Friday 8 September 2017

LiFi vs WiFi What Is the Difference?

The world is very familiar with WiFi technology, but how acquainted are you with the term LiFi’. While WiFi is a technology which is local-area wireless network-based internet service, LiFi is fully-connected as well as a bidirectional wireless communication technology that is very similar to WiFi in functionality and in many other ways.

What is LiFi?

Li-Fi is a wireless-optical networking technology that makes use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit data. Li-Fi is built to use LEDs bulbs that are similar to those presently being used by many energy-conscious offices and offices. However, Li-Fi bulbs are fitted with chips that imperceptibly modulate the light for optical transmission of data. Just like you can flash a torch Morse code to send a message, LiFi sends binary flashes of light to transmit data. To the naked eye it looks just like a regular bulb, but in reality it is flashing thousands of times per second.

The early developmental models of Li-Fi were capable of 150-megabits per second (Mbps). Today, some commercial kits that still enable that speed are already available in the market. With different technology and stronger LEDs in the lab, researchers have enabled 10-gigabits per second (Gbps) that is quicker than 801.11ad. Imagine just turning on your lights and downloading a movie in a second.

Why is LiFi faster than WiFi?

Based on the pure frequency of the transmission, light waves are 10,000 times more denser than WiFi signals so the potential to pack more in the same space is huge.

Some of the best Li-Fi benefits include:

  • l Higher speeds than WiFi
  • l 10000-times the frequency radio spectrum
  • l More secure as data can’t be altered or accessed without a vivid and clear sight line
  • l Prevents piggy-backing
  • l Eliminates neighboring network interference
  • l Unimpeded by radio interference.
  • l Doesn’t create any interference in very sensitive electronics, thus making it ideal for use in environments such as aircraft and hospitals.

Some of the disadvantages of LiFi

  • l You need to keep the lights on, alright for the office but not so practical or eco friendly for home use.
  • l You need a receiver box or device with LiFi already installed.

Remind me, what is Wi-Fi?

WiFi works without any physical wired connection between the receiver and sender by making use of radio frequency technology – a frequency associated with radio-wave propagation and within the electromagnetic spectrum. When a radio frequency current is supplied to antennas, electromagnetic fields are created thus being able to spread through space.

The keystone of any wireless networks is an access point. The main job of access points is to propagate wireless signals that computers can sense and tune’ into. In order to connect with access points and join wireless networks, devices and computers must be outfitted with a wireless network adapter.

Some major benefits of WiFi technology are:

  • l Currently More Cost Effective.
  • l Already supported by devices.
  • l Well known and understood by the public.
  • l Eliminates wiring and cabling for PC's.

Why make the change?

When we begin considering smart home and the internet of things LiFi has a huge advantage that there will be no interference from other neighbors or nearby devices. Currently the drawback is lack of exposure and supported hardware as it seems a step back to have to connect your computer back to a LiFi receiver. For most of us regular WiFi is not the bottleneck the actual internet speed is, so a faster connection internally will have little effect of the actual speed.
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How Qi Wireless Charging Works

Qi – the Chinese term for ‘energy flow’, pronounced as ‘chee’ in ‘cheese’ is the widespread standard for wireless charging of the battery operated gadgets such as mobile phones, iPods, Mp3’s and cameras. With this particular technology the electromagnetic coils that send out and receive the charge are specifically safeguarded to lessen electromagnetic rays.

Electromagnetic Induction – Basic Principle of Qi Wireless Charging

The wireless power transfer happens via electromagnetic induction. With the inductive charging the necessary power gets to the device not through the conventional cable but instead wirelessly with the use of electromagnetic fields.

Wireless Charging is not a real brand-new technology. Electric tooth brushes have used the concepts of inductive charging for several years. Qi Wireless Charging runs on the resonant inductive combining between sender i.e., the charging station and the recipient i.e., the mobile device. A normal test “ping” signal is sent by the charger to check for devices and a ping is sent back, informing the Qi enabled charger platform that a Qi appropriate cell phone exists. The charger inspects the phone to see if it is compatible to the Qi standard. As soon as Qi compatibility and the power speed is determined, the induction charging starts. While charging the charger and phone stay in contact and will automatically go into standby mode as soon as the battery is completely charged.

Advantages of Qi Wireless Charging

The most significant benefit of Qi Wireless Charging technology is that cellular phones and battery chargers from various manufactures are suitable. The solely requirement is which both the parts – the sender and the receiver – complete the Qi requirements. Hence, each Qi enabled gadgets are suitable with every single Qi charging transmitter, irrespective of the producer or make of the device. The amount of enabled devices is continuously increasing as Qi wireless charging technologies are incorporated by an ever growing list of makers. This enables us to charge the numerous battery operated electronic digital devices with merely a single charging station.

Qi chargers are also energy efficient and only trigger and exchange energy when an enabled device requesting charging is positioned near the charger.

Is my phone compatible?

There is a growing number of phone available that support Qi, the latest Samsung and Xiaomi phones have this built in. There is an official list of Qi enabled phones.; if you do not have one of the phones listed you might be able to add the function, there are universal Qi charging modules that can be installed behind the battery, some Samsung phones have their own easy to install charger and iPhone 6 can enable the function with a charger case.

What charger can i use?

Any Qi labeled charger is compatible with all Qi devices so there is no hassle with compatibility. When it come so chargers there is an increasing number of styles.

Dedicated charger: A Qi charger pad or platform that you can place the phone on, there are many of these available and come in a wide variety of styles.

Embedded Qi Charger: A charger integrated into another appliance such as your desk lamp. Qi embedded chargers are still rare but gaining traction.

DIY Integration: If you are technical minded you can grab a Qi charger coil and install it into your desk, table or even inside another appliance. For example you can hollow out a section underneath your desk and install the charger. Then when your phone is in the right place on the desk it will charge. From the top the desk looks normal, but underneath is the charger.
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Time saving Windows shortcuts that increase your productivity

Windows have an unimaginable number of hot keys, we dived through them and unearthed this golden collection. Join us now and discover what we brought back from the depths, you wont become a pro keyboarder overnight but this is a small and solid starting point.

Internet Browsing

Ctrl+Enter – Automatically enter the .com to a web address!

Ctrl+Shift+N – New Incognito window.

Ctl+T – Open new tab in browser.

Ctl+L – Select web address for current page.

System Hot-Keys

Win Key +E – Opens File Explorer.

Win Key +R –Opens Run.

Win Key +L – Instantly locks your PC.

Win Key +F – Opens file search window.

Alt + Space – Opens the title bar menu of the page.

Window Tricks

Win Key +Arrow Up – Maximize the current window.

Win Key +Arrow Down – If in a maximized window it makes it into a smaller window. Pres it again and the window will be minimized.

Win Key +Arrow Left or Right – Moves window to the left or right of the display and also can be used into multiple monitors.

Win Key +Shift Key + Arrow Up – vertically maximizes the window.

Win Key +Tab – Cycles through the open apps, and release tab to select the app to open.

Win Key + Ctrl +Tab –Allows you to navigate through open apps using the up/down arrow keys.

Use a multi screen setup?

Win Key +P – If you have multiple monitors connected use to choose duplicate or extended .

Win Key +Shift Key + Arrow Left/Right – Moves window to the primary or secondary monitor.

How do shortcuts save time?

Hotkeys are like a dripping tap; a dripping tap slowly collects water, hot keys slowly collect time. They replace slower mouse movements and clicks, use them everyday in the office and in a week you will have collected a decent bucket of time. Add this to your favourites and show off your Microsoft proficiency. It will save you time and is also is a great way to impress your co-workers.

Don’t own a keyboard?

Well hopefully you have a PC and then you can get one of our mechanical keyboards for the best way to type and game. If you want to go totally custom you can even buy key caps and make your own unique key design.
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Thursday 7 September 2017

Quality of Acer Laptops

As of March 2017, Acer laptops are generally less expensive than their competition. That is one of the reasons why consumers are drawn to the simple, no-frills machines. But that doesn't mean that Acer laptops are less reliable than other better-known laptop brands. Before purchasing an Acer laptop, ensure that it has all of the features and software that you need in your day-to-day computer usage. You may find that it has just the right amount of features, memory and functionality for the price.

Cost

As of 2017, most Acer laptops are priced between $400 and $800, but you can also find them on deep discounts during the holiday seasons and on sale throughout the year. The relatively low price can lead some to believe that Acer laptops are unreliable or lack basic features, but keeping the Acer brand in the lower-price range helps entice buyers past the less-than-recognizable name and lack of styling. Acer proves that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality laptop.

Price

As of 2017, most Acer laptops are priced between $400 and $800, but you can also find them on deep discounts during the holiday seasons and on sale throughout the year. The relatively low price can lead some to believe that Acer laptops are unreliable or lack basic features, but keeping the Acer brand in the lower-price range helps to entice buyers past the less-than-recognizable name and lack of styling. Acer proves that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality laptop.

Best For

It's true that an Acer laptop may under-perform for the experienced gamer or techie, warns "Laptop" magazine. An Acer-brand laptop is ideal as an individual's first laptop or a secondary computer to another laptop or desktop. While you may miss the customization options that other laptop brands offer, the focus on 2.5 hours of general battery life, large amounts of memory and general functionality are usually enough to please the casual computer user.

Reviews

Acer laptops are heavily reviewed by industry magazines and websites. In general, Acer laptops garner favorable reviews, although each outlet had similar complaints about the lack of styling and customization. However, high points were awarded by "PC" magazine and "PC World" for various Acer models' keyboards, speed, memory, battery life and general ease of use.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Laptop Computers

Laptops are the middle ground of the computer world. Smaller than desktops and larger than tablets, they blend the two and provide a balance between portability and functionality. Even among laptops, there are varying sizes. Traveling professionals may prefer a compact 10-inch netbook, while movie enthusiasts prefer a big, HD 17-inch laptop. If you're considering a laptop for your next computer purchase, knowing where they shine and fall short enables an educated purchasing decision.

Size

One of the largest advantages laptops hold over desktops is their size. While desktops have similar functionality, they're difficult to move and traveling with them is highly impractical. While tablets offer more portability than laptops, the small form factor usually limits the quality of the components or their functionality. Netbooks are similar to tablets in that their small size and portability limits the quality, speed and size of components within. The size you see in a laptop's description or name denotes the size of the screen when measured diagonally. So a 15.1-inch laptop has a 15.1-inch screen across the diagonal. Laptops offer portability and desktop-level functionality for most tasks. Like the porridge in the Goldilocks story, laptops aren't too big to carry, but aren't too small to truly limit functionality.

Price

While the price gap between desktops and laptops is getting smaller as technology gets less expensive, laptops are typically pricier. The smaller components required for a laptop often cost more than their larger desktop counterparts since more technology goes into delivering the same quality on a smaller physical scale. That said, if your budget constrains your purchasing options, you can still find inexpensive laptops with lower-end specifications.

Intended Use

For students, office workers and light or average computer users, laptops provide plenty of power, speed and functionality. For PC gamers or people using resource-intensive programs, a laptop might not be the right choice. While some manufacturers offer high-quality gaming laptops, they typically cost more than comparable desktop models.

RAM and Hard Drive

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a large factor in computer speed, while hard drive capacity determines how much space you have on the computer for files, programs, games, music and other data. While desktops used to offer much higher specs in these fields, the gap is closing as technology advances and gets less expensive. That said, it's still common to find more RAM and a larger hard drive in a desktop when comparing desktops and laptops of similar price. As the two main components you can upgrade on a laptop, it may not be as big of an issue to you if you're comfortable doing the upgrade yourself. Laptop hard drives are physically smaller than desktop hard drives, but both have high-end capacities in the Terabyte range, or 1,024GB, with the laptop version being a bit more expensive. While you can also upgrade RAM, the space limitations in laptops might limit the computer's maximum capacity, where a similarly priced desktop might be capable of holding much more.

Customization

Laptops don't offer nearly as much customization as most desktops. Since desktops are larger, they're easier to open and alter, allowing you to swap parts and update components. While laptops typically give you access to the computer's memory and hard drive, other components -- like the processor, graphics card and cooling system -- aren't as easy to access and replace. This disadvantage means that when your laptop's non-customizable components become obsolete, you may have to buy a new laptop to keep up with technology. With desktops, you can switch out the obsolete component by itself for much less money than a new computer, extending the life of your current hardware.

Included Features

While desktops require an external monitor, keyboard and mouse for navigation and use, laptops offer everything you need in one form factor. This advantage means you'll have to buy less external peripherals, also reducing the clutter caused by the extra cords and pieces of hardware. Laptops also come with built-in speakers and often on-board webcams, further reducing the extra peripherals you'd need to buy if you got a desktop. While it depends on the model, many laptops include ports to connect them to your television or an external monitor when you do need a larger viewing area. If your laptop's built-in peripherals don't live up to your expectations, you can always buy external substitutes, like a wireless mouse or keyboard.
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What Is the Purpose of a Laptop?

Laptops are fully functional computers that are designed for portability and convenience. When compared to a desktop tower computer, laptops are smaller, weigh less, have fewer components and consume less power. Despite this, laptops can often match the performance and price of comparable desktops. This makes laptops a great choice for college students and busy professionals who travel often.

