Saturday 26 March 2016

The iOS 9.3 Brings Apple School Manager, Night Shift Mode, And More.

I'm sure I'd you're an iOS device user,  you've already your version to the iOS 9.3 and are already exploring its new features and all. The iOS 9.3 is now available for download... Okay! Like that's any news right now. The update was made available for download on the 21st of March and is already being explored by users. As a matter of truth, updates are made automatically for old version, to the newly updated version. One feature however, that is interesting to me amongst others is, the "Night Shift" mode feature that makes your iOS device display easier on your eyes.

You know how it is with the eyes and blue light, especially at night, well, this feature enables the device adjust its display to soothe your eyes at night so as to not disturb your sleep at night.
Now, this is what happens: the Night Shift feature will slowly shift the iOS device's color palette at night time to eliminate the blue light and its ability to disrupt our sleep patterns.
Google Play Books recently did the same thing, though Apple users might be more familiar with this feature, all thanks to an app called F.lux for Mac devices and also its jailbreak version for iOS devices.

On Apple's Preview Site for the new software, it said "Night Shift" uses your iOS device's clock and geolocation to determine when it's sunset in your location. Then it automatically shifts the colors in your display to the warmer end of the spectrum, making it easier on your eyes. In the morning it returns the display to its regular settings.
When it gets late in the day, the device automatically makes adjustments. Amazon and Apple are both offering this setting on their platforms, thereby creating competition. Loving it!

This feature has become a new standard feature for mobile devices, as more users read on their phones and tablets before going to bed and sometimes face sleep disturbances. Do I?
Well, it doesn't matter, at least you know about it, as do I, so we're good.
Anyways, Greg Joswiak of Apple, who also made the announcement of the release date for the iOS 9.3, also said that the free update was one of the biggest 'dot' releases yet. He said this during the company's "Let us loop you in" event held in Cupertino.

The Notes app has also been upgraded to include support for Touch ID, which means you can secure access to the app, where a number of people casually record things like medical details and password. Now you'll be able to make it so you have to enter a pass code or use your fingerprint to launch Notes, depending on your preference. You can also sort your notes by date created, date modified or alphabetically, says Apple. Cool!

The News app is now more personalized in iOS 9.3 as you have access to more suggestions for things like trending topics and Editor's pick.
It even plays video in your feed and supports landscape mode on your iPhone.
The Health app makes it easier for you to find third-party health apps.

'New' and 'For You' recommendations from Apple music are the latest features added to Carplay in 9.3.
Also, a "Nearby" feature from Maps that helps you find gas, parking, restaurants and more.

Now onto Education, the iOS 9.3 introduces more features that make for a better iOS-in-the-classroom experience like the addition of a single portal for school admins called "Apple School Manager," support for a new kind of ID for education called "Managed Apple IDs," a new classroom app for teachers, and support for a shared iPad for students.
The focus is to offer schools, admins and teachers more tools for using Apple devices in the classroom.
Really thoughtful indeed!

Go get yours now, if you haven't.
I'm getting mine now... On my Android phone. Lols! 😁

Friday 25 March 2016

Uber's "Family Profiles" Feature Lets You Pay For The Rides Of Others

A quick history on the Uber company. I'm sure you know about Uber and what it does, or must have heard about it, or know someone that knows someone that uses the Uber service. Well, it's a multinational online transport network company based in San Francisco, CA, which develops markets and operates the Uber mobile app, which allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars.
(This is me quoting wiki-you-know-who) *winks *.

The company was founded in March of 2009 by Travis kalanick and Garrett Camp with Travis kalanick as the CEO and has since grown to be a worldwide brand offering consumers like you and I, car hiring and private taxi services through Uber drivers around you and offering interested car owners, an opportunity to run their own taxi or car hire services.
Basically, it works like a dispatch service and sends the nearest Uber driver to your location. Easy Peazy, Lemon Squeezy!

Uber recently released Instant Pay - a pilot program - that allows its drivers to immediately access cash earned, using a third-party mobile banking service called Gobank. It's only available in some cities for a start.
Now, onto its Family Profiles feature. The on-demand car service announced a few days ago, its new feature called Family Profiles which is designed to make it easier for its customers to pay for the rides of their friends and family. A really good idea as this was one of Uber's most frequently requested features by its users. This feature is made available for users in the Atlanta, Phoenix and Dallas markets before going to other areas.

