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

Celebrate Ramadan lift - Online retailers

ECommerce 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/ACPWP2
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Ramadan car hunt: Models grabbing UAE residents' attention

Cash discounts, free insurance, extended warranties on offer

Most car dealers try to wow those looking for a new set of wheels during the holy month of Ramadan. The offers include cash discounts, free insurance, extended warranties and service packages to lure customers into changing their old cars.

This urge to change/upgrade cars is not only seen in the brand new category, but also in the used car segment.

According to Dubizzle, a classifieds website in the region, several residents surf and scout for a good deal on wheels during this time of the year.

Its data shows that during Ramadan 2014, the top three searches for used car brands were BMW, Honda and Jeep; while the top three searched car models were Ford Mustang, Mercedes C63 and Honda Civic.

Toyota tops the most listed sedan cars in the country. The findings show that Toyota came first with its Camry model at an average price of Dh32,172.24 with an average mileage of 114,192km and model of the year 2008.

The second and third places went to Honda Civic 2009 and Accord 2010. Luxury cars were among the top three most searched sedan cars in the UAE. Mercedes and Porsche took the first and second place with their AMG C63 and Panamera models, while the third place went to Toyota Camry.

Among the German models in the UAE, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class took the first place, followed by Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW came third with its 3-Series models. For the top three most searched German models in the UAE, Mercedes-Benz C63 came first, Porsche 911 4S came second, and Mercedes-Benz G63 & S63 AMG came third.

Convertible cars were also something that people looked up on the website with the most searched being the Mini Cooper convertible, Audi A4 convertible and BMW M3 convertible.
The number one searched car throughout the year was the BMW 3-Series, followed by Land Rover’s Range Rover HSE and Jeep Wrangler.
Most people who took to Dubizzle to look for used cars performed the most searches at around 1pm and then the traffic dropped until after iftar, says the classifieds site. However, search activity went up again after iftar with a drop witnessed again during the night with the lowest search volume after imsak, around 6am.
A previous research by UAE-based online retail company, Awok.com, revealed that the hours between iftar and suhour are the most popular time to shop online in the country during this month.

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

Check Best 6 waterproof cameras

Whether you’re off surfing or scuba-diving this summer, don’t miss a good photo opp just because you’re submerged

If you’re off on some water-based adventures, invest in a camera that can cope with the wet stuff.  Most waterproof cameras are also categorized as adventure cameras, meaning that they’re engineered to cope with the rough and tumble of extreme sports, if that’s what you’re doing. Not only do these cameras take snaps when submerged in water, many of them are also kitted out with extra features like being freeze proof, dust proof, crush proof and shock and drop-proof.

As with all cameras, waterproof  camera or not, resolution will play a big factor in determining the quality of your images. If your main priority is photography, settle for no less than 14 megapixels to ensure high-clarity shots. If you’re going to be recording video, a camera with 1080px recording quality is a must-have.

The depth to which the camera is waterproof will determine the type of activity it is suitable for. A camera that can withstand 40m of depth is ideal for deep sea diving, whereas a camera with 10m of underwater depth would be better suited for snorkeling or shallow scuba diving.

We’ve looked at rugged compact, action camera and compact system camera options. Each has undergone some serious scrutiny; tested in and out of water, dropped from heights and trialled in different lighting conditions to see whether or not it makes the cut. Here’s our edit.

Fujifilm Finepix

Fujifilm Finepix XP80 With an image resolution of 16.4-megapixels, this is a small but mighty compact camera. It’s lightweight but captures pristine images to depths of ten meters. We found this took good images both in and out of water (though it performs best in decent light) and the easy-to-master point and shoot function makes it ideal for beginners. Plus, its small frame and shock and dust-proof features mean that kids can get behind the lens, too. It doesn’t have the photo customisation abilities of more expensive models, but it’s a good all-rounder.

Olympus Tough TG

Olympus-TG-4-GPS Tough is definitely the right word to describe this one. Ideal for an adventurer, it’s crushproof, shockproof and freeze-proof. But, in interests of taking great photos in water, it’s ergonomic; chunky and easy-to-grip so it shouldn’t slide out of slippery hands. It has an ultra-bright lens and built-in wifi, GPS and a clever ‘e.Compass’ allow you to share your images on the go as well as keep track of your altitude and water-depth (it’s waterproof up to 15m), while you shoot stunning 16-megapixel images.

