help keep healthcare simple, convenient and affordable.
Unu Health Launches As-You-Go App for Affordable Private Healthcare Access
“The launch of the As-You-Go offering extends access to the mass market, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial constraints or busy schedules, can prioritise their health and well-being,” said Tania Joffe, CEO of Unu Health.

The As-You-Go model is emblematic of the digital age, providing flexible, -on-demand healthcare services that empower users to take charge of their health and well-being. The launch of the app offering is supported by a partnership with Intercare (a healthcare group), which provides Unu Health app users access to their online healthcare services and a national network of in-person doctor consultations. It comes at a pivotal time as South Africa continues to grapple with its status as the world's unhealthiest country, as highlighted five years ago in the 2019 Indigo Wellness Index (which focuses on blood pressure, blood glucose, obesity, depression, happiness, alcohol use, tobacco use, exercise, healthy life expectancy, and government spending on healthcare).

Acknowledging the partnership with Intercare, Joffe said, “Our collaboration with Intercare aligns perfectly with our mission to provide easy access to healthcare through digital platforms. Intercare brings clinical expertise, while Unu Health focuses on ensuring that access to the medical services offered are designed around the needs of individuals in today’s fast-paced world.”

"This partnership empowers us to enhance accessibility and convenience for patients, ensuring they receive top-tier clinical services seamlessly integrated into Unu Health's user-friendly app," says Hendri Hanekom, Managing Director at Intercare. As a healthcare group committed to enhancing access to affordable, quality, integrated healthcare, our extensive network of medical facilities and integrated online healthcare services complement Unu Health's innovative digital platform, offering patients comprehensive access to high-quality clinical services whenever they need it, especially for lifestyle-related diseases.

Unu Health has an ecosystem approach to driving the cost of healthcare down and the quality up by working with leading healthcare players that can adhere to their charter of care that always puts the patient at the centre of the experience.

Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) head-on
Beyond the online and on-demand access to Intercare doctors and nurses and the national network of in-person doctor consultations, Unu Health facilitates early detection of critical health conditions through innovative features like a 50-second face scan for vital signs. This tech-centric approach is crucial in combating non-communicable diseases, which are the leading cause of premature mortality.

Users will be able to do a free monthly health check from the data-free Unu Health app, measuring blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygen levels. Thus, everyone with the app can pick up early warning signs associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that in South Africa, 215 people die of a stroke or heart attack daily. Eighty per cent of these deaths are premature and preventable. Key contributing factors include elevated blood pressure or hypertension and obesity. Three in every four women are obese in South Africa, with a body mass index (BMI) above 30, and one in three men. “The Unu Health app calculates BMI, providing users with crucial insight to potential health risks,” explained Joffe.

A further contributing factor is elevated fasting glucose, experienced by one in three adults in South Africa. Roughly 13% of the country’s population suffers from diabetes, which is the number one cause of death among women. More than half are not aware of this, as they have been asymptomatic for the first decade or so. Early detection and access to information that helps people adopt healthier habits is key to turning the tide on non-communicable or lifestyle-associated diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, Clinical Lead at Unu Health, highlighted the profound implications of these statistics, stating the importance of confronting these challenges head-on and embracing innovative approaches to healthcare delivery that prioritise accessibility, affordability, and empowerment.

Acknowledging the partnership with Intercare, Joffe said, “Our collaboration with Intercare aligns perfectly with our mission to provide easy access to healthcare through digital platforms. Intercare brings clinical expertise, while Unu Health focuses on ensuring that access to the medical services offered are designed around the needs of individuals in today’s fast-paced world.”

"This partnership empowers us to enhance accessibility and convenience for patients, ensuring they receive top-tier clinical services seamlessly integrated into Unu Health's user-friendly app," says Hendri Hanekom, Managing Director at Intercare. As a healthcare group committed to enhancing access to affordable, quality, integrated healthcare, our extensive network of medical facilities and integrated online healthcare services complement Unu Health's innovative digital platform, offering patients comprehensive access to high-quality clinical services whenever they need it, especially for lifestyle-related diseases.

Unu Health has an ecosystem approach to driving the cost of healthcare down and the quality up by working with leading healthcare players that can adhere to their charter of care that always puts the patient at the centre of the experience.
Unu Health Launches As-You-Go App for Affordable Private Healthcare Access
Embracing the future world of healthcare
Unu Health's introduction of the As-You-Go offering highlights its commitment to innovating healthcare accessibility and affordability, a basic human right many struggle to access. By empowering consumers to monitor vital signs at the click of a button on their smartphones, Unu Health provides free access to the new era of proactive healthcare management.

“We designed the As-You-Go model to demonstrate that access to quality healthcare is as convenient as shopping for essentials online. The platform's inclusive healthcare solutions cater to diverse needs, ensuring accessibility and affordability for everyone's journey toward a healthier, happier life,” said Joffe.

The Unu Health As-You-Go app is available for download on Google Playstore, Apple iStore, and Huawei App Gallery.

