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.

Forza Horizon 4 trailer and all you can Expect

Forza Horizon 4’s trailer just been released a few days back by Xbox and there’s a lot to expect from the game this time around. Among the many new features to be launched with Forza Horizon 4 are dynamic seasons and gameplay modes.

The trailer shows Ralph Fulton and Benjamin Penrose talking about the game’s features as well on board, also talking on the video are the creative director and art director for Forza Horizon 4. There’s a lot to expect from the game so without further ado let’s get into Forza Horizon 4’s new features.

Racing through dynamic seasons on Forza Horizon 4: 

The game takes places through multiple seasons and these are not just there for ambience or looks. This will affect the way players play the game like the type of car they choose to race in cold seasons.
In winter for example there’ll be ice and snow on the tracks which will affect how players maneuver in their cars taking on the sharp and slippery bends and turns in the road. All these seasons will be seen in a 4K setting.

Living in Forza Horizon 4’s landscape: 

Another change made to the game is an addition in the form of residences for players. In Forza Horizon 4, players will get 12 houses in the span of the game with the first one being at the start of Forza Horizon 4.

Wild Challenges on Forza Horizon 4: 

During the course of Forza Horizon 4, players will be given some wild challenges to make the game more interesting. In the trailer, one such example was where a person was piloting a hovercraft alongside others in a race. At present there is not much by way of these wild challenges but at every corner there is one to keep players on their feet or in this case on their fingers.

Coming to the cars on Forza Horizon 4: 

Throughout Forza Horizon 4, players can earn skill points, which is nothing new but this time around players can use those skill points in enhancing various features in the cars that they use in the game.
So players can earn as well as spend in the game.

A realistic sound to cars on Forza Horizon 4: 

All of the sounds on Forza Horizon 4 are all realistic, with the sounds being taken from actual cars. These sounds include revving, racing through streets and more.

Playground games actually recorded these sounds for Forza Horizon 4 with the partnership of car manufacturers. Every time a new version of the game is released, newer and newer sounds are added to an already growing list.

McLaren too joined up with the gaming company and gave them a 720 and 540 to go out on to an airstrip and record sounds for the game.

Apart from these features, Forza Horizon 4 includes much more that is bound to add new challenges and aspects to the game. Xbox One and PC platforms are all set to launch Forza Horizon 4 on October 2.

Android 9 Pie (Go edition): New Features and More Options This Fall

Android 9 Pie (Go edition) with new Features to unveil later this year

With the release of Android 9 Pie, the Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will be unveiled shortly. Google announced the introduction of Android 9 Pie (Go edition) as they are keen on focussing on the entry-level smartphone users. Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will be succeeding the Oreo (Go edition) which was introduced in December 2017.

With the Android 9 Pie (Go edition), there will be an additional 500MB of storage out of the box as compared to the Oreo (Go edition) and more than double that of a non-Go edition device. Security features like verified boot will see an improvement, there will be faster boot time and a dashboard to check out data consumption.

Google plans to roll out the Android 9 Pie (Go edition) later this fall, but no exact dates have been stated. Smartphones that have the Android Oreo (Go edition) will also be getting a software update towards the end of this year or early next year.

Last year we saw the introduction of Android (Go edition). The sole purpose was to give first time users and entry-level smartphone users a fast and good experience. The first batch of Android (Go edition) smartphones rolled out in April. There are more than 200 smartphones selling in more than 120 countries which include India, Nigeria, South Africa, U.S. and Brazil. They had not only improved the core operating system but also added new and useful features in various apps like YouTube Go, Google Go and many more.

There is a Go edition device for everyone and they are even selling at $30. It may vary with a HD or regular VGA display, have either 4GB or 8GB or 16 GB storage and support 3G or 4G. There are more than 100 manufacturers who are planning to sell these devices by the end of this year.

Additional Features of Android 9 Pie (Go edition) 

The Android 9 Pie (Go edition) is slated to bring in a redesigned set of Google apps basically to serve the entry-level smartphone users.These entry-level smartphones with Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will see new features that include

An additional 500MB storage out of the box.

The boot time will be faster.

A dashboard to help monitor and track data consumption.

Improved security features like verified boot.

The Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will have lesser preloaded apps and new apps that are lighter. It will come with a built-in security feature and offline app install scans.

According to Sagar Kamdar, Director of Product Management, Android, these new features of Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will take care of most of the problems entry-level or first- time users experience. It could either be security issues, device performance, managing data or storage.

Google had updated the YouTube Go app with a .yt file extension wherein the users with Android Oreo (Go edition) could save YouTube offline videos to their Gallery. There was an update of the webpage voice dictation and also a new navigation for Google Maps Go extension app.

Google One with Cheaper Plans, Extra Benefits in US

Google had recently held the Google One cloud storage packages premiere in USA. Google One is a new name for storage packages that Google users can subscribe for. The Google One storage plan is open for individuals and small business alike. However the Google Drive platform still remains unchanged.

Prices range from everything in between $1.99 to $9.99 for various amounts of storage. Most people have a lot of storage when it comes down to it. You can store your music on Google Play Music which is soon to be called YouTube Music. You can store your pictures for free if they’re not above 13MP and wouldn’t you rather surf for videos on Netflix or YouTube rather than spend money on buying a storage plan. When you’ve taken into account videos, photos and music, there’s really not that much else to be stored is there?

Prices for Google One: 

 

The Google One storage platform starts from $1.99 a month for 100 GB of data with tiers for $2.99 per month for 200 GB and $9.99 per month for 2TB of data on Google One as compared to 1 TB in Google Drive. I don’t know about you, but 2 TB of data is more than anyone needs.

If this is still not that good enough, then there are larger packages with a larger price tag as well. These packages are much like Google Drive.

Google One- a Family Pack: 

The Google One package can be used for storage by the whole family too. That is up to five family members.

As a member of Google One packages, there will be incentives like certain discounts in the Google Store and so forth. But at present there’s not much to that and it maybe not that great of an incentive too.

What’s Free on Google One? 

The same 15 GB of data space is there, which is split across all tiers like photos, videos and Gmail, which most seemed to forget come under the 15 GB free bracket.

After a while that 15 GB of free space too seems to be limited and if you’ve started using Gmail form the beginning then somewhere about now you’ll be finding your space getting smaller.

Are you on the Google One plan? 

If you’re already a Google Drive user and are residing in the US then you automatically come under the Google One plan.

