Shape Detection now with Google Chrome 70 Beta

So Chrome has just turned a decade old and Google celebrated by making some major updates like an almost full change of the user interface and like with all major updates- a performance improvement as well. But that’s not all that was in store for Chrome. Google also added shape detection and other features to boost security as well, like using biometrics in web based applications. But the tinkering is not over just as yet. Google recently released its beta for Chrome 70 that includes the shape detection, web authentication and some other updates as well.

Shape Detection in Chrome: 

Google uses this shape detection API to bring a device’s feature of detecting faces, barcodes and text to web pages.

Shape detection constitutes three APIs in one bundle. You have the face detection software, barcode detection API in shape detection and of course text detection API also in the shape detection API. Basically the shape detection API pretty much does as the name describes but for further information Google has given its own description of what you can expect from its shape detection API.

For face detection in the shape detection API- given the image bitmap or face or blob even, the face detection API gives you the location of that face and the eyes, nose and mouth in that face.

To gain more control over the process you can always prioritize speed over performance when it comes to search results for faces. You could even limit the number of faces given as results, using this method in shape detection.

The barcode detection API in shape detection API decodes the bar codes or QR codes for you into strings with values ranging from single sets of digits to multi line texts.

The text detection API in shape detection API is meant to read Latin- 1 text used in images.

The use of shape detection in Chrome could open up a host of useful opportunities for developers. Adding facial recognition in shape detection API could mean better security like Apple’s FaceID. Text detection too has a lot of opportunities where it can be used in.

QR or barcode reading while it will be more useful in other places, it is less useful in places like the US where QR codes or barcodes are not used much.

Web authentication on Chrome: 

To add more security Google has added Web authentication update with support for a PublicKeyCredential type. This allows web based applications to use and create strong cryptographically attested credentials for their users.

This feature was present in Chrome 67 for desktop by default and now has been activated for Chrome Android as well.

Another feature added by web authentication on Chrome is the use of finger print or biometrics. This uses the feature present on phones or the mac to give users extra security when using web based applications. That means on various websites, web operators can ask for your finger print using the scanners on your phone or mac to verify your identity.

Antennas for Extremely Fast Wireless Internet

Wireless Internet to make Internet browsing Faster

As talks of 5G do the rounds, there is talk of much faster internet speeds and data speeds as well. For all those speeds newer connections, newer frequencies and newer tech needs to come out. Talking about one of those speeds- internet speeds, now. A new spin- off MaxWaves is set to be tested out that will give us are super- fast wireless internet. This is a new form of antenna that directs the electronic signal electronically in the right direction thereby optimizing the signal in whatever weather conditions, be it rain, sunshine or snow.

In a few years- time as people switch on to faster data such as 5G or 6G even, there is need for better tech. As data transfers increases, the amount of data rates too will increase and in 2025 is poised to increase by more than 100 times the current amount. What this means is that antennas at the current base stations will have to transmit much higher amounts of data than what they are currently doing.

Talk of New Tech: 

The new tech to increase the transmission rates of data or for extremely fast internet speeds is being developed as we speak. Researchers have developed a new form of antenna technology in which base stations can communicate electronically to wirelessly transfer internet or data between themselves.

This new form of wireless internet will allow large amounts of data to be transferred that is not currently possible. The amount of data that can be transferred will take place at never- before- seen- levels between mobile base stations. This wireless internet will give 5G and 6G networks their fast transmission speeds.

Dual Purpose of this new wireless internet: 

This wireless internet that came about by the new antenna technology will be much faster than your average day speeds and the antenna technology that goes into making this new form of wireless internet will supposedly have a dual purpose as well.

This antenna technology will allow the radio beams to change direction electronically for optimum transmission so that the dishes holding these antennas will not have to physically move to enable transmission.

Wireless Internet to Adapt to all Weather Conditions: 

This new form of wireless internet that uses new antenna technology can adapt to all types of weather ensuring the best internet speeds irrespective of the weather.