Nikon 1 AW

Nikon 1 AW1 Unlike the smaller cameras on the list, this one is a compact system camera with interchangeable lenses. This means it's bulkier than its compact competitors but it’s ideal for those who aren’t willing to compromise on picture quality. The 14.2-megapixel camera can go down to 15m, it has a pop-up flash and advanced adjustment options like the ‘Live Image Control’ function that means you can see how different effects – background softening and motion control, for example– will affect the final image. This is one for those who want to up their photography game. 

Buy now

Ricoh WG-5

Ricoh WG-5 In its update of the much-lauded WG-4, Ricoh has created a camera that addresses all the underwater needs you didn’t even know you had. The optional underwater mode eliminates the bluish tone that can wash-out underwater photographs and its unique flash feature takes two consecutive images, one with and one without, allowing you to choose and keep the best one after the moment has been captured. It can go as deep at 14m and resist temperatures down to -10C, and captures images with a crystal-clear 16-megapixel lens. It’s not as grippy as some of the tough cameras we tried but the unusual shape allows for large, well-spaced controls that are easy to operate when submerged. 

GoPro HERO4 Silver

GoPro HERO4 If you want to capture your surroundings in near-cinematic definition video, then this one is for you. This teeny gadget packs a lot of punch and is our recommendation for all the thrill-seekers out there – it captures film in 4K resolution (aka “Ultra High Definition”), is waterproof up to a whopping 40m and lets you keep your hands free to get right into the midst of the action with a range of additional accessories like mounts and straps.

Canon PowerShot D30

Canon PowerShot D30 This is an upgrade of Canon’s D20; you can use this one to depths of 25 meters, so it is ideal if you’re off on a diving adventure. With a 12.1 megapixel sensor, the images you get are decent, if not quite the quality of some of the of the higher-resolution machines. It has built-in GPS and HD video recording and is easy-to-use underwater. We’d just like to see an upgrade that includes wifi connectivity.

Verdict:

The GoPro HERO4 is hands-down the best option for capturing outstandingly high-quality video on the go, however if still images are your main format of choice then  the Nikon 1 AW1 reigns supreme. Its advanced photography options and interchangeable lenses means it will give you top-notch underwater snaps. If you can't stretch to that, and want something compact, we'd go for Ricoh's good all-rounder.

Check latest cameras & Accessories

Source:awok.co/WFvOFl

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Boeing says :Your gadget batteries endanger planes

Brit pilots agree: Get gizmos' batts out of holds

Boeing has decided that lithium-ion batteries, the engine-room of the tech gadget boom, are too dangerous to haul around in bulk on cargo planes.

The company has warned operators of its aircraft not to carry bulk shipments of batteries until logistics companies design better transport packaging and shipping procedures.

America's Federal Aviation Authority agrees, and over the weekend reiterated a warning first given in March that bulk battery shipments posed a potential risk to airliners.

If a battery develops a short circuit, the FAA explained, the build-up of hydrogen and other gases as surrounding batteries are also heated can defeat a plane's halon fire suppression system.

In May, the FAA gave this presentation to an airline fire protection meeting in Germany, explaining tests both on individual batteries and a bulk shipment.



FAA Battery Fire Test
Halon can't handle it: the FAA's battery fire test
It concluded that the total failure energy of Li-ion batteries is almost twice as much electrochemical energy as they can deliver.

A number of airlines were ahead of Boeing's announcement, with the Wall Street Journal listing Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Air France as no longer carrying bulk shipments in the cargo holds of passenger flights.

While the FAA can warn operators of the dangers of Li-ion batteries, a law passed in 2012 means it can't regulate battery transport unless international regulators act first.

A week ago, the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) issued a separate statement calling for all passengers' Li-ion-powered gadgets to be carried as cabin luggage.

BALPA also wants regulators to specifically ban the batteries being carried in cargo holds

Source:awok.co/eq13m4
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan