The App Economy in Australia – the workforce creating and working on mobile apps – has grown by 61 per cent since 2017 according to a report from the Progressive Policy Institute.

Apple has also revealed the App Store Award winners – rewarding the best apps and games in 2023.

Australia is playing an important role in evolving the app economy with Australian apps among the best in the world including Sydney-based Canva, Tasmanian-based Savage Interactive – the company behind art app Procreate – and Melbourne-based fintech company AfterPay.

15 years ago, when Apple’s App Store kicked off on July 10, 2008, none of these jobs existed.

Today more than 182,000 people (as of August 2023) work in Australia’s App Economy – that’s 61 per cent more than the 113,000 from 2017.

And if you break things up based on operating systems, there are 174,000 employed in the iOS ecosystem – that’s an 81 per cent increase from the 96,000 from 2017.

There are also 166,000 jobs in the Android ecosystem which has grown 90 per cent since 87,000 in 2017.

Apple has also unveiled the list of winners for the 2023 App Store Award winners.

The 2023 winners include developers from all parts of the world.

Their apps were chosen by the App Store’s Editorial team for offering users meaningful experiences and inspiring cultural change.

“It’s inspiring to see the ways developers continue to build incredible apps and games that are redefining the world around us,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“This year’s winners represent the limitless potential of developers to bring their visions to life, creating apps and games with remarkable ingenuity, exceptional quality and purpose-driven missions.”

THE 2023 APP STORE AWARD WINNERS

Apps

iPhone App of the Year: AllTrails, from AllTrails, Inc.

iPad App of the Year: Prêt-à-Makeup, from Prêt-à-Template.

Mac App of the Year: Photomator, from UAB Pixelmator Team.

Apple TV App of the Year: MUBI, from MUBI, Inc.

Apple Watch App of the Year: SmartGym, from Mateus Abras.

Games

iPhone Game of the Year: Honkai: Star Rail, from COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD.

iPad Game of the Year: Lost in Play, from Snapbreak Games.

Mac Game of the Year: Lies of P, from NEOWIZ.

Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Hello Kitty Island Adventure, from Sunblink.

The post Apple names the best apps of 2023 as the app economy continues to grow appeared first on Tech Guide.

Spotify has unveiled its 2023 Wrapped campaign which shows the top artists, songs, albums and podcasts that more than 574 million people around the globe have been listening to.

And it was female artists who were dominating.

Taylor Swift was the most streamed artist in Australia in 2023 for Flowers by Miley Cyrus was the most streamed track of the year.

Among Australian artists it was The Wiggles that took the crown as the most streamed local artists and Riptide the most popular song for a local artist.

Country music star Morgan Wallen’s album One Thing At A Time took was the most streamed album in Australia, even beating out Taylor Swift who came in second with Midnights and SZA’s SOS.

Globally Taylor Swift was Spotify’s 2023 top artist with more than 26.1 billion global streams since January 1.

Swift was followed by Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Drake and Peso Pluma.

Miley Cyrus had more than 1.6 billion global streams of her song Flowers to make it the top choice followed by Kill Bill by SZA and As It Was by Harry Styles.

Spotify 2023 Wrapped Global Top Lists 

Most-Streamed Artists Globally 

1. Taylor Swift
2. Bad Bunny
3. The Weeknd
4. Drake
5. Peso Pluma
6. Feid
7. Travis Scott
8. SZA
9. Karol G 
10. Lana Del Rey

Most-Streamed Songs Globally

1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
2. “Kill Bill” by SZA
3.  “As It Was” by Harry Styles
4. “Seven (feat. Latto) (Explicit Ver.)” by Jung Kook, Latto
5. “Ella Baila Sola” by Eslabon Armado, Peso Pluma

Most-Streamed Albums Globally 

1. Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny
2. Midnights by Taylor Swift
3. SOS by SZA
4. Starboy by The Weeknd
5. MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO by KAROL G

Top Podcasts Globally 

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2. Call Her Daddy
3. Huberman Lab
4. anything goes with emma chamberlain
5. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
6. Crime Junkie
7. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
8. Serial Killers
9. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
10. TED Talks Daily
11. Relatos de la Noche
12. Caso 63
13. Psicologia Al Desnudo | @psi.mammoliti
14. The Daily
15. Lex Fridman Podcast
16. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
17. El Podcast de Marian Rojas Estapé
18. Gemischtes Hack
19. The Psychology of your 20s
20. Stuff You Should Know
21. SmartLess
22. La Cotorrisa
23. Se Regalan Dudas
24. The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
25. Conspiracy Theories

Top Sports Podcasts Globally 

1. New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce (US)
2. Pardon My Take (US)
3. The Bill Simmons Podcast (US)
4. Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast (UK)
5. Fantasy Footballers – Fantasy Football Podcast (US)

Spotify 2023 Wrapped Australia Top Lists

Australia Most-Streamed Artists

1. Taylor Swift
2. Drake
3. The Weeknd
4. Ed Sheeran
5. Morgan Wallen

Australia Most-Streamed Local Artists

1. The Wiggles
2. The Kid LAROI
3. Vance Joy
4. Flume
5. AC/DC

Australia Most-Streamed Songs

1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
2. “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen
3. “Kill Bill” by SZA
4. “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress, Ice Spice
5. “As It Was” by Harry Styles

Australia Most-Streamed Local Songs

1. “Riptide” by Vance Joy
2. “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI
3. “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis
4. “LOVE AGAIN”  by The Kid LAROI
5. “Say Nothing (feat. MAY-A)” by Flume

Australia Most-Streamed Albums

1. One Thing At A Time by Morgan Wallen
2. Midnights by Taylor Swift
3. SOS by SZA
4. Harry’s House by Harry Styles
5. Starboy by The Weeknd

Top Podcasts in Australia 

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2. Call Her Daddy
3. Huberman Lab
4. Casefile True Crime
5. The Inspired Unemployed

The post Spotify Wrapped reveals the world’s most streamed artists, songs and albums appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has launched a new Shop App across Southeast Asia and Oceania, which includes Australia, as part of a strategy to simplify the online shopping experience for customers.

The Samsung Shop App comes at a time when nearly half of respondents (42.6 per cent) in the region have bought electronic devices or home appliances online in the last three months.

Within the Samsung Shop App, customers are also able to access exclusive offers and stay on top of the latest deals on Samsung products by setting notifications within the app.

There are also flexible payment options including installment payments to simplify the purchase process.

The app also provides clear delivery details as well as real time tracking for orders. Customers can see real time delivery notifications with most purchases coming with free shipping to certain locations in Australia.

The Samsung Shop App will only be available on Android and has been optimised for the mobile user experience with an easy to navigate interface and a curated selection of the latest Samsung consumer electronics products available through the app along with a catalogue of products that will be available to purchase in the months ahead.

Personalization is a big part of the Samsung Shop App with users able to tailor content recommendations and make easy comparisons between their current devices and the latest models and accessories on offer.

Students will also be able to save on Samsung devices within the app with exclusive discounts and offers.

Customers who download the Samsung Shop App will also receive 10 per cent off their first purchase.

Samsung Shop App is available now on the Google Play Store and the Samsung App Store.

The post New Samsung Shop App streamlines online shopping for customers – and helps them find a bargain appeared first on Tech Guide.

Fetch TV has added Apple TV+ to its platform to expand the content offering for customers which brings free-to-air TV and premium channels together with the most popular streaming services.

Apple TV+ offers some of the most popular TV shows including Ted Lasso, Morning Wars, Silo, Foundation and Hijack along with award-winning films including Greyhound starring Tom Hanks, Palmer starring Justin Timberlake the Oscar Best Picture Coda.

Customers can subscribe to Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app for $12.99 a month after a free 7-day trial.

They can then log in to their Apple TV+ account on the Fetch Mighty and Fetch Mini 4K hardware.

The addition of Apple TV+ brings together free-to-air, free TV apps, subscription channels, a movie and TV store and streaming apps including Netflix, Stan, Prime Video, Paramount+, BritBox, hayu and more.

The feature like Ways to Watch makes it quick and easy find what you’re looking for no matter where the content is located.

For example, if you want to watch a movie – type in the name of the movie and Fetch will give you the option on where you can watch it – whether you can buy it or rent it on the Movie Store or watch it through one of the services you’ve subscribed to for free.

“Apple TV+ has quickly established itself as a market leading SVOD service with some of the most acclaimed and buzzworthy content available anywhere,” says Sam Hall, Chief Content and Commercial Officer, Fetch TV said.

“Fetch is committed to providing a compelling aggregation experience and no platform is complete without Apple TV+.

“We know Fetch users will be delighted with the addition, and we look forward to further solidifying our position as “The Way to Watch.”

Fetch TV is available through Telstra, Optus and TPG Vodafone (iiNet, Internode, and Westnet), Vocus (Dodo and iPrimus) and Aussie Broadband along with leading retailers Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Bing Lee, and The Good Guys.

The Fetch Mighty is priced at $399 and the Fetch Mini 4K is $199 in stores and available through your internet service provider.

The post Apple TV+ now available on the Fetch TV platform appeared first on Tech Guide.

Foxtel Group has revealed a new service called Hubbl which will combine TV and streaming and bring them into one platform to make it easier to find and enjoy your content.

The idea behind Hubbl is to streamline the home entertainment experience into one user interface.

Previously known as Project Magneto, Hubbl is delivered through its own operating system which will be available on two devices – a hub or a TV – so customers can access a galaxy of content by unifying all their subscriptions.

Hubbl has been supported by global leaders Comcast USA and Sky UK but has been tailor-made for Australian viewers and will evolve and improve through OS updates.

To access Hubbl users can simply plug the small hub device to their TV.

Customers can also purchase Hubbl Glass – a 4K TV with a built-in soundbar that has Hubbl preinstalled so they can access all TV channels and your favourite streaming services.

“We all love the explosion of choice that streaming has delivered us over the past few years,” says Patrick Delany, CEO, Hubbl and Foxtel Group.

“But there is no doubt we are all experiencing the same frustrations: having to go in and out of apps, keeping track of show recommendations, remembering what we started but did not finish watching and who in the family is paying for what.

“Hubbl solves these frustrations. Hubbl is the next quantum leap in entertainment technology and is the solution to a complex Australian streaming landscape caused by the fabulous explosion of choice in streaming services available to Australians.

“Hubbl is like nothing in the market – it is TV and streaming made easy – seamlessly integrating world-leading technology with a purpose-built design and unrivalled app integration that sets it well ahead of the curve.

“It has been built with Australian consumers in mind, effortlessly fusing free and paid

entertainment and sport from apps, channels and the internet into one seamless user experience – delivered via Hubbl Hub or a world leading TV, Hubbl Glass.

“It will deliver a frictionless paid and free entertainment environment, and we believe will become the heart of the home for millions of Australians.”

Hubbl will launch in the coming months in Australia with announcements on app partners also being released soon.

The post Foxtel launches Hubbl – a platform that combines TV and streaming in one place appeared first on Tech Guide.

In the ever-evolving streaming landscape, Australia offers a variety of options, including Netflix, Stan, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus, and Paramount Plus.

This abundance of choices entices viewers but also strains their wallets. Complementary catch-up services provide alternative entertainment options.

Wondering how to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia? Well, the challenge lies in the fact that BBC iPlayer is unavailable in Australia due to geo-restrictions and licensing agreements. However, a reliable tool like Beebs Chrome Extension can grant access to BBC iPlayer, allowing you to enjoy sought-after content such as Match of the Day, The Great British Sewing Bee, and so much more current and classic programming. 

Accessing iPlayer from Australia is challenging due to strict blocks. Two prerequisites are essential to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, a premium VPN and a free BBC iPlayer account. This guide explains how to unblock BBC iPlayer for free in Australia. Among the plethora of VPNs, the Beebs Chrome Extension excels with BBC iPlayer. Below, we outline the steps for accessing the service using this software. Continue reading for a seamless viewing experience.

Unlocking BBC iPlayer in Australia

Gaining access to BBC iPlayer from the Australian shores presents a formidable challenge, thanks to the BBC’s stringent geographical barriers. However, unlocking BBC iPlayer in Australia necessitates adherence to just two prerequisites. Firstly, acquiring a premium VPN tailored for BBC iPlayer usage serves the purpose of concealing your IP address. Secondly, the establishment of a BBC iPlayer account, a process that entails no financial outlay, is required.

The Legal Status of VPN Usage in Australia

Contemplating the intricate mechanisms governing virtual private networks (VPNs), it is natural to consider their legal standing. Fortunately, concerns about the legality of VPN deployment within Australia are unwarranted. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, an authoritative voice on such matters, unequivocally endorsed the legal use of VPNs, highlighting their protection under the Copyright Act. However, it is important to note that this legality does not extend universally across the globe, as numerous nations, including China, Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, and the United Arab Emirates, have imposed stringent measures to curtail VPN usage.

Free VPN Services and Their Compatibility with BBC iPlayer

The compatibility between cost-free VPN alternatives and the esteemed video streaming service, BBC iPlayer, remains an elusive endeavor. These no-cost VPN solutions are beset by limitations, primarily stemming from inadequately stocked server arsenals. Streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer vigilantly monitor their virtual dominion, blacklisting servers with unwavering resolve. Free VPNs, constrained by shared IP pools, offer no respite from the impenetrable geo-fences erected by iPlayer.

Accessing BBC iPlayer with Beebs Chrome Extension

Inquisitive minds pondering the possibility of savoring the BBC iPlayer’s content down under in Australia through the ingenious Beebs Chrome Extension can rest assured. Following the installation of this extension, your device attains unimpeded access to online entreaties originating from esteemed British streaming platforms, encompassing the illustrious BBC iPlayer, Channel 4’s All4, and ITV’s ITV Hub.

This signifies that venerable British productions, hitherto beyond reach in the Australian realm, are now conveniently available for real-time streaming, synchronously with their British broadcast counterparts.

Devices Compatible with BBC iPlayer Access

To enhance the user’s experience, Chrome extensions are tools that are added to your browser. The most common are Adblock, Adblockplus, and productivity tools. Beebs is a lightweight extension with a built-in proxy server which in one click will have anybody an instant watching BBC iPlayer in Australia.

The realm of device compatibility with BBC iPlayer is as varied as it is extensive, offering users a multifaceted viewing experience. The capacity to connect up to five distinct devices simultaneously to the virtual private network (VPN) introduces a dimension of flexibility. Eligible devices include personal computers (both Windows and Macintosh systems), mobile devices (Android and iOS platforms), streaming devices and software (Roku, Amazon FireStick, and Chromecast), and gaming consoles (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One).

An Ongoing Challenge
However, for those in possession of Samsung Smart TVs, a temporary setback looms. BBC iPlayer has recently wrestled with a glitch, rendering it incompatible with these TVs. While efforts are underway to rectify this issue, it has persisted for a considerable duration.

Conclusion

In summation, we can see there is a clear answer to the query of “How to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?”. While Australia’s streaming panorama proffers myriad options, the inaccessibility of BBC iPlayer due to geographical restrictions and intricate licensing pacts begets a lacuna for those in pursuit of exclusive content, encompassing the Women’s FIFA World Cup, Cycling World Championships, and the enigmatic Oppenheimer Series documentary.

This exposé highlights the Beebs Chrome Extension as a reliable implement to circumvent these constrictions, thereby granting Australians the privilege of luxuriating in the delights of BBC iPlayer. It bestows particular prominence upon two imperative prerequisites: the employment of a premium VPN and the establishment of a complimentary BBC iPlayer account, thereby ensuring a frictionless viewing sojourn.

Legal considerations surrounding VPN utilization in Australia are explicated in meticulous detail, furnishing solace to users beset with anxieties pertaining to adherence to local statutes. However, it is incumbent upon us to recognize that the legality of VPNs is a terrain fraught with variances on a global scale, with certain nations imposing stringent decrees. Moreover, the article illuminates the limitations of VPN services and their utility with BBC iPlayer.

The Beebs Chrome Extension is extolled as the ultimate panacea, conferring ingress to an assortment of British streaming amenities, encompassing BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV, thereby endowing spectators with the capacity to relish iconic British productions in Australia.

Ultimately, the article delves into the intricacies of gadget compatibility, accentuating a transitory snag encountered with Samsung Smart TVs.It underscores the expediency of linking sundry devices to the VPN, thus permitting the untrammeled use of BBC iPlayer on diverse platforms.

The post A Guide to Accessing BBC iPlayer in Australia appeared first on Tech Guide.

Australian company Blackmagic Design has released the Blackmagic Camera app which can add powerful film camera tools and controls to the iPhone.

The free Blackmagic Camera app is based on the same operating system as Blackmagic Design’s award-winning digital film cameras.

The app can put some powerful tools into the hands of iPhone content creators.

These same tools already being used in feature films, television and documentaries.

And when linked with Blackmagic Cloud, creators can collaborate and share media with editors and colourists around the world in an instant.

Blackmagic Camera can make the iPhone even more powerful by offering digital film camera controls to create a true cinematic look to your videos.

Users can adjust things like frame rate, shutter angle, white balance and ISO with a single tap.

It’s also possible to record directly to Blackmagic Cloud in 10-bit Apple ProRes files up to 4K.

When recordings are shared to Blackmagic Cloud storage, users can collaborate on DaVinci Resolve projects with editors anywhere in the world.

The Blackmagic Camera app puts all the controls at the user’s fingertips so they can easily set up quickly and begin shooting.

It’s possible to instantly change settings without having to go into a confusing multi-layered menu system.

It’s also easy to see the status and recording parameters, histogram, focus peaking, levels, frame guides and much more at a glance.

It’s also possible to hide the HUD (heads up display) simply by swiping up or down on the screen.

Autofocus is achieved by simply tapping the screen in the area where you need to focus.

The Blackmagic Camera app allows customers to shoot in 16:9 or vertical aspect ratios.

In the Settings tab, users will be able to unlock the full potential of the iPhone’s camera with quick access to advanced settings including monitoring, audio, camera setup, recording and more.

In the Record tab, users will find control over video resolution and the recording format including industry standard Apple ProRes or more space efficient H.264 and H.265.

There are even professional audio options which includes EU or PPM audio meters and AAC, IEEE Float and PCM formats.

It’s also possible to add external microphones.

Users can browse or scrub clips in the Blackmagic Camera’s Media tab and select clips to upload to the Blackmagic Cloud.

“Blackmagic Camera is a truly revolutionary workflow for creating feature film quality content using an iPhone,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO.

“Blackmagic Camera adds professional camera features like frame rate, shutter angle, time of day timecode, ISO and white balance to the iPhone so our customers have similar controls as our professional cameras.

“Plus, the Blackmagic Cloud workflow lets customers record to Blackmagic Cloud Storage and automatically sync with DaVinci Resolve.

“Now they can get their footage to the newsroom or post production studio in minutes! I think it will be really exciting to find out how Blackmagic Camera will change traditional news and post production workflows.”

The Blackmagic Camera app is available now for free on Apple’s App Store for iPhone.

The post Blackmagic Design releases a free app to unleash powerful film camera controls on iPhone appeared first on Tech Guide.

As competition intensifies and customer expectations evolve, financial institutions must continually innovate their mobile banking apps to deliver exceptional user experiences. In this article, we will delve into a spectrum of strategies that banks can leverage to create innovative and user-centric mobile banking applications.

Modernised Mobile Banking Authentication: Building Trust Through Safety

Passwordless mobile banking has been an essential industry trend for years. Since banking apps are a common target for cybercriminals, owing in part to their containing sensitive and personal data, security is placed at the forefront of the development process for these particular software offerings. 

As one of the most innovative banking app features, biometric authentication helps enhance security by using biometric identification methods that cannot be easily replicated. This includes facial recognition, voice recognition, fingerprint reading, iris scanning, and more. Within the context of digital financial services, these biometric authentication features can not only be implemented in the login process but also when conducting money transfers.

Alongside this, AI algorithms can learn and adapt to variations in biometric traits, making biometric authentication processes even more accurate and secure. In the case of facial recognition, AI can facilitate computer-based facial recognition processes. By scrutinising facial attributes and afterwards comparing them against a database, AI simplifies the task of computerised facial recognition.

AI-based biometric authentication involves training ML models to recognise unique facial features. This allows AI-powered biometric authentication technologies to distinguish between real users and unauthorised agents. This is just one of the many reasons why biometric authentication has been regarded to be one of the most advanced digital security technologies available to us today.

Open Banking Emergence: The Future of Finance

To ensure your business stays competitive, it is crucial to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest fintech market trends. A well-informed approach to innovation can naturally aid in improving your financial products, which will in turn, help you attract more digital customers. 

One particular trend that many spend-savvy consumers have had their eye on in recent years is the concept of open banking. Simply put, open banking provides consumers the opportunity to securely share their financial data with ACCC-accredited third parties in order to enjoy third party financial products or even to move their financial data from one loan provider to another. 

Through the adoption of open banking for your bank or fintech company, you can transform your fundamental services to align more closely with the needs of your customer. This shift not only minimises complexities associated with payments and data acquisition, but can also help cultivate strong customer relationships, resulting in increased brand affinity, more customer engagement, and increased opportunities for future revenue generation.

Moreover, access to open banking data also simplifies the anti-money laundering (AML) investigation process, enabling banks to effectively identify suspicious transactions. In real cases, banks can access data from a reliable entity about any certain client, hence ensuring  AML compliance more effortlessly. Open banking also simplifies the know-your-customer (KYC) process, as financial institutions can easily access their user data for 90 days to verify customer information and account details.

Autonomous Testing Incorporation: Accelerating Development Cycles

Since the digital banking system is complicated, autonomous testing has emerged as an essential practice that holds the potential to revolutionise the way banking apps are developed and updated to meet high user expectations and security requirements. 

Banking app development is a continuous process marked by frequent updates, new features, and bug fixes. While traditional manual testing can lead to bottlenecks and delays, hindering the app’s time-to-market, autonomous testing brings the next-gen ways of testing software. Some advantages of autonomous testing include: 

• Drastically accelerates the testing process by running a multitude of test cases simultaneously, allowing developers to swiftly identify and address issues.
• Since accuracy is paramount in the world of banking apps, autonomous testing minimises the risk of human error, ensuring that critical functions like fund transfers, account management, and transactions are flawlessly executed.
• Provide extensive test coverage across different scenarios, configurations, and user journeys in banking apps, compared to automation testing.

AI-Powered Personalisation: Tailoring the Experience

AI is reshaping the banking landscape by enabling hyper-personalisation. Through AI algorithms, banks can analyse user data to understand spending patterns, saving behaviours, and financial goal-setting. This information allows the app to offer tailored recommendations and insights, empowering users to make informed financial decisions. 

A prominent example of this strategy is AI-powered chatbots. The conversation chatbots powered by AI in banking apps can handle customer queries, provide account information, assist with transactions, and even offer personalised recommendations for different contexts. By leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and ML algorithms, these chatbots can understand customer intent and deliver accurate responses, same as Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana. 

Additionally, by understanding customer behaviour, chatbots can offer tailor-made customer support and deliver real-time transaction alerts through push notifications, all intended to enhance customer experience. This feature can be used to do in-app marketing by recommending services for users based on their behavioural preferences.

Simple Yet Intuitive UI/UX Design: Catering to Modern User Expectations

The UI/UX of the banking app undoubtedly plays a critical role in determining its success. This is implemented in both B2C and B2B mobile apps. 

Financial institutions must invest in understanding their users’ needs, behaviours, and preferences. Conducting thorough user research and employing design thinking principles can yield insights into crafting intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. 

A minimalistic UI, for instance, facilitates swift and effective app usage for your target audience, while an intuitive UX enables them to grasp and use the app immediately. To provide a seamless user experience, you should consider these best practices for UI/UX design in banking apps:

• Streamlined navigation: You should arrange navigation elements logically, ensuring users can swiftly access their accounts, transactions, payments, and other essential features. A menu bar or tab layout can guide users intuitively through different sections of the app.

• Clear and cohesive layout: It’s essential to maintain a cohesive layout that presents information in a structured manner. Each screen of the banking app should have a clear purpose, guiding users without overwhelming them.

• User-centric content: You may think content is not related to design; however, clear explanations and concise labels guide users through processes, helping them understand banking operations with ease.

Banking App Updates Based on User Feedback: A Collaborative Approach

Innovation is a continuous journey that requires banks to adapt and evolve. Gathering user feedback and analysing app usage metrics are essential to identifying areas for improvement for your banking apps. Similarly, developing regular updates and feature enhancements driven by user input, are vital to maintaining an innovative edge. Some possible ways to gain insights into how users interact with your mobile app:

• Frequently analyse the review section in app stores:  Read user reviews of your app to find ideas to improve upon the digital platform, its features, and its overall user experience. 

• Incorporate analytics platforms for mobile apps: Utilising product analytics platforms enables you to assess the user journey within your app. This empowers you to prioritise crucial aspects, make prompt decisions, and enhance preparations for upcoming updates based on data-driven insights.

This feedback can be collected quarterly and reviewed by relevant stakeholders such as business analysts, developers, designers, and testers to determine which issues warrant immediate attention and which can be addressed over time. It’s also worth noting that app updates shouldn’t be a one-time endeavour. Banks should continuously gather user feedback, refine features, and fine-tune their app to align with evolving user expectations.

IT Trusted Partner Collaboration: Synergy In Innovation

Fintech companies often specialise in niche areas, such as AI-powered analytics, payment solutions, and investment platforms. As banks need to concentrate on core competencies and strategic initiatives, finding a dedicated software development team is worth considering to leverage their expertise and integrate cutting-edge technologies.

By offshoring banking app development and maintenance, banks can access skilled talents from various regions with diverse expertise. This enables you to develop high-quality, feature-rich banking apps that align with the latest industry trends and user expectations. This is particularly crucial in the fast-paced world of banking technology since the expertise of dedicated software teams can help banks:

• Delineate a mobile product roadmap.
• Have the right strategy to modernise banking apps with excellence delivery framework.
• Maintain faster development cycles by automating the testing process.
• Effectively bring new features or instant updates to the market by adopting new technologies and methodologies.
• Improve the internal development process with an advanced knowledge transfer process.

Level Up Your Mobile Banking Application

The global mobile banking app market is experiencing a rapid surge, and BFSI corporations are in the race to leverage the benefits of banking apps extensively to win competitive advantages.  By focusing on these strategies and embracing innovative features, banks and financial institutions can not only keep pace with the evolving demands of users, but also become pioneers in shaping the future of mobile banking.

The post Revolutionising Banking: Top Methods For Innovating Mobile Banking Apps appeared first on Tech Guide.

Streaming video, music and gaming services saw a drop in annual growth in the past year as cost of living pressures take hold in Australia according analyst firm Telsyte.

The Telsyte Australian Subscription Entertainment Study 2023 revealed the number of subscription services in Australia grew by 3 per cent to 49.9 million as of June 2023 but the growth rate was lower than the double digit increase of the previous year.

But Australians are still quite attached to their on-demand services with Netflix continuing to be the market leader with 6.1 million subscribers in Australia as of June 2023 followed by Amazon Prime Video (4.5 million), Disney+ (3.1 million), Stan (2.6 million), Binge (1.5 million), Paramount+ (1.5 million), Kayo Sports (1.4 million) and Apple TV+ (1 million).

While the growth has declined, Australians are still avidly consuming SVOD (subscription video on demand) with 55 per cent discovering new content through their services.

Average weekly video consumption dipped by 9 per cent year on year to 45 hours but SVOD consumption was one of only two categories that increased across nine video categories measured by Telsyte.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of subscribers said they would switch between services to save money with 27 per cent finding it too hard to unsubscribe even if they are not using them often.

“Profits, partnerships, and more aggressive behaviour. There’s going to be increasing competition to win people over from other platforms,” Telsyte Managing Director, Foad Fadaghi, says.

Telsyte says SVOD subscription could exceed 30 million by June 2027 thanks to new content, growth in multiple subscriptions, new market entrants and more ad supported services.

SVOD market revenue grew to $2.7bn in 2023 – that’s a 14 per cent year-on-year increase because of the rising subscription costs and in-service adoption.

SVOD ranked sixth among segment where customers would be willing to cut back to ease their household budget.

The top three were dining out and takeaway, clothing and accessories and holiday-related expenses.

Above SVOD cutbacks were also alcohol and electronics and gadgets.

“Paid SVOD services as a category exhibits strong retention and near recession-proof characteristics, as other significant spending areas become household budgeting priorities,” says Fadaghi.

This year Netflix started a crackdown on password sharing with 32 per cent sharing their services and half of those are with people who live outside their household.

About 7 per cent of Netflix subscribers cancelled their accounts in the last 12 months because of the crackdown.

At the time of the survey the number of new Netflix members was yet to exceed those exiting the service.

Gaming subscription saw a 2 per cent increase over last year – this is a slower growth rate that can be put down to the rising cost of living.

Music streaming services still remain popular with subscriptions hitting 16.6 million by the end of June 2023 – an increase of 5 per cent from a year ago.

The post Growth of subscription services slow down in Australia as cost of living pressures bite appeared first on Tech Guide.

In the evolving landscape of the plumbing industry, the integration of technology has become a driving force behind innovation. Plumbers usually known for their hands on approach to fixing leaks and unclogging drains have now embraced a wide array of fine solutions that not only streamline their processes but also enhance the overall customer experience.

We will try to explore the remarkable convergence of technology and plumbing delving into the various ways plumbers are leveraging innovative solutions to transform the industry. From advanced tools and techniques to smart systems and eco-friendly practices the modern plumber is leading the charge towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

Embracing Digital Tools for Enhanced Efficiency

Gone are the days of relying solely on wrenches and plungers. Today plumbers are embracing a plethora of digital tools that have revolutionized their approach to problem-solving. One such tool is the plumbing camera which allows professionals to inspect pipes and identify issues without the need for invasive exploratory work. These high-definition cameras can navigate through narrow spaces providing real time visuals that enable plumbers to diagnose problems accurately.

Also, digital leak detection devices have become an essential part of a plumber s toolkit. These devices utilize sound technology to detect even the smallest leaks within walls or underground saving time and resources by pinpointing the exact location of the issue.

Advantages of Plumbing Cameras

Plumbing cameras have proven to be game changers for plumbers  offering several advantages that boost their efficiency and customer service:

Non-Invasive Inspection: Plumbing cameras eliminate the need for destructive exploratory work dipping property damage and minimizing repair costs.

• Accurate Diagnoses: With real time visuals plumbers can accurately identify the root cause of plumbing issues ensuring precise solutions.
• Time-Saving: Quick identification of problems allows plumbers to expedite the repair process leading to faster turnaround times for customers.

The Rise of Smart Plumbing Systems

As the world becomes more solid the concept of smart homes has permeated every aspect of modern living including plumbing. Plumbers are now installing smart plumbing systems that offer homeowners increased control  efficiency  and convenience.

Smart faucets equipped with motion sensors and touchless technology not only reduce water wastage but also provide a hygienic and germ-free experience. These faucets can be controlled via smartphone apps allowing users to adjust water flow and temperature remotely.

Also smart water heaters have revolutionized how we consume energy. These devices can be programmed to heat water only when needed leading to significant energy savings. Also they provide users with real time insights into their water usage patterns encouraging a more conscious approach to water conservation.

The Benefits of Smart Plumbing Systems

The adoption of smart plumbing systems offers numerous benefits for homeowners promoting a more sustainable and efficient lifestyle:

• Water Conservation: Smart faucets and water heaters optimize water usage reducing wastage and lowering utility bills.
• Remote Control: The ability to control plumbing fixtures through smartphone apps provides convenience and flexibility for users.
• Energy Efficiency: Smart water heaters save energy by heating water only when necessary reducing carbon footprint and utility costs.

Harnessing the Power of IoT and Connectivity

The Internet of Things (IoT) has made its mark in the plumbing industry as well with connected devices offering unprecedented levels of control and monitoring. Plumbers are now leveraging IoT-enabled devices to optimise system performance and pre-empt potential issues.

Smart water leak detectors equipped with IoT capabilities can detect leaks in real-time and send instant alerts to homeowners’ smartphones. This swift response can prevent significant water damage and reduce repair costs.

Still IoT based smart irrigation systems are gaining purchase. Especially in drought-prone regions. These systems analyze weather data and soil moisture levels to provide the precise amount of water needed for irrigation promoting sustainable water usage.

The Advantages of IoT in Plumbing

The integration of IoT in plumbing has opened up new possibilities for efficient and proactive plumbing services:

• Real-Time Monitoring: IoT-enabled devices allow continuous monitoring enabling prompt detection of leaks and malfunctions.
• Preventive Maintenance: By identifying potential issues early  IoT technology helps prevent costly plumbing emergencies.
• Water Conservation: IoT-based irrigation systems ensure optimal water usage reducing waste and supporting environmental preservation.

Advancing Green Plumbing Practices

In a world increasingly conscious of its environmental impact green plumbing practices have emerged as a crucial aspect of the industry. Plumbers are embracing eco-friendly solutions that minimize waste conserve resources and promote sustainability.

Low flow toilets and water-efficient fixtures have become standard installations reducing water consumption without compromising on performance. Also rainwater harvesting systems are gaining popularity allowing homeowners to utilize rainwater for non-potable purposes such as gardening and washing.

Recycling and repurposing materials are also integral to green plumbing practices. 

The post The Intersection of Technology and Plumbing: How Plumbers are Embracing Innovative Solutions appeared first on Tech Guide.

Moving to a new home can be a frightening task but with the right smart home appliances and expert tips from professional removalists, the process can become complete and worry-free. We will try to explore some of the best smart home gadgets that can enhance your moving experience in Sydney ensuring a smooth transition to your new abode.

1. Smart Home Security System 

Safety should be your top priority during the moving process. A smart home security system can provide peace of mind and protect your belongings. Invest in a reliable smart security camera that allows you to monitor your property remotely. You can also opt for smart locks that provide keyless entry making it easier for you and your removalists to access your new home securely.

2. Smart Thermostat 

Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature is essential during a move. A smart thermostat enables you to control the heating and cooling of your new home remotely. With advanced scheduling features, you can ensure a cosy and welcoming environment when you arrive at your new residence.

3. Smart Lighting 

Adjusting to a new home can be challenging especially when it comes to unfamiliar surroundings at night. Smart lighting systems offer customizable lighting options that can ease this transition. Set up automated lighting schedules or control the lights remotely to make your new house feel like home instantly.

4. Smart Home Hub 

A smart home hub is the central control system for all your smart devices. It streamlines the management of various gadgets making your move more efficient. From managing your thermostat to adjusting the lights a smart home hub ensures that all devices work seamlessly together.

5. Smart Home Entertainment System 

After a long day of moving relaxing with your favorite entertainment can be rejuvenating. Consider installing a smart home entertainment system with voice-controlled features for a seamless experience. Enjoy movies music and more with just a simple voice command.

6. Smart Labels and Inventory Management 

Organizing and unpacking belongings can be overwhelming. Smart labels and inventory management systems can simplify this process. Use smart labels to tag boxes and items and keep track of your inventory digitally to ensure nothing gets lost during the move.

7. Smart Cleaning Devices 

Cleaning up after the move is a necessary task. Smart cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners can save you time and effort. Set a cleaning schedule or control them remotely to keep your new home spick and span effortlessly.

8. Smart Home Automation 

To really update your moving experience consider investing in a full smart home robotics system. This integrated system allows you to control various aspects of your home such as lighting, temperature, and even appliances from a single interface. With automation, you can set up processes and situations that align with your daily activities making your new home more efficient and at ease.

9. Smart Water Leak Detectors 

Stopping water damage is vital mainly during a move when you may be occupied with multiple tasks. Smart water leak detectors can detect leaks early and send alerts to your smartphone allowing you to take immediate action and avoid potential water-related disasters.

10. Smart Doorbells and Intercoms 

Stay connected with visitors even when you are away from your new home. Smart doorbells and intercoms enable two-way communication letting you see and talk to anyone at your front door through your smartphone. This feature is not only convenient for welcoming guests but also enhances the security of your home.

11. Smart Packing and Moving Apps 

Technology extends beyond physical gadgets. Utilize smart packing and moving apps to efficiently plan and execute your move. These apps can assist you in creating packing lists, scheduling tasks, and connecting with reliable removalists in Sydney.

12. Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Prioritize the safety of your family and belongings by installing smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices can detect potential hazards early on and send immediate alerts to your phone giving you ample time to respond and evacuate if necessary.

13. Smart Home Energy Monitor

Moving into a new home presents an excellent opportunity to monitor and optimize your energy consumption. A smart home energy monitor provides real-time data on your energy usage helping you identify areas where you can save on utility bills and reduce your conservational impact.

Conclusion

As you embark on your journey to a new home in Sydney recall that the control of smart home gadgets can raise your moving knowledge to unique tallness. From improved security and automation to efficient packing and energy management these gadgets are designed to simplify your life and create a full change. I hope you understand better about this if you still have questions in your mind ask here. 

