A NEW pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones with high sound quality and powerful bass, Sony’s WH-1000XM3 cut more outside sound than ever before, allowing you to enjoy music without interruption even when you are in a noisy environment

The phones come with Adaptive Sound Control technology and a range of smart features including Quick Attention, Voice Assistant compatibility and touch control.

The 1000XM3 are designed to block out most noises with the earpads and use Sony’s new HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1 to further minimise the noise. A dedicated NC processor ensures the reproduction of your music is never compromised due to processor performance.

Most noise-cancelling headphones are designed to block out only vehicle noise when travelling. The 1000XM3 go a step further, blocking out daily audio nuisances like voices and the background sounds you might hear walking through a city.

The 1000XM3 use Sense Engine technology that automatically prompts Adaptive Sound Control to detect what you’re doing travelling, walking or waiting –then adjusts ambient sound settings to suit.

For example, when the Sense Engine detects that you are travelling, the Control feature will use the sound setting to block out background noise.

And when it detects you are walking, it will use a sound setting that alerts you to possible vehicles coming up behind you thus ensuring you stay safe.

And if the Sense Engine detects you are waiting, such as at an airport or railway station, it will adjust the sound setting to allow you to hear important announcements while reducing background noises.

The phones also have Quick Attention mode that lets you communicate without having to remove them. You simply place your hand over the right ear cup to turn the volume down for instant conversation.

When the headphones are turned on, the noise cancelling function is turned on automatically. There is a NC/Ambient button for turning on/off the noise cancelling function and for switching to the Ambient Sound Mode.

You can also change the settings of the noise cancelling function and the Ambient Sound Mode with the Sony Headphones Connect app.

During the test, I found that 1000XM3’s noise cancelling function was really effective. It blocked all the noise from my room’s air-conditioner. Even sounds from my TV didn’t interfere with my listening pleasure. And the Sense Engine technology, when checked through the Headphones Connect app, accurately detected that I was standing still while I was working at home. (I’ve changed to standing-style when working at home, using a notebook table over my desk).

The phones have sound quality thanks to a built-in amplifier integrated in HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1 and support Hi-Res Audio technology with a frequency response of 4 to 40,000 Hz and high sensitivity of 104.5 dB.

The headphones use 40-mm drivers with Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragms so the 1000XM3 is perfect for handling heavy beats and can reproduce a full range of frequencies up to 40 kHz.

The Hi-Res Audio quality means the phones can reproduce music sounds with 500-per-cent better sound quality than an audio CD when used with the provided headphone cable.

And when used with a provided cable, you can also turn on the noise-cancelling function.

Even when used as wireless headphones, the 1000XM3 allow you to enjoy high-quality music only slightly less than with full Hi-Res Audio quality because the headphones support LDAC Bluetooth transmission technology.

LDAC transmits approximately three times more data (at the maximum transfer rate of 990 kbps) than conventional Bluetooth wireless audio, so we can listen to High-Resolution Audio content with exceptional quality, as close as possible to that of a dedicated wired connection.

And when used with Bluetooth connection, you can use the Touch Sensor Control Panel on the right ear cup to control music playback. Simply double tap to play or pause the music, swipe forwards for the next track or backwards for the previous track or swipe up or down to increase or decrease the volume.

You also use the touch panel to receive an incoming call or hang up by double tapping.

During the test, I found that the 1000XM3 reproduced really high-quality music sounds with powerful bass and very good instrument details. I enjoyed using the Clear Bass sound mode of the headphones that can be selected with the Sony Headphones Connect app.

You can also use the app to customise the sound preference using an equaliser in addition to choosing from the preset settings.

The app is really useful as it reports the type of wireless connection with your smartphone and reports the battery level of the headphones.

The headphones have good battery life of some 30 hours per one full charge. And if you have a quick charger, you can get five hours of battery life from just 10 minutes of charging.

I found the 1000XM3 comfortable to wear for several hours, The super soft, pressure-relieving earpads in foam urethane evenly distribute pressure and increase ear pad contact for a stable fit. Comfort is further enhanced by a larger and deeper ergonomic ear space structure.

The 1000XM3 is designed for travellers with swivel foldable structure, allowing the ear cups to swivel inwards so that they pack up neatly in a compact case. A durable carrying case is supplied.

And it comes with a nice feature for plane travellers. Its unique Atmospheric Pressure Optimising delivers optimal sound at high altitude, so you can enjoy noise cancelling at its best when you fly.

Sony WH-1000XM3 has a suggested retail price of Bt13,990.