Less Weight

Laptops weigh significantly less than that of desktop machines. Laptops are made into a single unit and they have the ability to fold in half for easy transport. Throughout the years, hardware manufacturers have been able to shrink the weight and dimensions of laptops. With the introduction of Ultrabooks, computer companies have created laptops weighing around three pounds. On the other hand, a desktop computer is often enclosed in a large, bulky shell, making its portability severely limited.

More Desk Space

Anyone who has owned a desktop computer is familiar with the work space problem these machines create. The computer itself will often take up a good percentage of your limited desk space, and its weight and awkward dimensions make it a chore to move around. A laptop will take up much less of your work space due to its smaller size. Laptops can also run on battery power, without the need for a power cable or separate power adapter.desktop computer is familiar with the work space problem these machines create. The computer itself will often take up a good percentage of your limited desk space, and its weight and awkward dimensions make it a chore to move around. A laptop will take up much less of your work space due to its smaller size. Laptops can also run on battery power, without the need for a power cable or separate power adapter.

Fewer Peripherals

Traditional desktop computers need a stand-alone monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and wires to be fully functional. Laptop computers combine all of these separate peripherals into one device. The keyboard, monitor and speakers are built in to the computer itself and the trackpad acts as the mouse. A major advantage to no separate peripherals is the issue of complexity. With laptops, you only need a power source to operate.desktop computers need a stand-alone monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and wires to be fully functional. Laptop computers combine all of these separate peripherals into one device. The keyboard, monitor and speakers are built in to the computer itself and the trackpad acts as the mouse. A major advantage to no separate peripherals is the issue of complexity. With laptops, you only need a power source to operate.

Travel and Portability

Laptops are made for portability due to their slim design and light weight. They can securely fit into almost any backpack and can be carried without much fatigue. Thus, you can easily take a laptop to locations most convenient to you, such as classrooms, coffee shops and hotels. Laptops also have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter that lets you connect to the Internet in places with a wireless network. are made for portability due to their slim design and light weight. They can securely fit into almost any backpack and can be carried without much fatigue. Thus, you can easily take a laptop to locations most convenient to you, such as classrooms, coffee shops and hotels. Laptops also have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter that lets you connect to the Internet in places with a wireless network.
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Wednesday 6 September 2017

How to Charge a Laptop Battery for the First Time

One of the most vital components of any laptop computer is the battery. You can purchase a laptop with a powerful processor and other top-of-the-line hardware, but if you don't properly care for the battery, the laptop is quickly rendered useless. When you first purchase a new laptop or laptop battery, make sure you charge it properly the first time.

Insert the battery into the battery slot of your laptop if it didn't come with the battery already inserted. This slot is typically located on the underside or back of your laptop.

Plug your laptop into a power source and allow the battery to charge to 100%. Most laptop batteries come discharged, or empty, and should be fully charged before use. Sometimes the battery indicator will show 100% after only a few minutes. If this happens, turn your computer off, remove the battery and attempt to charge the battery again.

Discharge the battery fully. Simply turn your computer on and disconnect the power source. Don't turn it off until the battery is completely discharged. Allow the laptop to shut down by itself.

Recharge your battery fully again. After the battery is fully charged, it has been calibrated once.

Repeat the calibration process two or three more times. Your laptop battery is now charged correctly.

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Why We’re Still Working With Mainframes in 2017

Mainframe – the term sounds like a relic from another era, decades before anyone even heard of smartphones or laptops.

But the appliance-sized computers that helped NASA put men on the moon are actually still widely used at big companies and government agencies – the devices store 80 percent of the world’s corporate data and handle $6 trillion in annual credit card transactions, according to IT company Ensono.

But what exactly are mainframe computers, and why haven’t they been replaced with newer types of machines?

What is a Mainframe?

Mainframes are powerful computer servers designed to handle large numbers of operations on big volumes of data simultaneously. They’re generally the central authority to which other computers connect to execute transactions, like bank transfers, credit card purchases or airline ticket operations. A mainframe released by IBM in 2015 is said to be able to process 2.5 billion transactions a day.

They trace their ancestry back to the System/360, a computer first released by IBM in 1964. It introduced some of the features we take for granted in computers today, like being able to share data across multiple versions of computing hardware, and being able to do multiple types of tasks on the same machine – back then, that generally meant being able to handle both scientific computation and business math on the same type of hardware.

IBM, which makes the vast majority of new mainframes today as part of its "z Systems" line, says the term itself likely comes from the huge metal boxes, some as large in area as a house, that were used to hold the early machines. Now, the computers are a more manageable size – around the scale of a tall refrigerator.

Consistency and Reliability

Mainframe computers are designed to be extremely reliable, not just speedy. They typically have redundant versions of hardware components like disk drives and electrical power supplies, so even if a component fails, the computer can continue to run. They generally also have the ability to add computing power to a given task as needed in essentially real-time, making them well suited to handle spikes in workloads without going down.

At the same time, they’re renowned for what’s called “backward compatibility,” meaning that software created years, or even decades, ago can often still run on today’s mainframes. That’s in contrast to PCs or cellphones, where it can often be impossible to run programs bought for older machines without a lot of specialized work.

That backward compatibility is important for the enormous banks, insurance companies, airlines and other companies that have used the systems since the middle of 20th century. Having to rewrite the computer code that handles the world’s critical transactions in order to run on newer styles of computers would not only be costly, it would also be risky for these large businesses, who will quickly incur bad publicity if the new machines aren’t as reliable as the old. While some businesses have migrated tasks to newer styles of computer hardware and software, many are happy to stick with the ultra-reliable devices. And while mainframe programs may have interfaces that look like they were taken from a 1980s computer hacking movie, but the companies that rely on them know they still work perfectly fine.

Recruiting New Talent

One challenge mainframe-heavy companies can face, though, is hiring engineers and programmers who are familiar with the machines. For at least a decade, computing magazines have reported that techies fresh out of college just aren’t interested in working with the old line of machines. Even in the 1990s, some companies were pull older programmers out of retirement to ensure their mainframe software was ready for the year 2000, when programs designed to store years using two digits rather than four would malfunction.

But mainframe hardware and software companies have responded by offering training and incentives to young people willing to become experts in the machines, as the devices continue to be vital to so much of the economy.

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How To Never Forget a Password Again

It seems like every time you turn around there is a new data breach with experts warning everyone to change their passwords. This means not just changing your password once for every website and online service you use, it usually means changing it on your home computer, your work computer, your smartphone, and your tablet if you own one.

When it comes to online security, one of the best things you can do today is to use a password manager. Not will you never need to memorize dozens of passwords, you don’t even need to know what they are. A good password manager creates passwords for you, fills them in and remembers them across multiple devices.

