How to carve out a remote working lifestyle in the tech industry

Remote working is one of the most commonly used buzzwords of the past couple of years, rising from obscurity to common parlance.

There is a simple reason for this - since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been forced to work at home for lengthy periods of time, which has resulted in a whole new working environment.

This is not to say remote working was not present before 2020, but it was rarely regarded as acceptable for anyone other than high-ranking employees or exterior consultants. Fast forward to the present day, and the benefits of remote working have been laid bare for everyone from employees to business owners to see.

These benefits revolve around the obvious fact that remote working allows you to work from home, eliminating the need to commute long distances to an office or work face-to-face with colleagues you don’t get along well with.

For business owners, they can save money on office space, as well as hidden overheads like heating, electricity, and insurance. They may well have a more motivated workforce, to boot.

If you work in the tech industry or are hoping to start your career in the near future, you may consider the tantalizing prospect of working from wherever you want in the world and how you can engineer a situation where it is possible for you.

The truth is that it isn’t easy because not all jobs suit a remote working environment, but if you want to carve out a living as a remote worker in the tech industry, this is what you need to know:

Become a specialist in a valuable niche

Becoming a remote worker by choice - rather than being forced upon you by wider restrictions or an emergency - is difficult. If you are only starting out in a lowly position within the tech industry, then you may struggle to command the necessary bargaining power to persuade your boss that it is a good idea, especially if they aren’t convinced by remote working.

As a result, it is crucial to develop a skill-set that allows you to enter a business at a higher level - preferably as a consultant with minimal strings attached.

Although there is no way of fast-tracking your progress completely, specializing in a valuable niche or skill which is sought after by company bosses.

For instance, you could specialize in computer science, which is an increasingly important skill for almost all businesses to have access to. This is because data scientists can make sense of the complicated data they collect about their corporate performance and the behavior of their consumers. It is difficult to decipher to the untrained eye, but if a data scientist can break it down into easy-to-understand trends, this data is gold dust.

What’s more, many data scientists are high-ranking members of a business, far more able to consider remote working (especially as any group work can be performed via video conferencing platforms and cloud software).

If you want to become skilled in computer science, consider an online masters computer science.

Concentrate on gaining experience at first

Of course, gaining a top tech qualification is only one piece of the puzzle. It is unlikely that you will be able to enter a business at a high level with at least a modicum of real-world experience.

Indeed, even if you were able to work from home as a newbie, it would likely be a stressful or even overwhelming experience because you will have no colleagues around to consult or help guide you.

Therefore, focus on gaining some work experience at a firm in your chosen industry, or work an entry-level job for a while, even if it is a temporary position.

The experience you gain will make you a more valuable proposition to companies in the future and give you the added confidence to perform at a higher level.

Focus on consultancy

If you want to work remotely, then you may want to consider becoming a tech consultant.

The reason for this is that consultants are not contracted employees, but advisors who help businesses with a certain tech problem, then move on to another client.

This is incredibly important if you want to become a remote worker because it does not oblige you to work in a particular office, and you won’t have any particular strings you are attached to for long periods of time. Resultantly, you can work from wherever you like (unless the time zone difference is too extreme).

Being a consultant isn’t easy, though. You will need to carve out a strong reputation in a certain industry or niche, able to generate a consistent stream of clients on demand. It may take a good deal of time to reach this point, but when you do, remote working will almost certainly be the norm, rather than the exception.

Locate clients who need your help the most

If you do want to go down the consultancy route (or even if you want to become a full-time employee), you should try to locate the right type of client.

For instance, if you are just starting out, then you are better off finding small businesses that are struggling with a particular tech problem and have few (if any) IT professionals on hand to deal with it.

They will likely be grateful for your help and be willing to offer you a temporary or full-time position. It might not always be the case, but these types of companies are usually run by a small team, so if you do a good job, then your positive impact will immediately be noticed. Furthermore, you may even be referred to other small businesses within their network, which helps you with your cash flow.

