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Getting to Know More about the Upgrades of Pro Plus 2021 Edition

This NerfUsed webpage offers information that dispell impressions that the Professional Plus 2021 software is merely a package name that replaced the 2019 Pro Plus edition. First off in the list of improvements to the 2021 Edition are the additional Microsoft products. Aside from Word, PowerPoint and Excel, the new package includes Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Access and Publisher.

The Pro Plus 2021 edition’s interface comes with a more concise design as it makes use of monoline icons. Moreover, the upgrade includes a broad selection of stock images as it automatically receives new supplementary content.

Actually, the Microsoft Pro Plus 2021 edition is a bespoke software designed specifically for corporate users deemed to have increased need for functionality and security. Nevertheless, any professional who needs office and productivity tools that enable management of documents and analysis of data, will experience satisfaction in transitioning to the 2021 edition.

A Closer Look at the Improvements and New Features of the 2021 Professional Plus

Below are some examples of the enhancements and fresh features that enable users to improve productivity in the creation of documents, presentations,and spreadsheets. All of which can be shared for collaborative work.

Improvements in Word 2021 include the “dark mode” that aim to lessen eye strain as a result of prolonged text chores. Additionally, the new Word version has preset background color schemes to reduce eye fatigue by allowing page customization according to color preferences.

Innovations in Excel 2021 deemed useful for data manipulation include the XLOOKUP, a function that permits quick recapture of data appearing in tables and ranges. Furthermore, the XMATCH allows locating items in their relative position in a lineup.

Other Excel 2021 improvements include a dynamic array of functions such as Filter, Randarray, Sort, Sortby, Sequence and Unique several other capabilities for expanding the processing and exploiting of data: Additionally, Excel now has the LET function, which allows saving of common calculations performed by way of the spreadsheet’s native formula syntax.

The new PowerPoint 2021 features include capability for adding handwritten drawings that can be enhanced with animation effects to create dynamic presentations. Moreover, slideshows can sembling real-time hand drawings can be stored in GIF format making them shareable in social media networks and messaging platforms.

Other improvements include cloud autosave, collaborative editing in real-time, data analysis and other features that the 2021 Pro Plus edition a powerful and versatile solution designed to support businesses regardless of scale.

Delving Into the Combination of Cloud Computing, Microservices and DevOps as a Growing Trend

The latest trend in software development today represents a combination of cloud computing technologies, microservices architecture and DevOps practices. We know that cloud computing refers to the rendering of computing services over the Internet to reduce if not eliminate capital expenditures and operating costs. We also comprehend that DevOps are practices and tools combined to increase a developer’s ability to efficiently deliver services and applications at a faster rate than the conventional software development processes.

What is Microservices Architecture and How Does It Make Cloud Computing More Advantageous?

The concept of microservices architecture, refers to an architectural style of developing a large application that is segmented into smaller parts that can be called on to respond independently in accordance with its own field of responsibility. This concept first came around in 2013 and is now catching up fast into becoming a mainstream component of cloud computing.

As a DevOps approach in the delivery of state-of-the-art applications, a microservices-based application involves the creation of a large chunk of application that can call on several segments of smaller internal applications in composing a response.

Cloud-based microservices means several applications are deployed, updated and can be scaled independently while supported by the performance of the monolithic application. The distributed applications can run simultaneously and independently in the performance of cloud computing services such as servers, database, storage, software, analytics and networking.

After all the main advantages of using cloud computing resources is to eliminate the need to invest capital for expensive software and hardware, as well as reduce costs of electricity, of running data centers and servers, and in cutting down IT expenses for managing infrastructure

Microservices architecture design in software development has revolutionised the way programs are created, deployed and maintained. The development of a more nimble software lifecycle of connecting appropriate digital services and resources can support an efficient and secure system of operation. Doing so can make the use of cloud computing services result in greater competitive advantages for businesses.

NIST Developed Software to Make Scientific and Technical Documents Easier to Read

The growing reliance on the Internet for education information makes it important to give equal access to young people with impairments. While many find it intimidatingly difficult to read math and physics formulas in engineering papers, others have trouble viewing them as reading materials in the first place.

The good news is that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a tool to make these types of papers easier to read for people with visual disabilities.

The tool, which NIST calls LaTeXML, can read a LaTeX source file. It can also build an alternate document that it can convert into HTML. Actually, it has already been adopted in a major way, as NIST’s LaTeXML was the tool used in building the online version of the Digital Library of Mathematical Functions.