The Myth of Strong Passwords

A few years ago, a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters and a number or two were all you needed to create a strong password, provided you didn’t use a name or a word found in the dictionary. That just isn’t true anymore. Today’s password cracking programs can hack most eight-digit passwords in a minute or less. If you use something clever – and common – like, paSSword, or trustno1, it can be cracked in milliseconds.

What Makes a Strong Password

The most important aspect of a strong password today is its length, regardless of what characters you use. A password like mulberrystreet, which contains 13 letters is much stronger than even a complex password like 9L*rtPq1. The first would take over 50 years to crack – according to the website How Secure Is My Password? – while the shorter password would take a few hours. A series of 20 random characters would take the same software about a billion years. If you used a password that was 22 characters long, every star in the galaxy would burn out and grow cold before a hacker’s computer could figure it out.software about a billion years. If you used a password that was 22 characters long, every star in the galaxy would burn out and grow cold before a hacker’s computer could figure it out.

Using a Password Manager

A password manager is a small program you install on your computer and other web-accessible devices that stores passwords for every website you use. On your computer, it is usually a browser plugin, while on a tablet or smartphone, it’s a small app.computer and other web-accessible devices that stores passwords for every website you use. On your computer, it is usually a browser plugin, while on a tablet or smartphone, it’s a small app.

You need to remember only one password – the one that opens the password manager. When you go to a website, it fills in the username and password for you automatically. If you want to change your website password or create an account on a new website, it will generate one for you automatically, usually between 20 and 22 characters long. Your login information is kept encrypted and is updated between all of your devices automatically as soon as you connect to the internet. Some are free, while others require a small annual fee, while most offer a free version with payment required for advanced features.devices automatically as soon as you connect to the internet. Some are free, while others require a small annual fee, while most offer a free version with payment required for advanced features.

Using the Cloud Vs. Local Storage

Before choosing a password manager, you should first decide whether or not you are comfortable with your passwords being stored in the cloud, or if you would prefer they be stored only on your devices. When companies refer to the cloud, of course, they mean their own servers. While the majority of password managers do keep this information encrypted, it is a matter of comfort and personal preference. Millennials, for example, are more trusting of cloud-based services, while older generations may prefer having their information stored on their own devices. KeePass, 1Password and SplashID offer local storage, while Dashlane and LastPass use encrypted cloud-based storage.devices. When companies refer to the cloud, of course, they mean their own servers. While the majority of password managers do keep this information encrypted, it is a matter of comfort and personal preference. Millennials, for example, are more trusting of cloud-based services, while older generations may prefer having their information stored on their own devices. KeePass, 1Password and SplashID offer local storage, while Dashlane and LastPass use encrypted cloud-based storage.

1Password

1Password is supported by Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It stores passwords locally on your device and offers an optional cloud storage service. You also have the option os using DropBox or iCloud. If your devices are connected on your home network, it can synchronize passwords using Wi-Fi. If you want to share passwords in your home or office, it gives you the option to share your password file on your local network too.Mac, iOS and Android. It stores passwords locally on your device and offers an optional cloud storage service. You also have the option os using DropBox or iCloud. If your devices are connected on your home network, it can synchronize passwords using Wi-Fi. If you want to share passwords in your home or office, it gives you the option to share your password file on your local network too.

Dashlane

Another another password manager that gives you an option between storing passwords locally or online is Dashlane. It uses a two-step authentication process to register each of your devices, using your master password and an email confirmation. Its free service lets you use it on a single device, however you will need the premium service to synchronize all of your devices, or share more than five items, as well as get customer support.devices, using your master password and an email confirmation. Its free service lets you use it on a single device, however you will need the premium service to synchronize all of your devices, or share more than five items, as well as get customer support.

KeePass

Keepass is an open source software project, which means it is free to use, but also may require some technical know-how to use all of its features. For example, to syncrhonize your account across mutlipled devices, you need to install a plug-in. However, it also has plugins to do things like change the encryption algorithm it uses or to write your own automation scripts. It has an optional cloud backup option, otherwise it stores your passwords locally, which you can share across multiple devices using DropBox, Google Docs or Microsoft OneDrive. You can share your password file with multiple users, or manage different password files yourself – like one for home and one for the office.software project, which means it is free to use, but also may require some technical know-how to use all of its features. For example, to syncrhonize your account across mutlipled devices, you need to install a plug-in. However, it also has plugins to do things like change the encryption algorithm it uses or to write your own automation scripts. It has an optional cloud backup option, otherwise it stores your passwords locally, which you can share across multiple devices using DropBox, Google Docs or Microsoft OneDrive. You can share your password file with multiple users, or manage different password files yourself – like one for home and one for the office.

LastPass

LastPass is an extremely popular password manager that offers a free and a premium service. All passwords are stored encrypted in the cloud. It too supports Apple, Windows and Android operating systems. The free version includes synchronization between multiple devices, including its app on mobile devices and web browser plugins on Apple and Windows computers.Android operating systems. The free version includes synchronization between multiple devices, including its app on mobile devices and web browser plugins on Apple and Windows computers.

SplashID

SplashID also gives you the option between local and cloud-based storage. It supports Apple, Windows and Android devices as well as BlackBerry. An account for a single device is free, while the ability to share or synchronize across multiple devices requires a modest monthly or annual fee. Like Keepass, you can share your password file with people at work or at home, however this costs an additional fee. One unique feature of SplashID is the ability to decide if you want a specific login to be cloud-based or local storage. For example, you can keep all of your less-important passwords in the cloud, but keep your banking and credit card login information only on your device if desired.Android devices as well as BlackBerry. An account for a single device is free, while the ability to share or synchronize across multiple devices requires a modest monthly or annual fee. Like Keepass, you can share your password file with people at work or at home, however this costs an additional fee. One unique feature of SplashID is the ability to decide if you want a specific login to be cloud-based or local storage. For example, you can keep all of your less-important passwords in the cloud, but keep your banking and credit card login information only on your device if desired.

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Tuesday 5 September 2017

Laptop Battery Maintenance Tips

The batteries in a laptop will not have to be replaced often, if they receive proper maintenance. Most users will plug in the power cord when their batteries are running low, but they do not remove and check the laptop battery until it goes dead. When you take care of your laptop, cords and battery, you will be able to prolong the life of your computer hardware.

Always Fully Charge Laptop Batteries

Chargeable batteries will wear down quickly, when they are only charged for a short period of time. When the laptop is not in use, such as at bedtime, plug it into an outlet and leave it to charge until the battery power is full. When you first buy a laptop or any electronic device that needs to be charged before you can use it, always charge it to full capacity. A laptop will work with only a small bit of power, but if it is not fully charged frequently, it will start to lose its ability to hold a charge.

Power Management Tools

Every computer and laptop has options that allow them to make changes to the power management tools. In a Windows laptop, check under "Control Panel" and you will find the power options. You will be asked to identify the type of computer that you are using. It is important to choose "Laptop" from the drop down menu. Each type of PC will bring up a different option that will save power. For a laptop, the power management tools will set a time to turn on the screen saver, or it will shut down the hard drives if the notebook sits idle for a specific amount of time. By turning off hardware that is not in use, the laptop will not use as much power and the batteries will not die as fast.

Close Unnecessary Programs

Look at the programs that start up along with your operating system. If you don't have to use them immediately, right click on the icon and go into options. Scroll through the list until you can turn off the option to have the program open whenever you start the laptop. When you use an application, close it when you are done. Programs that are left open will use system resources and power that are needed for other software. If you only have a few programs open at the same time, the laptop will use less power and it will be able to stay on battery power longer.

Purge and Discharge Laptop Batteries

At least once a month, every laptop user should purge and discharge their batteries to prolong their life. To purge a laptop, remove the AC power cord. Turn on the laptop and let the battery drain until the low battery sign pops up. Plug in the power cord and let the notebook charge to full capacity while the laptop is still on. Batteries can be discharged in a similar fashion. Go into the power management option and turn off all of the power saving tools including hibernation, sleep mode and the screen saver. Allow the battery to drain completely until the laptop shuts itself off. Without turning on the laptop, reconnect the power cord and allow it to charge until the battery is full.

Use AC Power

Most laptop users will plug in the AC cord even when the battery is not low. However, this is also causing the battery to drain in small increments. Before you use the laptop, remove the battery and then plug in the power cord, so that the laptop is running on only AC power. Store the battery on a cool, dry surface and replace it when you shut off the laptop.

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How to Update an Old Computer

If you've noticed your old computer is a bit sluggish or isn't performing at 100 percent, it may be time to update it. Often the software or hardware in your machine can become outdated only months after you purchase it, creating incompatibilities and crashes. There are a myriad of ways you can update your old computer, so it's important to analyze the problem before rushing out to buy new components. And remember that individual components can be updated, saving you from purchasing an entirely new computer.

1
Determine exactly what needs to be updated. For example, do you need new software, or hardware? If your hard drive lacks free space, it may be time to upgrade to a larger drive. Check how much space you have left by right-clicking the hard drive icon (usually the "C" drive) and selecting “Properties.” The amount of available space will be displayed in the following dialogue box. If your computer is running slow, you may need to upgrade the processor, or the Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is the temporary memory your computer uses when it is actively working. Increasing the amount of your RAM is generally the most effective computer upgrade you can make. Consult your owner's manual to determine which drives, memory cards or processors are compatible with your computer's motherboard.

2

Research components and products that are on the market. Magazines like PC World (see link in Resources) have thousands of product reviews you can browse to find the right item for you. Shop around for the best prices, as many items can be bought online for a fraction of the retail price. Bear in mind that sometimes the cost of purchasing and installing certain components, such as the processor or motherboard, can be greater than buying a new computer.

3

If your system only has a CD drive, consider replacing it with a DVD drive. If you watch videos, listen to music or play games on your computer, consider upgrading your video and/or audio cards.

4

Install your components according to the manufacturer's specifications. If you're upgrading software, simply insert the CD and follow the installation prompts. If you're installing new hardware, investigate if your upgrade can be done as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project; you may be able to save yourself a few dollars in labor costs. But if you aren't confident tinkering around in your machine, call in the experts to do the work for you.

Warning

Doing DIY upgrades on your computer may void your warranty. Check with your supplier before doing any work.

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7 Ways to Use Your Old Smartphone

Getting a new smartphone is always exciting. Not only do you get more power and more features, but a new phone is also usually faster and in better shape than your old one. However, this begs the question: What should you do with your old phone? Rather than letting it gather dust or sit in a drawer in a state of permanent mute, here are seven ways you can give your old phone a renewed purpose.

1. A Versatile Universal Remote

Many of the Android smartphones released over the past several years contain the same infrared technology used by your TV remote control. If your phone contains what is commonly called an IR blaster, you should have no problem downloading an app and using it it as a universal remote for your entertainment room. Perhaps the biggest benefit of these apps is that if you’re doing a search for your favorite TV show, you can just type it into your phone, rather than scrolling through the alphabet one letter at a time.

If your old smartphone doesn’t have an IR blaster – like the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy models after S6, you still may be in luck. Apple TVs and most WiFi-enabled smart TVs have apps that will work over your home network.

2. A Portable Media Player

When the iPhone was first released back in 2007, Apple described it as a widescreen iPod with touch controls and a built-in mobile phone. Once you remove the SIM card, what you are left with is an advanced iPod. Most Android models have the added benefit of adding additional storage with an SD card. Delete the apps you no longer need, and fill your old phone with all of your favorite music, videos and photos. Not only will this free up space on your new smartphone, it will help prolong the battery life if you aren’t using it to listen to music all day.

3. An Onboard Computer and Nav System

If your car doesn’t already have a sophisticated computer system, GPS and on-dash display, it may be worth turning your old smartphone into an onboard computer. Just get a decent dashboard mount for your phone, connect it to your stereo with its headphone jack – or bluetooth if your car comes equiped – and load up your favorite songs too. Even without a cellular data plan, your old smartphone should work as a reliable GPS, since GPS systems are independent of cellular data.

4. A Security Camera or Baby Monitor

Provided your smartphone can connect to your home WiFi network there are many things you can do with its video and audio capabilities. There are hundreds of apps available that turn your phone into a video monitoring tool, without the need of cellular access. Mount your old phone in your front window to see who’s at the door, put it in your baby’s room to keep an eye on her while you’re downstairs watching TV, or even use it to keep an eye on your dog while you’re at work. Depending on which app you get, the phone can alert you when there is motion, or send you a constant video and audio feed from home, wherever you might be at the time. Some of the apps do cost a few dollars, but are much more affordable than buying a dedicated IP camera.

5. A Cheap Gaming Platform

Any parent with young children know that a smartphone touchscreen is irresistible to tiny hands. Yet at $1,000 or more for the latest technology, letting a child play with your phone can be an expensive accident waiting to happen. Letting your kids play with your old phone, however, reduces the potential cost considerably. Load up some games and let them have fun! A few sticky fingerprints won't matter nearly as much.

6. Connected Digital Storage

Even if you don't need the audio and video capabilities of your old smartphone, there's probably still a lot you can do with the digital storage space. A Wi-Fi-enabled portable flash drive can cost hundreds of dollars, just to do what your old phone does already. Use it to keep backup copies of your most important files, you contacts and photos. If you have an Android, swap out the storage card with a larger one to give yourself lots of extra room.

