A Look at the Tech Trends Behind Social Media Automation

As the social media industry grows, we’re seeing a lot of tech companies latch on and develop complimentary products that enhance the core user experience. Many of these tools are fresh and innovative, allowing businesses and users to better enjoy platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Value of Social Media Automation

Social media automation tools have immense value. First and foremost, they put the power back into marketers’ hands by ensuring consistency across the board.

“Automation tools give you more control over your social accounts and helps you post more content,” social media expert Jessica Davis points out. “Depending on the tool you choose to use, you can control the kind of content that is shared, the time at which it is posted, and also the frequency of posting. Plus you can monitor the level of engagement you’re receiving and modify your strategy to get more Likes, Shares or Retweets.”

But perhaps an even bigger benefit of social media automation technology is the timesaving nature of these tools. Instead of spending hours on creating, publishing, and advertising different posts, marketers can focus on more important aspects, such as engaging with users.

When you combine control, consistency, and time saved, it becomes apparent that social media automation tools aren’t going anywhere. In fact, you can expect a healthy influx of tools in the coming months and years.

Three Automation Trends

There’s a lot of innovation happening in the social media automation space, but let’s take a look at some of the latest trends and developments.

1. Follower and Like Boosters

Followers are the lifeblood of social media. In order for a brand to have success, they must be capable of attracting followers and engaging them with the right content. Unfortunately, it can take years for brands to build large enough audiences to enjoy positive returns. Recognizing this pain point, tech companies and programmers have worked tirelessly on tools that automate follower onboarding and increase “likes.”

PeerBoost, an online automation tool for Instagram is one of the leaders in this space. “Our bot software lets you enter activities into the platform and then step away. You can even log off and PeerBoost will still follow through on your actions, whether they be Liking, Commenting or Following other users based on specific hashtags. Furthermore, the intelligent nature of our tool means it knows exactly when you’re about to reach your daily limits, and adjusts accordingly to keep your account within these parameters.”

2. Post Schedulers

Post schedulers are some of the most common social media automation tools. They allow you to schedule posts in advance and set the exact time they will be shared. This lets marketers target specific customers, without having to sit behind a keyboard 24 hours a day.

HootSuite is one of the top options. “If you want to use the same software as Lamborghini, McDonald’s, Sony Music, and Virgin Media, sign up for HootSuite,” marketer Tim Parker suggests. “This app allows you to schedule posts on all of the major social media sites, along with Foursquare and WordPress.” There’s even a free version that lets you manage up to five accounts.”

3. Social Listening

Finally, you need to know about social listening tools. As the name suggests, these are tools that automatically listen for your brand name and certain keywords in social media conversations and then deliver reports based on what’s being said. This is extremely valuable and lets you gauge your brand’s perception in the marketplace.

One of the industry’s best social listening tools is Keyhole. You can use Keyhole to track hashtags, keywords, URLs, specific usernames, and more. Not only does it collect real-time data, but it also provides a historical data analysis.

The Evolution of Social Media Marketing

Social media has evolved from a tool for staying in touch with friends to a powerful business asset that can be leveraged by marketers in a variety of ways. While the industry has been known to pivot with little warning, these are the automation trends that we’re seeing right now.

Look for them to continue evolving in the future.

This Blog was first published on: http://thinkdebug.com/blog/a-look-at-the-tech-trends-behind-social-media-automation/

Microsoft: 'Apple can no more secure your iPhone than Google can secure Android'

Microsoft thinks the recent discovery of the Trident malware for iPhones should be a wake-up call for the enterprise to stop unquestioningly trusting Apple's ability to protect corporate secrets.

Microsoft corporate vice president enterprise and client mobility Brad Anderson argues the case for reconsidering trust in Apple in a blogpost entitled 'What we can learn from the Trident/Pegasus iOS vulnerability'.

The Trident malware was discovered in August by researchers at mobile security firm Lookout and Canadian rights group Citizen Lab, prompting Apple to issue an emergency security update.

The malware, which used three previously-unpatched iOS vulnerabilities, was developed by Israeli-founded pen-testing vendor NSO Group and sold as a surveillance product called Pegasus. It was used by a government in the Middle East to target human rights activists.

