Technology - Page 3

5 Reasons Why People Like Refurbished Products

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Refurbished products have become the new rage in the electronics market and more people are opting to buy them instead of getting brand new or used products. Firstly, you should know what they are and why they are a good purchase.

Refurbished devices are the ones which have been returned by the customer due to some defects or just because they did not like the product. They are then tested and fixed by the manufacturer before being sold in a good-as-new condition under the Certified Refurbished tag by shops and reliable wholesale liquidators like Quicklotz.

Here are 5 reasons why people like refurbished products and you should consider buying them too.

Saves a lot of money

These products are good as new and also come with a warranty, but they are sold at a much lower price. For instance, if you are planning to buy a MacBook, you can save about $500 by getting a refurbished one. This way you can get a hand on higher models at unbelievable prices.

This way, you do not have to compromise on the brand and specifications while sticking to your budget. For all intents and purposes, these products are as good as the new ones.

Img source: komando.com

More reliability

It may sound strange but refurbished products are in a sense more reliable than brand new ones. That is because older models have already stood the test of time and all bugs have been discovered. The refurbished devices have been tested and fixed before being sold again. They are less likely to have defects and recurring faults.

New models, on the other hand, are more unstable and have not been tested by time yet. It is possible that they throw out bigger bugs than the old ones and turn out incompatible with other devices in some cases. To prevent that, customers should ideally wait for a few months to see honest reviews or buy a refurbished product with lesser risk.

Better than used products

If budget is a constraint, buying refurbished products is better than buying used products, even if the used product has higher specifications. Especially in case of electronics, it is always wiser to go for a product that has never been extensively used instead of buying one somebody else is trying to get rid of.

Used products might be damaged or towards the end of their battery life and even though you get them at a low price, they might turn out more high maintenance in the long run. On the other hand, refurbished products have been improved, repaired and purged of all their defects. They are sure to last you longer and be more cost-effective in the wider picture.

Img source: renewableenergyhub.co.uk

Easy tech support

Buying a refurbished product from a reliable store or website can get you additional perks just like you would get with a new device. If you get it from the original manufacturer, you will get access to tech support. Any problem with the device will be addressed and resolved by the manufacturer in that case.

Generally, this feature comes only with the models currently in operation. In case you are getting a product that has been discontinued by the manufacturer, make sure you are clear about the tech support before buying the product.

Sustainable and environment-friendly

Reducing waste and saving the environment has become a big concern in the modern world. If we need a better world, we have to make our small individual contributions towards making a healthier planet. Buying refurbished products guarantees that they do not end up as e-waste to harm the environment further.

Be it a phone, laptop, computer, printer, or even furniture, refurbished products go back into use as a form of recycling. This ensures that they do not pile up on the ever-increasing garbage mound and choke the ecosystem more than it already is. We all know how severe the problem of waste management is, so let this be a small contribution towards giving back to Mother Nature.

Buying refurbished products save money, gets you newer technology with warranty and also helps the environment. There’s no reason you should not consider buying them.

How to shop for clothes online?

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One of the many great things that technology and the Internet has brought us is shopping online. Isn’t it wonderful that you can sit in your living room with a cup of coffee, browse the web and buy literally anything with just a few clicks? Some people love going to the malls and trying on different outfits, while others see it as a waste of time they would gladly spend on doing something else. In this text, we are going to give you some advice on how to shop for clothes online.

Since there are so many options available, firstly you have to find an online store. Due to the immense popularity of internet shopping, nowadays, almost every brand has a web store, which means that there is nothing between you and your new piece of clothing. Also, there are many other online shops such as Floryday, you can explore to find a new dress or a pair of shoes.

The most important thing when shopping for clothes on the web is to make sure that it will fit you perfectly. You don’t want to wait for weeks for your shipment to arrive, and then to have to return it because it is the wrong size. You are probably aware that each manufacturer has its own size chart which is why you cannot rely on a traditional numeric or small/medium/large scale.

source: pembeteknoloji.com.tr

Since, clearly, you cannot try on anything, you have to know your exact measurements which include height, hip, chest, and waist measurements, arm length, and so on, depending on the piece of clothing you want to purchase. Also, make sure to check the size of each piece, since online stores sell items from a range of manufacturers, and, as already mentioned, they all use different size charts. The safest way is to find the chart in inches and use it when buying clothes.

Furthermore, you have to check out every seller before making a purchase. Even though most of them are legit, you can never be too sure. Only buy from authenticated stores and you can find those online, by reading comments and reviews from other customers or simply ask a friend for a recommendation. When signing up for a website, consider if all information they require is really necessary.