How NIST’s LaTeXML Works

Generally, new research papers are distributed as Portable Document Format (PDF) files, which many find difficult to read. Yet Bruce Miller, a physicist at NIST who specializes in math software, asserts that using PDF as media is a mismatch for formula presentation. According to Miller PDF cannot be easily repurposed for use in another form of media to make the formulas legible in other screens like smartphones or tablets.
Since the 1990s, HTML was used to convert a typical format to make the content of a webpage more accessible and usable to all, particularly those who have reading disabilities. HTML can adjust the layout, look and behavior of the text displayed by research papers, but it depends on the context.
Modern HTML now includes extensions, that permit webpages to “re-flow” and take form in another size. In doing so, text automatically adjusts and repositions itself in order to fit the new boundaries of a device screen. Modern HTML also makes it possible for a machine to read math formulas aloud. Such a capability gives access even to those who cannot read the text themselves.
In light of certain limitations, Miller encountered problems in creating digital versions of more than a thousand pages of NIST’s highly revered Handbook of Mathematical Functions as the documents were prepared by way of LaTex.
LaTex, by the way, is a document preparation process using high-quality typesetting. LaTex as it is, uses a system ideal for preparing medium-to-large scientific or technical documents.
Nevertheless, as a solution to the problem of converting NIST’s massive Handbook of Mathematical Functions, Miller developed the software called LaTeXML. The software permitted the conversion of LaTex-prepared source documents into HTML files.

Instagram Reels – Likes That Lead to Interactions, Best Indicators of Effective SMM

Short video clips are making waves in social media platforms, which makes acquiring instagram reels like quite important for effective social media marketing (SMM). Instagram image posts overshadow Instagram Reels, as they make up about 42% of all fresh Instagram content for the day. Yet it has been noted in recent survey studies that Reels garner the most number of Likes; denoting that the short videos are reaching the right audience.

Instagram Reels and Their Use in Instagram Marketing

Even more impressive is that the Reels Likes result in Interactions and Engagements, which is significant in Instagram Marketing. Likes that result in interactions and engagements can greatly influence the position of an image or video post in the platform’s Feed Ranking System.

In addition to the Default feeds appearing in the account of every IG user, video clips posted as Reels content, will have related feed posts appearing in the Explore page.

The Explore page is for all categories and all IG users, as its function is to furnish information about the latest Reels posts that could be of interest to any IG user, regardless of whether or not the video content creator is a follower or is being followed by an IG audience.

Why are Reels Popular?

Apparently, short video clips have found favour among Gen Zs and Gen Alpha, many of whom are also TikTokers. Instagram Reels are snappy, having the characteristics of being brief but concise about information shared with other users who have similar interests for such topics. Information provided could be beneficial or useful for the target audience; or have great relevance to a brand of product or service being promoted by the Reels video clip.

Some examples of popular Reels video clips include demos of how the content creator does creative work; or how he practises to achieve skills-improvement, or show behind-the-scene scenes

Even YouTube has Shorts to offer its social media users, to keep up with the hype over the use of short form video content. Yet compared to Instagram Reels, YouTube clips are shorter, lasting only for 60 seconds. Reels can be as long as 90 seconds, which is equivalent to one and a half minutes. Yet YouTube Shorts boast of being high resolution video clips.

Still, interested audiences looking for a more polished version of Instagram Reels can view them as video format in Facebook Reels. The FB Reels content is also available in FB’s Watch page, complete with audio, music and Augmented Reality (AR) effect whenever applicable.

Instagram is highly reputed for its core focus on content with aesthetic appeal, which is one of the reasons why social media netizens between ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 are more inclined to view Insta Reels over TikTok. TikTok video clips are fantastic but they are mostly raw, unpolished and less likely to be structured.

Combining Software Marketing and Instagram Marketing to Reach Software Consumers

Call of Dragons: Understanding the Concept of Talent Tree Builds

While focused on building your Call of Dragons economic resources, do not lose sight of techniques to make the most of your heroes with talent trees. Talent trees have a huge bearing in building your COD heroes because in this video game, there’s a tree for every task, from gathering, to rallying, defending and fighting behemoths.

It’s important for your hero to have a suitable talent tree build. Seasoned COD gamers are saying that players can use the same heroes and similar powers in fighting against the same opponent, but, the player whose heroes have better talent tree builds is sure to win the battle.