>> Headphone type: Closed, dynamic

>>  Wearing style: Circumaural

>> Driver unit: 44mm dome type (CCAW Voice coil)

>> Magnet: Neodymium

>> Diaphragm: Aluminium coated LCP

>> Frequency response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz

>> Impedance: 47 ohm

>> Sensitivity: 104.5dB

>> Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2; Supported audio formats: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC

>> Battery: Approximately 30 hours of playback time; Approx 3 hours of charge time

>> What’s in rhe Box: Carrying Case, Plug Adapter for In-flight Use, Connection Cable, USB Cable

WHEN 71-YEAR-OLD YouTuber Park Mak-rye tried a fast-food restaurant’s self-ordering service for the first time, the challenging process took longer than anticipated.

Park first pushed the “order” button on the screen, then slowly read the menu’s tiny letters and scrolled down. As she struggled to find the bulgogi burger combo she wanted for lunch, the ordering session reached its time limit.

“What’s wrong with this machine?” Park shouted, saying she would never use the kiosk again.

A fast-food restaurant near Seoul City Hall has reduced the number of cashiers and installed selfordering machines. 

The eight-minute video titled “The Restaurant That Mak-Rye Can’t Go To” got 400,000 views on YouTube in one month, garnering 2,000 comments that mostly criticised the machine for being difficult to use.

Self-ordering kiosks have been spreading across the country, especially after the minimum-wage hike hit hard in 2019.

According to a survey by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise in December, one in five workplaces had cut staff because of the wage hike. Some had since installed self-ordering kiosks instead.

“Demand for the machines has been increasing since we started the business in 2011, but orders have exploded since December, which seems to be related to the minimum-wage hike,” said Ahn Ho-seong of Payself, a kiosk manufacturer.

Restaurant and cafe owners are the main customers, but hospitals, cyber cafes and study centres also deploy the machines to save on labour costs.

McDonald’s had the machines at 250 of its 420 stores by January 1. “McDonald’s has deployed the self-ordering kiosks since 2016, as part of efforts to change restaurants into ‘futuristic stores’ and offer better service by reducing waiting time during busy hours,” said a PR manager from McDonald’s Korea.

The fast-food chain said the self-ordering machines have a magnifier function and display adjustment for customers who struggle with placing orders.

Many elderly customers, however, were seen having difficulties at the restaurants.

“I’ve been trying to buy a burger combo, but it’s not as easy as it seems,” Chang Soo-young, 81, said at a restaurant near Seoul City Hall.

“I can’t read the small letters very well, and it’s hard to find the burger combo I want. It’d be much simpler and faster if I just ordered it through a cashier.”

Another senior customer at a fast-food restaurant at Seoul Station said his heart beat faster while he ordered his coffee.

“The process is complicated and people are waiting behind me in a long line, but I can’t find where to put my credit card. All these things just freak me out,” he said.

A message on the screen informs customers that ordering via a cashier is not possible at the moment. 

“It’s kind of sad to think the world is changing very fast and I’m left behind. It’s frustrating, and it hurts my pride.”

The customers also need to check a monitor to see when their orders are ready. In November, a man in his 40s threw a burger in a cashier’s face, upset about the food coming late. The cashier said the order number was displayed on the monitor, but the customer argued he couldn’t see it.

Senior customers’ struggles sometimes impact store operations as well.

“We installed the machines to reduce labour costs, but ironically I had to hire more part-time workers to help elderly customers use the machines,” said the owner of an eatery.

Elderly customers account for 20 per cent of sales, he said.

“About 90 per cent of elderly customers walk straight to the counter, throw 1,000 won at the staff and say, ‘Just give me a cup of black coffee.’ Many of them know the kiosk is there, but they often say they failed to order correctly at fast-food restaurants.”

Repeated failure at using the hi-tech ordering service can impair people’s self-reliance and trigger depression, an expert said.

“The feeling of being left behind can make old people feel depressed and degrade the quality of their lives,” said Chung Soon-dool, a social-welfare professor at Ewha Womans University.

“It also can make old people believe that the world is changing in favour of young people, which can lead to generational conflicts.”

To solve the problem, the professor stressed the importance of educating seniors to help them adapt to new tech.

“A little help from the staff, such as letting them order in an analog way, would be needed sometimes while they get used to the technology.”

On her way back home, the elderly YouTuber Park gave her friend a few tips for using the self-ordering system.

“You should bring your reading glasses, a chair in case you can’t reach the top of the screen and a credit card because the machine doesn’t take cash!”

