Techno Buff
Techno Buff
In the world of rapidly changing and new technology pouring cats and dogs this column will come handy for those who wish to keep an update about newly launched gadgets, applications technological facts and much more.
In the world of rapidly changing and new technology pouring cats and dogs this column will come handy for those who wish to keep an update about newly launched gadgets, applications technological facts and much more.
Edition 29
(15 October 2021)
Android 12 - The Snow Cone
From the beginning, Android has always been about
personalization and allowing you to select the device, service and
experience that’s right for you. By providing an open ecosystem
that gives you choice, Android has grown to more than 3 billion
active devices around the world.
Android 12 includes the biggest design change in Android's
history. The result is that Android 12 is more expressive,
dynamic and personal than ever before.
Fluid Motion & Animations: The improvements including reducing the CPU time needed for core system services by up to 22% and reducing
the use of big cores by the system server by up to 15%, has simplified the interactions to make your experience more fluid and efficient.
Redesigned system spaces: To have help from Google at your fingertips, you can now long press the power button to invoke Assistant to
make a phone call, open apps, ask questions or read aloud text-heavy articles..
The Android 12 has been released on October 4, 2021, to only Google Pixel phones like the Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3A, Pixel 4, Pixel 4A,
Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5A smartphones. Google has also said that devices from Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, and
Xiaomi will get Android 12 this year.
Edition 28
(15 September 2021)
ORII – The Tech Meets Style
Are you always on your mobile checking messages and giving a quick call to your friend? Or, does your parents scold you on the fact that your screen time is too much, according to your age?
So here is an ultimate solution to all your problems! ORII opens up new ways to interact with your digital assistant. With gestures, voice, and buttons at your disposal, controlling your device screen-free is now more intuitive and accurate than ever. Designed for fashion, ORII strikes a bold yet sleek figure, building bone conduction into a stylish, minimalist smart ring.
Special Features: Custom notifications, Instant messaging with your voice, Quick calls with only a finger, In built Voice assistant, Screen Time reducer, In built Music Experience, Gesture & Voice Interface.
Product Specifications: Android 6.0 and above, iOS 11 and above, Charging time: 1hr, Charging method: Micro USB Cable, 5V, 100mA, 50mAh Lithium Polymer battery, Dual channel bluetooth 4.2 and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), IPX7 water resistance (30 minutes under 1m of water)
So you see, the next time you gift anyone a ring, ORII is a
perfect match!
Edition 27
(5 September 2021)
Tarbull Musicmate 550
Are you dependent on your smartphone or computer every time, to give you the best music it can? So here is, the new brand, Tarbull, which tried something new.
The Musicmate 550 allows you to enjoy your favourite tracks, taking calls, and all for up to 35 hours long. Due to the fast charging tech, you can get around 600 minutes of playtime in just 10 minutes of charging. There are multiple tracks for your every mood in the preloaded playlist including romantic hits, soulful melodies, down memory lane, party hits, ghazals, and devotional.
All tracks are from the Sony Music library. It is preloaded with 1001 songs which you can enjoy, anytime & anywhere!!
Features: 3D Audio with Bass Booster Mode, Lightweight, Fast Charging, Vibration Alert for Incoming Calls, Voice Assistant, Magnetic Earbuds, Perfect for Sports, Fitness & Travels, Android Phone Control, iOS Phone Control.
Edition 26
(15 August 2021)
XUV - 700 Experience A Rush Like Never Before
The new Mahindra XUV-700 is based on Mahindra’s global W601 platform, and will come with some of the segment-first features, to replace the outgoing Mahindra XUV-500 in India. The new Mahindra XUV-700 will be launched in the country this festive season (15th August, 2021), and ahead of its price reveal, Mahindra showcased the new XUV700 to the global audience. It will be the first model from the Mahindra SUV range to receive the brand's new logo. The new Mahindra XUV-700 will be offered in the MX & AdrenoX series. The XUV700 sit two engine options- a 2.0-litre mHawk diesel engine that churns out 153bhp/182bhp, and 420Nm/450Nm of peak torque respectively. The 2.0-litre mStallion petrol unit churns out 197bhp and 380Nm of peak torque. Mahindra claims the XUV-700 accelerates from 0-60kmph in 4.6 seconds with the petrol unit. Drivers can select from three drive modes - Zip, Zap and Zoom. It is also equipped with Sony's 3D sound system featuring 12 speakers.
