We get a lot of questions from our readers regarding eSIM cards. Are they physical SIM cards? Do they require changes in hardware or software? If they are just software changes then why aren’t they introduced to phones that have already been released and so on. In this article, we will discuss this relatively new technology and try to clear the air regarding eSIMs. We will also try and answer some of these questions.
What Is An eSIM?
As the name suggests, eSIM is an electronic SIM card. An eSIM replaces the need for a physical SIM card that has been a part of our phones for ages. There are several reasons for the SIM cards to face the axe but we will talk about those later. The eSIM was introduced out of need, more than out of want. Samsung was working on a smartwatch that would allow a person to remotely connect to cellphone carriers without the need for a phone. Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch was the first device to use the eSIM. With the launch of Apple XS and XR, eSIM has now become a widely known technology.
Is It Hardware Or Software?
This has been a huge question for the uninitiated as everyone wants to know if the eSIM feature has any hardware complications or does it just happen via software. Well, it involves both. The eSIM is a very small SIM card that is attached to the phone. It is much smaller than a Nano SIM card. The eSIM card is 6mm x 5mm in size. Comparing it to a Nano SIM card which stands at a much larger 12.3mm x 8.8mm, the eSIM provides the manufacturers an opportunity to get rid of the bulky SIM card tray and use that space to include something else.
Since the entire eSIM technology involves hardware, it will not be possible to inculcate this technology into smartphones that do not have this tech. So your Oneplus 6 or 6T or even your Samsung Galaxy S9 won’t be able to make use of this feature. The eSIM is non removable and it is safely tucked inside the phone. The most important thing about the eSIM feature is that one does not need to change SIM cards when changing their network operator. They can simply do so using software.
If you are using an eSIM on your watch, it can have the same number as your phone. This helps you to make and receive call from your watch even if you do not have your phone with you. eSIM cards will also negate the hassle that one has to face when changing phones. Some phones use a Nano SIM, some use a Micro SIM and so on.
Future Of eSIM
GSMA, the organisation that represents the interests of mobile operators, has announced a standard for this new kind of SIM. The use of smartwatches have also increased in the recent times and this means more and more use of eSIM card. This is good news as the future is definitely moving towards eSIM cards. AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa (owner of Three and soon O2), Orange, Telefónica (the current O2 owner) and Vodafone have all shown their support for this technology and we can definitely expect more and more phones to use this feature in the future.
We have all wished that we could build a phone ourselves. Well, the MakerPhone brings you a step closer to this dream. It is a fully functional mobile phone that you can build and code yourself. The kit contains parts and instructions to make the phone yourself. It is meant to be a fun learning experience for beginners who like to use tools and see how every technology functions. This is an interesting concept and the company is currently looking for support through a crowdfunding website.
What You Can Learn
You can learn what a resistor does and how it functions. Leaning about the basics of electronics is a great experience and can get you interested to make more things. You can learn how to solder which can be a great life lesson – something you can use for a lot of different purposes as well! It teaches how to code in Python and as well as the children’s coding application called Scratch. Arduino (which is based on C/C++) is also a part of the learning experience.
They previously have built another DIY gaming console called MAKERbuino and the company says that the DIY phone is different in more ways than one. The MAKERphone includes a color screen and a better micro-controller with their custom software. The phone also has Python programming language compatibility and Scratch programming language compatibility. Other significant changes are dedicated DAC and electronic volume controllers for sound regulation and mp3 playback , 8 individually programmable RGB LEDs and better PCB architecture for easier soldering. And it isn’t all just for show! It can now make calls, has a SIM card, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
One can also play games such as space invaders, pong, or snake on the phone once the assembly is complete. Apps such as a custom media player that only plays cat videos, programs in Arduino, lines of code in Python are some of it’s many attractions. According to the company, the DIY Kit is made for anyone above 11 years of age. The average build time is around 7 Hours.
MAKERphone circuit board – the main board that connects all the components in a uniform device that can work as a mobile phone
MAKERphone casing – multiple sheets of acrylic cut with the power of lasers. They protect the innards and give MAKERphone this sleek look
128 x 160 full colour TFT LCD – for playing games, displaying phone numbers and everything in between
GSM module – a tiny module responsible for everything related to calling and texting other people
Main microcomputer module – a dual core processor with built-in Wi-Fi, BLE, and a charging circuit
Sound module – a board with a DAC (digital to analog converter) chip and a headphone jack for music playback (responsible for ringtones, alarms, game sound effects)
Amplifier module – makes loud buzzes, bleeps and bloops
Stick-on antenna – for superb phone signal (a.k.a. send text messages while in the bathroom)
Abag with other tiny electronic components such as pushbuttons and coloured button caps with a 128 MB SD card preloaded with games and apps included
The multi-rate Goods and Services Tax (GST) tax which was meant to unify the nation, went into effect on 1 July 2017. The nationwide sales tax is said to have affected various sectors. Before you switch to Google for answers, here’s a brief about the new tax system.
It is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption, ridding the consumer of different levels of taxes which were paid earlier. All different levels of taxes will be replaced by a single tax – GST.
Over 1200 goods and 500 services were categorised by the GST Council under four different tax slabs – 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. For those of you wondering which slab the tech world falls under, here’s how the GST will impact your tech life.
Smartphones, Tablets and Accessories
Smartphones are now be cheaper, thanks to the Goods and Services Tax. The smartphones were earlier taxed at 13.5 % or higher, after the new tax categorisation, they fall under the 12% tax slab. The new tax system reduced the smartphone prices by 1.5%. GST is also levied on products made under the “Make In India” initiative, hence, the smartphones manufactured in India are bound to get more expensive. Manufacturers currently pay around 7.5-8% duty, but with GST, phone parts will fall under the 12% slab, increasing the manufacturing cost.
Taxed at 12%
Smartphones
Accessories like Smartwatches, Headphones, Chargers, Batteries, etc.
Tablets
Phablets
Featured Phones
Mobile Parts like Processors, RAMs, Motherboards, Displays
Gaming Consoles and Gadgets
The gaming gadgets and games which were previously at 28.5% duty will now be placed under the highest slab which is 28%. Thus the prices won’t waver much on the gaming front except from the slight 0.5% decrease in the tax rate. Utility gadgets, storage devices like hard drives etc. will attract a levy of 18%.
Taxed at 28%
Taxed at 18%
Gaming consoles like Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo
Utility Gadgets
Controllers, Games
Storage Devices like Hard-drives, Memory Cards
Fitness Trackers
Gaming Accessories like VR headsets
TV, Laptops, Desktops, Cameras
Digital cameras, video cameras, televisions, recorders, speakers, etc will fall under the 28% tax bracket. Monitors and projectors will also attract a GST rate of 28% which was earlier up to 18.5%. Whereas Laptops, desktops will attract a tax rate of 18% which was earlier 14-15%. IT accessories such as LAN and data cable will be 28% which was earlier 17.5%. Since the implementation of GST, PCs and laptops along with Televisions all fall under the 28% tax bracket.
Taxed at 28%
Taxed at 18%
DSLRs, Digital Cameras, Video Cameras, Recorders
Laptops, Netbooks and Notebooks
Televisions
Desktops
Computer Peripherals
IT Accessories
Consumer Durables, Electronics
The prices of consumer durables like AC, washing machine, refrigerators, vacuum cleaner, shavers have also gone up by 4% by categorising them in the 28% bracket. Other electronic items like water heaters, hair dryers, curlers printers, photocopiers, fax machines, ink cartridges, etc. are to levy 28% GST instead of 18% duty. This category consists of
Taxed at 28%
Personal Care Products like Trimmers, Curlers, Hair Dryers
Household Electronics like AC, Washing Machine, Refrigerators
Electrical Appliances like Printers, Photocopiers, Fax Machines
Automobiles
Cars
With the implementation of Goods and Services Tax, luxury car buyers will benefit the most. Before the tax implementation, luxury cars were taxed between 52-55 %, after GST and cess, taxes have reduced to 43%, making them relatively cheaper. Hatchbacks and sedans which attracted a tax of 29%, will now charge 28% GST + 1% cess, keeping the price unchanged.
Motorcycles
All 350cc and under motorbikes are set to attract a tax of 28%, whereas bikes above 350cc will levy a 31% tax.
Taxed at 43%
Taxed at 29%
Taxed at 28%
Taxed at 31%
Luxury Cars
Non-Luxury Cars like Hatchbacks and Sedans
MotorBikes at and under 350cc
MotorBikes above 350cc
Car Accessories like Stereos, Speakers, Alloy Wheels
Car Parts like Tyres, Radiators, Thermostats
Though GST has said to bring major changes in other sectors, the tech industry does not seem be affected by the new tax implementation. The Goods and Service Tax seems to benefit the customers of smartphones, and high end cars, other things remain either unchanged or heavily taxed. Though the gaming industry remains more or less unaffected, devices like laptops, desktops, television etc have seen a high rise in prices.
Category
Before GST
After GST
Smartphones
13.5%
12%
TV, Cameras, Computer Peripherals and IT Accessories
After completing 6 years of existence earlier this year, iGyaan was destined for a new direction. Today we roll out iGyaan 2.0, a newer user friendly and more upfront iGyaan.
The intention is to bring information to the user, you can now view specifications for products right on the page, in a beautiful and simplified layout. For reviews, you will now be able to not only see Ratings from our editors but also leave your own ratings for products.
Our new Video player can be found in the Videos tab on the Top, and it allows you to watch the latest videos, without ever needing to reload the page. We are also compressing the video for you on our server so that they load faster than usual and you use less data.
Specs Listing
User Ratings
iGyaan Video Player
We are also introducing comparisons across product categories, you can simply click the grid box comparison on any product or review and compare it with another product or review, go ahead and compare the OnePlus 3 review with the HTC 10 review for a quick understanding.
Comparison Example
While the website is new, and we have fully deployed it, it might take a few days for us to get up to speed, since there is a lot more for us to update, including specifications for a whole host of products and new launches. Stay tuned for announcements, of iGyaan on Youtube 2.0 along with new launches coming in the near future. We hope you like the new website.
If you do run in to issues or have any bugs to report, please do so with the contact button on top of the page.
The Mobile World Congress 2016 is at an end now and the 4-day event has seen some incredible new technology with groundbreaking advancements. On the smartphone front, some spectacular flagship devices and other phones were on display with next-gen specifications and technology. Here’s looking at the best new phones with new technology that were unveiled at the MWC this year.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
It was at MWC’s Unpacked event on the 21st of February that saw some of the biggest technological unveilings. The unpacked event saw Samsung unveil its flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. The next Galaxy devices come promising spectacular design language and next-gen performance and specifications.
The 5.1-inch S7 Super AMOLED display with quad HD resolution. Two SoC configurations are offered – one being the new Exynos 8890 and the other being Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage as well as a MicroSD card slot this time around and the battery is 3000mAh. A fingerprint sensor is housed in the home button.
The S7 Edge comes with a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with quad HD resolution. A Snapdragon 820 processor powers the device along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and 3600mAh battery pack.
New Technology – The Galaxy S7 brought with it a brand new Dual Pixel technology for its rear camera. The Dual Pixel, essentially, is an improvement or a natural evolution from the Phase-Detection Auto-Focus technology used by many other smartphones. Firstly, Samsung downgraded from 16MP found in the S6 to 12MP in the S7. The decision to do this was to focus more on quality rather than quantity. The 12MP sensor brings 56% bigger individual pixels with1.4um pixels as compared to the S6.
To understand Dual Pixels one needs to first wrap their heads around PDAF. PDAF traditionally uses less than 10% the total number of pixels equipped with focusing photodiodes and uses it strategically in the sensor area to focus on a subject. This requires more time for focusing. Dual Pixel, on the other hand, uses a 100% of the pixels for extremely precise and fast focusing. Using the whole of the pixels also allows more light in.
LG G5
LG G5
Undoubtedly, the award for the most innovative new smartphone has to go to LG for its modular G5 handset. LG went ahead of Samsung at the Unpacked event and quite surely ‘dropped the mike’ on stage with its spectacular G5 flagship. The G5 has a full metal body and comes with impressive specifications but the what sets the phone apart from its competition is the fact that it comes with modular attachments which for now can be utilised to enhance the camera and battery of the phone.
On the specifications front, the LG G5 comes packing a primary 5.3-inch QHD LCD display with 3D Arc Glass on top. It also has a cool Always-on feature that lights up the display for access to important updates. The phone’s construction is full metal unibody and is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, expandable by upto 2TB with microSD cards.
New Technology – Next-gen specifications aside, the G5 is and will be about its modular design. The modular nature of the phone exists for what LG calls ‘G5 and Friends’, that are modular attachments to enhance the camera and battery of the phone.
Most interesting of the lot was the LG Cam Plus module which can be attached to the G5 through the battery slot giving the user “comfortable grip and convenient control of a DSLR” for better imaging and also adds to the battery of the phone taking the capacity up to 4000mAh.
Next is the Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play module. This is a Hi-Fi DAC audio player which is perfect for audiophiles. It can also play high-definition audio files encoded in 32-bit at 384KHz.
Xiaomi Mi 5
Xiaomi yesterday unveiled its own flagship Mi 5 following Samsung and LG and still managed to impress all. The Mi 5 comes packed with top-of-the-line specifications and a pretty attractive design language with a 3D glass or ceramic back option, all at an impressively low price of RMB 1,999 (approx. Rs 21,000) for the base model.
The device sports a 5.15-inch Full HD IPS display, a 1080p resolution, ultra-bright 16-LED backlighting with 2.5D curved glass on the front and Corning Gorilla Glass 4. It is powered by the Snapdragon 820 chipset and Adreno 530 GPU. No surprises there. It packs 3GB of RAM and up to 32GB of flash storage, while the Pro variant features a 4GB RAM and 128GB flash, however, there is no MicroSD card slot to be seen. Both variants feature a fast LPDDR4 RAM for a snappy user experience.
New Technology – The Mi 5 comes with a 16MP Sony IMX298 sensor with PDAF, DTI image enhancement and a new 4-axis OIS technology. It is in the 4-axis OIS that Xiaomi really delights itself. The rear camera promises to capture great images and videos with superior focus. This holds true thanks to its new OIS technology that uses 4-axis rather than the traditional 2-axis that most other smartphones currently use.
The 4-axis OIS basically gives you more stability under shaky conditions. While traditional 2-axis OIS can work around rotational movements, the 4-axis can handle transversal as well, because shakiness comes in all directions.
The 4-axis OIS technology corrects shake in close shots and can capture accurate movement in distant shots as well. All of this translates into smoother, sharper and blur-free images and videos even in low light. Check out some of these camera shots to know just how well the Mi 5 camera works under various settings.
Cat S60
As big name brands set themselves to launch their latest and greatest phones at the Mobile World Congress 2016, a brand which makes relatively niche products, Cat, stole the limelight with an offering that might not give any of the flagships a run for their money in terms of specs, but lacks behind none in terms of innovation.
The Cat S60 is a 4.7-inch 720p display device powered by Snapdragon 617 with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow and offers 4G LTE connectivity. It also comes with a 13MP main camera, 5MP front camera. A massive 3,800mAh battery powers the device.
New Technology – The Cat S60 comes with two very unique features – a FLIR thermal imaging camera and the first waterproof rating to a depth of 5 meters for up to an hour on this rugged phone.
The handset features a military-grade thermal imaging C2 camera module from FLIR. This is the same technology used in the Intel-powered Daqri smart helmet, enabling the Cat S60 to show temperature changes.
The sensor is the smallest of its kind, and can measure surface temperatures from a distance of up to 100ft. It can see through obscurants such as smoke, and is aimed at building professionals, utility workers, and outdoor sport enthusiasts.
liquids now have holes thanks to an amazing breakthrough by a team scientists at Queen’s University Belfast. Researchers in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s, along with colleagues at the University of Liverpool, have invented a porous liquid with a potential for a massive range of new technologies including ‘carbon capture’. The liquid has the ability to dissolve massive amounts of gas, which are absorbed into the ‘holes’ in the liquid.
This discovery will effectively lead to what scientists call ‘carbon capture’ – trapping carbon dioxide from major sources, a fossil-fuel power plant for example, and storing it to prevent its entry into the atmosphere.
Prosessor Stuart James of Queen’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering said: “Materials which contain permanent holes, or pores, are technologically important. They are used for manufacturing a range of products from plastic bottles to petrol. However, until recently, these porous materials have been solids. What we have done is to design a special liquid from the ‘bottom-up’ – we designed the shapes of the molecules which make up the liquid so that the liquid could not fill up all the space. Because of the empty holes we then had in the liquid, we found that it was able to dissolve unusually large amounts of gas.”
James went on to say that the discovery is still in its early stages and a few more years will be needed to fully understand the ways in which the porous liquid can work.
“While these are early findings, this research could pave the way for greener energy production in the future.”
It’s only legit to get super-excited about all the technological advancements happening today. Smartphones are getting thinner, laptops are getting lighter, watches can make calls, and all that jazz. But nothing can match the level of badassness when it comes to technology in James Bond movies.
As far back as 50 years, James Bond films have been synonymous with gadgets and cars, among other things. Speaking about gadgets, Bond does nothing less than a Walther PPK, a watch that’s never quite a simple watch, an Aston Martin with ejector seat and machine guns, to name a few courtesy Q Branch. One wonders why no one before Burger Fiction ever thought of making a video compiling all of Bond’s gadgets. But now there is one and yes, it has every gadget ever used by James Bond. All 193 of them. Make sure you have popcorns in hand for this.
Something is cooking up at Microsoft in the gaming department. The company recently bought Irish physics firm Havok for an undisclosed amount. Havok is behind games such as Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Elder Scrolls, and Microsoft’s own Halo, and is one of the leading firms in 3D physics. It looks like Microsoft is planning big things by integrating Havok’s physics engine into the existing Windows and Xbox toolset.
Havok has been known for real-time collisions and dynamics of rigid bodies in 3D. By using dynamical simulation, Havok Physics allows for more realistic virtual worlds in games. “Throughout the company’s history, they’ve partnered with Activision, EA, Ubisoft, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and many others to create more than 600 games,” Microsoft stated in a blog. The firm is also known for powering more special effects for films like The Matrix and Troy.
Havok shares Microsoft’s vision for empowering people to create worlds and experiences that have never been seen before, and we look forward to sharing more of this vision in the near future.
In 2007, Intel had acquired Havok, and now Microsoft has taken over. The company is excited to add Havok to its portfolio for developer tools and components like DirectX 12, VisualStudio app development kit, and the Azure cloud platform. Microsoft said that it plans to continue letting Havok license its technology with existing and future gaming platforms. “We will continue to license Havok’s technology to the broad AAA games industry,” Microsoft said in a statement to IGN. “This also means that we will continue to license Havok’s technology to run across various game consoles including Sony and Nintendo.”
Essentially, a drone is an aircraft without a pilot which is also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs.) A drone can be remotely controlled or can fly autonomously by onboard computers. Drones were seen to have a wide range of purpose. From delivering goods and products to your doorstep to aiding during a natural disaster.
Drones were used in search missions in inaccessible locations and were equipped with thermal cameras to locate people trapped under rubble or snow. However, the Nepal government later banned the use of drones as they were concerned over illegally leaking images of national heritage sites.
Last year in October, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) prohibited the use of unmanned drones citing safety reasons. Drones had made headlines when a pizza outlet used the device for one of its deliveries. Soon after that many commercial organizations started showing interest in using drones.
The DGCA, however, stated in a circular that “the UAS (unmanned aerial system) has potential for a large number of civil applications. However, its use, besides being a safety issue, also poses a security threat. The airspace over cities in India has high density of manned aircraft traffic. Due to lack of regulation, operating procedures/ standards and uncertainty of the technology, UAS poses threat for air collisions and accidents,”
But the DGCA never mentioned anything about manned drones. In a recent video posted on YouTube, a man is found standing on top of a drone, which seems to be the first ever manned drone to take flight, and it is indeed a spectacle.
The video shows a man hovering well above water and controlling the drone with ease. Though this drone seems to be only a one-off at the moment, chances are this could be approved for the masses. The quad copter shows it is powerful enough to carry a man.
Unless the DGCA announces new rules and regulations for drone flying (which it had planned to do since October last year), even if a manned drone such as the one in the above video were to be mass produced, it would not be seen hovering over India any time soon.
As Slater’s character says in USA’s Mr. Robot, “It controls you and everyone you care about… Money…It’s become virtual. Software –the operating system of our world”, technology truly has become a force to reckon with. It’s interesting to see how the definition of technology and all that it entails has evolved over time, eventually becoming a magical entity which suddenly made information on the remotest of topics available just a simple click away.
In an attempt to move away from the fictional world of TV shows to the domain of international politics, one wonders how different Anonymous’ taking down of the Israeli websites in response to their attack on Palestinian cyber space is from Elliot’s attempts to take down E corp.
The past decade has revealed the potency of technology in bringing down governments and international institutions. The Arab Springs is a perfect example of a situation where social media became the realm of youth-mobilisation against what was seen as injustice done by the system. When one talks of technology as the space for revolution and change, it is impossible to not delve into an elaborate discussion on Anonymous.
Describing themselves as “an internet gathering” with “a very loose and decentralized command structure that operates on ideas rather than directives”, the group emerged in 2003 and became self-professed defenders of those facing oppression at the hands of political or religious institutions. Anonymous provided the template for any group of maverick hackers trying to bring down big corporate houses, the State or any power structure threatening the well-being of a community. There is perhaps a reason Anonymous has gained a potent cult following, with TV shows like Mr. Robot being the latest reminders of it.
Here’s a closer look at top five successful hacking operations carried out by Anonymous that made the world sit up and think:
1. Project Chanology (2008): One of the first prominent hacking activities of the group, this project involved a series of DDoS in 2008 against the Church of Scientiology. As part of this attack, a group of Anons posted a video on YouTube where a robotic voice declared, “For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind—for the laughs—we shall expel you from the Internet.” Needless to say, within a week the video had earned hundreds of thousands of views all over the world.
2. Operation: Payback is a Bitch (2010): In 2010, Anonymous came across an Indian software company called Aiplex Software that carried out DDoS attacks against websites like the Pirate Bay that carried pirated content. On September 17th, within a week of having stumbled upon this company, Anonymous launched a DDoS against the site which shut it down for a day. It soon snowballed into a cyber-war which included Anonymous coming to the aid of various bitTorrent sites. The message was emphatic and well-articulated as Anons went ahead to declare in an official statement, “Anonymous is tired of corporate interests controlling the internet and silencing the people’s rights to spread information, but more importantly, the right to SHARE with one another”. The name of the project was put on a hacked website of copyright alliance.
3. Operation Avenge Assange (2010): This became an extension of Project Payback as the Anons took charge of hacking into all those websites which had refused to allow donations to WikiLeaks. Beginning with DDoS attacks against PayPal, Anons hacked into MasterCard and Visa websites, among others. This resulted in PayPal announcing the release of its frozen funds to be directed towards WikiLeaks. Also, in December of the same month, The Daily Telegraph reported a threat by Anonymous to hack into the British government websites if Assange were extradited to Sweden.
4. Operation Darknet (2011): In October, 2011, Anonymous began a series of DDoS attacks against Lolita City, a child pornography website. Anons stated in an official statement, “We vowed to fight for the defenseless, there is none more defenseless than innocent children being exploited.” Multiple demands and warnings were made and issued respectively to take down the server. This was followed by a manifesto in the form of a YouTube video.
