Tech News

The Latest Galaxy Note Fold Is One Of The Largest Breakthrough In Samsung’s History

Leave a Comment / Product, Tech News / By Annasha

The news of galaxy note fold has surely stunned most of its fan. While Samsung released the news yesterday, the team was researching this for the past few months. Previously, Samsung has come up with some flabbergasting series of handsets. But, it is considered the biggest innovation of the company till date.

The New Galaxy S20 Series

When it comes to smartphones, this new series will be the talk of the city for this year. This Galaxy S20 series will comprise of three models, namely, S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. All three handsets will have a 5G network and a 120Hz AMOLED display. The display screen will have a resolution of 3200X1400 with HDR10+. The company also confirmed that the series will either use Samsung Exynos 990 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 865.

The storage will either be 12 or 16GB RAM given that current fold has 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. This increase in RAM will help the user multi-task more smoothly on the expansive screen. When the user unfolds the device, the multi-window becomes more prominent. The series will also have a triple camera system which will include wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens. This can be the dream handset of every mobile photographer out there.

Apart from these features, the S20+ and S20 Ultra will have an additional depth sensor.

The jaw-dropping display

Samsung has released the best display features in the history of the smartphone. The Galaxy S20 series comes with a 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display. It has the concept of folding which adds extra compliments to its screen. The handset is made up of tissue-thin of such materials that will make it flexible and look elegant at the same time.

The AMOLED display will provide Dynamic Tone Mapping to make sure every color looks as prominent and life-like as possible. But, Samsung has also thought about the harmful glares coming from too much bright light. That’s why it has reduced the amount of blue light without the use of filters. This will provide less strain on the eyes. The materials that the company has used for colors of different models are highly polished glasses. It will give you an extraordinary experience.

A phone or a tablet

The Galaxy Fold will give you the experience of a mobile and a tablet in one handset. When folded, the note will be easy to grip as it is provided with an ergonomic design, comfortable to hold. Moreover, you can handle it using only one of your hands as it becomes compact when folded.

In normal handsets, the fingerprint scanner is present at the backside of the phone. This makes it difficult for some people to hold it and scan it at the same time. So, the Galaxy Fold has put its scanner along the side. Generally, our grip comes with the thumb and index finger holding the handset. So, you don’t need to make much effort for scanning.

When it is folded, the slim form factor helps in managing apps using one hand only. And, whenever you are planning to multi-task or simply watch a movie, unfold for a better experience. The handset also comes with an advanced vapor chamber and a clad metal cooling system. So, dive into the world of gaming without being concerned about your phone.

But, an invention always promises a better invention. Similarly, there is one minor drawback of the Galaxy Fold. It contains magnets and hence it should not be placed anywhere near objects like credit cards and implantable medical devices. So, people who are planning to buy one should make a thorough research.

Enhanced performance

The RAM has been expanded from 12GB to 16GB which will make multitasking more efficient. It is somewhat AI-driven as the new Galaxy S20 series will observe your habits and preload the frequently used apps. This is a great time saver. The dual battery system of 4380mAh will power your handset throughout the day. It prevents overcharging and it will learn your usage pattern with Adaptive Power Saving Mode.

Not only it is functioned with the capabilities of wireless charging, but it can also act as a wireless charger. Samsung Galaxy Fold can share the battery with any Qi-certified devices and wearables. The features are truly stunning marking the beginning of a new era.

Annasha

Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more

COVID-19 Hits the Art Scene: Color Factory and Museum of Ice Cream Initiate Massive Lay Offs

The COVID-19 continues to spread and kill across the world, with global causalities having hit 34,000. Almost every sphere of our lives has been hit, and most of us are conformed to our houses. With schools shut, offices closed and public transport partially banned, most people are whiling away time at home. Such a global lockdown makes things difficult for businesses around the world. IMF has already stated that following the COVID-19, the world will spiral into an economic recession. Many major companies have also been reeling in the after-effect of this deadly pandemic. Here’s a look at how Color Factory, backed by Instagram, is handling the issues.