About Unu Health
Unu Health is a curated digital platform that delivers access to a range of healthcare offerings and the latest health tech solutions designed to deliver real value for its users. Unu Health gives users the technology, tools and tips they need to stay healthy all in one simple app that’s free. They have two payment models should access to a doctor be needed, with one simple click, either the As-You-Go offer with access to a doctor or by subscribing to a health plan which currently is only available through an employer as an UnuForBiz offering.

Unu Health’s technology provides access to medical insurance plans at the touch of a button – no more standing in long queues to see a nurse or doctor.


Note - Press release as supplied by Unu Health South Africa

Aum Namah Shivay!

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Series - A Blend of Innovation and Environmental Consciousness

Hi Guys, 

Samsung Electronics believes that we’re all responsible for preserving the environment for generations to come. It is this belief that inspires the global technology giant to develop Galaxy innovations that do more for both people and the planet. The latest Samsung flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24 Series, represents yet another step forward and bears testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

As we stride into a future largely driven by technology, it has become crucial to appreciate the urgent need to prioritise the planet as an equally, if not more important, part of the advancement. With the Galaxy S24 Series, Samsung has seamlessly integrated eco-conscious design principles with great innovation. As the world commemorates Earth Day on April 22, 2024, this article explores how, through this device, Samsung is making a mark in sustainable product development.

The Galaxy S24 is a demonstration of progress against Samsung’s mobile environmental roadmap. The company remains dedicated to delivering on its set of goals to be achieved by the end of 2025. At the end of 2022, the company achieved the first of these goals by incorporating recycled materials in all mobile products, from Galaxy smartphones and tablets to PCs and wearables. The company has now set a new recycled material goal, and that is to incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030.

Taking the efforts to scale recycled materials a step further, the Galaxy S24 Series incorporates recycled aluminium, glass, plastic, and more. Samsung has meticulously sourced and integrated expanded recycled materials across the product, including neodymium, iron, and copper in key components. Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond the product itself. Notably, the packaging box of the Galaxy S24 is crafted from 100% recycled paper material, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series - A Blend of Innovation and Environmental Consciousness
In a pioneering move, the Galaxy S24 Series utilises recycled cobalt and rare earth elements, setting a new standard for responsible sourcing in consumer electronics. Additionally, the Galaxy S24 is the first Galaxy device to incorporate steel and pre-consumer recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), further minimising our environmental footprint while maintaining high standards of performance and quality.

Recognising the importance of durability in sustainable design, the Galaxy S24 Series features a recycled metal frame for enhanced structural integrity. This not only prolongs the lifespan of the device but also reduces the need for frequent replacements, contributing to a more sustainable consumption cycle.

Sustainability efforts cannot be achieved in isolation, and this Earth Day Samsung encourages its consumers and everyone to join the fight in their own spaces by not only getting products and appliances that are environmentally friendly but also by being eco-conscious and adopting daily habits that align. Samsung Galaxy ecosystem is more than a set of devices, it’s a manifestation of the company’s comment to a more sustainable future for all, which it’s excited to bring you along each step of the way.

“At Samsung, we firmly believe that sustainability is not merely a passing trend but rather a profound and unwavering commitment that we are duty-bound to uphold. With the Galaxy S24 Series, we aimed to inspire a new era of eco-conscious innovation, where technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. By deliberately prioritising our efforts in sustainable design and production, we are doing our bit to pave the way towards a greener, more sustainable future,” said Justin Hume, Vice President for Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics South Africa.

Note - Press release as supplied by Samsung South Africa

Aum Namah Shivay!

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Friday, 19 April 2024

Dialing Up Nights Out: HEINEKEN® & BODEGA Launch The NO-FRILLS ‘BORING PHONE’

Hi Guys, 
  • Heineken® and US brand and retail marketplace Bodega have launched ‘The Boring Phone', to help people discover there is more to their social life when there is less on their phone
  • Produced by Human Mobile Devices (HMD), ‘The Boring Phone’ takes things back to basics with no access to the internet, social media or other apps
  • Building on the theme of digital disconnection, HMD debuts white label business announced at MWC in 2024 with new collaborators Heineken and Bodega
  • The device will be shown for the first time on Thursday 18th April at a pop-up Bodega at Milan Design Week; the world’s leading festival for design and innovation
  • Following research that reveals 90% of people admit to habitually scrolling on nights out, Heineken® has answered the “call” from young adults who want to disconnect from their tech
Dialing Up Nights Out: HEINEKEN® & BODEGA Launch The NO-FRILLS ‘BORING PHONE’

Heineken®, in collaboration with tastemakers in street culture, Bodega have launched ‘The Boring Phone’ produced by Human Mobile Devices (HMD).

The limited run of ‘dumb’ phones - specifically designed to have reduced tech capabilities - has been created to encourage people to enjoy better real-life connections on nights out by disconnecting from their smartphones.
Dialing Up Nights Out: HEINEKEN® & BODEGA Launch The NO-FRILLS ‘BORING PHONE’
With smartphones becoming so advanced and interesting to the user, it’s easier than ever to connect to the online world but harder to stay in the moment. Produced by European mobile innovator, Human Mobile Devices (HMD), the Heineken® x Bodega Boring Phone strips back the distractions of today’s smartphones. Designed to deliver the basics needed for a great night out, the phone’s primary function is to send and receive calls and text messages.

