Microsoft has made it difficult for users in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to have alternative browsers defined as the default web browser. While the company’s own browser, Edge, can regain this status with a single click from the browser where all other competitors have to be manually set as the default browser via the system setting. And somehow, Mozilla has bypassed this Microsoft restriction in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
As The Verge reports, in August, Mozilla gave Firefox 91 the ability to become the default browser without going through the settings in Windows 10. The developers at Mozilla have reproduced and reverse-engineered the function that Edge uses for this purpose.
“People should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults, but they don’t,” says a Mozilla spokesperson to The Verge. The software company has been trying to convince Microsoft of this point of view since 2015. In an open letter to CEO Satya Nadella, Mozilla CEO Chris Beard asked to improve its default browser settings in Windows.
Microsoft has already announced to The Verge that the mechanism in Windows 10 bypasses built-in protection mechanisms that prevent malware from replacing default applications. The protection of the user has always been Microsoft’s argument for the hurdle that the group has set for alternative browsers in Windows 10.
With Windows 11, the hurdles when switching browsers are even greater. Not only that, the new widgets always use Edge regardless of the browser selected, users will also have to define the default app according to file types in the future.
However, the new “Mozilla Hack” also works at least for htm(l) and http(s) without the user having to select Firefox for one of the four file types in the settings.
Xiaomi has officially presented its mixed reality smart glasses, a product that we cannot yet buy but that demonstrates the potential of the company.
Xiaomi Smart Glasses come for “a future in which we leave the mobile behind”, that is, they do not aspire to be a second screen of our phone but to go one step further and be “an intelligent and independent wearable”.
Unlike the Facebook Ray-Ban Stories smart glass, Xiaomi has gone one step further since its smart glasses also have the projection of information on the glass. The idea with this is that the user can interact with messages, notifications or directions from the maps application in the same way as Google Glass.
The Xiaomi Smart Glasses are an engineering challenge. They integrate 497 components, including sensors that have been miniaturized, communication modules, cameras, a quad-core ARM processor, 5-megapixel camera, microphone, WiFi, BlueTooth, battery, touch panels and speakers. All in a form factor that looks like traditional glasses.
The most important novelty of the glasses is the MicroLED display of only 0.13 inches. Compared to OLED technology, the MicroLED has a higher pixel density, longer lifespan and higher brightness thanks to its individually illuminated pixels. Xiaomi guarantees that even in direct sunlight, it will be possible to see content thanks to the monochrome display that reaches 2 million nits of brightness.
Thus, instead of displaying images directly in front of our eye, Xiaomi Smart Glasses use optical wavelength, refraction and reflection technology to bring the image from this chip “invisible to the eye” of the user with a single lens.
According to Xiaomi, an AI should ensure that users only see the most important notifications from their smartphone in their glasses. This is to prevent too many notifications from disturbing users in everyday life.
The glasses can also make phone calls, which would replace the use of headphones to have hands free, thanks to its integrated microphone and speaker. However, the most striking mode is navigation. It is specially designed for cyclists who move around the city since they can show map information and the route to be followed directly on the glass.
In addition to navigation, the glasses should also enable phone calls and produce translations. For this purpose, a picture of the text to be translated should be taken with the integrated 5 Mpx camera. The translation is then displayed to users directly in the glasses.
Xiaomi has stressed that it is a prototype; it is not a product that will be marketed soon.
Apple has presented the new generation of smartphones, tablets and smart watch — here comes the new iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, ninth-generation iPad and totally revamped iPad mini.
The new iPhone 13 series will be launched on the market in the four well-known sizes: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. What the smartphones have in common are smaller Face ID notches, the A15 Bionic, iOS 15, new cameras and larger batteries. The Pro models come with ProMotion for up to 120 Hz. Although, iPhone 13 maintain the design of the previous generation and the differences are subtle in appearance.