This means that you can now pay for the rides of a loved one like your children going home from school while you're at work, a stranded friend, or a co-worker or employee running errands, from wherever you are, right from the comfort of your own phone.
Just like it's been said "Family always comes first" and "hey! What are friends for if not for inconveniences". You're Welcome! 😁

This option of course, isn't only for members of your family, but you can also choose to help someone in need who is added to your group in the app. This is nice, although there is a need for trust in this as you bill trips taken by others to your payment card, and so you need to add people who are part of a somewhat trusted circle.
You select contacts to join your family profile (name and mobile number) and then such persons will be able to request rides from their own phones using the Family Profile feature as the method of payment. All they have to do is to accept the email invitation sent to them to get started. You as the payer, whose payment card is on file and is associated with the profile, will receive ride receipts for the persons added to use the Family Profiles payment option.
It allows up to 10 riders to share the payment method.

There is no ETA for the Family Profiles feature to reach other Uber markets but they intend to make it a standard feature on the app.
Uber is available in 58 countries and in 400 cities, worldwide, of course including Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria with Abuja being the most recent launch city.

The Uber experience is one I haven't had an opportunity of having but will let you know when I do. I'll have you know however, that I know someone who has had the experience. So I guess that puts me in the category of those who have heard about it and know someone that knows someone who uses the service. Lol!
All the same, I'm getting me the Uber mobile app and I think that counts.
So, yes, I am a "Uberer" by association. Ha!

Monday 21 March 2016

Nike's HyperAdapt 1.0: Would You Wear One Of These?

What's your take on this adaptive lacing (self-tying) technology thingy? *shaking my head* I don't really know sha, but for now let's focus on what it's all about. Have you met Nike? Then you must know that the brand has a number of products - athletic footwear, sports equipments - accrued to its name and much more, a myriad of sneaker brand editions.

Following last October's "Back to the Future" Day's event, where popular Canadian-American actor, author, producer, and advocate, Michael J. Fox, teamed up with Nike to hint us on what was to come with the self-lacing Nike Mags, Nike finally announced the mass production shoe that features real life power-laces. This announcement was made at the Nike Innovation Summit. Now, meet the HyperAdapt 1.0 with adaptive lacing (self-tying) technology.

Just to drift a little, you remember that 1989 movie, yeah? Well, I only got to see it much later though, but in the movie sequel, Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) went into the future precisely October 21 2015 and was amazed to find flying cars, self-tying sneakers and hovering skateboards. You remember yeah?

Well, that's the story behind the whole Back to the Future day thingy. Anyways, the shoe is scheduled for release during the coming holiday season (November to early January). The shoes, "they" say automatically tightens around your feet when you put them on and makes reassuring sounds as they adjust themselves to your feet. The company says it's making this technology a whole new platform for sneakers, which means that in the near future your Jordan or Air Max or FlyKnit shoes could all be built on Nike's adaptive lacing technology.

At this point, I must say I don't really know if I'm cool with my shoes lacing themselves... What if there's a malfunction while the shoes are on my feet? Is there a possibility, the shoes system can be hacked? Okay maybe I'm just taking this too far. Hacked?.. Shoe system??.. Really???.. Okay, do not listen to me. I guess this is just technophobia talking... or maybe not. So let's look again at how this really works. The shoes will automatically tighten as soon as you step into them. Your heel hits a sensor causing the system to automatically tighten. There are two buttons on the side to tighten or loosen it so you can adjust it until it's perfect. Okay I think I could do with that. I think I can. *me nodding in somewhat an approving manner*.

The pricing hasn't been announced yet, but the company says that it will only make the product available for sale to members of Nike+, which is their new all-in-one products and events app. This app gives members all-access pass to Nike's products and events and also offers a personal store stocked with performance product recommendations and reserved invitations to their favorite sneakers, information on latest Nike releases and more. Nice! I think I'm having a change of heart concerning this technology already.

Technology is just evolving so fast that you just think of something and it's already there or you don't even have to think of it, you just wake up one morning to find something out of the ordinary, something you never thought possible. Well, if you're skeptical about such technological advancements and more, just be rest assured, there's a whole lot more to come. And for those of you who are here in Africa and you're wondering, "Oh God, when are we going to get to such technological Heights in these parts? Just know that Nothing Is Impossible, not for the man who Believes, and certainly, most definitely, not for God.

So be Inspired. Believe! There's more to You than meets the eye.
*Peace!*