Key features of the XUV-700 are: Dual-zone automatic climate control, Sliding front seat for easy access, Auto Booster headlamps, Personalized safety alerts, Driver drowsiness detection, 360-degree camera, Air purifier system; AX3: Dual 10.25-inch screens, Amazon Alexa Built-in, Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, AdrenoX Connect with 60+ connected features, 6 Speakers and Sound Staging, LED DRLs and front fog lamps, 17-inch steel wheels with covers; AX5: Skyroof, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, Curtain Airbags, LED headlamps, Sequential turn indicators, Cornering lamps; AX7: ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), Driver Drowsiness Alert, Smart Clean Zone, Dual-zone climate control, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, Leatherette seats, Leather steering and gear lever, 6-way power seat with memory function, Side airbags.
Edition 25
(30 July 2021)
How To Make Your Smartphone’s Performance Faster?
1) Don’t kill your apps frequently: We might have a habit to turn on our phone, experiment with our apps & close them very often. So stop doing this act and have mercy on your OS as it simply deteriorates your RAM.
2) Don’t install APK’s and apps from unknown platforms: We all have a habit of installing paid apps using jugaad by simply visiting unknown sites and install APK of it. From now onwards, stop this habit as you are simply inviting viruses and malware to have a party in your OS.
3) Don’t install Antivirus Apps: Every OS has it’s trusted Antivirus software, preinstalled. But to gain more security, we often come to a situation, when we install third-party Antivirus software. This will instead install other files and packages which will surely, give you a slower user experience.
4) Stop using sensor based apps: For giving a professional look to our smartphone’s in comparison to others, we come to situation when we tend to install sensor based apps which are entirely dependent on the motion of our body parts and our actions. But this act simply kills up your battery life. So, immediately delete the apps right now, if any.
5) Never experiment with your battery: There are times when we tend to make a phone call or surf the system with extremely low battery levels, ranging from 5% - 2%. Or, we charge our devices and keep it for many long hours with 100% battery level. You should never lie in these two situations as it will deteriorates your battery.
6) Always Monitor App Permissions: We always notice that after installing a particular app, some permissions related to the better functioning displays. But we often click on ‘Yes’ option, without even having a glance of the permissions asked. So next time, whenever you install any applications, do read the permissions, as it can make your OS, unsecure.
Edition 24
(15 July 2021)
Next Generation Olympics
Tokyo Olympics 2021 is all set to kick off in the coming months!
This time, the adoption of new advanced technologies will be playing a much crucial role in the effective organization of Tokyo Olympics 2021 and to make the Olympic Games experiences more innovative, interactive, and immersive for everyone. So, let’s get to know about some of these advanced technologies that will be used by Japan for the Tokyo Olympics.
Self-Driving Vehicles
The Self-Driving Vehicles will be used in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 to run on the defined routes related to the Olympics including – from the airport to the Olympic village and around different Olympic venues in Tokyo.
Virtual Reality Live Viewing
In Tokyo Olympics 2021, there will be a immersive virtual-reality experience for the viewers that will allow them to enjoy the event in a more engaging and immersive manner.
Facial Recognition System
This technology is going to be used for security screening-related tasks of athletes, staff members & other individuals, and it will not only speed up the process but will give better security results by restricting unauthorized access and prevent spoofing at the venues.
Robot Assistance
Robots will assist individuals and perform various tasks. For instance, there will be robots that will attend to the allowed visitors, guide them with the direction, carrying the luggage, providing event information, etc.
Edition 23
(30 June 2021)
Latest Tech News
∘ Windows 11 might launch on 24th June.
∘ WhatsApp accounts will be able to run in four devices simultaneously. The new feature will fix the problem of internet connectivity.
