THE IPHONE 7 IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE MACBOOK AIR — BUT THERE'S A CATCH

The iPhone 7 is one of the most powerful smartphones to date, but did you know that’s it’s actually more powerful than plenty of computers? In fact, it’s more powerful than both the MacBook Air and the 2013 MacBook Pro.

This appraisal comes from John Gruber, who notes that the iPhone 7 pretty much leaves every other smartphone in the dust when it comes to performance, achieving a single-core score of 3,450 on Geekbench, which is around twice the score as the second-best device, the Samsung Galaxy S7.

It’s only recently that we have even been able to compare smartphones and computers. Previously, there wasn’t a direct comparison between Geekbench’s scores for desktop and mobile devices, but Geekbench has made a recent effort to bring the two scoring systems in line with each other to make for easier comparison.

Still, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to benchmarks. Benchmarks are an indicator of a phone’s performance, but they don’t always line up with real-world results. In fact, manufacturers can sometimes optimize how a phone runs to achieve higher benchmark scores while leaving real-life performance behind.

The other thing to remember is that Geekbench measures things like CPU speed, but the amount of RAM and SSD speed will help make the MacBook perform a lot faster.

Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the iPhone 7 is really the most powerful smartphone ever, and whether the iPhone 7 is more powerful than MacBooks or not, it’s still impressive.  Other smartphone manufacturers will likely be playing catch up for at least the next few months or so. It will be interesting to see how Android handsets stack up against the iPhone 7 once the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 starts shipping on devices.

This Blog was first published on: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-7-more-powerful-macbook-air/

Replaced Galaxy Note 7 devices are reportedly overheating, losing power while charging

Samsung’s woes with the Galaxy Note 7 are far from over. After asking consumers worldwide to return their newly purchased Galaxy Note 7 because of exploding batteries, it seems even the replaced handsets come with their own set of issues, but thankfully, all non-explosive.

Users in South Korea who received their replacements devices are now reporting overheating on their devices and even loss of battery while the phone is charging, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.

As per the report, the replaced devices are overheating and leaking battery while the phone is charging.

Samsung while not disclosing the number of cases behind this issue has acknowledged it and a spokesperson has said the problem is completely unrelated to the battery of the device. Instead, it mass production of the smartphone is the likely cause behind the issue. Samsung said it is closely monitoring the situation.

The Galaxy Note 7 that came out in August has been plagued with multiple cases of exploding batteries. Users who kept the phone on charge for long reported the battery exploding and the phone catching fire. A lot of accidents including a burnt jeep and an injured child has been reported.

Samsung tried to tackle this issue by issuing a formal recall of all Galaxy Note 7 phones sold across the world and replacing them with a working handset free of cost. As of last week, Samsung reported it had successfully recalled over 1 million devices in the US alone.

As Bloomberg reported, Samsung tried to undercut Apple’s success with the iPhone by pushing for a tighter release deadline despite packing a lot of new features. Saying the decision ‘backfired’ might be an overstatement.

This Blog was First published on : http://www.gizmodo.in/indiamodo/Replaced-Galaxy-Note-7-devices-are-reportedly-overheating-losing-power-while-charging/articleshow/54522543.cms

iOS 10.1 Public Beta brings much-anticipated ‘Portrait Mode’ to iPhone 7 Plus

Apple is making the most of its head start over Samsung due to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, and already consolidating its position in the smartphone market. After releasing iOS 10 publicly just ten days back, Apple is already adding even more features to its OS with the iOS 10.1 public beta.

And apart from squashing a lot of bugs and fixing a few errors, the iOS 10.1 public beta brings the much anticipated 'portrait mode' to the iPhone 7 Plus.

Users who have downloaded the beta release of the operating system will see the 'Portrait mode' option in their camera app.

The mode allows users to take photos with the background blurred, creating a depth-of-field effect that makes the viewer's eyes focus more on the subject of the photo. The effect will blur out out-of-focus background all the while keeping the subject of the photo in focus.

It is a feature exclusive only to the iPhone 7 Plus that comes with a dual camera setup containing one wide-angle lens and one telephoto lens.

The Portrait mode was showcased at the iPhone launch event earlier this month and even though it wasn't there in iOS 10, the feature finds its way through in iOS 10.1.

However, it should be noted that the feature is still in its beta stage and that means its likely to have a few bugs.

Apple has also included a set of instructions to make the best use of the portrait mode. When the Portrait mode is turned on, the camera app will ask you to place the subject within 8 feet, for the depth-of-field effect to come into play. Also, Apple says the function needs to have adequate lighting to work properly. There is still no option to record videos in Portrait mode, however.

The depth-of-field effect is created because of the wide-aperture length of the iPhone 7 Plus camera lenses. With an aperture size of f/1.8, the iPhone camera can keep the shutter wide open allow you to create bokehs from out-of-focus backgrounds while simultaneously allowing you to focus on the main subject with greater clarity. As a result, the Portrait mode can also be used to click insane macro photographs.

As a result, photos of people's faces looks much more immersive and aesthetically pleasing.

Apple's Public Beta Program allows everyone to sign up for beta releases of iOS for free. Participating in the program will let you experience Apple's newly included features earlier than the general public, but with quite a few bugs and errors included along with it.

This blog was first published on: http://www.gizmodo.in/indiamodo/iOS-10-1-Public-Beta-brings-much-anticipated-Portrait-Mode-to-iPhone-7-Plus/articleshow/54480653.cms

Apple partners with Flipkart to sell iPhone 7 online in India

Apple partners with Flipkart to sell iPhone 7 online in India

In an attempt to better control the pricing of its products, Apple has partnered with Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce website. Though Flipkart has always sold Apple’s products, this is the first time it will directly source inventory from Apple's distribution channel in the country.

Apple does not sell products directly in India and has a network of distributors and authorized resellers. Unlike the US and other markets, where one can buy Apple products directly from the company's website, buyers in India are directed to third-party retail stores as Apple does not have the license to sell products directly.

Prior to the partnership, Flipkart relied on third-party retailers for selling Apple products via its marketplace. This enabled (and sometimes forced) Flipkart to give heavy discounts on iPhones and other Apple products to match the offering by rivals Amazon India and Paytm among others in gaining GMV, or gross merchandise value.

"Partnering with Flipkart means Apple will have a better control on pricing unlike what happened last year when pricing for Apple products across leading ecommerce players was largely unstable. This might also be a good move for Flipkart from value perspective when whole focus has been shifted from GMV lately," Tarun Pathak, Senior Telecom analyst with marketing research firm Counterpoint Research told Mashable India. 

Though Flipkart might lose on those customers who are looking to purchase an iPhone at discounted prices, the company will get two things that its rivals won’t — better supply chain and marketing support from Apple. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will launch in India on Oct. 7, and they are likely to be in short supply during the first few weeks. 

Apple also has a partnership with Infibeam, another ecommerce company in India to directly sell iPhones. Its new tie-up with Flipkart however includes plans to sell products such as iPads and Mac lineup as well. Flipkart is the biggest player in online smartphone sales. It sold roughly half of all the smartphones sold online in India last year, according to Counterpoint Research. 

For a Company that is known for its high priced products, Apple was on the receiving end of the ecommerce price war in India. Last year, Amazon India, Paytm, Flipkart and Snapdeal offered the iPhones with enticing discounts. As a result, the iPhone 6s base model, which was officially priced at Rs 63,000 ($945), was selling on e-commerce sites for as low as Rs 45,000 ($675) days after its availability.

Ecommerce sites are steadily becoming a major platform for smartphone sales. For instance, sales through online shopping portals amounted for 32 percent of the overall smartphone sales by volume in Q2 2016, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple’s partnership with Flipkart comes weeks ahead of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launch in India, which is scheduled for Oct. 7. The iPhone 7 starts at Rs 60,000 ($900), whereas the base iPhone 7 Plus model is priced at Rs 72,000 ($1,080). The company has also revised prices of its last year’s iPhones, with the iPhone 6s now starting at Rs 50,000 ($750).

This blog was first published on: http://mashable.com/2016/09/23/apple-flipkart-partnership-india-iphone-7-launch/

5 Most Important Things to Consider Before You Buy a Small Business Security System

 As your small business grows, you’ll likely consider investing in a security system to protect employees, customer data, inventory, computers, and equipment

While the advantages of having a business security system are many, it’s also a sizeable investment, so it’s best to analyze what you potentially need and how much you can expect to pay for each type of monitoring before choosing a provider.

Here are the five most important things to consider when choosing a security system to protect your business.

Related Article: Stay Secure: 5 Key Steps to Taking a Proactive Approach to IT Security

1. DIY Installation vs. Professional Installation

Do you want to have someone come to your business and install a security system, test it for proper functionality, and ensure that the system is operational? Or, do you feel confident enough in your technological abilities to tackle installing the equipment yourself? For most wireless systems, DIY installation is a breeze, but it might be less of a headache to pay a professional.

This depends entirely on how protected you want your business to be, and how complex you want your permissions to be for employees. For instance, if you want to incorporate secure entry at each external door, or to limit access to sensitive areas inside the business that house data or products, it might be wise to hire a professional. This is a much more complicated process, and might require specialized equipment and additional wiring.

If you simply want to monitor your business with wireless cameras and sensors to keep out after-hours intruders and prevent theft, then it might be more economical for you to install the equipment yourself.Consider the time you’ll spend vs. the price you’ll pay for installation.Installation fees run anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars, so it greatly depends on the type of business property you’re securing and what equipment you require.

2. DIY Monitoring vs. Professional Monitoring

You also have the option to privately monitor your security system or pay a monthly fee to have it monitored professionally. If your business is very small, you may be able to effectively monitor it remotely by connecting the system to your smartphone or tablet. You can accomplish this by buying the necessary equipment online, installing it, and linking it your devices.

Professional monitoring is definitely the better bet if you’ll be using more than a few types of sensors, and more than one or two cameras at your property. Providers like FrontPoint and Protect America allow you to save money by installing equipment yourself, then having their technicians remotely test the system to make sure it’s operational. You’ll pay a fairly reasonable monthly fee for professional monitoring, and can still control your system and receive security alerts to your connected devices.

Related Article: How Cloud-Based Security Can Protect You Against Data Theft

3. Internal vs. External Security

Will your business require internal and external monitoring? Most security experts recommend external monitoring since it not only deters criminals from victimizing your business, but alsoaids in catching criminals after-the-fact. Internal cameras and sensors aren’t as necessary, but might prove helpful if your business involves expensive inventory that you’d like to secure from employees and visitors.

To get an accurate idea of how much you’ll pay for external monitoring, consider the number of external doors your building has, as well as windows and other points of access. You’ll want to secure all entryways with sensors, and monitor all doors with outdoor-grade security cameras, which have more built-in resistance to weather.

You can also choose to install motion sensors to alert you of any movement inside your business after-hours. One of the most economical and reliable types available are Passive Infrared Sensors, which detect body heat. Some security providers may also suggest ultrasonic, area reflective, or vibration. Vibration sensors are associated with the most false alarms since they can be easily triggered, so if you’ll be purchasing security equipment a-la-carte avoid this type of sensor.

4. Equipment Types and Quality

Besides motion sensors and internal and external security cameras, you can also choose from glass-break detectors, window and door sensors, and environmental sensors. Do your research, and know which of these you’ll need before contacting a security company or buying equipmentfor self-installation.

Glass break detectors are especially useful for retail spaces that include a large display window, or offices with glass sliding doors or picture windows. These sensors can detect strong vibrations that some window and door sensors might not pick up on, and are generally inexpensive. However, these won’t help you if an intruder picks a lock or uses sophisticatedequipment to gain entry.

Window and door sensors consist of two interlocking pieces one that rest on the door or window, and one that remains on the frame. An alert is triggered when they separate when the system is armed, so this type of sensor combined with as glass break detector ensures that your doors and windows are absolutely secure.

Many security companies also offer smart environmental detectors that alert you of fire, flooding, and extreme temperatures. While protecting your business from theft is important, it will do no good if your building burns to the ground, or your product is damaged by water from a burst pipe. Also, think about less-common sensors like a carbon monoxide detector that will protect your employees during the day and maintain a healthy air quality in your retail space.

Related Article: Information Wars: Privacy vs. National Security

5. Training and Employee Security Clearances

Once you choose the right installation, equipment, and monitoring option for your business, don’t forget to consider how you will train your employees to use the system, who will have access to restricted areas, and who will have the ability to arm and disarm the system.

If you are using a security provider and will purchase professional monitoring, make sure the provider will train your employees on how to properly arm and disarm the system, and educate yourself about what fees, if any, you might accrue due to false alarms.

Also, determine if you will need separate access codes for each employee. This is important because you will want to be able to grant and revoke access when you gain new employees or an employee moves on to work elsewhere.

The price of a business security system varies greatly based on factors like the location and size of your office or retail space, as well as what type of equipment and monitoring package youdecide to purchase. It can be a large investment, especially if you decide to go with professionalinstallation and monitoring, so it’s important to know what you realistically need and want before signing on the dotted line.

This Blog was first published on: http://thinkdebug.com/blog/5-most-important-things-to-consider-before-you-buy-a-small-business-security-system/

5 Reasons We’re in the Midst of a Technological Golden Age

There’s no question we’re in the middle of a technological revolution. In the span of two decades, we’ve gone from the internet being a rarity for residential homes to being able to access the web from handheld devices practically everywhere. Thousands of new apps are created every day, and Moore’s Law continues to drive our computing power forward in bursts. But why are we seeing such advanced development in this age?

Factors for Our Success

These are just five of the biggest reasons why we’ve come so far:

1. Emphasis on entrepreneurship. Though a number of individuals with passionate pursuits have driven technology forward, most advancements have come from major research departments, businesses, and organizations. As Jay Suites illustrates, entrepreneurship is something patriotic that feeds into the idea of the American dream. As a country, we still idolize this notion and the ideals behind it, and thanks to that entrepreneurial favoritism, more people are driven to innovate, create businesses, and compete to bring newer, better solutions to the market.
2. Exponential potential. Technology has the potential to develop exponentially, rather than linearly. That is, rather than marching forward one step at a time, technology takes two steps, then four steps, then eight steps forward. The most popular description of this advancement pattern is Moore’s Law, which stipulates that the number of transistors capable of being placed per square inch of surface area doubles every year. However, this rate has slowed to approximately every 18 months, and may taper off completely within the next few years.
3. Technology for technology. There’s also the idea that technology can be used to create other technology. Because we can design machines that build other machines, and now—as with Google’s RankBrain—algorithms that modify other algorithms automatically, our potential increases even further. With every leap forward in technological advancement, we’re actually increasing our own abilities to create even more technological advancements.
4. Mass-market potential. Though somewhat cynical to say, it’s fairly obvious that one of the biggest motivators in the world is profit. We’ve experienced a massive surge in technological potential, in part, because of high consumer demand. Developers realize that there’s money to be made in finding a new, ingenious technological solution, and are thus driven to create it better and faster.
5. Genuine human curiosity. Don’t discount the genuine human quality of curiosity that’s gotten us this far as a species. There’s something innate in human nature that drives us to try new things, explore new areas, and indulge our creativity; it’s suspected that this could be an evolutionarily advantageous quality that leads us to discover more about our environments and gives us greater chances for survival. In any case, many of us find ourselves hungry for new gadgets, more advanced tech, and revolutionary new breakthroughs precisely because of this quality.

How Far Can We Go?

These are the factors responsible for getting us to this point, but what about the next point, or the point after that? We’ve come an impressive way in the past 30 years or so, but what does the future hold for the next 30 years? Will our momentum begin to decline?

Examining these factors specifically, we can venture to make a guess. Our curious nature, the fact that technology can lead to the better development of future technology, and our hunger for entrepreneurship and profit are unlikely to wane anytime soon. However, as pointed out earlier, Moore’s Law is already declining and could decline further in the coming years. Some financial authorities have also pointed out that another “tech bubble” has formed; essentially, we’ve placed more value on tech companies and developments than they’re actually worth, and the repercussions of this dissonance could lead to a collapse of the sector.

Still, Moore’s Law only applies to one feature of computing technology and the collapse of the financial sector would only hold us back for so long. The primary drivers of technological ingenuity—entrepreneurship, exponential growth patterns, and curiosity—will likely allow us to preserve our momentum uninterrupted, and for the indefinite future.

This Blog was first published on : http://smarterware.org/2016/09/5-reasons-midst-technological-golden-age/

Three Technologies That Unexpectedly Changed How We Live

Most people think that technology is a linear process. It starts off along one avenue, and then it takes one step at a time, gradually improving. As a result, we expect that in the future, we’ll have better phones and plusher cars. But is this how technological progress actually works? When one looks back over the last few decades, one begins to realize that technology doesn’t go in a straight line at all. It progresses in leaps and bounds. And most of what ends up happening is entirely unexpected. Here’ are three technologies that unexpectedly changed our lives.

The Digital Camera

Back in 1975, Steven Sasson showed off Kodak’s and the world’s first digital camera. It was a big uglygadget, about the size of a coffee machine. And when Sasson showed it to executives at the company, they laughed. How on Earth could something so unwieldy ever take off and make money?

True, at the time, the potential of digital cameras wasn’t obvious. But over the years, circuits got smaller and processes more refined. Forty years later Sasson’s first prototype had evolved into modern DSLRs, like the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 IV.

Digital cameras went on to change the world. Citizens became journalists. Everybody turned into an archivist, with a massive trail of photographic information. And we all started sharing photos that would once have been destined for an unloved family photo album.

Digital Media

Built on top of the digital camera is the entire edifice of digital media. Before digital media, we had no idea what celebs looked like without their makeup, or who hated who on social media. But thanks to the ubiquity of information, it’s impossible for the elite to keep their shortcomings under wraps.

At the same time, digital media allowed our perception of reality to be dramatically altered. Photoshop was once just another Adobe product. Not it’s a bona fide verb in the English language. To “photoshop” something means to change its appearance.

Finally, digital media has changed how we consume music and movies. No longer do we go to the store and buy a CD or hire a movie. We just download them with a click of a button. And the industries themselves aren’t too happy about it.

Artificial Intelligence

At the moment, we’re in a Golden Age of artificial intelligence. AI is used from everything from face recognition to telling us the quickest route to work. In the future, we’ll no doubt laugh at how limited AI is today. But there’s no deny that it’s already making its presence felt.

Take the airline industry, for instance. Most people think that pilots are in control of aircraft. But the truth is that modern aircraft are now primarily piloted by software. Sure, pilots are there to take over should something go wrong. But 8 million flights a year are now guided and flown by AI systems.

In the future, we’ll have chatbots on our phones. They’ll be like Siri, except they’ll act more like people than computers. Perhaps that will be the biggest change of all.

This blog was forst published on:- http://www.techspooks.com/technologies-that-changed-how-we-live.html