7. Pass It On

If your phone is still in working condition, or if its parts can be salvaged, there are thousands of people who could really use it. Verizon's HopeLine, for example, has collected hundreds of thousands of phones, which it gives to victims and survivors of domestic violence, along with free cellphone minutes. If the screen is cracked, they may be able to replace it before passing it on to someone else, or use its components to repair another phone.

Even if your old smartphone can't be used by someone else, its components can always be recycled. Smartphones contain rare metals that may be soon in short supply, so manufacturers have a financial incentive to recycle the products they sell. Apple, for example, has a recycling program in most countries where it sells its iPhones. You may even receive a free gift card for your recycling efforts.

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Monday 4 September 2017

Dell's Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop gets serious with GTX 1060 and Nvidia Max-Q



Dell’s Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop is getting a little more serious this year, graduating to GeForce GTX 1060 discrete graphics and using Nvidia’s Max-Q technology to put more power into (slightly) less space.

The jury’s actually still out on Max-Q—gamers are openly leery of potential compromises. Looking at the main differences between the refreshed line announced Wednesday, however, and the prior generation, you can see how Max-Q is starting to change how laptops are designed.

The Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptops will begin shipping in September. Prices start at $999 for FHD-based configurations and $1,449 for UHD-based configurations, with these main options:

CPU:

l 7th-gen Intel Core i5-7300HQ quad-core with clock speed up to 3.5GHz

l 7th-gen Intel Core i5-7700HQ quad-core with clock speed up to 3.8GHz

RAM: 4GB to 16GB (maximum 32GB) of 2,400MHz DDR4

Display (non-touch):

l FHD (1920x1080) IPS

l UHD (3840x2160) IPS

Graphics:

l Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 with 2GB of GDDR5 memory

l Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of GDDR5 memory

l Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q and 6GB of GDDR5 memory

Battery: 56Whr, 4-cell

Considering how Dell's prior generation Inspiron impressed us for its bang for buck, the fact that much remains the same here is a good thing. The new lineup does have a higher starting price, but it’s adding fancier options like the 4K display and the GTX 1060 with Max-Q technology, plus a dual-fan cooling system and a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello. (Maybe it also has better FHD display quality—we didn’t much like the last generation’s.)

Meanwhile, it subtracts battery: The prior generation had a larger 74Whr, 6-cell pack compared to the much smaller one on the new models. Max-Q is supposed to help manage power consumption better. Dell promises anywhere from 7 to almost 10 hours of life depending on the configuration (and of course, what you’re doing). This is in line with our test results for the prior model, so the latest generation is potentially giving you the same battery life with less actual battery. There's also a new quick-charge technology that will replenish the battery to 80-percent capacity within an hour—that’s nice if you’re actually taking this thing anywhere.

Chances are you won’t take it far, though. Compared to its predecessor the Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop is slightly thinner (0.98 inch compared to an even 1 inch before), but heavier: 5.82 pounds and up for a GTX 1050-based model, and 6.28 pounds and up for a GTX-1060-based model. Last year’s version started at 5.76 pounds.

Note, too, the differences in AC adapter: A 130-watt model for GTX 1050/1050Ti versions, and a 180-watt model for GTX 1060 versions. The larger adapter will be bulkier, of course.

The Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop is just one example of the new wave of Max-Q laptops, joining the Asus ROG Zephyrus and others. In this case, it seems to be taking advantage of the technology to fit more features into the same space rather than go thinner. We don't know whether it'll also be quieter. Even with a higher starting price, however, we expect this model will continue to offer a lot of value for gamers.
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Android TV: The Oreo update isn't enough


We’ve seen signs that Android TV might step out of Chromecast’s shadow throughout the year. The software has been popping up on new devices, such as AirTV and Nvidia’s second-generation Shield TV, and enabling novel over-the-air DVR solutions like Tablo Engine and Plex. Even Google seemed to be giving more love to its lesser-known living-room platform, announcing plans to integrate Google Assistant and overhaul the Android TV interface.

But after installing Android 8.0 Oreo on a Nexus Player this week, I’m not sure an Android TV comeback is imminent. The new software is a mess on Google’s three-year-old streaming box, and it’s missing several features that Google showed off at its I/O developers conference in May. Meanwhile, there’s been little evidence of new streaming boxes to carry the platform forward, and it’s unclear if existing ones like the Shield will get upgraded to Oreo anytime soon.

Perhaps I’m expressing these concerns prematurely, and some big reveal is forthcoming with new Android TV hardware and improved software. Still, it’s hard to see how that happens with the state Android TV is in now.

Oreo on Android TV

On the surface, Android 8.0 Oreo is a major upgrade for Android TV. The home screen allows each app to have its own row, or “channel,” where it can recommend movies or shows to watch. Those apps can also feed into a “Watch Next” row for catching up on new episodes of previously watched programs. The layout is a nod to the grid-based guide you’d find on a cable box, and an attempt to make browsing through streaming apps much simpler.

But right now, Oreo on Android TV lacks several features that Google demonstrated a few months ago. The Watch Next row is empty, for instance, because shows aren’t populating the list automatically as they should, and attempts to add them manually result in a “Can’t add to Watch Next” error. Netflix’s previously announced home screen integration hasn’t arrived yet either—though the company tells me it’s still working on it—and video thumbnails aren’t appearing on channels like Google Play Movies & TV.

Google Assistant is also a no-show, so you can’t launch directly into videos from Netflix or YouTube with voice commands, control smart-home devices, or access third-party voice skills. The search results screen is the same as it has been in previous versions of Android TV. (Google said in January that Assistant would arrive on Android TV—including older versions—in the “coming months,” which seems conveniently non-committal in hindsight.)

Even basic operation of Android 8.0 Oreo veers into unpleasantness on the Nexus Player. The device stutters and lags at every step, and flashes a blank screen every time I tap the remote after waking the device from standby. And when pressing the remote’s voice search button, the device consistently takes a few seconds to produce any response on the screen. Also, Sony’s Crackle—one of the earliest streaming apps to support Android TV—doesn’t even work. This is the stuff of beta software, not a major, publicly available upgrade.

Pixel Player, where are you?

Judging Android 8.0 Oreo by its performance on a three-year-old streaming box might be harsh, but right now the Nexus Player is the only device that supports the new software. For developers who want to optimize their apps for Android 8.0, this is the experience they’re going to get.

The obvious fix on Google’s part would be to release a new halo device for Android TV, a “Pixel Player,” if you will. Imagine, for instance, a sub-$100 streaming box with 4K HDR video support, a voice remote for Google Assistant—maybe even with hands-free operation—and deep hooks into services like YouTube TV and Google Photos. Google could even bundle a USB TV tuner to showcase Android TV’s over-the-air channel integration. Beyond just serving as a reference for app makers, a device like this could help put Android TV on the map for consumers.

