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Say Goodbye to the Trial Room with Augmented Reality

Augmented reality has come a long way. My first experience with the technology was while playing Agent V on the Nokia 3230. It was kind of rudimentary but it got the imagination rolling for a lot of fellow enthusiasts regarding the future of the technology.

Augmented reality (AR) is a digital overlay onto the real world. It enhances the real world with digital data, and therefore it is much more interesting than a completely fabricated environment of virtual reality systems. It is an ideal Reality-Virtual connect.

Try your Accessories right where you are.

AR presently is used in many different fields, from mobile games to areas of industrial maintenance. Its ease of integration across many mediums give it universal accessibility. One industry is presently experimenting a lot with AR is fashion.

It can help in literally every field of fashion, right from designing to marketing to retail sales. Some of the biggest names such as Hugo Boss, Burberry, Ebay’s with its “See It On” app have started inducting AR in their business model.

For example: The Hugo Boss store at Westfield Stratford City, features an 8-meter, media wall that allows customers to “dress” onscreen models who respond to consumers’ movements by looking at them, moving towards them and walking alongside them.

The coolest and the most advantageous aspect of AR is its flexibility of integration across a multitude of mediums like computers, mobiles, eyeglasses and even contact lenses with AR capabilities are in development. These will give the companies much more innovative ability to reach to the customers.

Cassete Playa makes things interesting with AR

London fashion label Cassette Playa is making it more interesting with their T-shirts. When seen through a Webcam, an AR code on the T-shirt is activated to reveal, for example, horns growing from the wearer’s head.

The fact that when people see fashion they imagine it on themselves is what encourages the company’s to give a more physical feel. The race is on towards a virtual changing room and AR is the best way forward.

If you are a person who hates shopping and the frustrating multiple visits to the changing room this may be a boon. The only issue is that if you have fat thighs like me you won’t be able to do the usual squats to make sure you are not getting choked by your jeans.

Even Google is getting in the game with its Google Glass. The company recently hired fashion executive Ivy Ross to market the glass to the general public. Ross has worked with industry giants like Calvin Klein, Swatch, Gap, Coach, and more. Guess we can anticipate a fashion trial app on the Glass too.

Virtual Trial Room with AR on Banana Flame

There are of course some dissenting voices who say practical application will take some time and its still in a marketing gimmick phase. But these critics do agree that virtual trial rooms are the more economical way forward and if history teaches us anything it’s that economic decisions always win.

It would be a wonderful technology to keep our eyes on. Maybe the days of boyfriends and husbands desperately looking for seats while their ladies take their sweet time deciding on their perfect attire is close to being history, hopefully.

May 31, 2014
Quantum Teleportation Finally a Reality

Physicists at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands were able to move quantum information between two quantum bits separated by about 3 meters without altering the encoded information. This quantum teleportation experminent was done using nitrogen-embedded diamond qubit. The article was published in the journal Science.

A quantum information known as “qubit” is the smallest unit of physical data or quantum data. It is like a “bit” in terms of digital data. These particles are extremely difficult to contain even in a laboratory setting (called Super position states) and have life spans of a few seconds in room temperatures.

Though it sounds enticing to the mind and stimulates all forms of speculation, but don’t overestimate the project just yet. The success rate of the experiment currently is at just one in million or if it’s a good day for physicists, once in thousands of attempts.

But this diamond qubit teleportation attempt is said to be more consistent than its predecessors. This time they were deterministically able to predict the recreation of the qubit on the other side. They will now try to send the data to longer duration, hopefully a kilometer in the approaching future.

Quantum teleportation lets a particle travel without coming in contact with physical medium.

Quantum research is one of the toughest of fields because of the severe uncertainty in the quantum universe apart from humongous apparatus needed to keep them in steady states.

There are a lot of real world applications when this technology will be fully unlocked. We would be able to achieve faster communication if we learn how to direct it. It will be like rediscovering radio but with a super adrenaline boost. Whole new levels of communication array would be at our disposal which might also help in space communication where we are currently limited by the speed of light radio waves. Think about sending information which recreates itself on the other side without actually passing through a physical medium.

