Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Best Photo Editing Apps for Selfies- Mono-Live

Best Photo Editing Apps for Selfies
With smart phones we can do a lot of things. We can look up information in a jiffy, shop online, listen to music, watch a movie and now more commonly- take a selfie with it too. The ability to take selfies also brought photo editing apps to go along with it. With everyone taking selfies and posting it to social media, people want to put their best foot forward or in this case post their best photo. That’s where photo editing apps comes into play. It’s not sufficient that we have some of the best cameras on phones today, we also need some excellent looking edited pictures as well. In this post we’ll take you through some of the best photo editing apps for selfies.

5 Best Photo Editing Apps for Selfies 


Snapseed: 


This app, courtesy of Google, allows you to do a lot with your pictures, there are over 29 editing tools to choose from, with each tool having its own set of options. With this app at your fingertips you can edit not only raw files but also JPGs as well.

VSCO- This one will make you obsessed: 


By this point every one and their grandma must be using VSCO. If you happen to be the exception, let me warn you in advance you will become shortly obsessed with this app. This app not only allows you edit pictures but also take pictures on the app itself, edit them, take videos and edit them and also comes with a host of presets.

There is even a paid membership of $19.99 a year which gives you even more features to play around with.

Best Photo Editing Apps for Selfies- Retrica: 


Need more filters? Look no further Retrica has them for you. This app comes with 100 filters. That’s not all either, you can even check these filters in real life before taking a selfie too. The app also allows you take live video, great for those vloggers out there and you can also create GIFs with it as well. Besides this, the free app also comes with stickers and collage options to try out.

Best Photo Editing Apps for Selfies- Photo Wonder: 


This app takes the cake. It does everything from allows you to edit with tools such as blemish fix, slimify to allows you to use collages to give you a host of frames to use. It’s used by over 100 million users across 218 countries. Plus it does not hurt that it’s got excellent reviews on iTunes. This is a definite recommend.

Facetune to the rescue: 


This app comes to the rescue on those days that you just don’t feel good. It covers everything from wrinkles to blemishes to zits, creating a more perfect looking skin tone. There is even a reshape feature which makes you look thinner and taller, that’s taking it a bit too far if you ask me.
These are some of the best photo editing apps for selfies to try out.

Thursday, 7 May 2020

How to Speed up My MacBook pro?

How to Speed up My MacBook pro
If you’ve had your MacBook Pro for some time now, you may be longing for a new one. But you can’t seem to justify the new expense. If this is you and you’re looking out for a new MacBook Pro merely because the old one has become slow, then we’ll show you how you can boost the performance of your old macBook pro in a jiffy. In this post of how to speed up my MacBook pro, we’ll show you some easy and simple ways in which you can speed up your MacBook pro all without breaking the bank.

Close not need apps in How to Speed up my MacBook pro: 


This one might sound like a no brainer but, many of us neglect to do this. The “this” in question is closing down apps that we don’t require. Many a times apps that we are not using will be running in the background taking up space and memory. Most times than not, this takes up processing and makes your mac slower.

One way to see which apps that you don’t require are running in the background is to open Dock. You’ll see all active apps with a dot below them. If you happen to not see any dot then make sure, to head on to system preferences to make sure that a symbol is shown for all active applications. Once you’ve identified which apps you don’t require, you simple right click on them and press quit.

Use an Activity Monitor: 


In some instances you get some apps taking up more than their fair share of juice. Sometimes that’s just what they do and in others it’s a sign that something is wrong with the app. Whatever the case maybe, there is a way to check which apps are a power drain. In this post of How to Speed up my MacBook pro, you can use the activity monitor to see just which apps need to take a nap. You can get to the activity monitor by going into the utilities folder.

Once there you can click onto the CPU% tab to bring up all the apps that are currently running. You will also see in this section the amount of juice each app is taking. Once you know which apps need to go off simply click on the app in the activity monitor and press on the “x” symbol at the side.

Stop programs from booting up in this post of How to Speed up my MacBook pro: 


When you start up your mac there will be a host of applications that start up along with it. While some maybe important others start up for no apparent reason. The latter you can get rid of to boost performance.

All you have to do is to go to system preferences and users and group. From there head onto the login items. Check the items on this list to see what opens up as soon as you startup. Get rid of those apps that aren’t really needed when you login.

Tuesday, 5 May 2020

OLED Technology: Introduction and Basics

OLED Technology
We’ve heard a lot of OLED displays this and that. OLED display phones and OLED display gadgets, but what is OLED actually. OLED actually stands for organic light emitting diode. OLED as it is commonly called is present in many monitors, lighting and much more. OLED in other terms is the next level when it comes to LEDs and LCDs. In this post we’ll be seeing what OLED technology is all about and how it is different to the previous LEDs and LCDs.

