Wireless Charging as an Industry Standard

In 1891, renowned inventor and futurist Nikola Tesla became the first person to introduce inductive charging when he successfully demonstrated the wireless transfer of energy. However, it took over a century for this technology to find its way into mainstream consumer use.

 

“Over the past few years, wireless charging has emerged in the consumer electronics market space, mainly in the form of smartphones and smartphone accessories,” explains Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa. “This technology is now being integrated into a variety of technological devices, appliances, public spaces and even vehicles, as companies look to make power cords obsolete and turn the world into the Tesla-envisioned reality,”

 

Until now, commercial products have mainly used the “magnetic-inductive” method of charging which involves connecting a device to a physical dock. If you have ever used an electric toothbrush or shaver, then you are probably familiar with this type of inductive charging.

 

Consumer Benefits and Industry Solutions

A simple wireless charging solution eliminates the need to carry several different chargers for multiple devices. The goal has been to provide consumers with the ability to utilise one wireless charging dock that is compatible with all the devices they already own, as well as all the devices they may buy in the near future.

 

Fleischer continues, “The industry has been collaborating to establish a series of organisations to standardise wireless charging technologies. Currently there are three such organisations, namely: the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) and the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP). Samsung is a member of all of these three groups.”

 

In January of this year, the PMA and A4WP announced that they would join forces to offer even better wireless charging features for a variety of devices. This means that soon, restaurants, airports, public spaces, vehicles and living spaces of all description will finally unburden consumers of having to remember to carry multiple power cords everywhere. Soon the anxiety of running out of battery power and the hassle of all the charging cables taking up unnecessary space in their bags could be obsolete.

 

Samsung’s Commitment to a Wireless Future

“In late 2000, Samsung created a task team to exclusively focus on wireless charging and began extensive research and development. Our goal was to develop a technology that was easy to use and convenient for consumers, in order to promote and drive the widespread adoption of wireless technology standards. Several obstacles had to be overcome for wireless charging technology to succeed in the market, most notably the size and price of some of the most crucial components,” Fleischer adds.

 

“This hard work came to fruition in 2011, when we introduced our first commercial wireless charging pad for Droid Charge (SCH-i510) in the US. Since then, Samsung has provided wireless charging covers and pads as a core accessory alongside many of its flagship smartphones, such as the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 in 2013 and the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 in 2014.”

 

A key factor to make wireless charging technology more widely available has been making the production costs more manageable by strategically partnering with the right raw material suppliers and component companies.

 

Samsung also developed innovative ways to merge and combine components more efficiently, this allowed the technology to generate more power and take up less space. In the early stages of inductive charging, the Galaxy S4 charging pads were comprised of about 80 separate elements. For the Galaxy S5, developers were able to reduce the number drastically, to a much more manageable 50 elements and efforts are being made to decrease this number even further. The company’s unique ability to combine parts that are capable of handling more than one function, has allowed commercialisation to finally become a reality.

 

Wireless charging has also come a long way in terms of charging speed. Two or three years ago, it was only twenty to thirty percent as efficient as wired charging. But since then, the speed has been doubled.

 

2015 – A Landmark Year for Smartphone Wireless Charging

Last year, parts that support multiple standards on a single chip were released. Given that it usually takes around 6 to 12 months to integrate new components and put them on the market, it is expected that several of these products will be available to consumers this year.

 

This comes as the ecosystem for wireless charging continues to rapidly grow and mature. In addition to IT companies, leading brands from a wide range of industries, such as consumer electronics, semi-conductors, mobile services, automotive, furniture, software and others have joined the effort and are working closely together.

 

Samsung has led the way with wireless charging, showcasing the latest technology with its flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. “It is expected that 2015 will be a landmark year for the growth of wireless charging deployment, as wireless charging stations will begin to appear in more and more public places as well as in cars and secondary battery packs. Samsung will accelerate its efforts to make wireless charging technology widely available. With the Galaxy S6 smartphones, users will be able to enter a new wireless world like never before,” concludes Fleischer.

MEDIA/VIP LAUNCH - LIVE @ THE BIG APPLE

One hundred of Jozi’s top media and celebrities were treated to an evening of pure delight at the LIVE @ THE BIG APPLE Launch held at Protea Hotel Wanderers on Friday 19 June.

