A few helpful apps for efficient and hassle free travelling

Traveling, for business or pleasure, is part of life. The biggest challenge during these travels is making the best use of time and money. The need to cram most of the activities, sightseeing, enjoyment and work (for business trips) within the limited period of time you have, will require efficiency and for that, you need to take the help of apps.

Apps to make your traveling convenient and pleasurable

Yes, there are thousands of apps to help you experience efficient and hassle free traveling and knowing about them will make your future trips better than you imagined.

GasBuddy

One of the best app options which will save both time and money by providing up-to-date gas prices. With the help of crowdsource technology, this app will direct you to the nearest gas station and show the gas stations with the lowest gas price. It is free for both iOS and Android.

Uber

With its availability in 66 countries and 507 cities, this app will put a stop to your transportation worries. You won’t have to depend on public transport system or local taxi service. Uber will provide access to efficient transportation with safe cashless transactions. The app is free for both iOs and Android, but the rides are not.

TripList

Packing for a trip is a nightmare for most people, as forgetting something important always happens. If you are terrible packer, then TripList is the app you need. Here you can create packing lists for trips which can be saved for the future. Moreover, you can plan tasks and set reminders to complete them as well. The app is free for both iOS and Android, though only the basic version.

WifiMapper

This app, that is free for both iOS and Android, will help you find free Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere in the world. It has access to a database of about 500 million Wi-Fi networks which ensures that you can find one. Additionally, the app provides information on the venue and the history of the strength of that particular connection. If you are worried about surfing internet on public Wi-Fi, then using VPN or Virtual Private Network will be the smartest thing to do.

MyTSA

This app, for both iOS and Android, is from the Transportation Safety Administration which provides you round the clock access to air travel information. Here you can find info like restricted items, real-time waiting status at security checkpoints and such at any airport. There is the TSA Precheck program which will let you speed through the security check process.

To access and use these apps, you will need a reliable and robust broadband internet connection. At V4 Telecom, we offer both unlimited mobile broadband and home broadband connections to choose from. 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.

Keep track of your fitness with any of these 5 apps

Keeping fit has become one of the most crucial requirements of this age. Amongst the stress of job and life, pollution, disrupted routine, availability and dependence of fast food and such, maintaining a healthy life and body is becoming tougher by the day.

Here are some of the best fitness apps to try this week.

The present scenario as it is

So, it is quite understandable that motivation is required and nothing can be better motivation than your progress towards better health and body. To that end, fitness apps are really helpful. There are thousands of health and fitness apps available and you are free to choose any of them depending on your specific requirements. Having guidance regarding some of the apps will help to make the right choice.

The list of apps

Without further ado, here is the list containing the names of 5 of the best and most widely used fitness apps.

MyFitnessPal

This is a free app which keeps a tab on your everyday calorie consumption and expenditure. Being compatible with most fitness trackers, it can keep track of the calorie you burn by accessing the data from the tracker.

Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout

It will provide you the perfect chance to accommodate some exercise in a busy routine and is perfect for busy travelers, people with tight schedule and such. Unlike other such apps, this one comes with the option where you can adjust the level of difficulty according to your fitness level. If you have more time in hand, then there are longer workout sessions in this app as well.

Music workout apps

Instead of just keeping track of calorie and getting guidance from a coach, people love to be motivated by music. Hence, there are music workout apps like Spotify and RockMyRun. The former one allows you to find songs that are perfectly matched with your workout tempo. The latter one allows the music to play faster or slower depending on your real time cadence changes.

Strava

This app is used for running and cycling where you can compete with all others signed up to use it by getting statistics about their workouts.

Charity Miles

This app provides another kind of motivation where for the miles you run or cycle or the hours you exercise, donations are made to help the people in need. Before starting the workout session, you need to select an Australian charity and the donation will reach them.

Assistance we are offering

To gather more information on them and to download the apps, you will need reliable and robust broadband internet connection. At V4 Telecom we provide an array of limited and unlimited broadband plans to choose from.

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 has surpassed FitBit in wearable genre

New research has revealed that Apple has gained another feather on its already highly adorned crown. According to the research, the tech giant has surpassed FitBit as the largest wearables vendor.

Apple is ahead of the competition in the wearable segment.

The data supporting the report

The data acquired from Strategy Analytics suggest that, Apple has dominated the wearable’s market shipped in the first quarter of 2017 by covering more than 16% of the staggering total number of 22 million units. This feat has helped the company to overtake the previous occupant of the Numero-Uno spot, FitBit.

Some statistics from the report

The report also highlights the fact that, FitBit is in a fix as it now needs to fight Apple and that also after suffering loss, declining in areas like shipment, revenue, pricing and profit. Additionally, the global wearable market has reached 22 million units in the first quarter of 2017 in comparison to the 18.2 million units in the first quarter of 2016 and it is 21% more than the previous year. This spike in the number of wearables is due to the strong and growing demand for newer Smartwatch models in Western Europe, North America and Asia.

