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Huawei unveiled the FreeClip true wireless earphones with a unique design. Having spent a couple of weeks with a pair, we are now ready to share with you how well they actually work.

The Freeclip design is open-ear, and while it looks like a bone-conducting wearable, it actually plays audio directed towards the ear canal while it sits freely clipped around the helix of the ear.

Design

The color of our variant is Black and they ship in a case that is matte light gray on the outside and dark gray on the inside. The earphones are actually Black, but their surface is reflective, meaning the color is not that prominent.

The case has a LED light on the outside to indicate the battery capacity, with three modes – Green for over 75%, Yellow between 25% and 75%, and Red below 25%. There is a button on the right-hand side for pairing, and the buds sit inside.

The FreeClip is the first open-ear audio wearable that does not differentiate between left and right earbuds. The clips read which side of the case they come out, and that's how they adapt. For example, one of the buds sitting on the right side of the case will be the right channel.

However, if you switch ears without putting the buds back in the case, they won't reset, and the channels will be inverted. It sounds complicated, but in practice we found no issue – rarely, you would need to actually unclip the buds, hold them in your palm, and then put them back randomly.

We use the verb “clip” although the truth is there is no genuine clipping; the buds simply stay on the ear. It takes some time to get used to placing them correctly, but after the second or third try, the process comes naturally. We just pinched them by the C-bridge, put the Comfort Bean behind the ear, and the Acoustic Ball naturally faces the ear canal.

Huawei stated it based the fit design on studying 10,000+ different human ear shapes in its Huawei Labs. The goal was the buds to fit anyone's ears.

Features

The FreeClip does not have a single touch-sensitive area. There are three separate zones instead – one for each part of the earphone. There are no less than four microphones on each bud – two on the Acoustic Ball to listen to the speaker during calls and two more on the Bean to pick up and eliminate surrounding sounds and voices.

The buds pair just like any other Bluetooth audio device, but we recommend using the AI Life app for Android and Harmony OS devices. There are some customizations such as Sound effects, the gestures can be changed, and the app also handles software updates.

One feature Huawei has been implementing in its audio wearables is dual-device connections, and the FreeClip actually performed better than previous Freebuds we've tested. Our buds were constantly connected to a Windows computer and an Android smartphone and effortlessly switched from one source to another, provided only one played audio.

Each bud weighs just 5.6 grams, and often our reviewers forgot they even had them on. There is an IP54 certification for splash and dust resistance, which makes the FreeClip ideal for casual sports and gym activities.

Performance and audio quality

The big question everyone had at the launch was about sound leakage, and we can confirm it is there, and it is significant, especially when the music is loud. Using them in our open-space office was a burden for the reviewer's deskmates, who always complained about the volume.

We recommend you don't exceed 70-80% volume if you don't want to be too bothersome to those around you.

The device is an engineering marvel, especially with the 9 wires in the C-bridge, linking the Bean and the Ball to become this impressive product. It is equal parts a fashion accessory and an audio wearable, but there's no escaping the fact that sound is sub-par.

Lovers of crisp, loud music will not appreciate these earphones; they are for the casual podcast and music listener who would appreciate the futuristic look above sound quality.

This is how you put the Huawei FreeClip

The FreeClip earphones offer a low-latency mode, which can be enabled through the AI Life app. They also have wear sensors that detect when the buds are on the ear and pause the playback when you take them off, which is turned on by default.

Calls are stable, but given the fact the buds are open-ear, we do not recommend using them in crowded, noisy spaces, as the buds can often pick up the voices of random people, and this is not ideal for the person on the other side of the call.

The FreeClip earphones feature no ANC as it wouldn't be very useful with the open-ear design.

Battery life

The Huawei FreeClip's case has 510 mAh capacity, and each bud has 55 mAh more, with Huawei promising up to 36 hours of listening on a single charge.

In reality, we got 32 hours over the span of three complete cycles, and that's with occasional breaks where the buds sat in the case.

