Apple iPhone 7 – What to Expect?

Apple iPhone 7 – Design

KGI Securities superstar analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has an excellent track record with predicting iPhone specs, says the iPhone 7 will be Apple’s thinnest yet–approaching the thinness of the iPod touch. Ming-Chi Kuo is claiming the Apple iPhone 7 will come in between 6mm and 6.5mm.

According to information leaked on Weibo by a reliable tipster, Apple is testing out five iPhone 7 prototypes, each with its own unique hardware characteristics. By the sound of it Apple is trying to figure out which technologies would go best in the upcoming model, all the while keeping an eye on the performance of its suppliers,” said the report. “Reportedly, some of the technologies that can be found in these prototypes include a USB Type-C connector compatible with headsets, wireless charging technology, multi-Force Touch, dual camera configurations, and fingerprint recognition technology embedded within the display.”

There’s also strong hints that Apple is working on doing away with the physical home button and embedding a virtual home button and Touch ID in the screen itself, but that might not come until the iPhone 8.

Multiple sources are now claiming Apple is looking to do away with traditional headphones, meaning no 3.5mm jack-support on the Apple iPhone 7. It will be replaced by a lightning port.

Apple iPhone 7 – Camera

The Apple iPhone 6s gained a huge camera upgrade with its 12-megapixel high-quality rear camera and its 5-megapixel front FaceTime camera. But going to the Apple iPhone 7 we expect the camera upgrade to be less pronounced. Apple will probably keep to a 12-megapixel rear camera but add OIS(optical image stabilization) across the line.

The Apple iPhone 6s also gained 4k video recording on the rear camera–something we don’t see changing or expanding on for the Apple iPhone 7. However, it’s possible the front FaceTime camera could gain 4k video recording in the Apple iPhone 7.

Apple iPhone 7 – Processor

As is customary for new Apple products, investors should expect Apple to deliver a new applications processor (known as the A10), which should, once again, deliver best-in-class CPU and graphics performance, as well as other functionality to support the rest of the iPhone’s subsystems (such as the camera).

Beyond that, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we should expect the 4.7-inch iPhone to pack two gigabytes of memory while the 5.5-inch model will come with three gigabytes of memory.

Apple iPhone 7 – Wireless charging

The second aspect suggested by the report is that Apple will include wireless charging in the Apple iPhone 7. This has also been linked with the device for quite some time, but these suggestions have now been further solidified. It is worth noting that Apple generally does not include technology in the iPhone range until the corporation believes that it has been absolutely perfected, so this will undoubtedly influence its decision over wireless charging. If Apple does decide to incorporate wireless charging into the iPhone range, it will probably be focused on ensuring that similar charge speeds to wired charging are possible.

Wireless charging remains one of the most frustrating technologies around, because while it’s here, it works and it feels like living in the future, it isn’t as widely supported as we’d like.

An Apple iPhone 7 with wireless charging would be great, especially if the same charger worked for the Apple Watch too. And if it could support both wireless standards as well, like the Galaxy S6, then that would be just swell.

Apple iPhone 7 –  Displays

The iPhone 6s gained the 3D Touch display that the Apple Watch has (there, it is called the Force Touch display)–of course the Apple iPhone 7 will adopt this 3D Touch display as well. But we also expect the Apple iPhone 7 to get a higher resolution display, specifically a QHD one with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 with 401 PPI (pixels-per-inch), as many Android handsets have.

Apple could also make subtle upgrades to the 3D Touch display in the Apple iPhone 7–for example, making it sensitive to more than two types of pressure inputs, but other than that we don’t expect the 3D Touch display to change much.

Also, it is unlikely that the Apple iPhone 7 will adopt an AMOLED display, which is found in Samsung phones and the Apple Watch, according to Kuo. In a recent investors note he stated:

 “Based on recent comments by Minebea, one of the main iPhone backlight unit suppliers, we believe AMOLED will not penetrate iPhone for the next three years. Moreover, Hon Hai is preparing to invest in Gen-6 LTPS TFT-LCD production lines in Zhengzhou, China for mass production in 2018, suggesting the iPhone line will likely stick with TFT-LCD technology in 2018 and thereafter.

Apple iPhone 7 – Faster cellular, potentially faster Wi-Fi

The Apple iPhone 7 will use Qualcomm’s X12 LTE modem, which should lead to a doubling of peak download speeds from what the iPhone 6s can deliver; peak upload speeds should triple.

Apple also significantly improved Wi-Fi speeds in its last two iPhone releases as it has been more aggressive in adopting newer connectivity combo chips from Broadcom. I expect that Broadcom (which is being acquired by Avago) will announce new connectivity chips in the February/March timeframe, if/when that happens, we should have a good idea of what kind of Wi-Fi performance increase to expect in the next generation iPhones.

