Saturday, October 20, 2018

iOS vs. Android


Which one is better?


When it comes to buying one of the best smartphones, the first choice can be the hardest: iOS or Android. It's not simple; both offer a lot of great features and they may seem basically the same other than brand and price.

However, a closer look shows that there are some key differences. Read on for a closer at look at some of these differences to help you decide whether an iOS or Android smartphone is right for you.

1. Operating System Compatibility 



iOS 11 
To make sure you always have the latest and greatest version of your smartphone operating system, you have to get an iOS.

That's because some Android makers are slow at updating their phones to the latest version of the Android OS version, and sometimes don't update their phones at all.

While it's to be expected that older phones will eventually lose support for the latest OS, Apple's support for older phones is generally better than Android's. 

Take iOS 11 as an example. It includes full support for the iOS 5S, which was released in 2013. Thanks to support for such an old device, and full availability ​for all other models, iOS 11 was installed on about 66% of compatible models within 6 weeks of its release.

On the other hand, Android 8, codenamed Oreo, was ​running on just 0.2% of Android devices more than 8 weeks after its release.​ Even its predecessor, Android 7, was only running on about 18% of devices more than a year after its release. The makers of the phones – not users – control when the OS is released for their phones and, as stats shows, most companies are very slow to update.

So, if you want the latest and greatest as soon as it's ready, you need an iOS.

Winner: iOS


2. Hardware  



An image of the Apple iPhone 8 series in rose gold. 
Hardware is the first place where the differences between the iOS and Android become clear.

Only Apple makes iOS, so it has extremely tight control over how the software and hardware work together. On the other hand, Google offers the Android software to many phone makers, including Samsung, HTC, LG, and Motorola. Because of that, Android phones vary widely in size, weight, features, and quality.

Premium-priced Android phones tend to be as good as the iOS in terms of hardware quality, but cheaper Android options are more prone to problems. Of course iOS can have hardware issues, too, but they're generally higher quality.

If you're buying an iOS, you just need to pick a model. Because many companies make Android devices, you have to pick both a brand and a model, which can be a bit confusing.

Some may prefer the greater choice Android offers, but others appreciate Apple's simplicity and quality.

Winner: Tie


3. Applications


google play and app store badges
















The Apple App Store offers fewer apps than Google Play (around 2.1 million vs. 3.5 million, as of April 2018), but overall selection isn’t the most important factor.

Apple is famously strict (some would say too strict) about what apps it allows, while Google’s standards for Android are lax. While Apple's control may seem too tight, it also prevents situations like the one where a fake version of WhatsApp was published on Google Play and downloaded by 1 million people before it was removed. That's a major potential security threat.

Beyond that, some developers have complained about the difficulty of developing for so many different phones. Fragmentation – the large numbers of devices and OS versions to support – makes developing for Android expensive. For example, the developers of Temple Run reported that early in their Android experience ​nearly all of their support emails had to do with unsupported devices even though they support over 700 Android phones.

Combine development costs with the emphasis on free apps for Android, and it reduces the likelihood that developers can cover their costs. Key apps also almost always debut first on iOS, with Android versions coming later, if they come at all.

Winner: iOS

4. Battery Life


plugging in low battery phone 

Early iOS needed to recharge their batteries every da​y. More recent models can go days without a charge, though new versions of the operating system tend to cut battery life until they're optimized in later releases.​

The battery situation is more complex with Android, due to the large variety of hardware options. Some Android models have 7-inch screens and other features which burn through much more battery life.

But, thanks to the wide variety of Android models, there are also some that offer ultra-high capacity batteries. If you don't mind the extra bulk, and really need a long-lasting battery, Android can deliver a device that works much longer than an iOS on a single charge.


Winner: Android

5. Security



An image depicting iPhone security, showing a padlock on the screen of the phone with a separate security key. 


If you care about the security of your smartphone, there's only one choice: iOS.

The reasons for this are myriad and too long to completely go into here. For the short version, consider these two facts:

  • In one study, 97% of all malware, viruses, worms, etc., were for Android. In that study, 0% attacked the iOS.
  • Even the head of Google's Android team admits that "We can not guarantee that Android is designed to be safe... If I had a company dedicated to malware, I should also be addressing my attacks on Android." 

That says it all. However, it's important to note that these stats don't mean iOS is immune to malware. It is not. It's just less likely to be targeted and Android-based phones. 


Winner: iOS


5. User Experience


how to unlock iphone



People who want the complete control to customize their phones will prefer Android thanks to its greater openness.