The post Smart Home Gadgets for a Seamless Move: Tips for Removalists appeared first on Tech Guide.

Many Mac and iPhone users have a false sense of security and think they are impervious from malware and safe from cybercriminals according to the latest macOS Threat Landscape Report from Bitdefender.

The report comes as more than 45 per cent of Australians are now using at least one Apple operating system.

Bitdefender says the main threats to Apple users are: trojans, adware and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Apple has a narrower threat level than Microsoft or Google and for this reason many users think they don’t need security software.

Trojans pose the biggest threats to Macs which account for more than half of threat detections followed by Adware and PUAs.

The most common piece of malware that targets Macs is EvilQuest which was targeting 52.7 per cent of Macs.

Those who put off the latest software and security updates are putting themselves in danger because the Trojans are designed to exploit the unpatched vulnerabilities.

These are socially engineered into communications, spam, phishing emails, rigged advertising and tainted file downloads.

PUAs make up more than a quarter of detections and are often found as free software (freeware) and utilities like system cleaners with hidden functionality like data tracking and coin mining.

Some have been known to attack the Mac’s browser and change the default search engine and install plugins without the user’s consent.

Adware represents a fifth of threats targeting Macs and enables developers to make money through advertising with spyware-like behaviour.

“It’s true that Apple’s ecosystem – often touted as a walled garden safe from malware – enjoys a narrower range of threats than Microsoft’s or Google’s ecosystems,” the Bitdefender report says.

“However, our research shows that this apparent safety net isn’t impenetrable. In fact, this false sense of protection often means malware tailored to infect Macs is better suited to its goals.

“Threat actors have less attack surface to exploit, so they are forced to optimise their techniques and procedures to ensure better success.

“In recent years, Apple has issued a multitude of security patches to address critical weaknesses that were said to be ‘actively exploited’ by threat actors.

“Many of those flaws were found in key components shared by both Macs and iPhones. Many (if not most) users procrastinate updating software and deploying security fixes. And statistics show that the vast majority of Mac owners use older generations of macOS.

“Bitdefender recommends that Mac users stay up to date with the latest OS version and always apply the newest security patches.

“Equally important, never download software from unofficial sources, like torrents and warez sites.

“These hubs harbour most of the threats discussed in this report. Our findings send a clear signal that Mac users are becoming more vulnerable to online threats, making it important to deploy a dedicated security solution to keep watch over any potential malicious activity.”

The post Many Mac users have a false sense of security and cyber criminals are moving in appeared first on Tech Guide.

With the sheer number of scams were receiving on SMS and email they are getting even more sophisticated and harder to spot. The new and free Norton Genie app uses AI to help you spot the scams quickly and easily.

Norton, a leading global cyber safety brand, has created Norton Genie to help you 24/7 like your very own expert in your pocket.

Globally people are receiving more than a staggering 3.4 billion phishing emails daily.

Users can upload a screenshot or cut and paste text from a suspicious SMS or email into the Norton Genie app and it can tell you instantly if it appears to be a scam.

The app does this with advanced AI and by accessing Norton’s extensive cybersecurity database to help stop you becoming a victim.

“Every day, we’re inundated with messages and scams that have become so believable that anyone, even the savviest of us, is just one wrong tap from becoming a scammer’s next victim,” said Ondrej Vlcek, President at Gen.

“We want to give people Digital Freedom – the freedom that can only be achieved when you’re safe and empowered online.

“Genie is an always on, easy-to-use, trusted advisor that helps you stay ahead of highly convincing scams.

“By bringing together best-in-class scam intel from Norton with advanced AI, we can empower people to take full advantage of the digital world safely, privately and confidently.”

Norton has decades of experience uncovering and identifying malware, scams, phishing attacks and dangerous websites so it has built up quite a library of know threats which are now being used with Genie.

And not only will Norton Genie help you identify scams and dodgy websites it will also advice you what to do next including deleting the message and what steps to take if you clicked the link.

Norton Genie can also answer questions like how it knew a message was a scam.

With AI powering Genie, the more it is used the smarter it gets and the more it learns and adapts to detect new scams.

The Norton Genie app is free to download and use now on the Apple App Store for iPhone users.

An Android version of Norton Genie is expected to be available in the coming months.

The post The new Norton Genie app uses AI to help you spot a scam appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Netflix crackdown on password sharing outside your household appears to be paying off with the streaming giant adding almost six million new subscribers.

This is Netflix’s largest and fastest growth since the COVID pandemic which saw more than 10 million new subscribers coming to the platform.

The growth was for the April-June 2023 period according to its quarterly financial results.

At the end of June, Netflix had 238.4 million subscribers.

Netflix says it expects further growth throughout the year as more people are cut off from their previous household account and create their own account.

Netflix announced earlier this year it would not allow users to share passwords for use outside of their household.

At that time an email sent out to customers to say your Netflix account is only for you and the people you live with within your household.

If the person living outside your household is already accessing your account, Netflix says they can transfer their profile and create a new membership for themselves that they will have to pay for.

The other option is buying an extra member for your account for $7.99 a month so you can still share your Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with you.

The actual crackdown when users outside households were cut off from has been staggered throughout Australia with some customers not yet receiving the notification while others were booted two months ago.

The post Netflix adds six million new subscribers after password-sharing crackdown appeared first on Tech Guide.

Kodi is an open-source media player application that works with a wide variety of gadgets. The most popular way to watch free movies, television series and live events is using an Amazon FireStick. 

The Kodi open-source society produced the application and all of its extensions. Both the official Kodi website and unofficial, websites offer download links for them, more details on which shall be discussed later. 

There are no specific hardware prerequisites to it. All you need to do is buy an Amazon FireStick. Moreover, as a substitute, you can download the software from the respective app stores for Android and iOS devices and activate it there as well. 

However the question of the day is, why would you want to set up Kodi on a FireStick? Due to the variety of features it offers, Kodi is regarded to be one of the top media players available at the moment. Today’s post is crafted to inform you on the 4 facts you ought to remember when downloading Kodi on the FireStick. However, before that we shall look a bit into Kodi builds and add-ons. 

What is a Kodi Build? 

A Kodi build is a particular Kodi version created with a specific goal in mind. For instance, a FireStick build has been developed especially to provide consumers with free movie streaming.

For Kodi, you’ll find countless variations of builds that can be easily set up on an Amazon FireStick. There are many different builds readily accessible, and you can locate them by using the search feature within the Settings section or the Search button on Kodi’s homepage.

What is a Kodi Add-on? 

Extra features that can be integrated into your Kodi system are known as Kodi Add-ons. For instance, by installing the Venom addon for Kodi on FireStick you can effortlessly download TV series and movies as soon as they are available or to add captions to the movies you watch. 

For Kodi, there are many different extensions, and most of them are free. Don’t be concerned about these add-ons having a detrimental impact on your Kodi installation because they can only add functionality to Kodi, not delete them.

Facts to Consider when Downloading Kodi on FireStick 

If you understand the basics regarding Kodi and keep those facts in mind all through, it’s an easy-to-use tool that doesn’t require much. Here is all you have to know about using Kodi, including Kodi builds and add-ons.

• It is Very Adaptable 

Kodi is a very adaptable software. It doesn’t just function on laptops or pcs; it also functions flawlessly on nearly every device on the market. Both smartphones and the Amazon FireStick are compatible with it. This simple-to-use media player is a wonderful invention.

• Kodi has a Simple Interface 

Many beginners mistakenly believe that Kodi requires advanced technical knowledge. Kodi is simply a media player that is feasible to set up in a few easy steps. It is a piece of software that plays media on your gadget and allows you to stream everything, including shows and movies.

This free to use media player is accessible for download, so you can immediately begin streaming your preferred content.  You just need to adhere to a few easy steps to set up Kodi, and that’s all!

• Kodi has Unique Experience Enhancing Features 

Any device, whether it is a laptop, cell phone, or tablet, can be easily transformed into a multimedia set-top broadcaster using Kodi. It gives customers the option to stream files from the World Wide Web to local storage directly from anyplace they want. 

Many users were taken aback to learn that Kodi is completely unlicensed, unlike other TV broadcasters and even Amazon FireStick. Users of Kodi can choose from a wide range of add-ons and software created by the community.

A powerful user interface that was specifically designed for Kodi makes it very easy to browse through the files. Its designers claim that it has a “10-foot UI,” which obliquely suggests that it can be viewed from at a distance as much as 10 feet.

Additionally, Kodi users can browse for films, images, and podcasts owing to a number of built-in codes. Kodi provides a very comparable experience on smaller screens as well, while for big-screen streaming and an improved experience, it must be used in conjunction with a bigger television.

• Kodi’s Rich Community 

Kodi is run by the XBMC Foundation, which is a charitable organization. The software is always being upgraded and changed. 

It has been the labor of innumerable programmers and developers from all around the world for many years. Kodi has experienced numerous upgrades since its launch in 2003. 

Its thriving community of programmers and support staff has helped it grow into something that is incredibly user-friendly and lovely to work with.  Even further customization of Kodi is possible by installing Kodi builds and add-ons as mentioned earlier in the post.

Conclusion 

That’s all there is to learn regarding installing Kodi on FireStick. Your mundane weekends may become something you anxiously anticipate thanks to Kodi. So without wasting any more time set yourself up for a movie marathon by installing it right away on your Amazon FireStick!

The post 4 Facts to Remember when Downloading Kodi on the FireStick appeared first on Tech Guide.

You can run the latest iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 software for iPhone and iPad right now by signing up to Apple’s Beta Software Program.

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 were announced at last month’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference with the official release to come in early September.

But you don’t have to wait that long by joining Apple’s Beta Software Program.

You can get early access and report any bugs to improve the quality and performance by sending anonymous diagnostic data to Apple.

If you’re thinking of installing the new iOS 17 and the iPadOS 17 Public Betas on your iPhone and iPad – be sure to back up your devices before installing – just in case.

HOW TO INSTALL

On your iPhone and iPad go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Update

iPHONE

For devices running iOS 16.4 or later:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and choose the iOS beta you’d like to install.

Your iPhone has to be signed in to the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program to access the beta software

For devices running iOS 16.3 or earlier:

From your iPhone, go to beta.apple.com/profile to download the configuration profile. Your iPhone will notify you when the profile has been downloaded. Open Settings, tap the profile and follow the onscreen instructions to allow installation.

iPAD

Sign in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program to access the beta software.

For devices running iPadOS 16.3 or earlier:

From your iPad, download the configuration profile. Your iPad will notify you when the profile has been downloaded. Open Settings, tap the profile and follow the onscreen instructions to allow installation.

iOS 17

Here are the most popular new features of iOS 17 for iPhone.

LIVE VOICEMAIL

Users can see a real time transcription of an incoming call and decide whether they want to answer the call. This feature also makes it possible to take a call during a meeting to see what it’s about and if it’s urgent without disturbing anyone around you.

CONTACT POSTERS

iOS 17 lets you express yourself with an enriched contact poster which can be configured like a lock screen.

NAMEDROP

This lets users share their contact information and contact posters simply by bringing their iPhones together or bringing an Apple Watch and iPhone together.

FACETIME MESSAGES

If you can’t get through on FaceTime, iOS 17 now offers a way to leave a video message that can be enjoyed later.

FACETIME CONTINUITY

If you receive a FaceTime call on your iPhone, you can hand off to your Apple TV so you’re using your TV to see your friends and family.

iMESSAGE

There is a new expandable menu to share content and stickers while a new catch-up arrow brings you back to where you left off in a conversation. iMessage also introduces Check In so friends and family members can be notified when they arrive safely at their destination.

STANDBY

When you’re iPhone is not in use and resting on a MagSafe charger, simply place it on its side to turn it into a display for the kitchen counter, night stand or desk with a larger clock, notifications and calendar events.

JOURNAL

This is a brand new app to reflect on your day and includes photos and people and is curated from recent activity and locations.

Here are the new features of iPadOS 17

LOCKSCREEN

The iPad now offers similar configurable locks screens like the iPhone with your choice of fonts and images.

IMPROVED WIDGETS

Widgets on the iPad are now more powerful and interactive on the lock screen and the home screen.

PDFs

It is now a lot easier to work with PDFs so you can easily write on them and annotate them with Apple Pencil. You can also find and fill in text areas and easily sign a document with a saved signature or a fresh signature with Apple Pencil.

HEALTH APP

The Health app is now on the iPad so you can see your health data in even more detail. It has been re-designed and optimised for the larger display so you can interact with charts and other information.

The post How to install iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 right now on the Apple Beta Software program appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new social media platform Threads, a text-based spinoff of Instagram, has hit 100 million users in just five days while Twitter’s traffic has fallen off a cliff.

Threads has set a record in reaching 100 million users. It took TikTok nine months to hit that number, two months for OpenChat GPT and two and a half years for Instagram.

Anyone who downloads the Threads app can use their Instagram account to sign up and be up and running within minutes.

And while Threads has taken off like a rocket and continues to add users, it’s the opposite for its similar rival Twitter which has seen a sharp drop in the number of monthly active users.

Cloudflare chief executive Matthew Prince tweeted “Twitter traffic tanking” with a graph showing Twitters traffic has been on the decline.

Twitter traffic tanking. https://t.co/KSIXqNsu40 pic.twitter.com/mLlbuXVR6r

— Matthew Prince (@eastdakota) July 9, 2023

The graph shows the level of traffic at the time of Elon musk’s takeover late last year and showing a steady decline until the launch of Threads.

Similarweb published a report showing Twitter’s traffic was down 11 per cent year on year.

Threads was launched the same week Musk imposed restrictions for the number of tweets that can be viewed each day – a move that angered loyal Twitter users.

Musk also removed all verified blue ticks from accounts (@StephenFenech and @TechGuideAU included) and instead made it possible for users to buy the verification.

But there have also been a few concerns about the Threads app and the amount of data it collects Including app, browser and device information, user activity and personal information.

It was also discovered that users who want to delete their threads account will have to delete their Instagram account as well.

The post Threads hits 100m users in record time as Twitter traffic falls off a cliff appeared first on Tech Guide.

Instagram has today launched its next text and conversation-focused platform called Threads – and it is already being seen as a direct threat to Twitter.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced the new Threads app which was created by Instagram and designed to allow its two billion plus users to connect with friends and creators.

Threads has been rolled out in more than 100 countries with the app available for both iOS and Android users.

The Threads interface looks a lot like Twitter and has many other similarities.

Users can log in to Threads using their Instagram account and choose to follow the same people if they are also on the new platform.

Posts can be up to 500 characters long and can include links, photos and videos up to five minutes in length.

Your feed on Threads will be a combination of people you follow and content recommended for you from creators you may have not found yet.

Users can control who can mention them and who can reply. It’s also possible to block, restrict or report a profile in the same way you would do on Instagram.

Now is it a threat to Twitter which was recently acquired by Elon Musk?