Contrast this with a multinational corporation that has several in-house tech teams. If you were to approach them, it would be highly unlikely that they will feel the need to hire your specialist services, especially if you want to work remotely.

Google Pixel 6A

Google Pixel 6A is going to be released on 21st January 2022 (unofficial). The price expected of the model is Rs. 43,490. It comes with a feature Tensor GS101 chipset that has similarities with the recent Google Pixel. Where People in India are still waiting for the previous 5A version to release, this latest version is already out.

The Pixel 6A model comes with features such as a punch-hole display, dual rear cameras, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. It has the same design language as other versions 6 and 6 Pro. Besides, this one has a glass back and offers a dual-tone finish. A mid-range Tensor processor of type Tensor Lite SoC or Snapdragon 778G exists here. In addition, it may contain a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN1 primary sensor. Users get up to 3 years of version upgrade guarantee along with security updates for up to 5 years. It will come with a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 sensor for the primary camera. It is codenamed “Bluejay” internally. The type of OS is Android v12.

Google Pixel 6A Specification:

Performance:

It comes with an Octa-core CPU of 2.8 GHz, Dual-core, Cortex X1 + 2.25 GHz, Dual-core, Cortex A76 + 1.8 GHz, Quad-core, Cortex A55. 64 bit is the architecture whereas the Co-Processor is Titan M2. 5 mm is the fabrication and the graphics are Mali-G78 MP20. 8 GB is the memory power of the device.

Display:

The screen size of the mobile is 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) of type OLED. It comes with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and the Pixel Density is 424 ppi. 84.93 % is the Screen to Body Ratio of the model. It has a Bezel-less display and Capacitive Touchscreen.

Design:

The height of the device is 152.2 mm whereas the width is 71.8 mm and the thickness is 8.7 mm.

Rear Camera:

It comes with a dual rear camera. The primary camera is 12.2 MP whereas the secondary camera is 12 MP. This model comes with an autofocus feature and Dual LED FlashImage. Besides, the resolution is 4032 x 3024 Pixels. It features ISO control and is equipped with a shooting mode that is Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR). The model offers the Digital Zoom feature. With this rear camera, you can record video 1920x1080 @ 30 fps.

Front Camera:

The device comes with an 8 MP primary camera along with a video recording capability of 1920x1080 @ 30 fps. In this case, the type of sensor is Exmor RS.

Battery:

The battery capacity is 5000 mAh and its type is Li-Polymer. It is non-removable and allows you to charge quickly. The USB Type-C is available.

Storage:

It comes with a 128 GB internal memory. But the memory is not expandable.

Google Pixel 6A Network & Connectivity:

The mobile has a dual SIM port where the SIM1 is nano type and SIM2 is eSIM type. It is compatible with the 5G network, but can't be used in India. However, Indian brands support 4G, 3G, 2G, etc. It features VoLTE also. The sim 1 port supports 4G bands, 3G bands, 2G bands, GPRS, EDGE. In this case, the 4G bands support TD-LTE 2300(band 40), FD-LTE 1800(band 3). The 3G bands are compatible with UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz whereas 2G Bands support GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz.

The SIM 2 port is also compatible with 4G bands, 3G bands, 2G bands, GPRS, EDGE. The features of different network bands are similar hence. It comes with Wi-Fi 802.11, b/g/n, and Bluetooth v5.2. The device is equipped with A-GPS, Glonass as well as NFC. It uses the Mass storage device for a USB connection.

Multimedia:

The smart mobile phone comes with a loudspeaker and USB Type-C Audio Jack.

Sensors:

There is a fingerprint sensor on the display of the mobile device. The type of sensor is optical. There are other sensors available in this upcoming device such as a Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope.

Color: 

The model is expected to be available in Black, Gold colors.

Conclusion:

The Google Pixel 6A Smartphone allows capturing several moments and enables users to store plenty of media files. Its 5000 mAh battery power is sufficient to last for a whole day.

