Month: June 2017

Cassini survives 7th Saturn dive and provides stunning visuals

Cassini–Huygens or more popularly known as Cassini, the unmanned spacecraft sent to Saturn has been doing its job dedicatedly for a long time now. Over the years, it has helped the scientists by sending important images of the gas giant.

Cassini’s 7^th dive

On 4^th of June, the spacecraft has sent a series of stunning images back to earth while speeding though the gap (1500 miles or 2400 km) between the planet and its rings. This gap separates the planet’s uppermost cloud layer and the innermost rings. This was Cassini’s 7^th dive into the zone taking it closer to the final phase of the mission culminating on 15^th September, 2017 when the probe will dive into Saturn’s atmosphere directly.

Detailed scans and more information

The detailed scans of the main rings have been done by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer or CIRS feature of space probe. These scans will help the scientists to understand the rings better including their composition and the temperature of different elements. Cassini has RADAR instrument as well which has scanned Saturn’s ‘A’ ring through its ‘C’ ring and the scan proves to be rather useful and informative. RADAR was installed initially for scanning the surface of Titan, Saturn’s moon.

How the scans work and what they reveal

Due to RADAR, Cassini can send radio waves to its target and catch the returning waves as well. Existence of solid particles can be confirmed through this process, along with the roughness, smoothness and temperature of the surface. The 7^th dash of Cassini made it pass through the very faint ‘D’ ring of Saturn and it could have been perilous for the probe. To counter the problem of ring collision during the pass, the handlers responsible for the space probe reoriented it’s 4 meters or 13 feet wide high-gain antenna to face the direction of the travel which created a makeshift shield.

The protective measure for Cassini

This measure has been planned for only two of the remaining 15 crossings of the probe. Further investigation done by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science Instrument or RPWS installed in Cassini has proven that there is a low density of particles within the ring gaps of Saturn. The eighth ring crossing of Cassini will happen on 10^th June.

Ensuring uninterrupted access to news

To explore the images and more information about Cassini and it’s space adventures, you need to remain connected with the world and that is possible though a reliable and robust broadband internet connection. At V4 Telecom, we provide an array of unlimited broadband plans both for home and mobile. You can choose one of them and ensure continuous updates on the subject.

For more such useful information, kindly follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We will be happy to help. For accessing high-speed, internet broadband, hosted telephony, switch to V4 Telecom Australia today and choose from our deals on NBN and ADSL.

Redesigned Skype becomes feature rich

Since acquiring Skype, the cross-platform communication service, about 6 years ago, Microsoft has attempted various revamping and redesigning on it. Despite the changes, gradually it was becoming harder of Skype to gain ground due to services like Whatsapp, Messenger and such. The changes have not been that smooth too. To conquer that, Microsoft, the tech giant, is attempting another revamping of the communication service to help it be at par with the contemporary competitors.

The revamped Skype — Recent redesigning has given Skype a new lease of life.

The anticipated changes

Under the revamping effort, improvements in text messages are to remain under main focus. Though, the service is mostly used for video and audio calls; Microsoft wants to provide a better IM feature to the users.

A little bit on the latest features

Currently, Skype messaging has three different sections including find, chat and capture. The Find section allows the user to search for messages in a conversation or items like GIFs, videos and such to send during a conversation. The Chat section provides a basic view of the conversation along with options of sending emojis and pictures. The Capture section seems to be inspired by SnapChat. Here, the user can use the camera to take pictures or short videos and add stickers, texts and such items to the video or photo before sending.

Additional information

Skype is sporting another section called Highlights which also seems to be inspired by SnapChat stories. Here, the user can post multiple photos and videos which friends can see and react to. Apart from the inspired features, Skype revamping efforts includes interesting improvements in user interface along with an enhanced video calling experience.

Availability of the latest version

This newly revamped version of Skype has been rolled out around the world; hence, they are available in Australia as well. Though the changes are available for mobile first and then for the desktop version. Android devices will get the new version first, the turn of iPhone will come after that and Windows and Mac versions will come within the next few months.