Lookout called it the "the most sophisticated attack we've seen on any endpoint". As Anderson notes, NSO Group had deep pockets, having been acquired in 2010 by US VC fund Francisco Partners Management for over $100m.

NSO Group sold Pegasus for $8m for 300 licenses, with the price indicating it would have been reserved for high-value targets, such as political dissidents or senior execs from top firms.

With well-resourced opponents such as these operating in the open, organizations need to stop blindly trusting Apple's ability to keep their iOS devices secure, according to Anderson.

"Over the last two years, I've had senior executives tell me countless times that they have unwavering implicit trust in the iOS platform. In these discussions it's been pretty common to hear a comment like, 'I don't trust Android because it is like the wild, wild west, but I have tremendous trust in iOS because it is a controlled and procured ecosystem'," he writes.

"I'm not attempting to throw stones at Android or iOS but there is a dilemma with this perspective: I know for a fact that all the providers of mobile operating systems go to superhuman lengths to harden their platforms and do everything they can deliver the most secure operating system possible but this fact also exists in our modern era of digital threats that produce consistent successful attacks despite the incredible efforts of the organisations building these platforms."

Of course, while Microsoft has all but bowed out of smartphone hardware, it is still focusing on enterprise mobility via Intune, its mobile-device management product, which it recently partnered on with mobile security firm Lookout for malware protection.

The other lesson Anderson draws from Trident/Pegasus is that it highlights the commercialization of cyberattacks, which makes it easier for opponents to exploit weaknesses in mobile devices.

For example, attackers that don't have the skills to compromise your systems can simply rent them from NSO Group or numerous other firms in the business of developing, selling and brokering so-called zero-day exploits.

"This is the very scary fruition of something that cybersecurity experts have been heavily emphasizing for the past few years. The work behind corporate hacks, online theft, cyber espionage, and cyber-terrorism is a commercial business and not only an underground effort," Anderson writes.

"If you, as an organization, have intellectual property that is of interest to another company or a state organization, that company does not have to have the expertise to build a sophisticated attack like this, they just have to have the money to buy a license."

This Blog was first published on: http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-apple-can-no-more-secure-your-iphone-than-google-can-secure-android/

7 Best Features Of Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak

Short Bytes: The latest offering from Canonical is the Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak open source operating system. It comes with the developer preview of the Unity 8 graphical shell and improvement to the Nautilus file browser. Ubuntu 16.10 has been updated with GNOME 3.20 applications and offers Linux kernel 4.8.

 

Canonical Inc. has released the next major update after Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus in the name of Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak. The ISO and torrent files for various Ubuntu 16.10 flavors are available for download and you can install it using the following guide: How To Install Ubuntu 16.10

Let’s have a look at the best features of Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak:

1. Linux Kernel 4.8

 

Ubuntu 16.10 ships with Linux Kernel 4.8 out of the box. It brings a number of security features along with major changes to the XFS and Btrfs file systems. It supports Nvidia Pascal and AMD OverDrive for overclocking GPUs using Linux drivers.

The new Linux kernel has given me a sense of satisfaction for my new laptop. I dual-booted it with Mint 17 but the wireless failed to work due to older kernel version which lacked support for 7th gen Intel processors.

2. Nautilus 3.20

The inbuilt file browser in Ubuntu Linux distribution has been updated to version 3.20 in Yakkety Yak. Various bug fixes have been made, for instance, Nautilus was crashing when jp2 images were used as thumbnails in a directory.

The changes to the user interface include a new file shortcuts window which can be found in the files drop down menu. The search has been redesigned with a popover interface where you can find drop-down menu choosing the date and file type as the advanced search options.

3. Extra job for Systemd

The primary task of the Systemd in Linux distros is process management. With the release of Yakkety Yak, an extra job has been given to Systemd. It also does the work of starting the graphical desktop sessions in the latest Ubuntu release. This marks a retirement for the Upstart which is used to handle this task. However, Upstart will still be the driving force behind Unity, hud, and indicators. They are in the process of being converted.

4. Changes to GPG

The GnuPG (GPG) is a software for encryption and managing cryptographic keys. Ubuntu now uses the gnupg2 for the gpg binary. The GPG, developed by the GNU Project, is an implementation of the OpenPGP standard.

