YouTube and other companies that use children for commercials especially for unboxing toys could be forced to completely overhaul their children’s content ecosystems.
Democratic senators Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have a proposed a bill that if approved would force companies like YouTube and TikTok to completely change how they treat children’s content on their platforms.
Everything from ads, app design, and some kinds of harmful content would see new limitations when a child under the age of 16 uses the platform.
The bill takes particular aim at unboxing videos, which are wildly popular on YouTube. An unboxing video from Ryan’s World, one of the most popular children’s YouTube channels. The KIDS Act wouldn’t ban this content but would prohibit YouTube from recommending it to children, which would hugely limit its distribution on the platform.
“Today, kids’ faces are increasingly covered in the glow of their screens. And it’s time to face the chilling reality that some websites and apps are built-in ways that harm children,” Markey said. “Powerful companies push kids to buy products at every turn online. And top platforms are saturated with disturbing content that no kid should ever be exposed to.”
The senators also target the design of websites and apps that are targeted to children. The bill would also ban companies from using autoplay features. Like automatically loading a new video once the current one finishes playing. The design ban would extend to push alerts or achievements that incentivize kids to stay on the platform for longer periods of time.
Markey, a co-author of this bill, was the original champion of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (or COPPA), which is now one of the pivotal privacy protections for children on the internet. Because of COPPA.
It is unlawful for website operators to collect the data of children under the age of 13, causing ongoing compliance concerns for social networks.
Most recently, the Federal Trade Commission fined YouTube and TikTok millions of dollars for COPPA violations. Markey has also worked to expand the law with tech hawk Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in a new bill coined COPPA 2.0 that would raise the age threshold to cover children under the age of 15.
“Big Tech has designed its platforms to ensnare and exploit children for more likes. More views, and more purchases,” Blumenthal said. “The KIDS Act puts guardrails in place to reign in the recklessness of marketers and Big Tech. While protecting children and giving parents some peace of mind.”
YouTube put in place new restrictions on content aimed at children earlier this year in the wake of its FTC settlement. The restrictions prohibit conventional ad targeting for any video aimed at children. Which has significantly reduced ad revenue for the channels involved. The result has put many YouTube creators in a difficult situation. One that could grow even worse if the KIDS Act is approved.
First let’s start with the basics; what is a QR Code? Well, a QR code is a kind of barcode that is considered to be the next generation. These small muddled squares were initially created to keep track of cars as they made their way through the manufacturing process, today, quick response codes are so useful that they can be located everywhere from assembly lines to storage facilities.
They can even be found on completely unrelated things like business cards and advertising billboards. The best way to conceptualise the QR code is as a customizable barcode on steroids – a huge amount more information in a far smaller amount of space.
QR codes are a form of 2D barcodes that can contain more than 4,000 characters, both letters as well as numbers, in a restricted horizontal and vertical space. This is a huge upgrade from the traditional linear, better known as the 1-dimensional barcode, that is restricted to only holding roughly 20 horizontal characters.
Perhaps the greatest characteristic of the QR Code is that they are both easy to create and easy to read. You can make your own QR Code through a series of a few simple clicks on a free generator, and they can be just as simply read and interpreted from any direction with a simple application on a smartphone or even just the smartphone camera. The best QR code generator apps will allow you to create custom QR codes with logos or images and also provide analytics on how many times the code has been scanned.
At a point in time, during the early 2010s, it looked as though QR Codes were going to take the world by storm, and replace all other forms of the barcode. While this of course did not happen, and that initial enthusiasm cooled down, the fact that the smartphone and computers are more omnipresent than ever is a pretty solid sign that QR Codes will have a resurrection of popularity. QR Codes are now in fact necessities in the management of manufacturing and inventory processes. They have even increased their grip in advertising, marketing and networking. Even social media and streaming platforms have not been able to be immune to their power.
So, the power of the QR Code is undeniable and they can be found almost anywhere, but how can it serve you if you buy barcodes? Let’s take a closer look:
The 5 ways you can use QR Codes in your business:
QR Codes can be put onto your business cards:
Instead of just putting the basic, cookie cutter information about your name, phone number, address etc. on your business card – why not add a QR Code to it? Not only will this make you look high tech and on trend, it will also afford you the opportunity to store a hoard more information than ever before. With a QR Code – you can include a link to your social media sites and company website and even a photograph of you that can be accessed by anyone with a simple scan.
Put QRs on stationery and invoices:
Errors and slip ups in business are inevitable, and you want to make the rectification process as quick and painless as possible for you and your customer. Including a barcode like the QR Code on things such as your branded business stationery and bills that takes your customers straight to your customer service site where they can access useful information such as contact details, guides, and even return labels.
Create QR printed adverts:
Looking for a way to endorse more than simply your latest sales and deals? Why not show that your business is committed to decreasing your waste output? Rather than printing a circular with pages and pages, reduce the size to only a few pages, bringing attention to a few special offers and then include a QR Code that contains your URL to link customers to all your other information on your website. This is also great method of tracking how much traffic you are getting to your page.
Inventory control and QR Codes:
Remember that QR codes are still important tools when it comes to inventory control, as well as in management and manufacturing. They permit you to keep track of more than just the name and cost of your product. Because of their greater storage capacity, they can contain data and information like serial and part numbers, lot numbers and dates of manufacture, and much more information.
QR Codes and work events:
QR Codes can be used on event materials to direct consumers to a virtual version of your event. Not only does this make it possible for those attending your event to travel light – it also reduces your carbon footprint as a business. Include things like an e-ticket, directions, a map and any other relevant and promotional information customers may require.
QR barcodes are an easy to create and cheap way to cram more data and information about your company, your services and your products in a tiny amount of space. There’s nothing to lose, so why not give them a shot? If you would like to buy a barcode contact us at SA Barcodes with assistance in setting up your own unique QR code.
The Samsung’s enterprise technology arm SDS had signed a memorandum of understanding with Israeli fintech solutions provider Credorax to develop the solution, aimed to create efficiencies by automatically logging payments data on bank records and ledgers.
The proprietary blockchain first unveiled in 2017. The platform is based on a permissioned blockchain model. Which is typically composed of only trusted participants in order to block potential access from unspecified nodes whose trust is not guaranteed.
Additionally, in November 2019, Samsung SDS announced it would enhance privacy on Nexledger through a partnership with Israeli-based QEDIT to integrate zero-knowledge proofs into the platform. A medical-claims processing system built on top of the Nexledger platform launched at the end of last year.
The two companies will cooperate on Samsung SDS’ Nexledger Universal platform. On which they will develop a blockchain-based finance solution for bank and merchants. So that they can automatically reconcile payments, remittances and invoices with their bank records.
The partnership also aims to develop a payment platform using Samsung SDS’ Brity Works. Brity is the company’s AI-based solution designed to automate different work processes, it said.
“Together with Credorax, which specializes in payments solutions. Samsung SDS will try to expand its business in the European sectors that seek digital transformation,”. Said Hong Won-pyo, president and CEO of Samsung SDS, in a statement.
He added,” Credorax, which already provides solutions to companies across the European Union and broader economic area. This will enable the Korean tech company to gain a foothold in the region’s payments sector.”
Previously, Samsung SDS made changes to the company’s articles of association, to include re-financing among its business areas, According to coindesk blogpost, The company explained that the change was made to assist new platform-based financial businesses that use big data and to increase cooperation with other firms in the industry.
Twitter is testing its own version of Stories dubbed Fleets that allows you to share ideas and momentary opinions.
The testing of the feature will start in Brazil which will let users post ephemeral content to its social network for the first time.
The feature was first popularized by Snapchat before it was adopted across other social media networks like Instagram, Facebook and lastly WhatsApp.
Fleets will be available this week in Brazil only in the application, for both iOS or Android. At the end of the day, users who have tested fleet can tweet using the give hashtag #FleetsFeeback telling twitter what they think about the feature. likely and Tweet using the hashtag #FleetsFeedback telling us what you think of the new feature.
The next rollout to other countries will solely depend on customer feedback, this will help to improve the functionality.
Noting fro the previous rollout, “people told us that, once the Fleets are gone. They are more comfortable sharing everyday and everyday thoughts. We hope that those people who are not usually comfortable with Tweeting use Fleets to talk about the reflections that come to their head.”
Unlike Tweets, Twitter’s new Fleets can’t receive Likes, Replies or Retweets. And they’ll disappear entirely after 24 hours. Like Tweets, Fleets are based primarily on text, but you can include videos, GIFs or photos in them.
If you want to reply to a Fleet. Click on it to send a Direct Message (DM) or emoji, and continue this conversation on your DMs. Your followers will be able to see your Fleets at the top of their Home Page. And also, anyone who can access your full profile will also be able to find your Fleets there. If your DMs are open, anyone can react to your Fleets.
Through the rollout, Twitter wishes to let you have conversations on the platform in new ways, with less pressure and more control, in addition to Tweets and Direct Messages (DMs).