Shut-Down Imminent

Jeff Lind, who serves as the CEO of Color Factory, knew his business would shut down when the NBA canceled its season in the US. Jeff was watching a Utah Jazz game when the announcements came out, and he knew that soon enough the entire city would be on lockdown. As predicted, within a few days, the whole of New York went into a total shut-down, with the government closing all restaurants, hotels and non-essential stores. The entertainment industry, consisting of rodeos, sports complexes, museums and art galleries had the world change underneath their own feet, as the COVID-19 spread ferociously. Two of the world’s most popular photogenic experiences, the Color Factory and Museum of Ice Cream have both felt the after-effects of this deadly virus. Both of them have had to shut shop, in a bid to stop the aggressive spread of the pandemic. As a result, both have had to lay off employees, with almost no revenue coming in recently.

Making Things Difficult

Color Factory closed both its installments, in New York and Houston by March 18th, and followed up by temporarily laying off their employees. CEO Lind says that almost 90% of Color Factory’s employees have been let go, in a bid to cut costs. Everyone including hourly employees, part-time workers and corporate employees were dismissed, with them maintaining only critical positions. However, the company still provides health care benefits to eligible employees for 12 weeks.

Furthermore, all the employees who were laid off received severance pay associated with their experience. Also, to further cut costs, all the remaining employees have taken salary cuts. The company also had to ask people who had bought tickets before-hand to reschedule their visits. However, Color Factory is still handing out refunds if the customers insist on it. Unfortunately for them, the COVID-19 hit at peak time, with the Houston establishment having been sold out.

Others Follow Suit

Color Factory hasn’t been the only Instagram pop-up to suffer, with fellow art space, Museum of Ice Cream also sharing their fate. As more and more people stay confined to their houses, almost no one has the time for entertainment nowadays. People are not allowed to take their kids out to play, go on dates, or even enjoy an artistically inclined evening outdoors. Pop-up museums depend on such crowds, and hence, this industry has suffered much due to the COVID-19. These museums use the marketing power gained by people posting photos on Instagram, to attract crowds, and that doesn’t seem to be happening in today’s atmosphere. Unlike other streams of art, such as music and dance, these museums cannot recreate their space on a virtual platform. Therefore, the Museum of Ice Cream too laid off almost 90% of its employees, as per CEO Maryellis Bunn. However, just like the Color Factory, they also will provide employees with health care benefits, and severance pays.

Controversies and Bad Reputation

However, the Museum of Ice Cream was not able to pay some of their contractors on time, and this led to an Instagram smear campaign against them. Most of the comments under their posts feature people asking them to pay their workers on time. Some of the contractors have also stated that they have not been paid since last month. They went on to say that they received their money, only after calling out the company on Instagram and shaming them online.

Similarly, three other contractors also received their payment only after the social media storm hit the company. However, CEO Bunn had a different opinion, stating that all their employees had been paid on time. To cut costs even further, Bunn and all the employees who have been retained have taken massive salary reductions. The CEO has apparently given up her entire salary for the month to keep the company afloat. While New York City entered the shut-down recently, Bunn feels that revenue has been receding since February. A significant amount of their footfall comes from foreign tourists, who have been walloped by the COVID-19.

Another black mark in their reputation came in the form of claims that the company had not refunded money to clients who had canceled their tour. Several email chains came out in the open, stating that ShowClix, which sells tickets for the Museum of Ice Cream, was refusing to refund clients. Until March 19th, customers were being asked to reschedule their trip, rather than cancel it. In this case, as well, Bunn has said that refunds will be available as of last week. Other prominent closures around the US include Meow Wolf and Rosé Mansion, while Candytopia has stayed quiet regarding their locations. Since all of these are in-person experiences, they do not translate well on Zoom calls, making it difficult for them to work through the social distancing norm. These companies are hoping to put this episode behind them, and start again as soon as the COVID-19 scare passes.