Quantum computing is stated to be much more efficient and faster than our present computer technology as quantum bits have the ability to be in multiple states at the same time.

Unfortunately we aren’t even close to Star Trek’s Transporter

We won’t be able to achieve Star Trek’s “transporter” level teleportation of humans, but it will surely make our computers a lot faster. This is of course the beginning of the R&D on the project. Google had tried to work on teleportation but it figured out that most of the aspects of teleportation that we expect are against the laws of nature.

The experiment also has the potential to prove the theory of quantum entanglement right. The theory Quantum entanglement states that quantum states of two particles remain connected even if they appear to have been spatially separated, which even Einstein highly doubted. But with this experiment scientists were able to keep the particles “entangled” even after teleportation.

Now if you can’t wait to be teleported to new place or a fictional universe, just wait for the virtual reality systems like Oculus Rift and ANTVR to come in the market. Even though they will be simulated universe, but that is the closest we can ever come to teleportation in our lifetime.

May 30, 2014
Airtel Hits Jalandhar with 4G

People living in Jalandhar can now enjoy high definition video streaming with zero buffering, download 10 movies in less than 30 minutes, uploading a full holiday worth of albums in less than 5 minutes by uploading 2 high quality photos per second and also connect multiple devices without any experience constraint.

After launching in Chandigarh and Ludhiana successfully, now Airtel is launching its 4G services in Jalandhar. iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c owners can start their mobile 4G experience right away by upgrading to a 4G SIM.

It is not only easy, but also affordable! While the USIM will come free with the purchase of dongle or CPE(Customer-premises equipment). Otherwise it will come for Rs 49 for mobile users, with the dongles priced at Rs. 1500, and the CPE is priced at Rs 2500.

A special pack of Rs. 999/- (for postpaid – mobiles, dongles and CPEs) and Rs. 995/- (for prepaid- mobiles only) have also been introduced for heavy data users which will offer 10 GB of 4G data. For postpaid mobile customers, the plans will start as low as Rs. 100/-.

You can also enjoy the Airtel 4G’s unbeatable speed on the Airtel 4G dongle, Wi-Fi CPE and 4G compatible handsets including Xolo LT 900 and LG G2 (model D802T) apart from the iPhone 5S (models A1530& A1518) and 5C (models A1529 & A1516).

Special demo zones and kiosks have been installed at the Airtel Office at 342, New Jawahar Nagar, Jalandhar for customers to experience LIVE demos and get started on 4G. Airtel is planning to launch this service in Delhi in July while Bangluru, Kolakata, Pune and Mohali already have this service.

So if you were wondering about buying an LTE capable phone, then this should tilt the scales towards a positive.

May 30, 2014
Samsung’s Tough Boy, Galaxy S5 Active Officially Launched

Two weeks back we were introduced to Galaxy S5 Active, through a leaked video by TK TechNews. And now Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Active is available today on AT&T. Unlike it’s other counterparts, it is rugged and tough.

The Galaxy S5 Active has the same full-HD AMOLED 5.1-inch screen. Its 16-megapixel camera and fingerprint sensor are also lodged into the rugged smartphone. That said, water-resistance is now part of the original Galaxy S5’s bag of tricks. There’s also the shock-resistant, dust-proof shell and a burlier look. Even if it’s a dreamy rendered view we’re seeing here, the metallic details and finish could well win over Galaxy fans that aren’t pro-plastic.

There’s an extra “convenience key” on the side of the phone that gives you easy access to all the phone’s apps that are related to outdoor activity.

Although the casing looks hardier than that of the Galaxy S5, it’s reasonably slim — a far cry from the bulky “rugged” phones of yesteryears that often looked closer to military hardware than something you’d carry in your pocket. It’ll be offered in “camo green,” “titanium grey,” and “ruby red” colorways.

