A Fist Signals a Shutter Click and Voila! You took a Picture of Yourself

by Unknown
Barcelona, Mobile World Congress (MWC) saw lots of awards being given to enthusiastic and deserving companies that came out with wonderful devices and technologies. However, when it comes to innovation, the Selfie app CamMe was the star of the moment when it won the “most innovative app” award given by MWC organizer GSM Association (GSMA) as part of its 2014 Global Mobile Awards.
This iOS app is simply innovative because a person using it need not touch his/her handset while using this app to take his/her picture. This is because this application is gesture controlled and has an effective operating range of 16 feet – that is, pictures can be taken from a maximum distance of 16 feet away while using this application.
A picture, or rather a “Selfie,” can be taken by simply raising one’s hand and making a fist which is the signal for the shutter to start. The shutter timer is 3 seconds hence one does not have wait long for taking one’s picture.
Multiple pictures can be taken and arranged into a photo-booth style filmstrip. There is also an option of taking “FunShots” – This option allows taken pictures to be shaped into the cutouts of well-known characters and locations.
CamMe is available on the iOS App Store and certainly has the potential to be one of the most innovative and trend-setting gesture-controlled camera apps present in the world today.
Labels: , , , , , 0 comments

LinkedIn to be in China as well

by Unknown
With around four-million Chinese users accessing LinkedIn either through the English website or through LinkedIn mobile application, speculations are rife about a Chinese language for quite a long time now.
The decision about a Chinese language website for LinkedIn has been on the drawing board for nearly two years awaiting implementation – A point that Jeff Weiner, CEO, LinkedIn, put forth by saying that the plans for opening have been long in place along with many other considerations like China’s censorship of the Internet.
On Tuesday, it got implemented when LinkedIn launched its Chinese-language website. Hence, the domain of work-oriented social networking has just got bigger with LinkedIn’s entry in what is probably one of the world’s largest centers of business professionals.
The decision according to Weiner is aligned in a lot of ways to the Chinese government endeavors to put forth a lucrative economic opportunity for a prospering middle class. Quite a novel approach considering the business strategies of many other US companies that prefer to restrict their activities in China owing to Internet censorship.
An affinity for simplified Chinese characters, the estimates are likely that this new website will see approximately 140-million new professionals (numbers may defer). This would in turn probably increase the existing user base by 50%.
A look at China’s Internet censorship brings into light the following.
  • Google no longer operates any servers from mainland China
  • YouTube is inaccessible
  • Gmail can be used only after following certain rules and regulations
A license application has been put into place and is still pending. However, the website will be capable of providing its primary services.
The CEO is optimistic about the future prospects and says that although many things are to be put into place, for example the logistics associated with censorship, however the future seems bright.



Labels: , , , , , , 0 comments

Twitter to have its very own Lie-Detector

by Unknown
A wayward eye is a visible entity when a lie is uttered. But how does one check for falsified social networking posts? A commendable effort is being put forth by Twitter through the formulation of a team of European scientists who are hard-at-work to create a lie-detection mechanism using a software called Pheme.
The team of scientists belongs to five different universities. They are working conjointly with four companies to currently undertake two activities:
  • Analyzing historical data of Twitter tweets: To determine possible tweets that are not true
  • Identifying spam bots: Spam bots are accounts that are system-operated and do not involve actual human beings
The selection of Pheme has been undertaken because it can:
  • Identify incorrect information in terms of news source and conversations from tweets
  • Identify incorrect information by analyzing the languages used in tweets
  • Identify words often used while writing when emotions are riding high – Thus, the probability of exaggeration is quite high
Moreover, this software will also be able to act as a warning bell for any news posted on Twitter. It would send alerts to the relevant journalists who can then check for the validity of the information posted.
Citing the situation that took place during the riots of 2011 in London, company officials stated that tweets containing images of the burning London Eye (A giant ferris wheel) were posted by rioters. Although, the information was false, there was no medium to discredit this rumor on time.
Hence, a lie-detector mechanism will be extremely useful since after its implementation there would be no reoccurrence of similar rumors. However, the world is an unpredictable one and should one tweet containing a “rumor” manage to find its place among the walls of followers, it would be quickly removed using this mechanism before any damage is done.
There are many hurdles in place for the team to encounter and solve however. For example, Pheme does not recognize images or videos and tweets having video links and images are the lion’s share of tweets present in the tweet-world today.
There is still some time before this mechanism is launched however its potential of curbing falsified information has already been recognized. The work is in full swing and the day is not far when people who post false information on Twitter will have their accounts deleted.
Labels: , , , , , , 0 comments

