Samsung intros 256GB UFS storage for mobile devices

Samsung Electronics has announced it is now mass producing 256GB embedded memory based on the Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 2.0 standard, for next-generation high-end mobile devices. The newly introduced embedded memory features performance for mobile devices that exceeds that of a typical SATA-based SSD for PCs, claimed the company.

"By providing high-density UFS memory that is nearly twice as fast as a SATA SSD for PCs, we will contribute to a paradigm shift within the mobile data storage market," said Joo Sun Choi, executive VP of Samsung's memory sales and marketing. "We are determined to push the competitive edge in premium storage line-ups – OEM NVMe SSDs, external SSDs, and UFS – by moving aggressively to enhance performance and capacity in all three markets."

The new Samsung UFS memory satisfies needs for ultra-fast speeds, large data capacity, and compact chip sizes in high-end smartphones. It is based on the company's most advanced V-NAND flash memory chips and a specially-designed high-performance controller. The UFS memory handles up to 45,000 and 40,000 IOPS for random reading and writing respectively, over two times faster than the 19,000 and 14,000 IOPS of the previous generation of UFS memory, Samsung said.

For sequential reading, the 256GB UFS takes advantage of two lanes of data transfer to move data at up to 850MB/s, which is nearly twice as fast as a typical SATA-based SSD used in PCs, According to Samsung. In terms of sequential writing, it supports up to 260 MB/s, which is approximately three times faster than high-performance external micro SD cards. As a result, the new 256GB UFS memory is capable of supporting seamless Ultra HD video playback and multitasking functionality on large-screen mobile devices, such as watching 4K Ultra HD movies on a split screen, while searching image files or downloading video clips.

In addition, with the advent of next-generation smartphones that support the USB 3.0 interface, users will be able to transfer data much faster between mobile devices. The USB 3.0 interface will allow sending a 5GB-equivalent Full-HD video clip (average 90min. movie size) in 12 seconds. Within this new storage environment, mobile users will get to take full advantage of the performance benefits of Samsung's latest UFS memory.

Using Samsung's advanced memory technology, the new UFS memory chips are extremely compact, even smaller than an external micro SD card, giving greater flexibility to smartphone designers.

Samsung announced availability of its 128 GB UFS memory in February 2015. In only a year, it has doubled the capacity and speed of UFS memory, which should spur further growth of the mobile marketplace. Samsung said it will extend its premium storage line-ups that are based on its advanced V-NAND flash memory including the new 256GB UFS, and increase their production volume in line with increases in global demand.

Timex Metropolitan+ Analogue Fitness Tracking Watch Launched at Rs. 9,995

Timex is making another push to lure in the modern audience. The Dutch company has launched the Metropolitan+ in India, its new analogue watch for men with fitness tracking capabilities. It is available for purchase in India through Amazon India at a price point of Rs. 9,995.

The Metropolitan+ fitness tracking watch supports Bluetooth connectivity, which it utilises to connect to an Android or iOS smartphone and display data on its app. It also tracks steps, distance and calories all day. The Metropolitan+ is also water resistant, offering the ability to withstand water immersion up to 50 metres depth for 10 minutes duration.

The watch dial of the Metropolitan+ lets users keep an eye on their goals and progress. The company said that through Metroplitan+ it is foraying into the connected style collection and aiming to compete with fashion-forward timepieces. Though, to recall, in 2014, it had launched the Timex Ironman One GPS+ watch, which offered connectivity features, GPS, built-in music player, water-resistance, and fitness tracking abilities.

One of the biggest issues with smartwatches, which unarguably offer a number of add-ons to people, is their poor battery life. The Metropolitan+, which offers limited features when compared to a smartwatch such as Apple Watch, has overcome the battery challenge. Its battery can keep the watch ticking for about 1.5 years, the company claims. It also comes with Indiglo night-light.

"An active lifestyle often makes you give up on important things in life. Timex wants its consumers to not give up on their style for functionality or vice versa," said Anupam Mathur, Head - Sales and Marketing, Timex Group India Limited.

"Metropolitan+ is for the modern day men who demand a fit and active lifestyle and are always connected on the go. It is a perfect fit for the men who are interested in tracking their daily progress but wouldn't want to sacrifice the beauty of a traditional watch on their wrist, a best of both worlds. With Metropolitan+, the daily lifestyles of our male consumers will become effortless, convenient and dynamic."

The Metropolitan+ comes in two variants: one with silver-tone case with a black dial and leather strap, and a black case with a black dial and orange nylon strap. Both variants share the same price, and feature quick release straps. The company says that in two months, it will also begin to sell the Metropolitan+ through its retail stores.