The four models have inside the new Apple A15 Bionic chip. A true beast that once again puts Apple at the forefront in terms of processing and mobile performance. It uses five-nanometer technology and has nearly 15 billion transistors to handle the most demanding tasks, including the latest computer photography capabilities.
The SoC is equipped with a total of six CPU cores, two of which are performance cores and four are efficiency cores. Apple states a lead of 50 percent in the area of CPU performance compared to the fastest chip in the competition. Apple’s latest GPU has four cores and is said to be 30 percent faster than the best chip in the competition — five GPU cores are active in the Pro models and in the new iPad mini.
The A15 Bionic also has a new image processor that enables features such as the new cinema mode for video recordings with a shallow depth of field. In this mode, the smartphone supports intelligent focus shifting, for example, from the foreground to the background and vice versa. In addition, the A15 Bionic has a new video encoder/decoder.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini
Apple has slightly adjusted the layout of the cameras in the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, both of which still have a dual-camera system but which are arranged diagonally opposite one another instead of vertically on one axis.
In terms of size, the screen measurements and OLED (Super Retina XDR) technology that we saw with the iPhone 12 are preserved. That is 6.1 inches for the iPhone 13 and 5.4 inches for the iPhone 13 mini. Apple now adds up to 800 cd/m² in normal operation and up to 1,200 cd/m² in HDR operation with higher brightness. The new OLED panel should have higher energy efficiency and thus be able to maintain the maximum brightness for a longer period of time. The iPhone 13 reaches a resolution of 2532×1170 pixels, while iPhone 13 mini stays at 2340×1080. The refresh rate, meanwhile, remains at 60 Hz.
iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 come with a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera (f/1.6 aperture) with optical shift stabilization, a previously exclusive novelty for Pro models. Thanks to the lens magnification, 47% more light can be captured, which will be reflected in better photographs. For its part, the ultra-wide-angle, also 12MP (aperture f/2.4), is faster thanks to a new sensor. This is capable of offering a 120-degree field of view.
It will be possible to record videos in “Cinematic Mode”, a function that allows you to change the focus from one person to another regardless of whether they are further away or closer to the camera. Of course, this feature is also available on objects or pets and has support for recording in Dolby Vision HDR, 4K resolution and up to 60 frames per second on all cameras.
Night mode is now available on all cameras. In addition, compatibility with Smart HDR 4 is added, which boasts improvements in color, contrast and lighting despite not being in the ideal light conditions.
Both new versions are equipped with larger batteries, for which Apple specifies up to 1.5 hours longer runtimes for the iPhone 13 mini and up to 2.5 hours longer for the iPhone 13.
iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Mini is available in five colors — pink, blue, midnight, starlight and (PRODUCT) red. The iPhone 13 Mini starts at $799, the iPhone 13 from $899. The memory configuration ranges from 128 to 256 to 512 GB.
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are also equipped with the A15 Bionic, but Apple now distinguishes between two different binnings for the iPhone after the M1 — 4-core GPU in the non-Pro and 5-core GPU with 50 Percent higher performance than the best chip in the competition, only for the pro smartphones. The faster GPU is intended for games with 120 FPS.
With the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple is introducing ProMotion for the first time in its own smartphone, which was previously reserved for the iPad Pro. Apple works with an adaptive refresh rate of 10 Hz to 120 Hz, which adapts dynamically to the content displayed.
Apple also takes into account how quickly the user navigates through content and adjusts the refresh rate accordingly in order to save energy. ProMotion is accompanied by a brighter OLED panel with a smaller notch that takes up 20 percent less space. The panel can work permanently with 1,000 instead of 800 cd/m², and in HDR mode, 1,200 cd/m² are offered as before.
The iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max have a new camera module made up of four elements:
A LiDAR sensor.
A threex telephoto lens with 12 megapixels of resolution, OIS and an f/2.8 aperture. The equivalent focal length is 77 millimeters.
A 12 megapixel main camera with an f/1.5 aperture lens and stabilized sensor. Pixels are now 1.9 microns in size — larger than previous generations. This should contribute to much better images in dark environments.
A 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture lens. Apple ensures that it is capable of capturing 92% more light in adverse lighting conditions. In addition, it is now also capable of capturing macro images thanks to a minimum focusing distance of two centimeters.
In addition to the cinema mode, videos are added, which can also be recorded later in the year with the ProRes format developed by Apple for lossy compressed video data. ProRes recordings are then made without Dolby Vision and are possible with a maximum of 4K at 30 FPS. ProRes is likely to be a real memory hog because Apple limits the feature to Full HD with 30 FPS on the 128 GB models. ProRes and cinema mode are also available for the smartphone’s front camera.
Apple also advertises longer runtimes for the two iPhone 13 Pros: up to 1.5 hours more for the iPhone 13 Pro and up to 2.5 hours more for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Charging can be wired or again via MagSafe with a maximum of 15 watts or 7.5 watts via the Qi standard. With a cable, 50 percent capacity can be restored within 30 minutes using a 20-watt USB-C power supply unit that is not included.
In terms of connectivity, in addition to having WiFi 6, NFC and Bluetooth 5.2, the new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are compatible with the 5G networks of more than 200 operators around the world. In other words, it is now capable of connecting to more bands than previous models.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are possible from September 17th. The new smartphones will be available from September 24th in the colors graphite, gold, silver and sierra blue and with storage capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and for the first time also 1 terabyte. The starting price of the iPhone 13 Pro is $999; the iPhone 13 Pro Max is $1099.
Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 is dustproof according to IPX6, should be significantly more durable than the previous models, but the biggest innovation is the larger display.
The display of the Apple Watch Series 7 has almost 20 percent more display area and thinner bezels of 1.7 mm. It is 40 percent narrower than the Apple Watch Series 6. The Apple Watch Series 7 is available in two different sizes: 41 mm and 45 mm. The larger screen allows for a better-optimized interface capable of displaying more information at a glance.
The watch can now be charged with a USB-C charging cable, and that much faster than before. The previous bracelets can still be used. It lasts for 18 hours on a single charge. The charging of the smartwatch is said to have been significantly accelerated. The watch should be recharged in three-quarters of an hour. In eight minutes, enough power should be able to be recharged for eight hours of sleep tracking operation.
The new redesign allows it to have a stronger and more robust geometry that makes it harder against impacts, as well as a glass that covers the panel 50% thicker. The new WatchOS 8 will also include fall detection while cycling and optimized workouts for tracking e-bike training.
The Apple Watch Series 7 collection has new aluminium cases in five different colors — midnight, starlight, green, a new blue and a new (PRODUCT) RED, while the stainless steel models (Apple Watch Edition, Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3) are still available in the same colors as always. The cheapest model costs $399.
Ninth-generation iPad
The ninth-generation iPad made a surprise appearance at the Apple event — updated in specifications but not in the design.
One of the first points to note is the inclusion of an A13 Bionic chip. According to Apple, the new iPad processor provides a 20% performance improvement compared to its predecessor. In fact, the Californian firm ensures that this hardware update allows the iPad to be “up to three times faster” than the best-selling Chromebook, and “up to six times faster” than the reference Android tablet.
It also comes with updated cameras, highlighting the 12 MP front camera with Center Stage. The latter debuted last year with the iPad Pro but now makes its debut on the cheaper version of Apple’s tablet. What this option does is keep the user centered during a video call, thanks to a combination of machine learning with the front sensor’s 122-degree viewing angle.
The panel is still 10.2 inches, although it now incorporates True Tone; This means that it can automatically adjust the color temperature according to the ambient lighting.
An important point regarding the unchanged design is that the iPad is compatible with a wide range of accessories already on the market. In addition, it works with the first-generation Apple Pencil and with the Smart Keyboard. Regarding storage, meanwhile, the ninth generation of the iPad arrives with 64 GB of space. A variant with 256 GB of storage will also be available, as confirmed by the Cupertino firm.
The ninth-generation iPad will be available starting next week, with a price starting at $329. It will be released in two colors — silver and space gray.
iPad mini
The new iPad mini arrives with its first design change in nearly a decade and more power than ever.
The design of a front with reduced bezels allows going to a screen of 8.3 inches (compared to the previous 7.9 inches) while maintaining the compact dimensions that characterize the tablet. These reduced edges have also caused the TouchID fingerprint reader to be located on the power button, in the same way, that it happens on the iPad Air.
The new screen is not only bigger, but it also looks better. The new iPad mini display features 500 nit brightness, wide color gamut (P3), anti-reflective screen coating, True Tone, and full lamination, now also compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. Which magnetically attaches to the iPad mini so you can connect and charge it wirelessly.
It incorporates the A15 Bionic processor, the same as the new iPhone 13, which also allows autonomy that lasts for the whole day. Apple explains that the new chip provides a 40% improvement in performance while giving 80% more graphics power compared to the previous generation iPad mini.
The iPad mini has a USB-C connection and is equipped with a 5G modem. The rear camera with 12 megapixels with f/1.8 and flash LED is complemented by a front camera with a 12-megapixel camera, which also supports Centre Stage. The main camera can record 4K videos. There are also stereo speakers. The second generation of the Apple Pencil is also supported. The USB-C port of the iPad Mini can transfer data at up to 5 Gbit/s and also allows the connection of displays with 4K resolution.
Regarding price and availability, the iPad mini arrives in four different colors: pink, purple, gold and space grey. The WiFi models of the iPad mini are available from $499, and the 5G models are from $649. The tablet is available with 64 and 256 GB.
There are several ways custom software development is pushing enterprises ahead. Increasingly, businesses are turning to custom or “bespoke” software solutions to meet their needs. For example, some of the world’s largest organizations rely on custom software to provide online shopping, streaming, and Internet search services to their clients. Simultaneously, smaller companies are leveraging custom software to prepare for future scaling. As a business owner, you need to know how tailored-made, personalized software can grow your organization and boost brand awareness. This way, you can implement the top tech solutions for your company. Read on to discover how custom software development is pushing enterprises ahead.
First, you can leverage custom software to obtain unique, innovative products for your business. By investing in tailor-made software, you can establish a direct relationship between your business and the development company. Then, your developers can work to create a solution that aligns directly to your company business goals, branding, and identity. Simultaneously, you can ensure your solution contains all of the functionalities you need to streamline your operational processes and services. In addition, your developers can make changes to your application and collaborate with you to keep your solution aligned to your company. From a market stance, this can differentiate you from other companies who are using off-the-shelf solutions. Definitely, invest in a custom software solution to get unique, innovative tech products for your business.
Greater Scalability
Next, custom software can also offer greater scalability for your organization. For example, many top software development enterprises build custom applications using a JFrog container registry. With this repository manager, they can build, store, and manage Docker images for your applications. In addition, this solution covers the full lifecycle of your Docker registry. This way, your application can accommodate your growing number of users, build servers, and interactions. With an off-the-shelf solution, your business may not be able to support your growing client base. Additionally, this type of software can limit your growth capacity. In short, partner with a software development company to obtain reliable applications that scale with your business.
Maintenance Longevity
In addition, custom software development solutions can offer your business greater maintenance longevity. Typically, your business takes ownership of custom software solutions. This way, you can easily contact your developers when you need a specific update, new feature, or modification. For many companies, this is a huge advantage to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. Indeed, COTS software providers may decide to stop making, supporting, or updating their software. If you are dependent on their solutions, this can slow your company down. Additionally, you may need to take time to migrate your resources to another system. Therefore, invest in custom software to save time and access high quality, long-lasting maintenance services.
