Friday 30 September 2016

IBM, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon form enormous AI partnership

On Wednesday, the world learned of a new industry association called the Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, and it includes some of the biggest tech companies in the world. IBM, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon have all signed on as marquis members, though the group hopes to expand even further over time. The goal is to create a body that can provide a platform for discussions among stakeholders and work out best practices for the artificial intelligence industry. Not directly mentioned, but easily seen on the horizon, is its place as the primary force lobbying for smarter legislation on AI and related future-tech issues.
Best practices can be boring or important, depending on the context, and in this case they are very, very important. Best practices could provide a framework for accurate safety testing, which will be important as researchers ask people to put more and more of their lives in the hands of AI and AI-driven robots. This sort of effort might also someday work toward a list of inherently dangerous and illegitimate actions or AI “thought” processes. One of its core goals is to produce thought leadership on the ethics of AI development.
So, this could end up being the bureaucracy that produces our earliest laws of robotics, if not the one that enforces them. The world “law” is usually used metaphorically in robotics. But with access to the lobbying power of companies like Google and Microsoft, we should expect the Partnership on AI to wade into discussions of real laws soon enough. For instance, the specifics of regulations governing self-driving car technology could still determine which would-be software standard will hit the market first. With the founding of this group, Google has put itself in a position to perhaps direct that regulation for its own benefit.
But, boy, is that ever not how they want you to see it. The group is putting in a really ostentatious level of effort to assure the world it’s not just a bunch of technology super-corps determining the future of mankind, like some sort of cyber-Bilderberg Group. The group’s website makes it clear that it will have “equal representation for corporate and non-corporate members on the board,” and that it “will share leadership with independent third-parties, including academics, user group advocates, and industry domain experts.”
Well, it’s one thing to say that, and quite another to live it. It remains to be seen if the group will actually comport itself as it will need to if it wants real support from the best minds in open source development. Below, the Elon Musk-associated non-profit research company OpenAI responds to the announcement with a rather passive-aggressive word of encouragement.
The effort to include non-profits and other non-corporate bodies makes perfect sense. There aren’t many areas in software engineering where you can claim to be the definitive authority if you don’t have the public on-board. Microsoft, in particular, is painfully aware of how hard it is to push a proprietary standard without the support of the open-source community. Not only will its own research be stronger and more diverse for incorporating the “crowd,” any recommendations it makes will carry more weight with government and far more weight with the public.
That’s why it’s so notable that some major players are absent from this early roll coll — most notably Apple and Intel. Apple has long been known to be secretive about its AI research, even to the point of hurting its own competitiveness, while Intel has a history of treating AI as an unwelcome distraction. Neither approach is going to win the day, though there is an argument to be made that by remaining outside the group, Apple can still selfishly consume any insights it releases to the public.
Leaving such questions of business ethics asiderobot ethics remains a pressing problem. Self-driving cars illustrate exactly why, and the classic thought experiment involves a crowded freeway tunnel, with no room to swerve or time to brake. Seeing a crash ahead, your car must decide whether to swerve left and crash you into a pillar, or swerve right and save itself while forcing the car beside you right off the road itself. What is moral, in this situation? Would your answer change if the other car was carrying a family of five?
Right now these questions are purely academic. The formation of groups like this show they might not remain so for long.
This blog was first published on: http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/236459-ibm-google-facebook-microsoft-amazon-form-enormous-ai-partnership

Wednesday 28 September 2016

8 Amazing Things Google Is Going To Launch At Its October 4 Event

Short Bytes: At its upcoming October 4 event under the tagline “Made by Google”, the company is expected to launch a wide range of new hardware. It’s being speculated that Google will show off its new Pixel smartphone, Pixel tablet, Google Home, a new OS named “Andromeda”, and a lot more.

Move over Apple, it’s Google’s turn to open its pandora box. On October 4, the tech giant is going to expand its hardware range by launching new smartphones, tablets, home automation devices etc. Google has even created a dedicated website for the event.

Google October 4 Event: What to expect

1. Pixel and Pixel XL phones

The company is calling the October 4 event “Made by Google”, suggesting that it’s going to launch lots of new hardware. It’s being speculated that Google is going to leave behind the Nexus brand and produce Pixel-branded smartphones.
The media reports suggest that Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones will be manufactured by HTC. Pixel, the smaller of the two phones, will feature a 5-inch display. Pixel XL will come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display. They are expected to run Android N and offer support for Google Daydream VR platform.

2. New Pixel tablet

According to the renowned phone leaker Evan Blass, Google is looking to release a Huawei-made tablet that’ll feature a 4GB RAM.

3. Daydream VR

Virtual reality is one of the fastest growing technologies at the moment. Google plans to go beyond Google Cardboard and leave a mark with its new Daydream VR platform. It’s expected that Google will showcase Daydream VR running on its new hardware. Google has also confirmed that it’s working on its own headset and controller.

4. 4K Chromecast

It’s expected that Google will refresh Chromecast in the form of Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast Plus. Introduced at ~$70, it’ll support HDR and 4K. It’s also expected to arrive with updated design, refreshed app, and improved internals.

