Wednesday 31 August 2016

5 places Mark Zuckerberg must visit before he leaves Lagos

The report that Mark Zuckerberg is in Lagos, is no longer news, right? Yesterday, August 30, after the international news media house tweeted that Mark Zuckerberg was in ‘Sub-Saharan Africa’ instead of stating Nigeria outright.


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However, now that Mark Zuckerberg is in Lagos, Nigeria, what are the five places he must visit before he leaves Lagos?


1. Facebook Partner Workshop Developer Event
The workshop which holds today, Wednesday, is one of the major reasons Mark Zuckerberg is in Nigeria. Although attendance is free, the event is strictly by invitation, and the venue is likely CC HUB in Yaba, Lagos.
During the workshop, you’ll hear from Facebook Product, Partnerships, and Engineering teams, who will be providing exclusive, hands-on instruction via code-labs, tech-talks, and updates on the latest Facebook Platform products designed to help you build and grow a successful business.


2. Olumo Rock

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Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun state


When Zuckerberg was in India, one of the places he visited was the Taj Mahal. What is the Nigerian equivalent? There are many, but Olumo Rock is filled with enough history to make a thoroughly enjoyable tourist stop for him.
About two hours away from Lagos, in the quiet city of Abeokuta, Ogun state, Mark Zuckerberg should definitely tear himself away from technology long enough to visit Olumo Rock.

3. Aso Rock
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The Aso Rock is the equivalent of the White House


Mark Zuckerberg has met the Pope, Barack Obama, President Xi Jinping of China and a whole lot of other powerful leaders across the world.
So, definitely, he must visit the Aso Rock and meet the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Especially, as the online platform, Facebook, played a major role in getting President Buhari elected.

4. White House
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White House buka in Yaba, Lagos feeds a teeming population.

No, not the White House in the United States, the Whitehouse Restaurant at No 9, Chapel Street, Sabo Yaba, Lagos, which is quite close to the CC HUB. It is time Zuckerberg tastes and tells the world about the wonders and culinary delight of the White House amala with ewedu soup.



5. Orphanages


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There are numerous orphanages littered around Lagos


There are a lot of orphanages in Lagos, around Surulere and Yaba, that Mark Zuckerberg should visit. The children there will definitely need some of the charity from the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative.
He has shown on several occasions that he is ever ready to give to a worthwhile cause, so who knows what he might give to the orphanages he decides to visit.
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Facebook boss Zuckerberg in Lagos



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Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook – the largest social media network – yesterday paid his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria, his destination, has the largest mobile and internet market on the continent.
The youthful American billionaire and Internet entrepreneur, who arrived in Lagos, is in the country to meet members of startup ecosystem – a large group of entrepreneurs and innovative young Nigerians. Zuckerberg announced the visit via his personal Facebook page, saying he was ready to interact with Nigerian innovators and learn about their business ideas.
Zuckerberg wrote on his wall: “Next stop: Lagos! This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa. I’ll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to learn as much as I can.”
Zuckerberg yesterday visited Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB), a multi- technological ecosystem based in Yaba, Lagos Mainland. He interacted with children on summer coding camp.
He wrote: “Our first stop is the Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) in Yaba. I got to talk to kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps. I’m looking forward to meeting more people here!”
Zuckerberg’s visit generated online buzz and excitement among technology-savvy youths, who expressed views that the billionaire’s visit would give the nation’s youth entrepreneurship market a facelift.
Last night, the Facebook founder met with Ms Rosemary Njoku, initiator of Facebook Express Wi-Fi stand in Lagos.
Express Wi-Fi, Zuckerberg said, empowers entrepreneurs to build a business by providing their community with access to the internet. He said Facebook designed the technology, but local Internet providers provided the connectivity.
In less than 30 minutes after Zuckerberg shared the post announcing his Nigeria’s visit, more than 60,000 youths made comments, liked and shared the post. This was an indication of excitement among the youth to learn of the Facebook founder’s visit.
Before his visit, Zuckerberg had made positive comments about Nigeria’s entrepreneurs. He particularly mentioned founders of Jobberman, an online job market classified.
CNN quoted Zuckerberg to have said: “I’m excited to see what Nigerians build next.”
Facebook is in partnership with Airtel Africa to execute Internet.org, an initiative which will allow Nigerians access to news, health information and other services without having to pay for data on their mobile devices.
The post appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.
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Nigerian developers are awesome -Zuckerberg

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg has commended Nigerian developers and entrepreneurs.
He gave the commendation while answering questions at a town hall meeting held in Lagos.
Zukerberg noted that Nigerians are doing awesome work with new media.
More details comming
The post appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.
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Saturday 27 August 2016

Weekly Roundup: Zero-day hacks rock Apple, WhatsApp changes privacy policy

August, the weekend of months. This week a zero-day hack rocked Apple, WhatsApp announced a major privacy change and Tesla announced a new model that takes Ludicrous Mode to the next level. Would you rather get the Weekly Roundup in your inbox? Same, TBH.
1. Hackers are honing in on mobile devices. The latest example was an Apple zero-day hack targeting activist Ahmed Mansoor that employed not one but three zero-day exploits that were addressed by a patch. The investigation suggested these were the work of a shady cybersecurity company, and the software may have been used for years by governments looking to compromise political targets. So, if you haven’t done so yet, update your iOS devices to 9.3.5.
2. WhatsApp came out with a huge shift in its privacy policy. The Facebook-owned messaging app will now share user data with Facebook for ad targeting. You have a few options: stop using WhatsApp, or take advantage of the partial opt out the app is offering users for a short period of time. Here’s a step by step on how to opt out.
3. Google announced a major change to its search results. The company will start punishing mobile sites that make content less accessible with intrusive ads, by ranking them lower in search results. These are ads that appear right when you open a site, take over the whole page and have the smallest possible button for dismissing them. Good riddance!
4. Can Apple social? Apple may be working on a video recording and editing app that may be similar to Snapchat. There’s no mention of ephemeral content, but reports said the app is supposed to be easy to use with one hand for video recording, and mentioned filters and drawing functionality.
5. Tesla isn’t slowing down. The company’s stock surged after Elon Musk teased an announcement on Twitter, and then revealed a shiny new model. Tesla has a new Model S P100D that is boosting Ludicrous Mode up by 0.1 second 0-60 mph time.
6. Uber was just upstaged by a small MIT spinout. A much lower profile company called NuTonomy launched the world’s first self-driving taxi as its autonomous vehicles hit the roads of Singapore. The three-year-old company had been privately testing self-driving cars in Singapore since April. Uber, what say you?


7. What’s really going on at Hyperloop One – the futuristic transportation system proposing to shoot humans from point A to B at 750 miles-per-hour? (Besides a leadership shake up, lawsuit, countersuit and $80 million in funding.) The company is still in its early stages, but is gathering huge potential to change the transportation industry – if the company can bring itself up to speed.
8. For the first time, astronomers discovered a planet orbiting our sun’s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri. Proxima b is officially the closest exoplanet to Earth, but what’s important about this is that it’s at the right distance from its sun to support liquid water…and potentially alien life. Welcome to the neighborhood, Proxima b!

9. Android Nougat came out of beta. It’s available for Google’s own Nexus devices (the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player), the Pixel C tablet and the General Mobile 4G. The most apparent change is in the notifications system, with a closer look to Google’s Material Design guidelines.
10. Y Combinator held its Summer 2016 Demo Days 1 and 2, consisting of presentations from startups ranging from farming drones, autonomous security guards to next-gen tampons. In-flight VR entertainment and security guard drones were amongst our top pics for the most promising startups from Day 1. Gunshot detectors, sales team analytics and credit reports for immigrants were some of our favorites from Day 2.
11. Harvard Business School students are taught about the art of venture capital. Among one case study the class learned last year was in fact the story of Rothenberg Ventures, founded by a HBS graduate and subject of recent VC downfall.
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Friday 26 August 2016

How to Stop WhatsApp From Sharing Your Info With Facebook

If you are an existing user, you can choose not to share your account information with Facebook to improve your Facebook ads and products experiences.
There are two ways to do this:
Option 1
Before you tap Agree to accept our updated
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
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You will see a control at the bottom of the screen. If you do not want your account information shared with Facebook to improve your Facebook ads and products experiences, you can uncheck the box or toggle the control.


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Option 2
After you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, you will have an additional 30 days to make this choice by going to Settings > Account > Share my account info in the app. If you do not want your account information shared with Facebook to improve your Facebook ads and products experiences, you can uncheck the box or toggle the control.