Comparing two years

During the first quarter of 2017 (first three months of the year), Apple has shipped 3.5 million wearables worldwide which is 59% more in comparison to the 2.2 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2016.

The reason behind this development

According to the data from Strategy Analytics, the Apple Watch Series 2 is selling pretty well in US, UK, Australia and other places due to its stylish look, dedicated marketing strategy and better retail presence than before.

The situation for FitBit

In comparison to that, FitBit seems to be struggling. In the first quarter of 2017, the company has shipped only 2.9 million units of wearables worldwide which is quite disheartening against the dazzling 4.5 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2016. From the data and facts it is quite clear that, FitBit has lost its leadership in this market.

The reason behind this

Experts are of the opinion that, reducing demand of the fitnessbands from the company along with its late entry in the Smartwatch market are the reasons behind this result. Currently, the company’s profit, revenue, shipment and pricing are also declining fast. If the company wants to regain its position, then their work is cut out for them.

How we can help?

Along with providing unlimited broadband plans for both home and mobile, we at V4 Telecom also keep an eye on the market so that we can provide you with the services you need. Choose from our extensive broadband plans and get ready for the special day. 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.

Facebook launches its first social VR app

You must have wasted hundreds of hours of your unlimited broadband connection with various online gaming apps on your smartphone. Pokemon Go & Clash of Clans grew so popular that people didn’t mind wasting hundreds of MB of their mobile data in a bid to catch the rare pokemons in and around their locality & to conquer the kingdoms respectively. Facebook has taken it upon itself to launch the world’s first social VR app which effectively makes virtual reality more social than ever before. This app is called Facebook Spaces and it has been shown at the F8 developer conference. This will also act as a new app for the Oculus Rift wherein users can easily hang out with their friends in the virtual reality.

Facebook brings the world’s first social virtual reality app for millions of users worldwide.

Let’s create an avatar

In order tom make use of the Facebook Spaces users will have to create an avatar right at the beginning. The avatar created on this application is very similar to the ones offered in the Oculus Avatars. Users can even choose their Facebook photo and Space can work on it to generate avatar similar it. Changing the look and feel of the avatar is every simple as you are simply required to tap on the part and choose from a list of options which includes the hair colours to new eye shapes.

Hang out with friends who don’t even have VR

Facebook Spaces unfortunately is limited to the people who have Occulus Rift. This app allows friends to join the VR hangouts by placing a Messenger call remotely. Sending or receiving a call on Messenger pretty much the same but joining a video call in the virtual reality certainly feels like a different thing. Users will be able to see their friends in the virtual space but they won’t be able to control their vantage point like done with the 360 videos. Watching 360 degree videos with friends on Facebook Space is a cool feature but it will drain your broadband internet plan or data plan swiftly.

Facebook Spaces does offer a better way of online networking and will help users putting their internet connection to some good use. But this app has its own share of shortcoming as only four participants can be featured at a single time and they can’t move around much in the space. This app is still in beta version therefore the call quality on Messenger is not up to the mark but as more people start using it Facebook will be able to bring the desirable updates.

V4 Telecom offers blazing fast internet connection with its wide array of unlimited broadband and mobile data plans. 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.

Scientists claims that the world-famous coral reefs are soon to be extinct

Underwater ecosystem has always been a fascinating subject. It is also been said that the human race is yet to discover most of the mysteries of the marine realm. The coral reef is an extremely important part of the submerged ecosystem and they are considered to be “underwater rainforests”.

Why coral is so important for the marine life

This is not because of their color and beauty, but due to their capability of controlling and managing the equilibrium of the ecosystem, under the oceans. Currently, these beautiful species is facing a huge challenge that can finish their existence in the coming decades. According to recent studies, coral reefs will be extinct by 2050.

Surprisingly, keeping check of the global warming also won’t be of much help. Despite the best efforts, only 10% of the world’s coral population can be saved.

Hardest of efforts are falling short

Scientists all over the world are worried about this fact and are trying their hardest to stop something like that from happening. Despite their hardest efforts, some drastic effort is required for saving this unique ecosystem. Surprisingly, keeping check of the global warming also won’t be of much help. Despite the best efforts, only 10% of the world’s coral population can be saved.

The benefits of coral reef

Additionally, coral reefs do not only supply oxygen in the water but is also the home of one-in-four underwater species. They keep the coastline safe from storms, helps with fishing, other economic sources, tourism, research for cures of diseases like arthritis, cancer, various viral and bacterial infections and such. So, their extinction will have a larger impact than you imagined.

What is creating the most problem

Corals are quite temperature sensitive as well, which simply means variation of 1 – 2 degree Celsius is enough to affect them adversely, resulting in bleaching. In this process, the algae creating a layer on the coral will be removed and the white skeletal parts will come out. Currently, along with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, other coastal areas like Hawaii, Japan, Florida, Maldives and such are under immediate danger.

Conclusion

Due to global warming, the temperature of the sea water is also increasing which is leading to the bleaching of the coral. Already 50% of the world’s coral reefs are extinct and if proper care is not taken soon, the rest will follow soon too. Scientists, researchers and environmental organizations are trying various methods to stop the impending doom. Stopping or strictly controlling water pollution, rise of coastal development efforts, overfishing and such steps are being taken. Scientists have also undertaken the project where coral reefs are being trained to adjust to the rising chamber.