Apple iPhone 7 – Waterproof

There are the rumours that the next iPhone will be waterproof. This rumour started back in 2014 with an Apple Patent application, which has since been granted, for a technique known as Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (PACVD) to coat the internal components and make them water resistant.

Apple iPhone 7 – Storage

Apple iPhone 7 will come in the three variants- 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and there is also another rumour that the Apple iPhone 7 will be the first smartphone to have 256GB of storage. This would be double the current 128GB maximum of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Apple iPhone 7 – iPhone 7c

Go to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is back with more assertions that Apple will release a 4-inch iPhone early next year as a follow-on to the plastic-backed iPhone 5c. Kou states:

“As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line. Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.”

Apple iPhone 7 – Release Date

If there’s been one reliable thing about Apple’s iPhone launches, it’s that they happen just once a year. Given that the iPhone 6S was launched in September 2016, a year after the iPhone 6, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the iPhone 7 will come in September 2016. Apple iPhone 6S @ Rs. 50,999

Android 6.0 Marshmallow: Features. What's new?

Android 6.0 Marshmallow features: What's new?

Google has started the rollout of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Here are the features you can expect from the latest version.

It’s time to prod the Marshmallow: Android Marshmallow is here. But you still have a while to wait unless you own a Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 9, or have recently picked up a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P.

So, the question: is Android 6.0 Marshmallow worth getting excited about? We’ve been spending some quality time with the new software to see what it offers over the Android Lollipop version we’ve been using for what feels like forever.

Here are the features that take Android Marshmallow a step further. Is it enough to steamroll iOS 9 and Windows 10? For now at least, we’ll leave that to you.

The apps menu is crazy-different

One Android Marshmallow change all of you will notice is the way the new apps menu works. It’s totally different to Lollipop and the other previous versions of Android.

This time, instead of a bunch of apps ‘pages’ you flick through horizontally, the apps box is a scroll thumbed through with a smooth vertical movement. It’s a lot more like Windows 10/Windows Phone’s apps menu, or that of the HTC Sense custom Android interface.

Is it better? Is it worse? This is very much a case of being different rather than better, but it does scroll very snappily on the Nexus 6 we’ve been using. Those with big app collections may find it faster. And, as in Android Lollipop, the apps are arranged alphabetically rather than letting you move them about yourself.

As before, there are no app menu folders either. You have to keep these on the home screens, if you want them.

App search bar and favourites

In order to help those who think the new apps menu is worse, and there will be some, there are some extra features to the apps area. First, there’s a search bar up at the top.

This is a text bar you just type words into, and Android Marshmallow searches your app collection for any apps with that name. There’s also an option to use the search term to look for other apps in Google Play.

If your apps library is so massive you can’t remember which apps/games you’ve uninstalled, this bit will let you get them back on-board sharpish.

There are also four special apps slots right at the top of the apps menu. These are filled using an algorithm that picks the most important apps based on those you use most, and have used most recently.

On the Nexus 6 these extra interface elements can feel like a bit of a stretch to reach. But then 95 per cent of people think the phone is that bit too big anyway. The Nexus 6X should feel comfier.

The clock has gone all stylish

Lollipop upped Android’s style game, and Marshmallow tries to take that a step further with a redesigned clock. It’s little more than a font shuffle, but does give the new software a bit of a different, sharper visual personality.

Check it out below. The date text is now written in all-caps, and the font of the time characters seems to be a bit thicker, as if Google has hit the ‘bold’ button.

Google has added a memory manager

One of the complaints about Android Lollipop was that its memory-hungry nature introduced all sorts of performance problems in phones without absolutely loads of RAM.

A new feature lets you check out the memory usage of all your installed apps without using a third-party app.

There’s a whole new ‘Memory’ area in the main Settings menu.

However, before you get too excited, it’s mostly about monitoring RAM use and seeing if there are any apps doing things they really shouldn’t rather than tinkering with how much memory apps are allowed. You can see the RAM use over the last 3, 6, 12 or 24 hours, to let you identify when and where things are going wrong without too much active monitoring on your part.

As is so often the case with Android, you’ll still likely have to try uninstalling/reinstalling any apps that are seriously misbehaving.

You can add a lock screen message

A tiny little tweak of Android M is that you can now add a little line of text to your lock screen. Maybe you’ll want to add a little tag to your ‘Jim’s VHS and DVD rental’ small business, or a way to tell you and your other half’s his ’n’ hers Nexus 6s apart.

Unlike the date font, this little extra line is written in lower case, and seems to have opacity of just under 100 per cent, making it a bit less bright than the clock.

