Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Mate Series

HUAWEI has been a major player in the smartphone industry and has made significant strides in smartphone innovation in recent years. The latest HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is stunner in all aspects. It’s technological innovation, integration of art, unique visual style and revolutionary photography experience are hard to miss.

While these characteristics, coupled with its outstanding functionalities make the device an attractive option for users who value a premium user experience - it’s not the first time the tech brand has successfully provided users with an enhanced experience.

Looking at the past 5 generations of the HUAWEI Mate Series, innovation has helped the company to remain competitive in the smartphone industry and provide users with cutting-edge devices. Here’s how every generation has evolved overtime:

High-quality design and hardware

The HUAWEI Mate 10, introduced in 2017 features a modern design with a 5.9-inch display, slim bezels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. It also featured a glass back cover. While the HUAWEI Mate 20 had a more striking design with a gradient-coloured glass back cover and a triple-camera setup. It also featured a larger 6.53-inch display with a small waterdrop-style notch.

The next generation, the HUAWEI Mate 30 came with more futuristic design, thanks to the circular camera module on the back cover. It featured a larger display than the HUAWEI Mate 20. The Mate 40 features a more refined version of the HUAWEI Mate 30's design with a more prominent camera module and a larger 6.76-inch display.

Today, the HUAWE Mate 50 Pro, comes with a remarkable classic design. The smartphone radiates charm in every way, with its iconic symmetrical form, and intricate pyramidal Clous de Paris pattern, which draws you in to the sophisticated camera module. The screen is designed with the powerful Kunlun Glass and keeps the screen from breaking and cracking. The Kunlun Glass has the first-ever five-star glass drop resistance certification from Switzerland's SGS, thanks to its overall drop resistance that is boosted by 10 times.

Advanced camera capabilities

The HUAWEI Mate Series has consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone photography, introducing new technologies and features with each iteration.

In 2017, the HUAWEI Mate 10 came with a dual-camera setup like the Mate 9, but this time with a 12-megapixel RGB sensor and a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor. The front camera was upgraded to an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus. Introduced in 2018, the HUAWEI Mate 20 Series came with triple Leica cameras, making photography more professional. Enter the HUAWEI Mate30 in 2019, this smartphone packs a rear-facing ultra-sensitive Leica movie quad-camera lens that delivered powerful and revolutionary photography and videography capabilities, gradually becoming a choice for many photography enthusiasts.

In 2020 the HUAWEI Mate 40 featured a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 20-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto. The front camera was upgraded to a 13-megapixel camera with autofocus.

The latest HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro, launched in 2022 features XMAGE, a new camera system, with an exceptional periscope lens for even better zoom capabilities.  XMAGE is the super-optical variable camera, first introduced with the HUAWEI Mate 50 series. The camera uses XMAGE technology with a variable aperture that can achieve a 10-stop adjustable aperture, making it a technological breakthrough in three optical systems. Thanks to XMAGE, this smartphone brings new colour enhancements that is suitable for various real-time photography scenarios.

Power-saving technologies and an optimized battery life

The HUAWEI Mate Series has seen a consistent improvement in battery technology, with larger battery capacities, faster charging times, and better power management features. The AI-powered battery optimization features in the more recent models have made the battery life even more efficient and user-friendly.

The HUAWEI Mate 10’s inception came with a 4000mAh battery with SuperCharge technology that allowed for fast charging times. It also had improved battery management features, including an AI-powered system that learned user habits to optimize battery life. Following this series was the HUAWEI Mate 20 with even faster charging technology, allowing the phone to be charged up to 70% in just 30 minutes.

On the hand, the HUAWEI Mate 30 and HUAWEI Mate 40 improved its fast-charging technology and its wireless charging capabilities.

The HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro is even more powerful and efficient, with a longer battery life. You can now go for hours with your favourite films and games, thanks to its 4700 mAh large capacity battery,⁠ 66W Wired Multi-channel HUAWEI SuperCharge⁠. The Low-Battery Emergency mode intelligently enables SuperEnergy Boosting when the battery level falls to 1%, ensuring that the remaining power supports 3 hours of use or up to 12-minute call time.

Boosted performance

Lastly, the performance of the HUAWEI Mate Series has advanced and made significant improvements to its user interface. The latest version, EMUI 13, on the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro offers a clean and streamlined design that is easy to navigate. The HUAWEI Mate 50 Series phones are the first to run EMUI 13, which streamlines daily interactions with effortless one-touch navigation. SuperHub allows users to temporarily store images, documents, and text, and share them in batches, with free and easy transfers between apps and devices.

The evolution of Mate Series is the story of smartphone innovation. The Mate Series products are designed with an uncompromising attention to detail and represent HUAWEI’s commitment to serving its users. To check out the latest Mate Series, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, visit the HUAWEI online store today.