BoAT Iris SmartWatch

BoAt, the leading brand in the earwear segment in India, becomes very famous when it comes to the availability of new launches. This association has got plenty of tractions also in the smartwatch segment. To boost the strength further, Boat company has just released their new premium smartwatch, Boat Iris budget smartwatch. They have made the model available for India officially. The AMOLED display, leather & silicone strap features have taken the model to another level. Take a look at its availability and price.

Boat Iris Features:

The smartwatch has a 1.39-inch round-shaped dial that contains a 462ppi high-definition AMOLED screen. The pixel density of the watch is 462ppi. With the help of this screen, users can get a sharp and graphic display. The special thing about this model is that it is compatible with many cloud-based watch faces. If you are using this smartwatch, then you need to navigate to the boAt Hub app first on the mobile that you have. Thereafter, your task is to match the watch face as per OOTD. There are different health features available also that are like a 24x7 Heart Rate, SpO2 level monitoring, sleep monitoring, sedentary reminder, pedometer, and many more.

The material used in design is leather or Silicone. It comes with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. You can connect this watch with your mobile phone through bluetooth. But it can be connected via GPS. The product comes with Gyroscope sensor. Besides, the accessories included in the package are Watch Iris, USB Magnetic Charging Cable, User Manual, Warranty Card. You can use this as Alarm clock, Stopwatch, etc.

This model from the famous wearable brand boat is equipped with multiple spots mode and activity trackers. These record how much you burn calories every day, how many steps you have taken, and how long distance you have covered. It comes with an 8 built-in Active Sports feature that can work in the following eight modes: walking, running, cycling, skipping, badminton, basketball, football, and swimming. As the watch comes with an IP68 rating, therefore it can offer worry-free workouts.

The most beneficial feature of the product is its battery life. BoAt Iris offers a 7-day battery life that allows you to have a worry-free experience. People can get notifications like calls and messages from different social media platforms. One thing to note here is that the battery life relies on the usage of the watch.

Boat Iris Price and availability:

In India, the model is available at Rs 4499 price. The product started to be available from the boAt website already from December 23, 12 pm. However, it is available in the Flipkart site. People can get this model in different types of colors such as Active Black, Flaming Red, and Navy-Blue.

You can control the music and camera on the display of the smartwatch just using a single tap. It enables you to play, pause, stop and navigate tracks. You are capable of capturing any moment just using a simple tap.

Keep your mobile in your bag now and don't need to get it out as the smartwatch can receive all notifications. Don't worry about reliability as it is tested before leaving the factory. Most people will prefer to use the watch for sure due to its awesome quality. As it is sweat, splash, and dust resistant, therefore you must want to have it as your fitness partner. The model has a one-year standard guarantee.

Aman Gupta who is the Co-Founder and CMO of Imagine Marketing Pvt. Ltd said on its launch, “Smartwatches have become the fastest growing wearable category this past quarter as per the latest IDC data and we are happy to be announcing the brand’s very first AMOLED smartwatch. boAt Iris is our most premium smartwatch in the market and we are looking forward to positive reception from all our boAtheads." 

Conclusion:

There are some things also that you have to know are such as audio gear if different product portfolio ranges, smart wearable, personal grooming, mobile accessories, and many more. The portfolio of BoAt Company provides lifestyle-oriented products.

Oppo Air Glass- AR Smart Glass

Oppo Air Glass, an AR device, is going to be released next year. Oppo Company defines it as an “assisted reality” product. We have given here its details, availability, and features.

Oppo Air Glass Features:

Processor: 

The device comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 processor. If you consider the weight of the device, you find it is only 30g (about 1oz). According to the company, the device should work 3 hours continuously and 40 hours on standby.

Design: 

This product has two frame designs that are a silver half-frame and a black full-frame. Every frame comes in two sizes. This frame is produced in a CNC technique. There is a magnetic port inside of the frame, which is used to connect more conventional glasses. Due to the unique and attractive design, this device becomes a stylish tech accessory for regular wear.