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The Facebook family of companies will still receive and use this information for other purposes such as improving infrastructure and delivery systems, understanding how our services or theirs are used, securing systems, and fighting spam, abuse, or infringement activities.



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Wednesday 24 August 2016

Google Fills Nexus Devices With Rich Nougat Features

version 7.0

Google on Monday began rolling out its long-awaited Android 7.0 Nougat release to Nexus smartphones and tablets.
The new operating system became available as a beta release, known only as "Android N," earlier this year. The experiences of developers and other users led to more than 250 new features, including improved multitasking, stronger battery life and tighter security features, noted Sameer Samat, vice president of product development.
The new OS provides quick access to settings, so important features like Bluetooth, WiFi and the phone's flashlight are readily available when needed.
The system also provides multi-locale support, so that languages can be localized and other apps can be adjusted to reflect the user's location.
Among the more sought-after features are multitasking, which lets users run two apps alongside each other in adjustable windows. Users can access notifications without having to open individual apps. Switching between apps is a snap -- all it requires is double-tapping the overview button.

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Emoji Explosion
Android Nougat's expanded list of emojis lets users be more creative with their messages. There are now 72 different characters and a total of more than 1,500 expressions.


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Nougat's battery life improves on that of its predecessor, Marshmallow. Users can take advantage of the doze feature, which lets the device drop into lower power use during travel.
The OS allows experiences that are more immersive, likely with an eye to enhanced uses. Support for VulcanTM is included. VulcanTM is an advanced 3D rendering API for enhanced gaming, as well as for Daydream, the company's virtual reality platform for new phones, headsets and controllers.
The new system is designed to be more secure, with file-based encryption, direct boot capability and a seamless process that allows users of new Android devices to run software updates in the background, while allowing users of existing Nexus gadgets to install updates much faster.

Driving adoption
Some of the new features in Nougat -- including the more powerful graphics and the ability to conserve battery power -- might prove to be compelling, suggested Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group .
Whether they're compelling enough to draw new users into the Android fold may prove to be a more difficult question to answer, however, as the cost and time required to make a mobile OS switch remain significant barriers.
The slow rollout of devices in the pipeline is another challenge for driving adoption.
Nexus 6, 5X, 6P, 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G will get over-the-air upgrades to Nougat, according to Google.
The LG v20, scheduled for release on Sept. 6, will be the first new phone to debut with Nougat preinstalled, Google spokesperson Joshua Cruz confirmed.
The Instant App function is a potential game changer, as it will allow users to sample new apps in the Google Play Store prior to downloading, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.
It's also possible Nougat will drive new hardware sales, he suggested.
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Tuesday 23 August 2016

Android 7.0 Nougat released by Google

version 7.0

Google has released Android 7.0, codenamed Nougat.
The new version of its mobile operating system allows two apps to be run on the same screen at once, and makes it possible for devices to handle more complex 3D graphics.
For now, only Nexus-branded handsets and tablets can get the update.
Google says a forthcoming phone from LG will also have the software pre-installed. But other device owners will have to wait for manufacturers to carry out their own checks before they make it possible to install the code.
The situation poses a challenge to Google, which wants as many users as possible to upgrade. According to the firm's own figures, only 15% of Android devices in use got the previous version of Android.

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Facebook launches Lifestage app for school teens

Facebook update

Facebook has launched a new social media app aimed at school teenagers.

Members of Lifestage, currently only available on Apple devices in the US, upload pictures and videos based around feelings, likes and dislikes. These are then turned into video profiles.
All posts are public and there are no options to restrict viewing. The idea is to connect members of the same school, its creator said.
One expert told the BBC the lack of privacy settings was a concern.
School members can view each other's profiles once the individual school has registered 20 members or more.
Users aged more than 21 are only able to view their own profiles,
reports the Tech Crunch website.
However the app warns that it cannot guarantee whether all its users are genuine.
"We can't confirm that people who claim to go to a certain school actually go to that school. All videos you upload to your profile are fully public content," it says.
Lifestage has no messaging functionality but users can display contact details from other sites such as Snapchat and Instagram.
The app currently has a 2.5 star rating on the iTunes store with comments describing it as "kinda sorta creepy" and "confusing".
According to statistics website Statista only 8% of Facebook's US users are aged 13-19.
It has been designed by Facebook product manager Michael Sayman, who is 19 years old.
In a Facebook post he wrote that the app was based around the original social network's early days.
"Back in 2004, Facebook was all about 'who I am'. I could post my relationship status. I could share what my favourite music was. And it was all about expressing myself," he said.
"Today as Facebook has grown into so much more, we see the opportunity to explore that concept of 'who I am' once again, but for Generation Z in 2016."
Pushing boundaries
Dr Bernie Hogan from the Oxford Internet Institute told the BBC the app's lack of privacy settings could prove unpopular.
"The lack of privacy settings on this app in its current state is indicative of Facebook ideology - which is to stay open and connected as much as possible," he said.
"From their point of view that's a great idea but sometimes being so open can get in the way of getting connected. They already know this as people become reluctant to share things online if they have to share them with everyone.
"It seems yet again that they are trying to push the boundaries of what we think is appropriate to share online and then walking back when they face public criticism."
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Saturday 20 August 2016

