Category: Technology

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Blockchain Technology For Small Businesses

When Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin white paper in 2008, little did the world know that the blockchain, the technology underlying the cryptocurrency, would change everything forever. The blockchain, simply put, is a distributed ledger that stores information (such as financial transaction data) in a transparent, tamper-proof, and secure manner. The blockchain knocked on the door and entered into our lives with a bang. Make no mistake, it’s here to stay.

Blockchain For Small Businesses

However, how does the blockchain benefit small businesses and start-ups or even freelancers and professionals?

Payments Processing

One of the most significant uses of the blockchain for businesses is in revolutionizing the payments processes. The technology allows easy transfer of funds in a near instant. Payroll, for instance, can be handled with simplicity without having to deal with multiple intermediary and banking agencies and losing hefty transaction fees. Everything is done with complete transparency leaving no room for doubt.

It’s all about Data

One of the most significant assets for any organization, big or small, is data. While industry behemoths have easy access to data, small businesses might face problems with data acquisition. On the other hand, the trustworthiness of the information that is available is also questionable.

Big data and blockchain

The blockchain is trustless, meaning there’s no need for businesses to trust any agency to validate data which is secured on the decentralized ledger.

The Power of Smart Contracts

Smart contracts are self-executing pieces of code running atop the blockchain. As soon as the conditions stated in the contract are fulfilled, the smart contract will execute and implement the requisite tasks stated in the agreement, say, the transfer of funds from one of the parties to the other. This is ideal for businesses (and professionals) looking out for secure frameworks such as escrow services.

Conclusion

The blockchain creates a secure and transparent environment for small businesses to simplify operations. From data security and validation to payments processing and smart contract-based applications, the blockchain removes intermediaries out of the equation and brings back power and control where it truly belongs.

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AI and 2019: Here’s What Every Business Needs To Know

AI business trends

Businesses should not miss these AI trends for 2019. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm— be it our personal life or businesses across the globe, it has marked its presence everywhere. With better customer service and enhanced consumer trust in the brand, AI can help enterprises and startups accomplish their goals. In fact, 72% of business leaders globally believe AI is a “business advantage”.

AI-powered Customer Service

Businesses are now increasingly using AI technology to better understand the voice of the customer (VOC) which is a critical parameter that can keep sales moving ahead. It is evident how AI has revolutionized customer service with powerful chatbots that can take to the customers’ queries on business websites within seconds. The chatbot could answer questions and help create sales leads.

In 2019, businesses can expect their customers to interact with highly sophisticated chatbots with personalization technology. In fact, virtual agents will interact with consumers in the best possible way, delivering optimized responses that will rival the efficiency of their human counterparts.

What’s more, artificial intelligence can help inspire trust and transparency in the customers, helping them make the right decisions.

AI business trends

AI-driven Business Video Communication

It is expected that AI-powered video conferencing will be the new smart way of business communication since the inculcation of AI will lead to automatic voice to text transcription, note-taking, and later, decision making.

Voice recognization technology will provide all meeting participants with the background on the presenter while virtual personal assistants will make sure no important points are left out for deliberation later. AI is bound to make in-person meetings obsolete.

2019: The Year of Technological Convergence

2019 will also be the year when cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT (Internet of Things), the blockchain, and cloud computing will work in unison to help businesses work the six sigma way, i.e., with maximal efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The technologies will help gather critical data, say from the IoT sensor network spread across the entire business ecosystem and analyze the same, ultimately leading to powerful data-driven decisions. A MemSQL survey revealed how 61% of companies consider AI as the most important data initiative for the year.

AI business trends

It’s Now Or Never

Experts are of the opinion that 2019 will also witness another major trend, wherein, businesses which fail to incorporate AI in their workflow will miss the path of success. It’s best to jump onto the bandwagon and see the power of artificial intelligence transform businesses worldwide.

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THE BEST 4K MONITOR  IS HERE!

 

4K monitors used to be a far-fetched technological marvel just a few years ago. Times have changed, rather drastically. Ultra High Definition (UHD) technology has now taken the world by storm. It is not uncommon to find 4K monitors in offices, homes, and public spaces anymore. Needless to stay, 4K technology is here to stay.

So, how do you choose the best 4K monitor from amongst the bewildering range of products available in the market? Well, we’ve done exactly this work for you and here we present, dear reader, the best 4K monitor there is in the market right now. Hold your breath!

