‘World’s first mobile phone’ footage from 1922 discovered

Archivists at British Pathé have discovered a silent film showing what could be the world’s first mobile phone – dating from 1922.

‘World’s first mobile phone’ footage from 1922 discovered

The film – titled ‘Eve’s Wireless’ – was uncovered in the archives of British Pathé , and shows two women walking down a street, thought to be in America, before setting up their ‘mobile phone’.

Using the phone involved wrapping a lengthy wire around a fire hydrant, then putting up an umbrella to act as an aerial, before speaking into a mouthpiece connected to a chunky box. A process nearly as complicated as trying to find a decent 3G signal in central London if you’re on certain networks.

In the film, the women are shown connecting to an operator who then plays a gramophone record for them, in what appears to be a rudimentary version of Spotify’s mobile app.

Title cards on the film read: ‘Bless us, they’re never still – always up to something new. And Eve’s latest invasion is in the wireless world. It’s Eve’s portable wireless ‘phone – and won’t hubby have a time when he has to carry one!’

British Pathé are now asking for anyone who has any more information about the technology to get in touch . British Pathé’s Mark Harris said: ‘One of our researchers came across the clip and we were amazed that the idea was so old, we are used to budding technologies appearing in the 1950s and 60s but this is four years before television was first demonstrated.

‘It’s amazing that nearly 90 years ago mobile phone technology and music on the move was not only being thought of but being trialled.’

It is not believed that Eve’s wireless phone supported Flash.

Check Mobile Phones In Dubai, UAE for more Details visit our website Awok

Source: http://awok-com.blogspot.ae/2015/08/worlds-first-mobile-phone-footage-from.html
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Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Know How to Buy a Gaming Laptop?

With so many choices of gaming laptops, it is often confusing to actually pick a good laptop. How Intel & Nvidia & AMDto buy a gaming laptop? Here are 6 EASY steps that anyone can follow to get you started, even if you are not tech-savvy.

Intel & Nvidia & AMD

Step 1: Budget

The first absolute step on how to buy a gaming laptop is to determine the budget. With a clear budget, you can instant sift through many options.

When determining a budget, keep in mind that computers become obsolete and are replaced very quickly. A super expensive top-notch computer might not be top-notch after a few months.

Budget ranges vary for each individual. I classify budget ranges into 3 broad categories:

Low-end models, for regular users that do casual gaming every now and then, have a price of $650 or below (usually).
Middle-range models, for power users that do some gaming, have the budget range set at $650-$850.
High-end models, designed for real hardcore gaming, are usually found at $850 or above.

Step 2: Graphics Card

Of course, a gaming laptop needs have the “juice” to play games. High-demanding games are usually high-demanding in the way that they need powerful GPU to compute the sophisticated graphics calculations. You should always look at the graphics card to gauge the “legitness” of a gaming laptop. Without a good graphics card, all the other features and hardware are USELESS.

The primary hardware that distinguishes between a good gaming laptop and a bad gaming laptop is the graphics card.  Therefore, graphics cards are extremely important for gaming.
Nvdia GTX 9

For lower-end models, an Intel HD integrated graphics card is usually enough to run games at low to medium settings.

Nvdia GTX 9 For middle-range models, it is best to have a discrete graphics card. Nvidia cards are best for gaming. AMD cards are fine too.
Hardcore gamers that wish to run high-demanding games at MAX settings should shoot for GTX 9 series cards. Those are the best. For the sake of budget, GTX 8 cards are fine too.
For more detailed list of graphics cards ranked by performance, please visit Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards. It includes up-to-date information on laptop graphics cards.

Step 3: Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The graphics card might be more important for games, but the CPU is the core that makes your laptop run. A good CPU not only improves gaming experience, but also everyday use experience. I personally think that CPU is as important as the graphics card and should not be overlooked.

Intel Core i7

Usually, AMD processors are of great value for low-end models. They get the job done cheaply.
When looking for middle-range, I suggest looking for Intel processors. Intel Pentium processors offer a wide rangeIntel Core i7 of performance and price. Intel Core i5 series are great choices too. They get the job done smoothly.
For high-end mean machines, Intel Core i7 series are definitely the way to go. The processors are available in many options. If you have the budget, shoot for an i7 with 4 cores and 8 threads.
PassMark – CPU Benchmarks: Great web resource for technical knowledge on CPUs.