Google Comes Out with its Own “FaceTime” app, Duo


duo

Move over FaceTime and Skype because Google wants a seat at the table (well, actually another seat at the table) with their new video chat app, Duo.
Launched on Monday , Google Duo, is a video chatting app specifically for use on your phone. Unlike FaceTime this app doesn’t require both callers to have the same phone i.e., the iPhone. Instead it’s all done through the app which is available for both iOS and Android.
Now if it seems like Google already has a video-calling app that’s because they do. It’s called Google Hangouts or as I call it “Google Hang-Yourself.” My experience with Hangouts has been ripe with glitches, dropped calls and general confusion.

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Duo on the other hand is promoted as “a simple 1-to-1 video calling app.” From an easy interface to contact list integration the whole thing is intended to make Duo the simpler choice. Or as Google puts it, “Duo takes the complexity out of video calling, so that you can be together in the moment wherever you are.” Aww.
Keeping in line with “simple,” there’s no need to create an account to get started with the app. All you have to do when you sign up is allow the app to check your phone number and respond to the confirmation text it sends you. That’s it.
Now other than the ease-of-use this does feel like another video chat app save one cool feature called Knock Knock. This feature allows a preview video of the caller before you answer so you can see what you’re about to get into. Callers can make faces, hold up a note, show you their…well, you get the point. Basically it’s a video version of knocking on the door.


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Unfortunately Knock Knock is currently only fully available on Android, not iOS. iOS phones will only see the preview if the app is already open. There’s no word yet on when iPhone users can expect the full use of this feature.
Google Duo is rolling out worldwide over the next few days. Keep checking out the App or Google Play store in order to download it when it becomes available in your area.
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Friday 19 August 2016

Finding Compatible USB-C Accessories is a Total Crapshoot

USB Type-C is mainstream now. HP and Apple put the new standard on their high-end laptops exclusively, while a number of others are using both USB 3.0 and USB-C. Samsung added USB Type-C to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which ensures that we'll see it on a ton of phones going forward.

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In theory, this should be awesome. You can use USB Type-C for charging, transferring data, putting video on external monitors, listening to music and more. And, most famously, it's reversible.
But using USB Type-C with third-party accessories hasn't proven to be the seamless experience it should be. I've been trying out a number of USB Type-C docks, chargers and other peripherals, only to find that, when it comes to charging and Alternate Mode for video, they work on a case-by-case basis (we haven't had the same issues with data transfer).
I can't recommend that you out and buy USB-C chargers and alt-mode docks immediately, unless you know for sure that what you're buying will work with your specific laptop or tablet.
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Wednesday 17 August 2016

Asus ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Deluxe, ZenFone 3 Ultra, ZenFone 3 Laser Launched in India


Asus India on Wednesday launched its ZenFone 3 series in the country. The company has priced the ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) at Rs. 21,999, the ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL) at Rs. 27,999, the ZenFone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL) at Rs. 49,999, and ZenFone 3 Laser (ZC551KL)  at 18,999. The and the ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) starts at Rs. 49,999, with the Snapdragon 821 model priced at Rs. 62,999.
While the Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) and Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL) will be available from Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, and Sangeetha Mobiles from Wednesday, it will hit retail shelves before the end of the month. The Asus ZenFone 3 Laser (ZC551KL), Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL), and Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL)  on the other hand will be available across online and offline retail channels from next month.