Okay, you have to put in your name, surname, and address, but your social security number is definitely one of the information the seller needs. If at any moment, you become suspicious, you should probably leave that website and look for another. In addition, you should avoid paying with your credit card. Instead, use PayPal or Apple Pay that ensure the safety of your bank information.

source: rd.com

Lastly, don’t forget to set up a budget. Spending the money online is way easier than spending it in stores. This is because you are not holding it in your hands and giving it away to the seller. You have to track the prices of each purchase and make sure that you don’t go over the planned budget. There are always some discounts or coupons you can use. Moreover, always compare prices on different websites, because sometimes they can significantly differ. What’s more, don’t forget to check the shipment fee. Sometimes these expenses can be higher than the price of the item, and that is just throwing money down the drain.

To conclude, these are only some tips you can use when buying clothes or any other products online. The most important thing is not to share your personal data with anyone. Make a cup of tea, sit back, relax and start exploring online stores.

Cryptocurrency and ICO market

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Cryptocurrency could best be explained as a parallel to the game of PUBG as both of them has epitomized controversy and sparked debates around their acceptability as a format. As PUBG comes with a string of statutory warning on its possible predicament on different psychological aspects which could plague the mind of an adolescent child, the same appears to be true for Cryptocurrency as well. The only significant difference is the warning that circles around cryptocurrency, which seems more potent as it comes from eminent economist and reputed financial audit and research firms across the globe. But the popularity of both goes unabated with more and more users pouring in.

Cryptocurrency has now become a global phenomenon with Google having a contingent of more than a thousand dedicated pages designed to cater to the curiosity of the common man about it. The institution of cryptocurrency still stands inundated in the thick layers of myth around it. Consequently, it looks so opaque that most of the people who are contemplating on it, find themselves in a state of utter dichotomy and cannot really conclude whether it appears good, bad or ugly.

Img Source: medium.com

What is a cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency refers to the digital currency encrypted with cryptographic protocols that help users do the transaction at their convenience without any possibility of being tracked at any point along its digital route. In a bid to redefine ease of making payments online, cryptocurrency has made digital transactions simpler for both the private sector and the common public. The most important attribute of cryptocurrency is that it cannot be brought into the ambit of regulatory control of any central agency or financial body which works under the guideline of any nation or united unions. Being very liberal in spirit and democratic in concept, it has now got immune to traditional controls and interventions made by several legal and financial bodies. That is where we need to draw the line of caution followed by taking a stance, which is balanced and reflective on the possible prejudice that it can invite to mankind. There is a score of incidents reported by security agencies and financial watchdogs where cryptocurrency has been misused to make illegitimate monetary transfers to radical groups and extremist outfits all across the globe. The use of cryptocurrency has garnered traction among the drug peddlers, unscrupulous people involved in human trafficking and arms dealers who remain invisible in the real world and usher in a pseudonymous transaction that cannot ever be tracked and breached into.

Img Source: digitaltrends.com

The future of Fintech?

If we can put aside the mist of the apprehension of misuse, nobody can turn a blind eye to the enormous possibility it could unfold in shaping the future of Fintech more in terms of how it can drive the world economy towards inclusive prosperity and well being for all. Anyone can log into https://CryptoLab.one to keep themselves well abreast of latest updates and developments along with interactive charts and graphs showing markets trends in the world of cryptocurrency

There is a variety of cryptocurrencies available in the niche economy ecosystem that it carved out for itself over time. The most important breed of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which is believed to have served a digital gold standard in the whole cryptocurrency industry. Only within a span of seven years, the valuation of Bitcoin has reached 650 dollars from zero, and its transaction frequency has brewed up to 0.2 million units per day which truly shows the immense possibilities that the destiny has in store for it. Apart from Bitcoin, there are so many other currencies as well which are also gaining prominence. Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin are some of those species which are also gaining popularity over time.

Img Source: 5wpr.com

What is ICO?

In the context of the resurgence of new currencies, the circle of discussion cannot complete without the mention of ICO which stands for Initial Coin Offering. What IPO means for a mainstream investment world, ICO holds the same relevance in the realms of cryptocurrency. ICO serves the purpose of the fund-raiser. When an entity looks forward to creating a coin, app or service, it does it with the launch of ICO. ICO has come into the limelight and occupied news headlines as more and more investors are joining in with an expectation to make quick money. Some very successful ICOs over the period has given the investors reasons to bank upon it, but there is an opposite side of the coin as well which is not very glittery and flamboyant. There are instances where all the investment has gone down into the drain. Being an unregulated proposition, it always runs the risk of being exploited.

