DigitFreak

Author: Swadesh Parasher

  • Surface Pro 4: Things we wish Microsoft did right

    Surface Pro 4: Things we wish Microsoft did right

    Microsoft Surface Pro 4, a high-end portable hybrid tablet has been recently launched by Microsoft. It is the upgraded version of their current Surface Pro 3 and is currently creating a lot of buzzes, but considering that it is launched with a very high price tag and is specifically targeted for the high-end users, we feel a bit disappointed. Though specification wise Surface Pro 4 is very well loaded but we found that there are 4 features that could have made it a lot better.

    1 Windows Help/ Passport

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    Image Courtesy: Microsoft

    Edit: Windows Hello is actually present in Surface Pro 4, which allow users to seamlessly and securely log into their PCs. Windows Hello supports three types of biometric entry, which includes fingerprint recognition, iris, and facial recognition. Sorry for the wrong information. Thank you! “Andy_Elvis” for this tip.

    Windows 10 came out with some of the most magnificent features which are specifically designed to make operating easily. Microsoft has kept the marketing of Windows 10 around the proposition that Next Gen babies of today will grow in a password free world.

    There are many PC around the world which has the capacity of utilising windows Hello facial recognition software but with surface Pro 4 this feature is missing. Even if they were not able to fit in the Intel RealSense 3D camera they could have at least installed the fingerprint sensor which could have let users utilize the biometric authentication with the help of Microsoft Passport.

    2. USB Type-C

    USB Type-C is now making inroads into most of the high-end device which are available in the market. It has now become a norm for all high spec devices to use it because of its amazing variety and features. The omission of the USB Type-C is a huge disappointment considering that other devices of the same category have it.

    There are currently two USB ports in the Surface Pro 4, one of them could be easily devoted support the new tech if they were concerned about the legacy support and backward compatibility on the device. Maybe Microsoft would have thought that as there are not many devices currently in the market which have USB C types, but it would have made sense considering the future belongs to USB C and if not anything perception wise it would have given a good boost to the product.    

    3. 4G / LTE

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    Image Courtesy: Microsoft

    In this day and age its very difficult to imagine that a premium ranged hybrid PC is not equipped with 4G connectivity. 4G connectivity is something which for this kind of device was an absolute necessity as it would have been essential getting a better coverage in the area which lack the facilities of WiFi.

    4. Battery

    Battery backup is something which would have been compromised with 4G but having it as a feature was highly necessary for Microsoft. There is one thing that Microsoft got correct this time which is that it can utilize the same docking station of Surface Pro 3. When rumours began to fly that Microsoft was planning a larger Surface Pro it was a big cause of worry for the fate of docking station but Microsoft has remained true to their word and has retained the same docking station as the Surface Pro 3.

    But it must be said that even after considering all these flaws, the product line announced last week is very exciting. Microsoft is certainly making a valiant effort to rub shoulders against its age-old rival Apple with a good premium range Hybrid. They have certainly set a good platform for others to know the right way to build a premium Windows 10 device.

  • Why Blackberry should stop making smartphone altogether?

    Why Blackberry should stop making smartphone altogether?

    Today owning a good smartphone is not just a luxury, but it has become a necessity too.  The mobile has completely changed the way we live. Our phones have become our life partners in all the way. It’s no surprise that every now and then, we hear the news about a new smartphone with the new features, launched in the market. However, if we look closely, iOS and Android rule the gadget kingdom. As of 2015, the BlackBerry OS market share hold merely 0.3% while Android is at 68.4%. As mentioned by Apple CEO Tim Cook in his interview with Business insider, between Q1 2014 and Q1 2015, they increased their market share in the 5 prominent countries Germany, Britain, France and Italy to 20.3%.

    However, not the one to be behind, BlackBerry has decided to take things further and revive their turnaround by selling 5 million pieces of the handset in a year or otherwise stop making the phones entirely.

    The BlackBerry CEO John Chen talked about the same in an interview to The Verge. He mentioned that to make their business lucrative, their current goal is to sell 5 million units in a year otherwise they might have to leave the smartphone business.

    John Chen blackberry facebook web

    Image courtesy John_Chen-blackberry-facebook-web.jpg

    Let’s not forget that this Smartphone manufacturing company used to lead the market once but with the entry of its rivals Google and Apple, they slowly started to get tough competition and lose shares. If we look back, Chen took over the company when the company failed in their deal with equity firm Fairfax. At that time, the company was still hoping that their new smartphone BlackBerry 10 will bring back the lost glory. However, they didn’t succeed and then-CEO Thorsten Heins resigned, letting Chen enter the scene.

    Chen added that the demand for BB10 devices is limited to the high-security business only; like governments and hospitals, where strongly encrypted devices are required. He mentioned to Reuters that the company can still make a profit if they are able to sell around 10 million phones a year. But when we glance at what their rival companies sell, it’s nowhere near them yet.

    Meeting this high figure is quite crucial for the company as I remember that BlackBerry was once a heavy-duty name in the mobile market and it was a thing of proud to own one. However, the scenario has changed now and only the next year will say whether the company will completely stop making any more hardware of it.

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    Image Courtesy: Reddit

    In case if BlackBerry decides to exit the market, Chen said the company would focus on extending their strong security services to other platforms in a form of new handset Priv mobile. The idea behind this BlackBerry-Android merger is to combine the ease and diversity of Android with BlackBerry’s top security features which may help to attract more customers. This latest phone is their final attempt to stir the market. It would be the first BlackBerry smartphone which will run on Android (or any OS other than its own) and at the same time, it will be also one of the safest ones. The upcoming Priv smartphone runs Android along with some BlackBerry apps. This new changed BlackBerry is supposed to have better technology and other high-end specifications which might make it a right candidate to race against Samsung and other gadgets.

    One thing is for sure that making customers switch to Priv might be another issue and Chen may have some difficulty in making the new device reach the masses as most of the people don’t think about BlackBerry when they think of buying a new device. While you may cling to your BlackBerry 10, what happens in the next year, nobody can tell.

    What are your feelings about this? Do you love BlackBerry? Which of its features are useful to you? Will you stick with it or will change over to another OS? Please leave your opinions in the comments section below.

  • Japan To Get Driverless Taxis Next Year

    Japan To Get Driverless Taxis Next Year

    Driverless cars are turning out to be one of the most important sensation of this generation. In this race Japan has taken a good lead with driverless taxis expected to hit the roads next years.

    This driverless taxis will start providing rides to customers from the area of Kanagawa which is near Tokyo and will carry passengers to a two-mile ride across the town. These taxis are expected to carry as many as 50 passengers in its trial phase.

    As this is the trail phase of these taxis they will accompany driver who will make sure that if anything goes haywire within the system of these taxis then it can be taken care of. It’s the biggest leap in the area of applied automotive and it is expected that this trend of driverless cars will be followed by the other parts of the world soon.

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    If the government officials are to be believed then such kind of driverless taxis are expected to cover while Japan by the year 2020. This driverless taxis can be very effective as and there are numerous benefits that come into mind like taking elderly to shopping trips or making sure that there are means of transport in those places where there is are no busses or trains. This innovation can also be very effective in the light of the fact that it will negate any kind of human lapses. It will certainly reduce any chances of the false fairing and cheating that usually is carried out in this business.

    This thought of driverless taxis has attracted most of the top taxi firms around the world. The US giant Uber has also opened its Advanced Technology Research Centre in Pittsburgh which is solely concentrating on building the technology of driverless taxis. They have also signed an agreement with the Arizona-based lab which is testing driverless cars.

    Though with the introduction of this technology many drivers around the world will be feeling the heat but it’s a technology which is certain to make big inroads in the market.

    Source: JapanTimes

  • 5 Reasons to Pick up the New Chromecast

    5 Reasons to Pick up the New Chromecast

    Whether you’ve never touched a Chromecast in your life, use it on a daily basis, or are anything in between, there are a number of reasons why the new Chromecast could be useful for you and your own entertainment. We heard a while back that Google was hard at work on a second-gen Chromecast device for media streaming, and subsequently reports came into circulation on September 18 confirming the rumour as truth. Now that Google has finally announced the ChromCast (2nd Gen) at Google Press event last week, I wanted to highlight it’s features. Below I’ve picked out five reasons to pick up the new Chromecast.

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    It’s Still Cheap

    The new Chromecast is still very cheap. It can be picked up brand new for just $35. When compared to the $40 Roku and the $50 Amazon Fire TV Stick, the new Chromecast is the cheapest on the block. An extra $5 or $15 may not seem like much, but it’s good to see that Google are focusing on keeping the price low. Picking up one, two, or even more Chromecasts won’t be too much of a drain on funds and that’s great.

    Stream Content Without Buffering

    The new Chromecast has a software-side feature known as Fast Play and this will hopefully eradicate buffering. Fast Play uses an algorithm to understand what content you’re currently viewing and it then buffers the content it expects you to play next simultaneously. If you’re watching a HD TV series on Netflix for example, the new Chromecast will now buffer extra episodes constantly so that you won’t experience any pauses in viewing.

    See Also: Faster, Better and Colorful ChromeCast 2.0 and ChromeCast Audio Unveiled

    The new Chromecast also has a higher frequency 2.4/5Ghz WiFi antenna that supports 802.11ac wireless, which according to Google, will ensure WiFi speeds are higher and have less interruptions. Having this feature will be useful for those trying to utilize high download speeds. This, coupled with the Fast Play should make buffering issues even less of a problem. Both of these features are exclusive to the new Chromecast.

    Browse the Web in Comfort

    One feature that a lot of Chromecast users don’t seem to realize is so special is the ability to browse the web. Both the Roku TV stick and the Amazon Fire Stick cannot be used to browse the internet, but with the new Chromecast you can use your smartphone to browse the web and it will be mirrored straight to the big screen.

    There are now a few new features to make web browsing more convenient too. For example, the new Chromecast now allows users to conveniently display a single tab on the TV. This would give users the opportunity to use all of a smartphone’s functionality whilst only displaying the web browser on the TV.

    It’s Portable and Convenient

    The first Chromecast was portable too, but the new design makes things even easier. The new round design looks and feels a lot more sturdy so there will be less chance to break or damage it. The new Chromecast also has an extended cable so that it’s a lot easier to plug into the back of your TV. Some TVs are also built in a way that makes it difficult to insert the original Chromecast into, but the extended cable on the new Chromecast fixes this issue.

    More Gaming Support

    Google is putting a bit more support into gaming with the new Chromecast. It’s now easier than ever to mirror your screen whilst playing games on your smartphone. Doing so will put the picture you see on your game straight onto the big screen. Connect a controller to your smartphone and you’ll have your own Android home console that’s just as capable as the OUYA.

    The new Chromecast is available from Google for $35/£30/€30

  • Growing medical applications of 3D printing – a patient’s ribs printed

    Growing medical applications of 3D printing – a patient’s ribs printed

    We have been following medical applications of 3D printing technology and just a few days ago we reported how researchers are working on regenerating fully functional nerves by using this technology. Another breakthrough in this field is the generation of a titanium rib and sternum structure using the 3D printing technology.

    Is 3D printing the next big thing or the next big bust

    A 54 years old Spanish patient suffering from cancer had a tumour in his chest due to chest wall sarcoma. To treat the patient, a part of the patient’s ribcage and sternum had to be removed. In such cases patients are generally implanted with titanium structure. However, due to the differences in the shape and size of the skeleton of every individual, such structures generally don’t fit properly and cause several complications.

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    Replicating an exactly same structure as the patient’s skeletal design and construct is highly complicated and even with the best of efforts it does not serve the purpose efficiently. To address this complication with the structural design, the surgeons of the patients at the Salamanca University Hospital in Spain worked with an Australian technology company named Anatomics to develop a titanium structure customised on the basis of the requirement of the patient. The developed structure was made of flat titanium plates and were printed to a high level of accuracy. The structure is highly similar to the original ribcage and sternum structures of the patient and has a very high level of accuracy in its design and size making it almost exactly similar to the patient’s skeletal structure.

    The details of the procedure was reported by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) which did the actual printing of the structure. Based on the original shape of the ribs, Anatomics analysed the CT scans of the patients and developed a model of the chest of the patient that included ribs, sternum and the tumour. Based on the model, the surgeons decided where the ribs would be cut. The model was sent to the 3D printing lab – “Lab 22” of CSIRO.

    The World s First D Printed T

    Lab 22 consists of a high power 3D printer worth US$1.3 million uses an electron beam gun capable of 3000 watts of power to forge and convert metal powder into 3D structures. Titanium melts at a temperature of 1650 Celsius and the electron beam melted it to form a 3D ribcage that was an exact match of the patient’s chest.

    The procedure was successful and the patient was discharged after 12 days’ observation. It is already over 2 weeks since the patient was discharged and is now recovering well.

  • Xiaomi Mi In-ear Headphone International giveaway by DigitFreak

    We are here with yet another giveaway of the latest review unit that we received few days ago. This time is something for all the music lovers out there, who are probably looking for a new daily driver. You may have killed your current music instrument, either accidently or naturally, which is sad because you really loved it as it never failed you to entertain when you really needed it. Well, you can let it go, and rest in peace because we are giving away Xiaomi Mi In-ear headphone to one lucky winner. You just need to participate in our giveaway, and you will be eligible to be that lucky person.

    If you want to know more about the headphone, we wrote a detailed review of Xiaomi In-ear headphone few days ago.

    Specifications of Mi In-ear Headphone

    GENERAL
    Headset Design Canalphone
    Brand Mi
    Wired/Wireless Wired
    Type of Headset In the Ear
    WARRANTY
    Warranty Summary 6 Months Warranty
    MICROPHONE FEATURES
    Microphone Type Built-in-Microphone
    Conductor material Enameled Copper wire
    Speaker Impedence 32 (ohm)
    sensitivity 98dB
    Jack Type 3.5mm gold plated
    Frequency Response Rate 20-20,000 Hz

    Winner of Xiaomi #MiBand Giveaway

    Primus Dabre

    Congratulations! Primus Dabre for Winning a Xiaomi Mi Band by participating in our giveaway.

    Xiaomi Mi In-ear Headphone Giveaway

    xiaomi mi in-ear headphone giveawayWant to win the Xiaomi Mi In-ear Headphone? Jump to the widget at the end of the post to participate in the giveaway. Each point you earn will be counted as a unique entry, the more points you earn the better your chances are to win. In short, try to complete as many steps as you can in the widget below, but it is not mandatory to complete all steps.

    Xiaomi Mi In-ear headphone

    Terms & Conditions

    • The giveaway is an international giveaway (Except when we can not ship to your Country.)
    • If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal MSRP value to the prize.
    • We are not responsible for lost shipments.
    • You must be age of majority in your Country of residence.
    • We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
    • Only 1 entry per person, do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
    • We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
    • This giveaway is operated by DigitFreak.
    • The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.