It’s basically a custom number plate for your phone: go to town.

Battery optimisation now on a by-app basis

Android only really started to embrace proper a battery-saving mode with Android Lollipop, even though custom skins have had such features for years now. Android Marshmallow adds a whole new battery area called ‘optimisation’.

This tweaks how apps eat energy when not being actively used in order to save battery life. As standard, all apps bar the Android system itself use battery optimisation, and all you can do is make important apps exempt from this feature.

Google hasn’t laid out too clearly exactly what optimisation does, but you can bet part of it is about regulating access to mobile data and how freely they can perform background processes.

The volume controls have changed yet again

One part of Android Lollipop that everyone got quite angry about originally was the volume control. The silent mode was ditched completely. It caused a bit of a fuss.

It has returned, sort of. Android Marshmallow has a Do Not Disturb shortcut in the notifications drop-down that lets you switch off certain alerts for a period of time, or indefinitely. It does feel kind of fiddly still, but is designed to make sure you don’t switch the feature on and then end up missing your early morning alarm.

This new spot for Do Not Disturb lets Android Marshmallow pare down the volume controls a bit. Press the volume button and you’ll see the slider for system notifications. Next to it there’s a drop-down arrow that gives you access to the separate ‘media’ and ‘alarms’ volume dials.

Fingerprint scanners supported as standard

Finger scanners have been found in Android phones for years now. However, it’s only with Android Marshmallow that the system supports the hardware natively. Before now, software for these scanners had to be jammed in by the manufacturer.

Both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P have rear fingerprint scanners, and Google calls the system Nexus Imprint. It lets you unlock your phone with a finger-press, as an identification measure in apps and to sign off on Pay wireless payments.

Pay has been around for years now, but more recently Google re-announced it as Android Pay. Hopefully it’ll catch on this time.

Instant Google Now ‘Ok Googling’

Android 6.0 makes the system’s digital assistant way more useful. Where before it was largely consigned to the Google Now area of the phone, it can be accessed to look up things wherever you are, using something called Now on Tap.

First of all, you can talk to the assistant whenever the phone is on the home screen just by saying ‘Ok Google’.

Don’t like talking to your phone? One of the neatest parts of Android Marshmallow is that the digital assistant can now be called up everywhere. A long-press on the Home button makes the Google Now assistant scan whatever’s on the screen to find extra info online that might be helpful.

It works absolutely anywhere. One example of a good use we found was looking at Tripadvisor for a local restaurant, then using Google Now to fly straight to that place’s menu URL. Neat, right? The only bit it doesn't seem to do yet is to OCR text in photos to Google Now-ify your photo gallery. Maybe one day, eh Google?

Permissions are on lock down

Before Android Marshmallow, app permissions were granted at the point of install. You agree to give an app access to, say, your camera, contacts and storage as soon as the app begins installing. This has changed.

From now on, apps will have to ask for your permission to access the camera, at the point where they want to use it. It’ll make things much clearer, letting you see exactly what apps are doing in the background.

For all apps already granted permissions, you’re also given a much clearer round-up of what’s what in the Settings menu. A dedicated section shows you which apps have access to your camera, your contacts and so on, and you can revoke them at the press of a switch.

USB Type-C/3.1 support

One important bit of future-proofing is full support for USB-C, which is closely linked to the USB 3.1 standard. We’ve seen this plug already in the OnePlus 2, but it was really just a USB 2.0 port with a different connector.

The big news is the new set of capabilities we’ll see when ‘proper’ USB-C phones arrive, with USB 3.1 support. They’ll be able transmit 40x the power of the current USB connectors, although exactly how much power phones of the future are going to gobble up is something we don’t know yet.

Doze

In a bid to hopefully give your battery life a boost, Android Marshmallow introduces a feature that recognises when the Android device is in a rested state to help conserve power. Google says it has tested it with a Nexus 9 and claims it can help make battery life last two times longer in standby mode by using fewer background services. If you're worried about missing out on alarms and incoming instant messages, Doze will still allow those notifications and modes to be activated.

When will Android 6.0 Marshmallow be available?

Google has announced that the Android Marshmallow launch will be at the beginning of October. Currently, developers can play around with the final Android Marshmallow builds on the Nexus 5 and 6 smartphones plus the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player set-top box. Google has since confirmed that the Nexus 7 will also be among the first devices to the get the Marshmallow treatment.

Big Data: Data is new oil.
Lifi: A far more better and faster than usual WiFi.
Turing Phone: Stronger than steel.
The Incredible Oculus Rift.

Big Data: Data is the new oil.