Bucket Seat: Lexus LF-Z Electrified

There's no doubt, the end of the fuel powered combustion engine is numbered, with a number of brands already announcing their switch to electric, with some even putting down markers on when their entire line-up will be completely electric. Bold? Yes but not surprising, we've always been dabbling with the technology and in all honestly its been too long to adapt to it. When new comers like Tesla can come in and blow the industry doors wide open with affordable, long lasting EV's, what was stopping other major manufacturers? Problem is, they were too fixated with the process they were in that not much was poured into alternative energy vehicles. 

While we got hybrids and other forms of cars from various brands, there wasn't much on offer in terms of giving the end user a variety of pure EV cars to drive. At one stage a certain manufacturer was engrossed in hydrogen fuel cell cars as they were convinced it was the future, that didn't end very well for them as we now know but one brand that took a long time to come to the party was Lexus, with them announcing the LF-Z  Electrified concept yesterday, I was rather disappointed with them for taking so long but then I remembered, with Lexus, nothing is ever a rushed job. They pour in man hours perfecting products before they show the world. Case-in-point the LFA, which took over 10 years to make but my God, they've left us with a car that will be remembered for decades to come, so it could be the same with their swap over to Electric. 

While we all know the efficiency of batteries is a major talking point with only a few brands getting it right so far, Tesla being up there and with many other manufacturers borrowing their footprint can achieve the same sort of range for their vehicles from it. Lexus however have made their own battery for the LF-Z which uses a dedicated BEV platform that has an advanced lithium-ion battery which has a maximum cruise range of 600km on a single charge. Power output from the electric motor equates to 400kW and 700Nm of torque with a 0-100km/h time of just 3.0 seconds. Mighty impressive but then again we all know how quick pure electric cars are. The impressive state for me is the range on single charge and with Lexus having able to achieve this now, it can only spell good things from future BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) from them. The LF-Z has a new four-wheel drive control technology known as DIRECT4, it uses instant responsiveness of the motors driving force to individually control each wheel for superior and highly flexible driving performance. 

The LF-Z looks stunning, while only a concept, the study model suggests the evolutionary direction of the Lexus styling, which aims for a simple and captivating shape. With sharp lines and acute angles, not to mention all the familiar creases and folds we've come to expect from Lexus design, the car certainly looks the part. Also with Lexus, we've come to expect what we've seen in concept to be very close to the production model, which I am hoping for this as well. The interior is nothing less that what we expected from Lexus, it is equipped with a Tazuna cockpit and features an open minimalist design. It embodies an elevated level of the human-centered Lexus approach, an ethos that has been a foundation of the Lexus brand since 1989. 

The car is obviously in concept form and no word on when we can see a production ready model but hopefully it won't take another 10 years. 

Bucket Seat: Audi e-Tron GT

This week saw Audi lift the covers over their e-tron GT and RS e-tron Quattro, the second fully electric offering from the e-tron badge, a vehicle which combines future-orientated technologies with the premium standards of Audi. The e-tron GT is built in the Bollinger Hofe, becomes the symbol of tomorrows electric premium performance and just judging by its looks and the reaction world-over, its already becoming a hit with enthusiast, with many tipping this model to be a rival to Porsche's Tycan.

The Audi e-tron GT encapsulates Audi's catch phrase being, "vorsprung durch technik", which loosely translates to "progress through technology" and with this new offering they've done just that. The Audi e-tron GT has an electric motor which produces 350kW and 630Nm for the GT and 440kW/ 830Nm for the RS Quattro. The car is powered by a 93kWh battery but only 85kWh is used, when launched control is engaged, both models power is increased to 390kW and 476kW respectively, this increase in power lasts for a maximum of 2.5 seconds which boosts the 0-100km /h time to 3.3 seconds for the RS and 4.1 seconds for the GT. 

While the overall design of the GT is quite unique, much of similarities from current models and the concept are present. The long sportback styling is quite something to look at but also has a specific design to minimize drag which in-turn prolongs battery life and with the specially designed light weight rims not only enhances the appeal of this car but also has factors to minimize drag and help with efficiency. The headlights adopt the matrix LED system with laser light technology which will be available on both models. The grille is an integral part in car design but with it being pure electric there is no need for a radiator but Audi have still given the e-tron a lovely fascia which compliments the number plate holder. Air-intakes for the brakes are prominent in the front with wide angular openings and adds to the aggressive look to the car. Around the back see's a big change from the norm with a sleek solid rear lighting which also adopts the matrix LED lighting and has unique display sequence when locking and unlocking the car.

