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iOS 15 Coming Out With Exciting New Features

June 22, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

With iOS 15 Coming Out, This Is What You Should Look For

At its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote event, Apple announced iOS 15 with exciting new features that are going to make the Apple experience even more thrilling. After the first announcement on June 7, 2021, the new OS was made available to developers for testing. Likewise, the public beta was then released on June 30. According to the company CEO Tim Cook, we should expect a general release of iOS 15 in the early fall of 2021.

According to Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, the new OS will bring improved functionality in four areas. First, FaceTime calls will be more natural, allowing users to stay connected more easily and freely. Second, with SharePlay, users can create seamless shared experiences. Likewise, users will be able to increase their focus by intelligently filtering out app notifications. Similarly, redesign of Apple Maps and Weather means you have more beautiful ways to explore the world. Furthermore, there have been improvements in the browsing experience with Safari. Moreover, with intelligent photos and search features, searching for information is easier than ever before.

Other Announcements

In addition to the news of iOS 15 coming out, the Worldwide Developers Conference revealed other projects that Apple is working on. The iPad OS 15 will improve the multitasking experience through new multiwindow configurations. Similarly, the new Mac OS, which Apple will name as macOS Monterey, will feature what is known as a universal control. This means users will be able to navigate across multiple devices with a single keyboard and mouse setup.

Likewise, Apple has announced a powerful optical character recognition (OCR) tool named Live Text. Furthermore, there have been some improvements in privacy-related features along with plans to carry out Siri’s operation inside the device. This means Siri will work without an Internet connection, and Apple servers won’t have access to your audio recordings.

iOS 15 Supported Devices

With the news of iOS 15 coming out, everyone is excited to know whether or not their device will support it. As of now, we expect Apple to make this update available across all devices when the new range of iPhones hits the market. According to the company itself, the following devices will support iOS 15, although not every device will provide the same level of smoothness.

iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone X, iPhone XR
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6, iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone SE (1st and 2nd generation)
iPod Touch (7th generation)

Major New Features

In the introductory paragraphs, we went through some of the major new features of iOS 15 in minor details. Here, we will discuss some of them in greater detail.

FaceTime Calls With New and Improved Features

With the iOS 15 coming out, we see that Apple has put a major focus on improving the tools that allow you to stay connected. FaceTime will now feature spatial audio, which means you’ll hear sounds as if they are coming from the person’s position on the screen. Similarly, with new microphone modes, you can suppress background noise from your original voice. Likewise, portrait mode for video calls with focusing on the user’s face is also a great addition. Furthermore, with grid view, you can see multiple participants in a group call.

On the other hand, FaceTime also gets improved shared experiences with SharePlay. This means you can listen to songs and watch movies together in sync. Several streaming services like Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, and Paramount+ are integrating SharePlay features into their apps.

Reduced Distractions with Advanced Tools that Help Focus

If you are someone who is constantly distracted by their phones, the news of iOS 15 coming out should excite you. Focus, which is a tool that uses on-device intelligence, can filter out app notifications depending on what you want to focus on. For example, you can set Work mode, which means the device will filter out app notifications that disturb your attention at work. Similarly, the Sleep mode prevents constant distractions when you are about to wind down and prepare for tomorrow.

Advanced OCR and Intelligent Search

The advanced optical character recognition (OCR) and intelligent search feature are two of the key reasons why you should be excited about iOS 15 coming out. Powered by the Apple Neural Engine, the Camera can capture texts from photos and carry out intelligent actions when required. For example, according to the company website, when you capture a phone number, it will automatically present an option to put a call. Similarly, when you capture a WiFi password, it will automatically be copied.

On the other hand, with Spotlight, intelligent photo searching is a breeze. You can search photos by location, people, scenes, or objects. Similarly, with LiveText, you can extract text and handwriting from photos.

Improved Browsing Experience with Safari

Apple has left no stones unturned with its new iOS 15. According to the company website, browsing in Safari will be more convenient as you can reach all the required controls with one hand. Similarly, with a new lightweight tab bar that resides at the bottom of the screen, switching from one to the other is quick and easy.

Apple Wallet with New Type of Keys and IDs

With iOS 15 coming out, Apple Wallet will include support for new types of keys, which makes everyday chores easier. According to the company website, you can unlock your car with an iPhone with digital car keys. Furthermore, with Ultra-Wideband support, you need not even take your phone out of your bag. Moreover, you can use this feature with unlocking your homes, offices, and even hotel rooms.

Upgrade in Privacy Features

Apple always considers the user’s privacy as one of the topmost priorities. With iOS 15 coming out, there are some major upgrades. First, on-device speech recognition means Siri will work without an internet connection, preventing Apple servers from accessing your audio recordings. Similarly, users will no longer be able to know whether an email has been opened or not. With new reporting features, you will be able to know how apps use their available access to location, photos, camera, microphone, and contact features.

Beautiful Weather and Notes

The Weather App will come with an upgrade that provides a pleasant viewing experience. With more graphical displays, full-screen maps, and dynamic layouts, even looking at the weather reports will be fun. An animated background will accurately portray the sun’s position, and you will get notification when it rains and snows.

Don’t Miss a Single Tech Update with Top World Business

In this blog, we reviewed the news of iOS 15 coming out, possibly in the early fall of 2021. Likewise, we learned about some of the major announcements during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Similarly, we looked at the devices that iOS 15 will be compatible with. However, not every device may present the same level of smoothness and performance. Finally, we closed out the major features that the new OS will be providing. If you are excited and in line to get the new iPhone or the new OS on your existing device, you have good things coming your way.

Top World Business is a one-stop place for all the technology news from every corner of the globe. Our aim is to keep you updated on recent and future tech trends so you can use them to your advantage. Contact us if you have any further queries.

