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Comfortable And Effective Learning Of English Online

Couple working on phone

If you want to learn English quickly, regular practice should become a habit. But don’t just promise yourself that you’ll spend extra time practicing your language skills. You have to find a way to guarantee that you will practice even when life dictates its rules. Online group classes in the Promova app can be quite useful. 

If you have a strong willpower, you can even hold yourself accountable by simply setting an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to study every day at a certain time, like when you get home from work. But for most of us, it’s much easier to stay motivated to do something new when someone else is depending on us.

In one study, the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) found that you have a 65 percent chance of achieving a goal if you promise someone else to do it. What’s even more encouraging: If you have a specific appointment with that person to discuss your progress, your likelihood of reaching your goal increases to 95%.

You can find a partner who is also learning English to compare your progress regularly, or simply find an English teacher you like and respect.

If you decide to try one of the Preply tutors, watch videos from several different people before you schedule a lesson. Find someone you think you can relate to, perhaps someone with similar interests or life experiences to you. It’s easy to stick to your language learning goals when you have one of our classroom teachers rooting for you!

Or try to find a study partner.

Remember your personal goal

It’s not easy: learning English fast will require serious effort. To keep up the pace, you must have motivation that ignites your heart.

When you have defined your goal, you can be sure that all your efforts bring you one step closer to it. For example, a person studying English to get a degree at an English-speaking university might focus on specific words and phrases related to the course. If you attend online group classes of English for work, you can focus on words and phrases related to office life.

This step will save you from the usual frustration: following a textbook that encourages you to learn content you won’t need anytime soon. Don’t waste your time memorizing all the animals in the zoo if it won’t help you speak at a board meeting!

This is another advantage of working with one of Preply’s teachers: you can discuss your personal reasons for learning English and work with them to develop a learning scheme tailored to you. This way you can learn the necessary vocabulary much faster.

Whether your native language is Czech, Spanish, or Turkish, it is likely that you have spoken with a native English speaker who has learned to speak it

One simple tip is to pay attention to common mistakes that native English speakers make in your native language, especially in sentence structure and grammar. These are probably clues to how English grammar differs from the grammar of the language you know best.

Don’t forget to repeat what you’ve learned. This can refer not only to grammatical rules and repetition of new words. After listening to the dialogue, come back to it in a couple of weeks, and you will immediately realize that it is much easier to perceive speech and pronunciation in audio. Re-watching an excerpt from a movie you watched earlier and knowing the plot well will give you great pleasure in knowing that you understand everything. 

There is no way to avoid repetition. You may subconsciously feel that you are wasting your time learning the same things, when you could be learning something new in the meantime. But you can’t fall for this trap. Our memory is designed so that we easily forget information we don’t use. So there’s one of two things. Either you repeat what you’ve learned, and you accumulate knowledge at a moderate pace, or you try to cover everything at once, and you immediately forget.

Qualcomm Launches The Snapdragon 782G For The Mid-Range

Snapdragon 782G

About a week after the announcement of the flagship chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Qualcomm has announced the new mid-range Snapdragon 782G SoC, a solution that places it as a direct descendant of the Snapdragon 778G and as a further evolution of the Snapdragon 778G+.

The new Snapdragon 782G is an even more advanced version of the Snapdragon 778G+, which, in turn, was configured as an enhanced version of the original Snapdragon 778G.

The Snapdragon 782G is made with the same 6nm production process as its predecessors and features an octa-core CPU with custom Kryo 670 cores (based on ARM Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55) used in the same 1+3+ four configurations. The Kryo 670 Prime performance core is now clocked at 2.7 GHz (+200 MHz compared to the Snapdragon 778G+) — the three Kryo 670 Gold intermediate cores at 2.2 GHz, and the four Kryo 670 Silver efficiency cores (based on Cortex-A55) at 1.9 GHz, leaving everything unchanged from its predecessor.

Thanks to this small change, the CPU is indicated as 5% faster than that of the Snapdragon 778G+. The GPU, which remains the Adreno 642L, is 10% faster than that of its predecessor (although Qualcomm did not mention any power figures).

On par with its predecessor, the Snapdragon 782G offers support for the Quick Charge 4+ charging standard (up to 50% charge in 15 minutes), the same Fused AI Accelerator architecture, the same Qualcomm Spectra ISP (14-bit, up to 2 gigapixels per second, resolution support up to 200 megapixels), and the same modem.

The Snapdragon X53 supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave networks, while the FastConnect 6700 system supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11, dual-band, 6 GHz band) up to 2.9 Gbps and Bluetooth 5.2 integration (AD2P, LE).

Qualcomm has yet to announce which brand-new smartphone will come with the new Snapdragon 782G. But it seems that the HONOR 80 might be the first one.

Researchers Developed A New System That Works Like A Brain

New System That Works Like Brain

Revolutionary research from the University of Limerick (UL) and the University of Twente brings us closer to a new computer that works like a brain. Researchers have developed a new type of molecular switch that behaves like a ‘synapse’ in the brain, able to learn from the past.

Electronic devices such as computers and data centres consume large amounts of energy. To meet that energy demand, we are now encouraging the installation of solar panels and building giant wind farms. But while it’s important to generate more energy, it’s also important that we look to make our electronics work more efficiently. Our brain is the most efficient computer. It uses 10,000 times less energy than the most economical computer.

This is because our brains process data in a completely different way. Whereas computers process binary 1’s and 0’s, our brains are analogues that use time-dependent pulses. Unlike conventional electronics, our brains can effortlessly process input from millions of neurons and five senses. This means that the brain only uses energy when transmitting, so it can process large amounts of data at once more efficiently.

Therefore, the research team researched to see if this efficient movement could be reproduced. The result is a 2-nanometer- thick molecular layer. It is 1/50,000th thinner than human hair, but it can memorize the history of passing electrons. This molecular material offers a disruptive new alternative to traditional silicon-based digital switches, either on or off, because the switching probabilities and on/off state values ​​change continuously.

And the dynamic organic switches are created to display all the mathematical logic functions required for deep learning, successfully emulating synaptic-like brain operations.

It is possible to simulate the dynamic behaviour of synapses at the molecular level by combining fast electron transfer with slow diffusion-limited proton coupling, similar to the role of biological calcium ions and neurotransmitters. This molecule can change the strength and duration of this pulse. Thus, the molecule demonstrates a form of classical conditioning. It adapts its behaviour to previous stimuli. It is a kind of learning.

This breakthrough will enable the development of entirely new customizable and reconfigurable systems. And these could lead to new multifunctional adaptive systems that greatly simplify artificial neural networks. Then it will also be possible to reduce the energy consumption of electronic devices dramatically. On the other hand, multifunctional molecules that can detect photosensitive or other molecules may help create new types of neural networks and sensors.

What is ERP: Meaning, Benefits, and Types

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What Is Enterprise Resource Planning?

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is software that consolidates the core business processes of your company into one centralized database. From being used only by large corporations to being available and affordable for small businesses today, ERP solutions have evolved over the years. For instance, people starting a business in a booming economy like Dubai can benefit from cloud ERP as it doesn’t require extensive investment in IT resources. 

A sound ERP system helps automate accounting, payroll, and back-office operations like procurement and order fulfillment. Another critical advantage of ERP software is that it improves collaboration between departments by allowing them to share files and information in real-time. 

But what is the meaning of ERP? Why is every company investing in it? In this article, we will answer in detail the meaning of ERP systems and many more such questions. So, let’s get started!

What is the Meaning of an ERP System?

ERP is an umbrella term that encompasses multiple software applications. It includes Financial Management Systems (FMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Capital Management (HCM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM). ERP systems range from small, single-user solutions to large, complex enterprise systems that integrate with multiple applications.

ERP software can help businesses streamline operations by integrating data across various departments or divisions. In addition, it enables you to track your projects, their progress, and their profitability, empowering you to make necessary decisions on time. Furthermore, a customized or industry-specific ERP helps you comply with local laws and regulations and avoid fines. 

How Do ERP Systems Work?

ERP software consists of a suite of applications that work together to improve efficiency and streamline your processes. Each module focuses on one business function but uses the same data to perform necessary tasks. For example, suppose the supply chain management module places an order automatically based on pre-set rules. The data will then be uploaded to the ERP, and the accounting module will add the bill to the payables system – all with minimal human intervention!

Modern ERP systems also support industry and location-specific requirements. For instance, if you operate in Dubai, you’d want your ERP to create VAT reports per UAE’s taxation laws. However, you will need an ERP built by experts proficient in the UAE’s regulations to do that. FirstBIT software is one such ERP in Dubai with its roots in the UAE. Besides, you can customize the system to meet your business needs. 

Why Use Enterprise Resource Planning Software?

ERP software provides a broad view of your company’s health. The benefits of enterprise resource planning software also include improved efficiency, better decision-making and resource management, enhanced business intelligence and customer service, and increased collaboration between departments. 

Let’s dig deeper into the key benefits of ERP systems. 

  • Improve corporate structure: ERP systems can help centralize information, making it easier for employees to access and use. In addition, ERP systems enable you to standardize processes and procedures, making a company more efficient and organized.
  • Increase clarity and transparency: An integrated system offers better clarity and transparency across the company. It helps understand how different departments operate and interact with one another. This increased clarity means managers can make smarter decisions about how best to allocate resources for each project and improve profitability and delivery times. 
  • Higher efficiency: Employees don’t need to wait for someone to provide them with the necessary information. They can access real-time, accurate data in the ERP to be productive and efficient. 
  • Reduce costs linked with compliance: Enterprise systems offer features that make compliance easier and less expensive. For example, it includes tools that allow you to track your company’s compliance status and generate reports. 
  • Enhance customer service: ERP maintains complete customer records. This allows companies to understand their customer’s life cycles better and offer personalized service.
  • Improve reporting: You can create accurate and complete reports with a single source of truth. This helps you better plan, budget, and forecast your operations. It allows you to set up metrics you want to track, and the tool will display those KPIs in the dashboard. 

What are the Different Types of ERP Deployment Models?

There are three ERP deployment models: on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid. Each has its advantages and is designed for a different set of users. Let’s understand it. 

  • On-premises ERP: ERP implementation is done on your company premises in this model. This is the most expensive deployment model, requiring you to purchase the hardware, software, and licenses. You will need to hire IT staff to manage and maintain the system. However, it offers full customization options, making it perfect for large enterprises. 
  • Cloud-based ERP: Cloud-based ERP deployment models are hosted by the ERP vendor and accessed by users via the internet. It offers higher scalability and flexibility than on-premises ERP. Plus, you get the latest features as they are launched. 
  • Hybrid ERP: The hybrid ERP deployment model combines on-premise and cloud-based models. This offers the best of both worlds, comprising the flexibility and cost-savings of cloud-based models with the control and customization of on-premise models. 

The best deployment model depends on your requirements and budget. For example, if you are in the distribution business in UAE, cloud-based ERP distribution management software like FirstBIT can help you bring all your operations into one place. Plus, you benefit from the system’s mobile app that allows you to oversee your business processes using a smartphone. 

What are the Common Modules in ERP?

An ERP system is designed to manage multiple aspects of a company’s operations, including

  • Accounting: The accounting software consists of three main modules: General Ledger, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable. It tracks all transactions, including sales orders and purchases, and helps calculate accurate payroll.
  • Human resources: This module manages employee information such as benefits, time off requests, and training programs. It provides tools for managing employee performance reviews and compensation plans.
  • Sales: The sales module tracks customer interactions and helps agents use data-driven insights to get more orders with the right promotions and upsell opportunities.
  • Inventory management: It helps track raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods. It involves monitoring stock levels and placing orders to replenish stocks when necessary. 
  • Manufacturing: This module helps manufacturers ensure that production meets demand. It helps manage materials requirements planning, schedule production, and control quality.  

How to Choose the Right ERP System For Your Business?

The following are six points to remember when choosing an ERP system:

  • Determine your needs upfront: The first step is determining what you want to accomplish and how an ERP will help you get there. This includes defining your business goals, understanding your current IT infrastructure, and assessing your IT team’s skill sets.
  • Size of the firm: Company size plays a vital role in choosing an ERP system. Small businesses have different needs than large enterprises, and the features they need also differ. So, your chosen solution must be designed for a company like yours. 
  • Specific needs of the business: Every business is different, and so are its needs. For example, a manufacturing company will have different needs than a retail company. Therefore, the ERP system should be designed for your industry or customized per your requirements.  
  • Budget: The budget is another crucial factor to consider when choosing an ERP system. When creating a budget for your ERP, add all the associated costs like implementation, training, and maintenance (for on-premise and hybrid models). 
  • Implementation process: Define how and by whom the ERP implementation will be done. For instance, does the vendor help with the implementation, or do you need to hire third-party ERP consultants? 
  • Support: Post-implementation support is critical when choosing an ERP system. Should you get stuck, the vendor should be available even after the tool is implemented. 

Note: The most notable examples of ERP systems include FirstBIT, SAP, Oracle Netsuite, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. Exploring these tools should be the first step to starting your search for the perfect ERP. 

The Bottom Line

The meaning of ERP systems can be understood as a solution that helps businesses manage and streamline their day-to-day operations. It consists of multiple modules designed to help each aspect of the company. It includes accounting, payroll, project management, procurement, compliance, and supply chain management. 

ERP systems also eliminate inefficiencies due to a lack of accurate data by providing the company with a single source of truth. However, adopting an ERP system requires the company’s culture to adjust from manual to more automated and digitized processes. 

Vivo X90 Series: First Smartphone To Feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 And Dimensity 9200

Vivo X90 Series

While MediaTek and Qualcomm have just announced their annual flagship processors, Vivo has announced their X90 series ahead of schedule, revealing the use of the Dimensity 9200 processor and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

In contrast to the conventional design, the Vivo X90 series adopts a stainless-steel frame with the rear cover divided into two parts, giving it an image of a digital camera.

The flagship model of the series is the Vivo X90 Pro Plus and is the first to use the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, arguably the best Android smartphone chip to date. It will include 12 GB RAM and 256/512 GB of new UFS 4.0 storage, a 6.78-inch QHD AMOLED E6 display with 120Hz refresh rate, a big 4,700mAh battery, 80W cable charging, and 50W wireless charging, and a massive 4,700mAh battery.

In addition, the Vivo X90 Pro Plus also has excellent camera performance. It has a 50MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 camera sensor, a 50MP Sony IMX758 2x telephoto lens, and a 64MP 3.5x periscope camera. 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and all cameras other than the ultra-wide-angle camera are equipped with optical image stabilization. The camera was jointly developed with Carl Zeiss.

The Vivo X90 Pro Plus also features an IP68 rating and a Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor.

Vivo X90 Series

The cheaper Vivo X90 and X90 Pro, powered by MediaTek Dimesnity 9200, have the same screen size but lower resolution, an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, and for the X90, no wireless charging.

The Vivo X90 Pro is equipped with a 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 12MP wide-angle lens. The standard model X90 is equipped with a 50MP IMX866 sensor customized jointly with Sony, a 12-megapixel wide-angle and 12-megapixel 2x fixed focus telephoto shooter.

As for charging, the X90 has a 4810mAh battery, the X90 Pro has a 4870mAh battery that supports 120W wired quick charging, and the X90 Pro also supports 50W quick wireless charging.

The Vivo X90 series is now only available in China, but it may be released internationally in the future, so stay tuned.

The Vivo X90 Pro Plus will start at 6,499 yuan (~$910) for the 12GB/256GB base model and 6,999 yuan (~$980) for the 12GB/512GB option.

The Vivo X90 will start at RMB 3,699 (~$518) for 8GB/128GB, with 12GB/512GB options going up to RMB 4,999 (~$700). On the other hand, the X90 Pro starts at 4,999 yuan (~$700) for the 8GB/256GB model and 5,999 yuan (~$840) for the 12GB/512GB model.

Elon Musk Ends Layoffs And Is Planning To Start Recruiting

Elon Musk Joins Twitter Board Of Directors

Musk said that the company had stopped laying off employees and began a new recruitment phase since, out of 7500 employees over the past three weeks, almost two-thirds of employees were fired from Twitter, and now the company has only 2700 people. 

Now Musk intends to hire new employees, mainly in software and sales, after around 1,000 employees recently left the company voluntarily.

According to The Verge, Musk said there would be no more layoffs after a meeting on Monday. Instead, Twitter is said to be actively looking for new employees in technology and sales. He encouraged the remaining workforce to make recommendations.

Elon Musk’s decision to halt the layoffs came only hours after he dismissed two of the senior executives in the business and sales division, Robin Wheeler and Maggie Suniewick, for refusing to lay off any more people in their respective divisions. 

The hiring announcement came on the same day that Elon Musk continued to cut sales. Currently, there are no new vacancies on the company’s website. As Elon Musk stated, finding software developers will have the highest priority.

Musk also calmed those employees worried about rumours about the company’s headquarters moving from California to Texas. Musk said he has “no plans” to move Twitter’s headquarters to Texas as he did with Tesla, but that “dual headquarters” in California and Texas might make sense.

6 Waste Management Tech You Should Actually Know

E-Waste Recycling

The growing urban populations and increasing waste and trash are environmental concerns that, if not addressed, negate environmental sustainability efforts. Unfortunately, traditional waste management systems are inadequate in tackling the growing waste problem.

Smart waste management uses technology to improve efficiency, reduce collection costs, and lower the amount of trash that goes to landfills. Here are a few waste management technologies revolutionizing waste removal you must know.

1. Smart Waste Bins

Smart waste bins are waste bins that use artificial intelligence and object recognition to sort waste and place them into different compartments automatically. The technology also compresses the trash and tracks how full the bin is. Sensors that monitor trash levels also alert users when they’re ready for emptying. This allows users to track their waste disposal habits and optimize trash pickup schedules, thus reducing fuel consumption.

Smart waste bins also reduce human error during waste disposal, which quickens the recycling process. Other than sensors, some bins have interactive screens that tell users how to dispose of waste and explain the environmental impact of some trash. The bins reduce waste management costs, increase employee efficiency, and make users more conscious of what and how they throw away.

2. Recycling Apps

One of the simplest but also beneficial waste management technologies in recent times is recycling apps. Most recycling centers struggle with sorting through piles of contaminated trash. To prevent unrecyclable materials from getting into recycling centers, businesses have created apps such as iRecycle, RecycleSmart and RecycleNation to ease recycling for users.

The apps furnish users with details about recycling rates and locations, as well as a list of recyclable items and those that can’t. Some apps like the iRecycle even provide ideas on recycling various objects, which is great for DIY-ers who want to use their creativity to help care for the planet.

3. Pneumatic Waste Pipes

Cities can now rely on something other than trucks to pick up their waste. Pneumatic waste pipes connect to pneumatic waste bins and utilize vacuum suction to carry the trash from garbage bins to the collection plants for sorting or disposal.

Unlike traditional options that use trucks that run on fossil fuels, pneumatic pipes function with the help of air compressors, keeping energy consumption at a minimum. As such, this system lowers energy costs and reduces emissions, which is excellent for the environment. Since pneumatic waste pipes are also faster than traditional trucks, waste management plants have more time to sort trash and dispose of waste correctly.

4. Recycling Robots

Recycling robots rely on artificial intelligence to identify and sort waste, differentiating recyclable materials. This reduces the need for human employees, allowing companies to handle labor shortages. With automatic sorting, the process becomes even more accurate, ensuring that nonrecyclable materials end up in landfills. Not only is this good for the environment, but it also lowers labor costs, leading to savings in the long term. 

5. Waste Level Sensors

Most neighborhoods and businesses rely on routine waste collections, which sometimes may be unreliable or inefficient. To reduce unnecessary landfill trips, companies and communities can install waste level sensors in dumpsters or waste bins to know how often they require emptying.

Waste level sensors collect information about fill levels, enabling trash removal services to predict how often they need to clear them. They also help prevent public bins from overflowing, which may lead to contamination.

6. E-Waste Kiosks

Electronic wastes are among the most hazardous when released into the environment. They contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the soil and even contaminate water sources. Electronics also use more energy to manufacture and make it necessary to mine new minerals continuously. E-wastes range from computers, laptops, and mobile phones to fans, electric cookers, and even remote controls that are no longer useful.

Given their environmental impact, companies like ecoATM have created e-waste kiosks to recycle electronic waste. These e-waste kiosks take your electronic waste in exchange for cash and take them for recycling. While they may not offer money for broken or destroyed electronics, the kiosks accept phones, tablets, and mp3 players in any condition and ensure they are properly recycled.

Conclusion

As old waste management systems break down and become overwhelmed, the above technologies provide better ways to collect, sort, recycle and dispose of waste. They continue to make the waste disposal process more manageable and boost the efforts towards reducing waste and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Apple Device Analytics Includes The Identification Of iCloud User Data

iPhone 13

A new report claims that Apple’s device analytics contains information like how a device is used, its performance, features, etc., that can directly link device data to a specific user, despite Apple’s claims that statistics are anonymized.

On Twitter, Mysk analyst said that Apple’s device analytics data contained an ID called “dsId.” This stands for Directory Services Identifier. Analysis revealed that the dsId identifiers are unique for each iCloud account and can be directly linked to a specific user, such as name, date of birth, email, and other iCloud information.

https://twitter.com/mysk_co/status/1594515229915979776

On Apple’s Device Analytics and Privacy Legal page, data acquired from devices for analytics purposes cannot be linked back to an individual user. It may include details about specifications, performance statistics, and data about how you use your device and applications. According to the firm, none of the information gathered is individually identifiable.

Apple does say that if a user opts in to send analytics information from multiple devices enrolled in the same iCloud account, they can “match some Apple app usage data on those devices by syncing using end-to-end encryption”. However, Apple states that the user remains unidentifiable to Apple.

Apple has historically taken a tough stance on user privacy, repeatedly insisting that privacy is a “fundamental human right.” Apple’s privacy claims have come under increasing scrutiny in recent months.