The Great Gadget Revolution: The Top Connected Devices of 2023

Welcome to the future! 2023 is a year of tremendous advancements in technology, with a plethora of amazing gadgets making waves in the market. These devices combine the power of connectivity, artificial intelligence, and innovative designs to revolutionise the way we interact with the world. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the best-connected gadgets of 2023, detailing their features, uses, and why they’re worth your attention. Let’s dive in!

1. Sonos Era 300: The Ultimate Wireless Speaker

Sonos Era 300

Meet the Sonos Era 300, the wireless speaker that’s changing the game in home audio. It’s the perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and sleek design. With Dolby Atmos capability, the Era 300 provides an immersive audio experience like no other.

Features and Benefits

The Sonos Era 300 boasts six class-D digital amplifiers, delivering a rich, room-filling sound that’s perfect for any setting. It’s compatible with a range of devices and streaming services, including Spotify and Pandora. The Era 300 is also part of a larger ecosystem, integrating seamlessly with other Sonos products for a comprehensive home audio setup.

The price tag might be hefty, but for the audio quality and features on offer, it’s worth every penny.

2. Ultimate Ears Epicboom: The Portable Powerhouse

Ultimate Ears Epicboom

The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is the portable speaker that’s making waves in 2023. It’s about twice the size of its predecessor, the Megaboom 3, and it’s the first UE speaker to charge via USB-C.

Features and Benefits

Despite its compact size, the Epicboom doesn’t compromise on power. It offers a deep, rich sound that can fill any room. It’s also highly portable, making it perfect for outdoor events or trips. Plus, the USB-C charging ensures it’s always ready to go when you are.

The Epicboom retails at $350, a price that reflects its premium sound quality and cutting-edge features.

3. Polaroid I-2: The Instant Camera Reinvented

Polaroid I-2

Polaroid is back with a vengeance in 2023. The Polaroid I-2 is the company’s most ambitious instant camera to date. It’s a little pricier than some alternatives at $600, but it’s packed with features that make it worth the investment.

Features and Benefits

The I-2 is built for the photography enthusiast. It comes with manual controls, a high-quality lens, and support for three different types of film. This means you can take beautiful instant photos and have the creative control to make them truly unique.

4. Nomad Base One Max 3-in-1: The Ultimate Charging Station

Nomad Base One Max 3-in-1

As we continue to add more devices to our lives, the need for a convenient charging solution becomes ever more pressing. Enter the Nomad Base One Max 3-in-1, a stylish and functional charging station designed to power up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.

Features and Benefits

The Base One Max 3-in-1 is crafted from high-end materials, offering a sleek addition to any desk or nightstand. It’s also highly practical, with the ability to charge three devices at once. This eliminates the need for multiple chargers and helps keep your space tidy.

At $170, it’s a worthy investment for anyone in the Apple ecosystem.

5. Beats Studio Buds: The Ultimate in Earbuds

Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds are a game-changer in the world of wireless earphones. Engineered for crystal clear sound and up to 36 hours of battery life, these earphones are designed for the ultimate audio experience.

Features and Benefits

The Studio Buds come with built-in microphones for clear calls and music playback. They offer one-touch pairing to Apple and Android devices and can be tracked via a Find My account if lost. Available in three colours and with four sizes of eartip options, you can customise your fit for optimal comfort.

At £179.99, they’re a solid investment in your listening experience.

6. Victrola Hi-Res Turntables: For the Audiophiles

Victrola Hi-Res Turntables

For the vinyl enthusiasts out there, the Victrola Hi-Res Turntables are a must-have gadget. Offering high-res streaming over Bluetooth, these turntables combine the charm of vinyl with modern conveniences.

Features and Benefits

The Hi-Res Turntables support streaming audio to any Bluetooth-enabled device. They come in two models: the Carbon and the Onyx. The former boasts a high-end tonearm and cartridge, while the latter is a more budget-friendly option with slightly lower specs. No matter which one you choose, you’re in for a treat.

7. GoPro Hero 12 Black: Capture Every Moment

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Whether you’re an adventure junkie, a travel enthusiast, or a videography pro, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is a gadget you can’t afford to miss. This action camera doubles the runtime for recording continuous footage, making it ideal for capturing every moment of your adventures.

Features and Benefits

The Hero 12 Black supports Bluetooth audio, allowing you to use a wireless headset as a mic. It also features a larger lens, providing better image quality. The new Max Lens Mod, available for an extra $100, enhances the camera’s performance even more.

At $400+, this action camera is a worthy investment for anyone looking to capture high-quality footage on the go.

8. Canon Powershot V10: The Videographer’s Dream

Canon Powershot V10

The Canon Powershot V10 is a pocket-sized powerhouse that’s perfect for budding videographers. Offering 4K UHD CMOS, stereo microphones, and a retractable screen and stand, this camera ensures you’ll never miss capturing high-quality footage.

Features and Benefits

Despite its small size, the Powershot V10 doesn’t compromise on quality. It delivers sharp, clear video with excellent audio. Plus, its compact design makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go.

The Powershot V10 is available for £429.99, a price that reflects its high-end features and exceptional performance.

9. Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%: The Runner’s Companion

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

For the dedicated runner, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% is the ultimate gadget. These shoes are designed for speed, with a carbon fibre plate and two Zoom Air pods in the forefoot that provide an extra energy return.

Features and Benefits

The Alphafly NEXT% shoes are lightweight yet durable, with a Flyknit upper that provides a secure, breathable fit. The foam cushioning offers responsive support, ensuring your feet stay comfortable no matter how long your run.

Priced at £260, these shoes are a significant investment, but for the serious runner, they’re worth every penny.

10. Amazon Echo Studio: The Smart Speaker Extraordinaire

Amazon Echo Studio

The Amazon Echo Studio is a smart speaker that promises a superior audio experience. With built-in support for Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, this device is a great choice for those who prefer voice control.

Features and Benefits

The Echo Studio offers excellent sound quality, with impressive bass and powerful mid-range frequencies. It’s also compatible with a wide range of smart home devices, making it a versatile addition to any home.

Retailing at $200, the Echo Studio is a smart investment for anyone looking to enhance their home audio experience.

Conclusion

And there you have it – the top connected gadgets of 2023! From innovative audio devices to powerful cameras, these gadgets demonstrate the incredible advancements in technology we’re witnessing. They’re not just cool – they’re practical, offering solutions that can enhance our daily lives in meaningful ways. So why wait? Embrace the future and explore the potential of these awesome gadgets today!

Blockchain Engineer Job Explained

Blockchain engineer job explained

If you’re interested in becoming a Blockchain engineer, there are several key skills that you will need. These include an interest in cryptography, an attention to detail, and the ability to work with P2P networks. Learning about these tools is an excellent way to increase your career potential. Learning about the latest applications will also help you stand out from other developers.

Cryptography is an essential part of Blockchain

Cryptography is one of the most important aspects of a Blockchain engineer’s job. It protects data from unauthorized access by using mathematical codes. Developers generally employ different types of cryptography, such as public-key cryptography and cryptographic hashing. Before starting your Blockchain engineer career, it is important to learn about cryptography and its inner workings.

To become a Blockchain engineer, you should be familiar with the following skills: cryptography, data structures, and programming. In addition, you should take courses in cybersecurity and cryptocurrency. You can complete an online fintech bootcamp program or a traditional degree program. Whatever path you choose, remember to never stop learning and expanding your knowledge. The field of Blockchain is ever-evolving and you need to stay on top of the latest trends and developments to remain competitive.

As a Blockchain engineer, you should have a bachelor’s degree or higher. You should also have knowledge of distributed database systems and SSO security. Furthermore, you should also have a solid understanding of the blockchain ecosystem and standards. As a Blockchain engineer, you can obtain a blockchain Engineer certification or pursue additional education.

Hard work

Hard work in blockchain engineer job requires a high level of competence. It is vital to know the nuances of coding smart contracts, creating user interfaces for websites, and building decentralized applications. A blockchain engineer must also be capable of implementing various accelerators. In addition, he or she must ensure that the applications are secure.

As blockchain engineering grows in popularity, so do the job opportunities. Many companies are hiring qualified candidates to build and maintain their own distributed ledger systems. The job requires high-level skills in assessing and evaluating digital blockchains, setting up company infrastructure, and working with existing and new open source blockchain technologies. Blockchain engineers are responsible for the quality of all aspects of blockchain development and application. This requires ongoing research on the latest trends in the field. Furthermore, they must develop quality assurance automated test standards.

Attention to detail

As a blockchain engineer, you will have to be diligent and pay attention to detail. While working, you will also need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in blockchain technology. A blockchain engineer must also have excellent communication skills and technical knowledge. They must also stay abreast of the latest industry news to ensure that their work is of the highest quality.

Blockchain Engineers develop applications that make cryptocurrency payments possible. They are also responsible for testing and ensuring the security of the systems they create. They are often required to deliver training sessions to users of these systems, too. These professionals typically work for startups in the field, but they are also needed in fields such as banking, health, and insurance. Governmental organizations are also interested in hiring these tech experts.

Ability to work with P2P networks

To work as a blockchain engineer, you will need to understand blockchain fundamentals and programming languages. A solid understanding of cryptography is also important. Experience in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other open-source projects is also beneficial. You should also be skilled at scripting multi-threaded code and have a working knowledge of P2P networks and transactions.

Blockchain developers are expected to be highly analytical and have experience working with large codebases. They must also understand and manage consensus algorithms, which ensure network participants agree on the state of the blockchain. This ensures that blockchains are decentralized. Furthermore, a blockchain engineer should possess good communication and organizational skills.

Despite being a new technology, the blockchain is already a huge industry, and blockchain engineers are in high demand. With their extensive knowledge of the technology, senior blockchain engineers are able to forge their own path in a variety of block-chain-related fields. Companies like IBM and Microsoft are already implementing blockchain programs to combat fraud, track financial transactions, and manage bank guarantees. Furthermore, many countries are actively seeking blockchain engineers, including South Korea, Dubai, and Estonia.