Higher Security
Moreover, custom software development companies are pushing enterprises ahead with strong cyber security solutions. Typically, bespoke software is much more difficult for hackers to infiltrate. Since these solutions are usually not developed for widespread use, the hack risk is smaller in comparison to off-the-shelf solutions. In addition, custom software developers usually analyze your applications for vulnerabilities.
Usually, they do not push deployment until your software passes important security checks. Additionally, developers use specialized secure code and encryption practices as they code your application as well. Once completed, they may employ penetration testers to try to infiltrate the application and check for vulnerabilities. Absolutely, custom software solutions are great for businesses who need highly secure applications.
Cost-Effectiveness
Furthermore, custom software solutions are often more cost-effective than off-the-shelf applications. With ready-made applications, business owners usually need to pay recurring licensing fees to use the technology. With a custom solution, you can avoid these recurring payments since you take ownership of the software. In the long run, this can significantly lower your technology expenses. In addition, many businesses find that their off-the-shelf solutions lack critical functionalities for their company. Then, they need to invest in another software to accomplish their key tasks. To avoid these hidden costs, you can partner with a custom software developer to implement a plan that fits your budget needs. Undoubtedly, these cost-effective tailor-made solutions are great for any company looking to save money over the long-term.
There are several ways custom software development is pushing enterprises ahead. First, custom software offers unique, innovative products to speed up business efficiency and offer quality services. Next, you can achieve greater scalability by investing in a tailor-made software solution. In addition, custom software provides higher maintenance longevity as well. Moreover, you can increase your security and reliability through a custom solution. Furthermore, custom apps are often more cost-effective for businesses as well. Consider these points to learn about how custom software development is pushing enterprises ahead.
Fortunately, hardly any of us know what gunshot wounds feel like. As in most video games, if a character catches a bullet, he loses life points, and advances without any restrictions in movement — that is, taking damage without impacting their performance. A Sony patent could change that.
According to a report by GameRant, a patent published by Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. in May 2020 aims to make video game injuries much more realistic with a new proprietary system.
The patent is titled “Simulating motion of computer simulation characters to account for simulated injuries to the characters using current motion model” — is a system that modifies the modelling of an injured character to force him to act as if he suffered a realistic injury.
In this regard, the damage or strong injuries would be reflected in the character’s facial expressions and movement when carrying dead weight and, at the same time, the system would recognize in which part of the body the damage originated in order to adapt the rest of the character’s body through links and nodes.
The patent primarily describes the effects on the character that is controlled by the players. Basically, most of the technologies described can also be used on enemies or other computer-controlled opponents or NPCs.
Sony has presented a very general solution that could be used in a wide variety of games. As always, with such patents, it is unclear whether the system will actually ever be used in a game.
WhatsApp Messenger is working to implement a new and useful feature — transcribing voice messages. For the moment, the feature that allows you to convert voice messages into text has been spotted only for iOS and is still under development.
The news is reported by the usual tipster WABetainfo who posted some screenshots on how this new feature would work. First, it will be up to the user to decide whether to activate the function or not. The content of the message will not be sent to WhatsApp or Facebook, but it will be Apple’s task to transcribe the voice note. This will serve the Cupertino giant to improve speech recognition technology.
To convert a voice message into text, the user must click on an option available in the conversation and accept special permission that specifies that the content will be sent to Apple. By accepting, WhatsApp will open a new tab with the voice message and the possibility of transcribing it so that it appears in the text. It will also be possible to transcribe only a part of the audio. The text conversions will be saved locally on the device and can be viewed at any time.
This is a function that is still under development; therefore we do not know when it will be definitively implemented on WhatsApp for both iOS and Android users. Both in iOS and Android, there is the necessary technology to implement this function; even Google and Apple have been training their speech recognition systems in multiple languages.
SEO can be difficult and confusing to understand for first-timers. A business requires that you understand where to begin. There are many SEO packages to choose from in the current market. With this in mind, you should embark on a keen selection by knowing what differentiates one package from another. As a result, it is easy to determine the ideal care to render to your website and get the best SEO packages for your firm’s needs.
