Entertainment

Games for Parks: The Story of Giochipark

Published

10 months ago

February 6, 2024

The history of GiochiPark is undoubtedly a compelling Italian entrepreneurial story. In fact, from the 1960s to the present day, it has experienced exponential growth while maintaining high-quality standards for its products, becoming a national leader in the production of games for parks. However, the growth of this virtuous reality did not stop at Italian borders but has also expanded into various foreign markets. Moreover, the range of products manufactured by this company has been expanded over the years. Indeed, GiochiPark now produces urban furnishing elements such as benches, fitness equipment, and even electoral equipment, such as voting booths.

So, with numerous types of products made by this company, and used in different environments, it is very likely that you have already been able to enjoy their quality and reliability. For example, this happened to me many times as a child, as I could have fun on a swing and a slide made by this Salento-based company at the playground near my home. Moreover, even more recently, I have experienced the resistance and stability of the fitness equipment installed in the public park in my city. It’s interesting to learn about the history of GiochiPark, as it is an example of how a small Italian enterprise, driven by dedication, hard work, and love for their business, managed to expand into foreign markets and become a national leader in their industry.

The origins

The story of this Salento-based enterprise begins in the 1960s in a small town in the province of Lecce, Ugento, where the parish priest asked Mr. Alessio Dimo, a young blacksmith, to build an iron slide for the children of the parish. This marked the beginning of Mr. Dimo’s adventure, as he decided to start producing a small range of items for children’s amusement in playgrounds, such as swings. The objective was clear from the start: to provide quality products, ensuring children could play in complete safety!

The Birth of Dimo Group

Over the years, GiochiPark has experienced continuous growth, expanding more and more into the national and international markets, thanks to the diversification of its product line. In fact, following the involvement of Mr. Dimo’s children in the company, GiochiPark started producing not only games for public parks but also urban furnishing elements, fitness and electoral equipment.

The desire to establish a stronger presence in the Italian and international markets led to a merger in 2007 with Open D, a company operating in the same market. This merger gave rise to an even more virtuous and ambitious entity: Dimo Group. Leveraging the approximately fifty years of combined experience from the two founding companies, Dimo Group positioned itself as a youthful company in tune with the needs of consumers, both adults and children, striving to anticipate their needs while ensuring the quality and reliability that have always characterized GiochiPark, integrating the expertise of Open D.

The leading company in park games today

The production cycles take place in two industrial sites. Indeed, alongside the original production site in Ugento, there is the one in Racale, also in the province of Lecce, just a few kilometers from where Mr. Dimo’s adventure began. The achieved scale is impressive, with their industrial sites covering a total area of 30,000 square meters, including 7,500 square meters for manufacturing and logistics facilities and 950 square meters allocated for commercial, technical, and administrative offices. The commercial network has equally expanded significantly, encompassing agents, retailers, and dealers located in both Italy and abroad. Their role is not only to sell products manufactured by GiochiPark but also, and most importantly, to provide pre and post-sales customer support, including in the phases of design, installation and maintenance.

However, the transition from a small artisanal enterprise to a large industrial operation did not lose sight of Mr. Dimo’s mission. In fact, the products are always manufactured with a focus on maximum quality and safety, ensuring a reliability that meets the needs of both adults and children. This commitment has been widely recognized by consumers who, by purchasing GiochiPark products, have established it as one of the leading companies in the national and international market for the production of park games.

Artificial Intelligence

YouTube Introduces ‘Hype,’ A New Tool to Boost Smaller Creators’ Reach

Published

2 months ago

September 21, 2024

Florencia Haden

YouTube has rolled out a new feature called Hype, aimed at helping smaller creators grow their audience without solely relying on the platform’s recommendation algorithm, search, or collaborations. Announced at the Made on YouTube event, this feature allows a creator’s fans to directly contribute to the visibility of their videos.

How does the Hype Feature work?

fans can click the Hype button located just below the like button on a video. This feature is available only for creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers. As more viewers engage with the Hype button, the video moves up on the top 100 hyped videos leaderboard, giving it a chance to reach a wider audience. To prevent users from overusing the feature to unfairly promote their favorite creators, fans are currently limited to three hypes per week.

YouTube developed Hype after recognizing that passionate fans wanted a more active role in their favorite creators’ growth. In the future, the platform plans to allow users to purchase additional hypes, introducing a new revenue stream. However, YouTube hasn’t disclosed what percentage it will take from these purchases. Currently, on purchases like Super Thanks, YouTube takes 30% of the revenue, sharing the remaining 70% with creators.

As creators receive hype, they’ll earn points that help them climb their country’s weekly leaderboard. To level the playing field for smaller creators, YouTube will also offer a bonus multiplier to channels with fewer subscribers, helping them compete with larger channels. Top hyped videos will also be awarded a special badge to highlight their achievement.

According to Bangaly Kaba, YouTube’s Director of Product Management, Hype gives fans a new way to show their support for emerging creators and help boost their latest videos. In the future, creators will be able to see exactly who hyped their content.