Salary

Blockchain engineers are in high demand. These engineers can perform operations, development, and analysis of distributed blockchain networks. They also need to understand various business models that use blockchain technology. In addition to being an important member of a blockchain team, they can also earn a very good salary. Salary for blockchain engineer job is one of the highest among engineers.

A blockchain engineer’s salary depends on his or her experience and location. For example, in the U.S., the average salary for a junior blockchain developer is about $13,577. In Eastern Europe, however, salaries are significantly lower than in the U.S. or Canada. The difference may be due to shorter supply and demand cycles.https://www.youtube.com/embed/e1N4aWIJMN0

The Most Famous and Successful Entrepreneurs in 2022

Most famous and successful entrepreneurs in 2022

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is one the most influential and successful entrepreneurs of the 21st century. He has been developing software to communicate with other people since he was a child. When he was just 12, he developed an application called Zucknet that he and his family could use to communicate. At first, the program was only used for communication between the family members.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk has created some of the world’s most popular tech companies. The billionaire has a futuristic vision and a clear purpose that drives him to pursue his goals. He is proving that anything is possible with hard work and the right motivation.

Debbi Fields

Debbi Fields was born as Debra Jane Sivyer in Oakland, California. She was one of five daughters and found her passion for baking cookies at an early age. To help fund her baking business, she took odd jobs, including being a ball girl for the Oakland Athletics, where she helped retrieve foul baseballs near the baselines. Despite her early setbacks, she eventually opened her second store in a trendy shopping district.

Todd Marks

Todd Marks is a real estate agent who has made a name for himself in the industry. He works hard and he lives by the motto “dream big”. He and his team are committed to providing clients with the best service and integrity. They have great negotiating skills and are constantly communicating with sellers and buyers. They also have a great marketing strategy to promote their business.

Tracy Price

In addition to being a highly successful entrepreneur, Tracy Price was also named the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Orange County/Desert Cities region. This honor is given to entrepreneurs who show perseverance, creativity, and innovation. Price was selected for her achievements in the Business Services category by an independent panel of judges. She is the CEO of Qmerit, an energy efficiency company that has become a leader in electrification projects in North America.

Sophia Amoruso

In addition to her clothing line, Sophia is also the founder of the Girl Boss Media, a media company that helps young female entrepreneurs get their start in business. She founded Nasty Gal in 2008 after leaving eBay to start a fashion line that had huge success on social media. The online store’s revenue quickly increased from $223,000 in 2008 to more than $23 million in 2011 and employed 200 people at its peak. Sophia was recently named a “Cinderella” of tech by the New York Times and made Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 list.

Joe De Sena

De Sena has a very interesting background. He started off as a kid selling fireworks. Later on, he built a multi-million dollar pool company and went to college to become a Wall Street trader. He eventually left Wall Street and started the Spartan Race, which became wildly successful in just four years.https://www.youtube.com/embed/e1rEHiuDtuc

Ubuntu OS Optimization Tips

Ubuntu OS optimization tips

You can improve the performance of your computer by following some simple tips. Some of these tips include Preloading, Hibernation, Uninstalling applications, and optimizing memory usage. Using the tips in this article can help you improve the performance of your Ubuntu OS. It is also a good idea to learn about the Linux kernel compilation process.

Preload

Ubuntu is a fast operating system by default, but you may have noticed that some applications take a long time to start. If you’d like to speed up the start-up of such applications, use the Preload application. It runs in the background and analyzes user behavior. It then fetches the binaries and dependencies that will make applications start faster.

Preload works similarly to Windows Vista’s Superfetch. It optimizes startup time by monitoring which applications you use frequently and caching these in memory. It works best on computers with a large amount of memory. Besides accelerating startup times, it can also free up more memory for new applications.

Hibernation

Hibernation is a useful feature that enables your computer to save memory during periods of inactivity. It works by turning off all the programs, saving RAM data into the swap partition. However, this feature requires that your system’s swap partition is larger than your RAM. The size of this swap file determines whether your computer will enter hibernation or not.

After you reboot your system, you can verify whether your system is in hibernation mode. The hibernate command should return “yes.” If the command does not work, follow the troubleshooting instructions in the next section.

Optimizing memory usage

If you’re having problems with the memory usage on your Ubuntu OS system, you should consider optimizing your memory settings. This will help you save valuable memory. For instance, you should avoid running processes that aren’t necessary. Similarly, you should not store unused data in the memory of your computer. This will prevent your system from overworking its memory and crashing. It will also save your team both time and frustration.

The type of programs you’re using can affect how much memory you’re using. While most programs are linked to the default LibC, there are several alternatives that can significantly reduce memory usage. For example, dietlibc and uClibc are both good options for developers. These libraries are smaller and use less memory. For best performance, dynamically linking your code and removing any debug information can also help you reduce memory usage.

Swap partition

If you’d like to use the Swap partition for temporary data storage, there are a couple of steps you can take to do so. First, you need to open a terminal and log in as an administrator. Next, you need to change the value of the swappiness variable. This value can range from 0 to 100. By setting the value to 20 or 60, you’ll instruct Linux to move processes to this location when memory usage reaches 80% or 40%.