Google Funds Linux To Improve Android and Chrome Operating System

June 13, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Google Funds Linux to Improve the Security of Android and Chrome Operating Systems Using the Rust Programming Language

Operating systems must have strong security to ensure that users are safe in the digital world. The existence of digital threats like black-hat hacking has brought fear to people. Hence, developers are putting extra work into keeping their operating systems strong enough to protect their users.

Common Security Problems on Operating Systems

Problems that arise in our computers or smartphones may be associated with hardware, software, networks, or even a combination of the three. Various measures are implemented to solve such problems, but it is also important to have preventive measures.

One aspect where problems arise is the operating system’s security. Some of the common issues are software vulnerabilities, authentication, malware, and physical security. Hence, security systems contain preventive-control techniques that will protect the device from such security issues.

Companies have been aggressive in improving the security of their operating systems. High security will enhance the quality of their services, thus, improving the user experience. An example would be the recent project of Google and Linux, which aims to improve the Android and Chrome operating systems.

The Linux Kernel Project

Stephen Shankland from CNET said that Google would fund Linux to increase security in Android and Chrome operating systems. They will do it by writing additional parts on the operating system’s core using the Rust programming language. The project’s success would boost user safety and drive a significant technological and cultural shift for Linux.

The Linux kernel serves as the heart of the Linux operating system and the core interface between a computer’s hardware and its processes. Its functions include memory and process management, device drivers, and systems calls and security.

Liam Tung from Microsoft News stated that a proposal was made to include the Rust programming language in the main languages used for the Linux kernel. The goal is to use Rust to eliminate tons of security bugs in the kernel, which will result in more robust security in various devices.

Google Funds Linux for Increasing its Overall Security

Linux and Google have pitched the project regarding the utilization of the Rust programming language in Miguel Ojeda. Google funds Linux’s contract and project, which is being extended through the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG). ISRG is a public-benefit corporation that aims to reduce financial, technological, and educational barriers in securing communication in the digital world.

One of the primary reasons Google funded the project is that its major services like YouTube and Gmail rely on Linux servers. Dan Lorenc, Staff Software Engineer in Google, said that security plays a critical role in the sustainability of open-source software. Hence, strengthening the security in the Linux servers will also improve the quality of Google services.

Funding the security and development of the Linux kernel should be a collaborative effort by the world’s largest companies. After all, most of their services are based on the Linux System. Gustavo Silva, a Linux maintainer, also mentioned the need to build a high-quality kernel that is reliable, robust, and more resistant to attacks.

How the Rust Programming Language Can Boost the Security of the Internet and Smartphones

Mozilla developed the Rust language, but it is now under the Rust Foundation. Many companies and software developers of Firefox, Dropbox, and Cloudflare use Rust as their programming language. Those companies use the Rust programming language due to its benefits, which include the following:

Performance – It is fast and memory-efficient.
Reliability – It provides memory safety and thread-safety.
Productivity – It has top-notch tools for messages.

In terms of security, Rust can close pathways in which hackers can use to attack devices. Linux has been using the old C programming language, but it is vulnerable to attacks. Hence, it was proposed to include Rust as one of the major programming languages used in the Linux kernel.

Despite the potential benefits of using Rust, some developers raised their concerns regarding its implementation. Integrating Rust in Linux may pose a problem on the other versions of Linux, particularly in its compatibility. It is because many C languages, which are the ones currently used, are not entirely supported by Rust. However, the goal of the project is not to replace the C language but rather to improve the existing Linux kernel.

Final Thoughts

As Google funds Linux, the digital world is one step closer to a safer environment. With the Rust programming language, the project will improve and add parts to the Linux kernel. It will strengthen user security since it eliminates avenues for attacks. However, it is essential to note that the Rust language will not entirely replace the current C language used by Linux.

Google’s investment is heavily influenced by the dependence of its services on Linux servers. However, it also provides a call to action to other leading companies to invest in their programming languages, tools, and platforms. By doing so, they can give more attention to preventive measures for security problems instead of focusing on the solution.

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EA Hacked and Source Code Now Reportedly Sold in the Dark Web

June 11, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

EA Hacked and Investigations are Ongoing to Find the Perpetrator

Electronic Arts, the publisher of popular video games such as FIFA, Madden, the Sims, and Medal of Honor, announced that it was investigating a network breach that resulted in stolen video game source codes and software.

“We have the full capacity of exploiting all EA services,” the hackers stated. Losing control over source code, according to Brett Callow, a cybersecurity specialist and threat analyst at Emsisoft, may be bad for EA’s company. “Source code could, theoretically, be copied by other developers or used to create hacks for games,” he said.

EA Hacked: the Stolen Data

The hackers also proclaimed to have obtained source code for games like FIFA 21 and the Frostbite game engine, which is used as the foundation for several high-profile titles. According to Intel 471, a cybercrime intelligence service, the hackers were promoting roughly 800 terabytes of data. The hack did not result in the theft of any player data, according to EA. Parts of the FIFA and Frostbite code were confirmed by the gaming giant to have been taken. Electronic Arts is one of the world’s biggest game developers to date.

“EA was hacked and we are investigating a recent incident of intrusion into our network where a limited amount of game source code and related tools were stolen,” stated an EA spokesperson. “No player data was accessed, and we have no reason to believe there is any risk to player privacy. Following the incident, we’ve already made security improvements and do not expect any impact on our games or our business. We are actively working with law enforcement officials and other experts as part of this ongoing criminal investigation.”

EA produces or publishes significant franchises including Battlefield, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, The Sims, and Titanfall, as well as a wide range of yearly sports games. The firm said that security has already been enhanced and that there would be no “effect on our games or our business.”

The news of EA’s hack is big and law enforcement has been notified as well. Source code is a version of computer software that is generally much easier to read and comprehend than the final product, and may be used to reverse engineer sections of the product.

EA Hacked: Repercussions of the Theft

The Frostbite engine is a sophisticated game production tool that has been utilized in scores of games, ranging from FIFA to the Battlefield series and numerous current Star Wars titles from EA. The source code could be quite valuable for an unethical developer eager to duplicate the engine, or for those creating cheat codes and hacks for games, the source code might be quite valuable. Any mainstream rival to EA, on the other hand, is unlikely to employ stolen data.