That is why training your fighters should take place early in the game.

What is a Talent Tree?Understanding the Concept of Talent Tree Builds

Understanding talent tree builds in COD requires awareness of the following conditions:

1. Talent tree builds work only on your primary or most basic hero. This denotes you have to consult the recent COD Tier List to know if your hero has talent trees at its disposal.

2. It’s a must for you to unlock the Foundation Talent to be able to access other talents.

3. Make sure that your primary hero will receive the maximum level of talent there is; although this all depends on the COD talent paths that a hero is designed to undertake.

What Does the COD Talent Tree Software Do?
The COD talent trees software includes the implementation of talents already available prior to patch 5.0. 4. The software arranges the active and passive talents into separate ‘trees’, which players can access in exchange for sufficient talent points.

As a newbie, you have often come across recommendations for you to join the League of Order faction. One of the important reasons for this is that its primary hero Waldyr has access to a lot of trees, including the “Magic Tree.” Continuously bear in mind that this is a Real Time Strategy (RTS) game, to which Waldyr as support can help you make quick and rational decisions.

An Example of Talent Tree Build

Aside from the League of Order, the Wilderburg Faction is also a popular choice, featuring Bakhar as primary hero. Under peaceful circumstances, Bakhar’s talent is to trade with other kingdoms.
Yet Bakhar is an aggressive Wilderburg hero with exceptional swiftness and mobility that he exhibits during PVP battles. His talent tree build focuses on doing PVP battles so he can fill up vacant army positions. Bakhar works best in surprising PVP opponents from behind and then beating them up.

ChatGPT – Get to Know OpenAI’s AI Creator Platform

Quick Info about Call of Dragons Talent Trees

In preparation for Farlight’s forthcoming game, Rise of Kingdom players can end their search for info about Call of Dragons talent tree by visiting this web page. While the mechanics of the new Real Time Strategy simulation game is largely similar to Rise of Kingdom, the new goal is to build units that players can grow into villages and cities by gathering and farming for resources. However, it’s not going to be easy because they will encounter monstrous dragons whose participation in the game is to take away whatever resources players have and destroy units, villages and cities.

Choosing a Faction in Which to Build a Hero

The Call of Dragons (COD) storyline revolves around three warring factions whose leaders/commanders eventually decided to stop fighting. Chiefly because they had to engage in battles against a common enemy: fearsome and ferocious dragons. This explains why every COD hero can be placed in any one of three different paths.

Knowing about Talent Tree builds is an important factor to ensure the hero you will be sending out is capable of protecting your resources and units. Based on the preferred faction, a primary hero will take on specific tasks and activities in performing its role.

However, it’s a must for players to strategize by empowering his hero with the skills and abilities he needs when facing and overcoming challenges. Otherwise, it could mean death and destruction in the early stages of the game.

Game developer Legou assures future Call of Dragon players that they have developed a Talent Tree for every hero. So far, the COD mobile software has existing skill-builders that have been tested by seasoned video gamers who are happy with the accuracy of the results on how their heroes perform.

Important Things New COD Players Must Keep in Mind

When playing Call of Dragons for the first time, bear in mind that your initial mission is to complete as many events and quests as you possibly can. Doing so will lead to the unlocking of more game content, including the Foundation that unlocks the Talent Tree feature.

Since there are three factions, namely the humans or the League of Order, the elves, a.k.a. The Springwardens and the orcs or the Wilderburgs. Most first time players choose to join the League of Order for purposes of simplicity in learning about the game mechanics.

Once the Foundation gets unlocked, the skills and capabilities for building your primary hero will become accessible and available as achievement rewards. The Talent Tree though, is not available to the other heroes you have chosen as members of your team. Although the Talent Tree will help maximize the skills of the primary hero, it’s also important to choose the other best Call of Dragons heroes that can provide support using their own basic skills.

Keeping Huawei Nova 2 Plus Alive and Selling in Bangladesh

The repercussions of the espionage controversy against China’s tech giant Huawei, had thwarted the company’s well-planned bid to lead the global 5G technology. In Bangladesh, many users of Huawei Nova 2i still have high hopes that the tech giant will be able to work out ways that will see to the addition of Google Mobile Services (GMS) as a future software update. Many among them are Nova 2 plus users who attest to the excellence of Huawei smartphones. Yet other countries followed suit in banning Huawei, convinced that the smartphone will open up more can of worms regarding China’s espionage activities.