All four Asus smartphones run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, feature metal bodies, and support hybrid dual-SIM card slots. The company has also announced a variant of the ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) for India, called the ZenFone 3 Deluxe Special Edition, which runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC and bears 256GB of inbuilt storage.
The company at the launch event also announced that the Asus ZenBook 3 and Asus Transformer 3 Pro, devices that were unveiled at Computex 2016 alongside the ZenFone 3 series, will be available from online and offline retail channels in India from October, priced at Rs. 1,47,990 and Rs. 1,44,990 respectively.
To note, Asus has brought the ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) model to India, which features a 5.2-inch display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 2650mAh battery, as well as the ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL) model, which features a 5.5-inch display, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of inbuilt storage, and a 3000mAh battery.
Other specifications between the two variants remain the same. The Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) is powered by 2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor that comes with 3GB of RAM. It packs a 16-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies. The 32GB of onboard storage can be expanded via microSD (up to 2TB).
The Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) is powered by a 2650mAh non removable battery. It measures 146.87x73.98x7.69mm, and weighs 144 grams. Connectivity options on board include 4G, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and FM radio.
The ZenFone 3 Laser on the other hand sports a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display, and is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 430 SoC with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 128GB). As far as the cameras are concerned, the Asus ZenFone 3 Laser packs a 13-megapixel rear camera with laser autofocus, dual-tone LED flash, and electronic image stabilisation. It sports a 8-megapixel front facing camera, and is powered by a 3000mAh battery.
Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL) on the other hand sports a 6.8-inch full-HD display, and is powered by the same octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. It bears packs 64GB of internal storage that's expandable via microSD card (up to 128GB). It packs a 23-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies. It's powered by a 4600mAh non removable battery.
Finally, coming to the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) - it is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and it comes with 6GB of RAM. The phone packs 64GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 256GB). As far as the cameras are concerned, the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) packs a 23-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies. It is powered by a 3000mAh battery.

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How to transfer files from smartphone to PC

Most times, we seek to transfer files from our desktop computers to our phones. According to www.about.com, there are easy ways to do this. Below are some of the strategies:

Wi-Fi transfer apps
If your computer is connected to a nearby wireless network, one of the ways to transfer files to a mobile device is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialise in quickly porting information through your wireless network and onto a mobile device. Once set up, these services are quick, easy to use, and quite reliable as long as your wireless Internet connection is stable.
 
Cloud storage
Cloud sharing services include Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox.  Download the app for your phone and access the information, while it is in the cloud. This is useful for transferring files between different platforms including sharing with friends or co-workers.
However, both drag-and-drop transfers and cloud sharing have some security issues. If you are not using a secure wireless network, then data theft is a possibility. Be smart about your transfers and sensitive information.

Pairing with Bluetooth
With Bluetooth pairing, you do not need a wireless network to transfer files. Turn on Bluetooth for both your mobile device and your PC, then look on your computer to see if it senses the nearby device. You can check the “Devices and Printers” panel if there’s no automatic connection.
Most PCs will then move onto a confirmation task, where you have to type in a code or compare numbers. This will allow the computer to pair with your mobile device. The device should appear in your list of connected drives when you look at your menu or file browser. For many PCs, you can select “Send a File” from the Bluetooth menu by clicking on the Bluetooth logo on the bottom right side of your screen to get started. You can also manage Bluetooth devices more directly from the Devices and Printers panel if necessary

Using NFC connections
NFC stands for near field communication, a data transfer capability that many phones and some computers now possess. Whether you are dealing with Android Beam, Windows Phone NFC, or other services, you can use NFC transfers.
This protocol requires that devices be physically close.   It is safer compared to wireless transfers, but a bit more time-consuming.  Apple uses NFC for payments only, not file transfers, so iPhone users may not be able to use the file transfer function.

Using email
Email is handy when you need to swap files from your desktop computer to a nearby tablet or smartphone. Also, if you want to share a file with a coworker but can’t find a way to send it directly to their mobile device, you can send the file to their email account.