Big data is a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Challenges include analysis, capture, data curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization, and information privacy. The term often refers simply to the use of predictive analytics or other certain advanced methods to extract value from data, and seldom to a particular size of data set. Accuracy in big data may lead to more confident decision making. And better decisions can mean greater operational efficiency, cost reduction and reduced risk.

What is big data analytics?

Big data analytics is the process of examining big data to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations and other useful information that can be used to make better decisions. With big data analytics, data scientists and others can analyze huge volumes of data that conventional analytics and business intelligence solutions can't touch. Consider that your organization could accumulate (if it hasn't already) billions of rows of data with hundreds of millions of data combinations in multiple data stores and abundant formats. High-performance analytics is necessary to process that much data in order to figure out what's important and what isn't. Enter big data analytics.

Why collect and store terabytes of data if you can't analyze it in full context? Or if you have to wait hours or days to get results? With new advances in computing technology, there's no need to avoid tackling even the most challenging business problems. For simpler and faster processing of only relevant data, you can use high-performance analytics. Using high-performance data mining, predictive analytics, text mining, forecasting and optimization on big data enables you to continuously drive innovation and make the best possible decisions. In addition, organizations are discovering that the unique properties of machine learning are ideally suited to addressing their fast-paced big data needs in new ways.

Why is big data analytics important?

For years SAS customers have evolved their analytics methods from a reactive view into a proactive approach using predictive and prescriptive analytics. Both reactive and proactive approaches are used by organizations, but let's look closely at what is best for your organization and task at hand.

Reactive vs. proactive approaches

There are four approaches to analytics, and each falls within the reactive or proactive category:

Reactive – business intelligence. In the reactive category, business intelligence (BI) provides standard business reports, ad hoc reports, OLAP and even alerts and notifications based on analytics. This ad hoc analysis looks at the static past, which has its purpose in a limited number of situations.

Reactive – big data BI. When reporting pulls from huge data sets, we can say this is performing big data BI. But decisions based on these two methods are still reactionary.

Proactive – big analytics. Making forward-looking, proactive decisions requires proactive big analytics like optimization, predictive modeling, text mining, forecasting and statistical analysis. They allow you to identify trends, spot weaknesses or determine conditions for making decisions about the future. But although it's proactive, big analytics cannot be performed on big data because traditional storage environments and processing times cannot keep up.

Proactive – big data analytics. By using big data analytics you can extract only the relevant information from terabytes, petabytes and exabytes, and analyze it to transform your business decisions for the future. Becoming proactive with big data analytics isn't a one-time endeavor; it is more of a culture change – a new way of gaining ground by freeing your analysts and decision makers to meet the future with sound knowledge and insight.

The Challenges of Big Data Analytics:

For most organizations, big data analysis is a challenge. Consider the sheer volume of data and the different formats of the data (both structured and unstructured data) that is collected across the entire organization and the many different ways different types of data can be combined, contrasted and analyzed to find patterns and other useful business information.

The first challenge is in breaking down data silos to access all data an organization stores in different places and often in different systems. A second big data challenge is in creating platforms that can pull in unstructured data as easily as structured data. This massive volume of data is typically so large that it's difficult to process using traditional database and software methods.

Big Data Requires High-Performance Analytics

To analyze such a large volume of data, big data analytics is typically performed using specialized software tools and applications for predictive analytics, data mining, text mining, forecasting and data optimization. Collectively these processes are separate but highly integrated functions of high-performance analytics. Using big data tools and software enables an organization to process extremely large volumes of data that a business has collected to determine which data is relevant and can be analyzed to drive better business decisions in the future.

Examples of How Big Data Analytics is Used Today

As the technology that helps an organization to break down data silos and analyze data improves, business can be transformed in all sorts of ways. According to Datamation, today's advances in analyzing Big Data allow researchers to decode human DNA in minutes, predict where terrorists plan to attack, determine which gene is mostly likely to be responsible for certain diseases and, of course, which ads you are most likely to respond to on Facebook.

The business cases for leveraging Big Data are compelling. For instance, Netflix mined its subscriber data to put the essential ingredients together for its recent hit House of Cards, and subscriber data also prompted the company to bring Arrested Development back from the dead.

Another example comes from one of the biggest mobile carriers in the world. France's Orange launched its Data for Development project by releasing subscriber data for customers in the Ivory Coast. The 2.5 billion records, which were made anonymous, included details on calls and text messages exchanged between 5 million users. Researchers accessed the data and sent Orange proposals for how the data could serve as the foundation for development projects to improve public health and safety. Proposed projects included one that showed how to improve public safety by tracking cell phone data to map where people went after emergencies; another showed how to use cellular data for disease containment.