When the servers still remained untouched, Anonymous revealed a list of 1589 users of Lolita City along with detailed records of their profiles. The FBI and Interpol were asked to look into the matter further. Eventually a total of 40 child pornography websites were taken down by Anonymous in 2011 itself.
5. Anonymous-ISIS Cyber-War (2015): Earlier in 2015, a group of Anons called GhostSec started a cyber-campaign called #OpISIS against the Islamic State (IS). The campaign is aimed at targeting those members of the extremist IS who are using the internet as a platform to spread propaganda and fundamentalism. In order to “cure the ISIS virus” they are keeping a close track of the activities of the members of IS across various social media platforms. Even as early as April 8, 2015, Anonymous had managed to attack 233 websites, destroy 85 websites and terminate 25,000 Twitter accounts. Though this did result in a significant lull in the intra-group activities of IS, the move was criticised by many for it meant bigger obstacles in keeping track of IS activities.These are just a few examples of what Anonymous has been up to since its inception over a decade ago. Often identified as the archetypal trickster, no one’s really sure of what to make of this secret, super snazzy self-proclaimed group of “hackists”. One is often tempted to wonder if they are operating as vigilantes, saviours of the world from religious and political institutions, or if they are only there for a few laughs, trolling the most powerful organisations of the world simply because they can.
Could technology truly be the space for bringing about the change the reformers, revolutionaries and anarchists of the world dream of? Or is it simply a hoax, an illusion of power given to people to keep them appeased by hiding from them their absolute powerlessness?
The realm of technology clearly raises more questions than it answers. Adding to the blur of conflicting opinions are groups like Anonymous which still leave us unsure of their position in this rigmarole of politics, power, society and ideology. Until the day a consensus is reached, if one is reached at all, here’s to the riot of social media, the fan-following of Anonymous, and well, to the threat of a futuristic society where artificial intelligence enslaves humanity to save a race turned upon itself.
The world in which we live in is now filled with technology. Perhaps, we cannot even imagine our lives without being connected to one another. But, what if you had no choice but to give up the comforts of technology and live in the 80’s era today?
This is what goes on in the small town of Green Bank, located in West Virginia. Green Bank falls within the National Radio Quiet Zone. It is possibly one of the quietest places in the world, where you won’t find any cell phone reception, no Wi-Fi, not even a radio or a television. However, this town is not technologically backward and here’s why.
The reason why Green Bank is cut off from the world in terms of Internet or any other digital form of communication, is because it is home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope on earth – the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT),which is operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The GBT is the reason this town is electromagnetically silent.
Radio telescopes work by identifying electromagnetic waves that come from distant galaxies. These signs are so faint that the slightest emission of radio waves from electronic gadgets can be in a conflict with the readings of the radio telescopes. For this reason, all cell phones, Wi-Fi, radio and other communication devices are banned. There are no cell phone towers for miles around; no music plays on the radio or soap performances on the television. Even petrol cars are not allowed because gasoline engines use spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture, and electric sparks produce electromagnetic waves.
Almost all types of radio transmissions and individual electronic devices are banned here so that the powerful Green Bank Radio Telescopes can work without disturbance.
So, how is the lifestyle there?
With a population of just over 150, this tech-free life is somewhat a bliss. People are able to interact on a more personal level, without the existence of various technological devices. If one needs to use a phone, the now vintage, pay phone is readily available. However, the lack of awareness about modern technology could also have its downside.
Some of the residents are not even aware of the technological advances elsewhere in the world, after living under the shadow of the giant telescope for so long.
A short documentary has been made and uploaded on Seeker’s Network YouTube Channel, where journalist Laura Ling asks the principle scientist, Jay Lockman about the residents of Green Bank. He says:
“In a sense, I feel like I live in a little wonderland. Because we have this great science going on here. And I suppose that there are people that can’t imagine living without cellular service, but for most of human history, you know, we managed quite well. Think of it as living in 1980.”
Due to an electromagnetic free environment, people all around the world are slowly taking up residence here. Especially people suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity, a condition unrecognized by the scientific community in which exposure to electromagnetic fields is thought to trigger symptoms such as headache, fatigue, stress, sleep disturbances, rashes and muscle pain.
Watch the documentary below and be astounded by their mobile-free world.
Would you be able to survive in such a world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, below.
The curiosity that human beings have had towards the supernatural has always been very apparent. And with pop culture encouraging our intrigue with superhero, sci-fi and fantasy movies, this curiosity turns into obsession to actually create these devices. For example, in a speech by President Barack Obama, on the development of a classified project he famously remarked “We’re building Iron Man”. Even the American military can’t get enough of the superhuman world.