” Based on the test. We’ll learn how the existence of a new way of talking changes the way you interact on Twitter. And whether it allows you to share what you’re thinking more comfortably.”
While Twitter is the place where you talk about topics that interest you. Some users feel insecure to Tweet because Tweets are public, permanent and exhibit public engagement counts for Likes and Retweets. With fleets, Twitter hopes to address the issue to make it possible for such users to have fun on the app.
Digital Lenders Association of Kenya (DLAK) yesterday unveiled the first-ever MoneyMarch: a month-long event dedicated to bringing providers and consumers together in a conversation around financial health and wellness.
MoneyMarch is proudly sponsored by DLAK, in association with the Lead Coordinator, Tala, together with all DLAK member companies.
TO achieve their member goal, DLAK members and partners are dedicating their time, resources, and marketing efforts. Which aims to help educate customers and their families on how they can build healthy financial habits and meet their goals. The 2020 MoneyMarch theme is on “Family Finance” created in support of MoneyMarch.
“Kenyans today have more choices than ever before. But still, they also face more risks when it comes to managing their financial lives. MoneyMarch is a moment to bring providers and customers together to discuss how we can best leverage digital credit. And other services to help consumers and entrepreneurs grow and work towards their goals,” explained DLAK Chairman, Robert Masinde.
To add on, DLAK will release the findings of a recent comprehensive survey of customers conducted by the association through an independent research firm. The members will also step up to make additional individual commitments towards advancing financial health, including free advice on how to plan family finances, how to start saving. The consumers will as well learn how to effectively use credit for business growth. Moreover, the lucky consumers will also win collaborations with some of the members who are local non-profit organizations part of the family financial health.
Ivan Mbowa, DLAK board member and Tala Kenya General Manager. Expressed his enthusiasm for the month ahead saying. “As responsible digital lenders, we make a promise to our customers that we will support them as they grow. And also give them a chance to work towards their goals. Providing customers with the financial education they need to make smart decisions. Is one of the many ways that we can deliver on that promise. With MoneyMarch. We hope to inspire and empower our customers to achieve their financial dreams, no matter how big or small.”
African business has been growing quite fast and has spread throughout the continent like wildfire. Especially the west African businesses have been said to be quite successful and are expected to have quite a bright future. Among all the African businesses, the ones that hail from Egypt are showing quite promise. Now most of these African businesses are looking forward to move their business overseas. Well if you are some one who wants to move their business overseas then here are 5 things that you should know before doing that.
5 Things to know before moving Business:
These are the 5 basic things one should know before moving their business abroad.
Market Research:
One of the most important things to keep in mind before moving. It’s very important to check and research whether the economy of the country is rising or falling. The best way to do this is by running a test campaign and then moving forward with it.
Tax Planning Across Border:
Before moving your business, the finance department of your company needs to make a tax plan across border. This is a plan in which all businesses and persons are taxed based on worldwide income. Having a lawyer is quite important a well, as this will make it easier for you to move the business. As they are well versed in that.
Moving Isn’t Easy:
Well, it may sound easy but taking a business overseas isn’t that easy. You would face a lot of issues initially. You even have to hire new set of employees and that may cost you at the beginning but will get better with time. There are lots benefits as well, like your business will attract more interests and opportunities as well.
Having Permission is A Must?
Every country has its different set of rules and they allow what seems to be beneficial for their nation. Before moving you should always make sure to contact the necessary authorities of that country and then make the more. Otherwise you may suffer with a lot of monetary issues.
Understanding Import Export Policies:
There are lots of companies available that can help you with the move. They will have several trade links will be quite helpful to you as well. Right after finding one you need to set the payment method and prices. Make sure to research them thoroughly. If that all fine then you can start the move.
Understanding of the Cultural Norms:
Having some multicultural personals is quite necessary. They can help you understand the cultural norms of the country and plan your moves accordingly. Taking care of the colour of the logo is also quite necessary as this may help in providing a boost to your business. You will have to build a team there and keep them happy with fun activities such as escape the room experience in orange county or escape room near coventry
Well, these are the 5 things that you should know about before moving. Apart from these there are other things too that should be kept in mind. Well, hopefully these have of help to you. Just focus on these points and the rest would be quite easy.
3D animation is the process of creating three-dimensional moving images in a digital environment. 3D models within a 3D software are carefully manipulated to make them look like real moving objects.
Creating a 3D animation, requires 3-dimensional space. That means while designing a 3D animation all three X, Y, and Z-axis are considered to indicate a real situation.
It has become more common today as websites, television commercials, and movies are all using 3D animation for instance to augment existing scenes, to animate things that wouldn’t otherwise be possible, and sometimes to create completely imaginative scenes from scratch, backgrounds and all. But the cinema industry isn’t the only one that’s relying heavily on 3D animation. There are many other incredible uses for 3D animation such as gaming and in this case we explore the gambling world.
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods. Gambling isn’t just card games in a casino. It can take many forms such as Card and Table Game, Casino Gambling, Dice Game, Horse/Dog Racing, Internet Gambling, Ken, Lotter, Pull Tab, Raffle, Scratch-off, Slot Machine, Sports Betting, Stock Market/Commodities, Video Lottery Terminal, Video poker and be a normal part of our culture which is why the need to make it an elevated experience arose through the use of 3d animations. Gambling is all around us and once we realize that we can better equip ourselves with the tools to gamble responsibly and enjoy it more.
3D animation
3D animation, video game programming, and video game production use Industry-standard computers and software to create 3D video games and animations. This programs enable the designing of the 3D model, rig and animate a character for gambling games.
The online gambling industry has been one of the most evolving industries globally and also one of the most profitable with ad spends £1.1 Billion in online gambling advertising in UK alone recently. Most of the gambling and betting companies have put money into football teams. These, according to experts is because football and gambling go hand in hand and share fans and loyalists. Most gambling adverts are also aired during football matches and this has led to gambling being linked to football and has also led to an increase in acceptance of gambling among masses including in Africa.
Spread of smartphones
Because of the spread of smartphones, online gambling has become a very attractive form of gambling that has become available to the everyday person due to its user-friendliness and easy accessibility. The smartphone has made it easy and convenient for anyone to gamble online and has further paved the way for its progress and popularity. Juniper Research estimated that online gambling market will outstretch up to $1 trillion in 2021, citing mobile phones as a major factor in this development. After smartphones, there are going to be newer technological advances in online gambling such as blockchain technologies, VR technologies for decentralization decentralization, transparency and security among others.
Animated 3D Slots
3D is not going to go away any time soon as animated 3D Slots give their players a true cinematic experience for an immersive casino feeling and are stirring renewed interest in online slot gambling among others. Platforms such as GambleExpert have high-quality online slots allowing players to play the best real money slots in minutes. With hundreds of slot machines and progressives from top providers like Microgaming and NetEnt, these online casinos offer ace lucrative slots bonuses to get you started on your game.
Better overall experience
Players are flocking to online casinos because they provide a better overall experience compared to old-school land-based platforms. Online gambling is also more affordable and comes with more generous bonuses unlike land-based ones. There is also the possibility of playing anytime and from any place allowing customers to enjoy betting platforms from the comfort of their homes, without travelling or paying for other accompaniments. Players also know that online gambling sites offer excellent jackpot opportunities for gamers and as technology advances, there is a possibility of more competitive and appealing chances. As technology advances, online gambling continues to become impressively adaptive to meet the demands and needs of its players globally.
Microsoft Dynamics records are displayed in a stream view or grid view. These records are more similar to Microsoft Excel, where records can be filtered, searched, and sorted easily in the stream view. When we select the records in the navigation bar, then those records can be viewed by default. Here, a system customizer is used to set the user’s default view.
Types of Records in Dynamics 365:
There are ten types of Records in Dynamics 365:
They are:
Viewing Records
Creating Records
Opening Records
Related Records
Sharing Records
Sorting Records
Editing Records
Working with Forums
Assigning Records
Removing Records
Viewing Records:
The Viewing records contain query of records (how to filter the records) and a layout (a specific width and order). Views are of two types: Personal and System. Here, Personal views are your creation, whereas System views are customer’s creation. For both Personal view and System view, the width and order of the columns are controlled view specifications.
Creating Records:
The creation of records can be done in many areas, such as:
Click “Quick Create” in the Top Navigation bar.
Click “New” in the command bar.
Click “New Items” in the Outlook.
Click “+” in the Sub-grid.
Select “New” within a record from the command bar.
There are much more ways than the above in creating records such as campaign response, email, phone call, and so on.
Opening Records:
To open the records, click the hyperlink or double-click the “Record” button. Then you can see records on lookup fields and grid views. You can double click the blue arrow to see the records in grid view.
Related Records:
Any record which is related from several to single relationships will appear on the lookup form. Each contact has a parent account that is performed in the sub-grid form under the navigation menu bar. “Activities” are the most common related records in Microsoft Dynamics 365. Activities include many custom entities such as accounts, leads, contacts, and so on. Some “Activities” are related to opportunity those are called as “Out-of-the-Box records.”