USB drive
Even though the USB drive is fast losing popularity to cloud tech services and wireless features, sometimes the best option is still using a flash drive or external hard drive to move your files. Not only is using a USB drive or connection safer compared to wireless transfers (especially with built-in authentication), it’s also an ideal way to save a lot of content and transfer it all at once to multiple devices without weighing down your wireless network.
The key is picking out the right USB drive device to use. Many Android devices, for example, use USB On-The-Go, which can pair with compatible USB storage devices for quick transfers between PC and Androids.
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USB-IF Announces Charger Certification Programme for USB Type-C Devices


There are many USB chargers available on the Internet, but sadly there has been no standard certification that can notify the users if the charger indeed produces the power delivery specifications that are listed on the product. Now, the non-profit body that determines USB specifications and standards - the USB Implementer Forum - has announced that it will perform the standardization and give the certified logos if the products meet its USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery specifications.
The USB-IF was created to "provide a support organization and forum for the advancement and adoption of Universal Serial Bus technology" as per the organization's website. As a part of organization's new certification and compliance programme (Certified USB Charger Logo and Compliance Program), manufacturers will submit their products and the certifications will be given on the basis of USB Power Delivery and USB Type-C specifications.
The logo on the product, issued by the organization on compliance with the required qualities, will also carry the power capacity of the products in watts. The program is meant to certify USB chargers for USB Type-C devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, docking stations, displays, and other products.

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"Certified USB Chargers will give users an interoperable power source and a seamless experience. From displays, to smartphones and docking stations, the industry is aligning behind USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery as the last wire you'll ever need for faster charging," organization's CTO Rahman Ismail was quoted as saying in a press statement.
Standardization in any field is a good thing but when it comes to electronics, its importance cannot be overstated as a product with poor quality can potentially damage or even destroy other devices that are associated with it.
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Nikon Announces D3400 Entry-Level DSLR With SnapBridge Support

Nikon has announced the D3400, which will replace the highly popular D3300 in the entry-level DSLR space. The new camera will go up against Canon's 1300D, which also caters to the beginner segment. The camera will be available from September with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens for $649.95 (approximately Rs. 43,600).
The biggest addition to the camera is support for Nikon's SnapBirdge for quickly transferring photos to a connected device like a smartphone or tablet. The D3400 uses Bluetooth Low Energy to sync with your device. Sadly, there's no Wi-Fi present here. Battery life is also supposed to have improved as the camera now boasts of almost 1,200 shots on a single charge, which is big improvement over its predecessor.
The rest of the features remain pretty much the same. We have a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor mated to the company's Expeed 4 image processor and no optical low-pass filter, for crisper shots. The camera offers an ISO range of 100-25600, 5fps burst shooting and maximum shutter speed of 1/4000sec. You can do 1080p video recording at 60fps however there's no support for 4K video. GPS is also something that's still absent. One thing that we found missing is support for an external microphone, which was present in the D3300.
The Nikon D3400 appears to be just a mild upgrade of the outgoing model and we would have liked to see more features added, especially considering its launch price. We'll have to wait and see when and how Nikon India positions this camera in our market.

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Xiaomi Redmi 4, Mi Note 2 Leaked in Images Ahead of Launch

he Xiaomi Redmi 4 and Mi Note 2 are expected to launch within a month, but before that happens images of both the smartphones have leaked online. The photos showcase metal unibodies, fingerprint sensors, and also reveal some key specifications of the devices.
The alleged Redmi 4 photos leaked on Weibo are in line with previous leaks. The Xiaomi Redmi 4 shows off a metal unibody with round edges and antenna bands at the top and bottom. The rear camera sits at the top centre with the flash right beside it. There is also a fingerprint sensor just beneath the camera lens. The front houses capacitive navigation buttons at the bottom and thin bezel surround the left and right edges

longside, the Redmi 4 is indicated run Android 6.0 Marshmallow-based MIUI 8. It's said to feature a 5-inch full-HD (1920x1080 pixels) display, and is tipped to be powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor with 2GB of RAM. The leak claims the smartphone comes with 16GB of inbuilt storage expandable further via microSD card. Connectivity options include 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11ac (2.4 and 5GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, and GPS.

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Previous leaks suggest that there will also be a variant that will sport 3GB RAM and 32GB of inbuilt storage. It is expected to pack a 4100mAh battery, and be priced at CNY 699 (roughly Rs. 7,000). Xiaomi is largely expected to launch the Redmi 4 at an event in China on August 25.
A week later on September 2, Xiaomi is also rumoured to unveil the Mi Note 2. Anzhou has leaked) images of the Mi Note 2, leaving very little to the imagination. It sports a dual camera setup at the back, and interestingly sports a curved display just like the Galaxy Note 7. It is seen sporting a USB Type-C port and two speaker grilles, and the fingerprint sensor is presumably housed at the front.
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