Getting ready for an enhanced Skype

So, to enjoy and access the new and revamped Skype, you will need to download the new version and for that, you will need a reliable broadband internet connection. V4 Telecom offers a number of mobile broadband and home broadband plans both in the limited and unlimited versions. You can choose any one of these plans, depending on your requirement and budget. In short, you can be completely prepared to use and enjoy the Skype experience.

Keeping up with World Wide Developer’s Conference from Australia

Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference is the event of the year of developers, experts, tech enthusiasts and fans. This is the time when the tech giant announces changes, reveals new and exciting technologies and outlines the future of the company. People all around the world keep an eye on the event to confirm the rumors and gather more information about the happenings.

The WWDC 2017 — Keeping an eye on Apple’s WWDC 2017 is a smart decision for the world

Confirmation whether the rumors are true or not

It does not matter if you are not a tech enthusiast or expert or developer, if you are a fan of the products by Apple and are waiting to find out if the rumor about the new iPad Pro is correct or whether the new iPhone will have an AI chip, then watching WWDC will be helpful.

To watch WWDC

To watch the WWDC, you will need information on the timings and streaming details. An array of technical magazines and technological experts will be attending the conference. By following any of them, you can have access to reviews, product info, expert insights and even live updates.

The helpful information you require

If you want to watch the conference yourself, then the following information will help. The venue of WWDC is McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose, California and the event will start at 10 am PDT on 5^th June, 2017, Monday. Because of the time difference, Australians will get to watch it on 6^th of June and the time will depend on the territory or state you reside in.

The timing will be, as follows:

For Western Australia, it will be 1 AM (local time)

For Northern Territory, it will be 2.30 AM (local time)

For Queensland, it will be 3 AM (local time)

For South Australia, it will be 3.30 AM (local time)

For Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, it will be 4 AM in the morning (local time).

Preparing for the uninterrupted view of WWDC

You can easily watch the live stream of the conference via a number of websites; and Apple’s YouTube channel where the videos will be uploaded after the event, but watching the conference “live” is an experience in itself. Either way, to watch the conference, you will need reliable and robust broadband internet for your home or mobile. At V4 Telecom, we offer multiple unlimited broadband plans for mobile devices and home to choose from. Choose one today and ensure uninterrupted viewing of World Wide Developer’s Conference.

Interesting upgrade is coming for Facebook albums

Are you an ardent user of social media, namely Facebook? If yes, then there is some interesting news for you. After quite some time, the social media platform is bringing certain updates to its albums, including an array of better collaboration tools.

Facebook's new update — The album feature on Facebook just became more interesting

The latest upgrades and their features

The upgrade will allow you to add videos, text posts, check-in and other kinds of updates in the album along with the photos. So, your albums will be richer and they will reflect your life in a better way than before. Additionally, the collaboration tools will now allow you to add your friends as the collaborators in the album more easily. In short, the albums in your Facebook account will be the perfect amalgamation of your life as it is with friends and loved ones and their special memories, information and other contributions.

More surprises are in store

If you are thinking that despite these features, your albums won’t be available for the public to view, then more surprises are waiting. You can now add featured albums in your profile and make them available for everyone to see (if you wish so, of course).

Who can access the upgrades as of now?

Currently, this update is available for desktops and Android OS. Updates for iOS are to come soon. The most noticeable point is that, this upgrade and further focus on albums has come after the updates of Google Photos and their increasing success. In this context Facebook has a unique advantage over Google Photos, because the inclusion of non-photo content is something that Facebook can perform really well in. The updates and upgrades are to reach Australia soon.

How we can help you prepare for the updates?

In such an exciting time, you need to be sure that you are prepared enough to enjoy and exploit these additional features to the fullest. To do that, you will need a reliable and robust broadband internet connection. It will be better if you have or choose to have unlimited broadband. At V4 Telecom, we offer an array of convenient and beneficial broadband plans you can choose from. We offer both limited and unlimited broadband plans for home users and mobile users. Opt for one today and prepare for the Facebook album updates perfectly.

Explore art further from the convenience of your home

Are you interested in art and want to explore various artists and their creations, but from the comfort and convenience of your home? If the answer to this question is “yes”, then there is good news for you. Google has introduce a new art search feature which will make exploring artworks easier.