Why though? Is it because human beings inherently have a characteristic to never be satisfied with what they have? Suddenly, a pair of hands and feet don’t seem good enough. Therefore, the need to build something that is bigger and better than us crops up. Things that can do everything we cannot, so that they can protect us.
The newest announcement, stemming out of this thought process perhaps, is the need to build and create invisibility cloaks (just like the one in Harry Potter) and invisible military vehicles. The American Chemical Society has released an episode of a series called Reactions in collaboration with ACS Photonics, that speaks about how we can actually create such a device or wearable. They speak about how the idea of invisibility or camouflaging actually exists all around us, with the aircraft that can disappear from radar imaging systems, and animals like cephalopods and chameleons that can camouflage themselves by mimicking light.
The video is said to have been revealed to celebrate the International Year of Light by exploring the science behind light, sight and invisibility. The technology behind this is being referred to as, cloaking technology and the video shows how many scientists and researchers have actually made discoveries towards this possibility. At Duke University, methods of making light avoid an object by using meta-materials and engineered materials to craft things such as powerful antennas and invisibility cloaks have been undertaken.
Harry Potter trying out the invisibility cloak for the first time.
In fact, researchers from Europe have already created a three-dimensional cloak that can hide objects by bending light waves. And as reported, researchers from the German Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Imperial College of London used the cloak that was made using photonic crystals, with a structure resembling piles of wood, to conceal a small bump on a gold surface.
These are merely advances towards cloak technology, but companies such as BAE Systems are working on projects to give military vehicles the option of invisibility. Researchers in various institutions have already began experimenting the uses of meta-materials to make small objects disappear.
So, is this the future? Has the human race become so paranoid so as to take a cue from Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak? Are we now incapable of facing the damage that we ourselves have created? Either way, mischief managed!
Source:[tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2015/july/are-invisibility-cloaks-possible-video.html”] American Chemical Society[/tw-button]
Those of us who have been born in the 90s are lucky to be in the midst of a technological revolution. In fact, even prior to the 90s and as early as the 70s, cartoons like the Jetsons, depicted the future with video calling, flying cars, mobile phones and talking robots. Who would’ve thought that we were going to be witness to that, thirty years down the line?
We are living in an age where everything is portable, most things can fly and most importantly, everything is convenient. Let’s take a look at just a few gadgets (even though there’s a wide variety) that make us feel lucky to be a part of the future:
1. Portable Single Line Printer:
Image Source: musuemvictoria.com.au
The printer was first conceptualised in 1938 and the original laser printer called EARS was developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center beginning in 1969 and completed in November, 1971, as reported by inventors.about. However, printers were, until recently, heavy contraptions with wires and plenty of buttons.
Today: We have something called the Mini Mobile Robotic Printer which is just what we needed in this age. It uses a mobile phone to function, and is the size of your palm. A product of Zuta labs, this printer costs a mere 135$ (Rs.8,600 approximately) which is a small price to pay for the large convenience it is.
2. Oculus Rift:
Image source: itsnewtoyou.me
Physicist WillyHiginbotham invented the first “video game” as early as 1958. It was a table tennis like game and had to be played on an oscilloscope. In 1961, Steve Russell, a student of MIT, created the first computer game called ‘space wars’ after which, there was no stopping the magnanimous evolution that gaming would undergo.
Today: We have the Oculus Rift, the HTC vive and other Virtual Reality gadgets that don’t just allow you to play the game but actually make you a part of it. As if the amazing visuals weren’t enough, the Oculus Rift recently collaborated with Pebbles Inc to add the use of hand gestures into your gaming experience.
3. Clock that writes the time for you:
There used to be time where our ancestors used to use a sun dial to tell the time and even prior to that, watches were used as an ornament to ward off evil. It was cumbersome and eventually, as early as the 16th century Galileo introduced the concept of using a pendulum to tell time. In 1970, the first digital watch called the Pulsar, was introduced. It had an LED display and was naturally, a hit.
Today: In 2014, the Potclock was announced. What is it? it is a clock that writes the time for you with a marker, on a white board. It then erases the seconds and continues to do the same with every passing second, minute and hour.It is powered by an Arduino board and the parts of the clock are 3D printed. Cool, isn’t it?
4. Garbage bin that catches your waste:
How many times have we chucked a piece of waste paper into a bin, pretending to be Michael Jordan, as it unsuccessfully falls far away from the target? Umpteen number of times. Although, this is a rather amusing invention, one cannot miss its ingenuity. This bin catches your waste automatically so that you never miss. Imagine if India could actually get bins of a larger size that did the same thing, it would truly boost the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
5. Wheelchair that can go up staircases:
John Dawson of Bath, invented the wheelchair in 1783. It had two big wheels and a small one and outsold all other wheelchairs or systems that assisted the handicapped, prior to this. However, George Klein brought the Klein Drive Chair in 1953, that was the first motor wheel chair that operated electronically instead of manually. However, handicapped people continued to face difficulties like going up and down rocky terrains and even going up the staircase.
