Accessories
Transcend to Show Off its new PCIe SSD at Computex 2017
Reporting from Taipei, Taiwan: Transcend Information has announced that it will be exhibiting at Computex Taipei 2017 from May 30 to June 3 at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. This year, Transcend will highlight five main categories-high speed PCIe and 3D NAND solid-state drives, dashcams and body cameras, Apple upgrade solutions, personal cloud storage devices, and a broad portfolio of embedded storage solutions, and will offer on-site demonstrations at booth I0808.
At the event, Transcend will showcase its complete line up of 3D NAND solid-state drives, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and embedded-use SSDs, all of which feature excellent performance, transfer rates, and reliability. Transcend’s latest MTE850 PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD, crafted with 3D MLC NAND flash, will also be on display. Thanks to 3D NAND technology and the next-generation PCIeNVMe protocol, the MTE850 SSD achieves never-before-seen transfer speeds and unquestionable reliability, making it perfect for both gaming and enterprise use.
Transcend will also present its new range of dashcams and body cameras at Computex. The new DriveProdashcam series utilizes Sony Exmor image sensors for high definition video capture even in low light conditions. Live demonstrations will highlight useful features to enhance driver safety, including headlight reminder, driver fatigue alert, and time-lapse video recording. Transcend’s body cameras are designed for law enforcement and other professionals’ needs to collect video evidence while on duty.
The newly released DrivePro Body 30 body camera allows for up to 12 hours of recording on a single charge, supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for browsing snapshots and live streaming videos on mobile devices, and comes with four infrared LEDs which enhance night vision capabilities. Meanwhile, IP67 environmental sealing allows it to withstand the harsh conditions public safety professionals often encounter.
The company will also show off a comprehensive portfolio of Apple-compatible products comprised of four product categories, including JetDrive Go Lightning flash drives and RDA2 smart card readers that expand iPhone and iPad storage, JetDrive Lite expansion cards aimed at MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air users, JetDrive SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook laptops, and StoreJet for Mac Thunderbolt portable hard drives and SSDs. These Apple Solutions feature simple yet elegant designs that complement Apple products, and have received both the prestigious Good Design Award in Japan and the Taiwan Excellence Award.
Transcend will display its mobile-access-friendly StoreJet Cloud personal cloud storage device and demonstrate its auto backup function that works across multiple platforms as well as its home media streaming capabilities. Visitors can experience seamless media streaming of videos, movies, or photos from Transcend’s StoreJet Cloud to mobile devices, laptops, and smart TVs, and remotely access their personal cloud device with Transcend’s exclusive iOS and Android apps.
In addition, Transcend will show off applications for health care, transportation, military, and gaming, highlighting the stability and compatibility of its products for a wide array of embedded applications. Transcend will also conduct on-site demonstrations of SuperMLC, Hardware Purge, and Intelligent Power Shield. In addition, its SSD Scope Pro software, Security Encryption technology, and conformal coating technology will be shown as static demonstrations.

Accessories
HUAWEI Intros Open-Ear FreeArc Earbuds

Huawei has launched its latest audio innovation, the HUAWEI FreeArc, further solidifying its leadership in the fast-growing open-ear wearables segment. Designed for comfort and situational awareness, the FreeArc offers a secure, pressure-free fit without blocking the ear canal—catering to users who demand high-quality audio without sacrificing awareness of their surroundings.
Open-ear earbuds, which sit outside the ear rather than inside it, have surged in popularity due to their comfort and safety benefits, particularly for fitness enthusiasts, commuters, and professionals. According to Canalys, global shipments of open-ear headphones reached nearly 8 million units in Q3 2024—a staggering fourfold increase from the same period last year.
Huawei has been at the forefront of this shift. The company ranked first in global wearable shipments for the first three quarters of 2024 (IDC), backed by its extensive audio R&D network—including seven research centers, over 1,000 audio specialists, and more than 250 patents. Its first open-ear model, the HUAWEI FreeClip, has already surpassed 2 million units shipped worldwide, demonstrating strong consumer demand for innovative wearable audio solutions.
Huawei’s journey in open-ear wearables began in 2019 with its collaboration with Gentle Monster on HUAWEI Eyewear, blending fashion with cutting-edge audio technology. The FreeClip, launched later, marked Huawei’s entry into the Open Wireless Stereo (OWS) category, featuring a flexible C-bridge design for a lightweight, breathable fit.
Now, the FreeArc takes this legacy further as Huawei’s first open-ear earbuds with earhooks. Built with a nickel-titanium alloy frame, the new model enhances stability and adaptability for a wider range of ear shapes while retaining the signature C-bridge comfort. Engineered for active lifestyles, the FreeArc boasts an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, making it ideal for workouts, travel, and daily commutes. Key enhancements include:
- High-sensitivity drivers for crisp, balanced sound
- Dual-Resonator Antenna for stronger connectivity
- Wind-resistant microphones for clearer calls in outdoor environments
With the FreeArc, Huawei continues to refine its open-ear offerings, combining ergonomic design with practical durability.
Accessories
Yango Group Launches Yasmina Lite Smart Speaker