Step 4: Storage units

The storage units, like RAM and Hard drive, should not be overlooked. Although they aren’t as expensive as the CPU and Graphics card, they play a big role in a good gaming laptop.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM memory is the memory module used to store critical data that makes the system and programs run. Therefore, the more memory the better as you can run more programs more smoothly.Random Access Memory Strip (RAM Strip)

Random Access Memory Strip (RAM Strip)

Regardless of budget, 4 GB of RAM should be mandatory. The optimal amount is 8 GB or above. A regular computer does not require more than 12 GB of RAM. Adding more RAM is always an option. Most computers allow you to add extra RAM strips up to 8 GB. Some computers allow you to add up to 16 GB.

Hard Drive

A good hard drive is certainly important. A 500 GB hard drive is standard. However, external hard drives aren’t expensive. You can buy a 1 TB (1000 GB) drive for about 60 USD. Middle-range to High-end laptops are often installed with a 1 TB hard drive. 1 TB should be enough.

Remember you can always purchase an external hard drive for extra storage. Check out: Best External Hard Drive

SSD Drive

SSD Drive SSD drives are solid state drives (Wikipedia Page). They do not have moving parts, unlike regular hard drives. SSD doesn’t have a lot of storage space. However, they are fast and quiet. You can install your system on an SSD drive, so it is super fast. SSD drives are a bonus for more expensive laptops.

SSD Drive

 

My article on SSD Drive vs Hard Drive – Why Do You Need An SSD Drive?

Step 5: Other features

The above 3 critical aspects is essential to a good gaming laptop. However, there are other features for you to look out for.

Different individuals require different features. There isn’t a set rule for these features.

Operating System: Check out which operating system (ie. Windows 8) you prefer.

DVD Drives: If you want to play DVDs on your laptop, a DVD drive is needed. You can always purchase an external DVD drive.

USB Ports: Good USB 3.0 ports are a great add-on to your laptop. It will improve the speed to any external devices. USB 3.0

VGA/HDMI Ports: If you wish to put the screen of your laptop to a larger screen, a VGA or an HDMI port is required. Most screens have VGA ports. So a VGA port allows you to connect to most screens. An HDMI cable delivers higher quality video. However, older screens might not have HDMI ports to connect to.

USB 3.0

Keyboards: A good keyboard can greatly improve work efficiency by increasing typing speed and accuracy.

Speakers: A pair of good speakers is an aspect to look out for.

SD Card Reader/Express Card Port: Additional features such as SD card readers or Express Card ports can be very useful.

Cooling system: A high-end gaming laptop can generate a lot of heat when running. Although you can always purchase a cooling pad, a good gaming laptop should include a sufficient enough cooling system.

Step 6: Warranty

A warranty is the last thing on the considerations list. A 1-year warranty is a basic warranty. You should shoot for computers that have a 2-3 year warranty. Therefore, you do not have to worry about unexpected failures of the product.



So those are the 6 steps on How to Buy a Gaming Laptop.

Source:http://awok-com.blogspot.ae/2015/08/how-to-buy-gaming-laptop.html
Website:www.awok.com
Post:Ramiz Ali Khan 

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review:Sporty, splashy fun, but not truly rugged

THE GOOD Samsung's Galaxy S4 Active has a sporty design, takes strong daylight photos, and delivers the majority of Android 4.2 features. It also has a great speakerphone.

THE BAD Aqua mode is fixed focus, the S4 Active takes weak low light shots, and the phone isn't as durable as its name suggests. Its 8-megapixel camera is lower resolution than the original Galaxy S4's.

THE BOTTOM LINE Choose the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active for its sporty style, fast internals, and underwater camera fun, but pass if you're an image snob or seek a truly rugged phone.


Quite a few smartphones these days can claim to be waterproof, but you have to hand it to Samsung's Galaxy S4 Active for turning that characteristic into a camera feature. Specs-wise, that waterproof camera is the only element that justifies the creation of this brand-new S4 phone.

The 8-megapixel shooter's underwater aqua mode absolutely works -- so long as the seal holds -- but it's a mistake to think of the S4 Active, which is also dustproof, as a rugged or durable phone. Internals are still vulnerable behind a flimsy back panel, and "tougher" design elements are largely cosmetic. You don't buy the Active to go SCUBA diving or mountaineering; you buy it because you like a flashy design and top-tier Android features. The surge of worry-free confidence you get on beach days, hikes, and at the pool is all extra.

Beyond its design and hydrophilic camera, the Galaxy S4 Active rarely strays from the Galaxy S4 flagship phone in any meaningful way. Most other specs hold steady, which is why AT&T is charging the same asking price that it does for the 13-megapixel Galaxy S4: $199.99 retail with a two-year contract.