Benefits of Big Data Analytics:

Enterprises are increasingly looking to find actionable insights into their data. Many big data projects originate from the need to answer specific business questions. With the right big data analytics platforms in place, an enterprise can boost sales, increase efficiency, and improve operations, customer service and risk management.

Webopedia parent company, QuinStreet, surveyed 540 enterprise decision-makers involved in big data purchases to learn which business areas companies plan to use Big Data analytics to improve operations. About half of all respondents said they were applying big data analytics to improve customer retention, help with product development and gain a competitive advantage.

Notably, the business area getting the most attention relates to increasing efficiencies and optimizing operations. Specifically, 62 percent of respondents said that they use big data analytics to improve speed and reduce complexity.

The Turing Phone : Stronger than steel.

Turing Phone smartphone was launched in July 2015. The phone comes with a 5.50-inch touch screen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels 

The Turing Phone is powered by 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC processor and it comes with 3GB of RAM. The phone packs 16GB of internal storage cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Turing Phone packs a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies. 

The Turing Phone runs Android 5.1 and is powered by a 3000mAh non removable battery. It measures 151.80 x 77.10 x 9.05 (height x width x thickness). 

The Turing Phone is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Micro-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, 4G. Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope.

Turing phone is different from any other smartphone on the planet

Turing Phone skips all conventional smartphone features for a more secure smartphone:

The Turing phone doesn’t have a headphone jack, it doesn’t have a micro-USB port (for charging). In short, it’s unlike any other phone on the planet but what it offers is both unique and exciting.

For starters, the Turing phone is made of a new kind of metallurgy called Liquidmorphium, which Turing Robotic Industries claims to be tougher than titanium or steel. Basically Turing phone is made of liquid metal offering high tensile strength and excellent corrosion resistance. This phone will not see bendgate ever.

For those who want to know the specs sheet, here is what it looks like: 3GB RAM, a relatively older 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, 5.5-inch Full HD display, 13MP rear camera and 8MP secondary camera. It has a 3000 mAh non-removable battery and is IPx8 certified. Turing phone also has a fingerprint sensor, which has been placed on device’s left side unlike Apple/Samsung’s home button idea.

But Turing Phone is more than just specs. It is end to end encrypted. The other important aspect of the Turing phone is the Imitation key which is an extra hardware component that encrypts your data and makes it almost impossible for any malicious software or app to enter your device. This is aimed at enterprises to build apps around this encryption key and secure every bit of data. And the security bit, does not mean that style goes for a toss. As the pictures from The Verge show, Turing Phone will be available in an array of colors. As someone commented on seeing the phone, it reminds you of Ironman’s suit. For a geek that’s as stylish as it gets. Turing phone will be available for pre-order starting July 31st for $610 (16GB), $740 (64GB) or $870 (128GB) and is slated for a September launch. To put it briefly, Turing phone won’t let you plug in your own headphone and yeah you will have to carry another set of proprietary charging cable. And yes there’s no word on the software yet. But what it really offers is end-to-end encryption, something that a lot of enterprises and those worried about privacy will value.

Turing Phone gets over 10,000 reservations – are you getting one?

Turing Robotics Industries doesn’t expect to cater to millions of customers, but they sure aren’t going to be having much down time once the Turing Phone is released. Their niche market seems to have a remarkable interest in the security-focused smartphone, as the company has just announced the handset has received over 10,000 reservations in only a matter of days. These were made from 130 countries on six continents.

As a matter, this doesn’t exactly mean the phone will be sold to over 10,000 people. It is more of a poll to find out how many people are interested in the device, and which versions are more popular. Maybe it’s just to estimate production accordingly. Regardless, it is a great accomplishment to see so many people interested in the unique device.

The Turing Phone is special in that it comes with great rugged features inside and out. The device ensures protection against water damage, is made of a strong material called liquid metal and packs industry-leading software. Turing Robotics Industries went as far as creating its proprietary charging port and ditching the 3.5 mm headset jack, leaving no room for tampering.

What’s even better is that the phone manages to bring a great set of specs, as opposed to most rugged/secure gadgets out there, which leave much to be desired. The Turing Phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 13 MP rear camera, an 8 MP front-facing shooter and a 3000 mAh battery.

With all that packed inside, as well as the great security features the phone touts, it’s no wonder so many of you are interested in the phone. How many of you made a reservation for the phone? Are you actually buying it once it is released?

If you are not sure yet, go ahead and take a look at our hands-on first look. We spent some good time with the device and can share a bit of our experience with you!

Facts: (For those who really don't know, what does "Turing" means?)

Basically Turing is not at all a metal (some of the few would be thinking it as some metal), it is actually named after a mathematician, Alan Turing, who was a computer scientist, logician, code breaker, theoretical biologist and cryptanalyst. And also major in cryptography and Artificial Intelligence, in the 20th century.