This new form of wireless internet also uses much less energy than what is consumed at present making it much more effective. The electronic control that is used in this wireless internet can be adapted to work best in wind, storm or rain.

The electronic beams that are used in this form of wireless network ensure that no cables are needed underground and the entire system can be configured using electronic means.

This means that the size of network connection can be scaled up at a short notice, temporarily, like for example at a major event.

This new feasibility study will build up on what was learnt with the first fewtests and will begin commercialization shortly.

Memory Processing Unit Could Bring Memristors to the Masses

Memristors: Computers of the Future

Today’s world is all about doing things fast. We want our phones to work faster, our computers and even our toasters. So, scientists are continually on the lookout for the next big thing that will make computer and the like run faster. One such thing discovered by scientists is a memristor. If you’ve not heard of it, then its no wonder as the term was coined just recently or with the discovery itself.

Memristors not only make your computer or phone work faster but will also cut energy consumption,like you wouldn’t believe. Memristor is a way of arranging advance computer parts on a chip so that it performs faster and with less energy consumption.

Where will Memristors be used? 

Memristors, according to scientists, will improve performance especially in those low power environments such as your smartphone. It can also be used to make an already efficient thing even more efficient like in the case of supercomputers.

How do Memristors work? 

Semiconductors in the industry make things fast by ensuring faster processing but when it comes to receiving and sending data, that is the part that takes time as these semiconductor processors have to work with other parts to do it.

Memristors is a solution to this problem. Named as combination of memory and resistors, which you may have already figured, memristors can process and save data in memory all in the same place, which will significantly speed up calculations and such.

How are Memristors different from Traditional means: 

Traditional means use bits of 1s and 0s but in the case of memristors, they work on a continuum.
The team behind memristors use smaller blocks to break down a large mathematical problem which improves the flexibility and efficiency of the system. These smaller blocks are called “memory processing units” and can be useful in implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms.

They can also be used in areas of simulation such as in predicting the weather. Mathematical problems in the form of rows and columns are directly imposed on the grid of memristors. Operations that multiply and sum the rows and columns in the table are then done simultaneously.

Whereas in the case of a traditional processor, it would perform mathematical calculations such as the sum and multiplication of rows and column individually taking a lot of time and energy. While with memristors all this happens in one step itself.

Using Memristors in Practical problems: 

Many science and engineering problems are very difficult to solve because of their complex forms and numerous variables needed in their models. Memristors can be used to simplify such problems and model them in the correct manner to get the right answer taking up much less time and with that energy.

When it comes to partial differential problems, solving them exactly is near impossible. To get an approximate value itself is the job for supercomputers. These types of problems involve loads of data and getting a memristor to sit in a supercomputer and perform these calculations will save up a lot of time and get results much faster.

Uncovering the Interplay between Two Famous Quantum Effects

What Happens when two Quantum Effects Combine?

In science, the Casimir effect and superconductivity are well known phenomenon and are widely studied. On their own, scientists know all that is there to study about them. But what happens when two widely known quantum effects combine with each other? Researchers at Delft University have tried doing just that.

By conducting a simple experiment, using a microchip with two wires, scientists plan to observe what happens when two of the most known quantum effects combine. Scientists placed two wires in close proximity to observe the Casimir effect when they become superconducting.

What is the Casimir Effect? 

For us non- scientists, knowing what something like Casimir effect is not really a given. Named after Dutch scientist Hendrik Casimir with Dirk Polder, The Casimir effect was discovered.

When objects are placed very close to one and another, and I mean really close like a thousandth of the diameter of your hair, then you get the Casimir effect.

The minute space or vacuum between these objects pushes the objects together, giving you the Casimir effect.

The same quantum effect is present with all objects, but to get it to work right, the precise space between objects is a must. With Casimir effect, scientists come to know what that exact space in- between is.

 

What is Superconductivity as one of the Quantum Effects? 

