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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is one of the coolest bits of tech I've seen in years, and it's finally coming in a speaker you can buy
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The first speaker that works with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, the TCL Z100, has finally been unveiled – though as with most announcements in these days of regularly changing tariffs, there's no exact price or release date yet. Announced back in 2023, the idea with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is that you don't need to think about where you're placing the speakers to get home theater sound – you don't even need to have pairs of them placed symmetrically. Put one next to the TV, one on the shelf to your right, one directly behind you – whatever's convenient for your space is fine. The system will then map the placement acoustically and will adjust the speaker output to give the best version of Dolby Atmos-powered surround sound that it can from those positions. You can have up to four of the TCL Z100 speakers in one configuration, and each speaker is a 1.1.1 audio configuration on its own (a forward-facing driver, a bass driver, and an upfiring driver) – though when combined, they can produce something akin to virtual 7.1.2 audio, according to TCL. That includes a compatible TV providing two channels, including the center channel. Speaking of which, the speakers must be connected to a suitable Dolby Atmos FlexConnect hub, which can handle the mapping and processing. Right now, that means getting one of TCL's 2025 mini-LED TVs. TCL is the only company offering products for the launch of FlexConnect, though other companies have pledged support in the future – and it should also be possible for one of the best soundbars to be the FlexConnect hub in the future. They also support playing music over Bluetooth – two can work in a stereo pair to play music from your phone. As you might expect for a Dolby-specific product, there's no built-in DTS support. However, the TCL TVs that are necessary to make the system work all support DTS:X, and the idea is that they'll decode the DTS sound (including DTS:X), process it in 7.1.2 channels, and then convert it for the virtual surround system for your configuration, so you should get something close to full-fat DTS. Although there's no price, we've been told by TCL's European arm to expect a price approaching €300 – and usually Euro and US Dollar prices convert very closely, though the final amount will depend on the latest tariffs. UK prices will be close to the Euro price. I've seen this technology in action a few times since its announcement in 2023, and it's very impressive – though the speakers I saw it demoed with were more elaborate than the TCL Z100 have turned out to be. Those had side-firing drivers as well as forward and up-firing drivers, potentially giving them more control over the steering of virtual sound. It was amazing in my demos how two speakers – one at the front to the right of the TV, and one behind and to the left of me – could create a broadly immersive sound with steering of sounds in basically all directions. Whether the Z100 can do this as well remains to be seen, and either way, the system isn't going to match just having speakers in all the right places – but that's just not possible for everyone. I think there's real value in having speakers that can be placed not just imperfectly, but in totally odd places, and still get something more immersive than TV sound alone from them. The one other thing missing from this announcement, though, is bass. I've been told that the FlexConnect system can support a subwoofer, but there's no sign of one here – hopefully that will come before too long. Update: Dolby and TCL have informed me that a subwoofer that's compatible with the system is coming in summer 2025, which also gives us an indication of when to expect these speakers to launch. Loewe unveils a wireless Dolby Atmos TV speaker system that's half the price of Sony's Bravia Quad, and I'm tempted Dali's mega-powerful 16-inch ported subwoofer wants to shake your home theater to bits, in a good way I've been watching the latest 4K Blu-rays with a flagship OLED TV and soundbar setup for six months – here are my 7 favorites so far
Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Oman Mandates Digital Tax Stamp On Imported Beverages From June 1
Starting June 1, 2025, Oman will enforce digital tax stamps on imported excise beverages, including carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages (excluding sweetened drinks). The Tax Authority (TA) outlined the rules, terms, and conditions for implementing the Digital Tax Stamp (DTS) scheme for excise goods in Oman through Ministerial Decision No. 21/2022. Initially, the scheme focused on cigarettes and was later expanded to cover shisha and other tobacco products. The authority now plans to extend the DTS requirement to include carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and other specified beverages. The digital tax stamps will help enhance control and compliance over these excise products, improving market transparency in Oman. 