Sharing Records:
There is a need for sharing records to collaborate across the teams because most of the time users can be prevented from the security settings from editing the records. While sharing the records, the user should share the edit, view, delete, and assign within himself. The user can share the records with the following steps:
While selecting “Grid View” records, click the “Share” button on Command bar.
Then individually select user rights to be shared or select “Toggle” from the on/off rights.
Finally, click the “Share” button.
Sorting Records:
Every record can be sorted easily by selecting a proper column heading. Click the toggles of the column heading in both descending and ascending orders. Further, for more columns, hold the “Shift” key for selecting multiple columns. Here, the native fields are used in sorting. In other words, the related record fields can’t be used for sorting.
Editing Records:
Users cannot be able to update the data of grids and sub-grids; they had to open and edit the data in the record. By using “Editable Grids”, System Administrators set the in-line editing. Once the editing was done, then the user will get the opportunity to choose “SHOW AS” which is enabled in the command bar. The user can edit field types, including option sets and lookup fields.
Working with Forums:
In the year 2012, a service update was introduced, which is known as Microsoft Dynamics CRM. In CRM, there are two types of forms: Classic forms and Updated forms. The newly updated forms have business rule capabilities and business process flow. The Leads, Cases, and Opportunities have come under the business process flow. The user can also create a New Business Process Flow for custom entities.
Assigning Records:
Assigning a record comes under changing the Owner’s record. Depending on assigning records and security settings, the user can view the record.
Let’s look at the procedure for assigning a record for the new customer:
Change the customer’s name on the record form.
While viewing a record click “Assign” button on the Command bar.
Then select records from “Grid View” on the Command bar.
Removing Records:
If the user wants to remove a record, the first step is to deactivate them. System Administrators only did this job of removing records, and it happens very rarely. We can also manage to run the bulk delete function which is presented on the old records’ purge.
New Features for Updating Dynamics 365 CRM Records:
Users always tend to update Dynamics 365 CRM records. Here, the features in Import Data allows in updating the records. The Excel Online and Bulk Edit buttons help to update the bulk existing records. It is easy to use “Excel” while the user is working on the Power applications.
There is a new feature which is not limited to Dynamics 365 CRM called “Edit data in Excel.” This feature can be used in a power application platform. If you want to work with the data, then the first step is to select the “Entities” by signing into “powerapp.com.” Now, you will observe the “Edit data in Excel” button.
The primary relation between existing features and new features is the creation of excel but without using navigation. In Dynamics 365 CRM, we don’t need to import the excel sheet and also we can update the data within a few clicks.
Edit data in Excel:
In every organization, few employees can update the records for specific needs. We have to provide an Excel sheet for every Administrator to work on. The Administrator provides an excel sheet to make Dynamics 365 updates.
In Dynamics 365, the Administrator tests the business processes with several records sets for testing.
How “Edit data in Excel” work?
Initially, you should sign-in to powerapps.com. Then select the data entities and click “Edit data in Excel” button.
Then open the downloaded excel sheet and by using Common Data Sevie sign-in to Dynamics 365 CRM. Then you can edit the data in excel.
Let’s look at the key terms used in the Excel sheet.
Field: It defines the column by showing the “Last name.”
Source: It defines the “Data Source” to lead the data entity.
Refresh: It used to refresh the Excel sheet’s data and reloads the updated data by retrieving the new changes.
New: It is used to add new rows in the table. It also creates a new entry and new records in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
Filter: It is used to filter the Excel sheet’s new data. The user should use the “Refresh” button while reloading the data.
Publish: It is used to push the changes to Dynamics 365 CRM from an Excel sheet. After completion of the changes, the user should confirm the data.
Option-set: Click the “Option-set” button to select the new value in the Boolean field.
Conclusion:
The above article gives a summary of Records in Dynamics 365 CRM. For any user, it is recommended in deactivating the record rather than deleting it. This can only be done through “Grid.” On the other hand, the new features for updating the data directly impact CRM environments. By using these features, we can make the changes in Excel sheet very quickly, and with a single click, we can publish the data easily.
Author Bio:
I’m Anji Velagana; a B.Tech (ECE) graduate and pursuing an MA in Journalism & Mass Communication. I’m working as a Freelance Content Writer at KBS Institute. I have 2 years of experience in the content writing field. Contact me on LinkedIn and Twitter.
In today’s day and age of people exploring just how far the internet can take them in terms of simplifying their lives — telemedicine has popped up as the new frontier of hassle-free healthcare.
For many, doctor’s visits may be stretched to the last possible minute or even avoided altogether in the case of cosmetic or non-life threatening issues because of the time consuming and uncomfortable nature of in-person visits.
Telemedicine aims to sidestep the non-essential and potentially annoying elements of visits to your physician such as the commute, missed work, waiting rooms, paper gowns, etc., by connecting you with a doctor virtually almost instantaneously. And, while this new approach to healthcare may not work seamlessly for all conditions (such as life-threatening conditions, complicated illnesses, or diseases that require rigorous testing), erectile dysfunction treatment may be one that fits perfectly into the telemedicine healthcare model.
In this article, we will cover 5 points that help make erectile dysfunction (ED) and telemedicine a good pair to help make a delicate situation simpler, comfortable, and more efficient.
1. Patients may feel more comfortable meeting with a doctor virtually.
Even for the most unabashed patient, having a detailed conversation with a doctor about your sex life issues can be unpleasant.
And, while we agree that this conversation is normal and needs to happen for the patient to get proper medical treatment, with telemedicine, this interaction can be made as comfortable as possible while still supplying the doctor will all the information they need.
With telemedicine consults for ED, patients can connect with doctors one-on-one without the added steps of talking in a thin-walled office, verbally informing multiple office staff what your issue is, or having to sit in an uncomfortable chair under fluorescent lights describing your most intimate moments.
2. Erectile dysfunction diagnosis does not usually involve imaging or outpatient testing. A diagnosis for ED can often be made by having a patient answer a series of questions regarding any issues or changes to their sex lives, along with a medical history and review of their current conditions and medications.
This makes erectile dysfunction an ideal candidate for telemedicine visits since there are usually no complex scans or tests involved for the majority of cases. Of course, this may not be true for everyone seeking ED treatment, as complicated issues such as severe health conditions, physical penile deformities, or previous failures of ED medications can make a case more difficult, requiring additional testing in person.
If during the course of an online telemedicine visit the doctor feels that you are not a good candidate, or that you should be seen in person by a urologist for additional testing, the doctor will let you know and with the Strut Health telemedicine platform, you will not be charged for the online consultation.
3. Medications are normally well tolerated and easy to use.
With the two most popular erectile dysfunction medications, Sildenafil (generic Viagra) and Tadalafil (generic Cialis), most users tolerate the medication well with few to no side effects.
Also, the dosing of these medications is simple and straightforward, with users most often instructed to simply take the medication 30 minutes – 1 hour before sexual activity, and not taking more than 1 dose a day.
This simple dosing and low rate of side effects make these medications the ideal type of treatment for telemedicine consults.
4. Patients can avoid an awkward pharmacy ED medication pick-up.
When getting treatment for erectile dysfunction from an in-person doctor’s visit, the trip to the doctor’s office is often only half of it, considering that the patient then normally needs to drop by their pharmacy to pick up the prescription.
This increases the time spent and the potentially awkward interactions for the patient, since all staff members in the pharmacy can see the medications prescribed while putting together your prescription, and sometimes the pharmacist needs to verbally consult with you about the medication.
With a telemedicine visit for erectile dysfunction, if you need medication, your prescription order can often be sent to the pharmacy, put together, checked, and shipped straight to your front door without you having to step foot into a pharmacy. And, while there still may be pharmacist consults or questions for you to ensure your safety and proper use of the medication, these can often be handled by a quick and private phone call.
5. Packages can be discreetly marked for optimal privacy.
Just like how privacy is of optimal importance during your doctor’s visit, we feel that privacy is just as important in the labeling and packaging of your medication during shipping.
Whether you have children, roommates, elderly parents living with you, or just nosy neighbors – you have the right for your medications and treatments to be kept private.
At Strut Health, we package medications securely and ensure that all external labels are discreetly marked, so that your medical treatments remain your business.
Google is cancelling its I/O developer event following the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The event was due to take place between May 12th to 14th this year.
The cancellation follows a string major tech events cancellations that have taken place in the last two weeks. All pegged on the growing concerns of coronavirus. Google recently cancelled their attendance for Games Developer Summit in mid-March moving it to an online-only event.
“Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19). And in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities. We have decided to cancel the physical /O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre,” explains a Google spokesperson
Google typically uses I/O as its biggest news event of the year to introduce new changes to Android, Google-powered hardware, and even updates to services like Google Maps. And recently, working on exploring “other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with and continue to build our developer community.
Those that purchased tickets will be fully refunded by March 13, while registered guests this year will automatically be able to purchase I/O 2021 passes (via Twitter).
In the meantime. Google will be providing $1 million to local Mountain View organizations to help with the lack of I/O and its more than 7,000 attendees. This is specifically focusing on helping to raise awareness about the coronavirus. As well as aiding small businesses, increasing STEM education, and supporting organizations working with unhoused neighbours.
The tech giant has for long live-streamed almost every single keynote and session on YouTube. Thus, it should be equipped to translate I/O into a digital event like the GDC.
The company is yet to mention the proceeds of the event. There is a high possibility the event will also be a digital event. But from notable sources Cloud Next ’20 scheduled for April in San Francisco is now a virtual “Digital Connect” event that includes “interactive learning” and digital Q&A sessions with Google teams. I/O 2020 will likely take a similar format.
Following the growing concerns over coronavirus. Twitter on Monday became the first major U.S. corporation to strongly encourage its employees to work from home. This is in order to avoid spreading coronavirus.
Their announcement follows earlier news that cases of the viral infection have been identified in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Placer counties. And that four additional people had died from COVID-19 in Washington state. Bringing the total U.S. death toll to six.
Noting from their blog post, “Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Not only for us but also the world around us.”
“We also have the responsibility of ensuring that the health and safety of our employees and partners is not compromised. We have continued to monitor the situation closely and are adjusting our internal policies to respond to this rapidly-evolving situation. On February 29, we informed our people and started notifying partners that we are suspending all non-critical business travel and events.”
Additionally, Twitter has as well suspended all non-critical business travel and events. This is in order to prevent their over 4800 staff from any chances of contracting the virus due to exposure.
Notably, the tech giant will be working to make sure internal meetings. All hands, and other important tasks are optimized for remote participation.
Twitter also recognizes that working from home is not ideal for some job functions. Therefore, the office will remain open for those employees who prefer or need to come into the offices,
To take more precautions, the Twitter Real Estate & Workplace team is increasing deep cleaning and sanitizing in all spaces, as well as more visual reminders for personal hygiene best practices and pre-packaged, pre-composed, and pre-plated food options.
“Working from home will be mandatory for employees based in Hong Kong, Japan. And also South Korea offices due in part to government restrictions. Our criteria will evolve over time as we get more information. we will continually communicate to affected Tweeps as appropriate.”
WhatsApp dark mode is finally here after months of anticipation. dark mode has been the most demanded feature among WhatsApp users.
Towards the end of 2019, dark mode was a trending social media craze and WhatsApp users have been feeling left out since. The rollout will be effective on WhatsApp for android and ios.
Dark mode for WhatsApp offers a fresh look at a familiar experience. It’s designed to reduce eye strain in low light environments. And we hope it helps prevent those awkward moments where your phone lights up the room.
Noting from the WhatsApp blog. While designing dark, the company spent time researching and experimenting with a focus on two particular areas:
“Readability: When choosing colours. We wanted to minimize eye fatigue and use colours that are closer to the system defaults on iPhone and Android respectively.”
“And secondly, Information Hierarchy: We wanted to help users easily focus their attention on each screen. We did this by using colour and other design elements. This was to make sure the most important information stands out” according to WhatsApp blog.
To add on, the dark mode might not be available right now noting that it has just been announced. It will be rolling out in the coming days on the latest version of WhatsApp.
Once made available, it will roll out automatically for users using the current updated WhatsApp. Users on the latest versions of iOS and Android do not have a manual toggle that can be flicked to switch on the theme on WhatsApp.
How to get WhatsApp dark mode on your phone
If you are using devices running Android 9 or iOS 12. You can enable WhatsApp dark mode through an option on your WhatsApp app settings. On settings, select chat, then theme and finally select your preferred dark mode.
All users are recommended to check their app stores for the latest app version and update the app accordingly. Users in the beta cycle of WhatsApp on both Android and iOS already have the option present in their apps.
Safaricom Foundation has set aside KES 130 million set to benefit close to 1,000 young people in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Safaricom Foundation says the investment will focus on Plumbing, Welding, Food and Beverage and Electrical Engineering.
The investment will see Safaricom Foundation partner with Zizi Afrique Foundation and TVET institutions to set up an ICT enabled Skills Center in Nairobi and also sponsor students in other institutions across the country over the next two years.
“With this investment, we are going to ensure that we have put in place sustainable infrastructure for youth training, improve instructor training capacities, access to training opportunities in employable areas, institutional capacities and finally increase transition to employment. Our aim is to support quality participation in TVET,” said Stephen Chege, Trustee, Safaricom Foundation.
Waithaka Vocational Training Centre will act as the model center with Safaricom Foundation establishing a TVET model ICT enabled Centre of Excellence. The Foundation will also sponsor 200 students at the centre to undergo training and later place them in jobs.
11 other institutions from Nairobi, Marsabit, West Pokot, Mandera, Isiolo, Kwale, Narok, Kirinyaga, Kitui, Kisumu and Vihiga have also been identified targeting over 500 beneficiaries.
“Kenya is a very youthful country. Data shows that 80% of Kenya’s population is below 35 years. We however have 97 % of youth who say unemployment is their biggest problem. We believe that such investments can help alleviate this challenge,” Chege said.
An analysis by Higher Education Loans Board shows that employability is at 96 % for people with Technical and Vocational Education and Training compared to 40 percent among those with a university degree. However, TVET participation remains low with enrolment standing at only 60 %.
Facebook has shrunk the iOS version of Messenger App Size Down By 75 per cent to make its iPhone messaging app run better especially on older phones.
Facebook has rewritten the app t from scratch. It has shrunk Messenger’s footprint on iPhone down to an eminently manageable 30MB, less than a quarter of its peak size. The app will roll out in stand-alone form for the rest of the Operating systems gradually over the coming weeks.
The app still looks a lot like the old messenger and is simpler still. It removes the Discover tab which showcased businesses with a Messenger presence. It also revamps the People tab with a splashier look and greater emphasis on the stories feature.
Following a post by Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerburg “We’ve completely rewritten Messenger to get a lot faster. Starting today, we’ll be rolling out the new Messenger app for iOS. Once the rollout is complete, Messenger will be one quarter the size and load twice as fast. When you open Messenger throughout the day, it will feel much faster and more responsive compared to other apps you use.”
The new version loads twice as fast as the one it’s replacing. The update is so compact that Facebook was able to quietly build it into the existing version and test it by exposing it to a subset of users.
“On a low-end device, you’ll see very quickly that the performance of the new version is visibly different,” says Messenger director of engineering Mohsen Agsen, one of the people responsible for the sweeping rewrite. “Even on a high-end device, you’ll see a little bit more consistency. A high-end device starts behaving like a low-end device. If you’ve just finished running a big game or loading the camera and the phone is under memory pressure. So then the size of the app that you’re about to run next matters.”
Given that people may hop in and out of Messenger dozens of times a day. Zippy performance is an overarching imperative, contends Agsen. If Facebook’s family of apps is like a lineup of cars, he says, “some of them are the sedans, and they need to be the sedans. We really felt that messaging really should be more of the sports car, dominated by speed and reliability at its core.”
“We know that every time we make Messenger faster and simpler, it’s easier for people to communicate and they use it more,” says VP of engineering Raymond Endres.
SAFCOIN, an Africa-focused crypto, has unveiled MobiJobs.Africa, touted as Africa’s first blockchain-powered micro-jobs platform, set to connect businesses and workers across Africa, for free.
SAFCOIN says MobiJobs.Africa will help start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses list jobs, search freelancer profiles, and establish an online presence without set-up, hosting, or development costs.
The platform will also let freelancers market their skills, build their experience, and “buy” listed jobs, even if they don’t have a bank account. There are no joining, account, or transaction fees, and jobs are paid for in SAFCOIN cryptocurrency.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, over 40% of South Africa’s youth, aged between 15 and 34, were unemployed, and 13.4 million youth in Africa do not have jobs.
Now, technology is enabling the growth of the freelance, or “gig” economy, with more people taking on short-term, flexible tasks to make money. In South Africa, 3.9 million people were in temporary employment in 2018, up from 2.6 million in 2017. In Africa, nearly 86% of employment is informal.
MobiJobs aims to empower more Africans to access global work opportunities, grow their experience, and sell their skills and talent online. All they need is a mobile phone or laptop and connectivity.
Jobseekers in Africa have, until now, been restricted from participating in digital shared labour platforms like MobiJobs because they had little or no access to bank accounts. In fact, around 1.7 billion, or 62% of sub-Saharan Africans, are unbanked.
Those that do have bank accounts pay high transaction, pay-out, and commission fees, which eats into their freelance earnings.
MobiJobs uses blockchain technology to eliminate banking fees. Powered by SAFCOIN cryptocurrency, it facilitates an easy, secure payment process between individuals and businesses through the SAFPay gateway. Payment is secured before the service provider begins the job, and is released once the job is marked as completed.
Through the MobiJobs Workdesk, freelancers can manage their jobs, advertise their skills, communicate with clients, and rate their experience.