For hackers, source code is appealing because it explains how the game is designed and created. A source code indicated how pressing this button disables that trap, or where on an enemies’ head your bullet should hit for maximum damage. When source code falls into the wrong hands, it has the potential to jeopardize the integrity of online video games, their servers, and even the safety of players. Modding is another application for this source code. When fans don’t have to reverse-engineer game code, it’s easier to create tools and fan-made content.

Not every piece of leaked source code is utilized for nefarious purposes. These schematics for games’ inner workings are prized by amateur video game historians and preservationists. The increasing control that game corporations have over their goods, whether it’s through digital-only downloads or compulsory internet access, writes out gamers who see games as cultural products. Not only that, many gaming studios have a poor track record of keeping their own titles alive.

Cyber Attacks and What it Means for the Industry

While ransomware has been the focus of recent high-profile breaches, source code for video games is a valuable commodity in and of itself, especially for cheaters. Injecting portions of the original game source code into another piece of software is a common method of creating popular hacks. Part of the reason why video game companies sue cheat-makers is that they employ game code in their illicit wares.

E.A. is the most current in a string of firms to be hacked in recent months, including JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, and the Colonial Pipeline, which transports petroleum down the East Coast. Those breaches were ransomware assaults, in which hackers try to shut down systems until they are paid a ransom, although E.A. stated it had not received any ransom requests. Similar data breaches were revealed last year at Valve, Capcom, Nintendo, and Ubisoft. A ransomware assault targeted Cyberpunk 2077 maker CD Projekt Red earlier this year.

The stolen source code may potentially disclose confidential projects and game concepts, as well as developer remarks that firms would like not to see. Security breach is also bad for a company’s reputation. In addition to EA’s own proprietary code and tools, the hackers claim to have Microsoft Xbox and Sony SDKs and API keys for sale.

With EA hacked, the destiny of the source code and the Frostbite engine is unknown. However, the company claims that no players’ privacy will be compromised. But, whether it becomes public or remains hidden in the shadows of the dark web, most gamers are concerned about the magnitude of the damage and when it will be realized.

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Vertical Farms Show Great Promises But Challenges Are Still There

June 8, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Vertical Farms: Great Potential But Not Free from Challenges

One of the most talked-about technologies that can disrupt traditional agriculture is the concept of vertical farms. With over 1 billion US dollars raised in funding, this sector is looking to accelerate rapidly as feeding the global population becomes a great challenge for humanity.

The largest investments in vertical farms have been seen in the United States. Plenty, a startup based in San Francisco, has already raised over 400 million US dollars. Other large investments have gone to the aeroponic farming startup Aerofarms (238 million US dollars) and Bowery Farming (167.5 million US dollars).

Outside of the United States, vertical farming is prevalent in Europe in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. Similarly, in Asia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China are increasing both adoption and investment. However, practitioners and businesses are facing a number of challenges ranging from energy costs to intense labour requirements. If vertical farms are to be made successful, we cannot ignore the challenges at present.

Major Features of Vertical Farms

For vertical farms to work, there must be a good installation and interaction between various components. These components include temperature, humidity, lighting, nutrients, and fertiliser control, along with physical layout and sustainability practices.

Physical Infrastructure

One of the major objectives of building vertical farms is to increase the amount of production per unit area. Typically, vertical farms consist of a stacked layer of crop-growing structures. These structures are typically key in controlled environments created by artificial heating, cooling, and lighting.

Lighting Systems

Since our major objective is to emulate the natural process of photosynthesis, we must be mindful of the spectrum. It is a no-brainer that we cannot generate the expected amount of output from vertical farms without proper lighting conditions. On the other hand, without proper lighting design and optimisation, the cost of running vertical farms can go over the roof. The most common lighting systems include fluorescent lights, high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights, and more efficient LED lights.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Since vertical farms operate in artificially designed environments, temperature and humidity control are a crucial part of the puzzle. If lighting produces the necessary amount of heat, separate heating equipment may not be that important. However, cooling systems like an air conditioner might be necessary even for dehumidification.

Nutrients and Fertilisers Control

Depending on the technique of growing, the process of releasing nutrients to the plants might be different. For example, in hydroponic growing systems, we suspend the plant roots in nutrient solutions. Similarly, you require a pump that sends nutrients to the solution on a timely basis. On the other hand, the aeroponics growing process requires the plant roots to be suspended in the air. You must nourish the plants by misting the root zones with the nutrient solution using a sprayer.

Major Challenges for Vertical Farms

Energy Costs

The primary challenge to the success of vertical farms at present and in the future is the energy costs associated with it. Indoor vertical farms rely upon artificially designed climatic settings that aim to emulate natural environments. These include lighting systems, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and air circulation control systems, and fertigation systems, pumps, and motors. Depending on the size of the farm, energy requirements can quickly go northwards. Moreover, they are also a major cause of the huge upfront cost that comes with building vertical farms.

Maintaining Consistent Growing Conditions

Maintaining consistency throughout the growing space is also a major concern for vertical farms. Since plants are placed tightly, we cannot expect that all plants will get the same growing conditions. For example, obstruction of airflow can be caused by plants themselves while lighting sources can increase their temperature. Similarly, if the vertical spacing is low, effects such as these get magnified.

Labour Costs

Operating vertical farms can be labour-intensive, especially if it is a large farm. Although automation is finding its way deep into this sector, there must still be inspection and maintenance. Besides, there is always the requirement of loading and unloading compartments in multiple stacked layers.

Limited Amount of Crops

Due to the physical layout of vertical farms, the types of crops that can be grown are limited. Most commonly, indoor vertical farms produce leafy green vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, rocket, kale, etc. Similarly, in the herbs section, we grow basil, mint, chives, rosemary, etc. These types of farms are suitable for crops that cover less area and thrive in an upward direction.