5. GNOME 3.20

The GNOME Core Applications in the Ubuntu 16.10 have been updated to version 3.20. Many applications come with version 3.22 and rest of them will be updated soon as the latest release of the GNOME applications collection 3.22.1 has arrived a couple of days ago.

6. Unity 8 Developer Preview

The Ubuntu 16.10 comes with a limited option developer preview of the Unity 8 graphical shell. On the login screen, you can choose between the Unity 8 or the normal one. The Unity 8 comes system settings, command line, web browser, and some applications.

The new graphical shell is in development since the last three years and resembles fundamentals with the Unity Touch present on smartphones and tablets. But the interface is different.

It borrows the Launcher and Scopes from the Ubuntu touch. The developer preview offers and insight to how the Scopes work in the Unity 8 with a revamped command line. There are Snappy Apps which make the update process easier for the developers. Unity 8 also enhances the experience by saying goodbye to the laggy desktop effects which have haunted the Ubuntu users.

7. Updated Apps

• LibreOffice 5.2.2
• Mozilla Firefox 49
• Shotwell 0.22
• GNOME Terminal 3.20
• Thunderbird 45
• Ubuntu Software 3.20
• Rhythmbox 3.4.1

The Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak is not an LTS release like the Ubuntu 16.04. It will receive a 9-month support until July 2017. You can download the latest Ubuntu 16.10 ISO file from here. Read more about Yakkety on its release notes page.

If you have something to add, let us know in the comments below.

This blog was first published on: https://fossbytes.com/7-best-features-in-ubuntu-16-10-yakkety-yak/

Ubuntu 16.10 Released, Now Available For Download

Short Bytes: After spending six months in development, Ubuntu 16.10 operating system has arrived. Now you can download the latest version of this open source operating system and experience an improved desktop. This release arrives with Linux kernel 4.8, experimental Unity 8 session, and better hardware support.

 

Canonical, the parent company behind Ubuntu, hasreleased Ubuntu 16.10 operating system after six months of development. This release is codenamed Yakkety Yak and follows the 16.04 Xenial Xerus release.

It should be noted that Ubuntu 16.10 is not an update for conservative users. This second major milestone release of 2016 is a standard release that will be supported for nine months. However, if you are a Linux enthusiast and you wish to try some new features and software, upgrading to Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak is the right choice.

The Ubuntu 16.10 release features a number of small improvements in the operating system that aim to make the overall experience more polished and better. There are refinements in Unity desktop, Compiz window manager, Nautilus file manager. There’s the brand new Linux kernel 4.8, of course.

While we’ll be covering the detailed features of Ubuntu 16.10 in another article, the major highlights are updated applications, better hardware support due to a newer kernel, and Unity 8 Preview Session.

Download Ubuntu 16.10 ISO and torrent files

To accommodate some more language packs, the final ISO size has increased from 1.4GB to 1.5GB.

While you always have the option to upgrade your existing Ubuntu installation, you can download Ubuntu 16.10 ISO files for 32-bit and 64-bit architecture. Just in case you’re interested in grabbing the torrent links, they are also available for 32-bit and 64-bit machines.

Are you going to try out Ubuntu 16.10? Tell us your views in the comments section below.

This Blog was First published on: https://fossbytes.com/ubuntu-16-10-released-features-available-for-download/

5G: The Future of Wireless Networks

5G technology is soon approaching. On the suppliers’ end, for Zalando and other companies, this will bring about faster responses and speedier service delivery. On the consumer's’ end, a wider range of products and services will be made available. Due to improved speeds and lower latency from 5G, processes can be expedited, for instance including payment verification and order identification, which means same day delivery of in-stock items becomes the norm in the 5G age.

5G is another step up in mobile connectivity, and it is currently in the works globally. Many countries around the world are preparing for this new shift in mobile data networks. Let’s take a closer look at this technology and how it may change the future of wireless communication.

Although plans for official release for consumer use is still at least four years away, demonstrations of 5G capabilities effectively started hype earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress (MWC). Exhibitions showed the potential of the next generation of mobile.

How is 5G different?