It is recommended that you pursue a reputable SEO service provider or follow a well-defined resource material like guide from Dagmar Marketing: the internet world is flooded by scammers. To determine the right service provider, you need to conduct thorough research. Look for previous customers to make inquiries about the best-designed packages for the sector of your business category websites. Avoid engaging professionals that do not understand the niche the company falls under; this means the team knows little or nothing about your company’s needs.
To ensure maximum benefits from the choice of SEO packages, here are some of the considerations to look into:
Hiring an ideal SEO firm has a significant impact on your business. Different service providers have varying SEO packages to provide for clients. Make sure you work with a company that is reliable and trusted by previous clients. People who have used the services should have good feedback and reviews about the services acquired.
Size of your business
The size of your company determines the best Vazoola’s SEO package for your use. In the scenario that you own a small-sized business, the suitable package varies from a large-sized business.
Goals and target audience
The target and goals of the business dictate the suitability of an SEO package. For example, if the primary aim is to enhance web traffic, the packages selected should have suitable techniques to maximize web traffic. If the business target is to increase sales, you may have to prioritize SEO packages that aim to hunt for target customers rather than deal with the volume of web traffic.
Costs
The pricing of an SEO package is significant. Finances may limit the SEO packages that you can choose. In the scenario that you have set aside a big budget for SEO services, you can settle for a comprehensive SEO package that comprises all the techniques applied in search engine optimization. When your finances are limited, you may rely on the most vital strategies depending on your affordability.
Competition
The choice of SEO package you settle for is dependent on the current business competition. This may require research on the type of SEO packages that other successful companies within your niche have invested in. Through this, you can identify the important strategies that guarantee higher success rates in your business.
Location
The choice of SEO package you choose is significantly dependent on your geographical location. In case you have a local company, you’d better choose a package that considers whether the local area is suitable SEO techniques to apply to. Search for experts that provide packages that are designed for the businesses found locally.
The Role of SEO in Your Company
Having an effectively operational website enables you to capture the attention of your potential customers. This is necessary for every business with an online presence. Working with a reliable SEO service provider to optimize your business site is ideal for achieving this goal. SEO experts have skills and experience in developing a personalized SEO package to procure a good website presence and functionality.
Competition among varying businesses is intensifying day by day. Constant research is being undertaken to offer the best digital marketing strategies and SEO solutions to achieve a competitive position in the industry. Some of the roles of SEO in your firm include:
Affordable marketing option
Simple conversion of web traffic to potential clients
Enhancement of the visibility of your brand
Generates an increased volume of sales
Improves the familiarity and credibility of your website
The search engine optimization sector is highly sought. Owing to the flooding of service providers and SEO packages available in the market, one must identify the right SEO package. An ideal company will direct efforts aimed at understanding the interests of your website and target audience. The firm is conversant with the existing competitors in the market: the team identifies the weakness in your company strategies to obtain a wide coverage in the existing market.
It looks like strong vibrations could damage two essential components of the iPhone camera system. Apple has warned in its new support document that mounting an iPhone on a high-displacement motorcycle can degrade the performance of its camera.
According to Apple, “Exposing your iPhone to high amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges, specifically those generated by high-power motorcycle engines, can degrade the performance of the camera system.”
The elements susceptible to damage are the optical image stabilization (OIS), which allows you to take sharp photos even if the camera is not completely stable, and the automatic focus (AF).
Apple explains,”High-power or high-volume motorcycle engines generate intense high-amplitude vibrations, which are transmitted through the chassis and handlebars.” So it is not recommended to attach your iPhone to high-power motorcycles.
All models from the iPhone 7, as well as the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 6s Plus are affected. Why the warning comes so late — after all, the iPhone 7 appeared in 2016 — remains unclear.
As a solution, the company advises its customers to use a vibration dampening mount to reduce the impact of vehicle vibrations, thus reducing the risk of damage to your iPhone and its OIS and AF systems.