∘ Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook till 2023.
∘ Microsoft blames 'Accidental Human Error' for Bing showing no images for Tiananmen 'Tank Man'.
∘ Battlegrounds Mobile India pre-registered cross 20 million in India in 2 weeks.
∘ American Company Lyft launched electric cycle, which will run 96.5 km in single 500 watt charge.
Edition 22
(15 June 2021)
Tech Facts
∘ Apple’s logo wasn’t always like it is now. The First Apple logo originally featured Sir Isaac Newton beneath a tree with an apple about to fall on his head.
∘ The first computer mouse invented by Doug Engelbart in 1964, was made of wood!
∘ The first mechanical alarm clock, invented by Levi Hutchins in 1787, could only ring at 4 a.m.
∘ The first photograph ever taken in 1826 took 8 hours of exposure time!
∘ Mark Zuckerberg purposely chose a blue color scheme for Facebook because he has red-green color blindness
Edition 21
(30 May 2021)
Why Recharge Plan is for 28 days?
We all might have recharged our internet plans or call plans, haven’t we? But have you wondered that why in every 28 days only, these companies start giving you notifications to pay your bills? This might be the most practical question you have ever came across! But here is a very easy solution to that. These companies usually kind of trick us, in terms of mathematics. In every month (taking majority of days in a month) there are 30 to 31 days. So, if you start paying your bills at the end of month, then you would pay them 12 times a year. But let’s talk in terms of days and with respect to the marketing strategy, if you divide 365/28 (we are dividing from 28 days because the countdown starts from 28th day of the month), then it will come 13 bills/per year. That’s the secret behind 28 days. You are tricked by these companies because you are even not aware of this fact! This is only a trailer of earning more profit from you all. The rest of the movie, is yet to come.
Edition 20
(15 May 2021)
The A - Z of Technology Terms - 1
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a type of digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband technology that is used to connect to the Internet. It uses standard telephone lines to deliver high-speed data communications (up to 24 megabytes per second).
Bounce Back - An error notification which is returned to the sender when an email is having issues delivering it, is called as Bounce Back
CAD - Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a type of software that allows users to create 2D and 3D design and modelling.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a common method of transferring files via the internet from one host to another host.
Intranet - An intranet is basically a private, internal internet specific to an organisation or group.
PPM - Pages Per Minute (PPM) generally refers to the speed of a printer
POP - A Post Office Protocol (POP) is an Internet protocol used by your Internet service provider (ISP) to handle email. A POP account is an email account.
Edition 19
(30 April 2021)
Latest Tech News – The Tech Surface
1. Microsoft Office Is Planning to Replace Calibri as Its Default Font Soon, Introduces 5 New Font Families. (Microsoft Office made Calibri its default font in 2007)
2. Nokia Gets on 5G Growth Path as New Sales Strategy Takes Shape.
3. Telegram to Get Group Video Call Support in May, CEO Pavel Durov Says.
4. Vivo V21 5G With OIS-Equipped Selfie Camera, Triple Rear Cameras Launched in India. (Price: ₹29,990 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration)
5. PUBG Lite Will Not Be Playable Anymore From April 29; Player Support Ending on May 29.
6. Among Us Getting 6 New Colours, Enhanced Art Style, 15-Player Lobbies, etc.
Edition 18
(15 April 2021)
The Microneedle : A Painless Injection
Are you afraid of vaccination because of pain? Well, there is some good news for you. Scientists have invented a new type of needle called the microneedle. Barely visible needles, or microneedles, are poised to usher in an era of pain-free injections and blood testing. The process is absolutely painless! Whether attached to a syringe or a patch, microneedles prevent pain by avoiding contact with nerve endings. Typically 50 to 2,000 microns in length (about the depth of a sheet of paper) and one to 100 microns wide(about the width of human hair), they penetrate the top layer of kin to reach into the second layer—the epidermis—consisting of viable cells and a liquid known as interstitial fluid. But most do not reach or only barely touch the underlying dermis, where the nerve endings lie, along with blood and lymph vessels and connective tissue.
