The investment also includes the installation of a water treatment plant with state-of-the-art water recovery technology, designed to reduce water consumption

WINDHOEK, Namibia, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) (www.CCBAGroup.com) has invested $50 million in a new bottling line in Namibia, capable of producing 27,000 bottles per hour. This upgrade will increase the plant’s output capacity by 30% and stimulate growth throughout the company’s value chain.

As a customer-centric, digitally enabled, growth-driven business, we are committed to excellence across our value chain

The investment also includes the installation of a water treatment plant with state-of-the-art water recovery technology, designed to reduce water consumption. Additionally, the integration of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, will require skills training for employees, contributing to the development of a future-ready workforce for both the business and the country.

“We’ve ensured that this production line goes beyond output numbers,” said Pottie de Bruyn, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Namibia. “It’s about creating shared opportunities across the value chain. The increased production also provides a boost to local businesses that supply us with raw materials and services.”

Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of CCBA, echoed the sentiment, adding, “This investment is a clear demonstration of our continued belief in the future of Namibia.”

Gupta also highlighted CCBA’s broader goals: “As a customer-centric, digitally enabled, growth-driven business, we are committed to excellence across our value chain. Efficient operations allow us to offer faster delivery and superior service. This new production line is another step in our journey to achieve even greater levels of execution excellence.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca Cola Beverages Africa.

Agile, practical, and with a zoom range that professionals count on, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is ideal for sport, wildlife, news and hybrid shooting where that extra flexibility and reach is important

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) today announces three important new additions to its RF series of hybrid lenses; which join an ever-growing range of L-series primes and zooms for the EOS R system. The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z, RF 50mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24mm F1.4L VCM lenses are part of a new range of hybrid optics that offer essential video features such as a smooth operation iris ring with an 11-bladed circular aperture, fast and effective low light performance as well as advanced optics and minimal focus breathing – features that satisfy the demands of both photographers and videographers. Canon’s pioneering RF lens mount has made this hybrid lens technology possible and reflects the changing needs of the professional as the demand for a lens without compromise drives them to step into both worlds.

Agile, practical, and with a zoom range that professionals count on, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is ideal for sport, wildlife, news and hybrid shooting where that extra flexibility and reach is important. It offers professionals critical filmmaking features such as electronic parfocal performance and focus breathing suppression, plus servo zoom via optional Power Zoom Adapters, a built-in 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabiliser [1] and dedicated Iris Ring [2] for smooth aperture control. The lens is compatible with Canon’s optional RF extenders, too, and for smooth zooming the optional Power Zoom Adapters – PZ-E2 or PZ-E2B – can be used by hand or remotely via Canon’s Camera Connect / EOS Utility applications, Browser Remote function or over IP using Canon’s XC Protocol with compatible cameras. The PZ-E2B’s 20-pin interface also supports Canon’s Zoom Servo Grip for more comfortable control as well as Zoom/Focus demands for more studio-based applications.

The RF 50mm F1.4L VCM offers a very useful focal length and delivers exceptional sharpness and outstanding image quality, along with a pleasingly natural angle-of-view, close to that of the human eye, making it perfect for low light portraits, reportage or weddings and event videos with a cinematic look. It is also 40 percent lighter than the RF 50mm F1.2L USM, which will satisfy creators looking for a fast aperture prime with lightweight handling.

The RF 24mm F1.4L VCM, which is around 20 percent lighter than its EF predecessor, offers a wide focal length making it great for landscapes, architecture and interiors, plus environmental portraits, filmmaking and video interviews where showing the subject in context is important. The two primes are the same size and shape as the rest of the hybrid prime range, making them more convenient to use for video rigging.

The RF 50mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24mm F1.4L VCM are the same size as the other hybrid prime lens in the range – the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM – and both offer a fast f/1.4 aperture, which is a great advantage in low light, and with a Nano USM and Voice Coil Motor [3] the lenses excel with exceptionally fast autofocus and near-silent operation. They are also capable of working in challenging conditions, too, thanks to an L-series design [4] housing high-quality glass elements and a water-resistant rubber on the mount. A fluorine coating on the lens’ first surface prevents dirt sticking to the front elements while a dedicated Lens Control Ring, Iris Ring and customisable Lens Function Button bring advanced levels of personalised control.

Designed to reflect and satisfy the converging videos and stills market, all three of these new hybrid lenses – with their video features such as Iris Ring [2], minimal focus breathing and smooth focus – deliver new levels of creative control, with stunning image quality.