 

This event was to introduce this brand new entertainment/lifestyle concept that’s about to take Jozi by storm when it opens to the public on Friday 28 August.

 

Guests were treated to killer Absolut Blue cocktails on arrival which continued to flow throughout the evening and scrumptious gourmet snacks prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Helen Makhuzeni, that literally melted in your mouth. 

 

To totally complement this, the guests enjoyed some top-class entertainment in the form of Cito’s EL CANTANTE Trio (Cito of WONDERboom fame, Martin Rocka with Tomasito Dyani on percussion) all adding to the “Latin Passion theme”.

 

WIth “El Cantante” (the singer), renowned singer Cito heads back to his Puerto Rican roots, performing his unique acoustic versions of the Spanish classics that he grew up listening to.
Guitarist extraordinaire, Martin Schofield joins him on guitar and for this evening, SA’s top percussionist Tomasito Dyani added his fabulous percussive flavor to the event.
The rhythms and styles of bolero, tango, mambo, tejano, mariachi and traditional folklorica are included in the musical line-up, highlighting traditional favourites from countries including Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and others. Pop favourites presented in Cito’s unique arrangements include Cielito Lindo, La Bamba, Besame Mucho, Carnaval, Cancion del Mariachi, En Mi Viejo San Juan, El Cuarto de Tula, Mi Tierra (Gloria Estefan) and Sobrevivire (I Will Survive). 

 

As explained in the official proceedings, this evening was to give the invited guests a taste of these public events that are going to be staged at The Big Apple Restaurant at Protea Hotel Wanderers, every second month, on the last Friday of that month, beginning on Friday 28 August.

 

Each evening will be specifically themed; from decor to the liquor brand partnership to the gourmet 3-course cocktail snacks to the live entertainment.

 

This will be an all-inclusive cost of just R200 per person if booked and paid for in advance, or R230 cash at the door.

 

An added benefit will be a hugely discounted accommodation rate that evening for the guests attending, or R700 per room, room only, for that specific evening.

 

As explained by Natalie Botha, General Manager of Protea Hotel Wanderers; “The hotel has been wanting to firmly establish itself as a venue of choice for the Friday afternoon Sundowner experience. But we wanted it to be different from other venues, with our own unique up-scale twist to the concept, so when we met with The CoLab Network team, we knew we had found our partner in this venture, who can provide the total pizzazz we want to create.

 

Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network responded; “It’s long been part of our mandate to find and create new entertainment venues for our incredible local talent so when we were approached by Jurie Erasmus, Food & Beverage Manager of Protea Hotel Wanderers, it was a no-brainer. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to take his brain child and develop it with him and his team to establish a fresh take on the Friday afternoon Sundowner concept, incorporating all lifestyle elements to provide a unique, classy environment for Jozi residents to enjoy a new way to wind down after the work week”.

She continues; “A reason for it being staged every second month is the fact that we want this to become an experience people look forward to, a sense of occasion. We were thrilled that for a number of our invited guests at the launch, this was their date night, and we want that tradition to continue and grow”.

 

If Friday evening’s response was anything to go by, this venue will fast become Jozi’s premier Friday evening Cocktail/Sundowner hotspot, providing a classy fresh take on Friday afternoon Cocktails.

 

The Live @ The Big Apple Launch was made possible by Protea Hotel Wanderers, The CoLab Network, Pernod Ricard (Absolut Vodka), Fabbri and Upstage.

 

 

FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE – Friday 28 August 2015.

 

Live @ The Big Apple will take place on Friday 28 August from 5 – 9pm.

 

At just R200 per person if paid in advance, or R230 per person if paid at the door, guests will enjoy congac, high end brandies and wines for the duration of the evening. These will be coupled with a mouth-watering 3-course gourmet snack menu to complement these brands.

Live entertainment will be provided by the acoustic duo, BRUCE AND FRESK, to totally round off an evening of pure style and jazzy sophistication.

 

Offering high-quality  popular  music  with  a classical-acoustic feel, this duo combines the talents  of  Idols  finalist  Cameron  Bruce  with one  of  the  country's  foremost  pianists, Grammy-nominated John Fresk.  They're a refreshing class act with guaranteed appeal to even the most discerning audience.