'The goal is to build a sustainable tax system while ensuring accountability from all stakeholders in the supply chain,' an official from the authority said. According to TA, a 'customs obligation' will apply from June 1, meaning excisable beverages imported without the digital stamp will be denied entry. From August 1, a 'commercial obligation' will come into effect, banning the sale of unstamped products within the local market. These digital tags enable tax authorities to efficiently monitor, track, and trace the movement of excise goods throughout the supply chain. The law came into force in mid-2019, when Oman introduced excise taxes ranging from 50% to 100% on various products, including cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, spirits, carbonated drinks, and energy drinks. In 2024, Oman raised around 1.4 billion riyals from taxes, including corporate, selective, and value-added taxes. In 2023, tax revenue reached 2.054 billion riyals—a 10% increase over the budget estimate of 1.869 billion riyals—driven primarily by rises in corporate income tax, VAT, and economic recovery.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major fire warning to anyone who vapes as huge threat of £6,000 fines to be enforced in just days
The devices could start fires in bin lorries VAPE ALERT Major fire warning to anyone who vapes as huge threat of £6,000 fines to be enforced in just days Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH an impending vape ban looming, customers and businesses have been warned of the potential risks of disposing of vapes. Using lithium batteries, disposable vapes pose a huge risk of fire if they're not properly disposed of. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Disposable vapes pose serious risks if they're not properly disposed of Credit: Alamy 4 Customers have been warned they could start fires or damage the environment Credit: Alamy They will be banned under UK Government legislation coming into effect on June 1. Ahead of the ban has warned customers and businesses to dispose of the devices properly. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, used in the batteries, was thrown out with disposable vapes in the UK in 2022 — enough to power 5,000 electric cars. Businesses could face hefty fines of up to £6,000 and customers could inadvertently start fires if they are careless in throwing away their old vapes. Read more in News JAIL 'FLINGS' Prison officer in court for 'sexual relationships with two lags at SAME time' reports that any shop or other business that sells more than £100,000 of electrical goods per year must provide an in-store solution where customers can dispose of products on a one-for-one basis. To ensure they're compliant businesses must also provide and display information to customers about the take back service they offer, keep a record of all WEEE items they collect and dispose of and maintain records of how they tell customers about their take back scheme. Shops or companies that sell less than £100,000 of electrical goods a year should sign up to the Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS). A charge applies for this based on the businesses size and its sales. The DTS provides an exemption from the in store take back requirement of WEEE (including vapes) when a new equivalent EEE item (a vape) is bought. This scheme allows businesses to pay a fee that covers any WEEE obligations until 31 December 2026. Any businesses that fail to adhere to the regulations risks a fine of up to £6,000 and further prosecution. Customers tossing vapes into a regular bin could lead to fires and environmental damage. The devices are classed as WEEE products and must be disposed of appropriately. What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020. If vapes with lithium batteries are crushed or damaged they can produce immense heat. This can potentially set bin lorries and waste management sites ablaze. Disposable vapes that end up in landfill sites could leak nicotine, battery acid and chemicals from plastics into the environment. Customers and businesses have been urged to dispose of their vapes appropriately before the ban comes into effect. Vapers have been warned away from stockpiling the disposable products as well. A stockpile of devices using lithium batteries could pose a potential fire risk in the home. Poor storage conditions can dramatically shorten the shelf life of disposable vapes and lead to serious risk of fire. Retailers could face fines of up to £200 if they continue to sell disposable vapes after June 1. WEEE waste professionals said: "Many people mistakenly believe that vapes can be tossed into their regular bin at home, but they're actually classed as WEEE, which has strict rules for disposal. "When vapes are disposed of in household bins, this can lead to fires in bin trucks and at waste management sites, posing a huge risk to workers and the public." 4 Fines could be handed out if regulations are not followed Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major fire warning to anyone who vapes as huge threat of £6,000 fines to be enforced in just days
WITH an impending vape ban looming, customers and businesses have been warned of the potential risks of disposing of vapes. Using lithium batteries, disposable Advertisement 4 Disposable vapes pose serious risks if they're not properly disposed of Credit: Alamy 4 Customers have been warned they could start fires or damage the environment Credit: Alamy They will be banned under UK Government legislation coming into effect on June 1. Ahead of the ban has warned customers and businesses to dispose of the devices properly. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, used in the batteries, was thrown out with disposable vapes in the UK in 2022 — enough to power 5,000 electric cars. Businesses could face hefty fines of up to £6,000 and customers could inadvertently start fires if they are careless in throwing away their Advertisement Read more in News reports that any shop or other business that sells more than £100,000 of electrical goods per year must provide an in-store solution where customers can dispose of products on a one-for-one basis. To ensure they're compliant businesses must also provide and display information to customers about the take back service they offer, keep a record of all Shops or companies that sell less than £100,000 of electrical goods a year should sign up to the Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS). A charge applies for this based on the businesses size and its sales. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The DTS provides an exemption from the in store take back requirement of WEEE (including This scheme allows businesses to pay a fee that covers any WEEE obligations until 31 December 2026. Any businesses that fail to adhere to the regulations risks a fine of up to £6,000 and further prosecution. Customers tossing vapes into a regular bin could lead to fires and Advertisement The devices are classed as WEEE products and must be disposed of appropriately. What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020. If vapes with lithium batteries are crushed or damaged they can produce immense heat. This can potentially set Disposable vapes that end up in landfill sites could leak nicotine, battery acid and chemicals from plastics into the environment. Advertisement Customers and businesses have been urged to dispose of their vapes appropriately before the ban comes into effect. A stockpile of devices using lithium batteries could pose a potential fire risk in the home. Poor storage conditions can dramatically shorten the shelf life of disposable vapes and lead to serious risk of fire. Advertisement Retailers could face fines of up to £200 if they continue to sell disposable vapes after June 1. WEEE waste professionals said: "Many people mistakenly believe that vapes can be tossed into their regular bin at home, but they're actually classed as WEEE, which has strict rules for disposal. "When vapes are disposed of in household bins, this can lead to fires in bin trucks and at waste management sites, posing a huge risk to workers and the public." 4 Fines could be handed out if regulations are not followed Credit: Alamy Advertisement 4 A ban on disposable vapes comes into effect on June 1 Credit: Alamy
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major fire warning to anyone who vapes as huge threat of £6,000 fines to be enforced in just days
WITH an impending vape ban looming, customers and businesses have been warned of the potential risks of disposing of vapes. Using lithium batteries, disposable vapes pose a huge risk of fire if they're not properly disposed of. 4 They will be banned under UK Government legislation coming into effect on June 1. Ahead of the ban has warned customers and businesses to dispose of the devices properly. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, used in the batteries, was thrown out with disposable vapes in the UK in 2022 — enough to power 5,000 electric cars. Businesses could face hefty fines of up to £6,000 and customers could inadvertently start fires if they are careless in throwing away their old vapes. reports that any shop or other business that sells more than £100,000 of electrical goods per year must provide an in-store solution where customers can dispose of products on a one-for-one basis. To ensure they're compliant businesses must also provide and display information to customers about the take back service they offer, keep a record of all WEEE items they collect and dispose of and maintain records of how they tell customers about their take back scheme. Shops or companies that sell less than £100,000 of electrical goods a year should sign up to the Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS). A charge applies for this based on the businesses size and its sales. The DTS provides an exemption from the in store take back requirement of WEEE (including vapes) when a new equivalent EEE item (a vape) is bought. This scheme allows businesses to pay a fee that covers any WEEE obligations until 31 December 2026. Any businesses that fail to adhere to the regulations risks a fine of up to £6,000 and further prosecution. Customers tossing vapes into a regular bin could lead to fires and environmental damage. The devices are classed as WEEE products and must be disposed of appropriately. What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020. If vapes with lithium batteries are crushed or damaged they can produce immense heat. This can potentially set bin lorries and waste management sites ablaze. Disposable vapes that end up in landfill sites could leak nicotine, battery acid and chemicals from plastics into the environment. Customers and businesses have been urged to dispose of their vapes appropriately before the ban comes into effect. Vapers have been warned away from stockpiling the disposable products as well. A stockpile of devices using lithium batteries could pose a potential fire risk in the home. Poor storage conditions can dramatically shorten the shelf life of disposable vapes and lead to serious risk of fire. Retailers could face fines of up to £200 if they continue to sell disposable vapes after June 1. WEEE waste professionals said: "Many people mistakenly believe that vapes can be tossed into their regular bin at home, but they're actually classed as WEEE, which has strict rules for disposal. "When vapes are disposed of in household bins, this can lead to fires in bin trucks and at waste management sites, posing a huge risk to workers and the public." 4 4