Oral-B Genius Toothbrush Uses Your Phone's Camera for Better Dental Hygiene

Enjoy your standard toothbrush while it lasts for its replacement may reach you soon. Oral-B at the ongoing Mobile World Congress unveiled its smart, connected toothbrush. The company says that its new smart toothbrush dubbed Oral-B Genius is able to take better care of your dental hygiene.

The Smart Series model uses motion sensors and more interestingly your smartphone camera to track your dental cleanliness. The smart brush from Oral-B also utilises position detection, SmartRing lighting system to track location, pressure, and brushing time.

Users will be able to monitor and control the features from the Oral-B app on their smartphone. A user is required to put their smartphone in a holder on the mirror in front of them, and open the Oral-B app to get feedback in real time. A user is supposed to sync data with their toothbrush, at least, every two weeks and these pieces of information can also be shared with their dentist. The toothbrush can be charged by plugging the toothbrush using a USB cable.

The Oral-B Genius toothbrush tells users how well they have brushed their teeth, and what areas could use some more efforts. The company insists that based on its study, about 80 percent people don't spend enough time cleaning their teeth.

"Patients are not brushing their teeth correctly, even though they think they are; they brush too hard, do not brush long enough, and miss zones of the mouth. This new brushing system helps us coach patients to brush properly, and improve these three main areas of patient brushing behaviors that affect their oral health," said Dr. Jose Nart, DDS.

"The Oral-B Genius and App take digital guidance to the next level by bringing awareness to what's actually happening each time users brush and giving them real-time guidance to improve every brushing session. Now our patients can continue what's started in the dental office at home - a professionally guided brushing routine."

The Oral-B Genius smart toothbrush will be available in select markets starting July. Its price hasn't been disclosed yet.

Source : NDTV

Facebook Now Lets You Wish Friends Happy Birthday With a Video Message

Facebook users must be familiar with birthday wall posts that sound almost robotic, such as "HBD" and "Happy Birthday." Facebook will soon offer users an alternative way to wish their friends and families on their birthday - video messages.

Social has started rolling out a new feature dubbed 'Birthday Video Cam' that lets you say "Happy Birthday" to friends via video. The feature has been launched on the iOS app, and is expected to be available on more platforms soon. With the new 15-seconds 'Birthday Video Cam', Facebook wants to encourage people to interact via videos rather than just texts. Users will be prompted about the new 'Birthday Video Cam' feature on the wall of the user whose birthday it is and will show a pop-up message at the bottom that says, "Record a birthday video."

TechCrunch has shared a screenshot that shows the new feature on the Facebook for iOS app. Apart from recording the video, the feature also lets users add various effects including frames before sharing it on the friend's wall. Facebook, which recently confirmed that it has a user base of nearly 1.6 billion, has been lately pushing videos on the platform.

Last year, the company released an array of features aimed at increasing videos views on the social network. It launched the suggested videos feature which started showing up on website and apps displaying rows of related snippets after someone viewed a clip from News Feed. The company last year rolled out auto playing videos on its website as well as apps. The feature however targeted at users who watched a lot of videos and had a fast Internet connection with a generous data cap.

Source : NDTV

Sony's new Xperia X phones have curved dispalys and luxurious looks

Sony unveiled two new phones, the Xperia X and XA, as well as the Xperia Ear, an earpiece that responds to voice commands.

Sony's known for its pretty-looking phones, and the Xperia X and XA -- two new devices unveiled Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona -- aren't the exception. They pack curved glass displays and a metallic rear that feels luxurious.

Internally, the phones run Android, with the Xperia X powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 hexa-core processor. The Xperia XA gets the MediaTek treatment in the form of an octa-core MT6755 processor. These aren't top of the line specs, but they should be more than sufficient for day-to-day use and light gaming.

Sony's power management features will also be on the phone, helping to extend your daily usage. The Xperia X will have a predictive auto-focus feature on its 23-megapixel camera, which anticipates your subject's motion and promises to take a clear, blur-free shot. On the other hand, the Xperia XA will have 13-megapixel rear shooter with hybrid autofocus object tracking, which I'm guessing isn't as good as what's on the Xperia X.

Key details

5-inch display, with full HD on the Xperia X and HD on the XA
Premium stylings
Predictive auto-focus or autofocus object tracking
Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor or MediaTek MT6755 processor
Both phones are comfortable to hold, thanks to rounded edges that sit nicely in your palm. I like how the curved glass feels, but I did notice that the phones' performance was absurdly sluggish. This is likely due to the fact that these devices are pretty much prototypes and likely not the final product, but it's hardly a good first impression. Both phones are set to roll out this summer, with prices yet to be revealed.