One downside of this openness is that each company that makes Android phones can customize them, sometimes replacing default Android apps with inferior tools developed by that company. 

Apple, on the other hand, locks the iOS down much more tightly. Customization are more limited and you can't change default apps. What you're giving up in flexibility with an iOS is balanced out by quality and attention to detail, a device that just looks and is well-integrated with other products.

If you want a phone that works well, delivers a high-quality experience, and is easy to use, Apple is the clear winner. On the other hand, if you value flexibility and choice enough to accept some potential issues, you'll probably prefer Android.



Winner:Tie

6.Intelligent Assistant


Artificial Intelligence



The next frontier of smartphone features and functionality will be driven by artificial intelligence and voice interfaces. On this front, Android has a clear lead.

Google Assistant, the most prominent artificial intelligence/intelligent assistant on Android, is extremely powerful. It uses everything Google knows about you and the world to make life easier for you. For instance, if your Google Calendar knows that you're meeting someone at 5:30 and that traffic is terrible, Google Assistant can send you a notification telling you to leave early.

Siri is Apple's answer to Google Assistant for artificial intelligence. It's improving all the time with each new iOS release. That said, it's still limited to fairly simple tasks and doesn't offer the advanced smarts of Google Assistant (Google Assistant is also ​available for the iOS). 



Winner: Android

To conclude

The decision of whether to buy an iOS or Android phone isn’t as simple as tallying up the winners above and choosing the phone that won more categories (but for those counting, it's 8-6 for the iOS, plus 5 ties).

Different categories count for different amounts to different people. Some people will value hardware choice more, while others will care more about battery life or mobile gaming.

Both platforms offer are good choices for different people. You’ll need to decide what factors are most important to you and then choose the phone that best meets your needs.




Friday, October 19, 2018

New vs. Old Technology

New Technology vs. Old Technology


Technology has rapidly changed our lives within a short period of time, mostly for the better. Just a few years ago we thought there were certain things we could never live without and now those same things have become near-obsolete.

This infographic tells the story of how certain technologies have been replaced with newly improved gadgets and processes, and illustrates how the world has been changed because of it.



Old vs. New

How technology has change our world?


1. Communication




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Wired telephone have been replaced with smartphones that have multiple functions. Landlines are not installed as much as in the past.

  Image result for payphone cartoon

Payphones are still available but a rarity. The majority of people have smartphones so no need to get the change out when an emergency pops up.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQd7KjLh5YOSGalC0ayEeqtMTLFJ62quvjBERV4qYwu0cpdUW6y 

 Handwritten letters sent via the postal service are a dying art. They have now been replaced by emails and texts that are delivered within seconds.


2. Entertainment


https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQcRVuFvERxwP3pRLpkjmju_tx71UvIAzEoRJUp4ISrz4ppOPGG 
Television may not be going anywhere soon but many people prefer to now watch downloaded shows on their PCs and laptops instead or get their entertainment from sites like YouTube.



Image result for ipod symbol 
Cassettes and CDs have made way for iTunes and iPods. Thousands of songs can now be downloaded onto a single device, an act that would have been impossible with older technology.

 

3. Travel


Image result for map symbol

When was the last time that you pulled out a mapbook to figure out how to reach a destination? Google Maps is now most people's artificial sense of direction. 


4. Education


Image result for wikipedia symbol

Encyclopaedic books have had to make way for Wikipedia and other Internet resources even though some are questionable in their accuracy.


5. Money & Shopping


Image result for shopping stroller symbol

We don't think shopping at a brick-and-montar store will go extinct but online shopping  has become more commonplace and is not scary as it used to be.

 

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Technology vs. Human




What We Need To Know?


If you have ever watched the Terminator movie, then you have a good idea what this topic is discussing. The movie and other similar arts will reach a point when the technological advancement of man will outgrow him. Some people estimate that this could be as close as in the next thirty years. At that time, human beings will have become antiques.

Image result for human and robot

Will There Be A Conflict?


In the movies, the creators always present human beings being in conflict with the machines. However, this outcome is unlikely to occur. For one, technological advancements would not have any reason to be in conflict with humans; if they were to be as advanced as it is thought. Then it is safe to assume human being will be able to reason their way out of any misunderstanding and avert any conflict that might arise between them and machines. Even in human society, violence is mostly associated with less intelligent people.


What Role Will People Play?


