Category: World

Meizu Sold 20 Million Phones in 2015, Increased its Sales by 350%

Meizu has revealed that it sold 20 million smartphones this year, all across Asia and parts of Europe (its devices are yet not officially available in the US). The current number of 20 million is a massive leap from last year’s 4.4 million. Meizu has increased its sales by an astonishing 350% according to these numbers.

The budget pricing, along with the design of the devices, seems to have worked wonders for Meizu. The smooth functioning of the phones, which are equipped with Flyme custom skin on top of Android, has won the company many fans.

One of the most recent launches in India by Meizu include the Meizu M2. It was launched exclusively on Snapdeal a couple of weeks ago priced at Rs. 6,999.The M2 comes with a unibody design and runs on the Flyme OS 4.5 based on Android 5.1. It has a 5 inch display and 720 pixels resolution. Other features include, TD-LTE FDD-LTE 4G, supports two Nano-SIM cards, and microSD card with a storage capacity of 144 GB.

December 23, 2015
Internet Grows to 299 Million Domain Names in Q3

VeriSign, Inc., a global leader in domain names and internet security today announced that there are approximately 229 million domain names worldwide across all top-level domains (TLDs) as of September 30, 2015. The number reached this tally after an additional 3.1 million domain names were added to the internet in the third quarter of 2015.

The 3.1 million increase in domain names also leads to a 1.1 percent increase over the second quarter of 2015. The .com and .net TLDs reached an aggregate total of approximately 135.2 million domains in the domain name base. This makes it a 3.4 percent yearly increase. As of September 30th, there are 120.1 million .com domain names and 15.1 million .net names.

During the third quarter, Verisign processed 9.2 million new domain name registrations for .com and .net, as compared to 8.7 million domain names for the same period last year. The company’s average daily Domain Name System (DNS) query load was about 120 billion queries per day across all TLDs operated by Verisign, with a peak reaching to 593 billion. Furthermore, the daily average query load increased 8.0 percent and the peak increased by 225.3 percent. Year over year, the daily average query load increased by 4.8 percent, and the peak increased by 86.4 percent.

December 21, 2015
Brazil Shuts Down WhatsApp for 48 Hours

Update: Within 12 hours of issuing it, the ban has been revoked. WhatsApp is working again in Brazil, for now.

Looks like it’s time to shove that smartphone aside for two days and look up from the phone screen if you’re in Brazil. The country has closed WhatsApp for 48 hours. Reasons for this have not been disclosed.

In the past, there has been much ado by Brazil’s telecommunication companies to curb interaction on WhatsApp. They claim that the free calling feature of the app is illegal and requires stricter regulations.In an attempt to distinguish itself from countries like the US, especially post the entire NSA spying scandal, Brazil had passed net neutrality laws in 2014, the internet ‘Bill of Rights’ being an example. Two years down the line, things seem to be taking a turn for the worse in Brazil. Soon, individuals would have to enter their address and phone numbers, among other details, to be able to use websites and apps.

With the government having given no explicit reason for this 48-hour long ban, the current picture is just as hazy as the future of WhatsApp in Brazil. The ban has already let to a huge uproar with grievances being expressed on social media. At the same time, WhatsApp competitors like Telegram are doing exceptionally well. Let’s see where it goes from here for the Brazilian cyber space and internet laws.

December 17, 2015
Samsung Drags Apple to Supreme Court Over Patent Lawsuit

Looks like the two tech-giants have taken it upon themselves to take care of the drama front of the tech world. As lawsuits and courtroom scenes between Samsung and Apple continue to persist, here’s the latest update.

Samsung had agreed to pay Apple $548 million this month after negotiating an initial penalty of $1 billion over a patent copyright infringement lawsuit. While many saw this as a stroke of luck for Samsung to be able to pay only half the amount of the initial fine, Samsung clearly disagrees.

The company requested the verdict to be over-turned by the Supreme Court by filing a motion with the highest court in the United States. Samsung believes the previous jury was not given enough material to understand the patent thoroughly.

Since the cases in the American Supreme Court are chosen by the justices, there is no surety that Samsung will get a chance to fight it out with Apple there. But if it does indeed land up there, both companies will be required to make 30 minute long oral-arguments each, along with file briefs. Time to bring out the popcorn and sit-back, folks. Team Samsung or Apple?

December 15, 2015
Microsoft Improves its Navigation Headphones to Help the Blind

Microsoft started an initiative last year called Cities Unlocked and introduced its first in-ear device on a trial basis in the UK. The highlight of this device was that it allowed users to hold conversations without the headset’s audio drowning out the voices.

The initiative, which was founded in 2011 as a partnership between Microsoft and a UK based charity called Guide Dogs, is now introducing its ‘phase two’ over-the-ears headset which includes audio descriptions and instructions related to directions, navigation and over-all surroundings of the user. The ‘3D soundscape’ of the device takes into account the direction of the incoming sound as well as the one the wearer is facing.

Jarnail Chudge, Microsoft’s project leader for Cities Unlocked programme, says, “After phase one last year we started to think deeply about how we can empower people to be more independent, more mobile, and act in much the same way as a sighted person would do.”