Yango Group has launched Yasmina Lite, the latest addition to its line of smart speakers. Available in three bright colours — pink, purple, and green — Yasmina Lite is the smallest device in the range to date. The new speaker is equipped with the powerful AI assistant Yasmina that engages in intelligent, human-like conversations in both Arabic and English.
Designed with families in mind, Yasmina now features whisper mode — if a person whispers to Yasmina, the assistant whispers back. This mode is perfect for quiet moments, like planning the next day while other family members are asleep. Simply whisper, “Yasmina, what’s the weather tomorrow?” and the assistant will respond in a hushed tone.
Yasmina also offers access to a wide range of educational and entertainment content. Parents can use it to play podcasts and audio stories from Shamandar for their children. The AI assistant also streams music from Yango Play and can identify up to four family members by voice, adapting to their preferences. It remembers their likes and dislikes and suggests songs they might enjoy based on their tastes.
Yasmina excels at breaking down complex ideas and making them accessible to anyone.
Whether it’s scientific principles or cultural practices, the AI assistant explains concepts in ways that resonate with people of all ages. From answering questions like “How do bees make honey?” to helping with math using a built-in calculator, Yasmina is always ready to chat and explain. Available in three colours, the Yasmina Lite smart speaker also comes with playful stickers, so that families can customize the speaker to match their tastes.
“The Yasmina Lite smart speaker is indeed the brightest and most playful smart speaker we’ve ever created — small in size but big in personality,” said Rami Abu Arja, Senior Innovation Marketing Manager at Yasmina, Yango Group Middle East. “Featuring a powerful AI assistant capable of human-like interactions and a vibrant design, this new addition to the range is the perfect choice for those young at heart. It’s not just a speaker — it’s an everyday companion that brings joy, knowledge, and entertainment to your home.”
To fully enjoy everything, the Yasmina Lite smart speaker has to offer, including music streaming and recommendations, users need to activate a subscription to Yango Play. The Yasmina Lite smart speaker is now available for purchase through various outlets across the UAE, including Eros, Jumbo, Sharaf, and Virgin Mega Store. Customers can also find the Yasmina Lite smart speaker online on Amazon and Noon. It is currently priced at AED 199.
Accessories
Apple’s Beats Unveils Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart-Rate Monitoring

Apple Inc.’s Beats division has unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, which features noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor, and a revamped design aimed at athletes. This new model incorporates capabilities seen in Apple’s AirPods, such as transparency mode for better external noise awareness and the H2 chip for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, it offers improved spatial audio for a 3D listening experience and comes with a smaller, wireless charging case.
The heart-rate monitor is a notable first for Apple-designed earbuds, expanding the company’s health-related features, and utilizes technology found in the Apple Watch. Despite a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business—with sales in the division falling nearly 2% to about $11.8 billion—the introduction of these new earbuds is anticipated to drive interest and sales.
Priced at $250, the same as the previous model, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in black, orange, purple, and a color called quicksand. This price point matches the AirPods Pro 2, although the Powerbeats may be more appealing to athletes due to their secure ear hooks.
Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats as well as the company’s sports, TV+, and music initiatives, hailed the new Powerbeats as “the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, Beats remains the company’s largest acquisition to date.
The heart-rate monitor will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, with data integration into the Apple Health app. The earbuds will also be compatible with Android devices. Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with heart-rate monitoring, though they are still many months away from release.
In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds an advantage over AirPods, with 10 hours of usage on their own and 45 hours with the charging case, compared to six hours for AirPods alone and up to 30 hours with the case. However, AirPods continue to offer unique features, such as a new hearing aid functionality.
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