ASUS Zenfone AR launched in India for Rs 49,999/- , with impressive tech embedded in it.

ASUS has announced launch of ASUS Zenfone AR the world's first Tango and Daydream enabled phone which opens a new dimension for use of smartphones. The phone is a result of co-operation of ASUS with Google's Tango and Daydream team, and Qualcomm which improvised its Snapdragon 820 series to come up with Snapdragon 821 enabling smoother and Accurate AR , VR experience.

The device comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB internal storage to support resource extensive applications which makes sense with AR focused tech in the phone.

ASUS Zenfone AR

The device in itself is a tech marvel considering the fact that we have a finished end consumer product and not any prototype. ASUS has stood apart from the crowd on many occasions be it the first phone with 4 GB RAM or first phone with a 3x optical zoom. But what we liked most about Zenfone AR is that it packs so much in its compact body. Unlike Zenfone Zoom which was too bulky to be used as a primary phone, the Zenfone AR is quite compact with just 4.8mm thickness on edges and less than 8mm thick at its thickest point. 

Notice the Geyser and Shower shown on big screen is added using AR

Smartphones have changed the way we look at our phones and use them in our day to day life, this transition has come in last 10 years. But today with launch of Zenfone AR, I truly believe that it is going to add more dimensions to mobile usage. We recently discussed about different usecases of using an AR enabled phone.

TriCam System

The device packs in 3 camera on rear with the primary being 23 MP sensor for capturing vivid details. The other two sensors are there to sense depth and motion. The launch event also had live demo of the AR capabilities of the smart phone where in we were shown the future of buying a car with the BMW app , where in user can Augment the car on the phone in real environment and inspect and customize various features as if done in a physical car. Another demo was done by Pune based Renewate demoed their app, which was again very cool as using this app you can plan the interiors, furniture, fittings of your house by using AR.

The Asus ZenFone AR has a 5.7-inch WQHD (2K) (1440 x 2560) display. This large size and high resolution screen makes it ideal for VR apps and games when used with Daydream View, immersing users in incredible VR worlds that appear detailed and lifelike. Super AMOLED technology enables deep blacks and high contrast, further enhancing image quality and 3D effects.

With ZenFone AR and Daydream View, users can explore new worlds with apps like Street View and Fantastic Beasts, kick back in a personal VR cinema with YouTube VR and Netflix, and get in the game with Gunjack 2, Need for Speed and more.

ZenFone AR is designed with the latest, top-of-the-line components to provide high-quality AR and VR experiences. This cutting-edge hardware also makes ZenFone AR one of the most powerful smartphones available.

ZenFone AR features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor that has been specially optimized for the demanding, real-time calculations of AR. ASUS worked closely with Qualcomm Technologies and Google engineers to help develop methods for efficiently distributing computer-vision workloads, as well as rapidly processing movement and positioning instructions with Tango to deliver smooth, immersive, and compelling AR experiences. It also features the desktop-class Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics-processing unit (GPU) to deliver supercharged graphics performance and handle the graphical demands of Tango and Daydream applications with ease.

ZenFone AR is the world's first smartphone with 8GB of RAM, enabling it to handle the demands of AR and VR with ease. It also helps with heavy multitasking, allowing users to keep dozens of apps open simultaneously, and instantly switch among them. ZenFone AR also includes 128GB of fast UFS 2.0 storage, enabling users to store a large library of apps, games, videos, photos, and music, and open them quickly.

ZenFone AR is backed by a 3,300mAh battery pack with Quick Charge 3.0 - fastest, most efficient charging technology by Qualcomm to date. This technology enables 60% battery charge in only 45 mins.

 Flipkart is offering INR 2500/- off on Google Daydream View VR Headset along with purchase of ZenFone AR. Additionally, the consumer can avail no cost EMI offer upto 9 months. Every Jio and Zenfone AT user will get up to 100GB additional 4G data and complimentary Jio Prime membership. The user can avail the additional 4G data in the form of one additional 10GB data voucher per recharge or Rs 309 or above, for a maximum of 10 recharges till March’18. This data is over and above the benefits of the pack.

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Broadband for transportation is closer to reality, Hyperloop One tests full systems Hyperloop test in vaccum environment, 70mph and 5.3 seconds of Maglev

Hyperloop One today announced the successful completion of the world’s first full systems Hyperloop test in a vacuum environment. This test was Phase 1 of a multi-Phase program and was privately conducted on May 12, 2017 at the company’s test track, “DevLoop,” in the Nevada Desert. The vehicle coasted above the first portion of the track for 5.3 seconds using magnetic levitation and reached nearly 2Gs of acceleration, while achieving the Phase 1 target speed of 70mph. The company is now entering the next campaign of testing, which will target speeds of 250 mph.