Those looking for a true rough 'n' tumble smartphone will find that the Active's name oversells its outdoorsy abilities. But if it's a fun, slightly sturdier S4 experience you want, you'll find it here.

Buy Samsung Mobiles in UAE

Source: http://awok-com.blogspot.ae/2015/08/samsung-galaxy-s4-active-reviewsporty.html
website:www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Hands On: The 100 Laptop is not available for distribution

The 100 laptop is not available for public distribution and the model which I got to look at was the second beta. The first beta laptop as you might know, featured a hand-crank for charging. OLPC found that the crank was bulky and broke often so the current beta 2 version has a standard charger. However, the next release will feature a ripcord-type charging mechanism, similar to how you start a lawn mower.

The laptop was created with power consumption in mind and as such, it nominally consumes only 2 watts making it an ideal candidate for human-powered recharging. The CPU can even suspend itself while the computer is being used. There is some technology that allows the display to update without need for the CPU.

The first thing I noticed was the laptop's tiny size. It's built for kids and it's small. Featuring a 7.5-inch LCD with an impressive resolution of 1200x900 (more than my MacBook!) and a small, rubberized keyboard the 100 laptop is probably 2/3 the size of the MacBook. It does however weigh a lot for its size, ~3.3 pounds. Also, the bright green color and "bunny ears" draw attention to the OLPC laptop. I was told it was made bright green not only because it is intended for children, but also because it was less likely to be purchased, rebadged and sold on the black market with such a vivid color. The "bunny ears" are 802.11b/g WiFi antennas and do double-duty by covering up miscellaneous ports when closed.

As for software, the 100 laptop runs a custom version of Red Hat's Fedora Core 6 distribution of Linux. The desktop is rather simplistic with just a few icons but you can bring up a terminal if necessary. It comes preloaded with several basic applications such as a Mozilla-based web browser (not exactly Firefox), and a kids application that lets them make and record sounds and sound effects. The laptop utilizes a 366MHz AMD Geode processor that only consumes 1 watt. There is no hard drive, rather 512MB of flash RAM which is separate from the computer's 128MB of DDR266 system RAM.

Applications will include a web browser built on Xulrunner, the run-time environment used by the Firefox browser; a simple document viewer based upon Evince; the AbiWord wordprocessor, an RSS reader, an email client, chat client, VOIP client; a journal, a wiki with WYSIWYG editing; a multimedia authoring and playback environment; a music composition toolkit, graphics toolkits, games, a shell and a debugger.

The 100 laptop is booting up - it took about a minute to get to the desktop screen.

Kids application makes sound effects and can record sounds.

Surprisingly, the 100 laptop even has a VGA resolution webcam.

The stick-figure icon in the middle of the screen is representative of the mesh network that these 100 laptops make when in the presence of other 100 laptops. When other 100 laptops are around you, they appear as other stick-figure icons and this enables peer to peer functionality.


An example of the mesh network in use.
The picture below shows the desktop of the OLPC laptop. Main applications are organized on the bottom left of the screen. Everything is displayed with icons, there was not too much text in the operating system - making it ideal for use in various cultures with different languages.

The rubberized keyboard is sealed off as the system was built to be moisture-resistant.


In the picture above you can see the massive trackpad that takes up most of the space below the keyboard. The trackpad can also be used with a stylus, which might come in handy in the sketching application.


I was thoroughly impressed with how functional and how many features the laptop has for 100. Although, technically it cost around 148 but once OLPC finalizes development and ramps up production, it is expected that this will truly be a 100 laptop. I'm glad something like this exists, it's going to revolutionize the way third world countries mature technologically and get online. What do you think?


Check latest: laptop prices in dubai, UAE

Source: http://awok-com.blogspot.ae/2015/08/hands-on-100-laptop.html
Website:www.awok.com
Post By:Ramiz Ali Khan

What If You Could Charge Your Mobile Phone Just By Using It?

Poor battery life and lost chargers are often towards the top of the list of “Things That Bug Us About Our Mobile Phones”, right next to dropped calls and those places we just can’t get service. In the not so distant future, we may not need to worry about our batteries running out on us. Researchers from South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University are now asking the world, “What if you could charge your mobile phone just by using it?”

That’s right! These researchers have discovered a technology that can generate an electrical current from sound waves and use it to charge batteries. The sound of your voice may one day be all it takes to keep your mobile phone running.