Behold the HP Spectre 32-Inch 4K

Make no mistake. For its price, this is indeed a beast when it comes to its specs and display quality. You get a superb LED-lit monitor, which displays lifelike colours in full fidelity. What’s more, with a whopping 3840 by 2160 resolution, the Spectre will kill everything thing that stands in its way!

Best in Class Sound

If the absolute best sound quality is what you seek, look no further than the Spectre too. With its amazing immersive stereo sound, audiophiles will find themselves right in the middle of the on-screen action.

Compatibility is King

The HP Spectre comes with a number of connection ports so there is no excuse for not connecting it to your favourite devices. HDMI, Display Port, MHL, and multi-source Picture in Picture Technology are all a part of the package.

Wrap Up

To conclude, there are several 4K monitor models available in the market today: Dell, Acer. ViewSonic, etc. The HP Spectre 32-Inch 4K stands out from the rest and puts all competition to dust, thanks to its amazing video and audio capabilities.

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6 Things To Remember When Choosing The Best Outdoor Solar Lights

You’ve carefully landscaped your outdoor space, pool or garden, paying close attention to the minutest details. Now comes the even more important part: the master’s finishing touch, which comes in the form of adding the best outdoor solar lights that can make your space come truly alive with beautiful atmospheric lighting!

The magic of solar lights

Solar-powered lights are popular choices when it comes to illuminating garden paths in the night. They come in various colours and shapes, though, and you could even use them to decorate a balcony space, making it look brighter and more welcoming for an evening drink with friends and family, for example.

Choosing the best outdoor solar lights

Here are the top tips to keep in mind when choosing a dazzling solar light to beautify your space:

Fun with multi-mode lights 

  • Multi-mode lights come with several pre-programmed glow modes.
  • You can choose to illuminate with steady on, sequential, waves, flash, chasing, twinkle or combination modes for fun lighting effects!

    Waterproof lighting is the best

  • Many solar lights come with waterproof casings and design, which ensures they do not get damaged in the rain and storms.
  • Waterproof design is an absolute must if the light is going to be used to illuminate your garden path for example.

    Follow every movement with motion sensing lights

  • Motion sensors enable solar lights to detect movements and light up automatically.
  • This comes in handy when you want your lights to switch on automatically as soon as someone starts walking along the garden, for instance.
  • Motion sensing lights tend to save power since they only glow when needed. This means they have a longer battery life than their peers, making them stand out from the competition.

    Look at the Lumens!

  • Always make it a point to go through the specs of the solar light model before you make a decision. One of the key specs to watch out for is the lumens output, which determines how bright the light would shine.
  • The best outdoor solar lights are sufficiently bright for the space you intend to use them in and help achieve the atmospheric character you wish to create if any. 

    Compact design

  • Look at the dimensions of the light to ensure it would fit in well in your space.
  • Are the lights adjustable? Many solar lights allow changes in illumination angle so you could precisely adjust the lighting angle to achieve the effect desired.

    Prefer amorphous solar panels

  • An often overlooked feature when purchasing lights is the nature of the solar panel itself.
  • The best outdoor solar lights come with amorphous solar panels, which will charge under most lighting conditions during the day even if direct sunlight is not available.
  • If you live in a place where it remains cloudy for most parts of the day or if your light will be mounted in shade, amorphous solar panel powered lights are your best bet.

Wrap Up

Make it a point to go through the specs of the model you purchase before making the final decision. Is the light bright enough? What kind of solar panels does it use? Is the design suitable for your space? Is it waterproof? Those are the key questions to ask when choosing the best outdoor solar lights!

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Here’s How You Can Make Remote Control Car With Autopilot And Camera

It can indeed be exciting building your own Remote Controlled Car equipped with a camera to take you places from the comfort of your room itself. What if the car also featured an autopilot mode? Well, if you intend to make remote control car yourself, you’ve come to the right place!

Want to make remote control car? Follow these simple steps to build a powerful camera RC car!

When you set out to make a remote control car, ensure that you follow all steps listed in this DIY article and you’ll be racing ahead with your RC cam car in no time!

The advantages of RC Camera Car with autopilot flight control

There are numerous advantages of building an RC car with camera and autopilot system. First, such a car can enable you to take incredible shots from unusual angles in a manner never before possible- the creative options for photography this way are literally limitless!

What’s more, you will be able to shoot in dangerous environments as well where normal videography wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The camera car can get you inside narrow spaces or help you keep close watch on elusive animals while filming them, for example.

The autopilot feature comes with its own benefits. You can specify the trajectory using the navigation system and the camera car will faithfully follow the path! This car uses innovative technology from a drone and helps you see the world with new eyes!

 What equipment do you need?

You will need the following parts when you make remote control car:

1. FPV Camera: This is a First Person View Camera, popularly used with drone technologies. The camera provides a first person view to the observer/controller from the platform it is itself mounted on. In our case, the FPV camera would provide a live video feed of the action in front of it on our mobile phone. Get yours here:

2. The Receiver and Transmitter circuits: You’ll need the receiver and transmitter modules to communicate with the RC car while operating it. Consider getting the following Invento remote controller model that performs great:

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01MS5BL20/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=indilife-21&camp=3638&creative=24630&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01MS5BL20&linkId=c76ec1ccf0c1a32ef8026d4655da5c7e

If you prefer a slightly more expensive model, which also boasts an amazing LCD screen,  choose this model instead:

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01MTAX7O1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=indilife-21&camp=3638&creative=24630&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01MTAX7O1&linkId=b5b6cf532f7eb180aed943244ce6d66e

3. APM flight controller is needed for the controlling capabilities desired. You’ll find the ideal  models for this purpose (APM 2.8 flight controller) on Amazon and other e-commerce stores.

4.  Motors: We need geared 12 volt dc motors (4) to drive the car with requisite power.

5. Servo Motor: You’ll need one servo motor to steer the car in the desired direction.

6. Wooden plank: We need a flat wooden ply board to function as the chassis holding the different parts together.

7.  Batteries: These will be the power source for the motors. Ensure you use a battery of sufficient capacity to ensure operability for a long time without recharging/replacing batteries.

8.  Brushed ESC: This is an amazing speed controller that plays an important role in helping the car run!

9. Other parts: Ensure you have the nuts, bolts, bearings, screws, etc in addition to a drilling machine, soldering iron, and screwdrivers- such tools will come in handy when building the car.  Also keep glue, black tape, epoxy, and other such adhesives ready.

Building the car step by step

So, here’s how to make a rc car with camera:

1. Begin by taking the wooden plank and cut it into the desired shape. Drill in holes and attach sleeves for the motors on the four corners. Firmly lock the motors in place and use bearings when attaching them.

Cut the wooden plank into the requisite shape  

Attach the motors to the metal sleeves on the corner of the planks

2. Bend a sturdy wire into a wide “U” shape and solder it to an iron nail in the middle. Bend the two ends of the wire in the form of hooks and attach them to the motor sleeves. Next, attach the servo motor to the central nail such that the servo’s motion should cause the motors to steer from side to side on the sleeves.

3. Lock the servo motor in its place with clamps on the wooden chassis towards the centre. Connect all four motors in a parallel combination.

Attach the central nail of the “U” shaped wire to the servo motor to make the steering mechanism 

4. Attach the receiver, batteries, brushed ESC, APM 2.8 flight controller, GPS module, and telemetry circuit on the chassis.  

Connect the Telemetry unit, receiver, GPS module, and steering servo to the APM controller

5. The steering servo motor, the receiver, the GPS, and the telemetry unit will all be attached to the APM controller and the intended places as marked on the controller itself.

6. Finally, attach the FPV camera module connected to the video transmitter. At the receiving end, connect your mobile phone to the receiver module. You wanted to know how to make a remote control car with camera, right? Well, this is it!  

Connect all components together to complete the assembly!

7. Once done, test the car on flat ground and also try out the return to launch point mode, wherein the car would return to the starting point using GPS.

You will be able to see a live feed of the scene before the camera on your mobile phone

8.  Now, it’s time to test out the telemetry point. Specify a trajectory (path) you want your rc car to undertake. Upload this as a takeoff mission on the user interface and the software would send the wave points to the car immediately. In no time, you’ll see your little cam car work out the path for you exactly as specified! Mission accomplished!

Ready? Get, Set, Go!

Isn’t it really easy to make remote control car fpv? For an even better FPV experience, switch to the VR (Virtual Reality) mode and enjoy the views your car presents the best possible way with VR goggles!

You could even specify a trajectory to be followed by your camera car

Conclusion

Who could have thought it would be so easy to make remote control car? Make no mistake, though- your RC car is no simple toy- it is equipped with cutting-edge technology including the APM flight controller, telemetric capabilities as well as live video feed straight to your mobile device several feet away.

Armed with a camera, your remote control car can offer breathtaking views of the world!

This is the perfect tool to take amazing shots of distant action taking place in dangerous environments. Just navigate your little cam car to the destination and enjoy beautiful views while you sip coffee. It will even make its way back to you immediately with the click of a button in case of an emergency!