But so far, there’s been little evidence that Google will back its living-room operating system with new hardware. A report in May by Cord Cutters News claimed that Google was working on a new streaming player, but the site later backed off that claim, saying that the device may instead be another third-party offering similar to Xiaomi’s Mi Box. (The Mi Box, by the way, arrived in late 2016 with no fanfare from Google, was only sold in Walmart stores, and is not even running the second-latest version of Android as of this writing.) Other recent reports on Google’s upcoming hardware plans haven’t mentioned Android TV at all.

Looking out to other vendors, the future for Android 8.0 Oreo gets even murkier. Google did recently name Sony and Sharp among the device makers that plan to “launch or upgrade devices to Android 8.0 Oreo” by year-end, so it’s possible we’ll see new or existing smart TVs running the latest software before long. But Nvidia, which until now has carried the Android TV set-top business on its back with the $200 Shield TV, was conspicuously absent from that list.

Android TV’s time

On some level, fretting about the state of Android TV is academic. Google has said the platform sees 500,000 device activations per month, in part because of the company’s deals with smart-TV makers such as Sony and overseas pay-TV operators such as KDDI in Japan. Android TV’s app ecosystem also enjoys an unusual symbiotic relationship with Amazon’s Fire TV, which runs a modified version of Android, so apps that arrive on one platform also tend to show up on the other soon after. Even without challenging major streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV, Android TV is somewhat healthy.

But “somewhat healthy” can’t be what Google is aiming for, especially as Chromecast loses its competitive edge among consumers. According to a recent Parks Associates report, Chromecast lost market share in the United States over the last year, and is now in third place behind both Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Consumers are starting to vote for proper remote controls and on-screen interfaces over Chromecast’s phone-as-remote approach, which in turn means Google is losing turf in the battle for the connected home.

Android TV could be the solution, but it’s unclear if Google will start treating it that way.
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Dell revs up its XPS 13 with Intel's quad-core Kaby Lake R


The 8th-gen CPU promises up to 40 percent faster performance, a significant jump from before.

Dell’s XPS 13 is already a great laptop. Now imagine that laptop performing 40 percent faster than it does now. That’s the promise of the CPU refresh Dell announced for the product line on Monday at IFA in Berlin. The XPS 13’s two highest-end SKUs will have Intel’s latest 8th-generation Core chips, called Kaby Lake R.

The updated XPS 13 product line will start shipping September 12 with a base price of $799, but that model is not Kaby Lake R-fortified. (In fact, five of the seven CPU options for the XPS 13 will still use Intel’s 7th-generation Kaby Lake CPUs.) The Core i7 Kaby Lake R Core i7 model will have a starting price of $1,400.

Quad-core chips make a difference

The 8th-generation Kaby Lake R CPUs will be the first to offer quad-core processing power (four cores and eight threads) for ultrabook machines. Intel’s promised performance hike is based on tests comparing the 8th-generation Core i7 to the 7th- generation Core i7 (Kaby Lake) part. We got a more pedestrian 12- to 19-percent jump moving from 6th-gen Skylake to 7th-gen Kaby Lake.

Dell is upping the ante even more, however, claiming a jump of up to 44 percent in its XPS 13 implementation. The two Kaby Lake R CPUs in the XPS 13 line will be:

The entry-level Core i5-8250U, with a base clock speed of 1.6GHz and a boost speed of up to 3.4GHz

The midrange Core i7-8550U, with a base clock speed of 1.8GHz and a boost speed of up to 4GHz

Why this matters: As one of the first laptops to ship with Kaby Lake R, the Dell XPS 13 ushers in an intriguing new era for laptops, one where quad-core power could start to erase the compromises between portable and desktop PCs. We’ll let you know more if we have a chance to benchmark the XPS 13 ourselves.

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Sunday 3 September 2017

Acer announces two 360-degree cameras

Acer is joining the 360-degree video craze with two new cameras, including one designed for your car. The Acer Holo360 is smartphone-sized 360-degree camera powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. The LTE-connected camera comes with a 3-inch display and can capture 4K 360-degree videos. It also runs Android 7.1, making it easy for users to share their videos over social media.

The other camera Acer announced is the Vision360, a camera designed as a high-end dash cam. The Vision360 is designed to film every angle of your car during a collision in 4K, and then upload that footage to the cloud with GPS coordinates and your speed. If your car is stationary and is hit (say in a parking lot) the Vision360 will activate, record a clip, and send your phone a notification, a far better solution than a simple dash cam especially if your vehicle gets hit from behind. 


The Vision360 also supports remote viewing and location tracking (to help you find your car in the parking lot), and users will be able to watch footage back through Acer’s VR headset.

The Holo360 will retail for $429 when it’s released in November, and the Vision360 will come in at €349 ($414) when it’s released later this year in Europe.

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Apple shows off new AR apps just as Google launches ARCore



Ever since Apple announced ARKit at its annual developers conference earlier this summer, the app-making community has enthusiastically shown off what it has been able to make with the new framework for augmented reality apps. ARKit hasn’t even officially launched yet, and already we’ve seen demos of AR fidget spinners, floating cats, and fancy car configurators on iPhones.


Serious, groundbreaking stuff, right?

But it’s sometimes the fun, toy-like technologies that give way to more serious use cases, which is probably why Apple seems to determined to show off other demonstrations of AR apps that will roll out with iOS 11 next month. Half a dozen app developers gathered on Apple’s campus in Cupertino, Calif. yesterday to demo their upcoming AR apps and talk about their development processes, including big brand names like Ikea, The Food Network, AMC TV, Giphy, and more.

IOS DEVELOPERS SAY THE SIZE OF APPLE’S USER BASE COULD BE THE REAL GAME-CHANGER IN AR

Some app developers, like UK-based Climax Studios and Brooklyn-based Touch Press, talked about how relatively easy it was to create an ARKit app, sometimes in just six to eight weeks. Many talked about the technical capabilities that have been unlocked with ARKit.

But almost all of the developers there said the same thing: it’s Apple’s giant audience, its many millions of iPhone and iPad users, that they think could be the real game-changer in AR. Apple’s pre-arranged gathering of AR app-makers also occurred just as Google is launching ARCore, a new platform for AR app developers that could expand Google’s AR reach in a significant way. If there was ever a moment that marked the real start of the mobile AR platform wars, it’s probably now, and all before the fall hardware season has even begun.

Ikea was on hand at Apple yesterday, and showed off a new AR app for iOS called Ikea Place. It’s a riff on other furniture try-on apps we’ve already seen in AR, whether on Google’s Tango AR platform or in 2D furniture apps. You open up the Ikea app on the iPhone, use the phone’s camera to measure the space around you, and “place” an Ikea furniture item in front of you. You can walk up to the item, get a sense of its size, see materials and texture, and in a future version of the app, you’ll even be able to tap on a virtual sofa to see how big it is when it expands to become a sofa bed.