Hardware specs:

Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 (Xperia X); MediaTek MT6755 (Xperia XA)
Screen: 5-inch full HD (Xperia X); 5-inch HD (Xperia XA)
3GB RAM, 32GB onboard storage (Xperia X); 2GB RAM, 16GB onboard storage (Xperia XA)
microSD card slot
Batteries: 2,620mAh (Xperia X); 2,300mAh (Xperia XA)
Rear camera: 23-megapixel (Xperia X); 13-megapixel (Xperia XA)
Front camera: 13-megapixel (Xperia X); 8-megapixel (Xperia XA)
Fingerprint sensor on power button (Xperia X only)

Xperia Ear

Sony also showed off the Xperia Ear, an earpiece that you wear all day that informs you of your schedule, news and weather. It responds to voice commands, so you can tell it to make calls, make an Internet search or navigate to a location. If you're worried about it chafing after wearing it for a full day, fret not -- the Ear uses soft silicone and is designed for all-day wear.

Three other concept devices were revealed here in Barcelona too: the Xperia Eye, Projector and Agent. The Eye is pretty much a camera you clip on your shirt, much like those pet cameras, while the Projector is somewhat like the old Microsoft Surface tables where you interact with a projected image. The Agent should be a personal assistant, somewhat like Amazon's Alexa, but more intelligent and interactive, prompting you instead of waiting for your vocal cues. There are no planned release dates for these devices, and chances are we likely won't even see them anytime this year.

App of the Week: Smartly.Me the Android smartphone buying Guide

Along with being a tool to discover the best smartphone according to your preferences, Smartly.Me also lets you locate service centers in your city

Considering the number of smartphones that have flooded the market, buying a new one can be intriguing. Even if you’re aware of the latest devices that have made their way into the market, it becomes difficult while picking the best one among the rest. Imagine the situation of someone who is not at all tech-savvy and is looking forward to buying a new smartphone. Smartly.Me makes everything much simpler.

Primarily an app dedicated to recommend you the best smartphone to buy according to your preferences, it also serves you with recommendations for apps and games you should install. At the home page, there are four tabs on the top where the ‘For Me’ section generates a persona score. The score is determined according to a checklist so if you fulfill all of the requirements, you will score 100% under the acquired role. Based on the persona score, you will be given recommendations for apps, phones and games. The ‘Discover’ section is the cream of the app and this is where you’re going to look for your or your friend’s next smartphone. After setting the budget, you can select your preferences for the features that concern you in a smartphone. The Standard mode has broad terms of photography, style, travel etc., and the Advanced mode throws out a highly detailed filter to efficiently narrow down your choice.

Although, it has done a good job in listing down the details and specifications of smartphones, the interface looks cluttered up. The Compare feature is quite useful when you need to cross-check a particular specification with another device that might impact your buying choice. The app lists out upcoming smartphones so it’s essential that they keep updating the list frequently. Another important feature is the service center locator which is the need of the hour. Even when you open up the details about a phone, you’ll be able to directly tap on the service centers of that particular manufacturer near you. Smartphones can be bookmarked into your account, so if there’s a new smartphone releasing, you can keep them in your bookmarks and refer to them whenever you need to compare. It doesn’t do something spectacular in recommending apps and games, but the smartphone recommendations are in fact fine.

Source : Digit

New data storage method can fit 360TB of data onto a quartz disk for 14 billion years

Researchers at Southampton Univerity (UK) have devised a new technique to digitally store data; a LOT of data, around 360 terabytes of it. And that storage option is permanent.

The breakthrough from the university's Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) directs ultrafast laser pulses at a quartz disk to write data within it's 3D structure. Three layers of dots are written in, each just five microns away from the other. They've also developed a read process that involves hitting the disk with another pulse of light and recording its polarisation once it's passed through.

To cut to the chase, the ORC's method will let you store up to 360TB of data on a single disk about the size of your spectacle lens, for 13.8 billion years (at room temperature). To test the method, the team wrote a number of monumental literary works to quartz disks, including the King James Bible, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Newton’s Opticks, and the Magna Carta.

The "Superman memory crystals" as the researchers are calling the written disks are a major step in digital storage, especially in an age where, despite access to cloud options, a lot of users prefer to keep back up copies of data on disk. Not to mention, as Professor Peter Kazansky, from the ORC, says “It is thrilling to think that we have created the technology to preserve documents and information and store it in space for future generations. This technology can secure the last evidence of our civilisation: all we’ve learnt will not be forgotten.”

