Today, let’s talk about the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Note 7. Both have hit the headlines recently, ironically, for different reasons.
Apple has unveiled the new iPhone 7. It’s a waterproof smartphone, with a longer battery life than its predecessor. It has a faster processor, and improved cameras.
The most talked about feature must be the new wireless headphones. These are an expensive optional extra. They are dubbed AirPods and come with a charging case. Apple has removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, by replacing it with an adaptor to their ‘lightening’ connector.
Today, we are going to talk about drones. What exactly is a drone? It is a small helicopter-like device that can fly by remote control. There are many sorts of drone including quadcopters, mini-quads, or multi-rotor helicopters that are all the rage at the moment. They vary in price from £10. Most video drones start around £100. It appears to be the new hobby to take up.
Drones are generally used to take aerial film or photographs. They have considerably reduced movie makers’ budgets, as they have replaced costly helicopters in many instances. However, whilst drones have become more popular some are becoming a security risk.
Recently popular luxury electric carmaker Tesla Motors revealed to the world its much anticipated Tesla Model 3. The new prototype electric car was unveiled by Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Tesla’s Los Angeles design studio in California, USA.
The new Model 3 will have a starting price of US$35,000. However, it won’t be available till the end of 2017. It can be ordered in many countries around the world including the UK, India, China and New Zealand. It will be Tesla’s first mass produced electric car.
In the first two days alone pre-orders surpassed 276,000. Every car was secured by a deposit of US$1,000 or similar in other currencies. Unlike deposits for iPhones, the Tesla deposits are fully refundable.
In the Central European country of Slovakia, a mobile phone banking revolution is taking place. Thousands of people are now regularly making payments using their mobile phone. It’s all down to new technology that several Slovakian banks have introduced.
The system being used in Slovakia is called Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This offers users a user-friendly solution to the mobile payment hang-up, but it requires coordination between banks and mobile operators, as well as infrastructure in shops. Slovakia is considered the European leader in adopting innovative solutions.
Category: Economic / Banks / Business
Bitcoin is an innovative payment network. It is a new kind of money. Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital or virtual currency. Bitcoin is money you can send through the internet.
The advantages of using bitcoin is that it can be transferred person-to-person via the internet without going through a bank or clearing house. This results in the fees being lower. They can be used in every country.
Category: Business / Economic / Bitcoin
Microsoft has unveiled its new Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 is designed to run on tablet computers, as well as desktop and laptop PCs. The software, which is due to be released in 2012, will work on the popular ARM-designed low-power processors for the first time. Microsoft has been under pressure to come up with an answer to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms.
The new Windows 8 was unveiled recently at the Build developers’ conference in California. Windows division president Steven Sinofsky: “We re-imagined Windows. From the chipset to the user experience.” The system will function through one of two interfaces; a traditional desktop, similar to that seen in previous editions of Windows, and a tablet version, known as Metro.
Metro features larger, chunky controls of the sort that best suit touchscreen use. The current lack of such an input method is widely seen as the reason why few Windows 7 tablets exist. Microsoft said it would also be launching its own online marketplace - the Windows Store – to sell downloadable applications. The new Windows 8 tablet version will also feature a pop-up touch-screen keyboard.
Category: Business / Technology / Microsoft Windows 8
The US space agency NASA is working on a project aimed at revolutionising the way cargo is transported around the world. A new generation of airships using helium rather than hydrogen is set to transport goods around the world that could replace ships, railways and lorries as a means of carrying freight. The first prototype is expected to make its maiden voyage next year.
Scientists leading the project predict airships capable of carrying hundreds of tonnes of cargo at a time will be airborne by the end of the decade. It comes more than 70 years after the Hindenburg disaster, which brought to an end the earlier airship era. With the development of modern materials and aerodynamics knowledge gained from the space race means that the new generation will be capable of safely carrying loads that could not be carried before.
Category: Airships / Technology / Cargo
Are mobile phones safe for children to use? That’s the question many parents face when deciding whether they are or aren’t. There are many arguments for and against.
Children’s nervous systems are still developing, and there are fears that radiation could penetrate into their brains. Experts say there is no link between mobile phone use and cancer in adults but there is still widespread uncertainty about the risks children face. Mobile phones have been in use for a relatively short time and yet cancers can take decades to develop.
Most scientists however agree on one thing and that is children may be more vulnerable than the rest of us to their possible ill-effects. Kids have a skull that is thinner, less protective; they have a higher content of water in the brain, so there are many reasons why they absorb more of the same radiation.
Category: Research / Health / Mobile Phones
Look at your mobile phone, Blackberry or low energy light bulb. Now ask yourself what is inside it? Yes, it is made with different components. The technology is great. But what are the components made with?
The chances are some of them are made with rare earth metals. Where do these rare earth metals come from? The answer is probably China. Certainly 95% of the world’s rare earth metals are currently mined there. So why should you worry about it?
Simple, if China stops the exports of these rare earth metals then your mobile phone can’t be built, as it needs certain components made with these rare earth metals to build a part of it. As it goes, China has decided to slash exports of these rare earth metals that have left the West scrabbling for alternative sources.
Category: Technology / Economic / Business
Hands up those of you who like to chat online? How many of you use Facebook? Probably quite a few of you, as in today’s world we can’t seem to live without it. So what is a social network? It is a way of communicating with other people.
Why do we use them? Because we like to communicate with other people, especially our family and our friends. It is a good way to keep in touch. There are many different forms of social networking. Probably the most popular today are Facebook, Skype, MySpace, Twitter, Google chat and ICQ. All are different...
Category: Lifestyle / Social Networking / Chat