Barred from using Android as an operating system, Huawei Nova 2 plus runs on an android-derived operating system eoftwdeveloped in 2012 by Huawei for its smartphone and tablets.

Technology experts noticed a trend as Huawei’s next focus was to develop the Nova 2 smartphones that are capable of performing well in the 5G network. Yet global organizations have run campaigns and protest actions against China’s 5G wireless network.

Conspiracy theories aside, the contention of anti-5G activists is that the spread of China’s 5G radio emissions across different cell sites are harmful to human and animal health. The US has in fact carried out a $25 million National Toxicology Program to study the effects of exposure to 5G radio frequency radiation. The study concluded that the radio frequency currently used by smartphones can cause cancer.

Is Huawei Nova 2 Plus in Bangladesh Worth Its Market Price

Nova 2 plus price in Bangladesh starts at BDT. 34,200.

The smartphones in this series have varying internal storage bases of 4 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM. It has been several years since the spyware issue sent Huawei production on a decline. Users are hoping that eventually, all becomes well and will end well.

While the Nova 2 plus is not as fast and powerful as Huawei had planned it to be, it packs enough power for the average user. This is quite important for people who multitask with their smartphone. Despite the absence of Google Mobile Services, the phones’ performance is regarded by most users as smooth and fluid.

Moreover Nova 2 plus is ideal for gaming purposes because the 5.5-inch LCD display delivers bright and vivid images. Yet it cannot be denied that Nova 2 Plus is the Chinese tech company’s best selfie smartphone ever. It has a front camera with 20MP resolution and dual rear cameras with 12MP + 8MP resolutions.

Now here’s the thing: when using Huawei, the company is under obligation to turn over all data gathered by users of Huawei to help the ruling Communist Party keep track of whoever it wants to monitor.

Microsoft Set to Improve Microsoft Teams with Sign Language View

Microsoft recently announced the addition of Sign Language View to Microsoft Teams, to make sign language interpreters more visible in the collaboration software. The forthcoming update will give MT users who have hearing problems the option to access two video feeds, where one has the sign language interpreter at the center and in a bigger aspect at the front of the screen.

Sign Language View (SLV) is designed to help those with hearing difficulties experience better engagement during the cloud-based business meetings. The SLV feed makes possible a larger and clearer view of the interpreter while only those signed-in to the SLV feature can see the special feed.

In cases when a participant shares content during an ongoing meeting, the SLV signer’s video feed moves to the side to spotlight the shared content, but will still maintain a bigger aspect to present a clear view of the interpreter. This kind of setup is visible only to SLV signers while the regular MT participants view the conventional MT feeds.

As indicated in the Microsoft 365 roadmap, the Sign Language View will be available to desktop and browser-accessed Microsoft Teams sometime in December 2022. Actually, some lucky MT clients had been chosen by Microsoft to beta test the features on a per user basis via the Team’s Public Preview program.

How to Set Up the SLV Feature for MT Meetings

Sign Language View can be activated on a case-to-case basis or for all meetings, while only sign language interpreters working in the same company will be pre-assigned prior to the holding of an online MT meeting.

Through the Settings Menu and the Manage Signers button in the Accessibility pane, the MT collab leader or designate, needs only to type in the name of the pre-assigned Interpreter. Doing so will enable the assigned person to enter the meeting as a sign language interpreter.

What Makes Edge Computing a Critical Aspect of IoT

The time it takes for cloud computing to complete client communication was an issue that affected the popularity of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). In other cases, swift communications by way of cloud computing require greater bandwidth. Yet such issues, especially when and where the use of IoT devices are concerned, have been solved through edge computing.

What Exactly is Edge Computing?

In cloud computing. all resources are being controlled by a central system of a network, which collects and processes all data before computing takes place. As a result, there is latency or an ensuing lag, which transpires before the server can perform action, which in turn affects the efficiency of an IoT device.

Edge computing came into fore to solve latency issues by making the computing actions and communications take place in real time. To do so, it became important to bring data collection and storage capabilities at the edge of a network.

Computing at the edge of a network minimizes the latency or the amount of time it takes for an IoT device to receive data that will enable it to perform a feature action. These actions are critical considering the huge amount of data that networks organize, store and process, especially in remote locations that have limited or no connectivity at all to a central network

This year, the global market for edge computing is estimated to reach $6.72 billion, with IoT devices playing important roles in getting people to interact without meed to touch surfaces and at a safe ftom each other.