Img Source: hackernoon.com

Therefore, we all need to draw a forbidden line of caution around it which will put a restraint on how we use the technology and what for. If we let the conscience take over and decide the course of our action, cryptocurrency will eventually unleash its true potential where everyone across the tiers and pedals of the society will be empowered to wake up to a dawn of new financial resurrection.

All you need to know about industrial waste heat recovery systems

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About industrial waste heat

Industrial waste heat that is generated in different industrial processes and is not being reused, is lost and dumped into the environment. Today, there are numerous waste heat recovery technologies that help us reduce the energy we’re consuming which is cost-effective for companies, and is really beneficial for the environment.
Numerous industries today have to reduce their energy consumption as they are facing stricter government regulations and they wish to reduce their energy costs and their impact on the environment.
The sources of waste heat are various: boilers, heaters, engines, radiation, AC, steam from different sources, exhaust air from ovens, and similar. Some of the main waste heat producers are bakeries, coffee roasteries, breweries, automotive industry, paper mills, heat treatment plants…

Industrial waste heat recovery

The recovery systems basically work by capturing the heat, the hot gas that is leaving different industrial equipment such as oxidizers, turbines, and gasifiers, and using the energy for some other industrial processes. exodraft-heatrecovery.com also points out that the waste heat that can’t be used internally can be transferred to a third party. The point is to reuse the heat that would otherwise be lost in any way possible.

The benefits of using recovery systems are numerous. It is beneficial both for the environment and the industries. The main reasons why heat recovery systems are so important are:

Increased efficiency

If we have a source of energy, why not use it? What is the point of letting it go to waste? Today, we’re all about efficiency. We’re trying to be as efficient as possible in our everyday lives, so why not take that attitude to the industries as well.

Reducing the operating costs

By reusing the heat that is inevitably produced and by reintroducing it into their system as a source of energy, a company can save a lot of money. Here we’re talking about thousands of dollars each year. Companies are always in search of ways to decrease their expenses and increase profitability.

Conserving the resources

Helping our planet in any way that we can is extremely important and by implementing the heat recovery systems, industries can help a lot. The emission of gasses will be significantly reduced as will the impact we have on the environment.

Up to 90 percent of the heat can be recovered, but the efficiency of a heat recovery system depends on a lot of factors such as the tightness of the dwelling or the design of the heat exchanger.

The increase in energy prices and new environmental standards for companies are raising the demand for these recovery systems. There are numerous different solutions today on the market and the demand keeps rising. Industries are strongly affected by the constant change in energy prices which act as a really good incentive for companies to implement the recovery systems in their production. These systems can be used for almost all types of fuel such as oil, gas, or different kinds of liquids. One of the most used heat recovery solutions is the flue gas heat recovery system.

Understand Managed IT Services For Local Businesses

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Through time, technology advances and the needs of businesses are paired with new technology in order to stay competitive in the market. Growing your business is impossible without employing the latest technological advancements. They often times require us to spend a lot of money on IT infrastructure, staff, and staff training. But you don’t need to do all of that if you find a dedicated IT firm to take care of your IT needs.
Managed IT Services are new services that offer their trade to businesses more specifically, they take care of a businesses’ networking, servers, computers, and all IT needs.

But in order to choose the best one, you need to understand what exactly these services offer to your local business.

1. Availability

source: billgosling.com

One of the biggest things to understand is that your computer network and servers will work 24 hours a day, even if you don’t. The biggest thing that you can from this is to understand that the desired managed IT service can offer you full, 24/7, surveillance of your networks and servers because your business depends on it.

2. Fast Service and Even Faster Response Time

source: nctc.com

Time is a crucial part of your business, and the optimal IT service candidate must offer fast services and even faster response time. Having the ability to respond to a problem quickly is something invaluable to your business. Whenever you’re discussing with potential candidates, make sure to emphasize how important fast response time is to you.

3. IT Budget Planning

source: allbusiness.com

According to Sunriver IT, the perfect managed IT service will plan your annual IT budget with you, assist you in making key decisions involving IT, and help you save money. They need to advise you on how to improve the efficiency of your IT, and through time, their expertise will prove invaluable to you. By careful and smart IT budget planning, you can make sure that your company is heading in the right direction and that can be proven by the fast-forward thinking of your managed IT service provider.

4. Disaster Recovery

source: networkworld.com

Ask yourself this; is your business ready to handle disasters such as floods, earthquakes, fires, or vandalism? Will your data be protected in such unwanted events? If not, then the optimal IT service candidate will make sure that your business can recover quickly after such disruptive events and protect your data.