When it comes to the feasibility of the glass design, you get to know that Oppo is also releasing spectacles frames in Black and Silver colors. When it comes to the Black color option, you will get a full-frame design. But the Silver variant is available in half-frame. The product comes with a design that can easily get stuck on the temple. People who wear spectacles can use the device with ease.

Display: 

It comes with a tiny projector with Micro LED tech. The real brightness is up to 1,400 nits in average conditions. Users can operate this through touch, voice, hand tracking, and head tracking. Besides, it can be operated using the Smart Glass application and is available in Oppo’s ColorOS 11 or above.

According to the company, people can use this for notifications and directions. The device comes with features such as teleprompting and real-time translation. Its screen is monochrome and contains 16 or 256 levels of grayscale, but it relies on the type of device you are using. The company said that the product would receive a “limited release” in mainland China. They released their first in-house NPU chip also for enhancing machine learning-related imaging performance. We call this the MariSilicon X.

Projector: 

The company launched the product as a portable, and practical device that you can access with ease. This reality glass is equipped with a Spark Micro Projector with advanced micro-LED. It is a very compact projection system. This projector with micro-led throws the details on two layers of a scratch-resistant Sapphire Crystal. The device's projector consists of a five-lens projection system. On the flip side, oppo Air Glass comes with a Sapphire Crystal which uses a bespoke diffractive optical waveguide.

Connectivity: 

The Air Glass is capable of setting a strong connection with Oppo smartphones and smart watches. As soon as you connect the device, you are capable of managing settings like brightness and sound volume. If you want, you can disable notifications wirelessly. Besides, you can use the control app to launch and disable apps.

When it comes to controlling the notifications, head gestures, voice, and touch are examples of some ways. When you use the device, you merely have to nod your head to open a notification. If you want to dismiss the notification, then you have to shake your head side-to-side. If you're willing to see the notification in full, you need to tap the Air Glass' touch bar that is available on the side. With the help of the glass, you can switch between multiple apps. If you are considering real-time notification alerts, you can use the product for checking weather updates and calendar meetings.

If you talk about other features, these include a teleprompter mode and a translation mode. If you want, you are capable of tapping the touch bar for moving translated text on the glass. The device enables users to enjoy hand gesture tracking features with the Oppo Watch. Through this process, you can move the text. The product can help you to convert the voice into text and then it helps you to translate into a preferred language.

Air Glass Supported Language: 

The device is compatible with the translation between Chinese and English. However, the company said that the device is going to be compatible with Korean and Japanese languages also.

Oppo Air Glass Price & Availability:

Oppo has not yet revealed the price of the Air Glass. According to the virtual conference on Tuesday at Inno Day, this glass will be a limited-edition device. People can get this available in the first quarter of 2022 in China.

The product provides a navigation feature that you are capable of using while walking, running, and cycling. You can enjoy the Baidu Maps because of the collaboration between Oppo and Baidu for the navigation feature.

It is compatible with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity support. Besides, the product contains a speaker and dual microphones. According to the company, after mobiles, and smartwatches, this glass is going to be the third screen for consumers.

How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4

If you are a gaming lover, you can't deny the power and experience provided by PS4. PS4 is an excellent console for gaming, offering amazing experiences to all gamers.

With PS4, one can enjoy high-resolution Gameplay, multiple options to choose from, and freedom to play for hours. The PS4 console is for all the gaming fans whether they want to play action games, strategies games, etc., all are covered here.

It happens that sometimes other members use TV or it's for repair. Then this might come to mind to replace the screen with your laptop. Or if you are looking for how to use your laptop as a monitor for PS4. Then you are at the right place.

We will discuss different ways to use laptops as monitors for PS4 and many more. So, read the article till the end.

Without further due, let's begin.

How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4

It's not a cakewalk to use a laptop as a monitor for PS4 as plugging in an HDMI cable. Neither PS4 nor laptop is designed for HDMI input, and they both have an HDMI output. But no need to be upset; you can still use your laptop as a monitor. It's a bit complicated but possible.