Neil Ferreira, CEO of SAFCOIN, says: “Our goal with MobiJobs is to help individuals in Africa to take their skills and talents global, and to empower small businesses to tap into a global skills pool, as and when they need to. Through the platform, users can gain experience, build their internship hours while studying, ask for testimonials from businesses they’ve completed tasks for, and build relationships with companies across Africa. All this via a free cryptocurrency payment gateway that ensures they get paid quickly and securely, with zero transaction charges.”
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has resulted in thousands of job losses as technology increasingly takes on roles traditionally performed by humans. But the benefit is that the same technology that drives this revolution can also empower individuals to access a global jobs marketplace and opportunities in less-penetrated e-commerce markets.
MasterCard predicts that African e-commerce may generate over $500 billion a year by 2030, equivalent to nearly 10% of GDP, and the World Economic Forum says e-commerce will generate three million new jobs in Africa by 2025.
“Combining cryptocurrency and the blockchain with e-commerce is a huge breakthrough for the industry. Adoption of cryptocurrency across Africa is increasing steadily and usage is arguably the highest among emerging markets,” says Ferreira.
“Africa is evolving into the Fourth Industrial Revolution and we’re proud to be at the forefront, creating awareness, educating people, and connecting the youth and businesses through blockchain and cryptocurrency-powered platforms like SAFCOIN and MobiJobs.”
Apple has agreed to pay up to $500 million to settle litigation accusing it of quietly slowing down older iPhones as it launched new iPhone models.
The minimum total payout would be $310 million but it could rise to $500 million depending on the number of iPhones that are covered in the settlement.
A move believed to have been intentional to prompt the iPhone users to upgrade the newly launched models. The slow down on iPhones affected all devices operating on iOS 10.2.1 or later operating system.
In the year 2018, iPhone users filed over 44 class actions against Apple on iPhone throttling. With an additional 5 foreign filings recorded as pending on the same issue.
Consumers raised concerns about their phone’s performance noting that their phones’ performance suffered after they installed Apple software updates. Which misled them into believing that their phones were near the end of their lifecycles, requiring replacements or new batteries.
The preliminary proposed class-action settlement was disclosed on Friday night and requires approval by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California.
It calls for Apple to pay consumers $25 per iPhone. which may be adjusted up or down depending on how many iPhones are eligible, with a minimum total payout of $310 million.
Apple had attributed the problems mainly to temperature changes, high usage and other issues. The company further said its engineers worked quickly and successfully to address them. Following an initial outcry over slow iPhones, Apple has gone ahead to apologize. And has further lowered the price for replacement batteries to $29 from $79.
The Friday’s settlement covers U.S. owners of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, and iPhone 7 Plus or SE that ran the iOS 10.2.1 or a later operating system. It also covers U.S. owners of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus that ran iOS 11.2 or later before Dec. 21, 2017.
The lawyers plan to seek up to $93 million, an amount equal to 30% of $310 million, in legal fees. With an additional up to $1.5 million for expenses.
The Vivo Y19 is an exceptional phone for many reasons.
At only Ksh26,999, the exclusive Y19 device has a lot to offer. For starters, vivo Y19 is powered by the Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) processor.
The smartphone comes with a 6.53 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen and 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution.
When I first got the phone the first thing I really liked about it was how it looked.
Starting, the phone took quite a bit of time and found the process a bit tedious but finally just like any other android phone after I put my gmail details it synchronized my details fairly well, including my contacts, messages and all the previously installed apps from my other phone.
Design
The design is rather different and has a sleek and classy look to it.
It incorporates a 3D design and has a light blue reflective colour that gives it a classy look which is perfect especially if you like big phones but can’t afford an iPhone.
It’s shimmering colour design definitely gives it an elegant look. However I found it a bit too heavy for my liking and would have preferred if it was slimmer especially because it’s a long phone.
If you’re a security junky you’re in luck because this phone has a fingerprint sensor and on the right side is the power button and a SIM tray which holds two SIM cards and the left side has the Micro SD card.
The finger print sensor is located at the back of the phone and the AI triple camera would make you think that you’re in for a photogenic experience but that’s where I was the most disappointed.
Camera
The rear camera consists of a 16 MP (wide) + 8 MP (ultrawide) + 2 MP macro camera sensor lenses which is why I was not amused that it was not as clear as I imagined it would be and even though it has face beauty features, I didn’t like that it gave me an almost perfect look that seemed a bit too fake.
It also has different filters that you can use but nothing is unique about the filters apart from either the casual grey or illuminating filters. Unless I missed some settings from this phone, the camera was honestly abysmal and if you’re looking to shoot video content or you’re heavy on social media content then this is not the phone for you.
Battery
However, if you’d like to use a phone that has a long lasting battery, then this is your phone.
The smartphone is fueled by a Non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery + Battery charging 18W. With it’s 5,000 mAh battery fast charging feature, I stayed without charging my phone for three days and I was on WiFi the whole time and on battery consuming apps like Instagram. The best feature for me was the reverse charging feature, I actually managed to charge my other phone using the Y19.
When your Y19 has juice to spare, turn it into a mobile power bank. Use it to charge other devices and help friends out of a jam when their batteries cannot keep up.
Entertainment and storage
I also managed to miracast from my phone to the TV and since the battery is long lasting I managed to watch movies that were online instead of using my TV.
I liked that I managed to watch videos without glitches and the best part was that the storage 4GB RAM and has 128GBGB internal storage expandable via Micro SD card which is great because I had downloaded a couple of videos. The sound was also pretty good and loud for a phone, which means you can watch your Netflix or YouTube videos on it comfortably.
The best features for me was the finger print sensor since that means someone never has to see your password when you put it and the storage as well as the battery. The worst for me was the camera and I felt shortchanged from the description to the experience.
Network
The phone has a SIM tray which holds two SIM cards and the left side has the Micro SD card so you don’t need to worry about buying two phones. It also has connectivity up to 4G which is a great thing and also connects quite fast to Wi-Fi.
The 2020 Game Developers Conference (GDC) has been postponed after major participants have cancelled their participation due to the rising cases of coronavirus.
The GDC conference is associated with award shows, Independent Games Festival and Game Developers Choice Awards. This year, the event was to take place in March 16th-20th but has now been moved summer.
The announcement comes after both Epic Games and Unity. The makers of popular video game engines and other game development tools pulled out of the show on Thursday.
Additionally, Sony, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Amazon, and Facebook, including Oculus, also cancelled plans to attend the show, citing health concerns related to the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Some companies had resorted to digital events instead of physical appearance. For example, Microsoft through the Game Stack blog. Announced that they were organizing a similar online-only event on the same dates instead of a physical appearance.
Noting from GDC’s statement about the cancellation.” GDC reached the final decision after close consultation with our partners in the game development industry and community around the world. We’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Game Developers Conference this March.
Having spent the past year preparing for the show with our advisory boards, speakers, exhibitors, and event partners. We’re genuinely upset and disappointed not to be able to host you at this time.
We want to thank all our customers and partners for their support, open discussions and encouragement. As everyone has been reminding us, great things happen when the community comes together and connects at GDC. For this reason, we fully intend to host a GDC event later in the summer. We will be working with our partners to finalize the details and will share more information about our plans in the coming weeks.”
Notably, the attendees will receive full refunds for badge purchases. Also, the conference speakers will be able to make their planned GDC presentations available for free online.
There are various specialties in professionals dedicated to the real estate business. Most of these agents specialize in residential and other commercial properties. Even many of the agents specialize in a specific area that can provide you with more and specify information about an area in which you are interested.
The search for the best agent to support your transaction may require you to do a small investigation that includes the following points:
1) EXPERIENCE. The time the agent has been in the real estate industry. This information can give you an idea of the knowledge that the agent has in the area.
2) SERVICES. Additional services that you can offer. An additional real estate agent can guide you to choose the title company that suits you. Help you in the hiring of a lawyer and / or accountant if you need it to close your transaction. Recommend a company that can offer you the property management service, among other services.
3) KNOWLEDGE OF THE AREA. It is very important that the agent you choose knows the area where you want to invest, so he will be able to provide information about the area, such as: security, neighborhoods, schools, additional taxes, entertainment, etc.
4) COMMISSION. It is very important that when hiring the services of a real estate agent you ask what is the commission for the services that will be provided. Having this clear figure from the beginning will help you better plan your costs and avoid possible confusion and / or problems at the time of closing the transaction.
5) FULL TIME DEDICATION VS PARTIAL TIME. Make sure that the real estate agent of your selection to support you in the purchase or sale of your property is 100% dedicated to the real estate business. Many agents engage in this business partially, with the aim of completing another work activity or generating income. The partial dedication to this business cannot guarantee you a 100% quality service, since, this business is composed of multiple laws and steps to follow on which you will surely have many doubts and it is very important that your real estate agent can guide in the right way, so that your transaction is the most viable and ends in happy ending.
6) EDUCATIONAL LEVEL. Ask your real estate agent about your professional credentials, education, license, etc., this will give you the assurance of working with a true professional.
7) FINAL SELECTION. Finally, if you do all the research and the real estate agent that you select meets the minimum quality standards and you feel confident towards it, then don’t wait any longer and start working together. You can start by reading UpNest reviews. You will get tons of information there!