On the other hand if you’re a new subscriber to Google, then you’ll be signed up on a new Google One account.

If you’re not a US Resident: 

Google One is only available in the US as of now, but will shortly roll out to other countries as well. If you’ve paid for a Google Drive storage plan, then no worries you won’t loose out on what you’ve paid for but will be automatically transferred to the Google One storage plan as soon as it rolls out to your country of residence.

In a few months, Google plans on rolling out Google One to other countries as well.

Google Tracks Your Movements, You Like It or Not

You Are Being Watched as Google Tracks your Movements

Whether you like it or not Google keeps track of your daily movements. You may not want it to do so, you may switch off your location history but Google is always tracking your movements. Why you ask? Well the answer lies within Google wanting to make big bucks when it comes to advertising. By getting your location and the places you frequently visit, Google is able to tailor advertisements based off of that data.

An Associated press investigation team has learnt that Google tracks your movements even when you expressly tell them not to. How do they do this, you say? The answer is simple. They track your movements from your android phone or iOS.

Being Upfront about Tracking your Movements: 

Most of the time Google is upfront when it comes to tracking your movements. They ask your permission and if you decide to give it, then Google prepares a timeline showing your movements over a period of time.

But of course many are opposed to the idea of their movements being tracked. Alas, that has not stopped the tech giant from tracking your movements. It makes sense too that people are not so keen on letting Google track their movements.

Police have previously used the data stored by Google in nabbing suspects in an investigation. But who’s to say that data pertaining to tracking your movements will be used only by the correct authorities.

There is considerable risk of some unknown parties getting that information and using it in ways that we have not even thought about.

What does Google say about Tracking your Movements? 

According to Google, the company does not remember where you move on a daily basis. This it does when your location history is turned off.

But the reality is much different. Even with location history being off, Google still tracks your movements from various Google apps.

Take for example Google Maps, as soon as you open the app, Google immediately takes a snapshot of where you’re at. If that’s not enough for you, then knowing that when you get automatic weather updates, it pinpoints your exact location will force you to wonder how Google is getting all that info.

Forget the apps for just a second, what about innocent searches on the net for chocolate chip cookies or anything else for that matter, on your search results page you get your exact latitude and longitude and I know no one is going to be happy about that.

Who does Google keep track of? 

Studies show that Google tracks movements of nearly 2 billion users worldwide. These can be from android as well as iPhone users who rely on Google for some of their app usage.

When you turn off location history in one place, all places where such data is stored should be turned off, like other Google apps as well. But no matter how straightforward that seems it is not done. It is not that it is impossible to switch of location history on your device but knowing where to switch it off and how, can be problematic.

Android Digital Wellbeing: Google’s Plan for Limiting Screen Time on Android Phones

Why Android Digital Wellbeing could be helpful for you

How much time do you spend on your phone each day? 1 hr, 4hrs or maybe even 6, maybe for some it is even more. For some it maybe a need to use their phones almost constantly for work or otherwise and for some of us…… Phones have become an addiction, there’s no beating around the bush with that. We spend endless hours on our phones doing nothing productive. Google’s android digital wellbeing is a step in the right direction.

Apple’s screen time and Google’s digital wellbeing all seem aimed at one thing- to reduce the time we spend on our phones and to get in touch with life. Both these apps are geared at getting an individual back on track when it comes to living life off the phone.

What does Google’s Android Digital Wellbeing do? 

Apple’s screen time allows users to monitor the time they spend on particular apps and even to set limits on their app patrolling a day. Gradually even Facebook and Instagram have introduced this feature to dissuade users from spending endless amounts on their accounts in a day.

Almost all of the above have introduced a dashboard where you can not only monitor the time spent on your app but also set limits for each activity and snooze notifications to get a better hold on your digital life.

Google’s android digital wellbeing is similar to the above with a few interface differences.

Launched with Android Pie or 9 however you wish to call it, android digital wellbeing seems to be a better approach to our digital wellbeing. But of- course nothing can be said immediately as it is only on beta as of now.

All about studies in using phones: 

Studies have shown that adolescents that spend inordinate amounts of time on their phones are likely to be more susceptible to mental health issues such as depression and suicide risk.

Android digital wellbeing is all about reducing the time we spend on our phones. Android digital wellbeing shows our phone usage as a pie chart showing you how much time you spend on your phone in general in the centre and divided by the time you spend on individual apps. Down below, the android digital wellbeing app, you get to see how many times you’ve unlocked your phone in a day and how many times in the day you have received notifications.

But that’s not all with android digital wellbeing, Google plans on making your interactions more fruitful and productive so that you spend less time on your phone.

Making android more productive with Android Digital Wellbeing: 

A part of making your interactions smoother and faster with android digital wellbeing, is by using gestures instead of the norm.

Android pie is all about gestures instead of the normal home, back and most used apps button. It may take a little time for users to figure out, especially if users are more familiar with the old way.

Display Cutouts: Android P Supporting Edge-to-Edge Screens

Display Cutouts on Android P

Display cutouts, as we commonly know them as notches, were released a few days back with Android P. Android P was released a week or so back with all new features and APIs, besides that we also got to see the all new Google’s version of Apple’s notches- Display cutouts.

With display cutouts on Android P, developers can change the way the display cutouts appear on their apps- whether they want it to overlap with the displays or not and much more. To do so developers can run the Android Emulator on their phones and go to the developer settings to change the way display cutouts appear on their apps.

Using the Emulator to style your own Display Cutouts: 

Once on the emulator, developers can style their display cutouts in the style of their choosing. In the emulator, display cutouts appear at the top of the screen irrespective of the style you choose. These display cutouts do not overlap the status bar so app display information is saved.

But this may not always be the case as different manufacturers may position the display cutouts
differently and this may overlap with the status bar in some cases.

To choose the right display cutouts in an app there is a window layout attribute that allows you to design your app around the format of display cutouts chosen.

You can choose from among three modes of display cutouts for your app.

The different Display cutouts you can choose from: 

The first mode is called LAYOUT IN DISPLAY CUOUT MODE DEFAULT.

The default mode does not allow the display cutouts to extend into the app space. The window is arranged in such a way such that the display cutouts are at the top without extending past the status bar.

The next mode is LAYOUT IN DISPLAY CUTOUT MODE ALWAYS.

In this mode the window of the app overlaps with the display cutout which is present in both portrait as well as landscape mode.