5. Google Home

Google aims to compete with Amazon Echo by launching Google Home. It’s like Google Now for your home. It’ll activate with “OK Google” prompt and let you interact with different home automation systems.

6. Google Wi-Fi

Google is also expected to release a new Wi-Fi device named Google Wi-Fi. The reports suggest that it’ll let you mesh multiple networks and enjoy a better internet connection. It’ll be similar to previously released OnHub router. Google Wi-Fi is expected to feature dual band and 2 ports, AC1200 speeds, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 radios.

7. Andromeda OS

Last year, we came to know that Google is willing to kill Chrome OS and merge its best features into Android. This will be followed by a unified operating system by 2017.
Now, the October 4 event is expected to mark the official debut of this merger in the form of a new OS named Andromeda. We expect it to follow the open source philosophy.

8. Pixel 3 Laptop

The launch of Andromeda OS is expected to accompany a new laptop in the form of a new Pixel 3 laptop codenamed “Bison”. The company expects to develop an actual rival to Windows and Mac.
Pixel 3 laptop will come in an ultrabook form factor, featuring Intel processors, 32GB/128GB storage, 8GB/16GB RAM, and a battery life of 10 hours. It’s also possible that Google might skip the Pixel 3 launch and unveil it next year.
Did you find this article interesting? Don’t forget to drop your feedback in the comments section below.
This Blog was First published on:- https://fossbytes.com/8-amazing-new-things-google-is-going-to-launch-at-its-october-4-event/

Tuesday 27 September 2016

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/

Monday 26 September 2016

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

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.

Saturday 24 September 2016

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

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.


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.


Friday 23 September 2016

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/

Tuesday 20 September 2016

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

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.

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.

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.

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/

Saturday 17 September 2016

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/

Wednesday 14 September 2016

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

Tuesday 13 September 2016

7 Siri Hacks That Make Life Better



If you have an iPhone, you've no doubt met Siri. Although you're probably aware of some of her basic capabilities, you may not be taking advantage of all her potential.

Knowing these seven Siri hacks can make your life better and help make some of your chores and errands easier and more convenient.

1. Measurement Conversions

Siri is a master at just about any measurement conversion. If you are in Europe and want to convert Euros to Dollars, she can handle that without a problem. If you're in a country where you don't even know the currency, she can tell you, and then convert it for you.

You can also ask Siri to convert the temperature from Celsius to Farenheit or vice versa. She can also convert cups to gallons or ounces to cups.

As long as you ask her about measurements that are in similar units, then Siri will have no problem converting them for you.

2. Make Reservations

If you're a business person taking clients out, or just planning a date night, leave it to Siri to make a reservation for you. All you need to do is tell her the time and place, and she will use Yelp to show you restaurants with their ratings and locations, then you can click on the "make reservation" button to go to OpenTable to finish the process.

3. Reminders

You're probably aware that Siri can remind you of something at a certain time, but you may not realize she can also alert you based on your location as well. If you need to pick up wine for dinner, Siri can alert you when you are near a store that's in your contacts list. If you need to pick up something from the office, she can remind you while you're there. (Also read: 3 Superb IPhone Apps To Turn Your Photos Into Art Work)

Just make sure the spot is in your contacts, and Siri will remind you when you get close. With the help of the GPS in your iPhone 6 Plus, Siri won't let you drive by somewhere and completely forget you were supposed to stop as long as you always have your smartphone in hand.

4. Return a Phone

If you're a good Samaritan, and come across someone's iPhone that is password protected, Siri can help you find the owner.

All you need to do is press the home button and ask Siri who owns the phone. Siri will give you the contact information of the phone, which may include the email address. That way you can get the phone to its owner, and get some good karma in return.

5. Read Your Messages Aloud

If you're in a situation where you shouldn't be reading your phone, you can always have Siri read your messages to you. The best example is probably when you are driving, although you should limit all distractions in that situation.

Otherwise, whether your eyes are tired, you have your hands full, or you're just feeling lazy, ask Siri to read messages to you and she will be happy to oblige. (Also read: ​ This Is How You Can Quickly Grow Traffic On Pinterest)

6. Name That Tune

If you hear a song, and you want to know the title and artist, Siri can help. Just push down the home button and let Siri listen to the music. She can name the song, and then give you the option to buy it through iTunes.

You'll never again have to wonder what that song was that you heard on the radio, in a bar, or in a store.

7. Delete All Your Alarms

There are two types of people in the world: those who have one or two alarms on their list, and those who have alarms for every single event of the day. If you're the second type, and the thought of deleting every alarm is exhausting, Siri can help. All you need to do is tell her to delete all of your alarms, and you can start with a clean slate.

Siri's capabilities are almost like having your own personal assistant. Although she can't do everything for you, she will probably often surprise you with everything she is capable of doing, and all you have to do is ask.
This blog was forst published on: http://www.lifehacker.co.in/jugaad/7-Siri-Hacks-That-Make-Life-Better/articleshow/54309615.cms