30+ hours of listening on one charge is still an impressive feat, and given how fast the FreeClip charges from 0 to 100% you will rarely find them without charge.

The earbuds alone are advertised to fill completely in 40 minutes, while the case needs 60 minutes on the wire. In real life testing we achieved a better result - the case with both clips recharged fully in 45 minutes! The case also supports wireless charging, and we got from 0 to 100% in about 2.5 hours, which is close to the advertised charging time.

Verdict

The Huawei FreeClip practically has no competition on the market, as it aims to establish its own category. It is a stylish, innovative solution, but not directly comparable to any other TWS set. Fit is different and looks are subjective.

With that said, we must consider the £180/€200 price tag. Huawei often bundles gifts with its wearables, which lowers the effective price of the FreeClip a bit. Still, we wouldn't recommend them to anybody who values audio quality.

The FreeClip is for a person who wants to look different and appreciates their extravagant fit. If you fall in the first category you might as well deliver a pair a try and see if you don't also make the second one.

What's New, Huawei?

As soon as technologies advanced to a point where companies could translate their products into virtual reality devices, the mobile world joined in the VR rush. And now, we have another new player—Huawei. But with popular products such as the Samsung Gear VR or the LG 360 VR, what does Huawei have to add to the mobile virtual reality bandwagon?

Meet Huawei's modestly named Huawei VR.

The Chinese electronics company revealed the product when they announced the release of their new smartphone, the P9.

The new Huawei VR headset. Credit: Engadget

The Specs

The P9 smartphone works together with the Huawei VR as its interface and processor pretty much the same way the Samsung Gear VR does it. It also has a trackpad on one side, giving the user access to a number of different functions and allowing the use of the phone even while it's in the headset.

The headset operates with the usual 20ms low latency and 95° field-of-view (the Samsung Gear VR offers 96°) and an anti-blue light filter.

However, its display is limited by the P9's 1080p screen, which isn't much when it comes to the current devices out in the market. But unlike the Samsung Gear VR, this product is reportedly the first to incorporate 360-degree sound field (as long as it's running the right content, that is).

The company asserts that, as soon as the product is released, it will have about 4,000 videos and 40 games. The device's pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but the specs deliver an idea on where Huawei places itself in the virtual reality market.

After announcing its new flagship phones—the P9 and P9 Plus—in London last week, Huawei hosted a launch event in Shanghai where the company also included a little surprise. Huawei has officially joined the VR race with its own virtual reality headsets, simply named Huawei VR.

Just like the Samsung Gear VR, Huawei VR headsets work by opening the front cover and secure the appropriate phone running a VR app. The headset also has a touch panel, a back button, and volume buttons.

Huawei VR will have 4,000 movies, over 40 games, 150 panoramic tours, and 350 panoramic images, all available for free. No price or release dates have been announced yet.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one trend stands out prominently, reshaping the way tech sales are conducted—Virtual Reality (VR). This cutting-edge technology is not merely a buzzword; it’s a transformative force that is revolutionizing the sales process across industries. As we delve into the intricate realm of VR, it becomes evident that its impact on tech sales is more than just a passing fad. This article explores the emerging trends in VR and its profound influence on the sales strategies of tech companies.

Before we delve into the impact of VR on tech sales, it’s crucial to grasp the essence of this groundbreaking technology. Virtual Reality is an immersive experience that uses computer-generated environments to simulate a realistic three-dimensional world. Through specialized hardware like VR headsets and controllers, users can interact with and navigate these simulated environments. This creates an unparalleled level of engagement and immersion, making VR a powerful tool for various applications, including gaming, healthcare, education, and, significantly, sales.

Enhancing Product Demonstrations

One of the primary ways VR is reshaping tech sales is through enhanced product demonstrations. Traditional sales methods often rely on static presentations and product descriptions, leaving potential customers with a limited understanding of the product’s features and capabilities. VR changes this dynamic by offering an immersive experience where customers can interact with the product in a virtual environment.