Michael Valdsgaard, Ikea’s head of digital transformation, said that the company has been working on 2D AR features for almost five years, but that it developed a new app for ARKit because of reach. “Apple is the one who reaches many people,” he said.

Simon Gardner, the chief executive officer at Climax Studios, concurred. His new AR game for iOS, Arise, creates a virtual puzzle in real space that can only be solved by physically tilting the iPhone or iPad and steering a character through this puzzle. Climax Studios has long dabbled in AR, and created a game called Towers for Tango for Google’s Tango AR platform. Gardner says they’ve also worked on apps for Microsoft’s HoloLens before, though none have published.

The biggest difference between building for those platforms, and building for iOS, is the size of the audience, Gardner said. “You have a potential install base on day one of hundreds of millions of devices.”

ARKIT WILL WORK ON ANY EXISTING IDEVICE THAT HAS AN A9 PROCESSOR AND RUNS IOS 11 SOFTWARE

The biggest advantage Apple has with ARKit is that AR apps will run on any existing device that’s both equipped with an A9 processor and running iOS 11 software, which is currently still in beta. This means any iPhone 6S or later, or any iPad Pro, will run these AR apps.

Apple also has the advantage of owning the “full stack” in the iPhone and iPad: it controls everything from the iOS software right down to every component in every piece of hardware, which means the experience of how apps run on said devices is tightly controlled as well.

This means Google’s approach to AR has had to be a very different one, since Android shows up on devices of all sizes and specifications. The company has been working on its AR solution, called Tango, since 2013, and developed specific hardware and software requirements that phone manufacturers would have to adopt in order to support advanced AR. As a result, only two phone models to date, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro and Asus ZenFone AR, have shipped with Tango.

GOOGLE’S HAS LAUNCHED ARCORE ON GOOGLE PIXEL AND SAMSUNG GALAXY 8 PHONES, AND IS TARGETING 100 MILLION DEVICES BY THE END OF THE YEAR

But just this morning, Google announced something called ARCore, its equivalent to Apple’s ARKit. It’s a built-in AR platform for app makers, and is available now on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy 8 phones, with the hopes that it will run on 100 million phones by this winter. This could expand the community for Google AR apps significantly, and The Verge’s Adi Robertson says that the controlled ARCore demo she had at Google’s offices was “one of the best experiences I’ve had with phone-based AR.” Google is also working on two experimental AR web browsers, one that will use ARCore and one that will run on iOS and support ARKit.

Certainly there are some technical advancements happening with Apple’s ARKit that are notable. ARKit enables something called “world tracking,” which, as The Verge’s Robertson has reported before, relies on a technique called visual-inertial odometry. Most AR on phones so far has involved 2D, flat overlays — think Pokémon Go — whereas the kind of AR we’re talking about now is advanced, 3D AR.

AMC’s The Walking Dead AR app, which is called Our World and was developed by Next Games, using an ARKit feature called ARPointCloud that lets developers hide objects in an AR environment and reveal them at a certain point in the experience. This is especially useful in a game like Our World, where walkers (zombies) appear to crawl out of the corners around you, at intervals, as you continue to play the game.

Some ARKit apps will incorporate multi-player or collaborative features as well. AMC and Next Games showed off how you’ll be able to invite friends to slay zombies with you in Our World; and the new Giphy AR app, called Giphy World, lets you create an AR environment filled with 3D confetti or cartoon hamburgers or 2D gifs floating around the room, and share a URL with another user who can add more Giphy content to your AR world.

Other ARKit apps might be simpler, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar AR app. A caterpillar inches around the room you’re in; you feed it when you feel like it; and eventually it turns into a butterfly. When you look up through the lens of an iPhone or iPad, it joins the dozens of other butterflies that have been created through previous game plays.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that iPhone and iPad users will be immune to the same problems that plague other advanced AR platforms — the gimmicky apps, the drain on device battery life, and the overall feeling that you’re sometimes using an AR app not because it makes sense but just because it’s a new AR app. These have all been very real barriers to AR becoming more mainstream.

But what will set ARKit apart, according to Barry O’Neill, chief executive officer of Caterpillar app-maker Touch Press, is the “ease of use from a developer perspective and the scale of the audience.”

“Consumers are going to work with AR in a very natural way now,” he said.

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The iPhone 8’s dock might work more like the new iPad’s

All the rumors about the upcoming iPhone 8 point to Apple making some fairly big changes to the device’s user interface, with tweaks needed to accommodate the removal of the home button and the addition of a “notch” housing the phone’s camera and sensors at the top of the display.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has a new report on how exactly these changes could be implemented, with Gurman’s sources suggesting that Apple is looking for ways to replace the functionality usually assigned to the home button. (E.g. returning to the home screen, opening up the multitasking interface, and accessing Siri.)

In the dodgy supply chain of Apple leaks, it’s often better to repeat then paraphrase, so here’s what Gurman is predicting for the iPhone 8 UI:

Dock: The dock housing commonly-used apps will be “redesigned with a new interface similar to the one on the iPad version of iOS 11.” Underneath the dock will be a “thin, software bar in lieu of the home button.” Users can drag up from here to the middle of the display to open the phone, or use the same gesture to start multitasking when inside an app.

Multitasking: This interface will be “redesigned to appear like a series of standalone cards that can be swiped through, versus the stack of cards on current iPhones.”

Status bar: This will be split into two “ears” on either side of the notch. “[T]he left side shows the time while the area on the right side of the notch displays cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity and remaining battery life,” writes Gurman. Whether or not Apple will choose to hide the notch by making the status bar black has been the subject of some speculation, but Gurman reports the company will embrace it, with leaked images “showing a definitive cutout at the top of apps with non-black backgrounds.” The status bar will also reportedly “change based on the task at hand,” although exactly how is unclear.

Of course, this is just rumor at this point, and the final UI for the iPhone 8 may differ from what’s stated above in any number of ways. However, there is some evidence for this redesigned interface. As developer Steve Troughton-Smith points out on Twitter, the UI described by Gurman’s sources matches leaked iOS 11 gestures uncovered back in May. Troughton-Smith also tweeted this image showing how the redesigned status bar and dock might look:

And what the 'iPhone 8' homescreen could look like — iPad-style Dock and edge-gesture indicator (via @charavel)

— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) August 30, 2017

If true, these changes will only apply to the iPhone 8, with Apple expected to unveil two new, more pedestrian iterations on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus as well. The iPhone 8 is also expected to start at $999, have a front-facing camera that will use facial recognition for unlocking the phone and payments, and be available in a new color my colleague Jake Kastrenakes described as “ugly, pinkish bronze.”

Apple will reportedly be unveiling the new iPhones on September 12th. Stay tuned for more.

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