Desktop Users Can Rest Easy With The Arrival Of The Windows 8.1

by Unknown
The belief in touch seems to be quite alive with Microsoft Vice-President Joe Belfore’s announcement of the Windows 8 operating system becoming touch-enabled through its update: Windows 8.1.
The Windows 8 operating system launched in 2012 primarily dealt with tablets and smart phones with the underlying logic being that of issuing commands through “touching the screens.”
The time back then saw users facing problems when this operating system was being incorporated in computers. A variety of commands did not have effective complements when it came to keyboard and mouse commands.
Users will be having a sigh of relief because of the recent announcement by Joe Belfore at the Mobile World Congress, this Sunday at Barcelona.
Windows 8.1 is an upgrade that seeks to harvest the wonderful features present in the Windows 8 operating system, but for desktop users. Navigation will be easier and there will be no room for confused frowns – This upgrade features Search, Power, and Settings buttons added straight to the Start page.
This upgrade focuses on:
  • An overall improvement to the non-touch experience
  • An increase in the existing hardware options (i.e. increase in device compatibility)
  • Improvement in the compatibility primarily for the education and the enterprise sectors
This upgrade is certainly a welcome one because it promises loads of potential for desktop users who would like to use the Windows 8 family of operating systems.
Labels: , , , , , , , 0 comments

The MI Theory and Education for Kids

by Unknown
The year is 2014 but the thinking about educating toddlers remains on the same, lucrative path created on the lines of the Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory of the noted developmental psychologist Howard Garner (reference - Howard Garner Biography) of the Harvard’s Graduate School of Education

Educating toddlers -- Parents now think about three things when it comes to the education of their children:
  • How will or rather what processes will be followed during the education of their children?
  • How to get their children well educated and ready for the future?
  • What will be the impact of digital technology in their children’s education?
These three basic questions have been succinctly explained by Howard Garner using his views on the impact of digital education of kids’ education, and his MI theory.The MI theory – quite effectively described by Carla Jane  from the Distance Learning Technology Resource Guide – simply puts forward that a human being has seven types of intelligences which are:
  • Linguistic
  • Logical-Mathematical
  • Visual-Spatial
  • Bodily-Kinesthetic
  • Musical
  • Interpersonal
  • Intrapersonal

The formulation of learning strategies while being aware about the MI theory is the best possible way to follow. Mobile applications based on education are one of the results of this theory. They certainly have started to play an increasingly important role in the education of a child. A fact perhaps clearly described by Mr. David Kleeman – Senior Vice-President, Insights Program and PlayVangelist, PlayCollective – while speaking at the 2013 Digital Kids Edu held at San Francisco on redefining the meaning of educating kids today.

Mr. Kleeman talked about the increasingly closing gap between formal learning and informal learning – or as can be safely interpreted as classroom learning and digital learning. Participants included Google, Disney Interactive Studios, National Geographic Kids and many more.

However, there are many skeptics who feel otherwise. And perhaps one of the most honest skeptics has been none other than Howard Gardner himself. However, one has to understand the underlying message behind his criticism. Then one will understand that he is actually imparting an honest outlook towards applications. Quite simply, “You want apps to free you rather than enslave you.”

Nobody knows the future but the word of digital education would certainly benefit a lot if the underlying theories are followed with an honest outlook. And then parents will stop wondering for the answers to their three questions mentioned at the beginning of this excerpt.