First of all what are LED displays? 


Ok this is an easy one you might say light emitting diode and you wouldn’t be wrong either. LED was first introduced to the world back in 2009. LED displays marked the shift away from their predecessors, or as we commonly know them as those big TVs. Yes remember those days when the TV was a humongous box!

Those big TVs had cathode ray tubes by the way. With OLED coming a year after LED displays, you got even thinner and crisper images. Not only thinner TVs but people even came up with flexible screens. Screens that either could be rolled up or that could be folded.

OLED Technology and lighting: 


OLED displays are mainly large panels of light. These large areas diffuse light in different colors, giving us our vibrant images as we know them today. Not only that this technology also could change shape, transparency and colors giving us that never – before – seen –images. More than this OLED technology is known for its absence of poisonous mercury and energy efficiency.

The First OLED technology Product: 


Back in 2009 Philips developed the first OLED technology product- The Lumiblade. This thin and flat device gave off little heat and could be embedded into most materials with little or no trouble. This flat and thin device, therefore gave product developers a field day. It could be embedded into clothes, table tops, walls and what have you. The possibilities were endless.

Come a few years forward to 2013 and Philips and BASF came up with a lighted transparent car roof. This roof will apparently be solar powered. The whole transparent business means that it would turn transparent when switched off. This is just one of the examples of OLED technology.

OLED Technology and its functioning: 


OLED technology in the most basic of terms are organic semi- conductor materials that emit light when an electric current is passed through it. OLED displays work by passing current through thin layers of organic semiconductors. These semi-conductors are sandwiched between two charged electrodes which are positive and negative charged respectively. This sandwich is then placed on a transparent surface such as glass. The transparent surface is called a substrate. When current is passed through the sandwich it causes a high energy state called excitation. As this excitation layer subsides into normalcy it causes energy to flow evenly and thus emit light.

History of OLED technology: 


OLED technology was first invented by researchers at Eastman Kodak company back in 1987. Yes we are talking of that Kodak company here.

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Which Business Intelligence Tool is best for you?

Business Intelligence Tool
First of all what is a business intelligence tool? We need to understand what this is in the first place before we look at which is the best one for you. So getting back to the question…

What is a Business Intelligence Tool? 


Business intelligence tools are basically a software package that collects, transforms and presents data from a business for decision making. Much like what accounts do. The software takes data from a variety of sources, whether it is from structured or unstructured sources, and transforms according to the needs of the business.

Now since we know what business intelligence tools are, we can take a look at some of the best ones that will help your business grow.

Grow- as in grow your business: 


Grow is a cloud based business intelligence tool. It allows you, whether you’re a data analyst or a normal business user, to take control of your business’ data and take appropriate decisions based on them.

Here is a list of some of its features:

  • It has 115+ readymade data connectors for systems such as Saleforce, Bronto, Marketo and others 
  • You can create custom dashboards from their 20 different data visualizations options 
  • Make as many user accounts as you need 
  • Simple user interface for both managing SQL as well as readymade transformations 
  • From the app to emails to slack integration, all make it easier for you to share your insights with the team 
  • Hosted on Grow’s own cloud and is constantly supported by their team of experts 

Datapine as a business intelligence tool you might find useful:

Datapine is one of the most powerful and user friendly business intelligence tools out there. If you’re a data analyst or a non- technical user, this app has got you covered. It consolidates data from a variety of sources and compiles them in a form suitable for your understanding.

Here is a list of some of its features:

  • Integration of data in seconds with fast and easy to use data connectors 
  • Drag and drop features allow you to create data visualizations in seconds 
  • Ability to create intuitive dashboards with their advanced data tools 
  • Contains 80 different pre- defined dashboard templates 
  • Communicate via email reports, secure and customizable viewer areas as well as embedded dashboards 

Zoho Analytics: 


Zoho is your self- service kind of business intelligence tool. It allows you to create collect and present information in dashboards in a matter of minutes. It even has a cool AI feature which allows you to ask questions of an AI assistant and get answers in the form of reports.

Here are some of its features:

  • It has over a 100 ready made connectors that can be used for business apps as well as cloud drives and databases 
  • You can view your data in the form of pivot tables, charts, KPI widgets and custom themed dashboards 
  • It has a unified business analytics tool that analyzes data from a wide variety of sources and across departments as well 
  • You get augmented analytics with AI, ML and NLP 
  • You also get embedded analytical solutions and BI portals to work with. 