Why the Success of Vertical Farms is Crucial

Since vertical farms are costly and require heavy research, it might not be an attractive investment for an average person. However, as we tackle hunger amid a growing population, it can be a great weapon for countering these problems. The major advantages of vertical farms for sustainable food production are:

Reduced Water Consumption

As we put a major focus on tackling the problem of global hunger, we cannot ignore the depletion of water resources. Agriculture is the largest consumer of global freshwater, accounting for up to 80% of the total use. With vertical farms, water use can go down easily by more than 90%. Techniques such as drip irrigation can make very economical use of available water. Similarly, in hydroponic and aquaponic systems, water reuse is a very sustainable feature.

High Output in Less Area

Even though the types of crops that can be grown are limited, the output per unit of area is still greater than traditional land-based farms. On the other hand, this reduces the devastating act of clearing out forests for creating arable lands.

Reduced Pesticide Use

When we put a major focus on the quantity of food to be produced, we cannot ignore the quality aspect of that produced food. One of the great advantages of vertical farms is that they can significantly reduce the use of pesticides. This means that we need not chemically pollute natural soils, which can disrupt the biodiversity in that region.

Low Post-Harvest Loss

We need not store post-harvest products from urban, vertical farms over a long period of time. Similarly, since they are produced near the markets, that eliminates the need for long hours of transportation.

Wonders of the Tech World with Topworldbusiness

In this blog, we came across the recent news of vertical farms and how they are becoming an attractive option for investors and new entrepreneurs. We saw some statistics regarding the amount of investment in the United States and some other countries in Europe and Asia. Likewise, we talked about the major features of standard vertical farms. Similarly, we looked at the greatest challenges involving energy, labour, and limitations in types of crops. Finally, we closed out with the necessity of the success of vertical farms if we are to combat global hunger.

Things That You Should Know About Flutter App Development

June 3, 2021/in Technology News/by Anubhav

Everything You Need to Know About Flutter App Development

The Flutter development kit provides a fantastic user experience. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about flutter app development.

What is Flutter?

Flutter was initially called Sky and launched in 2015 and introduced by Google. It is an open-source framework used to develop apps that function similar to the native app. The apps are designed for Android and iOS devices using the same code. The best example of Flutter is the app created by the Alibaba Group, i.e. Xianyu app, which has more than 50 million users.

Flutter — Here’s How It Works

The developer can build the UI by using various widgets. Each widget has additional structural elements like a button or menu; some are for the colour scheme while some are for padding and many more. Flutter provides ready-made OEM widgets that look like native apps. In addition, flutter offers a reactive view, and you don’t need JavaScript for it.

Features Of Flutter

Although there are multiple advantages of the Flutter app, here we stated the primary features of Flutter:

Reduces App Delivery Time

When it comes to apps, one of the prominent USPs should be helping users reduce time in the best way possible. Flutter App Development is two times more time-efficient than Native App Development. The best thing is that its codes work well with Android as well as iOS.

Better User Experience

Apps developed in Flutter have native-like features. The audience gets the same experience as using a native app. The user cannot distinguish as the framework delivers sophisticated UX and UI. Flutter does not depend on intermediate code representation or code interpretation. The apps developed by Flutter remove interpretation errors, if any, in the app. Without much hassle, one can execute the transition, change shapes, shadows, the colour of the app.

Cost-Efficient

Flutter can provide functionality as well as cost-efficiency. Flutter can help minimise the resources and the team required for app development as you don’t need two units for app development (one for Android and one for iOS).

Lower Development Efforts

Flutter has some outstanding features like hot reload, which enable the developer to develop an app effortlessly. It is challenging to create a UI as you need to check how it will function live every time you add a new feature. Making changes in the app becomes easy with a hot reload.

Great Community

The flutter app development tool has a strong developer community. Thus, the reach, prominence and popularity of the platform are enormous. This helps to know the number of developers active on the forum, the problem they faced, and how they solved them.

It helps you learn as the community shares their experience, which can solve any hurdle you may encounter while developing an app. If you face any issue, you must find the official forms and read about relevant resources to quickly solve your problem. You can even collaborate with other people in the community on some unique projects.

Ideal For MVP Development

MVP is very important as it helps you know whether the audience would accept your app. MVP is a must if you are working on some new ideas or are providing alternative solutions for some problem. Flutter is the best choice when it comes to MVP. You can develop multiple prototypes for your app.

Advanced Technology

As it is still a new platform, Flutter sometimes has development challenges. The platform does not have a third-party library, making integration difficult. But on the whole, when it comes to the advancement of technology, Flutter offers great technology and features to help users in multiple ways.

Are There Any Shortcomings to Flutter?

The app developed through Flutter generally has a large file size. The audience may not love this as they are constantly struggling with space management in the mobile. For instance, a JavaScript app will require 500Kb; however, if it is created on Flutter, it would require 5 to 7 MB.

Real-World Examples Of Apps Created Using the Flutter Framework

Xianyu By Alibaba

It is the world’s second most prominent ecommerce platform, and it was developed with Flutter. The new feature was added to the app after studying consumer behaviour and market requirements. Xiyanu has traffic of almost 10 million every day and has more than 50 million downloads.

SpaceX Go!

This app gives information about the latest SpaceX launch and the catalogue of vehicles for transportation, rocket ship, insight into the capsule, and much more. In addition, it enables the user to locate the Tesla car on their device.

Google Ads

Flutter was used to develop Google Ads. The platform provides high-resolution visualisation of images charts, helps in campaign management, provides expert support and much more.

Conclusion

Flutter is an innovative technology, and if you are looking for a tool to design and develop an app, you must try Flutter; you will surely love it because it has many outstanding features.

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Recent Developments in Gene Editing Techniques

June 1, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Know All the Developments Made With Gene Editing Techniques

Hardly any day goes by without news about all the developments in gene-editing techniques. There is truly a lot happening, and a huge section of society is very eager to know about the same. Moreover, since these advances are directly related to health, people are always keen to know more about it and explore.