If you want to know more about how to INVEST effectively when purchasing a home, just leave me your information here and I will try finding the best solution for you.
Purchasing a former rental vehicle may seem risky, but like every other second-hand car purchase, it has its pros and cons. And, if you know exactly what to look out for, you can get the best value for money car in South Africa. All you need to do is understand what type of vehicle you’re getting and whether it’s worth the money. But, before you go and make a purchase, read the pros and cons as part of the initial stage guide to buying a new car.
Every used-car shopper loves finding a good deal, and the chances of that when buying an ex-rental is high. In most cases, the rentals you see at a dealership are fairly new models. This is because car hire companies are always changing and upgrading their cars to entice their customers. No dealership will have a rental car for more than 15 years. Their version of an older vehicle is the exact car you may be looking for. Unlike when you purchase a second-hand vehicle, buying privately or from a dealer, that has usually been used for several years. When you think about it, a private seller has no reason to chop and change vehicles every 10 or few years because it’s their car. Private sellers usually change their vehicles for safety reasons, cutting back on repair costs, and looking for vehicles with better features. But, in South Africa’s economy, these reasons don’t justify selling a vehicle when it’s still new. So, if you’re looking for an affordable second-hand model, then a rental is the best way to go.
You’ll get a vehicle in good condition
Although rentals have been driven around by different individuals, they’re still in great condition. Rental car companies are strict about the condition of their vehicles, so anyone who is renting out a vehicle needs to ensure they handle it with care. Trusted companies ensure that they comply with maintenance intervals, and they’ll have in-house mechanics who will look after their vehicles. Of course, if you’re still sceptical, you can ask to take the vehicle for a test drive, view the vehicle history report and bring your trusted friend or mechanic for a quick inspection of the vehicle. When you feel more certain, then you can arrange a deal.
They’re affordable
Everyone loves being able to save a few Rands here and there. Rental companies often sell their vehicles at an affordable price, and they never have to haggle prices. So, this is great for someone who is getting financed and looking to find a vehicle with affordable monthly payments. But, even if you’re paying cash upfront, being able to save is always a benefit. The reason why dealers offer ex-rentals at such a low price is that they need to remove the vehicle from their fleet fast. Which, of course, benefits you, helping you to get a budget car.
You know where the vehicle is from
One of the drawbacks of buying a second-hand vehicle is that you often don’t know exactly where the vehicle has been, or if you are being lied to by the seller. But, because you’re getting an ex-rental, you can have peace of mind knowing the vehicle you’re about to purchase is coming from a business. Yes, it may seem like the opposite because of all the drivers who’ve used the vehicle. But, as mentioned previously, these vehicles have been well looked after and have been maintained after use. So, you can rest assured that you won’t be sold a lemon car.
Cons
High mileage and wear and tear
Unfortunately, as much as a rental business can stipulate the rules, they don’t have much control over whether the driver follows it or not. Many ex-rentals have high mileage with wear and tear. This is because many drivers don’t treat rentals like their own car; instead, they treat these vehicles like a rental. This is unfortunate, especially for you, who considers purchasing one. But don’t let this discourage you. There are still many ex-rental cars for sale that are in good condition, and the wear and tear is manageable.
Yes, it will still have high mileage, but that should not be the only thing stopping you from making a purchase. And, as we know, mileage isn’t the only indicator of reliability. It depends on how properly maintained the vehicle was during usage. And, with modern technology, a vehicle’s lifespan is much longer than it was in the past. If you’re still unsure, you can take a look at the cars book value and decide from there if it’s worth the money.
Has a lower resale value
Whenever you read guides about “how to buy a car” you’re always told about the vehicles resale value. Well, it is something you need to keep in mind because even though you pay less when purchasing the vehicle if you were planning on selling it down the line, you won’t get much value out of it. And, the reason why it’s so difficult to get the value back from an ex-rental is that many buyers are sceptical about buying an old rental, and it can make it difficult for you to find a buyer in the future. But, if you aren’t planning on changing your vehicle anytime soon, then it won’t have an impact on you.
There’s a chance it might be out of warranty
When buying a former rental, there is a high chance the vehicle will have past its factory warranty. This is because of its high mileage, meaning you’ll pay for any repairs once the purchase has gone through. This may not be ideal for many people, and it’s advisable to be sure before any purchase. Because you do not want to have to spend more money than what the vehicle is worth.
Not much variety available
When in search of a new vehicle, do not expect to find the top of the line vehicle or all the latest models. Remember that rental companies look for regular models for price reasons and simplicity. So, if you’re looking for the top of the range vehicle, you might need to consider going to a private seller or car dealership.
Is it worth buying a former rental?
Buying a second-hand vehicle is always a daunting process. However, brand new vehicles are expensive, and nowadays, you can enjoy a fruitful journey with a second-hand vehicle.
Now, the question still remains, is a rental still worth buying? And to be frank, yes it is. Rentals, like any other second-hand vehicles, may have its drawbacks. However, it still has its positives. You can get a vehicle that’s in good condition, fairly new, and one that can last you a couple of years with barely any issues (even with high mileage). And, as mentioned before, there are many other factors that need to come in to play when you’re looking to buy a vehicle. You need to take a look at the vehicle’s history report as that will help you to see whether the vehicle is in good condition, and suits your needs.
It needs to still be roadworthy, which rental cars will be as they were registered by a company. So, when you think about it, you can still get a vehicle that’s in great condition from a rental. Like any other second-hand vehicle, you will need to inspect it and decide whether it’s for you or not. But, from our side, we think rental vehicles are worth it. Just be careful and remember to trust your instincts whenever you purchase a vehicle.
vivo has unveiled the third generation of its APEX concept smartphone – APEX 2020. The device builds on the success of its previous generations to feature more cutting-edge technologies,while also showcasing vivo’s continuing pursuit of head-turning aesthetics.
APEX 2020 comes 120° FullView Edgeless Display that removes side edges and bezels from the front view. With the In-Display Camera and vivo Wireless Super FlashCharge 60W. APEX 2020 has a Super Unibody Design with no openings.
This feature showcases Vivo’s latest achievements and future plans to offer extraordinary visual effects and enhanced future photography. And also displaying a major breakthrough in visual effects.
“APEX is never a mere ‘concept’ or a glimpse of ‘imagination’. It’s a creation that goes beyond any previous experience brought by mobile technology. Through APEX 2020, we are proud to see vivo’s vision come to life as a technology company. We continue to push the boundaries of mobile technology and explore what lies beyond the ordinary. The APX 2020 showcases our ambition to achieve our aspirations step-by-step. vivo will continue to put APEX’s innovative technologies into practice. The technology will give a chance to more consumers to be empowered.” said Harry Hong, General Manager of Product, vivo Kenya.
The APEX 2020 carries on vivo’s pursuit of a truly FullView Display and Super Unibody design. A 6.45-inch curved display that bends up to 120° on both sides. This helps remove side edges and bezels from the front view and results in an ultra bezel-less display.
Physical buttons are replaced with a virtual pressure-sensing button for aesthetic and practical considerations. APEX 2020 is another perfect fusion of visual effect, natural touch and human-device interaction.
vivo APEX 2020 specifications
The In-Display Camera of APEX 2020 unleashes the new possibility of a non-mechanical front camera. The “invisible” front camera presents a Super Unibody design with no openings and expands the internal space.
Through innovation in screen pixel layout and circuit design, APEX 2020 has successfully increased the light transmittance of the screen right above the front camera to 6 times of the other part of the screen, and effectively reduces optical interference, diffraction and stray flashes.
The 16MP front camera features a 4-in-1 super-pixel photosensitive chip, realizing the innovation of capturing clear images with the In-Display Camera.
. APEX 2020 comes with Continuous Optical Zoom, becoming the world’s first smartphone equipped with high-magnification continuous zoom. It can achieve continuous optical zoom under high magnifications between 5x-7.5x. It can as well produce images in high resolution and quality rather than filling focal lengths through digital magnification.
Users are able to preserve the clarity of all moments by effectively enhancing every detail.
It comes with a “4-group lens combination. Two fixed lenses and two movable lenses, which achieves high-magnification continuous zoom and real-time focus at one time. It supports a 6.2 mm periscope structure which makes it possible for the professional-grade lens to be incorporated into the APEX’s ultra-thin body.
To further enhance the image quality, vivo has incorporated a leading multi-frame algorithm so that scenery from afar can also be easily captured.
The gimbal-like structure into APEX 2020’s main camera. It achieves optical stabilization in the front-back and left-right inclined directions with enhanced performance. Its stabilization angle is 200% extended.
This feature greatly reduces the blurring caused by a shaky hand. Users can also enjoy videography with smoothness. It as well supports stable handheld shooting effectively extend the exposure time so that APEX 2020 also has a stronger capacity for night photography
The APEX 2020 features the revolutionary vivo Wireless Super FlashCharge 60W, which recharges a handset with a 2000mAh battery in only 20 minutes, offering a faster charging experience than conventional wired flash charging.