5G’s mission is much more than just to improve basic communication services such as phone calls, SMS, or data connection in general. It has numerous other potential applications and according to surveys, the best use for 5G will be in the Internet of Things. This will be important for major global processes like automation and transportation.

As for network speeds, the figure 5G aims for is 100 times faster than the current 4G and LTE networks. Nokia’s demo at the MWC reached 20Gbps, the same speed being reached by South Korea’s SK Telecom. Ericsson’s set up yielded 26Gbps, while T-Mobile got 70Gbps, the latter of which was shown on a live feed from a Huawei base station in Germany.

Results were varied as it was dependent on frequency spectrum, and some booths used a wider spectrum than others. In comparison, however, today’s fastest LTE speeds just reach 1Gbps. Imagine if you register your smartphone for automatic updates, and a software upgrade was just released. As soon as you notice, the file would’ve been downloaded already. That’s a very plausible scenario with 5G mobile.

Low latency is also another target feature of 5G. The goal is to reduce latency down to 1 millisecond. To show just how fast it is, T-Mobile conducted a separate demonstration in their booth at the MWC.

Two metal balls, one 5G connected and the other 4G, were placed on top of a suspended platform. A robotic arm then passes under the platform, and when it’s detected, the holes beneath the balls open. The 5G ball drops in time and gets caught by the arm, while the 4G ball falls too late, missing the arm. Remember here that the balls and platform were wirelessly connected to the robotic arm.

Necessary preparations

Of course, 5G cannot be deployed for end users without the proper technological infrastructure. All over the US, there are around 300,000 cell towers. 5G will more likely need more infrastructure, as its frequency waves travel for shorter distances, for now at least, as opposed to the frequency bands of current networks.

A higher number of receiver cells will also be required for the same reason, thus, more permits will be required as well not only from governments, but from millions of other property owners. These are just a few of the challenges ahead of making the 5G concept a reality.

The same problems are also being faced in Europe. As stated by Brendan O’Reilly, CTO of O2, their network alone has a consumer usage that doubles each year. To effectively support potential 5G usage, the digital infrastructure must be radically improved.

Indoor and outdoor large scale tests are ongoing and upcoming

AT&T has applied for a temporary license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to proceed with indoor testing at the Texas Wireless Summit. The carrier plans to use the 28GHz spectrum for 5G trials at the Edgar A. Smith Bldg. in Austin, Texas.

On the other side of the world, Japan and South Korea have begun their tests and the latter’s KT has announced its plans to debut 5G at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. China’s ZTE on the other hand has finished the first phase of its high-frequency field tests.

Seeing this many nations with their eyes and hands on 5G, all hopes of improving network connectivity look very promising in the coming years.

This Blog was first published on: https://tech.zalando.com/blog/5g-the-future-of-wireless-networks/

3 Ways Technology Is Making Your Driving Experience More Fun

As a general consensus, it’s safe to say that people in the world have a love and affinity for cars; Especially the really cool ones like the Lincoln Continental or Lincoln MKZ that emanate class and sex. Of course, there are so many high-class vehicles out there that make the driving experience what it is. The makers of these vehicles know what it is they’re doing, and they know what people want.

The first automobile to make its way into existence ran for the first time on New Year’s eve in 1879. Now, just 119 years later and the world has been utterly transformed by the invention. Technology is quite the marvelous thing.

So while driving can be loads of fun by itself, since the majority of the world alive today has been brought up knowing the car so intimately that it’s lost a bit of its pizazz, technology innovators around the world are doing their best to keep the driving experience fresh and fun. They keep giving you more, you come back for more. It’s the way the game works. So without further ado, here are 3 ways technology is spicing up your driving life today:

It’s All About the Bass

Don’t get us wrong, a sexy piece of machinery is sexy all by itself; It’s body style, the way it drives, and the way the sun shines off the fresh paint is enough to make any person with eyes faint with desire. However, the people who make the magic happen know that there is so much more involved in making a vehicle that will have people running to purchase like it’s the new iPhone. One way technology is making the driving experience better is by realizing it’s all about the bass.