One thing that is for certain is that people will have to adapt to new types of jobs. In the future, it is quite clear that machines will do most of the jobs. This will make it hard for you to find a job you can do anywhere. For instance, most people who work in car assembly points have already lost their jobs to robots.

In some cases, an entire production line only requires the presence of one person. However, this should not present a loss for humanity. The only thing people have to do is adapt. For instance, people can train themselves on how to repair these machines. Also, it will mean that the Universities have to offer more technology based courses. Right now, the people with the technical know-how are still very few. Consequently, despite the claim that technology could outpaced humanity, there are very few people working towards this goal. It is the high time for the human to start figuring out the best way to survive in the new environment.


Is Singularity A Thing?


Regarding physics, the singularity is the term used to describe what happens inside a black hole. In such a point, the pull of gravity is so powerful that it bends every known rule of physics. In this singularity, even the light bends.

Regarding technology, the singularity is the point where the A.I. becomes self-aware. It is thought that code writers will one day be able to create something that can write its code. This will present a great opportunity for the future of technological advancement. At such a point, machines will be able to create their parts and design themselves. At that point, every other invention before then will become obsolete. This is what some people fear. However, it does not have to be a source of fear. It will simply represent the advancement of humanity.


Will The Definition of Human Change?


As people continue to advance, their reliance on technology continues to grow. One day in future, people will be so involved with technology such that it will be hard to tell them apart. Essentially, a thinking A.I. will just be part of the human mind. It will represent an extension of the person rather than a tool for the person to use.

There are those who fear for what that means for a human being. Also, as technology advances, there are those who can use it better than others are. These people are thus able to advance economically, which leaves everyone else out thus presenting the question of inequality. As of now, technology is widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Those who are unable to adapt are being left behind. For you to remain at the top of the game, you have to embrace technology and be able to adopt the changes that come with it.


The Likely Future


Hollywood films have a tendency of presenting a state of dystopia about humans and technology. This is a notion that needs to be challenged. No one knows exactly the impact this tends to have on the advancements of technology. Also, it makes it harder for technology to penetrate in poor regions of the world thus leaving some regions to lag behind regarding development.

The future of humanity largely depends on the technical advancement. As of now, waiting for humans to evolve into better beings serves no purpose. There is the need for a more united effort in developing technology since most technological advancements has positive results for humanity. It is essential that these efforts be pooled to make the process take place much faster. For instance, the Internet was started as a secret military project. It has since grown to change the world in unimaginable ways.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

How Smart Technology Can Benefits Our Safety?

Image result for smart technology

With smart technology on the rise, the next few years will see more and more people using smart technologies to boost convenience, cut down on daily pains, and enhance everyday life. Soon remembering to turn off lights and make coffee will be a thing of the past. But one often missed benefit of smart technology is improved safety. Smart technology has the potential to improve health and save lives. Here are three ways smart technology could improve safety in your life:


Reducing Accidents


According to the CDC, accidents or unintentional injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Also according to the CDC, the most deadly types of accidents are falls, unintentional poisonings and car crashes, all of which could be largely prevented by adoption of smart technology.
Research shows that fall risk can be predicted, with serious falls typically preceded by lower body weakness, Vitamin D deficiency, balance difficulties, vision problems and so on. While people aren’t very good at spotting these risk factors, smart health devices could catch them well ahead of time, and indicate fall risk before the risk becomes an injury. Unintentional poisonings could be prevented in much the same way, with health devices warning people before they confuse Tic Tacs for Tylenol.

The Stanford Center for Internet and Society says that around 9 in 10 car crashes are caused by human error, and well, computers aren’t human. While autonomous driving is still in its early stages, tests from companies like Tesla show that computers have the potential to be much safer drivers than people, reducing car crashes.


Catching Problems Before You Do


Beyond accidents, plenty of dangers stem from simple hazards of everyday life, like forgetting to turn off the oven or not noticing the carbon monoxide alarm going off. But smart technology can help avert these dangers, turning off the oven automatically, or not only setting off a siren but even venting the house when carbon monoxide is detected. “Smart technology, quite simply, catches problems before you notice they’re problems, and fixes them just as quickly,” said Audio Video Experience.

More importantly, smart technology can learn, and often much faster than people. If you have a habit of leaving the bathtub full when the baby’s playing nearby, not only will the next generation of tools empty the bathtub, but they’ll also warn you when you’re doing something irresponsible, and keep reminding you until you change your habits.


Doing Your Dirty Work for You


Have you ever sliced your finger cutting vegetables, or scalded your hand boiling water? Then you know that a number of common tasks can be fairly dangerous. USA Today says that in 2011, over 83,000 people were treated in US hospital emergency departments for injuries caused by lawn mowers, and those are only the injuries caused by mowing lawns. A smart mower wouldn’t need you to push it around, and a smart kitchen could cut your vegetables and boil your water pain-free. But the power of smart technology to take the danger out of dangerous jobs doesn’t stop in the home.

Time Magazine lists logging wood, flying planes, industrial farming, steel work and fixing power lines as among the most dangerous jobs in America, and all of these jobs can be done by machine. With smart technology in place, we don’t need people to risk their lives cutting down trees or working around high-voltage lines, and suddenly workplace danger becomes a thing of the past.


Looking Forward


As we see more smart technologies pervade our lives, life is going to become a much safer place. No longer will we have to worry about leaving the house unlocked on a busy day, losing a finger making the perfect salad, or mixing up pills that are almost identical. Smarter tools will enable us to live smarter lives, and safety will become an afterthought.

Over the next few years, life is bound to change drastically, and the way we think about staying happy and healthy will surely change with it. But please don’t go tossing the fire alarm just yet.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Smarphone Camera Comparison : Samsung Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Huawei Mate 10 Pro vs S8+

When a smartphone launches with arguably the most advanced camera module ever put into a production smartphone, you already know what the big question on everyone’s mind is: Is it the best? Is it noticeably better than the rest of the top dogs? Or is “variable aperture” just a fancy marketing term?

Well, we’re hoping to help you answer at least some of these questions. Welcome to the comparison you’ve been waiting for: Samsung’s latest flagship against the world.
OK, maybe “the world” was a little sensational, but we did pit it against every single flagship we could get our hands on. Here are the contenders:
1. Samsung Galaxy S8+
2. Apple iPhone X
3. Huawei Mate 10 Pro
4. Samsung Galaxy S9
We would have loved to include devices like the Google Pixel 2 XL (we didn’t have one on hand), the HTC U11+ (our device ran into some problems) and the new Sony Xperia XZ2 (didn’t have one on hand either), but circumstances weren’t in our favour.

That said, the pictures did still give us a good idea of the smartphone’s capabilities while we wait for 2018’s flagships to come compete with the Galaxy S9. Definitely stay tuned for that.



HDR or High Dynamic Range is a camera feature that’s pretty important in smartphone cameras. A phone’s HDR capabilities usually refers to its ability to capture multiple exposures in a challenging lighting scene (high contrast between shadows and highlights) and combine them into a single image that’s evenly lit. A smartphone with good HDR capabilities should not lose details in the shadows or the highlights.

This was a pretty challenging scene for the smartphones. I would like to apologise for the slightly different framing — we didn’t have a tripod and had to eyeball it — but the phones were exposed at the same spot: Right at the top of the tower.



Running a blind test in the office, many of my colleagues preferred the Galaxy S8+’s photo compared to the Galaxy S9. But I disagree because the shadows in the crevices (and indeed overall) were a little too harsh. Being there myself, the Galaxy S9’s photo is a lot closer to how it looked in person. In fact, the entire image that the Galaxy S9 produced was mighty impressive, being evenly exposed throughout while also retaining the nice blues in the sky. Samsung’s S9 is definitely the winner for me here.

The S8+ definitely comes in a close second and I think it does a slightly better job at retaining the right amount of brightness with a slightly cooler tone, but for me, it loses points for the overly harsh shadows. Still, it’s a sight better than the other two.

Apple’s iPhone X was just a disaster with its default HDR Auto setting, but it still wasn’t as bad as the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. Huawei’s smartphone has a dedicated HDR mode but it fails miserably here, even giving the image a green tint, putting it dead last in my list.

Monday, October 15, 2018

The Journey from Whiteboard to Keyboard

We are part of a knowledge-based society, where technology acts as a tool for empowerment and continuously exploring the potential for innovation to revamp the way education has traditionally been disseminated. Today the entire education system is evolving more around the digital world & time has come to understand the need to implement effective solutions to make the system more optimized.

Technology in Education

The challenge, which is being commonly faced by many educational knowledge providers is how to harness the learning within the classroom and at home. Technological innovations depend highly on adaptability & implementation of ideas. As the generation is changing with technology, their observation power, understanding power and learning power are also changing. It is becoming more visual and digital. So, accordingly, the education service providers have to bring the necessary changes in their knowledge sharing process.