The technology utilizes a pad which absorbs sound waves from its surrounding environment to cause zinc oxide wires mounted between electrodes to compress and release and create an electrical current that could be used to charge a battery. The current prototype of this technology can convert sounds of around 100 decibels (imagine noisy traffic) to 50 milivolts of electricity. While 50 milivolts isn’t enough electricity to charge a mobile phone battery, researchers say that the technology can be improved with the use of different materials.

When asked about what made them consider the possibilities of sound as an energy source, researcher Dr. Sang-Woo Kim said, “The sound that always exists in our everyday life and environments has been overlooked as a source. This motivated us to realise power generation by turning sound energy from speech, music or noise into electrical power.”

In our lives we are almost always surrounded by sound of some kind of sound, so the applications of this technology extend far beyond use in mobile phones, but for now current prototypes create enough energy to be usable in small, low-power sensors and implantable devices.

Source:http://awok-com.blogspot.ae/2015/08/what-if-you-could-charge-your-mobile.html
Website:www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Online retailers celebrate Ramadan lift

Commerce in the region is expected to reach $15 billion this year

Global eCommerce providers such as Amazon do not have a presence in the Middle East,allowing local names to build strong regional franchises.

Dubai: As Gulf Arabs jetted off on their Eid holidays to mark the end of Ramadan on Friday, the region’s online retailers are celebrating a shift to shopping via mobile devices.

The retail haven of the Gulf may be lagging behind the world in digital consumer patterns, but the shopaholic region is catching up — and the lunar month when Muslims forgo food and water from dawn to dusk has been a boon for online sellers.

Ronaldo Mouchawar, chief executive of Souq.com, a market-leading shopping platform, says the proliferation of smartphones in large local markets, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is helping push shoppers online.

Souq.com, which is doubling sales every year and has financial backing from Naspers, the South African media group, expects a 20-25 per cent increase in traffic during Ramadan as people shop for Eid gifts, including expatriates buying presents for relatives back home.

“We see a big see push online and [changing] consumer habits due to mobile,” says Mr Mouchawar.

eCommerce in the region is expected to reach $15 billion this year, only 1 per cent of retail spending across the Middle East, according to Criteo, an online marketing company.

But that is a two-thirds increase since 2012, and the region is now regarded as one of fastest-growing online markets in the world — up 30 per cent year on year, compared with a worldwide average of 17 per cent.

Studying digital consumer patterns last Ramadan, Criteo reported a 23 per cent rise in retail sales and 42 per cent increase in online travel transactions for the most important month in the Muslim calendar.

“Some merchants are up 300 per cent in the first 10 days,” says Omar Soudodi, managing director of Payfort, an online payment platform that services the region’s largest eCommerce brands.

As the holidays start at the end of the month, however, buying patterns shift from computers to phones, with mobile purchases up 29 per cent in this period, according to Criteo. In Bahrain, almost half of all eCommerce transactions are made via a mobile device.

The fasting rhythm of Ramadan also has a big impact on buying patterns.

Fatma Al Mulla, an entrepreneur who runs one of a growing number of online cottage industries set up by Gulf women, sees strong orders through the night for her range of clothing and accessories as locals become more nocturnal.

The region’s shopping lifestyle, focused on the mall, also shifts. “We like to invite people into our houses, people don’t go to the mall — it’s time for the family,” says Ms Mulla.

Ulugbek Yuldashev, managing director of Awok, an online retailer, says online shopping jumps 35 per cent between the 7pm breakfast, known as iftar, and the night-time suhoor meal, a feast intended to sustain individuals through the next day’s fast.

Demand for kitchen gadgets has prompted UAE-based Awok to stock up on blenders and rice cookers used for family-sized meals.

Ramadan, renowned for family-oriented consumption, drives subscriptions to Netflix and Icflix, a regional streaming platform. Media channels save their best dramas and comedies for the family-focused month.

Despite the rise of online in the region, cash remains king, with about 70 per cent of eCommerce purchases settled with cash on delivery, owing to latent suspicion of online transactions.

That is one of several barriers to the growth of online retail in the region, says Saygin Yalcin, an internet entrepreneur who runs Sellanycar.com.

Limited logistics capacity is another factor, forcing successful retailers to build up their own delivery capacity within individual markets.

Tough laws that threaten jail for business operators who cannot repay debts have crimped the industry’s development, says Mr Yalcin, who sold his shopping club website to Souq.com in 2012.

Global eCommerce providers such as Amazon do not have a presence in the Middle East, allowing local names to build strong regional franchises.