 

Their repertoire balances  contemporary  hits  and  timeless  pop  classics with jazzy swing numbers to ensure wide appeal to diverse audiences. Their music is entirely live, with no backing tracks.

 

Bruce  &  Fresk  perform  contemporary  hits  and  classics  from  such  artists  as  Bruno  Mars, Pharrel Williams, Jason Mraz, Michael Buble, Jack Johnson, John Legend, Maroon 5, James Blunt, George Ezra, John Mayer, Magic, The Beatles, Sting, Van Morrison, Lionel Ritchie, Eric Clapton and many more giving our guests an evening of laid-back classics they will know and love.

For more information, check out
http://bruceandfresk.co.za/

 

Bookings for LIVE @ THE BIG APPLE are to be made directly with Protea Hotel Wanderers at:
Siya - Marketing

Email: meeting@phwanderers.co.za

Tel: 011 770 5500

 

Next date will be: Friday 30 October… details to follow in due course…

One hundred of Jozi’s top media and celebrities were treated to an evening of pure delight at the LIVE @ THE BIG APPLE Launch held at Protea Hotel Wanderers on Friday 19 June.

 

This event was to introduce this brand new entertainment/lifestyle concept that’s about to take Jozi by storm when it opens to the public on Friday 28 August.

 

Guests were treated to killer Absolut Blue cocktails on arrival which continued to flow throughout the evening and scrumptious gourmet snacks prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Helen Makhuzeni, that literally melted in your mouth. 

 

To totally complement this, the guests enjoyed some top-class entertainment in the form of Cito’s EL CANTANTE Trio (Cito of WONDERboom fame, Martin Rocka with Tomasito Dyani on percussion) all adding to the “Latin Passion theme”.

 

WIth “El Cantante” (the singer), renowned singer Cito heads back to his Puerto Rican roots, performing his unique acoustic versions of the Spanish classics that he grew up listening to.
Guitarist extraordinaire, Martin Schofield joins him on guitar and for this evening, SA’s top percussionist Tomasito Dyani added his fabulous percussive flavor to the event.
The rhythms and styles of bolero, tango, mambo, tejano, mariachi and traditional folklorica are included in the musical line-up, highlighting traditional favourites from countries including Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and others. Pop favourites presented in Cito’s unique arrangements include Cielito Lindo, La Bamba, Besame Mucho, Carnaval, Cancion del Mariachi, En Mi Viejo San Juan, El Cuarto de Tula, Mi Tierra (Gloria Estefan) and Sobrevivire (I Will Survive). 

 

As explained in the official proceedings, this evening was to give the invited guests a taste of these public events that are going to be staged at The Big Apple Restaurant at Protea Hotel Wanderers, every second month, on the last Friday of that month, beginning on Friday 28 August.

 

Each evening will be specifically themed; from decor to the liquor brand partnership to the gourmet 3-course cocktail snacks to the live entertainment.

 

This will be an all-inclusive cost of just R200 per person if booked and paid for in advance, or R230 cash at the door.

 

An added benefit will be a hugely discounted accommodation rate that evening for the guests attending, or R700 per room, room only, for that specific evening.

 

As explained by Natalie Botha, General Manager of Protea Hotel Wanderers; “The hotel has been wanting to firmly establish itself as a venue of choice for the Friday afternoon Sundowner experience. But we wanted it to be different from other venues, with our own unique up-scale twist to the concept, so when we met with The CoLab Network team, we knew we had found our partner in this venture, who can provide the total pizzazz we want to create.

 

Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network responded; “It’s long been part of our mandate to find and create new entertainment venues for our incredible local talent so when we were approached by Jurie Erasmus, Food & Beverage Manager of Protea Hotel Wanderers, it was a no-brainer. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to take his brain child and develop it with him and his team to establish a fresh take on the Friday afternoon Sundowner concept, incorporating all lifestyle elements to provide a unique, classy environment for Jozi residents to enjoy a new way to wind down after the work week”.

She continues; “A reason for it being staged every second month is the fact that we want this to become an experience people look forward to, a sense of occasion. We were thrilled that for a number of our invited guests at the launch, this was their date night, and we want that tradition to continue and grow”.