5. Technology Vendor Handlings

source: ecs-net.com

One of the best perks of hiring such IT services is that they will take care of most technology vendors for you. This saves you crucial time and energy of finding the best vendor for your software or hardware needs. Since most IT service providers know the ins and outs of the IT industry, they will be familiar with most technology vendors and they can instantly recommend the best ones depending on your needs.

6. On-Site Maintenance

source: dewdropsignatures.com.ng

Another excellent benefit to choosing a managed IT service provider for your local business is that they provide on-site maintenance and support. But not all managed IT service providers offer this luxurious service, so your best bet would be to inquire whether they provide such service.

Technology Trends that are Changing the Face of the Beauty Sector

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The beauty sector is not what it used to be. Like many other industries, technology is creating sweeping changes that are altering the way beauty brands operate. For one, L’Oreal decided that they now want to be the number one beauty tech company instead of the number one beauty firm in the world.

Women still have similar beauty concerns as they did several decades ago but technology has made today’s consumer much more demanding.

5 Tech Trends that are Shaping the Beauty Sector

source: 8list.ph

Let’s take a look at how technology is changing beauty as we know it.

1.Augmented reality apps make buying new products easier

Advancements in image recognition and face tracking now give consumers the opportunity to try on a new shade of lipstick or eye shadow before they buy it. While apps will never be a substitute for trying a beauty product in real life, consumers are certainly using these apps more and more, which speaks to their popularity.

2. Artificial intelligence is personalising cosmetics

source: siecledigital.fr

According to Academy Face and Body, consumers are demanding a more personalised experience when it comes to their hair and skin. Why spend hours trying to find the right shade of foundation or perfect face moisturiser when technology can do the job for you. Lancome is one brand that is using AI to provide their consumers with a more personalised experience. First, your facial skin tone is scanned, after which a proprietary algorithm is used to create the perfect shade of foundation for you.

3. Use 3D technology to create a brand new look

With the rising popularity of AR filters, many makeup brands are using 3D technology to help consumers try out completely different looks. 3D Technology is giving consumers the opportunity to be more playful without having to make any drastic changes. It also makes it easier for brands to increase product engagement rates.

4. Augmented reality is personalising skin care

source: Makeupview.co

It’s easier to treat specific skin concerns than ever before. Augmented reality has become one of the most popular ways to diagnose specific skin concerns, with the HiMirror being a prime example of how this technology is being used in the beauty sector. The mirror will scan your face for wrinkles, enlarged pores and check brightness levels before providing you with a rating and product recommendations.

5. Printed makeup will soon be a reality

Robots are fast replacing the need for human interaction or intervention in many spaces, including the beauty sector. For example, the Opté wand is a product that is capable of scanning your skin and applying small amounts of makeup to the areas that need it the most. The wand has a built-in camera, a microprocessor and a micro printer to get the job done. Imagine being able to download a makeup look that you really love and print it directly onto your face? This reality is not far off.

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace and the beauty sector is one industry that is taking full advantage of these exciting changes.

 

Huawei’s Response to U.S. Trade Sanctions

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Huawei will go down in history as one of the major Chinese tech companies that felt the heat of the 2019 U.S-China trade war. Prior to 16th May when the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it had added Huawei to the Entry List, Huawei was doing really well. As evident for this, its first-quarter revenue shot up 39 per cent year on year. The news turned tables for Huawei and is a clear signal of a heightening cold war between the two countries.

According to some officials in Europe, Huawei would carry on with their plan to build 5G-enabled networks. But the sanctions by the Trump administration might have great effect on Huawei. Soon after the announcement by the Department of Commerce, chipmakers such as Broadcom and Intel stopped supplying to Huawei. Google also suspended Huawei’s licenses for critical mobile applications like Google Play and Gmail.

Where Huawei’s Woes Started

source: leafly.ca

The business quagmire Huawei is currently facing resulted from inclusion in the Entity List. This is a list of companies that the US government considers a threat to US national security. Any US company that wishes to export products to an enlisted firm must obtain a license from the Department of Commerce through the Bureau of Industry and Security. The license review policy is normally “presumption of denial” which means applications for licenses are more likely to be rejected. It is clear that the US government can decide whether or not a company will work with US companies.

Huawei Loses Access to Key Inputs

source: linkedin.com

Huawei’s leadership in the global technology space places it at the eye of the storm that the US-China trade war has created. The tech giant has been working with a wide range of US suppliers. In 2018, Huawei spent $11 billion to buy products from top US corporations including Intel, Qualcomm, and Micron. According to Bloomberg, chipmakers Intel, Qualcomm, Xilinx and Broadcom have already notified their employees that they will stop supplying to Huawei until further notice.

