Xbox may gain accessibility-bound control at E3 this year

While many are hoping that Microsoft will introduce to the world the new version of its Elite controller during this year's E3, this may not be the only new accessory the Xbox will gain during the event. Apparently, the company will present at its conference a new solution aimed at improving the accessibility of its desktop platform.

An image posted by insider @ h0xd on Twitter shows that the new accessory may adopt a format quite different from the one to which we are accustomed. According to information obtained by Windows Central, the new accessory was created to benefit people who depend much more on touch than sight to be able to interact with objects.

The novelty should bring generously sized A and B buttons, 3 LED indicators and 3.5 mm (for connecting headphones) and USB connections to its structure. The expectation is that more details about the new Xbox control (including information on its availability and price) should be announced soon by Microsoft, which should make the product one of the highlights of its presentation.

Share:

Game turns tool into classroom and students give show in math

A situation far from acceptable. According to the latest survey of the International Student Assessment Program, more than 70% of Brazilian students between the ages of 15 and 16 do not know the basics of mathematics. All right, Education is far from being a marvel in Brazil. Even so, the information is alarming - it represents the future of these young people and consequently of our country. The good news is that technology and the use of specific applications for teaching want to turn that game ... and quickly!

In this public school in São Paulo, the use of digital games improved the performance of students in mathematics by 30%. Students' passing level rose from 58% in 2016 to almost 85% in 2017 - well above the state average of 51%.

This platform developed by an Israeli startup brings 1600 educational games aligned with the school curriculum of each region and is already adopted in more than 40 countries and reaches more than one million children. In Brazil, the tool already pushes around 100 thousand students to make math more fun and better absorbed. The goal is far from replacing slate and notebook, but it is an exercise that adds value to the work that is already done.

A recent survey of more than 500 elementary school students by the Israeli startup itself shows that using educational games ends the idea that math is a boring and difficult subject. And, on the students' engagement, just look at the concentration of this little gallery in a class of ... math!

In addition to making math more fun and playful, the software still has a real-time student assessment algorithm to see what is actually being learned and also to measure students' progress. With this feedback, the teacher gains a new tool to program their classes according to the strengths and main difficulties of each class.

Share:

Google releases data on exoplanets for space research

All of this data was collected from the training the Internet giant conducted on the Kléper satellite, designed by NASA.

Kléper is a space probe launched in space in March 2009 with the mission of looking for extrasolar planets, also known as exoplanets. The Google technology employed in the satellite gathered information about the change in the brightness of stars.

Share:

New Qualcomm chipset allows cars to communicate with everything

you can already tell without a doubt that the future of automobiles is on the way. If you thought of freelance cars, you thought right. But before reaching this stage, other steps need to be taken. And the main one is the one that leads to the exchange of information between the automobiles and other elements around him. That is, before the design of cars without drivers becomes a reality, you have to really connect the cars.

Also in this year of 2018, an important step will be taken in that direction. Qualcomm's world-leading Telematics solutions with more than 30 years of experience in cellular systems will provide the first C-V2X solution on the market. It can mean the beginning of the era of cars that communicate with everything.

But why is this so important and how to achieve this instantaneous and permanent connection between different devices? The answer lies in unification. From this new chipset, car manufacturers gain the ability to embed in unprecedented intelligence and connectivity cars.

This unified connectivity gained an acronym: C-V2X. In English, Cellular Vehicle to Everything. In good Portuguese, something like Vehicle connected to everything.

Share:

Track the transformation of automakers on Industry 4.0 tracks

Accelerating in the tracks of Industry 4.0, the automakers are increasingly intelligent and connected - at the same time, more productive. Robots have been performing specific functions on assembly lines since the 1980s. They are no longer new. Today, a new transformation begins to give a "digital life" to every factory.

Connected and monitored by various types of sensors, robotic arms that initially had very specific and restricted functions are now able to communicate with one another by exchanging data and information. In assembly lines like this, the Internet of Things has been a reality for some time.

Going back a bit in history, the concept of production line was created by Henry Ford, still early in the 20th century. Each workstation is responsible for a part of the new vehicle. The concept continues! But even in gigantic, old factories like this one at Volkswagen, in Wolfsburg, Germany, most humans have been replaced by machines. Still, more than 70,000 people work there. The production follows at full throttle: 3000 thousand new cars are produced every day!

The first step in this transformation began with the digitization of the factory floor. A complete virtual model of the plant - including its processes - is produced through specific 3D projection software. On the screen it is possible to simulate virtually any stage of production; whether it's a new product or even plant infrastructure issues. All in minute details and physical properties identical to real ones. Testing at the virtual ensures that the manufacturing avoids errors. This is not to mention the end of the need to stop the production line to perform any type of test.

Share:

NASA releases continuous images of planet Earth saved for 20 years

NASA has collected nearly two decades of continuous images of the planet and they are accessible to all. The record of MODIS space equipment is the longest ever made with satellite imagery, from Earth. With it, you can see how the planet was any day and anywhere on the globe since the year 2000. In addition, various filters and tools make it easy to view important data and events of the period.