Great sound systems in place with Bluetooth technology and speakers that feature the perfect mix of high to mid to low range of sound are what people want. Music is a universal language of the world and since so many people spend so much time in their vehicles, it’s important that the bass can really get bumping.

It’s Fun Not Hitting Things

Different vehicles have different perks and downfalls. Some cars have crazy large blind spots that make changing lanes, parallel parking, or backing out of any parking spot frightening and dangerous, but thanks to technology, this problem is being solved a bit more every single day. Not only are there cameras in place that show you what’s behind you to safeguard from accidents, there are also cars that put off sounds to warn you when you’re getting close to hitting something. Some cars are going so far to stop themselves before you hit something like a pedestrian.

Hitting anything is no fun considering the cost of a vehicle in the first place and the hazard it places on so many lives. Technology might have opened up the door to trouble in the first place, but it’s quickly making strides to make living life more fun and efficient.

Comfort is Key

In the end, cars are doing so much to redefine the way that the world operates. Different technologies must work together as a whole to make the world a better place to live. People drive an average of 10,658 miles a year. With this being said, comfort is key in these moments.

Cars that don’t cater to the human desire for comfort spend a lot more time on the lot instead of being driven. Innovators of technology know this and are constantly finding out what it takes to make the driving experience better for everyone. Plush seating and butt warmers are just the beginning. It might not be too long before car seats start acting as chiropractors and shrinks. 

This Blog was First published on : http://smarterware.org/2016/10/3-ways-technology-making-driving-experience-fun/

Xiaomi Mi 5s And Mi 5s Unveiled Sporting Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner And Dual-Cameras

The much hyped Xiaomi Mi 5s smartphone finally launched yesterday in China, along with the Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus. Keeping up with rapidly changing tech trends, these are, on paper, an upgrade over the flagship Mi 5 with better hardware and innovative new features.

Both the Mi 5s and the Mi 5s Plus come in two variants- 64GB with 3GB RAM and 128GB with 4GB RAM. Earlier rumors of a 256GB variant remained elusive. Under the hood, both the phones run on the Snapdragon 821 processor and has USB-Type C port with Quick Charge 3.0.

But that’s where the similarities end.

The Mi 5s features a 5.15-inch full HD display with 2.5D glass and 600 nits of brightness. The 128GB variant of the Mi 5s comes with a pressure sensitive display with Synaptic’s tech underneath. The display can distinguish between a light and a hard tap, much like how Apple’s 3D display works in the new iPhones.

However, the highlight of the Mi 5s is the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded underneath the display of the phone. The Qualcomm SenseID Ultrasonic Fingerprint scanner is extremely fast and accurate. The tech makes use of ultrasonic waves to map the pores and ridges of an user’s finger and it can also recognize prints from an oily or sweaty finger. This is definitely the natural progression from sensor pads found in the back.

But here is also where Xiaomi did a double take. In the Mi 5s Plus, Xiaomi has put a more orthodox fingerprint scanning plate at the rear, beneath the camera.

Thankfully, it took away one feature and gave another- a dual camera setup. The Mi 5s Plus has two 13-megapixel cameras with Sony’s sensors. Among them, an RGB sensor captures color while the other one captures only in monochrome. Does it sound oddly familiar? (hint: Huawei P9)

As for the Mi 5s, there is a 12-megapixel camera at the back with a Sony CMOS sensor. It features 4-axis OIS and f/2.3 aperture. At the front, there is a 13-megapixel snapper for selfies.

The Mi 5s comes with a 3,200mAh battery while the Mi 5s Plus comes with a 3,800mAh battery.

The phones come in four colors- dark grey, silver, gold and rose gold.

The 64GB variant of the Mi 5s costs 1,999Yuan (roughly Rs 19,900) while the higher-end 128GB variant with ultrasonic fingerprint scanner costs 2,299 Yuan (roughly Rs 22,900). On the other hand, the dual-camera sporting Mi 5s Plus costs 2,299 (Rs 22,900 approximately) for the 64GB variant and 2,599 Yuan (roughly Rs 26,000) for the 128GB variant.

This Blog was first published on: http://thinkdebug.com/blog/xiaomi-mi-5s-and-mi-5s-unveiled-sporting-ultrasonic-fingerprint-scanner-and-dual-cameras/