Other than that, APEX 2020 is also equipped with 3rd Generation Screen SoundCasting Technology, Instant Photobomb Removal and Voice Tracking Auto-Focus. Bringing an all-round user experience.
Microsoft, through its Microsoft for Start-ups initiative, today announced the launch of its Global Social Entrepreneurship programme at a plenary session of the Sankalp Africa Summit 2020.
Microsoft’s Global Social Entrepreneurship programme has benefits aimed at elevating start-ups addressing an important social and environmental challenge through their products, services or operations. As a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and impact investing, the Sankalp Forum was the ideal place for Microsoft, a strategic partner of the forum, to make this important announcement.
“Solving global social and environmental challenges requires synergy of the right technology, partners, conducive environment and technology. When start-ups work together with investors, enterprises, governments, non-profits and communities, we are able to unlock new potentials,” said Microsoft4Afrika Director Amrote Abdella at the launch of the programme.
This global initiative is designed to help social enterprise start-ups build and scale their companies to do good globally. Microsoft believes in providing the foundational building blocks to help social entrepreneurs create companies that can achieve worldwide impact. Social enterprises that become part of the Global Social Entrepreneurship programme will receive access to free Microsoft cloud technologies, including up to $120,000 in Azure credits, along with technical support and guidance.
Microsoft is deeply inspired by the commitment of these social entrepreneurs, who are focusing their passion for positive change on improving human health and the environment, advancing social and economic equity, and much more.
Social impact startups from around the world are welcome to apply. The criteria to qualify for the programme includes a business metric that measures impact on an important social or environmental challenge; an established product or service that will benefit from access to enterprise customers; and a commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI. Qualified startups will be eligible for grants in the areas of sustainability, accessibility, skills and employability.
A dedicated programme manager will help Global Social Entrepreneurship start-ups market and sell solutions and connect to large commercial organisations and nongovernmental organisations that are potential customers. Participants focused on sustainability, accessibility, and skills and employability will also be eligible for grants. Furthermore, the social enterprises that join the Global Social Entrepreneurship programme will be part of a worldwide community of like-minded innovators who come together to share ideas, foster connections and celebrate success.
The programme is available in 140 countries and will actively seek to support underrepresented founders with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
Microsoft has been intentional in its development of partnerships in the agri-tech space that have a shared theme of building locally relevant technology solutions that support social good. Through the 4Afrika initiative, Microsoft has collaborated with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to co-create technology solutions in Africa. The partnership explores the uses of big data and AI in enabling data-driven, precision farming that increases farm productivity and profitability, and supports AGRA’s digital transformation as it works to improve food security for 30 million farming households across 11 countries by 2021.
The partnership is demonstrative of Microsoft’s ongoing investment in agri-tech across the continent, and stands alongside investments such as Microsoft4Afrika’s support of the World Bank’s 1 Million Farmers Platform.
As part of the partnership, 4Afrika is supporting 14 Kenyan social entrepreneurs selected to join the platform, who are developing technology solutions that promote access to financial services and markets for farmers. Microsoft has also partnered and supported other social entrepreneurs in agri-tech like Twiga Foods, a mobile-based business-to-business food supply platform that links smallholder farmers in rural Kenya to informal retail vendors in cities, and SunCulture, which has a solar-based system that offers farmers personalised recommendations and solutions through their mobile phones.
Shujaaz Inc is one of the most innovative socially-oriented communications research and media production companies on the African continent. The company is turning Kenyan youth into field researchers, tapping into unique social trend data. Their youth platform leverages their 3,000+ youth network, empowering them to run research on their behalf. The support from Microsoft4Afrika has enabled Shujaaz to do this on a large scale, providing a quick and easy tool that facilitates easy data collection from across Kenya.
“Social entrepreneurship has to be the future for a sustainable world: it’s only when we align the interests of business and society that we can all thrive and grow. With the launch of the Global Social Entrepreneurship programme it’s wonderful to see Microsoft once again showing leadership and demonstrating the values we believe in. Shujaaz Inc is proud to be working with Microsoft to build a better future for young people in Africa,” says Rob Burnet, CEO of Shujaaz Inc.
Upepo Technology is a Kenyan technology firm that develops IoT (Internet of Things) solutions for the country’s water sector. The company partners with utilities to deploy smart water metering devices that provide real-time monitoring of water infrastructure, moving towards a more holistic view of water consumption in Kenya, with the ultimate goal of providing access to water for people across the country.
Upepo’s solution secured the company a Microsoft AI for Earth grant in April 2019, which provides access to cloud and AI tools, as well as opportunities for education and training on AI and investments in innovative, scalable solutions.
11 African Start-ups have been selected to participate in the X-Africa Forum organized by École Polytechnique, France’s top science and engineering school, also known as L’X.
The X-Africa Forum is dedicated to African entrepreneurship and aims to increase the visibility of the participating startups and to attract more investors as well as to raise awareness about the untapped potential of the continent for economic growth.
Every year, about a hundred start-ups from the African continent submitted their applications to participate in the Forum. Among them, 15 start-ups on average are selected each year. This year, 11 high-potential ones have been invited. Please find the list below:
More than 2,000 people are expected to attend (students, alumni, young entrepreneurs, industrial decision-makers, journalists, etc). On the program for this 2020 edition:
Workshops on Artificial Intelligence, Banking in Africa: challenges and opportunities, innovation in energies;
two round tables (African digital transition & which investment model for Africa?);
a conference on Energy in Africa: An Integrated Vision and an Opportunity;
a pitching contest for the 11 selected start-ups.
Largely internationalized (40% of its students, 39% of its teaching staff), École polytechnique combines research, teaching and innovation at the highest scientific and technological levels. The school promotes a culture of excellence with a strong emphasis on science, open to a great humanist tradition.
Indeed, its ambition is to welcome more African students, and large-scale efforts have been made in target countries to support the emergence or consolidation of local preparatory classes and vocational training courses, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal and Guinea.
How do you make money as a social media influencer?
As easy as it may sound making money as a social media influencer is not that easy. People assume that all you have to do is keep posting on social media and eventually you’ll get a following and then you attract relevant brands from nowhere. For starters, you need to know if you have influence, you could have 4,000 followers but have really good engagement or 20,000 followers but little influence. If you have established that you have influence read these tips and see how you can make money.
1. Get sponsored posts
Sponsored social media posts are one of the most popular ways for influencers to make money on social media. It’s when brands or marketers pay you to promote a certain brand or product in a social media post. Your posts don’t always have to be obviously advertising, you could create review posts, informational posts, or simply feature and tag the products.
2. Become a brand ambassador
Becoming a brand ambassador is one of the best ways to make money but it depends on the brand you are representing. This is usually a partnership between the company you’re working with and yourself as a brand. This would normally be an extended contract lasting for at least a couple of months instead of just a one-off partnership. In some cases, the contract may last for several years as well. When you’re a brand representative or a brand ambassador, you’ll get free products from the brand. In exchange, you’ll have to promote these products on social media.
3. Join affiliate marketing
In this type of arrangement, you can approach brands or retailers that offer affiliate programs. And once you’ve been accepted as an affiliate marketer for the brand, you will be provided with a unique link or code that will be used for tracking your conversions. You basically hustle while using your brand to sell products. You can create posts in which you review, feature, and/or promote their products. Depending on which brand or retailer you’re working for, you might have to buy the product yourself.
4. Let products use your name
If you’re a big enough influencer, the brands may benefit from having your name on their products. And you’ll be generating even better income through this partnership. So this type of collaboration is a win-win. She posted photos and videos showcasing the product and encouraging her followers to get the collection.
5. Start your own line of products
Influencers like Joanna Kinuthia have their own cosmetics and line of products. With your already made influence, starting your own line of products would be the greatest move since people will buy due to loyalty.
6. Sell your pictures
This is one of the lesser-known ways to make money on social media but is effective nonetheless. You can actually sell the photographs you took for social media posts if they are of high quality. This is a great way to make money on social media, especially, if you are active on Instagram and love photography.
These are the top Kenyan influencers on Instagram.
We all know that following and engagement on social media is everything. The number of followers you have actually dictates how much money you can make from that because of the brands that you will attract from that following. There is a fast and easy way to increase your following, especially handy if you’re new to Instagram. Services like https://apexfollowers.com starting at $1-2 can help you kick start your account. These influencers have grown their following over time because of their careers or their their comical nature. See how and why they are influential.
1. Lupita Nyong’o
Yes Lupita certainly counts because she’s still very Kenyan. Lupita has done her fair share to earn her followers. The multiple award-winning actress tops the list as the Kenyan with the most followers on Instagram. Apart from her great acting skills she also has a great personality that draws most of her followers close to her.
2. Eric Omondi
After joining the churchill cast Eric Omondi shot to fame and eventually maximized his content on Instagram and YouTube as a comedia. He is known for being dramatic in his comedy and that has kept him relevant in the market.