Athulya

Being a cinephile with a love for all things outdoorsy, Athulya never misses a chance to chase inspiring stories or poke fun at things, even when the subject is herself. Currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, she is someone innately interested in technical and scientific research. Music reviews and op-eds define her as they allow her to explore different perspectives. Though sometimes she thinks she makes more sense playing the guitar than she does while writing.

The Leading Fitness Tracking Wearable Company Fitbit Charge 4 Tracker Is Available For Sale – New Features Are Stunning

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Jayshri

Highlights

1. Charge 4 fitness tracker is a new wearable tracker for fitness lovers.

2. It looks similar to an earlier Charge 3 version. But it is loaded with new updates that make it a more powerful upgraded version.

3. As well, the 90-day trial of Fitbit Premium is available.

The world is changing and now people are more concerned about their health. Physical activity, good sleep, and a healthy lifestyle are important to maintain health. However, tracking those activities is as important as doing it. Fitbit is helping many to live a balanced and healthy life by tracking physical activity, exercise, heart rate monitoring, weight and also sleep. Now with the Fitbit Charge 4, tracking will be more advanced. Today, the leading fitness tracking wearable company Fitbit, launched its brand new Fitbit Charge 4 tracker in the market for $149. Yet, it comes with new features like Fitbit Pay, GPS (built-in), and allowed to control Spotify. It’s available for sale in three colors in blue, black, and mauve.

What makes Fitbit Charge 4 Tracker a better version?

The look of a new fitness tracker is similar to the earlier version, i.e., Charge 3 Fitbit tracker. But the new features made it more powerful than the old version. If you have used a smartwatch of Fitbit then you may feel familiar with these new features. New features are built-in GPS, Spotify control, and Fitbit pay. As well, the battery life is powerful as compared to the older versions. It can be used for up to five hours with continuous GPS monitoring. However, without continuous GPS use, the battery life of the product is almost a week.

Features in details

1. Built-in GPS- To track actual physical activity like walking or running, users have to take their phones with them. So, they can record the activity precisely. Now with a new Charge 4 tracker having built-in GPS, users no need to carry cell with them.

2. Extended battery life- It can be used for up to five hours with continuous GPS monitoring. However, without continuous GPS use, the battery life of the product is up to seven days.

3. Spotify control and Fitbit pay

All features now come standard with the Charge 4 and no need to have a splurge for a special edition. Charge 4 tracker’s dimensions are the same as the Charge 3 dimensions. Thus, the earlier model’s band is perfect fits on the new tracker.

What else is new?

One more good news to the Fitbit users. This brand new fitness tracker comes with a newer fitness metric, Active Zone Minutes. With this, the Charge 4 tracker can automatically recognize that the heart rate is sustainable or not, counts the minutes when the fitness wearer is active. Also, it will automatically detect the heightened level. Basically, Active Zone Minutes is based on heart rate. However, the score is calculated differently based on the height, weight, and fitness levels of each person.

Fitbit Tracker 4 to promote people to be active in Lockdown

As per the Fitbit officials, all new features are to promote the people all around the world to be active in this tough period. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the whole world is in lockdown mode. In this period, it is somewhat difficult to be active. While the Tracker 4 will promote people to be active for at least 30 minutes a day, said Fitbit. Its features follow a series of other Fitbit metrics including sleep score and 10,000 daily steps. Fitbit uses it as basic guidelines for encouraging wellness.

The new Charge 4 Tracker also comes with an extended 90-day trial of Fitbit Premium, offering many other packages to help you achieve your fitness target. Includes, fitness programs, classes, and personalized challenges.

The Charge 4 on sale

Today, Fitbit Charge 4 tracker goes on sale for 149$. It will be available in blue, black, and mauve color. However, Charge 3 is not available to buy on Fitbit’s website from now. Though, one can purchase it through other retailers. It means, Fitbit is not selling Charge 3s anymore. So, the price of the older version can fluctuate.