This one too was discovered by another Dutchman. Discovered by Heike Kamerlingh in the early twentieth century, superconductivity describes how certain metals like aluminium and lead conduct electricity at very low temperatures such as at cryogenic ones.

The knowledge of superconductivity has revolutionized the world of physics and has led to many discoveries and inventions such as magnetically levitated trains and MRI scans. Even the mobile stations use the same quantum effect.

So Getting to the point with these two Quantum Effects: 

Scientists know everything that there is to know with these quantum effects. But have never really explored what happens when both these quantum effects combine. That is until now.

Casimir effect has been widely studied with many different objects but never really been used with superconductors as the objects. This was not because no one thought of it but because of technological problems of conducting an experiment at cryogenic temperatures.

What is the solution to observe these two quantum effects at work? 

Researchers at Delft University used a unique sensor that allows them to measure forces acting between two closely spaced superconductors to observe both quantum effects at play.

To observe these two quantum effects at work, scientists used a microchip which is the sensor that houses two wires spaced closely to one and another and that can be cooled to give you superconductivity.

These wires have holes in the middle in which light gets trapped. Any displacement in light shows scientists the forces acting with these two quantum effects.

What did scientist find with these two Quantum Effects? 

Scientists may not have discovered anything new as yet, but have disproved a theory with both Quantum effects.

A theory states that the Casimir effect will be more because of gravitational fields bouncing off the superconductors. Scientists combining both these quantum effects, seen nothing of the sort.

How Technology Has Made Communication Easier and Less Expensive

Remember the good old days when you had to send a handwritten letter in order to communicate with your best friend who lived two counties away? Or better yet, remember when you picked up a landline and could hear someone else's conversation taking place? If you remember the first scenario but not the second, you're a millennial. If you remember neither scenarios, you're Gen Y. If you remember both scenarios, you're likely thankful for technology.

Technology today has made it easier than ever for the world to stay connected. Not only that, it has made it less expensive than ever before. For instance, to place a long distance call on a landline would cost homeowners anywhere from $.05 to $1.40 per minute. "Long distance" in this instance, however, isn't what it means today—it meant the next town over, or anything out of a defined local calling code. For many people, talking with friends, family members, or acquaintances was an expensive endeavor—that is, if they didn't keep their calls short enough.

Today, thanks to advancements in technology such as Skype, cloud calling, and switches (conmutadores for our Spanish readers), individuals can connect with others from towns, cities, states, or even countries over, without fear of racking up a huge bill. Below are just two ways in which technology has made staying in touch so much easier.

Relay a Message in a Matter of Second

Before the advent of vehicles, letters would take approximately 14 days to reach their final destinations. With the advent of vehicles, that timeframe was significantly shortened, and individuals could relay a message in as little as two to three days. From a pioneer's perspective, that's unthinkable; from a modern person's perspective, that's unacceptable. Thanks to platforms such as Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, and email, people today can communicate back and forth via text within a matter of seconds. Of course, text messaging should not be ignored. Text was one of the first modern modes of communication, and it has changed the communication game forever.

Host Calls Over the Cloud

10 or even five years ago, if you used the term "cloud," most people would assume you were talking about those fluffy white cotton balls in the atmosphere. Today, however, the term "cloud" has taken on a whole new meaning. Cloud simply refers to something hosted on the internet. Oftentimes, that something is storage, but a lesser known use for the cloud is calling.

Cloud calling allows anyone with an internet access to place a phone call, for free. This makes it easy for individuals who don't have great cell service, who don't have access to a cell phone, or who simply want to place a call from their workstation, to communicate with others.

As if that's not benefit enough, cloud-based phone systems allow individuals to meet face-to-face without ever actually meeting in person. Platforms such as Skype and FaceTime use a computer or device's forward-facing camera to allow face-to-face interaction between parties who are in separate rooms, cities, or countries. Again, cloud-based platforms allow individuals to do all this gratis.

Technology has changed the communication game for the better. Thanks to technological advancements, humans can communicate in a matter of seconds and for pennies on the dollar—or, in the case of cloud calling, for free.