There are so many ways to do so, but the most straightforward ways are via capture card and Remote Play. Here are the easy steps, which take only a few minutes to set up. So, let's check them out:

Using Remote Play To Play PS4 on Laptop

Sony itself offers streaming service/ Remote play to meet the portability needs of every gamer. Remote play provides Mac and PC users the benefit of PS4 Gameplay on their laptops and monitors. It's an effective way to use a laptop as a PS4 as no third-party application is required.

For Remote Play, you will need:

• Laptop 
• Stable internet 
• USB cable 
• PS4 Console and, 
• PS4 Account 

 

Step 1: Update & Download

The very first step is to update your PS4 to version 3.5 or above. Then go to the Sony website and download the updated version of the Remote Play app. Make sure the version you have chosen is compatible with your Mac or Windows operating system. It's not hard to download the application as it comes with the installer.

Step 2: Enable

After successful installation, the next step is to enable the Remote Play connection. For this, first, turn on your PS4 and go to settings and enable the Remote Play connection.

Settings → Remote Play connection settings → Enable

It's needed to keep on your console to use Remote Play. It's even better to run in rest mode with "Enabling Turning on PS4 from the network" to save power.

Settings → Power saves settings → Set features in rest mode → Enabling Turning on PS4 from the network.

Step 3: Customize The App Settings.

For optimal performance, you can customize the Remote Play app based on your laptop and PS4.

Step 4: Connect The Controller.

With a USB port, connect the laptop to the PS4 controller. And if you want to connect it wirelessly, hold Share and PlayStation buttons simultaneously on the controller.

After flashing LED lights, connect the controller to the laptop via the USB port. It only takes a few seconds to do so.

Step 5: Playstation Network

The final step is to open the Remote Play app on your laptop then login details related to your PlayStation Network account. But don't forget to turn on your PS4 even in rest mode to connect the console to the laptop.

That's it; now you can enjoy playing pS4 games on your laptop.

Using a Video Capture Card to Play PS4 on Laptop

A video capture card is a mini-sized device that allows users to look at content on any other device from your console and record footage. This device is not that expensive and is available online and offline.

Video capture cards are used by many gamers while streaming and recording Console games, and it's one of the most reliable options.

You will need:

•  Laptop 
• Video Capture Card
• PS4 Console 
• HDMI Cable 
• S- Video Connection Cable 

Step 1: Broadband Setup

You can share files and games via broadband, and that's why Your PS4 should be online for making file sharing work. Despite the wireless connection, you can also connect the router with physical cables to laptops and PS4.

Step 2: Video Card Capture Setup

Connect a video capture card with your laptop via a USB port to install the software that comes with the device. High-quality VCCs that support USB 3.0 should be considered as they are less prone to lagging and provide capture resolution set to full HD.

Next, with the help of S- Video cable, connect VCC to PS4. Now, connect HDMI- into video capture card and HDMI-out to PS4 using dual-function HDMI cable.

Step 3: Run the Software

Turn on your console, run a video capture card on your laptop, and see the magic. Your console displays on the screen, and now you are ready to have fun and play.

Will the PS4 run smoothly on a laptop?

Use Remote Play, video Capture Card, or HDMI cable to run PS4 on your laptop smoothly. A strong internet connection is required for smooth running and less lagging between controller and laptop. Also, if the laptop model is low-end, it may struggle to run nicely. To overcome it, adjust resolution settings and fps.

How do I know if the laptop is HDMI input or output?

Most laptops have an HDMI output. It's hard to find one who has HDMI input, and the HDMI output laptop couldn't be connected with other output devices.

Check its specifications to know whether your laptop is HDMI input or output. If it's HDMI input, you can directly connect your laptop to PS4, and if it's HDMI output, you can't directly connect it.

Conclusion

We have discussed the two most effective and easy methods to follow. These methods are less complicated and take a few minutes to set up. Try out these ways when your TV is occupied or you want to play PS4 on your laptop. Video capture cards and remote play are reliable and secure. Don't think twice and try them out.