The critics though are questioning the need for this phone as its predecessor, the Galaxy S4 Active, since the regular Galaxy S5 already offers more protection against the elements than most other devices on the market. Without a whole lot of extra functionality to define it against the water-loving Galaxy S5, the S5 Active’s main appeal could well end up boiling down to its tough-guy exterior.

The phone currently is only available in the USA. you can buy the S5 Active for $200 with a new, two year contract, for $27.50 per month with AT&T Next 18, for $35.75 per month with AT&T Next 12.

AT&T is also knocking $50 off the price of the Samsung Gear Fit if you buy it alongside the Galaxy S 5 Active.

May 30, 2014
Unboxed : The Lava Iris X1

The Moto E revolution is evident in the market and looks like its going to be the standard from here on. Like an asteroid it came and devastated the previous generation standard spec sheets of the lower-end smartphone market. Clearly, a new era of the lower-end smartphone evolution has begun and Lava just layed its claim to the throne with the Lava iris X1.

All major companies including Samsung have stated that they are going to bring in a competition for the Moto E. We feel it’s about time we should start a MOTO watch section to see how close the other folks are coming to touch the towering ceiling set by the Motorola.

The easy slide out box is pretty standard for a Lava device. The box contains the standard sets of inhabitants. A good sized micro USB wall charger, flat cable earphones, a round cable micro USB to USB cable. The back cover looks extremely flimsy but the branding on the back is pretty classy. It is an effort to hold it up, though the lack of a rubberized back panel makes it slippery.

Where the X1 wins over the Moto E is the free flip cover provided in the box. The flip cover is functional as the screen locks when it’s closed. Another cool aspect of the cover is that the volume rocker positions are marked on the cover itself so you can access them easily while on move. The only issue though, the white cover can get dirty, very easily.

The phone comes with the Android 4.4.2 right out of the box. It is powered by a removable 1800 mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the non-removable 1980 mAh in the Moto E. The processor on the X1 is a Quad core 1.2 Ghz Broadcom chipset. It holds 1 GB of RAM and has an expandable memory upto 32 GB.

Coming to the handset, at the top it looks blatantly iPhone-ish minus the physical button. The screen is a 4.5 inch IPS display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The Moto G’s Corning Gorilla glass 3 is more pixel dense but the X1 isn’t that far behind, it has some good color reproduction capabilities.

Overall, it looks like a decent effort on the part of Lava, the most it could do at the moment in the face of stiff competition. Apart from the Moto E, Lava will also cross swords with Micromax which recently released its Unite 2. The phone has outperformed some of the major flagships in benchmark tests.

For the moment the phone is exclusively sold on Amazon at a price of Rs 7999. This is an audacious step, considering Lava is no Moto to have the luxury of exclusive marketing tie-ups. The X1’s closest competition, the Unite 2 costs Rs 6999 on flipkart.

For now, like Lava and others, we’ll wait and see how the market responds to this new era of intelligent evolution in the basic smartphones business.

May 30, 2014
The 10 Most Interactive Websites On the Internet

It’s the new age of marketing and companies have juiced every kind of media gimmick to promote themselves. It’s not only the online world, but all sorts of companies are looking to use new-age technology to attract more viewership. Now, interactive websites are the new ‘IT’ thing to advertise, as well as engage viewers with user-based interactive flash games.

Creating bespoke design and digital solutions help you glue the customers on your site. Here are 10 hand-picked websites that will glue your eyeballs to your laptop screens:

Hello Sour Sally

It is the first frozen yogurt store in Jakarta and their site is just so much fun! The site allows you to move “Sally” through a wonder world of ingredients. It is designed as a small game where you help sally collect all the ingredients to make the yogurt. Not the most easy to navigate, perhaps, but adorable.

May 30, 2014
Future Meets Reality? A Day Made Of Glass

First seen in 2011, this five-minute video shows a day-in-the-life of a family in the future to exhibit how a speciality glass may deliver astonishing benefits to daily products. From organizing your to-do list with a few touches on the bathroom mirror to altering the look of a car dashboard with a quick flick of your finger, or reading a classic novel on a thin piece of flexible glass – the video depicts a world of mobile communication and connection.

For more than 160 years, Corning has applied its skill in glass science to help enable the breakthroughs that have revolutionized our modern world, such as, Thomas Edison’s light bulb, glass windows for all U.S.-manned space flights, and the world’s first low-loss optical fiber for telecommunications networks. This track record for modernization continues today through Corning’s stanch pledge to research, a passion for glass, and their vision for the future.

The “A Day Made of Glass” video captured the imagination of millions on YouTube and was expanded in 2012 with Corning’s release of “A Day Made of Glass 2.” Set on the same day, this video takes a new journey with the same family, while extending the possibilities of glass into the hospital, classroom, and home of the future.

Today, the “A Day Made of Glass” series continues to grow, including new videos, an educational program, and a recently launched microsite. Visit the new microsite that features all of Corning’s “A Day Made of Glass” videos and content related to the company’s vision, including learning tools, feature stories, and FAQs on the video series.

It would be a stretch to label everything in these videos as digital signage, but the technologies they represent are so obviously cross-applicable that we might as well start getting ready for a world where digital signage isn’t just digital out-of-home, but digital in-home as well.

May 30, 2014
Skype’s Incredible New App Translates in Real-time

Skype clearly understanding the need of the hour has created an app which might be easiest way to stay in touch with your friends around the globe. With this app, Skype stays true to its motto and hopes to make its international connections easier. The new feature automatically translates conversations in real time. Before the end of 2014, Microsoft plans to release a beta Skype app that will enable real-time translation of people verbally speaking in different languages.

Skype Translator, as Microsoft is calling it, appears to be an extension of the real-time translation Microsoft has been developing for over ten years. The company had previously shown the technology in action, with the real-time translation of speech delivered by Microsoft’s Rick Rashid in China. Even more recently, Microsoft released Bing Translator, which performs the same function as Skype Translator, just on Windows 8.

The feature, dubbed Skype Translator, was demonstrated on Tuesday by Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella during an onstage interview at the Recode Code Conference in Palos Verdes, Calif. During the demonstration, Nadella conducted a conversation with Skype chief Gurdeep Singh Pall, who was speaking German, while Skype provided real-time translation of the German into English and vice versa.

On the Microsoft Research site, the company said it’s been working on machine translation for more than a decade, and that earlier translating voice over Skype was “considered a nearly impossible task.” However, four years ago the program got a jumpstart with a project that was able to translate phone calls in real-time. Meanwhile, a separate project improved speech recognition accuracy, Microsoft said. That eventually bolstered other services that listen to human voices, like Microsoft’s Cortana voice assistant for Windows Phone.

Microsoft had bought Skype in May 2011 for $8.5bn (£5.2bn) – making it the firm’s biggest acquisition at the time. However, it has been facing increasing competition from a multitude of rivals, including Google Hangouts, Apple’s Facetime, Blackberry’s BBM, Tango and Viber.

Manoj Menon, managing director at consulting firm Frost & Sullivan said that once launched, the new feature could have wide ranging applications in sectors such as education and tourism. He added that the translation feature may also help Microsoft to integrate Skype with its office social network site Yammer. Microsoft also bought Yammer – which operates like Facebook for communication within companies – for $1.2bn in 2012.

“Microsoft has acquired some great assets such as Yammer and Skype over the past few years,” Mr Menon said. “The ability to integrate these together will help unlock their value and the translate feature is a wonderful step in that direction.” Skype has also been taking other steps to try and attract more users. Last year, it confirmed that it had developed technology for 3D video calls. But it has said it could be many years before the technology is launched.

While it’s unclear how the beta app of Skype Translator will relate to Skype itself (will the two remain separate apps?), it’s certainly clear that Microsoft is moving ahead fast in terms of real-time translation.

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May 29, 2014
LG G3: Beginning of the 2K Run?

The Flagships are engaged in some real battles now. LG G3 dropped in and made it a lot more interesting. Packed in with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.46 GHz, expandable memory upto 128 GB and a laser focus support for the camera, the phone sure has some unique features to look forward to.

The G3 brings the First 2K Display

The phone’s display is its champion. The G3 has a best in class 5.5 inch Quad HD display with 538 pixel density that gives a resolution of 2560 x 1440 px(2K). With this release LG brought in the first 2K phone in the market.

Quad HD displays have been promised to the market by several manufacturers. Oppo’s Find 7 and Lenovo’s Vibe Z2 are some of the example. But why haven’t the rest of the manufacturers jumped on board with a 2K display market, we try to see the issues with running a Quad HD screen.

The screen on the LG G3 is substantially better than most of the screens this article is being read on. It is been said that the human eye cannot distinguish pixel density after 300ppi which Apple terms as its Retina display at 326 ppi in the iPhone 5S. But the images are just so mesmerizing on a Quad HD screen that you loose the reasons for the debate in the first place.

One of the major reasons why manufacturers are not encouraged to adopt a Quad HD display is because of the massive power required to run the display. It especially puts a heavy strain on the processor. But on a processor like the one G3 has, this might not be a major issue. A massive battery like the 3000 MaH on the G3 will take care of the excessive resource drain.

There isn’t enough content for the 2K and 4K displays.

There also aren’t a lot of apps that are ready for the 2K display. There is a serious shortage of content at the moment, as it is resource intensive to create the content in the first place. As the technology is still young, the content producers will wait for a while before investing in a heavy process like creating videos or games for such screens. They will wait for the device market to get populated with more products with such high definition displays.

Since HD is now the norm across many platforms, it is rather easy to create content for it. To create HD content you just need a computer system with decent specifications. The investment for making an HD content is comparatively lower than that for 2K or 4K productions.

So the question we really need to ask is that, are Quad HD phones worth buying at the moment or maybe we should just shut up, wait for the content to show up and enjoy the insane crispness of a handheld 2K screen.

May 28, 2014
Look Out Oculus! ANTVR Might Steal the Show

While the Oculus Rift was setting up the stage for the Virtual Reality(VR) revolution, one Chinese open source project might turtle its way to the finish line. A Chinese company called ANTVR is offering VR headsets which have everything that a proprietary system like Oculus lags. Get ready for a whole new iOS-Android like battle.

The shining glory of the ANTVR is it flexibility of integration on multiple platforms. It can be used with Xbox, Playstation, PC, Blu Ray and even the Android. Right now Oculus only plays the games made for its system and Sony’s project Morpheus will only run on the PS4(Lame!).

It is easy to make games for the ANTVR because of its an Asperical Lens system. The lens also allows proper recreation of the image and takes out any aberrations. This might actually help correct the complaints of vertigo in the likes of the Oculus Rift. Adjustable pupil distance also helps to reduce the strain on the eyes.

The headset gives a 360 degrees immersive vision. It has a dual 9 axis Inertial Measurement Unit(IMU), which bestows on it better capabilities for sensing the movements of the user. The IMU is integrated in the headset as well as the controller. The headset’s 100 degree straight vision gives a feeling of wearing an entire IMAX screen on your head.

ANTVR co-founder Qin Zheng quit his PhD to work on the system. He and his entire team look as if they are the members of the fellowship of Nerdliwood. Maybe it is because they themselves are Sci-Fi and gaming nerds that they can perfect a system that other fan boys and girls can enjoy.

Another key area where the ANTVR succeeds in is its transformable controller that offers multiple functionality. The controller can be used as a standard controller, a steering wheel, a gun or even a simulated hand grenades, can it BE more all-round convenient? There is also an option for standard cables as well as a wireless version of the controller.

The designs for the ANTVR systems are done by China based industrial designers LKK. They have come up with really ingenious and kickass designs. The transformable controller especially will be a boon to the gamers.The software’s and sensors are designed for a complete immersive experience. The detachable controller makes it extremely simple to use. Easy placement on the head even with spectacles is a welcome development.

ANTVR’s open source platform opens it up to enormous possiblilities. Qin Zheng has said that he will provide all documentation and libraries to the public. This approach will help increase the rate of upgradation of firmware and rapid feedback and growth for the ANTVR in comparison to its competitors.

The most respectable part of Zheng’s approach is that he has made it clear that he will not sell the company. The company has already scored $212,344 with its kickstarter campaign whose target was $200,000. The selling price of the individual equipment is around 300$ which will be a direct competition to the Oculus Rift’s consumer version.

We seriously hope for the ANTVR project to live long and prosper and set a milestone in the VR arena. This will also force big companies like Facebook (owners of Oculus) to try to one up the competition and come up with better products.

May 28, 2014
LG G3 Goes Official 2K Display and Quick Laser Focus
LG today officially announced the new LG G3 with most of the specs that have leaked all over the internet in the past. The new phone however, has a few tricks up its sleeve.

The G3 has been a design revision on the G2 with subtle changes, including a new metal-esque design (completely plastic though) and newer improved rear buttons and capabilities. The design curves out like the HTC One M8, being 2.75mm at the edges, 8.9mm at the thickest point. On the Hardware front there don’t seem to be many surprises either, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset the Quad Cores are clocked at 2.5GHz, with two variants the 2GB RAM/16GB Storage and the 3GB RAM/32GB Storage variant. Other features include a removable 3000 mAh battery and support for micro SD cards (we read upto 2 TB).

LG has continued with the reduced bezel design and the large 5.5 inch phone does not feel that big thanks to the shape. As for the front the LG G3 does actually feature the Quad HD display with 538ppi i.e. 2560 x 1440 px.

The phone is equipped with wireless charging capabilities, and docks will be available separately. The optics are the key points of conversation with the handset sporting a 13 MP camera with OIS and a Laser (infrared based) focus system, which claims to be razor sharp and extremely fast.

The Paint finish is also self healing like the G Flex but its not as good and the “metallic skin” on the phone will be available in five colors as of now, metallic black, silk white, shine gold, moon violet and burgundy red.

LG has made significant improvements to the interface and the access of tasks has become much smoother. LG claims this phone is a simper handset where the time from making the decision to executing the task has been decreased. The interface has been cleaned out and there is a minimal approach everywhere including using features like the new camera.

LG is expected to launch the new G3 in India in the coming month and we will get you more insights into that soon.

Key Specifications*:
- – Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core)
- – Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)
- – Memory: 16/32GB eMMC ROM, 2/3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)
- – Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP
- – Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
- – Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- – Size: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
- – Weight: 149g
- – Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G)
- – Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC,
SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
- – Color: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red
- – Other: Smart Keyboard, Smart Notice, Knock CodeTM, Guest Mode, etc
May 28, 2014
LG G3 Completely Leaked : QuadHD Display and Wireless Charging

Over the past weeks we have seen LG’s latest marvel, get leaked front, side and centre. This time around the Korean manufacturers latest flagship the LG G3’s press images have leaked along with the full list of specifications.

The new marvel will feature a 5.5 inch QuadHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440px. The first flagship to have such a resolute, the new G3 will also feature wireless charging for its 3000 mAh battery and a Snapdragon 801 chipset with 2.46 GHz on the clock. Just like last years G2, the LG G3 will also feature Optical image stabilization.

The images of the LG G3 show that the company will launch the phone in 3 colors, White, Grey and a new Copper Gold to match up to the other manufacturers. Interesting elements include the fact that the handset will support upto 2TB microSD cards. Another good news for prospective buyers is the fact that the phone will feature Globally unlocked LTE at launch even in India.

Yesterday a couple of videos teased the LG G3:

With the event scheduled for tomorrow, it seems that LG may not have any surprises left to share. Unless they pull “an Apple” on stage and use the words “One More Thing”. Either way, an anxious lot of people wait for the final launch.

May 27, 2014
New Prime Minister of India Website Goes Live: India to Become a Broadband State

As Mr. Narendra Modi got sworn in as the 15th Prime Minister of India, the new website for the elected representative went live. PMIndia.nic.in was updated with new images and new government policies, along with a way to greet the man himself.

This small move which may not be important to many, shows a major difference of opinion between the past and new government, towards the new digital generation. To put things in perspective the last time our Prime Minister was elected the website took over a month to get updated.

The new Government of India, led by Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister has a brilliant agenda towards the technological improvements in India, should they get implemented. For one that stands out is seemingly the need of the hour, for India to become a truly broadband enabled state.

The new government promises severe improvements in telecom and internet access in the country making broadband high speed, and no not speeds of 512 kbps, but actual high speed internet available to all. While major metropolitans will see fibre networks within the next 6 months, low connectivity states will get access to ADSL.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Narendra Modi” link=”http://pmindia.nic.in/pmmessage.php” author_title=”Prime Minister of India”]

I envision this website as a very important medium of direct communication between us. I am a firm believer in the power of technology and social media to communicate with people across the world. I hope this platform creates opportunities to listen, learn and share one’s views.

[/quote]

For India, this might be one of the crucial blockades, that might be on the eve of removal. Many of the business leaders and active online (dare we say) Netizens have seen great hope in this new government and its forward policies towards a better connected India.

The new Government will also discuss the existing duty rates on the import of various forms of technology, this might result in decrease in prices of various daily use tech like smartphones and cameras.

However, India seriously lacks behind in the deployment of connected hardware in the country. Many manufacturers have started bringing the latest tech to India in a timely manner, but we are yet to see infrastructure to support it. Again, for perspective the United States had a fully deployed 4G/LTE network by the end of 2012 and India is still in the testing phase, all this despite the fact that urban India will continue to account for a large percentage of mobile internet users across the country and is expected to reach 126 million by March 2014 and touch 153 million users by June 2014. Significantly, a drastic growth was witnessed in the number of users of mobile internet in rural India and will register an impressive 50% growth to reach 32 million by June 2014.

Once we have stable networks and high speed internet access we can then possibly discuss the next major issue; Street TRAFFIC!

May 26, 2014
5 Apps You Should Hit to Get Fit

Your health is in your hands. Seriously, it’s right there—or it can be, in the form of flashy petite apps downloaded to your smartphone. But with so many options to select from, it can be hard to know which apps really facilitate desirable results. At a time when storage space is dear and your vigor even more so, we’ve hand-selected fitness apps and games intended to help you facilitate a healthier you. Here is to using our phones to get fit!

Fitness Point Pro: Is a simple app, made for gym rats who are dedicated to follow a fitness regime. A paid app, this would a super cheap replacement of your trainer. By downloading the app, you get access to a database full of exercises as well as a detailed description of each exercise with animation. The animations being the main selling point.They ensure you follow exercises correctly, steering clear of injuries. This app also encourages you to create new workouts, as well as suggests combinations. And you receive a calendar view of each and every log, not to mention both day and month views for training and exercises.

Johnson & Johnson Official 7-Minute Workout App: This app is one of most user-friendly app you would ever use – it has 36 exercises, 13 pre-designed workouts, and a custom workout feature to help you design your own 7-minute workout. You can choose the length of rest intervals, the number of times you want to run through a particular circuit, and tunes from your personal music library to further personalize your session. And with audio and visual instruction, you’re sure to get in a good workout anywhere there’s a floor, wall, and a chair.

Zombies, Run! 5K Trainer: This app is one of my favorite app in this list, nothing related to it’s name. Okay, we’re lying. The app works exactly the way it reads. Can you think of any better way to train for that 5K than to flee from hordes of zombies? Part interactive horror flick, part personal trainer, this app guides you through interval training while involving you in an apocalyptic story through which you’re meant to save humanity over the course of eight weeks. It’s a great way to keep yourself motivated, while having a little flesh-eating fun on your way to a win.