Jayshri

Jayshri is an Electronics Engineer, but her passion towards writing made her to be in this field. Apart from content writing, she loves reading, writing and surfing on various topics. In her free time, she likes to watch TV series and news. Sherlock Holmes is her all time favorite show. Jayshri loves cooking various Indian-western dishes.

As Microsoft’s Skype Falters, Zoom Rises to the Occasion

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Athulya

With two weeks still left to go to end the nation-wide lockdown, people all around the country are relying on video-calling apps to communicate. As the novel coronavirus continues its dominant surge across North America and Europe, most of the world’s countries have gone into a nation-wide shutdown. With curfews in place, bans on gatherings and public transport, most people are confined to their homes. Since a majority of the world’s population is now sitting idly in their houses, applications that help in communicating are seeing a surge in demand. As we cannot go out to meet and socialize, apps that allow us to do so digitally are being used round the clock to beat boredom. Whether it is to play a game of UNO or have a group video-call, these apps are slowly taking over our smartphones. Skype and Zoom are the two most popular video-calling options available right now, and here’s a look at how one has faltered, while the other has surged.

Skype Vs Zoom

If this pandemic had occurred in 2011, the entire world would have been on Skype, calling, chatting and talking to their loved ones. Unfortunately, though, for Microsoft, in the year 2020, they aren’t able to replicate that level of success. With thousands of people looking for Skype alternatives, competitors such as Zoom and Houseparty are making the most of this departure. The recent weeks have seen people use Zoom to hold yoga classes, school lectures and even socialize with friends. Microsoft took over Skype in 2011, thanks to a deal that cost them $8.5 billion.

The same year saw the founding of both Zoom and Snapchat. Back then, Skype had over 100 million active users with 8 million of them choosing to voice calls over the application. Hence, it is safe to say, that back in 2011, Skype was the leading market player, being everyone’s first choice for video calling. It was so popular that the Onion released a statement that the word Skype would soon find a place in the dictionary.

Furthermore, three years later, the prophecy came true, and it was added as a verb to the Oxford English Dictionary. However, at the same time, Microsoft was struggling with turning Skype into a profitable and relevant business.

End of an Era

Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype happened during the same time applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and WeChat were gaining momentum with youngsters. In a bid to lessen competition, Microsoft even got rid of its own Live Messenger, which was also quite popular at the time.

One of the biggest problems Microsoft had was that Skype worked on Peer-to-Peer technology, making it difficult to adapt to mobile devices. In 2013, Microsoft shifted Skype from a P2P network onto cloud-powered servers, in a move to make it more efficient on mobile devices. The same year, Skype began the default messenger for Windows 8.1, and also a part of the Xbox One console and Outlook.com.

However, the transition was messy, resulting in repeating notifications on multiple devices. This led to the app becoming less reliable, while all of its competitors kept growing from strength to strength. Rather than fixing the underlying issues which led to this unreliability, Microsoft kept trying to redesign the interface for years.

Change in Direction

Instead of fixing Skype, Microsoft kept adding new supplementary features such as emoji’s and shutting down the Qik app. Then, in 2017, Microsoft redesigned Skype and made it eerily similar to Snapchat. However, this did not sit well with fans, and soon enough, Microsoft had to get rid of these features. Then, the tech giant pushed Skype as a replacement for Lync, an enterprise messaging application. However, with the arrival of Microsoft Teams in 2016, this plan too was dropped mid-way. With the success of Teams, Microsoft has been pushing it aggressively, taking all the spotlight off Skype. While Skype might not disappear soon, it no longer seems to be the company’s main focus. In 2015, Skype boasted of over 300 million active users, and Microsoft hasn’t bothered to update those numbers since.