During the first four weeks of beta testing in Turkey, Taiwan, and Brazil, the Hype feature was used over 5 million times across more than 50,000 channels. The largest group of users during the beta, making up over 30%, were aged 18 to 24.

Artificial Intelligence

Galaxy AI to Expand to Mid-Range Galaxy A Phones in 2024

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2024

William Watson

Exciting news for Galaxy A phone users! Samsung is set to bring its innovative Galaxy AI technology to select mid-range Galaxy A models in 2024. This expansion will start with the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, according to sources from SamMobile.

Limited Galaxy AI Features for Galaxy A35 and A55

While this is a significant move, it’s important to note that not all Galaxy AI features will be available on these mid-range devices. Samsung has yet to specify which AI tools will be included, but features requiring substantial on-device processing power will likely be omitted.

The rollout of Galaxy AI to the Galaxy A35 and A55 is expected to happen through the One UI 6.1.1 update, which could arrive as early as this month or next. However, there is no confirmed release date.

Current Availability and Limitations

As of now, the most affordable Galaxy AI-enabled phone available is the Galaxy S23 FE. Even this model does not include all the AI features found in the original Galaxy AI suite for the Galaxy S24 series, such as Instant Slow-Mo.

Despite hardware similarities, older Galaxy A models like the Galaxy A54, which shares the Exynos 1380 SoC with the Galaxy A35, are not confirmed to receive Galaxy AI. Samsung appears to be focusing on models released in 2024 and later.

Samsung’s AI Ambitions

At Unpacked 2024, Samsung announced its ambition to extend Galaxy AI tools to over 200 million Galaxy devices, including phones, tablets, and wearables. This expansion to mid-range Galaxy A phones is a part of that strategy, aiming to democratize advanced AI features across a broader range of devices.

Summary

Samsung’s Galaxy AI is set to arrive on mid-range Galaxy A phones, starting with the Galaxy A35 and A55, through the One UI 6.1.1 update. While not all AI features will be available, this marks a significant step in making advanced AI technology more accessible. Stay tuned for further updates on the rollout and specific features.

Celebrities

‘Trap’ Movie Review: Josh Hartnett Shines as a Serial Killer in M. Night Shyamalan’s Latest Thriller

Published

4 months ago

August 2, 2024

William Immelt

“Trap,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, stars Josh Hartnett as a serial killer in a thriller filled with twists that often feel contrived. The film attempts to deliver a high-stakes narrative but falls into Shyamalan’s trademark pattern of over-the-top plot twists.

The Evolution of Shyamalan’s Career

Shyamalan’s career can be divided into four distinct periods. He first gained fame with “The Sixth Sense” in 1999 and was compared to Spielberg for his visionary storytelling. This era includes hits like “Unbreakable,” “Signs,” and “The Village.” However, his subsequent films like “Lady in the Water” and “The Happening” marked a decline, with his twist endings becoming predictable. Shyamalan then shifted to sci-fi with movies like “The Last Airbender” and “After Earth.” His resurgence began with “Split” in 2016, leading to a mix of hits and misses in recent years.

Plot Summary

“Trap” takes place in Tanaka Arena during a concert by pop superstar Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan, Shyamalan’s daughter). Josh Hartnett plays Cooper, a seemingly average dad trying to bond with his daughter, Riley (Alison Donoughue), at the concert. However, it is soon revealed that Cooper is the Butcher, a notorious serial killer who has eluded capture for years.

The authorities, led by a veteran FBI profiler (played by Hayley Mills), have set a trap to capture the Butcher at the concert. The arena is surrounded by S.W.A.T. teams, and the challenge is to identify and apprehend Cooper among the 3,000 adult males in the audience. The authorities have limited clues, including surveillance footage and a possible animal tattoo.

Twists and Turns

As the plot unfolds, Cooper attempts to escape the arena by infiltrating various areas, including backstage. The narrative takes several convoluted turns, including a cameo by Shyamalan himself as Lady Raven’s uncle, which facilitates Cooper’s access to restricted areas. These twists strain credibility and detract from the film’s tension.

Character Analysis

Josh Hartnett delivers a compelling performance, portraying Cooper as a complex character torn between his murderous tendencies and his love for his daughter. The film explores his dual nature but does so in a manner that feels forced and lacks depth. The supporting cast, including Saleka Shyamalan and Hayley Mills, deliver solid performances but are overshadowed by the implausible plot.

Music and Atmosphere

The film’s music, composed by the band Steam Powered Giraffe, stands out with catchy original songs that enhance the atmosphere during concert scenes. The music provides a refreshing break from the film’s heavy-handed plot twists.

Final Thoughts

“Trap” is a mixed bag. While it features strong performances and an engaging musical score, its convoluted plot twists and lack of plausibility undermine the overall experience. Fans of Shyamalan’s earlier work may find elements to enjoy, but the film ultimately falls short of recapturing the magic of his best efforts.