The phone’s transparent casing and holographic stickers draw inspiration from Gen Z’s love of Newtro fashion and design and are reminiscent of mobile phones of the early 2000s. With modern-day frills removed, the phone is unable to download social media or other apps that take away from being present. It also has a handy week of standby time and up to 20 hours of talk time.

As smartphones continue to dominate attention spans globally, new research commissioned by Heineken® reveals 90% of Zillennials* across the UK and US confess to doom scrolling while socialising with friends and family; checking their devices seven times each night out on average.

When it comes to the biggest distractions, two-thirds admit to checking social media (62%) when hanging out with others, while over a third (36%) confess to checking work emails. Three in ten (30%) also revealed they sneakily play games instead of engaging with their family and friends at the moment.

But as over a third (37%) reveal that they check their phones more often than they should when socialising, the tide is beginning to turn with 32% admitting they would like to be able to switch off from their phones while on a night out.
Dialing Up Nights Out: HEINEKEN® & BODEGA Launch The NO-FRILLS ‘BORING PHONE’
Encouragingly, one in five (22%) revealed they already turn their phone off or leave it at home ahead of social occasions and a further two in five (38%) say they’d consider doing so.

Heineken® and Bodega have embarked on this partnership to show people that there is more to their social life when there is less on their phones.

Nabil Nasser, the Global Head of Heineken® comments, “We could all do with a break from the constant distractions of smart tech; something our research has shown is even more important to our Gen Z and Millennial consumers. When we spoke to them about their smartphone usage, we quickly realised that many feel they are habitually distracted when socialising by their device but also admit they didn’t want to go completely phone-free. At Heineken®, we want to foster moments of genuine connection and help people experience the joy of true togetherness. In creating The Boring Phone we have gone back to basics, we have dialled down the tech to help people truly connect over a beer, without any distraction from the constant buzzing and dings.”

Lars Silberbauer, CMO of Human Mobile Devices (HMD), Europe’s leading mobile innovator and manufacturer said, “Early in 2023, we spotted something cool with Gen Z in the US. They started cutting down their screen time to feel better mentally, swapping their smartphones for simpler phones. As big fans of unplugging from the digital buzz, we’re super excited about launching The Boring Phone with Heineken and Bodega. It’s definitely going to get people talking when they're out and about.”

Oliver Mak, co-founder of Bodega adds, “At Bodega, we see ourselves as a vehicle for connecting culture and young people, so when Heineken approached us to collaborate on a project designed to do exactly this, we were excited to get involved. Despite having grown up surrounded by technology, us Gen Z and Millennials are now recognising that our dependence on our phones is impacting our ability to make actual, real-life connections. This in turn impacts our ability to have fun, and on a macro level, the development of culture.

“Smartphones can be too interesting, so we wanted to design a boring one. We were really inspired by the rise of Newtro and wanted to reinterpret a past cultural icon that some younger Zillennials may not have experienced before. We can’t wait to see the response to The Boring Phone as we merge our visions in a shared pursuit of creativity and community. This is truly going to help answer the call for better nights out.”

Emerging Ibiza-based, British producer, TSHA, who is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young artists in the industry, will be celebrating The Boring Phone launch with a giveaway to fans, having experienced first-hand how smart tech serves as a barrier to being in the moment at music events.
Dialing Up Nights Out: HEINEKEN® & BODEGA Launch The NO-FRILLS ‘BORING PHONE’
TSHA says, “As an artist, you want to connect with the audience to know they’re having a good time, but it’s hard to do this when you look up from the decks and see a sea of smartphones flashing in your face. I would love to see a world where we enter the venue and just live in the moment; connect with the artist, our mates and just have a good time. The Heineken x Bodega Boring Phone is the perfect antidote to the barriers smart tech poses to nights out.”

Heineken® and Bodega will unveil The Boring Phone at Milan Design Week on Thursday 18th April, with a party hosted by the collaborators. Following this, devices will be given away to revellers around the world, so they can disconnect, reclaim quality time with friends, family and loved ones, and dial up their nights out.

An app that will turn smartphones boring will also be launched in June to give those who don’t manage to get their hands on a physical device the Boring Phone experience.

To discover more about The Boring Phone and why ditching smart tech enables better nights out, visit: www.heineken.com/theboringphone.

About the Boring Phone 
Dimensions 108 x 55 x 18.9mm, 123g
Displays Internal: 2.8” QVGA | External: 1.77" QQVGA
Camera 0.3MP + LED flash
Design Ergonomic flip phone with DualSIM
Audio FM radio (wired/wireless)
Connectivity 2G, 3G, 4G | Bluetooth 4.2 | 3.5mm AV jack | Micro USB 
Battery 1,450mAh (removable) Up to 6 hrs 3G/4G networks talk time. Up to 20hrs talk time in 2G networks | Over a week of standby time
Storage Internal: 128MB | MicroSD slot up to 32GB
Charging Micro USB

Aum Namah Shivay!

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