With such a large amount of information collected, it is even difficult for anyone to know where to start exploring this update of the Worldview tool. To highlight highlights and how the platform can be used, NASA has released this video. In it, we can see the eruption of a volcano, a fire, or the day that Hurricane Katrina occurred, as in the image below.
Worldview also offers several filters that can be applied to the image by means of the "Add Layers" button. Some examples are: Air Quality, Fires, Snow Cover and Types of Vegetation. But perhaps the most entertaining part is the camera-shaped icon that creates an animation of the passage of days in the time interval of your choice. The result of the custom animation can be transformed into a GIF and shared.

The contribution of the tool to researchers is of great value, according to Santiago Gassó of Morgan State University: "In the 80s and 90s ... you would take a physical tape with these images and have to put it into the processing. Only then would you know if the image was usable. This process used to take days to weeks. Now you can look at images for days, weeks and even years in a matter of minutes, immediately find the necessary images and download them for use. It's fantastic!"

Share:

Technology has become the deciding factor when it comes to buying a car

For the overwhelming majority of Brazilians, price is still the most important when it comes to buying a car, after all, it needs - somehow - fit in your budget. But from time to time, digital technology has not only transformed the automotive industry but has gradually become one of the most important buying decision factors.

Curious is that, according to a recent Deloitte study with 22 thousand consumers in 17 countries, the technologies focused on convenience and connectivity are still not the most desired by Brazilian consumers. Although the connectivity is the technology that jumps in the eyes of the most amateurs, the research shows that the technological items most valued here are those related to security. Among the priority systems, the main ones are: the recognition of objects on the road to avoid collisions; blocking of vehicle functions in dangerous driving situations; dangerous driving warnings; and unattended vehicle connection to report and contact authorities or other services when a medical emergency or accident occurs.

What is interesting is that as security technologies become standard items, as today is ABS, for example, the consumer tends to become less and less willing to pay more for them. Even with new functions still present only in the most luxurious cars, like the adaptive autopilot, which uses sensors to follow the car ahead; and even the recognition of scrolling lanes through cameras and sensors to alert the driver in case of dangerous or inappropriate driving, the Brazilian wants to spend less and less on it ...

Some of the most advanced items are already present in the national market - which undoubtedly catches the attention of the consumer and makes him reflect when choosing a more (or less) technological car. Over time, these safety and connectivity functions are likely to be incorporated as equipment or services, including the most basic versions of vehicles.

Is that you? What do you look for when choosing a new car? Already know the main technologies embedded in vehicles? Next week, in the cars and technology series you will meet the "Internet of Cars"; as vehicles will - in the very near future - connect not only to your smartphone, but to other vehicles, other services and even roads ...

Share:

2016 Cell Phones That Are Still Worth Buying In 2018

When it comes to smartphones, launches always generate anxiety. On the other hand, the prices of newer appliances are not always attractive. Fortunately, the mobile technology has allowed smartphones launched some time ago to have excellent performances without owing nothing to the current models. And best of all: for much more affordable prices.
One of the most anticipated releases of 2016, the S7 Edge is still a source of satisfaction for its proud owners in 2018. Its 5.5-inch screen and the dual-pixel 12 MP camera do not despair. The curved edges are the charm of the S7, plus the glass coating on the front and back of the unit.
For those who want to buy a new iPhone and can not start with the latest version, a good tip is to get the iPhone 7. Apple smartphones are often more expensive than the competition, but with the launch of iPhones 8 and X, 7 stayed a bit more in mind.

The iPhone 7 has great resistance to dust and also to water. Another highlight is the quality of the retina screen and the optical image stabilization system.

Share:

World's fastest Android gets special themed version of 'Star Wars'

The OnePlus 5T has some interesting points that can catch the attention of those looking for a good smartphone: first, it is the most powerful Android in the world; second, its price is below the average of comparable top line tops. However, now the Chinese phone has a new appeal: a "Star Wars" edition of the device.

With limited distribution, the device has the color to the rear in the color white and details in red with the front using the black. The Star Wars franchise logo is marked on the back of the device, and judging by the release images, it is likely that the device also has software modifications related to the theme.

The device has only been confirmed in India for now. The release is scheduled for December 14, the day before the opening of the eighth installment of the saga entitled "The Last Jedi."
The device still has to be the same taking these aesthetic modifications with the theme of "Star Wars, but this will only be confirmed on the 14th, when OnePlus will hold the announcement event. The trend is that the device will continue to offer 6 GB options and 8 GB RAM with Snapdragon 835 dual-camera and AMOLED Full HD (2160x1080) 6-inch 18: 9 aspect ratio, leaving only minimal edges around the display.

The price will also be known only within a few days, however. In India, the simplest version, with 6GB, costs 33,000 rupees ($ 1,660 in the current conversion), while the 8GB model costs 38,000 rupees ($ 1,910). There is no release forecast yet outside India.