Low Code Platforms : Highlighting Their Role in Today’s Shift to Digitalization

Low-code in software development is a quick approach for the creation and delivery of automation solutions needed by businesses in their shift to digitalization. Based on a research conducted by Frevvo, low code platforms are responsible for the 40% reduction of dependency on high technical skills. Moreover, they can help quicken the digital transformation of businesses at a rate of 69% by the year 2024.

A low-code development platform allows users to create the code faster and effortlessly. Platform users do not need to go through the conventional way of programming, as the platform provides a Graphical User Interface specifically for that purpose. The tools that can be accessed not only aids in lessening the time and effort spend on coding, as it also makes setup and deployment of solutions quicker.

These platforms simply allow users to draw a flowchart and the platform will automatically generate the codes, which lessens the time spent in typing the code per line.

Benefits Businesses Derive from Using Low-Code Development Platforms

There are a lot of benefits furnished by low-code development platforms mainly because they offer tools that can be used in the development of process and mobile applications to improve user-experiences of customers.

Business organizations also gain advantage from the use of a low code platforms when looking to improve or enhance their agility by making processes less complex.

Through a company’s existing talents and use of the built-in collaboration tools, cross-functioning with the low code development teams will enable the company to quickly arrive at decisions.

Other benefits of low-code platforms include reduced cost in having a business app developed in less time, which leads to higher productivity among workers.

UK NGESO to Solve Solar Energy Dilemma with Open Climate Fix’s AI

Non-profit Open Climate Fix’s deal of creating an AI powered tracking system has now been signed by UK’s National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO). The tracking system can forecast cloud movements by minutes and hours instead of days. The AI can improve solar forecasting accuracy by 50% as its predictions match the solar panels’ exact locations.

The project is funded by Ofgem, UK’s energy regulator and commenced last August and is expected to attain completion within 18 months.

Solving The Solar Dilemma

The unpredictability of solar and wind energy makes maintaining the balance of supply and demand for the country’s electricity grid, much harder for NGESO. As an approach to solving this problem, the ability of Open Climate Fix’s machine-learning model to read satellite images and recognize where and how the clouds will move, will provide accurate solar and wind forecasts.

NGESO’s head of Innovation Strategy and Digital Transformation Carolina Tortora, said that accurate forecasts are significantly important for weather-dependent energy generation. Especially when they are dealing with solar and wind as a way to operate a low carbon electricity system.

Ms. Tortora added that in being confident with the accuracy of the solar and wind forecasts, they can let fossil fuel remain idle, as there will be more certainty in generating green energy produced by the sun and wind.

Smart Mirrors in Smart Fitting Rooms : Enhancing the Advantage of Physical Outlets Over Online Stores

A critical setback in shopping for apparels online is the inability of online buyers to visualize if a particular outfit would look good on them. Prior to the boom of online shopping as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, market researchers found out that most buyers window shop via online stores; but make actual purchases in physical outlets. To further enhance the shopping experience of customers, high-end boutiques made their fitting rooms smarter by adding Smart Mirrors that allow customers to try on different styles and sizes without the need to remove and put on garments several times over.

Now more than ever, smart fitting rooms with Smart Mirrors are likewise changing the shopping scenes in physical stores, in order to make their business advantage over online stores continue to work.

Yet the technology is something that ecommerce software developers are also working on in order to make the online shopping experience for garments at par, or even better. After all, online stores run on digital technology, to which adding another application that can meet the capabilities of smart fitting rooms, is not as difficult to accomplish.

How Do Smart Mirrors Work in a Smart Fitting Room?

A Smart Mirror allows boutique shoppers to see themselves wearing variations in colors and sizes of a garment they want to buy. Instead of having to change clothes when trying out different garments, shoppers find it easier to decide which style, color and/or size of clothes are the best fit.

Even if their original choice does not work out well for them, shoppers can simply look for alternative choices by way of the touchscreen Smart Mirror. Since the touch screen can detect a customer’s size, shape, body contour and measurements it can also present other garments as recommendations.

The Smart Mirror works by way of a motion sensor and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, with both technologies working together in recognizing the physical shape and size of the customer as well as identifying the garments brought inside the fitting room by the customer.

The entire physical store experience is made even better if the Smart Fitting Room is also equipped with POS systems; enabling a shopper to complete the purchase before stepping out of the smart fitting room.
Smart fitting rooms provide customers the ability to call for store assistance in ordering the color, size or new garment they want to buy just to make sure they are making the right buying decision/s.