In education, there are two sides, I. Students and II. Facilitators

It is very important for both of them to cooperate and collaborate to get the best results. Though classroom study is still the main way of providing education, but this way is changing. Globally 6% of the students have a mobile computing device provided by the school. The number is expected to rise to 11% by 2017. Personalized learning has increased its importance. Whiteboard is slowly getting replaced by laptops, notebooks, and tablets.

Technological Innovations which are Transforming Education Today

Digital Content

The most notable transformation brought to the education system is the introduction of digital content. Digital learning took educational system by storm. Learning through videos, images, texts, graphics, stories, short movies, text, infographics and even games offer a better understanding of concepts than learning in traditional whiteboard method. In few countries tutors have started using mobile/web applications to present information, which is very helpful for the students.

Campus Automation

This is one of the most trending automation systems in the world. The entire school/college automation. Automation of all the operations. When we say operations, it includes starting from application form submission to campus placement selection. In between there are many processes like admission, notes, assignment submission, research paper submission, attendance management, learning from home, examination, evaluation, result publication, notice, meetings, cultural activities, campus placement. Just imagine getting all of these on your smart phone through a mobile app. One message can reduce all the hassle.

Mobile Learning

Digital evolution is slowly replacing classroom teaching. Mobile learning is very much popular & the reach is also high. Users can move around and learn from their mobile devices. Students are allowed to access learning modules and notes from anywhere at any time. Video learning and other customized software of this are also getting popular. Mobility has certainly reduced the constraint of distance between education provider & learner. It is through technology that distances can be bridged and education can be brought to the student’s doorstep.

Quality Content

Access to quality content is far easier than it was before. Information available online is now huge & also personalized. Research papers, books, case studies, newsletters, business journals, statistics etc. are being used to pull out required and customized content after applying artificial intelligence and machine learning. For mobile devices, the content is more arranged and interactive. Education providers are adapting this and allowing students to access information for their knowledge enhancement.

Its more Practical Training than Soft Skill Training

Universities are focusing more on providing practical training to their students. By using technologies they are providing all the online case studies to solve, puzzles, study materials, content to their students. Rather than giving improving their soft skills, they are targeting to improve their management skills and IQ level, which will help them to build their own portfolio to get the better professional career.

Cost Effective Education

Many countries believe that it involves a lot of costs to implement technology in any sector. But, it is a myth. There will be minimal set up cost. No eBook, no application, no video lecture will cost you. Even the associated cost is very less as compared to the quality it will provide to the system. No need to invest more in physical infrastructure. Invest far less in strengthen IT infrastructure. One time investment, but it will give you all the control on your finger tip. There won’t be any physical boundary for knowledge sharing.

Improved Efficiency

Educational institutes need to manage all their day to day operations which are not limited to students, teaching staffs and resources, labs, examinations smoothly & by keeping associated cost in shape.
Projectors, IT lab equipment needs to be maintained as well as updated. Real time visibility will keep track of all assets & will notify whenever required. So that teacher can invest their quality time more in other productive things.

Moreover, management can monitor the performance of their resources/assets in real time so that if required, items can be replaced without affecting teaching schedule. Tracking devices can ensure that students are accounted for in real time, minimizing time-consuming activities like recording attendance. With automated attendance system students can be marked present as soon as they board bus or step inside their assigned classroom. Similarly another option could be, the proliferation of smart ID cards means students can be automatically marked “present” when they walk through the classroom door. With mobile computing solutions, operational roadblocks can be dealt with in real time.

statistics-of-technology-in-education 

Smart & Safe Campus

Ever thought of the safety of your campus properties, more importantly safety of your students? Here where IoT (Internet-of-Things) comes into the picture. IoT’s ability to track objects, students, staffs, assets and connect devices across campus takes the safety to a new level.
A GPS-enabled transportation system means routes can be tracked, optimized, parents can track where their kids are, can get notification where the bus is and how much time it will take to reach your pick up point. Ultimately it makes the system smart, safe and time saving. Smart ID cards can locate a student, cashless access to cafeteria, library, lab etc. which minimizes the loss of money.

benefits-of-technology-in-education

 

What could be the benefits/results of using Technology in Education?

If the unlimited access to information which can turn into knowledge used appropriately with guidance, they can become tools for the development of higher order thinking skills. With the evolution of real-world education, online courses, gamification, learning analytics, open source textbooks and integration of social networks, knowledge sharing has become collaborative, engaging and transparent.