Today: Technology has made life much easier for the differently abled. They don’t need to depend on people as the ‘Topchair’ is capable of taking you safely up and down the stairs without any assistance whatsoever.
Obviously, there are numerous other inventions and gadgets that are worth adding on and are even being created as we write this post. This was just a slice of the massive variety of technologies that we are lucky enough to witness, today.
Our society is in continuous need of skilled professionals who are willing to work hard and fast. Luckily for us, demand for tech experts is not going down anytime soon.
But which technological post offers the highest paycheck. We have listed down the top five jobs for a tech geek:
Quality Assurance Testers AKA Computer Game Tester
What can be more awesome than to get paid for playing the latest games? Yes, it sounds like a fantasy world, but in reality, companies pound out an enormous chunk of their revenues for computer game testers. This is done to put out multi-million titles with the minimum bugs. In a more proper term, computer game testers are known as ‘Quality Assurance Testers’ and they earn by testing out games. They point out all the faults while playing, including spelling mistakes.
This job requires a great deal of skills like expert play and an obsessive eye for details. On the bright side, you get to play the game before anyone else in this world.
Web Developer
They are responsible for everything you see on a website. The layout, the fonts, the pictures and videos, everything! Web developers work alone or in a team either as full-time employees, part-time consultants or on-contract basis (freelancers). While the trend is still catching up in India, Web Developers are the some of the highest paid people in places like California, San Francisco and Baltimore.
Ethical Hacker
If hacking is your super power, then this job is for you. Many companies employ ethical hackers to protect their network from hackers who would try to access private and sensitive information of the company. The goal of the ethical hacker is to expose all the weak and vulnerable areas in the main framework of the company’s network. The spot is patched once it is identified. Also, you don’t have to a programmer to be an ethical hacker, which is a common myth.
Almost every other day, you receive a courier containing all your favourite toys and gadgets, and in return, you get to write your honest opinion about it. But, be warned, this job is not as easy as it seems. Speaking in front of the camera and differentiating between ten similar handsets is tough. Also, don’t expect to make the big bucks as a newbie in the business. This one takes time and patience.
Game Developer
Developers are perhaps the trendiest people you will see, and it is also considered one of the most fun jobs in the technological sector. A game developer gets to work on titles for computer, consoles, mobile phones and tablets. Creativity is as important as working in a highly pressurised environment. But, if your game does well in the market, it will be perhaps, be the greatest victory in your life.
Guilty pleasure shopping sprees have turned into couch surfing with the increasing popularity of e-commerce websites. Some latest surveys show that the by 2020 sales in shopping centers and on the high street will have shrunk by 27%.
However, these real life retailers are prepared to fight back with the very same technology that threatened it in the first place. Retailers have only just started to explore the potential uses new technology could have. By mimicking and adapting how technology has been used in online retail, real-life retailers could combine all the advantages of online shopping with the benefits of shopping in-store.
Here are 5 ways real-world retail is using new technology to adapt to changing consumer habits.
1. Virtual Reality
With virtual reality being the next big thing in technology ecosystem, it is no doubt that it will be one of integral part of the new-age shopping. However, we have to wait till virtual reality breaks through the developer mode and comes to commercial market to explore full potential of the technology. Leading fashion brand Burberry has virtual reality mirrors in its flagship store on London’s Regent Street. The mirrors read chips hidden in each item and change instantly into a screen displaying information about the product. In a world where an item’s provenance is becoming increasingly important to the modern consumer, Burberry is providing the backstory of their products in store.
2. Google Glass
Google Glass, Google’s biggest bet on wearable technology, opens up a huge number of possibilities for retailers and a guaranteed improved customer experience. In stores, Google Glass and iBeacon technology could be used to recognise frequent customers and transmit the information to employees. Virgin Atlantic, Tesco and Waitrose in USA have already begun experimenting with the technology.
3. Personalised purchases
Instead of having set prices, a number of stores are experimenting with personalised ones. US supermarket Safeway’s Just For U scheme alters prices based on the customer’s purchasing habits. Offers are loaded onto a customer’s club card that can then be used in store.
4. iBeacons
iBeacons are Apple’s low-power transmitters that are already being installed in shops. iBeacons can recognise iOS devices in their vicinity and send them specific notifications. For example, customers could enter a shop and receive messages about new products and even localised offers on their Apple devices.
5. Visual Light Communication
Emart, a South Korean megastore, has introduced a new technology to their stores that enables customers to find their way to specific offers. Called VLC (Visual Light Communication) technology was installed into the store’s lighting fixtures, which gives real-time location information to customers with the correct app on their phone. Users just have to put their smartphone in a special holder on their trolley and follow directions to the nearest deals. When they get close enough to an offer item a discount coupon appears on their phone.