Recent Developments in Gene Editing Technology

Genome editing techniques or commonly known as gene editing techniques are a particular group of technologies that have allowed scientists to change the genetic structure of the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) of a particular organism to manipulate its working. It’s quite an exciting genre that has been researched upon for a long time. With technological advancements, scientists can do this in a more modern way. The gene-editing technique helps to add, remove or change the genetic structure or material at a particular place located in the gene of a certain organism.

Also known as the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, to date, five different diseases can be treated by changing the organism’s genetic structure causing that particular disease.

These diseases are listed below:

Cancer

By far, one of the most dangerous diseases in the history of humanity is Cancer. But technological advancements these days have helped neutralise the effect of Cancer, and humanity is finding new ways to combat the disease.

China has been the first user of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique to treat Cancer where a specific cell is removed from the affected part. The protein structures in that cell are appropriately manipulated to react properly to the drugs needed for cancer treatment. A minor number of cancer patients was initially tested. The test reports said that this type of treatment is entirely safe and can be done in the future with more advancements to stop the spread of this deadly disease.

Blindness

The majority of the cases of blindness is due to heredity. This is caused by a genetic mutation, which makes the usage of CRISPR-Cas9 very relevant. This is because, through this gene-editing process, it becomes easy to target and modify that very particular gene. Additionally, these immune system activities are limited to the eye, which helps in circumventing the problems related to the times when the body rejects the CRISPR treatment.

There have been companies that are working on CRISPR therapy used for Leber congenital amaurosis, which is considered to be the most common cause for inherited childhood blindness. The primary aim of the treatment is to restore the function of sensitive light cells before children actually lose their entire sight by fixation of the common mutation which is behind this disease.

COVID-19

Another deadly virus that has affected humankind and is still probing many dangers is COVID-19 (CoronaVirus Disease-19). It has already killed millions of people around the globe and is still estimated to kill many.

But scientists at Stanford University have devised a modified version of the CRISPR-Cas9 method named the CRISPR-Cas13a, which targets the virus and breaks the chain so as not to damage the human lungs. The reports are positive as they have reduced the viral strength by 90% and have shown remarkable results. In addition, many universities worldwide have reported that the CRISPR-Cas13a technique, after further modifications, can be highly effective against most influenza viruses.

AIDS

The gene-editing technique can treat AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome as it cuts the flow of HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus to the target area. As suggested by scientists, the virus remains inactive for a long time in the body. Using the gene-editing technique while the virus is inactive can be highly effective to reduce the potential threat it causes, which ultimately leads to fatality. The CCR5 gene is responsible for protection against HIV, and the gene-editing techniques are using this gene to manipulate the actual virus to stop it from affecting the human body.

Huntington’s Diseases

This is a peculiar brain disease where the sequencing of the genes causes disruption in the brain’s thinking skills and affects areas of the brain which are responsible for the movement of limbs and changing of mood. This disease is caused because of the odd number of copies of the DNA sequence.

The modification of the CRISPR method is underway by scientists since the current method is deemed dangerous as it can cause off-target problems in the brain. But scientists and doctors believe that gene-editing techniques can be a revolutionary method to treat this disease which can be lethal.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a severe genetic disorder that disrupts the normal functioning of the respiratory system. Until a few years back, the source of cystic fibrosis was unknown. But the gene-editing techniques have helped to find it out as it is located in a CFTR gene. Various companies have devised different CRISPR methods to deal with cystic fibrosis based on the results published by Dutch researchers. Since cystic fibrosis affects different parts of the respiratory system, scientists and doctors expect to find other gene-editing techniques to treat them all.

Wrapping Up

Doctors and researchers believe that with even more modification in the gene-editing techniques, various diseases can be treated successfully. With all the technological advancements, the day is not far away when humanity will treat all major diseases with gene-editing techniques. Therefore, we should use such techniques for the better.

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Using Pulse Oximeter To Monitor COVID Symptoms

May 27, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Pulse Oximeter Can Be Life-Saving During COVID 19

Before we turn our attention to pulse oximeters, let us learn how the coronavirus evolved during 2020 and how the new variants have caused an increase in demand for such devices.

The coronavirus pandemic has become one of our greatest challenges since its outbreak in early 2020. Originating in Wuhan, China, it quickly spread throughout several countries of the world. The United States, Brazil, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France have become some of the worst-hit countries during the early periods of the outbreak. Most of the countries of the world underwent a national lockdown. After several months of lockdown, pressure to reopen the economy was great and restrictions were slowly lifted. Mass vaccination campaigns have decreased the spread to a great extent.

However, new variants appeared from the UK, Brazil, and India during the first couple of months of 2021. The Indian variant is more likely to spread than other variants and can affect people of all ages. In India, the total positive cases reached up to more than 400,000 per day resulting in thousands of deaths. Due to free movement across borders, the virus has spread to many of the neighbouring countries of India.

During normal times, the pulse oximeter was used in emergency settings for patients with conditions like COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, heart attack, etc. In the wake of the pandemic, this device has been far too common among COVID patients. This is because there is a huge struggle to get hospital beds let alone ICUs and ventilators. Therefore, people isolating in homes are continuously using it to monitor their oxygen levels so that lung infections can be detected and prevented early on.

Pulse Oximeters: Definition and Working

A pulse oximeter is a small medical device that you can use to measure the levels of oxygen in the blood, or the oxygen saturation level. Typically, the subject clips the device on the fingertips or the ear lobes.

The working principle of pulse oximeter bases upon the absorption of light by blood, whether it be oxygenated or deoxygenated. It consists of two Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), one transmitting infrared light and the other transmitting red light. It is seen that for oxygenated blood, there is more absorption of infrared light whereas the red light passes through. For deoxygenated blood, the reverse is seen. A photodiode receives the light that is allowed to pass through the body part, that is the finger or the ear lobe. The processor in the pulse oximeter then measures the ratio of measured red light to infrared right. We can then convert this ratio into SpO2 level which is displayed on the pulse oximeter screen.