IF YOU’RE hankering for a smartphone with a camera that allows you to take beautiful shots with bokeh effect as well as wide-angle panorama shots but won’t leave your bank account in the red, then the Samsung Galaxy A7 is the device for you.

And the A7 is also fast for its price range as it is powered by a fast octa-core processor and also boasts a decent size memory.

The A7 is powered by Samsung Exynos 7885 with four cores running at 2.2 GHz and four others at 1.6 GHz. It comes with 4 gigabytes of working memory or RAM and 64 GB internal storage, which is expandable with a microSD card.

The phone also has dual nano-SIM slots and another microSD slot so you can use two SIMs and can still add up to 512GB of extra storage.

The A7 performed well during the test, the touchscreen and menus were responsive and apps ran fast.

It comes with a fast Internet connection too. I used Ookla Speedtest app to measure the connection speed and I found that it achieved download speed of 47.1 Mbps and upload speed of 27.7 Mbps.

The A7 is powerful enough for running two apps at once by diving the top and bottom parts of the display when the App Pair function is activated. The App pair is available only for certain supported apps.

Moreover, the A7 is capable of playing High-Resolution Audio files. I tested it with Sony’s MDR-1ABT Hi-Res Audio headphones and the music played with good sound quality and powerful bass.

And the A7 also comes with a beautiful 6-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,220 x 1080 or FHD+ resolution. The display is good for watching HD movies and viewing photos. I enjoyed using it to watch movies from TrueID TV app.

The A7 sounds good when watching movies thanks to its Dolby Atmos function that, when used with headphones, can create and playback multi-channel soundtracks for a fully immersive and home cinema sound experience.

But the highlight of the A7 is its triple rear camera system that’s made up of a 24-megapixel main camera with fast f/1.7 aperture, an 8 MP wide-angle camera that uses an ultra wide angle lens with 120-degree field of view and a 5MP depth camera for the data used in creating bokeh or blurred background effect. The wide-angle camera has f/2.4 aperture lens while the depth camera uses a f/2.2 aperture lens.

The ultra-wide angle camera has both 77-degree and 120-degree field of view so it allows you to capture more of what catches your eyes.

When in Auto and Scene Optimiser modes, there is a button for witching between ultra wide camera and the main camera.

The Scene Optimiser mode uses AI to automatically adjust saturation, white balance and brightness levels. It has 19 customisation modes to capture natural-looking images, among them Bird, Food, City Street, Water side, Mountain, Nightview, Animal, Tree, Sky, Flower, Scenery, and Waterfall.

If you want to capture outstanding subjects with blurred background, you must use the Live Focus mode, which has a slide bar for you to adjust the level of blurriness of the background of your shots.

I found during the test that the main camera captured beautiful shots, especially when the Scene Optimiser mode was used and the Live Focus was really effective for capturing beautiful shots with bokeh effect.

The A7 is an attractive beast too, with a colourful body and premium glass-like back casing. The colour one I tested looked really sleek.

For security, the A7 comes with a fingerprint reader embedded on its power button. I found it finger print worked efficiently for unlocking the phone.

The A7 also has Face Recognition technology for unlocking the phone instantly and fast.

The A7 has a large battery of 3,300 mAh capacity that can comfortably survive a full day and play up to 48 hours of music.

Samsung Galaxy A7 with 4 GB RAM and 64GB storage retails for Bt8,990. The version with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage retails for Bt11,990.

>> Network: GSM/ HSPA / LTE

>> OS: Android 8.0

>> CPU: Samsung Exynos 7885 octa-core processor 2.2GHz, 1.6GHz

>> Memory 4GB RAM

>> Storage: 64GB, expandable with microSD card by up to 512GB

>> Display: 6-inch Super AMOLED display witth 2,220×1,080 pixels

>> Cameras: Rear: 24MP main camera with f/1.7 lens, 8.0MP wide-angle camera with f/2.4 lens, 5.0MP depth camera with f/2.2 lens; Front: 24MP with f/2.0 lens

>> Connectivity: ANI+, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 802.11a, Bluetooth 5.0

>> Location: GPS, Glonass, Beidou

>> Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor

>> Battery: 3,300 mAh

>> Dimensions: 59.8 x 76.8 x 7.5mm

>> Weight: 168g

AMSTERDAM’S RIJKSMUSEUM unveiled on Wednesday the first-ever exhibition of all of its Rembrandts, marking the 350th anniversary of the death of the prolific painter it dubs the “first Instagrammer”.