In addition, the garments have RFID tags, which can detect if an item is being taken out of the physical store without completion of the payment process that includes removal of the RFID tag.

Understanding Why a Business Should Have a Customer Service Portal

Customer service portals are secure and private websites that make it easier for customers to access needed information about a firm’s products and services. In doing so, customers are usually required to log-in to their account to use a specific portal. Customer service portals may include a payment system in addition to product or case information, account history, methods for customers to upload and download digital info, as well access as other support mechanisms.

Portals solely for the purpose of customer service can improve customer satisfaction as a means to increase revenues and at the same reduce lessen costs by at least 30%. To achieve optimum cost-cutting results, it’s important that a portal is well-designed with features that automate assistance to reduce call volume. Customer service portals can enhance your merchandising whether a company is selling business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C).

What Makes a Well-Designed Customer Service Portal

A well-designed customer service portal has the following four key characteristics:

Provides a lot of intuitive features that make the website very user-friendly.

Acts as a Virtual Salesperson with 24/7 availability – When acting as a virtual salesperson, a customer service portal must be supported by intelligence that will ensure customer satisfaction that can lead to up-selling and cross-selling. Furthermore, it must be equipped with a rich catalog that includes lists of the company’s services and products.

Make Payments easier for customers, whether by credit card, debit card or any other online payment method. Moreover, it allows issuance of invoice online when customers make an actual purchase or when they place their order.

Exhibiting Genuine Customer Care – While accepting orders from customers is important it’s also vital to make sure requests and complaints are immediately addressed. Providing constant update on the status of their order is also a process that customers highly appreciate and prefer

A Quick Look at Quantum Computing as Explained in Simpler Terms

Quantum computing is the latest technological trend in computing that is enabling industry professionals to achieve astounding scientific breakthroughs. While quantum can be understood as the smallest unit of a physical property like matter or energy, its use in quantum computing is a bit difficult to grasp for ordinary folks.

After all, the field of quantum computing, mainly involves individuals who have broad understanding and experience with quantum mechanics, linear algebra and theories about probability, machine learning and information.

A Simple Explanation of Quantum Computing from Forbes

A Forbes 2017 magazine article written by Bernard Marr, a strategic business and tech advisor to companies and government, describes quantum computing in simpler terms. According to Marr, quantum computers use qubits, which is short for quantum bits, instead of the bits that traditional computers are using.

To describe the difference between qubits and bits, Marr explained that a bit can take position on any of the two poles of a sphere. A qubit on the other hand, can be at any point within a sphere. A sphere in computers is the programming architecture framework supporting storage of data collected for processing.

This denotes that quantum computers make use of qubits that have the ability to keep huge amounts of info and at the same time, use less energy compared to traditional computers. Through a quantum sphere, computing can open gateways for new processors that work much faster than the current models in use today.

Industries that Use Quantum Computing

At the time Marr wrote the article, governments and huge tech companies like IBM and Google were already investing in quantum computing technology. They already expected that the technology will transform the world, as quantum computing can solve various computer shortcomings, whilst allowing efficiencies initially considered as impossible to achieve.

Recently, the capabilities of quantum computing played a significant role in efforts to prevent coronavirus from spreading and in the development of vaccines to counter the virus. Quantum computing became the instrument for monitoring, analyzing and challenging data, regardless of the data source.

In recent developments, many in the financial and banking sector are now using quantum computing for fraud detection, managing credit risk, and high frequency trading.

Voice Tech: A No-Touch Solution in Bringing Back People to the Workplace

While working from home has been successful for many businesses, some still prefer having their employees work together in a safe workplace. One proposed solution to reduce the risk of infection in an office environment is the use of Voice Technology, a high-tech feature found in many smart appliances.

This technology can reduce the number of times employees need to touch surfaces, including their mobile devices, and has been successfully implemented in modern televisions, light switches, alarm systems, and plumbing fixtures.

According to Anthony Mullen, a senior analyst at Gartner, software such as Microsoft’s Cortana, Google Home, and Alexa for Business, which were not widely adopted before the pandemic, can now significantly help businesses run smoothly by assisting employees and clients while maintaining a safe distance.

Studies show that mobile devices are touched over 2,600 times a day, making people fearful of transmitting the coronavirus from their phones. Voice technology can help alleviate this uneasiness, especially in an office where one co-worker may be asymptomatic.