UpdateCancel

Share:

Apple and Microsoft join for more accessibility for the visually impaired

Leaders Microsoft and Apple have teamed up to help provide more accessibility for people with total or partial vision impairment. This is the launch of a human interface device (HID) standard for Braille devices. The announcement was made by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) partner at the end of May.

The feature is intended to give more freedom to the public that uses such equipment. It makes it easy to allow work on different hardware, without the need for specially designed software and drivers for a specific type of operating system, for example.
The company founded by Steve Jobs today already works with Braille terminal support on its handsets and commented on the benefits of the novelty. "We are proud to launch this new USB-IF standard because we believe in improving the experience of everyone who relies on these devices when using their Apple products, or any others," said Sarah Herrlinger, responsible for the company's accessibility policies.

Jeff Petty, of the Windows accessibility program (Microsoft), explained that technological advancement should create more opportunities for this audience. According to him, the measure can have a major impact, especially in combating the unemployment rate of blind or visually impaired people.

Share:

Learn how to ask Netflix to include your favorite TV series or movie

Few people know, but there is a fairly simple (and the only official) way of asking Netflix to include in the catalog that movie or TV series that you both like but that is not available on the service: an exclusive form for that on the site from the company.

The process is quick and easy. Just visit the TV series or movies request page in the Help Center, fill in the title of the desired work and click on "Send suggestion". Yes, it takes some work to get there, but nothing that we do not facilitate here. You can enter up to three titles at a time, and Netflix ensures that you keep records of subscriber requests, that is, one submission is sufficient. If your request is met, the company will contact you to let you know.
The data collected helps Netflix plan its acquisitions, but not always a large volume of orders is a guarantee of success. According to the company, several factors may hinder the licensing of works produced by third parties. If another company already owns the exclusive rights to a production, for example, the chances of Netflix being able to include them in the catalog are lower. The same happens if they are too expensive or unpopular.

Oh, and a final reminder: You must be logged in with an active account in the service to gain access to the title request form. Only then can Netflix ensure that the orders are from actual subscribers and that you can advise them of the purchases if they happen.

Now, how about seizing 20 ways to get even more out of your Netflix subscription while your suggestions are not included in the catalog?

Share:

Rumors point to cancellation of Sony Xperia Z5 tablet

With the Apple iPad still dominating the market, it has been difficult to see some Android tablet launch to compete with it. The latest rumors were that Sony would be developing a Xperia Z5 Tablet, successor to the Xperia Z4 Tablet, from the year 2015. However, this seems to be no longer in the company's plans.

The information came via the website Android Marvel, which said that Sony had in its plans the launch of the Z5 Tablet later this year. The cancellation of its development would have to do with a lack of confidence in sales, based on the somewhat timid sales of the brand's main smartphone. Another factor that may have contributed is the considerable decline in the public's interest for this type of product.

As there has not been much publicizing of what was planned for the Xperia Z5 Tablet, it is difficult to know exactly what people are missing, with the change of plans. It came to be said that it would have a ten-inch screen and would be released along with a second tablet, the Z5c Tablet, which would come with a slightly smaller, eight-inch screen.

For now, there is no prediction if the Xperia Z5 will stay in the drawer forever. It is hoped that the upcoming 5G technology could help stimulate a more favorable situation for Japanese product sales.

Share:

Google Cloud receives news to make meetings more productive

Cloud is one of the preferred options when it comes to facilitating tasks, since it makes it easier for you to develop group projects and store documents securely and reliably. According to a survey by the Skyhigh Networks portal, a regular employee uses about 36 of these services at work to share or edit important files. That's a pretty high number, right?
Hangouts Meet is now compatible with good old videoconferencing systems such as Polycom and Cisco. Skype is not missing out: Microsoft Skype for Business users will also be able to attend meetings through Google's service right from the app.
To optimize your time and enjoy the best of tools, it's good to prioritize the most modern platforms, and that's where the Google Cloud comes in. It has received some integrations with other softwares, to make everything simpler for users. Check out some of the news:

Share:

How to enjoy the best price at Walmart and still make money

Add the extension to your browser and start shopping normally. It is at the moment of finalizing your purchase that the magic of the Méliuz happens. If the store is a partner, you just need to click the red button that appears on the screen and your money back will be automatically activated. That is, you take advantage of all the promotions and still get back some of the amount spent, straight into your bank account.

Share:

'Anthem' from 'Mass Effect' creators gets release date

At its conference during E3 2018, EA confirmed the release date of "Anthem", new game from Bioware, studio creator of "Mass Effect" and "Dragon Age". The game will be released on February 22, 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. Anthem "is BioWare's version of" Destiny. "The game promises a large, live open world with cooperative missions for up to four simultaneous players and environments that change over time. Announced during E3 2017, "Anthem" is the first new franchise developed by BioWare since the release of "Dragon Age" in 2009. The studio plans to continue releasing new content for the game over ten years.

Share: