• technology
    Three Most Popular DJI Drones that are Must Buys

    DJI has maintained a dominant position in the drone market for a long time. The simple reason for this is that the company is a few steps ahead of its competitors. They have a huge product catalog with a huge range of models available at different price points. With the help of DJI, finding a good quality drone on a budget is not an impossible task anymore. Here are the three most popular DJI drones that are trending currently or are must buys:

    DJI Phantom 4
    DJI Phantom 4 is one of the most popular DJI drones (also known as DIJ quadcopter) out there. It has all the best features about the Phantom 3 Professional and has improved them even further. Some of the additional features of this DJI drone are that you can capture stabilized and smooth 4K videos, capture 12-megapixel stills in either the JPG or the RAW format, and you can capture aerial footage at speeds that can touch 50 mph and even longer flight times. This DJI quadcopter comes with an excellent remote controller that is dedicated to connecting to an equally feature-rich smartphone app; this is a facility offered in most drones with the help of the DIG GPS, including the DJI Phantom 4. They have an excellent smartphone app, stable 4K footage, and a fisheye lens, which makes it worth every penny. The list price of this product is $1,199. However, the only drawback of this drone is that it’s not easily upgradable.

    DJI Mavic Air
    This is the ultimate DJI foldable drone of 2018. You cannot talk about the best drones without mentioning DJI Mavic Air. It is a premier foldable drone that works at 60 frames per second and can capture steady 4K videos. Remarkably, it is compact enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a backpack. It has a 21-minute battery life, which tends to be enough for most people. The DJI Mavic Air can do a lot of clean tricks while also being fast. It has a 12-megapixel camera and can range around 6.2 miles. It also has a spectacular near-perfect obstacle avoidance. It comes with the smart capture feature, and its list price is $699.

    DJI Spark
    The DJI Spark is the most approachable DJI drone. It has amazing gesture controls that are quite Jedi-like. It is also available in different colored body shells. It is one of the most fun and interesting drones out there. It can be controlled with your smartphone quite easily, and the price is quite affordable for a drone. Its list price is only $399. The automatic QuickShot modes and controller-free gestures are the key perks of this drone. However, its short flight time happens to be a drawback. You can purchase this DIJ drone online as well on Cabela’s, Amazon, and their official website itself.

  • technology
    Top 4 Voice Assistance Applications

    Voice assistants are intelligent personal assistants designed to make your life easy by organizing and maintaining information. Some applications are automated and even use basic artificial intelligence (AI) to provide the user with a more interactive experience to perform concierge tasks and provide information based on voice commands. Voice assistants are basically robots that help you solve problems by providing solutions using an inbuilt inference engine to enhance human capability and productivity.

    Here are four commonly used and popular voice assistants and intelligent personal assistants installed in smartphones:

    Google Assistant
    Premier features of Google Assistant include speech recognition, Google home, Google Allo, mobile integration, and a secure platform that allows you to inquire about anything using type assist or voice command. You can ask Google about the weather, check your flight status, ask directions that automatically link to Google maps, and do more with Google Assistant. One of the main highlights perhaps is that you can have Google translate the information for you in over 100 different languages directly using the Assistant. The voice assistant also features a hands-free that lets you command Google from anywhere in the room from a minimum distance.

    Siri
    If you have an iPhone, Siri comes preinstalled making it the default application for voice assistance. Prominent features of Siri include voice assistance for calls, messaging, voice changing, multi-language support, text editing, application support, and support for other bundles, including sports, entertainment, home kit, and more. Siri is programmed to do all the tasks that you would normally perform yourself like setting the alarm clock or timer, sending a message, and editing your email. Siri also offers support for multiple languages and allows you to choose either a male or female voice for the audio assistant. The smart software can also be easily integrated with third-party applications like Whatsapp, Skype, Venno, and Pinterest to manage information and organize your activities and preferences.

    Cortana
    The application is specifically designed for Windows-based computers and features digital assistance, time-based reminders, location-based reminders, photo reminders, support for notebook, Microsoft edge, support for cloud and online services, office assistance, and more. Cortana connects all your Microsoft devices online and lets you manage your preferences using the voice assistant. Cortana learns with your preferences and responds to your individual needs by keeping in mind individual settings that can also be customized accordingly.

    Blackberry Assistant
    The BlackBerry phones may not necessarily be in demand at the moment, but BlackBerry assistant is a smart software that enables users to interact with its connected devices. Naturally, the stakes are high in competition with Siri, Google Assistant, and other mainstream voice assistance applications. The BlackBerry Assistant supports multitasking, a special quite text feature in case you are not able to use the audio assist, and dedicated Bluetooth-enabled devices to receive audio instructions and assist the user in the requested task.

  • technology
    A Technical Overview of the GoPro Hero7 Black

    GoPro is one of the most popular companies when it comes to compact and portable camera technology. The mini cameras give most commercial grade cameras a run for their money by featuring stunning designs and sleek dimensions. The camera fits right into your pocket but packs everything you’ll ever need for capturing professional photos and videos.

    Here are a few points to consider and a technical overview of the latest in GoPro technology, the Hero7 Black.

    Points to consider

    • In comparison to DSLR and commercial grade cameras, GoPros are stunningly compact, portable, and very easy to handle.
    • GoPro cameras are waterproof and using a special casing for outer layer protection, you can even use the camera for deep sea shooting.
    • GoPros are made with durable materials, making it super tough to withstand drops and sudden jolts to the unit.
    • It is one of the most popular wearable devices that allows you to shoot on the go with different types of mounts available for your head, chest, wrist, helmet, and even your face.
    • Note that most GoPro devices have a fixed focal length and predetermined settings for image capturing and video recording.
    • This means you will not have the liberty of manipulating the aperture and shutter speed, which is all possible in a professional grade DSLR camera.
    • There is a learning curve involved in using GoPro cameras as the technology is different from what professional and amateur photographers mostly work with.

    Technical specifications

    Photo and video
    The Hero7 Black is capable of capturing 12 MP images. There are multiple options for time-lapse photo, continuous photo capture, SuperPhoto, RAW Photo Capture, and Exposure control to ensure quality images. The camera is capable of recording 4K resolution footage at different aspect ratios with a maximum video bitrate of 78 Mb/s and saves the footage in mp4 format. A 60 fps frame speed allows you to edit and publish videos in slow motion.

    Key recording features
    Although there is no provision for 360-degree spherical capture, the camera does feature HyperSmooth video stabilization to maximize the smoothness of the video capture. Other key features include voice control, wake on voice, auto offload content to your phone, time-lapse video, and an 8x slow-motion record feature, live streaming, and the time warp video feature.

    Advanced settings
    Hero7 Black is also the only GoPro that has Protune settings, allowing you to manually control color, white balance, and shutter speed with advanced image and video settings. A 3-mic processing system helps in wind noise reduction with support for stereo audio and a slot for 3.5 mm audio Mic. You can also outfit Karma drones with the Hero7 Black to shoot amazing footage with flawless quality.

    Underwater recording
    Hero7 Black has a removable battery and is waterproof for up to 33 ft (10 m) with support for touch screen. It is also Super Suit dive compatible to shoot videos over a depth 196 ft (60 m). Note that the quality of the recording and color settings will adjust depending on your dive depth and location.

    Price
    The Hero7 Black can be purchased from the official website for a price of approximately $399.99.

  • technology
    4 Awesome Things to Do With the Google Home Mini

    At a price of just around $49, Google offers a compact and affordable smart speaker with its Google Home Mini. It is the perfect addition to Google’s smart home ecosystem. Moreover, it adds to the aesthetics with its small, neat design. Apart from being a Bluetooth speaker, it comes loaded with the Google assistant that lets you do a lot of cool things including the following:

    • Use it to play white noise: White noise is often cited to be an effective sleeping aid by many. White noise comprises static frequencies that creates soothing ambient sounds. It can be anything from the sound of a ceiling fan to the sound made by a steady downpour of rain. Jetlagged? Sleep schedule jumbled up? Just tell your Google Home Mini to play the sound of rain or any white noise that you like and get a sound sleep. To make sure that the device turns off after you fall asleep, set a sleep timer.
    • Broadcast to multiple Google Home devices: You can use your Google Home Mini as an intercom device as well. You can broadcast messages across multiple Google Home devices, all at the same time. Want to announce, it’s time for breakfast? Just say, “OK Google, broadcast that breakfast’s ready.” Each device will ring a bell across the house. What’s cooler is that you can use this feature even when you are not at home. If you own an Android phone, just say, “OK Google, broadcast I’m on my way home.” Or if you have an Apple device, open Google assistant and give the same audio command. This will trigger all the devices connected to your Google Home Mini in your house.
    • Hands-free calling: Whether you are cooking or in the middle of any chore, you can make a quick call with your Google Home Mini even if your hands are not free. Just say, “OK Google, call XYZ” and the device will make a call to that person. However, this is feature is applicable only for your Google contacts. Moreover, Google Home Mini has the capability to recognize different voices. So, you can share the device with multiple people and the device will know who wants to place a call.
    • Don’t miss out on daily routines: With Google Home Mini, you can easily set up your daily routines and schedule. With a single command, the device will help you get ready for the day. Just say, “Hey Google, good morning,” and your Google Home Mini will read out your schedule for the day, read out the day’s news, tell you about the traffic in your usual route to work, and inform you about the day’s weather. At the end of the day, when you are off to bed, just say, “Hey Google, good night!” and the device will turn off all the lights and will turn down the thermostat. It will also read out important appointments and events that you may have scheduled in your calendar for the next day giving you a convenient reminder.

     

  • technology
    How to Create New Email Accounts with Various Service Providers

    If you want to have a new set of email IDs, first create new accounts with various service providers like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. An email ID is a crucial piece of personal information that you will need for all types of communication, be it personal, official, or promotional. If you have not created a mail ID for yourself yet, here is a guide to do so with some of the most popular email service providers.

    Gmail
    Google email is also known as Gmail, and creating an account with Google is simple. This mail ID will come in handy when using a number of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter; it is also necessary for you to be able to access and download apps on Google’s Play Store. Given below are the steps you need to follow.

    • Visit the Google account creation page
    • There you will be asked to provide some crucial information like your name, date of birth, and alternative email ID.
    • You will also be asked to choose a name for your Gmail ID and a password.
    • Once you have entered all the details you can click on the next button and your account is created.
    • You might face a problem where the name you have given for your ID is already taken; you will then have to choose another one and then select “Next.”

    Yahoo Mail
    Yahoo mail is a free email service from the house of Yahoo. It gives you 1000 GB of storage and lets you configure your inbox so that you receive an email from other email service providers as well. Following is how you can create an email account with Yahoo.

    • Visit Yahoo’s main page, click on “mail,” and then choose the “sign-up” option.
    • Once on the page, you will need to fill in your personal information along with the email ID and password you want.
    • Once you are done filling the information, click on the “Continue” button.
    • On the next page, you have to click on “Text me a code,” which will send you a verification code on the mobile number you entered with your personal details.
    • You have to enter that code in the box provided and click on “Submit Code.”
    • Your email account with Yahoo is created.

    If you need new email IDs, create new accounts with the service providers mentioned above and enjoy free email service for a lifetime.

  • technology
    Top 3 Automatic Scheduling Appointment Reminder Systems

    Streamlining and scheduling appointments are crucial for any business. We need an appointment for everything from a haircut to a health checkup but the task of scheduling appointments is tedious and takes a lot of time and effort. Even as an individual, it won’t be surprising if you are spending at least one hour a day in scheduling your appointments. So, what if there was a software that did all the hard work for you while? If you are looking for such an automatic scheduling appointment reminder system, you can check out any of the options that are listed below.

    10to8
    10to8 is a simplistic online booking app that comprises built-in communication tools. If you are using it for your business, you can start by defining the types of appointments you offer and the time schedule for all those appointments. While you do this, you can decide if you want to set your schedule by creating a new one on 10to8 or you can import your calendars from Google Calendar or Outlook. In this software, you can set your working hours and availability including holidays. This software also lets you create special appointments with specific staff members and lets you notify your customers through personal messages and chats.

    Acuity Scheduling
    With the Acuity Scheduling automatic scheduling appointment reminder system, all you have to do is create a scheduling page and give customers access to it. On this page, the customers can easily book one time or recurring appointments. They can also fill up important forms and pay you using the same software. At your end, you can set up your calendar on the basis of your availability and work timings. Acuity Scheduling lets you embed the entire scheduling form on your website or you can add a button on the site that will bring the customers to the form.

    Appointlet
    Appointlet is a web-based customized appointment scheduling software that can be used for multiple services. This software is ideal for individual businesspersons, coaches, and entrepreneurs. To get started, this software asks you to set up a simple booking page with the details of your availability for your clients or leads. You can use this software to set up multiple booking pages for different services and each page can have its own set of questions that the customers need to fill out. Once an Appointlet page is created, it will automatically synchronize with your Google Calendar and import all the details. It is one of the simplest automatic scheduling appointment reminder systems, which you can get for your business.

  • technology
    Benefits of Cloud ERP Solutions for Small Businesses

    Cloud ERP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is hosted on a cloud platform rather than hosting it on the company premises and using data centers and server farms. ERP is the term given to various activities that help a company manage its different sections and departments like marketing, accounts, and customer relationship management, among others. ERP brings all these functions on a single platform for smoother coordination and performance. Cloud ERP is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that lets users across different departments send and receive data using the Internet in real time. Following are some of the benefits of ERP solutions cloud for small business.

    Better Security
    Today, cloud-based ERP systems are more secure as compared to onsite ERPs because now the clouds are offering stringent security protocols, which make it very difficult to hack or steal data from a cloud-based ERP solution. The debate on which method is more secure is still going on, but the market is seeing more enterprises put their trust in the cloud and this trend is going to see an upward turn in the near future as well.

    Increased Productivity
    Moving to a cloud-based platform increases the productivity of businesses by allowing easy and real-time collaboration of departments and employees. It eliminates the need for one-to-one communication using traditional methods like emails and external drives. The optimization of communication and collaboration processes means the teams perform better and deliver results that are good for them as well as the company. It also allows the team to save time spent on tedious and repetitive tasks and utilize the same for ideation and innovation.

    Cost-effective Solution
    Implementing and maintaining an in-house IT department for the maintenance of servers on the premises is a complicated and costly affair. On the other hand, cloud-based storage and computing costs much less and won’t need a company to hire a team to manage the data and the machinery. Going on the cloud completely eliminates the annual maintenance fee that is spent on the on-site systems along with expensive licenses that need to be purchased for software and hardware. Many cloud services charge per month, thereby making the option of the cloud even more cost-effective.

    Agility
    Cloud ERPs offer a company flexibility, mobility, and accessibility making it agile. This means a business using ERP solutions cloud for small business will be able to innovate and grow quickly as compared to the ones using the traditional on-site ERP.