For instance, a tech company can use VR to create a lifelike simulation of its latest gadget, allowing customers to explore its functions, design, and user interface. This hands-on experience goes beyond what traditional sales pitches can achieve, providing customers with a more comprehensive understanding of the product. As a result, tech sales teams can showcase their offerings more effectively, potentially increasing conversion rates.

Virtual Showrooms and Remote Collaboration

VR is breaking down geographical barriers by enabling virtual showrooms and remote collaboration. In the era of globalized markets, businesses often face the challenge of reaching customers and partners across different regions. VR addresses this challenge by creating virtual showrooms that allow customers to explore products and services from the comfort of their homes.

Moreover, VR facilitates remote collaboration among sales teams, eliminating the need for extensive travel. Sales representatives can hold virtual meetings, share presentations, and collaborate on projects in a simulated environment, fostering efficient communication and teamwork. This not only saves time and resources but also enhances the overall productivity of tech sales teams.

Personalized Customer Experiences

The era of generic sales pitches is gradually giving way to personalized customer experiences, and VR is at the forefront of this transformation. By leveraging data analytics and user preferences, tech companies can create personalized VR experiences tailored to individual customers. These experiences can include customized product demos, interactive simulations, and virtual walkthroughs based on the customer’s specific needs and preferences.

This personalized approach not only enhances customer engagement but also builds a stronger connection between the customer and the product. Customers are more likely to remember and resonate with a brand that goes the extra mile to provide a unique and tailored experience. As a result, tech sales teams employing VR can establish a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace.

Training and Skill Development

Beyond sales presentations and product demos, VR is playing a pivotal role in training and skill development for sales professionals. Simulated environments allow sales teams to undergo realistic training scenarios, honing their communication and negotiation skills in a risk-free setting. VR-based training programs can simulate various customer interactions, objections, and challenging situations, preparing sales representatives for real-world scenarios.

This immersive training not only accelerates the learning curve but also enhances retention and application of knowledge. Sales teams can practice and refine their techniques within the virtual space, leading to more confident and skilled professionals. As a result, tech companies investing in VR-based training programs are likely to witness a positive impact on the performance and effectiveness of their sales teams.

Overcoming Objections Through Virtual Reality

Handling customer objections is an integral part of the sales process, and VR provides a unique solution to this challenge. Through interactive simulations, sales representatives can address common objections within a virtual environment. This allows them to practice responses, explore alternative solutions, and refine their objection-handling skills.

Moreover, VR can create scenarios that replicate real-world objections, providing a dynamic and adaptive training ground. Sales teams can learn to navigate objections with finesse, turning challenges into opportunities. This proactive approach enables tech sales professionals to build stronger relationships with customers and instills confidence in their ability to address concerns effectively.

Challenges and Considerations

While the adoption of VR in tech sales brings numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and considerations associated with this technology. The initial costs of implementing VR solutions, including hardware and software development, can be significant. Tech companies need to carefully evaluate the return on investment and weigh the long-term benefits against the upfront expenses.

Additionally, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly VR experience is crucial. Technical glitches or a steep learning curve can hinder the adoption of VR solutions in sales processes. Therefore, thorough testing, user feedback, and ongoing support are imperative to guarantee a positive and effective VR experience for both sales teams and customers.

Conclusion

The impact of Virtual Reality on tech sales is undeniable, with emerging trends shaping the industry’s landscape. From enhanced product demonstrations and virtual showrooms to personalized customer experiences and innovative training programs, VR is redefining how tech companies approach sales. As the technology continues to evolve, embracing VR in sales strategies can position tech companies at the forefront of innovation, providing a competitive edge in a rapidly changing marketplace. The future of tech sales is undeniably intertwined with the immersive and transformative power of Virtual Reality.

Huawei, one of the world's leading providers of information and communications technology (ICT), has long been committed to creating a full connected, sustainable, and intelligent world, with the aim to bring connectivity to over 120 million people across remote areas in over 80 countries by 2025. In 2022, Huawei joined the International Telecommunication Union's Partner2Connect Digital Coalition to help provide ICT infrastructure to rural areas around the world, granting underserved communities access to smart education, remote healthcare, and other digital services that can lay the foundation for future economic prosperity.