3. Huddah Monroe
Who knows why Huddah is famous? After participating in Big Brother Africa, the socialite took advantage of her fame and made a name for herself. Huddah Monroe, as she’s known, has used her popularity to show her life on social media.
4. Sauti Sol
The Suzanna artists have made hit after hit and have quickly become the most popular African group in Africa and on Instagram as well. They are also very interactive on social media and that has led to a huge fan base.
5. Vera Sidika
Of course Vera Sidika is on this list, does it have anything to do with her curves? Well, it probably has a lot to do with it but not everything. She is proof that good pictures can actually get a good following and that people are very visual. Love her or hate her, this socialite has made the list. Whether it’s for bleaching or her behind, she has girls wishing they were her and guys wishing they were with her.
What does it take to be a Kenyan influencer? From the people on the list, you need to have fame, have a niche or be extremely beautiful.
Facebook has launched a new app for creators with a creator studio app to help manage their pages better. With this app you will be able to monitor your posts, review your analytics and respond to messages accordingly. If you have multiple pages that you’re monitoring you will be able to check the performance from this app.
Facebook has imitated YouTube creator with the same intention of helping content creators.
As explained by Facebook:
The app is an evolution of and mobile complement to Creator Studio, the desktop hub dedicated to helping creators and publishers manage their content, track performance, and connect meaningfully with their audiences on Facebook. The new experience offers the same actionable insights and meaningful engagement metrics, all from the ease of a mobile device.
The company had created a Facebook creator app early last year but ended up shutting it down. That app was initially launched under the title of ‘Mentions’ back in 2014. Years later, the company has relaunched the same app but has updated it’s interface and improved posting capacity. However, social media experts have been not been able to upload content to the app and create posts using the app.
But some limitations remain. You need to create posts in either the Facebook app or via desktop, then schedule them or save them as drafts before posting anything. This can be quite a limitation especially if you would like to create content on the go.
How useful will this app be?
The app will help social media managers manage their posts easily and will be able to report on their insights even better. The tools on the app will allow social media managers to create better looking posts as well. However, how far does Facebook go to help creators? They have a Facebook academy that helps creators learn how to use Facebook and even boost ads but a good number of creators have complained that the program is very boring and not as engaging as they would like it to be. Hopefully, this new app will help creators figure Facebook out even further.
Microsoft, through it’s Game Stack Team, has announced it’s pulling out of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco following the Corona Virus concerns.
The event was to happen from March 16th to 20th. Instead, Microsoft will be moving their sessions in an online-only event. The online event is scheduled for March 16th to 18th. It will feature Microsofts planned game developer sessions and experiences.
The live event will include panel discussions with industry leaders about the evolution of game development. Intentionally inclusive game design, the increasing role of online services, next-gen hardware, and the future of game streaming.
Also, individuals will view a behind-the-scenes look into design and development decisions made by the creators of Minecraft and Gears of War. They will additionally hear from Xbox Game Studios teams Double Fine, inXile, Compulsion, Rare, Obsidian, and Undead Labs.
Microsoft joins other companies like Sony, Facebook, Kojima Productions, and Unity, who have also pulled out of the conference for health reasons.
Microsoft through the Game Stack blog notes that.”After a close review of guidance by global health authorities and out of an abundance of caution. We have made the difficult decision to withdraw from participating at Game Developers Conference 2020 in San Francisco. The health and safety of players, developers, employees, and partners around the world is our top priority. Especially as the world is experiencing growing public health risks associated with coronavirus (COVID-19).”
The world has been feeling the impacts of the coronavirus. Concluding from the previous cancellations of the Mobile World Conference and Facebook’s F8 developers’ conference. There seem to be slow business operations worldwide wide.
Over 82,000 people are infected by the virus so far and at least 2, 804 deaths since the virus surfaced. And it continues to be worrisome. On Wednesday, the first reported case of coronavirus with “unknown origin”. The patient didn’t travel to regions hit by the outbreak or come into contact with anybody known to have it was confirmed in Northern California raising more concerns.
Adding from the statement, “GDC has long been a moment for us to come together and celebrate Gaming for Everyone with our many vibrant communities. While we won’t be able to bring our G4E events online. We remain committed to celebrating and amplifying our diverse communities in gaming throughout the year.”
Facebook has cancelled its annual F8 developer conference over coronavirus concerns. The conference was scheduled to take place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in California on May 5th and 6th.
The event attracts thousands of developers across the globe. Last year, it attracted more than 5,000 developers, creators and entrepreneurs.
The annual developer conference spotlights Facebook’s global community. The latest technology from its family of apps and the future of the tech giant.
The coronavirus, since it’s uncovering in December 2019. Has infected more than 82,000 people and caused at least 2,804 deaths which prompted Facebook to cancel the event.
The cancellation comes after the most anticipated Mobile World Congress (MWC) was cancelled a week ago over the corona Virus concerns and more cancellations are likely to come. Other foreseen cancellations over the coronavirus concerns include the 2020 Olympic games in Japan. And the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
Noting from the company’s statement, “F8 is an incredibly important event for Facebook. And it’s one of our favourite ways to celebrate all of you from around the world. But we need to prioritize the health and safety of our developer partners, employees and everyone who helps put F8 on”
Every year, Facebook donates a portion of F8 ticket sales to an organization working to diversify the tech industry. This year, Facebook was planning to double the donation amount to $500,000 to prioritize organizations serving local San Jose residents.
F8 event typically hosts local students onsite. Despite the cancellation, Facebook will still provide an F8-inspired experience for those students in lieu of hosting them at the event itself.
The cancellation was further pegged on the concern that it wouldn’t be right for Facebook to hold the event without F8’s international developer partners, employees and everyone who helps put F8 on.
However, In place of the in-person F8 event, Facebook is planning other ways for its community to get together. It is planning a combo of locally hosted events, videos and live-streamed content.
“Every year, we look forward to connecting with our global developer community at F8. And sharing our vision for the future that we’re building together. But given the growing concerns around COVID-19, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person component of F8 2020.”
Safaricom has today announced an agreement with Amazon which will allow the telco to resell Amazon Web Services in Kenya. The Telco also becomes East Africa’s first Advance Consulting Partner member in Amazon Web Services Partner Network.
The agreement will accelerate Safaricom’s internal IT transformation, lower costs and provide it with a blueprint and skilled resources to assist customers with their journey to cloud adoption.
There is a high potential for the market to adopt cloud services. Noting from the agreement, Safaricom says, their announcement has been met with interest by customers. This includes enterprises, startups, and government agencies expressing a desire to use the partnership to build their cloud strategy.
“We chose to partner with AWS because it offers customers the broadest and deepest cloud platform, overall commitment to security excellence, and a strong culture of customer obsession. This agreement will allow us to accelerate our efforts to enable digital transformation in Kenya,” said Michael Joseph, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom.
In addition, Safaricom will be able to offer AWS services to East-African customers, allowing businesses of all sizes to quickly get started on AWS cloud and accelerate innovation.
The company has also announced the attainment of Advanced Consulting Partner status in the AWS Partner Network (APN) making the Telco one of the first APN members in East Africa.
The APN is the global partner program for technology and consulting businesses who leverage AWS to build solutions and services for customers.
The APN also helps companies build, market, and sell their AWS offerings by providing valuable business, technical, and marketing support. This achievement recognizes the skills, knowledge and experience in AWS cloud services that the Safaricom PLC team has gained.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 series have an already preinstalled data security chipset. The chipset features secure key storage with CC EAL 5+ certification and dedicated security software for enhanced data protection.
“Strong security measures have become a crucial feature in today’s smart devices. They evolve into essential tools that hold the key to our personal data connected to various services. For instance, such as the cloud and financial transactions.” said Dongho Shin, senior vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics.
“Samsung has a long and proven history in security solutions. They include smart card ICs, IoT processors and other semiconductor products that require robust security. Our new turnkey SE solution for mobile devices will not only keep user data safer on the go. It will also enable new mobile applications that will greatly broaden and enrich our everyday lives.”He added.
Samsung’s new turnkey solution is a dedicated tamper-resistant strongbox that securely stores users’ confidential and cryptographic data. For example pin numbers, passwords and even crypto-currency credentials separate from the typical mobile memory such as embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS).
The element separates its memory from the main device storage to isolate the kind of confidential information it is designed to store. Samsung says that the tamper-resistant strongbox stores your passwords, PINs, and cryptocurrency credentials.
The chipset combines a microcontroller, advanced hardware-level protection and an optimized secure OS. With a CC EAL 5+ certified-hardware, the highest level received by a mobile component, and dedicated protection software, the solution ensures top-notch security assurance on mobile devices.
While current smartphones or tablets already have strong security in place to fend off possible tampering. The security-dedicated chip adds extra countermeasures to the Galaxy S20 to defend against possible attacks such as reverse engineering, power glitches and laser attacks. Making it extremely harder for others to access or copy stored confidential data. In addition, the SE solution manages failed attempts and prevents replay attacks. It only accepts the latest authentication request as a valid one.