Labels: , , , , , , , 0 comments

Samsung Galaxy S5: The First Look at The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

by Unknown
The Samsung Galaxy S5 has been finally revealed at the Mobile World Congress held at Barcelona on Monday. Set to launch in over 150 countries from April 11, 2014, this handset is perhaps the most innovative initiative ever undertaken by the company.
The price has not been disclosed yet however the event on Monday did showcase some of the prime features of this handset. Some hallmark features:
  • A heart-rate sensor


  • A fingerprint scanner


  • Compatibility with the Samsung Gear Fit (Samsung’s illustrious, curved, and health-focused wristband)


  • A look at these features from the standpoint of this handset has been given below.


  • Camera: A front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera:
    • Front-facing camera: 2.1 MP
    • Rear-facing camera: 16 MP with High-Dynamic Range (HDR)
    • Ultra-High-Definition (UHR) video recording at 30 frames-per-second (fps)
    • Video stabilization functionality


  • Memory:


  • 16GB and 32GB variants

  • MicroSD card compatible with memory enhancement up to 64GB


  • Connectivity:
    • 4G (Long-Term Evolution) LTE
    • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with (Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output) MIMO functionality
    • ANT+
    • Bluetooth 4.0
    • USB 3.0
    • NFC
    • Infrared remote functionality
    • A download booster which would be combining LTE and Wi-Fi for super-fast downloads


  • Ergonomic and battery:
    • Weight: 145 grams
    • Dimensions: 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm
    • Battery: 2800mAh
    • Talk-time: A fabulous amount of 21 hours
    • Standby time: 390 hours


  • Body color: Charcoal black, shimmery white, electric blue, copper gold


  • KNOX security software for ensuring data safety


  • Pre-loaded Google services:
    • Chrome
    • Drive
    • Photos
    • G-mail
    • Google
    • Google+
    • Google Settings
    • Hangouts
    • Maps
    • Play Books
    • Games
    • Movies
    • TV & Music
    • Play Store
    • Voice Search
    • YouTube
The Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system has been used in this handset. The processor – though its name was not mentioned – is a 2.5 GHz quad-core. Speed of functioning has been taken to a whole new level with the usage of this processor along with a RAM size of 2 GB.
Although the magnificence of these features was quite prevalent after the event at Barcelona, still the launch date is one extremely cherished one and the counting has started. 
Labels: , , , , , 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Thursday 27 February 2014

A Fist Signals a Shutter Click and Voila! You took a Picture of Yourself

Barcelona, Mobile World Congress (MWC) saw lots of awards being given to enthusiastic and deserving companies that came out with wonderful devices and technologies. However, when it comes to innovation, the Selfie app CamMe was the star of the moment when it won the “most innovative app” award given by MWC organizer GSM Association (GSMA) as part of its 2014 Global Mobile Awards.
This iOS app is simply innovative because a person using it need not touch his/her handset while using this app to take his/her picture. This is because this application is gesture controlled and has an effective operating range of 16 feet – that is, pictures can be taken from a maximum distance of 16 feet away while using this application.
A picture, or rather a “Selfie,” can be taken by simply raising one’s hand and making a fist which is the signal for the shutter to start. The shutter timer is 3 seconds hence one does not have wait long for taking one’s picture.
Multiple pictures can be taken and arranged into a photo-booth style filmstrip. There is also an option of taking “FunShots” – This option allows taken pictures to be shaped into the cutouts of well-known characters and locations.
CamMe is available on the iOS App Store and certainly has the potential to be one of the most innovative and trend-setting gesture-controlled camera apps present in the world today.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday 26 February 2014