He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing a formalization of the concepts of algorithm and computation with the Turing machine, which can be considered a model of a general purpose computer. Turing is widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.

“A computer would deserve to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human.” – Alan Turing.

The incredible Oculus Rift.

Gaming goes more virtual but real.

You pull a helmet over your head, and suddenly, you're inside a virtual world that seems completely lifelike. You can run around, fight, race and fly, doing things gamers have never done before. What was once the stuff of Hollywood fantasy is now becoming a reality. A startup called Oculus VR is creating personal virtual-reality goggles called the Oculus Rift for everyone to use.

Here's everything we know about the Oculus Rift so far in terms of specs, features, platform support and overall potential.

What is the Oculus Rift?

Invented by a VR enthusiast named Palmer Luckey, the Oculus Rift is a set of virtual-reality goggles that will work with your computer or mobile device. After he showed a prototype at the E3 gaming convention in 2012, Luckey founded Irvine, Calif.-based Oculus VR with Brendan Iribe, who became CEO. The two launched a Kickstarter project in August 2012 to sell prototype developer versions of the Oculus Rift, raising $2.4 million. Since selling out of the original Oculus Rift development kit, the company has launched a revamped $350 Development Kit 2 (DK2) model while continuing to work on its eventual consumer version.

On Mar. 25, 2014, Oculus VR was purchased by social networking giant Facebook for a combined $2 billion dollars. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the headset "has the chance to create the most social platform ever," though we don't know how exactly the website will utilize the Oculus Rift. In an interview with Polygon, Luckey said that Oculus VR will continue to operate in its Irvine headquarters, and will use Facebook's backing to create a better, more affordable product.

How does the Oculus Rift work?

Picture a set of ski goggles in which a large cellphone screen replaces the glass. The screen displays two images side by side, one for each eye. A set of lenses is placed on top of the screen, focusing and reshaping the picture for each eye, and creating a stereoscopic 3D image. The goggles have embedded sensors that monitor the wearer's head motions and adjust the image accordingly. The latest version of the Oculus Rift is bolstered by an external positional-tracking accessory, which helps track head movements more accurately. The result is the sensation that you are looking around a 3D world.

What about augmented reality?

Augmented reality (AR) involves superimposing graphics over a view of the real world, such as a cellphone's camera or the prism display of Google Glass. Since Oculus Rift lets you see only a 3D world, and not the real world, it can't do AR. However, the execs at Oculus VR have said that maybe one day, they will add cameras to the goggles, allowing you to see the real world when you're not in a game. Such a setup would let you add three-dimensional graphics on top of the camera feed and allow for augmented reality. Considering what Rift creators have indicated in the past, this is not likely to happen with the first consumer version.

What's the latest news about the Oculus Rift?

Oculus VR unveiled the new DK2 version of the Oculus Rift at GDC 2014 in March. This version has a sleeker, more compact design than its predecessor, as well as a sharper resolution and enhanced overall performance.

The DK2 is based on the Crystal Cove Oculus Rift prototype, which was introduced at CES 2014. The Crystal Cove possessed a handful of new features, including a 1080p OLED display. It could track head movement across six axes instead of three, which allowed the device to track head movement and follow a user's eyes without drifting. It also operated with a lag time of only 30 milliseconds, compared with 50 to 60 milliseconds on earlier prototypes. This creates a smoother experience for the user, and allows for more lifelike animation to make its way from a computer to the Oculus Rift.

Do people experience motion sickness with the Oculus Rift?

Some users who try the developer version experience motion sickness and headaches. This is especially true for those trying demos at conventions or other events, since the unit's screen and settings won't have been customized to that person. It also takes some time for a person's body to adjust to the virtual reality. Your brain and body get tricked into thinking you are moving, when you are not. This disparity can make some people nauseous or give them headaches.

What about the "screen-door effect" of the Oculus Rift?

Because the screen is so close to your eyes, you can see the spaces between individual pixels, so it almost looks like you're viewing the world through a grid or a screen door. This effect should be minimized or negated with the improved screen that Oculus VR plans for the consumer version.

What are the tech specs of the Oculus Rift?

The Oculus Rift DK2 packs a 5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 960 x 1080 pixels per eye and a 100-degree field of view. The headset has a refresh rate of up to 75 Hz, with an internal-tracking update rate of 1000 Hz and a positional-tracking update rate of 60 Hz. Weighing in at just less than a pound, the all-black DK2 has ports for HDMI and USB 2.0.

The DK2 ships with a positional-tracking camera, which is designed to strengthen the Rift's ability to track your head movements. The goggles include multiple lens cups, allowing you to get a clear view of the action, whether you're near- or far-sighted.