At Huawei's third annual Sustainability Forum in Dongguan, China, held under the theme 'Thrive Together with Tech: Realizing Sustainable Development', Huawei brought together its executives and representatives from multiple organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, to discuss the importance and successes of utilizing technology to increase connectivity without compromising the health of our planet.

"Next-generation digital infrastructure, like connectivity and computing power, are as vital to driving socio-economic development as our physical infrastructure, just like roads. This new infrastructure will be crucial to sustainable development for all of society." said Dr. Liang Hua, Huawei's Chairman of the Board, during the forum's opening speech. "Computing is a core driver of productivity in the digital economy. Faster rollout of computing infrastructure will help speed up digital transition in many industries and promote deeper integration of digital and real economies. This can further promote global economic stability and sustainable development."

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of ITU, also spoke at the forum, highlighting how digital technologies can accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Currently, only 15% of the UN SDGs are on track for 2030. Digital technologies can accelerate the achievement of these targets by up to 70% if new and innovative technologies are properly harnessed. Let's not choose between tech and sustainable development. We need both! Let's thrive together with tech. Let's build a digital future that advances progress for people and the planet."

Jeff Wang, President of Huawei's Public Affairs and Communications Department, noted: "Huawei is proud to partner with ITU for this important cause, and to see young visionaries making a tangible impact for digital inclusion all across the world. The support that participants will receive includes financial contributions to their projects, mentoring from ITU and Huawei experts, and opportunities to participate in joint events."

"Through ITU and Huawei's joint efforts, young people will learn, contribute and lead in the digital world," said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. "Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. We want youth to push the envelope on the evolving global digital ecosystem and make their transformative contributions. I thank Huawei for this great partnership, and I look forward to seeing the global impact of this innovative project."

The P2C Coalition, launched by ITU, fosters meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally, prioritizing remote communities in countries and regions that lack digital access. Huawei signed the global commitment last year, setting goals to bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025. So far, Huawei has provided 2,066 training opportunities in the ITU's first P2C partner country Cambodia, in collaboration with local ministries and universities.

In Thailand, Huawei's commitment to digital inclusion is also evident in its Digital Bus project initiated in 2021. This project reinforces digital inclusiveness by providing free and tailored digital training to 10 rural provinces, 40 remote communities, and over 3,000 rural children, workers, and SMEs. Through this initiative, Huawei contributes to the development of digital skills and STEM education, fostering a more inclusive learning environment. In addition, Huawei joined forces with Thailand's Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for the USO 2.0 project in acknowledgment of the digital divide prevalent in rural areas. In addition, the company remains committed in advancing its mission to "Grow in Thailand, Contribute to Thailand" and to "Lead Everyone Forward, Leave No One Behind", with a dedicated focus on facilitating Thailand's digital transformation and adoption of green technologies.

Oleg Fonarov is the founder and CEO of Program-Ace, a software engineering and digital transformation company.

Mixed reality (MR) is having a bit of a moment. Technologies like virtual and augmented reality may be the most familiar to consumers, featuring in headlines, expos and mass media, but mixed reality is also gaining ground, albeit in a more subtle way. You see, it is not typically used for flashy things like games and entertainment, but instead focuses on helping enterprises Improve their business processes.

How do enterprises leverage MR?

As it has happened with other immersive technologies, mixed reality has been applied by enterprises in many unique ways, influenced by each company’s strategy and goals. However, simulated training is one common use, and we want to examine how well it works for training software development. One of the major focuses of my company is developing immersive solutions, and our experience has shown that there is strong demand for immersive training solutions, including in the field of mixed reality.

What makes mixed reality unique?

As an immersive technology, MR sits somewhere between augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). You probably know that AR relies on a camera and screen (usually on a mobile phone) to capture users’ surroundings and project digital elements in relevant spots. In contrast, virtual reality presents a complete digital world via a headset.

Like VR, MR utilizes a headset that takes up the users’ entire field of view, but the world they see isn’t necessarily 100% digital. Mixed reality gives users a useful combination of the real and the digital, allowing them to interact with virtual environments and objects with their hands.

What industries are using MR?

MR is still considered a burgeoning technology, so it doesn’t quite have the reach or the market size of AR/VR. Still, it has made a name for itself in multiple industries, including military, aviation, manufacturing and healthcare. The extraordinary level of trust in the technology is exemplified by the U.S. military training service people for life-and-death situations with it, and surgeons using it for cooperation during life-saving procedures.

Five Ways MR Boosts Training Development

When you set out to create training solutions, you don’t just choose a target platform based on its technical specs and features — you also consider how difficult it will be to create software for it and how well it can serve your business interests. Fortunately, mixed reality headsets provide multiple benefits that make them a good choice for training:

1. Industry-tailored hardware: Makers of MR hardware know who their target customers are (enterprises) and thus design their products with business utilization in mind. This helps enterprises quickly make use of hardware without needing to first figure out how to adapt it to the current gear their employees wear. For example, one popular MR headset — the Microsoft Hololens 2 — comes in two tailored variants: one for construction sites and an industrial version for protective suits and hazardous locations.

2. Simplified remote cooperation: MR devices are often meant to be used together, sometimes in tandem. Through audio/video streaming, 3-D visualization and holographic sharing, trainers can impart knowledge to workers without being in the same room. Additionally, they can monitor and guide the process as the trainees pick up new skills. Boeing is one prominent company using such a solution — technicians use headsets during aircraft maintenance, allowing engineers to help out without leaving their desks.

3. Greater freedom of movement: One of the biggest selling points of MR technology is that it usually supports automatic hand- and eye-tracking based on computer vision. Most VR apps need the help of controllers to support complex interactions, and AR usually requires you to hold up your phone, but MR leaves your hands free. For example, Lockheed Martin uses MR headsets during manufacturing training, during which the free use of both hands is crucial.

4. The ability to turn any location into a training ground: Most MR headsets are wireless and work with the help of a battery pack. Thus, they can be taken and used in any area, be it a construction site, factory floor, operation room or another location. For example, Mercedes Benz is saving their technicians’ time and money by shipping MR devices to dealerships, and then helping local engineers make repairs that fall outside their knowledge. Even with so many devices deployed to numerous locations, it’s usually possible to control them through associated services offered with the hardware.

5. Great support and infrastructure: Developing for MR devices is a relatively comfortable experience because headset providers take care to make sure your business needs are met and that you have the documentation and tools needed to develop your application and test it out. Some companies even offer developer editions of their MR products, which makes it easier to experiment, build functionality and test new software.

Conclusions

Mixed reality might not be the only immersive tech used for enterprise training, but it’s not hard to see why it is a popular choice. MR tech is already able to deliver key features and enterprise support that make it a viable option to consider.

Any company that chooses to build such immersive solutions can go the route of gathering expertise and knowledge themselves as they learn the ins and outs of the technology, or select a development partner with relevant experience and the resources to deliver the project successfully. Hundreds of providers are ready to step up today and lend a helping hand if you choose this approach.

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The Higher Education Commission and Huawei Technologies Pakistan to organize an eight-day long online training for 30 to 40 outstanding Pakistani students in the field of ICT tentatively from 26th of this month.

HEC and Huawei, in that regard, are inviting applications from potential Pakistani undergraduate students under the “Huawei Seeds for the Future Programme 2022”.

According to the Assistant Director Learning Opportunities Abroad Higher Education Commission Pakistan, 130 students were selected from varsities across Pakistan by HEC and 55 of them were sent by Huawei to China for two weeks training on culture and advance ICT skills.

HEC Official informed that the deadline to apply for this program is 18th of this month.

The selected students will be able to obtain valuable cutting-edge ICT knowledge (5G, Cloud, AI developed by Huawei's Headquarters and experience a cross-cultural communication virtually.

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