Many microneedle syringe and patch applications are already available for administering vaccines, and many more are in clinical trials for use in treating diabetes, cancer and neuropathic pain. Microneedle devices could enable testing and treatment to be delivered in underserved areas because they do not require costly equipment or a lot of training to administer. However there are a few disadvantages, tiny needles will not suffice when large doses are needed. Not all drugs can pass through microneedles, nor can all biomarkers be sampled through them. More research is needed to understand how factors such as the age and weight of the patient, the site of injection and the delivery technique influence the effectiveness of microneedle-based technologies. So lets all wait for this technology to be perfected.
Edition 17
(30 March 2021)
Red Magic 6 Pro – The Ultimate Gamingology
Do you want a device including 5G Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5.1 connection, full-fledged GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB Type-C port for charging? Well, then give a round of applause to Red Magic 6 Pro. This phone is backed by a 5,050mAh battery that supports 66W fast charging. There is an in-display fingerprint scanner. Red Magic 6 comes with dual-touch gaming shoulder buttons and a light up logo on the back. It has dual stereo speakers with DTS X Ultra support and Qualcomm aptX. It features a 6.8-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,400 pixels) display with 165Hz refresh rate, 500Hz single finger touch sampling rate, 360Hz multi-finger touch sampling rate, and 91.28 percent screen-to-body ratio. It also boasts of 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, SGS high brush low smear and SGS Low Blue Light Eye Care certifications. Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC and Adreno 660 GPU with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 (Low-Power Double Data Rate) RAM. For storage, the phone comes with up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 onboard storage and much-much more. The content about this industry-leading device is just unceasing!!!
Edition 16
(15 March 2021)
Elon Musk
While we are talking about fast travel , mention must be made of Elon Musk’s Hyperloop. The Hyperloop is a new form a transport first used to describe an open-source design released by a team from Tesla and SpaceX. Hyperloop technology is still in development by a number of organizations even though the basic concept has been around for many years.
Using the hyperloop , passengers can travel at over 700 miles an hour in floating pod which races along inside giant low-pressure tubes, either above or below ground. The hyperloop is described as a sealed tube or system of tubes with low air pressure through which a vessel may travel substantially free of air resistance or friction.
Elon Musk first mentioned the concept in 2012 and it was published in 2013. It can take people or objects at hypersonic speed while being energy efficient.
The Hyperloop concept has been "open-sourced" by Musk, and other organizations have been encouraged to take the ideas and further develop them. Rather than using wheels like a train or car, the pods are designed to float on air skis, using the same basic idea as an air hockey table, or use magnetic levitation to reduce friction. The Hyperloop capsules in Musk's model float above the tube's surface on a set of 28 air-bearing skis, similar to the way that the puck floats just above the table on an air hockey game. Supporters argue that Hyperloop could be cheaper and faster than train or car travel, and cheaper and less polluting than air travel.
Edition 15
(8 March 2021)
Samsung Solar Cell Remote Control
Have you ever wondered a solar chargeable remote?! Sounds weird? But that’s true! Well, Samsung is churning out new and improved TVs this year, like all years, which surely are great! But on a more atypical note, Samsung is nodding to sustainability with a reimagined remote control equipped with a solar cell for power. So, now no tension of purchasing new AAA batteries to re-charge it. Moreover, you can just charge this small compatible device with just the normal lighting of your house. It is also available with all Samsung TVs in 2021.
Moto G 5G – The Future of Smart Future
Do you want to access the blazing-fast performance and a 5G-ready smartphone that is at affordable cheap cost? With Moto G 5G, you just got your answer! Get this industry-leading pocket-handy device with latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 750G processor that can deliver 20% faster CPU and 10% faster GPU performance, 5G data speed which can never let slow your data connection to hold you back, 6.7" FHD+ HDR10 display that can give a full cinematic feeling, a 5000 mAh battery and 20W TurboPower™ charging which can nonstop work for more than 2 days and which can give you 10 hours of power in just 15 minutes or even lesser, 48 MP2 triple camera system that can capture sharper low-light photos and record 4k videos, and what not?? Excited to buy and to lead a smarter future, then say hello to Moto G 5G.