The audio prompts would be provided by the headset using a Bluetooth connected smartphone. More information about the surroundings can also be requested by the wearer, along with the option of replaying the audio they’ve just heard. The initiative aims to help over 285 million visually impaired people all over the globe using technology.

Find out more about this new headset in the video below.

https://youtu.be/Wm-AAkAKoTc

Source: Irish Examiner

December 1, 2015
Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates to Work Together on Clean Energy

The Facebook and Microsoft founders have teamed up to work together on solving problems related to climate change. Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he and his wife, Priscilla Chang will join forces with Bill Gates in an initiative called Breakthrough Energy Coalition that aims to invest in zero-carbon technology all over the world. The organisation’s membership includes other names like Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, Jack Ma, and Masayoshi Son.

This announcement has been made just ahead of the the UN Climate Control Conference in Paris later this week. American President Barack Obama and Microsoft founder Bill Gates are expected to unveil an initiative called Mission Innovation at the Paris event.This initiative will work with governments all over the world to double public investments in energy research.

The 19 countries which have already signed up to be part of Mission Innovation will increase their investment in energy-research to $20 billion by 2020; India is part of this list of countries. Even though Mission Innovation and Breakthrough Energy Coalition are separate programmes, they will work side by side to achieve their common goal of working on clean, sustainable energy sources.

November 30, 2015
US Sets Up Three Centers for Treatment of Smartphone Addicts

Nomophobia is the fear of not having access to a smartphone. Yes, it exists and is real enough for an American fascility called Morningside Recovery to provide formal, systematic treatment for it. The treatment begins with collecting the smartphones of individuals with the condition. Following this, they are allowed only limited access to their devices, promoting other kinds of activities they may have been missing out on lately. By cutting contact with the outside world, the individuals are encouraged to interact with each other, and participate in group and individual activities.

The sufferers of nomophobia are encouraged to develop new behavioral patterns that do no involve smartphones. With the help of breathing exercises, the individuals are trained to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Morningside Recovery has three centres providing this treatment located in California, Texas and Arizona.Dr. Waterman, the director of the programme, advises not just his patients but also smartphone addicts all over to “just try to put it [smartphone] down for a few moments and re-focus on their daily interactions.” Kindly take note. In a world where smartphones have become an extension of our bodies, it is not long until facilities like Morningside Recovery start popping up in India as well.

November 28, 2015
Android Pay Purchases Will Donate to Special Needs Education

Google has revealed that it will be donating up to a $1 million dollars to the education of 6.4 million special needs children. With every Android Pay purchase in the US, the company would give a dollar as donation for the betterment of the American special needs education system.

This announcement comes as an extension of Google’s Global Impact Challenge: Disabilities initiative. Google has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org and started the programme on the 24th of November right through to 31st December. Additionally, the donation amount will be doubled for every Android Purchase on Black Friday, owing to Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

The initiative is only confined to the US as of now.

November 25, 2015
Fashion Meets Tech in these Cool Sneakers With App-Controlled Screens

What happens when fashion meets technology? Awesome things, yes that’s what happens. ShiftWear has introduced sneakers with fitted app-controlled screens, and things only get better and better from there.

The design of the shoes can be controlled by a smartphone app that lets the wearer decide from a bunch of ideas depending on their whim and fancy. From basic geometric patterns to complex art designs -any of these can be sported on the shoes using the app and the screen on the shoes. Van Gogh paintings or your favourite Manga character -match your footwear to your mood, and of course, the rest of the outfit if you so desire.

The tagline of the product is: “The most adaptable shoes you’ll ever own, customized straight from your smartphone.”

It doesn’t end there -these sneakers are waterproof and can be machine-washed as well.They run on self-charging, eco-friendly batteries that get charged with every step the wearer takes. Check the snazzy video below to get a better idea of this latest 21st century contraption.

ShiftWear is a new company testing the waters with this innovative idea and trying to raise funds for their project using Indiegogo. If you want to get yourself a pair, prepared to shell out a $150 (close to Rs. 10,000). Would you be willing to invest in a product like these app-controlled sneakers for the love of fashion and technology?

November 25, 2015
Snapchat Makes Live Stories More Interactive With New Feature

In an attempt to make its Live Stories more interactive, Snapchat has introduced a new feature called Story Explorer. Users will now be able to see more of their favourite Live Stories.

https://youtu.be/Is5MVYepFBE

There will be an “Explore” tab at the bottom of some stories, and swiping it up would allow users to see more Snaps related to that particular story. The idea behind this new feature, as the company suggests, is to allow users to see different aspects of the same story and explore several perspectives.

“It’s the first time you’ll be able to experience that incredible game-winning dunk from thousands of perspectives throughout the stadium – or feel like you’re right there on the scene when breaking news unfolds.”

This new feature has been rolled out in New York and Los Angeles for now. Snapchat says in its official blog post that it will be made available in other places as well “very soon”. Looks like Snapchat might have provided social media with a reliable, authentic source of news after all, don’t you think?