'ReFlex' Flexible Android Smartphone Developed, Brings 'Bend Gestures' to Apps

Researchers in Canada have developed world's first flexible smartphone that uses bend sensors to simulate flipping of pages and playing games without even touching the display of the screen.

Researchers at Queen's University's Human Media Lab developed ReFlex - a full-colour and high-resolution smartphone that combines multi-touch with bend input allowing users to experience physical tactile feedback when interacting with their apps through bend gestures.

"This represents a completely new way of physical interaction with flexible smartphones," Roel Vertegaal, director of the Human Media Lab at Queen's University, said.

"When this smartphone is bent down on the right, pages flip through the fingers from right to left, just like they would in a book. More extreme bends speed up the page flips," Vertegaal explained, adding: "Users can feel the sensation of the page moving through their fingertips through a detailed vibration of the phone."

Published on EurekAlert.com, the report said the bend sensors are placed on the back of the display to sense the force with which a user bends the screen. The amount of bend is read by the sensors and is made available to apps for use as input.

ReFlex has a high definition LG Display Flexible Oled touch screen and is powered by an Android 4.4 (KitKat) with boards mounted to the sides of the display.

The smartphone also features a voice coil that allows the phone to simulate forces and friction through highly detailed vibrations of the display.

"This allows for the most accurate physical simulation of interacting with virtual data possible on a smartphone today," Vertegaal noted.

"When a user plays the "Angry Birds" game with ReFlex, they bend the screen to stretch the sling shot. As the rubber band expands, users experience vibrations that simulate those of a real stretching rubber band. When released, the band snaps, sending a jolt through the phone and sending the bird flying across the screen," Vertegaal said.

The researchers will unveil the ReFlex prototype at the tenth anniversary Conference on Tangible Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI) - world's premier conference on tangible human-computer interaction - in Eindhoven, The Netherlands on February 17.

Netgear AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender Launched at Rs. 5,500

etgear, a leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, on announced the India-launch of its new AC1200 Wi-Fi range extender EX6120 with streaming speeds up to 1,200Mbps.

Netgear EX6120 enables consumers to expand and improve Wi-Fi signals throughout their home. Its high-powered amplifiers eradicate "dead zones" and maximise Wi-Fi performance with the help of high-power external antennae, keeping iPads, smartphones and laptops, among others, connected as consumers move about their home, the company said in a release here.

Netgear EX6120 features 802.11ac technology which makes simultaneous use of dual 5GHz and 2.4GHz and reduces interference. Dual-band technology enables users to keep low-bandwidth everyday-jobs like sending e-mail and Web browsing on a different channel than more intensive ones such as online gaming or HD streaming video.

"Range extenders are a fast growing segment for Netgear as more and more customers are choosing it due to the great convenience it offers in enhancing existing home networks. With the Ex6120, Netgear brings the new high speed 802.11 AC standard to range extenders, enabling customers to experience greater range and high speed connections at home," said Subhodeep Bhattacharya, Netgear regional director, India & SAARC.

Netgear AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender (EX6120) would be available in India through authorised Netgear partners and other reseller channels by the first week of March at a retail price of Rs 5,500 with a warranty of two years. Netgear is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers.

For individual consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy-to-use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the internet and their content and devices. For businesses, Netgear provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT.

Netgear products are sold in approximately 44,000 retail locations around the world, and through approximately 37,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, California, in the US, with additional offices in over 25 countries.

Google is Shutting Down Picasa Starting March 15th

Google has announced that it's shutting down Picasa to focus entirely on Google Photos.

Google believe that can create a much better experience by focusing on one service that provides more functionality and works across mobile and desktop, rather than divide our efforts across two different products.

The company offers some advice on moving over to Photos and details the timeline for shutting down its services.

Picasa Web Albums

If you have photos or videos in a Picasa Web Album today, the easiest way to still access, modify and share most of that content is to log in to Google Photos, and all your photos and videos will already be there. Using Google Photos, you can continue to upload and organize your memories, as well as enjoy other great benefits like better ways to search and share your images.

However, for those of you who don’t want to use Google Photos or who still want to be able to view specific content, such as tags, captions or comments, we will be creating a new place for you to access your Picasa Web Albums data. That way, you will still be able to view, download, or delete your Picasa Web Albums, you just won’t be able to create, organize or edit albums (you would now do this in Google Photos).

One thing to make clear is that none of this is happening today—if you have a Picasa Web Album you can keep using it as normal. We’ll start rolling out these changes on May 1, 2016.

Desktop application

As of March 15, 2016, we will no longer be supporting the Picasa desktop application. For those who have already downloaded this—or choose to do so before this date—it will continue to work as it does today, but we will not be developing it further, and there will be no future updates. If you choose to switch to Google Photos, you can continue to upload photos and videos using the desktop uploader at photos.google.com/apps.