LinkedIn to be in China as well

With around four-million Chinese users accessing LinkedIn either through the English website or through LinkedIn mobile application, speculations are rife about a Chinese language for quite a long time now.
The decision about a Chinese language website for LinkedIn has been on the drawing board for nearly two years awaiting implementation – A point that Jeff Weiner, CEO, LinkedIn, put forth by saying that the plans for opening have been long in place along with many other considerations like China’s censorship of the Internet.
On Tuesday, it got implemented when LinkedIn launched its Chinese-language website. Hence, the domain of work-oriented social networking has just got bigger with LinkedIn’s entry in what is probably one of the world’s largest centers of business professionals.
The decision according to Weiner is aligned in a lot of ways to the Chinese government endeavors to put forth a lucrative economic opportunity for a prospering middle class. Quite a novel approach considering the business strategies of many other US companies that prefer to restrict their activities in China owing to Internet censorship.
An affinity for simplified Chinese characters, the estimates are likely that this new website will see approximately 140-million new professionals (numbers may defer). This would in turn probably increase the existing user base by 50%.
A look at China’s Internet censorship brings into light the following.
  • Google no longer operates any servers from mainland China
  • YouTube is inaccessible
  • Gmail can be used only after following certain rules and regulations
A license application has been put into place and is still pending. However, the website will be capable of providing its primary services.
The CEO is optimistic about the future prospects and says that although many things are to be put into place, for example the logistics associated with censorship, however the future seems bright.



Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Twitter to have its very own Lie-Detector

A wayward eye is a visible entity when a lie is uttered. But how does one check for falsified social networking posts? A commendable effort is being put forth by Twitter through the formulation of a team of European scientists who are hard-at-work to create a lie-detection mechanism using a software called Pheme.
The team of scientists belongs to five different universities. They are working conjointly with four companies to currently undertake two activities:
  • Analyzing historical data of Twitter tweets: To determine possible tweets that are not true
  • Identifying spam bots: Spam bots are accounts that are system-operated and do not involve actual human beings
The selection of Pheme has been undertaken because it can:
  • Identify incorrect information in terms of news source and conversations from tweets
  • Identify incorrect information by analyzing the languages used in tweets
  • Identify words often used while writing when emotions are riding high – Thus, the probability of exaggeration is quite high
Moreover, this software will also be able to act as a warning bell for any news posted on Twitter. It would send alerts to the relevant journalists who can then check for the validity of the information posted.
Citing the situation that took place during the riots of 2011 in London, company officials stated that tweets containing images of the burning London Eye (A giant ferris wheel) were posted by rioters. Although, the information was false, there was no medium to discredit this rumor on time.
Hence, a lie-detector mechanism will be extremely useful since after its implementation there would be no reoccurrence of similar rumors. However, the world is an unpredictable one and should one tweet containing a “rumor” manage to find its place among the walls of followers, it would be quickly removed using this mechanism before any damage is done.
There are many hurdles in place for the team to encounter and solve however. For example, Pheme does not recognize images or videos and tweets having video links and images are the lion’s share of tweets present in the tweet-world today.
There is still some time before this mechanism is launched however its potential of curbing falsified information has already been recognized. The work is in full swing and the day is not far when people who post false information on Twitter will have their accounts deleted.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Desktop Users Can Rest Easy With The Arrival Of The Windows 8.1

The belief in touch seems to be quite alive with Microsoft Vice-President Joe Belfore’s announcement of the Windows 8 operating system becoming touch-enabled through its update: Windows 8.1.
The Windows 8 operating system launched in 2012 primarily dealt with tablets and smart phones with the underlying logic being that of issuing commands through “touching the screens.”
The time back then saw users facing problems when this operating system was being incorporated in computers. A variety of commands did not have effective complements when it came to keyboard and mouse commands.
Users will be having a sigh of relief because of the recent announcement by Joe Belfore at the Mobile World Congress, this Sunday at Barcelona.
Windows 8.1 is an upgrade that seeks to harvest the wonderful features present in the Windows 8 operating system, but for desktop users. Navigation will be easier and there will be no room for confused frowns – This upgrade features Search, Power, and Settings buttons added straight to the Start page.
This upgrade focuses on:
  • An overall improvement to the non-touch experience
  • An increase in the existing hardware options (i.e. increase in device compatibility)
  • Improvement in the compatibility primarily for the education and the enterprise sectors
This upgrade is certainly a welcome one because it promises loads of potential for desktop users who would like to use the Windows 8 family of operating systems.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

The MI Theory and Education for Kids

The year is 2014 but the thinking about educating toddlers remains on the same, lucrative path created on the lines of the Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory of the noted developmental psychologist Howard Garner (reference - Howard Garner Biography) of the Harvard’s Graduate School of Education