November 24, 2015
Scientists Discover Diamond Nanothreads That are Crazy Strong

A new discovery makes graphene look a lot weaker now. Australian researchers have discovered that diamond nanothreads (one-dimensional diamond crystals capped with hydrogen) could be extremely strong. This ultra-thin diamond nanothread is a 1D structure with poly-benzene sections connected by Stone-Wales (SW) transformation defects.

What this basically means is that if mixed with the right amount of defects, these nanothreads become supremely flexible and durable. This will potentially allow one to create nanoscopic structures that cater to how strong you require them to be, with a ‘perfect’ mix of bendy and rigid shapes.

“Its highly tunable ductility together with its ultra-light density and high Young’s modulus makes diamond nanothread ideal for the creation of extremely strong three-dimensional nano-architectures,” say Zhan and co.

Of course, these nanothreads have been discovered on in simulation and only real-life applications can tell just how useful diamond nanothreads can be. The next step would be for material scientists to create nanothread construction kits and start measuring this material’s properties for real. Since the potential applications are wide, you may just see these little nanothreads everywhere around you very soon.

Source

November 23, 2015
New and Improved Selfie Stick: It’s Longer and Here to Stay

In an unusual twist of events, the selfie stick has been revamped by author Mansoon and made longer, and somewhat, more absurd (if that was even possible). The selfie stick made by Mansoon is longer and has ended up achieving what it had set out to evade -extra attention in public.

The modified product is featured on the website Omocoro. Mansoon explains his intention behind the product as to avoid the embarrassment of using something a selfie stick in public. Two prop hands ordered off Amazon to make this contraption by him. Needless to say, the clothes had to be modified as well to make the prop hands look like part of his body.

In case you are interested in getting one of these for yourself, the website offers a step-by-step DIY. Take a look and try it at home (or not) if you’re tired of watching the grass grow or the paint peel off the wall.

November 23, 2015
These Tiny Swallowable Sensors Analyze Your Health From Inside

A team of researchers at MIT have developed an ingestible sensor which will be able to assess your vital signs from inside the body. The sensor would pay special attention to the gastrointestinal tract while making both short and long term assessments easier for patients. Athletics and soldiers also stand to benefit from this new development in the realm of health related technology.

The sensor sits inside an almond-sized silicone capsule. The method of using this sensor internally will be very helpful with trauma patients like burn victims. Even though measurement of vital signs has evolved and developed tremendously over the years with ECGs and electronic stethoscopes being two efficient examples, all these are wearables which require skin contact. But ingestible devices completely eliminate the need for external contact with the patient’s body.

“What we did with our technology is identify components that were compatible with ingestion. These are very small microphones similar to the ones that are used in common cellphones and actually listen from within the body and [can] extract the heart rate and respiratory rate,” says a research affiliate at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.

The sensor works by picking up sound waves from both the heart as well as the lungs, along with the additional noise that comes from the digestive tract. The team overcame a major hurdle of devising a signal processing algorithm that can sieve and differentiate between the different kinds of noise and pay attention to the the heart beat and breathing.

This received data can be transmitted over a distance of as far as three meters. Once ingested, the capsular sensor would stay within the system for about a day, or two. For patients that require long term treatment, they might need to ingest these sensors more than once over a fixed period of time.

Image Source

November 21, 2015
Samsung Galaxy J3 Launched with 5-inch Display and a Quad-Core CPU

After receiving TENAA and 3C certifications this month, Samsung’s new smartphone Galaxy J3 has now been listed on the company’s China website. However, the name of the device has been slightly altered, it’s called Galaxy J3? now.

In terms of the specs, the phone packs a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU, along with 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display. It further has a 1.5 GB RAM and 8 GB of expandable internal memory. The battery is marked at a 2600 mAh. The main and the front cameras are marked at 8 MP and 5 MP respectively. With a measurement of 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm, the device weighs a 138 g.

Though the TENAA certified model was running on Android 5.1.1, the official listing doesn’t mention the operating system of the phone. Milk Music app and a Smart Manager tool are some of its other highlights on the software front. The official listing also doesn’t mention the price and the availability of the phone in other markets. Watch this space for more updates.

November 21, 2015
Huawei’s Rose Gold Watch Goes Up For Sale at $699

Huawei has released a new version of its first smartwatch, the Huawei Watch. The Chinese company has launched the most premium variant of the Watch which comes equipped with a 22K rose gold plated stainless steel case with “coin-edge top ring”.

The rose gold version of the Huawei Watch is available on the company’s official online US store. Even though right now only one variant of the Watch is available, Huawei promises another with “an alligator pressed brown suture fine-leather strap” soon. The Watch comes in limited quantity and is priced at $699 or about Rs. 50,000.

If you’re willing to scoop out another $100, the Watch will also be made available with a different configuration along with a 22K rose gold plated stainless steel link band, priced at $799 (close to Rs. 57,000). But this variant is yet to be up for sale.

Looks like Apple is not the only company to have left us a little more than surprised with its roof-high pricing of fancy smartwatches, the rose gold variant for a gadget isn’t so new either. Does a Huawei rose gold gadget appeal to you more than an Apple gadget with a similar physical design?

November 20, 2015