 

If Friday evening’s response was anything to go by, this venue will fast become Jozi’s premier Friday evening Cocktail/Sundowner hotspot, providing a classy fresh take on Friday afternoon Cocktails.

 

The Live @ The Big Apple Launch was made possible by Protea Hotel Wanderers, The CoLab Network, Pernod Ricard (Absolut Vodka), Fabbri and Upstage.

 

 

FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE – Friday 28 August 2015.

 

Live @ The Big Apple will take place on Friday 28 August from 5 – 9pm.

 

At just R200 per person if paid in advance, or R230 per person if paid at the door, guests will enjoy congac, high end brandies and wines for the duration of the evening. These will be coupled with a mouth-watering 3-course gourmet snack menu to complement these brands.

Live entertainment will be provided by the acoustic duo, BRUCE AND FRESK, to totally round off an evening of pure style and jazzy sophistication.

 

Offering high-quality  popular  music  with  a classical-acoustic feel, this duo combines the talents  of  Idols  finalist  Cameron  Bruce  with one  of  the  country's  foremost  pianists, Grammy-nominated John Fresk.  They're a refreshing class act with guaranteed appeal to even the most discerning audience.

 

Their repertoire balances  contemporary  hits  and  timeless  pop  classics with jazzy swing numbers to ensure wide appeal to diverse audiences. Their music is entirely live, with no backing tracks.

 

Bruce  &  Fresk  perform  contemporary  hits  and  classics  from  such  artists  as  Bruno  Mars, Pharrel Williams, Jason Mraz, Michael Buble, Jack Johnson, John Legend, Maroon 5, James Blunt, George Ezra, John Mayer, Magic, The Beatles, Sting, Van Morrison, Lionel Ritchie, Eric Clapton and many more giving our guests an evening of laid-back classics they will know and love.

For more information, check out
http://bruceandfresk.co.za/

 

Bookings for LIVE @ THE BIG APPLE are to be made directly with Protea Hotel Wanderers at:
Siya - Marketing

Email: meeting@phwanderers.co.za

Tel: 011 770 5500

 

Next date will be: Friday 30 October… details to follow in due course…

WALKING AND CYCLING THE DAISIES 2015 – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

If you have an appetite for a weekend dose of excellent music with a healthy portion of sustainability on the side – then Walking or Cycling the Daisies is for you.

 

Celebrating 10 years since inception, Rocking the Daisies has grown into our country’s finest example of a Music and Lifestyle Festival with a Green Heart.

 

Both Walking the Daisies and Cycling the Daisies are initiatives that encourage festivalgoers to celebrate an incredible music and lifestyle experience in a spectacular setting, whilst reducing their environmental footprint.

 

Walking the Daisies, the two-day annual guided hike that starts in Cape Town on Wednesday, 30 September and ends on Thursday, 01 October on arrival at the festival in Darling, has evolved from 20 walkers in 2009 to 200 like-minded walkers in 2014.

 

It is now a widely acclaimed group experience that enhances the festival’s aim to create and promote positive environmental action, make friends and be a part of creating an eco-friendly Rocking the Daisies festival.

 

The walk is fully catered and your luggage will be transported to the festival for you. Tented accommodation is provided along the way with great activities, educational and environmental elements thrown into the mix.

 

The selection criteria for applications will be based on various aspects - ranging from fitness, previous experience to any special skill-sets that will add value to fellow walkers.

 

Applications will be open from now until the 10th of September.

 

For more information on Walking the Daisies, itinerary and application forms, visit our website at http://rockingthedaisies.com/walkcycle/walk/ or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/1625055604406298/

#WTD2015

 

Cycling the Daisies was developed off the back of the ever popular Walking the Daisies and is an annual one-day cycling trip that starts in Cape Town on Friday 2 October 2015 and ends at the festival grounds in Darling the same day.

 

For details on the route, itinerary and application forms, click here: http://rockingthedaisies.com/walkcycle/cycle/

#CTD2015

 

In keeping with our efforts to ‘Play Hard, Tread Lightly’, we encourage all festivalgoers who are using their vehicles to get to and from the festival, to please carpool. The first 2000 cars to arrive in a carpool will be given priority parking at Daisies!