It is up to the developer to see to it that no app information is covered by the display cutouts.

The third mode is LAYOUT IN DISPLAY CUTOUT MODE NEVER.

Here the window space is never allowed to go into the display cutouts area leaving a very small space for app developers to manoeuvre in.

Uniform display cutouts for all manufacturers: 

Google has also given app developers a choice in the status bar when it comes to using display cutouts. The status bar has to be of the size of the notch this will affect the size of the information displayed.

So Google has introduced “Special Mode” that shows a button on the navigation bar with an option to change from letterboxed view to full screen view with the content being wrapped around the notch.
One more guideline when it comes to display cutouts is that phone manufacturers can only support a limited number of display cutouts. Developers can only use a single tall display cutout or a dual display cutout or a corner cutout.

Google Maps for Motorcycles is Coming

Google maps is a really helpful tool if you travel a lot to places you’ve never really been before. You can adjust the mode depending on your type of travel whether it is on public transportation or if you’re taking your own car. Google maps shows the street as you drive on it as well as landmarks so that you don’t get confused when there are no street names to go by. All in all using Google maps has become an indispensable tool for a lot of people since its first release. Now another option to hit Google maps for motorcycles.

Google initially tested out Google maps for motorcycles in India and there was no better place for them to do so. India has the highest motorcycle usage in the world and with the abundance of narrow roads and alleyways in the country, Google has made specific maps only for motorcycle usage. After India it is onto Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Honk Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines for Google maps for motorcycles.

What does Google maps for Motorcycles have that other modes of transportations do not have? 

Google maps for motorcycles takes into account narrow roads and alleyways as well as the normal routes. The idea behind the Google maps for motorcycles doing this is that two wheelers can easily take these routes where otherwise vehicular traffic would not be able to.

Since these additional routes are taken into account of, Google maps for motorcycles gives an estimate of the time taken to travel, congestion and the rest with these routes in mind.

Another reason to add these routes onto Google maps for motorcycles is that if the normal routes do not really allow for two wheelers, then motorcyclists can automatically take other routes rather than later having to re- route.

Google maps for motorcycles to be used before travel: 

A feature that stands out on Google maps for motorcycles is that the app takes into account landmarks such as hospitals or hotels rather than street names which are difficult to read and maybe even find while one is travelling.

The idea is for one to already know where they are going by looking at Google maps for motorcycles before they set out to travel. This will avoid unnecessary looking at the phone while traveling which could cause accidents and serious harm to the traveler or people nearby.

Why did Google release Google maps for Motorcycles first in India? 

Companies go where there is demand and a market. The same happened here too with Google for motorcycles. India has one of the largest markets for two wheeler transportation in the world, hence Google motorcycles in India.

In the U.S sales of motorcycles are lagging and that could be one of the reasons why Google looked to Asia for its Google maps for motorcycle testing.

While sales in the U.S. lagged, sales in India were increasing driven in part by Government spending on rural road constriction within the country.

As of now there is no news whether Google will bring out Google maps for motorcycles in America.

Bacteria powered solar cells Converts Light to Energy

Now its Bacteria Powered Solar Cells

With the amount of fossil fuels being burnt for our daily living and the amount of pollution that there is, it is no wonder why researchers are looking for alternative means to get energy to power our daily living. Of those new energy sources is solar power. Solar power is now being used in many places to generate electricity but is still not being widely used. The cost of installing a solar panel is too exorbitant and that acts as a deterrent in using them. Plus another limitation is that they do not generate much electricity form the sun when there are overcast skies. This led to researchers coming up with Bacteria powered solar cells.

Researchers use the bacteria to power solar cells and they even generate electricity when there are overcast skies. What’s more is that this method is cheap and sustainable even for long periods. Plus to use bacterial powered solar cells means you get more energy than what is available today.

Bacteria powered solar cells a solution to our problems? 

This new way of using bacteria powered solar cells, will be especially useful in places where overcast skies are common and where previously solar energy could not be used. Such places like British Columbia and northern parts of Europe could benefit from this bacteria powered solar cell.

The bacteria powered solar cell is called “biogenic” since they are made from living organisms.

Bacteria powered solar cells in a solar panel: 

Solar cells are the building blocks in a solar panel and thus by using bacteria powered solar cells, you would actually be using them in the panels itself. These bacteria will convert solar energy into electricity.

Previous efforts at using bacteria involved the dyes that bacteria uses in photosynthesis. This process that involved extracting the dye, is a costly process and involves the use of toxic materials, which therefore pushes up the cost of making a solar panel.

What’s more is that the toxic materials that were used in the process actually degraded the dye making it less useful.

The new method of making a bacteria powered solar cells: 

The breakthrough idea came when scientists decided to leave the dye in the bacteria itself and not to extract it.

So they genetically engineered E.coli to produce large volumes of lycopene. Lycopene is a dye that gives tomatoes their red color and more importantly to harvest solar energy to produce electricity.

After this, researchers used a coating on the bacteria to make it act as a semiconductor and then used the bacteria powered solar cells in a solar panel.

The results were astounding. The bacteria powered solar cell generated 0.686 milliamps per square centimeter on the solar panel as compared to 0.362 achieved by current methods.

The use of bacteria powered solar cells is sustainable and cost effective. Researchers estimate the costs in the realms of 1/10th the current cost of making a solar cell.

The next step for researchers is to get the bacteria to survive so as to continue to produce the dye that would convert solar energy.

Best 5 Google Apps to Better Run Your Household

While GSuite previously known as Google apps is a blessing when it comes to office work, what many don’t know is that it can be used at home too. With all the Google apps being in one place and often integrated, GSuite / Google apps seems to work at office and at home too. Imagine if you’re a parent and have a full time job too, keeping tabs of both your work life as well as your child’s life can be a really daunting task so why not get Google apps to help you along the way?

Using Google Calendar on Google apps to help keep track of your child’s events:

Keep track of your child’s school events and appointments with Google calendar on Google apps. You can add multiple calendars for each child and put all those child’s event into one place whether it be soccer practice or a friend’s birthday party.

You can even put different colors for different children to avoid any misplacement of schedules. You can also toggle off or on each calendar if you just need to see your own schedule.

With the Google app you can also share the calendar with others, like your child’s calendar with a spouse or a care giver without the need to send your events too.

All you need to do is select the three dots near the person’s calendar option and press “settings and share”. Even when you add a new event to the calendar, Google calendar updates the calendar which has been shared without the need for you to contact that person.