The landmark exhibition featuring nearly 400 paintings, drawings and sketches aims to show how the Golden Age master’s compulsive self-portraits and renderings of the world around him prefigure our modern world.

“Rembrandt was the first artist in history – the first ‘Instagrammer’, one could even say – to really capture the world around him,” says Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits.

“Self-portrait” is one of many the artist did throughout his life, and you can now see them all at once. 

“No artist made as many self-portraits as Rembrandt. He painted his family, he drew his friends, he went out into the streets, the countryside, and he even let us enter his own bedroom to where his sick wife was stretched out.”

The exhibition will be a final chance to glimpse his masterpiece “The Night Watch” before the huge tableau is obscured by months of restoration work from July. But it is also a rare opportunity to see lesser works by Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606-1669).

“For the first time in history the Rijksmuseum is showing every Rembrandt we own – 22 paintings, 300 sketches, 60 drawings,” says Dibbits.

Many of those are normally kept from the public because they are so fragile three centuries after their creation.

On the occasion of the Year of Rembrandt which marks the 350th anniversary of his death, the Rijksmusuem is showing for the first time all of the paintings, drawing from its own collection. 

“Light makes the drawings fade, so we almost never show them. An exhibition like this only happens once in a generation.”

Many visitors will simply relish the chance to admire the museum’s entire Rembrandt collection, including the self-portraits that follow him from fresh-faced man-about-town to dimly lit, grizzled artist struggling with age and money problems.

But curators also hope the extensive collection will make them reflect on the social media-obsessed age.

“If I use words like ‘selfie’ and ‘Instagram’, it’s because Rembrandt fashioned the way we look at the world and the way we take photographs,” the museum director says.

“Without Rembrandt, we would still be painting or trying to paint pictures of gods and goddesses and scenes from antiquity. What he did was to make these extraordinary stories ordinary – and make our ordinary lives extraordinary.”

The famous coffee brand is launching two new Limited Edition coffees, Cafe Istanbul and Caffe Venezia, that are inspired by the world’s very first coffeehouses and aim to bring the vibrant and bustling atmosphere directly to modern homes.

Istanbul has always been the entry point from Asia to Europe. A melting pot of colliding cultures, flavours tastes and ideas. With no printing press, Istanbul’s coffeehouse was seen as the mouthpiece of the city, where wild and rich theories were challenged, with coffee as the natural elixir.

Venice has always been the creative gateway to Europe. Home for the arts, music and experimentation, which often made the coffeehouses the tastemakers. This fusion of cultures and expressions made the coffeehouses wild, complex and elegance places.

Follow the footsteps of the past and enter the birthplace of the coffeehouses in Istanbul with Cafe Istanbul. With its intense, black and oriental notes, Cafe Istanbul will inspire any black coffee lover taking them directly into the heart of the wild and bustling atmosphere of that time.

Caffe Venezia, with its elegant and delicate profile, is the perfect muse and inspiration in a cup. Journey to Venice and enjoy a short get away to the home for arts and music.

To fully immerse in a lively blend of history, the artist Young Rascal illustrates the first coffeehouses and merged today’s drinkers in yesterday’s world.

Nespresso also introduces two new recipes.

“Cappuccino Oriental” is inspired by the modern Turkish coffee culture and old elements of spiced coffee (cinnamon, cardamom or clove) “Cardamon Espresso” is inspired by old Arabica coffee preparation.

The main event will see incredible muay thai fighters, Thailand’s NongO Gaiyanghadao and Chinese superstar Han Zi Hao battle it out for the inaugural ONE Super Series Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title. Both men will be putting it all on the line to make history and claim the most prestigious belt of their careers. Other international superstars are Smokin’ Jo Nattawut, Gina Iniong, and Jihin Radzuan.

Tickets cost from Bt300 to Bt12,000 for VIP tickets and are on sale at Thai Ticket Major counters. Call  (02) 262 3456 or visit http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

School’s out for summer

U Khao Yai gets ready for the end of the school year by offering a School Break Package from now until May 31. It features accommodation in a Deluxe room, breakfast buffet and tickets to enter Splash at Scenic World for two adults and one child.

The package for one night is priced Bt5,199 per room (2 adults and 1 child) and Bt8,599 for two nights (2 adults and 1 child).

Make your reservation early by calling (044) 079 999. Find out more at http://www.ukhaoyai.com.

All the fun of the fair

Suan Bua Restaurant at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin reintroduces its ever-popular “Thai Temple Fair” buffet dinner, filled with superb cuisine from all around the country and featuring spectacular performances.