Educating toddlers -- Parents now think about three things when it comes to the education of their children:
  • How will or rather what processes will be followed during the education of their children?
  • How to get their children well educated and ready for the future?
  • What will be the impact of digital technology in their children’s education?
These three basic questions have been succinctly explained by Howard Garner using his views on the impact of digital education of kids’ education, and his MI theory.The MI theory – quite effectively described by Carla Jane  from the Distance Learning Technology Resource Guide – simply puts forward that a human being has seven types of intelligences which are:
  • Linguistic
  • Logical-Mathematical
  • Visual-Spatial
  • Bodily-Kinesthetic
  • Musical
  • Interpersonal
  • Intrapersonal

The formulation of learning strategies while being aware about the MI theory is the best possible way to follow. Mobile applications based on education are one of the results of this theory. They certainly have started to play an increasingly important role in the education of a child. A fact perhaps clearly described by Mr. David Kleeman – Senior Vice-President, Insights Program and PlayVangelist, PlayCollective – while speaking at the 2013 Digital Kids Edu held at San Francisco on redefining the meaning of educating kids today.

Mr. Kleeman talked about the increasingly closing gap between formal learning and informal learning – or as can be safely interpreted as classroom learning and digital learning. Participants included Google, Disney Interactive Studios, National Geographic Kids and many more.

However, there are many skeptics who feel otherwise. And perhaps one of the most honest skeptics has been none other than Howard Gardner himself. However, one has to understand the underlying message behind his criticism. Then one will understand that he is actually imparting an honest outlook towards applications. Quite simply, “You want apps to free you rather than enslave you.”

Nobody knows the future but the word of digital education would certainly benefit a lot if the underlying theories are followed with an honest outlook. And then parents will stop wondering for the answers to their three questions mentioned at the beginning of this excerpt.


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Samsung Galaxy S5: The First Look at The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has been finally revealed at the Mobile World Congress held at Barcelona on Monday. Set to launch in over 150 countries from April 11, 2014, this handset is perhaps the most innovative initiative ever undertaken by the company.
The price has not been disclosed yet however the event on Monday did showcase some of the prime features of this handset. Some hallmark features:
  • A heart-rate sensor


  • A fingerprint scanner


  • Compatibility with the Samsung Gear Fit (Samsung’s illustrious, curved, and health-focused wristband)


  • A look at these features from the standpoint of this handset has been given below.


  • Camera: A front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera:
    • Front-facing camera: 2.1 MP
    • Rear-facing camera: 16 MP with High-Dynamic Range (HDR)
    • Ultra-High-Definition (UHR) video recording at 30 frames-per-second (fps)
    • Video stabilization functionality


  • Memory:


  • 16GB and 32GB variants

  • MicroSD card compatible with memory enhancement up to 64GB


  • Connectivity:
    • 4G (Long-Term Evolution) LTE
    • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with (Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output) MIMO functionality
    • ANT+
    • Bluetooth 4.0
    • USB 3.0
    • NFC
    • Infrared remote functionality
    • A download booster which would be combining LTE and Wi-Fi for super-fast downloads


  • Ergonomic and battery:
    • Weight: 145 grams
    • Dimensions: 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm
    • Battery: 2800mAh
    • Talk-time: A fabulous amount of 21 hours
    • Standby time: 390 hours


  • Body color: Charcoal black, shimmery white, electric blue, copper gold


  • KNOX security software for ensuring data safety


  • Pre-loaded Google services:
    • Chrome
    • Drive
    • Photos
    • G-mail
    • Google
    • Google+
    • Google Settings
    • Hangouts
    • Maps
    • Play Books
    • Games
    • Movies
    • TV & Music
    • Play Store
    • Voice Search
    • YouTube
The Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system has been used in this handset. The processor – though its name was not mentioned – is a 2.5 GHz quad-core. Speed of functioning has been taken to a whole new level with the usage of this processor along with a RAM size of 2 GB.
Although the magnificence of these features was quite prevalent after the event at Barcelona, still the launch date is one extremely cherished one and the counting has started. 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)