Speech recognition AI in chatbots, combined with smart speakers and their voice technology functionality, can keep office businesses secure by allowing users to stream music, ask questions, and get live updates on weather, traffic, sports, and more, all without touching their devices.

Advancing Telehealth Adoption in Facing the Threats of the Coronavirus Age

Telehealth or telemedicine services and equipment, are among the advanced technologies now on track as new normals, in what is now touted as the Coronavirus Age. The frequency by which novel coronaviruses evolve and spread as contagious diseases have raised speculations that COVID-19 and similar viruses will perennially occur, even if vaccines and treatment are already in place.

In the meantime, as the world waits until biolabs and pharmaceutical companies achieve success in their respective medical mission, the availability of telehealth services is seen as another effective approach in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Telemedicine has been introduced years ago as solutions with which elderly and persons with disabilities can seek remote primary care and medical attention. While initially introducing wearable devices that can monitor the vital signs of a patient, telehealth services have since advanced with the development of other technologies. Outpatients can hook up with health care providers, hospitals and medical professionals, via teleconferencing platforms and use of digital medical equipment in remotely assessing symptoms.

However, remote medical consultations have not become mainstream because many prefer the conventional in-person clinical visits. Although sought only if it’s the only recourse to getting medical care and attention, many still prefer experiencing the assurance of human touch. In -person consultations allow a physician to tap on and listen to the vital organs in their patient’s chest, or feel a lump, or even just take their pulse.

Yet we now live in an environment where a stronger type of coronavirus can be transmitted by people and in places by a mere touch. Although it’s not the solution to the treatment of infected persons, telemedicine and its related technologies can help minimise the risks of exposing other patients, especially the vulnerable ones, to threats posed by the coronavirus.

The CARES Act Includes Support for the Widespread Adoption of Telehealth Care

Inasmuch as the cost of traditional health care is already hard to afford for many, the adoption of telehealth or telemedicine cannot be relied upon as a primary preventive response in combatting the spread of the contagion.

That is why the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a $200 million funding for use of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in establishing and supporting a COVID-18 Telehealth Program. The initiatives of which should basically aim to give support to providers of telehealth care in both rural and non-rural areas. In line with the program, the FCC is set to introduce a subset of telehealth systems called “connected care services (CCS).”

Using strong broadband Internet connection and advanced technologies, the main objective of FCC’s connected care services is to deliver affordable remote medical care to patients outside of hospital and clinical facilities. The CCS providers will diagnose the symptoms of patients, while the data generated including images, will then be forwarded to a remotely located physician. The physician will in turn interpret the data as basis for making medical recommendations and issuing medical prescriptions.

Still, since medical practice is a highly regulated profession, all related facilities and technologies must also operate in accordance with the country’s health care laws.

Covid-19 Crisis: Need for Businesses to Stay Robust

While during the Covid-19 crisis, businesses need to stay robust so that they can bolster stakeholders’ faith in their bankability as an investment option.

As various companies face challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis, many are operating through employees carrying out tasks using collaboration and remote-working technologies. However, those at the helm of operations should make sure that causes for disruptions are minimized and resolved at the soonest possible time. That way, once the public health crisis is over, only minor issues, if anything at all, would hold them back from re-establishing their former position in the world of business.

Fortunately, many major providers of business technologies have stepped up to offer free use of solutions, applications, and tools. Their offers are extended to new and existing clients as a means that will permit them to continue operations without the burden of incurring additional costs.

ServiceNow is one of the major tech companies that took the initiative to offer free applications to help companies stay strong during the Covid-19 pandemic. ServiceNow CIO Chris Bedi remarked that “it is in times like this when everyone needs to come together and help.”

ServiceNow offers free apps to help governments and businesses monitor the health of their workforce. The company offers cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) to help improve a company’s ability to optimize workflows while providing all forms of technical support and IT management functions.

Recently, the company released four applications dedicated to assisting various U.S. government offices and agencies, as well as private companies, in monitoring not only the workflow status of their employees but also their health. The great news is that ServiceNow is releasing it for use, free of charge to old and new clients, up to the end of September 2020.

Unlike other major tech companies that are offering remote-working software and collaboration and teleconferencing tools, ServiceNow’s free applications enable government agencies and companies to respond to the health emergencies presented by the pandemic.