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BlackBerry brings the world’s most secure flagship smartphone with DTEK60

BlackBerry finally launches its third Android smartphone to give a push to its Android based smartphone portfolio. It is worth noting that BlackBerry success as a major OEM depends upon the success of this new device. BlackBerry DTEK60 might turn out to be last smartphone ever made by BlackBerry if it fails to get enough traction and sales in the market.  BlackBerry has its marketing blitzkrieg in order to project the DTEK60 as a high-end value gadget which can give direct competition to the Apple’s iPhone 7 and Google Pixel

The BlackBerry DTEK60 is a solitary SIM (GSM) cell phone that acknowledges a Micro-SIM. Availability choices incorporate Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, USB OTG, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the telephone incorporate Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope.

BlackBerry brings the much-needed advanced to the Android platform with its Android-based devices.

Features of Blackberry DTEK60

Fingerprint Sensor	For brisk and advantageous turn on and open, the BlackBerry Fingerprint Sensor gives added security to opening your telephone, getting to Password Keeper and making buys – including Android Pay. Signify five fingerprints which are completely encoded with security you can trust.
BlackBerry Intelligent Keyboard	DTEK60 has a savvy console intended to gain from clients and increment writing precision and speed. It gives word recommendations as you write and incorporates up to three dialects, giving you a chance to flick them into place for speedier discussions.
BlackBerry Hub	This brought together inbox is a basic instrument for merging the greater part of your messages in one place – whether it is email, date-book, social or telephone calls.
RAM	The BlackBerry DTEK60 is controlled by 1.6 GHz quad-center Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and it accompanies 4GB of RAM.
Adaptable BlackBerry Convenience Key	With the press of a catch, the Convenience Key gives snappy access to your most utilized applications and the sky is the limit from there.
Shocking Screen	DTEK60 has a 5.5″ Quad HD show, equipped for showing 16 million hues. The screen is made of scratch-safe glass and components a specific oleophobic covering to ensure against smirches and fingerprints.
Expandable Memory	With support for smaller scale SD cards up to 2 TB, DTEK60 gives the adaptability to include moderate and hot-swappable memory to download, introduce, catch and share as your needs develop.
Stunning Camera	DTEK60 is built to convey proficient looking photographs with a 8MP front confronting camera and a 21MP auto-center back camera. Also, highlights like Phase Detection Auto Focus and a double tone LED blaze are intended to help the camera concentrate in a flash and precisely for an obscure free, sensible looking photographs, even in low light.
Dependable Battery	The BlackBerry DTEK60 runs Android 6.0 and is controlled by a 3000mAh non-removable battery with enough energy to withstand up to 24 hours of blended utilize. It quantifies 153.90 x 75.40 x 7.00 (tallness x width x thickness) and weighs 165.00 grams.
Fast Security Patching:	BlackBerry has a record of being the speediest to convey security patches, setting the bar in occurrence reaction and fix administration to shield your gadget from malevolent dangers.
DTEK™ by BlackBerry App	Enables clients to consequently screen their OS and applications to know when their security could be at hazard and to make a move to enhance it. The DTEK application likewise screens applications and informs you when somebody is: taking pictures or recordings without your insight, turning your mouthpiece on, sending an instant message, or getting to your contacts or area.
Equipment Root of Trust	BlackBerry utilizes a restrictive procedure that includes security from the beginning, taking into consideration the following, check and provisioning of the DTEK60.
Secure Boot Process	Starting with the base of trust, every phase of DTEK60’s safe boot chain should first confirm that the following segment is completely in place before continuing, guaranteeing your gadget has not been messed with since the last restart.
Android OS solidifying	BlackBerry gives extra security patches, enhances Android’s local Address Space Layout Randomization and diminishes the quantity of framework applications and administrations running with raised authorizations. This makes it more troublesome for aggressors to trade off the OS.
FIPS 140-2 Compliant Full Disk Encryption	Protects your private data such as pictures or bank data, from being stolen if you somehow happened to lose your telephone.
Android™ for Work and Google Play™ for Work	Allows for quick, basic and secure mix with an endeavor domain along with simple access to an incredible amount of rich business and IT-oversaw applications.

Full Enterprise Mobility Management Support

DTEK60 backings BlackBerry’s capable suite of EMM applications and secure efficiency arrangements, including: WatchDox by BlackBerry for secure record sharing, Good Work for business-class email and joint effort instruments, Strong Authentication by BlackBerry as a VPN arrangement, SecuSUITE for Enterprise for secure voice and texting correspondence, BBM Protected for scrambled informing and BES12 for secure cross-stage administration.

Pricing and Availability

DTEK60 is accessible to purchase from ShopBlackBerry.com in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and The Netherlands for $499 USD. Accessibility of DTEK60 in extra worldwide channels and nations will be declared in the coming weeks.

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