The swap partition in Ubuntu OS optimization tips can help you make better use of the system’s storage space. By setting up the swap partition correctly, you can make your computer run faster. In addition, it will free up additional disk space, which can increase the overall performance of your machine. But before you can partition SWAP, you need to make sure that you don’t have any applications running. You can also use the free and top commands to see how much space is allocated to swap. And if you want to check the swap status, run fdisk and make sure that it’s running in run level one or single user mode. You can also run fdisk to see the existing partitions on your hard drive and the partition tables for each drive. This command is interactive and only works on the disk drive you specify.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Inj3v_D61ME

Coronavirus: should patients be geolocated via their smartphones?

Coronavirus: should patients be geolocated via their smartphones?

Israel and China rely on state surveillance tools to fight against the spread of the virus. Other countries are exploring mobile geolocation voluntarily.

Faced with the spread of Covid-19, the Israeli government has taken the radical step of geolocating coronavirus patients as well as those who could be. A government decree has just decided this surveillance and has been entrusted to Shin Bet, the internal intelligence service. The latter intends to rely on ‘advanced technologies generally used in the fight against terrorism,’ explains the daily Haaretz. The aim is to monitor the progress of the disease, to alert people who may have come into contact with a carrier of the virus, and to enforce a quarantine on a case-by-case basis.

Aware that this is a significant intrusion into the privacy of users, the Israeli government specifies in its law that the data collected cannot be used for any purpose other than health and will be erased at the end of the epidemic. Moreover, e-mails and SMS messages would not be monitored. We are reassured.

With this measure, the State of Israel is following in the footsteps of China, which is not only geolocating the sick but also carrying out a probabilistic diagnosis. As a New York Times article showed, every citizen has a mobile application that records movements and displays the risk of having been contaminated using a color code that must be shown to the police. If the result is red, you’re stuck.

In South Korea, mobile applications are also used to geolocate patients, but voluntarily. With apps such as “Corona 100m”, “Corona Doctor” or “Corona Map,” users can see if there are many positive cases in the vicinity and thus adapt their behavior.

These countries are not the only ones looking into mobile geolocation. In Germany, the Hanover Medical University is working with the start-up Ubilabs to develop GeoHealth, a mobile application that, like Chinese software, records movements and indicates the level of risk with color-coding. The head of the Robert Koch Institute of Epidemiology fully endorses this approach, as he believes it would make it possible to combat the spread of the virus better.

In the United States, several projects are emerging. That is the case, for example, of the CoEpi and MIT/Private Kit projects. All these initiatives raise many questions. Who collects the data, and how is it stored? How can we be sure that they are not used for something else? And then, is it efficient?

Indeed, mobile geolocation has, at best, the accuracy of only about ten meters, whereas the coronavirus does not spread beyond a few meters. It is also challenging to take into account all the previous passages of potential patients who could have soiled an object in the surrounding area. But this track seems nevertheless interesting, provided that you don’t think you are Big Brother.

iPadOS has arrived: are are some of new features!

iPadOS has arrived: are are some of new features!

Since the invention of the iPad 10 years ago, the creation of this tablet around iOS has given Apple a head start in terms of performance and ergonomics.

It is almost the end of 2019; Apple introduced iPadOS, an OS dedicated to its iPad. This major update of the iPad is a bit like a third-platform that combines the popular ideas of macOS with the intuitive nature of iOS.

What is iPadOS?

iPadOS is iOS 13, but iOS 13 is not iPad OS. Did you follow it? More simply, Apple has decided to name the OS of its iPad differently from the OS of its iPhone even if both operating systems use the same code base. iPadOS is surely a sign of Apple’s desire to make the iPad sacred as a laptop inspired by the Mac but based on iOS.

What are the main new features of iPadOS?

iPadOS takes advantage of the new features of iOS 13, including the long-awaited dark mode and the redesign of native applications (Reminders, Notes, etc.). But there are some remarkable new features on iPadOS.

These include file management, multitasking, and the integration of external hardware. You can also visit the folder dedicated to the hidden features of iOS 13, many of which you will find on iPadOS.

You can connect external devices such as USB sticks

The iPadOS Files application is another excellent example of how macOS ideas can be integrated with a new design and modern interactions that make sense on iPad. This application has become very practical, especially since Apple has opened access to external USB sticks and SD cards.

Safari has become a desktop web browser

Safari for iPad now defaults to Safari for Mac on all iPad models. You have access to the same websites on your PC or Mac. It’s very convenient, especially for Google Docs, Gmail and lots of web services.

Ipados supports mice and new keyboard shortcuts with more than 30 new shortcuts corresponding to almost all the options available on macOS.

Multitasking is extended

Since iOS 11, it is possible to open two applications simultaneously on iPad Pro. iPadOS goes further: it is now possible to open the same app several times on the entire system. Apple calls them “windows”, like on macOS and Windows. Even if they don’t look like windows as we know them – there is no underlying desktop, and the windows can’t overlap (except for Slide Over) – they behave in much the same way.

To encourage users to use multi-window technology, Apple has chosen to adapt to iOS 11’s drag-and-drop multitasking to introduce different ways to create application windows. More simply, anything that can be moved in iPadOS can become its own window. On Safari, if you want to open a link in a new window, simply move the link.

Force Touch is here

As on iOS 13, Force Touch is everywhere, even on devices that were not compatible with it. The iPad, therefore, inherits Force Touch.

A long press on the icons and various elements opens a menu, like the right click of a mouse. Moreover, you have access to quick actions on the home screen.

Why are public WiFi considered so unsafe for your data?

Why are public WiFi considered so unsafe for your data?

Even though our mobile packages are becoming more and more generous in terms of data, everyone once found themselves without the Internet and had to settle for a public or open WiFi. It often happens during holidays or abroad, where it is not possible to benefit from a 4G connection. However, these open WiFi are potentially dangerous.

A hacker or a novice hacker can easily find out what you’re doing on your smartphones, from visiting websites to passwords to your email or bank account.

Why is open WiFi so easy to hack?

The answer is in the question: because it is open. Most WiFi routers do not by default encrypt the data they receive and transmit. It is necessary for its owner to activate it in the options. If this is not the case, it means that once anyone can connect to a WiFi point, anyone can also look at what a network neighbor is doing. It requires some knowledge and software to do it. But they are neither particularly complicated to find nor complicated to handle.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

This is probably the most common attack that can be found on open WiFi. The principle is simple; the hacker will look at the data that flows between your smartphone or PC and the router and see in real time what you are doing. The latter will suck up all the data that passes through the network and reassemble it using software to visualize what the user has been able to consult on the Internet but also to show what he has entered on these websites. Or, for an experienced hacker, modify the site the user visits to steal his or her credentials.

However, with one limitation: it will be impossible to see what is displayed on HTTPS sites, whose connection is encrypted. The hacker will know that you have logged into a particular site, but will not know what you have seen or the data (password, login) you have entered. Generally speaking, if you have no choice but to connect to an open WiFi hotspot, go to HTTPS sites. The vast majority of websites have already switched to HTTPS, as is the case on FrAndroid.

An excellent way to deploy malware

Connecting to an open and potentially unencrypted network is also a unique opportunity for a hacker to install malware by exploiting one or more vulnerabilities in an operating system. As soon as he can access your PC’s network (this is less the case on smartphones, much more restrictive on the network aspect), he can easily inject malicious code to infect your device.

A threat that does not necessarily target a tourist on the run, but can easily affect travel professionals.

3 connected wristbands for less than $60, our 2019 selection

3 connected wristbands for less than $60, our 2019 selection

The market for connected wristbands is booming in 2019. They are available for all profiles, both for athletes and nerds, as well as for those who are concerned about adopting a healthier lifestyle. Also, there are connected wristbands for all budgets. Here is a selection of the best activity trackers for less than $60.

How to choose your connected wristband?

As with any purchase you wish to make, you must first think about how you will use it. There are multiple types of wristbands connected, so you need to know what needs it will have to meet.

If it is, for example, to control your heart rate, monitor your diet, your weight loss, have notifications from your phone, etc. And then you have to think about the characteristics you could not do without like having good autonomy, having a screen, waterproofing, etc.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 2: our recommendation

Marketed by Xiaomi, the Mi Band 2 has a 0.42-inch OLED display, on which it is possible to consult the time, the number of steps taken, the number of calories burned, but also the heart rate and a 70 mAh battery for ten days of autonomy (20 days in standby). It is also IP67 certified.

Its mobile application, the Mi Fit, compatible with iOS and Android, provides access to various data such as sleep monitoring.

August SWB100: the alternative

The August SWB100 incorporates the essential features of a smart tracker such as a pedometer, distance calculation, and sleep control while integrating some new functions, all with a 5-day autonomy. Among them, we will note the possibility of activating an anti-loss alarm to find your smartphone, but also the addition of the alarm clock and note-taking.
Thanks to FitApp, iOS, and Android compatible, it is possible to receive your call and message notifications directly on the August SWB100 OLED screen.

Misfit Shine 2: the multiple features

This Misfit wristband comes in the form of tablets integrated into a wristband or belt clip. It is powered by a button cell battery, which gives it an autonomy of up to 6 months. It is waterproof to 50 meters and displays the time with twelve LEDs arranged in a circle, activity objectives, distance covered, calories burned and sleep monitoring.

Triggering a specific activity for better overall monitoring is possible. Thanks to its mobile application compatible with iOS, Android and Windows, it is possible to access various features and use it as a remote control to locate the smartphone, take a picture, put music on it, etc.

For the IMF, global growth is becoming “less equitable

For the IMF, global growth is becoming “less equitable

The effects of trade tensions should, so far, remain contained, according to the multilateral institution in its latest forecasts.

The world may well be talking about the risks to the economy of the sharp rise in trade tensions. The figures do not show that. At least for now. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) new forecast, presented on Monday 16 July, projects global growth to reach nearly 4% in 2018 and 2019. This figure – + 3.9% to be exact – has not changed one iota since the IMF the last forecast in April.