Exploring famous paintings and art pieces — Now you can visit a museum without visiting the museum

The better way

Reading up to this, if you are not finding anything special, or thinking that visiting the art related websites will provide enough information, then you are not doing it justice. Google is providing a newer, better and more detailed way of exploring the works of your favorite artist.

New features and how it works

Under this new feature, when you are searching anything art related, not only you will get more relevant information, but can see the collection of an artist’s work or scroll through the museums where the works are housed to view the paintings on the wall. In some cases, you will have access to high-resolution pictures as well. This feature is the result of a collaboration of Google’s Arts & Culture, Maps and Search teams.

An interesting and beneficial development

According to the search engine, every month there are more than 500 million art related searches. So, it is quite understandable that, they would like to make the process of searching art pieces more interesting, informative and closer to reality. Along with this feature, now Google Maps will also allow you to enjoy a virtual walk through of the rooms and halls of a museum to see the pieces of art along with information and annotations on the wall next to them. Clicking through the images will provide a higher resolution view of the painting.

An exciting experience

In short, Google is providing you the experience of roaming in a museum minus the throng of camera loving people, long lines and unnecessary hassles and without leaving the comfort of your home. For the art loving people, art enthusiasts and anyone remotely interested in the glorious history of art and artists, this feature is ingenious and priceless. This new feature is the part of projects like Art Camera and Presidential Gallery.

Exploring your favorite pieces

So, if you always wanted to see “Monalisa” by Leonardo da Vinci or “Starry Night” by Van Gogh or any of your favorite artist’s works, but didn’t have the chnace to visit a museum in Australia or any other countries, then the chance is here, curtsey Google.

Preparation for the exploration

To enjoy this feature though, you will need broadband internet connection. At V4 Telecom, we offer an array of mobile broadband and home broadband plans and connections. You can choose any one of them and start exploring today. For more such useful information, kindly follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We will be happy to help. For accessing high-speed, internet broadband, hosted telephony, switch to V4 Telecom Australia today and choose from our deals on NBN and ADSL.

Apple iPhone is rumored to get artificial intelligence chip

Artificial Intelligence or AI is gaining more importance with the developments happening in the technology world. Though, the fixation with artificial intelligence is a number of years long, it seems the world is making significant progress in this matter only recently.

AI chips from Apple — Soon your Smartphone will be smarter due to AI chips by Apple

The speculations and anticipation

The rumor mill is rife with speculations that, the next iPhone is going to be more intelligent than its predecessors. If the speculation proves to be fact, then the next iPhone will be sporting an AI chip. The tech giant is currently working on AI chips, known as Apple Neural Engine, which will increase the battery life of the devices and perform tasks that are normally done by the user at present.

Current scenario and requirement

According to the reports, these chips will be integrated in the devices and will cope with the high amount of power an AI requires. At present the main processors of iPhone and graphicds chips are used to power features like Siri, facial recognition, iPhones, predictive typing and such. Despite this, the current hardware is unable to support an AI’s power consumption. As a result, the battery life of the phone suffers. If the artificial intelligence gets integrated, this problem will be solved to a great degree.

Chances of getting more information

Apple has always been quiet secretive about the products and changes happening. So, it can be hoped that more information about the AI chips may become available at the upcoming developer’s conference in June just like the revelation of Google’s AI plans happened earlier in May in their own conference.

The indications for AI chips

If the topic is considered critically, then the development of artificial intelligence chip won’t seem that farfetched. The tech giant has recently taken over Lattice Data which is well-known for using AI like structure. The self-driving car software by Apple has also been approved for road testing. It includes features like GPS, laser measuring, radar, computer vision and such. Additionally, their attempts and plan to expand the market of augmented reality are clear indications that, steady progress is happening in the artificial intelligence area.

How you can prepare for this?

To enjoy the AI and remain updated on the topic, you will need broadband internet connection. At V4 Telecom, we offer both home broadband and mobile broadband connections and you are free to choose the one you want. This way, you can prepare properly to enjoy the facilities of artificial intelligence.