While the Audi e-Tron GT is planned to launch globally next year, Audi SA are still in consideration of bringing this model to our market just yet. We will give any update on this as soon as we know. 

Bucket Seat: Range Rover Sport P400e PHEV

Range Rover, the epitome of a luxury SUV and it's legacy echoes this as for years British manufacturer Land Rover kept this sub brand of theirs delivering only the best to its customers. In recent times, not much has changed and the line-up has increased with the addition of the Evoque and Velar which fell under this sub brand, it also gave birth to the Range Rover Sport which as it's name suggests, a sportier version of the Range Rover. The Coupe like SUV had more agile look, offered a different driving style and became quite popular world over. Locally, it even is a status symbol for the rich and powerful but deep down inside, it still has that heart for the off road. Hence when Land Rover decided to launch Plug-In Hybrid variants of these cars, many would wonder how they would fair. A month ago I had the change to drive one for about a week and to was an eye opener for me. 

DESIGN

There is no noticeable design differences between a standard Range Rover Sport and this one, apart from the charging port in the front grille. The PHEV models come in under the face-lift range of the the Range Rover line-up which see's  modular LED daytime running lights fall away with a solid outline line. There are other subtle changes to the car and cabin in the face lift but I'll dive into that a bit later. While the Sport model is more sportier, the presence still remains as it is much larger than other SUV's on the market. It was the first model in the new design language from Land Rover and it still looks the part today. Apart from being a very attractive looking car, it is rather practical too which is why it is so popular with many. The interior cabin design is clean, elegant and luxurious. The center control panels feature two large touch screen displays which control the various functions of the car. There is added brushed aluminium to the front and back of the car to enhance its off-road ability. 

PERFORMANCE

A plug-in hybrid SUV, yes, not uncommon but not something you would consider in a hurry. Why? SUV's are big, heavy and would need more energy to pull a round so by slapping in an electric motor with batteries, how much would you actually gain by it? Also, when hybrid cars first came out, they didn't require a plug-in charging system, the recharge was done via kinetic energy from breaking so why the change? Well there's a whole lot of technical jargon we can delve into but it would be too long for this blog post, essentially manufacturers are installing bigger batteries which yield longer range and higher speeds that normal kinetic charging just cannot sustain, hence the need to charge from another source of power. The battery of the P400e is 13kWh which when fully charged can give you a range of 48km at non excessive speeds or acceleration. 

With the Range Rover P400e PHEV, it combined both combustion engine power with electric engine power giving you an output which has a great performance than a V6 engine with deliver. The lightweight 2.0L si4 Ingenium petrol engine and the 105kW electric motor, produce a combined engine output of 297kW. The 0-100km/h time of just 6.7 seconds. The car delivers instant torque which makes it an ultra responsive engine. It has a top speed of 220km/h and a claimed efficiency of just 2.8L/100km. While on test I managed to see the true potential of this marriage, as Range Rover points out that the car can do up to 48km/h and running on pure electric power but that is not all it does, while the petrol engine is running at higher speeds, the electric motor assists when a coasting speed is reached, thus taking less effort from the combustion engine and saving you fuel while doing so. I noticed this while making the long trek from Johannesburg to Sun City, while I didn't get close enough to the claimed fuel consumption, I did manage to get as low as 6.2L/100km which for a big car like this is generally unheard off. 

CHARGING

As mentioned before the car can charge while you in motion but the energy build up via breaking isn't sufficient to charge the entire battery, hence the over night charge is required. On the first night, having it parked in the garage, I made use of the plug point to service the cars electricity needs. It takes roughly 7 hours to charge the battery fully while in Sun City, I asked the resort if there were parking bays with plug points available, thankfully they did have at the undercover parking of the Lost City and thanks to them they were more than happy to charge it for me during my stay. The car comes with two sets of plugs, one which fits into a normal three-pin wall socket and the other for three-phase fast charging units which can be found at selected Jaguar/ Land Rover dealerships as well charging stations which are being rolled out by Jaguar around the country at major shopping malls and filling stations. 

COMFORT

There's not much to add when it comes to the comfort of the Range Rover Sport, you getting a cabin filled with high quality materials and finishes along with the best technology offered at the moment and there really isn't any other place you want to be after sitting in it. The guys saw to everything when it came to designing this interior, from adjustable arm rests for the driver and front passenger, to touch screen climate control for the cabin. There really isn't anything I can fault. Being from the Land Rover family, the car is all-wheel drive and features air suspension, which automatically adjusts to the terrain its on, so while in the North West, with the Pilanesburg National Park right next to us, it only made sense to do a self game drive with the Range. While certain parts of the park were tarred, most of it was gravel and not in the greatest condition, so here the P400e showed it's versatility as an off-roading vehicle plus with the game park having strict speed limits, most of the drive was powered by the electric motor! This proved to be a great way to see the game close up as the car virtually snuck up to each animal we encountered because the electric motor is so silent as well as emitting zero emissions in the process. 