All ticket phases are valid for the full festival experience from 1 – 4 October 2015 at the epic Cloof Wine Estate in Darling. *Prices exclude booking fees, which include charges for the IT services, credit card/ bank related charges, fraud prevention, security control and other administrative fees related to the advanced festival ticketing management system. This only applies to online sales and does not apply to the cash sale tickets. Get your festival tickets today at www.seedtickets.co.za

For any ticketing queries and support please contact tickets@weareseed.co.za.

SISTER ACT comes to Jozi

Bernard Jay, Executive Producer for Joburg Theatre of Sister Act - the biggest musical in Joburg this year - is proud to announce the stellar South African cast of the country’s première production of the feel-amazing musical comedy.

 

Sister Act will open on the stage of The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on July 10th and runs until August 16th 2015.

 

Leading the cast will be Candida Mosoma as disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the top grossing 1992 movie comedy of the same name.

 

“The role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act is – arguably – the flashiest and most challenging written for a black female in recent musical theatre history,” says Bernard Jay.  “It’s a star role for a star personality with star attitude.  When Candida Mosoma walked into the audition room and started being Deloris from the first moment, we all knew we had found our star.”

Upon hearing the news of her lead casting, Mosoma excitingly stated; “It’s a little daunting stepping into Whoopi Goldberg’s shoes, but what an opportunity! I intend to grab it with both hands and can’t wait to make the role my own.”

 

This brand new ‘non-replica’ production of the musical Sister Act will be directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Rowan Bakker, choreography by Nicol Sheraton, production design by Declan Randall, costume design by Sarah Roberts and sound design by Trevor Peters. 

 

Joining Candida Mosoma, South African stage star Kate Normington will play Mother Superior (legendarily portrayed by Maggie Smith in the movie) and Keith Smith will play the pivotal role of Monsignor O’Hara.

 

Also cast are (in alphabetical order) Bjorn Blignaut, Caroline Borole, Vanessa Brierley, Caitlin Clerk, Anne-Marie Clulow, Elizca Coetzer, Judy Ditchfield, Toni Jean Erasmus, Trudy Fredericks, Germandt Geldenhuys, Zane Gillion, Clive Gilson, Themba January, Dolly Louw, Mervin Marvey, Noni Mkhonto, Phumi Mncayi, Dean Roberts, Brenda Sakellarides, Andrea Shine, Shelly Simon, Nqobile Sipamla, Lebo Toko, Carmen Tromp, L J Urbani, Natasha Van Der Merwe and Zano.

 

Sister Act in Joburg will be a creative collaboration and celebration of South African talent. Multi-award-winning South African director and writer Janice Honeyman is on board to direct.  “No-one in South Africa has proven herself to be in finer creative control of ‘non-replica’ mega-musical productions than Janice.  No-one knows the magic possibilities of The Mandela stage like Janice,” says Bernard Jay.  “I’m just so thrilled that she loves the show too and said yes!”

 

Bernard Jay produces Sister Act for Joburg Theatre, with Simon James and Claire Pacariz as associate producers.  Timothy Le Roux will serve as resident director.

 

The wittilly infectious musical is written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Oscar and Tony winning composer Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, etc).

 

The stage production premièred at the Pasadena Playhouse in California in 2006 and was produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment in London in 2009 - then on Broadway in 2011.  The musical was nominated for four Olivier Awards in London, including Best New Musical, and five Tony Awards in New York, including Best Musical.

 

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won’t be found: a convent!  Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior.  Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover.  Soon, the gang is giving chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

 

Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act leaves audiences breathless.  A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to rejoice!

 

The New York Times said of Sister Act: “When the wimples start quivering, the pinched mouths break into sunbeam smiles, and the nuns start rocking to raise the Gothic rafters, all’s right in the kingdom of musical comedy.”

 

The UK Telegraph said: “The cheers and standing ovation at the end were both genuine and deserved.  The book is strong, funny and touching.  The disco-inspired score by Disney favourite Alan Menken is a cracker.  Frankly, what’s not to like, especially when you’ve got a chorus line of jiving nuns singing their hearts out ecstatically?”

 

Sister Act is brought to South Africa by the City of Joburg in association with MNet and is on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from July 10th to August 16th.

 

The show will run from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. 

 

Tickets range from R200 – R350 and are exclusively available from www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670. 

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling Joburg Theatre on (011) 877 6853/6815.