Pulse Oximeters: How To Use It

The knowledge of how to use a pulse oximeter is extremely important because if the readings are wrong, it can create unnecessary panic. On the other hand, it can also turn out to be fatal for unsuspecting patients.

The first thing that you should keep in mind while using a pulse oximeter is its positioning. Most oximeters come with a finger probe whereas those with ear probes are also not rare. The probe is designed in such a way that light can pass through the finger and be detected by a light-sensitive sensor on the other side. Make sure that the finger fits well and is not too tight or too loose. When the probe is too tight, it may disrupt blood circulation whereas when it is too loose, it may fall or let the surrounding light inside. Furthermore, if you are using an ear probe, make sure that circulation is right by gently rubbing the ear lobe. This is because the ear lobe is more sensitive to cold and might show a wrong reading.

Pulse Oximeters: Key Considerations

We have already discussed why wrong readings from a pulse oximeter can be deadly and how it can cause unnecessary panic. Therefore, there are some major things that you should consider during measurement. They are discussed in the following section.

Avoid Nail Polish

The nail polish can significantly absorb the light coming from the pulse oximeter and mislead you to a wrong reading. Therefore, it is necessary that you remove the polish before measurement. If it is an emergency situation, place it on the sideways of the finger.

Avoid Bright Light

The pulse oximeter consists of a light-sensitive sensor called the photodiode which measures the red and infrared light emitted by transmitters. Sunlight and other bright lights in the measurement room, when incident on the photoreceivers, can interfere and produce an inaccurate reading.

Avoid Movement

The movement of the patient is also a crucial factor that can lead to an inaccurate reading by the pulse oximeter. If the patient is shaking or shivering, wait until they are steady.

Keep the Battery Fully Charged

The power of the transmitted light will eventually depend on the charge of the battery. If the battery is not on a full charge, it might not be able to transmit a standard amount of power. This will ultimately lead to a wrong reading.

Watch the Readings Carefully

If you are suspecting of COVID symptoms, it is extremely important that you monitor the readings from time to time. The normal SpO2 level lies between 95% to 99%. If the reading falls below 94%, consult a medical professional immediately.

Hot Technology Topics with Top World Business

In this blog, we have come across the reasons for the increasing demand for pulse oximeter during COVID-19. Likewise, we understood the definition and the working principle of this genius device. We also talked about the procedures that COVID patients should follow while measuring the oxygen saturation in the blood. Finally, we talked about the key things that we should consider for proper measurement so that we can avoid panic and fatalities.

Top World Business is a one-stop place for all the technology-related news from every corner of the globe. Our aim is to keep you updated on recent and future tech trends so you can use them to your advantage. Contact us if you have any further queries.

Twitter Blue: What to Expect as a New Subscription Product?

May 26, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Twitter Blue: A Subscription Product Solution to Twitter’s Revenue

Twitter, undeniably, is a global phenomenon. However, it is a common complaint that Twitter users still don’t have all the power features for their daily tweeting needs.

But, things are about to change as Twitter gears up for a major upgrade with its Twitter Blue, a paid subscription product for the app. Twitter appears to listen to its followers: it reportedly has developed solutions for its users that will give them what they wanted for the longest time, such as access to exclusive features that will let them experience Twitter like never before.

Before diving deep into Twitter Blue’s new features, here’s a piece of quick background information on Twitter’s plans for getting ahead of the profit game.

Twitter’s Plan for a New Revenue Stream

It turns out, subscription products like Twitter Blue are not a new idea. Offering a paid subscription service is something that the company has been considering for quite some time now.

This significant change to its business model highlights the need to shift to another means for generating profit since, previously, Twitter has mainly relied on advertising for its revenue.

Keeping Up With the Socmed Rivals

A subscription product is part of a plan which is given a high priority due to the pandemic and pressure from investors to accelerate growth for Twitter to keep up with its rivals like Facebook and Snapchat.

Social networking apps usually stay free to encourage user growth and engagement. As a result, this lack of profit gets subsidized with paid marketing posts.

If you didn’t know, most of Twitter’s revenue is from targeted advertising. Target advertising works on aiming promoted posts at specific users from different sub-groups. But, this business model has made Twitter grow at a slower pace than its competitors.

Struggle with Subscription Products

In Twitter’s case, a subscription option of some kind will not just offer sales “durability,” but also a recurring revenue stream that is more promising, as it is more consistent than ads.

Subscriptions have always been a compelling alternative to advertising. Twitter has beaten around subscription ideas for years as it struggled with the idea of charging any of its features.

At the same time, as it mulled over this new idea of a new revenue stream, competitors like Facebook rejected the idea as well. In addition, there is also fear that a subscription product might betray the idea of free, open use that Twitter’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, envisions.

Testing Paid Subscription Plans

Twitter finally got over its fears of starting a new revenue stream, and its paid subscription plan manifested through Twitter Blue. Its first subscribers will be social media marketers as well as agencies that manage accounts of influential people.

Starting this June, the first rolling out of Twitter Blue has already occurred in Australia and Canada. According to Twitter officials, this initial phase aims to understand what will make users’ Twitter experience more customized, expressive, and “speaking.”

What’s New with Twitter Blue

A Twitter Blue subscription, which is an initial set of features developed based on feedback, entails a set of exclusive features and perks, which include the following:

Bookmark Folders

An easy way to better organize your saved content allows you to organize the Tweets you’ve saved by letting you have content management controls.

Undo Tweet

This feature allows you to revise your Tweet before going live if you had a typo or forgot to tag someone. With Undo Tweet, you are allowed to set a customizable timer of up to 30 seconds to click ‘Undo’ before your Tweet gets sent.

Reader Mode

A more beautiful reading experience will make it easier for you to browse long Twitter threads by turning them into easy-to-read text that allows you to read content seamlessly.