The institution thus maintains its scenario in spite of the protectionist salvos launched, meanwhile, by the United States against all its major partners (European Union, China, Canada, Mexico…), which immediately retaliated. The negative effects of the measures announced and to come should be contained, according to the IMF, since “so far, they affect only a tiny share of world trade.” Moreover, the impact on sentiment in financial markets should be “limited,” the Fund continues.

The fact remains that the threats of a break-up are there. The commercial battle, if it continues and intensifies, “could derail the recovery and reduce medium-term growth projections,” the institution warns. By increasing uncertainty, it risks undermining investment, which has been and remains, one of the primary drivers of global economic recovery.

Warning signals

The worst is not always certain. However, already, the global economic scoreboard is giving warning signals. Overall, growth has become “less homogeneous.” Among the advanced countries first, between on one side the United States and, opposite, all the others. The powerful fiscal stimulus provided by Donald Trump’s administration is driving an already very robust US economy (+2.9% in 2018). The acceleration in activity should enable the unemployment rate to fall to levels not seen for 50 years. At the risk of rekindling inflationary pressures. Moreover, warns the IMF, to increase “global imbalances,” since the United States will import more fuel and increase its trade deficit…

In contrast, the euro area’s growth forecasts are slightly lower: it is expected to grow by 2.2% in 2018, whereas the IMF predicted 2.4% in April. Meanwhile, activity has faltered slightly in Germany and especially in France, whose forecasts are revised (+1.8% in 2018 and +1.7% in 2019, instead of 2.1% and 2% previously forecast). Europe is also suffering from uncertainty in Italy, where political turbulence is likely to affect activity.

Emerging and developing countries have also faced stiff headwinds in recent months. The rise in oil prices had, logically, favored exporters but weighed on others. The appreciation of the dollar (+5% in recent weeks) and the rise in US interest rates have caused the currencies of several major emerging markets to unscrew. The countries with the most unbalanced external accounts were the most shaken. Among them, Argentina, Brazil or India for which the IMF has revised its growth forecasts downwards.

Risk of inflationary pressures in the United States

Currently, financial conditions remain favorable. However, the situation could become more complicated, warns the Fund. There is no shortage of disruptive factors, between the risk of inflationary pressures in the United States, the escalation of trade tensions and the threat of geopolitical shocks. A correction in the markets would put the most indebted economies to the test.

What about the future? While renewing its traditional exhortation to accelerate structural reforms, the IMF launches targeted recommendations. In the United States, asked to press the brake on fiscal stimulus. Germany, too, should use its massive trade surpluses to support growth and reduce global imbalances. The lesson is not new. So is the call to save international cooperation.

To preserve global innovation, productivity and improved living conditions, “countries should work together… to resolve their disagreements without increasing tariff and non-tariff barriers,” the IMF advocates. This advice has been repeated over and over since the election of Donald Trump, to the point of giving the impression that the institution is preaching more and more in the desert…

Speed up your Mac OS X

Speed up your Mac OS X

Boosting your Mac OS X El Capitan or other versions does not require any special skills but mainly common sense and a little rigor on the part of the user from time to time. As usual, we will deploy several practical and easy-to-apply tips that will boost your iMac, MacBook, Mac mini or Mac Pro.

Improving Mac Performance: Basic Maintenance

We recently devoted an article to the new Mac OS X El Capitan Disk Utility. It is always an important ally to inspect and repair any errors on a disk or SSD. A drive that contains errors, cross-files, or faulty sectors is a source of slowdowns and problems. Remember to regularly run the Disk Utility via the Finder (Applications, Utilities) under session or better still for more security in Recovery mode (cmd + R therefore ⌘ + R).

Choose your primary drive and click the SOA icon. Wait for the maintenance operation. It is no longer necessary to repair permissions under OS X El Capitan unless you specifically know what you are doing, but it is still possible with the Terminal. More advanced users can also benefit from the well-optimized Onyx for OS X El Capitan scripts for which we detail the instructions for use.

Speed Boosting a Mac: Off And Rebooting

rebooting a mac is fairly easyThe first practical advice that many users fail to do is to turn off and restart their Mac from time to time. You may not know that, but there are several ways to shut down your Mac. Instant sleep/restart is certainly very convenient, but from time to time, it is necessary to reboot its OS X.

Notably to empty the caches and purge the memory and to find performances between each session. If you still leave your Mac on standby, then in this case, at least try to purge the RAM from time to time with the Terminal or a free app provided for that purpose.

Close Applications … Not Just Windows

close applications macIt seems obvious to regulars on Mac but not for new users from the Windows world. In Windows 10, 8, 7 or others, just close the window of a program to close it and release the memory it occupies. In Mac OS X, closing the window via the red dot does not stop the application!

This just closes the window … When you do not use an app, you have to free up the resources. To do this, go to the menu of the app in question and then quit (cmd + Q so ⌘ + Q).

Prevent Unwanted Apps To Start Up

Too many applications launch with or without your agreement when Mac OS X starts up. You need some of them most likely but not all of them!
Delete Apps On Start

Manually Delete Apps On Start

Most apps on Mac have a Preferences menu or equivalent where you can disable startup at the login. If necessary, go to System Preferences, Users and Groups, choose the appropriate user and click the Opening tab (after unlocking the lock with your administrator password). Tick ​​the app and delete with the “-” button anything you do not want to see.

Some programs do not appear in the settings? In this case, you must locate and delete them manually. Click the Alt key (⌥ Option) on the keyboard and in the Apple menu choose System Information. Then go to Software and Startup. Identify the apps that launch without your agreement and then using the Finder go to the start directory and then delete the item.

Automatically Delete Apps, Services, Start-up Processes

If you want to quickly and automatically remove apps but also services that start at startup and slow you down, there is an alternative solution very easy.

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Business Consultant – A Job in High Demand

Business Consultant – A Job in High Demand

A business consultant does exactly what their title suggests they do, consult businesses on the ways those companies can improve their performance. People that run businesses do not always understand the things they do right or the things they do wrong. A business consultant can show them the best options for their respective companies.

Whether using facility management software or not, business consultants examine how businesses operate and then suggest ways do things better and smarter than what they currently do. A business consultant working in the facility management space in many ways can offer businesses better informed advice than one who is not.

Why experts are needed

a business meetingBusinesses tend to hire business consultants when they believe that their performance as a company could be improved upon. Firms that do not have facility management packages usually lack the management information that those with such software have. Business consultants tend to extol the virtues of company managers having the relevant information to hand when they to make decisions.

Experts show managers the best ways to make decisions, after showing them the best methods to obtain information in the first place.

Sometimes company management teams bring in a business consultant if their performance and, therefore, their profits have dropped drastically. The best thing would be to obtain advice before things got to that stage. Managers can often be confused when their previously successful business strategies stop working, and they have to come up with new ideas quick.

Evaluating all business aspects

Business consultants often look at all aspects of companies to find out why things are not going as well as they should be. Such evaluations will often investigate if the company uses the software at all, or facility management methods as well.

Once business consultants have evaluated a company their findings are reported back to management teams to take action if recommended to do so. Business consultants examine what companies are doing right, and more importantly what they are doing wrong. For instance, the software companies use does not have enough memory, they are using an old desktop program, or they are not using facility management software at all.

Should the existing software not be good enough for the company then it is a relatively easy fix, the business consultant recommends the best system. If facility management packages had not been used at all, then the consultant can recommend several different software packages to use.

Microsoft teams for software

Microsoft teams for software

Microsoft teams simply refer to a set of models, principles, and concepts that are used when providing technological solutions for users based on the Microsoft platform. To be specific, the Microsoft teams is not limited to the productions of software only, but it is also applied when it comes to the launching of networking or various other important IT platforms.

Goals

microsoft-teams-logoMSF is regarded as a set of unique software engineering procedures and principles that are proven to enable program developers to realise the ideal levels of success when it comes to providing users with valuable solutions.

Besides that, it also provides a standard set of rules that are based on experiences and practices that are originated from the inside and outside of Microsoft Company, thereby helping to improve the delivery of information solutions to clients. In fact, customers can work efficiently thereby reducing the number of users on the entire project, thus mitigating the effects of any risk or any incorrect results.

Components

It’s important to note that the Microsoft solution framework is a combination of unique concepts that can be used as guidelines in software engineering for Microsoft based services and products. It’s a concept that comprises of various guiding principles and special algorithmic principles that are used to produce results for users. Microsoft teams also provide an advanced level framework and principles that can be used to map various program templates.

The programmers at Microsoft believe that different organisations have as many different needs especially when it comes to software development, thereby making it necessary for users to have a framework to guide their actions.

For instance, some organisations need specialised and responsive software, while other require standardised and consumer tested models thereby making it imperative for users to invest in the appropriate model. The various production process can be customised to suit various types of user functionalities.

Our Selection of Drones For Beginners

What happens when you want to experience the best of 21st-century technology by viewing exceptional footage and control with an airborne device?

Then, a brilliant recommendation for you would be to try out the best drone for beginners as the ideal investment for your unique outdoor exploration needs. The added benefits about these drones are that they are not only affordable but can be customised to suit your individual needs as a novice user.

Mini Drones have drastically evolved over the years to become mainstays not only for entertainment purposes but agriculture and reconnaissance missions as well. Therefore, before settling for a drone that suits all your unique needs, you might consider settling for some of the following models.

DBPOWER Hawkeye-I Quadcopter 3D Flip 2.4GHz Drone

DBPOWER Hawkeye-I Quadcopter 3D Flip 2.4GHz DroneExperience the next level drone capability with the DBPOWER Hawkeye that can perform dynamic flight movements, including 360 degrees flips and hand throwing fly as well.
Besides that, it also comes with an excellent flying 720p Camera that captures the best of images and can record clips from the sky. The DBPOWER Hawkeye also comes with a four motor driver and six axis gyro to guarantee stable flight and precise positioning of the drone at all times. The speed mode of the drone changes with just the flip of a simple switch.

Mini Pocket Drone 4CH 6 Axis Gyro RC Micro Quadcopter with 3D Flip Drone

Mini Pocket Drone 4CH 6 Axis Gyro RC Micro Quadcopter with 3D Flip DroneTake your outdoor experience to the next level with the Mini Pocket Drive 4CH 6 Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter that comes with a compact yet durable exterior design. With its stable flight path and basic functions, this professional 360-degree drone provides superior rollover performances that allow users to enjoy the best of rolling.