Yellowfin business intelligence tool: 


Yellowfin is your one stop business intelligence tool. With this in tow do you don’t need much else. It is applicable across a range of industries as well. With this tool in your business you can access data and compile it in a form most suitable to your particular business.

Here are some of its features:

  • Dashboards can be accessed from a webpage, company’s intranet or a mobile device in the form of an app 
  • It also has mapping mobile business intelligence features that make it easier to access and monitor business related data 
  • With the way it presents data, it makes it easier to take decisions and also faster 
  • Ability to create data rich presentations and interactive reports 
  • It also supports the decision making process 

Clear Analytics as a BI tool you need to try out: 


Clear Analytics condenses data so as to enable timely decision making. With this tool in your business arsenal you have all your business needs met at one place. With this business intelligence tool you can take large amounts of data from a variety of sources and present it in professional reports.

Here are some of its features:

  • Less interaction of humans required 
  • Ability to create your own dashboards 
  • You can present data in a variety of graphical formats 
  • It also gives you KPIs for easier comparison of performances 
  • Clear indication of fundamental issues 
  • It also offers the ability of predictive analysis 
  • Aids in strategic planning 

SAP business intelligence tool: 


SAP is an integrated business intelligence tool. It is basically an enterprise level software either for open client systems or server systems. It has developed new standards for a more effective presentation of information.

Here are some of its features:

  • It provides flexible and transparent business solutions 
  • The software is easily integrated with any system or application 
  • Its set up is done using modern methods and it makes the most efficient utilization of space 
  • It’s database systems combine both data analytics as well as data for a modern approach to storing data 
  • It has a simplified data container 
  • You can easily integrate it with both SAP as well as non- SAP applications 

MicroStrategy –best business intelligence tool to use: 


This business intelligence tool is mainly analytical software. With this tool in tow you can make better and speedier decisions. Using this tool you can transform the way you do business. You get a lot of predictive and advanced analytical tools to work with.

Here are some of its features:

  • Ease of use 
  • Advanced and predictive business data tools 
  • Self- services business analytical tools 
  • Large data solutions 
  • It even has Software as a Service or as it is most commonly called SaaS 
  • You get real time WYSIWYG report designs 
  • Dashboards and score cards for performance monitoring 

These are some of the best business intelligence tools that are out there.

Friday, 6 March 2020

Google Chrome Security Extensions You Need to Install

Google Chrome Security Extensions
Yes, Chrome is a safe browser and provides ample security as it is. But in today’s world you can never be too sure. With these Google Chrome security extensions you can boost up your security and with that increase your peace of mind as well. But which one to use? In this post we have compiled a list of some of some of the best Google Chrome security extensions that you can use.

 10 Best Google Chrome Security Extensions You Need to Install

  • ZenMate VPN:

This VPN integrates directly onto your browser. Besides this it has over 30 servers across the globe.
  • Click&Clean:

This is one of the Google Chrome security extensions on this list that scans for malware. It also does you the added caution of deleting all your browsing data with just a few clicks of the mouse.
  • Blur as one of the Google Chrome security extensions to use:

Blur is a password manager that also sets up a secure method for all your online payments. There is also the added advantage of preventing you from being tracked by deleting all your browsing data.
  • Ghostery a Simple and easy to use Google Chrome security extension:

This extension not only blocks ads but also speeds up your internet browsing. Plus there’s always the privacy it affords you.
  • HTTPS Everywhere:

This extension is a joint collaboration with EFF and Tor Project. It automatically shifts your insecure “http” to a more secure “http”.
  • Avast Online Security:

This extension aims at helping you avoid those phishing sites. Thus helping you avoid spoofing.
  • uMatrix as one of the Google Chrome security extensions on this list:

This extension is a point click matrix based firewall. It contains several privacy enhancing tools to ensure your security. With this extension you’re given full control of which browser your internet connects to. Not only that you’re also given the choice of what data is downloaded and what actions are executed.
  • Windows Defender Browser protection:

This Windows extension protects your PC, Mac and what have you from online threats such as phishing emails and their ilk. Besides this, it also protects you from entering into websites that are known carriers of viruses and malware.
  • AdBlock:

This extension is the Father of all ad blockers and the most popular too with over 200 million downloads. This extension too starts as soon as you have it installed. You can choose to avoid seeing ads when on certain sites or choose to have all ads blocked by default.
  • LastPass- Free password manager

This is the all- time favorite extension to use. Not only does it have the all encompassing security features but you can also use it on all devices too. Plus the great part about it is you don’t even need a premium account to uses it.

These are some of the best Google Chrome security extensions that you can use. While some block ads other do more than that and take care of security. Some of them prevent you from entering sites that are known to have malware.