Get in touch with Gmail’s multiple tabs and snooze feature on Google apps:

Gmail on Google apps has a feature whereby you can separate emails by the types of sender like for example social media emails can go in a separate tab. What this feature does is allow you to keep your mail clean and concentrate only on the things that matter without getting too overwhelmed by a lot of emails.

You can access this feature form the Settings icon on Gmail and press “configure inbox”.

The Snooze feature is an excellent way to not only declutter your inbox but to also keep track of events as and when they occur. For example keeping the confirmation for your child’s school trip for a week before the trip. This also helps you keep track of what needs to happen and when.

Google hangouts on Google apps to stay in touch:

Google hangouts as a part of Google apps, is a cool way to stay in touch with loved ones at work too. You can access Google Hangouts from your desktop and Gmail and switch between answering emails to keeping in touch with your child. You could even check if you’ve missed some notification from the family too.

Using Google maps From Google apps to travel:

You can use Google maps to reduce the time you take to reach from one place to another. Besides giving you updates on traffic on your route you can even check out if there is a shortcut to the route you’ve been taking for years. This will help you keep your schedules while getting a few minutes rest too.

Tips for Keeping Your Business and Your Customers Safe Online

The internet is a place of adventure and excitement! It allows us to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time.

It has also made doing business a lot more exciting. Just a few decades ago, businesses were relegated to serving customers in their immediate area. Today, businesses can sell their goods across the globe, making more money than they ever thought possible!

However, for as exciting as the internet is, it also comes with loads of responsibility. That’s especially the case if you’re a business that wants to stay safe online and keep its customers safe online as well.
With these tips, you can confidently build your presence online without worrying about the security of your company or the safety of your clients and customers.

Create a Comprehensive Privacy Policy

In a world of hackers and businesses that sell your information for money, a privacy policy has become a must. A few questions Reciprocity recommends asking yourself include, "Do you even have a written policy for handling, tracking, storing, and sharing the data you collect? Do you have clear steps defined in the process, including how to tag data, so you can easily retrieve it no matter where it goes?"

Based on those answers, you can, "determine which of them your enterprise is in compliance with and where it falls short, and what you must do to reach compliance."

Digging into your privacy policy will help you uncover compliance issues, and at the same time, it will boost user confidence in your brand.

Get Smart About Logins

The wrong logins can make your business susceptible to hackers. That means sensitive company information could be stolen, but it also means your customers’ information can be stolen too.

It’s time to get serious about logins. That means choosing logins that:

•   Don’t contain recognizable words
•  Contain numbers
•  Contain symbols
•  Have at least 12 characters

It also means being careful about who in the company has access to what information. Only provide access to essential information and lock down the rest so you don’t have to worry about a leak from the inside either.

Be Careful with Ecommerce

There are a lot of great tips out there about how to create a fantastic ecommerce website. By following those tips, you can literally build a customer base that spans the entire globe.

However, it’s ecommerce that can cause the most security problems. After all, people are giving you their personal information for your product or service! That’s why you have to be careful about establishing and maintaining an ecommerce site.

Only ask for information from customers that is absolutely necessary to complete a transaction. Follow ecommerce best practices and consider not storing any payment information to protect yourself and your customers from fraud.

Keep Security Software Current

Malware and viruses are a real threat to your business too. It isn’t just hackers! That’s why it’s important to keep your security software current.

Downloadable programs make this easier than ever, but there are some other things you should do to protect your computer and your database.

Update everything in a timely manner. That includes security software, but it also includes browser and operating system updates. You may also want to consider additional programs, like ad blockers, that can keep you safe from a wide variety of threats.

The best approach to security is definitely one that includes many different techniques and methods to keep both your business and your customers safe.

Educate Yourself on Scammer Techniques

Sometimes, you’re at fault when it comes to compromising the safety of your business or your customers. Don’t be too hard on yourself though. Scammers can be tricky!

It pays to educate yourself on the best ways to protect yourself from online fraud. That includes:

•  Never clicking on a link from an untrustworthy sender
•  Double checking email addresses to make sure the sender is who they say they are
•  Keeping tabs on your social media followers and deleting fake or hacked accounts

When in doubt, it’s always a good policy to throw it out. Falling for a scam could mean losing control of important company information, and it can also mean your customers have to deal with drained bank accounts.

Online safety is about more than just keeping your business safe—it means keeping your customers safe too! With these tips, you can confidently do both so your company remains successful for many years to come.

HAMR: Swimming robo roach makes a splash

HAMR, the robotic amphibious roach

There have been a few insect-robots like the RoboBee and VelociRoACH that have been created in the past and the latest insect robot is the HAMR, an amphibious roach. The HAMR or the Harvard Ambulatory MicroRobot was created by Harvard University.

In 2013, the actual HAMR was created and it was tether controlled. It measures 4.4 cm long and moves at a speed of 8.4 body lengths per second. It was created by using 23 microscopic layers of material that was sandwiched together and the patterns were cut out using laser.

The latest version of the HAMR weighs 1.65 grams and features four foot-pads on the four legs. This robotic roach created by the scientists is amphibious in nature. It can walk on land as well as swim on the surface of the water. The HAMR is also designed to walk underwater as long as it is desired, enabling the robot to explore new environments.

Working of the HAMR

When the HAMR enters the water, the foot pads provide the surface tension-induced buoyancy to prevent it from sinking. There is a provision for flaps on the underside of the pads that helps it to move across the water. The HAMR moves its legs in a swimming motion at a frequency of up to 10 Hertz. When the robot moves across the surface of the water it can evade any of the obstacles present and also reduce drag. The HAMR has four pairs of asymmetric flaps and customized swimming gait that help it to swim on the surface of the water. There is an unsteady interaction created between the passive flaps of the robot and the surrounding water which enables the robot to swim forward and turn.

From the underside of the pads, the HAMR can apply electric current to the water. This is electrowetting whereby the voltage that is applied will reduce the contact angle between an object and the water surface. Due to this the surface tension breaks and the robot sinks.

The robot uses the same mechanism to walk along the bottom of the water just like it walks on land. There is a watertight coating of a polymer known as Parylene to prevent shorting of the HAMR.

