Showing 11 - 20 of 141
Chip shortage over by 2023... maybe
Life, James Hein, Published on 29/09/2021
» The current chip shortage could should be a thing of the past by 2023... maybe. The current foundries are booked out for the rest of the year and are starting to catch up with current demand. New plants will be coming online by the end of 2022. The maybe part here is the potential shortage of raw materials needed in the fabrication process. This could be a problem by 2023, or perhaps we may have new manufacturing process by then. Fingers crossed that all is good by the end of next year.
Google bets on offline stores
Life, James Hein, Published on 09/06/2021
» Google is looking to venture into the area where Microsoft failed but Apple still does well, the brick-and-mortar retail store. The first of these will be opened in Chelsea, New York, allowing customers to find their devices like Pixel phones and Pixelbooks, Fitbits and Nest at a physical location. All subject to the latest Covid rules of course.
Samsung's future flex
Life, James Hein, Published on 26/05/2021
» So whatever happened to the rollable displays we were promised some time back? Turns out companies like Samsung have been working on them, presenting a few at the recent Society for Information Display (SID) annual exhibition. The key to this technology is the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display because it doesn't need a backlight. This allows for paper thin, flexible displays. In keeping with their usual nomenclature, Samsung calls their first device the S-foldable. Their range starts at phone size and unfolds twice to a 7.2-inch screen. They also presented a slidable screen that pulls out to give a wider view. Then came the 17-inch foldable screen that starts as a tablet that can be used as a small monitor tagged as the "Carrying Small Seeing Big". For now, these are concept devices that we should see in the wild next year. Not to be outdone, LG demoed a 65-inch rollable OLED TV along with a 12.8-inch rollable device. China is also in the mix with Visionox showing their rollable OLEDs.
The fight for a freer web continues
Life, James Hein, Published on 17/03/2021
» The social media platform Telegram has over 500 million users with over 55 million active every day. Unlike other platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and others, you are free to express your opinion there without being cancelled, shadow banned or throttled in searches.
How to get the most out of online reviews
Life, Published on 24/04/2019
» In the world of online shopping, often buyers will purchase an item only after they see that other people also like it. And the easiest way to find out consumer sentiment? You guessed it: reviews.
The problem with censoring social media
Life, James Hein, Published on 27/03/2019
» In the aftermath of a recent violent event, there are calls to apply greater censorship to commentary on all social-media platforms. Those living in some Asian nations and elsewhere will already be used to the concept of censorship. That does not mean that others should follow this trend but instead should actively resist, as the ability to freely debate and exchange ideas was the original reason the internet was brought into being. The biggest problem with censorship is perspective. Consider two nation states with completely different cultures and perspectives. Which one and who gets to decide what is a valid opinion when the two are so different? This is the danger that now faces a number of Western nations, and apart from the US, where rights are enshrined in the Constitution, there is little protection. If you live in such a nation, let others know that freedom of speech and debate is a much better option than the alternatives.
An opaque Windows upgrade
Life, James Hein, Published on 08/08/2018
» I have heard a number stories of users having problems with Windows 10 who upgraded from Windows 7 without a clean install. This has happened to people with notebooks, PCs and recently a server. It started a few updates back when rebooting took a long time, which was resolved with a subsequent update. A more recent issue has occurred for those who did not do a clean Windows 10 install, ie they directly upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, having problems ranging from slow to almost unusable speeds and even system lockdowns. If you find yourself having problems, backup your data and do a clean install directly from Windows 10. In short, reformat your system drive and install from scratch. For some this has been the only solution, others have been a little luckier.
No longer a laughing matter
Life, Published on 20/06/2018
» Video games work hard to hook players. Designers use predictive algorithms and principles of behavioural economics to keep fans engaged. When new games are reviewed, the most flattering accolade might be "I can't put it down".
Changes to Apple products and updates to apps
Life, Graham K. Rogers, Published on 29/03/2017
» Despite several sure-fire rumours, there was no special event in March. Instead, there was a hint of change when the online stores went down for maintenance on Tuesday evening. A number of additions and changes were made to iPhones and iPads, while new Apple Watch bands were also announced. Apple updated its Swift Playgrounds app with new languages and announced Clips, a new iOS app for making videos: perfect for sharing on social-networking sites. It will be released in April.
QardioArm wireless blood pressure monitor and Apple's HealthKit
Life, Graham K. Rogers, Published on 22/03/2017
» There has been much written about the Internet of Things (IoT): devices that are connected, interconnected and linked via our smartphones, computers and web technology. The IoT brief covers a wide range of devices for industry, home and health, with some crossovers. One example is the sports-related device that records personal inputs -- these also have a relevance to health.