Coronavirus-related Surge

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a 70% surge in usage, with over 40 million people using Skype daily. This means that before the Coronavirus pandemic, over 23 million people used Skype daily. However, at the same time, rivals such as Zoom, Hangouts and Houseparty also seem to be doing quite well for themselves. Both Zoom and Houseparty have exploded with Zoom topping the American App Store and coming in second in the UK App Store list. Houseparty has topped the UK and comes in at third place in the US. By comparison, Skype comes in at 75 in the US and 15 in the UK.

However, Microsoft Teams is doing much better, being 7th in the US, and 6th in the UK. However, Zoom refuses to share their numbers regarding usage, and hence we do not know the actual number of users. The biggest reason for people turning to Zoom and Houseparty is due to their ease of use. However, both these apps are now facing privacy concerns with Zoombombing and Houseparty hacking has become popular.

While there are several reasons for people migrating to Zoom and Houseparty, Microsoft’s inefficiency when it comes to dealing with Skype’s issues is definitely a major reason. With Skype all set to migrate to an Electron-powered app, making it more like a traditional desktop app, the future looks uncertain for Skype. Reports even state that it might face the same verdict that Live Messenger did a few years ago.

Athulya

A lodging offering platform, Airbnb has extended its full cancellation policy due to COVID-19

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Jayshri

Coronavirus has become a worldwide crisis. Due to this pandemic, many mega-events are either canceled or postponed, visits are negated, and people are canceling their pre-booked tickets and travels. In the beginning, most of the people were panicked because of the refund complications on their ticket bookings and lodging but now they are relived as the terms are relaxed. Many companies have changed their policies amid coronavirus breakdown. Every sector, every industry, and every human is worried due to coronavirus pandemic. In this situation, Airbnb gave relief to the customers. A lodging offering platform, Airbnb has extended its full cancellation policy keeping this corona pandemic in mind. They have also kept $250 million aside for the hosts who are affected because of these canceled bookings.

Airbnb company’s old policy

Airbnb’s old policy allowed guests to get a full refund if they void their booking within 48 hours of booking their trip, or a 50% refund if they do within seven days. This policy is canceled on Saturday and it is replaced by extenuating circumstances policy.

Who can get a full refund? – New extenuating circumstances policy

The guests who have booked their stays on Airbnb with the check-in between 14-31st March will get a full refund. This is under Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy. With the money that is set aside, Airbnb will ensure that hosts get some of the lost money.

Before this announcement was done, Airbnb expanded its extenuating circumstances policy to refund bookings between the fixed period of 14th March to 31st May. The policy does not talk about the refund terms for hosts though. Some of the Airbnb are upset because the company did not provide any fix financial net to them. As the cancellations are allowed and no new booking is being made, hosts have their calenderer empty. The change in policy has affected the hosts in California, Florida, Kansas, Utah, Michigan and the state of Washington. They have lost thousands of dollars.

Some hosts said that they empathize with the guests as the current situation is not under anyone’s control, but their business and livelihood are at risk. Whereas, some of the hosts are extremely angry and have put the entire blame on Airbnb for the loss of business.

The change is policy is a relief for guests, but the hosts are upset with the company. Airbnb is taking further steps to strengthen the relationship between hosts and them to ensure the unchanged partnership in the future.

Airbnb’s action on hosts’ disappointment

Airbnb is ready to extend help for hosts and the CEO Brian Chesky asks for forgiveness for the chaotic messaging around the policy changes in recent times. He said, “I deeply regret the way we communicated this decision, and I am sorry that we did not consult you — as partners should. We have heard from you and we know we have let you down. You deserve better from us.”

The company has donated $10 million to help its “super hosts” and the ones who’ve been contributing to Airbnb’s tour guide-style practices. Other hosts can apply for $5,000 help from the fund starting from April. The CEO of Airbnb has requested hosts to trust into the company as the trust is the foundation of a partnership.

Airbnb at loss because of travel restrictions

As the entire business of Airbnb depends on travel and tourism, the past few months have been difficult for the company. Because of the restrictions on overall global travel, many small and big companies like Airbnb facing problems with their business, as the countless countries have advised people to stay home and follow the lockdown.