One of the four applications was developed by ServiceNow for the Washington State Department of Health. The app has been released as a free tool for use by other government entities, business organizations, and institutions for an indefinite period.

The government-donated app through ServiceNow’s cloud platform handles digitization processes aimed at eliminating the tediousness of making resource allocations immediately visible, as a means of improving responses to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The three other ServiceNow applications, namely: “Employee Outreach,” “Employee Exposure Management” and “Employee Self Report,” mainly involve enabling employers to confirm the health status of employees while working at home or in a remote location.

The “Employee Outreach” app facilitates an employer’s inquiry in confirming the geographical location and safety of their employees. The “Emergency Self Report” app, on the other hand, comprises a workflow as a means for employees in providing updates to their respective employers while under self-quarantine measures.

The third, which is deemed as the most important of the three ServiceNow free apps, is the “Emergency Exposure Management (EEM).” This is mainly because the EEM app addresses a situation in which an employee has tested positive for the Covid-19 disease.

Through the EEM app’s features, employers will be able to identify those who have had recent contact with the Covid-19 positive employee by reviewing the latter’s history of assignment locations and meetings.

Playstore and AppStore Take Down To Tok Messenger App in Light of Espionage Allegations

Google’s Playstore and Apple’s AppStore have taken down the To Tok Messenger social messaging app after reports from the New York Times (NYT) revealed indications that the messaging app is being used as a spy tool by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the NYT, the To Tok app publisher, Breej Holding Ltd, is directly affiliated with DarkMatter. Meanwhile, the DarkMatter Group is an Abu Dhabi-based intelligence and hacking entity currently under FBI investigation for alleged cyber crimes.

Claiming that much of their information comes from American officials, NYT also reported that DarkMatter Group’s workforce comprises mostly UAE intelligence officials, former employees of the U.S. National Security Agency, and former operatives of the Israeli Military Intelligence.

During the course of the NYT’s investigation of the To Tok messaging app, they also found that China’s leading telecommunications company, Huawei, carries an endorsement of the To Tok app in its app gallery. Huawei has been blacklisted in the U.S. for allegations of spying activities.

Google and Apple Report that Millions are Already Using the To Tok Messaging App

Both Google and Apple reported that To Tok became the most downloaded messaging app, despite being only a few months old. Google Playstore reported that the app has been downloaded and installed by around 5 million users of Android-supported devices from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Apple’s App Annie reported that the To Tok messaging app, which is somewhat similar to WhatsApp and TikTok, easily became the most downloaded app in recent weeks.

Google says those who have already installed the app on their mobile device can still use it to send social messages. However, in light of recent reports that the app is under investigation for being a spy tool used to track every message, photo image, geolocation movement, appointment, relationship, and music preference of users for the UAE government, Google decided to remove the To Tok app from its PlayStore.

Audacity: The Multi-Language Recorder and Audio Editor Open-Source Software

Audacity is free software that can be used by music enthusiasts to record and edit multi-track audio on any operating system, including Mac OS X, Windows, and GNU/Linux, among others. It is an editing program that is also open-source software that can be used, studied, and improved by anyone and shared with others.

Audacity is a tool for recording live audio, computer playback or soundtracks, and for converting music records and tapes into digital recordings such as Compact Discs (CD) or in editing other sound files such as Waveform Audio File (WAV), Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF), Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC), MP2, MP3, or Ogg Vorbis, as well as other formats using optional libraries including Windows Media Audio (WMA), AC3 Dolby Digital, or Mpeg 4 Audio (M4A/M4R), just to mention a few.

The Audacity software also provides users with tools for cutting, splicing, or mixing different sounds together, while adding effects by changing the pitch or speed of a recording. Users can even write their own plug-in effects using Nyquist frequency.

Users of the Audacity open-source codes who want to submit suggestions, request features, report bugs, or pose any technical queries can find support at the Audacity Forum site.

Audacity 2.3.2 Version

The latest version of Audacity is Audacity 2.3.2, which was released in May 2019 to replace all earlier versions for Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. Aside from bug fixes, the new edition now includes an encoder for LAME mp3, a SELECT button for the whole track, and a file browser for selecting files from the Nyquist plug-in installer. Note that in this latest Audacity version, the “Type to Create a Label” feature has to be enabled as it is now off by default.

Moreover, the open-source codes for the Audacity 2.3.2 Version now come with a mod-script-pipe for driving the software from Python using a preferred enabler.

Author: Yasmin Sabryna