Is it Time for a new Android for Huawei?

source: alhurra.com

With Goggle’s suspension of Huawei’s Android license, how will future Huawei devices access popular Google services? Using Android OS doesn’t give a device automatic access to Google services and apps. How will a future Huawei user access daily-use apps like YouTube and Gmail? These are some of the questions Huawei must ask itself as it finds ways to survive this storm.

Huawei Saved for the Rainy Day

source: yahoo.com

Details have emerged that the Chinese tech giant has been making preparations for the unexpected, which already happened. For almost a year, the company has been stockpiling key components sourced from US corporations. It will hopefully use the stock to manage the current scenario even as it hopes the trade tangles between the two countries will be resolved in a business-friendly way.

In addition, Huawei has also made several initiatives to develop its own chipsets (Intel and Qualcomm alternatives) for use in its networking products as well as smartphones. In March, Huawei confirmed that it has developed operating systems for smartphones and computers. The company planned to use these systems in case those supplied by US firms are not available.

Launching of the New Budget Honor Smartphone

source: zimtimes.com

Huawei has responded to the immediate tests with resilience. The company launched the Honor 20 series in London on May 21. It released the Honor 2o and the Honor 20 Pro. This came just 10 days ahead of the planned unveiling of the same product in Shanghai on May 31.

The tests Huawei is going through shows how pervasive the company’s goods and technology are across the globe. The restrictions by the US will definitely have far-reaching impacts not only on Huawei but also the global economy. One cannot avoid thinking: Will the U.S trade sanction on Huawei last?

A former Department of Commerce official compared a Huawei reprieve with the lifted trade ban on ZTE in July. The U.S had banned ZTE from buying American-made components but called off the ban to prevent systems from crashing. The ban wreaked havoc at many wireless carriers in South Asia and Europe. The Commerce Department reached an agreement with ZTE which included a $1 billion fine and $400 million in escrow. Traders working with Admiral Markets reported that Huawei has been one of the best shares to buy for tech investors. It’s intriguing to see how its case will end.

 

Law Enforcement and Technology – the pros and cons

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As technology continues to develop almost daily, law enforcement agencies are looking for ways to keep up with it. The agencies are investing money into the best and latest technologies in order to better protect and serve their officers and people in their communities. Of course, battling criminal activity has its own pros and cons. It is important for both the community and police officer to be aware of the technology that is being used and their rights. In this article, you will be able to see the most common advantages, as well as the disadvantages when it comes to implementing technology into law enforcement.

The Pros of Tech in Law Enforcement

1. An additional layer of protection for police officers and the community
source: wosu.org

Body cameras have been a perfect addition for most law enforcement agencies across the globe. While there are some disadvantages of this technology that police officers need to be aware of, the cameras did already prove to be useful in various cases. This tech helped the public see and understand how police officers respond to certain threats. Another perk that policemen use every day is GPS systems. They allow them to monitor and track which can be quite helpful if a policeman is in a situation where she or he cannot be reached or is unable to call for help.

2. Help with identifying and finding criminals
source: centpourcent-nancy.fr

Facial recognition algorithms are giving policemen a new tool for identifying suspects in criminal cases. According to the experts from William Ives Consulting, these algorithms can be used in two ways. Any photo, video, or sketch can be compared to the database of known criminals. DMV’s database can be used in the same way.

All in all, technology in law enforcement did create a lot of benefits that are allowing different departments to solve crimes, identify criminal suspects, and track the suspects down. However, there are some disadvantages of implementing technology within the law enforcement and it is important to be aware of the cons

The Cons of Tech in Law Enforcement

Basically, everything has a downside to it, and here are some cons of technology in law enforcement agencies:

1. More distractions for police officers
source: nj.com

You might have noticed that in a police car there might be some technology in the seat next to them, or perhaps at the backseat. Within almost every car, there is a laptop that has a built-in dispatch system. While this is helpful in most situations when a call comes through the laptop, the police officer might be driving and the calls might distract them. Hence, there is a higher possibility of an accident happening.

2. Privacy concern for citizens and police officers

Another con that might not be considered when implementing tech into the workforce is exposure. Body cams do offer a wide range of benefits, such as honesty and accountability, but they can also be seen as a threat. One concern that got attention is that the personal privacy invasion of body cams. In some states, governments implemented for a 24/7 camera roll, which can be quite concerning for the officers. Police officers will still talk to their family or friends, take lunch breaks, talk to their colleagues, and go to the bathroom. Having a camera on at all times could document all personal conversations and actions which can be quite tiresome for officers.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are various pros and cons in implementing technology into law enforcement agencies. However, there are more benefits to tech than there are disadvantages. Technology can make the police officers and the people within their community safer.

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