The older DK1 model had a weaker 1280 x 800p display, though the screen was bigger, at 7 inches, and provided a 110-degree field of view.

Where can I buy an Oculus Rift?

You can preorder the Oculus Rift DK2 on the company's website, and orders will start shipping in July.

How much does the Oculus Rift cost?

The latest developer version costs $350. Oculus VR has stated that a consumer version will be "affordable," but has not yet listed a price. Analysts estimate that the price will not exceed $499, although there will be no way to know for certain until closer to launch.

When will a consumer version of the Oculus Rift be available?

Oculus VR has not announced a hard date for the consumer-oriented Oculus Rift. Initially, enthusiasts expected the product to ship by mid-2014, but given how much Oculus VR is still fine-tuning the device, it may be later than that. The device could hit shelves by late 2014, although early 2015 is not out of the question.

What makes the consumer version different from the developer kit?

Oculus VR has said the consumer version will have a higher-resolution screen — at least 1080p. The screen will also have better pixel switching, reducing head-movement lag. It will also have a head-position sensor to track not just how the head tilts and twists, but how it moves up and down or side to side if you move your whole body. The overall latency — the lag between head movements and the screen reacting — will also be reduced. All of these differences will contribute to a better image with a more natural feel that reduces the motion sickness that some people experience, Oculus VR says. There may be other improvements that the company hasn't announced yet.

Is Oculus Rift compatible with my game console?

The developer version of Oculus Rift is not compatible with game consoles, but only with computers (Windows, Mac and Linux) and certain games. The consumer version will not be compatible with game consoles either, but Oculus VR has said it is talking with console makers about enabling compatibility. However, given that Sony will be offering its own VR headset for the PS4, currently called Project Morpheus, we wouldn't advise getting your hopes up there.

Will Oculus Rift work with other tech platforms?

Oculus VR has said that the consumer version will be compatible with Android devices, though the company hasn't nailed down a date yet. So Android compatibility may not be available at launch, but through a software update later. Because the Oculus Rift is compatible with Linux, and Valve has been working with Oculus VR since the Rift was revealed, it's possible that the consumer version of the Rift will be compatible with Valve's upcoming Linux-based Steam Box gaming PC from Valve.

What computer games are compatible with Oculus Rift?

The Rift has support for two widely used game engines: Unity and Unreal Engine. The result is that many indie titles and several larger games are compatible with the developer kit. You can find many of these listed on the Oculus VR site and in the recently launched VR section of Steam, Valve's game download service. There are also fan-made modifications to particular titles to get them working with the Rift. Third-party programs such as TriDef, Vireio Perception and VorpX allow games that are not made for the Rift to work with it. There will likely be many more game announcements when the consumer version is launched.

"EVE Valkyrie" is a sci-fi space combat simulator, set in the same world as popular massively multiplayer online "EVE Online." At present, the game is likely to launch alongside the Oculus Rift as the platform's first exclusive title. Another developer has created unofficial mods for "Skyrim" and "The Elder Scrolls Online."

What are the minimum requirements to use the Oculus Rift?

The latest version of the Rift requires a computer running Windows 7 or higher, Mac OSX 10.8 or higher, or Linux Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or higher. The computer should have a processor with a minimum of 2.0 GHz and 2GB of RAM. The computer must have an HDMI or DVI port and 2 USB ports with which to connect the Rift's control box. Its graphics card must be compatible with Direct3D 10 or OpenGL 3, with the ability to play games at 1080p at 75 frames per second or higher. But the Rift is designed to work with 3D games, which could require even more processing and graphics power than the Rift itself requires. Be sure to check the minimum requirements for the games you are interested in playing.

How do I get the Oculus Rift to work with my computer?

Oculus VR has designed the Oculus Rift to be relatively simple to get up and running. Once you own the developer version and have unpacked it, you plug its control box into a power outlet. The goggles are already tethered to the control box with a 10-foot cable. Your computer should automatically detect the Rift and install its drivers, but you should then download the Oculus SDK (software development kit) to try some demos. You should then take the time to adjust the screen distance, find the lens cup that is best for you and run the configuration utility to adjust the image based on the actual space between your eyes (interpupillary distance). You can also adjust the brightness and contrast of the Rift's screen from the control box on the DK1, though the DK2 eschews the control box in favor of making adjustments from your computer. From there, it's just a matter of starting up a Rift-compatible game or one of the programs that makes a non-Rift game compatible with the VR headset.

Does the Oculus Rift have any non-gaming applications?