User Customization

Customizable app icons for their device’s home screen and fun colour themes for their Twitter app are also available through Twitter Blue.

Pricing

If you subscribe, you will get all these features CAD 3.49 or AUD 4.49 monthly. Twitter Blue will be first available in its supported markets on iOS only.

Pooling More Revenues

Twitter emphasized that the launch of Twitter Blue doesn’t mean that the free version of Twitter would change or be gone. Twitter Blue adds enhancements and complementary features to Twitter’s free version to upgrade a user’s existing Twitter experience.

Twitter wouldn’t say, however, when Twitter Blue will arrive in the U.S. or other markets. But, its former behaviour can be analyzed for some context, though, when Twitter launched Fleets first in spring 2020 and didn’t roll out this feature globally until November. We can’t be sure if Twitter Blue would follow a similar path, as Twitter declined to comment.

Twitter has reportedly struggled to grow its user base over the years. As a result, it started focusing on generating more money from its loyal users instead. These user experience upgrade plans will include offering tools to creators, including the Super Follow subscription and Twitter Blue.

But, it seems like the subscription service isn’t just a way to serve Twitter’s power users better. Rather, it’s more of a way to deviate from its current reliance on advertising revenue as Twitter’s only source of profit.

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Should You Be Worried About the Growing Use of Industrial Robots?

May 14, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Will the Use of Industrial Robots Threaten Your Job?

The use of industrial robots has greatly increased since the turn of the century. As the technology becomes more advanced and costs go down, more and more industries will consider its integration. Likewise, artificial intelligence will facilitate learning and decision-making in machines. According to the World Economic Forum, smart machines will take over 80 million jobs in the next five years. The percentage of machines in the workforce will increase from 30% at present to more than 50% within the next five years.

Most importantly, millions of people have already lost their jobs as businesses took hit during the recent coronavirus pandemic. When things come back to normal, some of them might never recover their jobs. Employers have found it cost-effective to automate some of the jobs that humans perform daily. Likewise, computers are less error-prone given that the operator correctly instructs them.

So, we must understand that the use of industrial robots will be more pronounced in the coming years. And, if we want to survive in this dynamic environment, we must assess its impacts on our jobs. This will help us upgrade and update our skills so that they will remain relevant even during heavy use of automation.

Where Will They Be Mostly Used?

The use of industrial robots is already growing across multiple industries. In the coming years, the development and manufacturing of smart, decision-making robots will become cost-effective. Therefore, repetitive, manual labour in a non-changing, predictable environment will be more vulnerable. In the following section, we will discuss some of the key industries that will see a growth in the use of industrial robots.

Manufacturing

It is a no-brainer that the use of industrial robots will increase in the field of manufacturing in the coming years. Since the turn of the century, more than 1.5 million jobs in the manufacturing sector have been lost to robots. According to Oxford Economics, robots could replace up to 20 million jobs by the end of this decade. Most of these replacements will take place in China, where the manufacturing of smart robots is becoming more cost-effective. The typical jobs carried out by robots include pick and place, assembly and disassembly, product inspection and testing, and tasks like painting and welding.

So, should you be worried about your job in the factory? It depends on what you do. If your task is repetitive and requires no personalization and customization, robots may do it more efficiently and 24/7. Even if it requires some intelligence, advancement in AI can make this possible. However, some tasks are best if left to humans. First, there must be a supervisor who will inspect if the robots are working properly. Second, creativity is more natural in humans and also more cost-effective. Most importantly, we will need humans to program, service, and operate these robots. The bottom line is that your job will likely change than disappear, and you must prepare for it now.

Healthcare and Medicine

Healthcare and medicine are where the use of industrial robots has been successful over the past few decades. In the coming years, intelligent robots will cause a loss of a number of jobs. However, on the bright side, it will also create other types of jobs. Therefore, humans and robots will work together and complement each other just like now. It is only that the jobs will be different from what they are now. Furthermore, healthcare and medicine require close human contact, empathy, and understanding. Similarly, it will take time before people can be assured that robots will work in life-and-death situations.

Construction

In construction, the use of industrial robots will increase as compared to what it is now. There is a great potential for automation in tasks like excavation and grading. However, they will not replace the human factor. Construction is a critical job where machines cannot be left out on their own. When humans are freed from tiring, repetitive labor, they will move into more skilful tasks, inspection and supervision. Likewise, operating and programming the robots will always be necessary as changes in the working environment occur. Furthermore, construction is an industry where there is already a great shortage of human workers.

Retail

Retail is where the use of industrial robots will be more pronounced in the coming years. As they become equipped with more intelligence and abilities, they will be able to carry out most of the repetitive human tasks. What does this mean for human workers, then? This means that humans will be engaged in high-value, high-skill jobs like customer service, interaction, and sales. E-commerce giant Amazon has already developed a program to help its employees quit jobs that can be more efficiently handled by automation. Under the Delivery Services Partner program, Amazon will pay its employees $10,000 to start their own Amazon delivery business.

What Should You Do Now?

So, how do we prepare for the inevitable growing use of industrial robots across multiple industries in the future? We prepare for the change by changing ourselves. First, we must accept that our knowledge and skills cannot stay constant in this dynamic world. The following are tips and habits that will make you relevant no matter the level of automation that we adopt.

Always Keep Learning

If we want to survive in this information age, we must keep learning new skills and sharpening the existing ones. The good news is that you need not pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in sophisticated college education. There are tons of free resources on the Internet that can prepare you for the new age. If you want a heads up, focus on problem-solving, creativity, and management skills because we will be better than robots in these for a significant future.

Learn to Collaborate with Robots

The future of work will likely be the collection of intelligent humans and machines. Therefore, instead of being afraid of losing your job, prepare your knowledge and skills that help you to collaborate. Most of the operation, programming, and supervision of machines in the workplace will be done by humans.

