Friday 26 July 2019

5G is here. What does it mean for you?

By now, you've probably heard about the coming launch of 5G. Rolling into the marketplace for the first time this year, it's the next (fifth) generation of cellular technology and promises to significantly enhance the speed, coverage, and responsiveness of wireless networks.

It's a major upgrade and has wireless carriers excitedly rushing to promote the arrivals of their 5G networks and compatible products. As a result, the average cellphone user may well be wondering: How and when will 5G really make an impact on me?



Well, before you feel compelled to rush out and upgrade your phone, consider the following.

Ever since the first field tests of 5G were deployed in 2015, the hype for the technology has been building. Tests have delivered responses 10 to 100 times speedier than current 4G cellular connections. The arrival of 5G is predicted to bring phenomenal advancements to the digital landscape.

However, 5G is only being made available in a small number of launch cities, and even there only to those who've 5G-compatible phones.

The rest of us will still be connected to the reliable 4G service we've grown used to - and 4G won't be going away anytime soon.

It's estimated that most wireless networks won't be providing widespread 5G coverage until the end of 2020. And even when they do, you can expect the technology supporting 4G to remain in place indefinitely. 

Wednesday 24 July 2019

6 Amazing Facts about Chandrayaan-2

With Chandrayaan 2's landing on the Moon surface, India will be the 4th country in the world to land on the lunar surface. The ambitious second Moon mission of India will be studying the presence of water on the satellite. Chandrayaan 1 had discovered the presence of water molecules 11 years ago. Here are some interesting facts about Chandrayaan-2.



1. Chandrayaan 2 costs less than popular Hollywood movies Avengers Endgame and Interstellar. While  Chandrayaan 2 cost about $141 million, Avengers Endgame cost $356 million, and Interstellar took about $165 million. 

2. When the Chandrayaan 2 lands on the South Pole of the moon, that will be a record-setting moment as no other country has set foot there before.  

3. The GSLV Mk-III, or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, which was used to launch the Chandrayaan 2, is the most powerful rocket ever developed by ISRO. It will also be used to launch any manned space mission in the future. It was initially nicknamed Fat Boy, which later changed to Bahubali.

4. The lander of the mission is called Vikram after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program. 

5. Pragyan the rover of the Chandrayaan 2 will weigh about 27 kg and will function on solar power. It will have two cameras on the front side that will monitor where it will go. 

6. Lander and Rover were tested on dry soil from Salem, Tamil Nadu. Geologists had apparently found rocks in this region, that almost match the properties of lunar soil. 

Friday 12 July 2019

Want to boost creativity? Try playing Minecraft


Video games that foster creative freedom can increase creativity under certain conditions, according to new research from Iowa State University, USA. The experimental study compared the effect of playing Minecraft, with or without instruction, to watching a TV show or playing a race car video game. Those given the freedom to play Minecraft without instruction were most creative.

The game allows players to explore unique worlds and create anything they can imagine. Study participants randomly assigned to play Minecraft were split into two groups. The one receiving instruction was told to play as creatively as possible. After 40 minutes of play or watching TV, the 352 participants completed several creativity tasks.

Most video games encourage players to practice some level of creativity. For example, players may create a character and story for role-playing games or be rewarded for creative strategies in competitive games. The researchers say even first-person shooter games can potentially inspire creativity as players think about strategy and look for advantages in combat.

The researchers say based on these findings, it is important to not disregard the potential video games have as engaging and adaptive educational opportunities.

Wednesday 3 July 2019

3 exercises that burn huge amounts of calories


If you are struggling to lose weight, try these 3 calorie burning exercises right now!

1. Burpees

Burpees or squat thrusts are great for reducing body fat. A man could burn almost 1.5 calories per burpee says a study by The American College of Sports Medicine. To do a burpee, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, weight in your heels, and your arms at your sides. Push your hips back, bend your knees, and lower your body into a squat. Place your hands on the floor directly in front of, and just inside, your feet. Shift your weight onto them. Then, jump your feet back to softly land on the balls of your feet in a plank position. Your body should form a straight line from your head to heels. Be careful not to let your back sag as it can keep you from effectively working your core. Finally, jump your feet back so that they land just outside of your hands. Reach your arms overhead and explosively jump up into the air. Land and immediately lower back into a squat for your next rep.

2. Skipping

Don't let this super-easy and straightforward exercise fool you. Skipping gets your heart rate up and improves balance and coordination. A moderate intensity jump rope session burns 13 calories a minute. A skipping session at a moderate pace should be about a hundred skips a minute.

3. Swimming

Your whole body works while you're swimming. Your legs kick, your arms stroke, your core contracts to keep you afloat. With that much muscle recruitment, it ranks as one of the top calorie-burning cardio exercises you can do. Your stroke makes a difference as well- for example, doing a butterfly stroke over a breaststroke will help burn more calories. Moreover, where you swim makes a difference too. For example, if you swim in the ocean (where you are against the current) it would be a super intense workout.