Edition 14
(15 February 2021)
7 Best Neologisms That Are Related To New Technology
Microblogging => Putting brief texts, photos, hyperlinks, audio files on social
media is called as Microblogging.
Infobesity => When on Internet, massive amount of information is
availableand it becomes so difficult to process or understand that topic, it is called infobesity.
Wilfing => When you start clicking a link and then another and another about a certain topic, is called as wilfing. In simple words, it is the act of clicking multiple links about a topic, multiple times.
Pseudonymity => The act of assuming or displaying a false name on the web, especially while typing, is known as pseudonymity.
Chimping => A term used in digital photography to describe the habit of checking every photo on the camera display immediately after a capture. It is now common to see photographers at media and sport events, ‘chimping’ their shots, checking to see if they got the image they desired.
Smartphone Zombie => It is a phenomenon or a popular culture which is used to describe the pedestrians who walk slowly, without attention and just focused to their smartphones.
Throbber => It is an animated graphical control element which is used to show an action in background such as downloading content, communicating or loading any webpage.
Edition 13
(30 January 2021)
Smart Glasses Tech On Our Face
The phrase ‘Smart Glasses’ may strike a bell in the minds of all Marvel fans who love Iron Man’s EDITH. But did you know that this technology is actually in progress? Just as we cannot imagine living without a laptop or mobile, soon we may enjoy the same versatility and connectivity from our eye glasses. Google was the first company to launch this new dimension of eyeglasses, with the introduction of Google Glass, but this technology is going to take a new turn with the coming of Intel’s smartglasses named ‘Vaunt’. Facebook and Apple are also working on them. Smartglasses use a holographic display to show information directly from your phone to the front of your eyes so that you are able to see texts, emails, time, weather conditions, calendar, GPS, make/receive phone calls, listen music etc. (No one else around you will be able to see anything being displayed on your glass) It has the facility for a Bluetooth connection. You can even use them to call a taxi. Some glasses also use Augmented Reality to overlay information and other content on to the users surroundings. Instead of a keyboard and mouse which we are all used to, smartglasses can be controlled by Artificial Intelligence such as Siri/Alexa or by touching/tapping the frame controls. Some glasses(like Intel’s ‘Vaunt’) can also be controlled using eye gestures.. The smart glasses of the current generation also have some limitations but the future ones will hopefully have their solutions.
Edition 12
(15 January 2021)
4 Best Tech Gifts For Your Loved Ones
Happy New Year!
With the onset of new year, gifting season is going on which means it's time to think up the perfect gift ideas for your loved ones. Whether you’re brainstorming gifts for your grandparents, parents or friends, here I am listing top 4 tech gifts.
Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard
All tech-lovers, eyes here! We all are now very much familiar with the normal keyboards, but, at times, it becomes difficult to escape the deluge of typing and replying to either emails, chattings or the assignments! Well, Microsoft has launched a solution for that. With this much smaller and handy foldable keyboard, you can actually type for hours with this, and this works with all devices such as, iPad, iPhone, Android and with Windows accessories too. Wow!!!!
Dragon Touch Digital Picture Frame
This device will be surely loved by your grandparents. This sleeky device will instantly receive or can send photos and videos via Wi-Fi, to another device real-time. So, anyone in the family, can directly send their photos to their grandparent’s living room.
Brilliant Pad
There is a device for all dog-lovers. This handy device, automatically, removes dirty pads for you. As soon as the dog, fresh itself on this device, the pad turns the liquid into gel while wrapping and solid waste to keep your home, smelling good. It also automatically displays the output on your phone, so you can keep an up-to-date record of your dog’s health. Isn’t it awesome!
BentoStack Tech Travel Case
I am 100% sure, all tech-lovers will be in a need of this awesome handy gadget!! This small and handy bento box, fits all of your tech necessities like, Stash cords, chargers and USB ports! Now, you will be not requiring separate bags for several things and will be organized too.