The answer is yes.

Instagram has more than 2.35 billion monthly active users while Twitter has 450 million.

Even if a third of Instagram users create an account on Threads it will eclipse Twitter.

This comes days after Musk imposed a limit to the number of tweets a user can view per day on Twitter.

Twitter also removed all the verification ticks and has given any user the option of buying a blue tick verification.

Meta also offers verification at a cost on Instagram.

If an Instagram user has a verification tick and creates a Threads account it will also carry over to new platform.

Twitter has long been seen as the news-focused, conversation platform where the biggest news stories are broken.

It’s where you find out things and where friends, celebrities, politicians and sport stars engage with their followers.

Threads is banking on the huge Instagram user base coming across to the new Twitter-like environment to engage their current followers and to potentially find a new audience.

The post Instagram launches new Threads platform – and it has Twitter in its sights appeared first on Tech Guide.

Traffic congestion is an increasing problem in both metropoles and smaller cities. Colombia, Brazil and a few European countries have some of the worst traffic congestion, given the growing number of citizens and cars. But this phenomenon is not only the cause of a supply and demand imbalance. 

In most cases, congestion appears due to accidents, traffic overload, construction and the lack of parking lots. At the same time, pedestrians crossing the road illegally might contribute to accidents and, therefore, traffic issues. Finally, poor-quality streets and extreme weather conditions blend in, damaging vehicles and hindering driving. 

There are numerous solutions to solve the problem of traffic congestion, but they would need to be adopted in accordance with the city’s lifestyles. For example, encouraging people to use alternative routes is a good idea. Still, not all towns provide infrastructure for citizens to use less crowded trails, travel by bike or public transport. At the same time, constructing more parks and routes would only lead to an increase in drivers. 

Luckily, technology is here to help us, so here are some innovative devices and strategies to enhance parking and driving. 

Understanding the need for technology in smart cities 

Smart cities are based on multiple forms of technology, from IoT devices, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality. Collecting and analysing data from citizens and real-time infrastructure ensure a better approach and coverage of what can be improved in a city. At the same time, these technologies allow for simulations of different scenarios, helping build efficient roads, buildings and facilities that would not hinder traffic and pedestrian flow. 

Therefore, countries must also prioritise parking and improve it through investing in digital infrastructure and ICT integration. Some digital solutions have already been implemented and leveraged impressive results. 

AI-based parking robots 

AI is a pretty controversial subject, but besides its media coverage, the solution can do so much for the modern world. For example, automated valet parking robots were created to take control of cars and park them more efficiently in regular parking lots. This system is already used in airport parking since 2018, and it was first encountered at the Lyon- Saint Exupéry Airport. 

The process is quite simple. You book a parking space where you want your car, and then, upon arriving at the destination, you drop off your vehicle in a special cabin, from where the robot picks it up and efficiently parks it. 

Pay-by-plate technology 

Parking can be stressful as you must ensure payment is done and you’re not leaving your car in the parking lot for too long. But with the pay-by-plate technology, your vehicle will be safely and legally parked. This technology is based on the idea that you introduce your licence plate number into the parking lot kiosk and then pay with credit or cash. 

You can reserve the space for as much as you need to renew it through an app. At the same time, if you need to move to another place, the payment is still available when officials will only scan the plate. This strategy would help busy areas like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. So, next time you want to book a Perth Airport Parking lot, paying by plate will make leaving your car in a safe space less stressful.

3D-based parking signalling 

3D parking has been introduced in cars for a while, and it’s a lifesaver. Not only it gives drivers the perfect visual accessibility for parking, but it’s also got auditive sensors and options that can help anyone park. Bosch developed this solution, leveraging integrated sensors to signal course adjustments and obstacles. 

This parking solution has either a 3D model of the vehicle’s environment that allows the driver to see around the car or makes a high-pitched sound that increases as the vehicle gets closer to an object. Both features are included in some cases, helping people make the perfect parking and avoiding hindering traffic or injuring pedestrians. 

Car stacking systems 

In a world where land is not enough anymore to withstand an increasing number of people, vertical solutions are the answer to traffic congestion. In some regions, such as West Hollywood, car parking lifts are used to stack up cars one over another to make the most out of the available space. This means more vehicles can occupy the same area, with two or even three cars on the stacking system. 

This idea is perfect for both commercial and residential purposes, and it’s the ideal approach for areas with limited space and many cars. Depending on the model of this technology, the parking lifts can take up to 4,082 Kg, so even cars like light-duty trucks and SUVs can be sustained by this system. 

Benefits of smart parking solutions 

Smart parking enhances traffic flow in urban settings but has plenty of other advantages. For example, it improves management for special parking sports, such as emergency vehicles and parking spaces for people with disabilities. This decreases the traffic volume and the time spent looking for a parking lot. 

One crucial factor of technology-based parking is revenue. By using devices and innovations that help people park better, pricing strategies become more dynamic, leading to a significant increase in parking revenues that will be used for further improvements.  

Finally, better parking strategies and technologies will decrease gas emissions as you spend less time with the engine heating up, which eventually translates to less noise pollution, a severe problem in enormous cities. Vehicular noise pollution is dangerous for all citizens and has already reached considerable levels that contribute to headaches, dizziness and nausea, causing accidents. 

Bottom line 

Smart parking leverages technology and unique devices to help avoid accidents, decongest the city and increase efficiency. This strategy is necessary for cities to withstand the increasing number of cars, for which building more roads isn’t the solution anymore. But with parking sensors, 3D models and staking systems, vehicles will be parked better, and traffic jams will be less stressful for drivers.

The post Latest smart parking technologies that will simplify the flow of urban traffic  appeared first on Tech Guide.

Peloton has launched new interactive fitness content that’s been tailored for its popular Tread and inspired by gaming to offer an enhanced experience on the treadmill.

Lanebreak Tread is a gamified workout where the objective is to match and sustain speed and incline to keep up with animated cues on the screen and achieve the highest score possible.

You can score points by following visual cues called Moments.

With adjustments to the incline on the tread it’s possible to stay in lanes that contain Moments while adjusting speed will complete the requirement of each Moment to score your points.

The Tread’s hardware capabilities are showcased with this new experience when it provides an immersive auto incline through a new Hill Moment.

When you hit the hill, the Tread will automatically adjust the incline and follow the curve shown to the user on the screen.

Lanebreak Tread also includes a pacer which rewards users while following an interval workout.

There are also updated visuals and controls which have been redesigned with running in mind including new Tread inspired avatars and a range of pace-based difficulty options.

“The Peloton experience has been infused with gamification principles since the beginning, with features such as the in-class leaderboard, achievements, and streaks,” says Tom Cortese, Peloton’s Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer.

“Lanebreak was created to offer an entirely new workout experience that combines an expertly designed workout with immersive graphics, energizing playlists and enhanced game mechanics. Lanebreak classes are fun, immersive, and drive you to hit workout cues in a unique way.

“Lanebreak Tread has been informed by Member feedback and we’ve injected the excitement and competitive elements of gaming to create a fitness experience that is tailored to the Peloton Tread.

“As with all we do at Peloton, we’ll continue to iterate by adding new levels and music genres.”

And of course it’s all backed by a pumping soundtrack which is determined by specific workout types and the level of difficulty.

The levels range in length from 5 minutes all the way up to 30 minutes and incorporate different music genres and artists.

Peloton Members can find Lanebreak Tread in the More Runs tab at the bottom of the screen.

The post Peloton launches new gaming-inspired Lanebreak Tread fitness experience appeared first on Tech Guide.