In the US, the guidelines for social distancing have extended until April 30th as the COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly. As per recent reports, the US has crossed 160000 cases so far and has the highest number in the world. Major population countries like India are under complete lockdown to prevent from getting into community transmission phase.

Bottom line

Not only travel and hotel businesses at risk but also other businesses are facing the impact of coronavirus spread all over the world. In some countries, the situation is gone out of control and some are in the stage of community transmission. Let’s hope this shall pass soon and everything comes back to normal.

Meanwhile, for any information head to WHO’s site to avoid the spread of misinformation.

Jayshri

MICROSOFT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL BE RELEASING THE MICROSOFT 365 PERSONAL AND FAMILY PLANS

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Annasha

Keeping in mind the outbreak of novel coronavirus, we still have to keep up our pace. Almost every company has declared work from home and the educational institutions are also teaching through online classrooms. In this time of sheer need, we need proper resources to carry out our work smoothly. So, Microsoft declared the news of new plans for Microsoft 365 subscription yesterday. It will be of great benefit to access all features, especially for students, teachers, and employees. This will also attract many new subscribers as it will allow using Premium office apps, extra cloud storage, advanced security, and many more such features. Microsoft will make these plans active on 21st April.

What Microsoft is providing?

The Microsoft 365 plan is not new to consumers. But, now the company is releasing a more enhanced version of it along with many new features. The new Microsoft Personal and Family Plans will be charging $6.99 per month for Personal subscribers and $9.99 per month for the Family pack. The family pack allows a maximum of six people. Everything will be available from 21st April. The subscribers will have access to all the new and existing features, which the company has not revealed yet.

Microsoft through its powerful set of features and services will not help us create and organize. We can share our works and connect with family and friends as well. So, it is just trying to build a stronger community through the web and collaborate across the world. Any user with this subscription plan can access it from Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. The applications like Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype, Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive are also available in these plans.

Moreover, all the applications will be up-to-date. Every subscriber will get 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. For a single person, it is more than enough to store all the important files. Apart from this, Microsoft 365 will provide 60 Skype minutes and not to mention constant technical support.

What are the new features of Microsoft 365 plans?

Microsoft is planning to add two new features to its subscription plans. The first feature is the Microsoft Family Safety app. It is very important for parents to track their children’s location. Moreover, every family member can get a notification when another family member leaves for work, etc. The app will generate notification along with a sharing location. The family members can also manage screen time across multiple devices.

The Safety app is not only limited to this feature. The company has also incorporated a driving report feature in it. This feature is especially to track a new driver in the family to keep updated about the driving habits. This is a not-so-good-news for the kids but it is beneficial for the parents. This safety app can be accessed through Windows PCs, Android devices, and Xbox consoles. The limit has to be set centrally. It will also add some new features to the Microsoft Team of Consumers.

Communication through Microsoft

Skype has always been the most important application for communication. But, Microsoft is adding some new home features for the Microsoft team which will help connect one’s friends and family. It can be via a group chat, video calls, and anything from one location. All these new features will be available as a preview in this summer and then will be launched as a completed package later this year.

Microsoft Editor

This feature is for anyone who loves writing to anyone for whom it’s a job. With the enhancement of 365 plans, Microsoft is making an expansion to its Editor. It is now available in twenty different languages and most importantly can be accessed through Word, Outlook.com, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome. The paid subscribers will be experiencing additional features like advanced grammar, style refinements, etc.

Other features

PowerPoint is also getting a makeover with the advancement in Presenter Coach Feature. Another most important feature that Microsoft is adding is finance management. It will connect your bank and credit card details and Microsoft Money will act as your finance manager. It will help you track and analyze transactions in Excel and will also send alerts for monthly spending. This feature will be first available in the US and then other locations.

Currently, 38 million people are subscribers to Office 365 Personal and Home. Microsoft is currently trying to make existing things better rather than launching something completely new.