Cody: This one uses a strong social element to motivate its users to stay fit. Why do get fit alone when you can get fit with friends? Cody offers users inside connections to a fitness community where they can share and discover workouts (complete with video, photo, and text instructions) by following new and old friends. Users get their own cheering section! Friends can like and comment on each other’s workout activity. Cody also allows users to track their progress via a timeline packed with stats and highlights.

Fitocracy Macros: It’s way more than just a regular calorie-counting app. Fitocracy Macros tracks the calories you take in from macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbs). This macro-centered strategy is supposed to help prevent the low energy, hunger, and crankiness that other diets cause. Plug in your stats, body type, fit goal, and you’re set! The only downside is that you’ll have to research how many calories are actually in the macros you munch on, but that aside, it’s a simple and easy app that helps you reach your dieting goals.

May 26, 2014
SOLAR Freaking Roadways: The Solution to Everything

Picture a future with no street lights, but the road it self lit up. A road that warns you about blockages like fallen trees, giant boulders, crossing animals way in advance. A road that melts snow instantly, thereby no slipping cars. Not just roads but imagine parking stands, sidewalks, airport tarmacs and playgrounds that have programmable lights which work according to your requirement. Oh yes, they can also power themselves and everything around them with the awesome powers of the Sun. And here is the best part, this can be made possible in the present itself. Prepare yourself because the most freaking amazing invention of all time is about to be unleashed across the world and they are called SOLAR FREAKING ROADWAYS.

In the last few decades we haven’t seen a single major infrastructural innovation apart from the telecommunication revolution. The fact of the matter remains that neither Facebook, nor twitter nor any other app is ever going to bring real tangible development. We need to create cities which look like the fantasies of people who came before us. We have stopped investing in real world infrastructure. There needs to be massive R&D investment to make the next generation transportation apparatus possible.

Julie and Scott Brusaw, inventors of Solar Roadways

Enter into the scene, Julie and Scott Brusaw. They are the mild mannered master builders(Lego movie anyone) and inventors of solar roadways. These guys are real life pioneers who might go unnoticed in a crowd but they have invented something that the future humans will thank us for, instead of blaming us for all the destruction they will face because of our greenhouse emissions.

The video makes the concept pretty clear. It’s a smart roadway which can practically make our tar roadways extinct. The solar panels are hard and strong. They are imbedded with intelligent circuitry and made almost entirely with recyclable materials. They also produce clean energy, which might put an end to the dirty smog that has taken over major cities around the world. We may actually reach a shortage of garbage when this project reaches full potential.

Solar roadways are also probably the safest road possible. Their LED infused circuitry and intelligent electronics connected with optical fibers help to monitor their situation constantly.

This is in fact a revolutionary idea which can be put into place right away with the available technology of the present. Some of the biggest names in the tech world are realizing the importance of infrastructural innovation and have started to invest heavily into such projects. One such person is Elon Musk who offered an audacious idea last year called the Hyperloop. According to Google founder Larry Page, he would rather give his billions to Elon Musk than charity because of his avant garde developmental ideas.

The Hyperloop can change our existing Railway models

The Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system which incorporates reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on a cushion of air that is driven by a combination of linear induction motors and air compressors.It is a lot cheaper than to install than the conventional intercity railway model and futuristic too.

Coming back to the star of the moment, the best part about the Solar Roadways is the fact that they pay for themselves. They not just provide the safest mode of transport; they also generate free electricity for all, which will end our addiction to coal and gas forever. We don’t need those massive transmission lines anymore.

We have finally unlocked the knowledge that the plants and trees figured out almost 350 million years ago. We can now harvest the energy of the sun for all our purposes.

The only suggestion we would like to give the inventor is that they should adopt a better marketing strategy. Even though they have a prototype contract with the Federal Highway Administration, there website is not enticing enough for a common man to get excited about the prospects of their prodigious invention.

Lets share this incredible revolutions with all and demand our lawmakers to start finding ways to break ground for the induction of Solar Freaking Roadways all across the word. And then maybe we can invent Lightcycles too, and live in a scintillating Tron-like universe.

May 26, 2014