VERDICT

Electric cars are the future of motoring, with tougher sanctions being placed on motor manufacturers to reduce their emissions on their cars, this is part of the stepping stone to a greener alternative. While many won't see the realise the true value of these cars first hand, they serve as milestones in the pursuit of this. Just from my experience, seeing what this vehicle can achieve is remarkable and if that wasn't enough, watch the Dragon challenge on YouTube where the Range Rover 400e PHEV took on the Heavens Gate on Tianmen Mountain in China. With the strides manufacturers are making in the advancements of this technology, a world with emission free cars isn't too far off in the distance. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Ingenium Engine with 105kW Electric Motor
EV Charging Time	7.5 hours
Electric Range	48km
Power	297kW
Consumption	2.8L/100km
Price	R 1,639,300*

*Base Price

Bucket Tech: Samungs Home For the Future

The world is rapidly turning to simpler, cleaner and healthier lifestyles as people start to focus on environmentally-conscious living. This has become all-important to most people, especially Millennials and post-Millennials, who believe more than previous generations in the value of living a decluttered life where, happiness experiences and consideration of the environment is essential*.

“There is an increasing focus on wellness and improving one’s health in today’s world. This is clearly aligned with Samsung’s ongoing commitment to create convenient and eco-conscious products, designed for a healthier planet. As a human-centred company Samsung’s intent is to inspire the world with innovative technologies, products and design,” says Nithia Pillay, Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung South Africa.

By creating home appliance focussed on adding real value, reducing effort, streamlined design and eco-friendly technology, Samsung has enabled consumers to take the first steps in living a holistic life where the home front can be designed to empower users to free up their living spaces and here are a few ways to do it:

• Improve your health and support weight loss goals by eliminating fried fast food from your diet. Samsung’s Convection Microwave Oven with HotBlast™ and SLIM FRY™ technology delivers crisp snacks and quick meals without the fat and in minutes. This revolutionary oven also allows you to easily prepare homemade and wholesome alternatives to store-bought food.

• Cut the costs of groceries and reduce the time spent preparing dinners by buying and freezing in-season vegetables and preparing frozen dinners in advance. Samsung’s Top Mounted Freezer refrigerator with Twin Cooling Plus™ offers ample space, quick and effective freezing and customisable control to make cost-saving food storage a breeze.

• Tidy up your kitchen by replacing a multitude of appliances, such as the deep fryer and bread maker, with a single, sleek Samsung Convection Microwave Oven.

• Start every day with super clean linen and soft furnishings, without negative environmental impacts, by deep cleaning everything in Samsung’s AddWash™ Washing Machine with Ecobubble™ technology. The efficient Ecobubble™ technology mixes air, water and detergent to create bubbles that penetrate your laundry faster, helping you wash at cooler temperatures, which is better for the environment and your energy bills. Delivering superior cleaning in under an hour, Samsung’s AddWash™ Washing Machine reduces the time needed for washing, enabling you to enjoy more family time or time on the things you value.

“Samsung is constantly raising the bar for smarter home appliances that enhance experiences. Our ever-growing home appliance range is designed to connect with people’s quest for healthier, eco-friendly living and more time to do the things that matter,” concludes Pillay

Microsoft YouthSpark Live

One of the major news stories to break out this week was that Nigeria's GDP overtook SA's. We as a country consider ourselves as the leader in Africa yet another country that's normally shrouded in instability is performing better than us on an economic level. Unemployment is a major contributing factor to the countries GDP and with almost a quarter of SA's population being unemployed, it doesn't look very promising for the future. Out of that figure, it is estimated that 70% are youth, which is a greater cause for concern seeing that that is our future. Government alone cannot alleviate this problem and needs help from the private sector, step in Microsoft SA with their YouthSpark initiative. 

The first YouthSpark event was held at Wits University, last year in May with a turn out of just around 1000 students, the day proved to be very knowledgeable for students considering a future in IT. Microsoft showed attendees the various tools on offer to help them in choosing the right path in their career choices. The day was not only for the students to learn but the feedback Microsoft received was tremendous. It was a similar case when they took the road show to Cape Town and King Williams Town. 

The next stop is this weekend on the 12th of April in Durban, the venue, DUT (Durban University of Technology). It's bound to be just as good as the others but it needs student participation, the event is free of charge, so if you're a student, learner or budding entrepreneur, be sure to register now for a seat as space is limited. 

You can register online at www.youthsparklive.com with the registration code "Durban", alternatively you can email saevent@microsoft.com or call call the contact centre on 0860 22 55 67.