Hyperloop One

“Hyperloop One has accomplished what no one has done before by successfully testing the first full scale Hyperloop system. By achieving full vacuum, we essentially invented our own sky in a tube, as if you’re flying at 200,000 feet in the air,” said Shervin Pishevar, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Hyperloop One. “For the first time in over 100 years, a new mode of transportation has been introduced. Hyperloop is real, and it’s here now.”

In this historic moment, Hyperloop One tested all the system’s components, including its highly efficient motor, vehicle suspension, magnetic levitation, electromagnetic braking, vacuum pumping system and more, proving the full system’s components operate successfully as a single integrated unit in a vacuum. Nearly 200 engineers, fabricators, welders, etc. dedicated thousands of hours to make this test successful.

In addition to announcing the private test, Hyperloop One also unveiled the prototype of its Pod that will work within the integrated system. Using electromagnetic propulsion and magnetic levitation, the Pod will transport passengers and cargo inside the tube. Hyperloop One’s Pod is the only vehicle in the world that, with the company’s proprietary linear electric motor, achieves autonomous high-speed propulsion and levitation in a controlled low-pressure environment. Made of structural aluminum and a lightweight carbon fiber, the shell measures 28 feet long.

Hyperloop One will continue to run tests at DevLoop in the coming months to validate its next-generation components and software. The next phase of testing will showcase the Pod gliding along a longer track at faster speeds.

“Our team is the only team that is actually making Hyperloop happen, and we’ve spent more time testing a Hyperloop system than anyone in the world,” said Josh Giegel, co-founder and President of Engineering of Hyperloop One. “To make Hyperloop a reality, we built and tested the actual hardware, gathering valuable insight along the way. Now that we’ve tested our Hyperloop system, we know it works, and we’re ready to deploy it to the rest of the world.”

“Hyperloop One will move people and things faster than at any other time in the world,” continued Pishevar. “With Hyperloop One, the world will be cleaner, safer and faster. It’s going to make the world a lot more efficient and will impact the ways our cities work, where we live and where we work. We’ll be able to move between cities as if cities themselves are metro stops.”

To view the historical test and never-before-seen b-roll from DevLoop, click here. 

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Simplilearn to offer bounce back scholarships for IT professionals in India

IT engineers know very well that the industry they work in is very demanding in terms of work they do and the technology in trend. One day you might be working on something in which you feel you are the expert and you have made a permanent position in your organization, the other day you may get to hear that what you do is no longer required or some other technology is replacing your work. Amidst all this there are other global parameters which affect the profitability of the company and in name of cost cutting one may never know when they will be shown the pink slips. The thought of getting laid off itself is very scary, however one has to rise again and prepare one's self to enter the industry once again in full glory.

I have seen folks who have faced this real time, Snapdeal had laid off a good number of engineers earlier this year, there were confirmed reports from Cognizant as well. My previous employer has asked its employees in my city to either leave or get transfer to another city. In another case Anand Mahindra, Executive Chairman Mahindra group has apologized over the way an employee was asked to resign immediately which the employee recorded and uploaded online.

No one can predict what's going to happen in future, but the least one can do is to prepare themselves for their own benefit. As its really difficult to start preparing after you are hit with such scenario. To assist professionals impacted by the recent job cuts in India, professional training company Simplilearn (https://www.simplilearn.com/), has announced the launch of Bounce Back Scholarships (https://www.simplilearn.com/lp-BB_Scholarships.html). The company will offer free access to online self-paced courses in the most sought after domains to help IT professionals build skills in new technologies and prepare for jobs of the future.

“Our goal at Simplilearn is to help professionals and enterprises adapt to the changing digital economy through the right delivery of upskilling programs.  Automation and newer technologies are forcing enterprises to re-look at their business and hiring strategies. The current environment has also led to enterprises looking for talent skilled in digital technologies. We hope the Bounce Back Scholarships will enable individuals to map their skill sets with these newer jobs and take charge of their careers.” said Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO, Simplilearn.

The company is offering merit-based scholarships on all the courses that are delivered via online self-learning modules, excluding masters programs and courses covering examination fees. The last date to apply is August 31, 2017.

So if you are one of those who got laid off in recent chaos, use this as an opportunity to add more weightage in your resume and upgrade yourself with the current technologies. All the best. Happy Learning.

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HTC and CRY makes quality education accessible to girl child with initiative 'Aarzoo: ek wish har Aarzoo poori karne ki'

Aarzoo, an initiative by HTC Corporation, in association with leading NGO  'CRY - Child Rights and You', is supporting young girls in achieving their objectives. Aarzoo is a movement and a promise to fulfill dreams of countless young girls from the lower income group families by facilitating guidance and resources to supplement their dedication and enthusiasm. As part of its corporate social initiative and, to mark 20 years of global operations, HTC Corporation, a leading innovator in Mobile and Virtual Reality technology, has unveiled this initiative ‘Aarzoo: ek wish har Aarzoo poori karne ki’’ in India.

Not just wanting to limit the contribution only from the company, Mr. Faisal Siddiqui, President South Asia, HTC, visited the CRY center in South Delhi and spent time with the children talking, exchanging gifts and clicking photos and selfies. Speaking on the association, Mr. Faisal Siddiqui said, “I firmly believe that education is the birthright of every child. After interacting with the children here, I am amazed to see their skills, enthusiasm and the confidence. Their small, yet powerful performances clearly reflect that, by moulding these young minds in a positive manner, you can help them build a bright future for themselves.  I am immensely pleased that we associated ourselves with CRY which has been dedicatedly working towards providing a better childhood to children."

The campaign brings together HTC and CRY in an effort to create education and basic training opportunities for the girl child from the under-privileged sections of society and also aims at making them aware of their rights and the means to protect them. As part of the campaign, HTC hopes to achieve an on-ground-impact on girl child education for 1500 girls through CRY, and, for this, has contributed part of consumer sales proceeds over the past few months to the NGO.HTC and CRY also unveiled a calendar wherein the models were 12 bright girls from the CRY center to mark the association.

Details on the initiative with impact stories are available on http://aarzoo-ekwish.com

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5 incredibly innovative uses for Augmented Reality

If seeing is believing, ‘trying on’ seals the deal. Augmented reality or AR goes beyond VR in some key respects, enabling users to integrate real and virtual scenes — in effect, allowing us to try on products before we buy.

Here are some of the most innovative, cutting edge uses for AR technology apart from gaming that we are sure to amaze you.

Home Decor

One truly exciting application for AR and related technologies is to showcase large purchases like furniture that consumers often have trouble visualizing in their home. Asian augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) startup iStaging lets shoppers arrange furniture and appliances in their own living space. By integrating users’ own photos of their home with product images, the app gives buyers a concrete visualization of potential purchases.

interactive iStaging AR app

Enriching travel and tourism

Augmented reality can give travelers amazing new experiences. Travelers can also use AR to find information about historic events and significant buildings with Wikitude World Browser and Lonely Planet. There are even apps that bring AR out onto the hiking trails, giving users inspiring route guides and AR-enhanced topographic maps.

Wikitude World Browser is widely regarded as the king of all augmented reality browsers, and in a way, serves as a third eye of sorts. While using your smartphone’s camera in a given area, the virtual browser — along with more than 3,500 associated content providers — offers you just about any geographically-relevant information you may find valuable in your travels. Useful information is often presented in the form of Wikipedia articles detailing the hallmarks of a specific landmark, or directions to the nearest ATM location or five-star restaurant.

Education and training

Bridging the gap between the virtual and physical worlds, Augment changes the way we see, imagine, and learn about the world around us.

Augment an augmented reality (AR) app and platform enables students and teachers to visualize 3D models in the real environment, in real time, and at scale. Google Sky Map will give you the ability to identify everything in the night sky. Once installed, just point your phone upward when it’s reasonably dark and clear outside, and Google will point out all the different stars, constellations, and planets that are visible to your phone’s camera.

Shop without the hassle of changing

DressingRoom by Gap, help customers virtually “try on" clothing through a smartphone, Augmented Reality experience. This is how it works – shoppers choose a Gap style that they might be interested in purchasing. Next, they select one of five body types featured in the app so they can “try on" the piece of clothing from anywhere on a Google Tango-enabled device, and if they love it, they can buy it online.

Healthcare

Augmented reality in healthcare has wide reaching implications that will transform the medical sector; from providing real-time data and assistance during complicated surgical procedures, to supporting aftercare and administration, we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Augmented Reality’s potential benefits to our health and well-being.

Smartphone AR apps today can help retrain the brains of patients suffering from chronic vertigo, help blind people ‘see’ the world around them by rendering 3D surroundings into an audio soundscape or help medical students crush their anatomy classes.

With so many different fields of innovation at their fingertips, it is no surprise that tech-savvy and design enthusiasts want their next smartphone to come equipped with the sophisticated hardware and incredible processing power that can unlock these immersive and exciting augmented reality experiences.

Google has notably been pushing AR/VR technologies with its latest Android OS. The most prominent introduction however, has been the ASUS ZenFone AR launch that took place at CES, 2017 earlier this year.

That’s not all, ASUS recently took to its Facebook and Twitter pages to post a hinting that the super smartphone is all set to launch in India. According to industry sources, the company is planning to launch a smartphone in mid - July.

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