Filmmakers have begun to experiment with the Oculus Rift to make an audience member feel like he or she is part of the film — from being onstage at a recorded concert to seeing a whole film from a single character's point of view, complete with the ability to look around and explore each scene. Films like this could blur the line between cinema and gaming.

Does this mean virtual reality will finally become practical?

Whether the immersion and the quality of the experience live up to your definition of virtual reality is up to you. But the concept of an inexpensive 3D unit with head tracking means viable virtual reality has finally arrived, at least for computer gamers.

More companies are jumping on the VR wagon, too. Sony's recently announced Project Morpheus aims to bring virtual reality to living-room gaming, as the device will eventually let gamers become immersed in their PS4 experience.

What I was thinking.

I was thinking about people experiencing motion sickness while using the Oculus Rift, also how much the developers ensure that it has no side-effects on our eyes or our head. Is it completely safe for the crazy gamers, who are going to wear it all the time?

The price $350 is affordable, this amount for such technology is acceptable.

Some of the disadvantages I pointed out are:

Uncomfortable in the long run.

Distortions.

Real environment is blinded out. (Especially the users themselves)

Manipulation of real interaction devices is difficult.

Limited field of view.

Watch the video:

LiFi: A far more better and faster than usual WiFi.

This internet technology is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi

A new type of wireless internet technology has been developed that could provide a connection that's 100 times faster than traditional WiFi.

The tech is called LiFi, and was tested by an Estonian start-up called Velmenni, who are currently trialling it in offices.

Yes, it's time to shift from Wi-Fi to Li-Fi — an alternative technology that is 100 times faster than the average speeds of Wi-Fi.

Scientists have just field-tested the new wireless technology called Li-Fi for the first time and achieved marvelous wireless speeds that are 100 times faster than current WiFi speeds.

LiFi has proved capable of sending data at speeds of up to 1GBps, around 100 times faster than most current Wi-Fi connections.

At speeds like this, albums, high-definition films and even video games could be downloaded in a matter of seconds.

The speed is down to the way in which it transmits data -- by using Visible Light Communication (VLC), data is sent between networks by LED lights that flicker incredibly fast.

The technology does have one major limitation -- because it relies on visible light to work, it can't pass through walls.

However, this makes the network much more secure. The dramatically increased speeds make it a big improvement on current technology for some applications as well.

Professor Harald Haas, from the University of Edinburgh, pioneered the technology and coined the term LiFi in 2011, but this is the first time it's been used in a 'real world' setting.

Deepak Solanki, CEO of Velmenni, told the Interational Business Times that the technology could be rolled out to consumers within the next three to four years.

"We are doing a few pilot projects within different industries where we can utilise the VLC (visible light communication) technology," Deepak Solanki, CEO of Estonian tech company, Velmenni, told IBTimes UK.

"Currently we have designed a smart lighting solution for an industrial environment where the data communication is done through light. We are also doing a pilot project with a private client where we are setting up a Li-Fi network to access the Internet in their office space.”

Li-Fi was invented by Harald Haas from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland back in 2011, when he demonstrated for the first time that by flickering the light from a single LED, he could transmit far more data than a cellular tower. Think back to that lab-based record of 224 gigabits per second - that's 18 movies of 1.5 GB each being downloaded every single second.

The technology uses Visible Light Communication (VLC), a medium that uses visible light between 400 and 800 terahertz (THz). It works basically like an incredibly advanced form of Morse code - just like switching a torch on and off according to a certain pattern can relay a secret message, flicking an LED on and off at extreme speeds can be used to write and transmit things in binary code.

And while you might be worried about how all that flickering in an office environment would drive you crazy, don’t worry - we’re talking LEDs that can be switched on and off at speeds imperceptible to the naked eye.

However, due to LiFi's limitations, it would be likely to run in parallel with existing technology to increase a network's speed and efficiency.

However, if the infastructure catches up, LiFi could become much more widely used, especially if it's transmitted through our lightbulbs, as Professor Haas suggested in a 2011 TED Talk.

As Haas said, "All we need to do is fit a small microchip to every potential illumination device and this would then combine two basic functionalities: illumination and wireless data transmission."

"In the future we will not only have 14 billion light bulbs, we may have 14 billion LiFis deployed worldwide for a cleaner, greener and even brighter future."

What I was thinking?

Such type of advancement in the wireless technology is really awesome. Such technologies are about to come in the Tech Industry, when the hell will the rates of mobile data plans will decrease? Secondly, if they are not thinking about decreasing the rates of data plans, then they should at least increase the data transmission speed.And yes, let's just not talk about Uninor/Telenor.

This also reminds me of a friend of mine using Aircel and Reliance 3g, worst than a 2g connection.

(Courtesy - A highly frustrated Tata Docomo 3g user, who is blogging right now.)