Best of all, this drone also provides its users with dynamic charging methods including the cable charging method and USB Charger as well. This Drone also comes with a robust battery that can guarantee well over 8 hours of uninterrupted flight.

Syma X5SW Wifi FPV Real-time 2.4GHz RC Quadcopter Drone

Discover the excellence of the Syma X5SW Drone that accommodates most trucks and cars, and comes with a lightweight design that instantly improves the overall performance and handling of the drone.

The Syma X5SW Drone also comes with 6-axis gyro that is based on four channels to ensure fast and stable flight to allow for 30 degrees rolling. This high definition camera also allows for clear first person view from the sky and can support cell phone control when using an Android or iPhone. The headless mode of the drone helps to avoid the difficulty of identifying the head and tail when you start the flight path.

Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt, 2.4 GHZ Quad Copter

Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt, 2.4 GHZ Quad CopterMake a smart decision and experience the future flight with the Air Hogs RC Helix x4 Stunt Drone that comes with a unique design to provide optimal performance and is ideal for children as well. The superior design of this drone allows it to perform stunts with the simple push of button including barrel rolls, back flips and 180-degree flips like an expert. The drone also comes with two unique control modes that make it unique for both advanced and beginner users.

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Benefits of Operating Your Own Business

Benefits of Operating Your Own Business

Self-employment requires you to be persistent, creative and very resourceful so that you can be in a position to make a comfortable living for yourself. It is also essential to have discipline as you manage your company. Being self-employed is likely to come with many challenges.

This is because not everyone is capable of operating their business successfully but it also comes with some advantages such as being your boss, flexibility and satisfaction. Here are several benefits of self-employment.

Benefits of Self-Employment

Flexible working hours

get your game and strategy right

Get your A game on!

One of the most valuable things that being your boss offers is flexibility. It means that job cannot hinder you from attending to other personal matter. You do not have to ask for permission from anyone. But always keep in mind that falling to commit yourself to your job and taking unrealistic vacations will affect your business negatively. You should make a point of balancing your business and your personal life.

Satisfaction

When you perform well as an employee you are awarded either pay raise or employee of the year but on the other when your business does well you to enjoy the high profits and your income increase. It makes you feel fulfilled and satisfied.

Control

Being your boss allows making decisions that will directly affect your company, your career and the future of your family. You will be in full control, and you do not need to consult anyone.

Higher Morale and Motivation

Operating your job allow more enthusiasm and excitement. You become confident and gain high morale because of managing your finances.

Job security

Having your company gives you an insurance that you will always have a job as long as the work continues. You do not have to worry about an issue like when your contract will be terminated.

Even if your profit decreases and you start having hardships, you will be able to recover.

Increasing Your Productivity at the Office

Increasing Your Productivity at the Office

The whole point of going to work is to produce something, right? Well, it would seem that sometimes the point is lost on us. Between stopping off for coffee, greeting co-workers, answering personal phone calls, confirming individual appointments and getting more coffee half the morning is gone.

Let’s not even talk about lunch time shenanigans. We are not as productive as we can be at work. It is estimated that the average American can get their job done (if they applied themselves) in 6.5 hours each day, so why does it take us 40 plus hours a week to get stuff together? Procrastination! That is the number one killer of productivity and business progression in the long run right behind disorganisation and social loafing. How do we remedy this situation?

Prioritize

take notes and planOnce you get that planner in place and review your work diary to see what tasks it is that you spend the majority of your time on, you have to prioritise. This seems simple enough, but often multiple tasks are of equal importance. If you can get someone to help you, if you do not have the luxury to determine which task is the most important and start with that, don’t stop until you are finished. Then on to the next task and so on and so forth.
Take breaks, stretch, walk outside for a minute if you can, but stay focused. Remember you are at work to work, the business needs you to grow, and there is always room to increase your productivity even if you are on the top of the heap right now. Producers get noticed, and your work will not go unnoticed.

Organization and Planning

To become more productive at work organisation is key. A critical step by step plan put in place will increase productivity. If the plan is adhered to. Setting up a daily diary keeping track of how much time is spent on which task is an excellent learning tool and can help improve productivity.
The diary should also note how much time you spend away from your work. You will be surprised to see how many trips to the water cooler you make a day. By keeping track of how many minutes is spent on a particular task the work day can be planned more efficiently.
Of course there will be times when all the planning in the world cannot account for the unexpected, but even if the unexpected happens you can take care of it and return to the plan. Planning is key to productivity. A project organises time into blocks that can be assigned to specific tasks. Also, an organised work area keeps a worker from feeling overwhelmed, and there is nothing worse than feeling like you are drowning in piles of stuff. A lot of times when items are disorganised it is easier to ignore it than to have to sort through the stuff, of course, ignoring it does not make it go away, but still it gets ignored.

Implementing these crucial tips guarantees higher chances of increased productivity at your workplace, which leads to a happy boss, and ultimately a satisfied and accomplished you!