Communicate With Your Employer

One of the best things you can do now is to communicate with your employer about your concerns. If possible, ask for new types of jobs that will help you practice your new knowledge and skills. Most importantly, understand that the ball is in your court and what you do now will impact your future.

Never Miss an Update in Tech with Top World Business

In this blog, we have learned about the use of industrial robots and how they will have a major role to play in the future of work. We understood the statistics about when, where, and how automation will impact the job market. Similarly, we talked about the use cases of these robots in multiple industries and how humans’ jobs can change. Finally, we concluded with some tips and habits that will help you prepare for the future of automation.

What the Recent Tesla Crash Means For the Self Driving Industry

May 13, 2021/in Technology News/by Top World Business

Recent Tesla Crash Raising Safety Concerns Of Self-Driving Vehicles

The recent Tesla crash in Texas on April 17, 2021, killed two people after colliding into a tree and catching fire. According to the officials, nobody was in the driver’s seat. However, Tesla contradicts this statement saying that the driver was indeed on his seat during the crash. Likewise, data obtained from the car showed that autopilot assistance was not used during the crash.

Not the Only Recent Self-Driving Mishap

The recent Tesla crash is not the only self-driving mishap. In January 2016, the first known fatal crash involving a Tesla autopilot system occurred in Hubei in China. Likewise, in May 2016, the second fatal incident took place in Florida when a Model S on autopilot mode crashed with a tractor-trailer. Similarly, in March 2018, a Model X crashed into a roadside barrier in California and caught fire, killing the driver.

Other self-driving companies like Waymo and Uber are no strangers to these incidents. Waymo reports about 18 crashes during the whole of 2019 and the first nine months of 2020. However, none of these crashes was fatal and nobody was seriously hurt. Furthermore, nearly all incidents involved the negligence of the human driver or the pedestrians. Similarly, it also reports about 29 near collisions which forced the driver to take control of the car.

On the other hand, Uber was part of a fatal accident in March 2018 that killed Elaine Herzberg. However, it was found that the backup driver had been visually distracted watching an episode of The Voice.

Strained Relations with the Investigators

The recent Tesla crash also sheds some light on the strained relationships between Tesla and the investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that Tesla is not a party to the investigation of the accident. The difficulty in their relations started when Tesla prematurely disclosed investigative information before its conclusion during the 2018 California crash.

Understanding the Nature of Self-Driving

Self-driving vehicles are a very complex piece of technology made up of multiple interconnected components. Likewise, they operate in a very complex setting consisting of a lot of static and moving objects. Furthermore, the maturity of this technology will only increase as the vehicles gain real-world experience.

Even though these intelligent vehicles are named self-driving, we cannot rely upon them entirely. Lack of this knowledge is a major reason for most of the mishaps and the blame game.

Instead, we must understand the different levels of vehicle automation and know where we sit at present.

The Society of Automotive Engineers defines six levels of automation. Level 0 refers to the state of no vehicle automation and requires full human control. On the other hand, Level 5 refers to full automation requiring no human control or attention. In the following section, we understand the various levels of automation and the roles of the vehicle and the human driver at each level.

Level 0

In Level 0 automation, the vehicle is fully controlled by a human driver. This includes steering, accelerating, braking, and all other necessary controls. However, the vehicle assists the driver with features like collision warning, emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Most of the vehicles that are on the roads today lie in this level of automation. However, automobile manufacturers are working on self-driving technologies but we are yet to see how far they will take it.

Level 1

Level 1 automation is also referred to as Driver Assistance. In this case, the driver has to be attentive in his seat at all times. However, the vehicle features some advanced control over Level 0 automation. The most common example is adaptive cruise control. This feature keeps a safe distance from vehicles that are right in front of you.

Level 2

Level 2, also known as Partial Driving Automation contains advanced automation features over Level 0 and Level 1. Advanced Driving Assistance Systems, or ADAS, can take over control of steering, acceleration, and braking. However, it is immature to sudden changes in its environment which means the driver must be attentive at all times and ready to take control. The recent Tesla crash sheds light on the abilities and inabilities of this level of automation. Likewise, it shows why drivers must be educated thoroughly about their responsibilities.

Level 3

Level 3 automation is where things get interesting. It is a significant leap over the lower levels and drivers don’t need to supervise in normal conditions. The vehicle can make necessary decisions in normal weather conditions, speed, and road types. However, in case of emergencies, the driver must be able to take control immediately.

Level 4

Level 4 is referred to as a high level of automation. In specific external conditions, the driver can hand over the entire control of the vehicle to the automation systems. Based on intelligent systems, it can take all the necessary decisions even in case of emergencies. However, since this technology matures with experience, it might not work in all types of external conditions like weather, road types, obstacles, etc.

Level 5

Level 5 is the ultimate level of automation where you can just get inside your car and it will take you anywhere you want. You can take a nap or watch your favourite sitcom while the vehicle does all the driving and decision-making.

Making Self-Driving Successful

It is no doubt that self-driving cars will be a revolutionary technology in this century. Even though events like the recent Tesla crash raise concerns about safety, it is our duty to collaborate as much as we can to ensure its success. The following points must be taken into account by all stakeholders in order to facilitate a seamless self-driving future.

Safety must be the first priority for everyone involved in this ecosystem. Therefore, companies with expertise in different technologies can collaborate to build the best possible systems.
The maturity of self-driving vehicles will increase with data and experience. Therefore, information sharing between thousands of vehicles will become important.
There must be close collaboration between regulators and developers so that critical technologies like this are transparent in every stage of development.
Customers and users must carefully follow the guidelines stated by companies and regulators.

Recent Tech Trends with Top World Business

In this blog, we have learned about the recent Tesla crash and why a mix of automation and ignorance can lead to such mishaps. Likewise, we talked about some of the major accidents involving a self-driving car. Then, we came across the definitions of different levels of automation as described by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Finally, we concluded with a number of key considerations that all stakeholders must follow to ensure the success and survival of this exciting technology.