In order to get onto the land the HAMR has to break through the surface. A water surface tension force which is almost twice the robotic weight pushes the robot down. There is also an induced torque that increases the friction on the hind legs of the robot. To overcome this difficulty, the scientists have stiffened the transmission of the HAMR and put soft pads to the front legs of the robot. This helps to increase the payload capacity and the friction gets redistributed to enable the robot to climb. The robot then walks up an incline and breaks out of the water surface.

There is a possibility of using technology that gets its inspiration from geckos such as the gecko-inspired adhesives or jumping mechanisms where the HAMR can come out of the water without the use of a ramp or a slope.
 

Google Duplex: Google's Eerie Human Phone Bot is Ready for the Real World

Google Duplex gets a Redo

These days everyone is on the AI bandwagon, from apps to gaming, you can see AI on all these platforms. So why not get AI to book appointments and reservations at restaurants? That’s what Google thought back in May when it released a bot to make reservations and other stuff, called Google Duplex. On first hearing the voice, many thought it was weird and just didn’t sound right.

At the Google’s developer conference in May, a bot or AI or Google Duplex was heard calling a salon and a restaurant to book a reservation on behalf of a human. This initial show of Duplex caused many to raise a number of issues with the chat bot, one of them being that the person on the other end did not know that they were talking to a chat bot and the other that they did not even know they were being recorded. Both of these issues significantly invades a person’s privacy and the said person is unaware of both these issues.

Google Duplex to get a redo:

Google has since then taken these issues seriously and a few weeks before Google Duplex can be used by a small number of small businesses and users, Duplex has got a big redo.

Google aims to address these issues at a time when it has released a set of principles that prevents Googlers from using AI tech in technologies that could affect or violate human rights.

Google Duplex in a Demonstration: 

This time around in order to show case the new and improved version of Duplex, Google used a Hummus shop down the road from their headquarters in Mountain View, California. Google got Duplex to make a reservation at the restaurant which they played through the restaurant’s speakers so that the assembled reporters could hear Google Duplex in action.

As soon Duplex hit the ears of all those present a few differences were immediately apparent. Google’s Duplex informed the person on the other line that it is Google’s automated booking service and that it’ll be recording the call.

There were even Google’s representatives present to answer any questions that the reporters might have. The reporters were even given a chance to rotate around and answer the phone. Google’s duplex was being made to call through Google assistant from a laptop just a few feet away in the restaurant.

While many reporters took their turn at the restaurant, many of them tried to trip up the chat bot and when the chat bot was unable to satisfactorily complete the call, another person came on line which one would barely notice as a real human being.

 

No regrets: 

Google had no regrets at showing Duplex at their developer’s conference back in May. They said they were only demonstrating the technology side of things and all the feedback that they received was really helpful in making changes and going forward.

But another question arises now, Do people really feel a need to fulfill their obligations of attending an appointment, especially now that a bot is placing an order on their behalf?

What is the Best Laptop Under $1000 in 2018?

Laptop under $1000 - Which one is best for your use?

Regular laptop users always look for a high-quality model at a lower price. Especially a laptop under $1000 is affordable to most of the users. However, it is not easy to get a good laptop within this range. The manufacturers try to adjust the features while controlling the price rate. For instance, some of the laptops may have powerful CPU, while their build quality is lower than others. As a laptop buyer, you can try to check out whether your chosen model has a balance of all the features. You may also focus on those specs that are most useful to you.

We have researched on various models of laptop under $1000, and made a list of them to help you in purchasing the right one. We have picked the products from the most reputable brands in the laptop and computer market.

Best Laptop under $1000 :Acer's Aspire E 15

We have chosen it as the first model in our list of low-priced laptops. With a crosshatch patterned matte lid and black colored plastic, Aspire E 15 have a solid and sturdy structure. This is a 15.6-inch model with a brushed aluminum deck. On the left-hand side, there are USB connectors (3.0), VGA-out and Ethernet port. Aspire E 15 includes Core i3 processor, and its colorful display works with 1080p. On the right-hand side, there are audio jack and DVD drive. You can get 1TB 5,400-rpm and 4GB RAM as the storage space.

This laptop has decent keyboard that gives you a good feel, while the 10-key numeric pad is another organized feature. The layout of the keys is of god standard. However, the backlight system of keyboard has no option for adjusting the level of brightness.

Now, while talking about the display, we can say that there is 1920 by 1080 panel. This panel helps you in watching any film trailer in detail.

We do not want to call Aspire E 15 as the gaming laptop. Still, you can play lots of games with this system. But, it is slight thicker than other models, like Dell Inspiron 15 5000. There is no touch-sensitive screen on this laptop.

The battery charge of Aspire E 15 can last all through your working hours. You have to recharge it after nine hours of continuous working with the system.

Latest Technology Laptop under $1000: Acer Spin 5 

We have chosen another product of Acer that has a low-price range. Its weight is only 3.3lbs, and the model is very thin. The dark-gray colored lid may make you think that the laptop is just a metal piece. The silver logo is present on it.

The remains surrounded with the thick bezels, while the deck looks like the lid. On the laptop’s left side, there are USB ports, HDMI output and USB-C. The display size is 13.3 inches, and it gives a good look to the laptop. Speaker system of this model is at the top portion, and that is why it is able to produce louder sound.

The laptop design is convertible, and it includes a hinge that can rotate 360 degrees. There is also integrated microphone and fingerprint sensor. For connectivity, you can use Bluetooth.

However, the battery charge of this laptop lasts for seven hours, and in this case, other laptops of competitive brands can beat it. Due to consistent use, the laptop can turn out little amount of heat. This, the manufacturer has added a vent for redirecting this heat away from you.

User Friendly Laptop under $1000: Dell Inspiron 15 7000

While you are looking for a gaming laptop at a lower price, you can choose it. The combination of red and black color has created the smartest look. The lid is soft to touch, and you can find Dell’s red logo on it. The screen has the resolution value of 1080p, while its size is 15.6 inches. However, the audio quality of this laptop is average as the speaker needs to be little louder. This laptop has RAM memory of 8GB and SSD of 256GB.

Now, let’s talk about the battery. While you use internet continuously through Wi-Fi, the battery lasts for 7 hours. At the time of gaming, you have to place the laptop on the desk or table. However, when you are playing game continuously, the touchpad and the base may gain some heat.

This Inspiron 15 model includes different ports, including 3 USB-A and USB-C port, SD slot, headphone jack and Ethernet jack. Its keyboard blends letter with red colored backlights, and its touchpad looks different due to the red perimeter. Although there is nothing new in the design, you will surely get pleased with the slight modifications that Dell has introduced to its laptops.

Budget Friendly Laptop under $1000 Alienware 13

For those, who are looking for a VR-ready laptop, this product is the right option. The 1440p OLED screen has made this laptop differentiated from others. 6GB RAM and GTX 1060 GPU are other notable features of this laptop. Moreover, 512GB SSD has offered you much space. Motherboard has limited space for using M.2 sticks.

There is also 6GB graphics card that works for most of the applications. However, you can find an option of using graphics amplifier, which is able to work with Nvidia cards and AMD. While you have plugged the amplifier, it performs its work.

The design of this laptop is attractive with a sturdy build. The weight of this product 5.8 pounds, and it is little heavier that seventeen-inch laptops. The aluminum structure has made the design much resilient.

This is a touchscreen laptop with 1440p resolution, which enables you to enjoy sharp pictures. There is a backlit system on the keyboard, while the trackpad also has RGB lights.

Thus, while you are looking for a reliable laptop under $1000, you may pick any of the above products for your use. However, you should also check out the accurate price rate of every laptop. As lots of users look for low price range laptops, we have chosen all these products for them.

Intel: Pushing the Boundaries of Modern Computers at Computex

Intel to Boost Battery Life

Intel to boost battery life, yes Intel is all about doubling battery life by introducing a simple tech. Intel believes that battery life can be boosted by in fact reducing the consumption of energy by the display screens in laptops. At an announcement at Computex in Taipei, Intel recently created quite a stir by saying that they, by reducing the display screen’s battery’s consumption, they could actually double the battery life of a laptop device.

The most energy hungry part in a laptop is the display, so if the consumption of energy by the display is reduced, the battery life of a laptop can be increased. Currently laptop displays use about 2 watts. Intel says that by bringing down consumption to 1 watt means that we could see even 28 hour laptop battery life.

How is Intel going to boost battery life? 

One way by which Intel plans on boosting battery life and reducing display consumption is by co-engineering low power display technology. This tech co- created by Intel appears in a 1 watt panel manufactured by Innolux and Sharp, which apparently cuts LCD power consumption by half.

Testing of these panels by Intel: 

Intel says that it has seen laptops battery life increase from 20 hours to 24 hours using the tech and in some case it has also seen a jump in power of 4- 8 hours with the low power display technology.

This low power display tech is like a specification for manufacturing companies to meet, if these specifications are met while developing a display then Intel’s processors could use their integrated graphics card to adjust other settings such as refresh rate, brightness as well as various other settings that will boost battery life and reduce display consumption.

So in order to boost battery life, manufacturers would not only have to build display panels that match the low power consumption spec but also would have to use Intel processors to control the display and its settings, all to boost battery life of the laptop.

Cutting battery consumption by looking at the display was the right way to go as the display screens in devices are a major component that is known for consuming a lot of energy. As of now Sharp and Innolux are the only companies who have adopted the low power display tech in their manufacturing of display panels.

5G laptops in 2019: 

At the recent Computex, Intel also talked about selling Intel Processors for 5G connected PCs around the world. Intel is reportedly working with Acer, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft in bringing the first 5G connected PCs to the world in 2019.

Besides this Intel also plans on bringing out 10 more 4G PCs with partners like Acer, Dell, Asus and HP. This is in addition to the 25 4G connected PCs that are already on the market.

All this news at the Computex comes as Intel celebrates its 50th anniversary next month.

Electronic Entertainment Expo 2018 will be a Delight for Gamers

For gamers Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is the most awaited convention which brings the latest titles and release cycles of them for the year ahead. This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo(E3) 2018 is being held in Lost Angeles and it is all set to bring a massive collection of new titles offering for the gamers globally.

Giving a firm option against the competitors

Microsoft has so far played the third fiddle when it comes to modern day gaming console maker. But the launch of the latest X box is set to change everything for good and it will settle it as a major option against the likes for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. It should be noted that at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018 there wouldn't be any new console and to be honest there wouldn't be any new console from Microsoft until 2020. But Microsoft is coming up with the new Halo game which will be more than enough for the gamers to choose Xbox console over other to enjoy this remarkably great gameplay.

Secondly Microsoft will also be unveiling as many as 50 games along with 20 exclusive titles to debut on the Xbox consoles. Microsoft has already enhanced the gaming portfolio for its Xbox console which now features the popular Gears of War, Cuphead and Ori adventure games. Microsoft has admitted that it has turned its head towards gaming community and its team is actively focused on bringing the best for the gamers. It has received incredible demand from the fans andusers to come up with more exclusive and first party titles for its console and it will be delivering the same officially at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018.

Ubisoft, Sony and Electronic Arts to unveil new titles

Ubisoft is expected to unveil its Star Fox, Beyond Good and Evil 2 titles which have got some serious fan following in the recent times. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018 this French gaming firm will also be bringing the next version of its popular post-apocalyptic online shooting game. It will be named as 'The Division 2'. Another famous series run by the Ubisoft is the Assassin Creed which is all set to comes with the 11th instalment named Assassin's Creed: Odyssey at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018.
Sony had a quite year so far but the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018 it is looking forward to shake the things up. It will release more number of new iterations of its popular hit games. It is also expected to unveil a new action game named Control as well as the remake of ever popular Resident Evil 2 zombie-killing game.
Electronic Arts is all set to showcase its next Battlefield game named Battlefield 5 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018. It will also be releasing a new Star Wars based game called Jedi Fallen Order. Jedi Fallen order is being eagerly awaited by the fans globally and it is expected that this game will be realising during the holiday season at the end of the year.

How to Minimize Privacy Risks from Smart Gadgets

Smart Gadgets are prone to Security Risks

As the number of smart gadgets keep increasing, they make our homes smarter and lives easier. On the flip side, the smart gadgets are prone to security risks thus making them vulnerable to hacking.
There are a number of smart gadgets that have become vulnerable and prone to security risks. The Amazon Echo smart speaker had sent a private conversation to an acquaintance thus increasing the risk of the new voice-enabled technology.

Another smart gadget in the form of a smart doll which was seemingly a harmless toy was in fact a security risk. The smart gadget was used by hackers to intercept conversations over the connection.

A smart car too is not free from security risks. According to security researchers, the common car gadgets were vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The telematic control unit (TCU) are used for navigation, voice and data communication. The researchers were able to attack one of the TCU gadgets which was basically used to track per-mile insurance. The device that was installed in the car enabled them to hack into the car’s systems thereby taking complete control of all the functions of the car.

Let us take into account another smart gadget like the smart fridge. It is easy to get all the information regarding the user’s Gmail. A hacker can intercept all communications over a compromised internet connection. The home network that is connected to the smart fridge becomes vulnerable. According to the security researchers, a flaw in the SSL integration makes it easy for the hackers to access the network and in turn keep a track on all the activity linked to the user name and password that connects the fridge to the Gmail.

Various ways of protecting the smart gadgets from cyber attacks 

There are a few ways to ensure that your smart gadgets are safe from hackers. We can adopt certain practices to make our homes and personal data safe.

Our primary goal is to ensure that the network that enables all the smart gadgets is secure. Make sure that you do not connect to open or any public Wi-fi. On your home Wi-fi, enable password protected access. In case you have a default password on a router, make sure to change it.

On all the smart gadgets that are connected, make sure that all the operating systems are updated.
Get a secure router where the network security is enhanced.

Buy smart gadgets with added security. 

If the smart gadget that you are using is a smart speaker, then you can turn off the microphone button so that any private conversations are not prone to attacks.

In the case of smartphones you can turn off the mic access to all the apps except those apps used for video conferencing or voice recorders.

You can cover the camera of your smart gadgets like laptops or smartphones to prevent spying. The security camera in the house can be turned towards the wall when you are at home.

Since we are in an age where smart gadgets have become a part of our daily lives, we should make sure that we buy devices after checking out the reviews and also check out videos that will keep you aware of the security risks and glitches.

How to add PayPal to Google Pay

PayPal to have Bigger Role on Google Pay

PayPal has been on Google Pay for some time now, to be exact a year. But now PayPal is going to have a bigger role in Google Pay. A recent partnership between Google and PayPal, has given PayPal a bigger function, you can now use PayPal with YouTube, Google Play and Gmail.

But mind you, this feature is not yet available and will be usable only later in the year. A partnership a year back between PayPal and Google Pay allows you to purchase things using PayPal and there is nothing new to that except now you will be able to use PayPal to pay for services on Gmail, Google Play and YouTube.

Making PayPal the Default Payment method on Google Pay:

You can make PayPal the default payment method on Google Pay and doing this means that PayPal becomes the payment method for all services such as those provided by Google like Gmail, Google Store, YouTube and Google Pay.

Making PayPal the default payment method on Google Pay is simple all you need is the Google Pay app and to follow some simple instructions. All you have to do is to tap on the “Cards” tab to open it and then add the plus icon to add PayPal.

From the other payments methods select PayPal and you’re almost done. Next all you have to do is log into your PayPal account and enter your details and PIN. Finally, set a default top up amount and press on agree to terms and conditions to finish the set up process.

Making Changes to PayPal on Google Pay:

To make any changes in the PayPal account in Google Pay, all you need to do is go to the “Cards” tab section and make the changes such as make it the default payment method or even see recent payments activity.

But this feature does not work with all changes. Certain changes such as changing the top up amount or changing the PIN requires you go to the PayPal app.

To make any changes on the PayPal app all you have to do is go to the Settings tab and select Google Pay and then you can change things like you can put off the default top off requirement, change the PIN or remove PayPal as a default payment method on Google Pay.

You cannot use PayPal everywhere:

At present all is not so easy. PayPal can be used only where it is an accepted payment method. Right now PayPal can be used only in selected areas. There is still time for this service to become completely seamless.

Another limitation of using PayPal on Google Pay is that if your balance is not sufficient, then the full top up amount that you selected will be added to the PayPal balance even if you don’t need that much to complete the transaction. Fortunately this amount is not stuck on PayPal and can be transferred to the bank too.

YouTube Music Starts Rolling Out: 6 Reasons You are Gonna Like It

For the Music Lovers out there: YouTube brings you-“YouTube Music”

Recently YouTube announced YouTube music for all the music lovers out there which is basically for everyone. A week later and you have YouTube music already rolled out to the U.S. of A, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, with other countries coming shortly. All your music needs will be in one place now with YouTube Music.

You’ll be able to jam out to your favorite tunes, get recommendations based on your searches, don’t know the name of that song? No worries YouTube music has got you covered, all you have to do is place the name of the lyrics into the search bar and your sorted. You can even get songs to suit your schedule like on being on that train commute to office or while you’re on that grueling workout regime. But, now to elaborate further….

Everything under one roof with YouTube Music: 

Forget looking for songs in multiple places, instead of having a number of apps for music, you can get everything with YouTube music under one roof. Whether it is singles, whole albums or music videos, YouTube music has got everything. You can even watch concerts and get those really hard to find songs all with YouTube Music.

Recommendations customized just for you on YouTube music: 

Get recommendations just for you, right on your home screen. These recommendations will be based on your searches as well as where you’re at and what you are currently doing- you maybe at the gym, but no worries YouTube music has a playlist just for you.

Playlist Galore with YouTube Music: 

YouTube Music has got thousands upon thousands of playlists just for you and your moods. There’s “Blogged 50” if you’re in the mood for new songs and “Indie Under Pressure” to get you going on those terrible workouts.

Search smart with YouTube Music: 

Can’t remember the name of that song? You think you got those lyrics down but actually they’re wrong? No hassles, YouTube music is here to save the day or in your case get that song’s name which for the life of you can’t get out of your head.

Browse Music based on current trends:

Want to see what’s trending? YouTube music has got a hotlist screen that shows you all the latest and greatest in current music. No matter where you’re at which place across the globe you find yourself in, you can get the latest or those that are trending in your region.

Download your music hassle free on YouTube music: 

No internet connection? That’s not a problem cause you can now download your favorite tunes when you do have connection and then listen to them without those annoying ads going around in the background whenever you want.

Paid members also get an offline mixtape that automatically downloads songs that YouTube Music thinks you will like just in case you forgot to do so.

For Google Play Music members out there: 

Members will be able to access all their music and also be able to add music just like always.

Lynq is a Dead-Simple Gadget for Finding Your Friends Outdoors

Finding Your Friends Easily with Lynq

Ever found yourself in a large crowd and for the life of you couldn’t locate where your friends or family were? Well no more. There’s a new gadget in town by the name of Lynq, this dandy device helps you locate you friends easily without any distress. It is simple to use and highly effective. All lynq needs is for you to enter your friends or families names and you won’t ever have to worry about going and looking for them if they or you are lost.

Lynq becomes a handy little tool that you simply clip onto your bag or jeans to locate friends in a fair or concert or while camping. You never have to say I’m by so-and-so thing again and what’s even more interesting is that this cool device does not require an internet connection to work. It is simple and neat.

All about Lynq:

A few features here and there and that’s all what Lynq does. It gets you to your friends when you’re lost and that is great in and of itself. Using a combination of GPS and kinetic positioning, it tells you your position in relation to your friends.

There are no pins on a map or directions or coordinates to tell you where your friends are, just simply a vector that works anywhere outdoors. All you see is a blob that moves around lynq’s screen to tell you where your friends are. The closer they are the larger the blob in the direction they can be found and vice versa.

With lynq, up to 12 persons can get connected and this device works for up to 3 miles or longer depending on the outdoors.

A few Features with Lynq: 

Besides adding your friends into the its system, the device also allows you to navigate to a home location or base point where all connected lynq devices can point toward and a safe zone that warns you when a person leaves the safe radius.

You could even send basic messages which are already preset into the system like “help” or “meet up”.

Other uses of Lynq: 

Other than taking lynq on camping trips, this gadget is useful for keeping track of the elderly, pets, kids or it can be really useful for rescue workers too.

While it is really helpful for civilians, the military too found it very useful. In a joint testing program with the Thai ministry of defense, the U.S. Pacific Command found this gadget extremely useful in finding soldiers in the absence of any radio signal. It also helped them to get into formation faster for conducting a search mission.

This gadget has not only captured the interest of the US government but is also easy to understand and use.

When not in use lynq switches off but continually receives data behind the scenes. This helps in saving battery and plus when you open back the screen there is no lag in data. This gadget can be got for $154 for a pair and the price is likely to go up soon, so you might want to grab a pair before it does.

3 Reasons Google's Pixel Watch May Tempt You Away From An Apple Watch

Why Google Pixel Watch Maybe better than an Apple watch for you?

Looks like Wear OS maybe getting another boost of revival from Google. The first boost the OS got was by Google changing its name from Android Wear to Wear OS as a means of showing people that the new moniker could work with both an iPhone as well as android. Basically what I’m trying to say is that Apple users can now sync their iPhones with Wear OS. But getting on with this second boost to Wear OS, Google is planning on releasing a smart watch titled Google Pixel Watch.

So get saving for this Christmas because by that time Google would have released its pixel watch which is supposed to be great. Google is planning on not only one watch but three watches under the Pixel banner. These three pixel watches will not only have the latest in Wear OS but will also show off Google’s operating system’s true potential.

Why this Pixel watch will be better than the others?

Google pixel watch will be all set to stand off stiff competition this year with Apple releasing it’s Apple Watch 4 and Samsung’s Gear 4 coming out in the later- half of this year and let me tell you these brands do not fool around either. We can surely expect the best from these brands later this year.
But since this will be Google’s first Smart Watch release and that too under its Pixel flagship offering, we’re definitely hoping that Google comes out with something that will blow our minds away.

Why Google may stand up to other big brands with its Pixel Watch?

Apart from the other tech that is going into the Pixel watch, there is news that a new Qualcomm chipset will be present in the Pixel watch. This will be the first new Qualcomm chipset going into a wearable since the last Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 was released back in 2016.

As of now there is no confirmation that the Pixel watch will have this chipset but with a Qualcomm representative saying that the chipset will be going into a device that is coming out at the year end, we have our fingers crossed that this chipset could be going into the new Pixel watch.

With this being Google’s first smart watch undertaking and because it has to provide a reference design for other third party manufacturers who are playing around with the Wear OS platform, this new Pixel Watch will definitely have to stand out from its competition.

The Pixel brand has become Google’s go to brand in past few years, with them releasing smart phone after smart phone, so now releasing a smart watch under the same banner means that Google won’t be taking any chances.

Besides all this we expect Google to bring out the latest in smart watches like GPS, LTE connectivity, fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, NFC for mobile payments, getting notifications on the go feature, tracking for various sports to name a few.

A Recent Patent shows How Samsung's Long-Awaited Galaxy X Foldable Smartphone

Samsung gets Galaxy X foldable design patented!

The web has long been a strife with rumors of a foldable smart phone from Samsung and apparently this is one rumor that is turning out to be true. At first, when the rumors just started, a foldable smartphone was a thing of the future and no one gave it much thought apart from those rumors but now looking at the patent filed by Samsung, the foldable galaxy X design seems to be becoming a reality. But then again things often filed by tech companies don’t really see the light of day, let alone reach the production belt.

On May second, Samsung was granted multiple patents for its foldable Galaxy X smart phone design and the way it will work. With the Samsung Galaxy X design, you can fold the smart phone not only in halves but also in thirds, yes you read right the new Samsung Galaxy X design may come in thirds. As mentioned earlier, getting a patent and making the final product incorporating the patented article is not a done deal, but who knows with the amount of research Samsung has put into the Galaxy X design there is more than likely chance that Samsung would follow up with its patent.

The idea of folding the Samsung Galaxy X smartphone into three parts: 

On May 3rd Samsung got multiple designs for its foldable smartphone patented and these patents also show how the smart phone will work with all that folding.

You can use the smart phone by itself, what I mean is that it can be used just like a normal smartphone or you could bend it in half with two apps on either screen of the smart phone or with one whole app on both screens, with half the app on one screen and the other half of the app on the other screen of the Galaxy X smart phone.

You can even carry around the smart phone as folded up phone or maybe as a whole too. With the folded up piece of smart phone, you now have a smart phone the fraction the size of an average day smart phone and you can carry the thing in your pocket without having any problems.

Samsung’s Trifold Galaxy X smart phone: 

The Galaxy X smart phone will also be available in three folds too. This version of the smart phone will be longer than the normal half foldable smart phone and can be bent into three parts.

You can open up one side of the three part foldable Galaxy X phone and get your notifications or you can fold the Galaxy X smart phone in such a way as to prop the phone on one side and have a support for the other two screens. Alternatively the Galaxy X can be folded into a triangular shape to get one screen on.

 

Samsung’s Galaxy X is not the only foldable phone: 

Another smart phone to tote around the foldable feature is the ZTE Axon M, with this phone you can get two full screens that can be folded up together.