Key features of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z: https://apo-opa.co/4fgYBj1

• Essential focal length range with a wide f/2.8 aperture throughout, for a wide variety of shooting scenarios

• Excellent image quality and weather sealing provide added durability – alongside sharp high-contrast images thanks to two Super UD lenses, one UD lens, three aspherical lenses plus ASC and Super Spectra coatings

• Professional electronic parfocal focus capability and focus breathing suppression maintains a consistent field-of-view when shooting movies

• Internal zoom operation means the barrel length is constant, which is better for rigging, weather resistance, and has a smoother operation

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers great artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• Choice of white heat-resistant coating or standard black

• Weight 1115g (white), 1110g (black) excluding tripod mount

• Measurements 88.5mm (w) x 199mm (L)

Key features of the Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM  https://apo-opa.co/3YRep6u

• Natural 50mm focal length with a fast f/1.4 aperture is ideal for shooting portraits and videos in low light and video with creative depth-of-field control

• Superb image quality thanks to two aspheric lens elements and a UD lens, plus Super Spectra and ASC coatings for excellent sharpness and contrast. L-series weather-sealing for professional durability in challenging conditions

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers great artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• VCM and Nano USM motors provide smooth, fast and quiet autofocus

• Custom button and control ring make it easy for customisation and control over camera settings

• Weight 580g

•  Measurements: Approx. 76.5x 99.3 mm

Key features of the Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM  https://apo-opa.co/3YPVXLh

• Wide 24mm focal length with a fast f/1.4 aperture is ideal for shooting interiors and landscapes in low light and video with creative depth-of-field control

• Excellent image quality is assured thanks to two UD lenses and one aspheric lens, plus Super Spectra, SWC and ASC coatings for superb sharpness and contrast. L-series weather-sealing offers professional durability in challenging conditions

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers strong artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• VCM and Nano USM motors deliver smooth, fast and quiet autofocus

• Custom button and control ring make it easy for customisation and control over camera settings

• Rear filter holder on back of the lens brings even greater creative control

• Weight 515 g

•  Measurements: Approx. 76.5x 99.3 mm

For more information about the new hybrid lenses, please visit:

https://apo-opa.co/4fgYBj1
https://apo-opa.co/3YRep6u
https://apo-opa.co/3YPVXLh

[1]  CIPA-2024 standard: At lens centre 5.5-stops, in the yaw/pitch directions at a focal length of 200 mm using an EOS R8.

[2]  Iris ring is inactive for controlling aperture in still photo shooting when using the lens with EOS R system cameras released before May 2024.

[3]  Important: the Voice Coil Motor (VCM) emits a low-level magnetic field. While generally safe to use, we advise consulting your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any other medical device to address any concerns.

[4] Although the lens features dust- and water-resistant construction, this cannot completely prevent dust or water droplets from entering the lens.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2024 – Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. (OPPO) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held a signing ceremony to further deepen their collaboration based on the agreement signed in 2022, contributing to the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). According to the renewal agreement, OPPO will collaborate with PolyU to increase funding and technology investment, upgrading the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Research Centre”, which marks a new chapter in the comprehensive partnership in AI imaging technology.
  
The signing ceremony took place last Friday (1 November) at the PolyU campus, witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr Jason LIAO, President of OPPO Research Institute. The agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr Zheng QIN, Head of Industry-Academia Affairs of OPPO. Under the framework of the agreement, the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab” will be upgraded to the “Joint Innovation Research Centre.” Additionally, OPPO will provide no less than RMB 30 million over the next five years to expand the scale of co-trained PhD and postdoctoral researchers, promoting technical development and exploration in imaging algorithms while further deepening the collaborative efforts between OPPO and PolyU in AI imaging technology.

“In the three years of collaboration between OPPO and PolyU, we have witnessed significant technological breakthroughs and notable achievements in talent cultivation through the Joint Lab,” said Jason LIAO. “Adhering to our mission of ‘Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World’, OPPO is dedicated to deepening the integration of academia-industry cooperation in the field of AI through this renewal, bringing more innovative intelligent imaging experiences to global users.”

Prof. TENG remarked, “To address the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, PolyU will officially establish the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This is an important move to implement the University’s innovation development strategy, aiming to meet growing technological needs and support talent nurturing. The Department of Computing, which houses the Joint Innovation Research Centre will also join the new faculty. The new structure will effectively promote in-depth exchanges and collaboration among research teams, and create more impactful outcomes. We believe that this in-depth cooperation with OPPO will enable us to fully seize opportunities and actively promote technological innovation and knowledge transfer.”

In 2022, to promote in-depth cooperation in GBA, OPPO and PolyU signed an agreement to establish the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab.” Within just three years, the Joint Lab has achieved a series of innovative milestones, successfully developing and implementing various leading imaging algorithms: the AI super-resolution technology has been applied to multiple OPPO products, significantly enhancing the image quality of telephoto photography; the deployment of HDR imaging algorithms enables users to capture high-quality photos under different lighting conditions, greatly enhancing the photography experience.

Furthermore, the Joint Lab has actively explored cutting-edge technologies, including image restoration and detail enhancement based on generative models, as well as interactive image and video editing technologies. These efforts have improved the quality and stability of image generation and provide more possibilities for image and video post-processing. Additionally, the Joint Lab has made significant strides in talent cultivation, nurturing several PhD and postdoctoral researchers who are actively contributing to OPPO’s AI imaging technology, providing a strong driving force for continuous technological innovation.

The evolving collaboration between OPPO and PolyU will propel the further development of AI imaging technology, providing new momentum for technological innovation and talent development in the GBA. Looking ahead, both parties will continue to strengthen the academia-industry cooperation, fully exploring and promoting innovative applications of AI imaging technology.