Available through June 23, the buffet features a range of classic Thai appetisers including papaya salad, spring rolls and homemade fish cakes, Tom Yum Goong and Tom Kha Gai and grilled seafood and meat with sauces and condiments.

It’s priced at Bt1,050plus.

Call (032) 512021.

Full of Hope

The Hope Fair, an event showcasing regional products as well as their impact on the environment, is holding its Spring edition at The Rembrandt Hotel on March 20 from 11am to 8pm.

The fair an international delicatessen, fashion made from natural fibres and which uses natural dyes, chemicalfree cosmetics and house cleaning products, organic beverages and spices, interior design and decoration, kids educational games and costumes, and wellness development.

The Hope Fair is also socially engaged as all exhibitors donate to the kids of the slums of Klong Toey under the care of the Mercy Centre. Entrance is free.

Tequila nights

Touche Hombre and Guss Damn Good present Frozen Margarita Night in celebration of World Margarita Day on February 22.

From tomorrow until February 28, Punters can taste three margaritas meet sorbets, “Virgin Umeshu, Blooming Day, and Tokyo Mist”.

They cost just Bt300 and come with 3 mini tacos.

For reservations, call (02) 392 7760.

Aimed to raise awareness about natural resources conservation as well as to promote participation in environmental protection and honour role-model individuals and organisations, a total of 221 awards were given out to organisations and hotels in Thailand ranging from small to large and general to speciality.

“Receiving this green-focused award means a lot to us and this also drives our resort’s sustainability and eco-consciousness. With travellers looking to ensure their personal commitments to living more sustainably, we aim to set the new benchmark for Phuket’s green initiative and to be the resort of choice to ensure memorable yet eco-friendly stays,” said Erich Friedl, Naka’s general manager.

According to Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, the hotel award is graded by industry experts and honorary judges and is divided into three tiers: bronze level (Score of 60-69 per cent or above), silver level (Score of 70-79 per cent or above) and gold level (Score of 80 per cent or above).

Apart from doing away with plastic straws, the property works hard to enhance the sustainability of the operations, to reduce both plastic consumption, and to reuse/recycle wherever possible.

“Our commitment to environmental issues is aligned with our resort’s corporate responsibility policy to reduce environmental impact. Our pro-active associates know this and are active in participating in environmental events with the local community to ensure that our ongoing green initiatives are making waves not only in Phuket but Thailand and the whole world,” he added.

Nestled among stunning beaches, lush coconut groves with views of Phang Nga Bay, the hotel is an exclusive boutique resort on Naka Yai Island, located just off the Phuket coast. Only 25 minutes from Phuket International Airport, it is reached by a short speedboat ride.

For more information, visit  www.LuxuryCollection.com/nakaisland.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, this production honours Walt Disney’s legacy by bringing acclaimed stories like Moana and Toy Story to life on the ice.

Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy join Mickey in a high-energy opening that is a modern take on the film that started it all, “Steamboat Willie”. With some help from the audience, Mickey and pals venture through the various Disney worlds sharing meaningful moments from treasured tales spanning generations.

“In this new Disney On Ice production, we pay tribute to Walt Disney and the true original icon, Mickey Mouse,” said Nicole Feld, producer and executive vice resident of Feld Entertainment. “Each section of the show was carefully selected to immerse families in an array of beloved stories that they have grown to know and love. With live hosts and interactive segments, we hope our fans have an amazing experience that leaves them with memories that last a lifetime.”

As Mickey looks back on unforgettable Disney moments, families will be taken on a high-seas adventure with Moana as she sets out to save her island, journey to the wintery world of Arendelle as royal sisters Anna and Elsa discover true love is the most powerful magic of all, and experience the mysterious magic of “Fantasia” as a Sorcerer’s Apprentice makes brooms come to life. The Emotions – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust – from Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” make their Disney On Ice debut in Thailand as the hosts of the show relive classic and contemporary Disney stories in an emotional rollercoaster with Mickey and the gang. Fans will find themselves under the sea with their favourite, forgetful blue tang, as Dory embarks on a life-changing excursion to find her family. Audiences will also join the Disney Princesses as they use perseverance, determination and hard work to inspire Mickey and children around the world to celebrate their favourite Disney memories. As the show builds to the finale, fans will have the opportunity to vote and pick outfits for Mickey and Minnie to wear during the final celebration.

Tickets cost from Bt700 to Bt2,700 at Thai Ticket Major counters, by calling (02) 262 3456 and online at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.