“Local guys were quick to set up strong local presences, whereas big international ones went for global platforms,” says Dirk Henke, Criteo’s managing director for eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Now locals literally rule eCommerce here.”

Source: awok.co/y8jFa1
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

How Modern-day skiing: Drones and selfie sticks

Technology on the mountain has meant a huge increase in the number of photos and videos posted on social media.

Drones, selfie sticks and touchscreen-friendly gloves are the in-demand tech for skiers and snowboarders in New Zealand.

GoPros attached to helmets have been a common sight on the mountain for several years, but technology is making further inroads into the snow lifestyle.

This includes cellphone service all over the mountain, free wi-fi, hundreds of social media posts and the increasing number of people hunched over their phones while in the resort cafe.

The bigger ski resorts in New Zealand are no longer the rustic escapes of last century but hotbeds of technology, with places like Mt Hutt using them to do everything from making the mountain safe, stopping fraudulent use of ski passes and sharing videos on Instagram.

Mt Hutt ski area manager James McKenzie said they'd had about six requests for drones to be used on the mountain so far this year.

Snow bunnies are increasingly asking to take drones up the mountain.

He said if demand increased he would need to develop a policy to prevent any problems.

McKenzie said he hadn't seen anyone texting or talking while skiing or snowboarding, but using devices on lifts was popular.

"You see a lot of people chatting, with their phones shoved under their helmets so they keep their hands warm."

The days listening to the radio or rushing out to see the faxed ski report on the radio are long gone.

Now ski resorts uses websites and social media to tell people about conditions. If you want more information, take a look at the webcams or check other people's social accounts to get updates, photos or videos.

McKenzie said one of the most noticeable changes was inside the resort.

"There are a lot more heads down in the cafe and while you still see people talking, there's not as much as there used to be."

Chairlifts are a popular place to spend time on your phone.

But the tech is not only for the skiers and snowboarders. Resorts are using it constantly.

"Connectivity helps us make better decisions while we operate in an aggressive environment," said McKenzie.

Mt Hutt staff use iPads to identify people as they come through the lift gates. While this is primarily to stop people misusing passes, it's also used to find people to let them know if their car lights are on or if someone is trying to locate them.

Here are some tips to get teched up for the ski season:

APPS

The first app Kiwi skiers and boarders should download is the Met Service's Snow Weather (free for Android and Apple). You choose a mountain as your "home" though you also "favourite" other resorts. It gives you forecasts, current conditions and webcams to check the situation.

The Metservice's app.

The other popular apps for mountain users are those that track and map your runs and collate stats such as maximum speed, distance travelled and vertical metres.

They are suprisingly addictive and you can get competitive with yourself in trying to beat your previous personal best. My favourite is Trace Snow (free for Android and Apple), as it has a simple interface and also stops tracking automatically once you leave the mountain. Others worth trying are Snowcru (free) and Ski Tracks ($1.29), both for Apple and Android.

Other handy apps are Apple's Find Friends (free) to help locate mates on the mountain.

CAMERAS

There are a lot of GoPros on New Zealand mountains as people record themselves and friends charging down the slopes or performing in the park.

GoPros are the fan favourite and the company has just released a smaller version, the Hero4 Session.

McKenzie said the cameras are so popular they are now selling them in the shop at Mt Hutt. He also said ski selfie sticks are used a lot on the mountain.

But GoPros aren't the only option. Sony has three models of its Action Cam, starting from $349.

If you don't want to buy a new camera you can get a case for your phone and put it on your helmet, or just hold it. Hitcase makes tough cases for iPhones that come with a range of accessories so you can mount them on just about anything. Their prices start at $100.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you or your friends ski or board then come winter your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds are probably full of snow antics.

Instagram is increasing popular in New Zealand and several mountains, including Mt Hutt, Cardrona and Rainbow have accounts. Most of those pics are for publicity but searching hashtags will show up plenty of pictures from people on the mountain.

Many resorts also are on Facebook and Twitter and they are good place to get information, or if things go bad, to complain.

WEBSITES

A fun part of skiing is improving your skills. While you can always use an instructor, technology can also help in the form of websites.

For Kiwi snowboarders, Snowboard Addiction is a great site. Started by a Kiwi who now lives in Whistler, the site features videos to help everyone from learners to those wanting to progress in the park. It has a selection of free videos but for the full package you need to pay US$59 (NZ$86)

Skiers can try the YouTube channel of Elate Media which has dozens of videos for a range of abilities.

Check Selfie Sticks

Source: awok.co/H1itfB

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan