Cleaning made easier with the LG robot

 By Dan Muhuni

You no longer have to bend, stretch or kneel trying to clean every nook and cranny in your house, this according to LG Electronics, the makers of the new smart robotic vacuum machine dubbed Hom-Bot Square.

The robot vacuum cleaner sets itself apart from its rivals by offering a choice of customisable cleaning modes that give you control of the cleaning process. For Kenyan professionals who often have to juggle competing tasks; the Hom-Bot comes in handy in reclaiming your time.   

“You can set it and go on about your business, letting it run automatically on the default settings, say Moses Marji, the LG East Africa Marketing General Manager. Hom-Bot Square cleans effectively and efficiently, thanks to Corner Master, which is comprises two long brushes, Corner Detecting Sensors and the cleaner’s unique shape.

With its more angular form and newly designed brushes that have been lengthened by 1.5cm, the robot can remove dust and dirt from the tightest of corners. 

The Corner Detecting Sensors enable the smart cleaner to pinpoint its exact location in the home, telling it when to turn or if it has reached the edge of a room.

Besides doing a decent job cleaning your home, the innovation has eclipsed LG’s potential competitor, the Roomba.

 Besides cleaning corners more effectively than its rivals, the Hom-Bot has two sweeping brush while the Roomba has two.

 The Roomba brags of one primary cleaning mode while the Hom-Bot packs two, plus five additional modes.

Robotic cleaners typically have only one camera. The advanced Hom-Bot Square uses two improved Dual Eye 2.0™ cameras to plot out a smarter, faster and more efficient cleaning route. 

Taking several images per second, the upper and lower cameras effectively scan ceilings, walls and floors, even in the dark.

This information is then analyzed by Hom-Bot Square generate smarter mapping. At the same time, multiple sensors detect all obstacles within a 180 degree field, taking a myriad of surface images for collision-free operation. 

The Hom-Bot Square also features a Learning Function which enables it to recognize areas it has previously cleaned.

 This helps it to remember the positioning of objects or to sense when an area is already clean, minimising unnecessary repetition.

Low noise level means the vacuum can clean when you’re watching TV, talking on the phone or reading. With a height of just 89mm, the unit’s slimmed-down profile enables it to maneuver around the home with ease, even under most furniture.

The LG Hom-Bot Square makes cleaning more convenient because it requires less frequent emptying thanks to the larger capacity Easy-out Dust Bin. 

 Unlike other robotic vacuum cleaners where the dust bin is located on the side, the Easy-out Dust Bin is positioned at the top of the cleaner for quick and hygienic removal.

The larger and upgraded HEPA 11 filter also enables it to separate dust particles from the air more thoroughly, while also helping eliminate unpleasant odors. 

Turbo Mode lets users manually adjust the cleaner to best match the characteristics of their flooring and Smart Turbo Mode automatically detects the type of flooring and changes its own settings for best performance.

Users will further enjoy a host of convenient features such as Voice Guidance, which includes over 90 voice alerts as well as Smart Diagnosis that troubleshoots problems more easily. 
Additionally, the improved battery holds more charge, meaning owners of the LG Hom-Bot Square can enjoy extended periods of worry-free automated cleaning.

Rampant smartphone theft is making insurance a necessity

By ICT Correspondent

About $7 million worth of smartphones are lost daily in the U.S. Though the numbers wouldn’t be as staggering in the Kenyan context were a survey to be conducted, the reality would still be appalling.

Besides the smartphones that fall under the dubious embrace of street urchins in Nairobi’s Central Business District, the rising number of PSV carjacking means  mobile insurance is something one should consider after acquiring a pricey high-end smartphone.    

Chances are that you never leave the house without your phone, and if you do, you feel as if there is an integral part of you missing. Owing to the fact the phone is the one gadget you carry constantly, the likelihood of you losing or damaging the device is high.

“If you depend on your cell phone and you know you would need a prompt replacement in case of damage or theft, then Orient Mobile is an insurance cover definitely worth considering” says Muema Muindi from Kenya Orient Insurance.

Telephones have evolved from the yesteryear gadgets that were connected to walls. Even cordless phones were easier to locate because they were rarely taken out of range of the base. In the new of smartphones, a phone can be misplaced anywhere we go because they accompany us everywhere we go.

Cracked smartphone screens and phones being yanked from windows of moving vehicles are a common sight. Mobile phones are extremely portable and easily resold. These characteristics make them ideal targets for criminals, and those who carry smartphones ideal targets for robbers.

Mobile phone insurance is meant to step in when you are a victim of phone crisis through left or damage.  But like any other form of insurance, it will cost you. Many consumers avoid the extra monthly premiums that insurance will add to their bills, and hope that they don't become a part of the statistics.

But if your smartphone is stolen, your concern could be much more than simply having to replace your handset. Not only are many smartphones worth thousands of shillings, but thieves can quickly rack up huge bills on stolen smartphones.

You may be liable for all charges accumulated on your phone before blocking it with your provider. This is usually set out in the terms and conditions of your contract. It is therefore imperative that one contacts their provider soonest to avert bills from unauthorized use.  

A nicked cell phone is more than just the absence of the treasured gadget. It's also means the loss of critical data and the possible identity theft. “We cover accidental damage e.g. damage caused by dropping the phone/ tablet, malicious damage i.e. vandalism and liquid damage,” says Mr. Muindi.

"Some smartphone owners are very cognizant of the peace of mind and serenity of extra security that this Orinet mobile insurance brings," says James Maina, a mobile phones vendor. "Additionally, some customers are much more accident-prone and seem to drop their phones frequently. For them, insurance scheme is really worth the extra money.”

Mr Muindi explains that unlike other insurance products, mobile phone cover doesn't depend on one’s gender, job, what you earn or other standard risks and registering a Claim online is easy and takes only a couple of minutes. “All you need is the ID that you used to register for your Kenya Orient  Policy. We however only insure selected models and only mobile phones that can access the internet.”