Is Google Search going on auto-pilot with machine learning?

Everyone’s beloved (and sometimes feared) Google Search is going on auto-pilot mode soon. With senior VP of Search, Amit Singhal, announcing his retirement, John Giannandrea, who oversees the company’s AI research is going to take over, marking what may be the biggest change in Google’s Search algorithms yet. What you need to understand is that while Google’s Search currently does employ machine learning algorithms, it constitutes a small part. Giannandrea’s entry suggests that things are going to turn the other way now.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning in short is how computers can process data on their own, learning as new data is discovered or entered. It’s similar to traditional algorithms, in the sense that they’re still algorithms, but the human’s control over what the code learns and does is reduced. For example, in Neural Networks are basically mathematics and humans can trace that math, but it’s still really difficult to understand why a neural network is reacting to data a certain way. This means that if you are to tweak the neural network, you will have to go by a trial and error method.

Machine Learning in Google Search

You may have heard of an algorithm by Google, called RankBrain, reported by Bloomberg in October, 2015. This is an AI, which, among other things, performs the task of dealing with new search queries. So, while Google’s Search algorithms are adept at handling common search queries by users, something new that pops up, will require RankBrain’s help. Considering the fact that the Search engine deals with millions of queries, the room for a query that it has never encountered before is really high.

RankBrain will understand these new queries and learn and more of them keep coming in, reacting intelligently and hence, making Google’s Search engine better. According to Bloomberg’s report, it took Google about half a decade to incorporate RankBrain into its Search algorithms and it is one of the many signals that determine the final search results that you see after inputting a query into the engine.

Furthermore, while under Singhal, Google’s Search algorithms were primarily based on rules determined by humans, under Giannandrea, it may be driven by decisions made by machine learning algorithms, an Artificial Intelligence. RankBrain accounts for about the 15 percent of Google’s search queries, and while that may not seem like a big percentage, the actual number would be really huge.

The problem with neural networks though is that while there is no question that they work and are useful, even experts, like Giannandrea, aren’t absolutely certain as to why some of the decisions that the machines make, are made. So, while Google’s Search algorithms may very well be more AI driven from now, one can be reasonably certain that the human-driven algorithms that Singhal built in his tenure, aren’t going to lose their importance either. For now, imagine an aircraft on auto-pilot. The pilots are right there and can make the tweaks when and where necessary.

Source : Digit

Super Easy CCTV Power Line Communication Camera

 Today in real world CCTV camera is almost must have. but some of peoples have some good infrastructure and interior and they don't allow wiring for CCTV camera and for wireless cameras they have some limitations. for those who are facing this problem, here is good news for them.

Here i am presenting Power Line Communication Network cameras. Power Line Network Camera referred electricity camera surveillance system is the high speed power line carrier (PLC) technology and streaming video technology. This system consists of one or more camera (each camera has a separate IP address) without need for a separate laying of video cable or network cable. The system is available to connect monitoring through the LAN, DSL.

This product is available only at http://www.infomatiks.com 

Features & Benefits:

1. Without laying video cable or network cable (also not necessary to add wireless network router) as long as our product (electricity) can transmit video signals.
2. The installation is simple plug-and-play, 100v – 240v power line will be able to work properly.
3. Far transmission distance up to 400 meter (in total electrical wiring, socket to socket).
4. Same video picture quality with HD network camera.
5. Same functions like HD network camera.
6. Easy installation, less cables & less time for installation. Lower labour cost.

Technical Specification:

• Video Compression: H.264 / MPEG4 / MJPEG
• IR range: up to 30 Meter, 36 Light Led.
• Lens: 3.6mm, Bullet Camera Housing.
• Resolution: 1MP, 1.3MP & 2MP.
• Bit Rate: 32 Kbps ~ 8 Mbps.
• System compatibility: ONVIF, NVSIP.
• P2P 3G 4G Mobile / PC.
• Protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP, DHCP, DNS, DDNS, RTP, RTSP, PPPoE, SMTP, NTP, SNMP, HTTPS, FTP, 802.1x, Qos.
• Power supply: AC 100v – AC 240V.
• Video output: 1 HDMI, 1 VGA.
• Definition: 1080p.
• HDD Capacity up to 4 TB (single slot).
• 1 x RJ45 10M/100M/1000M interface.
• 2 x USB 2.0.

 

 

 Contact for this product DEMO or Purchase

M : +91 99249 03331   
E-mail : infomatiks@yahoo.com
http://www.infomatiks.com